Here I am, after two and a half weeks of absence.

I become a master of rapid updates, aren't I? (expression is copyrighted to Mr. Haraio, who keeps being a major inspiration source; sorry for the unauthorized use, but it was too good to let it pass by :P)

It seems my job has caught up on me and I am almost swamped to my ears with the nightmare of all inspiration and writer fairy worldwide : paperwork. I will still try my best.

I don't own Naruto

He felt anxiety and something akin to discomfort awaiting in the side-room near the Hokage's office. He heard the door open and the anger he felt coming almost made him flinch. He was royally screwed.

"What had I told you about your eyes, Itachi-san?" Shizune's voice was nice and sweet, too sweet. Itachi felt the urge to stand at attention, he could feel the anger pulsing from the medic-nin.

"It was necessary-"

"So much that you ALMOST blinded yourself and got yourself half-DEAD from chakra exhaustion?" Shizune's voice raised an octave.

Even blindfolded, Itachi could picture his personal healer almost blue from rage, an angry scowl on her face and her fists tightly clenched. He really thanked that the blindfold covered almost half his face; it sure wouldn't be a nice experience to actually see the fuming woman.

He felt hands grabbing him from his shoulders and making him lie down on a table. The medic put some towels under her patients head, muttering about people who never listened to what doctors say, and set a low chair near his head. This was going to be a long session, and she even brought soldier pills with her. She unwrapped the bandages from the man's head, earning a flinch at the sudden contact with light, focused and began tracing her bright green glowing hands over the upper half of his face.

Shikamaru sighed with contentment as he sat back on his chair "Thank you for the meal"

"Whatever, just clean the dishes" came the nonchalant answer.

Even if she was super bossy, he would surely hand her that: she was a great cook. She was quite strict when it came to tidiness, and could never stay idle for long, or even let others be idle. He watched her profile as he made his way into the kitchen, carrying the dishes.

'She surely looks a LOT like mom. Except the hair. And the flute.'

"Hey, want to play Shougi after I finish?" 'Now why should I do that?'

'Maybe a small change from beating Asuma-sensei will be nice' told him a small voice from the back of his head, making him smile. His teacher, while great as a ninja and a fairly good tactician, was totally hopeless when it came to strategy. Maybe it was because he couldn't stay focused on the game for more than 15 seconds. Hell, he had to speak to Ino about this.

"Why you smile, shithead? You think you can beat me?" Her voice brought him back to reality. "When I wipe the board with your ass, don't cry"

He smiled; she was a lot like Naruto when it came to behavior... save the adult things. He still remembered how she literally made Hinata step up for the blond idiot. It was good that she forced the things a little; between his ignorance and her shyness, there was hardly any worse combination.

His thoughts were interrupted by a sharp knock to the door. 'Who can it be at that time?'

Shikamaru went for the door, never suspecting the cruel game that fate was about to thrust him into.

"Hey Shikamaru! Glad you were dismissed from the hospital! How are you feeling? Caan I-" Ino's stream of loquacity came to an abrupt halt as she saw the cursed redhead staring at her over her teammate's shoulder. Shikamaru flinched, his ninja insticts already alarming him of the coming storm.

'Awww, shit.'

He felt nervous beyond belief.

The blond maelstrom that was Uzumaki Naruto, for the first time in his life, sat quietly and ate only one bowl of ramen, Teuchi thought that he would never see the day, but there is a first time for anything. The cute couple reminded him of himself and his wife so much, it was really amusing.

Naruto couldn't short out his feelings, and felt so confused, that his brain didn't even register the delicious flavor of ramen in his mouth. He was royally embarrassed at the looks that Ayame and Teuchi gave them, he was really awkward with his escort, and finally, he was mad at himself for being this whirlpool of emotions.

'Damn it. I'd hate to ask the Perverted Hermit or Granny for advice, I'd never hear the end of it. Sasuke is out too, Kakashi is out for sure...' he grew desperate as he rejected people who knew to turn to for advice.

'Well, it seems that only Shizune and Iruka-sensei can be of some help... I think I'll try Iruka-sensei first. I just hope he doesn't lecture me for three hours straight like last time...'.

Hinata sat by her patient, as she had come to think of the loud ninja. She was really troubled about the whole situation; if her father found out, there would be some very unpleasant scenes between them. She sighed softly, and glanced at the blond who kept stuffing his face with ramen. Usually, his cheerful expression and slight blush would be enough to forget all the gloomy thoughts and enjoy the moment, yet today his face was frowning and clouded.

"N-Naruto-kun... is something the matter?" she asked softly. Said ninja didn't seem to even hear her, as he kept eating mechanically, his expression unchanging and his eyes unfocused. She shook him lightly.

"Naruto-kun?" she said a bit louder, and this snapped the blond out of his thoughts.

"Hinata-chan?" he replied.

"Is something wrong? You seem... distant and distracted..."

"Nah, there is nothing wrong, he he he..." He grinned and tried to talk himself out of it. Hinata wasn't fooled however. She had observed her crush for so long, she knew when he tried to hide his troubles and emotions. She knew he was too kind-hearted to bother others with his problems, and that made her sad. His heart seemed to be endless; despite going through fire and steel, despite being hated and isolated, he kept smiling, he kept giving his all for this village.

"Well, I am full, so I will call it a day. See you next time, Hinata-chan!"

Hinata was officially worried; Naruto hadn't finished his very first bowl of ramen. She decided to follow him, in hope that she would find what bothered him. She shadowed him all the way to the ninja academy, where he entered. 'Is he going to see Iruka-sensei?' Naruto had spoken with the kindest of words for his old teacher, even if he had scolded the blond prankster countless times. It made sense to seek advice from him, he was like a big brother for him. She sneaked into the classroom where Iruka was checking some exam papers. Sure enough, Naruto entered after a while.

"Err, Iruka-sensei, can I bother you for a while?"

The scarred Chunin looked up from his papers. It was rare for his young former student to come seeking his help; his independence and stubbornness were way too high. "Sure, Naruto, what's on your mind?"

The reply shocked both the ninjas in the classroom "It is about a girl..."

Iruka sighed. He didn't expect his student to come to that phase already. He felt extremely awkward and uncomfortable, coughing lightly to gain time.

"I.. I see... what about her?"

"The thing is... I don't really know! I am … argh! I am really confused, you know?" Naruto let all his confusion and frustration out in one big explosion of heated words. "I mean, sure, she is very cute when she gets to smile, but she is so reserved and quiet... I can't tell if she likes me, and I can't tell if I like her either! I would ask her, but what if she's not? What if I hurt her? How can I tell if she likes me? If I like her? Damn it, I am so confused I want to break something!" He noticed his teacher smiling. "Oi, Iruka-sensei, this is not funny!"

Iruka let out a soft chukle, earning a harsh glare from the fuming youth. His little student grew up really fast. "Well, Naruto, this is not that simple, as it depends mostly on a person and their feelings, rather than facts. Tell me: do you enjoy spending time with her?"

"Well, yea, she sure is -"

"Just a yes or no will do" his teacher interrupted.

"Yes."

"Do you think about her when she is not with you?"

"Yes..."

"How often?"

"... well..."

"... I see. Well, Naruto, it is pretty easy to say that you have something for this girl of yours. As for if she likes you or not, I cannot say, and I assume you won't reveal her identity, right?"

The blond murmured a yes, feeling the blood rushing to his face.

"So I have to tell you to wait a bit and see. Go out with her, watch her. Heck, even a knucklehead like you" the boy yelled 'hey!' "can see if she likes you or not. Then... just let your heart do the rest. Oh, and Naruto?"

He felt so uncomfortable, that he would gladly trade his position with an assasination mission.

"Before you do something... well, something beyond that, just come to me again, OK?"

The blond seemed confused, until understanding dawned upon him, and he went blood-red in a few seconds.

"Hey! Iruka-sensei, you know I am not like the Perverted Hermit!"

"*sigh* I know, but … just do it, please?"

"...fine" the flustered blond stormed out of the room.

Iruka rose from his chair and sat on one of the nearby desks. "You know, Hinata-chan, eavesdropping is not polite"

Hinata's heart almost stopped at the Chunin's nonchalant comment. Had he known she was there all along? Sure he had; he was Chunin for god's sake! She stood and mumbled apologies, feeling like she was going to faint, wishing the earth would swallow her. What a shame! What the hell was she thinking? Her apologies and embarrassment were cut short, however, by her former teacher's hand which was placed gently on her shoulder.

"Well, you heard Naruto, Hinata-chan. He is like my stupid little brother, my precious pupil. He sure is dense and a complete idiot at times, but his heart is kind. You may have to beat some things into him... like better table manners and diet habits" as much embarrassed Hinata was, she was also surprised to hear a giggle escape her "but know that he will never hurt you, even if it means to have heavy personal cost. He sure is loyal, he is loud, annoying sometimes" more giggles escaped her "but he has been through much. Treat him with respect, please. He deserves no less."

"I will" came her soft, yet honest and passionate reply.

"So this is their request?"

"Yes, Ororchimaru-sama"

The genius Sannin smiled, his plans had changed, but the end was the same. "Seems fair enough"

Kabuto felt a lot of his tension leave his body. It seemed that he got out of this alive. The snake ninja's unpredictability and the way he killed out of a whim made all encounters with him a nerve wracking experience.

The dim light of the candles cast long shadows to the room, giving the Sannin an even more intimidating and otherworldly appearance. The various possibilities rushed through the ninja's mind. With both Uchihas on the same village, an assault on his own was surely out of the question. Even if he managed to ally with another village, the possibilities were slim. Not that anyone would ally with him at the moment; the news of his alliance and following betrayal of the Hidden Sand village were still fresh. Only rejoining Akatsuki would bring him closer to his goal, and with careful planning he would be on top once again.

"Kabuto"

"Yes, my lord?"

"How is your research for the new Sound Four going?"

"It seems the new Sound Four are far superior than their predecessors. They can stay longer on the second stage of the cursed seal and their abilities are far better."

"Good. It is time we gave them their first serious test"

Many scenes were left hanging, I'll need time to process them. Till then,

George T. I.