Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto
A/N #1: YES, I ACTUALLY UPDATED!!! The reason I haven't for so long is that I couldn't come up with any ideas. So that's why I posted a chapter 5 before, asking for help. I got many ideas. So... thanks to the following people for taking their precious time and coming up with ideas/suggestions for me: Shenrei, antiassasinguy, Lord Purity, The-Fei, Genesis D. Rose, Demon of the Bloody Blade, sparkygate, and Wolf07. Your ideas were very helpful and I really appreciated them!
All of you had different ideas (some were pretty similar), but I can only use a few. I'm combining ideas from you guys.
And thanks to the following people for reviewing the previous chapter: LbcLostKid, cutepuplover, Riiiceballe, Soul of the Silver Phoenix, The hero of time 2005, Ranko, Guess Who Xx, naruto#1fan hate sasuke, Genesis D. Rose, DemonPrince666, DemonPrince666, saiyan prince1, Nyce456, Shinku Naito, horus501, Remusscarface, full-metal-sousuke, full-metal-sousuke, Monkeymandb, Shinigami143 , Ichaichauchiha1, WhateverBLEH, another random writer, obliviandragon, Lord Purity, Hopelessly Hopefull, unlovedepacifist, Wolf07, SeparatedCow, ... , Chibi-Chipmunk on Crack, and dot dot dot.
A/N #2: For some reason, this chapter was a little hard to get out. It just wouldn't flow right. Every time I type something, I have to think for a long time about what to write next (which was very frustrating). So I hope this hasn't turned out too badly because to me, it seemed very crappy...
I Will Win This Bet!
Chapter 5: "This Sensation"
"Kiba! Hinata! Shino!" Naruto yelled, jumping down a rooftop to land beside Team 8 who were walking down the streets of Konoha.
"M-morning, Naruto-kun." Hinata said.
"Morning," the blonde said in return.
Kiba turned to Naruto, "What's up? What're you here for?" he asked. Unless Naruto had another plan for the bet, there was no other reason he would be here. 'He's also running out of time.' Kiba thought.
"Hehe!" Naruto jabbed a finger in Kiba's direction, a grin spread across his features. "You owe me something 'cause I won the bet!!"
Kiba's eyes opened wide, and then his mouth dropped. Hinata made a gasping sound, and even Shino raised an eyebrow.
It was Kiba who recovered first. He was smirking. "Yeah right, Naruto. Who's going to believe that?"
Naruto's mouth slowly opened, "What do you mean?"
"You probably realized that you were running out of time, so that's why you made up a story." Kiba said, his smirk still in place. "It's impossible that you succeeded."
Naruto took a step closer to Kiba angrily. "Are you calling me a liar?" He said quite loudly.
Kiba raised his hands in a defensive kind of manner."Take it easy, man. I know how you feel, it's natural to tell a lie. It's probably frustrating for you to even think about not eating ramen for three months."
"Kiba, I'm not lying." Naruto began, stepping even closer to the dog boy. He did not like it when other people called him a liar. It didn't matter if they hit him, called him a loser or plainly ignored him. But to call him a person who would lie about something like this? In the real ninja world, lies were necessary like for infiltrations. But something like this was such a small matter, why would he lie?
Shino and Hinata stared at the two boys, not moving. Kiba continued.
"Tell ya what," he said. "I won't make you stop eating ramen for three months. How 'bout just a week? Just admit it already."
There was a quick flash, and Kiba was in the air, hovering a few inches above the ground by the front of his shirt. Hinata gasped, "Naruto-kun, Kiba-kun!"
"Kiba!" Naruto growled. 'Why am I losing my temper?' "I am telling the truth. I have won the bet because it was ME who went on a date with her. It was ME who kissed her!"
A few villagers' heads turned but Team 8 and Naruto didn't notice. Hinata was too busy preventing herself from fainting. Shino was too busy trying to prevent himself from falling over in a uncharacteristic kind of way, and Kiba was too busy trying to stop his jaw from hitting the floor.
"WHAT?!" Kiba yelled as Naruto finally put him down.
"So now you believe --" Naruto started.
Kiba cut him off, "What?! YOU kissed her?!" His tone was strange, as though indicating some deeper meaning.
Now, almost every villagers' attention was drawn to the scene they were making. All were wondering who the 'her' was.
Naruto's eyes widened for a brief moment. "W-what are you talking about, I... Look, I didn't do anything! She doesn't think anything of me!"
"How is it that you can be so sure?" Surprisingly, it was Shino who spoke.
There was a moment of silence before Naruto said, "I... I said stupid things on the date that upset her..." he explained. "But in the end, I don't know why, she just... k-kissed... me... But it didn't mean anything, I KNOW, I could tell."
Kiba didn't look convinced. It was natural for him to be concerned about his former sensei, since their team had been together for so many years. Would his sensei, who usually seemed so serious about everything, randomnly go kissing a guy? Well, his opinion was a plain 'NO'. To him, she didn't seem like the type to go around flirting.
"You still need to kiss her one more time, 'cause we haven't seen you do it." Kiba said. 'Besides, if Naruto really does succeed to do so, it may mean that... Argh, what am I thinking? But then, if she does, why would she? Am I thinking too much? But I always thought she liked either Asuma-san or Anko-san, even though I would never tell her so...'
"...ba... KIBA!" Naruto's loud voice snapped Kiba out of his thoughts.
The dog boy looked up, "What?"
"Eh, about what you just said..." Naruto paused for a long time, eyes wandering away. "I can't..." he finally said.
There was a mixture of two emotions. One was relief, from Hinata. The other was disappointment, from Kiba.
After a while of thinking, Kiba said, "Ok then, Naruto. I'll give you a few more days to accomplish this 'mission' and this time, we have to be able to witness the whole thing."
"But I already said I couldn't..."
Kiba was already gone, with a cloud of smoke surrounding the spot where he'd been a few seconds ago.
"The deal for whoever wins is still the same!" Kiba's voice echoed from who-knows-where.
It was late in the evening now, and Naruto had long gotten home. There, he sat on his favourite couch (where he usually sat thinking).
Naruto heaved a huge sigh.
"This is so complicated!!" He moaned, leaning back. He looked up at the ceiling where his light source hung from. "But then, if I look at it in a more optimistic kind of way... Kurenai-san is pretty nice, sweet, cool, and..." There were too many to list.
He suddenly stood up, dropping the pillow he'd been holding. "But I'm Uzumaki Naruto. I do not give up -- ever!" He grinned to himself. "This is nothing compared to those S-rank and A-rank missions!"
That evening, Naruto continued sitting on the same couch, deep in thought. There were many possibilites as to what he could do. He'd thought of a few plans, but how could he pull them off?
Next Day: Hokage Tower; Office
It was a beautiful morning. Birds chirping, kids playing outside, villagers working. Except...
"Tsunade-obaa-chaaaaan!!" Naruto's whine was a perfect immitation of an 8-year old.
A vein popped on Tsunade's forehead. "It's out of the question." She said again for the fifth time. She continued to stamp papers.
"But this is really important to me!" Naruto exclaimed in exaggeration. "Konoha is so peaceful right now anyway! Nothing's happened for years, and I'll become Hokage soon --"
"Brat, who said I was going to pick you?" Tsunade asked. Even though she most likely would pick him, she didn't want Naruto to slack off because of the assurance of getting the position.
"Of course I will be Hokage, maybe not Rokudaime, but I'll be the next then! But that isn't the point, what I mean is, it'll only be for one evening till morning, Tsunade-obaa-chan!"
Another vein popped. "Stop whining, and stop calling me 'obaa-chan'."
Naruto took a step back and laughed nervously. "Hokage-dono! Pleeeaase!" He made the most innocent puppy eyes he could manage, eyes seeming to shine in innocence.
Tsunade sighed in annoyance. She had to admit, Naruto really looked cute that way. Besides, his request wasn't dangerous or anything, it was just... too 'troublesome'. She sighed again and said in defeat, "Fine... when do you want it to be?"
"So you grant my request?" Naruto flew forward behind the desk.
"...Yes..."
In a flash, Naruto was on top of the table (stepping on Tsunade's paperwork) and hugging her so tightly that she couldn't even breathe properly. And she thought she was strong...
"Thanks obaa-chan, you're the best!" He grinned as he finally released her. "I think tomorrow evening will be the best, I'll help set up things and you can hold some sort of meeting some time today! Thanks again, baa-chan!"
He disappeared in a 'poof' of smoke. Tsunade shook her head. Well, it looked like she didn't have to do paperwork for the time being since she had to hold a meeting with the entire village. Very 'troublesome'.
An hour later, the whole village found themselves gathered at the base of the Hokage Tower with Tsunade and Shizune standing by the railings above them.
There was a lot of muttering and chatting going on. Everyone was wondering what the sudden gathering was for. Even Genin and Academy students had been called.
"Listen up, everyone!" Tsunade loud and commanding voice quieted everyone. All heads turned upward to pay attention. "This sudden meeting was held in regards to a special event... that will be coming up tomorrow."
A few 'whoops' of joy followed, but they immediately shut up because of the glares the other older people were giving them.
Tsunade continued, "We will hold a festival tomorrow evening starting at 9 o'clock at the far side of the village. This festival is being held for... you could say 'relaxation' and 'stress relief'; a gift." There was no way she was going to say that she was holding this even because of a request from one young and energetic boy. The elders would surely call her too gullible and all sorts of other unpleasant things...
At lunch time, Naruto was extremely content. Tomorrow, the main part of the plan would kick into action.
Next to the blonde, a groan was heard, followed by a: "What's wrong, Kiba-kun?"
"Naruto," Kiba said, face contorted into a frown while stuffing his mouth with food in semi frustration. "I can't believe you went so far as to hold a festival just for the bet. What I can't believe more is that Hokage-sama accepted your request!"
Bits of food flew out of his mouth as he spoke, making Naruto chuckle at the sight. Even Shino's mouth twitched upward behind the collar of his coat and hood (but no one noticed).
"And you'll be there to see me win," Naruto said happily, making Kiba frown even more. "Plus, I'll be able to witness you asking Tsunade-obaa-chan to see her cleavage!" This time, Naruto really had to laugh out loud, clutching his stomach in a comical kind of way.
"But then again, you still may not succeed." The dog boy said.
And Kiba was stating a fact.
Festival; 9:25 pm
He was dressed in a black t-shirt and dark blue shorts (showing off his well toned body). Naruto waited patiently for a particular person to arrive. He just hoped she wouldn't suddenly change her mind... After all, he'd gone through the embarassing issue of asking her to go to the festival with him, and to his shock, she actually accepted! Good thing no one asked before him too...
Naruto looked around. Many villagers and shinobi had already arrived, and were already doing different things. They varied from playing games, hanging out, sitting and enjoying the scenery, or just doing other randomn things. There were actually many others that were too long to list...
Currently, Team 8 (with the exception of Kurenai) were already inside the festival. Kiba, Hinata and Shino went together as a team. Instead of stalking Naruto everywhere he went when he participated in the activities, they would stalk him when the main event began. Naruto had told them that then would be the time Naruto would make his plan take action.
Of course, Team 8 (or rather, Kiba led with Hinata and Shino following) went out of their way before the festival began to inform every member of the Rookie Nine and Team Gai to carefully observe Naruto during the main event, though they didn't know what it was. Currently, every member of the Rookie Nine plus Team Gai were enjoying the festivities.
Out of the crowd, Naruto spotted a red-eyed brunette. She was wearing a black skirt and a red t-shirt along with her usual ninja sandals.
He waved, "Kurenai-san!"
And she waved back in a very feminine way.
"Thanks for coming." Naruto said as he walked up to her.
"I said I would come, didn't I?" They both continued walking toward the entrance of the festival which was decorated with many different colours and designs.
He grinned sheepishly, "Yeah." 'But I thought you might change your mind...' "Anyway, Kurenai-san..."
"You can drop the honorifics, Naruto."
Her smile made him blush a little, though he didn't know why.
"O-okay. Ah, what would you like to do first, Kurenai?"
"Hmm..." There was a pause, and then, suddenly, Naruto felt his hand being grabbed, surprising him completely. Next thing he knew, he was being led toward different stands. How many people could surprise him like that?
For the next few hours, Naruto felt himself enjoying spending time with Kurenai more and more. Letting her lead the way, letting her suggest different activites to him. He'd already won many different things for her. He loved it when she smiled up at him, with those absolutely beautiful lips. Every time he looked at her there would be this feeling in his chest, an unfamiliar feeling. It was unfamiliar alright, but he liked it anyway, and he held onto those soft hands tighter.
"OW!" Naruto yelled, swinging his hands upward and out of the water. The fish that bit him landed back in the water of the small container and continued swimming.
"Oh, I'm sorry!" The owner of the stand said, staring at the bleeding hand. "I'll --"
"Nah, it's okay, ojii-san. I'll live." 'Even though before, Kyuubi's chakra would have healed it...'
Naruto walked away and continued walking until he felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun around to see Kurenai. This was the second time today she'd surprised him!
"Are you alright, Naruto?" Kurenai's soft and caring tone reached his ears.
"Y-yes. It's only a small bite."
Kurenai took Naruto bitten hand and studied it (his breathing rate increased). The fish definitely had sharp teeth.
"Wait." Kurenai ordered and walked away.
Naruto just stood there, slowly calming down. He looked after the direction Kurenai had gone.
There was this feeling again. Something he couldn't identify, something he couldn't fight. Something he wanted, but what was it?
Kurenai came back a while later, holding some bandages. "You shouldn't leave a wound open like that, it might get infected." She motioned for his hand, and he gave it to her.
To him, it seemed like slow motion as she wrapped the bandages carefully around and around, giving him time to study her more: Perfect features, especially those lips. Perfect body (he unconsciously blushed). Perfect... everything...
"That should do." Kurenai smiled one of her smiles again. "Let's go somewhere else, Naruto."
He was in a daze right now, and his plan hadn't even begun yet...
A/N: Probably didn't have a lot of exciting stuff or anything, BUT, that's only cause this is a chapter that introduces you guys to a major (kind of major...) event. I've got plans for what should happen in future chapters already, so look forward to them!
On a side note: I really enjoyed writing the last part of this chapter. )
By the way!! Be prepared for some fluff (yes, FLUFF) in later chapters. Probably in the next chapter or 7th chapter (IF everything goes as planned).
Next Chapter:
The main even is starting and Naruto won't miss his chance -- again.