So recently I've been thinking about the little things in life, like this story, or staring at clouds in my free time. You only live once right? Well youth is the time to get all of that stupid stuff out of the way, before responsibilities take over and you can't without consequences. In light of this? I got a mull-hawk (mix between mullet and mohawk) based off of demyx from kingdom hearts :) Any weird things any of you have done?
On a more story related note, there are only 9 chapters left in this one! :D We're almost at our year mark and the journey writing the story has been incredible along with reading your reviews. Thank you all for sticking it out with me. Note: There will be a sequel or rather another arch posted as a separate story.
P.S the song is "West Coast Smoker" by Fall out Boy. :)
Hokage POV
"Finally." The Hokage murmured, watching with keen eyes as the crowed moved and interacted like a giant organism below. They were all making there way to one place, with the same goal in mind. The arena; to go watch the chunin exams.
The arena was extremely large with tall large stands with a chakra barrier that would go up during each round to protect the spectators. The stands, though suited for hundreds upon hundreds of people, were almost completely full with more people still filing in.
Anbu, jonin and chunin were stationed, some in disguise, through out the entire arena as well as various parts of the village as well. With in the hour the fighting would commence and they needed to be alert to any incoming attacks towards the village and it's people.
Neji POV
Neji stood in a small clearing, his back turned to his out of breath teammate, a small circle of weapons surrounding him with the odd kunai lodged in the nearby trees.
"Not even a scratch.. perfect Neji!" Tenten smiled.
"Thank you.. that's enough of a warm up. Let's go." Neji replied with a small smirk, getting a quick nod before they took off in the direction of the arena.
Naruto POV
"Finally, the main event. I'm so nervous, I could barely sleep." Naruto thought to himself as he sat up in bed, the bags under his eyes seemed to be pulling his eyes back closed. "First up against him." The opening gates, frankly speaking, even my Sharingan can't see them. The leaf's strongest taijutsu style.. Most likely the strongest leaf genin is on my team. That is.. Hyuuga Neji!
"Hahaha.. I can call frogs now! It'll be fine.. hahaha! Ha..." He sighed before starting off, he didn't want to be later for the match after all.
Hinata POV
"I should be there with my team.. but what if cousin Neji beats Naruto? I.." Hinata sighed, looking towards the arena from the training grounds.
"Hinata.. you're alright now?" A familiar voice asked from behind her.
"Huh? N-na-naruto-kun?" She spoke, mentally cursing her stuttering. "Why are you here? I-isn't today finals?"
"well.. I just came to check out this practice field. Since is the place I became a genin." He said with a slight nostalgic tone.
"Oh.. w-why?" She asked with a nervous smile.
"..Nothing! Who cares?" He replied quickly, trying to get away from the subject Hinata guessed. She hadn't meant to upset him.
"Oh..oh..yeah.. sorry." She stammered. They both stood in silence for a moment before Naruto sighed and looked up.
"Hinata.. Neji's a relative of yours..right?" Naruto asked.
"Yeah.." She replied in slight confusion.
"He's strong.. right?" He asked.
"Y..yeah.." She hesitated for a moment watching his sullen re-action. "B..but you might be able to beat him, Naruto-kun. B..."
"Hahaha! Ya! I am really strong." He cut her off with a grin before they were once again enveloped in awkward silence.
"Oh.. uuhm. when you cheered for me. I felt like I had become stronger. To other people it may not seem like I changed.. b..but.. I.. I felt like I was able to change. It was thanks to you.. N-naruto-kun." She smiled.
"Heh.. thanks to me? I.. thanks Hinata-chan.. but.. I may appear strong to you.. but.. That's because I act all tough because I'm so frustrated from always failing." He sighed.
"That's not true!" She spoke in a tone that startled herself causing her to blush before she continued. "Even when you do fail.. in my eyes.. y-you're a proud failure. W-when I look at you I get an intense feeling in my heart.. because you're not perfect. Because you fail.. you have the strength to get back up and I believe that's what true strength is. I think y-you're an incredibly strong person, Naruto." She smiled.
"Thanks Hinata..! Before I was feeling uncharacteristically depressed but.. now I feel great! You know about you.. I.. thought you were a plain looking, dark weirdo. But I like girls like you." He grinned. "Well I'm off to the exam, you better come watch me kick Neji's ass!" He grinned as he ran off.
"Naruto-kun.."
Kiba POV
Kiba grinned making his way to the training grounds where he knew Hinata was waiting for him. They could walk together to the arena to watch Shino and Shinobu fight. He couldn't wait to see everyone's face when they saw how strong she really was.
"Sorry, Hinata! I'm late... well, both of their fights aren't until till later. Huh..? Hinata?" He paused noticing her staring off towards the arena, a light blush coating her cheeks.
Ino POV
"Why are there so many people not here yet..?" Ino whispered, adding to the worry of the pink haired girl beside her. Sasuke.. Kabuto.. Dosu.. Where are they all? Shinobu... where are YOU..?
She sighed. "I know you're worried about Sasuke-kun, but.. Naruto's fight is up first, so instead of worrying.. why don't you cheer him on?" Ino asked, trying to help her friend. She looked startled for a minute before looking up with a small smile.
"..Yeah"
Shinobu POV
"One month.." Shinobu sighed, giving her best Uchiha glare to the gate. After standing here for almost twenty minutes she was starting to realize it wasn't going to open itself, or do anything else spectacular for that matter. "One month of training under Anko and Gai.. one month of regaining memories.. one month of constantly being watched.. one month of isolation from my friends outside of training.. one month.. so how is it that I still don't feel ready?"
She growled before giving her best kick to the near by bench, it gave an unhappy creak as several boards went flying, hurting her foot more than it had achieved. Letting out a frustrated cry she sat down, burying her head into her hands.
"Shinobu-kun?" A voice called from behind her, causing her to a jump a little in shock.
"Huh? Oh.. uh.. hi Lee." She sighed again, getting up to help him only to have him shake his head. It was odd, seeing Lee so bandaged up. He should have been one of the people here.. not her.. she hadn't given it her all during those preliminaries like he had.
"Why haven't you gone in yet? They're going to start soon.." He gave a small sad smile.
"Ya.. well.. I don't know." She sighed.
"Your battle of youth is waiting for you, that is not reaction for you to have. You must fight with all of your heart!" He grinned, giving her a thumbs up. Her eyes widened, when he had realized she was upset he immediately urged her onwards.. despite his one desire to be fighting right now.
"I.. what if I lose?" She finally asked what was really bugging her.
"Then you fight with your heart and accept your defeat with pride. Then you train until you know you could beat that person in your next fight." He grinned. She nodded with a smile before glaring down the doors.
"You're right.. and I CAN do this." She grinned before entering.
"Hey, stop looking around, face the customers. In this tournament, you guys are the stars." Genma said, gesturing to the large crowed. Shinobu took a look around before sneaking into line beside Shino. It was odd, being watched like that by so many people. Now that she had the attention of the villagers.. it was rather unnerving.
"I thought you weren't going to show up." Shino muttered.
"Ya well.. I can't let everyone down, now, can I?" She grinned. Shino went to respond but a loud voice took over the attention of everyone in the arena.
"THANKS EVERYONE FOR COMING TO THE HIDDEN LEAF CHUNIN SELECTION EXAM! WE WILL NOW START THE MAIN TOURNAMENT MATCHES.. BETWEEN THE TEN PARTICIPANTS WHO MADE IT THROUGH THE PRELIMINARIES! PLEASE STAY AND WATCH UNTIL THE END." The hokage finished earning a roar of applause from the audience.
"Oi, pay attention to me for a minute." Genma spoke quickly to the eight people standing there. "There's something I'd like to tell you before the matches. Look at this." He said, holding up what looked to be a revised version of their earlier chart. Instead of the previous eleven names, Dosu's name was gone from the chart leaving Shikamaru with one less match.
"There have been some minor changes to the tournament. Check once again to see who you're fighting." He spoke.
"Hey, hey!" Naruto spoke out raising his hand.
"What?" Genma asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Sasuke isn't here yet, what are you going to do?" He asked.
"If he doesn't appear by the time of his match he'll receive a default loss." Genma quickly explained. "Any other questions? Everyone knows who they're fighting?" He asked quickly showing the chart again.
Shinobu quickly located her name and the order and made a small cough. They had switched it!
"A problem?" Genma asked.
"Uh.. no." Shinobu grinned sheepishly earning a quick nod from Genma.
"Alright then, this is the final test. The arena is different but the rules are the same as in the prelims, there are none. You fight until one of you dies or admits defeat. But if I determine that the fight is over.. I'll step in and stop it, got that?"
Eight consecutive nods.
"Now, the first fight.. everyone except for the two fighters will go to the waiting room. First match.." He spoke turning to the audience, who roared in anticipation, raising his voice. "UZUMAKI NARUTO.. AND YAKUSHI KABUTO!"
Review time:
Sango Higorashi(chapter 3): Mhmm, haha, she is quite the personality, eh? :P Thanks so much! p.s -.- get internet woman.
Flufflover: Holy wow. Thank you soo much for this review. I appreciate it so much. It takes a couple of hours per chapter so it's nice to have someone notice :P Fluff will definitely appear when the time is right :) Thank you soo much.
Remy987: Yup :) haha. thanks so much for the reviews and haha I can wish but we'll see :P only 9 chapters to go I think that 250 is a little more reasonable XD
Big Sis of 8: I'm glad you like it so much, I definitely try to update often (if only the author's I watch did the same. LOL.) but I really appreciate that :) Thanks so much.
Mayacompany: A silent reader is a reader none the less :) I try my best and thank you so much for reading.
OrionRedde: :D Old english! XD my life is complete. lol. He is definitely manipulative but something tells me you're not the only one biting their thumb ;D thanks for the review :D
girl-of-anime: Hmm, not quite sure what you mean by weird name. Shinobu? If so, while not the most popular or common name is just a simple Japanese name like Naruto or Neji or any of the others :) Meaning Endurance and a play off of the word Shinobi :P That's why I chose it anyway.
Alpenwolf: Haha, well then write it all you want because I definitely agree :P Just found them recently but I'm sure glad I did. I'll be honest here and say I didn't even consider the curse mark when I read this review but I'm sure considering it now XD Partly indeed, but ya, Orochimaru has always been my least favourite character. lol. Oops! Misunderstanding XD Ooh, that makes more sense. Either way honest opinions are nice "not so good" refers to my own skill level in the story, not the review. I like flames because they help me fix my stories :P Haha, thanks for the reviews :)
