Chapter XIII: "Hey Tomorrow"

"You're going to die. You're going to be dead. It could be 20 years, it could be tomorrow, anytime. So am I. I mean, we're just going to be gone. The world's going to go on without us. All right now. You do your job in the face of that, and how seriously you take yourself you decide for yourself." – Bob Dylan


Tenten eyed Neji as he left to get some sleep. In about two hours Lee and Gai-sensei would be waking just before the sun to run laps, do push-ups, and run through various kata.

Insanity. Pure insanity.

Last watch wasn't so bad, though. Uninterrupted sleep at the cost of merely waking up early. A smart trade off in Tenten's book. Uninterrupted sleep was one of those intangible things that would be worth its weight in gold if it were ever given physical form.

More importantly, it didn't seem as if their enemies would be attacking anytime soon. Though, the smart-assed one had implied that a plan was in place. Tenten was confident their sensei would fill them in when everyone was awake. Hopefully, this mission could conclude sooner rather than later.

Tenten already had ideas for how to spend the juicy A-rank paycheck that was coming her way. The kunoichi wasn't quite sure if her younger peers had been made aware of the upgrade, but didn't see fit to tell them. Sakura might be kinda cool, but her two cretins were sub-human trolls that were far too clever for their own good.

She sincerely hoped that she would not have to stab one or both of them.

"Dead." A voice said, placing a single finger on Tenten's left bicep.

The girl started. "Naruto!" she hissed, palming a kunai and placing it between his thigh and groin. "Do you want to get castrated? Because that's how you get castrated!"

"He'd die before you finished," a second voice spoke from below the branch Tenten was currently occupying as the Naruto in front of her grinned before poofing out of existence. "But I would still get part of the memory," the second Naruto shuddered theatrically before leaping up to sit next to her, "so I sent him on his way prematurely."

Tenten frowned. "How the hell did you manage to sneak up on me, Neji would have noticed if you'd been laying in wait…" The girl paused, remembering her teammate's parting report. "He saw some of your patrols roaming the woods, even."

Naruto chuckled. "Must be nice to have a Byakugan on the team. If only we were all so fortunate," the blonde sighed wistfully. He paused, grimacing. "Instead I got Sasuke– he's an asshole."

"The Sharingan has its uses, I'm sure," Tenten replied easily, "plus you could have had the Byakugan and the Sharingan if your team had gotten Hinata instead of Sakura."

At that, Naruto openly laughed. "Oh, man, could you imagine? Sakura would kill Kiba and Hinata would have a second Neji in her life." Tenten found herself smiling at his mirth. "No, no one deserves two Nejis."

"Hey, he's an asshole but he's our asshole," Tenten interjected. "You should just hope that Gai-sensei and Kakashi-sensei don't decide to have us train together, rookie."

"Tenten-chan," Naruto gasped, hurt, "are you pulling non-existent rank on me so soon?" The blonde tsked. "And threatening my physical well-being, too? Dreadful."

Tenten giggled. "It's not a threat, Naruto-kun, just sage wisdom from your senpai. Don't ignore it and make me beat up Sakura-chan before I help me other teammates beat up you."

They both laughed quietly at that.

"But, seriously," Tenten quickly continued, "how did you sneak up on me? Was it some kind of jutsu?"

"No, just pure stealth," Naruto admitted, eyeing the stars. "The Silent Killing Technique is just well-honed stealth. Perfect for assassination. Zabuza is particularly fond of combining it with his Kirigakure no Jutsu."

Tenten furrowed her brow at that. If Naruto had been an enemy, she'd surely be dead. "And who taught this to you? It certainly wasn't the Academy."

Naruto smiled serenely. "I know a guy."

"And?" Tenten prompted.

"He knows a thing or two about how to use a ninjato or a katana."

"Fair enough," Tenten allowed. No sane person would just hand out all their secrets, after all. It still never hurt to try, though. "So, can I assume you can use that without hurting yourself?" She asked with a nod to the sword at the back of Naruto's waist.

"You could say that," Naruto admitted, "though you should know Zabuza is a master swordsman, so is the girl– Ameyuri, I think Kakashi-sensei said… and Haku-chan isn't going to let me get close enough to use it on her pretty face, either."

Tenten whistled. "Thems fighting words. Sounds personal."

"You ever been nailed to the fucking floor, Tenten-chan?" Naruto asked, waiting for the girl to shake her head "no." "I hope it never happens to your pretty feet," the blonde continued, making the kunoichi quirk a brow, "but, heads up, it'll change your opinion on a person."

"I'll keep that in mind, you foot-loving-pervert," Tenten giggled. "And, when we get back home, if you ever wanna find out how much you suck at kenjutsu, come find me," she smiled brilliantly in the moonlight, "and I'll have you tucked back and peeing sitting down like a proper lady before the sun sets!"

Naruto laughed heartily—as heartily as one hoping to remain hidden could—fully intending to hold her to that offer. "You've the mind of a poet," he drawled in mock elegance before grinning, "but I cannot wait to show you how I play with my sword when we get back to Konoha."

Tenten rolled her eyes, hiding a small grin tugging at her lips. "Keep it holstered, rookie. You still have to survive this mission. Speaking of, you alluded to some vague plan earlier…" she fished.

"That I did," Naruto hedged, "though it's more accurate to say it was a group project between Gai, Kakashi, and myself."

"So you going to enlighten me, or what?" Tenten deadpanned.

"Ugh," Naruto grimaced, "are you really going to make me explain it twice?"

"You know you want toooo~!" Tenten prodded in a singsong voice.

"The gist is that Neji and Lee will protect the client's family in case Gatou sends ronin to kidnap or murder them. Kakashi-sensei and Gai-sensei will go with Tazuna-san to the bridge, they will confront Zabuza, Haku, and Ameyuri." Naruto pointed at Tenten. "You will provide back-up and look after Tazuna-san."

Tenten nodded. It seemed reasonable–

"Yosh!"

"Yosh!"

"They look like a pair of broccoli stalks," Naruto observed as Gai and Lee took off at a jog that outstripped many people's full sprint.

"Pair of green beans," Tenten corrected idly before looking back to her blonde companion. "You never mentioned what you and yours will be doing in all of this…"

Naruto chuckled at her joke before finding the words to respond. "That was actually tough to agree on. I, naturally, wanted to be on the bridge but Kakashi-sensei cucked me good on that one and picked you. Did it with a smile, too."

Tenten snorted. "How could you even tell?"

"You learn to read his… eye," Naruto explained.

"So, then, what will you three be doing if you won't be on the bridge?"

Naruto grinned once more, feral and vicious. "Remember how you implied that your team is better at fighting than mine? Speed, strength, seniority, and all that jazz?"

"…yeah?"

"Well," a second Naruto resumed, its presence startling Tenten, "I'd wager our team is better at killing, Tenten-chan."

xxxXXXxxx

Haku moaned loudly, arching off the bed as Ameyuri stopped her ministrations and began wetly kissing the inside of Haku's left thigh.

"You like?" Ameyuri asked with a giggle between kisses.

"…y-yes… Ameyuri-sama…" Haku panted, flushed, sweaty, and bothered. That's what sex was? She shivered.

"Mmmmmmm," Ameyuri practically purred as she crawled up and pulled Haku to her, placing a rather tender kiss on the younger girl's exposed neck. "Hearing you say that was hot, lover," she whispered close into Haku's ear, "I wonder if this is how boys feel when you call them 'daddy?'"

Haku blushed in embarrassment, further darkening her already rosy complexion in an admirable imitation of a tomato. "It just came out," the younger girl attempted to justify, "you know I didn't mean it like that!"

"It was still cute~" Ameyuri drawled. She seemed to recall Haku not having much love for her father. It also probably explained why she followed some older man around with slave like devotion. Ameyuri smiled and cupped Haku's still moist sex. "But I am 'Ameyuri-sama' to you, Haku-chan. Don't forget it."

"H-hai… Ameyuri-sama," Haku stammered-slash-moaned as she felt two deft fingers began to probe her folds.

As soon as they came they were gone, much to Haku's disappointment, and Ameyuri was leaning over Haku, red hair concealing them both like a velvet curtain. Haku stared up at the girl who just took her virginity and thought that she had never seen such a breathtaking sight.

"Good girl," Ameyuri smiled. "And don't you forget it," she giggled, waiting a beat before tapping Haku's lips with a wet finger. "Boop!"

Haku blinked.

But the younger kunoichi could not protest as Ameyuri's lips were now crashing into hers with reckless abandon and delicious need. Haku lost herself in the act, snaking her fingers through Ameyuri's red locks and drinking in the taste of her lover.

The two girls finally pulled away from each other when the need for air became too great. Ameyuri recovered first and pulled Haku's back flush to her chest. "Nothing like a little fun before a big mission, eh?" She asked as she fondled Haku's right breast, making the brown-haired girl sigh contentedly. "Are you sure this was your first time, Haku-chan? You take direction awfully well…"

"It was," Haku nodded, noting the soreness creeping in between her legs. "I'm glad it was with you, though," she continued, turning to stare at Ameyuri and stroke her cheek, "you're beautiful."

Now it was Ameyuri's turn to blush.

It didn't stop her from nipping at Haku's finger, however, her teeth clicking sharply. "When did you become such a romantic?"

"It's true," Haku insisted. "I have seen a lot of things that many would call horrific, but not you. Regardless of where our paths take us, I will treasure this memory always."

"Well…" Ameyuri hedged, "maybe I could stick around for a bit?"

"What do you mean?"

"After we finish up here, we'll probably have to head North to avoid any Kiri-nin sweeping in," Ameyuri elaborated, "but after that Zabuza-senpai means to return to Mizu no Kuni. He made some comments while we were traveling that alluded to a resistance." The red head rolled her eyes. "You know how he is with his unfinished business, he's almost as bad as Kisame."

Both girls' eyes darken at the mention of the traitor Kisame.

"So… you would help Zabuza-sama, Ameyuri-sama?" Haku asked hopefully.

"Can I be honest with you?" Ameyuri asked, a rare show of vulnerability in her eyes.

"Always." Haku replied without thinking.

Ameyuri nodded gratefully. "It's never sat well with me how we left Mei in Mizu to fend for herself. I get that she was leading the second faction of rebels and can handle her own, but we took more than half their support when all of us left." The red head sighed heavily. "No one should have to do all of that on their own– even if Ao is still a double agent, I know they take significant losses."

Haku raised a brow questioningly.

"Yagura's censorship of information isn't as total as he'd like," Ameyuri answered without mirth, "and whispers drift to the mainland from time to time. I'd say he's gotten most of the bloodline clans, though."

"There are none left?" Haku asked quietly, a lone tear making its way down her cheek.

"Now that the Kaguya have fallen," Ameyuri elaborated, squeezing her lover comfortingly, "Mei is the only truly powerful one left." The sword master paused thoughtfully before adding, "and you, I suppose."

"Do you think we could defeat the Mizukage if we returned?"

Ameyuri made a so-so gesture with her hand. "If everyone united and cooperated, yes, I have no doubt that we could defeat that demonic freak of nature. But that is much easier said than done, I'm afraid."

Haku stared at the ceiling of the room they were occupying—Haku's to be exact, co-opted from an empty room in their headquarters—wondering when life had become so complicated?

Sure, life on the run was often hectic, but she and her master were good at it. They rarely needed anyone besides each other thanks to their considerable skills. Zabuza's widespread network of contacts was always a luxury, however. Attempting to overthrow a government tended to introduce a person to some very interesting people.

Haku's present company was certainly proof of that.

But what if they pulled it off?

They'd finally have a home, they could settle down and work as regular shinobi without having to constantly look over their shoulders for hunter-nin. Maybe Haku could even find out more about her bloodline. Surely there would still be some record hidden away in Kirigakure.

Haku smiled, her decision made. "I think I'd like to do it, regardless. Though that might be a moot point if Zabuza-sama was already planning to do so. I'd be going along with him regardless of what he chose." The younger kunoichi paused, leaning up to kiss Ameyuri. "But I'm glad you'll be there– I've never had a friend my own age around…"

"I'm two years your senior, missy!" Ameyuri huffed indignantly. "But I get your point. I'll just be happy to have people around me again… I think."

Haku giggled. "Ameyuri-sama~," she whispered huskily, "I think we still have some more time to ourselves…"

Ameyuri grinned saucily before pushing Haku's head down towards the juncture between her thighs. "Then you best spend it wisely, Haku-chan, and convince me to go play hero with you in Mizu…"

xxxXXXxxx

"My advice to you, you tiny man, is to keep all your ronin here," Zabuza disagreed firmly. "I can't guarantee that all of the Konoha shinobi will be at the bridge," the nuke-nin warned before adding, "though, if they value their limbs, they will be."

"I want that old shit to suffer, Zabuza!" Gatou snarled from his desk. "That means family, house, lands, everything!"

"I wouldn't do it if I were you, Gatou," Zabuza growled more insistently. "Don't make yourself an easy target for these ninja. What does one bridge builder matter if we destroy the bridge after we kill the Konoha-nin?"

"Dead, Zabuza!" Gatou insisted as he lit a cigarette. "I'm not going to send all of my forces, I'm not insane," the magnate countered behind an exhale of smoke, "I fully intend to keep the complex stocked with my personal guard– the best of the best!"

"I'm the best of the best," Zabuza corrected quickly, "but you'll do what you will. Even if I threatened to kill any ronin you wasted on the bridge builder, you'd just buy more."

Zabuza paused, looking thoughtful.

"I just might do it anyway," he admitted, turning for the door. "Just try not to die before I get paid."

The nuke-nin left Gatou's office, eyeing the whore on her way with his tea—a solid seven, in Zabuza's opinion—before making off to speak with Haku and Ameyuri about their scouting mission.

There were tentative plans to attack tomorrow and be done with this godsforsaken place. After experiencing all Wave Country had to offer, Zabuza was of the opinion that this contract would definitely not be worth it were he not planning to murder and rob Gatou.

It might be counterproductive to a nuke-nin's career, but Zabuza had grown tired of the life. Progress was being made back home, Mei was rallying, and Ao had never been discovered as a double agent spying on Kagura.

It was time to return and finish what they started all those years ago.

Zabuza left Gatou's main offices and headed to the warehouse he and Haku had conscripted into a base of operations to better keep an eye on their employer. Wave was only so big and you never did know when those pesky tree huggers were going to stumble upon something they ought not to see.

"Haku," Zabuza called upon entry, noting the girl's flushed face. "Where's Ameyuri?"

Her blush intensified and Zabuza raised a brow. "Zabuza-sama!" she started. "S-she's out, I believe…"

"I know what sex smells like, Haku."

His apprentice looked mortified, her cheeks now rivaling that ridiculous yukata she sometimes wore. "Zabuza-sama!" she hissed. "Just– yes, okay!? We had been apart for so long and I had been lonely and–" Haku babbled, ceasing when Zabuza held up his hands.

"None of my business," he pointed out. "Just try harder if you truly want to keep it a secret. Don't insult my intelligence while you stand there, looking like you just got fucked and smelling like Ameyuri."

Haku crossed her arms under her chest, holding her elbows and looking uncharacteristically vulnerable. "I didn't want you to judge me," she whispered. "I wasn't sure how you felt about…"

"I don't care what you do with what's between your legs unless I need it for a contract," Zabuza admitted bluntly, making Haku feel supremely uncomfortable. "Just help me kill these tree huggers and you, Ameyuri, and myself can go cause some real trouble back in Mizu no Kuni."

That perked Haku up. "Really? We wouldn't be separating after this, Zabuza-sama?"

Zabuza shook his head. "No. It's time to start doing something that matters again, the timing is right."

"I will not fail you, Master."

"I know, Haku," Zabuza acknowledged, watching the girl beam at his words, "and you better treat Ameyuri right, or I'll break your legs…" he threatened.

"What!?"

"You heard me," Zabuza claimed. "Now go fetch your fucking girlfriend so we can discuss how to kill our enemies and rob our employer."

xxxXXXxxx

"So, does everyone understand where they will be situated tomorrow?"

"How do you know for certain they will attack?" Neji challenged.

"I don't, Neji, I just know that they'll have to do it eventually because their target is Tazuna-san," Naruto replied easily. "That's why you, Lee, Sasuke, Sakura, and myself will be waiting here until we confirm they are attacking. It's possible we may repeat this process for a few days."

"Naruto-kun," Lee spoke up, "how will we know when the bridge is being attacked?"

"Excellent question, Lee!" Naruto gushed. This was the best part. "Kakashi-sensei, Gai-sensei, and Tenten will have a few clones as back up. Once anything goes down, one will dispel and alert me. Sakura, Sasuke, and I will then head to Gatou's compound for a little smash and grab."

"A most excellent plan, Naruto-kun!" Lee complimented. "You certainly seem to have a knack for strategy!"

"We all have our gifts, students!" Gai beamed, gesturing to the assembled Genin. "Though our fires may burn differently, they all burn bright! There is wisdom to be found in your peers."

Neji snorted.

Sasuke turned a page in his book, having already memorized his role in the plan.

"Now," Gai boomed, "who should go out and patrol the area to make sure our foes aren't getting over-eager?"

"Why don't you take Neji and Sasuke," Kakashi suggested from behind an orange book, causing both boys to bristle like prodded cats. "Put their clan doujutsu to good use and be done with it all that much faster. I wouldn't put it past Zabuza to at least try and find this place."

"Most excellent," Gai agreed, departing with two rather reluctant-looking Genin, leaving Naruto feeling as if his birthday had come early this year.

"Naruto," Kakashi called heading for Tazuna's back yard, "come with me, I'd like to have a few words with you about the finer details of your plan."

The blonde nodded, quickly following his sensei, leaving Sakura, Tenten, and Lee alone in the living room.

"…" Sakura looked at the other two lamely. "Island folk, am I right?"

Tenten stared at the younger girl, causing Sakura to flush in embarrassment.

"Yosh."

xxxXXXxxx

"I'm curious, Uchiha," Neji spoke as the two Genin began checking the area around Tazuna's house, "what is it like to be unable to deactivate your bloodline limit?"

Gai frowned at his student's tone.

"It's been known to drive men and women insane," Sasuke answered with supreme unconcern.

"That does not merit your regard?" Neji asked with an arched brow.

"Hn." Sasuke dismissed, making a shadow clone. "My 'sanity,'" he spat the word disdainfully, "has survived Naruto. Why should it fear the Sharingan?"

xxxXXXxxx

"Why are you smiling like that?" Tenten asked suspiciously as Naruto joined her on Tazuna's front porch, seemingly done with whatever it was that Kakashi-sensei wanted.

"Just imagining Sasuke and Neji together," Naruto admitted as he took a seat next to her, "it makes my heart happy."

Tenten noted his proximity but chose not to comment. "And why is that, you little deviant?"

"Because they're the same person and will hate each other because of it!" Naruto crowed gleefully. "Sasuke is just a bigger asshole, he's probably better at it, too…"

"You must not know Neji very well, then." The kunoichi countered. "For a fatalist, he's awfully concerned with how others behave."

Naruto ignored the part about having already busted Neji's nose because, honestly, why did she need to know that?

And, speaking of…

"What's up, Sasuke?" Naruto asked the approaching Uchiha.

"No enemies near the area, seems we're secure," he reported succinctly, staring Naruto in the eye.

Sasuke trembled, Naruto noticed the trails of blood weeping from his eyes and his own eyes widened in alarm.

The raven-haired boy vomited blood, staining the porch stairs red and causing Naruto to scramble out of the way.

"Gah!" he exclaimed, pointing at Sasuke, who was now convulsing and wheezing between wet mouthfuls of blood–

Naruto looked to Tenten. The kunoichi was gawking at him like she believed him to be retarded.

"Goddamnit… Kai!" Naruto growled, pulsing his chakra and hurling a kunai at "Sasuke" who in turn disappeared in a poof of smoke. "See what I mean? He can do that by just making eye contact." Naruto griped to Tenten.

Tenten laughed. To that she had no counterargument.

xxxXXXxxx

"Sasuke-kun, where did your shadow clone head off to?" Gai questioned.

"Just reporting the all clear to Naruto," Sasuke replied innocently before turning to Neji. "Knowing my teammates are safe helps me maintain a tenuous grip on my fragile sanity."

xxxXXXxxx

Sakura exited Tazuna's house as the sun began to sink low. Tomorrow they would be expecting an attack on the bridge. The girl did an admirable job of hiding her nervousness, but there was a good deal of difference between killing people and fighting shinobi.

And that's not even going into fighting people who are also famously powerful. Two of the Seven Swordsmen? What the fuck was that?

"Life…" Sakura sighed resignedly.

There was no denying she was a little scared. Their side certainly had the numbers game, but confrontations like these tended to result in casualties.

The kunoichi just hoped whatever fighting happened on the bridge went well for her squad mates. She did have a good amount of faith in their two Jounin sensei, after all.

A scared kunoichi Sakura may be, but she was still a practical girl.

But that was for tomorrow Sakura to worry about. Tonight, she needed to ask Naruto about something that concerned only the two of them.

Thus, she found herself waiting for him to return from sending out fresh clones to patrol the forest and checking in with the ones he had doing who knows what in the port town itself.

Sakura sniffed the air. The wind had shifted directions, rustling the taller grasses and carrying with it a pungent aroma she identified as vaguely familiar…

… and there was here blonde teammate, approaching from the East and smoking a joint.

"Marvelous," Sakura growled.

"I sure think so," Naruto agreed as he walked up to his teammate.

"What are you, some kind of burnout stoner now?" Sakura asked condescendingly. "Did baby's first war traumatize him?"

Naruto chuckled lightly, pointing his joint at Sakura. "You know you might die tomorrow, right?" He took a rather long hit, exhaling after savoring the taste of Jubei's pilfered weed. "Anyone of us might, myself included, because we never really know when these things are going to go pear-shaped and get… dicey." Naruto concluded with a sharp click of his teeth.

"Gee…" Sakura deadpanned, "I was trying not to think about that, but thanks for reminding me, Naruto-kun. What would I ever do without you?"

"Your life would be damn boring without me," Naruto dismissed, taking another hit. "Best case, you'd have Shikamaru's lazy ass ignoring you like a politer Sasuke, worst case you'd have Kiba staring at your cute panties when you bend over," the jinchuuriki grinned.

"Go suck, you ass," Sakura shot back, hiding a small grin. "But I suppose you are better than a lazy navel gazer or a smelly mutt—"

—Naruto grinned—

"—but only you would see that as a complement, so maybe we'll table this discussion for another time." Sakura cut off before Naruto could get started again. "I actually wanted to talk to you about something that was worrying me."

Naruto turned serious, smoke trailing out of his nostrils like a grumpy dragon. "Is everything okay?"

"I was wondering about Neji." Sakura confessed. "Do you think that Byakugan of his can see," the kunoichi paused and mouthed, "what I have," she pointed to her pouch.

"Ah, the drugs," Naruto realized. "No. He might know whether you have a scroll, pubic hair, or tattoos, but he can't know what's actually in the scroll without unsealing it."

Sakura's cheeks were on fire. "You better be fucking kidding me!" She hissed venomously. It was dangerous and low, putting Naruto on edge.

"Calm down, Sakura-chan, jeez!" Naruto placated, holding up his joint. "Here, hit this and simmer down," he advised before entering lecture mode. "The Byakugan allows the Hyuuga to see through a great many of things, see in a near three hundred and sixty degrees, and even perceive the chakra and tenketsu in or bodies."

Sakura nodded hitting the offered joint before thinking about it too much. "I remember the Academy lessons, Naruto! Thing is, they never mentioned seeing our naked bodies underneath our clothes!"

"Well," Naruto hedged, "it's not quite the same as looking at a naked person." The jinchuuriki accepted the joint back from Sakura. "The Byakugan doesn't make our clothes and underwear invisible, though it certainly penetrates through them," *cough*, "so it's more like the Hyuuga are perceptive enough to know shit about them you don't want anyone knowing– much less someone like that prick Neji."

"Like?" Sakura fished, taking the joint from Naruto.

"Eh, I'm circumcised, whether Gai and Lee use jockstraps or underwear," Naruto paused thoughtfully. "Hmmm, Neji and Hinata will both know if you ever get a wild hair in your brain and decide to pierce your clit like Anko-chan."

"She does not!" Sakura denied, scandalized. "And even if she did, how would you know, you little pervert? Do I need to tell Anko that you've been sneaking peeks?" The kunoichi paused as if done, before adding, "And we're not the same person, anyway."

Naruto snorted and handed Sakura the joint. "Kill that," he added, feeling high enough, "then tell me how different you are from the girl who doesn't wear panties under her skirt but also taught you to wear thongs with low-cut kunoichi pants…"

Sakura thought about that for a good, long while as she smoked the joint in contemplative silence.

When she looked up after stomping out the roach, Naruto was peering up at the stars dotting the night sky. They were much more pronounced out here than in Konoha, a much larger village that could remain surprisingly bright well into the evening.

Sakura could her the ocean waves singing through the trees as a breeze rustled everything around her; it really was a beautiful night that belied the seriousness of tomorrow's undertakings.

"Are you nervous about tomorrow?" Naruto finally asked, still gazing at the stars.

Sakura idly wondered if he knew any of the constellations before deigning to respond. "I am," she admitted in a rare bout of vulnerability. "You weren't wrong about these things being risky," Sakura sighed.

"Don't be. We're gonna be fine. You're no slouch, Sasuke isn't either, and neither am I." Naruto chuckled. "We may fuck with each other, but we're smarter than the average bear and we're all a decent amount further than our Genin peers. Team Dick just has the luxury of an extra year on us, but that's out of our hands." The blonde shrugs. "We didn't ask for them to be born."

The kunoichi giggles before poking Naruto in the chest. "Did you not begin this conversation by justifying your drug use with you own mortality?"

"No, I told you that anything is possible—including your own death—and implied that you should have fun while you can," Naruto countered, sidling up to Sakura and bumping her with his shoulder as the two leaned against Tazuna's house. "That's why we got high, not drunk. Fun today, yes, but we're all business tomorrow. A hangover tomorrow would suck."

Sakura nodded. Her friend had a point.

Wait–

"But, when we get home, drinks are on me!" Naruto grinned, slinging an arm over Sakura. "We're gonna kick ass and leave our peers in the dust, Sakura-chan. Tomorrow we're gonna free a country from tyrannical oppression!"

Sakura ignored her… teammate's arm. "Really?"

"Yeah," the blonde nodded confidently. "While we're handling Zabuza and his kunoichi, Gatou will die aaaand," Naruto practically sang, "my clones planted around town are going to start a little party with the locals as they kill off the ronin on patrol."

"Kakashi-sensei is letting you do all that?" Sakura asked incredulously.

"He is," Naruto confirmed. "We don't want any stragglers getting away and telling tales of what happened here. Kiri would be up our asses before we could get back to Hi no Kuni."

Sakura hmmed.

"What?" Naruto asked archly. He rather thought the whole thing was one of his better ideas.

"You seem to enjoy strategy," Sakura answered, "your face was practically glowing as you told me your plan– it was very humanizing," she nodded matter-of-factly. "I could almost see you as a normal person who simply takes pride in their work, it was most endearing."

Naruto made a show of looking around hastily and patting down his clothes. "Oh, no, my human is showing, how embarrassing!"

Sakura giggled. "I think it has to do with you not wearing that stupid mask. Who would have known you look good with a genuine smile on your face?"

"Oh, yeah…?" Naruto grinned.

"Yup," Sakura chirped as she pushed off from the house and began heading inside. "You might consider keeping it that way when we get back home, it might work out in your favor."

Now it was Naruto's time to think for a good, long while as he realized Sakura had been flirting with him.

"War makes people horny." Naruto concluded.

"Wisdom. I'll be sure to see it inscribed on your tombstone."

"Not bad, Sasuke," Naruto grunted, turning to look up at his teammate. "Most people give themselves away when they use chakra to stick to a rigid surface–"

—Sasuke waited—

"–you just do it with your careless movements, ultimately bringing the same kind of dishonor upon your ancestors as the other inept masses," Naruto concluded. "Do you even know how to ninja?"

"Hn."

"Don't be bitter just because I won't look you in the eye," Naruto chided. "We both know what you can do with an opening like that– you're going to terrorize the young girls in bars with those 'fuck me' eyes, Sasuke, but that doesn't mean I'm interested in letting you mindfuck me with them."

"Point."

"Good," the blonde nodded, satisfied. "'Cause next time I'll come find the real you."

"That a promise?" Sasuke asked hopefully. If he viciously beat Naruto, then Lee might get worked up enough to interfere… there'd be pandemonium, and Sasuke could punch Neji in his throat during the chaos…

"Maybe," Naruto shrugged before grinning, "we never really know it it's the real me, do we?"

Sasuke remained silent a moment, thinking that grin rather looked more like Naruto baring his teeth. No bother. "Hn."

Naruto snorted and shook his head at his friend. "Ready to decimate some ronin tomorrow?"

"More interested in what might happen at the bridge."

"Oh, how I hope Sensei saves me a side of Haku," Naruto agreed. "I owe her for her hospitality."

"Beat up by a girl... disgraceful," Sasuke tsked, heading back inside.

"Yeah, yeah, laugh it up," Naruto retorted, following Sasuke. "Let's get back inside before Neji gets the wrong idea and thinks that I love hating you more than I love hating him. Wouldn't want him to get jealous– he might kick your ass to impress me."

"Hn."


A/N: I forgot to mention awhile back, but disregard anything I've said about pairings in the previous author's notes. That was well before I started getting my shit together. But look at us now, kids, crossing 100k words. *tear* Thanks for coming along, reviewing, and supporting. Means the world and I hope you'll continue to do so. Also, holy shit, the next chapter is the last in the Wave Arc! You guys know what that means? Chuunin Exams time. How fun.