The Life of Ki (Naruto Fanfic)

By Your Side

"He won." Sakura says softly, her hand hovering by her face in both horror and contemplation.

No one is surprised as Shino's bugs cease their panicking swarming over the enemy and disperse to reveal a red and blistered body on the ground blow.

A medic team rushes in to escort the twitching body to the infirmary.

As Shino and his bugs leave the floor, Hayate is careful not to step on any of Shino’s companions as he maneuvers his way back to the center of the ring.

“Well…” Hayate says uncertainty. “I guess we’re on to the next participants....Uh…Tsurugi Misumi vs. Kankuro, will begin momentarily.” He announces tiredly.

I watch as an unfamiliar Land of Waves ninja leaps down to face, Kankuro, the Sand Ninja.

I’m rather excited to see if that Sand Ninja, Kankuro, fights as well as he bullies little kids. The only encounter i’ve had with the guy so far is when I helped prevent him from beating up the Leaf Village kid.

I’m a little distracted from the preparations for Kankuro's fight. Shino returns to the balcony adjacent to me and I wave excitedly to congratulate my friend.

I watch in silence as Kankuro completely overpowers his opponent, ending another relatively boring fight almost as soon as it starts.

Kankuro ends the fight quickly...alarmingly quickly. Aside from using a weird puppet jutsu, and being critically strategic, nothing about Kankuro captures my attention.

I look up as Hayate clears his throat to announce the next match.

"For the next match..." Hayate sighs.

“Uh oh.” Naruto says from behind me.

His finger it pointing at the giant billboard behind Hayate. On the board, Sakura’s name is being written.

Beside me, Sakura takes a sharp intake of breath as she realizes it is her turn to fight.

“The next match will be Sakura Haruno and…Ino Yamanaka.” Hayate reads as the names are finished being written.

I turn to see a pale looking Sakura. "Give it your best, Sakura."

I give her an assuring smile. "Naruto and I will be right here cheering for you."

Sakura turns, giving me and Naruto a confident smile. "I'll give it my all." She says with valor.

Her shaking hands give away her fear as she grabs the railing to swing down to the battle-floor.

I frown as Ino and Sakura approach each other on the ground floor.

I’ve seen Ino’s jutsu in use maybe twice in my life. I know she possesses her opponent, leaving her body empty as she practically switches souls.

If Sakura gets trapped in that jutsu, Ino could easily win just by forcing Sakura’s body to vocally resign.

To my surprise, Kakashi reappears--literally appearing in a manifestation of smoke behind me.

“Hm?" Kakashi asks casually as he pushes a flabbergasted Naruto out of the way. "Looks like I’m just in time.” He comments as he sees Sakura squaring up to fight below.

I blatantly ignore Kakashi as I focus in on the fighting below.

That guy is always just so extra. He must enjoy the attention or something.

The Sakura v. Ino fight lasts a very, very long time. Soon 20 minutes has passed without either girl gaining an advantage.

All around me, people have long since settled onto the floor. Only my team and Shikamaru's team remain interested in the fight occurring on the ground below.