This one's a little shorter than the others. I'm sorry! I tried to make it longer but I couldn't cuz I suck like that. Oh well...

On a more HAPPIER note..150 REVIEWS! YAY! 50 more and I'm to 200! THANK YOU MY KIND REVIEWERS!

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.

---Some Days Later---

"Good morning, Shikamaru-kun, Nara-san," Midori said as she saw father and son walking towards the administration building.

"'Mornin', Midori," Shikamaru said, though he didn't exactly look thrilled.

"What's wrong?" Midori asked, cocking her head.

"Aw, he's just embarrassed because he's getting his—"

"Dad!" Shikamaru protested.

Midori smiled. "You can tell me."

Shikamaru groaned and rubbed the back of his head in annoyance. "Fine. If you have to know, I'm getting my chuunin vest…"

"Really?!" Midori said excitedly. "Congratulations!"

"Yeah, yeah, don't spread it around," Shikamaru said.

"Oh, I won't," Midori said. "That's great! I don't think Nami or Kyoko got any word of becoming chuunin yet…"

Shikamaru shrugged. "There's always next year."

"Exactly," Midori agreed. "Well, I don't want you to be late because of me. See you later, okay?"

"Yeah."

Midori let the two Naras pass and continued on her way.

---

"Did you hear, Kyoko-kun?" Teuchi asked as he peered over at his frequent customer. "The great Tsunade-sama is back in Konoha!"

"Tsunade-sama?" Kyoko said through a full mouth. She gulped and said, "One of the Legendary Sannin?!"

"Yup," Teuchi nodded. "Word on the street is that she's gonna be the new Hokage!"

"That's awesome!" Kyoko exclaimed whole-heartedly. She downed the rest of her ramen and said, "I've gotta check it out. See you later, jiisan!"

---

"Why are you brooding over him so much anyway?" Nami asked. "It's not like he's in pain or anything."

Sakura sighed irritably. "Look, you don't care about Sasuke-kun, so why did you come?"

"That's a good question," Nami said. "I was just wondering if he was gonna stop being a wuss and get out of that state."

"Stop insulting him!" Sakura shouted angrily. "You always talk so big and put Sasuke-kun down! He's been through more than you've ever been, so shut up and leave!"

Nami stared at Sakura with a straight face. "Fine then. It looks like you've grown some backbone after all." She stood up and started to leave when she was blocked by a small group in the doorway. Her eyes widened. "Naruto?"

"Naruto!" Sakura said, surprised.

"Hey Sakura-chan! Nami!" Naruto grinned.

"You're back. And with other people too," Nami observed as she stared up at the adults with Naruto.

"Yeah!" Naruto said triumphantly. "Sakura-chan, Sasuke's gonna be okay now! She's a doctor! She'll fix him up!"

Sakura's shocked expression melted down to a warm smile. "Naruto…"

Naruto grinned.

Whoa…it's the Legendary Sannin Tsunade… Nami thought as she watched Tsunade place her hand on Sasuke's bare forehead.

"He'll wake up soon," Tsunade said with a smile.

---

"Lee, you really shouldn't push yourself all the time!" Tenten scolded. "You've been walking on a crutch for days, no, weeks! So stop trying to train! Didn't I warn you you'd get hurt?!"

"Sorry, Tenten," Lee sighed. "But it was only a bump…"

"Just a bump?! You were knocked out cold!"

"Its okay, Lee-kun," Midori said, patting him on the back. "You're just trying to prove yourself, we respect that."

"He doesn't have to try to kill himself for respect," Tenten mumbled.

"Lee!"

The trio turned around just in time to see Gai's sudden appearance.

"Gai-sensei!" Lee exclaimed.

"Tsunade-sama has come to do a check up on you! Let's go!"

"Tsunade-sama?! Are you serious?!" Tenten gasped. "I need to tell Neji! Oh, and good luck, Lee!" With that, Tenten ran off.

"May I come with you, Gai-sensei?" Midori asked.

"But of course!" Gai nodded. "We will need many people to celebrate after Tsunade-sama tells us she can do the operation! But there's no time to waste, so let's get a move on!"

---

"So, Otouto, have fun on your mission?" Nami asked as she and Naruto walked through Konoha. The sun was shining brightly though the streets weren't crowded.

"Oh yeah," Naruto nodded, grinning toothily. "I mastered a really cool technique! I should show it to you. It'll blow ya away!"

"Oh really?" Nami said. She bonked him on the head lightly. "Don't get so smug. You're not the only one who's been training. Everyone's a lot stronger. Well, everyone except for Sasgay."

Naruto shrugged. He had learned before not to trust Nami's judgment on Sasuke's abilities, but he'd just have to see for himself someday…that is, after Sasuke fully recovered.

"So let's do it."

"Huh?"

"Let's fight! See how much you've grown!"

"H-Hold on!" Naruto protested. "I don't wanna fight you!"

"Why not?"

"You're…well, you're a girl…"

"So?" Nami said, offended. "You don't think I can defeat you?"

"We—wah!" Naruto dodged a swift punch from Nami. "Hey! Neechan! What's that all about?!"

"C'mon, I haven't had any action forever! Let's spar!"

"EH! Not here!"

"Oh. Right. Fine then," Nami said, looking around the civilian area. "Let's go to the training grounds then!"

"But I'm hungry…" Naruto groaned as his stomach growled beneath his jacket.

Nami rolled her eyes. "Fine. We'll eat ramen then!"

"Cool. Got any cash? Ero-Sennin spent all mine…"

"Well, no, not really," Nami said sheepishly.

Naruto stared at her.

"Hey, is that Iruka-sensei?"

"Iruka-sensei?!" Naruto whirled around and sure enough the academy teacher was sitting with his back turned to the two in the Ichiraku Ramen Shop. Naruto sped over to greet his old teacher and was quickly followed by Nami.

"Huh? Naruto! You're back!" Iruka said cheerfully. "Here, let me buy you some ramen!"

"Well, if you insist," Naruto grinned.

"You too, Nami," Iruka said as he gestured towards Teuchi.

"Thanks!"

"So tell me everything," Iruka said to Naruto. "How was it traveling with the one of the great Legendary Sannin?"

"Eh…it was okay, I guess. But I learned this awesome new technique! I'll totally kick butt with it on new missions! Especially once I get to chuunin!"

"Oh…well…um…"

"Huh?" Naruto said, confused.

"Er…Naruto! Did you know Shikamaru reached the chuunin level?" Iruka said hastily.

"Shikamaru?!" Naruto and Nami exclaimed.

"How'd Shikamaru become a chuunin?!" Naruto demanded.

Iruka sighed. "You know that even if you don't win your match, you can still achieve the level of chuunin. He was rated high because of his intelligence during his battle."

Nami scoffed. "Intelligence…whatever."

"Was there anyone else?" Naruto asked uncertainly.

"No, he was the only one," Iruka said quietly.

"Oh…" Naruto said.

"Dang it, Shikamaru," Nami muttered under her breath.

"Well, there's always next exam, right?" Iruka tried. He smiled and touched his hitai-ate instinctively. "And besides…you've grown a great deal since the first time you wanted to wear this…"

"Really? You think so?" Naruto said, putting a hand to his own. "The one you gave me fits me really well!"

Nami rolled her eyes and bopped Naruto lightly on the forehead. "Hey, you're still not that awesome yet."

"She's right, you still have a long way to go," Iruka laughed.

"Yeah!" Naruto said confidently. "And with my new jutsu, I'll be one step closer to Hokage!"

"Naruto…Nami…" Iruka said seriously. "You know, its kind of a difficult time for us now. We've lost the Sandaime Hokage along with other shinobi, nearly half our forces are gone. However, we still are required to complete all the missions requested of us like before.

"Huh? If we don't have the people to complete the missions, why can't we just say no?" Naruto asked.

"We can't do that!" Iruka said. "See, we've been keeping the balance of power with the other nations steady with other village's forces. If we turn down some missions, it's like broadcasting that our village is weak. That's why even the academy's closed. I have to complete missions now too. I also heard Kakashi's already been assigned a missions even though he's just recovering. Marieke's also on a mission too, right after her recent B-Rank."

"That sucks," Naruto and Nami said in unison.

"Hey, you two have to do your share too," Iruka said. "You're ninja of this village."

"Yep," Naruto nodded. "But first thing's first…I have to eat!"

"Heh…you haven't changed," Iruka said, ruffling Naruto's hair.

"You're wrong, sensei," Nami sighed, resting her chin on her palm. "He's a lot slower at eating now. Let's see the technique already!"

Naruto smirked smugly. "You know what? I think I'll show you all my technique at once!"

"All?" Nami repeated.

"Yeah! You, Sasuke, and Sakura-chan! Let's go to the hospital now!"

"Aw, again?" Nami groaned.

"C'mon, neechan!" Naruto urged. "If you don't wanna go, that's okay, but I wanna see my friends!"

"Yeah, okay, I'll go."

Iruka smiled. Although they don't show it…both Naruto and Nami probably care a lot about Sasuke's safety.

"But if that Sasgay starts having 'pains' again or whatever, I'm out."

Well…Naruto anyway.

---

"Eh…I don't know where Tsunade-sama is…" Kyoko muttered stiffly. "What a waste…"

"Hello, Kyoko!"

"Huh? Oh, hi sensei," Kyoko waved. "Didja know the Legendary Sannin Tsunade-sama's here in Konoha?"

"Oh, who doesn't?" Marieke said. "I was actually sent to help her set into her new office."

"Really?" Kyoko said. "Sucks for you."

Marieke poked Kyoko squarely in the forehead.

"Ow!" Kyoko rubbed her forehead gingerly.

"It is an honor," Marieke said highly.

"Right…"

"Hm?" Marieke said as a bird landed on her shoulder. "Ugh…what now? A different mission?"

Kyoko looked at her sensei questioningly.

"Eh…sorry, Kyoko, but could you fill in for me with Tsunade-sama? I have to go now."

"Huh? Really?" Kyoko said in surprise. "Okay!"

"Good. See you later."

---

They've been in there for such a long time… Midori thought. She was sitting in the hallway, waiting for Lee and Gai to come out from the checkup. Tsunade had only wanted the duo to come in, and she didn't protest against the Sannin, now Godaime Hokage. She didn't mind either, but the wait was getting a little longer than she expected. Just as she stood up to stretch a little, the door opened and Lee, with his crutch, started walking out.

"Lee-kun!" Midori said, smiling. "How…" Then she saw the look on his face as he stopped to look at her. She caught a crestfallen expression before his attempt at a smile.

"Hi, Midori-chan."

"Lee-kun…are you okay?" Midori asked timidly as she put a hand on his shoulder.

"No…not really." Lee brushed her hand off and slowly walked towards the exit without another word.

Gai came out of the room looking grave.

"Gai-sensei…" Midori said quietly.

Gai's gaze was on Lee who had just gotten out of sight. "Lee…may not be able to continue being a shinobi."

Midori's eyes widened. "Oh no…Poor Lee-kun…Being a shinobi…is his life. How can he quit?"

"I don't think he will," Gai said softly.

---

"Want some apples, Sasuke-kun?" Sakura asked cheerfully.

Sasuke was silent.

"Here…" Sakura said, moving the plate of neatly-cut apples towards the Uchiha.

Sakura let out a short scream as Sasuke's hand collided with the plate. Before she knew it, her plate had been freed from her hands and clattered on the floor.

"Sasuke-kun…?" Sakura said timidly.

"Yo, Uchiha."

Sasuke's glare turned towards Nami who was standing in the doorway with an apple she had caught in her hand. "Woke up on the wrong side of the bed, did you?" Nami said aloofly as she bit into the apple. "If I were you, I would've been grateful that Sakura cut you these and actually had the patience to stay with someone like you. What's the matter, huh? Did you revive on the wrong side of the bed or something?"

"Hm?" Naruto came from behind Nami and Sasuke's expression turned surprised. He quickly narrowed his eyes, a murderous look on his face.

"W…what?" Naruto said uncertainly. "Why are you staring at me like that?"

Nami looked from Naruto's confused face to Sasuke's dangerous one, then at Sakura who looked worried.

"Hey, Naruto…" Sasuke said.

"What?"

"Fight me."

Sakura gasped.

"Huh? What do you mean? You're still recovering," Naruto said densely.

"Shut up and fight me!" Sasuke activated his Sharingan hazardously and everyone else in the room tensed. He was serious.

"Sasuke…kun…?" Sakura said nervously.

"You idiot!" Nami shouted. "Don't go picking fights after you've recovered! Are you trying to get yourself kill—"

"You think that woman helped me?" Sasuke said arrogantly. "That foolish Godaime or whoever…butting into other people's business!"

"What?!" Naruto growled.

Sasuke stood up to face Naruto and stared into the Kyuubi-boy's eyes with hatred. Naruto stared right back, matching his gaze.

"Sasuke-kun, what's wrong with you?! Naruto, stop him!" Sakura pleaded.

"Actually…" Naruto said with a self-assured smirk, "I was kind of thinking about it too…"

"H-Hey…guys…" Sakura said, putting on a joking smile, "Stop kidding around like that…cut it out…o-okay?"

"Follow me," Sasuke said, completely ignoring Sakura, he gestured towards the door with his head.

"Hmph," Naruto grimaced.

He's actually gonna do it, Nami realized. It's finally here…the battle between the two rivals!

DUN DUN DUN. Not too much time to say anything here, so just R&R please! It's a busy, busy week! Later!

-HM