Shadows, Sounds, and Dogs

"The winner is Temari," Hayate announced.

Tenten and Hinata lied unconscious on the floor. The medical core headed over to both girls and placed them on stretchers, carrying them away meanwhile Temari returned by her team's side, waiting for the next match.

Before the blond had gotten out of the ring both Kiba and Lee were tempted to rush down and attack her for the way she disrespected their teammates; however were stopped by their teachers. Naruto had watched the match carefully so he could understand the sand ninja's skills. She would be a tough opponent to beat if he got matched up with her later.

Once the floor was cleared and cleaned Hayate signaled for the board to start again. Everyone gazed upon it to see who they would get. "There are nine people left. Me, Naruto, Shikamaru, Neji, Lee, Choji, those two sound ninja guys, and that sand guy," Kiba said. He held up a finger for each person he named.

He looked across the room at Gaara. "Just don't put me up against him is all I asked." Akumaru barked in agreement.

The board stopped. "The next match is Shikamaru Nara versus Kin versus Kiba Inuzuka," Hayate announced.

Kiba looked at the board. "I'm going up against Shikamaru, huh." He smirked. "This should be interesting."

Shikamaru sighed, running his hand through the side of his hair. "What a drag? I got to go up against that animal." He had one eye opened as he looked over at the kunochi he was facing on the other side of the room. "And then there is an opponent I know anything about."

The three step onto the floor with Shikamaru standing across from Kin while Kiba stood between them across from Hayate. "What a drag I actually have to go up against a girl," Shikamaru complained.

"Go on, you can do it, Shikamaru," Ino cheered.

"Yeah, you just keep thinking that little man," Kin said.

"This is going to be fun," Kiba chimed in. He putted Akumaru down beside him as he got ready for the fight.

Hayate looked at each of the ninja. "Let the match begin!"

Kiba got down on one knee and formed a hand sign. "I'll get things started. Ninja Art: Beast Mimic!" Chakra flowed out of Kiba with his features becoming more beast like with long and sharper claws and teeth. He stood up on all fours with Akumaru.

Both Kin and Shikamura looked over at the dog handler. "What the-? What type of jutsu is that?" Kin questioned.

"Oh, no." Shikamaru took an uneasy step back as a drop of sweat fell down the side of his face.

Kiba launched himself forward at Shikamura, elbowing him in the gut. Shikamura flew back, landing on the floor for the fast strike not able to dodge Kiba's superior speed.

Akumaru meanwhile headed over to the sound kunochi and sank his teeth into the woman's arm. Kin flung her arm around, trying to get the dog off of her. "Get off of me you, mangy mutt." Akumaru held on tighter.

Kin pulled out throwing needles, sliding them in between her fingers. "That's enough, you damn mutt." She went down to stab her needles on the small dog.

Kiba charged at her on all fours. "Stop right there. No one hurts Akumaru." Before Kin could finish bringing the needles down on her prey, Kiba jumped her. Akumaru let go of the girl's arm while she and his master had it out.

Needles flew into walls and under the higher platforms while Kin was forced to wrestle around with Kiba. Kiba had the advantage natural since he was more physically aggressively stronger than his opponent, but the woman's pride wouldn't allow her to lose.

Kin managed to pull on the strings that were attached to the senbo bells. The bells chimed, being directed toward both Kiba and Akumaru's ear. Kiba fell off of Kin, holding his ears. The dog shinobi grunted out in pain.

Kin got back up on her feet. "This should teach you to mess with me," Kin said. "Once you hear my bells there's nothing you can do. It will make it impossible for you to move." She pulled out more senbo between her fingers. "So I'm going to make you look like a porcupine." A smirked appeared on her face.

"Ah, damn it." Kiba was as helpless as a new born pup as he continued to hear the ringing of the bells. His eyes were closed tight.

Suddenly both of them were frozen still. Kin's eyes opened wide. "What's going on?" She shifted her eyes toward Shikamaru who was now standing with a shadow extended out.

"Man, that hurt," Shikamaru said, rubbing his stomach and forcing the other two to do the same. "But it gave me enough time to let you guys fight it out so I could perform my shadow possession jutsu. Now, I'm ready to end this."

"You.." Kin hissed out.

"Shikamaru," Kiba said weakly.

Shikamaru raised his fist, causing Kin to do the same with her fist full of throwing needles. "Now this is what you get for elbowing me earlier." He swung the fist down, forcing Kin to do the same thing toward Kiba to go for a fatal blow.

"Stop!" Hayate held out a hand. "Kiba, can no longer fight therefore he has lost this match."

Shikamaru stopped right before Kin could hit Kiba with the needles and smiled. "That's one down. And next,…" He forced Kin and himself to be face to face with each other. "I'm going to take you down."

"I won't be defeated like that pup," Kin said.

"No, I have other plans for you," Shikamaru said. Shikamaru pulled his hand back and then threw them forward, forcing Kin to throw her needles.

"You're crazy!" Kin said.

Shikamaru bent over backwards, dodging the needles.

That's no problem I'll do that too, Kin thought. Her head fell back and slammed against the wall behind her. She fell unconscious and dropped to the floor with Shikamaru's shadow possession jutsu being undone.

"A good shinobi is aware of their surroundings." Shikamaru flipped back on his feet.

Hayate raised his hand. "The winner is Shikamaru Nara."

"Yeah, Shikamaru," Ino cheered.

Naruto had his arms folded across his chest. "So there are only two matches left."

"Whoever doesn't get picked for this match will be in the next one," Neji stated.

The board stopped. "The next match will be Naruto Uzumaki versus Dosu versus Neji Hyuga," Hayate announced.

Naruto smiled. "So I'm finally up."

"Good luck, Naruto," Sakura said.

Naruto looked over at Karin to see she silently nodded in his direction with a smile.

"It's about time," Neji said.

Kiba and Shikamaru walked back up the steps while Naruto and Neji headed down them. Kin had been taken off of the floor.

Dosu leaped over the railing to land on the main floor. The three shinobi gathered in the middle of the floor. Naruto stood straight across Dosu while Neji was in the middle. Each of them eyed each other.

I remember the mummy looking guy produces sound from that arm device of his, Naruto thought. Then there's Neji since he's from the same clan as Hinata I'll assume he has the same type of style of fighting. The Gentle Fist. I can't let my guard down on either of them.

I can finally get my revenge on that leaf brat, Dosu thought.

Destiny has chosen me to win this fight, Neji told himself. Neither of them are as powerful as myself.

Each of the ninjas took up their fighting position.

"Let the match begin!"