Under Fire

To say Haru was nervous would have been a gross understatement, he wanted to run. Run and keep running. The only thing that kept him there was the feeling of his two teammate's and captain's eyes on him. He wanted to be strong, make them proud, but this guy looked unlike anything he'd ever fought, it was intimidating, and a little scary. Haru's legs were shaking, his palms were sweating, and he was getting hotter and hotter as he got more and more nervous.

He glanced up at Naruto, who's face was blank and unreadable. I secret envy welled up inside him, he wished he could be cool and collected all the time. He shifted his gaze to Sakura who looked a bit worried, oddly enough this caused Haru's envy of Naruto to grow, Sakura looked worried why couldn't Naruto worry about him. He turned back to look at his enemy. The black holes where he should have had eyes made him extremely uneasy. So he resorted to the only thing he knew, he dropped his gaze to the man's waist.

Worry gripped at Naruto's heart as he watched Haru. He wasn't ready for this, Naruto knew that. Haru's close combat skills had improved during the two months he'd been with Sakura and Naruto, but not by much. He had the Demon Wind so that would help a bit, but he still wasn't a very good fighter. This was going to be interesting.

He watched as the two squared off, eyeing each other waiting for the other to make a move. The Black eyed man's fingers twitched. Haru whipped the Demon Wind off his back, drawing and opening it up in a single move. He threw the large weapon at his opponent and raced at him drawing a kunai. Black eyes ducked the spinning weapon and came up running. Haru snatched the blade out of the air as it arced and came back to him, wielding the Demon Wind in his right hand and the kunai in his left, he clashed with his enemy. The man caught both of his wrists to stop his attack. Almost instantly Haru felt his energy levels drop. He jumped off his feet and planted them on the man's chest pushing off. The man's grip on his wrist broke and he sailed fifteen feet before landing on his back.

"Nice move," praised Naruto as Haru dragged himself back to his feet as Black eyes charged him. Haru desperately threw the shuriken at the man, trying to keep him at bay. The Man simply dodged around it and continued his advance, Haru leapt away trying to put distance between them. He couldn't afford to have to man make contact with him, his touch seemed to drain his energy. The man followed him. Haru caught the shuriken and snapped it closed just in time to block an attack. Haru look back in his eyes and instantly regretted it, they made him so nervous. He pushed away backing up even more, the man didn't follow this time. Haru sagged a bit, the Charka the man had drained had taken a toll on him, he needed to end this quickly.

"Haru is on the retreat," Said Kakashi "He need to go on the offensive," Naruto glanced up at his sensei before returning his gaze back to the fight.

"But we know that Haru's combat skills aren't that great," he said "He's going to need to do something drastic." Naruto leaned against the railing absent mindedly scratching the bandage side of his face. He hadn't had the chance to change them during the second test and they were really dirty. But he couldn't do anything about it now, Haru was fighting and wasn't doing well at all.

Haru threw the shuriken at the man again trying to see if he could throw him off balance.

"Don't you have any other tricks?" asked the man as he leapt over it. Haru gritted his teeth.

"I have to do it," he thought "but I'm still not very good at it I could mess up, I could get hurt," just as he decided not to do it, a scene flashed through his mind.

Flashback

Haru ran through the woods the enemy ninja hot on his trail. This was not good, he could get away. His toe caught a rock and with a cry of pain he fell to the ground. He turned over and gazed at the ninja in fear as they stood over him weapons gleaming in the subtle sunlight the crept through the trees. One of them carried a long pole-arm with a crescent blade draped over his shoulder. Haru watched him raise it over his head and closed his eyes waiting for the end.

He was meant with a grunt of pain. Snapping his eyes back open he saw a person standing in front of him in a blood red shirt and shaggy blonde hair.

"Naruto?" he said stunned "What are you doing here?" Naruto turned to look over his shoulder, in his eye Haru saw a look of disgust. Drawing his two kunai, Naruto charged directly at the men. In thirty seconds the men were on the ground, of them dead or quickly approaching it. Naruto cleaned his blades on the clothing and sheathed them before turn to Haru and helping him up.

"Why are you here?" asked Haru. Naruto said nothing, he was just staring into the sky. "What if you got hurt, what if they had taken you prisoner, what if…"

"As ninja, we are not allowed the luxury of 'what if'," Naruto cut across him. Haru fell silent. "Do not say that phrase again, all it will do is cause you to hesitate. If you hesitate on a mission, someone's going to end up dead." Haru looked at the ground ashamed in himself. Naruto finally looked at him.

"Haru you are Ninja, in wearing the headband on your forehead you've excepted the mantle of the Hidden Leaf Village," said Naruto "You and I are Genin, the future of our village. We don't have time to screw around, we must advance and take the defense of our village onto our shoulders and help Kakashi-sensei. Never hesitate again."

End Flashback

It didn't take a genius to know that Naruto had been thinking about the time he'd hesitated while fighting Haku with Sasuke. Haru's resolve hardened.

"No!" he thought "No dwelling on what might happen," He sheathed the kunai and caught the Demon Wind. Then threw it with all his might. It arced high into the air, too high. While everyone (Including his opponent) watched the shuriken, Naruto and Kakashi watched Haru flash through hand signs. Then he sank into the ground.

"Earth type huh?" said Kakashi. The black eyed man watched the demon wind fly high over his head before turning back to Haru a jeer on his lips. It died on his tongue however when he saw the young man was gone. Then to everyone's disbelief ten Haru's raised out the ground.

"Earth clones," said Naruto to Sakura when she gave him a look of confusion. Realization dawned on her and she looked back down at the match. The black eyed man didn't seem to know what to do. He gazed around trying to find the really one.

"Having," said one.

"Some," said another one.

"Trouble?" said a third but the said they said it in such quick succession it came out 'having some trouble?' Naruto watched as the clones converged on the man all wielding kunai. There was a massive dust cloud as the man destroyed some of them, but when it all cleared, Haru stood triumphant. Hayate walked over and knelt next to the man and checked him.

"The winner: Is Haru Muri," he said.

"WOOHOO!" yelled Sakura. Naruto nodded in approval as Haru looked up at them. He soon joined them on the cat walk looking tired but happy. Naruto turned to face him, a small smile playing on his lips. He stuck out his hand, Haru let out a small gasp before talking Naruto's hand in a hand shake. They heard the board on the wall start to cycle through names again, they all turned to look at it. It ended on Zaku of the Sound village and Shino Aburame. The two leapt to the floor. The guy Zaku looked up at Naruto and gave him a glare. His arms were in a sling.

"How does he plan to fight with his arms in a sling?" thought Haru allowed.

"Well, well," said Zaku, "It looks like I've got a little movement in this one." He pulled his left arm out of the sling and pointed it at Shino. Shino didn't so much as draw his hands out of his jacket pockets. Without warning Zaku blasted a huge sound wave at Shino. When the dust cleared Shino stood tall, bugs covering his entire body.

"Ugh gross," said Sakura "What is he?"

"In the village hidden in the Leaf there is a clan of bug masters," said Kakashi "The Aburame, when one of them is born they enter a secret pact with the insects, he provides them with a nest and food and in return they fight for him."

"A nest and food?" asked Haru "What do you mean?" he gulped having a good idea what Kakashi was talking about.

"His body and his chakra," said Kakashi. Though he did show it, Naruto wanted to throw up, the thought made him nauseas.

The insects flowed off Shino and swarmed Zaku. Naruto turned away and leaned on the rail crossing his arms over his chest.

"It's over," he said. No sooner than he finished, Zaku let out a terrible scream as the bugs swarmed over him, devouring his chakra.

"That was so gross," said Sakura. Naruto gazed around and saw that that was the general belief. Zaku was carted off by the medical corp. After a brief intermission, the board started cycling names again. It ended on the Shinobi in the stupid cat-eared hood from the sand village and Haru's opponent's teammate. The Sand ninja, Kankuro, took the large thing wrapped in bandages off his back holding it out to his side. His opponent attacked him and threw a single punch which Kankuro easily blocked. Then the guys arm snaked up Kankuro's. In no time at all the man, had his limps wrapped around Kankuro with one arm wrapped around his neck.

"Oh man," said Sakura " First a human bug hive, now this." Naruto could help but agree with her. There was a loud crack and Naruto knew Kankuro's neck had just been broke. Hayate took a step forward like he was going to stop fight. Then Kankuro twitched, and head spun a one-eighty. Haru made a wrenching sound. Then the thing Kankuro had dropped burst open , revealing a second Kankuro. The first Kankuro sprouted four more arms for a total of six and wrapped them tightly around his enemy. After a few seconds of struggling, the man gave and the match ended.

"Jeez," muttered Naruto "One weirdo after another." The board stopped one the two names, Naruto glanced up at it.

"Not good," he thought, Ino and Sakura, despite what they said, the two still cared for each other. Sakura and Ino, both seemed to have froze. The glanced at each other seemed to hesitate, before the looks hardened.

They joined each other on the ground glaring at each other.

"Alright,": said Hayate, "you may begin."

Sakura raced straight at Ino and threw a hard punch at her face. Ino dodged her head out of the way but before she could counter, Sakura grabbed the back of her head and yanked it down at the same time bring her right knee up hard. Ino's head snapped back and she stumbled back a look of shock on her face.

Because Team Seven hadn't spent a lot of time around the rest of the rookie's Sakura's growth was wildly an unknown. So the look of shock on everyone's faces came as no surprise to Naruto as he glanced around, a small smirk on his face and a felling of pride in his chest. Sakura kicked Ino hard in the gut. Ino backed up clutching at her stomach.

"How?" she gasped out "How did you get so strong?" Sakura smirked.

"How? It's called hard work Ino, after the Land of the Waves, my total inability to do anything at all spurned me to get stronger, so that the next time we face an enemy I'll be a help, not a liability." With that she started hand signs. Though no one but Kakashi knew it, Sakura was a power Genjutsu type ninja with a water affinity. Because of her great chakra control she could cast water Jutsu even if there was no water around by simply turning her chakra in the water for the Jutsu. However it was significantly weaker than if she used nature's water. Her Chakra still got the job done though.

"Water style: Water Bullets!" she held her hands open towards Ino and launched massive bullets of water at Ino, twenty in rapid succession. Ino dropped to one knee. Sakura stood over her, a kunai in her hand.

"Ok, Sakura," she said "I give, you win." Naruto gave a small fist pump by his hip, the gesture was missed by all, but Kakashi. Naruto glanced at the rest of the Rookies they all had looks of amazement on their faces. It didn't surprise him, Ino was widely considered to be one of the best female ninja in their age group. However Sakura had beaten her with minimal effort.

Sakura held her hand out to Ino and helped her up. The two watched each other for a minute. Sakura gave her a smile, a real smile.

"Just hang in there Ino, "she said " If I can do it, so can you." Together they climbed the stairs and joined the rest of the Leaf Genin. Ino left to join her team and Sakura join Naruto and Haru.

"Well two out of three," said Kakashi "We'll go for a sweep, be ready Naruto." They all gave him a small smile.

"Right," he said. Suddenly Sakura slumped against the wall and slid down it to the ground. Naruto knelt next to her. "You ok?" he asked in a quite voice. Sakura gave him a reassuring smile.

"I'm ok," she said "The Chakra I used for the Genjutsu in the forest hadn't fully replenished when I used the Water Jutsu. I'm just tired." she gave him another tired smile, touched by his concern. Naruto nodded returning her smile with a small one of his own, before his stood up, he pulled her into a hug and quietly, so only she could hear, said:

"I had faith in you, I knew you would win." That said, he stood up and stepped back up the railing to watch the next match. The two opponents had already been chosen. Tenten and Temari. Tenten leapt away. And her team started cheering, loudly. Naruto had to cover his ears. The two stood staring at each other. Temari goaded Tenten into attacking. Tenten leapt into the air and threw six shuriken at Temari, they flew straight and on target, then suddenly they stopped and dropped to the ground. Naruto blinked for a minute, then it dawned on him.

"Wind," he thought. "It's over," Haru looked at him in shock.

"How can you say that?" he demanded "Tenten is a fellow Leaf Ninja, we must believe in her." Naruto looked at him.

"Don't be stupid Haru," he said "Believe me, I would like to see Tenten win. It's bad luck really Temari is the one person so far who could actually beat her. It's over Haru, just watch." Temari unfurled her fan and swung it causing a huge vortex that lifted Tenten into the air. Wind slice at the helpless girl before she fell hard onto Temari's collapsed fan.

"The winner is: Temari," said Hayate. An evil grin crossed Temari's face. She tossed Tenten at the weapons she had used. Lee leapt into the battle area and caught her.

"Nice catch," she said "Now take that pathetic piece of garbage out of here."

"What did you say?" he demanded. He gently set Tenten down and looked like he was about to charge the girl, when Naruto suddenly appeared in front of him his arm stretched out in front of Lee, his one eyed gaze locked onto Temari. Everyone gasped,

"When did he get so fast?" thought Sakura.

"Naruto," Thought Kakashi "What are you playing at?"

"Lee, don't," said Naruto "She's not worth your time, take Tenten to Gai-sensei." Lee was stunned by Naruto's sudden appearance.

"Uh, right," he said and carried her off. Naruto stood and glared at Temari. She broke eye contact and turned to join her teammates, Naruto followed Lee.

When they reached the top Kakashi pulled Naruto aside.

"Naruto what are you doing?" he demanded.

"What do you mean?" asked Naruto confused.

"Your unknown growth is an advantage," he said "Why show it now in a rush to stop Lee?" Naruto hesitated. "Don't be so hasty to show off, wait until the match."

"Yes, sir," Naruto said dejectedly. Kakashi gave him a one eyed smile and patted him on the shoulder.

"I know you're eager to test yourself," he said gently "But don't let that eagerness compromise you." Naruto nodded and walked back to Haru a bit ashamed of himself.

"Everything alright?" asked Haru.

"Yeah," said Naruto quietly. Sakura stood up and joined them. "You sure you're ok to be moving around Sakura?" she gave him a smile.

"I'm fine," she said "besides, their getting towards the end I don't want to miss your match," she gave him a small smile and slipped her hand into his, and gave it a small squeeze. Sakura knew it was the only show of affection Naruto would allow right now.

Shikamaru and Kin were the next two to fight.

Their fight started off slow, but that was to be expected with anything involving Shikamaru. Kin threw two Senbon at Shikamaru who quickly dodged them. There were bells attached.

"That simple trick?" asked Naruto "Next she'll through Senbon with bells and Senbon without." Shikamaru started dodging all the Senbon, before he suddenly froze.

"Genjutsu!" said Sakura.

"What?" gasped Naruto snapping his gaze up to Sakura.

"It looks like this is one the effects his ears," She said "I guess that's surprising considering what village she's from." Kin threw three Senbon, Shikamaru managed to cover up just in time.

"It's amazing he can even move," she said. Suddenly all action stopped. Kin's face had a look of horror on it.

"He got her," said Naruto. Shikamaru pulled a shuriken out of his pouch which was mirror by Kin.

"Are you crazy?" demanded Kin.

"Oh come on it's be fun," said Shikamaru "Like a game of chicken, let's see who's ducks first!" he threw the shuriken at her the two shuriken raced at their targets, just as it reached him, Shikamaru bent over backwards. Kin mirrored him, and bashed her head on the wall.

"The wise Shinobi properly scouts the battle field and is always aware of his position on it," he said. The match was over. After he joined the rest, the wall on the boarded began to cycle through names, until finally it landed on Naruto and Kiba.

"It's us against the kid Akamaru!" shouted Kiba. He leapt down and ran to the far side waiting for Naruto. Naruto straightened and started walking towards the stairs. Kakashi stopped him.

"Naruto," he said "Only use it as a last resort, but I'm giving you permission to use it." Naruto gave him a short nod and continued to the stairs. As he left Sakura was giving Kakashi an uneasy look.

All around them were words of pity for Naruto.

"Oh man, Naruto doesn't have a chance," said Ino

"Kiba is so lucky," said Choji. And Kurenai looked pretty smug, like the match was already over.

"Don't worry Sakura," he smiled "He ready, Naruto and I haven't just been goofing off the last six months." Haru was glancing back and forth between them confused. "He had faith in you, both of you. Now have faith in him." they both nodded and turned to watch.

"Now you're chance Naruto," he thought "Show them all how much you've grown."

Naruto stood across from Kiba, his face ever stoic.

"Sorry Naruto," he said "nothing personal," With that he dropped onto all fours, his teeth and finger nails elongating. "Ninja Art: Beast Mimicry!" he vanished only to reappear with his elbow buried deep in Naruto's gut. Naruto's body absorbed the shot and he flew several feet landing hard on his back.

"Oh no!" exclaimed Haru, In the five months he'd known him, Haru had never seen Naruto take a solid hit.

Naruto was still for a second. Kida was about to turn to Hayate when he stirred. He turned back to Naruto a look of disbelief on his face. Naruto was up and running, both kunai in his hand. Kiba let out a growl and charged at Naruto drawing one of his own kunai. Naruto swung his right hand, Kiba ducked that kunai and stabbed with his own. Naruto blocked it with the kunai in his left. They disengaged.

"So, I see you picked up a little bit of ability," said Kiba, "You came along way since the academy." Naruto couldn't help but smirk as he sheathed his kunai, this didn't go missed by Kiba.

"You have no idea," said Naruto "how right you are." Naruto started flashing through hand signs so quickly that Kiba could keep up.

"Fire Style: Phoenix Flower Jutsu!" he yelled.

"WHAT?" exclaimed Kiba. The fifteen small fire balls converged on him. Kiba barely escaped.

Asuma looked at Kakashi in shock.

"That move," he said "That's a Fire Jutsu of the Uchiha Clan. So how is it Naruto knows it?" Kakashi gave him a one eyed smile.

"Oh, you'll see." he replied. Kiba came up charging and drew two smoke bottoms.

"Let's go Akamaru!" he said and threw the smoke bombs. No one could see a thing. Akamaru leapt into the smoke, using his nose to track Naruto. As the smoke started to clear, Kiba charged kunai in hand.

"NARUTO!" yelled Sakura and moved to jump down.

"Stop Sakura!" said Kakashi. Sakura was stunned , Kakashi had never raised his voice to her like that. "Have faith in Naruto." Sakura climbed down off the railing.

Just as the smoke completely cleared Kiba was in Naruto's face and plunged the kunai in his stomach.

"NARUTO!" Sakura yelled again. A look of shock was on everyone's faces. Every one in the building heard the distinct drip, drip, drip… of water.

A look of shock crossed Kiba's face as he watched water flow out of the wound in Naruto's stomach. Then the water clone collapsed. Kiba searched franticly for him.

"Where is he?" he said aloud. His answer was a hard punch across the face. Kiba stumbled back. "When the hell did you learn to use water clones, and Fire Jutsu for that matter?" Naruto smirked.

"I wouldn't worry about that right now if were you," said Naruto,

"Fine," said Kiba "But at least tell me how you used the water clone!"

"Fair enough," said Naruto "Kiba, look around you, at all the water on the floor. It's left over from the time Sakura pummeled Ino with her water bullets. When you threw you're smoke bombs I simply used the water on the floor and created a water clone."

Kiba growled, baring his fangs. Then he sprinted at Naruto.

"TUNNELING FANG!" he shouted and began to rapidly spin. Naruto didn't have time to react, Kiba hit him right in the chest, tearing his shirt to shreds. After being bored into for ten second Naruto finally managed to pushed Kiba to the side a bit and slip away. As soon as he broke contact, he dropped to one knee clutching at his stomach. Kiba flipped out of his attack and stood tall a triumphant look in his face."

"I gotta say," he said "I'm actually impressed you even still standing," Naruto glared at him, his cobalt eyes burning a hole in him. Kiba took a step back and slipped his hand into his pouch, drawing out two food pills. He tossed on to Akamaru, before popping one in his own mouth.

"LET'S GO AKAMARU! MAN/BEAST CLONES!" he shouted as Akamaru leapt on his back, in a flash there were two Kiba's. They ran at Naruto on all fours. "FANG-OVER-FANG!" they shouted Naruto leapt out of the way. Kiba came to a stop.

"You know you're pretty pathetic," he said with all the honesty in the world "It takes you three tries to pass the academy graduation exam, which you only passed in the end on a technicality. Then you botch every D-ranked mission you go on, only succeeding it those missions because of Sasuke, and then…"

Kakashi turned to Kurenai.

"Kurenai, whatever happens to Kiba, you can not hold it against Naruto," he said Kiba is going to bring on himself." Kurenai looked at him surprised.

"Excuse me?" she said.

"Naruto is about to kill Kiba," said Kakashi as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.

"I fail to see how that's going to happen," she replied "He can't barely stand."

"Naruto's emotions are buried not gone," said Kakashi "Kiba is about to unleash something he'll never forget." Sakura was just as confused as Kurenai. She gazed at the two taking and realization dawned on her."Kiba that idiot," she said "is he trying to get killed?"

"You let Sasuke die, you did nothing to help him, as he defended you," finished Kiba. Naruto's face darkened.

"Take it back," said Naruto darkly. Kiba laughed.

"What's that?" he said

"Take back what you said!" shouted Naruto. Tore the remains of his shirt off. His entire torso was covered in scared like he'd been stabbed by hundreds of thin weapons, needle scars. He vanished only to reappear right in front of Kiba and smashed him to the ground. He rained punched after punch into Kiba's face. The second Kiba ran at Naruto and knocked him off Kiba. Naruto skidded to a halt on one knee. Kiba dragged himself to his feet. Rage burning in his eyes.

"This is getting intense," said Shikamaru "Naruto is completely different from when we were in the academy.

"You said it," replied Ino a bit nervous as to what was going to happen next. The three Jounin Sensei move together , incase they had to intervene. Naruto glanced up at Kakashi a question in his eye.

"Go ahead Naruto," he replied "you're ready, show them your power."

The Third Hokage had been watching all the fights with mild interest, this fight however he'd been paying the closest attention to. He'd promise Minato he's watch over the boy, he wanted to see how far he'd come. He'd been pleasantly surprised at may point in the match but and Kakashi's words, he sat up a bit straighter. In fact everyone in the building seemed to being watching closing.

"Kakashi, what are you talking about?" asked Asuma.

"Just watch," said Kakashi "Keep your eyes on Naruto, he's about to surprise you.

Naruto slowly untied his head band and laid it across his knee. Then with a glance at Kiba, his hands moved to the bandages on his face. Kiba wanted to attack, but his curiosity got the better of him, he didn't move.

"Sasuke," thought Naruto "Lend me your strength, help me, in this disparate hour." the final bandage was removed. Naruto tossed it away and picked his head band back up and tired it around his forehead. Then he stood up straight, proud and tall, his earlier rage forgotten. After ten months of closure, Naruto snapped his right eye open unveiling Sharingan.

The entire building let out a gasp.

The Hokage leapt to his feet.

"Sharingan, but that's…"

"If any of you ever wondered why I insisted on continuing Naruto's train myself," said Kakashi "Now you know."

"Sharingan!" exclaimed Kurenai "but how? When?"

"In the Land of the Waves," said Kakashi, "Sasuke didn't die protecting Naruto. He died as they fought side-by-side. During the fight Naruto lost his right eye, pierced by Senbon as he defended Sasuke's body. After the fight was over, Sasuke gave Naruto Sharingan, as a gift of friendship and brotherhood. The village grieves over the lose of the Uchiha clan, while Naruto grieves the lose of Sasuke Uchiha, the closest thing he's ever had to a brother. The village slanders him for "allowing the last of the Uchiha to die" while Naruto punishes himself for not being able to protect a comrade. In fact I believe Shikamaru here is the only one who's ever taken the time to check on Naruto." Every single one of them looked ashamed of themselves. Kakashi turned his gaze to Sakura, who was beaming with pride for her Sensei and for her teammate.

No matter how hard he tried, Kiba couldn't tear his gaze away from Naruto's right eye. It entranced him, drew him in. He took a step towards him, then back. Then shook his head. Naruto copied it all perfectly.

"Kiba's cracked," said Kurenai "Naruto's got the match in the bag, Kiba's thoughts aren't even his own."

He finally shook himself free of the red eye's piercing gaze and attacked using his Akamaru and his Fang-over-Fang. Naruto side stepped it and brought his right leg up in a hard kick catching the real Kiba in the chest. The Jutsu broke almost instantly as Kiba crashed to the ground. Naruto calmly settled over Kiba and put a kunai to his throat, Akamaru had no choice but to back down.

Hayate leapt to Kiba and Naruto checking Kiba for vital signs.

"Because his opponent is unable to continue, the winner in Naruto Uzumaki." said Hayate.

Haru, Sakura and Lee all burst into cheers. Naruto stood up, with a tired sigh he pulled his headband down over his Sharingan. He turned and walked toward the stairs tucking his hands his pockets. He reached his team, where he received congratulations from all of the Leaf Genin.

"Leave it to you to have something like that under your belt" said Shikamaru.

"That was awesome," said Haru "Why didn't you tell me you had the Sharingan?"

"I wasn't allowed to reveal it until now," replied Naruto.

After the rest of the Rookie nine left him, Sakura pulled Naruto into a hug.

"Great job Naruto," she said. Naruto hesitated for a minute then returned it, holding her tightly.

"Very good Naruto," said Kakashi. "Using the Hypnotic Eye to make Kiba think he wanted to use Fang-over-Fang, even tricked him into being on the left where he'd be open." Naruto smirked.

"Thanks," he said.

"Here," said Kakshi pulling off his Jounin vest and draping it over him shoulders. "Wear this until we can get you a shirt."

"Thanks again," said Naruto slipping his arms through it and zipping it up.

The next two opponents were Hinata and Neji Hyuga. They stood across from each other Hinata look terrified, scared like she wanted run. Then she took a quick glance at Naruto her resolve seemed to harden.

They both took the same stance.

"Of course," said Lee "The Hyuga style, that is why their stances are the same. They are both from the Hyuga clan."

The two charged each other striking hard with Chakra burst from each of the strikes. Naruto pulled the headband from his Sharingan.

"It's amazing," he said "they release sharp bursts of Charka driving them into their opponents body." Neji finally landed a blow on her throat causing her to back up. Clutching at her chest. The resolve drained from her face for a split second before returning. She charged him again, taking a hard shot right to the heart.

"Damn it," said Naruto "she fought a good fight, but it's over." He pulled the headband over the Sharingan. Then a gasp escaped his lips, she was getting back up.

"No, no, no," he said "stay down, don't do anything crazy." She dragged her self to her feet. Neji let out a cry off rage and charged. In a flash Naruto disappeared only to reappear right in front of Neji.

"The fight is over Neji," he said. Neji scoffed and left the arena floor. Naruto turned and ran to Hinata, he was soon joined by Kurenai who knelt down a yanked her jacket open.

"She's going into cardiac arrest," she said. Naruto leapt out of the way as the medical corp. raced in. They had her up and gone in fifteen seconds.

Naruto returned to his team, where Sakura wrapped her arms around Naruto's right arm. Her previous inhibitions forgotten.

The board on the wall scanned through names and came to a stop on Rock Lee and Choji.

Lee jumped to the ground and waited for Choji to reach him. Once he did, Lee gave him a deep bow.

"It is a honor to face a fellow ninja of the Hidden Leaf Village," he said. That said he took his headband off his waist and tied it around his forehead.

"You know," said Naruto "I'm liking this Lee guy more and more." Sakura smiled. It was so nice to see Naruto opening up, he was smiling a bit more, not big smile up smiles none then less.

The fight between Lee and Choji was pretty lame really, Choji tried to use his Human boulder Jutsu which Lee stopped with him with a hard kick. Choji deflated, he was tired and a little scared. He charged Lee, Lee kick him once, sending him flying and the match ended.

"Uhhhhhh," was all Naruto could say.

Lee helped Choji up and carried him to the cat walk with the rest.

"My apologies," he said "I didn't mean to embarrass you."

"No that's ok," said Choji "neither once of us held but and you were the victor. No need to apologize for that. Naruto couldn't help but smile.

The last match was Dosu vs. Gaara.

Gaara stood across from Dosu with his arms crossed and the gourd on his back pouring sand.

"Sop that's what's in that gourd," mumbled Naruto "it's sand." Dosu charged Naruto pulling back his sleeve and revealing his weird glove. He punched at Gaara. The sand rose to Gaara's defense. Then it wrapped around Dosu's arm. And covered his body.

"Sand Coffin!" said Gaara. Dosu struggled trying to get free.

Gaara raised his open hand pointing the palm at Dosu.

"Sand Burial!" the sand crushed Dosu, Sakura turned away hiding her face in Naruto's chest.

The Sand retreated back into the gourd, there was no sign of Dosu at all, Gaara left the battle field.

"Alright and with that the Third test preliminaries are complete," said Hayate "can I get all the victors in a single file line in front of me?" After the did as they were asked, the Hokage addressed them.

"First off, congratulations for passing the first round," he said "The finals wil be held in one month so use that time to train and learn new techniques, I wish you all the best of luck, you are dismissed.

Naruto turn to his team.

"We have one month," he said.

"You'll all be ready," said Kakashi "But it'll be a long road."

And that's that. Hate or Love it, it is what it is. For those of you would didn't like that fact that Lee didn't fight Gaara, I'm sorry but I just couldn't do it. I like lee too much. By the way this is your last chance to vote on my pole I'm closing it when I post the next chapter.