It's been a week since Naruto received his gifts and he was content with mastering the tracking jutsu he got. He even decided to try it out.

The New Year's Festival was starting soon and since he never went to the festival he wanted to see what it was like. What Naruto didn't know is that the post-office was open today.

As he saw Team Asuma walk by he thought it would be a great chance to see how the jutsu works. "Kage Kage no Jutsu," the blonde whispered and in he went into Chouji's shadow. "What the-"

"Who said that?" a confused Chouji asked.

"Who said what?" Shikamaru replied with his own question.

"So you heard it too Shika?"

"How troublesome. No. I asked you what did you hear."

"Oh. I thought I heard Naruto talking."

"Speaking of Naruto anyone else notice that he's never at this thing?" Ino asked.

"Now that you mention it I have noticed," Chouji said dazedly.

"Hey Chouji I see you," spookily said Naruto.

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhh!!" Chouji started screaming and running around in circles, "I've been possessed by a ghost I need holy water!"

BAM! In smacked him on his head, "We're never goin' to make it to the Kite Off at this rate. I wanted revenge on Sakura after last year.

I

Kites were everywhere. Colors were in the sky as far as the eye can see and everyone was having fun except Naruto. After listening to Ino and Sakura fight over who had the better kite and watching them burn by the hands of Sasuke he sent Chouji into a state of paranoia when he scared the Akimichi one too many times. It did get boring after awhile but he didn't know how to end the jutsu.

"Chouji I need your help."

"I don't believe in ghosts. I don't believe in ghosts." the Akimichi said like it was his mantra.

"I am not a ghost it's me Naruto and I need your help."

"HA! I knew it was you. I am not hearing voices after all."

"I need you to find Shino for me or Kurenai they gave me the jutsu."

"Shino's out of town with his dad and Kurenai-sensei is on a mission."

"Then who else can find for help?"

"Well you have the scroll right?'

"Yeah."

"And Shikamaru's a genius."

"So what does that have to do with anything?"

"Everything ramen for brains. He can figure out anything."

II

They found Shikamaru with Asuma betting on a game of tops. Shikamaru looked especially focused at the moment. They or Chouji really was about to ask until Asuma looked at him, "He's losing," and almost immediately. Chouji. Dropped. His. Chips.

"Is he kidding?" asked the bewildered Naruto.

"I don't think so," Chouji replied.

"Chouji are you still talking to yourself?"

"I'm talking to Naruto."

"I understand that most people name their imaginary friends but isn't this going to far?"

"No seriously Shika I'm talking to Naruto!"

"Shikamaru," Asuma interrupted.

"Yeah,"

"Y-y-you won,"

"Finally," leaning back he closed his eyes, "Now Chouji you need help right?"

"I don't need it Naruto does. Listen he used- Wait. Which one was it…oh okay…Kage Kage no jutsu and now he can't out of it."

"He can either- Wait THE Kage Kage no jutsu. The only way out is by Chakra exhaustion. But since we're talking about Naruto this will never happen so I'm going to pull him out," his hands went through some seals and ended on the rat, "Kagemane no jutsu!" Shikamaru pulled on Chouji's shadow till he could see Naruto.

"Shikamaru! You're gonna break me in half!"

"Well then this is gonna hurt Kage Kubi Shibari no jutsu the shadow hand ripped Naruto from the shadow.

Eyes swirling Naruto said, "So this is what New Year's Day is about," and promptly passed out.

Fin

Band and school takes a lot out of a person. Sequal to Konoha's Twelve Days of Christmas.