Normal

"Speech"

Thought

Kyuubi

Warnings: I do not own Naruto. Rated "M" for language and adult situations.

Chapter 16: How could I forget!

Myra was content with being in his arms. Naruto squeezed her close to him. The smell of her hair was intoxicating to him He felt her relax in his embrace and her breathing became slow and steady. She was asleep that quickly. Naruto didn't really want to move. Everything made sense while she was near him.

Myra started to radiate a kind of energy that warmed every part of him. The whole world could have imploded at that very moment, and it wouldn't have mattered in the least to Naruto. There was a rumble that came from deep with in the cage. The Fox was purring. "This is new."

Naruto slowly started to move. There were things that were becoming more of a pressing issue. He was starving and he didn't know how much longer he could ignore his bladder. Naruto loosened his grip around her mid section, unwinding his arms from the sleeping girl. Myra made a low noise that sounded very sad when contact was broken. He covered her up and headed for the bathroom.

Naruto got dressed while he was in the bathroom. Naruto walked into the kitchen. The calendar on the wall showed the date with a big red circle around it. Gaara was arriving today for the Chunin exams next week. "Oh SHIT! I was going to meet Gaara at the gates this moring." He didn't want to leave Myra alone, but he hadn't seen his friend in a very long time. The light bulb over his head nearly exploded with the idea.

"Shadow Clone." He whispered. There was a loud pop and in a puff of smoke the clone appeared. The real Naruto covered the clone's mouth. It was always strange looking into his own eyes. There was an instant mental connection with the clone, and the clone knew what he needed to do.

"Transform." The clone whispered and transformed into a small plushy Naruto. Naruto picked up the plushy of himself.

"Keep an eye on her, and let me know when she wakes up." He was a little jealous of the plushy. Naruto squeezed the plushy a bit tightly and shook his finger at it. "NO funny business."

He took the plushy and tucked it into Myra's arms. She wrapped an unconscious arm around the plushy, pulling it close to her. Naruto tucked the blankets around her and pushed her hair back behind her ear. He could feel her breath on his face. Naruto kissed the sleeping girl on the temple. He still didn't want to leave her. He watched her sleep as he tiptoed to the door. The door clicked shut and then locked behind him. "Granny Tsunade's first, then food…" He was off.

Naruto got to the Hokage building a little later than expected. It was going on 9 AM and he had planned on being part of the welcoming committee for Gaara. He ran up the stairs to the Hokage's office and knocked.

"Enter!" Tsunade's voice was muffled through the heavy door. Naruto opened the door and walked into the office. The Kazekage stood just in front of Tsunade's desk, with his siblings just behind him. Shikamaru was also in the office, scowling as usual. Gaara turned to look at his blonde friend. Naruto thought it was a little strange to see a smile on Gaara's face, but he returned the smile.

"Sorry I'm late… I had something important to take care of this morning." Naruto put his hand behind his head and kept the smile. Tsunade didn't look very happy about him being late.

"You are picking up Kakashi's bad habits. I thought you were going to great our guests this morning." Tsunade looked sternly at Naruto.

"Well…" Naruto didn't know how to answer. He didn't really want to tell the Hokage that he was in bed with the new girl. "I was helping a friend." He blushed furiously. Tsunade shook her head. The Hokage didn't want embarrass Naruto in front of one of his closest friends.

"Why is it that you are always helping someone when we meet Naruto Uzumaki?" Gaara extended his hand to Naruto. The blonde looked at Gaara's hand, then back to Gaara. He took the Kazekage's hand with a firm grip.

"I guess it's what I do." Naruto grinned. Kankuro padded Naruto on the back.

"Looks like you got taller squirt." Kankuro smirked.

"It's good to see you Naruto-Kun." Temari kept her scowl that matched Shikamaru's.

"Gaara and company will be staying in the guest quarters here at the Hokage Complex. I am sure they would like to rest a bit before Naruto drags everyone off for ramen at Ichiraku's. Shikamaru, please show our guests to their quarters. I need to speak with Naruto for a moment." Tsunade glared at the blonde boy.

"I'll catch up later." He smiled nervously at the Sand siblings. Shikamaru lead Gaara and the others out of Tsunade's office mumbling something about woman being troublesome. Naruto started to look a little more nervous as the doors shut, locking him in with Tsunade. There was a moment of silence before Tsunade sighed.

"I am sure you are aware that Myra left the hospital this morning." The Hokage never broke her stern expression. Naruto blushed and kept silent. Tsundae shook her head.

"I don't know who to be more disappointed in, you for taking advantage of the situation, or Myra from creating the situation to begin with." She slammed her fist on the desk making Naruto jump.

"WAIT! Nothing happened, I swear!" He closed his eyes and waited for the impact of her fist on his head. He heard Tsunade take a deep breath and slowly opened his eyes.

"I am glad to hear that. I do hope she is at least resting comfortably?" The Hokage smiled. Naruto relaxed a little.

"I left her sleeping soundly." He lowered his head feeling a little embarrassed talking to Tsunade. The Hokage chuckled.

"Good, I suggest you let her sleep as long as possible. However, the council has requested her presence at a dinner party this evening. Apparently the council has decided that since we have such an influx of foreign dignitary for the Chunin Exams, we are having several social gatherings. It is all political maneuvering and very boring. As a future Hokage, you will need to learn the art of diplomacy." Tsunade turned to face the windows, mostly to hide her devious smirk. "Do you think you could stomach food other than ramen for an evening to be Myra's escort to the party, or should I send a messenger to tell Hiashi Hyuga that Neji can escort Myra to the party?"

The thought of Neji taking Myra anywhere didn't sit well with Naruto, but it really wasn't his decision. It would be up to Myra when she woke up. He clenched his fists. "I am sure you would need to ask Myra-chan that questions when she wakes up." He kept his tone even and tried not to seem jealous. Tsunade raise her eyebrow. She could tell he didn't like that idea, but would accept Myra's decisions.

"Then I suppose in the meantime, you should find something to wear just in case she does decide that she wants you to take her to the party. It is a formal affair this evening. I expect the best behavior out of anyone attending." Tsunade nodded to the blonde boy. Naruto grinned hesitantly. "When have I ever let you down?" He closed the door behind him. Tsunade stared at her empty office.

"Never, but this isn't a physical fight, this is a political one." The Hokage sighed.

Naruto ran down the stairs to the guest quarters to see if he could find Gaara. He needed to talk to someone, and Gaara seemed like the perfect person. He found Temari and Shikamaru heading out to somewhere. Naruto smirked. It seemed that Shikamaru spent a whole lot of time whining about Temari, but he was never seen with out her when she was in Konohagakure.

"Oy! Shikamaru! Temari-chan! Where's Gaara?" Naruto waved the pair down. Temari got a smug look on her face. "The Kazekage is in his room resting from the journey."

Shikamaru shook his head. Gaara had silently walked up behind his older sister. "I have rested Temari. I think I will take a walk with Naruto." Gaara was the master at dead pan expression. Temari's expression changed and she did not attempt to protest. Shikamaru raised an eyebrow and whispered to Gaara. "Is there a trick to getting her to shut up like that all the time?"

"Have you threatened to kill her lately?" Gaara's expression never changed and it was one of those awkward moments when no one was sure if Gaara was serious or not. Naruto stifled his chuckle. Temari rolled her eyes. She grabbed Shikamaru's collar and drug him off somewhere Naruto didn't want to think about. He just hoped she didn't beat Shikamaru too badly.

"Your sister is vicious." Naruto laughed.

"I was serious about threatening her." Gaara allowed a smirk to peak through that stoic exterior.

"I know… That's what's so funny." Naruto laughed. They started to walk. They were silent for a few moments until Gaara broke the silence. "Has the Lady Tsunade asked you about the dinner party this evening?"

"Yeah, I don't really want to go either, but I may not have a choice. If she wants me to, I have to escort one of our special guests." Naruto kicked at a rock in the road.

"I was informed the Ravenheart was in Konohagakure and had taken a liking to a certain loud mouth." Gaara looked interested in the news.

"The Ravenheart? Her name is Myra." The blonde was a little defensive.

The Kazekage kept his stoic tone, "Myra Ravenheart, I know what her name is Naruto, but from what I understand she is "The Ravenheart", a titled heir to her clan. Actually the way Lady Tsunade explained it, she is best described as a Kage in training."

Naruto stopped in his tracks. This news made him feel a little inadequate. Myra was like a princess, and he was nothing. Gaara picked up on Naruto's apprehention.

"It is fitting for the future Hokage to be seen with a future Kage of another village. I understand the politics Lady Tsunade is playing. I may not agree with such politics, but I know them to be a necessary evil." It was a cold truth and there wasn't an easy way for Gaara to sugar coat it. Naruto was still looking a bit crest fallen.

"I am very hungry after my trip. Show me this ramen place you speak so highly of." Gaara placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder and genuinely smiled.