Edited 20/01/2017

Ashley's POV

My heart thuds in my chest as I sprint down the hallway, Naruto and Shikamaru not too far behind me. I know they're confused as to why I suddenly ran away like that, but I don't think there's time to explain.

Skidding to a halt in front of a closed door, I reach out and grab hold of the handle, before abruptly shoving it to the side. It slides to my left and hits the doorstop with a loud crack, causing the person inside the room to pause.

"What do you think you're doing?" I ask in a low, harsh voice, Shikamaru and Naruto quickly appearing behind me.

They both look into the room over my shoulders, with an audible intake of breath coming from my blonde teammate. I'm sure neither of the boys had expected to see him here.

Gaara, poised beside the bed of a sleeping Rock Lee, slightly turns his head to look at us from the corner of his eye. Sand slowly seeps out of the large gourd on his back, slithering across the floor and rising up to surround Lee's unconscious form.

Before anyone else can do or say anything, Shikamaru swiftly drops to one knee and places his hands together in a hand sign. Looking down, I see a shadow suddenly stretch out along the ground beside me, darting across the room and attaching itself to Gaara's own shadow.

Not bad thinking, for someone who's usually so lazy and slow to action. Shikamaru's Shadow Possession Jutsu renders the victim incapable of moving, and if they do move, it is only because they are forced to mimic Shikamaru's movements.

"Hey!" Naruto suddenly shouts, right in my ear as he forcibly shoves me out of the way. "Leave him alone!"

I fall to the floor as the blonde rushes inside, a furious look on his face and one arm pulled back. Unable to move, Gaara is slammed in the cheek with an angry punch from Naruto, only for a shout of pain to escape Shikamaru's mouth.

"Hey!" the Nara sputters, rubbing his cheek with one hand, which causes an unhappy Gaara to do the same. "Be careful Naruto! If you beat him up while I've got him in my Shadow Possession Jutsu, you'll hurt me as well!"

"Oh, sorry Shikamaru" Naruto hurriedly apologises, before swiftly turning back to glare at Gaara. "I'm sorry for knocking you over too Ashley, but just what's this guy think he's doing?!"

I frown as I climb back to my feet and dust myself off, though my eyes don't leave Gaara's face. It was stupid of Naruto to push me over and ordinarily I'd get my revenge, but right now, that creepy Sand Ninja seems to be the bigger issue. Why the hell is he in Lee's room?!

"Hey, I'm talking to you!" Naruto shouts, jabbing a finger in Gaara's face. "What were you gonna do to him?!"

"........I was going to kill him" the pale boy responds quietly, though there is a menacing edge to his tone. I don't like it, at all.....

"Wh-What?" Shikamaru asks, shifting uncomfortably. "Why?"

"Yeah, what's your problem?" Naruto demands to know, his brows furrowing further. "You already beat Bushy Brow at the Chunin Exams! Are you carrying a grudge against him or something?!"

"I have no grudge" Gaara answers, sounding eerily calm. "It's not that complicated. I merely just want to kill him."

"Merely?" I repeat incredulously. "You don't even have a reason for wanting to kill him?"

"Are you sick in the head or something?" Naruto asks in disbelief, shaking his own head back and forth.

"You're crazy" Shikamaru agrees, eyes widening slightly.

Gaara stares at all of us in turn, refusing to say anything. I almost cringe as he looks into my eyes, his own reflecting a deep darkness that almost seems to pull me into their void. I see nothing in those eyes. They just seem.....empty. As if Gaara has no soul.

"Do you really think we're just gonna kick back and let you do what you want?" Shikamaru asks condescendingly, his face screwing up into a menacing smirk. "Yeah right, you psychopath."

"If you don't stay out of my way" Gaara warns us, his expression darkening, "I'll kill all of you as well."

"Don't flatter yourself" I can't help snapping, my pride getting the better of me. "As if you could kill me!"

"Yeah!" Naruto agrees boldly. "Let's see you try to kill any of us!"

"Will you two take it easy and stop goading him?" Shikamaru hisses urgently, before that smirk returns as he casts his half lidded eyes on Gaara again. "We all saw your match against Lee in the Preliminaries, so we know you're strong. However, we still have a few tricks up our sleeves. We held back during the Exam."

I look down at Shikamaru with a confused expression, wondering why he's trying to bluff like that. Clearly nobody held back during their fights, Gaara saw all of our fights. The only one that quite possibly held back was Shikamaru himself, and that's only because he's lazy.

My gaze drops down to the floor as sand continues to pour out of the gourd on Gaara's back, gently swirling around Lee's bed. I clench my jaw and narrow my eyes at the sand, wanting to stop it, but not knowing if I'll be able to.

I'd barely managed to help Guy stop Gaara's sand at the end of Lee's fight with him, and if things get bad here, I doubt I'll be able to stop it on my own this time.

But still.........It can't hurt to try......Lee needs us right now. Even if he were awake, he wouldn't be able to defend himself in his current, seriously injured state.

"Besides" Shikamaru continues, "It's three against one here. You're outnumbered, so you should just take our advice and get out of here."

"I'll say it again" Gaara growls softly, his voice making the hair on the back of my neck stand up, "If you don't get out of my way, I'll kill you all......"

"Not on my watch Ichibi" I state loudly, taking a step forwards and bringing my arms up. I grit my teeth and stare intently at the sand surrounding Lee's bed, activating my Katsuryoku. "Your demon doesn't scare me!"

That said, I focus all of my attention on Gaara's sand, willing it to move up and away from Lee. For a few seconds, everything remains still and quiet, though beads of sweat are already forming on my forehead.

To my relief, the sand slowly begins to drift away from Lee and float towards me, my arms shaking from the effort.

While I may have trained enough with my Katsuryoku to be able to manipulate earth, water, fire, wind and to a lesser extent, electricity, I have not trained myself to manipulate sand.

I may not be carrying much sand with my Kekkei Genkai, but seeing as I'm so untrained in this area, it's so heavy. My arms feel as though they're holding up a large boulder or something, they're shaking so badly. My jaw is beginning to hurt, I'm gritting my teeth together so tightly.

Gaara watches as I drop his sand to the floor with a loud grunt, my shoulders rising up and down as I pant. I generally have good endurance, but the Katsuryoku requires so much focus and Natural Energy, I can tire pretty quickly......Especially if I'm using my Kekkei Genkai to do something that I'm so unrefined in, like moving sand. Not to mention this sand is full of chakra, which makes it even more difficult to manoeuvre.

"....Ichibi?" Gaara repeats, his eyes widened the smallest amount. "You know......."

"Your demon isn't unknown to me" I pant, though I am trying my best to catch my breath. I can't look weak in front of everyone!

"Demon shmeemon" Naruto scoffs, confidently pointing a thumb at himself. "I've got the real thing inside of me!"

"My demon is as real as yours" Gaara replies, sending my teammate a glare. "To make sure that I would become one of the strongest of Ninja, my Father cast a jutsu on my unborn self and sealed a sand spirit inside of me. I destroyed the life of my own Mother and I was born as a monster."

I feel my whole body tense at Gaara's coldly spoken words, the boy clearly unaffected by what he'd just explained to us.

I may have been confused and unwilling to change my ways, but I'd never been so far gone to actually.......actually feel nothing like that. It's almost kind of scary, to think that people like Gaara exist. If he feels no emotion whatsoever, he can never feel fear.

An enemy that never feels fear, is the scariest enemy of all.

Naruto and Shikamaru both have shocked expressions on their faces, fear very obvious in their eyes. And rightly so too.

In a safe, sheltered Village like the Leaf, I can't imagine either of them have ever had to deal with a person like Gaara or hear the kinds of things that he's saying.

"The demon's name is Shukaku" Gaara continues, noting the fear on the faces before him. "It is the living incarnation of an old Sand Village monk, who had been sealed inside a teapot."

"That's so creepy man" Shikamaru murmurs, shaking his head as he blinks a few times. "Your Dad must have been a great guy. Really loved you huh?"

"Love?" Gaara questions, the word leaving his tongue like a poison dart. "Don't measure me by your standards. Love and family.......The only ties I have with my family, are the ones I'd like to wrap around their necks. Ties of hate......"

I feel my own expression becoming more severe as Gaara speaks about his family, and how they had hated him. Not only his family, but the entire Village.

I don't care what he's saying anymore. I no longer care about Gaara's reasoning for being the way he is. All I know is that if he so much as touches either Naruto or Shikamaru, I'm going to kill him.

They're my friends, as much as I don't want to admit it. Somehow, they've made their way under my skin and managed to find a place in my heart. Maybe that place isn't big, but it's there and I know how I feel about them.

I will protect them against this evil creature.

"Shikamaru!" I cry out, as two pillars of sand suddenly rise up towards the roof in front of us. I look back down at Gaara, only to see that his eyes have widened, a crazed and blood thirsty look now gleaming behind them.

"Yeah, I don't know how he's doing that!" the Nara responds, his head tilted back to look up at the sand. "He's still caught in my jutsu!"

"Just release it and stop wasting your chakra then!" I order, jumping forwards and grabbing onto the back of a frozen Naruto's jacket. "Move it Naruto!"

"Ah!" Naruto yells, as he is abruptly tugged backwards and shoved behind me, stumbling over his own feet. "Ashley?!"

"Stay behind me!" I bark, glaring into Gaara's eyes and raising my arms up in front of me again. "You don't scare me.......You don't scare me......"

I murmur to myself as I focus on Gaara's sand, not entirely confident I'll be able to suppress it when Gaara attacks. The others don't need to know that though. I'll just have to do my best....

I feel my heart thudding against my chest and hear it beating in my ears, as the two pillars of sand suddenly rush towards me at speed, Gaara's mouth curling up into a murderous smile.

"That's enough!" a firm voice suddenly interrupts, causing everyone to freeze.

Shikamaru, Naruto and I all shakily turn to look over our shoulders, only to see a very serious Guy standing in the doorway. He stares intently at Gaara, arms folded over his chest.

"Save it for the Finals, all of you" he commands. "You're just wasting talent in here!"

"Ungh!" Gaara snarls in pain, his head suddenly gripped in his hands. The boy's fingers curl tightly into his red hair and he begins to tremble, as if in incredible pain. What's his problem?!
We all watch on, tensed to spring into action if need be, as Gaara begins to breathe rapidly, his sand speedily retreating back inside the gourd.

'He seems like he's got some serious mental issues' I think, before blanching at my own actions. 'Who am I to talk? I always seem to be the one jumping in front of people. I must have a subconscious death wish.....'

As if nothing had happened, Gaara abruptly stands up straight and glares hatefully at us all, before striding over to the door. He pauses in the doorway however, his back turned to us.

"Just you wait......" he warns us ominously, "....I'm going to kill you all...."

"Feh!" Naruto scoffs, poking out his tongue as Gaara disappears down the hallway. "I'd like to see him try!"

"Lucky you came when you did Guy Sensei" Shikamaru sighs with relief, rolling his neck. "We were in some serious trouble!"

I watch silently as Guy walks over to Lee's bed and peers down, apparently inspecting his student for any further harm.

"We arrived just in time Guy Sensei!" Naruto informs the man cheerfully. "Ashley sensed Gaara in here, so we rushed right over to help!"

"I appreciate that" Guy responds with a bright smile and a thumbs up. "I'm glad that Lee has such good friends!"

"......Why aren't you mad?" I wonder out loud, raising one eyebrow. "Why didn't you fight?"

"What makes you think I'm not mad?" Guy asks with a short laugh, hooding his eyes as he looks to me. "I'm furious, but a Shinobi must be able to mask his true feelings when the time calls for it. Besides, we're in a hospital. I didn't want any fights to happen here."

My eyes widen at that, as Guy turns to look down at Lee once again. I didn't think Guy was capable of such feelings.

"So......Where exactly are we going?" I ask Shikamaru, deadpanning as I glance around at the sudden ocean of people around us. "And why is it so crowded here all of the sudden? If I get shoved one more time, I'm going to hit someone!"

Shikamaru merely sighs at this, folding his arms behind his head and ignoring me as small puffs of steam shoot up around my face.

"I have to go and find my Dad, or my Mom's gonna kill me" he drawls boredly. "It's crowded because there's a festival happening to celebrate the Chunin Exam Finals. They've always been celebrated like this, but it's just a huge drag if you ask me."

"Yeah?" I ask with a slight chuckle. "But what isn't a drag to you?"

Giving me a straight look, Shikamaru suddenly stops walking and turns his head to look into a nearby building. I turn around, having kept walking without him.

"Let's try in here" the Nara suggests, to which I shrug my shoulders and follow him in. I have nothing better to do I suppose.

"Welcome!" a man shouts in my face as I enter the door, causing me to jump with fright. Exhaling sharply, I glare at the man and smack the menu he is offering me right out of his hand.

"Could you not scream in my face?!" I snap irately, making sure to stomp on the menu as I continue after Shikamaru, who is again, ignoring me.

"Ughh......" he sighs, running a hand down his face, before grabbing onto my arm and dragging me after him. "He's over there, come on."

I stare down at Shikamaru's hand with a blank expression, wondering why I'm not kicking his ass for touching me. Before I came to the Leaf, that's what I would have done.

Looking back up as we come to a stop, I find myself looking into a very familiar face. One that causes me to grimace. Please don't tell me......

"Ahah!" a large man with long, red hair cries playfully, holding up a glass. "Reinforcements have arrived! Come and order something!"

"Is he talking to us?" I ask loudly, my nose wrinkling in distaste at the man's slight drunkenness. "Who the hell is he anyway?"

"No thanks Choza" Shikamaru mumbles, tilting his head down to speak to me. "That's Choji's Dad......And this is my Dad...."

The man with the familiar face slowly turns to look at us, his expression exactly the same as Shikamaru's.

"Hey Dad" the Nara greets lazily. "Mom wants you home now. Okay Ashley, we can leave."

"This is your Dad?!" I ask incredulously, though my expression falls as the older Nara looks at me. "I remember now.......Shikaku...."

"Yeah?" he asks smartly, though he too has clearly had enough to drink for the night. "What of it?.....Hey wait, you look familiar......"

"You're one of the guys that helped drag me into this stupid Village" I state flatly, crossing my arms over my chest. "I mean, I don't mind now, but still!"

"Don't be such a drag you two" Shikaku complains, downing another cup of what looks to be sake. "You should enjoy the festival while it's happening!"

"Yeah right" Shikamaru scoffs. "This festival is a total drag."

I can't help giggling quietly, thinking how much Shikaku and Shikamaru both look and sound alike. I can't believe I didn't realise their relationship sooner!

"You idiot" Shikaku mutters disdainfully. "For many years, the Finals of the Chunin Exam have been celebrated with a festival. Have some fun today and then enjoy the show tomorrow."

"I'm in the Finals tomorrow!" Shikamaru informs his Dad hotly, before heaving a deep sigh. "Aw man, I don't have time to babysit you here.....

"Seriously?" Shikaku asks, pausing for a moment. "You're in the Finals?"

I can't help laughing louder, thoroughly entertained by the two Nara's before me. They're both so unenthusiastic and it's amazing to watch them interact with each other.

"Yeah, and this moron is in it too" Shikamaru adds, raising one eyebrow at me. "I'm glad this is all so amusing for you."

"Moron huh?" I ask with a smirk, to which Shikamaru turns his head and averts his gaze from me. He's got guts to call me that to my face. If it was just about anyone else, I'd at least be threatening them by now.

"Who is this anyway?" Shikaku finally asks, causing my shoulders to droop. Is he serious?

"Her name's Ashley" Shikamaru introduces, to which his Father nods wisely.

"And she's your girlfriend?" he inquires, to which Shikamaru makes a choking sound, his face turning red. My eyes widen at the question, cheeks growing warm.

Shikamaru and I look at each other in shock, before abruptly turning away from each other, my expression falling into an indignant scowl.

As if!

"No Dad, she's not my girlfriend!" Shikamaru sighs in aggravation, momentarily closing his eyes and shaking his head. "Man, you're such an idiot! You can't say stuff like that, or she'll beat me up!"

I can't help chuckling at that, despite my embarrassment. At least Shikamaru still has some fear of me.

"Yeah, I was wondering how someone like you could land a pretty girl like that" Shikaku responds, nodding again. "She doesn't look like much of a fighter though."

"What did you just say?!" I bark vehemently, raising my fist up in anger. "I'll show you who doesn't look-"

"Just hurry up and get your ass back home before Mom kicks it!" Shikamaru shouts over me, already dragging me towards the door in an attempt to avoid a brawl.

"Not unless I kick it first!" I shout, slamming the door of the building closed behind me and wrenching myself free of Shikamaru's grip. "Your Dad's an idiot."

".......I know" Shikamaru agrees, sweat dropping.

Naruto's POV

Turning over in bed, I look at my clock for what feels like the hundredth time.

"Two thirty?" I whine out loud, rolling onto my back. "When is it gonna be morning already?!"

So much for getting a good night's sleep before the Finals. I'm way too full of nerves to sleep tonight. I have to fight Neji Hyuga tomorrow and not only do I want to win so that I can become a Chunin, but I also promised Hinata that I'd get revenge for what Neji did to her at the Prelims.

I can't go back on my word! I have to beat him!......

I let out a sigh and turn over again, this time to stare out of my window. I'm tired, probably thanks to all of the training I've been doing, but I just can't seem to fall asleep. Heh, I'm so tired, that I'm beginning to see things.

It looks like there's an eye, staring at me from the balcony. Heheh, it even looks like.....there's someone.....sitting on my.....

I sit boltright up in bed, my eyes wide and my heart thumping against my chest. I stare out of the window, absolutely sure that I can see someone's teeth smirking at me. They look like sharp teeth too.....

Flinging my blanket back, I march towards the window with as much fake confidence as I can and throw my window open, shaking a fist at the night.

"Alright!" I shout angrily. "Who's there and what the hell do you-"

"Naruto" a voice whispers next to my ear, sending a chill up my spine, "I'm right behind you."

"Gahhhh!" I screech in fright, whirling around, only to come face to face with Ashley, who looks as if she is struggling not to laugh.

I lean my back against the wall for support and run a hand down my face, releasing a sigh.

"Ashley" I greet warily. "What are you doing scaring me at two thirty in the morning?"

"I-I'm sorry Naruto" the girl apologises, a small giggle escaping her lips. "I was out for a walk and decided to pay you a visit."

"What made you think I'd be awake?" I question suspiciously, to which Ashley gives me a knowing smile.

"I could sense how nervous you were" she informs me, leaning forwards a little, "All the way from my house."

"Huh?!" I cry, bewildered. "How is that even possible?! I mean, I'm not nervous. Not at all. Nope. Couldn't be calmer actually. You've wasted your time coming here, sorry Ashley."

Ashley rolls her eyes at me and puts her hands up, as if surrendering.

"I was only kidding Naruto" she admits, smirking now. "I can't sense that sort of thing. But I actually couldn't sleep either and decided to see if you were awake too, considering you're also competing in the Finals. I would have left you alone if you were asleep."

"Also, I don't think there's anything wrong with being nervous. Isn't that normal before a competition?"

"Are you nervous too?" I ask, feeling calmer now. "Is that why you couldn't sleep?"

"I'm not in the slightest bit nervous" Ashley replies brightly, giving me a closed eye smile as I fall to the floor.

"But you just said that-"

"I know what I said" Ashley interrupts, extending her hand down and helping me back up. "But I know I'm gonna win, whereas you're doubting yourself. I knew you would be. You're not sure if you'll win, right?"

Swallowing the lump in my throat, I lower my gaze to the floor. Ashley hit the nail on the head with that one. I wonder how she knew?....

"I mean, it's Neji Hyuga" I say quietly. "Everyone is always going on about how strong he is and how he's a total genius. I'm just....."

"You're just Naruto?" Ashley supplies, one eyebrow raised.

"Yeah!" I agree, nodding. "I'm no genius and I'm not special or anything like that...."

I feel my face contorting into a sad frown, my hands balling into fists as I stare down at them.

"Who was I kidding?" I mutter. "There's no way I can win against someone like him........Ack!"

I am suddenly slammed up against the wall by Ashley, her arm lying across my throat. She glares up at me, the moon reflecting off of her visible eye.

"I don't wanna hear that loser talk!" she commands hotly. "I've never heard you talk like a quitter, and I don't wanna hear it now! You're wrong Naruto, wrong!"

"I....I am?" I ask, surprised by Ashley's sudden frustration.

"You are special!" Ashley encourages, her expression softening as she releases me. "I've definitely never met anyone like you before. Nobody thought you could beat Kiba, and you did! You beat him! And you can beat Neji too! Prove them wrong Naruto, you're good at that."

Though her brows are furrowed, Ashley smiles up at me, a fire seeming to burn in her eyes. She stares at me for a few moments, before taking a step back.

"You're a lot stronger than you think" she adds, confidently nodding as she turns and walks back over to my window. "I......I believe in you Naruto."

I feel my eyes widen at that, a warm feeling spreading in my chest. Ashley believes in me? She's never said anything like that before. Does she finally think of me as her friend? As someone who can be trusted?

I feel happy......

I rush over to the window as Ashley jumps through it and lands on the railing of my balcony, poised to leap away. I half hang out of the window and wave my arm frantically, hoping to catch my teammate's attention before she leaves.

"Yes Naruto?" Ashley asks, glancing back at me over her shoulder.

My mind suddenly goes blank as she looks at me. I'm still shocked by the things Ashley just said to me. Her confidence in me......It really gives me strength!

"Uhhh......Thanks Ashley" I finally manage to say, an appreciate grin finding its way onto my face. "I needed that.

Ashley watches me without saying anything for a moment, before hooding her eyes and smiling at me. Like, actually smiling at me, as if she's happy.

"You're welcome" is all Ashley says, before completely disappearing into the darkness.

My eyes search for her for a few seconds, before I give up and lean back inside, closing my window behind me.

Ashley sure can be a strange girl, but it seems like she's really opened up since she first joined our team. She can be so nice sometimes, like right now. I wish other people would get to see this side of her as well, then they wouldn't be so wary of her.

I jump back into bed, a determined grin plastered across my face. I'm totally pumped for my match with Neji now! Ashley's made me feel completely different to how I did only a few minutes ago. My nerves are all gone, but I still don't think I'm going to be sleeping much.

I can't wait to crush Neji Hyuga and get him back for hurting Hinata so badly.....

Ashley's POV

I look around the huge stadium, one hand on my hip, amazed by the number of people that have shown up for the Finals. Some of them are cheering and shouting things, but I can't make out what anyone is saying. All the voices and sounds are meshing together and forming one loud, constant sound to me.

"They're all just here to see Sasuke and Gaara fight" I sigh with annoyance. "They couldn't care less about the rest of us."

"Yeah I know" Shikamaru agrees, looking less than enthusiastic. "I can quit if they really don't want to see my fight. Doesn't bother me."

Smirking at Shikamaru's words, I glance up at my opponent, a girl from the Hidden Grass Village. Her blonde ponytails bob up and down as she waves to the crowd excitedly, pink eyes sparkling.

Seeming to sense that she is being stared at, the girl blinks and looks over at me, pausing in her waving to the crowd. She watches me for a few seconds, before smiling brightly and giving me a friendly wave.

I merely harden my expression and narrow my eyes at the girl, having no intention on being warm with my opponent. I killed her teammate during the Preliminaries, so no doubt she's holding a grudge against me. I won't fall for her nice act. I'll kill her too if I have to.

"Where are Naruto and Sasuke?" I whinge impatiently, shoulders slumping. "I'm tired of waiting for them to arrive."

"Yeah, that Dosu guy from the Hidden Sound is missing too" Shikamaru comments, giving the other contestants a once over with his sharp eyes.

Before we can discuss the missing contestants any further, a loud commotion catches our attention and draws it over to the entrance of the stadium ground.

Shikamaru and I both sweat drop, when we see Naruto racing towards us in a panic, a large stampede of cows charging along behind him. One of the large animals suddenly throws its head forwards and stabs Naruto in the butt with it's horns, causing him to topple over.

The blonde slides towards us on his face, sending up a large cloud of dust as the stampede quickly settles down, cows now leisurely strolling around the stadium ground.

"It's about time you showed up" I sneer, smirking down at a dizzy eyed Naruto in amusement. "Way to make a grand entrance by the way."

As Shikamaru heaves a sigh, I hear my opponent giggling, while Kankuro and Temari scoff loudly enough for us to hear.

Well, hopefully Naruto will be a little more graceful and redeem himself during his fight with Neji today. Then they won't be scoffing like that.

Shaking his head to rid himself of the dizziness, Naruto suddenly jumps to his feet, looking around as if searching for something.

"You guys" he asks, sounding concerned, "Where's Sasuke?"

"Haven't seen him yet" I reply, shrugging a shoulder. "Hopefully he's just gonna be fashionably late."

"Hey, quiet you guys!" our new proctor, Genma, berates, a toothpick hanging out of his mouth. "Stand up straight and represent your Village proudly to the spectators."

"Yes Boss" I mumble sarcastically, placing my hand back on my hip and glaring up at the crowd. Who wants to impress them anyway. I just want to win a fight for the sake of winning it.

I look up into the high stand, where our Hokage and the Kazekage of the Sand Village are sitting. The Kazekage doesn't exactly look like a very friendly guy, but considering he's the Sand Village's leader, I won't question it too much I suppose. Is he Gaara's Father?......If so, I can understand why he doesn't look too friendly then...

"Welcome everyone!" the Hokage announces to the whole stadium, smiling as he rises from his seat. "Sincerest thanks to everyone for coming here to the Hidden Leaf Village, to witness the Final Round of the Chunin Exams! We have before us, the finest Genin in the lands! They are the final contestants, chosen from among hundreds to represent their respective countries. We would ask that no one leaves until all of the fights have concluded. And please, enjoy yourselves!"

The crowd breaks into thunderous applause as the Hokage takes his seat once again, only for me to frown a little.

It's kind of barbaric, to say something like enjoy yourselves. This is a bunch of young Ninja beating each other up, possibly fighting to the death and the audience all came here to enjoy themselves? I can't say to much when it comes to being barbaric but still, it's a strange concept indeed.....

"One more thing before we start" Genma says to all of the contestants, pulling out a piece of paper out of his flak jacket. "The matches have changed slightly, so have a look and make sure you remember who you're fighting."

Glancing up at the paper, I see that my opponent is still the blonde girl from the Grass Village.

"Peikirin...." I mutter, trying to memorise it. I don't care about her though, so it's likely that I may forget.

"Um, I have a question" Naruto announces, to which Genma sighs.

"Yeah, what is it?"

"Well, what happens to Sasuke if he doesn't show up before his match is scheduled?" my teammate asks nervously, running a hand through his hair.

"If a competitor isn't here when their name is called" Genma explains boredly, "They automatically forfeit their match."

Naruto nods and gazes over at the entrance with concern, probably worrying about Sasuke and where he could be. Even I have to admit that I'm a little worried, but I know that Kakashi was training with him, so Orochimaru surely couldn't have gotten to Sasuke....

"Alright, the terrain may be different here, but the rules are the same as in the Preliminaries" Genma tells us seriously. "You all know that that means, there are no rules. The match will end when one contestant concedes defeat or dies. That said, if I think that a match is over, I will step in and stop the fight. And there'll be no arguing with me!"

Sighing, Genma glances down at the paper in his hands, before eyeing off two of the contestants.

"Okay" he announces loudly, "Our first two competitors are Naruto Uzumaki and Neji Hyuga! You will both stay here, while the rest of the fighters will go up to the waiting area."

Grinning cheekily at an excited Naruto, I playfully punch him on the shoulder.

"Good luck Naruto" I tell him sincerely. "I know you can do this!"

"Yeah!" Naruto grins back at me with determination. "Thanks Ashley! See you after I win!"

With a final salute to my teammate, I follow after the other competitors and make my way up to the high balcony made for us to watch on from.

As I stand beside Shikamaru, I see Temari glaring at me, to which I can't resist giving her the finger. Her cheeks turn red with anger, before she releases a low, aggravated breath and turns away, ignoring me.

"Try not to make enemies with everyone while we're up here" Shikamaru suggests, sounding faintly amused.

"No promises" I advise him, looking over at Peikirin as she sits down on the edge of the railing, kicking her legs merrily and watching the first two fighters get ready.

While I can't help wondering what kind of fighter she is, I also can't help wondering if it would be okay to win my fight before it starts and shove Peikirin off of the railing.....

Dragging my attention away from blonde girl, I look back down into the stadium, only to see that Naruto and Neji are already facing off, staring each other down.

"You got something to say to me kid?" Neji suddenly taunts, breaking the boys' silence.

"Yeah, exactly what I told you before!" Naruto retorts. "I vow to win this match!"

Neji merely shakes his head and closes his eyes, clearly not at all worried about Naruto's promise. He soon reopens his eyes, Byakugan activated and takes up what seems to be the typical Hyuga fighting stance.

"Heh, all the better for me" Neji mocks, his overconfident smirk really annoying me. "I can't wait to see the look of misery on your face when you realise that you won't be able to keep your pathetic little vow."

I narrow my eyes at Neji, wishing for him to suddenly burst into flames and turn to ashes at Naruto's feet.

"Wow, he's a jerk isn't he?" I ask rhetorically, though Shikamaru nods in agreement anyway.

"Yep, he sure is" he agrees, crossing his arms and gazing down at the match. "Always has been."

"Are we gonna stand here and talk all day?" Naruto asks lowly, unaffected by Neji's taunt. "C'mon! Let's get going already! Let's see what you can do!"

"Alright!" Genma calls. "Then let the first match of the Final Competition.......begin!"