Chapter XVI: Serene Meditations Of The Tranquil Mind

"To enter by reason means to realize the essence through instruction and to believe that all living things share the same true nature, which isn't apparent because it's shrouded by sensation and delusion." – Bodhidharma


"…eh, sensei just pulled me aside and gave me a little pep talk is all." Naruto dismissed. "I can have trouble seeing the 'big picture' sometimes because of my youthful spirit."

Kaori raised a brow. "You were only exposed to Gai-san for a week, yet the infection is already so severe." The doctor 'tsked' severely. "The last Genin was assimilated into the hive mind and serves as a sycophant, ya know…"

Naruto laughed. "That's a good one!" The jinchuuriki might not enjoy being… monitored, but he did like to laugh. Kaori might have nefarious purposes, but she also had jokes. And a cute smile.

Did not everyone have nefarious purposes, anyway? Naruto certainly did…

"Thank you, Naruto-kun," the former kunoichi nodded, "but, despite your protests, I think your relationship with your sensei is much more interesting than you would have me believe."

Naruto gasped in pain. "Kaori-san, are you implying that I could possibly be capable of telling lies?" The Genin sipped his tea like a miniature gentleman—it was the culmination of Kaori's experience that allowed her to master her impulse to laugh—before setting the cup down on its saucer with a dramatic clink. "What an ugly, ugly thing say, Kaori-san."

"Professionally, I think every shinobi has moments where they struggle with what the truth is," Kaori answered thoughtfully. "And we all—people, that is—lie. The reasons vary, but everyone bends their reality around their constructed ideal of what they'd like it to be." Kaori paused, taking a moment to sip her own tea– it was rather good, after all. "Knowing that, you can pretend that Kakashi's opinion means nothing to you, but it won't fool me. Orphans are somewhat predictable."

Naruto eyed the doctor for a full six seconds before he calmly spoke. "And what might you and your clan know about any of that, Yamanaka-san?"

"I know that children will do anything for the approval of their parents. I know that parents who demand the unreasonable often crush their offspring under the weight of said unreasonable expectations. I know that it's human nature to find stand-ins for the sources of love that we need if the originals are not available." Kaori replied. "Your situation in life is not as unique as you might think, Naruto-kun."

"You presume quite a lot, Kaori-san." Naruto said evenly. "A few sheets of paper can only tell you so much, after all."

"True," the Yamanaka offered graciously, "and I might not be the sharpest tool in the shed, but can you honestly tell me Hatake-san's opinion means nothing to you? Can you say you are not filled with pride to be taught by the Legendary Copy Nin? And what of Hokage-sama, hmmm? What will you do when you finally fail our leader and see the bitter sting of disappointment in his eyes?"

Naruto chose to remain silent.

Kaori smiled. "See, you're learning! Sometimes it is best to give that motor-mouth of yours a break and just listen to what's being said to you." The doctor once again sipped her tea. "Maybe even think about what other people are saying. And maybe have a little faith in my abilities, Naruto-kun. I get that you're a competent shinobi, but every human being craves some form of recognition and approval– that's actually pretty basic stuff."

Naruto sat back and exhaled. "I apologize for my rudeness, Kaori-san. While I might not trust you any more than I would a stranger in an alley, I acknowledge that you have been nothing but professional and courteous throughout our appointment,"

The doctor beamed. "And you are quite charming– if I were a decade younger, I'd be in trouble," Kaori fanned herself dramatically, causing Naruto to blush slightly as he wondered if this beautiful woman would be Ino as an adult.

"Flattery will get you everywhere, Doctor," Naruto smiled. Perhaps this wasn't so bad after all? It's not as if he was planning to slaughter Konoha citizens like Sasuke's brother– and possibly Sasuke himself.

You never could tell with those quiet Uchiha.

"Well, speaking of vulnerable women who might get lost in those gorgeous eyes of yours, might we discuss your teammate, Sakura Haruno?" Kaori asked lightly. "What do you think of her and how she fits into Team Seven?"

Naruto smiled as he prepared his thoughts; he hadn't planned on lying—merely obscuring the truth—but he was certainly going to lie now. Team business was team business. Team Seven didn't even talk to Kakashi about Team Seven business.

The last time the team had such a serious discussion about how they felt, Sakura had advocated for murdering their sensei because he had kancho'd her so hard, she still clenches to this day if you startle her properly.

So, no, he wouldn't be discussing Sakura—and by proxy, Sasuke—with Kaori Yamanaka.

Naruto lied and felt his respect for Kaori grow.

xxxXXXxxx

"You lied to me. All this time."

It wasn't an accusation, merely a stated fact, and Hamaki was somewhat proud of the blonde's restraint. "Not really," he finally answered, sipping his tea and eyeing his young acquaintance speculatively, "I mere chose not to tell you. You never asked if the Yondaime was your father– your queries focused on what it was like to fight alongside him."

"Explaining what you did and calling it something else does not change anything." Naruto insisted, the teen's hands subconsciously gripping the fabric of the cushioned chair he was currently occupying in Hamaki's sitting room.

"Your insistence only proves that I was correct in advising Hokage-sama against telling you of your parentage," Hamaki continued. "It's a pity he chose not to listen. You weren't ready to know when you were younger and you aren't ready to know now. This knowledge will only serve to distract you from more pressing matters."

"That's not the point!" Naruto denied. "You and Hokage-sama lied to me. Kakashi-sensei too, I'm sure. I cannot trust any of you if you all lie to me."

Hamaki laughed as he sipped his tea. "Childish ignorance!" The man set down his cup and glared at his young acquaintance. "Did we lie to you? Yes, of course we did. You are a child and we are all your elders. All three of us have fought in wars that were about losing more than your infantile mind can comprehend!" Hamaki sneered as the jinchuuriki looked thoroughly curtailed. "This does not mean that you cannot trust us. Now that you know the truth about your father, Naruto-kun, does it comfort you when you realize that Hokage-sama, Hatake-san, and myself have lied and concealed hard truths to protect you because your parents are dead and can no longer do so themselves?"

Naruto contemplated many violent responses as he glared at his longtime mentor with purest loathing in his blue eyes.

"Yes, yes," Hamaki waved off, "glare at me because I am a retired nobody and you lack the courage to do so in the presence of your Hokage or sensei. Whatever helps you sleep at night."

"I would have preferred to have been informed earlier." Naruto once again stated after another period of contemplation. "But I can understand being cautious of external threats."

Hamaki shook his head. "Just remember to be politer when you bring this up with Hokage-sama or one of his ANBU might geld you– some of them can do it without killing you."

"I wasn't going to yell at Hokage-sama."

"Of course you weren't," Hamaki agreed.

"But I am sorry for bitching at you like I did…" Naruto apologized. "This village, the shit that goes on around here… it gives me a healthy sense of paranoia."

Hamaki raised a greying brow. "What could a Genin with no clan to represent have to be paranoid about?"

"…" Naruto cocked his head curiously, wondering if the old man was fucking with him. "Seriously?" He asked, to which Hamaki quickly nodded. "Dude, these people—my own fucking father—sealed a DEMON inside of me to turn me into a living weapon!" The blonde shook his head. "Sure, it's sweet and I'm learning plenty of new tricks," at the mention of that Naruto actually managed a smile that he hastily wiped away, "but there was a distinct lack of consent in that action that leaves me to speculate about what other circumstances could arise that would necessitate things like 'consent' being taken off the table."

"Ah." Hamaki nodded. "For a minute, I was concerned it might have been something to worry about and not just the growing pains of a pubescent Genin too ignorant to know of the horrors he'll commit for his village when the correct 'circumstances' present themselves."

Naruto scowled at the rebuke. "Ease it up there, you dusty, old fart. My dead dad isn't here to save you this time."

Hamaki laughed boisterously before leaning closer to Naruto and pinning the teen with his weathered gaze. "You tell yourself that if you want, but if you ever accuse me of not honoring Yondaime-sama's sacrifice, I'll fuck you up six ways to Sunday so hard that the Kyuubi rips itself free from you to stop me."

Hamaki picked up his cup of tea and sipped contentedly, satisfied that Naruto truly had absolutely nothing to say to that. He was a good kid, really, just too fucking hard-headed.

The retired Jounin sipped once more. "He'll learn… I hope." If not, someone would beat it into the kid.

"Probably Hatake…" He smiled.

xxxXXXxxx

Anko stumbled over Tetsuo and headed for the source of noise currently violating her brain in the form of a truly stupendous hangover migraine.

It was thoroughly destroying the young woman and the kunoichi was keeping an eye out for various places she could vomit into that wouldn't cause Tetsuo to completely lose his shit and start screaming at her.

She'd have to really fuck him up if he did that and she didn't want to lose her best fuckbuddy-slash-coke-connect.

It just wasn't prudent, even in her disoriented state, Anko still knew that much.

So, back to the door. Anko lurched into it as the visitor continued to knock. The Tokubetsu Jounin forced her right eye to focus on the figure on the other side of the threshold, grimacing at her shit luck as she grabbed her coat from the rack next to the door and haphazardly tossed it on herself to cover her nudity.

"Hey, Naru-kun," she greeted weakly, "come on in."

The blonde, too surprised at the unexpected plus-one to say anything, followed Anko in and took a seat on Tetsuo's couch. He might loathe Tetsuo, but he couldn't fault his taste in women. "Fuck, Anko is hot…"

The purple haired woman caught the Genin admiring her figure. "Too young," she teased despite the hangover currently rolling over her, "but give it about five years and Anko-sama will gladly rock your world and ruin you for other women," Anko grinned wickedly.

"Promise?" Naruto asked innocently, batting his lashes.

Anko smiled predatorily and pulled her coat away just enough to reveal a rosy nipple pierced with a small, horizontal bar, causing Naruto to blush like a tomato as the Genin felt his member betray him and become painfully erect.

"You aren't even close to ready for me," Anko laughed as she covered herself and left to wake Tetsuo. "Don't ask Daddy for things you can't handle, princess." She disappeared into a room as Naruto adjusted his pants, but not before calling back, "Keep it up and you'll be impaled on my strap-on as I play with your cock and make you moan like one of my whores."

"Fuck…" Naruto whispered as he heard Tetsuo wake and ask what the fuck was going on.

"Naruto!?" Said Genin heard Tetsuo yell from his place on the couch and couldn't help but grin despite Anko's teasing.

Tetsuo hated waking up before he was good and ready– there was no better way to fuck up his day from the start than by forcing him to get up and be responsible like a decent human being. Naruto found one of his passions lay in making the druggie miserable.

"It should not surprise me," Tetsuo said as he entered the living room clad in a loose pair of linen pants, "that after a shit-day like yesterday that this one should begin with you." The older Genin sneered as he sat down and rummaged for a joint that he promptly lit. "Fuck, I am hungover…"

"The result of some very positive life choices, I'm sure," Naruto grinned as he intercepted the joint on its way to Anko.

Tetsuo raised a brow at his visitor before looking over at Anko and admiring the long legs currently peeking out of her coat with a salacious grin. "You have no idea, fuck-twat, you have no idea."

"I'll overlook the pot," Anko offered as she accepted the joint from Naruto, "but if you offer Naruto-kun a line, I'll fucking gut you like a trout!" She informed Tetsuo cheerfully.

"Dully noted." Tetsuo drawled as his joint finally made its way back to him. "Now, Naruto-kun, what brings you here unsolicited, hmm?"

The blonde smiled and pulled out a scroll before quickly unsealing it. A small "poof" of chakra smoke briefly disturbed the marijuana smoke just as Naruto took his second turn with the joint, before two very distinct bricks were revealed to the three shinobi present.

"Holy–" Anko began.

"—shit—" Tetsuo continued.

"—yup!" Naruto happily concluded. "So, I'm thinking thirty-five thousand for the bam-bam should let you turn a nice profit, no?"

Tetsuo quickly did the math that involved turning one kilo into one-and-a-half and selling it at fifty ryou a gram and liked what he got when he solved for "x." That was a tidy profit that would allow him to skim a couple of pure eight-balls for his own fun.

"You got a deal on that, little shit," Tetsuo grinned, already imagining doing several lines off of Anko's glorious tits. The thought made him turn to the kunoichi. "There are numerous nipple bumps in your future, Anko-chan." Anko smiled coyly and Tetsuo turned back to his guest, pleased to see the blonde doing his best—and failing—not to blush. "But what about this beautiful masterpiece of art?" He asked, gesturing to the heroin. "How much?"

Naruto smiled widely and slid the heroin towards Tetsuo. "Consider it a gesture of good faith. I'd like a favor in the future, if you can manage not to OD on me, that is…"

"Oh, it's tempting." Tetsuo acknowledged. "I could fuck Anko-chan, shoot up, and check out of this shit-hole on a horse with no name. I could even– fuck, who needs reasons when you've got heroin?" The older Genin grinned at his younger counterpart. "But that would be too easy. And things are getting interesting; I never thought you'd be able to set aside your own pride to start collecting favors."

"I'm growing up." Naruto sighed, taking the offered joint once more and thinking of his upcoming date with Sakura. "Things used to be so much simpler: I'd train, go to school, and wait for the Brotherhood to tell me who to kill. Now…" the blonde shook his head and thought over the previous month of his life, "now I'd give anything for that level of blissful ignorance."

"Seize the fucking day, kiddo!" Tetsuo advised, thinking of what Lucien had him do yesterday. "You're only going to learn more and more of what you never wanted to with each passing day!"

Naruto could only sigh dramatically amongst Anko's giggles.

xxxXXXxxx

"Walk with me, Naruto-kun." Kurenai requested as she began moving away from Shino, who was currently practicing his taijutsu, and towards Kiba who was attempting to walk up a tree.

"Yes, sensei." Naruto dutifully responded as he adjusted the sword at his waist.

"A fine weapon," the Jounin remarked, "not many your age think to take up a specialized weapon– much less kenjutsu. How are you finding it?"

"Quite useful!" Naruto chirped. "Sasuke prefers to harass opponents from a distance with jutsu and shuriken while Sakura-chan is a bit more of a close-range specialist given the skills she's picked up from Anko." The blonde patted the hilt of his sword lovingly. "A sword allows me to close in on people and keep them at a little bit of a distance if need be. I'd say our synergy benefits from my flexibility."

Kurenai nodded in approval. "Well reasoned. Flexibility is a good tool to have in a battle." The beautiful woman smiled and Naruto fought down a blush. "I'd wager that several Jounin are currently attempting to instill that knowledge in their students."

"I would hate for us to become overspecialized." Naruto continued. "I'm not a hundred percent sure what the metrics for assigning missions are, but I'd hate to get pigeonholed into a particular type." The Genin rubbed the back of his head bashfully. "I get bored easily. Iruka-sensei used to say it's what got me in trouble the most." A nervous chuckle. "Kakashi-sensei is more 'hands-on' in his approach to such a shortcoming."

Kurenai frowned as she came to a stop. "Is his method working?"

"Kinda," Naruto responded with a so-so gesture. "I think it's more about encouraging me to keep busy. I imagine Kakashi-sensei prefers that I don't remain idle for too long, lest I succumb to my baser desires."

Kurenai chuckled. "You're very well spoken, Naruto-kun. The stories I've heard didn't quite do you justice."

The blonde smiled at the compliment as he created a shadow clone and sent it off towards Hinata. "Everything is easier with a silver tongue. But my mouth has been known to run and get me into trouble."

"I can only imagine," Kurenai said, watching the clone approach Hinata and get wrapped up in bone-crushing hug that made the Jounin smile. "Is this little visit with Team Eight part of keeping busy?"

"Kinda. I've been doing some training with Hinata I wanted to figure out a good day to pick back up with that."

The Jounin nodded. She had spoken with Hinata about training on her own and the Hyuuga had mentioned her work with Naruto. Kurenai had no problem admitting that Hinata's confidence was slowly growing and her success in the team sparring matches was also increasing.

She was still cautious, however. Being a Jounin would do that to a human being. Kurenai had also known Hinata for a few years and was rather protective of the younger girl. The kunoichi tried to do everything within her admittedly limited power to protect Hinata from her family's machinations, but Kurenai often found herself coming up short.

It was evident in Hinata's shy demeanor. Her barely-more-than-a-whisper method of speaking. Red eyes from nights of crying. The young Hyuuga was a remarkably sweet girl that connected with the remaining, invisible thread of Kurenai's long-lost innocence.

Their relationship was oddly similar to that of Anko and Sakura-chan in terms of the mentor-student relationship. Hinata just hadn't turned into a copy of Kurenai, a fact that the Jounin felt was probably for the better. It could be unnerving watching Sakura and Anko together.

They definitely acted like sisters ready to face the world together, but Kurenai was distinctly aware that Anko set a terrible example for young girls. Kurenai wasn't a prude or ashamed of her body one bit, but she had once seen Anko steal a Chuunin's cocaine and sell it back to her under the pretense of doing the Chuunin a favor.

Kurenai had also seen that same Chuunin give the coke to her "boyfriend" before said boyfriend begged off to go do the coke with Anko who later fucked the guy senseless to cap off the night.

The crimson-eyed Jounin shivered as she realized that could one day be Sakura even as she forcefully swore she'd never let that be Hinata.

Kurenai's roundabout thinking returned the Jounin to her primary concern: Hinata. Kurenai was concerned about Hinata's attraction to Naruto. Young romance was always a hands-on learning experience and the Jounin wanted to ensure her student was spared any unnecessary grief.

"Training is always a productive use of time," Kurenai finally offered neutrally. She would observe the two for now– she did not yet feel the need to go in heavy handed. "May I ask what you and Hinata are currently working on?"

"I taught her a jutsu that could supplement her skillset in addition to showing her some pressure points and nerve clusters that her Jyuuken could easily target," Naruto replied truthfully. The last thing he needed was a Jounin taking an unnecessary interest in his personal activities. "I can now speak from experience that some of them actually hurt horrifically when poked and prodded just right."

The kunoichi nodded. "Fair enough. Though I'm sorry to hear that–"

Kurenai stopped abruptly as she felt chakra molding a half second before Kiba dropped down on Naruto, pinning the latter to the ground with a howl of laughter as Akamaru yipped excitedly. The kunoichi sighed in frustration as she realized her own student had halted her information gathering.

"Kiba!" Kurenai admonished. "Get off–!"

The Jounin stopped as Kiba regarded the log beneath him and a copy of Naruto placed its hand on the Inuzuka's shoulder. Kurenai turned to briefly regard the clone speaking with Hinata-chan before returning her attention to the nearby tree where the clone currently behind Kiba had dropped down from.

"Did that make you feel better?" A third Naruto asked as it dropped down from the same tree. "Even if you had caught me before I switched, popping me would have killed you. The boss isn't even here, Kiba."

"I'd still take you easy one-on-one!" Kiba insisted from his place on the ground, Akamaru yipping in agreement between bouts of furiously licking Kiba's face and Naruto's fingers.

The clone looked at the adorable puppy and felt his heart grow two sizes. It was a warm and fuzzy feeling that made the construct wish the boss still wore a mask. "If you say so, Kiba," the clone smiled as it let Kiba go and dispelled.

"I apologize for my student's rudeness, Naruto-kun!" Kurenai insisted, glaring at the Inuzuka with enough heat to make the boy wilt. "Clearly his stealth needs work."

"Nah," the clone denied as it helped Kiba to his feet. "I'm the one that was talking to you and I only knew because the others were watching and had one of us dispel to warn me." The blonde shrugged. "Ole Kiba isn't half-bad," Naruto cheered gaily, enveloping the other Genin in a patronizing hug, "are ya fleabag?"

"Fuck off, you great, fat cunt–!" Kiba snarled, pushing Naruto away.

"Kiba!" Kurenai interrupted in a tone that halted said boy. "Watch your language. And don't attack your friends like a coward, be thankful Naruto only made you look foolish." The Jounin eyed her student. He was thoroughly rebuked– children were fragile like that.

Jounin learned quick that publicly embarrassing a child in front of their peers curbed any and all unwanted behaviors in a pinch. Kurenai might be a rookie Jounin, but she certainly wasn't stupid.

It didn't matter if Kiba could kill people, he was a thirteen-year-old boy that Kurenai could kill. She was the sensei and he was the Genin. Her resident Inuzuka just appeared to need a firmer hand than her other two students.

There was one in every bunch, Kurenai had been told by Asuma after she had confessed her fears and they'd–" The memory had the kunoichi's cheeks turning rosy before she refocused on the situation at hand.

The clone furthest away laughed loudly as it jovially patted Hinata on the back before producing another clone that quickly dispelled.

"Ha," the Naruto next to Kurenai chuckled, "Hinata doesn't believe that we explode in a fiery maelstrom that maims and/or kills everything in its path!" It wiped away an imaginary tear. "Isn't that cute?"

"Eh, you're full of shit–" Kiba objected before a Naruto that had appeared further away in the clearing exploded in an inferno that scorched a sizeable piece of ground around it. "FUCK!" Kiba yelped as he leapt away from Naruto as if the blonde was a lepper.

"Or perhaps if he knew about the truth behind your power?" The Kyuubi chuckled softly to its avatar.

"Nope," The clone answered Kiba, ignoring the bijuu, "just out practicing clone stuff and saying 'hi' to Hinata," it explained with a cheerful grin as the last of the embers from the explosion died off into wisps of smoke the lazed on the breeze, "it's the Boss who is always up to no good."

"Liar." Kiba insisted solemnly before grinning crookedly. "That's still a bad ass jutsu, though."

"Isn't it?" Naruto agreed happily. "But the boss would never hurt his friends, so we can't either. Can't make a shadow clone do anything you wouldn't do yourself." The clone grinned predatorily, causing Kurenai to raise a brow. "We can still show off, though."

The Jounin shook her head at the two Genin's antics. "Boys."

xxxXXXxxx

"I don't know why you doubted me," the clone with Hinata laughed as the nonplussed girl stared wide-eyed at the aftermath of the Bunshin Daibakuha.

"..I don't either…" Hinata admitted quietly. "You could stop an entire team with that, Naruto-kun."

"Eh, most people will sense the chakra build up and escape unless you truly catch them off-guard." The clone explained. "Kiba is just too sure of himself to ever think twice when it comes to his peers."

Hinata frowned. "And you?"

"I'm not even here, Hinata-chan," was the succinct reply.

"Then when do I get to see the real you?" The Hyuuga asked.

"Soon. I'm busy today and tonight, but maybe tomorrow or the day after you, Shikamaru, and I get together and grab food or something, yeah?"

The pale-eyed girl beamed. "I'd like that. We all spend so much time with our teams… it'll be nice to hang out like we used to."

"It will," Naruto smiled. "I can regale you two with tales of my heroics in Wave!"

"If you say so, Naruto-kun," Hinata giggled. Secretly she wondered if there was merit in his words; Neji had been oddly contemplative on his return from their joint mission in Nami.

"Hey!" Naruto recoiled, offended. "I'll have you know they named a bridge after me because of how fucking awesome I was at saving their country!" The blonde shook his head. "Eh, but I'll tell you that when Shikamaru is present so I don't have to repeat myself."

"And what trouble are you getting into later tonight if you won't be filling my ear with tales of your heroics?" Hinata asked curiously.

"Why, a meeting with a teammate, Hinata-chan!" Naruto beamed with a smile that would have made Lee proud, but instead made the Hyuuga girl blush prettily.

xxxXXXxxx

"Don't you laugh!" Sakura hissed as her fingers clenched in the purple fabric of Ino's blouse. "You're the only person I have to talk about… these things with because Anko would ridicule me and my mother would cry."

Ino did her best not to wince from the pain in her shoulders as she eyed Sakura warily. The pink haired kunoichi firmly planted Ino against the former's bedroom wall– the blonde girl was almost suspended in the air with only the tips of her toes brushing the floor.

"I didn't mean to laugh," Ino finally replied neutrally. "I did not think about your situation and I apologize."

She meant it, too. Ino just asked her mom when she first got curious about boys and the things girls and boys could do together. Her father had heard and she had never heard him yell in such a high pitch before that night.

Good times.

But Sakura was different. She didn't come from a big clan of shinobi and she didn't have a father to chase boys away. Sure, she had a mother, but Sakura's mom was a civilian. She wouldn't understand some things. And no one really wanted to talk to their parents about such things anyway.

Ino was just close with her own mom. The best advice had come from her cousin Setsuko anyway.

Sakura relaxed and let Ino down enough for the blonde's heels to once again touch the floor. "Thank you, Ino-chan. I'm just… nervous."

"Why?" Ino asked. "I thought it wasn't really a date?"

Sakura sighed before sitting back down on her bed and flopping onto her back. "It isn't but…"

"…but…?" Ino prodded.

"…Naruto's nice…" Sakura admitted quietly. "No one's exactly lining up to fight over my affections, Ino," she continued, "and while Sasuke is cute and all, what good is it to wait around?"

Ino nodded in agreement. "That part I get, forehead. There's nothing wrong with having prospects." The blonde smiled salaciously. "I have prospects. But Naruto? Him?"

"I know," Sakura moaned piteously. "But you didn't see them on our mission!" She vehemently insisted. "Sasuke was dishy—don't get me wrong—as he hopped about. So damn efficient, he was so fun to watch when I wasn't freaking out about possibly having my head chopped off."

"Oooh, don't forget to tell more about that later!" Ino requested with a lopsided grin to match her friend's. "But, for now, stop dancing around the issue, Sakura." The Yamanaka finished her request with a poke to Sakura's chest before she plopped down next to her pink-haired friend.

"Naruto was different, Ino," Sakura continued, "I thought he was mostly talk in the academy but I was wrong. He can back it up because he has more chakra than I thought possible for one person to possess. Watching him fight, I can feel the power rolling off of him and I've learned enough about Naruto-kun to know he has a mind clever enough to use said power properly." Sakura sighed once more, turning away from Ino. "It's rather… attractive."

"So, you're attracted to him, then?" Ino asked, forcing her friend to face her.

"Minutely." Sakura admitted. "I just… Naruto's nice. Apart from you," the pink haired girl explained, indicating her blonde friend, "I don't really have any friends… Anko-chan is like a sister. A loving one, but not necessarily a nice one." The kunoichi turned to stare at her room's ceiling. "As cute as Sasuke is, sometimes a wall displays more personality. And none of said personality leads me to believe that the attraction is mutual– if I didn't know any better, I'd say Sasuke-kun was a closet homosexual or some sort of asexual, reptilian changling."

"Heresy!" Ino accused. "We don't speak of such things, forehead. Don't make me regret being your friend." The blonde calmed herself after reaffirming that she lived in a benevolent universe where Sasuke was a sexual icon to be conquered– not some asexual cuck, like Sakura's sick mind dreamed up. "Let's just focus on you and your strange problems. You know Naruto isn't respected in the village, Sakura. If Sasuke is prestige, privilege, and pedigree, then Naruto is petty vandalism, government stipends, and public housing."

"I'm not saying I want to marry the blonde asshole, Ino-pig," Sakura denied with a roll of her green eyes, "just that I find him kind of attractive. He fought a Jounin, led a small-scale revolution, and is going to be a talented shinobi." The kunoichi laughed. "They named a bridge after him!"

"And?" Ino prompted as she rose from Sakura's bed to begin rummaging through her host's closet.

"It feels good to be desired, okay?" Sakura finally admitted. "I know Naruto is attracted to me and, deep down, I can't deny that it feels good."

"Naruto makes you pool in the panties, eh?" Ino asked with a lascivious grin after she returned to Sakura's side with her first outfit.

"Ino!" Sakura hissed, cheeks flaming red at her friend's crass language. "Gross!"

"But you didn't deny it!" The blonde girl winked before holding up a white blouse to Sakura's torso. "You always wear red," Ino stated, pointing at Sakura's pants, "white would let your hair stand out in a way your current slutty, white top doesn't… would even compliment your complexion. Your color can come from your hair and eyes."

"That would be nice," Sakura nodded. She rather liked that particular top. Both of them, actually. "And lay off my clothes, Ino-pig. Don't be bitter just because I have a gentleman caller."

"Where are you two going?" Ino asked, rolling her eyes and ignoring Sakura's request. "What's the atmosphere going to be like? I'm not going to waste my time dressing you up if Naruto's just dragging you to that ramen stand he likes to gorge himself at."

"No," Sakura giggled. "He insisted on Ashitoba's"

Ino snorted. "At least he has some form of sense in that fractured stream of consciousness he calls a mind. Best to keep it simple, then. Ashitoba's is classy but only because it's such high quality. They aren't really a fine dining place." The blonde looked at Sakura thoughtfully. "I'd have taken you to Sen for the lighter food…"

"Awww," Sakura pouted, "does that mean you're not gonna get me all gussied up for my big date at the box social, Ino-pig?"

"I've already done that," Ino scoffed, indicating the outfit on Sakura's bed, "I don't need to paint you like a whore, forehead. We just need to try you out in some clothes. I could offer you advice for your… non-date, though, if you'd like?"

Sakura felt touched by the sincerity in her oldest friend's voice. She didn't know exactly why she was nervous about meeting Naruto. She wasn't really worried about being caught, sure, they'd be in huge trouble… but no one was going to notice two Genin exchange a sealing scroll. That, after all, was a very Genin thing to do and Sakura (Naruto, too) understood that people loved seeing the things they expected to see.

The kunoichi figured it was more anxiety over what could happen should she so desire. Sakura rarely found herself in a position of such power; she had little doubt that Naruto would go along with whatever she physically did– he was as willing as any other pubescent boy. There was always the random chance that Naruto might think himself entitled to more than Sakura was willing to give, but Sakura would sooner mutilate the blonde's genitals than put up with such nonsense.

No, the uncertainty lay with what Sakura wanted. The kunoichi wasn't really sure and she found the notion worrisome. Perhaps she was overthinking it… maybe she could sort of just wing it. Sakura was certain Naruto had intentions but the two of them damn well weren't doing anything that Sakura did not desire and/or personally approve.

But, maybe, just maybe the two of them could have fun. Maybe even a bit of the type of fun boys and girls are known to get into. All Sakura needed to do was go with the flow. Despite his faults, Naruto was an okay guy. And, if Sakura was truly being honest with herself, he was also her best friend besides Ino. Those two and Anko-chan were pretty much what Sakura had to work with outside of her own mother.

This would be fun, Sakura assured herself before turning to Ino. "Well, did you have any advice?"

"Touch him slowly or he'll make a mess where you don't want it." Ino spoke sagely. "And, if you decide you're going to make the beast with two backs, make sure you go to the bathroom beforehand and check for clitty litter."

"Ino!"


A/N: Here ya go, folks. I wanted a Naruto-centric chapter to move us forward. The next chapter is Team 7's return mission and the Chuunin Exam announcements. The actual start will be the chapter after next. I've been looking forward to introducing more characters from the Naruto wold. The structure of the exams will be similar, but I will be making changes to how the third stage plays out. The first stage will be mostly the same, more of an opportunity for character development than anything, while the second stage will be expanded a bit to really get into the shit. I can't wait. Anyway, please review and let me know what's working and what isn't.