Chapter 25: Tenten vs. Lee

Tenten slowly climbed up the stairs that headed to the waiting area. There was no turning back now. She has to keep fighting. Tenten balled her hands into fists, feeling her nails dig into the skin of her palms mercilessly.

Luck just really wanted to fuck her up. If she did manage to win against Lee, then her next opponent would be Sasuke. Giving up would still result to having at least one of them after her ass. She really didn't have much of an option. There was only one thing left for her to do.

Nodding, she headed up the stairs with new found determination. "Then I'll do just that."

"She still isn't here yet!" Lee's eyes began to glaze with unshed tears.

"Who's not here yet?"

Lee, Naruto, Kiba and Shino glanced at the newest addition to the group.

"Sakura-chan!" Naruto greeted energetically as he waved at her.

"Tenten! Tenten's not here yet!" Lee stated as his eyes watered in tears.

"Tenten?" Sakura narrowed her eyes as she glanced around the waiting area. "You're right. I don't see her anywhere."

Naruto scratched his head for the umpteenth time. "First Sasuke-teme arrives late. Now Tenten's gone missing!"

Sasuke simply closed his eyes and folded his arms in front of his chest. "I already told you. She's coming."

Sakura's eyes widened as she turned to look at Sasuke. "Y-You sound pretty sure, Sasuke-kun. Do you know her?"

Sasuke simply replied with a grunt.

"I see…" Sakura softly said as she forced herself to smile while her inner self exploded in unmitigated jealousy. Since when did they get close?

Naruto scowled at Sasuke's reply. "How can you be so sure that she's gonna come?"

Sasuke tilted his head to the side to glare at Naruto. "She's coming."

Sakura could only look on in surprise at Sasuke's certainty while Naruto simply folded his arms and stuck his tongue out. "Whatever!"

Kiba and exchanged meaningful glances.

"Since when were Sasuke and Tenten a thing?" Kiba whispered loud enough for Sakura to hear. He grinned when he saw her stiffen at his comment.

Shino could only sigh. He need not concern himself with ridiculous matters. Instead, he tilted his head towards the screen. "58 seconds left."

"We're running out of time!" Lee panicked hysterically.

"Don't worry. I'll find her for you!" Naruto heroically stated as he gave Lee the 'good guy' pose.

Sakura sighed in annoyance. "Naruto, whatever you're planning-"

"Tajuu Kagebun-"

A hand immediately landed on both of Naruto's shoulders.

"Huh?" Naruto glanced behind only to see Tenten smiling at him reassuringly.

"There's no need, Naruto. Don't need to waste your chakra."

"Ah! You're here!" Naruto screamed.

Kiba failed to conceal the surprise on his face. He didn't sense her at all!

"When did you-?" Sakura pointed a finger at Tenten in disbelief.

Shino narrowed his eyes. He would have to be careful around this one.

"Tenten-san!" Lee stated in relief as he went over to give her a hug. "Where have you been? We've been looking all over for you!" He scolded.

"Sorry! I guess I lost track of time!" Tenten pressed her palms together in apology.

"You should be more careful!" Lee insisted.

"Oh come on Lee! Our match isn't the first one anyway so it's ok to be a little late."

"But still!" Lee firmly stated.

Sakura, Naruto, Kiba and Shino glanced at the pair.

"You mean you're…" Kiba began as he pointed at Tenten and Lee.

"Huh?" Tenten and Lee both exclaimed as they looked at the surprised faces of the four.

"You're fighting against each other!?" Naruto added as he pointed at Tenten and then Lee then back to Tenten.

"Uh, yeah…" Tenten casually stated.

"Yes!" Lee replied as his eyes burned.

"Really?!" Naruto still couldn't believe it.

"When's your match?" Sakura asked.

"Hm, not exactly sure when. I think it's the third or fourth?" Tenten replied as she thought for a while.

"How unlucky for the two of you. Going against each other this early on. It's a pity." Kiba smugly stated as he smirked in amusement.

"Huh?" Naruto scratched his head. "What's a pity about that?"

"Don't tell me you forgot that they're teammates!" Kiba said as he scratched his head.

"So what's wrong if they're teammates?! It's a good way to test each other's strengths! Idiot!" Naruto replied.

"I dare you to say that again!" Kiba warned as he raised a fist at Naruto.

Tenten smiled at the two fighting ninjas amusingly when she sensed yet another heavy pair of eyes on her. She turned her head only to see Sakura staring at her. She immediately gave Sakura an inquiring look.

Sakura was a little bit taken aback. She was too engrossed with her thoughts that she didn't notice that she was staring so bluntly. "Ah! It's nothing! Nothing at all!" Sakura waved her hand in nonchalance as she looked away.

Tenten simply nodded before turning her attention to an ecstatic Naruto jumping up and down.

"Ten seconds!"

"Yosh!" Lee clenched his fists and threw them in the air.

"Ha! About time! I was starting to get bored!" Kiba said as he did a few stretches.

Tenten couldn't help but laugh at their childish antics as they counted down along with the timer.

"Three!" Naruto counted down loudly.

"Two!" Lee joined in.

Tenten glanced at the timer and narrowed her eyes. The pressure was enormous, but a strange for of excitement was building up in her chest. This was her chance – a chance to show the whole Ninja world she was not the same pathetic little girl they saw back in the Chuunin exams. This was her chance to prove just how much stronger she had become.

"One."

BUZZ!

The announcer's voice echoed through the arena. "The second round of the Jounin exams will now begin!"

The crowd erupted with cheers and the arena was sound engulfed by noise.

"Wow, even the spectators are so enthusiastic." Tenten couldn't help but smile sheepishly.

"Of course they are, Tenten-san! They are burning their youth!" Lee replied as fire burned in his eyes.

"You're attention please." The announcer's voice rang once again. "Please turn your attention towards the screen for the schedule of matches."

Everyone glanced at the large electronic board as the matches for the second round of the Jounin exams were shown.

1. Uzumaki Naruto (A) vs. Nara Shikamaru (B)

2. Chuichirou Nogi (C) vs. Natsume Hajime (D)

3. Shinomori Saito (E) vs. Haruno Sakura (F)

4. Tenten (G) vs. Rock Lee (H)

5. Seijirou Yamamoto (I) vs. Uchiha Sasuke (J)

6. Todou Aoi (K) vs. Narumi Tsukino (L)

7. Inuzuka Kiba (M) vs. Minamito Sano (N)

8. Aburame Shino (O) vs. Sumire Tobita (P)

"Oh! Shikamaru passed as well!" Tenten exclaimed. She looked around for the lazy genius to no avail. "Hey, guys, Shikamaru's not here yet."

"He has to forfeit the matches. He's out of juice." Kiba answered.

"Out of juice?" Tenten asked in clarification.

"Shikamaru's pretty good but he's not really the type who can fight too many one on one battles. It takes a toll on his chakra reserve." Sakura explained. "During the break, the medics deemed him unable to fight. It would be pointless, after all, if he won't be able to use any of his techniques."

"Heh! I can't believe Naruto gets through his first fight without even breaking a sweat!" Kiba teased.

"I'll take you on if that's what you want!" Naruto warned as he raised his fist at Kiba.

"Stop it! Both of you!" Sakura scolded.

The announcer began to speak once more. "For this portion of the match, there are no rules. The match ends when either one of the following occurs: death or submission."

"Isn't that always what they say when rules are asked?" Tenten stated in amusement.

"Ladies and gentlemen, without further ado, we bring you the second round of the Jounin exams."

Cheers erupted throughout the arena.

"And now, please welcome the referee of the preliminary rounds."

"AH!" Naruto yelled as he pointed at the figure of a man with pointed silver hair. He was walking towards the middle of the arena waving a hand holding a green bound book.

"K-Kakashi-sensei?" Sakura said incredulously as she pointed towards Kakashi as well. "He's the proctor?"

"He didn't tell us anything at all!" Naruto stated in disbelief.

"And that's how it should be." Kiba stated as he scratched the back of his head.

"Ahem…"

Everyone directed their attention to the masked man standing in the middle of the arena.

"Now that I have your attention, let's begin with the first match. Uzumaki Naruto and-"

A fellow proctor suddenly appeared beside Kakashi.

"What is it Kotetsu-san?" Kakashi inquired.

The spectators began to whisper to each other.

Naruto and the others looked on as Kotetsu and Kakashi conversed.

"He's probably informing Kakashi-sensei about Shikamaru." Lee stated.

They watched as Kakashi nodded before Kotetsu disappeared into a poof of smoke.

"It seems Shikamaru Nara is no longer eligible to fight."

The noise from the crowd grew.

"Now, shall we proceed to the next match?" Kakashi paused as he glanced at the board. "Will the fighters-"

Another proctor appeared beside Kakashi. "What's the matter, Genma-san?"

Tenten scrunched her eyebrows. "What's wrong this time?"

"I have no idea." Kiba replied with irritation.

The group watched in curiosity as Kakashi and Genma discussed.

Kakashi unenthusiastically nodded his reply as Genma disappeared in a cloud of smoke. "I have just been informed that the two fighters of the second match are no longer eligible to fight as well."

The crowd went wild as they groaned and booed. They even went as far as throwing a few trashes towards the arena.

Tenten felt her mouth fall open.

"Damn!" Kiba cursed as he glared at Naruto. "You win two straight rounds without a fight!"

"An extremely lucky man." Shino added as he tried his best to mask his irritation.

"Ha! They must have been scared to face me, the genius ninja who will be crowned as the Sixth Hokage!" Naruto bragged as he laughed wholeheartedly but stopped when he realized the looks people were giving him.

Tenten laughed in disbelief. "I am extremely envious of Naruto right now." Tenten thought as she glanced at Lee.

Kakashi cleared his throat once again to silence the growing unrest. "May we now move on to the third match. Shinomori Saito vs. Haruno Sakura."

"S-Sakura-chan! You're up!" Naruto cheered.

"Do your best! Sakura-chan!" Lee added.

Lee and Naruto kept on yelling cheers for Sakura as she headed for the stairs leading to the battle field. Sakura stopped for a moment to glance at Sasuke. He was seated on his chair with his eyes closed and his hands folded on his chest. She sighed before heading down the steps.

"I'll just head to the comfort room." Tenten whispered to Lee before excusing herself from the rest of the group. Everything was happening so fast. She needed to think.

Tenten let out a breath she didn't know she was holding. Standing a few paces from the entrance of the arena, she flopped herself down the dewy grass. Her fight with Lee was up next and she still wasn't sure how her plan would work out. Everything was so frustrating uncertain.

"How are you doing?"

Tenten sighed at the voice but still couldn't help herself from smiling. "I'm doing well, I guess." Standing up, Tenten turned around to nod her greeting. "Gai-sensei."

"No need for the sensei, Tenten." Gai smiled softly. "We're practically equals now."

Tenten smiled as she shook her head. "Nah, to me you'll always be Gai-sensei. That will never change." Tenten fought the urge to laugh at the comical tears shining through Gai's eyes. She couldn't believe she ever found his antics annoying. He was just downright adorable.

"Gai-sensei, I'm fighting Lee next." Tenten began as she scratched her head in discomfort. "I don't know what to do."

"What do you mean you don't know what to do?"

Tenten could only look on as Gai gave her an incredulous gaze. "Isn't it simple? You fight him with everything you've got! Show him how much you've grown over the years. The best respect you can give an opponent is to never hold back. And the best form of friendship is that which never breaks despite countless challenges."Gai paused to give his trademark good guy pose. "At the end of the day, the memories that stick with you are those who hurt you the most but eventually made you the happiest in the end. Moments like these are one in a million. So treasure it, give it all you've got."

Tenten could only look on in awe. For the first time in her life, Tenten found herself respecting Gai on a whole new level – the type of respect that would last a lifetime. This was the sensei she never had a chance to bond with. This was the man Lee had idolized all these years. And now she finally understood.

Smiling, Tenten could help but run towards Gai, enveloping him in a hug. Gai couldn't help but feel taken aback by the gesture, but eventually allowed himself to hug his student back. Gone was the little girl who appeared to have no real dreams. In front of him was a woman full of strength and aspirations. This was the woman she grew up to be when she left his care. There wasn't a day he berated himself for all his shortcomings towards her. And though it hurt to admit it, deep down Gai new that leaving was the best thing Tenten could have done for herself.

"Thank you Gai-sensei. For always believing in me. For seeing something in me that I never really saw before." Releasing herself from the hug, Tenten looked at Gai through tear-filled eyes. "I never told you but you were the closest thing to a father I had."

Gai felt his heart freeze a thousand times over before bursting in eternal joy. Giving Tenten one of his famous bear hugs, Gai could no longer control the onslaught of tears. "You have made me the happiest father alive!"

"G-Gai-sensei. Can't. Breathe."

Dropping Tenten back to the ground, Gai gave her a few pats on the head. "Now my daughter, go back in there and make your father proud!"

Tenten couldn't hold back the peals of laughter. Gai really was taking it so seriously. Bowing her goodbye, Tenten headed back to the arena with new-found determination.

Tenten glanced at a worried Kiba and Shino bending down the railings looking at something. Scanning the waiting area, she realized Naruto and Lee were nowhere to be found.

"What's wrong?"

Kiba looked at Tenten before tilting his head back down to the battle grounds.

Tenten's eyes widened with shock. There lying in the hands of Naruto was an unconscious Sakura with a few bloody cuts and bruises.

"Is she alright?" Tenten looked at Kiba with worried eyes.

"She's fine, just unconscious. The Saito guy she was up against was pretty good. Although his attacks were not that special, his speed was something else! I don't think even I can compare to him in speed."

"It was unfortunate that she was put up against such person." Shino added.

"We're lucky Naruto didn't go berserk." Tenten softly said.

"Nope. He did go crazy." Kiba interjected. "But Kakashi and Lee were able to stop him in time."

"Oh. That's good then." Tenten replied.

"Thanks to his intervention Sakura got disqualified." Kiba added.

"A disqualification is better than death." Tenten replied with slight irritation.

"It was just in time, as well. The opponent was about to deliver a finishing blow." Shino stated as he gazed intently at the monitor. "Looks like your match is next."

Tenten froze. And as if on cue, she heard the announcement of the next battle.

"Will the fighters Tenten and Rock Lee, winners from groups G and H, please proceed to the battle grounds."

Tenten clenched her hands into fists. This was it. No more backing out.

"Hey, will you really be alright?"

Tenten glanced at a skeptical Kiba. Shino was standing alongside him seemingly expressionless.

Tenten grinned sheepishly. "I'll be fine. After all, it's been a while since Lee and I spared. This would be fun, I guess." Nodding her goodbye, Tenten headed for the stairs ignoring the heavy gaze she felt from Sasuke. He could go and fuck himself for all she cared.

"Is it just me…?" Kiba paused as he watched Tenten emerge on the battle field. "Or does this battle feel like it's going to be awesome?"

Shino shrugged. For some reason he felt the exact same way.

Kiba and Shino watched as Sasuke stood up to walk towards the railings, ready to observe the fight. They exchanged curious glances.

"You'll either end up fighting the Saito guy or one of these two in the semi-finals." Kiba stated as he gave Sasuke a nonchalant glance. "Who do you think will win in this round?"

Sasuke gave no reply much to Kiba's annoyance. A hand was on his shoulder. Glancing up at Shino, he saw him shake his head. "Leave it."

Kiba huffed before turning his attention back to the arena.

Tenten tried her best to avoid Lee's meaningful glance at her as she made her way to the middle of the arena.

Kakashi glanced at the two fighters of the next round and he smirked. "Boy will this be interesting." He didn't try to hide the anticipation in his voice.

Tenten simply gave Kakashi a forced polite smile before glancing over to Lee.

Pointing a finger at Tenten, Lee narrowed his eyes knowingly. "Don't hold back."

Tenten sighed in exasperation. "As if I'll have a chance to."

Glancing at Tenten and Lee, Kakashi raised his hand in the air. "Are both fighters ready?"

Tenten nodded her head. Her right hand rested on her weapon's holster and her left hand grazed the edge of the scroll behind her back.

"YOSH! Kakashi-sensei!" Lee balled his fists in the air.

"BEGIN!"

Kakashi jumped back-flipped swiftly, distancing himself from the two fighters. Getting involved in this fight was the last thing on his mind right now.

Pulling open the huge scroll behind her back, Tenten sent an array of weapons straight at Lee.

"You won't be able to defeat me if you hold back, Tenten." Lee teased as he sidestepped the weapons aimed at him. The grin on his face quickly fell when he heard a notable hissing sound.

Tenten smirked ever so slightly as she winked. "Explosive notes."

BOOM!

Lee coughed a bit as he hid behind a tree. That was close. The explosive notes were masked making it almost impossible to detect through vision. Had it not been for the hissing sounds, Tenten would have gotten him good.

Lee peeped from behind the tree as he waited for the dust and smoke to clear out. He never would have expected her to conceal them under thing he was fast.

Spotting a silhouette, Lee charged through the battle field. "Konoha senpu!"

POOF!

"Bunshin?"

Lee went into a defensive stance as he cautiously glanced around in search for Tenten. When the smoke finally cleared, Lee's eyes narrowed in confusion. Tenten was nowhere to be seen.

"How could she have-"

Lee's thoughts were cut short when he noticed several small shadows growing beneath him. Glancing up, he saw Tenten up in the sky alongside a rainstorm of weapons.

"Shit!"