That Special Someone: Letters of Love

by TCurry

Sakura and Tayuya both miss Naruto since he's gone on his training trip. He too shares their feelings of loneliness as time goes by. However, a surprise is about to show the girls that distance can't diminish their love in the least. Naru/Saku, Naru/Tayu.

2. Photos

Hey guys.

I'm sorry I've had you all waiting for this for a while. It's been a month since I've promised it would be out minimum a week, but it kept getting longer. This chapter is a total of 16,472 words. I guess I've wanted to write it for a while too, so it ended up considerably lengthy. I haven't edited it closely either. It would take too long and I want to get it out while I can.

I'm thinking my update time could be anywhere from two weeks to a month at a time. At any rate, I'll likely not work on the next chapter for this for another week. I need to rest my digits.

Enjoy.

---

Disclaimer: I'll never own Naruto and I'd never want to either. Seems like too much work :/

"Ohohoho!"

The women squealed in excitement as another round of drinks hit the small table. Jiraiya downed each new saucer that they poured him with seemingly no effort at all. The rosy flush on his cheeks was a clear indicator that he'd been drinking quite some time, as well as the fact that the female populous of his table had doubled since he'd first entered the establishment. Their giggles spurred him on as he tossed back drink after drink. A loud crash brought the adult's good time to a halt. Though the Toad sannin had emptied several bottles, his sobriety was still at such a level that he could sigh in exasperation. He made his way out of the building.

No more than one-hundred and fifty meters away, Naruto stood on the dock with his hand extended, palm facing upward. Waves crashed out toward the open lake. The water in the air sparkled around him in the morning sunshine. The blond release a half-satisfied breath and took a seat on the wood beneath himself. When Jiraiya made it to him Naruto was busying himself with staring at his open hand where a perfectly shaped sphere of blue rotated wildly. He looked up.

Naruto stood and released his rasengan. "I've been waiting to show you Ero-sennin. I've got the jutsu down."

The older male scratched his head. "You've had the Rasengan down for months now. I don't remember teaching you anything else."

The blond sighed exasperatedly. "You dragged me out of my sleep the night Gamapuchi came back to deliver the letters!" Naruto paused to chuckle. "I didn't think Baa-chan's letter would have that much of an effect."

Jiraiya crossed his arms, but couldn't fight the smile that came to his face. "Well, you'd literally told on me gaki. Though I suppose Tsunade had a point. If you only know how to prevent Kyuubi from taking control it won't necessarily help you in a fight when we get back." Jiraiya stared down at the younger male. "Show me then."

Naruto faced the lake. Jiraiya watched the signs, a bit of deja vu passing over him.

"Katon: Endan!"

The blonde took a deep breath before expelling a huge blast of fire from his open mouth. The Toad sannin sat and analyzed his student until his jutsu came to a stop. Naruto wiped the bit of oil that dribbled down his chin and turned to his sensei. Jiraiya chuckled. "I see you're not choking on the oil like you had when we first started."

Naruto's face went sour. "When you showed it to me I just saw fire. You didn't tell me it made oil first."

Jiraiya guffawed loudly. He palmed the blond's head. "Truthfully, I'd feared you'd ignite the oil before spitting it out. Tsunade's not here to work her miracles gaki, and I don't think the Kyuubi can regenerate gooey insides." He smiled down at the boy. "You've done well."

The blonde grinned up at his sensei. "I've mastered the jutsu Kakashi-sensei gave me too." He paused to dig into his kunai pouch. "Just one question. Futon feeds katon right?"

The older male smirked. "Hai. Reading the same letters over again?"

Naruto smiled wistfully. He shook his head. "I've seen you doing the same thing Ero-sennin." Jiraiya opened his mouth. "And not the one that's under the blood seal," he continued, pulling out a chart.

Jiraiya glanced at the paper. "Chakra Natures?"

The blond nodded. "Hai. I wanted to make the jutsu stronger. I'm still working making the futon jutsu I know better too."

The Toad sannin waited with interest. "That means you've got something else to show me then."

His student faced the lake again. Jiraiya watched his summon kage bunshin, which then took it's place beside the blond. The two nodded to each other and started signing. It was for two different jutsu, Jiraiya noticed. The bunshin and the actual Naruto stopped at the exact same time.

"Futon: Kazenami no jutsu!"

"Katon: Endan!"

The older male couldn't help but stare, expectant though a bit surprised, when a much larger flame issued forth from their combined jutsu. It easily spanned fifty feet, more that double it's original distance. The water that had been sent into the air under the force of the futon jutsu instantly evaporated into the blaze above. The sound of cheering prompted him to turn around to the two story, purple bar they'd stopped at along the way. Naruto ceased his katon jutsu, but continued using the wind wave expelling from his mouth until he took notice of the applause behind he and his sensei. This had the same effect as earlier. The cheering from the women grew louder as a result of the water sparkling around the two.

"Jiraiya-sama!"

"Do it again Naru-chan!"

Naruto scratched the back of his head sheepishly until the applause died down. When it became evident that the show was over the women filed back into the building, but not before offering a round of free drinks to the ninja outside. Jiraiya clapped the boy on the back.

"You never cease to surprise me gaki. Collaboration jutsu alone?" He grinned. "If you didn't have the reserves I'd never think it possible."

The blonde grinned. "It was my first time trying it actually."

Jiraiya glanced at the lake. "Was that a different futon jutsu?"

The blonde shook his head. "When Kakashi-sensei gave me that jutsu I thought I had to use it from my hand, but it comes from the mouth. When I first used it from my hand it worked and it was sharper, but when I do it the way it's written, the gust is stronger. I've cut myself up when I try to use it with my hand a few times too."

The Toad sannin rolled up his sleeve to glance at the small scar he had. "Hai, I remember that. There could be several ways to do it. You'll need to work with the natures if you want to do more collaboration jutsu."

Naruto grinned. "It's because I read the chart. I didn't think it would work at first."

"It's because you used this." Jiraiya tapped his forehead with his index digit. "Jutsu are powerful, Naruto, but they can become even more formidable if you think of different ways to use them."

Naruto rolled up the chart and stuck it in his bag. "So, what am I learning next Ero-sennin?"

The Toad sannin crossed his arms. "Hm. I hadn't really thought about it. Since I promised you we'd send our letters tonight, I'll decide when Tsunade sends us a return message. That should give me a good idea of what to teach you."

Naruto knit his brows. "We've waited long enough."

Jiraiya imitated his charge. "If you hadn't have tried to send them while you thought I was sleeping, I might have been inclined to send them earlier. We've focused on training these last few months; in both taijutsu and ninjutsu. Tsunade wrote it herself. We shouldn't be spending time worrying about each other."

The blond's eyes fell a bit. He faced the lake and seated himself. "I can't help it. You try spending months away from the people you love."

The Toad sannin sighed. Silence fell over them for nearly a minute before he spoke. "You'll see them again. I'm going to get our packs."

With the older man gone, Naruto occupied himself with staring at the sunshine reflecting off of the lake. Slowly, he dug into his pouch and brought out two identical scrolls. The names of both of his girlfriends were written neatly on the outside. He unrolled the first, which happened to be from Sakura, and allowed his eyes to roam over the words, smiling wistfully as he did.

Naruto-kun

It does feel like it's been longer since the last time we've seen each other. I miss you. I've been busying myself with learning medical ninjutsu with Tsunade-sensei. She says I'm really good at it for a beginner and that it's because I have excellent chakra control. Back in the academy I never thought I'd be praised by a sannin. Her training's still pretty tough though. Sometimes I think she's trying to kill me.

We're growing up huh? I've grown a few inches, but Tayuya's still taller. I hope you don't look too different when you come back, but I know you'll probably be taller than me when you do. That'd be nice. I'd always thought of standing on my toes to kiss my prince charming when I was a little girl. It's...a little embarrassing to tell you that. I love you so I wanted you to know. I want you to know everything about me.

I've decided to ask Kakashi-sensei to help me out with my training when I'm not with Tsunade-sensei. She'll probably let me, but it's going to be a lot of work. I'm going to work hard Naruto-kun. As much as I hate to think about it, it's likely we won't be able to convince Sasuke-kun to come back with us. We'll have to take him back by force. I'm prepared for that. As long as I have you by my side I know we'll be able to do it.

I'm worried about you. I know Jiraiya-sama is with you but the Akatsuki are all S-rank missing nin. I want you to keep me updated. And don't do anything stupid! We'll all just have to wait, so please don't be reckless. If I hear that you faced one of them alone you'll live to regret it Naruto. I promise.

Tayuya worries too; so much that she wouldn't even read your letter because she thinks she won't like what she'll find. I don't know if she'll write that in her letter since she's so stubborn, so at least you'll know for sure now. We're getting along even though she doesn't cook much. She's always either with Kakashi-sensei or helping Moegi-chan with her training. Tsunade-sensei will probably put her in our three man cell when you get back.

-Kakashi-sensei wants to know how far along you are in the jutsu he gave you.

I'll take care. You do too. I love you.

Sakura

He'd lost count of how many times he'd read their letters. Sakura's had given him a great deal of determination to continue moving forward and the threat she'd included about not jumping the gun had done its job. In truth, he'd only intended it to be romantic, though what he'd said about taking on the world to be back with them was no lie. He rolled it up and glanced at Tayuya's scroll, a grin coming to his face. It'd startled him when he'd first read it if only because of her current sensei. He'd hoped that Tsunade would have chosen someone besides the copy nin, but came to terms with it eventually. Kakashi had said he'd do better before he'd left, and Naruto found it difficult to doubt the man's claim given his sincerity at the time. He unrolled the scroll, grin widening.

Shithead,

It took you long enough. Whore thought you weren't going to send anything but I knew you would. It's been two months. Two long months. Ero-Cyclops is one of my sensei and he's been training me for the last eight weeks. I won't lie; it's hell, but I'm getting used to it.

It's boring without you here. I've been going to pick up Pigtails most times I'm not training and don't feel like lying around at home. Whore's usually busy all day with Bimbo and if she let's her join our sessions she won't be doing much else but training. Even though you introduced me to your idiot friends I don't waste much of my fucking time with them. I've gotta focus so I can kick your ass in our spar when you get back. You'd better be strong Shithead.

I'm...I miss you. It's annoying and boring without you. The bedroom has too much fucking space, I've read all the damn books, and every day I go to change my fucking clothes, yours are hanging right next to them in the closet. It's stupid, I know. It fucking dumb, but sometimes I think I'll see you standing right there changing too. You and that smirk that grates on my nerves. I visit our place on top of the mountain too, in that exact spot. Whore comes too now. I can't help but smile when I sit there. It's almost like I can feel you.

-You tell anyone I wrote that and I'll snap your neck.

I need to see you, but I can wait. It's only a few years; just three years in this shitty village without you and then we can spend all the time we want together. I get you when you come back. No fucking complaints, no excuses, and if Whore wants to bitch about it, too fucking bad. There's nothing anyone can do about it. Not you, not Bimbo, Whore; not even that demon in you is going to stop me. I haven't decided if I'll take you before or after the spar. You've got no choice so don't whine about it. You'll find out when it happens.

Whore tells me she's worried you're going to try and take on the Akatsuki. Naruto, I mean this. If you so much as think about trying to take on one of those bastards I'll save them the trouble. Try it, and I'll find you; then I'll break your fucking legs. You act dumb sometimes, but you're not an idiot. Have some patience and wait.

I'll be waiting.

Tayuya

Jiraiya's shoes knocking on the wooden dock prompted the blond to turn around in time to catch his blue traveling pack. He stood along with his sensei and began heading along the trail that led past the building, rolling up the letter as he did. A bit of curiosity hit him. He'd looked over Tayuya's statement about the copy nin being one of her sensei in the many times he'd read the letter. If she hadn't mentioned the other person, and Sakura hadn't as well, then that meant they didn't want him to know. Naruto put his hand to his chin in thought. There was only one person that both girls had shared a mutual dislike for and that was qualified to be a sensei, but the idea itself was ludicrous.

Shizune's letter had simply told him to take care of himself. She'd not alluded to if anyone else was Tayuya's sensei and Tsunade's letter reiterated the same thing; with the standard order to not kill himself and to avoid spending all of his time writing letters.

Jiraiya palmed his head. "Something on your mind?"

Naruto shook the Toad sannin off. "Nothing that important. Where are we heading to next?"

The older male grinned. "Everywhere that we need to go. Just enjoy the vacation. You'll get ripped in two different pieces when we get back."

The blonde chuckled. "I'm looking forward to it."

The two ninja continued to walk along the trail that led to their next destination until Naruto stopped abruptly. Jiraiya turned back to see his student staring at a long, black blanket that hung over the roof of the establishment they'd just left. The blond switched his gaze to his sensei, grin active. Jiraiya directed his vision between the blanket and the blonde a few times before it clicked. He sighed in defeat. Naruto knew his idea had been cleared when his sensei mimicked his grin.

"Alright, fine," Jiraiya relented, walking back to the building. "Only one."

---

"Shit!"

Tayuya jumped away, narrowly evading another high volume blast of water. She glanced at the large puddle they'd happened upon while running through the training ground before darting into the trees. Kakashi's footfalls sounded almost inaudibly from behind until he leveled with her. The way he kept her speed so effortlessly beside her almost caused Tayuya to lose her concentration to her anger. The redhead's feet dug into the ground as she came to a stop. The copy nin allowed her no time to rest. Kakashi fired a kick at her skull with his left leg that Tayuya immediately ducked. She caught his ankle and used her free leg to knock him off his feet. When his back hit the ground it was followed promptly by Tayuya's foot slamming into his ribs.

Only to have the Sharingan user vanish in a puff of smoke in the next moment.

The redhead grit her teeth. She turned her face upward to scream at the sky. "You spineless son of a bitch! Fucking coward!"

"Don't let your guard down."

The hand that grasped the redhead's ankle quickly submersed her beneath the earth. The copy nin crawled out of the dirt, wiping the bits of dust off his shoulders as he did. He walked over to Tayuya at a leisurely pace, purposely annoying his student. She attempted a wild bite when he lowered his hand to palm her head.

"You're getting distracted by your anger again Tayuya. Although this time..."

Tayuya knit her brows when her sensei easily blocked the surprise ax kick by her bunshin. He threw it over his head. Kakashi was in the midst of moving to dispel the thing, but found his feet rooted to the forest floor. Two dirty hands held him tightly around the ankles. His surprised gaze didn't linger on Tayuya's disembodied head for too long, seeing as it disappeared in a puff of smoke as well. The bunshin he'd thrown earlier flew toward him with a punch at the ready. Though his feet were mildly incapacitated, the copy nin still easily stopped the attack with his left hand. Its smirk confused him for a moment; that was, until its skin became blue and transparent.

"Hm."

The crackling of electricity echoed around the clearing. Miniature fires started on a few of the leaves but died as soon as their fuel source did. Tayuya dug her way out of the blackened dirt. The redhead winced. Her hands were singed, but the burns were mild at best. An equally singed log sat not three feet from her position. Putting her frustration aside for later, she glanced around the area for her sensei. Kakashi stepped out from behind a nearby tree.

He fished his book out of his pouch. "You know, if I hadn't been the one to teach you that you might have gotten me."

Tayuya readied herself. "It's not over yet. I'm waiting you cyclops pervert."

The copy nin's smile caused his mask to lift a bit. The redhead stiffened.

"This is the last time. Get ready."

Elsewhere in training ground forty-four, Sakura stood atop a branch connected to a rather large tree. The pinkette's skin was covered with scrapes, as well as a few snake bites and minor burns. The tell-tale sign of hissing prompted her to evacuate her position in favor of sprinting down the wood. When she reached the bottom Anko was waiting for her along with her standard large snake. Without warning the beast lunged at her. Anko wasn't surprised in the least when Sakura easily avoided the attack. The girl followed up with a punch that sent the summon flying thirty feet in the opposite direction.

The tokubetsu jounin placed her hands on her waist. "You've taken off your weights pinky."

Sakura's heavy breathing prevented her from replying immediately. She nodded and managed a smirk. "Getting too hard for you Anko-sensei?"

Anko grinned. "I thought you were only supposed to take them off in emergencies. You must be tiring."

"It was going to eat me," Sakura deadpanned.

The older woman shrugged. "Not my rules. Seems you've made my friend a little angry though."

Sakura hadn't taken notice of her previous foe returning to battle. It reared up to its full height before attempting to strike the med nin once again. She jumped atop its head and sprinted along it in the direction of the woman smiling more than a hundred meters away. She arrived in seconds. The pinkette wasn't prepared for the fist Anko planted deeply in her stomach. It sent her flying back toward the snake's open mouth. She managed catch her footing on the ground, turn around, and jump up to face her reptilian enemy

"Shannaro!"

Anko cocked an unexpected eyebrow when Sakura's fist connected with the thing's right tooth. The bone broke-apparently quite painfully from the reptile's scream-away from its gums. The pinkette lifted the tooth high above her head after she'd grabbed a hold of it. The snake user watched, slightly impressed, when her student used it to impale the snake's midsection, pinning it to the earth. Sakura walked away from the writhing form of the bloodied animal. She leaped over it a bit unsteadily to face her sensei. Anko pointed at her summon.

"Not something I'd expect you to do pinky," She informed the genin around a smile.

Sakura did a double take between her two adversaries. She huffed. "It was getting annoying. It'll live."

"You're getting too caught up in your speed. You're still not fast enough to run circles around your enemies," The older woman lectured. "Calm down." Anko glanced at the snake. Sakura released an exasperated sigh when she summoned another. "I suppose-"

Anko stopped and looked around. She shrugged. "It's about that time. See ya."

The older woman vanished in a plume a smoke. The med nin scanned the area for any new threats aside from the snake her female sensei left sitting in front of her. The animal assessed her cautiously after noticing its comrade lying apprehensively, blood stopped by the tooth piercing its body. Sakura's body was more than fatigued. She'd been at this for what seemed like forever and it wasn't becoming any easier. Kakashi's perverse laughter snapped her back to her senses. He sat on the grass several feet from her, book obscuring his view. The copy nin lowered his porn to make eye contact with the bubblegum haired kunoichi.

"I'll make you a deal Sakura." Kakashi stood. "You pull off that jutsu one more time against Anko's summon, and I'll end training for today."

The pinkette sighed. "Deal. I don't know why you-"

"Sakura," he interrupted. "Your enemy's coming."

Kakashi's late warning almost resulted in Sakura being swallowed. She rolled backwards into a back-spring just as the snake's mouth crashed into the spot she'd been seconds before. The pinkette faced the giant reptile. When she began her hand signs the giant beast had already begun its next next lunge.

"Doton: Doryuso."

Thin earth spikes erupted from the ground in rapid succession. A few penetrated the reptile's skin enough to halt its movement, though none managed to skewer the beast. Kakashi nodded in her direction when the thing disappeared in a plume of smoke. Sakura walked over her sensei and ungracefully fell down on log next to him. Anko showed up minutes later with a struggling redhead wrapped by several snakes. Tayuya growled audibly with every inch that the older woman pulled her along the ground. She smirked when she came to a stop a few yards from her fellow jounin-sensei.

"Tayu-chan needs to learn about sacrifice in battle. Since she burned her hands earlier she couldn''t finish her jutsu," Anko stated.

Kakashi ignored the woman. "Sakura, you've made good progress in that jutsu. Doton jutsu are generally difficult to use, but their defensive potential will aid you when you need to be a medic in the field." He lifted his headband, revealing his other eye. "Your chakra's also increased in the six months you've been training with us."

The bubblegum haired kunoichi smiled. "Tsunade-sensei keeps me around the hospital longer since I don't get tired from treating too many patients anymore. I can do that jutsu more too. My limit's five now." Sakura glanced at the pinned snake. "I still don't understand why I needed to learn an offensive jutsu though Kakashi-sensei."

"Two reasons. To raise your chakra levels and so that you won't have to rely heavily on your taijutsu," The Sharingan user enlightened her. "Doton: Doryuso uses a large amount of chakra and is an effective mid-range attack for when you can't get close to your enemies. In addition, defensive doton jutsu will become much easier since most use less chakra. In the beginning, we focused on manipulating much less earth than you did today and it still exhausted more than half your chakra. I'd say your reserves have more than doubled, though they still pale in comparison to Naruto's and Tayuya's."

Sakura released a defeated breath. "You didn't have to add that last part sensei."

Kakashi chuckled. "You've still improved much more than I expected." He stood slowly. "Let's go get some lunch. It's on me today."

The two starting walking toward the gate. Anko clearing her throat prompted them to turn back.

She placed a hand on her hip. "Training isn't over Kakashi. We've only been at it for three hours. You're skipping team tactics today?"

The copy nin motioned for her to calm down. He turned to Sakura. "She's right Sakura. Let's sit down and watch the end of training."

The med nin sent her sensei a bewildered look but took the seat beside him nonetheless. Kakashi pulled his headband back over his eye and brought his book out of his pouch. Anko was halfway to smacking the orange text from his hand when a tingle went up her arm. Her eyes flew to Tayuya's body and immediately after she noticed the redhead, she released her jutsu. The electricity that the Raiton Kage bunshin managed to send into her right arm had numbed it temporarily. Anko clutched her dead arm with her opposite hand and waited cautiously.

Tayuya sprinted out of a nearby bush with a kunai in hand. Anko brought out her own metal instrument as her student came closer. The sound of metal against metal echoed through the training ground. Anko carefully parried her students wild slashes but not without losing ground to her each time. Tayuya backed up a few steps and settled for throwing her pointed weapon before going on the offensive again. Even with the minimal distance between them, her sensei still caught the kunai's hole with her own pointed tip and sent them back at her adversary. The redhead dodged narrowly and threw a flurry of attacks at her sensei. Anko had no choice but to dodge each one with her arm still immobilized.

Using a good amount of effort, the purple haired woman caught the redhead's fist pulled her student toward herself. Her kick connected with Tayuya's midsection. As a result of this risky maneuver, Anko suffered a hard blow to her right shoulder that again sent her back a few steps. Tayuya's breathing had grown heavier after their quick exchange but she was far from done. Anko fought a surprised gasp when the redhead flew through quite a few hand signs and took a stance that she'd only seen her fellow jounin-sensei take; her feet spread, right arm open to the earth in a way that seemed to be grasping something. She noticed Kakashi's eyebrows rise when the sound of chirping birds filled the air.

Tayuya grinned when her sensei backed up another step. "Come on Hebi-sensei. Don't bitch out on our spar. We've still got three hours left."

Anko grinned back. "Who said anything about bitching out Tayu-chan? That'd make you the better woman, and I can't have Naru-kun thinking that can I?"

A tick appeared on the redhead's forehead. Anko smiled at her temporary victory, but soon found herself in a full nelson. She glanced annoyingly back at the smirking bunshin of her student. Tayuya had already started closing the short distance between them, the jutsu in her hand tearing up the earth.

"Sen'eijashu!"

The snakes that sprouted from Anko's sleeve made quick work of the bunshin holding her. Tayuya's right eye had closed tightly. Regardless of the apparent pain she currently endured, she continued to advance on her opponent. The purple haired woman attempted to move to the side to avoid the attack. From what she knew about the jutsu, Kakashi could only move in a straight line while using it. Her attempt failed, however, when her legs wouldn't give. Anko quickly flew through hands signs with her only available hand when she noticed the redhead's hands extending from the dirt, firmly holding her in place. Her startled eyes were illuminated by the light Tayuya's jutsu gave off when it stopped inches from her numbed shoulder.

It occurred almost in slow motion. Kakashi's left hand gripped the younger girl's arm and used the momentum to swing her into a nearby tree at the same time he tilted Anko's signing hand up to release the fireball into the open sky. The bark broke loudly under the force the Tayuya's flying body hit it with. Electricity no longer emanated from her hand. Kakashi gazed passively at Anko before examining the redhead's condition from afar.

He turned to his other student. "Heal her, Sakura."

Sakura could do little but nod and run to her roommate. Tayuya's long hair obscured her face since she lay sideways. The med nin sat her up with some effort and began healing her arm. After Kakashi had Anko situated, he strolled over to get a closer look. Much of the skin on the redhead's hand had peeled away as a result of her earlier strategy and the unstable Chidori she'd used seconds ago. It gradually began to piece back together while bathed under the green light Sakura's hands exuded. The redhead flipped her hair out of her face to reveal her cocky grin.

"Almost fucking had her. You see that whore? If Cyclops Hentai hadn't interfered-"

"You'd have likely fatally wounded her," The Sharingan user interrupted.

Tayuya's grin fell. She held up two digits on her less injured hand. "Two things. I aimed for her fucking shoulder, and I knew that after all that shit you fed me about being comrades, you wouldn't let her die. Give me some fucking credit Kakashi. Even if she is an annoying bitch, I'm not gonna kill her."

Kakashi watched the redhead's defiant glare mix with something he'd seen in a past experience. He placed a heavy hand on the top of her skull. "It's not that I'm not proud of you learning something you've only seen a few times. Your aptitude for learning jutsu is second only to Naruto, Tayuya. What I'd like is for you to inform me whenever you try to learn something that dangerous. I'm your sensei; it's only natural that I'm going to worry."

The redhead turned her head sharply to break his grip. She expended a reluctant sigh. "Fine."

The copy nin drew up to his full height. "Good. Now, let's all go for lunch. You've both earned it today."

Sakura helped her fellow kunoichi to her feet. Tayuya mumbled her thanks. After glancing at Anko, he threw the girls his wallet and motioned for them to go on ahead. The snake using jounin stood as well, but Kakashi blocked her route. He waited until they girls were out of earshot to speak.

"You're toying with her too much."

Anko smirked. "I know. It's just too fun sometimes Kakashi. You wouldn't understand."

Kakashi looked over his shoulder in the direction the girls had left. "You'll need to get serious. She has potential. It's our role to draw that out. We'll need all the help we can get when Akatsuki starts their plan."

She walked up to him, rolling her shoulder. "I know that. You've been teaching her jutsu these last few months and I've been going over tactical strategies and taijutsu with her. I've had to go over the former with her even less. Tayu-chan's damn smart."

The Copy nin reached backward. "I've heard Shikamaru's had to sit up during the rare times they've played Shogi."

"It's not surprising." Anko smirked. "You know the only jutsu you can't teach her that I can are the those that I learned from Orochimaru, but she can't learn them. That is, unless you want to convince Manda to allow her to sign the summoning contract."

He shook his head and removed the book from his pouch. "Her taijutsu is coming along well. Ororchimaru's Hebi style is quite different than the standard type taught here, though there are a few similarities. It caught me by surprise the first few times she used it, though I think I've got the hang of it these last few months." The Copy nin opened the text. "She's combined it with Konoha taijutsu and what she's learned from her time in Oto."

The tokubetsu jounin grinned. "See? I've been pulling my weight Hatake. Pinky's getting stronger too." They glanced at the snake still pinned to the earth. It dispelled after Anko nodded to it. "A bit unpredictable and less empathetic too. Tsunade-sama's training has sent most of my summons flying in the opposite direction. More than half of them hold a grudge against the little powerhouse."'

Kakashi turned. He started the walk to the dango stand. "She's changed. Sakura was a below average kunoichi less than a year ago. Now it seems she'll surpass Tsunade-sama." He paused to rub his right cheek. "She nearly hit me today."

The other jounin smirked. "After she took off the weights?" Kakashi nodded. "Naru-kun told her she needed to get faster. Seems Pinky took it to heart."

He locked the gate behind them. "Seems so. Even though she doesn't train with Lee and Gai, she still wears them all the time. Gai tells me they're the light one's he owns but anything he thinks that's light generally is multiple times that of a normal person." Kakashi paused. "You call him that even when Tayuya's not around?"

"Oh?" Anko sidled up to the copy nin. "You jealous Kakashi-kun?"

Kakashi's bored look effectively killed any further teasing from the snake user. She crossed her arms and sighed. "It'd be a lot more fun if you had reactions like a normal person."

"In regards to their training," The Copy nin continued, "They're both improving radically. We'll need to be a bit more careful. They're not going to hold back on us just because we're their sensei."

Anko stopped short of opening the flap to the stand. "That's precisely why they won't hold back."

"Since you think you've got the Hebi style figured out," She began, changing the subject again. "Does that mean you think you could take me in a fight Kakashi-kun?"

His facial muscles didn''t shift a millimeter.

"Probably."

The girls turned around to see their sensei enter the stand. Kakashi directed an eye smile their way before taking one of the unoccupied seats beside Sakura. Anko wasted no time in wrapping her arms around the redhead's shoulders in a tight hug. Tayuya growled audibly and broke the older woman's hold. Anko's fake pout had no effect on any of the other occupants in the stand, seeing as this was same repetitive play they acted out after nearly every training session. The stand owner came to the front and waited.

"Jii-san, I'll have seven sticks to start," Anko ordered, jabbing a thumb at Kakashi. "He's paying today."

Kakashi didn't object. He only nodded his head. Sakura and Tayuya placed their orders as well. Minutes later they were all enjoying their food, with the exception of the Copy nin, who'd decided against eating. Tayuya snapped at the older woman for what must have been the tenth time for trying to grab her food. Sakura and Kakashi busied themselves with their own conversation, only pausing to shake their heads or laugh at the arguing duo beside them.

Sakura stood and pushed in her seat. "Thanks for lunch Kakashi-sensei. I'll see you at home Tayuya."

The bubblegum haired kunoichi thanked Kakashi again and bid farewell to Anko before leaving the stand. Tayuya tore herself from Anko and their involuntary embrace and left as well, mumbling her thanks over her shoulder. The snake user turned to make conversation with the Copy nin, but found he was already on his feet. She watched him place enough money on counter to pay for at least another twenty sticks and leave without a word. The purple haired woman eagerly set the money in front of the stand owner.

"Keep 'em coming Jii-san!"

Outside, Tayuya about-faced because of her sensei's loud cheer. She watched the Copy nin stand in front of the flaps, eye on the blue sky. He smiled and waved before walking in the other direction. The redhead directed her vision to the mountain looming over them. The stand didn't sit too far away from it. In her usual routine, she stuffed her hands inside her black ninja pants and felt her feet begin to carry her toward the huge, carved structure.

Few people greeted Tayuya in Konoha but most there knew of her existence. A smirk sprouted on her face as the memory of Naruto's departure floated to the surface of her mind. She'd made quite the impression on those that held a good enough opinion of the blonde to see him go. Even now, eight months later, some villagers would point in her general direction, giggling embarrassingly or whispering in a hushed tone.

Most weren't insulting, though there were rumors that she was his girlfriend and Sakura his mistress or vice-versa. Still, in her defense, Tayuya had kept her temper in check. She'd slipped up a few times, sending a few perverse boys to the hospital and threatening some gossiping women but, for the most part, she'd behaved herself. Tsunade had promised not to open any scrolls she received otherwise.

The wind picked up, blowing the hair from her face. She'd arrived at the top of the mountain. It was only up here that it would pick up enough to wildly throw her hair behind her for seconds at a time. Tayuya enjoyed the randomness of it all. During her short stay in the village, things had become monotonous, but she never knew when the wind would settle into a calm breeze or a strong gust. She walked steadily over to their spot and seated herself in the middle of the Yondaime's head. Her hair fell back to her shoulders in perfect timing with the now calm wind.

"Coming up here again?"

The redhead grunted. Sakura's footfalls came to rest beside her. Although this was where she and Naruto had shared their first kiss, they'd all come up her many times in the few months before his departure. The pink haired kunoichi stood above her for a moment, allowing her own long hair to blow in the breeze. When Tayuya heard her bottom hit the ground she fell back and placed her hands behind her head.

"Eight months down Whore. You gonna make it?"

Sakura smiled. "Of course. Kakashi-sensei and Anko-sensei might kill you before he comes back. You know she wasn't serious today."

Tayuya scoffed. "They'll have to kill me more than once then. I told Shithead I'd be waiting." She pinched a bit of Sakura's hair between her fingertips. It'd grown barely below her shoulders in the time he'd been gone."You gonna cut this?"

She shrugged. "I'm not sure. I like the way I look either way. Naruto likes long hair, but it could become more of a bother to me in the future. I cut it before during the chuunin exams. It was when I decided to get serious about being a ninja."

A confused glance was thrown her way.

"It's a long story," Sakura explained. "The short of it is, I did it to protect Naruto and Sasuke-kun."

The redhead scowled. "You still call him that."

The statement caught Sakura off guard. She sighed and laid back. "I can't call him anything else. Sasuke-kun is Sasuke-kun. It doesn't mean anything other than that. I know now that I can't love him the way I love Naruto. We'll just be friends when we get him back."

"You'd better." The redhead threatened halfheartedly. "Right after the fucker goes to prison, you two can make up."

Sakura frowned at the other kunoichi. "Sasuke-kun is still a part of our team. You...wouldn't understand."

Tayuya grit her teeth. "Whore, I've told you this before. I don't give a fuck who he is or what team he's a part of. I know the curse mark influenced his thinking; I have it too. But there's a fucking limit. You can desert your village and cut your ties, but you don't have to kill your best friend. He tried to kill Shithead. I won't forgive him for that."

Sakura didn't choose to inform the redhead that she'd likely tried to do the same thing. She let the coming silence pacify them both. After a few moments, she propped herself up on her elbows. "So what should I call Naruto then?"

Tayuya gazed at the clouds. She turned to face her fellow kunoichi. "Koi."

The redhead took pleasure in the tomato-red color her fellow kunoichi's face took on. Sakura stuttered out several sentences that were drowned out by Tayuya's laughter. The pink haired kunoichi whipped her eyes around to the view of the village, allowing her tresses to obscure most of her face. Tayuya's chuckles gradually lessened when she took notice of the bubblegum haired kunoichi's lips moving softly behind her pink locks. Her disbelieving eyes continued to follow their movements.

"You're fucking joking. You're actually saying it?"

Sakura shifted nervously. "It's not like I haven't thought about it. It's just...a bit embarrassing to say it...Naruto-koi..." her cheeks heated again.

Tayuya bit her lip. "N-Nar...Fuck it. I'll call him Shithead until the day we're both dead."

The pinkette prodded the other girl. "Come on; say it. You know it's crossed your mind before."

The redhead allowed herself to be poked for a few moments. She turned the other way. "...N-Naruto-koi."

Sakura's giggles prompted Tayuya to roll away from the other kunoichi to hide her flushed face. "It wasn't too hard right?"

The redhead grumbled audibly. "You're being a bitch Sakura."

The pink haired kunoichi nibbled a finger. "He's staying with both of us so we should practice. You can't call him Shithead-koi."

The area went silent. Both kunoichi fought it but the splutters eventually made their way past their lips. Tayuya's and Sakura's giggles were both carried away by the wind. Sakura had tears in her eyes and Tayuya's vision was a hindered by hers as well. Neither girl took notice of the amphibian staring at them roll around in an effort to still their laughter. Tayuya was the first to sit up, wiping her eyes as she did. She didn't register the white blur sitting in front of her as a toad at first. When her eyes eventually identified the amphibian sitting in front of her as the exact same one that had entered their apartment several months ago, she froze. Her first instinct was to grab the thing but previous experience stilled her movements.

Sakura wasn't so reluctant to touch the toad. Gamapuchi didn't register that he'd been picked up until her squeal sounded above him. "Puchi-chan!"

Gamapuchi croaked happily. He jumped out of her arms and landed in the middle of the two kunoichi. The white toad removed the message from his back and set between the two. Sakura's and Tayuya's hands grasped the scroll at the same time. Both noticed the outside seal that prevented anyone from opening it aside from the Godaime. Tayuya pulled it away from the other girl. The pink haired kunoichi sighed, knowing of her roommate's insecurity, and allowed her win the battle. They stood at the same time.

Tayuya pocketed the scroll, grinning. "Bimbo at the tower?"

Sakura nodded. "She should be leaving soon. Let's hurry."

---

Wisps of smoke rose in the air that was the night sky. Well below the trees, the passing breeze flitted a campfire back and forth. Naruto sat with his legs crossed and his eyes on the stars. They shone bright without the usual light pollution that dulled them in Konoha. The welcome scent of pine wafted into his nose, momentarily distracting him. Jiraiya sat not ten feet away, back against the wood of a shorter tree.

In the eight months they'd been on their journey it was a common occurrence for both males. Their nights would be spent either sleeping or thinking to themselves. Occasionally, the Toad sannin would purchase a treat in the previous village and they'd share it. It wasn't a grand gesture, but Naruto was grateful for it all the same. Though he'd likely vehemently deny it if anyone suggested the idea, Naruto looked up to the Toad sannin. He provided the blond with a figure in his life that could be likened more to a father than a teacher.

"I'm curious..."

Naruto moved his gaze to the older male. "About what?"

Jiraiya hadn't taken his eyes off the stars. "Exactly how did your relationship happen? You haven't told me in all the time we've been traveling together."

"You never asked." He remained silent. The blond stared at the starry sky. "The day after we failed the mission to bring back Sasuke-teme, Sakura-chan came to see me. I thought she was going to hurt me; instead she cried on me. We talked about him and ended up sleeping in the same bed that night."

The Toad sannin chuckled lightly. "How bold of her."

Naruto let his smile show. "I don't even remember how it happened, but it was nice. The next day I went looking for clues in the forest; that's when I found Tayuya-chan." He laughed quietly. "She was really annoying when we first met. She even punched me. I had to force her to come back to Konoha."

Jiraiya let out a low whistle. He pulled a pen and notepad from his nearby bag and motioned for his student to continue.

The blonde threw a warning glance his sensei's way. "We all had a few awkward situations. Tsunade-baa-chan and Sakura-chan caught me and Tayuya-chan in the same bed. Thinking about it, I think Sakura-chan might have been jealous. She wanted to go out on a date the next day."

The older male scribbled something. "You dated Tayuya and the Hyuuga girl too?"

Naruto shook his head. "We became closer after my date with Sakura-chan. Tayuya-chan was jealous too. Hinata kissed me...I think the morning after my date with Sakura-chan, but we never dated. I spent that day with Tayuya-chan. She was still being distant, and I knew I cared for her, so I bought her the diamond flute."

Jiraiya's eyebrows rose. "Quite a gift."

Naruto chuckled. "I got Sakura-chan locket too. That's why I needed money that day I took them shopping." He paused. "I knew they wouldn't get along. Tayuya-chan's really stubborn and Sakura-chan's kinda protective. They both have a temper too. But...I love both of them. I knew I did. They didn't want to at first, but after I told them I loved them, they understood I guess. It surprised me too."

The white haired male stopped writing. "That's it?"

He nodded. "I was just honest."

Silence again enveloped the area. The Toad sannin started putting away his writing implements.

"What about Baa-chan?"

Jiraiya stopped. He turned to his disciple.

"Tsunade?"

Naruto released an exasperated sigh. He grabbed the pen and notepad from his sensei and seated himself. "Who else? I'm curious."

He chuckled. "There's not much to say gaki. In all the decades we've know each other, we've never had a relationship."

The blond sat up. "Weren't you two close? Even after Orochimaru defected?"

The Toad sannin's lips pressed into a thin line. "There was a time when she wanted to go after him too. That eventually faded. She didn't have any feelings toward him the way Sakura had for Sasuke."

"But you love her, right?" The blonde pressed.

Jiraiya grinned. "Like no other woman. It's a strange feeling."

Naruto scribbled something. The white haired male raised a brow. "Have you tried telling her?

The Toad sannin's grin widened. "A few times. Tsunade's someone who's had too much strife and tragedy in her life. There's few people she'd let get close to her. I'm privileged to be one of them, though it'll never go beyond what it is now."

The blonde continued writing. "Why can't it?"

Jiraiya shrugged. "It's not only my decision gaki. I've asked her a few times, but she's hesitant. I suppose I can understand it. She's lost enough already."

"Maybe she doesn't think you love her?"

The Toad sannin sighed. "I'm sure she does. I've been telling her for years."

Naruto's hand continued making patterns on the pad. "I'm not sure Ero-sennin. She thinks you're a pervert. Women think perverts can't fall in love."

Jiraiya scowled. He turned to his charge. "What kind of weird statement is that? Anyone can fall in love gaki. If anything I'd stop peeping if we were to ever have something."

The blonde poked his sensei with the pen. "I think you'd have a chance if you just told her that. Tell her you love her."

"And you think this will work?" Naruto nodded. Jiraiya took his writing implements back. "Proof that you're still a gaki. You know nothing of a woman's heart."

"Says the person without a girlfriend," Naruto replied haughtily. He rolled away from his sensei.

Jiraiya settled for staring at the fire. He glanced down at the pad to see Naruto had scratched out everything he wrote about the boy's relationship and left 'Tell Her' in large, capital letters on the only remaining page. The Toad sannin frowned again. A white wisp of smoke rising from his student's position caught his attention. He could see the blond unseal his scrolls, probably intending to read them by campfire light again. Naruto's body tightened noticeably. Jiraiya continued to stare, but it was obvious he'd receive no answer from his position. He walked the short distance between them, stopping to look over his student's shoulder.

Naruto's hands were clutching several glossed pieces of paper. It took the Toad sannin a moment to realize that they were the photos that they had taken that morning. Unfortunately, since Jiraiya knew he was highly photogenic, they'd taken much more than the one photo he'd promised. The black blanket served as a dark background so that, if anyone were to get a hold of the images, it'd be impossible to tell where they'd been. About five pictures in, the women inside the bar had ventured outside to join in. In return for allowing the two shinobi to use their darkroom in the basement of the establishment, they'd been promised several photos with the two. Those photos, however, weren't the ones that Naruto currently held in his hand.

The blond turned around slowly. "Ero-sennin...which stack of photos did you send?"

Jiraiya gulped audibly. "T-The bigger one. You told me to send the bigger one gaki!" He yelled.

"I told you to send the smaller one!" Naruto shouted back. He nearly broke down in tears. "Gamapuchi has to have reached the village by now. Tayuya-chan and Sakura-chan..." The blonde shuddered. A cold chill swept through him.

Jiraiya felt the same chill. "I told Tsunade I've been training you." He palmed his face. "She's going to get the wrong idea."

Naruto pressed his palms against his eyes. "They're going to kill us."

"We're not guilty of anything," Jiraiya informed him, a bit of hope in his voice. "Maybe they won't assume the worst."

Naruto glared at his sensei. "You know they will."

"This is all your fault," The Toad sannin replied unhelpfully.

"You sent them!"

Jiraiya didn't have a chance to reply. Naruto had already begun flying through the signs to summon the toad and, if by some miracle it hadn't reached the village, they could escape the beating that surely awaited both of them. Gamapuchi sat in the middle of the campsite when the smoke cleared, glancing around the area confusedly. Both males assessed the toad with a critical eye, only to hang their heads in defeat soon afterward. The white toad released a questioning croak that fell on deaf ears. Jiraiya and Naruto had both already scampered around the small site to gather the necessary materials to begin their apology letters.

---

Kakashi stood in front of the giant stone where the deceased people of Konoha's names were written upon. It'd been quite some time since he'd spent a good duration standing in front of it like he previously had. A bit of tediousness crept up on him. He'd only been here twenty minutes and was already growing a bit eager to leave. That'd been something Anko had purposely instilled in him.

Only days after they became Tayuya's sensei, she'd stalked him until he reached the Memorial Stone. He knew of course, but didn't choose to call it to attention. They'd reached the large rock together and silently prayed alongside each other. Ten minutes in, the copy nin had been surprised by a blow to his gut. While he'd laid, doubled over from the force of the punch, Anko had taken advantage of his prone form. She'd wrapped him tightly with a few snakes, thrown him over her shoulder, and had started walking to the training ground.

'I'm sure they get tired of seeing you all the time Kakashi. Give them a break.'

The second day of training happened in much of the same way. Since the Copy nin had been ready for her attack this time, they'd wound up fighting in front of the stone. Though he certainly had his qualms about it, Anko seemed to have no problem battling in the vicinity of such a sacred place. He'd had no choice but to flee, and in no other direction than the forty-fourth training ground.

In retrospect, he did owe the woman. Since he no longer spent hours in front of the Memorial Stone, he'd become a better sensei. He'd redeemed himself, in a sense. Had she not intervened, he'd likely be doing something similar to what he'd done with the original Team 7. She did allow him time to pray (a generous ten minutes, as she had put it) before resorting to physical force. Fending off her attacks was no easy task either. She'd left him with enough cuts and bruises. Eventually, she'd conditioned him to arrive on time.

Kakashi released a deep sigh. The time in front of the stone didn't hold as much significance as it had many months ago. He rarely came now-every other day at most. Even then a short time span of ten minutes, at which point his senses would bristle, was all that he could spend before the boredom started to set in. He glanced down at the basket in his hand. Silently apologizing to both of his deceased teammates, he turned and started toward his first destination.

The buzz around the streets of Konoha had slowly begun to die down as the day whittled away to its end. The sky hadn't darkened yet, but the closed signs on shops were still prominently displayed around the area. The Copy nin picked up his pace a bit. The stairs of the apartment complex came sooner than he expected. He walked up unhesitatingly, keeping his face in the neutral expression he'd mastered since his father's death. He double checked the number on the door before knocking. Seconds later, purple hair peeked out through the crack in the door. A caramel eye widened behind the chain lock before the door shut again. Kakashi waited patiently while the lock clicked out of place. Her gray sweats and white tank top signified that she'd already been ready for bed.

She smirked. "This is quite a surprising visit. You know where I live?"

He shifted the item in his hand. "Of course. I know where everyone I've worked with lives."

"And you don't find that the least bit strange?"

Kakashi shook his head. He held up the basket. "I'm in a bit of a hurry. I just wanted to bring this by."

Anko analyzed the carrier. She chuckled and leaned against the door frame, arms crossed. "I've heard about this from the girls. I can understand bringing it to them; they're still growing. I'm not too fond of fruit though Hatake, so I'm gonna pass."

Kakashi visible eye blinked in false confusion.

Perfect false confusion.

"Fruit?"

Anko frowned. She glanced at the contents of the basket. Four paper plates were visible, though each was covered by a napkin. She watched the Copy nin's gloved hand pull one of the napkins back to reveal six sticks of dango covered in sweet read bean paste. He proceeded to uncover the next plate where six of the same sticks came into view, this time coated with soy sauce. He brought the basket back to his side.

Kakashi scratched the back of his head apologetically. "I was sure these were the ones you liked."

The tokubetsu-jounin's hand grasped the handle of the basket before he knew what happened. "Wait. You brought me dango?"

"Don't you like them?" He asked in the way that made it seem like she asked the weird question.

Anko took the basket from him. The Copy nin observed her door crack a bit in a decidedly guarded gesture. "Thanks."

He waved his hand. "It's nothing. We'll be busy with missions from now on, so you'll need the extra energy boost." He turned to head down the stairs. "See you tomorrow."

Anko watched him walk down the steps until he'd vanished from sight. She walked inside and set the basket on the small wooden dining table. The purple haired woman cautiously removed the plates from the basket, all the while telling herself that Kakashi wasn't the type to play pranks. She knew the Uzumaki kid loved them, but highly doubted that the Copy nin of all people would be influenced by the gaki. When she'd certified that the carrier held nothing but the delicious sweets she was so fond of, she dove in.

Nearly a half a mile away, Kakashi allowed a small grin to show behind his mask and started the walk to his last destination. The symbol of fire displayed itself proudly on the Hokage tower. He strolled up the white stairs into the lobby. Unsurprisingly, Kurenai and Asuma were conversing along with Shikaku and Chouza. Gai stood closest to the door. The Copy nin almost hadn't seen him when he'd entered. He approached the younger Sarutobi.

"Tsunade-sama's informed you then?" The Copy nin asked.

Asuma and Kurenai nodded. The other jounin made their way over to the three. "The number of missions have been increasing," Asuma replied. "We'll all be spending less time at home."

Kakashi sighed. "I'd had a feeling."

"Seems that people think we've recovered from the Suna-Oto attack." Chouza stated.

Shikaku sighed heavily. "Konoha has always been reliable. Rumors are circulating outside of our walls; ridiculous notions about us being an unstoppable village. It's troublesome."

"And because of this, the influx of mission is becoming too much. Even ANBU are taking lower ranked missions," Kurenai continued. "We can't refuse them either since it would show the we've been affected by the previous attack."

"Do not worry!" Gai clapped Kakashi loudly on the back. The others winced. "This is only an opportunity to increase my successful mission total more than my eternal rival! Kakashi! What do you say to that!"

The Copy nin ignored the stinging pain. "Gomen. I've lost count again."

While Gai was busy weeping, he addressed Asuma. "The meeting's over already then?"

Asuma nodded. "She wanted to tell those of us in teams. It'd likely have gone on longer, but your students interrupted us. Tsunade-sama booted us out of the office after she noticed the toad in their hands."

Kakashi glanced at the Hokage door. The other entrance to the lobby opening caught everyone's attention. Shizune awkwardly moved forward toward the others. All of the men felt the temperature drop drastically. Gai, Chouza, Shikaku, and Kakashi shared a joint shiver. Shizune spared them all a quick greeting before shuffling embarrassingly to the Godaime's office. The Copy nin watched them all chance a look at Kurenai. He followed their example, surprised at the barely contained hostility on the normally kind woman's face. They all watched as the young Sarutobi was dragged away by the perfectly manicured hand of the genjutsu mistress. Kakashi turned to the other men.

Shikaku shook his head. "Gomen. Vow of silence."

Chouza imitated his old friend. Gai's ashamed face deterred the Copy nin from questioning the men any further. They exited rather quickly, leaving him standing in the lobby. The Sharingan user leisurely strolled over to the Hokage door. His hand halted on the handle.

Kakashi had received more than his fair share of glares and mild spikes of killing intent in the many years he'd been seen reading Icha Icha in public. Most women, civilian and kunoichi alike, knew of the Copy nin's infamous record for viewing his porn regardless of whose company he was sharing. As a result, he'd built up something of an immunity to it. This wasn't the intent that would usually be directed at the copy nin however; it was something different altogether. This concentrated ire was something he'd had yet to feel. Instead of the intent to harm, this murderous feeling promised pain and suffering to such an extent that, if he hadn't been a better ninja, he'd have soiled himself five seconds ago. The Copy nin cautiously pulled his hand back.

'Maybe I'll come back tomorrow.'

---

Tayuya, Sakura, and Tsunade all sat around the Hokage desk. Shizune had left abruptly after dropping off a few documents with the excuse that she needed to get home. The two younger kunoichi were sitting beside each other while the Godaime occupied the other side. An unfurled scroll sat upon the top of the wood. Four seals were spaced out an even distance on the paper. This scroll remained unattended to. What had captured the attention of all three women upon opening the parchment was the sixth seal that had been marked 'Photos'. Said photos were spread out evenly on the right side of the desk.

There were fourteen in all. Most of them featured the Toad sannin, though Naruto had his share of pictures. The initial mystery that eluded the three kunoichi was that in every single one of these pictures, the two shinobi were with women none of them had yet to recognize. Naruto had five pictures in all. In four of them, a different woman stood beside him. Both wore matching smiles while the blond held up a victory sign. The fifth was a group photo. The women in the previous four pictures flanked the blonde in two's on either side, all doing the same sign.

In many of Jiraiya's pictures he could be seen carrying a red saucer. In the first, he carried two individual sake bottles in each hand. In every picture thereafter, he shared a drink with a variety of different women, most having not been pictured with Naruto previously. In the last picture the Toad sannin's rosy flush could clearly be seen. He had a woman on each arm, along with six behind him, and his face was winking at the camera. Next to where the seal for the photographs had been before they'd unsealed them, a comical illustration of his and the Toad sannin's faces lay, obviously drawn by Naruto. 'Enjoy the Photos' was written in sloppy kanji underneath it.

She'd grown used to Jiraiya's perversion decades ago. It'd become a part of who she knew him as. However, the boy she'd proudly accept as a son imitating the Toad sannin's less than valuable traits was simply unacceptable. Tsunade chanced a look at the other two kunoichi. Like she had minutes ago, they both seemed too preoccupied with their anger to notice the white puff of smoke that signified Gamapuchi leaving. She gathered the photographs in one stack, snapping the girls from their reverie.

"Gamapuchi's disappeared." Tayuya's and Sakura's gazes snapped to where the toad used to be. "I'm sure they've noticed their mistake by now. If this has any semblance to all of the other times Jiraiya's made a fool of himself, a letter or toad bearing excuses should be coming soon."

Sakura's hands fiddled in her lap. Tayuya's eyes focused on the floor. Tsunade could sense the melancholy coming.

"Look," Tsunade separated two pictures, one of each shinobi. "In Naruto's pictures, no women are touching him. Don't you think he had a reason for this? Even months later, I'm sure all he can think of are you two. Though that doesn't necessarily make up for this."

Sakura bit her lip. "I'm still angry Tsunade-sensei."

"We can amend that during training," The Godaime answered. Sakura grimaced. "You two are Naruto's only partners. This is all that old fool's fault anyway." Tsunade turned to the redhead. "Tayuya, lift your head."

The redhead did so. Tsunade smirked at the fury across her face. She took the scroll which contained the letters they had yet to read. The Godaime walked around the desk and placed one hand on both kunoichi. She led them outside and continued to push the girls up the Hokage mountain. She stopped at a road Tayuya hadn't taken notice of, likely because the redhead chose to jump up the mountain instead most times. Moments later, they were all standing in the middle of a training ground. Numerous craters littered the area along with several fallen trees, boulders with glass-like spider cracks, and debris. Tsunade frowned, hands on her hips.

"They were supposed fix this earlier. Well, it'll still serve the purpose we need it for." Tsunade looked over her shoulder. "Welcome to our training ground, Tayuya."

The redhead nodded. The destruction around the area made sense, as well as the fact Sakura's form seemed a bit apprehensive. Tsunade handed them the pictures, taking one for herself, and walked over to a rather large boulder. Even by the training ground's standards, the thing was huge. The girls watched her stick the glossed piece of paper against the giant rock with chakra. It was the last one of Jiraiya in which he was surrounded by at least eight other women.

Tayuya waited in suspense. She'd first expected the woman to burn the thing with a katon jutsu, but then decided that didn't support the stories of her power. The redhead had never seen the Godaime use her immense strength. Tsunade waited a full minute to pull her fist back. Tayuya found a part of herself doubting that the woman could do extensive damage to the solid structure even after seeing Sakura's small feats of strength during their training sessions. The doubt no longer held a place in her mind, however, the moment the Godaime's hand made contact with paper. The boulder didn't just break.

It shattered.

The redhead's gape was ignored by her training partner. Sakura pressed one of Naruto's pictures against a much smaller boulder and followed suit. This rock met a similar end to the one Tsunade had decimated. Both kunoichi gestured to the redhead to take her turn. Tayuya hesitantly obliged, choosing a rock that at least had the same amount of mass as Sakura's. Her competitive nature wouldn't allow her to do otherwise. Her anger returned when she saw the woman standing beside the blond in the picture. Tayuya's hands almost started signing on their own.

"Gokakyu no jutsu!"

Tsunade's eyebrows rose. A fireball that easily eclipsed the size the boulder issued forth from the redhead's hand. It melted the stone easily, triggering an explosion that whipped all three kunoichi's hair about them. Tsunade grinned at the redhead, silently giving her approval. Over the next hour the three kunoichi destroyed what remained of the photographs they'd received. The last one with Naruto and the four other women was promptly placed on a boulder about half the size of the first one Tsunade'd decimated by the ex-oto kunoichi. The two medic nin quirked an eyebrow when the redhead directed a punch of her own at on the rock. The satisfying crack was a combination of the bones in Tayuya's hand and a small fissure appearing in the boulder; Sakura walked over and finished the job, fighting giggles.

Tsunade sat down. "Feel better?"

The other two joined her. Sakura began healing the older girl's hand. "Better than earlier sensei."

The Godaime watched the healing process. "Went a bit overboard?"

Tayuya winced. "No, I just forgot I couldn't blow up massive rocks with my bare hands. Fuck that hurts."

"Stop moving," Sakura ordered. She and Tsunade soon burst into giggles. "You did crack it," the younger girl offered.

The redhead rolled her eyes. "That makes me feel so much better Whore. Thanks."

An exhausted croak captured their attention. Gamapuchi fell on his stomach not far from all three women. The weight from the new scroll on his back lightly pressed him into the ground. The kunoichi threw the toad a sympathetic look. Predicatively, Tayuya was the first to reach for the white amphibian. She passed the scroll to a surprised Sakura, allowing Gamapuchi to nestle himself in the topmost part of her hair after giving him a quick pat on the head. The redhead ignored her roommate's inquiring stare. Tsunade's bit her finger and allowed the blood to open the scroll. Two seals were placed lopsidedly. The scrawl of Tsunade's name rested under one, while Tayuya and Sakura had a joint one. Another seal indicated that the right photographs were under it. The pink haired kunoichi scooted closer to her roommate so that they could read together.

Tayuya-chan and Sakura-chan

The pictures were my idea. Well, I only wanted to take a few photos but then the women in the bar offered to develop them for us if they could take pictures with us. We normally would have had to wait forever to send them if we didn't! I didn't touch any of them! I swear! You know I only love you two. They were just nice and friendly people.

I'm sorry. I know you're both probably mad and I didn't mean to hurt you if I did. It's kinda Ero-sennin's fault since he sent the wrong photos. Sometimes I wonder if he's as smart as he says he is. Read the letters and send me a return message! This will be the last time for a while. Let Gamapuchi rest for a day or so too. He'll be really tired when he gets there. We'll summon him tomorrow night.

Love you both,

Naruto

Sakura rolled up the scroll. She and Tayuya shared a joint sigh that failed to gain the attention of the woman sitting across from them. The Godaime sat in an utterly confused state. Jiraiya's apologies, while rare, usually spanned the length of at least half a page, using foolish excuses for his unending childish antics. Tsunade's eyes searched every inch of the scroll in front of her but the only words she was able to identify were the ones sitting proudly in the middle of the page, written hurriedly in Jiraiya's handwriting.

Tsunade

I'm sorry. I love you.

Jiraiya

Sakura pulled down the top of the scroll. "Tsunade-sensei?"

Tayuya snapped her fingers. She turned to her fellow genin. "The fucks wrong with her face?"

A scowl marred the Godaime's features. The pinkette spoke before she could.

"Your face is red sensei."

Tsunade cleared her throat and stood. "Nothing you need to worry about. Why don't we all take our letters and go home? It's getting late."

The girls remained seated. Sakura shook her head. "We're reading them together sensei."

The two genin's expressions indicated that they were steeled in this matter. The Godaime released a sigh that soon turned into a laugh and seated herself. She allowed the girls to unseal their scrolls first; the red/white and pink/green paint indicated which belonged to whom. Jiraiya's would likely hold no color. His apology had startled her. The fact that her teammate's letter bore none of the usual excuses was an odd thing indeed. Sighing, she released her own parchment from it's entrapment.

The girl's actions brought a small smile to the Godaime's face. "Let's hurry then. We're running out of daylight."

Tsunade

It seems you haven't killed your newest apprentice yet. After I heard the stories from Shizune-chan, I didn't think the Haruno girl would make it through. It's good to know she's still alive. If I'm correct, you're going to put her, the girl from Oto, and Naruto in a three man cell when he returns. I'd like to ask you for something in that case. I want you to update me on Tayuya's and Sakura's skills in all areas. We'll need to balance them out even if they'll all likely be strong enough to fight independently. Better to be cautious against the Akatsuki.

Naruto's progress is astounding, as expected. We haven't been focusing on ninjutsu these past few months as much as taijutsu. He still has no talent for releasing genjutsu. I have a feeling it'll be difficult to beat it into that thick skull of his. Still, I haven't decided what jutsu to teach the gaki. I have no doubt he can learn anything. Although, in our limited amount time, I won't be able to teach him everything I know. I'll decide based on what you send me.

Since Naruto's with me I haven't done much investigating. Still, I have a feeling we're being watched. It'll be a while until Gamapuchi makes another visit. There's been no conflict so far and hopefully it'll stay that way until we return. I have no plans to die until I can see you again. Just once more would be enough to allow me to pass away a happy man. We really should have that date when I return. I know this quaint little place just east of the Hokage tower.

Take care,

Jiraiya

Tsunade re-rolled the scroll. In the their last letters Jiraiya's second scroll, which resided under the second blood seal, included information the few Akatsuki members he'd managed to gain information on. As of last letter, only Kisame and Itachi were included, along with a few references to Orochimaru's movements. There wasn't a second blood seal this time around, but then the Toad sannin had said his investigation had been halted. She waited calmly for the girls to finish reading. The redhead was smirking.

Tayuya-chan

Ero-sennin hangs around the camp sites a lot more than he used to. Since he does I'm learning more jutsu, but we're mostly focusing on taijutsu. I guess it's okay since my taijutsu could use a little bit of work, but I hope we do more ninjutsu before the first year's up. Fall is ending soon and it'll be a pain to do jutsu in the winter. It's already getting colder.

It's boring here too. I mean, we never stay in one place for too long but without you and Sakura-chan, life just kinda drags by. I miss the mountain, the bedroom, you, Sakura-chan, Ichiraku, and a lot of other things. Training with Ero-sennin is makes it a little more fun. I hope you're not scaring Moegi-chan too much. Actually, if she ends up like you I'm more worried about Konohamaru and Udon.

Um...I meant it when I said I would take on the world to be back with you two. I'm not really going to go after them unless I have to Tayuya-chan or they come to me. Even then, Ero-sennin's with me and if it's the two of us, we can take on anything. You don't have to break my legs. If you do, I wouldn't mind be carried around by you for a while like I had to do when we first met.

How's your training going? Please tell me Kakashi-sensei hasn't been slacking off. He made me a promise, and I want to believe him, but it's kinda hard since he was late every day and for almost every mission we had. If he's been good I really can't wait to spar when we get back. Kakashi-sensei knows a bunch of awesome jutsu so we'll see if his or Ero-sennin's are better. I'll be strong, and it won't be easy to kick my ass either Tayuya-chan. You won't be able to take me that easily. Future Hokages can't be easy to take down.

Okay, it's driving me crazy. I didn't start thinking about it until I read your letter again today. Who's your other sensei? It's Anko isn't it? I know it is. She's the only one that really gets under your skin and Sakura-chan didn't mention it either.

Please tell me it's not Anko.

Love,

Naruto

The redhead laughed silently. She mentally did the pros and cons of telling her boyfriend that the snake using jounin was her sensei. The humor factor definitely weighed heavily on her decision to inform him. Chuckling to herself, she turned to Sakura. The pinkette's worried face confused her. She and Tsunade moved beside the bubblegum haired kunoichi, who was too immersed in her letter to notice their movement.

Sakura-chan

So you're training with Kakashi-sensei now too? That's great, but don't overdo it. I've mastered the jutsu he gave me. I'm happy you're thinking about other things beside your strength. Baa-chan's really strong, even though she's old, but I'll still have to go for Ero-sennin if they ever had a spar. Still, it's kinda hard to say since she can beat summons only using her hands. The thought you'll be able to do that when I get back is kind of scary.

I think I'm taller. Ero-sennin doesn't stand as high over me as he used to, but he's still taller. I've always been shorter than you as far as I can remember, so it would be nice to be taller than you for once. Then I can pick you up when we kiss. That would be nice.

I wish I could have found something to give you and Tayuya-chan. The last time the earrings just jumped out at me and I knew you'd both look pretty wearing them, but I haven't seen anything like that since then. Baa-chan's probably still sore about now getting her own gift , so please tell her I'm sorry too.

Sakura-chan, I've already told Tayuya-chan and I'm not going to fight them unless I have don't have a choice. It's a pain to admit it, but the time I met Sasuke's brother and the shark guy made me see that I probably couldn't take them both on. They captured me really easy. I'm not letting that happen again.

Ero-sennin's been teaching me a lot about taijutsu and I've had to read a lot too. We had to start from the beginning since he said my fighting style was terrible, but I'm still sticking with it anyway. I like the way I fight, but some of the stuff he's taught me is useful too. It's a headache learning it all. I'm hoping we'll move on to jutsu soon, but I'm not too excited to practice them in the cold. I've got my pajama hat to keep me warm just in case.

Love you,

Naruto

Sakura turned to the redhead. "You don't think he'll be too cold do you?"

Tayuya gave her a blank stare. "He'll be fine. A little snow won't kill Shithead."

Tsunade moved back to her position in front of the two kunoichi. "There's something I need to talk with you two about." The genin gave their attention to the Slug sannin. "The village has been receiving a large amount of missions lately and I can't spare you two anymore. Kakashi and Anko will also be busy so your training time will be a bit limited from now on."

The redhead shrugged. "We can handle it. I've had hell for missions before."

The Godaime knit her brows. "That wasn't what I was worried about. I didn't want to send you outside the village walls Tayuya. We're still unsure of Orochimaru's plans. His main focus should be Sasuke, but he's always been unpredictable. You're missions will be those closest to Konoha and farthest from the sound bases you've given us the locations of."

Sakura tilted her head. "So we're not going to be with Anko-sensei and Kakashi-sensei?"

Tsunade made a motion in the negative. "Kakashi is one of our most famous nin and it's not unusual for us to receive specialized mission requests for him. Anko, though not famous, excels in assassinations and interrogation. They'll both be doing higher level missions. I'll try to keep both of you below A-rank if I can. You'll be put on various teams so ready yourselves."

Both kunoichi nodded. The blonde Hokage stood. "I'll inform Kakashi and Anko that there won't be any training tomorrow."

Sakura and Tayuya glanced at each other for answers. They looked up at the Godaime.

"Why?"

Tsunade grinned. "We have to teach those knuckleheads a lesson, so we're spending the day together."

---

Naruto and Jiraiya paced circles around their newest campsite. Since the night before, both shinobi were hoping that they wouldn't receive anything more than a verbal maiming at the hands of the women they loved. As the day had worn on, they couldn't help but look at the sun and wish for the giant ball of fire to halt its movement in the sky. Just as the bright ball set behind the horizon, they halted their movement. The two shared a joint gulp before Jiraiya nodded to his charge.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!"

Gamapuchi's feet crunched across the grass quickly. Naruto was able to catch a glimpse of the white toad before it ran behind a tree. He hopped back out and jumped atop Naruto's shoulder. The blond gave the toad a strange look but took the scroll nonetheless. Gamapuchi disappeared afterward. He handed it to Jiraiya, who applied a bit of blood Tsunade'd given him in a small glass container. Jiraiya's eyes widened at the exact same time as Naruto's. Beside the blond's three seals, four down from the Toad sannin's, lay two seals marked 'Photos'.

Naruto quickly unsealed the first which, fortunately, turned out to be his set. A picture of Tsunade leaning on both his girlfriend's shoulders sat at the top. Tayuya was smirking, her right fist pointed at the camera. Sakura directed a her own challenging look the same way while gloving one hand. Tsunade grinned behind them, her prideful face surprising the blond. Jiraiya had the same picture at the top. Both shinobi stared at each other, shared a stiff nod, and went to opposite ends of the campsite.

Jiraiya hesitantly removed the top photo. He'd counted five in all from the side and idly wondered why Tsunade would send them pictures after the stunt they'd pulled the day before. That thought was immediately cast away into the deep recesses of his mind when he took a look at the second photo.

Tsunade.

In a bathing suit.

The Toad sannin's hand came up, almost in reflex, to stop the blood from dirtying the perfect image sitting in his hand. Once he'd gained control of the flow, he checked the image again to make sure he wasn't hallucinating. Tsunade was winking at the camera. It was a full shot; head to toe. The two piece white bikini top somehow managed to support and fully cover her large bust. The following three photos, during which Jiraiya had to do his best to remain conscious, featured Tsunade in the same suit but facing three different directions. He found that his favorite was, strangely, the one with her back to him while she looked over her shoulder, sitting down.

Naruto held similar photos in his hands. The blonde counted eight in all, from the side of course. He'd choked on his own saliva after noticing the swimsuit shot where Sakura and Tayuya were standing beside each other. Tayuya's black string bathing suit caught his left eye. Sakura's green and white striped attire effectively captured his other. They were both wearing the earrings he'd bought them. Naruto gave his head a quick shake. Tayuya's arms were folded inward and she was smirking. Sakura's arms were also crossed, but her elbows rested in her palms while she leaned forward, smiling. The blonde noticed that they'd both become a little rounder in the top region. He swallowed hard.

The remaining photographs were much like first one. Sakura and Tayuya, most times featured together, showing off in the bathing suits he wished he'd seen them in before they left. Sakura was certainly a bit taller and the redhead's suit strained against her still growing bust. One such photo, in which Tayuya's surprised face indicated she hadn't been ready for her picture, nearly made him fall over. He'd seldom seen the redhead shy or surprised, and a combination of the two with the addition of the bathing suit almost proved too much.

Gathering himself, he slid the last two photos forward. Tayuya lay flat on her stomach, one arm resting sideways in front of her while the other held up a victory sign. Her eyes were closed and she was grinning. Sakura lay on the same surface but on her back. She also was grinning, eyes closed. Her left arm lay by her side and her hand held up the same sign as in Tayuya's picture. The bubblegum haired kunoichi's longer tresses fell behind her shoulders. Naruto scrutinized the pictures. Something seemed familiar about where they were. They were lying on something that failed to click in his head. It eventually did.

The Hokage desk.

'MY desk,' His mind repeated.

Jiraiya and his charge met again where they left the original scroll. The Toad sannin pointed to the area beneath his nose. "You've got a little of something right here gaki."

Naruto pointed to the same area. "You too Ero-sennin."

Both shinobi laughed and wiped the bit of blood from beneath their nostrils. Jiraiya grinned. "I knew we weren't in trouble."

Naruto put a hand to his chin. "It doesn't make sense though. Baa-chan and Tayuya-chan usually hold grudges."

The Toad sannin unsealed his scroll. "Let's read our letters." He offered. "I'm sure they'll explain this."

The blonde nodded. He opened Tayuya's first.

Shithead

Looks like you're having fun, but you know you fucked up right? Good. I'm not too hurt and not so pissed off anymore. Bimbo took me and Whore to their training ground so we wouldn't end up killing you. You should thank her.

The first set of photos you sent are shit now. I see anything else like that and it'll happen to you next time Shithead. I wanted to send you pictures of what happened to them but then I thought, fuck it, you'll be crying too much to think about it.

I've got to keep this short since we've got more important shit to do. We're going on missions soon and since Whore and I are only two people, we're going to be paired with most of the other fucking idiots in this village. I'm not looking forward to it, but Bimbo said she's not helping out with our rent any more, so we've got no fucking choice. Enjoy your photo.

Oh, and Naruto.

It's Anko.

Tayuya

Jiraiya turned when audible sound of flesh meeting flesh echoed around the campsite. Naruto's palm left an angry red imprint on his forehead. He sighed deeply and put the letter to the side, then reached for Sakura's. Jiraiya shook his head.

Naruto-kun

I'm a little disappointed in you. I know they might have just been your friends, but it still hurts to see you surrounded by all of those women. Not girls, but full women Naruto. I feel worse for Tayuya than I do for myself, but she's seemed to direct her anger toward training. I don't need to tell you that you're lucky.

You said this is the last one for a while. Sensei says we have to keep it short and I sort of understand her. Starting tomorrow we'll be doing more missions than before and we need to focus more on that instead. Anko-sensei (Tayuya tells me she told you) and Kakashi-sensei are going to be busy too, so we'll have less time to train with them. Still, we're going to do our best.

She took us shopping today. It was a lot of fun and Tayuya looked like she was having a good time too. I think it's only her second time buying things to wear and shishou made her try on a lot of different bathing suits. She grumbled about it, but I think she enjoyed herself.

That's all I'll write until next time. Please don't be too mad, but you had it coming Naruto. You're lucky we let you keep what we did.

Love you,

Sakura

Naruto stared at the paper in confusion. Tayuya had said he'd be crying and the bubblegum haired kunoichi told him he had something coming that he didn't know had even come yet. Across from him, Jiraiya read over his scroll for the third time. His raised eyebrow was a clear indicator that he was as baffled as his student.

Jiraiya

You're a fool. You know this. Tayuya and Sakura have told me that you're the one who made the mistake of sending the wrong photos and if this is true, you're even more of a baka than I thought. The girl (Tayuya) is already as fragile as it is concerning her relationship with Naruto and you've done nothing to help. Be more thoughtful in the future.

Sakura is learning quickly. Kakashi has been teaching her doton jutsu in order to give her some other means to defend herself in the field, but she'd likely do fine without it. She's picking up the perfectly timed release of chakra very well and it's only a matter of time before she masters it. Tayuya seems to be focusing on several jutsu types with emphasis on Raiton and, from what I've seen, Katon. The girl is very intelligent and adapts to ninjutsu almost as quickly as Naruto; she'll learn a plethora of them. She's not quite on Shikamaru's level but she's still a brilliant tactician.

You speak of love as though it's a trivial thing. What would you know about it? Who have you loved? Or loved and lost? Your constant flirting and lack of morals when it comes to women is proof enough that you'll never experience it, though I'm intrigued. I've already sealed a scroll addressed to Naruto. Once he stops crying, he'll follow obediently. Depending on how the girls feel, he might get a picture or two back. You won't, regardless.

If you manage to avoid all perversion until you return, I'll consider that date. It should be simple if you love me as you say you do.

I wonder how it feels to see and touch something that you've wanted for several years only to have it disappear before your very eyes. Tell me when you return, will you?

Don't die,

Tsunade

The Toad sannin stared at the piece of parchment from several different angles to make sure he hadn't missed anything. The words at the end certainly held true for any viewpoint. Tsunade had agreed to have an actual date with him and had given him an seemingly impossible hurdle to clear in the process. His excitement had been dulled effectively upon going back over the portion about he not being able to keep his pictures. He already owned them. Naruto's face also posed the same question. They turned back to where the photos were placed. The glossed paper was still there, though now it's composition resembled something closer to a pile of goo than the solid squares that had sat there before.

Jiraiya and Naruto scrambled to their respective sets in an effort to save them. It was all for naught. The pictures melded together in an even more gruesome mess than before. Only the first photo with all three kunoichi was what remained. Naruto's eyes caught a glimpse of white beside the melted mess. Katsuyu's small form was hardly visible in the dead of night.

The slug bowed. "Gomen Naruto-kun. Tsunade-sama ordered it to be done and it was requested of Tayuya-san and Sakura-san."

Naruto heard the same apology issued toward the Toad sannin at the opposite end of the area. Jiraiya's loud wail almost made him wince. The blond's sniffles prompted Katsuyu to offer him a semi-soothing rub that did little to ease his loss. The slug disappeared, leaving the two shinobi to stare at their only remaining photo.

---

Again, I'm not satisfied with this ending. My endings used to be my strong point, I think, but I seem to have lost my touch. Hoping to get it back soon.

Now, about Tayuya and the Chidori. It will not be her main technique. If there's one thing I don't want to do it's make Tayuya into a bad mouthed Sasuke. After I wrote it, I decided to keep it in to give an idea of how quickly she learns ninjutsu. According to what Kakashi stated, she's only seen it a few times. However, she still hasn't mastered it. Her affinity is Raiton. I'm not sure if I'll give her a second, less effective one, or what to make of the curse seal.

Hm...what else. Tayuya's and Sakura's training session is a good chunk of this chapter. I didn't think I made it that long. Is doton a good jutsu type for Sakura? I thought Suiton first, but wanted to have good reasons for her using jutsu if she learned any. Doton's defensive properties seem to be of more use to her medic qualities since healing during battle isn't easy at all. Haven't decided on her affinity yet. Could just make it doton :/

Wonder what Kakashi's planning huh? Anko written well? Bad?

Katsuyu was with Gamapuchi when he was summoned. I'm not sure of the technical details, but I'm sure anything that's with/on the summoned animal goes with it. Gamabunta certainly doesn't show up naked to battles. I think this explains it. She was riding on his back.

I'll be asking you guys a lot of questions. I'm not an expert on Naruto and I'd rather do romance since action kind of throws me for a loop sometimes. Also, I only watch the anime so please on spoilers. I'm writing this from the Anime standpoint and, in my own procrastinating way, am trying to wait until more episodes air so I can learn more about the story. I'm still not sure what to do with the Akatsuki.

Well, it's a work in progress. Feel free to give advice or criticism. I'm open to it. Hope it holds up to the previous story.

Review/Critique