"We are," Sakura confirmed.
"Then you two should put aside the matter about Naruto and focus on preparing for tomorrow. I'm sure Naruto is doing the very same thing I'm suggesting you two girls ought be doing now," Tenten added.
"You're such a killjoy, but I suppose you're right. I'd hate to look sloppy and useless in front of Sasuke-kun," Ino said.
"Like you aren't already," Sakura remarked.
"What was that Forehead!?" Ino growled before both girls glared angrily at each other looking ready to fight. In the process, both girls failed to notice Hinata and Tenten making a quiet and quick exit, leaving the both of them where they were.
"Say Hinata, since we still have some time left, wanna grab a bite to eat?" Tenten suggested.
"I'd like that," Hinata agreed as they left the training ground.
(Back In Konoha)
Kakashi, Gai, Kurenai and Asuma were gathered together at a common bar many of the Jounin and off-duty ANBU come to for a refreshing hangout and chitchat. Currently the four Jounin-sensei were conversing together about a common topic.
"My youthful students will demonstrate first hand the burning zeal their training with me has produced! How about yours Kakashi," Gai shouted enthusiastically. Kakashi was reading his Icha-Icha Paradise book when he looked back at Gai and replied, "Oh did you say something Gai?"
"Argh! Curse your hip attitude my eternal rival!" Gai exclaimed.
"Keep it down Gai! I'm sure our Genin will do just as fine as yours if not better," Asuma remarked smugly.
"And how has your students been measuring up so far?" Kakashi asked.
Asuma explained, "They were a little hard to work with at first, but when it comes down to business they work well together just like their fathers, the original Ino-Shika-Cho trio."
"My team has proven to be capable of working together too. It helped that they were friends at first before becoming Genin as it aided in their overall team dynamics," Kurenai said, "Hinata made some improvements also and even her father acknowledged her progress. Though she's still struggling in other areas of her training."
"It's good to hear of both of your teams' improvements," Kakashi with his head still in his book.
"What about your team, Kakashi? How do they fair?" Asuma asked.
"As dysfunctional as ever," Kakashi remarked with the same tone never breaking his eyes away from his book. Gai, Kurenai and Asuma sweat-dropped on hearing that.
"You mean they made no improvements in their team dynamics whatsoever?" Gai asked skeptically.
"As a team, they work fine. But on a personal level, that's a whole other story, especially in the case between Naruto and Sasuke," Kakashi said.
"What about those two," Asuma asked.
"I can answer that," Kurenai cut in, "The Rookie of the Year has been trying to get Naruto's girlfriend to become his girlfriend. Hinata told me about how Sasuke has been pursuing her. And earlier today she told me how Sasuke recently approached and confessed his feelings for her while trying to convince her that Naruto isn't right for her and that he's what's best for her."
"I reprimanded and talked to Sasuke repeatedly about such actions and how they would result in bad blood, mistrust and betrayal occurring amongst team members. I'm going have to be harder on him this time seeing that he refuses to take me serious," Kakashi said as he closed his book and got up before walking off out of the bar after his eye caught sight of Sasuke walking by outside the bar. Kakashi caught up to Sasuke before he could get far. He grabbed Sasuke by the left shoulder and restrained him from walking further. Sasuke turned his head to see Kakashi looking back at him with a false smile.
"Sasuke, we need to have a nice long private chat," Kakashi said.
"Can it wait for another time? I really have some important work to-"
Sasuke stopped talking when he felt Kakashi's grip on his shoulder tighten painfully as he applied pressure on his shoulder. The Genin grimaced and cringed after feeling the pain pierce through his left shoulder and arm.
"Whatever work you have to do can surely wait as what I have to discuss with you can not," Kakashi said firmly with an iron tone as his right eye narrowed at Sasuke. The Uchiha didn't have a chance to argue when Kakashi shunshin'd with him to another location.
Meanwhile back inside the bar…
"I know how much Hinata loves and cares for Naruto, but his infamous perverted character is what bothers me and I'm even more troubled that Hinata isn't bothered by Naruto's behavior at all, considering that she told me that Sasuke told her that if he was dating her that he wouldn't behave in the shameless perverted manner that Naruto does," Kurenai said.
"Many guys will often tell a female whatever they want to hear if it'll get the girl to date them. But not every girl will buy into what some guy would say to them," Asuma remarked.
"Weren't we talking about our youthful students' future performance in tomorrow's Chuunin Exams?" Gai asked while wondering how the conversation deviated from the original topic.
(Hours Later, At The Hyuuga Compound That Evening)
"Tsss! Itai (Ouch)!" Hanabi grimaced from one of the sores Hinata rubbed with her soap foam-covered washcloth.
"I can't say you didn't bring this upon yourself, Hanabi," Hinata remarked as she and Hanabi were both naked and wet in the bath together, with Hinata washing and cleaning Hanabi, who was sitting on a small seat with her back facing Hinata. The younger Hyuuga was still wincing from the sores and pains she endured from her firsthand training bout with Naruto.
"This is nothing! I endured harder blows from Father during my training with him," Hanabi replied, trying to sound convincing while trying to ignore the pain from her sores.
"Then I'm sure Naruto-kun's training shouldn't be that hard for you to endure," Hinata replied while scrubbing Hanabi. The younger female frowned at her older sister's sarcastic jab.
"You've changed, Neesan," Hanabi remarked.
"Life is all about changes, Hanabi. We're never the same person we were yesterday. Every experience we go through, everyone we meet, every place we go, everything we learn; they change who we are and how we see things and others. But Naruto-kun, without a doubt, had the greatest impact in changing who I am," Hinata explained.
"I'm sure in time Naruto-kun will change me as well. After all, it was his training that made you stronger and smarter than before, right?" Hanabi replied. Instead of getting a reply, Hanabi got a bucket of water dunked over her.
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