The Acrimony Anomaly [Naruto Fanfic]

Quest for Appeal

     Tsubaki had no idea how much had passed since she left. She also had no idea who had passed or lost in the prelims so she was at a total loss. On one hand she wanted to rush out and demand for answers while on the other she wanted to just stay there. 

     It was embarrassing to show weakness, especially in front of her friends and they would undoubtedly question her the moment she walked in. 

     Her arm felt as normal as ever and the spikes of chakra in battle seemed to blur into the background. "Why do I have to deal with this shit...?"

      The medical team had passed through a couple times with people on stretchers but she could barely catch a glimpse without being caught. However, she truly hoped from the bottom of her heart that Hashirama was there among them... But she highly doubted it.

     Here she was now, stuck in between a rock and a hard place with no way to go, not to mention her chakra was going haywire so she couldn't tell signatures apart. 

     The small pitter-patter of paws echoed through the hallway and Hashirama the rat made way toward her. It was strangely odd how the rat somehow always came at the times where she was the most distressed. 

      She scratched it under the chin and let it climb up her arm to perch on her shoulder. It's beady eyes looked left and right before snuggling against her neck. "Honestly, you feel more like a dog than anything else, Hashirama-pyon."

     Calmly stroking her pet, she decided quickly that it was about time to return. Although not confident, she believed that they would understand in time that what had happened was to be private matters only. 

     Opening the double-doors back up, Tsubaki looked to the battlefield and felt a twinge of disappointment. The battles were all over and they were wrapping up with the month time to prepare for the finals.

     It wasn't surprising who remained either. There were Lee, Neji, Hinata, Shikamaru, Naruto, Sasuke, Sakura, Hashirama, Temari, Kankuro, and Shino. All of which, in her opinion, gained their rightful spots. 

     Naruto smiled and waved at her to come over. She hopped over the railing and landed crouched down before walking to his side. 

     "I see that you won, " she stated, playfully elbowing him in the side, "Well done."

      He turned red and bashfully glanced away, "W-well, I wasn't that great."

     "It's still a win in my books."

     Anyone could see the steam rising off his face. Shikamaru noticed and let out a sigh. "Troublesome."

     "You better not slack off, Shikamaru!" Ino shouted furiously from the sidelines. 

      Chouji munched on his chips and nodded vigorously at what his teammate had said. Asuma couldn't help but shake his head at his team. 

      The meeting was adjourned and the celebrating/yelling was continued. 

      Hashirama sprinted up, tears running down his cheeks, "I MADE IT!"

     He tried to glomp her but Tsubaki sidestepped, narrowly missing the boy. "Hands off the goods, stupid."

      "Goods?" he questioned.

      She could only scoff at him, "You kidding? You haven't had sex in what seems like forever with your dead wifey and I'm a growing young woman..."

      "You don't appeal me that much, " he deadpanned.

     The Uchiha female paused. "I don't have... Sexual appeal?"