Nothing Special

Chapter 22

Kakashi put Aceso on the ground, where Lee had placed her the first time.

" What were you thinking, using up almost all your chakra?" Kakashi asked as he put the chakra ointment on her. "You used way too much on Hinata, were you just going to use the rest on Lee?"

" I wanted to heal him," Aceso answered as he stood up.

" You won't be able to if you're dead," Kakashi informed. " You need to work on that technique a bit more before you use it again." Aceso nodded. "I'm going down by Sakura, if you need anything, just call for any of us." He then walked along the railing.

" Now then, the last two competitors," Hayate began. " Will you please step forward?" Choji and Dose from the Sound village both stepped forward as told to do so. " All right, the 10th and final match will begin.

" You can do it!" Shikamaru cheered.

" Fatso!" Ino cheered.

" Ok!" Choji yelled angrily. " I'm going to finish this match. It's only going to take about two seconds, and then I'm coming after you, Ino!"

" Fine, Fatso," Dose gave in. " If you want this match to end quickly, I'll just win it quickly."

" You're going to do down hard, you mummified weirdo," Choji grumbled as fire formed in his eyes. " Ha! Ninja arts--Expansion Jutsu!" Choji puffed out like a bowling ball. " Now, the Hidden Leaf Style Taijutsu" His head arms, and legs went in the holes, and chakra spilled out. " Human boulder!" He began spinning like a ball and aimed toward Dose. " Chubbies rule!"

" I can't see, " Aceso said as she started to stand up, she then collapsed flat on her face and groaned.

"Choji, you can do it!" Ino cheered as Kankuro glanced back at her. " Squash him good for me. Aceso then felt herself be lifted up and off the ground and put into someone's armpit once more.

" I had it handled Dad," Aceso groaned as she saw Choji rolling around.

" I'd be a little more grateful if I were you," Kankuro said, Aceso gasped and looked up at him. "And just who are you calling, Dad?"

" Sorry about that Kankuro," Aceso apologized as she looked back at the battle. She saw Choji crash into the wall, creating a crater. Dose jumped up and aimed toward Choji and shoved his hand into Choji.

" It's no use," Choji declined. " My ears are covered.

" You are so wrong," Dose denied as he lifted his other hand. " He flicked the equipment on his arm, a chimed rung, and a sound wave bounced off. There was an explosion and after it cleared, Choji was back to normal size and on his stomach groaning. " See, the human body is 70% water, and water can transmit sound waves. In other words, when it comes to my attacks, your whole body is basically one big ear."

" The winner is Dosu Kinuta," Hayate declared.

" Can you take me down to Choji, please?" Aceso asked as she looked up at Kankuro as Dosu walked away.

" Not like you're strong enough," Kankuro said as he jumped over the rail. "I agree with your sensei, you need to work on that technique a little more."

" I'm strong enough to heal Choji," Aceso said as they walked over to Choji.

" Hey, are you all right?" a medic asked as the other medics had arrived before Aceso did.

" Meat--I want to eat some meat," Choji groaned as Kankuro stopped in front of him.

" That's our Choji," Shikamaru confirmed. " Always thinking with his stomach."

" Uh-huh," Ino agreed.

" Even though he lost, the least we can do is take him out for some barbecue beef," Asuma said.