A/N; First off, thank you so much for your kind reviews of last chapter, special thanks to Maddy-Imouto and Yaruhi, your review in particular made me smile. Im glad you all enjoyed Kari's fight! I just hope the finals will be even better for you! Secondly, apologies on the long wait for this chapter, exams suck ass.

Claimer: Kari, Kita, and everything to do with them belong to me.

Disclaimer: You know what? After the last manga chapter, Masashi Kishimoto is a bitch ;_; Im sure you all know what would NOT happen if I owned Naruto. Until Masashi redeems himself, Naruto belongs to Uzumaki Naruto.

Kitsune Oyubi Houndo

The Fox & the Hound

"Never…" She held his gaze with hard determination,

but then her eyes softened with warmth.

"Never let anybody tell you you're not good enough."

"Yo."

"Kakashi-sensei!" Naruto cried.

"Don't just say 'Yo' to me! What about Sasuke-kun? A-and Kari-chan? Are they alright?" Sakura cried anxiously.

"Hai, they're asleep at hospital now. Kari-chan's being made better" he added, catching sight of Naruto's worried face. "She woke up and asked to come back, specifically to see Naruto and Hinata fight." His eye crinkled with his hidden smile as he lifted up a gloomy Kita. Naruto beamed, touched that his best friend would suffer through anything just to support him, and he would win, just for her! Kakashi's smile faded, remembering the ANBU escorts he had left with them. Kita sighed sadly, wishing her Okaasan was there. Their attentions were momentarily distracted, by the announcement of the next two fighters.

Tsurugi Misumi

Vs

Kankurou

Kari's eyes slowly fluttered open. Her vision wouldn't focus properly and her whole body felt heavy. She guessed she was sedated. She could feel something on her face, but couldn't lift her arms to feel what it was. Her head turned to its side, feeling as though it was full of water, the sudden movements causing waves to crash against her skull. Her eyes sharpened slightly, causing them to sting. Sasuke was on the bed next to hers, a small window between their beds. They were no more than two feet apart. Kari tried to call to him, but only managed a pitiful croak. She struggled and slowly managed to move her arm towards him, the muscles straining. Her vision blurred as she noticed the bandages that covered her arm and a cough ripped through her chest. There was a harsh beeping from her other side but she ignored it. Her hand brushed Sasuke's, which was hanging from his bed and her fingers weakly tangled with his. She let out a pained sigh before her eyes closed and her muscles relaxed slightly. She wasn't conscious enough to feel Sasuke lightly grip back unconsciously, preventing her fingers from slipping from his.

Kankurou won, having confused his opponent into thinking his puppet was him and catching him off guard. Sakura came back from freshening up, washing the dust off her face, only to see she was up next;

Haruno Sakura

Vs

Yamanaka Ino

Yamanaka Ino; Sakura's ex-best friend, her rival in love, her old idol… The cherry blossom kunoichi bit her lip, wishing now more than ever that Kari was at her side. Her confidence always could calm Sakura, and her optimism sets all worries aside. Sakura glanced at Kita who yipped and wagged her tail whilst still in Kakashi's arms and Sakura felt warmth in her chest. Kari is beside me, she's watching through Kita. Sakura decided, not knowing how true her statement was. For Sasuke-kun, for Kari-chan, for myself; I can do this!

The match was fought hard, but ended in a draw, the rival kunoichi brought closer together. Though both knocked out, they woke up after a short nap. Next was;

TenTen

Vs

Temari

All TenTen's attacks were thwarted by Temari and her fan. Tempers ran high when the Suna-nin threw her opponent across the room, but luckily TenTen was caught by Lee, who furiously defended his team mate, disgusted at the rudeness of the foreign kunoichi. After Gai had stepped in to avoid an unauthorised fight, the next match was revealed.

Nara Shikamaru

Vs

Tsuchi Kin

The lazy ninja was irritated at being paired with a girl, but managed to win with his logic, trapping her in his kage mane technique and leaning her body back so she smacked her head on the wall behind her and knocked herself out. At least his conscience was clear; no way would he hit a girl.

Kari's eyes lazily slid open. She felt like she was in a warm bath, heck she felt like actual water. Morphine really could work wonders. She blinked sleepily as her brain processed the matches she had watched through Kita while she was unconscious;

Right…

Fight 1 – Sasuke wins

Fight 2 – I win

Fight 3 – Shino wins

Fight 4 – Kankurou wins

Fight 5 – Sakura and Ino tie, so no one wins

Fight 6 – Temari wins (poor TenTen)

Fight 7 – Shikamaru wins

Kari snorted slightly as she tried not to laugh, making her smack her own head against the wall, Shika you're brilliant! So they were up to the eighth match? That means the next fights will be between Naruto, Kiba, Hinata, Lee, Chouji, Dosu and the two from the other team of Oto-nin, Gaara and Neji. Kari sat up and looked around dazed. Hm… needles…? One was connected to blood, the other connected to a clear substance she supposed was morphine. If I took these out…? Kari proceeded to yank them out, hissing at the sting and jumping when the machine beeped beside her. She quickly pressed the biggest button and the noise stopped. She sighed then groaned when she felt pain thudding in her skull. Maybe the morphine should go back in… Kari sighed and put the bags on the tray near her bed and took off the oxygen mask. Ah… that's what it was…She lazily got out of the bed, but the minute her feet hit the floor she keeled over landing with a painful oomph, the wind being pushed out her lungs and pain shooting through her chest. Kari sat up and crawled over to Sasuke's bed, resting her head on the uncomfortable mattress. He too had an oxygen mask and his eyes were bandaged. He was breathing gently and sleeping soundly.

"Sasu?" Kari asked softly, her voice strained, her throat sore. "Are you okay?" she didn't expect him to answer, but couldn't help being saddened by the lack of response. "Sasuke?" She found his hand and wrapped her smaller hands round it. At least he was warm… She took one of her hands off his and brought it to his cheek. He's colder than usual though… She sighed, seeing him so vulnerable really upset her. She wanted to hold him and tend to him until he was the usual grumpy miserable Sasuke that liked to poke fun at her now and again. She forced back tears that stubbornly wet her eyes and forced a smile. "I'm gonna go see everyone else okay? I promise I'll be back as soon as I can" She placed a swift kiss on his bandaged forehead. "Get better soon ne? You've still got to beat me up in training" she said softly, and with that she turned away, disappearing in a light breeze. Had she stayed a moment longer, she would have seen Sasuke's fingers curl into his palm, as though searching for her hand.

"KARI-CHAN!" Naruto shrieked upon her arrival, causing tears to spring to her eyes as she clutched her sensitive ears. The oto-nin from Akio's team had been paired against each other but the girl had withdrawn. Kakashi rounded on Kari as Kita jumped into her arms with sheer joy.

"You are meant to be in bed" he said sternly, his arms folding over his vest.

"Morphine?" she said with an awkward smile. "It works wonders; I could go for another round right now!" There was a tap to her head which made her whine in pain. "Ite-eeeeee!"

"Back to bed" Kakashi said as her ears drooped and her eyes widened. "Don't you dare…" she bit her bottom lip as her eyes glistened. "…I hate that look" Kakashi sighed looking away in defeat. Kari grinned and returned Naruto's surprisingly gentle embrace.

"Ne, Kari-chan why are you wearing Sasuke-kun's shirt?" Sakura asked in confusion. Kari blinked looking down.

"Hers got covered in blood" Kakashi said placing a hand on Kari's shoulder as she tried to fold down the massive collar that kept hitting her in the face. It was funny really how big it was on her.

"Ugh, I smell like Sasuke" Kari said in disgust. "Ooh! Sakura-chan! Your fight was amazing!" Kari cried in delight, engulfing her team-mate in a hug. "Kari-chan is so proud of you!"

"Kari, the next fighters are about to be announced, try and contain yourself." Kakashi said with a chuckle as she tried to blow the collar out of her face. Kari, noticing Neji was glaring at Hinata, quite literally pounced on him.

"Neji! Stop glaring!" Kari hissed while giving the Hyuuga a headlock while on his back. He easily got out of it and set her down, tapping her on the head and telling her not to be so undignified in front of her enemies.

"You should be in hospital, what are you doing back?" Neji said sternly, much like Kakashi had. With an air of depression, Kari latched herself onto Lee.

"Lee-kun… Neji doesn't want me here…" she said sadly, her depressed aura spreading.

"Neji! How dare you hurt Kari-hime's feelings like that!" Lee cried at once, patting Kari on the back supportively. Kari grinned and stuck her tongue out at the stoic Hyuuga, who rolled his eyes and looked back at the screen that was beginning to flash names. Kari trotted back over to Naruto, who seemed to be willing his name to come up. Finally, the fighters were chosen.

Uzumaki Naruto

Vs

Inuzuka Kiba

"CHA! CHA! CHA! CHAAA!" Naruto cried in delight. He turned and lifted Kari up spinning her round. "Kari-chan! You're my lucky charm!!" he set her down and cheered. "Thank you for waiting, Uzumaki Naruto's fight is finally here, dattebayo!"

"Hell yeah! We got lucky! We can win against him easily Akamaru!" Kiba said with a grin as Kari ran up to him.

"Ne! Kiba-kun!" Kari cried as she hugged him. "Have a good fight!" She kissed Akamaru's head, pulling him out of the jacket and hugging him, cooing to the little puppy as it wagged its tail in delight.

"I wasn't next…" Lee said in depression as Naruto continued to cheer behind him. "Sakura-chan will call me fuzzy eyebrows and hate me…" Kari then pounced on him, Lee automatically steadying her on his back.

"Lee-kun! You have more time to prepare and you give people a fight to wait for!" Kari cooed rubbing her face against his affectionately. Kakashi's visible eyebrow rose.

"Maybe we should lower your drug dose… It seems to make you hyperactive…" Kakashi mused.

"Oi! I need that stuff!" Kari cried, pointing accusingly at him. "How dare you think of making me suffer!"

"Do your best Naruto!" Sakura encouraged.

"Hai! I expect an interesting fight!" Kari said twisting and latching onto Naruto instead.

"I'll do it, for you Kari-chan!" Naruto said confidently. "Dattebayo!"

"I'm tired from all that waiting!" Naruto shouted as he stood opposite Kiba. Kari was sat on the top of the railings leaning back on Kakashi shoulder so she wouldn't fall. Kita sat in her lap, watching Naruto with interest. "It's finally my turn to show off my moves!"

"That's my line!" Kiba cried, pointing at Naruto accusingly. Kari grinned and caught Kurenai's eye. She had definitely rubbed off on him. "Drawing you as my opponent means I've already won, right Akamaru!" Kiba cried, looking to his partner for support. But he was still way too cocky…

"Keep dreaming! You can't win against me! Dattebayou!" Naruto retorted, pointing back.

"Ne, maybe they'll shout at each other until one of them passes out from lack of oxygen!" Kari said thoughtfully.

"Temee!" Kiba shouted as he placed Akamaru down.

"Hey! Don't bring puppies in here! He's going to interfere with the battle, dattebayou!" Naruto shouted. Noticing the violent aura directed towards him Naruto squeaked. "Ne, ne! No offence to Kita-chan, honest! She's a wolf not a puppy!" Naruto cried in excuse to Kari's threatening glare, his eyes focused on the orange book she was ready to throw. Kakashi quickly took it back, putting it back in his pouch where it would be safe.

"Baka, Akamaru's gonna fight too!" Kiba said as Akamaru barked in agreement.

"Hey, hey! Is that ok?" Naruto whined to the proctor.

"Hai, animals and bugs are treated as weapons" Hayate said. Kakashi awkwardly patted Kari on the head as she clutched Kita to her with a horrified expression. "It isn't a problem."

"Oh well, it's a good handicap, dattebayou" Naruto cried, squeaking again when he saw Kari's angry expression.

"Ha, acting tough eh? Kari-chan's going to beat you up" Kiba said with a smirk as Naruto's face went momentarily blue. "Akamaru, you don't do anything. I'll do this alone" Kiba said to his furry companion.

"Naruto! Don't lose to that guy!" Sakura cried. Kari looked over at Hinata who seemed to be having an internal battle on who to support.

"Oi, Hinata-chan!" Kari called motioning for her to come over. She did so shyly and Kari wrapped an arm round her shoulders to whisper in her ear. "You can support them both you know, but you know who you're cheering for inside" the Hyuuga blushed, before nodding a small smile on her face. Catching Neji's glare she pulled out a kunai and shot him a glare. I'm so gonna beat you up in training! If you upset her I'll cut off your hair pretty boy!

"I'll beat you in one hit out of pity" Kiba said.

"Oh, whatever. But you can't defeat me, dattebayou" Naruto said simply.

"I told you not to act tough!" Kiba said hot-headedly. Kari smirked, so that's where her shortening temper was coming from.

"Begin" Hayate instructed. Kari sighed, that verbal fight didn't count as part of the match? Kiba bent down and formed a hand sign. Kari's keen eyes brightened, knowing what he was going to do, having been on the receiving end of most of his attacks, another reason why she hated her poor defence… Chakra flowed out of his body as he pressed his hands to the floor, claws grew and Kari couldn't suppress a shudder remembering how wild she had become when she released Torai-Kenshi chakra.

Giyuu Ninpou; Shikyaku no jutsu : Beast Mimicry Ninja Technique; Four Legs.

"Let's go!" Kiba cried, shooting forward. Kari's eyes were sharp enough to follow his movements with ease. She beat Kiba in speed, but her defence was so pathetic she had to work hard with sharp turns and changing direction and he still managed to hit her. Her body tensed as Kiba's elbow shot into Naruto's gut. As blood shot out of Naruto's mouth a metal taste filled her own. Kakashi wrapped his arm around her back, noticing her pain.

"With Naruto too huh?" Kakashi said in surprise as blood trickled down her chin.

"He wont be waking up for a while Examiner-san" Kiba said, looking at Naruto laying flat on his back, a confident smirk on the dog-boys face.

"Just as I thought…" Shikamaru mused.

"There's no way Naruto can defeat Kiba" Ino agreed.

"Naruto-kun… You look so foolish…" Lee said sadly.

"Geez… he's weak" Kankurou said.

"Hm" Kari scoffed. Hinata looked at her in surprise. Surely she wasn't disappointed in Naruto too? "What a load of baka's…"

"Oneechan…?" Hinata asked.

"NARUTO-KUN!" Kari cried, a wide grin on her face. Her smile softened.

We feel each others pain, and I felt that blow. Yet you're going to win it for me, just like I won mine for you. We're best friends after all… Come on Kitsune-niisan, Kiba needs a good ego battering, dattebayou!.

Kiba turned around, his eyes widening as Naruto sat up and then stood, breathing heavily.

"Don't… Don't underestimate me!" Naruto cried, determination sparking in his deep blue eyes.

"Get him Naruto!" Sakura cheered. Kari simply smiled. Naruto glanced up at her and returned her smile with confidence.

"You're bleeding so stop trying to be cool! Stop with the tough guy act!" Kiba shouted angrily.

"Ha, I went easy on you dattebayou! Just so I could see how strong you were!" Naruto retorted. "Why don't you stop acting tough and use your dog or whatever."

"You're going to regret that…" Kiba growled. "Let's go Akamaru!" Both dog and master charged towards Naruto, Kiba pulling smoke bombs from his pouch. "Take this!" Kiba cried, throwing them at him, Naruto was smothered by purple smoke. Kari's eyes narrowed and suddenly her vision became sharper, able to see shadows in the smoke. She hissed as she felt fists come into contact with her body, or more specifically, into Naruto's body. Naruto ran out the smoke, only for Akamaru to hurtle into him and shove him back in. The smoke cleared to reveal Naruto lying on his side with Akamaru sitting beside him. "All right! Way to go!" Kiba cried. Akamaru ran towards him and Kari smirked. "Good job Aka—huh?" Kiba cried as Akamaru pounced on him, sinking his teeth into Kiba's arm. "Akamaru… why?"

"You fell for it!" Naruto's mumbled voice sang from Akamaru's body, Akamaru poofed into Naruto, who continued to bite Kiba's arm. Kari didn't know whether to giggle or cringe at the scene.

"You transformed?!" Kiba cried "Ouch… damn it, let go!"

"You taste like a dog!" Naruto cried spitting and coughing in disgust.

"Where's Akamaru?" Kiba cried. A Naruto kage bunshin grinned and held him up by his front legs.

"Over here!"

"Akamaru! Damn it…"

"No way, that's Naruto? He's on equal ground against Kiba, no he might even be better than him!" Ino cried.

"There's no way Naruto can use something crafty like a kage bunshin and a transformation jutsu together" Shikamaru said.

"He's good at using his techniques at the right time" Temari said smirking.

"Naruto-kun sugoii—" Hinata whispered in awe.

"That was amazing Naruto!" Sakura cheered.

"Looks like you've gotten a little stronger" Kiba said. "But it's over, I'm going to get serious now!"

"Really? But you can never defeat me, dattebayou!" Naruto said simply.

"Naruto, you're going to give me back my Akamaru" Kiba said, reaching into his pouch. He flicked a pill, which Akamaru caught then swallowed.

"Oh dear…" Kari said as Kita blinked and tilted her head. Akamaru growled, his fur on end and turning a reddish-brown. Akamaru kicked backwards, destroying the kage bunshin and landing at Kiba's side, continuing to growl.

"Okaasan, is this where…" Kita whispered. Kari placed a finger to her lips to remind her that she couldn't talk and then nodded, affirming Kita's theory.

"What the…? What did you give him?!" Naruto cried in confusion. "His fur became red!"

"That's why his name is Akamaru" Kiba said as he ate a pill of his own. He became wild looking, a ferocious smirk on his face. Kari felt something stir in the pit of her stomach and shivered, goose bumps spreading across her skin, hidden by bandages.

"Kari" Kakashi said commandingly. "Calm down."

"Let's go Akamaru!" Kiba snarled as he crouched down, Akamaru jumping on his back. "Gijyuu Ninpou; Jyuujin Bunshin!" Akamaru transformed into Kiba, into a half-beast clone.

"His eyes look dangerous… dattebayou" Naruto said as Kiba snarled. "He used some weird drug! Isn't that considered doping? Is this allowed?!" Naruto cried.

"Hai, food pills are considered a tool." Hayate replied.

"You always say that!" Naruto accused.

"What did he eat?" Shikamaru asked.

"A food pill." Chouji replied. "It's a special medicine that allows the soldier who uses it to fight for three days and three nights straight. It's high in protein and quickly absorbed into the body. It has substances that act as both a stimulant and a tranquillizer. Kiba and Akamaru's chakra have most likely doubled temporarily."

"Now this match will end" Kiba said as he and Akamaru shot towards Naruto. "Shikyaku no jutsu!" Naruto back-flipped away just in time to avoid their technique. The next thing Naruto knew, Kiba's were coming from him everywhere. Kiba and Akamaru were too quick for him. He dodged and dodged until he jumped into the air. "I see a weak spot!" Kiba cried. He and Akamaru began rapidly spinning, hurtling like bullets towards Naruto.

"Gatsuuga!" both Akamaru and Kiba hit directly, sending Naruto flying until he hit the ground landing on his head and falling onto his front coughing up blood. Kakashi caught Kari as she fell back, blood running down her forehead and sticking her bangs to her face. Her eyes were closed and blood was running down her lips.

"That's our difference in skill" Kiba said smugly.

"…going to become a Hokage… I can't lose here…" Naruto whispered.

"You? Hokage?" Kiba said mockingly. "When you're weaker than me?" Kiba laughed. "I'll become Hokage for you!" Kari could feel the hurt blooming in Naruto's chest and opened an eye, Kiba's laughter echoing around the room. He can be such a teme sometimes… "You know inside that you can't become Hokage, so stop acting tough!"

Don't listen to him Naruto! You and I both know you're going to be the greatest Hokage that ever lived! Don't you dare doubt yourself!

Kari's eyes stung and her heart ached for him. Why did everyone mock him? Why?

"Stand up Naruto!" Sakura cried as he struggled to his feet.

"If you compete with me over the title of Hokage, you're going to become the underdog" Naruto said with a confident smirk. Kari smiled, proud of him.

You tell him Naruto, Prove it to the world! Shove it in everyone's face that ever doubted you!

"Geez, you sure are a persistent guy!" Kiba said. "Fine. Then I'll make sure you can never stand up!" Kiba cried. Kari's eyes flashed red, as she quickly extinguished the rage that had just burned in her chest. "Let's go Akamaru!" Kiba cried as they both charged.

"That same thing won't work on me more than once!" Naruto cried. He jumped and avoided the Gatsuuga aimed at him, falling down with a less than graceful belly flop. The next thing Naruto knew, he was shrouded in purple smoke again and another Gatsuuga was heading straight for him. He managed to narrowly dodge most of them and stood up once the smoke cleared.

"You seem to be losing your confidence" Kiba said.

"Heh! I'm as confident as ever!" Naruto shouted. "I can still win if your numbers increase three or four times, dattebayou!"

"You just don't shut up do you? Fine, I'll end it with this next move!" Kiba cried. "Akamaru!" They both charged, smoke bombs in Kiba's clawed hand. Once again, a cloak of purple smoke covered Naruto, hiding him from view. Kari focused her eyes, feeling them burn slightly as the smoke became less dense and she could make out the shapes and chakra of Naruto, Kiba and Akamaru. Kiba and Akamaru were in a Gatsuuga, which Naruto was once again struggling to dodge while trying to devise a counter-attack.

"What are you going to do Naruto?" Sakura asked worriedly. Hinata too looked fearful for him, but Kari seemed perfectly calm, complete faith in her kitsune-nii.

"GOTCHA!!" Kiba shouted, but his eyes widened and he skidded to a stop as the smoke cleared.

"I see" Kakashi said. "You've taught him to think Kari" Kakashi said, glancing at his proud student.

"A little" she said simply, a small shrug following as Kita tilted her head, staring at the odd scene before her. Three Kiba's stood in a triangle facing each other.

"Good idea! Nice plan Naruto!" Sakura cheered.

"Naruto-kun!" Hinata cried smiling in relief.

"If he transforms into Kiba, the real Kiba won't know which one is Akamaru and which one is Naruto. He won't be able to just attack." Sakura analyzed.

"But Naruto-kun can attack them both!" Lee cried in understanding.

"He created an opening. Very good" Sakura said smirking.

"I see… so you've resorted to this, but… Let me warn you, I underestimated you before and it took a while for me to notice. I should've known you're skill would have improved by being Kari's team-mate. But your transformation won't work on me anymore. Why?" The real Kiba delivered a punch to the Kiba to the left of him. "I can smell it." Kiba said, answering his own question. "Don't underestimate our sense of smell Naruto, it's as good as Kari-chan's, and her senses are amazing."

"He sends chakra to his nose, amplifying his smell. Probably by a thousand or so" Kakashi noted. "But yours is natural Kari, you don't need to flood chakra to enhance your senses." Kari nodded, her hand resting on Kita's back.

"Hmph. It's over" Kiba said confidently. "Nani?!" his eyes widened as the Kiba he had just punched exploded into smoke to reveal Akamaru. Kari smirked and her ears twitched. "Then are you Naruto?!" Kiba cried, turning and punching the Kiba behind him. "Play me like a fool eh?!" That Kiba too poofed into Akamaru. "Nani?!"

"The idea isn't surprising coming from a former prankster" Kakashi said simply.

"That's my Naru-kun" Kari said happily. The first Akamaru poofed into Naruto, who charged towards Kiba, jumping and kicking him in the chin and sending him flying back to Akamaru's side. Kiba sat up, wiping blood from his lips.

"He did it!" Sakura cried.

"Naruto-kun, sugoii!" Hinata cried, blushing with joy.

"Naruto transformed into Kiba, was detected by his scent, and got hit by the real Kiba." Kari explained to Kita, who seemed confused. "But he transformed into Akamaru right away, instead of returning to his normal form. He did it so it would look like Akamaru got hit, and that Akamaru's half-beast transformation was dispelled." Sakura cried while Kari beamed with pride.

"Was Naruto's this smart?" Ino said in surprise.

"Damnit…" Kiba growled.

"HA! Use your techniques carefully after giving some thought to what you're doing, or it'll be used to the opponents advantage dattebayou, baka!" Naruto cried.

"That's my line, word for word…" Kakashi said.

"Must mean Naruto-kun listens to you!" Kari said happily. Kakashi sighed and gave her a grateful pat on the head.

"Not a lot…"

"Kiba's trying to calm down" Kari observed, watching his tense posture and how he was fighting against his temper. Kiba bit into his hand, the pain clearing his mind through discipline. Kiba let go of his hand and grabbed two fistfuls of shuriken from his pouches.

"Your right" Kakashi agreed. "But what will you do now Naruto?"

"Heh, so you're finally serious Kiba?" Naruto asked. "Jaa… I'll finish with a new move I've been saving up, dattebayou!" Kari gave him a sarcastic look. He made it up in the last five minutes; but it'll be impressive if he pulls it off.

"Nani? New move?" Kiba questioned, his recently controlled rage threatening to bubble up to the surface again.

"When did he'll make a new move?" Sakura cried in confusion.

"He still had a new move hidden up his sleeve? He's good!" Lee cried. Kari simply smirked and shook her head. Good luck Naruto-kun, you'll need it.

"Keh, new move my ass. You're just bluffing" Kiba scoffed. Kari rolled her eyes as Kiba shifted in her lap.

"We'll see if it's a bluff or not, dattebayou!" Naruto shouted back. "Let's go!"

"I don't know what your new move is, but all I have to do is stop you from executing it!" Kiba shouted as he charged towards Naruto. Kari placed a hand to her aching head and slid it down her face in a gesture of exasperation. Temper Kiba, temper, temper, temper! He flung his shuriken towards Naruto who dodged and jumped in his usual (quite comical) way, shouting whenever one (in this case all) of the shuriken came too close. "Now, Jigyuu ninpou; Shikyaku no Jutsu!" Kiba cried. Naruto's eyes widened as Kiba gained speed using his hands as well as his feet to shoot him forwards. He shoved Naruto backwards, causing Kari to hiss slightly and clutch her ribs, Naruto managed to stay standing. "Don't stop!" Kiba cried as Naruto started to slow and shoved his fist into Naruto's whiskered cheek. Kari held her jaw, the place where Akio had hit her increasing in pain. Until now it had just been a dull thud, but now it was almost as bad as when she first got hit. That's gonna leave one heck of a bruise… Hinata and Sakura both cried out to Naruto, who lay face down and still.

"I guess that's all he could do with his abilities" Kankurou said.

"Stand up Naruto!" Sakura shouted.

"Kuso, I don't have time to mould up chakra like this" Naruto cried in frustration as he struggled to get up.

"Come on, what's the matter Naruto!?" Kiba cried, hurtling towards Naruto again. He shot round Naruto and sent him flying backwards. Kari felt blood slip past her lips and stubbornly wiped it away.

"He's fast" Chouji said in awe.

"It's impossible… Naruto doesn't even have time to form seals" Ino said.

"Naruto!" Kari cried as Kiba shot towards him as he struggled to sit up. Kiba's sharp claws cut across Naruto's arms, ripping the sleeves and drawing blood. Kari's eyes stung as her arms burned with pain. The fell to her lap as she bit her lip in agony.

"You need to be where medical help is" Kakashi whispered, seeing her freshly bandaged arms begin to dot rapidly with red stains. Her ribs weren't visible, so he couldn't tell whether she was bleeding there too. What he did know, was that she was leaning on him a lot heavier than before. Naruto grabbed hold of Kiba's wrist and used the force of hi pounce against him, flinging him over his shoulder.

"I'm going to become Hokage… I can't lose here, dattebayou!" Naruto cried. He glanced at Kari, who nodded at him, but he could see she wasn't as energetic as before, she looked almost as ill as when she had come out of the forest of death.

"Save the dream talk for later, you can't even keep up with my speed!" Kiba cried.

"Kari-chan's way faster than you'll ever be!" Naruto retorted. Kiba ignored his comment and shot towards him again. Kiba jumped up, slicing Naruto across the shoulder, despite Naruto's attempt to dodge. Kari's arms flinched as she tried to grasp her aching shoulder.

"Come on! Come on! Come on! Come on!" Kiba chanted as he hurtled towards Naruto again. His claws slashed across Naruto's back throwing him forwards.

"Naruto!" Sakura screamed. Kakashi rubbed Kari's back, feeling the tense muscles. If this match isn't over soon, it will spell disaster for both Naruto and Kari Kakashi thought grimly.

"This is what happens when I get serious" Kiba panted. Kari grit her teeth and closed an eye. She wished she could transfer her speed to Naruto so he could avoid Kiba's blows. "Now you know, that to me, you're just a—" but Kiba was cut off by Naruto standing up once again, refusing to be beaten. His body was shaking, but still he found the power to stand.

"I promised Kari-chan… I won't lose!" Naruto said, smirking with determination. Kari smiled with pride, but couldn't help but notice his bloodied lips, much like her own.

"Naruto is sure trying hard" Chouji said. Ino nodded.

"If I was Kiba I would've had enough" Shikamaru said.

"I don't care who wins, just settle the match." Kankuro said impatiently.

"Naruto, use your new move or something!" Sakura cried.

"Naruto-kun, try hard!" Lee urged. Neji's keen eyes travelled to his apprentice. She's worsened far more severely than she should have; she wasn't bleeding from the forehead before. Neji's eyes narrowed. What in the world is going on with her?

"That didn't have an affect at all" Naruto said, trying to irritate the short-tempered shinobi.

"Ha! I'll compliment you on your spirit!" Kiba retorted.

"I'll rip out my new move at any time, dattebayou!" Naruto cried confidently.

"I won't let you!" Kiba cried, rushing towards him. Naruto started to build up chakra. "Too slow! Eat this!" Kiba cried. Kiba slid past Naruto to attack from behind, only for a fart to engulf his nose a millisecond before attacking.

"EHH!" Kari cried, thankful for Sasuke's stupidly large colour as she flattened it across her nose and mouth, tears springing to her eyes. Kita's paws closed over her nose as Kiba screeched in disgust, slamming his hands over his sensitive nose.

"Kiba's sense of smell is amplified by a couple thousand times right now, and if Kari is disgusted from up here, Kiba must be in agony…" Kurenai said to herself.

"And he had fish this morning" Kari whined, cursing her senses as the audience looked on with disgust.

"Naruto! Now's your chance!" Sakura cried, pushing away her horrified expression to cheer on her team mate.

"Kuso, I strained too much!" Naruto cried, blaming his vulgarity on his concentration. Kari's watery eyes were twitching with irritation. "But this is the good part of my new move, dattebayo!" Naruto added as he made a hand sign. Once ready he switched hand signs. "Kage bunshin no jutsu!" Four shadow replications appeared at his side. "Yosh! I'll get you for what you did to me with this move!" Naruto cried as his replications surrounded Kiba.

"Kuso!" Kiba cried, his nose still burning. A clone shot towards him punching him in the jaw.

"U!"

Naruto jumped on that clones back and flipped into the air as the remaining three clones ran towards the falling Kiba, each kicking him simultaneously, sending him up towards Naruto.

"Zu!"

"Ma!"

"Ki!"

Naruto's foot met the back of Kiba's head, sending him face first into the concrete floor.

"Naruto Rendan!!"

"Yatta! Naruto!" Kari congratulated, her voice muffled by Sasuke's collar which she still held to her nose. She gave Kakashi a look and he nodded, thinking along the same lines.

"He was watching Sasuke's move earlier... And the name is a copy too…" Kakashi sighed as Naruto's clones dispelled, Naruto panting, staring at the unconscious Kiba.

"At least he won" Kari said smiling.

"You can't smell it anymore Kari…" Kakashi added.

"Maybe you can't, but my nose is a different matter" Kari said stubbornly. Hayate checked Kiba, rolling him over. Kiba grimaced in pain, unable to move.

"Winner, Uzumaki Naruto." Hayate announced. Lee let out a war cry of triumph as Sakua cheered beside him.

"Yosh damnit, YATTA!" Sakura squealed.

"That Naruto beat Kiba!" Shikamaru said in happy surprise.

"No one expected it" Chouji said in shock. Hinata smiled, a pretty blush staining her cheeks.

"Stuff the smell, NARUTO-KUNNN!" Kari cried, jumping off the railing, Kakashi went to grab her, but instead grabbed Kita, scolding his student as Naruto ran up and caught her falling onto his behind. They flung their arms round each other as Naruto laughed and cheered. "You did it! I knew you could! You gave Kiba that ego-battering he needed!" Kari praised planting a kiss on his whiskered cheek. "I'm so proud of you!!" Kari got off him and ran over to Kiba, ignoring Naruto's whine for her to help him up. She picked up Akamaru and gently laid him on Kiba's chest once he was secure in the stretcher. "You did great Kiba-kun!" Kari congratulated gently. Kiba smirked and nodded as he was lifted up.

"Kari-chan! Come on! Dattebayou!" Naruto whined as she ran over to help him up. Once up, he picked up her legs and set her onto his back, running up the stairs. "Easy! Easy!" He cried as Kari laughed and struggled to stay on. Kari noticed Hinata who was shyly holding a pot of ointment, seeming to be having a mental battle whether to give it to Naruto or not. Kari sent her a thumbs up and a grin and the shy Hyuuga flushed crimson. Naruto walked past her before the shy Hyuuga found her voice.

"Na-Naruto-kun!" she cried shyly.

"Hinata? Did you say something?" Naruto asked as Kurenai sent a teary-eyed Kari an exasperated look.

"A-A-anou…" she said, twiddling her thumbs on the pot before handing it out to Naruto. Now Kurenai smiled as well, but sent Kari an even more exasperated look seeing the wolf-kunoichi's eyes glistening with pride and adoration. Naruto stared at the pot with confusion.

"What is it?" Naruto asked suspiciously. Kari's joy was diminished at Naruto's stupidity. Had he not been holding her up, she would have fallen off.

"An ointment" Kurenai explained, as Kari grinned with embarrassment on behalf of Naruto.

"Why me?" Naruto asked with the same suspicion. Kari's eye twitched as she fought the urge to smack Naruto on the head for his ignorance. Hinata's blush darkened and Kari decided to take it into her own hands.

"Just take it Naruto" Kari said softly, while smiling warmly at Hinata. "Hinata-chan's ointments are very good." Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment before nodding.

"Okay. Arigatou! You're a good person Hinata" Naruto said, accepting Hinata's gift, completely forgetting he was supporting Kari. She squeaked and wrapped her arms and legs round him in a vice grip as she started to fall. Of course, the cuteness of the scene before her pushed her irritation at Naruto's stupidity aside and a wide smile stretched across her face. Naruto scratched the back of his head in sheepish embarrassment as Hinata smiled at him. Kari jumped down from Naruto's back and stood beside Neji.

"If you keep on glaring your eyes will fall out" she grumbled her glare fixing on his, which was directed at Hinata.

"Hatred only causes misery, Neji-kun."