A/N: This Chapter takes place 3 weeks after Chapter 7. It's kinda short but they start lengthening up after this chapter. It's a dual update so Chapter 9 is out by now!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter 8

The leaf was just hovering there. Not falling and not going any way. It was just there. I did it!

Then I did more hand signs and the leaf came off of the tree like it had moments before. I did the Jutsu perfect. I DID IT!!!!!

'Do the hand signs opposite and turn your Hourglass over to release' Matsudai's voice said in my head.

I did the hand signs.

"I did it!! I finally got it Matsudai-san!!" I said overjoyed. I hugged her.

"You finished the training early. We can go back to Konoha now." Matsudai said as she shook me off.

"I would like that!!" I proclaimed.

We walked back to Konoha.

"When's the exams?" I asked.

"Tomorrow. We were due to get back tomorrow around lunch time but we are a whole day early. Now for strategy. Make sure you put the Jutsu into motion before going at your opponent. Even if just your fingers touch, the Jutsu won't accomplish anything because even though you stopped time, the opponent will be just like you, unfrozen. The other thing is that when you freeze time, you need quickly end the fight because if you don't he will take your jutsu." Matsudai said just as we arrived at Konoha.

"Arigato Matsudai-san. You truly are a great ninja." I said as I bowed to her.

"You will be a great ninja someday, Nadeshiko. I hope to see you soon." Matsudai said as she walked away. I trudged into my apartment.

"Nadeshiko!" Shuhan bellowed as she dropped her Twin Chain Sycthe and bounded over to go hug me.

"Hey!! What's up with you guys?" I asked as I gave Bitto a hug.

"Well I got to train with an Inuzuka. His name's Kiba and he taught me some Jutsus I could do with a wolf and I taught him my call of the wolves. He also had this big dog named Akamaru. It was sooooooo cool." Shuhan reminisced.

"I got to train with Ino Yamanaka and she showed me more ways to play with peoples minds." Bitto said as she sat down and got a raven to sit on her arm. Bitto really likes screwing with people's minds.

"I got to train with Matsudai Itonami. I learned two new Forbidden Jutsus." I said. We had a little bit of small talk until dinner where I was greeted with warm welcomes. I went to bed early and slept in until 11:00.

A/N: Next is the last stage of the Chuunin exams. We get to see Shuhan's battle a and Bitto's battle along with Nadeshiko's and Arata's entrance.