Disclaimer: I don't own the Naruto or Naruto Shippuden Anime/ Manga. This is purely for fan based reasons.
Chapter 17:
The Semi Finals:
Survival
The remaining four contestants gathered to meet Guy for the challenge that would decide the final three contestants that would compete for any prize they desire. "Good morning everyone as you all know Yumi is not with us. That is why I had to cancel last night's elimination." He looked Kiba who was still pretty beat up about what happened. "Anyway the four of you represent the best of the best in this competition. However only three of you can move onto the final challenge to determine the winner," He explained as he looked at the finalists.
"For this challenge you will given until nightfall to prepare for this challenge which will be an all out survival against none other than your former competitors. The four of them gulped seeing Choji, Shikamaru, Temari, Kankuro, Tayuya, Sai, Shino, Naruto, Tenten, Hinata, and of course Neji. They were all back in the fray and ready to get payback for being eliminated. "But do not worry you won't be fighting all of them. They get to decide whether or not they want to fight you. If they decline then you rack up a win. The player who gets the most wins well wins and moves on to the top three. The player with the least will be sent home sorry but no elimination will be held for this challenge it's all about performance. I hope you were kind to fellow competitors or this challenge could really suck for you." Ino gulped having no idea her decisions would backfire like this. "Why because there won't be any recovery time for you, it's one fight after another."
"This might actually be interesting," Sasuke smirked enjoying the thrill of fighting this many people. "Well Sakura I guess we will make it to the finals." He acknowledged knowing without a doubt he and Sakura would be able to rack up a bunch of wins.
"I guess so," Sakura gulped then looked over at Kiba wondering why he wasn't fired up like usual. It as if he'd completely given up. Whatever it was Ino had something to do with it. She intended to get the answer directly from her.
"Okay so majority of those people are mad at me," Ino began pacing back and forth. "No big I can do this; I just have to stay calm." She took a deep breath. "Besides even at my worst I can still beat Kiba. He's already on his last legs; I bet he was up all night thinking about Yumi."
"Good luck, I leave the preparation to you." Guy disappeared leaving the contestants to prepare for the semi final challenge.
"Ino," Sakura approached her.
"Not now Sakura," Ino had a pen and paper in her hand creating apology letters for those she screwed over in order to win or people who think she screwed them over in order to win. "I'm really busy right now."
"I don't care," Sakura grabbed her shirt. "I want to know what you did to Kiba right now."
"Excuse me Sakura," Ino made her let her go. "I think you have forgotten who has saved your ass this entire time. I think you owe me a little more respect than that." She reminded her. "Since you asked I only did what had to be done in order to protect you."
"What exactly had to be done?" Sakura countered prepared to punch Ino so hard she wouldn't make it to the next challenge.
"Why does what I did matter?" She asked. "The three of us are in the semi finals. All we have to do is beat Kiba which in his current condition let's face it anyone could do it." Ino joked. "Now excuse me but I have a lot of things I need to apologize for and no time to do it." She walked away.
"Alright fine," Sakura let out a sigh resorting to something she should have resorted to a long time ago. "Kiba," She sat next to him deciding to ask the victim instead. "What happened last night between you and Yumi. Is everything okay?"
"That's not important," Kiba answered tossing Akamaru treats to kill time not even bothering to prepare. "You should just worry about yourself."
"Enough," Sakura grabbed his ear. "I have had enough of you sulking around. This is not the Kiba we know and I refuse to let you sit there and beat yourself up. Either you tell me what's going on or I'll beat it out of you." She screamed sending Akamaru running in the other direction with his tail between his legs. "You have until the count of three," She formed her hand to a fist. "One," She pulled back. "Two," She fueled her fist with chakra. Kiba gulped feeling the rage behind her attack if he didn't talk he was going to die.
"Okay, I'll talk," He yelled. "Jeez you really need to learn to control your temper."
"Are you saying I have anger issues?" Sakura smiled prepared to hit him if he answered that.
"Ino seduced me now please just go," Kiba curled in a ball.
"What do you mean seduced you?"
"She pretended like she wanted to fix things then well I fell for it. We had sex and Yumi saw the whole thing." Kiba answered. "That's everything now just get the hell away from me you're scaring me."
"Nice chat," Sakura stood up glad to have heard the full story at least this time there was no denying that Ino was playing dirty. At first she decided to confront Ino about but later decided that there was a better way, a more justified way to go about this. She wasn't going to let things go Ino's way anymore.
"Sakura," Ino noticed the look her in friend's eyes and knew she was up to something. Whatever she was planning it didn't matter now. The competition was near its end and all that mattered was her victory.
"Here you are," Kurenai handed Ino a slip of paper with a time on it.
"What's this?" She asked.
"This tells you the time you are to arrive for the challenge. That way the former competitors have a chance to recover and there's no way to know how many wins you'll need in order to advance. You'll simply have to do your best," She walked off handing out the slips.
"They really aren't cutting us any slack," Ino let out a sigh. "It does not matter I came this far, I can't afford to lose now." She began training now having written the apologies she needed to make.
"It's that time," Sakura let out a sigh staring at the huge arena prepared for this challenge. She tightened her gloves and entered the arena.
"First up for this challenge we have none other than Sakura Haruno," Guy announced reviewing her credentials with the audience stating how many wins she racked up in the competition leading up to how she managed to make it this far. "Here's how this challenge is going to go the names of all the former competitors have entered into this computer. You will have to fight them one by one with no breaks. Whether or not you fight them is up to them if they decide to let you advance by declining then you gain another win. The moment you are defeated the challenge is over and we will keep a record of your wins. Good Luck Sakura," She nodded preparing for her first fight. She watched as names appeared on the screen being shuffled around and finally coming to a stop. "Your first opponent is none other than Naruto Uzumaki." Sakura braced herself knowing this just a case of bad luck. How was she going to beat Naruto?
"I decline," Naruto spoke like he would ever fight Sakura. He respected her and she had done nothing to him that made him want to beat her up. "You can do it Sakura," He cheered wanting either her, Sasuke, or Kiba to win. Guy marked the win on the board for Sakura then the names scrambled again.
"Your next opponent is," The computer stopped. "Tenten," Guy announced.
"Sorry Sakura," Tenten stood up. "Personally I have no grudge against you. I just can't resist the idea of getting to go against you." She landed in front of her pulling out scroll decked with ninja tools. "I hope you understand."
"I understand completely," Sakura glared at her. "Do your worst Tenten because I'm not going to hold back." She charged at Tenten prepared to hit with everything she had. She couldn't afford to go easy on her.
"Blunt as always," Tenten summoned a sickle and chain twirling it around. "Let's see how you like this," She tried to capture Sakura with it but it was only a substitution. "Where'd she go?" She looked above her seeing Sakura ready to attack. She evaded firing weapons at her only to have them dodged.
"Come on Tenten, you can do it," Guy yelled. "Let the fire of your youth explode."
"Sakura, don't let her win." Naruto yelled. "You worked really hard to get here take her down."
"Alright now I'm really fired up," Tenten began throwing weapons adding some explosives to the mix keeping Sakura at a distance. Sakura pulled out a kunai deflecting some of them while dodging others trying to get close but Tenten was making it difficult for her. "Gotcha," Sakura noticed explosives planted on the ground that she snuck into the mix while she was preoccupied. She blocked the blast being blinded by the smokescreen that followed. "This will finish you, Gigantic Iron Ball." Tenten dropped a huge iron ball with spikes on top of Sakura.
"Cha," Sakura punched it as hard as she could making fly right back at Tenten who barely dodged it. She charged at her through the smoke taking action immediately after she evaded. Tenten gasped there was no way around it Sakura had her. The moment she was struck it was over. She braced herself for impact only to Sakura's fist stop before hitting her. "I concede," She lowered her attack.
"But why," Tenten asked. "You had me."
"I refuse to compete like this," Sakura explained. "This whole time I've been siding with Ino only to realize she was relying on dirty tricks in order to win. I don't want to win knowing that I sided with someone like that just to get here. She had me brainwashed at least now I'm able to see things as they truly are." She admitted. "I'm sorry master," Sakura looked up at Tsunade. "I know you were betting on me but I had to do the right thing." She left the arena as Guy marked her down with only one win.
The other contestants noticed Sakura returning from the challenge. Ino wanted to ask her what it was like and how she did. However the slip had a side note saying they weren't allowed to talk about the challenge with the others. The results were to remain confidential. Instead her eyes remained on her time slip counting down to her turn nervous about facing that many people. How many of them were going to accept her apology? How many people was she going to have to fight? How many wins did she need in order to advance? It bugged her just thinking about it.
"Kiba," Sakura sat next to him noticing he was still out of it. She wasn't even sure if he'd make it to the arena. He was at his breaking point. "I know you're going through a rough patch right now. The connection you had with Yumi there was no mistaking that you two had a special bond. Losing that bond, it must have hurt. If Yumi were here right now she wouldn't want you to beat yourself up like this."
"She's not here is she?" Kiba pointed out. "Don't you get it Sakura? I lost her the one person I never wanted to lose. I made a promise to her that I would never hurt her and I broke that promise. How can I look into her eyes after doing something like that to her? What can I say to her after that? I screwed up and even worse I lied to her. I blamed it on the heat but it wasn't I made the decision to do what I did and now I just need to live with the consequences." Akamaru rested his head on his lap wishing there was something he could do to help. "I'd better go it's my turn to face the challenge." He walked away with Akamaru towards the arena.
"Don't you get it; I'm trying to help you." Sakura watched knowing in his current mind set he was doomed. "I don't want Ino to get away with this. You have to snap out of it."
"Here he is our next contender, Kiba Inuzuka," Guy announced stating the highlights of Kiba's participation in the competition mentioning his role as team caption. He explained the rules watching Kiba as he did noticing he was way off his game. It was like all his confidence was just shattered. "Kurenai, is he going to be okay to compete?"
"He'll be fine; he was given the option to bail when I handed out the slip." She answered. The names began being shuffled; Kiba watched the board not really showing much interest. The former contenders were whispering amongst themselves wondering what was wrong with him. He was starting to remind them of a wounded dog.
"You know it's odd," Tenten spoke. "I can't think of an actual reason to fight him in regards to the competition."
"Me neither," Neji agreed. "For the most part Kiba had played the competition fairly. From what everyone else said about their elimination. Hardly anyone had anything bad to say about him. I hate to admit it but Kiba has changed this competition has proved it. He had been totally selfless the entire time the old Kiba wouldn't have handed the Immunity over to Naruto he would have kept it." He explained being filled in by Naruto himself.
"It's Yumi," Naruto replied. "She helped him become a better person. She's changed his perspective and made him into the fearless leader we know and love." He cheered. "Kick some ass Kiba."
"I'd fight him," Tayuya yelled.
"You can think of a reason to fight anyone," Shino added.
"You're damn right I can," She countered. "He beat Sakon and ugh. Wait I never really liked Sakon to begin with." Tayuya began thinking. "I guess I'm going to have to go with the usual. He looked me the wrong way. That dirty no good scum, I'll kill him." She pulled out her flute eager to fight.
"Out of all the people Yumi had to test her Revival Ninjutsu on it had to be you." Temari let out sigh. "She could have just waited and tested it on someone else."
"You got a problem with me," She countered ready to pounce only to be held back by Shino's bugs. Temari ignored her knowing she could defeat Tayuya just like she did before. "Hey I'm talking to you,"
"Enough," Naruto spoke, "I want to watch this." He watched the names on the screen come to a stop. He wanted it to be him so he could snap some sense into him. Otherwise Kiba wasn't going to move on and everything he did would be for nothing.
"Your first opponent is Neji Hyuga," Guy announced; Naruto gulped hoping Neji was going decline otherwise Kiba was done for. Neji stood there looking at Kiba only for a second then making his decision.
"I decline," He decided refusing to fight Kiba in his current condition. It would be an insult to his ability to fight him as he is now. Guy recorded the win for Kiba and moved on.
The computer stopped again. "Shino Aburame," Guy announced; Shino got on his feet looking at his ally.
"I decline as well," He returned to his seat. Guy nodded recording the win. "Come on Kiba this isn't like you." Shino watched as the names continued scrambling on the monitor. It stopped once more this time with Tenten's name.
"I," She stared at Kiba long and hard wishing she could fight him. She really wanted to but seeing him like this there wasn't a point to it. He was already beaten. "I decline Guy sensei." Tenten returned to her seat. Guy was amazed that even she didn't want to face him. He added another win for Kiba. The names kept going on and on but people were refusing to fight him he had about eight wins under his belt just because they didn't want to fight.
"Hinata Hyuga," Guy announced reading the computer he prepared to record another win. She wasn't going to fight her ally it was absurd to think it.
"I will," She replied taking her place on the arena. Naruto couldn't believe it he was fully prepared to take on Kiba just to snap him out of it but instead. Hinata decided to take on the task so Naruto didn't have to.
"Kiba, I refuse to stand here and let you destroy yourself." She put her hands up ready to face him. "This isn't the teammate I remember so if you're not him then you're just an imposter." She watched as he just stood there refusing to fight. "Alright if you won't attack me then I'll make the first move." Hinata began striking Kiba with palm strikes which he didn't bother to dodge he just stood there taking the beating. She waited for him to get back on his feet ready for more punishment. "Gentle Fist," She hit him knocking him off his feet making cough up blood.
"I know everything about what happened with Yumi," Hinata explained. "I also know that you were being manipulated by Ino. I was there for that mission so I know exactly how close you and Yumi were. I understand that losing someone like that can hurt but I can't stand by while you let the person who took that away from you get away with it."
"Why," Kiba forced himself back on his feet. "Yumi is your friend why would you help me after what I did to her?"
"Your correct Yumi and I are friends," She answered. "You're also my friend, Kiba. You've always been my friend and though you may have hurt her. I don't bare any grudge against you I just want to help you." Hinata continued her assault striking Kiba with every blow. "This is it," She began charging her chakra sending it to her palms. "Gentle Step: Twin Lion Fists." She held her palms up ready to finish him off. "Stand up to me Kiba."
He tried to get back on his feet after being battered and bruised. It was nearly impossible to stand. He was prepared to just give up until he felt a bite mark on his hand. "Akamaru," He was trying to help Kiba wanting to help his master see that he wasn't alone. "Man, I'm getting in the habit of being a bad master." He smirked. "Alright then, I'd better set the record straight." Kiba ate a food pill getting on all fours. "Get ready Hinata," He evaded her strikes then struck her knocking her off balance. She got back on her feet smiling glad to see he had his confidence back. He charged at her ready to strike but she lowered her stance accepting defeat.
"Good Luck, Kiba." She smiled taking her place back on the stands. Guy marked the win and moved on.
"Alright, bring it on; I can take whoever you throw at me." Kiba looked at the monitor ready and eager to fight. The computer stopped revealing Lee's name. "Well I did say anybody."
"Finally," Lee jumped down. "I knew the computer would chose me if I decided I didn't want to be called. I used reverse psychology and it worked." Guy flashed his favorite student a bright smile. "Let us fight Kiba."
The fight ensued but after five minutes it was over Lee was the victor. After the beating Hinata gave Kiba just couldn't hack it against Lee. "You see that Guy sensei I won." Lee shouted.
After being defeated; Kiba exited the arena feeling much better than he did going in. Sakura wasn't sure what exactly happened but was glad Kiba was back in it. Ino wasn't concerned whatever happened she knew without a doubt he wasn't going to make it to the finals she had him. She looked at the clock realizing it was now her turn.
"Our next challenger is Ino Yamanaka," Guy announced as she entered the arena. He began informing the crowd of her victories and highlights explaining how she managed to make it this far. The former competitors began booing her upset by the way she treated them. "Team Ino sucks," Tayuya yelled. "It should have been Team Tayuya."
"What did you say?" Ino yelled back. "Why don't you come down here and say that." She challenged.
"That's it, draw my name computer." Tayuya pointed at it. "Pick me you sorry piece of technology." She screamed.
"Is she yelling at the computer?" Temari asked; Shino nodded hating it when Tayuya acted like this.
"Your first opponent is," The computer stopped. "Choji Akimichi." Ino let out sigh of relief happy to get a lucky start. He wasn't going to fight her and she knew it.
"I decline," He replied eating chips. Guy marked the win for Ino then the computer proceeded.
"Shikamaru Nara," He read.
"I decline as well," Shikamaru answered having no desire to fight anyone. He was only here because attendance was mandatory and Temari was here. Guy marked another win for Ino.
"Two wins already talk about luck," Ino smirked perhaps this wasn't going to be so bad after all.
The computer stopped once more. "Temari," Guy read; Ino gulped after hearing the name.
"I hope you came prepared," Temari stepped into the arena eager to rip Ino limb from limb after setting her up, "Because I'm about to get even."
"Temari," Ino stepped back. "There's no need to fight we can talk about this,"
"Talk about what, my nails?" Temari glared her. "Sai told me everything."
"Ugh yeah, sure, if you want," She offered. "I mean they look amazing." Temari blew a gust of wind at Ino knocking her back. "Temari, just hear me out."
"Oh I hear you," She revealed the second moon on her fan, "loud and clear." Temari funneled her chakra through the wind leaving cuts on Ino's body. "You set me up why because I mentioned Kiba. That's low even for you." Temari revealed the third moon. "Any last words,"
"Yes, I'm sorry." She apologized. "I know what I did was really messed up. So please just reconsider and let me go. I learned my lesson."
"Okay but under one condition," Temari kept her weapon ready in case Ino tried anything.
"Name it," She replied knowing there was no way she was going to catch Temari off guard. She's too smart for that.
"I want you to do my nails." Temari set her weapon down and looked at her nails. "It's like you said I tend to have dirt clogged up in them all the time because I live in the desert." She replied stressing the word desert. "You get to clean them for me whenever I want. If you agree to that I'll let you go."
"Alright I'll do it," Ino agreed. "I should have just kept my big mouth shut."
"I concede," Temari left the arena letting Guy give Ino the win.
"Glad that's over," Ino let out a sigh of relief as she watched the names go by. Her heart skipped a beat when the name appeared it was like the ultimate karma.
"Hinata Hyuga," Guy read. "Kakashi get the popcorn." He whispered. "This is going to be good."
"Do I look like your slave?" He asked as he read his favorite book.
"Hinata, like I'm scared of her." Ino boasted as Hinata stood in front of her.
"You should be," Neji spoke remembering what happened the moment he fell asleep after the chunin exams. She hit him so hard in chest he was coughing up blood for weeks. He wasn't sure where that strength came from but knew she was pissed.
"Hey Kakashi, I'm going to need some popcorn over here too," Naruto yelled excited to see his girlfriend wipe the floor with Ino. Kakashi glared at him. "Alright fine, I'll just take some ramen."
"I'm not your servant," He turned the page.
"Alright Hinata, let's get real here." Ino rolled her eyes. "We both know you don't have what it takes to-," She hit Ino with a powerful air palm knocking her off her feet.
"That was for what you said about me," Hinata got in her fighting stance. Ino tried to get up only to be struck by another air palm. "That was for what you did to Yumi," She got up again. "This is for what you did to Kiba." She struck with another air palm. "Gentle Step,"
"Hinata, you don't want to do this." Ino got back on her feet. "You can't win against me."
"Yes I can," Two Lions formed on Hinata's hands as she charged at Ino striking her so fast it was like she was playing a game of ping pong with Ino's body.
"Kick her ass Hinata," Tayuya yelled.
The beating continued for what seemed like hours until finally Ino was out cold covered in bruises. Hinata began panting heavily after beating the stuffing out of Ino. The former competitors didn't know what to say this was a side of Hinata they didn't even know existed. "That was for everyone else you hurt." She left the arena taking her seat next to Naruto.
"Ouch," Guy walked up to Ino's body checking to see if she was still alive. "She's okay." He propped her on his shoulder. "Let's get you out of here." Guy carried Ino out of the arena and set her by Sakura. "You might want to treat her. She got beat up pretty bad."
"Hinata," She guessed; he nodded. "I always knew she had a temper." Sakura coated her hands with healing energy treating Ino.
Finally Sasuke entered the arena eager to wrap this challenge. "I'm going to settle things right now," He activated Susano. "I'll take you all on." The former contestants charged at him while some of them watched. The battle went on for a few hours before Sasuke was finally out of juice stopping at about ten wins. The only person who was standing was Naruto who had Sasuke beat before he forfeited. "Now that was a challenge." Sakura looked at him like he was insane for taking on that many people at once.
"Come on," Naruto complained looking forward to beating and under these circumstances it was possible. "I had you."
"The arena," Guy looked at the arena that was nothing but rubble after Sasuke tore it to pieces during his fight. He used it as a way to take out majority of his opponents. "Sasuke why didn't just wait for me to explain the rules?"
"There was no need to," He answered. "I knew what I had to do so I did it."
"Fuck you Sasuke," Tayuya flipped him off mad that he crushed her when he tore down the arena. If it wasn't Shino's insects saving her, she would have died. Of course she finally gets a chance to fight and it had to be Sasuke.