Chapter 14. Forfeiture?!

The edge of the knife was pressed painfully against her throat giving her no opening or chance to escape.

Motoko was practically boiling with frustration. When did that slithering little snake manage to sneak up on her?

"You sneaky little-"

"Now now," Kabuto said tauntingly glancing down at her smugly. "Don't move or you might just lose your head."

Not appreciating his tone Motoko sneered at him pissed.

"Motoko!" Akira called out anxiously.

"He got her good," Kyo said. "I'm not surprised, she was practically asking for it when she turned her back on him."

Sodaima watched his student clench and unclench her fists, clearly agitated by her state of affairs. 'It's that careless attitude that have gotten her into so much trouble before."

"She's done for," Shikamaru announced as he lazily slouched over the railing.

"That's such a shame seeing as she's on the same team as that sword guy," Ino said disappointed. "What was his name again? Kyo?"

After mentioning his name her eyes automatically landed searchingly on him. Ino found him quite easy on the eyes.

Sakura gave the faraway look in Ino's eyes an odd look. 'What's up with her?'

"But it wasn't like she was particularly weak or anything," Sakura defended dismissing the strangeness of her nemesis. "She fought back against him, pushing him back and probably would have turned things in her favor hadn't she been distrac-"

Sakura quickly turned her head suddenly remembering just who was the cause behind all this.

"Look what you did, Naruto!" Sakura screeched scolding him. "All because you had to add that unnecessary comment about her being a girl."

"Yeah what was that about anyway," Ino joined in with a darkened expression. "Were you trying to say girls can't fight? Huh? Naruto?"

The two girls towered over him both glaring murderously at him.

Shikamaru sweat dropped at the scene. 'This guy literally dug his own grave.' Shikamaru turned away. 'I better not get involved.'

Naruto shrank back from the killing aura the two kunoichis were emitting sweating nervously. He did his best to avoid eye contact afraid of what they might do to him if he did. "Err- no not really ... I was just ... saying ... she's only just one person ... besides her getting distracted was her own fault ..."

"Naruto's right," Kakashi interrupted before the girls pounced on him. "Getting distracted during a match is unbecoming of a shinobi."

"My sentiments exactly!" Guy suddenly joined clenching his fist with his usual dandy smile. "To be a fine shinobi you must look ahead, pull ahead and never let anything distract you from the unyielding path of youth!"

"OOH!" Lee exclaimed with excitement as he fumbled around with his pen and notepad. "The words of wisdom are spilling from Guy-senSEI! MUst write it DOWN!"

'Kakashi-sensei!' Naruto looked up at his sensei with newfound respect. 'Thank you!'

"That doesn't excuse Naruto's comment though," Kakashi added squashing all Naruto's hope of survival.

"Agreed," Guy gave Naruto a thumbs up and a shining smile. "Not youthfully at all!"

"What's the thumbs up for?!" Naruto criticized out loud not finding his weird behavior amusing. He visibly paled when he saw Ino and Sakura crackling their knuckles wickedly. "Kakashi sensei you traitor!"

Kakashi gave his student who was already getting it served to him a look astounded by his vile accusation. "I wonder what I did wrong?"

"Hmph!" Temari snorted scornfully. "And here I was actually expecting something from her, especially after her last water attack but she turned out to be just like the rest of these losers."

"Hmm," her redheaded teammate hummed thoughtfully as he stared at Motoko.

He had expected a lot more grit from her mainly because of first their encounter in the tower. but then again there was something off about her. There was just something about that 'off' feeling he got from her that bugged him. He sensed that there were more to her than met the eye but he just couldn't figure out what.

Motoko's mind was working overtime to find a way to wriggle out of her current situation but that didn't exactly sit well with her pounding head. 'Okay calm down, you can fix this, you still have a chance of winning, so calm down.'

Her breathing slowed down and the pounding in her head subsided making her calm again.

But of course Kabuto just had to disrupt her moment of ease-as much ease you can be in with a knife pressed to your throat- and said. "I advise you to give up."

"Huh?" The demanding arrogance in his tone angered and irritated her that she wished their roles were reversed just so she could slit his arrogant mouth off instead.

The proctor's prominent gaze burned through them giving Motoko the feeling that he might interrupt any moment and end the match seeing as just how bleak things were looking for her. She needed to do something and fast. She needed to find a way to get out of this predicament. But the question was how?

"So what's it gonna be?" Kabuto prodded. "Are you gonna give up this match or do you really not mind losing your head?"

His threats had become dull and sounded weak in her ears but the fact that he was literally breathing down her neck didn't help her concentration at all. Which irritated her a lot. After all she had little to no time to figure out a way out of this.

The proctor suddenly cleared his throat loudly drawing their attention. Kabuto turned his head a little to glance back at him not loosening his hold on her which promptly gave her an idea.

"Seeing as none of you're going to make move," the proctor noted dully. "Does that mean that this match is coming to an end?"

Kyo noticed the offended frown on his team captain's face almost like he wanted to say 'no she's certainly is not buddy!' Okay he may not have had voiced it like that but that was just how Kyo had decided to roll with it.

Sodaima watched his student with a calm expression completely masking his emotions.

Truth of the matter was that Akira wasn't the only one worried about Motoko, he was too. Motoko had always had a notorious talent for getting herself into seemingly life threatening situations which has caused him a lot of worry on more occasions than one. But this one certainly took the cake. This time it looked fatal especially knowing how stubborn she could be, she most certainly won't give in.

Now he was left to wonder just how she was going to resolve the situation. 'Just what will you do?'

It wasn't just Akira who had an opinion about the proctor's comment but you could just from the look on all of their faces that every person in the room had long decided in their minds who the winner of the match was going to be.

Which was why it was to no one's surprise when slowly raised her right hand in the air with a resigned look on her face. Well almost everyone except her team. And surprise, surprise Kabuto.

Kabuto's eyebrows rose with surprise his right hand slung around her neck still holding her firmly in place. For some reason since the beginning of the match she had seemed very stubborn to him. Her attacks had been persistent and vicious, her comebacks resilient and not to mention her eyes had shone with inflexible determination. But now that was all but gone.

Their match so far had seemed to him very tiresome and fruitless but in a sense she had still entertained him. Challenging him not with her power but with her will power alone. After all, he had long figured out that she had ingested something that she wasn't meant to and that was what holding her back. Yet she never yielded.

Still he hadn't thought she would just give up like that. The tension that left her body as she made her decision clear left him quite disappointed.

The Hokage arched his eyebrows. 'After all they went through to get here? Certainly didn't see that coming.'

"I cab beliebe shesh jub givibing bub lib bab!" Naruto blabbering out, his lips had swollen up to twice their size as well as his face thanks to the beating he got earlier. As a result his spit was flying everywhere. The correct translation of what he was trying to say would be: "I can't believe she's just giving up like that!"

"Eew!" Ino exclaimed in disgust. "Shut up Naruto!"

Sakura briefly recalled the previous exam and she was more than just certain that the odds had been greater against her and her team then than it was against her now. So why give up? Sakura just couldn't fathom why.

Akira's face had turned a little doubtful and he glanced at his sensei for some kind of reassurance that his teammate was going to come out unscathed but instead his eyes landed on Kyo, his ever apathetical teammate.

Kyo, to Akira's surprise though instead of his usual blank expression his mouth was actually turned into a little nonchalant smirk. This of course piqued Akira's interest.

"Something funny?" He cooly asked.

"Nothing really," Kyo said pausing to grin in amusement. "I was just remembering this wasn't the first time she had had a knife to her throat. I mean why else would she be so calm."

Akira could actually think of a more reasonable reason but then it occurred to him making him make a little 'oh' sound and when the realization of what that meant hit him he let out a louder and more discerned 'Ooh!'

Akira grinned feeling better already.

Sodaima looked down at them scornfully. "I hardly think that's anything to be happy about."

Kyo just ignored his sensei as he kept his eyes attentively on the match while Akira was quick to bow his head apologizing for both of them. Sodaima sighed wearily finding Kyo's behavior disrespectful and inappropriate but he withdrew his eyes anyways. Really there were times that they just couldn't see eye to eye.

Motoko drew a quick breath before locking eyes with the proctor. This was it. It was now or never.

The proctor coughed. "Does that mean yo-"

Motoko didn't give him to finish asking the question, before she used her raised hand to abruptly catch Kabuto's arm that was around her neck with her shoulder rendering it immobile. She then grabbed his armed hand with her free hand successfully twisting it away from her throat before she threw him over her shoulder in one fellow swoop.

Motoko who had been in an unshakable bind just a few minutes ago was now smiling triumphantly as she panted inaudibly. She wiped her sweat off her forehead, oh how the tables had turned.

The throw hadn't had much power in it allowing Kabuto to land nimbly on his just a few feet away but it did manage to earn Motoko everyone's respect within the room. They were impressed with her agility and quick thinking. Now they were more eager than ever to see how this match was going to end.

Akira beamed. 'That's what they get for underestimating her.' He couldn't have been more proud that she had made it this far and he was more sure than ever that she was going to win.

"She was actually able to come out unscathed," Shikamaru said impressed.

Sakura smiled feeling good about being right as she smugly watched Naruto sulk.

Temari snorted. "Child's play." Her heavily robed teammate gave her an odd look wondering why she even cared.

"Hmm," the Hokage hummed with a small smile.

'Not bad,' Sodaima thought. 'She managed to rationalize her situation. Compared to a few minutes ago, she has certainly improved by thinking things through.'

Kabuto smiled as he coolly adjusted his glasses the light reflecting within them obscuring his eyes. He was smiling ominously at her making her give him very questioning look. He looked very disturbed. The thought that he might not be alright in the head crossed her mind and it lingered.

"Well I guess this is it," Kabuto said his eyes still not visible.

Motoko raised her hands in a defensive stand ready to take him on again any moment feeling that she couldn't have agreed more with his statement. This was it and they were going to end it soon.

But much to her horror instead of coming at her as she had expected he just raised his hand calmly and said what she least expected.

"I forfeit."

"What?" Motoko cried vehemently.

"What the-" Naruto exclaimed feeling just or even more confused than Motoko.

They weren't the only ones. Everyone expressed their confusion and bafflement in their own way.

"Do you really wish to forfeit?" The proctor asked dubiously.

"Yes." Kabuto replied without hesitation.

Kyo narrowed his eyes suspiciously at Kabuto whereas Akira held his chin thoughtfully both trying to figure out his motives. Just what was he up to.

Motoko on the other hand was furious beyond words. "What do you mean you forfeit? You can't just do that!"

She couldn't let him go like this! At least had he been in a state where he had no choice but give up then it would have been right, but now it just looked like he was letting her off. She couldn't even say that he was running away or giving up for that matter seeing as how evenly matched they were. Besides ending things like this was going to leave a bitter taste in her mouth. It wouldn't feel like a victory at all.

"Oh I think I just did," Kabuto retorted angering her even more before he started to walk off.

"Oh no you don't!" Motoko snapped before she charged at him determined.

The proctor hindered her however by blocking her path. "Kabuto Yakushi have already forfeited the match therefore this match has officially ended." Which was probably the proctor's way of saying back off.

Motoko scoffed rudely not appreciating his interruption but standing down nevertheless.

But it looked like she wasn't the only one dissatisfied with the outcome.

"Kabuto!" Naruto bellowed gaining everyone's attention. "What are you doing?"

Motoko stared up at him clearly irritated. She was getting the feeling that this guy was more and more annoying by the second. 'Why does he need to be such a busybody, seriously?'

He paused momentarily regarding the guy he viewed as a good comrade and friend with a look of disappointment and betrayal. He didn't like the way he was just giving up. "After everything we did to get here and the things you just went through, are you just forfeiting without putting up a proper fight?"

Motoko gave her so called brother a weirded out look. Why was she getting the feeling he was having a bromance with the wrong person? Actually she didn't even need to know that.

Kabuto looked up at him, his face painfully exhausted. "But I just did Naruto or at least I tried. I put my all into this fight but after I barely passed the second exam having to go up against such a formidable opponent was just too much for me. And truthfully I have been deaf in my left ear ever since my brush with the Sound ninjas during orientation so I'm practically at my limit now."

'Liar,' was the only thing Motoko could think as she silently scorned Kabuto's pathetic act and Naruto's naivety. She could just tell by the look on his face that he was getting sympathetic. Such a fool.

The proctor officially announced her win but she felt nothing and just emptily watched her opponent walk off before she stormed up the stairs that led upstairs.

Instead of walking over to her team she stopped near the staircase which was relatively empty thanks to the fact that her team and the other people on this side of the room had taken up residence further up giving her plenty of room to be by herself.

Motoko leaned against the railing feeling quite exhausted as her eyes fluttered close. She was just gonna stay here. She didn't feel like putting up with any of her teammates. Knowing who they were they probably wouldn't leave her alone. All she needed right now was some peace and quiet. Some time alone to mull over things.

Akira looked anxiously over at his female companion. She seemed down and the only thing he wanted to do was go and cheer her up. He was just about to do it when Sodaima placed his hand on his shoulder stopping him in his tracks.

"Sensei?"

"Just let her be for now," Sodaima instructed. "She needs space."

Akira nodded before he flicked his worried gaze towards her again.

Motoko watched the following match indifferently still feeling highly discontent at how her match ended.

She wanted a proper victory not this half-assed shit. She wanted to feel that exhilarating feeling that surges throughout one's body and mind. That unearthly satisfaction and feeling of superiority one get as they are declared victorious. But it seemed like she wasn't going to get any which totally bummed her out. In fact she felt a little humiliated because it felt like he ran out on her leaving her hanging.

But the thing that bummed her the most was how her brother had unconditionally sided with her enemy. Going as far as insulting her. She knew that it was unreasonable but somewhere deep down she must have wished that he would support her. Or maybe respect and acknowledge her a little. Unfortunately she got neither and especially so after the pathetic victory she got just now. Any chances of getting even a little bit of his respect was gone.

That was what she was thinking when suddenly she noticed that another match had already begun and that that match was none other than her brother's.

Her train of thought came to an abrupt halt as she devoted all her attention to him. 'I wonder how well he will do.'

Now that she thought about whenever it came to her brother the only thoughts involved were she wanted to meet him, get to know him and the possibility of gaining something she never had and never thought she would; a genuine and very real little brother.

All that aside she had never given it much thought, despite knowing who and what he was, just how good of a shinobi he was. But now that she actually thought about she was more curious than ever.

Her eyes sparkled with interest and her chest tightened in suspension as she watched him. 'Surprise me,' Motoko thought intrigued.

The match went underway and it didn't seem to go all that well for him at first. Motoko kept flinching and cringing as her brother's opponent kept moping the floor for him. In all honesty it was by far the worst match she had watched thus far. It made her go as far as pray for him. But then little by little he managed to overcome his opponent.

Motoko shuddered at his bold proclamation as he declared that he was going to become Hokage. He sounded so very serious that some part of her wanted to believe in him. That doesn't necessarily mean she actually did.

He then won using a rather unexpected method to turn the tables which made Motoko laugh uncontrollably. 'Man what's up with this kid!'

Motoko could feel all her problems melt away as she watched her moronic brother make a fool of himself.

Suddenly the chunin exams didn't matter to her as much as they initially had, after all her original goal coming here from the very beginning was to meet him and was she glad she did. She had learned so much about him in such a small span of time. He wasn't the sharpest tool in the shed, he cared about people close to him, he was idiotically funny for what's worth and he was strangely strong in his own way.

The only thing she could hope for now was that he would someday get to know her and maybe just maybe like her too.

Akira turned his head at the sound of her laughter and felt his stomach churn as he realized while he hopelessly stood here giving her 'space' somehow that little brat down there managed to cheer her up without even trying. It infuriated him.

"Can the participants of the tenth match please make their way over here," the proctor recapturing both Motoko's and Akira's attentions.

Motoko was surprised to recognize the timidly short haired girl who entered the arena and it was all thanks to her white pupil less eyes. 'Bathroom girl!'

Motoko remember finding her sudden kindness rather bizarre. It was really rare for her to see something like that. It surprised her. In a good way.

Her opponent appeared to be a guy with same skin tone and exact eye color as her. They could almost be mistaken for siblings but the fierce look in his eyes convinced Motoko otherwise. There were also something dark about him ... Motoko couldn't put it into words but he was somehow ...different ...maybe it was his chakra perhaps? No no not this again. That certainly didn't make sense.

Motoko relaxed her facial expression which had contorted into a scowl. 'I should just concentrate on the match for now.'

The proctor announced the commencement of their match but instead of actually commencing as they were told bathroom girl's opponent suddenly started badmouthing her.

"You're who you're lady Hinata and you're not gonna change so you must just live with that," the charade went on like that as he made sure to thoroughly put her down.

But for some reason those words stroke a cord within Motoko and they rekindled some old bitter memories.

'You're gonna be a kunoichi? Don't make me laugh!' They crackled haughtily. 'You're just saying that cause you can throw a few punches but that's not gonna help in the long run! Just wait and see till you come back crying!'

'Like hell I will!' Motoko roared back.

'Jerk!' Motoko gritted her teeth together. 'He needs someone to knock his teeth in!'

Motoko glanced at the girl expecting her to feel the same but to Motoko's shock she was shivering in her boots.

Motoko stared at her in wonder; why wasn't she already knocking his teeth in? 'Come on!' She thought impatiently. 'Show him he's wrong!'

But bathroom girl did no such thing and continued to tremble as any words failed to leave her mouth.

Motoko was dumbfounded and just continued to stare. She wasn't supposed to tremble and show so much vulnerability. She should be mad, offended and fend off her offenders and be done with it. That was most effective and best way to deal to deal with it. Or in other words Motoko's way of dealing with things.

The poor girl was on the verge of tears but then someone spoke up for her, rescuing her from her moment of despair.

Motoko stared at Naruto as he did what he did best; meddled and was a busybody all around.

But this time it actually good no it did more than just good it worked wonders.

His words encouraged her, dissipating all her worries and doubts in an instant.

Motoko could just tell from the look on her face that her self esteem and self confidence leaped up.

With her renewed confidence bathroom girl decided to confront her opponent head on.

She took a defensive stand as she shone with determination. "Defend yourself brother."

Motoko's eyes widened in shock. Holly macaroni he really was her brother! From all the guys blabber she had deduced that they had a close connection with all the family shit but for to be her brother of all things! Now that was one hella twist of fate. 'Now what?'

They both leaped into action and Motoko was mystified by the sudden growth of multiple nerves around both of their eyes. 'Is this some kinda jutsu?'

Motoko glanced over at her team and wasn't the least bit surprised to see Akira eagerly engaged in a conversation with sensei. If she was over there they would probably shower her with all the things she didn't understand and so much more. But did she get really want that? One look at the pained expression on Kyo's face convinced her otherwise and she wisely refrained from going over.

But then she suddenly felt turmoil coming from down in the arena which grasped her attention. When she looked down she was surprised to see bathroom girl and her opponent in a standstill after they had exchanged numerous blows. 'What's happening?'

Bathroom girl suddenly coughed up blood much to Motoko's absolute horror. 'No!'

But despite that she still continued to fight insisting on not giving up and proclaiming it was her ninja way. But it did nothing. The fight took a turn from there and continued to go downhill from there. The girl got beaten and Motoko could feel herself cringing every bit of the way.

A small part of her continued to wish that she somehow would turn the tables but alas she never did.

That was why she whole heartedly agreed with her brother's statement and wished more than anything else that he would take that arrogant jerk down.

After having witnessed Hinata's match and squabbled with Neji Naruto was very upset and decided to ascend the other staircase not feeling like staying on the same floor as that Hyuga jerk.

Unbeknownst to him his sister was up there waiting.

Ta-da!

Sorry if the recounting of the Naruto's and Hinata's matches were too boring but I had to in order for me to show more about Motoko and for you learn more about her. So what do you guys think about her? Do you see her differently? Jot down your thoughts if possible!

Judge her, love her and hate her even but before you can do any of that get to know her character first. That's all I'm asking.

So what about your impressions of Motoko's victory? Do you feel as disappointed as her? I'm not very good with fight scenes but I do my outmost best!

I hope you're looking forward to the next chapter as much as I'm!

Click the star to vote!

Till next time!

Xoxo

Kaki-chan