Arriving at the village gates happy to be home Tatsuya spoke up. "Well it's been a fun little trip but I'm going to report to the Hokage about or mission I'll see you three tomorrow at 12:00 for training and again good work." Remarked the sensei walking his way to the Hokage tower.
"Well I don't know about you guys but I'm bushed I'm gonna head home." Yawned Dai leaving Takaru and Tenten alone.
"Well I guess I'll head home too." Grinned Takaru starting to leave but stopped by a tug at his sleeve.
"Wait Takaru umm I just want to say that what you did for us back there protecting me from that assassin...I'd be dead if it wasn't for you so thank you for that." Said the girl grateful for what he was willing to do for her.
"No problem I couldn't live with myself if something happened to you." Said the boy his face reddening.
"Well umm I guess I'll get going again thank you." Smiled the girl giving the boy a quick hug and turning around to leave.
"Wait Tenten I have to tell you something." Said Takaru stopping the girl.
"What is it?" Asked the girl hoping the boys next words were in the form of a question.
"It's just that uhh...the Festival of Falling Leaves is coming up and...would you go with me!?" Said Takaru forcing the words out.
"I've waiting on you to ask me that Takaru yes I'd love to go with you I'll show you where I live tomorrow after training so you know where to pick me up kay." Giggled the girl seeing the look of awe on the boy's face.
"Ok s-sounds cool see you t-tomorrow." Stuttered Takaru as the brunette trotted home.
"It was that easy and she was waiting on me to ask her heh." Chuckled Takaru leaning against a nearby building shocked by how smoothly the scenario he played in his head over and over again went.
His spirits high and his stomach empty he walked his way to his favorite restaurant to full his seemingly bottom less stomach.
XXXX
After a large meal of Maruyaki and Yakiimo the full shinobi walked his was home got in his pajamas and fell back onto his bed and drifted off to sleep with a small smile on his face ready for tomorrow.
The next day...
Waking up the next morning with a pep in his step Takaru went through his morning routine quickly and headed out his front door thinking of what to say when he met the girls' parents and how to act stopping suddenly he saw Dai talking to a red haired girl both of them blushing as the brown haired boy stumbled over his words. Taking in the appearance of the girl she wore a white and red jacket with sleeves that were slightly to long for her with the Uzumaki clan symbol on the back, and red pants that stopped above her ankles with black sandals and crimson hita-ate. Realizing that Dai was asking his own crush Namikaze Shuriu to the festival Takaru continued on his way to the training grounds with a smug grin on his face he saw Tenten sitting on a log going through her utility pouch not noticing the boys approach.
"Hey Tenten morning." Greeted Takaru giving the girl a small wave.
"Oh hi Takaru good morning to you too." Smiled the girl looking up from her supplies.
"Hey where's Dai he's usually here before you?" Asked the girl.
"Oh I just saw him earlier he should be here in a minute." Informed Takaru sitting next to the girl on the log.
"So did you sleep well?" Asked the girl making idle conversation.
"Yeah I slept fine...so umm what time do you want me to pick you up for the festival tonight?" Asked Takaru scooting a little closer to the kunochi.
"You can walk back with me after training if that's ok with you." Said the brunette placing her hand over Takarus accidentally.
"Uhh T-Tenten..." Takaru said his voice barely a whisper as his lips drifted closer to the kunochi.
"Yes Takaru..." Asked Tenten her heartbeat beginning to increase as the two teens lips were only a few centimeters away from meeting.
"Morning Team!" Announced Tatsuya appearing in a puff of smoke startling the two genin their foreheads knocking together.
"Gah! Hey Tatsuya sensei." Groaned Takaru rubbing his forehead. 'Dammit this guy has the worst timing!' Grumbled the teen mentally.
"Hello Sensei good morning." Greeted Tenten her cheeks reddening hoping the jounin hadn't seen the moment of romance between the two.
"Yes good morning I see you two are getting along so where's Dai?" Chuckled the jounin.
"Shime's on his way I saw him not to long ago." Remarked Takaru standing up seeing that his moment of romance was over at least for the time being.
"Hey I'm here sorry for being late!" Announced the brown haired shinobi running towards his fiends bending over to catch his breath.
"Well now that everyone's here let's get started shall we, today I've decided to teach you all at least one A rank jutsu." Smiled the sensei smiling.
"Awesome well then let's get started already!" Exclaimed Takaru.
"Alright hold your horses Takaru you're not going to master it overnight." Chuckled Tatsuya.
"Sure I will just you watch!" Grinned the genin as Tatsuya handed his a scroll labeled 'A rank Katon'.
"Well now that Baka is occupied sensei what's the occasion for this?" Questioned Dai unraveling his scroll and looking over the contents.
"Well let's just say that I've enrolled you all in something and you'll have to be as strong as you can be to come out on top." Grinned the jounin not saying anything else about it.
"Wow "Suiton: Ryuu Kyouga no jutsu" sounds powerful can't wait to learn it." Grinned Dai walking off to practice the handsign for his new jutsu.
Handing Tenten her scroll Tatsuya stood back and let the teens work on their new jutsu smiling as he saw Takaru trying hard to master the new technique in a single afternoon.
"Dammit ok one more time monkey, rabbit, boar!" Said Takaru forming the proper handsign and pumping explosive chakra into his katana the blade glowing red from heat but then going out quickly causing a dissatisfied groan from the shinobi.
'Hmm he just received the scroll for the jutsu moments ago but he's already nearly halfway to learning the jutsu...and after what happened in Kirigakure with his arm I had no idea he bore the cursemark but how did he get it and better yet how can he control it so well with just simple sealing tabs...I'll have to continue to keep a close eye on him, still that boy has a bright future ahead of him I can feel it.' Thought Tatsuya observing his team with a smile.
"Okay this I got it here goes "Katon: Tenkuu Yabia no jutsu!" Announced Takaru pulling his katana from its sheath the blade glowing red hot smoke rising off it, grinning and twirling the searing sword the blade cracked then shattered sending burning blade fragments flying through the air causing him Dai and Tenten to duck quickly so not to be skewered by Takarus blunder.
"You pumped to much chakra into the blade Baka I told we told you couldn't master that jutsu in a day." Said Dai with a "I told you so" look.
"Damn my katana..." Said Takaru quitely tightening his grip on the handle realizing he had the blade ever since he could remember and the simple weapon had extreme sentimental value to him.
"Umm Takaru are you ok you look sad?" Asked the kunochi placing her hand on the boys shoulder.
"Huh oh um I'm fine it's just that I've always had this katana and I guess I've grown attached to it that's all." Chuckled the boy lightly running his thumb over the worn sheath.
"Well my dad is the village blacksmith he could make you a new one if you like." Offered the girl knowing what it's like to have a weapon with sentimental value.
"Naw that's ok but thanks anyway." Grinned the black haired genin getting back to his usual self.
"Well I think that will do with training for today today is the festival so I'll end training early you three go have fun." Said the sensei as the teens ran off to get dressed and cleaned up for the event.
"Well that was pretty nice of you Tatsuya." Replied a woman appearing in a puff of smoke behind the jonin.
"Well what do I own the pleasure of your company Ms. Mitarashi?" Asked Tatsuya with a smile.
"My you have changed Tatsuya you look like a different man without a sake bottle in your hand." Replied the trench coat wearing woman.
"Well that was the reason you broke up with me in the first place." Said the man with a smile.
"I appear to not have a date for the festival would you mind changing that?" Asked the woman with a smile.
"It wouldn't be gentlemanly if I refused now would it." Replied Tatsuya offering her his hand.
"Now then who said chivalry is a lost art." Smiled Anko Taking his hand as both of them vanished in a puff of smoke.
XXXX
"Grahh what should I wear!" Exclaimed Takaru sorting through his unorganized closet.
Reaching the back of his closet he found the perfect outfit, a black dress jacket and dark red dress shirt along with black slacks and shiny black dress shoes.
"Perfect this will definitely impress Ten-chans dad." Said Takaru putting on his clothes and putting on a dab of colonge and exiting his house.
Arriving at Tentens home he took a deep breath and knocked on the wooden frame hearing a slight booming sound he was face to face or face to chest with a living mountain.
"Who are you supposed to be...well speak up boy!" Ordered the giant man.
"Umm I'm here to pick up Tenten sir if that's alright with you of course." Chuckled Takaru nervously surprised his voice worked.
"Hmm so your the boy my daughter has taken a liking to." Said the man placing his huge hand on top of the boys head and lifting him up off the ground and turning him left then right as if he was examining a apple to see if it was rotten.
"Well you seem ok but know this boy if you ever hurt my daughter in any way I'll break you in half like a twig." Said the mountain of a man turning around and entering the house.
"What just happened?" Said Takaru letting out a sigh.
"Hey Tenten your boy friends here!" Said a small boy appearing in the doorway making kissing sounds.
"Shut up Ginta! Oh hey Takaru ready to go?" Asked the girl brushing a lock of hair behind her ear. Her usual twin bun hair style was let down so her hair flowed over her shoulders like a chocolate colored waterfall her beauty only completed by the strapless red dress with a bold white line across it.
"Wow Tenten you look amazing!" Praised Takaru stunned by the girls beauty.
"Thanks you look nice too." Smiled Tenten as the two genin walked down the very lively streets of Konoha as people adored their homes and business with paper leaves.
"So what should we do first we have the whole night." Asked Takaru stuffing his hands in his pockets a sharp burning pain shooting up his left arm causing his face to falter slightly but ignoring the short twinge of pain.
"How about we go to some of the booths set up I always love playing some of the festival games their...oh if that's ok with you Takaru." Said the girl.
"Heh I don't care what we do as long as I get hang out with you." Smiled Takaru.
"Ok sounds good." Said Tenten wrapping her arms around his left her comfort easing his pain slightly.
As they walked toward the heart of the festival they saw two familiar faces.
"Hey Dai and Shuriu what's up?!" Grinned Takaru fist bumping his friend.
"Oh hey Takaru and Tenten hows it going." Smiled Dai greeting his friends.
"Yes how are you doing." Replied the red haired girl with a small smile and wave.
"So you finally asked Shuriu to the festival bout time you had a crush on her since..." Said Takaru being cut off by Dai putting him in a headlock.
"Shut up Baka!" Growled Dai tightening his grip.
"*Sigh* Boys will be boys I guess." Said Tenten watching the two boys wrestle.
"Yeah I suppose your right." Giggled the daughter of the Hokage.
After the boys quick scuffle the four teens walked to a nearby Booth that read test your strength a bored looking man sitting in a chair reading a magazine.
"Excuse us but we'd like to play." Said Shuriu softly the man ignoring her.
"Hold on ahem...Hey fuck face we said we wana play!" Roared Takaru slamming his fist down hard onto the counter.
"Wahh? Don't ya see I'm busy read the sign hit the bell win a prize now leave me be." Groaned the man going back to his magazine.
"Fine I'll go first." Grinned Takaru flexing his biceps and picking up the hammer.
Bringing up the hammer high over his head he brought it down with all his strength onto the lever the metal ball only going halfway into the air not coming anywhere close to hitting the bell.
"Haha my turn Baka." Smiled Dai picking up the hammer with one hand and slamming it down hard onto the lever breaking it and knocking the bell off the wooden post it flying high into the sky out of sight.
"Wow that was amazing Dai." Said Shuriu in awe.
"Yeah well anyone could do that if they had Dais monster strength." Grumbled Takaru.
"What the hell how are you that strong your just a kid!?" Stuttered the man.
"I don't know give me my prize now." Said Dai holding out his hand.
"Oh ok here you go kid." Said the man handing him a stuffed doll of the first hokage.
"Here you go Shuriu." Smiled Dai handing the girl the doll.
"Thanks Dai-kun." Said the girl blushing.
"Well lets go to a booth were I can win at." Grumbled Takaru.
"Hey what's with this crowd of people around that booth." Asked Tenten pointing at a booth that read Maruyaki challenge eat as much as you can.
"Awesome!" Yelled Takaru running through the crowd and stopping at the table that held plates stacked tall with barbeque.
"Hold on their son if you want to participate in the challenge you'll have to give us your name and sign this waiver." Said a man wearing a chefs apron.
"Sure whatever here so where's the tasty little morsels I'm starving." Said the genin signing the paper quickly and sitting down at the table.
"Alright here are the rules eat as much as you can and eat more than your opponent if you lose you have to pay for your meal our eaters today are Ihara Takaru versus Akimichi Choji." Annouced the apron wearing man.
"What a minute Takaru has a giant appetite but Choji is a bottomless pit this could end badly for our wallets." Sighed Dai.
"So you think you can eat more than me I'd like to see that!" Chuckled Choji munching on a bag of chips.
"We'll see about that when it comes to Maruyaki no one beats me." Grinned Takaru.
"We'll see about that skinny... Ahh chubbies rule!" Yelled the boy picking up his chopsticks and beginning to shovel down his barbeque.
Picking up his chopsticks as well Takaru began polishing off his first plate and moved on to his second the boys neck and neck.
"Hey I didn't say go yet I...go I guess." Said the man starting the timer.
"More sauce!" Ordered Takaru between bites already on his twelfth plate of barbeque.
"Me first!" Growled Choji already on his thirteenth plate.
"Wow it almost like their fighting." Said Shuriu.
"Man how do they eat like that and their stomachs don't explode." Dai remarked in awe seeing the boys finish their 50th plate of food.
"Your toast." Growled Takaru moving on to another plate of Maruyaki.
"Toast is for later lets focus on Maruyaki!" Replied Choji finishing his 57th plate.
"Wow folk all the participants have dropped out or gotten sick the only ones left are Takaru and Choji who are getting close to reaching their 100th plate!" Announced the man as the crowd cheered them on.
"More please!" The boys announced in unison.
"We can't you two a-ate it all...that was enough food for 29 starving grown men and you two ate it all." Said the man in awe.
"Well next time make more." Said Choji opening a bag of chips and walking off to find something else to eat.
"Wow that was great my compliments to the chef." Grinned Takaru letting out a burp.
"Well that was interesting..." Said Dai having new found respect for Takarus appetite.
"So what should we do know?" Asked Shuriu.
"How about we get something to eat seeing Takaru wolf down all that Maruyaki made me hungry." Smiled Tenten.
"Sure I still got plenty of room left." Grinned Takaru patting his stomach.
"Are you even human dude?" Asked Dai as the three teens walked to a food stall and got Yakitori on a stick and green tea.
Finishing their meal quickly Dai looked at his watch and gasped "Hey we need to get going if we wanna see the fireworks demonstration they say that it's gonna be huge this year." Said the shinobi grabbing Shurius hand and rushing off to the demonstration area.
"Yeah he's right we should get going Takaru." Said Tenten getting up.
"Hold on Tenten I know a great place to watch the fireworks." Said the genin holding out his hand.
"Umm ok Takaru where?" Asked the girl taking his bandaged hand in hers.
Picking the girl up in his arms he leaped up onto a nearby tree branch and jumped through several trees until they arrived at a large tree that over looked the entire village casting them both in moonlight.
"Wow this place is amazing Takaru." Said the kunochi taking in the beautiful view.
"Yeah it's the second most beautiful things I've ever seen." Grinned Takaru.
"Oh well what's the first...oh Takaru that's so sweet." Smiled the girl brushing a lock of hair out of her face reminding Takaru of the girl he kept seeing in his dreams.
"Tenten I want to ask you something..." Said Takaru running a bandaged finger across the soft backside of the girls hand.
"What is it Takaru...?" Asked Tenten.
"Go out with me Ten-chan I love you." Said the boy quickly his face bright red.
"Yes of course I will." Said the kunochi softly brushing her lips against his cheek happy the boy finally asked.
Brushing a stray lock of hair from her eyes Takaru tilted the girls head up slightly and pressed his lips against her soft pink lips a warm sensation filling both of the shinobis chests as the kiss became more passionate. Suddenly a loud booming sound was heard causing their lips to part looking up the night sky was filled with dozens of explosions of light signifying the start of the fireworks.
"Looks like the fireworks have started Ten-chan." Said Takaru with a small smile.
"That's nice now where were we?" Smiled the girl bringing up her lips and placing them against his.
As the fireworks ended so did the the teens kiss a thin trail of saliva forming from their parting lips both of the teens blushing heavily.
"Well we should get going Takaru I don't wana miss my curfew." Said the kunochi.
"Yeah...wait before we go I want to give you this its precious to me and I want you to have it." Said Takaru draping his mysterious crystal necklace around the girls neck and fastening it.
"Wow Takaru its beautiful I love it." Said the girl as the crystal glowed a faint color of lavender.
"Think of the light as my spirit and the crystal my love as long as you have this necklace you have me with you." Said Takaru the poem coming out his mouth before he knew what he was saying.
"Wow Takaru-kun that was beautiful where did you hear that?" Asked the girl.
"Heh don't know it just came out but its true I'd never let anything bad happen to you and I'll do my best to protect you." Assured Takaru holding her hand as they walked back toward her home.
After a short walk they reached the girls home stopping at the porch they said their goodbyes for the night.
"Takaru-kun I had a nice time tonight I'll see you tomorrow and thank you for the necklace I love it." Smiled the girl.
"Hey no problem and I had a nice time too...sweet dreams beautiful." Said Takaru kissing the back of her hand and saying goodbye as she walked inside.
Turning on his heel he began to walk home whistling a cheerful tune everything in his life seeming to be going perfectly well almost everything he thought placing a hand on his left arm but not letting that get him down he looked up at the night sky and smiled even though his past was dark and unknown like the black sky his future burned bright like the thousand of stars that glittered above him so as he continued his walk he knew that he was destined for greatness and if the universe thought otherwise he'd fight until he came out on top.
Authors Note: Well that's all for chapter five I tried to focus on the romance in this chapter but trust me I'll make up for it in the next couple of chapters lots of action believe it! Peace Love and Anarchy to all and to all a shut the hell up!