A/N: This is not Rayne. I'm just updating for her.
She says thanks for your reviews!
Here's the next chap.
"Ow my back hurts!" Sakura cried.
"Allow me to carry your luggage." Lee said grabbing Sakura's backpack from her and slinging over his shoulder along with his own. He also took the two pieces of wood she carried in her hands. Tsunade had instructed us to bring a few pieces of wood along with our baggage.
"Uh...thanks." Sakura said.
Lee gave her a thumbs up and flashed a smile.
"I think the lake might just sing." I whispered to Hinata jokingly.
Sakura glared at me angrily. "It's one sided love." "Boys can't help falling inlove with me." she said flicking her hair.
"S-sakura Lee's n-nice." Hinata said.
"And...?" Sakura said stretching.
"A-and h-he really likes you." Hinata added.
Sakura glanced at Lee. She looked a bit sad and confused. Hey! That wasn't fair. I could tell Sakura all day that lee liked her but when Hinata said it there was a diffirent impact. I sighed. We were all hiking towards the lake which Tsunade said wasn't far but we'd been walking for what seemed like hours and we still weren't there. Maybe I was exaggerating a bit because I was just tired from the previous events.
The sun had almost set. There were only a few more minutes left in the day.
"I'm hungry!" Naruto cried rubbing his stomach.
"I told you we'll eat when we get there." Tsunade said. Jiraya was carrying her along with a big box. It looked extremly heavy and he was panting and sweating. "Can't you walk." he said breathlessly.
"Nope." she said poking him in the nose and smiling eviley. "This is what you get for opening your big mouth." "Now who lost a bet?"
Jiraya sighed and began mumbling under his breath. "You."
"Excuse me?" Tsuande said. "I don't think I heard you."
Jiraya's face turned red. "Uh...
"I thought so." Tsunade said smiling. "Now pick up the pace."
"Wow that's harsh." Sakura whispered. "I wonder what the bet was."
"Me too."
"It has something to do with the lake I think." Tenten said. I hadn't noticed before but she was right behind us.
"Why do you think that?"
"I over heard them talking about it."
"What did they say?" Sakura asked. Meanwhile I waved my hand in Hinata's face she was so busy staring at Naruto it was sickening.
"Well I could only hear bits and pieces but it was something about the lake singing and us camp members." Tenten said shrugging.
"Hm..." I said shifting the wood in my hands.
"I'm still hungry!" Naruto cried again louder this time.
"A true ninja can endure hunger pains and strive until he reaches the top." Lee said.
Naruto took one look at Lee and raised an eyebrow. "Why do you have so much wood?" he asked. "And why are you carrying an extra bag?"
Lee smiled. "I'm being a-
Whatever he was about to say wasn't heard because competitions were starting again. Naruto ran to Hinata. "Uh can i carry your wood?" he asked quickly.
"Uh-um- y-yes." Hinata said blushing.
Soon all the other guys were rushing towards the few girls. It was insane.
"We're almost there." Tsunade called.
Sasuke grabbed Kurenai's wood and Kiba and Choji fought over Shizune's.
"You're Tenten right?" Neji asked as he stood before Tenten. She blushed and nodded.
"Can I-
Before Neji could even ask Tenten shoved her wood at him. "You can carry it if you want."
I didn't get it. Why were the guys so fixed on being better than one another. If one guy was carrying a heavier load then the other they'd practiaclly kill him.
Yet again the only ones not participating in the madness were Shikamaru, Gaara, and Haku.
"Someone can carry mines." Shikamaru said dropping his wood and taking off his backpack.
So far no one had even asked for my wood. "I guess I'm-
I paused as I felt someones hands on my shoulders. I gasped and turned my head to see Gaara. Without a word he removed my backpack and swung it over his shoulder. Then he took the wood from my hands.
I watched him walk on ahead. He wasn't racing with the other guys who had taken up naruto's challenge to get to the lake the fastest. Instead he just walked at a normal pace.
"What was that about?" Sakura asked.
I shook my head. "I don't know."
"I-I see it!" Hinata cried pointing ahead of us.
I looked up. There was the lake.
It was nothing like I imagined. Or what anyone would imagine when they heard the stories about it. It was rather dull. Just a lake surronded by green grass and bushes. I had imagined roses and tulips and every other beautiful thing. What a big let down. The only beautiful things about the lake was a giant tree with pink blossoms that fell into the clear water.
The guys countinued running past the lake. I guess in their rush they didn't see it.
"YOU PASSED IT!" Tsunade yelled after them.
We could only see the smoke they left behind.
"Kakashi go get them." Tsunade said.
Kakashi sighed and began to go after the guys. Haku, Gaara, and Shino set down their wood and the bags. Along with the rest of the conselors. Shikamaru collapsed on the ground and began to stare at the sky.
"This is it?" Tenten asked looking at the lake.
Shizune nodded.
"It's not romantic at all." Tenten stated as she picked up some grass from the ground.
Tsunade motioned for Jiraya to set her down. He let out a huff as he set the box down and she climbed off of it.
"It is said that when the lake sings it makes a scenery." she said pointing to the lake.
"W-what d-do you m-mean?" Hinata asked.
"Well beautiful things will appear I guess." Tsaunde replied. "I think it has to do with that tree." she said pointing to the giant tree.
Everyone began to stare at the tree. Everyone except Gaara. He sat down and closed his eyes.
This had to be a big lie. There was no way something like this exsisted.
"It's not singing." I whispered to Sakura.
"There's no boys." she whispered back.
I pointed to Haku, Gaara, Shikamaru and Shino.
Sakura gave me a look.
I sighed.
Just then Kakashi came back with the guys who looked beat except for Lee who carried his wood and baggage happily towards the rest of us.
"Can't give up." Naruto said breatlessly as he crawled on the ground.
"G-GO NARUTO!" Hinata cried. She immediatly blushed afterwards.
Naruto stood up and began running again and so did the other guys. I turned away. I really didn't care who won this stupid competition.
"LEE YOU CAN DO IT!" Gai cried. He grabbed my shoulders and turned me around. "You must see my youthful studen win!"
"But there isn't even a competition."
"YOUNG LADY YOU-mmph
"Sorry about that." Tsunade said covering Gai's mouth and pushing him away.
All the guys collapsed by the wood pile.
"I'm beat." Kiba said loudly. "I'm sleeping in this spot tonight." "I can't move another muscle."
Tsunade walked over to the wood pile and stood on it. "Alright let's set up camp." "After we start the fire we can bathe and eat."
"Bathe?" Temari asked.
"Yes." Tsunade replied. "Is there a problem?"
"W-where?" Hinata asked.
"In the lake ofcourse." Tsunade replied pointing to the lake. "Everyone is going to bathe in the lake toghther."
Hinata fainted.
Sakura's eyes got so big I thought they might pop out, Temari made a face, Shikamaru let out a deep breath and Kiba jumped up off the ground.
"I thought you couldn't move another muscle?" Shikamaru said staring at him.
"Yeah well you thought wrong." Kiba replied.
Jiraya stood still with a puzzled look on his face then he smiled and began jumping up and down. "I don't care if I do loose this is great!" "It's only once in a lifetime you get to bathe nude with woman like these!"
Tsunade raised an eyebrow. "Who said anything about being nude." she said motioning for Shizune to come there.
Shizune walked towards Tsunade and pulled out her clipboard. "Dress code for the bathing will be shorts for the guys and either bikini tops and shorts or an oversized T-shirt." "Got it?"
"Whaaaaaaat?" "That's no fun!" Jiraya whined.
"This isn't suppossed to be fun." "It's supposed to be bathing." Tsunade said.
Haku raised his hand.
"Yes." Tsunade asked pointing to him.
"Can we wear full clothing instead of...shorts?"
Tsunade shook her head. "Nope you must wear what I say."
Haku looked a bit annoyed. I smiled at him. He smiled back.
"What are you wearing?" Sakura whispered. She had Hinata in her lasp as she dug through her backpack.
"A T-shirt." I replied digging through my back pack.
"I'm wearing a bikini top." Sakura said staring at Sasuke. "It's gonna be magical."
I rolled my eyes. "It's gonna be dark." I mumbled.
The sun had already set and the moon was shining over head. Shizune and Tsunade were working on the fire while everyone else was getting theor clothes ready.
"I'm I the only one wearing a bikini top?" Tenten asked as she sat next to us.
Sakura shook her head. "I'm with you." "Ino's so dry."
"No I'd just rather not be in the dark in a weird lake with a bunch of weird guys wearing a bikini top and shorts."
"And a T-shirt is better?" Temari asked. "Beneath it's your under clothes."
I shrugged.
Suddenly Hinata began to open her eyes.
"Are t-the b-baths over?" she asked hopingly.
I shook my head.
"You're up just in time." Tenten said smiling.
Hinata's face went red as she stood up and began walking.
"Where are you going?" I asked.
"I-I need to t-talk to Tsuande." she said.
"I'll come with you." I said pulling on a T-shirt over my bra and hopping after Hinata. Tsunade was wiping the sweat off her brow as she put another stick in the fire. "What's wrong?" she asked when she noticed us.
"I-I'm pretty c-clean d-do I h-have t-to take a b-b-bath." Hinata asked.
"Yep." "Everyone has to."
"But-
"No buts." Tsunade said turning Hinata around towards the lake. "Have a nice bath." she said a little too happily.
Something was up. Definently. Why else would she want everyone to bathe toghther in this lake of all places.
"Come on." I whispered to Hinata as I wrapped my arm around her neck. "It won't be so bad." "Let's just make it quick." "Get in and get out."
Hinata nodded slowly.
"Want to wear a T-shirt like me?" I asked.
She nodded again. I could tell she was kinda out of it.
I found my backpack and began digging in it. I found another T-shirt and threw it to Hinata. She pointed to the big tree and I follwed her behind it so that we could both change.
"Do you think anyone can see us?" she asked before removing her jacket.
I shook my head and removed my shorts.
I thought of Neji and the byakugan he possessed if he wanted he could probly look at us both change right now. Not that he'd want to. I didn't say anything to Hinata she would probly freak. After we finished dressing we both emerged from behind the tree and walked towards the lake.
When we reached the edge of the lake we both paused and stared into it.
"Hey Hinata!" Naruto said putting his hand on her shoulder.
"Want to swim with me?" he asked.
Hinata blushed. "W-we're supposed t-to b-be bathing."
Naruto shrugged. "So swimming is so much funner." he said taking her hand. "So...
Hinata nodded.
"What about me?" I asked.
Naruto looked at me. "Uh...I guess you could...swim with us if you want." he said reluctantly.
I sighed. "That's o.k."
Naruto didn't even make an attempt to convince me to swim he just looked at Hinata. " On the count of three lets jump o.k?"
She nodded.
"3,2,1, JUMP!" Naruto and Hinata jumped in to the lake. Cold water splashed into my face. I shrieked and stepped back a bit.
I began to look around the lake. Everyone was in already including Tsunade and Shizune and the rest of the counselors. Most of the guys were just swimming and having fun. No one was really bathing except the adults.
"THIS IS NOT SUPPOSED TO BE FUN!" Tsunade shouted.
There was silence as everyone stared at her. Then Kiba splashed Kankuro and the fun started again. I looked around for Sakura she was clinging to Lee. What was going on there?
Everyone looked like they were having so much fun. I wondered would the lake sing for friendship? As of now it was pretty silent. I walked across the edge of the lake. I think I was the only one who wasn't inside yet. I stuck my right foot inside the water to test it. It was so cool.
Suddenly I felt someones hands on my back. They pushed me lightly and I lost my balance. "WAHHHHHH!" I cried as I fell into the water.
The cool water turned warm as my entire body touched it. I lifted my head up and turned around looking frantically for whoever had just pushed me. Gaara stood behind me his arms folded across his chest and a grin on his face. He was still fully clothed.
"D-did you...did you do that?" I asked wiping water from my eyes.
He shrugged. "Do what?"
He so definently did it! I could tell.
"Why aren't you inside the lake?" I asked changing the subject.
"I'm not getting in." he replied.
"But Tsunade said-
"I don't care what she said." Gaara said interuppting me.
I thought of what Neji had said to Gaara before they fought that night. So you like doing things when people tell you not to? Gaara had said yes.
I smiled. "Gaara...I have to tell you something."
Gaara raised an eyebrow. "Huh?"
"I have to tell you something." I repeated.
"I'm all ears." he said.
"It's a secret." "So...could you come closer?"
Gaara looked alittle suspicious of me but he squatted down anyway. I leaned closer to him so that my mouth was at his ear. I didn't say anything.
"Spit it out." Gaara said impatiently.
I took a deep breath and pulled Gaara in the water.
SPLASH
A/N: O.k so I'm stopping right there. This chap was longer then the last like Rayne promised.
Anyways please review!
