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Shikamaru's POV (Iron Fair - Land of Iron)
Shikamaru knew he wasn't like most men. Hell, certainly nothing like most shinobi. Shikamaru supposed he was similar to his father and other clan members, but even they seemed different. Shikamaru cared little for most things, not because he disliked them, no because he was simply a simple man. He didn't need an exciting life, endless riches, or to be recognized. Shikamaru was more than happy to live a boring and eventful life. Like his father and clan, Shikamaru wanted to do even less.
But he knew it wasn't in the cards for him, even from a young age. Born as the heir of the Nara clan, Shikamaru would never skirt by living an ordinary life. No Shikamaru had been destined to be raised to be a shinobi, a notoriously complex and challenging career. Not to mention likely to have you die a terrible death. In other words, the opposite of Shikamaru Nara, worse yet for the young Shikamaru, was the fact he was talented at it. It had guaranteed he would never escape his fate.
But Shikamaru had made peace with such; he would eventually lead his clan and have a career as a shinobi. But he had been determined to make it as easy as possible. All of which had fallen apart when he had met Naruto Uzumaki.
Much younger than he was now, he had seen a lonely Naruto. Most would've brushed it off and moved on with their day. Shikamaru had certainly debated doing such, but he, as much as he wanted to be, was not expected. Even as a young child, Shikamaru knew the ramifications of allowing Naruto to be isolated. His intelligence did not allow him to be ignorant as such. So Shikamaru had added the young boy to his group of friends. It had been trouble ever since…
Choji was another friend of Shikamaru. A much easier one to maintain than the rambunctious Naruto if he was being frank. The guy was incredibly kind and caring, insecure about himself, and just liked relaxing. All things Shikamaru liked and understood. Naruto was… different.
Loud, confrontational, impulsive, hard-working, determined. All traits that could be applied to Naruto were already disadvantageous by themselves. Some he found simply annoying, the others conflicted with his relaxed nature. Those traits made Naruto a great guy and a future boon for the Leaf, but they also marked a guy who was the opposite of him. Yet oddly enough, Shikamaru had learned to appreciate these values and even wished to support him. Emotions were such a damn drag.
Worse yet, realizing just how difficult the road for Naruto was ahead, Shikamaru found himself trying reasonably hard at this shinobi gig. So much for his easy life...
Said emotions were the reason for the torture he was being subjected to… the cruel and meaningless bottle toss…
"What the hell Tenten? How are you doing this? I can't get one to land!" Naruto complained.
"It's a skill thing." Tenten shrugged.
"Suggesting you lack such." Sai added helpfully.
"I know what she means, you dick!" Naruto snapped. "Hey, vendor! Is this rigged or something? I can literally ricochet kunai off each other in mid-air, yet I can't get a damn ring to land on a bottle!"
The old man with a flowing beard snickered at this while stroking his beard. "It is a difficult skill to master." He commented as Tenten and Sai continued to land at will.
"Sorry Dickless," Sai apologized sincerely. "I suppose you won't be able to get the stuffed tanuki."
"You've won like five times already; just get it for me, your dick!" Naruto replied.
"No, Tenten informed me that dick is an insult and also warned me that being rude is morally wrong." Sai lectured the blonde.
"Calling me dickless is rude!"
"It's a nickname I am displaying friendly teasing." Sai explained.
"Fine, then your nickname is Dick." Naruto declared, tossing a ring and missing.
"Thank you." Sai said earnestly.
"Well, Dick, good work on making a new friend." Tenten joked, ignoring Naruto's pointed denial of such. "And Dickless, I'll win you the tanuki."
"Stop calling me that." Naruto pleaded as Sai missed the point, seeming pleased to be given a nickname.
"Naruto, firstly, aim for the edges; fewer things to block you. Then, flick your wrist quickly and release it when it's straight. The spin keeps it straight. Secondly you promised to not do this Sai." Shikamaru said. Sai nodded his head, his version of an apology. "You too Tenten." Said woman rubbed her head guiltily at such. Lastly, the three of you are a headache." Shikamaru listed with a sigh. Sai seemed to frown as he remembered the promise and nodded his head. He turned to face his friends only to see Naruto and Tenten (now joined by a stuffed tanuki and panda of all things.) running off to another stand that advertised BBQ. "God damn, I need a drink." Shikamaru complained. "Won't even let me smoke here."
"Smoking is bad for you, Shikamaru." Sai replied. Shikamaru gave him a blank stare as he strolled to keep up with his teammates. He supposed he should've known the three of them would be excited. Due to their past, neither Sai nor Tenten had been to a fair, and Naruto had never been with friends. Leading to the ecstatic Naruto and Tenten to lead the group to the various stalls. It was annoying… but Shikamaru had to admit seeing Naruto and Tenten having so much fun was nice. Sai as well, but it was difficult to tell with the man. And Shikamaru struggled to get him to act somewhat normal. Still, while he may not enjoy it, it was nice to see his closest friends happy. He supposed it wasn't all bad.
In fact, Shikamaru could readily admit the fair was stunning in appearance. It was a field that had been cleared of snow and debris, and various wooden stalls had been installed in its place. Some held fair games, others food, and some offered knick-knacks for sale. Iron sheets seemed to shine in the moonlight for each stall. Installed on the roof, the light reflected and offered soft illumination for the fair. This was further augmented by lights between each stall that bathed it in various colors. The snow reflected all this light, making the entire fair glow. Even the cynical Nara had to admit it was a sight to behold.
If only Shikamaru could convince them to laze about at a bar and truly enjoy the night. Such dreams were shattered as an impatient Naruto and Tenten dragged him to another stall; luckily, this one was a sit-down restaurant.
"So this is fair; I can see why Danzo never let us go to these things." Tenten stated in between sips of a glass of water. "I can't think of the last time I had so much fun."
"I can't believe fairs can be this fun with friends! Even if one of them is Shikamaru!" Naruto joked. Both Tenten and him share a laugh at Shikamaru.
"I rather like Shikamaru." Sai said with a frown. Apparently not getting the joke.
"Joke, Sai, it is a joke." Tenten said with a roll of her eyes. Shikamaru didn't bother to add anything. Instead, he ordered a bottle of sake and a glass. "Sheesh, must you drink every time we go out?"
"It's legal, we're shinobi. Besides, you said I needed to cut loose tonight." Shikamaru replied easily. In truth, he never really got all that drunk. He would sip at an even pace as others got drunk around him. And he really did intend to use it to cut loose. Tenten rolled her eyes again but ordered a bottle of sake and three glasses. Once such was given, she filled a glass for them. While Shikamaru waited patiently.
"Shikamaru," She said with a smile. "Naruto, Sai. We celebrate tonight because of progress, because of opportunity, because I need to forget Naruto kicked my ass." Tenten said. Shikamaru rolled his eyes, while the Root had certainly complicated the woman. It hadn't managed to fully get rid of her spunk. Secretly, Shikamaru enjoyed it.
"Cheers." Shikamaru replied with a smile while raising a glass.
"Cheers?" Sai asked, confused. He mimicked Shikamaru but clearly didn't understand.
"Cheers!" Naruto cheered as he slammed the glass. Shikamaru, Tenten, and bewildered Sai followed him. "Let's have some fun tonight!" Naruto roared. Tenten laughed at his decree and thought Shikamaru had told him to be quiet. If he was being honest.
He loved his friends…
And a nice drink…
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Hinata's POV (Medical Tent of Leaf Exam Camp - Land of Iron)
Hinata sat by the bed next to Sasuke. It was a position she was used to holding. Sasuke was a workaholic and often worked himself till he collapsed. It was simply a quirk of their odd team. The formation of Team Six had been an odd one from the start. Kabuto and Hinata were soft personality types thrown in with the aggressive Sasuke. Sasuke had quickly deemed the two useless, unhappy to have them. Kabuto and her had worked together to support and win over their teammate. It took a while and several interventions by a rueful Shisui, but they eventually earned Sasuke's respect and friendship.
Then Kabuto disappeared, and they were told by Shisui that he had launched an assault on his team during the Trial of Nio, leading to the injury and death of most of them before fleeing. It had rocked the recently cemented bonds of the teams. She and Sasuke had quickly grown apart without the charismatic Kabuto playing mediator.
Such had continued to get worse until a taijutsu spar one day. Sasuke had been winning, of course, and had been frustrated by it. Determined to see some fight from her, Hinata was taunted and mocked by the Uchiha until her rage was freed. She could not remember the spar, but it had ended with the two of them battered and bruised. Sasuke had discovered her temper, and she seemed determined to trigger it once it had been found. The two clashed more and more; Sasuke seemed determined to face the temper, and Hinata grew more frustrated by it. Before, Hinata had done what Team Six had never seen since its formation. Defeat Sasuke in a spar; it had been a silent conclusion. But ever since then, Sasuke has treated her with civility and respect. Even often encouraging her and acknowledging her as an equal. Combined with Neji's efforts, they had managed to form the new her. Still polite and humble, but willing to fight when necessary. She is proud of herself and determined to become even better.
Perhaps that explained her anger as she gazed upon her injured and beaten teammate. Hinata had been mortified during the match when he used his ace. To see the pain it had cost not only his opponent but himself, it had been painful to see as his friend. Worse yet, Sasuke had been heedless of the risk. That anger calmed the usually nervous and antsy woman as she decided on her action.
The two of them were in a large tent separated into rooms by flaps enforced with sound seals for privacy. While mostly healed from his injuries from his clash with Fuu, Sasuke was still suffering from chakra exhaustion. And was bedridden till tomorrow. Awake but seemingly content in the silence, the Uchiha was zoned out. Likely not expecting Hinata to say anything.
"Why." Hinata states bluntly. Her eyesight was stronger than most, even without the Byakugan active. As such, she saw him subtly flinch as he drew from his thought and lazily slid his gaze at her.
"Why what?"
"Why must you be so reckless? Why risk your life at these exams? Why risk others?" Hinata asked again. Her voice held no stutter, and her Byakugan had reflexively turned on due to her anger.
She watched as Sasuke pondered this before he offered his response.
"Because it's who I am." Sasuke replied.
"You realize dying would not fulfill your goal, nor would crushing others." Hinata criticized.
"If I did anything less than my absolute best, it would dishonor my family. I cannot be sure of why, but my family was destroyed and discredited. I cannot allow this to stand as long as I still do. I have already traded my own life and the lives of those who would stand in my way. Besides, Fuu was no regular person; it took everything I had to take her down. I'm not sure what it would take to kill her." Sasuke explained.
Hinata wasn't sure what to say. She knew this would be his answer somewhere deep inside her, but she wasn't sure how to refute it. Was Sasuke going to tear himself apart for his goals? Was it right of her to impede such?
"Hinata, you need to surrender." Sasuke interrupted her thoughts. I changed the topic, recognizing it wasn't going anywhere. "Gaara is without a doubt the strongest Genin present. Fuu was a joker and would've beaten most of us with ease. Gaara is the same as her but is motivated. I'm certain he'll defeat you, worried he may do even more."
"Hypocrite." Hinata replied icily. "You can risk yourself for your ideals, but I can't do the same? You motivate me to try my best, then tell me not to try?"
"Hinata, that's not what I." Sasuke stopped as a furious Hinata stomped out of the room. "Damnit… Gaara of the Sand… if you dare take one of mine… I'll kill you…" Sasuke vowed to himself, now alone.