Chapter 11

I grimaced as water splashed on my face. I was practicing on my own with my water justus in the stream as my team was on the training

grounds, sparring. I took a deep breath as I molded my chakra into the water. I bought up a long ribbon of water as I weaved it in the air

above me. I made some figure eights in the air as free practice, then a full circle. I focus the chakra to my hands and formed tentacle-like

whips. I hit one of the trees close by the shore as some leaves rained down. I targeted ten of them, and unleashed many strikes aiming at

each one.

"Still practicing?" I turned to see Tenten calling me with Neji close by, "Did you hit all of them?".

I let the water fall from my hands as I approached the shore, "I miss two out of ten" I mumbled as I grabbed my sandals next to my jacket

and flyer. I caught a glimpse of Neji with his more than usual serious expression, studying me. I felt my face flushed, "What?" I said. Tenten

grabbed my flyer, "You know Kira, you've been in a sour mood since Gai-sensei mentioned the chunin exam" she said. I stood silent. "Are

you going to take it?" she asked. I stood silent again. "You don't think you're ready." came Neji's voice. I stared at him, it wasn't a question, it

was a solid statement as if he was certain. I blushed with embarrassment just thinking about how he was able to read that off me, "Fine, I

don't think I am." I finally admitted, looking away from his knowing gaze, "I just became a genin a few months back, you guys had pretty

much a year. Surely I'm not ready" I curled up my knees and hid my face. I felt the weight of my jacket on top of my head as I looked up,

Tenten was chuckling, "But you forget, you gained experience even before here. You said you practiced a few years of taijutsu with your

father and you're really good at it. You almost rival Lee at it." I slipped on my jacket as I process the thought, "I guess. Speaking of, where is

he?". Tenten handed me my flyer, "He went to help Gai-sensei with something right after he dismissed us, so I brought Neji with me to

come get you" I glanced at the sky, unaware of the late hour, "Oh."

We made our way out of the training grounds and entered the busy streets. Idle chatter was made mostly between Tenten and I, Neji

occasionally commenting. "See you tomorrow" said Tenten as she left Neji and I, taking a different route. I waved as she slowly disappeared

in the mass of people. We walked in silence as we took our route. My mind wandered back to the daunting subject, was I really ready for

the chunin exam? When Gai brought it up and Lee and Tenten explain what it was, I grew excited, eager that I was making a fast process to

my dream. But slowly doubt settled in my mind as I compared myself to my team, being self-conscious and doubting my ability and

techniques. I just didn't like that feeling. Suddenly, I felt myself being pushed up against Neji, we had just entered a more crowded area. I

tried to managed a gap between us but failed, "Sorry Neji, it's too crowded." I said. Neji seemed a bit flustered at the close contact, "It can't

be help, let's hurry" he said as hesitantly grabbed my hand, "You looked preoccupied, you don't want to be lost." My breath caught in my

throat from the sudden contact. My fingers curled instantly without me knowing as my mind slowly began to fuzz. My body was being drawn

to his as I felt the warmth coming from him. My heart raced as I sniffed a subtle earthy scent, 'This is Neji's scent,' I thought, trying to as

close as I could. It was very relaxing, yet it was overwhelming me, my face was heating up and my pulse was terribly fast. I swallowed hard,

trying to contain myself in this unbearable situation. "Kira," called Neji. I looked at him, my breath shallow, "Y-yeah?" "We're here Kira." he

said.

I looked around, my home a small walk away, then I saw my hand still linked to his, my face flamed as I carefully brought my hand back,

"Oh, sorry." I turned to Neji, a small gasp almost escaping from my lips as his gaze burned so intensely at me. I searched in his eyes, trying

to read any trace of emotion, but it was well hidden behind his fierce eyes, "Neji?" I said softly. He blinked a couple times, away from his

thoughts, "Sorry, I'll be going now." he said as he said his goodbye.

"Neji!" I called as he started to leave, "Do you think I should take the chunin exam?"

He slowly turned back to me and stared at me, "That is something you have to decide." he said. "But," I began to protest but felt Neji's hand

came up to silence me. "We're all different Kira, everyone has their own strengths and weaknesses and their own techniques and abilities.

You shouldn't compare yourself to your team, you're not as weak as you think." he reassured me. I blinked back, realising what he was

telling me, "If I were you, I would go for it. You have nothing to lose." he said. As all my thoughts finalized, I smiled brightly at him, and

suddenly hugged him, "Thank you." I said wholeheartedly. I released him and made my way home, saying my goodbyes.

"Good morning my youthful students!" called Gai as he approached us, "I have given you an entire day to think about the chunin exam,

what are your answers?"

"Hai." said Lee.

"Hai." said Neji

"Hai." said Tenten

I stood quiet. My team was looking at me, waiting for my answer. "Well Kira?" said Gai. I clenched my fists as the surge of emotion flooded

me, "Hai Sensei!" I said, full of determination and confidence. Gai grinned, "Good." he pulled out a folder from his vest, "I had all your

paperwork done last night." Tenten grinned, "So you knew we were all going to say yes?" Gai nodded, "You wouldn't be my students if I

knew that," he said. "So the exam will take place in less than two months. You must train and sharpen your skills. We will train like usual on

top of that with the standard given missions. Is that understood?"

"Hai!" we chorused.

"Let's begin. Fifty warm up laps. Go!" yelled Gai.

I stared at the slowly rising sun, clasping my hands together tightly, 'It's today, the chunin exam'. I was sitting on the window frame, trying to

gather myself. I've been up for two hour of restless sleep, my mind running like crazy and my body trembling with so much emotion. I

glanced back at my bed, Haru was still sleeping, buried under the blankets. The corners of my mouth curved to small smile, 'Lucky him.

Sleeping so peacefully all night,' I sighed and grabbed my clothes and went to the bathroom. I set my clothes aside and went to the sink,

turning on the water. I cupped my hands then splashed my face with warm water. As I was getting my toothbrush and started brushing my

teeth, I stared at my reflection. I clearly read the mixed emotions on my face, I felt apprehensive, so unnerved.

The last month, I've been training extensively, pushing my body to more limits than I could bare. Gai and Lee helped me strengthen my

taijutsu and building my speed and stamina. Tenten taught and practiced hours worth of hand-to-hand combat and accuracy. Neji sparred

countless times with me, I hardly won unless I used my kekkei genkai. I spat out the white foam, rinsed my mouth and dried my face. I still

saw the uncertain emotion on my face, worry settling into my mind...

*SMACK*

My hands laid on my cheeks, they flushed in color and held a faint sting, I shook my head. 'I don't have time for this. This is not the time for

me to lose confidence in myself,' I prepped myself, 'I know I got stronger and I know I still will. My clan needs me,' I envision the people that

were important in my life, 'My family...Ayumi, they need me...and my team needs me too'. I felt the feeling slowly melting away from me and

felt myself becoming calm. I smiled and started to change, pulling on my beige shorts and my black fishnet tank top. I left the bathroom and

went to the kitchen. I grabbed an egg from the refrigerator and quickly fried it up while I toasted a slice of bread. I served myself a cup of

orange juice then top the egg on top of the toast. I ate as quickly and quietly as possible since everybody was still sleeping. Once I finished

and cleaned up, I grabbed my new black sandals and gloves. I loved my new gloves especially, they reached to my elbows with steel-plates

on knuckles and were fingerless. Once they were on, I pulled on my sleeveless jacket, wrote a quick note to Grandmother that I left early,

zipped up my jacket and left downstairs and out the door.

"Kira! You're here early" I heard Lee called out to me. Nearly two hours passed, I was in the training grounds, lying on a branch up a tree,

aimlessly circling a water ribbon between my hands. I glanced down, Lee, along with Neji and Tenten, looked up at me in the tree. I wrapped

the water around my arm and shot it to a lower branch as I swung myself down, "Good morning," I greeted as I landed on the ground. "Did

you wait long?" asked Lee, bright as usual. I smiled, "Not really. Ready to go?" I said as I let the water fall from my hand. Everyone nodded, I

grinned back, "Alright let's go!"

Hoped you loved this chapter! Reviews would be nice!

~KiraSan