Chapter 8: The Competition

Hinata panted hard then smirked when she saw all the now broken kunai that were about to hit her, "Great job Hinata-chan! You'll be the one in second place for that exam!" Sakura exclaimed appearing beside her.

Hinata raised an eyebrow, "Second?"

Sakura smirked, "I plan on being the first!"

"Confident are we?"

"Of course! Though what I really want, is to battle Tayuya-chan!" Sakura told her. "Tayuya-san?" Sakura nodded. "Yeah, I think she's the hardest to attack, with that flute of hers. It'll be difficult to get close... oh! Her, Tenten, and Shino are the ones that'll be hard. Them, and of course Naruto and Sasuke."

Hinata nodded, but Sakura head went back up, "Them and of course Shikamaru! I saw him get in a spar with Temari-chan and he won... well technically he lost the match but won the battle. I'm not sure even if I will win against him. What about you Hinata-chan? Who do you look forward to fighting?"

Hinatan thought about it, "Not sure, just not..."

"Not who?"

"N-Neji-niisan," Hinata said. Sakura scoffed, "They all keep saying he's the best genin out there... But I have to admit he is good. But I'm sure if you fought him you would win. Not even Kiba or Shino know your new fighting style."

Hinata nodded at the reassurance, then Sakura smirked, "In missions I haven't shown my super strength or healing abilities yet."

"So?"

"I plan on the last battle I'll save it for last for a huge shocker!!"

"You just love to put on a good show."

"Of course," Hinata just gulped after that, "Tomorrow is finally the exam. I'm getting nervous already." Sakura just patted her back, "You'll do fine, we just need to rest up now. Lets head back to the dorms."

But on the way a pink bird landed on the tree, "You go ahead Hina-chan, I think I forgot my shuriken pouch at the forest," Sakura said throwing her pouch to a nearby bush. Hinata just nodded then left.

Sakura faced the bird.

I thought I told you about the ones white eyes.

She doesn't seem bad at all!

Fine. You can remain friends with her, but do not even let her get a single clue about you talking to animals. Understand?

Yes. But why can't she know?

Another time I'll tell you.

But what about the deal we made years ago-But Adarna already flew off quickly then was out of sight. Sakura just groaned then went to the dorms.

"You find your shuriken pouch?" Sakura's eyes widened Damn.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Results for the First Round

Chouji vs. Dosu - Dosu

Neji vs. Kidoumaru - Neji

Haku vs. Kimimaru - Haku

Naruto vs. Kiba - Naruto

Tayuya vs. Shikamaru - Shikamaru

Feleka vs. Sakura - Sakura

Sasuke vs. Tiyu - Sasuke

Shino vs. Jiroubou - Shino

Ino vs. Rumro - Ino

Hinata vs. Jalen - Hinata

Sakon vs. Tenten - Tenten

Lee vs. Kiyu - Lee

Sakura's jaw dropped. Leaf won so many...

Ever since the incident near the river, Inner Sakura was nowhere to be heard or seen.

It kind of scared the Outer Sakura without the second part of her mind.

The arena was the one in the center of Konoha, there was a upper level for the genin in the class. And there was also an audience which consisted of the senseis, other year level students, friends, families, and a few ninja that just wanted to watch the fight.

"You okay Saku-chan?" Hinata asked, she waved a hand in front of her face but no response, "Sakura-chan?"

"I solook forward to fighting a Leaf genin!" Sakura exclaimed shocking Hinata. "Students!" The twelve faced Shizune, "Time for me to tell you the next pair of fights:

Sasuke vs. Shino

Hinata vs. Tenten

Lee vs. Haku

Neji vs. Shikamaru

Sakura vs. Ino

Naruto vs. Dosu

You have twenty minutes to get ready, then report to the arena," Then Shizune disappeared in a puff of smoke. Sakura faced Ino. They glared at each other and sparks were flying. Hinata sweat dropped but then sighed.

Sakura stopped glaring at Ino and faced Hinata, "Something wrong Hinata-chan?"

"I'm against Tenten."

"So? You could beat her easily," Sakura told her, Hinata bit her lip, "I know."

"Your point?"

"And Neji-niisan will probably win his fight-"

"Don't tell me you're still afraid of fighting him! You could kick his but!"

"But he's my cousin it'll be hard-"

"It'll be hard for him too since you're also his cousin."

"It'll be hard for me, but not for him."

"Why not for him?- You mean the whole main and branch family thing?" Sakura asked, Hinata nodded, "He will let out all his anger for that if I ever get a chance to fight him! And if I do fight him I know I'll hold back!"

"Why would you hold back, when he'll go full force?"

"Cause he still is my cousin. He wasn't always a main family hater. And because of that fate and destiny-"

"He actually believes in that junk you said your family teaches you?" Sakura asked in bewilderment.

"That is not junk."

The two turned around and saw Neji. Sakura just let out a laugh, "Yeah, you're right... its trash," She muttered the last part so only Hinata could hear. She let out a giggle.

"My youthful friends!" Lee said coming towards them. Sakura smiled at him, she was glad that they were able to be justfriends, "It is about time to head to the arena! Lets go!" he said dragging Neji and Sakura, and Sakura grabbed Hinata dragging her along.

Then they arrived at the arena. Hinata pulled Sakura away in Sasuke and Shino's fight.

"You think Neji-niisan heard me?"

"Not sure. But-" Sakura quickly went to the railing and saw Sasuke, "Lion Combo!" her eyes widened. Hinata raised an eyebrow but then smiled, "Good move huh?"

She nodded, "He must have copied it from Lee when he did it to Kiyu, except for the last part that is."

"The winner is Uchiha Sasuke," Gemna said.

"Its your turn Hinata-chan! Show panda what you're made of!" Sakura said patting her on the back. Hinata gulped then headed to the center.

"You may begin."

"Go Tenten!" "Go Hinata!" Lee and Sakura shouted.

Tenten backed up, but Hinata remained in place, "No hard feelings after this okay?" she said. Tenten nodded, "Of course." Then she threw three shuriken at her, and Hinata threw shuriken back at her, three of hers hit the other three but Hinata threw an extra and Tenten was barely able to dodge it.

Tenten used her scroll and threw hordes of weapons at her. Hinata quickly jumped back and avoided all of them. Tenten cursed, She's fast. Wouldn't you if you had to run all the way to class after running laps around Konoha?

She got two other scrolls, "Rising Twin Dragons!" she launched another hoard of weapons at Hinata, she was able to avoid them again. But Tenten threw the same weapons with the wires attached to them.

Hinata wasn't quick enough to get out of the way and got hit with many weapons, the force she used to throw it wasn't that great, so the weapon's damage was only minor. But Hinata still fell to the floor covered with weapons and blood. There were gasps throughout the crowd. Tenten walked a bit closer to her, Hinata tried to stand but fell down again she looked around and smirked.

She grabbed one of the wires but before Tenten could stop her, Hinata sent chakra in it that headed to Tenten's fingertips. Her eyes widened, she wasn't able to move her arms because her chakra points were closed. Hinata forced herself to stand up then headed towards her and gave a direct hit to the heart, but not that strong for a serious injury. Tenten fell to the ground along with Hinata.

Tenten coughed up blood and Hinata started removing the weapons on her body. Tenten collapsed on the floor and Hinata slowly stood up.

"The winner is Hyuuga Hinata." Hinata smiled, but then collapsed on the floor because of all the blood she lost, the medic nins came in and took the two. Then Lee and Haku went to the center.

Sakura headed to the rooms quickly during Lee and Haku's fight. She saw Hinata on the bed with many bandages, she headed towards her then shook her head, They are so inexperienced.

"Mystical Palm." Green chakra surronded her hands then she healed Hinata's cuts and stabs. Sakura smirked, That is how it's done!

"Ahem." Sakura quickly turned around and saw the Godaime, "You seem like somehow who studied medical jutsu," Tsunade stated more than asked. Sakura nodded, "Yes Hokage-sama. My mother taught me."

Tsunade went over to check on Hinata, then smiled, "You're good. She's already in good shape. She'll wake up in about ten minutes too."

Sakura grinned I didn't know I was that good! "Thats great!" Tsunade faced her again, "Best we get back to the match."

"Uh... I was wondering if I could stay here until she wakes up," Sakrua said, Tsunade simply shrugged, "Suit yourself if you want to miss the two matches. Just be there when its your turn, got it?"

"Hai," Sakura said then glanced back at Hinata's body. Tsunade smiled, "Hinata is lucky to have gotten quite a friend." Sakura turned to face her again, "I don't know about that-" Tsunade raised her arms and Sakura got silent.

"No need to be modest," Then she left the room. Sakura just stared at the doorway where Tsunade once was then looked at Hinata's body, and she smiled.

I'm the one that's lucky.

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

"About time you woke up Hinata-chan," Sakura said to Hinata, Hinata just groaned but then quickly sat up shocking Sakura out of her chair, making her land on the floor with a thud, "What is it Hina-chan?!" Sakura asked rubbing her backside.

"How long have I been out?! Did I miss my-"

"Calm down, its not even my second match yet!'' Sakura told her. Hinata let out a sigh of relief but then her eyes widened, "I thought I would be out longer than this." Sakura smirked, "I was able to finish healing most of your injuries, you only have a few cuts now."

"Thank you," Hinata said, Sakura just shrugged, "No biggie. But at least in your fight you didn't show the Protective Eight Trigrams Sixty-Four Palms. It'll be a good surprise to your next opponent."

"You plan on showing your strength in your match against Ino?"

"Nah. In my last one instead-"

"Sakura-chan!" The two faced the doorway where Naruto was, "Its already your match!" Sakura nodded, "Kay, hurry up get back to watch okay Hinata-chan? I wanna show you how I'll kick Ino-pig's but!" Then Naruto and Sakura headed out the room.

Then Shizune entered the room, Hinata's eyes widened, "Shizune-sama! Shouldn't you be watching Sakura-chan's match?" She shook her head, "I'll let the others do it, I'm here to check up on the students in the infirmary. So they can get back to watching. And it looks like you're ready to get back out too."

"Yes, can I go now Shizune-sama?"

"Sure, I'll just check a few things than you can get back in the crowd," Shizune headed towards her and started unwrapping the bandages then she raised an eyebrow, "You healed quickly."

"Sakura-chan said she healed me," Hinata told her, Shizune was surprised, "She is quite good. But now that you're all better, time to cheer on for her." Hinata nodded and was about leave but then Shizune spoke up, "Hinata?"

"Yes Shizune-sama?"

"Is Sakura your best friend?"

"I couldn't call her a friend," Shizune was taken back, "That would be an understatement. She's like my own sister," Then Hinata left. Shizune just stood there and smiled but then sighed, I hope they know what they got themselves into.

Hinata went to the upper level where the others watched the match below. Hinata looked at the score board

Sasuke vs. Shino - Sasuke

Hinata vs. Tenten - Hinata

Lee vs. Haku - Lee

Neji vs. Shikamaru - Neji

Sakura vs. Ino -

Naruto vs. Dosu -

Neji-niisan won... She looked at the battle between Sakura and Ino and saw Sakura stuck in her place with chakra ropes that were hair around her feet, and Ino was going to use her Mind Transfer Jutsu.

Ino smirked, "Mind Transfer Jutsu!" Hinata gasped, Don't tell me Saku is still saving her strength for last! But now, she can't do anything- but thenher eyes widened and the memory.

Flashback

"I'm gonna kill you!!-..."

"Saku-chan? A-Are you okay now?"

"S-Sorry!" Sakura apologized, Hinata gave her a questioning look, "You turned crazy for five minutes and now you're back to normal... What happened?"

"You see... my inner took over."

"Inner?"

"Its like my split personality. Like I have two minds in my head. It gets out of control when I get pissed... or if I get psyched in a battle. Like what happened now."

End Flashback

'Like I have two minds in my head-' Hinata glanced at the fight and saw Ino collapsed on the ground and Sakura smirking. If Ino took over one mind, the other is still able to act on its own... I just have to trigger it somehow... '-psyched in a battle.' Of course!

Sakura was raising her hand, "I give-"

"Sakura-chan! What do you think you're doing?!" Hinata shouted out to her. The others watched her in shock. Sure, they knew she stopped stuttering but to shout out loud in a battle. That kind of thing doesn't happen everyday.

"Stop going easy on her! Don't tell me you're going to end up losing to Ino. Its time for you to show your true strength!"

No reaction.

Hinata smirked, I forgot about the most special thing, "Go ahead and lose to Ino, it just shows how much you are not meant to fulfill your dream on being the Kazekage!"

She snapped, "SHUT UP HINATA!! THERE IS NO WAY I WILL LOSE TO THIS BLONDE PIG!!"

Hinata smiled in victory. Naruto went over to her, "What did you do Hinata?" Hinata quickly looked away from him, "I-I just summoned her i-inner self." Sasuke, who overheard, raised an eyebrow, "Inner self?"

Hinata let out a small laugh, "Everyone has a inner self. Her's is just more... revealing."

Then Ino's eyes widened, "Disengage." But that was the only incident Inner Sakura showed herself. Then she went back into her body and faced Sakura, "What are you? How can you have two minds?!"

Sakura smirked, At least I know Inner didn't disappear, then she walked over to her, "I'm just full of surprises." Then she flicked her on the forehead and Ino was thrown to the wall almost crashing right through it and ended up falling unconscious. Sakura faced Hinata and stuck her tounge out, "In your face white eyes!"

"But now everyone knows how strong you are pinkie," Hinata replied, Sakura pouted, "So much to saving it for last."

"Haruno Sakura is the winner."

Then Ino was sent to the infirmary to rest and Sakura went back up to the upper level. Naruto and Dosu went down on the stage. Hinata was shocked, How did I not notice this?!

"What happened to your hair?" Hinata asked Sakura who now had short hair that didn't even reach her shoulders. Sakura just chuckled, "During our battle, Ino-pig and I had a haircut," Hinata just sighed the got out a kunai and started fixing her hair.

"Hina-chan?"

"What?"

"During our spars we never really went full force right?"

"Your point?"

"If we don't end up getting paired in the next round you had better win. Cause I look forward to a fight with you. A real one. Not a friendly spar or workout."

"I look forward to that too."

"And the winner is Uzumaki Naruto."

The genin just blinked in amazement and Lee was the one to break the amazed silence, "Is Naruto very youthful and strong? or is it Dosu that is unyouthful and weak? The match was only about a minute," Then they saw Naruto jumping up and cheering the fact that he won, they sweatdropped. "Dosu is the weak one," Sasuke answered to Lee.

Sakura just sighed, "I just wonder how they got into this school, if they lose to Naruto in just a minute." She frowned.

Then Shizune appeared in the center, "The next two rounds will be held tomorrow, it is for the fighters to rest and learn what they found our about their opponent to good use. And as a departing note I will tell you the pairs for the next match:

Naruto vs. Sasuke

Sakura vs. Lee

Neji vs. Hinata

The final round will be a three way battle. You are now dismissed," Then Shizune disappeared in a puff of smoke.

"You should have done reverse psychology, ne? Hinata-chan?"

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

as u can see, i only focused on the battles of hina and sak. i'm not exactly a fight scene type of writer

putting that aside, pls review, yeah?