ok everyone, first I have made a few changes, mainly being I have changed sanntaro's name to Sanntaru upon the recommendation of a reader who pointed out that females in japan use u at the end of a name while males use o. so I have gone back though all the ch. and updated that, sorry for the confusion.

the next change was from their infiltrating the hidden stone village to the hidden cloud village, I found out recently that two character from cannon I wanted to use were from a different village sorry again for the sudden change if you find any mistake please tell me as soon as possible. now I believe this is another great chapter bringing some sorely needed lightheartedness to the story.

the next chapter is what I have been building up to, and is the climax of this story arc with their fight with their target. but don't think that just because this is a light hearted chapter that It doesn't have any importance or story cannon to it, and if I do say myself is quit amazing in itself. so as always read, review and send me feedback. those four to five who are awesome enough to make it this far. peace out

Chapter IX: Spa Day

Tobirama senju and Kenta had successfully infiltrated the village and met up with Rook and Sanntaru the following day. Over the course of the next several day they studied in depth the maps and daily routines that there target made, gathered by Sanntaru and to a lesser extent Rook over the previous day's. as they finished breakfast on the fourth day Sanntaru spoke up suddenly, "we need a day off. Like going out and actually enjoying the village, grab lunch, hit the bath house and relax. Were all to high strung right now (besides you of course Tobirama sensei)".

they all stared at he for a minute until Kenta broke the silence "sure sounds good to me, we have time and we are completely under cover so there shouldn't be any problems." Rook was next to chime in "I suppose it couldn't hurt anything," this would be the first time with the team going to a bath house that he and Sanntaru had conflicting unresolved emotions to deal with. Being on a team was hard on the female member there was little privacy and everyone caught glimpses every now and then, it just couldn't be helped and it had never bothered him before.

But now there was this feeling in the room that this was going to turn out badly. Tobirama looked around the room and into each of their eye's before sighing in resignation, "fine, but I hope my next team of students aren't as lazy as you three." And with that they all got dressed in the preppy civilian clothes that Sanntaru had got them in anticipation for this. All except Tobirama who refused to wear anything but the plain civilian clothes he had brought with him.

They all headed out with Tobirama in tow as soon as he locked there room behind them. They headed out on the town their first stop, the carnival that was being held this week at the town center. Tobirama took part in games of fishing and accuracy with a shuriken, but straight out refused any game of chance. While Kenta participated in games of mystery, "guessing" extremely accurately at what was behind what curtain or how many items where in a pot. Sanntaro was talked into performing on stage dancing with her whip and was an immediate hit with the crowed.

Rook proved his hematagan's worth by knocking huge structures of wooden pyramids down with one well placed hard ball to the right point as well as perfect accuracy with hard balls in hitting the target and causing the man on the platform to fall into the water time and again. After several hours of fun they decided to grab lunch at a fancy restaurant, ordering huge meals and dessert laughing and carrying on happily the entire time. Even Tobirama sensei seemed to lighten up more than normal, though he still felt uneasy about being so open in public, but he felt this being their last mission together that this needed to happen.

Afterwards they were bursting at the seams by the time they made it to the bath house. Sanntaru made sure they all got the full treatment (again except for Tobirama who refused a full body massage and manicure) once that was done they headed for the bath's. please let it be separate bathing Rook thought to himself as they made their way to the changing room, he knew he couldn't handle being in a bath with Sanntaro.

He wouldn't do it, he would turn around and walk out before that happened. Luckily for him it was separate bathing. Once stripped down Kenta, Tobirama and himself slid into the bath with a sigh of relief. After a short time relaxing though Rook looked at Kenta and asked "hey Kenta, Want to sneak over to the females bath and get a peek?" he said with an evil grin on his face pointing to the second woman's bath opposite the one Sanntaru was using.

Kenta usually reserved about such things hesitated before finally grinning himself and nodding "sure, but if we die I'm blaming it on you." As they made their way over to the divider Tobirama called out "I won't stop you but you're on your own if you get arrested, and you better not put the mission in jeopardy because of this, oh and if Sanntaru hears about this she'll kill you both in your sleep."

"then don't tell her sensei" Rook called out as they made their way through a gap in the fence they looked through the foliage and saw several women in their mid twenties, their soaked hair glistening in the twilight as the sun was starting to go down. Both boys started getting red across their cheeks and ears as they watched. Then Rook nudged Kenta as he started weaving hand sign's. "boiling kettle jutsu" Rook whispered as he finished and slid his hand into the water from behind the bush in such a way that they would not see it. The steam from the bath started to increase.

But not to the point that they couldn't see and the water slowly started to bubble. Kenta's confused expression turned to shock as he looked from Rook to the lady's now starting to sweat from the increase in temperature. The women started to act uneasy then began to panic as they headed for the edge of the bath in a hurry yelling for the others to hurry and get out. Rook and Kenta were frozen where they were, jaw dropped in appreciation of what they had seen. As the last of the women ran back inside they turned and gave each other a brotherly high five.

When suddenly they heard a noise as they saw Sanntaru jump the fence, her towel fastened securely around her. In a flash she was half way around the bath and standing right behind them in the time it took them to stand up and just begin to run. She grabbed both of them by the hair and pulled them back into a kneeling position. "it was just a joke Sanntaru" Kenta stuttered as he blanched pale white, while the blood drained from his face. "huh, whatever, she knows she can't do anything to us, or it will jeopardize the mission" Rook said confidently as Sanntaru's left fist caught him on his right eye.

Kenta cried in pain as her knee was brought full force into his ribs with a satisfying crunch. After the next several moments they hobbled out of the bath moaning in pain as Sanntaru paced silently behind them. Tobirama sensei was waiting in the hall with a bemused expression on his face. As they walked by he whispered, "was it worth it?" Kenta shook his head meekly as he glanced behind him at Sanntaru's blank expression and cringed. Rook cracked a grin and nodded "you bet it was sensei" he too turned and stared at Sanntaru's rage filled face in defiance, before throwing his arms around her and Kenta.

"Thanks for backing me up out there Kenta, and thank you for keeping our asses in line as well Sanntaru, you two are the best friends and team mates a guy could ask for. I know I've been a lazy fight hogging pain these past five years guys, but without you, well I'm not even sure I would have made it this far. No matter what happens from now on were in all of it together and we'll face it as a team of friends".

Kenta's face glowed with warmth and pride as he joined his arms around Rook and Sanntaru. And Sanntaru softened her expression as a tear fell down her face in joy as she joined in creating a full circle with the two of them. The day was coming to a close as they ate dinner in the bath house dining hall. It was their most jovial time as a team in all their five years together. Even Tobirama joining in and laughing more than he ever had. As they left Rook looked at the others as he started to take a separate direction than their hotel, "I've got an errand to run I'll meet you at the hotel in a bit".

Hesitating a moment he added "do you mind accompanying me Sanntaru?" a confused but willing Sanntaru followed him and waved to the others "I'll be fine, catch you in a bit, Kenta, sensei." They walked for awhile in silence finally ending up at the top of one of the craggy building made out of rock at the top of the hidden cloud village. They sat staring at the moon which happened to be a day or so from becoming full but not quite.

Rook stared at his hands as he began talking. "I know we promised we would wait until we were back at the hidden leaf before talking, and I intend to keep that promise. But I was hoping I could explain a little of how I feel without the use of words". Rook raised his hand with barely the slightest sign of shaking, and brought it to rest on Sanntaru's cheek, slowly brushing up and down along her jaw line, she shivered even though the night was warm. Her face flushed red as she leaned into his hand and closer to him. Rook hesitated, biting his lip, unsure if he could go through with it. When Suddenly with all the confidence of a lion pouncing on its cornered prey Sanntaro brought their lips together nearly knocking over an astonished Rook.

Her right hand finding the hair at the back of his neck, while her left slid under his arm across his back. And with nearly as fast of a reaction as hers had been, his posture mirrored hers exactly. For what seemed like an eternity the remained unmoved. When finally Sanntaro broke the embrace staring at him with her sharingan, yet still managing to express contentment and longing through them. And finally without a word she laid her head on his shoulder, wrapping her arm around his waist as he put his around her shoulder and they sat in silence staring at the moon.

While unbeknownst to them Tobirama and Kenta stood on a building a distance away watching the scene unfold. "can't say I didn't see it coming". Tobirama spoke softly to Kenta as he turned away to give them some privacy "but are you sure your ok with it, I thought you had feelings for her as well Kenta?" "Ha I may have appreciated her physical beauty and prowess as a combatant, but I can't say I've ever loved her on top of which that would make things…complicated between our clans. and I do have another girl in mind sensei so it's not like I'm going to be crushed by this besides I must say I saw this coming as well and I can be truly happy for both of them." Now let's give them some peace". Kenta said as he leapt off the building. And he was honest to God glad for the two of them from the bottom of his heart.