Secret
The two blonds started walking back to the others with worried expressions. They both were fearing Kabuto's plan and what it would do to the festival. There was an overwhelming number of people under Kabuto. If they try to stick their noses where it doesn't belong, who knows what was going to happen to them.
"Ino, don't tell anyone what you heard" Naruto said softly beside her.
"Why? If we don't tell anyone what Kabuto is planning-?" Ino replies.
"We might be endangering their lives if we do" Naruto said staring at their group from afar who were looking for them by the way their heads kept on turning in every direction.
"But still" Ino said crossing her arms. "We can't ignore this"
"I'll figure something out" Naruto states.
"What do you mean?" Ino ask raising an eyebrow at him. "the last time you faced Kabuto ended you up suspended and kicked off the club and hurt!?-"
Her tone was increasing and her eyes were piercing Naruto's eyes. He could see her anger rising within her eyes but there was worry in them too. Before he could say anything, their friends found them.
"Ino! Naruto!" Sakura yells at running up to them with Sara following along.
Choji and Sasuke came walking behind them. The two girls pulled Ino by the arm and brought her aside. Ino flinched from their strength but her eyes continued to stare at Naruto who kept his eyes in the same place until Choji and Sasuke got in between their vision.
"Where did you two run off too!?" Sakura asked curiously.
"Uh-we-" Ino said unsure what to say until Naruto did.
"My fault, I got distracted and went off on my own" Naruto stated grinning.
"Y-ya...I had to bring him back before he got lost" Ino exclaims.
"What got you distracted?" Choji asked.
"A...r-ramen shop" Naruto said thinking about his favourite food.
"A ramen shop?" Said the three girls including Ino who was also surprised.
Sara and Sakura stared Ino down sensing there was something Ino was hiding. Ino felt the heat coming off them and needed to escape.
"Oh so you found them" Anko spoke causing the group to turn their heads. "Alright, time to continue our tour….don't separate from the group again" Anko said with a glare at Naruto.
He nodded and the three guys began following behind Anko while Ino's girl group walked slowly behind the boys. There was much more for them to talk about.
"Alright Ino...spill" Sara whispers. "What really happened?"
"Nothing!" Ino whispered angrily walking faster, not wanting to hear more from them. However, she was more anger of keeping this secret she and Naruto has. How can Naruto easily just hide something this important.
Meanwhile, Sara and Sakura didn't want to let go of their idea of something, romantic happened between the two.
"She is hiding something" Sakura states.
"I know but I cant read her like I use too" Sara replies. "But...there is something we should both agree on"
"...and that's?" Sakura asked confused what she is getting at.
"It should be clear...that we both-" Sara said shifting her eyes to Sakura who did the same. "-Have feelings for Naruto"
"W-w-what" Sakura stutters going all red while Sara gets slightly pinkish.
"Have you wondered how Naruto changed and decided to come back to the card club?" Sara asked. "He couldn't have done it alone...being able to get out of that mood he was in….you should already know-"
Sakura grew a small smile on her face shifting her eyes from the ground to Ino. There was something she notice when Ino kept the club a secret from her. During that time, there was something new in Ino that she couldn't help but wonder, if she found someone she likes. At first she thought it was Neji but then she met the suppose slacker.
"-her feelings" Sara said with the same smile of sadness and yet happy at the same time. It may be something she doesn't agree fully but it's not just what she saw in Ino. The new change within Naruto proved that the one that influenced him more was, the queen of hearts. A worthy title.
"Well ya" Sakura said sighing. "But why are bringing it up now?"
"Because...I think this festival...will bring the two closer" Sara states. "With a little help from us"
"From us?" Sakura said surprised and confused. Sara smiled at her.
"We may not have been chosen...but I don't think Ino knows her true feelings...seeing how she hasn't responded to Neji" Sara exclaims.
"Well she is the president of the club" Sakura replies. "She's been too busy-"
"-with Naruto" Sara said with a wink and a soft giggle.
Suddenly, Ino quickly hid behind the two girls. They were confused why the sudden action. Until they spotted a crowd of people wearing a certain uniform not belonging to any school. Similar to Neji's fencing outfit.
"Oh, I guess there practicing" Anko states smirking at the match about to start.
"Hey, I thought you said only the chess club was helping out?" Naruto asked Anko after spotting Neji at the center of the arena.
"I did..but I guess they two were specially chosen for the sparring match show" Anko answers.
"Wait you mean the other guy is part of our school too?" Sasuke asked seeing Neji's opponent wearing shades of black with a dark black head gear that you couldn't see through.
"Yup, part of the chess club-" Anko states until the sound of two wooden swords clash against each other.
Everyone watch as the two were sword fighting rather than fencing. Neji's focus was intensely on his opponent who continued to slash his sword with great accuracy. This wasn't a fencing match meaning, they could use any sword skills that they know.
It was amazing to witness two types of techniques of swordplay. Neji tried sticking with his fencing but, the way his opponent uses his sword had passion back with fury. He was fast and hasn't left an opening unprotected.
"Let's go" Ino whispers into the two girls ears before pulling them to a different direction.
His movements were swift and changed his stance and went in for a strike or two. That was instantly blocked. Everyone made a sound in shock. Neji was pushed back and that's when the multiple strikes came. The other swordsman technique was unfamiliar to Neji to the point where he started getting nervous. That was his downfall. Neji's sword flew up then hitting the ground. His opponent had his sword pointed at Neji's neck.
"Woah...that was fast" Naruto said gulping.
"Is he really part of the chess club?" Sasuke asked.
"He is...but he has a nickname-" Anko states seeing the two swordsmen shake hands and everyone clapping for the two. "The blackswordsmen"
Naruto felt goosebumps across his arms. Since, that reminds him of the other swordsmen in the Rogue hero. The one Yusei made a leader of the group he formed. Though the difference is that he doesn't use one sword.
"Lets move along...I have one more place to show you" Anko said walking away.
The three started following her without realizing where the girls went.
OOO
They were brought to an open area of the park where a huge crater lies at the center. Staircases of seats surrounded the area. At the center was a platform.
"This is the stage where you will perform" Anko states.
"Wait here!?...this is meant for a concert!?" Naruto said shocked.
"Its meant for people to bring their best and show their best to the audience" Anko replies back. "The final clubs will perform here...so take in what you must deal with"
"I'm getting nervous" Choji said feeling sick in the stomach.
"We're going to have to adjust to this" Sasuke states.
"Jeez" Naruto said scratching the back of his head. "I didn't sign up for this"
"Well you have no choice now….tell the rest of your club members" Anko said turning the other direction. "Prepare yourselves...the other club will not give you an easy win"
A small frown appeared on Naruto's face. Kabuto will use this to his advantage. This place is perfect. To really show everyone what he has to offer. There is still the question on how to stop him. The festival week is drawing near so he needs to figure out a plan before then.
"Naruto?"
His name was called which snapped him out of his thoughts. He realized, Sasuke and Choji left him alone. When he turned around, he notice Hinata.
"Oh, Hinata...you here too?" Naruto asked.
"Ya" Hinata said softly, smiling with flyers in her arms. "I was asked to help around"
"Really now...interesting" Naruto said rubbing his chin while staring at her intently.
"U-uh? W-whats the m-matter?" Hinata stutters getting nervous from his expression.
OOO
"Ino!?" Sara said stopping her from dragging the two. "Just give your answer!"
"Wahh?" Ino said startled.
"Ya, you've been ignoring this for far too long….you need to give him an answer...he's our friend...he deserves to know your feelings" Sakura said in a serious.
"I...I know that" Ino mutters looking down at the ground. "B-but I've been busy-"
"No more excuses" Sara said flicking Ino's forehead.
"Ouch" Ino said rubbing the red spot.
"There is enough time for you to say what you have to say" Sara tells her.
"I know" Ino said looking away then spotting Naruto with Hinata.
The other two girls turned the same direction. They were stunned fearing what Ino was going to think of this. The two seem to be happy with smiles on their faces. Sara and Sakura felt their chest tighten a bit. They turned to see how Ino was doing.
However, Ino just stared at the two with a blank expression until it brighten up.
"That's it" Ino spoke breaking the silence. "I found it"
"Found what?" Sara asked fearing what conclusion she thought of.
"How to repay Naruto back" Ino said turning with a mischievous grin. "It's to get him a girlfriend"
Sara and Sakura blinked for a minute. They were taking in what she just said. Her fully blond friend. "This is not good" they both thought fearing the plan Ino had in mind.
"What? Don't give me those look….just look!" Ino said gesturing her hands to Naruto and Hinata. "They look good together"
"I think your misunderstanding-" Sara states.
"What do you mean" Ino said playfully. "During the time he left the club...he made friends with Hinata...he interacted with someone and made a friend"
"Well ya but-" Sakura said until getting interrupted.
"That's it!...During the festival...we will make the two love birds a couple!" Ino said excitedly raising her fist.
Things were going to get complicated. The two girls are going to have a lot to handle during the festival and it won't be the club activities.
OOO
Sunday
"Finally done!" Naruto said sitting in his desk with a big smile.
He closed his notebook of card games. This festival was going to need a trump card. Luckily, he remembered a card game he created long ago that wasn't completed to be used. He's going to show everyone what he has for the festival. This game will be original and unheard of plus untested.
However, that doesn't distract his thoughts from Kabuto's plan. His smile went away and a deep expression appeared on his face. If he looks at the bigger picture, not even his game can stop him.
He leans back in his chair and looks straight up at the ceiling with a dazed expression. The difficult game to play is this one with Kabuto. An old childhood friend who became an enemy whose addicted to gambling. He even made an empire. It's one against an army.
He chuckles softly remembering another character within the Rogue hero. The one whose nicknamed, the one man army. At first, Naruto thought it was just a title they put on the character for jokes. Since, he didn't look all powerful or scary. It was the opposite. He was a jokester, with bad puns, and he looks normal.
However, when there is trouble about to happen. That character, becomes a god. That doesn't mean OP in power or strength. His key power is his mind. He's calm and collected. He can create a strategy that will benefit everyone. He has multiple of combat skills.
There is drama between Yusei and the one man army. However, in Yusei's head. Everyone around him thinks of the other has a hero since he is.
If he existed, a plan would be created in stopping Kabuto without anyone getting hurt.
Which reminds him, he forgot to watch the first episode of the last season. He glances at his card book and smiles.
"That can wait" he thought taking the book and sliding in his bag.