Destined to Live
Chapter 7: Never Give Up
Feeling the aura flare up, Kagome launched backwards just as Neji shot forward her, his hands glowing an eerie electrifying blue. Hands pointed, he lurched closer to her until they were in range for his Juken attack.
Striking like a ferocious viper, Neji's hands descended upon Kagome's body at neck break speeds; aim to hit vital chakra points precisely.
Neji did not expect, however, Kagome's adaptation to his speed and effectively dodging swiftly. Her body swayed to the right, then jerked to the left, up and down, evading the perilous attacks of blurry hands.
Scowling displeased that his attack was not hitting its intended target; Neji moved faster, adrenaline pumping through his veins. Moving in sync with Neji's speed and body movements, Kagome continued to successfully elude the flurry.
Impossible! How is she moving so fast? How can she dodge my attacks so easily? Shouted Neji in his mind, his breathing growing rigid and fast.
Beads of sweat appeared on Kagome's brow and her skin was burning, her muscles stretching to its limits. While Neji was delivering his attack, Kagome was making hasty movements of her own, preparing her plan of action. Just a few more seconds…
Drawing another kunai and another length of string, Kagome's hurried, clumsy hands let the weapon slip. Making the mistake of glancing down to her fallen kunai, she permitted Neji an open window, for a split second, her defenses vanished.
Searing pain ran out through her body, as if she had been struck with electricity. Another. And another. Slowly she was being pushed back, more and more jolts of electricity and pain filing into her brain and sending off excruciating shocks. She was breathless.
It seemed as if every moment of time doubled, tripled, quadrupled even, into lengthy, drawn out torture. Every intake of breath sent her body racking and through the buzzing in her mind, she barely acknowledged that like a drain, her energy was spilling out of her in a not so subtle pace.
"He's got this one in the bag." Confidently Tenten propped her fists on her hips, thinking she knew the out come of the battle already.
"Don't count your chickens yet," Gai countered. "Kagome could turn the tables at any moment."
Kagome flew back a few feet as Neji delivered his last punch, cringing in pain as she felt all of her power drain out of her body. A human shaped shadow fell over her broken form. Cracking her eyes open, she stared up at Neji with dilated eyes.
"I have closed all of your Chakra points. It is pointless to try and use a jutsu now." Chakra? Jutsu? What the hell was he talking about?
Turning his back on her, Neji began walking away to join his team who gave him appraising smiles. He smirked. Though Naruto had changed him a great deal, his arrogance remained somewhat intact, refusing to leave fully.
Behind him Kagome picked herself up uneasily, her legs and arms shaking violently as if she was going to topple back to the ground. Glaring at Neji's retreating back she stood up, still unstable, defiant to defeat.
"Oi…" She bit out. "I'm not through with you yet."
Eyes widening a bit, Neji swiveled around quickly to meet with a fist that connected with his cheek. It was now Neji who was on the receiving end of pain and it was now Neji who skidded back a few feet on his back.
Breathing heavily, Kagome stated through pants, "That was impressive, I'll have to admit that much. But I'm not defeated so easily." Wiping away some blood that had trickled down her chin, she prepared herself for another attack, now limited to hand-to-hand combat.
"You're just like…." Trailing off, Neji pulled himself up into a sitting position. "Naruto. Hard headed and stubborn."
"That's me alright." Smirking, Kagome barked out, "Now get on your feet so this battle can commence! I won't attack a man who's at a disadvantage!"
Face twisted into determination, Neji jolted to his feet gracefully. He reactivated his Byakugan, which he had deactivated as soon as Kagome hit the ground. Just as he was about to lunge at her, Kagome came fast and hard, executing a kick to his stomach.
Clenching his feet to the ground, Neji was about to counter attack, but a sudden shower of fists and feet came upon his person, hitting the weak points of his body. Gasping in pain Neji feebly tried to block a few kicks or punches, but was unsuccessful.
"Not so high and mighty now, huh?" Kagome mocked him as she continued to throw punches and distribute kicks to vital points.
"Ugh," Neji grunted as he continued sliding backwards, rapidly approaching the invisible line where trees started to grow.
This continued for the next few moments, dirt flying up as because Neji's feet refused to release the ground from their grip, blood splattering onto Kagome's clothes, and blurred attacks from Kagome until she had him pinned to the tree.
Stopping her onslaught of attacks, she stood straight, panting heavily, exhausted. Her counterpart slumped to the ground like a doll, eyes falling to the dirt.
"I win," Kagome managed to say before she too succumbed to fatigue and fell to the ground, joining Neji in the submission position.
Gai, Tenten, and Lee rushed over to the fallen teens. Gai and Lee tended to Kagome while Tenten tended to Neji. Both were covered in grim and dirt, red scratches varying from place to place, but there were no signs of serious injury.
"I'm alright," Her attempt to reassure them was weak. Gai's eyes turned sympathetic, father like.
"You just need a good nights rest." Gai told her, slipping his arms under her. One went to hook under her neck while the other hooked under her knees.
"No…" Kagome groaned, protesting the concept of being carried. "I can walk."
Lee shook his head, smiling. "Neji's attack has blocked off your energy, so you can't delve into what little supplies you have. If we allow you to walk, you might die."
Paling, but still hell bent on walking by herself, Kagome struggled. It was pathetic, weak, and did not dissuade Gai into letting her go. Rolling her eyes, sighing softly, Kagome surrendered.
Tenten, busy with Neji, slung his arm over her shoulders. "Are you okay Neji?"
"Yes," His reply was hard. "I underestimated her."
Just like he did with Naruto, Tenten thought to herself. Giggling quietly Tenten walked up to Gai and Lee, who were waiting for them so they could take Kagome home to rejuvenate.
"Kagome." Neji stated evenly, making Kagome turn her eyes to the Hyuga. "I want a rematch sometime. Next time, I will not make the mistake of underestimating you."
A grin stretched across her face, "You've got yourself a deal, Hyuga."
Chuckling, the other members of Team 13 hurried off to take the tired opponents to their respectful homes. They certainly deserved a rest.