When Sakura crashed the next morning looking for her female teammate, she didn't expected Naruto answering her door, without shirt and with a strange bruise on his chest. Sakura lost it for a second, she was on the verge to punch the live out of him that moment when the boy intervened. Stupefied that he easily hold her force with one hand as if it were nothing. The orange haired boy, scowled and mumbled something around "rude manners". Can you imagine how embarrassed and intrigued she was after that? Dragging both of them to Tsunade office, not talking for her own benefit, as always the oblivious one was her female friend.
Calm demeanor, a small smile as she waited for Tsunade-shishio, who looked like she barely slept and had the worst grumpy frown on.
"Let's save some time as we wait. Young lady, your request have been approved after the resume report you… generously decided to share with us." The way her teacher said it, was between angry and impressed, Sakura looked between them not having a clue of what they were talking about, Naruto as always was the first to talk.
"Hum? What? Can Kaoru come with us then?" His grin was quickly cut out, Shizune jumped a bit as Tsunade hit the desk all of the sudden.
"Don't talk unless you are a lady!" She sat down again and posed like she was thinking deeply, Shizune was more nervous than normal and Sakura felt left out by their attitude.
"YOU" Tsunade started lowering her tone while staring at Kaoru, not sure if it was a good sign since she tended to be… volatile. "After reading your achievements, the council has pressured me to appoint you as the second delegate between Suna and Konoha."
Sakura was speechless, just what in the world was happening? "Therefore, your status can no longer be appointed as a gennin. Since you were out I could not handle you this…"
Kaoru took the paper and read, but I had to intervene. "What is happening Shishio?"
"This girl had done some work on Konoha name, by the time you arrived there was already a confirmation letter of the Kazekage and a formal request of tutelage for the boy so…"
"Wait… WHAT?" Kaoru let the papers fall at the news, too surprised to pick them up.
"The Kazekage had already signed an adoption form for Yue …" Tsunade words left everyone speechless, Sakura could not even react as all sinked in. Barely hearing her friend say "but… I didn't tell him to…"
And then black out, Naruto was the one to catch her, completely stupefied as well. Tsunade malicious grin was not a good sign at all, because it accompanied a huge irritating vein on her forehead.
"Gezz.. She missed the best part"
"Is.. is there more?" Sakura asked distressed, her Shishio grin spread more. She pointed out the papers on the floor and Sakura had to see for herself what was going on. The more she read the paler she got, almost forgetting how to breath. Naruto approached her and asked what it said, leveling her friend in his arms. She trembled at the familiar seal of royal status, having helped a lot in paperwork for her Shishio and the handwriting … the fire lord. Three letters, one old directed to the previous Hokage, the next ones in a better condition. Their content was too much, she blacked out as well.
Hours later the trio was walking around, with no idea of what to say when Naruto broke the silence. "I don't know what to feel right now, this… is crazy"
"It's… just… why didn't you tell us" Sakura inquired
"How was I supposed to know? " her retort took them by surprise. Kaoru blushed and gazed down upset. A rich lazy town interrupted their sour walk.
"Hey, what is the matter?" Naruto reply died as Kaoru closed the distance, Shikamaru lazy mask changed as recognition passed between them. The raven laughed, he approached with Sakura, not liking being left behind. Her hands were tracing Shikamaru shoulders to his arms, even comparing hands… the action itself perplexed the blond, she wasn't like that to him.
"I had to say it. You totally surprised me, since when did you build muscle? Now I wonder if Kankuro for once had said the truth of those rumors" Kaoru now was comparing her height to him, pouting at being a head smaller, Naruto noticed the change in Shikamaru. Calm, happy and not caring about the continuous invasion of personal space.
"Kao-chan, I think you should not bother Shikamaru like this" God bless Sakura for pointing out in time.
"It's not, she has been always like this." The Nara with pineapple hairstyle defended, focusing once more on his friend. Briefly touching one strand of her hair near her chest. He didn't knew why it bothered him, Shika was not a pervert...right?
"Have you been on the sun? I think it's a bit tanned from what I remember. Hmm.. still soft" that last comment he was sure had another meaning.
Kaoru returned the gesture touching Shika hair, it was quick an innocent gesture that got his nerves. "Well yours is soft too… glad you haven't changed that style, it is difficult to imagine anything different from you"
"Glad you are back, had been a pain collecting the herbs myself" He paused while looking at her.
"You had?"
"I had seen him a few times there, but don't let him fool you. It was Hinata idea, she does most of the job." Sakura interjected and Naruto feeling the need to stop them took Kaoru from the shoulders.
"Nice to see you Shika but we are hungry and we are looking for a place"
"We can eat together, I was about to had breakfast with my team"
"Oh, thank you.. I'm starving as well" Sakura pushed us forward, Naruto scratched his neck and went after them.
Sakura mood improved after the third beef stick, she joked around with Ino, this was a nice rest in the meantime. Naruto got distracted with Chouji and Shikamaru, Kaoru was talking with Asuma-sensei with earnest curiosity.
"Forehead, what's on that big head of yours?" She blinked a few times unsure of what she meant, Ino exhaled annoyed.
"Problems? I thought having your team back will make you happy"
Sakura whispered her concerns "I do, but… it just seems we are cursed or something"
"Why do you say that?" Her curiosity picked, Sakura supplied briefly the details about Tsunade splitting up again her team for the next mission.
"A new team? I mean, sure you will need another captain but… another teammate? Is it because she's still a gennin?"
"No, nothing like that. On the contrary… Since the Chunnin Exams will be held in three days, she will be will be requested to participate. Tsunade-shishio said it's just a formality because the Fire Lord requested being witness of her Jounin trial before he got back..."
Ino sudden excited shrill got everyone attention, Sakura had to close her mouth and dissuade her friend of revealing now what she said. When she calmed down Ino barely contain her excitement "What in the world did she do? Gosh, Sakura just what does it's happening on your team!?"
"Don't know! I mean… we haven't talked much yet. I haven't see how had she improved. Can't imagine what she might feel now that she had to battle against her son"
Ino totally lost it, Sakura being as impatient as ever dragged the shocked woman out of the restaurant.
The next day Yue stood next to her adoptive mother, who waved back at the group leaving the village. He scratched his orange hair feeling awkward, he didn't wanted to interrupt her but… they had little time to prepare. Too early in the morning, the perfect moment for training in his opinion. Now far from his idol Yue pressured himself being a better ninja, and with some luck win Matsuri attention. So when both arrived at the training grounds did the usual warm up started.
What he liked the most was Ninjutsu but here… he was cautious to expose everything. His speed improved, he suffered less from her kicks and her sword never touched him. He put on use some of what he learned from Gaara-sama, deceiving and surprising. The excitement on his chest on a chance like the Chunnin Exams pushed him more, being creative ambushing her with water clones.
No matter how many times they hurt each other, neither complained. That was what he liked the most with her. She treated him as a ninja, not a child, even if now he was to be recognized as his. At one point in their fight they forgot of their surroundings and engaged each other on another level. Scorching flames surrounding from every direction, his instincts kicked in and the brutal flames were extinguished. The remaining ice flakes flown around them, both breathing hard. Her smile blossomed with full shine as she approached and cleaned the sweat falling on his forehead.
"Well done… Yuu" Hearing the affectionate nickname an inevitable blush spread.
"I think we deserve a nice hot bath!" Kaoru practically dragged him out, he had other things on mind.
What surprised him that afternoon on the hot springs came on the most unexpected way. A strong deep lazy voice got his attention while he scrubbed his arms. Looking at the tall man he quickly identified him as Kaoru close friend. At first he didn't thought too much about his approach, just like any other man just looking for a sit. It was until he opened one of his bottles and scrubbed his legs that a deep voice scared him.
"Juniper and ginger, it smells like her… that bottle..." The man with a bored expression stared long and hard. Of course he would ran away after that, who would feel comfortable at some strange man looking at your body? But his escape had failed, colliding with another hard surface… or rather a very sturdy pale and familiar man.
"You should watch your steps" Relieved that he had a towel around his hips or else his brain would have exploded of the horrible image, I tried to crawl my way out but the voice from the man before intervened.
"Neji? Who is the boy?" Betrayed for his manners, he reluctantly accepted the hand Neji offered. Feeling a slight push on his back to return inside the bath, Yue followed not sure what to do.
"He was with Kaoru and Hikaru on Suna"
"I'm here… can both of you be polite at least? I have a voice" Hikaru said a bit offended. Even if they were Kaoru's acquaintances, he hated when people treated him like a child.
"May I ask then of your purpose?" Neji, the pale man took them near the spring and continued bathing himself at ease. The other stranger went directly for the spring.
"Hum? What do you mean?" Yue questioned as the hot water embraced his tired and cold body.
"I presume the Kazekage is waiting for your return after the Chunnin exams?"
"What are you talking about?" Yue was completely confused now. Looking between the stranger lazy man who apparently was falling asleep on the water and the pale Hyuga.
"Aren't you here to participate on the Chunnin exams? If not, for what purpose does the Kazekage son will be here?"
A long silence followed, now Yue was sure Konoha men were crazy. He will enter, it was a fact but… his brain had a difficult time progressing the concept. It has to be a joke.
"Oh, so he is the late addition. The Hokage mentioned this morning. Yue… is that your name?"
But his lack of response neither confirmed or denied Shikamaru question. Neji joined them on the water.
"Still, you may have been wrong about his parentage Neji. I suspect he is being adopted by that clumsy raven head, if his papers are right"
An image of her female companion flashed, along with different expressions. He felt oddly hot now, of joy, confusion or dread, Yue still was progressing the information.
"Ten Ten never jokes about important inquiries like this. She just mentioned this morning about the Kazekage requesting a meeting with his son before the exams took place. It isn't confirmed yet if we will be assigned as provisional guards, Gai-sensei ran out before we even accepted or declined the idea"
The more he rolled up the idea, Yue could not deny the tiny possibility… that they may be talking about him. Since he was 100% sure Gaara-sama didn't have a son, there must be a misunderstanding. Heck, how lucky he could be if that were actually true!
Gaara knew about his Kekkei Genkai, and offered hope. With each training session he believed on building a path for himself. Honestly, Yue looked up to the powerful Kazekage in the same way he did with… his real parents. Gaara had a similar traits of his own father, even his taciturn and silent personality her mother showed when he got in trouble.
However, the fantasy just remained as that for long. Comfort of being his student under his care and feel traces of that kindness it was easy being addicted. Now, the door was open again and his imagination got wild. The endless possibilities… Gaara and Kaoru, father and mother… a mindblowing combination… was interrupted by a dark gloomy shadow, the stranger whose name was Shikamaru had taken him as a hostage.