Note: I don't own Naruto ( no sh Sherlock.)

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The names sped through the board.

" Wonder who's next, I hope we get this done soon, I'm starving." Chouji said to Ino.

Ino had a small smirk on her face as she shook her head casually.

" Always thinking with your stomach." Ino thought.

Her train of thought however was interrupted when she saw Chouji with a look of horror on his face.

" Chouji, what's wrong?" Ino asked.

She then looked up at the board.

Akimichi Chouji

Vs.

Yamanaka Ino

Ino was completely surprised.

" Ino vs. Chouji? Can they do that Kakashi sensei?" Naruto asked.

" What the heck's up with this? Were on the same team!" Chouji shouted.

" Unfortunately when it comes to the preliminaries, it's every ninja for themselves. Sorry guys but what they're doing is perfectly legal." Asuma said.

Ino and Chouji met on the platform.

" Hey Kakashi-sensei, I wanna go check on Hinata." Naruto said.

" What about the matches Naruto? Don't you want to see the rest of the fights?" Kakashi said.

" Not really, I just want to make sure Hinata's alright." Naruto responded.

" Oh let him go Kakashi." Kurenai said.

Kakashi nodded to her and sighed a little.

" Alright Naruto, but don't be gone for too long." Kakashi said.

" You rock Kakashi-sensei." Naruto said as he ran off.

He then slapped Kiba on the shoulder.

" Good luck Kiba!" Naruto said.

" Thanks." Kiba said. "I'm gonna need it."

Back on the platform…..

Ino and Chouji looked at each other.

"Begin." The Proctor said.

Even with the command to start Chouji and Ino hesitated to move. They simply looked at each other, showing that they're disapproval of this match. Naruto is shown running down the stairs.

" I said begin.." The Proctor said.

Both Chouji and Ino simultaneously closed their eyes. At the same time they both raised their hands.

" I forfeit." They both said in unison. Both their eyes snapped open as they realized what the other had done.

" Since both parties have forfeited, neither will advance to the finals." Said the Proctor.

" How could you have forfeited? You Idiot !" Ino shouted.

" You're the idiot! All you had to do was keep your big trap shut and you woulda' won it!" Chouji growled.

" Ino, Chouji up here now!" Asuma commanded.

Ino and Chouji went up, knowing they were going to be punished. Asuma looked at both of them with a disappointing glare.

" Ino, Chouji, it'll be 20 sprints everyday for two weeks." Asuma said.

Shikamaru was shocked to hear this.

" Hey, how come for me it was gonna be everyday til next exam?" He asked.

" This situation was different and you know it Shikamaru, now quiet down, I want to see the next match." Asuma said.

" Man, I always get the shaft." Shikamaru said.

" Don't complain so much." Temari said.

"Well now that that is finished, let us prepare for the next match." The Proctor said.

The names sped through the board as everyone watched. When the names stopped, a smile crept up on Neji's face.

At the medical ward…..

Hinata was walking down the hallway of the medical ward after having her burn treated. She turned the corner to see Naruto stop right in front of her.

" Naruto." She said taken by surprise. " What are you doing here?"

" I came to see you, I wanted to make sure you were alright." Naruto said.

Hinata did her best to hide her blush.

" Oh, I'm fine. My arm's better now, see?" she said holding up her healed arm.

Naruto didn't say anything. His demeanor was serious as he looked into Hinata's eyes.

Hinata was wondering what was on his mind.

"Hinata…." Naruto started. "Kurenai-sensei told me everything."

Hinata was taken back

" Everything?" she asked.

" Everything that happened before we left for training with Matobe-sensei." Naruto said.

Hinata looked down at the floor shamefully. Naruto closed in and put his hands on her shoulders.

" Why didn't you tell me?" Naruto said.

Hinata tried to avoid eye contact with Naruto.

" I… didn't want to burden you with my trivial problems." She said

" Trivial? Hinata what you went through was anything but trivial." Naruto said.

Hinata's eyes were beginning to gleam on the verge of tears.

" Besides Hinata…" Naruto said with a smile trying to cheer her up. "…I'm your friend, it's always OK for you to tell me your problems, especially ones as big as this."

A tear just escaped from Hinata's eye. What happened next shocked her. Naruto further closed in and affectionately hugged her. Hinata didn't know how to react.

" Hinata, you're an amazing person…you…you've always been...and I really admire you for how great you are. If your family can't see that then they're blind." Naruto said.

Hinata at that point was doing her best not to cry. As she put her arms around Naruto returning the hug. Minutes passed as they remained hugging. Naruto pulled back his head to make eye contact with Hinata.

" Just know Hinata, I'll always be there for you, and you can always talk to me about anything." Naruto said with a sincere smile.

Hinata's tears began to slowly drift down from her pearl-like eyes as she gazed into Naruto's. It was an odd moment, the two just stood there entranced in each other's gaze.

Finally, Naruto broke the silence.

" Come on, we should get back to the prelims." Naruto said.

"…..Hai. " Hinata said.

As Naruto and Hinata got back to the arena. They looked up at the board to see

Hyuuga Neji

Vs.

Kanazaki Kenjin

On the platform was Neji and the remaining nin from the Fire Village.

The next match was about to begin.

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Next Time

Naruto: Neji's strong, but this short nin's no pushover.

Kenjin: Damn it! I told you before about calling me short!

Hinata: Next time. Neji vs. Kenjin. Neji's advanced skill.

More to come……I'll take reviews or money.