Beta by: RedCommandar72. Cheers to her for being super cool and chill! Hugs and cookies to you dattebyo!

A/N: I apologise for any and all error left, although we try, we are still bound by the laws of being imperfect humans.

1.6 One step at a time

"I think I have a crush on someone."

Iruka choked on the water he just took a sip from and spat it all out, quite ungracefully.

Winter months are on their way, but the weather was yet to turn too cold. Iruka had meant to seek Naruto out before she left for her sage training, he also had the ulterior motive to make sure she was doing okay after Jiraiya's 'accident' at the Rain village as well. Thus, Iruka had invited himself to Naruto's building on this fine pre-winter day with food and snacks.

Naruto had welcomed him with a big grin, all in her morning glory of tousled hair and orange pyjamas, melting his brotherly (or was it fatherly, Iruka couldn't tell!) heart in the process. She looked like an adorable doll. The blonde had cheerfully welcomed him in, all the while telling Iruka how she was hoping to see him anyway. Iruka was relieved to see Naruto back in her high spirits. He had pushed Naruto to freshen up and had pulled on the apron to cook them both a nice and healthy breakfast. Naruto came bouncing back after freshening up and they had enjoyed a quiet morning where they both cooked and talked about everything and anything. Once they had settled down with their steaming plates of food Iruka asked, "So, was there any reason you wanted to meet me Naruto?"

Naruto had gone quite for a moment, and Iruka could detect her demeaner changing. He let Naruto collect her thoughts. Being a teacher, Iruka knew very well when not to push someone, also when someone needs a nudge or two in the right direction. So, he waited patiently for Naruto to tell him what was on her mind.

No amount of preparation could have helped Iruka to not react to the next words spoken by the girl he considered his own family.

"I think I have a crush on someone."

Iruka wasn't ready for those words. He knew a day would come when Naruto would start dating, but in his heart, Iruka hoped the day would be years from now. Emphasis onyears. On one hand, Iruka wanted to unleash his big brother instincts on the girl and swear her off of any boy until she turned 40. On the other hand, Iruka found the situation thoroughly adorable, about time Naruto had a crush, it was long overdue! Iruka took a minute to compose himself and actually gulped down some water like he was going to before the crush bomb landed on his big-brotherly heart.

"It's quite natural to have a crush Naruto. It is quite unheard of to go through your teenage years without having crushes," Iruka answered warmly, now somewhat more hydrated and calmer.

"Yes, Ino told me that before I went training the first time," Naruto answered stabbing her food and taking a large bite.

Iruka knew Ino very well, despite being a decent student and a better Kunoichi, Ino was somewhat overenthusiastic about romance. He wasn't surprised to hear about Ino's involvement when it came to romantic encounters in other people lives, the girl loved to gossip.

"Is it someone from your team? Sasuke may be?" Iruka asked. Sasuke was the most famous boy of their age group and the kid was also very strong, Iruka wouldn't be surprised if Naruto was infatuated with the younger Uchiha brother.

"No, it is not him," Naruto said with a small sigh. "It would be so much easier if he was Sasuke."

Iruka smiled at her comment, there was nothing easy about Sasuke Uchiha, but Naruto was comfortable enough with the aforesaid boy to feel otherwise, this easiness spoke volumes of how close the kids were. Iruka was certainly happy about how Sai, Sasuke and Naruto had turned out. As their sensei, Iruka was worried as to how they would be able to fit in with their comrades, but all three had surprised him. A very well received surprise, if he says so himself.

"Is it that red headed kid from Sand village, Gaara?" Iruka asked standing up and collected both his and Naruto's empty dishes.

"What? No. I don't even know much about Sora, Sensei. He is a friend though," Naruto answered following Iruka back to her small kitchen. Iruka put the plates in the dish washer and leaned on the counter while Naruto hopped up on a stool.

"I am out of guesses. If it is Sai, I will be very surprised, not saying Sai is a bad choice, I just can't imagine you having a crush on that kid," Iruka said with a small chuckle.

Naruto matched his sentiments with her own laugh. "Sai is great, but no not him either. It's just...," Naruto ended up with a shy blush on her face and Iruka secretly wanted to take a polaroid and keep the moment alive forever, "I am not completely sure about my feelings yet, but…he is Itachi."

Iruka lost his balance and landed his arse on the floor.

Naruto grasp with surprise as she quickly reached out to help Iruka up, "Are you okay? How did you fall down sensei?"

"Itachi Uchiha?" Iruka asked in a daze, still not believing his ears.

No, not the younger Uchiha, but the older one.

Damn! the ANBU's would have a party if they heard this juicy piece of information.

"Umm...yes," Naruto answered, baffled and a little concerned with Iruka's sudden gravitational attachment.

"Damn!" Iruka uncharacteristically cursed, albeit dramatically.

"Of course, only you will find the most dangerous boy to have a crush on Naruto! Why couldn't it be someone less dangerous? You have to go for the guy with a flee on site alert in the bingo book and he is just a little over 20!" Iruka posed to take a breath, while Naruto just looked at him with bewilderment.

To Naruto's defence, she didn't mean for it to happen. It just happened somehow. Not the one to back down, she voiced her thoughts. "I didn't mean to, it just happened! Now I have no idea how to face him. I go all red faced and my heart feels weird around him!" Naruto yelled out, puffing her cheeks out. She was slowly starting to get annoyed at Iruka. Sure, Itachi was dangerous, but as far as Naruto was concerned, that was a fine quality to have. So there!

Iruka had managed to stand up and glanced down at the blonde girl who was slowly turning red, he was torn between his concern for the girl and how amusing the situation was turning into. He was aware that Naruto have gotten the misconception that Iruka didn't approve of Itachi. On the contrary, it was farthest from the truth. Iruka approved of the older Uchiha whole heartedly, but that doesn't mean he will not be giving Naruto a tough time!

"Are you sure it's him? Not some friendly, nice and no name in the bingo book guy, preferably a non-ninja?" he asked with a pleading look on his face.

"No. I like Itachi only dattebyo!" a fuming Naruto proceeded to yell.

That was how Sai found Naruto and Iruka faced against each other in Naruto's small kitchen.

Line Break...

Sai was having a nice day. He had finished the portrait of Naruto which he was making as a welcome home gift for her. He decided to drop it off to her and see if she was up for lunch. With that intention in mind, he left his apartment and jumped up on the roof. On the way he saw Kakashi and had a small chat. Kakashi had praised his painting and Sai was smiling brightly when he reached Naruto's door. He knocked twice and waited for the blond girl to show herself, but no one answered the door. Sai knocked again after a minute, again no one came to answer the door. Sai could hear little bits and pieces of chatter coming from inside the house and decided to just let himself inside, Ninja style! He walked out on the building's wall and walked inside Naruto's kitchen when he heard the last part of the argument Naruto has having with Iruka-sensei.

Now Sai wasn't very emotionally active or normal for that matter, but a direct statement like 'I like Itachi only' wasn't lost to even someone like him.

"So Naru will be Sasuke's sister-in-low? For real? I have to say I am jealous," Sai felt obliged to add his bit to the conversation while unsealing the gift he had brought.

Both Naruto and Iruka jumped, seemingly too lost in the conversation to notice Sai had infiltrated Naruto's home.

Naruto looked at Sai with open mouth while Iruka muttered something incoherent, pinching his scared nose.

"Here, I brought you a welcome home gift, I know I am late. Welcome home," Sai said holding out the painting, a smile adoring his face. "Should I add Itachi to the painting too? Make it a congratulations on the new relationship gift?" he asked stroking his chin thoughtfully.

Naruto quickly grabbed the gift and looked at the painting, it was beautiful. Sai always had the way to make her look way more beautiful than she actually was. Naruto wasn't complaining.

"Umm… no that won't be necessary right now Sai. I love the painting," Naruto said, trying and failing to keep her cool.

Sai nodded her head and set himself up on a nearby stool. "How are you, sensei? I was hoping to go for lunch with Naruto today. She was upset this past week; would you like to join us?"

Iruka had a feeling Naruto should talk to Sai alone on what he had just over heard and thus decided to take his leave.

"Errr... No, Sai. Maybe next time," Iruka turned his attention to a slightly panicked looking Naruto and his heart warmed a little, it was easy to forget just how young these amazing kids were.

"Hey, it is okay," Iruka said softly, placing his hand on top of Naruto's head. "I am glad we got to catch up...also, I am happy it is Itachi, Naruto."

Naruto honoured him with a small, shy, but a genuine smile and Iruka's brotherly-heart melted a little more inside. He said his goodbye and left the apartment, leaving Sai and Naruto together to their discussion.

Hopefully, Itachi will man up soon and confess to the girl. He had heard about the gambling pool going on at ANBU's headquarters about when those two will finally get together. Maybe Iruka should make an investment. He would treat Naruto to lunch when he wins the tons of money betted over the years over those two.

Once Iruka left, Naruto turned to Sai and sat down beside him, putting her head on the counter.

"You have the worst timing ever Sai," she mumbled.

Sai blinked down at his teammate. "Why? Because I overheard your confession? I am happy for you. I like Itachi, not the way you do, but more like a good comrade way."

Naruto lifted her head. "Please stop saying that aloud," she groaned.

"What? That you have a crush on Itachi?" Sai asked, not seeing what the problem in teasing the blonde was. Sai had once read in 'How to make friends for dummy's ' that light teasing on the matters of the heart is a good way to build up and form a bond with friends. Also, he should help Naruto out on her quest in love.

"Yes, dattebyo!" Naruto exclaimed.

"Why? Also, it is so not fair that Sasuke gets to call you his sister. I wanted to do that too," Sai said as a matter of fact. "Too bad Shin isn't here," Sai added sadly after a moment.

"It doesn't work like that, Sai. Even I know that now," Naruto said with a sigh, while petting Sai's shoulder. "Plus, Itachi might not feel the same way you know."

Sai blinked. "Should I go ask Itachi or we can tell Sasuke to do so, I am sure he will be happy to help."

"What?! No, Sai, you can't tell anyone about this. Not a word, okay?" Naruto said feeling like she was having a heart attack. Sai was one of the worst people to have over heard their conversation, Itachi being the worst. She should have known better than to let her guard down like that.

Sai nodded. "Okay, I will read some books and find out how to seduce Itachi then," he decided.

Naruto face turned red completely, resembling her mother unknowingly. Oh God, could it get any more awkward? Naruto screamed internally.

"I don't need to seduce him Sai!"

"Who are you planning to seduce Naruto?" a monotonous voice asked.

To Naruto's utter horror Sasuke had found himself to her kitchen as well.

She was wrong, it could get way more awkward!

Naruto felt like crying, this wasn't how she was planning to tell her teammates about her newly discovered feelings.

"No one Sasuke, Sai was just being Sai," she added quickly, standing up from her stool, sending a quick keep-quite-or-die look at Sai's way. Sai wasn't fool enough to acquire Naruto's wrath, he had seen her in action many times, the girl was capable of some very serious destruction. However, the conversation about her crush on Itachi wasn't over, Sai is so going to get back to that when they were alone again. For now, he decided to keep quiet. Sai also made a mental note to read books on seduction techniques, he was a good friend and good friends help one another in needs after all!

Sasuke looked back and forth between Sai and Naruto. Sasuke's suspicion grew as both his teammate gave him innocent expressions. Naruto, he was ready to believe. But Sai being innocent was a big Hell NO!

The younger Uchiha originally sort out Naruto since he wanted to have a sparring match with her. Naruto had managed to learn a new jutsu, Sasuke wanted to see how powerful she was now. Unknowingly, Sasuke too had followed the same pattern as Sai to find himself inside Naruto's apartment, and thus ended up hearing the tail of the conversation going inside the house.

"Yes, I am being Sai," Sai answered when Sasuke looked at the pale guy with his usual Uchiha gaze, silently demanding Sai to speak the hell up. Sasuke narrowed his eyes at a sweetly smiling Sai and reluctantly nodded after a moment, seemingly satisfied with their innocent routine. He would be sure to investigate about this matter soon anyway, whatever they were hiding will come to light. He might ask Haku to help as well, she was good at digging up information. Naruto will only be Itachi's girlfriend and hopefully his wife someday. Anyone she will be seducing has to be his big brother and Sasuke will be making sure of it.

A few years down the line, this mundane day would be recalled on many occasions, each and every time with a fond smile and laughter on everyone's faces.

Line break...

"So, it is decided, it will be a drag but we will evacuate every citizen underground for the time being. Just in case," Shikaku concluded the council meeting with a sigh and sagged back on his chair. He was so not looking forward to the vast amount of paper work they were going to be filling in soon. Maybe he should con Shikamaru into doing all that? Yes, that will be good idea. Shikaku will just beat his son in a shogi match and make him do all the paper work, perfect solution.

All the council members slowly started to take their leave. Inoichi and Choza stood up as well. A very few people were aware about the future events predicted by Sora three years ago. Shikaku was one of those few unfortunate candidates. He had been with the Hokage frequently since then, carefully planning and building the village in such a way that they could avoid any serious destruction coming their direction.

Shikaku had no intension of seeing his village destroyed by some crazy boy with Pein for a name. Like really? Who name themselves Pein? If you are self-naming, you literally have all the choices in the world, but no, the troublesome dude chose the name Pein. More like Pain in Shikaku's butt. They had planned to intercept Pein before the guy could even get to Leaf village and find the real body of Nagato Uzumaki as soon as possible. Shikaku was pretty confident about how to get the guy. No one was threatening his village, no one. Plus, it would be a huge drag to tame the frighten deer his family owns if Pein in the ass decides to destroy the Leaf village for fun.

"Shikaku stay," Lady Tsunade called before he could get out. He nodded and planted himself back to the chair he was occupying.

"We have received a letter back from Killer Bee. I want you to take a look at it," Tsunade said handing Shikaku a scroll. Shikaku's brows touch his hair line once he started to read the scroll.

Dear Hokage yo,

I feel your beat, since I know about Akatsuki's shit!

'A' said we need to talk; a five Kage summit is what we need to rock!

My octo needs to meet the foxo,

Need to strike when the time is right,

the fight is at our door's sight,

So, bring it on! Fool, you fool! Oh Yeah!

Shikaku felt a headache starting to build up inside his head. Gaara, the Kazekage of the Sand had made a very bold statement to send a letter directly to Killer B, the jinchuuriki of the Eight Tails after the Two Tails was abducted. Both sand and leaf had sent out the letters and Killer Bee had answered them both. He had asked to meet both the fox and the tanuki and had proposed the summit of the Kages. Both villages had been trying to reach Onoki, the Tsuchikage and all the other Kages without much success, the old fool had refused to answer any of their letters. Making him come to the summit will be a difficult task indeed.

"What do you think?" Tsunade asked.

"Killer Bee is a very bad rapper for one thing, and we have to have the summit, I agree with him. I don't think Naruto should meet him yet though. We will try to avoid the war. However, if by any chance a war does breaks out, we will have no choice but to let the jinchuuriki do their thing. Troublesome," Shikaku answered with a sigh.

"I agree. We need the summit and it seems we also need to communicate with A," Tsunade said, suddenly feeling very old. Despite all their knowledge about the upcoming events, Jiraiya was in coma with no sign of waking up. The Akatsuki had suddenly gone silent after their last attack and it felt like an ominous calm before the storm. Asuma had managed to survive, Tsunade will consider it a win for them. But how long will they last till all hell broke loose.

Shikaku stood up. "If this is all, I will be on my way Lady Hokage," he said respectfully. Tsunade dismissed him. She hesitated a moment before pulling up a fresh page. Tsunade had a village and a blonde brat to save, one step at a time.

A/N: Hey people! Do you thing, read and review yo! (I came up with the rap, tell me how it was.)