Author's Note: I hope many of you know this already (if not, check out the FB link in my profile to keep up to date with what's going on in regards to the story) but I lost all of the chapters I wrote for this story. Somehow it all got overwritten on the flash drive, all of my notes, ideas and chapters that were done and ready to be put out are all gone. So I had to re-write it all; but I couldn't. Not for a long while, so I faffed about writing loads of one-shots (all of which turned out to be unbelievably fluffy and lovey and I couldn't upload them because…it was all so sappy for some reason.) Finally this happened. Not sure how, it's was not was originally written this way, but I hope you enjoy it and let's see where this story goes together.

Beta: Ancestral Romance

It Wasn't Me, It was the Voice

Chapter 5

"Seriously man I can do it myself." Naruto scowled, glaring at his butler standing opposite him with a towel draped over his arm.

"Sir,"

"Sebastian please." Naruto shut his eyes and massaged his temples. "Let me do it myself. We go through this every evening! Aren't you sick of it?" He whined, his voice reaching a new high.

"I'm not Sebastian and I'm sick of this." Kyuubi muttered. "Tell him to fuck off again."

Sebastian, Naruto's personal butler, was a fairly young man in his late twenties with short brown hair and brown eyes. He was tall; almost six foot two with large feet but his build was slim and lean. He was the exact picture of a butler from the suit to his haircut; he even carried a pocket watch to keep time.

"Sir please. I have orders." The butler pleaded, silently begging Naruto to just go along with the rules for once.

But, as predicted Naruto wouldn't oblige and folded his arms across his chest. "And I'm giving you orders now."

"Tell him you'll get him in his sleep if he doesn't leave."

Sebastian closed his eyes and took a deep breath to keep his temper. "Sir, I know. However, I mustfollow my orders from Mr. Jiraiya."

"Oh! Tell him you'll glue his left hand to the floor and his right to the wall and paint him blue in his sleep!"

Naruto ignored Kyuubi's advice and looked imploringly up at his butler. "Yeah but hedoesn't have to know. This will just be between me and you."

"Kid did it ever occur to you to just knock this guy unconscious?" Kyuubi asked, genuinely curious. "You could just hit him in the head with one of those large books."

Sebastian resisted the urge to turn around and walk out the door, shouting his resignation. Ever since he took the job of being Naruto's butler it been between a cake-walk and unbelievable stress. There was no happy median. Originally he thought it would have been like any other job; watch the teenager, clean up after him, and make sure he doesn't die of alcohol poisoning. But this job entailed things he'd only heard of. He was required to watch Naruto anytime the guards weren't around, to make sure he ate all of his food, and check on him every hour on the hour. It was like taking care of a baby only worse. This baby could walk out the door at any given second. And he did. Multiple times.

He was even required to bathe Naruto.

Well, not bathe exactly but he was required to be in the bathroom with him and that was pretty much the same thing in his eyes. "Sir. I won't lie to my employer." He stated evenly. He quickly learned that Naruto thrived on arguments; he knew how to maneuver himself when the other person lost their temper but he had no idea how to navigate when the other person was cool and collected.

"It isn't a lie! It's just…not being as…thorough as you usually are."

"…Bad word choice kid. Bad word choice."

"Sir after the incident at the party, I can't allow another…incident like that to happen." Sebastian sighed and moved to open the bathroom door. "Mr. Jiraiya has made it abundantly clear that you are my responsibility and that I am to take my responsibility seriously."

Naruto threw his hands up dramatically and stomped his feet, resembling a child throwing a temper tantrum. All he wanted to was to shower by himself for once but that seemed more difficult than him leaving the hospital in the first place. "But it was an accident! It could have happened to anybody!"

"And if I had been at your side like I was supposed to, instead of in the kitchen, it might not have happened." He glanced at Naruto through the open door as he laid the towel down on the counter top and opened the shower curtain. "Will you be taking a shower or a bath this evening?"

"Uh…yeah this is becoming uncomfortable again. Just skip it and grab a shower in the morning."

Naruto eyed his butler then glanced down at his sweaty shirt. "You know what? Forget it. I'm going to watch TV." He muttered and turned around to leave his bedroom. He would have rather taken a quick shower but after all the arguing he was sure Sebastian wouldn't even turn his back, in case something happened. Ever since the Frisbee incident, someone was hovering over him every second of every day; if it wasn't Kurenai it was Asuma. If it wasn't Asuma, it was Sebastian. He was somewhat surprised the maid hasn't been taking notes on him, but for all he knew maybe she was.

"Sir," Sebastian called, clearly struggling internally whether or not he should voice his opinion. "Forgive me but…you need to bathe this evening." His voice was strained and slightly hesitant.

"You saying I smell?"

"Boy I can tell you, you smell. But I really don't feel like dealing with that butler of yours. Don't you get the feeling he watches you extra carefully when you bathe?"

Naruto shuddered at that thought but pushed it out of his mind. He was used to people watching him while he cleaned himself, it was routine in the hospital. He just never thought the routine would also carry over into life with Jiraiya. If there was one thing he was privately looking forward to, it was showering by himself for once in his life. It seemed like such a novelty, and he just wanted to experience it.

Sebastian took a few steps towards him, and then stopped. "I'm saying that…you've had a long day and you are a young man and…and it's unhygienic which can lead to sickness and if sickness can be avoided it should be. Sir." He finished stiffly.

"Then leave me alone to bathe!" He hissed, toeing off his shoes and tugging at his belt violently. "This is stupid! I'm not a kid; I can shower on my own without you!" With one final tug at the belt loop it came loose in his hand and the buckle clattered to the floor. There went another perfectly good belt.

"You know you're lucky that they don't charge you for the amount of things you break here. Otherwise, you'd be in so much debt you'd beg to be back in the hospital…or you might become a male hooker. Hey have you seen them? On the television? Male hookers? Or is it called prostitutes? Either way-hey! You listening to me?!"

Taking a deep breath Sebastian nodded. "Yes. I know that, Sir, but orders are orders." He stated calmly before returning to the bathroom. "Will you be taking a bath or shower Sir?"

Naruto glared at the butler for a good five seconds before giving up. Something he knew he would do the second Sebastian brought Jiraiya into the conversation. "Shower."

Sebastian nodded. "I would recommend a bathe Sir."

"Oh fucking hell."

OOO

Later that evening, after a rather eventful bathe filled with many swear words, threats, and water spills, Naruto sat in the living room watching a movie. He debated asking for popcorn, but he wasn't sure he wanted to go through the argument with the Chef about his eating habits. Again.

"Sir? You have guests." One of the maids spoke before leaving.

He looked up to see Kiba, Sasuke and Shikamaru walk in. They were all wearing coats and their faces seemed frozen but they looked anywhere but him; up at the ceiling, at the walls, even at the flooring.

"Stop it! Pause it! I want to see how Captain Jack Sparrow survives!"

Quickly Naruto paused the movie before standing up and facing his guests. "Uh…hi guys…" Naruto greeted, unsure of what exactly was going on. This was a first; the only person to ever visit him was Hinata. Well Hinata and Ino, but Ino usually came home with him after school and she never just showed up whenever she felt like it, like Hinata did.

"Hey you never said you were loaded." Sasuke stated before taking a seat on a chair and crossing his legs, one ankle resting on his knee. His expression was one of mild interest as his gaze flicked over the large screen with a close up of Captain Jack Sparrow ,before landing on Naruto who was still standing.

"Yeah that would have been nice to know." Kiba mumbled as he wandered around looking at everything. "Man are you rich as Sasuke? Shit is that a-it is! It's a fucking replica of the original prototype of a Noble! What the hell?!"

"That fuckbutt's going to break something, and then we'll get in trouble! Boy! Stand up and tell him to stop touching things!"

"Get your coat, we're going out." Sasuke waved airily at Naruto. "Make sure it's warm."

Naruto frowned and looked at Kiba, Sasuke and Shikamaru all lazing around the room.

"Eh…Kid I don't know. It's late and tomorrow we're supposed to meet Hinata at library. Just tell 'em no….but wait! It could be that we might meet Hinata out where they're going!"

"Where are we going?" Naruto shifted his weight before sitting back down. His eyes darted to the screen, eager to find out how Sparrow will survive being roasted alive, before he looked over at Sasuke.

"Out."

"But- where?"

Shikamaru looked at him from the bookshelf and sighed. "Naruto I know you're new here but you can't be this stupid. We are guys. We have guy nights out. This is the night. You are a guy, we are friends. We go out."

"Guys night out? That might be more interesting than dinner with dear, old Granddaddy…" Kyuubi mussed.

Naruto had forgotten all about dinner with Jiraiya, but now that he was reminded he didn't really want to go out with the guys anymore. He wanted to stay in and talk to the man that has given him his new life; maybe even bond with him. If there was even the slightest chance of rebuilding that lost relationship from before the incident; he wanted it. Somehow, blowing him off to go out with the guys didn't seem like the right way to go about it.

"I've decided that we're going out. Fetch the coat kid."

"No thanks, I'm just going to chill here tonight. Thanks for the offer, though." He politely turned them down and kicked one foot up onto the coffee table and laced his fingers together over his stomach. Part of him wanted to turn on the movie again, but another part, Hinata's part, told him that would be rude.

"…What the hell did you just do?" Kyuubi asked slowly, he couldn't believe what he just heard Naruto say. They weren't going out? But he wanted to go out therefore they should! "BOY! TAKE BACK WHAT YOU SAID! WE LEAVE NOW!"

Naruto cringed in pain and covered his face with his hands. "Shut up you demon, shut up!" He hissed, but that only made the demon shout louder.

"I WANT TO GO OUT! LET'S GO OUT NOW!"

"No!" Naruto whispered, hands muffling his voice.

"What was that?" Kiba asked, strolling closer.

"I WANT TO HANG OUT WITH THE GUYS!"

"I said no!"

Kiba glanced around at Sasuke and Shikamaru who shrugged indifferently. "Yeah…we heard you the first time no need to get an attitude man." He sat down on the couch beside Naruto and looked at the television still frozen. "But you sure? It's going to be fun."

"HE SAID IT'LL BE FUN! I WANT FUN!"

Kiba leaned over and punched his shoulder. "Come on, Hinata made us promise to take you out."

"HINATA!"

"Hinata?" Naruto perked up, eyes wide. "Really?" His head swiveled to Kiba who laughed but nodded.

At his reaction Sasuke snorted and stood up. "Well I guess that decides it." He pulled out his car keys. "Get your coat, we're wasting time."

Suddenly, everyone was crowding out of the room and pooling in the foyer while Naruto searched the hall closet for his warmest coat. Just as he emerged and shut the door behind him, he heard the familiar click of shoes quickly approaching from behind.

"Pardon me, Sir." Sebastian walked up to Naruto and took his coat. "But you aren't going out tonight."

Kiba snorted and turned his back.

"Annnnnd here's the babysitter!"

Scowling Naruto glanced around to see the guys smothering chuckles and avoiding him. "Sebastian, what are you doing?" He hissed and tried to grab his coat.

"Sorry, Sir." Sebastian neatly folded the coat and held it up out of Naruto's reach. "But you do not have permission to go out tonight."

That made Kiba lose it; he snorted loudly before bursting out laughing and stumbling forward into the wall. "Permission! Permission! He needs permission from his parents!" He declared while pounding the wall in his laughter.

Pity flashed in Sebastian's eyes before he caught himself and his impassive mask slid back into place. "I'm truly sorry Sir, but you cannot go out tonight."

Naruto's face grew red as his butlers words sunk in. "Sebastian!"

"Sebastian! His names Sebastian!" Kiba howled in laughter, tears streaming down his face. "Like the fucking crustation!"

"Shut up man!" Shikamaru jumped in.

"What's going on here?" Asuma walked in, cigarette hanging out the side of his mouth. He took in Naruto fuming in front of Sebastian, who was still holding his coat and Kiba gasping on the ground, then glanced at Sasuke and Shikamaru standing uncomfortably off to the side.

"Good evening, Sir." Shikamaru greeted. "Are you Naruto's father? My name is Shikamaru. Nice to meet you."

"I'm Sasuke Uchiha. A friend of Naruto's." Sasuke nodded at Asuma, hands shoved into his coat pockets.

"He's Kiba…he's…" Shikamaru glanced at his friend still trying to gather himself. "Honestly he really is like this all of the time."

"Oh fuck this. I'm going to my room." Naruto growled and shoved his way past Sebastian. He made sure to bruise his butlers shoulder.

"NOOOOOOO!"

"Hang on there." Asuma took a drag of his cigarette and grabbed Naruto's shoulder. "Are these your friends?"

"Run…run, run! RUN you idiotic bum-sniffer! RUN, before he starts talking!"

"Yeah, we are." Sasuke answered, shifting slightly. "Sorry, we should have called before coming over but it was a spur of the moment thing."

Asuma glanced between Sasuke and Naruto before his gaze landed on Sebastian, still holding Naruto's neatly folded coat. "What's this spur of the moment thing?"

"Guy's night out." Kiba grinned, having finally calmed himself down. "It's Friday, we thought 'hey, let's go out!' So we popped over here to get Naruto. Didn't think it would be a problem."

OOO

"Good thing your Father is nicer than that babysitter." Kiba mumbled, elbowing Naruto in the ribs. "Sebastian was it? Has he been seeing to you since you were in diapers?"

"I would like you to punch this clobber-head in the face. Now."

Rationally Naruto ignored both Kyuubi and Kiba in favor of watching the scenery go by. It was all forested, but occasionally the trees broke to reveal the black ocean. It was late into the night by now; they've been driving for about an hour straight and no one had answered his question about where they were or their intended destination. Bored, his eyes flicked up to the sky to see the stars shining bright against the night sky, with only a few clouds scattered. He knew Asuma and Kurenai weren't too far behind; they never were, but still his heart beat faster with each mile they drove. He didn't know these guys well, only what Hinata told him. For all he knew they were all psychopaths on their way to kill their next victim and bringing him along for the ride.

"Seems like it. He had that look on his face. You give him a lot of trouble don't you?" Kiba pressed on, shifting to get something out of his inner coat pocket. "I'll bet you do. Hell, I would give him nightmares too; I mean how old are you? Sixteen? What fucking sixteen year old needs a goddamn babysitter? Am I right?!" He laughed in triumph as he pulled a pocket sized bottle of whiskey out and cracked the seal. He took a swig eagerly, downing half.

"If you throw up in my car again, I'm kicking you out." Sasuke glanced back at them scowling. "And I don't give a fuck where we happen to be."

"Hey kid? I think we got ourselves into something interesting here tonight..."

OOO

Two hours later Sasuke pulled into a hidden, winding driveway. Without slowing down, he plowed through low branches that slapped against the sides of the car, barreled through hedges that were badly in need of a trimming and stopped seconds before driving head on into brick wall.

"Fuck…I think my life flashed before my eyes…" Kyuubi mumbled shakily.

Naruto wasn't doing any better; his head was spinning and his stomach clenched with the knowledge that he was still alive. How Sasuke got his license he would never know. There was no way his driving could be deemed safe right?

"We're here." Sasuke announced, pulling up the parking brake and turning off the engine. "Kiba, get out before you throw up."

Moaning Kiba threw his door open but didn't move, he looked pale and sweaty and every inch the repulsive drunk Kyuubi thought him to be. "Man if I throw up, it's because of your fucked up driving…" He mumbled and slowly got out of the car, then immediately collapsed onto the gravel moaning.

"Well he's fucked." Kyuubi mused idly then sighed. "What are you waiting for? Up! Get up! Out! I want to look around before tweedle dee and tweedle dumb show up and haul your ass back to Granddaddy!"

Nervously, Naruto did as Kyuubi asked and unbuckled himself then got out of the car. It was a cold night, the wind was biting and there wasn't any light apart from Shikamaru's glowing cell phone off to the side. The sky here was dark and overcast, making the woods appear more menacing. Taking a deep breath, Naruto shut the car door and looked around; surrounding them was wooded area, even the path Sasuke drove through was nearly impossible to find in the dark. He turned again to the front of the car to see the brick wall.

"Give me a hand Shikamaru." Sasuke's low voice carried in the wind. "I need help."

He was hunched over something near the front of the car, walking closer Naruto saw it was actually a small gate barely large enough for a man to walk through.

"Get Kiba to help." Shikamaru mumbled, preoccupied with his phone.

"Asshole's lying on the ground."

"Then ask Naruto. He's a man."

Sasuke glanced over his shoulder to see Naruto standing awkwardly beside the car, his coat buttoned all the way up and his hands shoved into the pockets. His shoulders were hunched against the wind but his eyes took in everything, the darkness, the shadows, and everyone's movements. Sasuke sighed then halfway turned, gaining his attention. "Would you mind?"

"Mind helping with a break in? Of course we don't!" Kyuubi cackled excitedly. "Boy oh BOY! This is exciting! It's been WEEKS since we've done something FUN!"

"'Course not." Naruto mumbled as he quickly walked to Sasuke side. "What are you doing?"

"Trying to open the damn lock." He muttered, crouching back down so that his eyes were level with the lock. "My damn key won't go in. Must be frozen. Or broken." He glanced up at Naruto. "Think you can-"

"Here, let me try." Naruto pulled his hands out of his pockets and grabbed the chain wrapped around the bars.

"Kid you do realize you don't have super strength right?"

Deftly, his hands slid down to the lock to inspect it. It was old, rusted with age and weather. But it was a simple padlock, nothing too complicated. "Do you have a knife?"

"Yeah, here." Sasuke patted down his coat before pulling out a small pocketknife. "Will this do?"

"Yup." And then he crouched down to the ground and jammed the blade into the lock and started to pick it.

"Ohhh…I see what you're doing kid…this is the same thing you did when you pick-pocketed that stupid guard!"

OOO

Jiraiya slowly and tiredly trudged into the kitchen holding his back. Almost immediately the chef was at his side offering him his arm to lean on. "I'm fine I'm fine." Jiraiya waved him off and gingerly made his way over to a chair. "My back's acting up on me. All that time spent on the phone." He sighed as he sank down into the chair, taking the weight off of his back and knees.

"Is there anything I can get you, Sir? Dinner? A pain killer?" The chef asked, nervously running his hands over the front of his apron to smooth it. All day he's spent in the kitchen doing nothing but sitting and organizing the spices. He was supposed to make dinner for Naruto, but then he ran off with some friends. Which meant Kurenai and Asuma also went out. And he couldn't make or heat up dinner for Sebastian or any of the help until Jiraiya ate. Or rather no one would eat until Jiraiya ate and locked himself back into his study.

"Both. What's for dinner tonight?"

Relief washed over him as he quickly busied himself, warming up the baked lamb he made hours ago then quickly set about making a salad. "Baked lamb, mashed potatoes and a salad Sir."

"Sounds good." He looked around at the empty kitchen. "Where's Naruto?"

The chef looked up as he diced tomatoes. "He went out, Sir. Hours ago."

That brought a frown to his face. Naruto went out? When? With who? "He did?"

"Yes Sir. With three young men his age. They came around…about five o'clock. Then they all went out." The chef continued to work and cast an eye on the heating lamb. "Asuma and Kurenai also went out after him."

"Ah." Jiraiya nodded. It was fine, so long as they went with him. But he was looking forward to having dinner with Naruto. It's been awhile since he's actually talked to him and found out what's going on in his life. Sure he receives updates from Asuma and Kurenai and Sebastian but it would have been nice to talk to Naruto himself.

Just then the phone started ringing and a maid appeared with it on a tray.

"Sir." She bowed while he took the phone and nodded at her.

With a heavy sigh he answered it. "Hello?"

"Mr. Jiraiya?"

Longingly he looked over at the chef who was now taking the warmed lamb out from the oven.

"Yeah? Yes? Hi! How are you? Thank you for returning my call."

"Of course." The voice on the other end was deep and slow. "I was beginning to wonder if you would ever contact us, Mr. Jiraiya."

A healthy dose of fear began to creep into Jiraiya's bones at the man's words but he pressed on. "I beg your pardon?"

"After, what? Twelve years-people become…compliant. But not you."

"This isn't what I-who are you?"

"Someone that can help you if you listen."

"Meaning what exactly?" His voice was barely above a whisper at this point.

"Naruto's Father took from us what he shouldn't have. He was told, he was warned, he was threatened not to take our artifacts." He man sighed almost exasperatedly. "Did he listen? Did he heed our warnings? No. He stole from us."

"The box…" Jiraiya whispered, cold fear running through him. His suspicions, his hunches were right. The box wasn't just an ordinary artifact.

"Yes. The box. Inside it contained one of the greatest and worst our past had to offer. And he stole it."

"What was in it exactly?"

The man laughed, full on laughed before he answered. "Oh I bet Naruto's figured it out already. That is if those drugs you've been bribing that doctor with haven't dulled him completely." His voice was laced with mirth. "I think it's about time you and I meet."

"I think that's an excellent idea."

The man chuckled. "I'll be in touch." And then the line went dead.

Jiraiya heaved a heavy sigh and threw the phone down on the table before rubbing his face with his hands, the weight of what exactly just happened starting to crash down on him. Who was this mysterious stranger? He wasn't the manager at the private library he called earlier that's for sure. How did he get his number? And how was he going to contact him again? And what does he know about Naruto and his parents? So many questions and so little answers.

"Sir, dinner is served." The chef spoke, his voice low and steady.

OOO

"It's not much this night, we weren't sure where to go." Shikamaru opened his coat and pulled out a new bottle of Gin while Sasuke began to rummage through the cupboards with the help of a flashlight. "Usually we only come here in summer, but Sasuke insisted."

Sasuke snickered and walked up to them and threw down a bag of Solo cups. "Yeah well I wasn't going to endure another night over at your place and I don't feel like dealing with people."

"Uh…we're people. What's he getting at?"

Kiba snorted and rolled off the couch and onto the ground behind Shikamaru. "Yeah, yeah you just want to drink without interruptions." He motioned to the bottle. "Come on, open it."

Shikamaru glanced at Naruto who was still standing and raised an eyebrow. "You okay?"

"Sit down! Sit down!"

Almost immediately he dropped to the floor opposite them and shrugged. "I'm fine."

Sasuke eyed him before grabbing the bottle of Gin and opening it. "Have you ever had a drink?" He asked as he motioned for Shikamaru to open the bag of cups.

"You better lie your fucking ass off and say yes kid!" Kyuubi hissed.

Naruto took the demons advice and nodded. "Yeah, yeah of course I've had a drink." He snorted for a good measure, which only made Shikamaru eye him a bit funny.

Wordlessly Shikamaru held up three cups while Sasuke poured a generous amount in each. Shikamaru then handed out the other two cups to Kiba and Naruto while Sasuke filled another for himself. Soon they were all sitting on the ground in a poor excuse for a circle drinking. After a few seconds Shikamaru pulled out a cartridge of cigarettes and offered Sasuke who accepted. He then turned the box towards Naruto.

"Ooohh take one. Take one I want to try it!" Kyuubi demanded giddily, but Naruto declined and took a sip of the straight Gin.

It burned and he cringed, but tried to mask it with a snort, which only made it worse. Even Kyuubi was quiet in his head for once.

"This is good." Kiba mumbled, already beyond drunk and reaching for the bottle to top up.

Quickly Shikamaru snatched it up and threw it over to Naruto. "Hold it, don't give it to him. He's already drunk."

"Hey, we're a part of something!"

Nervously Naruto turned the bottle in his lap and held it up by the neck to read the label. It read Hendricks and that was all he scanned before smoke wafted up his nostrils, enticing Kyuubi.

"So. This is your place?" Naruto asked, looking around in hopes of distracting Kyuubi. It was dark, no lights were turned on and the air was biting. They were on the living room floor, sprawled over the fancy rug having pushed the coffee table off to the side. The room was bare save for the chairs, table and one painting.

"Yeah. It's the summer home." He mumbled, downing his drink and reaching for the bottle. "I hate it. Who likes the beach anyway?" He sneered haughtily before arrogantly sipping his second drink.

OOO

"I thought you were better than this." Asuma stared disappointedly down at Naruto who was still clutching the bottle of Gin as though it were a teddy bear.

"Don't say that, we both knew it was coming sooner or later." Kurenai walked out from behind Asuma and lit a cigarette. She looked down her nose at Naruto who was still in shock. "Oh come now, don't look like that- you knew we would find you."

"Boy shut your mouth you aren't catching flies!"

"Holy fuckcake! You're a teacher!" Kiba yelped and jumped behind the sofa.

"Goddamn!" Sasuke hissed and quickly put down his cup; as though the evidence wasn't on his breathe.

"Your Father's married to a teacher?!" Shikamaru gawked, cup still in hand new bottle of Gin in mid pour.

"Poor luck…" Sasuke muttered sympathetically.

"Boy get your ass up. NOW!" Kyuubi barked, the shout resounding in his head Naruto leapt to his feet looking ashamed. "Right. Now give that bastard the Gin." Timidly Naruto handed Asuma the Gin without looking him in the eye. "Good. Now continue to look pathetic." Kyuubi ordered and Naruto wisely did as he said.

Kurenai glanced at Sasuke and Shikamaru but set her sights on Naruto staring at his feet. "I'm very disappointed in you, Naruto." She spoke calmly, but on the inside she was seething. He had no idea what he's done; forget the consequences, but the medication he's on! Who knows what drinking combined with the prescription drugs will do to him?!

"You just said you knew this would happen." Asuma hissed as he reached down and grabbed Naruto by the arm.

"Hands off old man! Kid do something! Bite him!"

"Come on. Get up! You're going home." He muttered darkly and glanced at the others. "And I suggest you two do the same."

"Terrible advice." Kurenai spoke as she wrapped one hand around Naruto's shoulder, her nails digging in. "They've been drinking." Bits of smoke wafted out of her mouth as she spoke. "They could drive into a tree."

Realization dawned on him and he sighed. "Right. Well then get them in the car." He held his hand out for Shikamaru to give him the other bottle of Gin.

OOO

"My car-" Sasuke began but cut himself off. He was already in enough trouble as it is without whining.

Kurenai glanced over at the car in question and sighed. It was a Dodge Charger with, of course, racing stripes painted onto the bonnet. "Give me your keys and get in." She glanced at Kiba who couldn't walk in a straight line and kept veering off to the right. "And take that one with you." She pointed at Kiba. "Asuma you drive this one's car. I'll take the other boy and Naruto."

"Why do you get the SUV?"

"Because I hate drunks. And you look like you're about to punch Naruto in the face." And she wasn't wrong there; Asuma had his arm wrapped so tight around Naruto's collar he looked to be slowly suffocating the poor guy.

"Kick him, punch him, claw him I don't care! Get him OFF of US!"

All Naruto could do was gasp and bat pathetically at his throat. Thankfully Shikamaru saw and took pity. "Hey, Sir? I think you really are choking him…he looks like he's about to pass out."

That caught Kurenai's attention and she quickly walked over and grabbed Asuma's hand, forcing him to let go. "You hurt him and you seal our fate!" She hissed under her breath then pressed Sasuke's car keys into his hand. "Boys, get in." She ordered and climbed into the driver's side of the SUV without a backward glance.

OOO

The foyer was empty and dim when everyone walked in; well Kiba stumbled in then collapsed against the wall, much to Kurenai's disgust. But she paid him little mind as she focused all of her attention on Naruto; one hand was strategically placed on his wrist where she maintained constant monitoring of his heart rate. He wasn't as drunk as Kiba, but he wasn't anywhere near sober either.

Within seconds Sebastian was running down the stairs worry etched onto his face at the sight of them. "Sir!" He yelped with his eyes locked on Naruto, sandwiched between Asuma and Kurenai.

"Never mind Naruto. We'll take him up to his room." Kurenai glared at the butler. "You set these three up in the guest rooms. That one there is drunk. Make sure he doesn't ruin the floors."

Ten minutes later, Sebastian walked into Naruto's room with a bottle of water and two painkillers. And immediately he was assaulted.

"Sebastian!" Asuma grabbed the butler by the front of his jacket and pulled him close. "Take care of this! He was drinking!" He pointed dramatically at Naruto, who was now sprawled out on one of the chairs and staring up at the ceiling.

"We aren't drunk! Pleasantly buzzed…but not drunk…idiot."

Kurenai looked up and mumbled a prayer for strength before grabbing Asuma by the back of his jacket. "He knows. Now go on ahead, I'll see you upstairs in Jiraiya's office."

"You aren't coming? You're selling me out?!"

"No! I have to talk to Sebastian about Naruto's health now move!" And with that said, she shoved him out the door. She took a few seconds to gather herself before talking. "The medication and he's been drinking…he needs to throw up." She sighed and ran her fingers through her hair. "Make him throw up all that he's drank."

OOO

Asuma covered his face with his hands as he leaned on the wall outside of Jiraiya's study and groaned, the sound muffled. "Fuck…fuck…fuck!" He cursed and resisted the urge to bang his head against the wall. "We are fucked!"

Kurenai strolled up beside him and the scent of day old nicotine wafted up his nose as she clipped up her hair and patted down her jacket. She hadn't bothered to remove anything since she came back and only helped Naruto into Sebastian's care before following Asuma up. As much as they both wanted to just hide Naruto and pray Jiraiya wouldn't find out, this was something they had to report. Immediately.

Together they knocked on the door and entered.

Jiraiya looked up at the intrusion, one eyebrow raised. "Did something happen?"

"Well…sort of."

"Sort of?"

Kurenai cleared her throat, gaining his attention. "Naruto was…we caught him drinking." She stated, going for the straight approach. "Alcohol."

Jiraiya stared at them. Then stared. And continued to stare.

It made them uncomfortable. Acutely uncomfortable.

"Are you telling me you found my Godson drinking alcohol tonight?"

They nodded.

"With these friends I heard about?"

Again they nodded.

Silence ensued, a deafening silence built around all three of them pushing down from all sides. No one spoke. Asuma barely dared to breathe. It was tense, what was Jiraiya going to do? Naruto was their responsibility and under their own nose he went out and was drinking. Illegally. In a rundown seemingly abandoned old house. Would they get fired? Unlisted? Be killed?

A cold chill ran down Kurenai's spine as she stared at her employer, trying to figure out just how much trouble they were in. They both knew Jiraiya was a strict man. He was nice, but strict. One never broke the rules lightly. Who would he blame? Them for not predicting this would happen? Naruto for doing it in the first place? Sebastian for not telling him? Who?

"Well, as long as he's okay." Jiraiya eventually spoke as he leaned back in his chair, one eyebrow raised. "He is okay isn't he?"

"Yes!" Asuma and Kurenai chimed together, hearts pounding, backs dripping with sweat.

"He's in his room, with Sebastian." Asuma volunteered; sweat dripping down the side of his face.

Jiraiya nodded as his gaze flicked to the clock on the mantelpiece; it read quarter past twelve. "It's late." He sighed and allowed his body to sag into the chair. "You two should get some sleep, but tell Sebastian not to leave Naruto alone tonight. He isn't accustomed to alcohol. God alone knows what might happen."

No one said anything about the mixing of alcohol and heavy prescription medication.

OOO

The next day Naruto was predictably hauled off to the hospital for an emergency session with Kabuto. He was terribly hung over with a pounding headache; unfortunately for him he was the only one suffering. Kyuubi was fine as usual and kept conveniently forgetting about Naruto's pain.

Kabuto smiled as soon as Naruto walked through the door and stood up. "Naruto!" He walked over and nodded to the guards who closed the door, then gestured to the couch for him to sit on. "Sit down sit down. How are you?"

"Oh don't play this game, duck-face we all know dearest Granddaddy's called you. That's why we're here three goddamn days sooner and missing out date with Hinata!" Naruto wisely didn't correct Kyuubi on the date thing. It was less like a date and more like a group study. One he wasn't too sure he was still invited to after last night's incident.

Tiredly Naruto slumped down onto the couch and shrugged. "Someone's called and told you right?"

Kabuto smiled and nodded. "Yes." He sat down opposite him. "But I'd like to hear your side of the story. What happened?"

"Tell him NOTHING!" Kyuubi shouted, prompting Naruto to groan and massage his temples. As much as he would like to agree with Kyuubi and tell Kabuto none of what happened, he knew that this man had the power to order him back into the hospital with just the flick of a wrist.

He had to tread very carefully. But that was hard to do with a ranting demon in his head and a headache pulsing at his temples. "I wasn't planning in drinking." He began softly.

"Go on." Kabuto encouraged, sitting back in the chair and crossing one leg over the other.

"You aren't seriously going to tell this fucktard are you?! Kid! NO!"

"The guys just kinda…showed up…and said it was 'guys' night out' and well…"

"Say no more. Say no more! Lie! Lie your ass off!"

Naruto shut his eyes and tried his best to ignore Kyuubi. "No one said we were going to drink. Uh…we got to the place and-well before that in the car erm…" His face grew hot as he tried to explain without using anyone's name, but it was hard.

Understandingly Kabuto chuckled and pushed his glasses up the bridge of his nose. "I understand, you're trying not to use anyone's name. How admirable of you."

"…That doesn't sound like a complement kid…"

"But I can assure you that no one you mention will get in trouble for underage drinking." He smiled beseechingly. "You are my only concern Naruto. I want to make sure you are doing okay. That you are healthy."

"…Yeah. Still not convinced." Kyuubi drawled. "Can we go now? Top Gear is going to be on in half an hour. If we leave now we can make it."

"So feel free to mention names." Kabuto continued on. "Or you can make them up. Again, really doesn't matter to me I just want to make sure that you are well."

"Well look at us imbecile! We are fine! Let's go boy!"

Naruto cleared his throat and nodded, his eyes locked on his scuffed boots as he tried to think. The idea of fake names appealed to him, but he was at a block on what names to use. All that popped into his mind was Hammond, May and Clarkson. And he was fairly positive that he would get them mixed up the second he opened his mouth. "Can I use numbers instead?"

"Of course."

"Boy, listen to me when I speak!"

"Okay." Naruto took a deep calming breath and tried to silence Kyuubi. Of course it didn't work. "Number One, Two and Three came over before dinner. I didn't know they were coming over, but they said it was 'guys' night out' and I was a guy…so I should go out. With them."

Kabuto nodded.

"Number Two was driving."

"Wait, didn't something happen before that?" Kabuto raised a questioning eyebrow.

He knew about the incident with Sebastian. Of course he knew. He knew everything because Asuma and Kurenai report to him as well.

"I told you we should have left. There's still a chance boy. Take it!"

Naruto colored at the memory and nodded. "Yeah…Sebastian took my coat and wouldn't give it back."

"Sebastian is your personal butler. Correct?"

He nodded.

"Alright continue. I just wanted to make sure."

"Yeah so Sebastian wouldn't let me go then Asuma showed up. Because Number One was laughing. And uh…then he said I could go so I went. Number Two was driving; it seemed far I don't know." He shrugged and scuffed the tip of his boot against the table leg. "Number One had a little bottle thing of something that he kept drinking but Number Two's driving was so bad I think it made everyone sick…but then we got there and…" He trailed off and left the story hanging. Everyone knew how it ended anyways so what did it matter?

"So you've made really good friends? That's good." He caught Naruto looking at him with surprise so he smiled. "You went on 'Guys Night Out'. Though I don't approve, and I'm sure neither do any of your guardians, but it is a step in the right direction." He sighed and glanced at his watch. "But I don't recommend you drinking again, Naruto. Not only is it illegal, you did it without adult supervision. You were lucky neither you nor your friends were hurt. A lot of stupid things happen when you drink; no one would like to see that happen to you."

Just then there was a light tap on the door, gaining their attention.

"Come in." Kabuto answered but did not get up.

The door opened to reveal Asuma, he seemed tired, borderline exhausted and in need of a nicotine fix but he smiled and nodded. "It's been a half hour." He said his voice worn-out and slightly slurred. "I'm sorry but if it isn't too much trouble, we'd like to leave soon to beat the traffic."

"Of course." Kabuto stood up and held his hand out for Naruto to shake. "This was a very productive session. Remember that you can always call me, whenever you like. Day or Night, you have both my land line and cell phone."

"Yeaahhh don't hold your breath on that call Doc. On second thought. DO."

OOO

Later that afternoon Jiraiya sat in the living area flipping through the morning paper. The house was quite and still for once, he had about an hour and a half before everyone came back. He thought it best to catch up on the news so he lounged on the sofa, cup of coffee at his side and prepared to read the front page. Unexpectedly his cell phone flashed as he received a text. Curious, he touched the screen and frowned at the private number. "Hello Mr. Jiraiya. I trust your day so far has been well."

"Who are you?" He quickly typed then sent it.

Within seconds he had a reply. "Don't you remember? I promised to be in touch."

Realization dawned as he stared down at the glowing screen and a cold shiver ran down his spine. Before he could think to reply another text message popped up.

"Visit me in Egypt Mr. Jiraiya. On the twenty second of October take the one am, one way flight to Cairo. A car will be waiting for you."

OOO

Reviews are encouraged, as well as any opinions/thoughts on what you will happen.

All constructive and unconstructive criticism welcome.