Chapter 8: R&R

"Home sweet home," Kitsune walked into his apartment and collapsed on his bed. He hadn't been able to get much sleep on the mission, as he knew that someone would try and take his mask to see who he really was. Ironically, it turned out Sasuke had figured it out and he ended up showing Kiba his face anyway,

"Who'd have thought that Sasuke-teme would turn out to have a brain?" Kitsune started to remove his mask when there was a knock at the door. "Damn it," He grumbled and opened it.

"Teach me!" Sasuke demanded.

"Don't you know the meaning of downtime? It is time spent recovering from a mission," Kitsune groaned.

"If I slack I will never become powerful enough to establish my clan!" Sasuke scowled.

"I did give you the Family Jutsu; why not learn those for a while?" Kitsune sighed.

"I don't understand them," Sasuke admitted.

"And you think I will?" Kitsune shook his head, "Try asking Kakashi."

"I can't find him." Sasuke replied.

"How about…" Kitsune started then shrugged, "Oh I don't know. Wind is my element so I can't really help you with fire. I am sure someone around here can teach you."

"As you say," Sasuke turned to leave.

"Sasuke-kun!"

"Damn," Sasuke took off running.

"Oh," Sakura ran up and turned to Kitsune. "What were you talking about?"

"Training," Kitsune sighed. "Sasuke needs to find someone who can teach him Fire Jutsu. I am sure if you could find him a teacher he would appreciate it."

"You really think so?" Sakura sighed. "Sometimes I wonder why I actually care for him…"

"Probably the same reason I care for Naruto-kun," Hinata smiled as she walked up to the door.

'Does nobody in this damn village understand that downtime is for sleeping!'

'Maybe they just all want to be with you, Mate.'

'Oh great, I attract people with the mask on, without it I would repel them.'

'Sasuke, Kiba, Anko, Ibiki, Kurenai, Kakashi and I all know who you are, and we aren't repelled.'

'You forgot Haku. And Anko doesn't count. She is pretty much like me, aside from being completely weird.'

'Oh…Haku, that reminds me, I haven't seen her recently.'

'She and some other mercenary said they were taking a faster way back.'

"So, Kitsune-kun," Hinata smiled as Sakura raced off.

"Huh?" Kitsune realised he had just tuned out an entire conversation, "Sorry, I was distracted."

"I was sent by Kurenai to request your presence at training ground 7." Hinata bowed politely.

"Ah damn it!" Kitsune grumbled as he closed and locked the door behind him, following Hinata towards training ground number 7.

Moments after he left, a cloaked figure walked up to his door. "So this is where the Great Kitsune lives…I guess I'll make myself at home."

"Here we go," Hinata bowed and left Kitsune alone.

"Hey, where are you going?" Kitsune frowned.

"This is to be a private lesson," Hinata smiled.

"I do not like the sound of that." Kitsune shivered. 'What did I do to upset Kurenai-sensei?'

'Erm…disobeyed the mission order to guard the house and under no circumstances leave?'

'That was to save innocent lives!'

'Engage an opponent you had no chance of defeating, thus causing several of your allies to put themselves in harm's way just to save you?'

'That could be it.'

'Summoning the monster who attacked Konoha and willingly allying with it?'

'I hope not…I could come up with an answer to the first two. I can hardly argue you're not that evil can I? Who'd believe me?'

"Kitsune," Kakashi nodded as he approached.

"Kakashi-sensei," Kitsune nodded back. "What are you doing out here? Team Training Session five hours ago?"

"Nope," Kakashi looked up, "Rival issues."

"Ah," Kitsune nodded. "Has Gai-sensei been bugging you again?"

"Yosh, My Eternal Rival!" The aforementioned grinned as he walked up to the two masked figures. Even after hearing at length from Kakashi, Kitsune was still shocked to see that he actually wore the spandex and had the bowl cut hair style. But even more shocking was the strange Bunshin he had with him, not to mention Tenten, and some other guy who Kitsune figured was a Hyuuga by his eyes.

"I'd love to talk but…" Kakashi tried to leave but got dragged into a challenge with Gai.

"Hey, Kitsune, I hope your sword was sharp enough." Tenten smiled as she saw the masked figure.

"Truly you are a master craftsman." Kitsune nodded, "I have never met such a beautiful piece of art, oh and the sword was repaired excellently as well."

Tenten merely blushed.

"I trust that an S-class Mercenary is good for more than just sweet talking." The Hyuuga glared at him.

"My, my," Kitsune chuckled. "Is someone jealous?"

"Yeah right," both the Hyuuga and Tenten replied at once.

"I have no time for affections," the Hyuuga stated.

"Trust me on that," Tenten sighed, "He doesn't."

"You are Kitsune, correct?"

"And you?"

"Neji Hyuuga, Genius." Neji nodded. "Don't forget it. You may be S class but even you aren't a match for my skill."

"Am I?" Kitsune turned to Tenten.

"I have never seen you fight, so I cannot make a judgement." Tenten replied honestly, "But he is good."

"I here you are on the same team as my cousin," Neji chuckled mirthlessly. "How ironic that the main's offspring but such a pathetic failure whereas the Branch's offspring is the true Genius."

"Main? Branch?" Kitsune turned back to Tenten.

"The Hyuuga family has a main family, with several branch families. I don't know more than that."

"Who is your cousin?" Kitsune turned back to Neji.

"Hinata, truly a pathetic…" Neji started, but found someone crushing your windpipe severely restricts your ability to talk.

"Genius, huh?" Kitsune chuckled, "What kind of Genius would insult a member of another team, in the presence of someone from that very team. I warn you Neji-chan not to insult any off my precious people, or we will see what good your 'Genius' is against an S-class Mercenary."

"Let…go…" Neji tried to grab Kitsune's hands.

"Do you understand?" Kitsune layered his voice with full killing intent, causing Neji to faint, "Tch, some Genius." Kitsune dropped him on the floor.

"Such unyouthful behaviour," the Bunshin declared. "I challenge you!"

"Huh?" Kitsune looked up at the Bunshin, "Did you same something?"

"Yosh!" The Bunshin declared.

"What a weird Bunshin…" Kitsune mumbled.

"He's no Bunshin; he actually is a different person who dresses like Gai-sensei."

"What?" Kitsune blinked, "You mean…"

"I am Rock Lee!" Lee declared.

"Well…" Kitsune was at a loss for words.

"Lee, Kitsune was merely defending one of his college's against Neji's slander." Tenten clarified.

"You would go so far for a team mate? Yosh, such a mistake I have made! Truly the fires of youth burn brightly within you!"

"The fires of what now?" Kitsune turned back to Tenten who shook her head.

"Such a hip attitude!" Lee exclaimed.

"Er…alright then, I'll be going now…" Kitsune backed away.

"Such fires of youth are an example to us all!" Lee was now clearly in a world of his own.

"You too have found an eternal rival?" Gai turned to his student, while Kakashi, sensing what was coming, quickly vanished. Tenten averted her eyes. Kitsune on the other hand, was completely unprepared.

"Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

"Lee!"

"Gai-sensei!"

A strange Genjustu created a typical romantic sunset scene, with the two males hugging each other, tears streaming down their faces.

"Must claw eyes out…" Kitsune twitched.

"I should have warned you…" Tenten smiled meekly, "Sorry."

"If it is the mistake of one as lovely as you, I am sure I can overcome it." Kitsune focused on Tenten, to drown out the scene playing out behind him.

"Please," Tenten blushed. "If only Neji would say such things," Tenten muttered under her breath.

"You like Neji, don't you?" Kitsune asked.

"I…yeah," Tenten sighed. "But he is too busy to have a relationship right now. We are training for the Chuunin exams."

"Hmm…" Kitsune nodded. "Since you did a good job on my sword, I'll try and get you and Neji together, alright?"

"Good luck with that," Tenten sighed.

"Such an unyouthful display!" Gai noted Tenten's sad sigh. "Quick! One more lap to feed the embers of your youthful flames!"

"Hai," Tenten nodded to Kitsune, "See you later."

"See you Tenten," Kitsune grinned. After checking no-one was looking he gave a kick to Neji. "That's for Hinata."

"Looks like you've been busy," Kurenai grinned as she walked up to Kitsune.

"I have seen the most horrifying event ever." Kitsune shivered.

"Gai and Lee huh?" Kurenai nodded understandingly. "I tried to dispel that Genjutsu once, no matter what I tried, it didn't work."

"What a cruel weapon. Are they in the interrogation department?"

"No, they were viewed as too cruel." Kurenai chuckled.

"So, I was wondering why you called me out here." Kitsune sat down.

Kurenai watched Gai and Lee leave, taking Neji with them, before sitting down beside Kitsune. "I have been deep in thought."

"What about?" Kitsune looked up.

"I was just thinking how much you've changed." Kurenai smiled. "You used to be all 'Ramen this', and 'Hokage that'. Now you are a mercenary who has seen sights that would drive a normal man insane. It must be tough for you."

"So long as I have my precious people, I'll pull through." Kitsune chuckled, "Worried I'll go insane and kill your team?"

"No, and you know that." Kurenai smiled slightly. "I just wanted you to know that if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm here."

"Sure Kurenai-sensei." Kitsune nodded, "I get the idea."

"Kitsune-sama." An ANBU landed in front of the pair.

"Yeah," Kitsune looked up.

"I have a summons for you, from the Acting Hokage." The ANBU handed a scroll over.

"Understood," Kitsune took it as the ANBU vanished. "I really don't like this Danzo guy. He is the complete opposite to Old Man Sarutobi."

"I know," Kurenai scowled. "I don't like the man, but cometh the hour cometh the man."

"Is he going to be the next Hokage?"

"The council has decided that the next Hokage be Jiraiya, one of the Sannin." Kurenai sighed, "But no-one knows where he is."

"Last time I saw him was when he taught me Rasengan." Kitsune shrugged.

"Rasengan, as in the Yondaime's personally developed Jutsu?" Kurenai's eyes widened.

"The one and only," Kitsune grinned. "I guess I should be off to see what he wants."

"I suppose so," Kurenai stood up, "Remember my offer, alright?"

"Sure," Kitsune nodded and vanished in a whirl of leaves.

Danzo scowled as he looked at the little boy who had tried to assassinate him.

"You know that such an action is treason?"

The boy nodded.

"Even if you are the Late Hokage's grandson, I will not forgive such a crime. Guards," Danzo nodded to the two ANBU.

"Don't do something you'll regret." Kitsune walked into the room. "From what I have heard, you have a shaky grip on the village. Executing a little child will only cause a civil war to erupt."

"…" Danzo glared at Kitsune, "Leave my sight boy." The boy nodded and fled.

"You summoned me?" Kitsune sat down and put his feet on the Acting Hokage's desk, much to his annoyance.

"It is in regards to the two acquisitions we made." Danzo picked up a sheet of paper, "The Ice bloodline user Haku and the mercenary Konan."

"Konan, does she wield paper as a weapon?" Kitsune removed his feet from the desk.

"Yes, she does," Danzo nodded as he wiped where Kitsune's boots had scuffed the table.

"Hmm…I haven't seen her for a while." Kitsune frowned.

"So you know her?" Danzo asked.

"Yeah if it is who I think it is," Kitsune nodded, "I guess so."

"Then until we are capable of finding housing for them, they will be residing with trusted members of Konoha. I have arranged for the Konan girl to live in the Uchiha complex with Sasuke, who is to report on her behaviour. We will also have several ANBU watching her. The Ice wielder however, pleaded to be allowed residence with you, which in light of the circumstances, we have chosen to acknowledge."

"How long will they be living at the assigned locations?" Kitsune didn't ask about the circumstances, he knew. Danzo's control over Konoha was as wobbly as jelly in an earthquake and he would need all the allies he could get. Upsetting Haku would not have helped him in the slightest.

"Until it is decided on which clan they will marry into that is."

"What do you mean until it is decided?"

"The council are discussing who should get them."

"So they are prizes?" Kitsune growled. "I will admit, I can be lecherous and maybe be a bit…liberal with my behaviour towards women, but even I acknowledge they have the right to choose their own husbands and so on. I will not stand for two women who willingly joined this village treated like some kind of prize." Kitsune slammed his hands on Danzo's desk. "Is that understood?"

"You think you can tell me what to do?" Danzo stood eye to eye with Kitsune. "I am the Acting Hokage of this village. You are a lowly Genin and will do as you are ordered!"

"Want to see the damage this lowly Genin can do?" Kitsune growled back.

"Kitsune!"

The Acting Hokage and S-Class Mercenary turned to face the newcomer.

"Kakashi-sensei," Kitsune removed his hands from the desk and bowed respectfully.

"Remember your place," Kakashi sighed, "You are only here because of the Acting Hokage's permission. When the next Hokage is picked, you won't want to be kicked out would you? If not I would advise following orders as they are given."

"Yes Kakashi-sensei." Kitsune voice was eerily empty.

"The Haku girl is at your house as we speak. I would advise you hurry back." Danzo looked down at his paper work. "You are excused."

"Yes Danzo." Kitsune walked out of the office. No way in hell would he acknowledge the fool as Hokage, acting or not.

"Forgive him Sir," Kakashi said as Kitsune left. "He took Sarutobi's death hard."

"I only keep him as an S-class Mercenary in our ranks sends the message 'don't mess with us' to other countries." Danzo walked over to the window overlooking the Hokage monument, "However if his disobedience continues, he will have to be executed."

"Executed?" Kakashi looked surprised.

"Disobeying an order from the Hokage is treason is it not?"

"Full Hokage yes, but you are only an Acting one." Kakashi nodded. "The worst you can do to him is strip him of his active duty and rank."

"Somehow I fail to see no longer being a Genin affecting Kitsune." Danzo sighed. "Is there any reason that you are here?"

"No sir, I merely could sense Kitsune's killing intent and came to diffuse the situation." Kakashi replied.

"Understood," Danzo turned his back to Kakashi, "You are dismissed." 'So my guards let Kakashi, without any confirmation of his purpose. They appear oddly loyal and trusting to him. This needs to be addressed.'

Kitsune was walking through Konoha fuming inwardly.

'Bastard that he is, treating Haku-chan like some parcel!'

'What are you going to do?'

'I swear, if he even thinks of selling Haku-chan off to some stuck up noble, I will rip his heart out of his chest and serve it to him as his last supper!'

'My…you are really angry.'

'Not angry enough to not notice Mr Obvious Tracker over there.' "What do you want?" Kitsune turned to face a section of fence where the planks had for some reason switched to a horizontal pattern, rather than the vertical pattern they had all the way down the street.

"Ah hah! Truly you are skilled." The anomalous segment fell down to reveal the small boy from Danzo's office. "I knew it. How else could you scare Danzo-baka into not killing me?"

"You got a name or just a mouth?" Kitsune sighed.

"Konohamaru is my name." The youth grinned. "You're really an S-class mercenary?"

"Yes," Kitsune nodded. "Why?"

"I need to become stronger to avenge my grandfather!" Konohamaru looked serious. "I know Danzo is responsible for his death. He was always scheming and after gramps passed away, he didn't waste his time taking high office."

"Do you have any evidence?" Kitsune paid his full attention to the boy.

"No…" Konohamaru shook his head, "But I know he did it!"

"Tell you what," Kitsune kneeled down. "Prove it's him and I will avenge your old man."

"Really?" Konohamaru stood up.

"I give you my word." Kitsune nodded.

"Then I will use my skills to prove his guilt!"

"I would advise becoming stronger first," Kitsune chuckled, "And get better at stealth."

"I will do it Boss!" Konohamaru nodded and raced off. "I will get strong for my gramps and will avenge his death!"

"I wonder if I should have done that…" Kitsune frowned. 'That would probably be viewed as inciting rebellion…'

'Who cares? Let them try and execute us!'

'Do you want a repeat of 16 years ago?'

'Why not? This time I will not be fighting alone, so how can I lose Mate?'

'I have to admit, I would enjoy smashing some skulls together. There are a few people I recall were most unkind to the poor Kyuubi Jinchuuriki.'

'So what are we waiting for?'

'The right moment, you can taste the tension in the air. The whole place is waiting for a spark and then all hell will brake loose. We should keep our eyes open for prospective rebels. They could make useful allies.'

'Ooh, listen to you. What ever happened to honouring Sarutobi's wishes?'

'I am sure he wouldn't want someone like Danzo in charge. He is killing Konoha slowly.'

Kitsune continued walking to his apartment, when a familiar figure walked out of a restaurant with a plate of Dangos.

"If it isn't the Kyuubi brat," Anko grinned seeing her fellow outcast.

"Ah, the Snake Bitch," Kitsune nodded in her direction.

"Touché," Anko grinned. "I saw Kure-chan looking thoughtful, you haven't knocked her up, have you?"

"Not unless I can reproduce by kissing." Kitsune shrugged.

"What?" Anko grinned the evil grin of someone getting quality blackmail material. "She left that bit out!"

"I'd love to chat but I am busy planning the most painful way to kill Danzo." Kitsune chuckled.

"Oh! Can I join?" Anko walked beside Kitsune as he walked towards his house.

"You don't like him either." Kitsune sighed. "He has a shakier grip on this village than I thought."

"He isn't Sarutobi." Anko frowned, "Even I realise when someone is just pure evil. He has a similar feel to him as…well him." Anko looked uneasy.

"Him?" Kitsune frowned under his mask.

"Orochimaru," Anko looked unhappy. "The bastard who betrayed us all. He was one of Sarutobi's students."

"His betrayal affected you?" Kitsune asked.

"Maybe I'll tell you the story another time, Kyuubi-kun."

"I look forward to it Snake-chan." Kitsune chuckled as Anko vanished.

He walked deep in thought for some time. The name Orochimaru sounded familiar to Kitsune and it was bugging him where from.

"Kitsune-kun," Haku ran up and hugged Kitsune. "It has been too long. Have you heard the news?"

"About the fact you are living with me until you are sold off to some clan?" Kitsune grumbled.

"Ah, but I am not a virgin, I lost my innocence which would make me undesirable as a wife." Haku grinned. "Our paper friend on the other hand…"

"I suppose you mean Konan," Kitsune unlocked his apartment and let Haku in.

"How does she know you?" Haku asked. "She seemed oddly determined to meet you, so I took a different way home, giving us plenty of time to get to know one another, but she was very tight lipped about what exactly you did."

"In the past I freed her from her master and took her to Suna, where she could live as she wanted. We travelled a while together. This was after the Mizukage fight." Kitsune removed his mask and collapsed into a chair.

"So…why would she be searching for you?" Haku sat on Naruto's lap.

"Well I never actually said goodbye." Naruto wrapped his arms around Haku. "See I met another Jinchuuriki there and we had a bit of an argument."

"Is this how Suna got destroyed?" Haku asked. "I recall reading that in the Bingo Book about you."

"That's right. See I befriended this Jinchuuriki, but accidentally upset him and well…" Naruto grinned his fox-like smile. "He hit me for six."

"Ouch," Haku winced.

"Even with Kyuubi I was badly injured, so I decided to avoid him and leg it." Naruto chuckled. "Which Kyuubi wasn't pleased about."

'Too damn right, losing to that one-tailed Jinchuuriki, you had nine times the power at your disposal, and didn't have to worry about me taking over your body.'

'I know, but I didn't want to hurt Gaara, he had been hurt enough by his family.'

'Whatever, Mate.'

"Have you made amends with that Jinchuuriki?"

"Oh yeah," Naruto nodded, "We are on speaking terms again. I passed by on a job and met up with him. He seemed happy enough, for him."

'How could you tell? He never displays facial expressions.'

'He didn't try to kill me.'

'Fair enough.'

"That's good." Haku nodded, "You Jinchuuriki have enough problems without having to fight one another. Have you met any others in your travels?"

"Yeah, there is Yugito; she had the two-tailed beast. She is nice enough, although a little hot tempered. Also she has great control over her Bijuu. Then there was Killer Bee, who is a complete nut job. His fighting style is unique to say the least, and he also is in complete synchronisation with his Bijuu but he has a strange habit of rapping everything he says, so I can't understand him most of the time. He is the eight-tailed Jinchuuriki. Then there is Gaara, the one I was telling you about. He was the one tailed Jinchuuriki, he has less control than the others, although I helped him overcome the Shukaku's influence, using a seal I designed."

"Wow," Haku sighed, "I wish I could have travelled with you, you must have seen a lot of the world."

"Yeah," Naruto nodded. "I met plenty of neat people and some not so neat but still good in their own way. Quite a few of them taught me new techniques, such as the Rasengan and Kaze Yari, not to mention I learnt how to wield a Katana in several different styles. I was even taught how to wield a metal fan as a weapon, which is harder than it looks." Naruto grinned. "Ironic really, I decided to give up being a ninja when you and Mummy face found me, but ended up being taught by some of the greatest minds on the world."

"Are there any techniques that you could show me?" Haku asked, "I would make and eager apprentice."

"I am sorry, but someone has already taken that role, and I accepted as a favour to his brother." Naruto shook his head. "And he already gave me my payment…"

"How much did he pay you?" Haku looked disappointed.

"Some would argue his gift was worth more than gold, but it is entirely useless to me." Naruto snapped out of his daydream.

"Alright." Haku shrugged. "Well…we are alone now." She snuggled up to Naruto.

"That we are," Naruto chuckled.

"Is there anything we could do whilst alone, in a room with a bed?" Haku raised her eyebrows suggestively.

"Hmm…" Naruto chuckled and kissed her, "I guess we could think of something."

Haku winked and ran to the bedroom, Naruto following her at a leisurely pace.

"I've waited so long to be able to do this again," Haku smiled seductively as she posed on Naruto's bed.

"That makes two of us," Naruto kissed Haku again.

'Did you hear that?'

'What?' Naruto hissed mentally as Haku started to perform a strip tease.

'Sounded like…scribbling.'

'You're just saying that because it's not you I am planning to…wait a second. You're right.'

'See…I am not just jealous. I will share you Mate, if that is what makes you happy.'

'Scribbling…oh hell no,' Naruto held up a hand, motioning Haku to stop, who was currently down to her white bra and seductive lingerie and had removed Naruto's armoured shirt. 'I'll bet Zabuza didn't know she wore that,' Naruto thought before returning to the more pressing situation. "Show yourself, Ero-Sennin!"

"Er…Moo!" A voice called from outside the window.

"We don't have cows around here." Naruto sighed.

"Er…Coc a doodle do!"

"We don't have roosters around here either." Naruto picked up his katana.

"Er…Door to door salesman," the voice sounded desperate now.

"That was a pathetic attempt, show yourself Jiraiya." Naruto sighed.

"Fine brat," there was a shower of confetti and the room went dark. "INTRODUCING, THE ONE WHO MAKES CRYING BABIES LOOK UP IN AWE, THE ONE WHO MAKES WOMEN BLUSH WITH A MERE SMILE, THE ONE WHO…"

"Just got his ass kicked by Naruto Uzumaki, Jiraiya!" Naruto finished as he kicked Jiraiya into the wall, dispelling whatever Genjutsu he was using.

"Damn it brat!" Jiraiya groaned as he stood up, throwing his cape to the side. He had planned on using it to dramatically reveal himself, but Naruto had killed off the mood. "Talk about killing the atmosphere."

"Who is this man?" Haku asked (now covered by Naruto's sheets).

"Just a pervert," Naruto sighed, "Who happens to know a trick or two."

"Super pervert, actually," Jiraiya corrected, "And how can you call me a pervert. When I took you to that brothel, who was it who was flirting with the lead dancer?"

"Shutupshutup," Naruto hissed.

"And then you were down each others throats within ten minutes." Jiraiya continued with a lecherous grin. "And weren't you quick to take her to a hotel room…"

"Shutupshutup!" Naruto hissed even louder, aware of the killing intent Haku was radiating.

"Which had the most unusual sounds coming from it," Jiraiya finished. "Which I considered odd considering the girl you were kissing had left several minutes before hand, and when I peeked into your room I swore I saw some kind of neko-girl lying in bed with you, but it could have been a figment of my imagination." He didn't add the fact that was the inspiration for the latest novel.

'Don't act like you didn't enjoy it, mate.'

'Whether I enjoyed it or not is not the topic of debate here!'

'So you're not denying it?'

"Would this Neko-girl have long red hair and two tails?"

"Yeah, that'd be the one. You know her?" Jiraiya asked, "I wanted to meet her."

"I know her alright." Haku glared icicles at Naruto. "You are supposed to be the Kyuubi's jailor, not her plaything!"

"Hey!" Naruto defended himself. "I am not the Kyuubi's plaything!"

"Wait a second!" Jiraiya interrupted. "That was the Kyuubi?"

"Hai, Kuchiyose no Jutsu," Naruto bit his thumb and slammed it on the floor. There was a poof of smoke, and Kyuubi appeared in her two-tailed humanoid form.

"What? Don't tell me you summoned me just so this old lecher could gape at me."

Jiraiya was ignoring Kyuubi though, and was paying close attention to Naruto's seal. "Something has happened to this seal, it has been modified."

"Yeah, I did it." Naruto nodded.

"He followed my instructions and didn't do any excessive damage to the seal. Naruto is still perfectly safe from me, at least from me trying to kill him anyway." Kyuubi waved a hand dismissively.

"In that case," Jiraiya turned from the seal to Kyuubi, "How do you feel about modelling for my new book?"

"If your books are the ones that Naruto hides in under all his ninja tools, then I decline. I have no desire to be the focus of your perverted imagery." Kyuubi scowled.

"Perverted imagery?" Jiraiya looked insulted, "My books are art!"

"Who reads them, who is not a pervert?" Kyuubi tilted her head.

"Er…Naruto reads them," Jiraiya grinned.

"Only because your perverted tendencies rubbed off on him, seeing as you hired him for ridiculous mission after mission. If he had been hired by someone serious this would have never have happened, but oh no, you needed inspiration and decided to hire Kitsune to steal women's towels in hot springs and to sabotage their clothes so that they cannot hide their assets. And to make matters worse, you encouraged him to use that Jutsu to allow him to sneak into women's bathing rooms!"
"What is that Jutsu?" Haku didn't like the way the conversation was going.

"'Sexy Jutsu' isn't it? Why don't you show your other mate what it looks like?"

"Er…maybe another time," Naruto chuckled uneasily.

"Show me. Now," Haku glared.

"Oh gods…" Naruto knew he was dead; it was only a matter of time. "Sexy Jutsu," there was a burst of smoke.

"Ah," Haku's face betrayed no emotion.

"Remember mate, you do have super human regeneration." Kyuubi grinned. "If you let her hit you, she'll forgive you faster and you'll survive (probably)." She didn't add her thoughts, but she will probably never forgive you and then you will be all mine.

"I understand what happened." Haku looked sad, "You were so starved of my love that you took up such hobbies to try and fill the void. It is my fault, but fear not, I will help you out of these hobbies!"

"Huh? I wasn't expecting that. Come on! I want some blood to be spilt!"

"You, on the other hand," Haku turned to face Jiraiya, "Have no defence for corrupting Naruto. Prepare to meet your maker!"

Naruto and Kyuubi watched as Haku drew herself to her full height, but forgot she had started undressing. When she started forming the hand seals for one of her most painful attacks, the sight of Haku's breast bouncing in time to her movements were too much for Jiraiya, who was catapulted backwards and out of the window he climbed in through by the blood spray from his nose.

"And that's the end of that." Naruto shut the window.

"Pervert that he is," Haku sighed. "That killed the mood completely didn't it?"

Naruto nodded, "Yeah it did."

There was a series of knocks at the door.

"Dobe, Train me!" Sasuke yelled.

"I am starting to hate this village," Naruto grumbled as he picked up his mask.

Do you guys think I should do the chapters to fill in some of Naruto's history or just cut to the training for the Chuunin exams? It's your call. Just send me a PM to let me know, or if you are leaving a review you can attach it to the end of a review. Please don't send a review purely to tell me which you would prefer. I would use the polls but I don't think they have been fixed yet so…

This chapter was to reintroduce the tension in the village between Danzo and those loyal to Sarutobi and also set up the romances with Haku and Kurenai (the top two in the polls). The other three will be set up later (for those of you worried about Konan, she will have more parts to play in upcoming chapters).