A/N: Hey readers! WYW here with another chapter!
@Duyade: My apologies, friend. Unfortunately, certain characters may not make any appearances in this story. Sakura wouldn't have a major part in this story because certain events will be altered. As I said before, I rewrote the entire curriculum of the Shinobi Academy. I reason that Sakura wouldn't have been able to complete the course because she is civilian born and lacked any true talent in the first place. Lee will have completed it because literally nobody trains harder than that guy. Tenten as well, since she's a badass kunoichi anyways. Love Tenten.
@10tailsJinchurikiNaruto Won't be doing Ino or Hinata. Considering Yugao but I already have a ship for Kurenai that I'm excited to write, which you'll start seeing more of next chapter.
A bit of a filler chapter here. Expanding on some character development and leading into another arc, trying to decide a name. Hmm, it's a multi centric arc though... I know that people hate Sasuke but that's Kishimoto's fault. I actually am finding myself liking Sasuke the more I write him. Gonna need to change that profile...
Also, I'm buffing Zabuza and changing up the ending of the Wave mission. I was writing out the conclusion and I know everyone will love it... or hate me... lol
Again, I cannot stress this enough, but please leave a comment and give me your thoughts. I love getting feedback from my readers, it makes me strive to keep you all gripped and improving my skills as a writer.
I love you all, Write Your Wrongs signing out! See you in the next installment!
••• Origins•••
Wave Arc
Chapter 4: The Bonds that Shape us
"I thank you all for gathering here today. I'm sure you all know why I have called you all together, of course."
The Godaime assembled all the jounin together in the Hokage's office. It had been 3 days since the Genin Exams took place. It was now time to announce who she had chosen to be teamed together.
"Now, would this year's jounin sensei please step forward?" The ones selected did as ordered. "Do any of you have any specific students you would like take?"
The raven haired goddess, Kurenai Yuhi, steps forward, along with the legendary Kakashi Hatake. "Who would you like to take, Kurenai?" Mikoto asks.
"I'd like to request Yakumo Kurama and Tayuya, Hokage-sama." she answers.
"Noted. And you, Kakashi?"
"I'd like to request Sasuke Uchiha, Satsuki Uchiha, and Naruto Namikaze." he answers. The collective jounin gasp and murmur amongst themselves.
"Hmm. Noted." Mikoto leans back in her seat. She strikes a surprisingly imposing figure. The Uchiha matriarch looks surprisingly at home in the Hokage robes. Many of the men find themselves suppressing a blush when in her presence. An undeniable rule is that they do not disrespect her. She has earned her position. While not considering her as Hokage before, the stories of her accomplishments in battle as a shinobi are legendary.
She announces her decision. "I have chosen this year's teams. Any questions or concerns will be addressed when I have finished. Understood?" The jounin nod.
"Good." She reads from the list she created. "Team 1 will be Naruto Namikaze, Satsuki Uchiha, and Tayuya. Their jounin sensei will be retired ANBU Captain Yugao Uzuki, who has been reinstated into the jounin forces."
The jounin voice their surprise while Kakashi is visibly shaken. He wanted to be the one to guide the family members of his fallen sensei and teammate. He clenches his fists and grits his teeth. When he is about to voice his opinion, a hand grasps his shoulder. He turns and sees that Kurenai is the one who stopped him. She shakes her head, advising him against what he is about to do. When he turns his attention to the Hokage, he sees that she is staring back at him with an icy gaze. A gaze that says 'Try me.'
Kakashi suppresses his thoughts and accepts what he can get. Continuing on, Mikoto goes through the next teams. "Team 2 will be Hinata Hyuga, Yakumo Kurama, and Shino Aburame. Their jounin sensei will be Kurenai Yuhi. Team 3 will be Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akamichi. Their jounin sensei will be Asuma Sarutobi. And team 4 will be Sasuke Uchiha, Kiba Inuzuka, and Sai. Their jounin sensei will be Kakashi Hatake. Any questions?" None speak up. "Dismissed. Kakashi, you stay behind."
As the jounin leave, Kurenai takes a worried glance back at the white haired jounin. Asuma notices this. "Hey." he says. Kurenai looks towards him. "He'll be alright. Come on, let's go grab some lunch and go pick up the brats afterwards." Kurenai hesitantly nods before following behind him. She spares one last glance to the one eyed jounin.
As the door closes behind them, Mikoto and Kakashi engage in a stare off. Several tense moments pass before Kakashi concedes, closing his eyes and turning away. Mikoto begins, "I know why you wanted those three in particular. And there are several reasons why I chose not to adhere to your request. Do you have any idea why, Jounin Kakashi?"
Kakashi flinches slightly at the tone in his leader's voice. He knew he wasn't speaking to Mikoto Uchiha. No, this was the Godaime Hokage, Mikoto the Firestorm. "I do not, Hokage-sama." Mikoto nods.
"It's because you won't handle them responsibly, Kakashi. You're lucky that I'm allowing you to take a team at all." she answers. Kakashi widens his visible eye.
"Hokage-sama, may I please ask you to clarify?" he requests.
Mikoto leans back in her chair. "You're eaten up by guilt, Kakashi. And that guilt will make you unpredictable. I put Satsuki, Naruto, and Tayuya together because I know they will work well. Yugao won't coddle them, not that they need any of that. They will work tirelessly, churning out missions and eating shit in the field. I know for a fact you won't do that, Kakashi. You'll try to make up for what mistakes you made in the past. I don't need that for my genin. I gave you Sasuke because he'll need you for when his Sharingan awakens. That doesn't mean I'm giving you permission to neglect training your other students. If I find out you are, I'll kick your ass myself and boot you back down to a chunin gate guard. Remember, they are yourteam, Kakashi. That means that you are responsible for them."
Kakashi hangs on to every word the Uchiha matriarch batters him with. It was scary, hearing the kind and lovely woman take this kind of tone. Even her ANBU guard shiver at the chilling tone in her voice. You could hear the combat experience oozing through her voice. Kakashi shivers at the slight killing intent she is subconsciously releasing. When she finishes her tirade, Kakashi turns to leave faster than he realized. But he is halted from his escape.
"And one more thing, Kakashi." he turns and looks back at his Hokage. "Take my advice, as someone who has also dealt with personal losses. You're handling it the wrong way. Do you think they would want to see you like this?" Kakashi's eye widens again.
"...no Hokage-sama." he replies.
"Mhm. And how do you think they would want you to handle losing them?" she continues.
"...To stay strong."
"Umm... yeah, you could say that. How would you have liked them to handle losing you, Kakashi?" she adds.
Kakashi is surprised. He didn't even think of that as a possibility. He hardens his gaze and steels his resolve. "...To keep moving forward. I would want them to fight harder knowing that even in depth, I am always by their side. That's exactly what Obito wanted when he gave me this eye... that's exactly what Rin said when I killed her." He closes his eye and sheds a tear for his fallen team. Opening it, the strength returns to his gaze. "She told me that this wasn't the end. That she and Obito will always be here, fighting at my side." He sighs. "I'm such a fool, Hokage-sama. What have I been doing all this time?"
He turns back to the Hokage. Her steely glare had been replaced by a soft, motherly smile. "Hurting, Kakashi. You were hurting." She turns and walks towards the window, observing the people she now leads. "This village has taken so much from you, child. Your father, a man I still greatly look up to, was ridiculed and driven to suicide. Your sensei, our greatest hero, sacrificed himself to save our beloved village. His wife, a woman who had become a surrogate mother to you, also died that very same night. Your teammates were killed, your friends in the Uchiha clan." The Hokage sighs, taking a breath for a moment. "Since you were a child, you have been plagued by losses, Kakashi. How you are still sane is a mystery."
She turns to him. "My advice is to live for the ones still here. Don't stay trapped in the past any longer, Kakashi. Impart this team with your knowledge and wisdom. It is the duty of the old generation to teach the young ones the lessons we learned from our own mistakes. Can you do that, Jounin Kakashi?"
He answers, his gaze unwavering. "Hai, Hokage-sama."
Mikoto nods. "Good. You are dismissed." As Kakashi leaves she releases a sigh. "I've got to stop lecturing so much..." She returns to her desk and stares at the piles of paperwork. She shrugs and creates 3 shadow clones to handle it.
Reaching into her desk, she pulls out a book. Shattered Moonlight by N. Kamikaze. It's a fascinating romance novel written by an aspiring young author. The main character is the reincarnation of the Sun. He was betrayed by the goddesses Amaterasu and Tsukuyomi, slaying him and sealing his lover inside the moon and plunging the world into darkness. He was reincarnated into the world of Takamagahara, where he battles through gods and legions of their armies to save his beloved and reunite with her once again, bringing the light back to the world of man.
•••
The next day, the Rookie 12 all gathered in the academy classroom this morning. Today was the day their shinobi lives officially begin. As such, Naruto decided to change his wardrobe. He is now dressed in a black long sleeve form fitting shirt to show off his physique, the standard genin vest, black ANBU style pants, and a white sleeveless high collar haori with the kanji for 'Tensei' on his back outlined by a jade colored lotus. He wears black shinobi sandals and black fingerless gloves with the Konoha headband used for a belt. He can honestly say that the women certainly approve of his new look.
Tayuya and Satsuki sit on either side of him, as per usual. The two girls are actually conversing like they didn't try to kill each other 4 days ago. Naruto wonders if a rivalry like theirs is actually healthy.
Moments later, Iruka walks in and the class goes silent. "Alright class, congratulations on making it to genin. Now, I won't be subtle. Some of you will die, some of you will suffer, some of you may never see each other again. That is the life all shinobi lead. But never forget, the Will of Fire burns brightly within all of you. Each battle makes us stronger, each loss brings us closer, and each one of you represents the Leaf and I am proud to no longer call you my students. From this day forward, you all are my comrades. You all are Genin of Konohagakure no Sato. Welcome to the Shinobi Force."
After a brief applause, Iruka picks up his clipboard. "Now, I will announce your team placements as decided by our Hokage. Team 1 will be Naruto Namikaze, Satsuki Uchiha, and Tayuya. Your jounin sensei will be Yugao Uzuki. Team 2 will be Hinata Hyuga, Yakumo Kurama, and Shino Aburame. Your jounin sensei will be Kurenai Yuhi. Team 3 will be Ino Yamanaka, Shikamaru Nara, and Choji Akamichi. Your jounin sensei will be Asuma Sarutobi. And Team 4 will be Sasuke Uchiha, Kiba Inuzuka, and Sai. Your jounin sensei will be Kakashi Hatake." Iruka lowers his clipboard and looks at the newly minted Genin. "It was an honor being your instructor for the past 6 years. I look forward to hearing stories of your accomplishments later on. Good luck, Genin of Konoha."
The class responds. "Thank you, Iruka-sensei!" The scarred jounin smiles and gives the class a nod before leaving the room. The genin talk amongst themselves for now.
"I'm really happy I'm teamed with you and Yuya-chan, Naru-kun." Satsuki says with a smile.
"Me too. I'm happy i got paired up with you two instead of your dickhead brother, Pinkeye." Tayuya says. Beneath the desk, Naruto takes Satsuki's hand and places his other hand on Tayuya's thigh. He smiles at both girls. Satsuki smiles back while Tayuya gives him a foxy grin.
Satsuki then speaks up. "I don't know. Sasuke has been acting weird lately."
Naruto raises an eyebrow. "Weird how, Suki-chan?" Tayuya is curious as well.
Satsuki frowns. "He's... been asking me and my mom for help. He's also... been actually talking to us. And SMILING!" This causes their eyes to widen. Satsuki whispered that last part sharply to emphasize it. The surprise is evident on their faces. They turn to look back at Sasuke, who's sitting next to Kiba, talking and laughing.
"Kami..." Naruto whispers. "He looks... normal..." The two girls nod in agreement.
Satsuki continues. "And get this... he says Kiba is his FRIEND!" Naruto and Tayuya gasp.
"No way..." Naruto says.
"Bullshit..." Tayuya adds.
Satsuki nods. "He went over to his house the day before yesterday and had dinner with them." Naruto's eyes grow to the size of saucers.
He gathers himself. "But... what caused this change in him?" he asks.
Satsuki answers, "He said it's because Kiba and himself have a lot in common. They talked and became friends. That's all he said."
Naruto and Tayuya shrug and continue talking with Satsuki. Naruto goes on to tell them how Anko ambushed him the day after the exams.
Tayuya laughs. "How did she sneak up on you, huh? Aren't you a sensor?"
Naruto throws up his hands. "I don't know! That's what confused me!"
The two girls laugh. "So what happened after that, huh?"
He sighs. "She was pissed I didn't win the exams and that she lost money. She... wanted compensation."
Tayuya raises an eyebrow. "What kind of compensation?"
Naruto blushes. Satsuki and Tayuya sigh. "That kind of compensation, huh?" Tayuya states rather than asks.
Satsuki speaks up. "Why do you let her do that, Naru-kun? You must enjoy it, don't you?"
Naruto blushes again and replies, "I won't deny that I find Anko-chan incredibly sexy but I also feel something with her. It isn't just a good fuck for me, I can get that from almost any girl in the village if I wanted it."
Tayuya and Satsuki nod. "Mhm, true. Go ahead."
Naruto sighs. "She's... hurting inside. I don't like that. Whether she opens up to me or not is her choice. But when we're together, she lets go of it, if only for a little while. So I'm happy just to be her release."
Tayuya and Satsuki frown slightly. "You don't... feel like she's using you?" Satsuki asks.
Naruto shakes his head. "She isn't that kind of person. Anko-chan is straightforward and direct, a lot like Tayu-chan. Sure, she may be using me without even realizing it, but it isn't malicious. She just knows what she wants and I respect that."
This causes Tayuya and Satsuki to smile. Naruto has always been like this. Whenever someone comes to him in pain, he helps them. Even when they don't ask for it. The girls lean in and kiss him on their respective cheek, causing Naruto to blush. He looks at them dumbfounded. They both giggle.
"It's just a reward, Naru-kun." Satsuki says.
Naruto simply blinks. "For what?" he asks stupidly.
Tayuya squeezes his hand. "For being you, Naruto-kun."
Naruto looks at Tayuya, not bothering to hide his surprise. She rarely calls him his name. She only does so when she shows her softer side. Naruto sees the gentle smile on her face, the way her hair is leaning to one side, her bangs revealing the full shape of her face. Naruto can only describe it in one word. A word he accidentally mutters aloud.
"Beautiful..."
Tayuya blushes. She fights the urge to punch him and run away. She wants to confront the feelings she has for him. "Y-y-you... r-really think so?" she manages to say.
Naruto, realizing he said that aloud, recovers. He nods. "I do. I always have. You and Satsuki are the two most beautiful girls I know. I love everything about the both of you."
The girls both blush brightly. Their hearts flutter and they resist the urge to hide their heads in embarrassment. Instead they both lean their heads on his shoulders.
"We both love you too, Naru-kun." Satsuki replies.
"Damn straight, we do." Tayuya adds.
Naruto smiles in content and wraps his arms around the girls, pulling the two loves of his life close to him. He sighs and closes his eyes for a moment, basking in the feeling of peace in his heart.
•••
The jounin gathered again in the Hokage's office to observe the interactions between the fresh genin on the Hokage's crystal ball. As they observe Naruto's conversation with the girls, they turn their attention to Anko. She had been blushing earlier from Naruto's fond words. Her heart had began beating rapidly and her breath hitched, something her friends Yugao, Kurenai, and Hana had noticed. Hana takes the moment to mess with her.
"So, you got a thing for the Namikaze kid, huh? Not a bad choice..." she teases. Anko blushes even harder.
Yugao chimes in. "I had no idea you were so smitten with my student, An-chan! When did this happen, hmm?"
The attention was all on her. The exit was blocked so she couldn't make a run for it. She gives up and answers. "...last year." she says quietly. Kurenai gasps.
"An-chan, he was only 13!" Anko shakes her head.
"...he had turned 14 the week before. I... had a lot of stress built up from the constant missions and torture. I caught the guy training in the Forest of Death and decided to tease him." she explains.
Hana nods. "Ok, go on." she says.
Anko shrugs. "I mean, what can I say? One thing led to another, that's it. Now, whenever I feel like I need a good fuck, I see him. Guy's got amazing stamina and a big dick. I'm kinda addicted to him, if I gotta be honest. I see him at least once a week..." She blushes even more, realizing what she's saying.
Kurenai gasps, Hana goes wide eyed, and Jiraiya giggles perversely, scribbling in his book before Tsunade whacks him over the head. Focusing their attention back on the class, they overhear Naruto's fluffy scene with Satsuki and Tayuya. Some smile at the scene fondly, others joke about how lucky the guy is. Suddenly, they turn their heads when they hear the door to the Hokage's office slam loudly. They see that one of the other jounin was pushed out of the way of the door. They look around and see that it was Anko who ran out of the room. One goes to find her but Mikoto speaks up.
"Leave it! Give her some space. She needs to clear her head." They all nod and continue observing.
Outside the Hokage tower, an angry Anko storms down the street. The problem is, she doesn't know why she's angry. It's a different kind of anger than she's used to. She's muttering to herself, growling occasionally. Everyone stays out of her way, though. It's an unspoken rule in Konoha to not fuck with a pissed off Anko.
The raging jounin head to the Forest of Death to be alone. As she heads inside, she finds a good branch to sit on and lean her back against the trunk. She sighs.
"Why the hell am I so angry at them?" she asks no one. The image of the two girls laying their heads on his shoulders flashes through her mind. She bites the lip she was already chewing on harder, splitting it open and drawing blood. She growls at the memory.
"Ugh! Why is it bothering me so fucking much?!" she shouts. Her chest tightens even more as the kisses and touches flash through her mind. Tears sting the corners of her eyes. She then remembers her times with Naruto. They were never quick, rough, or uncaring. No, Naruto was always tender and loving. He kissed her when she didn't want to, he explored her body. There was passion in his eyes when he looked at her. That must be what bothers her. He cared for her. Genuinely. Those mystifying eyes of his didn't look down on her. No, they were warm and they could see right through her. She didn't like talking about her life when he asked. She always avoided the topic. She was afraid to lose what they had.
Anko openly sobs into her hands at her dilemma. What did they have? She wanted to say it was just sex, just a way to relieve their stress. But she knew it wasn't. She enjoyed everything about it. Not just the sex itself, but also the time they have together. Waking up with his arms wrapped around her, the feeling of their skin touching, the taste of his skin, the smile. It's why she sleeps in with him when they make love. She savors every moment, wanting it to last even longer. And when he leaves, it hurts her. Like he's walking out of her life, abandoning her. The same way he abandoned her. So she waits another week for it to happen all over again.
This isn't the cycle she wants. So what if she's 4 years older? So what if he's the son of the Yondaime? There was something between them, dammit! He obviously cares for her, he made that pretty clear, and she's fucking... in love with him.
Anko's eyes widen at the realization. She was in love with the whiteheaded gaki... No. No way. No fucking way! Anko Mitarashi... and the son of the Yellow Flash... What would people say if they found out he was having an affair with the Snake Whore? It would ruin his reputation... and they'd say she had been brainwashing him. She needs to put a stop to it... it's be the best for the both of them.
The image of the other two girls flashes through her memory again. That's right. He'd be happier with them. Those words cut her deeply. Her sobs become pained and uncontrollable. She curls herself into the fetal position. She has to end it. For the both of them. No matter how much it will hurt.
•••
Naruto opens his eyes as the door to the classroom opens. 4 jounin walk in, Kakashi, Kurenai, Asuma, and some purple haired woman he doesn't recognize. She had an athletic build, delicate features, long beautiful purple hair more vibrant than Anko's, and wore the standard jounin attire. She carried a sword on her back and also wore purple lipstick that matches her hair. She's a very beautiful woman.
"Team 1,meet me at training ground 12." she says.
Naruto, Satsuki, and Tayuya shunshin there. Team 1 all appear together in the training ground. "Good. Expert shunshins. Now, let's start off with introductions. You first, redhead."
Tayuya scoffs at the nickname. "Tayuya. I like Naruto-kun, Pinkeye, and a good fight. I dislike perverts, rapists, and sexist pigs. My hobbies are spending time with Naruto-kun and Pinkeye here and training. My dream is to have a family with Naruto-kun."
Yugao nods. 'Decent intro.' she thinks. "You next, Uchiha."
Satsuki speaks up. "Satsuki Uchiha. I like Naru-kun, Yuya-chan, my mom and my brother. I dislike perverts, rapists, and traitors. My hobbies are spending time with Naru-kun and Yuya-chan along with training. My dream is to have a family with Naru-kun."
Yugao nods. 'Fangirls? No no no, way too strong to be fangirls.' She says, "You next, whitehead."
Naruto speaks. "Naruto Namikaze. I like a lot of things, like the girls in my life and my family. I have a few dislikes... never really had a hobby since I don't need to train much and I wouldn't call spending time with the people I love a hobby. I don't really have a dream."
The girls deadpan at him.
Yugao is dumbfounded. 'Uhh... that's an intro...'
She clears her throat. "Yugao Uzuki. I like my friends and swords. I dislike perverts, rapists, and chauvinists. My hobby is honing my kenjutsu skills. My dream is to become a famous swordswoman and be recognized throughout the Elemental Nations."
Her team nods in approval. She voices her opinion on something. "I expected you to dream of being Hokage, Namikaze-san."
Naruto shrugs. "Too boring. Let someone else do it. Also, my name is Naruto. Don't be so formal, I hate that shit."
Yugao chuckles. "Whatever you say, Naruto. Now, I will focus the first week on sparring and training, figuring out where I need to help you all improve on. I'm especially curious to see your skills in kenjutsu, girls. What do you say we get started?"
•••
It's been three days since Naruto was assigned his team. The training and sparring had been going well but he doesn't really push himself. He doesn't use a lot of ninjutsu in spars and he refuses to fight Satsuki and Tayuya. He made that point clear to his sensei.
Naruto and Yugao hadn't really gotten along well at first. The reason why is because he refused to spar with her. She took it as an insult, thinking Naruto didn't want to hit a woman or didn't want to fight her because he thought she was weak since she's a woman. The argument heated up to the point where Yugao attacked Naruto with her sword. She had been screaming profanities about Naruto being a sexist pig, a bastard, and threatening to castrate him. It wasn't until Naruto got fed up and sent her flying through the forest that she realized why he refused to fight her.
She woke up being enveloped by a warm energy. Looking up, she sees Naruto healing her with a blanket of bright energy. He explained that he hit her with a small blast of repulsion. The impact of being blasted through several acres of forest broke her back, several ribs, her arms and legs, ruptured several organs, and almost killed her. He finished healing her up and explained why he didn't want to spar.
Simply put, he's far too strong. She couldn't hurt him unless he held back the majority of his power and it would be unfair to her and an insult to her skills. He refused to fight Tayuya and Satsuki because he'd rather die than be responsible for hurting them. Yugao accepted and apologized profusely for being so obnoxious earlier. The two amended their companionship and became cordial with one another.
Today, he decided not to meet with his team for training and sparring since he needed to see someone. He was currently heading to Anko's apartment. He hadn't seen her around and was worried about her. She usually liked to tease him a bit each morning but she's been absent for the past three days.
Arriving outside her door, he knocks. After a few minutes, he hears shuffling and shifting from inside. The door opens revealing a disheveled, exhausted, and depressed looking Anko. He frowns, having never seen her like this before. It only serves to worry him more.
She widens her eyes. "Oh. What are you doing here, Naruto?" Her tone doesn't help the feeling of concern taking root inside him. She looks awful, nothing like the brilliant, beautiful, cheerful Anko that he knows. This Anko looks like she let her true pain surface. He hates this.
"Anko-chan, what's wrong? Why did you lock yourself up in here without letting people know?" he asks, voicing his concern.
Anko turns her head away and goes to walk back inside, closing the door behind her. "None of your business, now leave me alone." No. Naruto wasn't having this. He catches the door and moves inside. Judging from her smell, she hadn't washed since locking herself inside.
"Anko-chan, talk to me. What the hell is going on?! This isn't you!" Naruto demands.
"I said it's none of your business, Naruto! Get the hell out!" she shouts back.
"None of my business?! Look at you, Anko! You're falling apart! Tell me what's going on!"
"Fine, fuck it! You! That's what's going in, YOU!"
"ME?! What the hell are you talking about?! What did I do?!"
"It's... I just... shit..." Anko can't find the right words she wants to say.
Naruto waits for a response. "... Anko, please. I'm worried about you." He goes to grab her hand, only for her to pull away.
"No... Naruto, let's stop this." The words cut deep into Naruto's heart.
"...Stop? Stop what?"
Anko sniffles slightly. She didn't want this time to come. Both of them are hurt by the words she said. She turns away so he won't see the tears fall from her eyes.
"We need to stop... seeing each other... it isn't good for us." Her voice breaks. Each word hurts, each breath aches. Her nails dig into her own palms. The tears fall uncontrollably.
Naruto isn't doing much better. The tears escape his eyes as well. He can't believe what she's saying. After all this time, every night they spent together, every kiss, every touch, every release, every smile they shared, every morning they woke in each other's arms. Was that all nothing? Did she really want to throw it all away? Simply discard the times they shared as though they were meaningless?
"No..." he says breathlessly.
"No..?" she repeats.
"No, this isn't what either of us wants Anko! And you know it!" Naruto shouts. He isn't backing down from this.
She turns to face him. Eyes full of tears, she prepares to hold her ground. "Yes it is! You don't need me! You can just be happy with the other two girls! It's what's best for us both!"
Naruto growls, his emotions coming forth. "How the hell can you tell me what's best for me, Anko?! I won't let you do this to yourself! Are you gonna tell me that everything between us wasn't special?! Do you really expect me to believe you don't care about those times we spent together?!"
"It was just sex! That's all! That's all it was! That's all you are, a good fuck!" Anko's words hurt her as much as she wanted to hurt Naruto. She begins sobbing, knowing full well that she's hurting the man she loves.
She collapses to the ground, face in her hands as the tears fall. Naruto recoils from her words. He can tell they aren't real and that something else is hurting her. He crouches down and wraps his arms around her.
"Anko-chan," he says softly. "Just breath. Calm yourself and tell me what's going on." Anko clutches onto his haori. She whimpers and sniffles as he holds her close.
"I..." she begins. "I saw the conversation you had with those girls yesterday through the crystal ball." She sniffs and wipes her nose with a tissue. "And then... you told the girls how much you loved them... It hurt me watching that... I left and went to the Forest... and started thinking about... us..."
She whimpers as she tries to gather the strength to continue. "You... deserve better than me, Naruto-kun. You know what they call me, you know my past even if I never told you. I'm... Orochimaru's discarded experiment... I'm the Snake Whore..." she sobs lightly.
"What if people see you with me? What if they saw the son of their hero with trash like me? What if-"
"I wouldn't give a shit, Anko. They don't matter to me. You do. The girls don't mind you. And your past doesn't matter to me. I love you, Anko-chan. I love you for you."
She whimpers even more, clutching onto his haori harder. "No... No, I don't deserve you... You'll just discard me when you're tired like he did... I don't-"
"I would NEVER do that to you. You deserve happiness, too, Anko-chan. Weren't those times we spent together happy for you?" She nods into his chest. Naruto kisses her forehead and strokes her hair as she whimpers lightly. "I swear, on my parents' graves, I will never hurt you. I'd rather die than hurt you, Anko-chan. Just give me a chance. Give us a chance. A real chance."
Naruto's words are so comforting. Every dark thought, every insecurity rooting itself deep in her heart, he purged it all away. She feels herself relax in his arms. Looking up into his eyes, she asks, "...you promise?"
Naruto smiles. "On my life."
She smiles gently. "Ok." Anko leans in and claims his lips with her own. Naruto wraps his arms around the beautiful woman in his arms and pulls her close. She wraps her own arms around his neck. Their tongues dance around one another and the two lovers release all their pent up feelings for each other in their kiss.
They pull back and look into each other's eyes. Anko grins and pecks him on the lips. "Bedroom?"
He returns her grin with equal lust. "Bedroom." He lifts her up and carries her in his arms to their love nest. They'll both need a show after they're done.
•••
Team 1 stands in front of the Hokage to report for their first mission. It's been a week since their formation and the team has grown comfortably close. Ironically, team 4 has already left for their mission, an escort mission to Wave country. Apparently, their teamwork is crisp and efficient. In fact, Kakashi hadn't been focusing on teamwork at all with Team 4. He had actually been helping them refine their jutsus and teaching them more elemental manipulation. Not one to fall behind, Team 1 is raring to go.
"Team 1 reporting for our first mission, Hokage-sama." Yugao says.
She tosses them a mission scroll. "C-rank investigation. Disappearances in a small village called Yokugame near the border of Kusa. Likely bandits. Leave whenever you're ready. Dismissed. Naruto, you stay behind."
As Team 1 files out, Naruto stands before Mikoto. He can tell she's worrying over something. "What's wrong, Miko-baachan?" he asks.
She lets out a sigh. "There's been reports of disappearances all around that area, Naruto-kun. Not just in Fire Country. But also in Kusa and Iwa." Naruto raises an eyebrow.
"Then why send a genin team, Oba-chan? Shouldn't you send ANBU?" Mikoto shakes her head.
"Without solid evidence connecting them together, I can only classify it as a C-rank mission. That's why I saved it for your team specifically in case things go wrong. I can count on you to keep them safe."
Naruto nods. "Don't worry Oba-chan. I'll never let anything happen to them." Mikoto stands and walks around her desk, pulling Naruto into a loving hug.
"Be safe, Naruto-kun."
He rubs her back tenderly. "I will, Oba-chan."
•••
"BACK!!!!" Kakashi grabs Tazuna and leaps backwards as does Kiba and Sasuke. Sai unfortunately was too close.
The water under the bridge erupts upwards, forming a dragon. Most of Team 4 manage to get to safety but Sai was a little too close and a little too slow. He leaps backwards but doesn't get away in time. The water dragon turns and hits him directly, knocking him unconscious.
"Sai!" Kiba shouts. Sasuke turns and looks directly into the dense fog. Suddenly, an ominous laughter pierces through the mist.
"Well, well, well. What do we have here?" A thick killing intent washes over Team 4. While they were no strangers to killing intent, the strength of this one was on par with a kage.
As the massive sword, muscular figure, spiky hair, and bandages come into view, Kakashi's eye widens.
"Been awhile, eh Kakashi?" the figure says.
A sweatdrop rolls down Kakashi's face. Memories of the 3rd Great Shinobi War fills his head. The tales of this man's strength are as heralded as his own. And his murderous bloodlust are known throughout the Elemental Nations. Kakashi swallows a lump in his throat. He manages to speak.
"Zabuza The Butcher, Demon of the Bloody Mist and S-rank nuke nin."