Chapter 8
"I wonder what he's thinking." Akari whispered.
"Who?" Riko asked.
"The one with the gourd." She said.
"Seriously? Who cares! Do you find him attractive or something because he just seems creepy to me!" He exclaimed.
"Riko. Your sister doesn't have to find someone attractive to want to get to know them." Hayama said.
"Exactly! I'm just genuinely curious about him. Though I'll admit he is pretty cute." She grinned.
"Akari. I'm okay with you wanting to make friends but please be cautious. That boy has a certain aura to him. One I'm not sure I like." Hayama said warily.
Akari looked at her sensei and nodded. If the boy turned out to be a psycho she'd back off. No point in trying to get through to him if he was. She put that out of her mind and watched the match. Tenten wasn't doing too well. Her weapon based attacks just weren't cutting it. Temari's wind techniques just blew them away. However hard she tried Tenten just couldn't get a hit. The girl from the Hidden Sand was too much for her.
The match didn't last long. In the end Tenten lost and was sent away on a stretcher. Then it was Shikamaru's turn. His opponent was the girl named Kin. She was from the Hidden Sound. Akari hadn't seen the boy in while but he still seemed as lazy as ever.
"Everything must still be a drag to him." Akari smiled.
At first the girl was doing well. It looked as if she had a chance of winning but Shikamaru got her in the end. His Shadow Imitation technique ensnared her and he was able to knock her unconscious. Lazy he might be but Shikamaru was still the brightest of his class. He passed her as he made his way to his team.
"Very well done. Glad to see you take some things seriously." She teased.
"Doesn't mean it wasn't a total drag." He said.
She chuckled and he continued on his way but not before smiling at her.
"You managed to become friends with most of them before being moved up huh?" Mizuko asked.
"I did. I always liked Shikamaru the best though. He didn't treat anybody any different. Not even Naruto." She answered.
"I wonder why they all treated him poorly as a kid. Do you know Hayama Sensei?" Riko questioned.
"Some blame him for something that happened years ago. Something the boy had nothing to do with. But children tend to follow by example. If their parents think badly of him so will they. Even if they don't know the reason why." He said vaguely.
"Okay. But what happened?" Akari pried.
"Like I said it happened years ago. There's no need for you to know the details." His tone implied they shouldn't ask any more questions.
The siblings let it go and faced the screen. The boy they were just talking about was up. Naruto Uzumaki and Kiba Inuzuka. This match was going to be interesting. Akari liked both boys but she wanted Naruto to win. With a dream like his he was going to have to.
"Let's see why that village named a bridge after him" Mizuko said.
Akari gripped the railing firmly. She wasn't going to miss this match for anything, but where was Sasuke? Shouldn't he be here to see his teammates match? As if to answer her question, Kakashi sensei appeared next to Sakura. The Uchiha was not with him. Sakura must've asked because Akari heard him answer.
"Don't worry. He's just resting in the infirmary."
Akari could've sworn he looked her way when he said it. Maybe he knew she was wondering the same thing. She nodded slightly just in case he did mean for her to hear. Then she looked down at the arena. Naruto looked very excited. Kiba on the other hand looked as if he already won. Akari didn't think it was smart to underestimate Naruto just yet. That is until Kiba's right hook sent the boy flying. Naruto didn't look like he was getting back up.
"Man. Is it really already over?" Riko asked.
"It…it can't be. Naruto has to be stronger than that." Akari said in shock.
"He's not done just yet." Mizuko muttered.
Akari glanced at her sister then back at the boy. Naruto was getting back up! Kiba looked extremely upset. He was sure he had just won. But Naruto Uzumaki was not staying down.
"Don't ever. Don't ever underestimate me!" He growled.
Whoa! Akari felt chills running up her body! Everyone one around her was in complete shock. Especially the rookies. Who knew that the Naruto they once knew was no more. This one meant business. Rock Lee burst into a cheer and Sakura loudly encouraged her teammate. She glanced over at the pink haired girl. Sakura turned to her with a big grin on her face. Akari grinned back. Their friend was not out of this fight just yet!
Kiba threw a smoke bomb that quickly enveloped Naruto. Akari leaned in trying to get a closer look but she had no idea what was going on! Then Naruto ran out of the smoke only to be pushed back in by Akamaru. Slowly the smoke cleared allowing everyone to see Naruto. He lay unconscious on the ground with the small dog by his side.
"Oh no! Come on Naruto please get up." Akari whispered.
Akamaru ran to Kiba's open arms. Was it really over? Akari was very disappointed but then Akamaru lunged at Kiba biting him in the arm! What? Akamaru would never hurt Kiba! Then it hit her. Naruto Uzumaki was a lot smarter than he seemed. She smiled to herself now that she understood. Kiba was in complete shock until in his dogs place stood Naruto. A different Naruto held up the real Akamaru. The boy had managed a transformation jutsu on top of a clone jutsu at the same time! Akari could tell the others were impressed. Who wouldn't be!
Kiba was still in this though. He through a chakra enhancing pill at his dog who gladly swallowed it. Slowly Akamaru's fur turned red. He broke free of the Naruto holding him who disappeared in smoke. The dog transformed into another Kiba and crouched on the originals back. Naruto wasn't too happy about that. He didn't think it was fair until Hayate explained it was. Food pills were just another tool.
"ON ALL FOURS JUTSU!" Kiba yelled before him and Akamaru lunged at Naruto.
Naruto dodged but the two Kiba's continued their attack. Akari's friend was doing his best until…
"MAN BEAST! ULTIMATE TIAJUTSU!"
Kiba and Akamaru were nothing but a blur. They hit Naruto from every direction. In the end, Naruto lay face down on the ground bleeding. Akari's palms were getting blisters from how tightly she gripped the railing. It looked as if Kiba had finally won. But he hadn't. Not yet. Naruto was still trying to get back up. Akari could hear him mumbling. Whatever he said Kiba laughed at it.
"Im gonna be Hokage!" Kiba exclaimed.
Did Akari hear him right? Was that what Naruto was saying? Kiba continued to insult him. He called Naruto weak. Akari almost flung herself over the railing to teach the dog boy a lesson! How dare he say stuff like that! Kiba was her friend but there was no way she could let him get away with what he was saying. How could Hinata! She glanced at the Hyuuga girl who had her hands clasped in front of her, watching her teammate and the boy she admired nervously. Then she felt a hand grip her arm firmly.
"Naruto wouldn't appreciate you jumping in Akari." Hayama sensei said.
He was right of course. Naruto could handle this on his own. Even now he beginning to stand. It didn't seem like Kiba's words had phased him. He stared down kiba with determination in his eyes.
"Sorry but, you can forget about being Hokage. Because I'm the top dog around here." He smirked.
This fight really had its up and downs. It had Akari on the edge. She really hoped Naruto could pull this off. He sure wasn't giving up just yet. She watched as the fight continued. Naruto was holding his own but Kiba wasn't easing up. He threw more smoke bombs and attacked. When things cleared up Akari was surprised to see not 2 but 3 Kibas! Naruto was definitely stronger. Kiba made up his mind and punched the one he believed was fake. It looked as if he got the right one until in its place lay Akamaru.
Kiba was shocked. His nose was never wrong! Quickly he turned and hit the other Kiba who also turned back to Akamaru. Whoa! Naruto came to impress! The first Akamaru transformed back to Naruto who took the chance to kick Kiba in the chin. He looked very pleased with himself. Kiba slowly stood back up and seemed to calm himself. He went on the attack again overwhelming Naruto once more. He was too fast for Akari's friend. That is until he snuck up behind the boy who chose that moment to let out some gas. Literally. Naruto farted in Kibas face who blanched in disgust completely disoriented. Quickly Naruto produced some clones and went on an assault that devastated Kiba. Naruto Uzumaki was the winner!
"That was an unusual method." Mizuko grimaced.
"Eh! Whatever works right! Man did you see Kiba's face? Totally epic!" Riko laughed.
"He did it! He really did it!" Akari grinned.
She was ecstatic! Naruto had really come a long way these past few years. She watched as he made his way to the upper level. That's when Hinata made her move. She held out a container for him to take. He seemed confused but then grinned and gladly took it. She blushed and smiled at him. Yes Hinata! Nicely done! Akari was happy for her until she saw the names appear on the screen.
"Hinata Hyuuga" and "Neji Hyuuga"
Akari's face fell. Instantly she ran towards Neji before he could walk down the steps.
"Neji please don't do anything rash! Shes a good person and shes your cousin for god's sake!" She pleaded.
"This doesn't concern you Akari. Refrain from telling me what to do in situations you don't understand." He said coldly before joining his cousin in the arena.
Doesn't concern her! Hinata was her friend and she was about to be pummeled by Neji who also happened to be her friend! How did this not concern her? If Hinata came out severely injured would she be able to forgive the Hyuuga boy? Akari could handle a lot of things but this may prove too much.
"Akari! Hey, whats wrong?" Sakura called.
Slowly Akari made her way to her new friend who stood with Naruto and the rest of Neji's squad. She stood beside them and faced the arena.
"Im just worried for Hinata that's all. Neji can be…"
"Intense." Rock Lee finished her sentence.
She looked to him and nodded. He understood what was going through her head. Gai sensei also looked slightly worried.
"Don't worry guys! I'm sure Hinata will do great." Naruto grinned.
Akari gave him a small smile but didn't really feel any better. She glanced down at her two friends who were now talking. Hinata called Neji her brother which surprised Sakura and Naruto. Kakashi went on to explain things to them but by then Akari had tuned them out.
The fight turned out differently then she imagined. It didn't look to good at first. Neji said some awful things to Hinata. Naruto tensed up beside her and she knew he wasn't all too happy with her classmate. He yelled down encouragement to Hinata which shocked everyone including her. Naruto was more upset than she thought. His words reached Hinata who prepared herself to fight. She and her cousin activated their Byakugan which sent Kakashi into another explanation.
The match seemed even. The two Hyuugas fought so gracefully it seemed as if they were dancing. Hinata was really holding her own but Akari could tell Neji was holding back. This made Akari even more anxious. Naruto gripped Hinata's container tightly in his hand. At that moment it looked as if Hinata had landed a blow which caused the boy next to her to get excited. It hadn't made its mark though. Neji on the other hand had managed one close to her heart. Then he revealed the many blows he had made to her chakra points on her arms. Hinata fell face first on the ground. Hayate began to call the fight.
"NO! DON'T STOP THIS MATCH" Naruto yelled.
Sakura chided him but Akari wanted to hug the boy fiercely. He had also noticed that Hinata wasn't done. She was slowly beginning to stand. Neji looked surprised to see that she could still stand. He told her to just give up. That she carried a heavy burden and was angry with herself for being weak. If she just gave up she wouldn't have to suffer anymore.
"No, you're wrong brother. You've got it backwards. You see, I can tell. That you're the one. Your suffering much more than I. You're the one who's all torn up about the Main and the Side branches of the Hyuuga clan." She managed.
Akari beamed at her friend. She was extremely proud of who she had become and she'd gotten this far on her own. She turned to Neji hoping he also noticed the change. Her face fell at his expression. She saw complete rage and hatred. He was beyond reason now and lunged at Hinata. Fear coursed through Akari.
"NEJI! NO!" She yelled.
He ignored her but he didn't hit his mark. Hayate and the some of the Jonin surrounded him and held him back. He didn't take this well and accused them of giving special treatment to the Main Hyuuga branch. Akari wasn't watching him though. Her eyes were on Hinata. She seemed well until she coughed up blood and fell to her knees. Kuranai Sensei went to her and layed her down. Naruto, Sakura, and Rock Lee ran to her and Akari followed.
She kneeled down next to her fallen friend not paying attention to anything around her. She could feel Neji watching her. Hinata didn't look well. Akari almost burst into tears. What had Neji done! All this because he was jealous of the Main branch.
"And second. Once a failure always a failure. You can't change that."
That was Neji's voice. Akari didn't look up but she could feel her body shaking in anger. She felt Naruto stand and heard him running to attack the Hyuuga boy. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Rock Lee stop him. She wanted to say something but Hinata coughed blood again.
"She going into cardiac arrest" Kuranai stated.
The medics came out and placed the girl on a stretcher.
"I'm going with her." Akari said to no one in particular.
"Take care of her." Sakura whispered.
She nodded and glanced up at her squad. They were watching Neji in disappointment. Akari knew how they felt all too well. Hayama met her eyes and nodded. He wouldn't keep her from being at her friend's side. She turned and finally met Neji's gaze. Again his eyes softened like they always do when he looks at her. But she didn't see what she was hoping for. Regret.
"If she doesn't make it. I'll never forgive you." Her voiced wavered.
Then she turned and followed the medics to the infirmary. She caught up to them out in the hall and walked beside Hinata. She put and hand over hers.
"She'll make it won't she? I made a promise just now. One I don't want to keep but will have to if things don't turn out okay." She said. A small tear ran down her cheek.
"We will try our hardest to make her well." One of the medics answered.
They took her into a room where they would be treating her. They asked Akari to wait outside. She took a seat and did just that. She waited. She didn't know how long but it was enough time to think. If she lost Hinata she'd loose Neji too. She hadn't meant to say what she did but it came out anyways. Now she couldn't take it back. Akari thought back to the look on his face when she said it. She had seen sadness but only that. Still no regret.