An: Thank you for all the reviews as always. They are what keep writing so rewarding. Your humble author S. o. t. A.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.

Chapter 57: The Times They are A-Changin

"Mikoto Uchiha"

A nude Tsunade rose slightly leaning over Jiraiya to say, "I am not comfortable with the idea of you thinking about other women while in my bed."

Jiraiya who after having confided in Tsunade about his time with the Ame orphans had felt considerable better. Enough so that he had finally reacted to Tsunade dressing in a schoolgirl uniform. Having shunshined them to her home he had truly proved he was back to his old self.

"Sorry," he said aware of just how painful her ire could be, "I still find it difficult to believe she was the one behind Kushina's madness."

"It wasn't madness, but attempted murder except the weapon they used was the child's mother," Tsunade spat angrily.

"I know princess," Jiraiya said trying to calm her. "I guess I'm trying to understand why. They used to be as thick as thieves those two." Tsunade nodded, but Jiraiya further continued asking, "How's Kushina taking it?"

Tsunade got out of bed throwing a robe over herself saying, "How do you think she's taking it? She found out her best friend cost her sixteen years with her son. I imagine it's a good thing Mikoto is dead. Otherwise, I don't think there is anything in the world that would stop Kushina from killing her nice and slow." Despite the serious topic she smiled as Jiraiya pouted at her covering up before saying, "Pervert."

Jiraiya smiled saying, "Hey, my being a pervert had you singing my praises a little while ago."

Tsunade blushed as she recalled some of the memories but the light moment didn't last as she said, "Jiraiya…"

"Yeah"

"Do you think Danzou and the other elders were right in eliminating the Uchiha?"

Jiraiya sighed before saying, "I suppose that is the eight hundred pound gorilla in the room, now isn't it?"

Tsunade was staring at him from the mirror on her dresser so after thinking for a while asked, "What does Sarutobi-sensei think on the matter?"

Tsunade turned to look at him and crossing her arms said, "That's why I'm asking as I think he's beginning to question himself."

Jiraiya sat up resting against the headboard of her bed before saying, "I'll have a talk with him tomorrow. But no I don't think they were right."

"Why," Tsunade said wondering how Jiraiya could sound so sure, as she had been having doubts recently.

"For one, despite Danzou being right about the Uchiha, he's probably done far more horrible things while hiding under the disguise of protecting Konoha. That alone means we should never follow his example. Two, what has the Uchiha Massacre truly accomplished?"

"The village has enjoyed peace because of it. Instead of descending into civil war," Tsunade answered.

"True, but at what cost. Itachi was sacrificed, a man that I now believe Minato and even Sarutobi would have chosen to replace them as Hokage, and Kami only knows what Sasuke will become should he ever learn about it."

"I know that on a mental level. But on an emotional one, I still can't help but feel in this case that Danzou was right."

Jiraiya frowned as she turned away from him again to face the mirror with her eyes closed. Jiraiya felt it might be because she felt he may have been disgusted with her. Getting out of the bed he hugged his princess from behind and asked, "Why?"

Opening her eyes and meeting his in the reflective surface she answered, "Because that the Uchiha moved against Kushina means they were plotting something even before the Kyuubi attack not as a result of it."

"Yeah," Jiraiya breathed out pensively, "I never bought the reasoning that they felt prejudiced against. Hell, they were the ones that asked for their own district."

"I know, but that leaves us with the question of what did they hope to have achieved by having Kushina kill Naruto?"

Jiraiya rested his chin on Tsunade's shoulder before saying, "Maybe they hoped to have an ultimate weapon of their own when they moved against Konoha."

"What do you mean?"

"According to the slab in their basement the way to unlocking the Sharingan lay in killing your best friend. If Kushina killed Naruto it would have destroyed her and I don't think any of us would have looked too hard into her death if it appeared like it was a suicide."

"You think Mikoto betrayed Kushina to unlock the Mangekyou Sharingan?"

"It's as good as a theory as any. But it also begs another question though?" Jiraiya said letting Tsunade go to walk towards a window to stare at the Hokage monument.

"And that is?"

"Well if the Kyuubi wasn't the event that set the Uchiha off on their path to destroy Konoha. Then what did?"

"Kushina said that Mikoto mentioned her betrayal was to ensure the Uchiha got the respect they deserved."

Jiraiya nodded but didn't respond as he wanted to drop the subject for a little while lest he begin to believe that maybe Danzou hadn't been wrong after all.

Ibiki was shifting through more of the files that they had captured when they had driven Root out of the village. It was late at night and it had become something of a joke among his department that Ibiki no longer slept. Sadly at times it felt like it wasn't a joke. Despite a good portion of the files being junk there were a few nuggets of gold tucked away which made him worry and thus led to his sleepless nights. The unease was due to if Danzou considered some of these unimportant, then what had the important ones contained?

The file he was currently looking at contained information on Danzou's dealings with Jirocho. It made Ibiki pleased to know that Danzou had been forced to cut his hidden ties with the semi-gangster due to his investigation into Root. While on a personal level it was rather satisfying it did little to explain exactly where the fugitive elder was now. Sighing at the lack of information, he grabbed the next file in his stack and frowned. At first he thought one of his shinobi had entered his office and just threw a file from the village's archives into his stack since it was in the folder the village used and had differed from the ones found in the Root base. However, he quickly realized that didn't make sense as it wasn't on top of the stack but stuck about half way down.

Looking inside the folder he found a report about areas the nine-tail had rampaged in but had none of the beast's chakra signatures. It indicated that the chakra had been purged or gathered from the area by someone. Staring at the folder, he wondered why Danzou would even bother with it as it was more a curiosity then bothersome. He doubted that there had even been an investigation into it. Yet, if Danzou was interested in it then it was something that bore investigating. Looking at the number on the file he decided to visit the archives. Leaving his office he wandered the empty streets of Konoha heading to the archive located inside the mountain of the Hokage Monument where the village records were kept. Entering he was recognized by the chunin on guard duty and signed in. Taking a quick look at the list he saw that nobody else was there. Not surprising considering the late hour and that the building was closed to the public at night.

Finding the section the file was supposed to have come from he noticed that a duplicate was in its place. However the duplicate was about an upsurge in the vermin population. Wondering when the switch had been made, Ibiki realized the file he held was undoubtedly tied to something that could spell trouble for Konoha in the near future.

He was on his way out of the archives to return to his office when a light caught his attention. Moving stealthily to it, he peaked through a small window in the door. He saw Inoichi sitting there obviously engrossed in whatever he was reading. Ibiki was going to leave him be since the man had the clearance to be there that late at night. Yet he stopped as he realized he hadn't seen his name on the sign in sheet. As he wondered why, the sound of the chunin guarding the archives making his patrol caught his attention.

It apparently caught Inoichi's as well as he turned off the small light he had been using. Ibiki frowned as while he could pass off the Yamanaka's not signing in as either laziness or forgetfulness. His desire to hide his presence could be far more sinister, especially since Root had converted several members from the man's clan. He noticed movement in the darkened room and guessed that perhaps with the chunin making his rounds Inoichi had decided to be on his way.

Ibiki made his way to the exit quickly and signed out figuring that Inoichi would take far longer to leave the building if he wasn't going to be seen. He made his way to the roof of a nearby building to watch for Inoichi's exit. As expected it took him almost ten minutes to leave and he did so from the front door since the chunin was probably patrolling the interior. But the way he kept looking over his shoulder made it clear he was making sure no one noticed.

Ibiki considered tailing Inoichi but factoring in the man's abilities as a sensor and the lack of activity on the street figured he'd be spotted. Going with the direct approach he shunshined in front of the man.

Inoichi would have to suggest surprise security assessments be scheduled as it appeared that many of the chunin weren't taking their duties seriously. At least in the Archives as the chunin on duty would probably have missed an entire military parade of Iron Country Samurai in full armor. Not to mention all the noise the young chunin had made on his patrol telling Inoichi exactly where he was. But he supposed he would have to include himself in letting his guard down as the chunin had still almost startled him when he had begun moving about the grounds.

But he'd let the matter drop for the moment to think about what had him sneaking around at night and that was namely the Uchiha. He knew if it was learned that he was looking into the clan it would raise a few eyebrows. But he was afraid if word reached the Hokage, she'd shut down his impromptu investigation. Ever since learning of Mikoto's role in the madness that afflicted Kushina Uzumaki he had been unable to let the matter drop.

Looking into the clan he had noticed a disturbing trend which was after establishing their own district many Uchiha businesses had begun making purchases that while at first glance appeared innocent. When taken together were decidedly less so. One such example he had come across was a weapon store buying metal to forge kunai. Which wasn't exactly earth shattering, but it had bought enough to produce kunai for the entire district several times over, as had the other two stores that dealt in shinobi equipment. Also, a drug store had suddenly begun to buy up almost every available medicine on the market.

It hadn't happened over night but slowly over several years with it stopping almost completely after the Kyuubi attack. This led Inoichi to one conclusion; the Uchiha had been gearing up for a major offensive. That it had tapered off after the Kyuubi incident led Inoichi to believe the attack had forced the Uchiha to lay low. To allow the heat and the fact that some had believed them behind it to die down. That fact alone had pinpointed what the Uchiha had been planning to attack, Konoha.

Coming to that conclusion caused Inoichi to realize that the Uchiha Massacre wasn't the work of one madman but had in fact been a preemptive strike. He had a difficult time imagining Sarutobi giving the order or using Itachi. But he must have known since he obviously had been complicit in the cover up. He understood why the cover-up had been necessary as even years after the Kyuubi attack. Konoha hadn't been at top strength and if the other villages had learned a founding clan was planning to overthrow the very government they helped build. The other Shinobi villages would have begun probing Konoha for weaknesses they could exploit.

All that had turned what he thought he understood upside down but what he believed he had learned tonight left a cold lump in his stomach. He was coming to a decision on what to do with his knowledge when a body suddenly flickered in front of him. He leapt back on instinct reaching for a tool pouch that he wasn't wearing before recognizing the man that had appeared.

Blowing out a breath, he said, "Ibiki! Kami man, you damn near gave me a heart attack."

Ibiki kept his face impassive saying, "Rather jumpy tonight Inoichi. A sign of a guilty conscious, perhaps?"

Inoichi kept the frown he felt from his face and said, "Or perhaps a result of a hard edged and pushy individual appearing in front of me." He then began to move past him but Ibiki reached into his coat and the Yamanaka froze sure that unlike him Ibiki wasn't unarmed.

"You might call it being pushy, but I call it being careful. Since, one never can tell where traitors will pop up. Now perhaps you can tell me just why you were sneaking around the archives?"

Inoichi barely prevented the grimace from appearing on his face. He considered lying but rejected it saying, "I will, but since it's probably going to reach the Hokage's ears anyway. Let's wait till tomorrow."

"Better yet, let's go now," Ibiki said his voice hardening letting Inoichi know it wasn't a request.

"So let me get this straight," Tsunade said her displeasure at her time with Jiraiya being interrupted being easy to hear, "I tell you something is classified and you immediately decide to begin investigating into the matter."

"Not immediately milady," Inoichi said.

Tsunade narrowed her eyes making the man gulp heavily. Sitting back in her chair since the two men were standing at attention in her living room she calmed herself. "Fine, then let's hear what it is you learned," she said having interrupted with her outburst as soon as the man had mentioned the Uchiha.

"Well for starters, I now believe that the Uchiha Massacre was to prevent them from rebelling," Inoichi said, noting that Tsunade's eyes widened at his learning of it. However, he frowned when Ibiki remained calm. Directing his attention to the man he asked, "You already knew?"

"Of course," Ibiki said, "I was Elder Sarutobi's right hand man for most of his second term in office and subsequent Anti-Root movement."

Inoichi was forced to concede the point although a part of him still felt upset at being lied to. But before he could respond Tsunade said, "Still, I would like to know exactly why you began searching into this."

"Due to my viewing Kushina's memories, I couldn't understand why Mikoto would betray her right after her husband's death and the birth of her son. "

"We believe we have a theory as to that," Tsunade said absentmindedly.

"We…" Inoichi said with a frown before blurting, "Ah, that must be why Lord Jiraiya is in your…" He trailed off before he could say, 'bedroom' noting that his Hokage was blushing.

"Looks like we've been found out, Princess," Jiraiya said, entering the area. He was fully dressed, but it didn't take a Nara to figure out that was a recent change of events.

Ibiki as unflappable as ever simply said, "I'd like to be privy to this theory if you don't mind."

"We believe Mikoto was hoping to engineer a mental breakdown for Kushina. If Naruto had died by his mother's hand we believe that Mikoto would use their friendship to petition that Kushina be turned over to her care…"

"Where she would no doubt supposedly die by taking her own life," Ibiki finished.

Tsunade nodded but Inoichi didn't understand what the others were talking about. Saying so, he asked, "Why, and why the subterfuge though? If they wanted Kushina dead why not do it in the hospital?"

"Are you aware of Itachi's return to the village shortly after the Sound Invasion?" Tsunade asked.

"Only what was reported," Inoichi responded, "That Kakashi confronted him and his partner. During the fight Itachi activated some unheard form of the Sharingan putting him into a coma."

"That jutsu was the result of something called the Mangekyou Sharingan," Jiraiya said gravely. "As you believe the Uchiha were moving against Konoha. We believe they wanted to kill Kushina since in order to awaken this evolved Sharingan you need to kill your best friend."

"This Mangekyou Sharingan must be quite formidable. Even more so then what Kakashi has been able to awaken" Ibiki said assuming a thinking pose.

"I would imagine so," Tsunade said her voice heavy with concern since Madara Uchiha was said to possess it as well.

Inoichi though asked, "Do you think the condition to activate it would still be viable between Mikoto and Kushina?"

"What does that matter?" asked Tsunade getting a sudden feeling of dread.

"Because my research leads me to believe that Mikoto may still be alive," Inoichi said noting his words filled the room with a heavy silence.

Jiraiya sighed deeply before sitting at a couch and leaning forward asked, "What do you base that off of?"

"Most of those killed, were killed by sword strikes. I'm still not sure why Itachi took the eyes, but regardless there was one exception. His mother, she was probably poisoned."

"I read the report though," Ibiki said, "She was confirmed dead with the actual cause of death to be determined pending a full autopsy."

"True," Inoichi said, "however before giving birth to Itachi, she was a jounin who was quite proficient in poisons."

Tsunade could see that Jiraiya and Ibiki didn't quite see the correlation. She figured Inoichi did since he had a background in flowers and probably the many poisons that could be made from them. "You believe that she poisoned herself with one she may have been immune too."

"No not exactly," Inoichi said. "I believe that Itachi unaware of his mother's shinobi career since she retired after his birth gave her the option to perform Jigai. He probably supplied the poison and with little choice she drank it hoping it would be one she was immune too."

"Still we found her body among the dead," Ibiki said.

"True, but the autopsy was never performed since her body went missing. The coroner simply assumed that there had been a mistake and she had been cremated along with the rest of her clan."

Tsunade didn't want to believe it and was about to say they were jumping at ghosts but Jiraiya beat her to the punch saying, "It makes sense."

She frowned before saying, "Jiraiya get real. We can't simply jump to the conclusion she's out there somewhere. In all likelihood the coroner was right and she's a pile of dust."

"I'm afraid as much as we all might like to believe that, I don't think that's the case. Remember the person that interfered in Naruto and Sasuke's match at the Valley of the End."

"You can't mean…" Tsunade said her jaw dropping slightly.

Jiraiya nodded gravely saying, "Yeah…"

Ibiki cut in saying, "But still if that person was Mikoto why hand over her son to Orochimaru. Sasuke is with him currently."

"True, but if you are Mikoto being thought of as dead is a huge advantage which would disappear if Sasuke didn't turn up in Orochimaru's camp. As things stood, we just assumed it to be another of his lackeys had caught up and interfered. But let us consider that this person was Mikoto. Then she could give Sasuke to Orochimaru to train him up while still pursuing her own agenda."

"What about Orochimaru's ambition for Sasuke?" Tsunade asked. "Don't you think that would stop her from simply handing him over?"

"Who can say," Jiraiya replied, "but she may be willing to take the chance if it meant bringing Sasuke up to Itachi's level."

Tsunade began rubbing her eyes and looking at the clock saw that it was past midnight. Feeling tired she said, "And today was supposed to be a good day. Alright gentlemen for now consider everything we discussed tonight classified." Leveling a hard glare at Inoichi she said, "And I do mean it this time."

"Yes Milady," Inoichi said quickly.

Both men were about to leave, but Jiraiya stopped them asking, "By the way, why were you in the Archives, Ibiki?"

"I was pursuing a lead on Danzou. However, all this talk of secret weapons has given me an idea of what he may be after. Let me do a little research and I'll have a report ready for both of you in a few days."

Tsunade nodded and watched them go from her chair. Sighing after they left she said, "Jiraiya…"

"Yes Princess."

"I could really use a drink," Tsunade said wearily.

Temari extracted herself carefully from her bed in the Suna Consulate aka the Nara's guesthouse she now occupied. Pulling a robe over her nude frame she was about to head towards the kitchen when a tapping at her window caught her attention. Seeing a small messenger bird there she opened it and retrieved the scroll case tied to its leg. Sitting at the chair in front of her desk she began reading the message.

Upon learning what it contained she gasped which almost turned into a scream when the man occupying her bed asked, "Trouble at home."

Temari calmed down frowning at Shikamaru's ability to wake up without alerting her. Most people upon waking up their breathing would change usually getting deeper. Shikamaru's didn't, and she often joked that it was because he went through life asleep. In his more romantic movements he would say that it was because, "If this life's the dream, why would I want to wake up from it when I have you?" It almost made up for all the times he called her a troublesome woman instead.

Before answering she spent a moment to think about what lead them up to the point that they were sharing a bed. After accepting the ambassadorship and returning to Konoha she realized that Shikamaru had no ambition to rise up the ranks. It took months of subtle pressure, but when the next Jounin exams came up he surprised everyone by taking them. He hadn't told anyone. They had all learned later that night when Shikaku came back and mentioned he saw his name on the list of recently promoted shinobi. Shikamaru had simply shrugged saying he expected it would quiet down the two women that had been nagging him. Instead of getting upset Yoshino and her had wanted to go out and celebrate. The event had turned into an Ino-Shika-Cho event with all three families showing up to celebrate. Even Asuma had shown up. Halfway through the dinner though, Shikamaru and her had broken off from the others. They had found themselves back at the guest house where he told her that he had taken the exams for her, since she appeared to want it so bad.

Before she knew it they were falling onto her bed where she learned that apparently the reason the men of the Nara clan were so lethargic was so they could save their energy for when it really mattered. The next morning Temari had woken up first and although still pleased with events worried it would damage her relationship with his mother. That turned out to not be the case as Yoshino had been waiting for her in the kitchen of the main house, looking like she had enjoyed a night much like Temari had. The woman had simply said, "He's your responsibility now," before getting up to return to her bedroom. With the true head of the household's tacit permission Temari had followed suit and returned to her bed to snuggle with the still sleeping Nara.

Shaking off the happy memory, she said, "Pakura, one of our elite Jounin has gone M. I. A. The team she was with was found dead, but there is no sign of where she is."

Shikamaru sat up in the bed his long hair currently hanging around his shoulders. "Is it possible she defected and went rogue?"

"I don't think so," Temari replied, "She has a Kekkei Genkai that makes those she kills rather easy to identify."

"That may very well be," Shikamaru said, "but if she wanted to defect, killing her team using such an easy means of identifying her as the attacker would be rather stupid."

Temari conceded the point but said, "Still Pakura is one of the old guard. I don't think she would defect."

Shikamaru nodded saying, "In that case, I guess I should tell you the same thing happened to a shinobi with a Kekkei Genkai in Waterfall. There is also a rumor that one was abducted from Iwa as well."

Temari eyes went wide before asking, "Why am I only hearing about this now?"

"Taki wanted to keep it quiet," Shikamaru said standing as he began to pull his clothes on. "The only reason we've heard about it was because they wanted our help to search for the shinobi."

Although she had a good idea of the answer she still asked, "How did the Hokage respond?"

"Well she basically told them to get bent until they were willing to talk about their treatment of their jinchuriki," Shikamaru replied. "Although, her response wasn't nearly that polite."

"No, I imagine it wasn't," Temari said with a smile. "Is the jinchuriki still safe?"

"As far as we know," he said pulling his shirt over his head. "Naruto keeps in touch with her using his summons to write her letters. She's been responding so Akatsuki hasn't moved against her yet. I think the Hokage is getting rather anxious that Taki is still stonewalling her, even after her offering to guard the kunoichi for them."

Shikamaru slid a pair of the same trench knives Asuma used into the holsters he wore on his hip. It had been the Jounin's gift to Shikamaru upon joining him at the same rank. Walking up to the still sitting Temari, he placed a kiss on her cheek saying, "You should mention this to Lady Tsunade. Once things calm down from this Mōryō incident, I'm sure she'll spare a few shinobi to help look into Pakura's disappearance."

"I will, have fun training with Asuma," she said, already composing a reply letter to Gaara in her head as Shikamaru left the room.

Sai was working on a painting finding being on light duty to be extremely boring. After the destruction of the Root forces in Konoha, he had wondered exactly what his role would now be in the village. It had been an extremely disconcerting matter for him since the only thing he had known was now gone. However, upon their return to Konoha both Naruto and Kushina had assured him that he would always have a place to belong. Putting the finishing touches on his latest creation he indulged in the memory of Kushina's return.

The fiery redhead had barged into his hospital room sometime after meeting with the Hokage. Upon seeing him she said, "You poor thing." Her concern would have been touching if she hadn't given him a bone crushing hug. Only years of Root conditioning had prevented him from screaming in pain as the surprisingly strong woman hugged him to her. His pain was compounded by Naruto who decided to pat him on the back joining his mother in the room. With tears in his eyes, he used his free hand to trigger the pain medicine while the other patted Kushina on the back.

When she let go Sai saw that there were tears in her eyes and she said, "Sai, thank you so much for all you've done for me."

"Us," Naruto said causing his mother to smile and nod.

Finally and mercifully he was allowed to lie back in his bed as he said, "Thanks are not necessary. Naruto once told me that friends stick by each other no matter what. I have simply adopted this nindo as my own."

Mother and son looked at each other before smiling and saying, "Well we've been talking and…"

A banging on his wall pulled Sai from out of the memory. Knowing that meant breakfast was ready he put his brush down and left the apartment he shared with Haku. A floorboard squeaked as he approached the door to Naruto and Kushina's apartment. He frowned as he entered since he suspected that Naruto was the one to rig the floorboard to give him advance warning that Sakura and Hinata were approaching.

It had been three days since the mission to Demon Country which was when the floorboard began squeaking. Also, since the mission Haku had confided in him that it appeared that Naruto was going out of his way not to be alone with either girl. This included taking off from breakfast sometimes with food in his mouth whenever the floorboard squeaked. All in all, both boys were convinced that despite the sometimes idiotic things that came out of his mouth whenever the girls tried to talk about romantic things Naruto was well aware of their feelings. Sai believed that the jinchuriki reason for acting like the fool he had once been was because he didn't want to hurt one girl by choosing the other.

Focusing on said blonde he could see Naruto was ready for another day of training. He was wearing his black chunin vest and shirt along with the orange pants he favored. Due in part to his mom's preference to seeing his face he no longer wore bandages around his face instead opting for a mask similar to Kakashi's which he could quickly pull up when entering battle.

Kushina smiled at him as he took a seat at the table and placed a plate down in front of him. He thanked the woman noting that she was wearing a dress that made her fit the definition of a mother. Sitting at the table with them she said, "Naruto, don't forget I want you at the swearing in today."

"Don't worry mom," Naruto replied a piece of bacon pausing in its trip to his mouth, "Yamato only scheduled a half day of training for today."

"Good," Kushina said taking the plate the bacon had been on to the sink as it was empty. Once the plate was deposited she grabbed the two bags that were sitting on the counter and placed them in front of the two boys.

"What's this?" Naruto asked since it wasn't his birthday.

"A little something I want you two to wear today when I'm sworn into the Clan Council," she replied trying to keep the smile she felt from her face. "Open yours first Sai."

Sai reached into the bag past the decorative paper and felt cloth inside. Pulling it out he unfolded it to see that it was a shirt with writing on the front. Reading it, he felt a smile tug at his lips.

"What's it say?" Naruto asked causing Sai to turn the shirt around so the blonde could read it. Reading aloud Naruto said, "I was adopted into the Uzumaki clan and all I got was this stupid T-shirt."

Naruto laughed, while Sai found it fitting since his recollection of the event in which he had been asked to join the Uzumaki clan as an adopted member had been interrupted. Although it wouldn't take effect until after the Clan was sworn in later that day, he already thought of himself as Sai Uzumaki.

Kushina and Naruto had also made the same offer to Haku. However, the boy appeared to have hopes of raising his own clan's banner in Konoha so politely refused. With the revelation that the apartment building had been bought and refurbished by Jiraiya for the sole purpose of serving as the Uzumaki Clan's place of residence was about to fill that purpose. The non-Uzumaki members that lived there namely, Kin, Tayuya, Hinata, and Sakura were afraid they were going to be asked to leave. Kushina had quickly put them at ease telling them she wanted the place to be filled with people and laughter.

Sai was pulled back to the present by Naruto rummaging through his gift bag. Pulling out what was inside; Naruto stared in awe at the red jacket that had black flames going around the bottom edge of it. "Look at the back," Kushina said pleased at his reaction.

Doing as instructed Naruto flipped the coat around to see kanji that read, "Future Hokage."

"Its great mom," Naruto said getting up to try it on and then quickly gave his mother a hug.

Sai though said pragmatically, "I don't think the Hokage is going to be pleased with your gift Kushina."

Waving off Sai's concerns as she sat at the table while Naruto went to a mirror to admire his coat more, she said, "I agreed not to tell people about Naruto's father. However, if people jump to the conclusion that Minato may have been more than the man that sealed the Kyuubi into Naruto from a simple gift. Well who am I to complain."

Sai shook his head in amusement. While Kushina had agreed to keep the truth of Naruto's father quiet, it was only because when Tsunade had asked it was just shy of being an order. However, it appeared that Kushina was going to do everything she could to point it out just short of coming out and saying it. Sai supposed he could understand as she probably thought by now that the truth of her marriage to Minato and the birth of their child should have been public knowledge, Iwa be damned.

The floorboard outside the apartment creaked and Naruto paused in his self admiration to stare at the door. Looking at a clock he said, "Damn, I better get going. I'll see you later mom." He kissed Kushina on the cheek before snatching up his lunch and leaving via the window. Sai caught a slight frown on Kushina's face as she got up to open the apartment door but found nobody there.

The reason for that was because Hinata had dispelled the shadow clone she had created to trigger the floorboard. She had begun to suspect that it served for warning Naruto of her or Sakura's arrival so he could quickly leave. From her vantage point outside, she saw Naruto leap from the window to make his way to the training grounds. Heading the same way, although at a far slower pace, Hinata tried not to get too upset at Naruto as she was forced to admit that since returning to the village her rivalry with Sakura had picked up significantly.

Even the temporary squad leader Yamato had commented on it and using a rather creepy face had discreetly mentioned how he was sure Tsunade would want to hear about it. That had calmed the pair down but only during training as they knew exactly what the Hokage would do if she was brought into the matter. But once training ended it was a different matter and it was only exasperated due to Naruto making sure that when he was with one of them the other was present.

But on the bright side, Hinata realized that if Naruto was taking such steps to make sure both she and Sakura had equal access to him. That it meant on some level he was aware of their feelings for him, despite his acting clueless about them. Confident that the key to winning his heart was to get him alone and ask for a date first, Hinata was simply waiting for him to make that one critical mistake that she needed. As she neared the training field Hinata was unaware that her rival had been aware of her creating the shadow clone to flush out Naruto and had observed him taking off as well. Or that the pink haired girl was following behind her equally lost in thought but thinking along the same lines.

"Therefore, it is my great pleasure that I announce this to be the first graduating class of Kirigakure's New Shinobi program," the Mizukage said while standing at the head of the class as she finished announcing the team assignments.

Mugen didn't care for any of that though, even if he did owe the lady for getting him into the shinobi program and for providing him with clothes and food. All he cared about at the moment was finding out who his sensei was. He hoped it was someone badass because his team sucked. It was bad enough his team was saddled with the pain in the ass kunoichi Fuu, but he was also stuck with the four eyed bastard Jin. Despite the crappy team arrangement he felt a small feral grin on his threaten to split his face. The reason being that regardless of how calm he looked, he knew Jin was just as displeased as he was at being on the same team.

Mugen believed that it was because in all their spars during their time in the academy they had never settled who was better. Their rivalry became something of a legend in the school since whenever they sparred the matches could last all day with neither landing a decisive hit. One reason Mugen had hoped to be placed on a different team was because he would have viewed his team doing better than Jin's as proof that he was the better shinobi. He was confident Jin felt the same way.

Heavy footsteps approaching the classroom door attracted his attention as did the sound of bells tinkling. The door slammed open and in walked a large man with his hair styled into spikes the ends of which were tipped by bells. He wore a white sleeveless coat over a black long sleeve shirt which was opened to reveal his scarred chest. Adorning his feet were tabi and straw sandals which the man favored over normal shinobi footwear. Also, unlike most shinobi he didn't wear a headband anywhere on him instead the insignia of the village he served was printed on the back of his coat. Furthermore, his right eye was covered by a black patch and if some of the rumors Mugen had heard about the man were true then there was nothing wrong with the eye. He simply wore it to give the opponents he faced a fighting chance.

Staring at the man, Mugen hoped he was going to be his sensei. As even though Kenpachi Zaraki had only joined the village shortly after the death of the previous Mizukage, many already considered him a legend. Especially since he had attacked the village head on, and with his rampage only stopping when he had come face to face with the Mizukage and Zabuza. The reason he had stopped being that he believed he had sufficiently demonstrated his skill. After it was revealed that everyone he had beaten along his route were still alive the Mizukage had quickly accepted his offer. Rumors were also circulating that when Zabuza did eventually reform the Seven Swordsmen of Mist, Kenpachi would be one of the first asked.

Mugen's hopes of the man being his sensei were dashed when a shout of, "Kenny," was heard from the back of the class. The young girl quickly leapt from her seat running along the heads of several of her classmates. Landing on the floor, she scrambled up his back before peeking out from above his left shoulder. The girl's name was Yachiru Kusanjishi, and she had set the record for youngest person graduating at only nine years old. More amazingly even during Kenpachi's assault on the village she had been hanging on his shoulder laughing the entire time.

Ignoring the girl's presence Kenpachi said, "Squad Eleven let's go."

"Yah let's go. Come on Yun-yun, Cueball," Yachiru said cheerfully using the nicknames she had given her teammates.

"I told you to stop calling me that," Ikkaku Madarame said angrily standing to follow after his sensei, who hadn't remained to see if they followed. Snatching up the sword that the graduating class had received along with their headbands the bald boy dashed out of the room. Ikkaku despite being only thirteen, as most of the graduating class was, had no hair on his head. Although he maintained that it was because he shaved his head, most believed he had no choice in his hairstyle. Still only a select few could get away with commenting on his lack of hair follicles. Mugen was one, but only because the boy had yet to force him to stop by beating him. Strangely the other was Yachiru leading many to believe despite her childish exterior she may actually be stronger than both of her teammates.

Mugen knew it to be true though. Not because he had seen it but because in order to survive around a man like Kenpachi she'd need to possess strength of her own. Not to mention at times he could almost smell the bloodlust that radiate behind her cheerful façade. She probably sensed his as well which was why they tended to give each other a wide berth.

The last member of Squad Eleven was the pretty boy Yumichika Ayasegawa. Despite his flowery outside appearance he too had a joy of fighting that had probably resulted in their squad being given Kenpachi as a sensei. He left quietly shaking his head at his new team's antics, and Mugen was positive the vain boy was thinking on what getup would best show off his new station in life. With nothing left to do but wait Mugen directed his focus to thinking of ways on how best to kill Jin.

Shikamaru dodged backwards having to do so to a greater degree than he normally would have due to his opponent's greater reach, even though they were using the same weapons. Asuma loosened his stance in order to pull his cigarette from out of his mouth to flick the ash from the end of it. "Very good, Shikamaru," his sensei said with a measure of pride.

Keeping his own stance up since he knew the more experienced jounin could easily switch back onto offensive in a moment's notice. Shikamaru said, "It took a while, but I'm finally able to tell when you're channeling chakra into your knives."

"Really," Asuma said holding the blade up, "how so?"

"They vibrate slightly," Shikamaru answered.

"Still despite that, I can tell your mind really isn't into today's training. Care to talk about it?"

Sitting Shikamaru said, "You know those Kekkei Genkai disappearances?" When Asuma nodded his head the Nara continued, "Suna had one of theirs go missing. If we include the one we suspect that was taken in Iwa that's three."

"Oh the one in Iwa was definitely taken," Asuma said surprising his student.

"Have we received confirmation of that?" Shikamaru said surprised since he hadn't heard anything from his dad.

"No, but the last time things were this tense between Konoha and Iwa ,was just before the breakout of the Third Great War." Asuma took a heavy drag of his cigarette before continuing, "It's easy to see why they may blame us for this Gari's abduction, considering how Itachi did take the Four-tails."

"I'm not sure how the two events are connected," Shikamaru said, "and if they are going to use the actions of a rogue-nin against us. Maybe someone should point out a rogue-nin of their own was working with Akatsuki."

Asuma chuckled saying, "Like that matters. Iwa always had a mad on for Konoha. They aren't going to let a little thing like logic get in the way of settling the score." Holding his hand out he added, "I've got to get going. The Hokage wants to see me about something."

Accepting the hand up Shikamaru said, "Mind if I tag along? I think I'll mention Temari will be stopping by and the reason."

"Sure," Asuma said pulling his student to his feet."How are things between you two?"

Shikamaru shrugged saying, "She's stopped nagging me as much since my making Jounin. She almost sounds dare I say, proud."

Asuma laughed lightly saying, "Well that's what a good woman does. Forces you to be the best you can be, but doesn't come out and say it when you do reach her expectations just to keep you on your toes."

Shikamaru heard something wistful in his teacher voice and commenting on it said, "You know Asuma it's been three years. Don't you think it's time you jump back in the dating pool?"

"Maybe someday," Asuma said.

"Asuma…"

"Hey look at it like this. If I hadn't made the mistake I did you wouldn't have reaped the benefit of learning from it. So let's drop it for now."

Shikamaru complied with Asuma's request and the rest of the trip was made in silence. Approaching Tsunade's office they were waved in by the secretary. Spotting the two Jounin, Tsunade arched an eyebrow said, "I don't recall sending for you Shikamaru."

"Sorry if my presence upsets you Lady Tsunade. I just wanted to let you know that another Kekkei Genkai disappearance has occurred. This time a Suna-nin has gone missing. Temari should be by later to ask for assistance."

"Dammit," Tsunade cursed, "Thanks for the heads up. I'll be sure to make time for her. You can stay if you want, since you'll learn of it eventually" Directing her attention to the elder Jounin, she said, "Asuma, I want you to form a team to locate the Three Tails. It's already past the third anniversary of the Fourth Mizukage's death and it should be reforming soon."

"Any idea where?"

"No sadly," Tsunade said. "Jiraiya suggests that you begin your search around bodies of water with tragic histories. It's likely one of them is connected to the beast, and may clue you in to where it was originally located before being locked away in a host."

"Okay, and once we locate it?"

"Establish a defensive perimeter around it in order to prevent Akatsuki from capturing it."

"I take it Shikamaru is off of my list of potential team members," Asuma said since Tsunade made it sound like his student would have learned of his mission from a third party.

"Yes," Tsunade confirmed, "Also, since Chouji is already promised to a client he and Ino will not be available. But once the mission is over I'll send them to you if you want."

Asuma nodded saying, "I'll have a list on your desk in a few days."

"Good," Tsunade said standing, "Now if you'll excuse me I have someplace to be."

Sadly for Tsunade who had arrived early to the event in which the Uzumaki clan would be sworn into the council. One civilian councilor was doing her level best to prevent that from happening. "Furthermore, she fully admits to being under Danzou's control in a bid to kill her son," Misaki Haruno said having yet to run out of things to say despite droning on for several hours.

Tsunade winced since Kushina had insisted that at least some of the truth about the past three years come out. Her reason being to let it be known the role Sai had played in bringing about Root's removal from Konoha. Despite the councilor's tirade against her Kushina remained calm with a self-satisfied smile on her face. Tsunade felt some annoyance that it was due to the murmur that had arisen in the chamber when Naruto had entered wearing a jacket so closely associated with the Forth Hokage. That was the last thing she needed to get out since the red-head's own resurrection was contributing to the hostility Iwa was directing towards Konoha.

Directing her gaze to Naruto, she half expected him to be chomping at the bit at some of the things Sakura's mom had said. Instead though he seemed down as if realizing that he was one of the reasons Sakura had moved out of her mother's house. Searching for her apprentice she found her among some of the spectators looking very much like she wanted to shut her mother up with her fist. Positive the elder Haruno wouldn't survive such a means of persuasion to be quiet, Tsunade cut into the woman's filibuster saying, "Councilwoman Haruno, this chamber has listened to your complaints for long enough. In case you have forgotten Kushina Uzumaki's mental stability was testified upon by the Yamanaka Clan head. Now let us not pretend that the only reason you are trying to deny this vote is due to the Uzumaki Clan being given joint jurisdiction over the area of Konoha you represent. Need I also remind you that many among your peers in the civilian council have to work with their Clan Head counterparts in the districts said clans take up residence?"

"Why shouldn't I be upset?" Misaki said, "I built that district up from nothing to make it one of the most profitable in the village. To see all that hard work handed…"

"It hasn't been handed away," Tsunade said cutting the woman off, "Instead it will be up to the two of you to insure that it remains so. Now I believe this has gone on long enough so I call for a vote."

Hiashi Hyuuga stood saying, "The Hyuuga clan votes for the inclusion of the Uzumaki," before sitting down.

Moving down the line from him the next man to stand was Unkai Kurama who represented his niece's will on the council who said, "The Kurama also vote in favor of the Uzumaki."

The next seat was where the Uchiha normally had sat and it was with some satisfaction that Tsunade had it removed for the proceedings. If she had her way then it would also be where the Uzumaki sat from now on. The next to stand was Shikaku Nara who also voted in favor of the Uzumaki. Who was followed by his teammates and fellow clan heads who also voted for the Uzumaki.

"The Sarutobi clan votes in favor," Tsunade's predecessor said before sitting back down.

Tsume didn't even bother to stand saying, "Do you even need to ask?"

Standing herself Tsunade said, "Shibi Aburame is away on clan business but made his opinion known and that it was in favor of the Uzumaki. As the last of the Senju and Hokage I too vote in their favor. Let it be known that by unanimous decision the Uzumaki are now one of the great clans of Konoha." Despite it not being necessary, Tsunade gave the Civilian Council the opportunity to vote. Although she partly did it so that members of the council wouldn't feel slighted she also did it so Kushina could see which councilors would probably be opposing her in the near future. Sadly the one she would be working with the most was one of the third of the council that had opposed the Uzumaki inclusion. Still Tsunade saw it as a bright sign since it showed more people were looking on Naruto more favorably than three years ago.

At an after party Tsunade sought out her apprentice. Finding her hovering near Naruto along with her rival she said, "Sakura, starting tomorrow after team practice I'm going to need you to begin training with me again."

Sakura sent a quick glance Naruto's and by extension Hinata's way and Tsunade didn't need to be a mind-reader to know the girl was afraid her rival would use that time to move in on Naruto. Frowning since word had reached her of the two's recent revival of their rivalry she was about to rebuke her when with a sigh Sakura said, "I understand."

"Good," Tsunade said proud of her student. Placing a hand on Sakura's shoulder she said, "Trust me. If we are right about this new threat, this training may put you in a position as the only one able to protect him and his family."

Sakura's eyes widened at her words and with a heavy gulp of nervousness nodded her head. But behind her green eyes was a determination not to fail him. She left her student who quickly retook her place at Naruto's side. She'd wait until later to tell her what the training consisted of which was on how to counter the many poisons used by the Uchiha including the one that had stolen her grandfather's life.

Time progressed more slowly after Squad Eleven had left and to Mugen it appeared the Mizukage was getting more and more upset. Eventually his was the only team left in the room and the Mizukage was quietly stewing in her own rage, when the door slid open harshly.

His attention on his wife Zabuza said, "I'm here for the bastards that are supposed to make my life miserable for the next couple of years."

Glaring at her husband, Mei pointed towards the desks. Zabuza directed his gaze in the direction and only saw three kids remaining. "Well that narrows it down," he said before shouting, "Get your asses in gear Squad One." Then just as quickly as he arrived, he turned to leave shutting the door behind him. Fuu followed first shouting for her sensei to slow down, her two teammates traveling at a more leisurely pace using the sound of their teammate's yells to tell them in which direction to head.

Zabuza took them to one of the new training fields that Mei had commissioned to be built using profits from the Chunin Exam. One of the features unique to the fields in Kiri was that instead of simply being fields with different landscapes. Some of them were themed. One of the more unique themed ones was of a burnt out town that looked like a battle had just taken place. Zabuza had bypassed those however since many of the other new sensei had used them. Plus he really didn't see the point in using them for this evaluation since Mei had prohibited any of the sensei from failing their students. She had then leveled her gaze at him saying, "And no killing them either."

Luckily before he could respond Kenpachi had asked, "Why not?" unaware that Mei hadn't been talking to him.

Mei had rubbed at her forehead an action that told Zabuza she was annoyed before saying, "For the same reason I am forbidding you from failing them accept for gross incompetence. We need all the shinobi we can muster in the field. We'll pick and choose who passes when we can afford too."

Taking in his students' appearances as he leaned against a tree as they joined him in the wooded field with a stream running through it, Zabuza was forced to admit that Kiri needed the shinobi pretty badly if they were letting these brats pass. He hadn't read their files or bothered to learn anything about them. Not as a show of defiance against his wife, but because he wanted his first impression to be pure.

The sun was setting and the kunoichi a little fearfully asked, "W-what are we doing out here sensei?"

"Simple," Zabuza answered reaching for his blade, "dying."

Pulling The Executioner's Blade from his back, he launched himself from the tree towards the girl. He bisected her along the torso and he continued on his path towards the two boys that had taken their time in showing up. He heard the telltale poof followed by wood hitting the ground telling him that despite his surprise attack she had managed to use a substitution jutsu. Reaching the boys his downward strike was parried by Jin's sword who was brought to his knees by the power behind the blow. Pulling his sword back quickly, he lashed out with a kick that sent the spectacled boy skidding across the field.

He used his blade to block a strike at his back made by Mugen. Commenting on the boy's tactic Zabuza said, "Good no hesitation."

"Hell no, I know the score. It's kill or be killed," Mugen responded.

Forcing the boy back Zabuza said, "Wrong, for you there is only being killed." He then swung at the boy brazenly leaving plenty of openings in his own defense. However, due to the overwhelming offense displayed by Zabuza, the boy couldn't take advantage of any of them. Still Zabuza was impressed by the wild and unpredictable way the boy avoided his strikes, even if he wasn't really trying. Deciding enough was enough, he waited for the boy to leap over one of his strikes in order to hit him with the flat part of the blade hard enough to send Mugen flying off into the bushes.

He then stepped forward avoiding a slash to his back made by Jin. Placing his sword on his shoulder in a mocking fashion he had a hard time keeping the smile from his face as Jin narrowed his eyes. Jin charged again swinging at him in a controlled manner but much like him moments before had abandoned defense in place of using an overwhelming offense. Overwhelming at least to the academy students he had face but to Zabuza little more than a highly intricate dance as he avoided the strikes, his blade remaining in place on his shoulder.

Jin overreached himself missing with a downward strike and as soon as the blade was facing the ground he brought his knee up smashing it into the boy's face. Spinning around behind the boy, he hit him in a similar fashion as he had Mugen sending him off into the brush as well. He was just about to place his blade on his shoulder again when a hail of shuriken flew from the canopy of a tree. Zabuza easily battered them away. Knocking the last one into the ground he said, "Almost forgot about you." Making the necessary hand-signs a water dragon appeared from the river smashing into the tree and flushing Fuu out. Zabuza smirked to see that she had ditched her full length pink kimono in favor of a shorter one that came down to about mid-thigh with fishnet stockings covering her legs. Held in her hand was a small tanto that had several items hanging from its hilt.

Pointing his blade at her, he said, "Here I thought you were the smart one and were on your way back to the village. Oh well, it simply saves me the trouble of having to hunt you down later."

He was about to charge the girl when a shout of, "I'm fucking going to kill you. You bastard," pulled his attention away. Although strangely enough, a younger version of him burst out of the bushes instead of one of the two boys. Shaking the image off he saw the shouter was Mugen and despite his moment's hesitation he still easily battered the boy away with his blade. He was forced to leap away as both Fuu and Jin tried to take advantage of his dealing with Mugen by striking at his back.

Mugen got back to his feet saying, "Back off ,I don't need your help killing him."

Fuu retorted, "Keeping dreaming you jerk. He's a full fledge jounin and the only survivor of the Swordsmen. All three of us will be lucky to see tomorrow."

"It pains me to say it, but Fuu is right," Jin said calmly. "Up till now he's simply been toying with us."

Mugen spit on the ground saying, "I'll kill this bastard just you watch." Again Zabuza saw himself imposed on the boy and understood why it was Mei had invested so much into the boy.

Smiling beneath his wraps Zabuza said menacingly, "You're going to kill me huh? A lot better then you have tried and failed. Fine then, let's take the kiddy gloves off." Creating three water clones from the river behind him he sent them at the kids. As expected they didn't last long against them.

All three kids were on their knees with their hands tied behind their backs. Each clone stood behind one of them, their blades held poised ready to strike them down. Standing in front of them, Zabuza said, "Any last words before you die?"

"None you'd want to hear," Mugen said staring up at him with no fear in his eyes.

Jin chuckled, saying, "Well said. At least in death you have some redeeming qualities."

Fuu remained silent not as at peace with her fate as her two teammates, but determined to face it bravely. "Fair enough," Zabuza said walking away. Snapping his fingers the clones swung their blades cutting the rope that bound their hands. They then dispelled turning into the water that had given birth to them.

All three were surprised at the change of events but Mugen found his tongue first shouting, "Oi, I thought you said you were going to kill us."

"I did," Zabuza said back not turning to face them, "Most shinobi die young. By letting you continue on this path you've all died today. The only thing left to be determined is when the corpses that you are will stop moving. Meet me here tomorrow morning for your first mission."

Zabuza took a slow pace back home in no hurry to face his wife's anger. Entering the Mizukage mansion he was surprised she wasn't waiting for him. Making his way to the bedroom he found her sleeping. Grabbing his pillow, he headed to the study and couch that had been his bed since his fight with Kisame. Before reaching the door she stirred saying, "Did you kill them?"

"No need, the profession will do that soon enough for me," Zabuza replied.

Mei smiled saying, "Come to bed Zabuza."

"That's where I was going," Zabuza replied opening the door.

"I said come to bed. Not go to it," Mei countered.

Following his wife's orders, he admitted it had been to long since sharing the same bed with her. Something she obviously felt as well saying, "I've missed you."

"Feel like showing me how much?"

Climbing atop him she said, "Gladly."

In battle, all great generals often face opponents that have studied their methods and found the weakness in their strategy. This too often happens in battles for the heart. Sadly, whether in war or love when this happens defeat is inevitable. For Naruto, his defeat came on a day where he learned when your mother gives you chores it is sometimes best to do them instead of passing them off.

Especially, when you pass them off to clones that at times seem to have a mind of their own. Kushina had asked Naruto to handle the grocery shopping two days after being sworn into the council, since she was finding establishing the clan's place in Konoha was becoming a fulltime job. Naruto had readily agreed and then in turn created several clones to handle the job for him. Unbeknownst to him this was exactly what two kunoichi were waiting for.

Both Sakura and Hinata from observing Naruto had come to the decision that if he was going to be the roadblock to their moving their relationship with him forward. Then they'd simply remove him from the decision making process. Both girls had been enjoying the peaceful day off when they heard the floorboard Naruto had rigged squeak several times as footsteps left his apartment. Since they hadn't heard the noise before they knew that the large numbers of people leaving were clones. Making excuses both girls fled to their rooms to change clothes.

Hinata emerged first heading out the door calling to Sakura she was going out. She was wearing a purple sundress with a matching hat. Sakura emerged moments later leaving via the window wearing a blue skirt and red halter top vest. She found her target picking through some vegetables at the market. The clone spotted her and looked nervous but admired her figure. Feeling emboldened Sakura closed with it quickly. The clone tried to say, "I'm a …"

But was stopped by Sakura's hand as she said, "Naruto, I'm tired of playing games. I love you and want to move past our current relationship to a more open and sharing one." Leaning close to the now blushing clone she said, "Don't you agree that's a good idea?"

The clone nodded its head causing her to say, "Good, then I'll expect you to take me on a date on our next day off. Okay?"

She removed her hand and in a daze at her close proximity the clone said, "S-sure thing Sakura." With a bright smile she grabbed the clone kissing it chastely on the lips before taking off her mission accomplished.

At roughly the same time Hinata found hers just leaving the store having completed its task having the easy job of buying ramen. Coming up behind it she placed her hands over the clone's mouth whispering in its ear, "Naruto, I've been getting the feeling you've been avoiding me." To emphasize her point she pressed her well endowed chest into his back. The clone shook its head back and forth causing her to say, "Are you saying I imagined it?" Flustered the clone shook its head no again prompting her to say, "I'm confused, I either didn't imagine the feeling or you were avoiding me." The clone went stiff afraid it had made her angry. Smiling she said, "You know what will make it up to me?" The clone once more shook its head prompting her to say, "I want you to take me out on our next day off." Leaning even closer to his ear, and as cutely as possible she added pausing after each word, "Because. I. Love. You."

Sliding away from the clone she slipped into the crowd to prevent it from finding her after it came to its senses. Unaware that she was sharing the same thought as her rival, "And with that victory is mine."

Naruto was talking with Sai and Haku when the first clone reached his apartment. From the bag it carried he could see all it bought had been ramen. "Just leave it on the counter I'll put it away." The clone sheepishly nodded moving to fulfill the order.

Sai pulled Naruto's attention from it saying, "Why not have the clone do it for you? They did everything else."

"Because then it would be like I didn't listen to my mom," Naruto said, "it's a thin line but it's there."

Sai looked to Haku who simply shrugged saying, "It makes sense to him." As soon as the clone dispersed though Haku noticed that Naruto went completely stiff and paled considerably. "What is it?" he asked concerned.

Receiving the memories of the clone, Naruto replied, "I have a date with Hinata."

"I see," Haku said. But before he could comment further another clone entered looking just as pale as Naruto with a similar sheepish look as the first clone. Putting the groceries in the same place the first had it dispelled causing Naruto to say, "Oh crap."

"What?" Haku asked having a feeling he already knew.

"I have a date with Sakura, too."

Haku nodded getting up and making his way to the door prompting Naruto to ask, "Where are you going?"

"To go get that pink Kimono let out for you to be buried in," Haku said having held onto it to remind him of the revenge he planned to have against the blonde.

"That's so cold," Naruto said as Haku shut the door.

Sai placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder saying, "I will do everything in my power to make it so that Kushina gets over your death as quickly as possible."

"That isn't helping," Naruto shouted.

"Are you saying you want her to grieve as long as possible then?" Sai asked confused. "Well I'll read more on it later. I'll leave you to contemplate on your fate."

Left alone Naruto could only think of one thing to say, "I'm a dead man."

Jiraiya was putting his finishing touches on the last few pages of his newest book. The title was, "Make Out Paradise: Victory." As far as he was concerned it was the sweeping conclusion of the story for the main character as he had finally landed the blonde beauty his heart had always belonged to. Despite his womanizing ways. He only hoped Tsunade never read it as he was fearful what would happen to him if she learned some of the spicier elements of the book had been based on his research in which she had participated.

Placing his pen down, he began thinking of the title of his newest book as it was time to retire the old characters in favor of some new blood. A flash of inspiration hit him and he snatched up his pen to write on top of the blank sheet of paper, "Make Out Paradise: Hitting the Jackpot." It would be the tale of a young man being pursued by two beauties whom both held places in his heart. Perhaps he could use the old main character as a sort of guiding inspiration to the young man. Smelling a future best seller he began flushing out the details while trying to come up with a name for the new lead in the story.