Author Note: N/A
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-Chapter X-
It didn't take much time to convince Kurenai to accept Yakumo as a student when Naruto sent Yugito and Ginko to do the work. At first, Yakumo was thrilled that she was finally receiving a tutor to help her quest of becoming a ninja, but she became hesitant when she found out that she would have to move out of her home and that others would be studying alongside her. When Yakumo didn't show up for the first lesson, Naruto dragged the entire group over to the Kurama clan house to study with Yakumo. After that first lesson, Yakumo became a lot more comfortable with Naruto, Yugito, Ginko, and Gaara. With a small bit of encouragement from everyone present, Yakumo finally agreed to move to one of the clan's mansions on the edge of the village away from the clan compound.
Two weeks after the start of training, Kurenai walks in on a conversation between Naruto, Yugito, Ginko, and Gaara as they wait for Yakumo and Kurenai to show up.
"So when are we supposed to deal with the Idou monster?" Gaara asks.
"I don't know. There really isn't any good opportunity to tell Yakumo-chan about it…" Naruto says.
"It's not exactly something that is ever going to present a good opportunity to discuss."
"Yugito-san is right Naruto-sama. The longer we wait, the stronger the Idou monster will become."
"Do you or your father know anything about the Idou monster Ginko-chan?"
"Not beyond what you already know Naruto-sama."
"At this rate, we are going to need Inoichi's help," Naruto mutters, "we have to do this in one shot. If the Idou monster knows that we know of its existence and we can't destroy it, it's going to completely take over Yakumo-chan's mind."
'How do they know about the monster…' Kurenai thinks to herself, 'if they know about it, why did they want me to teach Yakumo?'
Suddenly, Ginko picks up her head and glances around the training ground. Alerted, Kurenai slips behind the trees to hide herself, thinking that the children are not good enough at tracking to notice her presence. Sniffing the air, Ginko turns her attention toward the tree Kurenai is hiding behind.
"Kurenai-sensei, you're here," Ginko says.
"How did you figure out where I am?"
"I can smell you."
"What?"
"Your perfume is very unique. Not to mention that you are standing upwind."
"You're out of luck Kurenai-nee-chan. Ginko-chan's nose is as good as the Inuzukas when it comes to picking up scents."
"I'll keep that in mind next time," Kurenai says, "well, I just came from Yakumo's house. It appears that she has come down with the flu, so she will not be training with us today. Therefore…"
"Hey I know. Let's go visit Yakumo-chan."
"Are you sure we should bother her when she should be resting Naruto-sama?"
"Ginko is right Naruto. Beside, you still need to…"
"Aw Kurenai-sensei… I bet Yakumo-chan can use some company," Naruto whines, "it would help her heal quicker if someone is there to take care of her."
"Fine, fine. I give up. I'm not even going to bother trying to convince you otherwise."
"Let's go. Let's go," Naruto says, pulling Ginko and Yugito off the ground.
When the group arrives at Yakumo's small mansion, they find the girl resting in her bed. Sensing someone approaching, Yakumo turns her head to the side.
"Ohaiyo Yakumo-chan."
"Na… Naruto-sama?"
"We're here too Yakumo-chan!" Yugito says, bursting into the room.
"Keep it down Yugito. Yakumo needs her rest," Kurenai lectures as the rest of the group enters the room.
"E… everyone is here…?"
"We heard that you got sick Yakumo-chan. So we came over to check on you," Naruto says.
"Sorry for being such a bother…"
"Don't be silly Yakumo-chan. Everyone gets sick sometimes," Naruto says, "if any one of us gets sick I bet you wouldn't think of us as a bother either."
"Of course not!" Yakumo says, bolting up only to feel dizzy and slams her head back on the pillow, "but I'm holding everyone back by being sick…"
"Don't worry Yakumo-chan. If anyone is holding us back, it's Naruto-kun."
"Yugito-chan, that's not nice!"
Only response Naruto receives is Yugito sticking out her tongue at him. Yakumo can't help but giggle at Naruto's reaction as he sulks in a corner grumbling.
"Come on Naruto, you volunteered to take care of Yakumo, so get to work," Kurenai says.
"OK, OK."
Smiling and crossing her arms, Kurenai leans against the wall intending to watch Naruto struggle for a short while before stepping in. Gaara, like Kurenai, is just standing at the corner of the room watching the scenes unfold. Yugito and Ginko are just standing at the center of the room waiting for Naruto to screw up. Walking over, Naruto puts his hand on Yakumo's forehead to check for a fever. As Naruto's hand approaches, Yakumo pulls her blanket to cover the bottom half of her face to hide her blush, with Yugito and Ginko snorting at Naruto's confused look.
"Ne, Yakumo-chan. Maybe you shouldn't cover yourself up completely like this, you're face is kind of warm. I think you might have a fever."
"I'm pretty sure that a fever is not the reason that Yakumo-chan's face is warm Naruto-sama," Ginko says giggling.
"Well what else would it be then."
"Like I told you Ginko. Naruto is the thickest person I know."
"Yugito-chan, that's not very nice. I'm sure there are people who are denser than Naruto-sama."
"So you're not denying that he's dense."
"It is impossible to deny what is true," Ginko says.
"You two do realize I can hear everything right…"
Grumbling, Naruto turns his attention back on Yakumo, who by now is completely covered by the blanket with only the tip of her fingers showing clutching onto the edge of the blanket.
"Mou Yakumo-chan, your condition is going to get even worse if you keep doing that."
Naruto gives the blanket a strong tug and pulls it out of Yakumo's hands before properly tucking her in.
"How exactly are you feeling Yakumo-chan," Naruto asks, pulling up a chair.
"I… I think I caught a cold," Yakumo says before coughing a few times, "and I have a sore throat too."
Creating three Kage Bunshin, Naruto sends them out of the room as everyone else looks on in confusion. Soon, one of the clone returns with a bucket of water and a towel before running off again. Reaching in, Naruto picks up the towel and douses it in the bucket. Wringing out the soaked towel so only a small bit of moisture remains, Naruto folds it neatly and places the towel on Yakumo's forehead. About fifteen minutes later, two of the clones return to the room, one carrying a small pot and the other carrying a large bowl. Putting the items down on the bedside table next to Naruto, the two clones dispel as Naruto gets up and heads over. Pouring the content of the pot into the bowl, Naruto slowly walks over as he waves his free hand over the bowl in an attempt to cool down the liquid. Helping Yakumo sit up, Naruto hands the bowl over to Yakumo.
"I can't find any ingredients in the refrigerator," Naruto says, "so I used the canned broth in the cabinet."
"A… arigatou Naruto-sama."
About an hour later, the last clone finally returns with a few of lunch boxes. Everyone looks over toward Naruto as he dispels the clone, waiting for an answer from the unpredictable ninja-in-training.
"Like I said, the refrigerator was empty so I sent the clone to get some groceries."
"What about the lunch boxes?" Kurenai asks.
"I was looking for Tsunade-baa-chan, but Shizune-nee-chan was the only one home. I told her about Yakumo-chan's condition and she fixed up those lunch boxes for her," Naruto says, "Shizune-nee-chan said that these would help Yakumo-chan recover quicker."
"I see…" Kurenai says, "just remember to reheat them before you eat them Yakumo."
"Hai, Kurenai-sensei," Yakumo says before yawning.
"All right, Yakumo needs her rest, so we should probably leave now."
"OK, get better soon Yakumo-chan," Ginko and Yugito say as the head out the door with Gaara and Kurenai right behind them.
"I'll just put these in the refrigerator. You can take them out and reheat them when you wake up."
"Arigatou Naruto-sama."
When the group finally leaves the mansion, Kurenai turns toward the group with a smile on her face complementing them on their ability to care for Yakumo. But her expression soon changes once Kurenai is sure that the group is far enough away from the mansion.
"How did the four of you find out about Yakumo's condition?"
"Kurenai-nee-chan, you were the one that told us Yakumo-chan is sick."
"That's not the condition I'm talking about Naruto," Kurenai says, her expression hardening, "I'm talking about the Idou monster."
"We have no idea what you are talking about Kurenai-sensei," Yugito says, feinting innocence.
"You know very well what I'm talking about. I heard the four of you talking about it in the clearing."
"I was hoping that you would be too far away to overhear us," Ginko says, "but I guess I didn't notice you early enough."
"Kurenai-nee-chan, this isn't the best time to be talking about Yakumo-chan."
"Prey tell Naruto, when exactly would be the best time then!"
"I don't know when exactly. Until we are strong enough to defeat the Idou monster."
"Defeat the Idou… are you out of you minds! You aren't even ninjas yet and you want to defeat the Idou monster?" Kurenai screams, "this is all a huge mistake. I should never have let the four of you talk me into teaching Yakumo."
"It would really be a mistake if you give up now," Naruto growls, staring at the ground, "the only thing keeping the Idou monster from breaking out is Yakumo-chan's willpower. She would lose all her will to fight against the monster's control if you give up on her."
"And what would you know about all of this!"
"Because I was like her once."
"Gaara…"
"That's all right Naruto. Yuuhi-sensei, I'm sure you've heard of my… abilities."
"…About Shukaku?"
"Yes. It is because of Naruto and Yugito's help that I finally regained control," Gaara says, "which is why we believe so strongly that with our help, Yakumo can defeat her inner demon as well."
"…I cannot put the four of you in danger for just a possibility."
"You didn't Kurenai-nee-chan. We volunteered. All we ask of you is, please don't give up on Yakumo-chan."
"As a shinobi, I cannot allow myself to show cowardice," Kurenai says, smirking, "especially not when I will be outdone by four children."
"Thank you Kurenai-nee-chan."
"I am responsible for your safety. So try not to do anything reckless."
"We'll try our best Kurenai-sensei," Yugito says.
"That's not nearly good en… oh forget it. You kids can never stay out of trouble."
"You know us best Kurenai-nee-chan."
"It's not a good thing to be already famous for you antics at your age Naruto."
While Naruto rubs the back of his head in embarrassment, Yugito and Ginko can only laugh at his antics. Kurenai also notices that Gaara takes a couple of subtle steps away from the rest of the group, trying to distance himself from Naruto as best he can. Smirking, Kurenai escorts the four children back to the Hokage Mansion.
Genjutsu training is put on hold for a week with Yakumo out sick. With nothing to do, Yugito and Ginko decide to stay at home and mingle with the other girls, which drives Naruto and Gaara out to the street and Minato to either stay at the Hokage's office or his study in the mansion in fear. While Gaara is content to find an empty training ground to meditate and improve his control over his sand, Naruto takes it upon himself to visit all the different districts around Konoha. One night, when it's time to head home, Naruto decides to take a short cut through a particular district with a distinct adult tone. Putting his hands behind his head, Naruto begins his leisurely walk home, not at all uncomfortable with his surrounding, having seen most of the shops lining the streets before on his travel with Jiraiya and his numerous attempt to locate Tsunade around the village in his previous life. Whenever someone casts a curious glance at Naruto, he would simply stare back until the person gives up and moves on. On one occasion however, Naruto looks past the person into one of the bars lining the streets and notices a familiar face slumping over the counter. When Naruto approaches the bar, the man previously staring at him moves over and blocks him from entering the shop.
"Naruto-sama, don't you think you are a bit young to be visiting places like this?" the citizen asks, concerned.
"Look, I'm just trying to check on a friend of mine who's clearly drunk inside. So please move out of the way," Naruto says, firing up a small bit of chakra.
Not about to challenge the son of the Hokage, the man simply moves away, allowing the child inside. As the bell sounds, signaling another customer, everybody's attention shifts to the clearly underage boy walking up to the counter. One glare later, everyone quickly turns their head as far away from the pair as possible. Tapping the person on the shoulder, the only response Naruto receives is a cup being sent his way that he barely dodges. Hearing the sound of the cup smashing against the wall, the person simply grabs an empty bottle and tries to smash it over Naruto's head. Grabbing the person's wrist with both of his hands, Naruto barely manages to halt the arm's progress a split second before the bottle crashes on top of his head. Squinting her eyes, the person leans in to take a closer look at Naruto.
"…Hokage-sama? When did you get so short?"
"Kurenai-nee-chan, you're drunk."
"Please don't call me that Hokage-sama, you're much older than I am."
"All right Kurenai, that's enough," Naruto says, playing along with the drunken Kurenai, "come on, let's get you out of here."
"But Hokage-sama, I'm not on duty tomorrow."
"I said that's enough Kurenai. I will not have my ninjas act like drunken fools."
After paying for all the drinks Kurenai consumed, Naruto drags the kunoichi out the door kicking and screaming like a child, complaining about the unfairness of it all. Sighing, Naruto shifts his weight as soon as they are out the door to support Kurenai and to prevent her from trying to go into another bar.
"What has gotten into you Kurenai? You're not the type to get drunk like that," Naruto says, "I thought you would be the most responsible one out of the group of young ninjas."
What Naruto doesn't expect is for Kurenai to suddenly start wailing in the middle of the street. With Kurenai's weight almost completely collapsing on him, Naruto barely manages to regain his balance and guide Kurenai toward her apartment.
"Asuma broke up with me!" Kurenai screams, tears still streaming down her face.
That last line almost causes Naruto to lose his grip on Kurenai. Looking up toward the kunoichi, he can't help but to feel sorry for Kurenai with the look on her face.
"I got sick of his smoking so I told him to choose between me and his cigarettes," Kurenai continues, "and the bastard chose his cigarettes!"
"I'm sure he'll realize what he did and apologize to you tomorrow. So let's just get you home."
"No!" Kurenai screams, grabbing onto Naruto and holding on for dear life, "Asuma and I share an apartment! I don't want to see his face ever again."
'I don't think you can see any part of him period the way you are now,' Naruto thinks to himself.
"I'll find a hotel to stay in for now," Kurenai says amidst hiccups from both the crying and the alcohol.
"That won't do. I can't just leave you at a hotel in your condition," Naruto says, "you are staying over at the Hokage Mansion, we have plenty of spare rooms there. Tsunade-baa-chan can check on you in the morning."
"…Hai, Hokage-sama," Kurenai says, slumping over and putting all her weight on Naruto again.
Staggering for a few steps, Naruto barely manages to guide Kurenai toward the mansion again. By the time he gets home, everyone has already gone back to their room and are probably already asleep. Sighing, Naruto leads Kurenai upstairs where all the bedrooms are and open the door to the room closest to the staircase, too tired to pick any other rooms. Unfortunately for him, Kushina heard the front door opening and came out to the hallway to check just to see someone with wild blonde hair leading one of the best young kunoichi of the village into the bedroom. With fury fueled by the unstable hormones of her pregnancy, Kushina rushes forward just as Naruto manages to help Kurenai into bed. When Kushina reaches the door, she's just in time to see a drunk Kurenai wrap her arms around the blonde and pulls him in bed with her.
"Namikaze Minato! What do you think… Naruto?" Kushina says, her fury completely dissipating.
"Um… hi mom."
"I never thought you would take advantage of a drunk woman Naruto," Kushina says, arms crossed, "I thought I taught you better than that."
"Wait, this is a misunderstanding."
"Well… I suppose it can't hurt to have a more experienced woman in your life. The other girls are much too immature to be a good wife, and quite frankly I don't see that changing any time soon."
"Kushina-chan, did you call me? I was in the study…" Minato says, walking up to the doorway, "…oh my. Naruto, you are much too young to be sleeping around with a woman! And with Kurenai no less."
"This isn't what it looks like!"
"Un… Hokage-sama…" Kurenai mutters as she tightens her grip around Naruto.
"This is quite a bit of trouble our son has gotten into isn't it Kushina-chan," Minato says, smirking.
"It would certainly seem so Minato-kun," Kushina says, returning Minato's smirk, "oh well. Good night Naruto, make sure you don't do anything you're not supposed to."
"Wait! Mom! Don't leave me here."
"Might as well get comfortable Naruto. If your mom decides not to help you then I certainly won't oppose her decision."
"But dad…!"
Before he can even finish, the door slams shut leaving Naruto entangled in Kurenai's limbs lying in the same bed with the kunoichi. After one of the most uncomfortable and awkward night of sleep, Naruto wakes up and finds himself acting as a human teddy bear for Kurenai, who is still off in dreamland.
"Comfy?" Kushina says, leaning against the door frame.
"Mom, please stop fooling around. Kurenai-nee-chan has my arms pinned and I can't use Kawarimi no Jutsu to get away."
"That's the whole point dear. Your father and I are very curious to see how this will play out."
"Please help me out of here! Kurenai-nee-chan is going to kill me when she wakes up!"
"She will do no such thing. After all, she is the one sleeping with a minor."
"Kurenai is going to have a heart attack when she wakes up."
"That's why I woke you up so early Tsunade-baa-chan," Kushina says, stepping away from the door frame to reveal the hidden Sannin, "just in case someone can't handle the shock."
"For the look on your son and Kurenai's face, I'll let that slide for now."
"But mom, didn't you consider that someone as old as Tsunade-baa-chan won't be able to handle the shock? Who's going to heal the healer then?"
"Why you little…"
"Don't let him rile you up Tsunade-baa-chan. He's just trying to get you upset and pull him out of Kurenai-chan's grasp."
"…You're right Kushina. Letting Kurenai find him in her arms when she wakes up is a much crueler punishment for the brat."
"Well… that wasn't what I was trying to say, but if it calms you down Tsunade-baa-chan, go ahead and think that way," Kushina says, shrugging.
"I better get to work and clear that hangover before it even starts to act up. I want Kurenai thinking clearly for this," Tsunade says.
After a couple of minutes, Tsunade is satisfied with her work and walks back over to the door to wait for the show to begin. With all of the remain alcohol out of her system and a new boost in energy, Kurenai's eyelids flutter and open, revealing her ruby red eyes. The first thing Kurenai realizes is that she isn't alone in bed, and the second being that the other person has blonde hair, meaning that the particular person is definitely not Asuma, not that she has ever slept in the same bed as the chain smoker. Soon, last night events slowly make their way out of the hidden crevices of her minds.
"Ack! Hokage-sama?" Kurenai screams scooting back as far as she can while wrapping the blanket around herself.
"I didn't know your fantasy is to sleep with my husband Kurenai."
"Kushina-sama! Wait… I… I can explain this!"
"Go ahead. I would love to hear why you are sleeping with my son."
"Son…?" Kurenai says, slowly turning her attention toward the blonde, "Na… Naruto?"
"Um… good morning Kurenai-nee-chan."
Clutching her head, Kurenai starts hyperventilating and her pupils slowing become dilated. Seeing Kurenai's reaction, Tsunade rushes in and uses her chakra to calm Kurenai before she completely loses her mind due to the shock. Once her mind is working properly again, Kurenai slowly runs through every scene from the night before in her mind and finally that the person is significantly shorter than the current Hokage.
"That… that was you last night Naruto?"
"Yeah… I was coming home when I saw that you were slumping over the counter in a bar."
When Kushina clears her throat, Kurenai finally remembers her current situation and lifts the blanket slowly to check if she's proper. Breathing a sigh of relieve that all of her clothing is where they are supposed to be, Kurenai quickly scrambles out of bed and put even more distance between herself and Naruto, even if it means moving closer toward Kushina.
"I'm still waiting for the explanation Kurenai."
"Kushina-sama, I… I… I have no excuse for my actions. I am willing whatever punishment you see fit."
"Well, given the fact you slept with a minor, my son in particular," Kushina says, "the minimum punishment would probably be to strip you of your titles and banish you from the village."
"…I understand," Kurenai says, hanging her head in defeat.
"However, I might consider an alternative resolution," Kushina says, "I understand you broke up with Asuma last night?"
"Hai, Kushina-sama. That's why I went to the bar."
"And I believe you said that you don't want to see Asuma ever again."
"Hai, Kushina-sama."
"Well… I can't really do much if you two are ever place on a mission together, but I can let you stay at this mansion and use this room…" Kushina says, "given that you promise to care for Naruto from now on."
"You mean… as… as in his wife?"
"Well, fiancée at first, but yes, wife eventually."
"You can't blackmail Kurenai-nee-chan like this!" Naruto screams, jumping out of bed.
"Yes, I believe only I have to power to assign punishment to ninjas of Konoha," Minato says, joining the group.
"You don't have any problems with my arrangements, do you Minato-kun?"
"No, no, of course not Kushina-chan," Minato says, taking a couple of steps back and raising his hands to protect himself from his wife's wrath.
"That's settled then…"
"No! I won't allow it!"
"Calm down Naruto. Maybe Kurenai-chan doesn't mind it at all," Kushina says, "you can raise your concerns now. We can come up with some other punishment if you really are so adamantly against it."
"I… I can't. I am much too old for Naruto. I'm a full fourteen years older than him."
"Is age the only problem?"
"Well…"
Kurenai suddenly becomes completely silent as she turns attention toward Naruto. Outside the age difference, she can't really find anything negative to say about Naruto. In fact, his personality is almost exactly what Kurenai is looking for, a caring, loving person who has an occasional wild streak, fiercely protective of those close to him yet have a healthy respect of those people's ability. The only down side to the entire arrangement would be the age difference and the fact that many other girls are already pining for Naruto's affection. Seeing Kurenai's eyes slowly moving toward the general direction of Naruto's room, where all the other girls are currently sleeping, Kushina walks up and puts a hand on Kurenai's shoulder.
"I'm sure they don't mind sharing if you don't," Kushina says, "after all, they are already sharing Naruto amongst themselves."
"I… I am still not sure."
"Give it a try Kurenai. If it doesn't work out, there's no harm done. I don't really plan on punishing you or anything. After all, you only treated Naruto like a teddy bear last night," Kushina says while glancing back toward Minato, "although we really should have a small talk about that fantasy you have of my husband."
"Kushina-sama! There is no fantasy!" Kurenai says, blushing, "I merely thought it was Hokage-sama in bed with me because I thought it was Hokage-sama that brought me here."
"Good. Because unlike those girls, I don't share," Kushina says, winking.
"All right. Stop embarrassing the poor girl. At this rate, she's going to have a stroke," Tsunade says, "I'll have Shizune and Rin bring your stuff over from you apartment."
"Arigatou Tsunade-sama."
Additional Author's Note: Leave a note if you like the story.