Konoha's twin dragons

Chapter 17

Chunin Exams!

It has been a week since Naruto got back from his last mission in the border of Fire Country. His encounter and fight with Iwa's jinchuriki, though rather wasn't fruitful or helped for them in the mission, it at least let the team get out of it alive. He was also a bit proud, because of the fact of him being able to defeat a trained and hardened jinchuriki without using Mangekyou, and by limiting his prowess to only his jinchuriki capabilities.

Also, on returning back and meeting Ino he came to realize how much he worried Ino. But he couldn't help his situation, he was on a classified mission and he wasn't supposed go around telling people about everything. Naruto however was happy that there was someone as Ino in his life who is really worried about him and his well-being. But internally he beat himself up about worrying Ino so much he should have atleast told her when he would be getting back to he village.

But thinking back about Ino Naruto couldn't help but smile and feel happy. Her presence itself brought warmth in Naruto's life. She was really important to him and no matter what happens he swore that night that he was going to protect Ino, at any cost. Although there was a thought in his head that always loomed over since he returned from his mission. 'Ino-chan was so worried about me, but why did she, I mean yeah, I know that we both are good friends and are pretty close; even though; she didn't have to cry and worry about me so much.' Naruto pondered in his own thoughts as he got himself lost in his musings, as he didn't understand why Ino had to cry.

"You are the densest person I have ever met Naruto. That girl outright loves you. She doesn't even think of hiding the obviousness in her feelings, be it in her actions or the way she has been expressing them! Hurry up and clai-" said Kurama as both of them started a mental conversation but was immediately cut-off by Naruto who didn't even want to think of Ino loving him.

"Shut up! Kurama, why are you always constantly worried about my love-life... and moreover Ino-chan doesn't like me that way and I am sure about so; end of discussion and no more arguments." said Naruto as he simply quit his mind scape and left the place. He never understood why his fluffy friend always said or interfered in his love life for that matter. Naruto was happy that he has Ino in his life, but he always thought her as his friend. He never thought of turning what he has with her into something more than friendship. Sure when talking in a third person perspective, Naruto and Ino had quite a few romantic and emotionally intimate moments, be it him comforting Ino or the other way around; yet they didn't change the bond as of now though; at least for Naruto.

Keeping all these thoughts aside Naruto decided to concentrate to the task in his hand first. The chunin exams were going to start in a week. Then Naruto drifted in to yesterday's memories.

Yesterday; in team 7 training grounds:

Kakashi has called for his team right after he got enough rest after the tiring and gruesome mission along with Naruto. He called his genin team to their training ground to inform them about the upcoming chunin exams that were going to happen in Konoha.

Kakashi was very proud about his team for that matter. After witnessing the skills of their genin in the wave mission Kakashi realized that his team was having skills more than enough to be a chunin. Both Naruto and Sasuke have proven what they can do and extent of their strength in one mission. Naruto though was a much bigger surprise for Kakashi. As he saw him battle a completely trained jinchuriki and emerge as victor out of it, he couldn't help but feel amazed and proud at the display of his student's strength.