Naruto vs Sasuke: The Aftermath Chapter 64: Homecoming Part 5, a naruto fanfic

Summary: Naruto, Kakashi, and Jiraiya have returned to the Leaf village after nearly four years away training. Many reunions and surprises awaited them upon their return. How will they react to the various changes to their home and the people they care about? As the Konoha they left years ago is no longer the same home they have returned to.

Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath

Chapter 64: "Homecoming Pt.5"

"Chouji is dead Kashi-kun, he's dead."

"What the hell do you mean Chouji is dead?" Kakashi asked in stunned disbelief.

"He, he was killed during the Otogakure invasion." Kurenai stammered.

"That's, that's not possible. We contacted Lady Tsunade a week later after we heard about the invasion. We asked if our friends and comrades were alright and she told us everyone was fine."

"I know."

"What do you mean you know?"

"I mean I know what Lady Tsunade told all of you in the scroll she sent back with Gamakichi."

"Why did she do it, why did she lie to us?"

"She didn't lie to you, she just wasn't as forthcoming with all the information as you would have liked."

"A lie of omission is still a lie."

"Perhaps, but Lady Tsunade felt she was doing what was best."

"Best for whom?" Kakashi asked in a derisive tone of voice.

"For everyone! What do you think would have happened if she had informed all of you about Chouji's death?"

"I suppose we would have returned to the Leaf village"

"Exactly, and what would your return have accomplished? Chouji would still be dead. You already said you didn't learn of the invasion until a week later. All you would have returned to was the Leaf village trying to recover and heal from it!"

"We could have helped!"

"That might be true, but the cost of the three of you returning to the village would have been making the entire mission to train Naruto to the maximum of his abilities and learn to subjugate and control the Kyuubi no Youko's power a complete failure. Is that what you and Master-Jiraiya wanted?"

Kakashi remained silent, as he pondered Kurenai's question, before he heaved a heavy sigh and said.

"No, that mission was important to both of us for many reasons."

"I know that and so did Lady Tsunade." Kurenai stated before adding.

"And being the Hokage, she had to make the tough decision of not informing the three of you of everything that happened in the Invasion. She knew it was vital that the two of you complete Naruto's training, so he would be strong enough to help all of us in the future."

"I suppose I understand Tsunade's reasoning for that, but that still doesn't excuse her for not telling me about you and Minato. I still intend to have some words with her about that!" Kakashi angrily declared.

"You will do no such thing!" Kurenai snapped back in fury.

"Why?"

"Because I told her not to inform you!"

"Wha-what, why would you do that?"

"I did that, because I knew how important that mission was to you. It was your chance for atonement with Naruto. You told me as much in that letter you left me. So like Tsunade, I had a difficult decision to make and I made it. Besides there was nothing you could have done. I gave birth to Minato and having you there to hold my hand afterwards accomplished nothing."

A thick silence enveloped the room, as both Jounin struggled to say something. It was Kakashi who finally broke the oppressive silence and commented.

"Don't you think I might have wanted to be around when Minato said his first word and took his first steps, among other joys of watching him grow up?"

"I'm sorry Kashi-kun, I did deprive you of those moments and if you want to hate me for it, you have the right. I did think of those things, but I wanted to give you your chance at redemption with Naruto. And as I said I knew how much you wanted that chance and how significant it was to you." Kurenai answered in a saddened tone of voice.

Kakashi heard the sorrow-filled voice of his fiancé and sighed, before he walked over and enveloped Kurenai in a loving hug, as he softly said.

"I don't hate you Kure-chan, I could never hate you. I may not be happy about the decision you made, but I should thank you for it, as it did give me the chance to redeem myself with Naruto."

As the two Jounin stood inside the apartment hugging one another, it was Kakashi who finally said with a little trepidation in his voice.

"I'm still concerned how Naruto is going to react when he hears about Chouji. It may be very bad for all of us."

"Why do you say that? I know he's going to be upset and in in some pain, we all were when it happened. But Naruto has grown so much since he's been away and seems much more mature."

"He has grown and is more mature, he had no choice but to do that, as it helped him to achieve Sage status, as well as gain some control over the Kyuubi's power within him. However, there are certain things that might push him over the edge like learning about the death of one of the few people he could call a childhood friend. How did Chouji die Kurenai?"

Kurenai hesitated a moment, as she knew her answer would be painful for Kakashi to hear, before she finally stammered.

"He, he was killed by Sasuke."

"Oh Kami no,... it's my fault, it's all my fault!" Kakashi exclaimed, as he released his embrace of Kurenai and stumbled backwards into a chair, as he dropped his head into the palms of his hands in sorrow.

"Kashi-kun, you mustn't blame yourself for his death. Chouji died a proud shinobi's death in defending the Leaf village. He was hero in every sense of the word."

"I've no doubt that Chouji died as a hero, but that doesn't change the fact that my own student was ultimately his killer." Kakashi replied in sorrow-filled voice.

"But that doesn't make it your fault that he died."

"If not my fault than who's? I was Sasuke's sensei; I was the one who knew of the rage and hatred he held after his family's massacre. I should have recognized sooner the dark path he was willing to take, all for the sake of his unquenchable thirst for vengeance. And after Sasuke attempted to kill Naruto on the hospital roof, I should have realized then that I couldn't turn him away from that dark path no matter how hard I tried."

"You can't blame yourself for Sasuke's actions. You did your best to keep him on a true and honorable path, he refused to follow it and that was a choice he willingly made himself."

"I should have just killed him that day when he fought Naruto. If I had I truly opened my eyes and seen what Sasuke had become, I could have saved many lives including Chouji. But because I didn't, Naruto has lost one of his closest friends." Kakashi declared with regret ringing in his voice.

All Kurenai could do was lean down hug Kakashi, as there seemed to be nothing she could say to dissuade her fiancé from feeling the way he did. After a couple of minutes, Kakashi slowly rose to his feet and placed a loving kiss onto Kurenai, before he somberly said.

"We better catch up with others."

Kurenai nodded her head in approval and the two Jounin stepped outside of the apartment. As Kurenai closed and locked the door behind them, she heard Kakashi openly comment.

"I do hope Naruto keeps it together when he learns about Chouji. I suppose I can take small solace that nothing happened to Hinata during the invasion. If something had happened to her, with the power of the Kyuubi he controls and the skills Naruto now possesses. No one could stop him from turning the Sound village of Otogakure into a burning wasteland."

Kurenai winced a bit upon hearing this and prayed to Kami that Kakashi was wrong in how Naruto would react when he learned of what happened and almost happened to Hinata during the Otogakure invasion.

When Naruto, Hinata, and Minato arrived at Training Field #11, the young boy quickly hopped down from Naruto's shoulders to receive his customary hugs from all of his surrogate aunt's and uncle's. Both Naruto and Hinata smiled brightly, as Minato ran to and fro between everyone greeting all of them with a loving hug. Receiving said hugs from Minato were Kiba, Shino, Neji, Tenten, Shikamaru, Temari, and Ino. Naruto and Hinata greeted their friends with warm smiles, which were returned by all. It was then the young betrothed couple spied Tsunade and Jiraiya arriving at the training grounds along with Shizune. They were quickly followed by Iruka and Anko along with their twin daughters. Aniko and Anika much to the chagrin of their father immediately began to chase after Minato.

"Iruka, I would appreciate it if you could reign in your lovelorn daughters a bit. I don't want Minato getting too worn out from running away from them." Kakashi stated in mocking amusement, as he and Kurenai arrived on the scene.

Iruka looked over at his girls, before he turned back to Kakashi and stated with a little pride tinged in his voice.

"Minato won't be too worn out Kakashi, see they've already caught him."

All of the shinobi present looked over to see that Minato had indeed been captured and was tied up, as Aniko and Anika happily hugged the young struggling boy.

"Ninja wire! You've taught your daughters how to use ninja wire Anko!" Kurenai exclaimed in outrage, as she rushed over to rescue her son.

"I don't think Kurenai-sensei is too happy with you Anko-sensei." Hinata openly remarked.

A moment later Kurenai walked up to all of them holding Minato in her arms, while he hugged her tightly. Aniko and Anika with their heads hung low trudged behind the Genjutsu Mistress who shot a glare and Anko. The Snake Mistress attempted to alleviate the situation and lessen her best friend's anger by scolding her daughters.

"Aniko and Anika! What did I tell you about using ninja wire to capture Minato-kun?"

"To only use it when Aunty-Kurenai wasn't around." Anika contritely answered.

This response earned Anko an even harsher glare from Kurenai, while everyone else was trying to stifle their laughter. However, despite their efforts, Aniko's statement caused all of them to openly laugh.

"It's not our fault; Aunty-Kurenai wasn't here when we started chasing Minato-kun."

Kakashi could only shake his head, as he extracted his son from Kurenai who continued to glare daggers at Anko.

"Don't worry son, I'll teach you how to evade and escape ninja wire tomorrow."

"Awwwwww, that's not fair!" Aniko and Anika cried out in disappointment causing everyone to erupt in laughter once more.

After the laughter died down, Naruto turned to Neji and Tenten and asked.

"Hey, where is little Hizashi, I haven't seen him in a long time?"

"Oh his grandfather Hanshiro is watching him today." Tenten replied.

"Naruto, I am unaware that you have ever met my son since your return, in fact how do you even know his name?" Neji questioned in confusion.

"You didn't tell him Tenten?"

"No Naruto, you asked me to keep your return a secret remember."

"That's right I forgot." Naruto stated, while rubbing the back of his head with his hand before he continued on.

"Well you see Neji, I was in Suna when Tenten went into labor and I sort of helped to deliver little Hizashi-kun."

"What do you mean… helped?" Neji asked in curiosity.

"None of the gross stuff if that's what you're asking; I just held Tenten's hand to give her comfort and support."

Naruto then leaned forward and whispered into Neji's ear.

"By the way, when you do that for your next kid, I'd advise you strengthen your hand with chakra, because if you don't she'll break every bone in that hand with her iron grip."

Neji nodded in understanding, before he thanked Naruto for helping his wife.

"Does that mean you already know that Shikamaru and Temari got married in Suna?"

"Yeah Ino, I was honored to be Shikamaru's best man during the ceremony."

"Then can you explain why they got married so quickly?"

"Well the wedding happened so fast, because Temari got caught…."

"NARUTO!" Both Shikamaru and Temari shouted in union interrupting the blonde shinobi, while they both sported embarrassed looks upon their faces. Naruto saw this look and said with a grin on his face.

"I'll tell you guy's about it later over lunch, my treat."

"It should be an interesting story considering they're getting married again in two weeks here in Konoha. In fact I will be marrying them myself at the ceremony."

"Huh, what do you mean they're getting married again baa-chan?" Naruto asked in puzzlement, before he looked over and saw a dejected look upon Shikamaru's face, as he said mournfully.

"Yeah it's true Naruto, we're getting married again and just like last time Mari-chan is being troublesome about the whole thing as usual."

"How dare you say I'm troublesome, I'm your wife!" Temari angrily exclaimed, as she smacked the back of Shikamaru's head.

"Yeah, how could I ever think you're troublesome?" The Nara heir grumbled under his breath, while rubbing the back of his head.

Temari shot a glare at her husband, before Hinata spoke up and asked.

"Is everything alright Temari?"

"Oh everything is fine Hinata. If anyone is being troublesome around here, it's my slacker of a husband. He just refuses to help me with our wedding preparations."

"Because we already had a wedding in Suna! I don't see why we need to have another one here in Konoha? It's such a drag."

"Our wedding is not a drag!"

"I don't understand, you two already got married in Suna, I was there." Naruto questioned with even more confusion.

"It's most troublesome Naruto, you already know about the special…..circumstances behind our wedding back in Suna. Well my mother is pissed off that she wasn't able to attend that wedding. So she's demanding that we have another wedding here in Konoha and Temari's going along with it. It's all so troublesome." Shikamaru lamented in explanation.

"I like your mother you insufferable excuse of a son. And if it will make Yoshino happy for us to have another wedding she can attend, then we will have another wedding whether you like it or not"

"What a drag, fine, if it will make her happy, you and my mother can knock yourselves out planning it. I just I don't want to be bothered with the details about it. Both of you should be grateful that I'm still willing to say the two words that will forever haunt me to my dying days."

"What two words haunt you Shikamaru?" Hinata innocently asked.

"I do."

A moment later, resounding clanging sound of a head meeting a battle-fan echoed through the training field. While Shikamaru lay at Temari's feet groaning and nursing a large bump on his head, as he heard his temperamental wife scream at him with righteous fury. .

"I should be grateful you're still willing to say those two words. No, you should be grateful that I'm still willing to marry a lazy good for nothing slacker like you!"

All of the men present witnessed this whole scene in horror and had unconsciously stepped behind their respective women effectively using them as a shield. Less the wrath of this Suna kunoichi would somehow be turned towards them.

Tsunade finally cleared her throat and said.

"So are we just going to stand around and watch Temari beat on her husband or are we going to see some real sparring from all of you?"

"I'm ready baa-chan, what did you have in mind?"

Tsunade exhaled a sigh, at being addressed so informally by Naruto, before she announced.

"I'm glad you asked, for you see I'm going to use this little training and sparring session to gauge how far your skills have progressed since you've been gone. It may factor into my decision whether to promote you in rank or not seeing as you're the lowest ranking shinobi present here….Gennin Uzumaki."

Naruto heard a few snickers and realized that technically the blonde Hokage was right; he was the lowest ranking shinobi. The blonde ninja growled out in displeasure and exclaimed in complaint.

"C'mon baa-chan, that's not fair! You just saw me kick that Oto snake summoners ass a few days ago. Plus I even saved everyone from the snakes and saved you from that mutant Oto shinobi as well. I should already be promoted to like a top Jounin or something."

"My, my, aren't we full of ourselves. Well let's see how you do in some spars against some of your friends. In fact all of you I will be judging for possible promotion, so do your best."

"How are you setting up the matches, if I may inquire Hokage-sama?"

"I'm going to let chance be the guide Shino. I'm going to place all of your names into this bag and the first two names I pull out will be the first match. The winner of said match has the choice of having their name placed back into the bag to spar again or the option to rest alone on their victory. The loser of the match will automatically have their name returned to the bag. Do all of you understand?"

Everyone nodded in affirmation and Tsunade reached into the bag and drew the first two names, which were Shikamaru who groaned in disapproval and Neji. It would have been a more exciting contest if the day hadn't been so overcast. So Shikamaru was unable to use a vast majority of his clan's shadow jutsu's in the spar. He did put up a valiant effort in the match mainly because he was ordered to by his wife and he didn't want to incur anymore of her wrath that day. But in the end Neji had emerged victorious and had closed off several of Shikamaru's tenketsu points.

The Hyuga prodigy brought Shikamaru over to where Hinata was sitting on some bleachers at the side of the training field along with Ino, Tenten and Temari. Neji asked Hinata to reopen Shikamaru's tenketsu points and heal any injuries the Nara heir might have suffered. As Neji left to go collect his winnings from the bet he had made with Tsunade, Hinata healed Shikamaru and told him to lie down and rest. It was then that as Tsunade called out Naruto's name, but was interrupted when a large pack of girl's squealed in delight from across the field and were ogling Naruto as he stepped forward.

Unbeknownst to Naruto, while he was gone a sizable fan-girl group had developed for him after Tsunade had revealed he was the only son of the Yondaime. And unfortunately for Naruto returning as the handsome young man he had become, only caused this fan-girl group to increase in size. Naruto rubbed the back of his head nervously, as he saw the lewd looks he was getting from both the civilian girls and even some kunoichi's that populated the group. Hinata also saw the carnal looks her fiancé was receiving and was not too pleased about it. Standing up all of her friend's watched in a little shock and awe, as Hinata began to walk seductively towards Naruto. When she reached him, the Hyuga girl suddenly grabbed the back of Naruto's head and pulled his head down to mash her lips upon his in a very hot and steamy kiss.

"What is Hinata doing?" Kakashi asked in curiosity.

"She's just letting Naruto's fan-girls know who he belongs to." Kurenai coyly answered.

"Hinata's announcing her claim on him that's all." Tsunade added in enjoyment.

After a minute, the young couple broke apart panting and Hinata looked over towards the pack of fan-girls and flashed them a shrewd sly smile. Naruto noticed this and realized what his fiancé was doing. As Hinata turned around to walk back she squeaked in surprise when Naruto slapped her ass with his hand and said with his own sly smile.

"Thanks Hina-hime."

"Why did Naruto do that?" Kurenai questioned.

"He's just letting everyone know who Hinata belongs to." Kakashi replied.

"It's not a bad idea." Jiraiya stated, as he dropped his arm from Tsunade's shoulder and brought his hand back. Kakashi saw this and did the same before he heard Kurenai say, while still looking at Hinata.

"Don't you dare."

"If you don't want to lose that hand you old pervert, I wouldn't do it either." Tsunade threatened to Jiraiya, while also looking straight ahead at Naruto and Hinata.

Both Kurenai and Tsunade smirked, as they both thought they had curbed their soon to husbands. This made their blush of embarrassment even more striking when they both felt a resounding smack onto their posteriors. Whirling around to inflict some physical payback, the two women were greeted with two chibi dolls of their fiancés holding big red hearts.

Meanwhile a shout was heard across the field and a kunoichi named Ami yelled to Hinata.

"Just because you kiss Naruto-kun doesn't mean he belongs to you Hyuga! We can still take a shot at him if we want to!"

Hinata was about to respond, when Ino suddenly appeared next to her and announced.

"Don't worry Hinata, I've got this."

"Ino then stepped forward and shouted.

"Listen up you skanks, especially you Ami! Naruto is Hinata's boyfriend, so you grubby ho's keep your hands off of him. Because if you don't, I promise a world of hurt to anyone who thinks they're going to try and snag Naruto away from Hinata!"

As if to add reinforced significance to Ino's threat, Temari and Tenten came walking up to stand next to Hinata and Ino in defense. Naruto wasn't sure what was going on, but he sensed danger on the field with this much estrogen being displayed. So he quickly shushin'd over to where Jiraiya and Kakashi were standing off to the side and watched with them to see what was going to happen next.

"Thank you my friends." Hinata softly said to herself, at the support her friends were giving to her, before the Yamanaka girl then loudly proclaimed.

"Besides, if Hinata ever does decide she doesn't want Naruto anymore, I already called first dibs on him with Kami!"

"INO!" Hinata shouted in fury.

Ino looked over to her best friend and saw the angry visage upon her face, before looking down and kicking a small pebble sheepishly said.

"Well I did."

"Even if you did, you can be rest assured that I will never let go of Naru-kun." Hinata declared to her best-friend, before she turned her attention to Ami and the other fan-girls and declared to all of them in no uncertain terms.

"And as for all of you gold-digging harpies, you're correct a kiss doesn't mean that Naruto-kun belongs to me.…..this does!"

Hinata then pulled her hand out of her pocket to reveal the engagement ring upon it Naruto had given her, which gleamed brightly in the sun.

"Noooooooo..." The group of fan-girls wailed upon seeing Hinata sporting an engagement ring, before Hinata, Ino, Tenten, and Temari shouted in fury, while releasing a huge wave of killing intent towards the fan-girls.

"GET LOST!"

"When the wave of killing intent hit the pack of fan-girls, it was so powerful it knocked them down onto their asses and caused many of them to soil themselves, before they got up and quickly scrambled away in various directions.

Hinata was pleased that they had successfully delivered the message to stay away from her Naru-kun, when the Hyuga girl found her hand being lifted towards Ino's face, which was suddenly adorned with a jeweler's eyepiece. Tenten and Temari quickly joined Ino in inspecting Hinata's engagement ring, as the Yamanaka heiress began to say.

"Hmmm, let me see, judging by the size this rock, I would guess this is a 23, no, no, this a 24 carat diamond,...wow! Now the surrounding round diamonds are .75, no that's not right, maybe .80 carats,... incredible."

"What kind of shape is that diamond Ino?"

"They don't call it a shape Tenten, but a cut. And the cut on this is what they call a Princess cut."

"What does that mean?"

"A diamond's cut is the way a diamond cutter has actually turned a rough stone into a brilliant diamond. A brilliantly cut diamond will sparkle brightly and transfer colors from one angled cut to the next to create a fire-like appearance. A diamond's cut will most certainly influence its fire or to be more specific the lovely rainbow colors that flash from within and brilliance or sparkle of the stone. And whoever cut this diamond was truly a master of his craft." Ino answered in great appreciation, before she said.

"Now let's check the color and clarity of this baby!"

Ino spent the next minute moving the diamond around underneath her jeweler's eyepiece, before she exclaimed.

"Oh Kami, I don't believe this!"

"What is it Ino?"

"Th-the diamonds, they have no color."

"Is that a bad thing Ino?" Hinata asked.

"N-no, it's actually a good thing Hinata. You see a diamond's color is graded on an alphabetical scale from D-Z, with D being absolutely colorless and Z being light yellow. Beyond Z, a diamond is considered to be an exotic or fancy color."

"So that means Hinata's diamond is..."

"Is a D grade Temari, the highest grade there is!"

"What about, what did you call it...the clarity."

"Let me check that right now Tenten."

Ino bent her head forward once more and inspected the diamond, before she openly remarked.

"This is unreal, I can't see any inclusions anywhere!"

"What are inclusions?"

"Inclusions are a solid, liquid, or gaseous foreign body enclosed in the diamond. Usually they look like or have the appearance of tiny crystals, feathers or clouds."

"And Hinata's ring doesn't have any!"

"None that I can see Temari."

"So taking in all those factors Ino, how much did Naru-kun spend on this ring for me?" Hinata softly asked.

Ino closed her eyes and began processing everything she had seen. After a moment she began waver unsteadily on her feet and nearly collapsed, before Temari and Tenten caught her. Ino opened her eyes and looked directly at Hinata and stammered.

"Hin-Hinata, that engagement ring is so perfect, I estimate it must have costs Naruto a minimum of $five million ryo's."

Hinata, Tenten, and Temari all gasped in unison, before Tenten finally said.

"There's no way Naruto could afford a ring like that. You would have to do 200 A-ranked missions nonstop to come up with that kind of money."

"Maybe he stole it?" Ino offered up in explanation earning a slap to her shoulder by Hinata who sternly declared.

"Naru-kun most certainly did not steal this ring! Master-Jiraiya told me himself that upon their return, they stopped off in a town called Jewel and Naru-kun purchased the ring there."

"What! Naruto got that ring in Jewel! They have the most beautiful and dazzling jewelry in the entire world. The cheapest piece of jewelry in that town would probably still set you back $50,000 ryo." Ino exclaimed in astonishment, while rubbing her shoulder.

"OK, but that still doesn't explain how could poor Naruto afford something like that. My brother is the freaking Kazekage of Suna and even he doesn't have that kind of money." Temari proclaimed in disbelief.

"Ummm well, Naru-kun isn't exactly poor anymore."

"What do you mean Hinata?"

"I mean Naru-kun got involved in some...business ventures while he was gone and they've proven to be most profitable for him."

"So Naruto's now rich!" Tenten exclaimed in surprise.

Hinata nodded her head in confirmation.

"How rich?"

"I don't know if I should say?"

"We promise Hinata, we won't tell anyone."

"You, you promise."

All three kunoichi's nodded their heads and crossed their hearts, before Hinata exhaled a sigh and softly said.

"$Sev-seven hundred million ryo's rich."

Ino, Temari, and Tenten were about to shout what Hinata had just told them before they slapped their hands over their mouths, remembering their promise to Hinata. After taking a minute to calm down, it was Temari who asked.

"How did Naruto get that rich?"

"It's a long story, but the short of it is Naru-kun is one of the owners of the Namikashi Corporation."

"The Namikashi Corporation!" Temari exclaimed in utter shock.

"What's the Namikashi Corporation?"

"The Namikashi Corporation is a multi-billion ryo company that have many business enterprises in several of the Elemental nations, ranging from hard commodities to real estate, transportation, construction, you name it Tenten. My brother just set up some deals with them that should help Suna immensely in the future. I couldn't figure out after my brother showed me the details of the business deals why the Namikashi Corporation gave us such favorable terms. It must have been because of his friendship with Naruto." Temari answered in admiration of what she had just learned about Naruto.

"Wow, that's so amazing about Naruto. So tell me Hinata, since Naruto's rolling in it now, how did he propose to you? Did he take to some fancy restaurant and rent out the whole place just for the two of you or something?"

"Ummm, no Tenten, he, he proposed to me at my apartment."

"Your apartment, that's not very romantic." Ino scoffed in ridicule.

"That's not true Ino, it was very romantic, because it happened after we had just got done ma..."

Hinata stopped mid-sentence, lest she reveal the circumstances of Naruto's proposal. Unfortunately, all three of her friends asked in unison.

"Just got done doing what Hinata?"

Hinata gazed at Ino, Tenten, and Temari with pleading eyes, but it was to no avail. She could already tell they wouldn't let the question drop without an answer. Heaving a defeated sigh, Hinata finally answered in a hesitant tone of voice.

"Naru-kun asked me to marry him after we had just got done...making love."

Ino, Temari, and Tenten all looked at one another and after a moment nodded, before Temari and Tenten each hooked one of Hinata's arms with their own and marched her back to where they had been sitting and sat the Hyuga girl down, before Ino asked in a excited voice and a mischievous grin.

"Ok Hinata dish, we want to hear about how good…..

..…Or bad Naruto was?" Temari added.

"Wha-what do you mean, Naru-kun good or bad?"

"You know, the first time you two…you know."

Hinata stared at Tenten in confusion, before Temari finally said.

"She's talking about sex Hinata, or more specifically how is Naruto in the sack?"

"Kami Temari, can you be a little less blunt!" Tenten scolded the Suna kunoichi, as Hinata began to blush furiously, before she stammered.

"I, I don't know if I want to talk about that."

"Oh come on, I haven't had a chance to talk to you since you told me the day Naruto returned you were going to…..give it up to him. How did you two do it? How was it? Did you wear that lingerie we picked out for you? C'mon Hinata we're dying to know, give us the juicy details please!" Ino peppered her best friend with questions.

"Umm….well….uhh."

"Oh was it that bad?" Tenten asked in sympathy.

"No!" Hinata exclaimed, before she softly added.

"It, it wasn't bad at all."

"Really, how good was it?" Ino eagerly questioned.

"Yeah, if you had to use one word to describe it, what would it be?" Temari chimed in.

"Spectacular." Hinata said under her breath.

"What was that?"

"Spectacular….it was spectacular!" Hinata loudly declared to her friends.

"Spectacular…..C'mon Hinata I know it was your first time…..but spectacular?"

"Ino's right, I mean how long did Naruto last?" Temari asked with skepticism.

Hinata thought a moment before she stammered.

"A coup-couple of…"

"A couple of minutes, yeah that sounds about right. Shikamaru barely lasted a minute before he popped, but don't worry Hinata, they do get better with practice."

"Temari's right, Neji was quick on the draw the first time we did it, but he lasts a lot longer now." Tenten offered up in support.

"N-no, not a couple of minutes, it-it was a couple of hours." Hinata sheepishly stated.

"Hours!" Ino, Tenten, and Temari shouted in unison, with their mouths hanging open in shock.

"Umm yeah…a couple of hours, is that a long time?"

All three kunoichi looked at one another in disbelief, before Tenten finally answered.

"Uhhh yeah Hinata, a couple of hours is pretty good."

That's incredible, tell us all about it! Did you wear that lingerie, did Naruto like it?"

"I wore it Ino and I believe Naru-kun liked it. When he saw me in it, he got so…excited I guess that he tripped over his own feet."

"Ha, ha, ha, he tripped over his feet, that's priceless! I told you he would love it and knew you looked smoking hot in that outfit."

"So what happened next?"

"Well I was really nervous, but Naru-kun made me feels so safe and special before we did anything. He let me know that if I wasn't ready, we didn't have to make love until I was sure it was what I wanted."

"That was pretty sweet of Naruto to do." Tenten commented in admiration.

"Yeah, yeah, really sweet, now how long did it take Naruto to get that outfit off of you?" Ino asked in anticipation.

"Ummm he didn't."

"What do you mean?"

"I, I mean Naru-kun didn't remove my outfit, but instead had me….. str-strip for him."

"Ooooooooooh, that sounds so kinky Hinata!" Temari openly squealed in delight, as Hinata blushed even more.

"So what happened after that?"

"We, we made love after that and it was wonderful." Hinata declared in appreciation with a loving gleam in her eyes, as she thought about that night.

'For over two hours.' Ino, Tenten, and Temari, each silently thought to themselves with a little envy. It was Tenten who finally broke the unnerving silence when she asked with deep curiosity.

"I won't ask for details Hinata, but how many times did you reach….you know."

"I don't understand, reach what?

"You know, how many times did you reach the…..Big O?"

"The-the Big O?"

"She's talking about orgasms Hinata, how many times did you climax."

"Temari!" Tenten shouted with embarrassed indignation.

Hinata began to blush a deep beet red, before she softly answered.

"F-five times."

"FIVE TIMES!" Ino, Tenten, and Temari shouted in unison once more, their mouths hanging open even more than before and their eyes as big as saucers in utter astonishment.

Hinata merely nodded her head in confirmation to her friends.

"So Naruto was able to bring you off five times." Temari asked in utter disbelief.

"The first time…..yes." Hinata shyly answered.

"The first time! How many times did you and Naruto make love that night?"

"Ummm, a few more times."

"So how many times did he rock your world that night?"

"I don't know Ino, I, I sort of stopped counting when it hit double figures." Hinata sheepishly replied.

Ino could only slap her forehead in frustration, before she then commented in vexation.

"So you mean to tell me that Naruto comes back as one of the most badass shinobi in the world. He now looks like the hottest, sexiest, and delicious bronzed hunk I've ever seen in my life. He's also become some big-shot business tycoon and is filthy stinking rich. Now you're telling us he's also a sexual god in bed! Oh Kami, why didn't I pay more attention to little Naruto when we were at the academy?"

Hinata giggled at Ino's final comment, which did not go unnoticed by the blonde kunoichi who asked.

"What's so funny Hinata?"

"You, you called Naru-kun little Naruto. I can assure you that he is far from being little."

This piqued the interest of all three kunoichi's, as Ino hesitantly asked, in fear of the answer.

"Just how big is Naruto?"

"Well…" Hinata shyly answered, while spreading her hands apart to the growing eyes of her friends.

"Achoo, achoo!" Naruto sneezed a couple of times, as he stood with Jiraiya and Kakashi before his grandfather openly commented.

"You know when you sneeze; it supposedly means that someone you love is talking about you."

"Well that would be Hinata." Naruto replied, as all three shinobi looked over to where she was sitting with her fellow kunoichi.

"That's weird, why does Hinata have her hands spread apart like she caught a fish? And why is Ino banging her head against the bleachers and screaming 'Why!' over and over again? And how come Tenten and Temari have nosebleeds?" Naruto asked in bewilderment.

Both Kakashi and Jiraiya stared at the scene wide-eyed, as they had a pretty good idea of what Hinata was describing, before the Toad-sage candidly said with a shiver down his spine.

"That's a big fish!"

"Yes, that is a big fish." Kakashi said in agreement.

Naruto looked at both of them in confusion, before he turned his attention back to Hinata who sported a wry smile upon her face and blew him a kiss.

Unfortunately for Shikamaru, where Hinata had laid him down to rest was also close enough for him to have overheard the entire conversation the four kunoichi's had just discussed. Groaning, he rose to his feet and wrapping his arms around his shoulders as if he was cold walked towards Naruto, Jiraiya, and Kakashi. Just as he was about to pass the three shinobi, he suddenly stopped and turned around and asked in a quivering voice.

"Ma-Master-Jiraiya, Ka-Kakashi-sensei, are you sure the Kyuubi no Youko sealed in Naruto was a fox-demon and not a horse-demon?"

"What the hell is that supposed to mean Shikamaru?" Naruto asked in confusion.

"Ne-nevermind Naruto." Shikamaru said, before he shuffled off leaving Naruto befuddled, as he watched his friend walk away.

"Alright Naruto, now that Hinata has established to whom you belong with everyone, can we now get back to seeing who your opponent will be?" Tsunade called out in amusement.

"Yeah baa-chan, I'm ready. You just make sure you have my promotion ready when I take down my opponent, I don't care who they are!" Naruto boasted with confidence.

Tsunade reached into the bag and pulled out a name. The blonde Hokage saw the name and smirked before she announced.

"So you don't care who you have to face Naruto. We that's good, because you're opponent is none other than...Hinata!"

Tsunade then turned the piece of paper around to show everyone, before Naruto shouted in protest.

"I don't want to fight against my hime, pick another name baa-chan!"

"I will do so such thing brat! Hinata is a highly decorated and skilled kunoichi and I will not insult her, nor should you by pulling her from this spar!"

Naruto turned to Hinata and said with remorse.

"I'm sorry, I wasn't trying to insult you by not wanting to spar against you. I just didn't want you to get hurt, especially by me."

"It's ok, I know you weren't trying to insult me."

"Alright, now that is settled, I'm offering 3x1 odds against Hinata, any takers?" Tsunade asked.

Everyone shifted on their feet and remained silent. They had seen Naruto on the battlefield just a few days earlier. And though they knew Hinata was a highly skilled and a powerful shinobi like themselves, she was no match for Naruto.

"5x1 odds!" Tsunade called out to no avail.

"10x1 odds!"

"C'mon people isn't there anyone who will wager on Hinata?"

"I'll make a bet with you Hokage-sama."

Tsunade stiffened a bit at the voice that made that statement, before she turned around and nervously asked.

"What wager do you propose Mr. Nara?"

"I will wager that not only will Hinata win her spar against Naruto, but she will defeat him while he is using his most powerful jutsu the Rasengan and she will do it all in under two minutes."

"What that's crazy Shikamaru! What are you trying to do get my hime hurt!" Naruto shouted angrily in protest.

In fact many people began to pepper the Nara heir with objections and complaints against him about this, before Hinata walked up to him and softly said.

"Shikamaru, I can't possibly do what you just suggested, not in a million years."

"You can Hinata, if you follow exactly the strategy of what I tell you right now." Shikamaru stated with confidence, as he took Hinata aside and began whispering in her ear.

A minute later, Hinata stuck out her hand and said.

"I want half if I've got to do that!"

"Deal!" Shikamaru answered, as Hinata turned towards Tsunade and everyone else and announced.

"I accept the spar against Naru-kun under Shikamaru's terms."

"Are, are you sure Hina-hime, I mean I don't want to hurt you."

"I don't wish to hurt you either, but I'm sure."

"So Mr. Nara, what odds do you want for this ludicrous wager you've proposed?" Tsunade questioned in a derisive tone of voice.

"Well since my wager is so ludicrous and holds such little hope of succeeding, I think odds of 20x1 seems fair to me."

"Interesting, and how much are you willing to bet?"

"$100,000 ryo Hokage-sama"

"$100,000 ryo!" Everyone shouted in surprise.

Tsunade glared Shikamaru, as common sense said to never bet against a Nara. However, the blonde Hokage held a deep obsession to beat this particular Nara when it came to gambling. Her losses to him in the past still gnawed away at her and she wanted to desperately to finally win a wager against him. So it was of no surprise that the blonde Hokage declared.

"I'll take that bet!"

"My love, that's $two million ryo's you will have to pay if Hinata beats Naruto. Do you have $two million ryo's?" Jiraiya whispered into Tsunade's ear.

"Of course not Jiraiya-kun, I doubt I have $20,000 ryo's, but you heard the terms of the bet, it's ridiculous. I don't know why the Nara brat made such a bet, maybe the blow he took from his wife earlier unhinged him somehow. All I know is this is finally my chance to win a wager against that smug smart-alack little bastard. Besides, we already know how strong and skilled Naruto-kun has become, there's no way he can lose this match, especially if he gets to use his Rasengan." Tsunade whispered back, as they watched Naruto and Hinata walk to each end of the training field.

"I hope you're right." Jiraiya grumbled back with concern.

Meanwhile Tenten turned and softly said to Temari.

"How can you be so calm? If my husband made such an insane bet, I'd be killing him right now."

"I learned a long time ago, that when Shika-kun makes a wager, he's thought it out completely, so I trust him. Besides, if he somehow has screwed up and loses the bet, I can always kill him later. Temari stated to her friend.

As Naruto attempted to create the weakest Rasenagan he could in his hand, he grimaced as he stared at it and thought to himself with concern.

'Damn it, this is weakest Rasengan I can create and it's still pretty powerful. Even if Hine-hime uses her Hyuga Kaiten shield technique, it won't be strong to stop it. I've just got to make sure when I hit her with this to deactivate it as quickly as possibly so she doesn't run the risk of being seriously hurt.'

Iruka who was refereeing these spars asked both combatants if they were ready. Receiving verbal confirmation from both Hinata and Naruto, he brought his hand down and shouted.

"Engage!"

Naruto immediately sprinted forward with his Rasengan in his hand, as Iruka activated the stop watch he had. For her part, Hinata merely stood where she was unmoving, as Naruto raced towards her. When the blonde shinobi got within 20 yards of her, Hinata inhaled and exhaled a deep breath, before flashing through a series of hand-signs.

A second later, a plume of smoke erupted around the Hyuga girl and when it quickly dissipated it revealed that Hinata had henge into the very same lingerie ensemble she was wearing the first night she and Naruto had made love, as she cooed to him in a sexy, sultry voice.

"You're not going to hurt me are you Naru-kun?"

The moment Naruto saw Hinata in that see through stretch lace lavender colored baby-doll negligee along with the accompanying matching black lace cut bra and g-string panties underneath the alluring garment, his eyes immediately glazed over. And once again so focused on his fiance' Naruto stumbled a bit and fell forward landing 15ft away from Hinata, his Rasengan disappearing as it slipped from his hand. Hinata immediately released her henge and leapt towards Naruto landing over him. The Hyuga girl then launched with lightning speed a succession of Jyuuken strikes up and down Naruto's spine closing off those tenketsu points and effectively paralyzing him When Iruka saw that Naruto had been immobilized and was unable to continue he looked down at his stopwatch before shouting.

"Winner of this match in one minute twenty-four seconds...Hinata Hyuga!"

Meanwhile, the reactions of the spectators when Hinata had henge into that...attire was little different than Naruto's reaction, if not more amusing. Everyone, both man and woman alike were awestruck at how beautiful and sexy Hinata looked in that outfit. The only difference between the two genders that the men were also trying to stifle the nosebleeds they had suddenly developed. All save Jiraiya who seemingly could care less about the his nosebleed and only yelled out while giving two thumbs up to Hinata.

"Oh yeah, now that's what I'm talking about!"

Tsunade was about to put a beat-down onto her perverted fiance' when she suddenly heard Iruka cry out.

"Winner of this match in one minute twenty-four seconds...Hinata Hyuga!"

"Noooooo...not again...there's no way I could have lost to that Nara brat again!" Tsunade unleashed in a wail, as she dropped to her knees and pounded the ground with her fists in frustration over and over again.

"Lady Tsunade!" Shizune and Sakura cried out, as they rushed to their mentor's side to lift her off the ground and comfort her. The second protege' of the blonde Hokage had just arrived after finishing her shift at the hospital and was accompanied by Might Gai and Rock Lee. After greeting everyone in their enthusiastic style, everyone watched as Hinata began releasing the tenketsu points she had closed on Naruto. When she was finished, Naruto just laid there motionless on the ground face down. Hinata started to grow concerned and asked in a worried tone.

"Naru-kun I've reopened all of your tenketsu points, you should be able to move again, are you alright?"

"I know I can move again and I'm alright. I'm just so embarrassed that I let you beat me like that. That was a dirty trick my hime."

"I know it was, but I promise I'll make it up to you."

"And how are you going to do that?"

Hinata leaned down and whispered seductively into his ear, before kissing his cheek.

"I'll wear that same outfit when we go to bed tonight."

Naruto lifted his head and turned to face Hinata with a lecherous grin, as he declared.

"I promise, you won't be wearing it very long...believe it!

Naruto then rose to his feet and took Hinata's hand into his own as they walked back to Tsunade and the others. As they arrived, they noticed Shizune and Sakura trying to calm down the blonde Sannin. After a minute they finally did and everyone waited with anticipation, as Shikamaru approached the distraught Hokage.

"Ahem, I believe that's $two million ryo's you owe me Lady Tsunade."

The blonde Sannin bit her lower lip and tried desperately to think of something that would get her out of this mess.

"You do have the money...right?" Shikamaru questioned.

Finally Tsunade fell upon the only course of action she had left to her. Turning her head to look at Jiraiya, she unleashed the centuries old technique virtually every kunoichi from the Leaf village had used throughout the history of the village...the Puppy Dog eye's jutsu. Jiraiya saw what the blonde Hokage was trying to do and in an aggravated and gruff voice said.

"Stop it, you're too damn old to be using that jutsu anymore."

"Pl-please Jiraiya-kun." Tsunade stammered with a quivering lip, while amping up the jutsu even more.

Jiraiya merely folded his arms across his chest and turned his head and said.

"It's not going to work."

Tsunade then took the jutsu to it's highest degree, as tears began to well in those puppy-dog eyes and finally a lone single tear rolled down her cheek. Jiraiya saw saw this and his resolve crumbled, as he pulled out his checkbook while cursing.

"Damn it, yes she has the money!"

Jiraiya then began writing out a check, while grumbling angrily to himself, when he heard Shikamaru ask.

"If it's not too troublesome Master-Jiraiya, could you make out two separate checks of $one million ryo's to myself and another $one million ryo's to Hinata, that was our deal."

Jiraiya merely growled under his breath, before he finally tore away one check and handed it to Shikamaru. As he did this he leaned down and whispered menacingly into the Nara's ear.

"I understand you've been taking advantage of my hime's...affliction, while I've been gone. That needs to stop or you and I going to have a little chat in private. Do you understand me?"

Shikamaru gulped nervously, as he nodded his head, before turning to walk quickly away. As he passed Hinata he whispered in warning.

"He's pissed off."

When Hinata tentatively approached the Toad-Sage who was just finishing writing her check, she timidly asked, as Jiraiya handed her the check.

"Are, are you mad at me to Master-Jiraiya?"

"Why would I be at at you?" Jiraiya questioned in curiosity.

Be-because of what I did to Naruto to help Shikamaru win his bet and now you have to pay it off."

"Oh that, it's true I am annoyed with the Nara at the moment and I'm not pleased that I have to pay off his bet. However, as for you and what you did to Naruto, I consider this money well spent for the magnificent sight of beauty you provided to me." Jiraiya offered up in compliment.

Hinata began to blush, before she turned and walked back to where Ino, Temari, Tenten, and Sakura had now grouped together.

"Nice job Naruto, you're 0 for 1 so far and you expect me to make you how did you put it, like a top Jounin or something. Tsunade openly groused in biting comment to Naruto.

"Yeah, yeah baa-chan, I lost, but I wasn't expecting my hime to do something like that in our match. Just put my name into bag again. I'll win my next spar...believe it!"

So for the next 45 minutes their were several highly fought, yet also entertaining matches between the various members of the Konoha 10. As the spars went on most of the elder ninja were discussing how successful Naruto had become in so many facets of his life. Finally Naruto's name was drawn again and he eagerly trotted out onto the field, before Tsunade shouted at him.

"Gaki, you should change shirts before you spar. That one is all torn up from when you fell in you last match."

"But I don't have another shirt with me."

"Then spar without a shirt Naruto." Ino shouted, with a devious grin on her face, earning a hard glare from Hinata who was sitting next to her along with Tenten, Skaura, and Temari.

Oblivious as to why Ino wanted to see him without his shirt, Naruto merely shrugged his shoulders and discarded the torn attire.

Now it was the women's turn to try and stifle their own nosebleeds that had suddenly developed, as they couldn't help but gaze admiringly at Naruto's broad shoulders and well defined chiseled muscular arms and chest, before their attention was drawn to his perfect six-pack abs.

"Man, I can't believe you let that slip through your fingers Sakura!" Temari absently remarked, while eying Naruto lustfully.

"Temari!"Tenten chided to the Suna girl, while elbowing her arm.

"Oh, I'm sorry Sakura I didn't mean to..."

"It's alright Temari, I know I had many chances with Naruto, I was the one who stupidly threw them all away. But I'm glad he was able to find some happiness with you Hinata." Sakura stated, in a saddened tone of voice.

"Th-thank you Sakura." Hinata delicately replied, as she knew Sakura still held a special place deep within her heart for Naruto.

"I guess he's happy judging by the size of that rock he gave when he proposed to you Hinata, you should see it Sakura." Ino commented appreciatively.

"Nar-Naruto-ku...Naruto proposed to you Hinata." Sakura stammered in shock.

Hinata reluctantly reached into her pocket and slipped her engagement ring on, before she hesitantly pulled her hand out to show Sakura the ring.

Sakura's eyes grew wide when she saw the size and brilliance of the ring Hinata wore upon her hand. However, after a moment the full magnitude of what Sakura had just learned hit the pink-haired girl hard and her eyes dimmed, as she said in a shaky and a regret filled voice.

"Con-congratualtions Hinata, the ring Naruto gave you is the most beautiful one I've ever seen. I wish you both the best."

Unbeknownst to Sakura, Lee had been watching her and had seen the sad visage that had spread across his girlfriends face and felt angry. Not at Sakura, in fact Lee was having difficulty in understanding why he was angry? However, when he saw Tsunade was about to pull out the name of Naruto's next sparring opponent, he forcefully yelled out.

"I will be Naruto's next opponent Hokage Tsunade! However I must insist that it be a taijutsu battle only, no other jutsu of any type can be used."

This proclamation drew everyone's attention to the green-clad young man, as he marched with determination onto the field opposite of Naruto. Tsunade called out to Naruto and asked him if he was fine with Lee being his next opponent and terms of it. The blonde shinobi responded in a friendly and jovial tone of voice.

"It's fine with me baa-chan, I promised bushy-brows we'd have a spar earlier today!"

When Lee stopped on the field, he stripped his green shirt off and began stretching for his match.

"Whoa, you did alright for yourself Sakura!" Temari exclaimed, as she stared appreciatively at Lee.

For Naruto was not the only one to have gained such a peak physical condition over the years. As Lee's own broad shoulders, well defined chiseled muscular arms and chest, as well as his own six-pack abs nearly rivaled Naruto's.

"Yeah, from the neck down he's looks pretty good. Who knew bushy-brows looked like that underneath all that hideous green attire." Ino casually remarked.

"Lee-kun looks pretty good from the neck up as well pig!" Sakura snapped in defense of her boyfriend.

Tsunade nodded to Iruka who once again asked both combatants if they were ready. Receiving verbal confirmation from both Lee and Naruto, he brought his hand down and shouted.

"Engage!"

As Naruto waited for Iruka to signal the start of his match he smiled at his friend and expected to see the usual bright smile Lee always had. Which is why he was a bit startled that Lee instead bore a very grim and almost dark look upon his face. As the blonde shinobi pondered this, he was not prepared when Iruka made the signal to begin for Lee in the blink of an eye, to explode in a burst of speed and hurtle himself in a rage at him.

As Lee struck forward, it was all Naruto could do was coverup defensively and try to dodge, weave, and block the barrage of punches and kicks his friend was unleashing with such amazing speed. Finally when Lee paused a moment, Naruto quickly counter-attacked by letting loose a volley of rapid punches and kicks of his own forcing Lee to initiate a series of back-flips to escape. Thinking that he had the upper-hand now in the spar, Naruto rushed forward to press his attack.

Unfortunately, this was a mistake, as Lee suddenly reversed direction and somersaulted forward, while leaping into the air to deliver a powerful a mid-body roundhouse kick to Naruto's ribs. As Naruto gasped audibly in pain, Lee quickly followed up with a vicious uppercut punch, which connected underneath Naruto's chin with tremendous force that sent him flying backwards, before landing with a sickening thud on his back.

"Damn it Sakura, what the hell has gotten into your boyfriend?" Ino exclaimed.

"I, I don't know!"

Meanwhile, it was not just the kunoichi's who were bewildered at what they were seeing, but the veteran shinobi as well as Kakashi commented to Gai.

"Lee seems to have a certain...zeal for this match."

"Hai, the flames of youth are certainly burning hot within him, but I'm not sure if they are also burning bright." Gai replied in growing concern, as he watched his student stalk towards Naruto.

Naruto saw Lee moving closer to him and silently rose from the ground and wiped some blood from his mouth, before dusting himself off, as he thought to himself.

'Damn, bushy-brows is even faster and stronger than the last time I saw him. I'd better take this spar seriously, because he certainly is, that kick and punch really hurt.'

Naruto then displayed his own impressive burst of speed and launched himself towards Lee.

Everyone present could only watch this epic taijutsu battle between Naruto and Rock Lee taking place before them with a mixture of awe and anxiety. The awe was the amazing exhibition of power and speed both combatants were displaying. The anxiety came from that something seemed very troubling about the battle taking place before them, but no one quite knew what it was.

Still, it was an impressive display of the remarkable speed both Lee and Naruto possessed. Both shinobi were moving so quickly that at times all anyone could see was a green and orange blur colliding with one another in the air and on the ground. The impact of these collisions were so powerful, one could actually hear the recognizable sounds of punches and kicks being blocked and landed between the two young men, as well as slightly feel the concussive power of the blows even at a distance. Finally, the two combatants appeared on the opposite ends of the training field, both on one knee and panting heavily. Each of them were bruised and a bit bloody, but neither of them suffering any significant injuries.

Naruto smiled to himself, as he was enjoying this spar against his friend and was amazed at how far Lee was able to push him. He thought that Lee was feeling the same, which is why as he began to rise to his feet Naruto paused when he caught sight of the cold and ruthless visage his green clad friend still bore upon his face. It was then Naruto heard Lee declare in an icy and deadly tone of voice, while unwrapping a portion of the bandages tied around his arms.

"Your speed and skill is most impressive Naruto. I can see your sensei has taught you well, while you were gone. It is no wonder why he is Gai-sensei's eternal rival. However, the flames of youth still burn brightly within me and through its power I will now defeat you and end this fight once and for all!"

Lee then closed his eyes and quietly uttered.

"Kaimon." (Initial Gate)

Unseen by Naruto was the release of the first of his body's Celestial Gates or Hachimon, which are the eight valves located along the spine, heart and brain responsible for regulating the flow of chakra by the chakra circulatory system each person has within them. By opening the first of the Celestial Gates, the Initial Gate, Lee released the restraints in his brain and dramatically increased his speed and power at that moment.

'No Lee-kun, not the forbidden lotus technique! You can die from using that technique!' Sakura shouted within her mind, as she stared with fear and deep concern for Lee, his eyes glazed over white and all of the veins on his body flexing outward against his skin.

Sakura was not the only one concerned, as Tsunade shouted at Gai.

"Why the hell is Lee using that technique Gai?

"Calm yourself Lady Tsunade, I'm sure Lee is just using the technique to heal his injuries and increase his speed and strength. I can assure you he won't take the technique past the third gate at the most." Gai answered confidently, even though internally he wasn't as sure about what he had just conveyed as he wanted to be.

Kakashi picked up on his friends growing concern in his voice and quietly asked.

"Do you really believe what you just said?"

"I hope so my friend, but be ready to move in case we have to."

"Iruka-sensei, this was just supposed to be a taijutsu spar without using any ninjutsu, shouldn't you call the match because of that?"

"I'm sorry Naruto, but what Lee is doing is not ninjutsu, but a technique to heal his injuries and increase his speed and strength. So technically Lee hasn't broken any rules of the match.

"Naruto, you should remember the technique, he used it against Gaara at the Chunin exam." Kakashi called out to his student.

Naruto took a moment to recall that fight, before he then dropped into a defensive stance and waited to see how far Lee would go.

A moment later, Lee softly called out.

"Kyuumon." (Rest Gate)

Instantly, the second Celestial Gates in his brain was released and Lee's stamina shot up significantly, while the pain he had been enduring lessened and he began to heal and recover after being weakened by his battle with Naruto. It was when Lee quietly called out and released the third Celestial Gate in his spine that people could now physically see and feel the significant power increase happening within the green clad young man.

"Seimon." (Life Gate)

Instantaneously a red colored chakra flare erupted from Lee's body bathing the young shinobi in an aura of crimson. Soon, everyone could feel the ground slowly vibrate and one could see stones actually levitating in the air around Lee from the power he was producing.

It was when Lee called out and released the fourth Celestial Gate located in his spine that all hell broke loose with the spectators.

"Shoumon!" (Wound Gate)

The red chakra surrounding Lee's body flared up once again upon the opening of the fourth gate indicating another massive increase in speed and power for the young shinobi. Now Lee had reached the stage where so much power was coursing through his body that usage of it would soon begin to tear his body's muscles apart.

"Lee-kun stop it!" Sakura cried out in a panic with tears in her eyes.

"No Lee, you're taking it too far!" Gai yelled in alarmed distress.

"Naruto, you have to stop Lee now, if he takes that technique any farther he could permanently injure himself!" Tsunade shouted in fear.

Instantly, Naruto appeared in a flash of light behind Lee and quickly encircled his chest with his arms from behind, holding the green-clad shinobi in place, before they both disappeared from the training field in a flash of golden light.

A brilliant flash of light appeared atop the Fourth Hokage's head carved into Hokage mountain, as Naruto with his powerful arms slammed Lee to the ground, while still maintaining his grip on him and cried out.

"Lee stop! I don't know what I did to make you so angry with me, but I'm sorry! You're one of my closest friends and I don't want you hurting yourself just to get back at me. Please power down before you injure yourself!"

Lee heard Naruto's pleas and the sincerity of the words he spoke and realized he was the one who should be apologizing. A moment later, the red chakra surrounding Lee's body began to recede and when it had fully disappeared Naruto cautiously let go of his friend and sat down on the ground next to him. Both young men remained silent for a few minutes, as each attempted to catch their breath and calm down, before Lee spoke up.

"It is not you who should be apologizing to me Naruto, but I to you. I'm sorry for my actions against you today and I'm deeply ashamed for committing them."

"So you're not angry with me?"

"No, I'm more angry with myself for allowing a most egregious sin to dim my flames of youth and cause me to act the way I did."

"What are you talking about, what sin?"

"I'm talking about the sin of envy my friend."

"Envy, you mean you were jealous of me. I don't believe that for one minute, that's just not like you. There's something more to it than just that." Naruto replied with skepticism.

Lee exhaled a weary sigh, before he replied in a solemn voice.

"I think you might know me too well."

"Then what is it bushy-brow?"

"I think I got angry because I feel as though I'm fighting for a space in Sakura's heart against someone else she has loved for a long time."

"If you're talking about Sasuke, I don't think Sakura loves him anymore."

"I'm not talking about Sasuke as the one my Sakura-chan loves, but you Naruto."

"M-me, Sakura doesn't love me, she never has, it was always Sasuke, not me."

"You are foolish to think that my friend. She has loved you for a long time and is still deeply saddened and regrets throwing away the chances she had to be with you, because she thought she loved the Uchiha."

Naruto sat silently and tried to ponder what Lee had just said, before he exhaled his own weary sigh and said.

"I don't know what to say Lee."

"There's nothing to say my friend, it is what it is. And because of it, I allowed my envy to gain hold of me today, which is why I acted so un-youthful towards you in our sparring match and for that I am sorry."

"I don't understand, what did you think beating my brains in was going to accomplish?"

"It would have accomplished nothing, of that I now realize. If I had succeeded, I only would have been hurting Sakura-chan as well as the rest of our friends. Not to mention bringing shame and dishonor not only upon myself, but also Gai Sensei for using the Forbidden Lotus against the rules he made I swore to uphold to ever use that technique. I also would have forever tarnished the flames of youth by which I have tried to live my life by. However at the time of our fight I couldn't see any of that do to my jealousy."

"I still don't understand, what you're jealous about me?"

"You truly are humble about what you've become Naruto."

"What do you mean, what have I become?"

"You've become a most splendid shinobi my friend. But not only that, you've also become a most splendid man. Everyone speaks glowingly about how successful you've become in so many facets of your life. You've succeeded in ways I could only dream about and I guess I was jealous of that. Knowing the place you held in Sakura-chan's heart, I thought if I could beat you in a fight. I could show her that I'm worthy of occupying that same spot in heart and she wouldn't feel discontent or unhappy that she had to settle for a consolation prize like me, as opposed to the grand prize that you've become and that she could have had."

Once again Naruto remained silent, as he contemplated everything he had heard. After a minute he finally commented.

"You're wrong, I think you hold a bigger place in Sakura's heart than you believe. I don't think she considers you a consolation prize at all. I know she loves you, I saw the two of you together in Suna and I've never seen Sakura-chan smile like she did when she was with you. She might hold a small place in heart for me like you said, but I think the love she has for you dwarfs it."

"But she still holds a place in her heart for you." Lee states with a little sadness.

"You're still looking at it all wrong. I'll be honest with you Lee, I too hold a place in my heart for Sakura-chan. She was the first girl to acknowledge me and treat me with kindness and friendship. Sadly, that changed when we got older and Sasuke entered the picture, but I still have fond memories of us when we were little kids. So, a small part of me will always love her, but that love is nothing compared to the love I feel for Hinata. I guess what I'm trying to say is that it's possible to love someone, but it's vastly different than being in love with someone, like I am with my Hina-hime and I believe Sakura-chan is with you."

Rock Lee's brow furrowed, as he thought long and hard about what Naruto said. After a a few minutes, he looked over and asked in a hopeful voice.

"You, you really think that Sakura-chan's love for me is like what you and Hinata have for one another?"

"Judging by the numerous make-out sessions you two had in Suna, then yeah I'd say so." Naruto answered in amusement, while Lee blushed a bit before saying.

"I hope you are right, I just wish I could be sure."

"Tell you what bushy-brow, when I Hiraishin us back to the training field, when we arrive let's both collapse as if we're seriously hurt. If you still think the love Sakura-chan has for me is greater than yours, then when we reappear she should run out to check on me first out of concern. But if she runs out to check on you first, then you know her first thought and love was about your well-being not mine."

"That is a most youthful idea my friend."

"Youthful or not, just don't ever let her know you were testing her. She might not react too well to that and you don't want to be on her badside...believe it." Naruto warned, as he and Lee rose to their feet.

"That is true, my cherry-blossom's temper can be...hazardous in it's intensity of its flames of youth."

Naruto nodded his head to Lee, before he placed his hand upon his friend's shoulder and they disappeared in a flash of light.

Everyone back at the training field were starting to grow concerned, as Naruto and Rock Lee had been gone for awhile. The two shinobi had been gone so long that little Minato along with Aniko and Anika had begun to drift off to sleep, as it was past their normal afternoon nap time. Iruka and Anko offered to take the children back to their home to rest, which Kurenai agreed to provided the Imino daughters would not accost her son anymore that day. Iruka and Anko assured their friend that Aniko and Anika would behave and they left the training field. Meanwhile, both Sakura and Hinata, were wringing their hands in anticipation and worry about Lee and Naruto. Which is why when both of their boyfriends reappeared and immediately collapsed, they both cried out.

"LEE-KUN!"

"NARU-KUN!"

As both kunoichi's rushed onto the field, Sakura yelled out angrily.

"Naruto, if you broke him I'm going to break you!"

"The same goes for me Lee!" Hinata fired back in angered response, as both kunoichi's shot a glare at one another.

Upon reaching them, both Hinata and Sakura began healing their respective boyfriends injuries and after a few minutes, both Naruto and Lee rose to sitting positions. Hinata helped Naruto get to his feet, while Sakura was continuing to work on Lee and he whispered to the Hyuga girl.

"Let's give them some time alone my hime."

As Naruto and Hinata walked off the training field towards their friends, Sakura continued to apply the healing green chakra that glowed from her hands onto Lee and remarked in a scolding fashion.

"You're very lucky Lee-kun, a few more minutes in stage four of the lotus technique and your muscles would have started tearing apart. I don't understand why you would use a forbidden technique in a friendly spar against one of your best friends? It was foolish, irresponsible, and dangerous and if you had gotten seriously hurt from it, I would never forgive you."

"I'm sorry my cherry-blossom, you are indeed correct, it was foolish of me to do. I just wanted to show you..." Lee apologetically began to say before stopping mid sentence and dropping his head.

"You just wanted to show me what?"

"I, I just wanted to show you that I was as splendid a ninja as Naruto has become. I know he holds a special place in your heart and I thought if I could defeat him, I could show you that I'm as splendid a shinobi as Naruto is and not someone you had to settle for in comparison to him." Lee answered in a rueful tone of voice.

"Did, did you really think that?"

"I'm ashamed to admit it, but I did."

"Lee-kun, you don't have anything to prove to me. I already know you're a splendid ninja, in fact you're the best ninja and I've never compared you to Naruto or anyone ever in my life. I love you for who you are not because of how skilled a shinobi you are or anything else."

"Do, do really mean that?"

"Yes, I mean it with all of my heart."

"Th-thank you my cherry-blossom, I love you very much."

"And I love you just as much." Sakura replied, as she knelt forward and placed a loving kiss onto Lee.

After they broke apart, Sakura smiled sweetly, before her hands gripped both of Lee's shoulders and she began to shake the young man violently like a rag-doll, as she threateningly promised.

"And because I love you, if you ever do something like that again for such a stupid reason, you won't have to worry about the lotus technique tearing you apart, because I swear to Kami I'll do it myself! Do you understand me Lee-kun?"

"I, I, I, I, I,...un, un, un, un,...der, der, der, der,...stand, stand, stand, stand." The young shinobi stammered out under the violent shaking he was receiving.

"Well it appears Sakura has things in order." Tsunade commented in amusement, as she watched her apprentice seemingly shake the life out of Rock Lee.

Tsunade then turned her attention back to Naruto who came walking up with Hinata.

"So brat, did you win your match against Lee or not?"

"Umm, let's call it a tie baa-chan."

"Ok, if that's what you want. So now you're 0-1-1 in your spars today, well at the least you are improving." The blonde Hokage remarked in sarcasm, causing several people to giggle.

"Ha, ha, ha, very funny, just pull another name out of that bag and I'll go right now! I'm not about to lose or tie another spar today and I almost feel sorry for whoever I'm going to face...believe it!" Naruto shouted in angered confidence.

All the shinobi present could tell Naruto was deadly serious about his declaration and all the members of the Konoha 10 grew nervous that their name would be drawn out, as his next opponent. When Tsunade pulled the paper out of the bag, she read the name silently then looked over to where the Konoha 10 stood minus Naruto who had already stormed onto the training field and with a sympathetic voice said.

"Kiba Inuzuka."

"Crap!" Kiba cursed, while dropping his head in defeat, before he stepped forward and said.

"Come on Akamaru."

Unfortunately, for the Inuzuka heir his canine familiar showed no eagerness in the prospect of facing Naruto and hid behind Hinata, before he barked his refusal to Kiba.

"It's troublesome for you, but it appears you're on your own for this spar Kiba." Shikamaru openly commented.

"I guess, I can't really blame him." Kiba replied, as he trudged onto the training field.

It was an exciting and entertaining spar between Naruto and Kiba albeit a short match. To his credit, Kiba did give his all in the bout, but Naruto was too determined and frustrated to lose another battle. So it was a forgone conclusion when Naruto won, as Naruto supported Kiba, when they walked back to their friends and comrades. As Naruto sat Kiba down and Hinata began to heal his wounds, he turned to Tsunade and smiled brightly, as he said.

"So how about that baa-chan?"

"Yeah, yeah, so you're finally 1-1-1 today, but you looked alright gaki, alright I'll promote you to Jounin." Tsunade casually answered, before she reached into her pocket and pulled out a scroll.

"Wait a minute Hokage-Tsunade, Naruto beating Kiba warrants a promotion. Does that mean I to shall be promoted if I kick Kiba's ass?" Neji questioned in hope.

"Naruto beating Kiba held no bearing to Naruto's promotion. In fact none of his spars today did."

"Huh, what do you mean?"

"Look at the date of when I promoted you to Jounin." Tsunade replied, as she tossed the scroll to Naruto and he opened it.

"Hey this is dated a few days ago." Naruto remarked in confusion.

"That's right, the same day of the Oto incursion is when I promoted you off of your exploits on the battlefield and how you handled yourself during it."

"But, but you said earlier that you were using this sparring session to gauge how far my skills have progressed since I've been gone!" Naruto exclaimed in confusion.

"That's true, but I also said it may factor into my decision whether to promote you in rank. Well, since I had already promoted you, the matches you had today didn't factor in at all in making that decision." Tsunade quipped in amusement.

"That was dirty baa-chan."

"Perhaps, but I'd still like to congratulate you on becoming a Jounin of the Hidden Leaf village. I'm very proud of you Naruto-kun." The blonde Hokage said with sincerity, as well as pride.

Everyone began to congratulate and give their best accolades to Naruto for this acomplishment. After a few minutes, the kudos and laurels Naruto was receiving began to die down, before Naruto innocently asked in curiosity.

"Does this mean I'm the first of the Konoha 11 to make Jounin?"

"Naw...Chouji was actually the first of us to make Jounin after the Oto invas...aww shit!" Kiba absently began to say before stopping when he realized his mistake.

"Hey yeah, I've been meaning to ask all afternoon." Naruto announced to everybody.

"Where's Chouji?"

Author Note: Merry Christmas to all of you and a happy holiday season as well. I present to all my readers my Christmas gift of a new chapter. I have to say I had serious doubts I would be able to post on this most special of days. (Of note; I've been trying to post for the last two hours, but good old FFNET has had their server down) Anyway, Less than a week ago I maybe had about 20% of this chapter written. So I've spent the last several days trying to find the time and then writing like a madman when I did. In fact I've spent much of my day today finishing this chapter for all of you to enjoy. So please don't burn me if I've got some stupid grammar and spelling errors, as I didn't get a chance to proof the chapter as much as I normally do because of time. I tried to keep the chapter with a mix of light-heartiness, drama, and humor up until the bummer of a cliffhanger. There is also a lot of character interaction and dialogue, which at times proved very challenging to write. I also really wanted to set-up Naruto to be in the best of moods, before it all comes crashing down on him when he learns the awful truth about Chouji. By the way, this chapter officially marks the end of the Homecoming arc of this story.

Anyway, I hope everybody enjoyed my gift of a chapter and I'm anxious to see what your reviews will be for it. That honestly is the best gift you can give me. I do wish to thank everyone both old and new readers who took the time to review my last chapter. For those of you who did review, you all had a lot to say about it and I'm pleased that this story has such a strong fan base with readers who actually write out well thought-out reviews. Because of that, I enjoy reading many of your reviews, so please leave lots of them, as they do help a writer get a sense of the thoughts and opinions of the fans of a story. They also can help lift the spirits of an author as well. Also, to any readers who are staff members to any C2 communities, please feel free to add my story to your community if you feel it is worthy of it. I won't mind, I swear. I'll even pinkie swear if I need to?

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year as well.

Homage time

As a bonus, I've also inserted into this chapter another one of my subtle homage's to an iconic Sci-Fi character of an epic Sci-Fi universe. It's a pretty easy one, so I'm not going to even give you a clue about it. In fact I think it is so easy, that if you don't think of the answer in less than a few seconds, you'll be kicking yourself afterwards. Just name the character and universe who made famous the phrase Iruka used to begin the sparring matches. You'll get a cyber-gold star in honor of the holidays if you do. Once again, all I ask is please don't leave a review with just your answer, but also say something about the chapter or the story in general.

News:

URGENT: THIS POLL ENDS IN ONE WEEK

In 2010, my fellow author brown phantom initiated a poll asking the following question.

"Who is the best Naruto fan fiction writer on this site?"

Upon completion of that first poll I finished a very respectable 8th to which I thank all of you who voted for me on that poll very much for making that happen. Now brown phantom has decided to run a second poll asking that same question. So I humbly ask if you feel I'm worthy of being one of your 10 author picks to please place a vote for me on brown phantoms second poll. I thank you in advance for your support and normally I would provide you the links to the profile pages for brown phantom for you to use. However, one of the "oh so wonderful" changes FFNET has recently made is making it more difficult to list a link anywhere even if it's a link on their own freaking site. So just do a quick search for the author, brown phantom. As I said I finished 8th on his first poll and I would be ecstatic if I could improve on that showing, but I will need all of your help to achieve that.

End of News:

My most sincere apologies, as due to the lack of time, I was unable to write up my Naruto manga rants and story recommendations this chapter and still get it posted on Christmas day for you all to enjoy. They will be caught up in my next update and once again my apologies to you all.

Kingkakashi

School Time:

Vexation

Definition: The state of being vexed; irritation; or annoyance.

Etymology: Latin to Middle English 1350-1400a.d.

Part of Speech: Noun