My palms were sweating as i waited for the names to spring up on the board. We were 3 fights in.
Rosa had won her fight. Neither P.B or Kari had been called up to fight yet, the worst wasn't over yet.
So far 2 of Shino's had been called up, 2 of Ino's had been called and 1 of Shikamaru's had been called, the likelyhood that either P.B or Kari got one of Shikamaru's kids was high.
The board whirred as the names appeared.
"Game four: P.B. VS HONZO"
I looked for movement in Shikamaru's group, none of them moved, i looked across to Ino's remaining group, they were still which could only mean one thing.
"P,B you're up against Shino's kid, watch him, they look mysterious" I warned.
He didn't have time to reply, the referee was waving him down. He looked petrified as he jumped down into the arena, Hinata stood and motioned to him from the stands. P.B nodded.
What had that been?. I looked across as Hinata sat down, she was looking awefully sure of herself.
The ref went through the rules like he had with every other group, P.B nodded as did Honzo, he looked so creepy with his mask covering his face, Shino's whole team were the Lee and Gai of our generation, copying their sensei down to the last eyelash.
They were mini shino's. I wonder if they liked bugs?.
The ref raised one hand, P.B and Honzo took a step back, my heart began pounding again. The arm came down and the fight began.
P.B spun and ran.
What the hell was he doing?.
Shino's kid looked up into the stands at his sensei, Shino shrugged and Honza followed P.B across the arena.
Honzo ran at him looking for a take down, P.B dodged to the side and darted across to the far wall, he looked up at me and smiled, his eyes searched behind me. What was he up to?.
Shino's kid followed and P.B sent a kick to his chest, Honzo dodged.
Before he could follow up with an action P.B had darted across to the opposing wall. He looked up into the stands scanning the wall. I peeked across to Hinata, she looked content.
What was P.B looking for?.
Honzo sprinted and jumped, he was heading for P.B aiming a kick to his head, P.B ducked and spun pushing Honzo while he was still in midair sending him into the wall, Honzo stood angrily, P.B walked casually across to the last remaining wall. He stood against it and looked up into the stands opposite.
His eyes scanned then widened slightly. Whatever he was looking for he'd found it.
He went to dart back towards the opposite wall when Honzo dived at his legs taking him down, they rolled on the floor together grappling with each other, fists flew everywhere. Honzo got a punch to P.B's nose, it started to bleed.
P.B knee'd Honzo in the gut, it winded him but not enough, they fought on for another few minutes, both of them wearing themselves out.
Shino was stood against the very edge of the stands looking down at them, i could see them perfectly from where i sat, he looked across at me, his eyes staring. It creeped me out.
Honzo smashed both fists into P.B's gut, P.B doubled over and Honzo hit his chin with a punch that if it had been a little harder would have knocked him out. P.B raised his knees and bucked Honzo off of him.
He took a few extra seconds to rise, he was winded and bleeding. Poor baby. I stood up looking down at them, i wanted to shout words of encouragement. I couldn't.
Honzo backed off a little, i saw something waver around him, like a forcefield, i looked at it not being able to place it. It was almost like when you look across a vast space when its sunny and the air looks like its rippling.
Days when its really hot.
Hot?. Fire.
I looked across at Rosa, she could sense it. She nodded looking worried.
P.B lunged out of the way as Honzo's fist flew at him, his arm followed through and P.B grabbed his elbow swining him onto the ground. He shrieked and let go so Honzo only stumbled.
His hands were burnt.
P.B looked up at Rosa, she'd given him similar injuries before she learnt better control.
Honzo grinned thinking he'd won already probably. P.B now knew his secret though and he could fight fire. He turned and looked at the wall which was now behind him, he jumped backwards so his back was against it.
Honzo ran at him his hands outstretched ready to grab P.B and burn him.
P.B closed his eyes to concentrate, his fists pounded the wall he stood against. Honzo was nearly on him. P.B raised one hand, i looked across at the stands and I saw what he was going for.
Clever boy.
The water dispenser at the back of the seating area burst and the water spilled out trickling down to meet P.B's hand. Honzo didn't notice, it was too slow. He was filled with rage.
Honzo reached for P.B and grabbed him, smoke started , his clothes lit. P.B thrust an arm down and the water fell down over both of them. Steam engulfed them with a hiss.
There was a loud cracking noise and and then the sound of more water. More steam. Hisses as water hit fire. They were fighting it out still.
Visibility was bad, i leaned over the edge and squinted. I couldn't see!.
P.B appeared in the thinnest bit of steam, he ran to a clear area, Honzo came staggering out of the steam cloud, his hands glowing orange. He was snarling, his hair and clothes were soaking wet and ripped. P.B had burns on his skin and clothes.
P.B's hands were surrounded up to the elbow in water. Honzo ran at him and punched, P.B blocked and steam appeared again, another hissing sound. P.B punched Honzo in the stomach and he doubled over. A kick sent him to the floor.
Honzo rolled, P.B spun, they came face to face again and the fight went on, soon the whole arena was filled with steam, the air was thick with water vapour, i was finding it hard to breathe properly, how the hell were they fighting in this?.
A whole wave of water grew from a puddle on the floor, all the steam condensed towards it, Honzo turned looking scared as the wave crashed down on him sucking him into a whirlpool, the water spun as P.B made circular motions, Honzo shrieked as it ripped through his clothing cutting at his skin. P.B raised a hand with a flick and the water flew upwards sending Honzo into the air.
Honzo threw out his hand and a fire ball flew out hitting P.B in the chest, he fell backwards as it singed his skin, Honzo smashed into the all with a crack and laid there.
It was over.
The referee came forwards uncertainly as he looked down at the pair, Honzo was out cold, P.B was on fire, he patted at his chest with his wet hand and soon the flame distinguished.
The ref nodded.
"Winner of fight 4: P.B!"
I jumped up happily as my team cheered, that had been close. Neji took my hand and pulled me into a kiss, two out of three of my team had passed on to the next round, over average!.
Kari and Rosa made puking noises as Neji pulled away from me, the kiss had been deeper then they would have liked.
I grinned at him, he winked and i laughed.
Gai was doing a happy dance, Hinata had jumped down to the arena to talk to P.B, to congratulate i guess. He had kicked butt!.
"P.B, you were amazing!" I yelled down at him not caring if the others got huffy
He gave me a huge smile and a thumbs up, Shino glared down at him.
Mwaha! Shino was going to have a hissy fit, could the day get any better?.
"Okay, we're gonna take a short break while the arena is cleared up" The commentator said "If you'd all like to step outside?"
Looks like it could.
I gathered up my team and ushered them outside with me. Neji followed us, Gai rushed ahead eagerly like a school child.
"Did i do good sensei?" P.B asked enthusiastically
I nodded with a smile as the sun beat down on us, he had won, Rosa had won, there was only one left to win it!.
As if she sensed my thoughts Kari swallowed nervously.
The sun was super hot, i laid down on the pavement lazily with Neji while P.B and Rosa play fought each other, Kari came over and sat by my head, she was the youngest, the most unexpirienced and the least powerful of the bunch, i could understand why she was nervous after seeing what her team mates had pulled out of the bag.
"Don't be worried Kari" I said reassuringly "Unless you come up against a wind type you shouldn't come to any bother"
"And there are no wind types here today" Hinata said walking over to us "well except the referee"
"But Sensei, i don't want to let you down" She said meekly
She reminded me a lot of Sakura when she was younger and she reminded me a lot of me when i was younger, she was like a hybrid of us!.
"As long as you go out there and try your hardest i will be the happiest sensei in the world" I said
Rosa punched P,B in the face a little too hard and he went down, she rushed to his side and cradled his head on her knees bent over to look down at him. P.B blushed and Rosa smiled at him.
I could see a romance starting!.
I looked around the street, Shino and his team were a few meters away talking, Shikamaru had whipped out a travel size game of shogi, Ino was brushing their hair?.
It was a shame only our 4 groups had been put in for the chunnin exams, i would love to be up against Lee's team, or Sakura's, but they just werent ready yet, members of their team were lacking in expirience.
A new law had been stated that any shinobi or kunoichi who had not completed atleast 9 missions could not participate in the chunnin exams, my team had just scraped by, we completed our tenth mission just a month ago.
We had to find a missing cat.
2 weeks ago my team had gone to the acadamy and taken their pre-examinations, they had all gotten between 85-95% and so had passed with some of the highest scores in the academy.
With the examination over with, all that was left was my permission and the preliminary forrest task, which we had basically just ran straight through!. A punch here or there maybe but it was easy enough.
This was the real test, one on one battle. Real combat.
The arena doors opened and the referee came out, a harsh breeze went through us making us all look at him and pay attention, looks like Hinata was right, he was wind type.
"The arena is cleared, please fell free to come back inside" He said with a bow
I stood up rubbing my hands on my trousers to get the gravel off them. P.B and Rosa stood self conciously as Gai eyed them up.
"Am i sensing some puppy love?" He excitedly squeeled
I hit him in the back of the head. "Stop teasing them!"
He looked upset. He'd get over it.
We walked back into the arena for what i was hoping would be the final time.
Neji took my hand as we walked giving it a squeeze, i looked up at him guiltily, the day before i had discovered something, i hadn't told him yet.
The timing was all wrong, he was busy at the academy, i was busy with my team, the chunnin exams were so close. But i would tell him.. tonight.
I was pregnant.
I peeked across at Gai, he was going to flip out when he heard that his beautiful flower was preggers.
Maybe thats why i've been craving washing up sponges? This baby had some weird tendancies already and he or she was barely formed!.
We went back up to the stands and i took my seat again, the handles still felt warm from where i'd been gripping them tightly earlier on in the day. I needed to loosen up.
The commentator came back into the arena and began talking again, i ignored him and tried to imagine myself as a mother, would i pass on my illness to my child?, would it have the byakugan?.
Would it like weapons or hand to hand combat?
Would it even be a ninja?.
The commentator became quiet and the room clapped, i hadn't heard what he said but i went along with it. The referee came down into centre stage and the board began moving through names again.
This was the worst bit!.
Kari sat there looking like she was going to throw up. I was right there with her.
"Fight Five: Hirohshi kunaki VS Todov Cinimaru"
I let out a breath i hadn't realised i was holding, One of them was from Ino's team, One of them from Shikamaru's team. We could sit back and watch the fight.
This did mean one thing though, who ever Kari got next it wouldn't be one of Ino's group, hers had all been called. As had Shino's. She was fighting one of Shikamaru's kids.
I looked across at them, there was only one left to fight. A boy with huge arm muscles and a sickly grin.
I looked down at Kari, she was weedy and short.
This was going to be some fight!.