yo hope ya like the chapter.
Naruto looked around and saw Yami's fidget.
"Hoi! Yami!" he called walking over to the human tiger, "where's your sis? Or Chi for that matter?"
Yami looked at Naruto impatiently, "do you really think I would know? She locked her door this morning so I thought she was already here. Now I'm just worried sick." He said as some more ninja entered the room, including Hikari.
"Hikari!" Dana yelled, "your last and late!"
Hikari jumped up onto the balcony the sakura ninja had gathered on, including senseis.
"Sorry. Had to make sure the bum could walk after nearly getting beaten to death." She said blandly. Itachi smirked and looked over at that so-called 'Bum'.
Anko had managed to catch what Hikari said and smirked. We're too much alike. She could be my ruddy sister! She thought as she and Tsunade walked into the room.
All of the teams lined up to hear what the Hokage and previous proctor had to say.
"Alright listen up!" Tsunade said, "You all have passed the second exam. But seeing how there are so many of you we are having a preliminary elimination round."
The teams looked at each other then at the sakura teams.
Heh. Sucks for those who just barley made it. Kaira thought with a smirk. Also. Kaira looked at the other teams. Besides our own teams three leaf teams made it as well as a two man sound team. I wonder what happened to the third. She thought before a man who looked very sickly appeared.
"Hello. (Cough) my name is Gekkou Hayate." Said the man, "and I will be the referee for the preliminary rounds. During the matches those not participating will wait and if they wish to watch the fights. The winners of their matches will move on to the main event. Any questions?"
The only answer he got was silence and he sighed, "very well then. The first match up is…" he trailed off looking up at a screen as names went by. When the names did stop it said Dana Torika vs. Choji Akimichi
Dana looked over at the fat leaf ninja as he began to panic. She smirked as he accepted the fight only in exchange that his sensei got him food later.
"Poor idiot. He stands no chance." Naruto said shaking his head as he and the other shinobi walked up onto the over hang.
Hayate stood in between the two ninja before softly saying, "Begin."
Wanting to get the fight over with, Dana stuffed her hands into a bag at her hips where the mouths on her palms began to digest the clay.
Not wanting to give her time, Choji molded his chakra and called out his jutsu, "Human Bolder Jutsu!"
Tucking his limbs in he charged at Dana who had removed her hands from the bag and was molding the finished clay into the shape she wanted.
"Go Choji! Smash her flat!!" Ino cried, as Choji got closer.
Dana smirked and when Choji was just outside arms length she raised her right in front of her and set the explosion off as Choji hit her hand. Getting the full power of the blast Choji was blown away into the wall.
"Choji!" Shikamaru and Ino cried out. The said boy was gasping loudly and bleeding on the head. He stood up but kept most of his weight on the wall.
Dana smirked, "I win." She said as a small clay bird flew by Choji's face.
"Shit." He cursed before the bird exploded and he went flying into the wall behind Tsunade and the leaf Jonin. Hayate raised his hand.
"Winner." He motioned it to Dana, "Dana Torika."
Shikamaru gritted his teeth as he watched the paramedics carry Choji away.
"Hoi, Dana!" Naruto called out catching everyone's attention, "didn't feel like killing him?"
The leaf rookies looked at the blonde girl in shock. She seemed to smirk.
"Naw, not today." She said walking towards the stairs. Hayate coughed again and the names flew once more on the board.
"The second match will be between Zaku Abumi Vs. Yami Nekoyomi." Hayate said. Yami smirked and looked over at his sister.
"Looks like I'm first." He said, "lets go Ryo."
The tiger at his side grinned and both jumped down onto the floor. Zaku smirked and walked down the stairs. Both boys watched each other and both smirked.
"Begin." Hayate said. Yami dug his hands in his bag to get something while Zaku lifted one of his arms from its sling.
"Well well. Looks like one of my arms has some life still in it." Zaku said.
Yami smirked, "good. I would feel bad attacking a defenseless guy." He said before pulling his hand out of the bag and throwing it down to the ground. There was a load bang and smoke filled the arena.
He thinks he can cover himself with smoke? Zaku thought with a smirk.
"This wont work. Air slicer!" he shouted as the smoke was blown away by a blast of air. Zaku looked around him only to find Yami gone.
"Where are you?" he asked silently.
"Right here." Yami said from behind him. Zaku turned only to look at Yami. Yami smirked and brought his hand up to flick the boy on the head.
Zaku went flying back and rolled along the ground until he loss momentum. The leaf Jonin's eyes were wide as they all looked at Tsunade.
Amazing! Tsunade thought. His strength. It rivals my own. Kurei these children, even without using the Bijuu. They are incredible!
"What the hell?" Zaku asked as blood began to fall down his face.
Yami chuckled, "according to Kurei-sama, I am as strong as Lady Hokage. I want to see if that was true but it looks like I'll have to wait. First I need to beat you!"
"Don't take me lightly!" Zaku shouted as he prepared another wind slicer. His eyes widened when another Yami appeared above him while the one in front of him smirked.
"Game over." he said. The second Yami brought down his fist of Zaku's back. The force left a crater that went all the way around the bottom on the once flat battle arena.
Yami smirked as Hayate went to inspect the boy. He's…he's still alive! Hayate thought amazed. He looked at Yami.
"Winner. Yami Nekoyomi" Hayate said as medics ran over to take the sound ninja away.
"Heh. How pathetic." Yami said as his double disappeared behind smoke and when it cleared a smirking tiger was in its place. Both boy and tiger turned away from the ninja and headed back to his comrades.
Everyone is screwed. Hayate thought. If they're smart they'll forfeit. He got up and stood back in the middle of the arena.
"We will continue the matches. The next match will be between…" he paused to look back at the board, "Sakura Haruno and Nekoyomi Hikari?" he said shocked.
Anko smirked and the sakura genin fell on the floor laughing almost literally. Even Yami couldn't help himself as he almost fell over laughing of the stairs
"What's so funny?" Hikari asked curious.
Naruto tried to straighten but only laughed harder, "Its that battle between a fan girl and a sadist!" he said through laughs. Having said the leaf Jonin's sweat dropped anime style while the sakura Jonin began to chuckle, finally getting it.
Itachi put a hand on Hikari's shoulder, "try not to kill her if you can." He said, "For now we want good relations."
Hikari smiled, "I wont kill her. Just put her in pain. A lot of it."
Itachi smirked and nodded. Hikari looked at Chi.
"Time to play." She said to the cheetah as she grinned. The cheetah sneezed and jumped down to the floor with Hikari where Sakura and Hayate waited.
"The second battle will now begin." He said.
As soon as he finished speaking Hikari drew two kunai and disappeared.
"Eh? Where did she go?" Sakura asked looking around confused. It wasn't until she felt steal run threw her body that she got it. A long slash opened along her back and Sakura quickly went to jump away. Once away she collapsed onto a knee and gasped in pain while glaring at Hikari.
"Not bad." Hikari said swinging the kunai in her hands, "most don't have a good enough reaction time to get out of the way in time. But I have you in the palm of my hands."
"Heh. Says who?" Sakura asked smirking as she molded her chakra.
"Says Chi." Hikari answered as the cheetah burst out of the ground to bit sakura in the leg. Soon several more cheetahs appeared to immobilize the pink haired girl. Sakura gasped in pain and in shock. Shit. Was all she could think.
Kakashi felt sweet slid down his face. Amazing. She created several clones of the cheetah and is using them to hold her opponent so she can get them despite her own speed. His gaze moved to Yami. While her brother uses the Man Beast technique to create two of himself and attack with his monstrous strength. Both of them are defiantly Chunin if not Jonin level. He thought finishing his analyzing as he looked back at Sakura.
Hikari stopped twirling her kunai and disappeared again. This time a long slash appeared on Sakura's chest but she turned into a log.
Replacement Jutsu? Hikari thought as she stopped. But when she did she heard kunai flying towards her. She smirked and threw twice the times of kunai. Half to block the falling kunai and the other half to imbed Sakura's body. She landed with a thud on the ground and she struggled to get up.
"Why do you try so hard?" Hikari asked curious, "it obvious who is stronger." She said standing over Sakura. Sakura looked over at Sasuke who seemed emotionless but inside he was a blaze.
"Because." Sakura whispered as she smiled, "I don't give up. I wont allow myself to be seen as week. I wont."
Hikari looked over at the boy Sakura had been glancing at. He seemed relaxed but his clenched fist told her enough.
"Heh. So you think yo can be strong for those you care for?" Hikari said looking at the ground.
"Yes." Sakura said seriously.
"Well then. They all need to die." Hikari said as a crazed look came to her face and she disappeared again. Sakura let her senses sharpen and her eyes widened in horror.
"All of you! Run now!" she cried out but they just looked at her. Then their eyes went wide as each and every one of them was cut open. Sakura watched them all, she watched as everyone in the room were all cut in half.
Their blood fell onto her face and she collapsed to her knees, sobbing.
"No…" she sobbed, "it… it can't be."
"S…Sakura." Lee said looking down on her as he practically laid on the rail, "why sakura? Why are you so weak? Why did you just stand there?"
"Lee." Sakura said in a sob, "I'm so sorry. I… I couldn't."
"We hate you Sakura." Lee said as his eyes slit, "Live knowing you let us die! Live knowing your care for us killed us! We despise you!"
Sakura's eyes remained hidden by her bangs. She lifted her hands and formed the seal of the tiger.
"Kia!" she said as the scene of carnage before her faded away and she found herself on her knees where she had been.
"Sakura!" lee shouted, "are you alright my youthful flower?!"
Hikari, who had begun to walk away, turned around, "tell me. How did you know it was a Genjutsu?"
Sakura stood, shaking from the realistic of Hikari's Genjutsu. She looked up at Hikari with determined eyes.
"Because. Lee would never curse me." she said, "and I would never just watch you kill my comrades. I will protect all in my reach. That is my nindo!"
"Nindo?" Hikari seemed to ponder Sakura's words, "your nindo means nothing in battle. While you practice with wooden poles I am attacked by the rock villages finest Anbu. That Genjutsu is a very realistic possibility for my comrades and me! Our worlds are different, while you dream I face reality. Grow up you stupid girl. Grow up and face the harshness that is life."
Hikari ran at the girl with all her speed but instead of cutting her she punched her in the gut with a lot of forced that sent Sakura into the wall. She gasped in pain as blood gushed from her lips and a crater ten feet wide was formed. She slid down and fell unconscious.
"Winner, Nekoyomi Hikari." Hayate said motioning to Hikari.
Tsunade sighed, "I most leave now. I have a feeling the medics will need me." She said getting up.
"Hai Hokage-sama." The leaf Jonin said. Anko came up to Tsunade, "I will insure you see the results."
Tsunade nodded and looked back at the participants. Her gaze stayed on one person for the longest. What will you do now, Sasuke? She thought as she left.
Sasuke felt his rage build as he watched Hikari calmly walk back to her comrades and his elder brother. He would have noticed she blushed when Itachi spook to her but his rage on how the girl had tortured Sakura similar to the way Itachi did to him all those years ago, pissed him off. What was worst she just walked away afterwards. As if nothing had happened.
Hayate coughed as kill intent began to radiate off of Sasuke.
"The next fight will be Naruto Uzamaki and Sasuke Uchiha." Hayate said a bit surprised as he looked up at the board. Naruto looked over at the board and smirked. He jumped down to the floor.
"Hay Itachi's wanna-be." He called to Sasuke. He saw Sasuke's hate filled eyes and Itachi had to smirk, "get down here so I can kick your ass."
Sasuke came down onto the floor with killer intent radiating. Good. He'll be so pissed he can't think. Naruto thought glad his strategy worked.
"Begin." Hayate said. Sasuke charged at Naruto in blind rage. Smirking Naruto drew a kunai and meet Sasuke. For a few minutes the two boys fought in Tiajutsu only, trading punches and kicks.
When they finally broke apart Naruto had a bruise on his shoulder while Sasuke had several bruises forming and blood running from the corner of his lip to his chin.
"Not bad Emo boy." Naruto said smirking, "now lets move on to Ninjutsu." He said as he drew the wooden pole off his back.
"Heh. What do plan on doing with that? Whack me over the head." Sasuke said as he prepared a fireball.
"Why don't you find out." Naruto said evilly.
"Gladly! Fireball!" Sasuke said as the huge sphere of flame raced towards Naruto. Kasai held back the urge to dispel the fireball herself to allow Naruto to finish his battle.
Naruto smirked and began to pump chakra into the pole. The chakra formed around the wood and it turned pitch black. At the end a curved blade appeared and Naruto held a black scythe.
"They don't call me Soul Harvester for nothing brat. Black Death!!" He said as he swung the blade towards Sasuke. And wave of black chakra rushed towards the fireball and cut clean through it and continued toward Sasuke.
"Sasuke!" Ino shouted as the wave hit Sasuke head on. The force continued to push until it pushed Sasuke against the wall. When the smoke cleared they all saw Sasuke pushed into the same spot Choji was, across his chest a huge gash. He stood there for a moment before collapsing.
"I didn't kill you." Naruto said pulling the chakra out of the scythe and sheathing it; "I don't think Itachi-san would be happy if I did. But so you know Emo-boy, even I can't beet Itachi-san. What the hell made you think you could?"
Sasuke looked up at Naruto's back as pain raked his chest. No. NO!!! How can it be like this? How can they be so strong? Why am I still so pathetic? He continued to think these things even as he fell into a deep sleep.
"Winner. Naruto Uzamaki." Hayate shouted.
Itachi smirked. Trying to make my foolish brother think he is and ant, While the rest of them are of higher placing. Very clever Naruto.
Ino shook like a leaf in the wind as she watched Naruto walk away calmly. Sasuke. Sakura. Choji. She thought as she recalled how they all had been after their battles. They're…they're monsters!
She wanted to run. Wanted to hide in a corner but was unable to move. She felt as if she was going to go insane when she felt and hand rest on her shoulder. She looked up at Asuma.
"Its all right. You might not have to fight them." he said kindly. Ino looked over at Shikamaru who was watching the sakura ninja intently.
"The next match is Kiba Inuzuka Vs. Shikamaru Nara." Hayate said. Shikamaru gritted his teeth.
"Proctor!" he shouted Kiba and Hayate looked at him, "I forfeit I don't want to fight!"
Hayate nodded. Smart kid. "Shikamaru Nara has forfeited. Winner Kiba Inuzuka!"
Kiba put on a disappointed face, "but I wanted to fight." He said.
Furai smirked and put a hand on his head, "but we all know you would go berserk dog boy." She said sweetly. Kiba just stuck his tongue out at her and looked to see the next match.
"Next match. Kaira Hoshigaki Vs. Ino Yamanaka."
Ino shook more violently.
"Ino look at me." Asuma said turning Ino to him, "you don't have to fight. You can quit."
"Quit?" Ino thought when she remembered Sakura.
That's my nindo. She recalled her saying. Her visible shaking lessened and she breathed calmly for a moment.
She didn't look at Asuma but at the girl with white hair and red eyes.
Kaira smirked at the girl with a smirk that could have males fall had over heal for her.
"No I have to fight. If I don't. Sakura will never let me live it down. I must." She said. Still shaking slightly she made her way down to the field.
"Begin." Hayate said.
Kaira smirked, "so you want to fight despite you're shaking from fear, eh?" she said, "Hehe. You'll be fun to toy with."
Ino willed her body to stop and to stand tall, "I will fight for my village despite all odds. That is my nindo." She said proudly.
Kaira smirked, "really. Weren't you paying attention when Hikari beat the crap out of your friend? Nindo does nothing for you in battle." She said as she brought her sword down on Ino's shoulder with blinding speed. The cloth and flesh tore open as what looked like fish scaled ripped up on the blade and cut across her shoulder.
Ino gasped in pain and jumped away.
"Come now. You have to have some skill to have gotten this far or did you rely on your team to get you so far?" Kaira asked walking towards her slowly. For every step she took Ino took one back. She stopped when her back hit the wall and leaned on it panting.
She looked at the odd yet beautiful girl before her. If one could change the coloring of her eyes she might seem like a desist mistress. In truth, Ino envied Kaira's looks.
Kaira smirked and pulled out a handful of kunai and threw them at Ino. Gathering strength Ino jumped to dodge them and throw kunai back. Kaira lifted her blade and it blocked the kunai.
"At least your aim is good." She said as Ino landed, "so have you found your fighting spirit? Other wise this wont be any fun."
Ino gave her a blank glare in response.
"You know what?" Kaira said before sheathing her sword and opening her arms, "one free shot. Hit me with everything you have!"
Ino felt as if her teeth were going to crack, "don't underestimate me." she said as she made hand seals.
She can't be thinking about doing that? Shikamaru thought.
"Mind Body switch technique!" she shouted. Kaira's eyes opened wide.
"Shit." She said trying to move but was to slow. Everyone watched as Ino's body slumped down and Kaira's relaxed.
"Hehe. I told you not to underestimate me." Ino said inside Kaira. She began to raise the girl's hand to claim that she forfeited.
"I Kaira Hoshigaki wish to…" she stopped in mid-sentence as a voice echoed in her head.
"Get out!!!" Sanbi screamed with power. Ino let out a cry of pain and sunk to the floor, holding her head.
"What the hell?" she asked as more pain came. She saw a giant form come and what looked like a claw made of water grabbed her inside Kaira's head.
"Get out before I eat you human! Leave!" Sanbi screeched.
"Gah!" Ino cried before releasing the jutsu. Kaira rested her head on the ground for a minute to breath. When she had some of her breath back she got up and stood over a whimpering Ino.
"Don't ever do that again." She said glaring down on the girl, her red eyes seemed to glow. Ino curled up more and Kaira walked away.
"Winner. Kaira Hoshigaki." Hayate said intimidated. What the hell did she see? He wondered as Asuma took Ino away.
I sort of feel sorry for her. Naruto thought. Sanbi really doesn't like people other then Kaira.
Kaira walked back to the others and instantly sat on her own to calm down. Neji looked concerned and went to her.
"You all right?" he asked. She looked at him as she leaned against the wall.
"Fine. Although Sanbi is pissed." She said softly. She looked worn and tired.
"Hmm. Well just relax for a bit." He said turning to see the names of the next to fighters.
"Neji Hyuuga and Hinata Hyuuga." Hayate said. Neji knew his eyes were like wide saucers. He looked over at Hinata and saw what he guessed to be his very expression.
Naruto and Kiba knew what was happening and they looked at Neji concerned. Neji collected his composure and went down to the floor, which Hinata soon followed.
"Begin." Hayate said. He was surprised when neither opponent moved to take the offensive.
"I never thought I would have to fight you lady Hinata." Neji said softly.
"Nor I, cousin." Hinata replied just as softly as she recalled the first time she had met Neji.
--Flashback--
Hinata shouldered the small bag that held her new school supplies. After weeks of arguing with her father she had finally agreed to let her go to the ninja academy. She headed out of her room and stopped in the Hyuuga kitchen for food.
"Good morning Hinata-san." The main chief said smiling.
"Morning." Hinata said quietly. She set her bag down and sat in a high stool and a plate of food was set in front of her. She was about to eat when a boy who looked a year older then her stumbled into the kitchen. He was bleeding everywhere and had several bruises forming
"You again?" Hannah asked as a disgusted look crossed her face, "be gone foul demon." She said throwing anything hard she could. The boy, to tired to do anything just slumped to the floor.
"Stop!" Hinata cried running over to the boy. The cook seized her assault and looked at Hinata as if she were insane.
"My lady! Get away from him! He is a demon." She tried to warn the Hyuuga Heiress.
"I only see a boy." Hinata said stubbornly, "Now fetch water and clean linen."
The cook had no choice but to obey and Hinata cleaned up Neji and gave him her food.
--End Flashback--
"That was many years ago." Neji said recalling before sinking into a battle position, "Lady Hinata. Hanabi has kept her word and grown stronger. Have you?"
Hinata looked at the one she had always considered her brother and smirked. She activated her Byakugan and also sank into the Hyuuga position.
"Of course, brother." She said. Neji activated his Byakugan and made several hand seals.
"Shadow clone!" he said as eight other clones appeared surrounding Hinata. Shadow clones? She thought eying them with the Byakugan. All she saw were nine Neji's, all with equal amounts of chakra. I see.
The nine Neji's jumping into the air and threw senbon at her and then made more hand signs.
"Rain of a thousand needles" he said as the senbon multiplied and raced towards Hinata. Hinata closed her eyes and concentrated. The senbon hit their target.
"Hinata!" Tenten cried out worried. But her worry was gone when she saw Hinata. A cloak of chakra covered her body stopping all the senbon in place.
Hinata smirked and spun around, "Rotation!" she said.
Her chakra followed the movement and a dome of chakra was formed around Hinata. The senbon went flying in all directions. The combination of the rebound senbon and kunai Hinata threw while spinning hit each Neji clone and would have hit those watching if a shield of water and sand hadn't formed around all the watchers. Each of the Neji clones dispelled and Hinata looked around for the real one.
"Just like Hanabi. You have grown strong." Neji said as he walked into the room, "I had a feeling a shadow clone wouldn't be enough to take you out."
Hinata smirked, "of course not." She said charging. She came at him her the hyuuga's gentle fist while he blocked, dodged, or used the replacement jutsu. She had almost hit him once but he managed to pull away at the last second.
Neji jumped away from Hinata and looked at her intently.
"You have become much stronger. But, so have I." He said making the same hand signs as before, "shadow clone." He said as once again he surrounded her. The Neji clones drew their senbon and prepared to attack.
"I already proved that wont work. What good will it do this time?" Hinata asked preparing her rotation. Neji's answer was sending the dome of needles at Hinata. He made more hand signs and a cloak of chakra came over Hinata.
"Rotation!" the girl called as the dome appeared again.
"Rain of a thousand needles!" Neji called out. Just as before Hinata's Rotation knocked aside all of the senbon but Neji had an extra trap ready.
As Hinata slowed and the chakra began to disappear, Neji threw his special senbon. The almost hair thin senbon were almost invisible even to Hyuuga's. Hinata's eyes opened wide as she felt the needles piece her.
She collapsed, unable to move her body.
"Wh… what?" Hinata asked looking up at Neji. His eyes were soft and sad.
"You are strong Hinata. Please I ask you to keep growing. And please do not use rotation. It has to many weaknesses." He said as he turned away from the girl.
So… strong. Hinata thought as her vision began to go in and out of focus. I will become stronger. Like you Neji-san. She thought before falling unconscious.
"Winner. Neji Hyuuga." Hayate said motioning to Neji. The paramedics slowly carried the girl away careful not to hurt her.
Neji joined his teammates and leaned on he wall by Kaira in silence. None of the Jinchuuriki spoke as they looked to see who would fight next.
"We will continue the matches. Rei Youma Vs. Tenten" Hayate said. Tenten jumped down.
Damn. Now I want to fight that Neji guy. She thought as Rei walked down calmly. When he was level with her he watched her closely.
"Begin." Hayate said.
"Forfeit." Rei said to Tenten. She looked at him shocked, "you wont be able to hit me so forfeit."
"Oh really." Tenten said feeling her temper rise, "is it because I'm a girl?"
"No. As with many of my comrades, I have yet to be hit by a human shinobi." Rei said calmly uncrossing his arms and opening them wide, "come at me with speed, weapons, strength. None of it matters if your opponent is intangible." He said as he began to sink into the ground. Tenten stared at the spot he had been in shocked.
What the hell? She thought when she felt chakra from below her. Jumping out of the way she was shocked to see a pair of hands come out of the ground but did not break it.
Kakashi lifted his headband to properly see Rei. Amazing! Was all he could think.
"This is my bloodline limit." Rei said as he climbed out of the ground, "my clan, the Youma clan, have the ability to pass threw objects by pushing chakra into their body. And this match is mine." He said.
Tenten grabbed two scrolls from her bag, "don't be so sure." She said kneeling and setting them down. She made several hand signs, "Twin Rising Dragons!" she cried out as the scrolls launched into the air. Tenten let loss the bombardment of weapons at Rei. His eyes narrowed as the weapons came at him. When it stopped Tenten gritted her teeth
Not a single weapon had hit him. "I'm not done!" she shouted as she used cables to control the weapons. They came at Rei and an explosion came went all the weapons landed.
Tenten landed on her feet and panted. Her eyes grew wide when she saw her weapons had hit only air. She felt something grab her ankles and when she looked down she was dragged under until only her head was visible. Rei came up holding her hand.
"Proctor." He said to Hayate, "Call the match. She can't move so she can't attack or defend."
Hayate nodded, "winner Rei Youma." He said. Rei's grip tightened on Tenten and he pulled her out of the ground. Once out he stood and walked away.
Tenten grabbed a kunai and threw it at him. it went straight threw his head and Rei turned around to look at her.
"Why didn't you finish it?" she demanded, "knock me unconscious? Anything?"
Rei turned to face her, "I had my hands full." He said.
"As if holding my hand did anything." Tenten spat angrily.
"Your wrong." Kasai said looking at the girl, "it kept you alive and out of extreme pain."
Tenten looked at her shocked.
"My clan has only one fighting style." Rei said calmly, "Pull the opponent into an object and let them go. Upon release your body would have wanted to blend with the ground. Basically if I had let you go. Everything but your head would have turned to stone. And I've heard that hurts allot."
Tenten's eyes were wide from shock and fear. Rei turned his back to her and continued to walk to his comrades. Kurenai came down and put and hand on Tenten's shoulder.
"Come on. Lets get out of the way for the next fighters." She said. Tenten nodded and they both jumped back up onto the balcony. Rei looked over his shoulder at Tenten and smiled.
If you were against anyone else you might have won. Its just, nothing ever touches me. He thought walking up the stairs.
"The next match will be Furai Washi Vs. Dosu Kinuta." Hayate said
Dosu seemed to smirk under the bandages on his face and Furai simply jumped down onto the floor. Dosu followed her.
"Begin." Hayate said. Dosu smirked and pulled back his sleeve on his arm.
"You should give up girly or else you'll get killed." He said. Furai's only response was to close her eyes. Taking advantage of it Dosu charged.
Furai opened her eyes and Dosu's movements began to slow she watched as he came at her. She saw several openings that she could attack later. She closed her eyes again and when she opened them Dosu was moving at full speed. He came to attack her when she pulled a curved piece of wood off her back.
"What is that suppose to be for? Attacking? Well I…" Dosu stopped in mid-sentence.
The curved wood was connected together by a chakra string. Bringing her fingers to it she pulled back. A long thin piece of chakra appeared as the arrow of her bow.
"Divine Strike. One." Furai whispered as she let loss the chakra arrow. It flew at Dosu with incredible speeds. He tried raising his arm to deflect the shot but it went straight threw the metal, flesh, and bone, into his stomach.
He let out a gasp of pain as he fell backwards. Looking at Furai he saw she had several more arrows ready. She numbered the shots and let them loss. Each hit him and in the end he was a heap filled with holes.
Hayate didn't even bother going over to see if Dosu could keep going, "winner. Furai Washi." He said. Furai sheathed the bow back on her back and walked to her comrades.
Kasai let out a sigh, "my turn." She said as the board revealed it was her turn.
"The next match will be Kaki Kasai Vs. Shino Aburame." Hayate said. Kasai looked at the mysterious boy and jumped down to the ground floor. Shino took his time and walk down.
"Begin." Hayate said. The two of them looked at each other. Kasai spook first.
"The Aburame clan is a clan of bug specialist. The bugs within the feed on chakra and live within the body. During the previous war your clan played a major role in spying as well as combating messengers. If I remember right you can even make clones from them." Kasai said finishing remembering everything she had heard about them.
Shino nodded his head, "I guess it's not surprising you know so much. So lets finish this." He said raising his hands. Bugs began to climb out of his jacket sleeve and crawled on him.
Kasai smirked and pulled out a matchbox. She lit a match and the fire intensified and swirled around her arm. She sent the fire at Shino and he dodged it.
"What jutsu is this?" he asked when out of the way.
"It isn't a jutsu." Kasai said, "it is my bloodline limit. The bloodline limit of the Kaki clan."
Kasai collected the fire and sent it in a blast at Shino. Shit. He thought. Not enough time to dodge.
The fire came and surrounded Shino and would have incinerated him Kasai hadn't dropped the flames temperature. By the time she called the flames back Shino collapsed, burnt but not enough that it was life threatening.
"Winner. Kasai Kaki." Hayate said. Of them all, I think it is her team that I fear most. Hayate thought as medics carried Shino away.
"The Final match up is, Subaku No Gaara Vs. Rock lee." Hayate said not even looking at the board. Lee punched his fist in the air and Gaara seemed to sigh.
They both made it down to the ground level. Gaara stared at lee with a bored look while lee gave him one of determination.
"Begin." Hayate said. Instantly lee began to charge at gaara. Once within ten feet of him he jumped up.
"Kohona whirlwind." He said spinning in midair. When the sand came up and blocked his attack lee was shocked. He landed on his feet only to find the sand coming down on him like a wave. Doing a back flip out of the way he managed to dodge.
A technique that controls sand huh? Seems annoying. Lee thought as he assumed his position. Lets try it out! He thought charging once again at Gaara. Lee tried a combination of multiple Tiajutsu moves but the sand easily blocked all. But when the sand came to attack him he sliced threw it with a kunai.
Lee went to kick gaara in the face to have the sand block again. As it came down he realized it was coming to attack him. Doing a series of rolls he got away and threw three kunai at gaara only to have them blocked again by the sand.
"What the heck is going on?" Shikamaru asked.
"Idiot." Naruto said. Saria looked down at gaara.
"Despite Gaara's will his sand will always shield and protect him. That is why no normal shinobi has ever hit gaara." Saria said serious and never looking away from Gaara's bored face. Shikamaru felt sweet slid down his face and neck.
Shit. He hasn't even moved yet. Lee thought grinding his teeth.
"Is that it?" gaara asked catching lee's attention. Suddenly the sand began to run across the floor towards lee. Thinking quickly he jumped up thinking he had dodged the attack. But instead the sand seized him by his ankle and began to swing him around.
He landed hardly against the cement wall and winced in pain. Then he noticed a rush of sand coming at him. Rolling to his right he dodged and charged at Gaara again. He tried his Taijutsu again but nothing would get through the sand wall. When gaara got fed up with him he sent wave after wave to bring the annoying pest down and lee did flip after flip to avoid them. Only he slipped on the sand and when he was down gaara used that as a moment to attack. The sand formed into a hand and came to curse down on lee only lee was already in the air doing a back flip.
He landed on top of the fingers of two hands forming the tiger seal. He stopped there to glare at gaara who looked at him bored.
Kakashi let out a sigh. He won't win like this. He thought.
"All right lee. Take them off." Kakashi said casually.
"But, Kakashi-san! Gai-sensei only permitted me to take them off when protecting many important people." Lee said saluting.
Kakashi sighed, "don't worry about it. I think he wont mind it if I explain." He said. Lee seemed shocked but soon began to chuckle as he removed something hidden in his leg warmers.
"Alright! I can move easier now." lee said holding the weight before dropping them.
Humph. Taking off some weights wont enable you to catch with Gaara's sand. Saria thought just before the weights hit the ground.
A huge and load explosion came from where the weights were. The entire building shock violently and Naruto, who was leaning over the rail, nearly fell in Kasai hadn't grabbed him around the waist and pull him towards the wall.
Everyone but gaara seemed shocked by the force of the explosion.
"Alright!" lee said before jumping into the air. Gaara was surprised when he turned to look behind him and suddenly appeared behind him. One of lee's punches, aimed for his head was met by the sand but unlike before his punch went through the sand but did not hit Gaara as he finished his turn.
Lee disappeared and reappeared again and hit Gaara in the back but just like before the sand, bearly, stopped him. Lee continued his onslaught and almost hit gaara several times.
No…no way! Naruto thought as he watched the odd boy baffle Gaara. Hikari looked at the boy. He's fast for a human. Was all she could think to say.
When gaara was distracted trying to find where lee would appeared next lee jumped into the air and brought down a hard kick on Gaara's head. Gaara winced as they separated and a cut opened on his cheek. Lee skidded away from the sakura ninja and smirked at the sakura ninja's faces, who all were amazed shocked.
"Oh, shit." Kaira said as a sweet drop slid down her face. No human shinobi has ever been able to get passed Gaara's defenses.
"Lets go!" lee said as flames appeared in his eyes and he charged once more at gaara. Gaara swiped his hand over the path lee was running hoping to stop him, only to find lee hit him in the face from behind.
Gaara went flying and landed on his back. Now I know that hurt. Lee thought as he resumed position.
Gaara slowly got to his feet as sand poured out of his gourd. His arms hung loosely and lee noticed bits of sand falling from his face. Gaara's sand armor began to crumble around his mouth and one could see the pissed face that lay beneath.
The sand began to ripple more as Gaara continued to glare at lee. The sand came up and formed the armor around him again making him appear emotionless. Lee glared back at gaara.
"Is that all you've got?" gaara asked.
What incredible guards. Lee thought. Even if I move quickly my attacks will have no effect. I have no choice but to apply greater force to the sand from above. Lotus will do. Lee thought as he began to unwind the bandages on his arms. When they were of equal length he charged again at gaara, only this time he only ran around gaara.
"Come already." Gaara said when he got bored.
"As you wish." Lee said before turning towards gaara. He landed a kick straight to Gaara's jaw from below, sending him up into the air. Gaara looked at him shocked.
"I'm not done!" lee shouted as he continued his onslaught of upward kicks, each sending gaara further up into the sky. Lee went to make one more kick when he flinched in pain, closing his eyes. Opening them again he send the wrappings on his arms up to surround gaara in a cocoon. Grabbing gaara by the shoulders he flipped him upside down and began to rotate as they fell towards the ground.
"Take this. Secondary lotus!!!" lee shouted as their rotation picked up speed. They crashed into the ground with amazing power that shock the whole building.
Shit. Were all screwed. Kakuzu thought. If gaara losses it, were done for.
Lee could be seen panting on the other side of the smoke looking to see his opponent. Gaara lay motionless in the crater his sand armor cracked everywhere.
"That should've hurt." Lee said smiling.
"He… he did it." Tsunade said shocked.
"Shit. This is really bad." Neji cursed. Shikamaru looked over at all the sakura ninja and saw all of them wore looks of worry.
Shikamaru looked back at the fight and saw gaara begin to crumble, latterly. The sand armor began to crumble revealing an empty shell.
"What!" lee said shocked.
"But how?" Shikamaru asked.
"When lee closed his eyes gaara quickly jumped out of his shell. Its not surprising you couldn't see it." Hikari said as sweet slid down her face. Nonetheless, I really don't want to have to fight gaara. If anything we might end up killing him.
Lee heard the sound of sand sliding and looked behind him. Gaara rose from the sand with a crazed look. He made the seal of the tiger and the sand jumped at lee. Unable to move lee tried to block but was hit in the chest and thrown back. He tried rising but his body was still unable to move.
Taking advantage of that gaara sent more sand at him. Hit after hit lee took. Unable to dodge the sand he was thrown into the wall. Lee stood there and panted but then he smiled. Gaara sent another wave of sand at him but lee disappeared and reappeared out of harms way.
"What?" Hikari said shocked.
"What is it, Hikari?" Itachi asked.
Hikari gritted her teeth, "that attack he used earlier should have made so he couldn't move at all. Yet his movements… Does he want to die?" she asked glaring down at the boy.
"What do you mean?" Itachi asked
Hikari paused before answering, "it is said that the Lotus blossom will bloom twice and in the second bloom in will go beyond all of its former abilities. So basically, that idiot plans on releasing the eight inner gates." She said. Itachi's eye widened ever so slightly but the other Jonin looked utterly horrified.
"Oh, shit!" Tobi said looking back at lee as he dodged Gaara's attacks. Lee backed away from gaara and rested for a moment.
"I will beet you and prove I ma an excellent ninja." lee said as chakra began to form around him like a pillar.
"I don't know what you're trying but I will end this now." gaara said preparing.
"Yes." Lee said, "Either way the next move will decide who wins."
I will not fail as well. Lee thought remembering his fallen comrades. His chakra began to multiply as it grew more intense and his hair lifted. I will… Win! He thought as his chakra went level went through the roof.
Hikari gritted her teeth. How ever taught you that move… was sending you to your grave. She thought
"Third gate. Gate of life. Open!" lee said. His body glowed green while blue chakra swirled around him. Chunks of the floor lifted under the intense chakra.
"Gai. I've lost all respect for you." Kakashi said, as his last soldier got ready to attack.
"Fourth gate! Gate of wound, open!" lee shouted making everyone step back as his chakra went even more out of control. Lee charged at gaara with enough speed and forced to destroy the ground. He delivered and hard enough kick to Gaara's jaw that he went flying straight up.
"Damn it." Gaara cursed as his sand armor cracked.
"That sand armor again? Then how about this?" lee asked as he charged gaara. He hit gaara around like he would a beach ball and gaara was unable to move against it.
Shit. Were all screwed. Neji thought as he grabbed Kaira and held her, his back to the fight. Seeing Neji's movements everyone followed. Kiba did so to Furai, Naruto to Kasai, Yami to Dana, Itachi came and did so to Hikari, and Kakuzu came forward to protect Saria.
"This is the end!" lee said as he prepared his final attack, "fifth gate. Gate of forest. Open!"
Lee came at gaara. No way! Gaara thought. Are these even human movements? He thought before lee sent him hurtling towards the ground at amazing speeds. Then he felt his sash catch on something. Looking up he saw lee had a hold of it.
This will end it! Lee thought as he pulled gaara to him.
"Primary lotus!" he shouted as he brought down his left hand and foot to send Gaara crashing into the ground, sending a wave of debris at the on lookers.
Lee screamed in pain as what looked like lightning surged around his left arm and leg. Thinking quickly gaara began to break apart gourd. lee landed on the ground hard and was unable to stop rolling until the momentum wore off.
Itachi loosened on Hikari and looked down at the match. What a crazy kid. He thought looking back at Hikari. He was surprised to see her blushing madly.
Around him Furai, Dana, Kasai, and amazingly Kaira were all blushing.
"Tha… thank you." They managed as they pulled away from the guys and huddled around Saria, who looked worried. They all gave her a reassuring pat and looked back at the scene.
Gaara lay in a crater with the sand around his like a cradle. He looked over at lee with hate filled eyes. He struggled to raise his arm.
He… he guarded himself with his gourd? Anko thought impressed more then ever. Lee fought to get up as gaara willed the sand to attack again. He tried to move away but his body was ablaze in pain.
Gaara's sand formed into a hand and went to seize lee. No way. Lee thought. I use primary lotus on that guy and he's still able to attack?
The sand seized a hold of lee's right arm and leg. Gaara closed his fist.
"Dessert Coffin!" he called as the sand crushed lee's limbs. Lee screamed in pain as he felt his limbs be crushed. No. I can't loss here. Lee thought. I must protect my way of the ninja.
Lee landed on the ground and skidded to a halt. Kakashi's eyes widened in fear as the sand continued to head towards lee.
"Shit." He cursed.
"Die." Gaara said as he got up.
He was surprised when the sand was swept away and revealed a determined Kakashi. Gaara looked at him in shock and felt something wrap around his waist. He looked back and saw it was Saria and standing behind her were all the other sakura ninja.
"Please. Stop." Saria begged holding him tighter. Gaara's look of shock passed and he felt the demon within him calm. The sand around him calmed and formed the gourd on his back. He lifted his arms and hugged Saria back.
"I'm sorry." He said before looking at the rest of them, "I broke our promise."
"No." Naruto said, "Our promise was to not use them for no reason. But you did what you did to get this far." Naruto looked over at the unconscious lee, "against a guy like him. Even I would have called upon him."
The other Jinchuuriki nodded their heads. Kaira walked over to Kakashi.
"When he wakes up, tell him we said congratulations. Other then one of our own no one was ever pushed gaara to such a limit. He should be proud. He almost did what no human shinobi can. He almost beat Gaara." She said watching the paramedics carry lee away.
Kakashi nodded, "I will tell him you said that. I will also make sure his teacher knows."
Kaira closed her eyes and nodded. "Get him to Tsunade quickly. He will need the most attention."
Kakashi and the medics rushed away and Hayate felt sweet slid down his face. Great. At this rate Tsunade will be vexed. Not a single leaf genin will pass. But then again. All the leaf genin have been unfortunate enough to fight a sakura ninja.
Hayate walked over to Saria; "Because there are no more participants you will also move to the final event." he said stepping back so Anko could take over.
"Alright maggots." Anko said, "You all passed. Congrats. Each of you come forward and take one piece of paper from this box and tell me the number on the paper. Lets move!"
The sakura genin came down and Kasai was the first to take a number.
"Six." She said. Anko scribbled something down on her clipboard.
Rei stepped forward and picked a number, "twelve." He said.
Next was Hikari, "one."
Then Dana, "five." Kiba, "Nine." Kaira, "Four." Neji, "Eleven." Saria, "Eight." Gaara, "two." Naruto, "seven." Furai, "ten." Yami, "three." Dana, "five."
Anko nodded when she had all the names.
"This will be the order of the matches." She said turning the clipboard. The sakura genin weren't that shocked when they saw the match ups.
"Any questions?" Anko asked. None of them said anything, "alright. Then see you in a month."
He sakura genin raised their eyebrows and Hayate coughed, catching Anko's attention. She let out a sigh.
"Since you have revealed your skills to each other we have given you a month to improve and train. When that time is up and last part of the exams will take place." She explained.
"Wonderful! I was hoping to do a little training with Naruto anyway." Said an all to familiar voice.
"What the hell are you doing here? Hidan." Naruto asked turning to face his personal teacher. Naruto noticed Zetzu, Haku, Zabuza, Deidara, Sasori, Kisame, Kurei, and Shiro.
"Were here to take our students and train them for a month, idiot." Kurei said looking at Kasai and Furai, "so lets go. Time to train."
The sakura genin looked at each other, "great more hellish training." Kiba groaned as he and the rest of them followed their teachers out of the building.
Anko let out a sigh of relief, "I need a drink." She said disappearing, leaving the ruined arena.
so tell us what ya think.
please review!