Hot 'N' Dangerous

Chapter 21: Youth and Mistakes

We all waited obediently at the discussed meeting spot for Kakashi. He was late... yet again.

"God! Can't he come on time once in a while? I have better things to do!" Liz's distressed expression became one of happiness.

She drifted along in her dream world with Shikamaru quietly as I sat on the bridge railing, my legs hanging over the other side. Slow moving water churned beneath my feet, creating white froth.

I wonder what was with that Gaara guy... he stares too much, I noted to myself.

Sakura sighed heavily and then burst, "Hey! How can this be allowed?! Why does Kakashi ask to meet us and then makes us wait?!" she screeched angrily tearing at her hair.

"Yeah, Sakura-chan is right!" agreed Naruto.

"What about the feelings of a girl who overslept and didn't have time to blow dry her hair?!" she protested loudly while pointing to the small section of her hair that was sticking up awkwardly.

"Yeah, yeah! I overslept too so I didn't wash my face or brush my teeth!" confessed Naruto enthusiastically.

Sasuke gagged behind his back while looking at me. I laughed good-humouredly but realized that I was only leading him on and stopped.

"That's nasty," Sakura said, green.

Naruto stuck his tongue out sheepishly and Kakashi suddenly appeared, "Hi guys, I got lost on the path of life!" he said in a sophisticated manner.

"Apologize!" raged Sakura.

"Well anyway," he said, totally ignoring Sakura's malevolent glare, "This is a bit sudden but... I've nominated all of you guys for the Chuunin Selection Exam," he said, smiling.

Liz choked harshly on Shikamaru's name while murmuring the different details of his face to herself. Naruto stumbled backwards so that he almost pushed me into the water. I had jumped out of the way and Naruto began to fall backwards. I grabbed his arm before he could plunge into the cold water.

"T-thanks," Naruto stuttered as I pulled him up.

I nodded and turned back to Kakashi, "Here are your applications," Kakashi handed each of us a form.

Naruto reacted unexpectedly, he jumped on Kakashi, tackling him to the ground, "Kakashi-Sensei! I love you!" he cried affectionately.

"Hey, stop! Let go of me!" Kakashi struggled under Naruto's firm grip.

"And that, boys and girls, is what is classified as 'bromance'," Liz said, smirking.

Naruto finally let go and unfolded the form, "This is just a nomination though, whether you enter or not it's up to you," he said, slightly disturbed by Naruto, "Those of you who wish to take the exam should sign the form and hand it in at room three hundred and one by four in the afternoon tomorrow. That's all," he said and disappeared.

We walked back to the village together, "Chuunin Exam, Chuunin Exam," Naruto chanted over and over.

"There's going to be quite a lot of strong guys in this thing," Naruto suddenly realized, "Like him! And him!" Naruto pointed out, remembering Kankuro and Gaara.

Naruto suddenly began to snicker and giggle like a little girl, he kept walking faster and faster until he was way ahead of us. Sasuke froze, trembling with excitement.

"I'm gonna beat everyone up like that!" Liz boasted, snapping her fingers.

I looked back to see Sakura lagging behind.

"I hope Sakura's okay," I whispered to Liz.

She looked back too, "She'll be fine," she said confidently, "You know her, pretty headstrong if you ask me," Liz piped up.