*******

My eyes watch over Sasuke's match quickly, keeping up with his swift Uchiha's movements. Luckily with my clan's specialty's, some certain things I was a natural. Observing was something I pick up rather quickly, but then I need my brother, Shiro, to teach me the Senju ways.

However after an intense battle between the two, with Sasuke almost losing to the leaf ninja, he won. But he seemed rather in pain, feeling the intensity of this dark aura of chakra.

Surprised by Sasuke's moves, I was soon impressed. He did train really hard, and I respect him when it came to fighting. Yet, I could respect him when it came to just becoming friends. It was rather hard to even keep a long conversation, or even just to have a casual talk.

Soon the next pair was soo randomly announced, that was displayed on the board.

Shino.......and Zaku?

My eyes fall upon the boy that Shino would be up against, only to find his opponent in a sling. He must've gotten injured before this, but who would do such a thing? An enemy? One of the leaf?

"Come on Shino, you got this," my hand grip the rails, as Kiba's shoulder brushes against mine.

"Let's see what our boy Shino has got for us," Kiba smirks, nudging me playfully. Nodding in agreement, feeling confident with Shino's abilities. I'm glad we dodged most of the ninja along our way here, or they would know our weaknesses and such. 

Hayato coughs, "Step forward please?" as the two follow instructions. "Very good, now if you're both ready, we shall begin."

"But do you think Shino will be alright?" Hinata asks, with concern.

"He's okay, don't you worry about him," Kiba ensures the timid girl. She turns to him with confusion with a soft hum, "He's the last person here I don't ever wanna take on.....well besides Kimi here."

Hinata glances my way, while I send her an assuring smile.

"He's gonna be alright, he's tougher than he looks," knowing how much the young Hyuga gets concerned for others.

Soon the two begin to fight, seeing the other ninja had both arms broken. Judging by my senses, I could sense something within his arms and palms. A tube? He soon sends Shino flying into a large cloud of dust, causing my eyes to slightly widen. Shino laid there, while I smirk knowing full well what he was up too.

"Pathetic," I comment, while I saw the devastation behind Zaku's eyes.

Shino appears unharmed with the sound of his insects coming from out of his skin, before they begin their fight. The sound ninja was appalled by the army of parasitic insects, while Shino explains everything. Without listening to him, he continues to resist and fights back with anger boiling inside him.

The battle went on only for a few more minutes, as insects crept inside the sound pipes which I found out. They clogged it up, and he used his jutsu causing an explosion to shatter his arms more severely as blood coated down. Chills went down my spine, thanking that Shino was on my side than my own opponent. Today was gonna be more interesting, as I will analyse every person, discovering their weaknesses and techniques. 

My brother once told me before participating, that if I wanted to become chunin, focus on yourself and yourself alone. It was a time where you can't rely on you comrades, so you're on your own. Right now, we cheered our friends on, but I know in the long run that some of us might need to compete against friends.

To be honest, this is how the world works.

//

Matches after matches there were pairings of Temari of the Sand village and Tenten of the leaf village. Soon there was Sakura and Ino, but their battle together was rather more of a grudge against each other. Their techniques were hopeless, and their aims kept wandering off course. 

It was like they were only toddlers, quarreling about who gets to Sasuke all of over again. 

Sighing deeply my shoulders roll forward, while I narrow my eyes seeing how pathetic those two girls were. Becoming a chunin isn't a game, but more of a test to see if you prove worthy in becoming a protector of the village. Sakura is a sweet girl when she can, but sometimes I felt like she was too much. Ino on the other hand, always bullied me and commented on my body. Always saying I was a pig, and chubby. 

I couldn't allow her to get to me, but on the inside that became a major insecurity.

Yet seeing Sakura today was a big game changer, seeing how strong she's become. Strength and more mental wise, a little taken back from her change of demeanor and goal. 

Sakura and Ino were at an equal level, as the match was a draw.

Soon it became Shikamaru and the girl from the sound village as well, and she was dumbfounded by his guessing and logical tactics. To be honest, I would love to fight with Shikamaru one day as comrades. Hopefully he wouldn't find it a drag by then, being the lazy ass he is. In the end he won that round, as the next pairing is.......

Kiba and Naruto.......

Kiba nudges my shoulder again, "Just watch me, cub....I'm gonna make you proud," he grins, baring his canines. 

I ruffle his dark brown hair playfully, "Don't be an idiot, alright?"

"Tch, I won't,"

Following his steps he trails down to the centre of the building, eyeing Naruto who seemed to be rather fired up. After a matter of seconds, Kiba retracts his claws crouching down before summoning Akamaru upon his back. He performs into his ninja art, beast mimicry. Training alongside him, I would know any stance he pulls. Whatever he chooses, I know he would have one heck of a fight. 

Akamaru transforms into a replica of Kiba, getting into their beast stance.

The battle soon begins as the two had it after a moment of Kiba almost knocking Naruto's lights out, as the battle soon becomes more intense. Hinata looked really concerned more for Naruto than Kiba, but I couldn't blame her. She knew Kiba could handle himself, because he is a beast.

The battle grew long and blood was spilled, but while my eyes watched the fight enduring, I didn't realise how tight my hand around the rails were. 

"K-Kimi your hands," Hinata points to the rails, as my eyes trail down to see a bit of a dent.

"Oh.....didn't realise, thanks Hinata," sending her a smile, while rubbing my aching reddened palms.

My attention shifts back to the fight, only in the end Kiba was kicked into the air rather harshly. Marks and bruises scattered across his skin, when Naruto uses his clones to push himself high raising his leg. My eyes slowly widen before the knucklehead slams his heel into Kiba, as he slams right headfirst into the concrete. Blood sprays everywhere, hearing a crack echoe.

My breath shudders, "K-Kiba........"

Everyone was so stunned to speak at the turn of events, expecting less from Naruto. Like I wasn't sure how to feel, because I am proud of Naruto as he has become rather strong. Yet, my concern shifts for kiba, and his ego.

Medical ninja came rushing in with a stretcher, not seeing Kiba moving at all.

My stomach sank in response, worrying for his health and himself. They pull Kiba upon the stretcher and began taking him to the infirmary, while my eyes frantically trail to the door. Rushing down the stairs I almost trip, before stopping the medical ninja to check if he was alright.

Kiba seemed to sense my presence, lifting his top half to meet my eyes.

"Y-you did well, Kiba.....I'm proud of you," I encourage him softly, hating to see him in pain.

His eyes widen in response, "Thank you, I did try....but he....he got stronger and smarter somehow," He chokes out, before biting back a groan. He winces falling to his back again, when I took his hand giving it a gentle squeeze.

"Just rest easy alright? I will try and make it with Shino, to the finals," ensuring him that i will, so his fight wasn't in vain. Sounded rather dramatic after saying that, but I wanted to make my team proud. To make my brother proud, to come out chunin first try. 

"Will do, I believe you Cub," he croaks out, before he coughs up blood that coats his chin. he groans in pain, clutching his chest while the medical ninja's continue moving on to the infirmary. My hands fall to my sides, as I tightened my hands into fists. I knew I was next, having that kind of hunch. Walking back to my team, the board began to flicker through before stopping upon my name another.

"Kimi Senju and Hibiki Matsui, you two step forward!" Hayate announces, while I jump down to the centre.

I could feel all eyes on me, while I try to focus on the mysterious leaf ninja. He was part of Kabuto's ninja, he must've swapped with Kabuto after a moment's notice. Whatever, it doesn't matter. All that matters, is that I will try my best to stay on my own two feet. To be honest I've never went all out front of my classmates, so they don't know what I'm capable of. 

I was rather insecure of myself, but I know I should woman up and take it.

The leaf ninja laughs, "What is this young pretty girl gonna do?" he questions rhetorically, knowing full well he's making a mockery of me. "Tch, you may be from a big clan, but you're nothing."

The concrete crumbles beneath my feet, as my chakra grew stronger the more his words went straight to my heart. I haven't even lifted a finger, and my anger is already taking over. Controlling it carefully, my eyes narrow meeting his fearful ones.

"Don't underestimate me," I spoke up, my eyes darken. 

Without warning I disappear from my spot hearing gasps all around, while my body moves rather fast that only an Uchiha could see. Appearing right behind a confused leaf ninja, before sending a sharp kick before he could even question where my presence was.

He went flying for a moment, but bounced back one of his nature jutsu's. 

Glaring in my direction he begins performing a jutsu, which I could easily tell he was about to clone three. Predicting his movements, I sense his real body out of the four. We both began fighting hand to hand, as our kunai's clash together. My heart was beating heavily, while focusing everything on him and my surroundings.

"Tch, I will kill you," he growls angrily, when I swipe up his arm while blood sprays in my vision. My stance was firm, before sending another slash going down lower to the ground knocking him off his feet. He yells out in pain, before he performs an unfamiliar jutsu.

Needles began firing my way, while I backflip out of the way only to feel sharp pain stab me five times. Clenching my jaw while biting back my groans, my hand around the kunai tightens. 

I threw my kunai before performing a water jutsu, as the kunai was kicked away easily.

Finally using that opportunity I perform a few hand signs, "Water release: Dragon blade jutsu!" I summon, while my arms flow around. Only to find my moves a little too stiff, but in the moment I had to act on survival right now. My hands form a water dragon in view, growing more larger before I allow it to swallow the ninja whole. The horrified expression left chills for everyone, seeing the water consume him.

Waving my hands to make him shake within the belly of the beast, water sprays around feeling it refreshing myself. 

Out of nowhere though I could sense something not right, squinting my eyes to see him holding his breath while performing......an earth sign jutsu. Soon the water evaporated within seconds, before an unexpected attack occurred. Acting first I charge up into the air, wanting to take my chance while he's in the air. 

"Let's see who's smart," I mutter, about to send a power punch. Within moments, he poofs from my vision only to see a rock as a substitute. My eyes slowly widen, before something comes from beneath me, a hand grabbing my throat with full force. Without warning his hand pulls me high up, when he takes his hand over my face. Soon I met the ground with a thundering collision to the concrete, feeling blood erupting from my throat.

Blood fills my vision feeling like everything was in slow motion, the wind knocked from my lungs.

"Oh no, Kimi!"

"She's down, now look who's talking!"

Still silence while my body was in the crumbling pile of stone, the stabbing pain in my torso was painful. Wincing my eyebrows pinch together, trying to breath properly seeing triumph with the leaf ninja. He soon turns his back on me, while I blink away the dust and blood.

"Is she done for?"

"Can she move at all?"

Squeezing my eyes tightly I inhale sharply pushing myself up slowly, channelling my chakra to my right fist. Everyone began to chatter earning Hibiki's attention, while his eyes widen.

"But how, I just broke your rib!" he exclaims, but I remain quiet holding a dangerous glare. "Aren't you in pain, you damn nuisance?!"

With everyone ounce of my body I use my last remaining energy to disappear, before appearing right behind him kicking him into the air. He yells out in pain, before I appear in the air raising my fist. His eyes widen for only a split second, as I punch right through his chest hearing a sickly crack. Soon his body was sent flying, colliding into the concrete creating a heavy crater beneath him.

Landing lightly on my feet, my eyes rest upon his still form. 

My chest felt rather heavy as my cracked rib sent pain through my body, gripping my chest when it was. Waiting for the leaf ninja to wake up, it soon was noted, that attack would not let him wake up for a few hours. Hayate went over to check on the ninja, resting his middle and index finger against the pulse.

"Kimi Senju, has made it to the finals!" he announces, before cheers were made from my class.

Trying to remain strong before everyone I could taste a metallic taste roll up my throat, before hunching over coughing up blood. Heaving heavily I collapse to my knees, finding it rather difficult to breath. Wearily lifting my head my eyes met with Kurenai-Sensei's concerned ones, giving her a soft smile.

Guessing I didn't realise how strong I was, it was all new to me. 

But damn, I really did kick his ass really good......it even feels good......

Pushing myself back to my feet I slowly make my way to the stairs, wanting to see Hinata at least fight. About to walk up the stairs, medical ninja rushes towards me in alarm.

"Kimi, you need to come with us....." They say sternly, but I shook my head.

"I'm okay, but that other ninja needs you more than I do,"  I point to the fallen Ninja, but one of them refuses.

"You've broken a rib already, can you breath at least?" They question, nodding to their question. After a few minutes of refusing to go, they finally leave heading straight back to the fallen leaf ninja. Gripping my chest painfully, my other hand drifts to the railing beside me making my way up to Hinata, Shino and Kurenai-Sensei.

"Kimi!" Hinata exclaims, rushing to help me. "Are you alright, you should go to the infirmary quickl--"

"I'm okay Hinata," I pat her shoulder gently, with a weak smile. "I want to see you out there, I believe in you."

She was rather hesitant about it, and even Kurenai was distressed with my wounds.

"I'm fine, I'm tougher than I look," i assure them, before sliding against the wall to the ground for support. Grimacing in pan, I inhale sharply and slowly trying to at least ease the intense pain.

"But still, you're in pain," Hinata presses further, with deep concern and worry. She places a gentle hand on my shoulder, until her name was soon called out. What was more surprising, was her very own opponent was Neji. Neji Hyuga. Her cousin on her father's side, as I was told. 

She gives me a look of worry, but I place a hand over hers.

"You've got this Hinata, prove you're strong," I say softly. "Whether you win or not, you will find things to improve......okay? I will be watching."

A smile of confidence soon rose on her soft face, before standing up making her way down to face her cousin. Giving myself some time to push myself up, the battle soon begins. Once I propped myself to my own feet I lean against the railing, seeing Neji being rather rude.

"What the...." i whisper, seeing her eyes filled with pain and confliction.

The two fought at arms length while she tries fighting him, but I notice hesitation in her movements. Soon he began taking harsh hits against her, seeing pain flickering behind her pale eyes. Painful words, and recalling the past started to tear her down more. Guess he knew what would hurt more, as his words were indeed cruel to his own cold advantage.

" Come on Hinata, don't let him get to you!" I yell out, trying to encourage to keep moving.

Her techniques were failing and she begins to panic more, when I could hear Naruto yelling out and encouraging her. Soon within moments her techniques begin to pick up, realising she was trying to show off a little Naruto in a way. I knew she trained her hardest, not taking a break. Her fist palm attacks grew more fierce, and forward that he was flattering for a moment.

However Neji sends a sharp attack near her chest, when blood coats her lips.

"H-Hinata....." I breath out, but before I could encourage her more.....

He began hitting different chakra points of her body, as she breathes heavily trying to fight through the pain. Her body was soon becoming more battered and bruised, blood stained her jacket, knuckles and palms grazed. Soon her body flies back she collides into the ground only for a moment, before standing up and charging head on.

"Come on....you've got this," I whisper, my grip on my chest tightens.

Suddenly he sends a powerful fist to her chest, hearing a sickly and painful crack echoe from a distance, seeing her body slowly falling. My eyes slowly widen, taken back by his deathly attack.

"H-Hinata......"

He scoffs look at her before turning around thinking he was done with her, except he was wrong to turn his back on her. She rose to her feet only to stagger for a moment, seeing how weak and at her limit she was. Her body shakes violently while pulling her stance, to see Neji look rather ticked off by this.

Without a moment's hesitation neji began charging towards her about to take the final blow, seeing how personal the attack was going to be. My eyes widen in horror about to call out for Hinata, when suddenly all Jonin jump down and held the young ninja down before death could be an option. 

Everyone falls silent for only a moment, when Hinata's body soon collapses.

"Hinata!" I call out, seeing her coughing and spluttering while trying to gasp for air. The pain in my chest increased, as my rib was still almost puncturing my lung. Shaking my head I jump down ignoring the pain, trying to make it to my friend. Reaching her finally I kneel down as Kurenai helps me, laying her down properly.

"Hinata, you okay?" Naruto exclaims in alarm, as he comes up beside me. "Hey!"

"Na-Naruto.....I just....I...to you..." Seeing her starting falling in and out of consciousness.

"Hinata, come on, stay with me?!" I yell wincing slightly clutching my chest, when I hear Neji call out to Naruto.

"Hey you, Loser!" I hear Neji call to him. "I have two pieces of advice for you, first of all If you intend to call yourself Shinobi, stop that stupid cheering of yours, it's disgraceful....and second, once a failure always a failure. You can't change that."

"Hmm....we'll just see about that," Naruto remarks.

However Hinata begins to cough up blood more graphically, causing my body to run cold instantly. Sense unzips her jacket quickly, "Oh no, she is going into cardiac arrest," Kurenai hisses in a