Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto (either manga or anime!); the wonderful Masashi Kishimoto-sensei owns all rights. However, the plot and Namiko Uzumaki are mine!

Chapter 10: Preliminaries, Part 2

Inuzuka Kiba vs. Uzumaki Naruto

"Well, it's about time!" shouted Naruto victoriously. "I finally get to show off what I've got!"

"Oh yeah," said Kiba with a proud grin. "We've got this, Akamaru. We can beat the shrimp for sure!" Akamaru gave a yip of agreement.

Naruto turned towards Kiba, fist in the air. "Who are you calling shrimp?! I'm gonna wipe the floor with you!"

Just as Kiba was about retort, Kakashi interrupted, "Okay, Naruto, save it for the match."

Namiko and Hinata traded panicked looks, both thinking the same thing: 'Who do I cheer for?'

Both boys raced down the stairs and stood in front of Hayate. "Are both participants ready?"

"You bet," said Kiba confidently.

"Oh yea—wait, why is Akamaru here? Won't he get hurt?" question Naruto, hands on his hips.

Kiba knelt down, setting a growling Akamaru on the floor. "Akamaru always fights with me. You know that from Namiko being on my team." He scoffed. "What? Are you worried you can't beat me?"

"No way am I worried! I'll beat you for sure! But…is this even allowed?"

"The rules are clear and animals are allowed as they are considered part of a ninja's art," Hayate cleared his throat to keep from coughing. "They are the same as any other weapons and tools."

"Whatever," scoffed Naruto, "I work best with a little handicap anyhow."

"Two can play that game," said Kiba as he turned to face his ninken, "Akamaru, you can sit this one out. I can handle him alone." Akamaru whined in disappointment.

Sakura yelled across the arena, "NARUTO! Don't you dare let that loser beat you!"

Namiko visibly grimaced and Hinata suddenly seemed to find the floor extremely interesting. Kurenai noticed the girls' behavior and placed a hand on each of their shoulders as she leaned in between them, keeping her voice low, "It's okay to cheer for them both, just make sure you console whoever loses. However, my money is on Kiba…"

"Don't be surprised when you're wrong," said Namiko, a small smirk on her face. "Kiba-kun is good, but I've known Naruto my whole life and he's a lot stronger than you'd think."

Kurenai let out a small chuckle. "I believe you. We'll just have to see who is right."

From below, the two boys stared each other down with Hayate between them. Kiba clenched his fist. "Don't worry, I'll be kind and finish you off fast instead of dragging it out."

"Oh yeah?" sneered Naruto. "Well, right back atcha!"

Kiba rolled his eyes. "You're not fooling anyone with that cool guy act."

Hayate glanced between the boys as they traded even more insults. "Well, if you're both ready. Begin!" He quickly stepped back to give them space. Hayate had a strange feeling this would be an interesting match.

Kiba crouched down on the ground, making the hand sign for his jutsu. "Ninja Art of Beast Mimicry: All-Fours Jutsu!" Kiba started to get a more feral appearance: his canine teeth lengthened, his finger and toenails became claw-like, and his pupils turned to slits. He looked like a wild man you'd find out in the wilderness. He bolted towards Naruto at full speed.

Naruto wasn't quick enough and Kiba slammed full force into him. 'He's so fast!' thought Naruto as he slid back into the wall. A little bit of blood ran down his chin.

Namiko's eyes went wide with surprise. 'Is he faking? There's no way Naruto is already out for the count!'

As the dust settled, Naruto was standing up. "Don't…underestimate me!"

"Go Naruto!" cheered Sakura from next to Namiko. Namiko chose to bite her tongue for now; she hated being in the position to have to choose.

Kiba laughed heartily. "You talk big for a guy who's bleeding everywhere. You should just surrender!" Akamaru barked in agreement next to Kiba.

"Ha! I let you hit me so I could find out what you're made of, and you hit like an old lady!" said Naruto as he wiped the blood from his mouth. "You may be my sister's teammate, but I won't go easy on you for her sake. You act so high and mighty. You'd have a better chance to win if you'd send that puppy in to fight for you!"

"Just you wait…" Kiba ran towards Naruto again, this time with Akamaru by his side. "Go on, Akamaru! Get him!"

Kiba tossed a smoke bomb ahead of him, right next to Naruto, effectively blocking Naruto's field of vision. As Naruto emerged from the smoke, Akamaru went straight for his face and knocked Naruto and him back into the smoke cloud. Naruto could be heard yelling from inside the smoke along with the sound of punches landing.

As the smoke cleared, Akamaru sat next to a downed Naruto, giving a yip of completion. Kiba gave a cocky grin. "This fight is over. Good job, boy!" Akamaru ran towards Kiba happily…and latched onto Kiba's forearm, growling. "What the-? Akamaru, what are you doing?"

"Surprise!" said Akamaru…as he turned into Naruto, who was actually the one biting Kiba.

"Transformation jutsu?" Kiba was shocked and looked around frantically for the ninken. "What did you do with him? Where is he?"

"He's right here!" said Naruto confidently as he held Akamaru up by the front paws.

Namiko turned to see Hinata's face break into a huge smile while Kurenai looked a bit shocked. She heard Shikamaru whispering to his teammates, "To balance a transformation jutsu and a clone? There's no way he should be able to do that."

Ino's mouth hung open. "To think Naruto could actually be taking on Kiba and actually start to win. Not how I thought this match would go."

Namiko smirked as she turned back to watch the match. 'See nii-chan? Everyone is starting to see what I can see. It'll just take time for them to catch on…'

"What do you know? You've actually gotten a little stronger I see, but not strong enough because now I'm getting serious!" Kiba growled out. "I mean it, no holds barred, no mercy!" Kiba pulled something small out of his hip pouch and tossed it into Akamaru's mouth. Akamaru's fur turned red and became a little more unkempt, his teeth lengthening as well. He let out a growl that seemed too big for his tiny body as he kicked Naruto's shadow clone, making it dissipate, and running back to Kiba.

'I didn't think Kiba would use that until the finals…' Namiko's eyes widened, she knew Kiba was over this match and decided to win it in whatever way he could. "Nii-chan! Be on guard! Kiba-kun really isn't messing around!"

Naruto called over his shoulder, never taking his eyes off Kiba, "Thanks for the tip, but I've got this, imouto!"

"Let's go, Akamaru!" Kiba shouted and he crouched down as Akamaru jumped onto his back. "Beast Mimicry: Man-Beast Clones!" In a poof of smoke, Akamaru had transformed into a copy of Kiba, both of them looking more feral than before. "All-Fours Jutsu!"

Kiba and Akamaru simultaneously lunged at Naruto. Naruto flipped backwards to avoid their attack. Akamaru ran towards him on all fours, swiping at him as Kiba ran along the arena's wall to gain speed before lunging at him again, Naruto barely moving out of the way in time to avoid the attack. They decided to attack him together, throwing Naruto off balance. 'Maybe I should've listened to Namiko. I've got to figure out a way to land an attack. Even with my chakra focused in my legs like Kakashi-sensei taught me, I'm still just barely avoiding their attacks!'

"Man-Beast Ultimate Taijutsu: Fang Over Fang!" Kiba and Akamaru launched themselves towards Naruto, starting to spin so fast in the air that they looked like small tornadoes. Their attack landed, sending Naruto crashing into the arena floor, battered and bruised.

Hinata grasped Namiko's hand, squeezing tightly. "H-how is he going to get through this?"

Namiko squeezed back, trying to comfort her best friend and herself at the same time. "He'll be fine. Naruto will find a way, even if it's not the way anyone would think of."

Kiba scoffed as he stood straight, staring at Naruto lying on the floor. "See? I told you I was going to be serious about this."

Naruto lay face first on the ground, trying to move. "I will…I will be Hokage…I won't lose…"

"Hokage? How are you going to be Hokage when you can't even stand up?" Kiba's scoff turned into a belly laugh. "Do you really believe a weakling like you can become the Hokage? You're weak in the head."

"No," whispered Hinata, more to herself than Namiko. "Weak? Naruto-kun isn't weak at all." She turned to Namiko. "How can Kiba-kun be so cruel?"

Namiko kept her eyes on her brother. "No one sees him like we do." Her face switched to one of determination. "Hmph! They're about to though…" She pointed her finger towards the match.

Hinata looked down to see Naruto starting to stand. She heard several people gasp around them, and as she glanced around she noticed that Namiko was right and they were starting to see the tenacious boy she'd loved since they were three years old.

Namiko leaned over the railing, yelling with everything in her lungs, "Naruto! You can do this! We believe in you!"

Naruto smiled, hearing his sister cheer for him. "Hear that? I'm the top dog around here."

"You're kidding! You're a real glutton for punishment. Let's go, Akamaru!" Kiba and Akamaru charged towards Naruto once again.

Naruto's confidence poured off him. "How many times are you going to use that tired move?"

"Just once more! Fang Over Fang!" Kiba and Akamaru turned into their twin tornado-like forms and crossed paths, just barely missing Naruto as he leapt out of the way. Kiba threw a couple smoke bombs at Naruto as he landed, and they used Fang Over Fang again, amplifying the smoke covering Naruto. They leapt back as the smoke cleared, putting distance between them and Naruto. "Ha! Looks like you've run out of gas."

Naruto slowly stood out of the smoke. "Yeah? Bring it on, dog-breath, because no matter how many clones of yourself you make, I'll still have enough gas to beat you!"

"You always have some sort of snappy comeback, but let's see you come back from this." Kiba crouched down again. "Ready Akamaru?" They charged towards Naruto yet again, Kiba with more smoke bombs in hand.

'Good! Exactly what I hoped he'd do!' thought Naruto as the smoke engulfed him again. Kiba and Akamaru used their jutsu to enhance the smoke making it almost impossible to see, and falling right into what Naruto wanted them to do. As they came to a stop and the smoke cleared…three Kiba look-alikes stood in the middle of the arena.

Kiba stood, subtly glancing between the other two versions of himself. "Okay, you've gotten better at the transformation jutsu, but you're forgetting one thing: I still know which one is you." He punched the 'Kiba' to his left, sending him flying across the arena. "Wanna know why? My nose is one thousand times stronger than the average human's. Game over."

A puff of smoke appeared around the 'Kiba' on the ground revealing Akamaru.

"How?" Kiba turned on the one behind him. "It's you! You're messing with me!" He punched that 'Kiba' too, sending him flying…only to reveal Akamaru again. "Wha…?" Kiba just stared in disbelief. 'How did I get this wrong?'

Namiko heard Kakashi chuckle before he spoke, "Well, this is coming from the original class clown, after all."

Kurenai stood on the other side of Namiko, bewildered. 'How did he fool Kiba's nose?'

Another puff a smoke appeared from the first Akamaru that Kiba had punched, turning around to see Naruto barreling towards him. Naruto kicked Kiba straight in the face, knocking him back beside the real Akamaru.

Kiba was livid. "You bastard…" He wiped the blood from his face and

Naruto chuckled. "The smart shinobi is careful how he uses his jutsu. Otherwise, it's liable to come back and bite him on the butt, dummy!"

'I've got to get calm…' Kiba bit his hand, allowing himself to focus on the pain and slow his racing mind. 'I've just got to find an opening, slip in behind him and attack using All Fours.'

"Come on, what're you waiting for?" taunted Naruto. "I think it's time to unveil my secret special move!" Namiko traded a confused look with Hinata.

Kiba took a breath before running at Naruto, launching several shuriken as he ran. Naruto dodged each one without problem until Kiba activated All-Fours jutsu again, sprinting next to Naruto and kicking him into the arena wall. Naruto lay face down on the ground.

"On your feet, Naruto!" yelled Sakura from the sidelines.

Naruto slowly got up but struggled to fight off Kiba. In his All-Fours jutsu, Kiba was too fast for Naruto to deal with. Kiba backed up before attacking Naruto again, this time clawing at Naruto's arm. Naruto grabbed Kiba's arm and swung him, pushing him back almost to the opposite wall. Naruto stood proudly, even though blood was dripping down his right arm at a rapid pace. "I will be Hokage. I will never lose to you, or anyone here!"

"Dream on," scoffed Kiba, crouching down again. "How can you beat me when you can't keep up with me?" Kiba started running towards Naruto again on all fours, jumping into the air and clawing at Naruto's left arm, shoving him to the ground. "You're kidding yourself. You never even had a chance against me!"

Naruto pushed up achingly slowly onto his hands and knees. Gradually, he gathered his strength and was able to get his right foot under him to start to stand. "I absolutely will not lose," said Naruto as he turned to face Kiba. "Guess that means you're out of luck."

"You're a scrappy little squirt, I'll admit that." Kiba ran full force at Naruto again.

"Time to unveil my jutsu!" yelled Naruto as he made a hand sign. Kiba ran past Naruto, running back around and sliding to a stop behind him. Kiba was about to tackle him from behind when…Naruto farted. Right in Kiba's face.

Kiba jumped back covering his nose and groaning in agony. "Oh, that's disgusting!"

Namiko face palmed, whispering to herself, "Only you, nii-chan…" Hinata blushed slightly, giggling.

"That wasn't what I was going for, but hey," Naruto shrugged before making the hand sign again. "Multi Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Several copies of himself appeared next to him. "You've kicked me around pretty good so far, but now it's payback time!"

Naruto's clones surrounded Kiba as he took a big step forward and punched Kiba square in the jaw. He knelt down as one of his clones jumped off his back, flipping up into the air while the other three clones kicked Kiba up into the air. Kiba going up as Naruto's clone was coming down, meeting in the middle, and kicking Kiba's face into the ground. "Uzumaki Barrage!"

Kiba was face down on the ground, nearing unconsciousness. Hayate stepped between the boys, checking Kiba. "Inuzuka Kiba cannot continue. The winner is Uzumaki Naruto."

Cheers poured from the Konoha side of the arena. All of his classmates were cheering for him, something he never thought he'd see happen. 'They're actually cheering for me…'

As he sprinted up the stairs, locking eyes with his sister, who was beaming from ear to ear. The siblings ran at each other full force meeting in a tight embrace. Namiko threw her arms around her brother's neck. "I'm so proud of you! I knew you could do it!"

"Namiko," he said choking on his words, "too tight…"

"Sorry nii-chan…" She loosened her grip and ducked her head sheepishly before smiling at him again. "You seriously were amazing out there though."

Naruto closed his eyes as he grinned, rubbing the back of his head. "Gee, thanks, imouto. Kiba definitely is a strong competitor. It makes me feel a little better actually knowing he has your back on your team."

A delicate voice interrupted his thoughts. "N-Naruto-kun?" Hinata was fidgeting with a small jar in her hands. "I thought you might want to use this. Kiba-kun cut your arm pretty deep."

"Is this the same stuff you gave me before the Forest of Death?" As she nodded, Naruto accepted the jar and smiled at her. "Thanks, this stuff really worked well last time! I really appreciate it, Hinata." Their hands both held onto the jar for a little longer than necessary, when Hinata suddenly became aware of it and let go. Naruto realized quickly that he couldn't reach his injury with his jacket on and started to remove it.

"Y-you're welcome," Hinata said, blushing furiously. "You really were incredible today." She turned away from him, face so red Namiko was sure Hinata would pass out.

"Thanks, Hinata, that means a lot coming from you." He turned to his sister. "Imouto, can you hold this?" he said as he tossed his jacket at her head. Namiko caught it before it hit her face, glaring at him but saying nothing.

Hinata was looking anywhere but at Naruto when she noticed Kiba being moved transported to medical, and she muttered a quick "excuse me" before rushing down the stairs. "Kiba-kun, this is a healing salve for you and Akamaru…you did really well."

Kiba turned his head to face her. "You should be worrying about yourself. There's only six of you left. You, Chouji, Neji, Lee, one from Oto, and then that guy from Suna." His face suddenly turned serious, voice lowering, "You need to promise me something, if they pair you up against that Suna shinobi, you need to forfeit. Same goes if you get paired with Neji; he's always so cruel to you and he'd tear you to pieces."

Namiko walked up to them. "Hinata-chan, he's right. Neji-san could try to kill you; he just holds so much anger toward you. Gaara…well, I think all three of us remember his abilities all too well…" Namiko shuddered at the memory of a few days prior before shaking it off and addressing Kiba. "Kiba-kun, you did a good job against Naruto."

Kiba scoffed. "I never thought your knucklehead brother would actually beat me."

A medical ninja interrupted them. "We really should be going." Hinata and Namiko waved goodbye to him, standing at the base of the stairs as Kiba was carried out of the arena.

Hayate's voice rang out again, "Now onto our next match." He turned to the screen, reading the names out.

Hyuuga Neji vs. Hyuuga Hinata

Both girls spun around to check the screen, then froze in place. Namiko shook off the shock first, turning to her best friend with a pleading look in her eyes. "Hinata-chan, you heard what Kiba-kun said…"

Hinata swallowed and set her mouth in a straight line. "I need to…" She walked to the middle of the arena waiting for Neji without giving Namiko a chance to retort.

Namiko ran back up the stairs, straight to Kurenai. "Kurenai-sensei, you have to stop the match. Hinata-chan can't go against Neji-san; he could seriously hurt her or even kill her!" Fear was etched all over her face, brown furrowed.

"I can't stop the match unless she tells me to do so." Kurenai laid a gentle hand on Namiko's shoulder. "You know as well as I do, that Hinata is a force to be reckoned with. She just needs more confidence."

"I know…she's stronger than me, but Neji-san is terrifying. His chakra feels ice cold and…I'm just worried about her." Namiko's shoulders dropped in defeat.

Kurenai stared towards the match as it was about to start. "How about this? If things get out of control, I promise to step in even if Hayate doesn't. I don't want to stop her match prematurely just because you're worried, and I know she wants to prove herself, but I want her to stay safe too." Namiko nodded in agreement and turned her focus to the match below.

Hayate coughed several times. "Well then, let the match begin when ready."

"Before we begin, I need to point something out, Hinata-sama," Neji said, eyes narrowed and fists clenched. "Withdraw now. You know you were never meant to be a ninja." Hinata looked up at Neji, frozen by his harsh words and eyes wide in distress.

Neji continued his lecture to the younger Hyuuga, "You're too kind and gentle. You seek harmony and avoid conflict. You allow yourself to be easily swayed by others. Admit it, you have no self-confidence…

"You feel inferior to everyone here and would've been content to stay a genin. But to enter the Chuunin Exams, you have to have a team of three and you couldn't bear to let Kiba and Namiko down."

Hinata shook her head. "No! You're wrong. I had to find out…if I could change." She turned her head to the side, eyes downcast to avoid Neji's gaze.

"Hinata-sama, you are the spoiled baby of the main branch. People can't change no matter how hard they try."

Hinata's head snapped up at his spiteful comments. "No!"

"A failure will always be a failure," Neji stood tall, trying to intimidate Hinata more. "And someone with a weak personality doesn't become strong. It doesn't matter who you are. We're all judged for different reasons: our looks, intelligence, talent, or even personalities. It's a form of discrimination where the factors can't be changed, and because of that we have no choice."

Naruto growled from his view on the balcony. Namiko laid a hand on his arm, whispering to him calmly, "Hinata-chan won't let this get to her, she's stronger than he realizes."

"It's all unchangeable, just as the fact that I'm a member of the side branch and you're a member of the main branch." Neji looked down his nose at Hinata. "I've seen through many things with my Byakugan. So, I know that your 'courage' is just a facade. In the deepest part of your heart, you want nothing more than to run far, far away from here."

Hinata closed her eyes, shaking her head. "N-no! No, I really want—"

"My eyes can't be deceived," said Neji as he activated his Byakugan, scanning Hinata. "Just now, you averted your eyes, glancing to the upper left signaling you were thinking of your bitter past. Then when you subsequently glanced to the lower right, it indicated that you were envisioning physical and mental agony.

"In other words, you recalled your own previous experiences, and based upon those memories, you imagined the outcome of this match. You foresaw your own defeat!" Hinata brought up her arms to shield her upper body and face as she began to cower.

"And the way you're holding your arms?" Neji continued. "You're trying to shield your own body, to put a wall between us. You don't want me to see behind that wall, because everything that I've said so far is true!

"That familiar gesture of putting your finger to your lips, I know it's a desperate attempt to suppress your rising panic. But it's all futile! You can never change yourself!"

"Yes, she can!" Naruto's booming voice came from the balcony as Neji turned to glare at the blond. "Who gave you the right to tell her what she can or can't be? Go on, Hinata, show him that he's wrong!"

Namiko leaned over the railing, cupping her hands around her mouth. "He doesn't know the real you! Just remember what I told you about that kunoichi! You have fire inside you, I know it!"

Hinata looked up at the sibling pair, eyes shining with tears. 'Naruto-kun, Namiko-chan…what do I do?'

"Hinata!" growled out Naruto. "Are you just going to stand there and take that? Do something! You're driving me crazy! You can do this!"

'You're right, Naruto-kun, I can change.' Tears started to dry on Hinata's face. 'Thank you…' She took a deep breath, a look of determination settling across her face.

'The look in her eyes…it's changed…' Neji eyed her carefully. "If you don't forfeit the match, you know what will happen. I won't be responsible for what happens here."

"I won't run away," said Hinata as she lifted her arms, bringing her hands in front her face to make a hand sign. "Byakugan!" She took a step back, outstretching her left arm in front of her, and right arm bent at an angle with her palm towards Neji in her fighting stance. "Neji-nii-san, defend yourself."

Neji mirrored her stance. "Very well then."

The two Hyuuga stared down at each other before simultaneously running towards each other. Hinata got the first strike in on Neji, but he easily blocked it. Soon they were striking and blocking each other faster and faster.

Hinata saw a small opening; Neji had moved his hand a little too far from his body and she made her move. Neji quickly backed away as she leaned forward to strike.

"Did she get him?" cried Sakura.

Naruto shook his head. "There's no way, it didn't even look like she made contact."

"That's all it takes sometimes," stated Namiko, chakra sensing active as she watched her friend in the arena below. "I feel a shift in Neji's chakra, though it's not a large change, she still got in a hit. Hinata-chan can barely graze Kiba-kun or I and we're in a world of hurt. I'm sure Lee-kun experiences the same with Neji-san."

Lee kept his eyes focused on the match. "I was not joking when I said that the strongest genin in Konoha was on my team. I was referring to Neji. The Hyuuga clan use a different type of taijutsu than Gai-sensei or I do. While we make hard and fast blows that break bones, the Hyuuga's 'Gentle Fist' style inflicts damage on one's chakra network."

Namiko nodded emphatically. "It may not even hurt me initially when Hinata-chan strikes me, but I'll feel the pain and damage more the longer we spar, even if she never lands another blow."

Naruto's eyes widened, staring at his sister. "She's hurt you that badly?"

"It's not like with you and Sasuke, beating each other black and blue," she replied, giving a small laugh. "Don't worry, nii-chan. She always undoes the damage she inflicts. With the Byakugan, they can see and target the tiny chakra points throughout our bodies and turn off or even increase the flow of chakra, causing chaos in our bodies, which is how it does damage." They all turned their focus back to the match.

Neji and Hinata were trading blows lightning fast. Suddenly, they struck each other simultaneously and time froze as the spectators tried to figure out who struck first.

"Yeah, Hinata! Get him!" cheered Naruto.

"Something's wrong…" Namiko was still tuned into their chakra signatures and her eyes filled with concern. Hinata's chakra seemed to stop moving abruptly. Without warning, Hinata coughed up a large amount of blood.

Naruto's expression changed to worry. "But…I saw her hit him perfectly! Why is she hurt?"

Hinata swatted Neji's hand away. "I'm not done yet!" She swiftly made to strike Neji's chest, but he grabbed her wrist and used Gentle Fist to strike her arm just below the elbow. Hinata struggled to catch her breath while Neji stood calm, cool, and collected. Still holding her wrist, Neji pushed back her jacket sleeve to reveal red marks all over her arm.

Hinata gasped, "You mean…all this time—"

"That's right," said Neji, malice threading through his voice. "I can see all your chakra points the whole time." Neji pulled back his hand, striking Hinata firmly in the chest, knocking her several meters away. "Look, I'm completely out of your league, and that won't change. This is what separates the elites from the failures. You may not like it, but it's a fact. From the instant you said you wouldn't run anymore, your fate was sealed. You were destined for failure. And now? You're consumed with hopelessness."

Hinata was on her hands and knees, struggling to breathe. Neji stalked towards her. "Now this is your last warning, Hinata-sama, forfeit this match."

"I…I…" Hinata said between tears, blood dripping on the floor. "I never go back…" She struggled to stand, shaky and unsteady. "…on my word." She faced Neji, her head held high. "Because that too is my nindo, my ninja way." Hinata scanned the balcony for Naruto, lavender locking with blue as she gave him a soft smile.

Naruto looked at Hinata in awe, his voice breathy as he spoke, "I had no idea Hinata was as tough as she is."

"I told you, she's strong," Namiko replied quietly, smiling at her brother.

"Her determination reminds me of Naruto," Lee quipped.

Sakura shrugged, elbowing Naruto lightly. "She is always watching you…"

Naruto was puzzled. "Huh? Really?"

Namiko nodded, turning back to the match. "She does. She admires you quite a bit." Naruto's mouth was ajar as he continued to stare at the Hyuuga princess.

Below on the arena floor, Hinata reactivated her Byakugan, staring down Neji. She took a step forward and instantly crumpled forward clutching her chest. She coughed up more blood as she cried out.

Namiko turned to Kurenai, panic flooding her face when she realized Hinata's chakra was stopped. "Sensei, you need to step in! She can't use her chakra anymore; Neji turned it off. That could kill her!"

"I'll step in when I know she can't go on," said Kurenai, but internally she was just as worried as her redhaired student. 'One more hit and she's done.'

"Go Hinata! You can do it!" Naruto called out as he clutched the jar of medicine Hinata had given him, urging her to keep going.

Hinata heard his call and glanced up at the blond, giving a silent thanks. 'Naruto-kun…I've watched you for so long. Finally, you're the one watching me. I feel I can keep going because of you. That even I'm worth something.'

Hinata set her sights back on Neji and charged. She threw herself into using Gentle Fist style, but unable to use chakra she mostly just managed to block Neji as much as she could. She leaned forward but lost her balance, giving Neji a wide opening. He used the heel of his palm and struck her jaw upwards, knocking her back and gasping against the blood coming from her mouth.

Hinata collected herself and charged at Neji yet again. However, without use of her chakra, she never made contact with him. He struck her hard and she collapsed to the ground at his feet. Namiko watched in horror as her best friend lay on the ground, unmoving.

Neji glared at the girl crumpled at his feet. "You just don't get it, do you? Your attacks were ineffective from the very start. You're finished." Neji walked past her, waiting for Hayate to call the match.

Hayate walked forward, glancing at Hinata before turning and addressing the spectators, "Seeing as the Hinata cannot contin—"

"Wait!" screamed Naruto. "Hinata isn't done!" All eyes went to him.

Namiko whipped her attention to her brother, chakra senses shutting off, panic threading through her voice. "What are you talking about? Her chakra is almost to zero!"

"Just look for yourselves!" Naruto pointed towards Hinata, and sure enough she was attempting to stand.

She was shaking all over, trying not to sob audibly. 'I refuse to back down, especially when the person I admire most is finally watching me.' She finally stood up to her full height. "I…refuse…to give up!"

"You're not fooling anyone. You're barely able to stand. You've been carrying a very heavy burden, having been born into the main branch and blaming yourself for being weak. Hating yourself for having to give up your position as the heir to your baby sister." Neji shrugged nonchalantly. "But you can't fight your nature or change your fate. That's just how it is. Just accept defeat and you won't have to suffer."

"No, you're wrong, nii-san," she said breathlessly, shoulders heaving and Byakugan disarmed. "You've got it backwards. You're suffering much more than I am. You're the one all torn up about the fates of the main and side branches of the Hyuuga clan."

Neji let out a rumbling growl and took off running full throttle towards her. Hayate's eyes widened in alarm, running after Neji, yelling, "Stop! The match is over!"

Just before Neji reached Hinata, Hayate pointed his finger to Neji's forehead, stopping him in his track. Kakashi held Neji's right arm and Kurenai his left in tight grips.

Gai had Neji around the neck in a headlock. "Neji, get ahold of yourself. You promised me you wouldn't let this whole head family thing get you riled up."

Neji struggled against his teacher and the others. "Why are you and the other jounin butting in? The head family gets special treatment, huh?"

Without warning, Hinata gripped her chest and crumbled to the ground, coughing up blood. "Hinata!" Kurenai quickly let go of Neji's arm, rushing to her side and laying her down.

Namiko used teleportation jutsu to flash by Hinata's side. "…Hinata-chan. You did good…now rest." Tears pricked the corner of her eyes.

Naruto and Sakura came running down the stairs. "Hinata!" shouted Naruto. "Are you okay?" Worry shone in his blue eyes as he leaned over her.

"…N-Naruto…" Hinata's voice was barely a whisper, and she quickly lost consciousness. Kurenai flagged over the medic ninja as Naruto and Namiko moved out of the way.

A voice broke them both from their intense staring at Hinata. "Hey you two, Uzumaki losers," Neji called out from his place next to Gai. "I have two pieces of advice for you both. First of all, if you intend to call yourself a shinobi, stop that stupid cheering of yours. It's disgraceful. And second, once a failure, always a failure. You both won your matches by dumb luck. Namiko, you only won because Zaku was injured. And Naruto, you only won because you accidentally farted in Kiba's face and overwhelmed his senses. You two are never going to make it in the real world."

Naruto snarled. "You want to try me?" He ran at Neji, but Rock Lee blocked him from continuing, arms outstretched. "Why are you blocking me?!"

"Rules dictate that all fighting must be in an official match. The loser beating the gifted genius through sheer willpower, now would that not make for and exciting match in the finals?" Lee said passionately.

Naruto raised an eyebrow at Lee. "…uh, yeah."

A medic shouted next to Hinata, "We need to get her to medical now. She's going into cardiac arrest!" In a blur, several more medic ninja appeared as they carried Hinata off to the hospital.

Fear and anger flooded Namiko's body as she turned to face the lone Hyuuga. She instantly teleported in front of Neji, grabbing him by the front of his shirt, fire in her veins. "You were going to kill her!" Angry tears filled her eyes as Naruto grabbed her by her upper arms to pull her off Neji. "Hinata-chan calls you her brother! How could you try to kill her? If she dies, I'm coming after you!"

Kurenai laid a hand on her shoulder, pulling Namiko to her chest. "Namiko…she'll be okay. She wouldn't want you to be angry with him." She led Namiko back up the stairs, and everyone else cleared the arena for the next match.

Namiko sat against the wall, staring into space. She pulled her knees to her chest and whispered to herself, "He'll pay for this…"

The last two matches went by quickly but they weren't any less interesting.

Gaara vs. Rock Lee

Lee shocked everyone when he removed the weights around his legs, causing small craters in the arena floor. He fought hard against Gaara and it was easily the most intense fight other than the Hyuuga match. Lee used a secret technique, Hidden Lotus, and managed to actually land a few hits to Gaara but still didn't make a mark. Unfortunately, it ended when Gaara gripped Lee in his sand and crushed his left arm and leg. Lee was rushed to medical.

Two shinobi with major injuries back to back. Namiko was beyond worried about Hinata, but Kurenai assured her that there was nothing they could do to help Hinata right now. Namiko was just going to have to stay for the last of the matches.

Kinuta Dosu vs. Akimichi Chouji

Chouji did his best to avoid Dosu's sound waves by using his Human Boulder jutsu, but after he got stuck in the arena's wall, Dosu sent a sound wave attack directly through the water in Chouji's body. Dosu's attack was actually amplified because of water amplifying the sound. Chouji lost.

Hayate stood in the center of the arena, failing to stifle another coughing fit. "Alright, with that last match, the preliminary rounds are completed. To those of you who won your match and moved forward to the final phase of the Chuunin Exams, congratulations!" Cheers erupted from all sides.

Namiko saw Kakashi say a quick goodbye to Naruto and Sakura before vanishing in the puff of smoke caused by the teleportation jutsu. 'I wonder why he left before anyone else?'

Sandaime stepped next to Hayate. "Congratulations indeed! Well then, I shall begin explaining the finals…"

A/N: This was a BEEFY chapter. Over 6,200 words! I didn't expect this at all for just describing two fights, though I honestly forgot just how much talking happened during the Hyuuga fight. However, it's important to Hinata's character (and her relationships with Naruto and Namiko) and I didn't want to leave it out.

So, next chapter will be Jiraiya, people starting to train for finals, and quite a few funny moments! See you all next week!

-Eriisu