Before I get this started, I just want to say that this isn't going to be 100%canon. I wrote it mostly from memory and I changed some scenes a little to my personal preference.

The stairway seems to stretch out ahead of me forever.

I almost wish that it really was never ending. I wish I could just keep walking and walking and never reach the bottom.

I never want to get down there, because he's down there.

My cousin, my clanmate, my enemy

Neji

We've just been paired up and I'm going to have to fight him when I get down there. I can't believe it, I don't want to. I know I can't beat him, there's no way I can.

The way he acts, I'm not sure if anyone can beat him.

But especially not me.

He's strong, I'm weak, and there's nothing that can change that.

No matter how hard I try, no matter how many hours I practice, I'll never be able to beat him.

I can see it in his eyes. His hard, cruel eyes.

Every time I look into his eyes I can see just how much he hates me and that's a scary thing to think about right now. Because in less than a minute I'm going to be at his mercy.

And Neji has no mercy, especially not for me.

I reach the bottom too soon, and walk slowly over to stand opposite him. He's just standing there, watching me calmly.

He knows I'm no match for him, he knows this fight will be over so soon he won't even break a sweat.

I feel my breath start to speed up. I feel the panic starting to well up inside of me.

"Hinata Hyuga! Versus! Neji Hyuga!"

My breath catches in my throat. I can see the hate in his eyes. I know he's going to kill me, I just know it. I'm not going to walk away from the match. I'm going to die here.

"Begin!"

I flinch as the word hangs in the air, but Neji doesn't move. He doesn't attack, he just starts to talk.

"Hinata," He says, "Forfeit the match."

My stomach feels icy as he defines my thoughts. I want to quit, to run away. There's no way I can win so why should I try. I would just get myself killed.

"If you fight me, you're going to get hurt, maybe killed."

I can't breathe. I clasp my hands together in front of my chest as if to protect myself from him. Even though we're not fighting yet, I know I'm already losing.

"This isn't something you can win." Neji says with his stone cold voice. It cuts deep into me, paralyzing me. "This isn't something you even have a chance in. Forfeit the match."

His eyes are like knives, digging into mine. They're locked on, not wavering at all. Boring into my head, it's like they can see everything I'm thinking.

Like he knows everything I'm afraid of.

I'm afraid of him.

"You're weak. You're not on the same level as me."

I can't move, I can barely breathe. I have to fight myself not to run, to hide. I know I can't beat him. Looking into his eyes now, I know I can't even last ten seconds against him.

He's right and I know that. He's strong and I'm weak.

"I've seen you training. It won't help. Nothing you do could help. It's not your destiny to be strong. It's not your fate to stand among the winners."

I can't breathe. I can't even do that anymore. I'm going to die here. I'm going to die if I fight him.

"You were born a loser. You are a loser." Neji's voice is strong, determined. He knows he will win.

"You will die a loser."

I'm going to die. If I fight him he's going to kill me. He's going to kill me. He's too strong. I'm too weak. I can't win I can't win. He's going to…

"Who are you to tell her what she can or can't do!" A voice shouts from above us.

It jerks me out of my paralysis and I look up to find the source.

There he is, Naruto.

"Everyone has their place," Neji says, addressing Naruto now. "And it is her's to be a weakling, your's too for that matter."

This infuriates Naruto.

"Who says!" He growls from the balcony. "Hinata!"

My breath catches again. He's talking to me now. I look up at him and he's looking back at me.

"Don't listen to him! He doesn't know what he's talking about! You can do it! Believe it!"

Then Naruto smiles and throws out a fist, one thumb sticking up.

"Hinata! Beat him for me!

I nod.

Turning back to Neji, I lock eyes with him.

Taking a deep breath I say, "I'm not afraid of you."

Neji smirks.

Unclasping my hands I raise them into a fighting position. I stagger my feet and prepare my chakra for battle

"Let us fight now," I say, my voice solid, not shaky or trembling as I thought it would be.

Neji prepares his battle stance as if to mock me.

But now that I think of Naruto, think of all he's done, I know I can be just like him. Fight against the odds and win.

I know I can beat Neji.

I hope you liked this. I've got the whole story written already so I'll post the next chapter tomorrow.

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