Daze
Chapter 26: Further into the breach
A/N: Here's 26 thanks as always for reading, it means a lot.
Naruto picked up the stone, tossing it haplessly into the pile.
He sighed.
"Sasuke did we really have to destroy the place, where will you stay now?"
Sasuke didn't respond grunting with exertion as he lifted a large foundation pillar and set it against a tree.
"Just help me clean Dobe, the Hokage was clear she wanted this dealt with."
Sasuke gave him a look which was immediately understood.
One thing that was universal to the boys was fear of the Slug queen's wrath.
Working as one they lifted the largest slab of stone flipping it over and setting it off to the side of the main road.
"What a mess, next time let's fight outside."
Naruto wiped a bead of sweat off his brow.
Sasuke nodded.
"Outside of the village might be ideal, Tsunade had me and Kakashi working for weeks to repair the training field."
Naruto's eyes lifted with interest.
"You got to fight with Kakashi-sensei?"
Sasuke beamed with pride.
"I nearly had him with my last move, next time for sure."
Naruto chuckled.
"I need to face him one of these days, I bet he'd be surprised at all my new jutsu."
Sasuke gave him a look which agreed.
"You've certainly grown Dobe, I never imagined you'd be like this."
Naruto grinned, rotating his shoulder with his opposing hand.
"Does that mean you're ready to concede that I'm the better ninja?"
Sasuke tcchd.
"Don't get cocky dobe I'm just saying you're strong."
A soft sound of footsteps drew their gaze away from the wreckage.
"Sakura-chan?"
The girl nodded.
"Kakashi-sensei told me to go ahead and check you two for injuries, he said something about grabbing an old friend of his."
The girl walked over tying her pink hair up in a spiky ponytail and lifted Naruto's shirt.
Placing her palms on his abdomen, and chest he blushed bright red at the sudden soft contact.
"W-woah."
Sakura maintained a focused gaze.
"Does it hurt when I do this?"
Naruto shook his head.
"N-no."
She nodded.
"How about here?"
She lifted her hands to his neck and shoulder and he winced at the contact as he felt a flare of sharp pain.
"Yeah, there's definitely some pain there."
Sakura's hand began to glow green and he felt a soothing chill travel through his body as the pain began to recede.
She wrapped her arms around him, feeling his back and he blushed as he felt her chest press against him in the sort of hug.
"Any pain here?"
He nodded.
"Yeah, my lower back was spiked pretty good on some stone."
She began healing his back and he moaned lightly at the relief as he could suddenly feel his spine and muscles soothed.
When the injury was healed she moved her hands kneeling down and placing a grasp on his leg.
"How about here?"
He shook his head.
She moved her hand to his other leg checking his ankles, tendons, and knee.
"Any here?"
"Nope I'm good, thanks Sakura-chan."
She gave him a soft smile turning to Sasuke.
"Come here let me check you."
Sasuke nodded quietly.
She looked him over noting his arm and shoulder also had been dislocated and bruised, other than that he was clear from injury.
Sakura let out a sigh of relief untying her hair.
"Phew I'm glad neither of you are seriously hurt, now then…"
They both felt a sudden cold chill as she cracked her knuckles beaming down at them with fearsome eyes.
"-What were you two idiots thinking, hmm?"
Faster than they could see they were both on their knees clasping their heads which had comical bumps on them and her fist was steaming.
"Do you have any idea just who has to deal with Tsunade when she's mad!"
Sakura looked down, paling remembering her teacher's wrath the night previous.
12 hours earlier
"So much… so much physical training."
Sakura panted heavily, falling to her knees battered and tired.
Shizune whispered softly from the bushes holding a fearful Tonton.
"Sakura move now."
"DODGEEE!"
Tsunade appeared in the air above her with a falling axe kick.
Sakura barely jumped out of the way but fell to her side watching the ground splinter beneath her.
"S-Shishou how much more of this?"
Tsunade looked down at her furrowing her brow.
"You need the training, if I overdo it, I'll just heal you, so stand up because we're not done."
Sakura groaned wearily, climbing to her feet and raising a weak guard.
Sakura gave the boy's a furious gaze.
Grabbing them both by their ears they winced as she locked their necks under her arms..
"Stop being idiots and consider how your actions affect those around you!"
Sakura dropped them as she heard two more footsteps approach.
"Sensei, Tenzo-san."
Sakura bowed to the men who were approaching.
Kakashi gave a lazy nod, and the brown haired man Tenzo smiled softly waving to Naruto.
"We've never met Naruto-kun, but I'm Tenzo, Kakashi was my sensei too in a way."
He offered the boy a hand which he shook eagerly.
Sasuke nodded in recognition at the familiar ANBU.
"Alright Tenzo, do your thing."
He sighed nodding to the grey haired man.
"You make it sound simple."
Tenzo formed an earth style seal and pillars of wood flew from his wrists, he touched the ground and the earth folded.
Trees rooted out pulling the stone floors and supports back into position, and then unfolded into a house the likes of which had been destroyed previously.
The man wiped a line of sweat from his brow.
"Anything else Taichou?"
Kakashi shook his head.
"Thanks Tenzo, I'll buy you lunch later."
The man looked down with a sweatdrop.
"You say that everytime."
Kakashi bowed and the man vanished in a swirl of leaves.
"Well team, we should probably go see the Hokage."
Naruto smiled with his eyes closed.
"This is so nostalgic."
Sakura nodded.
"It is, isn't it, Team 7 together again."
Kakashi eye-smiled at his students.
Sasuke for his part put his hands in his pockets and turned his head, but he couldn't conceal a slight smile.
They followed their sensei as he trailed towards the Hokage building.
They arrived at the Hokage estate around noon.
Tsunade sat behind the desk attempting to drink tea with a zen composure.
Kakashi knocked and the team entered the office.
Tsunade looked up at them and gave Naruto and Sasuke a biting look.
"You two are sorely pressing my good will, if it wasn't of such importance, I would suspend your mission and put you both on house arrest."
She gripped the desk splintering the wood.
"Don't let me hear so much as a peep with your names that isn't in a mission report, am I understood?"
The boys nodded nervously both bowing apologetically.
"Team Kakashi, resume your downtime, don't forget to prepare for your mission tomorrow."
She gestured for them to leave while Shizune poured her another glass of tea.
When the door closed behind them a note dropped between them in relief.
Kakashi gave the trio an apologetic look.
"Some important things came up, training will have to wait, just take the day for yourselves, I'll meet you at the gate first thing tomorrow."
His students nodded understanding.
The man hand waved, and flickered away.
Sakura apologized to her teammates wrapping Naruto in a neck hug and giving Sasuke a peck on the cheek which made him look away blushing very lightly.
"I have to visit the hospital to help Ino with some filing, I'll see you both tomorrow."
Naruto turned to Sasuke as their teammate left the building.
"Well, I'll see you around."
Sasuke nodded subtly.
"Yeah, I suppose."
The boy's shared a mutual nod of respect stepping out of the building and heading their separate ways.
Naruto chuckled to himself.
"It's all so surreal."
He made his way down the central street of the village smiling and waving to the people who passed him;
he was crossing a bridge towards the center of the village when his eye was caught.
A girl was sitting at the lower street of the village near the canal painting something.
He hopped down landing on the water and walked over to see what she was painting.
His eye noticed it was a landscape of the village, from the view of the canal you could see the park and two children played happily;
In the background the hokage faces were beaming in the sunlight.
"Woah, that's really great art."
The girl with purple hair blushed annoyed, setting her brush down and giving him a cool look.
"Don't you know it's rude to look at someone's art before it's finished, you'll give me bad luck."
He smiled apologetically.
"You're Oltier right, I'm Naruto from Team Kakashi."
She nodded matter-of-factly.
"I know who you are, Sakura-san has mentioned you in the past… Gaara-san too."
Naruto smiled.
"You know Gaara?"
She looked away pulling her sweater up over the bottom of her face.
Her inflection went flat and cold as if she was trying to leave her emotions behind her.
"Please, let me focus on my work."
Naruto bowed.
"Uh, right sorry, anyway good luck with your painting."
He turned to leave but felt an odd chill on his back, turning around he saw her still staring at him and her amber eyes were almost glowing, she suddenly gave him an odd feeling of unease.
Shaking it off he hopped back to the upper level of the village and headed for his apartment.
A short walk with his hands in his jacket and he arrived at the steps to his home.
To his surprise Tayuya sat there and grinned when she saw him.
"Hey Baka-kun."
He nodded.
"Hi."
She had a white towel folded around her neck and was dripping with sweat.
It seemed she had just come from a workout based on her clothes, grey sweats, and a black cloth sports bra/ training shirt that went just to her midriff.
He folded his hand out and pointed up to his door with his thumb.
"You want to come in?"
She nodded.
He stepped past her pulling the room key from his jacket and unlocking the door.
"Ladies first."
Tayuya scoffed.
"I'm no lady."
Naruto gave her a cheeky look.
"Could've fooled me."
Tayuya sighed stepping through the door.
"At least wait till we're inside to ogle me Baka."
Naruto went to chime back but she grabbed him by his shirt collar pulling him through the doorway and planting her lips into his.
The door slammed behind him but he barely noticed.
He relented happily allowing her tongue to enter his mouth and slide over his.
Running off limited knowledge from ghostwriting Icha Icha and natural male reflexes, he pulled her into him, wrapping his arm around her waist and placing his free hand on her cheek.
She jolted in surprise but relaxed almost instantly closing her eyes and submitting into his arms.
Not wanting to be outdone he looped his tongue around hers and rolled it;
placing a hand on her ass he gently squeezed, it flowed through his fingers too large to be contained by his hand alone.
Tayuya moaned, she gripped his shirt further falling back onto his couch and pulling him on top of her.
Grabbing his jacket and pulling it off of him she tossed it on the floor, running her hands up his shirt and feeling his strong chest.
Up close her aroma was irresistible, the smell of her subtle floral perfume mixed with the slight tinge of her sweaty body was like nectar to him.
Naruto felt his heart begin to race, testing the waters, he placed a hand on her toned stomach and she nodded into his shoulder pulling it up to feel her chest.
Her modest breasts were firm, and soft through her thin cloth training shirt.
And he relished the sensation squeezing them and pressing into them causing Tayuya to bite her lip.
"Mmm fuck, you can be rougher Baka-kun, I'm not delicate."
He nodded, placing his lips to her neck he began to suck her soft skin while his hands massaged her breasts through her shirt.
He became painfully aware of a hardening sensation in his pants, and Tayuya felt it press into her from outside their pants, quivering a bit.
"Well, well, I guess I was wrong after all."
Naruto blushed as she placed a palm on the newly formed pants tent.
Embarrassed lightly, Naruto decided to turn the tables on her using a trick he had learned from reading Jiraiya's work.
Biting her neck softly and gently pulling the skin up with his mouth he locked lips with her again;
He darted his chakra-infused tongue over hers while rolling down into her outside their pants.
As he expected she shook and her thighs began to close as she blushed bright red.
Smirking, he placed his hand on her workout pants which were now starting to moisten; he could see the lewd outline of her maidenhood in the tight grey sweats.
"I'm not the only one am I?"
She glared but her lips were pursed with pleasure as she shivered underneath him.
Tayuya breathed hot and heavy onto his neck but placed a firm hand against his chest.
"We need to stop."
He looked at her with a concerned gaze, his tunnel vision fading.
"Is something wrong, did I do something?"
She shook her head, her crimson locks falling frizzed and curled to her pale shoulders.
"No, that's the problem, If we keep going… I won't be able to stop myself."
He nodded in understanding climbing up off of her as she sat up, her chest rising and falling.
"God you're beautiful."
He blushed, staring at her blushing sweaty form.
She looked away from him.
"You're not bad yourself."
The both of them needed a moment to collect themselves overwhelmed with pulsing passion, their breaths were even.
"I realized I forgot to give you my address for our date, so I stopped by to drop it off."
Tayuya pulled a piece of paper from her pants pocket handing it to Naruto who took it with a nod.
She stood up blushing.
"I'm taking a pair of your pants, before I leave… because."
She blushed taking off her workout pants and he blushed seeing her green-striped panties, thighs dripping with glistening liquid.
Nodding he averted his eyes from the sight, so he could better control his impulses.
"G-go right ahead."
She left to his room grabbing and donning a pair of grey uniform pants.
Letting out a sigh she leaned over, kissing him on his lips and brushing his cheek.
"I have to go, Baka-kun, see you tonight."
She walked over to the door, leaning over to grab her sandals he took in the sight of her well endowed ass and felt himself begin to heat up again.
"Y-yeah, see ya Tayuya-chan."
She smiled brightly at him, realizing what she did, she blushed embarrassed scowling and turned to leave.
As soon as she did he rushed to the restroom, and ran a cold shower.
Earlier that day...
The shark man bowed excusing himself, and the boy smith nodded.
"Thank you for the update Kisame-san, I'll ensure Lord Jiraiya receives the message at once."
Taiza sighed, setting the hot blade into a wet well and entered his home, pulling a carrier pigeon from a cage by the window.
"Tamame-kun make sure this message reaches Lord Jiraiya, in the land of tea."
The large grey bird chirped as the boy placed the scroll on a holder on it's back.
As soon as he released it it flew off into the distance.
"Hopefully Karasu- no, Naruto-san can handle this."
Naruto let out a long drawn out sight, shivering slightly from the chill as he put on a pair of orange uniform pants, and a black t-shirt.
His long blonde hair was still wet and flattened down from the moisture.
He stepped out into his living room, walking over to the fridge he grabbed a bottle of water.
Popping the cap he let the cool refreshing liquid enter his throat.
"I guess I should eat a small lunch."
Stepping over to his cupboard he pulled a cup of instant ramen, peeling back the lid and filling it with lukewarm water from his sink.
Walking over to the opposite counter he put the cup in the microwave and set it to heat for a few minutes.
He zoned out for a moment still zen from the cool shower when the harsh ring of the microwave signalled his food was done.
Pulling it out careful not to burn himself, he grabbed a pair of reusable chopsticks from the silverware drawer and put them in the cup stirring the noodles.
Blowing on the hot broth he pulled some noodles to his mouth and took a bit of them into his mouth, savoring the flavor.
"It's been too long since I've had some good old instant ramen."
He sighed contentedly.
During his time with the Akatsuki his diet had mainly consisted of Cooked game, field rations, and the occasional restaurant when Itachi would take him into town undercover.
Brushing those thoughts aside as pain welled up in his chest he slurped up a large serving of noodles and sipped the broth.
With his lunch finished he tossed on a black blazer with trailing orange flames around the hem.
Stepping out of his apartment he locked it behind him.
"I have some time to kill, so I guess I'll take a stroll around the village."
He smiled lightly.
'Yeah that sounds nice.'
He folded his hand into the pocket of his jacket.
Stepping up the main street, he felt a strange look on his back.
Turning to face the culprit he saw a tall lanky black haired boy with long hair tied in a spiky ponytail.
"Shit, Shikamaru, is that you?"
The boy's eyes were deep in thought as he seemed confused.
"Naruto… I thought you were dead, unless… ah, troublesome."
He resumed a stoic look, nodding.
Naruto gave him a grin.
"Nice to see you too man."
Shikamaru nodded.
"I'm glad you're not dead, who knows?"
Naruto pondered it over.
"The other members of Team Kakashi, plus Ino, oh and Tayuya-chan."
Shikamaru shook his head, sighing.
"Ino didn't tell me, hmm."
Naruto chuckled.
"Knowing her she probably wanted it to be a surprise."
Shikamaru agreed, lazily placing a cigarette into his mouth.
"That's exactly the kind of troublesome thing she enjoys, well,"
The boy lit the cigarette with a flashy metal flip lighter.
"-I was on my way to visit Asuma, want to come with?"
Naruto nodded thankfully.
"I've got nowhere else to be, besides Asuma-sensei might get a kick out of seeing me."
Shikamaru nodded absently.
"Choji should be there too."
Following the Nara boy he noticed they were headed in the direction of the hospital.
"Is Asuma-sensei okay?"
Shikamaru nodded.
"He was hurt pretty bad, but the worst has passed, for a bit there we weren't sure if he was going to pull through."
When they arrived at the hospital Shikamaru tossed the cigarette into the dirt, stomping the butt out and kicking it behind a trash bin.
They stepped through the front door of the hospital and the reception girl lit up.
"Ah Shikamaru-kun, here to visit Asuma-san again."
He nodded pointing to the blonde boy beside him.
"He's my plus one today, Naruto Uzumaki."
The nurse nodded penning them both in and standing with a clipboard.
"He's at the end of the hall, we moved him from urgent care since his injuries aren't as severe."
Shikamaru bowed gratefully.
Gesturing for Naruto to follow the blonde boy obliged him and they entered through the sliding door to Asuma's room.
To Naruto's surprise the room was crowded with most of the rookies and a few sensei there to pay respects.
Asuma sat in bed scratching his goatee with one of his legs lifted in the air with a medical sling Naruto winced as he noticed it was a bandaged stump cut at the knee.
Kurenai sat at his left side holding his hand and smiling.
To his right Ino and Choji both sat sharing a story of some sort which had Asuma covering his face blushing.
The audience to this narration was Team 8, and Team 3 who were holding balloons, flowers, and cards for the man.
Asuma seeing Shikamaru arrive, his eyes lit up.
"Ah Shikamaru, I heard you saved my lighter?"
The boy nodded, lightly tossing the flip-lighter to the man who caught it gratefully.
"Now, can you save me from your gossiping teammates."
Shikamaru gave Ino a vexing look.
"Ino let sensei rest, we'll have plenty of time to embarrass him once he's back on his feet."
Ino pouted but sat back down folding her arms.
The other rookies all greeted Shikamaru with a series of handshakes and back pats.
Once they had finished praising the boy for his work on the last mission they took notice of the other figure in the room.
Kiba perked up.
"Oi, who's your friend Shikamaru?"
Before Shikamaru or Ino could say anything Hinata gasped, lifting her hands to her mouth.
"N-N- N-"
Kiba looked at her recoiling at her sudden shocked reaction.
"What Hinata-chan, do you know this guy?"
Lee and Gai both nodded humming in unison.
"Those muscles, it can only be-"
Lee smiled knowingly.
Gai pumped his fist eagerly.
"Yosh- it is Naruto-kun my great student you have beaten even death with your flaming youth!"
Naruto recoiled as the sensei suddenly placed his hands on both of his shoulders, his eyes glowing with twin flames as dramatic tears ran down his cheeks.
"Y-yeah, I'm back."
Kiba sniffed the air confused.
"Naruto, it smells like him but that can't be?"
Shino shook his head.
"My bugs are sure it's him, though it seems his chakra has changed somewhat."
Naruto suddenly jolted as he was pulled into a group hug by Gai and Lee, with Choji, and Hinata joining in.
"Hi guys, it's nice to see you all again."
He felt his shirt wet from tears and he blushed as he noticed his friends were actually overcome with emotion.
Asuma and Kurenai smiled paternally at him.
"It's nice to see you again kid."
"Thanks Asuma-sensei, I'm glad to hear you're okay."
Kurenai was the first to notice something and recoiled slightly.
"Naruto-kun is that a Sharingan in your eye?!"
Naruto nodded.
"It's a long story."
Choji and Kiba stepped back, staring at his glowing crimson eye in shock.
"Woah, it really is."
Rock Lee also seemed baffled at the notion recalling how Sasuke had copied his movements.
"Truly a genius eye, if Naruto-kun has it, he must have become quite powerful."
Asuma seemed curious.
"Your other eye, what about that one?
Naruto brushed his hair aside showing the white medical eyepatch he wore to limit his chakra drain.
"It's also a Sharingan, I can't deactivate it so I cover the eye to maintain chakra."
Hinata curious activated her Byakugan.
"N-Naruto, your other chakra, it's gone?"
Naruto nodded grimly.
"A lot has happened since I left."
Kiba chuckled.
"Now that I take a closer look you're definitely Naruto, that wild blond hair, those faint whisker marks."
Kiba clapped him on the shoulder.
"Nice to have you back man."
Naruto nodded, palming his hand.
"It's nice to be back."
Hinata who was still tearing up leaned into him.
"Naruto-kun…"
Naruto felt a pang of emotion brushing her hair reassuringly.
"It's okay Hinata, I'm okay."
She had an indecipherable look on her face.
"I'm so glad."
Seemingly aware of her situation she pulled back from his chest and blushed, shooting an apologetic look to Kiba, who seemed a tad jealous.
Naruto bowed to everyone in the room.
"Asuma-sensei I wish you a speedy recovery, forgive me but I have an important date to attend."
Naruto offered Shikamaru a hand who shook it nodding gratefully.
"Thanks for coming, Naruto."
Naruto smirked at the boy.
"No problem man, let's catch up sometime I'll treat you."
Naruto turned leaving the room, with a slightly urgent pace.
"I still can't believe it."
Hinata smiled.
"Neither can I."
Kiba subtly bit his lip.
Ino smirked, turning to Choji and Shikamaru.
"I'm gonna go date watching, you coming with?
Shikamaru shook his head.
"Not a chance in hell Ino."
Choji went to agree when Ino smirked.
"What if I foot the bill at Yakiniku Q this week?"
Choji's eyes lit up and he nodded enthusiastically.
"Sign me up."
Ino nodded.
"First, I gotta grab Tenten, let's hurry."
She grabbed Choji's arm pulling him along with her as she rushed out the door.
Naruto arrived back at his apartment and applied some light Cologne checking that his outfit was nice.
He was wearing blue dress pants, a green button up shirt, and a simple black blazer.
Combing his hair a bit, he smiled at his reflection though he was still a bit nervous.
"You've got this Naruto, you've fought an angry jinchuriki, you can handle a date."
He nodded to himself grabbing his frog wallet which was flush with cash and stepping out of his apartment for the second time that day.
He saw the dusk sky crackling with magnificent hues of light, as he made his way to the nicer section of the village where Tayuya lived.
Her flat was just above a music store and she told him to head around back to meet her.
He walked through the alley to a set of low metal steps with a bluish tinged door at the top.
Almost the instant he arrived the door cracked open and Tayuya stepped out.
He blushed as he saw her.
She wore an elegant green dress which was cut in the sides to reveal a generous amount of leg.
Her long red hair was freshly curled and tossed over her right shoulder draping her chest alluringly.
She wore a crimson blush as she stepped out her long black heeled sandals striking the steps with a nice click sound.
"H-hey."
Naruto smiled.
"You look amazing, Tayuya-chan."
She nodded.
"Thank you, so where are you taking me?"
He smiled offering her his hand which she took, he felt her soft small hand fold into his and blushed.
"I remember you mentioned your fondness for spicy foods, Well I know this nice Soba place near the Academy, that serves a delicious Koregusu Soba."
Tayuya nodded satisfied.
"Considerate and prepared, you might actually make this date Baka-kun."
Naruto smirked cockily.
"Well, I always aim to please."
She poked him on the nose giving him a foxy look.
"Don't push your luck stud."
Arms laced, they began to walk towards the restaurant letting some banter soundtrack their journey.
Unaware that they were being followed by two separate tails.
One was fairly obvious, as Ino and Tenten giggled, dragging an annoyed Neji and bored Choji behind them.
The other was as subtle as a ghost, a pale boy in grey clothes with a blank expression who watched Naruto from a distant Alley.
Drawing some mice with a calligraphy pen they jumped off the scroll and ran into the sewer carrying a message in the kanji on their backs.
'Soon my mission will end, Danzo-sama, will I see her again... Tobiko-imouto.'
X END X