A/N: I'm sorry I took so long getting this chapter out. Med school's getting harder so it's getting a little more difficult finding time to write but now with my new bluetooth keyboard and the ability to post straight from my iPad will help me out a bit.
Given that I typed this on my iPad, there may be a couple of mistakes I may have missed but I believe I caught most of them. Be sure to let me know so I can keep a closer eye on what I'm writing.
The latest Naruto chapters have confirmed things I'd been afraid to believe but I don't think I'll be able to incorporate it with the story. Not with how things have been established already.
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto.
Chapter Thirty-Five: Picnic
Kakashi had to admit that he enjoyed training Sasuke... mostly for the chance to unleash his sadistic side on the arrogant youth. He definitely needed to be taken down a few notches.
"You're still too slow," he told Sasuke gleefully as he threw another kunai that just barely missed the Uchiha's family jewels. Kakashi found that disappointed him.
Knowing how Sasuke viewed his beloved little brother made Kakashi think castration was the best solution.
He was prevented from another go at the dark-haired Genin when he sensed a presence behind him.
Turning around, he found Naruto standing there, looking at him with raised eyebrows.
"What?" Kakashi queried defensively, having the distinct feeling that he was being scolded.
"Your sadism never ceases to amaze me, Kakashi," Naruto spoke, his tone giving away his silent truth.
'Sensei?' Kakashi thought, puzzled. Why was the Yondaime using Naruto's body like this?
Giving Kakashi a look to say that he would explain later, Minato adopted a look more suitable for Naruto's face. He was getting the hang of it. "I came to invite you two to a picnic. We're gathering all of the teams participating in the Chuunin Exams to commemorate the end of our month break," Minato declared with childish glee.
'I'm going to have to get used to this,' the Copy Nin mused. It was weird to see the legendary Yellow Flash act like a child.
"You're inviting me too? I thought you didn't like me, dobe," Sasuke commented as he approached the two of them.
"I don't like your attitude, teme, but that doesn't mean I'm going to snub you. You're my teammate. Besides, Sakura will want you to be there," Minato declared, wishing they didn't have to invite the bastard. He knew that would be the wrong move. It would further alienate the boy from his peers which would push him towards Orochimaru. Minato didn't want the Uchiha anywhere near his son but Orochimaru getting his hands on the Sharingan was even worse.
"Hn, I'll think about it," Sasuke grunted as he turned his back to them. "Right now, I've got some training to do. Just because you never found a good teacher and have most likely wasted all of your time goofing off doesn't mean I have."
He paused as he heard both Kakashi and Minato let out choked snorts. Turning back, he found them looking at him innocently. Glaring at them in annoyance, Sasuke stormed off.
He couldn't shake the feeling that he was being made fun of.
Team Eight was hard at work providing Shino with some last minute training when Sakura approached them.
"Hey Sakura," Kiba greeted, waving at her. He used to think that she was just an annoying fan girl but her last month training with Kurenai had slowly began to change his opinion of her.
"Hi, I was wondering if al of you would like to join us for a picnic on the Hokage Monument later today? That includes you too, Kurenai-sensei."
"Who else is coming?" Kurenai queried.
"We're inviting all of the teams participating in the Finals, plus their Senseis."
"It sounds like fun,"Hinata remarked. Shino nodded in agreement as Kiba whooped.
"I suppose that means we'll be coming," the Genjutsu Mistress remarked, seeing how excited her subordinates were. Besides, it wold be a great opportunity to spend time with Asuma...
"Great," Sakura smiled before rushing off. She still had Lee's team to invite.
"Asuma-sensei!" Ino exclaimed excitedly as she rushed to where he was training Shikamaru and Chouji.
"Hey, long time no see, stranger," the chain smoker joked. "How is training been going with Jiraiya-sensei?"
"It's been great. I've learned a lot already. He's a good teacher as long as he's not attempting to do any of that horrible research of his," Ino chattered.
"It's good to see that he's taking your training seriously," Asuma voiced his approval. "So what brings you here?"
"I wanted to invite you to a picnic. Everyone is coming... or well, everyone is invited, anyways."
"Will there be food?" Chouji asked hungrily.
"Of course," Ino laughed. Chouji was so predictable.
"We'll be there!" Chouji cheered.
"I'll see you all later then," Ino waved goodbye before leaving.
"A picnic! What a youthful idea!" Gai boomed. "We'll be certain to come."
Sakura smiled and she was about to leave when she found herself face to face with Lee.
Yelping, she scrambled back. She glared at him without malice once she calmed down.
"Damn it, Lee-san, don't do that. You scared me," she reprimanded him. He looked guilty.
"Please forgive me, Sakura-san. I got too excited and startled you. As punishment, I will do one thousand one-handed push ups. If I fail to do so, I will do two thousand!"
"That's not necessary," Sakura said hastily. "Just be more careful from now on. Now what was it that you wanted to say?"
"You're much too kind, Sakura-san," Lee responded before blushing. "I was wondering about this picnic... would you go with me as my date?"
Now it was Sakura's turn to blush. She didn't think that she would ever get used to Lee's attempts to ask her out. He did it without even the slightest hesitation. It was flattering but at the same time, she thought it was too soon to be considering this particular step.
"I think that, for now, wouldn't it be better for us to build our friendship first?" she inquired softly, surprised to find that where she would have once flat out rejectee Lee, she had no such feeling now.
"Yosh, you are right as always, Sakura-san. I will do my best to be the greatest friend you have ever had!" Lee promised, causing Sakura to giggle.
"I'll hold you to that, Lee-san," she answered before leaving.
"Well, well, what brings you here, Jiraiya-sama," Jin sneered from where he sat on a rock in the middle of a torn up training ground alongside his Genin.
Jiraiya didn't let Jin's disrespect get to him. The Iwa Jounin would not succeed in baiting him.
"There is going to be a picnic on the Hokage Mountain for the Genin in the finals and their teams. You're invited. Come or don't come. It's your choice."
"I'm surprised that you're planning to let us so close too the Yondaime's precious legacy," Jin drawled, stopping the Sannin's departure.
"He's safe no matter what you may attempt to do," Jiraiya spoke firmly.
"That's big talk coming from you. How can you expect to protect him when you couldn't even protect his father?"
Anger and guilt shot through the Toad Sage at those words but he held himself back. He would not be the one to cause a diplomatic incident.
He just walked away.
"You want us to go on a picnic?"Kankurou asked incredulously. He found it hard to believe that Gaara of all people was inviting them to a social event.
"Only if you want to," Gaara responded shyly, looking down. He was still awkward around his actual siblings.
"We'd love to," Temari said quickly. She didn't want Gaara to pull within himself again. "Isn't that right, Baki?"
"Of course,"" the Jounin responded. "I see no harm in it." He wouldn't deny Gaara a chance at the happiness he never got in Suna, especially given that the next day, Konoha would be invaded and the Jinchuuriki would have to pick sides.
He didn't know that the Sand Siblings had no intention of going against Konoha. In fact, they were making moves to help Konoha end the invasion as easily as possible. There was no need for such bloodshed... on anyone's part.
Minato had only one stop left before he returned to meet Jiraiya, Ino, Gaara, and Sakura: the Academy.
He found Iruka finishing his lecture for the day to Konohamaru's class.
"Oh, Naruto, what brings you here?" Iruka asked once the kids left, delighted to see his little brother.
"An invitation," Minato responded with a bright smile, caught up in Naruto's giddiness. "All of the teams involved in the Chuunin Exams are invited... and the teachers too. Considering you taught so many of us, you deserve an invitation just as much as everyone else."
Iruka looked flattered. "Thank you for including me, I would love to come."
"Great."
"Can we come too?"
Minato and Iruka looked too see Konohamaru, Moegi and Udon standing at the door, looking hopeful.
An amused smile appeared on Minato's face. He should have expected this. Who was he to deny them?
"Of course."
"Yay!" the kids cheered."Thanks, Naruto-nii-chan!"
They all hugged him before rushing off excitedly.
"You're good with them," Iruka complimented. "They really look up to you, Naruto."
"They're good kids," Minato responded sagely, earning an amused look from Iruka.
"You speak as if you're not a child yourself, Naruto."
Minato blushed as he realized he'd broken character.
Thankfully, Iruka just looked amused.
"I have to go to the Mission Room now, Naruto. I'll see you later," the brown-haired Chuunin bid the blonde farewell, ruffling Naruto's hair.
Waving goodbye, Minato slipped away and met up with his companions.
"Everybody should be coming soon," Ino said as she and the others finished setting up for the picnic. "I'm surprised we managed to get all of this done in time."
"You can thank Naruto's insane chakra stores," Sakura remarked, gazing at her teammate in amusement. He had produced countless clones to help expedite the set up process.
"I see using your chakra is getting easier," Jiraiya whispered to Minato.
"Yeah, the chaos is dimming down but Naruto still hasn't woken up. I'm beginning to get a little worried," Minato admitted.
"You just need to be patient. You heard Hinata, it may take a little more time for Naruto to be ready to reclaim his body."
"I know. It's just that... this is the first time I've been completely alone in my mind for the last thirteen years. It's strange, and frankly, I kind of miss the normal sort of chaos versus this kind."
"Considering I never shared my mind with anyone else, I can't exactly respond to that but you aren't alone."
"Yeah, you have us," Ino butt into the conversation, giving the former Hokage a pointed look. "I thought we were family to you."
Minato found himself smiling.
"You are," he confirmed.
"You miss him and that's understandable," Gaara said. "But he'll be back sooner than you know it. That's Naruto, after all."
"You're right," the Hokage possessing his son agreed before giving his two 'kids' a fond look. "What would we do without you?"
"Crash and burn," Ino responded before they all began to chuckle.
"Am I missing something?" Sakura asked, approaching them. She hadn't heard anything but she couldn't help but feel a little left out.
"Oh, not really. We're just making fun of Naruto a bit. It's so fun, isn't it?" Ino said impishly and Sakura laughed.
"Damn right," she agreed, shooting a teasing look at Minato, who just pouted.
"You guys are no fun," he channeled Naruto's feelings perfectly.
"You know we love you," Ino responded, glomping the blonde.
"You better be careful, Shikamaru. It looks like Ino is trying to steal your man," a familiar, obnoxious voice rang through the air and the group turned to see Kiba smiling wolfishly at a glaring Shikamaru. Their respective teams just looked at them in bemusement... until Hinata smacked Kiba upside the head. Then they all laughed, except for Shino and the sullen looking Shikamaru.
"It's nice to know that even if Hinata-chan has you whipped, you haven't changed, Kiba," Minato quipped, a playful smirk on his face.
"What did you say?" Kiba exclaimed irately, getting into Minato's face, growling like a feral animal.
"Just the truth," Minato countered, completely unconcerned as Hinata dragged him away.
"You guys have already fought enough during the Preliminaries. Stop antagonizing one another," Hinata scolded.
"Yes, Hinata-chan," they both said dutifully.
"Yosh! It looks like the party has already begun!" Gai called out as he and his team arrived.
"Loud as always, Gai," Kakashi drawled as he and Sasuke arrived. He was rubbing his ear gingerly.
Gai just beamed.
"We're here, Gaara," Temari announced the presence of the Suna team. She embraced her brother lovingly, causing him to flush. He was still getting used to being shown affection. Between Temari and Ino, he didn't think he would be deprived of it again.
"You guys have done a good job," Asuma complimented the group that had set up the picnic.
"Thanks, Asuma-sensei," Ino smiled as she watched him slip over to Kurenai's side. They were so cute together... especially when they thought they were being subtle about their affections for one another.
"We're not late, are we?" Iruka asked as he and the Konohamaru Corps finally made their way to the Yondaime's head.
"Not at all," Minato smiled, watching as Kakashi's eye lit up at the sight of his object of affections.
"Long time no see, Iruka-sensei," Kakashi abandoned Sasuke to take his place beside the brunette.
Iruka blushed faintly. "It's been a while, Kakashi-sensei. I've missed you," he admitted shyly, blushing harder when it was clear how happy Kakashi had become at those words.
"Is that so?" Kakashi drawled, looking like he was on Cloud Nine.
"Gag me," Sasuke interrupted the moment to voice his disgust. He was automatically subject to Kakashi's Killing Intent.
"It looks like all of the freaks are here," Daichi declared, looking unperturbed by all of the glares that were directed his way.
"What are you doing here?" Kiba scowled as he saw the Iwa team enter the scene.
"We were invited," Michiru sneered.
"It was the right thing to do," Jiraiya answered, trying to quell the animosity before it could grow any more.
"Behave, Daichi. This isn't the way to create diplomatic relations," Jin scolded, pretending that he actually cared about keeping up appearances.
"Che," Daichi scoffed but he didn't bait the other Genin any more.
Jin turned a warm look towards Iruka that caused Kakashi to bristle.
"Good evening Iruka-sensei, you look great as always," Jin complimented.
"Thank you," Iruka responded modestly. He found himself inching closer to Kakashi on instinct. There was a strange look in Jin's eyes that made him feel a little nervous.
"How do you know each other?" Kakashi asked, eyes narrowed in suspicion.
"We bumped into each other at the Academy and Iruka-sensei was kind enough to give me a tour of the village," Jin declared. "We've been friends ever since."
"Is this true?" Kakashi asked Iruka.
"Yes..." Iruka confirmed, looking confused. What was with the hostility between the two? He had never seen Kakashi so upset before...
"What reason do you have for bringing Iruka into this? He has nothing to do with it," the Copy Nin interrogated the other Jounin.
"He just caught my interest," Jin shrugged.
"I doubt that's your only reason," Kakashi scowled.
"Your paranoia is getting the better of you, Kakashi-sensei. Not everything I do has to do with you or your brats," Jin retorted.
Kakashi was about to say something when Iruka placed a hand on his shoulder.
"Kakashi-sensei, please... don't pick a fight when everybody has been looking forward to having a nice night," he pleaded, causing Kakashi to relent on his interrogation. He shot one last hateful look at Jin before allowing Iruka to lead him away.
"That was close, I was afraid we were going to have a fight on our hands," Sakura breathed a sigh of relief. She gave her sensei a concerned look. She had never seen him act like that before...
"Jin's been getting aggressive in his attempts to get under Kakashi-sensei's skin... and it's working," Minato said gravely with his arms crossed.
As the tense atmosphere finally dispersed, everyone got their food and settled down.
"This food is great! Who made it?" Chouji asked.
"Naruto did," Sakura declared, still surprised.
Everyone paused in their meal and stared at Minato incredulously.
"I live alone. I have to feed myself somehow," the blonde retorted. "I don't just eat ramen. As much as I love it, it's not the healthiest thing."
"Will the wonders never cease? You'd make an excellent housewife," Sasuke taunted. Minato didn't even grace the Uchiha with a look. He ignored him completely.
"Don't listen to him, Naruto. The food is great," TenTen complimented him.
"Thank you," Minato smiled. He'd had to learn to cook, for Kushina's sake. She certainly wasn't going to be the only one who cooked in the household.
"I've been meaning to ask," Sasuke spoke once again. "If this picnic is for the Genin teams participating in the Exams and their Sensei, why is he here?" He was looking straight at Jiraiya with the utmost disrespect.
Jiraiya felt an eyebrow twitch. What an insolent little brat... he was pretty damned tempted to let the boy learn what it was like to be a toad for an indeterminate amount of time.
"Show some respect," Kakashi barked. "That is Jiraiya of the Sannin. He is one of the greatest shinobi Konoha has ever produced. If you ever hope to reach the same level of greatness as he has, you will need to get off of your high horse."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted, turning his head in a clear snub of Kakashi. The Cyclopean shinobi looked tempted to rip the Uchiha to shreds but was calmed by Iruka's soothing words. "You still haven't explained why you're here, Jiraiya-sama."
"I'm here because I've taken a few of your fellow Genin under my wing. I figured it was about time I took on some new apprentices," Jiraiya responded.
"What?" Sasuke's attention was caught. Who had earned training with the Sannin? If anyone deserved such training it was him. "Who?"
"I think I'll keep that to myself for now," Jiraiya responded, dismissing Sasuke's demands. "I rather see the looks on people's faces when my students kick their asses in the Exam." He puffed his chest out with pride. He was going to enjoy seeing Gaara pound the Uchiha into submission just as much as seeing Naruto destroy Neji's misguided convictions.
Sasuke glared at Jiraiya sourly before turning back to his food and digging into it viciously.
"This is the guy you like? You could do so much better," Ino whispered to Sakura, looking at Sasuke with disdain. "Are you sure you won't give Lee-san a chance, Sakura-chan? He genuinely seems to care for you."
Sakura looked down. "There was a time that I would have said I would never choose anybody but Sasuke... that he was the one for me. But, to tell you the truth, he's beginning to scare me. As for Lee-san... I don't really know yet."
Ino blinked. She hadn't expected that response. She thought Sakura would have stubbornly defended Sasuke but it looked like she was finally beginning to see the light. Ino sighed in relief. Maybe she didn't have to worry about Sakura as much as she thought she did.
"You've been kind of quiet, Naruto, is everything alright?" Iruka asked the blonde in concern.
Minato gave Iruka a reassuring look. "I'm fine. I just can't wait for tomorrow."
"I don't see why. Your fate is to be defeated at my hands," Neji finally spoke up. He grew incensed when all Naruto did was look at him the same way adults did when they were humoring a naughty child.
"I make my own fate, Hyuuga. You should do the same."
Neji just snorted derisively.
The rest of the dinner went peacefully and it was soon time for everyone to go their separate ways.
"Thanks for the meal, Naruto. It was great. We should all do something like this again," Hinata smiled, hugging her friend before doing the same to Ino and a surprised Gaara.
"Come on, Hinata-sama, it's time to go," Neji asserted impatiently, looking unhappy to be her escort.
"Coming," Hinata sang, giving her surly cousin a charming smile as she rejoined him and headed off.
"She's getting good at handling all of the negativity around her," Minato said, feeling proud of the girl's progress. She would make an excellent Clan Head.
"We're heading out, Gaara. Are you going to come with us?" Temari queried.
"I think I'll stay with Naruto tonight," Gaara answered. If the invasion was to be tomorrow, this would be the last normal night they would have in Konoha for a long time.
"Have it your way," Kankurou answered, ruffling Gaara's hair. "Be sure to get some sleep. You'll want to be in top shape for the Exams."
"I will."
Temari surprised both Gaara and Minato when she embraced them both.
"Thank you for being Gaara's friend. If it hadn't been for you, we would have never have gotten our brother back," she whispered in Minato's ear. Releasing them, she gave them a fond look before she departed with Kankurou and Baki.
"This was fun. Good luck tomorrow," Kiba said as he and his team prepared to leave. "Kick Neji's ass for me, will you?"
"You can count on it," Minato promised.
TenTen looked like she had something to say about that but she refrained from saying anything when Lee spoke up instead.
"Yosh. You fight with such passion, Naruto-kun. You will be fighting my Eternal Rival. Please, carry my hopes and dreams with you in your fight!" Lee requested.
"I would be glad to," Minato smiled. "You will get your shot soon enough, Lee. Maybe not here in the Exams, but you will."
"I look forward to that day," Lee practically trembled with excitement as he bounded off with his team.
"You've got to admire his enthusiasm," Asuma chuckled before looking at Jiraiya. "It was good to see you again, Jiraiya-sama."
"You too," Jiraiya agreed.
Shikamaru looked at Minato and the question was clear. Was he Naruto?
Giving an apologetic look, Minato shook his head. Slumping in disappointment, Shikamaru and his team left.
"What was up with that? You seem awfully distant with Shikamaru, given the nature of your relationship," Sasuke queried, feeling pleased about that particular fact.
"That's not really any of your business," Minato asserted coolly.
"I'm your teammate. I'm just worried about you," Sasuke lied. Minato wasn't fooled at all but he didn't make any response.
"Just leave it alone, Sasuke," Ino scowled. "He doesn't have to tell you anything."
Sasuke glared at her. "Mind your own business, bitch. This has nothing to do with you."
Ino's eyes flashed and she was about to go show the arrogant Uchiha just what she had learned under Jiraiya's tutelage when Minato clasped a hand on her shoulder.
"He's not worth it, Ino-chan," he told her.
"I'll get him for you in the Finals," Gaara promised her under his breath.
Ino relaxed. She would listen to her teammates for now.
Sasuke was about to bait them more when he heard a disturbance behind him.
He turned to see Kakashi and Jin in the middle of a vicious argument with Iruka caught in the middle.
Konohamaru and his friends weren't making things easier as they kept yelling at Jin, saying that he should stay away from their Iruka-sensei.
Iruka was trying to put a stop to all of the chaos but his words fell onto deaf ears.
"Stay away from Iruka," Kakashi scowled, shooting Jin a warning look.
"I don't have to listen to you. Whether I see him is between us two. You have no part of this," Jin responded stubbornly, enjoying that he was getting a rise out of the Copy Nin.
His real intentions were clear in his eyes. He would hurt Iruka... all for the sake of his own revenge. Kakashi wouldn't let Iruka get dragged into the crossfire. He wouldn't lose another precious person.
Iruka recognized the intent in Kakashi's eye. "Kakashi, no!"
Kakashi lunged.
"The night had been going so well..." Ino groaned as Gaara and Minato escorted her and Sakura back to their homes. "That bastard Jin had to ruin everything."
"It's a good thing Jiraiya-sensei stopped Kakashi before he could kill Jin and create a huge diplomatic incident," Gaara mused. "Konoha can't really afford that."
"Poor Iruka-sensei though, he didn't look very happy at all when he'd left to take Konohamaru and his friends back," Sakura recalled the upset look on the Academy teacher's face.
"You wouldn't be either if someone nearly caused a war because of you," Minato pointed out.
"There's enough bad blood between Konoha and Iwa. We don't need anymore," Ino agreed.
"At least it will all be over tomorrow," Sakura said brightly. "Then they'll leave and things can go back to normal."
She didn't notice the looks exchanged between the trio. Whatever happened tomorrow, they doubted things would go back to the way things had been. Not entirely.
Sasuke was feeling more than a little smug. He had finally got what he had wanted out of Kakashi: the Chidori.
When the cyclopean Jounin had attempted to use the move against Jin, Sasuke had jumped on the chance to copy it with his Sharingan, and the most brilliant thing was, no one noticed!
This meant that the Chidori would become his ace in his hole. The one move no one would expect him to use. He would just have practice it firsttt.
If he worked at it through the night, he might just be able to use it to defeat Naruto's annoying bodyguard...
"You still have no luck with Naruto?" Gaara asked Minato when they arrived back at the apartment.
Minato nodded solemnly. He was really getting worried now.
'Come on, Naruto... how long are you going to sleep?'