Darkness Falls

Chapter 30

Day of the Chuunin Exams

With a tired yawn, Naruto leaned back against one of the training posts of his teams designated training grounds as he waited for the rest of his team to arrive. The only reason Sakura had not accompanied him to the training ground was because she had reluctantly stayed at her mothers house. Naruto had ventured to ask why she just didn't tell her mother the truth, but the pinkette had countered that it would only cause more headaches for them. Naruto had accepted his mates reasoning, knowing full well with her mother on the Civilian Council, and one of the few still firmly rooted in the Uchiha camp, she could no doubt make their daily lives within the village far more annoying then it needed to be.

His thoughts then turned to the other member that made up Team 7. The brooding Uchiha, whom was no doubt still in the shower trying to wash out the stench of the canines he had been forced to clean during his and Sakura's absence. Hana had regaled the two hanyous with tales of the multiple times her mother had planted the arrogant Uchiha face first into a pile of dog shit. Much to the amusement of both Sakura and Naruto.

Releasing another bored yawn, Naruto thought back over the events of the past few weeks, which for lack of a better word, had been extremely eventful, constantly keeping the blonde hanyou busy.

Ever since he had returned to the village from his mission in Yuki no Kuni, now named Haru no Kuni, Naruto had been busy non stop. Balancing his time between training for the upcoming exams, and spending time with his girls. With the help of Yugao, he had also even managed to sneak away with Sakura and Hinata a few more times for wipe out a more bandit camps. Allowing them to fully get control over their hanyou tendencies. It also helped to allow the girls to fully go all out with their hanyou abilities. Which was a sight truly to behold, as both Sakura and Hinata had torn through the bandits, slavers, and such with brutal glee.

Aside from that, he had also taken both Yakumo and Izumi out on their respective dates as he had promised. However, both dates had encountered their own hiccups due to some unwanted visitors. Though despite that, both dates had gone well and each girl enjoyed their time with the blonde hanyou. The memories still brought a smile to Naruto's face.

Flashback no Jutsu, Yakumo's Date

Naruto couldn't help but to chuckle silently to himself as he observed how nervous the budding Genjutsu Mistress was acting as they left the Uzumaki compound. Though he could understand the reason why she felt so anxious. Not only was she going out on her first date, but it was also the first time she had left the compound since Naruto had brought her into his home after the ROOT incident, so it would only be natural for her to feel a bit nervous.

Smiling, he grasped her hand and gave it a firm squeeze, catching her attention.

"Are you ready, Yakumo-chan?" He inquired with a smile, earning one in return from the budding genjutsu mistress.

"Where are we going, Naruto-kun?" She asked, as the blonde had yet to reveal what he had planned for their date.

"That is a secret." He grinned. "But I promise you will like it."

Casually, the two strolled through the village hand in hand. Earning a few curious looks at the Kurama heiress being out and about along side Naruto. Fortunately for the blonde hanyou and his date, many of the villages populace had changed their view of the blonde, much thanks to his accomplishments within the village as well as he feats outside of Konoha has well. Though there were a few quiet whispers among the onlookers, mostly pertaining to the young genjutsu mistress, as rumors had spread that she was dead.