This is somewhat the last chapter in the pure story purpose... for some time.

There will be a few "fillers" story during the month between the second and third exams. Around 4 or so, which doesn't interfere directly in Naruto story, but rather develop characters both original and already in the Naruto world. If you want, you can skip directly ro chapter 19 to continue the story, of course, when that chapter will be done P

Chapter 14: The victory.

I DO NOT OWN NARUTO

The fight was getting heavier... Naruto was cheering for Hinata while both opponents were mostly talking. Konoha was full of mystery, indeed...

After another hit, Hinata was done for and lost. The heart of both Naruto and Syng twitched... The girl was brought by medics who feared for her life. Neji had tried to kill her...

Syng hadn't moved. Next fight: Chouji vs Dozu, a sound genin... with Dozu as the winner. Shikamaru seemed disappointed. That last one had previously won his fight against another sound genin, Kin. Almost everyone had come back from the medical center, except of course Hinata and Lee were in critical situation. The winners were called in the center in front of the Third Hokage (Except Sasuke who was missing).

Dozu, Shikamaru, Syng, Tifa, Naruto, Gaara, Kankuro, Temari, Neji, Shino and Sasuke (who was absent).

The third made a little speech in front of everyone, both lecturing them and congratulating them.

-There is still something before we let you out to train, said the old man.

-What?! I want to train right now, shouted Naruto.

-You should be happy to have been declared winner! Cut out Anko.

-Anyway, you'll have to pick a name in that box Anko is holding. Continued the Hokage.

-Take just one! Said Anko, getting near the genins.

Everyone took their paper in the box... Now was Naruto turn... and Syng's... and finally Tifa.

After saying the number they had on their papers, Ibiki said who would fight against who...

Naruto would fight Neji... Gaara Sasuke... Tifa would fight... Shino!?!

-WHAT!? She screamed. The bug boy!?! She screamed on and on before fainting.

-She's okay, continue on.

And Syng would fight against... Dozu? The sound genin? That weakling?! Well, maybe he wasn't so weak. Yet again, he wouldn't fight Gaara...

-A whole month!? Man that's long, dattebayo... Sighed Naruto.

-Take this time to train, rather than whimper. Said Neji.

"I'm not in the same block as Gaara... I may end up fighting him..."

Tifa was sitting on the ground beside him. She was looking at Syng with a sad face...

(Take note that at this time, Naruto is at Konoha's hospital, as well as Hinata and Lee. This is all mere fiction from this point)

Konoha Restaurant

-Congratulations, Neji-san! Joyfully said Tenten as the meal was coming. Congratulations for both of you too! She continued looking at Tifa and Syng.

-Itadakimasu! Shouted Syng before launching a full attack... on his ramen bowl.

-You could at least say thanks, baka, sighed Tifa. Thanks Tenten, congratulations Neji. I couldn't see your fight, but I heard it was impressive.

-Yours wasn't bad at all! Smiled Tenten.

-Yours too, said Syng mouthful. Its fun to see a girl who knows the value of weapons!

He cough as some food was stuck in his throat. Tifa punched him in the back, making the food descend better, but almost knocking out the boy.

-You don't need to rush to eat, simply said Neji always serious.

Finally Syng was ok. He took a few deep breath.

-Well, its been a few days since I haven't eat ramens... Hey, what about Lee? And Hinata? Asked Syng, resuming his eating.

The name of both Hinata and Lee put a cold in the conversation. Finally, Tenten spoke the first.

-Hinata is still in a critical situation, but she should be able to survive... as for Lee, his muscles are all badly damaged... What about you, Syng-san?

The tanned boy had a bandage around his head, covering his whole forehead. Both his shoulders, hands, feets were covered, as well as half of his torso. Every bandage could easily be seen, since Syng wore only his fishnet shirt.

-I've seen worse... I still don't understand why they didn't want me to use my ointment. I'll use it anyway so I'll be able to bath tomorrow...

-Shouldn't you be training tomorrow? Said Tifa, looking at him.

-N'ah! Gonna see Kiba, Hinata, Lee... well, everyone! We're here for a month before the exam!

-What!? Why don't we just return to Tsurugi?!

-What, you want to walk and jump ten days to go and come back again!? Not worth it! I don't want to listen to you complaining all the way...

Tenten was trying to calm both of them while Neji was looking at both, studying their comportments. Both were strong, they were a little bit older too...

-Anyway! I'm going to sleep, ended Syng while getting up.

-And where are you planning to stay, baka!? Naruto is gone! We'll have to camp tonight, and for a whole month! That's why I wanted to go back to Tsurugi.

-Syng can stay at my house, said a voice from behind them.

-And Tifa's at mine! Cheered a feminine voice also behind.

-Nani?!

They both turned around to see team 10 eating behind them. Chouji was eating his tenth plate or so, Ino was smiling and Shikamaru was looking at them. Their sensei, Asuma was looking at them with a strange face, almost confused.

-WHAT!? Shouted Syng. You mean there's someone with facial hair in Konoha beside the Hokage!?

-Err.. Asuma grinned. Sandaime Sarutobi, the Third, is my father, answered the sensei.

Syng got hit behind the head, again.

-How impolite! Growled Tifa. You two are serious, she asked gently at Shikamaru and Ino.

-You don't look like bad guys said Ino.

The truth was that Ino had just forced Shikamaru to take Syng in. An excuse to see him more often, since she had a kind of crush on him since she had see him in the exams while Ino herself wanted to know more about that "Feline kunoichi". After all, the blonde was an expert in gossip around Konoha.

-Troublesome girl, troublesome boy, grumbled the Nara boy.

He got it, just like Syng.

-Ah, he sighed, since we have a deer farm, we have quite a house, so you can come without problem, said Shikamaru.

The tree team talked a while before the darkness made everyone tired. Neji and Tenten were the first to go. Soon followed by Chouji, then Ino and Tifa. Asuma-sensei, Shikamaru and Syng were the only one left in the restaurant, the three of them laughing.

-I guess that's when Tifa got scared of bugs for her whole life... ended Syng.

-Its funny... but still cruel, don't you think? Asked Asuma, still a smile on his face.

-Yeah, but it's the kind of life we had in Tsurugi... it wasn't so bad...

-Konoha seem pretty peaceful compared to your village... grinned Shikamaru.

-Konoha is less... hum... Troublesome?

Asuma and Syng started to laugh while Shikamaru was looking at them confused. Asuma sent he boys to Shikamaru's house. The sensei would have to train his only student who had passed. The street were already empty, just like the first he had come to Konoha (He wondered where Misty was at the moment). Soon, they reached Shikamaru's house.

-Hey Shika, you're late, said the boy's father.

It was his father. He couldn't be he father of anyone else. The resemblance was too... evident!

-Who's this young boy? Asked his mother.

-A friend (Syng looked at Shikamaru, surprised). He's in Konoha for the chuunins exam, he doesn't have a place to stay, so... Explained Shikamaru without really bothering to enter the details.

-Its okay, boy, said his father. You celebrate your victory quite late, don't you will go train tomorrow?

-Only in the afternoon. Less troublesome.

-Maybe you could show the deers to your friend, smiled his mother. Of course, you'll first prepare a bed for him, right? The women almost ordered.

-And I'd like to see you training, boy... said Shikaku, looking at Syng.

-My name's Syng, smiled the tanned shinobi. I would be glad to see the deer tomorrow.

They discussed a little, but soon, they realised Shikamaru had fallen asleep in front of everyone while they were talking. Syng was showed to his room: A typical guest room with a small bed, nothing luxurious, yet it was comfortable. He soon fell asleep, wandering in a vast universe sealed deep within his soul... He dreamt about Tifa, Misty, Tsurugi... Juusan.

The sun waked Tifa. The rubbed her eyes, someone was knocking at the door.

-Yeah? She said, still half-asleep.

Ohayo! What a sleepyhead, smiled Ino while entering the room, still in pyjamas.

-I'm really sorry, I used quite a lot of chakra in the exam, said Tifa, blushing.

-Its okay! What do you intent to do today? The blonde asked.

-Well...