Chapter 25

The nine of them stood with the examener at the bottom of the arena. In the galleries above them importan people from across the world had gathered to assess them. Kagome stood straight barely breathing. This was important, so where the hell were Sasuke and Kakashi? She understood tha Kakashi had wanted to take Sasuke away from the village so that he wouldn't feel pressured by Naruto or herself but they were late! They knew it was important so where were they? The examener scolded Naruto for looking around and she knew she wasn't the only one worried. As they watched the Kazekage arrived to take his place with he Hokage.

"Welcome everyone to the final part of the Leaf's Chuunin exam. Thank you for coming." The Hokage yelled. "We will begin the tournament matches between the ten paricipants. Please stay and watch until the end."

The examener then turned to them and showed them a revised reversion of the bracket. Dosu had been removed. What had happened? Did he forfeit? Kagome shook her head. She couldn't afford to waste time on it. Now she had one opponent. Hitomi of the Dusk. The more difficult of the two remained. She had sat and planned for everything for both so now she only had to deal with one. There were a lot of people between her and Neji. If he did win she would push herself until she faced him. He'd pay for what he did to Hinata.

"What?" The examener asked.

"What about Sasuke? He isn't here yet, what's gonna happen?" Naruto asked.

"If he isn't here in time for his match he will forfeit."

Kagome clenched her fist. He had better get here fast, the idiot was in the second match. She wasn't the only one reacting to the news. Down the line Gaara was also tense. It seemed he was out for blood in his fight with Sasuke. Suddenly she hoped he wouldn't show up. If he didnn't he would be out of Gaara's reach. Maybe it would be better if Neji beat Naruto and he had to face Gaara. She would pay to watch that fight.

"Alright guys, this is the final test. The Arena is different but the rules are the same as the Prelims, there are none. You fight until one of you dies or admitts defeat. Of course, just like the Prelims and if I determine the fight is over I have the power to stop it. Now would the two fighters please step forward. You two stay the others please go to the waiting room."

"Good luck, Naruto." Kagome said with a small smile as she past him.

She brushed past Neji cooly. Whatever happened next was between them. She followed the the rest up to the waiting room. She was last to fight so she might as well relax. She sat like she had at the prelims. She hoped that Naruto had learned something in the last month that could help him beat Neji. There was no way he'd planned anything but at least the 'elite' trainer could have taught him something. The examener called for the fight to begin. There was a long pause before Naruto did anything. Finally he created a small army of shadow clones. Thank the gods he had that jutsu up his sleeve. Even with the Byakugan Neji wouldn't be able to tell where the real Naruo was. Though it didn't help Naruto's cause that he was prone to over reacting. The moment Naruto attacked his clones were destroyed and a few moments later he had a larger army of clones. Neji seemed to be figuring out Naruto's straategy as they fought. Not that it was extremely hard. Neji attacked one clone that appeared to be the real Naruto but it vanished. The battle was turning in Naruto's favor but it did't last long. Naruto's punch slid off Neji and he was thrown away. Within moments Naruto was flying through Neji's attack. Naruto was down and Kagome was on her feet ready to help.

"Come on, Naruto," she whispered.

The blond struggled to stand. For a moment They just stood there. It took her a moment to realize they were having a conversation. She leaned forward to listen in. When Neji pulled off his head band she wished he would turn toward her. Still listening in Kagome heard his story,the life he had lived because of the main branch. Despite it all she still could not forgive him for what he had done to Hinata in the Prelims. Neji had lost his father to save Hinata and her father but he had made that choice, hehad found his freedom. And, despite what Neji believed, he had freed himself of the yoke as well.

They were two opposing forces, fate and will, Neji and Naruto. This battle would mean more than who would move on it woulld prove who was right and if one could choose their fate or if it was decided for them at birth. Kagome decided that that was Naruto's strength. He was strong enough in his own mind to decide his own fate. And he had. The way he had been treated would have made anyone resentful but Naruto was determined to be the opposite. He would become Hokage and prove himself to the village. It wasn't in him, though, to be vengeful even to the ones who had made his life hell.

With the story done the fight began again. Neji knocked Naruto down again. Kagome was proud. He may have been struggling but Naruto was fighting Neji on all fronts and doing rather well. To her suprise he began to call on the demons power. She hadn't thought to look for it since Orochimaru had tampered with the seal. The new power leveled the playing field though Neji was still better trained. Sudden;y Naruto moved inn for close cobat and their two chakra's clashed. For a moment the Arena floor was covered in a cloud of smoke and dust. When the dust cleared both appeared to be down though one was beginning to crawl up. Neji stood a little shakey but he was the one who had made it out while Naruto was down. Or that was what he wanted everyone to believe. Just as Neji became confident of his victory Naruto shot out from below and knocked him out with one punch. Fate looses to Will, Kagome thought.

Kagome settled back in as they put a hold on Sasuke's match. No doubt under the belief that showing the Uchiha's skills would be a benifit and that man had come to see him. She relaxed, ignoring the other matches. She would deal with the other winners later. Her match with Hitomi was the more pressing matter. Shikamaru finally took down Temari and it was her turn. She stood.

"Good uck, Kago-chan!" Naruto cheered.

She gave him a small smile and lept over the railing. Hitomi followed. Just as they were about to begin Kakashii appeared with Sasuke. His match would be next after her's so the examener sent him to the waiting room. They each shared a look before the two departed. Kakashi appeared worried but she gave hiim a reasuring nod. Despite everything, she still trusted him. She had agreed to trust him and let him try to heal her.

"Begin."

Immediately Kagome summoned her katanna. Hitomi retailiated with a few shuriken. It was jus a distraction though and her next attack sent the katanna flying. "You know," Hiomi said. "He told me everything." Cold and darkness surrounded Kagome. "He told me about how he killed each of them. He said tha he made the mother watch as he ripped the baby apart."

Suddenly Kagome was back in the house at seven years old staring at their dead bodies. She could see the mangled body of baby Ai not far from her mother. Pain rippled through her heart at the sight. Orochimaru had froced a mother to her daughter die painfully in front of her. How could he be so cruel? Her mind was clouded now by the image of of their dead bodies. She could no longer think about the fight with Hitomi or remembe her training to recognize a genjutsu. All that remained to her were blood and bodies and he memory of pain and loss. She hated the feeling of utter helplessness that settled over her at the sight. Her knees hit the ground. Every inch of her skin burned as her scars ached.

Then the world snapped in to focus. This was all wrong. Her mind could feel Hitomi walking toward her with her katanna in her hand. Still frozen Kagome could feel Hitomi raise the sword up to cut her down. Kagome snapped out of the genjutsu and grabbed the sword with her bare hands. The blade cut into her palms. She glared up at Hitomi. Above her the girl let go of the sword and backed away. Kagome stood and flippped the sword around so that she was holding it properly. In response Hitomi summoned two short swords. Under her instincts Kagome noticed a strange feeling of deja vu. There was something to this fight that she had seen before. Hitomi slashed and danced with Kagome as they fough sword on sword. It finally occured to her what Hitomi was doing. Orochimaru's servant could copy her technique's and was then using them againnst her. To win Kagome would need a new strategy. Quickly.

(With Kakashi)

Kakashi had joined Guy in the stands. From his vantage point he could see that the battle was more evenly matched than he would have guessed. It was obvious Kagome had prepared for the fight but Hitommi was changing, adapting to Kagome's plans. He tensed as one of Hitomi's blows came too close and nearly hit Kagome. His heart was still beating fast after Kagome had fallen to Hitomi's genjutsu earlier in the fight. The dead look in her eyes and the pain on her face had made him want to jump in and save her.

"She'll be fine, Kakashi," Guy said.

"I'm not sure." he replied.

His eyes never left the fight. Kagome was changing her strategy as the fight continued to keep Hitomi guessing. He heard Hitomi shout out something about her Lord and a boy that provoked Kagome even more. Her sword arched through the air and a flash of purplish light that stuck Hitomi in the chest. Hitomi slumped back and crumpled to the ground. The stands roared back to life. Kagome had killed her opponent. Kakashi didn't even think, he rushed to her side and caught her as she fell to her knees.

(With Kagome)

She watched in shock as her enegy lashed out against Hitomi's body. As it struck the other girl stumbled back and collapsed to the ground. Before Kagome had struck her Hiitomi had mentioned Orochimaru's plan for Sasuke and it had caused Kagome to loose control of her miko powers. In lashing out against Hitomi she had murdered the other girl. Her sword fell to the ground as the examener called the fight. Just as she began to fall Kakashicaught her. He held her there for a moment, just keeping her on her feet. She was grateful for his help and let him lead her away from the arena. Away from prying eyes he bandaged her hands with gauze. She didn't look at him as he did it though.

"She worked for Orochimaru." He stated.

"Yes." Kagome answered quietly.

He continued to wrap her hands silently. Out in the arena the sounds of the next fight starting made them both pause. Sasuke was fighting Gaara. Kagome shivered at the thought. Kakashi looked her in her eye then. Her worry got to him. He finished bandaging her hands and placed his hand on her shoulder. "It isn't your fault and whatever happens to Sasuke has nothing to do with you."

"Please, just...just leave me be." she said queitly, looking away.

He nodded and left her there quietly. For some time she remained where she was, just calming herself and feeling the tide of the battle outside. When she believed she was inn control she began to slowly move up the stairs to the waiting area and tried to prepare herself to face the others after what had happened. Just as she made it to the half way point she felt it. It was the strongest demonic presence she had felt in years but she knew it right away as the demon in Gaara and swiftly after it she felt the presence of Orochimaru. With that she raced up the stairs and out of the waiting area. From her new vantage pint she could see it all. The village was in chaos. But just in front of her was the worst of all.