Hello everybody, and welcome to chapter thirty of the Winds of Change! How is everybody today? I'm good! So, here we are, chapter 30! It's been one hell of an adventure, and I've gathered a ton of new reviewers as of this post, so that's awesome! I would like to thank my beta LuckyGem, for helping me out with this chapter!

I should point out that this chapter may be expanded on. Nothing major, just some more character thoughts, extensions of scenes, ect. So, if you wish to wait till then, then fair enough. I shall be commencing that tomorrow. That's about it, actually. So, without further ado, I present to you, the Winds of Change!

Chapter 30:

There was one window in the room. It was the only source of illumination, the only source of light. The orange rays of sunlight slowly darkening as the afternoon drifted on. A pair of onyx eyes watched emotionlessly, taking in every little thing. The green grass, the plants, the cabbage patch. Every single speck of dust that crossed Sasuke Uchiha's eyeline he noticed. Simply because he could. And because it made the pain go away.

Even with nobody in the room his arms were crossed in a defensive posture, his eyes and body alert.

The room he was currently in was barren, with grey walls. A single lamp was tucked into the corner, flickering softly. A hard, creaky bed lay against the far wall.

Sasuke leaned forward, clasping his hands together. Taking a deep breath, he tried to close his eyes again. He was immediately assaulted by visions of death, blood and guts. He flinched, his eyes whizzing open. He breathed heavily for a few moments, sweat forming on his brow. He wiped it away.

"Sasuke."

The Uchiha stiffened, his hand almost on instinct reaching for his kunai pouch. His obsidian eyes quickly absorbed the form of his sensei, and somewhat relaxed.

Kakashi leaned against the door frame, a calculating eye gazing at the back of Sasuke's head as the Uchiha turned once more to face the window. His usual orange book was nowhere in sight.

"Sasuke," Kakashi stated again, not moving from his leaning position. Sasuke grunted.

The Copy Nin repressed a sigh. "We can stand here all night, you know."

"Hn. I can. You can't."

Well, he had gotten him to speak at least. "So, I hear things went bad-"

"Drop it." The inflection in Sasuke's voice was one of rage as he turned on his sensei, eyes ablaze with cold flame. And drenched in sadness.

"Sasuke-"

"I said drop it!" The Uchiha's eyes unfurled into what they were famous for: the Sharingan. Kakashi did not move. He did not flinch. Instead, he eye-smiled.

They stood in silence for a few moments, Sasuke's unyielding glower never wavering. Eventually though, Kakashi moved. He strode past Sasuke, and collapsed onto the hard bed with a deflated sigh. Sasuke turned his head to the side slightly. The Copy Nin suppressed a chuckle.

Kakashi lifted himself up so his back was leaning against the wall, and patted next to him. Sasuke's look would have probably killed Kakashi. But, Kakashi was so 'hip and cool' as Gai would say, it didn't affect him. "Sit. We have much to discuss."

Sasuke grunted, going back over to his window. Kakashi watched, and waited.

The Uchiha's gaze soon snapped backwards. "Stop staring at me." He demanded. Kakashi's single eye gleamed, and patted the same spot again.

Sasuke released a frustrated sigh, hotly spinning around as he stomped over to the bed. He sat at the opposite end, far away from Kakashi, his arms and legs both crossed. "So, what's up?"

Sasuke looked at Kakashi, angrily huffed, and turned away. Kakashi rolled his visible eye.

"You were attacked, right?"

Sasuke took a moment to respond, but nodded.

"I see. You drove off the attacker, correct?"

Again, the Uchiha nodded, his stanceslowly relaxing.

"So you saved a lot of lives."

He stiffened. "No."

"You didn't?"

"No." Sasuke gritted, his hands balling into fists. "I didn't."

"You did. If this guy had been allowed to rampage he would have killed tons of civilians. You saved lots of lives, Sasuke."

"I didn't!" With a roar, he stood up. "I let them die! I wasn't strong enough to save any of them. They all died because I was weak!" He punched the wall sharply, the sound reverberating through the room.

Kakashi's expression remained devoid of any emotion. "You probably broke that."

Sasuke's reply was a grimace of begrudging pain as he clutched his wounded hand.

"Anyway, where were you before you decided to take your anger out on a guests house?" Kakashi gave the Uchiha a condescending look. "Ah yes."

Kakashi turned serious, sighing as he crossed his arms over his chest. "You saved a lot of lives Sasuke. But you can't save them all."

"If I had been stronger-"

"Then what? The fight would have lasted longer? Kurenai explained everything to me. You wouldn't have made it."

"But..." Sasuke was at a loss for words, unsure of what to say. "Ah!" he growled as he launched his foot into the wall defiantly. "I couldn't save them!"

"Sasuke, calm down," Kakashi commanded. "Listen to me."

Sasuke released a 'Hn', before he leaned against the wall, his posture guarded. "Speak."

Kakashi frowned. "I... understand what you're going through Sasuke. You lost innocent people you were trying to protect. It hurts. It will always hurt, and it's never going to get easier. But you tried. And you saved people. You can never save them all Sasuke, never. But you can save some."

"But... it was so vivid."

Kakashi's eye widened at the quiet, almost fearful tone Sasuke's voice had taken. The way his onyx eyes shone with depression. "It's the dreams again, isn't it."

Sasuke flinched. That was all the proof needed.

"It reminded you of... that night?"

Sasuke's nod was slow, and Kakashi was sure the Uchiha's head only moved a fraction of an inch. "I see," The Copy Ninja intoned. "We need to talk about them."

Sasuke scoffed. "Please, spare me the counselling."

"It's not about counselling. If you think I'm giving you pity, Sasuke, then that's not it. If these nightmares affect your abilities as a shinobi, then we'll have to formally discharge you from the ranks."

"You can't!" Sasuke shouted angrily. "I..." He paused slightly, his face morphing from rage into a different shell altogether. One of vengeance. Cold, fiery vengeance.

Kakashi shook his head. "Sasuke, how far have you truly fallen?"

It was painful to see his student like this. So, vengeful. Revenge never solved anything. Sasuke didn't see that. He had hoped, had silently prayed that the Uchiha would see outside of the darkness he cloaked himself in. He would be enlightened, be saved.

And he had been making strides. Sasuke was interacting with Naruto more. He was becoming softer. His relationship with Naruto was purely rivalry on the outside, but on the inside... it was a brotherly bond. A deep bond that both parties would always refuse to acknowledge. But it was there, just like his rivalry with Obito. Perhaps Minato-sensei saw that too.

What surprised him more than anything, though, was the bizarre relationship he had struck up with Hinata. It was utterly unfathomable, that the quiet meek Hyuuga heir would become friends with the cold stoic Uchiha. It sounded like something in a cheesy novel. But, it was there. Nowhere as deep or complex as Sasuke's relationship with Naruto, but it was there. A part of him, the more cynical, logical part of him was worried for the girl. Could Sasuke be using her somehow? The more gentle side of the Copy Ninja, however, ruthlessly pushed that idea aside. Sasuke may have been a misguided anxiety stuck-up proud teen, but he wasn't truly bad. Just misguided. Living by yourself with such feelings of hate and loathing must have been tough.

There was pang of guilt in Kakashi's chest. Perhaps he could have helped? No, he certainly could have helped. Somehow.

"Tell me about them."

Sasuke's inky eyes hardened, like he was trying to block all forms of emotion from leaking out of his eyes. "Why do you care sensei?"

"Exactly the reason you just stated. I'm your sensei."

"Hn, of course. Just mine, then?"

Kakashi froze. "Pardon?"

Sasuke sneered. "You heard me, sensei. Just mine then, right?"

Kakashi crossed his arms over his chest in a defensive manner. "I'm not sure what you're actually implying Sasuke-"

"You do!" With a snake-like hiss the Uchiha walked forward, his dark eyes swimming with anger. "You ignore them."

"Who-"

"Naruto and Sakura."

It hit Kakashi like a ton of bricks. Sasuke... cared about his teammates this much. No, he must have heard wrong-

Sasuke continued, oblivious to the barrage of emotions boiling in Kakashi's head. "You never pay any attention to them. You don't think I've noticed? How is that fair Kakashi, how is that fair!? I don't need any help, I never have and I never will!"

The Uchiha gritted his teeth in irritation as he spun around, marching over to the window once more, leaving a stunned Kakashi. "W-what-" Was all Kakashi could get out.

"I care very little for people, Kakashi. I lost all of the feeling in my chest when my family were torn away from me by that bastard. And yet, sometimes I feel it. I feel something in my chest. Something different to hate." His eyes swung backwards, catching Kakashi and shocking him with their intensity. "Whatever it is, part of me wants to extinguish it. And part of me wants to protect it. Naruto, that dobe, Sakura, as annoying as she is, and Hinata, who needs to get that stutter sorted out, all give me this feeling."

Kakashi was still floored. He had miscalculated about Sasuke's feelings. This was apparent.

"I've blocked this feeling, and blocked the annoying thing you do with the team, but no longer. If I'm not fit to be a shinobi, then you're not fit to be a leader damn it!"

Sasuke paused, taking a deep breath. "You don't think I've noticed how you only pay attention to me during training? How you only teach me things. You taught me Chidori, and that explosive technique. You taught them how to climb a tree. You corrected my shuriken and kunai throwing abilities. You taught them to work together. You taught me how to fight. You taught them nothing. Do you not find this unfair? I do not need help! I am an Uchiha! He is a dobe, and she is a civilian!" Sasuke seethed. "You are not a teacher! This is a cell, correct? We're meant to be a cell, a cohesive unit. And yet you try and split us apart!"

Reflectively Kakashi's gaze flickered downwards shamefully. If Sasuke, probably the most stuck-up teenager in the entire Hidden Leaf Village noticed how bad a teacher he was, then what did everybody else think? That he was a failure as a shinobi and a teacher. "You're right." Was all he said, the bland tone in his voice completely at odds with his usual aloof persona.

Something flickered through Sasuke's obsidian eyes, as he gripped the edge of the window-sill. "Hn. I dislike making deals, but this is for... a good cause. I'll make you a deal, sensei. If you agree to actually try to train the Dobe and Sakura, then I'll tell you about my 'debilitating' dreams."

Kakashi looked upwards. "Deal," he answered instantly. A ghost of a smirk crossed Sasuke's pale complexion.

Kakashi certainly felt bizarre, making a deal with his genin. How far he had fallen? He quickly replaced the burning of regret in his chest with an eye-smile. "Now now Sasuke, let Dr. Kakashi help you out."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed, and he scowled deeply. "Fine." He pushed his back off the window-sill, slowly stalking over to the Copy Nin. He sat down at the edge of the bed. "Let's get this over with."

Kakashi went to speak, but Sasuke interrupted him once again, "And you need to help get the Dobe and Hinata together."

Kakashi blinked. "Why?"

"Why? Because her googly eyes piss me off. And he needs someone to distract him from shouting at me all the time."

"Oh. I thought you were getting along so well. I mean, sleeping in the same house, same bed-"

"Cohesive Unit."

"You slept in the same bed so you could form a cohesive unit? Kinky-"

"Cohesive. Unit."

"Uh-huh," Kakashi rolled his eyes.

The silence that followed was thick with tension and anger. "So, you going to speak?" The Copy Ninja asked his student.

Sasuke merely turned his gaze to Kakashi. With a sigh, the Jonin said. "Okay, I'll start. How long have you been having these nightmares?

"Since my family was slaughtered."

"How often?"

"Every night."

"Every night? Throughout the entire night?"

"Depends."

"On what?"

"On how bad the images are."

Sasuke's answers were quick and fluid, no tone of inflection. They were sharp, cold, and fast. He expected this.

"During the night?"

"The day."

Kakashi's eye widened as he leaned forward from his slouched position so he was on the edge of the bed. "You get images during the day."

"Pictures and visions. Yes. Sometimes. Only when I see death. I was absent the day after the attack, wasn't I?"

Kakashi racked his brain. That seemed so long ago. Only a week ago where they training with Sakura, and now... they were here. "Yes. You said you were still recovering from your injuries."

"Hn. My injuries were fine. I needed to collect myself." Sasuke stood up suddenly. "We're done here. Leave."

Kakashi didn't fight like he should have. He merely nodded, standing upwards and slowly striding towards the door, as Sasuke resumed his place at the windowsill, staring out into the afternoon. He paused briefly. "I am sorry, Sasuke. For everything."

Kakashi left. And Sasuke Uchiha continued his absent gaze out the window, and into the darkening sky.

Jiraiya always found it amusing how people assumed that 'heroes' were different to them. That they did heroic things everyday, that they fought evil and defended justice all the time. In fact, they didn't. To call him a hero would be absurd. He wasn't a hero, not at all.

So, while it would surprise others, it did not surprise him that he was taking a stroll down a nice path. It was lucky he headed towards the community gardens. The rest of the town was rather drab and uninteresting, in his opinion.

With his mane of white hair, and cheeky grin, Jiraiya was enjoying his stroll. His partner was not.

Tsunade Senju was stunningly beautiful, no matter how hard you tried to deny it. Jiraiya certainly didn't. With her sharp amber eyes and flowing golden hair, the Toad Sage didn't really mind if she punched him for staring. He wouldn't be able to turn away anyway. And even if it was just an illusion, she was still beautiful. With or without her genjutsu.

"Did you follow me for a reason Jiraiya?" She snapped irritably, as they passed by a mass of bushes, all intricately cut into different shapes. Jiraiya smiled as he spotted the symbol for Konoha. How cute.

"Well, I wanted to talk Hime."

Tsunade scowled at Jiraiya's pet name for her, unconsciously swatting at her neck as she felt a blush creep up it. "Well, piss off."

The Toad Sennin just smiled. "Whatever you say. Where exactly are we heading?"

A tick mark appeared on Tsunade's forehead, as she whirled around. "Go away Jiraiya!"

"Hm, once you tell me what's wrong, sure."

"There is nothing wrong Jiraiya. Go away. Now."

The Toad Sannin's white eyebrow went upwards slightly. "You sure Hime?"

"Positive. Piss. Off."

Jiraiya smiled. "Okay Hime, whatever you say."

To Tsunade's surprise, he turned and began to walk away. A pang of guilt struck her heart. While Jiraiya was a perverted, annoying asshole, he was only trying to help. How long had it been since they had seen each other? A couple of years at least. She felt her resolve harden. No, she wouldn't. She didn't need Jiraiya, he was part of Konoha! And she didn't need that place anymore.

"I visited his grave before I left."

Tsunade froze, her hand moving to her chest. She stared at Jiraiya's white mane as he continued to walk away. He paused. "He wouldn't want his sister acting like this."

If he wasn't one of the Legendary Sannin, he probably wouldn't have picked up the whoosh of air. Spinning around, he just managed to dodge the destructive punch of Tsunade. "You don't know anything!"

Jiraiya scowled in annoyance, gripping Tsunade's arm as he twisted it. She let out a cry of pain. It quickly subsided, in its place rage. Tsunade kicked her foot to the side. It slammed into Jiraiya, knocking the breath out of him as he was sent flying backwards. He felt the bark splinter behind him as he broke through the tree trunk. With a grimace, rolled backwards, he landed on his feet. "Are we really going to do this, Tsunade?"

The Senju Princess angrily marched through the broken remains of what was once a proud tree, scowling. "You don't know anything Jiraiya!" She sped forward, her balled fist cocked backwards for a punch.

Jiraiya dusted himself off, and charged. With a whizz of energy, they collided. Not in the way the Toad Sennin was expecting, though.

Tsunade gripped his shoulders, tears running down her face. "What!?" He yelled.

His answer was a loud stamp as he felt his toes breaking. "Quiet Jiraiya. Please..."

Gritting his teeth through the pain, he did as he was told. And he held his Hime.

It took awhile for the usually unflappable Slug Princess to calm down. Jiraiya was still shocked in the first place. "Shh," he soothed awkwardly. They were standing in the same spot, the broken shards of bark and branches still across from him. What a bizarre day it had been.

"You going to tell me what's wrong now?" He asked quietly. She looked up at him, wiping her tear filled eyes. And just like that, she changed from a bawling wreck into the hardass woman he knew she was.

"No." She pushed him away. "Sit down."

"Why-"

"I'm fixing your toes. Sit down before I break your legs." Jiraiya shrugged and did what he was told.

Tsunade immediately set to work, her hands glowing with green chakra as she probed his foot. "Certainly broken a few. This shouldn't take long."

He wasn't going to complain. He had a decent view of her cleavage from his vantage point as she bent over...

Sadly, there were some more pressing issues he needed to deal with. Only by the slightest margin, though. "Tsunade, you need to tell me what's going on. As fun as it was watching you rip into that brat, you need to explain what that other girl was going on about."

Tsunade paused for a long second, before she continued working on his foot. After a good few moments, she said, "I got really drunk last night. Totally pissed, to the point I could barely stand."

Jiraiya snorted, that sounded just like his Hime! A pointed glare quickly silenced him, though. "Apparently I started ranting about how I wasn't going to help this Rock Lee kid. She caught most of the rant. So, she confronted me today."

Tsunade's breath became shaky, and she sighed deeply. "She called me out. Told me how I was her idol, and how she respected me. Then she called me a washed up old hag, who didn't deserve to be called a Konoha shinobi, and threatened to kill me."

"Ah, teenagers these days. So full of hormones, " Jiraiya tried to laugh the situation off. It didn't work.

"She was right, though. I'm a medical ninja, and yet I can't help the sick because I'm scared shitless. I can't do anything because of Dan and Nawaki's deaths!"

She finished healing him, and stood up abruptly, her face down-trodden. She turned to walk away, but Jiraiya shot forward and grabbed her hand.

"Hime, you're not worthless. You're a beautiful woman, and a fantastic ninja. Perhaps it's time to let go of the past, and look to the future. You can't keep living like this, wandering." She snorted at that. "Wandering without a goal. You wander and wander, until...what? You die? That's no way to live, Tsunade. Stop running."

"Heh, admirable goals Jiraiya. But ones I cannot adhere too. I'm sorry."

Without warning, Tsunade leaned in, and pressed a soft kiss to Jiraiya's cheek. The Toad Sage froze. Finally, after a few pulse-pounding seconds, the Slug Princess pulled back.

"Goodbye Jiraiya." She gulped slightly, the smallest of blushes dusting her cheeks as she turned around and walked off.

Jiraiya stood in the same spot, stock still, for fifteen minutes, before yelling out "Yahoo!"

The sun was still blaring downwards as Tsunade casually walked back towards her house. She hated the sun. It was so bright, and made everything so hot, all of the time. And since it was summer, it would stay out for ages...

The Senju Princess quickly shook her head. Talking about the weather with someone else was stupid enough. Thinking about the weather? That was borderline idiotic. It wasn't like she was trying to blot anything out of her mind.

It was rather hard to kick out a kiss from one's mind, and as hard as she tried she just couldn't do it. Jiraiya was... someone she cared for. Deeply. She tried to deny it, who wouldn't? He was a perverted fool. But, he was her perverted fool. Hers. Her perverted fool. The sound of 'her' in correlation with 'perverted fool' sent a bizarre emotion fluttering through her chest. Something she hadn't felt since-

The cold jab of pain was almost welcoming compared to the heat. Almost. Of course, she was still in love with Dan. Always would be. She couldn't imagine loving that idiot. She quickly reassured herself she must still be intoxicated. Yeah, that was it.

She furiously tried to hide the memory that she had used her special 'Hangover Away' Jutsu.

Tsunade came across her front garden the same way she left it.

With his golden hair, Naruto Uzumaki was brawling with one of his shadow clones. His signature jumpsuit was damp with sweat, his tanned skin absorbing the sunlight. With his cerulean eyes, he anticipated a blow by his clone, dodging to the side. With a war shout, he cocked his fist back and fired away. There was a puff of smoke as the clone poofed out of existence. The teenage blonde panted heavily, raising his fist in victory. Tsunade rolled her eyes.

The blonde collapsed on the ground, sighing slightly as he pulled off his jumpsuit top. His rather scrawny appearance was coated in sweat, as he stretched his short arms. He was obviously slightly malnourished, from what Tsunade could tell.

Naruto's eyes quickly snapped to Tsunade as she stared at him, his mouth forming a scowl. "Go away old lady," he muttered, reaching into a pack that lay by his side.

Tsunade crossed her arms over her chest. The nerve of this little shit. She was not old! But she held her tongue. If he truly was the son of Minato, perhaps he would do something amazing. Perhaps she was trying to distract herself from Jiraiya, she wasn't really sure.

Naruto stuck his tongue out in concentration as he rummaged around in his pack. "Aha!" The teenage blonde quickly pulled out a small container. Unscrewing the lid, he smiled at whatever was inside, and dipped his fingers into it. It was a goopy balm of some kind, and Naruto quickly rubbed it into his palms. He then began running his hands over his body.

Tsunade cocked her eyebrow. A healing ointment? She chuckled loudly. She didn't think the brat would have the forethought to actually bring something to heal himself.

"What are you chuckling at hag!"

A tick mark formed on the Senju Princess' head. "Quiet brat! I was just wondering how an idiot like you managed to remember to bring some healing balm."

Naruto scowled. "I'm not stupid you know! And besides, Hinata gave it to me!"

"Oh, the quiet girl? Hm, she looked clever enough, I suppose."

"She is clever!"

Oh, how cute! The scrawny little blonde boy was defending the shy Hyuga. What a cheesy novel her life was now turning out to be. "Yeah, sure, whatever."

"She made this you know." He shook his head vigorously. "From plants and things."

Something about this statement intrigued Tsunade. It was very rare for a kunoichi of her age to be able to make some healing balm. And, it was even harder to make it remotely effective. She strolled over, sweetly smiling at the blonde. "Give me some of that, please?"

Naruto clenched his ointment, scooting himself backwards. "No! It belongs to me and Hinata!"

"You stupid brat!"

What followed was quick and simple. Tsunade flicked the blonde in the forehead, placing enough chakra into it to cause him a minor headache. And, maybe a couple minutes paralysis. As he went limp, she reached down and picked up the ointment, as Naruto spluttered loudly, swearing vengeance.

Tsunade paid no mind to the blonde, although she resolved cut his vocal chords next time. Instead, she focused on the balm in her hand. She lightly probed it with chakra, checking its healing capabilities. It was very easy to create balms that would hinder the body. Lock up joints, slow reaction rates, all manner of things. While she didn't suspect the shy girl would do anything to the loud blonde, who was still shouting. But, perhaps she could have been given it by someone trying to sabotage the blonde. Not that she cared or anything. To her surprise, it turned out to be rather effective. In fact, it was so effective, she reckoned the blonde would be back on his feet soon enough. This was... incredible. It was just the right mix of certain herbs and flowers to create a perfect compound to heal bruises and sore joints.

"Does your friend have anymore of these?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto stopped his ranting briefly, frowning in thought. "Uh, yeah. She told me that one was for bruises, and the other one was for cuts, and - hey, what are you doing!"

The Senju Princess easily managed to find the other ointment Naruto was talking about and unscrewed the top. Deciding to shut the blonde up, she absent-mindedly threw the top to the side. It landed in Naruto's mouth, cutting off his communication to simple grunts. She probed the other balm, and, unsurprisingly, found it to be excellent. She hummed in thought.

This girl had managed to create medical balms that rivalled even a senior medical ninja. Only perhaps Shizune was better, but she also dealt with poisons.

"Is Jiraiya training your friend, too!"

Naruto let out a muffled yell. Tsunade frowned. "Just nod your head yes if he is."

Another muffled yell. Oh, yes, she paralysed him.

Well then, looks like, sadly, she was going to have to steal an apprentice from Jiraiya. How sad.

"Uh, is everything alright, Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade inclined her head to the side.

Kurenai's wine-coloured eyes were a mixture of horror and curiosity as she examined the scene before her. Her hands covered in shopping bags, she could only shake her head.

"Everything is fine. I was just inquiring about the young Hyuuga he hangs out with all the time."

"Hinata? She is my student. What would you like to know, Tsunade-sama?"

Tsunade smirked. "I want your student as my apprentice."

Kurenai balked slightly. "P-pardon, my lady?"

"I want Hinata Hyuuga as my student. She's exceptionally gifted with medical balms, and most likely with herbal remedies."

"I apologize Tsunade-sama, but I will have to refuse. The Hyuuga clan would never allow their heir to be taken on as an apprentice. Perhaps if you came back to Konoha..."

Ooh, a sly kunoichi. She hadn't seen one of them in a while. "Your slyness is best suited somewhere else," Tsunade snapped. "But I respect it. And your decision. A shame, she showed much promise. However, while she remains in my house, I wish to instruct her and see her potential. Refusal is not an option," the busty Sennin added after Kurenai opened her mouth to argue. The raven haired woman sighed, but nodded.

"Yes Tsunade-sama, that is fine."

Tsunade smiled slightly, her amber eyes shining. "Excellent. Find her and tell her to come meet me in half an hour in the room with the wooden walls. She shouldn't miss it."

The Senju Princess turned around and walked back towards her house.

Naruto finally regained movement, springing upwards and spitting out the lid. "You bitch! Give me back my balms!"

Kurenai sighed, walking past the loud blonde to put away the shopping.

Kurenai had barely reached the kitchen before she heard the soft sound. Crying. With a sigh, she placed the shopping bags on the counter, and followed the sound. Eventually, she found it emanating from a small room. It clicked in her mind whose room it was.

She knocked quietly on the door, nudging it open and peeking her head through. Her red eyes widened in concern. "Ino?"

The usual vibrant and beautiful kunoichi looked worse for wear. Her long platinum blonde hair was flowing freely down her back, messy and slightly frizzy. Her light blue eyes were red and puffy, her face stained with tears. She hiccupped, rubbing her eyes. "Kurenai-sensei?" She asked wearily.

Kurenai frowned. She had heard about what the teenage blonde had seen. "Are you alright? Do you need to talk?"

Fresh tears formed in her light blue eyes, and she nodded slowly. Kurenai gracefully slid in, sitting on the edge of the small bed and putting her arm around Ino. Pulling her in tight, she whispered to the Yamanaka as she cried. "Shh, it's alright," over and over.

It took ten minutes for the tears to run out. But Kurenai remained clutching the trembling blonde to her side. Every once in a while, words and sentences would stray out of her mouth. Blood, death, boy, man, horror.

"Ino, you need to calm down," Kurenai said softly but firmly, pushing Ino off her and regarding her with caring eyes. "What you saw..." She sighed. What could she say? A teenage girl had witnessed a man eating a little boy. "Was horrific."

Ino hiccupped, nodding. "Yes, it was." her usual peppy voice was quiet.

"As shinobi, we all have seen, and will see horrible things. That will never change. There are some people in this world who are cruel and disgusting. I've seen things that, to this day, make my skin crawl and make me shudder. But, you need to be strong."

Ino nodded slowly, the tears slowly fading from her eyes.

"As a woman, and as a kunoichi, you need to be strong. We need you, Sakura needs you. Crying will not solve anything."

The Yamanaka heir was quiet for a while, contemplating the words. "Does... does it ever get better?"

Kurenai shook her head. "No, it never gets better. But, with friends surrounding you, you'll be fine."

Kurenai did not expect to be enveloped in another hug. "Thank you Kurenai-sensei. I'm sorry, I'll be strong!"

With a determined smile, Ino pulled away.

The raven haired Jonin smiled softly. "Good Ino. Now, fix your hair, and how about we go spar?"

Ino smiled. "I'd like that, sensei-"

Knock knock.

Kurenai and Ino both turned their heads to see Tsunade's amber eyes staring intently at the platinum blonde. "Tsunade-sama?" Kurenai asked.

"I was just walking past, heard your conversation. You're a Yamanaka, right kid?"

Ino nodded hesitantly. "Ah," Tsunade nodded, " Good, you're coming with me. Your knowledge of flowers would be useful for teaching Hinata. If you show some promise, I may even tutor you!"

Tsunade was slightly worried how nice she was being to Konoha shinobi, but pushed it aside. They'd be gone soon, hopefully. Seeing kids these days had potential would be a good way to pass the time. And even if they didn't, she could still laugh her ass off.

She didn't wait for Ino to respond. "Good. Meet me in fifteen minutes at the room with the wooden walls. You'll know it when you see it."

Tsunade nodded towards Kurenai, before she took her leave.

Ino blinked, turning to Kurenai for guidance. The raven-haired Jonin shrugged.

Sadly, their personal time was once again cut short as Kiba kicked the door open with a loud thud. "Kurenai-sensei!" His large brown eyes were filled with worry, his body tense, "Have you seen Hinata!?"

Kurenai and Ino leapt up. "No, why? What's going on Kiba?" She demanded.

Kiba growled. "That asshole of her cousin made her cry and run off! I can't find her anywhere!"

Kurenai frowned. She would be having words with Gai when he got back, on how to control his genin. And she would most likely castrate Neji.

She turned to Ino. "I'm sorry, we're going to have to cut this short."

Ino nodded in understanding. "It's fine Kurenai-sensei. Go find Hinata and make sure she's okay. And thank you again!"

Kurenai smiled briefly at the platinum blonde, before her face contorted into a scowl. "Kiba, you search around the gardens, I'll search the rest of the house. Is Shino searching too?"

"He's sending his bugs out to find her. C'mon, we need to hurry!"

The two sped off in opposite directions, as Ino wiped her eyes once more and looked for her hair-tie.

It did not take long to find Hinata. Her chakra signature was flaring with emotion, but was hidden enough that it would be hard for any ninja under chunnin rank or under. Or, perhaps it was just luck.

Hinata's long black hair shone in the quickly dimming daylight. Kurenai scowled sadly. Poor girl.

"Hinata?"

The Hyuga heiress jumped slightly from her position slumped against a tree, and her eyes widened. "Kurenai-sensei?"

"Yes. Is everything alright?"

Hinata's gaze moved from Kurenai's wine red eyes to the floor. "No." Her voice was softer than usual, and yet held a sad edge. Kurenai crouched down.

"Hinata, you can talk to me-"

"I can't!" Hinata shook her head violently "You wouldn't understand!" Tears welled in her eyes.

"Hinata..." Kurenai had never felt so... helpless. Hinata had always wanted to listen to her, talk to her-

"Just, please, sensei, just go. I... need to think. Please?" The pleading tone in her voice was so sad, that Kurenai just nodded.

Hinata flashed her sensei a quick smile, before she stood up and darted off.

The jonin rubbed her forehead as she stood up. She hadn't gotten anything out of the girl, and now she had no idea where she had gone! If only he wasn't so stupid... no matter, she couldn't do anything now. She would just have to give Hinata some time to herself-

A thought occurred to the raven haired kunoichi, and the smallest of smiles crossed her features. Yes, if anyone would be able to get through to Hinata Hyuga, it would be Naruto Uzumaki.

Grumbling under his breath, Naruto wondered if it was actually worth it to stay here. That old bitch kept picking on him, stupid hag! Then again, nobody else seemed to have a problem with it.

As the blonde walked down the hallway, his mind wandered to the past few days events. His meeting with Kyuubi, the fight with that lightning ninja, Sasuke falling unconscious.

Thoughts swirled in his mind about Sasuke. And none of them were positive. Sure, Sasuke was a stuck-up asshole, but he hadn't really done anything to annoy him recently. So, why did he feel like breaking his face multiple times? It just didn't make any sense. What would Hinata-

He paused mid-step. What was it about Hinata and Sasuke talking that made him feel so enraged? It was sort of like the feeling he got when he was younger, when parents used to take their children home from the park. And he would watch. And that was all he could do.

He put down the memories, trying to figure out the problem now. What exactly was the word Iruka-sensei had used to describe what he felt? J... Jeal... Jealousy? That was it, jealousy. Why was he jealous of Sasuke and Hinata? Even the placing 'and' in between their names made him angry. He sighed, flexing his arms. Stupid bitch,paralysing him like that.

He had reached his destination, though, and vowed to come back to his jealous thoughts at a later date. Although, who he was going to see wouldn't help much. He pounded on the closed door with his fist. "Sasuke!"

There was no reply. "Teme!?"

Again, no reply. Naruto grumbled, gripping the doorknob and twisting it. Pushing against the door with all his weight, it swung open.

"Why didn't you answer me, ass!?"

Sasuke stood at the window, his coal coloured hair shining in the quickly setting sunlight. "Hn."

Naruto grunted himself, walking in the room and slamming the door. "I don't know why I bother, you ungrateful bastard."

Sasuke's obsidian eyes turned on Naruto cerulean ones as he moved next to him. They softened almost imperceptibly. "...Sorry."

Naruto blinked. "What?"

"Hn. I said I'm sorry. That I didn't answer you. Happy?"

The blonde scratched the back of his neck awkwardly. "Uh, sure." When did Sasuke say sorry? Ever!? "So... how're you?"

Sasuke rubbed his eye. "Tired."

"Oh," Naruto said dumbly, turning his attention to out the window. The sky had turned into a dark orange, and soon night would set in. The clouds that had been white and fluffy seemed to be turning a darker colour along with the setting sun.

"Hn. How're you?"

"Huh? Oh! Uh, yeah, I'm good, thanks. What'cha doin' staring out this window?"

"I don't know." Was the Uchiha's drab reply. "What are you doing here?"

Naruto grinned. "I came to see you Teme!" He slapped the Uchiha roughly on the back, earning a pointed glower, "The last I saw of ya, you were sleepin'!"

"I was unconscious." Sasuke deadpanned.

"Same thing!"

The Uchiha grunted. "Is that all you wanted?"

"Uh... yeah, I guess." Naruto grinned once more. "You've been in this stuffy room all afternoon. Come train!"

"I don't feel like it."

Even though Naruto was the number one least observant ninja ever, he wasn't dumb. Just stupid. However, he could still see something off with Sasuke's eyes. More sadness, than stuck-upness. "Aw, come on Teme! It'll be fun!"

Sasuke grunted, twisting away from the window and moving towards the lumpy bed. "I'm going to sleep. Leave." He paused. "Please."

Naruto was still rather shocked that Teme said 'please'. He would probably never get used to it. "Nah, I'm going to stay!"

"Be quiet then."

Sasuke simply laid down on the bed. He did not move for the longest time. Naruto was getting more frustrated by the second. How long had it been!? He began tapping his foot impatiently. "Teme, it's been ages!"

"...It's been thirty seconds."

"Exactly! Get up!"

Sasuke mumbled something dirty under his breath, rising and fixing his teammate with a piercing stare. "Go away."

Naruto shrugged. "Sure, let's go train!"

"No. Go away Naruto. Please?"

"Uh...no."

Sasuke tried to control his breathing patterns. He was trying to be nicer, killing the Dobe would not solve anything. "Why are you sad, anyway?"

The Uchiha stiffened slightly. "I'm not sad," he snapped.

Naruto raised an eyebrow. "Liar!"

Sasuke sighed and stood up. "I'm annoyed."

"Really? I never would have guessed!"

Sasuke's eye twitched, but he ignored it. He moved back over to the window, crossing his arms. "I'm pissed about the fight."

"Oh, but we kicked ass!"

"Idiot. We didn't 'kick ass' we failed!"

"No we didn't!" Naruto snapped, stomping his foot. "We saved lots of people, and did some wicked cool moves, and-"

"But we didn't save them all! Did you not see them die, you ignorant fool!? They died because we weren't quick enough."

Naruto blinked. "Yes, I know they died."

"So what're you doing now then? Why are you so calm, and not bothered by their deaths, hmm?" Sasuke sneered angrily. Stupid bastard.

"Well," Naruto crossed his arms, scowling, "A future Hokage needs to be strong. I know that now. I'm sad they died, but there was nothing we could have done."

"Exactly! They died and we couldn't do anything to stop it. I don't know who to blame, whether to be you, me, or Kakashi-sensei."

"What did Kakashi-sensei do!? He wasn't even there!"

Sasuke gritted his teeth. He was regretting his pact to be nicer. "Have you never noticed how he ignores you, and focuses on me?"

"Yes." Naruto smiled, thinking it was the most obvious thing in the world.

"Then why aren't you annoyed about that?"

"Why would I be. And you say I'm the stupid one, Teme! That's how it works."

"...No, that's not how it works."

"It's not?" Naruto looked baffled. The 'old' Sasuke would have scowled and berated him for being an idiot. But, there was something off about this.

"No. Explain to me what you mean 'that's how it works'?"

"Okay! Well, it's how it works, right? The sensei always picks who he thinks is the strongest, and trains him, and he leaves the others to train themselves!"

Sasuke blinked. Who told him that!? "Who told you that, exactly?"

"The sensei's in the academy. They always said I wasn't good enough to be taught, and that they didn't have to, so they left me alone and went on to train everybody else."

Seriously!? What the hell was wrong with these teachers!? Leaving a student out of being taught because he wasn't 'strong enough' was illegal. No wonder the stupid Dobe was... well, a stupid Dobe!"

"They weren't allowed to do that."

"They weren't-" Naruto paused, and a dark look came over his face. "Oh."

"Oh?"

"Hn."

Sasuke blinked. Naruto really hadn't known, had he? Was he actually even taught at the academy? He sighed and shook his head. He would need to ask someone who had paid attention to Naruto. Someone like...

"I'm going to see Hinata," The Uchiha announced suddenly, turning around. He paused as he reached the door. Was that... killing intent?

He spun around. Naruto's gaze was on him, looking almost ferocious. "Why?"

Sasuke's eyes narrowed. He instinctively crossed his arms. "What's it to you?"

Naruto growled loudly under his breath. "Why are you so interested in her? What are you planning on doing to her, you bastard!?"

Sasuke blinked. What? What he was planning to do with her?

"What are you going on about you Dobe. I'm not planning on doing anything."

"Then why are you spending so much time with her!?" Naruto was now gripping the windowsill. Sasuke could see the smallest of cracks.

"I-I'm being more friendly."

"Well, why with her!? Why not with Tenten, or Ino, or Lee, or Kiba!?"

"I will with due time. This isn't any of your business Naruto. Back off." Now Sasuke was angry. This stupid... whatever you would call him was demanding to know why he was going to see her? It was none of his concern, and never would be.

"Make me! Why are you doing this!" Naruto yelled, his grip increasing on the windowsill, along with the crack. "Why are you trying to steal my friend!?"

Sasuke could see flecks of red in Naruto's eyes. "I'm not trying to steal your friend, Dobe."

"Liar!" Naruto charged forward, barrelling into the Uchiha. He knocked the air out of him as they tumbled through the door, breaking it off it's hinges with a loud bang.

Sasuke kicked the blonde off him, sending him sprawling backwards. "What the hell is your problem you idiot!?"

"I know what you're trying to do!" Naruto roared. "Trying to steal the only friend I've ever made myself, because you're a selfish bastard!"

"Only friend? What about Kiba, and Shikamaru, and Sakura, and me?"

"You're not my friends!" The words stung Sasuke in a way that he hadn't expected. Why didn't he think of them as friends? Sure, they argued, but, they were still friends, right?#

"We are-"

"No!" Naruto swallowed something building in his throat. The specks of red faded from his eyes. "You... you're not. Shikamaru and Kiba were only there because I knew how to escape the academy."

"What about-"

"You and Sakura? We were placed on a team, forced to get along. I never made friends with you myself. Hinata is the only person who I've ever made friends with, with my own power. And now you want to take that away from me!?"

"What's going on!" Kurenai's commanding voice echoed down the hallway, reaching the stunned Sasuke. Did Naruto really think that? That they were just friends because they were on the same team? That they tolerated him?

He couldn't speak as Naruto barged past him, his normally bubbly cerulean eyes filled with coldness. "What's up Kurenai-sensei?" The blonde asked in a detached tone.

Kurenai frowned at him slightly. "Hinata's gone missing." Naruto's eyes softened, and were filled with alarm.

"We need you to track her down and talk with her. She's really sad about something, and-"

"I'm on it sensei!" Naruto was gone before she had even finished, barrelling down the hallway.

Sasuke watched him go, a sad look on his face. The irony. Trying to get someone together with someone, and yet pulling them apart at the same time. He rubbed his forehead.

Kurenai watched the raven-haired boy on the broken door, and just shook her head. She was tired. She would let Naruto do her thing. Kakashi could sort out Sasuke's mess. She pinched the bridge of her nose, and left, as Sasuke simply stood up, walked into the room, and lay on his bed, thinking, and waiting for sleep to come. It never did.

And there we go! I had fun trying to expand my writing style in terms of characters actions while speaking. I overall enjoyed writing every scene. I'm not super keen on Kurenai and Hinata's scene, I think that can be expanded on, and it shall be in due time :). So, thanks for reading, I hope you enjoyed, I look forward to hearing your thoughts!

Have a great morning/afternoon/evening/night!