Ninja Kitsune

Chapter 21: Taking Time Off/The Bonds of Friendship

Konoha - Hokage's Office - 4 days after Departure from Land of Snow.

Team 7, Ryu and Kakashi stood in front of their Hokage. "I see in your reports that you had no choice but to take out the dictator in the Land of Snow," Tsunade said, reading the report, "And you returned the rightful heir to the throne. Good work."

"Thank you, Lady Hokage," Kakashi responded, "It was a team effort, and these 4 chunin did an excellent job in taking out Dotou."

"I see. Naruko, Haku, Sasuke, Sakura, you four have had stayed busy since the Chunin exams. I think it's time you took some time off. You've got 2 weeks free from missions."

"I won't have a team training session in this time," Ryu told the four, "But we will have a team meeting once a week, like usual. Meet at the house in a few hours."

"Right," the four chunin replied, then left, with Kakashi not far behind. Ryu then looked right at Tsunade. "There's something on your mind," he told the blonde kage.

"There is. Jiraiya has just given me a disturbing bit of information. There is a group of about 8 S-ranked rogue nin out there that are after the biju. They're called Akatsuki. Ryu, I know you've trained Naruko well, but she will need more before she's ready to face enemies like this."

"I agree. What does Jiraiya have in mind?"

"He wants to take Naruko on a training trip for about 2 years. Do you have any ideas to increase her training too?"

"I had planned on having her undertake the Dragon Trials, in the ruins of my clan's village. Her skills and jutsu are strong enough, as well has her kenjutsu. I want her to inherit the Dragon Sword. Jiraiya can train her in seals, too. She's an Uzumaki, and that clan was renowned as seal masters. With the seal training, he can also teach her Minato's Hiraishin jutsu. Not only that, she can completely master the Nine-Tails' power, too. During that time, I also want to further train Haku, too. Can Itachi and Kakashi further train Sasuke in this period, too?"

"Itachi has stated that he wants Sasuke to continue his training with the Sharingan. That would help greatly. Also, Itachi's withdrawing from ANBU to enter the clan restoration program. He won't be able to take on missions, but he will have enough time to train Sasuke."

"If Itachi restores the clan in his image, then the Uchiha could be a boon to this village. I still find Fugaku's plan for a takeover to be...disturbing, to say the least. What will happen with Sakura?"

"She's my apprentice, and I will continue her training, as a medic ninja. She's already shown a lot of promise in the field, and she'll be even better when I'm finished with her."

"One thing I want to allow," Ryu explained, "is that Haku, Ayane and I go with Naruko and Jiraiya. She and Haku are incredibly close, and I want to let that relationship continue. They're already reminding me of myself and Ayane in a lot of ways."

"I think we can allow that," came the voice of Jiraiya from the window, "If you want her to take the Dragon Trials, then you'll have to come anyway. Also, Haku and Naruko remind me somewhat of Kushina and Minato, too. Also, we can teach both of them seals, and Naruko can learn the Hiraishin. It is her birthright, after all. Minato was a renowned seal master, as was Kushina. Since Naruko is their daughter, she should be a natural."

"Jiraiya, I've given team 7 two weeks off," Tsunade tells the sage, "After that, you can gather everyone, and the things you'll need, and get the trip started."

"Ok, Be ready at noon, 2 weeks from today." Ryu and Jiraiya then left the Hokage's office, to further disuss the training trip.

Konoha - Ichiraku Ramen - 10 minutes after leaving Hokage's Office.

"What could Dad have to say to Lady Tsunade?" Naruko wondered, "We completed the mission flawlessly."

"Probably about our training, and how to continue," Haku answered, "Besides, Lady Tsunade probably has a few things to run by him, needing his input about options. Lord Hiruzen did the same thing when he was Hokage."

"You're probably right." She heard Haku start to chuckle. "What?"

"You have a piece of noodle on your nose." He reached over and picked the noodle off of her nose. This small action got a smile from Naruko, and an "awww" from Ayame behind the counter.

"What are we going to do next?"

"Dunno. We've got a couple of hours before we have to be home, and I'm sure your muscles are as sore as mine are. How about we..." he whispered in her ear.

"I like that idea," Naruko giggled back.

Konoha - Streets - Same time

"What are we going to do with two weeks off?" Sakura asked Sasuke. The two had decided to take a walk around the village.

"I can think of a few things," Sasuke answered, "We don't have a lot of time before we have to meet with Ryu-sensei, but after that, I would love to take you out."

"What do you think Ryu-sensei will have to say?"

"He's probably getting an update from the Hokage right now, and we'll just discuss things from what he tells us later. Uh, Sasuke, How much time do we have until we have to meet Ryu- Sensei?"

"A couple of hours. Why?"

"There is one place I'd like to go." She whispered in his ear, and, if he wasn't still wearing his mask, he'd have a visible blush.

"We can do that."

Konoha - Shintama Hot Spring - 10 minutes later

"Hello, young ninjas," the girl behind the counter said, "What can I do for you today?"

"We'd like to use your mixed bathing spring," Haku told the attendant.

"Never thought we'd run into you here," came a voice behind Haku and Naruko. The pair turned to find Sakura and Sasuke walking in.

"Hey, guys," Naruko told the two, "You here to used the couple's spring, too?"

"A double date?" the attending girl asked, "Follow me. I'll lead you to the changing rooms." The attendant lead the four young ninjas to the changing rooms. Sakura and Naruko were showed into the ladies' changing room, and Haku and Sasuke into the Men's.

Five minutes later, Haku and Sasuke were already in the spring when Sakura and Naruko walked in. The entered the steaming water, slowly dropping their towels, and waded over to their guys. Naruko snuggled close to Haku while Sakura got closer to Sasuke. Soon after, the girls straddled their men's laps and the kissing began.

Konoha - Hayabusa Residence - 1.5 hours later.

Team 7, Ryu and Ayane sat in the living room. The vibe in the room was relaxed, as they waited for 2 other people. After a wait of about 10 minutes, Jiraiya entered the house with Itachi. Jiraiya took a chair while Itachi sat on the steps behind the couch.

"What I'm about to tell you five, yes, you too, Itachi, is not to be repeated. Jiraiya already knows since he brought this information to us," Ryu explained, then went on to explain about Akatsuki.

"So, we have about 3 years before they're ready to make a move," Naruko said.

"Yes, and in that time, we're going to increase your training, Naruko, Haku," Ryu continued, "Naruko, Jiraiya and I are going to have a full plan for your training soon. Sasuke, Itachi will continue your training, here in Konoha. Sakura, you're Tsunade's apprentice. She will continue with you. Naruko, Haku, Ayane, Jiraiya and I will be leaving the village for about 2 years to continue her training, and allow her to take the Dragon Trials, and finish mastering Arisa's power."

"Dragon Trials?" this from Haku.

"The trials given by the dragon tribe, to the next carrier of the Dragon Sword," Ryu told the ice master, "Haku, Zabuza told me that he will be sending you a new sword after you have completely mastered kenjutsu. I will work with you on that."

"When will we leave?" Naruko inquired.

"Two weeks from today, at noon," Jiraiya answered, "We'll be travelling mostly, but we will be stopping in the Hayabusa Village Ruins, and also, we'll have Arisa take us to Mt. Kitsune-Kage to complete training with her power."

"Then it's settled," Sakura stated, "We've got 2 weeks to hang out and relax before we have 2 years of solid training to get ready. Naruko, Haku, Sasuke, let's go see Lady Tsunade."

"Ok."

Hokage's Office - 20 minutes later.

"You want to take your time off outside the village?" Tsunade asked, "You're going to the festival in Tanzaku?"

"Yes," Sakura stated, "We've made up our minds. We'll return the day before Naruko and Haku leave for their training trip."

"Alright," the Hokage responded, "You have leave to attend the festival in Tanzaku Town. On one condition. You bring me a jug of their best sake."

"You have a deal," Naruko said as the four left, and headed for the main gate.

Four Days Later - Tanzaku Town - 10:00 hours.

The four Chunin arrived in Tanzaku Town with enough time to check in, before having to do some shopping before the festival. They found two adjoining rooms, and dropped off their bags. Minutes later, they headed to the shopping district, where they each bought formal suits for the guys, and kimonos for the girls.

"I could use a rest," Sakura said, "We have a few hours before the festival starts. Let's go back to our rooms and catch a few winks."

"Good idea," Naruko responded, "We still have plenty of time, and there's nothing else to do until then. We'll get Tsunade's sake before we leave in a couple of days."

Haku yawned, and the four headed back to the hotel. After a few minutes, they laid down, and were asleep.

To Be Continued in Chapter 21: Departure

a/n: As I stated in the other fic I've posted today, "Dream Walkin'", I suck at writing lemons, so I leave such things implied. Anyway, I'm going to finish the festival off in the next chapter, and then go into the departure for the training trip. Details on the trip will be posted in flashbacks during the Shippuden era, so expect a big timeskip in the next couple of chapters.