Disclaimer: This is pure fanfiction. The characters and locations of the Naruto franchise are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. The characters and locations of the Star Wars franchise, all its spin-offs, etc are the sole property of Disney and the varied creators. This fiction is not intended to infringe upon either their rights or properties.

ABY: After the Battle of Yavin IV

BBY: Before the Battle of Yavin IV

"Hello" speech

~Hiyas~ thought

Chapter 4

Timeskip- Eight Days later

Three ships floated in attendance as four droids slowly pushed a freshly stripped derelict into place using their pack thrusters for momentum. Sitting in the cockpit of her new ship, the Matatabi, Yugito opened the comms to the Kurama and the Himawari, "Okay, we're all set, right? The Family got those two ships stripped down faster than a swarm of Jawas. Everything's secure over there, Hinata?"

"All secured and strapped in the holds. I like that you decided to take a few days to strip those two 1930s. I'm sure Naruto-kun will appreciate the spare parts." Hinata replied. "We'll be ready to go in about five minutes. See you back at the base in about a week to ten days."

"Give or take. Depending on how long it'll take to get things set up on Tatooine. It was a great idea." Yugito complimented, imagining the usual blushing response to appreciation from someone. ~She doesn't stutter anymore, but the blush is still too cute.~

Ino chimed in from her seat in the Kurama, legs propped up on the front display boards. "She's right, Hinata. They're going to flip."

"Maybe. Maybe not. I mean, the Rebellion did the same thing on Hoth didn't they?" Hinata replied, fighting to keep her blushing to a minimum and out of her voice. "Wait… Not sure of the model they used," she added as she found herself defending her idea.

Yugito chuckled lightly, "Relax, Hinata-chan… we're not criticizing. It's a brilliant idea, no matter our teasing. We should have enough left over to do the same in our home. If it ever comes to it, it definitely won't be expected," Taking a breath, she continued, "Alright, time to get. See you two in a week or so."

A moment later, the newly christened Matatabi headed off and slipped into hyperspace.

Hinata sighed as the ship left, then she said bluntly, in a manner not typical to her, "What's bothering you, Ino? Is it your injury?"

Ino dropped her legs and sat up, "No … the bacta tank closed it right up and you didn't leave even a scar. It's just …" she demurred momentarily, "That was a close one, neh?"

Hinata didn't see the point. "We've had closer. Remember the bordello on Brakkus?"

Ino sighed, "I had, actually. Now I have to all over again." she replied shuddering as she recalled the large firefight that had erupted over the bounty. "I mean it's the first time I've taken a blaster hit that close to a vital. Makes you think, ya know?"

Seeing a green light from the port/left hold, Hinata began closing up the bay. " Ino, the 'Family' will be loading up in a minute. Get ready for hyper route seven."

Ino pulled up the autopilot and punched a few buttons. "All set and ready once they board," she replied calmly, though her thoughts were elsewhere. "Do … do you ever think of going home?"

Hinata's back stiffened, ~Here we go again.~ In response, she sighed softly, " Ino … We've had this discussion twice before. Just drop it, please." her tone clearly showed her irritation, "I am home. There is nothing for me in Konoha." before the blonde could reply, she cut the connection. Reaching up, she rubbed an eyebrow that had begun to twitch in agitation. She maintained radio silence as she piloted the ship onto the proper vector and engaged the Himawari's hyperdrive.

Ino gaped as Hinata killed their conversation and took off. "Well, didn't expect that," she said as she closed up the loading bay once she got confirmation of all aboard. "I love this part," she whispered as she engaged her hyperdrive. Watching the stars shimmer and suddenly stretch into long streams of light which indicated her entry to hyperspace. Leaving everything to the onboard systems, Ino headed to the galley to make herself a snack.

A few minutes later, she sat down with her snack and a drink. Enjoying the combined flavors as she let her mind return to an earlier upcoming decision.

Timeskip- 30.75 hours later

Tatooine, Mos Eisley Spaceport, Hangar Bay 3-5

Arriving at the Hangar specified, Naruto brought the 74-Z he borrowed at Boba's Palace to a stop outside its main entrance. Hopping off the speeder bike, he entered to see a loading ramp come to rest atop the sandy floor of the hangar. Three pit droids huddled around a human woman standing around five feet tall with tight curly brown hair. A gloved hand brought up a scanner from a hip holster as a figure began stepping down the ramp. He relaxed as he recognized Yugito's armor and began walking forward as the two women started talking.

Peli Motto hid her curiosity as she began inspecting the ship. "You three, stop hiding behind the power modules and get to work," she ordered out loud as she holstered the scanner and turned to see a female Mandalorian coming down the ramp. She couldn't help but blink at the purple armor. Her gaze locked onto the Wookie bowcaster. "No need for that. No one here is gonna try anything," she said reassuringly.

"I'm sure," Yugito replied through the helmet's speaker. "At least nothing beyond raising the prices for a basic inspection and re-fuel." she teased as she racked the bowcaster onto a holder she built onto her jetpack. "I take it you're Peli Motto, then. You come highly recommended."

She automatically straightened at the mention of her full name. "Oh yeah? And just who would have done that?" her face scrunching up in suspicion.

Naruto walked into the sunlight and spoke aloud, startling the mechanic and sending the pit droids into a scamper. "Our brother told us you were the one to come to if we needed a wrench job on Tatooine." His hands rising empty, "Not to mention the Daimyo sends his regards."

Peli spun in shock, her eyes wide, "By the Maker! You guys pop up like scurriers! Give a girl a heart attack!" she exclaimed, and then the statements sunk in. "I knew being good to that kid would pay off." She had a grin a mile wide as she accepted a datapad from a pit droid. Glancing at it and said, "Well, the ship's in good shape. No serious issues, just some minor maintenance. Of course, the refuel costs," she added with a smirk directed at the female Mando.

Yugito took her helmet off and shook her braid loose. Interrupting the mechanic before she could get on a roll, "Need a few things, modified… so to say," she looked over at Naruto as he removed his helmet, their eyes meeting, which did interesting things to her innards. ~Just like always. All it takes is a look~ She cleared her thoughts as the mechanic amongst them coughed, "Simple changes to a few compartments. Plus an update to the registry and 1-1-4s."

"Uh-huh." Peli replied dryly, "Nothing with you guys is ever that simple." She resumed reading the data pad. "Huh…this is weird." she lowered the pad to check out the two people that had yet to break eye contact. "Do I want to know just where you got this ship? She's practically showroom clean." she finished with her eyes narrowing, "Even its registry is spotless."

Naruto jerked slightly at the revelation, but he didn't look away from the emerald gaze. "I thought you three went to check out a few scrap yards. Tell me you girls didn't steal a ship straight from a secured shipyard?" he phrased it as a question, lifting an eyebrow.

Yugito finally broke eye contact, flushing slightly, "No. We went to the Khartoosh Scrapyards." She looked up to see Naruto's eyebrow rise higher in disbelief, "We did! We had several to choose from. This one just happened to be there and was the least damaged." she finished, fighting to get the heat out of her cheeks.

"Su-u-u-re." Naruto teased. He knew she wasn't lying to him. Just not telling him everything. Yet. "What do you have in mind?"

"That's what I want to know," Peli interjected, reminding the duo of her presence. "There's plenty we can do. Originally the YV-560 was designed as a light freighter." she turned and raised her voice, "R5! Get over here and show us the schematic for the Corellian YV-560!" she turned back to her now-established clients, "Good help is so hard to find these days." she griped comedically. "Any day now. Seriously, we're just fine waiting for you."

When the droid rolled up and projected the blueprint, Yugito pointed out what she was looking to have done. "I want the quarters here, here, here, and here merged with their cargo spaces. This larger room I want to modify also. Convert the cargo space into a larger fresher with access to a water-type shower instead of the usual vibration model." She then indicated the opposite side, "I want this bay cleared out and merged with that cargo hold. I'll also need a double rail system to hold and support at least six carbonite bays."

Peli Motto had credit signs in her eyes as she smiled, "As I said … 'It's never that simple with you lot,' " She indicated the first series of bays at the rear of the ship and the one on the right side, "These are structural interior walls. Properly reinforced, they won't be a problem. I can refurbish the vertical supports for that. What I would suggest, however…" she and Yugito huddled over the holographic diagram and began working out the details while Naruto just stepped back and watched, feeling his supply of credits begin not so slowly disappearing.

Talks finished, a smiling Yugito stepped over to Naruto. "It'll take a couple of days to get the changes finished. She assures me they'll hold up."

Naruto nodded slightly, "A test run will tell us if she is as good as advertised." He looked around Yugito and saw the other woman and her droids already getting the ball rolling. "Alright. You said you had some things for Pops. Guess we better get them unloaded and ready for transport to Mos Espa."

Yugito shook her head, "I dropped them off before getting here. All we have to do is relax and let Peli do her job. Then we can go back to the palace and help your dad set things up." she leaned forward and purred by his ear, "I have you to myself until then." She pressed a finger to his lips, "Shhhh. Hinata knows and agrees. We both know you will pamper her equally when we return to base. So for now, " her sultry voice turned wicked, "You're all mine."

Naruto chuckled huskily, "Better start running. You're only going to get ten seconds." He stepped back and put on his helmet. "Starting now."

Yugito didn't hesitate to take off at a full sprint out of the hangar, donning her helmet on the move. Laughing excitedly the whole way out.

Peli Motto had interacted with species of all kinds. Not all of them were humanoid. Even so, she knew a mating ritual when she saw one. She pocketed a cred stick dropped in her hand before the male took flight. She just shook her head and got back to work. She had a few 'extras' in mind. She knew they'd be more than appreciated.

Twenty-five minutes and an executive suite rental later, two figures lounged in a foaming bath. Laughing and teasing as they fed each other from a nearby low table. "You know..," Naruto said after a sip of wine, "You haven't told me what happened on your trip to the scrap yards."

Yugito felt her back pop as she shrugged and sighed, "No, I haven't. " She gave him a challenging smile, "You'll just have to work for it."

His answer was to smirk and slip beneath the water's surface.

A moment later, Yugito's eyes went wide before she shuddered, hands gripping the side rails of the tub as her head fell back onto a stack of towels. ~ Should know better by now…~