Disclaimer: I don't own it. Simple as that. If I did I wouldn't be on here, hmm?

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Hinata was a little upset by Shino's loss but smiled anyway.

Behind her, Ino was clapping loudly. Hinata hadn't seen her smile so openly in a while. The rejection she went through everyday was a bit disheartening, and often tore at her heart bit by bit. Hinata never wanted to have to go through that.

Kankuro yawned. "Stupid bug-boy lost. Now we are down even more." He squinted out where the benches were and said, "Gaara doesn't seem any madder than usual. But it looks like he has his hands full anyway."

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Where Kankuro was pointing to Gaara did have his hands full. Neji had come up to him and started questioning him about his treatment of Hinata. Slowly, Gaara was ticked off. How dare this jerk tell him how to treat someone he had protected and cared for years? Instead of punching him, he decided to play some mind-games.

Kiba was up on the mat ready to start his match against Naruto. Both sides groaned. The two loudmouths against each other? Not a sight anyone would want to witness.

Naruto, not knowing his Kiba's connection to Hinata, just wanted to win for fun. And he wanted to win so he didn't have to suffer Neji's furious punishments. He was still sore from the last one for goofing off.

Kiba was unaware of Naruto's feelings for his friend. He just wanted to win and throw it in Shino's face.

So when he thought of yelling out to her that he would win he did it. Not for taunting the poor blonde in front of him but because he wanted his friend to be proud of him. And he just lacked impulse control.

"Hey Hina! Look, I'm going to win! I dedicate the victory to you." Kiba ran to the edge closest to the stands and waved energetically again. His face lit up when she started to giggle at him and waved back.

Naruto faced the stands as well. When he saw Hinata waving it felt like a blow to his chest. She knew this jerk?! He felt so bad, so depressed. Then he grew angry. He gripped the frayed, heavy ropes that bordered the platform and glared at his opponent. Kiba was wondering if the blonde was really emotional because one moment he looked slightly curious ,the next he looked like he was out for blood.

Geesh, Kiba thought, he looks like he wants to beat the ever-loving crap out of me.

"When you said Hina you meant Hinata Hyuuga right?" Naruto asked deadly quite.

"Oh, yeah. You know her?" Kiba kept his tone polite. This blonde was almost as scary as Gaara.

"Begin!"

Kiba jumped back as a yellow flash hurtled at him. He just missed getting clipped on the stomach. Kiba started to think quickly and formulated a plan.

Meanwhile, Gaara was playing min-games with the Hyuuga, (as Gaara called him in his mind the other Hyuuga). It was fairly simple since Gaara could feel the boiling jealousy coming of Neji in waves.

"Hina never told you about us. Maybe she didn't just forget to mention you? It's possible that she is just ashamed of you."

Neji curled his fist, bust his face remained passive." Why would she be ashamed of me? Her cousin, the captain of the best team around, the straight A student, her protector?"

Now it was Gaara's turn to curl his fists. He had been one of her protectors for years and now some smart-ass cousin of hers takes his position? Not going to happen.

"And where were you all those years back in elementary school? The guys picked on her because of her eyes and the girls because they were jealous of her. Do you know how many times she stayed the night at my house because her roommates locked her out? How many nights she would hide on our roof to look up at the stars." Gaara paused to let that bit of information sink in. "Your family never cared about her. She spent summers at my house because her ass of a father wouldn't let her come back. Do you really know her. Or do you only know the good parts that she feels are appropriate to tell you?"

Neji stood blankly. Then he shook himself and walked away. He would get his opportunity to get revenge soon. Now he wanted to think over what the red head had said.

Sasuke and Gaara were both surprised. Sasuke had been sitting on the cold bench watching his friend fight and overheard the conversation.

"Winner: Naruto Uzumaki! Point to Konaha."

Gaara inwardly groaned. They were down another point.

Kiba limped out of the ring and headed for the benches. His face was screwed up as if in pain. He sat down heavily with an echoing thunk!

Shino reappeared near Gaara's elbow with a bowl of ice and a drink of lemonade. He set it next to the dog-boy and backed off.

Gaara hadn't been watching and so was annoyed that he had to ask, "What the hell happened to you?"

Kiba growled. His leg felt as if it was on fire. He grabbed some ice and lifted his pant's leg up. Then he started to gently rub the cold melting cubes in circular motions.

"That stupid blonde whacked it. Then he jumped on me and it went in an awkward angle. It might be...sprained or just hurt pretty bad. I'm not sure which."

He nodded. Whatever. It was his turn to go up. He sprang over the rope and landed almost landed silently. The crowd was wiled up. The screaming was enough for him to frown in distaste.

In the crowd, Hinata was worried. She had seen Naruto fiercely attack Kiba. Then when she saw him fall on him she had almost drawn blood from biting her lip so hard.

Temari patted her shoulder but kept her eyes riveted to the floor. Kankuro smiled sadly at her but spoke no words. It had been like this back when Hinata was an elementary schooler. She would seek help from them but they could offer no words to heal her pain.

Ino and Tenten however could. They kept telling her that he would be fine. Hinata, wanting to believe them, nodded her head and forced herself to focus on the match starting before her.

"Gaara Sabaku vs. Neji Hyuuga. Begin."

Everyone was on edge. Hinata especially. She knew both fighters and cared deeply for both. She decided to remain neutral.

Temari and Kankuro were cheering loudly for Gaara and Ino and Tenten for Neji. She remained silent and just watched.

Over the noise of the crowd no one could hear them talking or hear the smacks their hits caused. No one could hear the mocking voices and the obvious hatred. But one could see it. One understand it. She watched and waited through the fight to see the winner. Whoever it was, someone close to her was going to get hurt.

The audience let out a collective gasp. Someone had been pinned.

"And the winner is..."

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Yeah the next chapter. Thanks to all who reviewed.

I just got my friend into Naruto. Now she has claimed Naruto and Kabuto as hers. Apparently she thinks they are "huggable". Well I guess my friends never do have much taste. I mean that nerdy traitor. Although I admit Naruto does look like you could just squeeze him to death.