Strike of Lightning (Naruto fanfic)

Chapter 17

A VIP NOTICE TO ALL MY FANS: This story has been submitted in Watty Awards. Please don't forget to vote, comment, and whatever else you have to do. I'm new to this thing! Anyway, also keep in mind this is the first time I've actually asked you guys to vote and comment, so don't take it lightly!

Also, this story is going to be labelled as Completed for the time being. I can't update this until November 1st, apparently?

"Good luck Rai-chan!" Naruto yelled. "That guy should have been my opponent... you shouldn't have stopped me from fighting in the prelims, Sakura-chan."

"Good luck Shuurai. You'll need it." Sakura looked worried as she hugged Shuurai.

"Don't worry you guys! I'll be fine!" Shuurai beamed brightly. Inside her mind though, was another matter.

Multiple Shuurai's inside brain:

That's the guy who called you names when you were younger. I know that! Stop fighting, you two. You'll only make it worse. How, exactly, would I do that? What could be worse than fighting that brat? When you were little, you couldn't do a thing against him! Sasuke and Itachi had to help you out of every scrape. And there were a lot. Well, that guy kept following me for the sole purpose of teasing me! That wasn't teasing, it was bullying. STOP RANTING AND GET THE HELL DOWN THERE!

"Umm..." muttered a distracted Shuurai. "Look over Hinata, yeah?"

"What? Why?" Naruto was silenced as Shuurai jumped down to begin the match, where Neji was already waiting.

Taking a quick glance at the long haired boy with lavender eyes, she with the grace of a cat, began walking in the direction were Genma stood. She glanced up high to figure out the time from watching the sun. (I wish I could do that! I can only tell whether or not it's morning/afternoon/evening...)

"Shuurai!" Sakura yelled. Shuurai glanced up yet again. "Good luck, okay?"

Shuurai nodded. "Thanks, Sakura." Though she wondered why she needed to be told twice. Apparently, looking at Neji's smirk, he too was wondering the same thing.

"So once again, the rivalry between Hyuuga and Uchiha continues... though not exactly in blood," said Sarutobi, rubbing his chin lightly at the sight of the two young children down in the stadium. Both genin are considered, at the very least, above average within their age group and one of which he had personally watched over for a short period of time. Out of both genin, he expected the most from Shuurai, despite the fact that the boy, Hyuuga Neji, was her senior by one year.

The two Genin stood facing each a few metres apart, sizing each other up. 

All around them were the cheers and screams of family, friends and fanatics. The chants of Uchiha or Hyuuga could possibly be heard all around the village, even up to the main walls. The sounds of their collective voices were like a loud rumble that shook the stadium. But the loudest sounds were the chants, calls and whistles, for the sister of the last of the Uchiha.

It was like taking a step back in time for Shuurai. (cue yet another flashback)

 She remembered when she was just five years old and her brother faced a genin in their own Chuunin Exams. Like now, the atmosphere was just the same. The loud crowds, the chants, the rumbling of the stadiums. The only difference was she was down here about to fight instead of a spectator watching. She closed his eyes and listened to the wind, just like she had seen her older brother doing many times before when certain thoughts entered his mind. For some reason, she felt like she could hear her mother and father cheering for her. This feeling just added upon the motivation Shuurai seemed to contain and if there was one thing that she never lacked, it was being highly motivated.