And here's Chapter 5. I had to spread the updates out a little bit between stories. I was banging them out so quickly over the holidays, the updates were too close for my normal schedule. Hopefully, for you guys, it was worth the wait. Readers, Reviewers, thank you...Up All Night.

CHAPTER FIVE

Naruto had begun the day by getting to the academy ahead of the students and watching as they filed in while he stood upside down on the ceiling. Being spontaneous as an instructor was pivotal to his approach. If he did the unexpected, his students would never be bored, always wondering what he was going to do next. With that in mind he waited and watched as all his students faced the front, waiting for him to come in. Smiling at their willingness to learn, he cut off the chakra to his feet and dropped to the floor.

To say the children were surprised to see their teacher fall from the sky was an understatement. Necks immediately cracked upwards to see where the hole in the roof was that he had come through. Not finding one, their eyes asked the unspoken question. Naruto chuckled and put his hands behind his back.

"Well then, good morning class."

"Good morning Naruto-sensei."

"Good to see you all. Did you all do your assignment last night?"

Heads nodded, indicating that most were able to pull it off. Some heads hung in defeat, since they hadn't managed to trick their families. Naruto scowled and clapped his hands.

"Now, now, we won't be having any heads hanging in my classroom. You're all beginners and if you didn't do it the first time, keep trying until you do. I don't ask for anything other than you try. Now then, I'm going to make clones and I want you to show them that you can henge into at least three different shapes. If you have any trouble, they will assist you."

He quickly made the clones and they began to watch the children. A couple struggled and were straightened out soon enough. The problem was either too much or too little chakra. Once their little problem was stomped out, Naruto clapped his hands and the class faced him again.

"Ok, we're going for our morning run now. Everyone outside and do five laps around the village."

The children complied again and ran around the village. They finished their run and stood in a line, some puffing, some huffing, all tired. Naruto led them through their calisthenics and told them to sit.

"All right kiddies. Today, we're going to be doing taijutsu. Now, personally, I have no style. I'm a brawler by nature. I go in and I try to beat the crap out of the other guy. If I get hit, I get hit. But that's me. I'm going to be taking notes on you. I want you all to pick a partner and spar, light contact only. Many of you are from families of ninja and I'm sure you've been shown some form of martial art. Maybe soon, I can get an assistant that can help with taijutsu forms. We'll worry about that later though. Now, split up."

The kids broke into pairs and began to spar, with a Naruto for each couple. This continued until lunchtime, when Naruto went to Gaara's office. It was quickly becoming a habit for the jinchuuriki. With lunchtime over, Naruto motioned for the kids to lie on the floor and try to walk up the wall again. The next day would be covering the hand seals. He'd only shown them how to make the henge; he hadn't shown them the seals and the proper usage of them. He'd rectify that tomorrow. He sighed and looked out over his students.

'I wonder how Temari is doing?'

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Said kunoichi had finally arrived in Konoha and was walking to the Hokage's office. Konoha was no longer one of her favorite places. This was a village that had turned its back on one of her most treasured people. Naruto was a savior to the people of Suna. He had done so much for Gaara and had asked for nothing in return. The people of Suna, well most of them, treated him like a hero. Here in Konoha, he was a reminder of the past, a reviled thing no matter what he did. Hell, Gaara had killed people, his own people, in the past and the citizens of Suna mostly forgave him.

Temari nodded absentmindedly to the people as she passed. Her thoughts weren't with Konoha at the moment. A sudden realization made her cringe. She'd have to meet all of Naruto's friends at some point and the only ones she didn't mind were that Hyuuga girl and Shikamaru. The thought of the lazy chuunin brought a smirk to her face. To think she used to have a small crush on the lazy ass. She sighed as she came before the door of the Hokage tower. She wasn't looking forward to this.

Tsunade had been worried ever since Naruto left. She'd been so relieved when she received Gaara's note that he had arrived safely, but had yet to hear anything else about her favorite blonde. He'd been gone a little over two weeks and she was already tired of her job. She hadn't realized how much the boy made her appreciate what she did. His desire to be in her position made her continue on every day. Without him there to prod her though, she simply didn't have the drive or motivation. Perhaps it was time to pass it on to someone else. She laid her head on her desk and sighed heavily. Maybe she could move to Suna too…

Temari opened the door after receiving the ok from Shizune. She had been expecting Tsunade to be asleep, as she'd found her like that several times. She was not expecting to find a depressed woman sighing into the veneer of her table. Temari coughed into her hand and shut the door behind her. Tsunade raised her head off the desk, her vision obscured by a paper stuck to her forehead. She growled and grabbed the offending object, balling it up and throwing it across the room. Temari smiled at her childishness and took a seat.

"Come now Tsunade-sama, did the paperwork really deserve that?"

Tsunade glared at the kunoichi in front of her, trying to melt her head with her stare. She hadn't wanted to be disturbed by anyone and had thought she had told Shizune that. It was then that it dawned on her that Temari could give her an update on Naruto. Her face lit up and she smiled at Temari, slightly frightening the other blonde due to the mood swing.

"How is Naruto? Is he doing all right? How's Suna taking him? He hasn't done anything stupid has he?"

Temari sat there dumbfounded for a moment. She'd known that the Hokage liked Naruto but to the extent of wanting to talk to him above diplomacy? Who'd have thought?

"Don't you believe that we should talk about business first Tsunade-sama?"

"Screw business. I want to know how Naruto is doing. I could care less if this village burnt to the ground at the moment."

Temari gasped and looked hard at the older woman.

"Tsunade-sama! That is most improper for one of your station."

Tsunade sighed and leaned back in her chair.

"Temari, please, just tell me how he's doing."

Temari smirked and suppressed a giggled. She couldn't wait to tell the old bat this.

"We have him teaching at the academy."

Silence. Total silence. Silence from Tsunade. Silence from an eavesdropping Shizune. Silence from the hidden ANBU in the corner. The only thought going through the three's mind at the moment was…

"What the hell are you all thinking? You can't put him with children! He'll have them all being perverted within a month!"

Temari snorted and crossed her legs.

"Oh please Tsunade-sama, you don't believe that. Besides, believe it or not, he's actually an excellent teacher. He's even got the brats working on walking up walls as we speak. The second day he taught them all henge. And the lectures he gives…if I'd had him as a teacher, I'd have wanted to go to school every day."

Tsunade sat back, thoroughly confused.

"Lectures? Naruto? No way in hell. He's way too impatient to talk about any subject for too long."

"It's true. In fact, he's really passionate about things. He burned all the class' history books the first day. Said if they wanted to learn about history, do it on their own time. He'd be teaching them how to be ninja. His first lecture was on emotions and the use of them in battle and life."

Tsunade sat there, a disbelieving look on her face. Finally, after many stone faced moments, she called for Shizune. The brunette peeked in cautiously and asked what she wanted.

"I want you to gather all Naruto's friends, the council, and the jounin senseis. If this is true, then they have to hear this. Besides, this way Temari won't have to repeat it a billion times."

Temari smiled at the older woman's deviousness. This wasn't for Temari's benefit, it was for Tsunade's. This was her way of rubbing it in their faces that they had made a damn fine man an outcast amongst his peers and had driven him away from his home village to a place where he was appreciated. To a village where the children looked up to and respected him. He'd been in Suna less than two weeks and already was becoming quite the talk-about subject. Almost immediately, Jiraiya had appeared. If something was said about his apprentice, then by God, he was going to hear it.

Temari watched as they all filed in, the young, the old, the teachers, the detractors, and the friends. They all lined against the wall and suddenly, she felt…vulnerable. She was about to talk about a boy that she only knew in passing before and as a friend and housemate now. In truth, she knew very little about the mystery that was Uzumaki Naruto but she wanted to know. Oh, how she wanted to know. She smiled inside her mind. Now, she'd have all the time in the world. She faced the Hokage when the older woman coughed into her hand.

"Now then Temari, let's begin again. What is Naruto's capacity in Suna?"

'This ought to be good for a few laughs.' Thought Tsunade.

"Naruto's capacity is that of a chuunin school teacher."

A cricket would not have dared to break the silence that permeated the air in that office. Not until one Nara Shikamaru snorted and gave his opinion in his usual slow drawl.

"Uzumaki Naruto, a teacher? Pffftt, that'll be the day. Now what does he really do?"

"Shikamaru, he really is a teacher, and from what I've seen, he's one of the best we've ever had. The kids love him."

Shikamaru knew then that it wasn't a lie, it wasn't a joke. Temari was simply incapable of delivering a joke when in the presence of so many important people. She was all business, although her eyes held a mirthful glint, like she was enjoying this.

'So troublesome…'

"Ahem…now that we have that out of the way. Temari, continue with your…analysis."

"Thank you Hokage-sama. Naruto is coming along nicely from what I've seen. The people of Suna have taken to him very well and so have his students. He gave them a lecture the first day about the dangers of being a ninja and gave them a chance to wait for another teacher. All of the students were back the next day. He's currently teaching them the basic ninja techniques and advanced chakra control."

Sakura spoke up when chakra control was mentioned. That wasn't Naruto's strong suit.

"What do you mean by advanced? How old are his students?"

"He's teaching them to walk up walls. And they're eight. He has a beginning class."

This caused a slight uproar among those present, particularly the council. How could the people of Suna let that…boy…teach their children? He wasn't fit to do anything but missions. Even his friends seemed to doubt his abilities. Temari and Tsunade were fast becoming sick of it.

"Enough. Quiet down, all of you. Continue Temari."

"Naruto is a teacher and he's a damn fine one. I believe that his crop of genin will be some of the best to ever come out of the academy. His teaching style is just as unorthodox as he is and he has the full support of my brother. But enough about his job. You're all here to find out how he is doing as a citizen no doubt."

"Naruto currently lives in my family's compound with me and Kankurou. He's trying to find a plot of land though, to build a house for himself. Hee hee, the guy currently is the resident cook for me and my brothers."

A deadpan look was her answer. Shizune, who had seen the boy's eating habits, decided to speak up.

"Cooking? Cooking was never one of Naruto's strong points."

"Well, I'd love to see him make it a strong point, because what he cooks is goddamn delicious. The desserts, oh my God, the cakes! If relationships were built solely off sweets, I'd have married that boy a long time ago…"

Tsunade snorted and tried to hold back her laughter. Seeing a strong jounin like Temari about to wet herself over cake was quite a sight indeed. Temari looked startled, and blushed prettily before continuing with her assessment.

"Um, yes, well…anyway, he's quite a guy. All he does, besides teaching, is study and try to find new methods of helping the students."

Homura stepped forward and 'harumphed' into his hand. Tsunade still hadn't forgiven the old fart for running her Naruto off. If it weren't for him and the rest of the council, her favorite blonde would still be causing mischief in Konoha instead of teaching brats in Suna. Hell, he could have done that here.

"Tell me Temari-san. What is your opinion of Uzumaki Naruto? A personal opinion, not a professional one."

Temari sat and thought for a moment. As stated before, she didn't know much of Naruto, except that he was strong, kind, and was her brother's best friend. But she would get to know him better. She turned and flashed the group behind her a grin.

"I just know he's Naruto. I'll tell you more after my date with him."

Several of the kunoichi in the room nearly cried out in protest. The guys all sat in disbelief, Shikamaru chief among them. Tsunade and Jiraiya seemed to get the most satisfaction out of the situation. Kakashi had a discernible look on his face, but from the mask or complete apathy, Temari couldn't tell. Hinata looked as if she was about to cry and Sakura looked…despondent and slightly angry. Well from what Temari had heard, the pinkette had had more than enough chances and the Hyuuga was just too shy to act on hers. Too bad for them. Their loss, her gain.

"I think that is all I will tell you of Naruto for the time being. There is no need to tell you anything else other than he seems to be flourishing in Suna. That's all."

Tsunade, seeing that she would get nothing else out of the girl in front of the crowd, dismissed them with a wave of her hand. Many left grumbling, dissatisfied with the explanation they had been given. Hinata approached Temari before she left and bowed to the blonde.

"Please take care of Naruto-kun. He deserves to be happy."

She left without a look back, leaving a stunned Tsunade and Temari. The girl never showed initiative in anything, so that show of concern for Naruto, in public no less, was something new. Still, it was refreshing to Temari to see that some were actually concerned about her housemate and weren't indifferent or outright hostile. She turned back to the Hokage with a smile on her face.

"Do you think my answers were satisfactory for them?"

"Not in the least. Now, you're going to tell Jiraiya and me what he's actually been up to. I know that was the abridged version."

Temari spent the rest of the evening telling the two Sannin what their younger counterpart was up to. They laughed at her stories about mealtime at the compound and silently praised Naruto for trying to make ninja instead of genin. Tsunade was not happy about his desire to pass on his Kage Bunshin, but didn't think he would in the end anyway. Academy students simply didn't have the chakra capacity for the jutsu.

Jiraiya was quite proud of his student and made a point in his mind to visit him soon to see the fledgling teacher for himself. That would be a hell of a sight, Naruto preaching about ninja code and jutsus to a bunch of starry-eyed brats. He snickered under his breath, making the two blondes face him, wondering what the hell he was laughing about. He waved his hand dismissively.

"I was just imagining Naruto as a teacher. It still makes me laugh since he wasn't exactly a model academy student."

Tsunade chuckled as well, but Temari frowned. Didn't these people have any faith in Naruto? Seriously, he wasn't a bad teacher.

"Don't laugh at him. He's actually a really good teacher and the kids respect him, which doesn't happen often in academies."

Jiraiya raised an eyebrow and smirked at the girl.

"Oh? Getting mighty defensive of my student aren't you? I happen to know that he's a moron and as for your motion that he can cook, I sure as hell never saw it during our training trip."

Now Jiraiya did not get to where he is by being stupid. He's quite devious and not above pushing buttons to get information. And Temari made such an easy target…

"He is not stupid! And for your information, he's a wonderful cook, much better than my brothers or me. His cakes are so good I ate one by myself and had a tummy ache for the rest of…"

She trailed off at the end and glared at the two older people, one who was guffawing without shame, the other who was biting her lip, trying not to laugh at the poor girl. Tsunade was able to reign in her laughter, just barely, when Temari huffed and crossed her arms like a child.

"Now, now, Temari, don't pout. We were just teasing you. Although, it seems you've fallen prey to Naruto's natural charms."

"Natural charms?"

Tsunade smirked and folded her hands in front of her face.

"Why, yes. It's the same reason Hinata found him irresistible for years. He just has a way with people when you actually get to know him. If you look beyond his bubbly exterior and see that he's actually an insecure individual who just wants to be loved, it makes knowing him all the more fulfilling, because you're helping him just by being there."

Temari sat and pondered on that. It was true that the more time she spent with Naruto, the more he opened up to her. But that was everybody in general. She cocked an eyebrow in surprise when the two older ninja in front of her got serious all of a sudden.

"As far as your date with Naruto, let me make it clear that if you intend to harm him in any way or get his hopes up and then dash them like glass on rocks, we will personally end you. Do you understand?"

Temari nodded dumbly.

"Bit overprotective aren't you?"

"Not in the least. That boy is my godchild and even though I'm not the best parental figure, I still try to look after him."

Jiraiya gave her a perverted leer and Temari was immediately wary.

"Although I must say, the boy has impeccable taste. You are a delicious young thing."

Once Jiraiya's screams couldn't be heard over the distance Tsunade had flung him, she turned back to her desk and put her face in her hands.

"Why, oh why, do I put up with that idiot and this village?"

Temari could only nod in silent agreement.

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After nearly a week in Konoha, the kunoichi was happy to get back to her native land. She loved the atmosphere of Konoha, it was peaceful and the scents of the different flowers were intoxicating, but the winds of the desert and the warmth of the sun on her skin always made her feel at home. She wondered idly as she walked what the rest of her bunch was up to. Gaara was more than likely up to his ears in paperwork; Kankurou was probably playing with his dolls, and Naruto should have been able to teach the children all about hand signs by now and maybe gotten them started on Kawarimi. Her smile widened when she remembered that she had a date with him.

She looked at the position of the sun and it was still early morning. At her rate of travel, she'd arrive back in Suna in the morning. If she was lucky, maybe she could catch one of Naruto's lectures and see how he was still doing with the students. Listening to those lectures of his was a good way to pass the time. The boy had such a hypnotic voice and the way he passionately made sure the kids understood was so cool. Yeah, she'd definitely try to catch his lecture.

As she sat in her hotel room, in the town right outside the Suna border, she wondered about her past life and why she'd never had a love interest. It hadn't been for lack of wanting, but with Gaara's reputation she'd never had a guy brave enough to approach her. Shikamaru did, but that was purely out of duty and he knew that Naruto could stop Gaara if he tried anything. Her reputation as a tough bitch hadn't helped either but then, you garner that when you're a Suna kunoichi. It just comes with the headband.

She sighed when she thought of her past. Everything she had at the moment was thanks to that blonde idiot and he didn't think anything of it. He was so clueless as to just how much he changed people he met. To him, Gaara was just another person that was lonely, he wasn't a soulless killer, he was just another who had been driven to the brink of insanity and needed someone to help him. But that was everyone he came across. Naruto was totally incapable of helping himself however. He lived to make others happy. That thought made her frown. He was the epitome of the jinchuurikis. He sacrificed himself to make others happy. And she was going to change that. Even if things didn't work out between them, she wouldn't let him throw away his happiness just so he could sit on the sidelines and watch as everyone else laughed and loved together.

Temari's sleep had been fitful. Her thoughts were consuming her and this wasn't what she wanted, especially before a big date. Or a little date at least. She wanted to have fun, and with Naruto, that was a very big possibility. Of course, since it was Naruto, there was also the prospect that her evening would end with her beating the hell out of him. Either way, at least her evening wouldn't be boring.

Temari didn't even bother stopping at the gates of Suna. She flashed her pass, although it wasn't necessary since everyone knew who she was and looked up at the sky. Perfect. If Naruto still had his schedule, then she'd just catch the beginning of his lecture. Gaara wouldn't mind much.

She slid beside the building and peeked around the corner. Good. Naruto and the kids had just finished their morning run and would soon be done with their calisthenics. Then…lecture time. Deciding there was no need to hide, she leaned against the building and watched as her fellow blonde led the children through some stretches. She was reminded of her own education watching them all. Of course, her father being Kazekage led to her having a private tutor in Baki, along with her brothers. She hadn't had much interaction with kids her own age and that hurt. But seeing all these young ones trying made her smile. She watched as they all sat in a semicircle around Naruto. Show time.

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Naruto had been having a good week. The kids' training was coming along nicely and they hadn't complained when he suggested they study history in their spare time. To him it wasn't important, but then again, it never hurt to study past battles and apply it to your current strategy. It never hurt to learn anything and that was something he tried to impart to his students. Jiraiya was a perfect example of a ninja never stopping learning. The old hermit was fascinated with his Oiroke no jutsu and tried multiple times to use it, but to no avail. It didn't mean he stopped learning though.

Naruto looked out over his students and beamed them a smile. He still refused to learn their names but he was quite proud of them. The other academy teachers had requested that he alert them when he was about to give a lecture, for what purpose Naruto didn't know. He made a few Kage Bunshins to go and tell the teachers he was ready and that's when he saw Temari. Several of the younger kunoichi saw her as well and were excited to see the sister of the Kazekage and a powerful jounin in her own right. He smirked and motioned for her to come over.

Temari walked over as smoothly as she could, trying to make it seem like she was uninterested while trying to swing her hips as seductively as she could while being subtle. The kids wouldn't pick up on the body language, but Naruto sure as hell did. He'd hung around a perverted ninja too much not to notice that walk. He didn't let it faze him too long though and he smiled at his housemate.

"Hello Temari. Come to see the crop of students?"

"Actually I've come to listen to one of your infamous lectures. They've gained quite a reputation and I want to hear at least one."

"Ok. I didn't know they were that popular. I have to wait for the other teachers though. They wanted me for something. Hang around and I'll take you to lunch."

Many of the students began to catcall at his offer and were immediately shushed by a stern glare from their teacher. Temari blushed slightly at the insinuation but caught herself enough to offer her own glare at the kids and walk back to her position at the wall, muttering about stupid brats. Naruto wasn't sure if that was aimed at his students or at him.

After a few more minutes, the other teachers all came out with their students and sat behind Naruto's own. Temari quirked an eyebrow at the audience he had. Surely, his lectures weren't that great? They were good, but to empty the school just to listen to one? That was unheard of. She watched with slight trepidation as Urameshi Kari approached Naruto with a smile.

"We're ready when you are Naruto-san."

Naruto looked at her perplexed. He truly didn't know what was going on.

"Ready for what? Why did you all request I get you before my lecture?"

"Why, because we wanted our students to listen to it. And it might give us some pointers so we can spice up our own lectures. Just be yourself and lecture about the subject you had in store for your students. Do us proud."

Naruto gulped and straightened his back. He'd never had an audience of this size. It was one thing to preach to his own students, it was quite another to lecture to impressionable students who were the responsibility of others. He turned back to Temari and she gave him a reassuring smile and waved her hand in a circular motion, beckoning for him to begin. He sighed and turned back to the crowd.

"Let me first thank all of you for taking time out of your schedules to come and hear what I have to say. I hope that I live up to your expectations. For those students who don't know me, I am Uzumaki Naruto, container of the Kyuubi. I am a former resident of Konoha, but I am now a Suna nin. It is my pleasure to speak to you today. I would like to speak to you all about loyalty to one's village and comrades today."

Temari's eyes flew wide open. 'Oh yes, this will be most interesting. Perhaps I should send for Gaara.'

There was no need. As if on cue, her brother appeared at her side. He nodded to her and turned his attention to his best friend.

"I come from a village that espouses teamwork and loyalty above all else. And if I do say so myself, Konoha is pretty damn good at sticking to its guns. But there are glaring instances of shinobi going against that creed. I used to have a teammate by the name of Uchiha Sasuke, a holder of the Sharingan. We hated each other, but over time we began to get closer. His older brother wiped out his clan and he wanted to kill him. Sasuke would do anything to gain power to kill him, even if it meant selling his soul and betraying his village."

"I grew up with no one loving me, no one taking care of me. Sasuke had it all. People doting all over him, teachers lining up to take him as a pupil, a large inheritance, but he didn't care for any of it. As an Uchiha, he thought he was entitled to those things. Everything was given to him. I don't agree with that and I never have. Being given things breeds arrogance and the philosophy that you are better than everyone else. There is a subtle grace to learning something, attaining it the hard way. It makes you appreciate what you have more. And being taught breeds loyalty."

"Being taught means someone has a vested interest in you and your welfare. Being taught means you are worthwhile and therefore, you are loyal to that person because they take interest in you. I had a teacher in Konoha like that. I was the dead last, a word I hate and loathe with all my being. I hate the word prodigy, I hate the word genius. I had a teacher who didn't subscribe to that either and he has my undying loyalty because he took an interest in me. Not much of one at first, but enough to show me that I was important. That I wasn't a nobody. I was Uzumaki Naruto and I meant something."

"Then came my next teacher. He was and is one of the laziest people I've ever met. He didn't want to be a teacher and only passed us because we somehow overcame his expectations and actually tried to help one another. One of those who espoused teamwork over everything. But aside from chakra control, he never taught me anything. But I was loyal to him because he noticed me. He…wasn't the best person in the world but he actually called me by my name. He didn't call me names."

"But then he cast me aside to a different teacher that didn't want me. And my trust in him was shattered. But I still wanted acceptance and so my loyalty stood. Then my substitute teacher lost a one sided fight with my master. I call him master because he is the only true teacher I've ever had. Jiraiya of the Sannin is my master. I'd never admit that to his face of course, but I am loyal to him without question. It's been said that I would do anything to help my friends and that is true. I'd fight the Shinigami himself if I thought it would save my precious people."

"Notice that I never once said that I was loyal to Konoha. I was loyal to the people in it. That village never gave me a damn thing and yet I still wanted to protect the people. You'd think that, it being one of their Yondaime's final wishes, that the people of Konoha would see me as a hero and not as a monster. But that is the fate of a jinchuuriki, to be hated and reviled, even as we struggle to maintain our humanity in the face of adversity. It's been said that a person is smart. You can tell an individual something and if they're given adequate time to weigh what they hear, they can form a rational opinion. People are dumb, stupid, ignorant animals and together, they can bring even the most virtuous and righteous of men to their knees."

"Listen to me when I say it is good to be loyal to your village. It is your home and you should always protect it with everything you have. But without your precious people, a village is just a collection of buildings, a place where people live and sleep, and it will never be a home to you. But, love just one person and a village of enemies can become a sanctuary of the heart."

Suddenly Naruto felt very heavy. He sat on the ground and crossed his legs. He sighed before starting again.

"That's not to say that loyalty and friendship are always rewarded. Loyalty is different from devotion. Devotion is blindly following after something and never seeing the bad in it. I did that when I was younger with one of my teammates. I chased her and was oblivious to the fact of how pathetic it made me seem. But still I protected my teammates against insurmountable odds and never once received a thank you. And despite my bubbly façade on the surface, I was quite bitter on the inside. It seemed that no matter what I did, my loyalties would never be returned."

"And then Sasuke defected to Orochimaru. The same man who tried to destroy our home, all because of a promise of power. The price of said power was his body and mind and yet he didn't care. As long as his brother died. And so our bonds were broken. And like an idiot, I kept trying to reshape those bonds and bring him back. I couldn't accept that he would willingly betray his village. And I had made a promise to my crush and I couldn't break that bond either. That was how my loyalties lay."

"But of course, my story is complicated and there are many variables that I haven't brought to the surface. The point of the lecture is that loyalty takes both sides being true to one another. Trust is the key. If you trust your comrades with your life and they can trust you with theirs, then you have their loyalty and you have theirs. If you can trust your village never to betray you, and you show that you will never betray it, you both are loyal to one another. But loyalty is a two way street and both sides have to be willing to walk it."

"Remember when you leave today, that trust and loyalty are some of the hardest things to attain and some of the easiest things to break. One incident is all it takes to completely shatter whatever bonds you had with those precious to you. And that trust and loyalty may never be rebuilt. And if it is, it will take a long time. That's a sad truth, but it is a truth nonetheless. I want all of you to think on this."

Naruto looked around and all eyes were on him. The children sat in awe at the frank discussion and even the teachers were impressed. Naruto sighed and smiled at the throng. Sometimes he felt so old…

"Remember to protect those precious to you. I say that quite a lot, but it is a rule to live by. Remain true to your ideals and your loyalty will never be questioned. And if anyone ever questions your loyalty, work twice as hard to prove you are the better man. Do not sink to their level, questioning a fellow ninja's integrity. If there is one thing I cannot stand, it is a traitor to one's village and friends. If any of you ever turn on our home…"

At this, Naruto channeled a fraction of the Kyuubi's power to change his appearance and give his voice that demonic edge. Everyone in attendance, except the Sand siblings, were frightened at the sense of power. When he wanted a point across, he'd get the point across.

I will have no mercy upon you. I will request to be the one to hunt you down. All of you children are vital to this village's survival. Do not let visions of grandeur and false power lure you into betrayal. Do not fall into the trappings of other's more foolish than you.

Naruto let the demonic chakra fade and watched as the audience caught their breath. To their credit, the kids looked awestruck. Perhaps, there was hope for him here if they were so understanding.

"I'm sorry if I frightened you, but you must understand that I will not tolerate traitors. You were taught to be ninja; the best of the best, in this village and you should never abandon it. If things don't go as you wish, try to change it. Don't run from your problems. Face them head on and I'll always be proud of you. Now I'm going to lunch and I suggest you do to. I'm starving."

Whatever tension was in the air dissipated immediately. The teachers all chuckled and ushered the kids back inside. Naruto strode to the Sand siblings and put his hands on his hips while giving them a foxy grin.

"Well? How'd I do?"

Gaara 'hmmphed' and nodded his head. It had been a good speech. Temari smirked at him and crossed her arms under her chest.

"Was the demonic chakra necessary? Some of them might have pissed their pants."

"They need to understand the dangers of running off and betraying the village. If someone had threatened Sasuke like that, I don't think he ever would have left."

Gaara sighed and shook his head.

"In any event, you two come to my office and we'll have lunch before you return to your class Naruto. Temari, you have to give me your report anyway."

Gaara shunshined away, leaving the two blondes. Temari threw an arm around Naruto's neck and grinned.

"And after class, you and I have to discuss the particulars of our date. I hope you've been saving up while I've been gone. I have expensive tastes."

She too disappeared. Naruto stood blinking for a moment before sighing.

'Why did I ever agree to that?'

There was no answer as he shunshined away. But the wind seemed to carry a lilting laughter on it at the jinchuuriki's plight.