Shika's POV
Akira told me what happened in her training...and I couldn't help but forgive her, she always...dealt with thing different, she turned her sadness into anger, she turned her weakness into strength, and at that moment, it brought her back into what she believed was her reality...
Akira's reality was consumed by hate long ago, she gave into her wolf's instincts, and a wolf's primal instinct is to dominate.
I needed to be cautious with her, but I know she won't hurt me again, she's back to her normal self...and I...
I sighed, "Well, this is it..."
Akira still hasn't showed up yet...she's supposed to be the third match, against Tachi.
I was going against some girl named Sachi, she was from the Cloud, I think...the only one who made it this far in her squad.
I was the match after Akira's.
Everyone was murmuring on whose fights they were excited about, mainly Akira's, Sasuke's, and mine...they were even starting to place bets, again, all of them were on us.
I watched as Naruto walked up beside me, "Are you excited?"
"Yeah, but Akira and Sasuke are still No-shows," I said.
"Well, Sasuke's with Kakashi...and we all know Kakashi's late to everything," Naruto said.
"Yeah, but this can cost Sasuke his chance at becoming a chunin, and Akira has no reason for being late," I said.
"Who said Akira was late? She was the first one here," Tachi said, pointing over to Akira, she was watching her contestants like a hawk.
Akira was crouching on one of the walls of the arena, her chakra lowered to hide herself, no one has noticed her yet.
She looked over at me and smirked, before disappearing.
"Hey," Akira said, making everyone jump.
"How'd you get here so fast!?" Naruto yelped.
Akira looked over at Naruto, "Teleportation jutsu."
"What, is a minimal word response gonna be your thing now?" I asked.
"Nope," Akira said, "I just like making you annoyed."
I glared at her playfully, and she just chuckled.
"Anyway, at least you're not late," I said.
Akira shrugged and I sighed.
"Akira, good luck," Tachi said.
"Good luck, I won't hold back," Akira said.
"I wouldn't want it any other way," Tachi smirked.
"Round one starts now! Naruto Uzumaki versus Neji Hyuuga!" the Hokage called.
"That's my cue! Wish me luck!" Naruto smiled.
"Good luck!" I called.
"You better not lose the first round," Akira said.
I looked over at Akira, whose eyes sparkled mischievously, she was thinking up something sneaky, I know it.
She closed her eyes, "Anyway, Sasuke's going to be here beyond late, and he's going to beat Gaara, and when I say late, I mean after all the other round one contestants are done, and I'm betting with the excitement this battle is going to create, they'll let it slide."
"What are you, psychic?" I chuckled.
"Well, it's a hunch, Gaara is ruthless, but it seems he's never had to deal with physical pain, if Sasuke makes it past his defense, he's going to crack, and Sasuke is just fast enough," Akira said, "as for the late part, Kakashi is definitely the least punctual person I know."
