"(y/n)."

It's been two weeks since that courage test past and you're now spending most of your time to train your martial arts skills for the tournament. However, that weird feeling from that night never leave your heart alone. It sometimes bothering you a lot as well.

"Hey, (y/n)! You here me?"

"AH! I don't understand!" You said and quickly drop your opponent on the ground while locking his arm as you're now on top of him.

"Ugh, w-what is it that you're not understand, (y/n)?"

"Wait, what?" You finally got back on the reality and you realised you are still training with your father and he is underneath you now.

"Don't you wanna let go of me?" He asked again as he is still attempting to free himself from your perfect lock bit he can't even move an inch.

"Ah, s-sure... sorry, To-san." You apologised as you sat down next to him while looking at the sky, almost dusk by now.

"You seems a bit... troubled, (y/n). But, you're skills are increasing and keep on increasing eventhough your mind is not within your physic, (y/n)... Is it something big or-"

"I don't know..." You frown as you sink your face between your knees. You don't know why or what is wrong with you but, it's been two weeks since you talked with Itachi. He always tried to talk or just to lighten up the situation but you just can't face him. You will be extremely shy when you're with him, especially when you recalled about him hugging you that night...

"You know...that tournament is tomorrow, right?" Your father asked.

You nodded and still keep your face hidden between your knees.

"Are you scared?"

You nodded.

"Why?"

Why? That's a good yet simple question but, why? Why do you scared of something that is still a mystery? Why? You afraid to lose? No. You don't really aim to win the tournament at all. Maybe, afraid to hurt your opponents? Maybe... Or even, afraid that you will disappoint someone... That's a big possibility.

"To-san."

"What is it?"

"Is it okay for me to...you know, hurt them?" You asked while lifting your face to look at him.

"It's fine, (y/n). Plus, it will only be small injuries. Don't worry..." He reassures you while patting your head.

You smile, "Then, if I lose, will you be disappointed with me?"

"What's up with that question? Why would I? I mean, you're my kid and I will always be so proud of you, (y/n)... No matter what." He said as he brushed your hair with his gentle and lovingly.

"Why would you be proud if I lost, Oto-san? You're weird." You commented while your mind once again drifted away from your mind.

"Weird? Maybe...but is it wrong for me to be proud of my daughter's efforts? Who cares about win or lose. What matters is just your efforts. Don't bother about what people say to you because they never noticed your efforts like I am."

You looked up at him, "Y-You do see my efforts?"

He chuckled, "Of course I do, silly. I saw how you struggle to make friends because, I'm your teacher, remember. I saw how hard you study to keep your grades up, you study almost every night but...maybe, the questions are too much for you, I understand. Because, I'm the one who marked your exam papers, right? I even saw how hard you'll fight in video games too because sometimes, we will play together too. And, I noticed your efforts in this training as well, (y/n). Everyone have their own pace to rise, that same goes with you, (y/n). And, no matter what, I will always be so proud of you..."

You smiled at him after hearing his sweet words. However, that warm feeling...you miss that feeling, somehow. It does make you anxious but...it makes your heart felt so light as well. Some kind of delightful feeling will fill your stomach at that moment...

While thinking about it, your mind drifted away again, thinking about him again. Uchiha Itachi... That Mr. Perfect is your best friend but you felt so awkward when you just want go for lunch with him so you choose to avoid him. And now...are you regretting your actions now? Maybe, you miss him. You miss him...that warm hug...

Suddenly, you remembered why you agree to join this tournament as well. Okay, it's true that your father is at fault here but... it's not just that...

"How about this, (y/n)? I will join the tournament too..."

It's because, Itachi is cheering for you and keep reassuring you that everything will be fine... he's the same as your father. With this in mind, he will be at the tournament as well and you will cheer for him.

"You keep smiling the whole time, young lady. Wanna share it with your father?"

The voice startled you and you blushed. "I'm just smiling. It's a good thing!" You protested.

"Wow...you know you're kinda rebels a lot this past days...I should've known that this will come as well..." He said and he started to sulk at the corner. He's such a dramatic old man.

"I'm not going to console you, To-san...I'm gonna take my shower. Go on with that sulk, I will pretend that I didn't see it." You said proudly and went upstairs to take your shower just like what you said to him.

"No...my baby is now a rebellious teen... I want my little daughter back..."

"I still can hear you from here, Oto-san!" You said to him while looking at him from the door before closing it.

"She will be an adult soon..." He sobbed dramatically.

***

"Another point for Hatake! Hatake will be in the semi final round!"

You panted, trying to catch your breath after that intense fight. You passed the preliminaries and here you are, you're in the tournament now. You walked back to your bench and plopped yourself on it while grabbing a towel to wipe your sweat away.

"You're okay? Still wanna continue?"

You looked up at him, tired. He gave you the bottle and gulped the content quickly.

"Hey, hey! (y/n)! Slow down!" He said while rubbing your back gently.

You huffed to refill your lungs again before turning to the silver haired man. "I'm...tired..."

"Just two more, (y/n). And then-"

"(y/n)!!! You're so awesome, yeah!!" The blonde suddenly jumped down from the audience seat and appears before you.

"Thanks..." You muttered to him while taking a rest. It will only a short rest before your fight starts again. Then, you finally found something strange here, "Where is Sasori?"

That's weird, this blonde always with the red haired guy all the time and now, he's all alone. You realised that both of them is kind of...like fighting or something? They never really talk with each other or even go to lunch together now. Deidara will always drag you with for lunch as you also want to escape from Itachi.

Deidara sighed, "I'm for you, empty brain. Plus, it's not that we're staying together or something. Why should I always be with him?"

"Woah, slow down there, Deidara. How about you just sit here to watch (y/n)'s game. This is the best seat."

"Are you serious, Kakashi-sensei?!"

"It's not like we need a ticket for the seat, right?" Your father said again as he let the blonde to sit next to you while he stands beside him. He actually likes Deidara so much as he always be your best friend since you're a kid. He's like another non-related family member too.

He looked at the both of you who are arguing about small things and smile. 'He is a good boy'.

"You know that bastard, Hidan is strong, right? Of course he's gonna win!"

"No way!" You argue with Deidara while watching the fight, it is Hidan vs Yahiko. Both of them are your classmates but, you will cheer for Yahiko. "Yahiko-kun will win this round! You just wait and see, Deidara!" You said as you slapped his thigh gently.

"Is that a Karate slap?" Deidara started to mock you again.

"I can break each and every bone in your body easily now, Deidara..."

He just laughed out loud before having his attention at the fight again. His lips started to form a smile as the fight is over.

"Double point for Hidan! Hidan will merge to the final round!" The referee announced making your eyebrows twitch.

"See. I won the bet!" Deidara said while shaking your shoulder.

"Ouch! It hurts!" You pushed his hand away while wincing in pain. It must be because of the previous fight.

"S-Sorry. I-Is it bad?" Deidara asked while trying to pull you collar down to look at your shoulder. But, he quickly withdraw his hand and blushed. 'Don't be a pervert, Deidara! Her father is right beside of you right now!' his inner voice keep cursing himself about it.

Meanwhile, your father quickly slipped the collar down to look at your shoulder. He can say that your injury is not bad but it may affect your performance later. It's bruised and it is in deep blue colour now. He apply the heat plaster there as you winced again. "Do you still wanna go on?" Your father asked. This kind of injury will get worse if you keep pushing yourself.

"I'm fine. I want to win." You said as you pulled up the collar again as your gaze then locked with raven who sit at the opposite side of the arena.

"How about this, (y/n)? I will join the tournament too..."

You looked away from him as your face started to get hot. You want to win, for him. He's willing to enter the tournament with you and the very least you could do now is to win. Not just for him, but for your father who always trained you and for Deidara who is cheering for you. You then looked at him again, muttering "I will win" to him.

He smiled at you in return and muttered something that you can easily read as well. "Let's win together then".

You blushed again and quickly looked at your father, "I will bring home the trophy, To-san. It is the sign of my gratitude for your training." Then, you face Deidara, "I will win."

He patted your head and smile softly. "Of course you will win. You're the strongest girl ever!"

Your father sighed seeing you so determine and this may cause you another injuries in the process. "But, tell me when it hurts." He said while repairing your belt.

You nodded at him but you're sure that you will never tell him about that. He will tell you to withdraw from fight and you don't want that to happen.

"Fight!"

Your eyes then averted back to the arena and your eyes widened with a very broad smile appears on your face. "Itachi-kun..." You muttered while watching him trying to get some point while dodging his opponent's attack, Uzumaki Nagato. He's the topdog fighter too as he always collect all the medals and trophies for the categories that he entered. This is men, category B.

Martial arts tournament will divide the participants into a three categories according to the participant's weight. And you're in category A for woman. Category A is actually more for the first year but...well, here you are. That is why, you must win this game.

"Uzumaki got one point! One to zero!"

You frown at this but, it's not over yet. Itachi will always keep his promises. He will win, he promised!

Deidara saw your sad face and he can't help but to feel sad as well. He knew you like Itachi so much but you're too stupid to even realise about that. He then got up from his seat,

"YOU BETTER WIN THIS FIGHT, UCHIHA!"

Deidara was shocked to hear another cheer, no, it's more to a mad one. He looked around to see who is the person who said that.

"YOU BETTER MEET ME AT THE FINAL!"

It was Hidan. Deidara can see how that silverette is smiling like a psycho while looking at Itachi from the bench. They must be on fire for a long time now. He then looked at Itachi, "YOU HAVE TO WIN, ITACHI! OR YOU CAN'T JOIN OUR MEETING ANYMORE!" He yelled at the Uchiha who finally have his sight on him. Deidara showed a thumbs up at him while Itachi nod at him.

"I will win, for her."

"Fight!"

The fight starts again as you have your eyes glued to the Uchiha's performance. Your lips can't stop from smiling while witnessing the Uchiha's great performance.

"Out! Uchiha got one point!"

You jumped with joy as Itachi got one point due to him pushing Nagato until he was out of the ring. Just one more point to go. While you're watching, Yahiko suddenly approaches you.

"Um, (y/n), do you have some time?" He asked.

"Sure. What is it?"

"Follow me for a sec." He said as he looked at your father and he seems to give his permission. Yahiko then lead you to the exit of the hall and stopped.

"What do you want to talk about, Yahiko-kun?" You asked him.

"Um... it's not me actually-"

"(y/n)-chan!"

A pair of strong arms suddenly snaked around your waist from your back and held you close until you can feel a wide chest behind your back. As a sense of reflex, you use your elbow and hit his abdomen making him wince in pain. He finally let go of you and Yahiko quickly stand in front of you while shielding you.

"What the hell, Hidan? You told me to take her here and you just wanna talk! That's not how you talk, Hidan!" Yahiko said with anger.

"Shut up, loser. I wanna talk with my future girlfriend." Hidan said with a smirk as he pushed Yahiko to the side but the orange haired guy quickly caught his hand.

"If you wanna talk to her, just talk." Yahiko told him which more like an order this time.

"You're an eyesore, bitch." Hidan said as he throws a punch to Yahiko but he guard himself perfectly.

"Hey."

A voice came from behind caught you and guys' attention. Hidan smirked and he pushed Yahiko away as he finally have a good sight of his foe. "Please tell me that you won, Uchiha."

"I do." Itachi replied coldly as his eyes drifted to your figure and he replace that look into a fierce on to Hidan. "You really have no shame, Hidan."

"What did you say?" Hidan growled and his eyes quickly drifted towards you. He pulled your left arm that makes your shoulder shot a very painful sensation towards your entire body.

"Let go of me!" You tried to elbow him again but, same tricks will never work two times for sure and you're not that idiot for not knowing that. You stomped his foot very hard and his grip from your arm loosen as you pushed him away and went behind Itachi.

"(y/n), your fight is going to start soon. You have to get ready." Itachi told you as his eyes keep looking at Hidan with a piercing look.

You nodded and quickly went away from there, hoping that your father will never ask you about what you're doing just now. Before you could sit on the bench, your shoulder hurts so much but, you need to bare it for a moment.

"You're alright? You looked...tired? Something happened?" Deidara asked as he noticed you keep wincing in pain.

"I-"

"Semi final round for women category A. Kayaba Kurumi vs Hatake (y/n)!"

"That's my call..." You said as you quickly went to the arena but Deidara gently caught your hand. You turned around to look at him.

"Good luck." Deidara said with a smile and let go of you hand. His face told you that he trust you and he know that you could pull the game off easily. He's a good friend.

"Thanks." You muttered before you jogged to the arena as the referee is already waiting for you. After you enter the circle, you bow at your opponent while looking at her in the eyes. She is younger than you but age has nothing to do with this kind of fight. Anything could happen if you make just a single mistake. It will be a game over for you. After that, you stand on your fighting stance, ready for the fight.

The referee raise his arm before put it down while saying, "Fight!"

You quickly dodge your head down from her punch and there, you got your chance. You gripped her waist tightly and slips her feet easily making her fall on her back.

"One point for Hatake! One to zero!"

You looked at your opponent and you give her your hand. She grabs it made that is when you felt another sting on your shoulder making you fall on your knees while you hold tight on your shoulder.

"H-Hatake-senpai! Are you okay?" The girl asked.

"Hatake, are you okay?" The referee also repeat the same question.

Your father saw everything and he quickly raise his hand while standing on his feet. He then jogged his way to you, "I request a short break!" He said.

The referee nodded, "2 minutes break!"

Your father quickly pulled your unhurt arm and bring you to the bench. You don't want to sit because that pain is stinging your entire body. "You need to withdraw, (y/n). You can't-"

"No!" You said while standing up slowly. That pain is still there but you must keep going. This kind of injury is nothing for sure. You're so close! Too close now! You can't withdraw just like that!

"But (y/n)! You will hurt yourself more!" Deidara argued.

"I can do it!" You shot back.

Your father let out a rough sigh while pinching his temple that is starting to hurt. "Don't force yourself, (y/n). You can join this next year." He said to you but he knows that is useless to say that to you.

"No!" You argue again.

Your father doesn't have any choice now. "Fine. Come here." He said, motioning you to sit down quickly. The break is time running out.

You quickly do as told and he quickly take off the heat plaster from your shoulder, showing the bruise is getting worst than before. "You sure you wanna go on?" You father asked again for confirmation.

You nodded while closing your eyes tight to conceal the pain.

Your father knows your stubbornness so much. He quickly apply some ointment on the bruise, pressing some pressure points that makes you gritted your teeth to hold back your scream before putting another heat plaster there. He pulled your collar up again and make you face him. "I didn't do anything to make injury better but I can only help you for not feeling hurt. So, it will not last long. Try to end this round quickly and I'll do what I can later." He said while looking at you in the eyes.

You nodded as you can't feel any pain at your shoulder anymore. This will help you. You can do this.

"Break time is over!" The referee announced and you quickly get into the arena again.

After seeing you off, your father let out a sigh again before throwing himself on the bench. "I'm the worst father..." He murmured and Deidara heard him.

"Why is that, sensei, un?"

"What I did just now may help her to ease the pain but...that injury will get worse for sure..." He confessed.

"W-What do you mean, sensei?" Deidara asked with a tint of anger in his voice.

"I mean what I said..."

"Fight!"