Hello everybody, well first offthanx to everybody that reviewed.I'm going to experiment this chapter, so bear with me. At the end of the ch. I'll try to address everyone that reviewed (or at least try). I got thisidea from another story I read, but can't remember the name. Please let me know if you like it and ifI should keep them up. Oh and I have a few pairings that I already plan to use in the story, but I haven't gotten that far, if theres a pairing you like other than the ones I've already started let me know I might be able to squeeze them in this story. Well I guess that's the news for now, as always feel free to review. Ihope you enjoy this chapter.

I don't own Naruto in any way shape or form but if I did this is how it would go.

A GIFT FROM A FRIEND

Shino and Kiba heard the yell. "Sensei!" and their curiosity was peaked to meet the person that insulted them. The voice sounded familiar and the curiosity got the best of them. They walked towards Jiraiya to see who his student could be. Jiraiya held out his fist and a fist came into their field of vision and punched his fist in greetings twice then withdrew. They saw a very familiar orange sleeve though and were even more curious.

Hinata was also about to follow even though she really wasn't that interested in finding out who it was that had said those things about her. Before she could move however Tsunade called her over. Hinata went to her to receive further instructions.

"What you doing here ero-sennin?" Naruto asked after greeting Jiraiya. Kakashi and Sakura were now standing behind him.

Before Jiraiya could answer, a commotion broke out from just inside the hokages office. Naruto looked in to see a very agitated Kiba trying to break free from Shino's grasp. "Naruto, I should have known it was you that said those things about me. Oh just you wait for me and Akamaru to get our hands on you." Naruto had no idea what he was talking about. He looked questioningly at Jiraiya, but he only shrugged.

"What are you talking about? What did I say?" Naruto asked. Meanwhile Jiraiya had engaged Kakashi in conversation and Sakura was moving next to Naruto to see what was going on.

Kiba answered in an outraged voice, but seemed to be calming down somewhat. "Describing meand my team the way you did to your teacher. What's the meaning of calling me a dog bastard! Do you have a problem with us!" Shino nodded his head in agreement also curious about Naruto's answer.

Naruto thought about what he was going to respond and it looked like he was apologetic until he opened his mouth. "I don't have a problem with you, fool. I just told him the truth. You are a bastard." Naruto said.

Kiba and Shino were stunned they couldn't believe Naruto had the balls to say that to them like that. They didn't move for a second and then Kiba tried to lunge at him, but Shino still held him. "Why you. Dammit Shino let me go. Akamaru get this bastard." When Akamaru didn't attack Naruto, Kiba turned to look at him. Sakura was petting and rubbing the large dog and Akamaru was highly enjoying the attention.

Naruto looked at them and thought it best to avoid trouble in Tsunades office so he explained himself, sort of. "Look, you think I'm wrong for how I described you, but check this out." He tapped Jiraiya on his shoulders and got his attention, "Jiraiya-sama was it easy to identify these guys with the descriptions I gave you." Jiraiya thought about it a moment and answered promptly.

"Yeah. They are just like you described them." Jiraiya responded. Kiba and Shino fell to the floor in shock.

Tsunade finished talking to Hinata and asked her for one last favor. "It appears Kakashi and his group is finally here. Could you ask Kakashi to come in by himself, I want to talk to him first before I meet his new team." Hinata nodded and turned around. She had heard the commotion, but had tuned it out so she could focus on the Hokage's words. Her heart stopped for a few skips, there he was again. Standing over the bodies of her team mates asking them if they were ok. This was not how she had pictured running into him. She felt her stomach become uneasy and her heart seemed to want to climb into her throat. She couldn't move. Oh no she thought, what am I going to do. Tsunade tapped her on her shoulder and asked "Is there a problem." Hinata turned to face Tsunade, blushing furiously and shook her head. She was about to turn back around when Naruto's voice broke through her thoughts.

"Hey, Hinata-chan. What's going on." Naruto said cheerfully, he was waving and walking over. Hinata tried to raise her hand, but it didn't want to do what her mind wanted it to do. Dammit she told herself get a hold of yourself. She took a deep breath and tried to raise her hand again. She brought it up to shoulder height and waved it once weakly. Not what she wanted, but it was a start.

"He-hello Naruto-kun." Hinat was slowly regaining control of her emotions and functioning a little bit better, but not good enough for Tsunades taste.

"Naruto, can you and Sakura wait outside while I talk with Kakashi. Hinata and her team were just leaving." Tsunade said impatiently.

Naruto looked past Hinata at Tsunade and nodded. "Sure thing baa-chan." A vein popped up on Tsunades face, that little turd she thought to herself. Naruto grabbed Hinata's still upheld hand and started pulling her toward the hall. "C'mon Hinata, we have some things we should talk about."

"Ha-ha-hai." Hinata said. Her mind was going wild. Ohmygod, omygod, omygod I can't think. He's grabbing my hand, I have to stay conscious she thought to herself as Naruto guided her outside. When he got outside he relayed the message to Kakashi. He quickly ended his conversation with Jiraiya and headed inside. Sakura had joined Kiba and Shino in conversation outside the Hokage's office.

Jiraiya looked at Naruto and then Hinata.He directed his next statement towards her. "I'll wait for you and your friends outside the building, don't take too long, we gotta lot of planning to do." Hinata nodded and turned to the young ninja in front of her. Then she looked down and saw he was still holding her hand. A chill went down her spine as he let her hand go. Her heart was pounding and she wondered what it was he could want to talk about. Was he psychic she wondered, how did he know she wanted to talk to him.

Naruto eyed Hinata intensely, making her blush. He then asked, "Sooo... what's up?"

Hinata had no idea what he was talking about. Her mind was blank, could he know that she had a present for him is that what he was waiting for. She reached into her pocket and started trying to tell him something. "A-a-ano, Naruto-kun, I-I" can't finish the sentence she thought to herself.

Naruto noticed her nervousness and thought she hadn't been able to do what she said she would do. So he interjected and tried to console her. "It's ok Hinata, I'm sure I can find another team mate for the exams." He said.

Hinata's mind finally started working. So that was what he wanted to talk about. She could handle that maybe it would even make her task easier. "Oh, it's not that I did find a team mate for you." She said.

Naruto's face lit up like a 300 watt light bulb. He jumped into the air and yelled. "Yeah, thats badass!" He landed and pumped his arm into the air two or three times. He lunged towards Hinata, looked at her intensely and asked. "So, who is it!"

Hinata was very aware of Naruto's hands on her shoulders and the thought going through her mind was, don't faint, don't faint, don't faint. "U-um, A-ano my little sister. It-it's Hanabi." Hinata replied. Naruto let go of her shoulders and started dancing around celebrating. He didn't really care who the person was he just needed to hear the name to give it to Shikamaru. Shino, Kiba, and Sakura saw Naruto's celebration and moved away from him lest anybody think that they knew who he was. (Inner Sakura was covering her head in shame, 'Oh my god, the embarrassment I go through with this idiot.')

Hinata was blushing as well, but not because she was embarrassed. She was glad he was so greatful, it made her feel good. She felt more confidence in herself and worked up the nerve to tap him on the shoulder, he was still celebrating, but stopped when he felt her touch. He looked at her curiously and asked. "What is it Hinata?"

Hinata took a deep breath and dove ahead, sort of. "I-I have something I w-would like you to-to have." She gulped and reached into her pocket. Naruto was now very quiet not knowing what to expect and very surprised by Hinata. Hinata pulled out a fist from her pocket and held it in front of her. Neither of them moved. Hinata then opened her fist. In her palm rested a thin silver necklace. The necklace was attached to a medallion the likes which Naruto had never seen. It was a five point star composed of what looked like notes, intricately wrapped together to give it the shape. The notes were bound by silver weaving through the center and binding it together. There also seemed to be silver twine around the base of the points, which were all tied in intricate and delicate knots barely visible to the eyes.

Naruto's face was glowing with wonder. "Where did you get it Hinata?" Naruto asked, trying to follow the intricate designs of the notes folds. It was like an optical illusion with many creases and folds that seemed to fool the eyes.

Hinata's attention was on Naruto's face, never had she seen any body's face light up with wonder like that and much less for something she made. "I made it myself." She said witha hint of pride. She then bit her lower lip holding that pose while she awaited Naruto's answer and tried her hardest not to stare.

Naruto still had his eyes on the trinket. "Really, that's amazing Hinata, I..." At that moment he looked up and saw the look on Hinata's face, he saw pride and a sincere desire for him to have the gift. Naruto, was about to tell her that he couldn't accept her gift, but when he saw her face the way she was biting her lip he knew it would be stupid not to accept it. "Arigatou, Hinata-chan." He said, he then bowed his head to her.

This was more than what Hinata had hoped for. Naruto, had not only thanked her but his obvious appreciation of her craftmanship really touched her in a way she couldn't really describe. Her confidence seemed to grow and a feeling of warmth spread to her chest. All these emotions were in the way of her thoughts to her mouth. "Hai, umm, ano demo, I mean you're welcome." Naruto still did not look up, she had no idea why he was bowing to her in that manner. Did she do something wrong, oh no she thought, I messed up. Her confidence started shrinking again and she looked around for some clue. A ways away from them Sakura had heard the whole conversation and was making gestures for her to put the necklace on Naruto, Shino and Kiba had their backs turned to her and were looking at Sakura like she was a maniac. The realization of what Naruto was waiting for hit her like a ton of bricks and a wave of relief washed over her. She held the necklace with both hands and placed it over Narutos head and around his neck.

Naruto looked up and smiled, Hinata was so entranced she didn't realize her fingers were still on Naruto's chest. As she was pulling them away Naruto grabbed her hand, "Hinata, this is the third time you've done something nice for me." Naruto said sincerely, "You have my word, I will repay your kindness one day." Naruto reached into his pocket with his free hand, "Open your hand." Naruto asked her, she did so promply. Naruto pulled out a bell. The same bell he had earned in the exam earlier that day. "This bell means something to me and one day I want it back. I'm giving it to you. Don't give it back to me until I repay my debt." He said. He then dropped the bell into her hand and closed her hand around it. "Don't worry Hinata I'll keep my word 'cuz thats my way of the ninja, remember that." At that moment the Hokages doors opened and Kakashi beckoned them in. Naruto let go of Hinata's hand and walked in waving to her and telling her. "Take care. Bye."

Shino and Kiba were about too leave. Before they left they notice Hinata hadn't moved. Kiba looked back to see his team mate still standing in front of the hokages office with her fist held in front of her. Shino raised his eyebrow out of curiosity and walked towards her. He called out her name, but she didn't reply. Kiba was now following him, when they reached her she had still not moved. Shino snapped his fingers in front of her a couple of times to snap her out of it, but got no reaction. "What do you think could be wrong?" Kiba asked as he poked her in the cheek.

Shino thought about it and came to his conclusion. "I guess she froze. She used to pass out when Naruto was around her before maybe something like that happened." Shino moved to catch Hinata because Kiba had pushed her and she fell over,stiff as a board. By this time Jiraiya had come back inside.

"What's taking you guys so long?" Shino and Kiba explained the situation and Jiraiya looked at Hinata. "I see so neither of you are sure of the cause." They both shook their heads not wanting to give this guy to much information about their friend. "Ok, this shouldn't take long." Jiraiya said and set to working on Hinata.

Out in the village of sand in the Kazekage's building Kankarou lay in a bed with Hirai sitting by his side. When they had arrived at the entrance of the village Kankarou was barely conscious and had started coughing up blood. Hirai had brought him here where everyone set about trying to see what was wrong with him and make him comfortable. He had lost consciousness as they entered the Kazekages building. Hirai sat next to him uncomfortably, she felt helpless and that really frustrated her. Her chest hitched a few times and she silently whispered to Kankarou. "Why don't you wake up dammit." She got up to leave and had only taken to steps when Kankarou started coughing. Hirai quickly rushed back to his side. She grabbed his hand and leaned close to him once he stopped coughing. "Are you ok Kanakarou?" She asked in a gentle voice. Kankarou's eyes focused and searched her out. He weakly nodded his head and waited until his breathing became normal again.

Once he felt secure he wouldn't hurt himself by speaking he started to do so in a low voice. "The trip back took a lot out of me and accelerated the poison for a brief while." Hirai's eyes widened at the news Kankarou just gave her.

"What are you talking about Kankarou? What poison? Who poisoned you?" Hirai asked anxious to hear the answers.

Kankarou thought about how to answer the questions in the most cost effective manner. "It's a dangerous poison that corrodes the veins through which the blood travels. It mingles with the blood to eat through the veins. It accelerated on the way here because the effort I made pushed the blood faster. It should be back to a stable speed now, however I don't know how long I have left." Kankarou closed his eyes for a few moments then reopened them and continued. "As to who did this you should ask the elders about a man named Sasori. He is the one responsible for my state and assisted in Gaara's kidnapping." When he finished his face took on a reflective quality as he thought out the situation.

Hirai did not know the elders and her curiosity had been grabbed by the last portion of Gaara's statement. "What will we do about Gaara?" She asked nervously.

Kankarou eyed her intensely deciding what to tell her. After a while he decided that the truth was the best way to go. He looked at her and opened his mouth to commence his explanation.

PREVIEW

Hirai and Kankarou have a discussion, find out what it's about? What will Temari do about the news she received? What is team 8's mission and what will happen to Naruto? (Damn that's alot of stuff, I hope I can cram it all into the next chapter.)

REVIEW SHOUT OUTS

crakbaby- Sorry bout the long wait, hope you enjoyed this Ch.

theboondocks- Thanx for pointing out my mistakes, if I weren't so lazy I would go back and fix them. (I might do it if enough ppl bug me about it.) I liked giving her nosebleeds too, I got a review that didn't like them so I haven't used them lately, but I might try to fit one in once in a while.

acrazygirl of many names- I'll continue, just because you asked nicely. J/K thanx for all the reviews.

FFz- Thanx, I thought it was funny too. Where were you before I finished this chapter, that was a good idea you put up. I will bring Rock Lee into the picture, unfortunately it may be a while. Sorry.

Danny- Sorry I don't try to do to many cliffhangers, thats just the way the cookie crumbles I guess. Oh we see Kankarou in this Ch. hopefully he'll be ok. Oh man that's the most nerve wracking part because I don't know if anybody will like it. Hopefully its good though. All the time.

Narutorules- Yes he does. lol get it, your name that is. Nevermind, sorry, the dorky side prevailed for a moment. Thanx though, and I hope you like this ch.

Dragonman 180- Oh that's a good idea, I might use that. Maybe not exactly like you said, but the idea is definetely cool.