Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto or Naruto Shippuden Anime/ Manga. This is purely for fan based reasons.
Chapter 09:
The Seventh Challenge:
Scorching Mountain
"Today's the day Sakura," Ino smiled getting out of her bed. "I can feel it." She began putting on her swimsuit preparing for the next challenge.
"Feel what?" Sakura rubbed her eyes then gasped realizing whose bed she was sleeping in. "Sasuke is going to be furious." She began scammering around picking up her clothes. She promised Sasuke that she was going to come to him tonight for pleasure. "I was supposed to have sex with Sasuke tonight. Damn you Ino pig." She hit her with a pillow.
"How exactly is it my fault?" She wondered. "I didn't hear you complaining when I," Sakura glared at her. "Okay it's not like I knew you and him had plans."
"Your right," Sakura agreed. "It's my fault, I went to Sasuke's room and we made out for a few minutes. I told him I was going to go check on you and I'd be right back. I wanted to but I got distracted."
"I'm sorry that I ruined your big night with Sasuke. I didn't mean to I just wanted to celebrate my first win for our team. I wouldn't be much of a celebration without you." Ino kissed her cheek. "I will tell you what I promise tonight Sasuke can have you all to himself. That should make him feel better."
"Maybe it needs to be for more than one night," Sakura added knowing this was only going to anger the Yamanaka. Instead of the anger she was ready to face. She could see Ino on the verge of tears hurt by her words.
"So what; Sai leaves me now you want to leave me too." Ino turned her back to her. "I can't believe you Sakura."
"No, I'm not saying we should stop." Sakura placed her hand on her shoulder. "I'm saying we need to take a break just for a little while. You know how much Sasuke means to me. I'd do anything for him; I don't want to lose him again. So for now I need to be Sasuke's girlfriend at least for a couple nights. I promise to make it up to you okay?"
"I guess that's okay," Ino turned around. "After all it's only sex it's not like it'll kill me to go a few nights without it."
"Thanks Ino," Sakura left Ino's room. Part of her wanted to bring up Kiba and try to get her to see that she needed him. That would have only resulted in a heated argument and would have no results. So Sakura decided not to go there with her.
"Rise and Shine," Kiba poured cold water on Shikamaru and Temari. He howled down the hall waking anyone else who was still sleeping.
"He's getting hurt," Temari covered up with the blankets her cheeks flushed when Kiba entered the room. He got a full frontal view of her breasts. She wasn't sure whether to be relieved he wasn't paying attention or upset that she had no effect on him.
"It's too early hurt him later," Shikamaru rubbed his eyes. "It's a drag but he's our team leader so," He went to leave only to remember he still had a hard on. Luckily the cold water didn't kill it. "Let's finish up then we'll start our day."
"Again?" She looked at him; he nodded. "Maybe some other time," Temari teased. "I can't keep Ino waiting." She pressed her lips against biting his upper lip lightly as she did so driving him wild. He tried to cling to her and take her but she was out of his clutches. "See you around." She put on her swimsuit and walked away. Shikamaru looked at his erection laid down and let out a sigh.
Naruto rubbed his eyes more exhausted than usual. This was the result of the nine tails deciding to get involved in Naruto's sex life. He fell down the stair lying on the floor refusing to move. "Naruto get up." Kiba tried to help him but he wouldn't budge.
"I came three times Kiba, leave me alone." He yelled. "I just want to lie down here. Tell Guy if he has a challenge for us it can be done right here." Shikamaru stepped over him; Kiba looked at him shocked he didn't even notice Naruto when he did it.
"Come on Naruto," Kiba crouched down. "What happened to all that stamina normally you're like three kids filled up on sugar."
"That Naruto died." He answered. "He died in that bed forty eight minutes ago."
"It had to be longer than that." Kiba blushed wanting to get more credit than that.
"Since you're staying you can help me shave." Sai smiled holding a razor standing there completely naked. Naruto looked up at him seeing Sai pointing at his pubic hair.
"And he's back." Naruto rose to his feet with a smile on his face. "Let's go Kiba we got a challenge to win." He grabbed Kiba's ear dragging him away.
"Shikamaru do you," Shikamaru walked off joining them. "Perhaps later then," Sai went to his room getting dressed. While he was doing that he saw Sakura sneaking in through the window hoping to see Sasuke. She froze when she looked at him. "I can explain."
"Don't bother," She went into Sasuke's room. Before she could even get a word out he left the room. "Sasuke wait," She chased after him.
"Sounds like it's going to be another beautiful day," Sai added going to his room to get dressed.
The two teams gathered standing in front of Guy ready and eager for the next challenge. For Team Kiba this marked a chance to make a comeback after losing the last challenge. For Team Ino it marked a shot for a winning streak. Either way none of them could afford to lose another team member.
"It's nice to see everyone ready and fired up." Guy noted seeing the determination in both Kiba and Ino's eyes. Both of them had a good feeling about this challenge. "Come with me," They followed him deep into the forestry heading in a way off direction than normal. Kiba looked at Akamaru who had regrouped with him for the challenge. He was shaken up by the terrain seeing as this was the part of the forest where the predatory animals resided such as leopards and wolves. No doubt crawling with them but seeing as everyone here was a well trained Ninja these threats were of no concern. It was unlike Akamaru to let something like this bother him. "As you may have already noticed this area is crawling with dangerous predators but you see as long as we stay by these mushrooms." Guy picked up a single mushroom from the path. "They won't bother us."
"The mushrooms there poisonous," Ino added catching on right away. "They won't harm us because they are too scared of digesting the poison. To avoid that, they simply won't hunt near the mushrooms." She explained. "Guy, you do know some poisonous mushrooms can inflict poison simply by smelling them right?" Kiba covered his nose hoping that this wasn't the case. "They can also kill us if we aren't careful."
"Do you honestly think I would lead you somewhere where you could be killed?"
"Yes," They replied all except Lee.
"Okay well, that is not the case this time." He continued on leading them to huge mountain. "Here we are," He smirked looking at scenery. Kiba and Ino looked up hoping to find the peak. It was pretty high could take several hours just to climb to the top. It was then it clicked.
"A climbing challenge," Ino looked at Guy; he nodded.
"Easy win." Kiba smirked this was going to be way too easy. He was an expert climber there wasn't a single member on Ino's team who could beat him.
"You're correct but this isn't some ordinary climbing challenge. That'd be too easy and I did say the challenges were going to get harder. For this challenge, you and Kiba will serve as the climbers in a head to head race to the top. There's only one rule," He flashed one finger. "No chakra," Ino gulped.
"Are you kidding?" She argued. "You can't expect me to beat him at climbing he has claws." Kiba smiled loving every minute of this.
"I'm not finished. As I said before this is no ordinary climbing challenge. You have teammates and it'd be foolish of me to leave them out of the fun." He smiled. "Team Leaders you must divide your team into these three roles. These roles are attack and defense. You must choose one of them to be your life preserver. Those assigned to attack your goal is to target the other team's caption in order to give your team the advantage. Defenders your job is to protect your team caption from the other team's attacks. The life preserver is the person who saves their team caption should they fall off the mountain. They must return their caption to their previous spot or next to the other team caption but never ahead. You can have as many attackers and defenders as you want whether it's all members assigned to attack or all to defend. However these roles cannot be changed. The choice is yours."
"The winner is whoever reaches the top first. That person receives a total of three items from home. One of which must be a mutual item for the entire team. We shouldn't have any problem with that since you all seem to think of the other players too when picking. The losing team will be sending a player home. Any questions,"
"Okay so for example if I were assigned to attack," Sakura paused. "How would I do that? I have no ranged Ninjutsu and I thought you said no chakra so how can we do that?"
"The no chakra rule only applies to Ino and Kiba. The rest of you can use whatever is at your disposal even if you decided to punch the caption you can. As long as you prevent them from reaching the top,"
"Got it,"
"Captions," Guy looked at Ino and Kiba. "You are not allowed to attack anyone only evade. That is your only defense. Do you understand?" They nodded. "Luckily both of you already signed those slips for safety reasons otherwise I'd make you sign them now because this challenge is going to get very dangerous very quickly. Yamato if you will."
"On it," Yamato surrounded the left and right sides of the mountains with trees. These were set so the attackers and defenders could get easier access to the climbers. Kiba and Ino gulped knowing this was going to get ugly fast. Kiba went to right side and Ino took the left.
"Alright we need to assign the roles," Kiba gathered his team now that they were separated from Ino it was perfect time to do it. "Naruto hands down you're going to be my life preserver. There is no one else better suited to save my ass if I fall."
"That's true," Naruto smiled knowing his shadow clones were perfect for the job. He was a little bummed out he wasn't going to be mixed in with the all out war that would ensue with the attackers and defenders.
"Sasuke your going to be attacking your fire style Ninjutsu is perfect for slowing Ino down." Kiba added. "I know we don't exactly see eye to eye right now but I'm counting on you."
"Don't worry my immunity is gone so I can't afford to lose." Sasuke reminded him knowing without a doubt if they lose he's next to go home. "She won't make it passed my fire style."
"Shikamaru you're attacking too," Kiba added. "Your shadows are perfect for slowing her down even further." He nodded. "That leaves Sai on defense."
"I will do what I can," Sai smiled.
"Okay this is it," Ino gathered her team. "Kiba already has the advantage since he's good at climbing which means we need to do whatever we can to slow dog boy down. Lee I'm counting on you to be my life preserver seeing as you're the fastest climber in my team."
"You can count on me," Lee flashed a smile that matched his overwhelming confidence.
"Sakura, Temari, both of you are going to be the attackers. Temari your wind style is perfect for keeping Kiba at bay and Sakura." She smiled. "You got it covered." Sakura put on her gloves ready to put her monstrous strength to work.
"Hinata that leaves you as defense," Ino turned her attention towards her. "Everyone give Hinata your kunai knives. You said Yumi was teaching you a new move to help you serve as a better support ninja."
"Yes but," Hinata began twirling her fingers. "I haven't even come close to mastering it yet. Perhaps maybe we," Ino cut her off.
"Great, you can use it to negate their Ninjutsu using the kunai." She smiled remembering that Yumi excelled a deflecting and negating Ninjutsu being the only ninja capable of swatting a chakra based attack aside or even punch it back at her opponent treating the attack like it was a solid mass using her special barrier Ninjutsu to do so. Whatever Yumi was teaching her had to be close to that seeing as the only other Ninjutsu she had required her very rare chakra nature known only to her castle. Those jutsu were mostly extremely advanced Medical Ninjutsu beyond even Lady Tsunade. If Ino and Sakura couldn't master it Hinata didn't have a hope in hell of learning that stuff.
"Ino but I," Hinata blushed not comfortable being forced to use a technique even her mentor said it was too soon to use. She needed more time to learn it.
"No buts," Ino glared at her. "You trained with Yumi for at least a week on this one technique. There's no excuse for not being able to use it. If it were me I'd have it down in half the time so you got this."
"Ino don't you think," Lee went to butt in but she glared at him. "Never mind,"
"Enough let's do this," Ino gathered her team meeting up with Guy. Kiba stood next to her with his team. "We're ready."
"Alright then let's get started, those playing the attacker role. You may not target the life preserver at all. If you hit the other teams life preserver the challenge ends and that person goes home. You will also lose another player for losing the challenge. Are we all clear on this?" Naruto raised his hand. "No you may not intentionally throw yourself into an attack so the other team loses if that happens the effect will be applied to you instead." He put his hand down. "Any more questions," He waited for a few minutes. "Good," He cleared his throat. "Ino, Kiba, you two must face the fabled Scorching Mountain. You may wonder why it was given that name well," He looked at the mountain. "For one the mountain is right underneath the sun creating a huge heat wave for those who dare to climb it. For two the colors of the sky mixed with sun's burning light make the mountain appear as if it were on fire. Three," He placed his hand on it and in seconds it burned his hand. "It's like climbing a wall of fire."
"He's trying to kill us," Ino added.
"Seems like it," Kiba agreed. "I've come too far to give up now." He began stretching bracing himself for the climb ahead.
"Yeah well, I'm not about to lose to you." Ino began stretching already having a good idea on how to compete with Kiba.
"Everyone take your places, Life preservers you remain at the top of the mountain." Guy instructed. Naruto and Lee ran up the mountain waiting at the top. As they ran Naruto's feet felt it they were being cooked it was going to be hell climbing this. He was sweating like crazy. The others took their places beside the mountain in the trees. Kiba walked up to the right side of the mountain where his team was so they could easily defend him. "Switch," He ordered. Kiba bit his lip knowing this was going to suck. He took the left making himself an easy target for Team Ino. Ino walked over to the right worried about being so close to Sasuke's fire style Ninjutsu. "Life preservers too," Naruto and Lee switched places. "Perfect," Guy angled it knowing this challenge was going to be one of his favorites. "On your mark," His voice began fueling both Ino and Kiba's adrenaline. "Get set," Kiba got on all fours, Ino pulled out two kunai perfect for climbing. "Go!" He yelled.
Kiba grabbed hold of the mountain with his bare hand then yelped. "Damn that hurts," He stared at his hand. It was completely red like he placed on a hot stove.
"What's the matter?" Ino teased as she started her climb luckily the kunai had padding which made it so it didn't burn her as much. "See you at the top Kiba." She stuck her tongue out and continued the moment her bare foot touched the rock. She screamed falling off. Lee quickly saved her putting back on the mountain.
"You were saying," Kiba smirked already a few feet ahead of her. "See my ass that's what you'll be seeing the entire time during this race." He powered through the burning effects of the mountain continuing his climb. Ino glared at him climbing faster trying to keep up.
"Shall we?" Temari smirked seeing that Kiba has made it to a dangerous height and had a good lead on Ino.
"Let's do it," Sakura jumped out of the tree trying to hit Kiba with her immense strength. He jumped out the way but slipped when mountain began shaking from her attack. He quickly grabbed on to the nearest grip friendly spot on the mountain continuing his climb with only a foot lead on Ino.
"Wind Scythe Jutsu," Temari unleashed a powerful gust of wind that cut Kiba making him fall off.
"Shadow Clone Jutsu," Naruto sent his clones making a rope. "Gotcha," He grabbed Kiba and putting him next to Ino. The clones threw him back to the top.
"Shadow Possession Jutsu," Shikamaru restricted Ino's movement giving Kiba a head start. "Go Kiba," The Inuzuka picked up his pace while Shikamaru had her pinned.
"Hinata, do something." Ino yelled upset that Kiba was winning. Hinata nodded trying to attack Shikamaru which forced him to release her. Once she was freed Hinata retreated to her side.
"You're not going anywhere," Temari prepared another wind scythe only to have it blocked by two ink guards created by Sai.
"Perhaps you should try that again," Sai smiled prepared to make more ink shields for Kiba.
"She won't need to," Sakura tried to hit Kiba hitting the ink guards instead. She quickly charged up her chakra to attack again. "Take this," She hit the mountain creating an avalanche for Kiba to dodge.
"You've got to be kidding," Kiba began evading them but was unable to move forward until it stopped this gave Ino the time she needed to get ahead of him.
"Nice one Sakura," Ino began climbing faster.
"Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu," Sasuke shot a huge fire ball directly at Ino. "That should stop her."
"Lee," Ino gulped releasing her kunai knives so she'd fall. Lee grabbed her putting her beside Kiba but away from the avalanche. "Thanks," She continued climbing using regular kunai knives which burned her hands. She ignored the pain and kept climbing trying to regain her lead. She looked down seeing Kiba was gaining the moment the rocks stopped falling. "Sakura I could use more rocks." Sakura nodded before she could attack a huge ink bird hit her pushing her away from Kiba. Sasuke began preparing for another fire style jutsu. "Hinata,"
"Here I go," She pulled out a kunai. "I know it's not perfect but please work." Hinata coated the tip of the kunai with her chakra hoping the technique would work. She tossed the kunai at the massive fireball and the kunai negated the jutsu. "It worked. I need text to Yumi," She pulled out her phone. Sasuke eyes widened when his fireball was gone like it dissolved into thin air. However he did notice that tiny bit of the flame still remained so this new jutsu of hers wasn't mastered. It was dumb luck that saved Ino. If upped the chakra amount then Hinata couldn't stop it.
"She actually did it," Ino looked back at Hinata amazed. "Thank you." She continued climbing.
"How about this," Sasuke began performing hand signs. "Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu." He shooting multiple fire balls from his mouth; Ino gasped and began evading like her life depended on it. Hinata wanted to stop them but he was attacking so fast there was no way she could. Sure she could pull of f the new jutsu but she needed time to focus that was the key to the technique.
"That was close," Ino began panting after avoiding the last of his attack. She looked to see that Kiba was about to reach her. "No time for breaks," She wiped the sweat of her forehead and continued realizing she was nearly to the top.
"Time to pick up the pace," Kiba leaped forward sinking his claws to the rocks ahead. He continued this moving rather quickly while doing so. He was like a cat climbing a tree. Sakura tried to hit while Temari kept Sai busy with her wind attacks. "Sorry," He evaded her attack with ease moving forward now ahead of Ino.
"Go Kiba," Naruto cheered watching as their caption continued leaving Ino in the dust. "Almost there," He cheered louder. He held his hand for Kiba to grab, Kiba grabbed it. The moment he did. Ino made a huge leap trying to get ahead of him instead of grabbing rock she pulled down Kiba's boxers. Kiba's cheeks turned red as his boxers slid off and into Ino's hands.
"I didn't know this mountain had a moon on it," Shikamaru joked. Kiba cheeks turned redder completely embarrassed that everyone now knew what his ass looked like. Though he quickly pushed the feeling of embarrassment aside remembering; Naruto loved his sexy ass even though the Uzumaki was an Ukemaki. So he decided not to let it bother him that he was naked. While everyone was laughing at Kiba, Ino stabbed another kunai into the mountain holding Kiba's boxers in her other hand. It smelled entirely of Kiba until now she thought she was over him but being this close to his scent it was clear she wasn't. Though she never wanted to admit it to herself; she missed him. She missed his smell and wanted to get as close to it as possible. Sakura noticed that she was starting to give in and admit it. She crossed her fingers hoping Ino would admit it and just go back to Kiba. Instead Ino snapped back into reality realizing if she took him back she have to admit he was right and was too prideful for that.
"I did say she'd be looking at my ass," Kiba climbed up taking several deep breaths his body was pouring with sweat from the climb. His hands and feet felt like they were a living flame. He noticed Ino reaching her hand out his boxers in hand.
"Here," She replied; Kiba grabbed them from her and helped her up. He was impressed she decided to give them back rather than toss them just to humiliate him. He hoped this was a sign that she still loved him. "Just put them on already." She urged. "I have no desire to see your distasteful dick."
"That's not what you said when we were dating," He teased putting them on.
"Yeah well your penis was a lot bigger then," She smirked.
"It's a dick Ino. They don't shrink not unless it's cold." He replied. "That is unless you know something I don't."
"Ready to go back down," Sai asked serving as Kiba's fast way down the mountain. Kiba looked at Ino seeing that she wasn't really being social right now. For a moment, he nearly fell for her again. That couldn't happen, he was with Yumi now and she was easily the best thing that ever happened to him. So much so that he didn't even deserve to be with someone like her. He'd be foolish to pass that up for Ino; someone who would only end up hurting him again.
"I'm ready," Kiba got on the flying bird made by Sai's ink Ninjutsu. "Quit being stupid Kiba, you're with someone who actually loves you. She loves me enough to face an entire council made up of the other kingdoms who all think she needs to be with a Prince. Even if being with a Prince would make her life easier she still chose me. I can't give that up." Regardless of the logic somehow Ino was always able to get him to think about being with her. He wondered why it was always like this with her. He wondered if he'd ever stop feeling that way. Perhaps then he could be the person Yumi deserves.
"So," Sai smiled breaking Kiba's thought process.
"Sai," Naruto scolded him. "I told you to not make it weird." He reminded him.
"It's nice to see your well equipped Kiba." Sai complemented.
"It just got weird." Kiba curled up in ball his cheeks red.
"Ino," Temari yelled snapping her out of her trance. "Are you heading down the mountain with me or not?"
"Yeah," She stood up overlooking the mountain watching as Kiba disappeared in the clouds. "I don't get it; I thought I was over him. I thought once he dated Yumi; I wouldn't want him anymore. Why else would I give her my blessing to date him? Yet here I am falling for him again. It doesn't matter even if I did want him. There's no way I'm going to face him not after what happened between us. I can't compete with Yumi. She's beautiful and rich. She also likes dogs and lives in a castle. What more could Kiba want?" Ino jumped on Temari's fan and together they glided down the mountain.
"So did you enjoy seeing Kiba's you know?" Temari asked. "We all know you still love him. I'm just curious why you haven't told him clearly he's in love with you too. He hasn't told Yumi he loves her but he's told you. If you ask me that's the only proof you need."
"Well I don't remember asking you." Ino glared at her. "It's like I told you and everyone else. Kiba and I are done. I'm never going to back to him. After all, he's a complete jerk. Yumi can have him."
"You're being defensive," She replied. "That only proves you have feelings for him."
"Shut up Temari." She yelled. "It's not like that."
"Whatever," They rode the rest of the way in silence.
Once both of them were on land, the two teams gathered in front of Guy. "It seems this mountain challenge really tested your limits." He noticed both Ino and Kiba were drenched in sweat from their treacherous climb. Both of them were still a little worn out from it. Kiba's hands feet were a burned up. While Ino's hands were lightly burned from the heated Kunai knives she used to climb. Her feet were all burned up too. This was nothing Medical Ninjutsu couldn't fix so she ignored the damages rather than complain about them like she normally did. "Anyway Team Kiba, you are the winners of this challenge."
"Yes," Naruto slapped Kiba on his hand making him yelp from the burns. "Sorry about that." He blushed.
"As promised you will receive three items from home. One of which must be mutual." Guy reminded them. "You have fifteen minutes to decide." Kiba nodded gathering his team conversing on the items. He decided that all three items would be mutual seeing as everyone played a huge part in their win.
"Team Ino, I'm sorry but you'll be sending a player home." Guy added. "You have until nightfall to decide." They left returning to their house on the island.
"So who are we sending home?" Sakura asked using her Medical Ninjutsu to treat Ino's burns. "It's not exactly going to be easy to decide since everyone did a great a job."
"Well we can't exactly base our decisions on that anymore can we?" Ino added. "I mean there are only five of us so naturally all of us are going to be giving it our all in order to win."
"So what should we base our decision on?" Hinata asked while she bandaged Ino's feet. "If not the challenges; I thought that was the fair way to do it."
"Fair; grow up Hinata. It's a competition not everyone plays fair. I mean look at Kiba he has both Naruto and Sasuke so how exactly is that fair to us?"
"I admit Naruto and Sasuke together is a tough combo but Kiba played by the rules. We could have got at least one of them but you decided not to that's not his fault. I think he's being completely fair." Lee pointed out. "Besides we're all friends here so we owe to the other team and ourselves to give them a fair shot."
"Anyway back on topic," Sakura stopped healing for a second. "Hinata asked what we should base our decision on and Ino your caption so. What should we do?"
"If we can't base it on skill alone then we need to base it off strategy." Ino answered. "Besides I think it's fairly obvious who needs to go. She's the only one not here." She pointed out reminding everyone that Temari was out sleeping with Shikamaru. "We get rid of her and we get rid of Shikamaru. That means Kiba has no brains while we do." She looked at Sakura. "It's the best move. Sure she's got us this far but we're all Leaf Ninja she's not. Who's to say she won't work as a double agent for Kiba because Shikamaru asked her to. She's not entitled to loyalty. Also I'm more familiar with your techniques than I am hers."
"I guess it would make sense," Sakura agreed. "I like Temari but it really is in our best interest."
"It just feels wrong to vote her off." Lee added. "I mean voting for her just because she's with Shikamaru. It feels so wrong. Isn't there someone else?"
"I agree," Hinata spoke. "She got us through the first challenge and even the second. She's been consistent this entire time. I know it's a good decision for the team but Temari doesn't deserve to leave."
"Hey you wanted my opinion I gave it." Ino pointed out. "I like Temari too, it sucks that it's come to this but what choice do we have? She's not exactly a long term player. She'll get bored and quit. I'm just saving us the headache of losing her later."
"That's very true; I guess it would make it easier on her." Lee agreed. "Shikamaru isn't long term either so we'd be doing Kiba a favor too."
"I guess if it helps Naruto out then it is okay." Hinata agreed. "We knew this was coming. It just feels so sudden."
"So it's settled we're picking Temari." Ino looked at her team wanting them to verify. They nodded. "I'll tell her." She stood up her burn wounds now completely healed. Part of her was glad Temari would be leaving considering she brought up Kiba. Everyone knew that topic was taboo. Yet she brought it up like it was nothing then proceeded to bring it up. There was no excuse she had to go. "Temari," She knocked on her door; it cracked open and she saw Shikamaru lying on the floor asleep while she was blowing him. Temari stopped then realized he was asleep.
"Figures," She put on her robe walking up to Ino. "What's up?" She wiped the stains off her mouth before Ino noticed.
"I talked it over with the others and you're the one going home." She informed her. "It's been fun but it's in our best interest."
"Is that so," She shut the door behind her. "Do I have a say in this or was this one of your many tactics to stab in the back when I wasn't looking. I must say well played Ino."
"This has nothing to do with earlier," She replied. "I admit my vote is entirely based on it but not the others. I didn't even mention that you did the taboo."
"Right because if you did then they know this wasn't strategy it was only to get rid of me." Temari pointed out. "It's pretty funny how come no one voted for you? You're not exactly winning any rewards right now. Neither is Sakura but somehow you and her both seem to dodge the kunai."
"For one I have Immunity," Ino reminded her. "It just so happens I didn't need to use it this time. Second, I won the Genjutsu challenge. Sakura evades the Kunai because one she's a medic and two she's one of the strongest in our team right now. We can't afford to lose her. No one wants to vote for Hinata because that's like voting to kill a rabbit for being cute. Even I'm not that mean. We need Lee for the Taijutsu based challenges. The only reason we kept you around is for your ranged Ninjutsu which probably won't do us much good after the last challenge." She explained. "You really are the best option. I don't exactly like the fact that you're blaming me for this. I may not like the fact you mentioned you know who but I would never go out of my way to kick you for it. That's a bit extreme."
"Okay so I'm out," Temari smiled. "Thanks for the chat. I'm going to pack my stuff and go." She entered her room gathering her stuff. Shikamaru woke up when she began grabbing her blanket. "They chose me."
"Oh then I will be out next challenge." Shikamaru assured her. "Kiba already knows. It sucks but somehow we knew it was coming."
"See you around," Temari kissed him then pinched his nipple. "That is for falling asleep; I hate when you do that." Shikamaru rubbed his aching nipple.
"Yeah, I wish could say it won't happen again but you know me." He admitted. "Sleeping during sex is kind of my thing."
"Can't argue there," Temari walked off taking her leave. Gaara escorted her off the island once the votes were tallied. He was a tad upset that not one of his siblings could make it to the end but it was Temari. He knew eventually she'd get bored with it anyway. So he decided not to give her a lecture about how she let down the sand village. In the end she did her best that was all that mattered. It's better for to leave this way than to quit anyway.
"Gaara," She spoke as he carried her away on his sand cloud. "You were right," She smirked. "Something good did come from joining Guy's silly game. I came to terms with what happened to you."
"That's good to hear," Gaara replied. "When the Akatsuki abducted me and took the one tail from me. I never blamed for being at the Leaf Village at the time. I'm happy to know you finally understand that."
"I'm sorry for what happened back then Gaara," She apologized. "I know I don't need to apologize. I get that; regardless, I wasn't there to protect you. I swear it will never happen again. Next time someone tries to harm you. I will be there to protect you; that's my role as both your sister and as a Sand Shin obi. If something were to happen to you during the upcoming war. I want you to know that, I love you Gaara." He looked back at her shocked to hear her say that.
"As I you," He replied. Temari looked away to hide the fact she was blushing glad to hear Gaara say that. Though there was no need for him to. She knew he cared about her after all she's his sister.
"Anyway enough of the mushy stuff," She regained her tough as nails composure. "Take me home." He nodded and they went the rest of the way in silence.