A/N: Before you hit me with all the shite for being gone so long, understand this chapter is the longest installment of the story, capping out at 14.5k – before notes, just to be abundantly clear for certain people – words. So, enjoy that as we slow down the narrative just as tad-bit in this update, and if you really want an explanation as to what I'm willing to share with a mass of people I don't even know, it's at the bottom note just before the poll. You can also see me make another slew of shitty, half-assed jokes. Sounds fun, right? Anyway! Enjoy the long ass chap, and don't forget to leave me a review and recast some votes for those of you whose girl faced elimination in this round!
Oh, and the editing was pretty rough, so let me know if you spot anything and I'll fix it up and consider throwing your name in for an honorable mention. Maybe.
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The Wolf and the Fox
Chapter 27 – The Next Steps
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Onyx orbs narrowed lightly as Naruto pushed his way through the hanging cloth in the doorway of one of the many bars within the lower income districts of Konoha, trained on the feminine figure sitting at the bar in a nondescript black robe. His feet carrying him to the stool two down from her, the bartender taking notice of him and placing one of the larger bottles of sake in front of him before quickly going into the backroom that led to the small kitchen. This was one of the various establishments he had on his payroll, that received his clan's investment and backing, and acted as one of the many sets of eyes focused on gathering any interesting information for him within the village. They hadn't needed to tell him of this person's presence, but he was thankful for the proprietor's discretion in being able to read the room – quickly leaving and sending one of the few bouncers to stand guard at the front door. It was unnecessary, considering he had a shadow watching him today – one of his personal agents that answered to him and the Hokage alone. But, it was a welcome sight, given certain reports he had been receiving from Kusagakure concerning his recent investigation into their involvement in the attack on Konoha.
A problem he would be handling once things had calmed and the inauguration of their Godaime Hokage had taken place – the presence of the Daimyo in the village allowing them to speed along the process of what was to come and hammer out the finer details.
"I was beginning to believe you had lost your touch," an emotionless voice came from the other occupant of the bar, his eyes flicking to give her a side glance.
"You'll have to forgive me, I'm sure you and your organization have noticed the state of affairs here in Konoha," he responded, pausing to drink directly from the bottle – the alcohol did usually calm him in these sorts of meetings, keeping him from doing anything too rash. "I must say, I'm surprised they were smart enough to send someone who values discretion instead of the two fools you sent beforehand," he jibed, his eyes moving to look toward the shelved liquor that rested behind the bar, idly scanning the labels.
"The two previously tasked with watching the targets this village holds have been reassigned to gathering funds instead of reconnaissance given what happened the last time we sent them in your direction," she casually responded, the blonde not missing the note of satisfaction in her tone – even if at times it was hard to get any read on the person sitting near him. "Though, I must admit you have done quite well to make our benefactor nervous, something I greatly appreciate," she added, bringing one of those blonde brows of his to raise inquisitively.
"That's something you've yet to explain to me, why exactly are you so willing to help me, giving me information about the organization you apparently believe is the best option," Naruto spoke, this time turning his whole head to look at the woman, focusing for a moment on the blue framing bang that hung from beneath the hood she wore.
He was mildly surprised to see the ghost of a smile grace her lips, "I have lost some faith in the organization because of the one driving the leader I cherish and believe in down a path I am admittedly loathe to follow," she answered, surprising him given what he had learned of her during their previous meeting. Some would say she was blindly loyal, following the path of chaos towards a questionable peace – and they would be right in a sense. But, he saw something different, a woman so devoted to those she considered precious that she would cast aside her own principals to see their will carried out – in a sense something he would do for Mei or Mikoto, something they may very well do for him should he ask. "The reason I have chosen to help your ambitions, is because of the man you remind me of and the chance that you indeed could do something to correct the path of the one remaining person I cherish in this forsaken world," she added, golden orbs peeking from beneath her hood to meet his onyx orbs as her head moved towards him.
"Even knowing that I could simply turn on you and destroy that person, you and your so-called benefactor," he leveled, eyes hardening lightly, even as that ghost of a smirk on her lips grew slightly.
"You could do that, and there would be little I could do to stop you, especially given how nervous you have made those members that crossed your path not long ago," she answered easily, her calmness having the ability to unnerve men weaker than the one before her – but, she knew it only begged this specific man to dig deeper, piquing his interest in some way. "But, you would lose your only source within my organization and given what little I know of your plans, I don't think that is something you are willing to chance. Besides, I would like to believe I am not the only one who enjoys what our meetings coming to an end usually entails," this time, the smile on her lips was oddly playful, being enough to roll the blonde's orbs.
"You're willing to gamble on the fact that none of the information you give me is written, therefore cannot be recovered should I decide to betray you, and that I possibly enjoy the more carnal things you've decided to initiate the two times prior we've met? You do understand that I'm a man that has the odd blessing of sharing his life with multiple women, neither of which are miraculously in your special bracket of crazy," He deadpanned, earning some semblance of a nasally chuckle from the woman – maybe she was just breathing hard, amusement was not something he could easily relate to this woman.
"I suppose you could simply chalk it up to that, though I do have other reasons," she admitted, taking the first sip he had seen from the sake saucer before her.
"Care to enlighten me," he offered, an expectant look in his eyes.
"Perhaps there is some information that I may or may not be able to give you that would make your life easier, or there may be some relation between you and my leader that I have kept hidden from you. Relation that may be enough to encourage you to spare him should you eventually meet and the battle between you ends in your favor," she elaborated, not flinching in the slightest as his glare became dangerously scarlet. The woman had no qualms recognizing that the man before her could and would kill her given the opportunity, but she also saw that it could be something he would not relish in – unlike several of the men she worked with. She was even nearly comfortable enough to wager that he may not even want to kill her, unless of course she forced his hand. "I believe the files you recovered after killing Shimura Danzo may have something in them to confirm what I am saying, he did have his own play in creating what my organization has become as of late."
"You seem to not realize the type of man I am, then," he growled, causing a brow to raise beneath her hood, amber orbs once more finding those powerful scarlet of his.
"Care to enlighten me," she challenged, using the exact words he had against him.
"If what your saying is true, then you're under the impression that I wouldn't kill someone threatening my home just because of familial ties we may or may not share," he answered, the woman not missing that hint of conviction burning beneath the annoyance in his gaze. But, she watched it burn away surprisingly quick as she let out an honest laugh – quite possibly her first in years, and certainly the first he had ever heard from her.
"You don't need to make attempts to save face with me, Naruto, I know for a fact that you would stand with those you consider precious before your own village – even if you would like to say you see all life as precious – I can see it in your eyes, the value you place on those tied to you that transcends simple village ties," she said after calming down, admittedly enjoying the shocked look in his eyes. Even if it was short lived, replaced quickly with another of those glares he so often shot her when they met. "You may not share those bonds with the one I speak of, but I believe you can save him from his chosen path because you one day could."
Naruto sighed deeply as he allowed his glare to fade, once more turning his bottle back and taking a much healthier gulp of the drink. "So, you're doing this all for a shot in the dark, then what exactly do you have for me this time?"
The question caused a small smile to spread across her lips, "Nothing at the moment, but when we cross paths in Kawa no Kuni, I'll have the information you asked for concerning our targets in Kumogakure and I expect my usual payment," she said, earning another exaggerated roll of those onyx orbs.
"You want to tell me exactly how you know about my plans," he asked, that smile of hers becoming something resembling the one normal people would wear.
"Honestly, it was what you would call a shot in the dark, you're not the type of person to sit idly by after what transpired a few days ago. But, I will have some more information for you concerning the actual way I know of your plans, it should make your efforts a little easier – and provide a means of making our organization temporarily blind within Suna, as we are now blind within your own village for the time being," she answered, earning a short snort from the blonde before he took another healthy gulp.
"So, that four-eyed prick is the way Orochimaru has been avoiding you shits," he callously sighed after taking the bottle from his lips, earning another of those nasally chuckles from the woman.
"Your foresight is as perceptive as usual, though seeing our own spy master so frazzled does not bring me the same enjoyment as the unnerving you gave those three," she offered as she stood, moving to lift her robe and dispense payment for the service she had received prior to the blonde's arrival.
"I'll cover it, just expect me to be taking it back when next we meet," he waved his hand to stop her, not missing the reveal of the standard Akatsuki cloak she wore beneath her more basic one. Nor did he miss the certain level of hunger in those amber orbs following his statement.
"I expect nothing less, Uzumaki Naruto," and with that, she was gone in a swirl of paper, leaving the blonde to stare idly into the wall ahead of him. His hand moving to send orders to his little shadow to make sure she made it out of the village without causing any scenes, the figure within the shadowed corner of the room disappearing in his own shunshin.
"Is that all you needed, Uzumaki-sama," the bartender questioned as he walked out from the back, carrying a rack of freshly cleaned glasses.
"Operatives will be coming through here looking for orders, I want them in Ta no Kuni before nightfall tomorrow," he ordered, earning a short nod from the balding man – a retired member of the ANBU who acted as one of the many eyes focused within the village. There were three other bars and a weapons shop that acted in much the same capacity, but this was the main hub for a larger variety of his outgoing responsibilities. "Have Sai sent to me when he finishes escorting our guest out, I have a special mission he will be accompanying Itachi on," he added, another nod coming from the efficient man.
"It will be done, Uzumaki-sama," the man added, accepting the payment for the drinks that Naruto and the woman had.
"Stop calling me that Kenji, I'll be hearing enough of it in the damned Council meeting," he tiredly sighed, not missing the knowing grin that grew across the man's lips before he walked out of the establishment and into the rain that had been pouring across Konoha all morning mere moments before he flashed away.
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"When this happened yesterday and the day before, I must admit I was flattered, but for it to happen for the third day in a row before our third Council meeting in just as many days, I'm beginning to believe you're taking advantage of your knowledge of my daily rituals and reluctance to be early to such pointless wastes of time as these meetings have proved to be," Mikoto smiled with a knowing, coy smile splayed across her lips, cocking her hip in a seductive way that accentuated her assets. Enjoying the onyx orbs that hungrily drank in her mature figure, the lopsided smirk of hers growing as her paramour looked at her with that intoxicating lust – spawned from the appreciation the specimen of a man before her had for her. It became an alluring grin as she began to saunter her way towards him from the still running shower, uncaring of the water she was getting on her freshly cleaned tile floor because she was to busy watching his focus on her nude form strengthen with each step she took. "Are you not going to defend yourself," she almost purred as she placed her hand on the black shirt that did a poor job of hiding his muscular form, his eyes moving to the hand for a moment before meeting hers.
"I don't see the point in defending something if it's technically true," he answered, that wolfish grin taking his lips only moments before she did. His brow raising slightly as she stopped him from wrapping his arms around her lithe waist, understanding finding him as her fingers found the bottom trim of his shirt and began to lift it up – forcing them to break the kiss as he helped her take the article of clothing from his body, her height of five feet and four inches betraying her, if only slightly. A satisfied groan escaping him as he felt her soft lips tenderly kiss his pectoral, the fingers of one hand lacing into her wet ebony hair as the other took a handful of her firm buttocks, pulling her wet form flush against him. "Have I told you how beautiful you are," he huskily asked as his head sunk to take the crook of her neck with his lips.
"I can't say you have today, Naruto-kun," she lightly laughed before pushing of him, leaving him with a confused look on his face that only summoned forth that playful grin of hers. "Don't look at me like that, we're wasting hot water out here, get those pants off and join me," she baited, knowing the hook was set in his lip the moment she spun and began to sexily sashay her hips with clear purpose as she sauntered back into the running shower. "Unless you've gotten cold feet," she reeled the line she had him on expertly, a melodious giggle escaping her as she heard him frantically shedding his pants like a wild beast. Not stopping even as she felt his arms wrap around her body from behind, taking her breasts in his hand and beginning to massage them as he pressed something very hard against her lower back – the family jewels of the Uzumaki clan resting upon her derriere. "You're quite ravenous, Mei-chan not wake you up in the usual way today," she asked as he rolled her nipples between his index fingers and thumbs, bringing forth a heavenly moan from those delectable lips.
"Unfortunately, I had another meeting that took me from our bed before she woke, I'm sure I'll be hard pressed to make it up to her later. But, I'd much rather focus at the situation at hand, Sensei," he answered, gently rubbing his length against the skin of her lower back to add emphasis to his point.
"I believe you mean in hand, my cute little Gennin," she purred, adding her own emphasis as her hand reached behind her back and wrapped around his member, pumping it as she bit her lip – the grip on her generous mounds of flesh tightening in response. "Though, I believe our height difference has left us in quite the situation today," she pointed out, mentally cursing the damn near foot of height he had on her. But, she was taken by surprise as the world spun and then she no longer felt the tiled shower floor beneath her feet, blinking owlishly as she looked into those amused onyx orbs of his.
"I don't see the problem, Sensei," he teased, taking them through the stream of hot water pouring from the shower head so he could place her back against the wall beneath it – his hands still firmly grasping that firm rear of hers.
The Uchiha matriarch shot him a playfully pouty look, "wise ass," she muttered, bringing that wolfish grin back to his stupid – handsome – face.
"I believe astounding is a much more apt description of your ass, Sensei," he cheekily responded, the woman showing a surprising amount of willpower when the glare she shot him withstood even the teasing of his member rubbing against her wet, hungry entrance. The grip of her legs wrapped around his waist tightening, as she did her best to keep the annoyed look pinned on him.
"If you don't quit with the sass and fu – CK ME!" she screamed in pleasure as he unexpectedly slammed his length into her, beginning to piston into her as he silenced her moans with his lips. "N-Naughty boy," she panted as their lips broke away, Naruto not stopping his pumping movements for even a second as they allowed oxygen to fill their lungs.
"You love it," he panted back, making her laugh through the moans – her grip on him tightening as he bucked into her velvety passage, mercilessly pounding her into the tiles.
"I'm glad you know it," she laughed in a sultry way before reclaiming his lips, the bathroom filling with the sounds of their lovemaking.
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Katsumi hummed a melodious tune as she walked from her bedroom towards the showers, a smile on her face as her mind happily focused on the pleasant dreams she had the night before. Dreams filled with a roguishly handsome blonde that managed to consistently keep the upper hand over her, just as he had in their training session the previous night. A wistful sigh escaping her lips as a pink hue spread across her cheeks as the divergence between the factual happening and her perverse fantasies was made evidently clear – even if perverse is a strong word considering what she had recently read in those orange books Itachi kept hidden under his bed. Especially considering the blonde in fact did not – yet – have a seal to her quarters within the Uchiha compound, her sparring attire had not been ripped to shreds, the lack of said blonde still invading her most personal of spaces after falling asleep embedded in those hallowed grounds, and the missing Uchiha Matriarch left tied to a chair, forced to watch as the man took her virginity without shame. It had truly been a lackluster awakening to find all those things missing if she was being incredibly honest, even as she subconsciously wondered if she should stop reading those works of master piece while being so pent up.
The young woman effortlessly snorted at the notion, knowing full well that the dreams had started long before she had found Itachi's stash of porn and helped herself to it. If she would continue this notion of honesty, she could easily cut herself slack about these erotic dreams about the blonde considering her predicament prior to his arrival on Uzushio. What woman would have the self-control to not jump the first man – or woman, if that's what they preferred – the moment they saw them after several years of zero contact with the outside world? She should pat herself on the back for being able to remain sensible enough to not hop on that damnable blonde's dumb face the moment she spotted him.
The idea brought a deeper shameless tint to her cheeks, the scenario playing out in her head just as easily as a recounting of her dream had only moments prior. A mildly perverse grin taking her lips as her mind helpfully reminded her of the previous night's training session. The feeling of his large hand holding both her wrist above her head, her back against the forest's floor and something undeniably thick pressed against her thigh. She hadn't even cared about the kunai pressed against her throat, the notion of violently striking any man's weakest spot not crossing her mind in the slightest – even when the damnable bastard had the audacity to tease her about the blush that had taken her cheeks.
"I'm not a damn masochist," she grumbled with the same crimson blush that had taken her cheeks then, reminded of his tease along with that pleasant moment. It wounded her pride only slightly that she had yet to beat him in any of these training sessions, but she could not deny that she enjoyed the growing amount of moments just like that one. Plus, she was an Uchiha, there was not a chance that any man that couldn't beat her would actually catch her attention in the way that Naruto had. He was special, and from the moment she had traded blows with him on Uzushio she had been hooked.
He was –
Her mouth dried and heart hammered in her ears, umber orbs focused on the unfolding scene presented to her thanks to sliding the bathroom doors open. Katsumi couldn't take her eyes off them, the gagging sounds of her clan's matriarch combining with those of the grunting blonde to form a symphony of sensuality that perfectly matched the scene. She couldn't even begin to fathom the feelings of jealousy, hunger and want that fueled her as she took a silent step towards them, her eyes that dared not look away moving with the hastened rhythm of the unaware Adonis as he slammed his length into the back of the woman's throat. The transfixed young woman felt her racing heart jump as she saw his body shift towards her, not breaking his rhythm in the slightest as their eyes met, his analyzing hers as she could only stare at him with unfounded desire.
He smiled at her, and she was finally able to think, even if her body made sure it was only about the arousal coursing through her veins with every pump of her heart – matching the anticipation and desire she felt on almost a molecular level. "Enjoying the show, Kurohime," he grunted out, such a masculine, prideful, husky expelling of four simple words.
The shallow breath she had been taking hitched in her throat, her eyes bolting to the woman clamped around his pride as he violently thrusted forward and kept his member sheathed in her throat – Katsumi swearing she could see the bulbous outline of the head through her leader's skin – as she moaned, eyes rolling back into her head. Instinct told her what had just happened, the pleased grunts coming from the specimen of a man as he continued to look at her only confirming her suspicions. But, that understanding did not stop her mouth from watering as he exited the warm confines of the matriarch's throat, her eyes glued to the creamy substance that clung to the veiny muscle like some badge of honor. She had never felt anything like this primal urge building within her, almost commanding her to race toward him and savor his essence.
But, Katsumi was snapped from it all as the woman her jealousy had been directed at spoke, "Ohayo, Katsumi-chan," she spoke in such a sultry tone, deviously wiping the strand of white hanging from her chin only to suck it off her finger in a way that once more beckoned the young woman's attention.
"O-Ohayo, M-Mi-Mikoto-sama," she struggled to say, her eyes going to the woman's paramour with no small amount of hunger practically leaking from her eyes. She wanted to say so many things to him, some good with a potential of immediately involving her in something similar to what she had been allowed to watch, and others that would surely not be as pleasant. But, Katsumi just couldn't say anything that came to mind, hypnotized by that dominance of pride and hunger that was conveyed to her from his onyx orbs.
Mikoto released a giggle, one of those teasing ones that would usually have the young woman sputtering in a matter of seconds, as she stood from the tile floor – bringing the towel she had rested her knees on with her to wipe herself down. "It seems I've left you in quite the mess, Naruto-kun," she purred, not missing it when Katsumi's eyes snapped to her hand as it grasped the still full length of Naruto's shaft – rubbing what remained of his climax into the sensitive skin, both women enjoying the way it twitched unburdened by her grip. "Unfortunately, it would seem Katsumi-chan needs to use the shower so that she can begin her day, and I do need to get ready for that meeting of ours," she explained, faux hopelessness thrown into her tone. Naruto was not foolish enough to not know exactly where she was going with this, but from the look of hesitation Katsumi shot the playful minx, he wondered if it was too much too quick. "Perhaps, you would be willing to help each other out while I go and prepare for my day?"
Katsumi released a breath she didn't even know she was holding, her eyes trailing back to Naruto's as Mikoto wrapped the white towel around her lithe form. Neither of the two younger shinobi moving as she took a few steps to close the gap between them, only stopping as she stood shoulder to shoulder with the younger Uchiha.
"Enjoy your shower, Katsumi-chan, try not to make him too late for the Council meeting – he is already skating on thin ice with certain members," Mikoto casually informed before, without even waiting for any form of response from either, she walked from the tiled room and closed the door behind her. Neither needing to see her face to know she had thoroughly enjoyed the awkward situation.
Naruto coughed lightly into his hand, oddly enough feeling some level of embarrassment as it became just the two of them there, her eyes snapping to his length against her will as it twitched and jostled with the rough release of air. "You don't really have to do any of that," he offered, causing her umber orbs to snap back to his onyx in surprise. "I'm sorry you had to see that, too," he added with a new found bashfulness, and despite the odd situation Katsumi found herself giggling at his nervousness – finding it oddly endearing. Not many men would willing turn down the opportunity presented to the blonde, and even less – she imagined – would so readily apologize for something they had clearly enjoyed.
Some semblance of her confidence returning, feeling more in control of the situation with it just being the two of them, she took three steps forward – stopping just outside of his long reach, with a small smile on her lips. "I'm not," she simply admitted, meeting his gaze for only a moment before it fell to his still standing length – unsurprised by his endurance and stamina, she had been his prime sparring partner for a time now after all and knew he often went beyond the usual realms of imagination.
"E-Excuse me," he balked, doing a poor job of not appreciating the woman's body with his orbs – only hidden from his searching eyes by the thin violet robe she wore, the Uchiha crest only inches from the bottom hem.
"I would've preferred it had not been with Mikoto-sama involved, but I am not sorry I was allowed to see you like this," she clarified, and the coy little smile on her lips unknowingly forced the blonde's mouth to water in anticipation. "She was not wrong however, I do need to get ready for a day of missions and," she paused, taking a step towards him as his surprise kept him rooted to his position, even before he felt her soft hand press against his abdomen. Even more so when he felt it travel dangerously south, stopping where the tips of her fingers rested on the last rung of his abdominal muscles, mere centimeters keeping his member and her grasp apart. "I would not mind some company, so long as it is you," she whispered, eyes once more leaving his body to find the surprise present in those onyx orbs.
Faced with the perfect combination of sexy and nervous – a thrilling concoction that did nothing to help his confusion – Naruto could only dumbly nod, earning a light giggle from the woman that had at most four inches on the one he had just shared the shower with. The confusion and surprise that muddled his mind lifted partially as her touch left him, onyx orbs following her form as she strutted toward the shower. Part of him thankful that it seemed she was enjoying the effect she had on him, partly enjoying the less experienced way her hips swayed – lacking the experience of Mikoto or even Mei – and another, much smaller, part of him wondering if this wasn't the wrong call. But, that passing notion was immediately body slammed by the others as his eyes caught her hands unraveling the thin belt that kept her robe closed – time almost slowing as he watched it fall helplessly to the waiting floor. He had been painfully aware of his arousal before, but as his eyes trailed down her powerful form and drank in every defined muscle not hidden by the long curtain of spiky black hair – he realized how much stronger it had suddenly grown.
His racing mind abruptly stopping as she turned halfway toward him, giving him such a teasing glance of her B-cupped breasts, defined abdomen and those umber orbs with a very familiar playful air in them. "Are you just going to stare, or are you coming, Okami-kun," she taunted, challenging him with an impish glint in her eyes as they once more raked across his form.
Without much thought, his body seemed to move on its own and for the second time with just as many women, Naruto found himself stepping into the familiar showers of the Uchiha home. This time, however, he was much more hesitant – content with watching her as she channeled a modicum of chakra into the heating seal connected to the piping before turning the faucet. Entranced by the way the water fell down her, matting her mane of hair and pearling down the skin that seemed to be on the cusp of perfection. Mikoto was the definition of mature beauty, aged and refined like the finest bottle of sake Hi no Kuni had ever seen. Mei was the embodiment of a goddess of seduction, love and passion – and nothing could be said to waver his opinion on the matter. Katsumi, she could most certainly pass as the goddess of war and death, associated freely with a deadly beauty that paralleled that of the beauties he had already committed to sharing his life with. A beauty as capable of captivating man as it is of being their final sight in the fragile life theirs was.
A small chuckle from her broke his reverent gaze, dedicated to drinking in her form, allowing him to look up to find a pleased look on her face, coupled with a beautiful smile. "Are you just going to stand there," he barely heard her tease, too enthralled by the sight of her hair tamed and pushed back by the water that rushed down her form. His lack of response had her releasing another laugh, her grip on his wrist barely registering as she pulled him towards her, neither seemed to mind when his arousal was pressed between them. It only seemed to worsen his focus though, surprised by the pleasurable feeling her defined core being pressed against it gave him. His mind barely even registering the water that once more wet his body as she stared up into his eyes, only just barely able to register that her hand reached for the nearby bar of soap and began to rub it across his form.
He wasn't sure for how long he had just stood there and allowed her to explore his body, cleaning it as she pleased while he simply enjoyed the moment – doing his best to drink in every movement she made. Naruto couldn't deny his disappointment when she had pointedly avoided focusing for too long on a certain piece of his anatomy, simply handing him the soap with a teasing grin before wordlessly commanding him to get to work. Another few moments passing as he returned her favor to him, though he was not as coy about his purposeful attempts to please her – his hands lingering wherever his touch would elicit a reaction, cementing the knowledge to his memory as he cleaned her. "This is very enjoyable," she muttered with a small smile on her lips as he focused on her abdomen, teasing movements toward the perky globes of flesh on her chest.
"Perhaps we can do this again," he huskily breathed into her ear, enjoying the feeling of her soapy form on his skin coupled with the feeling of her soft black hair. She almost thoughtlessly pressed her body further back into his, taking care to rub her firm buttocks against his stiff scepter. Her breathing hitching as she was finally allowed to feel his large calloused hands grab her chest, massaging the sensitive globes with an expertise that escaped her inexperience with such situations.
"I'd love to," she moaned, raising onto the tips of her toes as her head bent back, doing her best to get a look at his face. But, a gasp broke from her lips when he took the chance given to him, his lips finding the crook of her neck and began to kiss the very shoulder he had massaged moments prior.
If it had not been more clear between them, the difference in their experience was further clarified as he turned her in his grasp and claimed her lips as his own. The kiss reminding him of the first he had shared with Mei – clumsy, filled with an oddly pleasant mix of lust and passion; though in that time he too had been a clumsy participant. But, when she broke away from him, panting to reclaim the oxygen he had stolen from her, umber orbs filled with lust momentarily replaced with a familiar almond that gave him another moment's pause. She didn't seem to notice, claiming his lips without a moments pause the second she had caught her breath and thankfully he allowed himself to bury the thought as his desire for her built – even more so when he felt her hips grind into his. A moan escaping into their passionate exchange when his hand quickly – loathe to prolong his desire for her any further – traveled the short distance south to rub and tease at her nether lips, his pride swelling as she moaned even more into their kiss. Katsumi's hips bucking with every motion his fingers took against her sensitive nub, eventually having to break the kiss as her body convulsed the moment he teased the entrance to her velvety passage. Face contorting in pleasure when she accidently impaled herself with the two digits rubbing her, instinct once more taking her as she began to use her own lips to attack his skin – basking in the pleasure his ministrations was bringing her.
"Please stop teasing me, I want you," she begged, earning some semblance of that roguish grin of his – the expression managing to only worsen her desire to have him. "B-But," she stopped him, earning a confused look from him – a byproduct of his sexually muddled mind. "Please be gentle, I have never –," she stopped herself, biting her lip as an uncharacteristic nervousness settled over her as she looked pleadingly into his eyes.
"You're a –," he silenced himself, seeing her nod in such an insecure way, that haze of desire and lust lifting enough for him to gather enough control over himself. "It's okay, Kurohime, we'll take it slow," he reassured her, gently placing a fallen strand of her wet hair behind her ear before lightly kissing her lips.
Katsumi allowed herself to shut her eyes as she melted into the kiss, feeling the difference from this one and those filled with a desperation from both parties to sate their needs. But, when he broke the kiss her mind quickly caught on to the change of scenery, the lack of water running down her form being the first thing she registered, quickly followed by the strong arm keeping her body pressed to his and the way her legs had wrapped around him to allow him to carry her. "What are you doing," she asked, looking at him with some level of uncertainty that caused him to give her a reassuring grin.
"Just trust me," he said, and before she knew it a familiar feeling presented to her by the much more strenuous passage of his Hiraishin filled her. But, she was allowed to ignore that uncomfortable feeling as confusion filled her when the familiar setting of her bedroom was revealed to her.
"When did you place a marker for your technique in my room," she asked, an accusatory tone directed his way as a light blush worked its way to her cheeks – bring a laugh from him that vibrated his chest in a pleasant way against her own.
"I didn't always share a bed with Mikoto-sensei when I visited, and this used to be the room I stayed in," he explained, but any response she had for that left her the moment he laid her across the bed. Her focus only being able to find his form as she was reminded of what was coming for them, umber orbs training on the one eyed dragon stiffly standing between her spread thighs. Without much knowledge of what to do, she abashedly held her arms out to him in an invitation, earning a slight chuckle from him as he gently eclipsed her form with his own. His lips once more teasing at the skin of her neck as one of his arms wrapped around her back, the other resting on her curvy hip before it began to idly move up and down her side in a massaging pattern. "I'm so used to seeing you confident and sure of yourself, it's a little exciting to be the one making you so nervous," he breathed against her neck, experimentally rubbing the length that rested against her most sacred of places in a way that elicited another moan from her.
"I thought I asked you to stop teasing me," she cutely growled, enjoying the weakness he brought out of her and hating it all in the same breath.
"It's your first time Kurohime, I don't want to hurt you, so some teasing is good to prepare you," he gently explained, her confusion building as his kisses began to travel south, only for it to all leave her in one fell swoop as his lips did something she hadn't thought of.
"F-fine, have i-it your way," she stammered through a string of moans, her actions betraying her words as her hand laced into his wet blonde hair, eyes drinking in the passionate look he was shooting her as he suckled her nipple. Tongue flicking at the nub as he sucked it into his mouth, the hand that had once been behind her back coming up to cup and tease the other globe of flesh. "K-Kami," she moaned out, hating how quickly she had flipped to allowing him to do as he pleased to please her. Her focus only being beckoned to watching him as he once more began to travel south, her cheeks reddening as a scene from one of those books she had stolen from Itachi flashed into her mind. Only for her to return to the realm of reality the moment his breath passed over her arousal, the heightened nerves transmitting a wave of inexplicable pleasure to course through her system mere second before that system was fried the moment his lips attacked her sex.
Ecstacy would later be the word she used to explain the feeling he was giving her in this moment, but with these feelings rushing through her at once all she could do was release moan after moan as she laced her hands into his hair, unknowingly doing everything she could to push his face further into her as her thighs tightened around his head. But, it all came to a building explosion the moment she locked eyes with him in her haze, seeing his focus entirely on her reaction being the final push on the coil that had built within her, forcing it to release with a scream of pleasure.
Naruto barely able to hold her legs apart, keeping them from clamping around his head and bursting it like a watermelon as she practically attempted to drown him with her first release. Managing to finally pull away from her with little more than no effort the moment her muscles stopped their spasms, a proud smirk coming to him as he witnessed the dazed, content look he had painted across her face. Her eyes watching his every movement as he licked his lips, enjoying the bittersweet taste of her. "You okay?"
Katsumi weakly glared at him for the question, but rolled her eyes as he chuckled at the reaction and once more knelt atop her, gently kissing her neck, then her chin and finally taking her lips. She didn't know how to take the fact that she was now tasting herself, but instead of thinking about that, she allowed herself to melt into him – arms lazily wrapping around his neck as their tongues danced. "Are you going to finally give me what I want," she tiredly questioned as she leaned away from the kiss, eyes glazed with desire even as he merely raised a brow at her.
"Not the reaction I'm used to getting when I do that," he chuckled lightly, only stopping as she rolled her hips up at him, legs coming to wrap around his waist as he groaned at the sensation of her wet sex rubbing his girth.
"I could get used to having you do that, all the time, but I've been dreaming about something else for far longer," she hungrily growled, not stopping the gyration of her hips as he moved his own to match her rhythm.
"I guess asking if you're sure again, would be a stupid idea?"
"I should've just jumped you the second I saw you on that damned island and got it over with," she retorted – again tiredly – taking his lips for a mere moment before she broke it, moaning as the head of his length teased her entrance.
"Relax, it's going to hurt at first and I won't move until you tell me to," he explained, gently pressing further into her walls as she clenched around him, gritting her teeth as pain racked her body.
"J-Just do it," she ordered, earning a small sigh from him before he did so with a grunt. Doing his best to ignore how tight she was and that desire of his to explore her passage with his member for the moment, his focus remaining on her as he tried his best to comfort her. This probably being the first time he had seen tears in her eyes, his lips moving to kiss them away, with his arms already occupied hugging her to his chest. "I'm okay," she lightly breathed, experimentally moving her hips in an agonizingly slow manner – eliciting a moan to escape him and making his forehead fall to hers as she made a much more heavenly noise.
Slowly, the two began to find their rhythm, following a tune only heard by them that quickly hastened as Katsumi felt more and more pleasure blossom from the exchange. Neither aware, of a smiling matriarch peeking through the doorway with a small proud smile on her face.
It had taken a lot for Mikoto to put aside her own desires to use the hour or so they had left before their meeting for her own pleasure, but seeing the beautiful exchange between the two now was somewhat worth it. She had every plan to make the blonde repay her for the lost time with him, and she would certainly milk it for everything it was worth the second his future first wife was returning to her duties – less competition for his time. But, the part of her that had seen the boy he used to be, the one she had watched grow into such a caring and loving man, was merely happy to see him like this.
It truly was an odd thing, their life and situation, but Mikoto decided as she stepped away from the door that she was beyond elated with it. Even as the thought of publicizing it came to her, Itachi's possible reaction being the only thing that held her back. The knowing smile on her lips was something that was a prelude to a plan, one she knew would cause Naruto not just any small amount of frustration. A frustration, she thought with a devilish lick of her lips, that would undoubtedly be the catalyst of a truly delicious punishment – or so she would be sure.
XXXXX
Naruto inhaled and exhaled a small plume of the bittersweet tobacco wrapped into his cigarette, dark orbs focused on the newly realized Godaime elect as the two seemed to be set in some sort of staring contest. It had only been a few moments since the end of the Council meeting, where their plans for the near future and the moves they had already put in play had been brought into the light. Many had understood and even outright supported the move, not liking the idea of simply letting things rest without any form of retaliation or reminder of what could happen should the fragile peace they had been aiming for be threatened. But, surprisingly to the blonde, Kakashi had managed to be his biggest critic – even if he knew it was only in an aspect of ensuring every step had been thoroughly planned out. Naruto personally not minding the challenge as it presented a means of displaying the plans in a way that ensured every representative of the larger clans understood their moves and the roles their clansmen and shinobi would play in it.
"I'm not arguing their ability, but are you sure you want to promote them so early?" The blonde questioned, earning a raised brow from the Hokage elect. The silver haired pervert probably curious as to why he chose to speak of that instead of their meeting.
Kakashi's look, however, relented as he released a tired sigh – reasoning that Naruto wasn't as annoyed by his form of questioning during the meeting as he had initially thought. He was honestly not used to having to care about the opinion of so many in regards to keeping the ship calm, even if the waters around them were unsettled at best. "I believe you have ensured their readiness, even going so far as to blackmail me into training them – which was unnecessary by the way –,"
"Debatable," Naruto interjected, earning a flat glare from the unwilling Godaime.
But, unsurprisingly he let it slide and dropped the argument, "regardless, based on their performance during the exams and the attacks, I would say they are ready – even if there is some work that will require the focus of an elite Jonin familiar with their work," he said in a leading way, and it was now Naruto's turn to give of a flat stare.
"I trap you in a corner with your only way out being to accept the Godaime position, and your only counter play is to add the full responsibility of three students on top of the mountain of things I already have to do? How unimaginative," he chided, shaking his head in a disapproving way, simply earning an eye smile from the scarecrow Kage.
"I prefer a slow burn approach to retribution, this will only be the start of my abuse of this new power you have forced upon me to return the favor," he said in a kind tone, earning a twitch of the blonde's brow in clear annoyance. "In fact, Team Seven should be arriving any moment to meet their fully fledged sensei and receive the good news of their progress," Kakashi added with as much as a jovial tone as he could with his natural drawl.
"You understand this admission of vengeance is a declaration of war, and I have far more experience at making the job of a Kage difficult than you have at making my life the living hell you are promising," Naruto partially joked, even if they both knew he was indeed skilled at giving Kage – wink, wink – a hard time. But, before Kakashi could even fathom a response that would fit properly along the lines of teasing his honorary little brother, three knocks sounded from the door of the office.
"Hokage-sama, the Gennin you asked for are here to see you," Shizune announced, poking her head in the now cracked doorway – Naruto raising a brow at the new kimono she was wearing. The similarly colored robe being much, much shorter than the one she would usually wear to hide the long legs masked by mesh legging that she possessed. It was without need of being explanation that his questioning look went from a happily smiling, newly instated Hokage's assistant to the openly staring perverse gaze of the Godaime elect staring unabashedly at those very legs.
"Allow them in," he said in his usual drawl, not even making an effort to look away from his assistant's poorly hidden skin. Naruto, ever the protective of nature, filed the information away for later and allowed his focus to move towards the four teenagers that strolled into the office. Taking note of the bandages that still littered the bodies of those he had personally trained and the annoyed look of a Nara that perfectly emulated the look his clan was well known for. "Haruno Sakura, Nara Shikamaru, Uchiha Sasuke and Uzumaki-Namikaze Menma, do you have any idea as to why I have called you here?" Kakashi asked, even Naruto raising a brow of interest at the serious tone the lazy Jonin – now Kage – was using.
"To tell us why you're impersonating a shinobi of responsibility," Sakura was the first to quip, earning a snort of amusement from Naruto. The terse look between the two boys of Team Seven lightening as they both smirked at the annoyed look Kakashi shot his female student, Shikamaru's bored look remaining through it all.
"I have taught you well, Pinky," Naruto sagely nodded, earning a small smile from the girl and the annoyed look of their Godaime elect – probably in some way asking him to not encourage her. "Unfortunately, or hilariously depending on how you look at it, Kaka-baka is indeed the next Hokage by the order of our comatose Sandaime and approved by Daimyo-sama," he revealed, earning three looks of uncertainty from their students while the Nara just rolled his eyes, wishing they would get to the point already – he had been enjoying the perfectly cloudy sky following a storm, and they rudely interrupted him.
"Sakura-chan, am I just missing the joke here, or?"
"I think he's serious," Sasuke offered, even if he maintained an incredulous look.
"They seriously approved a pervert like Kakashi-sensei for Hokage," Sakura added in, blinking her emerald orbs at Naruto as if waiting for his answer.
"Unfortunately," Kakashi sighed, palming his forehead after receiving the encouraging votes of confidence from his students, at least the council – aside from the Uchiha Matriarch – had not taken this avenue. "As such, and for a reason I will momentarily reveal, your tutelage will from this point forth, fall to Naruto." The reveal was met with shrugs from the three, not really impressed considering they all had people training them outside of their sensei turned Kage and their assistant sensei turned full sensei. "However, you three, nor you Shikamaru, will be continuing your training as Gennin," he revealed, earning wide eyed looks of surprise from all three of his now former students, and an exasperated sigh from the ever exuberant Nara. "From this moment fourth, you four will be recognized as Chunnin of Konohagakure no Sato for your exemplary performances during the exams themselves and the way each of you handled your missions during the attack that followed the first round of the finals."
"YATTA!" Kakashi had barely finished his sentence before the excited cry broke from Menma's lips, an unsure smile finding the crimson haired boy from the pink haired Kunoichi to his left. Sasuke remained wide-eyed, a look of shock mixed with confusion warping his face and Kakashi had no problems guessing what exactly his reservations are concerning this news – he found that to be good given the circumstance surrounding the youngest Uchiha heir. However, Shikamaru looked as if he had just been told the puppy he had just brought home yesterday had been stabbed thirty-two times in some freak accident, or really as if his world was ending – because let's be honest the latter description doesn't exactly fit his character of profound laziness.
"This is such a drag," he moaned for emphasis, earning a hidden smirk from the Hokage elect and the blonde sensei as Menma continued to animatedly celebrate the news.
"I'm sure it is," Kakashi relented after a moments viewing of the Uzumaki's reaction. "However, before I allow you to all acquire your new vests, understand that this decision can be reversed given you prove undeserving of your new promotions. You will be under observation by your sensei and any team leaders you work under for the next six months, I will be watching closely to see your progress," he warned, and the challenge seemed to be enough to break the look of uncertainty from two of Team Seven's members, all three now giving him a look of determination. Shikamaru masterfully keeping that disgruntled look about him as the Godaime elect tossed them each a scroll that contained their Chuunin vests and the certificate of promotion. "Congratulations you four," he eye smiled.
"Alright, alright, enough of that, Team Seven report to the training grounds for your evaluation; you have five minutes to get there," Naruto announced before vanishing via the use of his Hiraishin, leaving three owlishly blinking shinobi in his wake.
"Let's go!" Menma was the first to roar, rushing headlong towards the office's nearest window and jumping out – Kakashi thanking the Kami above that he used it as his own entrance and exit, meaning it was open. Sasuke and Sakura were quick on his heels, and it didn't take him much to understand that the noticeable shifts of wind outside the window signified his students use of the Shunshin to quickly follow their impromptu leader.
The quick exit leaving the Nara to blankly stare at the window before shifting his gaze towards Kakashi's own flat stare, the locked gaze only lasting for a few moments before the young man left with a tired grumble of, "troublesome," using the door like a civilized shinobi.
"Well, that was something," Kakashi lamented before turning his cyclopoid gaze towards the pile of paperwork on his desk, a glare trying to light the official documents aflame.
XXXXX
"Good, you all made it with some time to spare," Naruto smirked his dark orbs focused on his pink haired student, the last to land in the clearing by a few moments. "Well then, let's not dance around those looks of trepidation you're shooting me, out with it, what's on your mind?"
Menma and Sasuke shot each other carefully obvious side glances, whilst Sakura attempted a look of innocence. "Wh-What do you mean, Naruto-sensei?"
Her question was enough to make him chuckle, his arms raising to his chest as he folded them, "would you two like to start, or should I beat it out of you instead?" He offered, earning an even more apprehensive look from the boys who knew without a shadow of a doubt that he would indeed deliver on the threat should they not speak their minds.
"Why is my father after Menma," Sasuke asked, his side glances towards the younger Uzumaki hardening just enough that Naruto himself barely caught it.
"Is Sasuke-hime jealous that his absentee father is giving attention to someone other than him," Naruto blatantly taunted, earning the easiest glare he had ever gotten from an Uchiha – and that was a long list.
However, Menma was quick to stop him, a bracing hand finding the Uchiha's chest and stopping his preemptive charge. "They're after the Kyuubi, aren't they," he quickly cleared the air, a small glare aimed towards his elder brother for trying to divert the focus. "Why is Orochimaru after Sasuke then, and why do I get the feeling he won't be stopping even after how you beat him?"
Naruto's brow raising in mild interest was enough for Menma to understand his brother was impressed, if only slightly. "You two seem to be asking the right questions for once, and despite your little spat following Menma's battle with Gaara, you seem capable of putting your new differences aside long enough to get these answers you're so sure I have," he said, the look Menma had trained on him tightening.
"We know you play a bigger role in the village, it would be stupid if we hadn't noticed with how much time we've all spent around you," Sakura hesitantly threw in, in some ways showing her willingness to stand with her team even if she obviously didn't understand everything happening.
"So, you want me to bring you into the fold, only moments after you've been promoted to what is essentially a Gennin within my ranks? I hope you understand the challenge you are facing yourself with," he warned, his sharingan spinning to life to add that needed emphasis to convey he was not playing around any longer.
"You panicked when you sent me away from our training with your Hiraishin, something I haven't seen since I was little, and it's surrounding the burden we both share. Then, there's what's going on with Sasuke with that seal and how it affects his personality when it's active, I think we're long overdue some answers when it concerns all of us," Naruto smirked at his brother's reasoning, unfolding his arms and allowing them to fall to his sides – enough of a movement to put his students on guard.
"Do you feel the same Sakura, even considering none of this truly involves you beyond being their teammate," he asked, scarlet orbs training on his female student with an overwhelming strength behind them.
"I –," she paused, emerald orbs panning specifically to the crimson haired boy taking a defensive stance in front of her with Sasuke being the one to stand shoulder to shoulder with him – a place she so desperately wanted to occupy. "As long as it effects my team, then I'm going to be there, no matter the cost to myself," it would've been a lie to say he was surprised by the response, long since recognizing the writing on the walls, but he also couldn't deny that her conviction impressed him. He could see the myriad of emotions that had run through that look she had shot Menma, and he was no longer able to ignore his future wife's observation of his female student. It was clear as day, even without any acknowledgement from his brother, that the girl had somehow gained a devotion to him that was building to rival the one Mei and he shared for one another. The realization being enough to bring a small smirk to his face as he settled into his taijutsu stance, pleased when each of them took their own, brandishing the weapons they possessed.
"Very well, I won't insult you by telling you that you should come at me with the intent to kill me, because otherwise you will not be getting the information you want. What I am in charge of, what kept me from being your full-time sensei from the beginning, is something very well hidden amongst the leaves. You will have to prove your worth to me, and for your sake, I hope you understand I have no qualms about putting any of you right back in that hospital," he warned as they apprehensively tensed, only for their eyes to widen the moment he made the first move, charging in at a speed far too fast for them to follow.
He could only smirk when it was Menma who blocked his clawed swipe at Sakura with their mother's katana, not even taking the effort to block with the flat of the blade – forcing Naruto to place a sheen of solidified chakra over his palm, a testament to the control he had over his chakra. But, the younger brother wasn't prepared for the way the elder gripped down on the blade, acrobatically using the weapon as a leveraging point to deliver a kick to the side of the boy's head that sent him sailing into the nearby forest. His remaining students taking his airborne position as an opening, Sasuke coming in with a lightning wrapped stab of his ninjato. But, Naruto answered in a way that easily surprised both students, using the Kawarimi no Jutsu to replace himself with Sakura – an easy feat when you possessed more chakra than the target of the underhanded tactic. Sasuke's eyes widening along with Sakura's as he did all he could to stop his attack on the now falling kunoichi. Thankfully, Naruto took an odd level of mercy on them as a powerful push kick landed cleanly against Sasuke's ribs – launching him in the opposite direction of where Menma had flown – mere moments before the sword, now ripped from Sasuke's grasp by the force of the attack, pierced the kunoichi.
Naruto smirked as he looked at his handiwork, the look only falling slightly as his sharp ears picked up the sound of Sasuke's ninjato being gripped. The blonde only having a moment to flip over the blade as it sailed past him, thrown with the force of the technique Sakura had learned from Tsunade. An appreciative smirk on his face as he landed to see the pinkette gone from his vision, a single cherry blossom petal falling through the air. "I would advise against using genjutsu when faced with someone possessing the sharingan, Sakura," he offered in a teasing tone, mere moments before his hand snapped into the blank space beside him, a guttural noise escaping his target as his grip on her throat tightened and a torrent of the pink petals dissipated the blank space around him, revealing her. "I must give you some credit though, that is an impressive little trick for someone so new to genjutsu, but do remember there is no shame in a tactical retreat when the odds are not in your favor," he chided, earning a searing glare from those emerald orbs as the grip on his wrist tightened enough to surprise him – if only slightly.
"I-I won't run away," she choked out, his gaze hardening as he watched her attempt a heavily telegraphed strike at his forearm. He almost felt bad for how quickly he caught it, and then slammed her into the ground hard enough to leave an imprint of her lithe young body.
"Confidence is admirable, but overconfidence can get you killed in our world," he reprimanded her, only releasing her fist and keeping his hand on her throat as a red miasma of chakra built onto the had he took away from her. Emerald green orbs snapping shut in anticipation and fear until a resounding clap filled the clearing and she hesitantly opened her eyes to see the crimson visage of Menma under the effects of his four tailed chakra mode. His fist stopped by the hand Naruto had raised away from her, without the blonde even taking his scarlet gaze from her. Her eyes widening even further as the four crimson tails behind the usually crimson haired boy snapped forward in an attempt to impale his brother, only for even more surprise to take her as she watched three flat, armored tails extend from Naruto's lower back and stop every single tail in its tracks. "Your control has gotten better Menma, but you're letting your feelings for your teammate affect your decision making," Naruto chided, not even having the decency to hide his teasing grin when her eyes widened in shock.
"Urusai, Bakayaro!" Menma's distorted and deep voice roared, only for Naruto's tails to suddenly parry the crimson tails and trap the younger transformed Uzumaki, throwing him away with an ease that deeply belittled Menma's new strength. But, Sakura was not allowed any time to think as she screamed out when he tossed her right after her crush, being only mere seconds from colliding into his body when Sasuke appeared in a shunshin and caught her.
"Don't let him throw you towards Menma, his chakra can severely burn you when it's like this," he warned, as he quickly set her down and retook his stance, a snarling Menma joining him on all fours. As a testament to his warning, Sakura's eyes fell to the bandages that still wrapped his arms, and understanding as to what had happened between her two teammates began to find her. But, miraculously, she pushed the thoughts from her mind as she joined them, standing on Menma's left as she fell into her stance.
"Well," Naruto spoke in that same taunting tone, cracking his knuckles by only tightening his clenched fists and then popping his neck. "Now that we have our introductory exchange out of the way, how about we really get started," he smirked, two of the ninjato he had returned with from Uzushio appearing in his hands in a reverse grip.
"Don't let him get under your skin, we can do this," Menma snarled, surprising both his teammates when two of his tails moved to his wrist and came back up brandishing his Fuma shuriken, his ancestral weapons appearing in his clawed hands. "We attack as one, cover each other's openings, he's not even close to going all out and I know he won't," he said in that snarled tone, falling into the usual role of team leader he filled amongst their training sessions. Unfortunately, he missed the small smirk that was on Naruto's face – who had heard the short speech – as he charged his elder brother with the speed granted to him by his current form.
He was not surprised when the blonde blocked the mad charge with an apparent ease, but he did smirk when he jumped away from his brother with a flip, his now empty tails swiping at him in a way that forced the blonde to dodge or face the toxic chakra unarmed with his own. But, the smirk on his face grew when he landed halfway between his team and his brother, and saw the blonde in the exact spot he had wanted him, his twin fuma – that had been thrown in his charge – coming in for a projectile attack from both sides. Naruto saw it, and easily flipped out of the way, but was mildly impressed when he was forced to unleash one of the Fuuton jutsu he knew – Reppusho – to redirect his path when Sasuke suddenly jerked his arms back and the trajectory of the weapons shifted and headed right for him. Lightning wrapping around his blades as his foot touched down and with the use of his sharingan found the shimmer of the ninja wire in the air, and sliced it clean through. Only seconds separating that movement and the one in which he launched both of the lightning laced ninjato at his students, utilizing the same technique Sakura had to increase the force behind them.
Naruto could only smirk with a modicum of pride filling him when the sound of the ground exploding where Menma had stood reached his ears, and in the next moment the second stage from of his brother blocked the attack with their mother's weapons. The twin blades spinning in the air for a moment before Sasuke jumped into the fray, snatching from the air and charged forward with his own lightning now cloaking the blades. It spurred on a time in which Naruto nearly danced around a combined assault from the blades of the two newly promoted Chunnin, not feeling even the slightest amount of pressure to bring out his own weapons to actually defend or parry them. He wouldn't need to considering he could fight the swordsmen of Kiri unarmed, and as much as he liked to insult Zabuza – he wouldn't sink that low to insult his old friend.
However, surprise did finally find him when the ground at his feet cracked, and two clones of the Bijuu cloaked Menma emerged in an attempt to skewer him with the original – forcing him to springboard into the air, his hands already moving to form the single hand seal he needed for this particular jutsu. The four figures barely being able to react as suddenly, from thin air, two water dragons came to life and slammed down toward them – a true testament to the mastery Naruto possessed over his strongest element and one of the more difficult jutsu that would require a total of forty-plus hand seals from most. He was pleased to see the clones dispelled – in a flurry of wind, that mildly surprised him – and the two attacking members of Team Seven to be washed away. Landing in the water that now saturated the ground with his focus resting on currently the only member of the team not climbing back to their feet. "You've been watching for quite some time Sakura, reconsidering your previous notion?" He asked in that infuriatingly taunting tone of his.
His eyes narrowing when she didn't respond, only for his eyes to widen when the air around her shimmered and then as he snapped his head between where the two boys had landed, a smile lit his face to find them both gone. The shock and surprise fading entirely as he chuckled, allowing his mild amazement to build for the girl, "So, you're taking my words to heart then, Pinky," he noted, quickly understanding that she had used the commotion to guise her play. He had told her using genjutsu against him wouldn't work, but indeed, he had not told her that it was an unplayable card and she had used that to get her more direct teammates out of his sights – using her particular brand of genjutsu to mask their movement away from him at the end – playing on his other tidbit of advice. A wise move considering he had reached a point of willingness to use jutsu against them.
Unfortunately, she was just prolonging things and it would fall to him to make such things abundantly clear between them all – before he revealed the true purpose behind this test, he thought with a small smile.
XXXXX
Nearly an hour had passed, and his students had done everything in their power – pulling every trick or hair brained scheme they could think of – to try and stand against him. He could barely hide the pride he felt in them as he stood over all of their kneeled forms, watching them struggle to stand even now only moments after he had put them all down, again. It was a lesson Jiraiya had once been forced to teach him, not long after his own promotion from the base rank of shinobi – when his power already exceeded those of his own generation, with Itachi and Shisui – even slightly older – as his only foils. Naruto couldn't deny the fact that even now he still struggled with this lesson, even in a position where he was rarely outmatched by any single person he faced. But, because of this lesson he had learned when a situation required an unbending will and when it forced you to put aside your pride for the betterment of the future and those around you.
With that thought in his mind, he allowed his muscles to relax and folded his arms, eyes trained mostly on his brother – the main target of this exercise specifically. "You each have a strong will, something that is invaluable in this world of ours, but you each also have your faults that need work," he stopped, forced to catch a fist directed at his jaw by a haggard Menma, the look of determination in his violet orbs speaking volumes – yet saying nothing at all. "The first would be yours Otouto, something that could get you killed or captured by the group after what you possess," he growled, his scarlet orbs shifting into their final form as his presence – the chakra just beneath the surface threatened to overspill. "But, at the cost of my own pride, I must admit I am at fault for inspiring these notions within all of you. So, it is only fitting that I correct that here and now," he spoke, his voice contorting as the power within answered his call, and the air around them thickened as his presence climbed and climbed until the green hue of his chakra became visible to the naked eye.
The power had an immediate effect, buckling the shaky legs Menma had stood on, all determination fading from those eyes as his output climbed and climbed beyond anything he had ever released within the village. It only took a few moments of him releasing this power, for Sakura to fall out across the ground, unconsciousness welcoming her with open arms. Sasuke barely fairing any better as he could only stare in disbelief as the weight that now surrounded them beckoned him to observe it. Both of the young men feeling their awestruck looks deepen as a palpable pillar of green chakra shrouded the blonde, licking with flecks of crimson as ominously glowing scarlet orbs peered from within at them. They didn't even recognize the fear that had swallowed them, or even fathom that this release indeed took an effect on those within the village – unprepared for the indomitable assault against their psyche, only a handful of shinobi being able to withstand the effect that washed throughout the village. Only when the assault, as quickly as it had come, ended did they feel the tears streaming down their cheeks or the willingness to flee and leave everything behind truly register for them. "I did not set out to teach you make you earn the answers you seek or even show the clear differences between our strengths, I wanted you to understand not only overwhelming fear, but weakness as well. I need you both to understand that there will come times on this path you are so willing to traverse that this fear could spawn a weakness that could take you from our path. You must find the strength within that weakness that not only forces you to transcend it and achieve the true strength of a Shinobi, but to accept it as a part of who you are. Only then can you do what I and many others before me have done, putting aside your own life to face something unconquerable all for the purpose of those that will replace us in the future. It was not with strength alone that I faced an army and a fully realized Jinchuriki to see those I fought for escape, it was with the knowledge of my fear that I would have to pay the ultimate price to see someone I valued more than myself live on without me; a sacrifice our Tou-chan made without a single thought to his own future," he said, onyx orbs focusing solely on Menma for that moment. "I hated him for that sacrifice until I was in a similar situation, and in those moments I didn't think about myself as I fought something that should've killed me. I thought only of those I loved, my family, my friends, my village and the people whose rights had been taken from them by those monsters," he turned his back on them, eyes trailing towards the Hokage monument with a faraway look taking him. "I pray that you three will never face something like that, but I'm not foolish enough to believe I can stop it from happening – not anymore. So, if you are serious about following my path, then understand here and now I will not pull any punch I aim at you, I will break you and remold you to achieve your goals, and you may very well hate me at the end of it. I can accept all of those things, the question and what you'll be taking the next week off to think about is if you can accept these things."
With his words spoken, Naruto vanished by his usual means, leaving the shell shocked boys and the unconscious kunoichi to their own devices.
Menma didn't even blink as he shakily stood, his crimson hair overshadowing his eyes as he tightly clenched his fists to the point the cartilage within popped from the pressure. Sasuke's eyes attentively following him as he walked over to Sakura and knelt down to cradle her form into his arms, resting her head against his shoulder. Only when she was secure, was the Uchiha graced with the searing determination that narrowed those violet orbs. "Nii-chan is right, I-I had no idea he was that strong or that even dealt with all those things," he growled when his own voice betrayed him, allowing that stammer to fall through as a result of the fear still within them. "But, I'm not giving up, and before the week is up – we're going to handle our shit, and we're going to shove into his damned face, do you hear me, teme?!"
Sasuke felt his surprise peak, until the fear seemed to ebb away, allowing him to scoff at his best friend, "Hn, loud and clear, dobe." He answered, and the two shared a shaky grin, the lasting effect of that chakra Naruto had released not lost to them in even the slightest – no matter how much his absence lessened what permeated throughout the clearing.
The smirk fell from Menma's lips when he turned away from Sasuke, his own eyes now finding the Hokage monument – the face of the father he had never met specifically. Not lost in the thoughts and worries that swelled within him enough to miss the sound of Sasuke standing to his feet and using the Shunshin to leave, or the way Sakura's head nuzzled further into his neck. "I hope I can live up to both of you, Tou-chan, Nii-chan," he whispered before allowing those violet orbs to fall away from the visage of his father, and to the face of the girl within his arms that weakness Naruto spoke of openly presented in those pools. "I've got my own people that I need to be ready to stand up for, and I can't let a little fear stop me, not when they're on the line," he whispered, before following Sasuke's example and leaving in a very similar way – though his heading was taking him towards the Haruno household for the first time in a long time, intent on facing one of his fears here and now.
Unknown to the crimson haired boy, Jiraiya breathed a small sigh of relief from his place within the tree line, his eyes focused on the spot that both of his grandsons had stood in at different times. Having rushed here the moment he felt Naruto's control over his chakra lift, and the abundance of power assaulted the village around him with an unyielding force. Thankful that it was just the blonde taking a page from his own book, the Sannin had chosen to watch it all unfold and couldn't deny the feeling of pride that swelled within him. To know that someone had taken so fully to a lesson you taught them, to the point that they passed it along to the next generation readily, was elating to him. But, he couldn't fend off the worry that had swallowed him when that power had made itself known, fearing the worst before he had even given himself the chance to survey the situation. It was a testament to the power that was coming after his grandchildren, and with the worry gaining more ground, Jiraiya allowed his own plan to form and with a resolute sigh, the Sannin knew what he would need to do and soon.
XXXXX
Mei smiled as she leaned against the headboard of the bed that she would one day share with him, emerald green orbs trained on the mane of blonde hair resting her in lap, the same way he had since he appeared via his Hiraishin only an hour ago. He hadn't even spoken a word to her as he basically collapsed onto her and nuzzled into the warmth she emitted, wrapping those strong arms of his possessively around her. Leading to this moment of peace and relaxation they were finally allowed to share after three merciless days of unending responsibility. These were the moments she strived and lived for, even when considering the moments of carnal pleasure, they both so readily divulged themselves, nothing – not even the purest release – compared to the moments they could just exist in the same space. Her hands moving on their own through his golden spikes as her nails soothingly massaged his scalp, doing her best to relax him after a long day's work. Such a mundane thing that so many had willing taken for granted when it was all either of them yearned for given their situation. It was enough to silence the saddened thoughts that she would be leaving him again tomorrow, with no projected timeframe until she would be allowed the time to see him again; to simply enjoy his presence as she was now.
"Quit getting all mopey, I can sense the frown on your face without even looking at you," he spoke into her clothed skin, earning a small laugh from her as he nuzzled further into her warmth.
"Forgive me for not being excited to leave you in the morning," she spoke, and judging from his lack of reaction, he knew it was meant as a playful jibe – even if she knew it was hurting them both.
"All you have to do is say the word, channel the smallest fleck of chakra into the seal, and I'll be there," he assured, making a show of grabbing her butt – where the seal rested on her left cheek – with a firm grip that had her popping his head as she giggled at him.
"Is my butt the only thing you think of, you pervert," she accused, and smiled as he nuzzled his face further into her lap to the point she could feel the small smile on his lips.
"No, I think about these amazing legs a lot, too," he teased after turning his head so his voice wouldn't be muffled, earning another of those melodious giggles of hers as she lightly popped his back this time. "Honestly, I think about your eyes the most, especially the way they light up every time you see me – even after I've gone and risked my life for the thousandth time," he truthfully complimented, earning a light blush from her as the hand that once popped him settled onto his back, rubbing gentle circles into the fabric that hid his skin from her. "I love you, Mei and I couldn't even begin to put into words how much I appreciate every aspect of you, including your willingness to be with me even known you have to share me," he added, and her smile softened as she swept back those over hanging bangs of his, allowing her to see the onyx orb that strained to see her – even given the awkward position.
"I love you too, and you don't have to put it into words because I know, Baka," she lightly chided, earning a smile from him before he closed his eyes and returned his face to her thighs. The Godaime Mizukage returning to her ministrations of massaging his scalp with that smile returning to her lips.
Only for it to complete disappear as the blonde devilishly sunk his teeth into her skin, causing her to squeal and begin to swat at him repeatedly as she animatedly berated him. Naruto laughing boisterously as he easily defended the merciless assault until the woman mounted him and pinned his hands with their fingers laced together, a cute glare meeting his playful onyx orbs. "That wasn't nice," she lamented in a barely threatening tone, making him chuckle as that playful gaze became loving and appreciative.
"I don't know, I thought it was a pretty nice bite of something sweet," he joked, making her cute glare burn into him, only serving to make him balk with laughter.
"You're an ass," she growled, swatting his back once more, only serving to bolster the laughter coming from him.
"Baa-chan always told me you are what you eat," he cackled back without hesitation, earning an indignant roar of feminine fury that quickly resulted in him not only losing his comfortable pillow, but also found him staring up at the ceiling from the hardwood floor. The blonde was allowed no measure of recovery however, as Mei suddenly jumped him – harmlessly – swatting his chest repeatedly in a playful manner, every laugh that left him only earning him another pop from the beauty. Mei only finding any form of resistance from him a few moments in when he needed to catch his breath, his hand moving to quickly clasp around her wrists before he lifted his hip in an even quicker motion to take her off balance and then swap their positions. The small roguish grin that rested on his lips while he panted to regain his breath as she struggled to regain control only proving to worsen the blush that settled over her porcelain cheeks. Though, the tinting of her cheeks did nothing to lessen her fight for dominance, not like when he secured her wrist above her head, their lips only inches apart. "What do you say to us getting physical in another light, something we might both enjoy. I can make it worth your while, Mizu-hime," he tempted, her agape look settling into a small smirk as she scoffed at him.
"I suppose you may be able to convince me," she quickly folded, and not a moment later their lips melded together.
XXXXX
A/N: Yeah, yeah, yeah, no full lemony goodness, don't worry your pretty little heads – all good things come to those who remain patient. But, I suppose I did promise you lot a bit of an explanation, and a solemn promise that it would not be a Kakashi-styled explanation. Simply put, life has done a number on me lately.
First, my desktop – that I use to edit my chapters, and for the brunt of my writing – decided to crap out on me a few days after I uploaded Chapter 26; I shit you not, like four days later. So, thanks to the shipping situation presented to us here in the states, I had to take some time to get it fixed up enough to where I could salvage the documents and get them onto my laptop so I could finish up this chapter; and then, not only edit it, and finish preparing my outlines for the next couple chapters I have planned for this. (The Naruto x RWBY fic I was working on took a total nuke, don't know what happened to it, but it just gone and honestly after the recent seasons – my catching up to "cannon" events – I may have lost all passion for making such a fic. Sorry to those of you that messaged me all hyped about that. May still do it and just do a full rewrite of the entire RWBY-verse to make it something I would actually enjoy instead of the shit it has become recently.) Anyway, my hot-take on RWBY aside, the computer nonsense was just the beginning of my "Wonderful Break" from fanfiction. I'm not getting into that as my personal life regarding bat-shit women and their fascination with attempts at ruining my life is none of the internet's business. But, I will say my revenge – if you can call it that – was truly best served cold and man, oh man was it fhecking awesome; emphasis on the fhecking. But, again, that's too personal for the interwebs. Just know that my focus is coming back in full to the story, and I will be working on it from my laptop as I await the last couple replacement parts I need for my setup.
Another hot take, but you guys do realize that reviews are the irrefutable way to encourage writers to return, right? Not spamming their DMs with threats demanding my return and the next update at the stake of things I don't even own, from people I'll most likely never meet face to face? Crazy, right?
Though, that shit was hilarious and the laughs I got from it were very appreciated in these last couple of shite months. So, thank you, but maybe next time come with something better than death threats against a turtle I don't even own – or hamsters; seriously where the fuck do you guys come up with this shit?
Anyway! Enough of my tale of hoes and faulty circuits! Onward to the breakdown of this chapter's topics! Yes, Katsumi now is officially in the group – technically canonically – other things will happen to further legitimize this, don't worry. Yes, I avoided the more serious topics at hand to properly setup certain other things and to slow down the narrative, so to speak. They will not be ignored, and they will be spoken of and covered in full. But, as we talk about setup, can you tell me whose introduction was hinted towards in this chapter? Hint, hint, it isn't the stoic blue haired woman from the first scene that everyone should be able to recognize. Mikoto also had a tease of a sexual encounter with our hero, that's pretty great right? Naruto-sensei also beat the shit out of his students – full send, some plans will be ignored as we hit next update, forewarnings given – who doesn't love a good "Naruto chokes out Sakura scene, amiright? Or amiright?
*Cough*
Anyway, this was done as a process to make the younger generation's – Menma and Co. – role in my story a little clearer. You as the reader literally have more of an idea as to what Naruto is up to, what's happening in their world and what the true hero of our story could be planning than they do; and, despite some people not liking the Menma-centric scenes they will be a part of the story – and impact the development. So, full disclosure, take this update with a grain of salt and understand the story is not one set in stone, but ever evolving as we progress along this story together alongside these characters.
AND NOW! To the reason any of you actually read these notes, aside from my grade A comedy – that was a joke – the current poll standings! Oh, and do remember there has been an elimination!
Disclaimer: I don't entirely care if it upsets you, but I am sorry if your pick lost and will remind you to look forward to the One-shot their ranking in this poll has earned them. It is now up to you as their Fanboy(girl) to bug me enough into writing it and publishing it in a timely manner. Oh, and for legal reasons – since it is a disclaimer and what not – I don't own Naruto…. duh.
POLL:
NaruMabui – 38
NaruYugi – 36
NaruSamui – 25 (T-T) – ELIMINATED
Yes, sadly, Samui received the least support from the reviews this time around – you twenty-five can go ahead and recast or begin your war against my DMs demanding I write her one-shot (written in my AU of the Naruto-verse) posthaste. Also, to those of you joining the story late, please cast your votes on the most recent update so I can count them properly – thanks!
ANYWAY, that's enough of my ramblings, you people have a good one and I'll see you next time! REVIEW THE DAMN CHAPTER! K! BYYYYYYYYYE!
