A/N: I.. am.. sooo FRUSTRATED. Fanfiction hasn't been working my new laptop is now 5 months overdue and I don't expect to get it. I caught a horrible bug and the nurse in the hospital bruised my arms with IVs oh and I missed over a week of school and exams are to close for comfort not to mention a con drawing near-er and my cosplay isn't done because my bank locked me out online. and I don't have access to any of my paychecks.. and I lost my bank card. P.S never gonna abandon the story. For those who were asking. literally.. it gets finished or I die.


For those who care: Hitami, the dog featured in many of my stories, is based off of my real life furry companion. Brody (his real name) has recently gone through surgery and is ill. Should he ever pass on I fully plan on doing the same with Hitami in every story she's in regardless of what's going on in the story. It's a personal decision and I hope you'll understand should the situation arise.


Song: Simple Life by My Favourite Highway.. I'm not sure if it fits.. but I'm running out of songs.


"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!


"Hm.. well this will be interesting. Not according to plan, but interesting. Let's see what our little Shinobu's 'Brother' can do." Kabuto grinned, pretending to listen to Naruto's echoing shouts of never giving up, setting up a battle plan in his head. He knew probably didn't need it to beat the boy but there was no harm in being on the safe side, the people here really didn't give the boy enough credit.


"Good luck.. Naruto nii-chan." Shinobu whispered as she made her way towards the participant's balcony only to quickly hide among other people trying to find last minute seats in the crowd, letting a simple genjutsu hide her features. As long as she could get from her seat to the arena for her match she saw no reason not to sit with her two teammates in the crowd.

"Now if only I can find them." She growled to herself. She hadn't had a chance to talk to him since the preliminaries and apparently he had been too busy to train with her thanks to the legendary pervert. Crossed fingers and whispered encouragement would have to do and it was making her nervous. She needed her team.

"The guy who failed 6 times in a row and the academy's dead last.. this'll is either going to be really good or over very quickly." One of the chunin's who normally guarded the entrance to Konoha grinned.

"You have to give them credit, getting this far on luck? It isn't easy."

"Ya well, my money's on the kid with the glasses. He had the chance to be here before and pulled out. Naruto is a first timer."

"Hn, don't underestimate him." Shinobu muttered under her breath, finally catching her teammates and sitting on a step in the aisle beside Hinata.

"Uhm.. a-aren't there any chairs around here?" She stuttered in shock, looking down at the 'random' newcomer.

"But that would defeat the purpose of being out here, to sit with you." Shinobu grinned, waiting for her teammate to catch on.

"Oi, don't hit on Hinata-chan." Kiba growled.

"Kiba.. it's me.. Shinobu?" Shinobu stifled her laughter as Kiba's expression changed from angry, to confused, to shocked, to wonder, to sheepish in a matter of three seconds.

"Won't you get in trouble for being here?" Hinata asked, stutter instantly disappearing.

"As long as I can get into the arena in time for my match I'm fine. Besides, people are here for a show so why not give them an entrance." Shinobu grinned before turning her attention to a whimpering Akamaru.

"There's anbu here.." Kiba muttered, glancing around. So Hokage-sama did take some measures just in case.. or is that one of father's men?

"It may just because this is a good target.. but you two be careful alright? If anything happens Kiba's in no condition to fight so it's best that you plan an escape now." Shinobu muttered, she didn't want to scare them but she probably wouldn't be up here with them when or if anything started.

"Alright, we'll be fine.. but they're starting." Hinata pointed out as Naruto's clones filled the arena earning quite the cheer from the crowd.

"Hinata.. can you use Byakugan during the fight to let us know what's going on? When Naruto's clones disappear there is usually smoke so Kiba and I won't be able to see.


"So you know a B-rank jutsu, impressive." Kabuto grinned. "But there's no use in there being more of you if you still can't land a hit."

"Just you wait, I'll get more than a hit." He growled, all of his clones running forward as Kabuto's hands began to glow lightly with chakra. During the first of the blows Naruto tried his best to remember his training, Shinobu's advice on the forefront of his mind as he concentrated on his defense with an offense style of fighting. Letting his muscles settle into the rough but soothing rhythm of the fight.

While Kabuto remained focused on his clones he let his mind wander attempting to set up a plan. Kabuto was strong, and his companion. If he didn't go at him with everything he had, he wouldn't win.

The smoke of the never ending clones was already starting to fill the arena. and after several minutes of attempting to get past Kabuto's defenses, Naruto lost his temper and began hitting him as if trying to stake him into the ground.

Kabuto merely smiled, when he put forth some effort, if he had to, this would be a quick defeat and easy humiliation. Naruto had simply picked the short straw and was forced to be his amusement, until then however he'd have a chance to see what the boy could do.

The crowd, who had chattered and cheered their local favorite, became completely silent, and the air rang with the singing of the blades and the hoarse rasp of the clones. One of the clones quickly slipped past Kabuto's defense making a move to slash at his chest. Kabuto dodged, laughing as if having a marvelous time.

"Wonderful strategy, Naruto. But you need to do better than that." Kabuto grinned, quickly caught off guard as Naruto took the opportunity to slash backhandedly in a return blow, catching Kabuto's arm and leaving a trail of blood.

"Looks like it's time to get serious." Naruto blinked as if coming out of a daze and before he knew it Kabuto was on the offense and he was dodging hits. One hit to his arm told him that this was something he desperately needed to dodge, it had gone limp in the brief second before his clone disappeared.

"What the hell is that?" Naruto shouted, aiming at keeping him further distracted.


"Why does he keep doing the same things if they're not working?" Kiba growled.

"Because that's not him down there." Shinobu grinned. "He has clones fighting right now. So for every hit Kabuto takes Naruto hasn't taken one. He's probably coming up with a strategy.. which is kind of shocking to be honest." She laughed, earning funny looks from the nearby chunin.


"That would be a secret. But apparently you're smart enough to avoid it, good job Naruto. Which is how I know the real you isn't attacking."

"What?"

"The more you attack the more I can see that you have one body hanging back." Kabuto grinned before attacking and hitting Naruto square in the chest. He double over wheezing almost immediately.

"See?" Kabuto smiled. "Good try though, you're improving."

"Don't underestimate me." Naruto grinned for a moment before that body, too, turned into smoke.

"What?" Kabuto took a step back in shock.

"Yah! GO NARUTO!" Kiba shouted from crowd as two clones attacked from behind Kabuto sending him flying through the air.

Quickly rushing after him Naruto skidded to a halt, propping Kabuto up and kicking him into the air just to kick him back down again.

"Ugh.. these clones are killing my chakra reserves." Kabuto sighed with a frown before rushing towards Naruto with a glowing hand raised.

Before he could attack however he paused looking to Genma.

"Is there a problem?" He asked from his toothpick.

"I give up."

"WHAT? WHY ARE YOU GIVING UP?" Naruto shouted, bringing Kabuto's statement to the audience and hearing an aggravated roar of disappointment.

"I don't have enough chakra or stamina to keep fighting you. You win." Kabuto waved slightly before making his way off to the balcony. Or at least that's what he wanted people to think. So they are going through with this plan.. Naruto should have lost there.

"Winner.. UZUMAKI NARUTO!.. Due to forfeit.." Genma sighed.


"Well that was.. interesting." Kiba muttered in disappointment.

"Ya... but at least Naruto won right?" Hinata smiled.

"Yup! But the crowd is getting really restless.." Shinobu mumbled looking around.

"Probably because of the next match... Sasuke and Gaara." Kiba whispered, trying to walk on eggshells for Shinobu.


"Where is he..?" The Kazekage asked, scanning the arena.

"Hokage-sama.. that's just it. We still can't find him.." A jonin whispered. "And we still have Orochimaru to deal with, so.. before everyone starts to make a big fuss, maybe we should just disqualify him."

"What's going on! Hurry up and start the next match!"

"How long are you going to keep us waiting?"

"Sheesh.." Genma sighed.

"What's going on? Is Sasuke-kun even here for his match?" Ino whispered to Sakura.

"What the heck is that guy doing? Is he planning not to come?" Shikamaru muttered. "Troublesome."

"Confucious said, 'The wise do not approach the dangerous.' A wise decision perhaps?" Shino wondered aloud.

"What are you talking about?" Naruto grinned while leaning on the rail. "He's definitely.. going to come!"

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN! The contest for the next match hasn't arrived yet! Therefore, we will push his match back and begin the next one!" Genma announced to the audience.

"Well that sucks." Kiba growled.

"Well ya.. but I'm sure he has his reasons.." Hinata sighed.

"Ya! Besides, Shino's next." Shinobu grinned, trying to brighten the mood despite the darkening mood she was feeling.

"Alright.. NEXT UP! ABURAME SHINO AND SUBAKU NO KANKURO!" Genma shouted.

"Uhm.. sir..? I'd like to forfeit as well." Kankuro sighed leaning over the railing.

"Uh.. you sure?" Genma asked earning a nod.

"Honestly.. what's with all of these forfeits?" Kiba sighed.

"Alright.. Winner Aburame Shino!" Genma shouted shaking his head and dodging a flying apple. The audience was not liking this. Why had he agreed to take this job again? Oh ya, the pay. "NEXT UP! Nara Shikamaru and Subaku no Temari!"


"Ch.." Temari clicked the tongue to the roof of her mouth before pulling out her fan and gliding to the left side of the examiner.

"Looks like your eager.. Shikamaru get down here!" Genma shouted.

"What's she getting all excited about? I wish she'd just die.." Shikamaru growled to himself. "How come I'm the only one getting their matches switched around so much? Well I guess I could just forfeit as well.."

"Alright Shikamaru! Go for it!" Naruto shouted pushing him and before he knew it he was toppling over the rail and plummeting towards his next fight.

"Hey! Hurry up and fight!"

"Yeah! Hurry up an finish this crappy match!"

"Get up kid! How long are you going to lay there!"

"Sigh.. Everyone wants to see Sasuke's fight. They're probably angry because after all this waiting, they have to watch this pathetic excuse for a match between two side acts. Since nobody cares about this fight. There isn't really any point in doing it." Shikamaru thought to himself.

"What? Are you going to give up to?" Temari grinned.

"Aw man.. it's a girl again?" He sighed.

"Shikamaru! Good luck!" Naruto cheered.

"If you won't come then I will!" Temari shouted running towards him. She looks funny upside down..

"Hey! I haven't started the match yet!" Genma shouted.

"Oh man that girl is revved up.." Shikamaru sighed before dodging the fan that was lodged into the dirt where his head had been.

"Ya know, I don't really want to fight.. and I don't care whether I become a chunin or not... but I'm not going to lose to a girl!" Shikamaru smirked.. but on the inside his thoughts were on another track. Oh man.. those clouds are so lucky.. so free.. more to the point, I didn't feel like doing this at all to begin with.


seri glaze: It's coming, not until at least the sequel though ^^; Thanks for the review


Aleu-Rhen-Tempyst: Ah, but one person in there would change who the machine picks. Sorry if it bugs you, I changed less of them in the next section but not many are shown either. Thanks for the review :)


Shapeshift1: Hahaha XD Thank you so much for that. Despite problems I intend to :) Thanks for the review :D


Yami Mizuna: Ah, I know. Unfortunately I don't get paid for this and I'm kinda lazy so I haven't actually proof read any of it. I don't have a beta either. So spelling is usually just typos. I intend on re-reading my entire story and fixing all of that though once I hit chapter 50. sowwy. I definitely won't skip such a big plot thing. I just skip boring stuff. Or stuff that's the exact same as the original. Thanks for the review :)


Big Sis of 8: Aah I feel so cruel. You praise my quick updating and I stopped altogether. Sorry! Life gets in the way a lot but I definitely try my best to keep my updates quick. I read too so I know how annoying it can be when someone doesn't update. Thanks so much though, I really appreciate the reviews :D


Flufflover: Haha, it's not ending :P This is simply going to be the end of this arc. Then it will go onward in another story. At this rate I expect there to be at least 2 other arcs. That would be hellish training O.o Hehe, thanks for the review, and she will she always does XD


Alpenwolf: The joy of pain training :D Could be an advantage had Kabuto taken it seriously. I hate lying too so I'd prefer people give the painful/awkward/displeasing advice. I'm not usually offended so my friends tend to be honest with me :P That's a great quote though. :) Thanks for the review :D


OrionRedde: Hahaha XD Probably not what you had in mind but he lived right? I'll definitely post a "alert chapter" on here to let people know when I'm up and posting. Thanks so much for the review I'll do my best! :D


GaarasMyBoyzz: Not quite soon.. but I'm trying. I've always found Itachi to be an extremely intelligent character so we'll see. You may read fast but I'll admit some of my chapters are short. I try but I really just go with the flow, if it looks like a good place to cut off I will mostly regardless of length. Thanks for the review! :D (p.s when I do that I tend to update again soon unless something comes up so it kinda fixes itself)