AN: Due to popular demand, I shall continue with the story (large sounds of cheering), I have no idea how long it shall go now! Bless you all who review I can not say it enough! Now for the next chapter! I have had this chapter in my little brain since I started this so enjoy! Here is more of the lovely fluffy goodness that we all love! Sorry it took so long to do this but school started…so on with it!

Sasuke: Hey I got a bone to pick with you!

Me: Uh?! What did I do?!"

Sasuke: Naruto is better looking than me?!

Me: Sorry! I don't own you! I don't have any control on how hot you guys look! Besides, when did you start to care?

Sasuke: You hurt my feelings

Me: (uses sharigan) Haha, nice try Sakura. I still think Naruto is hotter and trying to make out that Sasuke cares isn't going to work.

Sakura: Curse it! Wait, since when do YOU have sharigan?!

Me: Hey this is my reality, if I want Sharigan, I can write it in. (sticks tongue out)

Sakura: Grumbles….

Me: Ah, the power of being a writer. (Insert evil laugh)

Chapter Eleven

A Festival Fit for a Hokage:

Love that is true

Now that everyone was back and everything was repaired, celebration was in order. Kankuro went back to Sunakgure, due to the fact that someone needed to be there. (Though Temari said that the real reason was because she didn't want the whole girl population of Konoha subjected to his dumb pick-up lines; when Naruto asked Gaara about it, he said "no comment").

The girls agreed to meet the boys at the front of Ichiraku just before the party started. They were having a blast getting ready at Ino's place.

"Here Hinata, I'll do your lips for you."

"Oh, thanks Sakura-Chan."

"TenTen, are you just going to leave your hair like that?"

"Why not?"

"Well, don't you want to impress Lee?"

"Lee says he likes my hair this way…."

"Oh come on TenTen, do something different! That will really impress him!"

"Oh alright fine…"

"Hey guys."

The four girls turned to see their sand ninja friend in the door way still wearing the outfit that she always wears.

Which was not a good thing.

"YOU AREN'T GOING TO THE CELEBRATION IN THAT?!" yelled Ino.

"Huh?" said Temari half stunned.

"Aren't you even going to try and dress up?"

Temari sighed and said,

"I'm not much for wearing make-up."

"Oh come on Temari, if I can wear it you can." Said TenTen in way that almost sounded as though it was a dare.

"Yeah, don't you want to impress Shikamaru?" said Sakura lightly brushing clear lip gloss on Hinata's soft lips.

"Uh huh, don't cha want to see his jaw drop at the sight of you?" teased Ino.

"Well…" Temari looked to see even Hinata was giving her a sight "you'd better or else" look on her face so she sighed and said,

"Alright fine. Though I don't have any of my…."

"That's okay. I may have something. I have this one kimono that I have had for a while but it's too big on me." Said Ino her eyes sparkling.

"Okay but one condition, you leave my hair alone."

"WHAT? Oh come on Temari-chan, TenTen is willing to, why not you?" complained Ino. (She already had an idea for Temari's hair.)

"Because it is my hair, I am older and it's my hair." Said Temari in a way that made it clear that she was not going to change her mind.

"Oh okay fine. We'd better hurry up, it's getting late and we still have to do my make-up." Sighed Ino going into her closet.

With the boys….

"Hey Naruto, what are you going to wear?" asked Sai who was sitting on Naruto's bed with Sasuke and Shikamaru.

All the three heard though was mumbling out of Naruto's closet.

"Can't hear you Naruto." Said Shikamaru in his lazy voice.

"Here is…what I am going to wear!" said Naruto, proudly showing them his kimono.

"Orange and black." Sighed Sasuke who was not surprised.

"Are those the only colors you wear?" sweat dropped Sai.

Naruto glared at Sai.

"Oh, and what colors are you going to wear?"

"A really deep almost black blue kimono."

"Oh yeah, that's a whole lot different from what you usually wear." Said Naruto rolling his eyes.

"What colors is your kimono Sasuke?"

"Blue, black, with the Uchiha fan on the shoulders." Said Sasuke simply.

"Big surprise, Shikamaru?"

"It's brown. This is such a drag." Complained the lazy ninja.

"Maybe Sakura was right when she said we didn't have much fashion sense." Sweat dropped Naruto.

"HEY GUYS!"

The four ninja looked out the window and down to see Kiba. He was already wearing his kimono which was black and on the front was a red paw print with red sprinkled all over.

"It's almost time ya know! Are you guys ready yet?"

"Not yet almost!" yelled back Naruto

"Well hurry up or we're going to be late!"

"Okay!"

Once the four had gotten dressed, they rushed out to meet the others.

The boys sat at the ramen bar waiting paticantly for the girls. Well…some of them were waiting paticanctly.

"Man, where are they?" grumbled Naruto.

"Good things come to those who wait." Chuckled Gaara watching his hyper friend.

"I mean, come on how long does it take for a girl to get ready?" sighed Naruto putting his hands behind his head.

The others looked at each other then said,

"A long time."

Naruto sighed and then started to play with the crystal necklace around his neck.

Choji was eating ((wow, big surprise)) ramen, donning a black kimono with his "eat" kanji on the back in red.

Neji was standing a little off from him, wearing a white kimono with brown trim and the Hyuga symbol on the back beside Shikamaru and Rock Lee, who was wearing a green kimono ((wow, didn't see that coming either)) with the leaf village symbol embroidered on it. Naruto was sitting beside Choji and Kiba beside him. Sasuke, Sai and Gaara where just standing.

"Man, I am going to fall asleep." Muttered Naruto after a few more minutes.

"That's a shame Naruto, you won't get to dance with Hinata…." Giggled a familiar voice. As one the boys looked to see their beautiful teammates.

((Btw, the next part I copied mostly right from my story "Tricks of the Trade: The girls get plotting for I was too lazy to type it again and other stuff. Just fyi.))

It was a wonder not even Naruto broke out with a nose bleed.

Naruto was in total awe of Hinata who was wearing a sweet indigo kimono ((All she ever

wears is purple, thought she needed a different color and it goes better with orange anyway…heehee)) her hair was down but a light blue lily was behind her left ear with light slivery white eye shadow which brightened her pale eyes.

Saying Rock Lee was impressed by his teammate's transformation would have been the understatement of the century. Her buns were now loops and flowers were wrapped around them. She was wearing a dark purple Chinese kimono which had no sleeves and was embroidered with dark green and brown dragons. She also had green eye shadow with black eye liner.

Sasuke Uchiha for the first real time in his life was dumbfounded by a girl. Sakura was wearing a pearly colored kimono with long sleeves and was silk screened with cherry blossoms and pink eye shadow. Her hair had a slight curl and was pulled back with two cherry blossom hair pins.

Sai almost drooled Ino looked that good. She was wearing a deep almost black blue kimono which also did not have sleeves and had a low neckline. She was wearing a sliver chain with a heart locket and her long hair was down with a white lily behind her left ear and sliver eye shadow.

Shikamaru eyes were so wide that it was wonder they were still in his head and that his jaw wasn't touching the ground. Temari was wearing a low neck line, vivid red kimono and a wide sliver bangle on her right wrist with red lipstick and light pink eye shadow. Her sand head band still around her neck.

It took a minute for the boys' brains to function again they were that much in awe of their girlfriends. Naruto with his great grasp of language summed up what they all were thinking.

"AMAZING." (He said this with a slight drool).

The girls all giggled (yes, even Temari) and walked up to their respective boys. Naruto smiled and said,

"You are amazing Hinata."
She blushed and said quietly back,

"So are you."

"TenTen your youthful beauty is shining very bright tonight not that it isn't always shining."

TenTen smiled wide and said,

"Thanks Lee, you maybe a little crazy but also kind and sweet." And kissed him lightly on the cheek.

"Ino…wow…"

"Thanks Sai." Giggled Ino, very pleased that Sai for once was speechless.

"Sakura you are beautiful."

"Took you long enough to notice."

"Who said I didn't notice?" he said cheekily wrapping his arm around her waist and pecking her cheek.

"Well, you going to say anything or just stand there with your mouth gapping?"

Shikamaru quickly closed his mouth and said,

"You are so troublesome. (Sigh/smirk) And pretty."

"That works." Smirked Temari back.

"Hey guys, hurry up or you'll miss every thing!" came Kakashi's voice.

"Well, shall we, my Hinata-Chan?" smiled Naruto offering his arm to her.

She giggled and said looping her arm through his,

"Yes my Naruto-kun, let's."

So the group of young ninja went into a sprit towards the park, with Akamaru not far behind.

----

Temari got wide eyed as she looked around at the park.

"Wow, the leaf village sure knows how to throw a party."

"You know it!" laughed Naruto.

The park was filled with paper lanterns, flowers, so much food that not even Choji, Kiba, and Naruto wouldn't even eat it all and great music.

"Is this great?" asked Anko who was watching everyone having fun and eating a candy stick.

"Uh huh." Said Kakashi who was wearing a black kimono and was reading the third Icha Icha Paradise book and wasn't really paying attention. Anko glared at the ninja for a minute before snatching the book away.

"Hey!"

"Either you enjoy yourself, or I'll get Naruto to blab the ending."

"Meanie."

Naruto, Choji, and Kiba challenged each other to an eating contest, (Choji won of course), The girls all danced together, Konohamaru, Udon, Moegi, and Hanabi ran around being chased by Akamaru (they pulled his tail to have a bit of fun with him but Akamaru didn't see it that way), the sensei where talking and laughing, (Guy challenged Kakashi to a throwing contest, they tied much to Guy's dismay. (And Lee's)).

At 7:00, Tsunade had Guy and Lee ring a big gong to get everyone's attention (gong went flying and almost hit Gamabuta on the head). (He was not a happy Chief toad).

Before Gamabuta could do anything to Guy and Rock Lee, Tsunade cleared her throat and raised her hand and waved it towards the Hokage monument.

"We are all gathered here to honor those who fought bravely over the last week to keep Konoha safe. Though it was a victory, we still lost many great shinobi…" Tsunade thought sadly to herself how she had misunderstoon Danzo before continuing.

"And so now I ask you all to raise your glasses and remember, remember those who fought and died to protect us."

As one, everyone raised their glasses high to the sky.

Tsunade paused for a moment, and then spoke again,

"Now, for those who are here tonight, I would like to recognize our great shinobi who fought hard and won against Orochimaru. They have proven that they have what it takes to be the best ninja that the village hidden in the leaves and even the world has ever seen. You know who you are, so would you all be so kind and come and stand before us?"

So, team Guy, Kakashi, Kurenai, and Asuma stepped forward bowed to Tsunade, then turned to look at everyone.

"I also wish to recognize our allies the village hidden the Sand and hope that our alliance is a long and continually strong one." Said Tsunade nodding and smiling at Temari and Gaara who returned the nod and smile.

"Now, a shinobi's job is one of simple self honor. They do what they do for it is their way. For a ninja is one who fights to protect ones that they find precious to them, to improve themselves and so on. It is a thankless job. But, once in a while, when they do something extra extraordinary, it is then we must honor them, whether one is a ninja or a civilian, everyone should know and be proud of the ninja that fight here. So that is why these ninja are here in front of you. Each one of them has shown courage and strength above and beyond the normal ninja. ("What a drag. I wanted to be normal." "Oh, shut it Shikamaru." whispered Ino.)

"So I am proud to present to you the great shinobi and Kunoichi of our village!"

Everyone cheered and whistled. Naruto glanced at Sasuke who matched his big grin.

"Now Naruto Uzumaki, would you please face me."

Naruto turned and stood straight in front of the fifth Hokage.

"And then there are a very rare and few shinobi that go even higher than even extra extraordinary. Even if they are annoying."

Everyone laughed as Naruto muttered something that sounded like "Old granny." Tsunade chuckled then said,

"So, let it been known, to one and all that Naruto Uzumaki, shinobi of the village hidden in the leaves will be soon, my replacement or in other words, will be known as the sixth Hokage due to his great skills and love for the village. He fought and defeated one of the foulest ninja ever to walk this earth. That is no small feat. That is why I will live Konoha in your hands Naruto in one month."

"Thank you Lady Hokage, I humbly accept and promise that I will protect this village as I always have, with all my strength." Said Naruto bowing to Tsunade.

"I know you will." She said quietly as everyone cheered, Kiba and Choji being the loudest.

"Now that is out of the way, let the party continue!" yelled Tsunade which was answered with more cheering.

As Tsunade went and joined Jiraiya, Ryuusei began to play.

I believe your promise it's too hard to give me courage

always I feel it the precious time seeing you...

Suddenly, both Kurenai and Asuma's teams got looks on their faces and look at there Sensei. Kurenai looked at them and said,

"What?"

tachidomatta kado ni asu e mukau kaze wo kanjiteta

"Come on you two!" said Ino in her complaining voice.

"Yeah, come on!" said Choji.

"What?" asked Asuma this time.

"Dance." Said Kiba simply with a huge grin on his face.

"But we're not…"

"Nice try, even Naruto noticed. Just dance already or they'll bother you all night until you do." Sighed Shikamaru.

"Yeah, come on Kurenai –sensei please." Pleaded a giggling Hinata.

machi no akari hoshikuzu mitai ni futari tsutsumu kedo

"Well-l, if Hinata is in on this I guess we don't have any choice." Smirked Asuma.

"Right. So go already." Smirked Shino.

sorezore ni chigau kagayaki ga aru to

warau kimi ga ichiban mabushiku mieru yo

So Asuma and Kurenai started to dance. Once they had gone out, Naruto looked at Hinata with a huge smile which she instantly matched.

"Wanna dance Hinata-chan?"

Hinata nodded and so Naruto took her hand and they slowly started to dance.

kimi wa ryuusei no you ni kodoku na tsubame no you ni

yoru no yami wo kirisaki yukeru hazu

"Sakura?"

The pink haired girl smiled a soft smile that would be his special smile. She then nodded then they joined Naruto and Hinata.

tokei jikake no hibi ni

nagasaresou na toki wa

wasurenaide hitori ja nai koto

Temari looked at Shikamaru, Shikamaru looked at Temari, and after a little bit of blushing and inner battles, Shikamaru slowly offered his hand to her, a bit of red in his cheeks. Temari who had a matching blush, took it and not long after, Ino and Sai joined the slow dancing circle.

"Shall we, my beautiful weapon's master?" asked Rock Lee smiling at TenTen. She giggled then they too went onto the dance floor.

jibunrashisa nante

kangaetemo imi nante nai ne

donna toki mo kimi wa kimi dakara

"Man, look at them." Grumbled Choji.

"Yeah, they are sooo lucky." Muttered Kiba.

ari no mama de ite

poketto no naka wo karappo ni shite mo

Just then, a blonde and a red head went walking past the two lonely ninja. The two looked at each other for about two seconds then went chasing after them.

daiji na mono wa hidari no mune ni nokotteru

"Shall we Tsunade?" asked Jiraiya quietly. The blonde looked at her old friend then said,

"Okay, but if you look down even ONCE you will never see the light of day again."

"Sigh, as hotheaded as ever…."

yume wa ryuusei no you ni

ameagari no niji no you ni

Not long after Jiraiya and Tsunade went on the floor, Kakashi, Anko, Guy, and Shizune went dancing as well. Hishi smiled as he not only watched his eldest daughter dance, but also his younger daughter go slightly pink in the face as Konohamaru asked her to dance. (Who was also pink in the face I might add.)

kono kokoro ni hikari wo tsuretekuru

nayami tsuzukeru koto ga

hitotsu no kotae ni naruyo

gomakashitari shinai to chikau no

Naruto and Hinata were dancing cheek to cheek, Hinata's left hand resting gently on his left shoulder, her right hand in his.

naniga machigatte ita no darou

naniga machigatte inai no darou

Rock Lee was resting his head gently on TenTen's, their arms wrapped tight around each other, TenTen's face resting in the crock of Lee's neck.

sonna toki wa sora ni te wo nobashite

Shikamaru and Temari were dancing forehead to forehead; Ino was resting her head and hands on Sai's chest and Sai had his arm wrapped around her. The wind was gently blowing cherry blossoms everywhere as they danced…

motto takaku ryoute wo hirogete

motto motto takaku kitto sou tsukameru

mugen na kimi no mirai

toki wa ryuusei no you ni

nagaku hikaru o wo hiki

matatakuma ni kakenukete yuku kara

nidoto modoranai kyou wo

ima to mukiau tsuyosa wo

akirametari shinai to chikau no……

After dancing, they all together watched the fire works go off in a field. As Hinata was watching the fireworks, Neji took the opportunity to grab Naruto a little talk…

"Ow! Neji what are you…?"

"Just getting something clear." He said, he was glaring but he had a small smirk on his face. If you really looked.

"I just want to make one thing VERY clear. If you hurt Hinata in any way, her father will be the LEAST of your problems got it?"

Naruto gulped a little bit, then glared at Neji with a equal glare, and said,

"Don't worry, I promise to look after her with my life."

"You'd better." Smirked Neji. So together the two went back to the others.

Later, Tsunade on top of the academy, looking at the Hokage monument.

"Tsunade-chan."

The woman turn to see her old teammate.

"Yeah Jiraiya?"

"What's bothering you?"

"Who says something is bothering me?"

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes at her.

"Nice try. I've know you long enough to know when something is bothering you so what is it?"

Tsunade moaned then said looking right at the fourth Hokage.

"It's Akatsuki, after what happen last time, and now that Orochimaru is dead…" she sighed and pulled out a red ring.

Jiraiya cocked a eyebrow and asked,

"Is that his ring? He was wearing it?"

"Yep." She said carelessly handing it over to him to examine.

The sanin looked at the ring but could not find anything extraordinary about it. Expect…

"Can this ring channel chakra?"

"You noticed too eh? Yeah I think so."

"Hmm, strange…"

"You don't know the half of it."

"What do you mean?"

"From what we have gathered, a new member of Akatsuki can not join unless they have a ring. But that all we know. Why this is we do not know. The only other thing we know is that they like to finance wars. They start wars then instead of fighting they supply to both warring counties. Very clever indeed. But that is like I said, all the knowledge we have. If there is any other plot that they have, we just don't know. Even with the Sand village help we don't have much of anything."

"Hmmm…now I see why you wanted Naruto to wait a while before taking over."

"Yep. I am going to have team seven become part of my special Akatsuki task force and see what Shikamaru and they can do."

"Do you think that now that Orochimaru is dead they will become even more active?"

"I'm counting on it."

Naruto walked Hinata to the Hyuga compound.

"Night Hinata." He whispered.

"Night Naruto." She smiled back.

They kissed then just as she started to go inside, he said to her quietly,

"Aishteru, Hinata-chan."

"Aisthteru, Naruto-kun."

"Do you think he can handle it Jiraiya?"

He laughed and said,

"After what I just saw, just like Kakashi said, he probably oh hell who am I kidding, he has past the fourth hokage. He surpassed even his father. Akatsuki doesn't stand a chance."

---------------

TA DA! Sorry if the ending was a little lame….it's late and my fingers are starting to freeze, so don't worry more romance next chappie. Which I hope won't take as long as this one…(sweatdrop). Oh, if you guys have any theories about Akatsuki, let me know, less research I have to do and the quicker the updates! So don't be shy! I have a few ideas but would not hurt to have more! So anywho, hope you enjoyed it! Next time,

"Akatsuki's plan: The mystery starts to become clearer!"

That's all, oh yeah…

WAHHH!! THIRD HOKAGE-SAMA!!!!! Sniff, even though I knew it was coming it was still hard to watch that episode….sniff…oh well GO SHINO KICK KANKURO'S SORRY BUTT!!!!

LoL, Kiki

P.S- (doing happy dance)

Naruto" What are u so happy about?

Me: HARRY POTTER AND THE DEATHLY HALLOWS IS COMING OUT ON JULY 21ST!!!!! EKKKKKK!!!!

Naruto: ….okay….

(running around jumping)

Naruto: Boy, I thought she freaked out bad when she saw the Shippuden preview….

Me: YEAH BABY!

(winks)

naniga machigatte ita no darou

naniga machigatte inai no darou

sonna toki wa sora ni te wo nobashite

motto takaku ryoute wo hirogete

motto motto takaku kitto sou tsukameru

mugen na kimi no mirai

toki wa ryuusei no you ni

nagaku hikaru o wo hiki

matatakuma ni kakenukete yuku kara

nidoto modoranai kyou wo

ima to mukiau tsuyosa wo

akirametari shinai to chikau no