Previously on Konoha no Yoko: Chuunin Exams, as the preliminary rounds progressed, the remaining members of Team 7 faced their opponents with perseverance and determination. Sakura faced a childhood friend, Ino, in a fight that should each girl of how much they have grown and how much they still cared for one another. Naruto faced a classmate, Kiba, who seemed to believe that the match would be an easy win; however, when fighting against a kitsune, no match is easy. Slowly and surely the preliminary rounds are drawing to a conclusion, who of the remaining Konoha rookies will advance for the third portion of the Chuunin Exams?

~Scroll 39~

Hayate stared at Yondiame's Legacy, who stood absolutely still with his head thrown back as if basking in the artificial light. The entire arena was abuzz with murmurs; some in disbelief and some in jubilation at the petite blonde's victory. Hayate could not help but smile at the unexpected outcome.

"And the winner is Uzumaki Naruto!" Hayate shouted, drawing the small teen's attention to him. Those bright oceanic blues peered at the older shinobi then looked around in surprise as the arena exploded in wild cheers.

Naruto felt his face and ears burn in embarrassment at the wild cheers coming from the crowd. He gave them a small smile before he quickly left the arena floor and re-joined his littermate and sensei. Once he stepped onto the balcony, the small blonde was engulfed in a warm embrace by Sakura, who whispered on how proud she was of his win; causing him to blush even more brightly.

"N… Naruto…" A soft and hesitant voice called as the tranquil Heart Song filled the young teen's ears.

Naruto turned to his former school-mate and was surprised to see a small ointment box being presented to him. With gentle hands, he accepted the gift, "Thank you."

Hinata smiled before hurrying down to the arena floor; unaware of pale eyes no different than her own glaring at her in contempt.

Naruto immediately turned his attention to the long haired brunette. The brunette, sensing eyes on him, turned to the blonde, whose face bore a frown.

"Oh! It's an ointment for cuts! Here, Naruto," Sakura whispered, drawing the teen's attention away from the long haired brunette, "let's put some of this on before those wounds get infected!"

The pinkette quickly applied the ointment and was immediately surprised to see how quickly her little brother's wounds were healing.

"Wow," she whispered in amazement as she gently caressed the fading wound, "this ointment is amazing!"

Naruto barely hid a wince at the slight sting he felt when the ointment was first applied, but he too was amazed at the speed which his wounds were healing.

"That would be the fox's powers working." Shisui remarked as he too watched the wounds heal.

Subconsciously, Naruto placed a hand on his stomach, over the seal which bound him and Ka'a together. The blonde lightly smiled; happy to know that despite not being able to hear Ka'a, the ancient fox-spirit was still with him.

Shisui placed a hand on the teen's shoulder and promised, "Don't worry, we'll undo the traitor's taint."

"Is your stomach bothering you, Naruto?" Sakura asked, noticing Naruto holding his stomach.

"Hm? Eh… no, it's just a little tender. Nothing that a heat pack won't fix." The blonde answered.

"If you're sure…"

"Yes, 'nee-chan."

"Okay." The pinkette relaxed then frowned as she looked down at the arena where she could see Kiba speaking to Hinata. Whatever the brunette had said to his teammate seemed to trouble her deeply. "I wonder what he said…"

"Hunh?"

"Nothing; just thinking out loud." She said as she guided Naruto to their sensei's side, "C'mon; they're about to announce the next match."

As predicted, Hayate's voice broke through the murmur to announce the next match. The next fighters' names appeared on the message board; however, instead of the arena abuzz with excitement, an ominous hush encased the arena.

HYUGA HINATA VS HYUGA NEJI

Down in the arena, the two Hyuga faced one another as the spectators watched nervously.

Neji's eyes stared coldly at his petite kinsman, who only looked at him in sadness and longing.

"I never dreamed we'd find ourselves fighting each other," Neji's voice was devoid of any emotions, "Lady Hinata."

"Neji…" She whispered, almost pleading with him, "Big Brother…"

"Well…" Hayate coughed, "Please begin the match!"

"Before we begin…" Neji began, "There's something I have to point out to Lady Hinata."

Hinata looked at her kinsman, who was more her family than her own father and sister.

"You're not cut out to be a shinobi." The older teen bluntly stated, "Withdraw from the match!"

While his words cut her heart and wounded her resolve, Hinata could not help but wondered if there was perhaps another purpose to his cruel words. She understood that Neji's words were meant to be hateful and to break her spirit, but of all her family members, only the older boy truly knew her the best; knew that she had aspired to follow her mother's footstep as an herbalist… and she will, but first she must complete her self-appointed mission.

"You're all sweetness and light…" Neji continued, "A peacemaker, not a troublemaker. You're easily led, not a leader. And you have no self-confidence. You've got a world class inferiority complex, so I know you'd be more comfortable and content staying at the Genin level.

"But applicants for higher-level Chuunin Selection exam must compete as a trio…" Neji remarked, "and you couldn't bear to let your teammates down. The truth is, your participation has been reluctant from the start, hasn't it?"

A pregnant pause echoed throughout the arena as Hinata looked sorrowfully at the older teen.

"You're not wrong." She confessed, which surprised the other Hyuga, "But you're not correct either… I know I'm not much as a shinobi, and that I would be perfectly content to remain as a Genin for the rest of my life. And it is true that I participated in the exam for my teammates, but they are not the only reason why I am here."

"Oh?" Neji sneered, "Tying to prove to yourself that you're strong? A leopard doesn't change its spots."

"What?"

"A failure always fails. And a weak personality won't become strong." Neji continued his bullying, "This courage you're displaying is just a bluff! In the truest, deepest part of your heart, you're desperate to run away from here right now."

"NO!" Hinata shouted in anguish because her big brother was right. She wanted to run away but not because she was a 'failure' as she had been called time and time again by her father and family. No; she wanted to run away because she had to fight the only family member she loved, her brother, Neji.

Ever since that day, that horrible, horrible day, Hinata lost her dearest friend, and she was powerless to save him from the burning hatred that began to fester in his heart. As she looked at him, she knew that if she did not act soon then she would forever lose her brother. She knew that she was no match for him, but she had to fight him in order to reach him through his hatred. This was going to be her toughest fight, but she could not fail in trying to reach her brother's heart and remind him that he was loved.

Hinata took a deep breath and opened her eyes; eyes she had not realized that she had closed.

Neji blinked in surprise as he watched the transformation within Lady Hinata. It was only moments ago that she was frighten as a kitten and now… he watched her become resolute. It was a beautiful sight to behold; seeing a glimpse of the type of shinobi she could have become.

"So, you're not going to withdraw…?" Neji whispered in surprise before his voice became hard and cold once more, "Then I won't be responsible for what happens here."

"No, you won't…" She whispered back, activating her Byakugan, "What happens here is of our own making… for better or for worse… big brother Neji… let's fight."