A/N: Finally, the long-awaited Hyuuga bout…

Mush warning! Seriously, those who gag at the smallest hint of romance have been warned.

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Raikiri Triken: The Three Souls Swordsman

by Shadow Crystal Mage

Chapter 10: HINATA KICKS NEJI'S ASS!

Disclaimer: I don't own, you don't sue.

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Yami growled as Neji went through a speech. Something about fate and people cannot change, yadda yadda yadda. She really didn't mind listening to it. In fact, she found the speech rather amusing, as well as ironic. Wasn't the Main House supposed to be stronger than the Branch House?

The speech, however, was having a very adverse effect on her aibo. That was all she needed to stop being amused and start being pissed. She tried talking to Hinata, but her light was mesmerized by what Neji was saying, and she really didn't think taking control of their body would be any help. She grew more alarmed as she sensed Hinata coming closer to a nervous breakdown. Was she starting to cry? Yami went from pissed to raging.

Then someone yelled at Hinata to stand up for herself.

Yami felt Hinata's astonishment as they both realized who it was who was defending her.

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Harry did nothing to keep the approving smile on his face as the loudmouthed blond started cheering for the small, indigo-haired girl. Her opponent– which he'd picked up was her cousin, for crying out loud!– had really been getting on his nerves with that speech of his. It sounded too much like Malfoy's pureblood-ism.

On the spur of the moment, Harry moved from where he was standing next to Anko and the Hokage and Shukuchi-ed over next to Zabuza, startling those around him who wasn't used to Harry's speed. He startled Zabuza himself, for that matter.

The missing-nin raised an eyebrow at him. "What do you want?"

Harry smiled, making sure to let his voice carry. "Care to make a bet?"

Zabuza looked over at the field, where Naruto was still yelling, Hinata was listening, and Neji was annoyed. "On the match? Sure, why not."

Harry nodded. "One thousand on the girl."

He made sure to make that carry.

Everyone in hearing range blinked.

Zabuza smirked. "You're on."

That quickly, people started placing their bets. Naruto bet on Hinata.

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Yami heard the bet. More importantly, Hinata heard the bet.

Naruto-kun… feels confident enough of me that he's actually betting on me? Hinata thought in astonishment.

In an instant, the two were in the corridor between their Soul Rooms, facing each other. Immediately, Yami reached forward and held Hinata, stroking her hair comfortingly. "It would seem he is," Yami said, the only words at the moment that would do anything for Hinata's attitude. Pulling back slightly, she smiled down at her light, completely ignoring the fact Hinata was totally naked. "Let's not disappoint him, shall we?"

"H-hai!" Hinata said, a trembling smile on her lips.

Yami nodded, then suddenly grinned maliciously. "Our ass of a cousin is never going to know what hit 'em."

At this, Hinata pursed her lips. "Yami…"

"Yes, aibo?"

"Please, let me fight Neji on my own."

Yami blinked in surprise. "WHAT?"

Hinata looked up at the incarnation of her darkness. It's strange, thinking of a facet of yourself as a different being altogether. But then, technically, Yami was. "I want to beat Neji on my own. Please Yami."

Yami pursed her lips. "Aibo," she began, "I can't just stand around and watch. I'm you too. You're not the only one who wants a piece of dear cousin Neji. If you get in trouble… I will come to protect you. I can do no less."

Yami then grinned, one she probably picked up from Kiba. "Besides, you're not the only one who wants a piece of him."

But Hinata shook her head. "I'm fighting him, Yami. Alone. Please?"

Yami frowned. "No promises."

Hinata knew that was the most she'd get.

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Neji slid into a jyuuken stance, Byakugan active, watching Hinata warily. The girl seemed to have somehow recovered from her near-breakdown experience. A pity. It would have made things so much easier.

Hinata shed her black trench coat, revealing what she was wearing underneath. Tight black leather pants, fishnet shirt, a leather breastplate covering her chest. Multiple belts with pouches at her hips. Buckles at her biceps, plus lots more on her forearms, thick enough to look like bracers. It clashed horribly with her blush, but she bore herself proudly. Neji figured it was more pride than she'd ever used in her life, wondering how long before Hinata died of embarrassment.

The upside-down golden pyramid hanging from Hinata's neck puzzled the Hyuuga genius, though. Where had Hinata gotten that?

The examiner looked at the two of them, before chopping his hand in the air. "Begin!"

Neji tried one last time. "You sure you don' t want to forfeit, cousin?"

Surprisingly, Hinata just looked determined. One hand was reaching into one of the pouches at her waist. "No," the Hyuuga princess said simply.

Neji tensed as Hinata reached inside and pulled out…

A card?

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Hinata grasped the Millennium Puzzle in one hand as she raised the Magic Card she held in the other, closing her eyes in concentration. "Power of the Shadow Realm, here my call! De-Fusion!"

The Millennium Puzzle glowed slightly as Hinata used the power of the Magic Card on herself.

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Everyone blinked as Hinata seemed to glow slightly, before the glow split, and suddenly there were two Hinatas on the field.

Everyone blinked again and rubbed their eyes. Yup, still two Hinatas.

One Hinata wore the golden pyramid around her neck, and looked to be trying to avoid notice. The other seemed he complete opposite. She stood tall and proud, one hand on her hip, said hip thrust to the side provocatively. Her eyes held an arrogance that matched Neji's measure for measure– at least!

"What is this?" Neji said, turning towards Hayate. "Is that allowed?"

Hayate looked at the two identical girls inquiringly.

The other Hinata shrugged, her voice laced with pride and confidence. "Summons and animals are considered weapons, are they not? Well, I'm technically Hinata-chan's summon. Deal with it." That last was directed with a sneer at Neji.

Neji sniffed in derision as Hayate declared that this was allowed by the rules. "You're pathetic, cousin. Summoning a creature to do your fighting? You are a disgrace to the Hyuuga name."

"WHY YOU LITTLE–!" the other Hinata yelled, clenching her fists as veins suddenly erupted around her eyes in the manner of the active Byakugan. She took a step towards Neji, but was halted by Hinata's– the other, other Hinata, anyway, the one wearing the pyramid– hand on her shoulder.

"No, Yami," Hinata said, giving the now-identified Yami the Hinata equivalent of a stern look– which meant she still looked cute as a button. "I said I was fighting Neji by myself. You said you'd stay out of the way."

Yami sniffed in Neji's general direction, but grudgingly turned away, picking up the trench coat on the ground. "No promises, Hinata-chan," she said, walking to where she would be out of the way. She paused a moment, before a wide grin split her face. "Could you call up Mana-chan? She'd like to see your match, and I could use the company."

For some reason, the pyramid-wearing Hinata's face grew red, but she drew out another card from a belt pouch. "Come forth, Mana, the Dark Magician Girl," Hinata intoned.

A black hole in the ground opened, and the Dark Magician Girl suddenly popped out of the hole, in all her blonde, blue-eyed, busty, scantily dressed glory. Her gaze immediately locked on to Hinata. "HINATA-CHAN!" she cried, grabbing Hinata into a tight, affectionate hug, which happened to mash the young girl's face into the quite sizable cleavage. Said girl was blushing like crazy and gasping for air.

"Uh, Mana-chan," Yami said, chuckling under her breath. "I think Hinata-chan needs to breathe."

Mana started. Hinata was looking like a tomato and nearly asphyxiated. "Oh, Hinata-chan, I'm so sorry! Are you alright?"

"Fine," Hinata mumbled, trying to get back on her feet and get her blushing under control.

"This way, Mana-chan," Yami directed, gesturing for her to move to the side. "Hinata has to fight her ass of a cousin now, and she doesn't want anyone interfering."

Mana looked between Neji and Hinata. She knelt down and kissed Hinata gently on the lips. "Give him hell from me, Hinata-chan," she said, tapping Hinata's nose cutely. Said ninja was blushing like crazy all over again.

The two former Egyptians sat down off to the side, Yami curled up in Mana's lap and her head on the latter's chest. Despite her calm and relaxed façade, Hinata knew it was all Yami could do not to come running next to her.

Activating her Byakugan, Hinata turned to face Neji. "Let's do this, cousin."

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Yami and Mana were barely able to keep themselves in check as Neji relentlessly pummeled Hinata. Yami's Byakugan had activated under her intense emotions, and she could clearly see every burst of chakra Neji sent into Hinata's system. A part of her that wasn't slowly and surely falling into a rage took note of them. The rest started thinking of how to give Neji the most pain possible.

Neji struck Hinata's chest, a burst of chakra blasting into Hinata's already much abused system, and Yami saw red.

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Hinata dropped to her knees, coughing blood out of her lungs. She couldn't give up. Naruto was counting on her! She couldn't…

Neji made to strike one more time, but at the last minute, the genius suddenly drew back as the space where he would have been was suddenly occupied by kunai and shuriken. Whirling, Neji turned towards where they had come from.

Yami had stood up, a kunai lightly bouncing on her palm. Behind her, Mana was glaring, looking on the edge of barely restrained violence. Neji scowled at the interference. "Don't interfere. This isn't your fight."

Yami grinned ferally. "I beg to differ. Mana-chan was summoned by Hinata. That makes her Hinata's weapon. That makes her a part of this fight. As for me…" The grin got wider. Those in the sidelines suddenly felt a chill go up their spines. "I am a part of Hinata. This is as much my fight as it is hers."

"What the heck are you talking about?" Neji demanded.

Yami gazed at him coolly, and Neji's blood started to boil. That look was one that obviously found him lacking. "I am Hinata's darkness, taken from her mind and given form by the De-Fusion. I am a part of her. I am the Darkness. She is the Light. We are Hinata."

Neji sniffed. "Whatever. I'm ending this now." With that, Neji charged at Hinata.

"SWORDS OF REVEALING LIGHT!" Yami yelled, and suddenly, glowing swords of light suddenly appeared out of thin air, entrapping Neji, who tried to avoid them. The swords wouldn't have any of it, however, and they all converged to pierce the Hyuuga's sides from all directions, holding said person immobile.

Yami seemed to sag as she put the Magic Card she'd snitched off Hinata away. "Those swords will hold you for three minutes," Yami said, as she started walking over towards a surprised Hinata, who was trying to get back up. "When it wears off, we fight."

"Yami-chan…" Hinata said weakly as her other half started helping her up, but Yami shushed her by the simple expedient of putting a finger on her lips.

"Hush, Hinata-chan. No promises, remember?" Yami interrupted as she helped her get to her feet. The Darkness placed a hand on the Millennium Puzzle. She felt a small charge of power flow into her. It would be enough for one Magic or Trap Card, and maybe a Monster, depending on how powerful it is. Reaching into Hinata's pouches, Yami extracted a couple of cards. "Here. Use this on yourself," she said, slipping one of the cards into Hinata's hand. She pocketed the other after priming it. "Mana-chan! Take care of Hinata-chan here!"

Mana nodded, not stopping her glaring at Neji as she stepped up next to Hinata and drew her to the side. Yami walked away, then paused. She turned back. "Hey, Hinata-chan, hold out you hand, will you?"

Confused, Hinata raised her hand.

Yami slapped her against it. "Tag. I'm it," she said, turning back around to face Neji, who was still stabbed all over by the Swords of Revealing Light. By her estimation, she had about two minutes left on the swords. Yami grinned. "I'm taking Hinata's place in this fight as the incarnation of her dark side. Any objections?"

Neji still managed to look arrogant while held in place like a fly in a spider's web. "Prove it," was the sneer.

Yami looked at Hayate, she shrugged. This was all a little over his head, but if it was true… "Can you prove you are a physical manifestation of Hinata's dark side?"

"Neji used to wet her bed until she was five years old," Yami said instantly.

Neji flushed in embarrassment. The audience, however, noticed something in that statement.

"HER?"

Yami evil-laughed. "It's one of the Hyuuga clan's deep, dark secrets. Its resident genius and prodigy, the greatest fighter the clan has produced to date, is actually a girl! Not many people know. I only found out because Neji happened to walk by a couple of days ago while I was using my Byakugan. In the clan register, she's officially listed as a boy."

Tenten, Lee and Gai were staring at their teammate in disbelief. Others boggled.

"So that's how he manages to look so pretty," Naruto said. "Hey, Sasuke, you wouldn't happen to be a girl too, would you?"

"Naruto!" was the twin cry as the Star Wand and Ten Commandments made contact with Naruto's head.

Harry idly wondered if Malfoy had really been a girl. The bastard had never been seen without a shirt on either…

Yami smirked knowingly. "What? Haven't any of you wondered why Neji never took her shirt off at training?"

Frowning, Hayate glanced at Neji.

"Let her fight," the now-revealed girl growled. "I'll kill her!"

Deciding that this violent reaction was an affirmative, Hayate nodded, coughing. "Very well. Fight continues."

At these words, Yami streaked forward, her fist slamming hard into Neji's stomach. It wasn't jyuuken: it was basic Iron Fist taijutsu. Neji, still trapped by the Swords of Revealing Light with about a minute and a half or so to go, was powerless to defend as Yami rained blow after blow on her immobile form. Neji bore it all stoically, not crying out. When the Swords flickered away, Yami's roundhouse kick sent her flying as she was finally released.

"Weak," Neji spat out as she got back to her feet. "You wasted an opportunity to use jyuuken when I was completely defenseless. A fatal mistake for you."

"It was intentional," Yami informed him arrogantly, and Neji grit her teeth. "I needed to relieve a little stress so I could fight you with a cool head, and you happened to be convenient."

Neji staggered to her feet, moving into a jyuuken stance, one that Yami copied.

"Yami…!" Hinata called out.

"Don't worry, Hinata-chan," Yami said, not turning to look at her, keeping her focus on Neji. "I'll be fine. It's my duty as your dark side to protect you, and that's what I'm going to do. Just sit back and relax."

Neji charged. Grinning, Yami followed suit.

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The fight was markedly different this time around. For one, Neji had just recently received a minute and a half long beating, which tends to do something to ones physical condition. She was slightly slower and weaker now, giving Yami an edge since she was still fresh. Neji was still giving as good as she got, however, her longer experience and slightly farther reach being exploited to the best of her ability. Yami had made sure to perfectly memorize the tenketsu points during the previous fight, however, and even if she did miss, this was jyuuken she was using, so a miss was nearly as good as a hit.

Everyone, most of whom no longer knew what was going on but weren't caring because it was such a good show, was watching intently, not bothering to wonder how Hinata had managed to summon her dark side– she had one of those? Shocking!– to fight for her, or where the scantily clad blonde who was currently nursing her back to health with some kind of black magic had come from. Shino, Kiba and Kurenai, though having some idea that the other Hinata they talked to was the same one currently fighting Neji, weren't really sure how that happened, so they just watched and cheered the two halves of their teammate. Kabuto was frantically trying to memorize as much as he could.

The two were nearly equal as they fought, and Neji had twice needed to resort to her Kaiten to get away from Yami's strikes. On the third try, Yami mimicked it, and if it wasn't exactly perfect, she still managed to send Neji flying for a couple of feet.

Neji slowly got back to her feet as Yami stood where she had stopped spinning, a nearly arrogant, sneering smile on her face as she gazed down on Neji. Then her eyes widened as she realized Neji was now positioned between her and Hinata. She drew her kunai and shuriken and threw, but it was too late. Neji was already charging towards Hinata, her hands glowing with chakra.

Mana, unable to do anything since she currently had Hinata on her lap, frantically sent a Dark Magic Attack at Neji, who managed to dodge, a kunai flying towards the sorceress, striking her open palm. Mana cried out, blood dripping from her hand, before she suddenly disappeared back into the darkness, leaving Hinata defenseless.

Time seemed to contract as Yami frantically threw the card she had palmed, priming it with the last of the Millennium Puzzle's energy she had. Neji's fist streaked toward Hinata's face, in a brutal combination of Iron Fist and Gentle Fist. Hinata started to see her life flash before her eyes, hearing the cries of the onlookers. She knew the jounin would be too far away…

Naruto…

The Trap Card struck Hinata and activated, a split second before Neji's fist connected.

Hinata was thrown back from the force of the blow, tumbling over on her side as she flew a good fifteen feet just as Yami sent the last of her throwing weapon's into Neji's blind spot. They struck true, causing blood to gush from the prodigy's back as Yami rushed around towards Hinata.

Neji winced as she tried to pull out the weapons on her back. It was done. That hit should have fried Hinata's brain, and at least give her a concussion. She sneered as she watched the so-called dark side rush towards her useless cousin's side. "It's no good. She's not dead, but she might as well be, if not going there."

Yami didn't even bother turning around as she pried out the card she'd given Hinata. She made a mental note to bop her aibo one when she was healthier again. The girl hadn't even bothered to use it! "The trap has been activated," was all she said as she touched the Millennium Puzzle, drawing power from it and using that to Active 'Dian Keto the Curemaster'. Eight times, just to be sure.

Neji blinked, then started as slime suddenly began oozing out of thin air, flowing and shaping itself. Within moments, a watery-fluid Neji-shape was standing between her and the two.

"Neji-slime," Yami commanded, performing her sixth healing of Hinata, "attack the other piece of slime and give her the maximum amount of pain possible!"

"Yes, mistress," the Neji-slime said, speaking in Neji's voice. Tensing, it attacked, and Neji once more found herself being pressed hard, never mind the slime only had three-fourths of her abilities.

Hinata was still unconscious. Yami pursed her lips. If Hinata didn't wake up soon, there was a good chance they get disqualified. Frantically, she dipped into Hinata's pouches and pulled out the Revival Jam card, two Fusion cards and Jam Defender. Quickly, she summoned the Revival Jam, them primed the other three cards. Quickly, she set off one of the Fusion cards, turning the Neji-slime in the Eternal Neji-slime. This was followed by Jam Defender.

Yami nodded to herself. Good. A nearly solid– well, liquid, anyway– defense. Watching through the Byakugan as the Eternal Neji-slime determinedly kept the other Neji-slimeball away, Yami sent off a quick prayer and activated the second Fusion Card. If this worked, she'd only need a nano-second, not long enough to be disqualified for. Hopefully. Please?

The Light and Darkness of Hinata's soul fused back into one…

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Yami found Hinata curled up in the latter's Soul Room. The walls were dark, as if seen through a pure black mist, almost completely obscuring the images of Naruto from view.

Almost.

On the walls, the images of Naruto were frowning down on Hinata, and his wasn't the only one. Images of Hinata's father, teammates, and everyone Hinata knew stared down at her in disapproval, disgust and dismissal, so much so that if anyone had looked at them like that in the physical world, Yami would have taken over and practiced torturing on the poor soul in less than a heartbeat.

"Aibo?" Yami said as she entered, wishing she could do something about the incriminating stares. Sadly, this was Hinata's room, so no go. "Hinata-chan?"

Taking another step into the Soul Room, she paused, staring at Hinata's form. It was pure light, and even though it should have been shining brighter than the sun at noon, the light was dull, like a weak, aging bulb without the flickering. Okay, that was new. Reflexively, Yami looked down at her own body. It was purest darkness, clothed in her usual risqué garb. Well, that had never happened before. Must be the De-Fusion.

Even as she watched, what looked like small streaks of purple were flowing between her and Hinata. She was pretty sure they'd go back to looking like their usual selves soon. Still…

"Hinata-chan, you need to wake up," Yami said softly, as she knelt next to the curled up Hinata. "We're still in the chuunin exam, aibo. If you don't wake up, you'll get disqualified."

Hinata sniffed tearfully. "…weak, I'm so weak…"

"That's not true, Hinata-chan," Yami said gently, laying a hand on her Light's shoulder. Hinata flinched, and Yami drew back her hand hurriedly.

"…yes, it is…" Hinata murmured. "I wasn't even able to hit Neji-nesan. But you…"

A small smile appeared on Yami's face. "Hinata, I don't have a whit more or less skill than you do. I know only what you know. I'm capable only of what you're capable of. No more, no less. After all, I am your darkness. The darkness is only as strong as it's light. And you are very strong Hinata. That's how I was able to fight Neji. That's how you were able to fight Neji. It was all by you own strength. Come back, Hinata. Wake up. We have the strength to beat Neji for good. But I need you to use it. Without your light, I am nothing."

Hinata opened her eyes, only to close them again as she saw that not-nearly-obscured-enough images. "What's the use…" Hinata said. "Everyone saw me fall. They must think so little of me. Naruto-kun…"

Yami felt her heart clench at those words. "Hinata, don't bring yourself down. Naruto doesn't think you're weak. I don't think of you as weak." Weak? HAH! Hinata was the strongest person Yami knew.

"…how can he not?" Hinata said, tears budding from her tightly clenched eyes. "…he saw me beaten. NARUTO saw me beaten…"

Instincts still alive from when Yami had been a guy crept to the fore, and she had to clamp down hard to keep from spazzing like a mother hen. If there's one thing her once-male psyche couldn't stand, it was a crying female. With all the strength she muster, she reined the impulse in.

As gently as she could, Yami took hold of Hinata and pulled her up, resting the now quietly sobbing girl on her shoulder. Awkwardly, she patted Hinata on the back, trying her best to soothe the pain. "No one will think of you as weak, Hinata-chan," Yami said quietly. "No one. You went up against Neji– without me, I might add, but we'll discuss that later. You did your best within the circumstances you were under. Hinabi couldn't have fought better. I know that in my heart. You are not weak."

"…they'll think I'm weak…" Hinata sobbed.

"Screw what they think!" Yami said, quietly but passionately. "If Naruto thinks you're weak after what you did– and he won't– then he's not worthy of our time."

When Hinata didn't respond, just kept on sobbing, Yami gently but firmly raised up her aibo's head, making her meet her eyes. White eyes met white as light stared into dark. "Hinata-chan, whatever the world thinks, I will never think you're weak. Whatever happens, you'll always have me. I promise. I… I love you, Hiinata-chan…"

One pair of white eyes widened in shock. "…you… love me?"

Yami smiled tenderly. "I do, Hinata-chan. I love you. Mana-chan loves you. And if we had our way, Naruto will love you too. You will never be alone. You will never be unloved. Whatever happens, you will always have us. You have my word."

"…Y-yami…" Hinata stuttered.

"Shh…" Yami said, placing finger on Hinata's lip to silence her. Slowly, tenderly, she leaned down, her eyes closed…

After a moment, Hinata closed her eyes as well, and leaned forward…

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Hinata's eyes snapped open, her back going up instantly as she rose into an upright position. The Eternal Neji-slime was taking a beating, she saw. Had it not had the Revival Jam fused into it, it would have been so much protoplasm already. As it was, it looked noticeably worse for wear.

We're doing this together, aibo, Yami said as she took control. She might be driving the body, but she and Hinata were acting together.

Together, Hinata confirmed, looking through their shared eyes.

Tapping into the Puzzle's power, Yami/Hinata used one last Curemaster Magic Card as they stood up. Another pulse, and she deactivated the Jam Defender card. "Eternal Neji-slime! Back off! This one's ours!"

Obediently, the slime monster jumped to the side, crouching down into a defensive position. Neji's eyes boggled as she stared at Hinata's body. Every cut and bruise from before had disappeared, leaving only unblemished skin. "Impossible. I hit you! In the face! You should still be out like a light!"

"Ironic you would choose that word," Yami/Hinata said, flexing her neck casually as she stretched out her arms, popping her wrists and knuckles. "Do not underestimate our power, little girl."

"H-how?" Neji managed to get out, settling into a rather shaky stance. Yami/Hinata smiled mysteriously.

"One of us was the darkness, the other the light. Together, we are Hinata," Yami/Hinata said. "That is all you will have the privilege to know. Perhaps when you have grown, little caged bird, we will tell you more. Maybe. But for now, we are going to beat you and passing this exam!"

Snarling, Neji charged, and both were there to meet her. Neji was clearly on her last legs compared to the refreshed Yami/Hinata, who was parrying her strikes to the side with apparent ease. Within moments, it was clear who was going to win.

Yami/Hinata slammed a normal kick into the side of Neji's hip, shut down a bunch of tenketsu points on her bicep, jammed her elbow into the taller girl's sternum and finally blew her away with a final Kaiten, sending Neji slamming into a wall.

"YEAH! ALRIGHT! GO, HINATA-CHAN!" Naruto cheered, and he wasn't the only one, but Hinata had ears only for him. Yami smiled slightly, taking full control as she let Hinata bask in her crush's cries.

At the base of the wall, underneath the Neji-shaped impact crater she'd made, Neji was trying–valiantly, in Yami's opinion– to stand and continue the fight. Yami had to shake your head. "Neji, unlike you, I know better than to ask you to give up when Fate obviously wants you to take your beating like a girl and just roll over and drop unconscious. So, why don't we play a little game?"

Neji pushed herself up, her arms shaking from the effort. "… can't lose. How?… how can you… beat me…?"

Yami ignored her. "The game is this: you have to defeat your opponent in the flashiest way possible. The Winner gets to continue on with the chuunin exam. The loser gets to have Hyuuga clan law changed for them. Do you agree? Don't say no if you do," Yami said, smiling.

Neji didn't seem to hear, finally managing to get up to her knees. She was now trying to rise to her feet.

"GOOD! I'll let you go first." Yami waited for fifteen seconds as Neji laboriously got to her feet, panting. "Nothing? That's it? Okay, my turn."

Grinning, Yami pulled a card out of one of her pouches. Holding it between two fingers, Hinata raised the card above her. Kiba, Shino and Kurenai, recognizing the gesture– and the card in question–shrank back from the railing, pressing against the back wall in horror. Everyone looked at the curiously, but their jaws were too clenched in fear to respond to inquiries.

"Winged Dragon of Ra, COME FORTH!" Yami cried, and the card began to glow.

A sphere of light suddenly appeared within the arena, nearly blinding everyone as it shone like a second sun. Yami ignored the light as she began to speak Hieratic.

"Great beast of the sky, please hear my cry.
Transform thyself from orb of light and bring me victory in this fight.
Envelop the desert with your glow and cast your rage upon my foe.
Unlock your powers from deep within so that together we may win.
Appear in the Shadow Game as I call your name,
THE WINGED DRAGON OF RA!"

The glowing orb began to shift, it's glow fading slightly as it began to rearrange itself like a puzzle, wings and arms appearing from the golden body. within moments, the enormous dragon that had appear a few days ago floated above the arena.

Smiling in satisfaction, Yami raised forth her hand. "Great Dragon of Ra, I offer this sacrifice to increase your power!"

At these words, the Eternal Neji-slime glowed, before being absorbed into the dragon.

"The power of the sun in the palm of my hand," Yami murmured briefly, before pointing at Neji. "Winged Dragon of Ra, FIRE GOD BLAZE CANNON!"

Neji futilely tried to perform the Kaiten before she was engulfed…

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Yami stood above Neji's slightly burned, slightly smoldering, still-living body. "I win," she whispered as Hayate started counting down to give Neji a chance to get up. "I win the game. The prize is mine, cousin. I will be going forward to the chuunin exam final. And you lost. Therefore, I give my word, I will do all in my power to change the law of the Hyuuga clan." Yami reached as if to stroke Neji's forehead, but stopped herself. "I promise, upon my nindo, by the Millennium Puzzle, and before Ra himself. One day…"

Finally, Hayate decided time was up. "Since Hyuuga Neji is no longer able to fight, the winner is Hyuuga Hinata!"

There was cheering up in the sidelines as Yami turned towards them, grinning and waving her arm in acknowledgment. She bounced up to the viewing areas as Medics rushed towards Neji to see if she was alright.

"That was awesome, Hinata!" Kiba yelled, slapping an arm around her shoulder as Akamaru barked in agreement. "You kicked ass!"

"You did well," Kurenai said, allowing herself a reserved smile. "Both of you." The last was said in a whisper.

"HINATA-CHAN! THANK YOU!" Naruto yelled, barreling towards her with his pockets bulging and leaving behind some rather annoyed faces. "I'm rich because of you! I knew you could do it."

Inside, Hinata was reeling. Yami grinned. This was too good an opportunity to pass up. "Thanks for your support, Naruto-kun. You don't mind if I take my cut as the winner, do you?"

"Uh, sure! How much do youHNNNNN!"

Naruto was cut off as Yami grabbed him by his baggy clothes and pulled him towards her, entrapping his mouth in a kiss that had his toes curling and his fingers twitching involuntarily. Nearly everyone was stunned into silence.

Yami pulled back still grinning. Hinata was in shock, her mind overloading. "I think that'll do. Thanks, Naruto-kun."

Winking at him, Yami walked away, swaying her hips as she headed for the closest exit. Once there, she turned–they were all looking at her; Naruto's jaw was hanging open as he stared– and blew Naruto a kiss and another wink, before ducking out. Once she was sure she was out of earshot, Yami ran for it, laughing like a maniac the whole time. She'd have to be in charge for while: Hinata had fainted inside. She couldn't say she blamed the girl: she felt like doing it herself…

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Harry wondered what kind of magic that was as he collected his money from a sullen Zabuza. It was magic, of that he was sure of. He just didn't know what…

Orochimaru was this close to wetting himself with excitement at the display. To be able to use that much power… Firmly, he stomped on his fantasies of calling dragons from the sky to rain destruction down on Konoha. First things first: get an Uchiha body and Sharingan, then funky summons…

Kabuto was thanking his lucky stars he hadn't need to fight the girl. How could his information be so wrong? No matter. She was scary…

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- To be continued...

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A/N: what's with Yami and Hinata, you ask? Well, I'm fairly sure there have been Yugi/Yami fics and doujinshi before…

What? I LIKE how that relationship is shaping out!

When Yami is out of Hinata's body, she can only carry around a small amount of the Puzzle's energy, good for a Trap or Magic Card or two (maybe, depending on what the effect of the card is), or one (low-level) monster.

Not sure if I got the card names right. They're supposed to be from Marik/Malik's deck.

And just to nip any ideas at the bud, Monster Reborn cannot be used to bring dead people back to life! Why? BECAUSE I SAY SO! Besides, reviving people from the dead is so overused. Time-travel is better.

The rest of the fights next chap. I'm too tired to write more… -zzzzzzzzzzzz-

Please review, C&C welcome.

Until next time, this is Shadow, signing off.