Chapter 15: Chapter 15

"I need Shikamaru Nara and Temari No Sabaku to join me on the field now." Genma stated

Temari wasted no time as she strode past the other genin, before jumping over the railing. She landed in a crouch on the ground below, then made her way over towards the center of the field where Genma stood.

Shikamaru on the other hand had a very bored look on his face and seemed to have little interest in proceeding with the fight.

"What a drag... Maybe I should just forfeit?" he mused aloud, leaning against the railing. Too bad for him, Naruto was near and had no intention of letting his comrade forfeit.

"Oi, Shikamaru, be a man! Don't run away!" the hyperactive Blond exclaimed as he clapped the lazy ninja's shoulder. Somehow, this proved enough for Shikamaru to lose his balance and fall into the arena below.

"Damn Naruto... Troublesome blondes..." He muttered under his breath as he stood up from his fall.

"Finally decided to come here and fight me, pineapple-head?" Temari asked before smirking

"As troublesome as it is, it seems that I'll have to fight you...It would be a real drag to forfeit to a girl" Shikamaru mused.

Temari's eye twitched. "And what the hell is that suppose to mean?" she asked as she glared at the boy.

Genma had no intention of letting the banter go on any longer.

"Are you two ready?" he asked.

Both genins traded a look with one another before nodding .

"You may begin!" Genma said before he flipped back to the border of the arena, allowing the duo plenty of space.

Temari immediately drew her fan from her back and opened it partially before a smirk spread across her face.

"I'm going to enjoy this Lazy ass" she yelled as she swung the fan at him causing a gale force wind to to rocket forward towards Shikamaru.

Remembering quite well what she could do with her fan, the lazy genius immediately substituted before hiding behind the single tree on the far side of the Arena.

"Troublesome blondes" He muttered to himself as he closed his eyes as he assumed a position with his hands as he began to plan his next course of action.

For the next fifteen minutes or so Temari tried her best to flush her opponent out into the open to avoid being caught by his shadow possession. Finally, it seemed that Shikamaru had enough and decided to counterattack. He used his family jutsu and tried to catch Temari with his shadow, but the Suna kunoichi stayed just out of his range, Or so she thought. However she had no idea everything she was doing was going according to Shikamaru's plan.

"What the hell?!" She cursed as her body suddenly became paralyzed, even though the shadow in front of her shouldn't be able to reach her.

"Shadow Possesion, success." Shikamaru said with a smirk. "Let me show you." He said as he turned his head up as if to look at the sky, having no choice Temari mirrored his action And she saw his jacket turned into a makeshift parachute come floating down towards the ground.

"How?" She asked. The Nara boy sighed, it was so troublesome to explain this.

"Simple. As you already know, my family has control over shadows. That means I can morph my shadow anyway I want, using the sun and my jacket together I was able to extend the reach of my shadow. But all of this has been Troublesome..." Shikamaru said as he walked forward. Temar mirrored him, walking forward until they stood only a few feet apart. Genma appeared next to them, ready to end this match. Shikamaru lazily raised his hand and as much as she struggled not to Temari mirrored his movement again.

"I, Nara Shikamaru,.. forfeit." he said.

"WHAT?!" Temari shouted. "Why would you surrender to me now when you've already won?"

"I'm almost out of chakra. As troublesome as it is I only have enough chakra to hold the jutsu for twenty seconds at most. I guess it was the real world, you'd be defeated and who knows maybe, killed by now. But this is just an exam and I've do more then I wanted to, this was one troublesome match too many for me" he said before shrugging his shoulders before he released the Jutsu and turned and began walking slowly towards the waiting area.

Genma sighed before shaking his head.

"Since Shikamaru Naru forfeited, the winner of the match is Temari No Sabaku" Genma announced.

There was a long pause before a loud series of boos could be heard from the crowd.

"I can't believe he forfeited what a bum" Naruto said sighing before crossing his arms.

"It is Shikamaru we're talking about" Sasuke said before shrugging his shoulders.

"Ano he was rather clever though..." Hinata offered quietly.

"The kid may have forfeited, but he anticipated everyone of his opponents moves and essentially controlled the entire fight." Izumo said.

"Yeh but if this was a real mission he would have surrendered himself to the enemy." Kotetsu said shrugging.

"No I think if this was a real mission he wouldn't have gotten his squad killed just to see the mission through. That demonstrates a lot for a genin." Izumo retorted.

"I suppose your right...so you think he's ready?" Kotetsu asked as he looked over at his comrade.

Izumo simply nodded "Yeah I think that kid is more then ready...he just needs a little motivation" he added before falling silent.

Genma began to chew on the Senbon in his mouth as he awaited the Audience to simmer down before he turned his attention back to the waiting area.

As things finally began to settle down he spoke.

"Wasting no more time can I have Shino Aburame and Sakura Haruno join me ?"

What Genma didn't anticipate was the response he was about to receive.

Shino looked at his teammate for a long moment as if silently deciding something before he raised his hand earning a series of surprised looks from the audience as well as his fellow genin.

"I forfeit to my opponent. he said ignoring the somewhat confused if not furious look from Sakura.

There was a long silence before Genma simply shook his head.

'The crowd is going to hate this' he thought sighing before he held out his hand.

"Very well since Shino Aburame forfeits Sakura Haruno is the winner of this match and will proceed to the next round." Genma stated earning a resounding boo from the crowd.

"Lord Hokage this has proved to be an entertaining Exam to say the least, I hope the next fight will prove more interesting." The Kazekage said as he looked over at Sarutobi.

Sarutobi ran a hand through his beard. "Yes I'm sure you're right, the next will be something to behold. I'm sure the Hyuuga at the very least will be watching this match closely" he said.

"Ah yes...The Hyuuga Heiress versus the Hyuuga Prodigy...I wonder which will triumph." The Kazekage mused.

"If I've learned anything from this Exam so far...nothing would surprise me at this point." he said before chuckling.

"Shino you Baka why would you give up after working so hard for this?" Sakura asked as she turned on her teammate.

Shino remained impassive for a long moment as he looked at the surrounding genin before looking back at her. After a moment he took a step forward till he was within earshot.

"Sakura trust me I didn't want to forfeit, but I'd rather be at my best. Something is going on...my beetles sense it. I have the sense something bad is about to happen. I'm going to investigate."

Sakura's eyes widened. "Shino that's crazy."

"Perhaps and perhaps not. Look don't mention anything I said...I'll be back soon. Just keep your eyes open alright?" he suggested, before he turned and began to make his way down the adjacent hall.

"Well that was boring even Lazy ass here actually fought..." Temari said frowning as she gestured at Shikamaru.

"Troublesome blondes" the lazy nin muttered as he leaned against the rail as he stared at the sky.

Sasuke was far less amused as he instead looked between Hinata and Neji.

'So this is it...the final match of this round, this the match I've been waiting to see. I hope you've improved Hinata... because Neji won't pull any punches.' he thought.

There was a long pause as the two cousins traded a glance before the exchange was broken as Genma could be heard from below.

"With the fourth match concluded there is but one match left in this round, I need Hinata Hyuuga and Neji Hyuuga to join me in the center of the field." he stated.

Neji simply smirked as he strode past his Cousin stopping for a moment as he looked at her.

"This is your last chance to concede your fate, I'd suggest you take it." he said before he continued walking and flipped forward landing on the field below before walking over towards Genma.

Naruto looked over at Hinata, before flashing her a grin.

"Hey don't listen to that asshole we'll be rooting for you up here. Go kick his smug ass I believe in you Hinata-chan." Naruto said with a undeniable amount of confidence in his voice.

"Hai I'll do it. " she said her voice even as she allowed a soft smile towards the blonde.

As she turned towards the railing Sasuke laid his hand on her shoulder.

"Goodluck Imouto" he said before smirking.

She offered him a small smile "Arigato Nii-san" she said before she looked back over at Naruto, Naruto smiled at her as he gave a nod. Hinata turned back around, took a deep breath and jumped down to the battlefield floor. The roar of the crowd was muffled in her head only by the beating of her heart.

" Hinata…." Said a voice as she landed.

Hinata looked up to see Neji standing there with a scowl on his face and his arms folded.

"You should be reasonable, you know what happened last time. I have no interest in wasting my time with you. I'd rather save my energy for someone of real consequence. If you fight again you may actually die this time,surrender and spare yourself and the clan any further disgrace. " Neji said.

Hinata was beginning to feel discouraged by Neji's taunts like last time, even with as much confidence as she'd gained Neji's words cut deep at her. Then there was that part that was eating at her as she wondered if she had actually become strong enough to best Neji.

" Hinata!"

Hinata looked up to see Naruto and Sasuke in the balcony.

"Don't listen to him! He's just a Jackass! You can do this" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke just sighed before offering her a thumbs up.

Hinata looked back at Neji a serious look settling on her face.

" Neji-nii-san shut up and fight me." she said earning a look of surprise and anger from her cousin.

'Hinata...I don't know if it's possible for you to beat Neji. For once though I will believe in you.' Hiashi thought as he leaned forward, before he heard a small voice next to him.

"Tou-san Onee-san can win right?" Hanabi asked as she looked up at her father with a worried expression.

Hiashi looked at his youngest daughter. "Hanabi I've never seen your sister this confident before, whether she wins or losses today she has already made this clan proud, and furthermore she's made me proud" he said before the patriarch offered a rare smile before he turned to look back at the field.

"Very well, have it your way, but I warn you Hinata, no matter how hard you struggle the result will always be the same. It looks like I am going to have to humiliate you in front of the whole village by showing everyone just how weak you are." Neji said.

Hinata took a deep breath. 'Vixen I don't know if I can do this, but I'm not holding back any longer.' she thought as she released her held breath.

'I believe in you little one' the large Fox responded as she swished her tails back and forth.

Genma looked between the pair " Alright you two, this is the final match of this round. As I've said before obey my commands at all times. If I make a call, don't argue it."

"Neji, do you understand? " he asked as he looked over at the boy.

Neji nodded.

"Hinata, do you understand?" he asked as he cast a look over at her.

"Hai." Hinata said as she nodded.

The two then assumed their respective stances. Neji was taking up the traditional Hyuuga stance while Hinata took up a similar stance though something about it was different her posture seemed much more fluid rather then rigid. The tension in the air was nearly palpable as the two stared at one another, neither one blinking or looking away for even a moment.

" Byakugan!" they said in unison.

"Begin!" Genma yelled before he flipped away from the duo.

At first neither Hinata or Neji made a move. They just stood there observing each other.

"Why are neither of them moving Tou-san?" Hanabi asked.

"They're inspecting each other for any weaknesses they can exploit, in a fight like this the first move can also prove to be the last." Hiashi responded.

Just then, Neji sprang forward, believing he could slip past Hinata's guard. As he leapt forward to strike at her core he was met with only air as with uncanny grace she fluidly side stepped him, before burying her palm into his stomach faster then he could react.

"That was fast...too fast how did she react so quickly" Neji wondered as he flipped backwards and assumed his stance again.

Sasuke's eyes widened as he looked over at Naruto.

"Hey Naruto what exactly did the two of you learn from that Hermit?" he asked.

Naruto smirked before he looked over at Sasuke.

"To be honest the pervy sage taught us both a lot, at first we thought he was nuts, his training seemed so bizarre, that is until we realized the point of his lessons. You'll just have to see it all in action." he said before grinning at his friend.

"Hnn well that really didn't tell me much, who would you say improved the most this last month?" Sasuke asked.

Naruto smiled again as he leaned forward against the rail. "Let's just say that the three people I'm most worried about now are you,Gaara, and Hinata. Her strength lies in her confidence pervy sage discovered that quickly." he said before he looked back at the field.

Sasuke stared his friend a long moment before he looked down at the field as well. 'Hinata it's time see if Naruto's faith in your training is well placed'

Hinata and Neji were staring each other down.

"Tell me Hinata-sama what kind of poor variation is that style of yours?" Neji asked.

"My Sensei helped me develop this variation. He knew that my movements were better suited to be fluid, rather then being so stiff.

"I see, well I have to admit it's interesting, regardless of how strange it is. But it wont do you any good, and you have no chance of winning by using a mockery of the Juken."

Hinata was silent for a long moment before she charged forward at Neji, he swooped down and swept Hinata's feet out from under her. Neji then attacked Hinata with a series of palm strikes which most of them hit. Hinata jumped back clutching her stomach for a moment before she removed her hand as a smile spread across her lips.

" Just what I thought, did you really think you had a chance of beating me Hinata? No matter how hard you train you can never get to my level. And now I have sealed a great deal of yo-" Neji stopped as his eyes widened.

Hinata looked at him a moment before speaking. "You were going to say my chakra right?" she said smiling at him.

"Impossible...none of your Tenketsu are closed..." he growled as the veins from his eyes bulged as he charged Hinata in an attempt to close off her tenketsu. However, this time Hinata was able to parry all the thrusts. Neji seemed to have an edge in speed however her reaction time had improved leaps and bounds since their last encounter. After a series of a few more thrusts Neji somersaulted over his cousin before he turned to palm strike her from behind only to be stopped as her hand buried into his abdomen and sent him sprawling across the ground several feet away.

'This is Hinata...this is incredible.' Hiashi thought as he stared at his eldest daughter with amazement.

Neji after a few moments managed to get back to his feet. He looked over to Hinata and shook his head.

'Somehow she's learned to keep her tenketsu open or forcibly reopen them...no matter her fate is still sealed' he thought.

"I see, not bad Hinata-Sama. I was hoping to save this technique for Sasuke or Gaara but it seems I can't hold back any longer." Neji said before smirking.

"You are within in my range of Divination" Neji stated as he sprang forward in a blur towards Hinata.

"Eight Trigrams : Sixty Four Palms" He yelled

'Impossible...how is it that Neji knows this?' Hiashi wondered before he bowed his head slightly.

'I'm afraid this is over'

However Hiashi was wrong...

Just before Neji could land a hit Hinata retaliated within a blink of an eye.

"Protection of the Eight Trigrams: Sixty Four Palms" she yelled.

Neji collided into her guard before he was sent flying backwards as he landed and gritted his teeth as he held his left arm he could feel that several chakra points were now closed.

Hinata just stood there still unmoving as she awaited Neji's next move move.

"How is it possible that a failure such as you has improved so much, why do you struggle and refuse to accept your place?" He asked exasperated.

Hinata rather then looking dejected actually smiled. "It's because I'm a failure...a proud failure that I don't give up. Someone close to me taught me that there is no such thing as fate. Even now I'm going against what everyone expects. No one here believed I could fight you Neji, A year ago I couldn't defeat Hanabi. There is no such thing as fate for us or the Hyuuga" she said.

Neji tensed before he felt a rage take hold of him as he lunged forward intending to strike her heart, Hinata however pushed it aside. What happened next shocked everyone. In a flash, a barrage of palm strikes collided with Neji's core. He was knocked back several feet and forced to both of his knees as he began gasping for air.

"What the hell was that?! I didn't even see the movements!" Neji thought.

The crowd was quiet as surprising as it was the Hyuuga prodigy seemed to be losing at the moment.

" I cannot believe Hinata has come this far...could it be that the Uzumaki child has truly changed her that much' Hiashi wondered to himself.

Back at the fight Neji managed to get back up to his feet.

"You think you understand Hinata-sama? You know nothing about being caged." Neji screamed.

"Ano I know that no matter what you do I still love you Nii-san. I know you don't believe me, but when I become Clan head I will change the Hyuuga for you and for everyone, and I of all people understand carrying a burden no one should be forced to carry. " she stated her words holding a great deal of conviction for a moment she deactivated her Byakugan hoping to reach Neji.

Neji's expression faltered for a moment.

"You keep saying that you can change fate...you and that Uzumaki fool. I believe you're both Failures, you can't change anything and I'll show you why. " he spat her as the veins in his eyes bulged as he Neji charged forward. He disappeared only to reappear at the last moment, without her Byakugan she was unable to react in time and his strike was true. He struck her right in the center of the heart before he flipped back away from her.

She coughed up blood before she collapsed to the ground.

'That one hurt…I don't know if I can go on' She thought. She could feel herself fighting unconsciousness. " I just need to rest for moment." Hinata slowly closed her eyes.

As Hinata drifted near unconsciousness, she opened her eyes to see she was in a place that wasn't the arena. It however, was familiar to her. She soon realized she was in her mind scape standing right outside the Vixen's door.

"I failed didn't I ?...Am I dead now?" she asked as she walked forward gripping the bars as she looked at the massive Fox that stared at her with a single open eye.

"No little one you're very much alive, and you can still may win this match yet. I will lend you my strength so that you can stand, but I would suggest you refrain from asking for anymore of my power for now...it wouldn't be wise to make such a scene at the moment and furthemore don't let down your guard. Words alone won't reach your cousin"

Hinata said nothing for a moment as she bowed her head. "What if I can't win...what if Neji is right.?" she asked.

"I can't give you those answers little one, but the blonde one has a great deal of confidence in you and your Cousin may be reached yet...but you have to prove him wrong...you have to prove that your will is stronger."

Hinata looked at the demoness for a long moment as she made her decision.

Suddenly Hinata's eyes snapped open.

"Proctor I would suggest you call it." Neji said as he began to walk away. 'After all that struggling Hinata-Sama it seems I was right after all' he mused.

Genma was just about to call the match. Suddenly everybody was surprised that Hinata was back on her feet. As Neji turned around, he saw Hinata still standing tall before him, her eyes showed a renewed strength. Hinata slowly unzipped her jacket before discarding it aside with one hand. Neji got back into his stance.

"Why are you doing this Hinata-Sama? What do you plan to achieve through this action? You can never hope to defeat me." Neji said.

" I refuse to back down from my promise...I said I would change the Hyuuga, Nii-san and I will. "

Neji seemed confused by her words. " Very well then, if you wish to continue I am not responsible for what may happen." He said.

Hinata narrowed her eyes at Neji as she got into her stance. "This time I'll win." she with confidence radiating off of her.

Neji was surprised by the certainty in her tone.

The two locked eyes as they prepared to continue their fight. The pair charged forward in unison. Sparks lit up the arena as the two attacked with numerous palm strikes.

Strike by strike Neji found himself losing ground until finally he was put on the defensive.

He flipped backwards still confident in something he'd had up his sleeve all along.

As Hinata lunged forward like a lioness he smirked before yelling.

"Kaiten."

The expulsion of chakra slammed into Hinata knocking her back before she landed roughly on her feet.

"You see Hinata-Sama...I have mastered arts typically reserved for the Main Branch. No matter how strong you've become you will not be able to break the ultimate defense" he stated.

Hinata narrowed her eyes as she studied Neji for a long moment.

"Fine Nii-san...let's put your defense to the ultimate test...your perfect defense against my ultimate attack." she said.

"As you wish Hinata-Sama we will decide everything with this next move..." he said smirking as he took his stance as he prepared for her to strike.

Hinata took a deep breath as she held both of her arms out by her side as she began to channel chakra through both of her limbs. After a few moments the chakra began to take shape as two giant lion heads formed across her arms as she crouched.

There was pure silence in the audience as the two Cousins studied each other for the longest moment before they both yelled in unison.

"Gentle Step Twin Lion First"

"Kaiten"

A loud explosion of chakra ensued as the center of the Arena was obscured by smoke.

Both of the Hyuuga were hurled back several yards before slamming hard into the ground forming craters.

" Hinata!" Naruto yelled and a long silence ensued as for a moment nothing was heard until a hand reached up and Neji could be seen dragging himself out of the ground and slowly back to his feet.

Neji was breathing deeply as he was walked over to where Hinata lay and stood over her triumphantly

" You see Hinata-sama, you just do not have what it takes to change the Hy-"

Suddenly Neji found a palm slamming against his chin as Hinata rocketed upwards from beneath the ground. The Hinata who was laying there in the crater a moment ago poofed into thin air.

Naruto's eyes widened before he grinned widely. "Hey I taught her that move" he exclaimed earning an eye roll from Sasuke.

Hinata took several deep breaths as she stood over Neji who now lay there looking up at her thoroughly exhausted.

"A clone? I should have known spending so much time with that idiot you'd pick up a couple of his tricks " he said before shaking his head.

"Did you know that the clone Jutsu use to be Naruto-kun worst Jutsu?" Hinata asked softly as she deactivated her Byakugan.

"Nii-san you aren't a failure...you're only limited by what you believe in. Anyone can change with enough hard work. Ano...we can change the Hyuuga, but I can't do it alone. I could use your help..." she said quietly as she gazed down at him with a soft smile.

For once in perhaps years Neji allowed a small smile. In the first in his life he began to consider the possibility of there being a life without fate and that was certainly something to fight for.

Hayate actually smiled.

'Girl actually won...this exam is something else' he thought before he held out his hand.

"Winner Hinata Hyuuga" he announced.

The Audience responded in a deafening roar.

Most of them unaware that the greatest battles were still yet to come...

*Author Note* And another chapter done! I hope this scene was conveyed well. I thought it would be cool to mimic some of the aspects of the Canonical fight between Naruto and Neji. I was pleased with the result. I didn't spend much time on the fight between Temari and Shikamaru because I didn't see any reason on lingering on a fight that was going to end pretty much the same. I assure everyone that I didn't cop out in regards to Shino and Sakura's fight. I have plans. Again thanks for reading and I'll see you all next time! =)