Chapter 25: Preliminary Battles

"Everyone other than the two combatants should move to the upper gallery now." Hayate called pointing to the stairs.

Sakura stood with a worried expression on her face staring at Sasuke nervously. Of course, she would be nervous. The man she loves was in pain and she could only stand and watch the fight. There was no way she could jump in and save him even if he was on the brink of death.

"He'll be okay." Kira called wrapping her arm around Sakura's shoulders. "He's too stubborn to lose." That should cheer her up right?

"Hey! Kakashi Sensei!" Naruto yelled waving him over.

Kira strained her ears over the murmurs and thoughts to hear what they had to say. "Don't use the Sharingan." She saw the surprised look on Sasuke's face.

"How did you know?"

"If the spell mark on your neck is allowed to run rampant the consequences will change your life." A spell mark? Is that why his chakra ran so high?

"I figured." Sasuke grunted pain lacing his voice.

"If they see any sign of that, the match will be suspended. And I will be forced to stop you. Please don't forget that." What was going on that the instructors weren't telling us.

Kakashi joined his team and walked them up the stairs. Right away he noticed Sakura and Kira. Something happened in the forest he wasn't sure. He'd get the story later he always did.

Everyone stared down at the arena waiting for the battle to begin. "You going to tell me whats going on?" Kira muttered to her older brother, her eyes never left Sasuke.

"Afraid not. You'll find out eventually." He muttered resting his hand on her head. Her mind went to Orochimaru, to the fight. It had to do with him. She knew she wouldn't be given answers. Kakashi was bound to secrecy at this point. All we were able to know was that Sasuke had a bad mark and that if he used it, it would consume him.

"All right please being."

"Shall I start?" Yoroi called getting ready to fight.

"Go for it." Sasuke knew to always let your opponent to strike first rather than make the mistake of letting the opponent get the best of him.

Yoroi's right hand glowed while his left was in his back pouch. He quickly produced three shuriken out of his back pouch and used three quarters of his strength to do some damage. Sasuke was able to deflect all of them at once, sending them sprawling in different directions.

Sasuke's neck throbbed throwing the young teen off balance. Yoroi was quick to attack, punching the ground where Sasuke just was. Sasuke missed by seconds. Quick as he could he wrapped both his legs around Yoroi's neck putting the older male in a headlock. He pulled so hard on the boys arm you could hear a pop sound.

Naruto cheered in the background, but something was wrong. Yoroi gripped tight onto Sasuke's chest as if that was enough to pin him down.

The crowd watched the interaction, some cheering and others silent studying the two's tactics, that way they knew what they were up against if they had to fight. It was a matter of seconds when Sasuke was at his cocky and ready to twitching and helpless on the ground. It was like all strength had just disappeared.

"Sasuke!" Sakura screamed terrified watching the guy she loved lying unmoving on the ground. He couldn't move. Yoroi's hand darted forward slamming Sasuke's head into the ground. Sasuke tried to release his grip but he just couldn't. His body, his energy, he felt like he's been out walking in the hot sun with no food or water. He was exhausted.

Then it clicked. "You…you're feeding on my chakra…" he muttered staring at the dark eyed male surprised.

"Heh, so you finally figured it out, eh?" Yoroi chuckled pushing his head further into the ground. The crowd could hear Sasuke's cry of pain.

"You…" It took everything Sasuke had to kick Yoroi off him. "Son of a!" He panted sitting up, he knew he didn't have much longer till he was done for, but no one was going to make a fool of him with his girl watching him. He could see the worry in her crimson eyes. He had to win for her. He had to show that Gaara that he was no someone to be messed with!

Even know he could see that smug bastard just waiting for him to fail, Sasuke knew that Gaara would think him as weak and move in on his territory. No. He'd show him.

"Heh, heh imagine a little vermin like you having any strength left to oppose me." Yoroi laughed.

Sasuke looked over again. He saw Naruto's worried face, Sakura couldn't even watch she was too scared, his lovely Kira was biting he nails the worry on her face. Lee was just staring down at him waiting or expecting something good to happen.

"How can you still call yourself Sasuke Uchiha?! You're a disgrace to…to yourself!" Naruto yelled thinking if he taunted Sasuke enough he'd get back to fighting and would win. "Aren't you embarrassed to have everyone see you as a big loser?!"

Something clicked inside Sasuke's mind. Of course. His first fight with Lee. That's how he could defeat this guy. Without using the sharingan! Yoroi shot forward ready to drain him dry but Sasuke was one step ahead. He was quick to kick Yoroi high in the air. He was quick to copy Lee's original movements.

"After this I'll limit myself to my own special skills, but for now…it's over." He had a small moment where the curse mark started to take over but with Sasuke's strong will power the curse receded back to his neck.

With one swift kick Sasuke had sent himself and Yoroi to the ground. He knocked out the male with a swift kick to the head rendering Yoroi unconscious.

Many were left stunned watching Sasuke huff on the ground trying to gain his breath. Hayate quickly got to the ground floor checking over the unconscious male. "I'm halting this match before it goes any further. In other words, Uchiha Sasuke is the champion of the first battle…" Hayate couched for a moment. "And advances past the preliminaries to the next level."

"HE DID IT!" Naruto cheered gripping the bar in front of him in his excitement.

Sakura was filled with relief but worry still held her. Kakashi was fast enough to catch Sasuke from falling backwards again.

The medical nins came in carrying out Yoroi's unconscious body via stretcher. "Uchiha Sasuke, we must escort you, too, and put you under the care of the medical corps so you can get the best possible treatment."

"I already have a great healer." Sasuke grumbled refusing to stand up at this moment. Moving would be such a giant pain.

"You have no idea what you've be getting yourselves into. I'll handle him." Kakashi called looking up from his book. "I'll handle him. He can come with me right now and…" Kakashi leaned down so that he was beside Sasuke. "I'll seal away the curse mark."

"Well then…right! Lets get the next match going." Hayate called readying the next group of fighters.

"Can't this wait? I want to watch everyone else compete." Sasuke whined. "It's Kira's job to heal me anyway."

"No." Kira cringed. She hasn't heard that sort of tone in a while, last time she heard it she was sleeping in the park under a bench for two days. Kakashi gave Sasuke a look that said he wasn't taking any arguments. "Don't let your emotions cloud your judgement. This thing is spreading like a disease, and it's already close to the point of no return. I let you have your own way once, and it only made you greedy."

"Just listen to Kakashi, Sasuke!" Kira called from her spot beside Naruto. Sasuke looked up and saw her leaning against the bar. "It's so much easier than fighting it." She warned. Sasuke nodded allowing Kakashi to help move him towards the side lines for private.

Everyone looked up at the computer. The next fighters were Zaku Abumi and Aburame Shino. Shino and Zaku were fast to make it down the stairs. "Kick his ass Shino!" Kira called.

Zaku huffed glaring up at her, over confident as ever.

It only took two minutes for Shino to defeat Zaku. Zaku might have landed one hit but afterword's his entire arm blew off! Zaku was down for the count making Shino the winner of that round.

"So…uhh…we're moving onto the next match."

"Yo."

"Kakashi sensei!" Sakura and Naruto called in unison, both very concerned for their friend.

"What do you mean 'yo'?! Kakashi tell us about Sasuke! Is he alright?!" Sakura demanded her voice frantic.

"How's he doing?" Kira called looking up her older brother, she knew Sasuke would be in safe hands but couldn't help worrying over her teammate.

"He's fine, sound asleep in the infirmary even as we speak." He spoke so calm it made everyone visibly relax. Only Kira heard the part where Sasuke was being guarded by one of the Black Opts Team as he slept.

"Phew." Sakura let out a sigh of relief placing a hand over her heart. He was safe, he would be okay.

The next contestants were Tsurugi Misumi vs. Kankuro. Kabuto's other teammate and Gaara's brother. Kankuro walked down very confident in himself "What a fool." A deep voice called from beside Kira's right. No one was there before, her heart stopped for a moment and she felt herself collide with Naruto when she spun.

"Can you please stop sneaking up on me, I swear I'm going to have a heart attack one of these days." She muttered clutching her chest. She felt happy to see Gaara again but god he was so quiet. His eyes roamed her figure looking over every injury, every crevice.

The sight of her battered and bruised form both excited him and made him furious. Why does he feel so angry seeing her hurt? He doesn't care about anyone but himself, so why her?

Naruto glared at Gaara suspiciously while Sakura edged further and further away scared of the handsome red head.

"Gaara, these are my teammates. Naruto and Sakura. And my older brother Kakashi is our instructor." Kira instructed looking at her feet a rather large blush staining her face. Gaara only nodded. "Sooo," Kira called glancing over at her team then back at Gaara. "What brings you here?" small talk was always good right.

"My team bored me." Kira nodded smiling to herself. Gaara wanted to hang out with her again. She felt so giddy it was incredible that a cool guy like Gaara wanted to be near her.

"Kira what are you doing conspiring with the enemy?!" Naruto yelled annoyed, he crossed his arms over his chest while glaring at Gaara. Sizing him up.

"He's not the enemy Naru, he's…"

"Good to see you again Gaara," Kakashi called catching Kira in the middle of a sentence.

"Wait again?!" Naruto tried to start.

"Oh, look the fights starting we better watch and see who wins! We could be fighting them later down the line Naruto." She glared at her older brother promising that if he said any more he'd have to suffer the consequences.

As soon as the fight started Kira watched wide eyed as Kankuro's opponent literally turned himself into a freaking constrictor, wrapping his limbs around Kankuro's body like a snake would. Kankuro struggled to get the guy off him.

Gaara watched the fight disapprovingly. Everyone's eyes widen in surprise when they heard the snap sound. "He broke his neck!" Lee called staring wide eyed. Almost sick to his stomach.

"What?!" Kira and Naruto called horrified.

"What a waste." Kira's head snapped back towards Gaara surprised. He saw her stunned face, it looked cute to him. "Watch." His hand reached out grasping her smaller one. 'Why'd I take her hand?' he wondered watching as the puppet posing as Kankuro transformed back into Crow.

Kankuro was revealed to be in the wrappings. It all made sense now. Kankuro was a puppet master. Kankuro won by making his puppet squeeze all the bones in his opponents body beside the neck. Kira was shocked.

"Due to Misumi's inability to fight back the winner of this match is Kankuro."

"That was actually really cool how he did that." Kira mused looking down at Kankuro and his puppet, she's never seen puppeteer fighting before. It was actually quite amazing to watch, many stick to the elemental styles.

Naruto and Sakura were arguing that it couldn't be fair that it was two ono one in that fight. "The puppet wasn't even human, Kankuro was controlling it with his chakra." Kira called out looking at her friends.

Up next is Sakura and Ino, long time friends and rivals. They started out with some banter and Sakura was lucky to handle the first hit knocking Ino to the ground.

"Way to go Sakura. I'm lucky I'm not fighting Ino, she scares me." Naruto shuddered thinking of all the times she yelled at him or hit him. Kira couldn't help but laugh a bit.

Gaara rolled his eyes not seeing why anyone would think the perky long-haired blonde was scary. She looked more annoying than anything.

"Sakura is a solid contender. Her mastery of the fundamental techniques for the utilization of Chakra is definitely the best among the rookies." Kakashi commented watching proud of his student.

"Even better than me and Kira?"

"Uh…yeah."

Naruto started to grumble at that answer. "Well at least I'm not alone. Right Kira!" Naruto yanked Kira away from Gaara's grip, glaring at the red head a moment or two. He still couldn't believe she was hanging out with that creep. He's a jerk! Though he couldn't help feeling a cold chill down his spine. It felt like someone wanted him dead right then and there.

Nervously he glanced over at Gaara and saw the murderous look in his eyes. Something made him feel like he did something wrong.

"The technical art of circulating chakra to every nook and cranny of the body and deploying it with precise timing is an area in which Sakura has surpassed even Sasuke. From the beginning, her mastery of Chakra manipulation has been superb."

The two girls gripping the other's fist, blocking the punches. They're fighting was in synced with the other, they both hopped away and pulled out throwing stars, blocking the stars from hitting the other.

"Well at least one of us is better than Sasuke at something." Kira muttered watching pleased that Sakura was actually giving it her all and not going back to her old self.

"Yeah Sasuke's always trying to be the best out of all of us, it's a huge pain in the butt!" Naruto joked still having the uneasy feeling wrap around him.

Sakura and Ino were too well matched, the fight has been going on for at least ten minutes. Those two were so equally balanced that it could go on longer. They both collided with one another sending them back but that wasn't the end. Not yet.

"You can't be my equal! It's unthinkable!" Ino screamed glaring hatefully at Sakura while panting out of breath.

"Hmph! You're right. The magnitude of your obsession with your long flowing hair and superficial appearances is peerless. I'm just no match for you!" Sakura countered, taunting Ino.

"Making fun of me?! You've gone too far!" Ino gripped her long pony tail and used her kunai to cut the long strands.

"What?" That seemed to be on everyone minds. What was going on. In a matter of seconds Ino and Sakura were back to fist fighting again. The last blow sent them both flying to the ground. Hayate looked at the two confused. Waiting for any sighs that the candidates were through.

Sakura slowly sat up huffing and puffing, her body shaking ready to continue if need be. "Yamanaka Ino is no longer able to continue. The winner of this round is Haruno Sakura. You will proceed to the third exam." Naruto and Kira cheered for their friend. She hobbled up the stairs.

"Sakura you did awesome! You were so badass the way you fought Ino!" Naruto gushed overly happy that she was okay.

"Thanks Naruto," she leaned against the bar exhausted. She listened to Naruto talk and exclaim how cool he thought she was. But she wished Sasuke had seen her fight.

Kira looked up at the computer waiting for the name to appear. To her surprise she was next. Oboro Vs. Hatake Kira.

"Will the next contestants please come down." Hayate called standing in the middle of the ground floor.

"Wish me luck!" she called to the group around her. Oboro. He was the guy who attacked her team the first day and on their way to the exit. He looked like he was in bad shape. But having fought him twice before she knew his tricks.

She knew what he was like. She knew some of his tactics, and she knew he wanted her dead. After stabbing him, beating him up, and humiliating him in front of his friends he wanted revenge.

Oboro glared at the gray haired girl watching her movements. "Begin." Hayate jumped to safety watching as Oboro wasted no time in attacking. Kunai's at the ready.

Kira hopped out of the way dodging his first attack. "Lucky me!"

"I've fought you twice before. You're horrible at transformation and you suck at genjutsu." Kira taunted forming a few hand signals. There wasn't a lot of water in the vicinity but she could do some damage. Right now she could feel the cool jet of water accumulating in her lungs, building up for the right pressure.

Oboro hated being mocked, he hated that she just jumped away from his attacks. He hated this girl even more. She thought she was so strong, she stabbed him once and he ran away. But not today.

He dodged the jet of hot steaming water directed him way, there was no way he'd lose to this brat.

He avoided the first attack but not the second. His let leg was scalded when he couldn't jump away again. Oboro sent a few throwing stars her way, she deflected with one of her kunai's. Oboro limped out of the way from the next attack.

No more water could form. It was time for hand to hand. She was so thankful Kakashi made her practice hand to hand whenever they had free time. He attacked, she deflected, he was growing more and more impatient with not winning!

Kira did her best trying to deflect the throwing stars and Kunai's. Though some grazed her flesh none stuck, they always scraped a part of her skin and bounced off the wall. He was wasting time. Oboro snarled with rage quickly losing interest in his weapons and found that fighting hand to hand should work.

He changed courses, rounding into a circle and dashing her way, Kira gripped his arm and threw him over her shoulder into the hard ground. Debris circled around the two. Oboro groaned as he shifted away from her next attack.

Oboro flung two throwing stars her way, one cut her cheek on her way to deflect. She dove tackling Oboro to the ground wrestling him till she had her legs wrapped around his arms and waist and her arm around his throat. She pulled tight hearing him struggle to breath.

"Give up!" She yelled pulling tighter.

Oboro gasped for breath yet no air would come. He couldn't move, his vision was going in and out of focus. He refused to give up. He would never sink so low to give up and willingly lose.

Kira listened to the frantic heart beat, she heard the internal debate, his breathing was slowing. Only a few more seconds and there! He was out like a light. When she no longer felt him struggle she slowly let go, she could still hear his heart beating so she was glad he wasn't dead.

Hayate jumped down looking watching as the girl jumped a few inches away. Squinting as if readying for another attack but Oboro was down for the count.

"The candidate Oboro can no longer continue. Therefore Hatake Kira will be advancing into the third exam."

The exam lasted three minutes, he either wasn't trying that hard or he really wasnt that skilled as a ninja.

"Way to go Kira!" Naruto cheered with Sakura. Kira and Naruto laughed while performing their own secret handshake. Fist bump, handshake, hand hug, and head bump. It always hurt in the end but they'd never change it.

Gaara had left, Kira felt pretty bummed that he decided to leave. He must have thought she and her friends were boring and moved on back to his group.

"Way to go, you did great." Sakura commented giving a weak grin, even exhausted she was still up and awake.

The next fight was with Temari and TenTen. Tenten gave it her all but Temari was so much faster. She didn't even have to lift a finger basically. It was insane, all of TenTen's weapons were left abandoned on the ground. Tenten laid battered almost impaled by Temari's fan. Temari looked a little scuffed perfectly fine.

Actually, Temari looked more annoyed than anything. 'Is that all the leaf has to offer?' Temari thought. She literally picked up her fan once more and hit Tenten's falling body sending her unconscious body flying into the wall.

Thankfully Lee had jumped down just in time to catch her. Team Seven's heart raced watching that. They didn't know her obviously but Team Guy had come to their aid when they really needed it.

"Nice catch!" Temari chuckled not caring if Tenten was caught or not.

Lee was filled with rage, how could she act like this!? DId she not know anything about honor?! "What's wrong with you?! Thats not how you treat a worthy opponent. Especially not one you've just defeated!"

Temari rolled her eyes snorting at Lee's speaking. "Oh, shut up! Get yourself and that loser out of my way." Lee growled low in his throat. He'd make this woman pay!

"No Lee!" Neji screamed trying to stop his teammate. But Lee was already on the move to do his Konoha Hurricane. It surprised Naruto, Kira, and Sakura when Temari easily blocked Lee's attack with her giant fan.

"Just as I thought. You're not so fast, after all." You could see it on Lee's face that he was just as stunned and fearful as the rest of us. You could hear it in his voice when he let out the shocked 'what' He wasn't sure what he was going to do but he had to do something.

"Thats enough Lee."

"Master Guy…" Lee muttered looking back at his sensei worried.

"Temari. Get back up here! You've already been declared the winner how long do you intend to trifle with that homely little prince charming?" Gaara's voice confused Lee. He didn't sound concerned with what his teammates actions but he didn't want her to continue. It was like he didn't care at all what she did but he was trying to get on with the pre exam.

Lee couldn't stand that. It felt like an insult to his name. To his village. He wanted to show this Sand jerk who he was messing with.

"Had enough now Lee?" Might Guy could see his student's hand shaking with rage. "My dear friends from the sand…" Guy placed a hand on Lee's shoulder as he spoke. "If you don't mind, I'd like to offer a word of advice. Be prepared you have no idea how strong this boy really is."

Gaara growled glaring down at the two. How dare they.

"Don't you lose to them Naruto!" Sakura yelled poking fun at Gaara and his siblings. Kira and Kakashi looked at Sakura like she just grew three heads. Did she have a death wish?! Naruto stared at Sakura confused.

"S-Sakura!"

"If you let yourself lose now, you'll be a disgrace to all men. And Sasuke will never let you live it down!"

Even now Naruto had a light pink blush coating his cheeks. Sakura wanted him to win. This gave him the encouragement to want to fight even more. "Okay! My turn! I'm good to go. Who thinks he can take me?!" Naruto called loud enough for the instructors to hear.

Next to battle was Shikamaru and Kin. Shikamaru started out acting tired and bored already at having to fight a girl but used the arena to his advantage. He waited till he had a lock on her with his shadow and Kin was forced to copy Shikamaru's movements.

Pulling out a throwing star Kin pulled one out as well. They both threw the stars but Shikamaru pulled back quickly to avoid the sharp blade. Doing so he ended up giving Kin a concussion by having her slam her head into the wall.

It was insane!

"Next will be…" On the screen it finally said 'Uzumaki Naruto.' it was enough to make Naruto excited. He would be fighting Kiba.

"Well it's about time!" Naruto yelled excitedly. "Thanks for being patient everyone! I'm gonna make this worth your wait!"

Kiba and Naruto stood in the middle waiting for the go. When the battle started Naruto was slammed into the wall. Kiba was so fast he rammed into Naruto's form knocking him aside. Kira gripped the bar in front of her. She could hear everyone thinking down on Naruto. It made her made to the core. He'd show them all.

A small dribble of blood ran down Naruto's lip when he was back up for the fight.

"You're going down Kiba!" Kira yelled very smuglike. Sakura and Kira cheered Naruto on.

"Don't you get it? I let you pound me so i could find out what you're made of." Kiba flinched growling to himself. Kiba couldn't wrap it around his head that Naruto could have gotten stronger. "You're so full of yourself, you just go ahead and fight men alone, or with your dog, or any other way you want." Naruto taunted wiping the blood from his face.

A cloud of smoke went off and there was no way for sure to see what had happened. The next thing we saw was Akamaru chomping onto Kiba's arm. It turned out to be Naruto, he had transformed into Akamaru and had one of his doppelgangers hold Akamaru back.

Kira felt pride fill her chest, she could hear everyone muttering about how they underestimated Naruto. They should feel stupid because Naruto was the best Ninja in this entire exam. Gods Kira wanted to stop these feelings for him. She didn't want to like Naruto. She knew he'd never like her that way but all she wanted to do right now was be with him.

She might have a small crush on Gaara but Naruto...Naruto would always have a hold on her heart.

Akamaru ate something and turned red. Naruto quickly let go of the red dog. Sakura and Kira watched nervously as Akamaru turned into another Kiba. Naruto did the best he could to avoid the attacks but couldn't avoid everything. He was face down on the ground coughing out blood.

Kiba mocked Naruto's dream of being Hokage, even went so far as to say he'd become Hokage. But he was wrong. So wrong. Kiba would never have the guts to care for and look after an entire village. Naruto did!

"Naruto get up!" Sakura screamed.

"Get up Naru! Show him up!" Kira called happy to see her friend getting up but the nerves weren't going away. She was so happy when Naruto turned into Kiba. He thought so hard. Kiba couldn't attack his own partner and Akamaru couldn't attack Kiba. They have no idea who is who and Naruto would be the only one to openly attack!

And it worked! Kiba ended up attacking Akamaru! Or it turned out that Naruto was disguised as Akamaru becauses he waited until Kiba attacked the other clone. His real Akamaru.

Naruto was so smart.

Kiba threw stars his way hoping to damage, but Naruto quickly moved out of the way. Kiba somehow got behind him very close to his butt…

"AGH!" Kiba held his nose in disgust. It took Kira a second. She clutched a hand to her face trying to muffle the sounds of her laughter. Her knees buckled underneath her while everyone around her stared open mouth shocked.

It was enough to send Kiba to walking backwards. Naruto used his chance to create a few doppelgangers and beat Kiba into a pulp! Naruto won!

We were so happy, but it was short lived. Next to battle was Hinata and Neji. Neji said he wanted to say a few words before the match started and in the process his few words were nothing but insults and him pointing out her insecurities.

Kira could feel her body growing ridged. Her eyes started to sting. The fire returned to her veins. She felt so angry. That was her friend down there. He had no right! All she wanted to do was rip his head clean off.

Lee tried to explain why there was some difficulties between the two but it didn't change the fact that their teammate was a jerk. A jackass who had no right. Hinata worked hard to be better. She worked hard to grow stronger! She didn't need this bullshit!

"Calm down." Kakashi warned noticing how both his sister and Naruto were acting.

"I can't." Kira growled gripping the bar in front of her. Kakashi placed a hand on her shoulder for comfort but even he could feel the heat radiating off her body in high degrees.

"Shut up!" Kira screamed no longer being able to hold herself back anymore. She hated Neji so much right now.

"Kira no…" Hinata whispered softly. Fear filled eyes. Tears were spilling down her face, Neji's words hurt her so badly. He was right in some ways but he was also wrong.

"Stop spouting off bull crap and acting like you know everything!" Kira snarled. The ache in her head returned, almost as if something was pushing at her hairline.

"Yeah!" Naruto shouted glaring down at Neji hatefully. "You can't just decide these things about people, you ass! Show him, Hinata! Beat up this idiot!" Naruto yelled hoping Hinata could find some courage.

"Hinata is stronger than you think."

"Come on, Hinata. At least talk back to him! Just hearing him made us man, and you're the one who has to fight him!" Naruto called down to her.

'He is so annoying.'

"You're annoying!" Kira shot back not sure if he actually said anything or not. It was hard to tell sometimes but she was pretty sure thats what he would think.

The fight started, Hinata did her best landing a few hits but in the end Neji won. All the instructors had to step in and stop Neji from attacking again after Hayate had called Neji the winner.

Fear filled Kira's chest when she watched Hinata fall to her knee's. "Hinata!" She cried hopping the side and rushing to her aide. She didn't look good. Pale and bruised. Red dots all over her arms. Oh no. Her heart was skipping. It wasn't regular.

"Did he…" Hinata glanced at Naruto "Was he…"

"Hinata he was so proud of you. You did amazing." She closed her eyes a small smile on her lips. "Hinata!" Naruto and Lee stood by their sides. Medical Nin's were quickly brought in.

"Hey. Mr. Failure." Naruto glanced at Neji from the side. "A couple words of advice. A true shinobi warrior would have too much class to make a spectacle of himself by cheering during a serious match. And one more thing. You might as well accept who you are. Once a failure always a failure."

"You are an idiot." Kira scoffed glaring at the idiot Hyuga in front of her.

Naruto hated Neji so much right now, why wouldn't he. Neji is arrogant and unworthy of anything. Picking fights not caring who he hurts. He had to pay. "You wanna try me?" Naruto growled, about ready to attack.

'Naruto no. He's getting in your head…'

'He hurt Hinata...She's nice and didnt deserve this to happen to her.'

She reached out grasping his wrist before he could move. "You're better than him Naru," She whispered. She could feel his hand clenched tightly around her wrist, practically holding himself back. He just needed someone to give him the go and he'd end Neji.

"Is there anything we can do?" Naruto sighed crouching down beside her. Doing his best to ignore Neji. Thought Kira could hear the internal debate she was proud of him.

"Do you have any of that salve she gave you?" Naruto looked through his pockets till he pulled out the little jar he had used. "There's not much in it." He commented. Kira looked her over, there wasn't any open wounds. Just little red dots from the attack. The salve wouldn't do anything.

If only there was water in the vicinity then she could at least try! She used it during her fight, she didn't expect Hinata to have a literal heart attack!

"Where are the medics?!" She cried hearing the heart rate going to fast. "Instead of wasting time scowling at me, you'd better take care of her." Neji moked.

"You jackass!" Kira snapped. Kakashi was quick to grasp his sister. She was getting too heated again. "Calm emotions." Kakashi warned pulling her away.

She stayed in his arms knowing that no matter how hard she thrashed Kakashi wouldn't let go. It didn't stop her hatred from boiling. She could see it now, just a river of fresh blood running down his body, his body mutilated, almost as if someone took their time torturing him.

"Kira relax."

"I am relaxed." She snapped glaring hatefully at her brother. She didn't want to be calm, she wanted to hurt this bastard.

"Well relax more. You're starting to slip." Kira grumbled as she forced her emotions back to being calm. She had to be calm or else she would take over. It couldn't happen. Not again. "Thank you." Kakashi muttered letting out a small sigh of relief. Did he really think she would do so much damage?

Kakashi practically dragged Kira and Naruto away from the ground floor.

"Hey!" Naruto, Kakashi, and Kira stopped to stare at Kankuro confused and annoyed. What did he want? "You're a funny guy I like that."

"Well you're not funny at all and I don't like that." Naruto shot back choosing to annoy this jerk.

Kankuro didn't like that. 'Why that miserable little...You are so dead the first time I get an excuse!' Kira let out another growl, her hands twitching for bloodshed. Kankuro backed up, eyes wide with fright. 'She's just like Gaara! I have to play it cool. I don't want to get my head ripped off by saying something stupid.'

"What do you want?" Kira called annoyed. She was trying to keep her temper in check.

"Well you see, it's about that Hyuga Neji Guy...but…" Kankuro was trying to get information out of the two.

"I'm gonna get that guy." Naruto crossed his arms over his chest hatefully.

"Fine, fine, but thats not what I asked."

The next battle was about to begin, Gaara vs Lee. You could hear Choji cry out with relief. He was so happy he didn't have to fight Gaara.

"I don't know what kind of tricks this bowl cut kid has up his sleeve but there's no way he'll win against Gaara." Kankuro informed like the idea of this kid winning was very slim.

"He's stronger than you think." Naruto muttered thinking back to when he saw Lee and Sasuke fight. It was incredible.

"He's incredible. You really shouldn't underestimate him." Kira argued. Lee was so strong, he was able to hold off and protect them for a small period of time. Lee was incredible. There was no doubt in her mind that Lee would be okay, he had the will and the determination to win any battle he came across.

There was something going on with Gaara, He was antsy, something was running through his head that she just couldn't figure out. The top of his gourd shot out towards Lee. Lee was lucky to catch the cork. "Please don't rush things."

Gaara looked like he was about to do something crazy.

"Alright, let the tenth round battle begin!"

Lee was the first to attack. Coming at Gaara with his Konoha Hurricane attack, though it surprised almost everyone when a wave of sand blocked the kick and sent Lee flying backwards. Kira's eyes widen. That smell. The sand smelled like old blood. Lee punched and kicked but the sand always deflected Lee's attacks. Gaara was perfectly safe.

"Still think he's gonna make it?" Kankuro laughed already knowing the outcome of this fight. No one ever beat Gaara in a fight.

"His attacks just aren't working." Naruto stated shocked. Kira watched the sand materialize and block another of Lee's attacks. "Physical attacks are worthless against Gaara. The sand forms a shield to protect his body, independent of Gaara''s will. Thats why to this day, not one person has ever wounded him."

Physically yes but mentally most likely, you don't turn stone cold mean over night, something had to have happened to him. Something that struck him deep.

"Lee! Take them off!" Guy called holding out a thumbs up. Take them off? What was he talking about? Lee was now perched on top of the large hand signals.

"But Master Guy! You said never to do that unless i was defending the lives of people who are precious to me!" even in the middle of a battle Lee was ready to stop a battle to talk to his favorite sensei.

"It's alright! I'll allow it!" Guy called throwing up another thumbs up. It a matter of seconds Lee's face turned into pure joy. He quickly pulled off two weights, one that was wrapped around each arm and both legs.

"Right! Now I can move freely!" The weights hit the ground and made craters.

"Holy crap!"

"Go Lee!"

"Yes sir!" It was incredible. Kira could barely keep up with his movements he was so fast, and then Gaara's sand could just barely deflect Lee's attacks. The sand didn't deflect Gaara, Lee had kicked Gaara hard in the head sending him face down to his knees. A scrape could be seen running down Gaara's face.

"Lee! Now explode!" Lee shot off slamming his fist into Gaara's face, knocking him back. The sand started to form a circle around Gaara's body blocking all kinds of attacks from behind.

"This is bad." Kankuro murmured, you could hear the worry in his voice.

"You got that right! That raccoon-eyed jerk! After the way he just got hit, he shouldn't even still be standing!" Naruto laughed happy that Gaara might be hurt.

Kira watched wide eyed as she saw what happened next. "Thats not the problem…" Gaara had a sand like shell over top his face. What was going on?! How could he do that?

"Whoa! His whole face just broke and fell off?"

"It's a shell! He used the sand to create a shell around his body to protect him from damage!" But from that crazed look in his eyes that must mean that something was about to happen, something bad.

'He was wearing the sand like a shell, eh? Hmm it's been a while since i saw that expression on his face. He's usually as composed as a statue, the picture of politeness and decorum. I had sensed that, during this chunin selection examination he was becoming more and more unstable...but...the other gaara is now totally awake.' Other Gaara?!

"If this Gaara is able to catch Lee...Lee will be toyed with and then killed!"

Lee would be killed?! Kira's eyes darted to the fight fear engulfing her, she didn't know him long but he grew on her a bit.

Lee had used his Lotus Flower technique wrapping the bindings that was around his arms spinning Gaara's body around and around, driving him head first into the ground. You would think after a move like that Lee would have won. But the Gaara he attacked was just a shell.

The real Gaara had snuck up behind Lee and sent a wave of his sand to knock him into the wall, Lee was in terrible pain, but he couldn't escape the waves of attacks. Gaara continued to push Lee back and he just took it, Lee finally got out of the way to avoid a killer attack.

Lee's skin turned red, a trail of blood fell from his nose, all the veins in this body protruded. It was insane watching Gaara being lifted in the air by nothing then be thrown all around. You couldn't see Lee at all. He was so fast!

"REVERSE LOTUS!" Lee had screamed sending Gaara into the ground once more. Lee stood to the side panting, his body drained of energy. That should make him win right? The sand moved on it's own, wrapping around Lee's arm and leg. Gaara just crushed his fist and Lee was screaming in pain. Gaara was going to finish him off!

Kira's heart pounded in her chest this wasn't good at all. She couldn't sit back and watch Gaara kill him but she couldn't interfere. It was against the rules. Only the instructors could stop the fight.

With Lee passed out Guy Sensei had jumped in to save him. "Why are you helping him." He seemed to have been dealt a lot of damage.

"He's my lovable precious protege." was all Guy had to say. Gaara didn't seem to understand the meaning.

"Forget it…"

"The victor is Gaara!" Hayate called announcing the end of the battle.

Mouths dropped in surprise. Lee was standing, blood dripping from his wounds. Sockets were popping and cracking as he moved.

"Lee, it's alright...it's over. You're in no shape to be standing." Even now the dead look on his face, he would have continued. But he shouldn't be moving. He shouldn't be able to stand at all. His leg was shattered.

Guy had laid Lee back on the ground, keeping a watchful eye on his student.

"Told you no one ever beats Gaara." Kankuro spoke softly in an I told you so way.

"You also said no one has ever hurt him." Kira retaliated. Naruto jumped down rushing to Lee's side. The medical team member took Guy aside telling him about the damage. How he'd never be able to be a shinobi again.

Gaara returned to his team, his eyes locked on his brother and Kira. He watched them speak, he felt his anger return. Why would she talk to him? She probably thought he was a monster, this was pathetic, pining for the attention of some girl.

Gaara didn't like this feeling in his chest. He didn't like this urge to be close to another. He's been fine on his own for so long he didn't understand why now of all times he wanted to be with another human being. She smelled nice and he liked the way her hair cascaded over her shoulders in the waves. He liked her eyes. He hated seeing the dark wrap around her face.

Thinking of someone hurting her made him boil with anger. He didn't understand why!

'You find the girl attractive.' Gaara scoffed at the idea. She was pleasant to look at. That was all. He didn't like her at all. He just didn't hate her company.

'Don't lie to yourself Gaara.'

She glanced over seeing those heart stopping seafoam green eyes. She should feel horrified, angry, even disgusted with the red head but it was a fair fight. Gaara never mocked Lee, told him he was pathetic, treated him like a lesser. Neji acted obnoxious and treated everyone around him like they were beneath him. Gaara fought fairly.

It was really hard to be mad at him for trying to win. This was a competition, she was just glad he didn't kill the boy.

'She likes you.' Again Gaara scoffed at the idea, if the girl liked him before she would hate him now. After seeing him hurt her friend she would hate him for sure. 'I wouldn't be so sure.' He saw the light blush coat her face.

Another wave of anger coursed through him when his stupid excuse of a brother tried to speak to her again.

"Gaara?" Temari glanced at her brother confused. She was sure he'd be okay by now but this new wave of blood rage was fresh. Looking over she saw Kankuro was talking to that girl. She was the one to thank Gaara, the one who jumped over when the little girl went down. She looked like she was going to murder someone and then her sensei had to stop her.

Did Gaara have feelings toward this girl? That wasn't possible. Gaara hated everyone...or did he? All her life she's seen how angry and mean he was. That girl must have upset him somehow. That had to be it.

"Kira." Naruto ran over looking horrified. "Did you hear? Bushy brows…" she nodded a sad look on her face. "It's not fair to him!" He yelled glaring in Gaara's direction.

"Don't blame him fully." she called wrapping her arms around his. Her head on his shoulder. "Lee must have known this could happen."

"You're defending him?!"

She couldn't answer. She let Naruto go and walked away. She couldn't explain this to him, he was angry and when he was angry he wouldn't understand.

"Kira! Aren't you upset for Bushy brows?" He yelled chasing after her.

"Of course I'm upset for Lee. He saved my life for kami's sake! I just can't completely blame Gaara. Lee was doing some pretty dangerous maneuvering. He could have died performing some of those moves." Naruto started at Kira confused. Lee saved her life? When did he do that? "I feel awful for Lee but I don't know how to fix broken bones, i can just heal cuts and scrapes. I need more practice. If i knew how, I'd have fixed Lee's leg and arm. I don't know what to do to help him." Kira started to hug herself "I feel horrible having to sit back and watch him get hurt but I couldn't do anything. This is part of the test."

She walked away again, not caring if Naruto would stop her or not. She needed to get away. Her emotions were taking over again. Even now she could feel a cold cool feeling wrap around her. It felt like there was a blizzard going on inside her stomach.

'All i can do is heal cuts and scrapes. What does he want from me?'

'The fox feels conflicted. To him you are supposed to be on his side. He's in shock that you would feel sympathy for this Gaara boy.' Kaida spoke, her rumbling voice overtook Kira's head. All she could hear was her voice.

That was stupid. Naruto should know she was on his side, she was always on his side for everything. She watched the next match alone. No one seemed to bother her. Dosu vs Choji. Even though Choji fought him before Dosu still won. After Choji turned into a giant ball Dosu used his weapon to punch Choji ending him in one attack. The sound vibrated through his body sending shock waves through his body.

Dosu won that round ending the preliminaries.

Hayate congratulated everyone who made into the third exam.

Finally, this was the end of the very long day.