The Golden Fox And The Crimson Dragon Blade

Chapter 13: The Preliminary Rounds

During the next couple of days while more teams arrived in the tower, Dom and Shikamaru were either in their rooms, eating at the cafeteria or staying by Ino's bedside even after she woke up again. They had been visited by team 8, Naruto and team Gai since they also were at the hospital to visit Lee as well, Neji was a little less of a dick while they were by the injured and it seemed like his cooky attitude when around Dom was none existent. The golden eyes kid deduced that it had something to do with Neji probably seeing the faults in his earlier assumption about Dom after witnessing him in action in the forest. Though his attitude as a whole was still intact and showed when he spoke to others or just was near others in general, this was especially bad around Hinata who he still hated with passion.

It only was a few hours until the third round would start, and Dom was currently heading for the medical bay with Shikamaru to help Ino get to her feet so she could take part in the final exams. When she had woken up it was night and Dom had been by her side in the chair while Ragnar had been her pillow, the doctors were scared of the wolf at first and wanted Dom to get it out but both Ino and Dom told them that it was alright. In the end the doctors had to give up and just allowed for Ragnar to stay by Ino's side, the two had talked over the events that had transpired in the forest and it was clear on Ino's facial expression and body language that she was still slightly scared. It had helped tremendously though that Ragnar had been right behind her with his fur having a calming effect on her, Dom had also helped with more vocal ways of calming her down. In the end the two agreed on that she would stay in bed with Ragnar beside her until the day of the next exam where he and Shikamaru would get her back on her feet in order to be prepared. At first she was a little reluctant about getting up so soon after such a beatdown with the chance of fighting Sasuke again when they started the round. Dom however had assured her that what happened in the forest wouldn't happen again, he explained about the mark on Sasuke's shoulder as best he could and said that it had a heavy influence on how he acted when it activated. She did agree to him acting strange but that didn't remove her trauma from seeing her former crush breaking her bones and seemingly trying to kill her, it was difficult to process and accept as just being influenced by that mark, but she would have to get over it sooner or later.

(Shikamaru breaking Dom out of his thoughts) "Do you think she can get up in time to take the final exam?"

(Dom back in reality) "Yeah, I'm sure she can do it, we are talking about Ino after all and as far as I know she's tough as nails."

(Shikamaru sighing) "I guess you're right though I worry a little about when she meets Sasuke again."

(Dom) "I've already talked with him, and I want Ino to see and talk to him when they meet again, she needs to confront the fear in order to get over it quicker."

(Shikamaru sighing deeply) "This is all so god damn troublesome..."

Dom just laughed at his friends comment and kept walking along the hall making small talk about what the final round could look like though both of them were practically already aware of what the final rounds would be due to Dom's notorious history in watching the finals on stage when they were held in the leaf during old exams. Shikamaru was in the same boat as he had been forced to come along with his family to see the finals every time as well, eventually the two boys arrived at the hospital wing where they turned in and saw Ino already standing up a little shakily with Ragnar helping her with balance.

Dom and Shikamaru blinked as Ino was still in her hospital clothes which looked a little sexy on her though they quickly shoved it out of their minds and Dom formed a smirk while commenting on the sight catching her attention. "See, what did I say, she's tough as nails" Shikamaru just sighed at the comment and made his way toward Ino along with Dom not following far behind.