A/N: Right I've read some of the reviews for my first chapter, and I've taken into consideration some of the points. So here's the chapter, oh sorry to disappoint you Rock Lee fanatics, but Lee's not in this chapter, but he gets a brief mention.

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Hinata walked with her fellow ninja teammates after just asking Naruto to the festival, and was now being pestered by an excited Sakura.

"Well? What did he say?" a curious and excited Sakura asked.

"Err…he…he agreed to take me to…t-the festival t-tomorrow" a blushing replied, and her reply was answered by a small girly squeal by Sakura.

"This is great…Ino and myself will help you find a dress" Sakura told her excitedly.

Hinata let out a small sigh; she didn't know she was holding. Naruto…she didn't know what he liked, maybe Sakura did, she had spent a lot of time with Naruto when she was in Kakashi's team.

"If we know anything about Naruto, we know exactly what will put Naruto's panties in a twist" Sakura told her with a wink, which made Hinata blush embarrassed at the statement. She never thought about things like that.

A small cough came from behind her, and she turned to look at Shino standing still, his mouth twitching ever so slighty. That must mean he is highly amused, Shino normally never changed his expression.

"Before you girls run off. A reminder if you will. Remember to meet outside Hokage-sama's office at 8" he informed them, the corners of his mouth twitching ever so slightly, whilst his eyes revealed nothing due to his dark glasses.

Sakura eyed their group leader's expression suspiciously, before grabbing Hinata by the wrist, in search of Ino. Hinata was anxious as well as excited at the same time. She was excited in a bliss that Naruto finally returned her fondness for him, and anxious that Naruto may not like how she looks, or finds her shyness too boring. No Naruto had encouraged her before when she was even shyer, and he seemed to like her.

Coming back out her thoughts, she realised that Sakura had eventually dragged her to a small hill where they found Ino fuming.

"Eh? What's wrong Ino?" Sakura inquired seeing Ino's expression.

"That lazy bastard Shikamaru. When I told him to take me to the festival tomorrow he ran away" she told them in angry tones.

"You think he's going with…Temari?" Sakura asked cautiously.

"If he is…I'll break him in two" Ino replied frighteningly.

"Well…anyway" she said and then looked at both of them, as though seeing them for the first time, "Oh hey Hinata-chan. What's up?"

"You'll never guess" Sakura said in good spirit

"What?" asked a curious Ino.

"She finally asked Naruto out"

"Oh! Oh! And?" Ino asked excitedly, her curiosity much aroused.

"He agreed" Sakura finished with a grin.

"Oh my God! I would never have imagined…are you sure? Naruto with a girl? Who would be so…?" Ino exclaimed, but stopped at her last sentence seeing Hinata, and blushed embarrassed.

"Right! So you and I" Sakura said pointing to Ino, "are going to find Hinata-chan something to wear to send Naruto to another world."

"Hai! Hai! Great idea! Come let's start!" Ino agreed excitedly as she and Sakura dragged Hinata into town.

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Naruto ate wildly at his seventh bowl of Ramen; three empty bowls were piled up on either side of him. Finally finishing the seventh helping, he let out a sigh of contentment. Ramen was so good.

Paying the old man who ran the Ramen shop, he got up and decided that since he had free time to the first time since coming back, he would do some training, and maybe show-off to some other's who might be there, the cocky old Naruto thought.

Making his way to a small training Naruto used to use with Kakashi before he became a Chuunin, he saw a bunch of what looked like Genin's he had never seen before training. He decided to watch them to see how Konoha's ninja's were fairing. At first they battled it out for a while, but then they stopped, as they began to talk.

"Hey Atamari! I reckon I could take you now" one of the boys called out to a kid with brown hair.

"I doubt it Baka. I could take all you numbskulls" the boy named Atamari replied to the four others.

Naruto snickered at the thought of a four on one. The kid kinda reminded him of himself, except you know, he was Naruto and he was an exception.

"HEY! What you laughing at Baka?" the boy named Atamari shouts, bringing Naruto out of his thoughts. He could see that the boy directed his attention at Naruto.

"Not much from what I can see," Naruto replied, locking eyes with the boy.

"Oh yea? Who are you anyway? I haven't seen you around here before? You can't be any good. I would recognise anyone who was worth being noticed" the boys told him confidently.

Something clicked inside Naruto. He didn't like being insulted. This kid was really getting on his nerves already.

"Whatever little kid. Just run along now, before I have to whoop your ass to show you your nothing," Naruto told him, walking into the training area.

"Oh yea? I bet I could take you. You don't look like much" the kid replied, a challenge in his eyes.

"You sure you want your ass kicked all over Konoha?" Naruto asked dangerously and amused. It wasn't cowardly to fight some one younger than him. He just wanted to teach this kid a lesson.

"Right. That's it. Your mine" the hot-tempered kid burst out. With deadly speed, he ran at Naruto.

Naruto was impressed. He was fast. Too bad not fast enough. Jumping back, he performed the Kage Bunshin. Half dozen clones popped up.

"Ha. A Bunshin. You expect to win with that? They can't do anything," the kid said in reply to Naruto's move, as he ran towards one of the clones to fight it.

SMACK!

"W-Wha? What the hell was that? Clones can't do that," the kid said disbelievingly

"Never underestimate your opponent" was all Naruto said. The kid's face contorted in anger, as he made for Naruto.

This was getting boring. But before the he could do anything, the kid began to perform seals. What the? So young and using seals like that. The kid surprised Naruto again.

"KATON HOUSENKA"

Multiple balls of fire sped towards him. The kid had great charka to be able to do something like that. Naruto grinned though. The kid was good, but not good enough. Drawing upon the hidden power of the Kyubi, he just stood there, as the balls of fire sped towards him.

"Not moving eh? Too scared? Your done for now" the kid said triumphantly.

Naruto waited until the balls of fire were nearly upon him, before he drew upon some of the red chakra of the Kyubi, and in a flash moved out the way, and ran behind the kid. Grabbing the kid by the shoulder, he turned him round, so he could look him in the eye.

"Never underestimate your opponent" he told the kid, before he flicked him on the forehead with his middle finger.

"The name's Uzumaki Naruto. One day I will be Hokage, so it would be good to remember the name" and with that let go off the kid, who looked at him still confused as to how he had got there.

Turning back, Naruto decided he didn't want to train anymore and left the four Genin's to stare after him. He was hungry again. His thoughts ran back to Hinata as made his way back to the Ramen stand. He felt nervous now. He had never been out with a girl before. Suddenly as he walked through the streets of Konoha, his old sensei appeared next to him. He looked up at his sensei…he was still shorter than Kakashi.

"I heard you have a date," his old sensei said.

"H-How did you know?" asked a confused Naruto. Kakashi just smiled, as he walked beside Naruto.

"Kurenai…Hinata's old sensei told me. I thought I'd talk to you before she did" Kakashi told him, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"I'll treat you to some Ramen, so you will actually listen to me" Kakashi told him. More Ramen? Ramen was good. There was always more room for Ramen, Naruto thought.

Going back to the Ramen shop, that Naruto had come from. The old man running the shop smiled, seeing Naruto return to eat more. Naruto of course was his best customer by far. Getting served some Ramen, Naruto began to eat, as Kakashi began to talk.

"Naruto…now Hinata is a nice young girl, and Kurenai, doesn't want anything to happen to her…and well, when a young man, goes through a certain phase…"

"Kakashi-sensei" Naruto burst out, when he heard what Kakashi was saying. He knew where this was going.

"Jiraiya-sama already told me this…" he said embarrassed. He remembered as the old hermit began to explain all about the birds and the bees, in an indirect attempt to teach Naruto about sex-education. Eventually, the subject was gotten around, with embarrassment for both Naruto and the old hermit.

"Oh! Well in that case. Knowing how you are Naruto, you'll probably take Hinata to the festival wearing those orange clothes of yours" Kakashi told him with surprise at first, and then with a friendly tone after.

"What's wrong with them?" Naruto asked, his eyes narrowing.

"Nothing. But when you take a girl out, you have to look…better. So Hokage, since she seems to have a soft spot for you, bought you some clothes."

"WHAT? Even old granny Tsunade knows? Does everyone know" Naruto demanded. Kakashi smiled at him, as he paid for the food, and got up to leave.

"Hey!" Naruto exclaimed, following Kakashi, "Can you at least tell me where you kept them?" he asked. He might as well try and look his best for Hinata.

"Their on your bed" Kakashi said simply, before whipping out his book, and ignoring Naruto. There was no point asking more, once his old sensei got his book out, you couldn't ask him anything and expect a straight answer.

Sighing, he took a look at his watch. Ten to eight. What? Time really did go by fast. Oh well…gotta see old granny Tsunade now. With that he made his way to the Hokage's office.

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Shikamaru sat on his bed. He had done so for the last few hours. For all his genius, he was neck deep in shit, and he could think of no way to get out of it. Both Temari and Ino expected to take them to the festival, and if either find out about the other, he truly would not see the light of day again. As though to confirm his thoughts, his mother's voice came from below.

"Shikamaru…a young girl is here to see you. I'll send her up," his mother's voice told him, with a tone that said he should talk to her, now. His mom was scary…oh well, the slaughter begins.

The door opened slowly, and a young girl entered. A great big fan on he back. She looked at him, and he quailed at the thought of she was going to do to him. She must have heard by now. She always knew when another girl talked to him.

Closing the door with her foot, she took a seat on the bed next to him. She slowly turned her head to look at him. He eyed her warily. She was quite attractive, and he supposed he did like her, she was fun to be around, but she still scared him, much like his mother did.

"Shikamaru…" she said softly. Too softly for his comfort. She ran two fingers in imitation of legs up his arm. He shivered. What is she doing?

"I hear that you are taking another girl to the festival tomorrow" she said softly to him, still showing no intention of the harm that he knew he would duly receive.

"I-I-I…I didn't agree to anything…I-I-I" he stammered, trying to give reason to what Ino said. This was more than just a bother, and he knew if he said that, he would be skinned alive. How could he explain to Temari about Ino? Just as that thought entered his head, his door room burst open, and Ino stood there in the doorway. He thought he would faint.

"What are you doing here?" she asked, staring daggers at Temari. This was going to get nasty.

"I could ask you the same. I'm here to ask Shikamaru what's he's going to wear to the festival tomorrow, when he takes me" she said calmly to Ino. From that statement he thought the blood vessel that appeared on Ino's forehead was going to burst, from the look on her face.

"When…Shikamaru…takes…you?" she said slowly. This was bad, this was bad, this was bad, this was very bad. Shikamaru could feel the tension between them, and thought he could see sparks crackle between their eyes.

"Err…now I-I think we should all…" he tried to put in, but found that this was a very bad idea.

"YOU STAY THE HELL OUT" both of them rounded him, each poking him with a finger.

"Now Shikamaru going to take me to the festival" Ino told Temari, her tones on a dangerous brink.

"I don't think so. That's not he told me yesterday when I was here" Temari replied, licking her lips to put her point forward. Ino looked shocked, and turned to Shikamaru with a look of disgust on her face. She turned back to Temari, and her posture changed, as did Temari's. This was getting real bad, he didn't want his room trashed, by two violent girls, he had to do something fast.

"W-Wait. The reason I cannot go out with either of you is…" he began, and both of the girl's heads turned to look at him, he had to think fast, "is because…" oh well here it goes, "is because since my dad is out on a mission…I'm taking my mom".

Well that was that. The most stupid thing he ever could say. Even Naruto couldn't be so stupid. Just then to his horror, his mother walked in. She looked at the three of them, and quite pointedly ignored the tension that was so thick in the room. Both girls turned to face his mother.

"Is it true Mrs Nara?" Temari asked

"What dear?"

"That Shikamaru is taking you to the festival tomorrow?" Ino finished off Temari's question.

Shikamaru looked pleadingly to his mom. 'Say yes' he mouthed. He watched as his mom looked around, and saw the predicament he was in.

"Yes" she said in a sigh, "my poor husband won't be able to take me tomorrow, so I asked my dear son if he could take me, since he never does anything to help as it is too bothersome" she finished, smiling at the last part…he must have reminded her of his dad he thought. 'Thanks mom' he mouthed gratefully. Saved…for now he thought.

"But don't worry…I'll make sure he dances with both of you" his mom told them consolingly, as Ino's shoulders slumped, and Temari gave him a look that said we'll-talk-later.

"Now, come on…I believe you have to go see Tsunade-sama soon, it's nearly eight" she told them, ushering them out the room. Shikamaru glanced at his watch. Five to eight…he would make it if he ran. Not bothering with any good bye's he rushed to the door, and was followed by Ino.

She said nothing, as they both made their way to the administration office, where Hokage's office was. His thoughts went back to the situation that just passed. He was lucky…he was sure when he got back, his mom would expect him to do a lot of troublesome things in repayment, but he didn't mind, not if it meant he kept the skin on his back.

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Naruto paced impatiently up and down the corridor in front of the Hokage's office. What was taking Shikamaru so long? Just as the thought ran through his head, Shikamaru appeared with Ino behind him.

"What took you so long?" Naruto demanded.

"Err…had to help my mom" Shikamaru said offhandedly, stealing a glance at Ino, who's face scrunched up a bit hearing the answer.

"Well anyway. All the other groups have been de-briefed. We better go in now" Naruto told him.

"Hai" Shikamaru said in acknowledgement.

Naruto made for the door, and pushed it open to enter. He was a bit surprised. Old granny Tsunade's desk was littered with paper, and there quite a few Jounin in the room, along with a bit more ANBU than usual.

Naruto eyed them warily. Why all the ANBU? His thoughts were interrupted by a woman's voice.

"Naruto get out the way off the door you idiot, let the other's through"

The comment put Naruto off a bit, he couldn't let the old woman get away with insulting him in public.

"Oh I'm surprise your ancient eyes can see that far granny Hokage" he replied insolently. A few of the Jounin's smiled, and he thought he could see an odd ANBU's eyes lighten a bit behind those masks. Yeah, one more point for the Naruto team, he thought happily.

A slight cloud of anger passed on the Hokage's face, but then she just sighed, and shook her head.

"So, give me a quick de-brief of today's events. There's something important I need to tell you" she said, waving a hand at them to hurry up.

Shikamaru stood in front of her desk, and gave her a run down of the day's missions –if they could be called that- went.

"Ok, with that done. On to some more important business" she began, as Shikamaru finished the team's de-brief.

"As you all know, for the last two years, an annual competition has been held amongst the hidden villages of the different countries" she continued. Naruto frowned slightly. They held competitions whilst he had been away? He cursed…old perverted hermit never told him about this. Maybe now was a chance for him to see how strong he had become.

"And as usual we have picked five of the strongest Chuunin's to represent Konoha, for the tournament, as each village has five representatives" she told them, looking at each of them in turn. Shikamaru stood there with his this-is-so-bothersome look as usual. Ten-Ten was attentive, staring at Tsunade, as was Kiba. Naruto was tense, he had to be one of the five.

"Who have been chosen Hokage-sama?" Kiba asked. Naruto was surprised, from what he knew of Kiba, he was never this forward in such matters.

"So far the representatives are Neji, Lee, and Shino" she told them. Two places left, Naruto thought to himself. That meant himself and someone from his team. But who?

"Who are the other two?" he asked, his curiosity rising.

"Ten-Ten and Shikamaru" Tsunade told him blandly.

The names hit him like a brick. He wasn't picked? Surely he was one of the strongest five in the village. He felt his anger rising, some of it fuelled, by Kyubi. The demon always did so, hoping he would kill something. How could he have not been picked.

"WHAT?" he raged. He took a step towards the Hokage. Anger burning inside him.

"HOW COULD YOU HAVE NOT PICKED ME? SURELY I AM STRONGER THAN MOST OTHERS" he shouted at her. He wanted to know why? Why was he not picked.

He took another step towards her. He wanted an answer. He felt a hand on his shoulder, he looked at the Jounin who had placed it on him. Kakashi.

"We have evaluated the representatives, and this is our choice, there will be no argument in the matter" the Hokage told him, her voice blank, and hard.

He tried to take another step forward, but Kakashi gripped his shoulder a little harder.

"You may leave" she told them, already giving her attention to the paper work on her table. The others bowed formally, and left through the doors. Naruto stared at her, anger swelled up like a huge balloon ready to burst inside him.

He felt the hand tighten again. He shrugged it off, and headed to the door, forgetting the formal gesture of respect before leaving. He smacked the doors open with a loud crack, walking down the corridor.

How could she not pick him? Anger bubbled inside him. The turned to a wall, and punched it, focusing a lot of his chakra into the punch. Chips of stone flew, as he left a huge hole in the wall. The building shook slightly from the force of the punch. He needed to enter that competition no matter what. He had trained for three years under the legendary Sanin Jiraiya to become stronger and prove himself, and now he couldn't. He was going to enter that competition. He just had to.

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Tsunade watched as Naruto left, nearly ripping the door of its hinges as he slammed them open. A few moments later the building shook slightly. Naruto…

"I'm sorry but I cannot let you enter" she whispered to herself. It was too dangerous for him. They wanted him, and it would just end up like it did last time from the account she was given.

"Maybe it wasn't such a good idea not to pick him" she heard Kakashi speak, "Knowing Naruto, he'll find a way to enter the competition no matter what" the one-eyed Jounin said to her.

"You know we can't…not when their after him. They'll try and take him" she told the Jounin.

"Still…you're going to have a hard time on your hands now" the Jounin replied, looking out the window, as Naruto jumped from building to building. Most likely going somewhere to vent his anger. He hoped that the angry boy didn't cause too much destruction.

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A/N: Right this chapter was to get things going. I hope you have an idea what's happening, and I look foward to see Naruto pissed off and raging all over Konoha. Sorry about not introducing Lee yet, he'll come next chapter. Review please.