A/N: Hey guys, I just checked the total reads on this story and OMG! THANK YOU SO MUCH for 5.5K reads even though my update time is so messed up. Honestly, you all are amazing! I love you all! Thank you.
Chapter 10
(Normal POV)
Two months passed since the prelims got over. The day of final stage of the chunin exams was finally here. Everyone was making their way to the stadium. All around people were talking about the exam, making bets on which candidate will win.
"YEAAAAHHHH! Let's do it!" A cheerful voice was heard over the loud buzz and a few heads turned towards the direction of the voice.
"Ryu-chan! Hush, you're being too loud" The girl accompanying the guy said. She turned towards people looking at them weirdly "I'm so sorry about that. Please continue with what you were doing, don't mind my friend"
"Whoops, sorry Sadako. Didn't mean to shout like that" Ryuichi said, sticking his tongue out innocently
"Honestly, you've been so hyperactive since yesterday"
"You can't blame me. I'm getting homesick"
"I feel you. I'm missing home to—Oh can't they not talk so loudly. And why on earth do they have to make bets? We are already nervous, why do they have to add to the stress?"
"You're nervous?"
"What's that supposed to mean? I'm a human, you know. I get nervous too." Sadako pouted.
"Alright kiddos, you need to go to the arena now. Remember, if you're nervous just take a deep breath and give it your all. Winning or losing doesn't matter, just make sure you learn something from this experience" their sensei spoke in a gentle tone, which made the two kids look at him in shock and confusion. It was, after all, rare for him to talk to them in that tone.
"Whoa sensei, I never knew you could talk like that. It's so unbelievable, it's creepy" Ryuichi said and Sadako facepalmed.
"SHUT UP YOU IDIOT! I'LL KICK YOUR ASS"
"Yeah, that's more like you sensei"
Their sensei sighed "Anyways, you two will be up against each other" they both straightened up "This is a chance for you both to see how much you've grown and how much room for improvement is there so don't hold back for the sake of the other. Give it your all."
"HAI!"
"And Sadako, don't—"
"I remember sensei. I'll do my best"
"Alright then, time for you both to go. Remember, no hard feelings after the match!"
The two entered the battle grounds.
"Kiddos, face the audience. You're the stars today" our proctor said to us. Hokage sama stood up and everyone straightened
"I thank all of you for coming in the chunin selectin exams. We will now start the main matches between the 10 participants of the chunin exams. Please stay and watch till the end"
The participants frowned at the mention of '10' candidates
"Now, before we start, I need you all to look at something" the proctor said, holding out a piece of paper with the details of the order of matches. "There have been some minor changes so I need you all to check who you're fighting once again"
'What happened? Did that Dosu guy forfeit?' was the question in their minds, though no one voiced it
Sadako opened her mouth to ask something but Naruto beat her to it
"Say sensei, Sasuke isn't here yet. What are you gonna do?"
"If he fails to show up in time of his match, he gets disqualified" The proctor replied "Alright kiddos, listen carefully, the rules of the exams are same as the prelims. You fight until one or you dies or gives up. However, if I determine that a fight is over you stop fighting without complaints. Now, The first match, Uzumaki Naruto vs Hyuga Neji. The rest of you go to the waiting area"
They all went to the waiting area leaving the two competitors in the arena
"Sadako, what happened?"
"Nothing, just a bad feeling"
"Like?"
"I don't know. Maybe something bad is happening back home"
"I hope not"
"The winner of the match is Uzumaki Naruto" the proctor announced while the medics carried Hyuga Neji in a stretcher to the hospital.
Sadako glanced around nervously, Sasuke's match will be starting soon and he was no where to be found. At this rate, he'll get disqualified.
"Naruto-kun? Where is Sasuke kun?" she asked his blond teammate, who had just returned to the participant waiting area. He looked around helplessly, trying to spot the raven haired boy.
"I don't know. He should be here by now. Dammit Sasuke, do you seriously want to get disqualified?" Naruto mumbled
Everyone in the audience was getting restless, wondering what was taking so long for the next match to start. The guard shinobi next to hokage sama came down to the arena and whispered something to the proctor.
"Ladies and gentlemen, the contestant for the next match hasn't arrived yet so we will push this match back and begin the next"
Sadako frowned, hearing this.
'They're making an exception for Sasuke? That's fishy'
"We will now begin the next match, Kankuro vs Aburame Shino. Come down!"
Sadako looked at the next contestants and noticed the black clothed kid, Kankuro's face turn a little pale.
"I forfeit" Kankuro said
Everyone looked at the sand village contestant, not able to believe what he had just said.
"Well Ryu-chan, seems like it's our turn now" Sadako said stretching.
"Yup"
They jumped down from the waiting area to the arena.
"Miyazaki Sadako vs Kashima Ryuichi"
"Let's do this, Ryu-chan!"
"Remember, no matter whoever wins, there will be no hard feelings"
"If you're both ready, BEGIN!"
Author's Note: Haha...yeeaahhh my little writer's block turned into an year long break. Hopefully, I don't get one again. Wish me luck!