Chapter Twenty six: Average Spring in Konoha.
"Hi, umm are Sasuke and Sakura here?" Naruto asked nervously to the waiter.
He nodded, "Right this way Naruto-san." He said with a smile before walking towards the boothed section.
Naruto smiled as he followed along, 'Looks like I'm finally being respected a little.' He thought.
The waiter paused and pointed to a set of large booths, "Your family is waiting for you Naruto-san," he said before walking away.
Naruto blinked at the waiter's back, 'Okaaay that was a little odd.' He thought before turning to the booths and running over in excitement.
"Hey guys!" he said as he arrived behind the booth on the left.
Everyone looked up in shock but Sasuke, "Nii-chan!" Sakura yelled with a smile as she glomped him.
Naruto caught her in mid air and placed her down with a laugh, "How was your mission?" she asked as she pulled him over to the booths, which sat Kakashi, Tsunade, Anko and Jiraiya at one table and Sasuke, Sakura, Shizune.
Naruto sat next to Sakura, who sat opposite Sasuke. Shizune was sitting in front of Naruto, "Yeah Naruto-kun, how'd it go?" she asked.
Naruto grinned widely as everyone listened intently to his retelling of the story, "So when we got there…before we returned home, he even gave us a bit of more than we originally asked for, by the way Baa-chan, how do I divide this up and give it to the team?" Naruto asked as he picked through the things he brought from Sarutobi's office and lifted out the envelope.
Tsunade held her hand out, "You're meant to hand that into the financial desk after handing in your mission, I'll bring it in when I go back later tonight." Tsunade said with a smile.
Anko hmmm'd, "So you're the one who brought in my latest victim?" she asked with a grin.
Naruto raised a brow, "Victim?" he asked.
Kakashi put an arm around Anko's shoulder, "Anko-chan is the best physical interrogator in Konoha, she's already started on him today." Kakashi explained.
Jiraiya raised a brow, "Really? Has he said anything?" he asked.
Anko nodded, "He's told us about everything except what he did with the summoning and jutsu scrolls he stole when he left, which annoyingly is the most important part of what we need to learn from him." She said with a childish pout.
Shizune patted Anko's hand, "It's okay, you get another crack at him in the morning right?" she said.
Anko nodded, "Yeah, but that's more for Kin's benefit. I'm just gonna show her the ropes on hiding your humanity when causing someone physical pain for the purposes of torture." She said with a dark smirk and slightly evil chuckle.
Tsunade poked Anko's head, with her super strength, it felt like a full on push. "Don't you go corrupting her, we don't want her to become another you." She said jokingly.
Anko laughed openly while Sasuke shivered, "Please don't do it." he muttered.
It was at that moment the waiter arrived, "Excuse me, may I take your order?" he asked as he help up a notepad and clicked his pen.
The waiter took the orders for the group and went to have them made, the group chatted about the specifics in Naruto's mission until the food arrived.
Nearing the end of the meal Naruto said, "So Tenten's gonna train Neji how to use a sword so that he can master his new weapon."
Tsunade stared at Naruto, "Y'know, that sword SHOULD be put back in the Kage vault." She said with a frown.
Jiraiya placed his hand on her shoulder, "Think about it Tsu-hime, it would be so much more useful in the hands of our ninja. Not sitting in a rusty old vault." He pointed out.
Tsunade sighed and folded her arms, "Alright, but he better not lose it." she grumbled.
The group finished their meals and their conversations. They split the bill and left the restaurant behind, separating at the door.
Kakashi hugged Anko to his chest and she smiled, "Wishing I could stay over the night?" she teased.
Kakashi chuckled, "I wish you could stay every night." He whispered in response.
Anko stepped away from his embrace and grinned widely, "Careful what you wish for Kashi-kun!" she said before poofing away.
Kakashi watched the smoke dissipate before turning to the others as Jiraiya, Tsunade and Shizune disappeared in a flurry of leaves.
He walked over to his squad and ruffled Naruto's and Sasuke's hair, "Well boys and girls, home time?" he asked as he eye smiled at them.
Sasuke smirked with a nod while Sakura and Naruto grinned up at their sensei, "Yeah Ouji!" the two yelled.
Kakashi hopped onto the building next to him, before his eye widened as Sakura shot passed in a pink blur, Naruto flew by a white streak and Sasuke trailed behind with his curse mark active.
Kakashi stopped for a moment and blinked, "Huh." He muttered as his squad disappeared into the distance.
He just smirked as he held a hand sign and poofed to the house.
############## SASUKE'S POV ####################
"Ahh good, you finally made it." Ibiki said as he opened the wrought iron door for Sasuke.
Sasuke just nodded and stepped inside, "Why is it so cold in here?" he asked.
Ibiki chuckled, "The senses of touch are much more acute when the human body is in a cool environment." He said as he closed the door and led Sasuke down the hallway.
Sasuke raised a brow, "And why is that important?"
Ibiki just smirked and opened another door, "See for yourself."
Sasuke took a step into the viewing room and looked through the one way glass only to let his eyes widened as he looked upon Kin demonstrate her last physical torture tactic.
Aoi screamed into his muffle as Kin pushed the stick of a serve of dango under his thumb nail and pressed it up until his nail split.
Sasuke watched as Kin ripped the stick out and pulled the cloth out of Aoi's mouth, "One last chance! Where are the village's scrolls?!" She yelled in his face.
Aoi glared up at her from behind his fringe, he spat his own blood in her face before looking back down.
Kin just smiled as the blood dripped from her chin, she stabbed her small stick through Aoi's forearm into the chair's armrest.
Aoi screamed and Kin shoved the cloth back into his wide open mouth. She raised her fist only for Anko's voice to sound around the room, "Enough! Physical torture won't work against him."
Kin stepped away from Aoi and walked from the room confidently, she exited from the door to Sasuke's left and the moment the door closed she fell to her knees, "Oh Log, how do you do this all day Anko-sensei?" she asked as Sasuke helped her to her feet.
Anko stepped from the shadows with a smirk, "I just have a good grip on who I am, and who the interrogator is. Get up Kin." She ordered.
Kin stood tall and nodded before swallowing deeply. "Hai sensei." She said as she squeezed Sasuke's hand.
Sasuke squeezed back and let Kin step out into the hallway where Anko was ushering her too, as Kin passed Ibiki leaned to Anko, "Did you even give him a go? Or did kin do all the work?" he asked.
Anko smiled with a shrug, "Naw, I was just teaching Anko 2.0 how to have some fun is all." She said finishing with a chuckle as she closed the door behind her.
Ibiki just sighed and turned to Sasuke who was glaring through the glass at Aoi. Ibiki stood next to him, "Do I sense anger Sasuke?" he asked.
Sasuke nodded, "If he broke sooner, Kin-chan wouldn't have had to enact such brutal methods."
Ibiki smirked, "How bout we teach him a lesson then?" he said as he walked over and grasped the door handle.
Sasuke blinked his Sharingan on, "You want me in there or watching from here?"
Ibiki's smirk grew into a wide grin, "Oh you will be right next to me this time Sasuke."
Aoi looked up wearily at the door when it opened, his eyes widened in fear as Ibiki walked in, his frame filling up the doorway, he barely cared as Sasuke followed behind him.
Ibiki grabbed the opposite chair and sat on it backwards, he leaned over the back rest and stared into Aoi's wide eyes.
Sasuke watched silently as Ibiki bored holes into Aoi's pupils with his gaze for near ten minutes.
Aoi was beginning to shake with fear, he finally blinked only to receive a punch to his face, knocking him onto his back.
Ibiki stood, "Didn't even last a minute, I think you could even break him Sasuke." Ibiki said with a wink towards Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded in realisation of the technique, 'Manipulate the target's mind.' He thought as he remembered the teachings Ibiki left him with the afternoon before.
Ibiki placed a foot on Aoi's chest, "Sasuke, did you master any?"
Sasuke smirked, "Only two, but my best is the last one on the list." He said as he stood to Aoi's left, opposite Ibiki.
Ibiki smirked and leaned down, forcefully holding Aoi's eyelids open, "Go for it."
Sasuke looked into Aoi's eyes with his Sharingan, and activated his new, modified technique, "Visual Jutsu: Structural Collapse." He declared, his Sharingan slowly spinning.
Sasuke fell into Aoi's mind and ripped out his knowledge, his past and specifically, anything to do with scrolls.
Sasuke pulled himself out and gasped, only now realising that Aoi was screaming the whole time.
Ibiki let go of Aoi's eyelids, letting them snap shut before he put his foot on his oesophagus, cutting off his yells, "You alright kid?" he asked as he glanced at Sasuke.
Sasuke nodded, "Wow, that was…exhilarating." He said as he breathed heavily.
Ibiki nodded, "Did you get it?"
Sasuke smirked, "Yep, though I almost got caught."
Ibiki frowned, "That's why you got to be quick, don't want the structure of his mind collapsing around you."
Sasuke nodded as Ibiki placed his iron boot on the leg of the interrogation chair and pushed it into its upright position.
Sasuke sighed heavily as Aoi stared in fear at his Sharingan, "What now?"
Ibiki smirked as he shoved the cloth back into Aoi's mouth, "If you got all the information on the scrolls then we're done for now, I can finish up later."
The two walked from the room as Aoi screamed after them, his mouth muffled and tears pouring from his eyes in defeat.
##################################
*Knock Knock*
"Come on in."
Ibiki opened the door to Tsunade's office with Sasuke by his side. They stood at attention in front of Tsunade's desk, as her clones worked at smaller desks behind her, and bowed, "Hokage-sama." They both said.
Tsunade looked up from her desk and smiled, "How did the interrogation go?" she asked.
Ibiki placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, "I let Sasuke take lead for his first go, and I must say he nailed it."
Tsunade raised a brow, "Really? Well what did you find out Sasuke?" she asked with a smirk.
Sasuke took a step forward, "When I followed the prisoner's thoughts of those scrolls, it took me to a time before he joined the Hidden Rain Village. It was an underground trading market for scrolls an ninja weaponry." He explained.
Hani, who was looking over the clone Tsunades, turned and 'stared' at Sasuke, "Did you see any signage near the market entrance? Anything mentioning 'Lost' or 'Missing'?"
Tsunade and Ibiki both seemed shocked at her sudden interest, while Sasuke just nodded, "Yes ma'am, it was called 'Lost Ninja Market', appears to be based in northern water country, there's no ninja related factions near there so it's kind of a sanctuary for Missing Ninjas. Or at least that's the kind of thoughts Aoi was having as he entered it."
Hani nodded, "Tsunade-chan, you will set up a B-rank mission to retrieve as many scrolls as you can from the market. Tell your ninjas to buy the scrolls first but I'll write a list for the scrolls they'll need to get no matter what." She said.
Tsunade spun to face Hani, "Hold up, what's this market? What scrolls?" she asked.
Hani sighed, "Do you remember your team's first mission as the legendary sannin?"
Tsunade nodded, "Yeah, we had to track down some missing ninja who stole the Naara clan's ultimate shadow jutsu scroll. We were driven off by a huge gang of missing ninjas. What does that have to do with anything?" she asked.
Hani nodded, "Orochimaru lead that mission, he was the ninja who discovered the 'Lost Ninja Market.' Konoha is the only hidden village that actually knows it exists, but we lost track of its location when Orochimaru left with all his things. This is our chance!" Hani said with a wrinkled smile.
Tsunade shook her head again, "Wait, wait, a chance for what?"
Ibiki nodded, "A chance to rediscover the location of this market AND of these scrolls." He answered.
Tsunade smiled as she caught up with what the two were saying, "Okay! I get it, let's get those scrolls asap!" she turned to the confused Sasuke, "Now Sasuke, we'll need location specifics, so I want you to go down there and find out how he found out about it, AND how he got there."
Sasuke slowly nodded, "Will do Tsunade-Baa-chan." He said with a smirk.
Tsunade whipped out an empty scroll from her desk, "I'll write up the mission now," she hesitated, "but we can't send out any Jonin, or high profile Chunnin. What if they're recognised by nearby Missing ninjas?" she asked herself.
Hani coughed politely and gestured to the boys in the room, reminding Tsunade of their presence, "What are you two still here? Get going! We need that information!" she yelled as she waved them away.
Ibiki grabbed Sasuke's shoulder, "Hai Tsunade-sama." He said before the two disappeared in Ibiki's shunshin.
Tsunade spun in her chair to face Hani Naara, "Can you get started on that list?" she asked.
Hani waved her hand, causing her shadow to pick up a pen and begin writing names on the scroll on Tsunade's desk.
Tsunade smiled, "The classics still amaze." She said as she grabbed another scroll and began writing the mission specifics.
#################################
"You needed to see me Sarutobi-sensei?" Jiraiya asked as he stepped into Hiruzen's office.
Said grandfather raised his head and smiled, "Yes I do Jiraiya-kun." He said as one of his clones tossed a scroll to him.
The original caught it and held it out for Jiraiya, "This is a mission that I will personally be employing you for." He said as Jiraiya picked up the scroll from his hand.
Jiraiya raised a brow as he read along the scroll's title, "An S-rank village defence mission?"
Sarutobi nodded, "I want you to find a way to make these new trees into an outer wall defence for the village, I'm thinking something with seals since that is Konoha's forte now that whirlpool is no more."
Jiraiya smiled as he pocketed the mission scroll, "Alright, I'll take it. Although it may take a while, I'll run as fast as I can."
Sarutobi nodded as his student left the room through the window as per usual, "Good luck Jiraiya."
#########################
Sasuke stepped out of the interrogation room and closed the door behind him, turning to Ibiki he said, "I got the exact location, he found out through rumours told to him by Orochimaru himself."
Ibiki nodded, "You reckon you can write it out on a map?"
Sasuke smirked "Even better, you still have his things?"
Ibiki raised a brow and nodded, he walked gestured to a table in the corner of the viewing room. Sasuke approached the table and lifted the ninja pouch. Inside, he grabbed Aoi's diary and ripped the leather cover off of the book.
Movement in the interrogation room caused him to look through the one way glass, he noticed that Aoi responded to the book being damaged even though he couldn't possibly see or hear them. "A chakra guard?" Ibiki muttered.
Sasuke sent chakra into the weak seal and broke it easily, unsealing another scroll from the inside.
Sasuke turned with a smirk and opened the scroll to show three maps with starred areas and highlighted paths, "We got location, basic layout AND map of the storage area. Looks like Aoi already thought of breaking in before he realised just how dangerous that could be." Sasuke pointed out.
Ibiki grinned, "You better take that straight to Hokage-sama, set up the mission details with her while I finish up here. I'll fill in the report as long as you write down absolutely everything you got from Aoi. Got it?"
Sasuke nodded and grabbed all of Aoi's things, including his combat umbrella, "Yes sir, do you think anyone will care if I have this? I want to try something I read from one of the Uchiha's old weapon scrolls."
Ibiki shrugged, "That's not up to me, you'll have to ask Hokage-sama, now get goin." Ibiki ordered as he stepped into the interrogation room and closed the door.
Sasuke smirked and holding all of Aoi's things, shunshin'd to the entrance of the Hokage tower.
########################
"So these are the fourteen scrolls presumably located at the market?" Tsunade asked as she began copying the list onto the mission scroll.
Hani nodded as her shadow place another piece of paper in front of Tsunade, "And these are the four weapons stolen from Konoha's vault. They haven't been seen since so I can only presume since no one is using them they are more than likely at this market place."
Tsunade nodded before her eyes widened as she read the first item, "Grandpa's automated weapon scroll?" she asked as she then scanned the others.
"Yes, it went missing after his last battle against Madara. Originally we thought it was destroyed, but as they remaining weapons were being transported back to the village they were summoned away from us. And that is only possible if someone sent their chakra into the scroll and the weapons were resealed." She explained as Tsunade finished copying the names of the scrolls and weapons.
Tsunade was about to reply when a knock sounded at the door.
"Come in."
Sasuke let himself in and bowed, still holding all of Aoi's things in his grasp he asked, "Excuse me Hokage-sama, what do you want me to do with the maps?"
Tsunade blinked in shock, "You already finished drawing a map? Wait, map-S? As in plural?"
Sasuke just nodded, "Yes, plural." He said as he stepped up to her desk and placed the scroll down for her to examine.
She waved for him to sit while she looked over the maps, "Wow, these are very precise Sasuke, good work."
Sasuke smirked, "Thankyou Hokage-sama." He said smugly.
Tsunade watched Sasuke as he smiled, she could see that it wasn't completely real. 'He's still hiding behind that Uchiha mask… I might regret this but I have to shoe him someone still cares.' She thought, so she stood and walked around the table to him.
Sasuke looked at her in confusion before she hugged him tightly, like he'd seen her do to Naruto.
Tsunade talked softly as Hani pretended she wasn't in the room, "I know you and Sakura call me Baa-chan already, but I want you to know that to me, you three are my true kids. I care about you all, so if you need to drop your façade and talk, please come to me alright?" she asked as she held him tightly.
Sasuke's facial expression froze and he shook as a few silent tears dropped from his eyes, "Thank you baa-chan," He let out softly, "But I'm not sure I know how." He muttered before swallowing deeply.
Tsunade leaned out of the hug and looked into his eyes, "Please try sometimes, since I've met you I've seen lots of 'the last Uchiha' and not much of 'Sasuke.'"
Sasuke nodded and she wiped his tears, "May I have the battle umbrella baa-chan?" he asked.
Tsunade nodded as she stood tall again, "Sure you can, and can I ask you to be the one to lead this mission? I plan to let it launch by tomorrow." She said as she walked back to her desk.
Sasuke showed one of his rare 'true' smiles, "Thankyou Baa-chan, but I'm afraid that would be a bad idea. After all, you did say you need low profile ninjas and I am easily recognisable as the last Uchiha." He explained as he placed Aoi's things on her desk and picked up the umbrella for himself.
Tsunade hmmm'd, "Good point, I think I know who to send then. Thanks again for all your help Sasuke." She said with a smile.
Sasuke knew a dismissal when he heard it, so he nodded and softly muttered, "Thankyou baa-chan, for everything." Before he leapt out the window and shunshin'd away.
Tsunade watched him leave with a soft smile before she felt a hand on her shoulder, she turned to look up at Hani, "That was quite…spontaneous of you Tsunade. What brought that on?" she asked.
Tsunade sighed, "Call it a woman's intuition, I felt that Sasuke was in emotional pain. And he's precious to me now so I can't just let him suffer." She said as she spun back to face her desk.
Hani frowned, "I didn't feel anything of the sought."
Tsunade scoffed, "I said woman's intuition, not elderly intuition."
*WHACK*
Hani slapped Tsunade's hand with her ruler, "Get back to work before I make you." He said gruffly.
Tsunade grumbled and rubbed her sore hand before she went back to adding the map to the mission scroll. "Mangy old hag."
*WHACK*
"OW!"
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*Knock Knock*
Hiruzen looked up at the clock on his wall and noted that it was exactly midday, "Come on in Homura."
Homura opened the door and smiled softly, "Hello Saru, how's the new job?" he asked politely as his gaze floated over the sorting clones.
Hiruzen gestured to the chair opposite himself, "It is actually quite relaxing. I get to look after my ninjas and oversee the missions without all the pressure and those stupid council requests and other Hokage duties." He said with a chuckle.
Homura sat and chuckled, "Sounds right up your alley," he said before leaning forward and turning serious, "Is something wrong Saru?"
Hiruzen sighed, "Homura, you and I both know that Danzo is up to something, he always is. But why do you always help him with his schemes? I know you believe in the village the same way I do." He trailed off as he tried to discern Homura's actions.
Homura sat in silence for a moment, "She loves him Saru." He muttered.
Hiruzen sighed, "You'll still follow her?" he asked.
Homura nodded, "Even though Koharu loves Danzo, I do not care. I love her, and helping Danzo makes her happy," he tightened his hand into a fist, "Even though I care for the village in the same way you do, my will of fire isn't as strong as yours. I can't put the village before the one I love." He said as he stared blankly at Hiruzen's desk.
Hiruzen sighed, "It's been Fifty two years Homura, don't you think it's time to move on? She still doesn't see your feelings for what they are."
Homura looked at his teammate sadly, "That doesn't mean the feelings aren't there. I will always follow her. I'm sorry." He said as he stood.
Hiruzen sighed before whipping his pointer out and quickly ripping the hidden seal from inside Homura's collar, "So he still uses you as a spy?" he asked as he breathed a small flame onto the piece of paper.
Homura didn't even care that he was caught, "Yes he does."
Hiruzen sighed, "Is Danzo still running ROOT missions?"
"He is trying, but since you are the only person handling missions now, it's hard for him to get the ones this village rejects. Especially the B and higher ranked missions." Homura explained.
Hiruzen nodded, "And if he did have someone who works for him in this office, he would be able to go back to doing the darker missions secretly again right?" he asked as he reached into one of his drawers.
Homura frowned in confusion but nodded, "Of course he could."
Hiruzen pulled out a two pieces of paper, "In that case I need you to listen," he said as he placed the papers on his desk for Homura to read, "instead of using clones every day for my work here, I've discovered a theoretical system of Minato's that I completed just yesterday. You see, I can make Koharu's and your jobs redundant with seals." He said as he placed an A3 sheet on the table, showing the sealing array, "Now, if I do that I would like the two of you to work up here with me."
Homura sighed as he read between the lines on what Hiruzen was saying, "Of course we'll accept. And I assume you'll have us bring the rejected missions to Danzo?"
Hiruzen shook his head and chuckled, "Now Homura, you know it is illegal for me to ask you to do that. If you'll read these outlines for the two of you, I'm sure you'll understand exactly what I need from you." He said as he lifted the sealing array, uncovering the two sheets he withdrew earlier.
Homura looked over the contracts and nodded, "So, I will be organising what missions are acceptable for the village and the ones that will be rejected. Koharu will be handling the mission rankings with the old system. And you will be handling the ninjas that will be taking the missions as well as the mission reports." Homura understood what was needed of him, "I will gladly accept, this setup will help the village immensely." He said as he signed his contract and picked up the other.
Hiruzen nodded as Homura stood, "Thankyou Homura, I'm trusting you with this so please don't make me regret it." he said.
Homura nodded, "You know me Saru, this set-up will help the village in every way so you know I will stand by it. Once I tell Koharu-chan that it will help Danzo and his Anbu, she'll sign up immediately." He confirmed as he walked from the room.
Hiruzen smiled, "You'll both begin work tomorrow morning, but don't tell Koharu or Danzo our deal. Make it seem as though you convinced me to do this and it is a secret arrangement. Though I'm sure Danzo will somehow know anyway." He said.
Homura grasped the doorhandle, "Thank you for this Saru, I know how hard this would've been to get past Tsunade-chan. We will be here at six in the morning so you can show us how to run things."
Hiruzen nodded, "I will see you then." He said as the door closed.
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Sasuke was walking home, his new umbrella in his grasp as he analysed it with his Sharingan, '…capable of holding twelve-hundred needles and launching in six rounds of two-hundred, made of iron and chakra conductive wood so it also can be used in close up combat…when I'm done modifying this I will have the perfect complementary weapon to my kusawarigama.' He thought as he turned the last corner before entering the Uchiha district.
"Sasuke-kun!"
Sasuke looked up to see Ino running towards him, she had her arms open as if to embrace him.
He blinked her into a Genjutsu with his Sharingan, making her mind see him at a constant distance to what they were currently at.
This had the simple effect of her running straight past him and continuing to run towards where she thought he was.
He smirked at the simple genius of his idea, 'Too easy.' He thought with a smirk as he entered his district.
A drop of rain hit his nose, causing him to look up "Hn." He grunted as he frowned at the beginning of the heavy rain.
He sighed as he realised he still had eight blocks worth of distance to walk, he decided to just analyse his new weapon some more.
Looking at the umbrella for a moment he blinked, "Oh…" he muttered as he realised a simple and rather obvious solution to the rain.
He opened the umbrella and sat it over his shoulder, safely covering him from the rain. 'Looks like a normal umbrella, but it anyone attacked me from any angle, the moment they got close I could skewer them with needles.' He thought with another smirk as he trekked home in the rain.
###########################
Neji was returning home from his first session of sword training, which he only stopped because of the rain. He was only practising a basic kata at the moment but every step he took, it felt as though the sword moved closer into his very soul.
Neji blinked at the thought, 'No wonder Hanabi-sama calls me Shakespearian, I'm so dramatic.'
He paused for a moment in his steps, 'What is a Shakespeare?'
He shook his head to dismiss himself of the thought of an aged man with a fluffy neck brace and thought back on his sword katas.
Just imagining his pale yellow blade swinging through the air calmed him and made him smile, 'I can almost see it now.'
"OOMPH!"
Neji fell to the ground and looked at what had collided with him. Resting on his chest was pale blonde hair, nearly reminding him of his sword.
She lifted her head and their eyes met, he gasped as he saw her eyes 'Like the skies of a free bird.' He thought.
She blinked, "Oh, umm sorry Neji-san." Ino said as she leaned off of him and onto her knees.
Neji blinked as he suddenly recognised who it was he was admiring, "Ino?" he asked.
Ino looked at his shocked face and raised a brow, "What?" she asked as she noticed he was staring at her.
He just continued to stare, unsure of what to say to her.
Which was starting to freak her the hell out, "Hello? Earth to pale eyes?" she said as she clicked her fingers in front of his face.
He shook his head again and said the first thing that came to mind, "Fwah?"
She just looked at him incredulously for a moment before standing up and taking a step away, "Umm, okay then," she turned away to mutter under her breathe, "Freak."
She began walking away as rain started to fall on them, "Cya later Neji-san." She said as she left back towards her house, the collision driving Sasuke's Genjutsu from her mind.
Neji just sat in the rain and watched her walk away, 'My Juliette.' He thought as he sat in a forming puddle, daydreaming of 'his sky eyed beauty'.
#################################
"Thank you for escorting me home Naruto-kun."
"Anytime Ten-chan, I couldn't just let you walk home in this rain. Especially with your injury."
Tenten sighed and leant against his side, he wrapped one arm around her while his other was in the air holding a quickly spinning giant shuriken with a rasengan in its grip acting as a super speed swirling umbrella.
Naruto smiled up at his creation, "I wonder if this could have any combat uses."
Tenten smiled up at her boyfriend's face, "Knowing you, there could turn out to be hundreds."
Naruto smiled, "Say, I know this moment is kinda romantic and all, and I'm sorry to ruin it. But according to Shizune-neechan, because they stitched you back up with medical chakra your immune system will be a little weak for near a week. So do you want to take the shortcut home?" he asked.
Tenten raised a brow, "You know a shortcut?"
He nodded, "I'll take that as a yes!" he said as he dissipated the Rasengan and let the shuriken spin down his arm and stop on his bicep.
She covered her head, "Umm, still getting wet here." She pointed out.
Naruto held a hand sign, "Water prison jutsu." He said as he raised his hand above his head again.
Tenten stopped feeling rain hit her so she looked up. In a meter radius around them, the rain paused in mid air just above Naruto's hand and was slowly forming a big ball. "Well, at least we're dry but I don't see how that's a shortcut." She pointed out to try and hide her amazement.
Naruto smirked and held Tenten tight to his chest, causing her to blush. "This is one of my original jutsus, Water style: Slippery slide." He said before blowing a small pellet of water at their feet.
Naruto picked up Tenten on his hip and began using the water walk technique on the small stream of water. Since the flow was constant, the two were being pulled down the street at a fast jogging pace.
Tenten smiled as she watched the orb above them get bigger with each drop. But before she knew it, the ride was over and the two stood in front of her uncle's shop.
Naruto set her on her feet and smiled, "I guess I'll see you later Ten-chan." He said as he stepped away.
Tenten nodded, "Thanks again Naruto-kun. I'll see you later." She said as she took the last two steps to the shop door and entered.
Naruto smiled, "What a way to end the day." He muttered as he began to walk home, letting the orb of water and the rain fall on him.
He looked up at the clouds and smiled, 'I can feel the joy of the plants, they're excited to have some water again.' He thought as he walked past a particularly bright rose bush.
He rose into the air and pulled on his hood, "Time to go home." He muttered before he shot towards the family's house.
####################################
*Plink*
"Dammit."
*Plink*
"Where is it?"
Sakura ran around the upper floor of the house holding two buckets and a pan, placing them under the few leaks in the roof. The only problem was… "Where the hell is that dripping coming from?!" she screamed in frustration.
She became quiet and tried to listen for where the last source of dripping was coming from.
*Plink*
She walked down the hall towards Kin's room.
*Plink*
Stop. Take a few steps back towards the stairs.
*Plink*
The bathroom!
Sakura entered the bathroom and began looking around for the dripping water source, it took nearly half an hour, but she looked over the whole ceiling and couldn't find a single crack or puncture. No rain leaks.
She sighed, 'Who'd have thought the thing that defeats me is some damn rain?'
She sat on the edge of the tub and sighed.
*Plink*
She glared forward, "Stupid rain." She muttered.
*Plink*
She blinked and looked behind her and down.
*Plink*
She scowled as she saw the drop of water leave from the bath tap.
*Plink*
Sakura sighed, "Dammit." She muttered as she reached over and tightened the nozzle.
…
"FINALLY!"
Sakura jumped to her feet with a smile and left the bathroom, she walked around the second storey of the house to make sure there were no more leaks. Luckily there were none.
####################################
Sasuke just stepped into their yard when he heard a crash, a rather loud one at that.
Worried, Sasuke leapt up onto the roof of his house and looked around to see if anything had been damaged near him. Only for his eyes to widen in horror as he saw the torrents of water bursting through the village from the nearby dam, overflowing the rivers and streets.
He stared for a moment before he heard a shout, "Aniki! We have to help!"
He looked up to see Naruto hovering just above him, "C'mon! we gotta do something!" he yelled.
Sasuke nodded and began sprinting towards the edge of the roof, activating his curse mark. Naruto flew forward by his side as Sasuke used his enhanced strength to jump while throwing his umbrella through the open window of his room.
"Guys!"
Sasuke made the leap in a single jump but Naruto stopped in mid air and swooped down passed the window of his sister's room, he grasped her arm in a monkey grip and continued after his brother, dragging Sakura along with him.
###################################
"Go Nee-chan!" Naruto said as he threw Sakura at the ground in front of the massive torrent of water, putting her between it and the academy.
Sakura landed and spat a glob of mud at the ground, "EARTH STYLE: MUD WALL!"
The academy students watched in awe, as a giant wall of earth rose up to protect them. It split the torrent in two, around the academy on each side.
Sakura saw two students still outside, about to be picked up by the water "WHIP FIST!" she yelled as she propelled her gloves forward.
She gripped the student's shirts and pulled them up to her, barely helping them avoid the water and setting them down next to her on the wall, falling to her knees as she smiled at achieving her part.
#######################################
Sasuke stood in front of one oncoming torrent that was heading for the business district. Many civilians stared at the water in fear while others ran screaming. Sasuke stabbed the blade of his kusarigama into the ground and activated a seal along it's length, "SEALING ART: ARTHUR'S SWORD!" the blade became immovable from it's place in the stone pathway.
He quickly formed sixteen hand signs and enhanced the jutsu with his curse mark, "UCHIHA FIRE STYLE: FLAME FIELD!" he yelled as the torrent came within a meter of him.
Suddenly, a line of flame spread from his feet to the side of the street and formed a rectangle behind him. The torrent of water hit him, picking Sasuke up and throwing him around under water but his immovable weapon held him in roughly the same area.
As the water hit the field it evaporated instantly, causing a heavy steam to rise, but the torrent was now shrinking.
Sasuke's jutsu was eventually overrun by the amounts of water, but luckily he held it off long enough for some other ninja to enter the area, they quickly followed along with his plan as a wolf masked Anbu dove underground and pulled Sasuke by his weapon out of the flowing water.
The two surfaced as the last of Sasuke's jutsu collapsed and the wolf masked Anbu yelled, "GO!"
Of the twenty ninja gathered, the first eight formed seals, "EARTH STYLE: MUD WALL!"
They used the walls to redirect all the water into a single giant earthen hallway, right in front of the next twelve ninjas who stood along the wall's lengths, "FIRE STYLE: FIREBALL JUTSU!"
The massive balls of flame began to evaporate all the water, but the last thrush of it began to overpower the flames.
At that moment, Jiraiya pulled Sasuke and the Wolf masked Anbu to stand at the open end of the 'hallway'. "Sasuke give me fire! Kakashi we need a power boost!" Jiraiya yelled as he formed hand seals.
Finishing his last seal, Jiraiya yelled "MOVE!" causing everyone to leap away from the last quarter of the rushing water.
"TOAD STYLE: OIL BULLETS!"
"UCHIHA FIRE STYLE: FLAMETHROWER!"
"WIND STYLE: GREAT BREAKTHROUGH!"
The flamethrower's flames were spread by the wind and set fire to the oil, instantly superheating the remaining water and evaporating it into non-existence.
The heat fell away and the normal rain began to fall again as many of the ninjas calmed down, but not Sasuke, "Otouto went to handle the other one!" he said as he looked around in hopes of some sign of his brother.
Wolf placed a hand on Sasuke's shoulder, "Look up."
################################
Naruto flew over the top of his half of the massive water spout, 'Crap! It's gonna hit the Hokage tower!' he thought as he tried to think of an idea to stop the water or redirect it.
A light bulb switched on in his head, "Got it!" he declared as he dove at the water.
Many ninja stood in front of the Hokage tower, ready to evaporate the water or redirect it at a moment's notice.
Tsunade rose her arm, "Ready?!" she yelled.
"HAI HOKAGE-SAMA!" the ninjas replied.
"WATER STYLE: WATER DRAGON JUTSU!"
Every ninja paused in shock and stared as the giant torrent of water became an impossibly large water dragon, it began to rise up into the air.
Tsunade stared as the dragon flew above her head, over the Hokage tower and high into the air.
The dragon spiralled into the sky and began flying over the village, letting everyone see the massive being of water and the small blonde Chunnin standing on it's head.
Naruto smirked as he held onto the dragon with his chakra and rode it outside of the village and towards the lake located west of the village.
He spiralled into the air, turning the dragon into a midair whirlpool, then simply let go.
Tsunade stared as the giant dragon collapsed into the lake, splashing huge amounts of water into the surrounding forest.
Shizune stood next to her on top of the tower, "That was amazing." She mumbled, snapping Tsunade out of her shock.
Tsunade called out to all the gathered ninjas, "Crisis averted! Please everyone report back to your stations!"
Within minutes, the courtyard was empty except for Jiraiya and those he brought with him to the Hokage's tower.
########################
"In my office, now." Tsunade said as she opened her door.
Jiraiya entered, letting Wolf, Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto trail in behind him. Tsunade walked to her desk and sat down, "First of all, thankyou Chunnin squad seven for averting that crisis. All though we could've handled it since it happens almost every Spring at least once." She muttered the last under her breath.
Jiraiya chuckled as the children frowned, "C'mon tsu-hime, the kids acted instantly and expertly. Even though Sakura's effort in protecting the academy was kinda wasted since it's protected by barrier seals," Sakura twitched in irritation at hearing this news, "she managed to save two children who would've been killed or mutilated.
Jiraiya continued, "And Sasuke gave use the extra few minutes needed to completely stop the water from destroying some buildings in the shopping district. And Naruto, well I can't even comprehend how he did what he did." He said with a grin.
Wolf moved his mask to the side of his face, revealing him to be Kakashi…what a shock. "Hey, I helped out too." He muttered.
Tsunade ignored him, "Jiraiya-kun, have you made any progress in what sensei asked you to do?" she asked.
Kakashi looked at his feet and sighed, Naruto patted his arm, "It's okay Ouji, Baa-chan's just grumpy today." He said with a smile.
Jiraiya nodded in response to Tsunade's question, "Sure have, although I want to recruit two people for this ongoing mission, it should only be a few days at best."
Tsunade nodded, "Sure, tell me who and I'll inform Sarutobi sensei to take them off the board." She said.
Jiraiya stepped back and placed a hand on both Sasuke and Naruto's shoulders. "These two." He said with a grin.
Tsunade shrugged with a soft smile, "Alright, do you two accept?"
Sasuke frowned, "We can't accept until we know what the mission consists of."
Naruto yelled, "Sure we'll do it!"
Tsunade grinned at Naruto while Sasuke looked at him incredulously, "I'll take that as a yes for the both of you. After this meeting, follow Jiraiya and do what he says." She said as she stamped a sheet in confirmation.
Sasuke went to ask about the mission but Jiraiya cut him off, "Anything else Tsu-hime?"
She nodded and turned to Sakura, "Sakura-chan, Sarutobi-sensei wants to see you when you're done here. He has your first Chunnin Leader mission ready." She said with a smile.
Sakura's brow rose in shock, "Already? Are you sure I'm ready Baa-sama?" she asked.
Tsunade nodded, "Sure you are, especially if this knucklehead managed one." she said with a gesture towards Naruto.
Naruto scowled, "Baa-chan!" he yelled childishly.
She just laughed and waved them off, "Alright, Jiraiya and Chunnin squad seven, you are dismissed.
Everyone but Kakashi left the room with a wave, as the door closed Kakashi turned to his kage, "Do you need anything from me Hokage-sama?" he asked.
Tsunade nodded, "Yes, I just wanted to ask. Are you still able to access the white chakra of the Hatake clan?"
#################################
*Knock Knock*
"Come on in."
Sakura opened the door to the Third Hokage's office, known as Mission HQ, and smiled as she noticed Shikamaru and Lee standing in their Chunnin vests.
"You wanted to see me Sandaime-sama?" she asked.
Hiruzen smiled and gestured to the two in front of him, "I have chosen a specific mission for you to lead Sakura-chan, these two will be your teammates for the length of the mission." He said as he placed a scroll on his desk.
Sakura looked between Shikamaru and lee, who both nodded to her with smiles of their own. She reflected the smile and picked up the scroll and read the title, "B-rank Mission: Scroll Retrieval." She looked up at the Third and smiled, "We accept."
######################################
Sasuke yawned and de-activated his Sharingan as he looked out the window at the rising sun, "Morning already?" he mumbled as he looked back at his desk and analysed his final seal.
He nodded and placed it into his weapons pouch. Standing from his chair, he cracked his back and walked from his room and down stairs.
He blinked as he saw Sakura already cooking and Jiraiya sitting at the table, "Morning Sasuke." Jiraiya said as he placed his own sheet of sealing paper on the table, "Did you make any progress? Cause I managed five different defencive seals, but I can't fuse them just yet." Jiraiya said with a sigh.
Sasuke trudged over to the table and placed his seal over jiraiya's, "Finished with all the key points you wanted." He said before walking over to Sakura.
Sasuke placed his arms around her waist in a hug and rested his head on her shoulder, "Good morning Sakura-hime." He whispered in her ear.
Sakura smiled and leaned back into his embrace, "Good morning Sasuke-kun, did you stay up all night?"
He nodded "Mhmm." He hummed in affirmation, "Why are you up so early?" he asked.
She smiled and kissed his cheek as she turned holding the pan, "I have my mission remember?" she said.
His eyes widened, "That's today?"
She nodded as she moved some food from her pan to each of the plates on the table, "Yes silly it is. I leave in twenty minutes."
Sasuke's brow furrowed but he nodded, "Does it have to be only Shika and Lee that come with you? Can't we send more people?"
She just smiled, understanding that he was worried, "Three might be too many already, we don't want to be noticed by anyone." She said as she sat down at the table and began to eat.
Sasuke just sighed as he sat down and began eating his own serving of food.
About halfway through their meals, Kin slid down the hand rail and landed at the foot of the stairs, she ran into the kitchen and flipped some of the already made breakfast between two slices of bread, "Sorry guys I gotta go! Good luck with your mission Sakura-chan!" she said before giving a shocked Sakura a quick kiss on the lips and running out the door in a hurry with her breakfast sandwich.
Jiraiya and Sasuke stared at Sakura, who reached up and touched her lips, "Did she just kiss me?" she asked quietly.
Sasuke was snapped out of his daze when he heard jiraiya's perverted giggle. He looked over to see the aged pervert scribbling in his notebook.
"heheheh, yes she did!" Jiraiya giggled before a kitchen knife slashed his notebook in half thanks to Sasuke.
Moments later, Naruto hovered down the stairs in his outfit. "Nee-chan! Are you ready for your mission?" he asked.
Sakura jumped to her feet, "Yeah! Thanks for reminding me Nii-san!" she yelled as she grabbed her empty plate and placed it in the sink.
Naruto grinned, "You going now?"
Sakura nodded, "Yep!" she kissed Sasuke on the cheek, "Bye Sasuke-kun," she hugged Naruto, "Wish me luck!" she yelled behind her as she ran out the door.
Jiraiya smiled as Naruto sat down to eat and Sasuke stared after Sakura, "She'll be fine Sasuke, if the baka here managed a mission with gennin, she can easily handle this one with two Chunnin backing her up." He said with a gesture towards Naruto.
Naruto frowned and flicked a seed under the table, "Wood style: Itchy Pollen." He said.
The seed busted into a flower then into a pink cloud around Jiraiya. "ITCHY!" he yelled as he ran out of the house and dove into the small lake in the Uchiha complex.
Sasuke smirked and finished his meal, 'Everything will turn out fine, I know it.'
###################################################################
Chapter End.