Kimiko's P. O. V:
I spend the next few minutes tending to both Akamaru's and Kiba's wounds. I'd finished healing the smaller wounds Kiba received and I'm now healing his head while he sits up in a hospital bed, his eyes glued to me the whole time.
After several heartbeats, I'd finished healing his head wound and pull back, the mint green glow fading from around my hands. I sit back on my heels with a sigh, swiping the back of my hand across my forehead.
I ask Kiba, dropping my hand, "How do you feel?"
"Heh. Good as new! Thanks!" He says, making me smile. "How's Akamaru?"
I say, glancing to the puppy asleep at Kiba's side, "With some rest, he'll be fine in a few hours." Kiba looks relieved by this.
"Your Medical Ninjutsu is incredible! And, thanks again for saving Akamaru, Kimi-chan," He says.
I say, "Anytime."
Kiba's grin drops as he sighs, "I just hate that I lost. I was hoping to impress you by winning against Naruto. I didn't even make it past the Preliminaries."
I stare at him as I say, "Kiba, you did impress me!" He looks at me in surprise. "I thought your fight against Naruto was awesome!"
Kiba blushes at my compliments. He says happily, "Gee, thanks, Kimi-chan! That means a lot, coming from you."
I ask as I lean forwards on my hands, "Kiba-kun, I have to ask you... well.... Do you... like me?"
He stares at me in surprise for a moment before saying with a soft smile, "Like you? Kimi-chan, I love you."
"Really?" I ask. He nods his head.
"Yeah. For a long time now. I think you're really cool, even though you can be a little scary sometimes. I still love you, though."
I smile as a blush spreads across my cheeks. I lean forwards and connect my lips to his. Kiba's breath hitches out of surprise but then he relaxes and cups my cheek in his hand as he relaxes into the kiss.
When we pull back, both our faces flushed, I says, Kiba caressing my cheek, "I love you, too, Kiba-kun. I've been meaning to ask you but things just kept getting in the way. So I guess we're official now?"
Kiba nods his head as he agrees, "Yeah. We are."
Kiba pulls his hand back as I call for the nurse to bring some beef jerky and chocolate chip cookies, as well as some soda, before I perch on the other bed, Shiori curled on the floor at my feet.
Kiba and I chat for awhile longer until the medics rush in, getting a space ready for Hinata who's in the Emergency Room. The second I heard those words, I rush into the E. R to treat an unconscious Hinata. Apparently, she'd gone into cardiac arrest due to a powerful blow from her cousin, Neji.
Feeling my blood boil with rage at what Neji had tried to do, I immediately set to work by summoning the green glow around my hands and placing them over Hinata's left chest. My hands glow a faint green as the medics allow me to help heal my friend.
My teeth gritted, I think in shock, "Just what was Neji doing?! Was he seriously trying to kill Hinata?! I swear, when I'm done here, I'm gonna give that bastard a piece of my mind!!"
Hinata had ten minutes due to lack of a pulse, but luckily, with my Medical Ninjutsu training from Four Eyes, I was able to heal her completely.
I turn to the medics after dumping the water, "Hinata will recover from now on. Take her to the infirmary." The medics look both awed and relieved but my face still looks like a storm ready to burst.
As the medics follow my order, I storm out and head for the balcony to have a "chat" with Neji, my teeth clenched.
I enter the battle arena, my bangs hiding my gaze as I stalk towards the stairs.
Third Person's P. O. V:
Everyone was still shaken up by the Hyuga battle when they hear footsteps echoing up the stairs. The Leaf ninja turn to see Kimiko stalking up the stairs, bangs veiling her eyes.
Some of Naruto's rage from before fades at the look of fury on the Princess's face.
Choji says, swallowing thickly, "Awe, man, Kimiko looks P. Oed!"
Kimiko stops right in front of the brown haired Hyuga, gaze still shadowed, as she says in a quiet tone, "Neji." Kimiko's voice is too quiet, causing everyone's faces to pale, though said Hyuga was better at hiding it.
Neji turns to the black haired girl, uttering bitterly, "What?"
Kimiko's fist goes flying it connects with Neji's face so strongly, that his head rocks back, a grunt of slight pain emitting from him, causing almost everyone to jump out of their skins as they stare at her wide eyed.
No one dares to speak as the sound fades out, and Neji, tasting copper in his mouth which he spits out, slowly turns his head back to the Princess. He narrows his white eyes as her hand trembles in the air, bangs still covering her gaze. Though her hand isn't trembling from pain of the impact; Kimiko's hand is trembling from suppressed rage.
"That was for Hinata... you son of a bitch!!" Kimiko growls out lowly, the sound bouncing off the walls. Neji touches his hand to his cheek, feeling it throb as he knew there'd be a red hand print there.
Kakashi sweat drops as the other Jounin gape at her, thinking, "Well, I guess we should've seen this one coming."
Kurenai thinks, staring at Kimiko in shock, "Considering how close Kimiko and Hinata are, it must've been hard seeing her friend in such a condition while Kimiko was healing her. It's no wonder she's livid."
"You little...!" Neji growls, narrowing his eyes in a glare.
"I knew why you hate Hinata...." Kimiko says in that same soft tone. "I know why you're angry... but that doesn't give you the right to take it out on Hinata!!" Here, Kimiko jerks get head up to reveal eyes burning with rage that makes Ino, Choji, Shikamaru and others standing close to flinch back.
"You're taking her side, too, huh?!" Neji snaps.
"I'm not taking anyone's side!! Hinata is my best friend, and I almost lost her because of your fit of anger!" Kimiko continues to rage, making Kankuro swallow thickly. He doesn't think he's seen anyone as livid as Kimiko is right now, and he's glad he's not on the receiving end of it. Kankuro can't help how intimidating the Sumire Princess is. She's about a head shorter than Neji. "If you ever harm my friend like that again, Neji," Here, Kimiko's face darkens even further, if possible, as she gets right in Neji's face, causing him to snarl back at her, "then I'll give you the exact same treatment! You'd better hope we don't meet in the finals because you might not come out alive!!"
Silence reigns upon the arena, so thick Sakura thinks you could cut it with a knife. She swallows thickly, trembling alongside Naruto and Lee. Even Kakashi was trembling slightly behind them, never having seen Kimiko this mad before.
Neji and Kimiko stare each other down until Kimiko pulls back with a final snarl at the male Hyuga, before she turns and stalks towards her teammates, hair swaying around her shoulders.
Choji stammers fearfully, "R-Remind me to never get on Kimi-chain's bad side ever again!"
"A-Agreed!" Shikamaru says, and Ino agrees as well.
Sakura stammers fearfully, "Wh-Whoa... that was terrifying."
Kimiko says bitterly, "Humph. Someone needs to slap some sense into that guy."
Naruto exclaims, "No fair!! How come you got to beat him up but I didn't?!"
Kimiko responds, "Because I had no intention of actually fighting him. I simply wanted to punch him."
Kakashi asks sheepishly, "Still, was that really necessary?"
At Kimiko's dark glare, he sweat drops. "It was highly necessary, Kakashi."
Naruto asks her frantically, "Kimi-chan!! How's Hinata?!"
Sakura adds, just as worried, "They said she only had ten minutes. Is she going to be okay?!"
Kimiko says, though her glare remains on her face, "Hinata is out of the woods now. There's no reason for you guys to worry."
Naruto and Sakura breathe huge sighs of relief as Kimiko wrenches her head around to glare icy daggers at the male Hyuga. He meets her glare unflinchingly.
While Neji wouldn't openly admit it, he is a little afraid of the Sumire Princess when she's livid. Neji is just better at hiding it.
Kurenai says to Kimiko, gratitude in her voice, "Thank you, Kimiko."
"Yeah! We can always count on your medical ninjutsu!" Lee says, smiling widely.
Kimiko says, "Yeah. Anytime."
Kimiko's P. O. V:
I'd learned from Sakura and Lee that Naruto had made a vow on Hinata's own blood to win his fight against Neji, should he ever get paired up with the Hyuga.
I just told Naruto that he'll have to get in line for beating up Neji, to which Naruto and I had argued about for a couple of minutes.
Shikamaru was saying to Choji, "Whoa, Choji. Glad I'm not you. I mean, you've still got the toughest ones left. I wouldn't want to face any of them. That creepy guy from the Sound Village, and Rock Lee's gotta be tough if he took on Sasuke. And especially not that Sand Village guy. I don't even like being in the same room with him."
Choji groans as he sinks to the floor, gripping the bars, "I'm not feeling so good! Maybe I ought take go ahead and forfeit right now!"
"But!" Asuma cuts in, gaining his attention. "You know if you win, I can take you for barbecue?"
"Whaaa?! Come on!"
Asuma steps up to him and crouches beside the brunette, resting an elbow on his knee. He says encouragingly, "Choji! Come on! Don't worry. If it gets bad, we'll step in and stop the fight, just like with Hinata, ok? Think of it. All the short ribs you can eat..."
I glance over as Asuma continues to bribe Choji.
I say, "So does that mean you're shouting for barbecue, Asuma Sensei?!" He looks at me in surprise.
"Well, I—"
"Great!! Asuma Sensei's shouting barbecue!!" I notice Sakura and Kakashi gazing at me. "What? I'm starved!!" I give a shrug as fire seems to burn in Choji's eyes and he lets out a battle cry.
"NOW YOU'RE TALKING!! ALL YOU CAN EAT! BRING IT OOONNN!!"
I hear Kankuro murmur, "I'm still curious about that Neji guy." He shifts his gaze from me to Naruto, now standing off by himself on the other end of the balcony. "Yeah. That might work!"
He begins to make his way over when Temari questions, "Where are you going?"
Kankuro responds flippantly, holding his hand hand up in a wave, "Just doing a little recon. I'll be back!"
I glance over to the Sand ninja and decide to go talk to Temari. I'm just curious about that fan of hers. " I start heading for the stairs.
Sakura asks, "Where are you going, Kimiko?"
"Oh, just to have a chat with Temari. I won't be long," I reply, continuing on before the pinkette could try to stop me.
When I pass by Kankuro, we lock eyes and he grins. I roll my violet orbs at him before I continue onto the opposite side of the arena.
I go up the stairs and I greet Temari with a smile, "Yo, Temari! Whassup?!"
She glances at me in surprise as I go up to her. "You're... Kimiko, right? What are you doing over here?" She asks.
"We may be rivals, but ever since I saw your fight with Tenten, I've been meaning to talk to you! Also, I just really wanted done space from Neji over there." I point as I glare towards Neji, lingering by Gai and Lee. Temari follows my gaze and when Neji meets mine, I just glare right back.
"Speaking of which, that was a pretty bold move, don't you think?" Temari says, referring to when is slapped him.
"Doesn't matter. I was so furious I couldn't restrain myself, even if I'd wanted to," I say, dropping my arm.
"I'M GONNA PULVERISE HIM, THAT'S HIS STORY!!" I hear Naruto declaring angrily, fist in front of him.
"Anyway, change of subject," I say as I lean my hip against the railing. "You're a Wind Style user, huh?"
"Yeah. I channel my chakra through my fan. It's a conduit for my powers," She says, nodding. "What about you? You have some pretty impressive Wind Jutsu yourself, Lightning Empress." Temari smiles.
I say, "Thanks! I just really think it's cool how you fight with a giant fan!"
As Temari and I chat about our Wind Style, fans and how we use them, I could hear Sakura say from across the room, "Whoa, who would've thought those two would get along so well!"
Kakashi says as he nods his head, "Hmhm. If I'd had to guess, I'd say it's because they're both Wind Style users. And the fact they both use fans as weapons."
"That makes perfect sense."
I notice Gaara eyeing me from behind the blonde.
I give a large sweat drop when Gaara seems to be glaring icily at me. Gee, what's up with him?!
When Hayate lets out a couple of coughs, we look back at him as he says, "Now, then. We'll continue the competition."
Gai cheers, "Aaallrriigghhtt! This time, you'll be picked. I just know it! Are you ready, Lee?!" He gives a thumbs up.
"No!" Says Lee, much to our shock. He folds his arms behind his back. "I have been waiting so long, I do not care! I might as well go last!" He turns his nose up at this notion.
Temari and I turn when Gaara puts his hand in a hand sign and disappears in a swirl of sand. The redhead reappears in the arena, saying, "Well, come on! Let's do this!"
Choji gives a cry of joy as he cheers, throwing out his arms, "SAFE AGAIN!!"
Ino hits his head as she snaps, "Stop that!!"
Shikamaru does the same as he adds, "Do you want everyone to know you're a chicken?!"
For the next match is....
Rock Lee
VS
Gaara of the Desert.
Sakura gasps, jerking her head to him, "Lee!"
Throwing out a kick, the ravenette says, "It worked like a charm! I knew I'd I said I wanted to be last, I would be next! I simply applied the principle that states that sometimes, the surest way to hit something is to stop trying to hit it!" He sets his leg down and switches to punching the air. "It is a form of reverse psychology!"
"Hooaahh! That's my student!" Exclaims Gai, clenching a fist. Sakura and Kakashi deadpan as I do.
"I was absolutely not going to be last, no matter what! Hahaha! I sure fooled them, did I not?!"
Gai says as he leans towards his student, "Now, then, Lee, listen carefully. A piece of advice before you begin."
Lee salutes him as he says, "Sir!!"
"Look!" They both peer at the redhead waiting in the arena. "You see that gourde that Gaara is wearing? Watch out! There's something weird about it!"
"Good advice, Sir!" Says Lee as he takes out a notepad and pen.
"Don't write it down! What are you thinking?! After all, you're not going to have time reading the notes during the match, are you?!" Gai chides him.
"Huh! More good advice!" Gasps Lee as he writes it down as well.
I think with a deadpan expression, "I hope Lee will be alright...though, for some reason, I have a bad feeling..."
Gai cheers as he clenches his fist and points to the arena, giving a sparkling grin, "NOW ROCK... AND ROOOLLL!!"
With fire burning in his eyes, Lee shouts eagerly as he launches himself over the railing, "YEEEAAAHHH!!" He lands in a crouch before straightening and getting into his usual stance, smiling widely. "I knew that sooner or later that we would have to meet, and I am glad that it is sooner!"
Kankuro states, "I don't know what kind of moves that kid with the dumb haircut had got, but he'll never take Gaara down, not in this lifetime."
Naruto says, "Wrong!!"
"What?!" Kankuro exclaims, turning his head to Naruto.
"Lee's stronger than you think. You have no idea!"
Lee holds out his hand and catches the cork from Gaara's gourde. "Why are you in such a hurry?" He inquires, dropping the cork.
I think wearily, "Be careful!"
As sand begins to seep from Gaara's gourde, Hayate says, holding out a hand, Alright, then. If you are both ready... begin!!"
With one hand behind his back, Lee takes a running start towards Gaara.