So did anyone else hate that last chapter as much as me? Anyone? Maybe it just sucked to write it, but I dunno I feel like it was dull, kind of forced my way through it, usually the chapters seem to flow really well but not that last one, anyways I want to once again thank all of you who are reading this story, hopefully this chapter has a better feel to it
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or any of the characters mentioned in this story
All Things New Again
Chapter 11: Time for a Break
As Naruto and Udon waited with the other ninja for their final instructions, Naruto had been so concerned about Udon's disappointment that Chiyo had been disqualified in the last round that he hardly noticed Yoshi and Sugi had been behind them
Naruto looked carefully at the fellow leaf ninja, Yoshi had a very young face even for his age, his brown hair stuck flatly to his head like it was wet, he seemed average height for a pre-teen which made Sugi's unusual height that much more apparent when the two stood next to each other, despite their both being so young they had a certain aura around them that told him neither was to be underestimated
Sugi caught Naruto's stare and walked over to their new allies, with Yoshi following behind
She stood beside Naruto towering over Udon, "I'm very sorry you're friend couldn't make it with us" She said sincerely
"Well if hadn't been for you guys none of us would have made it" Naruto pointed out "I hate to ask, but why did you guys help us anyways?"
"Hinata-sensei asked us to look after you" Yoshi happily informed them
"You're Hinata's students! That's right she mentioned you once before Yoshi, I can't believe I forgot"
"Yes, and we have one other team mate, but he said he didn't feel like babysitting another leaf party so he went on ahead without us"
"And I made it just fine" A cocky voice split the formerly pleasant conversation and left an annoying ring in Naruto's ears, when Naruto looked to see where the voice had come from he found a short blonde shirtless boy with his hair styled into a Mohawk and wore leather shoulder pads
"Naruto-senpai this is the third member of Team Ten Correia" Sugi introduced her comrade with a hint of distaste in her voice
"Correia, Hinata-sensei asked us to stick together, she won't like it that you ignored her advice and tried to complete the challenge on your own, that is not how she taught us" Yoshi lectured
"When has Hyuuga's advice ever done us any good?" The genin remarked "Just because you're her precious favorite doesn't mean you have to mindlessly obey her every wish Yoshi"
Naruto really did not like the cocky little punk one bit, and it appeared neither of the boys team mates did either
"Don't disrespect Hinata-sensei like that" Yoshi said threateningly
"Or what? Are you gonna do something about it?" Correia laughed
Sugi walked up beside Yoshi and gave her team mate a very daunting stare "Do not disrespect Hinata-sensei in front of me again"
This time Correia's response wasn't as cocky "Whatever, like I care what you guys think anyways" He walked away to the far end of the room and sat against the wall avoiding eye contact with Yoshi or Sugi
"That guys a jerk" Udon finally spoke
"Udon you shouldn't say things like that about your younger counterparts, sometimes people just act out until they grow up" Naruto tried to instruct but Yoshi said otherwise
"No Udon is right, he is a jerk, he always has been" the boy seemed to drift into another world for a second "I really hate him"
"Yoshi and Correia have been rivals since the academy" Sugi whispered "But despite how hard Yoshi has worked Correia has always been far better, Yoshi challenges Correia all the time but has never been able to win"
"Wow that sounds just like Sasuke and I" Naruto said "But that Correia guy sure seemed to back off when you got in his face"
"Did he? I didn't even notice"
Finally the doors burst open revealing a very muscular man
"So these are the last of the challengers huh?" The man chuckled "I am Iwamura, you're final examiner, and for the last test we're going to set up a 2 vs. 2 battle challenge"
"What's the challenge?" A girl from the Hidden Lightning Village asked
Iwamura held up a piece of paper with the character for jutsu on it "You will be partnered up with one other ninja from this group, one of you will be banned from using jutsu, and the other will be banned from using any physical attacks, we'll make sure of this by placing one of these paper seals on your body during the match, the challenge will be to find a way to successfully defeat your opponents together"
(This is not going to be easy)
"Now I obviously will not allow you to choose your partner, so when I call your name you will come up here and select one of these tiles" The Stone Ninja pointed to a stack of twelve tiles "It will choose a name of one of the other 23 ninja in the room, that person will be your partner, now first up is Kitsune"
A female genin from the Hidden Grass walked forward and selected her tile and just as Iwamura had said a name appeared on it "So your partner is Kai"
"That's me" A very old genin with a long flowing beard from the Village Hidden in the Mountains walked forward
(Geez how many times has that guy taken this exam?)
Iwamura called off a few more names, none that Naruto recognized
"Next we have Yoshi" Naruto watched as their new friend approached the table
"And your partner is Naruto"
"Lucky me" Yoshi gave his senior genin a thumbs up which Naruto returned
"Now Udon" the runny nosed leaf ninja walked up to the front and selected his tile "Your partner will be Sugi, heh imagine that four leaf ninja wound up together, next is Correia"
Once all the teams had been decided Iwamura put his tiles away "That's all for today boys and girls, I'll see you in five days at the coliseum's center battleground"
Naruto appeared to be the only one surprised by this "Five days? Last time I had a month to prepare" He whined
The old man Kai walked up beside Naruto and gave him a big toothless grin "You and I are probably the only ones who remember what the Chunin exams were like before the Shinbi Alliance, now that all the nations take the Chunin exams together it's too much effort to make a pilgrimage all the way to one location for a couple tests then return just to observe one match thirty days later" He coughed a bit before continuing
"Plus now the nations who hold the exam want to make the event as profitable as possible, so they hold the festival to keep visitors in town and hold the final examination as the topping on the cake to keep the crowds excited"
"There's a festival!" Naruto exclaimed "This is way better than the last time I took the test"
"Oh so you didn't know? Where have you been then? Hiding under a rock?" The old man laughed at his own words before wandering off
Naruto grabbed Udon by the shoulders and shook him "Did you hear that Udon? There's gonna be a festival"
"I-I-I Know B-boss, t-they have it-t-t every year, please s-stop s-shaking m-me"
Naruto let go and sprinted out the building "I'm ready Kirigakure bring on the festival!"
Inside Yoshi and Sugi helped Udon to his feet "Our new friend seems very enthusiastic don't you think Sugi?"
"Yes he does, I quite like it"
They too left the building with Udon following behind
Naruto ran all the way back to the resort where he bumped into Sakura standing in the lobby with a towel wrapped around her
"Hey Sakura-chan did you know there was going to be a festival? Isn't that great?" He pumped his fists eagerly
"Yeah I did know, you mean you didn't? There's a special event every night to promote the finals, you did make it didn't you?" She gave him a look that told him he better say he did
"Of course I did Sakura-chan, what else did you expect? So what are these events anyways?"
"Well tonight is the fireworks display, tomorrow night is the Carnival, the day after is the Formal Dance, then-"
She was cut off by Naruto "A dance? Like a ballroom thing?"
"Y-yeah why?" (Is Naruto thinking of asking Hinata to the dance? Is he even interested in things like that?)
"I just-" He looked around to make sure they were the only two who could hear "I really like dances, Ero-sannin took me to a few when we were training, he taught me how to behave properly, how to dance, I loved going with him because it was one of the few times where he would be completely honorable, he wouldn't drink, he wouldn't act perverted around the women and though those are things that just made him who he was, it was nice to see a different side every now and then"
(So this dance is a real big deal to Naruto then, it would probably bring up a lot of memories of Jiraiya)
"So Sakura would you like to be my date to the dance?" Naruto's words were very serious and made Sakura's breath catch in her throat
"You want to go with me?" (So he's not dating Hinata, at least not seriously, maybe I still have a chance with him after all, and this is it! Wait! Oh no) "Naruto I do, I really do but-"
"But what?"
Sakura was very angry with herself for having to turn down his invitation "I've got my duty as Lady Tsunade's bodyguard still, she'll be one of the Honorable Guests of course and may be an easy target to anyone who wants to disturb the exams, however unlikely I have to perform my duty first"
Naruto looked upset which made Sakura even angrier at herself "I understand Sakura-chan, I do"
"Naruto please know that under any other circumstance I would not hesitate to say yes, because I-"
"You what?"
(Can I really say it? Can I admit that I like Naruto?)
"I really value our friendship" (BAKA!)
"Thank you Sakura-chan"
"Maybe you should extend the invitation to Hinata, I know she would really appreciate it"
"I think I'll do that, but if for any reason you can get away for just one dance I will be waiting for you"
Sakura's heart fluttered for a second "I'll think about it" She playfully stuck her tongue out at her friend who waved goodbye and went to search for Hinata (Even if she does go with him, he asked me first) She gave a small leap into the air then remembered she was only in a towel, "I'll just make my way to the hot springs" She said out loud to no one in particular drawing many odd looks her way
Naruto made a short stop at his room grabbing the gift he had bought her the other day in the market before he hustled down to Hinata's room
(I should surprise her, with this instead of just hand it out, I've got it!) He quickly made a shadow clone and instructed him to go in the back way while he distracted her, the clone quietly did as he was instructed and waited while Naruto distracted Hinata, as the clone hopped over the fence he heard the knock and got ready to make his way inside, until he saw something he shouldn't have, as soon as crossed the fence he found Hinata leaving her shower completely uncovered, it caught the clone off guard and he almost fell from his hiding spot, the knock came on the door
"Who is it?" She asked
"It's me!"
"Me? Naruto-kun?"
"That's right"
"Be there in a second!" She quickly grabbed a robe and threw it on before answering the door
The clone landed on the ground quickly placed Naruto's surprise in her room before disappearing as Hinata opened the door
"Hello Naruto-kun" She answered "Naruto what's wrong with your face?"
Naruto eyes were wide open and he was drooling slightly as he learned what his clone had seen realizing Hinata had opened the door he jumped out of his skin bright red
"Naruto-kun are you ok?"
"Yeah j-just fine Hinata" He shook his head and regained his composure
"So Hinata I was wondering if you had heard there was going to be a dance in a few days, apparently it's pretty ritzy, and I was wondering if you would like to accompany me?
"Oh Naruto-kun I-I would love to….but"
"More buts" He groaned "But what?"
"I would have nothing to wear"
"Oh is that all? Well I'm sure you'll find something, why don't you go and look around?" He pointed to the bed behind her where his clone had left her surprise
"Naruto-kun what is that?"
"Go ahead, open it!" He said excitedly
She slowly walked over to the box that sat on her bed and removed the top, as she did she gave a soft gasp
"Naruto-kun you shouldn't have" She removed the dress that she had been admiring in the store the other day "Why did you get this for me?"
"It fit you so well like it was made for you, and I could tell you liked it, I couldn't let anyone else have it"
"But it was so expensive, are you sure you want me to have this?"
"Of course, it would be perfect for the dance don't you think? I mean that is if you want to go"
Hinata beamed "I-I don't know how I could say no"
"Great! I hate to run but I should really get some sleep before the fireworks tonight, it's been a rough couple days" He waved goodbye and shut the door behind him
As he did he lost his composure again quickly turning bright red in the face, "I saw Hinata naked… now I'm no better than Ero-Sannin"
He made his way to his room to get some sleep glad to see that Ebisu was not lurking around
Just as his head hit the pillow a loud knock came on his door "Hey Naruto, open up"
(I'm just going to ignore whoever it is until they go away)
"Naruto I know you're in there, I'm not going away! now I'll say it again, open up"
Naruto slowly pulled himself up off the bed and wandered to the door, "Ah Kiba, it's you"
"Hey Naruto I heard you made it to the finals, congratulations"
"Is that what you came here to tell me?"
"No I came to take you around town, Shikamaru and Choji just arrived they're here to take part in the festival, come on its Men hour, Shikamaru doesn't get out much anymore without Temari around. We need to take advantage while she's letting him off his leash"
Akamaru who stood as usual by Kiba's side gave a happy bark and began wagging his tail furiously
"Can this wait Kiba, I really wanted to get some rest before tomorrow"
"Nope" Kiba grabbed Naruto by the collar and hustled him out the door
As promised Choji and Shikamaru were waiting for them outside of the resort
"Hey Hey Naruto!" Choji waved excitedly "Glad we could get you to come out"
"So what's going on guys?"
"We're going out for drinks" Kiba said slapping Naruto hard on the back "time for some good old male bonding"
"I'm not much of a drinker guys" Naruto said as they pushed him down the street "Seriously I've never even tried drinking before"
Shikamaru gave a very short chuckle "Then this is going to be more fun that usual"
They finally found a bar that seemed appropriate and upon entering Choji ordered four tiny glasses of a light brown liquid
"What is this?" Naruto gave the drink a quick sniff "It doesn't smell very good"
"It's whiskey" Choji said happily "It's a drink they really enjoy in the Kirigakure"
"Bottoms up gentlemen" Shikamaru said as they dropped their glasses to the table gave a small cheers and tossed the drink down their throats
"Ugh it tastes awful" Naruto spat but soon a warm sensation formed in his belly "Well the taste might be awful but it sure feels good going down"
The other three laughed "Then here have another one" Choji offered
After a few more shots Naruto's eyesight began to get very blurry and slightly out of focus, the warm sensation in his stomach had become permanent and he couldn't stop running his teeth with his tongue
"You guys I *hic* I feel purtty good" He snickered
Kiba gave a loud howling laugh "Yeah me too"
Warning if the following content does not entirely make sense to you, or seems like rambling nonsense, it's because it is, these dudes are drunk
The guys sat around the bar talking and laughing, occasionally ingesting more whiskey, as the night progressed their conversations became less serious talk and more trash talk
"Don't be stupid Kiba you couldn't beat me in a foot race if you tried" Shikamaru said poking his friend hard in the chest
Kiba pushed his finger away "Just wait, just listen to what I have to say ok? Just hang on and if you do, I will tell you that I could beat you if I wanted to"
While they argued Naruto and Choji sat at the bar slowly sipping down more alcohol, as the did Choji began sniffling into his drink
"Naruto can I ask you something?"
"Sure Choji you can ask me anything"
Choji gave another sniff "Do you think anyone will ever love me?"
"What? Choji don't be stupid, of course someone will love you, you're a good guy you know? You're a really nice guy, and I think that someday some girl is gonna see that you know? And she's gonna say wow that guy is a really nice guy"
"You know Naruto for you to say something like that to me, it just makes me so happy that I could cry" Choji slowly began to blubber and tossed back the last bit of his drink
"Hey Naruto why are you making Choji cry?" Shikamaru stumbled over giving Naruto a very glazed look
"I didn't make him cry, he isn't sad, he just wants to cry"
"I didn't say he was sad, did you make him sad?"
"No Shikarmaru now just sit down and shut up"
Kiba was now beginning to wobble a little catching himself by using Akamaru as a stand causing the giant dog to give a loud yelp
"Guys I think it is about time that we, as a group and as friends, leave. We should go cuz I don't think I should drink anymore"
"Yeah you're probably right" Choji said wiping his nose on his sleeve he dropped a large number of coins on the bar and pointed at the bartender "This is for you, for not kicking us out, that was really cool of you" He lifted himself up off the barstool and grabbed Shikamaru in his left hand throwing him over his shoulder
"Hey Choji put me down"
Kiba and Naruto followed behind laughing all the way back to resort
"Well now what should we do?" Naruto's asked with his head titled to the side
"We'll go back to my room" Shikamaru replied still laying across Choji's shoulder "I've got a little bit of Sake left that I brought with me, it will help us top off the evening before we all turn in"
"That sounds like a great idea" The other three hollered and made their way very noisily through the resort, as they approached Shikamaru's room he began fumbling around for his room key "Luckily Temari is with her brides maids so they probably won't be back until really late"
"Hey Shikamaru who are Temari's bridesmaids?"
"Psh the only four girls she knows" He held up his hand with one finger up "First there's Temari, then there's Tenten, and Hinata and Sakura and the loud one"
"Sakura-chan's the loud one"
All the boys laughed
"The louder one…..Ino! Whoops should have remembered that, here Choji open the door"
Shikamaru handed his large friend the key and the group still joking around walked into the room to see five pairs of very angry eyes upon them, causing them to straighten up immediately only Shikamaru was unaware of what was going on
"Hey guys what's wrong?" He caught a glimpse of Kiba's apologetic face "Oh boy something bad is gonna happen"
"You're damn right" Temari shouted as she came around Choji's side "We could hear you boys all the way down the hall, don't you realize what time it is? People around here are trying to sleep" She tugged her fiancé off his friends shoulders and stood him up straight "And all you guys are stinking drunk"
This caused all the guys to laugh
"Naruto is that funny?" Sakura angrily stepped up to her former team mate "Tsunade asked you to model your behavior and this is how you act?"
"Sakura-chan, girls I'll be in Ino's room"
"I have never been so angry with you ugh!" She stomped out of the room
Hinata also began to walk out and when Naruto tried to stop her she just gave him a cold glare catching him off guard, he had never seen her look so angry at him before
"I have nothing to say to you tonight Naruto-kun"
Naruto hung his head in shame
Tenten brushed very quickly past all of them "I'll send the other boys in, maybe they'll be able to put up with your childish act"
Ino just punched Shikamaru and Choji in the stomach "The louder one? And you didn't even remember my name?"
Temari turned to Shikamaru "You know we were actually really excited to spend some time with you boys tonight, and we wouldn't care if you had just had a little bit to drink but look at you four you can all barely stand on your own feet, if you need me I'll be at Ino's, but don't show up unless its an emergency I don't wanna deal with you guys right now"
And with that the four were left alone in Shikamaru's room
"Well" Kiba started "Other than that this was a pretty good night"
The others agreed and proceeded to the pass out across the floor
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This author does not condone or promote underage or excessive drinking