I do not own Naruto or the characters: I just like them a lot and want to give them something more to do.

Banquet

Chapter one 1: Receiving Line

Naruto bounced into the Konoha banquet Hall feeling fine and looking for action. The hall was decorated tastefully with enormous flower arrangements, giant fans and large glass containers filled with layers of colored sand arranged in intricate patterns. A nice nod to the bride's Suna homeland and the Hidden Sand shinobi. Hanging lanterns cast a warm and subtle glow over the congregation, accentuated by the candlelit tables.

There were already a lot of people here. Naruto straightened his jacket with pride. He knew he was looking pretty damn good, if he said so himself. The black wool suit had been tailored for him and fit his narrow hips and broad shoulders to perfection. For once, the cuffs of his trousers actually reached past his ankle bones and broke elegantly on his black leather oxfords which he had buffed until his grin was mirrored in them. The pale burnt orange button-down shirt set off his darker orange silk tie with the palest pattern of blue and green leaves scattered across it, in what the shop owner had assured him was the latest style. His sunny hair had been brushed vigorously and sprang from his brow in wild points.

He was ready to party.

He looked around the large banquet room eagerly. This was going to be fun. He'd been away too long and missed all his friends. Oh, he enjoyed meeting new people on his missions. He always came away feeling as if he had made at least one new friend, even if it was a great personal cost. But, at heart, he was a home-town boy all the way. Which, if you thought about it, was exactly the kind of person that was perfect as a future Hokage.

Naruto sighed, happily. It was great to be home again. Lady Tsunade kept him busy with missions that often lasted for months. This last mission had taken five. If he didn't know better, he could almost think she was trying to get rid of him. When he'd complained last time, she'd fixed him with a furious glare that left him speechless. Almost. Pay back's a bitch, she'd said. Which meant, he supposed, that he was finally getting all those A- and S-rank missions he'd wanted way back when.

Never mind. Today, he was prepared to have a blast and really enjoy himself.

He headed toward the receiving line to make nice to the bride and groom.

Temari and Shikamaru were standing at one end of the room near the gift table with her brothers and Shikamaru's parents.

Gaara and Kankura, Temari's younger brothers, seemed surprisingly cheerful for people with little to no expressions on their faces. The Nara parents seemed a little bewildered but happy. At least Nara Shikaku looked happy. His wife looked annoyed and sort of happy. And the bridal pair – there was no doubting their happiness.

Temari's characteristic four blond pony-tails, arranged in the center of each quadrant on the back of her head, seemed to bristle aggressively. Golden bells on ebony sticks arranged in her hair rang softly adding to the joyous atmosphere that surrounded her. She had shed the traditional white wedding kimono and head-dress for a more modern short golden kimono embroidered with purple, white and red fans that showed off her beautiful legs. Her large aquamarine eyes glowed with excitement. She looked fantastic – and a little scary. Shikamaru, the master of boredom, kept trying to suppress the wide grin that kept breaking out between his usual scowl. His crisp brown hair was bundled back into his characteristic ponytail and bristled just as aggressively as his new wife's.

Naruto shrugged his broad shoulders and plastered his famous kilowatt smile on his face, walking up to the happy couple.

"Shikamaru, Temari," he said, hugging the bride and punching the groom in the arm. "This is great! I'm really happy for you!"

"Naruto," said Temari, hugging him back. "Can you believe it? I finally got him to make a commitment."

"Tch!" said Shikamaru, trying to look bored. "Just easier to say yes to all your nagging."

"Nagging!" said Temari, throwing her arms around his neck and plastering his face with kisses. "That's not what you called it last night!"

"Great Gods, woman," said Shikamaru, struggling enough to make it look like he was struggling. "Keep your voice down."

Naruto watched enviously as Temari pulled the husband-to-be closer and whispered something into Shikamaru's ear. He tried not to notice Shikamaru's hands clutching the bride, and definitely did not follow one of Shikamaru's hands as it moved down the curve of Temari's firmly rounded derriere. He turned away as the couple kissed passionately.

He was stopped in his tracks by the dead-pan stares of the Kazekage of the Sands and his Puppet Master brother.

"Hey, Gaara. Kankura," Naruto grinned broadly. "How's it going?"

The two blocked his path, Gaara with his arms folded across his chest, Kankura leaning forward and flexing his fists. Naruto looked around nervously at the ominous clacking sound he heard a little above him.

"So," said Naruto, looking from one frozen face to the other. "Uh, what's up?"

The brothers leaned closer.

"Kinda funny, hunh?" chuckled Naruto, nervously. "Those two finally hooking up?"

The brothers took a step forward.

"Great for Konoha and Suna to have such lovebirds bring us together, right?" Naruto jumped a little when he heard another ripple of sound like hollow sticks rattling in the wind.

"Look at them!" Kankura hissed.

"Uh," said Naruto, turning slowly around to observe the bridal pair. "Okay. I'm looking."

Temari and Shikamaru seemed to be exchanging sympathetic simultaneous tonsillectomies.

"Its non-stop," Kankura said gloomily.

"We should have finished him off when we had the chance," whispered Gaara.