I had hoped to get this chapter out sooner but after my last interview, I got hit by a slump that knocked me out of commission for a good while. I didn't get any writing done, much less any school work *sweatdrop*.

Nevertheless, I finally concluded the preliminaries (took forever). I hope you like how things turn out.

I'm pleased with the reception the latest chapter got. Nearly fifty reviews. That's more than I've gotten for any of the other chapters. And the story overall got about nearly 80 more reviews since I updated that chapter. It makes me happy, even though I got my first rather nasty, no concrit present, flame.

I reckon I might have made Kiba a little too harsh with his insults during the fight but he kinda ran away on me and did his own thing. It takes a lot more to piss Naruto off so completely enough to use the Namikaze Taijutsu in front of everybody, after all. He'll get his scolding and chance for redemption eventually.

Schnookums: Actually, I have been debating over that entire issue, mostly with the concept of continuing the Namikaze/Uzumaki lines. I'll leave it for a vote to see if people are okay with the idea of possible mpreg or would using Ino as a surrogate mother be better. The story can work out either way.

Dhh: Kakashi doesn't know Minato's techniques. He lied to everyone so that no one knows who was really teaching Naruto. He's the only one who can cover for Naruto for the time being, after all.

Sefiriot: you know, I never quite caught that slip up. It must've felt normal to me. I like reading all of your speculations, they're very thought provoking. It makes me happy to see my readers thinking so deeply about things in the story.

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto as much as I want to.

Chapter 25: End of the Preliminaries

Naruto returned to the Observation Deck with a bright smile on his face, even if he was all bruised up.

'I'm sorry that I can't heal your wounds,' Kyuubi apologized.

'That's alright, Kyuu-chan. It's not your fault. We just have to find Jiraiya to remove the seal,' Naruto reassured the Bijuu. He felt someone approach and he looked to see Gaara.

The other Jinchuuriki gave Naruto a quick glance over to make sure he was alright. "You did a good job," he complimented and Naruto grinned.

"Thanks, Gaara," he stated, clapping Gaara on the back. "Good luck with your own match, whenever it comes."

Gaara nodded simply before letting Naruto go to meet with his other friends.

Ino leaped straight into Naruto's arms, giving him a fond kiss on the cheek. Naruto flushed. He'd never received such affection from anyone before. Yes, Shikamaru seemed to enjoy kissing him a lot, but never like this. It felt nice. It made Naruto wonder if this was what having a sister was like.

Sakura marveled over how quickly Ino and Naruto had bonded. It kind of made her a little envious to see Ino win Naruto's trust but she could sort of understand it considering that Ino had gone into Naruto's mind and saw more than Naruto had ever been willing to tell anybody. Ino could now understand Naruto better than anyone. Whatever she had saw had changed Ino completely.

'I knew I did right in trusting you,' Kyuubi's voice rang out through Ino's mind, causing the girl to shriek in surprise.

'How are you still talking to me?' Ino wondered.

'It seems that you absorbed a little of my chakra,' Kyuubi admitted. 'I don't have an entire idea of what sort of effect it may have on you but it allows me to talk with you.'

Ino was a little concerned over the possibilities but considering that Kyuubi wasn't evil in the slightest, she couldn't imagine the situation being all that bad.

'Does Naruto know?' Ino queried before realizing something. 'Does this mean you freed Yondaime-sama?'

'Naruto doesn't. Our conversation is on a private link, although I could allow him and Minato-kun in if need be,' Kyuubi explained. 'And yes, I did... with a little help, that is.'

'From who?' Ino asked curiously.

'From Naruto's mother... his real one, that is,' Kyuubi declared. 'She had left some of her chakra inside Naruto so that she can help him when he needs it.'

Ino was more than a little surprised. That was the last thing she had expected. In fact, it left her speechless. Naruto's parents went to such lengths to help him... it was awe-inspiring.

'All of you are… totally amazing,' Ino declared after a while. Kyuubi laughed.

'Why thank you,' she replied silkily. 'We try our best.'

Ino couldn't help but smile. Life was going to get interesting from now on.

"You did great, Naruto," she finally spoke up. "I think you left everybody speechless."

Naruto grinned. "Then my work is done," he said cheekily with a wink. Ino could only giggle in amusement.

That was when Shikamaru approached Naruto, looking quite serious. "We need to talk," he declared, wanting to explain away Kiba's derogatory comments.

"A-ah," Naruto responded, allowing the other to pull him aside, away from all of the prying ears.

"I'm not just playing with you, Naruto. Kiba was trying to get a rise out of you," Shikamaru asserted. While it was true that his initial attraction had been a product of the Jinchuuriki's mysterious nature, it was no longer the case. He really cared for Naruto and he would do anything in his power to help and protect the blonde with, and from, everything.

'He better not be playing or I'll kick his ass,' Minato promised darkly.

'I'll help you,' Kyuubi added. No one would get away with hurting their kit.

'Shikamaru would never do that,' Naruto said faithfully. 'It would be too troublesome.'

Minato grudgingly conceded the point. He knew how the Nara clan was.

"I know you aren't," Naruto assured Shikamaru. "You wouldn't have initiated anything if that was the case. You would have waited for me to go to you."

Shikamaru blinked in surprise to see how well Naruto was able to read his nature. He smirked. It looked like he wasn't the only one striving to understand the inner workings of his partner.

"I just have a small question for you," the Nara commented.

"What is it?" Naruto queried.

"You had Kiba where you wanted him… so why did you let him go?" Shikamaru asked.

Naruto was silent for a moment before a beautiful smile appeared on his face. "Because he came back," he admitted, flushing with pleasure.

Shikamaru's eyes widened in surprise. "You mean your Tou-san?" he asked for clarification.

Naruto nodded enthusiastically.

Smiling, Shikamaru hugged Naruto tightly. "I'm happy for you," he declared earnestly. He'd hated seeing Naruto so sad during the course of the separation.

When they parted, Naruto turned to his own team.

"Good work, Naruto," Kakashi beamed, ruffling his hair affectionately before giving Kurenai a sly look. "Be prepared to take another student, Kurenai."

The woman could only sigh in defeat. She turned to Sakura.

"Meet me at Training Ground Eight at one o' clock every day starting from tomorrow," the Genjutsu Mistress ordered the pink-haired girl.

"Thank you, Kurenai-sense," Sakura stated. "I'll work hard."

Kurenai nodded in acknowledgement before looking at the scoreboard. Her eyes widened.

Hyuuga Hinata vs. Hyuuga Neji

Neji smirked darkly, looking at his cousin. He was glad for the match up. He'd get his chance to get back at the Main House for his cursed fate. It was his destiny.

"Do your best," Naruto encouraged Hinata. "Show Neji-teme that he's wrong about you."

"I will," Hinata promised with a smile. She would show everyone how much she had improved. No longer would she be seen as weak.

"Be careful," Shino warned the girl. He knew how much Neji hated the girl. While she was strong, Neji was the last year's Rookie of the Year. Not only would he be doing everything in is power to hurt and destroy her confidence, but he'd be very difficult to defeat.

Hinata nodded before heading down to the battle arena, where Neji was waiting impatiently.

"It would be my sincere advice for you to forfeit this match, Hinata-sama," Neji suggested coldly. "I won't go easy on you."

"I'll take my chances," Hinata said firmly, surprising Neji.

As he observed her with his Byakugan, Neiji saw no trace of uncertainty on Hinata's face or in her body language.

Snorting as he realized his planned mental sabotage wouldn't work, Neji simply waited for Hayate to give the signal.

"Begin," the proctor stated, leaping out of the way. He wasn't going to get in the way of the two Hyuuga.

"She's going to lose," Sasuke stated gruffly, earning a glare from Naruto.

"Shut up. You have no idea about her. She's a lot stronger than you think," he snapped. He was still a little sour with Sasuke over the Forest of Death incident. While he knew Sasuke's behavior had been a result of the Cursed Seal, it still pissed him off.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted before looking away.

"Before I forget, Naruto…" Kakashi pulled the blonde's attention from the fight. The Jounin made a few hand seals and placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder.

Naruto would have collapsed if it hadn't been for Sakura and Ino racing to support him.

"What did you do, Sensei?" Sakura asked.

"I merely reactivated the gravity seals," the masked nin replied.

"You made them heavier," Naruto muttered as he struggled to stay up straight.

"It was time to up your training," Kakashi declared, unrepentant.

"I hate you," the Jinchuuriki grumbled.

"That's too bad because I love you," Kakashi teased, ruffling Naruto's hair.

"They act like brothers," Kurenai whispered to Asuma.

"That would explain a lot," the bearded Jounin responded, thinking back to all of Kakashi's overprotective behavior.

At that time, everybody turned back to the fight going on down below.

"Hinata's actually doing pretty good," Chouji remarked. "She's countering every one of Neji's blows."

"I didn't know Hianta was so strong," Sakura admitted, looking wide-eyed.

"Hinata-chan has always been strong," Naruto spoke faithfully, loud enough for both fighters to hear. "All that she needed was a little self-confidence."

"Che… it will take a lot more than confidence to change your fate, Hinata-sama," Neji said derisively.

"You're wrong, Neji-nii-san. I am going to change myself for the better… so that I can become a good Clan Head and fix all of the flaws inherent within our clan," Hinata declared. She wanted to destroy the barrier between the Main House and Branch House.

Neji scoffed. "You'll never be able to achieve that goal, Hinata-sama. You're too weak. You can't even defeat your imouto in battle. How can you be trusted as the Clan Head?"

Hinata's eyes narrowed. She was more than capable of defeating Hanabi but her love for her sister prevented her from going all out against her.

Nevertheless, she could see Neji's point. Until she proved herself, no one would see her as a worthy Clan Head.

"I'll get stronger and prove myself to everyone," Hinata reaffirmed. "I'll start with you."

"I would like to see you try," Neji retorted. "Go ahead and prove yourself to me!" He pulled off his hitai-ite to reveal the Seal on his forehead.

His reference was quite clear to anyone who knew the history behind the Hyuuga Clan.

"He's daring her to use the Seal," Naruto spoke in outrage. "Hinata-chan would never do that!"
'We know that… and he does too,' Minato said gravely. 'He's opted to play dirty.'

As Hinata faltered in shock over the bold move, the genius shinobi leapt into motion to take advantage of the opening.

"You're in my field of divination," Neji told her. "Hakke Rokujuuyon Shou!"

The spectators could only watch in horror as Neji finished Hinata off in a truly devastating manner.

"As I said," Neji began when he finished attacking and Hinata had collapsed onto the ground in severe pain. "It was your destiny to lose, Hinata-sama."

"What a sadistic youth," Jin remarked with raised eyebrows. "He attacked his own family without remorse. Is that what you teach all of your aspiring young ninja at your Academy?"

"Of course not!" Asuma retorted, watching the battle with somber eyes. It was a black mark against everything that Konoha represented.

'I didn't know he held this much rage about the Kumo incident,' Minato commented, horrified by the turn of events. Hinata didn't deserve an ounce of the cruelty that Neji showered on her. He took advantage of her kindness and used it to destroy her.

To everyone's shock, Hinata got back to her feet even if it was clear that she was only hanging on by a thread.

"I won't give in, Neji-nii-san," she rasped, coughing out blood.

"She's still trying to prove herself even now," Ino stated, feeling bad. If Neji hadn't pulled that cheap shot and gained the opening, Hinata could have actually won.

"Give up, Hinata-sama, it's over. You don't have a chance against me. Fate has deemed you to be a loser and that will be what you always will be," Neji sneered.

"Don't listen to him, Hinata-chan!" Naruto called out angrily. "You're the strongest kunoichi I know! If he can't see that, then he's the loser!"

Neji shot Naruto a murderous look. "Rant all you want, Uzumaki. You won't change her fate," he snorted.

He turned in time to dodge the volley of kunai that Hinata threw at him with the last of her strength.

He was more than a little surprised. Most Hyuuga merely stuck to using their Taijutsu in battle, not anything else. Hinata had deviated from the norm.

"I… feel bad for you… Neji-nii-san…" Hinata coughed and white hot rage filled the boy.

His pathetic cousin felt bad for him?

Letting out an angry battle cry, he lunged forward to make a final, and fatal, blow, except he was stopped by Kurenai and Kakashi. When he looked hatefully at his cousin for receiving such unfair help for merely being in the Main House he saw Naruto standing in front of her protectively.

If Neji had continued his attack, he would have hit Naruto instead, which explained why Kakashi had interfered.

Naruto gave Neji a very "Minato"-like glare before turning to Hinata and easing her onto the ground.

"Did… I do well, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked weakly, completely exhausted.

Naruto smiled at her kindly. "Of course you did," he confirmed. "You did the best you could and everyone saw that. You've already started to prove yourself."

Hinata smiled. "I'm glad," she replied before falling unconscious.

"Don't make me laugh, Uzumaki. She hasn't proven herself to anyone… nor have you," Neji shot back once he was freed from the Jounin's grasp.

"I wouldn't be so sure about that," a voice called out from above and Naruto was surprised to see that Daichi was the one who had spoken.

"The girl showed everyone that she was a lot stronger than she let on. She got past your defenses, after all," the Iwa nin spoke, calling everyone's attention to the cut on Neji's face.

"She got him," Ino realized. It may not have been a terrible would but it was proof enough that Hinata could have won if she hadn't been downed so early on.

Neji snarled and glared at Daichi. "Keep your nose out of this!" he stated. "This is a Hyuuga affair."

"By doing what you've done, Neji-kun… you made it everyone's affair," Gai declared solemnly.

"Che…" Neji spat before turning away.

"Oi! Neji-teme!"Naruto called out, catching the long-haired Genin's attention.

"What is it?" the genius asked impatiently.

"You better watch out for yourself during the finals," Naruto warned. "Because I'll kick your ass. That's a promise."

'Naruto made his decision,' Kakashi thought. 'He won't back down now.'

He hoped that Naruto would get the chance to do just that.

"Don't make me laugh," Neji snorted. "You can try but you will only lose."

"We'll see," Naruto declared. He would avenge Hinata's loss and force Neji to see the truth.

As Hinata was carried away by the medic nin, Naruto returned to the Observation Deck alongside Kakashi.

"That was a reckless move, Naruto," Kakashi scolded his student. "If Kurenai and I hadn't stopped Neji, he would have severely hurt you. Sensei would have murdered me if anything happened to you."

"He would have killed Hinata-chan," Naruto argued with a scowl. "I couldn't let that happen."

"You would risk your life for your precious people. I take it you're a strong believer in your village's 'Will of Fire,'" Daichi drawled. "How noble… you may be more like him than initially thought."

Naruto didn't grace him with a response and Kakashi shot the Iwa nin a warning look. He wouldn't let the Genin near his younger brother, especially while he was under the influence of Kougyoku Jin.

"Who's next?" Lee wondered after everyone was settled again. He hoped it was him.

Akimichi Chouji vs. Tsurugi Misumi

Chouji swallowed nervously. He'd been hoping to get the bye.

"You can do it, Chouji," Shikamaru encouraged the other boy. "Do your best."

"If you win, Chouji, I'll take you out for barbecue," Asuma gave the 'big-boned' Genin an incentive.

Now Chouji was fired up, much like Shikamaru had been at the sound of Naruto's promise.

He rushed off into the arena, more than ready to take on his opponent.

The shady Konoha nin that was his opponent snorted derisively as Hayate signaled that the battle began. In an instant, Misumi had wrapped himself around Chouji, revealing his abnormal flexibility.

"What are you so confident about? It's not like a fatty like you has a chance of beating me," Misumi sneered, thinking that he had won.

"Now he's done it," Ino sighed as Chouji got even more fired up.

"I'm just big-boned!" Chouji yelled. "Baika no Jutsu!"

Chouji expanded rapidly, making it very difficult for the other nin to keep a hold of him. Then he called out his next jutsu. "Nikudan Sensha!"

The battle was finished almost instantly as the move served to crush the enemy nin brutally.

"That nin may have been trouble if he had any other opponent," Shikamaru mused. "It was his bad luck that he got Chouji pissed off."

"No kidding," Naruto agreed. If the unknown nin hadn't said the taboo word, he might have been able to stand a better chance instead of being knocked out so quickly.

"There are only two matches left," Sakura commented, eyeing the five remaining Genin: Daichi, Dosu, Michiru, Lee and Gaara.

Who would be next?

Gaara glanced at Daichi. He really wanted to fight him. He was certain Naruto wouldn't mind if he went all out against the Iwa nin or the Oto nin. But if he was paired up against Lee, that was a different story. He could see that Naruto was beginning to hold Lee in high regard and he didn't want to upset his new brother by hurting the other too badly like he'd once been prone to doing with his opponents.

Lee wouldn't mind fighting any of the other Genin. The all looked like they would be 'youthful' opponents.

Daichi didn't really care either way. None of the remaining opponents really caught his interest. He'd been hoping to fight Naruto, Shikamaru, or even Sasuke. He wanted to fight the latter simply because he wanted to crush out all of that annoying arrogance.

Michiru didn't really care any way. She just wanted a fight.

Dosu wanted to fight Lee to get revenge for his interference back in the Forest of Death.

However, Dosu and Gaara wouldn't get what they wanted as the next match was:

Tanaka Daichi vs. Kinuta Dosu

The Iwa nin and Oto nin glanced at each other with disinterest before heading to the arena.

Dosu was more than a little disappointed. He had no interest in the Iwa nin. Nevertheless, he would pound him into the dust and prove to everyone that Otogakure was worth their attention.

"Begin," Hayate instructed.

"Nothing personal, kid, but I'll have to beat you," Dosu spoke as he launched his assault… or at least he tried to. "What?"

Looking down, he found vines binding his arms and preventing him from utilizing his infamous techniques.

"He's fast," Shikamaru realized in shock. The battle had barely started and Daichi had already drawn the battle into his favor.

"I have no time to waste on you," Daichi declared coldly as the vines drew taut. Using the tension to his advantage, he started spinning rapidly, dragging Dosu along for the ride.

"I'm getting dizzy," Chouji moaned as he watched the match.

"Then don't look," Sasuke snapped irately. He was in a bad mood as always. This earned a sour look from Shikamaru for talking to his best friend like that.

After building up a large enough momentum, Daichi released Dosu from his binds, causing the Oto nin to slam into the wall head first, getting knocked out instantly.

"Winner: Tanaka Daichi," Hayate announced as Daichi calmly walked back up to the Observation Deck.

"He went straight for the kill," Ino realized. It was a rather intimidating maneuver. Whoever his opponent was in the next round would have to be careful.

"As expected of my prized student," Jin praised Daichi with a satisfied smirk.

Daichi merely nodded in acknowledgement, eyes trained on Naruto.

'Eyes off my boy,' Minato scowled, wishing he could materialize to establish his threat.

'He can't hear you, dear,' Kyuubi told the older blonde patiently. Minato sulked.

'I wish he did,' the Hokage grumbled.

Shikamaru did Minato's job for him by stepping in front of Naruto protectively, shielding him from sight.

Daichi glowered at the lazy genius, only to have it returned ten-fold.

The pissing match met an early end as the next match was announced.

Rock Lee vs. Subaku no Gaara

Lee let out a loud cry of triumph. He'd been hoping to get the chance to fight and Gaara would be an excellent opponent.

Gaara didn't really react and he merely shrugged his shoulders.

"I guess that means I get the bye," Michiru commented, a little disappointed that she wouldn't get the chance to fight the Namikaze brat's little lap dog. She was glad she wouldn't have to fight Lee. He was way too weird for her tastes. "Good luck fighting the weirdo, Red."

"Lee-san isn't a weirdo," Sakura defended the enthusiastic nin. "He's just… unique."

"If you say so," Michiru snorted as the two competing Genin entered the arena.

"This will be an interesting battle," Asuma mused. Both Genin were formidable. The fight was bound to be exciting.

And it was.

Naruto watched them in awe. He knew they were strong but this was the first time he'd seen the two go all out. The battle could go either way. Not knowing who to cheer for, he cheered for both.

"Go Gaara! Go Lee! Do your best!" he cried out excitedly.

'Gai trained a fine shinobi,' Minato mused with approval. 'If Lee makes it to the Finals, I'm certain that he would become a Chuunin.'

'He and Gaara are fighting on equal terms… which is impressive considering Gaara holds Shuukaaku,' Kyuubi inserted. 'There's no way to predict who will win.'

In the end, Gaara won but only barely and not without taking a few devastating hits himself.

The battle had ended up being the type in which the winner was the one with the greater stamina, and thanks to his tenant, Gaara came out on top.

"Are you alright?" Naruto asked Gaara in concern.

"I will be," Gaara confirmed simply. "Lee-san was a good opponent."

"That he was," Naruto agreed. "It makes me want to fight him myself."

Gaara simply smirked.

"Tou-san says 'good job' by the way," Naruto whispered and Gaara flushed faintly, looking shy. He'd never been praised like that before… not even his father gave him the time of day.

Minato knew that and planned to do something about it. He wanted to show Gaara what it was like to have a real father, a role he had no problem filling.

"So everyone has had a chance to fight now," the Sandaime spoke out finally. "Everyone who has passed the Preliminary Round, please come down to the arena."

The twelve competitors quickly headed down and saw Hayate approaching them with a bowl filled with a bunch of small, folded papers.

"These papers have numbers on them that will represent your position during the finals," Hayate explained and then held the bowl out.

"Four," Sasuke grunted out his number.

"Five," Shino announced calmly.

"Seven," Sakura reported, looking curious.

"Nine," Shikamaru huffed lazily.

"Six," Kankurou declared proudly.

"One," Naruto admitted with a smile.

"Two," Neji sneered in an uncaring manner.

"Eleven," Chouji stated.

"Ten," Daichi drawled with a shrug.

"Eight," Michiru said nonchalantly.

"Twelve," Temari finished off the list.

Hayate recorded all of the numbers before announcing the layout for the next part of the Chuunin Exams.

It went as follows:

First match: Naruto vs. Neji.

Second Match: Sasuke vs. Gaara

Third Match: Shino vs. Kankurou

Fourth Match: Sakura vs. Michiru

Fifth Match: Shikamaru vs. Daichi

Sixth Match: Chouji vs. Temari

Naruto glared at Neji, glad that he'd get the chance to beat sense into the cold Hyuuga. Nothing would make him happier… outside of freeing his parents, that is.

Sasuke glanced at Gaara, hatefully. He looked forward to defeating the redhead and proving to Naruto how worthless he was.

Shino and Kankurou looked at each other and looked away. It made no difference to them who they fought.

'Great, I get the fan girl,' Michiru thought, looking at Sakura distastefully. She'd hoped for a good match up. Ah well, at least it would be easy.

Shikamaru and Daichi exchanged fierce death glares, both determined to defeat the other for one reason alone: Naruto.

Chouji glanced at Temari nervously. Something told him that fighting her would be a lot harder than fighting Dosu.

Kakashi was feeling very proud as all three of his students had passed the Preliminaries. It had been more than he'd hoped for.

Kurenai was a little disappointed about having only one student pass but when considering their opponents, she had to concede defeat.

Asuma was pleased to see two of his Genin get by. He placed a reassuring hand on Ino's shoulder. "You'll get your chance next time," he assured her.

"I'm fine," Ino replied. What she'd gained through her loss was far more valuable than a promotion.

Gai didn't mind that only one of his Genin passed. They had each tried their hardest and that was all that mattered.

Baki was more than proud of his Genin, especially Gaara for having displayed restraint instead of losing control like he would have otherwise.

Orochimaru was pissed. Not even a single Oto nin had passed. It just served to show he'd chosen weaklings to do his dirty work. He wouldn't make the same mistake next time.

Jin was displeased with Osamu but settled down with the knowledge that Michiru and Daichi would be more than enough to reflect Iwa's strength.

Now the only thought going through everyone's head was the outcome of the Final part of the Chuunin Exams. Who would win and who would lose?

A/N: As mentioned earlier, I'll allow you guys to vote on what Schnookums brought up. It won't be a direct thing to worry about for a while but I'd figure I'd get it all cleared up now. I can go any way so I figured I'd see what you guys would like.

Options are:

Mpreg possible

Ino as a surrogate mother for Naruto/Shika's child

Adoption

None of the above