I DON'T OWN NARUTO

Traditions – Chapter 9 – Festivities and Dangers

"Shikamaru? Hey are you alright?" Sakura had taken a few steps towards Shikamaru who had frozen on the spot, seemingly staring at her.

"Has he been acting strange at all?" Sakura asked as she turned to face Kakashi and Naruto.

"No, he was fine the entire time at the hot spring. You haven't noticed anything off, have you Naruto?"

"Nope."

"Wait, who was with you guys at the hot spring?"

"No one."

Sakura narrowed her eyes, "You did it didn't you?" Hinata looked confused by Sakura's question. Kakashi didn't react he just pulled out that orange book. Naruto scratched the back of his head with his hand – a dead giveaway.

"I don't believe you two." Sakura said as she made her way towards Shikamaru. "How many times have I told you to leave them alone? I can take care of myself. Besides this is Shikamaru we are talking about, there was absolutely no reason to do anything to him. And if he is really injured in any way, when we get back to Konoha you two better hide."

Her hands began to glow green while she checked Shikamaru for any injuries. Shikamaru's brain jump started when he felt Sakura's chakra enter him. That feels amazing. Her chakra is warm and soothing and makes me feel… Shikamaru closed his eyes enjoying the sensations coursing through his body. Her smell is intoxicating. His breathing became shallower as he became more and more aware of Sakura.

Slowly Sakura moved her hands around his body, and gradually she began breathing easier. He didn't seem to have any bodily harm, but she still needed to check his head. She placed her hands on the side of his face letting her chakra slowly seep into him when she felt hands grasp her wrists.

"Kura, stop."

Sakura stopped the chakra flow to her hands, and looked up at Shikamaru. Her breath caught in her throat. Shikamaru was looking at her in a way that made her entire body heat up. He hadn't removed her hands from his face, so Sakura began to pull him towards her. His eyes flickered to her lips noting that they were slightly parted. Sakura's eyes began to drift closed as their noses brushed. They could feel each other's breaths on their faces.

"See, Sakura-chan, I told you we didn't do anything to him."

Kakashi and Hinata sweat dropped – is he really that dense? Sakura's eyes flew open. Oh, kami, I was about to kiss Shika-kun. She tried to pull completely away but Shikamaru wouldn't let go of her wrists. She looked up at him and blushed. He smiled at her and released her wrists, only to take one of her hands in his. He began to walk to the door, gently pulling her with him.

"Are you three coming? We do have a mission you know."

The group walked towards the festival grounds quietly discussing the mission.

"The bride and groom won't appear in public until the final day, so we are just to observe for the first two days and not any suspicious activity." The group nodded and all parted ways, at least they could somewhat enjoy the activities.

Keeping his eyes and other senses on high alert Shikamaru considered what had happened earlier. We almost kissed. Although I am kind of glad we didn't, after all of the things Kakashi talked about I don't know how I would have reacted. But I definitely need to figure out a way to get her to kiss me. Preferably at a time and place where we are alone and Naruto can't interrupt. He glanced down at Sakura who was walking at his side. She was completely absorbed in the activities going on around her. He was sure she was staying alert but he could see her eyes glowing. I don't know how to tell her what I have realized. I definitely want to explore this relationship but I am not looking for just a fling. I would want something more permanent.

"Shika-kun isn't the festival wonderful. It looks like the entire village has come out to celebrate the marriage. All of the Konoha's weddings are private affairs, nothing near as exciting as this. I think it should be the way it is here. Something to be celebrated and announced to the world. Don't you?"

Shikamaru had to force himself to focus on the actual conversation not just the lilt to her voice. "I do. I think people should be proud to show that they are in love."

Sakura smiled up at him and then turned to continue to peruse the crowd. She began to explore some of the stalls that were selling things. One particular necklace caught her attention. She spent several minutes examining it, while Shikamaru went to find Kakashi and tell him something.

"Shikamaru, where's Sakura?"

"Over looking at the necklaces in that booth. Can I ask you a favor? I know we are on a mission and all, but Sakura really likes this necklace over there. I want to get it for her, but I can't leave her side. Would you?"

"You owe me."

"Arigato, Kakashi-senpai."

Shikamaru rejoined Sakura and they continued the rest of the evening like that. Silently observing all of the people attending the festival, until it was time to return to the suite for the evening. They all compared notes and then went to bed.

The second day at the festival went the same as the first. No one had really found anything suspicious, so they prepared for anything to happen on the third day of the festival.

Sakura was just about finished putting the final touches on her dress kimono when someone knocked on her door. She walked over to answer it and was surprised to see no one on the other side. She looked down and saw a box with her name on it. She picked it up and opened it. Inside was the necklace she was admiring at the festival on the first day. She smiled and fastened it around her neck, her outfit complete.

She joined the rest of her team as they made their way towards the ceremonial platform. I thought I got over the staring part, but I can't take my eyes off of her. She is wearing the necklace, I didn't think she would. Sakura's voice broke Shikamaru out of his thoughts.

"Shika-kun, I have a bad feeling about today, something is going to happen."

Shikamaru nodded his head, he had the same feeling. They reached the ceremony and took their respective posts. Naruto and Hinata went to the platform; they were playing the role of the "official" Konoha representatives. This afforded them a seat up next to the married couple. Kakashi was somewhere along the edge of the crowd so he could observe as much as possible. Sakura and Shikamaru were almost directly in the middle. This was good and bad – they could see and reach everything at almost the same time. However, they would have to make their way through many people.

Looking around they waited patiently for the announcement to be made. Nothing had yet looked out of place, although Sakura noticed a few more Suna guards than they had seen the previous two days.

"Shikamaru, didn't Gaara say he was trying to down play this threat?" He nodded. "Then why are there so many guards?"

"I don't know but I will signal Kakashi to look into it." As Shikamaru went through the signals Sakura sought Gaara. She found him standing on the opposite side of the couple then Naruto and Hinata. He seemed to have noticed the increase in guards as well and was discussing it with Temari. Just as Shikamaru was about to say something to Sakura a loud noise drew the focus of the crowd. Everyone in the room turned to the direction of the noise. Sakura had already drawn several senbon out of her hidden store. Shikamaru was assessing the situation as was Kakashi. Naruto and Hinata stepped in front of the newlyweds.

As the smoke cleared several of the "guards" had congregated in the area, and one looked very pleased with himself.

"Kazekage-sama, your security is lacking. We managed to crash this little party without much trouble. Now I am going to tell you my demands or rather demand – annul the marriage between Eri and your brother and return her to me." Kankuro looked like he wanted to rip the man's head off but Naruto stood in his way. Gaara didn't respond, which was answer enough. The man laughed, "Then we will do this the hard way."

Out of no where about twenty men came into the crowd and began to make their way towards the platform. The guests were scattering, leaving them a path. But Sakura and Shikamaru, who were joined by Kakashi, stood in this path. The man who was leading them laughed,

"Do you really think three of you, including a woman, can stop twenty of us?"

The only answer he received as a low growl from Sakura.

"Oh, she's a feisty one, maybe I will take you as my prize." That's it Shikamaru was going to end this quickly. He nodded at Kakashi and did a familiar hand sign. The twenty men tensed, they just realized they were dealing with ninja.

Shikamaru smirked, "Game over." None of the men could move; he had caught them in his jutsu. Kakashi calmly walked up to them and began to knock them out. Sakura was a bit upset she didn't get to do anything and they thought she was just a weak girl. Then all of the sudden she saw a shadow along the edge of the area. She concentrated her chakra and felt another chakra, one with killing intent. But this chakra was not headed for the couple. She quickly turned her head in the direction that the chakra was moving. She saw Gaara talking to two Suna ninja who had the attempted party crasher in custody.

It all moved in slow motion for her. She had just realized that this assassin was taking the opportunity to attempt to get to Gaara. She didn't think she just reacted, and got there in time to intercept the kunai and shuriken that had been thrown at Gaara. Unfortunately she did not have time for a substitution jutsu. She felt pain and then numbness, the last thing she heard was someone yelling her name.

Okay shorter than usual I know, but I was having trouble with the chapter. Any way a couple of notes (Spoilers ahead if you aren't up to date with the manga).

Shukaku was removed from Gaara and although he can still control the sand it doesn't automatically protect him anymore (at least in my story).

Also the name Eri I believe means "blessed prize".

Thanks as always (over 50 reviews I can't believe it). Jae