AN: Okay, this is officially the last chapter before the real stuff kicks back up and the chunin exams start. We just need some fluff before that shit happens. Anyway, I had a reviewer last chapter say that the hypersensitivity Kakashi has with his nose is a real medical condition called hyperosmia. It's basically exactly what I said in the last chapter (hypersensitive olfactory), except without all the ninja bullshit. It can also affect taste, which would explain why he hates sweet food in canon. It can in fact be genetic, which would also explain the whole Hatake thing. So yeah, poor Kakashi.

I would also like to say I've now found a beta, the awesome Dialga9182 on . We're working through all the chapters starting from the beginning, so it might take awhile to get to this one. Other than that, thank you to everyone who has reviewed and favorited this work. I know I say it every chapter but like, thank you so much you guys. You keep me writing.

Enjoy!

Breakfast was a quick affair the next morning. Simple red bean porridge before they were packing again to help Kaito cart everything to the festival. It was early, very early. The sun hadn't even yet broken the horizon as they helped Kaito and Sara start packing everything up onto the carts. They had to do it now to set up the stall in time, as the festival started that afternoon. It was a laborious task, as there were many bundles and sacks of food. At one point Kakashi saw Sakura about to pick up a bag easily two thirds her weight and stepped in to take over. Only for the girl to lift it as if it were only ten pounds, swinging it up onto her shoulders and tossing it into the cart with no problem.

What the fuck.

Sakura caught sight of him staring and immediately froze. "... I've been working out," she tried, eyes wide like she'd been caught in the act.

Kakashi would have had to be a civilian to be fooled by that.

The sun had just started peaking over the trees by the time they were done loading the carts. They all waved bye to Sara as they group headed off towards the town, smiles wide on their faces, before beginning their trek.

The trail was dry and dusty, not helped by the horses pulling the carts that kicked it up into the air. Kakashi was glad he had his mask to block out the particulars, but still. His genin had been on surprisingly good behavior so far, making friendly chit chat with Kaito and occasionally moving a rock out of the road before one of the wagon wheels could hit it. It wasn't necessarily odd behavior, but his book said teens were lazy and complained when tasked to do something they didn't necessarily want to. So by all means they should have been cranky and ill tempered. And yet none of them seemed to be so. Well, except Sasuke. But that was just who he was.

It was mid morning when they reached the village.

"Finally!" Naruto cried, pumping his fists in the air. "I can't wait to see all the stuff set up!"

"Naruto," Sakura but in. "We have to set up first, remember? It's what we were hired to do?"

Naruto's face dropped at the reminder. "Oh, yeah. Forgot." Behind him Sasuke rolled his eyes and Sakura just sighed.

"Alright then, let's get going!" He cried. Jeez, did this kid have no limit to his energy?

Apparently the answer was no; as he helped set up the stall in almost record time, using his shadow clones to speed the process up. Kakashi would have scolded him and said that was the improper use for the jutsu, but… He couldn't bring himself to speak up. Besides, it got their work done faster. They finished just as the sun started dipping into the sky. It wasn't yet evening, but in a few hours it would be. If they left now they might make it back to Konoha before midnight. They'd traveled in a relative triangle since leaving, so it wouldn't be too far of a stretch. Maybe.

"Come on, you three," he drawled, stuffing his hands in his pockets. "If we leave now we can make it home tonight." He just wanted to be done and get back to reading his actual Icha Icha, thank you very much. But apparently that was the wrong thing to say, as all three (Okay, two) of their faces dropped in dismay, bordering on betrayal.

"What!" Naruto cried, outraged. "We're not even gonna stay and enjoy the festival?"

"Maa, why bother?" He shrugged.

"But, but, what about the food and the fireworks Kaito talked about? What about those, y'know? We're not even gonna see 'em?" He sounded scandalized, as if he couldn't believe Kakashi would deprive them of that.

"Sensei," Sakura tried, stepping in. "We've worked so hard helping Kaito and his daughter and have been traveling non-stop. You're really gonna make us go back without even considering letting have a well earned break?" She sounded both hurt and earnest. "As our teacher, you're responsible for our growth as both shinobi and as people. It would be irresponsible of you not to indulge us in a reward every now and then."

It was a very well crafted argument, backed up with both facts and puppy eyes. And while Kakashi liked to think he was immune to the latter (it would be a lie), he had to agree with the former.

Children needed rewards and breaks. His book had said so, after all.

"Fine," he relented with a sigh, earning a cheer from two of his students. "But only till dark. Then we book it home."

His genin nodded in agreement.

Later, Kakashi would wonder if that had been a good idea.


"You can't possibly eat that much, Naruto," Sakura moaned, looking at Naruto's ever growing bag of sweets and treats. They'd been walking around town for almost an hour, and in that time the boy had managed to get a box of takeout yakisoba, some dango, four individual takoyaki, taiyaki, and dorayaki. If Sakura wasn't so concerned for his health when he finally ate all the food, she'd be concerned about his wallet. The food itself hadn't been horrible expensive, it was actually relatively cheap. But when added up together… well, she just hoped the D-rank covered it.

"I'm not gonna eat it all by myself," he scoffed, scandalized as they made their way through the streets. Kakashi-sensei walked just behind them, head still in his Goddamn book as the three of them explored the town.

"So who is then?" She asked.

"You guys, duh."

Sakura blinked. Oh. She should have realized that.

Before she could respond, one of the vendors called out to them, "Hey there, you three! You look like strong young kids. Care to try out a test of strength?"

Turning around, Sakura some some guy standing next to a tall contraption with a bell on the top, a large hammer resting just next to it. Immediately she knew what it was. And aso knew that it was rigged, just like every other game on the street.

"Yeah, you guys. Hey, you, in the blue shirt," he gestured to Sasuke, he glanced boredly over in his direction. "You look like a strong young man. Care to try this out? Fair warning, few of the strongest of men can hit that bell."

Sakura refrained from rolling her eyes. Talk about a sales pitch.

"Hn," he shrugged dismissively. "Not really my thing." The man's face dropped, but only for a second before he turned to Naruto.

"How about you then? Care to give it a go?"

Naruto frowned, scratching the back of his head in thought. "I dunno. Seems kinda lame to me. Sakura?" He asked, turning to her. "Wadda you think?"

The guy manning the booth just scoffed. "No offense," he said, giving obvious offense. "But this test of strength isn't meant for a little lady such as yourself. Don't want you to hurt yourself."

Okay, Sakura didn't want to do it before, but now she really wanted to. Fuck this guy.

"Hm, actually," she said thoughtfully, finger to her lips. "I think I will give it a try. How much?"

The man didn't seem entirely thrilled, but she was paying, so he couldn't complain. "One hundred ryo," he said, mouth almost twisted into a frown. Sakura dugg out the money and handed it over. Without a word, he handed her the hammer.

Immediately, as if it were heavier than she could manage, she dropped it to the ground, letting out a sound of dismay. The sight made the man smirk.

Ha. Sucker.

Behind her, Naruto and Sasuke quickly backed up behind their sensei, who was giving his student a half suspicious half scared look, knowing what she was about to do.

Smirking evilly to herself, Sakura tightened her grip on the hammer and readied her stance.

The look on the man's face when she broke the bell on top was worth way more than the 100 ryo she payed and the giant stuffed tsum tsum shiba inu she got as a prize. Totally. Worth it.


Some time later found them outside a stall selling festival masks. Naruto had spotted it and had immediately sprinted over, ogling the display before shooting puppy eyes over at the rest of them, practically begging them to stop so he could buy something.

The only thing was, he didn't really have the money for it. His solution...

"I'm not buying you masks." Kakashi staited.

"Please?"

"No."

"Come on, Kaka-sensei, don't be a buzzkill," Naruto moaned.

"I'm not spending my own hard earned money on something you'll never use again," he stated monotonously. "I'm not doing it."

Fifteen minutes later, they ended up all walking away with oni, okame, and kitsune masks. And a dog one for their beloved sensei (the irony was not lost on them).

Later they watched the fireworks from the roof of the inn they'd decided to stay at for the night, deciding to forgo the idea of making it back to Konoha before midnight. Their bellies were full of yummy, greasy food, Sakura had won many prizes from various vendors, and Sasuke seemed to actually be enjoying himself. For once, they were all at peace.

But they all had a sinking feeling this would be the last time it would be this way for some time. The thought sent a shiver down their spines.