Battle of Life

Akira leapt to the other side of the arena. He let seven arrows fly from his bow. Hinata dodged each one the best she could but she ended up with a arrow in her thigh. She feel to her knees in pain as she gripped her leg.

"Why are you fighting?" Hinata looked up at Akira as he readied another arrow. "You're heart is in bad condition. It cannot take much more damage than it has in the past." Hinata stared at the ground. "Give up. You will die. That is how this match will end if you try to fight me." Hinata felt fear wield up inside of her.

"Hinata!!!!!!" Naruto yelled. "Don't let this jerk get to you!!!! Come on, you can do it!" He cheered. Robin glanced at him. Hinata felt her body calm down somewhat as she gripped the arrow. She yanked it out and stood. Akira frowned.

"I do not wish to hurt you, yet you persist." Hinata fell back into her stance.

Tenshi frowned as she stood next to Lee. She turned to look at him.

"Akira is right. What happened to her?" Lee was quiet for a moment as he watched the fight.

"During the Chuunin Exams, Hinata fought with Neji. She would not give up, and that angered Neji. He showed no pity on her and almost killed her. Hinata barely lived after that fight, her heart was so damage that she still has coughing fits, at least, that's what Neji told me." Robin's eyes snapped over to Neji. Her eyes filled with anger as she glared at him before turning back to the match.

Hinata pulled an arrow from her arm as Akira sighed.

"Hinata-san, please understand, you should not fight. It is dangerous to your health." Hinata shook her head.

"Iie! I will fight. To change myself." Hinata charged forward. Akira leapt up into the air. Hinata reached into her pouch and pulled out several kunai. She throw them at Akira. The young boy bent and twisted in the air. He landed gracefully on the ground having dodged all the kunai. He reached back and pulled out the last arrow. Hinata had to lean back in order to dodge it, even then it ripped open her jacket. The heiress patted slightly as she stood up into her stance once more. Akira gently threw his bow to the side. He sighed.

"Gomen Hinata-san, but now I really will have to hurt you." Akira charged as Hinata did the same. He threw a punch as Hinata tried to kick his feet out from under him. The young boy flipped over her and tried to back kick her. Hinata turned and barely blocked. The two continued to exchange attacks as everyone watched.

"She is quite good. To force Akira to use hand to hand combat." Robin comment quietly. Tenshi nodded.

"Hai. I worry though, will she be able to stand that kind of pressure?" Naruto looked back and forth between the two.

". . . nani?" Robin sighed as Tenshi giggled.

"Akira uses a long bow. That takes a large amount of strength to use. His blows are very harsh."

Akira slammed his fist into her arm. Hinata faltered as the pain surged through her body but quickly knocked his hand to the side and hit his shoulder. Akira let out a yell and leapt away.

"What was that?" He asked. Hinata fell back into her stance. Akira tilted his head to the side. "You . . . you seem to fight with Gentle Fist . . . you are Hyuga . . . I will not allow myself to make that mistake twice." He charged forward and evaded her kick. Akira rammed his hand into her ribs. Hinata was thrown back and rolled alittle after she landed harshly onto the ground. "You're heart won't last much longer. Why persist?" Hinata forced her body to stand.

"I . . . I want . . . to change . . . myself, no matter what . . ." Akira frowned.

"Even if it kills you?"

"Hai!" Hinata charged.

"Yoko cannot possible allow this fight to continue." Tenshi muttered. Robin watched the fight quietly.

"Hm, this is Yoko. She is a fool when it comes to these matters. In her eyes, few are worthy to even know of these mountains." Robin watched Hinata cry out as she was kicked up into the air. Akira appeared in front of her and slammed her down into the ground. "I hope she survives. After all the warnings he gave her, Akira has already acknowledged her."

Akira landed a few feet away from the young girl. Hinata spat out blood as she stood.

"You will die if I hit you again." Hinata said nothing but charged once again. Akira sighed and readied himself. He launched a punch at Hinata but to his surprise, she did not stop as it hit her shoulder. The Hyuga seemed to move into the attack and slam her hands into his stomach. Akira felt to the ground in surprise. Hinata raised her hand high and slammed it into his chest. She collapsed after the finishing move. Tenshi quickly appeared beside her and caught her before she hit the ground. Akira laid on the ground and smiled. "She is more than worthy." He muttered before standing. Pain filled his side as he stood. Akira turned to Yoko. "Yoko-san, I am sorry, but I will not be able to fight again. Hinata-san has more than proven herself. She has rendered me useless for the duration of the tournament." Akira disappeared in a blinding light along with all his arrows and his bow.

"So be it." Yoko held the die in front of her. The side with Akira's name morphed and the word written on it was free. "Whoever wishes to fight can take his place." Robin watched Tenshi carry Hinata to the side lines. She gently placed her on the ground.

"How is she?" Tenshi smiled.

"Not too bad. I should be able to help." She held her hand above Hinata's heart. "Her heart is the only thing that may cause a problem. Toshiko-sama and I should be able to help. Please, if my name is called while I am gone, fight for me Robin." Robin nodded before Tenshi disappeared. She turned to Kurenai.

"You are her sensei, correct?" Kurenai nodded.

"Hai."

"Do not worry, Tenshi is a good doctor. With the help of Toshiko-sama, Hinata-san will be fine." Before Kurenai could respond Yoko threw the dice out. Robin stared at the dice.

"Masaru and Shikimaru." The battle between the two quickly began. Masaru took a step forward but froze. Shikimaru had already completed his favorite hand seals.

Kakashi turned from the fight with Shikimaru and Masaru. Setsuko stared at him.

"Toshiko has asked for you. She wishes to talk with you." Kakashi blinked then nodded.

Robin watched from the corner of her eyes as Setsuko took Kakashi away from the others. She went back to watching the fight. Shikimaru was starting another set of hand seals.

"She is gone." Setsuko turned to Kakashi.

"Nani?" Kakashi looked at her confused.

"I know what I am. I am not Setsuko. I have no memories of her. Nor do I know how to fight. I am merely doll." Kakashi stared at her.

"What are you talking about?" Setsuko pressed her hand against his face. It was cold.

"I am not alive as you are. I will always be cold. Because I am only holy mud that took human form. I contain the woman's soul. I am not Setsuko. I do not know her. I will never know her. Once her soul is returned to her body, I will fade." Her hand dropped to her side. Kakashi reached forward and brushed some hair out of her face. Her eyes remained distant and emotionless. "I am merely mud. Nothing more." Setsuko turned and started to lead Kakashi to Toshiko once more.

Bensha landed on the ground quietly. She stared up at the sky as she stood to her full height. She cocked her head to the side.

". . . I can smell his grief from here. I am bothered by this." She looked down and cocked her head to the other side. "Has the snake completed the seal?"

"Gomen, Orochimaru-sama has not yet learned to do so." Bensha turned to face Kabuto.

"I have been humiliated by the snake. He leads me on like some human. When I see him again, I will tear him apart, and then his spine will be my trophy." Bensha turned her back to Kabuto.

"Hm, I don't think Orochimaru-sama will like that idea." Kabuto smirked. Bensha did not turn to him.

"You make jokes at the expense of your superiors. Next time we met, I will rip out your tongue." Bensha was gone before another word could be said.

Masaru landed gracefully away form Shikimaru. The chuunin sighed.

"Che, I give up." Yoko turned her eyes to him in surprise. "He's beyond my skill. And I have almost no chakra left. I wouldn't last another minute against him." Masaru smiled at Shikimaru.

"Yoko, the boy has my approval." Yoko sighed and nodded. She rolled the dice again. Janghoon and Masaru. The man smiled as Janghoon stood in front of him.

"BEGIN!!!" Yoko yelled. Janghoon jumped away and let loose every kunai and shuriken he had, causing a black sky to come crashing towards Masaru. Masaru unsheathed his sword and swung at the metal sky. Most of the weapons were thrown back while Masaru was able to dodge the rest. When he landed on the ground from dodging, a net sprang out from the ground. Masaru dropped back into a stance and slashed the net in half.

"Guardimpact no Jutsu!!!" Masaru looked up to see Janghoon charging at him. With a smirk, Masaru stuck out with his sheath to Janghoon's head. To his surprise, the sheath shattered. Janghoon punched him in the face and threw several kunai after the falling form of Masaru. Masaru was able to flip himself in mid air and land perfectly on his feet. In an instant he slashed through the kunai coming towards him. Janghoon appeared in front of him with a fist coming towards his face. Masaru grabbed his arm and used it to propel himself up into the air. Masaru pulled his sword high above his head and brought it down with him. Janghoon lifted his arms up in front of his face and waited. He looked up to Masaru smiling at him.

"You've beaten me." Yoko gritted her teeth in anger before getting the dice out.

Setsuko opened a door and waited for Kakashi to enter. Tenshi was caring for Hinata on a bed in the corner of the dim room. An old woman sat in a chair facing a fire. She turned to pale blue eyes to him. Her face was a map of time.

"Ah, Kakashi. I've been waiting." Kakashi stared at her.

"You . . . are Toshiko-san?" The woman stood to her full height, four feet and nodded.

"Hai. Uzumaki Toshiko. I'm nearly one hundred and five years old." Kakashi felt his eyes widen as he stared at her. "I've only held on this long to tell you how to return Setsuko's soul to her body." The woman sat before the fire. "Sit, sit. I haven't got all the time in the world."

Yukio stared at the sea of bugs behind him before looking at Shino.

"You pass." Yoko stared at him in shock.

"Nani?! Why Yukio?!" Yukio looked at Yoko and smiled.

"Bugs trust him enough to risk their lives. That's all I need." Yoko closed her eyes before nodding.

"Fine. The next match." Yoko threw the dice. As they were falling to the ground, Yoko caught sight of Robin's glare towards Neji and a quickly look to Yoko. Yoko didn't need to nod in order to understand. Robin wanted to fight Neji. The meiko twitched her fingers ever so slightly in order to control the dice. As the dice landed, two names were clearly shown. Robin and Neji. Yoko stared at Robin as the girl took the center of the arena. Masaru looked over at Yoko.

"When was the last time Robin desired to fight one person particularly." Yoko did not turn her eyes to him nor did she respond. Masaru sighed. "Yoko, she nearly broke Yukio's arm when he almost split something on Setsuko." Yoko smiled.

"I know. I want to know her reasons. I also want to see if she indeed is worthy of being Keiko's child."

Robin pulled the Naginata off of her back and grasped a leather strap firmly. She threw the Naginata up into the air while holding the leather strap. The Naginata unrolled from the sheet and leather in air. Robin caught it without a problem and threw the leather and sheet to the side. Robin dropped into a stance with her weapon as Neji dropped into his.

"This fight . . . will not be like the others. I will kill you if the chance presents itself." Robin remarked coldly. Neji glared at her.

"You are the one that should worry. You bow down and do as your told, not caring about yourself at all. You are just like every other Branch Family." Robin was coming towards him the second 'begin' left Yoko's mouth. Robin took a swipe with the Naginata as Neji aimed a kick towards her legs. Neji was surprised when Robin easily leapt off the ground and kept her movements smooth and quick.

"Tenshi," Toshiko turned to Tenshi.

"Hai?" Toshiko smiled.

"Tenshi, I am afraid that you have to prepare everyone's things. I fear my predictions have almost come true." Tenshi had a grim look on her face as she stood.

"Hai." Tenshi knelt in front of Toshiko. "Toshiko-sama, thank you for placing your trust in me. I will miss you, Toshiko-chan." Toshiko leaned forward alittle as Tenshi kissed her cheek. "Farewell." Tenshi disappeared from sight. Toshiko turned to Setsuko as she stood by the doorway.

"You know what to do." Setsuko nodded and left. The old woman turned to Kakashi. "Kakashi, I will tell you exactly how to bring her back. But first, we must talk."

Yoko smirked as Robin's movements flowed together, almost as if it was some dance. Neji had narrowly missed losing his head several times.

"She will kill him if she decides to live up to her nickname." Masaru muttered. Yoko turned her eyes to him.

"I know." She looked back to Robin to see the girl standing. "That's my girl." Yoko whispered. 'Show them that you will never bow down as some weakling.'

"Neji-chan, you're failures in your duties have reached my ears. I will no longer allow you to live. I no longer wish to warm up. Now we fight with everything we have." Robin removed her hat and jacket, throwing them to the side. The girl's jacket was gone, revealing the sleek muscle it hid. She slide into a different stance. Neji glared at her before getting back into his stance.

"Hmph, I wish to see if you are indeed destined to stay under the control of the main family like some dog." Robin's eyes hardened before she charged. She swiped up and twisted around as Neji dodged. She threw out a kick to Neji's feet, causing the boy to leap into the air. Robin wasted no time in jumping up into air with the Naginata twirling above her head. She brought it down upon Neji's head quickly before he could move his hands.