So, great news! Turns out there's wifi/internet access (idk what the difference between wifi and internet is?) here so expect the weekly updates!

Also, thanks ohud63 and mbravesgirl7 for the reviews! Fight scenes are something I enjoy writing, though the fight between Tenten and Temari was nothing major.

All characters belong to Kishimoto-san.

Chapter 16: The Uchiha Household

Naruto was standing by the table near Kakashi's room, jumping up and down aimlessly. Next to him, Shikamaru was seated at the table along with Chouji, Ino, and Shino. Kiba stood not too far away, leaning against the wall.

"Naruto, please stop," Kiba said. "You're giving me a headache."

"But this will be so cool!" Naruto yelled. "Aren't you excited to see Sasuke's house, dattebayo? Man, I bet it's huge!"

"He's rich," Ino pointed out, "So, of course, his house should be huge."

"He's a spoiled kid, that's what he is," Kiba said. "I'll bet his room is super fancy, too."

"If you don't want to go see his house, then don't," Ino said. "Why are you even here anyways?"

"Why are you here?" Kiba retorted. "I mean, come on, when Sasuke invited us, he was clearly asking us boys only."

Ino rolled her eyes. "Yeah, right, and since when have we ever done anything separately?"

"You just want to see his room," Kiba said. "What a creep."

"I'm curious, too," Chouji put in before an argument between Kiba and Ino could begin. "I mean, Sasuke's kind of mysterious when it comes to his family."

"I think the award for most mysterious goes to Shino, though," Naruto said thoughtfully. "He never talks, dattebayo."

"That's mean, Naruto-kun," Shino said. "I do talk."

"Yeah, but only occasionally," said Naruto.

"Sasuke doesn't talk much, either," Shikamaru reminded him.

"But I like that about Sasuke-kun," Ino said. "He's a man of few words."

Shikamaru sighed. "I'm a man of few words."

"But you're ugly," Ino stated.

"Thanks, Ino." Shikamaru wondered why he was still friends with Ino.

"Who are we waiting for, anyways?" Chouji asked.

"Sasuke, Hinata-chan, and Sakura-chan," Naruto announced. "I also got Sasuke to invite Gaara, but he said he was busy. Something about his sister's birthday tomorrow, dattebayo."

From his spot, Shikamaru filed that piece of information away for later, though he wasn't sure why.

"Oh, look, there he is!" Naruto shouted suddenly, pointing.

In the distance, Sasuke, Sakura, and Hinata were walking towards them.

"Sorry, we're a bit late," Sakura said. "We had some questions for Kurenai-sensei about the project."

"Oh, the project!" Naruto said. "Who did you guys get? I got stuck with this annoying kid named Sai and we're researching up your clan, Sasuke!"

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him. "Funny how you're researching my family, Naruto. It just so happens that I'm researching yours."

"Wait, what, you also got Uzumaki?" Kiba said.

"We should work together, Sasuke-kun!" Ino said, latching herself onto Sasuke's arm and receiving glares from Sakura. "I'm partners with Kiba, and we're researching the same thing!"

Sasuke calmly shook her away. "My partner is that Sunagakure girl. I doubt you would want to work with her."

"Temari?" Shikamaru asked, sitting up straight. "You're partners with her?"

"Yes, why?" Sasuke said, and Ino gave Shikamaru a curious look.

Shikamaru shrugged, returning to his slouched position. "Just wondering."

"You got Gaara's sister?" Naruto said. "Shikamaru here got Gaara!"

"Who are you researching?" Kiba asked. "Isn't it scary to work with that kid?"

"Hey, Gaara's not scary!" Naruto argued, his tone angry. "You just don't know anything about him, dattebayo!"

"Okay, okay," Kiba relented. "Chill, man. You don't need to get so worked up."

Sasuke cleared his throat. "Let's get going first."

"Oh, yeah, right!" Naruto exclaimed. "We're going to your house today, dattebayo!"

"Yes, we are, dobe," Sasuke said. He led the way, with Naruto trailing right behind him. The others followed at a slower pace, with Ino and Sakura directly behind Naruto as they tried to get Sasuke's attention.

"So, who are you researching?" Kiba asked Shikamaru as they walked.

"Shimura," Shikamari replied.

"You mean like Shimura Danzo?" Shino said. "The Chancellor of Konoha University?"

"Yeah," said Shikamaru.

"How did he even get that position anyways?" Kiba said, shaking his head. "I heard he's really weird."

"He's a really talented person," Shikamaru said. "Though I can't personally vouch for that."

"What about you, Shino?" Kiba said. "What clan did you get?"

"Nara," Shino said, looking at Shikamaru. "I got partnered with Shiho."

Kiba laughed. "I'll bet all they did were sleep and play shogi. Just write that down on your paper, Shino. 'Played shogi and slept and watched clouds all day long.'"

Shikamaru sighed, not appreciating Kiba's humor. "Not all my family members are like me."

"No, but you're the only Nara I know," Kiba said. "That, and your father, who is a lot like you."

"How about you, Chouji?" Shino asked, redirecting the conversation to their history project.

"Sarutobi clan," Chouji said. "Asuma-sensei's clan."

"And the Hokage's," Kiba said. "Man, why couldn't I pick up some interesting clan? What do Naruto's family members even do?"

"They p-played a large r-role in th-the past," Hinata said quietly.

"But come on, Hinata-chan," Kiba said. "Have his clan members ever been Hokage? No, they haven't. But see, the Sarutobi, Senju, and Namikaze clans have."

"So, you only want to research the Hokage's family?" Chouji asked.

"Uchiha isn't bad, either," Kiba amended. "I mean, people like Uchiha Madara were, like, right on par with the First Hokage, right? Or like, why didn't I get Shino's clan? The Aburame are cool, aren't they? Or Chouji's clan. Or, even better, Hinata's clan 'cause the Hyuuga are definitely cool. That's funny, though, 'cause Hinata-chan got her own family. Anyways, my point is, I should be researching a cool family, not a lame one."

"N-Naruto-kun isn't lame," Hinata disagreed. "He is v-very hard-w-working."

Kiba rolled his eyes and grinned. Shikamaru wondered what he had planned next.

"Uzumaki Naruto is never becoming Hokage!" Kiba hollered to the blond boy in front of him. "Because I am!"

Naruto whipped around so fast he nearly fell. "You wish, Kiba! I'm becoming Hokage, not you, dattebayo!"

Shikamaru sighed as a shouting match between Kiba and Naruto started. "I think I'd rather have Sasuke as Hokage at this point."

.

Sasuke's home was large. That was the only word Shikamaru could use to describe it. Shikamaru's own family was wealthy, but they were certainly not as rich as the Uchihas. Besides, the Naras liked to keep their houses simple, choosing to invest in wildlife on their land than in infrastructure.

"No way, is that your house?" Naruto asked, open-mouthed as the group of freshmen stopped in front of the Uchiha property.

"That's not even a house," Kiba said. "That's a mansion."

The Uchiha mansion loomed in front of them. It was three stories high, and spanned the length of about four average houses. Green grass decked the areas around it, with small patches of bushes and trees, and statues of past Uchihas, with Uchiha Madara being the most recognizable. There was a circular driveway in front of the Uchiha mansion, with a small pond and fountain in the middle. The property was sealed off by a fence that was twice their height, with a gate blocking the entrance. A butler was waiting for them, and he bowed as Sasuke approached.

"Welcome back, Sasuke-sama," the butler said. "Are these your guests?"

Sasuke nodded. "Is Dad out?"

"Yes," the butler answered. "Fugaku-sama is currently at the police station, and Mikoto-sama is out shopping."

Sasuke gestured for his friends to enter as the gates swung open.

"Your father warns you not to show them too much," the butler said. "Fugaku-sama has allowed this one visit, but he will not tolerate a second one."

"Yes, I know," Sasuke said. "I'll just show them around a bit, nothing more."

"Is there anything you require, Sasuke-sama?"

"No, you may leave."

The butler bowed again. "As you wish, Sasuke-sama."

"Dude, my whole family plus our dogs could live here," Kiba said after the butler left. "Man, the Uchihas are rich."

Sasuke smirked. "Our clan is one of the oldest. It was the Uchihas and Senjus who built Konohagakure into what it is today."

"That, and the fact that your father is in charge of the police," Naruto said. "Can we see the weapons first, dattebayo?"

"Calm down, Naruto," Shikamaru said. "We haven't even gotten in yet."

Naruto pouted but followed Sasuke as he led them into the mansion itself. Unlike the exterior, the interior of the mansion was rather plain. The floor was wooden, and the walls were painted blue, and the doors to the rooms were marked with the sign of the Uchiha clan: a red and white fan.

It was not all that different from any of their other houses, besides the size, and Shikamaru wondered if the Uchihas were like the Naras and preferred to keep it efficient rather than extravagant.

However, unlike Shikamaru's home, rows of weaponry lined the walls of Sasuke's home, each locked up in glass cases.

Naruto stopped at an ancient looking sword, gazing up at it in amazement.

"You guys even have swords!" Naruto exclaimed. "Those things are so old!"

Sasuke shrugged indifferently. "It's been in the family for years. Every single weapon we've ever used, we keep."

"What about Uchiha Madara's fan thingy?" Kiba asked excitedly. "Can we see that?"

Sasuke frowned. "It's called a gunbai. That's the only weapon we don't have. It went missing a few years ago, though we do have gunbai here, but not the original one Uchiha Madara used."

"Weapons are cool and all," Sakura interrupted. "But can we move on and see the rest of your place?"

"Like maybe your kitchen," Ino suggested.

Kiba made a disgusted face. "You mean his room. You guys are a bunch of creeps."

"What, do you not have a room?" Sakura countered, raising her fist threateningly.

Kiba hastily backed away, putting his hands up. "No, no, that's not it. I just meant, it's just a bit weird to see his room first before the rest of the house which is right in front of us."

"We never said his room," Sakura said. "You said it, not us."

"Okay, okay, geez," Kiba said. "Girls are so dramatic."

"You can say that again," Shikamaru muttered, earning himself a smack from Ino.

As Shikamaru rubbed his head painfully, Sasuke led his friends throughout the rest of his house, revealing the various weapons the Uchiha had proudly on display. Naruto fawned over each of them, and despite his dislike of Uchiha Sasuke, Shikamaru had to admit he was impressed. Even the girls looked a bit interested, though Shikamaru could tell Ino and Sakura were more interested in gathering data on Sasuke's interests.

"Sasuke's place isn't bad," Chouji said as he peered over Shikamaru's shoulder at a vase. "I still like ours better, though."

"You make it sound like we live together," Ino said, standing behind the two boys.

"Don't we, though?" Shikamaru said. "We end up sleeping in various places all the time. One day I'm in my room, and then the next we're in Chouji's."

"Yeah, but that doesn't mean we live together under one roof," said Ino. "It's still three separate families."

Shikamaru sighed. "Why don't you go back to collecting data on your crush?"

"I wasn't 'collecting data'," Ino protested, though her tone was not convincing. "I was merely observing Sasuke-kun's house."

"Yeah, real intensely," Shikamaru said. "I've never seen you so concentrated on anything before."

"Oh, shut up, Shikamaru. You're the one who's the lazy ass."

Ino paused and smirked. "But hey, what's up with you and Temari?"

Shikamaru stared at her blankly. "Me and who?"

Ino rolled her eyes. "Don't act dumb, Shikamaru. I know your IQ is over 200. I heard Asuma-sensei say that."

"Of course, he did," Shikamaru said. "It's like all the adults are trying to annoy me, or something."

"I thought it was just women," Chouji said.

"You mean, troublesome women," Ino corrected. "Which is basically all women, but still, don't forget the 'troublesome' part, since it wouldn't be Shikamaru otherwise."

Shikamaru groaned. "Can we not do this right now? We're kind of in Sasuke's house."

"Oh, so outside Sasuke's house is fine?" Chouji asked. "Do you want to step outside and continue our conversation, then?"

Shikamaru sighed. "Whatever."

"So," Ino said, placing herself directly next to Shikamaru. She hooked her arm through his so that he could not escape. "I didn't know you were so friendly with Sabaku no Temari."

"I'm not," Shikamaru said, trying to detach himself. Ino clung on tighter and Chouji moved to Shikamaru's other side, blocking him from moving in that direction.

"Then why did you look so interested when Sasuke mentioned her?" Ino persisted. "He didn't even mention her name."

Shikamaru shrugged. "It would be impolite to forget her so soon. I was her guide, after all."

Ino didn't look convinced. "I've never seen you so interested in anyone besides us before."

Chouji nodded his head in agreement. "You actually sat up straight when she was mentioned."

"Look, guys," Shikamaru said exasperatedly. "You're imagining it. We're just friends."

Ino raised her eyebrows. "Just friends? I thought you said you weren't friendly with her?"

Shikamaru silently cursed himself. He had buried himself in his own grave. If this had just been Chouji, Chouji would have dismissed it. But no, Ino was also here, and this was Ino, who was extremely interested in everything about him. Including who he talked to, apparently. Shikamaru just talked to Temari; that was all. Besides, she had talked to him first so it would have been rude not to reply—and the fact that she would most likely have killed him for not answering. They were barely friends as it was.

"Friends as in acquaintances," Shikamaru said, sounding lame even to his own ears. "We just talked a bit here and there."

"But you were so scared of her before," Ino said. "And now you're holding conversations with her? As 'acquaintances'?"

Shikamaru sighed. "Listen, Ino, there's nothing going on, so why don't you just drop it?"

"Okay, fine," Ino said, reluctantly freeing Shikamaru from her hold. Shikamaru gratefully moved a few inches away from her, but not before he caught the sly smile on her face.

Shikamaru shuddered. She was definitely planning something.