DISCLAIMER: Some of the text and characters are from Masashi Kishimoto's Naruto, which I do not own. Only the characters & text that were not in the original manga/anime series are mine.
Recap: The prelims have begun and Sasuke and Sara have made it through, a little worse for wear. Sakura now faces Ino, but will she be able to fight off Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu? And what's up ahead for Naruto?
A Declaration of Defeat…?
Naruto stammered, as he stared at Sakura, "Wh-what just happened? And…and why is Sakura acting so weird?" He shouted to her, "Come on, Sakura! Now's your chance!"
Sara said, "Weren't you listening, Naruto? Ino's psyche has taken over Sakura's!"
"Sara's right," Kakashi said. "The energy from Ino's Mind Transfer Jutsu, struck her head on, she's finished."
Lee said, since he was standing next to Naruto, "Mind Transfer…? Than Sakura's not even…!"
Kakashi moved slightly to address Lee, "Exactly…What on earth?"
"Sorry," Sara muttered as she released her death grip on Kakashi's vest. "Warn people when you're going to move!"
Kakashi shook his head back and forth trying not to laugh as he continued, "Sakura's psyche has been overtaken and supplanted by that of Ino. Right now Ino is inside Sakura."
Sara shuddered and said, "I don't think I'd enjoy having someone else's thoughts and emotions in my body."
Kakashi blushed under his mask, if she only knew…
Sakura began to raise her hand, and said, "I, Sakura Haruno, wish to withdraw from the match."
Naruto shouted, "Don't do it! Come on Sakura!"
Ino thought, oh please!
Sara shouted, "Sakura! You've worked too hard to quit! Much less lose to that oinker!"
Give me a break…and I'll get you for that later, Sheatan, Ino thought.
Naruto continued to shout, "Bright Eyes is right! You've come so far! If you let her beat you…you'll be a disgrace to all kunoichi!"
Ino glared through Sakura's eyes at Naruto, shut up you idiot. You can't help her. Ino suddenly lifted Sakura's hands to Sakura's head. What? I feel…so cold
She stared incredulously at a wall as Sakura's voice said, Naruto is so loud! And he's right! I can't let Ino beat me!
Sakura? But…that's crazy!
Hayate asked, "What's wrong? Are you going to withdraw or not?"
The Inner Sakura shoved Ino's psyche out of the way as Sakura announced, "No way! I will not withdraw! Are you kidding? I'm staying in!"
Wha-what the heck? Ino wondered as the Inner Sakura shoved her.
Kakashi was amazed, Sakura…?
Ino stuttered to the Inner Sakura, "But my technique is unbeatable!"
The Inner Sakura seemed to get bigger. She grabbed Ino in her hands and shouted, "Ino! If you don't hurry and get out of my body, you're gonna regret it!"
The way this is going, I'll be lucky if I can get out of here! Kai release! Ino went back to her body. Ino gasped, "There were two different psyches inside you before I got there! What…what on earth are you?"
Sakura laughed half-heartedly, "Don't you know? A girl needs a hard interior if she's going to make it out there!"
Kakashi leaned over and whispered in Sara's ear, "Once a person is a victim of that jutsu it's almost impossible to drive the invader out. Ino's weak chakra was apart of it… but what really happened was the fighting spirit within Sakura drove her out. Naruto's razzing also contributed."
"Master Kakashi," Sara whispered back. "I hope you're not like this if you adopt me!" Kakashi gave her a hurt expression. "Sorry," Sara whispered. "It's just…I'm not used to someone doing what you're doing."
Kakashi laughed, "I'm just acting like a teacher trying to explain things, you're reading into it."
Sara blushed, "Sorry…I…"
Kakashi smiled and made a be quiet gesture, letting her know that he really couldn't care less.
Sakura and Ino lunged at each other. Both of them aiming a punch at the other. Both of them, knocked the other out. Everyone watched as both of their headbands fell onto the floor.
"Whoa!" Naruto exclaimed as Ino and Sakura lay still.
Hayate glanced between the two girls to see if either would rise, before he said, "Since neither combatant is able to continue, neither will move on to the next round."
Everyone heard Sara's "What?" As Kakashi teleported down to the arena to take Sakura back up to the gallery.
Kakashi murmured as he picked Sakura up, "I've got you…"
"It's okay," Asuma said as he scooped up Ino.
Everyone, including Sara, rushed forward to see if the pair was all right as Kakashi and Asuma set them on the floor leaning against the wall.
Naruto shouted, "Are you all right, Sakrua?"
"Hey…Ino!" Shikamaru shouted, concerned for his teammate.
Kakashi shushed them all while Asuma said, "Neither one of them is hurt badly. They should both regain consciousness within the next half hour. But…I'm impressed by both of them."
"Yeah," Kakashi said as he stood up. "Naruto, Sasuke, and Sara were all doing well…and now…even fragile little Sakura…has shown some amazing growth. I know you've all been through a lot but…I'm glad I enrolled all of you in the Chûnin exam…I mean that from the bottom of my heart!"
Sara stared at him, I would never have guessed that Master Kakashi had a fatherly side to him… But just now…when he said "fragile little Sakura" it kind of put things into perspective. Suddenly…he really does seem like the ninja that took care of me.
As Kakashi walked towards her she remembered she was mad at him. She snapped, "Warn someone when you're going to teleport on them!"
Kakashi smiled, "I'm sorry. I didn't want any medic ninja coming into the arena when they weren't needed."
She couldn't stay mad at him, "I forgive you."
"Good," Kakashi said smiling as he pulled her against his side so she could lean against him. Kakashi's smile widened as he felt her cuddle against him. He wasn't paying attention to the next match as Sara's breathing slowed, telling him that she was asleep. Soon… he thought as he gazed at her. Soon, I'll tell you that I'm your guardian. But for now…you really do need rest, but I'm not in the mood to take you to the hospital now…
The Seventh Round Match and then…!
Sara was jolted awake as Kakashi gently shook her shoulder, "Wha-?" She asked sounding groggy.
"I just thought you'd like to see your boyfriend compete," Kakashi said in a teasing tone.
Sara was instantly awake and staring at the board. She muttered, "He's facing that female Sound ninja.
Kakashi was a bit confused. He had been hoping for a response like last time. Sakura giggled, since she and Ino had awakened, and said, "Sensei, Sara and Shikamaru are dating!"
Kakashi was beyond stunned. So stunned, in fact, that he blanked out for a couple of minutes.
Sara was watching Shikamaru, and missed Sakura's comment, as he said from the arena floor, "It's such a drag to be fighting a girl."
Sara sighed, that's Shikamaru. But I don't blame him…I just hope he stays on his toes!
The female Sound ninja, Kin, said, "If that's the way you want to feel, I'll put you out of your misery quickly!"
Shikamaru was already thinking of a strategy, even though I learned a bit from fighting the other two Sound ninja, I know nothing about her specialty… On the flip side, she's had a good opportunity to observe my battle style… Yet…I wonder…
"Begin," Hayate said.
As if it triggered a signal to Kakashi's brain Kakashi came out of his shock and thought, dating? Dating! How could she be dating? She's only twelve! How can I just adopt her and already she's dating…I'm not ready for this! Kakashi glared down at Shikamaru, suddenly…I really don't like that kid…
Sara was watching as Shikamaru made his hand sign for his Shadow Possession Jutsu.
Kin said to him, "You're just a one trick pony!" Kin bolted to the right and threw two senbon at him, "All I've got to do is keep an eye on the shadow's movements!"
Shikamaru dodged the senbon, he turned and noticed that the senbon had bells on them. Shikamaru snorted, "What a tired old trick! I suppose next you'll be flinging groups of needles some with bells some without, trying to mislead me into walking right into the senbon without bells, right?"
"Chatty, aren't we," Kin said as she moved her arm back, seemingly preparing to throw more senbon.
Shikamaru thought, all I have to do is evade the silent senbon. Once I've mastered the pattern, if I'm careful… can do it!" Shikamaru whipped around as he heard the bells behind him, What? Behind me? He watched in dismay as the bells on the two senbon rang. Thread? Aw…crud! Shikamaru turned to face Kin, she's pulling strings to ring the bells…! She's mocking me!
Kin said happily, "Too late!" She threw senbon at Shikamaru. "Once I mastered how to avoid your shadow, you never stood a chance! Now for the-?"
Shikamaru stood up, "Now time to deploy the art of me-and-my-shadow…"
"How," Kin snapped. "Your shadow is nowhere in sight!"
Shikamaru laughed, "You still don't get it, do you?" Kin gasped. "Yes you idiot! Such delicate threads so high up there's no way they could cast shadows! Whereas I can make my shadow as big or as small as I wish…within limits." He raised his hand and pointed at Kin, "Those delicate filaments of darkness are mine, all mine… tailored to fit and attached to you!" He grabbed a shuriken from his pouch.
Kin said, terrified, "Don't be an idiot! While we're locked into this mimicry any injury done to me will hurt you!
"Tell me something I don't know," Shikamaru stated.
"You wouldn't-?" Kin gasped.
Shikamaru threw his shuriken causing Kin to throw hers. "It's a game of Chicken with shuriken. I doubt you'll hold out for long."
Kin shouted, "No you fool!"
Shikamaru waited until the last possible second to duck. He released the jutsu just as Kin thwacked her head against the wall behind her. He laughed, "One down…" He jumped into an upright position, "There! A shinobi uses everything to his advantage including the terrain, or architecture in this case. You were locked into the same movements as I but only one of us was close enough to get a concussion! The shuriken were merely a distraction."
Hayate said, "Shikamaru Nara is the winner!"
"Way to go, Shikamaru!" Sara shouted.
Kakashi continued to glare at Shikamaru, I'm not sure what Sara see's in him that makes her so…infatuated with him!
Suddenly, with barely any warning, Naruto shouted, "Well, it's about time! Thanks for being patient everyone! I'm gonna make this worth your wait!"
Kakashi jumped slightly and stared at the board. He looked at Sara as she asked, "What were you thinking about Master, since you jumped when Naruto shouted?"
Kakashi decided to forget Shikamaru, for the time being, he answered, "Just thinking about this and that, you know?"
Sara sighed, if anyone in our squad ever gets a straight answer out of him it'd be a miracle!
Coming of Age!
Naruto and Kiba were standing in the arena, Kiba shouted, "We lucked out, Akamaru! We've got this fight in the bag!"
"Don't be so cocky, you jerk!" Naruto snapped.
Sara shouted down, "You tell him, Naruto!"
Naruto pointed at Akamaru, "Hey, Kiba! Send the puppy home will ya? He'll only get in our way!"
"Whatever!" Kiba said. "Akamaru fights with me!"
Sara looked at Kakashi, "Master…isn't it against the rules to have a dog in the match?" Naruto had asked the same question to Hayate in the arena.
"No," Kakashi answered. "Animals are considered to be apart of a ninja's arsenal."
"Oh," Sara said as she looked down at Naruto. "Than Naruto better stay on his toes." Kakashi laughed slightly at that statement.
Sara missed what Naruto said. But she heard Sakura loud and clear as she shouted, "Naruto! Don't you dare lose to that loser!"
Kakashi muttered to himself, "here it goes." He turned his gaze to Kurenai.
Kurenai thought to him, tough break, Kakashi. There's no way your boy can beat mine.
We'll see! Kakashi replied as he turned his gaze back to the arena.
Kiba said, "Don't worry, this will be over quickly!"
"Oh yeah?" Naruto said, "Back atacha!"
Kiba snorted, "You're not fooling anyone with that cool act!" Akamaru barked in agreement.
"Well then…" Hayate said. "Begin!"
Kiba made a hand sign and got down on all fours; his nails suddenly having the look of claws, "Here I come!" He charged Naruto and slammed right into him.
Naruto thought, just as he was hit, he's fast! Naruto went skidding across the arena and laid still.
"He's down for the count already," Kiba said in a superior tone.
Kurenai thought to Kakashi glancing at him, see? I told you...
Wait and see… Kakashi replied. Sakura glanced at him with a worried expression, and he smiled.
Right… she thought. Naruto won't go down so easily…Sara's certainly not worried.
Sara smiled as Naruto began to stand, go on, Naruto. Show them… Show them what you're made of!
Kiba stared at Naruto in shock as Naruto said, "Don't underestimate me!"
"Go, Naruto!" Sakura shouted, using Sara's left ear as a megaphone.
Sara said to Sakura, "I'd appreciate it if you didn't use my ear to magnify your voice…"
"Sorry!" Sakura quickly said.
Kiba said to Naruto, "You talk pretty tough for someone who's wounded! Would you just give up already?" Akamaru barked his agreement.
Naruto laughed, "Don't you get it? I let you hit me! I wanted to find out what you're made of!" Kiba glared at him. "You're so conceited…you just go ahead and fight me any way you want! With or without the puppy!"
"You'll be sorry," Kiba snarled. "Get him, Akamaru!" Akamaru barked to let Kiba know he was right beside him as Kiba charged.
As Kiba drew his arm back Naruto noticed that he had a smoke bomb, a smoke bomb! Aw man! Naruto covered his eyes as the smoke erupted from the ball Kiba had thrown. Gray smoke surrounded Naruto, I can't see… Kiba attacked him without mercy. Naruto ran blindly, gotta get out of this smoke! He opened his eyes, only to meet Akamaru as the puppy lunged at him. Naruto fell back into the smoke.
Everyone watched as the smoke cleared, revealing Naruto to be unconscious and Akamaru to be perfectly fine.
Sara muttered, "That can't be right…"
Akamaru woofed and Kiba exclaimed, "All right we did it! Nice." He motioned for Akamaru to come to him. "Good boy, Aka-?"
Everyone gasped as Akamaru bit Kiba. Akamaru suddenly transformed into Naruto, "Gotcha, arf!" Naruto said happily.
"You used the Transformation Jutsu?" Kiba asked, stunned.
"I knew Naruto wouldn't lose that easily," Sara said, nodding her head.
Kiba asked, "Where's Akamaru?"
Naruto released Kiba and began spitting, "Gross! You taste like a dog! Yuck!"
Naruto's clone answered Kiba's question as he held up a whining Akamaru, "Over here!"
"Akamaru!" Kiba shouted, worry in his voice.
Sara looked up at Kakashi as he leaned in towards the rail and muttered, "Ever since this exam began, he's really started to come into his own!"
"Stunned, Master Kakashi?" Sara asked.
Kakashi nodded, "I'm finding it hard to believe that he's the same goofball from before!"
Kiba smirked, "I guess you've gotten stronger, so this time I'm not holding back!"
Naruto smiled in response.
Naruto's Clever Scheme
Sakura shouted, once again using Sara's left ear as a megaphone, "That was awesome, Naruto!"
Sara was close to the breaking point and Kakashi could feel it. He smiled, between the excitement from watching her best friend in a match and the anger from Sakura yelling in her ear…Sara's bound to do something! Kakashi turned his attention to Asuma and Kurenai as they talked silently.
Kurenai thought, I thought this kid, Naruto was a total dunce!
Who knows what kind of method Kakashi used to teach him, remember this is his first squad that he's passed, Asuma responded.
However, Kurenai countered. My boy Kiba and Akamaru may have matured far more than Naruto has.
Kakashi smiled as he interjected, I doubt that!
Kiba flicked something to Akamaru as he said, "I meant it Naruto. No holds barred!"
Akamaru swallowed whatever Kiba had thrown to him. His hackles began to rise and his fur began to change from its soft white color to an intense red. Akamaru snarled and bit Naruto, forcing Naruto to release him. He leaped to Kiba's side and stood awaiting his master's commands.
Naruto exclaimed, "His fur-? It turned red! What the heck are you feeding him?"
Sara wondered, is it legal in the matches to use food or whatever Kiba threw to Akamaru?
Kakashi thought, slightly startled, a military rations pellet?
Kiba is planning to end this now! Kurenai thought glancing at Kakashi.
Kiba squatted down and made sure his back was flat as Akamaru jumped up. "Let's do it, Akamaru!" Akamaru began barking, Kiba translated, "Ninja Art: Human Mimicry!" He added as he made a hand sign, "Ninja Art: Beast Mimicry!" Akamaru transformed into Kiba, while Kiba's nails once again resembled claws.
"The look in that guy's eye is freaking me out!" Naruto shouted. "He has to be hopped up on something! Isn't this considered 'doping' that can't be allowed!"
Hayate explained, "It is permitted. The military ration pellets are acceptable ninja tools."
"You're always saying that!" Naruto complained.
Sara asked, "What are military ration pellets?"
"Military ration pellets," Kakashi said. "Sometimes called 'Hyorogan' are supplements. People have said that taking a single pill allows a soldier to fight for three days and nights without rest! They are actually pretty nutritional and have a relaxing effect even as they boost energy."
Sara asked, "So what does that do to chakra?"
Kakashi turned his gaze back to the arena, "By now…Kiba and Akamaru's chakra is probably double their normal levels."
Sara's eyes widened in shock, "This isn't good for Naruto than!"
Kiba and Akamaru lunged at Naruto. As Kiba was about to rake his "claws" down Naruto's face he shouted, "Down on all Fours Jutsu!"
Naruto barely dodge Kiba and Akamaru's attacks as he flipped through the air. Kiba skidded to a stop below and lunged at him as he was in midair. Damn it! Even if I drive all of my chakra down into my legs, it still takes everything I've got just to evade him! At this rate… Naruto ducked his head to avoid Kiba's strike.
Naruto landed on the ground and he whipped around as Kiba said, "Take this! Fang Over Fang!" He and Akamaru began to spin at an incredible rate. Naruto had no time to react. He cried out with pain as the jutsu hit him numerous times.
As Naruto landed on the ground, Kiba said as he and Akamaru landed gracefully, "This perfectly illustrates the difference between our levels of strength…"
Sara flinched as Naruto shuddered before he coughed up blood. No, Naruto. Don't believe him. You have a different strength…
"Naruto! Get up!" Sakura shouted. Sara was really getting annoyed with her ear acting as a megaphone.
Naruto began to stagger to his feet as he said, "I'm gonna be Hokage. I won't lose now!"
"You? Hokage?" Kiba scoffed. "Give me a break! You can't even beat me! No one's stupid enough to think you'd actually become Hokage! I'll tell you what though… I'll become Hokage in your place!"
Naruto stood up and said in a quiet voice, "If you try to become between me and the title of Hokage…you'll whimper…like a whipped dog!"
Kiba pointed at Naruto, "You're stubborn aren't you? Geez…and here I was giving you a chance to give up…Let's go, Akamaru!" Kiba and Akamaru lunged forward. Kiba began to get into his position for Fang Over Fang.
Naruto laughed, "Hey, you can't fool me twice with the same old trick!"
Kiba snarled, "Take that!" He and Akamaru used Fang Over Fang, Naruto barely managed to dodge.
Naruto murmured, "Even though I've seen this technique before…it's a tough one to keep dodging! So what now?"
Kiba snarled as he skidded to a halt, having just thrown a smoke bomb at Naruto, "We're not done!" He and Akamaru used Fang Over Fang again.
Naruto looked around wildly, If I can just get one of them…it's got to be Kiba, or what's the point… But who's who? I've got it!
Sakura asked worriedly as Kiba and Akamaru ripped through the smoke, "What's Naruto up to?"
As the smoke started to clear, three Kiba's ran together. Sara shouted, "Brilliant, Naruto!" Making sure to use Sakura's right ear as a megaphone.
Kakashi nodded in agreement, "He is beginning to use his head."
Sakura looked at the both of them and said, "Hunh?"
"Watch closely," Kakashi said, nodding at the arena.
"Oh!" Sakura said as she noticed the three Kiba's. Kiba won't know which one is Naruto or Akamaru, similar for Akamaru. But Naruto can attack either one! He's made an opening, nice!
Kiba was cautious as he said, "A word of warning…I was pretty careless to begin with, but not now. Your Transformation Jutsu no longer works on me… Here's why!" Kiba lunged at the Kiba double to the left and sent it flying. "I can smell you…" Kiba stated as the double came to a stop. "Never underestimate a dog's olfactory acuity!" The double moaned as Kiba stated, "I win." The double released the jutsu to reveal…Akamaru. "Akamaru!" Kiba exclaimed. "No!" He whirled on the double to his right and snapped, "You bastard! You made me hit my dog!"
The second double rolled and released its jutsu revealing…Akamaru.
Kakashi chuckled silently and said aloud, "A prank worthy of my little practical joker!"
Sara smiled as she watched the first Akamaru get to its paws and charge Kiba. Kiba whipped around as Naruto released his transformation. Kiba was kicked hard as Naruto shouted, "Take this!"
Kiba went flying and landed next to the real Akamaru. Kiba extended his hand and gently stroke the puppy's head. He glared at Naruto, "You little jerk!"
"Think before you use a jutsu! Or your opponent will throw it back at you two-fold!" Naruto said.
"Very funny," Kakashi grumbled, as Sara laughed beside him.
Kiba bit his hand to calm himself.
Kakashi thought, the enemy has calmed themselves, Naruto… What are you going to do?
"Finally taking me seriously?" Naruto questioned as he made a hand sign. "Well there's a new killer move I've been practicing! It should end this fast!" Kiba snorted in disbelief.
Sakura asked to no one in particular, "When could he have mastered a new move?"
"Even now he's still has a new trick up his sleeve?" Lee asked, amazed. "He's amazing!"
Kakashi and Sara exchanged confused looks before they returned their gazes to the arena.
As Naruto made a hand sign Kiba threw some shuriken as he said, "I don't recognize the move but…all I have to do is keep you from releasing it!"
Naruto dodged the shuriken in a very unorthodox manner. Once he had dodged all the shuriken Naruto made his hand sign again and tried to focus.
Kiba whipped around behind Naruto and said, "Too late…" He pulled his hand back, "Take this!"
Everyone in the entire arena stared in disbelief as Naruto farted. Naruto looked thoroughly embarrassed. Unfortunately for Kiba, his super-sensitive nose got a big whiff of it. Kiba pulled back and cried out in pain as the smell reached and lingered in his nose.
Kakashi smiled, Kiba's fast movements and sharp nose have become his undoing.
In his present state, his smell is tens of thousands of times sharper than usual, Kurenai thought in disbelief.
Okay… Kakashi thought blocking Kurenai. That fart was probably unintentional… but… trust the ultimate knucklehead ninja to turn breaking wind into an attack!
Sakura shouted, "Naruto! Now's your chance!" Miraculously she didn't shout in Sara's left ear.
"I wish I could say that I planned that," Naruto stated. "But now it's time for my new move!" Naruto made four shadow clones. "All right!" Kiba glanced up as Naruto shouted, "It's pay back time for the beating I took." One Naruto rushed in and sent Kiba backwards shouting, "Na!" Three others came in while the real Naruto sailed up into the air. The three others kicked Kiba up shouting, "Ru! To! Naruto sailed down and slammed his leg down on Kiba's head and finished by saying, "Uzamaki Barrage!"
Kiba struck the ground and lay unconscious.
A new move, huh? Kakashi thought in disbelief. He really studied Sasuke's earlier move and Sara's phoenixes' movements. Even the names are almost identical! Kakashi asked, "What is it with you kids and barrages today?"
Sara shrugged, "I called mine a barrage since I did borrow Sasuke's kick that he used to send his opponent flying, after that I made it up."
Hayate walked over to Kiba and made sure that he was down for the count, "The winner is Naruto Uzamaki!"
"Wohoo!" Lee exclaimed.
Sakura shouted, "Oh yeah! That feels good!"
"Way to go, Naruto!" Sara shouted. "You did great!"
Sara turned as she heard other voices in the cheer. "Incredible!" Shikamaru exclaimed. "Naruto beat Kiba!"
Kakashi smiled as he watched as realization struck him.
Naruto closed his right hand into a fist and gave a satisfied smile, I have gotten stronger!
Neji & Hinata
As Naruto walked back to where Sara and the others were standing, Sara asked him, "Naruto, what are you carrying?"
"Some medicine Hinata gave me," He replied as he applied the medicine to his wounds. "This stuff works really well! Wanna try some Sakura? Bright Eyes?"
"No thanks," Sara said smiling.
Sakura looked at the medicine apprehensively before she politely declined.
Kakashi thought, the Nine-Tailed Fox is what gives you amazing recuperative power!
Everyone turned their attention to the board as Hayate said, "The next match will be…" He coughed as the board flashed the names of the combatants: Neji Hyuga vs. Hinata Hyuga. Sara watched as the boy with a black headband went down to the arena, where Hinata, who had been with Kiba, was already waiting.
Neji said as he faced Hinata, "I'd never thought we'd fight each other…Lady Hinata."
Sara used her Devil's Eyes, her pupils narrowing, I don't like the way he sounded when he addressed Hinata. Hinata and I aren't very close but…I do consider her to be a friend. This…Neji…better watch his step!
Hinata said to him, "Neji…big brother…"
Naruto shouted, "What? She's his sister!"
"Both are members of the Leaf's oldest and most illustrious family through whose veins runs the most elite and accomplished blood…the Hyuga clan," Kakashi replied. "But they're not siblings."
"Then…how?" Sakura asked.
"Well…" Kakashi began. "It's complicated… I guess you could say they're related in the same way that a tree branch is related to the trunk."
"Like Sasuke and I," Sara said.
Naruto and Sakura shouted, "You're actually related!"
Sara hid behind Kakashi and said, "Didn't either of us mention that?"
"NO!" Sakura and Naruto shouted again.
Sara stepped out from behind Kakashi, "Sorry! Lord Hokage…enlightened us!" They both gave her hard stares.
Naruto wanted clarification on Kakashi's answer, "Branch and trunk? How closely related does that make them?" He than pointed at Sara, "And them?"
Lee answered the first part, "Hinata is a member of the main branch of the Hyuga clan, while Neji is a member of the cadet branch that supports it."
Kakashi answered the second half, "Sasuke is like Hinata, he's a member of the main branch of the Uchiha clan. The Uchiha only had lower branches that supported them, though they didn't call them cadet branches. Sara is actually a member of a forgotten branch of the Uchiha, making Neji and Hinata more closely related than Sasuke and Sara."
Naruto and Sakura sighed. Sara gave them a quizzical look. Naruto answered her unspoken question, "I wanted to make sure you two weren't like…brother and sister."
"Gross!" Sara said, as she shuddered.
Sakura said, "I wanted to be sure of the same thing."
Sara shook her head back and forth, before she turned her attention back to the match.
Lee still had more to say, "I've heard that unlike the Uchiha clan and many other clans…that there's been strain between the main and cadet branches of the Hyuga Clan for some time now. They aren't exactly friendly to each other."
"Why's that?" Naruto asked. Sara turned her attention to Lee, since the match hadn't started yet.
Lee answered, "It sounds like a fairly common thing among the older families. The first generation of the Hyuga clan made all sorts of rules that favored the main branch…in order to preserve the family and line and retain the purity of blood. It's said that members of the cadet branch still burn with anger and humiliation."
"So it's one of those fateful showdown things then…" Sakura stated.
Sara suddenly asked Kakashi, "Why are they so concerned with the purity of their blood?"
Kakashi sighed, "It's not just the Hyuga clan. Almost all clans are concerned with keeping their blood lines pure. That's why it is an uncommon thing for ninja from different clans to marry. Normally, a ninja will take a spouse that is an ordinary villager or…" Kakashi allowed everyone to put two and two together.
"They marry inside their clans?" Sakura asked, appalled.
"Yes," Kakashi answered.
"Master Kakashi," Sara said. "Are ninja looked down upon if they do take another ninja as their spouse?"
"No," Kakashi said. "Not anymore. But, probably around the time all of you were born, it was considered taboo in most clans, including the Uchiha." Sara nodded, satisfied with that answer.
They all looked down at the arena as Hayate said, "Let the match begin!" He than coughed.
Neji moved slightly to position himself in a more, offensive position as he said, "Before we begin, there's something I need to point out to Lady Hinata. You're not cut out to be a ninja. Withdraw from the attack!" Hinata looked startled. "You're all sweetness and light…a peacemaker not a fighter. You're a follower not a leader." Hinata looked down. "You lack self confidence, you've got a world class inferiority complex…so I know you'd have been more comfortable and content staying at the genin level. But applicants for the higher level Chûnin Selection Exam must compete as a team of three or four. You couldn't bear to let your teammates down. The truth is, your participation has been reluctant from the start!"
"N…no. You're wrong." Hinata replied, "I…I rally…wanted to change that about myself. So of my own volition I…"
Everyone from the Leaf Village waited for her response, but Neji interrupted, "Lady Hinata…you're the sheltered baby of the main branch, aren't you?"
"What?" Hinata gasped.
Neji stated, "A leopard doesn't change its spots." Hinata stared at him in shock. "A failure always fails. And a weak personality won't become strong."
Sara thought angrily, how dare he say that? Look at Naruto! He used to be a failure…granted he sometimes does…but he never quits trying and I honestly believe he could be Hokage…
That jerk! Naruto thought glaring at Neji.
Neji wasn't finished, though, "It's precisely because of the unchanging nature of humankind that differences between people are born… It's why we've coined terms like 'elite' and 'failure'. It doesn't matter who you are. We're all judged on the basis of our appearances, our intellect, our talents, or our personalities…just as we judge others in their turn. Yes, it's a form of discrimination. And the factors that it's based on don't change. We have no choice… We must live within the boundaries set for us by the judgments of others…"
Sara was beyond angry, if Naruto and I had done that you #^%&($ we wouldn't be here!
"It's as unchangeable as the fact that I'm of the cadet branch and you're of the main," Neji stated. "I've seen through many things with the all-seeing Byakugan eye… And so I know this courage you're displaying is just a bluff! In the truest part of your heart, you're desperate to run away from here right now."
Hinata stuttered, "N-no…I really want to…:"
Sakura questioned, "The Byakugan?"
"They say that our Sasuke's own branch of the Uchiha clan can trace its origins back to the Hyuga clan. The 'Byakugan' that he mentioned is one of the Kekkai Genkai passed down in the Hyuga family...an ocular art similar to the Sharingan and Devil's Eyes. But in its penetrating perceptive ability…the Byakugan surpasses them both completely."
Hinata flinched as Neji activated his Byakugan, causing veins to pop out near his eyes. Hinata shuddered under his gaze. Neji said, "My eyes cannot be deceived. Just now, to escape my stare you averted your own eyes. Glancing towards the upper left it signaled your recall of a past experience…" Hinata looked petrified. "…one that brought you pain. When you discreetly glanced to the lower right it indicated that you were envisioning physical and mental agony. In other words…you recalled your own previous experiences and based upon those memories you imagined the outcome of this match. You foresaw your own defeat!" Hinata flinched as if she had been stung. "Even now, you bring your arms up in front of your body as if to shield yourself from me. You implore me to come no further, to peer no deeper into the innermost secrets of your heart…because everything I have said has been right on target. In addition…"
Sara looked away from the arena, sensing something and glanced at Naruto. Naruto was grinding his teeth in fury, and barely containing the urge to jump into the arena and slug Neji. I know how you feel, Naruto…she thought as she glared once more at Neji, willing him to look up and lock gazes with her own Kekkai Genkai.
Hinata was close to shedding tears as Neji continued his verbal assault, "The way you're touching your lip…it's another of those tender, intimate behaviors that expresses the agitation in your heart. It's a defensive reflex…an attempt to ease your anxieties and doubts. It's completely clear, whether you admit it or not, that you are aware that you can never change yourself!"
"YES SHE CAN!" Naruto roared from the upper area. Sara smiled as Naruto continued, "You can't just arbitrarily decide these things about other people, you fool! Show him, Hinata! Beat this idiot to a pulp!"
Sakura smiled knowingly as Hinata gazed at Naruto with a slight blush. She likes Naruto…
"…Naruto…" Hinata said, slightly stunned, as she met his gaze.
Naruto shouted down to her, "Come on! At least talk back to him! Just hearing him has made me mad, and you're the one fighting him!"
Hinata looked down at the floor. Within a few seconds, her gaze was that of a warrior's.
Neji asked, "So you're not going to withdraw? Then I won't be responsible for what happens here."
Hinata closed her eyes, in concentration. She opened her eyes, activating her Byakugan, as she said, "I don't want to run anymore!" She got into a fighting stance, "Big brother…Neji…let's fight."
"Okay than," Neji said getting into the same exact stance as Hinata.
Lee said to no one in particular, "They have the same Hyuga style, after all…even her stance is identical to Neji's."
"Hyuga style?" Sakura asked.
Lee nodded, "The strongest Taijutsu in the Leaf Village. I mentioned before that the strongest junior ninja was on my squad. I was referring to Neji."
Suddenly, both Neji and Hinata lunged at each other with flat palms. It became a battle of blocking blows that looked fairly harmless to Sara, Naruto, and Sakura. Hinata suddenly managed to land, what looked like a blow.
Sakura asked, "Did she get him?"
"No just a scratch," Naruto responded.
"But," Lee said. "A scratch is all it would take. That's why the Hyuga clan is often referred to as the Leaf Village's most illustrious family."
"What do you mean," Sakura questioned.
Guy answered, "Among the Hyuga there are unique Taijutsu passed down from one generation to the next! Unlike ordinary Taijutsu, like that used by Lee and myself, which focuses on beatings, bruises, and broken bones—a style its proponents call 'Ferocious Fist'… While the Hyuga clan employs a style known as 'Gentle Fist', it inflicts damage to the enemy's Keirakukei, through which chakra flows. That leads to the breakdown of the internal organs, destroying the enemy from within. It may not look like much, but…the effect grows gradually after the initial attack."
Kakashi interjected, "there's no way of strengthening the internal organs, so any enemy struck with that blow is going to succumb."
Sara nodded her head, showing she had heard the entire conversation, but her eyes never left the combatants. It was as if she couldn't look away. She felt like if she looked away, she'd miss an important aspect of something. She wasn't sure what though.
Neji and Hinata continued to battle intensely, Hinata once again got in a glancing blow to Neji.
Naruto cheered, "Yeah, Hinata!"
"What kind of people are they?" Sakura asked, "To attack the Keirakukei!"
Naruto said, "Hey! Hey! What's a Keirakukei?"
"…Here we go again," Sakura said, exasperated. "…The insightful questions of an idiot!"
Lee said, "Allow me, Sakura. The Keirakukei is a kind of network of energy lines spread throughout one's body, in much the same way as the human circulatory system. It's like a system of vessels that carry chakra throughout our bodies!"
"Oh, like passageways of chakra?" Naruto said to clarify.
"Yes," Lee answered. "And it's delicately intertwined with the body's organs that manipulate chakra. Attack the Keirakukei, and the organs will suffer as well!"
"Whoa," Naruto said sarcastically. "I'm bowled over by your intellect."
Sakura punched him in the head as she angrily whispered to him, "Be respectful, he outranks us!"
Sara ignored the commotion still focused on the match. Kakashi notice how intensely she was watching. It's as if she's drawn to the battle…hmmm…I see that she has her Devil's Eyes up, most likely from Neji's earlier speech. Still…I wonder why she's so intent on this match… Than again…it is a spectacle to watch.
Kakashi was jolted out of his thoughts as Sakura said, "It doesn't seem possible! I mean, this 'Keirakukei' thing is just energy lines inside the body…so how are they attacking something that they can't even see?"
"They can, though," Kakashi said. "Those two…their Byakugan can see them. And Gentle Fist attacks are different from ordinary Taijutsu. You take your own chakra and release it through the energy portals in your hands, forcing it into the body of your foe where it can inflict massive damage on the enemy's Keirakukei."
Hinata suddenly hit Neji, square in the chest. "All right!" Naruto shouted.
Hinata hacked up blood; Neji had also hit her square in the chest along with hitting another spot on her chest with two fingers.
Neji said, mockingly, "So this is the full extent of the main branch's strength?"
Naruto was confused, "What the heck? What about Hinata's attack?"
Hinata wasn't ready to give up as she shoved Neji and aimed another blow at him. Neji easily grabbed her arm and hit a spot with two fingers.
What a fighter… Kakashi thought. He glanced at Sara. I'm thankful that she didn't have to face him…she wouldn't have made it…
Neji grabbed Hinata's sleeve and dragged it back to reveal small, angry red marks on her arm.
Hinata gasped, "It can't be! You mean from the beginning…?"
"Precisely," Neji said. "My eyes can detect the Tenketsu!"
"What's he saying?" Naruto asked.
Kakashi answered, "Along the Keirakukei are 36 chakra points no larger than the prick of a pin. These nodes are called Tenketsu…and in theory, if you can accurately hit them you can halt the flow of an enemy's chakra, or enhance it. Controlling it in any way you wish. But while we're on the topic, let me add these Tenketsu, they're undetectable, even to my Sharingan eye. And regardless of having all penetrating eyes, to be able to—in the heat of battle—to hit them accurately and…"
Neji flung Hinata backwards. Hinata skidded to a halt a few feet away from Neji. He said, "Lady Hinata, this is the unalterable difference in strength. The distinction that separates the elite from the failures…this is the unchangeable reality. From the moment we were matched against each other, your defeat was inevitable. The only outcome was your present despair… Withdraw!"
Hinata began to stagger to her feet, "…I…n-never…go back…on my word…Because…that's my shinobi way too…!"
The Outer Limits
Naruto said, "Whoa, Hinata! She's got guts!"
"She's a lot like you," Lee said.
"Yeah," Sakura said. "She's always watching you, Naruto."
"Come here…" Neji dared her.
Hinata shuddered as she hacked up more blood.
Kakashi stated, "Neji has stopped Hinata's flow of chakra. She's lost the capacity to perform the 'Gentle Fist'. This fight is as good as done."
Sara stared at Kakashi in shock, does he really believe that Hinata doesn't have a chance?
Kakashi glared down at Neji, I doubt that Sasuke, or even Sara at her best, would prevail against a fighter like Neji…
"His level of strength…it's not a fair fight!" Sakura said.
Naruto shouted, "Hang in there, Hinata!"
Hinata grinned slightly as she charged Neji. She did her best to hit him, and to block his blows but in the end, her determination wasn't enough.
Neji hit her in the face. Hinata staggered backwards, but she managed to keep her feet. She lunged once more, but it wasn't enough to make Neji flinch. Neji dealt the final blow. Hinata shuddered from the blow as she slid to the ground.
Neji said, "Don't you know when to quit? From the start your last attacks were useless!"
Guy said, "That was Neji's masterstroke, it targets the heart. It's a pity, but that girl can no longer stand."
Hayate said, "Seeing as the match can no longer go on-!"
Naruto interrupted, "Don't stop the match!"
"What are you talking about? She's got nothing left!" Sakura exclaimed.
"That's where you're wrong," Sara said.
Hinata staggered to her feet. Neji asked, "Why are you getting up? If you push too far, you really will die."
"Th-this isn't over yet," Hinata said, as she swayed.
"You're not fooling anyone," Neji snapped. "I can see with these eyes, it's taking all your strength just to stand! You were burdened from birth with the destiny of main branch… You've hated and punished yourself for your own weakness and frailty, but you can't change your fate!"
"But your wrong, Cousin," Hinata said. "I can see it now that even more than me, it's you who are suffering caught between the destinies of the main and cadet branches."
Neji lunged at Hinata. Hayate said, "Neji…the match is already over!"
Neji was restrained by Guy, who had him by his neck, Kakashi had grabbed his attacking arm, Hayate stood in front of Hinata, while Kurenai had positioned herself to trip him if no one had grabbed him.
Guy snapped, "Enough, Neji! You promised that you wouldn't let the issues you have with the main branch into this."
Neji snorted, "Well, why is it that the other jônin are getting involved? Special treatment for the main branch?"
"No," Sara snapped as she stood on one leg in the arena. "It's because you were about to kill her!"
Hinata suddenly hit her knees and began coughing uncontrollably before she collapsed. Naruto and the others leaped down and rushed to Hinata's side. Sara stood where she, knowing that she couldn't go any further, after jumping from the upper gallery.
"Hey, Hinata! Are you all right?" Naruto asked. As he approached Hinata and Kurenai, who had moved Hinata onto her back.
Sakura said, "She doesn't look to good. Her face is so pale!"
Naruto turned around as he heard a voice say, "Hey, Mr. Failure!" Neji continued, "A piece of advice, a true shinobi does not cheer during a serious match. And one more thing you may as well accept who you are. Once a failure always a failure!" Naruto glared at him.
Lee versus…
Naruto rose slowly from Hinata's side as he glared at Neji. "You wanna try me?" He asked.
Neji laughed in response.
That was too much for Naruto. Naruto shot forward to do any harm he could to Neji. Naruto was startled when Lee slid to a stop in front of him, blocking his path.
"What?" Naruto shouted.
Lee said calmly, "I understand, painfully well, what you're feeling, Naruto! But…we have to limit our battles to the confines of the scheduled fights… To see a failure strike down and defeat a genius through sheer will power! It really makes you look forward to the final rounds. Even though his opponent could very well be me! But even if it is you in the finals, I'll have no regrets!"
"I get it, okay," Naruto said reluctantly.
Lee flashed a thumb's up at Guy, and Guy gave him one back.
Hinata coughed again. Kurenai checked her pulse. She whispered, "She's going into cardiac arrest…" She glared at Neji.
Neji said, "Instead of glaring at me, you'd better take care of her."
Kurenai snapped, "Where are those medics? Hurry!"
"Sorry," the medics apologized as they rushed forward. They lifted Hinata onto a stretcher and rushed her out of the arena.
Naruto squatted down and wiped his fingers through the blood on the floor, from Hinata. He made a fist and lifted his arm up and said, "I vow…to win!" Neji glared at him in response.
Everyone began to head back up to the upper level. Kakashi walked up to Sara, "Next time, stay up there." Sara smiled sheepishly as Kakashi teleported them back up.
Hayate waited for everyone to get back upstairs before he said through his coughing, "Now then…it's time for the next bout!"
Guy said, "I guess it's finally your turn, Lee!"
"No way!" Lee said, in a pouting tone. Sara and Sakura looked at him with confused gazes. "I've waited this long! I might as well be the final act!"
Everyone glanced at the board as it flashed the names of the combatants; Gaara vs. Rock Lee.
Lee said happily, as he warmed up with a couple kicks, "It worked! As soon as I said I wanted to be last, I was thwarted! It's a natural law that if you aim a stone at a telephone pole time and time again and never hit it…but the time you aim to miss, you end up hitting the thing dead center. I didn't really want to be the final act anyway!"
Guy leaned in and said to Lee, "I've noticed something crucial that most people may have overlooked."
"Yes, sir!" Lee said, paying close attention to Guy's words.
"That gourd thing of his is quite suspicious," Guy stated.
"I see," Lee said taking notes.
"Stop taking notes…" Guy snapped.
Kakashi thought, he only just noticed the gourd?
I noticed that gourd as soon as I saw him! Sara thought, completely blown away by Guy's lack of observation.
Sakura thought, I hope Lee will be all right…
Lee leaped down as Guy said, "Go get'em, Lee!"
"Yes, sir!" Lee replied. Lee landed gracefully on the ground, "Facing you so soon makes me very happy!" Gaara said nothing in response.