(Little disclaimer when naruko goes to the final part of the chunin exams she not running late.) After I was discharged from the hospital I went back to training either by myself or with pervy sage. While I was training I was trying to think of ways I could defeat neji. I knew that I can't use the same tactic I used on kiba, neji is a lot faster and stronger than kiba and it won't matter if I use smoke bombs because he could just use his byakugan to find me.

On the day of the chunin exams final matches naruko went to the hospital to check on hinata. When she entered and told the receptionist that she's here to see hinata the receptionist said "I'm sorry but hinata hyuga isn't here right now." "Oh well… did she say anything about where she went?" Naruko asked. "Well I heard someone say something about her heading to the training grounds so maybe she's there. When you find her can you remind her to take it easy because she hasn't fully recovered yet?" The receptionist said. "Ok I will thank you" naruko said then left the hospital and made her way to the training grounds.

Naruko found hinata at the third training ground training. Naruko approached hinata and said "hinata." Startled hinata hid behind the wooden post. Upon seeing naruko hinata came out from behind the post and said with a smile "oh h-hey naru-chan." "Why are you here? You should be getting some rest" naruko said looking concerned. Hinata looked away and said "s-sorry naru-chan but after my fight with neji I wanted to work on my gentle fist technique."

"Hinata I get where you're coming from but if I were you I'd wait until I'm fully recovered to start training again." Hinata looked away with a sad expression on her face. "The thing is that I'm up against neji next and in all honesty I don't know if I'll be able to beat him" naruko said. Hinata looked back at naruko and said "y-you know naru-chan the reason why I didn't just forfeit the match and let neji win without a fight is because of… you."

Naruko looked at hinata surprised and said "me?" Hinata nodded her head, looked down at the ground blushing and said "I-if it wasn't for you I would have forfeited but you gave me confidence and believed in me. That's what caused me to keep fighting. Everyone may not know how smart and strong you are but I do a-and I know that you'll be able to beat him. I believe in you naru-chan."

Naruko looked hinata in the eyes and said "thanks hinata, that's just what I needed… you know I'm glad that I have someone like you in my life. You helped me through a lot of hard times and you were there for me when I needed you the most. Hinata you're a great person and a amazing friend, thank you" naruko smiled, walked towards hinata and placed a gentle kiss on her forehead.

Naruko started walking away while hinata stood there blushing with her eyes widened in shock and her heart beating fast. Naruko stopped walking and looked at hinata and said "by the way, make sure that you cheer for me in my match ok." Hinata smiled and said "I will." Naruko gave hinata a big smile and started walking again.

As I made my way to where the final part of the chunin exams were being held I couldn't help but think of how much hinata reminds me of Ikki. Although Ikik wasn't timid or shy she was an extremely kind and caring person just like hinata.

Flashback

Years ago when naruko was eight years old, her and Riba were just coming back from training. Naruko was covered from head to toe in wounds, her hair was a mess, and her clothes were destroyed.

When naruko and Riba went inside their house they saw Ikki coming out of her room with bags under her eyes and looking exhausted. Riba went up to his daughter and said "Ikki are you alright? You look exhausted." Ikki yawned then rubbed her eyes and said "I'm fine dad. I was up all night working on something." "You should head to bed" Riba said. "Yeah ok-" just as Ikki finished her sentence she looked over and saw naruko.

Worried Ikki pushed her father out of her way and ran towards naruko. Kneeling down Ikki said "oh my god naruko are you ok?" Naruko giggled and said "I'm ok sis. Dad just got a bit carried away while we were training." Ikki stood up and grabbed naruko's arm and started walking to naruko's room.

"Ikki where are you going?" Riba said. "To naruko's room" Ikki said. Naruko looked at her older sister worried and said "why are we going to my room? Shouldn't you got to your room and head to bed?" Ikki didn't say anything.

When Ikki and naruko got to her room Ikki closed the door and looked at naruko. She said "go sit down and take your shirt off." Naruko was a little concerned but she didn't ask questions and did what Ikki told her. She sat down on her bed and took off her shirt.

Ikki walked over to naruko, knelt down, and went through a couple of hand signs. A green glow formed around her hands. She then started healing naruko's wounds. "Sis you don't have to waste your chakra healing me my wounds. They'll be gone by tomorrow plus your tired and I don't want you to over work or hurt yourself" naruko said.

Ikki giggled and put her hand behind naruko's head, pulling her towards herself and placed a gentle kiss on naruko's forehead. "Naruko you're adorable. I know that you're worried about me but I'll be ok. It's not like I'm dying. I'm just tired also you're my little sister and I don't want to see you hurt" Ikki said. "You don't wanna see anyone hurt. Why do you immediately go and help other people even when you're injured or tired?" Naruko said.

"That's just who I am. If there is someone who needs my help I'm not just gonna turn my back on them because I love helping people just like dad, Jinora, and Niles. I may not be as strong as them but at least I can help those who've been injured plus it helps me feel important" Ikki said.

When Ikki finished healing naruko's wounds she got up and went over to the closet. She grabbed a shirt and pants and went back over to naruko she handed her the clothes and then she turned around to let naruko get dressed.

After a couple minutes, "ok you can turn around now" naruko said. Ikki turned around to look at her younger sister. "There. Isn't that better?" Ikki said. "Y-yeah it is thank you" naruko said. Ikki smiled then turned to leave but stopped when she heard naruko say "Ikki." She turned her head towards her sister and said "yes." "I love you" naruko said with a smile. "I love you too" Ikki said then left.

Flashback end

When naruko got to where the final part of the chunin exams were being held she stood in the middle of the arena along with shikamaru, shino, neji, gaara, kankuro, and temari but surprisingly sasuke wasn't there. 'That's weird. Where's sasuke? He's not the type to miss something like this even if he had to drag himself here' naruko thought.

"There's one more thing before we get started." The proctor took out a piece of paper and showed it to them. "There's been a slight change in the match ups but now it's set so everyone take one last look at who you're facing" the proctor said. 'I thought I was supposed to fight an extra match? Hey so that dosu guy dropped out' shikamaru thought. Naruko raised her hand and said "I've got a question." "What is it?" The proctor said. "I was wondering what will happen if sasuke doesn't show up?" Naruko asked.

Over on the stands sakura lowered her head and thought 'where is sasuke and why did he sneak out of his hospital room? But maybe he didn't leave, maybe somebody took him.' Back over to the arena. "If a candidate is not here in the arena at the time their name is called they forfeit the match" the proctor said.

"Alright listen up. The terrain's different but the rules are the same as before. That is that there are no rules. The match continues till one candidate acknowledges defeat or dies. That being said, if I determine a match is over I can step in and stop it at any time and no arguments permitted. Understood?" The proctor said. Everyone stood there silently. "These are the opposites for the first match, naruko uzumaki vs neji hyuga. Those two stay, the rest of you can go to the waiting area" the proctor said. Everyone except for naruko and neji left the arena. Naruko and neji stood a couple of feet away from each other and staring at each other waiting for their match to begin…