Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto!

Okay, here we go! Next chapter for you all!

Enjoy!


Throughout Sasuke's fight she'd had to grip the railing to the balcony she was standing on, trying not to jump in between the fighters to protect her beau. She was relieved when it was done, and Kakashi took him to deal with the mark.

Naruto's fight she wanted to cheer for him the whole time, but couldn't, she would be too embarrassed after. She went into a bathroom to rinse off the blood that had dried on her face, looking a little better although she would have to put some ice on her bruises after her fight.

When she was about to go out, Ino came in, narrowing her eyes at her. "I've never seen you before the exam. Are you really a ninja from Konohagakure?"

Kirei nodded, smoothing her hair a little before turning to the other girl.

"Geez, I think even Hinata has more guts than you. It's probable that we're going to fight, since there are only two more match-ups. Maybe I'll add a few more bruises to your face. Have you seen Sakura? She seems to be missing. I wanted to fight her."

Kirei shook her head and passed her to see Choji fighting the last Oto ninja. So she would be fighting Sakura's rival. She would represent the dead girl the best she could.

Their match was last, and Ino asked, "Uchiha? Who's Uchiha Kirei?"

The Suna and remaining Oto ninja looked around, confused by the name. There was another Uchiha that no one knew about?

Naruto cheered as he nudged her to go on. "Go for it, Kirei-chan!"

Kirei sighed and jumped off the balcony, landing on one knee before walking up to her opponent. Ino scowled, and then pointed at her accusingly. "Hah! I'm going to fight you?! You look like you could be snapped in two by a girl weaker than me! I want to fight someone stronger, like Sakura!"

Kirei murmured, "Sorry, you can't."

The judge waved to them. "If you're ready, the tenth and final match will begin."

He stepped back, and Ino demanded, "What do you mean, I can't?!"

"Sakura-san is dead. She was killed during the second exam."

"But I saw her only a few hours before Naruto's team came to the tower! She got beat…"

Ino's blue eyes widened as she saw the marks on the girl's face. "Those bruises…"

She started shaking, then shrieked, her fists flying. She hit Kirei numberless times on each cheek, blood splattering everywhere. But the dark-haired girl didn't fight, feeling guilty for fooling the girl that her friend was still alive.

After a few moments, Naruto yelled, "Kirei-chan! Don't just stand there! FIGHT! Or are you chicken?!"

Kirei snapped out of her funk and ducked, making Ino overshoot and fly over her back. She raised her fists, not even letting the other girl recover before attacking. She hit her hard on the back of the neck, Ino's eyes widening before she passed out.

"Winner, Uchiha Kirei." A/N: Cheap, I know, but I really suck at fight scenes...

Naruto jumped down and put an arm around her shoulders, squeezing her in an ecstatic side-hug. "Yeah! That's more like it!"

She smiled a little, and then winced at her split lip. Ino had beaten her good before Naruto woke her up. She wiped some of the blood off her face before the judge announced, "We now have the ten who are going to participate in the third exam. Here are the match-ups."

Kirei saw her name next to Shikamaru's, the one with the Shadow Bind technique. She would have to watch out for that and knew he was smart, so she would have to study. She also noted that Naruto was facing Neji, and Sasuke would be facing Gaara. She shuddered at the thought of her beau fighting such a powerful opponent.

"The third exam will be commencing in one month, so train hard."


So in that month, Kirei trained hard so her agility and chakra are higher than before, and also she studied all sorts of strategies, playing shogi with her old jonin teacher.

"Kirei-chan, never underestimate your opponent. Always keep two steps ahead in your strategy. Don't make any unnecessary movements, either. Understand?"

"Yes, I do."

"You're very smart, but lack powerful moves because of your lack of experience. You've trained to make your strong points nearly flawless. Just make sure that your opponent doesn't know anything about your strategies or else you'll get caught in his Shadow Bind."

"I understand, Sensei. Checkmate."


You think Kirei will prevail against Shikamaru in the third exam? Place your bets because it's coming up!

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