"Ah, you know I could get used to this..." Sasame said, taking another sip of her sugar honey iced tea.
"Yup," Naruto agreed. "This sure is a heck of a lot better than the trip here. Uh, no offense, Aoba."
"None taken," Aoba replied with a smile. Currently the trio and Killer Bee were relaxing on the party deck of the Kumo jinchuriki's yacht, enjoying the sunset as they sailed off to the Land of Waves. The last few weeks had been picture perfect sailing weather, with friendly quarrels frequently occurring between Naruto and Bee. Naruto had grudingly earned Bee's respect during their sparring sessions, the straightforward pro wrestling of Bee clashing furiously with the equally direct martial arts style favored by Naruto.
At first Sasame had trained with Aoba, the special jonin doing what he could to offer tips. He saw her determination begin to come out, her blocks getting a little sharper and strikes more accurate. She would watch Killer Bee and Naruto go at it after she finished training with him, keeping her eye on Bee and his Lariats and Superkicks, and then after a few days Aoba realized what he was seeing. He couldn't believe it, but it was right there before his eyes; and Killer Bee seemed to be friendly to Sasame. She began to train with him and Naruto, not quite keeping up with their pace but definitely their intensity as she developed her Superkick and her submission holds(on Naruto). A few times Aoba saw Bee helping her along with her nature transformation, showing her how to channel her lightning natured chakra into a tanto. Aoba made sure to take note of this, as he himself had learned to use lightning natured chakra well.
Then there had been the messenger pidgeons. Aoba's theory of the team leaving for Konoha to report back had been proven to be true, and it was decided the two teams would meet in the Land of Waves to regroup before moving out again. The near total destruction of the port town was glossed over, with Aoba just vaguely mentioning the fight with Kabuto was damaging. Wonder when that's gonna come back to bite me in the ass, when that viper will twist up against my shins... Aoba sighed. Of all the people to make enemies out of... I shouldn't have tried to take his snake out of the equation, I should have just used Amaterasu while I still had enough chakra! Aoba stared at the sun for a moment, then shook his head.
"Say, Bee-san," Sasame started, tilting up her sunglasses, "Wanna go for another swim?"
"A quick dip in the pool sounds just great, yo- but let's make sure to eat before it's too late, though."
"Awesome!" Sasame took off her sunglasses and left them in the deck chair as she hopped up, a smile on her face.
Aoba watched the young woman leave, and nodded to Killer Bee as he walked by. The jinchuriki paused mid stride, and then turned back to Naruto and Aoba. He nodded back towards the pool, but the Konoha ninja shook their heads. With a shrug Killer Bee continued walking off to his swim.
After they were out of sight, Aoba looked over to Naruto. "She's a great ninja, Naruto. But I think you've missed your chance with her."
"Wha- hey! I don't like her like that, Aoba... much." Naruto quickly took a drink of his soda, looking away as Aoba laughed.
~oOo~
Aoba had just come from the sauna with a towel draped over his shoulders, when Sasame caught up to him. "Hey, Aoba-san, would you mind sparring with me? Uh, after you get dressed, that is."
"Oh, sure. Killer Bee busy?"
"No, he was going to watch, and give me some pointers." Aoba nodded and made to leave but Sasame stopped him. "It- well, I couldn't get in a hit on Bee when if was really trying either, but it was different with you, it was like you could almost read my mind. I wanted to see how I could do now..."
"Well, I can read minds, but not while I'm moving too fast." And then there's the Daiyagan, but she's already suspicious of me so that'll be staying a secret for now. Clearing his throat, Aoba continued. "Yeah, sparring. Meet you there in five." Departing with a wave, Aoba made off for his room.
It was a short journey, being around the corner to the stairs and just down the hall a ways; and quickly throwing on his Konoha uniform Aoba soon returned. The sauna was actually right across the hall from the gym, next door to the showers. Casually flicking open the doors Aoba walked in, seeing Bee and Naruto and Motoi already in there.
"Hey! Ready to rumble?" Sasame asked.
"As ready as I'll ever be."
"Just don't go all destroying the yacht like that harbor tow-"
"Show me what you've learned, Sasame!" Aoba shouted, interrupting Naruto. He ran forwards, immediately beginning his offensive: a myriad of flowing hand strikes, aiming to confuse Sasame's defenses. She blocked a few, but upon starting to fall behind she attempted to roll out of the way. Aoba dove for her with a low drop kick, catching her in the knees as she attempted to jump and sending her flipping past his head. Aoba rolled out of the way of her thrusting kick, and then having to roll away again from from another kick, weaving his kicks and blocks from on his back. Aoba pushed back onto his shoulders and twisted up with a helicopter-like kick which Sasame ducked, turning and going into a low spinning kick the orange-haired kunoichi back handspringed over.
She came at him fiercely, with a rush of her fastest punches. Aoba was impressed with the speed but still was able to ...see through Sasame's technique. Aoba broke up the rhythm with a roundhouse kick, Sasame drifting to her right and launching her own roundhouse. Aoba of course readided his arm and blocked it, but it wasn't actually a roundhouse kick- Sasame spun her leg over and rolled forwards as she dropped, catching Aoba in an elegant flying omoplata. Not wanting to struggle out of it just for sparring, Aoba tapped out and applauded Sasame as they separated and stood.
"I learned that one yesterday." Sasame said, smiling.
"Pretty good; it's been years since the last time I've seen one." The jinchuriki and Aoba and Sasame looked to each other, feeling the seed of a new hope had just been planted.
~oOo~
"Man, this sure brings back memories," Naruto said as he looked around the revitalized Land of Waves.
"You can say that again..." Aoba whispered.
"Man this sure does bring back the memories of my mission here," Naruto repeated. Aoba sighed and facepalmed, while Sasame looked up at him from his other side.
"So when was the last time you came here, Aoba-san?"
"Ah, around eleven or ten years ago. It was one of those missions where things get out of hand, a little like yours was, Naruto. Except it was more dealing with a group, than a single ninja like Zabuza."
"Hmm... were Kakashi and Itachi on your team?" Naruto asked.
"No." Aoba looked away. "Itachi and I weren't in ANBU at that point."
"Wait, you knew Itachi? As in, Itachi Uchiha?" Asked Sasame.
"Yeah, he was a pretty popular kid before... well, you know." Quickly scanning the area, Aoba looked back to Sasame and Naruto. "Ahem... this isn't the best place to be talking about my missions, guys. You remember what happened the last time, don't you Naruto?"
"..."
"...Am I missing something?" Questioned Sasame, seeing the staredown between Naruto and Aoba.
"Not too much," Aoba said without looking away.
"Yo, ditch that anger and swap it for cheer, according to the map we're finally here!" Killer Bee announced. Visibly excited, Naruto bounded up the steps and knocked on the door. There was silence, and then Naruto knocked again as the rest of the party came up on the porch. Sounds of footsteps came from the other side, and when it opened it was seen that Tazuna and Inari had returned already, and that Tsunami was there with them as well! A vaguely familiar young girl with messy dark hair and blue eyes was at her side, and they both were staring at Aoba as Naruto and the others greeted Tazuna and Inari. As Aoba looked back and forth between them, he realized what he was seeing...