| Gaara | :|: Silent Eyes :|: | Ch. 02 - Genin Exams |

I stared at my reflection, seeing the long scar from Gaara's sand. I placed my shirt over my undergarments, looking one last time in the mirror.

(the left.)

"Alrightly then." I blinked, making sure my eyes were a blood red. They had been changing colors lately. Grandfather said it was because of my moods. I had no clue in that matter. A light shimmered through the window, making a small silver locket sparkle from her neck. She slid it under her shirt, only to take it out once more. She clicked it open, hearing the soft melody of her voice, singing Kageri no Fuuin, Gaara's lullabye.

/ Mana's P.O.V. \
Yashimaru was very kind to make this. He gave it to Gaara, who gave it to me. In return, I gave him the teddy bear. I sat upon my bed, listening to the whole song. I was surprised when it ended, it started again, and Gaara's voice was singing it. He sounded so innocent and cute. "Mana-Chan! You ready?" I blinked several times, gazing to my window. "Konichiwa, Naruto-Kun. I'm almost ready." I stood up, slipping the necklace closed and under my shirt once again. "Ya know, you've grown a lot." Naruto was refuring tomy bust, which made me uncomfortable. "Yeah . . . You have too, Naruto!" I said, looking for my members. They haven't caught up to me lately, and I was concerned. "Hey, Naruto. Have you seenUyn and Una (oh-na)?"
"The twins? Nah, not lately." I sighed. THey were always getting into trouble. I was a pretty good kid now a days, only because I couldn't do much with a ruiened chest. It magically healed though. My grand-dad was happy about that. He wants me to be more careful, just in case I meet Gaara again. I sighed. "What is it?"
"Hm? Oh nothing. Hey, Naruto?" He turned his gaze to me, seeing my troubled face. "Do I look different from when I was younger?" I asked, stopping at Ichiraku Ramen. He blinked, taking a few steps back to get a full body look of me. "Yeah, you do. Are you sure your Mana?" I giggled, entering the ramen stand. "Positive."

After ramen, we headed out to check for the twins. I only seen a few little kids and Sakura. Naruto was flirting with her constantely. "Naruto, let's get going! We gotta see-" I paused when I bumped into someone. "Oh, I'm sorry, I-"
"What the hell, little girl!" A cat-eared boy lifted me up by my collar. "Ow! Hey, quit it!" I yelled, strugging against his fist. This was tightening my shirt around me, which hurt my chest. "Or what?"
"Hey, let Mana go!"

A girl behind him stared at Mana, shock covering her expression. "Kankuro! Gaara won't like this!"
"He isn't here, is he? We have some time, might as well-" He pulled his fist back, throwing it straight for my face. I slammedmy eyes shut, frozen in fear.

"Hey, what's the big idea?" I peeked through my lashes to see Sasuke. "Sasuke! Thank goodness!" The Uchiha smirked at me, with the twins on each side of him. "Una, Uyn! OH MAN Am I glad!" I sighed, kicking the boy in his stomach. He released me, and I stumbled to the gates, looking at the twins. "How'd ya know?"
"We're great at following people!" THey answered at the same time. I smiled, noticing another figure. "Kankuro, your a discrace to our village."
"Gaara! It's not what ya think! It happened like this-"
"Shut up or I'll kill you." Shivers went through my body as I recognized the name. It was Gaara. My hand went to my chest, but I found no locket. "Where my locket?" I gasped. The Kankuro dude held something shiny in his hands. "Heh, looks like I found it!" He grinned, opening it up.

I stopped imediately, hearing the music flow from it. Gaara paused from behind hsi siblings, turning his head halfway to hear. "Give that back!" I snatched it from him before he could see anything. "Aw man!" Kankuro sighed. I closed it quickly, backing up to Naruto and Sasuke's side. Una and Uyn appeared beside me, glaring towards the Sand siblings. "What's your name?" I looked up to Gaara, who was staring intently at me. "Mana. Mana Inuzuka," I studdered. His eyes flickered to the locket, then my chest. I blushed, looking away. "I am Gaara of the Desert. Who are you, boy of Raven Hair?" He stared to Sasuke. "Sasuke Uchiha." I backed up behind my teammates, letting them sheild me from their gazes. My foster grand-dad will be upset that I ran into him.


(Una left, Uyn right.)