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Traditions

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Author's note: Okay this chapter is when we see Sasuke and everyone else. Its not that good…

Disclaimer: Nope, nothing, nada.

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Sakura rushed around her unit collecting hair accessories and the pieces of kimono. She'd had a late shift at the hospital that finished at 6am. So, incidentally, she had slept in.

It was 5 already and she was meeting Sasuke and the others in an hour. She rushed into the bathroom and wrapped the kimono carefully around her slender frame, and slipped her small black shorts underneath. She tied a purple scarf thingy around her waist and pulled bracelets onto her wrists.

Then she began on her hair. It was a difficult task, curling her hair into loops around a small bun and actually keeping then there.

'Why did Uchiha women have to have such complicated hair styles?' She thought to herself. The task took her about half an hour.

By the time she finished it was time to meet the others at the park. She slipped on her flats and headed out the door and around the corner.

On the way, she thought about what Hinata said yesterday. 'Sasuke-kun, wants to MARRY me?!'

Well, she'd just have to see what happened at the festival.

At the park Ino sat waiting with Shikamaru and Chouji (stuffing his face with food of course).

Neji and Hinata were talking over at the side, and she could hear Naruto's wild laughter, though he couldn't see the hyperactive ninja anywhere.

At the sight of her friend, Ino leapt up and rushed over to her.

"Hey forehead girl, you look great!" She squealed.

"You too, Ino pig." Sakura smiled back. Suddenly Ino's smiling face took on a look of amazement. The pink haired girl slowly turned around to get the same expression on her own face.

The reason was Sasuke. He was wearing a dark blue formal robe (so predictable) and had straightened his hair. He had also painted what looked like a small purple teardrop under right eye.

The expression on his face was of shock as well. Sakura knew exactly why he was so surprised and let out a small giggle.

"Y-you look good, Sakura-chan (yes, CHAN. He started calling her that about 4 months ago)." He stuttered out, causing her to giggle more.

"You don't look to bad yourself." She replied while brushing a piece of flattened hair out of his face, causing a slight blush to form on his cheeks.

"Well, um, anyway, who else is here?" He continued, trying furiously to rid himself of the redness of his face.

"Uh, Ino, Shika-kun, Chouji-san, Hinata-chan, Neji-san, I don't know who else, I just got here myself. I think Naruto-kun is here somewhere as well."

The said ninja made an appearance in his usual manner, making an absolute idiot of himself. He bounded round the corner and ran into an unsuspecting Hinata and they both went crashing to the ground, Naruto on top.

When she came to their senses, Hinata realized Naruto had his face in the crook of her neck and one of his hands was on her thigh. She could feel his breath on her sensitive neck and started to blush furiously, before fainting.

Naruto had finally come to his senses and jumped off her quickly, before being chased by a menacing Neji.

Sakura and Sasuke looked upon the scene with anime sweatdrops on the side of their faces.

Sasuke was quite grateful, as it had aided him in getting rid of the redness tainting his pale cheeks. (Though I wish he had it more, he looks so kawaii with it) He turned towards the road and sat down.

Sakura noticed what he was doing and followed suit.
They sat in awkward silence for a while, before talk turned to training.

They talked for about 15 minutes, before they heard a few drums sound.

The new years festival was beginning. Everyone found a place to sit (the other ninjas had arrived while Sasuke and Sakura were talking) and waited.

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R&R please!