The Kohona Festival

I found this wonderful story here: http://www.anime-fanfiction.com/viewstory.php?sid=118

I decided to put it here on my page. Thanks to the author!!!

Among the music that was playing loudly, the whiffs of candy and sweet smelling incense, a boy with messy blonde hair thrust his hands into his pockets, leaning against a fence with colorful lanterns that put the brightness of fire to shame. His sharp hearing listening to the drunken and loud bursts of laughter from some girls in beautiful kimono's, the neck line pulled down so you could see some cleverage. Jiraya loined in, his voice booming like thunder as he made a toast of something or other. Naruto's sapphire eyes turned to the dance floor, or what was the street, where women and men of the village swayed to the music, blushing and flirtatious gestures were not something rare, and it was garunteed no one would sleep alone tonight. He grinned a little mischevously as he spotted Kurenai and Asuma dancing close together and swaying slowly, despite of the fast dance music coming from the flutes and drums on the tops of roofs above them. It was festival time in Kohona, where food stands lined the sidewalks and people danced in the street. Uzamaki Naruto was on the search for Sakura, and his face heat up at the thought of her out of her ninja clothes and into a pretty kimono. He looked around, and before he knew it, Sakura tugged on his arm sleeve, spinning him around. "Oi, Naruto, do you know where Sasuke is?" She asked a little worriedly. Her blossom pink hair was tied back in a messy ponytail, and thick strands of hair remained around her face. Her kimono was cut lose like the women over with Jiraya, it having pictures of pink flower blossoms flowing across it and into water, it's ripples were silver. But was caught Naruto's eye most of all was her beautiful face, her emerald eyes glittering and made up with faint eyeshadow and blush. "S-Sakura-chan?" He stuttered, and she tapped her foot impatiently. "Yeah, Naruto? Have you seen Sasuke-kun?" She repeated, and he shook his head. "Iao. He never comes." He told her truthfully. Because he never did. And Sakura always ended up crying aferward, which put Naruto in a sad mood and even more pissed off at Sasuke. She sighed wistfully, her chin dipping a bit lower, and she suddenly looked older to Naruto. A slow song came on, and Naruto smiled widely. "Come on, Sakura -chan, let's dance!" He grabbed her wrist before she could protest and dragged her onto the street, swiftly sliding his hand into her and curling the other around her waist, and it was the most awkward position he had ever done, not to mention Sakura was actually holding his hand. "Naruto! your doing this all wrong! And I didn't even say I wanted to dance you baka!" But she saw the wave of hurt that came into his eyes, and deciding she had nothing else to do, and she needed to forget Sasuke, she slid his hand out of hers and placed it on her hips, and then, with slight hesitation, put her arms around his neck, pulling him closer. His eyes went wide, and he whispered, "S-S-Sakura-chan...?" He was so close, he could count her eye lashes if he tried. Then he smiled widely and screamed, "HELL YEAH!!! SOMEONE'S DANCING WITH ME! BETTER YET, THE PRETTIEST GIRL IN KOHONA!" People swaying beside him ignored him, to involved with their lover to notice. Sakura slapped him across the face. "You don't have to tell the whole world!!!" To her surprise, he just shut up then and pulled her closer, to close they were pressing against the other, and he set his head on the nape of her neck. "Naruto...?" Sakura's eyes went wide, and she glanced nervously at her veiw of his head. "Are you feeling better?" He murmered, his breath tickling her neck. She shivered, this wasn't like Naruto at all. She then let herself give in to the music, to Naruto's warm body, and she felt at peace, just dancing with him slowly to the flutes playing a sad but beautiful tune. The song ended, and she answered, "Hai..." She pulled away from him, and sighed again. "Listen, Naruto, I don't like you that way..." "I know." he grinned, but she could tell his voice had a hollow ring to it. "But atleast I got to dance with you! And, it felt really good." he brought his hands up to her shoulders, and squeezed lightly. "I just want you to be happy, Sakura-chan. That bastard Sasuke doesn't deserve you." She would let that comment slide, for now. She nodded, and hugged him tightly, causing him to take a step backward in surprise. "Thank you Naruto...kun..." She swiftly let go, and dissapeared through the crowd. Naruto sat there for a moment, and yelled, "YEEEAH! SHE CALLED ME KUN! SHE CALLED ME KUN!!!!" he raised a triumpht fist. "BEAT THAT SASUKE!!!BEAT THAT!!!" "Get off the street!" A familar voice told him, and Naruto whipped around. "Shikamaru?!" "Yeah, get off! Your making too much noise." Naruto jogged over to him, and Shikamaru began to walk away. "Ano sa! Did you just see that?!" "Go away." "I danced with Sakura-chan!" "So what." He spat, and Naruto blinked, a little taken aback. "What's your problem?!" "Shikamaru slid down the fence until he sat down, and looked up at the gleaming starry night. Naruto joined him. "It's too much of a hassle to explain to a dumbass like you, but...I really want to get close to someone, but she's ignoring me." he eyes drifted from skyward to the dance floor, and Naruto followed his gaze. He found Ino dancing, a smirk on her face as her long, blonde hair rippled down her shoulders, seeming to capture all of the light around her. She was clad in a purple kimono that was cut short with slits up the side, and down in a v neck. A single, golden outline that glittered of a cosmo was traced on the front of it. "You like Ino?" Naruto grinned, and Shikamaru pretended to gag. "Are you crazy?! I hate that pig." "haha! It's alright, I like Sakura. Although, Sakura is a whole lot better looking." "No way, Ino's much more beautiful." Naruto raised an eybrow, and Shikamaru scowled. "It's okay, I like Sakura, it's nothing to be ashamed about." He rested his hands behind his head in his trademark style. Shikamaru glared at him. "I never said I like Ino...and why am I arguing with you, anyway? Besides..." he shook his head wistfully, "love...it's too troublesome." "Neh?" Naruto cocked his head to one side. "You say something?" Shikamaru face faulted, then stood up, brushing his shoulder off and riding any imaginary dirt that could've rested there. "I'm leaving..." He started walking away, and Naruto frowned. "INO!! SHIKAMARU'S LEAVING!!!" He yelled, and Ino opened her eyes and looked the way he was pointing. "IS SASUKE HERE?!" She cupped her hands around her mouth, and naruto suddenly got an idea. he pointed the way Shikamaru had gone too. "THAT WAY!!!" Ino squealed in joy and jogged across the street and down the side walk, running a hand through her shiny hair and humming as she went. Naruto snickered, when suddenly he felt someone punch his back. "What the hell?!" he spun around, to find Kiba standing there, Akamaru on his perched a top his head. "Oh, it's just you and the mutt." "Naruto, have you seen Hinata? I've been looking for her..." A pang of jealousy churned inside of Naruto. "What do you want her for?!" "I was told to keep an eye on her, because she's easy to pick pocket!!" Kiba snapped back, and his dog barked in agreement. " I'm afraid she might have gotten lost...or something..." "Alright, I'll help you find her, dog-boy..." he crossed his arms, 'but it's only for Hinata!" "Right. Report back here after you've searched the area." They nodded, and the two set of in different directions.

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