Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. These aren't the droids you're looking for.

DYNAMIKKU UPPUDATO! This was sure a quick one huh? I wrote the whole thing out Sunday night and Monday afternoon. Hope it's suitable.

TVO: Looks that way, don't it? (Grins evilly) Don't worry, 'bout the Naru-Hina stuff, more coming around ch. 19-20, with more in ch 21, and yet more in Ch 23-24. I won't let you starve entirely, my friend. I'm on an action bender. Just this fight and the one after it and the exam is officially over. then you'll get to see some more fluffiness...I hope. It will come in time. You have my solemn oath that I will never write shounen-ai or yaoi, on my honor as a college-age male.

Aw, heck, just for those of you who need some NaruHina, there's a little this chapter. Hooray for Zoidberg! Woop-woop-woop-woop-woop-woop-woop!

Dragon Man 180: I like fire, but to tell the truth, it's my weakest, followed by earth. I'm strongest in water and lightning, with a healthy heaping of darkness.

LittleShadow: Yeah, did I not tell everyone to expect quick updates for a while? As to Kiba being a dog-loving infidel, I'm a die-hard cat person. Kiba also sometimes seems too abrasive, and he's the biggest male threat to NaruHina. I do like him sometimes, if he's properly dealt with, and stays away from Hinata (glares). I've lived with cats all my life. One of the hardest things about college is no big furry pets. Dogs are mostly cool, but their too horrifyingly violent. Blame my neighbor's dog Buddha for that. Bastard nearly ripped off my hand. And my other neighbor's little runt Sassy, who used to chase me up and down hills.

Great Saiyaman: Now that was a review. I need to do more planning for Neji. I need to give him more fights, as so far I haven't planned too many.

Chapter 18: Black Clouds Gather: Shikamaru vs. Edo

Edo sighed, his eyes still on the clouds. He made no move to attack.

Shikamaru was still cloudwatching as well. "The clouds are nice, huh?"

"Definitely."

"Looks like it might rain."

"That's good, isn't it?"

"Not really. Rain just makes everything more troublesome."

"If you say so," murmurred Edo distantly. "Want to start?"

"Gimme a minute."

"They're just watching the clouds," Naruto sighed.

"That guy has no initiative," Sakura said sadly from where she was tending to Raina.

"That's for sure," Temari agreed, wincing.

Naruto cupped his hands and took a deep breath.

"HOY, SHIKAMARU! Snap out of it, you lazy bastard!"

Shikamaru made a rude gesture in Naruto's direction without even looking at him.

"Looks like someone's impatient," Edo noted, lowering his head.

"He's always like that."

"I'll keep that in mind," Edo bent his legs, bringing his nekode claws into a ready position. "Let's start, I'm done watching the clouds."

Shikamaru's eyes flicked downwards. "Heh."

Edo burst into motion, charging at Shikamaru with his body low to the ground.

"I'll make this quick!" Edo leapt forward. He held his claws forward, angled inward to make one brutal point. He spun his body at a rapid rate. Edo had also apparently performed a quick jutsu, which caused his him to be surrounded by water, slashing winds, and arcing electricity.

"Neko Ryuu: Amagumo Kiri (Cat Style: Rain Cloud Drill)!"

Shikamaru dodged quickly to the side, receiving several small cuts from the wind, and a mild shock from the electricity as Edo spun by him. Edo ended his attack in a forward roll, then sprang back towards Shikamaru. Shikamaru drew a pair of kunai, warding off the his larger opponent's quick slashes and thrusts.

Hinata blinked. "That attack looks a little like something Kiba-kun would do."

Kakashi, who was behind her, explained. "That's because he's from Kumogakure's Nekoarashi clan. They were basically the feline equivalent of Konoha's Inuzuka clan. Their feline style of Taijutsu has some elements in common with the Inuzuka's, but it focuses less on brute force and more on speed."

"You said they...were the feline equivalent?"

"They were thought to have been wiped out," Hiashi interjected. "Over twelve years ago, during a period of internal struggle against the Raikage, nearly the entire clan was destroyed."

"There were few survivors. A few became missing-nin. The rest pledged their services to the Raikage," Kakashi continued. "This Edo, he can't have been more then six or seven at the time. That's gotta leave you with some inner demons."

"Otou-san?" Hinata asked cautiously.

"What is it, Hinata?"

"Ano..." Hinata hesitated. "I-I was wondering if I could take Naruto-kun some medicinal salve. He'll be in the finals next and he'll need all his strength."

Hiashi looked at her, then nodded. "Yes I suppose that makes sense. Don't take too long."

"H-hai!" Hinata hurried away. Neji smirked.


Damn it, Shikamaru cursed inwardly. His kunai clashed repeatedly with Edo's claws, making horrible screeching sounds. He's too fast. There's no time to use any techniques.

Edo pressed in. He scythed and leapt like some sort of oversized cat. His green and black feline mask seemed to be almost smiling. Shikamaru gave a smile of his own. He had an idea. Not the best idea ever, but it would do. All he had to do was get some distance between him and Edo.

Edo's claws jabbed forward simultaneously, aiming to disable Shikamaru's arms. Shikamaru fell back, dropping himself underneath his opponent. Dropping the kunai, he grabbed Edo's wrists and planted a foot in Edo's stomach, and in one smooth motion flipped the former Cloud shinobi over, throwing him a good distance away. Unprepared, Edo was unable to catch himself properly and he slid harshly across the gravel and into the wall. Shikamaru stood, drawing several kunai. He began throwing the accurately. Edo blocked and dodged the missles.

Shikamaru then drew several special kunai. These were special in that they had very thin yet sturdy wire attached to the non-business end. He threw the first. Edo agilely sidestepped, letting the kunai whistle past. The smirk didn't leave Shikamaru's face as he threw several more kunai, which Edo dodged with little effort.

When the last kunai was thrown, Shikamaru stepped back, bringing his hands before his face. Edo tensed, confused because he couldn't see Shikamaru's shadow, then he noticed one of the wires. Edo realized what Shikamaru was up to.

"Damn!" Edo slashed his claws around him at a very high rate of speed, severing all of the wires. He hopped away, sure to stay out of the range of Shikamaru's shadow.

"I thought you'd be a dangerous opponent," Edo told Shikamaru. "Very clever, using those wires to hide the approach of your shadow."

"Thanks, that's a good job figuring that out. You're pretty dangerous yourself."

Edo seemed sad. "You have no idea."

Edo placed his palms together. "I'll have to be careful if I want to avoid any complications," he performed several seals. "Hitoshirenu Izumi no jutsu (Hidden Spring Technique)."

The shinobi dropped his palms to the ground. All over the arena, small geysers erupted briefly, then suddenly stopped.

"Looks like you're trying to get some water. You thirsty or something?" Shikamaru called to his opponent.

"Kirigakure no jutsu (Hidden Mist technique)." A heavy mist began to descend over the entire area, obscuring everything. Shikamaru couldn't see anything that his opponent was doing.

"This technique," Nhaki said to Nameless. "It brings back memories."

Shikmaru kneeled down, bringing his fingers together. It was time to think.


Naruto wrinkled his nose at the mist, squinting intently.

"Can't see a damn thing."

"Ano...Naruto-kun?" came a voice.

"Ack!" Naruto jumped. "Oh, it's you, Hinata-chan! Come to congratulate me?" he gave his fox grin.

Hinata flushed. "Yes, of, of course. Congratulations," she smiled. She looked at his hand. "I brought you some salve."

"Eh?"

Hinata opened the salve and proferred it to him. "For your injuries."

Naruto glanced at his left hand. "All right." He reached out, taking the salve. Hinata blushed as Naruto's hand touched hers. Naruto looked at Hinata's face.

She looks...nice. Naruto blushed a little himself at the thought. To take his mind off it, he applied some of the salve to the deep cut on his hand.

"Thanks, Hinata-chan. That's better."

Hinata nodded.

From where she lay, Miihen Raina, stirred and woke. Groaning, she removed her mask, blinking her grey eyes in confusion. "What-?"

Sakura turned. "Oh, you're awake!"

"Where's Edo?'

"He's in the arena."

Raina got unsteadily to her feet. Picking up her both of her tonfa from where Edo had left them after bringing her up, she made her way to the railing. She looked sadly at the mist-filled arena.

"Ne, you look like you could use some of this salve," Naruto told her. "You too Temari."

Raina accepted the salve, gazing at it appraisingly.

"Don't worry, Hinata-chan made it. She's great with medicine and healing."

Hinata fidgeted at the compliment.

Raina applied some salve. "Excellent." She passed it to Temari, then turned back to the arena.

"I remember the last time you gave me some of this stuff," mused Naruto. "It was the Chuunin exam, after I beat up Kiba..."

"I remember."

"A lot's happened since then. Everyone's changed." Naruto turned to her. "But you know something? Some things never change." He smiled widely again.

"No," Hinata said softly. "Some things never do."

Like the way I feel about you, she thought.

"I, I'd better go. Good luck, Naruto-kun!" Hinata quickly took her leave.

Naruto watched her go, a bemused expression on his face.


I've seen how fast that guy moves, and there's no way I could catch him in the shadow bind without catching him off guard. He's already seen my Kage Kagami technique, so he's probably ready to deal with that. Guess I'll have to pull that other little trump card.

Shikamaru opened his eyes. If this works I'll have to thank Pops for teaching me that move.

Shikamaru stood, his ears straining for a clue as to Edo's location. He heard a slight scuffling in front of him, then a shout.

"Suihyoudan no jutsu (Water Panther Projectile)!" A roaring torrent of water struck Shikamaru cleanly, slamming him backwards across the arena floor.

He got to one knee as another voice from the left said quietly. " Hofukurai no jutsu (Crawling Lightning)."

Shikamaru pushed off one leg, leaping to the right. He skidded to a stop as a half-dozen lightning bolts leaped disjointedly across the earth. The attack was dangerous enough, but the water on the ground increased the lethality exponentially. Shikamaru found a dry patch.

"Safe."

Shikamaru suddenly detected motion behind him. Ducking down, he performed a quick technique. "Kage Natsume no jutsu (Shadow Thorn)!" Several sharp spikes erupted from his shadow, stabbing backwards swiftly. Shikamaru glanced over his shoulder and saw that he had impaled Nekoarashi Edo through the torso and neck. Edo shuddered, then his body turned to water and sloughed off.

"Damn, a mizu bunshin!" Shikamaru hissed. Looking quickly around, he did not see the bunshin reform itself into Edo. Edo attacked, kneeing Shikamaru swiftly in the back, who evading the swing of the claws that followed. Edo leapt after Shikamaru, claws out. Shikamaru intercepted him, grabbing Edo's fists. The claws dug slightly into his knuckles.

Edo leaned in close. His black and blond hair framed his masked face. "Matching strength with me is a losing battle."

Shikamaru smiled. Then spat something towards Edo's throat. Edo jerked away, and the needle whistled past him. Shikamaru used the distraction to redirect Edo's hands and grab a pair of Kunai. Throwing them upwards, Shikamaru smiled as Edo leapt straight up into the air to avoid them.

He's off guard.

"Gotcha," Shikamaru informed Edo, forming seals. "Kage Tebukuro no jutsu (Shadow Glove)!"

Shikamaru's shadow pulsed, then rose, forming the shape of a large fist. It hovered over Shikamaru's shoulder like a sentient thing. Shikamaru made a quick gesture towards his airborne opponent, and the shadow lashed upwards and wrapped itself around Edo.

"What the hell?"

Shikamaru brought his hand down quickly. The shadow came back to earth at high speed, taking Edo with it.

CRASH!

Shikamaru quickly released the technique, then brought his hands together. That technique was very draining, and he didn't want to hold it any longer than was neccessary. His shadow returned to the ground, then stretched towards the dazed Edo.

"Kage mane no jutsu successful."

Edo breathed heavily. If his face had been visible, it would surely have had an incredulous expression on it.

"A bit haphazard, wasn't it?" Edo asked him.

"Not my best work, but still, it's hard to beat the element of surprise."

Edo stood still, then raised his claws hands to his sides as Shikamaru did the same.

"Surrender," the Leaf-nin said, making Edo press his claws against his sides.

"What are you doing...stop!" Edo growled. He seemed to be concentrating. His breath began to plume before him. Crystals of ice began forming around his feet.

Shikamaru pressed his fists in, then pulled them with a quick motion. Edo made a pair of fairly deep slashes along his torso, breaking his concentration. He now held the bloody claws before him, his breath coming in ragged gasps.

He spoke now, in a deeper, growling voice. "Insolent."

Then, to Shikamaru's shock, Edo brought his arms in, fighting the Kage Mane. Slashing his arms to the side, he dispelled the technique, releasing a powerful burst of wind as he did. The thick mist was blown completely away, revealing the sky, now filled with black storm clouds.

A black mist began to emanate from the shinobi now. "You meddle in the shadows, not knowing what you'll disturb."

Violent green electricity began crawling and leaping across Edo's body. The ground around him seemed to crack. "A storm is coming, one that will end you...GRAAAH!" Edo clutched his head in pain, stumbling.

"Get...away!" Edo said in a more normal yet strained tone. "No!"

Nazo and Maiyuu were on their feet.

"Is it happening?"

"No, Edo's still fighting...but I can feel the Kaiin (Mystery Seal, see chapter 8) pulsing from here. We'd better hope Edo can calm down soon." Nazo brought his staff up. "Be ready."

Edo roared again and crouched. Suddenly he vanished, appearing behind Shikamaru and slamming his head into the small of Shikamaru's back. As Shikamaru stumbled forward, Edo struck again, appearing in front and unleashing a powerful elbow.

"Suffer..." snarled Edo, kicking Shikamaru twice in the stomach.

Edo was a blur, striking Shikamaru from every conceivable angle. He was not striking with his claws, focusing instead on his legs and elbows. He shoulder barged Shikamaru, driving him backwards into an upwards kick that threw him into the air. Edo leapt above Shikamaru, knocking him towards the earth with a heel drop. Suddenly, he was on the ground, batting Shikamaru into the wall with his forearm.

"And..."

Shikamaru leaned against the wall. Even breathing was painful. Edo was now fifty feet away.

"DIE!" Edo roared, charging straight towards his opponent like a green and black comet. His claws were perfectly placed to take Shikamaru in the throat and stomach.

Naruto and his friends gaped.

"Get out of the way!" Naruto called. "SHIKAMARU!"

"NO!" Temari shouted.

Edo flinched, his step faltering slightly. Even so, he plowed into Shikamaru, driving the Leaf-nin several inches into the wall. A cloud of dust rose, and the sound of crackling electricity was in the air. The black mist and green lightning receded. Edo stepped back, gently laying Shikamaru down. He had managed to shift his claws so as to avoid piercing Shikamaru's throat and gut, instead driving Shikamaru into the wall with a double palm to the face and stomach. That was too close.

Shikamaru was still slightly concious.

"I'm sorry," Edo told him. "This was a mistake. Nazo was right, I shouldn't have come."

Shikamaru looked at him. "That hurt."

"I know, but at least you're not permanently damaged. Just get that medic teammate of yours to look at you and you'll be fine." Edo sighed. "I was such a fool. It was all I could to to keep from impaling you. I apologize again."

The proctor's voice cut in. "Winner: Nekoarashi Edo."

"Do you wan't to go to the viewing area, or should I letthe Stone medicstake you?"

"Take me up. I want to see Naruto beat you senseless."

Edo laughed softly. "I'll take you up."

"...thanks," Shikamaru said weakly.

Edo leaned down and picked up his defeated opponent, walking carefully towards the stairs.

"What the hell did you do to him!" the blond ninja yelled as Edo brought Shikamaru back to the viewing area.

"I brought him back," he said simply. He took the battered shinobi over to Sakura. " 'nother patient for you."

Sakura looked at him apprehensively, then took Shikamaru and took a look at him.

Edo flicked his gaze to Raina. He nodded slightly, then turned to the rest of them.

"Sorry about the trouble. I'll be going now," he started to walk away.

"Just a minute, damn it!" Naruto moved to block his path. "Where the hell do you think you're going?"

"Away. I almost completely lost myself down there. I can't risk it getting any further then that. I don't won't anyone here to die because of me."

"I wan't to fight you!" Naruto glared. "You hurt one of my friends and comrades...you think I'll just let you run away?" Naruto swung a fist towards Edo's mask. Edo caught the punch. His bearing changed. He cocked his head and seemed to be regarding Naruto curiously.

WHAM!

Naruto's other fist whipped around, striking Edo in the face. Edo stepped back, but still seemed to be thinking.

"All right," Edo decided. "I'll fight you. But I warn you, this is at your own risk. Whatever happens down there, you'd better be able to finish, understand?"

Naruto smiled fiercly, spinning on his heel and looking back over his shoulder. "I finish everything I start."

"For your sake, I hope so."


"Do you not see, everyone?" Kurohigure sounded amused. "I told you this would be entertaining."

"I never saw him do anything like that when I was still in Kumogakure," Zeka scratched her head.

"Who is he?" Aira queried.

Kurohigure gave no answer.


"It's time for the final match of the exam!" Yashiko's voice echoed. "Uzumaki Naruto versus. Nekoarashi Edo. Both of these shinobi have put on quite a show during this tournament, so I suspect we're in for an exciting finale!"

Edo gazed balefully at the spot where the Raikage sat.

"Damn you, Ryouji. For everything."

With a crack of thunder, the black clouds opened up. The rain began to fall heavily. Edo raised his face to the crying heavens and spread his arms wide. The tattoos on his arms stood out darkly on his pale skin.

"Are you ready?"

Naruto nodded shortly.

"Begin."

Next Chapter: Duel in the Rain: Naruto vs Edo

It is time for the final match of the Dragon Exam. Uzumaki Naruto vs. Nekoarashi Edo.

I know most were suspecting that, but it's not the destination, it's the journey, right? (sighs) Time for the big fight. I've been working and planning Naruto and Edo's fight for a while now, so I hope you like it (To tell the truth, Naruto vs. Edo was one of the first parts of the story I planned). This should be entertaining.