Disclaimer: I may not own Naruto, but I'll be damned if that will deter me from not enjoying the series any less! Cha!
Chap. 18: New Plans
(Naruto's P.O.V)
It was going onto two o' clock when I heard another knock from my window. I turned to see someone I haven't seen in quite awhile waving to me.
"Konohamaru? What are you doing here?" I said, sitting up from my bed.
Konohamaru hopped into the room, scarf trailing behind. He was now sporting a fresh Chunin vest, but still wore his usual clothing underneath, "Hey, Naruto. It's been awhile."
I stretched a bit as I gave the young Chunin a grin, "Heh, so it's true, you are a Chunin now. Congratulations!" Konohamaru grinned with equal enthusiasm.
"So, are Moegi and Udon still on your team?" I asked. I immediately noticed Konohamaru frown a bit, but he returned to his cheeky grin almost immediately.
"Nah, Udon's going into interrogation, but Moegi is still on the same team with me. Um...Hanabi also joined are team." he gave a grin.
"Two girls, huh? Lucky." I smirked, and was pleased to see him get flustered.
"D-don't read into it!" he snapped, becoming defensive.
I laughed, "Easy, Konohamaru, I'm only kidding. Though I have to admit, Moegi has become quite the looker. Hanabi nothing to pass by either." I added with waggle of my eyebrows. Konohamaru actually nodded in agreement.
"Well, I came by to ask if I can come along on your mission. I've been bored out of my mind with low-ranking C missions for the last month. I definitely could use something like what you're doing. It will be at least another month before Shikamaru-sensei and Iruka-sensei let me co-teach with them at the academy." Konohamaru spoke, rubbing the back of his head.
"Wait, you're going to teach academy students?" I said, stifling a laugh.
Konohamaru shrugged, "Yeah, I know. I mean, I'll be learning while I do so, but I'll mainly be teaching the basics." He laughed, then added, "Sure, I was I bit of a screw up in the academy but-"
"So was I." I interrupted, "You're a Sarutobi, so I'm sure you'll do great." Konohamaru gave a forlorn smile, still touchy about the loss of his grandfather and uncle. Overall though, he had become stronger because of it, "...um, anyways, what mission were you talking about?"
Konohamaru slapped his forehead, "Oh, right, you weren't informed yet. Well, I asked Tsunade-baachan herself, she told me to ask you for permission." He pulled out a mission scroll and cleared his throat as he opened it and read, "The following shinobi are to go on a special non-ranked diplomatic mission to Wave Country to discuss an alliance with the Village Hidden in the Sea and the Vilage Hidden in the Mist. These ninja are as follows: Naruto Uzumaki, Rock Lee, Nara Shikamaru, Anko Mitarashi, Sakura Haruno, Temari no Subaka, and Chouji Akimichi. Any other ninja interested should consult the Hokage, or Naruto Uzumaki about joining," Konohamaru pocketed the scroll, then looked up at me, "Um...I do know that Jiraiya-sama, Kakashi-sensei, and Rin-san are joining. Hinata Hyuuga and Kiba Inuzuka are also considering it."
I gave Konohamaru a confused look, "So, why did Baa-chan assign me authority over teams?"
Konohamaru shrugged, "I don't know, something about, 'getting you ready for the real job' though I have no clue as to what she meant by job. I don't know how assigning teams for missions helps with being an ANBU..."
I nodded, thinking of what Konohamaru said. Baa-chan wasn't already considering making me Hokage, was she? I mean, sure, I would gladly take it, but was I ready? I turned to the Chunin, "So, you want to join in?"
Konohamaru gave me a pleading look, "Oh please, will you?"
I laughed, "Gee, I don't know. It sounds pretty important...you should be honored that Tsunade was even willing to have you inform me of this..."
"Oh come on, I promise I'll be useful!" he pleaded. Even though he was fifteen or so, he sure acted like a little kid.
"Fine, but you better have Moegi and Hanabi come with."
"Really?! Aw, thanks, Naruto! You're the best!" Konohamaru grabbed me in a brotherly hug, and I couldn't help but laugh at his enthusiasm.
"No problem. So, when is the mission scheduled?" I said, mussing the kid's hair.
"Two weeks from now." Konohamaru replied.
I nodded, and felt fully assured now that my idea that I had come up with in the past hour would work, "That should be enough time to teach her." I said, planning on doing some training with Sakura.
"Teach who?" asked Konohamaru.
I snapped out of my thoughts, "Huh? Oh, uh, nevermind, Konohamaru," I waved my hand dismissively, "So, Iruka's finally getting married in three days."
Konohamaru smiled, "That's right. Heh, you know, I never thought that Anko and Iruka would end up a couple. However, she had been stopping by the academy in the past three years that I did some part-time work there. She usually would pull Iruka out of his classroom in the middle of a lesson, so either Shikamaru-sensei or my self would have to cover for the fifteen minutes he was gone. He always came back inside with a beet red face and a grin on his face though..." Konohamaru snickered, and I found myself doing the same.
"What has poor Iruka-sensei gotten himself into?" I said with a chuckle.
"Do you think she forced him into it?" Konohamaru asked me.
"Heh, Anko? Nah, she's too bright to force Iruka-sensei into marriage. My guess is he tried to tell her himself, but she ended up proposing for him. Besides, they were made for each other if you ask me." I replied.
"They do make an odd couple though." came a voice from the doorway.
"Oh, Hinata-san, I'm sorry! I was just informing Naruto-sempai of the upcoming-"
"It's allright Konohamaru. No need to apologize and get all nervous." she smiled, then turned to me, "While we're on the topic, you wouldn't mind Kiba and me tagging along on the mission, would you?"
"I don't see why not. The more the merrier. We'll have about fifteen people then, so that should be fine." I grinned, and she gave me a curt nod.
"Thanks, I've been needing to get out of the village for some time now. Oh, and you're clear to go Naruto. Sakura's waiting in the lobby for you." Hinata said as she left the room.
I turned to leave, then looked back to the Chunin, "Naruto-sempai?"
Konohamaru merely snorted, "Tch, just showing you the proper respect...not that you really deserve it." he smirked, obviously joking with me.
"Right," I said while rolling my eyes, "I'll see you at Iruka-sensei's wedding."
Konohamaru gave me a salute, then jumped out the window. I took off my bandages and threw back on my outfit. I bounded down the stairs and as soon as I turned to the lobby I noticed a familiar pink-haired kunoichi run to me and wrap her arms to me, nearly knocking me over.
Sakura smiled as she gave me a kiss, "Thanks for not leaving early this time."
"No problem. So, I'm guessing you've heard about the mission to Wave Country?" I asked her as we walked out of the hospital.
"Yep, and I plan on enjoying it. It's not ranked, so we can have some fun while we're there." Sakura replied, and I grinned at the 'fun' part. She merely rolled her eyes...but she never said anything about it. The smile on her face only helped reassure she agreed with my train of thought, "We'll see, Naruto...just better make sure Jiraiya doesn't see anything."
We walked out into the park area, clearly not planning on going anywhere in particular. We sat under a sakura tree, and I couldn't help but smile as I looked at the girl right next to me.
"Sitting under this tree only makes being with you that much better..." I said as she leaned against my shoulder and wrapped an arm around my chest.
"Ugh, that's so corny, Naruto," I heard her say, "...but thank you..."
After a while of sitting, I decided now was as good as any time to bring up my idea to her, "Um...Sakura...?"
"Mmhm?" she said, her face muffled by my outfit.
"I want to teach you a technique..."
She lifted her head, and gave me a look of interest, "Really, and what technique would that be?"
"A ninjutsu of sorts..." I replied.
"What one?"
"The Rasengan." I answered.
Sakura looked at me as though I was covered with ants, "You're joking...right?"
I shook my head, "Not at all. You've got much better chakra control than me; I think you could learn it faster than me even. I mean, you're a Special Jonin, so I don't see why you can't do it. It might not be as powerful as mine, but it will still work like any other Rasengan."
"What about chakra capacity? I don't have that kind of power at my disposal." Sakura argued, clearly not keen on my suggestion.
"You never know until you try, Sakura." I said, waving my finger at her.
She sighed, "Naruto...I-"
"Sakura, please. I want you to learn it. It would mean alot to me...just...try it at least." I begged.
She gave a look of defeat, "Fine, fine...but don't say I didn't warn you if I fall over dead before our first training day is over."
I merely grinned, "Don't worry, I believe in you." I stated as we got up to head to the nearest training zone.
end of Chap. 18: Hey, I finished another one! Now, if you're wondering, I'm still taking my time as I learn more about the Akatsuki members. I'm kind of doing research on Pein and Konan, and I've learned some interesting things about them. I have my theories on Tobi, yet I can't trust my assumptions yet...not sure if he is who everyone says he is. He has the Sharingan...sorry for those who didn't know. I'm still trying to learn more on Pein, but I got to say that I think Konan's powers are neat, if anything else. I won't spoil it for those who don't know yet (chapter 372, cough). Anyways, wow, I've also got some new ideas after seeing how cool Naruto looks with two tails on the anime, and just how Kakashi's Mangekyou Sharingan works. For those of you who didn't know he had it, I'm sorry to spoil it for you, but yeah, he gets the Mangekyou...and it's different from Itachi's, if not much cooler in my opinion. Four words: Warping space and time. Anyways, if anyone has questions, let me know!
Shoutout no Jutsu: kishi.tenshi (yeah, I know, Sasuke inside Naruto's mind already happened, but this time Sasuke's not out for Naruto's blood, but thank for acknowledging the fact that I know this. I'm going to have a chapter later that will be dedicated just to Kyuubi and Sasuke's perspective inside Naruto's mind. It should prove to be funny...hopefully) xFadingMoonx (Oh, don't worry, I don't go too long without romance. Just a hint for you, the training between Naruto and Sakura will end up making a very 'special' type of Rasengan...and no, not in a perverted sense. What kind you ask? You'll have to wait and find out! Haha!)