Continuation from...

"Our promise... We made to you two. We'll still keep it because... That's our ninja way." Naruto said. Ayame, Sakura, and Yoko looked at Naruto and smiled.

"Next time, we'll all bring them back together." Sakura said.

CHAPTER 14 - Firework festival

Ayame and Naruto were finally discharged from the hospital. Ayame strectching her arms.

"Ahhh~ it feels so good to finally be out of that place. Sad that the others have to stay in the hospital for acouple more days."

"Yeah... Oh! I know, let's go eat at Ichiraku Ramen!" Naruto exclaimed. "A small celebration for our getting better!"

"Mhm!" Ayame smiled. On the way to the Ramen shop, Naruto and Ayame met up with Iruka sensei.

"Oh! If it isn't Naruto and Ayame-chan. Where are you two headed to?" Iruka said.

"Iruka sensei! I was taking Ayame to go try at Ichiraku Ramen." Naruto said.

"I was just going there too. How about I treat you two?" Iruka said. Naruto's eyes shined.

"Really sensei?! Alright!" Naruto shouted. Pumping a fist in the air.

(Ichiraku Ramen)

"Well, if it isn't my favorite customer!" Teuchi said. "Oh, who is this with you?"

"Hey, old man! I brought my friend along to try out your amazing ramen. Her name's Ayame." Naruto said.

"Ahaha, is that right? Just like my daughter." Teuchi said.

"Hello, it's nice to meet you." Teuchi's daughter, Ayame said.

"It's nice to meet you two, too." Ayame said, bowing.

"Oh, you're too kind. Alright, I've decided that today is on the house!" Teuchi said.

"ALRIGHT! My day just keeps getting better and better!" Naruto shouted.

"Haha, that's too kind of you Teuchi-san." Iruka said. A couple of minutes later, Naruto had just finished his 17th bowl.

"Ano, ano, how do you like the ramen so far?" Naruto asked, looking at Ayame intensely.

"It's friggen'... GOOD!" Ayame's eyes sparkled.

"I told you! Hahaha." Naruto said.

"You guys seem like in such a good mood. How'd the last mission go for you two?" Iruka said. Naruto and Ayame stopped eating and looked down. Everyone became silent, already reading the atmosphere. "Ah, I meant, er... Will you two be going to the festival tonight?"

"A festival... Tonight?" Ayame quickly snapped out of it.

"Oh, you didn't know? There's going to be a fireworks festival tonight." Iruka said.

"Ah, we should definitely go!" Ayame said, turning to look at Naruto.

"Ah... Yeah." Naruto said, blushing. He'd never gone to a festival with anyone before. This year seems like it would be different. Iruka, Teuchi, and his daughter Ayame smiled from afar. After finishing Ichiraku Ramen Naruto and Ayame left.

"Thanks, Iruka sensei!" Ayame said as they were walking away.

"Let's go find Sakura and Yoko." Naruto said.

"Hai! I think Yoko said yesterday that Sakura and her would be helping at Ino's flower shop." Ayame said. As the two neared the shop they could hear argument inside.

"You Ino-pig!" Sakura said, throwing a pot at her.

"Sakura, you billboard brow!" Ino said, splashing water at her.

"Stop you two!" Yoko said, finally calming the two by smashing their heads together. "Quit fighting already!"

"What is going on?" Ayame said.

"Ayame! Naruto! You guys were discharged?" Yoko said, running to them.

"Haha, yeah. We stopped by, wanting to know if you guys wanted to go to the fireworks festival with us." Ayame said.

"Let's go!" Sakura and Ino said, eyes sparkling. "Errr... Quit copying me!" The two went back at it.

"Uhhh... What happened between those two?" Naruto asked Yoko, scratching his head.

"They wouldn't stop fighting over which flower to use for the festival." Yoko said, shrugging and shaking her head.

"Geez, why don't you guys use an Iris instead?" Ayame said. "In Greek, it means rainbow and today will be the fireworks festivals. I think it'll match since there'll be many colors tonight."

"Hmm... Sounds good." Sakura said.

"I like it." Ino said. Wow, Naruto thought. Ayame sure was amazing.

(That night)

Everyone dressed in their kimonos and yukatas. Ayame and Yoko had to borrow some from Sakura and Ino.

"Wahhh~ this is amazing!" Ayame said.

"Forreals! I wish Ryoko could've seen this." Yoko said.

"... Yeah." Ayame said. She didn't want to hear the mention of her sister's name. It was too depressing.

"Ah... Sorry." Yoko said.

"It's fine!" Ayame said, forcing a smile and slapping Yoko on the back. "I'm gonna go over there to the Kingyo-sukui." Thinking she'll give this a try. It looked easy to catch a goldfish with the small paper net she got. Rolling her sleeves.

"Hi-yah!" Ayame yelled. But the net broke. She gave it 5 more tries, only to fail.

"Haha, miss, you're funny. You don't give up!" A small boy said. "Let me show you!"

"Alright, show me what you got then." Ayame said, challenging the boy.

"Hi-yah!" The boy yelled. But his net broke too. Ayame burst in a loud laughter. "Er... Shut up!" He was red from embarrassment. "I'm Konohamaru, how about you?"

"Konohamaru! Ah, I'm Ayame." Ayame said.

"You... Know me? Well, of course you know me." He snickered. He was the hokage's grandson. Nobody didn't know him.

"Don't get full of yourself now." Ayame said, chuckling.

"Er... Whatever." Konohamaru said, pouting.

"Ohhh, you guys are trying out Kingyo-sukui? Let me try too." Naruto said, just walking by.

"Naruto-niisan!" Konohamaru shouted. "This girl is bullying me."

"Her? Haha, nah, she's super nice." Naruto said. Ayame blushed.

Peeeew-BOOM crackle crackle

Went the fireworks. Today sure was a beautiful night.