A/N: Here it is, my latest chapter... Dramatic NaruShion/Mid-Fall Festival... Sorry it doesn't contain Sakura... its for plot development purposes, Enjoy.
His fast approach to the Hokage tower left him panting, an a tad tired. His mood was lifted from his recent meal. With a smile that could outshine the sun he sprung Tsunade's door open.
"Hey Baa-cha-..." He stopped as the two Hokage advisers were in the room with her. "I mean Lady Hokage."
Whew that was a close one he didn't want another scolding from them on calling her 'granny' again. The two elders stared at the boy, slight smirks grazing their faces, he didn't like it at all. What game where they playing?
"Naruto Uzumaki, we were just discussing your plans for the evening." Homura said pleasantly.
"My plans?"
What plans all he had to do was escort, no more like court around Shion what was going to be hard about that? If you asked him it seemed easy, nothing hard about going an having a good time.
"Yes, your evening with Shion-hime. We hope you mind your manners well." Koharu said diligently
He could feel how she was pressing him hard to mind his manners. When hadn't he ever minded his manners; sure he was a bit rash sometimes, but he knew his limits and wouldn't press them.
"Isn't just a simple date?"
"In a way it is, but your villages well being lies on your shoulders tonight." The women spat.
What the hell was wrong with these people? He loved his village, an would even put his life on the line to protect, but a marriage to secure trade, an political prowess wasn't what he wanted.
"Tonight when you're out with her make sure you, behave an represent your village to its fullest." The elderly man spoke.
Seriously what was wrong with them, and just why wasn't Tsunade speaking up at all? Even in the first meeting she just sat there an let them have their ways with him.
"I will behave, and where is Shion? I haven't seen her since I arrived here."
"She was taken to personal chambers, to change her outfit for the evenings events." Koharu chimed.
It seems they always have an answer for everything, he just inwardly sighed an rolled her eyes. He always hated being on the loosing end of an argument, regardless of the matter.
"Naruto."
He spun around to be staring down the light eyes blonde staring happily at him. She really hadn't changed since he last saw her, her outfit for the night the same wardrobe she wore when she first met him, well everything except for the white sandals she was now wearing.
His lips roused to a smile at seeing her, he wouldn't deny the fact that the girl in front of him was in almost every aspect beautiful, but to him every girl paled when compared to Sakura.
Still she would be his second choice, due to her tendencies that remarkably resembled the pinkette's.
Not waiting much longer the girl lunged at the boy wrapping her arms around his neck. Oh the close proximity was causing his cheeks to warm up, he always felt the need to hide in those rare occasions, but he didn't even bother to at this moment.
"Shion, you ready for a night full of fun?"
"As long as you're there its bound to be fun."
Their little moment was broke up by a stern deep cough coming from the blonde behind the desk. They broke the slight embrace to face the other three in the room.
"Naruto, just do your best."
He raised an arm giving a thumbs up before intertwining arm with the girl beside him.
"Don't I always?"
With that statement he walked out the door. The three could have sworn to have heard the boy say something about showing her how they partied in Kohona, they hoped he behaved.
Still in the Hokage Tower
"Those two have a chemistry between them, its clearly visible. Homura stated.
It was then an now Tsunade spoke up letting her views be heard by the two elderly advisers.
"Yeah, but he has greater chemistry with another girl, that you purposely left off that list."
"Now now Tsunade, if we had added her he definitely would have just went straight to her not allowing the process to progress. After all without this the two wouldn't have even progress their relationship, and you know." Koharu calmly voiced.
"An what happens if your great plan backfires an he chooses to marry Shion-hime?"
"Though it would mean great growth for the village, we would just nullify the marriage proposal, thus saving him." Homura boasted
"I just hope it all turns out well, for his sake."
Now to the Festival
Naruto was pressing forward to the main grounds of the festival, he always enjoyed the festival. It was the one time when every single trouble could an would be forgotten.
Paper lanterns strung from pole to pole lit the streets, allowing clear vision for a patrons. Various stands were selling once a year items, as long with game booths that were only here for this particular event.
"What do you want to do first, Shion?"
"Lets play some games."
She drug him to the closest game booth, it was a simple knock the bottles over win a prize. He stared at her an turned to the man who was running the booth, he promptly payed the man and received three small balls.
His first throw was off to the right, while his second flew over the top. His third an final toss seemed perfect, nailing the bottles square in the middle.
"Dattebayo!" He wailed.
"Good job son, looks like you won your date a prize." the musky man said.
He let her choose the prize, after what seemed hours she finally decided on just getting a big stuffed bear.
He was proud of winning, he loved the adrenaline rush winning gave him, it thrilled him to his core. Her voice however shook him out of glorified thoughts.
"What was that 'Dattebayo' thing?"
Her question was a good one, it had been years since he last screamed it publicly, it seemed like it was the mature thing to do to stop yelling it.
"Its an old verbal tick, it comes out when I get too excited."
"Its cute." she said between giggles.
"How bout' we get something to eat?"
He wasn't that hungry, but he was sure she was rather she'd admit to it or not. No one could travel that far distance on a small ration of food an not be.
"Yes, please."
He had one place in mind his favorite eatery there was or ever would be; Ichiraku's.
He tugged her slightly as she kept asking where they were going, he always shushed her saying its a secret. He loved keeping her on edge with anticipation, that was how he was.
He stopped their movements in front of the small wooden building, she looked puzzled as to why they had stopped here in the middle of the street. Then the aroma of cooking food made its way to her.
Now it was him being tugged in to the shop, but he didn't mind. He smiled as he could tell the smell of the food was intising her. He lead her to the stools to sit at the counter.
Teuchi had his back turned, focusing on the cooking noodles. He loved his job, it allowed him the freedom to meet an greet everyone from shinobi to the smallest villager.
"Hey, Old Man give me two bowls of your best.!"
"Naruto, its not polite to call him old."
The old man just chuckled, the boy never once called him by his name he wasn't even sure if he knew what it was. He accepted being called 'Old man' it made him laugh every time the boy did.
"Its fine, so tell me Naruto, who's your date?" Teuchi said not turning away from the cooking food.
"Oh you know just the Priestess of Demon Country.."
He made it sound like this was an everyday occurrence, he grinned as the man tensed peeking over his shoulder at the sole inhabitants of his shop.
"N-N-Naruto, you chose to bring her here of all the restaurants in Kohona... I will prepare the finest meal i've ever made."
He rolled his eyes, while his companion giggled at the mans now revived determination.
"So, why did you bring me here?"
He stared at the man cooking the food, he loved being here it was like a second home. Even now as the whole village loved him, this place held more for him, it was the safest place he knew of.
"This place is like a home to me. When I was young not many places would allow me eat at their restaurants, but I was always welcomed here.
No matter what they never turned their backs on me, so bringing you here was a simple decision.
She found his words to rather delightful an somber at the same time, it was painful an cheerful. The thought of this being like a home simply made her boost its view ten fold.
"Well, heres your food."
It was evident he was trying to hold back some tears, after all Naruto's speeches had that effect on people.
Their meal was a large platter of foods ranging from rice balls to lobster, something not prepared her often, if at all They began eating slowly, taking in every flavor the food offered. It was probably the greatest meal anyone could have prepared.
They finished the feast, not much was left; boy could that little girl put down the food. Naruto just sat back patting his stomach repetadly.
"That was good, how much do I owe you old man?"
Teuchi smiled at the young man before him, it wasn't long ago that he had been a small little boy rambaling on about becoming Hokage.. A dream that was now well within the blondes reach.
"Its on the house, take of your date."
"Really, thanks, I'll be seeing you real soon."
He pulled Shion towards the exit where she stopped to face the man who was now letting the tears he had held back flow. You could see how proud he was of the blonde boy , even from the start he had always had faith in him. She turned around slowly smiling at the young man beside her.
"Come on we gotta have some more fun." she said tugging him out to the streets.
They traveled to the center of the village, everyone was gathered for the main an final event; the firework show.
A stream of light glimmered to the air, then an onslaught of colors took its place, this was beauty at its finest. The sky was bombarded with colors an shapes, the one that caught the most attention was the one shaped like the blonde Jinjuriki.
"Wow, they captured you perfectly, even down to your grin."
He was impressed at how well the makers of that firework, they had nailed his appearance, plus it was his favorite color orange.
"I guess they did."
The show lasted for what seemed like hours. till the greatest finale in the history took to the sky. The colors blended together the final two leaving their essence in the sky, orange an pink.
Just as fast as it came it was over leaving a wild crowd begging for more. Though they never would get it, the festival was over.
"Its late, I better get you back to the Hokage."
He slowly walked her patiently to the tower taking time to enjoy what was left of the festival, this was truly his favorite night of the year.
He walked her up the steps, stopping at the door to the room where she would be staying.
"Hope you had a good time."
"It was a great experience, your village has great taste."
He just smiled at her, he had hoped he had done his best taking her through the village, showing her the easier side of life.
"Well, goodnight Shion."
"Goodnight, Naruto."
Saying their goodbyes he left to go home, he had enoyed his time with her, but it was no where near the enjoyment he got when being with Sakura. He had really hoped to run into the pinkette at the festival, but not once had he seen her, not even at the fireworks.
He would just try to explain the situation to her tomorrow hopefull she would listen and understand his postion in it all.
A/N: Yeah longest chapter so far, I hope you enjoyed it. Its always a pleasure to write. I hope to hear from my always great reviewers, till next chapter.
Next Chapter: Rebuilding/The Decision.