AN: Very short chapter this time, had a very busy two weeks so had to cut this shorter than I'd originally intended.

Anyway, I hope you enjoy this newest chapter!

Chapter 17: Brother, my Brother…

If there's one thing I'd learned above all else in my time in the Naruto world, it was that reality was so much more than fiction.

A scene taken from a page or a screen simply pales in the palpable weight of actually seeing it for real. The emotion, the feeling in your chest, it's just so much more when it's people you know.

So watching the battle between Hinata and Neji was… harrowing.

The way Hinata kept trying, against such a strong adversary was equal parts inspiring as it was terrifying. Seeing her drag herself back to her feet, time and time again despite everything had my heart aching. I was almost tempted to tell Naruto to stop egging her on, if only for her own protection.

Then there was Neji, with his all encompassing rage and hatred towards his cousin tangible in the air, flowing off of him in waves. Cruelly putting her down in his own twisted form of vengeance for the death of his father.

My eyes turned to my dark haired teammate, surprised to see that his eyes had turned red, Sharingan active as he attempted to glare Neji from existence. From the moment Hinata had addressed her cousin as "Neji-nii", there'd been a shift in the air around him. It only grew darker as the fight went on, his hands gripping the railing in front of him so hard that the metal gave the occasional squeal of protest. Even placing my hand on one of his didn't dissuade him from his glare.

"This is barbaric…" Haku whispered in mounting horror.

Hearing the Mist ninja's words, I turned back to see Hinata fall to one knee, a glob of blood escaping her mouth. "Someone should stop this." I breathed.

"The proctor will do so if it's needed." Kakashi stated next to me.

"And this isn't the time when it's needed?" I responded incredulously.

Kakashi didn't respond, though he did make an unsubtle glance towards Kurenai, Hinata's own sensei. The woman seemed to catch it, if the challenging look she gave in return was any indication. I was all for believing in your student but this felt like going too far.

Even so, the show went on.

Strike.

After strike.

After strike.

And through sheer determination, sweet little Hinata kept getting back up, each time slower than the last. Blood openly tricked out of the corner of her mouth, staining her front in a spotted path of red. It was a testament to her will that she was even able to keep her balance.

"You should admit your defeat now, Hinata. Fate will not let you win this day." Neji sneered.

"I'm… not… done…" She retorted through ragged breaths.

The fate loving prick glared harder at his cousin. "So be it." Moving quickly, he closed the distance between them, rearing his arm back to strike her.

I was too late to realise that he was aiming squarely at her chest, at her heart. "No!" I gasped, knowing I wouldn't be able to close the distance and save her. Squeezing my eyes shut, I braced to hear the sound of the Hyuuga heiress' death.

"S-Sasuke-kun?"

Snapping my eyes open, I was greeted with the sight of my dark haired teammate standing between the warring cousins. Having moved quicker than anybody else, he'd redirected Neji's strike to above his head, gripping his wrist tightly.

"That's enough." Sasuke seethed, Sharingan spinning as he glared at the older boy.

"You dabble in things that you don't understand, Uchiha." Neji growled with a glare of his own.

"An arrogant prick about to kill a member of his own family? I understand plenty." With those words, my red eyed friend roughly shoved the older boy away. "You're done."

Glancing towards Naruto and giving him a nod, we both vaulted over the railing to take our place beside Sasuke. Kiba and Shino were quick on our tails, moving to support Hinata as she collapsed, the fight finally catching up to her.

Seeing the fact he was now facing a much bigger opposition, Neji finally relented, the veins around his eyes receding. "I believe this is my match." He declared, turning towards the proctor with a frown.

Hayate glanced at the lot of us for a long moment before sighing. "Neji Hyūga is the winner via disqualification."

With a satisfied smile, the Hyūga sauntered out of the Arena, ignoring our glares as we watched him go.

"What a cunt." Naruto observed, accurately.

In any other situation, seeing both Sasuke and Hinata blushing up a storm while being in close proximity would have been a riot. As it stood, the fact he was currently healing some of the less serious damage that Neji had done to her, the medics having taken care of the truly serious injuries, put a dampener on that. It was taking a lot of personal control for me to not march over to Neji and deck the arrogant arse.

Turning to her teammate's, it was the more silent of the pair who stepped up towards us.

"I would like to thank you for your intervention. Why? Because you may have saved my… teammate's life." It was shocking how much Shino's usually monotone voice held such weight.

"You're welcome." I replied with a slight smile before frowning. "And don't beat yourself up too much, it should have been stopped way earlier anyway."

"Still, thanks anyway. I suppose you three aren't so bad." Kiba piped up, Akamaru letting out a yip of agreement.

"Aw, thanks Akamaru, you're the best."

"I take it back, you suck, Rōzu."

"Excuse you!" I scoffed indignantly, holding my hand to my chest. "I'm a fucking delight."

"That's something I can agree on." The teasing sound of Haku whispered into my ear, making a blush creep across my face.

That got Kiba's attention, who let out a boisterous laugh at my embarrassment. "Looks like someone has a crush, huh buddy?" He teased as he gave his puppy companion a scratch on the back of the head.

"S-Shut up Kiba!"

"Oh? Is that so, Rōzu-kun?" Haku pressed smugly.

"Screw you guys."

After melting into a puddle of embarrassment, it was time for the next bout.

Rock Lee

Vs

Gaara of the Sand

Needless to say, I was suddenly very alert…

AN: Sasuke coming to Hinata's rescue because he can't stand to see family members kill each other just fits so well, doesn't it?

Any comments/kudos/reviews are greatly appreciated!

MurderousLord!