Sorry it's been a week. It's all pre-written, but I haven't even had time to log onto my computer! To make up for it: two chapters! Lucky yous! Especially since this one was supposed to be a cliffy. *pout* Oh well, enjoy!
Disclamer: I do not own Naruto.
The following morning, at 10:00 am, Naruto felt positively refreshed. Not only had he lived through his past horror, but he had gotten a good night sleep as well. He no longer felt held back by the past.
Naruto wondered around the kitchen looking to prepare some coffee; however, he was surprised when a cup of coffee appeared under his nose. Glancing to his right he saw Gaara standing there as emotionless as ever. Honestly, he wasn't sure if he should be surprised to see Gaara or not. Sure, everyone was sleeping at his house, and Gaara was insomniac, but he hadn't returned home with the rest of them the previous night.
Oh well, who he to question his coffee baring friend? He took the cup of coffee while offering Gaara a grateful smile. Gaara merely turned away from him in response and led the way to Naruto's kitchen table.
Naruto made a slight detour to unlock the front door of the dojo before returning to join Gaara at the table.
The dojo was a side building that connected to his house by means of a hallway. Said hallway was attached to the kitchen.
After a few moments of basking in comfortable silence Naruto couldn't hold his curiosity any longer. "So, what did you do last night?"
Gaara turned to stare at his friend while raising a non-existent eyebrow.
"You didn't come home with us last night…" Naruto hinted; even though they both knew where he was going with this.
Gaara seemed to think about whether to answer or not before shrugging. "Fucking."
Naruto blanched in surprise. Not only had he never heard Gaara use such language; he never expected Gaara to be on for casual sex!
Deciding to respect Gaara's privacy, Naruto didn't question further; instead, he switched the subject. "So, are you going to hang out with me today or go off on your own."
Gaara turned a blank stare on Naruto; however, being used to it, Naruto easily translated the stare's meaning.
"It's open sparring day at the dojo, so I'll be supervising. You're welcome to stay." Naruto took a sip of his coffee while waiting for an answer. Finally, Gaara simply shrugged, choosing to answer later.
Naruto stood up to get another cup of coffee, but before he could grab the sugar, another hand snatched it up.
"Kiba," Naruto frowned to show he was unhappy, but Kiba merely chuckled before pouring sugar into his cup and handing it back.
"So," smiled Kiba, "Does the offer to watch sparring apply to all of us?" inquired Kiba.
Naruto shrugged, "Sure, I was just about to go meditate while I waited for people to show up."
Kiba sighed unhappily at the mention of meditating before following Naruto toward the dojo; Gaara followed as well. On their way toward the dojo they passed Shikamaru as he came out of the bathroom, and he followed unquestioningly.
Naruto took his usual spot in the corner and sat criss-crossed with his eyes closed. Shikamaru quickly laid down in a corpse pose; however, his meditation soon turned to a soundless sleep. Gaara sat similar to Naruto, but kept his eyes open as he focused on one spot. Kiba was unable to become comfortable and continuously fidgeted.
After about ten minutes of sitting there doing nothing, Kiba couldn't take it anymore. "Alright, come on guys! Let's do something fun while we wait!" Kiba whined, making his voice similar to that of a keening puppy.
"Troublesome," Shikamaru muttered without moving.
Naruto's brow furrowed, but otherwise remained unfazed.
Gaara raised an eyebrow, but didn't look away from the spot he was starring at.
"Don't ignore me!" huffed Kiba indignantly while crossing his arms.
"Naruto-sensei!"
Before Naruto could open his eyes a little black blur slammed into him, and despite his rock solid meditation stance, he was thrown backwards.
"Tobi's a good boy!" shouted the little bundle of energy, "Tobi practiced everything, just like Naruto-sensei said!"
Naruto chuckled at his newest student's antics. "Did you come to watch Tobi?"
"Yup," Tobi grinned brightly.
"I'm afraid no one's here yet, but you're welcome to wait with us."
"Okay!" exclaimed Tobi before leaping off Naruto's lap and taking a place on the floor. "Oi, can we play truth or dare while we wait?"
Naruto quirked an eyebrow at the childish game, but then again, Tobi was a child. "Sure, why don't you go first Tobi?"
"Whoa! What the hell! I say let's do something fun and you ignore me, but then this brat-," Kiba was cut off as he crashed to the ground with a painful thud. Naruto had forcible collapsed Kiba's legs with a swift hit to the back of his knees.
"Shut up dog-breath, we're playing a game now so be happy," responded Naruto.
Gaara, curious as to the aspects of truth or dare made his way over to the small group and joined them.
"Alright!" shouted Tobi gleefully, "Naruto-sensei, truth or dare!" Tobi smiled happily.
"Truth"
As soon as he said the word, Tobi pouted.
"You're no fun!" he whined.
Naruto merely shrugged, he had never been one for dares.
After thinking a moment a smirk began to overtake Tobi's features making him look perfectly evil. Naruto couldn't help, but feel somewhat nervous.
"Alright, where do babies come from?" asked Tobi in an innocent voice.
Naruto blanched in surprise at the question. Gaara raised an eyebrow, Shikamaru opened an eye to see everyone's reactions, and remained silent for a moment before falling over laughing.
"Um, Tobi, I think you're supposed to ask a question about me, personally," said Naruto uncomfortably.
"Nuh-uh! The rules are you can ask any question. It doesn't have to be about you! Besides whenever I ask my parents they avoid the question!" Tobi crossed his arms as he waited impatiently for an answer.
Naruto swallowed uneasily; there was no way he could answer that! "Um… how about I do whatever dare you were thinking about Tobi?" asked Naruto hopefully. After all, how bad could a six year old's dares be?
However, at this suggestion Tobi's smirk reappeared tenfold; making Naruto feel somewhat fearful.
"Alright, I dare you to kiss the first person who walks through the dojo door!" Tobi exclaimed.
Naruto's eyes widened. When did the six year olds of this world get so evil? After thinking it over a moment he realized the next person to walk through the door would probably be Temari since she was due to wake up soon. She would understand if he told her it was a dare.
"Alright," Naruto conceded; it was better than giving Tobi the 'talk'.
"You promise?" asked Tobi suspiciously.
"Promise," swore Naruto.
"Alright, "smiled Tobi, "It's you turn Naruto-sensei!"
As Naruto was deciding who to ask the sound of footsteps sounded from the hallway as someone made their way toward the dojo. Everyone became quiet as they turned to look suspenseful at the door. Not a second later Temari's head appeared peeking around the door frame, and Naruto sighed in relief as he moved to stand. "Is a Tobi in here?" asked Temari.
"That's me!" exclaimed Tobi.
"Hey, yeah, he's in here," Temari stepped back from the door without ever having stepped through it while motioning for someone out of sight to enter. Naruto froze when inky, black locks and familiar obsidian eyes appeared, and Uchiha Sasuke stepped through the door.