Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Twenty-Four
The day of the finals had arrived, Hinata and Neji walk to the arena together thinking about their upcoming battles.
"Are you nervous?" Neji asks.
Hinata shakes her head, "What is there to be nervous about? I know Naruto and I will both bring our all to the fight and whether I win or lose this battle will be my best."
Neji chuckles, "I forgot you adapted Naruto's nindo. Never give up right?"
"Something like that," Hinata says with a smile, "Are you nervous for your fight?"
"No, I will win. I am fully aware of how strong your friend is from his fight in the preliminaries and I won't underestimate him, but I have my Heavenly Rotation and Sixty Four Palms," Neji states.
Hinata nods, "I'm using my own version of those techniques with Naruto-kun."
"I saw your training, do you still have that gravity seal on?" Neji asks.
"I don't plan on taking it off after the finals if that is what your asking," Hinata says, "It's a more efficient way of strengthening myself without weights so I will continue to use it."
Neji nods in understanding, "Did you visit Lee yesterday?"
"Yes, despite his injuries he seemed to be very upbeat...I know some of it was genuine but I could see the pain in his eyes," Hinata says with a slight frown.
The two arrive at the arena, heading inside they see Shikamaru and Shino have already arrived.
"Shikamaru-kun, Shino-kun, Good morning!" Hinata greets happily with a smile and a wave.
"Hinata," Shikamaru greets in response before yawning, "It's so early.."
Shino nods in response to Hinata, though he was watching Neji who nodded in acknowledgment.
"Are you nervous for your match?" Hinata asks, Shikamaru shrugs in response.
"Not really," the Nara says, "I don't really care, my father didn't even know I was in the finals until last night."
Hinata blinks in shock, "How did he not know...?"
Shikamaru sighs, "I don't know, maybe he forgot because he was drunk last night,"
The four grow quietly when Temari and Gaara enter the arena and make their way toward the middle.
Temari smirks when she see's them, oozing confidence as if she's already won.
Hinata watches the Sand ninja quietly, the tense atmosphere is broken when the proctor for the finals arrives.
He stands in front of the Genin, waiting for the finals to begin, 'I didn't think I'd be stuck as proctor for the finals round,' Genma thinks with a frown.
Around fifteen minutes later some fireworks are set off as the tournament will begin in ten minutes.
"We're missing a few people," Shikamaru says, Hinata nodding in response, looking around the arena.
She spots Hiashi and Hanabi up in the stance, Hinata's eyes connect with Hanabi's and the younger of the two smiles widely at her, wishing her luck. Hinata smiles brightly in return.
Suddenly Naruto is thrown into the arena, landing awkwardly on the ground as the orange clad ninja gets up and runs to Shikamaru, screaming something about rampaging bulls, until he realizes something, "Huh..where's Sasuke at?" Naruto asks.
"That guy I'm supposed to fight isn't here either," Shikamaru says.
"Hey," Genma says, calling for their attention, "Face the crowd and smile. Your the stars of the show ya know."
Hinata slightly jumps feeling killing intent ooze out of Gaara, and finds the red head glaring up at the stands where the Hokage and the newly arrived Kazekage sit down.
She glances at Shikamaru and see's he's straightened up, trying to ignore him.
"Everyone, thank you for coming to the Village Hidden in the Leaves Chunin Exam," Hiruzen announces, gaining everyone's attention, "We will now begin the final round matches for the eight who made it through the preliminaries! Please watch until the end!"
"I have something to tell you before the match," Genma says before pulling a piece of paper from his vest, "Look at this. There was a slight change in the tournament. Check who you'll be facing one more time."
'I had more preliminary matches than the others before...so the Dosu guy dropped out?' Shikamaru thinks.
"Say..Sasuke hasn't come yet, what'll happen?" Naruto asks.
"In case a competitor doesn't arrive by the start time of his match...he or she will lose by default," Genma states.
'It doesn't make sense. Knowing his character he'd come if even if he had to drag himself,' Naruto thinks.
"Listen up guys. The terrain is different, but the rule is that there are no rules, the same as in the preliminaries. The matches will continue until one or the other dies, or acknowledges defeat," Genma says, "That said if I determine a match is over I can step in and stop it at anytime, and no arguments permitted. Understood? These are the opponents for the first match, Naruto Uzumaki and Hinata Hyuuga. Those two stay, the rest of you can go to the waiting area."
Hinata and Naruto watch the others leave before turning to face each other as Genma watches them, standing beside them as well.
Hinata and Naruto smile brightly at each other, both of them excited for the match.
"Good luck Naruto-kun, may the best ninja win," Hinata says as she slips into her Hyuuga stance and activates her Byakugan.
"May the best ninja win!" Naruto agrees with a grin.
"Now the first match...begin!" Genma announces.
"Now then, round one. Begin!"
It's silent for a moment as Hinata and Naruto analyze each other, Hinata reaches up and lightens the gravity seal she placed on her stomach completely, feeling the change almost instantly, 'I can feel the difference, everything's lighter,' Hinata thinks.
Naruto looks at her confused, "What did ya just do Hinata-chan?"
"I just adjusted something," Hinata says with a smile, "I can't tell you all my secrets Naruto-kun."
Naruto grins, "You ready? Came here I come!" The blond yells, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!"
Ten clones appear, surrounding Hinata and kicking off the first match.
Hinata crouches lowly before lashing out and thrusting a palm into the first one, ignoring the smoke Hinata attacks the other nine, quickly disposing them with her new speed.
Naruto grins, 'She got a lot faster...but that's not enough to beat me!'
Naruto runs forward through the smoke, attacking her at the back of her head, Hinata turns around and catches his fist with one hand, Naruto's eyes widen slightly before he's thrown back when Hinata attacks his chest with her other palm, 'He knows where the blind spot is? Or is that just luck?' The Hyuuga thinks before charging forward at Naruto.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Naruto yells creating five more clones, throwing the first one in front of him, the clone cries out when Hinata dispels him with a strong thrust of the Gentle Fist.
Hinata looks between the five Naruto remaining, searching for the real one. She pivots on her foot and kicks a clone coming from behind her, then turns and thrusts another palm dispelling another clone.
She watches the remaining two carefully, 'Wait a minute...' Hinata's caught off guard when the missing clone wraps his arms around her from behind, the real Naruto runs towards her and attacks with a punch.
Hinata transforms into a log and Naruto turns as his clones cry out as Hinata makes quick work of them, 'She dispels them pretty quickly...but what if I attack with a bigger number of clones?'
"Shadow Clone Justu!" An army of orange clad Naruto's appear behind him.
Hinata's eyes widen, 'So many clones...he manages them better than before too. The amount of chakra he has is truly amazing,' Hinata thinks, before falling into her stance and focusing her chakra as the Naruto clones attack from all sides, she begins to pardon her Jutsu, "Protecting Eight Triagrams Sixty Four Palms!"
The clones cry out as Hinata dispels them all with one move, Naruto looks on in shock, 'A-Amazing.'
Shikamaru stares at Hinata in shock, 'How long did that take her to master?' The Nara thinks, 'That is definitely not Neji's Heavenly Rotation.'
Neji smiles with pride, watching Hinata defeat Naruto's army of clones, 'Hiashi-Sama must've helped her completely master that technique. As far as I knew she was coming close to finishing it.'
Hanabi smiles brightly, refraining from cheering for her older sister, 'I knew she could do it!'
Hiashi smiles with pride as well, though it's a small smile as Hizashi smiles too, proud of his niece.
Hinata rushes through the smoke, attacking Naruto with a combo, Naruto grunts as he's thrown back. He stays on his feet as he clutches his shoulder where Hinata had struck, 'She closed off the chakra points in my right arm completely..if I'm gonna win I have to knock her out!'
Naruto charges, attacking with a punch, oddly enough the hand Hinata had just disabled.
Hinata dodges the punch, and holds up an arm to guard Naruto's kick, sending a high kick at Naruto's face in retaliation, knocking him back again, 'Is he trying to take me down with brute strength?' Hinata thinks, 'He can't spam anymore clones so I should finish this quickly.'
Naruto grits his teeth as he runs at her from the side this time, 'Attacking head on won't work..one good hit and I can go from there!'
Hinata deflects Naruto's next punch and thrusts a palm into his stomach, knocking him back though he stood his ground once more.
Hinata falls into her stance once more, gathering chakra to her palms, "Your in my division," Naruto's eyes widen, "Eight Triagrams Sixty Four Palms!"
Hinata attacks relentlessly, giving it her all,"Two palms! Four Palms! Eight Palms! Sixteen Palms! Thirty-Two Palms! Sixty-Four Palms!*" Hinata yells as she takes a deep breath, falling out of the stance panting slightly.
Naruto is blown back from the attack, landing harshly on the ground, his hands twitching as he tries to move them, 'S-She closed off all my chakra points! I can't move!'
Genma walks over to Naruto and crouches down, 'That technique should've closed off all his chakra points...he's trying to move but he can't,' He stands up and motions to Hinata, "The winner of the first round is Hinata Hyuuga!"
The crowd bursts into deafening cheers as Hinata pants deeply in an attempt to even her breathing, 'That attack still takes so much chakra and strength,' Hinata thinks, 'A month ago I wouldn't have been able to use both of those attacks at the same time,' the Hyuuga smiles, 'I've improved.'
Naruto winces as he's placed into a mat, "I can still walk!" The blond cries.
Hinata giggles as she walks over to the blond, "Good job Naruto-kun, that was a good match."
Naruto grins widely, "You too Hinata-Chan! Don't think I won't come back for a rematch! I'm gonna beat you next time."
Hinata nods, "I look forward to it Naruto-kun."
The blonds blue eyes suddenly look serious as he looks to where the other competitors waited, "I'm not saying this because I think you'll fail...but be careful in your next match Hinata-Chan. That Gaara guy..he isn't good, he'll kill you. Sasuke won't be an easy opponent either. If Sasuke wins beat his butt for me!" Naruto says.
Hinata smiles, "Don't worry Naruto-kun. I'll be careful."
Naruto gives her a thumbs up, as much as he can in his current state, before he's taken to the medical center.
Hinata walks up to where the other competitors waited, Shikamaru smiles lazily at the Hyuuga, "Good job Hinata. That was a good match, you've gotten a lot stronger."
Hinata smiles, "Thanks Shikamaru-kun."
"Good job Hinata, I knew you could win. Why? Because you've trained harder this last month than any other time, you deserved this win," Shino says.
"Thanks Shino-kun!" Hinata replies, a big smile on her lips.
Neji places a hand on Hinata's shoulder, "Congratulations on your win Hinata...you won't be the only Hyuuga who leaves with a win today."
Hinata looks between Neji and Shino, 'They're excited for their match as well. I can't wait to watch it!'
"Sasuke hasn't arrived yet, it's time for his match..troublesome," Shikamaru mutters.
Soon the crowd starts to demand for the next match, Hinata looks back to the arena when she see's another Jounin appear beside the proctor.
When he leaves Genma turns to the crowd, "Listen everyone, one of the competitors in the next match hasn't arrived yet. For this reason we are postponing it and jumping ahead to the match that would've followed it," Genma explains, "So Shino and Neji, come on down."
The Genin make there way down to the arena, standing across from each other, serious expressions on both the candidates faces.
Genma looks between them, 'Compared to the last two, these two are far more serious,' he thinks, 'The last match seemed like a match between good friends, this one is a test of strength for these two.'
"Let the second battle begin!"
To be continued...
AN: I apologize for my horrible fight scenes lol, I'm not very good at writing them. On the brightside the finals have begun! What do you think of the fight? Who did you think would win between Naruto and Hinata? And who do you think will win between Shino and Neji?
*I apologize if I wrote that incorrectly, I went with my gut lol. I'm pretty sure that's how the technique goes.
To hinatayvonne: Don't worry they will be friends!...someday! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
To cosmicblader12: I hope you enjoyed the beginning of the finals! I know you've been waiting for battles and I hope you enjoyed the battle between Hinata and Naruto! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
To Guest: Thank you so much! I hope you continue to enjoy Altered! Thank you for reviewing and I hope you enjoy this chapter!
Don't forget to leave your thoughts on this chapter by reviewing! Don't forget to Favorite and Follow as well! I appreciate all the support Altered receives with each Review, Favorite, and Follow!
I'll see y'all next chapter! Bye!