Chapter 13 - Hokage's Choice
(AN: Writer's block for ages! Sorry folks, oh well, here's the next instalment, enjoy, and please review!)
The Hokage entered the room where the contestants had waited for a long time, nearly six hours they had been patient, and now was the time to release the suspense. He looked at each contender, one at a time, then gestured to the man behind him. This man stepped forward, a large scroll held in his hands, surely with the names of the new chunnin upon it!
Then the Hokage spoke; "I have discussed each of your skills and battles with my counterparts, and have made a decision about what is to come. Know that if your name is read out, you will become a Chunnin, and will therefore be treated as one. You will be given harder missions to aid the village, tasks that only you can complete. You will also be expected to become a leader, one who can take control and take a mission to success. This is not the place for just anyone, you have to earn it. I entrust you with the safety of this village, and all who live within it, may the Will of Fire be strong within you!"
He looked again at each person in turn, then gave an almost unperceivable nod to the man with the scroll. The scroll was unravelled and then he began to call out names.
"Saya Yoshida, Nobu Okita, Hanabusa Tanaka, Sakuya Izayoi…"
Sakuya stuck her tongue out at Kaida, smirking to herself all the while.
"…and Kaida Suzaku. That is all."
Kaida's eyes widened in shock, Sakuya's smirk turned into a scowl.
The Hokage stepped forward once again; "Congratulations to each of you. For those who were not called out, this is not the end, it is only the beginning. The start of your journey has begun, you may still have far to go, but if you try, you can do anything."
The Hokage and the man left the room, then parents and friends flooded into the room, Iruka one of the first.
He lifted Kaida high into the air and laughed with her, slowly pulling her down to his lips, kissing her hard and passionate, until someone shouted, "Get a room!"
They held each other close, not wanting to let go, she'd made it, she'd really managed to do it, Nobu too! Even though he had been beaten, his determination had kept in the running, and won him through.
They left the room, dashing outside to where Toshi, Kaida's father awaited. He was leaning on his crutch, standing next to Kakashi, grinning ear to ear like a madman! He wrapped his good arm about her as she hugged him tight, congratulating her warmly.
Iruka walked over to Kakashi rather reluctantly, but gave a half smile to Kakashi's awkward glance, and then held out his hand in forgiveness. They were friends once more, and that was all that needed to be said.
All that needed to happen now, was a massive party… at which many a strang thing would happen…
(AN: Okay, I know it's short, but it's all that needs to be said in this chapter. Don't forget to check out my other fanfic, Orochimaru's Intent Device, in which a girl from our world finds herself in a bit of a pickle. Other than that, please review, they keep me going, they really do, the more I see the more motivated I am to write! Later guys!)
(p.s. Merry Christmas!)