Author's Note:CE-NEX is back and continuing. You've all voted and it seems that continuing the original is what's wanted. Although "Both" came in a close second.
Anyways this is chapter six...at least I think it is...
This chapter is pure original. No canon in here. So read carefully else you'll end up with plot holes later on in the story.
As always read, review and enjoy.
Chapter 6?
All the World is but a Stage
"Sasuke looks ready to reakill."
Naruto turned his head towards the direction of his Uchiha teammate and gave a small laugh. Sasuke indeed had all the tell-tale signs of annoyance plastered on his face, though Naruto could hardly blame him. He was being swarmed by nobles and various influential business owners.
Currently team 7 was on a mission which involved attending the coming-of-age party for the daughter of a prominent noble in the Fire Daimyo's court. Naruto, who was already on the invite list due the honorary seat the Senju clan held in Royal Court, managed to secure two more invites.
"You have to remember, that the Uchiha are very wealthy and hold significant say in military affairs and Sasuke, being the next clan head, is at that age where alliances are cultivated in the political arena," he told Yakumo who was on his arm as his date for the night. She was dressed in a stunning white kimono with blooming sakura tree branch patterns. Naruto, himself, was dressed in an elegant forest green kimono with the Senju clan emblem proudly displayed on his back in neon white.
"Well, how come they're not trying to do the same to you? I mean, you're the last Senju in Konoha! They should be all over you," she exclaimed.
"I'm a familiar face at these kinds of events. I have been going in and out of various political circles for the last two years getting the Senju back into the spotlight. They already know where I stand on numerous issues and it is common knowledge that I'm an often guest in the Daimyo's private estates. People know better than to try to curry favor with me."
"So they all just want a piece of Sasuke's money? Aren't the nobles rich enough?"
"The reason being is that there is no such thing as financial security for the nobles."
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean," asked a very confused Yakumo.
"Past relations between daimyos and nobles weren't always so good. When the Senju and Uchiha approached the Fire Daimyo of then to create to create Konoha, he took advantage of it and stripped a great deal of power away from the various feudal lords. If the current nobles displease the Daimyo, he can strip them of lands and all their money. Ergo, tying your family to a prominent shinobi clan with a great of wealth is a sure way of insuring financial security."
"I don't understand," Yakumo said sheepishly. Naruto simply gave her a reassuring smile, not everyone has a head for politics and economics. "The Uchiha are a prominent part of Konoha's military structure. The Fire Daimyo cannot interfere with them without significantly weakening his own power base."
"Ohh," Yakumo said as she nodded her head in understanding. "Wow, that's really complex thinking.
"Indeed."
As they walked through the sea of people and greeted various people that Naruto had interacted with over his frequent visits to the Fire Court, Yakumo's hold tightened on his arm and she leaned in towards him. To the many observers it would have looked like a very intimate action however, to a trained eye, it was a carefully concealed whisper.
Even as she was pulling away from him, Naruto followed her line of sight to a rather young noble who was holding a polite conversation with a young lady as they took drinks. Naruto's eyes searched the room until they locked with Sasuke's. The look of annoyance immediately melted off his face when he saw Naruto tuck one of his bangs behind his ear and stroke his jaw with a single finger. It was a message read loud and clear.
Target sighted. Moving in.
As Naruto and Yakumo, made their way past the young noble, he, predictably, called out to Naruto. "Senju-sama."
Immediately, Yakumo could feel the change in Naruto. His body began to move on edge and emanated a cold, smothering aura. People began to subconsciously move away from the young man as their minds recognized him for what he was; a predatory on the hunt.
As Naruto turned towards the noble who called him, the young man gave an involuntary shudder as those frigid blue eyes appraised him.
"Lord Shinji," Naruto said in a cold, hard voice. "Had I known you were here I would have greeted you at an earlier time. My condolences for your recently passed father."
"Thank you Senju-sama," the young man said with a bow. "My family is honored by your kind words."
After a moments silence, Naruto spoke once again, "You have then, taken control of your father's estate, no?"
"Ah, yes sir," he said proudly. "And I am proud to say that it is more profitable than ever."
At these words Naruto gave such a predatory smile that the young man visibly shivered and actually took a few steps back. "Good for you then, now if you'll excuse me, I need to introduce myself to that Uchiha upstart."
"Y-yes. Have a good day Senju-sama," Shinji gulped as he suddenly felt bad for the young Uchiha. However, what he failed to notice, as Naruto captivated his entire attention, was Yakumo slipping something into his drink as she walked away.
Ten minutes later; a crowd of nobles, watching the interactions between the Senju and Uchiha clan heirs apprehensively, suddenly turned towards the direction of several screams. They found the young lord Shinji, on the floor; his face a rather amusing shade of purple.
Three Days Later
Naruto was sitting in a well-furnished living room sipping tea within the Uchiha compound. He was a common guest in the halls of the Uchiha, as strange as it was. He was probably the only Senju, since Hashirama, to be able to walk these halls without fear of being struck down by a kunai in the back.
He knew from Madara's memories that the founding hokage would often drop by uninvited and unannounced in the Uchiha territory with his big goofy smile and somehow wind up staying for dinner despite being unwanted. He could also see the memories of when Hashirama's wife, Mito, would get upset at him for something stupid he did and kick him out of the house. Of course, within a few hours, Madara would have a drunken Hashirama banging on his door and wailing like a six-year old girl about the unfairness displayed by the general populace of the opposite sex.
In all honesty, Naruto was beginning to think that Madara's defection from Konoha was not so much political in nature and the man's desire for power, but rather him being fed up with Hashirama's childishness. Naruto attributed Konoha's survival in the earlier years to be Tobirama running interference on behalf of his older, politically inept brother.
Don't get him wrong, Naruto greatly respected his great-grandfather. As a warrior he was without peer and legend spoken of with the same reverence as that of the Sage of the Six Paths. However, Hashirama was an awful statesman. The Nidaime Hokage was the real reason for Konoha's initial survival.
A soft giggle broke him from his thoughts and he looked up to see Mikoto covering her mouth with her sleeve. Her eyes were twinkling with mirth and a small smile was painted across her lips.
"You're so cute when your face is lost in thought," she said with no small amount of mischief in her eyes.
Naruto frowned. He considered himself many things. Cute, was most assuredly not among them. "Aww, don't pout, you're still my big strong Senju," she said as she made her way over to him and cuddled herself right next to him on the sofa. Naruto placed his tea back onto the table and wrapped his arms around Mikoto, drawing her into his side. She placed her head on his chest and snuggled deeper into his embrace with a sigh of content.
Mikoto had found that Naruto had grown to have a fascination of some sort with her hair. He would run his hands through it and play with it as he was doing now. She felt his lips press down on the top of her head and she closed her eyes and smiled. It frightened her somewhat, but she had grown to depend on the much younger man. She knew it was a dream, not something meant to last but damn it! She wanted the dream over the reality of not having a man she could love in her life. Minato and Fugaku were both taken from her.
When Naruto had dropped the bomb about his Uchiha heritage through Minato, she had cried herself hoarse that night. If only he had told her! Minato had been an Uchiha in secret and not just any Uchiha, but the son of Madara himself! The clan would have accepted him with open arms and there would have been nothing stopping her from marrying him. Yet, fate had been so cruel. The clan would never allow her to marry an outsider. Not unless he was a shinobi of outstanding caliber and Minato hadn't been named hokage yet.
No, her father had given her to Fugaku and just a few years after her eldest was born, the woman who her sister in all but blood had married the man she had loved since a child. Soon enough Sasuke was born and things were settling down as she grew comfortable in her new life. Nevertheless, tragedy had struck in the form of the nine-tailed demon. The fox came and took Minato and Kushina from her. Her two closest friends and the people who only her sons mattered more than, were gone. Yet fate had not had its way with her; no doubt punishment for some heinous sin from a past life. Fugaku, in his growing quest for more power, ever since he gained clan headship from their marriage, sought to overthrow the current Konoha and replace it with Uchiha rule.
The elders had brought down their wrath upon him with a vengeance and it was her unfortunate Itachi that had to carry that burden. Her poor baby, all out in the world by himself, having to live with the guilt of having his family's blood on his hands and never being able to return home due to being labeled a traitor and murderer. All for the sake of the village.
How she hated Konoha at times. They took her friends and her son from them. Then, nearly three years ago, she finds out Kushina's son is alive and was being treated like trash by the same village his parents had sacrificed their lives for. The people of the village made her sick. They had grown arrogant in their cradle of power.
Why did all those she care about end up losing their lives for the village? Why couldn't her loved ones stay safe and away from harm? She couldn't bear the thought of losing anyone else. What would she do if, Six Paths forbid, she lost her Sasuke? Or what if Naruto ended up dying on a mission somewhere, being targeted by other nations for his precious legacy?
"Now who's lost in their own little world?"
At the sound of his voice, so caring yet strong, teasing her, she couldn't take it anymore and began sobbing. Naruto for one was surprised but, he had become used to it. Mikoto was, despite her impressive capabilities, quite delicate and often needed comforting. As he got to know her, Naruto learned that she had serious abandonment issues, ruled by fears of being left all alone by her loved ones.
He pulled her into his lap and cradled her against his chest as he rocked her. "Shh, I'm not going to go anywhere. There's no need to cry. I'll stay as long as you need me. Shh."
As she continued to cry into his chest, Naruto pressed his lips to her forehead and rubbed her back. Together they rocked back and forth until they both drifted off into sleep.
"It seems that war has begun."
At the words of the Sandaime Hokage, the entire shinobi council had gone silent. All of them turned towards his seat at the head position, wide eyed and several of them thinking that they heard wrong. Nara Shikaku looked at his Hokage and carefully asked. "By war you mean…?"
"Fang and Claw have declared war on one another. It seems that respective rulers have little respect for each other."
Hiashi was the first to ask a question. "Is there any chance of shinobi involvement? Have either governments approached us for any support?"
The Hokage acknowledged Hiashi's questions with a nod before responding. "We have not been approached but, Jiraiya has reported that shinobi from Oto have been spotted within the countries in abundance."
"Interesting."
The shinobi council turned towards the closest seat next to the Hokage and his advisors.
"Naruto," the old man said with an eyebrow raised. "Something to share?"
The young Senju sifted through a few papers in front of him before handing a document to Homura to be passed to the Hokage and said, "Records show that the Earth Daimyo has been sending funds to the Land of Rice. However, where the funds go from there I have no clue. I'd hazard a guess to Oto but there seems to be no interactions between the Rice Daimyo and his supposed shinobi village."
Shibi spoke next in his usual monotone. "Are we to assume that perhaps, Iwa is constructing a scenario to start a war? Why you ask? Because Oto would have to go through either Fire or Waterfall in order to send an army to either Claw or Fang."
Inoichi provided his theory on the subject. "I don't think they would attempt to send their forces through fire. Oto doesn't have the resources to go head to head with one of the great five, especially since they would also have to march through Ame to get there and the place has been in complete lockdown for years."
"But going through Taki would be the same as marching through Fire as we are currently allied with them," countered Tsume.
"Hmm," Shikaku hummed. "Do we even know for a fact that Oto will involve themselves in a war between two countries with only samurai forces? For that matter what side will they choose in this troublesome conflict?"
"Yes," said Sarutobi as he stroked his beard. "I will send a company of ANBU to the northern borders and Shikaku I want you to increase border patrols under the guise of martial exercises."
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Well I assume that's all for today unless there is any-"
The Hokage never got to finish his sentence as an ANBU dropped next to him and offered him a scroll, bended on one knee. Frowning, he took the scroll and read through it. His eyes went wide and then narrowed as he looked at the clan heads assembled before him. They all sat straighter and sharply came to attention at the steel in the elderly Hokage's eyes.
"Kiri has fallen into civil war. Yagura has had the Water Daimyo assassinated and declared himself military dictator of all of Water Country." The shinobi council looked on in shock. This was huge, it would easily disrupt the balance of power. With Mizu embroiled in civil war, it would no longer be able to retain dominance of the oceans. Which would mean Lightning and Fire could (and would) push for more island territory.
"I will ask the Fire Daimyo to close all ports on the eastern coast for the time being. It seems the northern borders will need even more watching." With that, he snapped his fingers and a man appeared seemingly out of the shadows behind the Hokage. Clad in all black, even his mask was entirely bare. No eye-holes or any other seemingly openings that allowed for respirations.
"Commander, I want you to assign an entire platoon to patrol the boarders of the Land of Hot Water and Rice. I want daily reports from Hot Water and bi-weekly from Rice. Also prepare and escort team for me. I must speak with the Fire Daimyo personally and time is of the essence!"
"It will be done at once, Hokage-sama," the ANBU commander said sharply with a quick bow and melted into the ground.
"Shikaku, I need you to send a squad to Takigakure and have them deliver our intelligence on the war between Claw and Fang, Meet me in my office once we leave and I'll prepare the scroll for you. Also have all active shinobi structured into teams and begin mandatory drills and war games. Don't let the news of war spread, I'm hoping to avoid actual conflict but still, its best to be prepared."
"Yes, sir," the lazy Jounin Commander saluted half-heartedly.
"Homura, Koharu, delegate and assign missions in my absence."
"Of course," said Koharu while Homura simply nodded.
"Hiashi I need you and your clan to patrol Konoha and apprehend any possible spies. At such a critical time we cannot afford to have cracks in our intelligence. I am authorizing the use of Byakugan within residential areas."
"The Hyuuga live to serve Konoha and her children," Hiashi said, with an unusual infliction of emotion in his voice.
A shimmer of pride slipped into the Hokage's eyes before the steel returned. "Naruto continue to monitor the finances of the nations. Big movements in cash tend to have shinobi following."
"Yes, sir."
The Hokage got up and dismissed his council while being handed several documents by some of his ANBU. "And will someone bring me Jiraiya," he shouted over his shoulder.
Naruto brought himself into his office in the Senju compound and pushed his chakra just a small bit. A root ANBU dropped from the roof and kneeled before. "Gather all the intel on Fang and Claw and bring them to me, also on all movements of Orochimaru from the last three months." With a flick of his wrist he dismissed the emotionless drone.
'Things have moved unexpectedly,' he thought. 'Orochimaru's movements are troubling and if Iwa is truly involved then I need to end this little quarrel before they can drag Fire into it.'
The root operative returned and with him were various thick folders. "Leave me," he ordered and began pouring over the files of Orochimaru's latest ploys. After nearly twenty minutes of reading, he deduced what the traitor sannin was up to.
Chuckling to himself Naruto thought, 'How clever of you Orochimaru. You've had your little ninja turn Fang and Claw into a playground.'
'At the meeting of the two daimyo you had both of them drugged with a rage-inducing chemical. Fang and Claw will turn to war with Fang seeking aid from Taki while Claw turns to Kusa. All at the behest of your well paid agents no doubt. Eventually Kusa and Taki will declare war on each other and Konoha will move to keep up the terms of their alliance with Taki. The Tsuchikage will no doubt take advantage and side with Kusa and declare war on Konoha. Of course you will sit back and watch until Konoha is vulnerable enough for you to make a full assault.'
Silently congratulating the snake on a job well done on making such an effective plan and then letting it get ruined by having his agents being spotted; Naruto began to plot on how he could turn this to his advantage. Kusagakure had proven itself to be openly hostile towards Takigakure as tensions had always run high between the two and barely tolerable of Konoha. He needed to find away to weaken all negative factors while Fire and its allies came out on top.
Ideas began forming in Naruto's head and a cold smile played across his lips at a sudden inspiration came to him.
Flaring his chakra once again, Naruto spoke to the root operative that appeared from the shadows. "Bring me whatever we have on Orochimaru's agents in both Fang and Claw as well as whatever significant files we have on the two countries in the last five years. Oh… and send a team to Mizu to infiltrate Yagura's camp. Mind you, tell them to try and not get killed or, even worse, captured if they can help it."
"Yes, sir," came the monotone reply.
In a large ornate throne room sat a man dressed in the most lavish robes that seemed to scream "LOOK AT ME."
Said man was absentmindedly fanning himself with a small paper fan while some lord of a minor provenance groveled before him. The Fire Daimyo had played the game of politics since he was a five year-old child and named heir to the throne. Though he came off as the usual eccentric and easily excited noble, in truth, he was cunning and ruthless as the very shinobi he employed.
For over forty years he had ruled Fire country, had seen it go through two world wars and still remain the most powerful nation on the continent. The other elemental nations couldn't even hold a candle to the achievements that his nation had made. One of the oldest dynasties in the world, the very first to have a shinobi village and the only one to have never suffered defeat. He had seen it all of course. Though he had to admit that a few years ago, his country had been on decline. His military force had taken a significant hit with the loss of the young and charismatic hokage, the near annihilation of the Uchiha and the assault by the force of nature that is the kyuubi. There was also the world recession that gave rise to several smaller powers following the third world war.
However things had taken a substantial turn in events in the last three years and all due to a young man that brought him a secret that Sarutobi had the gall to keep from him. A young man that he, due his the perceptiveness he gained through years of being a statesman, saw appear in a ripple of space in the far corner of his throne room.
More interested in what his young confidante had to say then the sniveling waste of space in front of him, he snapped his fan closed audibly. The minor noble that had been prattling on about his needs for funds from his treasury so that he could get rid of bandits that plagued his farmlands by hiring his shinobi.
The noble had stopped jabbering when the Daimyo snapped his fan shut. It was common knowledge that when the Fire Daimyo did that then he was annoyed and wanted whoever was annoying him out of his presence or down right executed. Luckily for him it was removal as the guards escorted him out.
He then dismissed all his various pages and ministers so that he was left with only his Ninja Guardians. There were a few voices of protest from some of his ministers but a sharp glare sent them running.
"A surprise to see you young Naruto, oh yes a surprise indeed!"
The blonde haired youth approached the throne from the shadows in his usual powerful, yet graceful gait and bowed at the waist when he arrived at the stairs leading to the Imperial seat. "Greetings Daimyo-sama, I hope I find you in good health?"
The Fire Lord suppressed a chuckle. He never fully bowed onto his knees as was expected of all his subjects. No Naruto himself had stated that if anyone were to ask for him to get on his knees they better be the All-Mighty Himself or else he would, quote; "Introduce their face to my foot!"
"Oh yes! Excellent health, excellent indeed. What services can we rend our young friend in our humble abode?"
If he didn't know that the Daimyo enjoyed playing his subjects like fools, Naruto would have snorted. 'As if there's anything humble about having your own damn citadel.'
"I've take it you've heard about recent affairs?"
"O yes, yes indeed. We are well informed."
"I was making plans to end this annoyance but thought it would be best to consult with you before taking the burden of your…lesser rivals."
"Hohoho, truly your guest has passed on some of its cunning to you, passed on indeed. Yes, we received tribute from Fang this year and the Imperial Consort was quite pleased with silks gifted. We shall leave them be but, we will not look a horse in the mouth as our samurai. Oh no indeed."
Naruto raised an eyebrow at this. "Then shall Claw be the recipient of our attention?"
"Oh yes, yes indeed. Our sister-son was once meant to be betrothed to Claw's heir. Their marriage would give us access to river trade routes that would greatly benefit us and would grant them our protection. Yet they turn away from our generous offer and turned to third son of Tsuchi. An insult to us and our domain, oh yes an insult indeed."
Naruto, who was beginning to see where this was going nodded in understanding. "I take it then that the girl is still unmarried to Earth Daimyo's son?"
"Still young is she, oh yes young indeed. Three years more are needed for the set date to pass. Three more years the insult may continue, oh yes indeed."
Naruto pondered over the situation for a few minutes before unleashing a predatory smile at the Fire Daimyo. The Ninja Guardians watching suddenly felt uncomfortable and shifted just in case. However, the Fire Daimyo sat there with no concern.
"What if she were no longer the heir? What if she were to take the throne? Could Fang be convinced to call off the war?"
A minor frown appeared over the Fire Daimyo's lips as he thought about the hypothetical situation. "The House of Fang is young but still proud, oh yes, proud indeed. They would not war with a throne sat upon by a child. Oh no, no indeed"
Naruto's smile got only bigger and (to the guardians) creepier. "And what if Fire Country offered to mediate the peace between the two?"
Suddenly the Fire Daimyo's eyes lit up and a wide smile played across his face. "We would be able to host the talks in our halls and guide the treaty to our liking, to our liking indeed. We may even convince a child ruler to fall under our guidance and bind her to us, bind her indeed."
"Then I assume I have your permission to act?"
The Fire Lord nodded his head and in a deep voice commanded," In our name, we order the Lord of Senju and Uzumaki to go forth for the betterment of the Land of Fire."
Naruto nodded his head in acknowledgement. "Then So b-"
The doors banged open and one of the Fire Court's minor officials came running, panting rather pathetically as well.
"Be swift in your explanation as to why we are disturbed in such a fashion else, we will have your head removed from your shoulders, removed indeed!"
The official fell to his knees and placed his forehead on the ground, though whether from fear or exhaustion or a combination of both was indistinguishable. "Your…huff….Majesty….huff….huff"
The Daimyo's eyes twitched in annoyance. "Enough, remove this vermin from our presence!"
As the guards at the door came over and picked the man up by his arms he yelled," Wait! Your Majesty! The Hokage is at the city gates. He will be arriving soon!"
"Fool! We knew already that Hiruzen approaches! Let him rot in a cell for a week, rot indeed," he commanded the last bit to the guards while pointing his fan at the official. The man was so shocked that he didn't even object as the guards dragged him out and shut the doors.
"Hmm, the old man got here pretty quick. He only left from Konoha about an hour ago. Must have given his ANBU a workout if he arrived here in such a short time," said Naruto who was standing upside on the vaulted ceiling.
Not even bothering to crane his neck to look up at the young shinobi lord, the Daimyo said," Hiruzen has always put efficiency as his priority during times of war, oh yes indeed. We will have much to discuss as the fall of our Water equivalent shall present opportunities for our navy and expansion of territories, opportunities indeed."
"Then I suppose I best hurry and take care of the Fang/Claw annoyance."
"Oh yes, yes indeed," chuckled the Fire Daimyo. "Oh yes, one last thing Naruto, last thing indeed. We have ordered the closing of all ports as Hiruzen advised in his letter. As governor of Uzushio, you will have to sign off on those orders, sign off indeed."
"It shall be taken care of."
With that Naruto disappeared in a swirl of space. The Fire Daimyo chuckled once Naruto was completely gone. "Such a dangerous child, oh yes, dangerous indeed." The Ninja Guardians could only nod their heads.
The Next Morning
Kurenai was running her team through various drills. Orders had come down to spend time training extensively and so far only the jounin knew, but the political climate was ripe for war. She herself had lived through her childhood during the third shinobi world war and ,from what she saw from her seniors, was not something anyone wanted to experience. Kakashi had been a few years older than her and fought alongside the Fourth before he became Hokage and was still haunted by whatever happened to him. He was one of the strongest shinobi in the village too.
She looked at her team as they ran through formations and layered jutsu together. They had really grown on her the last few months. Yakumo was already like a younger sister to her and Sasuke and Naruto had become like younger brothers. Overprotective younger brothers, she might add. She giggled at the memory of when Asuma had literally fled from the two after he tried hitting on her.
Flashback
Kurenai was walking down the market street looking to buy some fresh fruit from some of the vendors. She always liked the organic produce from the small farms on the outskirts of the village. Naruto had explained to her how the forests surrounding Konoha had some form of chakra leftover from the First Hokage. Hence why the small local farms around the village walls grew the most delicious food.
It amazed her how the First Hokage, even fifty years after he died, still found a way to help out his people. Now that, to her, was dedication. 'I guess there's a reason he coined the term Will of Fire.'
"Hey there Kurenai," a voice said behind her.
Kurenai turned to see a tall dark haired man with tan skin and a short beard. "Oh, hey Asuma. You shopping too?"
"Yeah," said Asuma as he moved nest to her. "I was out on a mission for two weeks with my brats so I have nothing in my home that isn't spoiled."
Kurenai frowned as he took out a cigarette and lit it. She promptly took it out of his hands, threw it to the ground and stomped on it. "Those things will kill you and you shouldn't call your genin that."
"Not unless you coat your lungs with wind chakra to expel all the smoke," he said pulling out another one. "Besides, I have a Nara and Akimichi. The embodiments of lazy. Not to mention Ino is the single bossiest girl I've met."
She simply huffed and crossed her arms, continuing with her shopping. She noticed Asuma was right behind her and was walking close enough that their shoulders kept brushing. After a fw minutes of silence and stall browsing he said, "So Kurenai I was wondering if later you'd lik-…!"
Asuma stopped mid-sentence and indeed, it seemed as if the entire street froze. The reason being? A palp[able murderous wave that seemed to wash over the market. Oddly enough Kurenai seemed unaffected yet she turned in curiosity as Asuma had rapidly spun around. What she saw made her sigh.
The entire street had parted inn two as the Uchiha and Senju pair walked towards Asuma and her. Both exuberating an aura of carefully controlled anger. No one said a word as the two made their way towards her. Both of them had their gazes locked on Asuma. Kurenai barely registered Yakumo trailing behind the two nervously and somewhat embarrassed.
"Good afternoon Sensei," Sasuke greeted as they approached. She smiled at him because he was being friendlier then when they had initially formed as team. Of course, that smile quickly transformed into a frown when he and Naruto maneuvered themselves between her and Asuma.
Feeling a tug on her sleeve made her look over to an apologetic looking Yakumo. "Sorry Kurenai-sensei," she quickly whispered. "We were heading out for lunch when we spotted you two. They left before I could stop them.
Kurenai sighed knowing what this was about. Naruto and Sasuke were extremely overprotective of her and Yakumo. A client had once made suggestive remarks towards her once and in retaliation the two of them threatened the man in such horrific, albeit creative, ways that the man went back to the Hokage in tears and asked for a different team. Though she reprimanded them for it she was secretly pleased. Her boys were perfect gentleman without an ounce of perverseness.
"Kurenai-sensei," Naruto began. "We were heading out to lunch to a restaurant that I bought that was voted five stars. Their takowasa is said to be superb and I wanted your opinion on it knowing that it is your favorite."
"My mother also invited you to a flower viewing party this evening. We obtained some particularly rare sake for this event," Sasuke finished.
Of course both of them hadn't looked at her for one word of what they said. Instead opting to glare openly at Asuma who was sweating bullets.
Kurenai knew what they were doing. Naruto appealing to her favorite food and Sasuke to her love of strong and good sake…and Kurenai was ashamed to say it was working. She was embarrassed to admit it but her two students spoiled her. In this case however, they were attempting to destroy Asuma's self-confidence by throwing into his face who they were and what they were capable of.
Sighing, once again, and closing her eyes, she placed a hand on each of their heads. "Boys that's enough. Naruto stop shamelessly throwing around your money and Sasuke…there really is no need for your sharingan to be out right now."
In response, she got a perfectly synchronized ""Hn""
Kurenai forgot that these two were distantly related, Naruto having divulged that he had Uchiha ancestry to her.
Returning her attention to Asuma, she smiled apologetically and pushed past her two genin. "Sorry Asuma, my boys can be a little too overprotective. You were going to say something?"
"Uhh…hehehe…no…never mind it was nothing," Asuma said while nervously scratching the back of his head. "I…uh…need to get going…later!"
As Asuma disappeared in a puff she turned to glareat the two boys who shamelessly gave her another ""Hn.""
Sighing, again, she said," You said takowasa?" At Naruto's nod she replied, All right, let's go." As Naruto and Sasuke led off, Kurenai looped her arm through Yakumo's who said,"Boys." Kurenai snorted at this, in full agreement. "Although you have to admit it was rather cute."
"It was wasn't it?" Smiled Kurenai. Both Kurenai and Yakumo broke into giggles when they heard a pair of indignant ""Hn!""
Flashback End
Kurenai smiled at her team, as they walked towards her. Noticing that Naruto hadn't been all there during the session asked whether he was all right or not.
"I'm fine Kurenai-Sensei. Didn't sleep much last night. Was busy doing stuff."
Kurenai was about to say something when Naruto turned his head towards the trees on the border of the trai9ning ground and said," Hey cat."
Suddenly a purple haired ANBU wearing a cat themed mask appeared beside Naruto. "Hey there Naru-chan," she said and ruffled his hair which caused him to scowl. The other three were surprised by the ANBU's sudden appearance. Kurenai more so because she knew who this ANBU was. Yugao Uzuki, codename Cat, was a very good friend of hers.
"You know Naruto," she questioned with a surprised face.
"Yeah," her voice drifted from behind the mask. "Me and Naru-chan go way back. Anyways I was about to leave on a mission myself with my squad when I was asked to give you guys a mission. You're to head over to Wave Country and provide backup to Kakashi and Team seven. Apparently a routine C-rank ended up being booted to the high end of A-rank."
"And they're sending another genin team to back them up," Kurenai asked incredulously.
"Due to extenuating circumstances, many of our elite teams have been deployed to the borders."
"Right, I forgot."
"Anyways, here are the mission details," she said while taking a scroll from the pouch on her belt.
"Well later guys. Good luck Naru-chan," she said while disappearing but not before ruffling Naruto's hair one more time.
Turning to her team, Kurenai said, "You have one hour to meet me in front of the main gates. Pack well, this is a long trip. Dismissed!"
While sealing away all the gear needed for a long trip and finding something more comfortable to wear into battle instead of his Senju yukata, Naruto also poured over the files Danzo had on Wave. Wave's current economic situation would make it an easy addition to the Fire country. Not to mention a good chance to earn a lot of cash that no one could trace. He smiled to himself as walked over to the weapons wall and pulled off the gunbai.
Author's Note: Thanks for reading and even more so for patiently waiting for me to update. I know its been a while so I apologize.
Hope you enjoyed cuz I had to retype all that. Luckily it allows me to make some changes to the plot now.
Oh. One question though. If you've noticed I don't really incorporate the Anime-style humor in my writings. Ex.(face-palming, planting face-first into pavement due to exasperation and sweatdrops.) Would you guys prefer me to use them or should I keep it like this?
Hope you liked, this is me heading off for lunch. CE-Nex says later
P.S: Someone PM'd me asking me if they could use my ideas. So long as you don't try and pass em off on your own and properly cite them, you know MLA format and everything; Chicago style is acceptable as well. Nah I'm just messin with you. Do whatever the hell you want!