I am so so happy you guys! 500 reviews that's freaking amazing I love you all so much it's unreal. I hope you guys enjoy this chapter-and because I've got 500 reviews I shall be double uploading so expect another chapter in a few hours! Especially since you've all been waiting for so long for what's gonna happen next chapter!

Kakashi didn't return for three hours, and when he did he simply told Naruto to give Sasuke some space and hope that he came around. It wasn't what the blonde wanted to hear but she agreed-after all pushing the boy probably wouldn't help her win back his trust.

When Sakura came over the next day Kakashi explained the plans for the next stage-Naruto was up against Neji-and she was very much looking forward to pummeling that smug little asshole into the ground, and Sakura was up against Temari, while Sasuke would later be going up against Kankuro.

The basic plan was still in place, Kakashi would be training Sasuke, Rin would train Sakura and Naruto would be in charge of her own training-and she was fairly happy with that since she planned on working on perfecting the Rasengan.

And so the month leading up to the final exams begun, and Naruto often dragged Karin to the Uzumaki training grounds with her-so that they girl wouldn't be on her own, while Rin would take Sakura to a different training ground.

Once the first five days had passed Rin insisted that the two girls take a day off, while she took Karin shopping to get her some new clothes and such.
So of course that left the two girls to decide what they should do to entertain themselves, and Naruto knew just what to do-she'd already prepared the necessary seals.

So she and Sakura set out, first they located Anbu headquarters-it was ridiculously easy to figure out when they spotted a few different members of Anbu slipping into the large plain looking building, and it was easy for Naruto to throw a kunai at the door, the seal on the paper attached to the kunai transferring into the wooden frame in a way that made Naruto cackle as she grabbed Sakura's hand and they took off running-it would be best to get out of there before someone actually walked in or out and had a stream of orange and pink glitter mixed with a special glue dumped on them-and it would work at least 300 times which meant that there were gonna be a lot of glittery gluey Anbu rushing around Konoha in the near future.

With the first stage of the pranks done the girls headed to the Hyuga compound, and Naruto did much the same there, grinning as she glanced sidelong at Sakura.
Unlike with the prank at the Anbu headquarters the girls did decide to stick around to see the aftermath at the Hyuga compound-and much to Naruto's pure and unadulterated joy it was Neji she saw first, making his way towards the gates-a glance down the street away from the gates and she saw Gai, and Lee making their way up the street, clearly intent on picking the Hyuga up for training.

Naruto had to clap her hand over her mouth as Neji reached the gates and made his way through them, and as he did the seal opened for three seconds, dumping the mix of glue and glitter on his head.

He froze up when the mix landed on his head-and she saw Gai and Lee freezing up at the sight of it too.

The boy looked ridiculous, his hair coated in the slimy looking glitter mix which was dripping down his face and onto his clothes.

It was Sakura who reacted first, a laugh bursting from her lips, and then Naruto snapped too and they were both clutching their stomachs laughing loudly as Gai and Lee stared in shock, and Neji's head snapped around to look in their hiding spot, behind some bushes near the gate.

"You." his voice was a low growl, and Naruto laughed harder.

"Hey there Hyuga-san, you look pretty bright today-sparkling even."

"I am going to kill you."

"And that's our cue Sakura-chan." Naruto grabbed the pink haired girls hand and then they were taking off, laughing loudly as the furious Hyuga chased after them both.

They managed to lose him after maybe fifteen minutes, and they laughed together in the alley they'd ducked into, backs against the wall as they exchanged grins.

"You think Kakashi-sensei's gonna be pissed at us?" Sakura raised an eyebrow, and Naruto smirked back.

"He is going to want to strangle us." she declared firmly, "He's gonna be so so pissed off with us that he will want to literally murder us. It's gonna be so fun."

"Hah." Sakura grinned back, linking her arm through Naruto's, "So, what now oh wonderful leader?"

"I feel like relaxing." Naruto decided after a moment of thought. "Maybe the hot springs?"

"Wonderful." Sakura declared brightly, "Let's go and chill out in the hotsprings then."

And with that the duo were heading towards the hotsprings.

Luckily it didn't take too long, and soon the two girls were undressing and slipping into the hotsprings-there were already four women in there-and Naruto smiled to herself as Kurenai-and she'd been told was the name of the red eyed sensei, smiled at them.

"You're Norhara-san yes?" and Hinata was in the water too-with a few others who Naruto didn't recognize.

"Yeah, that's me."

"I knew your mom." Kurenai smiled, "I imagine she's proud of you. You were pretty brave during the preliminaries, though I admit I'm not sure about your friendship with that Gaara boy."

"T-thank you." Hinata's voice was quiet, barely more than a whisper, "For stopping-"

"It's okay." Naruto held up a hand, "No need to thank me Hinata-san. Your cousin was pissing me off."

"Y-you saved my life."

"Of course I did." Naruto shrugged, "I wasn't going to let him just kill you like that. But you were really brave to fight as long as you did I was impressed." that earned the blonde a grateful smile from Kurenai, and Sakura was nodding.

"You fought really well and you're almost as stubborn as Naruto-chan." Sakura grinned as she glanced at Naruto, who gave an innocent look.

"I have no idea what you're talking about Sakura-chan."

"It looks like Kakashi-san hit the jackpot with his team." Kurenai laughed, "You both did really well during your preliminary matches."

"Thank you Kurenai-san." Sakura flushed with pride, a big smile on her lips, "I like to think I've improved a lot since the Genin test."

"Y-you have." Hinata spoke up, giving Sakura a shy smile, "You were really fast-and that jutsu you used was amazing-"

"I have an Earth affinity so I was focusing my training on earth jutsu." Sakura admitted, "It was my first time using it in a real fight."

"I remember during training when you did that to me-"

"You let me-"

"Yeah but still, it was a good move." Naruto splashed Sakura playfully, the pink haired girl shooting her a mock glare as Kurenai's eyes widened.

"You know your elemental affinity?"

"Yeah." Sakura nodded, "Naruto-chan was responsible for that, she brought some Chakra paper and we tested it when we got back to Konoha so we could figure out what elemental jutsu would be best for us to learn."

"You did that? Most people don't learn their affinity until they're Chunin." Kurenai sounded somewhat impressed.

"Yeah. Uh.." Naruto flushed, rubbing the back of her neck sheepishly, "My mom kinda just taught me what she thought I was capable of and I'm a fast learner so... I've known my elemental affinity for a while and I thought it'd be a good idea for Sakura and Sasuke to know theirs."

"That's very impressive." Kurenai admitted, "It seems like we're lucky you decided to come home to Konoha."

"Mom always planned for us to return... everything that happened was pretty traumatic though and as much as she wanted to come home a part of her was terrified, and then when she was away getting me a present my grandpa hired team seven and-"

"And the rest is history." Sakura declared proudly, "Naruto-chan even got a bridge named after her."

"I mean-my grandpa did built it so it's not that impressive-"

"Oh I think it's really impressive." Kurenai laughed, "How many people can claim that they have a bridge named after them?"

"It is." Hinata agreed softly, "You seem like a really strong Kunoichi."

"I guess." Naruto shrugged, "I've earned my strength though, I train my butt off day in day out. Today's just a day off because if I don't take one every so often I'll burn out."

"Yeah with your routine anyone would." Sakura snorted.

"Your routine's pretty hardcore too." Naruto pointed out, "Two hours of physical training every morning, two hours training with some of your jutsu, a break for lunch and then three hours of medic training."

"Medic training?" Kurenai raised an eyebrow, "I did notice that you helped heal Hinata-chan."

"You did?" Hinata's gaze focused on Sakura, "I... I don't remember."

"You were out cold." Sakura smiled softly, "I didn't do that much really I'm not that good yet-"

"You're learning fast-who knows someday you could rival the greatest medic nin to have ever lived."

"Now that would be an interesting challenge." Kurenai laughed, "Tsunade-sama vs Sakura-san."

"Sakura-chan would kick her ass." Naruto declared proudly.

"I'm sure." Kurenai chuckled, "So, do you two feel excited for the next stage of the exam?"

"Oh yeah." Sakura nodded quickly, "I get to fight Temari-san. She's a wind user like Naruto-chan so I have a rough idea of what I'm up against-she didn't really use her fans when we were all training together but..."

"Oh yeah." Kurenai nodded, "You two trained with the Suna Genin didn't you." there was an undercurrent of curiosity in the woman's voice, and perhaps a hint of suspicion.

"Yeah. Mostly with Gaara-kun." Naruto shrugged, "I personally think Sakura-chan is gonna kick Temari-san's ass."

"It's good to see that you have confidence in your teammate. And what about yourself?" Kurenai's expression was concerned, "I can't help but remember the way that you reacted to Neji-san during the preliminaries."

"You mean the way Naruto-chan was totally ready to throw down then and there and beat the ever loving snot into him?" Sakura raised an eyebrow, a smile playing across her lips "I have to admit that would have been kind of entertaining to witness."

"It really would." Naruto nodded sagely, "His attitude just rubs me the wrong way." she grinned evilly, rubbing her hands together, "But never fear I'll keep nice and calm during our fight when I'm beating some sense into him."

"Well you managed to get through to Haku-san, Zabuza-san and Gaara-san during fights." Sakura remarked thoughtfully, "Well-if you class our little detour in the forest to deal with Gaara-san as a fight. So I imagine you should be able to beat some sense into Neji-san."

"Y-you're so confident." Hinata gave Naruto a wide eyed look. "You shouldn't underestimate him Naruto-san."

"I won't. He's strong and smart, a prodigy." Naruto shrugged, "But here's the thing. I am also a prodigy and I'm not the one underestimating anyone here. I know he's very capable I know that if I mess around he has techniques that could cause me some real trouble but I don't plan on giving him the chance to use them. I have the fight planned out."

"I-I hope you win." Hinata smiled shyly, "You saved my life, and... if you can it'd be nice if you could get through to Neji-san."

"The boy is far too arrogant." Kurenai admitted. "I wish you all the luck in the world." she gave a warm smile.

"Yeah, well he's probably gonna be off his game when fighting me anyway." Naruto gave a sly little smirk that made Sakura giggle.

"Why?" Kurenai's eyes narrowed, "What did you do Naruto-san?"

"Oh, nothing much-" Naruto waved a hand dismissively, "But Hinata-san, if the Hyuga compound has a back entrance then it might be a good idea for you to enter that way."

"I-it does." Hinata frowned, looking confused, "But why would I need to enter through the back?"

"Because-." Naruto's lips twitched with amusement that she tried to stifle, "I may or may not have put a seal over the front gateway that will release a mix of glue and glitter onto the head of everyone walking beneath it."

"What?" Kurenai's mouth dropped open as Hinata's eyes widened. "Why would you do that?"

"Because I despise that stupid Caged Bird seal and I've been far too well behaved lately-focusing my pranks of Sasuke-kun and Kakashi-sensei. It's time to branch out."

"So you target the Hyuga's?" Kurenai looked stunned, "Do you want to cause trouble?"

"Not just the Hyuga's. I also placed one over the entrance of the Anbu headquaters."

"You... you are insane." Kurenai breathed out, "You are completely insane."

"What can I say." Naruto grinned evilly, "I have a mischievous streak-"

"Naruto-chan that's not a streak that's over half of your personality."

"They'll be so angry." Hinata looked like she was trying not to giggle, and Naruto grinned.

"Like I care. C'mon Hinata-san. You shouldn't care so much, it's time for you to get over your shyness."

"I-I've always been shy-"

"But that's ridiculous! You're smart and strong, you could be so kickass if you just believed in yourself!"

"I don't know how."

"Don't worry Hinata-chan." Kurenai had a small smile on her lips, "You'll get there. We're working on it."

"Kurenai-san is right." Naruto nodded before pausing, tilting her head to the side as her eyes narrowed. Then she glanced at Sakura meaningfully, "Anyways, Sakura-chan and I have to go and do something." she moved smoothly, quickly getting out of the bath, grabbing a towel quickly to cover up.

It was only a faint noise, but she was pretty sure she'd heard something just outside, and if it was some pervert she didn't want them to have the chance to run before she got to them."

"Right yeah." Sakura nodded, following her lead, and they both got changed into their clothes quickly and together they headed outside, Naruto determined to get to the bottom of the very faint giggling she'd heard.