Starlight

Don't own Naruto

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'Thoughts'

"Talking"

'Someone Else Talking in a person's mind'

(----) Different point of view

-+-+ Scene change

-/-/-/ Flashback

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Chapter 15

(---Hinata---)

She sighs as she walks around with her cousin's teammate, Lee Rock. It seems that her cousin or Tenten could make it to Light village and Gai was off visiting with other Light ninja. So when Lee found out that she was here all by herself, which was about three days after she arrived, Lee has been spending free time with her.

She smiles a bit as she looks around. Light village seems to use chakra for many things then what hidden Leaf did. It's nice and black out and the streets are lit up with a light jutsu. They just glow softly and if she were to look up, she'd see the stars very clearly. She wonders how they could have music playing throughout this part of the city. They had passed the area where the band was and where the dance floor is too.

She pauses as Lee stops and looks at some weapons at one of the booths. She then blinks as she hears Kiba's voice say, "Hey Hinata! Where have you been hiding yourself?" She turns and finds Shino and Kiba behind her. "J-just w-walking a-around w-wit-th Lee." She stutters. Kiba grins a bit and says, "So, Lee's taking his defeat ok?" She just nods her head and then Lee finishes looking at the weapons. Lee blinks and then grins at Kiba and Shino. They then continue on their way together. Lee chatting with Kiba about his match against Ganmaru, she and Shino just listen to this, she feels much better now then before. She gives thanks for having such wonderful friends.

(--------------------------------------Haku------------------------------------------)

He walks about the feast grounds; his companion is Brim, a young IrKiv. He made friends with the friendly IrKiv a good week ago and already they act like they've never been apart. He is already enjoying himself at this feast, for in a few days time, he'll be having his exams on what he's learnt about Light village and tested on the jutsu he has also learnt from his teachers. He didn't get a chance to watch any of the matches, but he listened to Brim's accounts of it.

Brim was also kind enough to talk about what happened over at the box, of course he promised not to talk about it too. For Brim got this story from Kari, the leader of most of the IrKiv that came to watch the exam. According to Brim, this human impersonating the leader of hidden Sand tried to kill the Hokage and some of the members of the council of Light. It didn't go as planned though. 'Elder Ruki was the first to send out the smoke bomb and then when Orochimaru grab elder Ruki thinking that she was Hokage, I wonder who throw the first punch? Then the examiner made that speech during the match. I wonder when Koichi placed that seal one that snake Nin? I wonder who stole Orochimaru out of the trap he sprung? I know that three of Orochimaru's bodyguards are very much died though. I help check that one guy out myself. I wonder what kind of seal that was on her neck.'

He snaps out of his thoughts and turns to see four hidden Leaf genin walk about the streets. He notices the only girl of the group and then turns to check the time. It's getting close to when the feast is going to start and he turns to Brim, "I think it might be a good idea to head to the square, Brim." Brim looks up at him and then says, "Then let us begin on our way, Haku."

They then found themselves walking with that group from Leaf. They introduce themselves and soon Brim begins to talk with Kiba and Lee about what it's like to fly. He then turns and talks to Shino and Hinata about little things, mostly about training differences of what he did in the past and what his doing now that he's in Light. He found that Hinata was also of a bloodline limit and that Shino has insects living in his body. They soon found themselves at the square and they kind of break apart and head in different directions.

(-----------------------------------------Ganmaru----------------------------------)

They sat at the table reserved for his group. They were among the first to get their food. Soon a long line has formed and in that line were not only humans but also members of the other races. He also did a bit of a double take at seeing Haku with a member of that flying race they were told about.

He then turns and finds Gai sitting with Kakashi and Hinata's teacher. He also wonders who the five other ninja were though. He decides that they were also teachers and focuses in on his parents and Riley.

He looks sharply at the mention of engagement between Riley and him. Riley and him share a look and then they both say at the same time, "Isn't it a bet early to be talking about marriage? We're only fourteen!" His parents just laugh a bit and his father then says, "Engagement now and marriage when you're eighteen." He just stares and then his mother adds, "You two have been on and off for a good year and a half already. You both don't date anyone after one date and you both seem to talk through your fights. Your parents also agree with this idea, Riley. If you do find love outside the two of you, then the engagement can be cancelled. Considering how well you did at your first chuunin exam, if Ganmaru doesn't pass this time, he'll make the next time for sure."

He was stunned that his mother mentions this, for it never occurred to him that he'd pass this time. Riley and him looked at each other and then Riley turns away and says, "I guess it wouldn't hurt." He just nods, wondering just what the future will bring. He surprises himself by even having a clear picture with Riley by his side. They then continue to eat and to enjoy the sights and sounds around them. He blushes a bit at the thought of his wedding night.

(------------------------------------------Hinata------------------------------------)

She sits with her teammates, Lee, Sasuke, and Sasuke's new friend, Sellen. Akamaru was back home; his clan didn't want Akamaru bothering the other beings that were coming to watch the exams. Kiba seems down about not having his best friend here, but looks forward to speaking with some of the other beings here. For it looked like Kiba enjoyed Brim's company. She hopes that she'll also see more of Ko'Sil and Hor'Ja. She couldn't really tell Fell'Tor$ apart yet but knows that they were here at this feast right now.

Everyone is in great spirits, for soon the promotions will be spoken of. It was also looks like Hokage and the other important members of this gathering look ready to begin. The ones on food duty are now beginning to take what's left over away. She wonders if there'll be any dessert.

Soon an elderly woman stands up and everyone quits down. Then the elder begins, "Greetings to you who have chosen to be with us for this feast. I also congratulate Yue Fufu for winning the chuunin exam. I'm proud that our newest team of rookies have made it as far as they did. I also congratulate Temari of hidden Sand for her promotion and for being voted to represent her village on the meeting following the end of the matches." Many applaud the blond from hidden Sand. Temari just nods her head from the table she's sharing with her team.

Soon the applaud ends and the elder continues, "I also have other new as well. Nine teams from Light village will be journeying to hidden Leaf as the three teams sent return home. As such, a team from hidden Leaf will be remaining in Light village." The elder pauses and then continues, "Also a group is being formed by our friends of other races. The leaders of this party are Hor'Ja and Depth." A Fell'Tor$ and Kir!ron both stand up and nod as they're applauded. Then they sit back down. The elder continues, "This group are accepting volunteers to go to hidden Leaf. For those interested, you have two weeks to sign up."

Hokage then stands up and the elder says, "I believe that the Third wishes to speak." With that, the elder sits down. The Hokage then begins, "As you all might have guessed, something happened during the match between Gaara of Sand and Koichi of Light. It seems that a alliance between hidden Sand and hidden Sound planned to attack our village, but due to the relocation, the attack didn't get a chance to happen. For now, Orochimaru has assassinated the Kazekage and Orochimaru also impersonated the Kazekage during that match. Orochimaru also tried to assassinate myself and as many of the elders of Light as he could. Luckily he didn't succeed and he has fled." The Hokage pauses for there were murmurs throughout the crowd. "So that is all the news for now and those of you who might pass, a ninja will be sent to you house in the morning. Now I believe that dessert is ready to be served." With that Hokage then sits down and everyone turns to where the supper had been and now find new things to eat.

She smiles as Sellen drags Sasuke towards the dessert table and as Kiba then follows suit. She gets up and looks at Shino. "Not hungry?" She's proud that she didn't stutter that. Shino just nods and she then finds Lee coming over to walk with her. She smiles at Lee and they then walk to the end of the line.

(--------------------------------------Deidara---------------------------------------)

She just stares at the campsite that she and her partner had built. It looks her partner just took off. She looks around for any tracks and finds nothing. She then sits by the fire and waits.

After a good two hours, her partners not back yet and odd growls and yowls are beginning to ring through the night. She swallows hard and wonders if this was worth it. She then hears a scream and that does it. She packs as fast as she could and soon is running back north, not caring if they think her a coward. There are just some things in this world that just shouldn't be tempted.

To Readers:

About Koichi giving Orochimaru the Soul Burning seal, he didn't like Orochimaru at first glance. The villages focused their attention on the other teams from Light, and ignored or glared hatefully at Koichi and his friends. Kabuto did approach the group, but Koichi and them were busy talking among themselves, so they didn't listen to what Kabuto had to say. Like in the normal story lines, Orochimaru tried to kill the Hokage, but didn't succeed do to not only Koichi but from the other elders, for the elder's of Light are still powerful. As for Orochimaru's interest in Yue was due to the fact that Yue has a very rare bloodline limit and for the knowledge of Light village. As for Hinata and Koichi falling for each other, that's a long way away. Kabuto will also be showing up in a chapter soon and as for Akatsuki, do you think that they are as lucky as Gai on crossing that mountain range? I think a cave drake killed one of them… As to Koichi forfeiting, Koichi wasn't mentally ready to fight again and if he had, it would have ended up with Ganmaru having a very close brush with death and him being disqualified. It took a lot out of him to shape Blood Trail's chakra as he did. As to the different races, I just don't get why there can't be such beings, if there could be demons and summons, why not creatures like a cave drake or Oni? I also promise that Depth and the group heading north will have a few encounters of their own with evil guys, you know, like trophy hunters and others just hating the very thought of smart 'beasts'. Thanks for your thoughts and I hope this answers some of your questions.