Previously: Three years have passed since the Fourth Shinobi War, and everybody is busy with their everyday life. Sasuke Uchiha has an unexpected encounter with a beautiful girl, while Naruto Uzumaki has long-term treatments at the Hospital, although he keeps his problems strictly confidential.

With another day come and gone, what will happen today?

Naruto: From Promises To Wishes

Chapter 2 - Lies & Lust

Stretching, Naruto walked down the stairs from his apartment. "Wow!" he said smiling big, "That sleep I got actually did the trick! I've never been so energized!"

"Hey, Naruto!" a voice said. Turning his head, Naruto saw Shikamaru and Chouji walking up to him. "It's looks like somebody finally came back from Dreamland," Shikamaru replied. "Shikamaru! Chouji!" Naruto said, "How is it going?" "We were just about to ask you the same thing, Dude!" Chouji said, "Shikamaru came by your place yesterday and you were out cold, on the bed!" "You mean? It's already the next day?!" "More like," Shikamaru began, "...the next afternoon..."

'Oh well...' Naruto thought. 'So much for leaving off where I started!' "Well," he began, "since you're here, how about we hang out today and get some ramen?" "Love too, but can't," Shikamaru said, "Chouji and I are helping Yamato work on reports about a large group of bandits. It will take all day to file them; it's a drag if you ask me." "These bandits are everywhere, aren't they?"

"Big trouble, big trouble!" a voice said. Naruto looked behind and saw Moegi running up. "Moegi, what's the matter?" he asked. "Has anyone seen Sakura or Ino?" Moegi asked. "We just saw Ino just up the road a few minutes ago," Chouji replied, "Why?" "That stupid Konohamaru! He overdid it in his training yesterday, and now, his in the infirmary!" Naruto just chuckled and said, "I told him not to stress so much!" Moegi ran to find Ino as Naruto waved bye to his two childhood friends.

Walking up the street, Naruto pondered on what he was going to do today. "Man, doing things by myself is so boring!" he said to himself. He then accidentally bumped into someone, which both of them fell on the ground. They both looked at each other. "Hinata?" "Naruto..." Hinata said blushing. "Oh, I'm sorry," he said, helping her up, "I was completely bummed out, I didn't see you there!" "It's okay," Hinata said standing up, "I was caught up in my own worries."

Naruto felt very awkward around Hinata; after all, she was the one who confessed to him during Pain's invasion. Not to mention, helped him snap out of his self-pity when her cousin, Neji, was killed. But still, his friendship with her was just as important as anyone else's. "Hey," he began, "How about you and I hang for today? I could use the company!" "I like that," Hinata said.

Sakura started resting on her bed after another long day of shopping with Ino. "I guess that will do for new clothes for this week," she said, "Just shopping with Ino alone is tiring..."

She then sat up and looked down at one of the bags. She pulled a piece of clothing; a white kimono with a pink sash, and placed it in her lap. 'I hope that Naruto like this dress I got!' she thought. 'I mean, I did buy it for him to see me in...' Then she started thinking about what Ino said yesterday.

(Flashback)

"HELLLO! I'm talking about Naruto, forehead! In case you haven't noticed, but he IS the talk of the town right now, especially when it comes to girls! But, on the serious tip, Sakura, it's about time to step up. Because, sooner or later, Naruto is going to be off the market..."

(End Flashback)

Sakura snapped out of her daydream and shook her head. "No! No! No!" she shouted, "This isn't right; I love Sasuke! Naruto is just a dear friend...just a..." Then, without her noticing, pictures of Naruto flooded her mind; his expressions were clear as day to her: his anger, his sadness, his indifference... But the most important expression...was his smile. Sakura knew first hand how smile can change the whole landscape of everything. Everytime he smiled, someone would always know that things will turn out just fine.

'Just a dear friend, who has been there for me, for the most part of my life...' Sakura thought. 'Even after I lied to his face... Come to think of it, I haven't seen Naruto truly smile in a long time.' "Most importantly," she began talking, "He and I...haven't really talked since we came back..." Shaking off the doubts, Sakura grew a determined look. 'It's about time I settled things, once and for all! The Konoha Grand Festival is tonight, so when I see Naruto, he and I will clear the air between us!'

At the Konoha Hospital, a loud scream was heard throughout the halls. "OOOOOWWW!" a voice shouted. Shikamaru, who was visiting the hospital at the time, entered the room, where the scream came from. Inside the room, Konohamaru was getting his arm wrapped in a sling; Ino was wrapping his sling. Moegi was watching.

"I was wondering what that screaming was!" Shikamaru said. "Hey, Shikamaru!" Ino said finishing, "It's nothing to worry about. It's just Konohamaru getting to trouble again!" "Lucky for Naruto," Konohamaru began, "He didn't see how far I got in my training!" "You're lucky that you only pulled a muscle!" Moegi replied. "You shouldn't worry about that, Moegi! I'll be just fine when I take you to the Konoha Grand Festival tonight." "You're an idiot, geez!"

"How about you, Ino?" Shikamaru asked, "You're going too, I suppose!" "Of course!" Ino replied, "I didn't spend all my time shopping just to stay at home! I'm going to be turning heads tonight! What about you? Isn't Temari coming?" "I don't know. Besides, I may not have the time, considering that Yamato and I are following up reports concerning bandits." "They're everywhere, are they?" "That's exactly what Naruto said..."

On top of the Hokage Monument, Naruto and Hinata was staring down at the village. "I can't believe how the village has changed in the past three years," Naruto replied, "It feels like a dream." "Do you wish that dream would end?" Hinata asked. "No way! I'm planning on becoming Hokage very soon! So, I'm going to let Kakashi have his fun for a while longer!"

Silence went between as a slight wind blew. "So, how is the Hyuuga Clan?" Naruto asked, "Are they trying to figure out what to do now that Neji is gone?" "My family," Hinata began, "are already making plans to make me Head, with my sister being second-in-line." "That's good! Besides, Neji wouldn't want us dwelling on the past."

Seconds later, Hinata took a deep breath and said, "Naruto, are you going to the Konoha Grand Festival tonight?" Naruto looked right at her, after the question was heard. He knew what she wanted to ask: She wanted him to be her date for the festival. Scratching his cheek in embarassment, Naruto said, "Well, I was planning on going, but I don't how long I am going to stay. With this long-term therapy they have me on, not to mention I'm sleeping more than usual, it just depends..."

"Is it about Sakura?" Hinata asked. Naruto stopped what he was doing. "No!" he said, chuckling, "What are you talking about? This isn't about Sakura..." Hinata grabbed his face with her hands. "I hate people who lie to themselves!" she said, turning his words, the same words he used on Sakura, on him. With a normal look, Naruto said, "Who told you?" "Ten Ten told me, after Ino told her. Listen, I know that you and Sakura haven't talked to each other much, since the war ended. But, I think it's about time you two started getting that relationship back." Smiling at her most important person, Hinata gave him a kiss on the cheek. Then she said, "And, when you do get her back as a friend, if it doesn't work between you two, I'll be waiting..."

After she lets go, Naruto just smiled as the wind blew once more. "Thanks, Hinata..." he said, "Guess I needed that." "Now, if you'll excuse me," Hinata said, "I need to go speak with Kiba." "Why?" "After all the times, he's made fun of me, now it's my turn!" After she left, Naruto felt a knot in his stomach. "I'm not liking this..."

In another area, unknown to everyone, a massive group of bandits rendezvous around a small campfire.

"What are we doing here anyway, Boss?" one of the bandits asked. "Pipe down," another replied, "Somebody offered us a whole lot of money for a job..."

"And that...would be me!" a voice said. Many bandits turned their head towards somebody who came out of the shadows, without a hitch. "Who in the hell are you?!" "I am nothing more than a mere shaman," the person said, wearing a mask, "And, I have a job for all of you that will make you bandits might as rich..." The Shaman snapped his fingers and out came this big bag that was tied up. "What is this, Old Man?" one of the bandits said. "I will this bag of gold coins to any and all people who will participate in the assassination of Naruto Uzumaki!"

"Naruto Uzumaki?" another bandit said, "Isn't that Leaf Ninja brat?" "Yes, and he has become quite the hero around the Ninja World. Kill him and I can make it worth your while..." "Old man, now you've got me interested..."

[A Few Hours Later ~ Konoha Grand Festival]

Everyone was having a great time. Konohamaru and Moegi were busy playing games at the booths. Ino was too busy having fun with the men. Meanwhile, Naruto was walking the streets of the festival by himself.

"I hope that this is alright, wearing my Ninja Outfit and all," he said, "I didn't have a chance to find a kimono for this..." "Naruto!" a voice said. Naruto turned around and saw Rock Lee and Ten Ten in kimonos. "Bushy Brow! Ten Ten! Did you two just get here yourselves?" "Yeah," Ten Ten replied, "But, I'm only with Lee for moral support. He and Guy-sensei are going to take part in an eating contest! I feel like I got the short end of the stick!" "You shouldn't feel that way, Ten Ten!" Rock Lee replied, "Even eating contests are a way for the Power of Youth to explode!"

'And how are Eating Contests helping the Power of Youth!?' both Naruto and Ten Ten thought. "Well," Ten Ten then said, "We better get going. We're already late as is. We'll see you later, Naruto!" As the two of them left, Naruto started to smile. "Looks like I'm going to have fun after all!" he said. "Um...Naruto?"

Naruto turned around again and saw a beautiful girl, wearing a white kimono with a pink sash. Her hair was tied up, but her beauty was something Naruto couldn't keep her eyes off of. He walked up closer towards her as she kept looking down. "S-Sakura?" he said. The girl lifted her head up; it was indeed Sakura. Naruto's smile grew bigger. "You look absolutely great!" he said next. "Well, I should!" Sakura said, "I mean, I did buy this for you...I was hoping that we could spend time together." "I like that. Shall we get going?" Smiling, Sakura took Naruto by the arm and they both. "Sorry, I couldn't get a kimono for me..." "It's ok. You're fine just the way you are..."

The two of them spend their time greatly. At most of the time, they looking at goldfish and flowers. They also had some nourishment. In one of the game booths, Naruto played a game and won a teddy bear. He gave it to Sakura, who blushed at the response. They went to the Eating Contest booths, and laughed at Might Guy and Rock Lee eating themselves to death.

After another few hours of fun, the moon was in the midnight alignment. Naruto and Sakura sat upon a hill, away from the festival, watching the moon. "The moon has never been more beautiful, than it is tonight!" Sakura said. "I see something else that beautiful, too," Naruto said looking at her. Blushing once again, Sakura tried to say what was on her mind. "O-Of course! I said, I picked this kimono out just for you! Geez, you're always seem fit to joke with me!" "I mean it!" "Huh?" "This is one of the moments, that I never felt more alive now, just spending time with my friends! Not to mention, I so happy that we have a chance to rekindle our friendship like this!"

"But!" Sakura said trying to say something. "I know! I know!" Naruto said, continuing to smile, "You still love Sasuke! But hey, how about hanging out with people you deeply care for?" 'Geez, you're such an idiot!' she thought. 'But...he's right, I do love Sasuke. So, why is my heart pumping so fast when I see and think about Naruto?' Sakura continued to look at Naruto as she grabbed on to her chest. "Naruto, I..."

Before she could say anything else, a flash appeared in the sky; the Festival's fireworks were blazing. "That is awesome, believe it!" Naruto shouted. They both stood up as the colored lights blazed in the night sky. Without her knowing, Sakura leaned against Naruto. "Did you have fun?" Naruto asked. "Yeah, I did..." Sakura replied with a sincere voice. They both looked at each other; they didn't know it, but they were leaning towards each other. Their lips nearly touched...

"What are you two doing here?" a voice said. Naruto and Sakura both jumped as they saw Shikamaru and Temari appeared. "Shikamaru, you made it!" Naruto said. "Huh?" Sakura breathed, "Temari? What are you doing here?" "Yeah, I heard that you weren't able to make it to the Festival!" "Kakashi gave me an early reprieve; I got here about an hour ago," Shikamaru responded. "I got in the village fast enough to surprise him!" Temari said, "Just in time, too!" The fireworks continued to display themselves in the night sky. As the four of them were side by side, Sakura looked at Naruto. She took a deep breath and sighed.

'That was close!' Sakura thought. 'I'm just glad that Shikamaru and Temari didn't see us! I mean...Naruto and I...we almost kissed!'

Another day has come and gone as the fireworks marks the ending of the Konoha Grand Festival. However, unbeknownst to the ninjas of the Leaf Village, their time of peace would come crashing to a screeching, but dangerous halt...

A/N: This chapter is a little longer than the first! Please review! Next Chapter: The Story takes off!