Chapter 25: Finals Begin!
Walking up, Yuri makes sure to keep her routine. She made sure it was worth going to sleep a little earlier. And she was glad she did. She had struggled to fall asleep, it was something she rarely struggled with. A lot of things weren't sitting right with her. Getting out of bed, Yuri stretches. Gathering her tools, she grabs the special kunai Doki gave her, telling her she should use it to calm herself down.
Making it to the area early, she stands on the field. She told everyone she wanted to walk alone. She needed to think and calm herself down. And she managed. She had cleared her head, and she was ready to fight. She would watch how Hani fought, she was seen as hot headed and jumping right into it in the preliminaries. Which was fine.
Barely noticing when the others arrive, she puts her hands in her pocket.
Shikamaru stands next to her. "No Naruto, sound guy or Sasuke?"
She shakes her head. "Idiots. Naruto being late is dumb."
Looking up she feels Isamu standing next to her. Glancing at him, she rolls her eyes. The remains still, as they are being put on display for everyone to see. It was something she was expecting, since the Hokage warned them about it.
But then the ground seems to shake and she tastes Naruto. Smirking, she begins to shake her head.
"Idiot number 1." She mumbles.
"What an entrance." Grumbles Shikamaru.
Naurot goes off about stamping and finally calms down to look at the crowd looking at them. She doesn't even move as Shikamaru helps Naruto onto his feet.
"Stop your fidgeting you two. Stand tall, you are the heros of the finals."
She doesn't know who this guy is, but she doesn't like that the proctor was changed. It was strange to her, and nothing made sense to her.
"Welcome all, and our deepest thanks for coming here to the Village Hidden in the Leaves for this year's Chunin Selection. We have come to the final competition between the 15 candidates who made it through the preliminaries. We ask that no one leave until all the matches have been completed. Now everyone enjoy." The Hogake states.
"15? There were 16… a nice even number." Yuri whispers to Shikamaru.
She glances at her. "I know. Either Sasuke or Dosu are out."
The proctor turns to the genin. Causing their conversation to end rather quickly.
"Oh, there's one more thing before we get started. Look it over." He pulls out a new paper.
Akira Hatsu fights the winner of Shino and Kitty boys fight. Which is strange to her, Akira moved on automatically since Dosu seems to have vanished.
"There's been a slight change in match up. But now it's set, so everyone take one last look at who you'll be facing."
Yuri shakes her head. She doesn't know why it doesn't sit well with her though. And she gulps. And Naruto asks what will happen if Sasuke doesn't show up. And Sasuke will forfeit the match. Which… Yuri wouldn't blame him for it. But she knows he wants to fight Gaara.
No way would Sasuke miss his chance to fight Gaara, even if it means coming at the last possible moment. But, Sasuke left without telling her and she was really bitter about it.
"Alright, listen up. The terrain is different, but the rules are the same as before. That is that there are no rules. The match continues till one candidate acknowledges defeat or dies. That being said, if I determine that a match is over, I can step in and stop it at any time. And no arguments permitted. Understood?"
There is silence as no one answers.
"These are the opponents for the first match. Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyūga. Those two stay. The rest of you can go to the waiting area."
And everyone moves to go to the waiting area. Yuri cracks her neck and tries to keep her mind focused. This is where it gets serious. The match begins and Yuri keeps her distance from the others. She needs to keep her head clear.
Kankuro comes up to Yuri once they get to the box. "Ah, Yuri. Good to see you."
She barely even glances at him. She might benefit from a small argument with Kitty boy. It would help her remain focused and might loosen her up enough to be spunky in her match.
"Kitty boy. Surprised you showed up. I would be terrified to go against Shino." Yuri chuckles.
"Ah, I can handle it. I got something to ask you."
Why does someone always have to ask her something? It was boring, and if it's about Sasuke she would kick Kitty boy herself, she would gladly trade with Shino for who he was fighting! No way did she want to answer any more questions about Sasuke, not when she was annoyed with her boyfriend.
"Of course you do." Yuri lets out a sigh.
Kankuro leans on the railing next to her. "I heard about you and Sasuke. Any clue where he is?"
"No." All Yuri can say is that everyone knows about her and Sasuke.
It annoys her. How do people find things out? She and Sasuke hadn't even been around each other in weeks, not since he vanished. But a taste makes its way to her mouth and she gets even more annoyed. It's a taste she hated instantly, one she feared before, but now it was just an annoyance.
"I just thought-"
"You should stop that. Your thoughts. I don't know where he is." Yuri snaps at him.
And Naruto gets hit hard, Kankuro's attention is turned towards the match. Neji might win this, but if there is something she knows about Naruto, he will fight. It's what got Kiba in trouble. And Yuri slips away. She makes her way between Shikamaru and Isamu. Both their tastes were a comfort to her.
She tugs on Shikamaru. She needs to tell him about the thing she is worried about.
"I need to tell you something. I think Orochimaru is here." She whispers.
"Are you sure?" Shikamaru doesn even look around.
And she knows Isamu heard her, only because he stiffens slightly at the name. He doesn't like Orochimaru any more than she does.
Slowly she nods her head. "I am positive. It means Sasuke is truely with Kakashi."
Naruto is struck hard, and Neji is talking down to him. Causing Yuri to shake her head. But Neji reveals the cursemark. Leaning against the railing, Yuri begins to shake her head. Naruto always awakens the anger in people, it makes him connect with others. That knucklehead.
"And here it comes." Yuri mumbles.
"That… that is awful. Talk about resentment." Isamu states.
Yuri shakes her head. "Hard core. They use it so no one steals the byakugan, and so the main branch remains in power."
Neji goes on about Hinata being kidnapped and they demand the father in turn. She shakes her head. All of it sucks, she knows. Yuri just watches, knowing Naruto is going to pull something out and get upset. Even after the fact Neji blocked his chakra points, she tastes blood.
She knows he is tapping into the same powers Gaara has. And she knows he is going to win it. And guessing by Gaara reaction… She is right. They have something similar inside them. Would explain the Bloody cotton candy.
They clash hard and Yuri has to cover her eyes. And they are both in craters. Neji pops up and everyone is on the edge of their seats. That must have been a hard blow.
"This is why I never want to go against Naruto." Yuri mumbles to Isamu.
He nods. "I agree. Know your limits, and I know mine."
Surprisingly, Naruto comes out from right underneath Neji and punches him. So, he dug a tunnel, taking Neji out. Naruto pulls out the win against Neji.
"Kiya Orinuye and Izugi Tsuneko will begin the next match."
Both walk onto the field calmly. Yuri watches while Naruto comes up celebrating. He sent Neji to the infirmary, which was impressive.
Kiya smiles right as the proctor says go. She goes and attacks Izugi right away. But he hits her with wind and sends her away, she comes out as a person from her weapons. So she does transform into the weapons she is throwing.
"She is impressive." Yuri mumbles.
Kiya smiles and pauses for a moment. She was possibly going to enjoy this. And Yuri knows these matches are going to be epic. And a display of amazing strength. Anything from the last match proves that.
"I see. I have to do something different." Kiya says.
Izugi doesn't give her a chance though, as he comes back at her, moving quickly as she makes some handsigns. Izugi unleashes a fire justu. Yuri shakes her head, Kiya is in for it. Izugi is calm and collected, she doesn't seem like the type. But… Everyone here plans ahead.
Kiya has to dodge, unleashes a water style, but it doesn't stop a little fire from hitting her. This is a battle of ninjustu… and strong ones at that.
"She has water style…" Yuri mumbles.
Shikamaru shakes his head. "Strange, she didn't show her whole ability."
Yuri nods her head. It wouldn't surprise her, the strongest of the strong are here, and the fact so many of them made it through says a lot. And six of them are rookies. The fact that Naruto beat Neji first means no one can make safe bets. She would have thought Izugi would have had this round easily, but Kiya might have made it harder.
Kiya continues to be on the devensive, avoiding Izugi and his attacks. Izugi doesn't throw any ninja tools, he knows better than to do that. He throws wind and fire attacks at her. To keep her running, she has to cut and move a lot. She almost falls into the holes Naruto put out there.
Kiya manages to throw some Shurikan and kunai, seeming to be haphazardly. But… Yuri doesn't think, even with her training with Doki, Kiya does anything haphazardly. She was doing something on purpose.
"That won't work." Isesu mutters.
Yuri shakes her head. "No. I think it might."
Everyone turns back to the field as more fire and wind explodes. But the Shurikan and kunai are still flying and Kiya is gone. She transformed and coated herself and tools in water.
"What?!" Isamu exclaims.
Yuri shakes her head as Shikamaru groans. "Great. Everyone plans and this is even more of a drag."
It was a good move, until Izugi stands there and subs himself at the last minute. There is so much force that Kiya's leg goes through a block of wood. It surprises everyone, even with the two of them being evenly matched, they are moving very quickly.
While no blows had been exchanged, it was a telling match.
Giving Izugi a chance and he simply hits her with the hilt of a kunai leaving her limp.
The proctor has to call it. They get Kiya off the field as Izugi comes back and Isesu comes up to him and hugs him. She exclaimed about how cool he was and that he did such a good job. But there is a pause, no one goes to the field. And he isn't here.
"That Sasuke. What does he think he's doing? Forfeiting?" Shikamaru asks.
"A wise man never courts danger, leading to a wise decision." Shino says.
Yuri raises an eyebrow. "Shino… Sasuke doesn't back down from a fight… and well… he has to have a reason."
A really dumb one is what she wants to say. Sasuke being late means he won't be promoted. No way, he was going to move up. Chunin needed to be on time.
They skip Sasuke and Gaara which Yuri finds strange. Are they making an exception? That is weird to her.
"Man, what is up with this?" Shikamaru asks.
"Lot's of people want to see an Uchiha fight. It's always something to witness." Yuri comments.
"We will be skipping Gaara and Sasuke Uchiha, we will move on to Isesu Tsuneko and Isamu Haruno. Please come down to the field!"
"Awe no! I'm not ready!" Isamu yells.
That shouldn't be a surprise to her… but she is. Sasuke not being here is giving a lot of leeway for him. And it annoys her. There are other Uchiha's. But she lets out a sigh, it would be annoying.
She shakes her head but Naruto speaks up. "Come on! You can do it!"
"What a drag." Shikamaru says.
Yuri turns to Isamu. "You can do it. Remember, it's not about winning. It's about showing your skills off. Heal yourself if you need to and show them you could pin her down if you have help. Go!"
Yuri shoves him to the stairs as Isesu jumps down. The long red hair flying in the wind. She walks over to the proctor and waits for Isamu to walk onto the field. Yuri doesn't know what he told himself but he walks with more confidence and is cool.
It might be a small thing to see, but he needed to prove himself.
"He's going to choke… isn't he?" Shino asks.
Yuri laughs, she nods her head. "100% He might be fine for a moment, but she destroyed Kenji."
The proctor tells them to begin, and Yuri can only watch. There isn't anything she can do for Isamu now, just to support him from the place she was standing. She can only hope he doesn't get murdered.
Isamu moves away from her right away, while Yuri has a feeling Isesu isn't using anything deadly, she can't help but to worry about Isamu. He isn't the fighter among the three of them… and this girl took down Kenji. With little to no problem. Isamu has the advantage of healing himself while fighting, but Isesu seems like the one to just attack.
Isesu doesn't move until she smirks and begins to go after Isamu. Isamu stops and instantly lets her hit him. Yuri can't help but wince and that pain. Isamu goes flying to the other side of the terrain. And boy… was that a rough hit to take. Even for him… she knows he could take it.
But she knows what Isamu is trying to do, show off. He is healing himself as Isesu comes after him again. Yuri was positive he wanted her to get a single hit. Now he was going to move. He knew for a fact her strength and how many he could probably take. He was dumb with getting information sometimes, but he worked on it quickly.
"Why did he get hit? He just took it?" Shikamaru asks.
"Come on Isamu! Don't let a girl hit you around!" Naruto yells.
"He has a plan." Yuri says.
The boy looks at her and Shikamaru shakes his head. He doesn't believe for a second that Isamu has a plan. And while to someone who doesn't work with him daily, she knows he does. At least, Yuri has to believe he has a plan.
Isamu goes underground, he was planning on it. He was biding his time.
Isesu pauses, and Yuri finally gets to see the look in her eyes, and it's one of wanting to attack. So different from the girl who was congratulating her brother a moment ago. That is what is the most interesting thing to Yuri. How ninja can change in a moment to one way or the other. It's always been strange to her. There is a moment of stillness in the field.
There is a burst from the ground.
"You think a diversion like that will work?" Isesu jumps back as there is another explosion from the earth.
Nothing happens though. And everyone is left waiting. Until Isesu is hit from the side, Yuri sees Isamu punch Isesu and goes back underground. Yuri smiles and nods her head. That's how he was planning on winning, throwing her off balance. Isesu is left stumbling and no one says anything.
"That brat…" Yuri mumbles. "Asami sensi taught him to wait and find."
It worked for Asami sensi, and clearly this is what Isamu and Asami were working on. That's why she was playing hide and seek with him all the time, he was good at hiding and he was the one seeking out, not the other way around. No matter what people like to think. Isamu was just that good.
"He's using the same tactic as he did before." Shikamaru says.
"No. He's not. He isn't leaving any holes in the ground, and he's making explosions for her specificaly. It's like the bells Shika. His goal isn't to win, but to show he is smart."
Naruto groans. "I hate all you smart people."
"Says the one who outsmarted Neji." Shino comments.
Naruto turns to glare at Shino as Yuri chuckles. For a dummy, Naruto was smart in fighting. It was a talent.
"Damnit! Where did you go? Fine! I guess I'll bring you out!" Isesu makes some handsigns.
She slams her hands on the ground and Isamu comes out behind her and they two engage in a hand to hand fight. Something Isamu isn't good at. He was a goner, but he keeps up with her pretty well. Even managing to pull out a kunai, and slash at her stomach.
Isesu moves away and Yuri can see the anger in her eyes. She can't help but be proud of Isamu! He was getting the upper hand a little at a fight. If he was with a team it would be over since he drew her attention.
"He's messed up now." Yuri glances at Izugi. "Once she gets hurt, she doesn't see straight."
"Well… Isamu is about to die." Shikamaru shakes his head.
And the girl moves in a blur. She isn't able to see anything, and before she knows it, Isamu is on the floor, beaten to a pulp and has a bunch of cuts on him. They all can only stare in horror.
Isamu isn't moving at all and the proctor checks him, shaking his head. She doesn't know if that means he is alive or not. And that match was brutal!
"Winner, Isesu Tsuneko."
She only turns around and storms off. Yuri wouldn't want to be on the other side of whatever she just dished out.
The medics come and grab Isamu.
"He… was probably expecting that." Yuri shakes her head.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asks.
Yuri sighs. "Did you not pay attention to her match against Kenji? Isamu knew what he was getting into, and knew he only needed to prove himself. He showed he's a healer and can fight a little. He landed a punch on her."
Isesu comes back up as the next fight is announced. Izugi catches his sister and takes her to a corner to talk to her, it seems like he has to calm her down after some fights.
"Shino and Kankuro, come down." Yuri smiles.
Kitty boy gets to fight. And Yuri was going to take notes. She at least wanted to fight Kankuro at this stage, and she was determined to. At least… if Shino didn't take him out first. It was possible, Shino was strong and no way would she want to go against Shino.
"Proctor! I withdraw!"
Yuri and Shikamaru look at each other before her eyes go to Kitty boy. He… he's withdrawing? Why would he do that? It doesn't make any sense to her! It was a chance to move up and he seemed ready to move up in the ninja world.
Why throw away a chance?
"What's his plan?" Yuri mutters.
"What a drag. That means my match is next…" Shikamaru complains.
Yuri doesn't like this. She thought Kankuro liked to fight, hell he seemed excited to fight, much like Temari and Gaara liked to fight. But not like Gaara who just wanted to fight. He wanted to prove himself. And he was giving up his chance at fighting? That was the most annoying thing in the world.
But Temari instantly makes a move and goes down to the field.
"Oh, come on." Shikamaru groans. "What are you doing moving these matches up like this? Why does it have to be my stupid match that get's pushed up? Oh, man, this is such a drag."
"Shikamaru Nara, come on."
Naruto comes up behind Shikamaru and Yuri and she sidesteps right as Naruto hits Shikamaru. Yuri wasn't going to be brought down with Shikamaru in the slightest. And she wanted him to actually fight. He was going to talk himself out of it.
"All right! Go on, Shikamaru. You can do it!" Naruto cheers.
Causing Shikamaru to fall over the edge, and land hard.
"You know Naruto… you are smart. Getting those lazy bones in the field." Yuri laughs.
And Shikamaru is staring at them, anger in his eyes. Yuri can't help but laugh about the whole ordeal. Especially as things get thrown at him. Poor Shikamaru! But he was going to prove himself, she already knew it. Not to mention… she would gather some information on her own.
But she would wait until Shikamaru began to fight.
"Come on! Come on! Get up and fight! Come on Shikamaru! You're gonna get it going sometime this year?" Naruto yells.
And the Temari girl comes charging at Shikamaru. He pulls out some kunai and manages to dodge her. Yuri shakes her head. Leave it to Shikamaru to get out of a tough situation. He would be fine, and he was the most likely to move up to Chunin. She has other pressing matters though. But she slides over by Kankuro.
"You know… Temari is toast. Shika is smart." She starts.
Kankuro only looks at her and smiles, but he turns his attention back to the match unfolding beneath them.
"Ya, he can't be smarter than Temari." He counters.
But when Temari tries to hit him again, he vanishes. Yuri knows Shikamaru will be fine. If Temari is half the thinker Shikamaru is, she'll find out how quickly Shikamaru will trap her. It was only a matter of time.
Yuri looks at Kitty boy. "Get comfy. Shikamaru will think of a way out of it. Oh and question now for you."
Kankuro steals a glance at her and frowns. Now she is the one asking questions, and she was putting him in a position to be squirming. She had to know, it was strange to her that they were waiting for Sasuke and Kankuro was withdrawing?
Something didn't add up.
"Ya, what is it?"
"Why drop out? You were all about fighting when we first met. Why back out of a match? You could have shown your skills against Shino. Doubt you would have won, but it would have been an effort."
Kankuro laughs. "You're warning. But are you sure your friend can beat her?"
But Yuri doesn't remember saying anything to him about Shino. And they didn't talk for the whole month. Did she just catch Kitty boy in a lie? It would be annoying, if he is straight up lying to her. It didn't make her feel any better about Orochimaru being here. And the two people she told, one is in the infirmary and the other is in a fight.
She looks at the match and sees Shikamaru pinned.
He makes his handsign and Yuri shakes her head. Leave it to Shikamaru to think about the next few moves. Not just a few steps ahead, but all the way to the end of the match, even if he couldn't continue.
"She might want to give up. He's going to be able to checkmate her soon. He's too smart for his own good. And I can't beat him at Shogi. I've tried, even tried cheating."
Kankuro laughs. "Lame. Temari is better at long range attacks."
She smirks. How much fun could she have here? It was going to be something she wanted to do, and here is a perfect chance. She might be able to get some more information.
"Wanna bet? My boy against your sister?" Yuri turns to Kankuro.
"Fine. What's the bet?"
"I win, you tell me the truth why you forfeit."
Kankuro doesn't miss a beat. "I win, I will take you on a proper date."
They turn their attention back and Kankuro notices it first and Yuri can only laugh. Shikamaru made a parachute with his jacket and the smarty pants. He extended his shadow and now has her on the run. But it ends with her slamming her fan. She seems to be thinking about her next move but… Shikamaru caught her.
"Told you." Yuri states.
"What the hell?"
"He trapped her. He checkmated her. Look at the holes." Yuri leans on the railing.
And Shikamaru explains it. He lays it all the way out in front of everyone. Showing just how smart he really is, he might be lazy, but he knows the right moves to pull in a situation like this.
"If he had back up on the way or Ino with him it would be all over. Temari would be toast." Yuri says.
They walk towards each other. Kankuro doesn't say anything, and grips the railing tighter. She knows he is sworn by his word, and she was going to find out why he lied to her. She did call him out about lying.
Shikamaru raises their hands and…
"The hell with it. I give up."
Yuri's mouth hangs open. That idiot! He gave up! Even with his explination and how he wouldn't be able continue. It was fair… but she lost a bet against Kankuro. And she can only feel his annoying stare at her. Now she had to go on a date with him… the thing she wanted to do the least.
"So… about that date." Kankuro says.
"The winner is… Temari."
"Oh, so sorry. I have a match to win Kitty boy. We can discuss later. Hopefully, it's a date to kick your ass." Yuri walks away back to Shino and Naruto.
They both walk off the field and Yuri slides over to Naruto who is yelling up a storm.
Notes: Another chapter! Thank you to the reader who pointed out I was misspelling Sasuke this whole time, I have gone through and updated chapters. I also realized, its been a year since I began posting this story! I can't believe it and I want to thank everyone for all the love that you have shown the story so far. Now that I am planning the next steps, I hope you stick around and enjoy Yuris adventures. Please leave a comment and follow the story!