New month and with it a new chapter to my story is being uploaded. Hope you enjoy it. Disclaimer, I don't own Naruto.

Chapter 6
Infatuation

"Come on, we're almost there you guys." Traveling through the trees a four person shinobi team was making their way toward a specific location. "Don't tell me you're getting tired already."

"But Anko, there's no need to be in such a rush." established Sakura. Both she and the two other members of the team were trailing behind the jonin. "We can take our time getting there."

"I'll have to side with sensei on this." supported Kin. This was her first mission since returning from her honeymoon. "The sooner we get this over the sooner we can return to Konoha. I for one can't wait to get back home."

"You're just saying that because you want to get with your husband." clarified the final member of the group, Naruto. "Can't you guys take a break?"

Kin considered turning the blond into a pincushion but held back and instead gave an annoyed stare. "You're one to talk. Tell me something. Is Hinata always a soft spoken person? If you know what I mean." Indeed he understood as Naruto started to blush. He quickened his pace and tried to ignore the laugh that his teammates were having at his expense.

Less than an hour later they neared the place that the Daimyo lived. Looked like it was clear sailings all the way there but a sudden commotion caught their attention. Apparently there was a group of men chasing after some girl. Having a bad feeling about it, the team decided to intervene.

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"Help! Someone help!" Running as fast as her legs would allow, the girl tried to get away from her pursuers. Try as she might she couldn't escape from them. To make matters worse she lost her footing and fell to the ground. Before she could get back to her feet one of the men was upon her.

"Capture was evident if it wasn't for the timely interference of Naruto rushing in and scooping the girl out of harm's way. "Are you okay?"

"Ye-Yeah." Setting the girl down, Naruto did a hand sign and three shadow clones appeared. Without being told the clones went after the pursuers. In short order the adversaries were forced to retreat. It helped that Sakura and Kin had assisted in the fighting.

"Couldn't wait, could you?" scolded Kin once the situation had settled. "You had to rush in before a plan could be thought up."

"Are you really surprised?" asked Sakura. "He's never been one to wait around. Acting on reflex is usually his style." She turned her attention to the other person that was there. "Are you all right?"

"Yes. Thank you." Having regained her composure the girl made her way over to Naruto. "Thank you so much. You save me. My name is Asuka Inoue by the way."

"Uh, you're welcome." The blond felt a little awkward as the now identified Asuka was giving him a look that made him a little uncomfortable. "Mind telling us why those men were after you?"

Before any explanation was given, more men entered the area. Unlike the ones from before, they wore body armor and were carrying spears. They circled the group and were poised to attack. "Lower your weapons." Coming from where the men came from was another person who had a slightly different armor then they did. As instructed, the men lowered their weapons.

"Good to see that was settled before things became a problem." Standing a bit away was Anko. "No need to worry. They're merely the royal guard of the Daimyo and that includes his niece, Asuka Inoue." The revelation came as a surprise to the members of Team Anko.

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"Thank you so much." Within a large spacious room, the Daimyo was giving gratitude to the team before him. "It's thanks to you that my niece was saved." Standing beside him was Asuka being all proper. "Please allow me to show my appreciation by attending a dinner in your honor."

"We accept your gracious offer, Daimyo." thanked Anko in a respectful manner. Was surprising to see her in such a way as it was a complete opposite of how she usually acted. "But there is something important from the Fifth Hokage that must be discussed."

"That shall be done. However, I don't believe that your group is needed to be present for the conversation." With a quick clapping some of the guards entered. "Please escort our guests to their quarters so they can freshen up." Getting the go ahead from Anko the three of them were escorted away.

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"Come in." Opening the door was one of the guards that was encountered earlier. He wasn't wearing armor and was revealed that he had to be around his age with shaggy brown hair and green eyes.

"Miss Inoue wishes to see you. Please come with me." Giving no problem, Naruto went with him. They walked until they came to a small garden and sitting on a bench was Asuka.

What was noticed was that she wasn't wearing the formal clothes that she had when with her uncle. Now she had on a pink shirt and red shorts. "Thank you for coming. You may go." The last part was directed to the guard.

"Is that wise Asuka?" questioned the guard. "You've just met this person. Should you be left alone with him?"

"There's no need to worry. Doubt that anything dangerous will happen." Asuka waved off. Even wit the reassurance the guard was hesitant in leaving. With a few lingering looks he left. "Sorry about that. Shinji is a bit protective of me. We've been since we were kids."

"That's all right. Finding friends like that are hard to come by." Nothing was said as they looked at the surrounding scenery. "I was told that you wanted to see me. Mind telling me why that was?"

Asuka gave no immediate response as she became bashful. "I wanted to say thank you for saving me. I know that I said it already but I wanted to make sure that you knew how grateful I am." The whole bashfulness from earlier was gone and was replaced with a sly sort of smile. "It was quite brave of you stopping in and rescuing me."

"Uh, thanks." Naruto voiced. "I can't take all the gratitude. My teammates had a hand in saving you."

"I've been meaning to ask. Are you…together with any of the members of your team?" Right away Naruto knew what that question meant.

"I should've known." With all the looks and attention that Asuka had been giving him he expected that she became infatuated with him. "Better squash this before it gets out of hand." "No. They're just good friends. However, there is someone. Her name is Hinata Hyuga."

"Good choice. The Hyugas are considered highly revered." Instead of admitting defeat, Asuka seemingly became more determined. "But wouldn't you agree that the niece of a Daimyo is on another level?"

Naruto was going to be blunt with his answer but the somewhat hopeful look that was being given made him hesitate. "I should be going back to my room. Need to get ready for the dinner tonight." Before Asuka could say anything else, he left the garden. "Times like this that makes me hate being a nice guy."

"Hate yourself all you want." exclaimed Kyuubi for the first time in quite sometimes. "Remember you already have yourself a mate. To betray one is inexcusable." What the demon fox had to say got no response from Naruto as there was no point in doing so.

When he arrived at his designated room he was met with some company. "May I help you?" By the door was the guard that escorted him earlier and had been identified as Shinji.

"How did your meeting with Ms. Inoue go?" He tried not to show it but his voice had a trace of irritation.

"It was nothing important." Naruto had some suppositions but wanted to be sure. "Even if that wasn't the case, I don't see how that is any of your concern. Besides, isn't it inappropriate for a guard to refer the one they're supposed to protect by their first name?"

Again irritation was detected but in a physical manner as Shinji gave him a harsh glare. "That is none of your concern. I'm here to tell you to say away from Asuka. You're not good enough for her."

"But you are?" That simple retort got the desired response as Shinji became completely flustered. "It was mentioned that the two of you were childhood friends and that you looked out for her. You care for her, don't you?" Naruto already expected what the answer would be but wanted to hear it.

"I do." confessed Shinji. Apparently he found amusement in it as he chuckled. "Don't know when it happened but I thought of her more than just a friend." Shinji couldn't understand why he was saying all of this basically a stranger but couldn't help himself. "Whatever the case, it doesn't matter. To her I'll always be just a friend."

"Don't be so sure." stated Naruto. "I know of a similar situation happening. Long story short, two long time friends got together and are still together." No need to reveal that he was alluding to his own relationship. "You can pine for someone all you want. But if you're not willing to admit it, you might as well let them go." Letting those thoughts to sink in, Naruto went into his room.

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When dinner came, Team Anko was taken to a large and spectacular looking dinning hall. As the preparations were getting finished, Anko informed her team of what the deal was concerning the situation when they arrived. From what the Daimyo explained the group that were after Asuka were people who disapproved of the ideals that the Daimyo put forth and they figured that kidnapping his niece would help accomplish their goals.

Another thing that was going on at the table was Naruto being teased by his teammates. They apparently figured out about the liking that Asuka had for the blond. He tried to ignore what was being said but they were relentless. It got to the point that Naruto was grateful when the Daimyo and his niece joined them as it stopped the remarks.

For the most part the actual dinner went smoothly. The conversations were nothing special and were kept casual. Every once and a while Asuka would give Naruto somewhat flirtatious stares which he tired to encouraged but would continue. Fortunately none of his teammates commented on what was going on.

Looked as though the dinner would go off without a hitch but all of a sudden the doorways to the room burst open and in rushed the same group of men that attempted the earlier kidnapping. Immediately some of them positioned themselves to where they had their weapons poised to attack both the Daimyo and his niece.

"Nobody move." Though that short and simple order was sent toward the guards it was also meant for Team Anko. Given the circumstances they did as they were told. "With that out of the way, time to get to business." Keeping his weapon out, he turned to the Daimyo. "We have a few demands that we would like you to hear."

"Whatever they are it doesn't matter." voiced the Daimyo with authority. "I won't bow down to the likes of you."

"Is that so?" Giving one of the men a look they pressed the tip of their dagger harder against the side of Asuka's neck. Nothing too serious but enough to make her let out a painful moan as a small stream of blood came down from her neck. "Reconsidering your decision yet?" The Daimyo gave a heated glare but his resolve was already faltering.

Throughout all of that, the members of Team Anko were exchanging glances and signals with one another. Silently they tried to come up with a way to resolve the whole thing with as little collateral damage as possible. Another obstacle was trying to be as discrete as possible to keep from being noticed.

Before any resolution could be thought up, one of the guards charged at the man that was in charge of the invading group. While most of Team Anko didn't know who the guy was, Naruto recognized him as Shinji. The result in such an act wasn't surprising as he was quickly dealt with. Although he wasn't killed, he sustained a nasty cut to his left arm that would incapacitate him for some time.

Perhaps the only positive thing that came out of that little incident was that it gave TEAM Anko the opening to resolve the situation. Keeping from being noticed, Kin pulled out a senbon needle tied with wire. What was different about this needle to the ones she normally used, it had a small bell attached to it.

Again making sure that she wasn't noticed, Kin had the needle stick into the group away from the group. Having the attacked wire in hand she did a few hand signs. Slowly the bell started to make a ringing sound. The sound would get louder to where it was heard by everyone.

The purpose of the maneuver would become clear as the members of Team Anko started to multiple. Soon there were multiple copies of them that mirrored every moment that the original did. "This has gone on far enough."

Using the confusion of what was going on, the team from Konoha struck. Thanks to being unable to detect who was real among the replicas right away, it allowed the team to quickly go to work on the opposition. Soon the only person that remained standing was the one that was leading the renegade group.

Recognizing the predicament that he was now in, he tried t come up with a way to get out of it. A possible solution came when he grabbed Asuka and placed her in front of him to act as a shield. "Stay where you are. That is unless you wish for more blood to be spilled." Not wanting to risk any accidental harm, the demand was followed.

"Now I'm going to be leaving. Try to follow me and you'll be responsible for what happens to her." Keeping all of them in sight, he started to back himself to the door and pulled Asuka along with him.

Looked like clear sailings for him when he suddenly yelled out in pain and released his hostage. Reason behind it was Shinji, still on the ground, slashing at the back of the man's leg with one of the weapons that one of the opposition dropped. No longer having a human shield, it left him open for Naruto to rush in and knocked him out.

"That takes care of him. Are you all right Asuka?" His question wasn't really answered as he saw that she was knelt beside Shinji as Sakura used her medical ninjutsu to treat his wound.

"What are you all standing around?" yelled Anko. "There are people here that need to be restrained before they come to." That snapped the guards out of the trance they were in and assisted in securing all of the people there. In a few minutes everything had been settled.

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A Day Later…

With the whole situation from the previous day being settled, Team Anko was prepared to head back to Konoha. Before leaving they were saying their goodbyes to a few people. "We must be going. Last few days were definitely interesting."

"That's a given." commented Shinji. He was the only one that sustained any serious injuries from the previous night's fiasco. While he might've been healed by Sakura he was still required to keep his left arm in a sling for a few days. "Thankfully the little rebellion group had been dealt with. They won't be causing anymore trouble for anyone."

"Good to hear." voiced Kin. "Wasn't intended but you're welcome. It wouldn't be that bad to have the Daimyo owing us." That was meant as a joke but held a hint of truth.

"Again thank you for your help." stated Asuka with gratitude. "Don't know what'll happen if you weren't here."

"It's not necessary." professed Naruto. "We just happen to be in the right place at the right time." He glanced over toward Asuka and became apprehensive. "Uh, before we go, I wanted to clear up…things between us."

"There's no need." Asuka quickly clarified. "I realize that it was merely infatuation. Nothing serious would come from it." She suddenly became a bit bashful and looked elsewhere. "I rather find something that's more…real." When that was said, both she and Shinji blushed faintly. Wasn't hard to figure out what that meant. That and them holding hands answered any questions.

Seeing this, Naruto had to smile. "Glad to see that you're not going to allow the opportunity to pass." Both Naruto and Shinji gave each other understanding looks. "Be seeing you." Team Anko took their leave and were making good time. "Don't know about you guys but I'm looking forward to getting home."

"A shared sentiment." added Kin. She suddenly had a devious smile as something came to her. "I wonder what Hinata will feel when she learns that the niece of the Daimyo was putting the moves on you."

The look on Naruto's face when that was brought up was priceless. "You wouldn't." Both Anko and Sakura had smiles on their faces as they realized what was going on. "You're joking right? Tell me that you're joking Kin." Nothing was said as all three female members of the team continued moving. All the while, laughing.

Sorry about the chapter being somewhat shorter then previous ones. As I was working on it I realized that I couldn't stretch it out without screwing things up. Worked out in the long run as sometimes it's good to just do a short little chapter. I'll have another chapter out whenever but I'll sure that it'll be out before Thanksgiving. See ya until then.