Author's Note from samuraipanda85: Hey everybody, Panda here, about a month ago we received a review from Kaelin The Black Swan, who had some harsh things to say about our fic. At first glance we were ready to dismiss it as another shipping hater, but upon closer inspection we realized that she made a few good points. That perhaps we could be writing Sakura better, better than we have been anyway. I will say that it probably won't be influencing the chapters that are already mostly done, but we still encourage you, our readers, to vocalize any flaws you see in our chapters, even if it seems harsh. We can only get better through critique. So thank you Kaelin for opening our eyes a bit and to everyone else who read our stories.
Up on deck 3, the senior staff, plus Naruto and Sakura, were getting ready to enjoy a game of bowling. The two ninja's have never played before, so they decided that they would watch for the first game.
Geordi, Worf, Riker, Picard, Crusher, Troi and Data all were gathered around one of the lanes to start their game.
"Alright. So how are we doing this." Riker said as he stood up to program the score board.
"I think we can do with just one lane for now." Picard stated.
"Fair enough. You sure you two don't want in? It's really not that hard." Riker said as he looked at the two ninja's.
"Actually, yeah, we will go first. What the Hell?" Naruto spoke up.
"Alright. so that's 9 players on one lane. Be sure to put on your shoes if you haven't yet." Riker said as he programmed everyone's name in.
The computer took everybody's names and randomly shuffled their order. The noise it was making reminded Naruto and Sakura very much of the announcement board during the preliminaries for the 3rd test of their first chunin exam.
With that 'happy' memory passing through their minds, the computer stopped on the first name.
SAKURA
"Oh boy, looks like I'm first." Sakura stated, a little nervous.
"You'll be alright." Crusher said as she handed Sakura a ball. "You stick your ring and middle fingers into the two holes here and your thumb in the larger hole. Then you roll the ball down the lane and try to hit as many pins as you can." Crusher explained.
Sakura nodded and approached the bowling lane.
"You got this, Sakura-chan!" Naruto cheered, transferring some confidence to the pink firecracker.
Sakura looked over the selection of bowling pins available to her. Dozens of multicolored balls lined the shelves. She chose the largest one available.
'Larger means it'll knock down more pins right?' Sakura asked her Inner self.
'I don't know...probably?' Her Inner self replied nervously.
Sakura gulped and picked up the heaviest one.
At first, Riker and LeForge snickered with one another on Sakura's amateurish choice. Until she picked it up like it was an apple thanks to her years of physical training.
"Still seems kinda light. Is there a heavier one?" Sakura asked, nearly flooring everyone there. Data was unaffected and Worf was pleasantly impressed by this woman's strength.
"No... 16lbs is the heaviest we have." Riker said in amazement.
"16lbs? We haven't used weights that light since we were 5." Naruto commented.
"What...?" Picard asked in amazement.
"Oh well. I guess it'll have to do." Sakura sighed as she lined herself up with the center pin.
Sakura took a quick breath, pulled her arm back, and threw the bowling ball like a shot put. Nailing the pins dead center in a perfect strike.
"Whoo-Hooo! I did it!" Sakura jumped for joy.
"Alright, Sakura-chan!" Naruto clapped in cheer.
"I believe I speak for everyone when I say, Holy shit." Data stated emotionlessly.
"Indeed." Picard said, his eyes still wide in shock.
"Ninjas - 1
Spacemen - 0"
Naruto stated.
"Ahem... Quite..." Picard said as the next name came up.
DATA
"I am in the same position as you, Sakura. I too possess great amounts of strength and have to be careful not to throw too hard." Data stated. He lined up his position and rolled the ball like a professional Bowler. He effortlessly got a strike.
"That's one strike for the triumphant android." Riker cheered on. The next name appeared.
WORF
Worf wasted no time and grabbed his ball. He shot it down the lane and got 8 pins. He grumbled in frustration, but was able to pick up the spare with his second shot.
"Nice save, Worf." Riker complimented. Then the next name came up.
NARTO
"The Hell, Riker? You misspelled my name." Naruto said.
"I did?" Riker asked.
"Yeah, it's N-A-R-U-T-O. Come on man."
"Too late to correct it now." Riker said.
"Whatever." Naruto grumbled and stood up to make his ball selection. He picked an orange ball that really was as light as Sakura said. He took his stance in front of the lane. Instead of just chucking it like Sakura did, he thought he'd try out what Data and Worf were doing.
He swung his arm back and let it fly right into the gutter.
"Gutter ball. Let's see if you can pick up the spare." Riker stated.
Naruto grumbled and tried again, this time managing to get two whole pins in.
"Damn." He said.
"Better luck next turn, Naruto." Picard said
"Yeah, I'll get it next round." He replied confidently.
Sadly, he didn't. The whole game, Naruto only knocked over either one or a few more pins per round and Sakura was tied with Data with almost 300 points. Worf with a healthy 278, Picard and Riker even with 243. Deana and Beverly with 198 and Geordi with 206. Naruto had a lousy 68 pins.
"This sucks!" Naruto grumbled.
"Don't be a spoiled sport, Naruto. You'll get the hang of it." Picard said.
The scoreboard flashed NARTO again, allowing the blond to take the field.
This time, Naruto was determined to get a strike. He didn't care what his end result would be, he just wanted a damn strike. Without focusing too much, he shot the ball forward and caused the pins to explode on impact.
The scoreboard flashed STRIKE!
"Uh... Strike to Naruto." Riker said in a state of shock. They had only seen Data do that but the reason for that was because he is an android. These two ninjas were only human, yet they were showing feats of strength almost unheard of.
"Shannaro!" Sakura shouted.
"Hell yeah!" Naruto translated.
"Extraordinary..." Picard gasped out. "I think there is far more to these ninjas than what meets the eye."
"Agreed... They are true warriors." Worf said with a faint smile on his face and a lot of pride.
'If they only knew the half of it.' Naruto and Sakura both thought.
"I think Naruto would benefit with one of your training programs, Worf." Riker pointed out.
"What chu talkin' 'bout, Riker?" Naruto asked, feeling on top of the spacecraft.
"It never hurts to have some fine tuning to sharpen a warrior's skills. And, to let out some aggression from time to time. My training programs can be quite... brutal." Worf explained.
"Can't be any worse than Bushy Brow Sensei's 'Youthful Training with Jazzercise.'" Naruto stated, causing him and Sakura to involuntarily shudder.
"I'm afraid I don't know this; Jazzercise you speak of." Worf stated.
"So much green spandex...yet so little..." Naruto whispered in horror.
"Wait a minute. Naruto, didn't you train in one of Worf's programs this morning?" Sakura pointed out.
"The one with the piss weak holograms? I think so." Naruto replied.
"You must not have gotten past the first level. I assume you tried the open forest one." Worf said with a smirk.
"No, I was in the battle arena one and was on level 18. It was far too easy." Naruto stated.
"You lie! I haven't even gotten to that level yet"
"I'm not lying. I was fighting two Klingons and...and I think there was this one alien that looked like a lion, and this really ugly one. I mean they were all ugly (no offense Worf) but this one was really ugly. And then this other one I think he was like a wolf man. A few good jabs and there were down. And the Klingon had this stupidly impractical bladed weapon. Like a curved staff and sword combo. Only it curved inward."
"A Bat'leth. I programed that myself with the fiercest warriors known to the Klingon empire. Yet you say you dealt with them like they were nothing?" Worf said in amazement.
"Didn't even have to use my shadow clones. Stupid computer would only go up to 30 opponents. I was going to have to tie one arm behind my back to get a decent challenge."
The warrior blood in Worf started boiling in anticipation and longing for battle. The thought of fighting a worthy opponent excited his Klingon primal instincts as he fell into a battle stance.
"I have waited a long time to find a worthy opponent to face. Come at me, like a true warrior..." Worf commanded.
"Woah man, take it easy. I don't want to fight you." Naruto raised his hands to try and calm the Klingon commander, yet his feet subconsciously took up a defensive stance.
"I'm afraid its unavoidable, Ensign." Picard stated as he rested his face on his palm. "Once a Klingon warrior challenges you to a battle, you must accept the challenge, lest you be labeled as a coward by said Klingon."
"I have too much respect for you to make me label you as a coward. Do not worry about hurting me. A true warrior worries not about pain." Worf stated.
"You're starting to remind me of Bushy Brows, Worf. Are you sure you want to do this?" Naruto asked, he wasn't certain how much he would have to hold back to avoid hurting Worf's body and his pride.
"A warrior is always sure when he picks an opponent."
Naruto sighed, looks like he wasn't getting out of this one.
"Alright, so do you want to do it here or on the holodeck or something?"
"Right here is good. Now, come at me." Worf said with determination.
That's when a loud cough interrupted their would-be quarrel. The two warriors turned to see that it came from none other than their captain. Who was looking just a little ticked off.
"As much as I'm sure we would all enjoy seeing the two of you fight in a friendly spar, there'll be no fighting on my ship outside of training rooms." Picard stated firmly.
The two warriors then lowered their guard.
"In that case, sir, why not have them duke it out on the holodeck. I'm sure we'd all enjoy a comparison between Lieutenant Worf and Ensign Uzumaki's combat abilities." Riker goaded the Captain. All around them, the commanding officers of the Enterprise vocalized their agreement.
"Very well. I suppose it would be amusing to watch Ensign Uzumaki get his behind handed to him in something other than bowling." Picard teased.
"I'm sorry, what?" Sakura inquired. Did the captain just imply that Worf was stronger than Naruto? He had better square up.
"Oh it is on…" Naruto smirked. Worf too became excited at the prospect of being able to test his strength against such a worry opponent.
As a group, the senior officers all headed towards the nearest holodeck. The lower ranking officers all cleared a path like they were on a war path. Once inside the holodeck, Picard had the room render an Olympic coliseum for Naruto and Worf to do battle in. Complete with an Emperor's booth for the Captain and his officers to be seated in.
The two warriors took to opposite sides of the arena. Each observing the other, probing for weaknesses.
"Begin!" Picard shouted.
Naruto dropped into his classic stance.
Worf got into a stance that Naruto wasn't familiar with. But it didn't matter.
Naruto charged at his opponent straight on, figuring Worf would be a head on fighter as well and wanted to give him as even a fight as possible.
Worf stood his ground as Naruto charged. With a fist drawn, Naruto sent a strike towards Worfs face, but the Klingon moved his fist and knocked his footing off balance. Grabbing the fist that Naruto had sent at him, he used Naruto's momentum to throw him on his back and on the floor.
"Your tactics are too predictable. Focus on your opponents moves as you make your own." Worf stated.
"You're a lot better than the Klingon hologram." Naruto smirked.
"You obviously didn't have their skill level set high enough." Worf smirked back.
"I'll keep that in mind. Round 2?" Naruto suggested, not wanting to have to resort to sneaky tactics.
"Yes, For I am not yet satisfied."
Naruto leapt to his feet and backed up to give some distance between him and Worf.
"Do you wanna go first this time or should I?"
"Allow me to test your defense. Q'pla!" Worf shouted as he charged at Naruto. Suspecting the ninja may counter his attack, he waited to see if he would make a move as he sent a chop towards Naruto's neck.
Naruto however kept a more relaxed stance that was full of openings. As soon as Worf was too far into his attack to stop himself, Naruto disappeared.
Before Worf could properly react, he felt a series of quick jabs targeted to the weak points of Worf's Klingon torso. Worf stumbled to his knees and Naruto appeared behind him. The tips of his fingers pressed against Worf's neck like a knife.
"What did you just do...?" Worf asked.
"Just a couple of punches to your natural weak points. My Ex taught me how to incorporate those into my fighting style." Naruto explained, not taking his fingertips off of Worf's neck as a sign of dominance, and that he was ready for any counter attack Worf could attempt.
"A pointed strike. However," Worf quickly and strongly grabbed the hand that was held at his throat and applied a pressure that actually was painful to Naruto as Worf moved the ninja's hand away from his neck. "You are still young and have a bit to learn about taking on a seasoned warrior." Worf slammed Naruto's hand to the ground and attempted to pin the ninja down.
Naruto instinctively curled up into a ball, tucking his legs in swiftly and aimed them at Worf's head. Like a spring loaded battering ram, Naruto kicked his left leg out, hitting Worf directly in the face with a knockout blow.
Worf was sent flying backwards until he landed flat on his back. However, to Naruto's surprise, the Klingon stood back up and wiped the pink colored blood from his mouth.
"A worthy opponent indeed." Worf gasped out. This was the best battle he's had in a long time. "You would make a very good Klingon."
"And you wouldn't make a bad ninja." Naruto replied with a smirk while massaging his hand.
In truth, this was shaping up to be the best spar he had had since squaring off against Rock Lee.
"Your knockout blow would have work against anyone else." Worf stated.
"A Klingon's outer skull is 2 inches thicker than a Human's. A simple kick to the head would do little if anything." Crusher informed.
"2 inches? Thank God, I was worried I put too much force into that kick." Naruto admitted.
Worf smirked. "I honestly almost didn't feel it."
"Okay, I think that's enough." Sakura stated. "This should stop before someone really gets hurt."
"Hold on a second Sakura." Naruto held up his hand while keeping his eyes glued on Worf.
"Didn't feel it? I knocked you flat on your ass, I think you will remember."
"You did, but a Klingon's body is made to take such physical abuse. We are warriors, first and for most." Worf explained.
"Then how did you guys acquire space traveling technology if you are all warriors?" Naruto inquired.
"...I do not remember." Worf said as he stood up straight. He seemed like he was done fighting.
"Well anyway, anytime you want a spar you just say the word." Naruto stated, holding out his hand for Worf to shake.
Worf took a minute to think about what Naruto said as he looked upon the hand that was being offered to him. He then smirked and shook Naruto's hand. He looked into Naruto's eyes and noticed that they were the eyes of someone who has seen many battles and almost as many deaths. These were the steeled and emotionless eyes of a warrior who would put his life on the line to protect the ones he cares most for.
"I would be honored to train with a warrior as strong as you."
"Same here." Naruto smiled.
'Are they done with their dong measuring contest?' Inner whined.
"Excellent, I declare this match, a draw!" Picard declared.
"What? Bullshit, no way that was a draw. If anything I wiped the floor with Worf and I didn't even have to use any ninjutsu." Naruto whined.
"A miscalculation on your part. Nevertheless, I still would have won." Worf bragged.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Naruto growled.
"Boys! Break it up!" Sakura said in a loud and sickly sweet tone as she cracked her knuckles. Both Worf and Naruto knew instinctively that it was time to fold or be broken.
"Yes, Ma'am…" Naruto hastily replied.
"Wuh-PSSSH!" Riker teased. Naruto just gave him a look.
"Alright, come on, I believe we have a follow-up game to complete." Picard mused. He then led his group of commanders back down to the bowling alley where both their lanes were still open.
"Well, now that's done with, lets split off into teams." Riker stated as he made use of the other lane. "Pick a team captain and choose who you want on your team. try to keep it balanced."
"I think Data should be a team captain." Troi stated, to which everyone nodded.
"I nominate Sakura-chan to be the other captain." Naruto stated next. Everyone else agreed. It made sense, who better to be the other captain to the other best player?
"I accept. And I choose Worf to start." Sakura said, knowing that Naruto would more than likely be chosen for the other team if things were to be balanced.
"What the hell, Sakura-chan?" Naruto protested.
"We need to keep the teams even. How is it even when you and I are on the same team?" Sakura pointed out.
"...I guess." He pouted.
"Oh, cheer up. Sakura said as she then leaned over to whisper into his ear. "Be good, and there is a nice, sexy surprise for you later..." Sakura whispered in a sultry tone.
That got Naruto to shut up. It took Sakura maybe 8 years, but she had finally mastered Naruto's mute button.
"I choose, commander Riker." Data said.
"Deana." Sakura said.
"Captain Picard." Data chose.
"Dr. Crusher." Sakura said.
"Naruto." Data chose.
"Geordi." Sakura said. The teams were chosen, now it was time to lay the smack down.
"Alright, the teams are chosen. The team with the most points wins. The losing team, the one with the least amount of points has to clean the port Nacelle tube." Riker said, smirking at the last part.
"We appear to be unevenly matched." Data stated.
"Not a problem." Naruto commented as he crossed his fingers in a familiar sign. Instantly a Shadow Clone poofed into existence.
"Now it's even."
"Smart thinking, Naruto." Picard said, which made Sakura nearly spit out her water she was sipping.
"First time I heard those words used in the same sentence." Sakura teased.
"Oh ha ha, Sakura-chan." Naruto fake pouted.
Sakura just stuck her tongue out at Naruto with one eye closed.
The two Narutos then split up to join their teammates. With Clone Naruto joining Sakura's team and the real Naruto staying on Data's team.
On Data's team, the guys began to form their strategy.
"Ok Naruto, so long as you keep doing what you did with that last strike last game, we'll be golden." Riker said.
"Yeah yeah, I got this." Naruto replied.
"Good. Remember, we're only as strong as our weakest link." Riker said.
"Fuck you, sir."
Over on Sakura's team, they were having their own team meeting.
"Ok girls and Georgi." Sakura began.
"Hey!" Clone Naruto shouted.
"And Clone Naruto." Sakura corrected herself. "By my math, if everyone on both sides is consistent with their scores for this game as they were for the last one, we will lose. However, if Clone Naruto can outscore his original, we could win."
All eyes then turned on the Shadow Clone. "Me?"
"Yes, all you need to do is what the original did in his last throw. Just toss it like I've been doing." Sakura coached.
"You know that's not how the game is actually played, right?" Troi interjected. Sakura however, ignored her.
"Alright team, hands in!" Sakura cheered. All her teammates put their hands in the center.
"Win on three! One! Two! Three!"
"WIN!" They cheered.
The computer decided the order of the players and the game began.
For the most part, it played out exactly as the last one had, except for one major difference.
Using Sakura's unorthodox bowling technique, Naruto score strike after strike. It was uncanny, he was a completely different player. The problem was that so was Naruto's Shadow Clone. For every strike the original made, the clone followed suit. The technique seemed so flawless that Worf actually tried it out himself. Unfortunately, his strength and coordination were not up to the standards of two seasoned Black Ops ninjas, and it cost him a spare. Evening up the scores between the two teams.
In the last handful of rounds, Dr. Crusher went on a roll, scoring a turkey (which as the crew explained to the shinobi, was three strikes in a row). That brought Sakura's team into the lead.
"I have analysed the collective scores. At our current score, our team cannot achieve victory if the Clone Naruto scores a perfect 300." Data stated.
"Damn it, we're going to have to clean the port Nacelle tube." Riker cursed.
"And whose fault is that?" Worf grumbled. His back already feeling sore from all the scrubbing they would have to do.
"The fault lies with Commander Riker. For he was the one who established the punishment to befall the losers of this friendly bowling game." Data stated.
"Thank you Data." Riker said sarcastically.
"You are welcome."
"Come on guys, we aren't licked yet." Naruto tried to encourage them.
"Oh yes we are. Unless…" Riker said, having just now realized something.
"Hey, Naruto clone!" Riker called out to the opposing team, whom were in the process of celebrating their early victory. The Naruto clone then turned around to greet his opponent.
"Yes?"
"Why don't you throw the match for us? I mean think about it. If your original loses, that means that you still have to clean the port tube!" Riker smirked.
"Oh come on, Riker! Don't be a sore loser!" Troi shouted back at him. "Just take your punishment like a man when we beat you!"
"All's fair in love and cleaning port tubes, my dear!" Riker flirted back.
"So what's it going to be, Naruto?"
The clone had to pause in thought for a second, but Sakura was having none of it.
"Hell no! Two can play at that game! Naruto, if your clone helps us win, I'll give you a special treat tonight!" She said with her hand tracing down her sides, informing Naruto of a much sweeter prize.
"Hey no fair! You can't use seduction in a wager!" Riker whined back.
"All's fair in love and cleaning port tubes, right?" Sakura shot Riker's comment right back at him.
"So what is it going to be, Ensign?" Picard spoke up, hoping to quell this ridiculous argument.
"I'll remind you that appeal to the guy code on this ship. Bros before hoes." Riker smirked.
Finally, the moment of truth arrived. The Naruto clone stood in front of the ball return and picked up his favorite orange 16-pound ball. The crew all sat on the edge of their seats as the Naruto clone walked up to the edge of the lane.
He cocked his arm back and chucked the ball towards the pins.
And missed!
"My team is victorious." Data declared as the rest of the guys cheered.
Clone Naruto then picked up the spare, but it was too late.
"Damn you Naruto! How dare you betray me!" Sakura halfheartedly shouted.
"Sorry Sakura-chan, but I ain't gonna be cleaning any port tubes tonight." Naruto mused.
"That's not the only thing you won't be cleaning." Sakura spat back, prompting jeers from her team.
Once both teams had settled down, they met up at Ten Forward for a round of drinks.
While most of the long standing Star Fleet crew grouped up together at one table, the Leaf shinobi found themselves taking a private table.
"Are you really that upset with me?" Naruto asked.
"Hardly, but I gotta keep you on your toes, don't I?" Sakura smirked as she took a sip of her apple cider beer.
Naruto sighed in relief. He hated upsetting Sakura in any way. Didn't matter if they were together as friends or as lovers. He hated seeing Sakura upset.
"Geez cheer up, would you? It's not like I was gonna break up with you over a silly game...that I could totally beat you in one on one." She smirked.
"No, I didn't think you would. I just don't like seeing you upset, ya know? I never did..."
"Really? You sure seemed to enjoy getting on my nerves back in the day." Sakura pointed out as she took another sip.
"It wasn't true. I was always mad at myself for doing shit like that..."
"Hmmm, well if it makes you feel any better, I definitely regret the way I used to treat you. Except for the times you definitely deserved it because you were being a Baka."
"You two definitely have a long history, don't you?" Troi jumped in.
"Since we were kids. Have a seat." Sakura said as she motioned to an empty chair at their table.
"Don't mind if I do." Troi said as she scooted closer to Naruto just to gauge Sakura's reaction.
"You know... I only did that stuff so that you would notice me. But after a while, I started to realize how badly I had been treating not just you, but everyone doing those pranks and stuff. So, even though it's long overdue, I'm sorry, Sakura-chan..." Naruto stated.
"Seriously, Naruto, if anyone has to apologize it's me for the way I treated you all those years. In all honesty, I actually found your pranks really amusing." Sakura admitted.
"Wait, really?" Naruto said in amazement.
"Definitely. Your pranks always helped to mix things up in the academy. Even your smaller pranks like that eraser that fell on Kakashi-sensei's head had me cheering on the inside. I just wasn't vocal about it because I was trying to seem prim and proper for Sasuke." Sakura said, slightly embarrassed.
'And look how that turned out.' Inner commented.
"Excuse me, sorry to interrupt, but I'm curious. What is this academy you're both talking about?" Troi asked.
"The Leaf ninja academy." Naruto replied
"It was a kind of elementary school for ninjas. There we were trained in the basics of ninjutsu, taijutsu, and genjutsu plus a few standard things like how to read, write, and do math. From the time we were 5 years old until we all graduated around our 12th birthday. Me and Naruto were both in the same class and we ended up being put on the same squad together after we graduated and became genin." Sakura elaborated.
"You mean; you get trained into military personnel from the age of 5?" Troi asked.
"Yes, is that not a normal thing?" Naruto asked.
"No." Troi stated in shock. "The humans of Earth used to do that centuries ago, but stopped after the 19th century."
"Well its common practice on our planet. Heck, it's almost universally regarded as a noble profession. Amongst the poorest civilians to the wealthiest of ninja clans. Plus, it's the closest thing to a formal education many of the ninja villages provide." Sakura explained.
"Well, starting in the early 20th century, it was common law in certain countries that no one below the age of 18 were allowed to become soldiers." Troi explained
"Well it's not like they send us out to war immediately following our graduation. New genin teams start off small by being assigned D-ranked missions that amount to little more than odd jobs around the village. After completing a certain number of those, they move up to C-ranked mission that are usually escorting some merchants across areas where bandits are a possibility. But because of our years of combat training in the academy, most run of the mill thugs don't stand a chance against a fully trained genin. Even then we have our Jounin squad leaders to teach us and pick up the slack." Naruto chimed in.
"I see." Troi said, still very curious.
"Well it's not like that a standard ninja is the only career path available. More than half of the students never graduate and even then many choose to hang up their headbands before they can even make chunin. Even still, their knowledge of chakra and their physical fitness become very useful in the work force. Some even go on to become doctors or nurses at the hospital. Or researchers at the R&D team. Some use their training to become craftsmen for ninja tools and the like. Plus, whatever other jobs are needed to keep a city running." Sakura explained further.
"I'm honestly surprised that Humans are able to use Chakra as well." Troi commented.
"Well it is a bit of a surprise to us too. Not all humans back on our planet can use chakra. Heck, our friend Rock Lee can't use any chakra what so ever and yet he still managed to become a Jounin by focusing on his taijutsu." Naruto said.
"Wait a minute. Are there others out there than can use Chakra?" Sakura asked.
"According to Admiral Janeway, a species known as the Undine can use a form of it, but it drains the life and physical energies of their victims." Troi stated.
"Interesting. We might have run into a few people like that back on our home world. They were few and far between though." Naruto said.
"Naruto, I think she is talking about Dark Chakra..." Sakura said in horror.
"What's the difference?" Troi asked.
"Dark chakra...? Oh shoot, that stuff? I had forgotten." Naruto admitted.
"How could you forget? You brought down a flying city last time you fought against it." Sakura pointed out.
"It just wasn't very memorable." Naruto held his hands up in surrender.
"Excuse me, what is dark chakra?" Troi asked again.
The two Shinobi looked embarrassed when they realized they had knocked Troi out of their conversation again.
"Sorry, dark chakra is chakra that draws its power from negative emotions. Well that's the simplest explanation." Sakura said.
"Oh my..." Troi gasped.
"Yeah, normally to use chakra it requires peace of mind and concentration. While negative emotions like rage and fear work against having a clear state of mind. So to use dark chakra you have to almost be completely focus on your fears and your hate. Which can be very self-destructive. Case in point is that dark chakra is considerably more raw and dangerous than regular chakra." Sakura explained.
"That explains why the Undine were so hostile to the Voyager crew when they entered fluidic space." Troi deduced.
"Yes, dark chakra tends to overpower your rational thought and make the user more hostile." Sakura said as if speaking from personal experience. Naruto meanwhile just sipped his rum and coke.
"There are many species who use some kind of energy to cause harm, but it's hard to say if it's actually Chakra. I heard the Devidians use a very raw form of energy to steal the souls of the living and entrap them in their dimension to feed on." Troi said, much to Naruto's sudden fear.
"D-devidians?" Naruto asked.
"Yes. They are beings of pure energy that appear in our dimension as ghosts." Troi explained
Naruto felt his stomach drop below the deck.
"G-g-ghosts?"
"In a way, yes. Wait... I sense a sudden increase of fear from you. You're afraid of ghosts?"
"Yes, what's wrong with that?" Naruto asked defensively as he tensed up.
"Nothing. A lot of people fear the spirits of the deceased. But, most spirits don't interfere with he living."
"Easy for you to say. I had to live with a ghost in my apartment once. It sucked!"
"Why is that? I sense two... no... 3 spirits with you now." Troi said
"WHAA!" Naruto screamed as he jumped to his feet and started slapping himself like he had been swarmed by Shino's beetles.
"Relax Naruto! They're friendly!" Troi exclaimed to get Naruto to calm down.
"I don't care! Make them go away!" He shouted as Sakura buried her face in her hands to block out the scene Naruto was making.
"They're guardian spirits, Naruto!" Troi said, much to Naruto's curiosity.
"Come again?"
"They are spirits that watch over you, like a guardian angel of sorts. I sense two of them have been with you for a long time, whereas the third has been with you for a much shorter time..." Troi said as she began to communicate with the spirits. "The third one said to... finish his research? what does that mean?"
"Oh...well that's..." Naruto began, but caught himself. This was noticeable to both the women sitting at his table. Especially Sakura, who had a pretty good idea of who those guardian spirits might be.
"You don't have to tell me their identities." Troi raised up her hand. "They're a personal matter and I don't need to pry. Just know that they are there for you."
"N-no... It's fine..." Naruto said as he slowly sat back down.
"Are you sure?" Troi asked.
"Yes. The third one is definitely my master Pervy Sage."
"He means the Toad Sage, Jiraiya." Sakura clarified.
"Oh, I see." Troi said.
"Yeah, I just called him that because he was a huge pervert that always peeked on women bathing and tried to justify it as research for his smut novels the Make-Out series. He always forced me to proofread his writing and it was always so boring." Naruto reminisced fondly.
"And the other two?" Sakura asked.
"I am not getting much from them... But they seem to have been around Naruto since birth." Troi deuced.
"My parents then." Naruto said simply.
"That makes sense. It's actually pretty common for the spirits of deceased relatives to watch over their living family. They love you a great deal, you know."
"Yeah they do." Naruto smiled as he looked down at his drink, the ice nearly melted completely.
"They are all watching over you and Sakura." Troi said.
"Is that right?" Naruto mused. He sat there quiet for a moment, apparently deep in thought when finally, a thought occurred to him.
"Yo Guinan! Can I get six cups of sake over here?!"
"Sure thing, kid." Guinan replied.
"Naruto, what are you doing?" Sakura asked.
"You'll see." Naruto said as Guinan brought them the six tiny saucers and placed two in front of each occupant at the table. As she retreated back behind her counter, Naruto then rearranged three of the saucers over to where three other people might be seated if they were to squeeze in on their small table. One saucer directly in between Naruto and Troi and the other two in between Sakura and Troi.
The blond then raised his own glass in a silent toast and paused to invite Sakura and Troi to do the same.
Playing along, Sakura and Troi did the same.
"Here's to you: mom, dad, Pervy Sage." Naruto said before knocking back his sake in one gulp.
Sakura felt her heart melt as she knocked back her drink, Troi doing the same.
The three remaining saucers were left completely untouched.
"You two are very interesting individuals, you know that?" Troi said after a few moments of silence.
"How so?" Sakura asked.
"You're both so young and yet you've both lived such full lives. Many 20 year olds I've met, even in the harshest upbringings, don't have as colorful a backstory as either of you. I can just tell at a glance and I find that fascinating."
"I guess people our own age around here are just deprived of an excited life." Naruto commented.
"I don't envy them." Sakura added as he finished off the last of her beer, a toast to those innocent souls.
"Really? I kinda do." Naruto said.
"Why?" Sakura asked
"After such an exciting life, it must be nice to have a simple one." He replied.
"Take it from someone who once had a simple life, I'd never want to be so ignorant again." Sakura stated.
"Was it really that bad?" Naruto asked.
Sakura looked over at Naruto; her lover, her teammate. In his eyes she saw the lifetime of pain and loneliness he had to endure while she spent over a decade of her life knowing the basic comforts of the world. Not just Naruto, but Sasuke and even Kakashi-sensei who knew tragedy all their lives. Heck, even Sai and Captain Yamato knew of the cruelty of the world long before Sakura was ever made aware of it.
"Yes."
"What makes you say that?" Troi asked.
"Experience. It's just something I never want to be again." Sakura said simply.
"May I ask why? Most people would want to live like that." Troi asked.
"(Sigh) I did live like that. For the longest time I thought my greatest concerns were acing the next test, sticking up to some bullies, and crushing on some pretty boy. Then I got put on team 7 and I realized how fortunate I really am."
This got Naruto's attention.
But, Troi realized what Sakura was on about.
"You learned through experience that you lived the life you had because of the self-sacrifice and bravery of the Ninja's of your village, right?" Troi deduced.
"True, but somehow that doesn't make me feel less guilty." Sakura replied. 'How couldn't I? When my teammates include an orphan abused from birth, a boy who had his entire clan wiped out, a sensei who had all his loved ones killed off piece by piece, and two replacements both raised to be weapons; one as a genetic freak and the other as an emotionless robot.'
Troi could tell that Sakura wasn't being completely honest, but it was enough to agree with Sakura on her point.
"That is usually how one gets into a military career." Troi stated.
"That's why I stayed, anyway." Sakura said.
The mood was somber, and would have continued as such if Riker hadn't decided to drop in.
"What's up? Planning on how to clean the port Nacelle tube?" Riker teased.
"Hello Riker." Troi replied dryly.
"Hey yourself." He replied. "Say, you two should join in on our poker night. We could always use a few fresh faces."
"Poker night, huh? When is it?" Naruto asked, grateful for a change of pace.
"Normally it would have been tonight, but we'll just have it tomorrow." Riker replied.
"Sounds good. I'm feeling tired tonight anyway." Naruto admitted.
"Oh? Mr. Endless stamina is tired?" Sakura joked.
"I'm allowed to be." Naruto defended with an overly exaggerated hand over his chest.
'Who says you're gonna sleep, Mr. Seal Clubber?' Sakura thought.
'I thought we were mad at him?' Inner Sakura thought.
'Just because we're mad at him doesn't mean I don't want to get any.'
'You're the best outer self a mental projection could ask for.' Inner Sakura cried tears of joy.
"Yea, I think this is our last round for the night." Sakura agreed.
"Sounds good, where's the poker game by the way?" Naruto asked as he stood up from his table.
"Deck 4. If you ask Data, he'll lead you to it." Troi stated.
"Be prepared though. I'm unbeatable." Riker gloated.
Riker is very, very good at bluffing and has a near perfect poker face.
"Oh yeah? Well I'm unpredictable. Let's see whose reputation holds up." Naruto goaded.
"Do you even know how to play poker?" Riker teased.
"Heck yeah I do. I used to have poker night with the guys once a week back in the Leaf. I even beat Shikamaru a couple of times and he's the smartest I guy I know." Naruto bragged.
"He's not lying. The first time he beat Shikamaru, we thought he cheated." Sakura confirmed. "That was... When was that? I can't remember."
"That was back on that battleship, the HMS Typhon. When we were helping those Mist ninjas to root out that huge pirate gang that had taken over the archipelago. We were left on standby below deck for a week and I finally nailed that genius bastard with a straight flush." Naruto reminisced.
"Oh that's right! Damn, that was a time and a half ago." Sakura said.
"Huh... that ship name sounds familiar." Riker commented.
"Damn right it was. I still had my bandages on back then. I remember you had to keep changing them every day because of all the ocean spray." Naruto added.
"Yea, don't remind me. If you just wrapped the damn thing in a glove like I told you, I wouldn't have had to keep changing it." Sakura scolded.
"Well to be perfectly honest. By the fifth time you did it I was just purposely getting it wet because I liked the feeling of you wrapping my arm." Naruto said sheepishly as he rubbed the back of his neck. Kurama must have been acting lazy again because Naruto was definitely feeling buzzed.
Sakura blushed. "Well, I wouldn't have cared about that now, but then it wasn't exactly appropriate."
"Maybe, but you hadn't started to officially date Sasuke yet and Hinata and I wouldn't get together for at least 6 more months."
"Oh... Yea, true..."
"But yeah, I guess I was just desperate cause I thought that it would the last chance I'd get to hang out with you like we used to before Sasuke would come back and take you on that date he promised you..."
Now Sakura felt bad. Once again, Naruto had reached out to her for affection and she completely ignored him and pushed him away, all for someone she would later regret being with.
"I'm sorry..." Sakura said sadly.
Naruto was shocked, terrified even that he had made Sakura-chan feel.
"No no, Sakura-chan, don't feel bad. I was just being selfish at the time. I told myself long ago that no matter who you chose I would be happy because you would be happy. But I guess saying is a lot easier than doing..." Naruto tried to laugh it off.
"It doesn't matter now." Sakura said as she looked up at Naruto and smiled. "You've gotten what you always wanted now. You have me and I don't see myself leaving you anytime soon."
"What about you, Sakura-chan? Are you happy? Are you getting what you want?" Naruto asked.
"I told you this morning. I'm the happiest I have been in a very long time."
"Yeah but...if things could be different - with Sasuke I mean...would you be..." Naruto stuttered but was immediately silenced when Sakura leaned forward to kiss him full on the mouth. Not a hot and intense kind of kiss like they would share whenever they got frisky, but a loving and tender kiss. The kind you only gave to those who mattered.
"Don't think about what could have been, focus on the here and now." Sakura said simply.
"Yes, Ma'am..." He replied simply. That last kiss had left him a little light headed.
"When I told you that I love you back in the Rock village, I wasn't completely lying, you know. I did love you, but not in the way I have recently." Sakura said.
"Really? How is the way you love me now different from the way you loved me back then?"
Riker and Troi meanwhile just sat on the other side of the table, nestling their drinks and feeling more and more like third wheels.
"The way I love you now is more than just us dating. They say that the best relationships are with your best friend. Back then, I loved you as a best friend that I would do anything for. Now, I love you as not only a lover, but as a missing piece to my heart that I didn't know I was missing. Do you understand?"
"I guess...yeah, I get you." Naruto decided.
'Save some for the wedding vows, girl.' Inner commented.
'Oh trust me. There is a lot more I'm going to- Wait a minute.' Sakura had to stop and think about that one. 'Wedding vows? isn't it a little early to think about that right now?'
'Oh please. A little early... Says the girl in the relationship that started after the two of you had sex. It's not like you get to take things slow after that. You already took a dive and found the water to be just the right temperature, if you know what I mean.' Inner suggested by wiggling her eyebrows.
Sakura rolled her eyes mentally. '...As much as I would love to see a ring on my finger from him, I want to wait on that. I'm not ready to settle down just yet.'
'Oh come on, why wait? If it turns out we did jump the gun early, we could always divorce him and get half of that sweet Namikaze inheritance.' Inner Sakura stated with ryo signs flashing in her eyes.
'No. Absolutely not. I'm not a gold digger.'
Inner then thought about one of those rap songs the two of them had accidently listened to on the computer playlist, but it was too easy...
Screw it, she would go for it.
'I'm just saying, he ain't no broke ninja.'
'And after this mission, neither would I. Or did the 10 billion ryo worth of gold not sink in?'
'Oh right...so that means we can only love Naruto for his character and his sex appeal and not for his money.'
'And that's a problem why?'
'I don't know. I think you've had one too many apple ciders and its effecting me.'
'And I thought Naruto was a lightweight.'
'Hey I'm you, remember? If anything, this just proves that you're a lightweight!' Inner argued back.
'I feel fine; I don't know about you.'
Back on the physical plane, Riker and Troi were just awkwardly staring at Sakura who hadn't moved in the last minute.
"Does she always freeze up like this?" Riker whispered to Naruto.
"Sometimes. I have yet to figure out why."
'Maybe she's got a demon sealed inside her too and she's just never told us about it.' Kurama thought.
'I would have sensed it a while ago.'
'I'm not so certain. There could be all kinds of demons out there and we wouldn't realize it. You didn't sense the so called Zero Tails back when you were fighting those Sky ninjas with their dark charka.'
'Point taken.'
'So what if she did have a demon inside her? What're the odds that it would be a female demon?'
'I don't know.'
'Oh come on, humor me. That would be perfect wouldn't it? You'd get your mate and I'd get my own and we'd compete against who could last the longest and it would be me.'
'Oh for crying out loud... Really...? Listen fuzz butt, I'm tired and I just want to sleep right now.'
"Aaaand we've lost the blond too." Riker said to Troi.
"No, I'm still here. I'm just thinking about things is all." Naruto commented.
"So yeah, the point is that I love you, Baka." Sakura said.
"There you are..." Naruto said softly. "You went blank on me for a minute."
"Oh shit, I did?"
"Yea, but only for a minute. You've been doing that a lot in the past and again recently. Why is that?"
"Oh...no reason..." Sakura said simply, hoping someone would change the subject.
"There must be a reason for it. You can tell me later if you don't want to say it here, but if it's something serious, then I need to know. Otherwise, how can I help out my favorite Cherry Blossom?" Naruto smiled.
"Oh alright...it's not anything dangerous, but I can tell you later when we're alone."
"Right, I think we're both done for the night anyway." Naruto said as he once again stood up to leave.
"Yeah, I think that sounds like a good idea." Sakura admitted.
Hand in hand, Sakura and Naruto left Ten Forward and returned to their room.
"What just happened?" Riker asked Troi in confusion.
Troi held up a dismissive hand. "They're young and in love. Let them be. We weren't any different at their age, were we?"
Riker sighed. "No, we were just like them."
Back in the TenChi duo's quarters, Naruto help Sakura remove her jump suit and help get her settled in for the night. Shortly after releasing Kurama so he could get ready for bed as well.
"Try not to be too loud tonight. I would like so sleep." Kurama stated.
"You can take my room. I don't think I'll be using it anymore." Naruto said with a yawn.
"Alright, just don't come crying to me when you inevitably screw something up and end up on the couch." Kurama snickered.
"Even if he does, I wouldn't make him do that. I sleep better in his arms than I have in a long time." Sakura said fondly.
"Should I be marking those words? I feel like I should." Kurama asked.
"Do what you want, makes no difference to me." Sakura commented as she put on her robe.
Naruto was left to admire the subtle beauty of seeing the slight curve of Sakura's bottom sticking out from beneath her robe. Like seeing a single gold doubloon sticking out from a shining treasure.
Sakura caught onto what Naruto was doing and grinned. "You'll get it later, but we have something to talk about."
"Can't we just skip ahead and say we did?" Naruto begged like a dog wanting his meat.
"You're the one who asked me to tell you."
"Yeah, but then you put on that robe and my priorities changed." Naruto admitted.
"You can be patient for a few minutes." Sakura stated. "If we're going to make this work, we need to be honest with each other."
"Oh alright." Naruto sighed. He sat up straight and forced himself to pay attention.
Sakura took a seat on the couch and made herself comfortable by leaning against Naruto.
"You are the first person I have told this to, so please don't judge me."
"Of course, Sakura-chan. You can tell me anything."
Sakura sighed as she tried to choose her words really carefully. "For the longest time, I have had what I would call my Inner self speaking to me..." Sakura started hesitantly.
Naruto raised a quizzical eyebrow. "An inner self?" He asked, inviting her to elaborate.
"We would converse over certain things, mostly about topics in which I was not being honest with myself. You could call her a voice of reason, I suppose. But as I grew older, she became to be more...um...perverted than Jiraiya at times. It's almost like I'm a Jinchuriki host to her, but unlike Kurama, she doesn't have any powers to share with me."
"So like a split personality? Except you can talk with her whenever you want?"
"Right, that's it almost exactly. She is the blunter and more honest side of me. When I freeze up like I did earlier, that was me talking to her about some things."
"What about?" Naruto asked, a look of curiosity on his face.
'Shit, how do I tell him that one...' Sakura thought.
'Lie to his face and rub your butt along his crotch. That always works.' Inner suggested.
'No... That to him would be dodging the subject and would know that I was hiding something for sure. He may be an idiot at times, but he catches onto shit quick.'
"Are you talking to her now?" Naruto asked as he saw Sakura freeze up. The only response he got was a nod.
"Well what are you two talking about? Or is it personal?"
"It's a little bit on the personal side, Naruto. Something I don't quite feel comfortable sharing with you just yet."
"Well then don't worry about it. I think we're allowed to keep a few secrets from one another, right?" Naruto asked, wanting to set the boundaries now before he regretted them later.
"For now, yes..." Sakura agreed. "Anyway. From the start she had been pushing me to act like I should have. Laughing at your jokes and pranks being the top ones."
"Wow, really? She sounds like a really fun girl." Naruto smiled.
'I love this man...' Sakura and Inner said at the same time.
'Hey, I saw him first, bitch.' Inner spat at her outer self.
'We can both have him, remember? Now hush up or you won't get the surprise I have planned.'
"At times she can be. But other times... She can be a pain in my ass." Sakura commented.
'Fuck you, you love me.'
"Oh trust me, I know exactly how that feels." Naruto commented.
"Fuck you, you love me!" Kurama shouted from the other room.
Sakura laughed out loud.
"What's so funny?" Naruto asked.
"It's funny, because my inner said the same thing just now."
"I like her already!" Kurama called out.
"Well there you have it. Both of our annoying voices inside our heads love each other." Naruto said.
"Yea, but I don't know if I can bring her out the same way you release Kurama." Sakura commented.
"That's a shame. I would love to meet both sides of you in person. That way I could get to know all of you, Sakura-chan."
"Shadow clone!" Kurama called.
"Yes Kurama, that is a jutsu I can do!" Naruto called back.
That was when Sakura had an idea. "No, I think I know what he's getting at."
"I do too, I was just messing with him." Naruto admitted.
"And now I'm the Baka." Sakura giggled.
"How's it feel?" Naruto teased.
"Shut up." Sakura said as she playfully slapped Naruto's chest.
'Well, Inner. What say you? Wanna give it a shot?' Sakura offered.
'Hell yeah! Just don't complain when he ends up liking me best.' Inner smirked.
Sakura rolled her eyes and summoned a clone. After about a second, the clone froze up as Inner took control.
The clone then took on a few subtle character traits. Her pink hair became darker, her eyes became brighter, and her curves became...well, more noticeable.
Eventually, her hair become almost completely red and that was when she smirked.
"About fucking time you let me out." Inner said.
"Holy shit! You were right!" Naruto exclaimed.
"Did you think I was pulling your leg or something?" Sakura commented.
"I don't know, maybe? I definitely didn't expect the change to be so...dramatic." Naruto said as he looked down at Inner's hourglass figure and blood red hair.
"Hey, if ya like what ya see, I can show you more..." Inner said in a sultry tone.
It was then that Kurama came out to see what all the commotion was about and his eyes were glued to the third figure in the room.
"Damn..."
"Oh hey, Kurama-chama! How ya been?" Inner waved to Kurama like he was a long lost friend.
"I've been imprisoned in this idiot, his mother and grandmother for a grand total of over a hundred years and I'm finally able to taste freedom. I'm doing great honestly."
"Wow, sounds like you need some stress relief." Inner mused as she walked up towards Kurama and softly petted him on the snout.
"What if I helped you relieve some of that tension?" She whispered into his ear.
"Inner..." Sakura groaned.
"I... uh..." Kurama was at a loss for words.
"Now here me out, Me. This might actually be the best possible set up. You get Naruto-kun and I get Kurama for the night. Think about it, he's a mass of conscience chakra. I'm a mass of conscience chakra. We're practically made for each other." Inner said as she hugged Kurama's furry neck.
"I don't think-"
"I think that's fine." Naruto said, much to Sakura's shock.
"What?" Sakura asked as she sat up.
"Well, think about it. Before last night, neither have us had gotten any in months. Poor Kurama hasn't had any in over a century." Naruto clarified.
"You do realize that when my clone disperses, I retain all of the memories."
"Not necessarily. All the memories I have while in this clone body I will retain. So you won't actually remember them, you'll just have them stuffed in the back of your mind where I can replay them at my leisure." Inner smirked.
"That's worse because you would gloat about it to me."
"I'd gloat about it if you were the one actually doing the deed, regardless."
"Whatever..." Sakura sighed. "Naruto, are you really okay with this?"
"Why are you asking me? It's Kurama who you should be asking."
"Well...I mean...I..." Kurama stuttered as Inner traced circles in his chest fur.
'Just do it man... You deserve it after being cooped up for so long.' Naruto said into Kurama's mind.
"Come on Me, don't tear us apart before we ever have the chance to love." Inner swooned dramatically.
'I don't know, Kit. This feels really sudden. I know I talk a big game, but it's not like there are any other demon foxes out there, ya know?'
'Well, hey. I'm okay with it, Inner is okay with it, and I'm sure Sakura-chan would be okay with it so long as you agree.'
'Fuck it! I'm going for it!' Kurama declared.
'Yea, get you some!' Naruto cheered.
"I'm fine with it, Sakura." Kurama said firmly.
Sakura widened her eyes, but then shrugged. "Alright. Just so you know, she's kinky as fuck."
"Just the way I like them..." Kurama fibbed, not know what the hell he liked.
"Alright!" Inner cheered as she pumped up the sky.
"And since we're both made of chakra, we have no standard form. Soooo..." Inner held her hands in a tiger seal and transformed into a pink furred nine tailed fox.
"We can do it however we please." Inner smirked as she walked slowly towards the other bedroom on all fours. One of her soft fluffy tails being dragged agonizingly slow across Kurama's face to let him know to keep his eyes on the prize. Fox Inner then slipped into the bedroom with only a single tail left visible in the doorway. The same tail that had groped Kurama's whiskers was now beckoning for him to come inside.
Kurama turned back to Naruto and Sakura. "I can't thank you two enough for this."
"Think nothing of it, Kurama. You deserve it." Sakura smiled. "Now go in there and have fun and don't keep her waiting."
Kurama quickly scurried into the bedroom but slowed down to try to walk in all cool like. When the door shut behind him and both Naruto and Sakura could swear that Kurama didn't close it.
"Well, since they're having fun... I'm flowing like a river right now... You know what to do..." Sakura whispered into Naruto's ear.
"Way ahead of you." Naruto replied as he stripped off his jacket and lifted Sakura up like a princess to carry her into her room.