Glad you guys enjoyed the last chapter, I really enjoyed writing that fight. This chapter was fun too, it was interesting trying to show Naruto's quick thinking and "special" abilities with non sealing jutsu. I now have a higher appreciation for what Kishimoto has done for the Naruto character. Also to my etched in stone readers, I'm sitting on the worst f'ing writers block in creation, I think it's because I was trying to take a bit less artistic liscense than I have in this story and I wrote myself into a corner. Ah well, it'll come to me eventually.

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-Chapter 15: Indomitable-

As Zaiaku was making his way into the hospital area, for a manditory post-match check up, the spectators were finally recovering from the outcome of the previous match. Murmurs ranging from, 'bloodline' all the way to, 'demon' were ringing around the arena. "That was a bloodlimit, correct?" questioned a wide-eyed Mizukage

"Something like that," responded Zabuza. He wasn't about to reveal his student's secrets.

Sarutobi eyed him for a moment, "Then he has a common bond with Naruto and Gaara?" Zabuza picked up on the implication and nodded. "I see," said the third.

Zaiaku poked his head into the medical room trying to confirm that it was where he was supposed to be, "Excuse me, but is this where we go for the post-match check up?" he questioned a woman in a white jacket.

Turning around Tsunade beamed at him, "Zaiaku-kun, come in, please remove your jacket and sit." After he complied she began a quick scan, "No broken anything, no chakra depletion, no cuts, and no burns," she marked off on her board. Then she turned a critical eye on him as she pulled the thermometer out of his mouth, "You weren't pushed at all were you?" she questioned.

Blushing slightly he looked down, "No, not really."

"SEVENTY-FIVE DEGREES?" she cried as she examined the thermometer, "I don't think I'll ever get used to that," she added dryly.

The white haired teen was about to respond when the door opened and Gaara walked in, Sakura in tow, "Gomen, Tsunade-sama, he insisted."

The sannin waved her hand lazily, "We're done here, clean bill of health."

"You are uninjured then?" questioned Gaara, Zaiaku grinned sheepishly, "I didn't think he would hurt you, although I was a bit concerned at the end."

"I can't control Shimotsuki that well in her true form," replied Zaiaku as he pulled on his jacket and sword, "he was too fast to hit really, so I made him hit me." Looking around for a minute he threw a questioning look to Tsunade, "Where is Sasuke?"

"I sent him to the hospital," she replied, "He burned through a good bit of his chakra and he had frost bite that needed immediate treatment that I can't give here." Then she smiled a bit too sweetly, "Why are YOU here Sakura? I told you that you could go."

"Oh...I...wanted to make sure that you wouldn't need any help," she stammered as she threw a hard glare to her sensei that screamed "Shut up"

Gaara and Zaiaku were watching the exchange with a raised brow, "Naruto's match is about to start," said Gaara, "We should go."

"Yeah," he replied, "Coming? Sakura-san?"

"In a moment," replied the pink haired girl, both boys shrugged and walked out the door. "What was that?" she screeched at Tsunade.

The blonde haired woman poked her student in the forehead, "That's what I was going to ask, it seems Zaiaku-kun is catching your attention a bit easier everyday."

"Zaiaku-kun isn't!-" she went wide-eyed and clamped a hand over her mouth. "I was worried that's all," she huffed, "I'm going to go watch Naruto's match." She stormed out of the room leaving a snickering Tsunade behind.

"Did you see those guys with the Mizukage?" questioned Zaiaku as he placed his hands in his coat pockets, "they look scary."

Gaara nodded, "I wonder if they intend to move during the tournament or after? Also is the Mizukage Orochimaru in disguse or is it actually the Kage?"

"Gaara-san! Zaiaku-san! wait!" both boys halted and waited for Sakura to catch up. "I was calling you from the room but you were both so deep in your discussion that you didn't hear me!" she added with a scowl.

"Gomen, Sakura-san," replied Zaiaku. Finally they made it up to the finalists area as Genma was going over the instructions for the match, "Good," said the white haired teen, "it hasn't started yet."

"Alright, you two understand?" Genma questioned Naruto and Shikamaru, they both nodded, "Good." Turning to the Hokage booth he announced the next match, "MATCH TWO: UZUMAKI NARUTO VS. NARA SHIKAMARU, HAJIME!"

"Bah," barked Shikamaru, "I should just give up, you're too strong and it's beyond troublesome to think of a strategy to beat you."

Naruto released the clasp on Kubikiri and slung it onto his shoulder, "Ah come on Shika, don't be a spoil sport," he said with a pout, "You could still beat me, I mean if yo-" he was cut off after a quick realization, 'crap.'

Kyuubi snorted, 'And you're the smart one?'

"Kagemane no Jutsu" (Shadow Copy Technique) said Shikamaru lazily. Placing both hands on his knees he stood and smiled, "It was pretty easy, actually." The gennin jammed his hands into his pants pockets, "All your strength won't be helping here."

"Idiot!" cried Temari, "he got caught so fast!"

Neji was shaking his head, "He was never the smartest person in the academy."

In the Hokage's booth Zabuza was glaring at his student, "I think I'll wait to judge this student of your's, Zabuza-san," said Fantomu, "the last one surprised me."

"Naruto-kun is Konoha's number one ninja in surprising people," interjected Sarutobi

Back in the finalists area Gaara pinched the bridge of his nose inbetween his thumb and forefinger, "OI, UZUMAKI!" yelled Zaiaku, "STOP SCREWING AROUND!"

Down on the arena floor Shikamaru was gazing at him, "What are they talking about? You lose, you can't break free from this technique."

"Really?" said Naruto bearing his fangs. Something that sounded like a windstorm was coming from the direction of the trees and it was getting louder. After a moment something huge came spinning out of the wooded area, "You should duck," said Naruto non-chalantly.

"What?" questioned Shikamaru, as he looked at Naruto he noticed he was still holding his sword. He was about to call the blonde on his bushin bluff, but he saw a stray leaf fall into the fast approaching blade's path and was destroyed. At the last moment he hit the ground flat, both hands covering his head. 'How? He was in the full bind!'

As the blade approached Naruto, he extended his arm and caught it. "My specialty," he said as he hefted the second Kubikiri onto his shoulder and pointed the other at the lazy genius, "isn't my strength, it's using jutsu without hand seals." After a nod an exact replica of Naruto walked out of the wooded area, "Kage Bushin no Jutsu" (Shadow Clone Technique) he said smiling, and tossed the second blade to the clone.

In the finalists area Kakashi was chuckling softly, "still his favorite technique."

"He didn't make a single seal," interjected Neji, "His chakra just moved in the correct patterns."

"It's a real pain in the ass to fight him too," replied Zaiaku, "Not only do you have to dodge all his attacks, but you have to be careful or he'll blindside you with a bushin."

On the arena floor Shikamaru's mind was in overdrive, 'two bushin and he can create more on command, ending this quickly is my only option.' Forming the rat seal quickly he called out, "Kagemane no Jutsu!" (Shadow Copy Technique) as his shadow split in between the clone and the real Naruto he changed to the ram seal, "Kage Kubishibari no Jutsu!" (Shadow Neckbind Technique)

Naruto was glaring as the hand creeped up his chest, getting closer to his neck, 'no choice then,' he thought, 'Now!'

'Hn,' replied Kyuubi as he released the power from his first tail, 'Don't kill him, kit.'

Shikamaru shuddered at the power that rolled off of Naruto, 'the same energy from the preliminary matches, it means he's getting serious, and I have to be quick,' he thought, 'troublesome.' Gritting his teeth he focused his chakra into the hand of shadow and attempted to force it the final distance. "Damnit," he hissed as he felt Naruto's chakra pushing him back, 'what the hell is he?'

'You won't be winning this Shika, sorry,' Thought Naruto as he pushed more of Kyuubi's chakra out, forcing the neckbind and shadow bind to fully retreat, "There we go," he said as he focused his chakra into his sword and raised it overhead. After a moment he brought Kubikiri down on the ground, hard, releasing small wave of red energy that charged down the black haired gennin.

Rolling to the side, Shikamaru watched as the wave sped past him and continued into the wall. Turning his head he saw one of the Naruto's coming at him with a horizontal swing, rolling again he managed to avoid it. As he prepared to execute the shadowbind again he sensed a presence above him, looking up he saw the second Naruto descending with his sword raised high overhead, 'Shit.'

"He's a very skilled swordsman, although he is a bit more straightforward," cooed Fantomu

A collective gasp was heard around the arena as Naruto cleaved Shikamaru in half. After a moment the form of the lazy genius poofed into a split log. "Kawarimi," hissed the blonde as he narrowed his eyes and scanned the battlefield, "where the hell are you?"

"GO SHIKAMARU!" cried Ino

"Do you think he can win?" questioned Kurenai

Asuma shrugged, "He seems to be more serious than he's ever been before, but I don't know if he can beat Naruto."

"Naruto," interjected Shino, "is using his clone to fill in the gaps his attacks create, making it all into one relentless assault. Shikamaru is doing the smartest thing possible, staying out of his way."

Naruto looked at the trees intently, 'of course.' Dispelling his bushin he drew his blade back behind his body, then pivoting he launched it at the trees and grinned, "Kubikiri Houcho Kage Bushin no Jutsu!" (Neck Chopping Cleaver Shadow Clone Technique) As the swords increased, from one to five, they relieved several trees of their top halfs and slammed into the wall.

Sakura was standing with her mouth agape, "Naruto," she gasped, "he's gotten a lot stronger."

Temari was glaring at her, "Yes," she hissed, "he is."

Gaara snorted at the exchange and the murderous look on Zaiaku's face directed at their blonde teammate currently fighting.

The Mizukage turned to Zabuza, "Who is the strongest on your team?"

Zabuza shrugged, "I don't really know, I've never seen them go all out before."

"Not a very good teacher to not know the abilities of his students," growled Yajuu, "or maybe you do and this is the best they can offer?"

"If they went all out," replied Zabuza glaring, "I'm pretty sure you'd shit your pants."

"That's enough," interjected the Third, "all three boys are amazing, we shall leave it at that, please watch the match."

Shikamaru was pulling himself out from a smaller tree branch as he scanned the immediate area, 'kami-sama I can't keep this up,' he thought as he squinted into the dust. Looking up he saw the silouette of someone or something crouching on the handle of one of the swords imbedded in the wall. It's clawed hands hanging down at it's sides and it's burning red eyes locked on him, stumbling back he watched the form reach down and grip the handle of the sword and rip it from the wall.

As Naruto descended on the form of Shikamaru he reached out and ripped a Kubikiri shadow clone out of the wall. Drawing both the original and the clone behind his body parallel to each other, he prepared to strike.

"It seems that the black haired boy is dead," said Fantomu in a sing-song voice

"SHIKAMARU!" cried Ino as she jumped up from her seat

"This one might really die," said a Jounin next to her

"MOVE SHIKA!" yelled Chouji

On the floor Shikamaru was shaking, 'those eyes, that power, I can't move.' After closing his eyes he opened his mouth, "I give up," he said simply. When he opened one eye he saw the blades of the two swords less than an inch from his neck.

"It's about damn time!" cried Naruto as he dispelled the Kubikiri clone and helped Shikamaru up. "I didn't think you were ever going to quit," he added as they left the wooded area. Swinging his sword onto his back he secured the clasp that held it in place and ceased releasing Kyuubi's chakra.

"What was that?" questioned Shikamaru as he put his hands in his pockets, "That isn't normal chakra."

Naruto scratched the back of his head, "It's complicated."

Before Shikamaru could retort Genma stepped up and raised his hand over Naruto's head, "WINNER, UZUMAKI NARUTO!"

"NICE!" cried Zaiaku

"So," added Neji smirking, "he left an idiot and returned a ninja."

"Maybe I sh-should give up?" questioned Hinata

Gaara eyed her for a moment, "Why? because you think you are somehow inferior to us?" he questioned. She nodded, "Don't" he replied looking to the rest of the finalists, "we are no better than anyone of you."

"How can you say that?" questioned Sakura, "The facts are that very few are at Sasuke-kun's level and Zaiaku-san beat him without breaking a sweat. Shikamaru is a genius and Naruto just ran over him, Kami KNOWS what you're capable of!" She then threw her hands up in the air for dramatic effect. Zaiaku watched her in amusement before doubling over in laughter. "WHAT'S FUNNY?" she barked at him, he immediately straightened up and ceased his laughing.

Temari walked down the steps towards the medical room, Kankuro threw her a glance, "I'm going to check on the idiot."

As the puppet master scowled Gaara walked up to him with a smirk, "You're going to have to get over that," he stated simply

'Naruto can use the kyuubi's chakra and not lose himself in the least bit,' thought Tsunade as she made her way down to the exam room. When she rounded the corner she saw a tall man with long white hair smiling at her, "Took you long enough," she said to him with her best scowl.

"Come on Tsunade," he pleaded, "I had things to find out, you know that."

"More like perverted research for that disgusting book," she replied quickly. After a moment his pleading eyes broke her stern look, "It's been quiet around without you here." As she walked into the medical room she saw Shikamaru laying down on a bed, his hands laced behind his head. Naruto was sitting on a stretcher absentmindedly swinging his legs because they didn't quite reach the ground, his sword propped against the wall. "Alright!" she said, "let's check you two out then." After a minute Temari walked in to see Naruto with his sleeveless sweater unzipped and Tsunade inspecting his chest. "Well it didn't cause any internal damage," she said, "you're good to go kid."

"Thanks!" he replied. While he was zipping up his shirt he caught sight of Temari and her crimson face, "Temari-chan?"

She quickly recovered and turned her head to the side, "Good you're ok, I wanted to make sure you're not going to back out our match," she replied. Then she immediately lost her blush, "And what did I tell you about calling me chan?" she hissed through gritted teeth

"NOTHING!" cried Naruto, "you just asked me why I did it!"

'Wrong answer kit,' sighed Kyuubi

Drawing back to whack him, Temari watched him flinch and sighed. "Just don't do it in public," she said with a shrug. Looking over she saw the blonde grinning, "WHAT? You just looked pathetic!" she barked.

Naruto continued grinning and shook his head, "Of course not."

As the two reached the top of the stairs they noticed everyone's eyes on them, "Is there a problem?" questioned Temari glaring.

Deciding to avert a disaster Naruto noticed Gaara still there and jumped in, "Aren't you supposed to be getting ready for you match?"

Gaara shook his head, "They've changed the order for some reason," he replied, "It may be due to the Dosu incident."

Zaiaku was peering intently at the arena floor, "Gaara's match got moved to last, Sakura and Hinata are about to fight."

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End Chapter 15: Indomitable

Read and Review - Nothing to really say here, I was planning to go one way with Naruto's fighting style but decided on another at the last minute. I hope you enjoyed.

Preview Chapter 16: Watch Me