The Golden Fox And The Crimson Dragon Blade

Chapter 27: The Hidden Leaf Festival And Sasuke's Final Choice

Only 20 minutes remained before Dom was to meet up with Naruto and the three sand genin from the chunin exams. After the great battle, the sand had apparently reached out to the leaf and proposed a truce along with an alliance kept under strict surveillance by the leaf which they agreed to since they didn't have the means to invade the sand at that moment.

As a show of good will, Tsunade had invited the sand to participate in the festival though most of the sand villagers and ninja had chosen to avoid it since they still felt guild towards the leaf for attacking them unprovoked. However, the sand trio who were now all chunin along with around 12 sand shinobi had chosen to come mostly because of Gaara's request to meet Naruto again.

He clocked out of his room and hit the streets that were now filled with happy villagers who were prepared to enjoy the festival to the fullest, Naruto was relaxing on top of a building being a little cautious since he didn't know what the villagers might try and pull, even if they knew that they would have no chance in hell with Dom even if they deployed a johnin to take him out.

He looked to his side as Gaara appeared in a sand shinjuin next to him wearing a dark red coat with a black full body suit underneath it, his hair had been neatly set up along with the blood red kanji for love on his forehead being more apparent.

Next to Gaara landed Kankuro wearing a black shirt and dark grey pants, he still wore the light purple face painting patterns as before, but they seemed to have more finesse than before. Lastly Temari landed next to Kankuro wearing a white full body sized kimono decorated with fire lilies and purple flowers giving her a stunning look, her hair had been folded in a pretty ponytail along with her having makeup on. Naruto greeted them with a full-blown smile even though he was a little worried about their treatment during this event, he had no doubt that there were villagers who had lost loved ones during the sand invasion and perhaps still held grudges towards them.

He heard a sound behind him and looked up to see Dom standing on top of a wire leading over to the next building fully suited up and looking good in the same clothing that he had worn during his and Ino's short run in the starlight magazine which he had read during the trip to find Granny.

Naruto himself was wearing a Chinese style tight, orange male kimono with black sandals and two golden rings around his biceps and triceps on each arm. Dom greeted them all and landed next to Gaara who had a neutral face, together they all body flickered down into the street and started going through.

It quickly became apparent that the sand trio had never had a festival in their village before seeing as they didn't seem to know how to enjoy it here, Dom laid his arm over Naruto's shoulder and pulled him close so they could have a small chat to themselves. They both noughted and turned to the sand trio, they told them to come along which they just did, Naruto started out by picking out a stance where they could get the leaves delicacy, grilled barbecue squid, and they each picked out a pair that they liked the most. Initially the man behind the counter wanted to give them some rotten squid, but a quick death stare from Dom got him on better thoughts.

The next stop was a small game where they could use thin paper spoons to try and pick up fish, if they caught them then they could keep them, Dom and Naruto were quick to gather 10 fish each with the sand trio desperately trying to get even one.

It was clear on all of their faces except Gaara's that they were starting to have fun now, time passed by, and Dom heard a faint sound that intrigued him. Together they all headed in that direction which led them to an open plaza in the village where music was sounding good, and people were dancing with each other.