HELLO ONE AND ALL, WELCOME, WELCOME! Welcome back to your favorite anime DRAGON BALL-*Someone muttering off stage* What? What do you mean this isn't...well what then? Oh..OH Right...Welcome back to Naruto the Guardian. I do so apologize for the long wait. I won't lie lack of ambition and motivation played it's part, but that was mostly because fanfiction got a 'mobile mode' which made it so I couldn't write and I found the app to be rather clunky.
It wasn't until recently that I found out I could make my phone go to the computer site. So I worked tirelessly through writers block and laziness to finish this chapter and bring you the latest instalment of it, and I promise to bring the same effort to give you the next chapter as well. Though this does come with bad news, after the last chapter me and my beta reader, PLOTOID, got into a bit of an argument soooo I had him tied and thrown into a closet where I might have forgotten about him up until just a few seconds ago.
*More whispers* Oh forget PR their not gonna do anything, anyways lets go pay him a visit and see how he's doing yeah? *Slowly approaches a closed door, hastened muttering can be heard from the other side* Hey buddy, how ya doin? *Hastened muttering stops. the door is slowly opened* ploytoid, is that you?
Ploytoid: Yous didn't forget mes? Yous came? I told the darkness yous would come, it didn't believe me but here yous are. HAH TAKE THAT! HahahahhAHAHAHAhahahahHAHAH
Right...um, let's get him some help but for the time being I don't have a beta reader sooooo Naruto you do the dislcaimer.
Naruto: Author doesn't own any person place or thing from the Naruto universe all rights reserved for Kishimoto.
Chapter 24: Welcome Home Sasuke
Kami sighed as she looked down at her son "Hello En-En."
"Well why don't you answer my question mother, or should I say Sasuke's question?"
"Why bother asking what you already know the answer to? Away with you" She waved her hand and En-En disappeared. "My apologies Naruto-kun, Shinigami and I should have dealt with him a long time ago."
"If I might ask Kami-sama, what does this En-En mean?"
"I am sorry Sasuke-san, but En-En is right. Out of everyone I considered bringing back in time to help Naruto you were the last name on that list."
"But why?"
"Because for all of Naruto's strengths, you are his biggest weakness and greatest distraction."
"Greatest...distraction?"
"If something were to happen to you, Naruto would stop at nothing to save you. "
"Well to be fair Kami-sama" Naruto interjected "I'd like to think I would do that for anyone."
"No Naruto-kun, not like you would Sasuke. Your friendship with him would drive you to great lengths to rescue him should he be caught in danger. Even at the cost of your own life. But you are too important to be brought down by your friends, however important they are."
"Family and friends.." Naruto lowered his head for a second, allowing his hair to cover his eyes. His fist was shaking slightly. "Kami-sami'' he said in a low voice. "Why didn't you tell me...everyone they...they were going to die?"
"Oh" Kami looked down, a sad look in her eye. "Naruto-kun...I am truly sorry. I did not tell you because I knew this would be your reaction. I told you, I am not the god of time. I cannot control it's explosive and destructive energy, just guide it. I tried to keep it from causing as much destruction as possible, all the way to its end."
"Control it?" Sasuke also said in a quick burst of anger "what part of that nightmare did you control? It was madness everywhere?"
"Sasuke-san, please try to understand, pure temporal energy, the energy of time, it is powerful beyond your imagination, the likes of which make Kaguya and even myself look like children. Had I not stepped in the old timeline would have imploded in one giant, destructive, bang. A million times worse."
Sasuke was quiet for a moment, taking in all of Kami's information. "When you said the end earlier did you mean..."
"Yes Sasuke-san. Completely erased from existence. Calling back to En-En's earlier question, if I could send Sasuke-san back to his timeline I would without hesitation. But I can't, because there is nowhere to send him now. So the question itself is moot. I am sorry Sasuke-san, but you are stuck here."
Sasuke looked down, the weight of her words hitting him all at once. This was real, brought here and right now. He had actually been brought back in time. Before the war, before he abandoned the Leaf...before Orochimaru and his damned curse mark. It was the sound of Naruto's heavy breathing that broke through his mind.
He looked over and he was indeed breathing heavily and he looked both pissed off and hurt. 'He's blaming himself for everyone's death...'
"Naruto" he said catching the boy's attention "I understand you're angry, I am too, they didn't deserve that. But they're gone now, who they used to be anyways. All of our friends are still alive in this timeline, the only thing we can do is look forward and protect them as best we are able so they don't die needlessly again."
That seemed to snap Naruto out of his depressed mindset and he stood up straight taking a deep breath. Kami smiled looking at the two boys. She may have not wanted Sasuke back, but he was the only person who knew how to talk to Naruto when he was like that. Maybe some things wouldn't be as bad as she thought.
"Naruto-kun, Sasuke is right, while I grieve for the pain of those lost then, here and now they are safe. It is up to you to make it stay that way. For now your mission stays the same, stop Obito and Madara from resurrecting Kaguya."
"Right, about that Kami-sama. In a bid to take over the Akatsuki for himself, En-En killed Obito."
Sasuke looked at Naruto in surprise and shock "Obito is dead?"
"Yeah, En-En showed me his decapitated head as proof."
"Well then, while that will surely slow down Zetsu, it will not stop him, but that means you just have to be extra careful Sasuke, it is unlikely he will be able to sway Itachi to replace Obito as a means to resurrect Kaguya. Which makes me believe he will target you."
"That's fine with me Kami-Sama, I have no intentions of betraying the Leaf this time."
Kami smiled "good, Naruto fill Sasuke in on what he needs to know, about En-En and why he should avoid him at all costs and about the others."
"Others?" Sasuke asked, looking at Naruto questioningly.
"Right" Naruto said, chuckling to himself "she means Neji and Hinata, look you see what had happened was..." the two boys faded away, and Kami let out a long sigh pinching the bridge of her holy nose.
"I feel for the pain of those lost? Wow mother, I almost believed you."
Kami opened her eyes to see the mask of En-En who had reappeared "what do you want you petulant child."
"Now there's the mother I know. As for what I want? I'm going to show you and them that I was right about you."
"Ha!" Kami's arm flailed outward as a ring of white fire spread around En-En "you can't do anything as long as your soul is trapped up here child."
En-En only chuckled as the ring formed completed around him. He held out one hand "Azul la tagota" the flames turned blue for a split second before diminishing into small embers "come now mother, such power can't hurt me, well not as long as Shinigami's around anyways. Sucks being a creator god doesn't it? But if that's all I'll be going now."
"Don't get arrogant boy, you know not who you mess with."
En-En's body began fading as he chuckled an evil laugh "now there's the mother I remember."
Luckily for our intrepid heroes only one interesting thing happened on the rest of their trip home. "Yes Kakashi-sensei?" Naruto asked, he had been pulled away from the group for a private talk.
"So I heard about the incident involving the Ninetail's from Kurenai, wanna explain that?"
"Honestly I can't, the Ninetail's is just as confused as you are." Naruto clinched his teeth for a second, he hated this part. "He doesn't know how he took control. The whole reason he talked to Kurenai-sensei was to bring awareness to the situation."
"Hm..." that confused Kakashi, why would the Ninetail's expose such a critical flaw in the Shiki Fujin? Surely he would benefit more by keeping it a secret. "Is that all you can tell me Naruto?"
"Yeah, sorry Kakashi-sensei. The Kyuubi and I are still trying to piece things together. Though I did have a favor to ask of you?"
"Oh? Consider me interested Naruto, what is this favor?" Naruto tossed Kakashi a scroll, where he immediately recognized the handwriting of his sensei. "Ah so the rumors of you learning about Minato-sensei were true then."
"You could have just asked me if you wanted to know."
"The Hokage forbade me from talking about Minato with you until he deemed you ready to know and I...well couldn't bring myself to go to his house to see for myself."
"Oh...well yeah I'm staying there, that's his notes on a technique he made called the rasengan. Seems pretty powerful, but I can't get past the first step. I was wondering if you could help me. Aside from Jaraiya, you knew him best."
Kakashi looked at the scroll before handing it back to Naruto with a smile. "I would be happy too Naruto."
After that it was smooth sailing all the way back to Konoha for a young ninja. Along the way Naruto made sure to inform Sasuke of everything he could when they had a few spare moments of privacy.
Kiba seemed to return to his normal self within time, and was soon badgering team seven about their mission. Hinata had opted to not inform her former classmates about her new doujutsu, though she did have a question for her former teammate.
"Um...Kiba-kun could I ask you something?"
"What?" He boasted loudly "Finally bored of Naruto and looking for a real man?" Naruto could barley stifle the laugh that threatened to escape. "What?" He asked a bit more confused seeing the look on Hinata's face and the awkward way the rest of team Eight looked away.
"Oh right, Tsume-san never told you. Um...how to say this?" She looked towards Naruto for assistance and just in time for him to run over to Sasuke to start a conversation with him.
'That traitor!'
"What is it Hinata?"
"Right...well you see...um.."
"Oh my god" Ino said with an exasperated sigh "I can't watch this any longer. Dog breath Hinata's mom was your mom's older sister. You're flirting with your cousin."
To say Kiba knew what to say was an understatement, all he could muster out was "excuse me?"
Hinata too was surprised "you knew Ino-san?"
Ino blushed "oh right, I happened to hear you telling Naruto earlier, that's all."
"But I...wait you're...HUH?"
"Oh dear" Kakashi said, walking over to Kiba prodding him with his finger, to no response. "I think you broke him, Hinata. Hello earth to Kiba?"
The rest of the way to the leaf was uneventful, thankfully The two gate guards were quick letting them in . Kakashi was the first to speak to the travel weary kids. "Alright everyone head home and get some rest, Naruto-san, would you mind coming with Kurenai and I to the Hokage's tower?"
That got him some odd looks, but he ignored them "yeah of course."
"Oh Hinata you too, your father sent word that he's at the tower and wants to see you."
"Okay Kakashi-sensei."
"Um, Hinata do you think you could come by the clan compound afterwards?" Kiba asked, he had been uncharacteristically quiet up to this point.
"Yeah, if I have the time." Hinata said cheerfully. To be honest she had been worried about him ever since he learned about Hinata's heritage.
"Hey dobe" Sasuke said "come see me when you finish with the Hokage." He gave no reason just left.
"Right.." Naruto said sweat dropping, that wasn't foreboding at all.
As soon as Ino had said her farewell the four shinobi were off to see the Hokage. It was a rather quick walk in Naruto's opinion, but one that could not prepare him for what waited inside.
As they stepped inside, the group could see the imposing form of Hiashi standing there. "Daughter" He said with a brief nod to Kurenai and Kakashi.
"Hello Father, you said you wanted to see me?"
"I heard of your mission to Wave, more importantly how dangerous it became. I wanted to hear your report first hand."
"Actually" Hinata said, taking a step forward "may I give you my report back at the compound? There are matters I wish to discuss with you that are best said in private quarters."
Hiashi stared at Hinata 'in such a short amount of time Hinata has grown so much. I would never believe her capable of this. Requesting things of me?' His eyes slid over to Naruto for but a moment 'no doubt thanks to him.'
"Fine Hinata then I will await you there, but do not keep me waiting for too long."
Hinata bowed "of course father."
Not a few minutes later the four found themselves in front of the Hokage, with Jiraiaya standing behind him. Just like last time, Naruto found himself staring at the Toad Sage, unable to express words.
"So Kurenai-san, I received your report ahead of time, I am glad Team Seven's assistance wasn't necessary."
"Yes, Naruto here was just a little panicked is all." Kurenai gave Naruto a stare.
He chuckled nervously in response "I am sorry Hokage-sama, I didn't know what to do. After Fēng appeared I didn't know how many ninja Gato may have hired."
"It is fine Naruto, but if I may ask one question, why did you send the letter to Sasuke? Why not straight to me?"
"I uh.."
'Shit, what do I say? Dammit En-En, I bet you'd be laughing your ass off, this is what you wanted. Well I could...but that'd be...well they did it to themselves.'
With all eyes on him Naruto took a deep breath and said "honestly Ojisan, I didn't know if my message would reach you once someone realized I was the one who had written it. I knew if Sasuke got it he'd tell Kakashi who would mobilize fast. Besides if anyone could match the strength of the Demon of the Bloody Mist I figured it would be Copycat Kakashi."
Hiruzen nodded "I see your reasoning sad as it is. Now on to the two big points of interest, I guess we will start with young Hinata. This Tenseigan of yours, can you shed any light on it?"
"No Hokage-sama, on top of the fact it takes a lot of chakra to activate it, as far as I am aware there has never been any other recorded events of another Hyuga having it."
"Hmm...okay, I'll leave it up to the Hyuga clan to figure out it's capabilities, but I would like a report."
"Hai Hokage-sama."
"Now onto the most troublesome business" Hiruzen lifted up his index finger and sliced left with it, signaling his hidden Anbu to leave, no need of this getting out "Naruto."
Jiraiya stepped forward "hey there, you probably don't remember me, but I'm-"
"I know who you are." Naruto said it was a bit darker then he had intended.
"Of course, we'll have to discuss that another time, right now business. Let me see it."
Naruto sighed and lifted up his shirt, channeled chakra into the seal lighting it up. Jiraiya studied it for several minutes. It was Hiruzen who broke the silence.
"Well Jiraiya do you see anything that would explain how the Ninetail's was able to control Naruto's body?"
Jiraiya stepped back and let out a deep breath "other than minor degradation of the limiter seal there's nothing I can see right off the bat. Maybe a more in depth analysis of the seal will reveal something, but I don't believe so."
"Why not Jiraiya-sama?" Kakashi asked, seal work wasn't his forte but it was a topic he was interested in.
"Something as big as the Biju taking control would be more apparent. As far as I can figure it's just a fail safe Minato put in place as a last resort if Naruto were ever in danger."
"Jiraiya if you'll humor an old man, what did you mean when you said degradation?"
"Right, you'll want to pay attention as well Naruto. Minato put limiters in place so you would only be able to access a certain amount of the Ninetail's chakra. As you grow and get stronger the limiters would go away giving you access to more. They're weaker than they're supposed to be. But the Ninetail's destructive chakra is probably a bit more than Minato anticipated."
"Can you repair them?"
Jiraiya sat in silence for a second before stepping back "I can, but that would put the integrity of the seal at risk. Naruto should be fine for now."
"Any thoughts my student?"
"The Shiki Fujin was invented by the Uzumaki clan, and it was one of their most closely guarded secrets. Every little bit I know is what Kushina told me and anything after that is deduction and guess work. I'll have some of my spies travel to Uzi and see if they can't find any remaining scrolls about it. But until that happens there's not much I can do."
Hiruzen nodded "Alright then, Naruto Hinata you two are free to go."
The two kids nodded and exited the door, Hiruzen looked towards Kurenai "You spoke with Ninetail's Kurenai did you not?"
"Yes Hokage-sama."
"What was he like?"
"Excuse me?"
"The last time the Ninetail's had any dealings with humans, aside from Naruto, he was attacking our village and was sealed away. I wanted to personally hear about your interaction with him."
"Well Hokage-sama, the Ninetail's was rather polite? I guess? When he first revealed to me who he was I got in a defensive posture, but rather than overreact he understood. Ironically he said the same thing you did. He didn't seem angry, but more concerned about the situation. When I mentioned that I would have to tell you about it he told me that was the reason. He wanted us to make sure the seal wasn't damaged."
"Hm...you have left me with much to think about. Thank you, you may leave."
"Actually Hokage-sama" Kakashi said "Kurenai and I have an announcement."
"Yes?"
"We would like to add our teams to the upcoming chunin exams."
"Oh? Why so soon?"
"Well Hokage-sama, I don't know about Kurenai's team, but mine isn't chunin material yet. However I do think it would be a unique learning opportunity for them."
"And you Kurenai?"
"Both Hinata and Naruto show stunning growths in both strength and character, I think by the end of the Chunin exams they will be worthy."
"And your other student?"
"Well If you'll allow. after the conclusion of the chunin exams I do have an idea for Ino..."
As we move away from the Hokage's tower, we find our lovely couple walking the quiet streets of Konoha, Hinata holding Naruto's arm, and resting her head against it, to the dismay and hated looks of the civilians around them. "Hinata.." Naruto said quietly.
"Let them stare at us, Naruto-kun," she responded softly, "I don't care what they think. None of them would dare attack me and risk the wrath of the Hyuga clan."
"But still I don't like them giving you the same looks I'm used to getting."
Hinata leaned up and kissed Naruto's cheek, much to the watching audience's surprise as they started talking in hushed whispers. "And that's why I Love you Naruto-kun, but I'm a big girl now, I can take care of myself."
"That's what I'm worried about" Naruto said as they approached the gates to the Hyuga compound, the two Hyuga there bowing as Naruto and Hinata got near.
"Welcome home Hinata-sama, Naruto-san."
"Thank you, is my father in his study?"
"No Hinata-sama, he is in a meeting with the elders."
"Wait the elders? They weren't scheduled to meet again until next friday."
"You're correct Hinata-sama but..." his eyes shot over to his companion who nodded and walked away, in a quiet voice he continued "if the rumors are true the elders plan to put the Caged Bird Seal on Hanabi-sama."
Hinata gasped and stepped back "but...but...Hanabi is a main branch clan member they can't put it on her!"
"It's also rumored they plan to wed her to the Hokage's grandson to form an alliance with the Sarutobi clan."
"NO!" Hinata said loudly before running into the compound, forcing Naruto to follow her.
They soon came to a small oval shaped building, where Hinata pushed open the door to Hiashi knelt before a ring of older Hyuga. Hiashi looked back in surprise both at the look of rage on Hinata's face and the fact she disrupted their meeting. 'She must know what we were talking about then. Kami save these fools if she gets her hands on them.'
"Young Hinata" asked one of the elders "what is the meaning of this?"
"Father is it true you're putting the cage bird seal on Hanabi?"
Hinata's voice was strik, it was stern. But what scared Hiashi more was the fact she wasn't angry. No, the raw determination he saw in Hinata's eyes drained the fight right out of him. He couldn't help but glance at her blond companion for what felt like the thousandth time.
Luckily he was saved by the same elder "yes we are. We have decided since you have turned out to be such a worthy successor to Hiashi, we will marry Hanabi off to the grandson of the Third Hokage."
"No" Hinata said softly.
"I beg your pardon?" said the elder, surprised. He had heard of Hinata's growth but hadn't expected her to resist the elders.
"Then beg" she said darkly as the wind started picking up in the room circling around Hinata. Paperwork was flung to every corner of the room as Hinata snapped her head up revealing her tenseigan to the room, teal chakra springing to life around her form.
"H-Hinata, what is this?" Hiashi shouted over the noise of the wind, until it suddenly settled down and the roaring chakra surrounding Hinata retreated leaving only a thin outline on her form.
"This is the matter with which I intended to speak in private about Father. While I was in Wave my byakugan evolved into this, the Tenseigan."
"Wha- wha- what is that?" Shouted one of the elders.
"I am the future for the Hyuga clan, and I say Hanabi is off limits to your political schemes."
The elders were cowering in fear and Hiashi decided to regain control of the situation "Alright Hinata that is enough, elders if a marriage is to be arranged with Hanabi let us talk to the Hokage to see if young Konohamaru won't marry into the Hyuga clan."
"But Father.."
"Hinata!" Hiashi said sharply, giving her an equally sharp look.
Out of reflex and habit Hinata stepped back the chakra receding from her form.
"Fine" the head elder said quickly "but the council expects a full report on this Tenseigan Hiashi, this meeting is adjourned for now." He quickly stood up and made a hurried exit along with the rest of the council.
Hiashi sighed but looked towards a glaring Hinata. "Why?" Was all she asked.
"Look Hinata, I know you don't approve of the whole arranged marriage but neither does the Hokage, he won't agree to wed Konohamaru to her. But I had to give the council something or else.." he glanced at Naruto "no offence to you Naruto, but will you give Hinata and I some privacy?"
"But."
"It's okay Naruto-kun, go see what Sasuke wants okay?" She gave Naruto a peck on his cheek. and as he left she turned back "so father?"
"I had to give them something else they would have pushed the issue, and if you were to openly defy the council I can only imagine the side branch would support you, that could lead to a civil war within the Hyuga clan."
"Fine then make Hanabi the clan heiress, I can convince Naruto-kun to marry into the Hyuga clan!"
Hiashi was stunned at Hinata's bold assumption "that leads us to the problem I told you about before. The Civilian council will push Naruto to bring back the Namikaze clan AND the Uzumaki clan. The moment it gets revealed that he is the son of Minato Namikaze and Kushina Uzumaki they will force him into the CRA act. you'll have to take the caged bird seal."
Hinata bit her lip, destroying that seal had become her life mission, but could she abandon Naruto for it? Could she abandon it for Naruto?
Hiashi walked up to her "Look Hinata it's not a choice you have to make right now. These were only talks about the idea of it. It'll be awhile before anything becomes official. "Now how about you tell me about this tenseigan?" Hiashi led Hinata back to their house where she started telling him what had happened in Wave.
Naruto sighed as the clone he left behind popped, 'So that's what's been on Hinata's mind recently. What do you think about it, Kurama?'
'Right the CRA, crap. I really don't want to think of that, with the invasion and the chunin exams nearing, er have more important matters to attend.''
'We'll have to have a long conversation with Hinata before that then.'
The walk to the Uchiha compound was a short one, but as Naruto got closer to Sasuke's house he could hear the sound of rambunctious laughter. Was that Kiba?
"Oh Sasuke, I can smell Naruto approaching the front door."
'He does know I can clearly hear him right?'
The door to Sasuke's house opened right as Naruto stepped to it. Said Uchiha was standing there, "Naruto" he said with a nod before letting him in.
"Hey Sasuke you wanted to talk to me? Oh hey Kiba."
Kiba was sitting on a couch, Akamaru laying at his feet, petting Sasuke's falcon. "Yo Naruto."
"To business then" Sasuke said sitting in a chair to the left of Kiba "sit if you want, I was just telling Kiba about the upcoming chunin exams and how likely it is that our sensei's will nominate us for it."
"Oh that, yeah I think I heard Kurenai-sensei mention something about it."
"Well" Kiba chipped in "the question I was asking Sasuke do you think we're ready?"
"Hmm...well without sounding big headed I think I might be chunin material, Hinata as well. Ino...ehh? She needs some more work I think. What about you guys?"
Kiba grinned "well of course I'm chunin material. You think I've been slacking since the academy? Me and Sasuke here have been training together every day! No way we're not!"
Naruto looked at Sasuke with a raised eyebrow, he just huffed and looked away "you think I'm not? Kiba needs to work on his attitude, then he might be ready to be chunin."
"What did you say?" Kiba asked loudly followed by barking from Akamaru which was quickly stopped by a screech from Hanrana who flew from her perch to land on Sasuke's lap.
"I mean you need to start thinking strategically instead of charging head first into danger. You have more than enough strength to be a chunin. You have to start thinking like one."
"What about Sakura?" Naruto asked out of genuine curiosity.
"Well..." Kiba started but Sasuke finished for him.
"She's not a combat capable ninja. But I believe she'd be better as a medical ninja than a front line one. Kakashi-sensei thinks so too. After training Kakashi has had her practicing at the hospital. If she keeps it up she might even be a decent one."
Naruto smiled 'Trying to jump start her specialty early huh?'
"What do you think of team 9? I think Choji, Shika, and Shino make an interesting team together. What do you think their specialty is?"
Kiba smirked as if he had all the answers "I heard from my mom they meant to be a team that can fill any role as needed. Assaults, support, espionage, back up. Whatever role you need they can fit it. I heard that their sensei Asuma used to be one of the Daimyo's guards! You know he's whooping them into shape."
"Hm..if he was a Daimyo's guard why did he come back to the Leaf as a jonin?" That had always been a topic of interest to Sasuke, just never important enough to ask at any given opportunity he had.
"Well" Naruto said "I heard he's the Hokage's son, so the old man probably had something to do with it."
"Wait" Kiba interjected "I met some brat the other day named Konohamaru, said he was the grandson of the Hokage, does that make him Asuma-sensei's son?"
Naruto shook his head "No, the Hokage had two sons, Konohamaru was the son of the oldest, Asuma-sensei's older brother. But I think the Hokage told me he died during the final stages of the third shinobi war. He doesn't talk about him much."
"Damn that sucks." Kiba said frowning, Sasuke opted not to say anything. But Kiba perked his head up "Hey I got an idea hold on" he started going through a book bad Naruto had just noticed and in a few seconds sat up holding a sake bottle "what do you boys say to some drinks?"
"Kiba" Sauske said blatantly "Where did you get that?"
"What? I'm a full fledged ninja now, in the eyes of the village I'm an adult, which means I get to drink. So what do you say?"
Sasuke thought for a second, even in his past life he had never been fond of alcohol. But hey he had a chance to redo his life, make the right choices...actually be friends with his classmates. Why not make some new memories? He shrugged and got up "Sure why not? I'll get some glasses for us, how about you Naruto?"
"I guess, but to warn you I have an Uzumaki's constitution, it'll take a lot more than that to affect me."
"oohh" Kiba said laughing as Sasuke walked away "big man over here thinks he's tough huh? Let's see you say that at the end of this bottle."
"Okay" Naruto said, putting his hands up "but don't say I didn't warn you." Just as he was about to reach for the bottle there was a knock at the door, Sasuke came back in and placed six cups on the table. Before Naruto could ask the obvious question, Sasuke opened the door and in walked Shikamaru, Choji, and Shino. "Oh right," Kiba said, "I invited them too. I think Ino said she would get Sakura and Hinata and they'd throw their own party at her house."
"Yo" Shikamaru said lazily, Choji waved his hand and Shino simply nodded.
Hinata smiled to herself as Sakura and Ino giggled while a bottle of sake sat between them. Ino grinned slyly wrapping an arm around the other two "So girls the big question...which of our boys is hotter? Rules you're not allowed to pick Naruto or Sasuke."
"What?" sloshed Sakura her words slurring together slightly "but Sasuke is the..the best one there is."
"Ugh" Ino's face palmed slightly fed up with Sakura's obsession over Sasuke, though he had really changed since being on a team with her and Kiba. Maybe Kakashi had done something. "Okay besides Sasuke, who would you pick?"
"I don't knooowww! I haven't looked at any of the guys that way. Um.. let me see, Shino? No, I don't think I can keep up with Choji's eating habit, I'd get too annoyed with Shikamaru's laziness...ugh As much as I hate to say it I'd have to pick Kiba. If you can get over the constant smell of dog, he's at least nice to look at. "
"Heh figures, what about you Hinata?"
"Oh, I don't know." Hinata said, pressing her thumbs together "but if I had to choose, I would probably pick Shikamaru."
"Whaaattt?" Sakura said taking another sip "that lazy bum? What can he bring to the table?" Speaking of, Sakura leaned too far forward and faceplanted into Ino's table.
"I mean yeah he's lazy, but he's also super smart. I think if he was one hundred percent serious in a fight he'd give anybody in our class a run for their money. Including Naruto and Sasuke."
"I can see where you're coming with that," Ino said, nodding as she took the bottle away from Sakura and grimaced while taking a few sips."As for me it has to be Choji hands down."
"Wait..re..re*hiccup*really?"
Ino slid the bottle Hinata's away and she braved some sips, she was never really fond of sake but didn't mind drinking every once in a while. "I mean yeah, the Yamanaka clan and the Akimichi clan have been friends for generations, and Choji and I go way back. Besides I've always been curious if he could use his clans special technique on his" Ino raised her eyebrows twice "well you know."
Saying this caused Hinata to blush a very deep crimson and spit out what sake hadn't already gone down her throat, right onto the back of Sakura's head. "Ino!"
"What?" Ino said holding her hands up "don't tell me you haven't thought of Naruto in that way?"
"Wha- no I..I, No I haven't! We're still just kids!"
"No" Ino replied leaning over to take the bottle away from "We're ninja, and by all accounts are adults. You mean to tell me you and Naruto haven't done anything yet?"
"I mean, well, um.. we've kissed."
"But you've totally used your Byakugan to take a peek right?"
"Uh..I...um..."
"Oh my Kami girl, you need some help, isn't that right Sakura" Ino asked, nudging Sakura on the shoulder, to no response. "Sakura?" Soft snores could be heard escaping from Sakura's mouth. "And she's out."
"Since when are you so comfortable talking about these things Ino?"
"I'd be lying if I said Anko-sensei wasn't a big part of it."
Hinata looked a little worried at Ino "what did she do to you Ino?"
More raucous laughter could be heard coming from the Uchiha compound as all eyes were on Kiba "and the guy turns around, see's me and I swear he turns pale as a ghost. I said 'and this is the part where you run.' You would never have seen a man run so fast." Another round of cheers as Choji threw another bottle of sake onto an ever growing pile. "Of course he didn't get far before Akamaru and I caught him."
Sasuke leaned forward having to use both hands to steady himself, as he was also a little inebriated "okay, okay, okay...now tell me...was this before or AFTER I stopped the second guy from cutting your head off in the clear ambush you walked into?"
"Okay, okay I admit, Sasuke has his part too but still I was epic."
"Heh" Naruto laughed at the alcohol having next to no effect on him. He was really enjoying himself, and if the small smile he could see playing on Sasuke's face was anything to go by, so was he. All the boys were enjoying this, relaxed and talking about their new lives as ninja. He stood up "alright everyone hate to be a downer but it's starting to get late. we should probably head home."
"Naruto" Shino spoke up "I do not think it is a wise course of action. I doubt anyone here could navigate to the exit of the Uchiha compound let alone get home. I am sorry to ask on their behalf Sasuke-san, but could we please stay the night here?"
Sasuke stared for a moment, this would be the first time anyone else had stayed here since..."Yeah sure, I should have some futons in a closet...somewhere. Hold on."
Sasuke stood up and took a step forward and barely managed to catch himself before he fell down. "Right..." Naruto said helping him back to his seat "how about Shino and I get them?"
Shino nodded and they started the search for the futons, in a short while later they were back and most of their friends were either already passed out or about to. It took them a little bit to get everyone situated but eventually the deed was done and every one was in a futon and sleeping soundly. Naruto noticed there was only one futon left. "Hey Shino, I thought there were enough futons for everyone?"
"There was, I assumed you would be staying and since I was still sober I would be going back to my house."
"I mean you can if you want but don't you want to stay?"
Shino stood there in silence "yes I would but I see no reason too, the only reason their staying is because they're too drunk to get home. Otherwise we would all be going home."
"Oohh I get it, you don't think Sasuke meant you could stay only the drunk ones right?"
"That seemed only logical. He has always secluded himself from the rest of us, preferring to remain allies instead of friends. I just assumed that was still the case."
"Come on man, Sasuke's changed since then, of course he meant you could stay as well."
Shino stood there in silence, again, unsure of how to process this. "Alright, fine I shall stay then. I will go get the other futon, good night Naruto-san."
Ploytoid:*being wheeled out in a straight jacket* REMEMBER ME! REMEMBER ME!
Good bye you beautiful person.
Hanabi: Did you really have to leave him locked up though?
AH! Were did you come from?
Hanabi: Last time, if you'll remember, Ploytoid left me in charge?
Then I took it back, I'm sorry have you been here the whole time?
Hanabi: eh yeah, I like the peace and quiet.
So why did you leave him in there?
Hanabi: Well I was going to let him out, then he went crazy and started talking to the darkness. So I might have pretended to be the darkness for a little bit? I thought it was funny.
Well that wasn't polite.
Hanabi: Neither is trying to have me secretly be married off to Konohamaru.
Well it's relevant to the plot anyways, I hope you guys enjoyed, even as I'm saying this I'm already working on the next chapter so tell me what you thought? Leave a like and a review and what not and I will see you next time.
Ja Ne!