So big thanks to everyone who knew what pic I was talking about! Said pic being "Gangsta Shit" by Samurai-PET http : / www dot samurai-pet./art/Gangsta-Shit-77897908
And I am so terribly sorry for not updating this or Yaoi High or Pride&promise in…a while. I pretty much rushed through this chapter to get something out for you guys. But thank you all for your wonderful reviews.
"I can't believe you honestly did not know that you were staying in enemy territory."
"Okay, Kiba –"
"I mean, I know I'm slow but I'm not that slow. I would have figured it out after the first day being there."
"I get it, Kiba –"
"But you were there for six months. Talk about being WAY blond."
"Shut up, Kiba –"
"They're like our arch-enemies, you know? Our biggest rivals! How can you not know?"
"I don't know! I just didn't –"
"Is your dad still pissed? If I was him I'd be, and I'd wonder why my son was such an idiot –"
"ARGH."
Naruto gave a strangled cry, looking torn between pulling his hair out and pouncing Kiba. He chose the latter.
Kiba screamed bloody murder.
#04: The Punishment
"They seem to be getting bolder in their advances." Namikaze Minato sighed as he addressed his men (and women), having continued their meeting from the short recess (that he had spent scolding Naruto – making him feel guilty was more like it).
"We need to attack them first --," someone voiced, but another man stepped up next to Minato. Dark hair and onyx eyes – there was an arm band around his upper arm with a fan sewn on to it.
"That would be foolish," he reprimanded the younger one, who instantly backed down when meeting the cold, blank stare of Uchiha Fugaku. "It would give them a reason to declare war."
The younger one seemed to struggle for a bit before he bravely said, "Then why don't we declare war?"
"Because we are avoiding war, moron," the man next to him growled irritably, smacking him smartly upside his head.
"Er, right, I knew that."
Minato chuckled. "Anyway, they do seem to be getting bolder. It's probably almost time we called on our allies to make sure they have our backs in case a war does break out."
There were several murmurs of agreement.
"You're all dismissed," Minato said with a wave of his hand. "We'll catch up again later. Thank you all for coming."
He shook hands with several of his men, bidding them all a good-day as they dispersed, emptying themselves out of the office to go about their individual business. Fugaku and Minato were the only ones who remained in the room after everyone else left.
"There was something you wanted to tell me?" Minato asked, turning questioning blue orbs to Fugaku.
"There's been reports that an outside family is getting involved with Amegakure."
"An outside family?"
"A family outside of Japan. A mafia family."
The blond man frowned. "Do you know which?"
"No. My men are still investigating."
Minato sighed and slumped back in his seat. Fugaku was leaning against the edge of his desk, his arms crossed.
"I trust you'll be able to handle the situation, Uchiha."
"Of course. Who better than me, Yondaime?" Fugaku shot back, matching Minato's smirk.
"You know I hate being called that."
The Uchiha snorted. "But it is your title. You should be used to it."
"Title or not, I prefer to be called by my name like everyone else does. I mean, you don't hear me calling you Chief, now do you?"
"No but you should."
Minato scoffed. "Oh please. That would just make your ego inflate even more. Heaven knows why Mikoto tolerates your large head."
"Hn." A trademark Uchiha grunt. It could be used for several different occasions – having several different interpretations. You'd have to have years of experience talking and dealing with an Uchiha to be able to differentiate between all 'Hn's. Luckily Minato had more than enough experience. Fugaku wasn't his best friend and closest confidant for no reason. "So Naruto is home, I hear."
Fugaku hadn't been there for the first half of the meeting but Kakashi had informed him of Naruto's return. It was him who had located Minato's son and only child's location – him who had sent out Sakura and Sasuke knowing only those two would be able to bring back their friend. Even Fugaku was surprised that Naruto was able to avoid detection for so long. It only became apparent why he had avoided detection for so long when he and several of his men snuck on to enemy territory to scout the premises (and to check up on the Ame family to see what they were up to). It was by sheer luck – and coincidence – that they found Naruto.
"Yes," Minato said, suddenly busying himself with stacking up the already neatly stacked papers on his desk.
"Why did he run away?"
"Because," was the short response.
"Because…?" Fugaku raised an eyebrow. He could venture a guess as to why the teenager would.
"He's going through a rebellious phase," Minato said as if that was the most obvious answer.
"A rebellious phase… because his father doesn't let him go out to play?"
"I do too let him go out to play!" Minato retorted haughtily, glaring at Fugaku.
"Right. That was probably the first time he went passed those gates."
"No it was not!"
"Oh, my bad. The first time he went further than Ichiraku ramen."
Minato glared at him scathingly. "Thanks to me not letting my son out, he avoided being caught by Amegakure! Otherwise he wouldn't have survived six months there, let alone one!"
"Of course not," Fugaku drawled out in a bored tone. He examined his nails, looking for any dirt beneath them. "That's because most people don't even know you have a son."
Minato visibly deflated. There was a prolonged silence before the blond man finally spoke up, "Can you blame me?"
"…No. No one can blame you."
"Ugh I swear sometimes I get lost in here, and I live here," Naruto grumbled after wandering around the Plaza for a good fifteen to twenty minutes.
"Well you were gone for six months, it's only natural you might forget your way sometimes," came the chiding voice of Sakura once Naruto stepped into his room.
"Man my room still looks the same," Naruto said, giving his room a once over. There were clothes strewn carelessly over his bedroom floor, his closet was left half-open, exposing the messy state of some more clothes on the floor, shirts half hung, magazines piled up. There was a computer desk next to his unmade bed with empty chip bags and empty soda cans left on the table. A dartboard was attached to the wall across his bed and several random posters were plastered on the walls. Sakura was sitting on the bed with Sasuke occupying the computer chair.
"Were you expecting someone to clean it up for you?" Sakura asked with a raised brow.
"Well, yeah!" The blond plopped down on his bed next to his pink-haired friend, making the girl bounce on her spot. He snickered and ducked when she threw a pillow at his head. He noticed Sakura and Sasuke had changed out of their school uniforms and into formal attire similar to what Minato and his men and women had been wearing. Personally Naruto liked it when Sakura dressed all business-like. The tie, the faded pink-collared top, the tight black skirt and heels and the stern look she was prone to giving him made his imagination go wild.
But other than that there was no real joy to wearing stiff clothing and ties that were snuggled too tightly against your neck. The only reason the teens even bothered was because the Elders were visiting the Plaza and were very strict about everyone following the dress code.
"Just because there are maids here does not mean you can disregard your chores," Sakura reprimanded, her arms crossed.
"I didn't mean the maids," Naruto said matter-of-factly. "I meant you. You should consider it as practice for when you become my cute wife."
While Sakura spluttered and turned red with speechless indignation, Sasuke mentally counted down the seconds before Armageddon.
Three…
Sakura twitched.
Two…
A dawning look of realization crossed Naruto's face as he realized his impending doom. "Um, Sakura-chan, heh heh, I was kidding… You know like… Hahaha…a joke?"
One…
"…"
"…"
"…Sakura-chan?" Naruto squeaked nervously.
Sasuke watched as Armageddon erupted within Naruto's room.
"NA-RU-TO!"
"Sakura-chan…! I was kidding! Please stop chasing me around my room!"
Sasuke propped his feet up on the computer desk and shuffled a deck of cards he had picked up from Naruto's table. He could hear things being destroyed and their rampaging feet as they paraded around the room, or rather, Naruto avoided being murdered in cold blood. Naruto's screams and begs for mercy was music to his ears. He deserved the torture after what he put everyone through; after what he put Sasuke through. Making him go to Osaka just to drag his ass home… So inconsiderate… and then making him meet that Val guy… Sasuke didn't know why but he really didn't like Val. What was his deal flirting with Naruto anyway?
"Uh, Sakura-chan, where'd you get that? I don't think you can hide that underneath your skirt…"
Sasuke paused his shuffling to listen in.
"Ummm…Really, Sakura-chan, don't you think you're going a bit far? …Sakura-chan… Heh heh please say something…"
"Hasta la vista."
"Pasta a whatta? No seriously, Sakura-chan! Have you lost your mind?! That's a bazooka! You're gonna destroy this whole side of the building!"
"So long as I get you!"
"Point that thing somewhere else! Sa – Sakura!"
Sasuke decided it was time to step in.
"Sakura, put it down."
A Sakura with a bazooka was never a safe thing.
"But Sasuke-kun!" Sakura whined, stomping her foot like a temperamental five-year old…with a deadly weapon.
"Put. It. Down."
"No," she growled, holding her weapon possessively.
"We're not going to take it away," Naruto tried to pacify gently. "We just want you to put it away so you don't make us all blow up."
"…"
"Sakura…" Sasuke started to say, his tone warning.
Narrowed, emerald eyes swiveled from Sasuke's warning stare to Naruto's cautious one before her bottom lip protruded out in a pout and she lowered her weapon, sniffling. "You two never let me have any fun. You guys always get to blow things up, but when it comes to me… it's not fair!"
Sasuke and Naruto exchanged relieved glances.
"I think she's… you know…time of the month," Naruto whispered secretively to Sasuke, who nodded in agreement. They didn't know why but there always one time in the month where Sakura was extremely emotional and sulky for a whole week. Her moods would constantly change from one thing and to the next and neither males could understand why.
"We just don't want you to get hurt, Sakura-chan," the blond said.
Before Sakura could give any response there was a knock on Naruto's door. All three teens turned to see a tanned man standing there, smiling at them, a familiar scar running across the bridge of his nose. Sakura brightened up instantly, as did Naruto who ran over to the man excitedly.
"Iruka-sensei!"
Umino Iruka grinned as he reached out and ruffled Naruto's hair, but the teen merely beamed happily at his tutor. "I heard you were home. Where have you been, Naruto? I hope your father gave you a proper talking to because Heaven knows I'm about ready to give you one –"
Naruto huffed and stared sulkily at the man. "I already heard it from dad…"
"Okay…" Iruka eyed him exasperatedly. "Honestly though, Naruto… Haven't you paid attention to anything I've taught you?"
"I have!" Naruto protested. "I just…kind of forgot?"
Iruka shook his head. "I suppose that's fine since you're okay and home. But don't think I'm letting you off that easily. I've had six months to think about how to punish you."
"Are you serious?" Naruto gaped incredulously. "I've been gone and all you could think about is how to punish me?"
"Well, yes," Iruka said with a frown, as if that was the most obvious thing in the world for him to do was think of a way to 'punish' Naruto for running away. "You've missed out on six months of lessons… You're going to have to make it up some way."
"Iruka-sensei…" The blond whined. "Did you even care that I was gone?"
Iruka looked surprised. "Of course I did! I worried about you every day!" The hopeful look Naruto was giving him made him chuckle. "I just found it easier to worry less if I thought about a way for you to make up being gone."
"Oh…Okay." Naruto relaxed at Iruka's answer. It was at that moment that Naruto's stomach chose to growl, and loudly at that. The blond smiled sheepishly and Iruka simply laughed, not at all surprised by Naruto's hunger. He, along with the three teens, headed through the complex halls of the Plaza as they made their way to the kitchen to find something to eat. Naruto settled for a hot cup of noodles. Unfortunately the others had to as well since the house chef was gone for the day and there was nothing else to make.
"So, hey, Iruka-sensei. What's this punishment you were talking about?" Naruto asked after they finished their snack. They spent the time eating talking about things that happened while Naruto was gone such as Sakura having broken up with this guy she had been dating before Naruto ran away. Naruto couldn't remember his name nor had he ever bothered to remember his name since any guy who dated Sakura-chan was his enemy. Sakura hadn't been attached to the guy anyway. She was only dating him for two weeks before Naruto ran away, and then another month until she grew bored of him and dumped him.
And apparently one of the old geezers in the council finally croaked and died. Naruto wasn't very fond of the council – none of the younger generations were. There was only one or two or a few of the elderly that the younger generation liked, but other than that, they never bothered to concern themselves much with the council.
There were other things that they were going to get into but Naruto decided to ask about his punishment instead. Iruka beamed at the question. Not a good sign.
"Well… Do you remember Sarutobi-san's grandchild?"
"Eh? I didn't know the old man had a grandkid," Naruto said, squinting at Iruka. Sarutobi was a member of the Council and one of the few elders that the younger generation liked wholeheartedly.
Iruka chuckled. "Konohamaru."
"Eh?!" Naruto gaped. "That brat is the old man's grandkid?!"
"Yes, Naruto," Iruka said, eyeing his student disapprovingly for his tone. Sakura delivered him a well deserved smack upside his head, making the blond pout. "Anyway…Him and two of his friends, Moegi and Udon are going to be frequenting the Plaza… and they're starting to be schooled more about the Family so I thought I'd have you teach them about the Family and how things work."
"What?!" Naruto looked aghast at the very prospect of teaching little brats. "But Iruka-sensei!!"
"Was that a wise decision?" Sasuke asked in a drawl.
Sakura looked like she wanted to ask that question herself, but refrained.
Iruka looked sheepish. "I admit I am rather doubtful of the decision myself…"
"Then why – Hey, hey, wait! Are you not confident in my skills and intelligence?!"
"No, that's not it –"
"I'd make an AWESOME teacher! Those kids will know everything there is to know! Believe it! I'll drill everything into their puny little heads that they won't be able to forget anything!"
"Even though you yourself forget the basics?" Sakura asked sweetly.
"So mean, Sakura-chan!" Naruto cried out, gripping a hand over his heart dramatically.
"Even so, I'm sure Sakura-san and Sasuke-san will be willing to help you teach the kids."
"We will?" Sasuke asked, staring at Iruka blankly.
"Of course we will!" Sakura beamed at Iruka. She was never one to be able to say no to the man. He was always so sweet.
"We will?" Sasuke repeated, this time staring blankly at Sakura.
"Yeah!" Sakura turned her beam to Sasuke. But there was something sinister hidden beneath her smile. Her eyes were practically daring him to say anything otherwise.
"…We will," he finally said in defeat.
"Great!" Iruka clapped his hands together, visibly pleased. "Well, I must take off. Konohamaru and the others will be coming here this weekend, so be prepared, Naruto." He stood up and ruffled the boy's head before waving Sakura and Sasuke off and leaving.
Sasuke was still wondering how he managed to get dragged into Naruto's punishment… again. The last time Naruto had been punished for putting green hair dye in his father's shampoo bottle, thus turning Minato's hair green, and Naruto was made to repair one of the fences. Somehow Sasuke was dragged in and forced to help in the fences' reparation. There was also another time where several dozen frogs were let loose in a council meeting and Naruto was made to mow the lawn (believe me when I say that's a lot of lawn to mow) and of course Sasuke was made to help. There were plenty of other times where Sasuke was dragged into Naruto's punishments but thinking about it would only make the young Uchiha want to murder Naruto where he sat, out of spite.
"…Umm, Sasuke why are you holding a knife and looking like you want to murder me?"
Sasuke looked at the knife that he swore he hadn't been holding a second earlier. Oops. He set the knife down.
"…You're still looking at me like you want to murder me."
"That can't be helped, dobe."
"Argh you're such an asshole. Ya think you'd be happier that I'm home."
"Ecstatic," he drawled sarcastically.
Poor Sasuke. Having to put up with Naruto and getting dragged into his punishments. Ah well. –finds glee in his torture-
And I was hoping to get a longer chapter out…but as I said above…I rushed to get something out to you guys. And here is something. Forgiveth me. ToT;
And plz leave luv? –returns luv-
PS: And I might as well... I's searching for a beta for this fic. Drop a message if interested! kthxx!!