OMG I'm out of town visiting my younger cousins and I forgot to update earlier because we left early and then when I got here I was like, "OMG NOOOOO! I FORGOT TO UPDATE PANIC!" But then I logged in and saw that I had THIS chapter all ready for update. Then I was like, "I was SO smart to do that." lolz Go me.

Thanks for everyone who reviewed! And...wait a second...ALMOST 100 REVIEWS! R&R PLEASE! R&R PLEASE! HELP ME REACH 100!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

"Ara, ara, ara, ara, ara, ara, ara, ar—"

"SHUT UP!"

Nami opened one eye and looked up at her enraged teammate from her criss-crossed sitting position and said, "Someone's a bit touchy today."

"Why are you repeating 'oh' over and over again?!" Kyoko demanded irritably. "I can't concentrate!"

"On what? Eating?"

"YES!"

Midori sighed and a vein pulsed dangerously on her forehead.

"What are you doing anyway?!"

"If you need to know, it's my good luck chant. I do it before every big battle."

"Since when do you have a good luck chant and since when do you do it before every battle?"

"Since NOW. DUH."

"You're crazy!"

"We'll see who's crazy when I win the battle."

Midori scrubbed the bowl harder and closed her eyes, attempting to tune her teammates out.

"You mean when I win."

"No."

"Yes."

"No."

"Yes."

"Yes."

"No—I mean yes!"

"HA! My victory is assured."

"Stop trying to act so cool!"

"I'm not acting."

"You are!"

"Are not!"

"Are too!"

"Are—"

"SHUT UP," Midori ordered, whirling around angrily. "Keep acting like this and you'll never achieve chuunin level!"

"Hmph!" the two girls huffed as they avoided contact.

"We'll save this for the exam!" Kyoko declared.

"I can't wait," Nami said.

Midori checked the clock and said, "It's probably about time we go now." She took Kyoko's bowl and quickly scrubbed it. Then, turning to her teammates she said, "You guys ready?"

"Yeah/Totally!" Kyoko and Nami replied.

It didn't take long for the girls to reach the stadium, and the two chuunin at the door greeted them warmly. As they walked into the circular building, the three knew it was time for them to go their separate ways.

"See you two later," Midori said, waving at her two teammates. "And guys…don't kill each other, okay?"

"Don't worry, Midori!" Nami said confidently. "Before anything bad happens, Kyoko will be on her knees, begging for mercy!"

"Ha! You wish!" Kyoko said, shoving Nami.

Nami gasped. "Oh no you didn't." She shoved Kyoko back which triggered a jostle-contest and smack talk.

"Hey, hey, hey!" Midori hollered, pulling the two apart. "Save it for the arena!"

"Fine!" Nami and Kyoko shouted, storming off in different directions.

"Guys," Midori said, sighing. "The entrance to the battle field's that way."

"I knew that!" the girls declared, turning around.

Midori rolled her eyes and made her way towards the stands where hundreds of people had already found their seats. I should've come earlier, she thought.

"Midori! Hey, Midori!"

Midori turned her attention to a particularly noisy brown-haired Inuzuka who was waving wildly at her.

Smiling, she took the free seat next to Hinata. "Hi, Kiba-kun, Hinata-chan."

"H-Hello Midori-chan," Hinata greeted.

"You're teammates are fighting each other, right?" Kiba asked. "Harsh."

"Yeah, but I don't think they mind," Midori said, glancing into the arena where most of the contestants were assembling. "I think they've been waiting to duke it out for quite some time..." I just hope they don't hurt each other too badly…

"Then…who are you cheering for?"

"I don't know…"

"Well, don't take it personally if Shino has to wipe your teammates out during the matches," Kiba grinned.

Midori smiled, raising an eyebrow. "Whatever you say, Kiba-kun…"

It was then that Hinata started coughing terribly.

"Hinata, you okay?" Kiba asked with concern.

"D-Don't worry, I-I'm fine," Hinata assured him.

Kiba looked a bit reluctant, but said nothing about it. "All right, Hinata."

However, Kiba was getting a little more doubtful as Neji and Naruto's battle progressed. His more timid teammate had been having spurts of coughing fits, and his natural big-brother senses were tugging on his heart for quite some time now.

As Hinata erupted into a volcano of coughs once more, Kiba put a hand on her back worriedly. "Hey, Hinata, you sure you're okay?"

"Why don't I take a look at her?"

"Huh?" Kiba looked up.

Midori noticed the man as well and narrowed her eyes. It was an "ANBU" member with a decorated mask. His hood made him even more distinctly mysterious. When she realized the man was staring straight at her, she averted her eyes. Kabuto, she thought.

"Could you really do that?" Kiba asked him, not noticing Midori's subtle actions.

"Sure," Kabuto said, turning back to Kiba.

Kiba moved aside so Kabuto could take possession of Hinata. As the Inuzuka started to follow, Midori stood up as well.

"You can still watch the match if you want, Midori," Kiba said.

"That's okay," Midori said. "I'm worried about Hinata too." I'm gonna keep an eye on Kabuto…it couldn't hurt, right?

As Kabuto worked on restoring Hinata's health, he glanced at Midori from the corner of his eye. The girl seemed to be observing him as well. He smirked underneath his mask. So…this is one of the girls who seem to be able to predict the future…her teammates are in this exam. This may be the perfect time to bring Orochimaru-sama a bonus gift…

"All finished," Kabuto said.

Kiba's expression was relieved. "That's awesome. Thanks."

It was then that Akamaru started whimpering something in Kiba's ear from his shoulder.

"Huh? What's that?" Kiba said, confused. "We've seen him before?"

Kabuto flinched slightly.

"Kiba—!"

Kiba gasped as Kabuto's hand connected with his stomach, knocking the wind from his pipes. The boy fell to the ground, unconscious next to his teammate.

Midori dodged a blow from Kabuto just in time, avoiding his palm.

"Hmph," Kabuto said, straightening up. "Perhaps you can see the future after all, hm?"

Midori narrowed her eyes. "I don't need to with that cheesy disguise you have."

"Then tell me, why didn't you inform your little friends about it?" Kabuto said, gesturing towards the fallen Kiba and Hinata.

When Midori didn't answer, Kabuto let out a small laugh. "Not too talkative, are you?" I'm still unsure. Why didn't she tell them, indeed? Kabuto decided he wanted to get a little more out of this naive girl. "Perhaps you know more than I think? Did you not tell them to disrupt some kind of destiny?"

Midori still didn't answer him. She kept her eyes on the disguised spy, however, especially his hands.

"Not gonna talk?" Kabuto grimaced. "Well then, I guess I'll just have to take you to the master!" He thrust his palm which was burning with chakra towards her.

Midori stepped back and dodged the attack, skipping a few feet away. "Careful there, ANBU-san. There are millions of people here watching the Chuunin Exam, including packs of elite Konoha ninja. Who's to say I won't announce your presence now?"

Kabuto smirked. She isn't stupid. "Well, well, if you were to do that, I just might have to blow the waiting area sky high." He pointed to the gallery where her teammates along with Shino, Shikamaru, and the Sand Siblings were.

Midori scowled. I don't remember anything about a bomb in the waiting area. He might be bluffing…but… Midori straightened up, signaling that she wasn't about to take any sudden actions.

"That's what I thought," Kabuto said. "If I hear any little commotion, I'll hold you responsible and the genin youth of Konoha will suffer for your mistake." With that beign said, Kabuto disappeared.

Midori stood silently, fists shaking uncontrollably. That guy… Her thoughts were interrupted by the outbreak of cheers. She turned her head and saw Naruto running around the battle arena. His fight was over.

"Second battle!" Genma announced, rotating his long toothpick between his teeth. "Shimizu Kyoko vs. Kawa Nami!"

What?! Nami was supposed to fight Inazumaru! What happened to him? Midori thought. And since Kyoko was supposed to fight Dosu…Shikamaru was supposed to fight an extra battle against Kyoko! But now they're fighting each other? This is the worst possible match!

"Begin!"

Nami and Kyoko both jumped backwards several feet and moved both their hands behind their backs, mirroring each other perfectly. Kyoko pulled out two fans with a red and sand design as she touched the ground. Nami had an orange fans were linked by a long chain. They were decorated with a red burst of fire on each.

Silence overcame the stadium.

Genma blinked.

"YOU COPIED ME!" the two screamed in unison, each pointing their right finger at the other.

About half the crowd sweat dropped. Midori, who had called one of the ANBU members on guard duty to take Hinata and Kiba to the infirmary (she claimed that she had found them like this), slapped her forehead. They…think so much alike…

"I so didn't copy you!" Nami shouted. "My fans are so much cooler than yours! And I have a chain!"

Kyoko was about to retort when she remembered what Midori had told her before the exams.

Flashback

"Don't let Nami drive you nuts," Midori said, holding up a finger wisely. "If you lose control of yourself, you won't be able to knock you out easily."

End Flashback

Kyoko took a deep breath and counted to ten in her head.

Wow, that's strange, Nami thought. Midori's words a few days ago flashed through her mind.

Flashback

"You know how temperamental she is," Midori said reasonably. "It could be an advantage if she were to lose control. You'd be able to knock her out easily."

End Flashback

Nami smirked. It's just like her to keep the odds even. I thought it was weird when she gave me an advantage. "Hey Kyoko."

Kyoko's eyes widened as Nami made a face at her. "One…two…three…four…"

"I'm Kyoko," Nami said in a fake voice. "And I looooove a bloodthirsty killer!"

"Five…six…seven…"

"He'll never return my feelings, of course!" Nami said with a girlish hand motion and a giggle. "But I'm too stupid to care anyway!"

"EIGHTNINETEN!" Kyoko screamed as she threw herself onto Nami and attempted to wring her neck.

Nami grabbed Kyoko's wrists and rolled over so she was on top, only to be pushed over back onto the bottom.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU!"

"Bloodthirsty killer?" Naruto said, confused. "Like who?"

Shikamaru shook his head. "You're an idiot."

"What'd you say?!"

"It's him, doofus," Shikamaru said, rolling his eyes and pointing out Gaara with his head.

Gaara glanced at the two from the corner of his eye then looked back down into the arena.

I knew that girls was nuts, Kankuro thought.

If she's looking to win Gaara's heart, she's wasting her time, Temari thought. Heck, he's never even shown that he has a heart ever since…Yashamaru…

Meanwhile in the audience, Midori was slamming her head against the wall.

"Are those two…fighting?" said the man next to her.

"Yeah right," his friend said. "But I guess this is how kunoichi fight."

"I bet the blond one's gonna win."

"No way. The black-haired one's gonna win. The blond's gonna get her eyes clawed out before she'd gain control over her."

"You got the money to back up that bet?"

"Sure do."

"Bring it on, old man!"

"It's a deal, older man!"

Midori sighed and looked back towards the arena to see that Nami had gotten free of Kyoko's wrath for a few seconds with only a few scratches and bruises here and there. Nami shook her head a few times in random directions and laughed. "This is gonna be fun."

Nami's not taking this seriously at all because Kyoko's her opponent, Midori thought. And it's only been a few seconds into the match and Kyoko's already lost her temper. She's stronger in this state, I'll have to admit, but her accuracy isn't any good. At this rate, neither of them will win.

Nami whipped out her fans and started twirling one around with the chain expertly.

"This isn't the circus, Nami!" Kyoko yelled. "What're you trying to do? Win the crowd's appeal?!"

Nami threw the closed fan she was holding, bringing the other fan that was twirling seconds ago into the air as well. Making several rapid hand signs she said, "Why don't you see for yourself? Firewind no Jutsu!"

"What?!" Kyoko gasped, stepping back on instinct.

Nami caught her fans and spun around, her arms outstretched. Sparks of fire ran with a gust of wind that was running towards Kyoko at a frightening speed.

Kyoko jumped to the side to avoid the attack only to get part of her sweater burned. Her eyes widened and she cautiously touched the burnt, gray fabric. She clenched her fist angrily. "NAMI! YOU'RE GONNA PAY FOR THAT! THIS IS MY FAVORITE SWEATER!"

"Oh, I'm so scared," Nami said mockingly.

Kyoko took her fans and swiped the air with them forcefully. "My turn! Piercing Wind no Jutsu!"

A current of air rushed towards Nami who noticed something peculiar about the wind. Needles? She had spotted several needles hidden within the air stream. "Sticking with your little needles, huh? I see. The wind creates a track for your needles to run on and makes them faster. That also makes them close to invisible. Nice try, but not good enough." She darted left before the needles could prick her body.

A small smirk appeared on Kyoko's face. "Speak for yourself, Nami." She waved her fans to her right. "You think you're so smart. But you overlooked one little detail!" The needles swerved to Kyoko's right which was Nami's left.

Oh crap! "You can control them?!" Nami exclaimed with shock. She jumped backwards to the right but Kyoko simply waved her fans towards her once more and the needles followed her path.

Nami tried to wave her own fans to create wind that would throw the needles off course, but it was in vain. She scowled. What's with these needles?

"You should know better!" Kyoko laughed. "Those needles are backed up with chakra! There's no way any regular wind could stop them! And I thought you were gonna be a challenge!" She stepped backwards and—

"NAAAA!" She fell right into the hole Naruto had dug earlier.

The audience sweat dropped.

Nami stopped in her tracks to laugh for a moment but then remembered she was being attacked by needles. She stepped to the side and the needles flew straight past her and pierced the wall. She smirked under her nose. It looks like she can't control them while she's…occupied.

"Don't look at me like that!" Kyoko shouted, flushing red as she started climbing out of the hole. "I uh, meant to do that!"

"Yeah right," Nami snorted.

Kyoko growled and sent another wave of needles towards Nami with her fans.

"If you want a challenge," Nami continued, gripping her own fans more tightly. "I'll give you a challenge!" Nami swung the chain around both her arms, then made a few hand seals and waved her fans in front of her, creating a thin barrier. The silent needles bounced off the barrier and scattered into numerous directions. "Deflection no Jutsu!"

"Oh yeah?" Kyoko said, tightening her hold on her fans. "Well try this!" She stuck her hand into her back pouch and came out with a small, blue scroll. Biting her thumb, she slapped open the scroll and ran her thumb down the middle of the paper and shouted, "Dance of the Needles!" She twirled the scroll a few times to the side, closed it, and tossed it high into the air. Then she shot herself into the air, accelerating after the scroll with an extra burst of speed from the chakra in her feet. She flipped in midair so that she was upside-down and caught the scroll. Twirling the opened scroll from the bottom up, she started to fall towards the ground. Smoke appeared around Kyoko and out came a barrage of needles, aerodynamically zeroing in on their target, Kawa Nami.

Nami cursed under her breath. I shouldn't have used Deflection no Jutsu so early! The jutsu her sensei had taught her had its downs. It was like an ultimate defense, but it used up too much of her current amount of chakra, especially since she had taken the month to learn new jutsu and not too much on chakra control.

What're you going to do now, Nami? Midori thought. Kyoko's got you cornered.

"Your girl is mince meat!" laughed the man who had betted Kyoko would win. "Too bad! Looks like I just became a very rich man!"

The other man swore.

Nami ducked backwards and moved her fans, only managing to blow away a few needles. She started to dodge the needles, but they kept coming, and Kyoko was still in the air, controlling them.

Kyoko swung her fans up and the needles obeyed. She smiled when she noticed Nami's surprised look when the needles started to mold together to form the silhouette of a wolf. She touched the ground with a handstand, the scroll falling around her in folds. She flipped backwards and landed with one knee and one hand on the ground. Her shoulders heaved up and down heavily. It had taken days to perfect that attack.

As the needle-wolf pounced on Nami, Nami screamed in pain. She struggled out of the wolf's grasp and fiercely and shot a gust of wind, increasing the power with a bit of chakra. The wolf collapsed and Nami sighed wearily. She pulled out the needles that had stabbed her painfully. She smirked half-heartedly. Hmph. She almost hit some fatal spots. Almost. There was only one thing that kept her going, and that was she would never lose a battle to Kyoko.

"Tired yet, Nami?" Kyoko simpered.

"Not even," Nami said, making some hand signs. "I've still got a few tricks up my sleeve! Flame Coffin!"

Flame Coffin?! Kyoko thought. That didn't sound too pleasant. She suddenly felt the ground shaking as Nami slammed her hands onto to the ground. Not only her, but everyone in the stadium felt the pulsations.

"Father, what's happening?!" Hanabi asked Hiashi as she held onto the bottom of her seat.

"Activate your Byakugan, Hanabi," Hiashi said simply.

Hanabi obeyed and said, "Byakugan!" Staring down into the stadium her eyes widened. "Chakra…is running throughout the whole stadium!"

"Correct," Hiashi nodded. "She's running her chakra through the ground and targeting the other girl."

Hanabi, eyes wide, turned back to the battle.

Kyoko instinctively leapt into the air, and it was a good thing to because half a second later, a barrel of flames shot out of the ground.

Nami looked up for a moment and narrowed her eyes, pressing down on the ground harder. "You can't escape, Kyoko!"

Kyoko kept jumping into the air and landing back on the ground only to be forced to avoid the fire once more. While she was flying towards the ground for the umpteenth time, a smaller flame shot up towards her. Leaning to the left, she barely managed to dodge the flames while in midair. As she touched the ground, Nami smirked.

"Gotcha."

Kyoko's eyes widened as flames burst exploded around her. She covered her face with her arms and narrowed her eyes. The flames were ten feet high and the heat made Kyoko instantly sweat. Kyoko saw the outline of a figure a few feet away.

"Well, well, well," the man betting on Nami laughed. "Looks like it's your girl who's gonna get burnt to a crisp!"

"No way!"

Midori lowered her head. It's almost over.

GASP. What NEXT? Just for fun, vote for either Kyoko or Nami to win! I have it ALL planned out, but why not have a little competition, shall we? And give a valid reason, please! More so, R&R! AGAIN! ALMOST TO 100! Ciao!

-HM