Hiruzen looked at Naruto intently, as if some hidden secret lied just beneath the boy's emotionless gaze. Truly, he was just happy that his grandson didn't ask him another sex question, he could do without that for a while, though him having sex questions and going to Jiraiya or Kakashi scared him. However, those concerns could wait for another time. Naruto had requested Hiruzen's advice on something the Professor was quite experienced in, teaching.
As Naruto explained it, this Haku girl wanted to be his assistant as well as a reservist in the Ninja Corp. One condition was Naruto would teach her fuinjutsu. A reasonable request and a skill that would take years to master; unless that is, Naruto was also a genius at teaching fuinjutsu. Hiruzen didn't know if he should hope he was or pray that he wasn't. As Hiruzen gathered his thoughts he reminisced about his time teaching his team. It was truly one of the best times of his life, even if it ultimately ended in one of his greatest regrets. He shook off the morose thoughts and finally answered Naruto.
"Well, Naruto-kun, teaching is truly one of the most difficult tasks to undertake and it is often the case the easier you find a subject the harder it is for you to teach it. Your intuitive grasp on the subject blinds you to the areas other people struggle with. It can take time to find your teaching style but also learn to be adaptive enough to the learning styles of your students. It shames me to say this, but I initially was not a very good sensei to Jiraiya-kun because of that very dynamic."
"What do I do?"
"Communicate. Explain things as you understand them but listen to what Haku has absorbed, it is often the case that what we are teaching and what our chargers learn are not the same but if you are patient with each other and diligent I believe you can be an excellent instructor. Just be patient with your student and yourself and know if you run into difficulties you can come to me or seek advice from Tsunade or Jiraiya as they both have years of teaching complex, highly technical disciplines."
"Or Hatake-sensei?"
"Yes, even him," HIruzen replied with a chuckle. Naruto nodded. "Now, how is your other project going?"
"Not well," Naruto said evenly but Hiruzen could read a level of frustration in his words. It'd only been two weeks but even with Tsunade's help, they hadn't been able to find a counteragent to the compound.
"Keep at it, Naruto-kun. I know you want to help Anko but don't burn yourself out in the attempt, ok?"
"I'll try, Oji-san."
"Good, my boy. Now, as you know you'll be touring the facility that makes your fuin bracelets at the end of the week. The rest of your team will be taking a C-rank during that time but I have a Special Jounin assigned to escort you." Naruto had requested to see the facility and Hiruzen figured the boy could update the security while there. He would send Jiraiya but the man was out collecting intelligence; besides, Hiruzen had seen the tension between his student and grandson and figured Jiraiya was giving Naruto space.
Naruto nodded again and then departed, saying goodbye to his Oji-san as he made his way to Ichiraku Ramen. Hatake-sensei had given him a few days off as he focused on Sasuke and Sakura. Naruto didn't mind, he had plenty of people to train with, one such person was actually sitting at the ramen stand as he arrived.
"Hello, Haku. Sorry, if I'm late."
"Hi, Naruto-kun, you aren't, I'm just early." As Naruto sat he saw Ayame approach with a smile on her face.
"Welcome, Naruto-kun! What will you have to today?"
"Hello, Ayame-san-" Naruto never got to finish as the girl lept halfway across the stand and grabbed his cheeks, pulling them in opposite directions.
"Ayame-NEECHAN," she said slowly.
"Hai, hai, Ayame-neechan."
"Good, now, what will you have?"
"The usual," Naruto said as he rubbed his cheeks. Haku giggled as it was the most childlike she'd ever seen her friend. It didn't surprise her as Naruto frequented the ramen stand regularly and the young woman before her was also warm and inviting, especially with Naruto. Haku knew there was a story there but would ask later. She just enjoyed seeing Naruto be treated like a normal twelve year old from time to time.
Tsunade entered her office, her mind abuzz. It'd been one of several therapy sessions and she always needed time to decompress afterward. It was difficult to fight the regret of not having done this sooner, as it didn't take long to uncover it was more than just the deaths of Dan and Nawaki that weighed on the last Senju. While she did still mourn them and feel like a failure, there were layers to her grief. She often felt like a hypocrite, not being able to move on from their deaths when she was one of the most prolific killers in modern shinobi history.
How many lovers and siblings did she take from people? How many grieving family members did she send to the bottom of an endless bottle because drunken stupors hurt less than sobriety? How could she be lauded as a medic with so much blood on her hands? She'd existed in a duality, one most medics after her could avoid. She felt alone in many respects, as the fractured parts of her self were in constant conflict. At least, they were before.
It was not fast, healing the mind didn't happen instantly, but slowly Tsunade was finding a way to become whole again, to accept all of her, good and bad. She'd already almost overcome her hemophobia, projecting a return to surgery soon. She'd even been seriously training with Shizune again, allowing herself to feel genuine joy and not have it torn asunder by overwhelming guilt.
The Senju started on her paperwork, thankful her burden wasn't anywhere near her Sensei's. She worked methodically, paying attention to the budgeting reports, preliminary plans for the medic training program and the new security clearances. Those had been slow, medics taking a backseat to the frontline Jounin and ANBU but progress was being made and most of the senior staff had been cleared. Tsunade heard a knock at the door and gave permission to enter, she smiled to see it was Shizune on the other side, with Tonton strutting in at her feet.
"I figured you might want some tea before you started your day, Tsunade-sama," Shizune said before placing the mug down on the desk of her longtime teacher.
"Thank you, Shizune."
"Oink!"
"And you, too, Tonton," Tsunade said with a laugh.
"How was your session?" Shizune inquired.
"Hard but good. I only wish I'd done this sooner, things could have been different," Tsunade lamented.
"Things can be different now, I like to focus on that."
"That's very wise, Shizune, how'd that happen?"
"I had a good teacher. She showed me what not to do."
"Har har har! Keep it up and I might start telling people how you cried when you couldn't revive the fish."
"Tsunade-sama, that's not remotely true," Shizune protested and Tsunade simply shrugged.
"It doesn't have to be true to be believed." Tsunade expected Shizune to back down but the dangerous glint in her student's eyes warned that wouldn't be the case.
"Do that and I'll tell you've started reading Icha Icha."
"You wouldn't."
"I would, Tsunade-sama."
"Fine but one day I will get legitimate blackmail material on you." Tsunade threatened, frustrated that throughout their years she'd never caught Shizune doing anything legitimately embarrassing. Shizune laughed it off as she departed from the office, having the goods on a Sannin was fun.
"They don't look like much," Tenten observed, dryly.
"Mah, mah, Tenten-chan, they're still fresh. You remember when you were just a few months out from the academy, yes?" Kakashi asked but didn't expect an answer. He was glad he'd forced Sakura to train with Naruto in the mornings or this may have truly been a sad sight. Kakashi requested a replacement genin for the upcoming mission and Gai was kind enough to volunteer his sole kunoichi to the cause. Kakashi appreciated it as she was well trained, disciplined and normal, unlike his other two students.
"Cha, who the hell are you?!" Sakura yelled.
"Tenten, member of Team 9 and future weapons mistress. I'm a little offended you don't know, your other teammate offers to bed me but doesn't talk about me? I feel unappreciated."
"Kakashi, why is she here?" Sasuke asked in his usual blunt manner.
"We'll be taking another C-rank at the end of the week, only without Naruto. Tenten-chan will be replacing him. She'll train with us for a few days so we can all get to know each other."
"Hn."
"What does 'hn.' mean? Look, I've already got one pretty boy prodigy to adapt to, I'm not learning a new language for you. Use whole words." Tenten said and meant it. She may like Neji but he could also be trying and she didn't care enough about the Uchiha to go through that.
Sasuke was simply surprised a girl around his age told him off, slightly or otherwise. He decided he didn't like it. "I don't take orders from second-rate kunoichi." Sasuke immediately felt something cool move swiftly across his cheek and then the sting associated with a cut while hearing a thud. He turned to see a kunai lodged into the tree behind him. He turned back around to face Tenten, a scowl forming on his face and saw she had several more kunai in each hand.
"I don't take shit from rookies," Tenten started before a smirk formed on her lips, "especially not from those who aren't even the strongest on their team." She suspected the Uchiha was a lot like Neji, too much pride to be controlled but just enough to be manipulated. Sasuke accepted the unspoken challenged and charged at the older kunoichi. Kakashi allowed them to hash out their differences but would prevent serious injury to either party, should the need arise. Until then, he had a book to read.
A minute into the impromptu spar and Sasuke was frustrated. Tenten negated his speed and taijutsu by keeping him at a distance. Every strategy he used to get closer was negated and he was littered with small nicks and cuts. It was if she'd seen it all before and just knew where to throw those damn kunai. He was losing his patience and considering unleashing some fire jutsu to teach her a lesson. Instead, he conceded. He had, initially, insulted her and she'd proven herself. He hated losing but there was no point in escalating this further, not when he was wrong.
"I give, you win. And I'm sorry for insulting you." Sasuke said and the kunoichi nodded in recognition, neither taunting nor gloating.
"That was quite the display. It appears we'll have to start training you on how to deal with long-range opponents, Sasuke-kun." Kakashi said, having just joined them. "Now, patch yourself up and take a short break. We'll start our team training in ten minutes."
Haku was impressed at the quantities Naruto managed to consume at the small ramen stand, though none of the other parties in attendance found it remarkable in the least, treating it as normal. The duo left the stand, after settling the tab and Naruto making sure to address Ayame appropriately lest he wanted his cheeks pinched again. Haku followed Naruto as he opted to take her to his preferred training ground for her first lesson. The two moved in companionable silence but something was tempting Haku to tense.
She couldn't put her finger on it but she felt she was being watched, something at the edge of her perception. It didn't have the feel of seasoned shinobi but years with Zabuza-sama had taught her to trust her feelings. She didn't have to wait long as three slow-moving "blurs" made their way directly toward them. Naruto made two clones in response and snatched all three out the air, maneuvering them into piggyback rides.
"Nii-chan!" a small boy said excitedly.
"Boss!" the other two cheered.
"Haku, this is Kono-chan and these are his friends Moegi and Udon. You three, say hello to Haku."
"Hi, Haku-san" the three greeted in unison.
"Oh, so you're the notorious prankster trio. Naruto-kun has told me about your exploits." All three gained a slight blush at her words.
"You talk about us, niichan?"
"Yes," Naruto said as his clones and he continued on to the training ground. "Why are you three not at the academy?"
"We didn't have class today," Konohamaru answered.
"You know I'll check with Iruka-sensei, yes?"
"Hai. I wouldn't lie to you… again." Konohamaru said, recalling the one time he was less than honest with Naruto. It wasn't a pleasant experience and he swore to himself to never do it again. "Besides, I never get to see you anymore."
"I send a clone for you regularly, Kono-chan."
"It's not the same!" the young Sarutobi said in protest. He didn't want a clone, he wanted his big brother.
"Hm, I'll keep that in mind."
"Yay! So, what are you going to teach us today?"
"Actually, I have plans with Haku so I can't teach you anything today."
"Maybe they could join us since it'd just be the basics." Haku offered after seeing the three children start to pout. Naruto said nothing as he considered her alternative.
"I could but if I'm going to teach you three fuinjutsu you have to promise me to practice your calligraphy every day and never set off a seal without allowing me to check over it first."
"Deal!" Konohamaru said, answering for the trio.
"Ok, hold on," was all the warning the kids got as the three Narutos performed a shunshin with Haku following close behind.
"You gotta teach me how to wield those."
"I ain't gotta do nothing."
"Pllleeeaase!"
"No."
"Guys, back me up here!" Ino shouted. Team 10 were returning from a C-rank mission. It was a simple mission. Messengers from a private delivery service had been ambushed multiple times along various roadways, Team 10 was supposed to trigger one and gain intel on if someone was selling information or organizing the bandits themselves.
Somehow, word got to the party in question as they had far greater numbers for Team Ten. While all members had to fight, Asuma dispatched of most of the enemy with his knuckle knives. Ino was instantly enamored and preceded to request, beg, and plead with Asuma to teach her. He'd been unwilling to do so.
"Troublesome, I want no part in this," Shikamaru stated.
"I don't see the harm, Asuma-sensei," Choji replied.
"See, Choji is on my side."
"Yea, don't care. You don't need these, besides it is highly unlikely you have a wind or lightning affinity."
"So what?" Ino shouted. She couldn't understand why it was so difficult to get this man to teach her things. She didn't have any offensive ninjutsu yet or defensive. She was getting better with her taijutsu but this would certainly give her a leg up.
"Ino, there is no need to rush. Firm up your basics before you start adding on new things," Asuma answered. He saw the Yamanaka start to retort before she stopped herself.
"How about a bet?"
"A bet?"
"Yep. If in our next training sessions I can beat both Shikamaru and Choji at the same time you'll teach me how to use those knives."
"And what do I get if you lose?"
"What do you want?"
"You have to clean my apartment for a month, laundry included."
"It's a deal."
"I have no incentive to participate in this," Shikamaru points out.
"You only think I'm troublesome, Shika. You want to see what that looks like when I try?" Ino asked, threateningly.
"What a drag."
"Buy me some barbeque and I'm good," Choji added
"I'm sorry your lesson got interrupted, Haku."
"It was fine, Naruto-kun. I feel I still learned a lot even with you helping them, besides it's cute how much they look up to you."
"They do?" Naruto asked in mild confusion.
"I think so, especially Konohamaru. It wouldn't surprise me if he wanted to learn fuinjutsu simply because he knows his big brother is good at it."
"But shouldn't he want to do things he's good at?"
"Yes, but sometimes when you care about someone and admire them you want to do some of the things they do. I'll never be a kenjutsu user but my stealth and silent killing skills are due to Zabuza-sama. I wanted to learn the things he excelled at."
"Oh," was all Naruto could say to that. He could somewhat relate, his Oji-san was his inspiration for wanting to be the Hokage someday but he just assumed he had to do it his own way, although the more he thought about it the more he realized his various sensei weren't just teaching him skills but the skills they trained hard to perfect, the things they felt were important.
"So, it's like a legacy?" Naruto asked.
"Exactly and no matter what you do, a small part of you lives on through your students and their students. Because of you, there may always be people who understand fuinjutsu as a way for chakra to communicate with the world and not just a method of fighting."
"I think I like that," Naruto said after giving it some thought. "Would you teach me something?"
"Uh, I can but why?"
"Because that way, no matter what, I'll always have a part of you and spread your legacy."
"That's very sweet, Naruto-kun." Naruto looked back at her mildly puzzled, he wasn't trying to be sweet but he shrugged. He'd have to ask his Oji-san about that later. The two continued until they reached their respective apartments, both bidding farewell. Haku would spend the day thinking about what to teach Naruto, Naruto would split his time preparing for the new mission and trying to unravel the last mystery of Anko's cursed seal.
Green eyes stared into blue, neither blinking. Inoichi was not at all pleased to see the Uzumaki darken his door. That the boy seemed completely unbothered by Inoichi's stern gaze only added to his annoyance but what put Inoichi over the top was Naruto's answer to Inoichi's question.
"I'm here for your daughter, Yamanaka Inoichi-san."
"Oh, and would you like to pay a visit to my wife after you finish up?" Inoichi questioned, sarcastically. Naruto, however, didn't answer, wondering if Mrs. Yamanaka had a sealing or medical related need but simply walked past the clan leader. Hinata messaged him saying Ino was in need of assistance so he came over immediately.
Seeing he wasn't going to answer, Inoichi spoke again, "Ino is in her room, upstairs and to the left."
"Thank you, Yamanaka-san," the Uzumaki said before departing to his final destination. When arrived to Ino's room, knocking at the closed door he was mildly surprised when the door flew open and a near frantic Ino pulled him into her bedroom and deposited him on her bed. He saw Hinata give a smile but it wasn't her normal smile so he didn't know if this was amusing or what.
"I 'm glad you're here, Naruto-kun. I'm in need of assistance and Hinata-chan said you would be able to provide it."
"I said Naruto-kun might have an idea to help you since your mouth got you in trouble, Ino-chan," the Hyuuga corrected.
"Same diff," Ino replied while shrugging, and then immediately returned to her near panic state. "As Hinata said, you're my only hope!" Said declaration caused Hinata to stare at Ino blankly, wondering if the girl had the power to deny reality as she saw fit. Naruto simply sat in silence. Ino, having gotten a little more familiar with Naruto-speak, which included a lot of silence and blank stares, concluded he was waiting for her to tell him the actual problem as his presence signaled his willingness to try to help. She learned Naruto didn't state the obvious.
"Ok, so here's my problem, on our most recent C-rank mission some things went pear-shaped. We handled it but during combat, I saw Asuma-sensei using these knuckle knives and it looked so cool. Of course, I begged him to teach me. I mean, I'm so behind. Even Forehead Girl is might be getting ahead of me since she trains with you, right?"
"Sakura-san's rate of progress has been within the range of expectation."
"See, that's totally Naruto-kun speak for that walking billboard is getting stronger. I just want an edge, an ace that no one suspects and it would aid in my taijutsu."
"These are all good points, Ino-chan, but I don't see how I can convince Asuma-san to train you."
"Oh, no that's not what I need help with. I challenged Asuma-sensei, I said if I could beat with Shikamaru and Choji at the same time he'd have to train me and he agreed. The problem is, Shikamaru is sick smart, maybe even smarter than Sakura and you. Choji is a sweetheart but he's a tank. I could wail on him all day and he wouldn't really feel it. Only Sasuke-kun, Kiba and you were able to actually hurt him in the Academy. Separately they'd be a challenge but together… I'm totally screwed. I was hoping you'd have some advice or maybe a super seal to win it for me. So what do you say? Want to whip out that ink and paper for your dear Ino-chan?"
"When is your challenge?" Naruto asked.
"Three days, Asuma-sensei gave us two days off and we settle the bet on our return. So, will you help me?"
"Yes," Naruto started, only to be interrupted
"AWE-"
"But I won't give you any seals," the Uzumaki finished.
"What? Why? C'mon, you could totally trap them in something or other, it'd be easy," Ino whined.
"Possibly, but this is not my challenge, Ino-chan, it is yours. This is a chance for you to improve and I wouldn't be a good friend if I took that away from you."
Ino wanted to beg some more but the slight hint of smugness on Hinata's face told her all she needed to know. "You knew he'd say no, didn't you?"
"Yes," Hinata answered, not hiding her pleasure, "but it doesn't mean we can't help you, Ino-chan. We just won't solve your problem for you."
Ino huffed before resigning herself, "Fine, what can I do?"
"What are the rules of this challenge, Ino-chan?"
"Probably just standard sparring rules, Asuma-sensei didn't stipulate anything before we left."
"Oh, ok. Then the challenge has already started," Naruto observed, causing Ino to look at him in apparent confusion.
"No, Naruto-kun, we fight Friday."
"No, you only have to appear to win on Friday, Ino-chan. That doesn't mean you can't take steps to secure your victory in the meantime, ideally, both Shikamaru and Choji should be doing the same."
"But it's just a spar."
"No, Ino-chan, it's an assassination mission with the requirement the client watch you make the kill at a specific time."
"Wha?"
"Outside of your agreement with Asuma-san and the laws of Konoha you are free to act without violating the terms of your agreement. It would be irresponsible of you not to seek every advantage, Ino-chan. As my Oji-san says, if a shinobi finds themselves in a fair fight, they've done something wrong."
Ino gaped at Naruto's words, wondering if this is how he thought about things, seeing training through the lens of future missions or the ethics of a shinobi. The statement was brief but the effects would be profound. Ino felt small and immature, wondering if that was why Asuma-sensei didn't want to train her more. She was too linear, too small in her thinking. She was worried about winning on the day of the spar. It was stupid, the reasoning of an Academy student.
Of course, he wouldn't want to teach her intermediate skills, she was still pretending to be a ninja. She should have seen the fight as occurring the very moment Asuma-sensei agreed to the bet. And worst yet, she expected her friend to just solve her problem so she could get what she wanted. The Yamanaka heiress hung her head in shame, much to Naruto's confusion. Hinata, however, knew exactly what was happening as she was quite familiar with the looks of shame and self-criticism present in Ino's body language
Ino jumped a little when she felt arms encircle her but quickly eased into the hug. "It's ok, Ino-chan. Of our graduating class, Shino-kun is likely the only other one to come to such a conclusion. We're still learning and you've done nothing wrong."
"I didn't mean to make you feel bad, Ino-chan," Naruto added. He had thought he was helping but was concerned he might have done the opposite.
"You did, you have. I'm just embarrassed I've been so immature about this. Could you stay a little bit and help me brainstorm a plan?"
"Of course, Ino-chan."
The trio would stay in Ino's room and listen to her formulate plans, only offering feedback. This went on for twenty minutes before Naruto's eyes briefly glazed over. That was followed by Inoichi storming into the room, red-faced and breathing heavily. The man looked apoplectic.
"GET OUT YOU DAMN BRAT! GET OUT RIGHT NOW!" the Yamanaka clan head started shouting, only to be cut off by his wife.
"INOICHI, you leave that sweetheart of a boy alone!"
"Daddy, why are you yelling at Naruto-kun? He's been here the entire time."
"HE WAS IN MY BEDROOM WITH YOUR MOTHER!" The two heiresses turned to look at Naruto who didn't seem all that concerned about the Jounin yelling at him. He assumed his friends wanted an explanation and he didn't mind as he'd only done what Inoichi-san asked on him.
As Naruto got to the top of the stairs he created a shadow clone. If Inoichi-san's wife needed help it wouldn't due to make her wait. Assuming Inochi-san's bedroom was at the opposite end of the hallway, Naruto sent the clone that way and continued on to his initial destination. The clone traveled the short distance to the presumed bedroom and knocked.
"Y-yes?" was the pained response.
"Hello, Yamanaka-san, I'm Uzumaki Naruto and Inoichi-san requested I see about you."
"Oh, t-then come in," she responded and Naruto entered. The room was dark, on the light of a dimmed lamp shone but Naruto could see the Yamanaka propped up on the bed, looking on in discomfort. Naruto didn't hesitate to follow the protocols instilled in him by Tsunade-sensei and Shizune-senpai.
"As I stated, I am Uzumaki Naruto and am currently a C-rank medical ninja. Can you tell me what seems to be bothering you, Yamanaka-san?"
"Emiko, dear."
"Hai."
"And what's bothering me is my back. This is all so silly; I was reaching down to pick something up and felt an intense pain in my lower right side. It was agony for the first two days, now it is simply mind numbing. I told Inoichi-kun I just needed a few days rest, not a trained medic. Not even one of Ino's cute friends," saying the last part with a wink. Naruto smiled in response before continuing.
"How long ago was the initial incident?"
"Three days ago."
"Do you ever feel numbness or shooting pain in your legs?"
"Only if I stand too long."
"I know this will not be comfortable but do you think you could roll over on your stomach so I can check your back?"
Emiko, with Naruto's help, removed the covers from her, revealing she was in a floral print nightgown. She winced as she rolled over but managed to do so. Naruto activated his diagnostic jutsu and it confirmed his suspicion.
"You've herniated a disc in your lower back, Emiko-san."
"Oh, can you do anything?"
"Yes. It is not severe enough to require surgery and is therefore within my current skill level. One problem is that while bedrest is initially good, after a day or two it becomes harmful. The muscles in your back have tightened and tense, making you stiff. That will prolong the recovery time. I can help with that too, but I would need you to expose your back to me."
"And I'll feel better when you're done?"
"Hai. I would only suggest you follow up with another medic tomorrow as they may undergo further healing or recommend physical therapy."
"Ok, let's do it."
"Would you like a towel or a sheet to cover your lower body?"
"N-no, that won't be necessary."
Naruto said no more as he gently lifted the back of Emiko's nightgown and exposed her lower back and cotton panties. Naruto noticed she had two dimples above her butt and thought it an attractive feature. He made a note to apologize to Haku for being skeptical about her aversion of showing her lower back. He also, idly, wondered if Ino-chan would develop similar features as she aged; assuming she hadn't had them already.
None of these thoughts lasted long nor did they delay Naruto from his responsibilities. He started treatment immediately, engaging a healing jutsu, though not the fabled Mystic Palm Technique as he hadn't received the proper rank to learn it yet. However, due to the potency of his chakra and the fuinjutsu enabled fine chakra control, even basic healing jutsu worked a faster for him than most. In only ten minutes the disc had been repaired and Naruto started on relaxing her muscles with a therapeutic massage.
Naruto started on Emiko's lower back before slowing sending his hands up the outside of back and gently down either side of her spine. He did this for several minutes until he felt the muscle groupings in her back had warmed up and then he focused on any sources of tension or knotting he could find, gentle working them loose. He knew he was on the right track as Emiko would offer hums or coos of pleasure. When Naruto ran across a particularly tough knot at her shoulder blades, Emiko encouraged the blond to be a little more forceful.
"Yes, right there, Naruto-kun. Don't be shy," were the words Inoichi heard as he entered his bedroom only to be followed by an "ahh!" as his wife sounded as if something deeply satisfying had occurred. Seeing a small blond on top of his wife was the final spark to Inoichi's temper.
"What the hell are you doing to my wife, boy?"
"Paying her a visit, as you requested," Naruto said neutrally, a little confused at Inoichi's surprise.
That only further incensed Inoichi who was about to start yelling at the blond. Naruto, remembering Shizune-senpai told him that sometimes family members would delay treatment as they became emotional decided to restrain the confusing clan leader. Inoichi didn't notice the paralysis and suppression seals forming in the room until after they had latched on to him. The part of him that was still objective was impressed the boy could manifest seals with his feet. Every other part of him found the little blond bastard to be smug and arrogant.
Naruto returned to his patient, asking her about her current pain level, there was none. He requested she stand and she did with no problem. He then repeated his request she seek another medical ninja tomorrow before dispelling, ending the restriction seals placed on Inoichi. The man wasted no time charging to Ino's room, ready to strangle that Uzumaki.
It took Ino and Emiko both to calm Inoichi down, as the respective Yamanaka women believed he was being irrational. This feeling was only solidified by the facts that Inoichi asked Naruto to go to Emiko and the blond did help her. He, begrudgingly, apologized for his behavior as he escorted Naruto and Hinata out. Naruto then offered to walk Hinata home and the Hyuuga gladly accepted. The pair walked in silence for much of the way to the Hyuuga compound until Hinata spoke as they turned on the final street.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Yes, Hinata-chan?"
"It was nice of you healing Emiko-san but you shouldn't give your services away for free." Hinata watched as Naruto tilted his head to the side in thought before dawning a small smile briefly.
"In a sense, she did pay me."
"Oh, and what's your going rate?" Hinata asked, the duo approaching the main entrance to her compound.
"She let me see her panties."
Hinata stopped right at her gate, the Hyuuga guards holding their greeting. Naruto couldn't place the look on her face initially until it became one of resolve.
"Well, that might be a problem should I ever need your medical skills."
"Oh, why so?" Naruto asked.
Hinata, without hesitation, leaned close and whispered in Naruto's ear, "Because I don't wear any." She swiftly turned on her heels and entered her home.
"Uzumaki-san, are you ok?" One of the guards asked as the boy merely stood before them with a half-lidded gaze.
"Dattebayo." Was his only response before he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
Been a while, huh? I am so sorry for the delay, it was never supposed to be this long. I underwent a change, one I thought would be positive but actually made me miserable and left no time for hobbies. After I resolved that situation, I promptly injured my back and that is not conducive to writing
And lastly, I am not a professional writer. I am under no delusions about that. I don't think I'm doing Naruto better than Kishimoto. I'm just playing in his sandbox. I do, however, try to produce something enjoyable in all my stories while giving Naruto some different shadings or personality traits. Not perfect but I try, as such I sometimes lose my handle on these personalities and I have to delete hundreds or thousands of words because I didn't write the characters correctly.
All these things combine to form a delay. It wasn't the plan, wasn't desired but hopefully with this I've broken through my blocks and can get back to turning out things more regularly. Thank you for your patience and support (and if you've tried to PM me know I turned them off simply because I didn't know when I'd be able to return.)
