Nothing Special

Chapter 20

The atmosphere was a bit more intense, Rock Lee set Aceso against the wall as the floor got cleaned up.

" You didn't have to carry me, " Aceso said as Naruto squatted beside her.

" I made a promise and I will stick with it," Lee smiled as he gave her a thumbs up.

***Flashback***
" From here on forward I will always protect you!" Lee promised as he gave a thumbs up with a smile.

****Flashback over***

" Rest till the next names are called," Naruto advised. " And then you'll be full of energy to watch it. Believe it!" He laughed and Aceso smiled. Lee walked over to Gai sensei as Naruto stayed by and went to the railing.

" Whoa, Choji, glad I'm not you," Shikamaru said. " I mean you've still got the toughest ones left. I wouldn't want to face any of them. That creep guy from the Sound Village? And Rock Lee's got to be tough if he took on Sasuke. And especially not that Sand Village guy. I don't even like being in the same room as him.

" I'm not feeling so good," Choji groaned as he lowered to his knees. " Maybe I ought to go ahead and forfeit right now.

" What?" Asuma asked they looked at him. " You know if you win, I'll take you for barbecue."

" Wha!" Choji exclaimed. " Come on!"

" Choji," Asuma began as he kneeled beside him. " Come on, don't worry. If it gets bad, we'll step in and stop the fight, just like with Hinata, ok? Think of it--all the short ribs you can eat."

" Rrrrraaaahhh!" Choji roared, Aceso leaned over and looked down his way. " Now you're talking! All you can eat! Bring it on!" She then got up onto her feet and joined Naruto at the rail.

" You should still be sitting," Naruto grunted.

" I'm fine," Aceso breathed. " Been meaning to tell you, you had a great fight."

" Thanks!" Naruto laughed. " You should have seen Kiba's face up close when I hit him!"

" I saw it up close after you hit him," Aceso said.

" Hey, you!" A voice shouted.

" Hm?" the two asked, they looked over to see Kankuro walking up towards them. His hands were stuffed in his pockets.

" How come you two are isolated from the others?" Kankuro asked. " Why aren't you hanging with your buddies?"

" What's it to you?" Naruto asked as he glared at Kankuro.

" This is where Lee set me down," Aceso answered as she looked back at the arena.

" So tell me something about this guy Neji," Kankuro requested. " I get the feeling we didn't see the full extent of his powers in the last fight, did we? So what's his story?"

" I'm gonna pulverize him!" Naruto yelled as he turned around. " That's his story."

" Ok, but that's not quite what I meant," Kankuro said.

" I'm not so sure what his story is," Aceso answered. " If any would know anything it would be Gai Lee and Tenten."

" A reasonable answer," Kankuro nodded. " You know, you two seem like nice people. I like you two."

" Well, don't take this the wrong way, but I don't like you!" Naruto said. The two glared at each other.

" I think you seem pretty cool," Aceso said. " You were a bit rough at first."

" Don't give in to his friendship Aceso," Naruto said as he put an arm in front of her. " It could be a trap!"

" If it was a trap, why would he start to step in earlier when that centipede came in?" Aceso asked.