AN: Hey everyone, it's been raining all day today and this popped into my head….Naruto is a bit grumpy, but rain is fun.

Naruto sighed as he walked slowly back from the training grounds; it had been a tough day. He yawned expansively then looked up at the darkening sky. Normally he would have been jumping from one tree to the next, making the trip home much quicker, but it had been raining almost non-stop for a week and the branches were bound to be slippery.

'Sakura-chan isn't here to heal me if I break my leg either. Haha, she'd probably be upset with me too.'

Right now Konoha was enjoying the first break in the rain since yesterday morning; he walked into the village, unsurprised to find the streets crowded with citizens rushing to complete errands and in general relishing the break in the weather.

He smiled, the civilians had been rushing from building to building, hiding from the rain, complaining about the inconvenience, completely forgetting that the ninja went out every day, regardless of the weather to keep the village safe and functioning.

Naruto plunged into the crowded street with no particular destination in mind.

'Hmm, maybe Iruka-sensei might want to go to lunch….no he's teaching this time of day. I could just go to Ichiraku's by myself, but Ayame and the Old man will want to talk and I don't really feel like it today…hmmmm…"

He groaned aloud to himself, "Ahhh! I can't think of anything."

At first he tried to squeeze through the throngs of people; not wanting to risk slipping off one of the roofs that were sure to be as slick as the trees. After a few minutes of being jostled around in the crowd his ninja senses were tingling; demanding that he get into a more open space.

He ran a hand through his damp hair and looked up at the sky once more; the clouds had begun to gather themselves again to continue their assault on the already soggy city. He looked around trying to catch a glimpse of the nearby shops; he could already smell the rain that was threatening to fall.

He spotted a break in the crowd and decided to take advantage of the opening; he leapt over one unsuspecting citizen then sped through the gap. Naruto looked up to find himself in a strangely empty tea shop, 'I guess everyone is taking their time outside while they can.'

He walked across the room and took a seat in the back corner of the shop, "Isn't this where Neji, Fuzzy-eyebrows and TenTen like to have tea after their missions?"

The thought went right out of his mind as the waitress came to take his order. Before she could deliver his tea the rain started pouring down once more; Naruto watched as the villagers and a few off-duty ninja scrambled to get inside, grumbling to each other. The little shop was soon packed with customers trying to stay dry. Naruto was grateful when his tea arrived; his fingers were numb and he was starting to shiver in his damp clothing.

He had been out training since before sunrise, so he had already been soaking wet before most of the city had even been awake. When the rain had returned full force the temperature had dropped rather suddenly and now he was leaning over his tea savoring the warmth of the steam.

'Sheesh, if I had known I would freeze my butt off I would have just gone home!' he took a sip of his tea, 'I have this sudden urge to crawl into bed and stay there for a week.'

He sat back and closed his eyes reflecting on the events of the day, 'Crap, only 11 o'clock and it's already a pain in the butt.' thoughts of his bed crossed his mind once more, but he pushed them aside and drank more of his tea.

'Sakura-chan yelled at me too, come to think of it I'm still not sure why. Kakashi-sensei was on my case too. I know he just wants me to learn, but there has to be a nicer way to say it.' he sighed and took a long swallow of his tea, 'They know I have a hard time with Genjutsu, I wish they would give me a break.'

He sat for a few minutes, not thinking much of anything until the waitress returned and offered him a refill which he accepted with a dazzling smile that sent the younger girl walking away with a light blush tingeing her cheeks.

With the addition of more patrons, the shop was now alive with noise and activity, so Naruto sat back and listened to the jumble of voices that drifted through the room. He smiled when he realized that, for once, no one was talking about him.

'That's sort of unexpected. It's almost like they've forgiven me while I was away.'

His smile twitched a bit and threatened to disappear, but he steeled his resolve and kept it firmly in place, 'Forgiven me, huh? For something I had nothing to do with…. I wonder if that's what I've really been working for all this time.'

He smiled wider and firmly pushed that line of thought to the back of his mind, 'Today has been trying as it is. I don't need to add to it on my own.' he rested his chin in one hand.

"What is it that Shikamaru is always telling me?" he mumbled to no one in particular, "Stressing too much will kill my brain cells or something like that….if that's true no wonder he's a genius…"

He yawned again and brought his other hand up under his chin and stared lazily at the steaming liquid in front of him, 'Maybe I should try being more like Shikamaru…? I'm not sure I could handle that much laying around doing nothing though….' he laughed to himself.

He sat swirling his tea in his glass watching as the rain poured down; he was on his third cup of tea, and was beginning to think of just braving the rain and heading home, when he was shocked out of his thoughts by the sound of someone shouting his name.

"AH! Naruto-kun! Enjoying the day I see!"

Naruto looked up to see none other than Lee and TenTen standing in front of him, "Oh hey, Fuzzy-eyebrows, TenTen. How's it going?"

TenTen pushed aside her overzealous companion; "Hi Naruto. I've never seen you around here before."

The blond smiled, "I'm around once in awhile. What about you two? Coming back from a mission?"

Lee jumped in and gave a thumbs-up to his comrade, "Exactly Naruto-Kun! Our team has once again completed a mission with the power of our flaming youth!!"

TenTen sighed and shook her head, "Sheesh Lee! Do you have to be so loud? This place is noisy enough as it is!"

"Sorry TenTen!"

Naruto laughed at the teammates, then he looked behind them wondering for the first time where Neji was, "Hey, if you're coming back from a mission then where is Neji?"

TenTen turned away from scolding Lee and put her hands up in a helpless gesture, "He's all business. He's delivering our mission report to Godaime-sama and then he's reporting back to his uncle. He said he'd meet us here after he was finished."

Naruto nodded, "Ah I see. Well at least your mission went well."

Lee smiled and his teeth glinted blindingly in spite of the fact that the room was fairly dim, "Of course! Our team has an excellent record all thanks to our fabulous leader!"

TenTen frowned, "Lee…."

The Kunoichi turned to face Naruto again, "Actually, right now our problem is that there is no place to sit in here. Do you mind if we join you?"

Naruto smiled and scooted to the middle of the booth the give the older ninja room to sit, "Of course not. The waitress should be by soon. She seems to show up pretty regularly."

Lee slid into the booth followed closely by TenTen; at first Naruto had not been in the mood for company, but his gregarious nature took control and soon he was enjoying the companionship. He was especially grateful for warmth that Lee was providing, 'Apparently his youth really is a source of flames, because this guy is a furnace!'

As predicted the waitress returned a short while later with a refill for Naruto; when she saw that he had company, she smiled graciously and hurried off to get some tea for them as well.

It wasn't long before Neji appeared in the doorway of the small shop, with a cloak draped over his shoulders.

TenTen spotted him immediately and stood to wave at her long-haired teammate, "Hey Neji! Over here!"

The white eyes of the Hyuuga turned their level gaze on the Kunoichi, "Ah TenTen." he paused and his eyes widened a bit in surprise as he noticed Naruto's presence behind the girl, "Naruto too?"

He gracefully weaved his way though the crowd; avoiding people coming and going and moving easily around the waitresses as they bustled about with orders.

Soon he was standing in front of the three companions, "Every thing has been taken care of. Godaime-sama wanted me to thank you for a job well done."

Lee nodded, "Of course! It's like I was just telling Naruto-kun! Nothing can stand in the way of Team-Guy!"

Neji raised an eyebrow, but otherwise he did not respond, he was already accustomed to his teammate's over the top enthusiasm. Instead he sat in the empty space on Naruto's other side, "Well, it's nice to see you Naruto. I would have thought you would be at Ichiraku's or out training."

TenTen snorted, "In this weather? Who would go out in it if they didn't have to?"

Naruto grinned, "Actually, Sakura-chan, Kakashi-sensei and I were out training before sunrise this morning. I was on my way home and it started to rain again so I ducked in here."

Lee struck a pose, which turned out to be rather awkward given the close proximity of his companions, and he very nearly punched Naruto in the nose. The blond was only able to save himself by leaning over almost into Neji's lap. "It was destiny that brought us together today! We are meant to enjoy one another's companionship even as the pure strength of Nature thunders down on the very city that we call home! Oh the wonderful splendor of it all!"

TenTen sighed as Lee continued to rant about the wonders of nature and companionship, then turned her gaze to Naruto, "You just had to get him started didn't you?"

Naruto shrugged, "How am I supposed to keep track of everything that gets him going? Mention anything that even sounds like 'youth' or 'training' and he'll take it as an excuse." he pointed to the Green Beast of Konoha, "Besides, I think he's talking to himself more than us. He hasn't even noticed that we aren't listening."

Neji smiled; continuing to ignore Lee, "So how did your training go?"

Naruto frowned and leaned his chin on his hands; only narrowly saving himself from being slapped in the face by another of Lee's exuberant gestures, "I don't know, I'm having a tough time with it."

TenTen watched him thoughtfully, "What do you mean?"

Naruto gestured helplessly at her, "It's genjutsu. Sakura-chan and Kakashi-sensei are trying to teach me the basics, but it seems like I just can't get the hang of it. At this point, I can barely manage to release myself from it, much less cast one." he sighed, "To be honest I think they're getting a little frustrated with me."

Neji frowned, "It's not surprising that you would have a hard time learning it. You've never been a genjustu type. You're a close combat ninjutsu/taijutsu type."

Naruto turned his gaze on the older ninja, "Yeah, try telling them that." he shrugged, "It's not that I don't want to learn. It's just when they explain it I have no idea what they're talking about."

Lee suddenly burst into the conversation, surprising his companions, "Then you should ask Guy-sensei! I'll bet he could help!"

Neji crossed his arms over his chest, "Guy-sensei isn't a genjutsu type either."

Lee deflated a bit at his teammate's cold assessment, "He still might be able to help."

TenTen patted Lee on the back, comforting the slightly put out chunnin, "Actually Neji, you're a genjutsu/ninjutsu type. Why don't you train him?"

Neji looked thoughtfully at the sullen blond, "I could, when is your next training session with you team? Maybe I could give you a hand before you see them again."

Naruto looked desperately at Neji, "Tomorrow."

TenTen looked out at the rain pouring down in waves, "Well, I guess there is nothing we can do today then. It's raining too hard to be out there."

Lee frowned at the Kunoichi, "TenTen! How can you say that! The flaming youth of Naruto and Neji burns much too brightly to be dampened by a little storm such as this!"

TenTen shook her fist at Lee, "Will you give it a rest already? You're driving me crazy!"

Naruto smiled wanly at the three of them, "Don't worry about it Lee. I'm not going to ask you guys to be out in this just to save me a little frustration. Let's just enjoy our tea."

Neji smiled and put a hand on Naruto's shoulder, "You don't have to. I'll ask Hiashi-sama if we can use the Hyuuga indoor training gym."

Naruto smiled a little wider, "Do you really think he'd let us? I'm not sure he likes me too much."

Neji shook his head, "Actually, Hiashi-sama has respected you ever since our first chunnin exam."

Naruto and Lee both shot him a confused look, but TenTen smiled in understanding, "He's grateful for what you did for me during the chunnin exams; because of you, he was finally able to tell me the truth about my father."

Naruto blushed, "Ah, I didn't think he gave that much thought."

Neji nodded, "I don't think anyone will be using it today anyway."

TenTen smiled and leaned over the table, "I think I'll come along too. You never know; I might be helpful." her smile widened, "Or maybe I'll learn something myself."

Lee turned to her seriously, "Well, you are a Taijutsu type TenTen. Actually I can't remember you dealing in Genjutsu at all."

The Kunoichi shrugged, "That's because all of my family techniques revolve around weapons."

Lee struck a pose, once again forcing Naruto to duck, this time he slid under the table to narrowly avoid Lee's elbow that was heading for his chin, "Very well! I will go along too! Should I ever encounter a Genjutsu at least I'll know what I'm looking at!"

TenTen sighed heavily and playfully smacked the back of Lee's head, "Idiot! You're completely immune to genjutsu! You have no chakra flow to speak of remember?"

Neji calmly sipped his tea, unconcerned by the fact that his team had just invited themselves to his home; while Naruto laughed and encouraged TenTen.

As they were talking they failed to notice their comrades standing in front of them until Kiba announced himself loudly, "Hey Naruto!!! Are you guys deaf or what!?"

Neji, the only one who had noticed his cousin's team approach nodded to Hinata, "Hello Hinata-sama."

The Hyuuga heiress bowed slightly, "H-Hello Neji-nisama."

Naruto turned his strikingly blue eyes on the newcomers, "Hinata! Kiba! Shino! Hi you guys! How are you?"

Hinata blushed furiously and tried to stutter a reply, but Kiba butted in over her soft attempts, "Hey there! What's going on? I know that Lee's team hangs out here, but I didn't expect to find you here Naruto."

Shino nodded, adjusting his sunglasses on the bridge of his nose, "I would have thought you would be at Ichiraku's."

Naruto glared half heartedly at the taller ninja, "Is that the only place that anyone ever expects to find me? I do have other things to do you know!"

Kiba laughed loudly as he scratched Akamaru's ears, "Well you spend enough time there idiot! What are we supposed to think?" he gave his giant canine companion another pat on the head before turning to Neji, "Hey scoot over man, we're gonna join you."

Hinata reached for her outgoing teammate's sleeve, "Ah! Kiba-kun! We shouldn't just invite ourselves. Maybe they…."

She stopped short as Naruto grinned at her and pulled on Neji's arm, "Don't be silly Hinata! You're always welcome! Even if you have that mutt tagging along!"

There was a disgruntled, "Hey!" from Kiba, but he was smiling too widely to be taken seriously.

Neji allowed himself to be pulled towards the middle of the booth, and Naruto was happy to find that the Hyuuga was just as warm as his spandex-clad teammate.

"Come on Hinata!"

The Hyuuga Heiress shyly scooted into the booth next to her cousin, trying her best to give him his personal space, "Th-thank you N-naruto-kun."

Kiba recklessly plopped himself down on her other side and slid over to make room for Shino. Hinata yelped as she was shoved against Neji's side; she bowed her head and stuttered an apology, as Neji tried to assure her that it was, "Quite alright Hinata-sama."

When Shino sat on the edge of the curved bench he created a domino effect and soon the young ninja were crammed together in the booth relishing one another's warmth. Akamaru somehow managed to tuck himself underneath the table where he would be out of the way, effectively warming their exposed feet.

The waitress returned yet again and was surprised to find that her customers had multiplied once more. With a flick of her pristinely white apron she bustled off to the kitchen and returned with more glasses and two kettles of tea to be shared by the group. Naruto thanked her very sweetly and the girl went away once more with her cheeks stained a delicate pink.

Kiba took a long swallow of his tea then leaned over the table, "So what are you guys up to?"

Before anyone could answer Lee held up his fist in admiration and his teeth sparkled once more, "It is now our mission to help Naruto-kun with his training!"

Naruto shot an embarrassed glare in the direction of his hyperactive friend, "Hey! Fuzzy-eyebrows…."

Shino looked at him questioningly, "Training?"

Naruto sighed and directed one more annoyed glance at Lee before answering, "I'm trying to brush up on my genjutsu."

TenTen smiled, "Neji's great with genjutsu so we're going to give him a hand later."

Kiba snorted, "Have you looked outside? It's raining cats and dogs out there. It's no use training in that."

Neji shook his head, "No, I invited him to train with me at the Hyuuga compound."

Hinata immediately blushed, "N-naruto-kun at o-our house?"

Naruto flashed a foxy grin at the girl, "You don't mind do you Hinata?"

Hinata jumped and shook her head furiously, "N-no! Of course not Naruto-kun!"

Naruto grinned, "Thanks Hinata!"

TenTen smiled knowingly at the younger Kunoichi, a mischievous glint in her eyes "Hey, Hinata. You're a Genjutsu type. Maybe you could give them a hand."

Naruto looked between the girls, smiling happily, "That would be fun! What do you think Neji?"

Neji sipped his tea, then turned to Hinata, "I think it would be helpful. Would you like to join us Hinata-sama?"

Hinata blushed a bright pink, "M-me help, N-naruto-kun…"

Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "I would appreciate it Hinata." he turned his sapphire eyes on her causing her blush to deepen, "I'm having a hard time with it."

'Naruto-kun wants me to help him…..he wants to train together! W-what should I…?"

Kiba elbowed her lightly, "Hey Hinata!"

Hinata jumped at the contact, "Y-yes!?"

Naruto smiled and refilled his tea cup, "Alright! Thanks Hinata! With you and Neji helping me I'm sure I'll get it!"

Hinata's eyes widened, "Wh-what just…?"

Kiba frowned slightly, "Hinata! Why do you always get so flustered around him!?"

The corners of Neji's lips twitched as he watched his cousin, "Thank you Hinata-sama. You'll be very helpful for demonstrations."

Hinata just stared at her cousin, 'They though that was my answer! I was talking to Kiba-kun but…..Oh! I'm going to be training with Naruto-kun!'

She started to sway and Kiba put an arm out to steady her, "Hi-hinata?"

'Training with…Naruto-kun…'

She passed out, falling against her teammate, "AH! Hinata!"

"WHY ALWAYS WHEN HE'S AROUND!?"