Hey there everybody 1Ring2ruleThemAll here with the next chapter of N:TKR! As I promised two chapters this month and probably a couple more before April. I have more time now so I devote it to the story.

First off I'd like to thank the people he sent me ideas for people who could become wielders, and would to inform you that I have a complete list of wielders now and won't be taking anymore advice on that topic.

I would like to inform you guys also that I now have the complete plan for the story from here until the end, and as this arc comes to a close I will be looking into ideas for that chapter devoted to a movie idea that many of you said you liked. I do have an idea for the first one that I'll first and if you guys like it I'll write more. But that one probably won't be done until after the second arc.

Now onto another topic. I was asked when will I start the romance between the characters. My answer is this, since Im not as new at this now I wouldn't mind doing it, but I decided that I want to focus on the main story more than romance, so I'll probably just leave it open.

Now that I got the announcements out of the way disclaimer time!

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters or locations in this fanfic. The ocs yes and the plot I've created. Naruto and Godzilla belong to their respected companies as such.

NOW LET THE STORY BEGIN!

Chapter 14: Wings Set Free

Konoha's stadium was packed as the people had began to settle into their seats. Though it was still early many were hoping to have a very exciting time with the events of today. From all over the elemental nations they came to see the genins compete with each other for the opportunity to advance in the shinobi ranks.

With the day of the chunin exams finals upon Konoha, the atmosphere of the village was of high spirits. Most of the villagers took off time from their busy lives to attend them, just like the off-duty shinobi. Besides the regular villagers and shinobi there was also several nobles and diplomats from allied nations, and future business partners attending today as well.

Seperated into a single section most of the leaf jonin, senseis or not, we're gathered not far from the Hokage. They were talking about this years final participants and other things associated with the exams. Hidden amongst the crowd as well were two familiar black and red cloaked figures that were there as to see their targets strength.

In front of the audience stood the eight genin that were passed along after the preliminaries back in the forest of death. Amongst this group half of them came from Konoha earning them great praise from many of their fellow villagers and shinobi.

The majority of those in the audience had heard that Neji Hyuga, the young prodigy of the Hyuga clan was going to be attending today as well as an unexpected young lad who is the grandson of a famous war veteran from Konoha.

Those attending, for simply the presence of the two and their skills were shell shocked when they heard that the two would be fighting each other in the first match. The excitement was surely building up as people waited for the exams to begin.

It was during this time that Sarutobi looked over the crowd that had filled in the stadium from his position in the Hokage box. He smiled at the genuine joy shown on citizens, foreign merchants, and royal diplomats alike spectating the event.

It was times like these that the Third Hokage truly was grateful for being the leader of the village. The long period of peace he had managed to maintain, after the late Fourth's death, was an accomplishment on itself. Though Sarutobi soon left his thoughts with the arrival of the Fourth Kazekage and his bodyguards.

Both of the Kages took a turn in greeting and bowing to each other in a sign of respect for the other's village. After acknowledging each other the two men began to discuss the outcomes of the matches and current issues occurring within their respected villages.

As the Kages were discussing amongst each other, people in the stands were busy discussing with each other as well. The same could be said with the rest of this year's graduation class.

" Man I should have been selected to continue and not one of those chumps." Kiba groaned.

" Well maybe you should have done better during the second exam." Ino remarked.

" The I didn't! I was proving myself left and right during that exam just trying to obtain the scroll our team needed, yet Shino passed on instead."

" You maybe ever thought that it was because Shino planned his attacks better than you. I'm mean come one he is one of the smartest people we know besides Shikamaru." Choji suggested.

" Okay say I believe you and go along with the whole smarter people were selected because they knew when to attack thing is true. Then why is Naruto in there!?" Kiba demanded. His response was a quick blow to the head delivered by Sakura.

" Baka! He's smarter than he looks!"

" That's surprising considering he was dead-last." Kira retorted. This time he received a punch from Ino and a half eaten chip thrown at him by Choji. Kiba was starting to get the idea that he needed to shut up, because once an Akimichi has thrown something at somebody that they had started to eat usually ends up with that guy not living very long afterwards.

" You know that couldn't have been helped especially for his," Ino quickly stopped so she could whisper into his ear. " 'Condition' or have you forgotten already?"

" Uhm guys..." Hinata said as she tried getting their attention.

" okay then why was Shikamaru selected? He's the laziest person out of this group!" Kiba commented.

" Are you trying to get yourself killed!" Ino yelled at him.

" Uhm excuse me, everyone..." Hinata once again tried as she continued to try and get her friends' attention.

" What I'm trying to say is I should have taken his place!"

" And take away Shikamaru's chance to finally achieve something? Hell no!" Ino yelled back at him.

" He doesn't even want to compete!" Kiba struck back.

" Guys you really should..." Hinata once again tried, only this time she was barely even noticed as Kiba and Ino were beginning to get violent in their argument. It wasn't until the proctor of the exams appeared and demanded silence.

The man incharge of being proctor this year was Genma Shiranui, a tokubetsu jonin, who was chosen to be Hayate's replacement. No sooner had he demanded there be silence that the entire stadium became entirely quiet allowing for him to speak.

" Attention! Welcome to this year's Chunin Exams Finals!" Genma shouted pausing in wait for the cheers and screams of the arena, which had erupted moments later. Taking a minute to recompose himself, Genma once again spoke in hopes of announcing the start of the first match.

" With that settled, will Kenji Agari and Neji Hyuga please come forth to start off the first match of the final exams." Genma asked, looking around for both the grandson of the famous war veteran and the elder genin. Both contestants, after hearing their names stepped forward, each eyeing each other as though the fight had already begun.

" As for the rest of you," Genma started as he looked at the other genin. " You can wait up in that booth over there until your called for."

The rest of the genin quickly compiling went up to the booth quickly and efficiently as to get out of the way for the match to begin. People were already beginning to cheer as they couldn't wait for the match to begin.

Kenji and Neji were now in front of each other. Even though the gap between them was of a decent few feet the tension was massive. Both readied themselves preparing any plan they had before the match began.

Everyone was waiting. Waiting for the match to begin. Waiting to see who'll come out on top, but mainly who'll be the one to catch their attention.

" The first match between Kenji Agari and Neji Hyuga may BEGIN!" Genma announced as the first match began.

Kenji quickly distanced himself away from Neji as he prepared a jutsu inorder to keep Neji from advancing on him as he did. Neji instead activated his byakugan. ' My opponent can see my Tenketsu and has been trained to hit them if I'm correct.' Kenji thought. ' If that's the case then I'll just need to keep my distance'

" Earth Style Earth Armor!"Kenji announced as he struck the ground with both of his fists and pulled back gaining earth armor on his arms and chest. This got a lot of attention, not for it being a B-rank defensive ninjutsu but for the clever reason behind it.

" So, your actually pretty smart for a country bumpkin." Neji mocked.

" Excuse me?" Kenji asked as a slight tick mark appeared above his left brow.

" I said your a country bumpkin because your not from any well known village but instead a land that doesn't even have a shinobi system." Neji explained.

" Well how about I show you what a 'country bumpkin' can do!" Kenji struck back as he went through another set of hand signs. " Earth style: Skyward Pillars!"

Emerging from the ground were several decent sized pillars of earth. Now these weren't as big as the ones made before, this is mainly do to the size of the arena and how much chakra Kenji is trying to spare.

Neji was dodging the pillars not to easily as he wanted but was still able to do so with ease. " I will say that this is an impressive jutsu that you've performed but you seemed to have missed me." Neji taunted.

Kenji just shunshined over to Neji as he tried swing a right hook at his chest. Seeing the attack Neji brought his palm down to intercept it. However, making contact with the rock armor on Kenji's arm caused Neji to cringe a little bit, but he was able to redirect the punch away from his body.

Kenji then prompted to use this chance to jump forward and use the hand that Neji directed as support to help him send a strong kick to Neji's side. Said person quickly dodged and attempted to jab one of Kenji's Tenketsu on his leg but stopped when Kenji revealed the Kunai in his other hand and threw it at Neji.

Neji had dodged it and jumped back a couple feet, as Kenji did the same. ' He's good.' Kenji thought.

" Of course he is, he has one of those weird eye things to help him." Anguirus retorted.

' Yeah, well being raised and trained into a clan helps to.' Kenji commented.

" Nah, it's no different than what you've already gone through."

' Actually most of those times your probably thinking about had you at the center of it.'

" What do you mean? I was practically the one who saved your ass!"

' By making us roll of a chasm's cliffside?'

" Oh please we were fine."

' Ugh, just let me concentrate will you please.'

" You know we could end the match real quick right?"

' Note, we. This a one-v-one remember not a one-v-wielder and Kaiju combo.'

" No one would know."

' Oh, yes they will! Naruto and I both agreed that we would be using only our own power in the exams. That way we can prove that we're both strong without our kaiju's help and that all those days of training had paid off.'

" Alright suit youself, I was just hoping we end the match real quick so that we could go take a nap."

' I see why Naruto thinks your just like Shikamaru.'

" Hey, that's right that guy knows how to lay back and relax."

' Look I'm going to start focusing on the match, so why don't just take a nap and wait ok.'

" Fine, just make sure you kick his ass."

Kenji was know locking eyes with Neji who had a smug look on his face. " What's with the look? Aren't you going to fight me?"

" Of course, but this match has already been decided."

" Oh, how so?"

" It's your destiny to lose here today, and mine to win."

Kenji just gave him a blank look before sighing and bringing out another Kunai. " So your one of those fate guys who believes everything has a predetermined fate aren't you?" Neji just starred back at him not moving but he did change his facial expression to a more neutral look.

" Now let me tell about my thoughts on fate," Kenji started as he revealed that had not just drawn one Kunai, but several. " I think it's nothing but a bunch of bull."

Kenji then threw all the kunais he had in separate paths, each one embedding into a different pillar. Kenji then brought his hands up into a hand sign and activated the explosive seals on the kunais making a loud hissing sound to resonate.

Neji surprised by this only had a few seconds before the explosive kunais exploded engulfing Neji and Kenji in an explosion that caused all the pillars around them to collapse. Only on was unaffected, and it was the one that Kenji had jumped to at the last second.

The audience was stunned as they continued to search and see if Neji was still alive. Some of the people observing knew that Kenji didn't plan on killing him. Infact they Kenji enough to know that even in a situation that he had just made wouldn't result in his enemy's death.

' Neji!' Tenten thought to herself as she looked around for her teammate.

' That boy just got Neji into the right spot he wanted him so that he could pull of that attack. This boy is smarter than Neji must have thought.' Hiashi thought.

" Whoa, Kenji is just going all-out." Shikamaru stated.

" No he's not. If he was it would be like a repeat of back in the forest of death." Shino restated.

" Even so, he just pretty much brought the ceiling down on the guy."

" Well technically he brought down the pillars around him, but I guess you could say that."

" You don't hear jokes that much do you?"

" Not really."

The two were then focusing back on the match when Shikamaru noticed something. " Hey Shino, don't you think it's a little to quiet for this match?"

" I noticed it to."

They turned around and noticed Naruto was gone. This surprised the two because they both knew Naruto wasn't planning on missing Kenji's match. " I guess I should go find him then, troublesome." Shikamaru said as he began walking towards the hallway behind them.

' Then again I noticed that he wasn't exactly acting normal today either.' Shikamaru thought to himself. ' Naruto, I hope you know you can be a headache at times.'

Kenji was watching the ground below him and was surprised when he saw Neji. He was completely unharmed. Infact on could say he was even hit from that explosion.

" Surprised to see me unharmed?" Neji asked with a smirk.

" Only a little bit." Kenji spoke as he jumped down to the ground. Landing with ease he began to observe the area around Neji. With Neji at the center there was an in ground around him in the shape of a circle. He then noticed that ruble that was around him was even smaller than the ones away from him.

Kenji not wanting to get to close was going to test something. " So tell me something Neji." Kenji said to get his attention. " What made a guy like you believe in fate?"

" That's something that you'll never find out." Neji struck.

" Not much for small talk now aren't you." Neji just set himself into one of the many Hyuga taijutsu stances. Kenji just readied himself as he to entered a stance that his grandfather had taught him. The audience was waiting in suspense as they waited for the fighting to occur again. Both contestants soon charged at each other. Neji struck out fast with a gentle fist, which Kenji blocked with his left arm. The gentle fist had cracked the rock armor a little bit on that arm but Kenji wasn't worrying with it right at that moment. He brought down his right fist that was aim at Neji's face.

Thinking that he made contact, he was surprised to see that he instead made contact with chakra that had formed around Neji's body. Kenji was even more surprised when Neji rotated his body three-hundred and sixty degrees in place, which sent him skidding onto the ground in another direction.

' What the heck was that just then?!' Kenji thought.

" Did you think you had me just then?" Neji asked him.

' Unbelievable...' Hiashi thought.

" What's going on?!" Ino asked.

" I know Kenji landed that punch!" Sakura said.

" That was...!" Hinata started.

" What, what was it Hinata?" Kiba asked.

' Rotation...!' Hiashi thought.

" Heh heh..." Tenten chuckled. ' That's Neji's defense. The visual range of Neji's Byakugan is almost a full three-hundred and sixty degrees... In other words, he can pretty much see a full circle around him... And with that same all-seeing eye, he can anticipate all of his opponent's attacks...'

' From now on Neji will be shielded within the eight trigrams palm rotation!' Hiashi realized.

' The instant before an attack reaches him, he emits a large amount of chakra from chakra points all over his body halting the attack with a cocoon of chakra.' Tenten continued in her thoughts. ' And then he moves his body in a circle like a spinning top repelling and reflecting the attack.'

' Normally chakra that is emitted from the points is difficult to control. Even jonin can usually only utilize such chakra from a single body part at a time like the hands or feet, but this guy is doing it with his whole body. Great.' Kenji thought.

' Neji is a master of the gentle fist, so he can emit chakra from his body and with that emitted power alone, he can physically block attacks,' Tenten smirked at the thought. ' That's even more powerful than Garaa's that we witnessed back in the second exam.'

Garaa was actually sending a death glare at Neji as he felt a bit challenged by his technique.

" Th-That's your..." Hanabi started.

" The rotation is a secret art that is passed down only within the Hyuga main branch and taught by the head of the family to the heir alone." Hiashi finished. ' But Neji was able to independently recreate it on his own. His brilliance is far beyond what I had ever imagined.'

' And That's not the end of it! Neji's true show of strength is only beginning.' Tenten thought.

" Your finished." Neji stated. " You are within the boundaries of my eight trigrams."

Kenji seemed confused at first but watch as he saw Neji take a peculiar stance. " Gentle fist... Eight Trigrams sixty-four palms!"

" That stance it can't be!" Hiashi muttered quietly, with only his daughter sitting right next to him hearing him.

Neji soon charged at Kenji. He was upon him in seconds delivering the blows hard and fast. " Two Palms! Four palms! Eight palms!" Neji started. At this point the armor on Kenji was starting to give leaving certain parts exposed. " Sixteen palms! Thirty-Two palms!" At this point the armor on Kenji was practically gone leaving him open to the final part of Neji's attack. " SIXTY-FOUR PALMS!"

With that Kenji was sent flying away from Neji onto the ground. Many in the audience was stunned, especially those of the Hyuga clan because it was then that a member of the cadet branch had surpassed the main branch entirely.

' It looks like it's over.' Genma thought as he looked at both contestants. Though it didn't look like it would happen. Neji had broken a couple of his fingers and some bones in his right hand. Kenji on the other hand was still on the ground shaking a little bit from the assault.

' He truly is a fearsome natural talent.' Hiashi thought. ' So the divine shinobi blood of the Hyuga clan resides in a child of the cadet branch who can never become an heir. Oh, Hizashi perhaps you will bring down the house of the Hyuga after all.'

" It seems as though I wasn't able to all of your chakra points around your body. Even so you can no longer stand can you." Neji stated. " It must be frustrating. Here on your knees before my immutable strength. You must finally comprehend your own powerlessness!"

Kenji didn't say anything. With his head down no one was able to see his face. " You probably have a dream don't you. You must have believed that your dream would come true if you just try hard enough. It's simply fantasy."

Meanwhile, Shikamaru was still looking for Naruto. He had been searching for only a few minutes but he was starting to get really annoyed by it. " Where the hell is that blond idiot? Doesn't he know how troublesome this is?"

Shikamaru soon heard a couple voices down the hall from where he was at. They sounded familiar but he didn't want to take a chance. As he approached he quickly recognized one voice, it was Naruto's. He was taking to someone he didn't recognize so he got a little closer and hid in the shadows of the hall.

" So are you sure these will help me?" Naruto asked.

" Well they helped Kenji back when he started to learn how to control his powers so they should be able to help you." The voice said.

" They really itch you know. Do I have keep them on all the time?" Naruto asked as Shikamaru got a look on some weird objects on Naruto's hands.

" Yes you must! It's essential for them to stay on until the next phase of the training. They have to be able to act as both mediums and suppressors for your powers."

" Man these things just keep bothering me." Naruto complained.

" Well stop scratching otherwise the irritation will get worse." The voice said as whoever it was bonked Naruto across the head.

" Ouch! You know for a tiny old man your strong as hell!" Naruto said as rubbed his temples.

" Well that's what you get for underestimating an old man, and I believe that this is twice that it has happened to you! You had better start learning to never estimate the people you meet otherwise it will be the death of you!"

" Geez, you sound a lot like Zabuza now."

" Well then he's smart for trying to drill it into that thick head of yours."

" I have never met such an angry old man before." Naruto thought aloud.

" Tell you what. I might tell you a way to control those powers of yours if you starting showing better manners towards me and others!"

" Alright, ok I'll do it. Just help me out here please."

The old man in front of Naruto starred at him for a few seconds before pulling out some bandages. " Here put these on your hands to hide what I gave you. It'll be better if no one saw them."

Naruto took the bandages and proceeded to wrap the bandages around his hands. Shikamaru was still watching the whole thing. He had hid his presence but he didn't know if the old man knew he was there.

He knew that Naruto wouldn't probably care, but this is probably something that no one should know about. Which would explain why they're down here in the first place.

" Now head back to where the other contestants are and wait for your match." The old man started. " And make sure you take your friend over there with you to. I'd hate for him to miss his match."

Shikamaru just mentally cursed as he was found out. Naruto just looked at him before placing his typical grin on his face. " Hey Shikamaru what are you doing down here?"

" Well I came to find you. You do realize that once Kenji's match is over it's Shino then you going right." Shikamaru explained.

" Oh, I know. I wasn't planning on taking this much time anyway, so let's head back to where everyone else is." Naruto said as he turned and thanked the old man and left with Shikamaru.

" Hey Naruto who was that old man?"

" Don't know."

Shikamaru just facepalmed at the answer. " What do you mean you don't know you practically accepted something from him and yet you don't even know who he is?"

" Well I do know that he helped train Kenji when he was learning to control Anguirus's powers." Naruto explained.

" That's Kenji's Kaiju right?" Shikamaru asked.

" Yep, his Kaiju is good friends with mine. They said that fought each other once before and eventually became friends. Even though in the process they destroyed many places and killed millions of people in the process."

Shikamaru just responded with a nervous okay as he digested what he was just informed. ' Kaiju are way to troublesome."

Godzilla had noticed something for a second. It was brief but he recognized something coming from Naruto's friend. " Interesting."

Back in the arena Kenji had stabilized his breathing and raised his head at Neji. Neji had received a look of determination and realized that this fight wasn't over yet. " Sorry to say but I can't let this fight end just yet." Kenji spoke as he got up and stretched, which surprised Neji.

" What?!"

" Whoa Kenji's back up again." Kiba said aloud. " I was sure that guy had finished him."

" Is that anyway to talk about our friend!" Ino yelled as she hit him in the head again.

" What the hell! I was just saying I was surprised is all. You didn't have to hit me in the head." Kiba said as he rubbed his head.

" Listen just give up already. If you keep going it'll only be more of the same, and I don't really have a grudge against you so-" Neji started but was interrupted.

" Now who was talking about grudges? I came here for a match, but from sound of it you don't like someone." Kenji said aloud.

" That's none of your business."

" Don't think I don't know what's going on. I've seen how you treat your cousin." Kenji stated. " If I didn't know any better it sounds like you hate the main branch."

Neji just starred before smirking as if he had just decided on something. " Fine. Alright since you insist I'll tell you about the hateful legacy of the Hyuga clan!" Hiashi just watched as he knew what was going to be said and innerly regretted all of it. At the same time Naruto and Shikamaru arrived in time to hear the rest of what Neji had to say.

" There's a secret birthright ninjutsu passed down in the Hyuga main branch. It's a curse mark jutsu." Neji explained

" A curse mark jutsu?"

" This curse mark represents a 'caged bird' and it is proof that some people are bound to destinies from which they cannot escape!" Neji explained as he undid his headband to show Kenji. Kenji just starred with a neutral expression at the mark.

Everyone in the audience was listening and everyone besides the Hyuga all had different thoughts when they saw the mark. Sarutobi knew the practice but wasn't allowed to stop it do to it being a clan practice. Many of the senseis knew as well and Guy just watched as he knew the story, but knew that people would find out anyway.

" A 'caged bird'."

" One day when I was four this abominable mark was branded onto my forehead using the curse mark jutsu. That day a grand celebration was being held in Konoha. There was a lavish ceremony in honor of the shinobi ruler of the Land of Clouds." Neji started. " Konoha had been at war against his nation but he had come to sign a pact of alliance. Every shinobi in Konoha was there except for one family that was noticeably absent. It was the Hyuga clan! Coincidentally that day was also the day that the main branch's heir turned three."

Kenji looked to the side up at the audience knowing whom was talking about. " So it was Hinata's birthday." Kenji stated. Neji nodded as h starred up at her for a second then he glared at Hiashi.

" My father and Lady Hinata's father over there Hyuga Hizashi and Lord Hyuga Hiashi were twin brothers." Neji continued. " However Lady Hinata's father entered the world first and thus was the eldest son and member of the main branch. While my father as second son was relegated to the cadet branch."

Memories began surfacing into his mind of his father and him meeting Hinata for the first time. " When the heir of the main branch turned three years old I was branded with the curse mark and became a 'caged bird'. A member of the cadet branch."

" What exactly does that curse mark do?"

" This mark on my forehead is no decoration. It signifies an absolute threat of death imposed by the main branch upon the cadet branch. The secret techniques of the main branch can easily destroy the minds of the cadet branch, so of course killing us is a simple task." Neji said as he took a break. " And this mark only fades after death after the secret of the Byakugan has been seal away."

This surprised Kenji as he felt that this situation was becoming ever so closer to one he knows all to well. In fact it bothered him a little a the similarities.

" The Hyuga clan possesses one of the most distinguished kekkei genkai. Countless numbers of people would do anything to gain the secret of such unique abilities, so this curse mark was created to ensure that the cadet branch would live for one purpose. Only to serve and shield the main branch and never disobey them, and to eternally protect the Byakugan. The bloodline trait of the Hyuga clan. It's a brilliant, efficient set-up."

Kenji was appalled by what he had just heard. It was a sick and twisted way of protecting the main family and its secrets. None of the other clans were ever that twisted. At the same time many others watching this felt the same way.

" And then the incident occurred." Neji started.

" What happened?" Kenji asked. Neji didn't say anything at first but gave a light chuckle.

" My father was murdered by the main branch." Neji stated. Everyone in attendance were just plainly stated in shock of what they heard including Kenji.

" What?!"

" One night someone tried to kidnap Lady Hinata. Lord Hiashi rushed to the scene immediately and killed the perpetrator. And whom do you suppose that masked bandit was?" Neji asked rhetorically. " It was the shinobi ruler of the Land of Clouds with whom we just signed the alliance treaty."

" It had became clear that they were after the secret of the Byakugan from the very beginning. However, even though their own shinobi got himself caught and killed in their failed plot the Land of Clouds claimed Konoha had breached the contract and began making unreasonable demands. Of course things fell apart between Konoha and the cloud, the war nearly resumed, but eager to avoid war an agreement was made. Konoha made a back room bargain with cloud."

" Don't tell me..." Kenji muttered.

" Cloud demanded the corpse of Lord Hiashi and Konoha accepted that condition." Neji paused. " War was safely averted thanks to my father who was sacrificed to protect the main branch. He was murdered to serve as Hiashi's body double."

Kenji just remained quiet with his head caster downward. His grandfather knowing what he was thinking prayed for Kenji's well being.

" Even though they were identical twins with practically equivalent strength the difference between being born first and being born second sealed their fates forever." Neji just gave a dark look towards Kenji as he watched him. " And so in this match too. The moment I was selected to be your opponent, your fate was sealed as well."

Upon receiving no response Neji just put his headband back on covering his cursed mark. Looking over at him again Neji just sighed. " Your hopeless." Neji then charged forward with his Byakugan activated preparing to end the match.

Neji pulled back his arm and readied his palm. Once within the appropriate distance he lunged his palm forward at Kenji's chest. As it was about to make contact Kenji grabbed Neji's arm stopping him long enough for him to talk.

" I knew exactly the way you felt." Kenji stated surprising Neji.

" How, how would you know anything about what I've been through?! Your not from a clan and your nothing but a country bumpkin!" Neji retorted loudly.

Kenji said nothing but instead pushed Neji back and started messing with his shirt. Neji was confused on what he was doing as he watched Kenji take off his shirt. What he and everyone else saw disturbed them.

Covering front and back of Kenji's torso was a massive pattern reminiscent of a seal and a curse mark. " I never had this mark placed on me like you did, but instead I was born with it." Kenji explained catching everyone off guard. " When I first learned about it, it was at the same time I learned what had happened to my father. My father had this very same mark on him before he was killed in battle."

" What are you getting at?" Neji demanded.

" I wasn't born yet, so his marked was transferred over to my still developing body, and upon my birth this mark killed my mother."

" Wh-what kind of mark is that?!" Neji asked.

" What your seeing was my curse while I was growing up, because everyone around me would die." Kenji started. " It was later on when my Grandfather confronted me and comforted me that he told me that I was one of the most special young boys out there for I bore a gift from one of earliest ancestors. A gift that only one at a time could recieve. I had asked my Grandfather why he didn't have it and his answer was that his father had it, and then mine did."

" Then there's the difference already. Yours is considered a gift while mine is still a curse." Neji stated.

" Neji whether you believe it or not the things that shape people are those things that hurt them and define them. I'm not the only one who has seen the light in the dark, and for you there is still that chance at being free." Kenji explained. " In fact your never truly alone Neji because there are people just like you in the world that are suffering the same way. Though the situations are different the people are the same. It's whether or not we truly accept ourselves that we in turn can change tomorrow."

Neji didn't know what to say. He had never even considered what Kenji was talking about, in fact he was confused. Stuck between what he had previously believed and what Kenji had said. Kenji at the moment was putting back on his shirt. He wasn't exactly comfortable about doing it but he needed to show Neji.

Neji was becoming more and more frustrated as an internal battle raged within him. Kenji now covered by his shirt was waiting to see what Neji would do next. His answer was when Neji took a deep breath and locked eyes with Kenji, and for some reason he knew it wasn't a good thing.

" Proctor-San I'm going in for the kill! Feel free to stop me if you have to." Neji informed Genma.

' Great.' Genma thought.

" Can I ask you something?"

" What?"

" Why do you try so hard to defy you destiny?"

" Because I want to be able be whatever I chose."

With that Neji launched a Kunai at Kenji. Kenji wasn't as fast as he wanted to be but he was able to dodge the incoming projectile. He was knocked on the side of his left arm causing it to bleed a little.

' Damn I guess this is the effect of having most of my Tenketsu closed up.' Kenji thought as he then brought out his own Kunai. ' I'm not able to use that much chakra so I hope that this new plan works.'

Kenji then brought his hands together and prepared to initiate his plan. " Earth style: Armor!" Kenji announced as his right arm was covered up to his elbow to conserve the little chakra he had left.

" Your going to use that again? I hope you have a good plan, because otherwise I'll make sure you won't be able to use it again." Neji warned him. Taking two more kunais out Kenji then launched all three at Neji.

Neji feeling disappointed at this used rotation to catch two of the Kunais and allowed the other one to ricochet off to the side. The ones he caught he threw one back at Kenji and as Kenji dodged threw the other one as he was dodging. This resulted in the one the threw while Kenji was dodging to hit Kenji in his left arm.

" Now this is just disappointing. You can't even fight properly, how on Earth were you even selected to participate in this final exam?" Neji taunted.

Kenji just pulled the Kunai out of his limp arm and pulled and threw right at Neji. He had missed and caused it to be embedded into the ground besides him. Kenji deciding to pull out another one and tried again. This time this one landed away from Neji completely.

" Either it's the inability of not being able to access your chakra or your starting to lose your skill." Neji taunted yet again.

Kenji took out his last Kunai and this time and with extra confidence threw the Kunai directly towards Neji's head. Neji just snickered as he dodged the Kunai with ease by moving his head to the left.

The Kunai had kept going and this time it was embedded into that last standing pillar from earlier. " That was a nice throw but now it's over.." Neji stated as he took out six of his own Kunais and launched them right at Kenji.

There it was the opening Kenji was looking for. Just as Neji launched the Kunais Kenji quickly disappeared with a poof of smoke that later revealed a Kunai. Confused for a second Neji didn't know what happened until the place where the one of the Kunais Kenji has thrown at exploded into a puff of smoke revealing Kenji with his armored arm about to strike.

Neji was taken back long enough for Kenji to punch him into the next part of his plan. Neji was trying to get his footing when another poof appeared resulting in Kenji appearing to his side and as he tried to do the rotation Kenji struck to fast and hit him again into the next part. Though Neji was ready this time, as he soon figured out the next part and waited for Kenji to appear. Neji soon was astonished when Kenji appeared father away from him. Kenji had picked up the one that was previously thrown at him earlier.

With it in hand Kenji disappeared again to where he started at which was to Neji's left and threw it at him before disappearing. He reappeared behind Neji but Neji was ready and struck out at him. Kenji quickly disappeared and Neji's hand instantly was hit with pain as his palm had been cut by the Kunai Kenji had just thrown.

Neji grabbed it and looked for Kenji. He found him but he lost sight. Neji was surprised as he found himself in front of the pillar and was confused until he saw that the Kunai that was once there disappeared and reappeared where he once was.

' How'd he do that?! He was able to forcefully substitute me into another area!' Neji questioned.

He looked all around but couldn't find Kenji. As he was looking he heard a sound and before he realized it he was instantly shoved to the ground with Kenji on top of him with a Kunai pressed onto the back of his neck.

" There now we're good." Kenji said as he had both his feet holding Neji's arms down as he sat on his back.

" How'd you do that?! I didn't even see you!" Neji stated.

" That's because you were looking everywhere but up." Kenji explained.

Neji just 'tasked' at his own stupidity. " Go figure the guy who appreciates his curse is the one to beat me. You probably used it to beat me didn't you?" Neji asked.

" You'd be able to tell if I did trust me. I beat you by determination and believing in my dreams."

" Dreams are fantasy remember." Neji spouted.

" And fate is nothing but a bunch of bull." Kenji responded.

Neji had no choice but to accept this lose and Genma quickly announced it. " The winner is KENJI AGARI!" Genma announced allowing the crowd to cheer for the victor. The crowd was going crazy as Kenji got off of Neji and helped him up.

Neji didn't like it but he felt as though this might have been a wake up call. Amongst all the cheers certain people's voices were heard.

" Great job Kenji!" Ino yelled out.

" What a youthful battle!" Lee yelled out causing both contestants to nervously sweat, but one of the most distinguishable voices that anyone was able to hear came from the contestant box.

" GREAT JOB KENJI! YOU DID IT!" Naruto yelled out at the top of his lungs. Kenji just waved as the medical unit took them both away to be treated. Right before Neji was taken away he heard something Genma said. " Even a caged bird, when it smartens up, will try to open the caged door with its beak. Never giving up on its dream to fly free again."

Amongst many of the cheers no one seemed to notice the distraught look on Hiashi's face except his daughter.

Neji and Kenji were taken to different rooms to be treated. Neji was currently resting on a gurney when one of the attendants noticed someone walk in. " L-Lord Hyuga!" Said the man with surprise as Neji moved his head to see his uncle come in.

" Forgive me, but could I speak with Neji privately?" Hiashi asked the two attendants.

" uh, y-yes sir." One of the men answered as both of them exited the room.

Neji knowing that he should get up proceeded to do so before facing Hiashi. " What is it sir?" Neji asked while not making eye contact as he wa taught.

" I came here to tell you the real truth about that day." Hiashi stated.

" The real truth?" Neji asked.

" That day I fully intended to die." Hiashi stated surprising Neji.

" What?! What are you saying?! That day, my father was murdered to act as your body double!" Neji yelled at Hiashi.

" I understand how you came to that conclusion, but that is not how it happened." Hiashi explained.

" But, why tell me this now?"

" Because now I feel you might finally believe me." Hiashi explained. The memory was still fresh on his mind as though it had happened just yesterday.

" There is no other choice if sacrificing my life will save the entire village." Hiashi told Sarutobi who was listening to what Hiashi was saying.

" Hiashi do not be so hasty," the elder of the Hyuga clan told him. " The kekkei genkai of the Hyuga clan is a vital asset of the village. And your primary duty as head of the main branch is to protect it, now and forever."

" But what purpose does that duty serve if it drags the village into intractable war?" Hiashi countered.

" Of course, but that is why we have the candy branch." The elder stated. " Our only hope is to hand over Hizashi's corpse as your body double. Hizashi has already consented to it."

" But, what they want is the secret of the Byakugan! With Hizashi, that knowledge will be sealed inaccessible upon his death. I don't think the Land of Clouwill settle for that!" Hiashi stated.

" Hmph, that may be their true aim, but the precise wording of their demand was simply 'Give us Hyuga Hiashi's corpse'." The elder clarified.

" But.." Hiashi started.

" Hiashi The time has come, every previous clan head has made painful sacrifices to protect the Hyuga blood. For the sake of the family, you must possess a heart of iron. Even toward your own brother!" The elder explained. " That is the destiny of the main branch and the fate of all those who are born into the Hyuga clan."

Hiashi didn't know what to say. He was stuttering around words as he was trying so hard to push against the idea. " Where is the stron, aggressive Lord Hiashi I know so well?" Hizashi asked.

" I I've never had to face something this huge before! It's not that easy..." Hiashi stated until Hizashi struck him in the gut causing to stumble to the ground stunning the onlookers. " No... Hizashi, you..."

" Please let me do this." Hizashi demanded.

" B-But you've got Neji to worry about too... Why do this for the main branch? Why choose death?" Hiashi asked desperately.

" You misunderstand." Hizashi started. " I have long resented the main branch. To be honest, I still abhor you all and that is why I choose to die protecting my elder brother. Not the head of the main branch. It'll be the first decision I have been able to make for myself."

" Neji has grown up seeing the ugly side of me, but here, today my own will has finally awakened." Hizashi continued. " So please convey to Neji that I was not murdered but chose to protect the main branch, but that I freely chose to die in order to protect Neji, my siblings, the clan, and the entire village."

" So by choosing your own death you gain freedom?" Hiashi asked his brother.

" Brother I always wanted to defy the Hyuga destiny, even if only once. I just wanted to chose my own destiny, that's all." Hizashi told him.

" And that is the truth." Hiashi finished.

" You can't really expect me to believe that story!" Neji yelled. " What a convenient explanation! It sounds like something the main branch would cook up to placate me, and especially after all this time!"

" I knew would think so, and that is why I waited this long. And that is why I am telling you this now," Hiashi started. " I wanted to relay my brother's final words to you, not as the head of the Main branch, but as Hizashi's older brother!"

Neji was surprised as he saw his uncle get on both his hands and knees. " Please believe me..." Hiashi begged him. Taken back Neji didn't know what to say or do at this time.

" Please, raise your head." He asked his uncle as the tears began to escape his eyes. ' Father I still can't be entirely sure whether people's fates simply coast along like the clouds in the sky or if each person can choose his own path to follow.'

' I suppose the destin might be the same either way. But when you decide to follow your own path, you can achieve your own dreams. And in my match today, I finally learned that people with dreams are the ones who are truly strong." Neji thought to himself. " And father my dream is simple. To become stronger. Right now I want to become so strong, I will never lose to anyone again.'

'...'

Neji then turned to look outside and saw all the different birds flying around. " Father there are so many birds in the sky today, flying free."

' There you go Neji, now your one step closer.'

-End-

And there you go guys chapter 14 is done and posted. Again thanks for all the help to those who gave me advice, and this is 1Ring2ruleThemAll.

next chapter

Chapter 15: The Lingering Shadows