The Demon Fox And The Water Princess - Chapter 3 Naruto Vs. Neji And Sasuke Vs. Gaara

Now remember Naruto-kun, stay away from him, attack from a distance.” Mei reminded Naruto, as they walked into a packed stadium.

“I know Mei-Chan, don’t worry.” Mei smiled and grabbed his hand, a gesture he was now familiar with, as they had grown very close in the past month. “Mei-Chan where are we going? I thought you had to go to the Kage’s Box.” Naruto asked, as his fianc led him and a bemused Ao and Chojuro to the Competitors Box. “I know,” She said, pouting slightly. “But I’m going to walk with you till you reach the Competitor’s Box, then I’ll leave to the Kage’s Box.”

Naruto sighed, already knowing that when she had her mind set on something, it was best to let her go with it. Naruto grumbled as he readjusted the katana strapped to his back.

“There you are Naruto-Ba-“Sakura was cut off from a glare by Mei, as they arrived at the Competitors Box. “Where’s Sasuke-Teme?” Naruto asked, glancing around at the Competitors as well as the other ninja who were already eliminated.

Before Sakura could answer, Kiba cut in “who cares? The real question is who this is?” he asked with a perverted look at Mei. Ao, Chojuro, and Naruto growled, “That’s my fianc idiot.” Naruto snapped. Shocking everyone present besides Sakura, Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru. Hinata felt her heart break at these words and wanted to bawl her eyes out before she had resolved herself to not lose to mei.

“W-what?!” Kiba yelled, his brain not being able to process what it was just told.

“You heard him correctly Inuzaka-san.” Mei said, slightly amused.

“When the hell did this happen?!” He yelled, shocked that Naruto could get such a beautiful woman.

“Since before he was born,” Mei said, a smile tugging at her lips.

“What does that even mean?” Kiba almost yelled.

“Troublesomeit means they were arranged to be married.” Shikamaru sighed.

Naruto nodded, confirming what Shikamaru had already said.

Kiba fainted, the news being too much for his brain to process. Kurenai sighed, “my humblest apologies Mizukage-Sama, my student iswell different.” Mei waved a hand in dismissal, while all the shinobi present gasped. Naruto was engaged to a kage?

“Nice going Naruto,” Choji complimented.

Naruto scratched the back of his head in embarrassment, “Thanks Choji.”

“Well, I’ve got to go to the Kage’s box, good luck Naruto-kun.” Mei said, before kissing Naruto on the cheek, leaving a faint blue imprint of her supple lips.

“Good luck kid,” Ao said as he stood beside his Mizukage.

“Goodluck NarutoI know you canwin.” Chojuro said, causing everyone present to sweat drop, ‘he’s just like Hinata.’

“Thanks guys, Mei-chan.” They nodded and began to walk to the Kage’s Box.

Mei arrived at the Kage’s Box and took her seat to the left of Hiruzen. “So, how did it go?” The old Hokage asked. Mei smiled slightly, “Naruto’s probably is being interrogated by all his friends as we speak.”

Hiruzen chuckled, “I wouldn’t doubt it.”

Naruto sweat dropped at all the questions being directed towards him.

“Is she nice?”

“What’s her name?”

“Who were those people with her?”

“Troublesome”

Naruto held up a hand to silence the flow of questions. “Yes she is nice, her name is Mei Terumi and she is the Fifth Mizukage, the people with her were her guards; the older one was Ao, and the one with the sword was Chojuro. And everything is troublesome to you Shikamaru.”

Shikamaru just shrugged.

“Hey kit,” Kurama contacted him. “You know that sand-shinobi? The one with the red hair?”

‘Yeah, what about him?’

“He’s the Jinchuriki to the One Tailed Tanuki Shukaku.”

Naruto’s eyes widened, ‘are you sure?’

Kurama snorted, “Yes, I am positive, that red headed brat is the Jinchuriki to the crazy ass Tanukidamn it.”

‘What?’

“Shukaku is the craziest and most blood thirsty of all the Bijuand because of that he is almost impossible to correctly seal.”

‘Which means-”

“Yes, that brat is most likely unstable. And if the Tanuki gets loose we will have to face it.”

Naruto cursed, ‘How the hell am I supposed to fight a Biju?!’

Kurama shrugged, “Hopefully you won’t, but if you do, I suggest summoning that giant toad Gamabunta.”

Naruto nodded, and steeled his nerves as he heard the proctor call the first match. “The First match will consist of Naruto Uzumaki vs. Neji Hyuga, please make your way down to the arena.”

“Here we go” Naruto muttered, as he jumped from the Competitors Box into the arena.

Neji walked calmly down and faced Naruto. “You should just give up,” he advised. “Fate had decreed that you will lose to me, so save yourself the humiliation and forfeit.”

Naruto scoffed, “I don’t believe in Fate, and if I did I would still fight, because I don’t give up!”

The proctor looked at the two teens, “Begin!”

Naruto quickly put his hands together in his signature seal, “Shadow Clone Jutsu!” He called, and two dozen clones emerged, and charged the Hyuga prodigy, who yelled “Byakugan!” and activated his Dojutsu. The real Naruto stepped back and watched how Neji destroyed his clones. ‘It appears that he doesn’t use any Jutsu.’

Summoning twelve more clones, Naruto had six of them form Rasengan’s before circling Neji.

“Kit, do not waste too much chakra!” Kurama yelled. “If I’m right, and the Tanuki gets out, than you are going to need as much chakra as you can get!”

Naruto sent a confirmation to the fox, before the six Naruto’s without Rasengan’s grabbed a kunai and threw it at Neji, before going through several hand signs, and shouting out “Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!” instantly hundreds of kunai appeared in the air, forcing Neji to go through a Rotation. The kunai disappeared in poofs of smoke, but not before the seven Naruto’s with Rasengan’s circled the exposed Neji, and charged calling “Shadow Clone Rasengan Barrage!” Neji’s eyes widened and he was barely able to go through a Rotation.

Naruto let out a victorious cry as his seven Rasengan’s managed to knock Neji off balance, but in doing so he was launched to the opposing wall, creating a crack in it.

“That hurt” He muttered, whipping blood off of his chin. He went through several hand signs, and unsheathed his sword, a fierce wind whipping around it. “Wind Release: One Thousand Blades!” He then slashed his sword several times, creating roughly a thousand sharp blades of wind. Neji’s eyes widened and he went through another Rotation.

“Damn it!” Naruto cursed, as his blades were destroyed. He then sheathed his sword before going through a few more hand signs. “Fire Release: Fire Ball Jutsu!” He then spit out a massive fire ball that Neji dodged, before charging the immobile Naruto.

“Six Palms!” He shouted, striking Naruto.

“Twelve Palms!” Naruto coughed up blood.

“Twenty Four Palms!” Naruto grinned, and grabbed Neji’s hand before exploding.

Shocked, Neji flew several feet away, before being attacked by the real Naruto. “How?” He asked confused.

Naruto grinned, “Substitution followed by Exploding Shadow Clone.”

Neji groaned, as he got slowly to his feet “it doesn’t matter. Fate is on my side in this fight.”

Naruto rolled his eyes, “Give up Neji, or you will be in for the beating of your life.”

Neji and even some of the spectators laughed. “You, beat me?” He laughed.

Naruto sighed, and willed his Henged Shadow Clones to drop the Henge.

Neji’s eyes widened and a silent scream tore through his throat, as hundreds of Naruto’s dropped their transformation of rocks and leaves. Neji went through a desperate Rotation that was only able to repel half of the clones before he was overwhelmed.

The Proctor sighed as the clones dispelled, revealing an unconscious Neji. “Winner by Knockout, Naruto Uzumaki!” Naruto smiled slightly as the spectators cheered.

Walking over to the slowly waking Neji, Naruto offered a hand, “Good match Neji.” He said happily. Neji looked at his hand for a few seconds before smiling warmly. “Same goes for youNaruto.”

The spectators cheered even more at the sight of the contestants smiling to one another.

“There will be a ten minute interval between the next match.” The Proctor called, as medics rushed over to Neji, who was being supported by Naruto.

“Thank you Uzumaki, we will take it from here.” One of the medics said.

Naruto nodded and jumped to the Competitors Box, where he was congratulated.

“Naruto that was a most youthful fight!” Rock Lee yelled, while supporting his weight on crutches. Lee’s Sensei Guy nodded as well, “I must thank you Naruto, what you did just may have changed his life for the better.”

Naruto chuckled slightly embarrassed. Sakura just snorted, “whatever, Sasuke-kun will be amazing, compared to Naruto-Bak-“She was once again silenced by Mei, who along with Ao and Chojuro came down to congratulate Naruto. “I would strongly advise against insulting my fianc Haruno.” Mei said, smiling coldly. She then turned to Naruto, who was being congratulated by Chojuro, “You were amazing Naruto-kun.” She purred, kissing his cheek.

Naruto blushed, “Thank you Mei-Chan.”

“Naruto Uzumaki,” A calm emotionless voice called. Naruto turned to see Gaara, the Jinchuriki.

“Yes?” He asked, preparing himself for anything.

“I look forward to fighting against youmother wants your blood!”

Naruto blinked, and Kurama snorted, “Of course the damn Tanuki would refer to himself as a woman.” He said disgusted.

“UmThank you?” Naruto asked, not really sure how to respond.

Gaara nodded, and walked away, while his sibling looked at Naruto in pity.

“Umwhat the hell was that about?” Kiba asked staring at the sand siblings.

Naruto shrugged, before turning to Sakura, “do you know where Sasuke is?”

After glancing at Mei, Sakura shrugged, “Sasuke-kun and Kakashi-Sensei haven’t arrived yet.”

Naruto threw his hands up in defeat, “Is Kakashi-Sensei’s laziness contagious?” He asked angrily. Only for the surround Jonin to chuckle, “I believe so Naruto,” Asuma said still laughing.

Naruto grumbled for a few minutes, “But if the Teme’s not here in five minutes he’s going to get disqualified!” At this the surrounded Jonin shrugged.

“If he can’t even be on time for his match then he’s not worthy of a promotion.” Kurenai said, getting nods from the elder ninjas.

“What do you think Naruto-kun?” Mei asked, getting all the shinobi to look at him.

Naruto shrugged, “The Teme probably doesn’t deserve the promotion, but he should still fight.”

Guy nodded, “a most youthful answer!”

Ao sweat dropped, and leaned in close to Naruto, “is he always like this?” He whispered.

Naruto laughed, “Nohe’s much worse.”

“Sasuke Uchiha and Gaara of the Desert please make your way down to the arena.”

Gaara appeared in a swirl of sand, only to reappear in the arena.

“I should be heading back to the Kage’s Box, goodbye Naruto-kun,” Mei said, before bowing politely to the surrounding Jonin, before making her way to the Kage’s Box.

“Sasuke Uchiha?” The Proctor called, glancing around. When no answer came, he looked towards the Hokage who nodded. “Very well, Sasuke Uchiha has five minutes to arrive or he will be disqualified.”

Sakura glanced around nervously, “I hope Sasuke-kun is going to make it.”

Naruto laughed, “Knowing Kakashi-Sensei? They would probably arrive with only a second to spare.” which proved to be true, as with only thirty seconds left, a swirl of leaves announced the arrival of Sasuke and Kakashi. “Hello,” Kakashi waved merrily, “I hope we’re not too late.”

The Proctor merely sweat dropped, “No, but you were cutting it very close.” Kakashi nodded, and clapped Sasuke on the shoulder before going to the Competitors Box.

“Begin!” The Proctor announced, before moving out of the way. Gaara smiled evilly as his cork flew off of his guard. “Mother wants your blood Uchiha!” He shouted as his sand raced towards Sasuke. “Well then your mother is going to be disappointed,” Sasuke countered, as he moved with inexplicable speeds towards Gaara. Whose sand was barely able to block.

“Sasuke-kun is so fast!” Sakura cheered, bouncing up and down.

Naruto scowled, “Kakashi-Sensei, why do Sasuke-Teme’s moves look like Lee’s?”

Kakashi sighed, “I have already talked to him about it-”

“About what?” Naruto asked confused.

“It appears that Sasuke copied Lee’s moves with his Sharingan.”

Kiba, who was listening in on their conversation, growled indignantly “You mean he can copy any jutsu he wants with his eyes?”

Kakashi nodded, “Yes.”

“That’s bull crap!” Kiba howled angrily.

“I agree with you,” Kakashi said sincerely, “and I have punished him severely, as well as made him promise to never do it again.”

“Still-“Kiba began, only to be stopped by a pain riddled scream.

“MY BLOOD! IT’S MY BLOOD MOTHER! I’M BLEEDING!” Shocked, Naruto turned to the arena, where it appeared as though Sasuke has plunged a lightning covered hand into a dome of sand.

“Kit, the Tanuki is getting loose!” Kurama shouted.

Naruto’s eyes widened as the dome collapsed, revealing Gaara, who was clutching his left shoulder. “You made me feel pain” Gaara muttered, as a demonic hand emerged from his guard. “You made me feel ALIVE!” Sasuke’s eyes widened and he was barely able to avoid being crushed by the hand. Naruto gripped the railing and prepared to jump in and stop the fight when rose petals began to fall from the sky.

“Genjutsu!” Kurama warned, and Naruto broke the jutsu, only to see hundreds of shinobi launch them into the arena and attack the Konoha Ninja.

“Invasion!” Kakashi warned, as he and the Jonin took up a defensive position.

Naruto watched as Gaara’s siblings jumped into the arena and grabbed him, leaving a confused and exhausted Sasuke.

“Sasuke-kun!” Sakura yelled, and ran towards Sasuke, who had given chase to the sand siblings.

“DAMNIT!” Naruto yelled, before turning to Kakashi. “Kakashi-Sensei, I have to go stop Gaara, he’s like me.”

Kakashi’s eyes widened, “are you sure you can take him?” He asked.

Naruto nodded, “I am the only one who can fight him now.”

“Very well go, and tell Sakura and Sasuke to fall back, they are only going to be a hindrance.”

Naruto nodded and began to follow his team members, who had chased the sand siblings into the woods. Along the way Naruto found an unconscious Kankuro, ‘Damn Sasuke,’ he thought. ‘You sure did a number on him.’

“Sasuke-kun!” Sakura’s voice cried and Naruto immediately honed in on her.

Naruto’s eyes widened at the sight of an immobile Sasuke, who had strange black markings on him, a crying Sakura, and a half transformed Gaara.

“Shukaku!” He yelled, immediately getting Gaara’s attention. “Your fight is with me nowSakura take Sasuke and go, I’ll deal with Gaara.”

“But” Sakura began, only to be cut off by Naruto.

“Don’t argue with me, just go!”

“Be careful,” Sakura whispered, before grabbing Sasuke and running back to the village.

“Mother wants your blood” Gaara chanted.

“If you want it, come and get it!”

-Authors Note-

To those who are wondering about where Naruto’s relationship stands with Mei. He has a crush on her, but right now only sees her as a VERY flirtatious friend.