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Promises Not Made are Promises Never Kept

Chapter Eighteen – The Fight is On!

After much teeth grinding, nail biting, and hair pulling, Naruto managed to get the slightest drop on Kiba, resulting in an explosion of dog hair and Chakra that had Naruto skidding across the floor to smack into the far wall.

However, he managed to get to his feet as Kiba and Akamaru smoldered at the center of the room, and he was declared the winner.

"Woo!" Sasuke cheered with Inaré and Sakura, jumping for joy. "That was a close one! Go Naruto!"

"Yay! Go blockhead!" Sakura exclaimed as Naruto managed to drag himself back up to the viewing balcony, grinning from ear to ear. Making their way over to him, Sasuke and Sakura took him by the shoulders and helped him up before Sai could get there, helping him over to the group. "You did so great Naruto! I can't believe it!"

"Well, what can I say? I was inspired," the blonde replied with a beaming smile, winking at Sasuke, who laughed.

"I guess I underestimated you cutie," Inaré commented, bending over at the hips to be eye level with him and winking at him. Tired though he was, he wasn't tired enough to resist her charm. He blushed, beginning to stutter and trying not to stare at her cleavage. "I can't wait to see more of what you can do."

Naruto took it completely the wrong way, and as his blush and brain damage worsened Sasuke rolled his eyes with a grin and tugged Inaré back into a standing position, shaking his head at her as she giggled.

"What?" She asked as Sakura smacked Naruto over the head to get him to stop babbling, a vein at her temple pulsing. She and Sasuke turned back to face the arena, putting their elbows on the railing as they stood together, shoulder to shoulder. "He is cute."

"I fully agree, but that's not the point," Sasuke replied under his breath in amusement as Inaré knowingly grinned at him. "You're gonna give the poor kid a heart attack."

Inaré only giggled, and Sasuke rolled his eyes again as the next pair of names were called: Neji versus Hinata.

"Oh man, seriously?" Naruto whined, back to his senses and nursing a bump on his head. "That can't be good."

Inaré turned to Naruto, blinking in confusion.

"Why?" She asked. "What's wrong?"

"They're related, aren't they?" Sasuke asked, though it was more of a statement than a question, turning a little to look at the blonde, one forearm still on the railing. Naruto blinked.

"How did you know?" He asked. Sasuke shrugged.

"Well, besides the fact that they have the same last name…" he responded pointedly, making Naruto wince. "They have the same eyes. It must be the same bloodline, which means they have to be related."

"You know of the Hyuuga bloodline, Sasuke?" Inaré asked curiously, innocently. Sasuke gave her a knowing smirk before nodding.

"A little," he replied. "You're gonna like this." He looked back to the first floor as the cousins stood facing each other. "When that bloodline is activated… they can see through things."

Inaré gasped in excitement.

"Oh, really?" She asked eagerly, making Sasuke giggle.

"Uh-huh," he replied. "That's putting it in simple terms though. Apparently they can train their bloodline to see a huge slew of things. It's like they literally have eyes in the back of their head. That's where the saying 'might as well surprise a Hyuuga' comes from. Can't be done. At least that's the myth."

"You think they can?" Inaré asked, leaning closer to him to make it a more personal conversation as he turned back around, effectively shutting everyone else out. "How come?"

"Calm down, my darling," he cooed, making her pout as the cousins fought with their deadly Gentle Fist style, explosions of Chakra filling the air. His voice lowered as he spoke to her. "They can have omnipotence only as long as that bloodline is activated. But that's a constant drain on their Chakra. No one can hold it forever, and certainly not a Genin."

"You could," Inaré told him fondly, batting her eyelashes at him. Sasuke giggled and nudged her in the shoulder playfully.

"Oh hush," he berated her gently, an amused twinkle in his eye.

Sooner rather than later, the match ended with Neji as the winner, with Hinata on her side coughing up blood as the medics rushed to her. Sasuke pouted as he watched.

"She did so well," he breathed in awe. "Such a mighty eagle spawning from such a tiny rabbit…"

"She didn't give up," Inaré agreed. "It was admirable."

"It was stupid," Zabuza stated sternly, making them all turn to look at him. He leaned against the wall to the left of the group, arms crossed. Naruto leaped up to defend Hinata, but Zabuza beat him to the punch. "It was only pride that drove her. That 'mighty eagle' is now dying because she refused to admit that she was outmatched from the beginning and she went after it anyway. Admirable, sure. But it was also stupid. Wise fighters pick and choose their battles. Running makes you a coward, sure, but those who fight every battle die much more quickly. The coward lives to fight another day. The coward can live long enough to even win."

There was a solemn silence at his words. Even Naruto had to think about them for a moment.

"Even if that is the case…" he breathed harshly. "She had to prove herself. Neji never respected her. He only put up with her. And Hinate deserves better than that." Raising his eyes, he locked eyes with Zabuza and scowled. "She proved herself today to be better than how Neji treated her. I won't let you trash talk that!"

Zabuza raised an eyebrow at Naruto, and glanced at Sasuke before looking back at Naruto and shrugging.

"Whatever you say," he replied dismissively, looking away. "Every situation is different, I guess."

The horror that Naruto might recognize Zabuza faded from Sasuke's being as awe took its place.

Did Zabuza… he thought in amazement. …just fold to a kid?

So that was what the look had been.

I can see why you like him so much, Sasuke. Zabuza thought fondly as Naruto seemed satisfied enough to turn away from Zabuza and look back to the arena floor. Sasuke's eyes lingered on his teacher for a moment before he turned to look down as well. Zabuza smiled beneath the scarf. He's a tough little oyster, that one.

"Next match! Haku and Gaara!"

Sasuke blinked as the next name was called, and he turned to his quiet teammate, beaming.

"Go get 'im, tiger!" He cheered, wrapping Haku up in a hug. Smiling, Haku returned the embrace.

"I shall," he replied happily. He made a modest kitty-claw at Sasuke with one hand. "Rowr."

That made Sasuke break out into mad giggles, and he snuggled Haku a little more before releasing him with a grin.

"I adore you!" He cooed ecstatically before allowing Inaré to wish him good luck herself. She kissed Haku on the cheek, holding his hand tightly.

"Kick some ass," she stated, nodding to him. Haku got the closest he could to a grin, Moira chirping happily at his shoulder.

"Haku." He turned to see Sasuke gazing at him intently. At the glance, Sasuke nodded at him. "Don't forget…"

Haku nodded to him.

"It's the first thing I thought of," he replied reassuringly before he nodded to Zabuza and turned, jumping down into the ring where Gaara was already waiting for him.

If you have to, do it… Sasuke thought sadly. But Naruto WILL recognize you if you use your mirrors. If you can win without, do it. He closed his eyes and signed. I hate this. I hate hiding. But we have to.

Rising into a stand, Haku smiled at Gaara and bowed to him.

"I hope you are as excited as I am," Haku greeted pleasantly. "May we both do our best!"

Gaara, arms crossed, didn't respond, staring at Haku with cold indifference.

"So it begins…" Temari breathed, eyes alight with excitement. Kankuro grinned.

"Haha, yep!" He exclaimed. He clenched a fist, thrust it into the air. "The fight is on!"

End Chapter Eighteen – The Fight is On!

So kudos and a half to whoever knows what video game character's catch-phrase is the title of this chapter... ;3

Here's a hint: it's from a ridiculously popular fighting game that's had three incarnations over the past ten years.

At least I'm pretty sure it's ten.

Did you enjoy? Let me know? :3

Much love!

DDB