Disclaimer: Marty! You Gotta come back with me! Back to the Future, where I STILL DON'T OWN NARUTO!

AN: Story will go up to M rating now. There's some naughty stuff, as well as more coming. Now, on with the Fic!

Forsaken

Chapter Four: Emotional Maelstrom

Hinata stared at the screen, then looked over to the person she admired the most. She managed to hold back the gasp that threatened to escape her lips as she looked into the brilliant blue eyes that defined Naruto so much.

She recalled one of the few lessons that her mother, Shikuko, had managed to pass on to her before succumbing to the illness that had taken hold of her after the birth of Hanabi. She had said that no matter how well trained a shinobi was, they eyes would always tell the true story.

Naruto-kun, she thought, as the blue eyes she had come to adore clouded over with…rage, and pain, What…what did they do to you? Why does it hurt you so much?

The blond genin started making his way down to the fighting area, even as his opponent started to chuckle.

"Well, what fortuitous circumstance is this?" the purple haired kunoichi called Reika laughed, "I'm so sorry, Taro-kun." She turned her brown eyes to the dark haired Uzumaki. "I know you wanted to be the one to beat the outcast down, but I guess you'll just have to do with watching it happen."

Taro grunted. "Feel free, Reika," he replied, "I just want a good show. I'm sure we all do…" he turned to look at the woman standing behind him, "Neh, Kagura-sensei?"

Hinata turned to the blue haired woman, frowning at the lack of emotion on her face. Why would she…

The blue haired beauty spoke only a few words, but they washed over the assembled genin like a frozen wave, the lack of emotion causing even the stoic Neji to raise an eyebrow.

"Win your match, Reika," she intoned, "Do not disappoint us."

Reika frowned. "Hai, Kagura-sensei," she replied, forming the hitsuji seal and shunshuing down into the arena.

Kakashi and Asuma had turned to the blue haired woman, their eyes hard as she returned their glare.

"Are you planning on berating me, Kakashi-kun, Asuma-kun?" the Uzumaki matron asked, "I followed the wishes of the clan. Nothing more."

Kakashi's voice was as cold as ice as he responded. "I think he'd be ashamed of you," the silver haired jounin replied, "He told me Obito's words were something to take to heart…I would have thought you, as his wife, would have honored his wishes above even the clan."

Asuma took a puff off the cigarette in his mouth. "I think I'm ashamed of you myself…sensei," he added, causing his own students to stare up at him in shock, "I'd always thought you were better than that."

Kagura frowned, then turned to watch the events in the arena, closing herself off from the glares of her late husband's student, and her own former pupil.

The match was about to begin.

oOoOoOo

Naruto stared at the purple haired girl before him, his mind focused solely on her as Hayate announced the match.

"Fifth match; Uzumaki Naruto vs. Uzuki Reika," he muttered, coughing slightly, "HAJIME!"

Reika smirked as she back flipped away from the blond boy, putting some distance between herself and the scowling boy.

"You know," she said, "We've heard of your so called 'exploits' even in Hinokakujin, outcast." She frowned when Naruto showed no reaction to her words. "We even heard about that mission your team took to Nami no Kuni…C-rank to A-rank, and successfully completed to boot." She smirked. "Of course, given that your team had the famous Sharingan no Kakashi, and you have the last of the Uchiha…well, I can certainly see who did all the work."

Naruto frowned. "Are you gonna fight, or try and talk me to death?" he asked, "I don't care what insults you throw at me…after almost nine years, I'm numb to it."

Reika frowned, before sliding into a strange taijutsu stance. Her hands were brought in front of her body, one fist closed and near her face, while the other was set like a claw, away from her chest. She turned slightly to the side, keeping her eyes on the blonde before her. "Uzumaki kuran taijutsu: Hyogi!" (Uzumaki clan taijutsu: Open Skill)

Her opponent frowned, before shifting into his own taijutsu stance…one that left the Uzuki girl gaping in surprise.

He brought his hands together before him, raising them up to chin level, turning his body slightly and widening his stance. His blue eyes seemed to flash in defiance of the girl, and his face developed a strange smirk.

Impossible! was the only thought Reika could contemplate.

oOoOoOo

"This…that stance!" Taro was growling up on the gangway. The other rookies glanced at him as he seethed in rage. "How…how dare he use that style! He has no right!"

Kakashi chuckled. "Actually, since it was taught to him by your clan," he stated, causing the dark haired boy to scowl, "He has every right to use the Eigi ryu." (Shadow Skill).

Asuma spared a glance at Kagura, noting that her eyes had changed. Before, they were just solid chips of ice when staring at the blonde boy she had abandoned. Now, however, there was emotion in those orbs…shock being the most prevalent of all.

oOoOoOo

Reika snarled as she began to circle Naruto, her eyes instinctively seeking out his feet. I've sparred against Taro-kun and Kanna-neesama, she thought, I may not know the style, but I do know how to fight it! If I keep my eyes on his footwork, I can easily counter his moves…

"If your not going to start, then I will!" Naruto shouted, his hands flying through a seal sequence, ending on the ryu seal. "FUUTON: ATSUGAI!" (Wind release: Great Pressure)

Reika leapt to the side, barely avoiding the gust of wind, her hands flying through her own seal sequence, ending on tori. "SUITON: TEPPOU DAMA!" (Water release: Water Bullet!) She spat forth a mid-sized sphere of water, forcing Naruto to back-flip away.

Reika rushed forward, grabbing one of Naruto's out-stretched arms and, with a pivot on her left foot, sent the orange clad genin hurling towards the western wall. She followed with another seal sequence, this one ending with ryu. "FUUTON: RENKUDAN!" (Wind release: Drilling Air Bullet) a burst of howling winds shot from her hands, impacting against the blond boy and futher propelling him into the wall.

His impact was announced with a large boom, and a deep impression in the wall…

oOoOoOo

"Naruto!" Sakura cried out, as the rookies gasped at their friend's hard impact.

"Naruto-kun…" Hinata whimpered, her hands clasped together as if in prayer for her crush.

Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai, and Asuma collectively winced at the force of the impact. Kurenai was the first to make a comment.

"First she used Teppou Dama, then switched easily to Renkudan," she muttered, "Both of those techniques require a good deal of control…yet she used them so quickly."

Taro laughed. "And now you can see her real power," he muttered, causing the group to glare at him. "Reika is a prodigy of the Hyogi style of the Uzumaki ryu…but she knows a ninja can't function on taijutsu alone." He ignored the glare sent his way by the boy with the overly-large eyebrows and horrendous hair cut and fashion sense. "Reika has incredible control and stamina, but she doesn't believe in wasting chakra. Sure, she can use powerful techniques like Suiryudan and others…but why use something like that when a properly applied Teppou Dama will do the same job?"

Kakashi frowned beneath his mask. "So, she uses jutsu like Housenka, and Renkudan, hmmm?" he asked.

"It's what earned Reika her nickname in the clan, and in the capital city," the Uzumaki heir answered.

"…Reika no Dangan." (Reika of the Bullet).

oOoOoOo

Reika panted as the dust settled from the force of Naruto's impact. She could almost 'feel' her chakra coils groaning in protest to her constant use of multiple elemental ninjutsu.

Damn, I went overboard with that, she thought as the debris settled, beginning to reveal the cracks on the wall from her 'cousin's' collision, Too think I used up so much chakra on the likes… "NANI!?!" she screeched, as her thoughts were echoed by the people above.

The dust had finally settled…revealing not one, but five Naruto's standing there, a quickly fading plume of white smoke behind the center one. That one wore the same cocksure grin that had made him famous among the Rookie Nine as a total and complete fool.

Now most of them were starting to wonder about that.

oOoOoOo

"Hmmm, clever," Kakashi muttered, his one visible eye curved into the upside down 'u' that signified him smiling, "Quick thinking on the fly…well, that's to be expected from the number one prankster in our village."

Sakura was a bit more vocal in her praise of the blond. "YEAH! GO NARUTO! THAT'S THE WAY TO DO IT!" Sasuke, standing next to her meerly smirked, even if he was deeply impressed with his teammate.

Ino was gaping in shock at the site, as were Chouji and Shikamaru. "What…but…how? He should be a pancake right now!?!" Ino was stuttering.

"Shikamaru, just how strong do you think Naruto's become since he learned that jutsu?" Chouji asked, munching on his chips at breakneck (or maybe break 'tooth') speed.

"Strong enough to be mendosuke," Shikamaru replied, sighing as Ino continued to screech. "Man, what a drag."

Kiba was laughing at the scene, while Shino kept his usual stoic façade. Kurenai was smirking, but more at her third charge than at the events below.

Hinata's face was bright red, as was par for the course when dealing with the blond loudmouth. Her fingers constantly pressed together, and she was smiling as the boy dusted himself off with the help of his copies. "Naruto-kun…ganbatte!" she whispered, wishing desperately to have the strength to be as loud as Sakura or Ino.

Neji was intrigued, but hardly impressed, while Tenten and Lee cheered the blond on and their sensei crowed about the 'Power of Youth'. I need coffee, he thought, Coffee and aspirin. In large quantities.

The Suna genin stared at the fight with impassive expressions, even as the one called Gaara felt a…surge…of something that for once he couldn't understand.

Taro was gaping, his face giving him a comical expression that the other jounin sensei's found hilarious.

Kagura was staring at the scene in both shock…and something else she couldn't explain. So, the rumors were true, she thought, He has learned the Kage Bunshin…and he uses it well. She let her eyes seek out the blonds face, and instinctively she focused on his eyes.

Crystal blue…just like her own.

She quashed such thoughts as quickly as they began to surface. She had chosen to follow the clan, and that was what she would do.

And the ice that had encased her heart grew just a touch more…

oOoOoOo

Naruto grinned at Reika's shock. "Man, you gotta love Kage Bunshin no jutsu," he called over to her, shaking her from her stupor, "Makes for a great impact cushion." He rolled his aching shoulders. "Still hurt like a bitch though, I gotta give you that. You are pretty good."

Reika scowled. "I don't need praise from an outcast like you!" she spat, causing the blond to narrow his eyes.

"I wasn't praising you," he replied, settling back into the first stance of the Eigi style, "I was just stating a fact. Still, I was trying to be nice, out of respect for Yuugao-neechan. If you don't want that…"

"I DON'T!" Reika shouted, rushing towards him with a surge of chakra to her legs, enhancing her speed. She leapt up, trying to come down on him with a vicious axe kick…

…only to be intercepted in mid-air with a powerful knee to her stomach.

She howled as the air was forced from her body, stars filling her vision as the blond continued his assault with a mid-air twist and a powerful kick that caught her chin. The blow sent her flying backwards, where two of his clones were waiting. She focused through the pain, twisting to land on her feet…only to have them taken out from under her as one clone dropped into a sweep while the other performed a roundhouse kick that caught her across her chest. "UUAURGHH!" she cried out as she hit the ground.

Naruto dispelled his clones, then surged his chakra so he could leap up. He flipped over, so his feet could anchor to the ceiling.

He took his stance, and waited for the next go round.

oOoOoOo

Kakashi nodded as he watched the blonds moves. "Rough, unrefined, and with a lot of wasted motion," he said, causing the rookies to stare at him, "As expected since he never received proper training in the Eigi branch of the Uzumaki Ryu. He's basically created his own variation of it to compensate."

Gai nodded, remembering a time he had sparred against a member of the Uzumaki main house. "Indeed," he muttered, "You saw how the girl was trying to focus on Naruto's feet…she was hoping to spot the foot work the Eigi style is famed for."

"Foot work?" Kiba asked, "What's that about?"

"It is nothing you need concern yourself with, Inuzuka-san," the blue haired lady answered before the other jounin could explain, "It is a clan secret."

"Mendosuke," Shikamaru muttered.

oOoOoOo

Naruto frowned as he focused his chakra into his foot, his hips and legs tensing for the move he was about to attempt.

If I get this wrong, my leg'll be shattered for sure, he thought, But…I NEED to do this! I have to show them!

Down on the floor Reika was struggling to stand. Her breath was ragged, and her vision was blurry from the heavy blows and lack of oxygen. Still, to her credit, she fought through the pain, and turned her eyes up to spy the boy standing on the ceiling above.

When she saw his stance, she froze. "No…no way…" she whispered, "That stance!"

oOoOoOo

In the balconies above, Taro and Kagura were also shocked, though Kagura hid it far better. "There's no way!" Taro cried, "I didn't even learn that till a I was 10...and I've received instruction from the best!"

Kakashi and Asuma were both frowing at Naruto's position, while Kurenai was confused. "Asuma…what's going on?" she asked, "What are they so concerned about?"

"That stance signifies one of the Uzumaki Ryu's special techniques," Asuma explained, taking a puff from his cigarette, before turning to the genin, "Watch closely, all of you…this is something you'd regret missing."

oOoOoOo

Naruto ignored the comments, as he crouched, then launched himself at the girl below him, crying out as he did so. For a moment, it seemed as if chakra was flickering about his legs, like flame, as he dropped towards his target.

Reika acted on pure instinct as she twisted to the side, trying to avoid the almost sub-sonic blow. She was mostly successful, as the extended leg of her opponent did miss her body…

…her pants, on the other hand, were not so fortunate.

The material shredded from its brief contact with the descending appendage, and the rest was torn asunder from the air pressure change, even as she was launched away from the force of the impact. She spun through the air, and landed hard on her side, exposing her bright red thong, shapely legs, and a curious blue spiral tattoo on her left cheek.

Kiba, Chouji, and Kankuro all flew back from the sudden explosive nosebleeds caused by this event, while the remaining boys save Taro meerly turned away, to avoid the wrath of their kunoichi teammates.

Taro was glowering. "She's embarrassing us," he growled.

When the dust cleared this time, it was clear that Naruto was going to be limping for a while. He was favoring his left leg, as he made his way to the prone girl. He stared for a few moments, as she forced herself back to her feet.

"Give up," he said, forcing her to gape in surprise, "You can't beat me, and I don't want to hurt you. Besides, your clothes may not survive another round."

Reika finally noticed her…wardrobe malfunction, and glowered at the blond. "What, you don't want to embarrass me any more?" she growled, "You embarrass the clan every day you live!"

Naruto's eyes widened at that, even as he growled. He shot forward, burying his right foot in her stomach again, forcing her to cough up some blood this time. He followed through with a twisting spin kick that caught her in the chest, and hurled her towards the eastern wall.

She cried out as she impacted hard against it, slumping down as her body gave out to the pain. Her eyes, tearing up from the agony, widened as the orange clad boy stalked towards her.

She closed her eyes, cringing as a breath of wind rushed over her.

For several long moments, it seemed like nothing was going to happen, so she risked a peak, opening her eyes. She was shocked at what she saw.

A new figure was standing between her and the outcast, acting almost like a shield between her and him. She recognized the blue hair, and the familiar dark blue outfit, and she almost sobbed in relief.

Naruto's eyes were hard, almost like diamond, as he stared at the new kunoichi before him. His fists tightened so much that the nails dug into his palms, drawing a thin trickle of blood.

Blue eyes, just like his own, stared back into his, and a voice he only barely recognized spoke.

"That's enough, otouto," the girl said, "Stop."

oOoOoOo

"Otouto?" the genin in the stands all gasped.

oOoOoOo

"Uzumaki…Kanna," Naruto whispered, his voice coarse and heavy with emotion. His glare didn't let up as he stared at the taller girl. "I guess I shouldn't be surprised."

"It's…been a long time," she muttered, trying to get a feel for what the obviously angry boy would do.

Naruto shrugged. "I wouldn't know," he replied, "I've lived without a family for most of my life, so I don't really have a comparison." He turned to Hayate. "Hayate-sempai…this counts as interference, right?"

The sickly jounin nodded. "Uzuki Reika is cough cough disqualified," he muttered, "Shousha, cough Uzumaki Naruto."

Naruto nodded, then unzipped his jacket before tossing it to the half naked girl behind Kanna. Both girls stared at him in shock, and he shrugged. "I like looking at girls just like any other guy," he explained, "But only if the girl wants me to look at her. I ruined her pants, so I'll make up for it." he looked at Reika, who was staring at him in shock…and a small part of gratitude. "Go ahead and keep the jacket. I'm sure I can find another."

With that, he walked back up the stairs.

Kanna watched him go, before helping the shocked Reika to her feet, and leading her from the arena.

And the computer began to cycle names once more…

oOoOoOo

Sarutobi made a motion with his hand, signaling Anko to pause the selection process for the next round. The screen shut down, and the elderly kage took a puff on his pipe.

"I think we could all do with a short break," he announced to the confused participants, "The next round will commence in twenty minutes. Use this short break well." He turned and walked out a side door, Anko and Hayate following behind him.

Naruto winced as his leg gave a spasm, reminding him of the damage he had just inflicted upon himself when he botched the 'Sword' skill. He pulled up the leg of his track suit, frowning at the swelling around his ankle, as well as the ugly looking bruise that was starting to form.

Kakashi noticed the site, and frowned. Hmmm, it seems that even the recuperative powers of the Kyuubi have limits, he thought, Still, if it were any other genin, I'm certain that his leg would have shattered completely from that move.

Standing off to the side and watching as well, Kagura also frowned as she watched her 'son' gingerly rub his wounded leg. While a small part of her was concerned over how the injury was affecting the boy, the part of her that had followed the clan for so long, the part that left him behind, was more concerned with how he had learned a move -on his own no less- that most main house members couldn't learn without extensive help.

Yuugao would not have been able to teach him that, she thought, She would not have been privy to the Eigi techniques as an Uzuki. Ebisu said that he never interacted with the boy until earlier this year…where did you learn that move?

She frowned again, as she saw the small Hyuuga girl walk up to him, holding a small container in her hand.

What is this?

oOoOoOo

Kenosuke stared at the wall of the infirmary, his mind replaying his last match over and over again.

That Suna-nin was right, he thought, as he recalled his own words towards the end, I was foolish…I will not advance with this exam.

The door room opened, and his eyes widened as Kanna led Reika into the room, the latter wearing the outcast's hideous orange jacket around her waste. The garment fell to just above her knees, leaving the rest of her legs bare.

"What happened?" he asked, his voice weakened from the horrible 'cure' the puppeteer had provided.

"I…I fought him," Reika whispered, even as Kanna sat her down in a chair, "He…I…it was…"

"Reika-chan lost, Kenosuke-kun," Kanna interrupted, stopping the shaken girl's stuttering, "My…brother…will advance to the finals."

Kenosuke could hardly believe his ears. "Reika-san…lost?" he parroted, "But…how? How could the outcast defeat her? Not even Taro-san can match Reika in taijutsu!"

The blue haired girl merely shook her head. "He's been practicing since we left him here," she replied, "He performed Eigi Ryu: Sword."

Kenosuke actually gaped at that. "How…could Ebisu-san have…"

"No," Kanna interrupted, "Ebisu was never able to master Sword, let alone Rapier or even Boomerang. No, Naruto…given the roughness of his technique and foot work, it's safe to say that he came up with the technique himself."

Reika was mumbling something, causing the two to stare at her. "Holding…he could…why?" she kept muttering.

"What's wrong with her?" the sword prodigy asked.

Kanna sighed, her blue eyes seeming to darken in thought. "I think she realizes…that my brother was holding back," she replied. At the white haired boy's look, she clarified, "You've heard the reports of him out-witting ANBU and elite jounins before. If he can do that, even when he's only doing it as part of a joke, what do you think he can do when he's serious?"

The kenjutsu specialist nodded, bowing his head. "He…could have killed her."

The pair turned to look at the shaken girl, who now had two tracks of tears running down her cheeks.

"Stay with her, Kenosuke," the blue haired chuunin ordered, "I'll head back to the room and get her a new pair of pants." With that, she stepped out.

Kenosuke frowned as he watched his 'cousin's' tears flow. What…what does this mean for us now? he wondered.

Reika's tears continued to fall.

oOoOoOo

"Ano…Naruto-kun?" the blue haired Hyuuga heiress spoke, causing the blond to look up.

"Hey, Hinata," he grunted, wincing at the spike of pain caused by his sudden shift, "What's up?"

"Ano…I-I want you…to have this!" she mumbled in a rush, thrusting the small brown container towards the kneeling boy.

"Huh?" he muttered intelligently, "What's that, Hinata?"

"It's a medicinal cream," Kurenai replied, "Hinata's very talented at making her own medicines, Naruto. More than once her salves have really helped our team out."

"Really?" he replied, picking up the container tentatively, "Its that good huh?"

"Hell yeah it is, ya dope," Kiba replied, "Me and Akamaru get some nasty cuts and scrapes all the time when training…Hinata's stuff is like a dream."

"Kurenai-sensei…K-Kiba-kun…" the pale eyed girl mumbled, embarrassed by the high praise.

"Wow!" Naruto muttered, opening the lid. He took a brief sniff of the cream contained insided. "Cool, it smells like mint! I like mint!" If it were possible, Hinata would have blushed even harder.

After all, mint was her favorite type of body wash as well…

Naruto applied the cool medicine to his aching ankle, hissing a little at the sudden cold, but sighing happily as it started to sooth the bruised tissues and relieve the pain. Sakura, Hinata, and the other genin watched as the swelling began to visibly go down, and the five jounin sensei's also watched (with more concern in Kagura's case than she would be willing to admit).

"WOW!" Naruto shouted, "This stuff is awesome! It works so fast!" He looked at the blushing Hyuuga girl. "Hinata, your amazing! This stuff rocks!" The poor girl almost swooned at the compliment, even as the other genin watched in surprise at how fast Naruto's injury seemed to heal.

It's too bad Hinata can't really take all the credit for that, Kakashi thought, as Naruto offered some of the cream to Sakura, Sasuke, and the others while extolling Hinata's virtues as an apothecary, While her cream certainly does help, its mostly the influence of the Kyuubi. Though, come to think of it, Arashi-sensei also healed pretty fast too…

The silver haired man's thoughts were interrupted when the Hokage re-entered the arena, Anko and Hayate at his heals. The sickly jounin made a motion towards the screen, and the next round was decided.

oOoOoOo

Taro found the next few matches to be…boring in his opinion.

It had started with a 'cat-fight' between the pink haired girl on the outcasts team and the blond haired banshee near him. He had to force himself not to laugh as he watched their skills down being displayed…or rather, their lack of skills.

In the end, it came down to the outcast shouting encouragement to his teammate, a botched Shintensen from the Yamanaka girl, and a double haymaker knock-out that ended the fight in a draw.

The whole thing took nearly 20 minutes, and the dark haired Uzumaki heir considered them the biggest waste of his life, ever.

The next fight featured the rotund boy from the Yamanaka's team (Akamichi something…) and the girl in the pink tang from the male Hyuuga's team. It ended rather amusingly, as the round boy used his 'meat tank' technique to deflect many of the girls thrown weapons, only to wind up 'pinned' to the wall after he was forced to release the jutsu by the girls used of chakra strings. The girl, Tenten, advanced to the next round.

If the second match was amusing, the fourth…was simply horrifying.

The red haired boy from Suna, the last of their genin to compete, decimated the remaining member of the drop-outs team.

It was all everbody, even the jounins, could do not to throw up when the sands crushed the boy, severing one of his elongated arms from the rest of the body. It flopped on the ground like a wet noodle, twitching for a few moments before finally going still.

The third match was between the boy with the horrendous bowl-cut and green outfit, and the Inuzuka boy. It was actually more intense than anybody had guessed it would be. Even if it ended...oddly.

In the beginning, it seemed as if the bowl-cut would thoroughly own the Inuzuka, as his taijutsu was far above the wild genin's own style. Even the boys use of the Shikakyu no jutsu (Four Legs technique), couldn't seem to even the odds.

When the boy had tossed the puppy a hyrogan (soldier pill), things became interesting. A quick Juujin Bunshin (man-beast clone), and it fast became a two on one match.

It seemed clear that, while the boy, Lee, was a genius at Hand to Hand combat, the wild, yet synchronous motions of the two had him confused. Indeed, the match seemed over when the boy hit him with the famed drilling fang technique of his clan, the Gatsuuga.

Then the green clad genin dropped his weights.

Taro was sure that it had to be some kind of genjutsu. It seemed absolutely impossible that any boy, especially one that -from what he over heard the pink haired girl and the strange man with the giant eyebrows say- couldn't use his chakra properly, to carry such insane amounts of weight!

The match seemed over, yet again, when the boy hit the Inuzuka with the Omote Renge technique, even if it was obvious that he was holding back on the force of the blow. Indeed, it seemd done, but the green clad boy made one mistake.

He forgot about the dog.

A blow from behind by the henged canine partner knocked the boy for a loop, his limbs flailing as he tumbled to the groung. The dog was caught on the side of its head by a flailing arm, also rendering it unconscious.

Yet another draw.

"That...was different," the boy's Hyuuga teammate muttered, getting nods all around. Their sensei, a man with even more obscene eyebrows was sniffling at the unfairness of it all.

"Oh, my precious student! How cruel to your power of youth! We'll just have to DOUBLE your training again!" he cried, a setting sunset appearing behind him.

Taro would have been impressed with the genjutsu...if he wasn't so disturbed by the eyebrows.

After the horror of the Suna-nin's match, and the sheer action and suspense of the Inuzuka/Bowl-cut match, it was almost a relief to see some humor in the match featuring the remaining Oto-nin and the Nara boy from the Yamanaka team. Taro had to give the Nara credit…having the guy knock himself out by bending over backwards into a wall was genius.

He's someone to watch, Taro thought as the machine began to cycle through names again, He used his head, and planned his move perfectly. That boy is more than he lets on.

"Taro," Kagura spoke, interrupting his thoughts.

"Yes, sensei?" he asked. When she pointed towards the screen, and he saw the names displayed…he grinned.

Uzumaki Taro vs. Hyuuga Hinata

oOoOoOo

Hinata stared at the screen with some slight apprehension.

She wasn't nervous about fighting the Uzumaki boy. Given his behaviour towards Naruto-kun, as well as his apparent disdain towards the rest of the genin present…she was actually looking forward to putting the jerk in his place.

What she was nervous about…was how Naruto would take it.

It was no secret to the rookies that Naruto wanted to become Hokage. Indeed, if there was a person in the village who didn't know about the blond boy's dream, they were likely a visitor or deaf.

What was a secret, to others at least, was Naruto's other dream. It was one she discovered several years ago. One that became part of the reason she admired him so much.

He dreamed of family.

She had watched Naruto stare after other kids as they were picked up and dropped off from the academy by their parents and siblings, and she had seen the longing in his eyes. The pain, and lonelieness…it echoed her own in a way.

She knew her father loved her, even if he seemed to not care. The Hyuuga clan was very family oriented…it was impossible not to love each and every member, be they main house or branch house. Even Neji, with his resentment towards the main family, loved her and Hanabi…

When she had learned of Naruto's abandonment by his own clan, she had nearly gone into a rage herself.

She had seen the anger in Naruto's eyes as he was confronted by his sister during his bout. While the others had thought that he was apathetic towards her, Hinata (and Neji she was certain) had seen the pain in his beautiful blue eyes.

He wanted his sister back.

She began to make her way towards the stairs leading into the arena, when Naruto spoke up, jarring her from her thoughts.

"Hinata-chan," he spoke, causing her heart to leap just a bit with the 'chan' suffix, "Don't hold back on him."

"Indeed, Hinata-sama," Neji spoke up, shocking her, "The Uzumaki clan and the Hyuuga clan have had some bad blood between them for several generations. He will not hesitate to genuinely harm you…do not give him that chance."

"Neji-nisan…" she whispered.

"I know my destiny," he continued, "I also know yours, Lady Hinata. You may lose this fight, but I know you will still give a good showing. I can sense you have improved…now show us all how much."

Naruto smiled. "Kick his ass, dattebayo!"

Hinata firmed up her resolve, and smiled at her long-time crush. For Naruto-kun, I will be strong! she thought, I will show his clan…that they were fools for leaving him alone.

She decended into the arena.

oOoOoOo

"Eighth match cough cough," Hayate muttered, as the two genin faced off in the ring, "Hyuuga Hinata cough vs. Uzumaki cough cough cough Taro…HAJIME!"

"I don't know what's worse," Taro spoke, glaring at the girl, "The fact the outcast is advancing…or that he has a fan-girl like you."

"Nani?!" Hinata gasped, glaring at the boy.

"Its bad enough he embarrasses the clan by living," he replied, "But that he has the attentions of a Hyuuga? Its mind boggling." He set his left leg back, and raised his arms up into the traditional Eigi stance. "I guess I'll just have to…educate you on the facts of life, girl."

Hinata frowned, before sliding into the first form stance of the jyuken taijutsu style her family was famed for. "You abandoned him, leaving him to suffer," she whispered, though her voice carried throughout the arena, "His pain…I have seen it many times, yet he never gives up! He takes on every challenge, and though he stumbles and falls a lot…he always gets back up." Her kekkai genkai, the Byakugan, activated for the first time with her own will power, rather than the traditional seal sequence she was accustomed to using. "You…will lose here, Uzumaki Taro!"

Taro grunted. "If that's the way you want it…" he sighed, before hurling his leg forward, an arc of chakra surging from his outstretched foot, shooting towards the shocked girl. He cried out a word as the chakra surged forward.

"RAPIER!"

Hinata spun on the balls of her feet, just barely avoiding the deadly surged of energy. It snagged a portion of her jacket, tearing it away to reveal the black shirt she wore underneath.

"If I have to beat you by tearing you apart piece by piece, so be it!" Taro shouted, running towards the girl. He began shifting from right to left in a seemingly random pattern…and suddenly he was within Hinata's guard, catching her with a vicious front thrust kick that flashed with chakra as well. "BLADE!" he cried as the girl was hurled backwards with a cry.

"ARGGHH!" she screamed as she landed, sliding back a few feet. She spat some blood from her mouth, turning her gaze to the smirking genin.

"You can't hit what you can't follow, can you, Hyuuga?" he mocked, "The all powerful 'Byakugan'…one of the two prized doujutsu of Konohagakure. I'd always wanted to fight someone with those eyes. Now, here we are and I find myself…disappointed." He frowned at her. "I take it back. You are perfect for the outcast…a weakling for a walking shame. it's a match made by the gods."

Hinata forced herself to her feet, even as she wondered about how to combat Taro's techniques.

"HINATA-CHAN!" came the voice of her crush. Both combatants turned to see Naruto glaring at the dark haired boy, "YOU ARE NOT WEAK! ONLY A REAL WEAKLING NEEDS TO INSULT HIS OPPONENTS!"

"You stay out of this, outcast!" Taro growled out, "I'll settle you later."

"HINATA, WATCH HIS FEET!" Naruto shouted out, "DON'T FOLLOW THE EYES! FOLLOW THE FOOTWORK!"

Hinata's head snapped up as she recalled Kakashi-sensei and Asuma-sensei mentioning something about that. Her Byakugan reactivated, and she turned to her opponent. "I care nothing for your words," she muttered, "Let your skills talk for you…and mine shall do the same!" The last part came out almost like a snarl.

Taro frowned. "Fine then, this next technique will finish you off," he muttered, before lauching forward in the same zig-zag motion as before.

This time, just before he got inside the Hyuuga heiresses guard, he leapt, twisting his body sideways and hooking his left foot behind her neck.

Hinata surged into motion with a quick strike to his leg using jyuken to disable the chakra flow, and another display of her flexibility with a sideways bend, avoiding the scissoring kick that would have likely decapitated her.

With Taro off balance, she struck quickly, disabling his right arm with a two fingered jyuken strike to area just above his elbo. While she couldn't see the tenketsu like her father could, the pressure point charts she studied constantly at home did give her a reference point…and she wanted to use all of that knowledge right now!

"ARRRGHHH!" Taro screamed, as his arm felt like it was enveloped in fire. He laughed his right hand forward, instinctively rotating his chakra in a particular fashion as he cried out a name. "HAKEN!"

A shift in the air pressure between the two blew them apart from each other, further shredding Hinata's jacket, as well as part of her shirt. The ruined jacket fell to the floor, leaving Hinata clad in her black capris and black shirt, which was now torn just below her breasts.

Sakura and Ino grumbled slighty, making noises about being 'ill-equipped', much to Naruto's confusion.

Taro forced himself to his feet, glaring at the girl, who tried to cover herself. "Okay," he grinned, "I see you do have some…skill." He took a moment to leer at the girl. "Obviously the true Hyuuga clan kekkai genkai is in full force with you. Nice…chakra reserves."

Hinata frowned at his innuendos. She had always been shy about her body…even her own sister had never seen her unclothed. It was a privilege she wanted only one person to have.

Taro could still move his hand, so he quickly ran through a seal sequence, ending on ryu. "Lets see how you handle this!" he shouted. "FUUTON: FUURYU NO JUTSU!"

A rush of air, vaguely resembling a dragon, surged forward, striking the shocked girl, hurling her into a wall and shredding her shirt completely, leaving her torso bare. Her capris also developed tears, nearly shredding off her as well.

"You were good to evade my Boomerang," Taro muttered, walking up to the prone girl, and delivering a swift kick to her stomach, "But you're still weak." He placed his foot on top of her left breast, pressing down and causing the broken girl to whimper. "The Hyuuga will always be inferior to the Uzumaki. You would bow to our outcast? That just proves it…"

"ENOUGH!" the sickly jounin Hayate shouted, appearing between the boy and Hinata, separating them. "Shousha, Uzumaki Taro. You won, now back off!"

Kurenai shunshined into the ring, as Naruto, Shino, and Sakura followed. Naruto was already whipping off his black undershirt, using it to cover the groaning Hinata.

"You went too far," he growled as the others helped Hinata to her feet so she could also glare at the boy.

"There is no such thing as 'too far' in combat, outcast," Taro replied, "A ninja fights to win. Kenosuke may not have understood that, but I certainly do."

"Taro, that is enough," Kagura muttered, appearing behind him, "Return to the gangway."

"Hold it, Taro," Naruto growled as the pair turned to walk away. They looked at him, as he bent down, running his hand through some of Hinata's spilt blood. He made a fist, and pointed it at the boy, whose eyebrow had arced up in curiosity. "When we face off…"

"…I am going to BREAK you."

End Chapter 4.

Well? Is this worth ramen points and Catgirls?