Turning of Time (Naruto Fanfic) [hiatus]

Turning of Time: Chapter 48

I looked around, gazing at all the spectators that filled the stands. Feudal lords had indeed come from all over, even from other countries. They chatted amiably with one another, and in the background I could see some making bets on the matches. It was 10 minutes until the start of the matches, and  Naruto, Sasuke, and Huroin weren't here. What I had gotten from Huroin was that he wasn't a person that was typically late, so I went to ask the proctor.

"Excuse me? Could you tell me anything about Huroin, he doesn't seem like one to show up this late." I looked the proctor in the eyes steadily.

"Huroin? He had to leave for his home village. Something about a family crisis," The proctor informed me rather bluntly. There goes my first match. I suppose now I'll be fighting the winner between Naruto or Neji without prerequisites. Though another of the competitors hasn't shown up either, so who knows what they'll be planning.

When it was almost too late, Naruto came bursting though the doors to the stadium. He was yelling something about a stampede, but I didn't quite care. Everyone looked at him when he made his entrance, but it was rather unseemly. He started to blab around, but he was quickly silenced when all the spectators were pointed out.

The proctor turned to us. "The match-ups have been changed a little, so please memorize who you'll be fighting first."

I was fighting either Shika or Temari now. It was a bit of a stretch, but if Shika managed to win it would be an interesting match between us. Note the sarcasm. If I knew anything about Shika though, it would be that at the first moment it seemed possible, he would forfeit.

As we walked up to the waiting area, I glanced up and saw all the kids leaning on the railing watching us excitedly. When they saw I was watching they started to wave their hands in excitement. Knowing I had time to kill, I went up to the spectator stands to sit with them. When they saw me, all eight surrounded me.

"Okaa-san! What are you doing up here? I thought your match was first?" Daiki called out as all eight of them ran up to me.

I smiled at them broadly. "Well, they changed it a little, so I don't have to fight until later on."

"So you can sit with us then?" Ayaka's, Naoko's, and Moegi's eyes shone with hope. For some reason I was their biggest hero or something.

"Definitely. It will be fun."

The kids lead me over to a seat and we took up 2 entire benches. They wouldn't stop talking, but their rambunctiousness was calming in a way.

_Time-freaking-skip_

I could tell that Shika was about to forfeit. He had moved Temari perfectly, and the next time he used the jutsu, it would be a capture. I excused myself, much to the kids' annoyances, and left to get ready for my fight.

I stopped at the doorway that lead to the entrance of the arena. Shika had raised his hand and forfeited. Sasuke still hadn't shown up, so I knew it would be my match next. It was the last one they could hold before announcing him to be disqualified.

Naruto jumped down and started yelling at Shika. They began walking back and I walked out from the shadows of the doorway. Naruto and Shika noticed me and their steps faltered. Naruto stared wide-eyed and slack-jawed, which I ignored and continued past him. Recovering, Naruto grabbed my arm.

"Sara!" I half turned to regard him. Flustered, he went on, "Wh-where's your... where's your mask?"

"In my pouch, why?" Naruto said nothing as I regarded him disinterestedly.

Shika seemed to understand and led Naruto away. I continued out and faced Temari. When I reached the middle, it seemed quieter than the usual babble. I glanced up and noticed that everyone I knew from Konoha was dead silent. It seemed infectious and the rest grew silent as well, though they didn't know why. I glanced at the proctor and then Temari.