Everyone stood back at the rails, watching the next match

" So this another genin from the Sand Village," Neji noted.

" Go Tenten!" Lee cheered.

" This should be interesting to watch," Neji said over Lee's cheering. Aceso heard some moaning, she looked back to see that Ino was awake and Sakura was just waking up, she smiled and looked back at the match.

" Come on Tenten!" Lee cheered. " Use the power of youth!"

" Nice Lee, let's hear that support," Gai added on. " You can do it Tenten!"

" Take her down Tenten!" Lee shouted.

" For the fifth match, Tenten, Temari, get ready," Hayate advised. The two girls stepped closer to each other. " Begin."

" Huh?" Tenten asked as Temari smirked and Tenten jumped back.

" All right, Tenten!" Lee shouted so loud that both Naruto and Aceso covered their ears. " Keep her guessing."

" Go for it!" Gai cheered. " You've got the power of youth."

" Come on Tenten!" Lee cheered. " Send that girl back to her village on a stretcher. We're right behind you all the way, Tenten."

" Let's hear it!" Gai cheered. " Two, four, six, eight, who do we appreciate?"

" Woo. Tenten, Tenten!" Lee cheered.

" Ugh, how'd I get stuck in the cheering section?" Naruto groaned.

" I want to know the same thing," Aceso agreed as the two glared at Lee and Gai. Shikamaru let out a big yawn.

" Tenten is carefully determining her distance," Lord Hokage noted. " Just what I'd expect from her. She's well-positioned to attack or defend."

" What are you waiting for?" Hayate asked. " I did say to begin."

" Ha, guess she's waiting for me to make a move," Temari smirked. " Big mistake, because that first move I make will be the last one you see." She stepped forward and Tenten stepped back. " Come on, I don't want this match to be over too quickly, so why don't you go first?" She put her thumb down. " Come on girl. Show me what you got."

" Well, ok. If you insist," Tenten gave in. " Remember, you asked for it." She jumped up, releasing many throwing stars, Temari shimmered and they all missed her. " I missed her! There's just no way."

" What was that, a warm-up exercise?" Temari asked. " Or maybe you're a little nervous and it's affected your aim. Is that it? Rats, I was hoping I'd at least work up a sweat. But forget that idea if this is the best you've got."

" What is going on?" Lee asked as he leaned forward. " How could she have missed? It is incredible."

" It's impossible," Gai said. " Tenten's aim is perfect. She always hits her mark.

" Not this time she didn't," Neji noted.

" She never misses," Gai said. " There must have been something that made her miss."

" Huh?" Lee asked as he looked over and grabbed Aceso's braid again.

" Can you stop that?" Aceso requested as she took her hair back.

" Man, this is embarrassing," Shikamaru stated.

" Huh?" Naruto asked.

" The Sand Village wins again," Shikamaru said.

" What are you talking about?" Naruto asked. " The match just started."

" It's over," Shikamaru corrected.

" Give me a break," Naruto insisted as he put up his hands. " What makes you so smart?" Aceso grabbed his shirt again to hold him back. " Why don't you explain to me so I can understand?"

" Uh, skip it," Shikamaru denied. " If you can't see it, I'm not going to waste my breath."

" It's obvious like he said," Choji agreed. " This one's over."

" Ah, I don't get it," Naruto said. " I really don't understand these guys at all." Temari reached her big fan and Temari started running around her. " All right, try this on for size." She jumped up, opened a scroll, and let go all around her. Twirling in it elegantly before speeding up. A ton of sharp objects came flying down at Temari.

" No way," Tenten breathed as she landed and saw that not one of them hit her. " She stopped everything I threw. What has she got in that fan of hers?"

" Ha-ha, take a look," Temari laughed. " This is the first moon. There are two more. When you see all three moons you'll know, you've lost the match."

" Tenten!" Lee yelled. " Do not play your opponent's game. Maintain focus. Maintain focus." She then pulled out two scrolls.

" She's using that already?" Gai asked.

" What's with the two scrolls?" Aceso asked.

" What is she planning on doing with them?" Naruto asked.

" Watch closely my red rose," Lee said. Tenten placed two of them on the ground. Equally spaced between her, she then did some hand signs.

" Ha, it won't work, whatever it is," Temari declined.

" Rising twin dragons," Tenten said. There was an explosion, everyone grew more interested in the battle. Two smoke dragons rose, up, twirled with each other, and turned into scrolls. Tenten shot up from the middle and grabbed kunai knives, rapidly throwing them at Temari.

" Heh. It doesn't matter how many your throw at me," Temari said as she opened her fan. " It's all the same. Moon number two!" She twirled around and all the weapons went flying back up. Everything landed on the ground.

" I'm not done!" Tenten shouted as she jumped into the air, she had strings on her fingers and pulled all the weapons back up. " Ha!" She released them, Temari looked questionable as it flew towards her. She laughed and waved her fan once more. Tenten went flying back. Temari had all three moons on her fan showing. Tenten sat straight up.

" Moon number three," Temari listed. She jumped up with the man, spun, and disappeared with the flag. " Over here!" Aceso looked to see Temari flying down on the fan, she flew over Tenten, jumped off, and landed catching the fan, it was now closed. " Now it's my turn." She opened the fan once more. " Wind Scythe Jutsu!" She sent an intense wind gust to Tenten.

" Tenten!" Lee shouted as she went flying back. She was held up in the hair, screaming as the wind cut her up.

" Temari's chakra is controlling the vertex," Neji said.

" Huh?" Lee asked.

" She fought well, but she'll never escape from that whirlwind," Neji explained. " It's over." As the whirlwind ended, Tenten out of it, her back landed on the end of Temari's fan. She coughed up blood.

" Whoa, that girl's ruthless," Naruto trembled.

" Oh, Tenten," Lee breathed.

" Wasn't much of a match," Temari stated. " Kind of boring."

" To be able to stop everyone one of Tenten's attacks like that," Gai said.

" I still can't believe it," Lee said.

" It was impressive all right," Aceso admitted.

" Scary," Naruto added.

" Yep, it's another win for the Sand Village, just like you said it would be," Choji said.

" Well, of course," Shikamaru said. " That's why I said it."

" The winner of the fifth match, Temari," Hayate announced as he stepped forward, Aceso immediately appeared beside the two girls.

" Wait, a second!" Lee protested as Temari threw Tenten off, she flew into Aceso's arms, who went flying back. Moments later, Aceso felt someone catch them, very strong.

" Hey, nice catch," Temari complimented.

" What is wrong with you?" Lee demanded, Aceso realized who caught them, she got out of Lee's arms and the two of them put Tenten down. Aceso immediately began to apply treatment to Tenten. " She may have lost, but that is no way to treat an opponent who has done her best."

" Oh, beat it," Temari demanded as she pounded her fan. " And take that sack of garbage with you." He growled and started to get up. Aceso put one hand in front of her, stopping him, while the other hand healed Tenten.

" No, Lee!" Neji protested.

" Leaf Hurricane!" Lee shouted jumping over Aceso, he spun around and was stopped by Temari's fan. " What?"

" Not even close," Temari smirked. " You know what? You're as dumb as you look."

" What did you say?" Lee demanded angrily.

" Lee, stop," Gai ordered as he appeared on the battlefield.

" But Gai sensei," Lee protested.

" Temari, forget them," Kankuro ordered. " The match is over, so get up here."

" You won," Gaara informed. " Why are you wasting your time with that pathetic loser and his ridiculous mentor?"

" What?" Lee asked.

" Just calm down, Lee," Gai advised as he put his hand on his shoulder. " A word of warning. You Sand villagers have no idea what Lee is capable of. Remember, he still hasn't fought yet. So I'd be careful if I were you." Tenten's eyes began to open back up. She was coming back around, but it will be a while before her back heals.

" That kid's crazy picking a fight with them," Kiba said. " Those Sand Villagers guys are trouble. They're the last people I'd want to go up against."

" They do look almost unbeatable," Hinata agreed nervously. Akamaru whimpered.

" Don't worry Naruto, I'm sure you could take them," Sakura assured.

" Sakura?" Naruto asked. " What, you're all right? I never thought you'd be back so soon."

" I'm fine, but never mind me," Sakura said. " It's you, you should be thinking about."

" Huh? Me?" Naruto asked confusingly. " I don't have any injuries. I haven't even fought yet."

" What I meant was you don't want to disgrace yourself after you worked so hard to get here," Sakura corrected herself. " Think of what Sasuke will say."'

" Oh, oh right," Naruto breathed.

" Stay sharp," Sakura advised. " Oh, thanks, by the way. If you hadn't called out when you did, who knows what would have happened? If it hadn't been for you, I might not still be here."

" Yeah, that's probably true," Naruto agreed.

" Aceso?" Tenten asked softly as she started to get up.

" Take it easy," Aceso advised as she gently laid her back down. " You took a bad landing."

" My back," Tenten groaned as she tried to keep her tears in. Aceso looked back to see the Sand Villagers and Gai and Lee were staring each other down.

" Lee? Gai Sensei?" Aceso asked softly, he whipped his head around, he looked angry still but softened when he saw her. " Tenten is going to be okay."

" When will she wake up?" Gai asked as he looked back.

" She's coming around right now," Aceso answered softly.

" Tenten!" Lee cried running over with Gai sensei.

" Already?" Temari gasped. " Impossible, that trash should be out for a couple of days." Aceso glared at Temari before looking back at Tenten.

" You will be taken to the infirmary," Aceso informed as the medics came in and Lee and Gai appeared behind her. " Your back will be looked at more, but don't move from your room till I get there."

"Roger that," Tenten smiled weakly.

" We'll be there as soon as this is over Tenten," Lee said. " You did wonderfully in the name of youth." The medics placed Tenten on a stretcher and took her away, the other three went back up to the second level as the floor got cleared. Aceso now stood in between Sakura and Lee.

" Here we go!" Naruto cheered as the board went through more names. " Let it be me. Please let it be me."

" Let it be me," Lee insisted. " No, it's my turn." The board stopped on Shikamaru Nara and Kin Tsuchi." Both yelling boys groaned, Lee leaned over the railing as Naruto crossed his arms.

" Guess it's me," Shikamaru groaned as he walked into the battle arena.

" Shikamaru, come on!" Ino and Choji cheered.

" You can do it!" Ino cheered. " You can win this no problem."

" Ok, ok," Shikamaru groaned.

" All you got to do is tell yourself, I cannot lose," Ino advised. " Right?" " Ok, come on Shikamaru! Make that little girl cry!"

" Oh, man this is such a drag," Shikamaru complained. " I mean, give me a break. I've got to right a girl?"

" Yeah, you just keep thinking that way, little man," Kin said.

" Ready?" Hayate asked. " Sixth match. Shikamaru and Kin. Begin."

" It's all I've got," Shikamaru said as he did a hand sign.

" You're not trying that stupid shadow thing again, are you?" Kin asked.

" Shut your mouth!" Shikamaru snapped. " Ninja art, Shadow Possession Jutsu. Shikamaru's shadow stretched out.

" Is that you know?" Kin asked. " If that's the only trick you've got, this is going to be easier than I thought." She dodged the shadow and threw two needles with bells on them Shikamaru dodged them both.

" Bells?" Shikamaru asked as he looked back at Kin. " Heh. Oh, please. Not that old trick. Let me guess. Next, you'll throw Senbon with bells and Senbon without bells at the same time. I'll react to the bells and while I'm focused on dodging them, I won't notice the silent needles coming at me. Am I right? Good luck."

" You sure talk a lot, don't you?" Kin asked as she threw more needles.

" Now I know to be careful to dodge all the Senbon," Shikamaru noted as he dodged the needles. " Not just the one with the bells." A bell rang. " What? Where?" He looked back at the bells on the wall. " Threads? Oh, man."

" Too late," Kin declared as she threw Senbon at him, they hit him and he went flying back.

" Shikamaru," Ino gasped.

" Well, that didn't take long," Naruto said.

" Hold on, don't be so sure," Aceso said. " He's not beaten yet."

" Huh?" Naruto asked.

" One inch higher and that would have been a fatal hit," Shikamaru said as he took the two Senbons out of his arm, and threw them to the side. " Ok, now I get a turn."

" Sorry, that was your turn." Kin declined as she pulled on the thread.

" What the--what's going on?" Shikamaru asked as he fell to his knees.

" You see, you don't ever ask for whom the bells tolls, because it tolls for thee," Kin explained. " This bell sends off a peculiar sound vibration that travels to the outer and inner ear, then directly to the brain. First, comes paralysis, and soon you'll start hallucinating."

" Uh," Shikamaru groaned as he put his hands to his ears.

" It won't work," Kin smirked. " You can't block the sound out once it's inside your head. It's useless."

" I can't tell which one of them is real," Shikamaru said as he removed his hands and took a look.

" You can't move your arms or legs," Kin explained. " And even if you could, you wouldn't know which one of us to throw your shadow at. Face it, you're cooked, little man." She held up three Senbons. " I'm going to cook you nice and slow over a hot fire."

" You think it's that easy, huh?" Shikamaru asked. She threw the needles, Shikamaru put his arms up, and he got hit and flew back. " Ah."

" That was three," Kin informed. " Next time, I'll throw five. Each time, a couple more till you end up looking like a hedgehog."

" Stop playing games, why don't you?" Shikamaru asked.

" Hm?" Kin asked.

" If you're so tough, get it over with," Shikamaru advised. " Stop wasting my time."

" I'm sorry," Kin apologized. " So you're not a fan of my slow and painful method, huh?" Bells rang. " Fine, suit yourself. We'll do it the quick way then, and painful." She held up three more Senbons. She then had trouble moving her arm. " Wh-What's wrong? Can't move my arm." She struggled to put her arm down.

" It looks like my lame shadow Jutsu was a success after all," Shikamaru said as he stood up.

" But you haven't thrown any shadows," Kin recalled. " No way, I made sure of it."

" Ha," Shikamaru smiled. " You really still don't see it?"

" What do you mean?" Kin gasped.

" Look at that thread you're holding," Shikamaru suggested. " Don't you find it a little strange that it would even cast a shadow at this height?" The shadow moved, positioning to be cast over Kin completely. " Of course, you didn't notice it because you were concentrating on other things, like killing me."

" The shadow spreading out around me and I didn't see it coming," Kin said.

" Right," Shikamaru stated. " I stretched my shadow out along the line of that thread and followed it all the way back. Now I'm attached to you. He put his arm out, and Kin tried to resist as she did the same.

" And now, so we mirror each other's movements," Kin said. " So what? A cute trick, but what do you gain by it?"

" Man, you're annoying," Shikamaru groaned. " Shut up and watch." The two of them both reached into their pockets."

" You must be insane," Kin gasped with wide eyes. " If you throw that shuriken at me, you'll just be attacking yourself." They both pulled out a shuriken." Naruto and Lee both grabbed Aceso's braids once more, gripping them tightly.

" Makes it kind of interesting, doesn't it?" Shikamaru asked.

" You wouldn't," Kin denied as they got into throwing position. " You couldn't."

" Yeah, like a game of chicken," Shikamaru said. " Let's see who ducks first."

" You're crazy!" Kin exclaimed as they threw the shuriken. Shikamaru easily leaned back and dodge it, Kin tried the same thing but ended up slamming her head into the wall.

" And that's what I call you using your head," Shikamaru stated as she collapsed on the ground unconscious The shadow was no longer connecting the two. Shikamaru stood back up. " The wise shinobi carefully scouts the physical layout of the battlefield and never loses sight of his position on it. That was her problem. I made sure she was so busy focusing on me, she didn't notice the wall inches behind her head. So when we both dodge backward, kabong! Now, who's hearing bells?"

" Winner of the sixth match, Shikamaru Nara," Hayate declared, Aceso took back her hair and immediately appeared by Kin. She put her hand on her head and started to heal it.

" That a boy, Shikamaru!" Ino cheered.

" Yeah, way to go!" Choji cheered.

" Come on," Lee insisted. "Come on, me next. Me next, me next, me."

" Even that good-for-nothing lazy bum won his match," Naruto noted. " When am I going to get my turn?" The medics came in and took Kin away to finish.

" Come on Aceso," Shikamaru said as he walked over to her. "Let's move up."

" Are you in a rush to get up there?" Aceso asked as she stood up.

" My match is over, I don't need to stay down here," Shikamaru said. " If I do, it would be such a drag."

" Let me see your arms," Aceso insisted as she took out other supplies.

" Once we get up there," Shikamaru grunted as they made their way up.