Two days had passed since then and Naruto was having trouble finding any of his friends. He had seen Gaara at Tsunade's house outside practicing with his sand, but he was trying to find Hinata, which as it seems was impossible. Everything had now been decorated for the Leaf Festival that would start later on in the evening and Naruto didn't know what he was suppose to wear. He decided the best place to look for Hinata was at the Hyuuga estate, so that's where he was heading. As Naruto neared the gate had saw Neji and Tenten standing out front talking. Naruto smiled seeing the two's interactions. He decided to give them some privacy and went around to a sidewall of the compound.
Neji must be asking her out for the festival. Naruto thought seeing the pink tint on Neji's cheeks
Naruto jumped over the wall and landed on the gardens walkway. As he got closer to the house Hiashi came out to greet him.
" Naruto-sama you must be here looking for Hinata." Hiashi said
" Hai, I wasn't sure if she'd be here seeing as I can't find anyone else today." Naruto told him
" I'm sure they are all getting ready for the Leaf Festival like you should be. Where is your hakama?" Hiashi asked
Naruto looked at him questioningly, " Ano… I don't have one, never have. They're too expensive."
Hiashi realized what Naruto said and wasn't surprised.
" Naruto-sama follow me." Hiashi said
Naruto did as he was told. Walking down the hallways Hanabi came running by the two in a pale lavender kimono that had fireworks going off on it, her hair flying behind her. Naruto moved out of the girls' way as she passed him.
" Please forgive her Naruto-sama she always gets excited when we have the festival. Hinata is in her room with some of the Hyuuga ladies getting ready and that is where she is heading too. Since you don't have a hakama we will also have to fix you up too." Hiashi said
" Demo… I can't accept that." Naruto said not wanting to take any of the Hyuuga hakama
The two entered Hiashi's room as he went over to his closet and move a number of Hyuuga robes back so that he could reach the end of the closet. There hanging in the back was a hakama covered in plastic. Hiashi pulled it out smiling and handed it to Naruto. Naruto just stood there with the hakama in his hands not moving.
" Well it's not going to unwrap itself." Hiashi said
His words got Naruto out of his shock and he started to untie the bottom and lifted the plastic over the hakama. Naruto first notice the pants, which went from orange at the top and faded to red at the bottom. The top was white and like his father's shirts there were flames on the sleeves only these were more detailed and actually looked like it was on fire. On the back was the Uzumaki crest of a spiral. Naruto just started at it in awe.
" Hiashi it's wonderful, but I can't take this it's yours after all." Naruto said
Hiashi started to chuckle, " Naruto-sama do I look like the type of person to wear something as bold as that? That Naruto-sama was Arashi's hakama, before the Kyubi attacked he left it in my care." Hiashi said
" Why?" Naruto said
" Well let us just say that Hokage-sama didn't like him having all of his outfits with flames on them. When she saw the hakama she had told him the first chance she got she'd throw it away." Hiashi said
" Guess Otou-san like flames like I like orange, huh?" Naruto asked
" Hai, I guess so. I'll leave you to put it on." Hiashi said as he went to exit the room
" Ano... " Naruto said and Hiashi stopped and turned around, " I don't know how to put this thing on."
Hiashi shook his head, " Forgive me Naruto-sama sometimes you look so much like Arashi I think your him and not you. But that might be to your advantage tonight." Hiashi said as he walked back to Naruto, " I'll show you how, so that you don't have to ask for help again."
" That would be good. I sure as hell don't want to ask Ero-sennin or Oba-chan for help with this." Naruto said
With that Hiashi showed Naruto how to fix his hakama. Hiashi even had a pair of Zori that fit Naruto's feet. Once the two were done they went out to the living room and waited for Hinata and the others to finish.
Back as Tsunade house all of Naruto's friends and their sensei's were getting the house fixed up.
" Gaara are you sure he's not near?" Kankurou asked
" How many times do I have to tell you I don't feel him or Hinata-sama?" Gaara said angrily
This was the fifth time Kankurou had asked him in the last hour.
" Alright you two stop it and help us out." Temari said
With that Gaara lifted Temari up with his sand so she could decorate the Happy Birthday sign across the room. Neji and Tenten had just arrived with their hakama and kimono in hand. Everyone had decided they'd bring a change of clothes with them along with their festival outfits and change at Tsunade's house before and after the festival. That way Naruto would never know what was going on. Hinata has also brought her change of clothes to Tsunade earlier that morning so she could change too.
" Oh good you're here. Do you know where Otouto is?" Tsunade asked
" I believe he's over at our estates. Hiashi-sama said he had something of the Yondaime's to give him." Neji told her
" Hmm, I wonder what that would be?" Tsunade questioned
" Ano… Tsunade-sama, Does Naruto even have a hakama?" Kurenai asked
Tsunade eyes went wide in shock, " OH NO!" Tsunade said
Of course he wouldn't have one! How could I forget that of all things? Baka. I knew he has never been the Leaf Festival before, so why would he have a hakama? Tsunade beat herself up in her mind
" Maybe that's what Hiashi's giving him." Jiraiya said grinning
" Giving him a hakama, but that will be one of the Hyuuga's and Otouto won't take one of theirs." Tsunade said
" Oh it wouldn't be a Hyuuga's hakama, but I'm sure you'll know which one it'll be." Jiraiya said playfully
Tsunade realized what he was talking about, after all she hadn't see it since Arashi's death.
" He could of had it…No, no he could of Arashi knew I'd get rid of it. The first change I got." Tsunade said, " Well at least he doesn't wear flames all the time like Arashi did."
" No but he does wear the kill me know orange." Jiraiya reminded her
During the conversation the adults were now having the Chuunins continued working. Tenten grabbed streamers and tied them to her kunais she then flung them giving them a twist during the release. The kunais flew and hit the wooden beams on the other side of the room.
" That was cool Tenten." Ino said
" Yep, it's get them done quicker and also keep them up better." Tenten told her
She repeated this a number of times before she had the ceiling covered in orange and blue twists of streamers.
" Kakashi do you know were Sakura or Sasuke are?" Iruka asked
Kakashi looked around and saw the two hadn't arrived yet, " Iie, but I'm sure they'll be here shortly."
At the Uchiha estates Sakura was with Sasuke searching through the main houses rooms. Once Itachi had killed the clan Sasuke had put all of his parents belongings into storage, this included his fathers hakama. Which is what they were currently looking for. The two had already been in the attic and had had no luck.
" What about here?" Sakura asked pointing to a room
Sasuke looked over his shoulder and his eyes became cold like before, " Iie."
" Why not?" Sakura questioned not noticing his change in attitude
" I never enter that room, so I wouldn't have put it in there. That's was Itachi's room." Sasuke said
Sakura grew upset about what she had asked, " Gomen." Sakura said looking at the floor
Sasuke looked at her surprised she had said that, " For what? You didn't know. You've never been here before. Just go back into the kitchen and I'll find the hakama." Sasuke said walking into another room
Sakura nodded and started to head back to the kitchen when a room where the door was slightly opened caught her attention. She went over to it and slid it open further. Inside almost everything was covered, but Sakura could tell it had a feminine touch to it.
" Maybe this was his Okaa-san's room?" Sakura questioned
She walked around the room, there were a number of chests against the walls and dead flowers in a vase were on the window. In the corner of the room was a sewing machine.
" This was her work room." Sakura said in realization
She then saw the light shinning brightly on one chest in particular. She thought it was strange and walked over to it and opened it up. There on the top was the Uchiha crest on dark blue cloth. Sakura lifted it up and saw it was the top to a hakama and was large enough to fit Sasuke.
" SASUKE-KUN!" Sakura shouted
Sasuke heard her yell and came running down the hallway looking for her. He thought she might have gotten herself hurt in the house. He was surprised when he found her in his mother's Sewing room.
" Sakura I thought I told you…?" Sasuke started
" BUT LOOK! " Sakura said holding up and hakama top
" That's it! That was one of Otou-san's hakama. But how?" Sasuke asked
" I don't know the door was ajar and I came in to look. The sun was shining on the chest." Sakura said
" Sun? What sun Sakura? The sun is coming from the other direction this time of day." Sasuke told her
Sakura looked out the window to see that it was still light out, but the bright light that shown through the window a minute ago was gone.
" Well we found it." Sasuke said picking up the pants and his Zori, " Lets head over, so we can help the others."
Sakura nodded and the two left. Once gone two white butterflies flew pass the window and disappeared into the air.
Sasuke and Sakura arrived to see almost everything done.
" Where have you been forehead-girl?" Ino asked angrily
" Gomen, it was my fault. I couldn't find my Otou-san's hakama and asked Sakura to help me look for it." Sasuke explained
" Oh." Ino said regretting her outburst now
Tsunade showed the two where to put their spare clothes and festival outfits. They only had an hour before the festival would start. The girls went into one room to get ready, Most of the boys already had their hakamas already on, so Kakashi went to help Sasuke. Sasuke like Naruto had never gone to the Leaf Festival before either, but that was because before their deaths everyone was too busy that day to take him and after the clans death he never want to go. They had treated him differently after that and Sasuke always hated that.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door and Tsunade answered it. There standing at the door was Konohamaru, Udon, and Moeji.
" We're looking for leader." Konohamaru said
" Well he's not here right now." Tsunade said
" Well where is he." Konohamaru asked
" Probably getting ready to go to the Leaf Festival, which is what the three of you should be doing too." Tsunade said
Moeji poked her head around Tsunade and saw all the decorations in the house.
" Ooh, you're having a party today?" Moeji asked
The three then noticed the sign.
" Today's leaders birthday?" Udon asked
" Hai." Tsunade said
" Can we come?" Moeji asked
Tsunade eyed the three, " Are you going to pester him about what was told to you in the scroll why you're here?"
Moeji and Udon shook their heads. They just wanted to come to the birthday party, but Konohamaru didn't respond.
" What if we do?" Konohamaru asked
As vein popped out of Tsunade's head, " Because you're not invited if you do. You know what he's been through, so this is his day. Not a day for ten billion questioned."
" Then we'll find leader ourselves." Konohamaru said and walked away
The other two look at Tsunade and bowed turning to follow Konohamaru.
" I'll tell him you're looking for him." Tsunade said as the three left
Back at the Hyuuga estates Naruto and Hiashi were still waiting for Hinata to come out. Finally, the Hyuuga ladies emerging from the hallway they bowed to Hiashi as they passed and Hiashi bowed back. Hanabi followed behind them running over to her father.
" Otou-san do I have to wear my hair like this and this absurd outfit?" Hanabi questioned
" Hai, it is becoming of a Hyuuga lady." Hiashi said
" Well I like what you and Naruto-sama have on better." Hanabi said
" Well you can't wear yours." Hiashi said
Hanabi folded her arms over her chest and fell into the chair behind her. Naruto looked over at Hiashi who sighed.
" She's sort of a tomboy." Hiashi stated
Naruto nodded understanding his answer. Finally Hinata emerged from the hallway like her sister her hair was done up in an elaborate bun toped with two clips that were holding it up. The ladies had made up her face. The kimono she wore was light blue with red flames at the tip of each sleeve up near the top of the sleeves was also the flames crest she had on her old Genin jacket. Naruto was left speechless because of how beautiful Hinata looked. Hinata blushed noticing Naruto staring at her. Naruto got up from his seat and extended his arm.
" Hime." Naruto said bowing
Hinata flushed even more at this, while Hiashi just watched the two and smiled.
" You two need to go if you don't want to be late and meet up with your friends." Hiashi said
With that Naruto and Hinata took their leave from the Hyuuga estates to go meet up with their friends.
Flashback
Everyone was currently gathered a Ichiraku Ramen trying to figure out where they were going to meet the next day to go to the festival together. Most were seated eating ramen, while some of the others that had finished were trying to figure out their plans.
" How about at the Hokage Tower?" Tenten asked
" Iie, it's too far from the main area to meet there." Ino said
" The Main Stage?" Choji asked between slurps
" Iie, too far into the festival. It'd be hard for all of us to get there." Sakura said
Naruto was watching the group talk and sipped up his ramen and put his chopsticks down, " How about here?" Naruto asked
The girls looked at each other and nodded, " That sounds good. I mean Ichiraku is just inside the festival area, so it wouldn't be hard to get here and then we could go further in once we all arrive." Hinata said
" Then it's settled. We'll meet here tomorrow at 6 p.m." Sakura said
The others nodded in agreement and finished their meals and went about getting thing ready for the festival. Hinata, Naruto, Sakura, and Sasuke were the last to leave the stand. Naruto and Hinata waved goodbye to the others as they headed to the training grounds. As Sakura walked with Sasuke back to the Uchiha compound she noticed something was bothering him.
" Sasuke-kun what's wrong?" Sakura asked
" I need to find him Sakura." Sasuke said
" Itachi? Why didn't you ask Naruto earlier?" Sakura asked
" He has had a lot happen to him the last couple of days. I thought I'd wait a little bit before I ask him." Sasuke answered
Sakura was shocked at this before Itachi was all Sasuke could think of, but since his return he had changed and turned back to how she remembered him before the Uchiha Massacre.
Iie Sasuke-kun had changed for the better and Naruto will understand even after what's happening to him. Sakura thought
She grabbed Sasuke by the hand and surprised him as they turned around and headed back the way they had just came. Sasuke looked at Sakura trying to figure out what she was doing, but she just looked forward with a determined look in her eye. Sasuke blushed at the way she looked with her pink hair occasionally covering her face and her holding his hand. As they walked Sasuke noticed they were heading outside the gate and to the training grounds.
" Sakura I told you it could wait. It's not important right now. Naruto needs…" Sasuke said
" Iie Sasuke-kun, as long as we've know you Itachi is all you've ever thought about. But now…but now you're worried about others than just getting revenge on Itachi and that's why were going to find Naruto and Hinata." Sakura said looking back and smiling at him
Sasuke just looked away from her with a scowl on his face, but as soon as Sakura looked forward again he smiled at her back.
Have I changed that much since I've been back or is it something else? Sasuke thought
They finally reached training ground 10 where Naruto always was. Before they got close to the training area they could see Naruto stop in mid attack and turn around.
" Hey Sasuke, Sakura what are guys doing coming here?" Naruto said
The two were surprised he could see them. As they finally got to the two they stopped.
" Naruto." Sasuke said
" Yeah." Naruto said walking over to a tree to sit down
" How did you know?" Sasuke asked
" That you two were coming?" Naruto said
" Hai." Sasuke said
" I could feel you. That's why I stopped." Naruto said
" Feel us?" Sakura asked
" Yeah, it's your charka even is you're not using any right now it's still seeping out of your body. It's so tiny most would never notice, but since… Well I can just tell who's who and where they are." Naruto said
" Oh." Sasuke said feeling he asked something he shouldn't of
" That's really neat Naruto-kun. I bet it'll be real helpful in battle." Sakura said
Naruto smiled at Sakura and nodded he then looked at Sasuke and could tell what was wrong.
" Aniki?" Naruto questioned
Sasuke was surprised Naruto had called him brother and looked at him.
" Don't worry about it too much. It's just something that happened, so you wouldn't know why I could tell." Naruto said
Sasuke nodded at Naruto's words.
" So what brings you two here?" Naruto asked
" Ano… Sasuke-kun wanted to ask you something." Sakura said pushing Sasuke forward
" Hey don't do that. I told you... Sakura stop." Sasuke said protesting during her pushing him
When Sasuke was finally in front of her he looked at Naruto and hung his head.
" Sasuke?" Naruto questioned
Sasuke looked at him and then back at the ground.
" Sasuke what do you want to ask me that your afraid to tell me?" Naruto asked Sasuke looked at him and Naruto tapped his nose, " Enhanced senses remember."
" Yeah." Sasuke responded, " Naruto it's really nothing. I mean it can wait for a another day…"
" Sasuke you're here now, so just spit it out teme." Naruto said getting annoyed at how Sasuke wasn't getting to the point like usual
" Well I thought you might be able to summon some frogs and have then go search for Itachi." Sasuke said
" What about your snake summon?" Naruto asked
" Tsu, they're useless unless you can keep your eyes on them. The babies will go off after food if left alone. The only reason they listen in close combat is that the summoner is still nearby." Sasuke explained
" Oh sure give me a second." Naruto said getting up
He flicked his finger on his canine and did a number of hand seals.
" Kyuchiyose no Jutsu." Naruto said
As the smoke cleared underneath each of Naruto's feet was a toad the size of a large grizzle bear. One was red with blue marking and the other was yellow with orange markings and armor on him. Naruto jumped off the twos back and smiled at whom he had summoned
" Gamakichi, Gamatatsu how have you been doing?" Naruto asked
" Gaki why did you summon us?" Gamakichi asked annoyed
" Naruto do you have any candy?" Gamatatsu asked
Naruto dug into his pockets and found some candy he always carried with him in case he needed to summon the two.
Over the last four years the two frogs had grown considerably. Gamabunta had decided to make Gamakichi next in line to be leader of the Gama Clan and with Gamatatsu liking sweets so much he had been made into an armored frog. Gamakichi's outfit was still the same blue sleeveless haori, but he now had a small katana at his side. Gamatatsu now wore metal armor on his arms, torso, shoulder, and back. He also had two katanas attached to his back.
Naruto threw the two frogs the candy and they caught it and ate it happily.
" Hey guys I got a job for you too. It'll be good training." Naruto said
" Sure Naruto what do you want?" Gamatatsu asked
" I need two to find where Uchiha Itachi ran off to after the Akatsuki fight ended. I just need you to find him no engaging in battle or anything else, alright Gamakichi?" Naruto said
" Yeah I got it." Gamakichi said
" The last time I heard anything about him he was heading north, so start there." Naruto said
" Nii-san are we going that way?" Gamatatsu asked pointing south
" Why Otou-san had him be my bodyguard." Gamakichi said holding a webbed hand to his face, " Iie baka, it's that way." Pointing in the right direction
" Oh alright let's get going Nii-san." Gamatatsu said hopping away
" We'll come back when we find him Naruto, don't worry I'll be good." Gamakichi said and followed his brother into the forest.
End Flashback
As Hinata and Naruto walked Naruto noticed a number of the villagers glaring at him, even if he looked a lot like Arashi many could still tell who he was especially because of his whisker marks. As they walked one villager seeing him threw a bottle his way only for it to be intercepted by a Konoha-nin. One of the Anbu, who had been following the two since they had left the Hyuuga estates, dropped down and took him to jail till Tsunade could deal with him. The others near him questioned the ninja.
" Why did you do that? You hate him as much as the rest of us?" one villager questioned
" Hate him? Now why would I hate that young man?" The ninja asked
" BECAUSE HE'S THE KYUBI! AN EVIL BAKEMONO!" the villager said loudly
In an instant the ninja was holding the man up by his shirt collar. He was shocked at the ninja's reaction.
" If you ever say that again I'll personally hunt you down and kill you myself. You baka's don't know him, yet you still judge him like you do. It makes me sick." The ninja said placing the man back on the ground
The villager slid to the ground now scared of the ninja or of even trying to go near Naruto.
What is going on? I've known him for many years and he has never been on the Kyubi's side? The villager questioned himself
Naruto and Hinata though continued to walk never knowing the confrontation that had happened. They finally made it to Ichiraku where their friends were waiting outside. Everyone was surprised at the twos appearance, Hinata for being so beautiful and Naruto for looking like the head of an important clan. Naruto waved at them, as he got closer.
" Hi guys, sorry we're late, but there's so many people and it's hard to get through them all." Naruto said
" It's alright Naruto we haven't been here long." Tenten said
" He tried to get us to go by rooftops, but I refused." Hinata said
" I still think it was a good idea." Naruto told her
" Dope you thinking is the problem." Sasuke said
" OMAE!" Naruto shouted
" SEE I TOLD YOU! I was right that's what Hiashi gave him." Jiraiya said walking up with Tsunade
Tsunade looked at him angrily and then a Naruto. Naruto gulped seeing Tsunade's face, she then dropped her scowl and smiled.
" At least it looks better on him than it did Arashi." Tsunade said, " Well you better head out so that Naruto and Sasuke can see what they've missed out on all these years."
Naruto looked over at Sasuke surprised he'd never been to the Leaf Festival either. Sasuke just looked back at him and Naruto could see the reason in his eyes. Naruto nodded to him understanding, after all why would someone come when it only reminds them of family. Everyone headed off into the festival after a while they all split up leaving Sasuke, Sakura, Hinata and Naruto together. Hinata had found a shuriken throwing booth.
" Oh Naruto-kun please try it." Hinata said
" Yes, you too Sasuke-kun." Sakura added
Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other with the competitive fire in their eyes.
" Oh no, what have we done?" Sakura asked
Hinata then noticing the twos look understood what she meant. They both picked up five shurikens and started throwing them rapidly. The speed shocked the vendor and even caused him to duck since he was standing in the middle of the two targets. In the end Sasuke hit all of his dead on, while Naruto had one slightly off to the right.
" Seems like I'm still the best with shurikens." Sasuke boasted
Naruto was grumbling at Sasuke's comment.
" So what will it be boys?" the vendor asked
" Let the girls pick." Naruto and Sasuke said together
Hinata and Sakura both blushed at this as they came forward. The two pointed to a plushy and the man handed it to each girl. Later the two could be seen walking around with their plushy. Sakura had chosen a dragon that had a scowl on its face and Hinata had chosen a fox that was yellow in color. She even decided to name it Kyu, which Kyubi thought was hilarious. As the festival started to end everyone headed to the center to hear the Hokage speech.
" Ninjas and villagers of Konoha we have had a wonderful turn out for the festival this year." Tsunade spoke and everyone cheered, " Regrettably it will be the last though. I have decided that after this year there will be no Leaf Festival."
The crowd erupted into shouts of outrage and questions. Tsunade heard some say that Naruto had bewitched her and it was really his doing.
" SILENCE!" Tsunade shouted and everyone stopped talking, " I believe this festival doesn't serve any purpose but to linger in the past, when we should be looking into the future well being of our village. That is why the elders and I have agreed that we won't have the Leaf Festival after today."
" But why?" Naruto said to himself
" OBA-CHAN WHY?" Naruto shouted
Many turned hearing someone call the Hokage aunt. When they saw who shouted may of the villagers looked angrily at him, they thought this was his fault.
" Oba-chan why? It's not causing anyone any harm, so why take it away?" Naruto asked
" Otouto you know very well why." Tsunade said
" You think I care what they think? I've lived like this for 18 years now, and it still doesn't bother me. If they need the festival for them to have comfort for the fallen then let then have it." Naruto said
The villagers along with Tsunade were shocked. The boy would actually let them keep the festival that was the cause of their hate to him.
" Otouto." Tsunade said, " Very well since this ninja had spoken against my decision I will keep the Leaf Festival for now."
Cheers erupted through the area. Tsunade finished up her speech and everyone left to head home. Naruto noticed Sakura and Sasuke had disappeared.
" Sasuke must have taken Sakura home." Naruto said to Hinata
" Must have." Hinata said, " Naruto-kun why don't we go home to Tsunade-sensei's and have a snack before you take me home?" Hinata asked
" Sure." Naruto said as the two headed towards Tsunade's house
As Naruto and Hinata reached Tsunade's house Naruto noticed all the lights were still off.
" Funny?" Naruto said
" Hum?" Hinata questioned
" Well Oba-chan and Ero-sennin left before the festival ended, so they should be home by now." Naruto told her
" Maybe they needed to talk to the elders about what happened tonight at the end of the festival." Hinata said
" Yeah you're probably right. Why she'd take away the Leaf Festival is beyond me." Naruto said
" I think she just thought it was unfair because the villagers do more to you that day than any other." Hinata explained
" Maybe." Naruto said reaching to open the door
He opened it up and allowed Hinata to go in first and followed her keeping the door open, so he could find the light switch. But before he could turn it on someone else switched it on. The light blinded Naruto for a second, but once his vision returned he saw all is friends, senseis, and family standing in front of him.
" HAPPY BIRTHDAY NARUTO!" Everyone shouted.
Ano – Um
Demo – But
Zori – Men's shoes wore during festivals
White Butterflies – In Japanese Myths represent the souls of deceased loved ones
Aniki – Big Brother
