Huge thanks to FruitySmell for her unending support and limitless patience, as well as the new followers/favouriters.
Disclaimer: I own nothing
The rest of the week went by in a hazy blur.
Neji, for one, felt like his muscles were about to burst from the sudden influx of training. They'd covered everything - from handstands to hour-long marathons, and rope-tying to obstacle courses that defied the laws of physics. There'd been practical simulations in forests, deserts, or even desolate towns, where the Konoha and Suna teams were pitted against each other in a gruelingly long battle. He couldn't help but wonder what the actual, publicised event would be like. Surely, as most evaluations go, it'd be easier than the week-long routines? Stop kidding yourself. This isn't a foolish entrance exam, genius.
He chastised himself for being so cowardly. This Tournament was the one thing he needed to prove himself to the Hyuga clan, to Hiashi, to his remarried father, to mother. She wouldn't want him to back out of a challenge and prove the clan right. Her entire life was ruined by the clan, and it was up to him to redeem them both. Neji had built himself up from rock bottom, and he refused to fall back down again. Especially after all of his hard work.
He heard a rustle from behind, and quickly moved into his side stance, blasting a small force-field at the source of the sound. There was only a slight rustle in the trees, so Neji activated his byakugan. It was still difficult to accumulate the chakra needed to start it up, but not as painful or gut wrenching as before. That short week of drills and life-threatening situations improved his ability more than he thought it would. He could control and expand his shield range now, and at faster rates than before. The extensive combat session with Maito Gai had increased his endurance as well. If he wasn't feeling physically ready for this Tournament, then that just wasn't good enough.
Oh joyful day, he thought to himself, if it isn't Gaara.
"If I knew creeping up on other people was such an addictive past time of yours, I'd have reported you to the police earlier." The surly-faced Sabaku quietly stepped out from behind the trees and fixed a typical glare on Neji - or rather, his normal face.
"Don't flatter yourself, Hyuga. I'm here to train."
"Train? My apologies, I just assumed you were here to play in your little sandpit." Neji could see him clench his fists at his statement, and patted himself on the back for the witty comeback. Gaara glided across the training arena on a little mound of sand, and stood face-to-face with Neji.
"And who spends an hour trying to tame his hair every morning? At least I don't need mine to be sleek and shiny," the sand prince's counterattack hit home.
"It's a clan tradition," Neji paused for effect, taking in Gaara's unbelieving smirk, "A tradition is the passing down of elements of one's culture from generation to generation. A clan is a large family." He watched triumphantly as the Sabaku took in his implications before seething in anger.
"You, me. Duel. Now."
"No, thanks. Lunch starts in ten minutes, and I don't want to waste anymore time with idiots like you."
Then, Neji was striding away, reveling in his verbal victory, until one question stopped him dead in his tracks.
"So is Tenten an idiot then?" His Hyuga brain was tempted to reply with 'yes', but the logical side, the Neji brain told him that Gaara was incorrect. Tenten was a passionate warrior, one who defended her teammates with the utmost honour, and even without a clan, she had a greater family than the Hyugas could ever dream to achieve. What drove him to think his, he had no idea, so he continued to walk away, deep in his thoughts.
A slow, drawn out, hissing sound cut through the air like the sharpest blade through blocks of wood. It reverberated through the air, surrounding his senses with snake-like hissing. Only, it wasn't just a snake - it was something...more ominous. Huge. Terrifying.
He was considered to be the bravest in his field, and the most skilled. Yet, years of experience could not have trained him to expect what was coming for him.
Slitted eyes glinted malevolently. The first pawn on the chessboard surged forward.
Principal Tsunade tiredly made her way to Yakiniku Q for the final dinner before the Tournament (AKA, one more week's worth of stress). The mysterious disappearances of several ANBU agents, and their even-more-mysterious reappearances had been bugging both her and the council for days. She was almost certain that Orochimaru was tied to these cases - he was always so obvious and overdramatic with his methods. She knew that he wanted inside information on the city's movements, and what better way that to manipulate the underground workers themselves? Only, the council wasn't convinced with her conclusion. There was simply no motive behind his actions, not that they bothered to look into it anyway.
Their conclusion was that Jiraiya's sources were incorrect, 'after all, what would a bunch of sacred frogs know about the lives of humans?' She wanted to punch them in the gut right then and there, more so than usual anyway. Even with his perverted, and dishonourable life choices, there was one thing she always relied on when it came to him. After all, he wasn't one of the three Legendary Sannin for nothing.
Tsunade sighed. Her worries would have to wait. Pasting on her charming smile, Tsunade stepped into the restaurant and was immediately greeted by a plethora of lights, cameras and action.
Her team stood to her left at the long, lavishly decorated table. She genuinely beamed at them, proud of their physical growth. The force of Sakura's strength and Neji's shields have increased tenfold, and Kiba and Hinata's control over their respective aspects blossomed over the course of a week. That being said, Rock Lee and Naruto's abilities were still enigmas to her. On one hand, Rock Lee continued to display speedier combat skills but lacked visual improvement elsewhere, while Naruto's training was so mixed up that she had no idea where to look. Even Shikamaru, the resident lazy genius had displayed more improvement than Naruto. She hoped this would change during the Tournament, or possibly before it.
To her right stood the fiercely sassy Sunagakure team, clad in uniformly sleek black outfits and heavy make up. They were so unique and tremendously in-sync that it was ridiculous. There were of course some initial hick ups, mainly conflict between Tenten and Ino, but their prowess was extraordinarily advanced. While her team showed signs of remarkable improvement, some members of Suna's team discovered new abilities entirely. She was impressed to say the least, and intimidated at the same time. Most Gensho only had one ability for most of their lifespan. The redeeming feature of her team - one among many - was that they were harmonious and worked as a family, while the other team seemed to be based on rigid structure and organisation.
She shook off her thoughts for the second time that night and brought the restaurant's attention to her.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for attending this event tonight," she grinned charmingly at the crowd, "Now, you've witnessed their abilities firsthand, and their physical growth during their training regime. I'd like to credit Maito Gai, Hatake Kakashi and Sarutobi Asuma for their extensive efforts, and the committee for allowing such a profound event to take place." Clapping resounded through the room after her statement. "I know you're all famished, so I'll finish this off quickly. In two days time we will finally begin the Tournament's events. In two days time, everyone in this room, in this city, in all cities, will watch these fourteen participants battle for their country. May the best, most honourable team, win."
"My bets are on Pinkhead. What about you?" Temari asked, leaning over to Tenten. Tenten grimaced.
"Seriously? I was banking on Naruto. They have much more chemistry together." Kankurou joined in on the conversation, laughing boisterously.
"Rock Lee, hands down. They will not stop fighting."
Gaara glared at them from the other side of the table. "We are at a respectable diner, and all you're talking about is Sasuke's potential soulmate? Isn't there something else you fools could be talking about? The impending events, perhaps? We need to figure out a strateg-"
Temari cut off her younger brother, waving away his words. "Two days, Gaara. We'll talk about it tomorrow. Besides, I'm rather looking forward to this scrumptious piece of meat."
Sai sniggered, an unusual action for him. His teammates all glanced over at him curiously. "You mean Kakashi?" Temari went the colour of Sasuke's soup. "I saw you sneaking off with him the other night. Wasn't that you?"
Ino and Kankurou roared while Sasuke grinned wolfishly at Temari. "Getting cozy, Temari?"
She barked at her team to Shut up! and fumed at her seat while they continued to laugh. Tenten merrily grabbed a piece of meat from the barbeque grill, only to find another pair of chopsticks on the same piece. She looked up and saw the pale white face of Hyuga Neji. Contrary to their attitudes to each other as of late, she left little hostility on this certain day.
So she smiled.
And he looked like a five year-old who receive his first sticker in class.
End of chapter.
Thanks for reading guys!
Our competitors' week of training has concluded and in two days the Tournament will begin. Whats going to happen? What is the Tournament anyway? Who's that snake-like character and what does he want?
Keep reading to find out!