Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto. It is the property of Kishimoto but I wish I did own Naruto because the Uchiha Clan wouldn't have so many stupid power ups and a lot of cool characters wouldn't have died off.
I'm just doing this for fun, so let's get this show on the road.
'Thoughts'
Chapter 4
Girl Talk Part One
It was a quiet afternoon in the streets of Konoha as people were milling about in their own business. Everyone seemed to go about their business without trouble except for one person.
Sitting at the Ichiraku Ramen restaurant was the Leaf's number one unpredictable shinobi Naruto Uzumaki. Currently he was only on his third bowl of ramen and had yet to finish it. Truthfully he really wasn't too hungry even for his favorite food, as he had a lot on his mind and it revolved around one of his friends and allies, which was Shikamaru Nara.
It had been two weeks since he learned that both Shikamaru and Temari had broken up when the Suna kunoichi learned of what had transpired between the Nara heir and Kurenai Yuhi. This of course shocked Naruto and he couldn't help but feel bad for his friend and felt like it was his fault for the advice he gave to him. The young Nara had assured him that none of it was his fault for what happen and that things just didn't turn out the way ether of them expected it to.
When Shikamaru asked how things went between him and Hinata, the blonde shinobi had told him the truth of what happened and Shikamaru was happy for the both of them. He even wished both him and Hinata the best of luck and hoped he didn't lose her like he did Temari.
'Man why did this have to happen to those two?' The young Uzumaki thought to himself, as he really wanted to help both of them. The problem was he was only starting to understand about love since Hinata's confession to him and that they had started going out.
This had been a shock to some of their friends and many had wondered what had caused them to become a couple, especially Sakura and Ino. Both of them were a bit nosy and wanted to learn how it happened, but both the Hyuga Heiress and the Disciple of Jiraiya wouldn't budge and told them since they didn't feel ready to tell them just yet and that they should respect their privacy.
"Naruto-kun, are you all right?"
Naruto was shaken out of his thoughts at the sound of his girl friend's voice and looked to see her sitting next to him with a look of concern on her face.
"How long were you there for Hinata-chan?"
"I got here just now and I noticed that you were hardly touching your ramen. It looks like you have a lot on your mind."
The blonde Uzumaki sighed and could only nod his head.
"I do have a lot on my mind Hinata-chan and I'm pretty sure you know what or rather who is on my mind right now."
The Hyuga heiress nodded, as she already knew who Naruto was talking about.
"You're worried about Shikamaru and Temari aren't you?
He could only nod his head to her and took a deep breath before speaking.
"I'm also wondering if Kurenai-sensei is all right. Have you spoken to her at all?"
"I haven't spoken with her yet. She was away on a mission a few days ago and was said to return earlier today."
Naruto was worried as Temari would be arriving today as well to discuss politics with Tsunade about allying with the other shinobi villages that were allies to Konoha. With that thought in mind he turned to his girlfriend and decided to share his concern.
"I think we better let Kurenai-sensei know what's going on Hinata-chan. If Shikamaru hasn't told her about what happened between him and Temari, then things will wind up going downhill for everyone."
The Hyuga Heiress nodded at her boyfriends words. Though she was certain that her sensei could defend herself, she didn't want Konoha's and Suna's relations to turn bad for what happened.
After paying for his meal, Naruto and Hinata went off in search of the Genjutsu Mistress, hoping to speak with her.
At a dango stand...
The woman in question was enjoying a cup of tea and was spending time with her friends Anko, Hana, and Yugao.
"You seem to be doing a lot better than before Kurenai-chan." Anko commented as she was enjoying her dango since it was her break.
"I'm doing very much better now that those bastards who took Asuma are gone." The red eyed beauty spoke to her friend.
Yugao looked at her friend and smiled at her. In all honesty she wishes she had her friends luck as she still felt anger towards Suna for their betrayal three years ago, when she lost her lover Hayate. But her friends made sure to be there for her and made sure she didn't waste her life away. Though the female Anbu still wanted to confront her lover's murderer and find out if he or she was worth killing. The Anbu kunoichi was brought out of her musings when she heard Hana ask.
"By the way have you guys heard about what's been going on?"
Her friends shook their heads wondering what she was talking about.
"Well from what I heard from my brother Kiba, is that Naruto and Hinata are going out with each other now."
This surprised Anko and Yugao, but the one who was most surprised was Kurenai. She had known about her students crush on the young Uzumaki and to now learn that they were going out was a real eye opener for her. She decided to ask Hana more on the topic.
"When did this happen and how did Kiba find out?"
"It was about a week ago when he was on an errand for our mother that he saw the two walking to Ichiraku and he was surprised to see them holding each other's hands. I guess you could say he got curious and decided to follow them."
"I hope your brother didn't get in trouble for it since he had an errand to run." Yugao replied to her friend as she knew that Tsume had quite a temper.
"It wasn't anything too important, so Kiba's fine. Anyway once he got to where they went he decided to keep hidden and watch what was going on. He noticed that they were talking and laughing about a few things that happened to them when on missions."
"Is that it?" Anko asked her friend.
Hana shook her head before replying.
"No what surprised me in the end is what they did after Naruto paid for their meals. Kiba said when they got out of the booth they hugged each other and then...they kissed each other. With tongues I might add."
"They did what?!"
Everyone turned to see Kurenai open mouthed and wide eyed at what she had just heard. Anko for her part couldn't help but grin at the look on her friends face and commented in amusement.
"I wish I had a camera right now, that look you have is priceless." Anko then chuckled to herself.
The red eyed beauty shook her head and then declared.
"This isn't something to laugh about! I was expecting her to take it slow when she finally let Naruto know how she felt about him!"
The female Inuzuka held her hands up to her friend.
"Kurenai calm down, it's not like they jumped the gun already on the first night."
The Genjutsu Mistress winched when her friend spoke the words and thought to herself with a little remorse, as a memory of that night she shared with Shikamaru popped into her head.
'Jumped the gun.'
In truth, she had heard about Shikamaru and Temari's break up and felt guilty about the two ending their relationship, but wondered if the young Nara took her words seriously about wanting to share him with Temari.
'He probably thought I was joking and wasn't serious.' Kurenai thought sadly and decided she might have a word with him.
"Kurenai are you all right?"
She was shaken out of her thoughts, when she heard Yugao speaking to her and saw she was looking concern.
"Yes I'm fine, why do ask?"
"Well for a moment you looked sad about something and were spacing out."
Kurenai sighed as she didn't want to let her friends know about what had happened between her and her deceased lover's student several weeks ago.
"Things are just complicated right now Yugao, but I will tell you and the others about it soon, just not now."
The female Anbu looked at her for a moment, before nodding to her and decided to get back to the topic they were discussing.
"So Hana did anything else happen between those two?"
The Inuzuka kunoichi frowned for a moment before answering her friend's question.
"Well just so you know some of the people of this village saw the two dating and Kiba heard some of these idiots whispering crap about Naruto and Hinata. Hell my brother was about ready to beat the crap out of those people and he could tell Naruto wanted to as well."
Anko, Kurenai, and Yugao winced, as they could only guess at the things that were said about the two. There were still some, but not as many people who still hated Naruto because of his status as a Jinchuuriki.
Hana then continued from where she left off.
"Luckily that didn't happen, as Hinata managed to calm Naruto down and Akamaru was with Kiba. But my brother could tell that the Uzumaki boy would prank those people later on for what they had said."
Hana's friends had different reactions when they heard that. Anko had an evil grin, as she could only imagine the kind of pranks the Uzumaki would pull on those people. Yugao could only shake her head in pity for those who had bad mouthed Naruto and Hinata. As for Kurenai, she would make sure to ask Hinata later about who it was that insulted her and Naruto.
Suddenly, a new voice rang out and it was the two people in question they were talking about.
"Hey Kurenai-sensei, are you busy right now? Hinata-chan and I need to talk to you."
The four women turned to see Naruto and next to him was Hinata, both holding each other's hands. Anko decided to tease the two for a little bit.
"Well if it isn't the little love birds, we were just talking about you two." She then looked at Kurenai's student and grinned.
"So did you kiss him yet? How did he taste?" Her grin got bigger when she wickedly asked.
"How BIG is he?"
Hinata could only blush and look away shyly from the Tokubetsu-Jonin. Naruto also sported a blush of his own, and gave an annoyed look before responding.
"Oi, quit acting like Ero-Sennin crazy snake lady, we didn't do THAT stuff!"
"Hey! Don't compare me to that old fart gaki!"
Before an argument could be broken out, Hinata's sensei decided to interrupt the two before they got into it.
"What is it that you and Hinata wish to speak to me about?"
"It is rather private Kurenai-sensei, and we need to speak with you as it is urgent."
She regarded her student for a minute and then decided whatever it was that needed to be told by them must be very important. So with a nod she got up and walked to her student.
Seeing Kurenai walking toward his girlfriend, Naruto decided to drop whatever argument he and Anko were about to have and decided they can go at each other later.
A while later…
"All right this is a good spot for us to speak. So what is it that you and Hinata wanted to talk to me about Naruto?"
The three shinobi were at Training Ground Seven. They had decided to come here to avoid anyone listening in on their conversation.
"It's about you, Shikamaru, and Temari."
Kurenai didn't show it but on the inside she was nervous and hoping that these two didn't know what had happen between her and Shikamaru.
"What does this have to do with me and those two?"
"Did you know that the two of them broke up? Hinata asked her sensei and mother figure.
"I heard about that but I honestly can't understand why those two would." Kurenai was starting to believe that the young Nara must have told one of the two about what happen between them and she was proven true when Naruto spoke up."
"Hinata and I already know the truth Kurenai-sensei. That's the reason why we want to talk to you and before you ask, he told me about what happen."
The Genjutsu Mistress didn't say anything for a minute after Naruto spoke. Finally she decided to be honest and hoped that they wouldn't look down at her or even hate her for what happen.
"So when did he tell you two about what happen between us when we were drinking?"
"He only told me Kurenai-sensei. Hinata didn't know until I told her, and she swore never to tell anyone else since she cares about you a lot."
Kurenai looked at her student and saw she nodded her head to confirm what her boyfriend said was true. She decided to ask them another question concerning her.
"Naruto, Hinata I want you two to be honest with me. Do you find me at fault or do you find Shikamaru at fault for what happen between us weeks ago?"
This surprised the two people in front of her and it was Naruto who decided to speak first.
"Kurenai-sensei what kind of a question is that?"
"Please Naruto, I want you and Hinata to be honest with me and answer the question."
The blonde Uzumaki was quiet for a moment before giving his answer.
"No Kurenai-sensei, I don't find you or Shikamaru at fault for what happen to the both of you. You guys were drunk, and you weren't really thinking that straight. If anything you guys were both hurting over the loss of Asuma-sensei."
"Naruto-kun is right sensei. You were dealing with the pain in losing Asuma in your own way and Shikamaru only wanted to comfort you. So none of you are to blame for what happen. If anything I think you should explain to Temari-san about what happen and if you want we can go with you for support."
The red-eyed beauty looked at the two before walking up to them and embracing the both of them into a hug, which surprised the two shinobi. Naruto and Hinata gently returned the hug to the Genjutsu-Mistress. They stood that way for a moment before ending it, and the two young shinobi were shocked to see tears in Kurenai's eyes.
"Thank you Naruto, Hinata for understanding me."
She wiped her eyes, before addressing the two before her.
"I'm glad you didn't judge right away and actually understood what me and Shikamaru went through." She looked to her student. "Hinata make sure to cherish every moment you have with Naruto." She then looked to her student's boyfriend. "Naruto you better be good to her, she is like a daughter to me."
The two young shinobi stood there for a moment before nodding to her as they understood why she was acting this way. She wanted them to always be there for one another and to never take anything for granted.
It was then the Hyuga Heiress decided to ask her something.
"Would you like for me and Naruto-kun to be there with when you go to talk with Temari-san sensei? Like he said we can be there with you for support if you need it."
"No Hinata, if anything this is something I will need to handle. Besides I don't think Shikamaru must have told Temari an important detail. Then again he probably didn't think I was serious and must have been joking."
"What important detail was that?" Naruto asked.
"It is personal Naruto-kun, but I might tell you if I'm ready."
He nodded and that was when someone Shunshin right next to the group. Naruto was surprised to see who it was.
"Yamato-sensei what are you doing here?"
"Tsunade-Sama has ordered for you and Hinata to report to the Hokage Tower immediately. There is a high class mission that we are needed for. I'll explain on the way."
The two nodded, but not before taking one last look at Kurenai. The Genjutsu Mistress realized that they were concerned for her still and decided to ease their worries.
"Go on you two, I'll be all right. Just make sure to come back safely."
Naruto and Hinata smiled at her before taking off with Yamato to see Tsunade. When they were out of sight, Kurenai sighed before going off to search for the sister of Gaara while thinking to herself.
'Well I might as well start asking around. Hopefully she will be in a better mood and will be willing to talk instead of swinging her fan around like a crazed barbarian.'
An hour later…
At a local tea shop, there was someone sitting at a table having a cup of tea, with a few snacks to go with it. This individual was a female from Sunagakure and was the sister of the Kazakage, Gaara No Sabaku. This was Temari No Sabaku.
To anyone who was passing by it looked like nothing was wrong with her and only appeared to look a little aggravated. But inside she was feeling miserable and depressed after what happen two weeks ago. She wanted to keep telling herself that she was better off without Shikamaru and that both of them should just move on. But deep inside she couldn't stop thinking about him and wanted to try and at least work things over.
'Yeah right what does he need me for? If anything he's got HER now and I doubt he's willing to ditch her to go back to me.' She thought bitterly as she really wanted to find the Jonin and smash her head in with fan. But the more reasonable side of her knew better as it would only cause international problems for both of their homes. There was also the fact that she and the lazy sloth had been drunk, but even still she believed both of them should have had more control than that.
She shook her head. She just didn't know what to do, and she honestly couldn't have known what to do ether had it been Shikamaru that had died instead of his sensei. Truth was she might have drinking herself stupid or worse. She sighed and took a drink of her tea hoping that by tomorrow she could return home and not come back for another couple days. She might even ask her brother to send someone else in her place in case he needed someone to come here. She was about to call for the waiter to pay for her drink when someone spoke to her from behind.
"Hello Temari-san."
The blonde kunoichi stiffened when she heard a female voice and it wasn't just anyone's. She slowly turned around and her eyes widen slightly as to who was in front of her.
Kurenai Yuhi gave a polite smile and hoped that she was willing to talk with her before doing anything rash. She didn't have to wait long as Temari spoke before she could.
"What do YOU want?!"
Kurenai flinched at the tone that Gaara's sister was using toward her. She knew that she had only one chance to work things out with her and to fix the damage that had happen between her and Shikamaru. Taking a deep breath, she spoke in a calm voice to show she wasn't here to start trouble.
"I was hoping that you and I could talk with one another. In private if you do not mind?"
To Be Continued…
Authors Note
This is it for chapter four to this story. First I want to say sorry to everyone who loves this story and any new reader that has just read this. Real life hasn't been very kind to me but then again real life is not kind to everyone. Two other cats that were with my family and me for years have passed away like Buda who I mentioned in my authors note in the first chapter.
Rascal had passed away around July 11 of the summer. I found her under my mother's bed not moving. It was painful for me and everyone I knew that cared. Then last month a few days after Thanksgiving Sindel had passed away because of diabetes and complications with breathing.
There are many other things I want to mention but I'll save it for another time. I just hope next year things will become a lot better for me. Other than that I had a bad case of writers block, and was trying to write more to my first story.
I want to thank KingKakashi for helping me out and giving me suggestions. Now I know I mentioned this chapter would have an interesting scene with Kurenai and Temari but like I said writers block. The next chapter will have Temari and Kurenai alone with one another and I promise you this time it will be something worth waiting for.
Now I want to rant about the Naruto manga and I can honestly say I am without a doubt pissed off at what's been going on. I just want to say for the record if Kishimoto kills off Tsunade, Gaara, Mei, Onoki, and A I will REALLY get medieval on his ass and curse him to no end, especially with what happen in chapter 614 of the manga.
If Neji dies permanently I will be pissed big time. It was bad enough he killed off Jiraiya and many others in the series, and now he wants to pull this shit? Kishimoto is goanna lose a lot of fans if he doesn't straighten up soon. I have not forgotten about Anko ether, and I'm starting to wonder when we will see her again? If she dies, along with the others I mentioned I will kick Kishimoto's ass big time and curse him to his grave.
The only good thing is that Obito and Madara do not have complete control of the Ten Tailed Beast. Before I forget Ino and Shikamaru's fathers better not be dead ether.
Now I wish to share my opinion on pairings of Naruto. If anyone is interested in reading this part, if not then that is fine but please keep in my mind this is just my opinion about them. I will start with the pairings I dislike.
Naruto/Hanabi
I don't have anything against Hanabi but in all honesty she would be more like a little sister to Naruto than a lover. Other than that she was never developed much in the series which I blame on Kishimoto. Honestly that guy makes a lot of characters and never develops them. If he stopped focusing on Sasgay Uchiha and focused more on other characters than the series would be more enjoyable. All in all I just don't see Hanabi as a girlfriend for Naruto. No offense to anyone who likes this pairing.
Naruto/Samui
Now before anyone decides to blow things out of proportion just hear me out please. The reason I do not like this pairing is because I find Samui boring. Don't get me wrong she is hot but it's her personality that I find boring and a little bit of a turn off. To me she is just some eye candy that Kishimoto created to replace Kurenai after she got pregnant with Asuma's child which is a dumb move in my view. All Samui has got going for her is her looks and nothing else. I haven't seen her doing any kick ass moves and interacting much. Plus she wasn't around long after the Gold and Silver Brothers captured her and her brother. Now a lot of people might say Mei Terumi is the same but I beg to differ. She has character and she has shown to kick some ass big time. Not to mention she is hot and sexy like Anko and Tsunade.
All in all Kishimoto probably thought 'Oh since Kurenai is pregnant; I'll just create some woman with big tits to replace her'. Sorry Kishimoto but you should have developed more on the characters you already before bringing in any new characters.
And now on to the final pairing I dislike.
Naruto/Sakura
The first thing I want to make clear is I don't hate Sakura; I just don't like her at all. At the start of the series I will admit Sakura was a complete bitch and was nothing but a weak and shallow fan-girl. She honestly only wanted to become a shinobi just to impress Sasuke and had even broken her friendship with Ino, which was dumb to begin with. And I didn't like her treatment toward Naruto, especially after all the times he was nice to her.
She is supposed to be the Top Kunoichi of her class yet she fell to the weakest genjutsu that Kakashi used on her during the bell test. And she honestly believed it was Sasuke that saved her from Gaara when it was actually Naruto who did.
I could go on about her faults but I would be only sounding biased then. Later on in the series she does become stronger and more effective. To be honest I think Naruto and Sakura's love would be that of a brother and sister since Sakura only loves Sasuke, even though the guy is a total asshole.
But I was close to hating Sakura after her false confession to Naruto about loving him. That was low, shallow and stupid because she knew Hinata loved Naruto, especially when Hinata went to defend Naruto against Pain and Naruto heard Hinata confess her love to him which was genuine and truthful.
I will make some exceptions to the pairing with a few stories' I've read, so long as the story plot is good and well developed.
Well that is it for now. On the next chapter we will have Kurenai and Temari discussing about the man in their life. Until then, take care everyone.