Lost (Updated)

45

Sora walked down to the area facing off with Hikari who smiled at her.

"It seems like this was always meant to happen, I bet you're excited," Hikari said.

"I've never had the desire to fight you," Sora said.

This confused Hikari but she didn't have time to dwell on it as the match began. She went into action immediately running around Sora following her moves. Hikari wasn't stupid she wouldn't underestimate Sora. Sora was more nervous wondering how far she should go fearing Orochimaru was watching. She sighed, he already knew about what she did in the forest of death knowing she had the kekkei genkai because that team would have told him. So there was no point in holding back.

Hikari pulled out shuriken and threw them at Sora bringing her attention back to the battle as she jumped out of the path of the shuriken only for a kunai to be thrown at her. She moved to the side a strand of hair being cut as the kunai grazed past her.

"Don't go getting distracted outsider," Hikari said.

Sora tensed at her word usage but didn't react anymore knowing Hikari was trying to get a rise out of her. Hikari watched Sora annoyed she didn't react, she was always like that after the first time. Only ever reacting when Hikari touched her. It annoyed her how calm she always was. She was so perfect something she couldn't even come close to and she was berated for that all the time. This was her chance to prove her parents wrong and show she was just as good as Sora.

She stopped running looking directly at Sora who kept that neutral expression not at all affected by Hikari's attacks. Hikari growled throwing more kunai at Sora who dodged them effortlessly. Hikari took a deep breath, she would use Sora underestimating her to her advantage. She moved around throwing more kunai Sora again dodging them all.

Sora watched Hikari carefully, knowing she was planning something. She wasn't a dumb or a weak person. Hikari kept throwing kunai but Sora still didn't react other than dodging not wanting to make a move before figuring out what Hikari was planning. But Hikari just saw this as Sora not being bothered to attack.

Sora looked as Hikari pulled something. Sora's eyes widened as wires tangled around her trapping her. She looked around to see every kunai Hikari threw had a wire attached. She was setting up a trap. She ran up to Sora a kunai in hand. Sora's eyes narrowed as she managed to bring her hands together. Ice shot up from the ground cutting the wires and blocking Hikari's attack. There were gasps and murmurs as Sora did this and finally decided to make it public knowledge that she had the kekkei genkai.

Hikari watched eyes wide as the ice soon disappeared. Sora was so far ahead of her that it wasn't even funny. How was she ever meant to catch up to someone like that? Her eyes narrowed the frustration finally exploding as she ran at Sora recklessly throwing caution and planning to the side. As she got to Sora each attack was dodged easily.

"You are so annoying you know that. Always so perfect," Hikari snapped.

Sora looked at her confused what did he mean, she hated Sora, was this really why?

"No matter how much I try they still compare me to you. Saying things like how is an outside stronger than me. How pathetic I am, that I'm useless not even able to use you as they told me," Hikari snapped as she attacked Sora.

"What are you talking about," Sora questioned.

Hikari was becoming sloppy but still, Sora kept dodging knowing this was Hikari lashing out.

"Everything is stacked against me. It always has been," Hikari snapped.

Sora hit her wrist her kunai flying out of her hand. She looked up shocked as Sora looked down at her seriously.

"I don't know where this is coming from but you aren't this person. You are a smart and calculating person who is capable of far more than this. You were cruel to me, so I don't partially like you but I still can acknowledge you are a smart person who is above this. I will give you time to regather yourself so you can fight to your full potential," Sora said seriously.

"You think I need your pity," Hikari snapped.

"No, I want a proper fight with you. I know you are capable of better. And I want to see it and I want everyone else to be able to see it," Sora said.

Hikari looked rather speechless, was she just complemented by Sora, the person she tormented? Was her enemy giving her the chance to restart this match? Hikari took a deep breath refocusing realising how pathetic she was being. She let everything that had been building up for years spill out.

"I'm going to make you regret that," Hikari said regaining her composure.

She retook her stance, she knew deep down she had lost this battle already Sora could have beaten her in that moment with ease but chose not to to give Hikari a chance to show her true strength. Team 13 also looked down knowing Sora could end this at any moment but hearing that outburst probably made her realise there was a lot more behind Hikari than what she showed. But in all reality, they doubted there was any chance Sora would lose this battle.

Sora moved to the side as Hikari threw kunai though now looking for it Sora saw no wires. The second she looked at the kunai Hiari ran up to her performing hand signs. Sora's eyes narrowed spheres of air forming in the air. Sora knew this jutsu having used it herself and she was a bit worried. She jumped back dodging some of the attacks still getting many hits and cuts on her from it. Hikari smiled glad it worked having worked hard on learning that jutsu.

Hikari again ran at Sora. Sora jumped to the side performing her own hand signs and sending airblades at Hikari, they were so quick She couldn't fully dodge having gashes across her body far worse than Sora's injuries. Hikari lightly panted still facing off with Sora. She knew she couldn't win this but she would keep going.

Hikari found herself smiling facing off with Sora confusing her. She was enjoying herself despite it being a losing battle. She lightly laughed to herself at how ridiculous that sounded. But for once something that had to do with Sora she wasn't doing for her parents she was doing for herself. Because she wanted to prove to herself that she was strong.

She kicked off the ground launching at Sora. She knew Sora was a mid-range fighter so getting close may give her the upper hand she needed. She launched attacks at Sora who blocked each one though she was struggling a little bit. Hikari launched a punch that connected with Sora's face. She went to hit her again but Sora jumped back taking a deep breath and performing hand signs.

Ice pillars shot up at Hikari who dodged each one narrowly but as she did she lost sight of Sora only to feel metal on the back of her neck as ice pillars shot up around her stopping a few centimetres away from her face. Hikari couldn't do anything.

"Sora is the winner," The examiner announced.

The ice disappeared as Sora took a step away from Hikari going back to the viewing area. Hikari looked at Sora knowing full well Sora could have done that at the very beginning so why didn't she? Was it because she didn't want to put Hiari down that much? Sora got back to her team Senshi giving her a look.

"And you said I was holding back," Senshi said rolling her eyes.

"If I defeated her early on her hatred for me would have gotten far worse. Besides she's not a weak person," Sora said shrugging.

"Looks like someone is starting to care about others around her," Senshi said smiling.

"Never," Sora said.

Aisura and Senshi giggled at her glad to see she was opening up and becoming a bit softer. If this was when they just left the academy she probably would have defeated Hikari in seconds not caring about anything else. However, there was another reason Sora held back. So all her tricks wouldn't be revealed she wanted to keep some things a mystery for the last part of the chunin exam.

The battle continued with the winners being Naruto, Neji, Gaara, Dosu and Atsushi. During this Lee was rushed off to the hospital in critical condition. At the end of the battles, the battles for the next exam were announced. Senshi would be going against Atsushi and Sora was going against Amira.

They all soon left having a month to prepare for the final stage.