True Self, New Self

Hey guys! Took me long enough huh? Well here is another chapter for all of you. I apologize for the wait but things haven't settle down around here yet...*sighs* Well, lets start with the review answers!

Lemon Drops: Really? *goes check* Ohhhh right!! Hehehehe, I didn't notice before, thanks!

trulywicked: Chocolate!!! *drinks it* Yummy, I love chocolate, thanks! *glomps* Here is another chappy, since last one was a little bit angsty I decided to put some humor in this one.

feisu: Want chocolate? *holds a bar to her* I like your idea, I will see what I can do, maybe not in this chapter, but soon enough!!

Hello: Don't worry, I'm not that mean *grins* things will work out somehow.

Kyondaru: Thanks!! Yeah, mess with Konoha and you mess with Naruto, and you will not like to do that.


Allys: Now you will get to see! ^^

HellzAngel: He's just too kawaii! Here is another chappy.

Fourthiv: I second that!!

XZanayu: Thanks. ^^

kyu-chan: It did? I didn't noticed... usually my writing style depends on my mood. Glad you liked your b-day present! Don't worry, when he finds out it won't be like that, I'm working on it but I have the main idea.

bluewow: Don't worry about it, I'm not that mean, so I will make things work for them. ^^ glad you like my writing style.

The2Evils: The old Naruto is still there, and he comes out from time to time. ^^


So, on with the chapter!!


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True Self, New Self.


Chapter 19: Finally the Last Team Arrives.




Three days to the Chuunin exams, and almost all the teams from the villages had arrive, all but Suna. I'm really starting to get worried, because no one know anything about them, and Neji isn't back yet, and he's way too late. I swear that if by the end of this day I don't get any news about them, I will use my infinite vision to see what in all seven hells is going on.

' ' I still don't get why you don't do it already and stop fuzzing over it. ' '

'Because, my dear Kyuubi, there is no fun in that. The wait only makes the reward greater. Besides, for some reason, been able to hear, see and know everything isn't at nice as it sounds, it gets lonely and it takes away the trill of living without knowing what will happen next.'

' ' Sometimes kit, you amaze me with your way of reasoning. ' '

'Well, that is because I reason like a human, and you reason like a demon, that is all. Our lifestyles are different and so are our ways of thinking.'

' ' Good point there. ' '

'Well Kyuu, it is late already, even Yuki left for the academy already, so I better get up.'

I open my eyes and let the beauty of my surroundings fill my brain. No matter how many times I see them, my breath is taken away by them every single time. Tsunade told me that my father made this garden for my mother, so she could relax when she was pregnant with me. And a very relaxing environment it is. From my spot over a rock in the middle of this big pond, I look around. Behind me there is a big rock, from where the water of the pond come from, a beautiful spring of fresh water. In front of me, smaller rocks make a path the the shore. Around the pond, sand paths make their way between colorful plants and flowers, where several birds and butterflies fly around.

This place is, without a doubt, the more relaxing place in the whole house, and the spot that I chose to meditate each morning. When I found it the first time it wasn't in such a good shape, I must admit, but after Ino finished with it, the garden had recovered his former beauty. I learned from Ino how to take care of it too, even if she was more than ready to take care of it y herself, because she felt in love with it.

But enough with my inner ramblings, I have things to do, named collect data from the other participants of the exams. Information is a powerful weapon, and if it is accurate, it can make the difference between a win or a defeat in battle and in war. Many risk their lives to get it. In many things in this world, it isn't the strongest the one to succeed, but the one that has more information and know how to use it in his advantage.

That snake toy Kabuto knows what I'm talking about. He was, without doubt, one of the smartest participants in the exam five years ago, and his method of gathering information still is one of the best I know so far. And that chakra cards where a stroke of brilliance. No matter how much I hate him, even I have to admit that.

Most of the people, when they hate someone, they only see the things that someone is bad in, their defects, the bad things. They usually don't recognize the things they are good in, they refuse to see them. Kabuto is a great medic nin, and is very good gathering data. The fact that he uses these abilities for bad things doesn't change the fact that he has them, and I accept and recognize that.

Kuso, I started rambling again... Well, I cannot help it, I like to analyze most things in my life. I finally stand up and start making my way to Konoha's market, I have to pay a visit to my fan club, to see what new information they have for me. With each passing day I'm more convinced of their usefulness, and I found a way to get rid of them within seconds when they get too clingy, with just a bright smile at them they faint and problem resolved.

The market is full of people and buzzing with life as always. Some people are hurrying around it running errands, some walk around and look at the stands and stores, taking their time making their buys. In the middle of the crowd I see a familiar face, dark blue hair tied in a braid and forest green eyes, Sasuke's disguise as Ryuuji. I wonder what is he doing here, he hates large groups of people. Well I guess that I will find out when I go talk to him.

"Ryuuji-san, what brings you to the market in such a busy day?"

"Kaji," he says nodding his greeting,"We run out of supplies."

"And why didn't you sent your students instead of coming yourself?"

"The gakis got lost the first time they came, and bought lots of unnecessary things, I'm here to make sure they don't do it again."

"Oh, I see."

"And what are you doing here?"

"Came to meet someone?"

"Hn. Who?"

"KAJI-SAMAAAAAA!"

"Them." I say pointing to the horde of fan girls coming our way. He raises a questioning eyebrow and before he manages to escape or I to answer, we are surrounded by them.

"Kaji-sama! How are you this morning?"

"I'm great, thank you for asking. How about you?" I receive various variations of good for an answer and I just nod at them.

"Kaji-sama, who is your friend?" They say throwing flirty looks at him. I pity him, he's getting his fan club back, even if he doesn't want it, I can tell by the cold look he's giving them, so bad it doesn't work with them.

"This is Ryuuji-sensei, from Grass."

"Nice to meet you!" They say in chorus. How do they manage to do that anyway?

"Anyway, I got great news for you Kaji-sama!!"

"Really Koboshi? And what could they be?"

"You were waiting for some friends from Suna, right? The ones that are late?"

"Yes, why?"

"Well, I just came from a mission to a nearby village and on my way here I saw a group of Suna nins coming this way, I arrived before them because I was running and they were walking, but they should be arriving anytime now!"

"Really? Well, they are great news indeed. Then I should be off to welcome them, arigato gozaimasu Koboshi-chan."

I turn to leave but someone firmly grab my arm, not letting me move.

"You will NOT leave me here alone with this bunch of harpies, do you hear me?" Sasuke whisper in my ear.

"Come one, they aren't that bad." I whisper back, taking a look at the bunch of girls ogling him, trying to get a chance to cling to him.

"Really?"

"Well, maybe they are. Ok I will help you."

"Hn."

"Hey girls, I'm sorry but I have an important matter to attend now, so I must leave."

"WHY?" They say, now their attention focused on me. Good.

"Don't worry, I will come back to talk to you tomorrow. Deal?" I say throwing a charming smile at them. They wobble on their feet for a few seconds and then they faint with dreamy smiles plastered on their faces. "Works every time, I suggest you to leave before they wake up Ryuuji-san, or they will get you again. Ja ne." I say before disappearing from his sight.

Just like Koboshi said, the minute I appeared in front of the main gates, two Suna teams with their respective senseis walk through them. But the thing that surprise me is that their senseis are Kankuro and Temari. Well, it is a good thing, because if someone is able to tell me how exactly things worked, are them."

"Kankuro, Temari, welcome to Konoha!" I say walking to meet them.

"Oh Kaji, there you are. Thank you for coming and saving me the trouble of hunting you down." Temari says swinging her fan down and smacking me on the head.

"Ouch! Why was that for? I wrote when I arrived didn't I?"

"Yes but after that we never heard from you again until that Hyuuga kid came."

"Hmmm... sorry. But tell me, did it worked?"

"How about we talk about this after we settle down and get something to eat, I'm tired and I'm starving!"

"Of course Kankuro, do you know where are you staying?"

"Here is the map." Temari says while handing me a scroll.

"This is near my house, follow me then!"

I guide them to their living quarters and help them settle down. I must say that I'm more than eager to hear how things worked out. I'm very confident about the procedure, but there is always the possibility of it to fail. I take them to a nearby restaurant so they can get something to eat and after the kids are gone I finally asked the question that has been haunting me for days.

"So, did it worked?"

"Yes, it did." Temari says, grinning suspiciously.

"And how is Gaara?"

"He's excellent." Kankuro says grinning even more than his sister.

"I'm glad... And where is Neji?"

"Actually, there is where the fun part begins."

"Fun part?" What did I miss?

"After that Hyuuga kid activated the scroll, there was this bright light and when it disappeared Gaara was sound asleep."

"I figured that would happen, without Shukaku's chakra constantly flowing through his system and keeping him fine even with all the sleep deprivation, he will immediately fall asleep, but I don't know for how long. But I fail to see the funny part in that."

"Well, that's because we are not in the fun part yet, but here it comes. The Hyuuga kid decided to check his vital signatures to make sure everything was fine, but when he came close Gaara reached for him in his sleep and hugged him close." Temari says, now with a full amused smile on her face.

"You see, when Gaara was little he had a teddy bear and he wouldn't let go of it for anything. I guess that somehow his asleep mind remembered that and ordered his body to hug the closest thing nearby, and unfortunately for the Hyuuga kid, he was the closest thing nearby. No matter what we did, Gaara just won't let go, and he's way too strong to anyone to force him to do it. So the Hyuuga kid is now playing plushie at our house."

Kyuubi instantly provided me with an image of a chibi Gaara hugging a Neji plushie. I just couldn't hold it, it was way too funny and I started laughing so hard that they were tears falling from my eyes, soon Temari and Kankuro joined me and we started getting odd looks from the waiters in the empty restaurant.

When I finally calmed down and regained my ability to breath and talk properly, I rearranged my clothes and sat properly.

"I wonder what will Gaara do when he wakes up and sees Neji."

"He won't be mad I can tell you that much!" Kankuro said.

"Somehow the Hyuuga boy got my brothers attention, I think he has a crush with him at least."

"Well, I think he's in love, do you remember the face he had every time he came to Suna?" Kankuro asked his sister.

"Well, I can tell you this, Neji has definitely something for Gaara, but only time will tell what will happen with that relationship. Personally, I wish they will get together, they will do each other so much good."

"I agree with you, besides that Hyuuga boy looks like a good kid."

"He is. He's loyal, intelligent and strong, he will make a good mate for Gaara."

"Did you just said mate?"

"I did? Excuse me, it seems that the merge is affecting my way of speaking too."

"Don't worry about it, if I had to chose a word to call the person Gaara decides to spend his life with, it will be mate."

"Yeah, my brother may be more civilized now, but there still is some of that racoon's influence in some aspects of his behavior."

"Anyway, I want to talk with the boys family, to see how it is like."

"Wow, you are a protective older brother Kankuro. Well, Neji's father is dead. But you could talk with his cousin Hinata, you remember her right?"

"That shy little girl that fought Neji in the preliminary rounds right? Yeah I remember her."

"She's soft like a marshmallow. I wonder if the whole family is like that?"

"Believe me, they aren't. They are a powerful and proud clan. As a matter of fact, if Gaara and Neji do get together, their main obstacle and problem will be his clan."

"Because all the Main and Branch house thing right? I did my homework Kaji, I know how that things work."

"So you know about the seal on Neji's forehead too, right Temari?"

"That nasty little thing, you got no idea how I hate it and the stupid politics about it in the damn clan."

"I know Kankuro, I despise that thing too."

"I wish there is something we could do about it."

"Don't worry, I'm on it already."

"Really? What will you do?"

"For now it is a secret. But tell me, Gaara will come to the final round of the exam?"

"If he wakes up by then, yes."

"You are participating too, right Kaji?"

"Yes, I will. I think I have been a genin long enough, don't you?"

"Come on, we all know that you have less of genin than I of lady."

"Kankuro!"

"I'm sure you will pass the test with flying colors Kaji, just make sure you let some of our students pass too."

"Don't worry about it."

"So, you know anything about the exam yet?"

"No more than you guys do. Three days from now in front of the Hokage monument."

"Aren't your friends examiners?"

"Yes, but they can't tell me anything and they won't."

"Good luck with that then."

"So, want to go talk with Hinata? Is almost time for me to go pick up Yuki anyway?"

"So the kit is going to the Academy? What for? He's already at an advanced genin level."

"I know, but he wanted to go. So, shall we go?"

"Yeah, sure. I want to talk to her as soon as possible."

"Good."

I asked for the check and paid, despite the complains of Kankuro and Temari that wanted to pay their part. After that, we went to the Academy and looked for Hinata once the class finished.

"Hinata-san!"

"Ohh, Kaji-san, what brings you here? Yuki-chan must be outside already."

"Yeah I know, he went to some friends house to do his homework. Actually I was looking for you."

"For me? Then how can I help you Kaji-san?"

"Do you remember Temari and Kankuro?" I say turning to them that are right behind me.

"They are Gaara's brothers, right?" She says looking at them.

"Yes we are, we wanted to talk to you about your cousin Hyuuga Neji."

"Neji-niisan? Do you know where he is? He hasn't return from his mission at Suna and I'm starting to get worried."

"He's fine Hyuuga-san."

"More than fine I will say."

"What do you mean?"

"Well..."

Temari and Kankuro proceed to tell Hinata the same explanation of what happened back at Suna and the reason why her cousin isn't back yet, which make the poor Hinata enter in a sever giggle fit that lasted for several minutes before she managed to regain her composture.

"Well, I guess that Neji-niisan is more than fine indeed."

"You think your cousin likes our brother too?"

"I can assure you that, Temari-san, Kankuro-san. Neji-niisan doesn't talk very much, but recently when he does, it is all about Kazekage-sama."

"Then this is a good thing. How about you help us getting them together Hyuuga-san?"

"Get Neji-niisan and Kazekage-sama together? You can count with my help for whatever you need."

"Thank you Hyuuga-san."

"Please call me Hinata, Hyuuga-san is my cousin..."

"If you insist Hinata."

"I do."

"Well, I guess that I will leave you alone with your plotting."

"Are you leaving Kaji-san?"

"Yeah, I have a meeting with Tsunade-neesan and the Council."

"Are you in some kind of trouble?"

"No, she just asked for my help with that bunch of old men with last era's minds."

"Then good luck kiddo!"

"Thanks Kankuro. Ja ne!"


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Last chapter was a little sad for my tastes, so I decided to make this one full of humor to compensate. I'm in sugar high right now, so I think that you will notice that in this chapter, gomene!!
Hmmmm... review!! *bounces away*