This is the rewrite for chapter 2. Not entirely happy with it but you can only get so far with self-criticism. Apologies for the OOCness. Hope you all enjoy

"Is this place always so packed?" asked Asuma as the four Jounin waited for a seat. The restaurant Gai had picked was in the center of Konoha's commercial district. Surrounded by everything from the village's bank to its few hotels, the White Lotus, received everything from diplomats to clan heirs, all looking for a good time away from the politics of life. "We shoulda just gone to Ri'oko's."

"Ri'oko's is a dump." Kakashi looked up from his latest IchaIcha novel a little surprised it was Gai who had spoken. "The place smells of old whiskey and old cigars. How could our flames ever be fanned in a place like that." More like it, thought the Copy-Nin as he turned the page. "The White Lotus is teeming with life. See all the smiles, smell the blossoming youth."

"Yeah…" Asuma lit a fresh cigarette. "Definitely smells like teen spirit in here," he muttered with disdain.

"Nothing teen about that couple," giggled Kurenai watching an older woman escorted by a much younger man. "Well at least nothing teen about her. And besides, what would you be doing at Ri'oko's? Drinking gin, complaining about the last girl who passed on your dick and listening to some god awful music about how wonderful tractors and life on the farm is?"

"Yes!" said Asuma pointing his cigarette at the red-eyed beauty. "And I'd be having a fucking grand time doing it too."

"Friends!"Gai fixed the party with a grin that was somehow able to show off everyone of his brilliantly white teeth. "Why so much quarrelling? Look, here is our lovely hostess, ready to take us to our seats." The green spandex wearing Jounin smiled at the young woman approaching them. "Good evening, Miss. Forgive my staring. It is not often I meet a woman who walks with such grace. Your every step is like the wind gliding over blades of grass. May I ask your name?'

"Um-" the girl blushed. Working in a place like this, she'd gotten used to older men hitting on her but none had ever been this flowery. "I'm Miku and I'll be your waitress for the evening. Please follow me and I'll take you to your table."

"Please," said Gai his voice filled with melodramatic dread. "I fear if we are not seated soon my friend here might go through another 4 packs before we even get a chance to drink!"Asuma let out a long stream of smoke into the face of the Green Beast. Gai batted it away while giving Miku a pained look. "Do you see, Miko? Do you see? I think of them first and this is how I am repaid."

Kurenai laughed. "Gai, I have to hang out with you more often. Miku, mind getting me a Long Island Ice Tea?"

"Not a problem," Miku replied in a bright and cheery voice. "And for the gentlemen-?"

" shots. On the rocks," he said as he lit yet another cigarette. "Hell, just bring out the bottle."

"Um… We can't do that…"

Asuma sighed. "Then just the two shots then."

"I'll take what Kurenai's having," yawned Kakashi as he put an arm over his chair and began to lean back into it.

"I will let the young lady choose my drink," Gai said while giving Miko another brilliant display of his many white teeth. "Surpsise me, Miko. I'm up for anything once."

"Twice if ya like it?" laughed Miko. The young woman shook her head as she wrote something down her pad.

"And a third if it's good," replied Gai.

The young woman giggled. "I'll get ya a 'Green Beast,'" she said smiling at the green clad Jounin. "I think it'd fit you. I'll be a back in a minute. Hang on for me, ok, sug'?"Miko winked at Gai who only smiled back at her. Across from him, Asuma's face had grimaced into an expression of pure contempt.

"How the fuck do you do that?" he asked pointedly.

"Women like gay guys," answered Kakashi. "They find them nonthreatening so they have no problem hopping into bed with them."

"And you know this from those wonderful real life accounts you're always reading?" Kurenai couldn't help but tease. Kakashi's eye somehow defied all reason and managed to frown. "Oh come on, don't look at me like that. That's all you ever read!"

"Indeed," laughed Gai patting Kakashi on the back. "My rival is quite the ero fan, isn't he? But Kakashi, you do me wrong. I appreciate beauty, health and warmth whether it's in the arms of a young woman or a sour man with a fine beard and love for nicotine."

Asuma pointed his cigarette at Gai. "I will cut you," he said exhaling as he did so. "I ain't some 19 year old tart. Date your age for fuck's sake, Gai. It's creepy watching you pick up girls who don't even remember the last War."

"Asuma, you don't remember the last war," snapped Kakashi. "Listening to you tell it, you defeated all the Iwa-nin."

"Good stories always need a little embellishment," shrugged Asuma. "Here we go." Miko had returned with their drinks. Taking his, the veteran gave it an appreciative sniff. "Now this is bourbon," he said before draining the tumbler. "I'll take another."

"Don't keep me on my feet too long," said Miko as she handed Kurenai and Kakashi their drinks. "And here you go, hun." Smiling at Gai she placed a large jar of green liquid in front of him. "Careful with that. Seen guys knocked off their feet by it."

"Ah, but how often have you seen a young lady swept off her feet by a 'Green Beast'?" Gai returned the smile before taking a small sip. "Hmmm… I'm afraid I'll have to ask for one these every time I come here."

"Be sure to ask for me too," cooed Miko.

"How could I not?" The young waitress and Taijutsu master locked eyes. Miko's mouth dropped open for a moment as if considering whatever Gai's eyes had promised.

Remembering she still had 3 other customers, Miko tore her eyes away from Gai and looked back at the rest of the group. "You folks ready to order?" she asked the table.

"I'm just drinking tonight," answered Asuma, shaking his head at Gai.

"Me too," echoed Kurenai pulling at Kakashi's mask, trying to expose the bit of his face he never showed.

"I'll just have the duck," grunted Kakashi as he pushed Kurenai's hand away. The Genjutsu specialist giggled withdrawing her hand.

"I'll have the house steak," said Gai, looking up from the menu and handing it Miko.

"And how do you want it?" Not even a deaf, blind mute would have missed the coyness in her voice. "Well done or with a moist pink center?"

"You know me well enough to guess, Miko."

Nodding, the young woman smiled at him. "I'll be back with your warm pink center." Without even a glance at the rest of the seated ninjas, Miko took her leave.

"If you don't wake up with a kidney missing tomorrow, I'm gonna be pissed." Asuma had that look of disdain back on his face. "Why do places like this always hire girls like that?"

Kurenai looked up from the drink she'd been trying to feed Kakashi. (His mask made it especially difficult) "Because we mean repeat business and keep customers with a smile on their face."

"It's a mutually beneficial relationship," said Gai trying to catch a glimpse of Miko as she turned a corner. "Manager gets better business, customers get a few thrills and the staff make a nice bit on the side. Unless the manager isn't someone of scruples, of course."

"Yeah," agreed Kurenai. "Then ya gotta raid the register to make up the difference."

"And that old fart is trusting you with kids," Asuma groaned.

"We're ninjas, aren't we, Asuma?" Kakashi, finally free of Kurenai, adjusted his mask. "That's kinda what we do."

"Hard to argue with that," muttered Asuma. "I suppose it comes with the territory."

"True that!" Kurenia raised her glass to the group. "Bottoms up, gentlemen. Asuma's already finished his and we're pretty far behind." The group clinked glasses.

They drank for hours. Miko kept the group supplied with fresh drinks that they were only too happy to accept. Asuma (after the 4th or 5th round) got over his disapproval of the place and lead the whole restaurant in a dance. Gai left with Miko the moment she was off shift. And Kakashi downed drink after drink. The Copy-Nin and Spider laughed and joked until they were the only two of their group left and the crowd began to thin. Using Kakashi for support, Kurenai led them to the bar, where they sat beside one another and ordered another round of drinks.

"So the target's lying there bleeding out and his wife's over him stabbing him with a kitchen knife twice as big as the sword I'm carrying. She looks at me and says 'Did you know he never once said he loved me?' And all my dumb 16 year old self can think to do is give her advice on the right way to kill someone. 'You can't just stab them to death like this. Look at all the blood. You're his wife. Get him drunk, pour a bath and hold his head under water til he drowns.'" Kakashi took another drink from his beer. "I swear to kami above, she must've off'ed her last 2 husbands with that trick."

Kurenai laughed into her drink. "You have a way with women, Kakashi," she said poking him in the side. "Hey. Hey. Hey. I think you're cute." In a display of mock shyness The Spider batted her eyelashes and offered her exposed shoulder to her companion. "I'm so tipsy. If only there was some handsome, thoughtful, caring man to protect an innocent girl like me. I fear this drink just does not agree with my delicate constitution."

"Asuma's the one into the skanky country girl routine, not me-Ow!" Kurenai had slapped him on the shoulder. "What? You were being skanky- Ow! Quit hitting me!"

"Quit calling me a skank!" Kurenai took another swing at her companion. Kakashi caught her hand effortlessly. "Leggo!"

"Young lovers," a voice said from their side. Both Jounin turned to face who'd spoken. A middle-aged woman was grinning at them from the stool next to Kurenai's. "That takes me back."

"Oh! No we're not-" began Kakashi quickly shaking his head.

"Yeah, we're just friends," agreed Kurenai picking up where her 'friend' had left off. "He's a Jounin and we're both waaaay to busy for that."

The woman laughed. "My husband and I were just friends until one night we both met for drinks right here at this bar."

"What happened?" the Spider asked sipping from her drink and placing Kakashi's arm over her shoulder. "Maybe you can give this one tips on how to seal the deal."

"It looks like he has that figured out, sweetheart. Boy this handsome," the older woman gave Kakashi an appreciative once over. "I'm surprised you didn't leave your panties at the door."

Kurenai squealed. She couldn't help but blush to the roots of her hair. "I- I need to use the ladies room," she said laughing. "See you in a bit." Stopping only to give Kakashi a quick peck on the cheek, Kurenai hurried off towards the restroom.

"She's very, pretty." Kakashi turned his one open eye to the woman now trying to fill the silence. "You're lucky."

"Yeah," mumbled the normally masked ninja.

"You're shinobi?" the woman tried again. "I just met with one of you a few hours ago. I understand how important you all are. Without you we'd be at the mercy of all the other nations."

"That's the line anyway…"

"I'm sorry?" The woman frowned unsure of what to make of the ninja in front of her. The one that afternoon had seemed so different from this one.

Kakashi took a drink before answering. "I said that's the line. It's the same one we get fed in ANBU, the Academy and every time we get an A ranked mission. 'You fight for the good of Konoha.' 'Without you we'd be defenseless.' 'You are keepers of a great legacy.' Then someone remembers you can't march on an empty stomach so they turn around and feed you all the same lines. 'We defend our way of life.' 'We stand steadfast at the gates.' Sound familiar? It's just a sale pitch." The Copy-Nin opened his closed eye, showing her what had earned him the nickname "Copy Cat". "This didn't come from some enemy village looking to kill your kids. It came from my closest friend. We were on a mission, and our sensei was away… My buddy- his whole body was crushed. All that was left intact was this eye. He told me to take it, that it would make me a more powerful ninja. That I would be strong enough to protect Konoha.

"We were 12," finished the Jounin. Whatever was happening inside him left no trace on his face. It was as cold as a frozen lake.

"Have you," the woman asked after a long silence. "Have you protected Konoha?"

"I'm an assassin. I kill people I'm told to. I get a name and finish by date. Then I go, stalk them, learn their habits, watch them sit down with their families and tuck their kids away. All those private moments we 'defend.' I wait for them to be alone, away from the people who could protect them, away from all the faces they'd beg to see one last time. Then I kill them." The Jounin poured the rest of his drink down his throat."And tomorrow, I'll train 3 12 year olds to do the same."

"Hey!" Kurenai said brightly as she returned to her seat.

"Excuse me." The older woman dropped some notes by her drink and walked off without looking at either of them.

"Did something happen?" asked Kurenai with a frown on her face.

"No," lied Kakashi without a second thought. "She just had to get going. Hey," he whispered ss he leaned close to Konoha's Spider. "You wanna get going?" She looked at him for a moment before nodding. "I'll cover our drinks. Ya mind spending the night at my place?"

Kurenai shook her head. "I'd love to," she whispered as she stood and pressed her body against his back. "I'm sorry, Kakashi."

"Huh?"

Instead of answering him, she turned his head and placed a tender kiss on his lips. "You're a good guy," she murmured into his ear. Kurenai would murmur the same later than night while Kakashi was on top of her whispering how perfect she was. In between their moans the Copy-Nin forgot all his missions. Her scent enveloped him, pushing him deeper into her, making each kiss hungrier than the last. It filled his nostrils, numbing his mind as he felt the tension building inside him finally release into that wonderful body. As he drifted off to sleep he never heard her whisper another apology.

Lying awake next to him, Kurenai traced her fingers along Kakashi's many scars. Across the Copy-Nin's chest were the only honors he'd ever cared for. I'll make it up to you, I promise, she thought reflecting on the day. The woman who had sat beside her was Miyagi Ema, the newly appointed head of Konoha's Merchant's guild. She'd met with a representative from ROOT asking for financial backing for one of their new programs. He'd made a very passionate case. Ema had seemed almost entirely convinced according to Kurenai's contact.

Once a year, Ema went to the White Lotus in honor of her departed husband. She went at the same time and sat at the same stool ordering the same drink. The time and place the widow's husband had kissed her. At least according to the nanny who watched over Ema's 12 year old twins. The kunoichi sighed as she closed her eyes waiting for sleep. "No rest for the wicked," she told herself. This would be another sleepless night.

It was very late into the afternoon when Kurenai walked into the now almost empty classroom. Three children, not yet in their teens, sat at the far end of the room. Well, where two were sitting. The third stood just off to the side.

Even Kakashi beat me here.

The Jounin looked a little worse for wear. Her eyes had heavy bags under them and her hair was slightly disheveled. The combat vest had been replaced with the normal mesh and red silk the genjutsu mistress was known for.

With warm but weary eyes she turned to Team Eight. A smile came easily to her as she looked at the Hyuuga and Jinchuuriki. A rookie Jounin had effectively taken the boy out of Danzo's grasp for good. That's twice she'd ruined the man's plans in one week. If that wasn't reason to smile, what was? "Hello, my name is Yuuhi Kurenai. As you must already know, I am a Jounin and your new sensei."

She stopped suddenly lifting her beautiful eyes up to the Genin who had placed himself so far from the rest of his team.

"Shino!" she called out in mock anger. "What are you doing all the way over there? Your team is right here."

Expressionlessly Aburame Shino walked over to where Naruto and a deeply blushing Hinata were sitting. He stood there with his hands in his pockets like a silent observer.

'Strange,' thought Kurenai.'None of your reports indicate you're a particularly unsocial individual… I see. You wanted to observe your new teammates. But haven't you had enough time for that at the Academy, Shino? Or perhaps it's me that you wanted under the microscope?'

Storing those thoughts away for some time in the future, the experienced Kunoichi addressed her two other charges with the same mock outrage she had used on their teammate.

"And the two of you!" she chided. "I suppose you were so lost whispering sweet nothings into each other's ears you completely forgot about poor Shino!"

At this accusation Hinata's face became beet red and she buried her face in the collar of her thick jacket. Naruto on the other hand seemed to not get the joke.

"Well I would have if he quit being such a weirdo and actually said something!" he fired back standing as he spoke. "And quit talking to me like I'm some little kid. I'm a ninja, remember?"

Grinning like the devil fox he was, Naruto's hands went up to his hitai-ate as if everyone present should give their undivided attention to him and it. It was obvious the protective metal piece had been polished the night before, and the cloth had been treated to some equally meticulous cleaning.

'It's the only part of you that's actually presentable,' thought Kurenai observing the metal shine. 'That one belonged to Iruka, your mentor. No wonder it means so much to you.'

"Kurenai-sensei."

Every eye turned to look at the Aburame bug user. He had removed his right hand from his pockets and was moving it in a way that punctuated his words.

"Should we not all introduce ourselves? If it meets with your approval I would like to go first."

The Jounin smiled and nodded. The twelve-year-old walked to the front of his team, between them and their sensei, and spoke.

"My name is Aburame Shino, and as you know I specialize in insects and arachnids."

"Bugs!"Naruto said interrupting his teammate. "You use bugs to fight, right? I think that's super cool! I wish I could do that."

"Yes…" Shino looked from Hinata to Naruto before continuing. "I study the biological sciences and chemistry in my spare time. I find such disciplines have made me a much more effective user of my clan's jutsu. I am better able to understand the workings of my tenants' minds, bodies and life cycles. Someday I hope to add to the body of knowledge my family has spent so many generations slowly building."

"I like the sciences too, Shino," said Kurenai with an approving nod. "Though I favor the social sciences."

She liked Team Eight's last member. He seemed very collected, a perfect complement to the self conscious Hyuuga and rash Naruto. He would be a fine influence.

"Highly speculative and lacking a sizeable body of evidence," said Shino appreciatively. "Yet not to be dismissed considering how broad its implications can be. I suspect regardless of what is discovered your field will always prove both illuminating and captivating."

Kurenai could only smile at the boy. You're such an odd kid. But in a good way.

"Hinata why don't you go next," the Jounin suggested once Shino had walked back to where he had been standing besides the young girl. Both he and Naruto looked at the Hyuuga, the former with the impassiveness he greeted the world with and the latter with the smirk and wink that made the girl's heart melt.

"Yeah, 'Nata-chan! Let's hear it!"

The love-struck girl blushed to the roots of her hair at the nickname the object of her affection gave her.

"H-Hai!" she said slowly.

When she was finally standing where Shino had delivered his introduction, Hinata looked first at Kurenai (possibly hoping the Jounin would let her sit back down) then at her two teammates.

"H-Hello," she began at barely above a whisper. "M-my My name is H-Hinata. Um…"

The group watched the young Hyuuga trip and stumble over her words. For their part they seemed to be trying to look as encouraging as possible, but it did little to instill confidence in their teammate. Hinata looked back at Kurenai who simply nodded her sleepy eyes, making her warm smile all that more sincere.

"Keep going," the Jounin said. "You're doing fine."

"H-hai!"

Taking a deep breath, Hinata continued more to the floor then to anything else. "I-I like calligraphy and-and pressing flowers… um… I… um someday hope to bring honor to Otou-san and my clan."

"That's boring," said Naruto to a quizzical glance from his new sensei. "Don't you wanna do anything just for you?"

Hinata looked at Naruto unable to speak.

"I mean, jeez, who cares what your oyaji wants you to do. He's not the boss is he?"

"Naruto…" the drawling voice of Shino said from the blonde's side. "Hinata's wishes are her own. It is not our place to judge them or her."

"But Hinata-chan, you haven't told us anything!" Naruto said indignantly addressing his answer to Hinata. Instead of sounding accusatory, the brash voice held the smallest hint of hurt. This was of course absurd. What reason did Naruto have to mind not being told every detail of his teammate's life?

"Actually she has given no less information than I have," the Aburame said raising his hand to the large collar of his coat. "While she has used considerably fewer words than I, she has been no less open. Hinata, please continue."

But the young girl would not. The shade of red she had turned before was nothing compared to the deep crimson that reached to the roots of her short dark hair. Poor Hinata was practically frozen in place.

Kurenai came to the rescue. "I think its Naruto's turn."

The red faced girl said a silent thank you and almost ran back to her seat. Naruto sniffed, thumbed his nose, and stood up. With all the confidence and arrogance the youth was known for he pointed dramatically at his teammates.

"My name is UzumakiNaruto, and I'm gonna be the next Hokage!" he declared. He watched the pair sitting across from him expecting some kind of response. When he received none, he sniffed again.

"I like ramen, weekends and… Oh yeah! I really like showing up those ANBU dweebs. Hah! You should see them Kurenai-sensei," laughed Naruto as he turned to face his new instructor, "trying to catch me after I visit gramps. Like a bunch of guys in masks are ever gonna catch Konoha's greatest ninja!"

"I find myself a little more skeptical than usual of this story, Naruto," Shino interjected.

Naruto's face twisted into a scowl, the expression seeming almost cartoonish with the way his sharp canines stood out. His eyes became little more than slits on his face. Naruto was quickly losing patience with his new teammate.

"ANBU are renowned for their tracking abilities. What's more they receive exclusively A and S ranked missions. For you to evade them would heavily suggest you also be able to evade Iruka-sensei, who you regularly fail to…"

"Only because he already knows all my hiding spots!" howled Naruto, more from a sense of bruised ego than anything else. Kurenai hid a smile and watched the two boys. She really liked this new team. Each fresh and unique with their own biases. I can definitely work with this.

"H-Hey!" Naruto's cartoonish scowl gave way to an equally ridiculous look of outrage as he further considered the bug user's words. "You calling me a liar?"

"Lying involves intentional deception. I believe it is far more likely you are either exaggerating or remember the events incorrectly," answered Shino, his calm voice perfect for defusing the situation. "None of which involves intentional deceit on your part Naruto. The mind has a way of forgetting details and adding new ones. Memory is very much tied with emotion which results in-"

"Ok! Ok! Geez!"Naruto folded his arms across his chest, the same absurd scowl he had worn earlier back on his face. "Let's make a deal. I watch my fat mouth, you talk stupid to me. Fair?"

Caught off-guard and unsure of how to proceed, Shino said nothing choosing instead to watch the strange specimen through his sunglasses.

Kurenai smiled politely. You certainly put up a fearsome front. Let's see how much bite there is to back up your bark, Naruto.

"An excellent goal to have, Naruto. I'm honored to have students with such ambition and spirit. Variety has been one of the defining characteristics of many great teams. It has been my experience as a Jounin that the more fresh eyes you have looking at a problem, the more solutions you can come up with. I expect each of you to excel and make me proud."

The three Genin looked at their sensei, each feeling the woman's warmth. Naruto, who always loved a compliment, found her kind praise a sweet caress to his fragile ego. Hinata, who hated confrontation and expected a harsh task master much like her father, found the woman's soft touch a relief. Shino, who appreciated nuance, found himself approving of the Kunoichi's carefully chosen words.

"As for myself…"

The group looked up at their new sensei expectantly. With the same tired smile she had greeted them, Kurenai spoke.

"Nothing makes me happier than seeing the future of this village grow up to be strong shinobi." She said. The words were clearly ones she felt obligated to say even if they didn't quiet reach her heart of hearts.

"But I would much rather they grow to be good human beings first. Power is a great thing. It keeps our village safe and stable in turbulent times. But only those who know how to use it can ever hope to maintain that stability. A peace brought about by fear isn't peace. It's a bitter lonely game where everyone loses… Tomorrow at 0700 we'll begin training. There will be a series of tests throughout the week where I'll gauge your aptitude and strengths. You are all dismissed for the rest of the day. Except for you Naruto. Meet me in an hour and half at the Ichiraku Ramen stand. I understand that is where you have your meals? The rest of you please have a fine evening. I will see you all tomorrow at seven."

The two boys rose to walk out of the class room, Naruto with a confused look on his face and Shino with the impassive expression he always wore. Hinata lagged behind, which made what Kurenai had planned next all that easier.

"Oh, Hinata!" she said feigning to have forgotten something. "Would you be willing to introduce me to your father?"

Her eyes shining with the warmth she had greeted the team with, Kurenai looked down at the young Hyuuga. The girl immediately looked down at her feet. Her hands dropped to her long jacket while she nibbled on the collar.

"Hai, Kurenai-sensei. Otou-san said he wished to meet my sensei." The words were uttered at barely above a whisper, and had Kurenai not been specifically listening to the girl she would have missed what she said.

'We'll have to work on you,' the Jounin thought smiling at the girl. She took the younger kunoichi by the hand in a gesture meant to say 'It's ok, I'm here with you.' Her action must have been interpreted as something altogether different though. The girl's hands only grew sweatier as the two walked to the Hyuuga compound.

In the back of her mind Kurenai registered every one of the girl's movements. Her foot steps were very light as if she were afraid to make any noise, never looked up from the ground and seemed to gravitate towards walls as if to make herself as unnoticeable as possible. From these observations Kurenai began trying to fit her new student into one of the many profiles she had collected over the years.

You haven't been abused, not by the strictest definition of the word at least. But you have been neglected. How does your father treat you, Hinata? Has anyone in that home ever told you they loved you?As the Hyuuga compound came into view, Kurenai stole a glance at her student. The girl looked as if she were returning to a jail cell. There's that question answered. I don't believe Hiashi and I are going to see eye to eye. That's lucky. Here I was feeling guilty, but it seems isolation is just what the doctor prescribed.