Hey! Happy Fourth of July (American Independence Day)!

New chapter today!

Did anyone read the new Naruto chapter? That's why I update on Wednesdays; that's when the Naruto manga updates for me.

Short chap, but they get longer as they go on.

Thanks for the reviews! Keep them up!

Since it was Neji's b-day yesterday (July 3rd), I'll let him do the disclaimer.

Neji: I feel honored. *sarcastic*

Me: Shut up. Just do it.

Neji: If Epic Otaku Cherry owned Naruto, my fate would be with Tenten. Period. Oh, and she and I would get more screen time and Tenten more character development.

Me: Thanks, Neji!

Now get to readin' and reviewin'!


Chapter 4: Temari vs. Tenten: Yet Another Rematch

Normal POV

Hayate was about to start the match when he noticed how the girls were looking at each other; almost playfully, but determined; as if they knew each other enough to tease the other. But how could they know each other? This is their first time taking the exams and they didn't meet in the Forest of Death. Something odd is going on here, starting with that ROOT kid…
He shook his head. Now's not the time for that. I need to do my job; I can talk to Lord Hokage later.

"*cough* You girls *cough* may begin the match." And with that, Hayate retreated to a safer area of the arena.

Temari smirked at Tenten. "You goin' to put up a better fight this time? Our last battle was no fun", she taunted.

"Hmph. You know it! I've been waiting forever for this day!" Tenten sent Temari a look that said, What are you doing? We're not supposed to know each other.
Temari smirked, giving Tenten the answer she needed. Messing with them, of course

Temari pulled her fan out, remembering that they had a match to fight. "Then prove it! Show me what you got!" She charged.

"Hmph." Tenten jumped into the air, throwing 4 shuriken, at Temari.
Dodging, Temari jumped and tried to take a swipe at her opponent, surprised when her fan was met with a Bo stick. "Not so fast, Temari."

"Tch. If you think you got me you are dead wrong! Wind Style: Wind Scythe Jutsu!" Tenten hurried to avoid it, remembering that it was what had cost her her battle last time.

"Not this time!" She quickly summoned a large sword, and arched it down with all her strength, trying to cut the wind currents so she isn't caught up in it again. Surprisingly, it worked.

(a/n: Think of Inuyasha. Inuyasha's sword Tetsaiga, and the attack, Wind Scar. Sort of like that, except she was cutting the wind itself, not summoning it for the attack.)

Noticing the surprised look of the viewers, Tenten smugly said, "Just because I tend to throw weapons, doesn't mean I don't know how to use them correctly, you know."

"Impressive, cutting the wind current. But that won't protect you from me!" Temari was using her fan almost like a sword, and Tenten was blocking and parrying each one with her own sword, trying to cut her in the process.

Then, Tenten suddenly felt a wall behind her, she gasped. Fuck! I totally forgot I was near a wall! Now she has me trapped! Damn it!

Seeing Tenten's slightly panicked and worried expression, Temari smirked. "I told you, a large sword isn't going to protect you from me. Now, again. Wind Style: Wind Scythe!"

Just like the first time they fought, Tenten was encased in a cocoon of wind. The longer she was in it, the higher she was raised. Finally, she plummeted to the ground, her back hitting Temari's fan, bending at an angle that obviously wasn't natural.

Coughing up blood, she slipped off to the ground and just lied there. Staring at the ceiling. At least I'm still conscious. But still, this HURTS. And I can't move much of anything bedsides my neck and face. Ugh.

"Tenten-chan!" Lee jumped of the rail and picked up her teammate. "Are you alright? Does it hurt anywhere! Do you need anything? How are you feeling?"

Chuckling, and then groaning because it hurt, she replied, "Sorta. Everywhere but mostly my back. A paramedic would be great and I can't move anything but my face and neck. I'm paralyzed, I guess."

Lee then turned to glare at Temari. He was about to say something when Temari interrupted him. "Glaring at me isn't going to fix anything, kid. You might want to take care of that little friend of yours, she seems pretty injured to me. To anyone, really."

She was sneering, although on the inside, she was thinking, Hm. Maybe keeping this façade on won't be all that hard. I just need to keep Gaara satisfied though. She snuck a look at her brother, seeing his bloodthirsty expression. Maybe I can interfere in his fight against Lee so he isn't hurt as badly. No…I don't think that'll work. Damn! What am I going to do?

Hayate just took a glance at Tenten and said, "Tenten is unable to continue, Temari is the winner. Like you needed me to say that." He mumbled the last part so no one could hear him. For his, no one did.

After Lee took his teammate to the stands (a paramedic partially healed her enough to watch the rest of the matches since she didn't want to leave), their proctor announced the next match.

"The next and 6th match is Shikamaru Nara vs. Kin Tsuchi."

In the stands, many could hear a certain brunette mutter, "How troublesome."


REVIEW, REVIEW, REVIEW, AND PM!

I might be generous and update again in 2 days. Kin's birthday is on the 6th, and today's the 4th. So...

Maybe if I get a review, I'll do it! **