Shikaku woke me and Shikamaru up reeaallly early this morning.

I chucked a pillow at his head and screamed at him to go to hell, but he only chuckled and dragged me out of bed and onto the floor. I tried to go back to sleep but the floor was too cold and Shikaku had taken my blanket. So, I had to get up and get dressed, whether I wanted to or not. Damn, he's good.

A bleary-eyed Shikamaru is walking beside me now, yawning and scratching himself like any respectable Ninja. I nudge him with my elbow and smirk at him. He turns his blank, sleepy gaze on me and I bust out laughing. There is nothing cuter in this world than Shikamaru when he's really tired.

I told Shikamaru about the Gaara incident last night. We talked it over, and even though he's as freaked out as I am, he told me to just forget about it. He said it's unlikely either of us will fight him in the finals, so we shouldn't worry.

I yelled at him for not having any confidence in himself, or in me.

His dad said we were having a "lover's spat".

Shikamaru muttered curses about his dad that I laughed at.

It was a fun night.

"You're fighting Temari, right?" I ask as we walk. He nods, rubbing his eyes. "I keep fighting women," he says, clearly annoyed by his bad luck. "What a drag..." I laugh again, and lean against his shoulder. "Oh come on, stop being so sexist. Girls can fight just as well as guys, and we don't discriminate."

"I was raised to believe that a man should never hit a woman."

"You were raised by an old-fashioned knucklehead who just happens to be a genius at shogi."

He pauses, about to defend his father, then shrugs. "I guess you're right," he says with a sigh. "My old man's behind the times."

"So don't complain about fighting a girl, because Temari definitely won't be holding back because you're a guy."

"...Whatever. Have you come up with a way to counter Dosu?"

I sweat drop. "I was thinking of winging it."

Shikamaru stops in the middle of the street and stares at me like I've just grown a second head. I shrug innocently. "Hey, I thought about it, and he's a very calculated guy, from what I've heard anyway," I say, trying to explain myself. "So I thought, why don't I just be as impulsive as Naruto and scare the hell out of him?"

"You really don't want to become a Chunin, do you?"

"...Shut up."

We reach the stadium and are greeted by two Leaf Shinobi, who smile at us and wish us good luck. We're directed to the middle of the arena.

Oh holy crap.

We are surrounded by normal citizens and Shinobi alike, from all different Villages. Their thundering cheers reach to the sky and crash down on my ears, but I smile anyway. They're cheering for us, for me. Even if they're here for Gaara and Sasuke's match, they still want to see us fight too. And I'll give em a good show.

Shino, the Sand Siblings and the boy I'm assuming is Neji are already here. I greet Shino with a hug, to which he stiffens and refuses to hug me back. I sigh and release him. "Shino!" I say, recovering my happy attitude. "I haven't seen you in ages!"

"It's been four days, Akari."

"Too long, my dear Shino, it was too long."

".....Why was I placed on a team with you......?"

Eh, I know he loves me, so it's all good.

I sneak a look at Neji over Shino's shoulder; he's staring impassively at the crowd, his pale eyes fixed on a single point. I follow his gaze and spot Hiashi Hyuga, Hinata's father, and I guess Neji's uncle. As much as I dislike Neji, I think I hate Hiashi more. He treats his daughter like trash, and that is unforgiveable in my book. A father should always love his children, despite their shortcomings.

It's almost like--

NO! I will not think of Gaara right now. He's none of my concern. Except...

I stalk over to Kankuro and Temari, who smile at my approach. "Hey squirt," Kankuro says, almost warmly. "Good luck in the finals--"

I grab onto the front of his body suit, dragging him down to eye level. I look him right in the eyes as he stares at me, confused. "Tell you brother to stay the hell away from my friends," I growl lowly, like how Kiba sounds when someone threatens Akamaru. Kankuro blinks at me, then sneers. "Too scared to tell him yourself?" he asks mockingly, so different from how he was only a minute ago. I jerk his face closer to mine. "I'm not talking to him because I'm not getting disqualified for fighting before my match," I growl, shoving him backwards towards his sister. "I swear, if he touches Rock Lee, I will kill him. I don't care how perfect his damn sand defense is. And you can tell him I mean every word."

"You're angry," Shikamaru says simply when I return to him. "How'd you guess?" I snap, before sighing. "I'm sorry," I say. "That kid just makes me want to go on a murderous rampage."

"Please don't."

"Like someone wouldn't stop me. I'm probably the weakest person left in this Exam."

"You're joking right?"

"What do you mean?"

He sighs. "Never mind, just forget I said anything."

"HEY! HEY! EVERYBODY RUN! THERE'S BULLS CHASING ME!"

Every head in the arena snaps towards the entrance, where Naruto Uzumaki is running at us, what looks to be a herd of bulls on his tail. "Leave it to Naruto to get himself into this kind of situation," Shikamaru sighs, running his hand down his face. I smile at him, just as Naruto races into the arena and skids to a halt in front of us.

"BULLS!" he shouts. "RUN!!"

I smack him across the face.

"Will you relax?" I say. "You're fine in here. Now smile and wave, you're being watched."

Naruto blinks and slowly turns around. His eyes widen and he beams at the crowd, jumping up and down excitedly. "This is so cool!" he says, a broad grin lighting up his face. I shake my head, amused, and offer a smile as well. I wave a few times, trying to spot people I know. Hinata and Kiba are just arriving; I see them take seats beside Kotetsu and Izumo. At least they're in good company.

"At least you've got the right idea," a voice says next to me. I look at the man out of the corner of my eye. He's a tall Ninja, wearing his headband like a bandana, tied in the front, with a senbon in his mouth. He has an easy grin on his face as he surveys the crowd. "Who're you?" I ask, somewhat politely. "Genma Shianui," he says. "Your proctor for this part of the Exam."

"What happened to Hayate? Is he sick?"

"You could say that."

I don't think I like the sound of that, but I don't say anything about it. If this Genma wanted me to know, he'd say something. Anyway, his name kinda sounds familiar.

Oh! I've got it!

"You're one of the people who protected Fourth Hokage, aren't you?" I ask Genma. His smile widens slightly. "Not many Genin know that," he says. "Where'd you hear it?"

"I was asking Kotetsu and Izumo about the Fourth Hokage, cause I was interested in his Flying Raijin Jutsu. They mentioned that he taught the technique to his personal guards. You were named."

"Why so interested in the Fourth Hokage's jutsu?"

"A while back, I saw a guy hawking fake Fourth Hokage kunai at passersby. I just wondered about the technique."

"Yeah well, I can't use it nearly as well as Minato could. He was a genius, pure and simple. Shame he died so young, so early in his reign as Hokage."

I don't say anything to that; I can't think of something that would sound right. And I think Genma knows that, because he turns away from me to address the others. "Sasuke Uchiha and Dosu Kinuta are both absent from the arena," he says, gaining everyone's attention. "If they fail to arrive by the time of their match, they'll forfeit."

Naruto pales at that, and stares anxiously at the entrance. I'm surprised he cares so much about Sasuke's abscence. They fought so much during our Academy days, it's a wonder how they get along now. But his concern is plain as day on his face, despite my doubt.

Wait. I'm fighting Dosu.

YOU BETTER GET HERE YOU DAMN SOUND NINJA! THERE'S NO HONOR IN A WIN BY DEFAULT!

Dammit, I think Lee's rubbing off on me...

"The first match is scheduled to be Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuga. Everyone else, get up to the waiting area."

(Really sorry, but Naruto's match is kinda long and I don't really feel like describing it. Like other authors have said, if you really want to see it, watch the show, or you know, read the manga. Anyway, Naruto kicks Neji's ass, Sasuke still isn't there but his match is postponed, and everyone else's matches get pushed up, but Kankuro forfeits)

"Due to the fact that Dosu Kinuta has failed to arrive by the time of his match, the win goes to Akari Kita."

"YUKI!" I shout down at Genma. He looks up at me with mild surprise on his face. "MY LAST NAME'S YUKI, NOT KITA!"

He takes this news in stride, turning back to the crowd and saying, "The win goes to Akari Yuki!"

"Yuki?" Shikamaru questions. "I prefer to go by my real family's name," I say somberly.

He nods and turns back to the arena, where Genma is currently calling the next match.

As I watch, Temari glides down to the field on her fan, making a majority of the crowd ooh and ahh. Shikamaru hesitates, muttering something about forfeiting. I know he really doesn't want to fight a girl, because he thinks it's dishonorable to win against the opposite gender, but he's being an idiot for the first time in his life. And I hope he comes to his senses sooner rather than later.

You know, maybe it's too soon.

Naruto's just knocked Shikamaru over the railing and into the arena, where he crashes to the ground, a cloud of dust shooting into the air at his impact. I peer over the railing at him as the dust settles. He sighs and waves at me, confirming that he's alright. I smile down at him, a little mocking, a little reassuring. "You can do it, Slothy!" I call out, cupping my hands around my mouth.

"Don't call me that!"

"Awwww, but it suits you so well!"

"Akari! What about me?!"

Turning away from Slothy, I stare out at a frowning Temari, who has her hands on her hips and her eyes trained on me. I smile at her, my argument with her brothers forgotten for the moment. "I'm rooting for you too, Temari!" I shout, waving my arms at her.

"You can't root for the both of them!" Naruto shouts adamantly.

"And why can't she, Blondie?" Temari demands, glowering at the number one knuckle head Ninja of the Leaf.

"Cause!" he retorts. "Only one of you's gonna win, so she can't root for the both of you!"

"Naruto," I say calmly, stepping in front of him to block his view of Temari. "They're both my friends. Is it wrong to want them both to do their best?"

He blinks at me, confusion swimming in his bright blue eyes. I marvel at the color, really noticing it for the first time. I don't think I've met someone with eyes like this before, so big or so blue. They're very special, very unique.

"Guess not," he says, pouting. I smile and pat his arm. "Thanks for understanding."

But even though I am rooting for both Shikamaru and Temari, I do know only one will win this match, and I'm not sure I can watch. So as Shikamaru is pelted by food and yelled at for being a no good lazy loser, I bury my face in Shino's jacket, who stiffens at my closeness. "Sorry, Shino," I say softly. "I just... I can't watch my friends fight like enemies."

I expect him to push me away and scold me for letting my emotions complicate matters, but he surprises me by wrapping an arm around me and saying, "It's never ideal to see the ones we care for fight."

I smile into his jacket, glad he's showing a soft side for once. Shino is easily the most closed-off person on my team, and though I don't love him any less for it, it tends to become annoying rather quickly. He's never really like this, so I'm going to enjoy it.

Shikamaru and Temari begin their match. Shino describes it to me in detail, while I keep myself turned away from the action. I can feel people watching me, probably wondering why I'm so opposed to watching the fight. Some of them are probably snickering, thinking I'm with my boyfriend or something. I doubt many of them understand my reasons for not watching. I suppose some of the Ninja might, having seen a lot in their careers as Shinobi. But again, they know we aren't meant to show emotion as Ninja. It can ruin missions and end lives.

I can't seem to help letting my emotions through, though. I cry and I care and I feel on every mission I've been on, and probably will continue doing so until it gets me killed. I'm a failure at being a true Ninja in that regard, but it's who I am, and I wouldn't change that part about me even if I had the chance. Living a life without letting my feelings show... it isn't much of a life, now is it?

"Winner, Temari of the Village Hidden in the Sand!"

"He could've won! He had it! What was he thinking?!" Naruto exclaims, tearing at his blonde hair as he stares with huge eyes at Shikamaru, his hand still raised in forfeit. Temari is as shocked as anyone, not dropping her own hand even though Shikamaru's Shadow Possession Jutsu has since worn off.

"He must be out of chakra," Shino says knowingly, arm still held around my shoulders. I turned back around when Shino told me that Shikamaru had Temari caught in his Shadow, so I saw the final moments. Even though he's lost, I'm still damn proud of Slothy. "You're probably right, Shino," I say. "That jutsu takes a lot out of him when he uses it so many times, one right after the other."

"And there goes Naruto..." Shino sighs, as Naruto launches himself into the arena to scold Shikamaru, who's stretching out his back. Temari jumps back up the waiting area while Naruto verbally assaults Slothy, who waves him off.

A Ninja appears behind Genma and whispers something to the Jonin. Genma pulls out a pocket watch as the Ninja disappears and frowns at the clockface. "I wonder what that's about?" I say, squinting at Genma.

"Sasuke still hasn't arrived."

"Oh, you're right, Shino. Think he'll make it?"

"I would be very surprised if that Uchiha decided to miss his match."

Some minutes later, Genma's watch is in his hands again. He bites down harder on his senbon, looking like he'd rather be facing enemy Ninja than an angry crowd as he looks out at them all. He opens his mouth to say something.... when suddenly leaves fill the arena, swirling around the center, and more specifically, around two figures.

As the leaves die down, I spot the familiar red and white crest of the Uchiha Clan. Sasuke has arrived, and he's brought Kakashi with him.

Naruto did mention something earlier in the month about Kakashi favoring his raven-haired student, and how unfair he thought the whole thing was. Guess they were training a bit too late today.

Kakashi and Genma exchange a few words and he smiles beneath his mask. Happy to not have gotten Sasuke disqualified after all, I'd guess. He disappears in a puff of smoke and Naruto and Shikamaru start to make their way up here, as Gaara turns to head down the stairs.

The crowd has gone silent, and it's startling, this huge arena being so quiet, as only a moment ago it was buzzing with cheers and shouts... and complaints.

"He certainly knows how to make an entrance," I comment, rolling my eyes at the arrogant Uchiha. "Perhaps it helps keep his ego from deflating," Shino suggets, in what is almost a joke.

"But he's emo! He doesn't have enough feelings to care about his big head!"

Another few minutes go by, and Gaara enters the field, walking calmly over to Sasuke and Genma. But Naruto and Shikamaru haven't made it up here yet. What's keeping them?

I gently move Shino's arm off my shoulders. "I'm going to go find the boys," I say and he nods, his eyes, hidden behind his dark shades, on the confrontation below. I make for the stairwell, holding one arm behind my back.

It's quiet in the hallway leading to the arena. Much like the stadium was, though it's since burst into rapid calls and whoops of excitement. I can hear it beating through the stone walls of the hallway, resonating in my ears. It's a bit like a heartbeat, steady and loud in the silence around me.

"...that could have been us," I hear someone say. I cock my head to the side, before smiling broadly. "Slothy!" I call, rushing forward, only to slip on something covering the ground.

"Akari!"

Hands grab me under the arms, keeping me from ending up flat on my back on the cold ground. I look up at Naruto's saddened face, blinking, half in gratitude and half in worry. Naruto helps me stand up straight, then disappears in a puff of smoke. A Shadow Clone.

I look down at the ground, searching for the mess I slipped on. It's red and thick, like... blood. And it's... it's everywhere. On the walls, the ceiling, the ground, and now my sandals. "W-What the hell happened down here?!" I demand, unable to move from my current spot. Shikamaru stands from his seat on the steps and faces me. "Gaara killed two Ninja who attacked him," he says.

I swallow hard.

Why is it always Gaara?

Naruto stands as well, hands fisted in determination. "I've got to find Kakashi Sensei!" he says. "He needs to stop this match!"

And with that, he races off to a different stairwell that leads up to the stands. I remain frozen, desperately trying not to look at the blood slowly soaking into my shoes. Then my body moves on its own, walking forward and out of the blood, riddled with gritty sand. I stop in front of Shikamaru, who meets me just at the edge of the blood puddle. He's panting and sweating, his hands still held in a Sign.

"Had to get you away from that," he says, giving me a grim smile. "I need new shoes," I murmur, feeling the awkward squish as I shift my weight to my opposite foot. Gross. So. Freaking. Gross.

"C'mon," he says, grabbing onto my hand shakily. "Let's go find that idiot."

We follow Naruto's footsteps, going slowly up the same steps he raced up, and emerge just behind the many rows of seats, filled to capacity with shrieking fans. They're loving Sasuke and Gaara's fight.

Naruto is easy to find, as he's always loud and even more so when he's arguing, which he's currently doing with Kakashi Sensei. Sakura, Ino and Choji are watching them with interest, as Naruto suddenly stops talking. Kakashi, standing next to Guy Sensei and Lee, looks out at the arena, where the strange sound of chirping birds can be heard.

"Chidori," Guy says, glaring at Kakashi. "One Thousand Birds."

Kakashi shrugs innocently as Guy adds, "That's some technique to be teaching someone as young as Sasuke."

Kakashi crouches down, a hand in front of his mouth as he looks at Lee and smiles. "You're not one to be judging. Right Lee?"

Lee says nothing, just tightens his grip on his crutch, causing blood to drip from his knuckles. I frown softly at him, then gasp as Sasuke suddenly zips down the opposite arena wall, something resembling crackling lightning held in his left hand. He races towards Gaara, dragging the lightning, which must be some sort of chakra, with him. He collides with Gaara's sand shield, held around the red-headed Sand Ninja in a dome-like structure that looks stronger than thick plates of steel. Sasuke's lightning jab peirces Gaara's shield, burying his arm deep in the sand.

Sasuke has really improved since I last saw him fight. At the Academy.

Gaara lets out an agonizing shriek: "MY BLOOD! MY BLOOD!"

Something horrible is happening right now; I can feel it.

"I need to go find Kiba and Hinata," I say to Shikamaru, whose eyes are fixed on the scene below. "I need to warn them."

"About what?" Shikamaru asks, his eyes flicking to my worried face. "I just think... that something is going to happen. Something none of us are expecting."

"I'll go with you then."

"No, stay with these guys, and try to calm Naruto down."

After a glance at the blonde, and with much reluctance, he agrees to let me go. I turn and move around the top of the stands, distancing my attention from the fight. I can't watch it right now, I'll get too distracted.

It takes a few minutes, but I find the section I saw Hinata and KIba sitting in when I first walked in. And there's Kiba, lying unconscious on the ground.

"KIBA!" I exclaim, dropping to my knees by his side. Akamaru's out cold too, but they both seem to be ok. I shake Kiba's shoulders, first gently, then violently. He remains unconscious, as does Akamaru. This is isn't good. Who could've done this--?

Feathers...?

I blink at the white feathers falling slowly around the arena. There's hundreds of them, all pure white and delicate-looking. Heads drop all around me, people nodding off into a deep sleep. My own eyes are threatening to shut, heavy with a sleep I'm only just feeling.

"Genjutsu," I murmur. Thank God Kurenai Sensei taught us to spot and counter Genjutsu just like this one. I place my hands together in a sign. "Release!"

The feathers diperse from my field of vision, and my eyes snap open, wide awake once more. But the majority of the crowd is not so lucky; they're completely out of it. Only the experienced Leaf Ninja, and the enemy Sand and Sound Ninja, are awake.

And of course, there's Gaara, looking like he's spent to the extreme, being carried off by Temari and Kankuro while Genma and Baki have a standoff. After a minute, Sasuke takes off after the Sand Siblings.

WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON HERE?!?!?