Chapter 2 Lights and Sounds

Naruto was feeling good as he walked down the main street of the Leaf Village. After having talked to Tsunade about his training, even revealing some of the Pervy Sage's "activities" during the trip, she told him that he should get some rest, because he would be tested on his new skill's tomarrow.

Flash Back

Naruto stood completely still as he listened to Tsunade.

"Well, now that we know what you did," She glared at a rather beat up sanin, "I want to see how far your abilities have gone. How ever, you won't be alone during the test. I'm also testing Sakura. After the test, I will decide what to do with you." She paused as she looked at Naruto over folded hands.

He did seem older to her. He'd stopped calling her granny and showed respect. He'd even stood still, not interuppting her as she spoke.

What did you do to him Jiriya? He looks so much more mature.

"Now, as to the type of test. You and Sakura will be fighting a certan some one. I've left him free of missions the past few days so that he could be welll rested. Your opponent will be-"

She was interuppted as two shinobi entered the room. Shikamaru Nara and Temari.

"Lady Tsunade we've gon eover the list of exam applicants and...Naruto?!"

Naruto flashed Shikamaru a grin as he walked over to his friend. The two men clasped hands briefly as Temari looked in shock at the blonde Ninja in front of her.

Is this the runt?

Naruto noticed Temari and gave Shikamaru a sly grin.

"So...you two dating?" He teased.

"No." He said.

"Yes." She answered at the same time he did, causing both of them to blush.

"Oh." Naruto looked at Tsunade, pointing a finger at Shikamaru, "So Shikamaru is my opponent?"

"Opponent? I'm just here to deliver some papers. Anyway, you ginig to enter?"

"Hmm?"

"The chunin exams! Your the only one from our class who's still a chunin."

Naruto stood still as shock played across his features, but it quickly dissappeared.

"Wouldn't miss it for the world." He grinned.

"That may not be nessecary if you pass the test." Tsunade said, "Now, your opponent is over there."

She pointed out the window. Curious, Naruto walked over to the open window and looked out it.

"Yo."

Naruto smiled as he turned his head, seeing Kakashi sitting on the roof, smiling at Naruto.

"Kakashi-sensai! Oh, that reminds me."

Naruto jumped onto the roof and crouched near Kakashi, rummaging through the pouch on his waist.

"Ah! Here it is!" He declared, pulling an object out.

Kakashi couldn't speak as he watched Naruto present him with the newest, still unreleased, Icha Icha book.

"I thought you'd like it better than I did. I thought it was pretty boring."

Kakshi accepted the book without a word and cracked opened the cover and began to read.

"A-Arigato, Naruto."

Naruto chuckled as he watched his sensai become absorbed with the book.

"But, just because you gave me this, doesn't mean I'll go easy on you." Kakashi declared as he turned the page.

"Huh?" Naruto said.

Then it hit him. He smiled as he turned to face Tsunade.

"So. Kakashi-sensai is my opponent. I can hardly wait."

END FLASHBACK

Naruto grinned as he made his way to his favorite ramen stand.

"Naruto-chan! We heard you were back!"

Naruo smiled as he took his favorite seat as Teuchi and his daughter Ayame greated their best customer.

"What can I get you? First bowel's free." Teuchi smiled as the young mans eyes lit up.

"Alright! Your a life saver Teuchi-san! I haven't been able to find ramen as good as yours since I left."

Teuchi gave a hearty laugh.

"Of course! Nobody in the world can beat my ramen!" he roared with laughter.

Hinata was having an internal battle as she looked at Ichiraku Ramen stand. She had watched as Naruto had entered the stand and had been rooted to the spot by the sight of her crush.

I should go say hello.

No. He's probably waiting for Sakura-chan and Saskue-chan.

What if he isn't. What if he's eating alone, I could keep him company.

And what if you faint? He'll never talk to you again.

Just as she decided to leave, a man whith long white haired appeared behind her, watching as she continued to gaze longingly at the ramen stand. He smiled when he realized who was in the stand.

"Excuse me." A voice sounded behind Hinata causing her to scream and jump in fright. Turning she saw a...pervert. That was the first word that poped into her mind as she started to back away from his perverted stare, tripping over a log.

"I mean no harm. I just want to talk." The pervert said smiling, reaching for her hand to help her up. The young woman gave a terrified scream and passed out. Just as he was about to shake her awake, a conveinently placed foot lifted the old sasnin, eyes bulging, mouth open in a scream of pain, up off the gound and crashing into the tree behind him.

Droppoing to his knees, the old sanin covered his groin as the intense pain made him double over. Gasping for breath, unable to move, he looked up to see and enraged Naruto holding the young girl he'd approached. The young man was glaring at Jiriya with such hate, that the old man would of fliched, if he could move.

"Pervy sage, you'd better stay away from me for a few days. Then you'll explain. Consider that kick to your balls as punishment." he hissed, anger pulsating through his whole body.

Jiriya could only watch as Naruto carried the woman away, her dark blue hair drapped over his arm.

Naruto walked away from the old man, as angry as he could be.

He'd tried to have his way with Hinata! He didn't know why, but he felt extremely protective of the girl in his arms. Looking down, he saw that she was snuggling close to his chest, putting an arm around his neck.

What a wonderful scent. he though as he caught the smell of lavander.

He smiled down at Hinata, wondering why he never pursued her. After all, she was smart, funny, kind, and attractive.

Because you feared rejection.

So what if I did?

If you'd of acted like a man, you wouldn't be wondering what could have been. And I wouldn't be scarred by your dreams about her.

Umm...I'm sorry. I didn't know that you could see them. Naruto said sheepishly

Well I can. And I can say that you are one perverted boy. What was with putting her against the wall about in your dream last night?

Naruto chose not to answer and turned red as he remembered the dream in question. He felt a little aroused as he thought of it. The fact that he held the real deal in his arms didn't help. He could feel himself grow hard.

Oh crap! If she wakes up seeing me like this, she'll think I'm a pervert and never speak to me. Okay, think of somethong else. Umm...Kakashi in his under wear!

Even though both he and the fox were disgusted by the mental image, Naruto was glad that his manhood was relaxing.

And not a moment too soon.

Hinata felt herself being carried. She tried to remeber what had happened. She remebered coming from the training grounds after a hard workout. That was when she had seen Naruto enter the ramen stand. She had been trying to decide whether to go sit with him or not, when an unkown old man had appeared behind her...The Pervert! Hinata kept her eyes closed as she prepared to strike.

As if the move was praticed for this, she used kaiten throwing herself and the pervert on oppostie direction. Hinata gracefully flew through the air and landed in the gentle fist fighting stance turning to face the man as he hit a tree close by. She was shcocked at what she saw. there was Naruto unconscious, against the tree. Hinata felt a surge of shame and regret, rushing to his side.

"Naruto-kun! Are you alright? I'm so sorry!" She said as she dropped to his side.

She placed a hand on his head, blush blazing as she realized she was touching his face. She couldn't help but notice how much he had change.

"Naruto-kun. I'm so sorry."

Naruto moaned as he regained conciousness. Hinata felt relived that he would be okay.

"Hinata?...Remind me never to make you mad."

He flashed Hinata a smile that she returned, still blushing. She didn't faint when he grabbed her hand to help her stand up from her kneeling position. After all, she'd been woken up by a feeling of a long solid object across her lower back.