Sorry I haven't been good on my updates. It isn't writters block or lack of time, it's lack of work ethic. I've just been too lazy to write. Sorry. I'm going to try to write more but I can't make any promises, I'm probably one of the laziest people in the world. hehe

Chapter 26: Rematch

Before long Maemi could walk on his own. His mind had blocked out the pain from his shoulder. It had stopped bleeding and scabbed already, but it still hurt.

"Alright guys," Michiko said, "Were maybe a hundred yards from the tower. Expect traps from now on. More as we get closer."

Maemi and Jiro nodded and walked forward, followed by Michiko. A few yards in Maemi stopped. His eyes widened in shock.

"What's up?" Jiro asked.

"Cat… I smell cat… It's Neko," Maemi said.

Jiro and Michiko got ready. They froze for a moment. They knew that Neko would seek them out, even if she already had the two scrolls. It is a hatred based on the nature of they Bijyuus, a hate as old as time.

"I thought I smelt dog," a voice said. Neko walked out from the forest into the clearing were Maemi's team was. Senri and Akira stepped out after her.

"Is that blood I smell? Seems like you've gotten beaten pretty bad," Neko said, a sly smile on her face.

"All in good cause. We got what we needed," Maemi said.

"Keep this in mind Maemi. This exam is near it's end and we have no time to fight. We shall battle during the next exam. And I shall leave victorious," Neko said. She turned and walked back into the forest, Senri and Akira followed.

"Well that was strange," Jiro said.

"Yeah, but she's right. We need to hurry and get to the tower," Michiko said.

"Then let's go," Maemi said and started walking again.

It wasn't long until they were within feet of the tower. They were almost free from this retched forest. "We're almost there. I'm surprised we didn't run into anyone. I guess everyone's either dead, passed, or somewhere else," Jiro said.

"I'm not dead, but you three will," a voice said.

"Shit…" Maemi muttered. His shoulder had healed, but the memory brought pain to his shoulder again.

Yasuo and his team walked out from the forest. "You took our scroll. We'll take it back now. Yours as well."

"Same rules Yasuo," Maemi said. "You want it, you'll have to beat me."

"Again? Didn't I kick your ass hard enough last time?"

"I didn't tap into the powers of the Gobi then. This time I will," Maemi said, smiling. Yasuo grinned in his evil way.

"If your so eager to die so be it," Yasuo said. He charged into the battle. Maemi went to punch him but the sand blocked his punch.

"Damn it. Forgot about that," Maemi muttered under his breath. Yasuo laughed as he spun around, kicking Maemi on his back to the ground. Maemi spun on the ground, kicking Yasuo to trip him. He kicked the sand but the effect still worked.

"Damn you," Yasuo yelled.

"TETSU SOURAN NO JUTSU!" Maemi yelled, focusing the power on his hands again. He grinned at Yasuo on the ground.

"Damn," Yasuo muttered and pushed away.

"Five minutes Yasuo. This time I will beat you." This time Maemi charged Yasuo. His punches making contact with Yasuo. Occasionally Maemi would grab Yasuo by the arm to cause him pain and lose the ability to use it for a while. Maemi went to punch Yasuo one last time in the face, but his sand blocked it.

Damn it! Maemi thought, sweat dripping down his face, I was so close.

Yasuo grinned at Maemi. "Your five minutes are up. Looks like you couldn't beat me," He said. He spit blood from his mouth. "Say hello to Ichibi for me." Yasuo started the hand signs again. Maemi went to kick but the sand blocked.

"Shit," Maemi said and jumped away. Within moments the Ichibi was in control of Yasuo's body.

"Two times in one day. Today's my lucky day," Yasuo said.

Maemi went inside himself. To find the power of the Gobi. He needed this strength more then ever now. But he couldn't find it. Something was blocking the path to the Gobi's power.

"Damn," Maemi muttered, barely dodging one of Yasuo's punches. Michiko usually gets hurt when I get the Gobi's power. I wish I could figure out how to use it without hurting her. Maemi thought.

Maemi jumped over Yasuo as he charged again. Maemi's best bet right now was to just tire Yasuo out. But it could backfire and he could tire out before Yasuo did. It was a chance he would have to take if he planned on beating Yasuo.

Yasuo charged and Maemi dashed to the side. Yasuo had expected this and tripped him. Yasuo stepped on Maemi's chest, pressing all the air out of his lungs. "Die," Yasuo said, the sand spike forming on his hand again. He thrust it downward. Maemi didn't have the chance to perform the replacement jutsu. He didn't have the time to do anything. The last thing he remembered was the surrounding blackness.

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A blast of energy pushed Ichibi off Maemi. The sand seeming to dissolve off his hand. "What the?" Ichibi said. The body of Maemi stood. Chakra could literally be seen around his body. His hair rustled slightly from this immense power. Maemi grinned. His teeth were sharp now, his canines were longer then the other teeth.

"Ichibi, you've been wanting to see me?" the words came from Maemi's mouth, but it sounded a bit warped and deeper.

"Gobi, long time no see. No I have the pleasure of killing you like I almost did those centuries ago," Ichibi said.

"I don't think so," Gobi started. He then did the hands signs for a jutsu. "TETSU SOURAN NO JUTSU!"

Metal from around them flew towards Gobi. As the metal reached him it melted and surrounded his body. If it wasn't for the sand, Ichibi would be defenseless. Soon, Gobi had a full set of liquid armor.

"Five minutes enough for you?" Ichibi taunted.

"Why stop at five minutes? I'll toy with you for the full hour," Gobi said, an evil grin on Maemi's face.

"Um… Maemi! I mean Gobi! Um… we only have a half hour to get to the tower. So please, don't mess with him too much. We need to pass this exam," Michiko yelled.

Gobi growled at this order. "Your lucky your meaningful to my host." Gobi barked. He then turned to Ichibi. "Looks like five minutes will have to do." A lance formed around Maemi's arm. A sand lance formed around Yasuo's. Both bijyuus charged each other.

A blinding light filled the air. All went black for Gobi.

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Michiko watched the whole thing. Gobi and Ichibi had charged each other. Ichibi was outmatched. Since the sand lacked the iron it wasn't as strong as normal. Gobi's lance and sliced right through it. The tip of the lance grazed the side of Yasuo's head but still cut it. Gobi collapsed moments after Ichibi did.

Michiko and Jiro ran to Maemi's side. Michiko held Maemi's head in her lap. His eyes then flickered open. "Did… did I win?" he asked.

"You sure did. Now hurry up and stand so we can get to the tower," Michiko said.

Maemi stood up a few minutes later, brushing himself off. They all ran to the tower they were about to pass.

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The three of them hurried up the stairs of the tower. When they reached the top Jiro and Maemi opened their scrolls. "Summoning scroll, run!" Michiko yelled. They threw down their scrolls and ran to the other end of the room. Smoke rose from the scrolls and started to fill the room. When it cleared a woman stood there. She wore the leaf headband proudly around her neck.

She looked at them and dug her hand into a pocket. She took out a pocket watch and popped it open for a second, before closing it and putting it back in her pocket.

"You three lucked out," She said, "A moment latter and you all would have failed. Congratulations on passing the exam." She said with a slight smile. They could tell she could care less if they passed or not, she didn't want to be there at all.

Michiko jumped into Maemi's arms in glee. All three of them were overwhelmed with joy. They had come close to failing the exam twice. And now they were one steep closer to becoming Chuunin. After they calmed the Chuunin explained to them what it was to be a Chuunin. Then she told them that they had five minutes to get down to the stadium for further instructions from the Hokage. The Chuunin escorted them outside the gates of the Forest of Death and to their next challage.