Return to the Onsen

It had been another lousy mission for Team 7. Find Tora, Madam Shijimi's runaway cat. But, this time the team got rewarded differently.

"Alright Tsunade-Obaa-chan just give me the reward money so I can go to Ichiraku Ramen and eat." Said Naruto.

" Sorry Naruto, but there is no money this time." After telling Naruto this Tsunade started the count down 5,4,3,2.

"NANI" could be heard throughout all of Konoha.

To say Naruto wasn't pleased was an understatement. Here he was ready to go treat Hinata and him to his delicious ramen and he wasn't getting paid.

" That stingy rich Obaa-san. It's not our fault her baka cat runs away everytime she opens the door. But not paying us is just and insult to our ninja abilities." Screamed the Kitsune container.

After his outburst Tsunade released the jutsu she had placed on her ears to protect them from Naruto's reaction.

Seems the jutsu was the smart thing to do. After Madam Shijimi told me about her reward I prepared for his reaction. But, you are lucky little brother; if I hadn't known you would be half way to Sunagakure by now. Thought Tsunade.

Even with her jutsu at full blast she was still able to hear Naruto's reaction. Anyone else and she wouldn't have heard a thing. Unfortunately for the rest of Team 7, Kakashi-sensei, and Iruka-sensei, who had been helping the Hokage with handing out mission, they didn't know so all of them were collapsed on the floor from the noise the loud mouth blond made. After all he wasn't Konoha's #1 Ninja of surprise for nothing. After knocking Naruto out for his outburst and reviving everyone that was in the room, Tsunade explained what their payment was going to be.

" OK, so what is our reward Hokage-sama?" Asked Sakura.

" Well Madam Shijimi has allowed you and however many of your friends to go visit the local Onsen fro the weekend." Stated Tsunade.

Before Naruto could shout NANI again, Sakura hit him on the head much to everyone's amusement.

" So Hokage-sama is it the same one we went to last time? The one Yukika-san sent us to?" was Sasuke's question.

" Yes, Sasuke it is and unlike the last time were someone didn't invite me." Tsunade sends a death glare to Naruto." This time I really can't go. So go gather whomever you want to take and make sure someone comes back to tell me who you invited to go, so I don't have to put teams up for missions when no one is here." Preferably, if Sakura or Sasuke can come and tell me, I won't have to wait till next month for Kakashi or go death with Naruto. Thought Tsunade

Once out of the Hokage Tower the group tried to figure out whom all they wanted to take to the Onsen.

I remember the last time. It was so much fun. I didn't want to return when it was time to go. If it weren't for Temari's help, Sasuke-kun would have never noticed me and we would of never hooked up after we returned to Konoha. Which I had later found out had relieved all of Konoha. It turned out Sasuke had started getting irritated more than normal when he found her walking with other guys at the Onsen. I was so happy when he finally had asked me out. After that he began to open up towards others. I've even been able to make him smile a few times. Also, the baka Naruto finally noticed that Hinata liked him. Even though she screamed it so everyone at the pool knew. When we returned he took her to Ichiraku Ramen for their date. She was so surprised that all she could do was shake her head "Yes" in response. Thought Sakura.

So Sakura was all too happy and knew who she wanted to go." I want everyone from the last time to go with us. It'll be fun and all of us will be with our new boyfriends. " stated a blushing Sakura which Sasuke smirked at.

"YOSH" said Naruto, " But lets invite some more people with us."

"Who?" asked Sakura and Sasuke

" Well Ino and Choji for one. They still haven't figured out they like each other." Said Naruto in an all-knowing voice.

This shocked both Sasuke and Sakura they didn't think the blond baka would have figured it out.

"Hinata told me." Was what Naruto said next with that Sakura and Sasuke both sweat dropped.

I knew he couldn't of figured it out on his own. Thought both Sasuke and Sakura.

So Naruto, Sakura and Sasuke went to find the entire rookie nine and Gai's team to asked them if they could go. Shino was the only one not able to go. He had to do an A-rank mission with his dad and couldn't get out of it. He also told Naruto he wasn't much of an Onsen person, something about bugs and water. It was also helpful that the Sand siblings just happened to be in Konoha on diplomatic mission, since they were done and didn't have to return to Suna for a number of days they were all gun-ho. Well, everyone except Kankurou.

I want to go home, after the last time with Gaara becoming the chick magnet and I became the repellant it was no fun. But it free, so why pass up a good offer. I can always get Neji to use his eye-jutsu thingy and spy on girls. Thought KankurouAt his dirty little thoughts Kankurou's face turned red and at that got smacked on the head with Temari's metal fan.

" Dammit Temari, what was that for?" Kankurou yelled

" You're being a sukebe and no brother of mine is going to be a sukebe." Stated Temari.

" Well if I could find a girl we wouldn't have a problem." Said Kankurou.

" Yeah, well if you took off your make-up every once in a while then you wouldn't be having this problem." Said Temari. At this Kankurou's jaw dropped.

" She's got you their Kankurou." Entered Gaara.

Since his fight with Naruto, Gaara had opened up more and started to talk to his siblings somewhat normal at least, by Sunagakure standards anyways. There were always the occasional death threats, but the siblings knew that Gaara was just all talk now or did it out of habit. Really he was very protective of the Konoha rookies and his siblings.

"OK" said Naruto

This brought Temari and Kankurou out of their bickering.

" We'll all meet back here in 2 hours, we have to go back and tell Obaa-chan who's going with us. The rest of you grab your stuff and meet by the North gate at that time." With that everyone left.

Tsunade's wish came true and Sakura and Sasuke came to tell her who was going on the trip. She assigned Kakashi and Kurenai to go with them to chaperone. They hadn't been able to be with each other much since their return from the Onsen last time. Two hours later everyone met up at the North gate. Kakashi was even there on time, but it was because Kurenai had put a Genjutsu on him and it made him see all clocks two hours faster than normal.

The group then headed to the Onsen and what awaits them. Everyone arrived at the Onsen and was in awe. It had expanded since the last time they were there. The Konichi's couldn't wait to get in. Kankurou agreed, though his thinking wasn't really what the girls meant. Now that Naruto was with Hinata he would not have to look at other girls. As for Kiba, he had stopped chasing Hinata once he figured her crush for Naruto would never go away. Though Akamaru knew his master still had feelings for the paled-eyed konichi. But, the pup felt something different about this trip; maybe his companion would finally find someone. As they arrived and got situated the girls decided to go walk around and see what had been added. To their amazement a lot!

The first thing everyone noticed was the Onsen's mascot had changed. The last time it was a boar, and thankfully Ino hadn't come or she'd have killed the manager, now it was a teddy bear, Dodongo to be precise.

" Hey, look they changed the mascot." Temari said

" Yeah, they changed it to that bear Kankurou got Gaara last time." Naruto said snickering afterwards

" Shut Up! He doesn't need to be reminded of that." Kankurou stated

The group later found out that since the Dodongo was such a popular item bought at the gift shop the owner just changed the mascot and carried the bear now. The gift shop even carried a giant one but only someone rich could afford that one. The girls explored the outdoors Onsen it had added a shower to help with muscles and massage them. A Sauna and even coldwater pool had been added. The swimming pool was still there, along with some hot tubs on the side for the parents. There was a garden and training area because a lot of ninjas' would come. The girls returned to their rooms and got ready to relax. At this time the boys were gone so it was time for them to change

"Ok girls, show me what you brought." Said Temari, like a general leading her troops to war.

The girls all went and got their bathing suits and put them on to show everyone. All the girls came back with their bathing suits, most had changed since the last time, but the one that had changed the most was Hinata's. She had taken the bikini Temari had given her and made some additions to it. The top of it was now orange to purple flames, the bottom had been made into a skirt with a fox on the front that extended onto the back and made Hinata seem like she had a mini tail.

" Wow Hinata, that's really beautiful." Stated Ino.

" Naruto-kun really liked it too. He told me to bring this one, though I had others. He though you would like it because I remade it. I have a talent for sewing, something my mom taught me." She said.

The loudmouth blond had made her open up and stops stuttering. Of course the only reason she stuttered was because of Naruto.

Next was Sakura, she had kept the black one-piece look. But this suit has cherry blossom petals running down the side.

Tenten's was simpler with it being white and one side having tiger stripes.

Ino's was a purple one-piece similar to Sakura's, but butterflies down the side.

Temari's was off the chart; top piece looked like the lazy boyfriends favorite past-time, clouds. The bottom had a forest scene with a stag in the shadows.

The girls then wrote a note telling the boys they were heading to the pool and left. None of the ninjas had seen either Kakashi or Kurenai since they had arrived at the Onsen and most didn't want to know what they were up to. A couple minutes after the girls left the boys returned.

" Hey a note." Said Choji.

"What does it say, Choji?" asked Neji.

"The girls went to the pool and we are to meet them there." Choji said.

"Well guys guess we better get ready, we don't want to keep them waiting." Said Sasuke.

With that the boy got into their trunks. Most of the boys had kept the same trunks as before,

Gaara in his red trunks with black Suna symbol and Kankurou in his black trunks with red Suna symbol. Kiba in had wolf print trunks, Shikamaru in had green trunk with his families Kanji on the side and Neji in his tiger stripped trunks. Other had changed their trunks or had gotten trunks, thankfully.

Sasuke's trunks were now black with a blue Chinese dragon going down the side. Choji's trunks were dark blue with the Kanji for food on the side. He even looked good in them.

Naruto's trunks had changed drastically. One leg had flames on it while the other had a nine-tailed fox. Everyone though it was odd to have a Kyubi on his trunks, but thought nothing about it. Hey, it was Naruto he had a weird fashion sense to begin with.

Then Lee came out and thankfully, he had bought trunks. They were similar to his Speedos a green turtle shell design.

" Yea, no Speedo's this time!" said Naruto.

" Yeah man, but it was still funny." Said Kankurou

"Please don't remind me of that. I think the image is permanently burned into my brain. It's too mendokuse." Said Shikamaru

" What are you guys talking about?" asked Choji

" Believe me Choji, be glad you didn't come with us last time. You'd have been permanently scared by what Lee wore." Said Kiba.

" Yeah, well you guys didn't have to put up with a raging mad Ino. Thankfully, all I had to do was follower her around, listen to her, and offer her chips." He said.

The last statement stopped all the guys in their tracks. Choji was nice, but there were few people he would share food with especially his chips. This surprised even Shikamaru.

" Say Choji, did she eat all you chips?" asked Shikamaru. He was determined to find out how much Choji liked Ino. He knew they both like each other, but were too afraid of rejection, especially Choji.

" Yep, all my chips Shikamaru, even the last chip." Said Choji, like it was no big deal.

At this everyone in the rooms jaw-dropped. Choji never let anyone eat the last chip, but he had let Ino.

"Oh yeah, he likes her bad." Kiba said and Akamaru braked in agreement.

All the guys came out of their shock and became determined to hook Choji and Ino up. Naruto had other people who need to get hooked up too, though he didn't know whom with.

Ok so Ino and Choji need to be put together. We also need to find someone for Gaara. Kiba had been depressed since Hinata and I got together. And Lee hasn't been as energetic since Sakura and Sasuke got together too. I need to find someone for the both of them. Kankurou will have to wait, he still need some training to be around girls. Thought Naruto.

Of course this was coming from a loudmouth blond who didn't know about a pale-eyed girls feelings until she screamed it to him.

I was so happy when Hinata had told me she like me that I almost slipped and told her about Kyubi. But, I was able to tell her that I like foxes, since then she made or bought anything that has a fox one it. It's really sweet, but sometimes the stares from the villagers intensify because of the fox shirts. I'm not the Kyubi, why can't they understand. I want to tell the other and Hinata, but I'm afraid of the reaction they'll have. Naruto thought

I'm so sorry Kit it's all my fault. Kyubi thought when hearing his containers problems

"Naruto, Naruto!" Said Neji

"Huh, oh yeah Neji." Said Naruto, coming out of his thoughts.

" Are you Ok, you didn't answer me of a while." Neji asked concerned. He knew Naruto was Hinata's life. If something happened to him, she'd fall apart.

"No, I'm Ok, just thinking about something. Let's go and meet with the girls. I want to see their swimsuit. You'll be surprised at Hinata's." Naruto's said with a foxy grin.

Neji looked at him questioningly he didn't know if they remark was good or bad, but he was about to find out.

Once outside Neji saw Hinata's swimsuit and found out what Naruto was talking about. His reaction was a mixture of being both pleased and upset at her.

" Hinata-sama, what are you wearing. If your father saw you in that he…" Hinata interrupted him though

"Neji-nii-san, Otou-san has seen it and he though it was lovely. He said it reminded him of Okaa-san."

Neji just smiled and walked on to Tenten.

I've seen the effect you have on people Naruto. You have finally brought my cousin out of her shell and made her into a strong ninja. Thought Neji.

The next person Neji saw was Tenten, but what surprised him was what she was wearing. The bathing suit matched his trunks.

"Tenten, are you trying to hint a something." Asked Neji

"No, the others know about us." Tenten said innocently.

" I don't mean the people we came with, I mean everyone else here at the Onsen." Said Neji

"Maybe" said Tenten

"Figured" Neji replied with a smirk.

" But I approved." He continued. With that Neji received a hug from Tenten that made him turn red.

Everyone was having a blast. Sakura and Sasuke sat on the side of the pool and talked to Ino's feeling for Choji.

"Oh, I don't know Sakura he nice to me and listens when I have problems, but I don't know if he likes me. No offence, but you have Sasuke and I don't think Choji will care for me after I've been chasing after him all this time with you." Said Ino.

" No offence taken," Said Sakura

" Yeah, but Sakura and I have been together for a while now. He must know by now you're not interested in me." Said Sasuke

Both girls were surprised, they though Sasuke was just sitting beside Sakura daydreaming. Actually, he was listening to their conversation.

" I'll tell you one thing Sakura, you have done wonders for the silent man." Ino said in a joking manner.

"Yeah, once he let down the "I don't want to talk" barrier it was easy." Sakura said.

"Humph, if you guys are going to be like that I'm leaving." Sasuke said jokingly, but this was unbeknownst to the two girls.

" We were just joking Sasuke, you don't have to leave." Said Ino.

"I know." Said Sasuke with a smirk.

" Why you." Sakura said while hitting him lightly.

Ino just smiled at how much Sasuke had changed because of Sakura. You could see the longing in Ino's eyes. The longing to have someone like that for her.

Who am I kidding; Choji will never see me in that light. This is just wishful thinking. Thought Ino.

At the other end of the pool Hinata and Naruto were talking to Choji more Hinata talking because Naruto's comments were not helping much.

" Choji, you shouldn't be too hard on yourself. You just need to ask Ino if she'll go out with you." Hinata said.

" Yeah, take her out to eat. That's what I always do for Hinata and she loves it. Just don't take her to the BBQ every time." Naruto said.

" Hey. ITAI! Hinata what was that for?" Naruto said while rubbing his head.

" Now Naruto-kun, you have no room to talk. You take me to Ichiraku Ramen every time we go eat." Hinata said upset.

"Yeah, but Ichiraku Ramen has the best food in all of Konoha, Hinata." Naruto stated.

" I don't know guys, I'm not Ino's type and beside she likes guys like Sasuke. She wouldn't like a guy like me." Said Choji.

" Don't be too hard on yourself, Choji. You'll never know until you ask her." Hinata said.

"Yeah, but I'd rather stay ignorant, than be rejected by Ino." Said an upset Choji.

" Listen guys, I'm going to go back to the room. I'll see you at dinner." Choji said as he got up and walked back to the suite.

Hinata and Naruto just looked at each other worried about their friend.

" Hinata we have to get those two together." Naruto said.

" That's the first time I agreed with you today Naruto-kun." Hinata said.

" HEY!" Naruto said upset

" I'm sorry, but sometimes you just make things worse instead of better." Hinata said.

"I guess so." Naruto said. Hinata saw the girl walking towards her.

" Hey Hinata, we are going to the snack bar. Want to join us." Asked Tenten

" Sure, be back in a little bit Naruto-kun." Hinata said

" Ok, I'm going to talk to the guys about our little problem." Naruto said to make sure Ino didn't know what was going on.

Suna – SandOtou-san - Father

Onsen – Hot SpringsNii-san - Brother

Baka – Stupid/IdiotOkaa-san - mother

Sukebe – PervertItai - Ouch

Nani – What?Obaa-chan - Grandmother

Yosh – Right

Konichi – Female ninja

Mendokuse – Troublesome

Sunagakure – Hidden Village of Sand