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Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto. Just Konomi and the plot.

Chunin Exams: Dinner Surprises

Restaurant

Konomi's Point of View

When we entered the restaurant my first thought was wow. It seemed that everyone else had the same idea to go out and celebrate before the tournament. The place was crowded and you could practically feel the excitement radiating off the shinobi and civilians, no doubt tomorrow's going to be a big day.

After a while we were finally seated at a large table overlooking the vast desert and began ordering the food.

The genin chatted excitedly amongst themselves, wishing each other luck and slipping a few strategies into the conversation. They were cautious of course, with the entire restaurant being filled with other competitors and their mentors. By listening in I was able to pick up some lies and fake methods the Kumo genin were discussing. Clever, tricking anyone who would be listening in. Quite impressive.

While A-sama and Darui were talking about tactics that might be present in tomorrow's tournament, Mabui and I exchanged a look… we both felt the shift in the air, being highly trained in sensory.

Warm chakra… Leaf shinobi are here I think to myself and share a nod with Mabui.

A few minutes later they were seated at a large table next to ours. Immediately the air grew heavy with tension. Although the genin were weary of each other, they nodded their heads in greeting. The real tension was between the higher ranked ninja.

How many times have our two villages fought each other? How many wars? How many lives lost?

Clearly the hostess didn't know about the ongoing conflict between the Leaf and Cloud.

After an intense staredown, Lord Raikage and Lord Hokage nodded to each other. Dispersing most of the tension and I sensed the Leaf shinobi lower their chakra levels. At this I chuckle Did they really think we were going to attack in the middle of a restaurant? And the night before the tournament as well? Hilarious.

Our food was brought over and we started to eat. It was quite a feast: Kamameshi, Ochazuke, Onigiri, Omurice, Sekihan, Hiyashi chuka, Yaki soba and Yaki udon. We also had Karaage, Ebi tempura, Tonkatsu, along with Dango, Higashi, Kakigori, and Sosu senbei. A-sama and the older ninja drank sake while the rest of us ordered water.

"Itadakimasu!" We all said and digged in, enjoying the flavors and textures of the food.

After a while, the Leaf's food was brought out as well. They, like us, had ordered quite a feast in honor of their genin and began eating as well.

Looking at them from the corner of my eye I recognized a couple of the finalist: Itachi Uchiha, Ran Uchiha, Akio Inuzuka, Kaito Hyuga, Mizuki Hyuga, Yumi Koizumi, and many other genin. This explains why there are so many clan members attending the tournament. Two Uchihas and Two Hyugas made it. Of course they would want to show off their strength. Itachi Uchiha hmmm… next heir to the Uchihas. He should be interesting to watch. Along with two main branch genin. Interesting indeed.

Despite what my other Kumo nin and citizens believe, I don't think obtaining the Byakugan would be significantly beneficial to us. Of course it would prove to be useful but we should be able to increase our strength based off hard work, not stealing some Hyuga's eyes.

Sighing I stand up, causing several of the Konoha nin to look up from their meals. In return I stare back at them noticing how tense they've become, partially the Hyugas. They really think I care soo much about the Byakugan. I had to resist the urge to roll my eyes. As if.

Mabui looks up at me with questioning emerald eyes.

"Bathroom." I say.

She nods and stands up as well. "I'll come with you."

Silently excusing ourselves we leave the table and enter the bathroom. One look and we both burst out laughing.

"Did you see how tense those Konoha nin looked?" she asked though the laughter.

"I know right! What'd they think we'd do? Kill them all and then eat their food?" I joke.

We laugh some more before heading to the stalls.

"Hey, did you notice how the Hyuga's kept glancing our way?" Mabui asked.

"Yeah, they looked like they thought we were gonna drive a knife through their eyeballs and flee." I responded exiting the stall and washing my hands. Soon Mabui joined me.

"It's so stupid how we still care about the Byakugan. We're one of the most feared villages for Kami sake!" Mabui exclaimed.

I nodded in agreement. Like myself, Mabui and Darui along with some other shinobi believed it was a waste of time to keep hunting the Byakugan. It would only result in more conflict between the Cloud and Leaf and more deaths. The three of us had been trying to convince A-sama to stop for awhile now and slowly he was caving in.

"I have to admit though, Uchihas are as hot as everyone says they are." I comment with a giggle.

"Of course! They spend all their time shooting fireballs around! All that heat has to help their appearances." Mabui joked.

"Somehow I don't think it works that way!" I laugh and she bursts out into more laughter.

Taking one more look in the mirror, I usher Mabui to follow me back to the table.

When we got back, everyone was already done eating.

"There you guys are! Why do girls have to go to the bathroom together and why do they take so long?" Darui questioned, looking at us like we were hopeless.

"Don't even go there, boys couldn't understand even if they tried." I answer and Mabui nods her head while giggling. Playfully Darui rolls his eyes.

The bill is split between the three of us, and afterwards we congratulate the genin finalists on making it to the final round and wished them good luck before we all left the restaurant, heading back to the building for a good night's rest.

I was the last one to finish gathering my things and when I looked up I saw all the leaf nin staring me. I held their stare and then stooped into a low bow, not missing their gasps of shock. Someone has to start an attempt to relieve the tension between the villages if we ever want to end these pointless battles. Guess it might as well be me.

Slowly I rose, following the others out and leaving the leaf nin staring wide eyed and gaping behind me.

Author's Note:

Well? What did you guys think? Leave me your comments and reviews and I'll try to respond to them in the next chapter! Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed it!

Types of food mentioned:

Kamameshi: rice cooked in iron pot

Ochazuke: green tea on cooked rice

Onigiri: rice ball

Omurice: omelette made with fried rice

Sekihan: sticky rice steamed with adzuki beans

Hiyashi Chuka: chilled ramen noodles with various toppings

Yaki Soba: fried noodles, vegetables, and meat with sweetish sauce

Yaki Udon: stirred fried udon noodles with meat and vegetables

Karaage: various foods deep fried in oil

Ebi Tempura: seafood or shrimp deep fried in batter

Tonkatsu: a breaded, deep fried pork cutlet

Dango: dumpling and sweet made from mochiko

Higashi: type of wagashi

Kakigori: shaved ice dessert flavored with syrup

Sosu Senbei: thin rice wafers in various sizes

Sake: rice wine