Chapter 7

"Kankuro" and "Misumi Tsurugi" appeared on the screen. Akari didn't know these people or cared for the outcome of the match. Though she did notice one of them was from the Hidden Sand. He was the one dressed all in black and with markings on his face.

"Finally! We get to see what the Sand's made of!" Riko smirked.

He was right. None of them had seen them in action as of yet. Akari wondered if they were any good. They sure seemed to act like they were. Thinking this she glanced at the boy with the gourd. You'd think he'd be excited for his teammate but he just looked indifferent. As if he didn't care for the outcome either. Or maybe he was just positive Kankuro would win. Either way, he was going to be a tough nut to crack! That's ok though. She was up for the challenge.

But he would have to wait. First up was a fellow Leaf ninja. Akari made her way towards Hinata who stood among Team 8.

"Hey Hinata! Been awhile hasn't it?" She smiled at the Hyuuga.

"Ak…Akari. Yes it has. Have you been well?" The girl replied shyly.

"Yes thank you. Still as shy as ever I see"

Hinata blushed then nodded.

"I Swear! Hinata has blushed just about every shade of red possible!" Kiba teased. Hinata's blush deepened.

Akari laughed and took a step closer to Kiba. Then before the boy could argue she plucked Akamaru of his head. The small dog didn't complain though something seemed to be bothering him. She stroked his head and he buried deeper in her arms.

"Come on Akari! You can't just grab him like that! And Akamaru, you shouldn't enjoy it so much! You're supposed to be a skilled ninja not a lap dog!" Kiba growled. Akari only chuckled.

"Loosen up Kiba! Akamaru and I are just rekindling our friendship." She said.

"You mean like when we were kids and you'd take him during recess and wouldn't give him back till after!" He muttered.

"Exactly. But if it bothers you so much I will no longer take him during recess." She smiled.

"Whatever"

Akari gently lifted Akamaru from her arms and placed him back on the boys head. Kiba, content again, smiled at her and turned to face the match. Akari looked at shino who was standing quietly to the side. He was watching her with no readable expression. In that moment a small bug flew by his face.

"Congrats on your win Shino! Your bugs did great." She said

"Thank you. They are quite amazing."

Satisfied with her compliment he also turned his attention to the match. Kiba and he seemed awfully interested in the Sand ninja. Akari glanced down for a quick look at the fight. The guy from Kabuto's team had the advantage. He had his arms and legs wrapped around Kankuro. Literally wrapped. It was as if his body was made of rubber or something. The odds weren't in Kankuro's favor. She turned to face Hinata again.

"You really should try harder to talk to Naruto." She said bluntly.

"Waaa….What!" Hinata gasped.

"Oh come on Hinata! You can't watch him from the sidelines forever!" Akari exclaimed.

"I…I can't. I…I'm not ready!" The Hyuuga was crimson now.

"I haven't seen you in 6 years and yet you haven't changed! I was hoping you would've made some leeway by now!" Hinata recoiled a little. Crap! She wasn't trying to hurt her feelings.

"Sorry! I know your trying. It's just that you need to push through your shyness Hinata." She said a little softer.

Hinata rose her head a little. She stared at Akari for a moment then her eyes flitted behind her. Akari didn't have to turn around to see who she was looking at. Team 7 was standing a few feet away.

"I know. But every time I think I'm ready I just can't. I'm really trying though. I want to stand beside him as Sakura does." Hinata whispered.

Akari stood with her mouth open. Hinata had managed to say all that without a single stutter! The Hyuuga noticed her staring and blushed. She lowered her head again and looked at the floor. Akari grapped her shoulders and forced her to look up at her.

"And you will one day! You've already spoken to him. I've seen you! You're doing great and with my help you'll do better!" She smiled encouragingly at the girl.

"Really?"

"Of course. You're my friend and I like to help my friends!" Akari answered.

Hinata smiled shyly at her and nodded. Akari grinned and let the girl go. She waved goodbye and walked back to her siblings. As she passed she noticed Neji glaring at Hinata. What did that poor girl do to him? As if he heard her, Neji looked her way. His eyes softened a little but she could tell he was upset with her. Akari glared at him and shook her head. She wasn't about to feel guilty for talking to a friend. She wasn't going to let him make her choose between them. Though she did feel bad for glaring at him so she smiled apologetically and mouthed "Sorry". He nodded slightly and looked away.

"Ughhh! Why are Hyuugas so difficult?" She groaned as she reached her siblings.

"Don't complain Akari. You and you alone choose your friends. If you don't like the way they are then why choose them. You can't change them unless they're willing too." Mizuko said without looking away from the match.

"Right" Akari muttered.

She leaned over the railing in frustration. Then she blinked in surprise. Misumi was hugging a puppet! Kankuro stood a few feet away smirking. What had she missed! It's barely been 10 minutes! In that moment the puppet moved and in a swift movement cracked Misumi's neck. Oh man! Akari didn't think someone would die!

"Chill Akari. The guy can contort himself. He'll live." Riko said.

Oh yeah. Well that was good. The Proctors had mentioned people dying but she didn't think she would see it happen. Sure she had gone on missions where they've had to kill but that was different. That was necessary. This was just a test. Hayate called the match and the next names appeared.

"Ino Yamanaka" and "Mizuko Yoshida"

"Looks like you're up sis!" Riko grinned.

"That's the girl with the mind switching technique right?" She asked.

"Yes. Her father is very skilled so she should be as well. Be careful Mizuko though I doubt you'll lose." Hayate answered.

"Yeah! Piece of cake!" Akari said.

Mizuko nodded and then flung herself over the railing landing gracefully in the arena. Akari watched as she made her way to the center and faced Ino. She was a little curious of Ino's skills. If Sakura has grown this much then maybe she has as well.

"You better watch yourself because there is no way your beating me!" Ino exclaimed.

Well she was certainly confident. Akari hoped the girl had the skills to back it up. Hayate began the match and Mizuko didn't wait long. She ran at Ino before the other girl could react and kicked her in the stomach. Ino flew backwards slamming her back against the wall right below Akari. The impact made her recoil and she landed face first on the ground. She was still.

"Well Mizuko got straight to the point didn't she?" Riko muttered.

"I didn't think it would end this quickly" Akari whispered.

Then movement caught her eye. Ino was pushing herself up on all fours. She was muttering to herself and Akari was close enough to hear.

"No. I'm not going to lose. I won't let Sakura show me up."

She was on her feet. Slowly she walked towards Mizuko who was surprised to see the other girl standing. Ino pulled out a kunai causing Mizuko to pull one out herself and go into defensive position. But the blonde didn't attack. Instead she brought the weapon to her hair and sliced her ponytail clean off! A few people gasped but Akari could hear Sakura the loudest.

"What the hell? Why did she do that?" Riko asked.

"She wants what everyone wants. She wants to change for the better. Though I don't think cutting her hair will do for her what it did for Sakura." Akari answered.

She was still watching Ino. The girl seemed just as shocked at what she had done. She was staring down at the hair in her hands. Then she let it go and faced Mizuko once more. Akari's sister was staring at her opponent in disbelief. Ino saw her chance and lunged. Her fist made contact and sent Mizuko stumbling back. Before Mizuko could compose herself Ino roundhouse kicked her. Mizuko was now on the ground with a surprised expression.

It didn't last long though. She jumped up and dogded just as Ino flung shuriken in the space she had just been. Now that she had gotten over her initial shock she stood facing her opponent. Mizuko wiped away the blood dripping from her mouth.

"I'll admit I thought you'd be an easy win." She said.

"Hardly" Ino growled.

Mizuko smiled then nodded. Ino began to raise her arms. She touched her thumbs and index fingers to each other and held her hands out towards Mizuko. Akari's sibling prepared herself unsure of what the other girls plan was. Then understanding shadowed across her face. Quickly she weaved hand signs.

"Water Style! Raging waves!" She yelled.

A jet of water spewed out of her mouth. It hit Ino head on knocking her down and overwhelming her. The water stopped coming and the girl lay on the ground in a puddle completely drenched. What was left of her hair was plastered on her face. She wasn't moving. Hayate made his way over and placed a hand on her neck.

"The Match is over. Ino is unable to continue so the winner is Mizuko Yoshida."

Akari's sister walked to ino's side and woke her gently. She helped the girl up and supported her as they walked up the steps. Once they reached Asuma Sensei Mizuko handed her over and he set her gently up against the wall. Ino said something to Mizuko who nodded in response. Then she made her way to Akari and Riko.

"She did pretty well that Ino" Riko told her as she sat on the edge.

"Yeah she did." She said with her faced pressed in between the bars.

"What did she tell you?" Akari asked.

"She said she would have won had she been able to complete her technique" Mizuko muttered. "I agree with her. I don't think I could handle having her mind in my body."

Akari looked down at her sister. She didn't think the same. Mizuko was smart in mind and body. If anyone could handle it then it would be her. But then again, knowing someone else was controlling your body didn't sound too inviting. She glanced at Ino. Sakura was now sitting beside her and they were whispering to each other. Akari had almost forgotten that they used to be very good friends. Sakura looked up and saw her watching. She smiled timidly and waved. Akari did the same. Ino looked at the two of them confused. Then Sakura must have explained because Ino's expression turned to surprise. She looked at Akari who waved in response. Slowly Ino waved back.

"Looks like you have two less enemies." Riko teased.

"Seems that way. I wish I had given them a chance sooner though. I'd know them a lot better." She whispered.

"Hey guys. It's Tenten's turn." Mizuko said. "Along with another Sand Ninja."

They leaned on the railing and looked down. Tenten and the girl from the Hidden Sand stood facing each other. The other girls name was still on the screen. Temari. Kankuro and Temari. All that was left was to find out the other boys name. The boy with the gourd.