Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or the characters thereof…

Author's ramblings: Ok, this is my first attempt at a Naruto fanfic. This story was originally entitled Double Date Trouble, but I had an epiphany and decided to redo it entirely. This chapter is the same, save for the ending. Naturally, later chapters will follow the storyline of my epiphany. Anyways, please review and no flames please. If you don't like it, don't read it, but at least read the first couple of chapters…

Return of Chimera

Chapter 1

Naruto Uzumaki straightens his collar on his casual dress white shirt and smiles at his reflection in the mirror. Then, he picks up a small velvet box sitting on the dresser and after checking the contents, he turns to leave his dorm room. He glances out the window and smiles slightly at the waning sunlight of the evening. Now that he was a Chuunin, rarely did he get a chance to enjoy something simple and beautiful as a sunset, nevertheless, he always took advantage of times like this. Especially today. Today was a very special day for him, not because of some ninja thing, much to the surprise of many of his friends like Sakura Haruno or Shikamaru Nara. Naruto turns and exits his dorm room then heads down the hallway towards the street with a smile on his face. As he steps out of the building, the bright orange glow of the sun briefly blinds him, but after a couple of blinks, his vision is clear again. He glances in both directions of the street and sees that all the shopkeepers are beginning to wind down their day and start to close up.

Naruto turns left and starts down the street, still smiling and feeling really relaxed. He chuckles to himself as he speculates that a certain kunoichi Chuunin most likely isn't as relaxed as he. His active imagination kicks in, running a rather hilarious scenario through his mind. He imagines a flustered and hurried Hinata Hyuuga rushing about, trying on different clothes, hair styles, and shoes. Then, when he arrives, she'd either hide in her bedroom until she gets herself looking like she wants or faint. After waking her up, she'd most likely go and hide in her bedroom. Naruto chuckles outwardly, then sighs. He felt a little guilty for thinking that, but Hinata was still shy, but not as shy as she used to be before the two of them finally got together exactly one year ago. She was always wanting to look her best for him and he found it flattering and funny all at the same time. Still, he enjoyed and loved her all the same. Naruto never would have thought that the two of them would have ever gotten together. If you would have told him three years ago that he and shy Hinata Hyuuga would be together, he would have given you a strange look of disbelief, shock, and vague confusion.

One year together. It didn't feel like it. Just goes to prove that time does really pass by quicker the older you get. Reflecting back, Naruto remembers how shocked everyone was when the two made the announcement that they were a couple. Well, almost everyone. To this day, Naruto still feels a bit hurt by Sakura's rather loud sigh of relief and exclamation of "Finally!" Granted, there were those jibes at him for being so thick-headed and not seeing before then how Hinata liked him. Then, there were the jokes made stating that Hinata had to pound it into him that she liked him. Or rather, 'poke' it into him, since she was taught the Hyuuga clan's Gentle Fist style taijutsu. Shikamaru was the first one to use that joke, but Naruto had retaliated with the joke about how Temari of the Sand Village whacked him over the head with her fan and drug him off like a hunting trophy to get his affection. Shikamaru quickly stopped joking after that and turned a bright red color, then hid behind his gruff demeanor and promptly said something to the effect that being at Naruto's and Hinata's announcement was a drag….

Naruto glances up and sees a figure up ahead of him. He begins to study it and sees that it is Shikamaru standing in a dress suit, his typical gruff look on his face and hands shoved into his pants pockets. His smile widens as he nears Shikamaru, then sees him glance up in his direction. An audible gruff grunt is the first thing Naruto hears as he steps up to Shikamaru. Naruto glances over his fellow Chuunin and notices that he has a bouquet of flowers shoved under his arm.

"Please tell me those aren't for me," Naruto jokes pointing at the flowers. Shikamaru shoots him a disgusted and shocked glare.

"Do what?!" Shikamaru exclaims and nearly drops the flowers.

Naruto laughs and slaps Shikamaru's shoulder jokingly and replies, "I'm kidding! I'm kidding! Seriously though, who are they for?"

Before Shikamaru can answer, a sweet, innocent female voice exits the door to the building the two are standing in front of.

"Oh, Shikaboo Baby!!!"

Naruto's face twists into shock and sees Temari of the Sand Village step to the door and lean against it, wearing a blue evening gown that is cut low and is split up to her hip. Naruto turns to an extremely embarrassed Shikamaru, who is hiding his bright red face with his hand. A groan emits from behind the hand and Temari smiles deviously at Shikamaru.

"Temari…..please…. not in front of everyone…." groans Shikamaru. Temari giggles and glances over to Naruto, who has went from being shocked to trying to contain his laughter.

"Oh, Naruto! Hi!" she states innocently.

"Hi, Temari. Nice to see you again," he replies, still trying to keep from busting up laughing.

"Likewise," Temari says, then glances over him. "Ooh, you dress up nice!"

Naruto blushes slightly and glances down at himself. "Uh, thanks," he replies and sees that Shikamaru has dropped his hand.

Temari turns back to Shikamaru and says, "Shikaboo Baby, I'm almost ready. My nails are not quite dry yet." She raises her hands and wiggles her fingers slightly. Shikamaru blushes brightly again at his pet name and grunts. Naruto fights the urge to break down laughing once again.

"Also, Ino is looking for a necklace for me to wear that matches my dress. She forgot where she put it, so she's having to tear the entire building apart to find it. It could be a few more minutes, so just be patient, Shikaboo Baby!" Temari continues and gently pokes Shikamaru's nose with an index finger. She gives him a smile that is innocent but has hints of deviousness in it, then disappears back into the building. Naruto watches her go and then turns to a still red faced Shikamaru.

"Shikaboo Baby….?" he asks, giving Shikamaru a sly look.

Shikamaru glares at him and replies, "Don't you dare breathe a word to anybody about that… that name!! Or so help me, I will kill you!"

A laugh escapes through Naruto's clinched teeth and Shikamaru gives him a hard stare. "I mean it, Naruto!!! Not a word!! Even if Lady Tsunade herself threatens to strip you of your Chuunin rank and send you back to the Academy!!" he finishes.

"Oh, leave him alone, Shikamaru," comes Temari's voice again. The two Chuunin turn to see her standing in the doorway, hands on her hips and a half-smile on her lips. "It's not like it's a big secret or anything!" she finishes.

"But… but…" starts a protesting Shikamaru. Temari raises an eyebrow and Shikamaru lets out an annoyed grunt.

"The only reason I call you that is because it's cute!" Temari states, stepping towards him.

Shikamaru lets out a disbelieving snort. "Yeah, right. You only call me that because you know I hate it!" he retorts.

Temari pauses and a sly grin spreads across her lips. "Well, that's true. But it still is cute!" she replies and runs a hand gently down his cheek. "By the way, Naruto, your shy girlfriend is running around in a frenzy, trying to get ready. She was doing good…. Until she saw you walking down the sidewalk. Then she went nuts," Temari states, turning to look at Naruto.

Naruto sighs and nods. "I knew I should have waited a minute longer…."

"Well, Hinata would have been done by the time you got here, HOWEVER…" Temari says and presses her lips together.

Naruto picks up on what she is implying and says, "Let me guess, Ino decided to take it upon herself to 'help' Hinata get ready." Temari smiles and nods. Naruto sighs and shakes his head slightly. "It never fails. Every time Ino decides to 'help' Hinata get ready, it ends up taking longer than if Hinata got ready by herself," he states.

"Well, it's 'safe' to go in there now. Maybe Ino will leave her alone if you show up," Temari suggests. Naruto ponders the idea then shakes his head.

"No, I don't think so. Hinata would freak out if I went in there before she was completely ready," Naruto replies and rubs the back of his neck. "Which, in turn, would make her later than Ino has already made her…"

Suddenly, Naruto feels as if someone is standing next to him and sees Temari and Shikamaru get a strange look on their faces. "Let me guess, Ino's behind me." The two nod and Naruto sheepishly turns to see a red-faced Ino Yamanaka gritting her teeth in anger at him.

"WELL, EXCUSE ME FOR TRYING TO HELP! AFTER ALL, I THOUGHT YOU'D APPRECIATE YOUR GIRLFRIEND LOOKING THE BEST SHE CAN FOR TONIGHT!!!" explodes the long, blonde-hair kunoichi. Naruto steps back quickly from her and begins to fear for his life. Then, Ino calms down marginally and crosses her arms. "Besides, Hinata already kicked me out! Humph! See if I ever help her look her best ever again!!" And with that, Ino storms off down the sidewalk, mumbling to herself angrily.

"Well, that could have gone a whole lot worse…." Shikamaru states after a brief but awkward pause.

"No kidding. I'm just glad it didn't…" Naruto agrees, then glances up to see an ebony haired girl peek out the second story window. "Hinata?" he whispers.

"I-I'll be down in a minute," comes the reply. Naruto smiles warmly up at her and nods.

"Look, Naruto, we gotta jet. I have to, uh, ESCORT Temari to the, uh, boat…docks…" Shikamaru stammers as Temari giggles playfully at him. Naruto turns and gives them a dubious look.

"Wait, you don't have to take a boat to get to the Wind Country and I thought Temari didn't have to leave until the day after tomorrow…." he starts. Shikamaru blushes and Temari gets a sly grin on her face. Naruto suddenly decides he doesn't want to know what Shikamaru means and shakes his head. "Never mind! Forget it! Look, you just go and I'll see you tomorrow, ok?"

Shikamaru presses his lips tightly together and the two walk away with a reluctant Shikamaru handing Temari the bouquet of flowers from under his arm. Naruto shakes his head and wonders how those two could have lasted so long.

"N-Naruto…." comes a sweet and shy voice from behind him. He turns to see Hinata standing in the doorway smiling with her cheeks blushing. She wears a pearl colored evening gown with a royal blue silk scarf draped gently over her shoulders. Her thin lips are curved into a small smile and are adorned by a glittery lipstick. Naruto almost drops the velvet box he's carrying due to the stunning beauty that stands before him. "…I'm ready to go," Hinata finishes.

"Wow….." Naruto exclaims softly, totally shocked at how gorgeous Hinata looks. "You….look…. awesome…." Hinata blushes some more and blinks in flattery as her hazel gray eyes stay focused on him.

"Thank you, Naruto. You look… really handsome tonight as well. Is that the shirt I bought you?" she asks.

Naruto blinks and manages to look at himself. "Uh, yeah, it is. Fits great too. But I still don't know how you knew my shirt size, though," he replies.

Hinata giggles softly and hides her smiling lips with a finger. "That's a secret!" she states. Naruto gives her a slightly suspicious frown then quickly dismisses the subject. After all, he had a special night planned ahead for the two of them.

He holds out an arm for her to take and she drops her hand, then takes his arm. The two then begin walking down the sidewalk, smiling.

Meanwhile, an ANBU operative watches five figures from a distance on the outskirts of Konoha's borders.

"Master, we are being watched from afar," informs the tallest figure, clad in blue robes. "Shall I dispatch him for you?"

The smallest and centermost figure in the group raises a hand. "No. Let the mortal be for now. Let him believe that he is at a safe distance from us and has not been spotted. But when the time comes, we will use him to further our conquest."

"But he could alert the village of our presence, Master," replies the blue robed figure.

"It does not matter now if he does or not. There is nothing they can do to stop me from returning to my full glory!" replies the center figure.