Chapter 26

Kakashi had just made it in time for Sakura's match. He only managed to tell her and Naruto that Sasuke was sound asleep in the infirmary, just before her name flickered up on screen, right along with Ino's.

Ah, crap.

He should not have let Mr. Kidnapper lure him into a nap. Not even a short one. That had been such a bad idea. He couldn't help Sakura brace herself, Sakura who was clearly panicking.

.::.

This was bad.

Sasuke was in hospital, sure, Kakashi sensei said he was sound asleep, but still! Naruto hadn't had his match yet and there were so many strong people waiting. And now Sakura was fighting Ino off all people.

She didn't want to fight Ino.

But when Ino's fist turned into a slap something snapped. She wasn't a scared little girl Ino had to protect anymore. She wasn't going to cower behind Ino and cry, or beg her for help. Izumi had already pointed it out to her. Sakura needed to grow up and get serious. Kakashi sensei boasted about her chakra control. He believed she could be the team leader. Izumi believed she could be the team leader. She could stand beside Sasuke and Naruto and be their equal. Not just their shadow.

No. It was no longer time to be a scared little girl. She had to grow up.

"Alright, listen up, Ino!" Sakura snarled. "We're not going to fight over Sasuke-"

"Excuse me-" Ino growled.

"I'm not the weak, needy girl I used to be. Besides, you're not even Sasuke's type! And this isn't even about him. This is about us! Stop treating me like a kid and stop holding back, because I'm not going to!"

Sakura strapped her forehead protector to her head.

It was time.

.::.

"What the heck is going on?" Naruto frowned. "Why are those two getting so worked up just looking at each other?"

Kakashi snorted. "That's a bit hypocritical, don't you think?"

"What do ya mean, sensei?" Naruto blinked up at him.

"Think of you and Sasuke. You two go crazy the moment you look at each other," Kakashi sighed. "Look, rivalry is a complicated thing. I might just know a thing or two about it." He eyed Guy, who tilted his head at him. Kakashi waved.

Guy stared intently at him, probably trying to figure out what he was up to.

Then the girls charged at each other, distracting them both. Asuma realised it just after Kakashi did. Sakura's punch would land first. She was faster and stronger. Kakashi frowned. He hadn't been able to teach her anything lately. So how-

The chakra control. Izumi's teaching and Sakura's natural talent for chakra control had obviously lead to a rather good punch. Kakashi smiled as Ino was sent crashing into the wall.

"Cha!" Sakura raised her fist.

"Shit!" Shikamaru cursed. "Since when was Sakura that strong? Is Ino even alive?"

Choji yelped. "Ino!"

Tenten smiled smugly at Neji. "I told you girls could be strong."

"Go, Sakura!" Naruto cheered. "Way to go!"

Kakashi grinned and nodded at her.

"The winner of this match is Sakura Haruno!"

Sakura raced up the stairs, and Kakashi had to brace himself when Sakura flung herself at him. "I did it, Kakashi sensei!" she squealed. "I actually did it. Thank you so much!"

"You're thanking me?" Kakashi blinked.

"Izumi told me everything you said about me." Sakura smiled warmly, the Alpha pup purred. "Thank you for believing in me so much."

Kakashi softened. "Told you about the leadership, huh?"

Sakura giggled. "Yep!"

Naruto looked baffled.

"You did amazing with your chakra control, by the way," Kakashi praised. "You sent it across your entire body, didn't you?"

"Sort of. I found that sending it to certain parts of my body made me less drained, but the control was difficult so I had to try balancing the two."

Naruto looked beyond confused by this point.

"Have you tried sending your chakra out in pulses?" Kakashi asked.

"I tried that," Sakura admitted. "But it made my tongue taste funny."

"Well, Ino's probably got a concussion," Asuma said as he made his way back over. "But she should be fine."

Sakura winced.

"Not aware of your own strength yet, huh?" Asuma joked.

"Still getting to grips," Sakura said sheepishly.

So far so good. Sasuke was safely in the infirmary, guarded by both ANBU and Izumi. Sakura had passed into the third exam. Now it was only Naruto left.

Sadly Tenten ended up fighting one of the Sand kids, and this one was a wind user. The worst opponent for her. Tenten was too focused on weapons, especially at long ranged distances, which would never work on Temari. She needed to be short ranged and get up in Temari's face so she couldn't easily swing her fan. But that wasn't Tenten's style.

Tenten sadly was screwed.

"So the girl uses Wind style." Kakashi frowned.

"Wind style?" Guy titled his head.

"I'm not surprised you don't recognise it," Kakashi said. "It's very rare in Konoha. In fact the only ninja here I know to use it is Asuma."

"Yup. The girl's good too. Very good. Sorry, Guy, but Tenten's fighting style never stood a chance," Asuma said.

"You use this Wind style?" Lee gasped.

"Yeah. It's really tricky at times too."

"What is this 'Wind style'?" Sakura blinked.

"It's a nature release. I can explain more about that later though," Kakashi said. "For now, the next match is about to start."

The next match ended up being Shikamaru's. Shikamaru who ran circles around the Sound girl. Asuma hadn't looked troubled, not even once, during the match.

Neji frowned. "I underestimated him before."

Lee tilted his head. "I must admit, I didn't think he would make for such a good fight."

"Not in a quick, fast paced battle," Asuma agreed. "But give him a little time to think and you're done for."

"Urgh," Naruto groaned. "I always knew he had a big brain, but he's so lazy!"

Choji grinned. "Shikamaru is seriously the best here. If anyone becomes a Chunin I have faith it would be him."

.::.

Naruto and Kiba's match was a bloody one, but Naruto won. Kiba was going to be grumpy for weeks. Just great. Shino sighed at the thought, then tensed.

The next match was Hinata and Neji. Shino glanced at the Hyuga boy, then Hinata, and scowled.

If Neji tried to murder his pack mate, Shino would show no mercy. His insects would suck the Hyuga dry. Sure, Shino would get into trouble for it, but Hinata was apart of his pack. She, Kiba and Kurenai sensei all were. It was his duty to help them. That was what his father had taught him. Pack mates helped each other no matter the cost.

.::.

Kakashi grimaced, meeting Guy's eyes. Guy offered a reassuring nod, patting Neji's shoulder.

"Make it nice and quick, Neji, and remember what you promised me."

Hinata trembled and cowered away, and it made Kakashi's blood boil. Why the hell was she so scared and anxious? Who made her so terrified and did Kakashi really have to go murder someone- He paused. Hormones. Hormones talking. He wasn't about to go murder the head of the Hyuga Clan. Nope. No way.

By the Sage he was never this emotional before.

He saw Shino staring at Neji, and Kakashi shivered. He could smell Shino's bugs stirring, poisonous bugs, and it made his nose itchy. Neji's gaze however remained coldly fixed on Hinata, but he startled out of his murderous intent when Lee stepped in front of him.

"Neji," Lee began. "Remember what Tenten has said to you about the Hyuga Clan. Hinata shouldn't be punished for something her father did, otherwise this cycle will forever continue."

Neji scowled, eyes sharp on Lee who stared back, just as determinedly. It took a long moment for Neji to close his eyes and huff. "Fine. If she doesn't forfeit I'll knock her out cold then. But I'm not doing it for the pampered Princess."

Thank the Sage for Tenten. It seemed as if Neji's mate was the only one who could talk him out of murderous thoughts then. Hinata never forfeited the match, with a little encouragement from Naruto. So Neji knocked her out cold after a few attacks on each other.

Haytake nodded at her unconscious form. "Since she's no longer able to continue this match-"

"NO!" Naruto screamed. "Don't stop this match. Let her finish-"

Neji growled, eyes turning sharp.

"Naruto!" Sakura scolded. "She's unconscious. Can't she see she's done?"

"She doesn't want to give up-"

Kakashi sighed. "Naruto, she's already proved herself."

"Huh?" Naruto frowned.

"Hinata remained in the fight. She tried to stand up against Neji, and yes, she lost, but she still tried. That's what she wanted to do." Kakashi glanced down at Hinata. "And can't you smell Neji's scent?"

Naruto scowled. "Yeah, he's pissed."

"He's almost ready to go feral, and his target would be her, and possibly you."

"Me?" Naruto startled.

"For telling her to fight him."

"The match has ended. Neji Hyuga wins."

"Finally," Neji scoffed, walking over to Hinata. Shino however was already there, and he scooped Hinata up over his shoulder.

"I'll be taking her to the infirmary," Shino said sharply. "I'd ask that you stand aside."

Neji growled lowly. "I'll take care of her."

"I don't exactly trust you."

The two growled at each other. Kakashi winced. Shit. Things were starting to kick off. Kurenai and Guy went to their students quickly.

"Neji, relax. Let her team mate look after her."

Neji growled lowly, but turned on his heel and went back for the stairs.

"What was that about?" Sakura frowned. "I thought he hated Hinata."

"Yes, but they are from the same clan, and like it or not, she's the clan leader's daughter. It's his duty to help her when she needs it," Kakashi said mildly. "Despite the killing intent."

"Oi, you," Neji sneered at Naruto. "How about you shut up with all that cheering? It's embarrassing. And next time don't butt into clan affairs. A weakling like you with no talents shouldn't get in the way of his betters."

Naruto bristled.

Guy certainly had his hands full with this one. That's for sure.

Especially with Lee.

Especially with Lee when he was matched up with Gaara for their fight. Kakashi smothered a laugh, all while Guy stared in absolute horror. Neji's bloodlust died in an instant, replaced by the same exact horror Guy was suffering through.

Gaara stared blankly at Lee. Lee who stared wide eyed back before gasping.

"You're my Alpha!" Lee perked up. "It is wonderful to meet you. I can't believe we get to have a match so early on together."

"You're..." Gaara trailed off, tilting his head in consideration. He turned away dismissively. "I need a new opponent. This is my Omega."

"What?" Lee whined. "Why can't we fight, Alpha? It doesn't have to be to the death. You would be an amazing opponent!"

Hayate coughed. "R-Right. You do get a new challenger then."

"Why are they changing the match?" Naruto frowned.

Guy looked strained. "You saw it, right? The moment they locked eyes they realised they were mates. In the exams if a mated couple is known we tend to make sure they don't fight, but surprises do happen."

"I'm just surprised Lee's Alpha is a Sand ninja," Neji sneered. "The bloodthirsty one at that."

"Is Lee going to be alright?" Sakura asked shakily. "That guy..."

"Gaara is the one requesting the match change," Kakashi mused. "And his bloodlust has died down considerably."

"Still, I don't like this Alpha for Lee. Lee is kind-hearted and caring, and that boy is full of murderous intent." Guy scowled. "I'd have to beat this kid if he hurt Lee, and that doesn't feel very youthful."

"There's also the problem of mates outside the Land of Fire..." Kakashi murmured lowly.

Guy tensed.

"What do you mean, Kakashi sensei?" Naruto frowned.

"Clan Omegas aren't allowed to have mates outside of Konoha, so Lee should be fine since he's not of a clan, but because he's a ninja the council might not allow him to be with his mate." Kakashi scowled. "Omegas from clan, and ninja Omegas, are rare in Konoha after the war-"

"Because other villages kept kidnapping our Omegas," Sakura growled. "I remember reading about it in school. It was horrible."

Guy huffed. "Is that what they teach in schools now?"

Sakura startled. "What do you mean?"

"Konoha had Omegas used as bait," Kakashi whispered quietly. "It lured a lot of enemy ninja into traps, but in the long run hit us badly because we lost so many Omegas, either to the ambush going wrong and getting them killed, or to their capture."

"Why doesn't that surprise me?" Neji grumbled.

"You were a pup back then, right?" Sakura tilted her head. "How do you know all this?"

"Kakashi was a jonin at the age of twelve," Guy said. "I had not caught up to him by this point, but everyone, including genin, were all apart of the war."

"Twelve! The genin? And pups?" Sakrua startled.

"Whoa, you must be strong, Kakashi sensei!" Naruto grinned. "You too, Busy Brow sensei!"

Kakashi really didn't see it that way. Guy was strong, yes, but Kakashi... He had so many regrets, so much blood on his hands. By the Sage, he was supposed to raise a baby...

"Alright, the one who will fight Gaara is Choji-" Hayate began, startling them out of their conversation.

"I FORFIET!" Choji sobbed, shaking his head. "No way!"

Asuma laughed. "Not even for all you can eat-"

"NO! I like food but I'm not prepared to die for it. I can't eat it if I'm dead!"

"Alright," Hayate blinked. "Then it's Dozu and Rock Lee."

Gaara grunted, but returned to his place. Dozu and Lee's fight was over quickly. Lee bet him to a pummel, possibly out of a mix of frustration that his Alpha had refused to fight him. Guy didn't look happy at all. Nope, he still looked horrified.

"Right, this match is over. Rock Lee wins." Hayate announced. "Now we can move on to the third rounds."

"Maybe now my Alpha will wanna fight me..." Lee sulked and he climbed the stairs back up to their side.

"I doubt he's underestimating your abilities, Lee," Sakura tried to reassure him.

Lee whined.

Neji rolled his eyes. "I think you should just stay away from an Alpha like that, Lee. Haven't you felt his blood thirst?"

"That means he might be an excellent opponent," Lee said brightly.

Neji scowled. "No, Lee. Do Tenten and I really have to sit you down and talk about good Alphas?"

Lee blinked. "But, Neji, you and Tenten spar all the time."

"I'm not a maniac-"

"Tell that to Hinata..." Lee mumbled beneath his breath.

Guy shook his head rapidly, trying to cut Lee off, but Neji clearly heard him.

Neji twitched. "Would you care to repeat that, Lee?"

Lee perked up. "Will it lead to a challenge?"

"You'll certainly find life challenging," Neji grumbled. "Because I will end your life."

"Worth it if it means you shall challenge me!" Lee cheered.