A Little More Than This (Discontinued)

Chapter 25

Mei had waited and watched silently. She had watched Sasuke triumphant and Shino brutally claim victory. She was on the edge of her seat as Shikamaru tricked his way to the top and cheered endlessly as Naruto proved he was stronger. She cried as Hinata became brave and watched in awe as Sakura and Ino finally put their strength to the test. Her heart stopped when Lee unconsciously stood and laughed quietly at Chōji's tiny battle.

But now she wasn't feeling any emotions. Her face was completely bare as the screen stopped moving. She gulped and turned to face her teammates before turning back to the screen.

Junsuke Hamasaki vs. Dorai Moto.

Both boys smiled at her before jumping down to the arena just as Gennei appeared next to her. They both exchanged worried looks and turned to watch the match unfold.

"Don't worry Gennei-Sensei. Dorai and Junsuke will be just fine" Mei told the dark haired man as the battle began.

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The base was quiet. Almost terrified. Many of the occupants were wondering what had set off their leader and the rest were locked in their rooms, Pein's depression already seeping through their minds.

Kisame was one of the many few not really affected by his leaders breakdown. Partly because he had been expecting it and partly because he had already had his own breakdown.

Itachi was tending to him, as Konan was on a mission. He had already knocked Pein out and tied a herbal plant to his forehead, which according to Zetsu was to help calm Pein down.

Itachi soon emerged from the hospital wing and received a list of who was in their rooms. The list followed as: Sasori and Kakuzu. Which made Itachi feel quite puzzled. It seemed as though the two stronger people had finally broke down. He couldn't quite blame them either. She had been a special kid.

He sighed and checked on both of them, applying the herb to their foreheads and leaving them to their misery. He sighed and relaxed on the couch, thinking about the small tangerine. He silently made a resolution:

'If you're alive. I will find you'

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Mei watched in horror as Junsuke and Dorai shared multiple blows. She turned her head slightly as another Jōnin appeared next to her. This one had long red hair held back in an elaborate braid, green war paint on her face, just a few lines connecting her eyes and lips, and big brown eyes. She looked at Gennei and nodded then looked down at Mei and smiled.

Mei turned back to the battle. Her blue eyes widening as she saw what she had missed:

Junsuke had a Kunai protruding from his heart and Dorai had lost his head, literally.

There was a collective gasp in the room and both Sensei's had jumped down to the arena to grab their students. Mei, on the other hand, stood their eyes widened in horror as she watched the medics take away both Sensei and Student.

There was a few minutes of silence as the arena was fixed and Hayate stepped out onto the floor.

"Will the two remaining participants please step out onto the floor" he commanded, a coughing fit finishing his command. Mei sent a look at Kabuto, who simply bowed his head.

Mei jumped down and sighed. She stood in a defiant pose and waited for Kabuto to follow her action. He jumped down and stood, ready to fight.

"Alright. Begin!" Hayate commanded. Within seconds Mei was dodging perfectly aimed blows. She had guessed that Kabuto wasn't coming to go easy on her and had been proved right the second he slammed his hand onto her arm, sending her flying.

"Don't hold back Kid!" Kabuto yelled. Mei growled and jumped to her feet, quickly making hand signs.

"Giant water vortex" Mei whispered, finishing the Jutsu. The blood drained from Kabuto's face as he was pulled towards it. He slammed his fist into Mei's other arm and disabled the Jutsu. But not without several waves of water covering the arena.

The water was too deep for both to stand properly so both quickly jumped to the surface. They stared each other down before Kabuto came running at Mei. Mei jumped up and slammed her foot into the back of her opponents neck.

He sunk to the bottom of the small pool before resurfacing and spitting water. Kabuto smiled at her before raising his hand.

"I can't go on. I've used too much Chakra. I forfeit" Kabuto sighed. Mei raised an eyebrow before sighing and jumping up onto the raised viewing area.

Kakashi watched her in awe and suspicion as she settled down for a quick rest. He turned to watch Hayate clear the arena.

He watched as she drew a slip of paper once the introductions were over and watched her skip happily from the building, Naruto and Shikamaru following closely behind. He sighed lightly as he rested his chin in his hand, staring off into space.

"Kakashi right? Mei's Sensei?" A voice asked him. "Oh hi. You are?" Kakashi asked, looking at the man standing next to him. "Gennei. Junsuke's Sensei. You taught her those Jutsu?" Gennei asked. "No. No I didn't" Kakashi replied. "Well whoever did, better slow down, she'll be at ANBU stage before she's 15 at this rate" Gennei replied with a slight chuckle.

"I think her father did"