I DO NOT OWN NARUTO AND/OR THE CHARACTERS

The Land Of Flowers

Flashback. Naruto, Sakura, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, and Hinata were gathered in the Hokage's office, this was the first mission since Naruto returned.

Tsunade: We've tested you're development in your two years of training with Jiraiya, now it's time to see how you'll do in a real mission, a C-ranked mission.

Naruto: So, what's the mission?

Tsunade: Well, in the Land of Flowers, there's a special type of plant that grows only in a particular area of that land. The client his clan are the only ones who knows where this plant grows and this knowledge has been passed down through his clan for generations, the plants are said to have certain properties that makes them invaluable in certain marketplaces.

Naruto: What type of marketplaces?

Tsunade: All that he told us was that it will soon be time for the plant to be harvested and around this time, bandits will try to steal the plants from him.

Shikamaru: So he hired us?

Tsunade: Correct. The plant will bloom in about a week, which is exactly how long it will take for you to get there. Gather everything you need, you leave immediately.

End flashback. Naruto, Sakura, Rock Lee, Shikamaru, and Hinata arrive at a market to meet their client.

Shikamaru: What a drag, he isn't even here, yet.

Naruto's stomach growls.

Naruto: Oh, man, I'm hungry. Hey, do we have time to grab a bite?

Shikamaru: No, Naruto, he could show up at anytime.

Naruto: But I'm starvin'.

Lee: Gai-sensei says, "Starving one's self loses energy and youth."

Sakura: As much as I hate to admit it, I agree with them, we haven't eaten since this morning.

Shikamaru: I suppose you're hungry too, huh, Hinata?

Hinata: I, I, well, it wouldn't be wise to starve ourselves, right?

Shikamaru: And I'm supposed to be the leader of this mission, what a drag. I guess you can go find something, Naruto. We'll wait here.

Naruto spots a stand that sells cinnamon rolls.

Naruto: Hey, I haven't had these in a while.

Naruto gives the merchant some money and buys a set for the whole team.

Naruto: Here ya' go, guys.

The team grabs a cinnamon roll or two except for Hinata who's standing by herself, Naruto take her rolls to her.

Naruto: Here, Hinata, you like these don't you?

Hinata: A, actually, they're my favorite.

Naruto and Hinata take a bite of their rolls.

Naruto: I see why, they're sweet, just like you.

Naruto, in his aloofness, didn't think of the comment as anything but a friendly compliment. The rest of the team took the comment differently.

Shikamaru: (thinking) Whoa, Naruto.

Lee: (thinking) How youthful.

Sakura: (thinking) Did Naruto just say that? From what Lady Tsunade tells me about Lord Jiraiya, jutsu isn't the only thing he's been teaching Naruto.

Back at the Hokage's office, Jiraiya sneezes.

Jiraiya: Excuse me, now, who's there client?

Tsunade: A man by the name of Noriyuki Morita.

Jiraiya: Surely you don't mean the man who grows that wonderful plant?

Tsunade: You know him?

Jiraiya: Know him? I'm his number one customer.

Tsunade: Just what does this plant do, exactly?

Jiraiya: Well, first it…

Hinata was taken aback by Naruto's compliment.

Hinata: (thinking) N, Naruto thinks I'm sweet?

The team continues waiting for their client when a voice sounds out.

Temari: Hey, what are you guys doing here?

The team discovers Temari approaching them with who turns out to be their client.

Shikamaru: What are we doing here, what are you doing here and with our client?

Temari: Well, right now, he's both our client.

Shikamaru: What, how?

Noriyuki: Well, I was trading in the Land Of Wind and decided that it would be best to hire some protection for my trip back.

Shikamaru: So they sent you?

Temari: Yeah, I know that the mission isn't too tough but it's actually doubling as some vacation time for me, well earned I might add. I've always wanted to come here.

Shikamaru: What for?

Temari: To see the plants that grow here, they get quite beautiful when they're in bloom.

Lee: Just like the bloom of youth.

Lee strikes on of Gai's signature "Nice Guy" poses, complete with extremely shiny teeth.

Lee: (thinking) I wish Gai-sensei was here to see that.

Shikamaru: What a drag. Oh, well, why don't we get moving?

The group starts traveling toward the Morita clan's estate.

Shikamaru: So, what's so special about this plant, anyway? Is something to help you sleep?

Noriyuki: No.

Sakura: Is it a rare and powerful medicinal herb?

Noriyuki: No.

Lee: Is it something to keep you forever youthful?

Noriyuki: No.

Naruto: Oh, I know, it a spice for ramen, right?

Noriyuki: No.

Hinata: Is it something to help boost confidence?

Noriyuki: Well, given your age, I'm not surprised that you haven't heard about it. To put it plainly, the plant releases inhibitions and makes certain "activities" more frequent and enjoyable.

Temari being a bit older understood what Noriyuki meant by activities, she chuckles a little.

Shikamaru: What's so funny?

Temari: I'll tell you one day.

After traveling for a bit, they finally reach the Morita clan's mansion. Noriyuki show's them to their rooms.

Noriyuki: This is where you'll be staying until your task is completed. There are hot springs here if you'd like to take a bath. See you in the morning.

Noriyuki leaves the shinobi for the evening. Naruto sniffs his underarm.

Naruto: Oh, man! I think we should take him up on his offer.

Shikamaru: I think you're right.

The shinobi make ready for their bath.

Naruto: Man, this is the life.

Shikamaru: You said it, Naruto.

Lee: Make sure you clean yourselves thoroughly, remember what Gai-sensei always says.

Naruto: Oh, yeah? What's that?

Lee: Gai-sensei always says that "Cleanliness is next to youthfulness."

Shikamaru: What a drag. Hey, Naruto.

Naruto: Yeah?

Shikamaru: What was up with what you told Hinata?

Naruto: What do you mean?

Shikamaru: You know, that "sweet" line.

Naruto: Line, what's line?

Shikamaru: Don't play stupid with me, you remember it, don't you, Lee?

Lee: Yes and I must say that it was a dashing display of youth on Naruto's part.

Naruto thinks back.

Naruto: Oh, you mean with the cinnamon rolls. There was nothing to it, I just think that Hinata's a sweet person.

Shikamaru: Is that all there is to it?

Naruto: What are you talking about?

Shikamaru: Oh, you know.

Shikamaru puts his hands together and makes kissy noises.

Naruto: Hey, cut that out, we are three guys alone in a hot spring. People could get the wrong idea.

Lee: That is true.

Meanwhile, the three kunoichi are enjoying there own bath.

Sakura: Man, this is nice.

Temari: You said it.

Sakura: And the best part is that I don't have to here Naruto's voice. Hey, speaking of Naruto, what was that all about earlier, Hinata?

Hinata: What do you mean?

Sakura: I'm talking about what Naruto said.

Hinata blushes.

Temari: Ooh, did something happen?

Sakura: Nothing big, but Naruto did say that she was sweet.

Temari: Wow. So, you and Naruto got something goin' on?

Hinata: No, we, we…

Sakura: But you like him, don't you? I've seen the way you act around him.

Hinata's blush intensifies.

Hinata: N, no, he's just a friend.

Temari: Well, good, then he's free for me to take run at him.

Hinata: What!

A look of despair washes over Hinata's face.

Temari: Ha! So you do like him.

Hinata: I, well, I…

Sakura: You should tell him.

Hinata: I want to, but I…

Temari: Well, why don't you?

Hinata: I, I just…

Sakura: Why don't you ask him out when we get back? Better yet, the hokage and I could make him ask you out.

Hinata: No, I want to tell him, just in my own way.

Sakura: Well, I have high hopes for you two.

Back in the guys bath.

Naruto: You're talkin' about me, what about you and Temari? I've seen the way you two have been cozying up to each other since I've been back.

Lee: He's right, you two have been enjoying each other's youthfulness a lot recently.

Naruto: I've gotta hand it to you, an older girl at that.

Shikamaru: What a drag, look, there's nothing going on between us, it's just a coincidence that we're always together.

Naruto: Coincidence, right.