A/N: It appears my updates are getting more frequent. Even though this chapter is short. But it's still an update, so it counts :D – Mufin

Warning: This story is rated T.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, otherwise bowl cuts would be banned. BANNED I SAY.

Custody ~MufinXoxo

Chapter 10: The Youthful Dojo is bursting with youthful energy

*Sasuke*

"Welcome on this fine Monday the 30th of March." Orochimaru beamed at Sasuke when he came into the room.

Sasuke, sat down on the chair, looking around the room with evident distaste. He noticed a new potted plant in the room in a purple pot that matched his 'counsellor's' extravagant lavender shirt.

It was a disgusting colour. Really, it was a lucky thing that the plant had no eyes.

"This is my fourth week," he stated, getting right to the point, avoiding the standard 'how are you?' question that was more than worrying when expressed in such a manner, "Therefore I don't think I require any more counselling." A compelling argument, he thought.

"But my dear Sasuke," Orochimaru countered, "As far as I can see, there is no proposal in sight, so the counselling must continue."

"What do you mean, 'proposal'?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed.

"I'm talking about your destined engagement to Akiyama-san." Orochimaru clapped his hands gleefully, "I can almost hear the wedding bells."

This man was the reason Sasuke hated counselling. Occasionally he felt as if this whole living arrangement was just a poorly disguised matchmaking attempt, and Uchiha Sasuke did not like to adhere to others expectations.

"What do you want?" Sasuke ground out. That man was always scheming something.

"Simple. To enhance your team work, both of you will attend weekly training sessions at the Youthful Dojo. Wednesdays, at seven in the evening. No excuses." His eyes burned into Sasuke as if challenging him to refuse. Orochimaru could be surprisingly commanding if he wanted to.

Sasuke refused to answer. He refused to say yes. He refused to agree to his 'counsellor's' ideas.

"If not, I'll visit Akiyama-san myself and tell her that she must attend." Orochimaru pointed out leisurely, getting up to water his plant.

Despite not wanting to admit that Tenten's frustrating ways were beginning to grow on him in the most peculiar ways, Sasuke would not want to force his counsellor upon anybody. That was cruelty and should count as a direct violation of human rights. He definitely didn't want Tenten to experience Orochimaru; she'd grow more irritating than normal, or worse; she might bond with the snake over their apparent mutual will to destroy him.

"Fine." He bit out.

###

*Tenten*

It was getting dark already as Tenten and Sasuke made their way to the first lesson. It was a chilly and windy night, not doing much to heighten the pair's spirit as they trudged along the pavement. The dojo was located only a few blocks away from Tenten's apartment, so they were walking. Tenten needed to save on fuel costs, she had decided.

"I don't understand." Tenten complained, angrily wrapping her jacket around herself tighter, "Why do we have to go to this dojo? Is it some kind of crappy April fools joke?"

So far, this morning Temari had hidden all her sketches of new designs and replaced them with a large drawing of an elephant. Konan had then called her over and told her she was going to be fired, because she didn't think the elephant idea was very innovative. Instead, she said her husband Yahiko had come up with some brilliant suggestions.

She had held up Tenten's design sketches.

Tenten had been close to tears, just as Temari sprung out from behind Konan's chair screaming 'April fools' and throwing confetti. Konan had started laughing, handing Tenten back her papers.

After that, Tenten burst into proper tears; Konan had taken her in when all her prospects had been dim after her court martial, and the thought of being fired for a reason such as an elephant had been too much. Konan had offered her a safe haven and she had thrown all her effort into her work to forget her other problems. The thought of that safety being taken from her was too much.

Seeing that they may have gone to far, Temari and Konan treated her to lunch afterwards. Which had brightened her day considerably. Still, Tenten was not awfully fond of April fools to be exact. "It'd better not be a joke..." Tenten muttered. She really had had enough of those.

"It's too improve our relationship." Sasuke said curtly, striding ahead in front of her.

Tenten frowned. As far as she could see, hadn't their relationship already improved drastically? She no longer felt the need to strangle him 24/7 and had even come to terms with the fact that she was beginning to care for him, although she remained adamant for her feelings to stay platonic.

"That's bullshit. We no longer fight as much, so for living together our relationship is fine. It's not like they want us to marry." She pointed out.

Sasuke let out a sound that sounded somewhere between a laugh and a strangled cry. "We're here." He just answered in between coughs.

Before them was a traditional building with a green tiled roof that had two pillars supporting it next to the entrance. A hook protruded from each pillar from which a paper lantern each was hung, emitting a subtle glow. Tentatively, Tenten stepped forward, apprehension dawning within her. Sasuke trailed behind, frowning and reluctant.

"WEEEEEEELCOME!" A voice boomed and suddenly the door was thrust open. A younger version of Gai-sensei stood before Tenten, with the same horrendous bowl cut, and dare she say it, the same awful jumpsuit.

Rock Lee.

Tenten sweat dropped, raising her hand and giving a small wave, "Long time no see... When did you...change your style...?"

"Tenten!" Rock Lee exclaimed, overjoyed. "After school finished, I ran into Gai-sensei, and he gave me hope! He opened the path to youth for me! I was so inspired, I took over this YOOOOOOOOUUUTHFUL dojo for him that is bursting with the power of youth to help others find their way!"

"It must have been a meaningful encounter..." Tenten didn't know what else to say. Despite being in the same class in school, she hadn't seen Rock Lee in a few years. But considering his personality, this unexpected change shouldn't be to much of a surprise.

But to be honest, she was shell shocked. What had Gai done to a normal haircut? Why a bowl cut, why? She would never understand. Gai should be ashamed of being a bad role model for the younger generation.

Rock Lee's eyes narrowed as he saw Sasuke standing behind her. "Uchiha." He stated, "I heard you used to be quite a proficient member of the Fan dojo nearby." His eyes began to sparkle, "Please fight me! I need to prove my strength!"

Sasuke shook his head, "That was a long time ago."

"Uchiha, you used to fight?" Tenten turned on him. That was where he got his killer body from. Not that she had noticed or anything.

Sasuke smirked at her expression, before grimacing at the question she had asked, "More like I was forced into joining by my family. Like I said, it was a while ago that I fought properly, but I still did some training in prison."

"Prison?" Rock Lee's eyes widened, "Did you come here to let the power of youth rejuvenate you and open your eyes to the correct path?"

"No."Sasuke dead-panned.

Rock Lee looked slightly crestfallen, "Okay. Well anyway, please enter. Your youthful deluxe x6 training shall now begin!"

A/N: Please do review and all that stuff :) -Mufin