102

Many thanks to Pink shirt for the translation help!

Truths or Fables

Kankuro was silently sitting in the wooden chair while Tsunade-sama was going through his medical record. She pursed her lips a few times and clicked her tongue in displeasure once.

He thought his vision had started to return very slowly. Surely slower than he was losing it. He was hoping that he didn't imagine it, but the colours seemed to be slightly brighter.

"Right…" Godaime looked at him with a serious facial expression, or at least he imagined her with one. "I have several things to tell you according to the information written here. Are you ready to hear them out?"

"I am ready," he said after he had breathed in deeply.

"The pains in your muscles will fade out gradually and should disappear in about a month."

Kankuro nodded slowly.

"Your eyesight shows minimal improvements, which indicates it is expected to recover, at least up to some extent. It would probably be enough for you to fulfil your shinobi duties, anyway. We are going to check up upon your vision every week… And you will have to drink a few very nasty-tasted teas everyday."

He smiled. He felt such a relief hearing Godaime's last words. Like most of the shinobies, Kankuro was also thoroughly attached to his eyesight.

"And about your last problem…" Tsunade sighed and placed her elbows over the desk. "Your glands have been affected…"

Kankuro narrowed his eyes trying hard to actually see her face and maybe read something more on it.

"What does that mean?" he finally asked.

"It means that your wife would have really low chances of conceiving."

"Tsunade-sama, right now the chances are none as right now I am not able to…" There was an ironic smile on his lips…

"Ah, this is going fine," she interrupted him. "You don't have any nerve destruction so your erection should recover. So you shouldn't worry about this."

"Right…" Kankuro nodded calmly. It was one more relief that would let him sleep slightly more peacefully. One of his strong desires was to be able to use a physical symbol of love to Tenten. He didn't just want to have sex with her, he wanted them to have a while physical experience, representing an act of love withing all five senses, especially the sense of touch.

"And one more thing I think you would like to know about - you can leave the hospital tomorrow. You don't need 24 hours supervision anymore. Though you will have to visit the hospital every other day for recovery procedures."

He smiled. His smile was so true, so happy and soft - it was an exact reflection of the way he was feeling right now. But his smile suddenly faded away.

"What was Gaara's reaction?" he asked quietly.

Godaime was silent for a few seconds which he felt like minutes. She finally spoke, her tone filled with cheerful notes.

"The Kazekage expressed his strong concern for your health. He kindly asked me to hold you here as long as you can recover enough so you can go back safely to Suna."

Kankuro smiled slightly.

"Also I do not have any intention to let you travel alone, I will insist on you taking an escort."

"I have no intention of leaving Konoha alone…" He slightly pursed his lips and even if he couldn't see it, he raised his face to Tsunade's. "I am very sorry, Tsunade-sama… I won't be able to fulfil our initial arrangement. I won't be able to let Tenten come back to Konoha…"

He heard the woman laugh.

"I have been aware of that for quite some time now. As it was clear to me you were hiding the side effects from the procedures. I may not look like it, but I am a woman with vast life experience and it is hard to actually deceive me, Kankuro." She was looking at him with amusement. "Luckily Temari is going to join Konoha defence soon enough and will make up for our loss."

Kankuro nodded.

"But…" she lowered her voice. "Even if there wasn't anyone to make up for her, I wouldn't stop Tenten from going with you, as long as it was what you both wanted."

The man smiled with gratitude.

"Now go out." She said cheerfully. "Make sure to rest well, you are going out of the hospital tomorrow, to your wife."

He laughed out loud and headed to the door. He stopped just before he opened it, and looked back over his shoulder:

"Thank you…" he whispered, but Godaime just nodded.

Tenten had gotten back home for a week now. She still hadn't started to train at all but she had a conversation with Gai-sensei to include her in some light training. She had to return to her previous shape at some point. They had discussed her defence strengthening so they were going to aim at that with high priority.

Temari had asked Tenten to accompany her for a casual village walk and she had accepted the invitation. She exited the appointment and locked the door. Her gaze slid over the small space in front of the door, bringing her memories of the moment they tended to leave for Suna - all the little gifts for their wedding were stored there. Tenten had carefully stored them into the bedroom's wardrobe. At that point she genuinely believed she was going to return each of them when she came back to Konoha. She was not so certain anymore. But what she really wanted to do was to sit on the sofa, together with Kankuro, and take a look at each of the gifts, just like they did with the ones from Ino and Hinata. She wanted to tell him about every single person that had gone through all the trouble picking up something as a memory and at the same time, as a symbol for the love one believed Kankuro and she felt for each other.

She was walking on the village's streets without really paying attention to the people she was passing by. And soon she reached the place she was going to meet with Temari. The blond woman was already there, currently talking with Hinata. Tenten smiled while approaching.

"You surely can keep a straight line walking already," she teased with a smile.

"I sure do." She reached out to pull Hinata in for a hug. Tenten already knew Hinata's relationship with Naruto was going in a positive direction and was truly happy for her.

"I'm glad to see you outside the hospital's room!" Hinata exclaimed.

"Oh, I'm happy to see you outside it as well!" Tenten laughed.

Temari sighed quietly.

"Shikamaru suggested that I organise a gathering with you. What do you think about that?" she asked softly.

"It sounds like an excuse to go outside with Chouji far away from women' presence." Tented answered.

"Actually the Hokage is sending him out of the village for several days." Temari shrugged.

"Maybe he's just worrying about you? And he may think that you will feel better in a women' company?" Hinata proposed.

"Yes, this could be absolutely possible." Temari nodded thoughtfully.

"Okay….how about meeting tonight?" Tenten asked.

"Are you sure you want to meet tonight? Temari cautiously asked.

"Why not?" Tenten was surprised.

"I thought…Kankuro was coming home tonight."

"No." Tenten smiled. "Tsunade will release him tomorrow. I'm alone tonight and I really don't mind spending the evening with you, girls."

Temari nodded.

"I'm really happy you managed to make him speak about the side effects with Tsunade-sama."

Tenten nodded hearing this.

"Is Kankuro-san going to be okay?" Hinata asked quietly.

"More or less."

"He loves you very much, Tenten." the black-haired woman suddenly said, her cheeks starting slightly to flush. "I'm sure he will put great effort in recovering himself and taking you back to Suna."

Tenten just smiled a bit.

"And I will be by his side even when he tries to shoo me away." She grinned.

Hinata looked at her watch and said goodbye hastily. She was late for something she didn't want to mention. But she could tell them later, if she wanted to.

"My brother tried to shoo you away?" Temari asked quietly, looking really surprised.

"He has his demons and worries." Tenten replied, whispering. "He made me promise him that in given conditions I will find another man to have a relationship with."

Temari looked at her in shock.

"And you agreed?"

"I didn't have a choice, I had to lie to him." Tenten sighed.

They talked it out during the walk and finally decided the gathering was better to take place in Tenten's apartment. Temari was going to bring the unhealthy junk food and pass by the hospital to inform Sakura. Tenten was going to find Ino and Hinata and tell them as well.

The time for the gathering imperceptibly came. One by one the girls started to gather in the apartment. With slightly pink cheeks and a dreamy look on her face, the last one to appear was Hinata. Ino faultlessly recognised why she looked this way and mercilessly teased her about it. And since the poor Hinata wasn't used to this kind of heavy attention, she fainted, of course.

When she came to consciousness, she realised her friends had put her in Tenten's bed. She looked around to find a glass of water, foreseeing it being placed on the nightstand. She readily drank it up. Then, after she took a few deep breaths, she stepped into the living room, where the other women were sitting. They all turned their heads to her.

"Are you feeling better now?" Tenten smiled at her and patted the big cushion beside her. "Come and sit here. Ino promised to be kinder."

"When was it that I wasn't kind?" Ino almost snapped but Sakura gave her a warning gaze.

"I don't think there is something wrong with us discussing sexual intimacy…" she said. "But we really should respect our borders. You are open minded and you don't have any worries to share your sexual experiences, and that's fine. Just don't forget there may be people who don't feel comfortable like you do."

Ino frowned.

"Then I am going to talk only if I am asked to do so…"

"That's a wonderful idea!" Sakura shined a smile and Ino really looked pissed off.

"Don't you mind talking about all… that stuff?" Hinata asked warily.

"Hinata, we don't have to talk about it." Tenten gave her an assuring smile and put a hand over her. "What Ino wanted to actually offer was information and experience, but only as the type and quantity you want to hear."

"Yes, that was exactly it." Sakura nodded. "If you have any questions… Whatever they may be… If there is something you are worried about…"

"There are a lot of things that make me worry…" Hinata quietly confessed.

"If I may suggest something…" That was the first thing that Temari actually said so everyone looked at her. "You could write down your questions on small paper notes and fold them up. Then each of us could take turns answering your questions without you talking. Taking in consideration my observations and knowledge, I see the speaking itself to be your biggest problem."

Hinata lightened up and nodded rapidly, obviously liking Temari's suggestion.

Tenten supplied her with paper and pen, so Hinata went to the kitchen table to write her questions down.

"Your idea was wonderful." Sakura praised her with a smile. Temari replied with a smile and nodded.

"Well, If I must tell you the truth, Shikamaru should take some credit," she whispered. "I have listened to his analysis of Neji and Hinata's behaviour. That helped me with my idea…"

Ino grinned and attempted to say something but Sakura pointed a finger under her nose.

"Nope. You said you are going to talk only if you are asked."

Ino frowned yet again and crossed her hands in front of her chest. Temari felt pity for her and decided to let her talk for once, under one condition- she wont let her break the inner borders of comfort the inner borders of comfort.

"All right… What did you want to ask, Ino?"

"How is our Shikamaru doing with the se…" She caught Sakura's warning gaze and succeeded to cool down a bit. "So… How is Shikamarru handling the intimate whereabouts?"

Temari looked straight in her eyes, causing Ino to feel uncomfortable. In the very next moment Temari's face blossomed in the most beautiful smile they have ever seen, then answered bluntly…

"He's been flawless. I have never had such an amazing lover."

Ino's jaw visibly dropped down, Sakura was pinker than her hair. On the other hand, Tenten started laughing - she was well aware of Temari not being the shy type and could make even Ino feel out of place if she set that as a goal.

"You… Must be kidding, right?" Ino squealed.

"Nope, I am not joking at all, I am perfectly serious." Said Temari with the cutest smile. "Everything is quite fine with him. If you'd like to start with his nice physiological data, go through his good endurance and reach his extremely creativeness and knowledge about the female body." Her face didn't give even a hint of something different than a kind sparkle, but all of that detailed information caused Ino to blush and leaned back in her chair in awkward silence.

Hinata came into the room looking at Ino's red face in genuine surprise. She was carrying a glass bow with several folded paper notes inside.

"I am ready," she announced and placed the bow at the small table's centre.

"All right. Who will be first?" Temari asked calmly and reached out to pick one small round biscuit.

Tenten smiled at her - she had never seen Ino so silent until now.

"Tenten, would you mind if you start…?" she whispered shily and sat down on her cushion.

Tenten shrugged and reached out for one small paper note. Her stomach was clenched in a ball while she was unfolding it, even if she appeared calm. She knew there may be questions she won't be able to answer, she surely didn't want to lie to her dear friend though.

'What was your first kiss like?' she read out loud and slightly smiled, closing her eyes for just a brief moment. "My first kiss was surprising and really awkward," she confessed. "It was a brief, tender kiss, only our lips touched. I was so shocked I couldn't really rejoin it. I wasn't really sure I wanted to… And until I pondered, the kiss was over. So what I would like to advise you, is when you kiss or are being kissed, be there, don't wonder and don't hesitate."

"That was actually sweet." Sakura whispered. "I wouldn't be able to say it better myself. My first kiss was something similar."

Temari and Ino nodded, silently agreeing. Hinata also nodded thoughtfully then smiled at Temari, asking her this way to be the next one to pull out a note.

"Are there different types of kisses?" She read out loud the question followed by a quiet? "Hmm."

"I guess it depends what exactly you want to know." Temari turned the small paper note in her fingers and started to speak quietly. "Kisses are as different as the feelings you put in them. For example, a simple touch of the lips can mean a hope to see the person again or an eager desire. If you are asking purely about the mechanical part of a kiss - it's different for every person and it's a kind of a personal skill, which you match with the other one. There is no point in worrying about it, you try until you find your manner, style and duration of the kisses with which you yourself feel good. The advice I can give you is to find out what you like. When you know what you desire it's much easier to adjust to other one's kisses and it's more likely that both of you will be content in the end. Don't try to just please whoever it is."

Sakura as well as Ino immediately nodded. Tenten slightly smiled, there wasn't really anything more meaningful to say. This conclusion was kind of new to her as well.

Sakura stretched her hand and took a paper note from the bottom of the small pile. She was biting her lips while unfolding it.

"Okay, let's see… 'Was your first time very painful?" she chuckled slightly. "So, I think now is the perfect moment to debunk this myth. Hinata, the pain is nothing special, really." She answered frankly. "The pain is so negligible that you shouldn't worry about it at all. The whole thing about how painful it is and etc, is just nonsense told by the older women in order to keep us in illogical fear. If you want to have sex and it is not forced on you via arranged marriage with the sole purpose of giving birth to children, it is neither unpleasant or painful. You will see for yourself!"

"When you do have a desire to have sex, there is no pain, Sakura is right about it." Temari confirmed. "Actually if I must be blunt…" She crossed gaze with Sakura wanting permission to continue. "…the feeling you will most probably have will be discomfort, it is weird and untypical. But no pain if you want it to happen."

Ino nodded enthusiastically, obviously agreeing with the other women. And since it was her turn, she picked a small paper note. She had a shamelessly wide smile while she was unfolding it.

"Is there a correct moment for the first time?" Ino smile was replaced by a serious yet somehow soft expression. "I don't think there is something like a dedicated correct moment. The moment is right when you both feel it right. Sometimes this happens really fast, sometimes not quite so. And sometimes, even if this could sound weird, the correct moment never appears. But fear not, you love Naruto from the bottom of your soul and I don't think the last case could apply to you." She smiled slightly. "What I mean is you have first time not only with the very first man you have sex with. With every man you would sleep with, you will have your first time and it would be way awkward than the next ones. It is easier and more natural if you know the man well and trust him that he is not going to laugh at you or offend you and he would be patient with you when you need him to…"

"And even if you do have an experience you could always be pleasantly surprised or not…" added Temari.

"Also no matter how prepared you think you are, there may always be situations you won't know how to react properly to. That's perfectly normal and you should never let your self-esteem suffer because of it." Sakura said very seriously.

"Your first time is not going to be like in the steamy books and the flamboyant stories you heard." Ino said confidently. "You are going to be most likely scared, uneasy because no man has ever seen you naked, especially your private parts."

Sakura nodded, Tenten bit her lip, realising that was her biggest fear.

"You may as well have the urge to hide yourself if his reaction is not obviously approving… The thought in your head may appear you don't look good enough. In my experience that is never the case and there is some other problem." Temari added again.

"You may wonder how experienced were his previous lovers and would you be able to…" Tenten swallowed down. All eyes were looking at her and she felt obligated to finish her sentence. "...satisfy his… needs and succeed to relax enough to let him actually be with you right there. Will you be… enough…"

Temari frowned slightly, noting innerly she should have a talk with her brother and very carefully guide him to look up Tenten's fears. Sakura's gaze was very sympathetic, and Ino just shrugged.

"But if he is more experienced than you are, the best you can do is let him take the lead." Sakura whispered while looking at Tenten's eyes. "And if there is anything you don't like, you should say no."

Temari and Ino agreed, Hinata blushed slightly…

"I don't think Naruto is very experienced…" she quietly confessed.

"Oh, well, he may pleasantly surprise you." Sakura smiled.

Hinata nodded and heartily thanked them all. She also asked them to talk for something else as they have answered the other questions too even without opening them.

Tenten sighed with relief and happily joined the conversation about Temari and Shikamaru's wedding.


I would be really grateful to comments that would help me somehow improve =) So if you could mention what you liked or disliked, do you have any recommendations or pointers - your tips would be highly appreciated!
Thank you for taking the time to read ^^