Disclaimer: Nope don't own Naruto, and I never will. I'm only saying this because I'm at gunpoint. I do own Naruto…I mean I don't!
Story: Naruto is outgoing, outspoken, and oblivious. His female counterpart is the same, only she's engaged, in love with a jounin, and the Hokage loves to dress her up. And she can use mokuton jutsu.
Set as an AU.
Spoilers: Eh, not really.
Warnings: ?
Pairings: KakaNaru, NaruOthers

Yare, Yare! Naruko Gaiden
Chapter Eleven: Watashi wa Chuunin III

Naruko gasped in ragged breaths, jaggedly running towards the direction of the tower. She held a hand to her neck, covering the seal. It burned fiercely, pain racing throughout her body at rapid pace.

"Chikuso…this thing is so painful," she winced again, tightening her hold.

"Naruko?"

Naruko skid to a stop, one leg giving and she half-kneeled. She looked up and there was Team Gai. Having spent so much energy, she fainted.

"I wonder what happened? Her youthfulness has lessened! No!" Lee yelled, jumping down to reach her limp body.

"Shut up, Lee, and just get to her," Tenten ordered, following him.

Neji's eyes had narrowed, his Byakugan activated. Something was different about Naruko, something off about her chakra.

"Careful, something's up," Neji warned them.

They reached her and since Lee was the first one there, he had picked her up. They all looked at each other warily.

"We should get her to shelter and then decide what we should do," Neji said.

Tenten rummaged around Naruko's pack, finding both a heaven and earth scroll. "Well, at least she has both scrolls. We have ours right?"

Lee held up both scrolls and Tenten nodded. "Alright, we'll find shelter and rest a bit. Give a little time for her to recuperate. Then, we could probably head straight to the tower."

"Good plan. Let's go," Neji started off first.

Soon they reached a nice clearing with a large enough cave for them to rest in. They settled in, waiting for Naruko to wake up.

It wasn't too soon when the Hyuuga prodigy caught something, and realized that they weren't alone.

Neji scowled, "We have company. It looks like those Sound-nin are trying to creep up on us. There, in front. Can you see them?"

The other two looked and sure enough the Oto-nin were hiding in the trees, waiting for an opportune moment to strike.

"Leave this to me," Tenten smirked.

Discreetly pulling out a scroll, she unsealed a couple of kunai with explosive tags attached to them. Standing up, she announced to her team that she was going to 'practice' her kunai throwing.

She headed out to the clearing and stopped just before the nin-wire that was there to trip a trap. Laughing to herself in her head, she threw the kunai at either side of the hidden group and aimed towards four trees. She had effectively fooled them into thinking she was just practicing and that Team Gai wasn't onto them.

As soon as the kunai hit, there were twin booms. The Sound ninja leaped into the clearing to avoid the explosion, and understanding they had been found out.

"So, bitch, you knew we were there the whole time," the fur mummy spoke.

"Eh, Dosu, let's just rip her apart," the female of the group grinned.

"No, Kin, we're only here for Uzumaki."

The last member rolled his eyes, "Let me deal with these losers while you guys wipe out Uzumaki."

"That's a deal, Zaku, but I want the girl," Kin agreed, not bothering to consult with Dosu.

She ran forward, heading straight for Tenten. Her senbon clashed with Tenten's kunai. Zaku, meanwhile, had darted towards the unconscious girl in the cave.

"What's the matter? I thought you were going to deal with us 'losers'?" Neji stepped into his path.

Zaku sneered, "I did? Oops."

Neji's Byakugan caught Dosu getting closer to Naruko and the Hyuuga cursed his foolishness. But then he saw Lee, and he relaxed.

"Nice try," Neji smirked.

"Out of my way, freak," Dosu abruptly stopped when Lee appeared in front of him.

Lee got into a stance, scowling, "I'm sorry, but I will not allow you to go anywhere near Naruko-chan. You will have to defeat me first, and I will die before you harm her. I will protect her at all costs!"

"Hehe, this'll be easy."

As all three pairs engaged in battle, Kabuto finally arrived on the scene and immediately focused on Naruko. Cursing, he jumped towards her. No one noticed him until he was near her.

"Get away from her," Lee growled, a little bruised and blood dripping from his ears. He was looking over to Naruko, but was busy keeping Dosu from getting any closer.

"I'm on your side," Kabuto said simply, busy checking on Naruko.

Suddenly, Naruko twitched and black markings were struggling to move over her skin. They flashed red every once and awhile, and every time the marks had a harder time moving. Naruko's eyes snapped open, but they were glazed over and red was seeping into the blue at the edges.

"Naruko?" Kabuto questioned.

She stood up and walked away, heading for the three pairs who had stopped to watch her come. Naruko surprisingly darted forward, her face shadowed and covered by her hair, and elbowed Kin in the throat, the female Oto-nin flying back into a tree and falling unconscious. And then Naruko snapped towards Zaku, quickly appearing before him and gripped his throat with one hand.

She hauled him off his feet, choking him.

"Naruko, what the hell?" Kabuto asked alarmed.

Team Gai was too speechless.

Kabuto froze in fear, feeling the incredible amount of killing intent coming from the blonde. He shivered as he glimpsed Naruko's face, her eyes harsh, angry, and unflinching.

Eyes that moved to be directed at him from the corners of them.

Some hair fell into one eye, covering it, and her other eye moved back to her prey suspended by her hand. Kabuto exhaled heavily.

"Lady Naruko! Please snap out of it!" Lee finally spoke out.

Naruko growled, but threw Zaku over to where the knocked-out Kin laid. Dosu swallowed nervously.

"Here, we'll just leave. Please let us go," Dosu said, terrified of Naruko.

"Just go, we'll deal with her," Neji said, not taking his eyes off of the jinchuuriki.

Dosu grabbed his teammates, shooting off into the woods. Tenten took up a wary stance with her scroll ready, Neji stood lax but ready to move in defense, and Lee stepped closer to the blonde trying to plead for her to return normal.

Kabuto's sudden appearance next to the blonde assured no one, but Naruko's markings flashed red a final time before they moved back to their origin. Naruko went limp again, Kabuto catching her body as it fell.

"Well, I think we should head to the tower now," Kabuto stared down at Naruko's sleeping face.

"Right…let's head out," Tenten reluctantly agreed.

Somewhere along the way, Naruko had woken up and started walking on her own. Kabuto still stayed close just in case Naruko collapsed or even stumbled.

She hadn't spoken at all and her face was blank.

After an incident where they were caught in a circular genjutsu, Naruko ended up tricking the Rain-nin with henged kage bushin teammates and beating them up with her other kage bushin. When all of the clones were taken down, Naruko kept going and was actually doing quite well. Kabuto had grinned and joined in, the others staring in amazement at Naruko's stamina and achievement.

And now they were in front of the tower. Kabuto saw his teammates and turned to Naruko.

"This is where we part for awhile. I've got to go with my team so I'll see you a little later, okay?"

Naruko pouted but nodded.

"Um, I guess we should go on ahead and go inside," Tenten nodded as well.

They all went inside, quickly figured out the riddle and opened the scrolls. Hakuro came out of Team Gai's scrolls and Iruka came out of Naruko's.

"Iruka-sensei, Uro-chan!" Naruko squealed, hugging them tightly.

"Hehe, you all made it just fine. I'm glad," Iruka smiled.

Hakuro grunted, but there was a hint of a smile on his face as well.

"RAMEN, IRUKA-SENSEI!"

Later, they found out that there had to be preliminary rounds to get rid of some of the extra genin that had passed. Naruko wasn't happy about it.

"We have prelims?" Naruko scrunched up her nose.

"Yup," Tenten nodded.

"But that sucks! I don't wanna go through no stinkin' prelims!"

"We don't have a choice. There's too many genin that passed the 2nd phase. Because of the kage spectators and diplomats for the 3rd exam, we have to cut down the number," Neji added.

"Whatever. Let's do this!"

It was revealed that anyone could leave then without affecting their teammates, and Naruko was disappointed when Kabuto had to leave. But then she pushed it out of her mind when it was time to start. Her excitement grew and she didn't even notice Kakashi appear right next to her.

"So you made it, eh? Too bad, I had the funeral and reception all planned and everything," Kakashi teased.

Naruko jumped but then scowled, smacking his arm, "Baka-sensei! Don't say that!"

"Hey, I was just kidding! No need to get violent on me," Kakashi said as he rubbed his arm.

"Hajime!"

She had been so distracted by Kakashi that she didn't notice that the matches had started already. First up was Kiba vs. some Rain-nin.

It went on with matches until it reached Gaara vs. Lee. Her heart pounded harshly against her chest, wanting to jump out, as she watched the match. Lee had been weird, but the moment he kept defending her in the forest he had earned her friendship and respect.

She watched in horror as Gaara almost killed Lee until Gai stepped in.

Naruko actually whimpered as her fright grew, she had forgotten her fear of the Sand-nin. Now she was reminded all too well, without even able to summon the least bit of anger at the fact her friend had just been seriously injured by this creep.

Then it was Neji vs. Hinata and she tried to actually push away her feelings, forcing her mind to focus on the match. It worked as she felt her anger return when Neji cruelly hurt the one girl Naruko liked talking to.

Neji had earned at least some grudging respect back in the forest, but now Naruko took it all back. Neji really was a bastard. In Naruko's mind, Neji might actually be worse than Uchiha-teme.

Her glare didn't let up on the branch member as he walked back up the stairs to join his team while Hinata was taken out by a stretcher. And all that Hinata had said about Naruko…was she really that admirable to the Hyuuga heir?

Naruko wasn't going to let Hinata down.

"I promise you, Neji, you'll go down," she said quietly, staring straight at him in a quiet anger.

Everyone around them, the jounin sensei and students, heard. They grew quiet, even as the match below them was drawing to a close. They hadn't even paid attention to it.

Neji stared back before nodding, acknowledging her.

"Uzumaki Naruko vs. Shinuta Dosu."

Naruko froze, looking up and across to see the mummified genin. He stared back impassively.

"I forfeit," Dosu said without moving his eyes. There was still this slight fear in them.

Zaku and Kin understood, having faced her in the forest.

Naruko felt horrible, remembering what she did.

Afterwards, once everyone had battled and then lots had been drawn and people paired, Naruko decided to wander around a little bit. She initially wanted to start training straight away, but she decided she'd rather not as she was still feeling down from the preliminaries.

Instead, she went around the village, watching people happily walking, working, and doing all sorts of stuff, but also clearly ignoring her. In a bid to feel less unhappy, she decided she was going to visit the Hokage. Unfortunately, she hadn't known that he was in a meeting with two other kage, the Kazekage and the Tsuchikage, her fiancé.

The three of them were currently meeting to discuss the third part of the Chuunin Exam, planning for it together, seeing as only Konoha and Suna were the only villages with genin in the third part and since Nakago was in the village and might as well help them out.

He was still inwardly pouting at having been dragged in to work, when he was hoping for a nice rest (with no work!) and hopefully be waiting for Naruko once she'd finished the preliminaries.

He'd managed to stuff his niece into a hotel, while he hesitatingly stayed in Naruko's apartment, though she had told him right before she left for the exam that she didn't mind him staying there.

The Yondaime Kazekage tossed his hat grumpily onto the table, wine-red hair tousled from it. He followed suit, tossing his as well, and the both of them waited for the Hokage. But Hiruzen merely smiled serenely at them and kept it on. They both rolled their eyes and sat down before the Hokage.

"Nakago, I hate you. That hat ruins everyone else's hair, and yet yours is still meticulous," Sabaku no Nagi, Yondaime Kazekage, huffed.

Nakago smirked, smugly running a hand through his still in place hair.

"You should talk. Messy or not, your hair still manages to look nice. The hat made your hair tousled, but now it looks like it was styled that way," Nakago then started to glare, thinking about it.

They turned to Hiruzen, curiously eyeing his head, where the conical hat still sat.

"Hiruzen, does The Hat ruin your hair as well?" Nakago asked, frowning at the hat.

Hiruzen continued smiling serenely. "…I have no such hair for it to mess up!"

They face faulted and the Sandaime was amused even more.

"Stupid old man," Nagi hmphed.

"Speaking of 'old man', Nagi's no longer the baby of the group," Hiruzen's serene smile became mischievous. "Age-wise, I mean."

"Hey! I've been a kage for awhile here!" Nagi snarked, while the other kage teamed up.

"We know. We're talking age here. Which you're trying to avoid," Nakago grinned. "Face it. You're getting old, Nagi."

Nagi developed a tick on his left temple, glaring heatedly at the other two.

"You may be younger, Nakago, but that doesn't mean I'm old!"

"Yes, but you must admit that the youngest Kage, not just experience but in age, which we're focusing on now, is now Terumi Mei –the Godaime Mizukage. She's usurped you in the youngest kage throne, Nagi," Hiruzen chuckled.

"Actually, I'm still younger than her," Nakago's grin widened. "She's 35. I'm 34. The usurpation still belongs to me. Hahaha, I'm surrounded by old people!"

Now both Nagi and Hiruzen glared at him.

"You, old man, suck. And you brat, shut the hell up," Nagi said first to Hiruzen, then to Nakago.

"What's the ages anyway? From youngest to oldest? I'm 34, Mei's 35, Nagi's just turned 40. What about you, A, and Onoki-jisan? Uncle's old, I know that. But I don't know his exact age and he strictly doesn't speak of it anyway, even erasing records in Iwa about it. Even our family records!"

Both of the younger kage curiously turned to the oldest one in the room, who was back to the serene smile.

"That…is a secret!"

They face faulted again.

"Come now, us old people have to stick together and protect our ages," Hiruzen was chuckling again.

"Though, you're pretty old, Hiruzen. I know Oji-san is pretty old, but you have to be at least as old as him, if not older," Nakago eyed the Hokage.

Both of them once again curiously focused in on Hiruzen, who opened his mouth to speak. They leaned in eagerly.

"I am pretty old, aren't I?"

They resisted the strong urge to face fault again.

"Speaking of the others, how did they manage to keep their hair fixed, if they don't have Nagi's absurdly good looks and my impractical natural perfectness? Last I heard, A was having…technical difficulties."

The three of them paused to remember humorously that A's hair tended to stick up everywhere after he'd wear the hat, like he'd been electrocuted or shocked by lightning, which was just ironic.

Hiruzen hmmed. "Well, I think I remember hearing him say that he'd developed a jutsu to keep his hair staying the same after wearing it."

"So no more ridiculous amounts of gel?" Nagi commented casually.

"Or hairspray?" Nakago chipped in, voice smooth.

"Or both?"

"Particularly at the same time?"

Hiruzen rolled his eyes this time. "Actually, yes. Though he only uses gel to slick his hair back, a moderate amount thank Kami, and doesn't have to repeatedly use it after every time he wears that hat."

"Good for him," Nagi nodded.

"One enemy defeated," Nakago agreed.

Then they turned to the paperwork set aside, glaring at it and hoping it would burst into fire, even though it wasn't their paperwork. The sight of it reminded them of their own paperwork waiting for them at home.

"One enemy still terrorizing," Nagi scowled.

Nakago echoed it and Hiruzen grimaced in agreement.

Suddenly, there was a knock on the door and Nagi snatched his hat quickly, slamming it onto his head and veiling his face.

Nakago blinked. "Wow, that was really fast. I didn't even see you move."

Hiruzen stared. He too, actually, had barely seen Nagi move so fast. "What in the world, Nagi?"

The red-head just glared at them, eyes only showing.

"Ah, come in," Hiruzen called out uncertainly, still warily looking at the Kazekage. Still, he was shocked at how fast the man had moved. Nagi was fast alright, wind mastery and all, but that was just on a whole other level, with the weird factor adding in.

"Hiru-jiji –ah, I mean Hokage-sama," Naruko burst into the room, her loud greeting growing quieter when she saw that the Hokage wasn't alone.

"Naruko, what's wrong?" Hiruzen smiled gently at her.

"I was just wondering if you wanted some company or some help, but I didn't know you had people over," she shyly ducked her head.

"No, no. It's quite alright, Naruko. How about some help with the paperwork?" Hiruzen was quietly relieved.

She rolled her eyes. "Of course that. Sure, where's the stack?"

Hiruzen eagerly pointed at the monstrous pile on his desk, and she started over to it. She curiously looked at Nagi with his covered face and then smiled widely at Nakago.

"Hey! You really are grinning more often now," Naruko pointed out about her fiancé.

The others were surprised they'd just noticed that. Nakago was famed for being stoic faced and even irritable or cool. Even with their occasional tête-à-tête, he was usually plain-faced, with his expressions having to be drawn out or even usually the most coming out of him is a twist of his lips. That he was being so open and laid-back should've been more than noticeable and surprising about him.

"I guess I am," the blond's grin turned into a soft smile for her.

She shyly kissed his cheeks as she grabbed the pile and then left them behind.

"Bye!"

Nakago uncharacteristically grinned dreamily after her. Hiruzen and Nagi noted that, amused and surprised.

"I guess the engagement is going well then," Hiruzen commented in amusement.

Nagi lazily flung his hat back onto the desk, raising an eyebrow. "Nakago's engaged to that pretty girl?"

His eyes moved to the now closed door before he forced them back to Hiruzen. Huh, how strange his reaction…

"Yes, Nakago's kindly agreed to an arranged marriage to her for quite some time. I'm glad that it doesn't have to be an unhappy or awkward relationship."

Nakago snapped out of his daze, staring at Hiruzen with wide eyes.

"She does your paperwork?"

Hiruzen beamed happily and also proudly about his girl.

"Oh yes. She's been helping out with it since she was young. In fact, I'd qualify her to be Hokage right now! After all, she already knows all the ins and outs about the job, especially the tedious work involved, with the added bonus that she has already faced and practically conquered the being known as Paperwork!"

Nakago's wide eyes actually got wider. "My…my fiancée is so talented. I can't believe she does your paperwork. I'm so happy that I'm going to be married to her and can't wait to bring her to Iwa. She can help me with the evil."

Hiruzen felt like being evil himself. "She's not going to Iwa, remember?"

Nakago's face fell and he felt like weeping.

"Can I hire her to come with me to Suna and help me with paperwork as a mission? I'll pay S-rank," Nagi looked hopeful.

"Mwahaha!" Hiruzen strangely evilly laughed. "She's my secret weapon against Paperwork!"

The other two grumbled and glared at the old man.

"How come Nakago got engaged to her? Suna and Konoha have been closer allies and for far longer, and we're closer in distance," Nagi drawled, though he was actually very sober and guarded.

Despite the actual seriousness of the question and the underlying tone, Nakago couldn't help his next jab.

"'Cause you're old and I'm younger than you."

Nagi flung his hat at Nakago's head and hit him straight on, all without changing the bored look on his face or taking a look to aim.

The three of them continued to bicker about paperwork and plead for the use of Naruko against it, and bemoaning all the work they had waiting for them and had to put up with lately, forgetting that they were there to discuss the third task. When they eventually remembered, they sheepishly started to talk about it, ignoring how it was now late.

Skittishly, some time into their talk, Nagi inwardly balked and remembered Orochimaru in the scheme of things. He didn't want to outright betray Konoha, but he didn't feel like he had a choice in the matter. He couldn't just come out with it either, though he really wanted to say something.

"You know…my son's a jinchuuriki," he said suddenly.

Nakago and Hiruzen froze, staring at him.

"So beef up your security, alright?' Nagi faked boredom, convincingly leaning back indifferently. "Like…a lot. Like invasion-wise."

"O….kay," Hiruzen said hesitantly, still staring.

Nakago furrowed his eyebrows at him, sharing Hiruzen's weirded out, confused, and slightly shocked and wary reaction. The announcement was a little sudden, especially with how frightening and also how serious a subject it was.

"You know, my village is poor. This exam is really important to me. I mean, like really important enough to bring in my son. Like I need my son here for a very good reason. Because my village is poor," Nagi kept on.

Hiruzen nodded wisely, though still hesitant and confused about the way Nagi was acting.

"Alright, we understand completely. This tournament is very important to you, and we wish you and your son luck in winning it. We sincerely hope Suna does very well in the tournament, and at least some of the important dignitaries, especially the Wind Daimyo, can see just how good Suna-nin and their village are. Maybe your Daimyo will lay off of you and the village, huh?"

Nagi only had a moment to look at Hiruzen in disbelief.

Nakago nodded as well. "Oh yeah. I agree with Hiruzen. Lots of luck to you and your own, Nagi. But my fiancée is totally going to win and kick your kids to the curb."

Nagi face palmed at them. "Never mind," he muttered, face slightly twitching. He turned to glare at Nakago, ignoring the odd flash of Nakago's fiancée in his mind. "And you are a pain. I miss your stoic, no emotion self."

"You can be like that at times," the blond pointed out.

"At times, but not right now," Nagi lazily smirked.

Deciding they weren't going to get anything else done for the day, especially since it was 8:50, they left the office and traveled down. Hiruzen had to go pick up his grandson, and they decided to come with him. Surprised to see Naruko there as well, teaching Hiruzen's grandson the wall walking equivalent to tree walking, they paused near the entrance and watched.

"Ah, Hokage-sama. I just noticed you. Is there something wrong?" a man with sunglasses and a bandanna on his head quietly traveled over to them.

"No, Ebisu-kun. We just finished and I was picking up Konohamaru. Have the two been at it long?" Hiruzen questioned, seeing Naruko guide his grandson up the high wall.

She was walking backwards, holding onto Konohamaru's hands, and leading up the wall in small steps. It was very slow-going, as Konohamaru was focused but nervous about his movements and had to pause at times as well. He was also staring at his feet intensely, his feet moving slowly one by one, taking a long time to make those steps.

"Quite some time now, Hokage-sama. Naruko came in here around perhaps three hours ago. I am just acting as a supervisor, though I've given tips every now and then."

"How's my grandson been doing then?"

Ebisu smiled in pride. "Naruko has gotten him to go a third up by himself, but together, she's led him almost to the top. While it will be a long time before the Honorable Grandson will be able to do such a thing on his own, he is making huge leaps in progress and it's all thanks to Naruko."

Hiruzen nodded as the other two silently listened in, more watching the two figures on the wall. Naruko had a soft, encouraging smile on her face and Konohamaru would occasionally glance up to see it and return a shy smile. Nagi's eyes seemed to be glued to them, though slightly more on Naruko, for some reason. Nakago, in turn, had a small smile playing on his own lips as he watched, wondering hesitantly about his own future kids with her and thinking she'd make a good mother already, also enjoying and happy to see the smile on Naruko's face.

Hiruzen, too, took pleasure in seeing Naruko's smile and contented face, and also in seeing his grandson and surrogate granddaughter bonding and spending time together. It made him very happy to see Naruko taking care of and taking time out for Konohamaru, and also in his grandson looking up to and looking to please and make Naruko proud.

"It's nice seeing the two together," Ebisu spoke his thoughts aloud. "She takes very good care of him and dotes on him lovingly, like an older sister or even a mother. She's also been very patient with him, as she's been teaching him. He in turn tries very hard for her and tries to make her happy and proud, pleased that she's paying attention to him and actually spending time with him. They look very sweet together."

Hiruzen smiled, nodding. "Naruko, Konohamaru, it's time for dinner you two."

Naruko looked over at him, startled as she hadn't noticed him and had been focused on Konohamaru. But it'd also startled Konohamaru, who'd lost focus and gasped as he stumbled back and fell off the wall. Naruko noticed too late and quickly jumped after him, catching him and twisting so that she'd take the fall.

Unexpectedly, a white blur dashed closer into the room and leaped up, easily grabbing onto her and landing steadily on the ground from across the room.

Nakago was completely taken off guard, and slightly unhappy, that Nagi had been the one to quickly react and had been the one to catch and save Naruko. Hiruzen had been surprised as well, and curiously watched from where he was.

Back to being veiled, because he'd put it back on after leaving the office, Naruko stared up into dark brown eyes that were the only thing she could see. She clutched the clinging Konohamaru to her.

"A-arigato," she smiled hesitantly.

Nagi nodded at her, confused about his actions. It was very strange that he'd reacted so quickly and that he'd gone after her at all. It was almost as if on instinct.

Nakago reached them, stiffly helping Naruko up from Nagi's arms and frowning suspiciously at Nagi. But there was also relief and thanks on his face.

The Tsuchikage was relieved Naruko was unharmed and grateful that Nagi had saved her, but he was also upset that he hadn't been the one to save her and make sure she was okay. Wasn't that why he was there, why he'd been engaged to her at all? He was her fiancé. He should be making sure no harm befall upon her and to protect her surely, and yet he couldn't even catch her from a dangerous fall. It bothered him that someone else had come to her aid, and his inability to save her also bothered him.

And he was definitely suspicious as to why Nagi had acted at all, much less such a quick reaction. It wasn't like the older man.

"So, Naruko, how was the paperwork?" Hiruzen came closer, asking like nothing had happened.

Naruko grinned at him. "Done ages ago, old man. I've already sorted and delivered where each paper needed to be. I just saw Konohamaru and decided I'd spend some time with him."

"Naru-neechan is so cool," Konohamaru happily hugged her.

"Aa, thank you, Kono-kun."

"Right, let's all have dinner," the Sandaime declared.

He glanced at the two other kage, watching them peculiarly, though he kept a closer and wondering eye on Nagi.

The jounin lounge was empty, especially at this time at night. It was a popular hangout in the daytime, though not so much at night. Occasionally, some hung around it some nights, but this night Asuma thankfully had alone.

His feet were firmly planted on the railing, leaning back against the cushy chair kept on the balcony. The cigarette in his hand was dwindling down to its last leg and he just put it out in the cigarette bowl next to him. His hand hesitantly pulled a familiar photo, its edges starting to get creased.

He frowned as he gazed at it, eyes drawn once again to the blonde female in the photo.

"Damn it. Asuma, you fool," he muttered to himself.

Why'd it have to be her? Of all the girls, why'd he have to be drawn to Uzumaki Naruko?

This led to a whole complicated mess. It wasn't like she even knew him, or at least well. Aside from when she was younger and had rarely seen him around, which wasn't a lot because he'd been estranged from his dad then, she probably wouldn't even remember him or know who he was.

There were some things that made things better for him than Kakashi, and some things that made his situation worse.

She knew, trusted, liked Kakashi, maybe even enough to grow into something more. She didn't know Asuma, and with her knowing Kakashi, he was lagging behind way farther than he could catch up. That was just Kakashi. He didn't even want to think about her fiancé or Genma for that matter, and who knows who else. With Kakashi and everyone else, and she not knowing him, it would be hard for him to even start catching her attention now.

There was also that Kakashi was her sensei. That would make them taboo, but at least it also gave them a reason for why they could grow close enough for a relationship. Again, Asuma was just no one to her and they had no reason or a way to get close. Plus, he was a sensei, even if not hers. He was still in a position of authority over her.

The age factor that Kakashi was always complaining about? Applied to him as well. Maybe even more so, since he was slightly older than Kakashi. Between the age gap and how young she was, he had as little chance as Kakashi.

And how could he forget the fact she was already engaged? And that if she wanted anyone, she would want the man she was actually in love with –Genma?

"Psh. If Kakashi never had a chance, then there's no way you will," he said to himself.

A dainty hand gently plucked the photo out of his hand.

"Is this the photo with Kakashi and Naruko?" a familiar voice greeted him.

He winced, slightly tilting his head back to glance at her.

"Kurenai-chan…"

Start 6/1/07 –Completed 6/3/07
Revised 3/24/11 –Completed 3/30/11

A/n: Yup, next chapter should end the Chuunin Exam. Glad everyone is still with me so far, despite my rather moody self in here. Thank you all and please continue to review and visit my poll!

smexyforever: Eheh, your PM thing is disabled, so I'll address you here. I'll say that that's a good line up that's mostly correct, but I have added red herrings to the story, so at least one of your guys is wrong. There are 11 guys in total (I think), and while I probably won't have anything with Kimimaro, there will be an Akatsuki member.

uznar: Thanks!