A/N: It is currently 2:53am and I am still not sleepy. Nor am I in the mood to revise. I just feel like editing and drawing. Anyway, seeing as I was on hiatus for months I thought you deserved another chapter as soon as possible. After all, those who have not abandoned me are truely wonderful :) Chapters shouldn't be too different from the originals from now on :)
Dedicated to the reviewees; cutiekyoto (I PMed you, so I think my emailing system is working aga in :D), AmmyChey3X (Gomen! Gomen! The pain of having no sugar for so long! D:), Naruto-Lover (If I did I would write a summary of the sequel for all readers, though I think I'm too stubborn to ever give up completely!), Abandon All Hope (Poor ear! Hehe, thank you!), Bella (Nope, I was just on hiatus :)!), WhisperInTheRain (as usual, you're too kind to me)
Eien no Shasai
(The Edited Version)
Chapter 22;
Yosen
Preliminaries
Pained and exhausted,
Now, the true battles begin.
-x-
"Finished," Kari declared and sat down ungracefully. She slumped content until she was spread-eagle on the tiled floor and closed her eyes prepared for a good sleep.
"Kari-chan, this could be another test for all we know!" Sakura scolded as Kita sat down next to Kari who showed no signs of moving.
"No one's here…" Naruto commented, glancing around suspiciously. "Ne, ne, what are we supposed to do now, dattebayou?"
"Look!" Sakura cried suddenly causing Kari to startle and lurch into a sitting position. Following Sakura's pointing she noticed a panel engraved with Kanji.
"If you do not possess Heaven, gain knowledge and be prepared. If you do not possess Earth, run through the fields and gain strength. If you open both Heaven and Earth, dangerous paths turn into safe paths. This is the secret of something, something. It shall lead you on your way."
"What does that all mean?" Naruto asked his face scrunching in confusion.
"That part looks like it's missing a word," Sakura said. "It's probably to do with the scrolls. I think it's telling us to open both the Heaven and Earth scrolls."
"Are you sure they won't explode?" Kari asked, pulling them out of her pouch. Naruto and Sakura each took a scroll, unnerved by Kari's comment.
"Then let's open them, dattebayo!" Naruto cried with fake confidence. Both Naruto and Sakura opened a scroll to find the same symbol written inside. "Huh?" Naruto asked, tilting his head to the side, much like the way Kari tended to do when confused.
"'Person'? 'Jin?'" Sakura read, utterly baffled. The scroll started to smoke.
"It's a kuchiyose inscription!" Sasuke gasped. "Naruto! Sakura! Let go of those scrolls!" They quickly threw the scrolls as a blast of smoke erupted from them. As the smoke began to clear, they all gasped.
"Yo… Long time no see" Iruka said with a smirk.
"What's going on?" Sakura cried.
"Looks like you all went through a lot of trouble," Iruka commented, taking in their battered appearances.
"Eh? Why did you appear Iruka-sensei? Dattebayo!" Naruto demanded.
"We Chunin's are here to welcome the examinees at the end of the second exam. I was given the duty to pass on the message to you lot by chance," Iruka replied cheerfully. Pullign out a clock he whistled. "Phew… You made it just in time. Minna, congratulations on passing the Second Exam! I'd like to treat you all to some ramen at Ichiraku, but—"
"YATTA!" Naruto shrieked charging into the Chuunin and engulfing him in an embrace.
"Exam over," Kari concluded and flopped back into her starfish position.
"Hey! Naruto let me finish!" Iruka said awkwardly as Naruto released him and began to cheer.
"Hai! Ramen… RAMEN, DATTEBAYO!" Kari made no complaint as she was lifted off the ground into a bear hug and spun around excitedly. "Ramen Kari-chan, RAMEN! I did it! I'm the best! I want to eat ramen!!"
"Itaaaii," she grumbled as Sakura and Sasuke slid into sitting positions due to exhaustion.
"What an energetic guy…" Sasuke sighed. Naruto looked round at them in surprise finally letting Kari's feet touch the ground again; she swayed dizzily before landing on her backside.
"YEAH!" Naruto cheered jumping of the ground and pumping his fists in the air.
"Urusai!" Sakura shouted irritably as Kari flopped into a laying position once again.
"Where is your composure in front of a teacher?" Sasuke scolded (rather snottily in Kari's opinion) and hoisted her into a sitting position. He scowled when she decided to use his side as a leading post.
Iruka raised an eyebrow at the exchange, surprised at Sasuke acknowledging the newcomer. Then again, from what he could see she showed no obvious attraction to him
"I see now," Sasuke said with a smirk. "If we had opened the scrolls during the exam, Iruka-sensei, what what would you have done?"
"Sasuke, you're as sharp as ever." Iruka said. Kita padded over with the Heaven Scroll in her mouth. "Ah arigatou er…"
"Watashi wa Kita-chan!" Kita cried at once. Iruka stared blankly at the wolf and then glanced at the others that were waiting for an explanation to Sasuke's question.
"Sugoii Kita-ko!" Kari congratulated.
"W-well, as you have guessed, this exam tests your mission completion efficiency."
"Wasn't it to test survival as well?" Kari asked, looking round at Sasuke. He shot her a glare and told her not to interrupt.
"So... if we opened the scroll…" Naruto said, urging Iruka to continue.
"We were ordered to knock out the examinees until the second exam ended," Iruka finished with a rather devious smirk.
"Hn, aren't you two glad you didn't open it?" Sasuke said with a superior smirk to Naruto and Sakura.
"Kita-chan told them it was naughty!" Kita added, sitting beside Iruka.
"Kabuto-san, arigatou, dattebayou..." Naruto whispered in terrified gratitude.
"Oh yeah, sensei?" Sakura began catching Iruka's attention. "What does that text on the wall mean? It seems to be broken; we can't understand it at all."
"Who cares, who cares? We passed!" Naruto bellowed with glee, right in Sakura's left ear.
"No, my other mission is to explain what this means," Iruka said with an embarrassed smile.
"Eh? Really?" Naruto asked.
"Hai. Read it. This is the principle Hokage-sama wrote that you should keep in mind as a Chunin. The 'Heaven' in this text points to the mind of a person; and "Earth" is the body. If you do not possess Heaven, gain knowledge and be prepared. That means for example, if Naruto's weak point is his brain… He should study and prepare for his missions."
"Che…" Naruto grumbled as he scowled. "That's none of your business…" Kari prodded him in the leg to stop him sulking making him smirk and poke her in the shoulder. Sakura giggled, but was cut off when Iruka turned to her.
"If you do not possess Earth, run through the fields and gain strength. For example, if Sakura's weakness lays in strength, she should train everyday. That's what it means," Iruka said. "If you open both Heaven and Earth scrolls, dangerous paths turn into safe paths. It shall lead you on your way."
"But what about that missing part?" Sakura asked embarassed at having been caught out also.
"It's 'Chuunin'," Iruka answered with a smile. "The letter for human that was in your scrolls goes there. The survival mission you took part in these last five days tested the basic abilities of the examinees of the Chuunin exam, and you guys completed it. Chuunin is a commander class. They have the duty to lead a team. Deeply inscribe into your heart the importance of knowledge and strength in missions. Never forget that Chuunin principle, and go on to the next step. That's all I was ordered to tell you."
"Ryoukai!" Naruto cried with a salute. Iruka's smile faded.
"Don't push yourselves in the third exam. Especially you Naruto, I'm worried about you—"
"Iruka-sensei" Naruto interrupted. "When I got this Konoha hitai-ate, I graduated from academy. There's no need to worry. And this is the proof you gave me to show I'm not a child anymore, ne? Iruka-sensei? I may still be restless, but I'm not a kid anymore. Right now… I'm a ninja!"
"He's right." Kari said with a smile. "If you can't put your faith in Naruto, who can you believe in? He's going to be Hokage someday."
"Kari-chan…" Naruto said, deeply touched.
"Sou ka. Gomen Naruto." Iruka apologised, smiling at the supportive relationship that the two blondes shared. "Their waiting for you in the next room."
"Chotto matte. Kari-chan, don't you need a doctor?" Naruto asked, turning anxiously to his closest friend. She smiled and shook her head.
"I'll be fine," she reassured. They all rose and bid their goodbyes to Iruka who stood proudly and watched them leave. He could help but watch the newest member with curiosity. She's a strange one, but she could be just what they need.
-x-
Seeing that the rest of the groups were already in lines, Team Seven followed suit, finding a place between Kurenai's and Gai's team. Naruto stood at the front, pulling Kari by the hand so she stood behind him. Sasuke took his place behind her and Sakura stood at the back.
Kari glanced around, assessing the situation. Konoha rookies, Team Gai, Gaara's team, Oto-nin we fought in the forest, Oto-nin guy I sat next to in the first exam's team. Kari smiled back at Hinata and Kiba, their faces immediately brightening up while Shino offered a curt nod, but otherwise stayed coolly focused. Lee beamed from ear to ear and struck his nice guy pose until TenTen hit him on the back of the head with the handle of one of her kunai before smiling in greeting. Neji seemed strange to stay the least. His gaze was more intense than usual, his pale lavender eyes sliding to her arms and her injured side. Even thickly bandaged she felt naked before his gaze.
"First off, congratulations on passing the second exam," Anko, their proctor began. Kari noticed Kakashi standing with the other Jounin and Chuunin and grinned at him. Kakashi noticed and smiled discreetly behind his mask. Gai seemed to be talking to him, little to the care of the silver-haired sensei. Kari glanced around then gave Sasuke a nudge.
"They're all getting some Uchiha eye-candy," Kari whispered. Sasuke's eyebrow twitched and he used his darkest glare to show his displeasure. His glare ineffective from over-use, just cause Kari to snigger appreciatively.
"All the rookies from Konoha are here," Sakura said as she looked around.
"Hey, hey, Hokage-Ojiisan, Iruka-sensei and even Gejimayu are here, dattebayo! It feels like everyone important is here!" Naruto cried in delight.
"I don't have a good feeling about it though," Sasuke said, placing a hand over his throbbing curse mark. He noticed Kari was shaking, but the look of determination she wore silenced him. He was in no position to criticise her.
"We will now receive an explanation of the third exam from Hokage-sama. Everyone listen well. Hokage-sama, please do the honours," Anko bowed with respect and Kari held in a smirk at her bipolar personality. Hmm, if she was coupled with Kakashi… Images of fires and explosions filled her mind as she grinned mischievously. The Hokage walked forward and cleared his throat.
"The third exam will begin. But before the exam there is one thing I want to make clear to all of you," Kita shifted in Kari's arms, sensing a good long lecture. "It's about the true purpose of this exam. Why do we do a joint exam with allied nations? 'To maintain good relations with the allied nations' and 'heighten the level of the ninja'. Do not let those reasons deceive you. The 'exam' so to speak…" the Hokage paused to take a puff on his pipe. "The epitome of a war between the allied nations. If we go back through the history, the allied nations right now were neighbouring countries that have fought each other over and over again. To avoid wasting military power, those countries decided to chose a place to fight. That is the beginning of the Chunin Selection Exam. Yes, this exam does examine those who are worthy of this title. But on the other hand, it is also a place where shinobi fight and carry their country's dignity. In this Third Exam, feudal lords and famous people from various countries who may be potential clients are invited here as guests. And feudal lords from countries with hidden villages and ninja leaders will see your battles. If there's a significant difference in power, the strong country will be flooded with jobs. If a country is seen as weak, their jobs will decrease. And at the same time, countries are able to show how their village has grown and possess excellent military power to the adjacent countries. In other words, they can put foreign pressure on them. A country's power is the village's power. A village's power is the ninja's power. And a ninja's true power is only born in a life-or-death battle."
Kari's heart skipped a beat. Did she really want to know her full power? An image of the fight with the Oto-nin flooded her mind, that horrible, overwhelming murderous instinct… She shuddered and goosebumps sprouted across her skin causing her tender wounds to tingle unpleasantly.
"This exam is also a place to show off the ninja power of one's country. Since this is an exam where your life is on the line, it has a meaning. And your predecessors have fought and dreamed of being in the Chunin exam because of it."
"But why do you say this exam is to promote good relations?" Tenten questioned.
"I told you in the beginning not to get confused with that." The Hokage said sternly. Kari groaned, praying he would not repeat his speech all over again. She was starting to fidget, bored with the excessive monologue. "The custom of shaving one's life and fighting to maintain balance… that is the 'good relation' in the world of ninja. This is a life-or-death battle for your dreams and village's dignity."
"I don't care," Gaara stated. "Tell us the details of this life-or-death exam." Though it was rather rude, Kari couldn't help but agree with the ruby-haired Suna-nin. The information held little importance to her. The Hokage nodded.
"Then I will begin the explanation of the Third exam—" a Chunin jumped down in front of the Hokage, cutting him off.
"Sumimasen Hokage-sama. I, Gekkou Hayate, the judge, will explain."
"Please do," the Hokage agreed.
"Minna, it's nice to meet you. Before the third exam, there's something I want you to do..." He stopped and coughed violently. Kari's brows furrowed, it looks like she wasn't the only one in poor health. "…Fight in some preliminary matches to see who gets to advance to the third exam's main battle."
"Preliminary matches? What do you mean?" Shikamaru cried.
"Sensei, I don't know what you mean by preliminary matches," Sakura said in confusion. "Why can't we just start the third exam with the remaining examinees?"
"In this case, it may be because the first and second Exams were too easy, I don't know. But there are too many examinees left," Hayate replied. "According to Chuunin regulations, we must decrease the number of examinees for the third exam."
"Too easy..." Kari murmured in horror. She felt as though part of her soul died in remembering the stressful exam paper and the forest of doom. Or was it death?
"As Hokage-sama previously mentioned, there are many important guests invited to the Third Exam, so we cannot just have a lot of matches. We are limited on time as well, so those who are not feeling well—" the instructor was cut off by a coughing fit. "Excuse me. If anyone wants to quit after hearing the explanation, please let me know. The preliminary matches will begin immediately."
At once there was an uproar of complaints and confusion.
"Immediately?" Kiba repeated in disbelief while Kari felt the urge to cry as her heavy body ached relentlessly at the thought of another fight.
"But we just got through the second exam!" Ino whined.
"How troublesome…" Shikamaru groaned.
"Eh? What about my meal?" Chouji asked, ever hungry.
"I forgot to mention this, but you will have one-on-one matches from here on out. So please withdraw if you wish."
A wave of pain shot through Kari's body as though taunting her. She grit her teeth and closed one of her eyes gripping her curse mark tightly. She leaned forward until her forehead hit the back of Naruto's shoulders, her breathing becoming laboured.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura said worriedly. Glancing back, Kari could see Sasuke seemed to be sharing her problem. "Sasuke-kun you should withdraw from the preliminary matches! You've been acting weird since ever since that Orochimaru guy beat you. That bruise hurts even now doesn't it, and Kari-chan's hurting too. At this rate…" She clutched her hands to her chest as her eyes filled with tears. "Onegai… Please stop, I'm afraid…" she whispered wiping her eyes. Sasuke glanced at his injured comrade, Kita staring at him with wide fearful eyes. Kari's face was twisted with pain, her bangs beginning to stick to her burning hot face from the sweat.
"Keh, I'll be fine," Kari said, forcing a pained smile. Sasuke's fist clenched, Even Naruto wouldn't believe that brave façade. Naruto had been watching, but kept his body still to support Kari. He was worried and confused, not understanding why Sakura was so upset. He could feel the warmth of Kari's fever through his jacket and noticed the tension in the air. His azure eyes couldn't properly see Kari, but he could feel her pain. When you hurt, I hurt too Kari-chan. Maybe not on the outside, but on the inside I do.
-x-
"Just as I thought," the Hokage said grimly.
"What should we do?" Ibiki asked.
"We should take them out of the exams and isolate them with ANBU escorts," Anko hissed. "We need to advise them to withdraw immediately and-"
"They're not the type to listen to you that easily," Kakashi interrupted. "He's part of the famous Uchiha clan after all and she's the most stubborn person I've ever met."
"Stop fooling around! I'll make them quit by force if I have too!" Anko snapped. "The cursed seal reacts when they try to mould Chakra and it will try to extract power out of them! It's a forbidden technique that undermines the affected person!" She grasped her own cursed seal and looked back to the two in question. "It's amazing they can withstand it, a normal person would be dead. Her body is clearly trying to reject it, the cursed seal is destroying her body; she shouldn't be alive…"
"It is not luck that keeps her alive," the Hokage stated, glancing at the young girl. "She seems to be wounded."
"She's very strong," Kakashi said softly. "The only one to survive my Raikiri."
"It's always the strong the strong that suffer most, ne Kakashi?" the Hokage said, taking a puff on his pipe. Kakashi nodded as he watched his team.
"Kari..."
Even you have your limits.
-x-
"You're not in any condition to fight Sasuke-kun, neither are you Kari-chan!" Sakura cried.
"Urusai," Sasuke hissed.
"I know it!"
"Be quiet."
"You've been bearing with the pain all this time, both of you! Look at her Sasuke-kun!" Sakura begged.
"Just be quiet," Sasuke snapped. He glanced at her again, her eyes were barely open, her face once again horribly pale.
"Whatever you say, I'm going to tell the sensei about your bruises! Then…" Sakura went to raise her hand, but stopped when she noticed someone had raised their hand before her.
"What is it?" the Hokage asked.
"I'll quit!" Kabuto said with a smile.
"Kabuto-san?" Naruto said in hurt surprise.
"Eto… You're Konoha's Yakushi Kabuto-kun?" Hayate asked, flipping through his notes. "You may leave then."
"Hai," Kabuto replied.
"Kabuto-san, why're you quitting?" Naruto cried. Kabuto stopped and looked round at the loud ninja.
"Gomen Naruto, but my body is completely worn out already. Even before the first exam, when I had that quarrel with the Oto-nin, I couldn't hear anything in my left ear. I can't fight right away, especially if it's a life-or-death battle…" Naruto looked away, hurt by Kabuto's lack of determination and perseverance. Kari laced her fingers with his, giving the support he wanted. Kabuto smiled and waved and then left. Kari stood straight, still woozy.
"May I assume there are no more candidates that wish to retire?" Hayate asked. Sakura's hand slowly rose but was smacked down by Sasuke.
"Oi! Don't be so rude!" Kari snapped. "That is no way to treat your team-mate!"
"Be quiet about this bruise," Sasuke growled, completely ignoring Kari, much to her irritation. Sakura's eyes filled with tears and Kari's heart wrenched painfully.
"Why are you acting so tough! I don't want to see you both suffering anymore! Kari-chan, you have to get to a doctor before you get any worse…" Sakura sobbed.
"It doesn't matter to you! You're just being nosy. Yes, maybe Kari has something to do with it, but not you." He glanced warningly at Kari who looked ready to smack the living daylights out of him. "I told you before, I am an avenger. This isn't just an exam to me; I don't care about being a Chuunin either. Am I strong? I just want the answer to that. I'm going to fight the strong guys and those strong guys are here! I will not allow you to take away my path."
"Sasuke-kun," Sakura whispered, eyes moist.
"Ne, Sakura-chan, I'll protect him for you. Kaka-san, Hokage-sama… They're all here to stop it getting out of hand. Don't worry," Kari murmured, trying to comfort her. Sakura's tears overflowed from her eyes with gratitude as Sasuke scoffed.
"Arigatou gozaimasu… Kari-chan…"
"Stop acting cool dattebayo you baka, Sakura-chan's just worried about you!" Naruto cried. Kari smiled, that's her Naruto-kun.
"Naruto," Sasuke interrupted with a smirk. "I want to fight with you too." Kari gave a cry, wrapping an arm around their shoulders.
"A bonding moment! I'm so proud of you!" she cried happily. Finally, Sasuke accepts Naruto-kun as strong! Naruto laughed and hugged her back causing her to curse and tell him off for touching her injured side.
-x-
"What Orochimaru said about not stopping the exam worries me a little," the Hokage said. "Let's let them both go on, and just observe them for now."
"Hokage-sama!" Anko cried in protest.
"However, if their cursed seal opens up and their powers become uncontrollable, or if there is any sign of Kari becoming unstable, stop them."
"Hai," Ibiki confirmed.
"Demo—! …I understand." Anko said grudgingly. She looked back at the two cursed ninja. "That girl is strong-hearted…" Anko observed, watching as the wolfish kunoichi interacted with her team. "The pain she must be enduring, yet she still smiles."
-x-
"Then, let's begin the preliminary matches." Hayate said. "It will be a one-on-one match, like real combat. Now that we have exactly twenty four people, we will have twelve matches and the winners will be able to advance to the third exam. There are no rules. You will fight until the other person dies, is knocked out, or admits defeat. If you do not want to die, please give up immediately. However, if I judge the match is over, I may stop you to prevent ant unnecessary deaths. The thing that will hold your destiny, will be this electric bulletin board, which will randomly display the names of two fighters for each match. Without further ado, I will display the names for the first match."
All eyes were fixed firmly on the board as names flashed across it. Kari's heart skipped a couple beats when she saw hers, Naruto's and Hinata's names flash for an instant. Finally, with a beep, the names froze causing Kari's breath to disappear from her lungs.
Akadou Yuroi
Vs
Uchiha Sasuke
Sasuke smirked but was cut off by a wave of pain. Kari cursed and fell forward headbutting Naruto's back, the pain exhausting her body even further.
"Uchiha eye-candy time again…" Kari said weakly with a smirk, much to the Uchiha's frustration.
"Those, whose names were displayed, step up," Hayate requested
.
"Naruto," Sasuke said quietly. "Make sure she's alright." The Uchiha then proceeded to walk up and face his opponent, who happened to be one of Kabuto's team while Kari fumed at being treated like a child.
"The first match's fighters are Akadou Yuroi and Uchiha Sasuke. Are there any objections?" Hayate asked.
"Iie!" both replied. Kari smirked. Knock him dead Uchiha. She shuddered in pain. Knock him dead as quick as you can…
"Eh… We will now begin the first match. Everyone other than the two fighters, please move up there" Hayate said, motioning to the viewing balcony. Kari rushed up and hugged Sasuke much to his displeasure.
"Good luck baka!" she cried, as he tried to ignore her.
"Oi! Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto cried jumping up and waving at their approaching sensei.
"Kashi!" Kari cried in delight. Kakashi waved then motioned for her to return to Naruto and Sakura. She did so, leaning on Naruto when she reached him.
"Sasuke," Kakashi said, stopping behind the Uchiha. "Don't use your Sharingan."
"So you know…" Sasuke said with a smirk.
"If that curse mark on your neck becomes uncontrollable it may kill you," Kakashi said.
"I figured that. It's the same with her isn't it?" Sasuke asked, glancing at Kari, who was chatting away to Naruto and Sakura as though she hadn't a care in the world. Always putting on a mask to hide her pain.
"Her body is unstable as it is; it's trying to reject the curse mark. The massive strain is what's making her so ill. If the worst happens, the match will be cancelled. I'll stop you, so keep that in mind." Kakashi then continued walking, leaving Sasuke with his thoughts.
This mark seems to react to my Chakra. If I try to mould Chakra, it takes over my mind and will extract Chakra out of me without limit. And then Kari's body does the same. In other words, using my Sharingan is out of the question and I can't use normal techniques either.
Kakashi reached Kari, who had been the only one who bothered to wait for himand put an arm round her shoulders to help her walk.
"Ne, Kashi," Kari began.
"Mm, what is it?" he asked, noticing with some apprehension that she seemed worried.
"This thing... you know about it right?" Kari said, looking up at him. After his nod she continued. "It makes my Chakra feel weird," she said unable to think of another way to explain the change that overcame her when fighting the Oto-nin.
"Aa, I'll see what can be done," Kakashi said quietly. He was glad her worry and pain stopped her from being as perceptive as normal. He was certain if she was able to think clearly she would have questioned the way he stiffened at her question.
"And Sasuke?"
"I'm sure he'll be fine."
They fell silent as they ascended the stairs, reaching the rest of their team. Kari sat down and looked through the bars. Naruto crouched beside her and did the same.
"Hey Kari-chan? Are you feeling better?" Naruto asked. Kari smiled weakly and nodded. Heh, I'm worried sick…
"Begin," Hayate instructed.
"Let's go!" Yuroi cried, making a hand sign. Sasuke readied himself as Yuroi's right hand glowed blue with Chakra. Both pulled weapons out of their pouches, Yuroi flung shuriken Sasuke, who deflected with his kunai. He went to move but was stopped by a pain from his mark and fell over. Kari groaned and smacked her head on the bar.
"Heh, Sasuke was kinda sloppy," Naruto agreed. Kakashi's visible eye narrowed. That was pain… Not disappointment in Sasuke's ability.
Yuroi avoided the deflected shuriken and appeared in front of Sasuke. Kari's keen eyes followed his movements with ease. Sasuke rolled out the way and slammed his kunai into the floor, using it as leverage he spun round and kicked Yuroi's leg, pushing him off balance and pulling him into an arm lock.
"Yatta!" Naruto cried. Yuroi snorted and grabbed the front of Sasuke's shirt, his hand once again glowing blue. Kari winced as pain shot through her chest and her body became heavy and weak.
"My strength!" Sasuke cried. Yuroi easily pulled his arm out of Sasuke's grip and brought the back of his hand into Sasuke's chest. Sasuke cried out in pain. Kakashi was torn which way to look. The second Yuroi's fist hit Sasuke, Kari starts violently coughing… Yuroi stood up as Sasuke struggled to move.
"Sasuke-kun!" Sakura cried as Yuroi charged, his fist once again glowing blue. Sasuke wasn't able to move quickly enough and Yuroi grabbed Sasuke's head and shoved him to the ground. Sasuke's hold on Yuroi's arm weakened and his arms fell to his side.
"Are you… my Chakra…?" Sasuke gasped. Naruto stood up and watched in shock. Kakashi moved behind Kari and placed a hand on the top of her head. She was clutching fistfuls of golden hair on the sides of her head.
"Stay strong…" Kakashi whispered.
"Did you notice now?" Yuroi mocked as Sasuke's fist clenched.
"Get off!" he cried, kicking Yuroi off of him. Sasuke struggled to sit up as Yuroi stood up easily.
"You still had some strength left?" Yuroi asked. "You're just a guinea-pig though. Relax, I'll end this quickly." His hand glowed blue as he charged at Sasuke, who was now standing. Sasuke dodged swipe after swipe, the last brushing his raven hair. He quickly stumbled out of the way. "What's wrong, are you done for already?" Sasuke turned and aimed a sloppy kick at Yuroi, but missed as the older ninja jumped out the way. Sasuke breathed heavily as he tried to think of what to do. Kari's hands slid through her knotted hair and fell into her lap. Naruto, irritated that Sasuke was losing, decided to make his opinion known.
"SASUKE! You call yourself Uchiha with that? Stop acting like a baka! Get serious!" Naruto cried as Sasuke looked round. His eyes travelled over Naruto, to Kari who looked like she was going to pass out any second, to Rock Lee. Rock Lee… Sasuke's eyes widened as inspiration hit him.
"You don't have time to be looking the other way!" Yuroi cried as he came charging towards Sasuke again. "This it!" Sasuke dodged each blow, until a smirk came to his face. He appeared beneath Yuroi, kicking him into the air.
"What?" Yuroi cried in recognition.
"From here on it's all original though," Sasuke said. "It's the end! Eat this—!" he tensed as his curse mark burned. Kakashi quickly crouched next to Kari who was shaking violently, blood spilling from her lips He wrapped his arm round her shoulders while watching Sasuke intently. "Chikusho, it responds when it doesn't need to!" Sasuke cried as markings began to spread across his body. Kakashi glanced back at Kari to see markings slowly crawling across her collarbone and up her neck, hidden from everyone else by a sheet of long blonde hair. Slowly it was spreading across half her face. Kakashi looked back up at Sasuke.
"I guess now's the time to…" Kakashi was cut off by Kari grabbing hold of his vest.
"Matte… He can do it… I know he can…"
Sasuke grit his teeth and closed his eyes.
"Onegai… Yamete…"
"Temee! Sasuke! Stop acting like an idiot!"
"I'll never leave you alone…"
I can't believe I've gotten them worried… Sasuke thought angrily. And if I'm hurting this much… then she must be…
"You've been bearing with the pain all this time, both of you! Look at her Sasuke-kun!"
With a sudden burst of power in the desperation to stop his team-mates pain, the burning marks slowly receded back into the curse mark.
"Told ya so…" Kari murmured with a smirk.
"Let's get this on!" Sasuke cried. He spun Yuroi round, but his kick was blocked.
"Not good enough!" Yuroi cried. Sasuke twisted round and backhanded Yuroi in the face. Sasuke then twisted and punched him in the gut.
"I'm not done yet!" Sasuke cried, spinning again and kicking him into the floor. "Shishi rendan!" Sasuke went sliding backwards doing a backwards somersault and coming to a stop, lying on his front. Kari clapped and laughed.
"That was neat! Do it again!" she cried enthusiastically. Kakashi chuckled and shook his head. Hayate walked over to Yuroi and shook his head signalling that the opponent was unconscious; he then looked over at Sasuke who was standing up. Kari's eyes suddenly widened, slowly turning to focus on the Oto-nin's sensei.
You…
"Kari," Kakashi said as he felt her Chakra stir suddenly. "Don't get too excited, you might not be next."
Sasuke wiped the blood leaking from his mouth on his sleeve as he panted.
"I will stop this match now. The winner of the first match is Uchiha Sasuke," Hayate declared. "This means he passes the preliminary round."
"YATTA!" Naruto cried as Sakura laughed with joy. Kari smiled softly as Kita crawled into her lap. Gently, she lifted her paw to Kari's face.
"Okaasan is ok?" she asked. Kari nodded. "Sasuke-kun won! We'll win too!" Kita cried her tail wagging.
"Hai Kita-ko, we'll win too!" Kari laughed.
"Kari, I'm going to get Sasuke" Kakashi told her before standing up. She nodded and he poofed down behind Sasuke.
"You did okay," Kakashi praised.
"Sasuke! You won in such an idiotic way! You're all worn out! Bakaaa!" Naruto cried in delight.
"Naruto! That was an awesome little somersault! He has to do it again!" Kari said happily.
"Geez, usuratonkashi, baka-onna," Sasuke's irritation faded as he smirked. He sighed and put a hand to his aching chest. Deciding to get up in case she was next Kari pulled herself into a standing position, wincing at the sudden movement.
"Ahh itai," she groaned. Noticing Neji's stare, she headed over to him.
"He used Lee's move combined with some traits of your style of Taijutsu," Neji stated. "You have very powerful kicks and tend to use the back of your hand a fair bit."
"Neji-sempai are you complimenting me?" Kari asked with a cheeky smirk.
"No, I'm stating his technique," Neji replied. "Are you feeling any better, you're health deteriorates rapidly, then you get distracted and ignore it. Ignoring it won't make your pain go away Kari."
"Che, I'm fine," Kari said, waving away his worries with her hand.
"Liar," Neji said bluntly causing her to glare defiantly. "There's only so much strain the body can take. I know you well enough to know you won't pull out, but be careful when your fight comes."
"You really do care" Kari teased happily. Neji replied with a long stare. "I hate staring contests," Kari grumbled as she was forced to blink.
"Uchiha Sasuke, we medics will give you the best treatment we can!" a medic-nin promised as he walked up to the injured Uchiha. Other medic-nin carried Yuroi out on a stretcher.
"This isn't your field, I'll take him," Kakashi said. Turning to Sasuke, he continued in a lower voice. "I'll take you into the back room and seal that curse mark."
"Wait until the preliminary matches are over!" Sasuke protested. "I want to see the matches of the guys who will move on to the main event." Without meaning to, his eyes fixed on his injured team-mate as she conversed with Neji. Kakashi sighed heavily.
"It's strange, every blow that hit you caused her pain. When your seal activated, hers reacted too. You can stay for as long as she lasts, which I assure won't be until the end of the preliminaries. If she misses her match, that's the way it has to be." Kakashi said firmly catching Sasuke's attention/
"She has to fight!" Sasuke said in her defence. "You know how she'll be if she misses it."
"Hormonal probably," Kakashi sighed. "But we have to seal it as soon as possible. It might do something irreversible. Kari's body is rejecting the seal as though it's a virus, the longer she's left untreated the more ill she will become," Kakashi gave Sasuke a stern look. "One missed fight is nowhere near as bad as the worst case scenario."
As he arrived on the stands he was greeted by enthusiastic team-mates.
"Sasuke!"
"Sasuke-kun you did it!"
"Quiet down guys, the next fight will be starting soon," Kakashi said.
"Oi baka," Sasuke said looking round at Kari, his eyes narrowed in warning. "Don't push it."
"Geez… Everyone thinks I'm so useless…" Kari sighed. "But okay... I'll beat up them before they hurt me."
"Now we will begin the next match." Hayate announced. Silence immediately fell as names flashed across the screen, except this time without Sasuke's or Yuroi's. Sasuke stared hard as he willed the screen to show Kari's name, yet at the same time, wished her name not yet to appear. Kakashi placed his barely read book away.
Being strong in spirit can't help being weak in body. Kakashi's dark visible eye narrowed. Fate will decide if you will fight Kari. If time runs out, the Chunin Exam will be over for you.
Hearts stopped dead as the next two names appeared.
Murasaki Akio
Vs.
Kari