Chapter 30: Final Exam

Nia breathed heavily as she hid behind a tree in the cover of darkness. Her body was beaten badly and sweat ran down her face.

'Damn...' She thought as she bit her lip, 'I should've probably rethought this...'

"Found you!"

A kunai was thrown in the girl's direction and if she hadn't dashed out the way, it would've pierced her throat.

My god! That was close... what the hell was I thinking taking this test? This is no joke.

"Behind you!"

Nia turned only to be met with a kick to the stomach. She crashed into a tree a few yards away and slid down to her bottom. Kakashi immediately appeared in front of her with a disappointed look.

"If you don't fight, you'll die... you know that." He said in a chilling manner.

When Nia just clenched onto her stomach, Kakashi squatted and said to her, "You were told the second you and I were separated from the others that this exam would a life and death battle. You may not know this but... in the Leaf, we have something called the chuunin Exam, where in one part of the test, you're left in a forest filled with many things that could ultimately kill you and with squads willing to kill you just to take a scroll that is in your possession. You have it easy here..."

Nia gasped for more air as blood dropped down her forehead.

"This test only involves me as your opponent and not fifty others... However, I'm not gonna go easy on you. You need to know what it's like to fight for your life when you go out during missions. You can be killed at anytime. Like right now even. You're completely vulnerable."

"Then just kill me already if I'm so vulnerable!"

Her words made the jonin think of the time Jiraiya told Kakashi what had gone down with her and Naruto when he had turned into the four tails.

"Whilst your down in the Hidden Cloud, be prepared for anything Kakashi..." Jiraiya gave his friend a stern look.

"Why do you say that?" The copycat ninja replied.

Jiraiya thought of Nia's battle with Naruto transformed and frowned.

"Nia's character is a bit... depressing. You'll have to keep watch of her at all times especially during a significant moment that challenges her emotions. From what I've seen from her so far, she seems to only show a happier more cheerful side when she's by me or Naruto. However, that could quickly change..."

"What're you trying to get at?" Kakashi asked.

"Her and Naruto... I don't know what it is... but I can sense that there's a bond slowly forming between them that I don't think even I can't compete with in the future. However, I doubt it could ever get close to how Naruto's bond is with Sasuke."

"What about Sakura?"

Jiraiya smirked then said, "Oh you'd be surprise by what I've gotta tell you, Kakashi."

'Naruto could possibly already be in love with this girl and may not even know it...' Kakashi came to a conclusion, 'Yamato told me that while he was in that state, even Sakura couldn't get the boy to snap out of his senses or protect her in any way. Yet... he did so with this girl... and in such a short amount of time... why?'

"Tell me..." Kakashi leaned forward, "Exactly... what is your relationship with Naruto?"

"My relationship with him...?" Nia repeated, "What the heck does that gotta do with this thing? Weren't you about to kill me?"

"Answer."

"We're just... I don't know, friends I guess? Why?"

"Now answer me this: What was your life like before you encountered Master Jiraiya and Naruto? Were you really scorned by others for your appearance and skills in ninjutsu?"

Nia sighed and struggled to her feet. Her hand remained at her stomach.

"Yeah..." She confirmed, "Everything you heard is true... I was pretty much an outcast and nobody really cared for me. I found comfort in reading one of Jiraiya's novels and even feel love towards the main character of the novel."

"Naruto, huh?"

The genin blushed, "Yes, but not the real one okay?!"

"Sure."

'I see... so her being ridiculed and lonely is what caused Naruto to feel such a bond with her so early. He can relate to her in some fashion. However, though they were ridiculed for completely different reasons, the feelings they had are the same: they felt rejected by everyone.' Kakashi came to a conclusion.

"This match continues..." He stood upright, "Fight with everything you have from now on."

•••••

"Don't you think you should get some rest, Naruto?" Yamato asked as he had been awakened by the sound of kunai clashing.

"No, I'm fine." The genin replied as he stayed sitting on the grass and looking ahead at the gates that separated him from the forest where his sensei and Nia were battling, "You can head back to sleep, Captain Yamato. I'm just waiting for the exam to be finished."

"It's been hours, Naruto. You really should get some rest."

"I'm fine, ya know!"

Yamato sighed, "All right... don't be complaining in the morning when we head back to the village."

"Yeah yeah." Naruto replied, not taking his eyes off the entrance.

Yamato steadied the expression on his teammate's face.

He's so sure of himself that that girl will end up being promoted to chuunin... she didn't seem like much though at first but I do admit her taijutsu was pretty impressive. If her ninjutsu skills are sharpened, she could become a great kunoichi for her village.

With those closing thoughts, Yamato headed back to sleep. Naruto kept his eyes awake and his ears alerted.

C'mon Curly Brow, I've fought with you before. You can definitely pass this exam if you just believe in the skills that you have. If you don't, Kakashi-sensei will mop the floor with you easily.

•••••

"You should be grateful that you have such a caring friend who believes in you." Kakashi told Nia as they engaged into a physical fight, "I can feel it right now. There's no doubt in my mind that Naruto is waiting outside of the gates waiting for you to tell him you've ranked up."

With a swift kick, Nia managed to push Kakashi back a few feet.

"You don't gotta tell me about Naruto 24/7. I know he believes in me but I just don't see why." The girl replied as she charged at her opponent.

Kakashi used a substitution and remained hidden in the darkness. Nia got into a defensive stance.

"It's because Naruto is a true friend. He believes in his friends and their potential. He believes in you especially."

Nia kept alerted of every little sound and used her hearing to try and detect her opponent, "Where are you at? Show yourself already."

Unbeknownst to her, Kakashi was behind her once more. However, his next sudden movement was caught by the girl and she retaliated with a fist to the face. When it made contact though, it was revealed that she had punched a clone.

"Maybe if you stopped relying on just your taijutsu, you might get somewhere. Isn't the point of this test is for you to prove how well you can use ninjutsu also?"

Nia clenched her fist, "I... I don't think I can really pull off anything useful against you."

"Well... try seeing your way out of this one then. Fire style: Fire Ball Jutsu!"

A large ball of flames spilled out of Kakashi's mouth. Nia was in awe at the giant ball and quickly moved out of the way. However, Kakashi simply followed her with the jutsu and it became apparent that if she doesn't use another ninjutsu to block the attack, she would surely be either heavily injured or dead.

'Focus Nia...' She told herself, 'Jiraiya said to imbed your chakra and turn it into water...'

Escaping into the trees, Nia converted as much chakra in her to water. Her only problem now was remembering which hand seal to use as usual. At one point, she tripped over a branch and fell to the ground.

She turned and saw Kakashi's jumping coming straight at her. In fright, she put up the tiger seal and called: "Water Style: Water Pillar!

Fortunately for her, this seal was the correct one and the water that spewed out her mouth, managed to overpower the flames Kakashi had produced. The impact of it though, pushed her yards away.

Once making a stop, Naruto's headband slid off her forehead and landed on her lap. The girl felt this and slowly opened her eyes. Her eyes immediately landed on her comrade's item.

"This always helped me to never give up on anything and always reminded me of what I am: a ninja. It should do the same for you."

"Naruto..." She mumbled as she took the headband and stood up.

"Wear this."

A true friend, huh? Someone... who believes in me...

"You managed to save your life." Kakashi appeared from the shadows, "I'm impressed."

Nia continued to stare at the headband. Kakashi smiled.

"Did you forget you're wearing Naruto's headband? That should be proof to you of how much faith the boy has for you. Naruto's very possessive of that headband and him letting you wear it is a huge deal, believe me."

"Sure... I guess."

"So, let's resume, shall we?"

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A/N- Well this is it for this chapter. Thanks for reading and please comment and vote :)