Second Time's The Charm

by Reader06

Tobirama knew bringing back the dead was possible. He knew that anything was possible in the ninja world. That didn't mean, however, that he ever believed in reincarnation. But here he was, with a new family and a ragtag group of friends, in a village he barely recognized, facing the same demons as before. Would he ever find some peace and quiet?

21. Chapter 20

Author's Note: The reviews are still not showing up for everyone to see, so I will continue to post them at the bottom until FanFiction fixes the bug.

THANK YOU VERY MUCH FOR ALL THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS. They make me very happy! *tear*

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The final rounds were to be held in a large-dome like arena. The walls went high up into the air, curving around and leaving only a small hole leading to the sky. The whole area felt warm, especially with the spotlights focusing on the stage.

People from all around the nations were making their way to their seats. Multiple booths were set up outside for food and other items. It was a little amusing to see t-shirts with "Go Team Baki" or "Go Team Gai".

The event wouldn't start for another hour, so Team 7 had split off into different directions. Her brother was currently travelling behind her – the both of them looking for their parents.

"Man… This is such a drag…" Shikamaru moaned behind her, fighting through the crowd.

Kanoko growled slightly, "Are you a parrot or something? Can't you say anything else?"

"A parrot only repeats what it's told." Shikamaru responded like the smartass he is.

Kanoko gave him an annoyed look, before focusing back on the crowd ahead and on a familiar spiky ponytail. Walking down the stairs of the stands, she walked up to her father.

"Well, look who just found us Yoshino…" Shikaku said lazily. Their mother leaned over their father to get a closer look, "Oh! Just look at you two! Couldn't you have found something better to wear! Everyone here is going to think I can't dress you two properly."

Kanoko and Shikamaru both looked down at their clothes, confused. They were wearing what they always wear…

Kanoko evaded the conversation with a question, "Where are Ino's and Choji's parents?" Kanoko always knew Inoichi and Choza to be close by wherever her father was.

Yoshino responded with a scoff, "They wanted to be responsible and caring parents and actually sought out their children. Unlike your sorry excuse for a father. He decided the best course of action was to wait for you to find us." She finished crossing her arms and turning from Shikaku.

Shikaku scratched the back of his head, "Haha. Well it worked, didn't it? They're here now, aren't they?"

Shikamaru sighed dramatically at his parents. He just didn't understand them.

Kanoko just smiled slightly. As much as her family drove her insane, they were still hers.

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In a special sectioned off area, not too high in the stands, but not too low either, were three special seats. Standing next to these seats were two guards each – and all three sets from a different village.

Walking in, the Hokage made his way to his seat, on the far left. Sitting down, he noticed a rather annoyed looking Raikage with his head leaning on his hand.

"Bored already Raikage? I thought you would be in anticipation: To watch the team your brother trained fight in the matches." The Hokage asked him with a knowing smile.

The Raikage, Ay, just scoffed, not moving an inch, "That won't be until the second match and even then, they won't be losing to Leaf genin, so it's going to be a waste of my time."

The Hokage smirked, "Confident are we? I guess we will just have to watch and see." The Hokage then searched the area before asking further, "Where is your brother anyways? I don't believe I've seen him."

Ay closed his eyes, getting further annoyed, "Ha! I left that idiot at home!"

Hearing chuckling from the Third Hokage, the Raikage moved from his hand and looked over, "What is so funny?"

Hiruzen just shook his head and looked down at the center of the arena. Curious, Ay looked down as well, to see what the Leaf kage was losing his shit over.

Ay's eyes went wide as he yelled, "BEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

Down in the arena's center was Killer Bee, a mic in hand, and jumping back and forth on his feet. Bee spoke into the mic, "All ya ready to drop some beats?! Yay?!"

The Raikage shook with rage, before jumping over the railing, "Drop Kick!"

Hearing his brother's famous "drop kick" Bee looked up, but it was too late.

"GYAHHH!" He wailed in pain from the impact. Sand flew up and into the first set of stands at the blow, making those people cough at all the sand hitting them in the face.

"I THOUGHT I TOLD YOU TO STAY PUT!" Ay yelled at his brother, who was still planted firmly between the sand and his foot.

"Bro?!" Bee whined, spitting out sand.

Shaking his fist, his eyes closed in anger, he shouted, "THAT'S IT! We're going home! I didn't want to come here anyways! You can explain to your team why they're going home as genin!" And with that, he grabbed his brother and dragged him out of the arena.

Bee kicked and screamed in misery, "BUT BRO! Come one! Don't punish the kids! They didn't do anything wrong, ya know! Ya fool, ya fool!"

All anyone could hear as they passed through the gates of the arena was a loud bang and "How dare you call your onii-san a fool?!"

Back up in the stands, the Hokage just sweat-dropped. "At least we don't have to worry about the Cloud now…"

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Kanoko left her brother with her parents before walking down the nearly empty stairwell.

In all honesty, when she saw her mother get into one of her "my poor babies are growing up" moods, she made a strategic move by sneaking away while her mother focused her attentions on Shikamaru. She felt no remorse for abandoning her brother, but she did get an amused smirk from her father before escaping.

"Hey."

Kanoko turned around, interrupting her from her thoughts, and looked back at the voice. It was Hyuuga Neji.

Kanoko raised an eyebrow at him before he spoke, "For what reason do continue to put up being on the same team as a failure like Naruto?"

Kanoko looked at him in interest. She was curious to why he hated Naruto so much. To her knowledge, Neji barely knew him. Perhaps the two had another run in?

Instead of answering his question, she posed one of her own, "Why do you continue to fight alongside a ninja with no skill for ninjutsu or genjutsu?"

The Hyuuga crossed his arms with a firm frown on his face, "Hmph. Point taken."

"Ah, so Lee is without the ability to use both ninjutsu and genjutsu. This will prove helpful. Thank you Hyuuga." Kanoko thought before turning around to walk away, believing the conversation to be done.

"You should teach him to know his place in life."

Kanoko stopped, hand still on the railing of the stairs and back to Neji.

Neji continued, "You and I are not too different. We both are prodigies among prodigies. I am of the branch family, but stronger with more potential than any main family member of my age, but I will never be considered anything, but secondary. You are the second born child to a prominent clan head. Your skills far exceed many of your clan – especially your brother's. And yet, you will never be heir or clan head. Even if your brother dies, the Naras would never accept a female as their clan leader."

Kanoko's hand tightened around the railing.

"We have the potential to be the greatest, but our fates are to be caged birds. Wings forever clipped and stuck behind glass walls – watching others stumble around like fools."

A silence took over and Kanoko believed he was waiting for a response. Kanoko decided to deny him of that – choosing to continue on her path. His intent was likely to anger her or justify his own twisted logic. She would deny him on both accounts.

Just as she was about to move again, he spoke, "Fools like Hinata and Naruto. Cowards, pests, failures. They may believe they can change, but no matter how much they grow, no matter how much they try, they will never be able to escape their fates: To be failures."

Kanoko turned her head slightly, chuckling darkly, "How pathetic."

Neij's eyes narrowed, "Excuse me?"

Kanoko just continued to stare, unimpressed, "If anyone is unbefitting of becoming a ninja – it is you. You, who would tell me fate is absolute and that everyone must accept it." Kanoko paused, "You refuse to believe your own mantra and yet you impose it on others? Tell me, if you believe in accepting your fate and playing the role as you've been assigned…"

Kanoko walked up the stairs and stepped right in front of Neji, close to his face, "…Why haven't you bowed on your hands and knees to your clan's heir and kissed her feet?"

Neji's face contorted into one of rage, fists clenching. How dare she mock him with emotionless eyes and tell him that his words are worthless.

Kanoko wasn't done, however. Starting into his eyes, looking bored, "You're no cage bird. You're the bird fell from the sky and instead of getting up, you clipped your own wings – ashamed at your own weakness."

Kanoko backed away and grabbed the railing again before finishing, "You and I are nothing alike. I support my brother in his position. I believe in my team's potential – both of them. I know my worth and I know my faults, but I don't limit myself with weak ideologies. I train with purpose, I fight with purpose, I laugh with purpose, and I cry with purpose. That purpose is to protect those that matter to me. To protect my village and my home. Some may say it is a purpose given to me by another – forced upon me – but it is the purpose I have given… I will give my life for."

Kanoko chuckled lowly, "You're going to lose this fight, Hyuuga." She smirked, "And the sad part is that you don't even know why."

Kanoko almost reached the bottom when she was met with the face of one Rock Lee. His face was pointed to the floor and he was shaking – for what reason she wasn't sure.

Deciding to ignore him, she walked around him. Before she could open the door to the outside he spoke, "I understand your words. I, myself, too believe in a strong purpose. I have trained day and night to better myself. To protect those precious to me at all costs."

Kanoko just started opening the door, not interest in getting caught in another emotional conversation.

Lee continued with a loud voice, "But I will not allow you to treat my teammate in such a way! Team Gai will beat Team Kakashi! I won't give up and I won't back down because that is my ninja way!"

Kanoko shrugged dully, walking out the door.

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Entering the center of the arena, Kanoko looked up. The noise from the audience was deafening and the lights were harsh. She thought of the pressure, being watched and judged by hundreds and wondered how children ever formed the courage to fight under such conditions.

Looking back down, she spotted her teammates. Kanoko walked slowly up to Naruto and Sakura, hands in her pockets. "Kanoko! Are you ready to show that blind girly man what dirt taste like?!" Naruto shouting.

Kanoko raised an eyebrow, "I'm not even sure where to begin on that statement."

Sakura just giggled at Kanoko while Naruto narrowed his eyes at his teammate.

"WELCOME!"

All the genin turned their heads up to the noise. Above them, in a special sectioned off area was a robed man standing with his arms at his sides. Behind him, sitting, was their own Hokage. Looking to the right, Kanoko noticed an empty seat. She wondered where the Raikage was…

"We will now begin the final round of the Chunin Exams hosted by the Village Hidden in the Sand. We ask the audience that you do not leave until all the matches have concluded." The Kazekage finished before sitting down, next to the Hokage.

Stepping before them was another Sand ninja – a jounin this time. "I will be the final proctor for this exam. The rules for the final round are: That there are none. Anything goes. The match will be determined when all three members are no longer able to continue or are dead. Remember, you need three members for each match, so if one dies…" The proctor paused before continuing, "I will be in the area, monitoring the matches and can end the match whenever I feel like it – no arguments."

The proctor turned to the match listing, "Now! There has been a change up in the matches. The Raikage has pulled his team from the exams and Team Asuma will move up as defaulted."

Choji laughed out, "Oh! Lucky!"

Shikamaru looked to his sister, now completely sure he would facing her during the exams. She didn't look back at him to meet his stare.

The proctor continued, "We will begin with the first match: Team Gai vs Team Kakashi! All others, go to the sectioned off area and wait for your match."

Naruto growled, clenching his fist as the others left. Looking over to Neji, he stuck his fist out, pointed towards Neji before saying, "I'll show you! I'll show you that people can change! That anyone can become more than they are – more than just a failure!"

Tenten looked over to Neji nervously. She looked over to her other teammate and looked bewildered at his face. His stance was firm as he stared harshly at Kanoko. She had only ever seen that expression directed at Neji. She wondered what caused such reaction from Lee.

The Hyuuga crossed his arms, closing his eyes, "There is nothing you can show me. I already see clearly and you are no match for me."

Kanoko chuckled lowly, "Still licking your wounds, Hyuuga?" Kanoko knew the more Neji acted emotionally, they better chance they had of winning.

Lee jumped in his teammate's defense, "The only one that will be licking wounds is you!"

"Hold on you brats! I haven't told you to begin yet." The proctor groaned at them.

Kanoko, eyes firm on Team Gai, told her teammates, "Sakura. Naruto. Remember the plan." Sakura nodded with confidence and Naruto grinned, rubbing his nose in excitement.

Neji narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "Lee, Tenten. You two focus on Naruto and the pink haired one. I will take care of the other one."

Lee looked back at Neji in disagreement, "No! Allow me to face her!"

Kanoko just smirked. "Already fighting amongst themselves? This will be easier than I thought." And really? As if Naruto was going to let her face off with Neji.

Tenten cut in between her teammates, "Guys! Come on! They're doing this purposely to throw us off!"

Neji and Lee took one last look before taking defensive stances towards Team Kakashi.

Team Kakashi returned the gesture.

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"GO!" The proctor yelled.

"Byakugan!" Neji yelled, taking a normal Hyuuga stance.

In The Stands

"Hanabi. Play close attention. That boy has a very strong kekkei genkai - stronger than your sister's and possible stronger than yours." Hyuuga Hiashi, clan head, said to his youngest daughter.

Hanabi stared down at the stage in shock, "Strong than mine…?"

A few rows down, the four Leaf jounin sat together.

"You know… I'm glad I didn't place any bets on this match." Asuma said, inhaling his cigarette. Next to him, Gai exclaimed, "Haha! This is going to be a quick match! No question! They may be your students, Kakashi, but my team's been doing this longer than yours and their skills are exceptional."

Kurenai agreed, "I'm with Gai on this one. He has the prodigy, Hyuuga Neji, on his team. I heard he was dubbed as the strongest genin to ever come out of the academy."

Asuma shrugged, "I heard that too and with Lee's abilities. It's defiantly going to be tough." Asuma let out a breath of smoke, "But Kakashi's got a Nara on his team. A motivated Nara. That is itself is terrifying. And Ino told me that she can use two nature jutsus and has some skill with fuinjutsu. That's just rare."

Kurenai looked shocked, before looking over to Kakashi, "Is that true?"

Kakashi just shrugged in response, "Personally, I think Naruto is going to be the real surprise in this match."

Gai barked out a laugh, "Well the completion is on! I bet you my team will win! The loser has to run around Suna 100 times in his bare feet!"

Kakashi just simply gestured to Gai. Gai took that as acceptance, so he turned to his team, shouting, "GO TEAM! SHOW KAKASHI'S TEAM YOUR BURING YOUTH!"

Back in the Arena

"YES! GAI-SENSEI! WE SHALL MAKE YOU PROUD!" Lee yelled back to his sensei, turn his back to Team Kakashi.

"Idiot." Kanoko thought, taking off in a run and leaping over his teammates. Kanoko drew her sword and slammed it down on Lee – just barely missing him as his teammate called out to him.

"Lee! Get your head in the fight!" Neji chastised him before running to Kanoko, arm extended to strike her chakra points. Kanoko applied chakra to her feet , leaping backwards and over Neji.

Making her way back to her team, she told them, "Naruto. Remember. Distance." Naruto just laughed, "I know, I know! Shadow Clone Jutsu!"

"Clever. He distributed his chakra evenly, so even I can't tell which one is the real one." Neji thought, taking a defensive position, "Tenten."

"On it!" She responded to her teammate, before leaping in the air and sending a wave of kunai and shrunken towards the clones.

"Sorry, but your opponent's me!" Sakura yelled throwing a few kunai with bombs, blowing the weapons away from Naruto. Sakura then raced over to Tenten, as Tenten jumped back. Just as Tenten pulled out her scroll for another attack, Sakura formed a few hand signs.

"Fire Style: Fire Ball Jutsu!" A medium size ball of fire flew towards Tenten. She ducked out of the way, but not before her shoulder was grazed – charring it.

"Tenten!" Lee yelled to his teammate in concern.

In the Stands

"Wow! I had no idea that forehead knew fire style jutsus!" Ino exclaimed.

Choji, who was munching on chips said, "Isn't that the jutsu that Sasuke uses?"

Ino looked shocked, "You're right! Ahh! Forehead! Thinking she is going to impress Sasuke with her fire jutsu!"

Shikamaru's eyes just narrowed.

Back in the Arena

Neji looked over to his female teammate. Her dominant arm was hit. That wasn't good.

Shifting his body around to avoid another attacked from Naruto's shadow clones, he gave Naruto an unimpressed look, "It seems I was right."

Naruto gritted his teeth and growled, "What do you mean?!"

Neji smirked, "You're teammates are holding their own against mine, but you… You're just a child, playing around like your still in the academy. You probably only made it this far because of them."

Naruto growled before calling more clones and attacking. Neji was deflecting all of his attacks and right when Naruto thought he had him, Neji whipped around and sent the real Naruto flying. Naruto groaned as hit the ground.

Quickly moving further away, Naruto quickly made another group of clones and started attacking him directly again. Smirking, Neji started taking on two at a time, making quick work of Naruto's clones and making his way to the real one.

Before Neji got close, Naruto jumped back again and made more clones. Neji looked around, looking for the one farthest away. "Found him." Neji thought running passed the clones, "Your mistake, Naruto, is your fear. You're so afraid to get close to me, that you are making it obvious which one is the real one: The coward keeping his distance!" Neji ran to the real Naruto, with his arm ready to strike with the Gentle Fist and closing one of Naruto's chakra points.

Just as Neji was a foot away from Naruto, he saw him smirk slightly, "What is he smirking about?"

"Boom." Was all Naruto said.

Feeling chakra below, Neji looked down, "A seal?!" A light pink pattern lit on the ground, exploding in Neji's face – sending him back in pain. Neji grunted as he hit the ground, thankfully on his feet. He hunched over, holding his front as it stung with pain.

"NEJI!" Tenten and Lee yelled.

Neji looked up and watched Naruto walk up – completely with not a single scratch. Neji's eyes widen, "It was a clone… How?!" Naruto just laughed, scratching the back of his head. "When you failed to hit Kanoko, she planted an explosive seal. My job was to get you close to it. Guess I'm the genius for tricking you, huh?!" Naruto laughed at Neji's foolishness.

Kanoko looked over and yelled, "What did I tell you about bragging in a middle of a fight!?"

Naruto looked back annoyed and crossed his arms before muttering, "You just have to ruin everything, don't you? No fun jerk."

"Naruto!" Sakura yelled. Naruto looked up and saw Neji coming for him – pissed. He was able to duck away, but not before getting hit in the shoulder – just a hair away from a chakra point.

"Damn! That was close!" Naruto thought.

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Kanoko turned her attention back to her opponent: Rock Lee. Watching Lee take off to help his teammate, Kanoko jumped in front of him to prevent him from going further. Giving him an unimpressed looked, she taunted him further, "I guess your "genius" is not as impressive as you present him to be."

"Neji won't be defeated so easily!" Lee yelled to him, taking another fighting stance. Turning to Kanoko he said, "You technique is impressive. The way you evade my attacks… It's like you are familiar with my fighting style."

Kanoko just raised an eyebrow, "Hmm? Is that so." Kanoko, of course, wasn't going to tell him that she asked (blackmailed) her sensei into revealing Gai's fighting style's secrets.

In the Stands

"You taught your student Gai's moves and technique… Clever." Asuma told Kakashi.

Kakashi just scratched the back of his head, "Oh you know. Just planning ahead." Kakashi sweat-dropped, "Even if it took my own student blackmailing me."

Gai just huffed at his rival before yelling to his student, "Lee! Go ahead! Take them off!"

Back in the Arena

Lee stopped to look up at his teacher. Lee was pushed back by Kanoko to the top of a large rock. Kanoko waited from a safe distance with her sword in front of her protectively. Lee looked up to his sensei, confused, "But sensei! I thought you told me only in emergencies and if someone's life is in danger?!"

Gai gave him a thumbs up, "This is an exception!"

Lee nodded vigorously as Kanoko narrowed her eyes. Kanoko saw Kakashi get closer to the railing, curious as well. Lee pulled back his orange leg warmers to reveal weights.

"Weights? That's not going to make much of a difference." Sakura thought, evading another attack from Tenten – who was struggling with her aim, due to her shoulder.

Then Lee dropped them.

It was like a bomb just went off – smoke and sand went everywhere.

"Gai… You are too much." Kakashi thought, a little worried for his student.

Lee grinned before running behind Kanoko with great speed. Kanoko grunted in surprise as she was hit from behind, barely saving herself from the attack by placing her sword in-between her and the kick. Before she could even land properly, she was attacked by another kick, this time to her front.

She took the hit that time, eyes going wide in pain and blood escaping her mouth. She landed on her feet when he came from the side to land a punch.

Kanoko spit at him, "Water Style: Heavenly Weeping!" Steel-like water senbon struck him in the front, causing him to run back, before quickly twisting around and going for her opposite side.

Pushing chakra into her feet she jumped forward and rolled to the side. She was just barely avoiding each hit. "This kid is fast! I'll need more chakra to keep up!" Summoning her seal in her arm, she took a hit from Lee in order to grab his foot and draining his chakra, but not before coughing up blood at the hit.

Sliding to the ground behind her, she wiped her mouth and winced at the pain in her stomach as she straighten. Lee was a few feet away, mystified at the sudden drain of chakra. Taking advantage if the moment, she ran through a series of hand signs, "Wind Style: Vacuum Bomb!"

A few of the air needles hit Lee, sending him farther back. Kanoko quickly pushed off the ground and flew towards Lee, slamming her sword down – this time nicking his leg.

"ARG!" Lee yelled in anguished as he ran away, with a small limp. Kanoko quickly followed him. Both traded blow for blow. Small amount of blood and sweat flew from both of them as they traveled around the arena, chasing each other.

In the Stands

"Wow Kakashi. She's really keeping up. I don't think I've ever seen a Nara run so fast – unless they were running away." Asuma said, one eyebrow raise and his cigarette hanging loosely from his mouth.

"You think so poorly of us, kid." A bored voice drawled out from behind. The four jounin turned around to see one Nara Shikaku.

Asuma sweat-dropped before nervously apologizing, "I… I only meant… Uh, help guys?" He asked his friend. His "not girlfriend" responded, "You're the one you got into this mess, you can get yourself out." She finished with a smirk.

Kakashi smiled at his student's father, "I was just about to tell my uninformed college here that the Naras are skilled in many ninja arts – and in fact are the most difficult ninja to defeat without large losses."

"Suck up." Asuma mumbled at his – former – friend.

Shikaku just chuckled lowly, "I got it Kakashi. You're a better teacher than Asuma. Have I satisfied your ego enough, so we can watch my daughter's match in peace?"

Kakashi just smiled, turning around in his seat, while Asuma sunk lower, pouting like a kid.

Kakashi and Asuma had a bit of a competition going: Who's Nara would become a better ninja. It was an added bonus that both were children of the Jounin Commander – a man both of them looked up to and respected.

Shikaku just laughed at their childish antics and decided if it makes his children stronger – more able to defend themselves against future dangers, he was ok with it.

Gai, on the other hand, was gritting his teeth, watching Lee. He knew Lee wouldn't give up and hoped he would come out of this ok.

Back in the Arena

Naruto went in for another strike on Neji, who was having a harder time dodging, thanks to his injuries, when Naruto saw him smirk. Still in midair, Naruto watched as his punch was deflected, causing him to fly backwards and all of his clones to poof away.

"How did he block all of us at the same time?!" Naruto thought, watching Neji spin around before stopping and looking back at him with a smirk.

"Did you really think you won?" Neji told Naruto. Naruto grunted in pain as he sat up.

Tenten looked over at Neji and thought with a smirk, "Rotation. One of Neji's special defenses. Naruto doesn't stand a chance." Tenten quickly looked back at her opponent when she saw an array of kunai head her way.

"It's just plain stupid to ignore you opponent." Sakura told her with a smirk.

Tenten narrowed her eyes and gritted her teeth before smirking, "It is, but you're hardly a threat."

Sakura growled, "Oh yeah?! How's your shoulder, then?!" Sakura didn't give her time to answer before she sent another paper bomb her way. Tenten jumped back before jumping into the air and spinning around with a scroll from her hand.

"Try this on for size!" Tenten yelled as a series of blades of all times flew out of her scroll and at Sakura. Confident in her move, Tenten hit the ground and looked up at her opponent, expecting Sakura to be down or injured badly.

Tenten's eyes went wide.

Sakura was just standing there, standing in a girly pose with one arm behind her – weapons scattered around her, but not one hit on Sakura. Sakura followed it up with a wink and her tongue sticking out.

"What?! How?!" Tenten yelled, in complete shock.

"I guess you're more injured than you thought!" Sakura taunted, running towards her with a kunai in her hand, throwing another paper bomb at her.

"How did she evade everything I threw at her?!" Tenten growled at herself, angry at her failure. She jumped to evade another attack. When Tenten hit the ground, she immediately fell backwards, hitting her head roughly on the ground. Tenten choked out some blood at the pain, before bending over on her hands and knees. She looked back to where she landed, "A rock?! How did I miss that?!"

Tenten looked over to Sakura. Behind her she could see her teammates fighting.

Not fighting.

On the ground bleeding!

Her teammates lost! And needed medical attention!

"NEJI! LEE!" Tenten cried to them. She watched as Naruto and Kanoko continued the assault, hurting them further.

Why hasn't anyone stopped the match?! Her teammates were dying! They needed to stop the match!

Tenten looked down at her hands, "Is it because I'm still fighting?" She recalled what the proctor said: The match wasn't over until all of the team members were unable to fight.

Tenten watched as Sakura slowly approached. "There's no way I can beat all three of them! Especially when they took out both Neji and Lee!"

Coming to realization, that the only way to save her teammates from death was to give up, she raised her hand in the air, "I give up!"

"TENTEN NO!"

Tenten looked over, shocked. She was sure that came from Neji, but… She thought… Wasn't he…

Slowly her vision changed: Kanoko was still on even terms with Lee and Neji was dominating over Naruto. Standing in front of her was Sakura, but with more scratches than she remembered.

"I-Impossible! Genjutsu!" Tenten exclaimed looking at a pleased Sakura.

Sakura giggled, "I had you fooled! I admit, it wasn't easy, but you were so concerned with your injured arm, it gave me an opening to get you into a genjutsu. I am surprised I was able to keep you in it for so long. I thought for sure you would break out when you used that scroll attack!"

Kanoko's eye twitched, "If it's not one teammate bragging, it's the other one…"

"Tenten is disqualified for admitting defeat. She will join the other genin and wait for the outcome of the battle." The proctor shouted before teleporting Tenten out of the arena.

In the Stands

"Well, that was shocking. I had no idea Sakura was capable of such great genjutsu." Shikamaru said pensively, while holding his hand to his chin.

Ino replied to him, "Well duh! She was always the best in class when it came to chakra control. It only make since she would be good at genjutsus! If you were awake more often, you'd know that too!" Ino finished, crossing her arms and glaring at Shikamaru.

Shikamaru gave her an annoyed look before Choji interrupted, "She's right, you know. Everyone knows that about Sakura."

"Thank Choji. You're a real grade A friend." Shikamaru said dully at his friend's betrayal.

Choji just munched on his chips and replied with a full mouth, "Anytime pal!"

Back in the Arena

Neji narrowed his eyes at Naruto, "You may have taken Tenten out, but you are far from getting ahead in this fight!"

"Whatever you white eyed freak! You're just upset that Sakura-chan kicked your girlfriend's ass!" Naruto spat back at him.

Neji growled before taking another defensive stance as a group of Narutos attacked. Spinning around, each Naruto was sent back or poofed. Naruto hit the ground roughly again, panting in pain and exhaustion.

Neji stood up straight again, "It's no use. Nothing can break my perfect defense: The Eight Trigram Palm Rotation."

Naruto sat up panting, about to tell Neji off before he interrupted Naruto, "And this is the end for you. You are within range of my Eight Trigrams. You can't escape."

Naruto slowly stood, confused, but ready for his attack.

Neji took a wide stance, "Gentle Fist Art: Eight Trigrams – Sixty-Four Palms!"

In the Stands

The Hyuuga clan head opened his mouth in shock, "That stance… It can't be!"

In the Genin Area

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata yelled out.

Back in the Arena

"NARUTO!" Sakura yelled at Naruto, as Neji flew elegantly, but swiftly at him.

"Eight Trigrams: Two Palms!" Neji yelled, twisting his body around fluidly to snap Naruto with his fingers, in his chest.

Naruto took a few steps back, croaking out noises of pain, but the assault continued.

"Four Palms!"

"Eight Palms!"

"Sixteen Palms!"

Naruto was practically crying at the sheer amount of pain running through his body.

"Thirty-Two Palms!"

"Sixty-Four Palms!"

"ARGAGGGGG!" Naruto screamed in immense pain, flying backwards and hitting the ground hard. There was a moment of silence, as everyone watched. Even Kanoko and Lee paused their fight to watch.

The proctor calmly walked over, "Hn. Looks like the brat is out." Just as he said that, though, Naruto flopped over to his front, pushing his arms, trying to get up.

Neji looked down at him in disgust, "You're lucky to be breathing. Just stay down."

Naruto growled at himself, his hand slipping on the ground, sending him face first back down. "Come on!" Naruto yelled at himself, willing his body to move.

Deciding to "kick the dog while he's down", Neji smirked wickedly, "Well, it must be frustrating to realize how utterly hopeless it all was: This little dream of yours."

Neji laughed before continuing, "You thought you could win with hard work alone. Such a poor illusion."

Kanoko looked at her teammate, "Come on Naruto. Don't let him win. Show him your ninja way – show him your Will of Fire. Blind him with how brightly it burns."

Naruto raised his head, his whole body still on the ground. His vision was spotting and he would only see Neji's feet.

"To top it all off, you even had other people fooled to your way of thinking." Neji started in an annoyed voice.

"Hinata." Naruto thought, thinking back to her stand against Neji.

Neji scoffed, "Even your teammate, a Nara with actual skill and abilities believed in your foolish idealism. She even had to nerve to call me pathetic, but clearly she's the pathetic one – for believing in such a failure like you."

Growling lowly, Naruto shakily pulled his body up, using one limb at a time. Getting into a standing position, with his body wavering back and forth, he looked at Neji and laughed when Neji questioned him, "How?!"

Naruto answered low and tired, "Like… I said… I just… Don't know… When to give up…"

"Stay down! You'll only get further injured. I have nothing against you personally!" Neji told Naruto firmly.

Kanoko raised an eyebrow and asked Lee, "How was everything that just happened not personal? Is your teammate ok in the head?" Lee just put a finger on his chin before looking down in deep thought, before shrugging – not sure himself.

Naruto laughed lowly – or at least struggled to do so past the pain – before telling Neji, "Is that so? How touching! You're going to make me cry! Well, I have plenty against you!"

Neji gave Naruto a hard stare, "I don't know what you mean."

Kanoko just face-palmed, "Seriously?! He had no idea? None at all?!"

Naruto looked just as bewildered, "Seriously, you have no idea?! And here I thought you were a genius! You don't remember how you attack Hinata with your mind games: Tearing her down when she worked so hard to get here!"

"That has nothing to do with you." Neji told him plainly.

"You mocked her! Taunting her with that main/branch family crap! That doesn't give you the right to decide who's a failure. THAT'S WHAT I GOT AGAINST YOU!" Naruto yelled at him.

Gritting his teeth, his face contorting his anger, "I'll tell you why… I'll tell you about the Hyuuga curse!" Neji moved his head band and bandages showed his curse mark.

"This mark… It is the instrument in which they keep us in our place!" Neji told Naruto.

Neji started to go into detail about his past. Specifically the day his father was murdered – by his own clan.

"Only in death, is my father free of this evil curse mark!" Neji's hand tightened around his headband. Looking down at it, he said softly, "They were so much alike – twin brothers, but their destinies had been determined at birth, when one was born before the other."

Neji looked back at Kanoko, "Much like your teammate. She and Shikamaru are twins, but they will never be equal in the eyes of her clan. No matter her skill, she will always be the second child, the girl. Never to be clan head and she will never be truly respected."

Naruto looked over at Kanoko in shock before his face turning to one of sadness.

Neji spoke again, "And this match is the same. This match was determined the moment I was selected to be your opponent!"

Panting a little harder, Naruto spoke, "Ok, so your father was killed a long time ago and I know it wasn't fair – and you're upset about that. I understand, but that's got nothing to do with destiny! If you think I'm buying that, you're wrong!" Naruto finished, breathing heavily – as if he is using the last bit of his strength to talk.

"You will never understand." Neji said before hitting Naruto again with the gentle fist. "It's over, failure."

Neji turned around to walk to Kanoko, to finished the fight.

"W-Wait! I'm… I'm not finished! I never go back on my word! Because that is my NINJA WAY!" Naruto yelled, getting back up. "I don't buy this destiny crap! If you believe it…" Naruto panted a bit harder, "Why aren't you the one… Walking away?!"

Neji gritted his teeth, remembering Kanoko's words.

"You refuse to believe your own mantra and yet you impose it on others? Tell me, if you believe in accepting your fate and playing the role as you've been assigned…"

Kanoko walked up the stairs and stepped right in front of Neji, close to his face, "…Why haven't you bowed on your hands and knees to your clan's heir and kissed her feet?"

"You impudent little…!" Neji growled out to Naruto. "You have no idea what it's like to be branded with a mark that sets you apart! A marked that can never be whiped cleaned!" Neji yelled with a broken voice.

Kanoko stared ahead thinking, "Oh, I don't know. Give me 10 minutes. I'm sure I could think of something."

Naruto just laughed, though it came out broken with his harsh panting, "Oh yeah. I know what's that's like." Closing his eyes and grinning, "Well, who cares?"

Neji gritted his teeth, "Worthless little…"

"You think you have troubles! You're not the only one! Have you thought maybe Hinata is suffering too! It's not her fault that she was born to the main house! Did you ever think, that all she wanted was your respect? But you spat on her! After all you said about destiny! You don't really believe it either, do you?!" Naruto coughed out.

Neji just chuckled, "I've blocked all your chakra points. How are you going to beat me without chakra?"

Naruto growled, "You think you can see everything, don't you?!"

"Yes. Yes I can." Neji smirked.

"I'll show you! I'll beat you!" Naruto yelled before closing his eyes and calling on the fox inside for chakra, "If you're there… GIVE ME YOUR STRENGTH!"

*bum bump*

Naruto made a hand sign and started focusing within.

"Why fight a hopeless battle?" Neji asked.

"Because people call me a failure. I'll prove them wrong!" Naruto told his with a smirk. "ARRRRGGGHH!"

Orange swirled around Naruto.

Kanoko's eyes widened, "Here?! In front of everyone?!" Kanoko took a stance, prepared to race forward if needed. Lee looked over to Kanoko curious by her change in posture.

Neji's eyes widened, "Where? Where is that chakra coming from?!"

The chakra started getting stronger as that sand around started flying in all directions.

Naruto and Neji started exchanging blows again – only this time, Naruto was faster and stronger. After hitting off from each other, Naruto took a stance before running towards Neji with a massive amount of power, "If you think it's futile to fight, then don't! Just stand there and take it! I'll change the way of the Hyuuga clan." Naruto yelled right before Neji's rotation and Naruto chakra punch hit, "AFTER I BECOME HOKAGE!"

The whole ground shook from their combined attack.

Lee, Kanoko, and Sakura jumped back and out of the way. When the smoke cleared, two holes were created: Each holding Neji or Naruto.

Getting up, Neji coughed from the pain and smoke. He walked slowly, in pain, towards Naruto's body. Seeing him lying on the ground, eyes closed, he said, "Sorry, but it's reality. You're a failure and this is over-"

Neji didn't get to finish as Naruto popped out of the ground…

And punched Neji right in the jaw.

"ARRRGH!" Naruto roared as Neji hit the ground.

HARD.

.

Shaking on the ground, Neji choked out, "I… Can't… Move…" He watched as Naruto walked over, "I should have known you would use the shadow clone jutsu." Neji finished.

Naruto breathed hard before saying, "You know, I failed the genin exam three times. There was one jutsu, no matter what I tried, I just couldn't master." Naruto paused, "The clone jutsu."

"So don't tell me that you can't change what you are." Naruto looked back at Neji, "You can do it too, because, unlike me, you aren't a failure."

.

"Hyuuga Neji can no longer fight and as such, is removed from the match!" The proctor yelled to the crowd, inciting them to cheer in victory.

Naruto fell to his butt, completely exhausted as Sakura ran over to heal his wounds. Smiling down at him, she told him, "You did great Naruto."

Naruto responded with a large grin, "Now all we have left is bushy brow!"

Kanoko smiled at Naruto, as she jumped over Lee to congratulate Naruto as well, "I think you mean, now all is left is for me to beat Rock Lee."

Naruto pouted, "Come on! I can still go! Just watch!"

Kanoko shook her head with a small smile, "No Naruto. I let you have your match; you'll let me have mine." Kanoko looked to Sakura communicating to her to keep Naruto where he was – even if it meant knocking him out. He was in no condition to fight for a while.

Naruto crossed his arms and stuck his bottom lip out, "Whatever! Just hurry up already! I'm getting hungry!"

"Shut up Naruto!" Sakura yelled at Naruto, threatening him with her fists.

Naruto laughed nervously, "Ok Sakura-chan… No need to get violent…"

Turning back to Lee, Kanoko said, "You're teammates have been disqualified."

Lee interrupted Kanoko, "I am aware! Despite this, I will still win this match for Team Gai! I will not give up and I will not back down!"

"Then let's agree. I promise that neither of my teammates will aid me in anyway, so long as you promise not to aim for them. In turn, the winner of our little match will declare their team the winner." Kanoko finished.

"Kanoko!" Naruto yelled.

"This is not a debate Naruto." Kanoko told him firmly.

Lee thought for a moment before saying, "I agree to your terms. I would not fight an injured man while he is down anyways."

"Are we sure he's a ninja and not a samurai?" Kanoko thought with an unimpressed look.

.

Jumping away from Sakura and Naruto, Kanoko turned to face Lee with a defensive stance – sword in front – before saying, "Then let's start."

Kanoko ran forward, "Wind Style: Vacuum Bomb!" Needles of air raced towards Lee, but he was able to avoid them – having seen this jutsu before. Kanoko ran over and met Lee blow for blow. Both of them were a little slower – still tired from their earlier fight.

Lee hit the ground sliding back after a powerful swing from Kanoko.

Standing up slowly, he released some of his bandages. Kanoko's eyes narrowed in curiosity.

"I just have to get her into the air somehow…" Lee thought, looking around. Kanoko jumped back when Lee appeared in front of her. Lee was swift to leap underneath her while she was in the air and sent a kick her way. She met the kick with a kick of her own, but it sent her farther up in the air.

Lee smirked before jumping above her. In the air, Kanoko stared as the bandages from Lee surrounded her. "Hidden Jutsu: Primary Lotus!" Kanoko watched helplessly as she was wrapped up and grabbed by Lee, spinning them around – right into the ground.

They hit the ground with a large "boom"! Smoke flew as sand went in all directions.

"Kanoko!" Naruto and Sakura screamed.

As the smoke cleared, they saw a panting Lee, completely drained from the attack.

In the center of the hole was Kanoko.

*POOF*

And she was gone.

"Huh?!" Lee exclaimed.

"Hmm. That was an impressive technique. Had I not switched with a Shadow Clone before we started again, I may have been severely injured." Kanoko told Lee, calming assessing the damage. She then flickered over to where Lee was and pointed her sword at him, "You've expended yourself past your limits. I can understand, after watching a battle like Naruto's that you would be tempted to continue, but unlike Neji, I truly have no ill will towards you. Please forfeit."

Kanoko knew that he wouldn't quit, but she felt obligated to offer it to him.

Lee slowly stood, "No… I won't… I won't give up and loose. I… have too much to lose. I won't allow you to win. You are the student to my teacher's rival and you insulted my teammate. I promised you that I would win… And I never go back on my word! That is my Nindo!" Lee finished, standing up, looking determined.

Kanoko nodded, in understanding, "Then you leave me no choice." Was all Kanoko said before turning her blade upside down.

And slamming the non-bladed side down onto Lee's shoulder.

Hard.

"ARRRGGG!" Lee cried in pain.

In the Stands

"Gai! You need to tell your student to quit! He's only going to get injured beyond repair!" Kurenai yelled at Gai.

Gai stared below at his student, "I couldn't even if I wanted to. That's the thing about Lee. It's what is special about him: His determination."

Back in the Arena

Kanoko sent a sharp kick to his knee, causing Lee to scream out in pain again. For a final blow, Kanoko aimed for his head – to knock him out, but before she could follow through, Lee finally found enough energy to jump back.

"I… Won't… Lose… Tenten… Neji… Gai-sensei… They're all counting on me! I won't lose here!" Lee yelled before starting up into a run again.

Kanoko jumped back, "More energy? What is he a Jinchuriki too?" Kanoko asked herself, knowing the answer to be false, but still annoyed by his perseverance.

Kanoko panted as Lee regained his previous speed. "Damn. This again."

Running towards her quickly, he yelled, "The Leaf Village Lotus blooms twice!"

In the Stands

Kakashi looked to Gai, "No… Gai you didn't!"

Gai gave Kakashi a blank look, responding, "Yes. Yes I did."

Kakashi looked back down pulling up his headband to reveal his Sharingan, then back at Gai, "That… Then that genin."

"Yes."

Kakashi's stare turned harsh, his eyes angry, "If that isn't that most…!" Kakashi growled before asking, "Ok… Then how many inner gates can he open?"

"Five Gates."

"Gai!" Kurenai shouted at him, in pure shock.

Asuma sighed as well, disapproving of Gai's decision to train this to his student.

Kakashi turned back to Gai, "I don't know what this boy means to you Gai, but I shouldn't have to tell you that we never bring our personal feelings into play." Kakashi paused for added effect, "I wouldn't have thought that you were capable of this."

Gai gave Kakashi a betrayed and angry look, "You have no right. You know nothing about it. Nothing at all! That boy has something to prove and is determined to prove it. Even if it costs him his life. And I am determined to help him reach that goal. Because that goal is worth reaching."

Back in the Arena

Lee and Kanoko were standing far from each other when Lee took a focus stance.

Kanoko's eyes narrowed, "What is this?"

"KANOKO! DON'T HOLD BACK!"

Kanoko looked up to see her sensei yelling at her. Her eyes widened. His expression… And he had his Sharingan activated. Her head jerked back to Lee and felt an immense amount of energy.

She quickly pulled out the Nine-Tail's chakra scroll, but it was knocked out of her hand when Lee flew at her with amazing speed. He jabbed her right in the stomach, blood flying from her mouth.

"GAHHH!" She cried as he landed another hit to her back. She looked at Lee and saw his whole face contorted and his body completely red.

Kanoko hit the ground, but before she could register anything, she was hit again. This time in the ribs.

"ARGG!" She screamed, feeling them crack.

In the Stands

"KANOKO!" Shikamaru screamed, holding his stomach – feeling her pain. His eyes were completely wide, marveling at Lee's speed. No one could even see him, he was going so fast.

Shikamaru grabbed the railing, fists clenched in pain and fear for his sister.

Ino and Choji looked over to their teammate in worry. It was just like that time…

"Is it possible that they share each other's pain? Is their bond that strong?" Ino thought looking at Shikamaru as he winced in pain.

Somewhere Else in the Stands

Kakashi took a look at Shikaku from the corner of his eye.

Kakashi's eyes widen.

Shikaku was leaning back, completely relaxed with a smirk on his face.

"What does he know?" Kakashi thought suspiciously before turning his attention back to the match below.

Shikaku had caught his daughter's sensei's look and understood his suspicion. Shikaku himself would be worried as well – if he hadn't witnessed Kanoko's genius at work.

Flashback

Shikaku was wondering around one of Konoha's training area, looking for his daughter. It was passed dinner time and Yoshino was worried that her obedient and perfect daughter hadn't returned. Looking over to Shikamaru, he shrugged and told him to try one of the training fields – knowing that Yoshino would send him out to find Kanoko.

When he heard a noise by the waterfall, he moved that way. When he got there though…

He watched as a massive amount of water was running into a scroll in front of Kanoko.

With his mouth agape, he slowly walked over to her. Kanoko was on one knee with a hand sign and a bored look.

"I honestly don't know what to ask first: How are you funneling that much water into a simple scroll or what could you possibly need that much water for?" Shikaku asked his daughter, shock still on his face and scratching the back of his head.

Kanoko shrugged and finished the seal before saying, "This Chunin Exams will be in the desert. The air will be too dry to pull any moisture from it."

Shikaku looked back in wonder as his daughter went through a few more hand signs and applying chakra into the scroll.

"You can pull moisture from the air…?" Shikaku paused and looked at his daughter seriously, "Kanoko. Where are you learning all this from?"

Feeling a little caught, Kanoko turned her head away, rolling up her scroll, "I read… things…"

Shikaku crossed his arms and gave his daughter a firm look, "You read things."

Kanoko's eyes shift back and forth before settling back on her father's, "Yeah."

Shikaku sighed, knowing that his daughter wasn't going to open up unless she wanted to. Instead he just shook his head and told her, "You missed dinner. Your mother is worried – let's go home before she yells at me again."

Kanoko smirked a little, "She's going to yell at you regardless."

Shikaku sighed miserably, "You might be right there…"

Flashback End

Shikaku was still worried about his daughter's extensive knowledge in scrolls and ninjutsu, but was confident in her ability to come out winning in any fight.

Back in the Arena

"KANOKO!" Sakura yelled, about to run over when she was pulled back by a serious looking Naruto, "Naruto! Kanoko needs help." Naruto shook his head, "This is a battle between bushy brow and Kanoko." Naruto paused before smirking viciously, "And Kanoko's not going down so easily!"

.

"Damn… Bastard… I… Won't… Be beaten by some snot nose BRAT!" Kanoko thought, before running through hand signs, "Body Flicker." Kanoko disappeared, running away from Lee's assault and across the field.

Falling to one knee, Kanoko panted heavily. "So he wants to play the speed game. I'll show him real speed." Pulling out a scroll, Kanoko slammed her hand down, activating it, before pushing herself into the air.

Lee was quickly making his way to Kanoko when he was suddenly pushed back by a large wave of water. The water continued to flow out of the scroll is great tidal waves, completely covering the field in four feet of water.

Kanoko fell on her feet, hitting the water with a mighty splash – droplets circling around her. She slowly stood up straight from her crouched position as Lee swam his way to the top of the water – applying chakra to his feet to balance on the water.

Kanoko took a stance, "That technique you used… It pushes your limits, completely destroying them and in turn granting you more chakra. Clever tactic." Kanoko ran through several hand signs quickly, "Unfortunately, in a battle of speed, I am always going to come out the victor."

And with that, Kanoko rushed out towards Lee at a ground breaking pace – using the water too increase her momentum.

"ARG!" Lee yelled, getting slammed into from behind with Kanoko's sword. He spun around, with equal speed and aimed a series of taijutsu moves.

Kanoko and Lee traded blows, sprinting from one end of the arena to the other. The walls cracking each time they traded blows near it. And water high in the air from the constant splashing from their feet.

In the Stands

Asuma's cigarette had fallen out of his mouth and Kurenai was in complete shock. Asuma stared ahead at the scene before him – the whole dome was silent with anticipation, "I-Incredible! How did she possibly…? All that water…"

Even Kakashi was in shock, "Not just the amount… All of it is flowing with her chakra – that's why it's floating on the surface of the sand and not being absorbed into the ground."

Gai turned his head sharply to his rival, "There is no way she is just a genin! Fuinjutsu skills of that magnitude…! What have you been teaching her?!"

Shikaku drawled out in agreement, "What have you been teaching her Kakashi? Hmm?"

Kakashi sweat-dropped at the dark looks he was receiving, "It wasn't me!" Kakashi finished, holding his hand in front of him.

"I taught her."

Everyone looked back at the voice.

"J-Jiraiya the sannin!" Kurenai stuttered out.

Shikaku placed his hand on his chin thoughtfully, "You… Hmmm. I suppose it makes sense. You, being a sealing master and all." Shikaku looked sideways thinking, "If you had been around at all, but I don't think I'll point that out just yet."

Jiraiya barked out a laugh, hands on his hips, "Yeah, what can I say? I'm a sucker for the cute kids!"

The group sweat-dropped at him.

Jiraiya continued, "Ahh… So she's using that already… Must be serious." Putting his hand over his head, like he was blocking out sun, he said, "Aww! Looks like I already missed the blonde brat's match! I wanted to see if he used the jutsu I taught him too!"

Asuma choked before turning aggressively to Kakashi, "TWO of your students are being trained by a SANNIN?! THAT'S NOT FAIR!"

Kakashi just shrugged with one of his closed eye smiles before focusing back on the match before him, "It's only a matter of time until Lee's body falls apart. It can't take much more of this…"

Back in the Arena

Kanoko was panting heavily as she hit the surface of the water. "I've already used two chakra scrolls and all the chakra I took from Lee. I'm on my last leg of chakra. I can't use the Nine-Tail scrolls – I may need them after this."

Kanoko blocked another hit from Lee, pushing her back into the wall. She quickly bounced off of it and swiveled around, kicking up water with her sword and slashing him in the thigh. "And my attacks aren't causing him any pain or hesitation! Is he really not affected or is he in so much pain from this limit breaking technique that he can't feel additional pain?"

Kanoko dodge out of the way again, feeling the water level going down, "I can't keep my chakra flowing through the water anymore and it's starting to sink into the stand."

Kanoko and Lee rushed forward, striking each other and landing at opposite sides.

Falling to her knee, Kanoko wheezed out air, "I need to think of something!"

Lee got up and yelled, "I will not lose to you! I WILL MAKE MY SENSEI PROUD AND DEFEND MY NINJA WAY! FIFTH GATE!"

Kanoko's eyes widened as she saw the chakra completely pour out from him before rushing towards her with great speed and power. She only stared, still kneeling as she saw the water beneath him completely sink into the ground.

If felt like time slowed as he took one step in front of the other, getting closer and closer to her.

She continued to stare at his feet, unable to look at the power radiating around his fist that was aimed her way.

Could she evade? How?

Could she block it? With what?

She was completely lost.

.

All her training, all her jutsus, and she could only think of one thing, but she'd die before revealing it here: Where Orochimaru still lurked. That would be a sure way of putting a large neon target on her, her family, and-

Her family!

.

Lee was pushing all his muscles, he could feel them stretch and brake – bones cracking at the pressure. He just needed one more hit! One more hit and he would beat her! He would win! Win for Neji, for Tenten, for his sensei… He WOULD WIN!

"YARRRGGGG!" Lee roared in a battle call like fashion, swinging his arm around to knock Kanoko out.

*BOOM*

Sand, dry and wet, flew straight up in the air – at least 15 feet high before dropping back down. Dust flying everywhere, causing smoke to fill the area.

Everyone in the stands was on the edge of their seats – waiting.

Teeth grinding, breaths held - not a single eye blinked.

.

Slowly the dust cleared.

.

Lee was standing over Kanoko.

.

.

.

Frozen.

.

Under Lee was Kanoko, panting heavily as she held her hands firmly in a hand sign – Shadow Possession Jutsu. Lee's fist was stuck in the ground, impacting only a few inches from Kanoko.

Kanoko panted as she continued to hold Lee, waiting for his chakra to run dry.

Lee was beyond angry and disappointment in himself. He refused to back down! He pushed more and more chakra out to break the hold Kanoko had on him, but Kanoko was just a stubborn, holding the jutsu firm – even with blood running down her nose from the effort.

"I… Won't… LOSE!" Lee brokenly screamed out.

Kanoko felt her whole body shake with stress – she was going past her limits!

She slowly released her hands from each other, still barely keeping her hold on Lee. With her free hand, she started slowly and shakily going through one handed signs.

"Wat-ter St-style… Heavenly… We…eping…" Kanoko spit out water senbon – not nearly as powerful as before, but she was close enough and Lee was immobile enough to make them effective.

And they were effective.

One pierced his shoulder.

Another his knee.

And the last his neck.

.

Kanoko released the jutsu as Lee fell to the ground with a mighty boom.

.

"WHAAAAAA! AHHHHHHH! YEAAAAAH!" The crowd screamed in awe at the match.

The proctor walked over to Lee and gave him a look before yelling to the crowd, "ROCK LEE IS NO LONGER ABLE TO CONTINUE! THE MATCH GOES TO TEAM KAKASHI OF THE LEAF!"

Kanoko leaned back on her hands, her butt firmly on the ground as her teammates ran over to her.

"KANOKO! YOU DID IT! YOU TOOK OUT BUSHY BROW!" Naruto yelled, limping over. Sakura was next to him, helping him walk with a large smile plastered on her face.

"We did it!" She told Kanoko.

Kanoko just raised an eyebrow – her way of agreeing, not yet forming the energy to respond.

Once they got close enough though, Kanoko's eyes went wide in fear.

"GROUP HUG!" Naruto yelled, breaking Sakura's hold and leaping on Kanoko – knocking his titanium head into hers.

.

"Huh? Kanoko? KANOKO?!" Naruto asked her, shaking her back and forth.

.

.

May Tobirama's soul rest in peace.

.

.

.

.

---

From: KassieJean

I love cute moment between Shikamaru and Kanoko.

From: gmilena1525

I love scenes with shikamaru

From: NightlyRowenTree

Thanks for the update it was fantastic:3

From: Imou

I loved the special episode, and I don't care what you will say, Shikamaru blushed because Kanoko's face was close to his and he has a sister-complex and is secretly in love with her. That's my version and interpretation and I'm sticking with it, and no amount of reasoning will make me take off these shipping goggles :p

Anyway, besides my precious pairing, I loved what you did with the plot! I think this may be the first fic that proposes having the chunin exams out of Konoha (at least from the amount of fics I'v read) and I love it when the mean guys don't get their ways (in your face Orochimaru!)

I hope Sasuke won't go crazy, I wonder what you will do with him.

Either way, good job and keep those chapters (and my ShikamaruxKanoko's precious love moments) coming! Thank you!

From: Cyanococcus

Aww how cute~ Shikamaru has a sister complex~

From: Crystal Blue Butterfly

You are a genius.

I freaking love this story!

I'm looking forward to the next update.

Greetings! !