The Soul Of Artemis

Chunin Exam Prelims

Naruto spent the next week attached to Rahn. He could feel the worried eyes on him, but all he did was hug and coddle Rahn. Rahn could feel the Goddess worry and so he made no move to do anything. He allowed the goddess to continue being protective of him, as if he wasn't placed on this earth to protect the goddess because he knew how stubborn the goddess was.

"Naruto, you should pay attention instead of hugging your fox." Naruto heard Kakashi say but he had nothing for him other a punch to the throat. Sasuke spoke to his family member as he told him what went down in the forest.

Though instead of asking Naruto was he okay receiving a death threat or asking Sakura how she felt after watching a human literally shed their skin, he asked Sasuke if was he effected by somebody asking for him.

As if Rahn didn't almost lay down his life for Naruto, and Naruto didn't receive a death threat from a serpent at 13.

"I'm definitely asking for a new Sensei. I'm going to kill Kakashi." Naruto said to Rahn as they waited for their matches to be called.

While Naruto was waiting for his turn he saw Gaara fighting Lee. It was a great match, and it seemed like Rock Lee had the advantage. He was faster than the sand, and so it looked like Gaara was going to channel his goddess powers.

His sand suddenly started to move faster.

"He has magnet release. He might have Mania's Lover sealed within him. A crazy spirit going by Shukaku , it might be why the bloodlust doesn't hide very well. He was definitely a killer among the gods."

Naruto didn't say anything in response to Kurama. He heard a blood curdling scream and realized that Gaara planned to kill Lee, and so Naruto shot his power out and screamed.

"MANIA!" As if Gaara came to his senses, he pulled his sand away and smiled, rubbing the back of his head.

"Did I go to far? I was listening to Shu-Chan." Naruto leaned against the railing.

"Just because Shu-chan calls you pretty doesn't mean that you should kill people." Naruto said and Gaara nodded, looking as he was declared the winner and the boy was wield away.

"Can I come sit by you?" Naruto nodded and ushered Gaara over. He walked up the stairs as Neji and Hinata looked to have their match.

Naruto looked over as he saw Neji ignoring Hinata's affections, something he has always done since they married back when he was ten. Neji was never interested, and it the fact that he showed no interest into Hinata which confused Naruto as to why Hinata was still in love with Neji.

"You do not compare. Simple." Neji said a little loudly, they had been talking and Naruto assumed it was about him but it was finally loud enough to where everybody could hear.

"How! I'm pretty, men tell me all the time. I'm not weak, and I don't look like I sleep outside!" Hinata said as she continued to dodge Neji.

"Naruto doesn't look like he sleeps outside.  There is no way I'll deal with somebody who has a personality like you." Hinata scoffed and Naruto heard Gaara speak.

"Ah is that your fated one? He's cute! Shu-chan said I would end up with somebody like him." Gaara said and Naruto nodded.

"He's cute, and we get along well." Naruto said and Gaara nodded.

"Are you going to declare your love here ? Tell this entire stadium and I'll leave you alone." Hinata declared, she boldly stepped back and folded her arms daring Neji to admit to an arena full of people that he adored Naruto.

Neji cleared his throat and stepped back. He spoke loudly as he looked Hinata dead in her eyes.

"That blonde haired beauty with their hair braided and bright ocean blue eyes is my intended, and I like him a lot and I plan to seal the deal and marry him once we are older." The entire arena went silent and Hinata's mouth dropped.

"Naruto will be a Hyuga in due time and I have staked my claim on eventually marrying him. Thank you for your time on the matter." Neji said, he looked to Hinata and she blinked

"Now leave me and Naruto alone you psycho." Hinata scoffed and stomped her feet.

"UGH I QUIT!" She meant to say that she quit trying to break Neji and Naruto up. There was no way her stubborn cousin wouldn't have admitted that if he didn't mean it. Though she was annoyed that Neji would just toss their destiny away like that like they weren't always connected.

That is why her father decided to move Neji from the branch family to the head family, because the original plan was to have Hinata and Neji marry, the eyes of their child would be amazing, though Hiashi wanted to see how Uzumaki blood will enhanced the eyes in future generations.

"Winner Neji Hyuga." Hinata heard that and gasped, wanting till the referee what was wrong. That she hadn't meant it like that, but all the protest fell on deaf ears and she was ushered off the stage.

Gaara looked over to Naruto to see his expression not seeing a hint of embarrassment on his face Gaara frowned and started asking questions that fell on deaf ears. Sasuke looked over to Naruto to see him looking at Gaara with an expression that clearly tells you that he wasn't listening.

"That idiot. How can he just admit that so casually?" Naruto asked as he felt an arm around his shoulder, he looked up and saw Neji looking down at him.

"You didn't introduce us? I believe this is the person you almost punched?" Neji said with a question, Gaara stopped his mindless rambling and spoke.

"I'm Gaara, but only Artemis can call me Mania." Neji tilted his head, and looked to Naruto. Naruto blinked calmly and looked to Gaara.

"Mania, loose lips." Gaara opened his mouth and quickly closed it. Naruto looked up at Neji and spoke.

"How could you boldly declare that?" Naruto asked as his name was announced to fight Kiba. Kiba ans Akamaru didn't want to face the wild child but had no choice if they advanced. Neji only smirked and patted Naruto on the head and spoke.

"Good luck." Naruto blinked and Neji hummed.

"Tell me about the Artemis when we go home yeah?" Neji phrased it like a demand and Naruto was caught off guard, though he didn't feel like he forced to tell him, but him and Neji told one another everything.

"Yeah, I'm going to win my match now." Naruto said as he left, Neji looked to the rail and Gaara stood next to him. Rahn didn't accompany Naruto and Gaara asked a question.

"So do you both kiss or anything?" Neji looked at Gaara and Gaara shrugged and looked back towards the fight.

He guessed Artemis intended didn't want to talk to him.

*