A/N: This story is currently under revision. I've found myself at an impasse to continue on with it because my writing isn't the same as how it was. I like to say my style has matured but…

Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Naruto characters.

Warning: Yaoi (malexmale), crude language,

Rated: NC-17

Pairing: Konohamaru Sarutobi & Naruto Uzumaki

Summary: Konohamaru is sick and tired of watching Naruto continuously asking that damned traitor Uchiha out on a date and always being rejected in return. Sasuke didn't deserve someone as loving and caring as his Captain, damn it! And it was about time Naruto learned that too!

A Disciple's Journey

Chapter II

Snowy Spring

Shiranui Genma, Konohamaru realized, was probably his favorite person on the team. Aside from his perpetual childish banters and downright blush-worthy lucrative teasing, the guy, for a lack of better words, was an old and guileful man with wise eyes that was trapped inside a middle-aged body.

Upon being introduced to Genma, the man had emanated the same venerable and stalwart disposition that his uncle Asuma had once radiated in waves, yet Genma didn't make a habit of flaunting his stifling power. Instead, it thrummed in his strong muscles, emitted uninhibitedly off his coolly slouched figure that left Konohamaru childishly awed when the power, however rare, unfolded to reveal its accurate precision, swift undertaking, and cunning technique.

Even now, while heatedly sparring, the man refused to bring out his true strength. But Konohamaru had long since learned that it wasn't because he wasn't worthy enough. Much like his Shika-nii, the man just couldn't bother with putting in that much effort.

Not when he knew that Konohamaru needed to let out his pent up frustrations on something that wasn't defenseless and innocent newbies, no matter how ephemerally satisfying it was.

They clashed in a brief metal-to-metal collision, the sharp ringing echoing in the dojo they were currently occupying. Genma stood rigid and poised while Konohamaru was crouched on the ground, a low growl reverberating deep within his chest.

The sound didn't go unnoticed by the older man who straightened up, tucking away his kunai to pull out his trademark senbon needle and flicking it up in the air. It twirled, glinting with the artificial light almost threateningly before his teeth clamped down on the end, his lips moving it around to hang from the edge of his mouth.

Chestnut eyes regarded the younger man for a brief moment, their gaze knowing and intense.

"What's eating you, pipsqueak?"

The pet name caused a barely noticeable throb of Konohamaru's temple. He flickered his annoyed gaze at his senpai, wiping the sweat off his forehead with the back of his arm. They had long since discarded their jonin shirts in favor of going shirtless.

"Why do you think something's bothering me?" he inquired with an arch of a slender brow, unwrapping the powdered bandages from his knuckles to let them pool at his feet like a bundled snake. Genma scoffed as if it was the most stupid question he had heard.

"Kid, you're forgetting that I trained you to become an Anbu elite. If I didn't know when something was bothering you, then I'd have been a shitty instructor. Besides, you only fight that sloppy when you got things runnin' in that head of yours."

Konohamaru shot the older man an annoyed look, stretching his exerted muscles and reveled in the languor that came with one-on-one training, something he'd come to appreciate after Naruto had reminded him that ninjutsu wasn't the only thing that was effective.

The mere thought of the blonde man had his whole demeanor shifting. He let out a groan, his head dropping in disappointment as the recollections of his old genin team's plan resurfaced in his mind. Just what the hell was he getting himself into?

"Judging by that moan of despair, I'm guessing you're finally having problems in the love department again. 'Bout damn time! I was wondering if that Hyuuga bitch had gone off with your pride and your balls."

Konohamaru grabbed the nearest object and chucked it at the grinning man, "Shut up! And she's not a bitch!"

Genma easily dodged the kunai with a simple tilt of his head, the grin on his face only stretching wider. "She used Gentle Fist on you after you asked her out. That's considered a bitch move by every ninja handbook out there."

Konohamaru winced at the memory, his hand unconsciously massaging his chest. Yeah, that had hurt more than any amount of training Ebisu and Naruto combined had put him through. A simple 'no' would have sufficed. Hanabi was nothing like the cute and demure Hinata! If anything, she'd taken after that pompous bastard Neji.

Ironically, the bastard was yet another one of Naruto's many suitors however clandestine his approaches were. But Konohamaru wasn't stupid despite the common misconception that he was just as clueless as his favorite blonde sensei. No, he saw the way Neji's eyes secretly trailed after Naruto every time they were in the locker room or simply catching up in the recreational area.

"So, who's the lucky gal?" Genma asked while tugging on his shirt, expertly maneuvering the weapon in his mouth so it wouldn't get caught on the material. Konohamaru glowered, his lips thinning and showing no signs of offering up any clue as to whom his troubles pertained to.

"What's with the face? Is it that cute girl you always got hangin' around ya? What's here name…Moenchi? Or could it be…momo jiri(1)?" the older man baited with a lecherous grin and, as predicted, Konohamaru flushed and lunged at him.

"You perverted old man!" he screeched as he tackled his senpai to the ground, hands pushing against Genma's in a failed attempt to throttle his neck.

"So it is her!"

Konohamaru pushed himself off Genma and stalked back over to his scattered items, plucking his shirt off the ground and pulling it over his head. "I've never considered Moegi like that. I've known her too long to harbor any intimate feelings for her." Genma seemed to ponder it for a moment before shrugging.

"Okay then if it's not her, then who is it?"

Midnight black eyes searched hazel ones for a fraction of a minute before Konohamaru decided to open his mouth.

Only to be interrupted by a loud bang of the rice paper door being opened.

Hardened twin hues of blue were looking at them with a mixture of annoyance and exasperation, the dark bags under the man's eyes giving the pair a clue as to why Naruto looked as if one of his pet toads got ran over by a stray cart.

"We're headed out. Get your shit prepared, we depart in less than an hour. Someone better find Sai before I stick a paintbrush in his eye." The blonde's voice was husky and laden with sleep-deprivation, and his eyes did not sparkle their usual mirth. He promptly spun on his heel and more than likely retreated back to the sleeping quarters provided especially for the Anbu.

Both Konohamaru and Genma frowned, but Genma had taken notice of the Sarutobi heir's unusually tense posture.

"Ah, so you've decided to ride along the fence I see. Always knew you were somewhat of a pillow-biter." Genma whistled lowly, eyes drifting toward the spot Naruto had last been in. "And I can tell you've set your sights pretty high."

Scowl firmly set in place to erase the deepened frown that had once marred his regal features; Konohamaru laid irate eyes on his senpai, but his overt disconcertion was not at all directed at the man he had long since deemed his pseudo-uncle. His brows furrowed together as he began to head to the locker room, bypassing Genma on his way out.

"If Tsunade-sama keeps sending Naruto on those diplomacy operations and continue with his Anbu missions, he's going to keel over any moment."

Genma clucked his tongue and followed after him, steps as silent as a feather's landing and so frighteningly deadly that it made an unbidden shiver race up Konohamaru's back. When no response was offered, he glanced back to see the man's deep look of contemplation by the furrow of eyebrows and the harsh creases that accompanied the years spent on their unpleasant profession.

"What?"

Brown eyes glanced up at him momentarily, "Somehow, I get the feeling that Naruto's been tired for…different reasons."

Konohamaru raised a brow, opening the locker door and peeling his shirt from his body to set it neatly folded inside. "I'm not following."

Genma switched the senbon to the other side of his mouth, chewing on the deadly tip and his countenance revealing a strange look of consternation, one that had Konohamaru pausing after pulling over his mandated, skin-tight Anbu shirt over his lean body.

There was sudden movement at the entrance as other members soon began to file in for their own assigned mission and anything Genma had displayed evanesced so quickly Konohamaru would have thought any disconcertion had never been there if it weren't for the palpable silence that befell them.

An easy smile crept on Genma's lips as he slammed his locker shut, uniform clean and crisp on his body in record time as he faced the Sarutobi heir. "Just forget it. It's probably just my old people vibes getting the best of me." With calm strides, he exited in search of their fourth member and left Konohamaru with a perpetually surprised look on his face.

Konohamaru blinked, shrugged, and began to strap on his arm guards, but the niggling feeling in the back of his head didn't disappear.

…

…

…

There was a pregnant silence in the air as Konohamaru stood with his back erect and his face set into a hardened façade behind the eagle mask Genma himself had bestowed upon him. He gulped thickly, his hands quivering just slightly behind his back while a bead of sweat ran along the nape of his neck, a trail of cold iciness seeping into his skin at the stern glare from honey-brown eyes staring down at them from their perch atop deftly crossed fingers.

Beside him, Naruto seemed infuriatingly yet coolly relaxed, his posture respectful but still withholding the nonchalance that came with years of experience dealing with their Lady Hokage. Genma also seemed undisturbed with his downright bored slouch. Konohamaru didn't have to glance down the line to see Sai standing as stiff as a board with his usual aloof disposition.

God, why weren't they just as nervous as he was? It was infuriating!

Konohamaru exhaled slowly, forcing his tense muscles to relax and hoping it would go unnoticed under the calculating eyes of his Hokage.

Her eyes locked with his despite the barrier masking his face and there was the faintest upturn of her glossy lips. Mentally cursing himself, Konohamaru knew the jig was up.

"I understand this will be your first S-ranked mission, Konohamaru." Her voice was low and teasing, causing his teeth to grind and his body to straighten even further.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama." He confirmed stiffly.

An elegantly shaped eyebrow arched up, "Are you worried?"

"Not at all, Lady Hokage-sama. Naruto-nii-ch-sama's squadron is fully capable of handling any mission assigned to us." His voice, although loud and clear, didn't quite come out as sturdy as he'd hoped it would.

Her slender eyebrow arched upward. "I would hope so. If they didn't I don't think any of you would be in this room."

"Are you done tormenting my apprentice, baa-chan? Last time I checked that's been myjob since he was a snot-nosed brat." Naruto's voice carried among the ambiance and the entire room stiffened, an anxious silence crackling as all four Anbu members visibly paled at the throbbing tick becoming steadily visible on Tsunade's temple.

"Naruto…"

Naruto let out a bitch scream and Konohamaru found himself being manhandled from behind just as a chair whizzed passed him at lighting speed, disturbing the hair on the side of his head.

"Naruto-senpai!" he croaked as Naruto cowered behind him. Was this what their second-in-command was reduced to? By a mere woman?

"GET SNARKY WITH ME LIKE THAT ONE MORE TIME AND I'LL HAVE YOUR HEAD, GAKI! MY APPRENTICE BE DAMNED!"

Konohamaru gulped thickly and a shudder ripped through him without warning. Scratch that. Naruto had every right to act like a coward.

"T-Tsunade-sama please, calm down!" Shizune cried, her pet pig, Tonton, quivering in her arms.

Tsunade huffed, grumbling under her breath about it being the fifth chair this week and took to leaning against her desk. Naruto all the while still standing behind Konohamaru and using him as a makeshift shield.

"I swear you are going be the death of me, Naruto." She grumbled, running a hand down her face to settle down. Meanwhile Naruto finally tiptoed out from behind Konohamaru, clearing his throat gruffly as if he'd held his ground the entire time.

"Before this idiot interrupted me," she straightened in her chair then, eyes growing dark and serious. "This mission is of the upmost importance."

"As you may recall, Naruto, you actually dealt with this woman back when you were a snot-nosed brat. I'm sure she'll be delighted to see you haven't changed one bit." The twitch of her strained smile caused every occupant in the room to stiffen and pale.

Naruto blithely perked up. "Who is it?" he chirped excitedly.

"Princess Koyuki – now Daimyo – has requested our aid, and has specifically asked for two members of the original Team Seven to join the squad I've decided to send her way."

Konohamaru crossed his fingers tightly, unconsciously biting his lip and praying to whatever God above to have mercy on his soul and for it not to be Sasuke. Sakura-chan was a better alternative than that Uchiha bastard anyway.

"Two? So then who-"

"Yo! Sorry I'm late you guys but-"

"YOU TARDY ASSHOLE! CAN YOU NOT SHOW UP IN TIME FOR SOMETHING FOR ONCE IN YOUR LIFE!?"

Naruto's Anbu team all cringed at the vociferous screeching of their captain, while Kakashi merely winced and stuck a blunt pinky finger down his ear hole. Stomping his foot almost petulantly, Naruto pouted.

"Awh, why does it have to be this old geezer? Why can't it be Sasuuukkee?"

With an exaggerated roll of her eyes that Konohamaru thought for a split second might tumble onto the floor like marbles, Tsunade let out a sigh of frustration and massaged her throbbing temples.

"Because Kakashi, out of everyone here, has the most experience with her complicated past. Not to mention he's earned her full trust, just as you did Naruto." Tsunade offered him a pleasant smile, knowing full well the extent of Naruto compassion for others and it was not surprise that it had affected even the coldest princess of the North.

Leaning back in her chair, she mumbled under her breath, a small smirk crossing her lips. "Not to mention she specifically asked to not let the 'damned traitor Uchiha' not to set foot in her land, the same being said about the 'pink harpie' who gave her a contusion."

"What was that?" Naruto asked suspiciously and Tsunade sat up and cleared her throat.

"Nothing!"

A giggle diverted their attention to Kakashi who had his nose buried in his book.

Casually grabbing the nearest weapon he could find, Naruto threw it. "What's wrong with Koyuki-chan? Is she alright?"

"Wait wait wait just one second! Princess Fūn? As in the Fujikaze Yukie?" Genma had taken off his mask in his excitement, chestnut eyes sparkling with elation at the mention of the reputable actress. Naruto nodded eagerly, chucking his mask off and pulling out his scroll to summon a small envelope.

"Can you believe I got her autograph!?" he nearly screamed, holding the worn picture he'd received from her all those years ago tightly between his fingers. Genma's eyes widened at the sight.

"You lucky bastard! Ahhh she's so beautiful!"

"Why do you even carry that around?" Konohamaru asked, but was completely ignored.

By then, Neji had inconspicuously joined them, his posture still intimidating but not in the least bit empowering if Konohamaru had anything to say about it

"Her acting was phenomenal in her Princess Fūn films." His voice was low but it held the boyish interest and nostalgia when recalling fond memories. Naruto and Genma giggled simultaneously.

Like love struck little girls, Konohamaru rolled his eyes at the trio. Personally, he'd never seen any of the movies the actress had been in. That is to say he wasn't one for dumb chick flicks like Moegi and Udon seemed to be.

Sai had taken that opportunity to inch closer, peering curiously at the photograph still proudly being displayed. He blinked once before smiling, effectively chilling Konohamaru to the bone. He never particularly liked the pasty man…

"You look very young in this picture, Naruto." The statement was met with suspicious blue eyes and a hesitant response.

"I was thirteen."

The creepy smile only widened.

"Oh, so I bet your dick stopped growing at that age since it's lacking in-"

"SAI YOU ASSHOLE YOU ALWAYS HAVE-"

"Enough already!" The yell tore through the room like lightning and had Naruto pausing in trying to strangle the throat of his subordinate. "I let you dimwits have your time now settle down! This requires your upmost skill as shinobi of Konoha. You better not disappoint me." She growled lowly, eyes narrowed at the testosterone-fueled men in her room.

"Since when have I ever failed you, baa-chan?" Naruto grinned at her, earlier anger gone from his eyes and replaced with the shining determination he was known for. Behind him, Konohamaru could feel himself relaxing.

There's nothing to worry about, we got this, he assured himself.

"Now, as I was saying, as you all have already established she has simultaneously taken up her rightful position as Daimyo of Yukigakure and has also been continuing her career as a critically acclaimed actress. Due to her…acting, she has come to believe that her council has made it their responsibility to take the mantel of political matters."

There was a shuffle of papers maneuvering within her hands as she rifled through the batch. "I don't usually accept missions requests this…risky, however, due to the nature of the reports I've been getting from the other villages and after having planted my own scouts, it's come to my attention that the situation is far worse."

She handed the necessary documents to Kakashi, who passed them down the line. All of them tensed upon reading the files and Konohamaru, having had the essential diplomatic upbringing because of the Sarutobi name, was the first to speak the undeniable truth.

"This…this could very well lead to a revolution."

Tsunade's mouth was set into a grim line, and even Sai had his eyes wide and alert as he kept reading the contents of the papers. They all knew what war mean, the blood and the bodies and the lifeless eyes that accompanied empty corpses was all too familiar for them, even more so for the veterans in the room.

"A country's internal strife should traditionally be handled within itself. Although, it seems to me that these people are being manipulated, tormented, and even killed in order to sway their beliefs. There is no one she can depend on in her village, however, she has complete and utter trust in her filming crew."

There was silence and then:

"Does this mean we will be filmed in a movie?" Sai asked, genuinely curious.

Genma saddled up next to him excitedly, "OOOOHH can I kiss Princess Yukie if we do!?"

"I wonder if she'd consider taking a part in Icha Icha Violence?" Kakashi mumbled to himself.

"Ack, you hentai-"

"YOU IDIOTS, GET OUT OF MY OFFICE!"

Konohamaru seriously wondered if he had joined the right team. He could only pray at this point.

Unbeta'd

(1) "momo jiri" means 'peach ass'

A/N: Eh? Eh? So what do you guys think so far?