Disclaimer: Obviously I don't own Naruto cause if I did…heh believe me things would change! coughSasuSakucough Unfortunately it belongs to Masashi Kishimoto, blah, blah, blah, insert random legal document , etc.
Chapter 9! Oh my gosh we finally made it! Anyways we're off to one of my favorite parts that I own mostly to my friends who pestered me until I wrote it…namely pokingshivers. I have to warn you though that Sasuke starts to become a bit out of character towards the end of the chapter, but he has to for it to fit with the rest of the story. Besides it's not his fault according to him! Enjoy!
Miharu-Uchiha
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Chapter 8: Recap!
"The annual Thunder Festival. You arrived just in time for it actually. It starts tomorrow morning and goes all day…hopefully," the Kage replied. "Which reminds me, I have a job for you to do at the festival. I need you to watch out for my son and make sure he doesn't cause trouble. Don't worry about getting dressed up, I'll send something for you tomorrow morning."
"Shouldn't we be doing surveillance work, patrolling, or something?" Sasuke asked in disbelief.
"You will be. Only you'll do it in a kimono and you'll be having fun too," The Raikage said heading to the door. "Oh I almost forgot you have no idea what Toshikai looks like do you? Here's a picture of him when he was a bit younger and not so…well anyway, I'll see you bright and early tomorrow."
Leaving the picture with Kakashi, Raikage Seizo left through a side door and shut it behind him. Glancing down at the picture of a younger Toshikai, Sasuke was stunned. The way everyone made him out to be was like a vicious killer, but this picture didn't agree. The young man in the picture had white blonde hair that cascaded to his shoulders; his eyes were a deep green darker then Sakura's, and his smile belied the way everyone talked about him. From the picture Toshikai seemed like a normal guy who didn't have a vengeful bone in his body.
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Chapter 9: The Thunder Festival"Sasuke…oi loser!"
Sasuke sprang up from the bed like he'd been stung and looked around groggily. He glanced over at the window and saw cool moonlight still seeping in. Rubbing his eyes he slowly looked around.
"What time is it?" Sasuke wondered to no one in particular.
"Around six, I think," Sakura replied brushing her hair.
"Hn…" Sasuke said sinking back into his pillow.
"We'll be late if you don't get out of bed soon," Kakashi said walking out from his room already dressed and ready to go. "We let you sleep longer than the rest of us since you looked so peaceful."
"I thought you were dead, but Sakura wouldn't let me test my theory," Naruto said stepping out from the steamy bathroom.
"Naruto!" Sakura yelped. "Put some clothes on!"
"I think this towel makes me look good," Naruto teased with a laugh.
"I don't care! Put something on!" Sakura retorted.
Naruto looked hurt, but nonetheless got dressed though he didn't zip up his jacket claiming he would take it off soon anyway. Sasuke followed suit and took a quick shower and pulled his classic black Uchiha shirt over his head. This particular shirt was his favorite as it didn't have the usual high collar, but otherwise looked about the same as always. He pulled on his cargo shorts, but decided not to bother with the armbands and was ready. Once he was done, Kakashi lead them off towards the festival area.
"I thought we were supposed to be wearing kimono instead of regular clothes," Sasuke commented to Kakashi.
"Yep, the Raikage left some for us at the ticket gate," Kakashi said smiling as he watched the Uchiha grimace. "I thought we were supposed to be wearing kimono or whatever instead of regular clothes," Sasuke commented to Kakashi.
"Yep, the Raikage left some for us at the ticket gate," Kakashi said smiling as he watched the Uchiha grimace.
The finally approached the gate where the man ushered them in. He then led them to an area where they were pulled into a room where people began helping them into their robes and kimono. As he changed into his under robe, Sasuke was on guard. He didn't understand what the point of having a festival is when they should have been out hunting down Toshikai.
"Is everything okay?" the girl tying his obi on asked hearing him sigh. "Not to tight is it?"
"Hnn…it's fine," Sasuke replied.
"There we go! There how is it?"
Sasuke glanced down and saw his robe. The robe itself was black with silver decorations on it. The obi was silver with black designs, the exact opposite of the robe. He had to admit it was a nice robe and it fit rather well. The maid behind him slipped a vest over his shoulders that reminded him more of samurai armor than an actual vest; though unlike armor it opened at the front exactly like a chunin vest. Looking at himself in the mirror he hardly recognized himself without his headband and the kimono he was in.
"Well that fits rather well doesn't it?" the girl asked with a giggle.
"Yea, it does," Sasuke replied.
"Good, your friends should be waiting outside for you shortly," the older lady said with a bow.
Sasuke turned to leave with the assurance that his clothes would be returned to him. As he headed out the door he heard a smacking noise and a sharp yell from the older maid to her daughter to not stare at his butt. Sasuke rolled his eyes and stepped outside. Even here I have a fanclub, he thought with a sigh.
"Well, if it isn't Prince Sasuke now," Naruto laughed. "Tell me though, do I look good or do I look good?"
"You look like an idiot," Sasuke retorted.
Naruto was dressed in the same style as Sasuke complete with the vest. The only difference between the two was Naruto's robe and obi were blue and gold. The blue highlighted his eyes and the gold his hair.
"Are you two fighting already?" Kakashi said stepping out from the adjoining room. "It's only what 7:00 or so? You could at least wait until 8:00."
Both boys turned to see how Kakashi had pulled off his robe with his mask and were surprised. Kakashi wore a robe much like Naruto and Sasuke's, however, the vest was closed instead of open and the colors were forest green and silver. Because the vest was closed, Kakashi had slipped on his mask underneath it still covering his face, but surprisingly left off his hitai-ate. Instead he had combed his wild hair off to that side to cast a shadow, which now effectively did the same as his headband.
"He started it," Naruto said with a glare.
"Where's Sakura so we can go?" Sasuke asked ignoring the holes being bored into his back by Naruto.
Kakashi shrugged and pulled out his infamous book and began to read. Naruto elbowed Sasuke and gestured towards a small group of girls their fight forgotten like usual. Sasuke looked and saw a group of girls watching them. Why me? Sasuke pondered. Might as well give them a show. The girls giggled and one looked as though she might die when Sasuke flashed his deadly look. He paused for a moment to let the light reflect off his eyes and then turned away again. From the girls he heard an overly loud squeal.
"Hopefully Sakura hurries before those girls come over and try to kill us all trying to get to Sasuke," Naruto said to Kakashi.
"Waiting for me?" Sakura's voice chimed from behind them.
Sasuke turned towards the young kunoichi and almost let his calm demeanor drop. She was wearing a bright pink kimono with bright green designs on it, her obi was a sky blue, her hair was also pulled up, and someone had put sparkles in it.
Naruto and even Kakashi were shocked having only rarely seen Sakura look like this.
"What?" Sakura asked cocking her head. "Hello…Sasuke…Naruto?"
Sasuke tried to will his eyes or mouth, for that matter, to move, but found himself unable to until Kakashi ruffled both his and Naruto's hair to distract them. Sasuke snapped back into reality and shook his head putting on an annoyed face.
"What was that for?" he asked Kakashi.
Kakashi merely grinned and turned to walk away towards the main area. As they went to pass, the fanclub girls stepped in front of Sasuke smiling rather evilly. They slowly approached and it was only because of Sakura's intervention they didn't drown him with hugs and such.
"Come on honey," Sakura chimed winking up at Sasuke. "We don't want to be late do we?"
"Um…no…honey?" Sasuke replied still warily eyeing the rabid fanclub.
"Wait just a minute! Who are you?" the apparent fanclub president asked Sakura. "You can't just steal him away just like that."
"Oh I'm sorry. I'm his fiancée and technically I can," Sakura said loving every minute of torment she was inflicting on the girls. CHA! Inner Sakura yelled her infamous battle cry. So back the hell off!
With that Sakura looped her arm around Sasuke's and they marched off after Kakashi and Naruto who had gone on ahead. Sakura glanced over her shoulder and stuck her tongue out at the stunned fanclub behind them. Once they rounded the corner Sakura dropped Sasuke's arm and smiled at him.
"Why did you do that?" Sasuke asked.
"I thought you didn't like annoying fangirls, Sasuke-kun," Sakura laughed deliberately adding her affectionate petname. "I could have left you with them."
"Fine, I get the point," Sasuke replied with a shudder.
"Are you two coming yet?" Naruto called from where him and Kakashi were waiting.
"Good to see you all again," the Raikage said with a smile. "I have to start the festival and then things will really heat up. Hopefully this will all go off without a hitch."
"And if we see your son?" Kakashi asked.
"Report straight to me," Seizo said calmly. "Otherwise just have fun with it."
The Raikage turned and walked up onto the stage where he announced the beginning of the Annual Thunder Festival. Music started to play from a band and people cheered in the audience. Kakashi smiled and walked away towards a booth selling Come Come Paradise books while Naruto dashed off to get some ramen.
"So what would you like to do?" Sakura asked Sasuke. "Anything in particular?"
"Hnn…" Sasuke replied.
"Uh oh," Sakura yanked on his arm. "Don't look now, but your fanclub followed us."
Sasuke turned and saw his fanclub following close behind. He grimaced and followed Sakura. She led him to a dunking stand and cleverly led the girls along too where the man in charge picked them. Sasuke couldn't help but grin a little as one by one the girls were dunked while trying to escape. Turning to find Sakura, he realized she was gone. Grumbling he looked around until she reappeared with ice cream.
"I wasn't sure which kind for you, but you seemed like a chocolate kind of guy," Sakura smiled holding out his.
"What did you get?" Sasuke said taking his from her as they sat down to eat.
"Strawberry is the best for me," she said happily.
They sat in silence for a moment both watching the crowds of people walking by. Sasuke turned to Sakura who smiled back at him.
"What?" he asked noticing she was laughing at him.
"You've got chocolate ice cream all over your nose," she giggled.
"Where?" Sasuke said trying to lick it off. "Did I get it?"
"Nope. Here let me help you," Sakura said trying to wipe the ice cream off. "Hold still would you?"
Sasuke obediently held still as the pink haired kunoichi wiped chocolate from his nose. As she was finishing a man bumped into her and Sasuke found himself nose-to-nose and lip-to-lip with Sakura. He watched her reaction, but didn't immediately push her away. She looked up at him and blushed turning away. Sasuke wasn't sure why, but when she did an electric tingle ran up and down his spine.
"Sorry," she mumbled. "Just try not to get ice cream all over next time."
"I won't," he replied confused about what had just happened.
"Wait, what time is it?" Sakura said jumping up.
"I have no idea. Why?" Sasuke replied.
"Um…well…I," Sakura started, "just wanted to go hear my favorite band play."
"Sounds like another band's getting ready. Maybe that's them," Sasuke offered. He wasn't sure why, but he wanted to make her happy today. Stupid high altitude's getting to me, he thought shaking his head.
Sakura nodded and walked towards the stage. Sasuke caught a glimpse of Kakashi and tried to get his attention. Unable to flag the jonin down, Sasuke told Sakura he'd catch up and headed off to find him. He found Kakashi and Naruto at a weapon booth admiring random weaponry.
"Oh hey Sasuke," Naruto said finally noticing him. "Where have you been?"
"Around," Sasuke replied. "I told Sakura we'd catch up once I got found you."
"Where's she at?" Kakashi asked.
"Over by the stage," Sasuke answered. "Come on."
Sasuke led the rest of squad 7 towards the stage keeping an eye out for Sakura. He looked everywhere, but couldn't see her. Kakashi and Naruto weren't having much luck either.
"Are you sure she said to meet here?" Kakashi asked glancing up over the stage.
"Yeah, but I don't see her," Sasuke said walking away from the stage and towards Naruto. "What about you?"
"No, I can't find her either," Naruto said.
Sasuke heard music start to play from the stage and cursed under his breath. Now she's going to miss it and I'll be in trouble, he thought with a sigh. Naruto elbowed him as the singer on stage began to sing. He ignored his friend for a moment, but the vocalist sounded so familiar. Turning he saw Sakura onstage and suddenly realized why she had wanted to come back and why he couldn't find her.
After the fire is over
After the ashes cool
After the smoke has blown away
I will be here for you
After the stillness finds you
After the winds of change
All that is good and true between us
This will remain the same
Slowly...slowly
We turn the page of life
Growing...knowing
It comes at quite a price
After the fire is over
After the ashes cool
After the smoke has blown away
I will be here for you
After your time of wand'ring
Along this lonely road
There will be many voices calling
Mine will say, "Welcome home"
Slowly...slowly
We turn the page of life
Growing...knowing
It comes at quite a price
After the fire is over
After the ashes cool
After the smoke has blown away
I will be here for you
I will be here for you
With the song finished Sakura caught his eye and smiled. She jumped down off the stage handing the microphone off to the next singer and Sasuke tried to get to her. As the next song started, he wanted to talk to her, and as couples around him began to dance, he felt his heart started to open. If only a little bit, only Sakura could do that to him.
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So tell me what you thought of this! I couldn't resist the song, but I thought putting one in fit and my friend found it for me. I think it matches! So tell me what you think of this chappie and I get the next one up as soon as I possibly can. Remember to review!!