Kurenai stood by the the village's main gate waiting for the remainder of her team. When the woman arrived earlier Sakura had already been present along with Anko. Judging by the girl's body language something was troubling her but the pinkette barely said high before returning to a brooding silence. The Genjutsu Mistress had looked to the Snake Mistress in hopes of an explanation but received only a shrug. Hinata, Ami, and Toru had arrived silently soon after so now they were just waiting on Naruto and Hibachi.
Looking down the village path the Sensei of Squad Eight saw Naruto approaching silently. The boy had his pack slung over his back and looked as if sleep hadn't come well the night before. His blue eyes met Kurenai's red ones and he looked away blushing brightly. As the young blonde never had such a reaction to her presence before the raven haired woman became curious. The Jinchuriki silently walked over and stood by Hinata without a word of greeting to anyone.
The young lavender eyed heiress was confused by his behavior and asked. "Is there something wrong Naruto-kun?"
"What?" The blonde said coming out of his own thoughts. Trying to recover quickly he nervously scratched the back of his head saying over exuberantly. "No, of course not Hinata-chan, everything's fine! Just so excited about the mission I didn't sleep well last night!"
The young Hyuga didn't believe the excuse for a second but was interrupted by the arrival of Hibachi. The rude boy walked up shuffling his feet while clearly showing his frustration at being stuck with Team Eight. One cautious look towards his Sensei Anko though was enough to keep his mouth shut.
Kurenai studied the Genin silently for a second then said. "Now that we're all here we can head out. We were going to escort a Civilian back to Bear, the courier that originally brought this mission to us, but he had some last minute business to take care of. He'll be leaving later this week for The Land Of Wind. The good news is we can now book it at Shinobi speeds so we should make far better time."
"Since this mission was originally for Team Eight it was decided between me and Kurenai last night that she would be lead." Anko explained. "Obviously, should the worst befall her, I'll take over."
"What happens if you fall Sensei?" Ami asked snottily.
"Run like hell." The Snake Mistress explained without pause while expressing a cocky smile. "Though, in all seriousness, if that happens you guys are dead anyway."
Kurenai observed the individual reactions of the Genin fallowing Anko's statement; Ami and Hibachi both looked nervous but tried not to show it, Toru gave no visible reaction at all, Hinata started doing her finger tap habit, and Sakura actually gulped. However, Naruto was so lost in his own thoughts he hadn't heard the purple haired Jounin speak at all. The boy just stared blankly at the ground and refused to look up.
After both Sensei examined their individual students' packs, the Leaf Shinobi left to start the mission.
…. Deadfall Village ….
Mayako Uzumaki sat on her garden bench drinking tea. At the age of one hundred nineteen there wasn't much else to do but watch the flowers grow. She had fought and survived the brutal conflicts of the Waring Clans Period only to rot away in a foreign land surrounded by people she would love to butcher. After Hidden Whirlpool was decimated the old Uzumaki had thought of doing just that, but refrained in hopes that a member of her clan would turn up in need of help one day. The fading redheaded woman had cried tears of joy when the letter from Hidden Leaf arrived asking discreetly for information regarding special born Uzumaki Abilities; the excuse of a historical museum had been laughable.
"Auntie Mayako." A woman spoke with false sweetness coming from the garden side entrance. The old Uzumaki Kunoichi turned annoyed, clearly allowing her anger to show in her facial expression, to observe a slightly overweight whitish blonde haired lady of fifty walking up with a fake smile stuck on her lips.
"What do you want Ryoko?" Mayako asked bitterly turning her attention back to the garden.
Ryoko Nobuo was the youngest daughter of the current Daimyo, the bastard that agreed to the Uzumaki Clan's slaughter, and as fake as people could come. A disappointment to her clan, thanks to the horrible attitude she possessed not allowing her to gain a suitable match when she was younger, the woman relied on business dealings to get by mostly because her beautiful looks left long ago. It was lucky she had a strong mind for numbers and finances because the moment the old Daimyo died the rest of the vultures were cutting her off. Which was also the main reason she clung to Mayako like an unwanted wart; she hoped the Uzumaki would will her all the possessions she had upon passing. Now a long lost relative was coming to visit and the horrid bitch was nervous.
"Oh nothing much." The greedy woman said with a fake smile. "I made muffins and was wondering if you would like one?"
Bored the ancient warrior looked down and noticed the basket the woman was holding. Humorously she thought. 'Might as well, her chief is an amazing cook after all.'
The Uzumaki stood up and lead the younger woman inside her house. It was a small dwelling which only sported one bathroom, one bedroom, a kitchen, and a dining area; it was all Mayako needed to get by comfortably.
The elder straightened her thin black kimono before taking a seat at her dinning table. Ryoko made her way to the kitchen and prepared tea reluctantly; she always complained since the elder Uzumaki had no servants. After finishing her task the plump woman came in seating down with the tea tray complete with a hot kettle and cups. The blonde made a showing of preparing the tea as she laid out a muffin and cup on individual saucers. Passing the cup of tea to Mayako she said jovially. "I hope you in like it auntie, it's a bitter green from The Land Of Lightning. I finally had my shipment delivered today and thought of you. In my opinion it's a great contrast to the sweet lemon muffin."
'I don't think to much of your opinion whore.' Mayako thought bitterly while taking a sip. Every member of the Nobuo Clan understood she hated anything from Lightning. This blonde headed overweight sorry excuse for a human being did this on purpose just to upset her. With a cold glare she asked frostily. "Is there something more you wanted Ryoko?"
'Scary old bag.' The Bear Daimyo's youngest thought amused. This weathered old stick didn't have the strength to kill a snail much less a full grown person; it was a funny joke to the Nobuo Clan to anger her every now and again.
"This arrived by currier today." The blonde said overly happy. She took a sealed envelope from the inside breast pocket of her yellow kimono and past it over. "I believe it's the confirmation of the mission you sent Hidden Leaf."
'Like you didn't know that already.' The old Uzumaki thought bitterly. The official wax seal of the Hokage looked authentic to the untrained eye, but Mayako was anything but untrained. It was obvious to her someone had removed the original wax seal to see the envelope's contents before trying to forge a fake. It didn't matter one way or another since the damned Samurai guardian Lightning Way would alert their masters upon receiving the Leaf Shinobi.
Ryoko watched as the old bat looked over the picture of the stupid blonde Genin the file contained. Truth was her father had tried to buy the Uzumaki out several times over the years; saying she could take the money and move somewhere the past wouldn't trouble her. The old bat refused every time which meant her land and money would only be returned to the Nobuo Clan upon her death; until this Naruto Uzumaki came about.
One unbreakable law that existed between the nations of the world was that no citizen of one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations could own land in another Great Nation. That literally meant if the Wind Daimyo died with no children and the only leaving relative he possessed was a citizen of Lightning, all he could will the individual upon passing was money or belongings; his title and land would be given to a Wind Citizen of his own choosing. The Land of Bears didn't have such protections; though it did still posses a few legal blocks and hurtles .
One law of inheritance between nations was this; if you possessed title and land you couldn't leave it to just anyone. The individual you bequeathed it to upon passing must be someone you owed a debt of honor or blood; However, a family connection was also valid provided you knew the person to some extent. If Naruto Uzumaki never comes and meets Lady Mayako then she couldn't leave him anything. As of now it appeared the boy would own land in Bears and have a controlling interest in several small companies associated with the Nobuo Clan.
"Thank you for bringing this to me Ryoko." Mayako said smirking evilly. This was a picture showing the elder Kunoichi her revenge upon the bastards responsible for the Uzumaki's downfall could continue long after she was gone from this world. It was one of the main problems with looking outside your own nation for suitable husbands and wives when you were a noble; you ran the risk of a clan from another nation gaining permanent control of your land and money interests.
Ryoko didn't let the smirk sway her from the duty the Nobuo Clan assigned; one hope did still remain. With fake sadness she said. "I'm sorry you were deceived auntie. The Leaf Village should have clarified this boy's origins better."
Confused, the old Kunoichi gave the pimple-of-society a hard look and asked. "What are you going on about?"
Faking confused sympathy the greedy woman explained. "Well auntie, from what we have gathered the boy is a no named orphan from Hidden Leaf. We honestly don't believe there is a drop of Uzumaki blood in his veins. It's quite possible the child is Uzumaki in name only, which is why we are working on a way to truly confirm his pedigree. With your permission the Nobuo Clan would like to pay for a specialist from Cloud to come and medical verify this child's claims."
'No doubt your damned family's hopes shot up when they saw blonde hair and blue eyes.' Looking over the other pictures in the file, the ones of the two Jounin Sensei and five other Genin, the elder woman stated bored. "The Daimyo's concern is appreciated but unnecessary. I have special sealed scrolls in my possession that only a blood Uzumaki can open; so I'll just have the boy open one to confirm what I already know. I'm quite sure his mother was Kushina Uzumaki, Hidden Leaf's Red Whirlpool Of Death, who died alongside the Fourth Hokage when the Nine Tails attack Konoha. Until now I always thought she fell in battle, but it would seem premature childbirth was the culprit; more than likely induced by the fox spirit's presence and rampage."
"Oh, I see." Ryoko said uncertain. Giving off a fake laugh the woman stated. "One thing that concerned me personally was I heard the boy was blonde. Sorry if I'm wrong but I always heard Uzumaki's were all redheads."
'I wonder if you actually heard he was blonde or if you didn't know that fact until you saw the picture.' Mayako thought scenically. She shrugged and explained. "That old yarn about all Uzumaki being redheads is just that, a yarn. Truth is we had more redheads than most but also blondes, brunettes, bluenettes, purplettes, and pinkettes." (1)
Saying the last hair color made the elder Kunoichi take a second glance at Sakura's picture. 'Haruno, an old Civilian Clan with strong ties to both Hidden Leaf and Whirlpool. Could she also be related to me?'
Across from the distracted woman Ryoko sat stewing in anger. The old Kunoichi's modest living had allowed her bank account to steadily rise over the years, despite business deals that drained the bank accounts of the Nobuo Clan to better help common people; a fact the horrid woman knew well. 'All my work to butter this old crone up and this blonde runt comes in at the last minute to steal my fortune. Well, if all legal paths are no longer useful than I guess it's time to pursue a few illegal ones.'
…. Funawara Village ….
Team Six and Eight crossed the village gates just as the sun began setting. All day the Genin had been pushed hard by their Sensei. The two older Kunoichi promised them all it would be worth it in the end, as they could make the last village before the old boarder to The Land Of Whirlpool. Here they could get a hotel room, a decent meal, and a hot bath opposed to ruffing it out in the woods. A few Genin had complained that there were other towns along the route but Kurenai had wanted to cover as much ground as possible.
The group of eight headed up the street to stop at a hotel called Fire Bed Inn. The outside sign advertised a connecting hot spring bathhouse and an attached restaurant. Walking in the two Sensei walked up to the counter to get rooms for everyone. Returning to the children they explained that they managed to get two large spaces. Kurenai and the Genin Kunoichi would share one while Anko bunked with the boys.
Startled by the information Hibachi desperately asked. "Can Kurenai Sensei bunk with us boys instead?"
Getting nervous by the suggestion Naruto quickly jumped in. "I prefer Anko Sensei!"
Everyone was taken back by this statement. It was understandable that Hibachi would be scared of Anko but what did Naruto have against Kurenai. The Genjutsu Mistress read the boy's awkward posture and reasoned he wasn't angry or upset with her for any reason; just nervous. All day the boy had been standoffish with the team as if he didn't want to talk; something that was truly out of character for the knucklehead since Sakura always had to make him stop blabbing with a punch to his skull. During lunch and breaks the Yumegan wielder sat off by himself never socializing with anyone; which upset Hinata a little. This was getting on the raven haired Jounin's nerves but she didn't know how to address it.
The Snake Mistress smiled seductively as she glommed hugged the blonde from the back; making sure her assets rubbed his head. Mock lovingly she asked in a cute voice. "Ah, does someone have a crush on little ol' me?"
"It's not like that!" Naruto exclaimed excitedly. "Your way to old for me!"
"Hey you little runt!" Anko yelled offended. She locked the blonde in a head lock as she squeezed his neck. Hinata looked at Kurenai nervously as if to say 'do something, the boy I love is turning blue'.
The red eyed John sighed and shook her head tiredly. "The sleeping arrangements stand. Now Anko, please release Naruto so we can go take baths before dinner."
The purple haired woman relinquished her trapped victim while shooting the boy a look that promised more pain later. Naruto gulped but said nothing as he fallowed the group towards the baths. Gratefully the blonde separated from the Kunoichi as he fallowed Hibachi and Toru into the boy's section. Walking to a locker the Jinchuriki striped and wrapped a towel around his waist. Grabbing the hotel's provided bar of soap and small shampoo, the blue eyed Uzumaki headed for the giant hot spring pool.
Sinking beneath the water while relaxing in the natural stone basin, Naruto's tranquility was interrupted by Hibachi. The rude boy was still wearing his grey sock cap over his light brown hair so as to wash it. He gave the blonde a snide look saying. "It'll be funny when we all wake up tomorrow and discover you've been eaten by a snake."
The annoyed blonde opened his left eye and gave the stupid bully a glare before saying. "The warnings of useless and feeble Shinobi mean little to me."
The hateful brunette gained a mean look upon registering the insult. Bristling he said angrily. "I'm surprised someone as stupid as you even knows what the word 'feeble' means."
Toru, who had just arrived and sat in another section, gave both boys cold glares before saying. "Shut up, your interrupting my relaxation time."
Hibachi was quelled by the black haired boy's threat but Naruto just turned his left eyed glare upon the menacing Genin. "I never had much interaction or any real issue with you Toru, but if you think your I'm-so-cool-I-might-as-well-be-Sasgay attitude intimidates me like your two loser teammates, know either I or the two Kunoichi I hangout with could kick your ass with a thought; so don't mess with me."
The raven haired Kenjutsu user sized Naruto up before scoffing. "Don't think because you beat Mizuki I'm afraid of you blondie; my guess is you and Lady Hinata only survived because the traitor fool made some kind of mistake. As for beating me with a thought, you and those two lovely Kunoichi you pal around with aren't the only ones that use Genjutsu."
The look on Naruto's face turned curious; he didn't know Toru was into the illusion arts as well swordsmanship. The blonde wondered what techniques the long haired boy possessed but figured he'd find out one way or another. Scoffing back at his current companion the young Jinchuriki laid back in the water and allowed his mind to drift. Purposefully, the Yumegan wielder began feeling out for various chakra signatures, as Team Six was currently with them it was good to commit their feel to memory; however, he made sure to not focus to strongly on any of the ladies in the adjacent closed in hot spring. The last thing the boy wanted was a repeat of last night; the pore child was still so full of guilt he couldn't bring himself to look at Kurenai without confessing and begging for forgiveness. Stubbornly, the little hero forced his mind to stay away from perverted thoughts as he let his third eye inspect the world around him.
Over with the Kunoichi things were peaceful. Both Jounin had sat in the water relaxing while mentally tuning out the world around them. The three young Genin soaked peacefully as well, until Ami had enough. Turning her angry brown eyes to glare at the young Hyuga Heiress she asked hotly. "How in the hell did you do it, some kind of body wide chakra control secret clan training?"
"What?" Hinata asked timidly. Even Sakura cracked an eye to see what was happening.
"What!" The bright purplette exclaimed mockingly. "You know what I'm speaking of little miss jugs, those two big man-killers your packing. Use those things correctly and you could bring a whole squad of enemies to their knees; provided they were all into girls."
Hinata mortified covered herself unconsciously under the water; a fact that was pointless as the soapy suds blanketed everything from view regardless. Sakura gave a quick bark laugh and said. "Shut up Ami, those puppies are all na-chu-ral. Hinata was just born gifted with more than a beautiful deadly set of lavender peepers; she got the curves to match."
The mortified heiress sunk lower in the water until only her nose and eyes were showing. Anko and Kurenai glanced at the girls before going back to ignoring the world; doing their upmost best to block out adolescent stupidity.
"Oh come on!" The former academy bully exclaimed. "Those 'all na-chu-ral puppies' are proportionally bigger than Anko Sensei's, and she's full grown!"
The Snake Mistress reasoned that she wasn't going to relax anytime soon; she'd forgotten just how annoying young Kunoichi could be. Wondering if she and Kurenai had ever been that obnoxious the Jounin spoke while keeping her eyes closed. "Look Ami, not every person is born the same. Some like Hinata are born with the right curves, cheekbones, dainty figure, Shinobi genetics, and large reserves of chakra. Some like Sakura are born with a striking hair color, beautiful eyes, average reserves of chakra, amazing natural chakra control, and a large forehead to secure their incredible brains. Those born like you have big mouths and not enough sense as to know when they should keep them shut."
The three girls looked at Anko with deferent expressions. Ami was angry her Sensei spoke so highly of others while cutting her down, Sakura didn't know wither to be happy or angry by the woman's description of herself, and Hinata still refused to show anymore of her scarlet face except what which was needed to breath above the suds. The purple haired Jounin opened her brown eyes and smirked at the young blushing heiress. "I'm more curious how you kept your modesty living with so many boys sporting X-ray vision."
This was actually enough to make Hinata's blush stop as she became angry by the Snake Kunoichi's accusations. Annoyed, her head came back out of the water saying. "The Hyuga are not like that Anko Sensei; not one bit. We teach all that posses the Byakugan to respect the gift while using it only with dignity and grace. Besides, almost every bathhouse throughout the Land Of Fire has special warding seals that can blur the Hyuga's enhanced vision."
Taking deep breaths while calming down Hinata failed to notice the unusual looks her companions were giving off; not one had ever heard such steel in the indigo haired girl's voice. It was as she cooled off in the hot spring a thought crossed the heiress's mind she accidentally voiced out loud. "I wonder if those warding seals would work on Naruto-kun though?"
"What was that?" Kurenai asked sharply.
Looking up at her Sensei's voice, Hinata realized horrified she had spoken out loud. The girl just spoke of a secret her blonde heartthrob shared in confidence. Not knowing a way to take it back, also figuring the ability was one the team needed to know about for strategic reasons, the pale eyed girl explained in a way that wouldn't truly reveal his Yumegan. "Yesterday, before training, Naruto-kun sensed me approaching. When he focused on me with his sensory abilities, Naruto-kun actually saw me in his mind; like in perfect detail. He saw the decorations and coloring of the bento I was carrying and everything."
Anko nodded her head understandingly while trying not to laugh. "I see." Pausing to regain some composure the woman asked with laughter shining in her brown eyes. "So Hinata, let me get this straight; the handsome little blonde boy with gorgeous blue eyes and cute whisker marks on his cheeks, the one soaking next to use in the adjacent hot spring, has X-ray vision?"
Tapping her fingers nervously the heiress said. "Yes ma'am, I suppose so."
A truly terrifying grin plastered itself to Anko's face as she lend back with arms spread out on the edge behind her. "Well, I hope he's enjoying the show the five of us are providing."
This time it was Sakura and Ami's turn to sink up to their noses in suds. An enraged look crossed Hinata's face as she said scandalously. "How dare you Anko Sensei, Naruto-kun is not that horrid a person. He's a sweet boy that would never abuse an ability for such a-a-a … an indecent reason."
Finishing her indignant speech the young heiress turned away disgusted; eyes closed and lips turned up. Anko smiled happily at provoking such a reaction and said. "Well princess, there's something uncertain with half your statement describing Naruto's integrity; the 'boy' that comes after 'sweet'."
The indigo haired girl turned with fire in her eyes at the insult to her Naruto-kun. Words failed the young girl as Kurenai sat silently growing frustrated. Finally having enough of the Snake Mistress's teasing, the raven haired Jounin said sarcastically; eyes still closed. "Well then Anko, if you're that worried about the peep show why don't you stand and give my gawking student a real treat; this murky soapy water must be maddening to him."
The purplette Leaf Jounin turned to her oldest friend and stuck her tongue out childishly. Figuring she had taken the teasing far enough though the woman shrugged and turned away smiling. Kurenai sighed in relief and tried to relax once again, but her happy place was invaded once more by an angry Hinata asking a certain green eyed pinkette still submerged to the nose. "I'm surprised at you Sakura, I would expect such an over-the-top reaction from someone like Ami; but don't you have more faith in a fellow teammates honor?"
The young Haruno looked up at the heiress while poking her mouth just above the water saying defiantly. "Activate your Byakugan and tell me if Naruto is molding chakra to his…" Here the Kunoichi glanced at Ami's submerged face before continuing discreetly; also not wanting to reveal the Yumegan secret. ".. brain; if not I'll gladly come up some more."
It was as Hinata's scandalous facial expression turned to shocked blushing embarrassment that the pinkette realized what she had asked. Kurenai, feeling a headache coming and knowing that her precious relaxation time was at an end, said sarcastically. "Oh yes dear, go right ahead, activated your Byakugan and gander over at the boy's side of the bathhouse. Tell us all the interesting things you see; we're all dying to know who's biggest."
Realizing the horrible slip she made to late while seeing the indigo haired girl's face turning an even brighter shad of red, and not because of the hot water, the red eyed Jounin stood up disgusted. Coming to a mental understanding that her relaxing bath had reached its abrupt end, the woman glared down at the three Genin Kunoichi saying frustrated. "Get up and get dressed, we are going to get dinner."
All three young girls hurried to do as instructed. Each quickly grabbed their white bathrobes, Sakura and Ami doing so staying covered as best they could, while running for the locker room to change. The red eyed Jounin glared down at Anko, the professional Ninja currently rolling around under water while beating her fist against the stone bottom uproariously, and grabbed her purple hair. Yanking the protesting woman up by her odd colored locks, Kurenai said growling. "Please get the boys, we're going to dinner."
"Ow, ow, ow, ok, ok!" The Snake Mistress wined. "Get off, get off, get off!"
Giving Kurenai an angry look when she finally let go, the purplette throw her bathroom over her shoulders and walked up to the wooden wall separating the boy's side. She knocked loudly and yelled. "Hey maggots, we're going to dinner! Dry your butts off and meet out front on the double!"
Shooting the red eyed Kunoichi a defensive look Anko left with a sniff. The Genjutsu Mistress pinched her nose in an aggravated manner. She grabbed her own bathroom and fallowed dejectedly; she hated saying she was sorry. Walking into the changing room Kurenai saw that the three young Kunoichi had dressed and left quickly; only the Snake Mistress remained.
Walking to her own locker the red eyed Jounin said apologetically. "Anko, I'm sorry I treated you so harshly. I haven't been exposed to adolescent Shinobi in such a long time that I treated you poorly as a result. You're your own person and I should have respected that."
Begrudgingly Anko explained. "It's ok Kurenai-chan, I guess I did take my teasing a little to far with the kids anyway." Smirking evilly though she continued. "However, have you guessed exactly why little Naru-kun is acting so peculiar; I've not known him as long as you and your team but I am ample at reading body language, he's definitely acting strange by Hinata and Sakura's reactions."
Taking stock of the Snake Mistress's facial gleam, the one the purple haired Kunoichi reserved for when she truly had a person by the throat, Kurenai became concerned. A little shaky she asked. "W-w-what do you know?"
Giving the raven haired Kunoichi a smirk that would make the devil cry in shame, the purplette explained mischievously while getting closer and closer to her friend's face. "I've know you for a few years Kure-chun. I know one of the more … 'provocative' rituals you preform with Asuma every time one of you leaves on an extended mission outside the village. The one leaving goes to the other's apartment and says a 'very-long-and-passionate-goodbye' for the whole night before departing the next day. If little Naru-kun was feeling out with his inexperienced blooming chakra senses the night before we all left, then he would have felt a few irregular chakra spikes coming from Asuma's bedroom that concerned you. When he investigated with his Yumegan for a 'much-clearer-picture', the lucky guy would have saw two fascinating things connected with his beloved Sensei; a couple of bare frontal truths that a lot of Leaf Village Shinobi would love to peek at. Maybe not as big as a certain lavender eyed princess's proportionately but still impressionable in their own right. I can only imagine what that little hormonal driven teenager saw as he zeroed in on your chakra when he felt it so erratic; explains why he can't look at you without blushing."
The Snake Mistress observed the red eyed woman's truly embarrassed blushing face before smiling with a sadistic level of happiness. "Well anyway, let's go eat!"
Kurenai just shook her head at the whole situation. Of all the possible scenarios she envisioned when taking a Genin Squad this wasn't one of them. Truly if what Anko said did happen it was an accident on Naruto's part; the boy was overly modest at times. Still, the image of her own necked body appearing out of the smoke during the Teamwork Test wouldn't leave the woman's mind. The Jinchuriki did have somewhat of a perverted side to him even if it didn't always come out. Recalling Hiashi's words regarding the boy's father Minato Namikaze the Genjutsu Mistress decided to address this before it became a problem.
Exiting into the hallway she saw the kids standing next to Anko. The purplette gave her a happy smile while shooting Naruto a sideways glance. The blonde was looking stubbornly down at the floor as if he found his feet fascinating. The red eyed woman gave her friend a look that clearly said 'drop it' and lead the group towards the small dining area down the hall.
Walking up to a thin balding man standing behind a small desk the Jounin said politely. "A table for eight please."
"Yes ma'am right this way." The greeter said happily.
He lead them all the way to the back were a large table and chairs sat. Everyone took seats; Anko next to Kurenai with the Teams staying together. The waitress came over with a pitcher of water and glasses. The lovely brunette passed out dinner and drink menus to everyone then stood back waiting with a smile. The kids were confused by the drink menus they were offered and looked to their Sensei's expectantly.
Anko took the initiative and explained. "Technically, as you are all Shinobi certain underage laws no longer apply; like drinking. However, since we are on a mission to do so would be a bad idea. If you're that curious I'll take you all for shots when we get back home."
"No you won't!" Kurenai said while studying the menu. "I know how you get when you get drunk. The last thing your team or mine needs is that level of emotional scaring."
The purplette said playfully. "Hey, old enough to kill, old enough to drink, old enough to … "
"Anko!" Kurenai cut her off alarmed. There were, in the raven haired woman's mind, some things you didn't joke about; like inappropriate relationships. To many time a Jounin Instructor took advantage of their impressionable students' trust with psychological manipulations, the same ones they used against enemies, damaging the child for life; those particular educators rarely lived long though. Since the Law Of Shinobi Exemption pertained to all matters of life, their wasn't a legal recourse to use against the monsters that took advantage of their possession as Sensei; however, there remained plenty of Suicide Missions to go around. The Genjutsu Mistress didn't believe for one second that her friend would ever do such a thing herself, even while drunk, but that didn't mean she wouldn't accidentally take the teasing to far.
"So, are you all ready to order?" The waitress asked still smiling.
"We'll just take the giant platter of sashimi." Kurenai spoke for everyone. "Also miso soup and fried rice."
No one objected and the waitress left to inform the chief. Ami looked at Naruto suspiciously about to ask him if he was peaking, but was stopped by Anko. The moment the brighter purplette opened her mouth the Snake Mistress said coldly. "Ami, I know you're not about to discuss your allies abilities in public were everyone can overhear you; right?"
"But Sensei, you heard what Hinata said!" The rude girl exclaimed angrily.
"What did she say?" Hibachi asked curiously.
"I'll inform you later." Anko growled. "Didn't you idiots ever pay attention in Iruka's Class. You never discuss abilities and advantages in an area were it can be overheard. The bathhouse was fine since no one was with us but the dinning area has more ears."
The grumpy boy pouted but let it go. Last thing he wanted was to have a mud ball shoved in his mouth again for speaking out of turn. Naruto turned to Hinata questioningly, so the girl whispered in his ear what had been discussed. His blue eyes widened shocked as he looked around the table startled; though the moment his eyes met Kurenai the boy blushed and looked down quickly. Composing himself the blonde boy looked at Ami with a smirk saying. "Don't worry Ami, if I ever decide to peek at the girl's bath it won't be to look at you."
"What's that supposed to mean?" The girl asked offended.
"It means your ugly." Toru said bored. Looking at the his teammate curiously though he stated. "I don't know why you were all wondering if Naruto was peeking in on you. The whole time we soaked he kept his eyes closed meditating."
Though this was meant to levitate fears all it did was heighten them. Sakura gave Naruto an angry look but recoiled when Hinata gave her one back in the boy's defense. Luckily the food arrived soon so the subject was dropped. The dinner was delightful and everyone got their fell, but afterward Kurenai addressed the group.
"All of you go on and head back to the rooms." She said. "We'll be leaving first thing in the morning so get some sleep. However, Naruto hang back a moment, there's something we need to discuss."
The Genin all stood and left silently. Anko stayed behind to watch this particular conversation; the pore boy looked like he would love nothing better than to sink beneath the floor. Kurenai ordered a bottle of sake and three cups. The waitress brought it over and poured the liquor out; though she gave Naruto a funny look. Leaving the little ceramic container on the table she left with a polite bow.
Kurenai glanced at her only male student and said. "Go ahead and drink it. I know you're curious about what it taste like."
The blonde picked up the little cup and drank the whole thing down. The look on his face was priceless as Anko laughed out loud saying. "You sip it gaki."
The red eyed Jounin chuckled taking a sip of her own cup. Setting it down she turned to Naruto and said. "Alright, we need to clear the air. Last night, did you look in on me at some point with your ability."
Looking scared the boy tried to stall for time. "Should we be discussing this here!"
"I placed an areal Genjutsu that distorts our speech to anyone trying to lessen in." His Sensei explained. She then gave him a look that clearly said answer my question.
Sighing the blonde explained. "I didn't mean to do it. I was feeling out with my senses when I noticed your chakra was unusual. It appeared intertwined with another's; like you were fighting someone for dominance. I was worried something was wrong so I focused more and saw .. well I didn't see much because the blankets were covering you. I stopped looking the moment I realized what was really going on; and I'm really really sorry."
Anko was struggling not to break down laughing; fighting for dominance, just what the hell do those two do in bed. Eyes shining humorously the woman glanced over to her friend and finally gave in to a belly laugh at seeing her bright red face. The Genjutsu Mistress ignored the Kunoichi rolling around on the ground for the moment to address her student.
"Ok Naruto, I'll forgive you this once as I'm sure it was an accident; also because you thought I was in trouble." Getting her blush under control the woman continued with a steely look in her red eyes. "However, if your curiosity gets the better of you one day regarding me or any other woman, just remember the saying 'curiosity killed the cat'; in other words I'll ring your neck like a cat."
The young Jinchuriki gulped at the threat but nodded his head in understanding. Kurenai poured herself more sake after finishing her glass and offered Naruto another; which he declined with a scrunched up face. Anko finally managed to get up off the ground and said smiling. "Why don't you head on to bed squirt. Me and Kurenai will fallow after we finish the bottle."
The Genin stood up quickly to leave, but stopped looking uncertain about something. Finally coming to a decision the boy turned to the raven haired woman and said. "Um, Kurenai Sensei, when I was looking around the village with my Yumegan I also saw Sakura for a moment. Her chakra's usually smooth but it felt like a churning river for some reason. When I looked in to see what was wrong I noticed her parents fighting about something. I can't read lips but her mother was doing a lot of finger poking on her dad's chest."
The older woman sat silently thinking about the information. Looking to her student she explained. "Thank you for telling me this Naruto; however, you shouldn't spy on your teammates anymore. I'll do what I can to help Sakura with her parents. Now get to bed."
The boy bolted off quickly after that. Anko watched him leave then turned to Kurenai smiling. "Fighting for dominance?"
"Oh shut up." The raven haired woman said blushing. Looking in the directly of we're Naruto left the woman spoke out loud. "What to do about Sakura?"
The Snake Mistress downed her sake and said sadly. "Not much you can do really. Her mom has every right to worry and that's all there really is to it; not unless you place the woman under a Genjutsu that is."
"Don't be silly Anko." Kurenai said rolling her eyes. "Eventually it would fail and we'd be back were we started."
The purplette smirked at her friend's statement amused. The raven haired woman looked her companion over and asked. "Why do you give pore Ami so hard a time? Would it kill you to throw her a complement every now and again."
"She's alright." Anko said offhandedly. "If the gaki learned to shut her mouth and open her ears every once and a while, she could actually make a decent Kunoichi one day. Runt's actually decent with throwing weapons and poisons. However, I believe in negative reinforcement."
Kurenai rolled her eyes and said. "Come on, let's get some sleep." Both women stood and made for the dinning room entrance. The raven haired beauty shot her best friend a sideways look and warned. "My one male student is completely sane and innocent; those two truths better still be accurate in the morning."
The Snake Mistress gave no promises as her laughter rang throughout the hallway.
Author's Note:
(1)-Fun fact, brunette covers both people with black hair and brown hair. When someone says brunette I always think brown hair people though. How many people think black hair color should get its own official name. Also this is anime; purplette, pinkette, and bluenette are natural hair colors in the show but those technically aren't real words.