*

The next match was full on ready to continue on, as Naruto enters the same platform where Shino, Shikamaru and I stood. He was really proud of him, that he also made me also surprised by his new found strength. However, the power that Naruto emitted, was definitely the nine tailed fox. I briefly was told about the story when the beast was released one very night, killing the Fourth Hokage from about a month I was born.

Though I was impressed he controlled that intense chakra, but I could feel the hairs on my skin crawl.

Suddenly after a while realising it was Sasuke's turn to attend the match, no sign of him was anywhere. Frustrating as it was, even the people were starting to cause a ruckus up in the stadiums, demanding for the match to start. Foul language, and explicit comments started to unsettle me.

"Tch......seriously, that Sasuke....." Shikamaru sighs, leaning against the rails. "What in the world is he doing? Forfeiting?"

"Dunno......." I reply, knowing deep down he wasn't looking well during the preliminaries test. A mark nestled on his skin, but it seems it was giving him more of an ache.

"A wise man never quits danger, leading to a wise decision," Shino comments, rather wisely.

Naruto hums in confusion, "huh? What are you talking about?" The blond scoffs. "He's definitely gonna be here, believe it!"

Though he seemed to play coy about his comment, I could feel the tension resting between both Gaara and Naruto. I've been observing Gaara ever since he entered the village, and to tell you the truth, my skin crawls just by his stare. It wasn't his power that scared me, but what he capable to do now. 

Soon a shinobi appears beside Genma, and whispers something audibly when the proctor nods. The Shinobi leaves again, when Genma turns to everyone.

"Listen everyone, one of the competitors from the next battle has not arrived yet," He announces. "So we're going to postpone this match briefly and simply jump ahead to the battle that would've followed after this one!"

Arching an eyebrow, confusion sets in.

"What?"

"Now! Onto the next battle!" He proceeds on, wondering what was going on with the Hokage and Sasuke's disappearance. Looks like my match will be very soon. "Shino, and Kankuro! Come down!"

Shifting my eyes I turn to Shino when past him, I noticed Kankuro and Temari eyes suspiciously speak with no words. However Kankuro raises his hand, "Proctor, I withdraw!" He dejects loudly. "I withdraw! So please, advance to the next match!"

Soon follows everyone beginning to get more agitated, that this was the worst events. They continued to throw insults and complaint towards us, and to the Hokage who sat there enduring it all.

Genma sighs, "Due to Kankuro's withdraw, Shino Aburame wins by fault!" Genma announces the winner, but Shino didn't quite look impressed. I knew he would rather win fair and square on the field, than being handed to him. Placing a hand on his shoulder, I quietly assured him he will become a winner fairly.

Suddenly a gust of wind blew heavily around, seeing Temari head down gracefully on her enlarged fan.

"Guess that it means it's my turn," I tighten my headband, while glaring heavily towards the blonde below.

"You've got this," Shikamaru encourages me, while I nod.

Disappearing from my spot in a flash, I found myself already beside Genma seeing him look surprised.

"Oh Kimi Senju, right........okay," He clears his throat, before lifting his eyes to the crowd of people. "Well let's begin the match with Temari and Kimi Senju!" 

I could people chattering and murmuring about me, and my family's past relations from a while back. Some assumed I looked puny, and weak that I wouldn't make it through this match. I did take my families name proud, but the reputation my father put us in left a foul taste in many people's mouths. 

Disappointing to him, I'm gonna prove to my late father that I can become strong like my great grandfather.

Temari was staring at me with a cocky smile, with confidence rising in her self esteem. Indeed she was older, beautiful and has some kind of strong style, but today was to see which end will win. To test each other's abilities. Walking to my spot from a good distance, we both stood waiting for the proctor's instructions.

The air grew colder, as the breeze goes by with a deep whistle.

"Begin!!!!"

Observing her movements, I quickly thought of multiple jutsu's to use after seeing her abilities during the preliminaries. Though we didn't fight each other, it was assumed she observed my strong points and weak points too.

"So you're one of the few Senju's left?" She tilt her head, with a patronising expression. "Shame this will be your last, after I'm done with you!"

With that she brought her fan and swings it with a powerful gust of wind, powering through the air like needles. Pushing up in the air, I disappear in an instant with not a sound to be made. In a few seconds, I was before her with a kunai being thrown towards the sand ninja. Taken back by my sudden attack, she manages to tilt her head for a clean cut to mark her. Blood trickles down, holding to her chin before dripping to the earth.

"Don't forget, though I'm a child........I can still kick your ass," I retort, before retreating back to the spot i stood before. Keeping some distance, her feet plant into the ground with frustration knowing she's met her match.

"Dammit! Just stay the hell still!!!!" She yells, throwing her anger through the power wave of her fan. "Ninja Art: Wind Slice Jutsu!!!!!"

The air began to grow intense again, but with large sharp slices that sliced through trees before it could attack me. Swiftly, I perform a few hand signs thinking of the chakra nature's weakness. Fire! 

"Fire Release: Two!" I summon, before creating a wave of flames blocking the gust of wind. 

Within seconds I switch my style again, performing a few more hand signs.

"Water style: Water severing wave!!!!!!" kneading the chakra in my stomach, before I shot the water from my lips with the sharpest angle, attacking her before she could move again. Gasps echoes throughout the crowd, while I watch her stumble back while the water slices through. Whipping two kunai's at her, charging head on.

However I suddenly felt my body hit the cement on the edge, feeling my ears ringing in response. The cement cracks beneath me, while the wind forces me down with such strength. She sends a heavy punch to my stomach, before her hands grabs my throat. Nails digging into my flesh, I saw her eyebrows twitching with annoyance.

"You're nothing, quit fighting and surrender!" She lowly demands, while I smirk.

"Why underestimate me, when you haven't even fought me properly?" I comment, rhetorically. Slamming my head against her own, her eyes grew white from he harsh contact. The wind releases me down, before I push off the wall and kicked her ribs. She tumbles in the ground, before finding herself back on her feet.

"How dare you!"

She whips her fan out swinging towards in my direction, as I shield my face feeling sharp cuts running up my exposed arms. Blood seeps from the opened wounds, but I kept enduring it all. Clenching my teeth, the wind dies down before I hoist myself in the air rapidly. Channeling all my strength I raise my fist, and aimed down towards her. 

She didn't have time to register, but she rolls to the side while I punched the earth. It crumbles beneath me as a crater, while my eyes lit ablaze in her direction with a smirk.

"Impressive," She comments in surprise, eyes widening at the size I broke the earth beneath me with one punch.

We both soon charge in together doing hand to hand combat, knowing distance wasn't getting anywhere with this match. However the people cheer in response, clapping her calling out either of our names. Their chants made my heart swell, while I maintain my composure. Predicting her movements from my senses, my head moves side to side before I drop down sharply, taking her feet from under her.

She slams down into the ground with a heavy thud, as I pin her die with a kunai at her throat.

Trying to reach her fan not far from us, I held her hand more tightly while keeping my eyes dangerously glaring into her own. Our heavy breathing left the air to grow colder, as silence rests between us. She held a determined look while blood rolls down her forehead, but soon her body gives in tapping her hand beside me.

"I surrender, I accept my battle with the next opponent!"

Genma appears beside us, raising his hand to the rest of the people.

"Kimi Senju won this match!" Genma announces, before bursts of cheering follow after. My hands release Temari, while feeling the stinging sensations begin to throb all over while blood draws. Pushing myself to my own two feet, I lend her a hand in respect.

"Thanks for the battle," I smile softly, trying to at least be courteous of our match together. "You're quite a fighter, I like that about you."

She rolls her eyes in disgust, swatting my hand she pulls herself up.

"Whatever, let's get this next battle done with," She sighs, while my hand falls with a discontented frown. Immaturely I so wanted to punch her again, for her rudeness. However it wasn't my call, she surrendered and what's done has been done.

Heading back to the platform, I noticed Shikamaru falling from the rails and clumsily hits the ground.

Everyone began to throw rubbish at Shikamaru, booing at how lazy he was as he would stand up. Taking my time to the stairs, I head back to Shino and Naruto so I can watch the match. Interesting fighting against Temari, I wanted to see how well she can keep her cool with Shikamaru. 

Painfully he can be a jerk sometimes, but all in all he's a good strategist if he puts his mind to it.

Reaching Shino and Naruto I saw the two watching the battle unfold, only shame is that Shikamaru seems to be pushing away from the match. Hiding himself at least, or that's what I'm only seeing. Naruto seems to notice my approach, as his eyes light up.

"Hey! Kimi, you were so badass back there!" He laughs, with his famous smile. "Seriously! You're way stronger, than I thought you would be!"

His encouragement was enough to fight on, even though he can be a knucklehead.

"Thanks, she was a tough one," I admit softly. "Wonder what Shikamaru has up his sleeve now? I mean.....look.."

Pointing to see him lock Temari in shadow possession jutsu already, I noticed he was too relaxed for this match. Sighing deeply I pinch the bridge of my nose, while seeing her match his movements with Shikamaru's. She struggles against the confines of his shadow possession jutsu, this makes it such an entertaining look for her.

"Well, this is quite amusing," I hum, leaning against the rails. "That idiot....."

He slowly raises his arms following with hers, before groaning in response.

"The hell with it, I give up!" Shikamaru admits defeat, even though he's got her in the lock. My eyes widen, hands bending the rail again in shock. Multiple complaints and yelling from the crowd above were thinking the same, while I lean over the rails in defeat.

"I give up on that damn boy," I sweatdrop, with defeat. Though we've been friends for a while, sometimes he can frustrate me with his laziness.

"It's okay," Shino pats my head, while I groan again like a child would.

"The winner is, Temari!!!" Genma announces. 

naruto grew more frustrated than I, while seething through his teeth. 

"What the heck was that? Forfeiting the match when he had almost won?!" Naruto yells out, angrily. "Geez! Man that really ticks me off! That lazy son a --"

Naruto lifts his foot onto the railing, as my eyes widen.

"Naruto.....Don't do it," I warn him, when he ignores.

"I don't care, I'm gonna give him a piece of my mind!!!!" he pushes off down into the arena, as the two began arguing out loud. Folding my arms, I lift my head and closed my eyes.

"Well, at least I get some time to rest up for my next match," I sigh.

*

After a matter of time Sasuke finallys shows at the last second, with kakashi beside him on the arena. Talk about a flashy entrance. However it was time for Gaara and Sasuke to go up against each other, but I was mainly concerned of the blood thirsty expression written across Gaara's face.

The two stood before each other, with a thick tension rising.

Turning my head to see if Shikamaru and Naruto got back, they didn't seem to return yet. Leaving it for now, the matches finally begins. Sand began to rise out of the giant gourd from Gaara's back, seeing his eyes widening with a sickening expression.

I shift my eyes to see Temari and Kankuro looking slight nervous as well, as if they're terrified of their own brother as well.

Something doesn't add up right, especially now......

Gaara grips his head with pain, when his sand drops to the ground while he keeps his eyes on the Uchiha. Soon they began to fight it out, but Sasuke's movements were so fast. Just like me, he calmly assessed the situation. Gaara on the other hand was falling behind his speed, trying to keep up with his attacks. 

My jaw clenched with anticipation, not even surprised by how strong Sasuke has become. As much as I want to see this play out, I wondered where Shikamaru and Naruto were. My gut was churning since the beginning, like something was happening.

There was definitely more tension, than just between Sasuke and Gaara.

"I'll be back, Shino," I softly inform him, while taking my leave towards the stairs.

"But what about the match?" He asks, turning to me.

I wave him off, "It'll be fine, I won't take long," I ensure him.

My steps echos down the hallways, while hearing some chattering happening nearby. Quickly heading in the direction, I see Naruto and Shikamaru sitting upon the stairs. Once they've heard me, they turn to realise it was only me, noticing their expressions were almost white as a ghost.

"What's the matter, you look like you've met a ghost or something?" I smirk softly, while Shikamaru clears his throat as he scratches the back of his head.

"No, just--"

"Gaara.......just killed.......two grass shinobi......." Naruto blurts it out, causing Shikamaru to grimace in response. My eyes slowly widen, while my body froze.

"What? But why?" I question hastily. "Wouldn't that start some kind of war, amongst their village and ours?"

Shikamaru nods, but sighs.

"Yeah, but.......he managed to spare us somehow," He shrugs, but still couldn't relieve that eerie feeling. "Anyway, why you here?"

Folding my arms I sigh, "I don't know, just have this unsettling feeling,"

"So you feel it too?" Naruto assumes, making me turn to him in surprise. Usually he would be oblivious to things, but I guess he's experienced more on observation recently. "Shikamaru.........Kimi?"

"Hmmm, what's up Naruto?" I ask softly.

"We have to talk to Kakashi sensei, right now!" He persists, with a concerned expression. 

Shikamaru and I glanced at each other, before turning to him.

"What are you planning to do?" Shikamaru questions, but without warning Naruto bursts up the stairs and headed towards where the crowd was. "Hey wait!"

"I've gotta stop him! I gotta stop the match!" Naruto says, with fear bubbling in his voice. Soon Shikamaru follows after, while I stood with confusion for a moment. Contemplating whether to join them, something moves at the corner of my eyes.

Side glancing around, silence falls within the place.

Shaking my head after a few seconds, I began running up the stairs and towards where the rest of the people were. Though it may seem rather risky to stop the match, something was definitely going to happen. But what cost shall we face, if we don't do something?

*

I managed to catch up with the two as Naruto pleads to Kakashi about stopping the match, overhearing that Gaara will kill Sasuke no matter the circumstances. Persistent he was, it was drawing a few people's attention to us.

"Please? You've got to believe me!" He pleads, as Kakashi shifts his gaze down to the arena where I noticed something. The aura grew stronger, my arms were shaking.

"Kimi......what's going on?" Shikamaru questions, as I try my best not to show it. His chakra grew stronger, to the point it was complete darkness and putrid. 

"........."

"Is she alright?" Naruto questions, when Shikamaru sighs.

"She can sense very strong chakra than most of us, so it far more effective on her no matter how large the quantities are," He explains. "Which means, Gaara has released more chakra that is threatening."

"She can.....do that?"

He nods, while I slowly calm down. 

Swallowing thickly I could feel everyone was on edge, as some were unaware of what Gaara could be capable in. Gaara seems to be surrounded by a ball of sand, as one of his eyes were visible above it to see. Sasuke was bleeding from various spots, noticing his movements have faltered.

"Relax, no need to panic," Kakashi simply assures him. "You know, Sasuke and I weren't just goofing around. There's a reason we were so late, getting here."

My eyes flicker back to see Sasuke has finally charged back in there, trying to find some weakness to the sand sphere. Spikes form everywhere, especially wherever he tried to attack. 

"Sensei?" Sakura spoke up, noticing she was sitting not far from where Kakashi-sensei stood. "You said you had a good reason, as to why you were late. What were you doing?"

"Hmm, well it's kind of a long story," Kakashi says simply.

Naruto growls, "Oh come on already! Can you please do something, this is no time for talking! So shut up and watch!"

We all lift our eyes towards Kakashi, as he keeps his eyes on the match.

"Just keep your eyes on Sasuke," He instructs, like Sasuke's actions will explain to us. "He's about to surprise you."

Turning back I saw Sasuke backflip a few times before skidding up the wall, channeling his chakra to his feet. He performs some kind of jutsu, before lowering his hand and gripping his wrist with the other. Arching an eyebrow, I lean forward out of curiosity.

Soon electricity, no, lightning begins to form in the palm of his hand.

"No way......." I breath out, in surprise.

"If you always wondered why I insisted on training Sasuke myself, now you know," Kakashi informs us, while I was impressed. I was teaching myself how to learn lightning style, as my clan only specialised in learning elements. "It's because he's like me."

However, my main style I use is Water Style and sensory type.

Soon Sasuke runs down at full speed, as the cement breaks beneath the powerful amount of chakra in his palm. My eyes were wide in surprise, as I watch him charge head on towards Gaara.

"Wow, I've never seen him do that before!" Naruto exclaims.

"What sought of technique is it?"

"It's the only weapon of Kakashi's arsenal he didn't copy from someone else," Guy sensei informs us. "It's the weapon of choice for assassinations, the secret of the jab and also the physical aptitude that gives forth a gigantic chakra, the ability of the chakra to focus solely on the target, and moreover the speed of the jab makes the sounds like birds chirping......and that's how it get's it name.......Chidori. One thousand birds."

Sasuke finally reaches Gaara, and hits Gaara right through the sand.

"Amazing!" I whisper.

Everything falls silent for only a moment, as everyone sat there in shock to see that the