We wasted no time in training ourselves for the battle to come. The next day we woke up early to start our training. We were currently in an indoor training ground made for the soldiers to train. The place was much more accommodating than we were use to, but I guess that's a good thing. The room was silver all over. The place was also big in height, width, and length. At the edges of the room were beverage's and other things we could cool down with. Other than that it was like a normal training ground, minus the training post. Both team seven and ten were waiting patiently for instructions on what we were going to do. Hikari was also here, interested in seeing us train.

"Today we'll be having spars against each other so both me and Asuma can figure out what areas you need to improve on", said Kakashi with his usual eye smile. Sasuke was pleased with what he heard, a big smirk forming on his face. Everyone else was less enthusiastic about it as a series of groans was heard.

"Why do we have to do something so troublesome?" Shikamaru complained. A stupid question coming from him who no doubt knew the answer.

"After we see your fight and figure out your strength and weaknesses, we can make a training schedule appropriate for you", explained Asuma as he blew smoke out his mouth. "Okay now here's how the matches are going to go. It's Shikamaru vs Choji, Sakura vs Ino, and lastly Sasuke vs Naruto." Instantly Ino and Sakura started glaring at each other, know doubt ready to fight for Sasuke's affection. I thought Ino was getting over Sasuke, her waiting at my bedside and all, but I guess I was wrong.

"So what are the rules", I asked.

"Well first off, there's no killing each other", Kakashi said as I rolled my eyes. That was pretty obvious, I mean I have never seen a spar where killing was allowed. And if there was one, then it doesn't qualify as a spar. "I'll say that anythings allowed as long as you don't kill or seriously damage one another."

"Also there's no giving up", Asuma said as he glanced at Shikamaru, who let out a groan upon hearing this new rule.

"Up first is Sakura vs Ino", said Kakashi as everyone stepped back, giving Ino and Sakura space for their battle. To be honest I was a bit interested in seeing what they could both do. Ino did take out some bandits by herself. I wonder how she did it. And Sakura had to have learned something, right?

Ino POV

"Fore-head I'm about to wipe the floor with you", I said as I glared at Sakura. She has been all over Sasuke since she came and it was really pissing me off.

"You can try Ino-pig but you'll fail. And l'll show Sasuke-kun who the better woman is", Sakura shot back looking rather smug. I bet she thought her come back was good. I looked to the side to see where everyone had stepped back to. I saw Kakashi-sensei and Asuma-sensei looking at us with encouraging smiles. Hikari looked excited, know doubt happy to see a ninja battle in person. I told her about what I had seen of Naruto's battle against Greed. She wanted to see a battle for herself every since.

Sasuke was looking out the window, finding whatever it was out there more interesting than our fight, which pissed me off. Shikamaru was sleeping as usual and Choji was watching us while munching down a bag of chips. And lastly I saw Naruto staring at me intensely with an emotionless expression on his face. It unnerved me not knowing what he was thinking.

I blushed under his gaze, his new features making him look cuter than before. Wait... cuter? When did this happen? When did I start thinking Naruto was cute? I shook my head, trying to clear my thoughts. Focusing on Sakura again I said "Lets see about that." We stood there in silence before Kakashi shouted "Begin", signaling the start of the fight.

Both Sakura and I took out a kunai which we hurled at each other. The kunais clashed causing sparks to fly. Sakura ran at me with a battle cry, her fist cocked back and ready. Sakura threw her fist at my face. Her tai-justu was sloppy but I knew there was a lot of weight behind that punch. I dodged to the side as Sakura zoomed pass me, not able to stop herself.

I used this to my advantage. I attacked Sakura by trying to kick her in her stomach. My kick connected, sending Sakura flying across the training ground. I was going to continue my attack but hesitated when I saw Sakura struggling to get up. Maybe I hit her a bit too hard?

Sakura slowly got on her feet. She quickly brushed the dirt off her clothes and straighten her hair before she got back into her fighting stance, causing everyone except Naruto to sweat drop. "You got lucky that time Ino. But now I'm done warming up. Its time for the real fight to begin." Sakura said a smug look still on her face. It took a lot of will power for me to not burst out laughing. It was actually sad how low Sakura had fallen.

"I'll show you what I've learned so far", Sakura said making hand seals.

"Was Sakura going to fire a justu at me? What justu could she possibly know?" I thought as I prepared myself for whats to come.

"Ninja Art: Sakura's Paradise", Sakura shouted as the training ground turned into a beach. So this was a genjustu. It made sense, Sakura was always good at chakra control. Suddenly Sasuke appeared out of nowhere and pulled Sakura into a deep kiss. I gagged at the sight of Sasuke and Sakura kissing, their tongues were showing and everything too! Sakura was in a pink bikini, while Sasuke was wearing his swim shorts and he had no shirt on.

This was honestly the dumbest genjustu ever. But I have to admit it was working. Eventually I couldn't take it anymore and lashed out at Sasuke, my face red in embarrassment and punched him in the face, sending him flying into the ocean.

"Oh wow Ino, you don't have to be a jealous bitch all the time you know", Sakura said causing a tick mark to appear on my head.

"I hope you still have that same attitude after I break your genjustu and beat you into the ground", I shot back, very pissed off.

"Don't go underestimating me Ino, it won't be so easy breaking out of my genjustu", Sakura said with a giggle. "Especially when its so tempting to stay." Multiple Sasuke's started appearing all over, swarming me with affection, while wearing very appealing swim suits.

"Ino-chan we love you", they all said in unison as they showered me with love. I had an enormous nose bleed with my face as red as a tomato. My imagination ran wild going over the most perverted things that me and all these Sasuke's could do together. I forgot all about our fight and easily got lost in this erotic paradise. I was in heaven!

ON THE OUTSIDE NARUTO'S POV

We stood there waiting for something to happen. Sakura and Ino have been standing still for the last ten minutes. I knew they were in a genjustu but I couldn't help but get impatient waiting for them to come back.

"What's going on, they haven't done anything but stand there for the pass ten minutes! What did that pink haired girl do!" Hikari shouted. Whether it was out of concern or frustration, I couldn't tell.

"She put Ino under a genjustu. Their probably fighting in the genjustu's world or something like that", I said in a monotone voice.

"Oh", Hikari said but I could tell she was still confused. With a sigh I decided to tell her what genjustu is in further detail to occupy time. During my explanation I could see blood running from Ino's nose from the corner of my eye.

"What the hell happening to her in that genjustu I wonder", was my thoughts as I continued to wait.

"I'll bet you that its something perverted", came kyuubi's booming voice.

After I got over my shock, still not used to having kyuubi talking to me, I quickly replied,"And why is that."

"That's because I can smell her getting we-", Kyuubi said before I interrupted him shouting aloud.

"THAT'S ENOUGH", as my cheeks turned pinked. Hearing my outburst everyone turned to look at me with raised eyebrows. "I-I was just... talking to myself", I said in a failed attempt to explain myself.

"What a dobe", Sasuke said as he went back to staring out the window.

"Tch, virgins", Kyuubi said in an annoyed tone.

"Oh shut up", was my reply.

BACK WITH INO

"Ino-chan we love you", came the chant of multiple Sasuke's as they showed Ino lots of love.

"Yes I know Sasuke-kun, I love you too", I said with hearts in my eyes.

"Look at you Ino, enjoying yourself. Who knew you were such a pervert", said Sakura in a smug voice. I narrow my eyes at her. This place would be perfect if she wasn't here. But as usual, she never fails to get in the way.

"Oh...Your here", I said giving Sakura a look of disgust.

"What do you mean by 'Your here'. Don't tell me you forgot about little old me already", Sakura said faking being hurt.

"Yes I actually did now if you don't mind, I'd actually like to enjoy myself 'ALONE' with Sasuke-kun", I said still glaring at Sakura.

"No by all means, please do", Sakura said with a smirk that unnerved me but I'll put that to the side for now, after all Sasuke-kun is waiting. "As much as it annoys me to see Ino with 'MY' Sasuke-kun, I'm happy that my plan worked perfectly. Now to give them a little more time before I let Sasuke-kun break her heart, hihihihi."

Focusing on Sasuke I had one last thought,"Sakura-baka is so annoying, kinda like how Naruto was back in the academy. Wait Naruto saved my life, I shouldn't think about him like that, plus he was kinda cute back then too. He was also kinder to me than Sasuke ever was."

It was as if he read my thoughts. All the Sasuke's around me started to back away from me giving me hateful glares. I was taken aback by the sudden change of heart. "Hey Sasuke-kun whats wrong", I asked confusion evident in my voice.

"Your annoying", they all said in unison as they glared harshly at me. "Your useless and pathetic. Instead of wasting your time fawning over me how about you train and actually try and be a decent kunoichi for once", Sasuke said harshly. Sasuke's words were harsh but I knew them to be true. I did waste time fawning over him. Going on diets so I can stay slim just so 'Sasuke-kun' would like me, growing my hair because 'Sasuke-kun liked long haired girls and I even destroyed my friendship with Sakura just because she liked Sasuke too. Noticing this hurt me a lot. I had said that Sakura had fallen really low without noticing that I had fallen in the same pit she did. But I wasn't going to breakdown like a hurt little girl. I am going to get stronger so maybe one day, I can pay Naruto back for saving me.

Enough was enough. I decided right here and now that I would stop pursuing Sasuke. If he didn't see how special I was then it was his loss. "You now what Sasuke, your right. From now on I'll take my ninja training seriously. Plus I don't see why I was chasing you this whole time when there's better fish in the sea", I said as I thought of Naruto. I blushed slightly at that fact but I wasn't going to let this turn me into a fan girl. Never again will I fan girl over a guy.

"WHAT!", came the screech of a familiar banshee. "That's not the reaction your suppose to have. You were suppose be devastated and depressed, not have some great breakthrough!" Sakura cried.

"Sorry to disappoint you fore-head. Actually on second thought...I'm not", I said smirking at Sakura who was having a breakdown. "Kai", I shouted as I proceeded to dispel Sakura's genjustu. Breaking out of the genjustu I quickly looked for Naruto. I locked eyes with Naruto who stared right back. When I looked at Naruto I remember how it felt when he saved me, how warm and safe I felt in his arms. I smiled at Naruto enjoying the memory as he raised an eyebrow, confused about my actions.

"About time", Hikari said as she looked at me smiling.

I focused on Sakura but I couldn't help but think,"He's the one, I'm sure." I could see Sakura on the floor panting, tired from the chakra lost. That genjustu most have taken a lot of chakra. I guess she was hoping that would finish me off. I took out a kunai and attached an explosive note on it before I hurled at the floor. It landed right beside Sakura.

"Call the match. Its over" I said as I looked at Kakashi, my hand seal ready, threatening to explode the note.

"The Winner is Ino", Kakashi declared making a small smile appear on my lips. Trying to be a good sport, I walked up to Sakura with my hand extended. Sakura just stared at my hand, not showing any signs of taking it.

I sighed inwardly before I said,"That was a nice match. I would have lost if I hadn't thought of a special someone." Sakura took my hand hesitantly before she pulled herself up. We walked over to everyone together, Sakura needed help walking. I handed Sakura over to Asuma-sensei as he disappeared in a puff of smoke with Sakura in his arms.

I stood beside Naruto quietly, trying to think of something to say. "What did you think of the fight?" I asked, hoping he was impressed.

"Hmmmm, I didn't see much honestly. Must of it took place in Sakura's gen-justu." I was a bit disappointed with Naruto's response but it was however true. No one knew what happened in that gen-justu, and I hope it stays that way.

"Okay who wants to go next", Kakashi asked us.

"Sigh, I'll fight Choji next. Might as well get it out of the way. Plus those two are just itching to go at it", Shikamaru said as he sent a lazy glance in Naruto's and Sasuke's direction. I was interested and worried about the fact that Naruto and Sasuke were going to fight. Those two hated each other a lot and would probably hurt each other. On the other hand they were both strong and seeing them go at it would be interesting.

"I (munch) don't mind (munch) going next", said Choji between munches.

"Okay so its decided. Shikamaru vs Choji is next", Kakashi said.

"Who do you think will win", Hikari asked as she sneaked up next to me.

"I think Choji will win. Shikamaru is lazier than an old man and he's not as strong as Choji is. I doubt he'll be able to hold Choji down for long with the Shadow Possession justu either", I said.

"Shikamaru will win and if he loses, it's on purpose", Naruto said flatly leaving no room for discussion.

"Why is that", Hikari asked.

"Shikamaru is a genius with an IQ over 200. He can use his smarts to win. After all the, strongest one isn't always the one that wins the battle", Naruto said as he stared at Shikamaru an Choji, who were preparing for battle. How did Naruto know all this stuff about Shikamaru? I'm closer to Shikamaru than Naruto is and I didn't even know those things.

"Wow, he's really smart huh", Hikari said amazed at what she had just heard.

"Hey Naruto, what's your IQ", I asked curious as to how smart he was. Naruto gave me a questioning glance before he replied.

"It's 150", Naruto said. I noticed that I didn't even know what my IQ was. When I got home I might actually go figure that out.

Shikamaru's POV

With a sigh I prepare for the spar by, getting in my respective corner. How am I going to beat Choji quickly so this match could be over with. Sigh, why did Asuma have to come up with such a troublesome rule. I could see Choji getting in his corner. He was moving slowly, trying to finish his chips before the match. I decided to use this to my advantage, using this time to think of a strategy. I got in my thinking pose and close my eyes ready to think of a strategy.

"Choji wanting to end this fight quickly used his expansion justu to blow himself up like a balloon. Not wanting him to use his families justu, I took control of him using the Shadow possession justu. Choji struggles against my justu, causing me to use more chakra, straining to keep him under control. I didn't have as many justus as everyone, only knowing my clans justu. So I had to use it scarcely.

I released Choji and ran to the side quickly dodging Choji's Human bullet tank justu. Choji rushed right pass me leaving huge tracks behind him. I planed on using the Shadow Strangle justu to knock Choji out but I need a shadow big enough to do that. Choji's shadow when he's expanded should suffice.

My shadows were weaker in such a shaded place like this building. Even if I had Choji's shadow help when he was in his normal form it wouldn't be enough. I needed to get behind him in his expansion form.

Choji turned back into his normal form before he expanded his arm, sending a giant hand at me. I quickly threw a kunai out of Choji's range before substituting with it. Choji's hand had created a huge crater in the ground on impact. I took out a kunai and threw at him, making sure it landed two meters from him before it exploded.

The smoke from the explosion blinded Choji, hiding me from his view. I made a clone to act as bait while I henged into an ant and sneaked behind Choji. Choji saw my clone and prepared to do the Human Bullet tank justu. He used his expansion justu and was already starting to spin. Before his justu started I used my Shadow Possession justu to take control of him.

Choji was shocked that he was captured by my justu. I decided to finish this before Choji started to struggle. I used the Shadow Strangle Justu. My shadow turned into a hand and slithered up Choji's body. By now he had started to struggle but I wasn't going to let this opportunity pass. Using all the chakra I had I force the hand over Choji's mouth.

Using Choji's own shadow, I created more shadow arms that went up his body and covered his nose and then the other went around his neck. Choji struggle the best he could but my justu never faltered. Eventually Choji stopped struggling against my justu. Hopefully knocked out. His body returned back to normal laying awkwardly on the ground. I checked for a pulse and thankfully found one.

I tell Kakashi that Choji's alive and he calls the match."

"Begin", Kakashi shouted signaling the start of the match. Like I thought Choji used his Human Bullet Tank justu trying to end the match quickly. From then on out everything went exactly as planned.

"Winner: Shikamaru", Kakashi announced as I checked Choji's pulse.

"How troublesome", I said as I put Choji on my back. Struggling to handle Choji's weight I walked slowly towards the crowd.

NARUTO'S POV

As I predicted Shikamaru won, an unknown to everyone he had done it quite easily too. Choji's stalling gave Shikamaru too much time to think. You never want a guy with an IQ of over 200 to think for too long, especially when he's your opponent.

"I told you so", I said to Ino and Hikari.

"You were right. I didn't know Shikamaru was that smart", Ino said impressed with what she saw.

"Yeah, Shikamaru's amazing. Did you see the way he teleported out of the way of Choji's giant hand", Hikari said with stars in her eyes. She was really weird.

"Anyways I'll see you guys later", I said as I walked away. I could feel Sasuke following behind me. He was excited and he wasn't afraid to show it.

"Who do you think is going to win", I heard Hikari asked Ino.

"Honestly I can't say", was Ino's reply. I wasn't excited about this fight at all. In the past I was interested in fighting Sasuke but it became obvious to me that I was stronger. The kage bushin no justu had made me get much stronger in a short amount of time, I noticed this after my fight with Greed and Envy.

"I hope your ready to get your ass kick dobe", Sasuke said.

"Actions speak louder than words", I said not even sparing him a glance.

"Hn, I'm going to make you take back what you said about my clan. Their not pathetic", Sasuke said, his voice raised slightly as he said the last part. Sasuke and I were now in our respective corners staring at each other, well I was staring but Sasuke on the other hand was glaring daggers at me. Asuma appeared in a puff of smoke with Sakura who was conscious this time.

The air was tense, everyone staring in anticipation of what would happen once we got the go ahead. Well everyone except Asuma who was trying to figure out how Shikamaru's and Choji's fight went.

"Begin", Kakashi said signaling the start of our fight. Sasuke wasted no time rushing at me, throwing punches and kicks that I easily dodge. To me it looked as if Sasuke was moving in slow motion. He wasn't as fast as Greed or Envy. Sasuke threw a kick at my chin which I dodged by moving my head up. Sasuke brought his foot down in and second attempt to hit me but I dodged it by jumping back.

Putting my hand up, I motioned for Sasuke to come at me which riled him up. Sasuke came at me again albeit, a bit faster this time. Sasuke attacked me relentlessly trying to land a hit on me to no avail. Dodging Sasuke's right hook I kicked him in the stomach making him skid backwards.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower justu", Sasuke said he spit four miniature fire balls at me. I stood in place not showing any signs of moving at all. I quickly formed multiple hand seals before I said "Wind Style: Air dome." A dome of air quickly form around me, protecting me from the fireballs. Once the attack was over I decided to use a new justu I made up. It was inspired by Choji.

"Expand", I said as the dome of air grew bigger. "Wind Style: Air Dome Tank", I said as my dome started spinning like Choji did. Once I felt like it was moving fast enough I sent it at Sasuke. My justu was exactly like Choji's Human Bullet Tank except, this was a dome made of air... not a human being.

Sasuke did a chakra enhanced jump to get out the way of my attack. I could hear everyone talking about how I had made my own version of the Akamichi's Human Bullet Tank justu. I was probably going to get an earful about this once I got back to Konoha. Dispelling my justu after missing Sasuke, I turned around to be impaled by multiple shuriken. I exploded in a puff a smoke signifying that that was a shadow clone.

"Your going to have to do better than that", I said appearing behind Sasuke. Reacting quickly, Sasuke spun around with a kick aimed for my face that I caught with my hand. I increased my grip on Sasuke's leg causing him pain. Sasuke cried out in pain before he tried to get his foot free.

"Let me go you bastard", Sasuke said through gritted teeth. I complied and let Sasuke go but not before I gave him a chakra enhanced punch to the face. Sasuke was sent flying but was able to sloppily recover himself.

"You can't defeat me Sasuke. I'm faster than you and I have a bigger arsenal of Justus than you do. Your tai-justu is also incomplete without your sharingan. Your completely outmatch", I said.

"I'm an Uchiha elite. I will defeat you", Sasuke said defiantly.

"Oh well, I guess I have to teach you the hard way", I said as I charged at Sasuke. Sasuke got in a defensive stance ready to defend against my attack. I threw a punch at Sasuke's face which he blocked, not being fast enough to dodge. My punch broke Sasuke's guard, leaving his face defenseless. I quickly capitalized on this and used my other hand to punch Sasuke in the face.

Sasuke staggered backwards in pain. Not giving Sasuke time to recover I kicked him in the stomach causing him to hold it in pain. Continuing my attack I kicked Sasuke in the chin lifting him off his feet. Not letting up at all I jumped in the air and delivered an axe kick to Sasuke's head sending him crashing into the ground. Sasuke was struggling to get on his feet after my attack.

I kicked Sasuke back on ground and put my foot on his head to keep him on the ground. "This is where your Uchiha name gets you Sasuke. Your name doesn't mean shit to anyone. You think Uchiha's have never been defeated? It doesn't matter what clan you come from or what doujustu you have, everyone can be defeated."

"Oh please. What does a dobe like you know", Sasuke said hitting my foot. I lift my foot off Sasuke's head. Once he was free Sasuke lashed out at me with a punch that I dodged before I planted my knee in his stomach. I threw Sasuke back on the ground before I stepped on him again.

"Stop hiding behind your clans name like a spoiled brat Sasuke. Your grieving but hiding it behind your hatred for Itachi. Let it go Sasuke. Your going to get your clan extinct if you keep this up, why do you think Itachi left you alive? It was so you could rebuild the Uchiha clan."

"What do you about Itachi. WHAT DO YOU KNOW ABOUT MY CLAN", Sasuke shouted as his eyes turned red. He finally awakened his sharingan. He had one tomoe in one eye and two in the other.

"Nothing... but I do know how it feels to be alone. But unlike you, I'm not a idiot who isolated himself."

"All I want is power so I can kill him", Sasuke said as he glared at me, his sharingan blazing. Even with all that I could see that I was getting through to him. I wasn't obvious because of his sharingan but tears were threatening to fall.

"You want power but you stunt your own growth. If you'd get over your stupid superiority complex you'd noticed that you can learn something from the people around you." The more I talked to Sasuke, I noticed that his eyes started to soften little by little. "Plus you could asked them to help you kill Itachi, he is konoha's missing nin after all." There was no response from Sasuke. I could see that he was pondering my words. I slowly took my foot off Sasuke's head. This time he didn't lash out at me.

"Call the match Kakashi, I don't think Sasuke can continue", I said. Kakashi waited to see if Sasuke was going to protest but when nothing happened he called the match.

"Winner: Naruto", Kakashi said as he walked over to Sasuke.

"Are we done here", I asked Kakashi. He answer me with a nod. Kakashi placed a hand on Sasuke before he shunshined with him to who knows where.

"Sasuke was completely crushed by Naruto... The 'Dead Last", Sakura said shocked. I sighed, Sakura was still calling me the dead last even after my grades improved significantly in the academy. Not wanting to stay for all the drama I quickly left the training ground making a mental note to remember to learn the shunshin. It would make traveling short distances much faster.

"What was that. Why'd you help the Uchiha", Kyuubi asked.

"He was like me in some ways. But it was really pissing me off seeing him constantly acting like a poor victim."

"Oh please, I bet your just a big softy", Kyuubi said.

"I'm not soft", I replied.

"Sure, you can keep deluding yourself. This is why I like your dark side better."

"So what are you going to teach me today."

"I think its about time for you to learn fuinjustu."

"So how do we start?"

"How's your hand writing", Kyuubi said with a smirk. He smirked... How did I know that? Putting that aside I answered Kyuubi's question.

"It's bad, why", I asked confused as to what my hand writing had to do with anything.

"That's where we'll start."

"Huh?"