Attention
(Parts of the last chapter have been rewritten!)
Key
"words"= talking
'words'=thinking
(words)=authors notes/my thoughts
*words*=actions (e.g. *cough*, *gasp*, *huff*, *puff*)
*= look at the bottom
Naruto was awakened by the chirping birds. He yawned loudly. He felt like he was a rock. His body was so heavy. He slowly took in his surroundings. Shock overtook his senses. How did he get in his room? Last night was a blur. He remembered the cold winter's breeze on his face, lulling him to sleep. Did he somehow teleport?
His head hurt. Naruto groggily sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He pulled the comforter off and saw that he still had his clothes on. Odd. Naruto began to search for his jacket.
"Where the hell did I leave it?" Naruto was scratching his head. It couldn't have gone off somewhere. He looked left and right for it. Finally, he saw the orange sleeve under a big pile of clothes. "Aha! Found you!"
He pulled on the sleeve. It didn't budge. He pulled harder. It still wouldn't move. Finally, Naruto grabbed with both hands and gave it a mighty heave.
The jacket gave way and unearthed another thing. Naruto leaned over to get a better look. Suddenly, Naruto jumped back and crashed his shoulder into the table. Naruto huffed behind gritted teeth in pain. "What the hell is Hinata doing here?!" Naruto was about to wake her up when he suddenly stopped. 'Should I wake her up?' All of a sudden he felt a huge pain in his chest. Like magic, the pain in his shoulder went away. He withdrew his hand like lightning and started breakfast. This time, he made four pieces of toast instead of the usual two pieces and poured two glasses of milk instead of the usual one glass (It's not expired). The shoulder pain began to come back.
While the toast was in the toaster, Naruto removed his; now bloody; shirt, and inspected his shoulder. Once again, he reopened the cut. Hinata's medicine did pretty good, but not good enough. He walked back over to Hinata and thought for a bit. 'Where would she keep her medicine?' Naruto didn't want to just go in there and accidentally.... well 'touch' her.
Naruto looked at the wall clock. It was about 6:45. It was late for any ninja. He decided to wait until 7:00 to wake her up.
The toast popped up. Naruto strolled over, pulled them out set them on a plate, and popped in two more slices. He heard stirring behind him and lightened.
"Hinata, wakey-wakey." Naruto squatted down and looked into her eyelids. They slowly fluttered open. Hinata looked back at him and mumbled, "Ohio*, Naruto-kun.............. NARUTO-KUN?!" Hinata sprang up and scurried away frantically in surprise.
"Woah, woah, woah, Hinata slow down!" Naruto kind of retreated in fear or maybe in.... oddness? Naruto adopted a stern look, "First things first, how did I get here?"
"I brought you here." Hinata stammered, still shocked, eyes darting back and forth.
"How did you fall asleep in my house?"
"I tripped and was too tired to get up. I needed my rest."
Naruto brightened. Hinata sighed in relief. Naruto reached out a hand.
"Come on. Let's eat." He grinned from ear to ear. Hinata looked at his hand gingerly, like it was the mouth of a tiger. "Hey, come on, I won't bite." Finally, Hinata took it, and Naruto hefted her up. "I hope you like toast. Sorry, but that's all I have." Naruto briskly walked by the toaster. Two slices of bread bounced up and Naruto shot his hand out, fingers extended. He caught them between his forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger.
"Kinda a show-off, huh?" Hinata giggled.
Naruto shrugged, "It's a habit, you know?" Then he sat down to his toast and milk. Hinata sat across from him. Naruto took a bite from the corner of his toast. It was very dry.
Hinata and Naruto reached for the butter at the same time. Their hands touched. Naruto withdrew his, "Sorry. Ladies first."
"No, I insist. Hosts first." Hinata said in exchange.
"Ladies first."
"Hosts first."
"Ladies."
"Hosts."
"Ladies."
"Hosts." "Ladies."
"Hosts."
"Ladies."
"Hosts."
"Okay, we're going to be late if this keeps going on." Naruto looked at his watch and choked on the toast he was chewing on.
"What?"
Naruto pointed a finger at his watch. "It's 7:30! We only got thirty minutes!"
Hinata gaped. Instantly, she ran over to the mirror and began to bush her hair from its untamed position
Naruto walked up beside her and tried to tighten his hitae-ate.
Hinata suddenly stopped, "Ow." She rubbed the side of her neck. She must of developed a kink overnight. Naruto gave his hitae-ate one last tug and cracked his knuckles.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. It's nothing." Hinata closed her eyes and sighed.
"C'mon." said Naruto, disappointed.
"No thanks. I'm fine." Hinata walked towards the door and opened it. Naruto followed her and turned around to lock the door.
"Where's my key?!" Naruto patted his pockets. "I swear I had it when I was training!"
Hinata blushed and pulled a key from her pocket. "I kinda had to use it last night. Sorry."
Naruto gave her look that said something like, "Silly goose." And locked the door behind them. Hinata suddenly had an idea.
"Naruto-kun. I heard you like to race."
"Umm, yeah I guess I kind of do."
"How about now?" Hinata smiled.
Naruto smirked, "You sure?" Hinata nodded. "All right then." Naruto stopped at a tree. "This is the starting line. The finish line is the fork in the paths, all right?"
"Gotcha."
"Ready. Set. Go!" Naruto ran at full pelt. Hinata did her best too.
Hinata had just turned the corner. Naruto followed. They passed the busy people of Konohagakure with their shopping bags and groceries. They leaned right of left to evade the running genins. Naruto, at one point had to jump over a child. He rolled, and keeping his momentum, up righted himself and kept running. He was gaining on her. They only had an eight of a kilometer left. He'd have to keep up the pace. They entered the trees.
She was having fun. She loved this type of thing. They came to the fork that separated the team 7 and team 8 training grounds.
Naruto had to turn right and Hinata, left.
"Oh crap. Well, see you later Hinata-chan!"
Hinata stopped dead. Wait a minute!
"Naruto-kun! Wait up." Naruto skidded to a halt.
"What?"
"That's the first time you've called me Hinata-chan." Hinata was amazed. She stared at Naruto.
"Really?" Naruto was equally amazed. "I did?"
Hinata nodded.
"Wow. That just came naturally. Did I really do that?"
"NARUTO!" a voice pierced the moment's atmosphere. "LATE AGAIN?!"
Naruto turned to see Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi.
"Wow.... I came here later than Kakashi-sensei." Naruto scratched his head. He turned to Hinata, "Meet me at you know where!" He took five steps, turned on his heels and jogged back to Hinata. He gave her a peck on the forehead then ran off behind the rest of Team 7.
Hinata stood in the middle of the path, re-cooperating what just happened. 'Did he just kiss me? Was he awake when I kissed him last night?'
"Mr. Romeo, eh?" Kakashi laughed when they were out of earshot.
"Look who's talking, Mr. Dating with-"
Kakashi muffled Naruto with his hand and turned to his other students. "He was just kidding. Weren't you Naruto?"
Naruto ripped violently. "Mmmfnumnf." Naruto said, not getting it all out.
Kakashi let go of him. "Now. Since we will be starting the Chunin test this year, we'll be training extra hard. Got that, team?"
Sasuke grunted.
"Hai, sensei." Sakura said with an unusually determined voice.
"Sir, yes sir!" Naruto snapped a brisk salute.
"Toady, you will be mastering your best technique until it is a reflex." He shot Naruto an anxious glance. "I know that they all won't be of the same caliber or anything like that. So, you will take turns and let the others spectate."
Naruto shivered in excitement. 'Ooh, I'm gonna love the look on Sasuke's face when I use the Lightning Edge.'
"Sakura, you'll go first."
Sakura blushed, and stepped into the center.
"Remember, your best technique."
She nodded, and got into her prepared stance. She formed a seal and created five bunshins. Naruto made a sniggering, contorted face. Sasuke simply burst out laughing.
Kakashi ignored him. "Sakura, is that all you can create?"
Sakura blushed and then shrugged. "That's all that I've mastered." Inner Sakura wasn't nearly the same. 'What the hell do you care about you old geezer! All you do is read Icha Icha Paradise!'
"Sakura, go over there," Kakashi extended his finger, "and practice your techniques."
Sakura nodded and shuffled over to try improve herself. That would probably be the only way she would get Sasuke.... could get Sasuke. She sighed.
"Naruto! You're next." Kakashi was grinning in anticipation under his mask. Sasuke didn't see it, but Naruto did. Naruto suddenly felt a sense he had never felt before. It was a feeling of.... pride. He liked it more than he thought he would.
"Okay folks, right now, I will be performing the most amazing ninjutsu ever! It uses a huge amount of chakra. Please, stand back."
Kakashi sniggered.
"Naruto, just get the show over with." Sasuke sighed in an annoyed fashion.
"Okay, okay. Hold your horses. Well.... here I go." Naruto cracked his knuckles and separated his feet. He created the 'Thorn', 'Tiger', 'Bird', 'Dog', 'Serpent'. His right hand went down, as he had always done and his left hand supporting it, as he had always done. The blue ball of chakra appeared in his palm after a bit. A shockwave emitted from Naruto's feet and Sakura turned. Even Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Isn't that-?" Sasuke muttered under his breath.
Naruto leapt up and smashed his palm into the ground, creating a solid, six inch deep, two foot wide, crater in the ground.
"Wow." Kakashi mumbled. "Weeeeell, since that just used up such a huge portion of your chakra, I guess you'll have to watch Sasuke's technique.
"That's where you're wrong.... sensei." Naruto grinned beyond thought. "I can do it again. Just watch."
"Don't be ignorant Naruto. Just, get over with it. You did it, no one's impressed and you can't do it again." Sasuke said, nonchalantly. Sasuke made a mistake though. He had his eyes closed and didn't see it coming.
The shockwave brought him back. Sasuke opened his eyes again and didn't believe what his eyes presented.
Naruto's hand was entirely consumed in the red orb he held. When Naruto leapt into the air for a second time, Sasuke kept his distance.
The new crater was like comparing a .22 caliber pistol to a .60 caliber machine gun. Kakashi lost his balance, (somehow!) and fell to the center of the semi circle.
"Ehehe." Naruto felt like a defiant schoolboy. "Oops?"
Kakashi burst like a balloon of laughing gas. "Ok team 7 *ahahaha* that's all for today!"
Sakura protested, "B-But Kakashi-sensei! Sasuke-kun still hasn't done his technique."
"Hm? Oh yes, you're right. Sasuke, do your magic."
"Just leave me alone." Sasuke, despite his comment stepped a good twenty feet away from the rest of the group. (I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS JUTSU BEFORE! DO NOT THINK THAT THAT I DON'T READ THE MANGA! THIS UPCOMING JUTSU IS ENTIRELY ALIEN TO ME!) He spread his feet and held his hand so that his palm was horizontal and cupped it with his other hand. He began to run in a circuit surrounding his teammates.
A large concentration of chakra appeared in his hand (which is behind his back now) and began to lengthen outward, being pulled by centripetal force. Naruto could barely keep his eyes on Sasuke's afterimage. Sasuke gave one last lap and swung his arm in an arc, parallel to the ground.
Two acres of trees were cut down by one Genin. Neither Kakashi nor Naruto could hide their amazement. "Freaky." Naruto stood like a stone statue.... that's panting
"Okay, team 7, now we will be dismissed. Oh yes, one more thing, certain Jounin will be conducting a special pre-test to see which shinobi are the best of their teams. You won't know when or where, but it'll happen." Kakashi gave them a goodbye peace sign and disappeared.
"Once again, the amazing Hatake Kakashi leaves us alone extremely early." Sakura sighed and put her hands on her hips.
Sasuke started to walk away to who-knows-where, when suddenly Sakura appeared, hanging on his arm like a parasite. "Sasuke-kun, let's go to that street bar that just opened up!"
Naruto froze. 'That can't happen!'
"Sakura-chan! Don't go there. I heard they have the worst food ever." Naruto tried desperately to keep his sensei's secret safe.
"Oh really? Then how did they get a four star rating?"
"Sakura, do they have onigiri?" Sasuke had an unusually excited voice.
Sakura was speechless. Sasuke was not only actually talking to her, but might go to a restaurant with her. "Yes." She stammered. Sasuke was about to say something.
'Please, Sasuke, just say no! Say no! SAY NO!' Naruto's head began to hurt. He knew he couldn't stop this. He'd have to reach Kakashi first. "Oh crap!" Naruto disappeared.
The Team 8 training ground was deserted save one person. "Where was Naruto talking about?" Hinata whispered to herself. "Could it be his house?" she pondered for a bit, then she had it. "I know, he's going to that bar with Kakashi."
She set off as quickly as she could. She was already behind schedule.
Naruto lost his balance while skidding around a corner. Sasuke and Sakura weren't far behind. He couldn't let them arrive there yet. Naruto turned another corner. The bar came into view.
Panting, Naruto ran for it. "Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi turned on his stool. "What do you want now?" He was impatient. He wanted to get back to talking to Kurenai.
"You need to leave now! And I mean NOW!"
"Nani, Naruto-kun?" Kurenai had actually got used to calling him that.
Naruto paused to catch his breath. "Sasuke and Sakura are coming to this restaurant and they are going to see you. You know how Sakura can be about gossip. You can't bribe either of them because Sasuke already know those types of techniques and Sakura would never have the stamina or ability to even try them.
Kakashi gave Naruto a dumbfounded look. "What?"
"To make a long story short, Sasuke and Sakura are going to-"
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata came from an adjacent alleyway.
"Hi Hinata. I can't talk right now." Naruto turned back to Kakashi, "You need to leave. Otherwise-"
"Kakashi-sensei?! Kurenai?!" Sakura yelled in disbelief.
"S-Sakura-chan! N-Nothing is here, you see nothing." Naruto blocked her view and held his arms out. He whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "Get out of here!"
Kakashi pushed Naruto aside. "Sakura, Sasuke, there's no point in hiding it. I've been dating with Kurenai here, and-"
"You'd best not say a single thing to anyone! Got that?" Naruto said aggressively.
"Naruto, that's enough from you. As I was saying, I've been dating with Kurenai here and only these two knew about it." He pointed to Naruto and Hinata. Naruto crossed his arms. "They have been loyal and nice enough to have it remain a secret. Do you think you could do the same?"
Sakura shrugged, "I don't know. That maybe a bit too much."
"You tell and I fail you and let Sasuke pass no matter what."
"W-What?! You can't do that!" Sakura growled. "Fine. If you pay for the bill, I'll keep it a secret."
"Thank you so much Sakura." Kakashi turned back on his stool and shut the world out. Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata all propped themselves up on their own stools. A waitress walked over and took their orders.
"I'll have the gyoza and a small salad." Sakura said.
Sasuke grunted, "The onigiri platter." He didn't even say please.
"I'll have the kapamaki and ramen" (you can guess)
"Umm-" Hinata eyed her menu once more. "I think I'll have the yakisoba."
"Oookay, gyoza, small salad, onigiri, kapamaki, ramen, and one yakisoba. Am I right?"
They all nodded.
"What drinks do you want?"
"Yogloo,"
"Water,"
"Calpis,"
"Pocari Sweat,"
"All right, your lunch will be here shortly."
"Thank you." Naruto smiled and turned to Hinata. "So. What did she say?"
"Who?"
Naruto motioned to Kurenai.
"About what?"
"The pre-test."
"Oh! That sounds creepy. I feel so insecure and in danger. I don't think I can do it."
"Oh come on Hinata-chan-"
"There, you said it again."
"What?"
"You said Hinata-chan!"
"I did?"
"Yes. You didn't notice?!"
"No. As I said, it's natural now. I don't get it though." He scratched his head. "How can I not notice?"
"Here's your meal little guys." The waitress balanced their meals on her forearms and they grabbed them off. "Enjoy."
Naruto shot the waitress a hateful glance. "I'm not a little kid." He yelled. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to become Hokage!"
"I wonder how many times I've heard that one." Sakura snarled.
"Sakura-chan.... just leave me alone." Naruto crossed his arms and sniffed his ramen. "Mmm, tasty!"
Hinata looked at Sakura along the bar with a jealous face. Naruto took notice.
"What is it?" He lined his eyes up with Hinata's line of sight. "Sakura-chan?" he asked Hinata.
Hinata blushed and pretended her yakisoba was suddenly extremely interesting.
"You can't seriously be jealous! What's there to be jealous about?"
Hinata gave up. "The fact that you call her Sakura-chan."
"Look, Hinata. It's not possible for me to end up with her."
"And how?"
"There's something I didn't tell you about."
Hinata gulped loudly. "What?"
Naruto was hesitant. "Nothing. Never mind."
The three pairs finished their lunch and Kakashi paid for the bill, reluctantly. They each went their separate ways.
"I have to go get presents for Neji and my father.." Hinata said to Naruto.
"People get presents on Christmas"
"What do you mean?" Hinata laughed.
"I'm serious!"
Hinata smile went away. "What? You've never gotten a Christmas present?"
"No. Should I have?"
"Yes! That's what Christmas is about! It's about family and friends!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Naruto!" Kakashi barked, "do you want to get to the extra training or what?"
"Okay Kakashi-sensei!" he turned, "Bye Hinata."
Naruto followed behind his teacher like a dog to its owner.
Ohio*= good morning (for all you American wanabees.)
Sorry this one took so long, it was painstaking.
(Parts of the last chapter have been rewritten!)
Key
"words"= talking
'words'=thinking
(words)=authors notes/my thoughts
*words*=actions (e.g. *cough*, *gasp*, *huff*, *puff*)
*= look at the bottom
Naruto was awakened by the chirping birds. He yawned loudly. He felt like he was a rock. His body was so heavy. He slowly took in his surroundings. Shock overtook his senses. How did he get in his room? Last night was a blur. He remembered the cold winter's breeze on his face, lulling him to sleep. Did he somehow teleport?
His head hurt. Naruto groggily sat up and rubbed the sleep from his eyes. He pulled the comforter off and saw that he still had his clothes on. Odd. Naruto began to search for his jacket.
"Where the hell did I leave it?" Naruto was scratching his head. It couldn't have gone off somewhere. He looked left and right for it. Finally, he saw the orange sleeve under a big pile of clothes. "Aha! Found you!"
He pulled on the sleeve. It didn't budge. He pulled harder. It still wouldn't move. Finally, Naruto grabbed with both hands and gave it a mighty heave.
The jacket gave way and unearthed another thing. Naruto leaned over to get a better look. Suddenly, Naruto jumped back and crashed his shoulder into the table. Naruto huffed behind gritted teeth in pain. "What the hell is Hinata doing here?!" Naruto was about to wake her up when he suddenly stopped. 'Should I wake her up?' All of a sudden he felt a huge pain in his chest. Like magic, the pain in his shoulder went away. He withdrew his hand like lightning and started breakfast. This time, he made four pieces of toast instead of the usual two pieces and poured two glasses of milk instead of the usual one glass (It's not expired). The shoulder pain began to come back.
While the toast was in the toaster, Naruto removed his; now bloody; shirt, and inspected his shoulder. Once again, he reopened the cut. Hinata's medicine did pretty good, but not good enough. He walked back over to Hinata and thought for a bit. 'Where would she keep her medicine?' Naruto didn't want to just go in there and accidentally.... well 'touch' her.
Naruto looked at the wall clock. It was about 6:45. It was late for any ninja. He decided to wait until 7:00 to wake her up.
The toast popped up. Naruto strolled over, pulled them out set them on a plate, and popped in two more slices. He heard stirring behind him and lightened.
"Hinata, wakey-wakey." Naruto squatted down and looked into her eyelids. They slowly fluttered open. Hinata looked back at him and mumbled, "Ohio*, Naruto-kun.............. NARUTO-KUN?!" Hinata sprang up and scurried away frantically in surprise.
"Woah, woah, woah, Hinata slow down!" Naruto kind of retreated in fear or maybe in.... oddness? Naruto adopted a stern look, "First things first, how did I get here?"
"I brought you here." Hinata stammered, still shocked, eyes darting back and forth.
"How did you fall asleep in my house?"
"I tripped and was too tired to get up. I needed my rest."
Naruto brightened. Hinata sighed in relief. Naruto reached out a hand.
"Come on. Let's eat." He grinned from ear to ear. Hinata looked at his hand gingerly, like it was the mouth of a tiger. "Hey, come on, I won't bite." Finally, Hinata took it, and Naruto hefted her up. "I hope you like toast. Sorry, but that's all I have." Naruto briskly walked by the toaster. Two slices of bread bounced up and Naruto shot his hand out, fingers extended. He caught them between his forefinger, middle finger, and ring finger.
"Kinda a show-off, huh?" Hinata giggled.
Naruto shrugged, "It's a habit, you know?" Then he sat down to his toast and milk. Hinata sat across from him. Naruto took a bite from the corner of his toast. It was very dry.
Hinata and Naruto reached for the butter at the same time. Their hands touched. Naruto withdrew his, "Sorry. Ladies first."
"No, I insist. Hosts first." Hinata said in exchange.
"Ladies first."
"Hosts first."
"Ladies."
"Hosts."
"Ladies."
"Hosts." "Ladies."
"Hosts."
"Ladies."
"Hosts."
"Okay, we're going to be late if this keeps going on." Naruto looked at his watch and choked on the toast he was chewing on.
"What?"
Naruto pointed a finger at his watch. "It's 7:30! We only got thirty minutes!"
Hinata gaped. Instantly, she ran over to the mirror and began to bush her hair from its untamed position
Naruto walked up beside her and tried to tighten his hitae-ate.
Hinata suddenly stopped, "Ow." She rubbed the side of her neck. She must of developed a kink overnight. Naruto gave his hitae-ate one last tug and cracked his knuckles.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. It's nothing." Hinata closed her eyes and sighed.
"C'mon." said Naruto, disappointed.
"No thanks. I'm fine." Hinata walked towards the door and opened it. Naruto followed her and turned around to lock the door.
"Where's my key?!" Naruto patted his pockets. "I swear I had it when I was training!"
Hinata blushed and pulled a key from her pocket. "I kinda had to use it last night. Sorry."
Naruto gave her look that said something like, "Silly goose." And locked the door behind them. Hinata suddenly had an idea.
"Naruto-kun. I heard you like to race."
"Umm, yeah I guess I kind of do."
"How about now?" Hinata smiled.
Naruto smirked, "You sure?" Hinata nodded. "All right then." Naruto stopped at a tree. "This is the starting line. The finish line is the fork in the paths, all right?"
"Gotcha."
"Ready. Set. Go!" Naruto ran at full pelt. Hinata did her best too.
Hinata had just turned the corner. Naruto followed. They passed the busy people of Konohagakure with their shopping bags and groceries. They leaned right of left to evade the running genins. Naruto, at one point had to jump over a child. He rolled, and keeping his momentum, up righted himself and kept running. He was gaining on her. They only had an eight of a kilometer left. He'd have to keep up the pace. They entered the trees.
She was having fun. She loved this type of thing. They came to the fork that separated the team 7 and team 8 training grounds.
Naruto had to turn right and Hinata, left.
"Oh crap. Well, see you later Hinata-chan!"
Hinata stopped dead. Wait a minute!
"Naruto-kun! Wait up." Naruto skidded to a halt.
"What?"
"That's the first time you've called me Hinata-chan." Hinata was amazed. She stared at Naruto.
"Really?" Naruto was equally amazed. "I did?"
Hinata nodded.
"Wow. That just came naturally. Did I really do that?"
"NARUTO!" a voice pierced the moment's atmosphere. "LATE AGAIN?!"
Naruto turned to see Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi.
"Wow.... I came here later than Kakashi-sensei." Naruto scratched his head. He turned to Hinata, "Meet me at you know where!" He took five steps, turned on his heels and jogged back to Hinata. He gave her a peck on the forehead then ran off behind the rest of Team 7.
Hinata stood in the middle of the path, re-cooperating what just happened. 'Did he just kiss me? Was he awake when I kissed him last night?'
"Mr. Romeo, eh?" Kakashi laughed when they were out of earshot.
"Look who's talking, Mr. Dating with-"
Kakashi muffled Naruto with his hand and turned to his other students. "He was just kidding. Weren't you Naruto?"
Naruto ripped violently. "Mmmfnumnf." Naruto said, not getting it all out.
Kakashi let go of him. "Now. Since we will be starting the Chunin test this year, we'll be training extra hard. Got that, team?"
Sasuke grunted.
"Hai, sensei." Sakura said with an unusually determined voice.
"Sir, yes sir!" Naruto snapped a brisk salute.
"Toady, you will be mastering your best technique until it is a reflex." He shot Naruto an anxious glance. "I know that they all won't be of the same caliber or anything like that. So, you will take turns and let the others spectate."
Naruto shivered in excitement. 'Ooh, I'm gonna love the look on Sasuke's face when I use the Lightning Edge.'
"Sakura, you'll go first."
Sakura blushed, and stepped into the center.
"Remember, your best technique."
She nodded, and got into her prepared stance. She formed a seal and created five bunshins. Naruto made a sniggering, contorted face. Sasuke simply burst out laughing.
Kakashi ignored him. "Sakura, is that all you can create?"
Sakura blushed and then shrugged. "That's all that I've mastered." Inner Sakura wasn't nearly the same. 'What the hell do you care about you old geezer! All you do is read Icha Icha Paradise!'
"Sakura, go over there," Kakashi extended his finger, "and practice your techniques."
Sakura nodded and shuffled over to try improve herself. That would probably be the only way she would get Sasuke.... could get Sasuke. She sighed.
"Naruto! You're next." Kakashi was grinning in anticipation under his mask. Sasuke didn't see it, but Naruto did. Naruto suddenly felt a sense he had never felt before. It was a feeling of.... pride. He liked it more than he thought he would.
"Okay folks, right now, I will be performing the most amazing ninjutsu ever! It uses a huge amount of chakra. Please, stand back."
Kakashi sniggered.
"Naruto, just get the show over with." Sasuke sighed in an annoyed fashion.
"Okay, okay. Hold your horses. Well.... here I go." Naruto cracked his knuckles and separated his feet. He created the 'Thorn', 'Tiger', 'Bird', 'Dog', 'Serpent'. His right hand went down, as he had always done and his left hand supporting it, as he had always done. The blue ball of chakra appeared in his palm after a bit. A shockwave emitted from Naruto's feet and Sakura turned. Even Sasuke's eyes widened.
"Isn't that-?" Sasuke muttered under his breath.
Naruto leapt up and smashed his palm into the ground, creating a solid, six inch deep, two foot wide, crater in the ground.
"Wow." Kakashi mumbled. "Weeeeell, since that just used up such a huge portion of your chakra, I guess you'll have to watch Sasuke's technique.
"That's where you're wrong.... sensei." Naruto grinned beyond thought. "I can do it again. Just watch."
"Don't be ignorant Naruto. Just, get over with it. You did it, no one's impressed and you can't do it again." Sasuke said, nonchalantly. Sasuke made a mistake though. He had his eyes closed and didn't see it coming.
The shockwave brought him back. Sasuke opened his eyes again and didn't believe what his eyes presented.
Naruto's hand was entirely consumed in the red orb he held. When Naruto leapt into the air for a second time, Sasuke kept his distance.
The new crater was like comparing a .22 caliber pistol to a .60 caliber machine gun. Kakashi lost his balance, (somehow!) and fell to the center of the semi circle.
"Ehehe." Naruto felt like a defiant schoolboy. "Oops?"
Kakashi burst like a balloon of laughing gas. "Ok team 7 *ahahaha* that's all for today!"
Sakura protested, "B-But Kakashi-sensei! Sasuke-kun still hasn't done his technique."
"Hm? Oh yes, you're right. Sasuke, do your magic."
"Just leave me alone." Sasuke, despite his comment stepped a good twenty feet away from the rest of the group. (I HAVE NEVER SEEN THIS JUTSU BEFORE! DO NOT THINK THAT THAT I DON'T READ THE MANGA! THIS UPCOMING JUTSU IS ENTIRELY ALIEN TO ME!) He spread his feet and held his hand so that his palm was horizontal and cupped it with his other hand. He began to run in a circuit surrounding his teammates.
A large concentration of chakra appeared in his hand (which is behind his back now) and began to lengthen outward, being pulled by centripetal force. Naruto could barely keep his eyes on Sasuke's afterimage. Sasuke gave one last lap and swung his arm in an arc, parallel to the ground.
Two acres of trees were cut down by one Genin. Neither Kakashi nor Naruto could hide their amazement. "Freaky." Naruto stood like a stone statue.... that's panting
"Okay, team 7, now we will be dismissed. Oh yes, one more thing, certain Jounin will be conducting a special pre-test to see which shinobi are the best of their teams. You won't know when or where, but it'll happen." Kakashi gave them a goodbye peace sign and disappeared.
"Once again, the amazing Hatake Kakashi leaves us alone extremely early." Sakura sighed and put her hands on her hips.
Sasuke started to walk away to who-knows-where, when suddenly Sakura appeared, hanging on his arm like a parasite. "Sasuke-kun, let's go to that street bar that just opened up!"
Naruto froze. 'That can't happen!'
"Sakura-chan! Don't go there. I heard they have the worst food ever." Naruto tried desperately to keep his sensei's secret safe.
"Oh really? Then how did they get a four star rating?"
"Sakura, do they have onigiri?" Sasuke had an unusually excited voice.
Sakura was speechless. Sasuke was not only actually talking to her, but might go to a restaurant with her. "Yes." She stammered. Sasuke was about to say something.
'Please, Sasuke, just say no! Say no! SAY NO!' Naruto's head began to hurt. He knew he couldn't stop this. He'd have to reach Kakashi first. "Oh crap!" Naruto disappeared.
The Team 8 training ground was deserted save one person. "Where was Naruto talking about?" Hinata whispered to herself. "Could it be his house?" she pondered for a bit, then she had it. "I know, he's going to that bar with Kakashi."
She set off as quickly as she could. She was already behind schedule.
Naruto lost his balance while skidding around a corner. Sasuke and Sakura weren't far behind. He couldn't let them arrive there yet. Naruto turned another corner. The bar came into view.
Panting, Naruto ran for it. "Kakashi-sensei!"
Kakashi turned on his stool. "What do you want now?" He was impatient. He wanted to get back to talking to Kurenai.
"You need to leave now! And I mean NOW!"
"Nani, Naruto-kun?" Kurenai had actually got used to calling him that.
Naruto paused to catch his breath. "Sasuke and Sakura are coming to this restaurant and they are going to see you. You know how Sakura can be about gossip. You can't bribe either of them because Sasuke already know those types of techniques and Sakura would never have the stamina or ability to even try them.
Kakashi gave Naruto a dumbfounded look. "What?"
"To make a long story short, Sasuke and Sakura are going to-"
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata came from an adjacent alleyway.
"Hi Hinata. I can't talk right now." Naruto turned back to Kakashi, "You need to leave. Otherwise-"
"Kakashi-sensei?! Kurenai?!" Sakura yelled in disbelief.
"S-Sakura-chan! N-Nothing is here, you see nothing." Naruto blocked her view and held his arms out. He whispered out of the corner of his mouth. "Get out of here!"
Kakashi pushed Naruto aside. "Sakura, Sasuke, there's no point in hiding it. I've been dating with Kurenai here, and-"
"You'd best not say a single thing to anyone! Got that?" Naruto said aggressively.
"Naruto, that's enough from you. As I was saying, I've been dating with Kurenai here and only these two knew about it." He pointed to Naruto and Hinata. Naruto crossed his arms. "They have been loyal and nice enough to have it remain a secret. Do you think you could do the same?"
Sakura shrugged, "I don't know. That maybe a bit too much."
"You tell and I fail you and let Sasuke pass no matter what."
"W-What?! You can't do that!" Sakura growled. "Fine. If you pay for the bill, I'll keep it a secret."
"Thank you so much Sakura." Kakashi turned back on his stool and shut the world out. Sakura, Sasuke, Naruto and Hinata all propped themselves up on their own stools. A waitress walked over and took their orders.
"I'll have the gyoza and a small salad." Sakura said.
Sasuke grunted, "The onigiri platter." He didn't even say please.
"I'll have the kapamaki and ramen" (you can guess)
"Umm-" Hinata eyed her menu once more. "I think I'll have the yakisoba."
"Oookay, gyoza, small salad, onigiri, kapamaki, ramen, and one yakisoba. Am I right?"
They all nodded.
"What drinks do you want?"
"Yogloo,"
"Water,"
"Calpis,"
"Pocari Sweat,"
"All right, your lunch will be here shortly."
"Thank you." Naruto smiled and turned to Hinata. "So. What did she say?"
"Who?"
Naruto motioned to Kurenai.
"About what?"
"The pre-test."
"Oh! That sounds creepy. I feel so insecure and in danger. I don't think I can do it."
"Oh come on Hinata-chan-"
"There, you said it again."
"What?"
"You said Hinata-chan!"
"I did?"
"Yes. You didn't notice?!"
"No. As I said, it's natural now. I don't get it though." He scratched his head. "How can I not notice?"
"Here's your meal little guys." The waitress balanced their meals on her forearms and they grabbed them off. "Enjoy."
Naruto shot the waitress a hateful glance. "I'm not a little kid." He yelled. "I'm Uzumaki Naruto and I'm going to become Hokage!"
"I wonder how many times I've heard that one." Sakura snarled.
"Sakura-chan.... just leave me alone." Naruto crossed his arms and sniffed his ramen. "Mmm, tasty!"
Hinata looked at Sakura along the bar with a jealous face. Naruto took notice.
"What is it?" He lined his eyes up with Hinata's line of sight. "Sakura-chan?" he asked Hinata.
Hinata blushed and pretended her yakisoba was suddenly extremely interesting.
"You can't seriously be jealous! What's there to be jealous about?"
Hinata gave up. "The fact that you call her Sakura-chan."
"Look, Hinata. It's not possible for me to end up with her."
"And how?"
"There's something I didn't tell you about."
Hinata gulped loudly. "What?"
Naruto was hesitant. "Nothing. Never mind."
The three pairs finished their lunch and Kakashi paid for the bill, reluctantly. They each went their separate ways.
"I have to go get presents for Neji and my father.." Hinata said to Naruto.
"People get presents on Christmas"
"What do you mean?" Hinata laughed.
"I'm serious!"
Hinata smile went away. "What? You've never gotten a Christmas present?"
"No. Should I have?"
"Yes! That's what Christmas is about! It's about family and friends!"
"Really?"
"Yes!"
"Naruto!" Kakashi barked, "do you want to get to the extra training or what?"
"Okay Kakashi-sensei!" he turned, "Bye Hinata."
Naruto followed behind his teacher like a dog to its owner.
Ohio*= good morning (for all you American wanabees.)
Sorry this one took so long, it was painstaking.