Growing Up…
The Second Exam! Ninja Tag Team Action!
"Hokage-sama, what do we do about Shitaru Keisuke?"
"We watch him, that's all we really can do, he is right. He technically didn't break any rules. We must allow him to continue in the competition," Tsunade sighed softly as she looked back over her shoulder slowly, out to the roaring crowd, awaiting the beginning of the second examination.
The death of Akimichi seemed to have already been long forgotten by these people. The Chuunin Exams must continue no matter what happens.
"Hokage-sama, all the remaining competitors have arrived and are ready. We should begin,"
Tsunade nodded softly as she turned, stepping out into the light, looking over the thousands, to her left Mizukage, to her right Kazekage. She rose her arms slowly to quiet the crowd before every person in that stadium turned their attention to her.
"As every great ninja knows, you can not anticipate a thing in battle. You must also have adaptability, you never know who is your ally and who is your enemy in battle. That is why for the second exam, our board will randomly choose two people. These two people will team up together and fight as one against a second team of randomly chosen partners. The winners of each match will advance to the final examination. We will now randomly choose out teams…."
The board lit up, the names of the remained 12 fighters scrambling and shuffling. After nearly three minutes, the board went black before the first match-up was displayed.
"Aburame Shino and Gaara of The Sand vs. Inuzuka Kiba and Hyuuga Hanabi! Will both teams please make their way to the field!"
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Hanabi smiled lightly as she glanced to Gaara… finally a true battle, and against one of the strongest and feared nins known to the world, a true test of her power. All her training would come to a head today…
"Kiba-kun" Shino spoke lightly as he leaned against the wall, his arms crossed over his chest as he peered to his teammate over the rims of his glasses. "I won't go easy on you…"
Kiba smiled as he looked over to the insect user. "Neither will I,"
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The two teams stood before the roaring crowd, half the crowd fully behind the desert demon, the other for the prodigy of the Hyuuga Clan. Hanabi grinned to herself as she stood proudly, looking over the crowd with confidence.
Shino stood unmoving beside Gaara, his hands buried in his pockets as his eyes shifted toward the sand demon. They were so much alike in their demeanor. Both of them stood there, nonchalantly and calm.. Where as a drop of sweat already ran down Kiba's face.
"Don't worry Shino-kun… I think we have an understanding. We will pass this with ease. My sands will handle our defense… your insects can handle out offense. Correct?" Gaara spoke lowly as he stood beside Shino. Shino nodded lightly.
"If that is the way you want to handle this,"
"BEGIN"
Kiba leapt from his readied stance at Shino, fist curled tightly. Sand rose up before Shino, Kiba's hand finding nothing but warm dry sand corroding his flesh slowly, he pulled back slowly, running his fist.
"Moron! I'll handle this," Hanabi sighed as he dashed at Gaara, leaping forth with a high roundhouse, a crash of sand and flesh was the only contact made. Spinning around, she threw in a high forearm, again sand rose from her strike. Remaining air born, she used the temporary wall of sand to kick off from, flipping back into her readied stance. "Dammit… I thought I was fast enough to beat it,"
"Lee and Sasuke are the only ones who I've ever seen beat the speed of Gaara's sand. There is no real chance in fighting it," Kiba growled lightly as a sudden yelp cried through the arena.
Kiba turned quickly to see Akamaru at his feet… thousands of beetles covered the small dog's body, pinching and stinging it all at once. More and more insects approached Kiba and Hanabi.
Hanabi cried out softly as she brushed a beetle from her arm. Stomping madly, crushing what bugs she could before the came closer and closer, slowly consuming her legs. Crawling and clawing at her flesh as they began to sting and climb her body. "Kiba, help me!"
Growling Kiba reaching into his pocket, leaping from the ground, he popped a solider pill into his mouth, activating his Beast Imitation he dove at Shino. "I'll get you this time!"
His hands open, fingers pointed outward as sharp claws formed. The sand rose, inches from Shino's face as Kiba's attack was held back. A deeper louder growl rose from Kiba's lungs as he pulled his hand back, again he drove his hand into the sands once more. Clawing and scraping through, he drove his claws in once more.
Shino stumbled back as claws slashed along his face… his sunglasses shattered as they fell to ground. Regaining his balance, dark gray eyes stared to Kiba angrily.
Kiba grinned as he planted his feet into the ground, Shino's beetles slowly crawling up his legs. It wasn't long before the rose up to Kiba's chest, from head to toe the bugs covered him. All stinging seemingly at once, Kiba cried out in pain.. His legs shaking and he struggled to stand, he smirked lightly.
"I'm sorry Shino, I couldn't let this fight end before I got atleast one hit in," Finally as another cry of pain rang through the arena, he feel face first into the grass. Joining Hanabi in an unconscious slumber. The match was over.
"Winners! Aburame Shino and Gaara Of The Sand"
Gaara smirked lightly as he looked to Shino. "Worked just as I planned… good job, Shino-kun,"
"Yes, that was easier then I thought it would be, Gaara-san. I wish you luck in the next exam," Turning slowly, Shino closed his eyes, slipping his hands back into his pockets as he began his way back up to the fighter's lounge.
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Hinata bit her lip softly as she looked down to her fallen little sister as the bugs slowly left her body. Her eyes fell as she scanned the room quickly for Naruto. If Hanabi was defeated so quickly, what was to happen to her?
"The next match up has been decided!"
"Haruno Sakura and Kankurou vs. Tanaka Mamimi and Rock Lee! Will both teams make their way to the field!"
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Yes, I know, short chapter. It's late a night, I haven't slept, I wanted to get match one over with, lol. Anyway, next chapter will be better.
Chapter 13: Love and War! Sakura and Lee, Kankurou and Mamimi!