Silence filled the arena, my grip tightened once again. Naruto was close to my side, squinting his eyes as he tried to see what was going on.
Hinata gasped, her eyes wide as she felt a pain rocket through her heart. She coughed out, blood spraying onto Neji's hand, her knees buckled. "So, that's it, huh. That's all there is to the main branches power?" Neji asked, squinting his eyes as he looked back at Hinata.

"Wait! What is going on? I saw Hinata hit Neji perfect perfectly!" Naruto shouted out to my side, his eyes wide open. Blood dripped down the corners of Hinata's mouth, her breath was strained as she gritted her teeth. Her chest ached, she squinted her eyes. I'm not done yet! Hinata thought with a burst of courage. Hinata moved her arm to the side, pushing Neji's out of the way. Her breathing was shallow as she took another step closer, she opened her palm, heading straight towards Neji's forehead. Neji's eyes widened slightly as he saw her hand coming closer, he moved swiftly grabbing onto her wrist, he shot his fingers into the side of her arm. Hinata winced.

What's with this kid? Kakashi thought, uneasily shuffling as he watched Hinata's arm bend up. It can't be... Kurenai shook her head, taking a long breath in. Lord Hokage held his pipe in his right hand, so, now I see why he's called the most gifted one to emerge from the Hyuga clan. 

Hinata's vision started to shift from blurry to clear, he held onto her wrist tightly, grabbing onto the sleeve of her jacket, he pulled the fabric back. Hinata gasped out as she looked down at her arm. Red marks riddled her skin, "B-But!" Hinata looked down at her skin. "Y-You mean......all this time....you." Her breath staggered. "That's right. I could see your chakra points the whole time." 

"Huh? What is he talking about?" Naruto wondered out loud, I sighed, closing my eyes. Kakashi took a step closer to us. "In the chakra network, there are three hundred and sixty energy sensors or chakra points, and each is only about the size of a head of a pin. Hitting one directly can affect chakra flow, either halting it or increasing it. Depending on how the attacker strikes the chakra points. Theoretically, doing so would allow a ninja to gain complete control over an opponents chakra flow. But these chakra points, they're undetectable, even to my Sharingan eye." Kakashi explained to us, we all looked up at him. Sakura gave a little gasp. "And even beyond his ability to see the chakra points, he can target them accurately, even during intense battle."

Neji's palm went straight to her chest, Hinata flew back, her arms in front of her as she skidded on the ground. Neji took a step closer to her, I clenched my jaw.
"Look, Hinata. I'm completely out of your league and that won't change. This is what separates the elite from the failures." Neji called down to her, watch her slowly climb up to her knees. She was gasping for air, her chest shook violently, stinging pains rocketing through her. She turned her head around to Neji. 
"You may not like it, but it's a fact. From the instance, you said you wouldn't run anymore. Your fate was sealed, you were destined for failure." Hinata panted, her vision starting to tune blurry. "And now, you're consumed with hopelessness." Hinata turned her head away from Neji, he took a step closer. "Now, this is your last warning Hinata. Forfeit this match." 

Hinata's palms spread across the floor, she looked down at the ground. "I......" She said through sharp breaths, "I-I--!" Hinata coughed, her blood dripped onto the floor, she clenched her fists. "Hm?" Neji furrowed his brow. A small puddle of blood formed around Hinata, her arms shook as she pushed on them, struggling to get up. "I-I.....never....." Hinata stood up, her legs weak. "Go back on my word." Hinata stood up straight, she looked up at me in the stands. "That too is my ninja way."

My eyes widened slightly, I moved my head down. A small smile peeked at the corners of her lips, my grip loosened up against the railing. 
"I-I had no idea that Hinata was as tough as she is," I said in a whisper, Lee looked over to me. "She is a lot like you," Lee said with a small nod. "Mhm." Sakura nodded as well, "Y'know, come to think of it, she is always watching you." Sakura kept her eyes on the match. "Huh?" I tilted my head to the side, Sakura kept silent.
Hinata.....I thought, turning my head back down to her, she snapped out of her small trance, turning her head back to Neji. Her clear eyes shimmered, her Byakugan clicked on. Neji followed.

"Bring it on." He called back to her, furrowing his brow. Hinata coughed, a stinging pain hit her in the heart, she put her hands on her chest. She continued to cough up blood, I gritted my teeth as I watched. The stadium turned silent.

She has reached her limit. Kurenai thought, a nervous look in her eye.  One more blow and she's done. 
Neji regained his stance, his palm outward, facing towards Hinata's shaking figure. She quickly retaliated, taking her stance back as well as she faced Neji. 

Neji's hits to Hinata's chakra points have completely stopped her chakra flow. Kakashi looked over my shoulder, watching the match as intensely as I was. That means she can no longer send chakra into her opponent's body to fight in the gentle fist style. This match is as good as over. Kakashi squinted his eye down at Neji, I never imagined there would be someone this powerful here. Kakashi's gaze shifted back over to me, my hand was tightly clamped onto the side of my neck, the other around the railing. I'm afraid that even as strong as (Y/N), they're no match for Neji. If (Y/N) were to move forward to the finals, that could put their life in danger. Kakashi slid his hands into his pockets. There's no way I could let that happen. 

It looks like Neji is going to win this match. Guy thought silently as he looked down, his palms resting on the railing. This girl just doesn't have what it takes to bring him down. 

Gaara kept his arms crossed as he looked down at Neji, his eye started to twitch. Kankuro looked over at Gaara, a bead of sweat running down the side of his face. He's got that look in his eye again......Kankuro nervously gulped. Whoever that Neji guy is, he's really done it now. Kankuro looked back down at him, his attention was on Hinata.

"Wow.....did you see his eyes?" Ino whispered off to my side, "Do you think he's really going to try to kill her? He wouldn't!" Ino crossed her arms, looking down at Hinata worried. "Doesn't it seem like the difference in strength makes it unfair? He's just way too strong! It's a mismatch!" Sakura shook her head, putting her hands on her hips. I ground my teeth together. The skin around my mark started to turn red as I applied more pressure. "Seriously!" Sakura scoffed out. 
My legs started to shake a little, my left knee falling to the ground. Sakura snapped her head over to me, I grimaced at the pain. Sakura took a step closer to me, I ignored her, using my other hand on the railing to pull me up, I leaned on the railing, half of my upper body over the rusty metal.

"Go! Hinata! You can do it!" I screamed out to her. Sakara stood close to my side, worry etched on her features. Naruto was close to me as well, shaking his head. Kakashi put his hand on my shoulder, "Don't get too worked up, (Y/N). It'll only activate the curse mark. You have to relax." 
I ignored Kakashi's advise, looking back down at Hinata.

Hinata was gasping for air, blood rolled down her chin, dripping onto the floor. (Y/N).....She thought, starting to regain her breath. "Tch." Neji clicked his tongue, strength has come back into her eyes, he thought as he straightened up his stance. 

Hinata charged towards Neji, blood dried on her lips. She kept her palms open, facing him. I've been watching you. She thought, not taking her eyes off of Neji. She extended her palm towards Neji's face, he turned to dodge, sending his palm back down to her arm, she pulled away before he could hit her. Neji took a step closer, sending another attack her way, she dodged it quickly, turning on her heel she sent a kick towards him, he bent down to dodge. He shot his leg towards her chest, she slapped his ankle out of the way, moving down to his head with an open palm. He turned around with a kick, picking himself off the floor, Hinata took a small jump back.

Hinata's mind was somewhere else, her body moving with the rhythm of their fight. I've been watching you closely for many years now. She thought, taking another lunge towards Neji. Their palms met, he pushed her arm away, moving towards her side with his other hand. Hinata bent out of the way. 

I wonder why. I don't know why......but.......

Hinata took a step closer to Neji, on the attack again. He dodged, uneasily landing on his left foot. Hinata bent down, sliding a kick towards his ankles, Neji jumped up just in time, dodging her attack. 

When I watch you, (Y/N).........

When I watch you, I feel happy. I feel like I can keep going. That even I am worth something.

Hinata lept at Neji, unevenly timing her attacks, he took the advantage. Hinata started to loose balance, he sent his palm down into the back of her arm, she started to fall forward with a shocked gasp. Neji opened his left hand, sending it flying towards Hinata's chin, her head snapped back as she started to fall.

"Hinata!" I shouted out in shock, she waved her arms, skidding back as she tried to keep her balance. Her knees bent slightly. Neji furrowed his brow as he looked over at her. Hinata started to cough, holding onto the front of her jacket as blood ran down her chin, her chest shaking with pain.

Hinata. Kurenai looked down at her shaking form. Hinata used to be a quitter, but I can see that she has changed. She put every once of her being into her training, I saw it with my own eyes. But even so, she continued to fail all her missions. She lost her nerve when faced with real competition and became easily discouraged. But that's not the Hinata I saw today. I have never seen, never seen such a look of fierceness in her eyes before.

Hinata took shallow breaths, turning her attention back onto Neji. Slowly, she regained her stance, straightening out her shaking legs. She ran towards Neji. (Y/N)........Hinata opened her palms. (Y/N), always I have done the watching. But, now, finally. You are the one watching me. 

Hinata gritted her teeth, pushing her arm towards Neji. And finally, finally I can show you! She turned her hips, Show you what I can do!

Neji took no time. He stepped closer to Hinata, dodging her attack, he his palm into her chest. A burst of his chakra was all that it took, Hinata's vision seemed to blur. Blood dripped from the sides of as she fell down to the ground.

With out a look of remorse, Neji walked away from her. 

Sakura gasped at my side, Naruto's eyes were wide open. Lee's mouth was ajar, I started to shake, sweat beading down the sides of my face.

"You just don't get it, do you?" Neji called out, his back facing Hinata. "Your strikes were ineffective from the start. You're finished." Neji started to walk back to the stair case, Hayate looked down at his clipboard.

Hinata, you've done enough. Kurenai thought with a small nod. You lost the match, but you've become a new person in the process. Kurenai closed her eyes. You did great.

"She....." I whispered, looking down at the slightly cracked bottle in my hand. "I wanted to change my self into something better." I let out a small sigh.

"It's too bad, but after that blow to the heart. Hinata is done." Guy said off to my side, I gritted my teeth.

Hayate walked over to Hinata, one hand in his pocket, the other firmly grasped around his clip board. "Since she is no longer able to continue this match-----" "No!"

I shouted out, "Huh?" Hayate turned his head over to me in the stands. "Don't stop this match!" "(Y/N)!" Sakura was staring daggers at me. "What on earth are you doing?!" A small smile graced my lips. "Hinata's had it! You can see that she's unconscious, can't you?" Sakura glared at me, "I don't know what you're talking about." I said back to her. "Huh?" Sakura snapped her head back, looking down. Hinata slowly started to climb up.

 Neji stopped dead in his tracks. Whispers passed around the room. Hayate's eyes widened slightly.

Hinata was violently shaking, she slowly rose to her feet, pain stinging her chest. She held her hand over her heart. Her breath quivered as each gasp stung. Her knees buckled as she stood, looking down at the floor. Neji turned his head around to her. 

"What do you think you're doing?" Neji squinted his eyes down at her. "If you continue to fight, I will kill you." Neji called out to her. Hinata kept her head down.

It doesn't matter. Hinata thought through pained gasps. I'm not going to let myself look bad, not now. Hinata took another breath, raising her head. Not in front of the person I admire most, who's finally seeing the real me. A small smile came to Hinata's lips, I watched her closely. 

Neji gritted his teeth, his Byakugan flared to life. Hinata took another step towards him, grasping onto her chest. "I am far--from finished." She stared at Neji, Neji scoffed. "Give up the 'tough guy' act. I can tell you're barely standing." Neji clenched his fists. 

"You've been carrying a very heavy burden, having been born to the main branch of the Hyuga clan. And you've cursed and blamed yourself for being weak. But look, people can't change the way they are. That's just how it is. Just accept defeat and you won't have to suffer anymore." Neji's voice turned strong. Hinata closed her eyes as she shook her head, "No. You're wrong brother. You've got it backwards." Hinata answered back, Neji furrowed his brow. "You see, I can tell that you're the one. You're suffering much more than I am." Hinata told him, "I am what?" Neji seethed. "You are the one who is all torn up about the family." 

Neji growled furiously, Hayate's eyes widened. Neji charged towards Hinata, "Neji! No! The match is over!" Lee shouted out next to me. Oh man. Hayate thought, turning towards Neji. Neji was about to attack Hinata. In a puff of smoke, he was stopped.

Kurenai held onto his left arm, as Kakashi kept his right. Guy's arm was tightly around Neji's neck as Hayate's fingers were an inch away from his forehead. Neji gritted his teeth. 

"Neji, get ahold of yourself." Guy called out behind him. "You promised me that this whole head family thing wouldn't get you riled up!" Guy looked down at him, Neji's eye started to twitch. "Why are you and the other Jonin butting in?" Neji growled back, "The head family get's special treatment, huh?"

Hinata's heart throbbed. Hinata gasped out, coughing as she fell onto her knees. Kurenai gasped. "Hinata!" She called out, rushing towards her. She bent down to her shaking from, her arm on Hinata's back. "Hinata." Kurenai repeated, laying her down on the ground. I jumped down from the stands, pushing off the railing. Naruto, Sakura and Lee followed me close behind. "Hinata!" I shouted out, skidding on my knees as I bent down to her.

"Hinata, are you okay?" I asked her, Hinata's vision started to blur, blood stained . She looked up to me. 

"(Y-Y/N)....." Hinata called out to me, her voice soft. I bent down closer to her. "Hm?" I asked, worry etched onto my face. "I just..........I......do you.....do you think.....I changed....maybe, a little?" Hinata asked, passing out on the ground. Her eyes closed. "Hinata....." I whispered down to her. 

"Hey, you." Neji called to me from behind, I turned my head over to him. I squinted my eyes as I looked at him. "I have two pieces of advice for you." I stood up, giving Neji an irritated look. "First of all, if you intend to call yourself a shinobi, stop that stupid cheering of yours. It's disgraceful." Neji took a step closer to me, I gritted my teeth. "And second, if you intend to stand in my way," Neji began, looking me in the eye. "I'll take you down."

"We'll just see about that!"I shouted back at him. Neji flashed my a grin, it made me angrier. I clenched my fists, turning on my heel, I made my way towards Neji. "I'm going to wipe that smug look off of your face!" I shouted, dashing towards him. Sakura gasped out, Naruto was about to chase after me, but Lee blocked my way before I could. Sakura let out a small sigh of relief.

Lee held onto my shoulders, Neji lost his grin. "What are you doing?!" I seethed, looking back at Lee. "Let me go!" I shouted out, Lee shook his head. "(Y/N), I get where you are coming from, believe me. But the rules say that all fighting must be done officially, in a match. The newbie beating the genius out of sheer will power, now would that not make an exciting match? Even if I am the one who is going to have to fight Neji, of course if you end up fighting him, that is fine too." Lee flashed me a small smile, I turned my head away from him, crossing my arms. "Hmph." My cheeks flushed pink, "Alright, you win Lee." I mumbled, starting to walk away from him. 

Lee smiled, throwing a thumbs up towards Guy. How was that, Guy-sensei?! Lee wondered, his eyes widening with enthusiasm. Guy nodded, good one Lee. Guy returned the gesture of the thumbs up, nice goin!

Hinata coughed loudly, cutting their moment short, my eyes widened as I looked down at her. Kurenai quickly ped Hinata's jacket, placing one hand on her chest the other on her neck. Kurenai gulped. She's going into cardiac arrest! Kurenai turned her head back to Neji, was he really trying to kill her?

Neji caught onto Kurenai's look. "I don't think you should waste your time glaring at me when you really should be taking care of her." Neji answered back, turning his head away.

Kurenai gritted her teeth. "Get a medic, and hurry up!" Kurenai shouted out, "We're coming." A few medics came running on, folding out a cot for her. I watched as they bent down to her.

"She has no pulse!" One of the shouted out, I gasped, running towards her. "It's very serious, she's got ten minutes at best." Another one said, I looked down at Hinata. "Let's get her to the emergency room now!" They lifted Hinata onto the cot, carrying her out of the room, I watched, horrified. 

They left. "Hinata....." I whispered, bending down on my knee, Neji watched my closely. A small puddle of her blood was all that was left behind. I took my right hand, putting each of my finger tips into the cold liquid. "Hinata....I promise...." I whispered, standing up I closed my bloody hand into a fist. I turned around, pointing it towards Neji. 

"I vow that I will win!"

To be continued....................