The month long interlude until the finals passed quickly. All the various participants were busy and found themselves with much to do. In the week leading up to the finals Konoha's hotels and inns filled to near over flowing and everywhere there were strange faces and odd accents. In lands far from Konoha preparations also went ahead.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Ku, ku, ku, I thank you for your hospitality Kazekage-sama." He sipped the rice wine.

"You are most welcome Otokage-sama." The Kazekage sipped of the wine as well. "It is good for allies to sit and share a meal before the start of a great war."

"Yesss it is. I am most pleased to know that your doubts about our venture have been dispelled."

The Kazekage nodded. "Yes I will admit I was prey to some doubts. After all the idea of having to be seated next to one of Sannin as my forces invade her village was worrying. However what has now occurred I view as a blessing. With Gaara's fool actions I shall be at the head of my army as it attacks the Leaf village."

Orochimaru smiled. "A bit of a wild one is he not? Your son."

The Kazekage frowned. "He has my blood but he is not my son. He is but a beast. In that, if in nothing else, Tsunade was correct."

"Oh dear! Such loathing and hatred I hear in your voice. It makes me wonder why you did not have the lad killed long ago."

The Kazekage frowned but said nothing.

"In any case I am truly pleased you did not try to back out of our arrangement." Orochimaru laughed lightly. "Otherwise I might have had to kill you and take your place."

The Kazekage sent him an annoyed look. "I do not find that amusing."

"My apologies, my humor is often misunderstood."

The Kazekage shook his head. "In any case let us have a toast." He lifted his cup. "To the humbling of the Leaf nins and their insufferable pride."

Orochimaru lifted his own cup. "To the utter destruction of Konoha."

The two kages clinked their cups and drank, sealing their bargain.

XXXXXXXXXX

"You and your squad will be going on an extended mission to Tea country. It is expected to last at least a week." Iruka stated.

"I see." Kurenai accepted the mission file from Iruka and glanced at it. "Doesn't look too difficult."

Iruka frowned. "No, it's a rather pedestrian recovery mission for a local lord. But for some odd reason your team was specifically requested."

"That is a bit odd. Especially considering I've never heard of this lord before. Still, a mission is a mission." Kurenai said.

"But Kurenai-sensei!" Sakura spoke up. "We'll miss the finals of the Chunin exams! I had two tickets and I was hoping to go with Sasuke-kun!"

Sasuke sighed. "Sakura, we can't refuse a mission just because the timing's inconvenient."

"But…"

"Sasuke is correct." Shino added in his staccato voice. "This mission has priority over personal indulgences."

Seeing she was defeated Sakura just nodded and hung her head. Kurenai was pleased that things had been settled without her needing to intervene.

XXXXXXXXXX

His mom, Tsunade, Jiraiya, and Kakashi were all staring at him as he sat in the Hokage's office. They all said that this was just a small examination, but he had the distinct feeling that a talk with Ibiki would feel similar.

"So how many times have you been able to summon the, 'red chakra?'" Jiraiya asked.

"Well I get extra chakra whenever I get angry. But the red chakra has only actually appeared twice. The first time was when I was attacked by those Jonins back in the academy and the other time was in Wave country where Kakashi saw."

"Are you able to summon it any time you like?" Jiraiya questioned.

Naruto shook his head. "No it only comes when I'm really, really angry. And as soon as I stop feeling angry it goes."

"Any after effects when it leaves you?"

Naruto shrugged. "I just feel weak. I've noticed that the more of it I use the weaker I feel when it goes."

"I see." Jiraiya said seriously. He was the only one asking questions. The others were just listening to everything that was being said. "Kakashi mentioned, 'arms' that came out of the red chakra to attack and kill your enemies. How did those work exactly?"

"I don't know." Naruto answered truth fully. "When I have the red chakra it feels like a part of me, like another skin. I just think of what I want and it does it."

"Kakashi said you made six at once. Do you think you could have made more?"

"I could have made ten."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow. "Ten? Not eight, not twelve, ten?" Naruto nodded. "You seem very certain of that number."

"Well I know that's my limit for making arms."

"Did you make that many the first time?"

"No, the first time I had no idea I could do it. I just made one sort of on instinct."

"So you've never made more than six then?" Jiraiya questioned.

"Nope."

"Then how do you know you can make ten but not eleven?"

Naruto thought about it. "I don't know, I just do."

Jiraiya shared a look with the others. "Hmmm," Jiraiya slowly nodded to himself. "Kakashi felt a strong evil taint from that chakra. It was easy to tell it was demonic. When you gain the red chakra do you sense that?"

Naruto shook his head. "Evil? No, I feel… powerful and all my senses are heightened and I can move like lightning. But after awhile I start to feel…"

"What?"

"My body starts to ache. It's like if I keep the red chakra too long I start to get used up."

"Do you feel pain?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto shook his head. "No, I don't feel pain. It's more like I can just tell my body is starting to reach its limits."

"All right Naruto. I want you to relax for a bit while I examine you." With that Jiraiya cast a jutsu and placed his hand over Naruto's seal. After about ten minutes he finally ended the jutsu and withdrew his hand.

"Well?" Kushina asked nervously.

"The seal is still firmly in place but it has weakened a bit making it easier for Naruto to access the Kyuubi's chakra." Jiraiya stated.

"Is there any chance of the seal failing?" Tsunade asked.

Jiraiya shook his head. "No, though in a few years it may need to be recast." He paused to consider. "I could add a layer to what's there now. That would completely prevent any of the demonic chakra from leaking through."

"I think that would be a good idea." Kushina said.

"No." Naruto said flatly and began to rebutton his shirt.

The four other people in the room looked at him in surprise. "Naruto I don't think you truly understand how dangerous this red chakra is to you." Tsunade said to him.

"Godmother I understand that it's dangerous to me. But do you understand that without it I'd be dead now?" that had them looking at one another. "The first time I would have definitely died without it. The second time I would have been defeated and probably died then as well. If I were to run up against someone like Gaara or a really powerful Jonin my only hope might be the red chakra. I can't risk losing such a powerful asset."

Jiraiya frowned. "He has a point." He looked at Tsunade. "That red chakra of his really is one hell of an ace in the hole."

Tsunade frowned. "It is but the dangers it represents…"

"If there were any danger of me losing control to the Kyuubi then I would be the first to ask that it be resealed. But when I use the red chakra it's me that's in control, an angry me but me."

Tsunade considered it. The world was not a safe place for any shinobi but especially not for Naruto. When he said he might need that extra power he might well be right. She let out a sigh. "Very well. For the time being we will leave it as is. But from now on Jiraiya will be examining your seal each year and should there be any danger at all of the seal failing then he will reseal it."

Naruto nodded.

XXXXXXXXXX

Neji at on a bench in the Hyuga courtyard looking out at the sunset. His crutches were leaning against the bench beside him. The Hokage had assured him that in time he would be able to walk with only a slight limp and would be able to have a normal life. He chuckled to himself. Yes I could be a fine carpenter or mechanic. He shook his head at the irony of it all. He had always known how cruel fate could be. He had been born into the cadet branch of the Hyuga, his father murdered to save his uncle, and he'd had the curse seal placed on him. Yet in spite of that deep in his heart he had longed to prove to one and all that even if he was in the cadet branch he was the most powerful of the Hyuga. He had dreamed of defying his fate. And fate had punished him in the cruelest way possible. I was given just enough time to glimpse what a great shinobi I might have been. And then it was taken from me in an instant. It seems my birth was no mistake. I was never meant to be great.

In the sky he saw a couple birds flying free. He quickly looked away.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Hey you!" A loud voice called out.

Shikamaru lifted his head to see a somewhat familiar blonde girl climbing the hill towards him. "Who me?"

She stopped and glared. "Do you see anyone else on this hill?"

He looked her over lazily. She's kind of hot, but I bet she's really troublesome. She was blonde after all and the blondes he knew (Ino, Naruto, Tsunade) were all loud, energetic, and troublesome. Still… "You're the sand kunoichi, Temani right?"

"It's Temari." She corrected. "And you're my upcoming opponent Shikamaru."

He nodded. It was true though he hadn't given it much thought. "What can I do for you?"

"I had to leave before your match so I don't know your abilities."

He shrugged. "I use shadow jutsus to take over control of my opponent's body. Anything else?"

She just stared at him and began to turn a bit red. "What do you think I'm an idiot?! You expect me to believe that just because you say so?"

He sighed. This girl could give Ino lessons in being abrasive. "Fine." He ran through some hand signs "Shadow Possession Technique." His shadow stretched out and before she realized it she was caught. "There, believe me now."

I don't believe this I can't move! She looked at the boy who had just taken her with no effort. True, she hadn't actually come here expecting a fight. But for a ninja being taken by surprise was not an acceptable excuse. "All right you've convinced me, now let me go."

Shikamaru smirked. He knew he'd regret it, but for some reason he wanted to play with her for just a little bit. Mimicking his movements he stood up and then sat back down again compelling her to lie down in the grass near him. "Since you've come all this way why don't you join me for a little while?"

"Hey what do you think you're doing?!" She panicked as she was helpless and he had her lying down on the grass. "Listen you pervert I swear if you try anything I'll beat you to death with my fan!"

He chuckled. "Relax, all I want is for you to watch clouds with me for a few minutes and then I'll let you go."

"Watch clouds?" She said mockingly. "What kind of brainless idiot would do that?"

He felt a small spark of anger. "And what is wrong with watching clouds? They have a far better existence than we do."

The jutsu allowed her to turn her face just a bit. She was able to see the upset look on his. "You're serious! You actually spend your time watching clouds?"

"That's right."

"Why aren't you training? Or working on jutsus? Or doing something else that would help you in our match?"

"Too troublesome," he answered. "Anyway shouldn't you be glad I'm not doing any of that stuff?"

"I'm just wondering what kind of shinobi would actually spend his time watching clouds."

"A lazy one."

She laughed. He looked up and of course she did as well. "What?"

"I just thought you had a nice laugh."

She gave him an evil grin. "Listen you idiot if you think flirting with me will somehow get me to take it easy on you during our match you can forget it."

"I'm not flirting with you and the truth is I really don't care whether or not I win our match." He set his head back down and so did she.

"You don't care about winning?"

"Nope."

"Tell me something. How did such a lazy and unmotivated ninja manage to get to the finals?"

"I have no idea, it's a mystery." She laughed again. Damn, she really does have a nice laugh. Not like that braying of Ino's.

"Anybody ever tell you that you should train a lot harder?"

"Only my mother, my teachers, Naruto, Hinata, Kiba, Kushina, my sensei, my teammate Ino and a few others."

"Well feel free to add my name to the list."

He chuckled. "All right I've tortured you long enough." He ended his jutsu. "You're free now." He'd expected her to stomp off, but she instead remained where she was. "I said you were free."

"I heard you." She sighed. "The truth is I'm on my own. My teammates and my sensei left after the preliminaries and no one has come back. I've done nothing but train for the last three weeks and I'm bored." She chuckled. "I'm so bored in fact I find looking at clouds to be entertaining. And I still have another week to go." She paused for a bit. "Besides you're not as annoying most guys."

"Gee thanks." She laughed again. He lifted his head to look at her. She'll probably say no, but what the hell? "Do you know how to play shogi?"

"Yes, my sensei taught me."

"Want to have dinner with me and my family? Afterwards we can play."

She looked at him in surprise. "You're actually inviting me to have dinner with your family?"

"Why not? Do you want to come?"

She considered it for a moment. He's kind of cute in a dorky sort of way. He doesn't compare to that Naruto though. Still… "O.k. but you have to realize two things. First you have no chance at all with me and if you try anything I'll snap you in half got it?"

He looked at her and lifted an eyebrow. "Does that mean you're not going to scrub my back?"

She put her head back and roared. When she was finally able to talk again she continued. "All right and second, understand that I won't take it easy on you in our match just because I'm breaking bread with you and your family."

He nodded. "All right, since we're being so up front with each other there are two things you should know. First off I never take it easy on opponents in Shogi."

"Fine and what's the other thing?"

"You'll be meeting my mother and she is the scariest woman in the world." She laughed as though that were joke. He shrugged, he'd warned her.

XXXXXXXXXX

Kushina was wrapping up a training session with her team. Since passing her test Gabrella had improved markedly. She had lost her sarcastic attitude (well mostly) and truly worked hard. Kushina had not failed to notice that she no longer called Haku, 'kid' and the two of them seemed to have gotten closer. They had completed two C-ranks without difficulty.

"Good training session you two. The finals of the Chunin exams are in two days. I've decided to go ahead and give you the next two days off as a little reward for all your hard work. By the way Gabrella do you have plans to attend the finals?"

"No sensei." She gave her mouth a little bit of a twist. "I don't rate sitting with my clan in their section."

Kushina smiled. "Well it just so happens the Hokage has invited me to sit with her in her private box. So I won't need my ticket. I was going to bring Haku with me so we could cheer on my son and his team. Why don't you and Haku go together?"

Gabrella smiled and turned to the boy. "Well I'm game. What do you say Haku?"

He smiled widely. "I would like that very much."

"Well that's settled then." She handed Gabrella the tickets. "You two have fun!"

XXXXXXXXXX

"You know you don't have to keep walking me back to my hotel each night."

Shikamaru shrugged. "A gentleman does not let a lady walk home alone. Ow!" He rubbed the top of his head. "What was that for?"

"That was for thinking I need anyone to watch out for me." Temari informed.

"Hmph, well good night." He turned immediately to leave.

She sighed. "I had a good time." She called after him.

He stopped and looked back at her with a smile. "So did I. Again tomorrow? It's the last night before the exams."

She nodded. "I'd like that." He casually waved to her and left. She stood there outside the hotel and watched him go. As strange as it seemed, she liked him. She liked his family too. His father was lazy but sweet and funny. His mother was indeed a bit scary, but she was loving and protective of her family. She liked all of them and it had amazed her that they had welcomed her even knowing she would be fighting their son. The Nara's were good people. They weren't the enemy, and yet they were. She shook her head and hurried inside.

XXXXXXXXXX

The following afternoon, the day before the finals Baki finally returned.

"Where have you been?" Temari asked upset but also very relieved. "I thought you wouldn't even be here for my match."

He leaned in close to whisper to her. "There will be no match Temari. Since Gaara will not be in the arena there is no reason for you to be either. We are leaving immediately you'll meet with Gaara about five miles from here."

She felt the blood drain out of her face. "Then," she whispered just as quietly. "The operation is still on?" She'd hoped it would have been cancelled.

Baki nodded once. "It is. Adjustments have been made but it goes forward as planned. Now let's go back to the hotel."

She made a decision. "Sensei I will meet you at the hotel in twenty minutes!" She leapt away before he could respond.

XXXXXXXXXX

"Shikamaru!"

He opened his eyes to see Temari leaping towards him. "Hey Temari. Have you come to watch some clouds with me?"

She knelt down beside him and shook her head. "No, I've come to bring you some really good news." She gave him a smile though it was not heart felt. "It looks like you're going to win your match tomorrow."

"What? You mean you're going to let me win?"

"In a way. My government is pulling me out of the exams."

"What?!" He was so excited he actually sat up. "They let you train here all this time just to have you boycott at the very last minute? That makes no sense."

She shrugged. "Well whether it makes sense or not my orders are to leave the village immediately."

"Wait a minute! Are you not even coming to dinner tonight?" She shook her head. "Then this is good bye?" He suddenly felt a weird empty feeling in his stomach.

"This is good bye. I shouldn't even be here right now. But you and your family have been very kind and I thought I owed you at least this."

He looked at her face and suddenly realized he would miss her terribly. When did that happen? I've only known her a week! "When will I see you again?"

She looked at him in surprise and stood back up. "You won't, this is good bye." She turned to leave.

"I thought you liked me."

She stopped. She slowly turned back around. "I do like you Shikamaru; I wouldn't be here now if I didn't." She looked at him and knelt back down beside him. "Shikamaru we are ninjas from two different villages. You knew from the start that when the exams were over I'd be going home."

"Yeah, I guess…" he sighed. "I guess I didn't want to think about that."

She looked at him sadly. "Well the future has a way of coming whether you want it to or not." She looked at him. "Shikamaru, I want you to know something, whatever happens tomorrow and after tomorrow I truly liked being with you and your family. If you should ever wonder please know that is the truth." She reached out and hugged him. "Stay say safe you lazy baka ninja!"

He looked at her in surprise. "You don't need to worry I'll get through the finals just fine."

She let go and smiled. "Of course you will, but just in case." She leaned in too fast for him to do anything and she pressed her lips to his. His lips were very soft. When she pulled back and opened her eyes she saw the stunned look on his face. "For luck." She whispered. Then she got to her feet and leapt away. She moved as fast as her legs would take her. She heard him call her name but she didn't stop or turn around.

XXXXXXXXXX

Naruto woke up an hour early. He was way too excited to go back to sleep. He showered, dressed, and got downstairs for breakfast with his mom and Haku. When he got done he was ready to leave and meet everyone. The two of them wished him luck as he hurried out the door. He hurried over to the Hyuga mansion where he met Hinata. Hand in hand they went to the bridge where they met Kiba and (amazingly) Kakashi right on time. Then together as a unit team seven headed for the arena. Naruto and Hinata were walking hand in hand as they usually did. As they approached the huge structure he could feel his heart pounding.

He looked to his girlfriend and smiled excitedly. "This is going to be an amazing day Hinata-chan! This will be a day we will always remember!"

He had no idea.