Chapter 3: Adversaries Face Off; Kakashi vs. Nokki
(The next morning, Kakashi is the first one up and in the dinning hall. Nokki is ironically the last and Kakashi had already left.)
Nokki:*as he walked in* "Where's Kakashi?"
Sakura: "None of your business."
Nokki: "I wasn't talking to you Genin."
Sakura:*scowls*
Lei:*puts a hand on her shoulder* "Don't let him get to you Sakura. He can't do anything to you."
Nokki: "And since when did you become their sensei, Lei? Last I checked you, couldn't be a Jounin until after you beat me at the Sacred Arena."
Lei: "I'm not claiming to be their sensei. I'm just keeping an eye on them for Kakashi until later."
Nokki: "Hmph."
Hinata:*sitting next to Lei* "He's creepy."
Lei: "Always has been always will be."
Sakura: "In more ways than one."
Hinata:*nods in agreement*
(Meanwhile in the Hokage's office…)
Sandaime: "Now Kakashi, I know you will not be holding me responsible for whatever happens in your battle with Nokki, but I will be watching."
Kakashi: "If you insist sir. However, if anything goes wrong and I can't train with my students, would you mind letting Lei take that role?"
Sandaime: "That I'll do."
Kakashi: "Thank you."
Sandaime:*nods* "You should get going. Wouldn't want to be late."
Kakashi:*bows and heads out*
(Back in the dinning hall.)
Kurenai: "Who did you get to judge to judge the match, Lei?"
Lei: "Sei will be. He's preparing the rules over there with Anko as we speak."
Gai: "This should be an interesting match. The two of them haven't squared off like this since they were in the Chuunin exams."
Tenten: "It's been that long since they've fought?"
Gai: "Yes. It was the third part of the exam and Nokki never laid a finger on him. It was actually pretty funny seeing Nokki get his ass handed to him on a silver platter."
Lei: "How could I forget that? There was almost no one in the stands who was rooting for Nokki."
Naruto:*laughs* "That many people hated him?"
Lei: "Damn straight. Then again, Kakashi never lost a match like that. Even when he did lose, he wasn't complaining."
Iruka: "That's because you were the only Shinobi he couldn't beat."
Lei: "I wasn't unbeatable. My dad kicked my ass all the time."
(Later, Lei met Team 7 out by the lake. She's on top of Smicha in big form.)
Lei: "Ready to go?"
(They nod.)
Lei: "Hop on then. I'm warning you now though, she's pretty fast."
(They get on and hold on tight as Lei urges Smicha into a run.)(Meanwhile in the tower…)
Anko:*Standing in the gallery* "I thought you said she'd be here Sei."
Sei: "I did and she will be. Trust me. Now, how many rules do we have?"
Anko: "Only one. No enchanted weaponry."
Sei: "Hm. How 'bout try to keep bloodshed to a minimum, 10 second count if you're down and you lose?"
Anko: "What's the fun in that?"
Sei: "Anko, we don't need a murder on our hands. Especially this close to the full moon."
Anko: "It was days ago."
Sei: "The effects sometimes linger for a few days."
Anko: "Alright fine. Yeesh."
(As they continue to argue in the tower, Nokki and Kakashi are already on their way there. Kakashi has already reached the gate by the time Nokki is halfway there. Lei and Team 7 come up to the gates right behind Kakashi.)
Kakashi: "So you followed me, eh?"
Lei: "And? Can you think of a better way of getting here without getting mangled?"
Kakashi:*gave a small laugh and then turned to the gates. He pushes them open and proceeds inside.*
(Lei and the Genin follow him in. Anko and Sei are waiting inside.)
Sei: "See, I told you she'd show up."
Anko: "Shut up."
Lei: "Were you two gambling again?"
Sei: "NO!"
Anko: "Yes."
Lei:*sighs*
Kakashi:*rolls his eyes* "Why I am not surprised? That was a common sight in the old days."
Sei: "Hmph."
Lei: "Don't start with me."
Sei: "Fine. Who else is coming?"
Naruto: "The Hokage and the rest of the Guard."
Sei: "Ugh. Why so many people?"
Lei: "They wanted to come, I didn't ask them to."
(They soon head into the gallery as Nokki comes into the tower. He and Kakashi stand on opposite sides of the battle field as the rest of the Guard come in.)
Lei: "Some things never change."
Sasuke: "What are you talking about?"
Lei: "Nokki is still the same asshole he always was. I'm just glad Kakashi's not the same person he was when he started the academy."
Sakura: "What do you mean?"
Lei: "He was a little shy at first. At least until I stepped in one day when he was attacked by a gang of older students. My mother cleared that right up after I caught up with them."
Naruto: "Sounds like a tough childhood."
Lei: "Tch, you have no idea. They were only afraid of my mother because she was married to the son of the Third Hokage."
(He chose that moment to walk in.)
Sandaime: "Reminiscing Lei?"
Lei: "No re-remembering. What are you doing here?"
Sandaime: "I got him into this mess, so I might as well see him out of it."
(The rest of the Guard comes in around 11:30 and joins in the upstairs gallery. Shortly after they walk in, Sei stands in front of the statue and calls for quiet.)
Sei: "We will soon begin the match. But first the rules. The first rule is that there will be no enchanted weaponry of any kind."
Nokki:*standing in the door* "Damn."
Kakashi:*standing in the opposite door*
Sei: "The only elements you will be permitted to use are your own Chakra and your own special abilities. If you use any enchanted items you will lose the battle of a T.K.O. And the second rule is that if you're down you get a 10 second count to keep bloodshed to a minimum. Now that the rules have been stated will the parties please come forth!"
Nokki:*walks out, an ugly smirk on his face.*
Hinata: "That smirk makes him look even creeper."
Sakura: "No kidding."
Sei: "You may begin when ready."
Nokki: "A word of advice Kakashi: I know a few more tricks since last time."
Kakashi: "So do I."
Nokki: "Always so arrogant and cocky."*pop his knuckles. Then links his fingers to form the stance for the Byakugan*
Hinata:! "He's about to use his Byakugan."
Gai: "That's not good, using his Byakugan so soon after the full moon."
Tenten: "Why's that?"
Gai: "Normally it'll go berserk, and he'll be out for blood."
Lei:*has her arms folded and hiding her crossed fingers* * "Don't let him get to you Kakashi."*
Nokki: "Byakugan!"
Kakashi:*stands at the ready*
Nokki: "Don't think you can outwit me now Kakashi. Even your Sharingan is useless."
Kakashi: "We'll just have to see about that."
Nokki:*frowns* "You're disappointing me Kakashi. You have yet to defend yourself."*lunges headlong at Kakashi*
Kakashi:*dodges him at the last second, letting Nokki hit the floor* "How so? You just missed me."
Nokki:*quickly gets up and tries the gentle fist, aiming for his left arm*
Kakashi:*dodges. As Nokki lands on his feet again, he low kicks him.*
Nokki:*cant' dodge because he just landed, falls to the floor on his back but quickly get back up. He draws kunai.*
Kakashi: "Oh please."*pulls a kunai out*
Sakura: "Come on Master Kakashi, hand his butt to him."
(Kakashi and Nokki are exchanging blows without the kunai, which they have discarded on the floor.)
Nokki:*tries to hook shot him*
Kakashi:*blocks it, and nailing a punch in the stomach.*
Nokki: "Oomph."
Kakashi:*Throws him off and prepares to launch another attack*
Nokki:*jumps into the air and spin kicks Kakashi in the shoulder, knocking him over.*
Kakashi:*gets up* "Is that all you got in you Nokki?"
Nokki: "I've got plenty more."
Kakashi: "Bring it on then."
Nokki: "My pleasure."*goes into an attack.*
Kakashi:*pushes him away when he's an inch away from his face. He runs behind him and low kicks him again*
Nokki:*dodges this one and spin kicks again*
Kakashi:*bends over backwards to avoid the attack and places his hands on the floor behind him. he brings his legs up and kicks Nokki in the jaw, flips over and lands on his feet*
Nokki:*rubbing his jaw* "That one actually hurt. Heh, but I doubt the rest will."
(They start exchanging blows again.)
Nokki:*catches Kakashi in the lower ribs, and there's a loud snap.*
All:*shock line*
Kakashi:*is doubled over , but on his feet, in pain*
Nokki:* "Forget the rules."* "This is the end Kakashi."
Kakashi: "It's far from over."*tries to stand straight*
Nokki: "Hah! You've got two broken ribs, how do you expect to fight back?"*punches him again and knocks him back several feet and onto his back*
Kakashi:*is laying there unconscious*
Nokki:*unsheathes a purple-ish dagger. Leaps into the air* "This is the end of you."
Lei: "SEI STOP THE MATCH!!!"
Sei: "Match called on account of illegal weaponry. Kakashi is the victor."
Nokki: "I don't care."*plunges toward Kakashi, his dagger raised*
Naruto:*jumps down and tackles Nokki before he reaches Kakashi* "You don't eve attack a man when he's down."
Lei:*jumps down and goes to Kakashi, pulls down his mask and starts mouth to mouth resuscitation*
Nokki:*pushes off Naruto and lunges at him again*
Anko: "SOMEBODY STOP HIM BEFORE HE KILLS SOMEONE!!!"*jumps down*
(Gai, Iruka, Kurenai, and Sei try to keep him contained.)
Sei:*pulls out a kunai with a chain on it. He swings it like a lasso and gets it around Nokki. He runs around him in circles, chaining him up.*
Nokki: "Curse you Sei."*can't move.*
Lei:*continues mouth to mouth until his coughs blood into her mouth. She spits it out*
Kakashi:*rolled over onto his side, coughing up blood and holding his side*
Anko: "Get the medic in here now."
(The Medical Ninja come him, put him on a stretcher and got him out.)
Lei:*stands up again, her flooding with tears*
Iruka:*goes over to her* "Lei-san, you alright."
Lei:*shakes her head vigorously, her tears fall to the floor. She looks down to the blood*
Iruka:*wraps a comforting around her*
Sakura:*jumps down with Sasuke behind her* "Miss Lei are you alright?'
Anko: "Leave her be for right now. She's pretty upset."
Naruto:*walks back over to Lei* "Sorry, I tried."
Iruka: "It's alright Naruto. You did your best to help him. You've done him proud."
(The others are struggling to get Nokki into solitary confinement.)
Iruka:*gently tightens his grip and places his other arm around her, trying to comfort her*
Lei:*rests her head on his shoulder, tears running down her cheeks*
(Everyone in the gallery is appalled by Nokki's blood thirsty attitude toward Kakashi.)
Smicha:*jumps done and onto Sakura's shoulder*
(Later on, Lei takes Team 7 to Kakashi. However, no one is allowed to see. Lei only got a glimpse of him in his room. He's just laying there, unconscious, his middle wrapped in bandages, an oxygen mask over his mouth, and the other machine monitoring his heart rate.)