Round Two: Pushing Daisies

Marluxia was sitting at the bench when the boy arrived. He lazily assessed the newcomer, taking note of the boy's white, nearly pupil-less eyes and how the veins on the side of the boy's face were popping out.

"Marluxia, the Graceful Assassin." It was a statement, not a question. The boy was already certain of the answer.

Marluxia rose to his feet. "Indeed," he replied. "I must congratulate you, for making your way through my maze." If he could be surprised, he would be. The announcements for the second round had been made barely ten minutes previously. He had anticipated that it would take his opponent much longer to make it to where he waited, if they made it at all.

This boy… Neji, was not to be underestimated.

"It was very simple," The boy stated, shifting his body so that his lower body was perpendicular to Marluxia, his upper body twisted slightly to face the Nobody.

Marluxia smirked. "Ready to fight already Neji Hygua?" He walked to stand next to the fountain. "Didn't your mother tell you patience is a virtue?" He held his hand up in the air. A sakura petal drifted down gently in the air, glowing brightly an inch above Marluxia's hand. The form expanded, black threads spiraling out in thin lines extending from the original petal into the large form of a scythe with a pink blade. Sakura petals danced in the air around the weapon, Marluxia swung the scythe so it rested at his side, ready to be used.

He had no chance to retaliate, Neji was already upon him, open palms jabbing into Marluxia's stomach, with a call of "Two palm!" Marluxia grunted as he was knocked back a step. He started to attempt to slice with his scythe, but Neji beat him to the punch. "Four Palms!" Marluxia felt the attack again, pressing the air out of his lungs. With a quick jerk of his hand, a vine shot out at Neji's side.

With a swing of his hand, Neji blocked the vine, diverting it's course. He never stopped, moving directly onto the next assault. "Eight Palm!"

Marluxia felt his lower back collide with the fountain as he called forth more vines. This time, to serve as defense. Vines sprung up between the two opponents, just barely in time to provide a shield from the attack. Marluxia took half a moment to regain his breath, before retreating slightly. He couldn't fight close quarters in this fight. That much had been made apparent to him. The strength of the boy's attacks and their swiftness rendered his scythe almost completely useless.

A better battlefield was needed.

Marluxia stood underneath the Sakura Tree, in the plaza that he had used before. He leaned against the tree, waiting.

He wasn't kept long. The boy ran into the plaza, dashing towards Marluxia. Marluxia swept his arm, and a storm of Sakura petals flew at Neji. The boy spun in a circle, yelling. "Rotation!" A blue shield from around the boy, scattering the razor sharp petals.

Marluxia repeated the attack, and sent some vines as well to entangle Neji. With another spin and cry of "Rotation!" the shield formed around the boy again. The boy barely paused, running forward towards Marluxia.

Until a vine whipped out from behind Neji and struck the boy full force on the back of the neck. Neji was sent forward, tripping, to the ground, somersaulting and ending on his back. Marluxia smirked, continuing the bombardment by sending more vines, encasing Neji completely, and tying him to the earth. He made the vines tighten around Neji's legs until he heard a snap.

"I do believe that we're done here," the pink haired Nobody stated, starting to walk away. "Have a nice day."

Disclaimer: I own diddlysquat. Comprendè??

Author's Note: The corresponding chapter is written by Movie-Brat. Go check it out. The ending is shocking. So good luck to Movie-Brat!!

Dedication: I dedicate this entire chapter to my brother, Danny, who spent the entire I was writing it trying to explain Neji's fight style to me. I really appreciate the demonstrations as well, even though my stomach hurt for a bit afterwards. Danny, thank you so much. And I'm really sorry that you died so much in your game because of my inquiries.

Random Stuff: Um… honestly, how did this chapter go?? I rarely watch Naruto, and the wikipedia page wasn't the most helpful. My brother did his best, but I must confess to a lack of knowledge. Mainly concerning chakra… Reviews, constructive criticism, advice, anything except pointless flaming are appreciated.

Thanks, and have a nice day!!