Disclaimer: we all know that I don't own Naruto…
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The jounin exam; all those who take it face challenges they never thought possible. Similar to the chuunin exam, there are three tests. To pass the exam the candidate must pass all three tests.
These tests change every year preventing older shinobi from giving advice to younger shinobi.
Tsunade-sama still wondered whether the exam should take place at all, especially with the Akatsuki breathing down their necks. At the very least Sasuke Uchiha seemed to genuinely want to return to Konoha as a citizen.
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Sakura had trouble falling asleep as she thought back to the moment she and Sasuke almost had. When that happened she would pause and take a moment to plan painful punishments for Naruto.
Sasuke also didn't sleep right away, he was thinking of the jounin exam. He avoided turning to see Sakura, he knew it would stimulate impulses he'd rather put aside. He knew she still cared for him but he also knew that he could easily put her in danger if he showed affection. Sasuke feared Itachi would harm her.
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The following day, the chosen chuunin of Konoha village gathered in Hokage's office. It was a short announcement requesting those who wish to participate to register as soon as possible.
Sakura and Naruto practically tackled the shinobi in charge of registering. Sasuke sweat dropped and waited until his friends were done before registering himself. The shinobi looked at Sasuke, "Have you taken the chuunin exam?"
"Yes but not in this country." He replied coolly.
"I see," The older shinobi finished Sasuke's registration and handed him a slip of paper. "On the day of the exam present this to the examiner."
After the registration, the three friends walked around town. They noticed various stands being set up. It looked like the autumn fair finally arrived in Konoha.
"Sweet! The autumn festival is going to start soon! Man I've been craving those sweet potatoes they sell, I can't wait!" Naruto announced happily.
Sakura gave him a stern look, "You really need to rethink your diet Naruto, and shinobi can't thrive purely on starch and carbohydrates."
"Come on Sakura-chan don't be mean, this festival only comes once a year!" He protested. Naruto remembered the past year in which she had single handedly taken all the delicious autumn festival food away from him, claiming a shinobi should have a well-balanced diet.
Sasuke smirked, "She's got a point you moron."
"Hey not you too! You don't know how mean she's gotten! Ever since she learned her medical jutsu she's been nagging at everyone!" Naruto whined to Sasuke, practically begging him for some support, as he grabbed onto his sleeve.
"Get off! You're both still annoying…" Sasuke muttered with a smile he tried to conceal. He was obviously enjoying Naruto's carefree manner and Sakura's sister-like care for the blonde shinobi.
Sakura giggled and put her arm around Naruto as if to lecture him about something, he looked worried, "Tell you what Naruto, if you promise to balance out your diet… I'll let you eat anything you want during the festival!"
"YAY!" Naruto squeezed Sakura before running off into the still-in-progress fair to check to see if any food was available.
"Well that's convenient. A festival right before the jounin exam… at least we'll be able to relax a little." Sakura smiled, walking through the fair with Sasuke close behind her.
"We were on a mission during my last autumn festival. That seems like it was ages ago." Sasuke told her, remembering his past festival experiences.
"The festival is tomorrow, got anything to wear?" Sakura asked, examining Sasuke's clothing. She was already imagining a perfect outfit for him.
"…Sakura why are you looking at me like that?" He asked a bit nervously as she had a mischievous glint in her eyes.
"I'm going to take you shopping Sasuke-kun!" She declared locking her powerful palm around his wrist and dragging him to the nearest clothing store.
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After a few painful hours of shopping Sasuke and Sakura headed home. Sakura insisted that he try on nearly everything in the store before she made a decision.
Soon afterwards they headed back home, Sasuke carrying bags of their purchases. Sakura had taken advantage of the situation to buy herself a new kimono, one which she refused to show to Sasuke.
Things went about normally for the next day until it came time for the festival. Instead of Naruto coming over as usual, Sakura and Sasuke went to his place this time. Naruto opened the door and grinned, he wore a yellow kimono with red face paint.
Sakura laughed, "You look like Kankurou with that face paint!"
"But better-looking!" Naruto insisted then looked at his friends; Sasuke with straightened hair in a blue kimono and Sakura with her hair pinned up, wearing a unique red kimono. "You look pretty Sakura-chan." He added with a smile.
"Thank you Naruto," Sakura then looked over at Sasuke expectantly, as if demanding a compliment.
"What he said…" Sasuke muttered uncomfortably. He did think Sakura looked exceptionally beautiful but wasn't willing to admit it.
Sakura sighed, "I suppose that's the closest to a compliment I'm getting from you tonight Sasuke-kun."
"Enough yapping! The delicious festival food calls to us!" Naruto grabbed his friends and dragged them in direction to the festival.
Team Seven arrived at the festival to find Kakashi with Maito Gai, apparently Gai wanted to break his tie to Kakashi, who looked mildly bored.
Not even five minutes into the festival passed when Naruto attacked the nearest food stand.
"When I said you could eat whatever you wanted I didn't say it was ok for you to go on a glutton rampage!" Sakura scolded a happy Naruto munching on a barbeque squid. "You're incorrigible!" She stated in her defeat.
Choji coincidentally was also munching on a barbeque squid as he came up to them, closely followed by Ino wearing a green kimono and Shikamaru.
The group walked around the fair, playing ridiculously difficult games (in a ninja village, there needs to be challenges in that area) and looking at the shops. Pretty soon they bumped into Neji and Hinata Hyuga, who blushed at the sight of Naruto.
"Hinata! Wow you look nice." Naruto complimented as he caught sight of her pale blue kimono.
"T-thank you Naruto-kun." She replied with a smile.
Neji nudged his cousin, hinting that she should go take a walk with him or something. She shook her head and stepped back next to Neji shyly.
Sakura sigh as she grabbed Naruto and pulled him away, "Are you a complete idiot? Go ask Hinata to go for a stroll in the moonlight or something!"
"What are you talking about?" Naruto asked, clearly confused.
"Hinata-san likes you moron, don't ask me why but she does." Sasuke interjected, walking over to them.
Naruto looked from Sakura to Sasuke, "What are you implying…?"
Sakura took a deep breath and shoved him in Hinata's direction. Neji noticed Sakura and Sasuke's plan and did the same to Hinata.
The two bumped into each other, Hinata blushed and looked away from him. Naruto smiled at her awkwardly, "So Hinata-chan… wanna take a walk with me?"
All she did was nod, her hair grew quite a bit and it bounced off her shoulders. The pair soon went off towards the town park.
Neji turned to the two remaining Team Seven members and smiled, "I'm going to go find Rock Lee, he should be here with Kiba somewhere." He waved at them and went off purposefully leaving the two alone together.
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Oh by the way, here is how our favorite trio is dressed for the festival! (I love this picture!):
http/img502.imageshack.us/img502/2160/narutonarutoteam02643um.png
Anyways sorry for the delay, I'm up to my ears in work! But! All those reviews helped me speed this process up! At the end of this fic I plan on writing personal thank yous to all of you! So keep reviewing since not only does it help my ego but it makes me like you!