And here's Chapter 14. Not much to talk about. I'm over a thousand reviews and alerts now for this story. Hurray for me. Hope you guys enjoy this chapter. Readers, Reviewers, thank you...Act Naturally by Buck Owens.

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Naruto yawned as he sat under his favorite tree, waiting for Team Eight to arrive. Gaara had informed Temari in the middle of the night that she was needed to run a quick errand to a neighboring town a day away and she had left bedgrudgingly. Hey, Naruto was a warm body in the cold desert night…and desert nights were notoriously frigid. That was the only reason she'd been in bed with him…

He missed her company already. Temari had proven to be everything he could want in a woman. Sure, she was a bit on the affectionate side. She loved to be held and touched, but Temari, like him, never received it much when she was younger. Hell, once her mother died, she never received any physical contact outside of a pat on the head from Baki. Naruto didn't mind showering her with affection since he loved it as well.

But she wasn't just a fragile flower. She'd proven that many times over in their sparring sessions since he'd started living there. In battle, Temari was ruthless and would use whatever advantage she could to get the upper hand on her stronger opponent. Her analytical mind and knack for strategy could almost trump his on-the-spot plans and natural good luck.

It didn't work all the time though.

Naruto leaned back against the tree, nearly suffocating Sanzoku, who had taken up refuge from the cool morning air behind his back. The red panda finally wiggled his way from behind him and curled up around his neck, a much safer venue. Naruto scratched Sanzoku behind the ears and lost himself in thought again.

He had come far in his training with his father's jutsus. With Temari's help, he had torn into the wind jutsus with gusto, learning them quickly with the help of his Kage Bunshins. The tornado was the culmination of several months of study and trial and error. When he'd finally been able to do it without blowing himself up, he had wrapped her up in a hug and gave her a very passionate kiss. Temari had looked at him like he was crazy, her fingers on her lips, for several moments. Naruto was afraid he'd overstepped his boundaries…until she had bowled him over returning the kiss.

He'd been surprised that she had been jealous of his dating around. Temari had given no indication of jealousy on the outside but now that he thought about it, the signs had been there. Whenever they'd sparred in the past and she'd asked how his date had went, he remembered she was more aggressive the better his date had gone. She'd nearly killed him when he told her one time that he'd given a girl a goodnight kiss.

He sighed and crossed his arms as he looked up at the star-pocked sky. It had certainly been an adventure living in Suna. He'd just come here because he knew a few of the people and had ended up becoming a very popular schoolteacher and very desirable to the women of the village. Too bad for them he only wanted a certain spiky ponytailed blonde.

Sanzoku snorted, letting him know that Team Eight was close. Naruto stood and cracked his back, before walking to the stream and washing his face to wake himself up further. He smiled when he heard Akamaru approaching at high speed and stood to say hello only to be tackled by the enormous canine, right into the creek.

"Akamaru! Get off of him! What in the hell are you thinking?"

A few woofs was Kiba's answer as he hauled the dog off of Naruto, who was helped back to his feet by Hinata and Shino.

"No, I don't think he appreciated a bath this early in the morning."

A few more barks made Kiba raise an eyebrow and the others look on in confusion.

"What do you mean he smells like Temari all over?"

Naruto saw the need to stop any further speculation about what might have gone on last night (not that anything did happen).

"Soooo…what do you guys want to do? Wanna spar?"

Kiba threw his hands up in front of his chest in surrender.

"Spar? Hell no! Not after what you did to Neji and TenTen. I'd rather you show us around and maybe show us a few jutsus."

Hinata nodded from where she had sat down with Sanzoku in her lap, the red panda enjoying her gentle caress on his back. Akamaru growled at the smaller creature until Sanzoku cut his eyes to the dog and growled back.

Don't think I won't squish you mutt. I've finally found a girl who doesn't want to kill me, so go away.

Akamaru yipped and growled in response.

I don't care if it's your spot. She'll be leaving soon and then you can have her back. Learn to share.

Another growl. Sanzoku let one eye open and bared his teeth.

I'm comfortable mutt. Don't insult me just because you think you can take me. I'll show you why the raccoon tribe is feared.

"Akamaru, leave him alone. Hinata pets you all the time."

The dog snorted and flopped down next to Hinata, throwing Sanzoku baleful glares whenever the red panda purred in contentment when Hinata scratched a good spot. Shino took the moment to catch Naruto's attention.

"I'll assume from your match against Neji and TenTen that you've grown much stronger, so there's no need for us to fight against you. I'd rather learn a few things anyway…and leave a few bugs here to see how they'll take to the environment if you'd let me."

Naruto smiled and waved his hand in an encompassing motion toward the small forest behind them.

"I kind of figured that you guys would want to just explore and relax today. After all, you three are most comfortable in the forest aren't you?"

Kiba and Akamaru bounded off into the forest, their laughs and barks echoing all over the place as they flipped and twisted through the greenery. Shino wandered in shaking his head at their tomfoolery and began to search for the various insects that might inhabit the place. Naruto watched them go and noticed that someone was missing. He turned around to find Hinata still petting Sanzoku.

"Aren't you going to go and have a bit of fun?"

She shook her head and smiled up at him.

"No. The boys are the ones that enjoy tearing through the forest. I'd much rather you sit down and talk with me. I have a few questions and I'm sure you do too."

Naruto flopped himself down in front of Hinata and crossed his legs, never breaking eye contact with her. He found being alone with her kind of awkward, now that he was with Temari. Her small, serene smile wasn't doing him any favors either.

"So, Hinata, how has life been treating you?"

She rubbed the fur on Sanzoku's back for a little bit before answering.

"I've been doing well. Outside of missions I've been helping Kurenai-sensei with her son. He's quite the handful. Other than that, Father has been showing me how I will assume his duties once he is ready to hand over his status as clan head."

"So you've finally convinced your father that you're the right choice?"

Hinata shook her head and looked back toward the ground.

"Not completely. The only reason I'm still a viable candidate is that I have a cooler head in tight situations than Hanabi does. She tends to rush in, thinking her Hyuuga blood will carry weight with everyone."

Naruto smirked and leaned back on his hands.

"Not exactly a smart way to go. In physical battles it always worked for me, but politically…nah, that's not very smart."

Hinata smiled and her eyes drooped slightly.

"You've grown a lot Naruto-kun. I only wish I could have helped you."

He gave her a soulful look and sat back up.

"Hinata…you helped me more than you think you did. Remember way back to the first chuunin exams we took? You were the only one who thought I could beat Neji. Hell, not even my teacher thought I could do it. You helped a lot Hinata."

She shook her head hard from side to side and stared at him again with her violet eyes.

"But Naruto…I could have done more when you were younger. I could have been your friend sooner. Instead…I hid in the shadows like a coward…I was afraid you would reject me…"

Naruto sighed and turned his gaze away from her.

"Hinata…we were both fools. I was stupid too. I only looked at Sakura back then. I never even saw you until it was too late. Tell me Hinata, what did you think of me back then?"

"I thought…I thought you were strong and had much potential. You were funny, and strong, and…I even thought you were wise. Not smart in the book sense, but wise, in that you could understand others. You were bold and brash, raised your voice to the heavens, and told others your dreams. I…I wished I could do that. I wanted that."

"And you could have had it Hinata. If you'd just been bold enough to grab it."

The two sitting down looked up to see Shino standing to the side. They'd never heard him approach. He sat down, creating a triangle between the three, and turned to Hinata.

"The truth, Hinata, is that none of us ever tried to befriend Naruto. All of us are at fault. But, in the same sense, Naruto never gave you the time of day either. He was rather dense and still is in a sense. Maturity just makes him more observant over time. Like before he left the village, I believe he finally saw how beautiful you've become."

Hinata blushed at the praise and Naruto scowled as he rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.

"For your information, Shino, I saw how beautiful she was when I came back from my trip. It's kind of hard to miss."

Hinata's face just got redder as the praise was heaped on.

"Hell yeah she's beautiful. Who could resist that body or that cute personality of hers?"

Kiba had finally decided to join the conversation and flopped down opposite Shino, panting for breath. Hinata was now trying to recede into her coat, her face impossibly red. Naruto saw this and furrowed his eyebrows. There was no need for her shyness among friends. He stood and crossed to sit beside her. Once he was sitting he threw an arm over her shoulder. Hinata gasped and looked out of her coat to see who was touching her.

"Now Hinata, I know you're not going to faint on us. We can't hold a conversation with you if you faint."

She nodded her head dumbly and cut her eyes to where his arm rested.

"Now Hinata, I want you to tell us why you turn red when someone compliments you. You know what they say is true, don't you?"

She shook her head quickly, her hair flinging from side to side, whipping Naruto in the face. He chuckled and looked to Kiba, who had a big grin, and Shino, who looked like he was about to bust a gut (for an Aburame at least). This had been a long time coming…and Hinata needed this as much as Naruto did.

"Why don't you believe the things you say?"

"Because…"

"Because what? Hinata, you are beautiful, you are strong, and you are fit to lead your clan. Let me tell you something. That pedestal you put me on all those years ago? I'm still not fit to be on it."

She turned her eyes to him and was about to deny what he said but he held his hand up, stopping her.

"Hinata, I'm not perfect. I'm not your ideal guy. You saw me as you wanted to see me, just as I saw you as I wanted to see you. We're older now and we need to let go of our illusions. Hinata, you're beautiful…but you still lack confidence…and so do I."

"That's not true. You have plenty of confidence."

"Kiba, Shino, could you leave please? And don't leave any of your bugs…"

Shino nodded and dragged a complaining Kiba off by the collar of his shirt. Naruto turned Hinata to face him and looked into her eyes.

"Listen to me. I'm not perfect. I'm a coward Hinata. I took the path of least resistance when I left the village. I always talked about being Hokage but I gave up that dream…and to me, that makes me a coward. That's why I embraced my teaching role. I don't want those kids to make the same mistakes I did."

She blinked several times and started to speak.

"But Naruto…"

He grit his teeth and put his finger to her lips. She had to let him go on.

"No Hinata. Let me finish. It took me a year to realize that Temari was what I wanted. It's taken me a year to get as far as I have with the green. It took a year for the raccoons to decide that they wanted me as a summoner. I work hard Hinata, but I'm no genius. I'm not special like you think I am. But it's not the present I'm ashamed of, Hinata. It's the past."

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes slowly, opening them again to reveal his deep blues.

"I tried again and again to bring back a person who didn't want to be saved, all for my own selfishness and to keep a promise to Sakura that I should have never made. I ignored you. I didn't keep my promise to Neji. I left the village. I'm ashamed of myself Hinata. I haven't even spoken to Temari about this, but I feel I can with you. You'd understand because you're ashamed of yourself as well."

He hung his head, waiting for her to retort, slap him, anything. He just wanted a response. Hinata sat for several minutes before she finally thought of what to say.

"You're right Naruto. I am ashamed of myself. I've let myself be walked on for too long and it's become more habit than anything. The only time I've ever mustered any courage was when you were watching. It was borrowed courage. I was only able to raise my voice in your presence as well. I've been timid in the face of adversity. I've run from challenges. You're right Naruto, I'm ashamed as well."

Naruto gave her a quick squeeze and stood up, offering her his hand.

"We've both fucked up in the past Hinata. The best we can do now, is acknowledge where we messed up and go forward. We can be ashamed together and absolve each other of our shame, as friends."

Hinata gave him a small smile and took his hand, as Sanzoku moved to her shoulder so he could occupy his favorite kunoichi ever. She embraced Naruto and stood back.

"Thanks for the talk sensei. I can see why those kids like you so much now."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and turned to where Kiba and Shino had been standing, watching them. He waved them over and turned back to Hinata.

"I'm sorry I wasn't what you wanted Hinata, but there is so much more in front of you. You're beautiful and kind-hearted enough to have any guy you want, and you're strong enough to not have to take any crap off of them."

She grinned and decided to have a little fun with him.

"Why is it then, sensei, that Temari-san can have her way with you?"

Naruto grinned and rubbed the back of his head.

"Well, she's my girlfriend. And besides, Temari was always the bossy one. She doesn't get her way nearly as often as you think she does anyway. More often than not, I put my foot down and tell her what we're going to do. Secretly, she loves that. I just let her have her way in public."

She gave him a strange look and put her hands behind her back.

"You two are weird, you know that?"

"Now that's not nice Hinata. Shino and I are just different."

Naruto laughed as Kiba gave her a disgruntled look and turned to Shino.

"What do you say to lunch guys? My treat?"

Their response was a resounding 'Yes'.

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The rest of his visit with Team Eight was typical guy talk. What you been up to, seen any girls, how's it hanging, learned any new jutsus? Just typical guy talk. Well, as typical as it could get between Kiba's bragging and Shino's monosyllabic answers. Naruto left Team Eight that evening with a sense of nostalgia. He was always a bit closer to them than he was to the others.

With Kiba it was a series of braggadocio, a rambling of questions that was like it was read off a cue card, but it was like a ritual of theirs.

How's it hanging man? Slightly to the left and bumps the ground when I walk.

Seen any new chicks? Oh man, hell yes. There was this one the other day, swear to god man, her tits were falling out of her top…

Still haven't convinced Hinata to hook up with you, have you? One day, you smug motherfucker, one day…asshole…

Learn any new jutsus? Eh, a couple. Mostly just been refining my family's jutsus…

Yup, always the same with Kiba. Not that Shino was any better.

So…how you been? Fine.

Um…seeing anybody. Currently, no.

Ok…learned any new jutsus? Not in the past few weeks.

Ah…found any new bugs? Why, yes, I have. Let me tell you about them…

Naruto had let his friend ramble on for what seemed like hours, while Hinata and Kiba chatted to themselves. He let Team Eight return to their hotel late in the evening, happy that he'd gotten to talk to them. He'd gotten a few requests from Hinata for flowers to press and had made them on the spot. The girl had squealed with delight and latched onto his neck. All in all, it was a successful reunion with Team Eight.

All that was left was Iruka, Tsunade and Jiraiya, and Kakashi and Sakura. The last two he was dreading most of all. He opened the door to the compound and walked through the living room, where a few of Kankurou's puppets were strewn about, to the kitchen. He was surprised the light was on and found Iruka making tea on the stove.

"Finally back huh? It's about time Naruto."

"Iruka-sensei? What are you doing here so late?"

"I wanted to talk to you tonight instead of tomorrow. Tsunade and Jiraiya want you then and I didn't want to wait."

Naruto sat down at the table and accepted the cup of tea Iruka handed him.

"Ok sensei. I'm all ears."

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Iruka sighed as he sat down opposite his favorite student. He couldn't believe how the boy had grown. Now, he had his own class and students that looked up to him. It was funny how things came full circle in the most unexpected ways.

"I met your students you know. They're a great bunch of kids Naruto. You've done well. They're so young and yet, I bet they could take on a graduating class from Konoha."

Naruto took a sip of tea and smiled at his old sensei. He never thought he'd be talking to the man as an equal, as a schoolteacher. Life was funny that way.

"Thanks sensei. That means a lot. I don't know how you've put up with it all these years. I was ready to kill them after the first day."

Iruka laughed and slapped the table, nearly upsetting their teacups.

"That's rich. I can remember wanting to kill you on a daily basis. You were such a brat."

"Was I really that bad sensei?"

Iruka smirked and leaned back in his chair, throwing one leg over the other, and sipped his tea.

"No, you were worse. You were a holy terror Naruto. I can't imagine a more terrible student…or a better one."

They both laughed for a while before sighing simultaneously and losing themselves in their tea. A long, uncomfortable silence ensued, neither knowing what to say. As usual, Iruka broke the silence.

"Naruto…let me see your hitai-ate."

The blonde looked at him quizzically, but untied the headband from his arm and handed the band over. Iruka took his Leaf headband off and put the Sand band on.

"So…how's it look?"

Naruto shook his head and chuckled.

"It doesn't suit you sensei. You're a Leaf shinobi through and through."

Iruka nodded and took the band off, handing it back to Naruto as he retied his own on his forehead.

"To me, the Suna hitai-ate doesn't suit you either Naruto. I wish you hadn't left the Leaf. Things were going to get better with the realization of who you were."

Naruto narrowed his eyes, becoming somewhat angry with those words.

"And if I wasn't 'the son of a hero' Iruka-sensei, then would they have ever accepted me? No, they wouldn't have. Just because of who my father was, they would have kissed my ass and sucked up to me. I'd rather move here and be just another chuunin than live in Konoha and be resentfully respected. I'd rather be here."

Iruka nodded and sighed. This wasn't what he came here for.

"Forgive me Naruto. We all know why you left. I shouldn't have brought it up. I want to know how you've been in your time away."

Naruto leaned back in his chair and put his hands behind his head.

"I've been allright. The kids are well mannered and mind me most of the time. I don't know any of their names."

"You don't know any of their names?"

"Not a one. That's one reason I think they do so well. They think if I see how well they're doing, I'll want to learn their name. But I'm only here to show them the way of the ninja, not become bosom buddies with them."

Iruka nodded and put his chin in his hand.

"I see. That's…not the way I've taught at all. It makes sense in a non-sensical way, I suppose. Now…about this girlfriend of yours…"

Naruto spit out the tea he had been drinking and wiped his mouth on his sleeve.

"Iruka-sensei! What the hell kind of question is that?"

"The kind I want to know. I've watched you grow Naruto and I want to know what's going on in your life. Now, tell me about Temari."

Naruto smiled and leaned forward, his arms resting on the table.

"What's not to like about her? She's smart, funny, loving, caring, but…she also has a serious side and won't hesitate to put me in my place. Even when we have a fight, it's not so bad that we try to intentionally hurt each other's feelings. She's everything I could have wanted."

Iruka noticed the far-off look in the blonde's eyes and smirked. Time to spring the trap.

"Really? So…how's the sex?"

"The sex? Oh, its…"

Naruto's brain finally caught up to what was being asked and his face turned red as he took in Iruka's smug face. The older man had been waiting for this for a long time.

"Iruka…you…I…no sex…Temari…kill…"

"Naruto…you're stuttering. Try to talk in complete sentences please."

Naruto took several deep breaths and leveled a glare at the older man that made him flinch.

"For your information sensei, Temari and I haven't taken that step yet, and we won't take it until she and I are both ready."

Iruka put up his hands in surrender.

"Ok, ok, just teasing you Naruto. No reason to be all defensive. I was just joking."

"That wasn't funny sensei."

"I'm sorry ok? It was a joke. I'll drop it. Now, what about getting your own place? Or do you plan to live here for the rest of your life?"

Naruto beamed and stood up from the table.

"Actually, I've been studying a bit of carpentry and mason work in my spare time, as well as electrical and plumbing. Kage Bunshin are such a wonderful thing. I wanted to try my hand at building my own house. Let me show you the plans."

The two spent the rest of the evening going over his plans for the future, plans that included a certain four-pony tailed blonde.

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Naruto awoke the next morning to someone tapping on his forehead and swiped at the hand.

"G'way Temari. 'M sleepy."

"Hmph. I happen to think I'm a bit more important than your little girlfriend at the moment. You'd better get up brat."

Naruto rolled over and continued snoring. Tsunade frowned and put her hands on her hips.

"Good for nothing brat. I come here to meet him instead of going to his property and he won't even get up."

Jiraiya grinned and pushed her aside with his good arm.

"Let a pro handle this Tsunade. I know how to get the boy up."

He grinned and whipped the covers back, before summoning a bulldog-sized toad and pointing to Naruto's head.

"Sit."

The toad grinned and hopped onto the bed, right on top of Naruto's head. The boy struggled for a bit before tossing the toad aside, where it dispelled itself, and gasped for air.

"ALLRIGHT, ALLRIGHT GODDAMNIT! I'M UP! STUPID ERO-SENNIN!"

"Haha, brings back good memories don't it boy?"

Naruto blinked and looked around. This wasn't the wilderness. There was no campfire and Jiraiya only had one arm. He wasn't on his training trip. He grinned and launched himself out of the bed.

"Sure does ya pervert. Sure does."

Naruto wrapped the giant of a man in a hug and did the same to Tsunade before striding to his closet.

"Now then, what do you two want to talk about?"

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Temari sighed as she handed over the document she was supposed to deliver. This was a waste of a mission, totally wasted on her talents. Gaara could have sent anyone to do this, but noooo, he wants to keep her and Naruto separated, as if they were going to do anything.

She huffed as she left out of the merchant's office and went to find a dango stand before she headed back home. She already missed Naruto's cooking. Strange, how years before the boy had bugged her just by opening his mouth and now she couldn't imagine life without him around. Things were funny like that.

She opened the flap to the dango shop and froze. Sitting at the bar, were several very familiar cloaked figures. At least, the cloaks were familiar. Without a second thought, Temari backed out of the shop and bolted down the street. She had to make it back to Suna.

Pronto.

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A large man walked up to where a smaller man was sitting by a fire and flopped down unceremoniously.

"So…how long til we arrive?"

The smaller man cut his black eyes over and blinked slowly.

"What's the matter? Hard to keep the urge down?"

"It's getting harder the closer we get to civilization. I hope I can last until we meet this…Naruto."

The smaller man grabbed the other by the throat, making fear appear in his eyes.

"He's mine. Don't forget your place."

He thrust the larger man backwards and returned to staring at the fire while the others looked on.

'Soon, brother, soon. I'll have my eyes…and you'll have nothing.'

No animals made a sound as that sinister chuckled emanated throughout the forest.

Let me know what you think. Everything will come to a head soon. I just hope my muse takes me in the right direction.