The Hikarinin Exams

Chapter One: What's a Hikarinin?

It all began one fateful day when Uzumaki Naruto, self proclaimed future Hokage was training out in the forests surrounding Konoha. He had stopped to rest for a moment, when he heard something above him in the trees.

"Hey, Naruto." it called out in a deep voice.

Naruto growled. "Sasuke! Come out!"

"Relax, idiot." responded Sasuke coolly, walking out from the shadows.

"What do you want?"

"To ask you something." said Sasuke, his tone shifting to a brighter one. (If that's even possible.)

"Well? Go ahead!" said Naruto.

"Are you participating in the Hikarinin Tournament tomorrow? All the Genin are coming, including the three from Sunagakure." asked Sasuke.

"…What's a Hikarinin?" asked Naruto, puzzled.

"…It's like a Genin, except there can only be one, you get a special white cloth for your forehead protector, and you can lead missions when there's nobody else available." said Sasuke.

"Oh. No thanks, then. I've got a lot of training to do." responded Naruto as he turned around and began molding a Rasengan.

"Hn. That's too bad, then." said Sasuke as he prepared to leave.

"Hey Sasuke," said Naruto. "Wait."

"What is it?"

"Why'd you ask me to come?"

"Because, I…" said Sasuke, trailing off.

"Yes?"

"All the Genin will be there, but I want to face you in a fair fight!" yelled Sasuke.

"I see. Then I'll definitely be there!" Naruto said, darting off back toward Leaf Village.

The next day, all the Genin were assembled at the arena behind the Ninja Academy. There were many spectators as well.

"Let's see who's here." said Naruto. "Sakura, Hinata, Neji, Kiba and Akamaru, Shino, those two guys hiding in the bushes, Choji, Ino, Shikamaru, Kankuro, Lee, Tenten, Temari, and Sasuke." he said, pointing to each one. "Hey, where's Short, Tan, and Sandy?" he said to a passing Kankuro.

"He's currently under containment of the police force in Sunagakure." responded Kankuro.

"…Why?" asked a confused Naruto.

"He couldn't open a cookie jar, so he got pissed and started killing villagers."

"That's Gaara for you."

Meanwhile, in the bushes, a bandaged figure with spiky fur on his back and a feminine figure with a mask continued watching silently.

The bandaged one looked up at the other. "…Are you even a Genin?"

The other one looked back down toward him. "…Maybe. But, aren't you dead?"

"Look who's talking." he responded.

"Let the Hikarinin Exams BEGIN!" yelled a voice. In front of the ninjas appeared Kakashi. "Now, we've previously selected your match-ups out of a hat."

"Is that even fair?" asked Shikamaru.

"Quiet!" said Mitarashi Anko, appearing behind him with one finger in front of his neck. "This is the way it will be."

"Now, the first match will be…

Aburame Shino!

Versus…" The crowd waited on in suspense as drops of sweat fell to the ground.

"HYUGA NEJI!"

The other genin disappeared from the makeshift battle arena except for the two combatants who stood on opposite corners. Kakashi stood between them. "Begin when you're ready." he said, and disappeared.