A/N: Okay, first off before I forget, the deal with Hinata not seeing that Boxer-sama was Naruto. I was aware of how strange it would be for the Byakugan eyes not to notice, but I debated with myself that Hinata just isn't as incredibly interested in who Boxer-sama is, even if she has an inkling on who it is, but also she's just too good at listening to other people's requests. For instance, she only left with the girls because they told her to – she didn't really want to go. And I imagine that even if the Byakugan can see everything, they can still only concentrate on so many things at a time, and Hinata decided that Boxer-sama wouldn't be one of them. Hope that makes sense… Anyway, if it was Neji, that would be a different story altogether.
Anyway, thanks for the feedback as always, and I hope everyone continues to enjoy it.
A day after the attack, Tsunade had instructed for all low-level ninjas and anyone who didn't have a mission to begin work on reconstructing the town. Unfortunately, the damage was much more extensive than Tsunade could have imagined, and she didn't want the cleaning up to take any longer than it had to. She was concerned that Konoha could be left behind in the ninja business.
"Hmm…" Tsunade sat at her desk, tapping a pencil worriedly on her nose. In front of her, she had a cut-out advertisement of a well-known building company that was often trusted to work on many of the hidden ninja villages. Tsunade was hoping to hire them, as their aid would speed up the rebuilding process greatly. However, it was a costly affair to get people to work on a hidden village, what with all the possible dangers and privacy policies.
"Perhaps we could ask for donations from the villagers?" Shizune suggested, but Tsunade shook her head.
"We wouldn't be able to raise enough that way, and we can't be certain if we'll really raise enough anyway. No, we need a foolproof plan…"
As if on cue, the doors swung open as Jiraiya swayed into the room, a thinking look on his face. Tsunade looked up at him curiously.
"You're thinking about something. It must be the end of the world," she joked smugly. Seeing his expression not change made her a little more serious. "What is it, Jiraiya?"
Jiraiya looked up suddenly, as though he was asleep, and looked grimly at Tsunade. "Hm, it's nothing important," he lied. 'Of course Naruto's well-being is important, but I shouldn't worry Tsunade too much right now.'
"Well, never mind it, we have to work out a way to get Konoha back on its feet soon," Tsunade explained, waving the advertisement in front of her. "We need money, and we need it fast. Any suggestions?"
Jiraiya thought quizzically, then suddenly smirked coyly. "Hm, well, how about you perform a show for the boys? We'll put on a little music, you'll take off your clothes slowly and sexily, and then-"
An angry foot led Jiraiya to believe that she didn't agree to the idea. However, it also gave her another idea.
"How about a fundraising event? We put on some shows… tasteful shows…" she added after seeing Jiraiya's boot-marked face grin hopefully. "Perhaps some interesting acts… A play!" she exclaimed with excitement. Apparently Tsunade was a fan of plays. "That should get some cash in! We could get visitors from everywhere!"
Shizune pondered for a moment. "I doubt that a play alone will do it. It has to have something incredible; something that people would pay a lot of money for, like say…" she looked up innocently. "…A celebrity appearance?"
Tsunade grumbled in irritation. She had recently realized Shizune's feelings for Boxer-sama, and she wasn't happy about it. However, she did see that Shizune had a good point. Reluctantly, she turned to Jiraiya, hoping she wouldn't regret what she was about to say.
"Jiraiya, I have a new mission for Boxer-sama…"
Naruto shuffled uncomfortably in his bed. He shuffled right, then left, then finally right off his bed, hitting the ground with a light thud. The shock managed to wake him, and he looked up with blurry eyes and a sore behind.
"Ow…" The first thing he realized was that he was still feeling the pain from his encounter with Itachi yesterday. The second thing he realized was that Jiraiya was standing over him, his face unclear through his crust-filled eyes.
"Naruto, how do you feel?" he asked with an uncommon tone of worry.
"Uh… I'm fine, I think…" Naruto said with a yawn.
"Stand up." Jiraiya ordered. Naruto, too tired to argue, complied, rising to his feet slowly. Jiraiya examined him carefully. "Stretch your arms up." Again Naruto complied, beginning to wonder what Jiraiya was getting at. "Hmm… Now wiggle your hips."
Naruto stood silently for a moment.
"…Ero-sennin, what the hell are you asking me to do?" Naruto finally asked. "Don't take advantage of me just 'cause I'm half asleep."
"Naruto, please, just do it," Jiraiya said, his serious tone still present. Naruto gave up wondering and did as he was told. He began to wiggle his hips randomly, as Jiraiya circled him, carefully looking at his back.
Suddenly, Naruto's door flung open, Sakura bounding in urgently. "Naruto, we've got a mission, but it's not like other missions, because we're going to…"
She trailed off, seeing Jiraiya looking closely at Naruto's behind, while Naruto was flexing his hips like a hula dancer. "… What are you two doing?"
Naruto looked up at her, then panicked, flailing his arms madly. "It's not what it looks like! I can explain!"
Sakura looked at them with a sick face. "Urr… I don't want to know. I'll just wait downstairs until you two are… 'finished'."
Sakura started down the stairs, Naruto anxiously following her, trying to explain the situation. Jiraiya, on the other hand, was still standing in the apartment, thinking.
"He seemed fine, so maybe I shouldn't be so worried…" Jiraiya's eyes hardened. "… But if he's fine… Why do I feel so uncomfortable…"
After Naruto finally managed to explain it to Sakura, who more or less agreed just to make him shut up, he found himself standing with his fellow ninjas, including Gaara and the Sand ninjas, in a hall that reminded him of the hall he found in during the Chuunin exam. Kakashi and the other Jounins were nowhere in sight, and they were instructed instead by Tsunade and Shizune.
"Today, you all have a very special mission," Tsunade began. "And as all of our higher class ninjas are busy catching up on missions, it will be up to all of you to take care of this one."
Naruto looked up in excitement. "A special mission, huh? What're we gonna do? Invade a hidden village? Fight really powerful ninjas?"
"Naruto, stop thinking with your fists all the time," Tsunade scolded. "There are plenty of important missions that don't need violence, such as this one."
"So…" Naruto pondered loudly. "You're saying… That we're not invading a village or fighting really powerful ninjas?"
Tsunade and the others sighed dully. "Naruto, we're not invading any villages or fighting any ninjas." Ignoring Naruto's sad 'aw', she continued. "As you all know, the village is in a bad state, much worse than when we were attacked by Orochimaru. So this time, we're planning to hire some help in fixing up the village. However, we don't have the funds for such a big plan, and so we're going to need to raise money. And to do this, we've planned out a little something…"
She beckoned to Shizune, who promptly stood next to her and unfolded a large poster, showing to everyone. They looked at it curiously.
"Konoha Entertainment Show…?" Sakura read aloud curiously. "What's that?"
"That is precisely your mission," Tsunade said with a grin. "You are all ordered to run the brand new Konoha Entertainment Show!"
Murmurs of confusion shuffled through the young ninjas, still thoroughly confused.
"You're all going to be hosting a play in this show," Tsunade continued. "The play in question is for all of you to decide – whatever you think you can do is fine. And as well as this, you're free to throw in whatever you like. Extra acts, maybe a piece of music…"
"We get to host a play?" Naruto asked in surprise. "Awesome! I've never been in a play before! I wanna be the star!"
While a certain few of the girls giggled at Naruto's cute reaction (as in Hinata, Tenten, Ino, and Tsunade, if you're too slow to get it), Shizune eagerly nudged Tsunade, who sighed in reluctance. "Oh yeah… and on a final note…"
Jiraiya walked in halfway during Tsunade's talk, tapping Naruto innocently. "Uh, hey Naruto, I gotta tell you something…"
"… We're going to have Boxer-sama as a special guest in the Show, and we'll be auctioning him off for a date."
Everyone stood blandly for a moment in complete silence. That is, until the girls screamed out in joy and surprise, their faces lighting up.
"Wow, can you believe it? How cool!"
"This is my big chance!"
"Oh gosh, I'm so gonna get him!"
The boys on the other hand had looks of outright anger and jealously. They fumed with such anger that Naruto would've been able to see the steam rising off their heads, had he not been in a state of shock himself.
"Uh, yeah, that's what I forgot to tell you," Jiraiya said, grinning stupidly. "Good for you, huh?"
Naruto couldn't hear him, his head spinning and his face scrunched into a strange combination of disbelief, embarrassment, and anticipation.
The group had been split up to begin preparing for the Konoha Entertainment Show. Shikamaru, Shino and Neji were ordered to leave with Shizune to find a suitable place to host the Show, as putting it in their hidden village would be too risky. Chouji, Kiba and Kankurou were asked to find people to supply food for the show, Naruto eagerly suggesting the Ichiraku duo. Tsunade and the girls would be in charge of preparing the play. Jiraiya was sent to 'find' Boxer-sama. The only people left to be assigned anything were Sasuke, Gaara, Lee, and Naruto.
"You four will be advertising the show in Konoha for today," Tsunade told them, handing them bunches of flyers. Naruto read it, noticing that the Show was to be held in a week's time.
"Only a week?" Naruto asked with surprise. "Is that enough time?"
"We can't wait for too long, so we'll be working overtime," Tsunade told him. "Anyway, you four start posting those flyers up around the streets, and word should spread to the outside. Especially when they see that Boxer-sama should be there," she added with a note of annoyance.
"Whatever," Sasuke said, walking off to start his work. He stopped abruptly, turning his head to look at Naruto. "You, come with me."
Naruto looked at Sasuke curiously before bounding after him, leaving Lee and Gaara alone. The two looked at each other uncomfortably.
"I haven't forgotten what you did to beautiful leg and stunning arm," Lee said, pouting.
"Neither have I," Gaara responded coldly.
"Uo! What a surprisingly hip way to respond!" Lee said, firing up. "Perhaps I can get along with you as a rival!"
Gaara looked at him in confusion, not knowing the horror he had pulled himself into. "Whatever, just stay away from me."
"Uooo! Another hip response! You would make a fine rival! A rival to rival the rival of my Gai-sensei! We will have a rivalry more rivalous than their rivalry!"
Gaara looked at him, his eyes twitching in irritation. "Rivalous isn't a word."
"Uooo!"
Naruto and Sasuke had, for the first time ever, spent a whole minute in silence next to each other. A bad omen if there ever was one.
"…Ne, Sasuke, why did you want me to go with you?" Naruto asked, busily taping up a flyer onto a streetlamp while Sasuke was posting one on a wall behind him..
"… Naruto," Sasuke began. "I hate Boxer-sama."
Naruto shivered nervously, trying to tape slower so that he wouldn't have to face him. "R-Really? Well, everyone hates Boxer-sama, don't they?"
"Do you hate Boxer-sama?" Sasuke's voice asked coldly.
'W-What is he getting at?' Naruto thought cautiously. "Uh… Yeah, of course I hate him! Uh… He's… He's trying to be better than me!"
Sasuke didn't reply, making Naruto all the more anxious. "Is that so…" he finally said. Naruto felt an arm on his shoulder, and was suddenly and violently twisted around to face Sasuke, who had thrown him onto the pole hard, holding him down, and staring into his blue eyes. "You know," he said, staring deeply, as though seeing right through into Naruto's soul. "They said that Boxer-sama has red eyes. So it couldn't be you, could it?"
"W-What are you saying, Sasuke?" Naruto said, trying to sound calmer that he really was. "Of course I'm not Boxer-sama! See? Blue eyes! Blue!"
Sasuke didn't back down, still staring at him. Finally, Sasuke continued. "Then if that's the case, Naruto…" he paused, looking closer into Naruto's eyes, which Naruto hoped weren't showing the panic he was feeling. "I need to ask you to do something that I can only ask of you."
Naruto stared back at Sasuke cautiously.
"Help me kill Boxer-sama."
Meanwhile, the girls were enthusiastically brainstorming on what kind of play to do.
"How about a comedy act?" Ino suggested, playfully balancing a kunai on her head.
"I think we should do something with a lot of fighting!" Tenten chanted, eagerly grasping her numerous weapons.
"W-What about a love story?" Hinata suggested, getting coy looks from the girls.
"Now, now, girls," Tsunade said with a grin. "We should try to think of something that relates to Konoha as a village!"
"Hm, what about some stories of the village's history?" Sakura began. "We've had a few important events in Konoha. Maybe we could write a play on one of them?"
"Good idea, Sakura!" Tsunade said. "It would turn into a quite interesting play! But what exactly should we do…" Tsunade scratched her head in thought.
"Ah, I know!" Temari called out. "I've always heard this story about a nine-tailed fox demon attacking Konoha! Let's do a play on that!"
Tsunade froze up suddenly. "B-But Temari, that's just a story told to kids!" she lied, hoping to throw her off. "It wouldn't be that interesting!"
"Wait, Hokage-sama, I think it would be pretty interesting," Sakura said. The other girls made affirming nods. Even Hinata showed interest in the story.
Tsunade sighed silently. She gulped, realizing that sometimes it sucked to put the village before anything else. "…Fine, we'll do it. Let's start researching on the story so we can write up a script. And we're going to have to pick out parts for everyone, so let's get to it!"
"Yes, Hokage-sama!"
By the end of the day, everyone gathered to hear the results from the girls. Except for Shizune, Neji, and Shikamaru, who were still out of the village. The afternoon sun was shining, moments away from the horizon.
Naruto and Sasuke were the last to arrive, Naruto looking particularly bothered. Jiraiya noticed in an instant that Naruto didn't look very happy. 'I better talk with him later, he's probably still bothered about Boxer-sama's 'date' thing…' Jiraiya chuckled smugly. 'I'm sure he's just unsure of how to woo a girl properly – my forte!'
Despite Naruto's look, Sasuke looked the same as always, and the discussion began regardless of Naruto's mood.
"A play has been decided," Tsunade began. "We're going to be doing a play on the 'Attack of the Kyuubi'." She noted the particular looks of shock from both Jiraiya and Naruto, whose attention immediately diverted to her at the sound of the Kyuubi. She cringed, feeling remorse for what she let the girls talk her into. "The roles will be chosen tomorrow, and the script will probably be done soon after."
Tsunade stopped, looking intently at Naruto. Jiraiya was doing the same, and they both noticed one thing. For just a moment, a mere moment, Naruto's face had paled, his body had shook as though in fear, and his eyes had widened. But as fast as it had appeared, it had left, leaving the brighter, more cheerful Naruto in front of them. He smiled enthusiastically.
"Sounds like fun! I can't wait!" Naruto said, cheering happily. Tsunade relaxed a bit, feeling that Naruto was handling it better than she expected. Jiraiya, on the other hand, knew Naruto well enough to know that it was bothering him greatly.
'It's always one thing after another for me… Jeez,' Naruto thought grimly, but his thoughts didn't show on his face. Not even a hint of it.
END CHAPTER 12
A/N: Yeah, this took a little longer for me to write, sorry! Anyway, I borrowed the idea from Clark Cradic, which was seconded by CursedAvenger, that is to make Boxer-sama auction himself for money. Thanks, you guys, I agree as well that it sounds like an interesting predicament.
A play on Naruto's past, Sasuke's request, and Boxer-sama's auction. Lots of things to note. Not as many jokes, but there will be in the next few chapters. I'm wetting myself just thinking about what to do with Boxer-sama's auction.
One more thing, can anyone remind me of the name of the village that Inari lived in? It's not like it'll be the village where they host the show or anything… Of course not… cough. Telling me in a review or email is fine. Thanks to anyone who bothers!
Oh, and this technically doesn't count as review replying, does it? So I'm clear, right? Hehe. At least now I can answer questions directly, which is good.
Thanks for reading, everyone! Next update in roughly a week, hopefully on time this time!