Next chapter incoming:)
FINALLY the matches are over! I'm looking forward to more character driven story arcs for now. I hope you miss Konoha as much as I do.
Temari's pronouncement is not as enigmatic as she may have intended it – but it still doesn't fail to pull the rug out from under Hisana's feet. The girl is clever, very much so. Not enough to have cooked up whatever this is, but enough to be let in on it. Enough that someone obviously sent her to feel Hisana out. For what exactly, she isn't sure. The things Temari asks her are inconspicuous. She doesn't mind admitting who her teachers are; her family business is mostly a matter of public record; Temari has seen her fighting style for herself. The information the blonde offers in return are no less freely given. Temari is good with ninjutsu. She's training with several teachers at once because she has no proper genin team yet. There's a man called Baki that her father is eying up for the position of her jounin teacher. She's closer to her father than any of her brothers.
The entire affair is conspicuously inconspicuous. When she goes home that evening, Hisana is only really sure of two things: She really likes Temari, and something troublesome is coming her way.
Nerves are her constant companion the whole way back to her room. Whatever it is that Temari hinted at, it's going to happen in the next two days. Kohaku-sensei has no intention of sticking around longer than they need to finish the tournament; Hisana secretly suspects he dislikes the heat.
Right about now she dearly wishes she'd know what the Ichibi vessel's chakra feels like. Don't be paranoid, she scolds herself. Why would the Kazekage let his unstable son loose on the village just to stick it to you? She can't possibly be unlucky enough to meet all of the Naruto cast before she's good and ready. There could be a million other things he could want from her – even though there are none she can think of right now.
Only when the hotel comes into view Hisana can feel herself relax. If she screamed now, she's reasonably sure Kohaku-sensei would be quick enough to come and save her. The thought feels vaguely pathetic, but there might be a confrontation with pre-Chunin-Exam Gaara on the horizon, and she really fucking needs an adult right now. Or, you know, at least an 'adult'.
She doesn't dare wake Sensei up and tell him. The uncomfortable question of 'How do you know about the super secret Suna Jinchuuriki?' is one she isn't eager to answer at all. Then again, this is a lot more dangerous than messing with one or two Konoha clans. The worst that can happen to her at home is being locked away – because they'll either think her crazy or want to use her to win the war Shimura Danzo style. She's not sure how that would impact the course of the war, but at least something would be done about it. She's also, maybe arrogantly, sure team 7 would break her out eventually.
But a meeting with Gaara – being wiped out here – would mean nobody could interfere with the Main Story anymore. She distinctly remembers reading time traveling fanfictions where timelines simply corrected themselves. Gaara would feel no remorse for killing her, right now he simply isn't capable of that, and her death could very well be the new catalyst for Sasuke's slow descend into madness. All her work for nothing.
Once again someone stronger than her has backed her into a corner. Hisana crawls into bed, taking comfort in the fact that, at least for now, her team is around to watch her back. It's the only thing that lets her fall asleep.
The next day wears on her nerves. While the boys have been relegated to their room, Hisana spends the entire day with Kohaku-sensei in one of the Suna training grounds. Now that the last contestants are both of Konoha, Suna spies are nothing she has to deal with any longer. But training ground C is an even plain; no trees, no rock formations – it feels like an invitation. 'Look at me standing around without cover – come and get me.'
If Kohaku-sensei notices her jitters, he seems to blame the upcoming match. Having him around is a small comfort; at least if she dies today she won't be alone. Training is hell in more than one way.
Facing Hanada is almost a relief.
The girl's sneering face is an achingly familiar evil. Annoying, arrogant and selfish – Hanada is a lot of things, but at least she's not a killer. Not in the sense Sabaku no Gaara is. For the final match the arena has filled up with people. Watching them clap and cheer drives the fear out of her. She still feels nothing but derision for the spectacle, but at least she's reasonably safe here, under the watchful eyes of natives and foreigners alike. The dark haired girl in front of her is currently Hisana's biggest, most real problem. The sooner that problem is taken care of, the sooner they can get the hell out of Suna.
The crowd goes silent when the Kazekage rises from his seat. "Most esteemed guests – welcome to the last match of this most exciting contest!" He bows to the excited racket of the spectators. Then he holds up his hands, quieting the crowd once more. "Today the best of our contenders will show you of what they are capable to advance to the rank of chuunin. Mami Hanada –" he gestures grandly to the other girl, who pushes out her chest in pride "– Uchiha Hisana –" he catches Hisana's gaze and holds it just a second too long "– we are looking forward to see the best you can do."
The proctor bows to him and holds out his whistle like an offering. "Please take the customary five steps." Then he takes the whistle and blows it.
There's a certain sort of calm that can only be found in a fight. It's a powerful thing, Hisana finds. More powerful than the fear of dying in said fight, obviously. Powerful enough, that the Kazekage and his entire family vanish from Hisana's mind when she meets Hanada's eyes across the arena. Her Sharingan flare to life and she leers at her opponent. Hanada's eyes twitch in return, fighting against the urge to close. It's the last thing Hisana registers before they fly at each other. The kekkei genkai gives her an edge, makes the opponent's movements register faster than normal, but it doesn't help Hisana's speed. And Hanada is damn fast. This is a fight without blocks – instead they keep avoiding each other, narrowly missing a punch, narrowly sidestepping a kick. They switch positions, ducking away and dancing past each other.
Hisana spits a small teppodama at the other girl, tiny, the size of a ping pong ball. Hanada bends backwards; it shaves past her and hits the wall. The Sharingan register a tiny hole in the stucco before Hisana jumps away from a vicious kick aimed at her knee. They move in circles. She knows Hanada's stamina is formidable. Hoping to wait her out would be a stupid move. Something needs to give.
She throws a kunai, but it's easily swiped out of the air by Hanada's steel wire gloves. And there it is – just the tiniest moment of inattention. Not even a second of distraction.
The Sharingan burn with chakra as Hisana flings a hand full of senbon at the other girl and dives right after it. Hanada makes a grab for the needles. It only takes a split second for her to register Hisana's movement, but it's too late. There's no time to jump out of the way, to retreat. She has to meet the attack head-on, and it's too much. The moment the last senbon harmlessly hits the floor, Hisana is on her, thighs wrapped around her neck.
They crash to the floor, and only one of them is prepared for the impact. Hanada chokes, legs reaching out to wrap around Hisana's head, trying to twist them into a ball of limbs, but Hisana has already rolled back and off her. She can feel Hanada's nose break against her lower back, the crack of it muffled. For one awkward moment they're staring at each other's faces, Hanada, bloody nosed and flat on her back, Hisana kneeling above her, and the same idea seems to flash through their minds.
"Dokugiri!"
"Teppodama!"
Hanada's poison mist hits Hisana's water bullet head on. There's backsplash coming at her, colored a sickly yellow, and Hisana jerks away as if stung. It misses her by inches, harmlessly splattering onto her arms and hands. Handa has no such luck. Hisana braces for a counter attack that never comes. Only when the crowd cheers around her she realizes that Hanada hasn't moved an inch. Instead her legs scrape helplessly against the ground, hands clawing at her face. The techniques haven't cancelled each other out, the way Hisana suspected. Instead the yellowish irritant has congealed into a thick mass, covering most of the girl's face. Hanada's torso shakes with muffled coughs, her only free eye staring at Hisana in panic.
It's instinct when she reaches out to free her opponent – her alley, a Konoha ninja – from the though mask, but it's hardened into something almost rubbery.
"Hey!" she cries, "hey we need help!"
The proctor looks a little confused, as if not quite sure what she wants from him. Hisana turns to the medics instead. "Get here you idiots! She's suffocating – I'll forfeit if that's what you want!"
Only then they seem to realize the gravity of the situation. The whistle blows and the medics come running immediately. Hisana is shoved aside; someone rams a small tube into Hanada's throat. Someone lifts Hisana's hand as she sits there, simply trying to catch her breath, get down from the battle high that's already tinged with bitter, jittery panic.
"And the victor of the Suna Chuunin Exams – Uchiha Hisana!"
The crowd cheers. She sneers at them.
On the way back to their hotel room Hisana's team flanks her like bodyguards, a stony faced Kohaku-sensei bringing up the rear. The Chuunin Exams are a disgusting spectacle, she thinks, picking flecks of yellow goo off her arm. They itch and bite a little; she doesn't want to know what literally inhaling this stuff would mean. They boys immediately picked up on her foul mood, so a celebration falls flat. Instead of congratulations she receives a bottle of soda and the room to herself to brood for a while. Which is also good.
In the evening they are called to see Kazekage. It's a bit startling to see all the match contestants once more; most of them she'd already forgotten. Even Hanada, red-eyed and still coughing, is wobbling up the path to the Kage's office. Only Mori Akiba, the hulk-like Iwa-nin is notably absent. Hisana thinks back to Kohaku-sensei's enigmatic pronouncement in the hospital and decides not to ask Sora, stiff and silent beside her.
The Kazekage's office looks almost exactly like the Hokage's office. The color is a little drabber, and the family photos that littler Sarutobi-sama's desk are missing, but the makeup is almost eerily similar.
They line up in front of the desk, the Kazekage watching them with only mild interest and not a hint of a smile. "Now," he drawls. "We are going to announce who earned a promotion. There'll be no protests, no negotiating. Your villages' envoys all voted as well, so believe me when I say you've all had a fair chance."
He shuffles a few papers, before standing up. A man comes up next to him, holding a stack of generic chuunin vests.
"So where are we … ah yes. Saitou Gorou." He casts his own man a wry look. "Though you performed … admirably, I'm afraid a man your age should know better than hoping to outlast a young woman. Maybe next time."
The Suna-nin doesn't even twitch. Hisana wonders whether this village simply beats discipline into their ninjas the way Konoha does it with teamwork, or if her hunch is right and Gorou is a long-time genin for similar reasons as Kabuto.
"Hyuuga Naoki. You have shown impressive command over your body and a firm grasp on the Hyuuga taijutsu style. It has also come to my attention that you displayed extraordinary leadership qualities during the first few tasks. You have hereby been promoted."
Naoki's calm façade cracks momentarily into a smile before he takes one of the chuunin vests and immediately puts it on. When his eyes flicker to her Hisana winks at him. She has no desire to fight with anyone here anymore.
"Sabaku no Temari. You haven't yet shown the maturity needed in a teamleader. Your skill speaks for itself, but I'm afraid a promotion is still a while off."
Temari shrugs good-naturedly, not upset in the least.
"Eguchi Sora. Your taijutsu is impressive and above all your peers. While I think a bit more awareness of your surroundings would be preferable, the Konoha envoy has assured me that your single-mindedness will serve you well. You are hereby promoted to chuunin."
Hisana can literally see the energy shoot up her teammates spine and bubble over. He reaches out to hug the bewildered Naoki next to him before eagerly making a grab for his own chuunin vest.
"Sone Mitsuharu. While your skills with the dagger are notable and your ninjutsu solid, we felt that you haven't displayed the forcefulness necessary to operate efficiently on your own. Your tentativeness was your downfall this time. I wish you good luck the next time."
An invisible weight seems to have been lifted from Haru's shoulders. He sways into her side before catching himself. His secret smile, hidden away behind his long hair, tells Hisana enough not to worry.
"Mami Hanada. You have shown to be extremely versatile – a desirable trait in a chuunin. While I'm afraid you lack any leadership skills whatsoever," – at this Hanada's face sours considerably – "Your combat skills go well beyond the scope of a genin. It was no easy decision, but you are hereby promoted to the rank of chuunin."
Hanada's squeal of excitement turns into a nasty cough halfway through, but that doesn't stop her from reaching for a vest.
"Uchiha Hisana."
Hisana jerks to attention, suddenly nervous. She does want to be promoted after all, despite her distaste for the public matches and the Kazekage himself. The man leans forward to her, mustering her as if the decision were still pending.
"Since the very first match the Konoha envoy has voted against your promotion. You gave no thought to your own well-being. Your skills are without a doubt above reproach, but single-mindedness appears to be a team problem."
From the corner of her eye she can see Sora wince at this.
"However, luckily for you, Suna's values differ greatly from Konoha's. We have found your determination and your absolute focus on the mission to be commendable. While short-sighted at times, you have shown willingness and ability to make up for it with quick thinking and reliable instincts. The Konoha envoy relented, only because there's something you showed to value above the mission: the life of your fellow Konoha ninja. You are hereby promoted to the rank of chuunin."
The last chuunin vest is summarily shoved into her arms.
"Congratulations to all new chuunin. For the rest of you: Good luck next time."