I DON'T OWN NARUTO

Traditions – Chapter 3 – Sake and Friends

"Hey, Forehead, are you home?"

"In the kitchen, Ino-Pig, what do you want?"

"What are you doing in the kitchen?" Ino asked as she walked in.

"I am making tea for Kakashi-sensei and myself, would you like some?"

"No, I don't have time and neither do you."

"What do you mean? I have nothing to do later."

"Oh, yes you do. The Rookie 9 is getting together tonight and we have to get ready. So let's go."

"Wait, Ino I can't just leave Kakashi-sensei is here and I already invited him over for tea. Besides I have something I really need to talk to him about." As Sakura finished talking a light blush spread across her face. Ino watched this happen and was about to say something…

"Yo, Sakura thanks for the offer but I just remembered I have to go see the Hokage. Ja ne."

"Well, that takes are of that problem. Now come on, Sakura, I have this outfit that would look great on you." Ino said as she drug Sakura out of her house.


Shikamaru sat watching Chouji and Naruto eat more ramen. He was thinking about later when he heard Lee coming down the road.

"If I can't finish my bowl of ramen before Neji, I shall eat 100 more bowls!!!!!!!" Declared the taijutsu expert. Neji just continued to walk into the ramen stand while Tenten rolled her eyes as she sat down.

"Hello, other youthful ramen heaters. How are you on this glorious day?"

"We're good, Lee. Just finishing up so we can get ready for tonight. Are you guys going?"

"Where?"

"The whole Rookie 9 is going to the new shinobi bar. Team Gai should come as well."

"We will most definitely be there. And tonight I will win my beautiful cherry blossom's heart!" Shikamaru snapped back to reality when he heard this. There is no way Sakura would ever fall for Lee. She is too "normal". Lost in his thoughts Shikamaru didn't see Chouji and Naruto stand.

"Hey, Shikamaru, let's go, I need a new outfit for tonight if I am going to impress Hinata."

Neji stood up and glaring at Naruto and asked, "And why would you want to impress Hinata?"

Not fazed in the least, Naruto responded, "Because I am going to ask her out tonight." As the three of them left to go to the shopping district Shikamaru was thinking maybe he could use a new outfit too.


"Tsunade-sama, here is the sake you requested and I made an appointment at the tailor's for tomorrow morning. Hatake-san is –"

"Right behind you." Kakashi said as several green leaves fell to the ground. Shizune rolled her eyes as she left the office. Why do I even bother?

"Have a seat Kakashi. How was your day?" Tsunade asked while pouring the sake. Kakashi calmly sat down in one of the chairs and pulled out the scroll from his pocket. He reached out and set the scroll down next to the one on the Hokage's desk.

"Well, I see you have been to see Sakura today. That at least saves me and you, the trouble of having to get this scroll. Now, considering you are an intelligent man, tell me how much you've figured out."

"Well, I will begin by telling you that this scroll was emitting chakra that only I could sense, being as Sakura didn't react to it at all. Secondly, I know what both symbols on the scroll mean I just never expected to see them together. I wasn't aware that the Nara clan even considered arranged marriages."

"Neither was I until Nara Shikaku explained everything to me today. Apparently, it is the exact opposite – all marriages in the Nara clan are arranged, at birth." Tsunade watched Kakashi carefully for a reaction. Hmmm, apparently he hasn't put everything together yet. "Before I tell you any more read the scroll you found today."


"I don't know, Ino. This outfit is just not me."

"Oh, come on, Sakura. All anyone ever sees you in is your training clothes or shinobi uniform. How do you expect to catch a man like that? You worked hard for years to be as good of a shinobi as you are, why not use that to your advantage. You've got one of the best bodies in Konoha; why not flaunt it for once?"

"First off, Ino-pig, I am not trying to catch a man as you so eloquently put it. I've tried that before and it doesn't work. Besides if I do find a guy worthy of dating it will be because he finds other attributes like my personality attractive not just my body."

"You know, Sakura, you sound like lazy-ass."


"Come on, Naruto, it cannot possibly take this long to choose a shirt and matching pair of slacks."

"I know, man, but I just want everything perfect, other wise she might not say yes."

"Chouji's right, Naruto, just pick something that matches. Besides I don't think your clothing will make or break Hinata's decision. If she agrees to go out with you it will be because, for some unknown reason, she finds your personality attractive."

"Wow, Shikamaru, you sound like Sakura-chan."


Kakashi's eyes meet Tsunade's. He couldn't believe what he'd just read. As he started to stand, Tsunade stopped him. "Kakashi, you need to hear some other things before I can let you go."

"But I need to check on Sakura, there is no way she knows about this. If someone lets it slip she won't take it will."

"I am aware of how she would react, Kakashi, but no one will tell her. No one besides you and I know." Tsunade watches as Kakashi wrestles with his need to protect her and his trust of Tsunade, her second mother. Before he sits he squats and bites his thumb.

"Kuchiyose no jutsu." A puff of smoke cleared and there sits Pakkun. "What do you need, Kakashi?"

"I need you to keep an eye on Sakura, Pakkun. Don't let her know you are there and let me know if she is upset in any way."

"Okay." And then he disappeared.

"Now, Hokage-sama, please explain what you mean by non one but you and I know."


Ino and Sakura were approaching the new bar when Hinata joined them. Walking towards them was Naruto, Chouji, and Shikamaru. Hinata and Sakura were chatting when Ino saw the guys coming.

"Chouji!!!!!!!!!!!!!!" Ino shouted as she ran forward to greet her boyfriend. Hinata and Sakura looked up when she shouted.

"H-h-hello, N-Naruto-kun, how are you?"

"I am good Hinata, would you like me to walk you inside?" Hinata smiled and turned bright red, but shook her head and walked into the bar next to Naruto.

This left Sakura and Shikamaru to walk into the bar together. They both look at each other not really sure what to do now that the person occupying their thoughts was directly in front of them. Luckily, Shikamaru sensed Lee just before he could start declaring his undying love. So he wrapped his arm around Sakura's waist and led her into the bar. The dim lights inside hid their blushes from each other and everyone else.


Ok, so not as long as the others but I needed to cut it off here because it was the best spot. Thanks for reviews and all the alerts. Jae