Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto or Naruto Shippuden Anime/ Manga. This is purely for fan based reasons.

Chapter 03:

The First Challenge:

Teams

Kiba had already made his mind up on who he wanted in his team. First he would fulfill his promise to Naruto and chose him and Hinata. That way he could look after them since he had a Byakugan user already. He would no longer need Neji on his team so next would have to be Shikamaru for his brains. After that Temari just so she'd be with her lover no sense breaking them up plus he needed motivation. Of course he had to pick Shino it just felt natural having his squad with him. Though he would dread this choice next was Tayuya for Shino's sake. Whoever he chose after that didn't matter the only concern was choosing whoever they were dating next. Now he was certain of who he was going to chose it was time to make those choices.

"First up, Naruto get over here man," He put his hand up.

"My man," Naruto gave him a high five. Ino rolled her eyes not even a bit surprised he'd pick Naruto first.

"Hinata, you are with me." Ino called. Normally Sakura would be her first pick which kind of offended her friend but not enough for her to get upset over it. She decided to choose Hinata first because she had helped her in the previous challenge. This proved she was reliable and could be trusted. Besides her team needed to have someone with Byakugan and she preferred Hinata over Neji. This was no time to be picking favorites; she needed to be strategic with her choices.

"Neji," He called, Neji nodded taking his place by his side. Sure he couldn't get Hinata but Neji has already proven of great use without his cover he would have never got first. Neji looked at Kiba as to pass a hint to pick Tenten next so Ino couldn't separate them. He wanted to spend every minute on this island with his wife and no competition was going to interfere with that. Kiba nodded assuring him he'd pick not this time but next because odds are Ino would overlook her if she really was being strategic Tenten wasn't high on the list. No offense to Tenten.

"Sakura," Ino urged her over. She would not overlook her a second she needed her best friend. Sakura made the excellent especially when tagged with her or Sasuke. She grinned knowing her next choice. This left Kiba no choice Sakura and Sasuke made a deadly duo and with Ino was almost overkill luckily he had Naruto to prevent it.

"Sasuke," Kiba urged him over being nudged by Neji who still wanted him to pick Tenten. "Sorry Neji but I can't let her have him." Sasuke walked over to Kiba's side not too flattered he was Kiba's team instead of Ino's. He kind of wanted to win this with Sakura or Naruto as the only person remaining. One would resort as a couple win the other the ultimate showdown. At least, this played to one of the possibilities.

Ino bit her lip upset he ruined her plan. Not only that he took the only Sharingan and now he had both Sharingan and Byakugan. Not only that he had Naruto and Sasuke the two best shinobi this could easily be overkill unless she made her choices count. First and foremost she had to punish him for cock blocking her. "Tenten, you are on my team." Ino passed a glare at Kiba letting him know this was payback.

Neji hit Kiba with a sharp elbow to ribcage as punishment for not taking the chance to recruit Tenten. "Sorry," He apologized. Kiba glared at Ino if she wanted to send strikes at him then he do the same to her though he hated what he had to do to get the point across. "Sai, you are with me." Ino fought the urge to kill him for picking her boyfriend. Sai walked over to Kiba's side.

"Temari," Ino called thinking of counterpart to Sai like him she could fly and they needed that advantage in case another race came along. Temari took her spot by Ino hoping her next pick was Shikamaru.

"Sorry bro but I got to do it," Kiba called Shikamaru over to him. He groaned taking his place in Kiba's team. "I'm really sorry but I needed your brains."

"It's a drag but I understand," He agreed knowing Kiba would be lost without him. Also this gave him freedom from Temari. Shikamaru loved her but sometimes her crude personality can be a bit much. Plus he liked having guy time just to be a guy for a moment.

"Tayuya," Ino called claiming the last female. Kiba had claimed Shikamaru her first choice for the brains. The only other option was Tayuya she wasn't as smart as him but close enough to get the job done. Plus her devious mind thought of things he didn't which in some ways made her better.

"Shino," Kiba called over. The choices were narrowing down out of all that remained. Shino was the one he had the most history with and was really his best choice at the moment. Shino took his spot by Kiba glad he wasn't chose last. Upset he wasn't on the same team as his lover who was upset for the same reason.

"Kankuro," Ino crossed her arms realizing if she had to pick someone out of this lot. She might as well pick the guy her boyfriend can't stop sleeping with. It was best to keep them apart for her sake. He walked over glad to be on the same team as his sister. Team Sand was back in business.

"Choji," Kiba urged him over having formed the Sasuke retrieval squad all over again. Sure it was last minute but still pretty awesome that he could form it. It made him confident tha his team would take down Ino's team.

"Lee," Ino called claiming the last player but not least. As far as physical challenges went he was the best to have and could combat the Naruto and Sasuke duo. Guy felt bad Lee was picked last.

"It's okay clearly they intended to save the best for last. Do not worry Ino I will not let you down." Lee walked over to her side. Kiba felt bad that Lee wasn't in his team knowing he probably wanted to be. He knew he'd regret not picking him when a physical challenge came up because Lee would be unstoppable. Still he did not regret picking Choji he had power and they had history. Choji would come through for him.

"Alright the teams are formed," Guy commented as Team Kiba stood across from Team Ino. "Now it's time for the first official challenge." His voice became full of excitement. "Alright everyone, come with me," He lead them to the beach on the outskirts of their little island. "Gaara its show time," The Kazekage created a giant sand wall dividing the beach in half and setting it up for a no holds barred volley ball match. Kiba and Ino looked at each other knowing they were going to enjoy this challenge.

"I figured since this was the first challenge I should at least make it fun." He pulled out well armored volley ball. "So we are going to have a no holds barred volley ball match between Team Ino and Team Kiba. The match will end in ten minutes whoever has the most points wins the challenge. The winning team gets to remain on the island while the losing team has to vote one of their players off the island. As a special treat the top scorer gets to request one item from the village to bring here whether it's food, beverages, anything they want." Ino grinned; the first thing she was going to request was a swimsuit for this hot ass island or maybe even some sun screen. "Everyone, take your places," The teams took their opposing sides both sides eager to win this game. Guy had Ino and Kiba play brief match of rock, paper, scissors, to decide whose team served first. Ino had claimed the win and was handed the ball.

Before making her first move, she examined the ball. It was quite heavy but could withstand whatever attack was thrown at it. This meant it was going to require a lot of force to get it over the giant wall Gaara had made in between the two teams. Unfortunately it would require a lot more effort for her to get the ball over the wall than some of the others since she did not possess Sakura's enormous strength. However her limberness and perhaps leg strength would more than make up for it. Ino punched the ball at the wall once it bounced off. She jumped and kicked over the wall to the Kiba's side.

"You'll have to do better than that," Kiba climbed the wall and spiked the ball back to their side.

"Alright, how's this?" Sakura punched the ball sending flying over to their side. It was clear she was going hold back an ounce of her strength.

"I got it," Choji blocked her shot using expansion jutsu then shot right back to their side. Kiba gave him a high five for serving as the perfect blocker. He and Neji were in the back with the only purpose to block enemy shots. He guarded the left and Neji the right.

"Child's play," Temari used wind scythe jutsu to deflect the ball catching it in spiral of wind. "Tayuya, take over."

"I thought you'd never ask," Tayuya summoned Doki to act as blockers for Team Ino. She used the one of the club to strike the ball over the wall. Neji deflected the ball with rotation passing it to Shikamaru. He knocked it towards Naruto.

"Let's show them how it's done, Shikamaru." Naruto used a shadow clone whip to send it to the other side. Shikamaru used the shadow produced by the ball to trap Ino's team in shadow possession jutsu.

"Got them," He smirked; waiting for the ball to hit the ground but Lee broke free. He quickly kicked it over to their side towards the unexpected Shino. Kiba tried to save it but it was too late. He was so certain Naruto and Shikamaru's tag strategy had them. Ino deserved that point.

"Point team Ino," Guy announced. Even he was impressed by Lee's maneuver it was times like this he loved his pupil.

"Alright," Kiba smirked preparing to serve the ball. "You want to play hard ball, so be it." He passed it to Sasuke who coated the ball in lighting chakra then served it to Naruto.

"Do it," Sasuke smirked knowing there was no way they could stop this shot.

"Okay," Naruto surrounded the ball in chakra turning it into a massive chidori and rasengan combo with the help of a Sasuke clone. He then served it to Kiba who ate a food pill and sent the ball directly into the opponent's side of the field.

Ino looked at giant chakra fueled ball knowing if anyone even touched that thing. They'd be obliterated. Luckily they didn't have to.

"Not so fast," Temari began slowing the ball down using wind scythe jutsu to do so. "Kankuro," She ordered. He sent crow at the ball knocking it back to the other side. However the moment crow touched the ball it was demolished but succeeded at his job.

The ball made its way towards Choji who failed to block it due to his sudden hunger. Neji tried to cover for him but wasn't quick enough. By the time he got there the point was already theirs. "I was so sure they had us, great work Temari, Kankuro," Ino applauded.

"It was nothing," Temari smirked though slowing their attack had drained a huge chunk of her chakra. She only had one more of those left in her then it was up to Tayuya to redirect the big ones sacrificing her body guards to do so. Tayuya could sense Temari getting low on chakra and took the rear center. This gave Temari time to recover but left her to cover the rear on her own for now. Temari accept her offer and took a spot by Hinata who could cover herself and any shots directed at Temari.

"Choji, what was that?" Kiba asked wondering why he let them have that point. Of course he knew it wasn't intently but the fact remained. If they lost they'd lose a member of their team which would give Ino the strength in numbers advantage. This was not a good way to start the competition.

"I got really hungry," He explained groping his rumbling stomach. Being out of food and facing not one but two intense challenges had ultimately wore him out. "Don't worry, I promise I will get the next one."

"You sure," Kiba asked if needed he'd move Shino to Choji's position and have him act as their defense. However the truth was Choji was way better at it seeing as Shino wasn't known for power. Choji nodded not wanting to be a burden to his team. "Alright, guys we're losing and there's only a minute and a half left. We have to turn this around, Shikamaru any ideas?"

"Actually, I have one," Neji offered. "I know it's a bit below the belt but," He looked at Shikamaru for approval. He nodded. "Temari should be close to her limit which would make her their weakest link so,"

"We just need to direct our shots at her, but we'd have to get passed Hinata." Kiba pointed out.

"We should be able to overwhelm her with little trouble," Sasuke added knowing he could easily do it. "Besides, I think I have the perfect shot that'll do just that." He whispered his idea to his teammates.

The timer resumed and Kiba prepared to serve. He passed it to Sai who flew in the air dropping the ball on the other side. Sakura prepared to redirect it but realized it was covered in insects. She quickly got away from it; Hinata activated her Byakugan and used protective eight trigrams sixty four palms to knock it to the other side. Choji blocked knocking it to Sasuke who then passed it to Sage Mode Naruto. He hit the ball breaking through the wall scoring a point before Sakura could counter with her strength. Tayuya tried to stop it using Doki but the ball defeated all three of them at once leaving her no way to stop it. She couldn't believe Naruto packed this much power.

Now that Tayuya was no longer of any use without Doki. Temari had no choice but to cover her spot with the aid of Hinata. Tayuya stayed by Ino and Sakura unable to do anything to aid them but use Genjutsu. However, not all was lost there was still one jutsu she could use but it required her to stand still and rely solely on their protection. It was a new jutsu she had created to act as the perfect support. The ultimate sound type support jutsu. She hated playing the support role but she could not afford to be sent home first. Nor would she allow the opposing team to win due to her lack of aid. Clearly they were counting on it.

"Sakura, take care of it," Ino passed the ball to Sakura who punched as hard as she could hoping the return the favor just as she hit it. She felt a huge increase in chakra and she wasn't the only one. Tayuya had begun playing her flute and whatever jutsu she was using was greatly increasing their chakra allowing them to borrow hers. Ino was impressed she thought for sure with Doki gone Tayuya was useless.

As the ball hurled towards the other side, Kiba noticed it was radiating with chakra. It was hard to believe this was Sakura's chakra. Sure he'd seen her unleash her full potential but knew wouldn't risk her life for a volley ball match. However whatever caused this made it as if she was but without the risk. He had no choice but to let Sage Naruto block this one. He did knocking it towards Ino. She avoided it knowing better than touch it with that much strength behind it. Temari went for another wind style save but the moment her wind chakra touched it the ball became a RasenShuriken. Left with no options she let them have the point. She had no idea when Naruto did that but figured it out when Sasuke's sharrigan was active. He had cloaked so she wouldn't know until it was too late to prevent.

It was now a tied game and only twenty minutes were left. Ino looked at the ball knowing the winner would be determined by this next shot. They had no choice but to give their all. Kiba looked at her prepared to block her shot and strike it quick enough no one could save it. Naruto was no longer in Sage Mode which had been a huge help thus far but now they needed to rely on whatever strength they had left. It was all or nothing. "Sakura, Lee, let's wrap this up." Ino hit the ball against the wall it bounced off. She kicked it to Sakura who punched in the air. Lee then kicked it over the wall. "Please work." Kiba tried to block it but it moved too fast. The ball made it completely passed Kiba's team. "Temari finish it,"

"Time to speed things up," Temari shrouded the ball in wind sending a huge gust to make it move even faster. "You're through." She slammed the ball on the ground creating a massive gust of wind which kept Choji from blocking it. Tayuya focused her support jutsu solely on Temari as she did this giving her the upper hand she needed to perform such a trick. Tayuya stopped playing having used up majority of her chakra to aid Temari.

"Did we get them?" Sakura asked having poured whatever she strength she had left into that shot.

"The winner is team Ino. The top scorer is Naruto Uzumaki so he gets to chose one prize from home but unfortunately Team Kiba still has to vote someone off. "

"In that case, I chose Ichraku Ramen." Naruto smirked hoping to treat Choji to some ramen. If he HAD to choose one person from his team to go home only one came to mind. Unfortunately that was Choji after all without food he'd be miserable and surely he wasn't the only one who thought this way.

Once Naruto made his choice, Kakashi was sent to collect his choice. When he returned Kiba's team gathered around the campfire to discuss who would go home and why. This was a big decision for even losing one team member was too many. Especially with Ino's team performing like they were. They weren't pulling any punches and from here no neither would they. Naruto shared his one bowl of Ramen with his teammates and they discussed while they ate. Ultimately they were all in agreement and Choji was going home. This did not upset Choji. He knew he messed up on the volley ball challenge and he wasn't cut out for this kind of competition.

Ino's team gathered in her tent doing some team voting of their own. She wanted one of them to find out who was being sent home today and they all decided. Sakura was the best person to find out after all Sasuke wouldn't mind telling her. They celebrated their win and made a point to commend Tayuya, Lee, and Temari for a job well done. They all were kind of upset that Naruto got the award though their team lost the challenge. But what could they do Guy was the judge and like or not Naruto did score the most points despite losing.

Once the celebration was over having drunk a little of Tayuya's celebratory champagne it was now time for Sakura to get some inside information. She went into her and Sasuke's tent waiting for him to return. He walked in looking at her seductively which sent chills down her spine.

"What are you still doing dressed?" He asked removing the towel around his waist revealing his well defined naked body. Sakura was in awe of his perfection for a minute she had that fan girl look in her eyes but after realizing it. Sakura returned to her normal self knowing Sasuke hated the fan girl side of her. He was in love with the real her, the Sakura that was born in his absence. The moment she found her normal self, he placed on hand around her bra strap and kissed her. "Here," She stared at his lips still so close to hers tormenting her with their perfection."Let me help you." He removed her bra letting it fall to the floor. He pressed his lips on his on her neck as his hands trailed down to her panties. Sakura blushed; she was still a little shy around her lover still feeling not good enough for him. However, Sasuke lifted her chin making her look into his beautiful eyes and gave her a slight smile. This erased all doubt and made her focus on those eyes as hands lowered her panties to the floor. He lifted her leg placing it around his waist and began kissing her. He gripped her legs and brought his lips to her breasts sucking on her nipples.

"Sas," Sakura held the back of his neck as he drove her into bliss. "uke." She shuddered as he wrapped her other leg around his waist and inserted his Uchiha pride inside her. She moved his length inside her while he held her in place. Soft moans escaped her lips as he placed her on her back and took charge. He placed his hands over hers as he continuously fucked her. This was to prevent her from clawing his back which she occasionally did though he didn't like it. She had her fixated on his eyes as he went to work. She loved how Sasuke's eyes were focused on hers no words could express how this made her feel. For so long, his eyes were focused on Itachi, vengeance, and so many other things. For this moment, his eyes only saw her. She thought once they were together his eyes would eventually lose sight of her but they never did. He was happy with her though he'd never be the one to show it his eyes told on him. She often wondered if all Uchiha carried that trait or if it was just a Sasuke thing. Either way, she loved it and loved him. Sasuke grabbed her hair with one hand and kissed the side of neck. She grabbed his ass as he pushed into her feeling he was close to his limit just as she was after all grabbing her hair was his way of saying: "I'm close.". Her way was grabbing his ass which he didn't care and actually he enjoyed it but she knew better than point that out for it would make him uncomfortable. Sasuke went to pull out but looked her eyes before making that big decision.

They had just recently had a discussion about rebuilding the Uchiha clan. Sakura was ready to have a baby after seeing Tenten and Neji with one she was sort of jealous had wanted one ever since. Sasuke had been avoiding the discussion worried about all the responsibilities that came with having a baby. Sure he talked big about rebuilding clan but when it came down to it he was frightened that history would repeat itself. He didn't want to be held responsible for another codetta against the Leaf. He also didn't want to push Sakura away she wanted a family and if he couldn't provide her one. She would eventually find someone who will. So, he decided it was time to stop being afraid of what could happen and for once take a lesson from Naruto's ninja handbook. He said he would restore his clan and he wasn't going to go back on his word.

Sasuke gripped her hair tightly as he found his release; Sakura gripped his waist finding her sweet release at the same time as her beloved Sasuke. She cried out his name in extosasy while he held hands down to prevent her from harming his back. "Sakura," Sasuke paused finally ready to say the words she had been waiting for but he was too prideful to actually say them. "I love you." He embraced her allowing her to let those words sink in. She had said those to him before but he didn't reply. He simply ignored them and she never expected him to ever say them to her. Sasuke just wasn't that type of guy that is until now.

"I love you too," She replied, "Sasuke." He pressed his lips against hers and left her side. She leaned forward prepared to ask him where he was headed.

"I'll be back," Sasuke answered knowing her question. It was nice to know they both knew each other's thought process. He always knew what she was going to ask to before she did and she could do the same with him. It was what made their relationship unlike the rest. "I have to vote Choji off." Sakura smiled amazed that he figured out her whole reason for being available. It was times like this she wondered if he used Genjutsu to read her mind. "The answer is no." He replied.

"Sasuke," She went ask concerned about his feelings towards the possible baby. She didn't want to pressure him into it and definitely didn't want him feeling that way.

"I don't care," He replied. "Kid, no kid, it doesn't matter. Sakura, my eyes only see you now. There is no other woman I'd want to have a family with. When I return you can tell, or even show me," He brought his lips close to hers. "Exactly how much you love me." He kissed her and left the tent. The second he walked out of the tent, he noticed Ino standing outside it. He held it open knowing full well why Ino was visiting Sakura. This caught her by surprise; she thought she was being sneaky about it. Apparently, nothing gets passed him. She went to explain but he ignored her letting her know he didn't care. She walked in and he made his way to the campfire to make his vote.

Kiba's team gathered around the campfire. All members were ready to make their unified decision feeling bad for the one they chose. "Alright everyone, you are gathered here because you lost the main challenge. Now it's time to pay the price." Guy motioned towards the voting booth. "It's time to vote one of your team mates off the island."

One by one Kiba's team entered the voting booth choosing who would go home. Once they were finished Guy counted the votes and made his decision. "It seems we have a unified vote and the person going home today is," He paused looking at everyone gathered around the fire. "Choji Akimichi." He finished. "Choji, I apologize but it is time for you to go. Gaara will escort you off the island." Choji stood understanding his team's decision. They said their farewells to their fellow teammate. Gaara formed a sand cloud; Choji got on the cloud being carried away from the island.