Disclaimer: I do not own anything of Naruto I am simply borrowing them to create a story of my own, each and all of the characters (excluding OC's that shall be introduced later) are owned by someone else.
Authors note: I'd like to take a second before we start chapter three and say that I'm very grateful for all your support and that I'm really starting to feel this story out a lot better than when I started and I'm starting to get the direction I want it to go in, but I want all of you to review with suggestions and stuff you want to see as it really helps when someone encourages what your doing or says something that sparks an idea for a new plot twist.
Trials of the Shinobi
A Naruto Fan-Fiction
By Dark-Angel-Cronos
Part 1: A New Mission and a New Country
Chapter 3: Relationships.
Aboard the airship it was starting to get later in the day, the crew had announced they would be stopping for only three moreboardings and then we would be at the tournament site within the next few days depending on weather and how long it takes to load up the remaining villages. The guests on the ship were not complaining though it had turned into a relatively awesome time after the sun started to set a band that almost every village in the world had heard of came out and set up a stage.While all this was going on Naruto and the gang had made arrangements for several relationship breaking encounters except for two young girls who were having a very interesting discussion about boys.
"Sakura I just can't pick, should I go after Shikamaru or Chouji?" Ino was perplexed by this puzzling predicament and had turned to her friend for answers.
"I don't know Ino, what does your heart say you should do?" Sakura was slightly annoyed that her best friend was so fickle when it came to romance. Ino moved from her leaning position to the closet doors and opened them.
"It says I should go after someone else, but I know he's not interested." Ino's voice wasn't loud like she had been before it was soft and almost a whisper but Sakura had heard it.
"You mean neither of these boys are your true affection." Sakura's interest had been sparked. Ino had always been either with Chouji or with Shikamaru, or at least after them. She had never heard of this mystery third man till now and she wanted to know more. "Who is he? What's he like? Why go after Chouji and Shikamaru if you like this other guy?" Sakura was full of questions today.
"It's no one Sakura, but I can tell you he's like Shikamaru in some ways and like Sasuke in others." Ino was rummaging through her closet looking for something to wear, the ship hadn't allowed any of the nin boarding the ship time to pack clothes but they had basically given each room a closet that was pretty close to a shopping mall full of clothes depending on the persons size and gender it was strange how they knew so much about the nin but they hadn't known who would be boarding till they arrived. It was like they could read their minds.
"Sasuke, when did he come into the picture?" Sakura had a deep heart filled crush on the Sasuke that Ino once shared but Ino had said that she was over him now.
"Oh, I'm just using him as reference. The guy I like is rather serious when he needs be like Shikamaru and doesn't smile too much, but he's also like Sasuke that he's strong and resourceful." Ino pulled out two nice Kimonos and held them up for Sakura to judge.
One had a lovely flower print and was a very deep emerald green, it was very elegant and yet the texture gave off a simple nature. It had a very lovely gem studded butterfly broach to go with as the buttons were simple lady bugs that had a single stud each. The second kimono was white and it had a smooth and silky texture like a cloud. It had a sky blue border and trim so it had a very nice appeal but their was less flash and glamour with this one as it didn't have gem studded buttons but the nice border and trim made up for it. "Which one?" Ino asked pondering it herself
"Neither are really your style Ino" Sakura was surprised the kimonos were very formal and not something you'd wear to pool party but then again they had been promised fireworks after the band was done so they were good Kimono's to impress a guy with as they'd show off quite a few curves. "Let me guess, the white ones for Shikamaru and the other ones for your mystery man? Since I don't think either one would impress Chouji" Sakura had figured out Ino's plan and had already started formulating her own to nab Sasuke.
"You read me like a book, I have one for Chouji but I don't think I'm too interested in Chouji since you brought up Shino" Ino was admiring the green kimono then gasped as she realized she had said his name.
"OH MY GOD! Shino's the mystery man!" Sakura was shocked, Shino was nice but not at all what she had expected from Ino, then she thought, 'he is a lot like Sasuke and Shikamaru in his own way it must be why she's so attracted to him.' "Ino, Shino's a really nice guy, why didn't you just tell me that it was him?"
"Because I don't think he likes me!" Ino was pouting now she had set the kimonos down and plopped on the bed next to Sakura. "If I had some indication I even had a chance with him I'd go for it but I don't think I do."
"OH of course you do, come on put on the green kimono and I'll help you with your makeup and hair. We'll get you so dolled up Shino won't be able to resist. You'll be the flower that Shino's "bees" just can't resist" Sakura gave Ino a wink and got up Ino getting up with her.
"Thanks Sakura" Ino was glad she had a friend like Sakura to help her out.
"No problem, after all the times you helped me I deserve to get my chance to help you" Sakura gave Ino a smile and began picking out makeup that would go well with the kimono as well as a very nice Lotus comb to put in Ino's hair.
Meanwhile Neji was waiting outside on the edge of the deck with Shino and Kiba for Tenten as he needed some guy advice as to what Tenten was playing at.
"What do you guys think she wants to come out and talk about, she's been acting really weird lately." Neji was concerned he had always been close to Tenten and she hadn't been acting normal lately he wondered if she was alright.
"It's obvious that he's clueless, wouldn't you agree Shino" Kiba had already figured Tenten had a thing for Neji and was surprised that Neji had called them both out their to talk to him about just this.
"Yes it is. Neji this isn't all you called us out to talk about is it?" Shino was surprised that someone as intelligent as Neji hadn't realized that Tenten liked him.
"What do you guys mean? I seriously don't see what she could want to talk about." Neji was a genius, but rather dense in the affairs of love. "I mean, I can guess, but she wouldn't, oh she would" Neji came to a quick realization as both Shino and Kiba gave him disbelieving glares.
"Let me give you some advice, don't be your usual dense self" Shino started to walk away and gave Neji a little pat on the back for encouragement.
"Yeah, and good luck, also may I suggest you complement her kimono it's rather nice" Kiba walked away as well, Neji was confused by Kiba's comment then slapped his head for being dense.
"Hey there Tenten" Neji turned and sure enough there was Tenten but what he saw her in was not something he had expected.
She had a long formal Kimono on; it was a slimming black and had gold trim and buttons, above her right breast was a the start of a golden flower pattern that traced just down the seam of the Kimono and was also accented on the sash. On her and to Neji this kimono made her look unbelievably beautiful. To add to the appeal she had done her hair up into two tight buns like usual but she had used two gold ribbons that made them more apparent and she had applied a small amount of makeup that made her face shine out more especially since she wasn't wearing her headband.
"What do you think" She gave him a smile and spun around to give her kimono a little bit of an affect. "Too flashy?" She was worried he wouldn't like it.
"What, oh no, not flashy at all. I think you look beautiful in it." Neji was still a little shocked and wasn't paying attention to what he was saying.
"Oh Neji you charmer" she giggled "I really don't think I look that good but if you say so." She blushed and gave him a smile.
"Oh you do, stunning, umm anyway. What did you want to talk about?" Neji was trying to take his mind off her body and back onto what was puzzling him. He turned around so he wouldn't ogle anymore.
"Well," she moved next to him before speaking again. "Just some stuff" She leaned out over the rail and looked over at him. "Like what do you think of me?" Neji was speechless, he had expected a question like this but now he had no answer.
"Umm, I think you're a beautiful, strong, kunoichi and a very good teammate." Neji was trying to use a simple response and avoid his feelings.
"Hmmm let's rephrase that question. What do you feel towards me? Am I like a sister or a close friend or maybe something else?" Tenten knew if she was going to get him to be with her she had to press the issue.
"Well, we've been teammates for a long time and we've been close friends even longer, so in a way you are like a sister too me," Tenten's heart sank at his awful start at expressing himself, 'A sister, but I don't want to be his sister I want to be his lover' her mind was screaming for him to hear her and when he spoke again she thought he had. "But you're not like a sister at all. There's something else there, that makes me like you, want to be with you, you're more like a…a… person I want to…to…umm" Neji had lost his ability to speak at the thought of the next word he just couldn't find out how to say it.
"Like a lover, a person you want to love?" Tenten finished his sentence hoping she was right.
"Yeah" Neji turned away for a second; fearful of what she might think about what he had said.
"Well that's good, because that's the way I think of you" Tenten's heart soared as she finally knew he loved her back. She leaned over to him wrapping her arms around his waist and pressing herself to his back moving close so she could whisper in his ear. "I love you Neji, tell me you love me too and just hold me. Please." She felt a tear in her eye she was happy because she knew he'd say it back and yet she still felt like she was begging him to say it. Neji turned forcing Tenten to release him, but he immediately wrapped his arms around her and laid his head on her shoulder holding her close.
"I love you Tenten, and of course I'll hold you." Neji's tone wasn't its usual instructive and disciplined manner it was softer and more affectionate, but not false, Tenten could tell he meant every word as he held her close. "Let's go, somewhere we can talk." He moved away enough to see her face and that she had watery eyes like she was about to cry.
"What's wrong Tenten?" He leaned in and gave her a peck on the lips for encouragement "Come on don't cry everything's alright." He took her back in his arms this time letting her rest her head underneath his chin.
"Neji, I…I'm sorry for crying I'm just happy you love me." Tenten laced her fingers in his hands and pulled away. "Come on I know a good place."
"You do, what place is that?" Neji was wondering where he'd be taken. Tenten simply smiled and held up his keycard and hers and gave him a wink.
"Your place or mine" she grabbed his hand was about to pull him off for the cabins but he pulled back and they stopped. "What's wrong?" Tenten though she might have been too quick to get him in bed.
"Let's not tonight okay Tenten?" Neji leaned in and gave her a kiss. "you got all dressed up for me I wouldn't want it to go to waste, lets go join the party then watch the fireworks, maybe after that we can have a little fun" Neji gave her his best seductive smile which was a real good on at least in Tenten's eyes. She nodded and they headed off to the party together.
While our two love birds had their choice rendezvous, our two girls were planning somthing for Hinata but she wasn't coming to the door.
"HINATA-CHAN!" Ino yelled at the door "Open up we wanna help you get ready for the party on the deck." Inside the room Hinata was stumbling around desperately trying to find her bra.
"Naruto-kun hide, I don't want the girls to know yet." Hinata was begging him to hide. "Please Naruto-kun hurry up and hide and get your jacket off that chair they might notice it." Naruto was moving rather slowly picking up his clothes to annoy Hinata, the girls had rudely interrupted them before anything could start and he was slightly annoyed that Hinata hadn't played it smooth and ignored them like he had. "I'll be right there guys just hold on, Naruto-kun hurry" Hinata was afraid the others might push the door down in concern.
"Hina-chan I don't see why I need to rush so what if they find us we can just tell them, I mean they'll probably figure it out anyway." Naruto had given up trying to keep Hinata and his relationship a secret when the girls had come knocking at the door.
"Just go back to your room use the passage you made." Hinata had found her underwear stuffed up under the bed and was now trying to get the clasp on. "Naru-kun help me!" She turned around and held the straps in place he moved over and clasped them together
"Hina-chan I told you I can't go back through because you weren't supposed to seal it up like that." Naruto had finished gathering all his clothes and was now watching his girlfriend jumble about to find something to put on over her self to avoid walking out in panties and a bra.
"OOOOOO then get in the closet and hide" She ran over and started pushing him over to the clothes closet.
"The closet! but..." Naruto began toprotest but Hinata wouldn't have it she quickly pushed him inside the closet then shut the door. Then opened it took his white shirt from the pile of clothes in his hand and shut the door again.
"I'm coming" Hinata threw his shirt on and walked to the door opening it and seeing both of the girls dressed in formal kimono's, Ino in a emerald green with a flower print and studded broach and buttons, while Sakura's was a navy blue kimono decorated with a lunar sky like print that was relatively tight and accented her curves as well she had her pink hair tied into a long braid, she had grown it out again recently. "What's the occasion?" Hinata was finding it strange that her friends would dress up for a informal party.
"There's gonna be a firework show after the party and we wanted to nab some guys and have them be our, um dates of sort" Sakura said with a wide grin thinking of her Sasuke and his reaction to her kimono.
"Yeah and we came over to help you find one that'll have that Naruto-kun of yours following you around like a sad puppy" Ino gave Hinata a wink and with that the girls stormed the room plopping Hinata on the bed and then moving towards the closest to look for a Kimono for her. Hinata jumped up trying to stop them.
"NO WAIT DON'T OPEN!" but it was too late Sakura and Ino had opened the closet to reveal a semi naked Naruto. Stripped to his boxers with a pile of clothes in his hands, his eyes closed andhe waspraying they wouldn't open the door. He couldn't blend into the environment cause his clothes would still be there and he would have made too much noise if he had tried to put them back on. Hinata sunk her head into her hands. "Oh no" Hinata sighed. Ino and Sakura stood stunned looking at Naruto as he gave them a sheepish smile.
"Uh hi girls, fancy meeting you here. Eh heh" Naruto gave them his most innocent smile he could. Sakura looked like she was going to blow her top so Naruto quickly excused himself running past them both giving Hinata a kiss on the cheek and running for the hills out the door. Sakura stood there with an angry look in her face that usually meant she was going explode on somebody, but soon the anger turned into a smile and she began laughing, laughing a lot before she was on the floor and holding her sides. Ino smiled and then nodded at Hinata saying everything's okay. Hinata was relieved they understood.
"Come on Hinata; let's get you fixed up for that idiot lover of yours." Sakura was recovering from her fit of laughter long enough to speak and so the girls went to work beautifying Hinata for the night to come.
Speaking of that night, we're gonna jump ahead a bit to Shikamaru and Temari.It was almost dark out and something interesting had caught the attention of Shikamaru, he was sitting up top one of the towers that had a propeller on it there was a platform pretty far below it and during the day it was perfect for cloud gazing. They had landed well stopped moving and were close to a cliff now and a lot of Nin were boarding the ship. From what he could see there were 4 different villages boarding all at the same time. Each with a headband he had never seen before, one headband he was pretty sure he could guess the name of the village was one with two fireballs, while the others were confusing. Two headbands looked almost interchangeable as they had a Yin or a Yang symbol on them depending on which edge top or bottom the symbol was on. The last was the most confusing of all it was what looked like a symbol for a water village like the wave but it was different impressed behind it was the symbol for chakra an oddly shaped swirl. With the wave print pressed over it, Shikamaru could only guess it was some spiritual country but it was the oddest symbol he had ever seen.
"Strangest things I've ever seen." Shikamaru was whispering to himself when he was suddenly but pleasantly surprised by a tap on his shoulder. Atop a flying fan sat the beautiful Temari, the one who he had been waiting for atop the tower. She hadn't dressed up for the party like some of the other girls had but she was still as beautiful as ever to Shikamaru. "Temari, glad you could come I've wanted to talk to you all day."
"I have too Shika-kun" Temari hopped off her fan landing next to him quickly putting her fan away. "What is it you wanted to say?"
"No umm you can go first if you want." Shikamaru never found Temari as troublesome as Ino or the others he didn't really care if she went first.
"Oh umm okay; Shika-kun I was thinking about a few years ago, when you came on that diplomacy mission to the sand village to help with the rebel sand tribes outside the village." Temari was thinking back at all the time they had shared while he had been there that year. "And I was wondering…do you want to, be together like we were. I know we said that it couldn't last since we lived so far apart but Shika-kun I've thought about you everyday since you left,I just can't get you out of my mind.." She hugged him she didn't want to hold it in any longer.
"Temari, I know" He hugged her back. "I've felt the same way, I'm just glad I didn't have to speak, it was less troublesome that you said it first. But I do have something to say." He pulled away slightly and lifted her head from his chest so she could look at him. "You're very special to me Temari and I want to be with you forever, I love you Temari-Chan" He had used a pet name he hadn't used since they had to leave each other after his mission was over. It felt good to say it again. "You're the wind that gives life, I don't think I could live without you" Shikamaru cared about no one like he did Temari and to anyone else these words coming from his mouth would seem strange but Temari had heard them from him before, she was used to him opening up to her cause she knew he rarely did with anyone else.
"And you're the shadow that's tied to me forever as long as I move like the wind." She leaned in to kiss him but was interrupted.
The tower had begun to shake like an earthquake had hit. Temari felt herself slid her clothes were sliding under the slick metal and she would fall if she didn't do something soon. She reached out to hang on and was met by Shikamaru's hand which had reached out and grabbed her. He pulled her onto his lap. She held him fast; he had pulled two kunai out and used them to brace himself and her so they wouldn't fall using them like stoppers pushing them through their clothes and into the metal. After they were in place he held her close and they prayed for the shaking to stop. When the shaking had ceased the looked over the edge to see what had happened. The saw a horror stricken, Lee was lying against the cabin badly injured with Neji and Tenten looking over his wounds. He had been removed from the fray as there was a battle going on! Sakura and the others were all surrounding the scene as Sasuke had squared off with a young Kunoichi bearing the double fireball headband, about to engage each other again both of them rushed each other, Sasuke had charged a fierce chidori into his right palm and she was simply rushing him her eyes seemed to glow slightly. It seemed the girl had the upper hand as Sasuke was visibly bleeding and, who seemed to be the Kunoichi's leader standing within the ring of spectators, was speaking to her, Shikamaru didn't hear the words but he read his lips his face filled with fear at what was going to happen.
Authors note: Alright chapter 3 has been edited...i actually realise now taht this chapter is actually pretty good..nothing really needs to be changed. which is strange cause i always hated this chapter i felt it was scrunched up and tossed around alot but i guess it really wasn't anyway i changed some stuff. Hope you all liked it.
