Kuwabara: dare I say here comes another chapter to the fans

KP: If you really want to

IPF: It's not like it's not already on everyone's mind yet

KP: Yeah anyways I think you guys may get disappointed with this chapter because it's probably not what you're expecting

No Guts No Glory Chapter 21

Kakashi looked back at his fighters to see them all injured and exhausted. Kakashi jumped up into the stands where Tsunade was sitting. "Lady Hokage may I make a suggestion?" Kakashi asked and Tsunade nodded. "I think we should have the next round tomorrow" Kakashi said and Tsunade lost the color in her face.

"Why in the hell should we postpone the next round?" Tsunade asked

"Everyone who has fought is exhausted or injured they need a day to recover" Kakashi replied "If given that they can perform tomorrow at their full potential"

"But the people who have come today wanted to see the best fights that the leaf has to offer" Tsunade protested

"And they did" Kakashi said in defense "When was the last time you saw fights as intense as that?"

"It's only gonna get more intense" Tsunade stated

"Yes and it's an even bigger reason for the people to come" Kakashi said

"Fine Kakashi you win one day to rest and tomorrow we will have the next round" Tsunade responded "You can make the announcement"

Kakashi nodded and jumped down to the arena. He walked over to the secluded area where the fighters were resting up. "You guys go home now" Kakashi stated "you'll need the rest for tomorrow"

The group stood up and nodded. One by one they all left the secluded area and went to their family and friends. Naruto jumped up into the stands along with Neji and Lee. They were all battered and bruised but they managed to put on smiles for the group. "Hey didn't Hinata come?" Naruto asked "She told me she was gonna make it"

"We haven't seen her Naruto" Sakura said "She should be here soon"

"Doesn't matter the fighting is done for today" Lee said "You'll just have to meet her back at the hospital"

"What why?" Aki asked puzzled

"Because we need a day to recover after a round as intense as that" Neji responded as he sat down next to Sayuri. "Hello precious" Neji said smiling

"Hello Neji" Sayuri responded blushing before he claimed her lips with his own.

"Ahh young love it's in the air" Lee joked and Neji responded with his middle finger while still kissing Sayuri "Well that's not very nice"

"Forget it I have to go" Naruto said as he ran out of the arena

"I wonder how he recovers so quickly" Aki said thinking aloud

"I think we all do at one point" Gaara said pulling her closer to him and kissing the top of her head.

Ken stood in front of his wife and three children smirking. "So what do you think of your dad now?" Anna just giggled and Shiro laughed. But Jin hugged his father's leg tightly.

"You're the best one out there dad!" Jin said loudly

"Yeah look Rin I am gonna have to See you both later tonight" Ken said "trust me on this there is something I have to take care of"

"Sure I trust you does it have to do with our little visitor?" Rin asked with hinting eyes and Ken nodded "please Ken, be careful"

"I'm always careful" Ken said smirking as he left the area.

Meanwhile

Hinata was waking up from her afternoon nap and she looked at the clock. 'Shit I have to get out of here and to the arena.' Hinata thought as she hopped out of bed. She ran out the door and down the hall and right into…Naruto. "HEY!" she exclaimed "Wait if you're here then the exams must be over which means you won, which means you beat them quickly, WAIT! It couldn't have ended that quickly which means you lost, which means its all my fault oh I'm sorry Naruto!"

Naruto smirked and held his hands up "Don't worry nothing is your fault"

"Which means you did lose" Hinata groaned

"No I didn't" Naruto said

"Then you did win" Hinata said happily "So how did you beat them so quickly?"

"I didn't" Naruto said

"I am confused" Hinata said "What happened?"

"The first round finished and they postponed the remaining fights to tomorrow" Naruto said "And before you ask I fought Shikamaru in the first round and defeated him"

"So they didn't finish the finals?" Hinata asked and Naruto shook his head. Hinata walked over to him and hugged him tightly. "I'm sorry I didn't make it" She whispered into his chest.

Naruto began to stroke her hair holding her tightly "Its okay you've been in the hospital" Naruto soothed her "I shouldn't let you out of bed anyways"

"Hey don't say that" Hinata said "I need to get out of this place"

"No you need to rest" Naruto said leading her back to her room

"You're just being mean" Hinata pouted

"Tell you what I'll cut you a deal" Naruto said grinning "You take another nap and I'll stop by tonight and we'll go out somewhere sound good?" Hinata nodded eagerly "Good I'll be back in a few hours and I'll bring you some street clothes"

"Could you do me a favor?" Hinata asked and Naruto nodded "Could you have Hanabi bring my clothing? No offense Naruto but you don't know what would be appropriate for me to wear"

"That's because everything makes you look beautiful" Naruto said smirking and Hinata blushed "I'll see you tonight" Naruto headed out the door. Naruto ran out of the room and down the hall. When Naruto reached the elevator he saw Sakura, Ino, and Akio getting off each holding a bouquet of daisies. "Hey what are you guys doing here?" Naruto asked

"We're here to see Shikamaru and Sasuke" Ino said holding up her flowers "How's Hinata?"

"She's fine she just needs some rest so please leave her alone until tonight" Naruto pleaded

"Why what's happening tonight?" Sakura asked

"We're going out" Naruto said grinning before asking "Where is Gaara anyways?"

"He's downstairs" Aki said blushing a little "He said he didn't like hospitals but as long as we were in the leaf he wasn't going to leave my side"

"Huh I think I'll say hi" Naruto said and hopped in the elevator as everyone else hopped out "See ya later"

Naruto waited until the elevator stopped and Naruto walked out to see Gaara leaning against the wall without his usual Kazekage attire. Just his old outfit. His arms were crossed and eyes closed. "Hey Naruto" Gaara said softly "just wait a second and I'll tell you all something"

"All?" Naruto asked "what do you mean?" Just then Neji, Sayuri, Lee and Tenten all walked in "Oh well that explains it then"

"What's going on?" Lee asked

"That's what I want to know" Naruto said waiting for Gaara to say something

Gaara's Eyes snapped open and they all noticed something. The dark rings that usually hung around his eyes were gone. "I have something that will interest you all"

"And that is?" Neji asked with his eyebrow raising

"The winner of the tournament will be awarded a very special opportunity" Gaara said smirking

"And that is?" Neji asked yet again

"The winner will fight me" Gaara said smiling "Which means if Naruto wins I'll get the rematch I've been waiting for"

Naruto smirked "That sounds like fun. But I'll still kick your ass" Naruto said throwing his fist into the air.

"Aren't you forgetting something Naruto?" Neji asked "You have to get past me"

"And then past me" Lee said doing his nice guy pose "I will win the tournament and I will fight you again Gaara and this time I will win!"

"Your skills have improved Lee but I don't think that you'll beat Naruto or myself so keep dreaming" Gaara said "Then again last time I underestimated you and you nearly beat me so maybe I shouldn't be talking"

"Hey there is an idea" Lee said laughing "This is gonna be fun" Everyone else sweat dropped anime style.

A few hours later

Up in the hospital room Hinata was sleeping soundlessly. She didn't notice the man holding a Kunai walk in the room. Kabuto had walked in the hospital disguised as a doctor to get to Hinata's room and finish the job he started.

Kabuto raised the Kunai above his head and aimed to stab Hinata but a Shuriken knocked the Kunai out of his hands. Kabuto turned to the window to see a shadowy figure standing on the window sill. "You are beginning to become a bother you know" Kabuto said

"I thought I already told you this young one is under my protection and as long as I am here you wont touch her" The figure said

"Listen old man I don't care what you say I made my attempt at the second test what makes you think I wont try again and again" Kabuto said

"Because I know how weasels work. They only attack if their opponents are weaker than them and they have a sure chance of winning." The figure replied his eyes glowing in the night and his fanglike teeth glistening. His right eye was Silver and his left was Hazel Green. The figure jumped off of the window and took a step towards Kabuto.

"Listen Ken if you keep this up you will be dealt with by me and my master" Kabuto said in a dark tone

"Ooh I'm really scared if I don't back off then Orichamaru will get me. Jeez why not threaten me with the boogeyman while your at it" Ken mocked grinning his wolf-like smile "the problem is with people like you Kabuto is you rarely back up your words"

"You will see me back up my words soon" Kabuto said

"Why wait" Ken asked taking another deadly step towards Kabuto "You realize that your in deep shit right now and there is no way I am gonna let you get away without a fight"

"Fine do you want to fight right here and now?" Kabuto asked "Or on the roof in thirty seconds?"

"You got twenty go!" Ken said and Kabuto hopped out the window and began to run up the side of the hospital with Ken right behind him. Kabuto reached the roof and jumped to the middle of it trying to get a field advantage. As soon as Ken reached the roof he charged Kabuto where he stood. Ken hit Kabuto with several fast paced blows all over his upper torso with his Urufu-Ryu (Wolf Style). Kabuto flew back several feet and smashed into the edge of the hospital where the cement guard rail was. "Come on get up" Ken said "I'm just getting warmed up"

Kabuto stood and regained his composure. He took a defensive stance. Ken charged again and aimed a leg sweep at Kabuto's shins with his left leg. Kabuto jumped into the air but Ken recovered and rotated his body smashing his right heel in Kabuto's gut with both of his hands on the ground. Kabuto gasped and coughed up some blood. Then Ken twisted his leg around again and kicked Kabuto in the chin with his left foot while balancing all of his weight on his hands. Kabuto fell onto the ground again.

Ken grabbed Kabuto's shirt and yanked him to his feet. Ken smirked at Kabuto and hit him in the gut with his right fist. Kabuto doubled over in pain but Ken whipped his entire body around and planted his elbow in Kabuto's face breaking his nose. Kabuto fell onto his rear again. "Aww did I break your nose?" Ken mocked "Too bad I missed those glasses"

Kabuto was looking at Ken with something he had never looked at anyone before. Fear. Not even when he met Orichamaru was he ever afraid. He had never been this scared in a fight. He knew it was because Ken had the intention to kill and could do it anytime he wanted. Kabuto flowed the chakra into his hands and they began to glow with a light blue aura surrounding them. "It wont matter if a I paralize you"

"oh I already know your little nerve trick and you're a damn fool if you think you'll even touch me" Ken said and took a step foreword. Kabuto aimed a right hook with his glowing fist and Ken ducked it and twisted his body around ramming his elbow in his chest hard. Kabuto stepped back and Ken kicked Kabuto in the chin with his heel sending him flailing.

Kabuto stood again and tried to form seals to attack Ken. Too late Ken was a bit faster than him and hit him with his own seals far faster. "Urufu houkou bakufuu batsu no jutsu!"( Wolf Howl Blast Strike) Ken shouted and opened his mouth. A cylinder of wind exploded out of Ken's mouth creating a horizontal cyclone and it smashed into Kabuto's chest first sending him into the air then crashing him back down onto the roof. Then through the roof! Kabuto crashed down three floors down through a medical bed before the jutsu finally let up. Kabuto felt his entire body broken into small pieces and then he saw Ken drop down through the hole and stand over Kabuto. "Get up. I'm not done with you yet" Ken said in a cold voice

Kabuto realized then and there that he was going to die. Ken grabbed him by the shirt and yanke dhim to his feet yet again and growled his wolf like growl bearing his fangs. "I'm not going to kill you but you are going to deliver a message to Orichamaru for me" Ken growled and Kabuto nodded nervously "Good doggy. Now I want you to tell Orichamaru that the Uzumaki's are no longer under Iruka's protection their under mine and that goes along with all future family. You screw with Hinata or Naruto again and you will both pay dearly"

Ken dropped Kabuto and he scrambled out the door. A group of nurses and doctors were making their way to the area of the wreckage. Ken sighed and dove out of a window. Shortly after he reached his home and walked in to see his wife rocking his youngest child Anna to sleep. Ken walked over and kissed Rin on the top of her head gently. "So did you take care of business?" Rin asked "You know you could have your cousin do the job"

"Iruka isn't strong enough to screw around with them and you know it" Ken said "The duty has been passed on to me and one day my son will protect the Fourths family"

"Unless it becomes the sixths family" Rin said smiling

"If that kid does become the next Hokage I will laugh my ass off but until then we need to rest up" Ken said yawning "Do you think I could get some company tonight?" Ken said this smirking

"Jin is right in the next room" Rin said nervously

"Has that ever stopped us before?" Ken asked playfully and kissed his wife full on the lips.

"Nope I guess not" Rin said "I'll join you in a second"

'YES! Score one for the home team' Ken thought and headed to his bedroom.

Meanwhile

Naruto was standing with the rubble and where all hell had broken loose. 'there is no way in hell I am takin Hinata anywhere tonight' Naruto thought 'I better check up on her now'. Naruto walked away from the debris and into Hinata's room. He noticed she was still sleeping and Naruto decided to just sit in the chair next to hers and watch over her through the night "Good night Hinata" Naruto whispered in her ear and gripped her hand while sitting in the chair.

Morning came faster than usual and Naruto awoke to the sun beating on his eyes. He felt his entire body sore from sleeping on the chair. Naruto yawned and gently shook Hinata. Hinata stirred and sat up sleepily. "Is it time for our date Naruto?" Hinata asked tiredly.

"Naw its morning" Naruto said

"MORNING!!" Hinata shouted surprised and noticed the sun "Why didn't you wake me up?"

'I probably shouldn't tell her about the trouble last night' Naruto thought 'no point in worrying her' Naruto scratched his head and spoke "Well you just looked so peaceful sleeping it seemed a shame to wake you."

"You have to begin the next round of the Jounin Exams don't you?" Hinata asked and Naruto nodded "So then lets go"

The two headed out to the Arena together holding one anothers hand. Shortly after the two reached the arena and parted their separate ways. Naruto walked into the arena where Neji, Ken, and Lee were all waiting. Lee was warming up in the shadows with a series of kicks and punches so fast and rapid the pattern was impossible to see. Naruto sat down cross-legged and waited for something to happen. Suddenly they all heard Kakashi's voice "LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! WE SAHLL BEGIN THE NEXT ROUND OF THE TOURNAMENT!!!" Kakashi said and the crowd roared with approval "NEXT BOUT ROCK LEE VS.TYKEI KEN!" Both Ken and Lee stepped out of the shadows and into the light.

"May the best man win" Lee said to Ken

"I intend to" Ken responded heading to the middle of the ring "Listen Lee I have seen you fight and let me tell you something. You don't have what it takes to beat me and have another reason other than to boost my own pride to win this tournament."

"You may begin!" Kakashi said and the two warriors took a taijutsu stance.

-End of chapter 21

KP: So what did you guys think?

IPF: you guys have any predictions for the finals? Neji Vs. Lee? Ken Vs. Naruto? Lee Vs. Naruto? Or will it be Neji vs. Ken? And who will fight Gaara after winning the finals? What is Ken's reason for protecting Naruto and Hinata?

Kuwabara: Make a prediction take a guess. If anyone gets it they will get an early glimpse of the next chapter.

KP: There you have it take a guess on the finals