Hey! Hope you guys enjoy.
Naruto and took their time, relaxing as they walked to the training ground and talking light heartedly.
When they did reach the training ground Naruto grinned at the sight that met them.
Kakashi was leaning against a tree, his eyes following his students.
Sasuke and Sai seemed to be working together to try and dodge Karin's chakra chains.
The red haired girl was slightly paler than usual, but she had a determined look on her face as her chains chased after Sai and Sasuke.
Then Kakashi shifted slightly and called out, "Karin-chan switch to defensive! Sasuke-kun, Sai-kun attack!" and Karin's chains withdrew and she slammed her hands into the ground even as Sasuke and Sai shifted paths and both rushed at her, Sasuke's eyes shifting as his hands flashed through signs and then he was breathing out a huge ball of fire
Before they reached her chains burst out of the ground, six of them all around Karin, curving up to form a dome around Karin that glowed, and Sasuke hit it moments after his fireball, which was useless, and he was thrown backwards and the kunai Sai threw bounced off of it.
There was a moment of stunned silence before the chains receded, even as they did Sasuke was on his feet and lunging past them as Karin toppled forward, catching her before she hit the ground.
"Woah! Woah careful Karin-chan."
"I did it!" Karin was beaming as she grabbed Sasuke's arms to steady herself, "I did it! I managed to control them really well."
"You did." Sasuke gave a small nod, a slight smirk playing across his lips, "You were pretty cool."
"I was super cool." Karin's smile was almost blinding as she looked at Sasuke, and Naruto raised an eyebrow, yanking Itachi behind a tree so that they wouldn't be seen.
"Now that's a new development." Naruto muttered softly, "Did you hear him."
"I heard him." Itachi nodded, "Karin-chan. Definitely new." there was a hint of amusement in his expression. "What do you think."
"I think there may be something there." Naruto smiled fondly, "They might be good together you know."
"She's certainly stubborn enough to put up with my foolish little brother."
"The lovers spats might be safer to watch from a distance though." Naruto giggled, peering around the tree again, seeing that Kakashi and Sai were making their way towards Sasuke and Karin. "Do you approve?"
"I think I do." Itachi nodded. "So shall we make our presence known."
"I think so." Naruto grabbed his hand and yanked him out from behind the tree, dragging him towards the others.
"Hey guys!"
"Naruto-chan." Sasuke smiled, "Itachi-niisan. What are you two doing here? Aren't you busy?"
"Yeah." Karin pulled away from Sasuke as they both stood up, swaying very slightly, she was pale and tired but she looked very happy. "I thought you had a meeting with Tsunade-sama."
"Yeah, yeah I did." Naruto tucked her hair behind her ear, as all four shinobi gave her curious looks. "It went pretty well so I was let out early." she couldn't suppress the smile playing across her lips, "She wanted to talk about how I'd handled the last week or so."
"I'd say you've done well. You've certainly been working hard enough and I've noticed how proud Neji and Hinata are of their new seals." Kakashi remarked lightly. "When's the big day for the removal, "A few weeks time it needs a lot of arranging and it'll take a while to do everyone. I'm going to be rushed off my feet."
"I'm sure you are." Kakashi laughed, "Honestly though, I'm proud of you brat."
"That mean you won't have time for training?" Karin pouted, "You told us you'd join us at some point."
"Well I dunno." Naruto hummed, "I'm not sure how fair it would be for me to join in with your training-"
"That's so not fair!" Karin laughed and Sai raised an eyebrow.
"I believe it is fair-we both witnessed her fight with Sasuke-san."
"Well then she could have another spar with Sasuke and we could watch, it'd be entertaining."
"What do you say?" Sasuke grinned, "You vs me again, could be fun."
"It could." Naruto tapped her lips thoughtfully, "But it seems unfair pitting a Chunin against a Jounin."
"It does." Itachi spoke up, his voice entirely serious, though a small smile played across his lips knowingly in a way that made Kakashi's eyes narrow.
"Oh come on." Sasuke groaned, "We both know I'm strong enough to be a Jounin."
"Do you think he is Itachi-san?"
"He may be right." Itachi nodded, "Yes, yes I think he is. If only there was something you could do about that."
"Hm... let me think." Naruto snapped her fingers, "Oh! I know, we can spar in two months time when you become a Jounin."
"I already told you," Sasuke rolled his eyes, "I'd become a Jounin when you become Hokage, Sakura-chan and I want you to make us Jounin."
It was Kakashi who realized first, his eye widening before the corners of his eyes crinkled in a way that Naruto knew meant he was smiling, and he was moving towards her, a proud gleam in his eye.
"So that was what Tsunade-sama's meeting the other day was about."
"Yep." Naruto nodded, a proud look on her face.
"Wait, what?" Sasuke's eyes narrowed, "Hold up what's going on?"
Sai was the next to catch on, blinking slowly before nodding, "Congratulations Nohara-san. I am sure you will make a good Rokudaime."
"Ahhh!" Karin was shrieking suddenly as she launched herself at Naruto, hugging her tightly as Sasuke's mouth dropped open.
"You're-it's official?"
"Two months time." Naruto was almost bouncing with excitement as she pulled herself from Karin's hug in time for Sasuke to reach her and hug her.
"Congrat's dumbass." he was giving one of his rare wide smiles. "Does anyone else know yet."
"I figured Karin-chan could help me find everyone so I came here right after going home to tell Itachi-san."
"Right." Karin got a serious look on her face, "Rin-san and Sakura-chan are at the hospital-"
"And Ero Sennin?"
"The hotsprings." Karin rolled her eyes, "Where else would he be?"
"Excellent." Naruto grinned, "Right so-"
"So." Karin interrupted, clapping her hands together, "We are so going to have a party. Sasuke-kun, you and I are going home, Kakashi-sensei, you get food, Sai-kun you get some decorations-""
"Wait what?" Naruto blinked, her eyes going wide."
"We're celebrating your promotion!" Karin grinned, "It's gonna be perfect!"
"I... okay?" it was almost a question and Sasuke snorted.
"Take my advice dumbass, let her do it, it's easier."
"Uh, okay."
"Send them back home as soon as you've told everyone." Karin ordered, her gaze focusing on Itachi, "You keep her busy for a couple of hours okay? I'll come and get you both when it's time."
"Do I get any say in this?" Naruto blinked rapidly, a startled look on her face.
"Of course not." Karin waved a hand dismissively, grinning as she did.
"I'll try and stop her from going over the top." Sasuke promised, wincing when she stomped on his foot in revenge.
"I will stab you Uchiha do not doubt me."
"I know you will." Sasuke pulled a face, "You've done it before."
Naruto let out a laugh at that, "Have you literally stabbed him before?"
"Should I be concerned?" Itachi raised an eyebrow, blinking slowly, "Sasuke-kun-"
"Don't say a word." Sasuke pulled a face, "I made the mistake of mocking her last year when she had an accident during training. I still have the scar."
"I still have the kunai." Karin gave an innocent smile, "And it's ready and waiting if you piss me off again-I might get a chain and wear it as a necklace. It's a fond memory."
"Huh." Naruto and Itachi exchanged disbelieving looks before Naruto shook her head dismissing those thoughts. "Anyway. So we should go find Ero Sennin first-he's the more likely to move on from his current location so we find him first then we go speak to mom and Sakura-chan."
"Good." Karin nodded, "See you in a few hours Naruto-chan, Itachi-san." Karin grabbed Sasuke's arm and started dragging off, and Naruto blinked slowly before glancing at Itachi who gave a small shrug, and then they bid Kakashi and Sai goodbye before heading off themselves, moving straight to the hotsprings.
When they arrived it didn't take long to find Jiraiya, crouched outside and peering in through a hole in the wall.
Naruto found herself smiling fondly and rolling her eyes as she made her way up to the man, kicking his foot lightly.
"Go away." his voice was muffled, "I'm researching."
"I find myself very glad of the fact that I haven't ever read your books." Itachi's voice was dry, and it surprised Jiraiya enough to make him lift his head.
"Uchiha?" he twisted to look, "Didn't expect to see you out. Ah, that explains it." he turned around fully, "Hey Naruto-chan."
"Hey Ero Sennin." Naruto grinned, rocking back on the heels of her feet, "You being a perv again."
"Super pervert. You know that brat."
"I do." Naruto laughed, a wide smile on her lips, "Surprised you didn't henge and go inside-"
"Eh, too many Kunoichi here." Jiraiya shook his head, "And Tsunade. Only a real idiot would risk it with Tsunade around."
"Well you might wanna make the most of it while you can." Naruto remarked lightly, "She'll be having more free time to relax in hotsprings and stuff soon, say, two months?"
"Damn it that-" Jiraiya paused, his eyes narrowing, "Wait, wait why would Tsunade-hime have that much free time?"
"Well, I mean she's retiring."
"She-" Jiraiya's eyes widened and then a wide smile spread across his lips, a proud look on his face, "That makes two Kages that I've trained!" he pulled her into a tight hug, "You'll do us all proud Naruto-chan I know you will."
"I'm gonna be Hokage." Naruto's voice was almost a squeal and Jiraiya laughed.
"That you are Rokudaime-sama. I hope you remember that I was your sensei, you still have to show me respect."
"Ero Sennin I'll never not respect you." she promised. "You're the best godfather ever."
"That I am." Jiraiya pulled back, "Who else knows?"
"Team Kakashi so far." Naruto smiled, "I'm gonna go and tell mom and Sakura-chan now."
"You may want to go to the Uzumaki compound." Itachi remarked calmly, "Karin-san appears to have decided to throw an impromptu party. I imagine she'll find some task for you to do."
"I wouldn't miss it for the world brat. I'll go and get assigned my task by your crazy cousin."
"You're the best Ero Sennin." Naruto kissed his cheek and grinned, "Now wish us luck, we have to go and tell mom and Sakura-chan."
"Good luck brat." Jiraiya ruffled her hair, "Your parents would be so proud of you right now kid. You know that right?"
"Yeah, yeah I do." Naruto nodded, "I really do."
"Now go and tell your mom."
"Got it." Naruto gave a little salute before grabbing Itachi's hand again, and together they rushed off to the hospital, bustling inside.
One of the medics spotted them and stopped, smiling widely, "Naruto-san. Uchiha-san. What are you two doing here?"
"I wanna see my mom and Sakura-chan if they aren't busy."
"Well I can go and see." the woman offered quickly, "You two just sit down over there and wait a minute and I'm sure they'll be willing to take five minutes to talk to you."
"Thank you." Itachi smiled as he drew Naruto over to the seats and they sat down. "How do you feel?" his voice was suddenly softer, his thumb rubbing absently over Naruto's knuckles.
"Excited." Naruto hesitated, "Slightly terrified, but excited and happy. Today's been like a whirlwind. It's a lot."
"Everyone is happy for you."
"I know." Naruto smiled, "And they're the best family anyone could ask for. Mom and Sakura-chan are going to be so happy."
"After we've told them we'll go somewhere quiet." Itachi offered, "You can catch your breath then, before this party Karin-chan is insisting on throwing."
"I'd like that." Naruto nodded, "Just to sorta catch my breath and breath."
