Hello there! Let's cut formalities and do it!

Recap: Tenten and Hokuto had a little heart to heart, what rivalry will this lead to? No, guys! (Not that I haven't thought about it: answer's still no)

Light rose past the shadow's reach as night slowly but surely turned to dawn. Granted it was still dark out, but none of that truly mattered as Neji sighed to himself relieved; finally his shift was over for the evening. Unknown to many; save for Team Gai, the ebon haired lad deeply valued his sleep, so much so that the senior member of team soon took notice. From then on, after a hard day of training, there would always be a scheduled naptime. After all fatigue is a ninja's worst enemy. Not only that, it tended to make the Hyuuga prodigy less, how do you say… Pissy?

Neji fought back a yawn as he marched over to Naruto's sleeping bag. The blond awoke violently from his slumber due to a courteous kick from the Byakugan wielder. "Naruto, it's your turn to keep watch, get up." The ninja in question yawned as he struggled to untangle himself from his sleeping bag, with little to no success.

"Help!"

Neji struggled hard to keep that eye tick in check but failed. 'I lost to this guy?' Sighing, he began helping his friend out of this predicament, and what better way than to become trapped in their place?

"How the-?"

"Thanks again Neji, later!" The Hyuuga was left stupefied as the blond bounded away, well out of hearing range.

"…It seems that he is able to reverse any situation he's given. I believe that the Nara coined a word for you, Naruto." Slumping into his warm restraints, Neji couldn't help but smirk. "Hmph…Troublesome."

…

From beyond the unknown horizon, the sun slowly but surely rose in the east, creating fingers of light to scratch the sky; a testament to its daily trek across the heavens. No one could argue or would they if they had seen what splendor that the day had offered itself onto the world. Naruto for all his clumsy curiosity couldn't have agreed more. Surveying all before him with an external manner befitting that of a six year old, while more constructed abstracts played across his boyish features. He clicked his tongue against his palate, never once shifting his gaze. More or less it was quite a sight to behold; the blond cursed himself thinking back to how many times he had sleep in. How many other minor miracles had he missed?

The blonds' thoughts were muted suddenly when his tummy rumbled. As tactless as he was, even Naruto blushed at his admittance to hunger. "Ne, maybe some food would be good about now." Gingerly he stretched his legs, before slamming his hands into a familiar seal. With that, two duplicates materialized before the blond. "Okay you both now what to do."

"Right."

"On it."

Naruto smiled as the clones scampered off to complete their orders. "Lucky me, I've got some more time to kill-ttebayo." Turning back to his vantage point, the beginnings of an ellipse peeked over the horizon.

Oblivious to such sights, the girl continued to slumber, the steady rise and fall of her chest easily gave away the fact. A breeze soon churned dancing around the campsite, causing the girl to bury herself deeper into her sleeping bag for the addition warmth. Not long after, a tantalizing scent filled the air; permeating the fine material. Startled the girl began thrashing for air; once freed from her sleeping manacles, she found herself staring at a blob of orange. Eyes still blurry, she waited a few moments for her vision to clear. Slowly the blob turned into Naruto's backside. The girl blushed, as she pushed aside such thoughts as she glanced up towards the blond; occupying himself by the fire.

Silently, the girl rose to her feet, brushing off the imaginary dust that had gathered on her weather-proof garters. Hey, she's a ninja of course they'd be weather-proofed. The aroma once again assaulted her senses, now more than every as she drew closer. "Naruto-san?"

"Eh? Hey."

"It's still kinda early for breakfast isn't it?" She said as she examined the various cups of ramen strewn around the fire-pit.

The blonds' cheeks inflated. "It wasn't my idea! The boss ordered us to do this."

The girl blinked. "Us?"

"Ohayou Hokuto." The brunette quickly turned to another blond who had just arrived on the scene; she tiled her head slightly noticing papaya and various other fruit in the clone's arms. "If you're looking for the boss he's somewhere along the hillside."

"Uh well t-thank you." She shifted under the clones' scrutiny before staring them both down. "I'll be sure to tell him how hard you two have been working."

Three heartbeats…

The clones suddenly latched onto her legs with tears streaming down their faces. "Thank you!"

Hokuto followed the clones' abstract directions, but nevertheless she found her target easily enough. She watched as he leaned back, relaxing on his elbows, completely unaware of her presence. "So this is where you've been hiding." She called out teasingly.

The blond sputtered in surprise but huffed at her words. "Me? I never hide."

"Oh?"

"Yeah, I'm just here for the view."

The brunette nodded, as she seated herself next to Naruto. "I can see that, and what a view it is!"

"I think so too."

The girl shifted as she brought her knees to her chest and gave the blond a sidelong glance. "At least you have a good excuse…This time."

"Totally… Eh! What you mean 'this time'? I always have a good excuse!"

"So you do make them, excuses I mean?"

Naruto opened his mouth but when nothing came he opted in crossing his arms with a scowl. "You all just jealous…"

To his displeasure, Hokuto took the time to giggle at her small victory. "Hehe, I win."

A dark look crossed the blonds' features. "You win nothing."

"Alright fine, I've won nothing at all." Naruto visibly relaxed. "However the fact remains you still lost, Naruto-san."

"That tears it!" Naruto pounced but failed as the girl leapt well out of striking distance.

"Oof."

"Serves you right! Need an excuse for not being able to catch me?" Hokuto smiled just before running off.

The blond merely chuckled as he pushed himself off the ground and into a stoop. "I acknowledge that you may have caught me off guard, however…" Naruto propelled himself forward giving chase after the little minx. "I won't be fooled again. I'm privy to your tactics now!"

"We'll see~."

Naruto blinked, it was just like she played him before, back at the hospital. Even then nothing had changed, somewhat relieved by this notion the blond easily kept pace. After all a challenge was just something he couldn't back down from, he smiled just as the sun fully emerged from behind its counter.

...

"So, why are you here?" Neji shrugged, as he pulled a chair next to Sumaru's bed, and took a seat.

"No real reason I suppose, just checking up on you."

"As if Naruto didn't do enough of that already, by the way where is he? It's been a whole lot quieter as of late." Neji took notice of caustic comment, but said nothing as he kept his eyes firmly glued to the wall ahead of him. Things were going just swimmingly.

"To my knowledge he's still recuperating after a run in with a bear."

Sumaru's brows rose with interest. "A bear you say? What kind of bear would put him out?"

"One of the Grizzle-spotted variants, I believe."

Sumaru suddenly found his bed sheets more interesting. "I…See…How is he?"

"According Mayonaka-san, if it would had been anyone else they would have died." Neji continued as he smoothed over the story the best he could without raising suspicion.

Sumaru glared into his lap. "…How did it happen in the first place?"

The Hyuuga sighed as he looked out the window. A small sparrow pecked at the window sill before another one joined it. A second later they flew off together. "Get comfortable, it's a long explanation." Seeing that he had his attention Neji continued."From the details I gathered from Hokuto-san and Tenten it started after your little episode actually. Naruto had gone to clean the blood off of him by a river 3 kilometers away, since he was for whatever reason expelled from the hospital. A few hours went by before both Hokuto-san then Tenten organized separate searches for him, even so by that time he was likely already being stalked as prey. When they both finally met up with him, a storm that seemed to have spawned from somebody's horrible imagination forced everyone to find shelter in nearby cave. That's when the bear had found them. Neji paused for a moment to catch his breath. Noticing how entailed Sumaru looked he continued. "They had no choice but to fight. I'm sorry, I can't really reveal all the details."

"What?"

The prodigy stood up and walked to the door; his hand gripping the knob. "Both Tenten's and Hokuto's accounts differed of what took place, since both blacked out during the event…However I will say this, if it wasn't for Naruto I doubt either of them would still be alive."

…

The olive haired boy awoke to the sound of boiling broth. Rolling over he traced the sound back to the clones who were squabbling over something, Sumaru sweat-dropped when the clones started bitch-slapping one another.

"He ordered me to peel them, and here you are stuffing your face!"

"Cry more, noob!"

'Are all Kage Bushins this loud? No, only his would be.'

Sumaru immediately averted his eyes, feeling guilty at the unintentional jab. 'No, he didn't deserve that. Doesn't." He corrected, as he watched the clones' continued scuffle before clearing his throat. "Hey…"

The clone who had his brother in a headlock looked his way and smiled. "Oi Sumaru, how are ya! "

"I'm well enough."

"I see, well don't worry breakfast will be ready soon, just got to deal with this joker first!"

"You mad, bro?"

"Fear not for I Rock Lee, have been recharged after a restful night of sleep! Konoha Senpū!" The taijutsu user dusted off the two clones with relative ease, as Sumaru watched on bemused.

"Lee! Must you be so loud this early?"

"Ah gomen, Tenten, I did not mean to wake you both." Sumaru turned, seeing the weapons mistress with Neji in tow; he smirked upon seeing the Hyuuga's bed-head.

The girl approached the fire, examining the contents of the pot. "Looks like someone's been busy..."

"Hmph, indeed." Neji commented as he looked around the site, mild concern etched on his face. "Speaking of which has anyone scene him, or Hokuto-san for that matter?"

The two mentioned, emerged from the forest; breathless with laughter. Sumaru smiled as they made their way towards them. 'Naruto, you sure have a knack for helping people step beyond their comfort zone. I think I misplaced my mistrust in the other nations to cover for my own paranoia. I see now that comradeship, no friendship can extend well beyond the borders of this land.'

"Oi Sumaru!" The blond waved wildly as he approached his friends.

'If you are my counterpart for the title of Kage then you're village is fortunate to have you.' The boy clenched his fist and smirked at the duo as they reached their destination.

"Oi Naruto."

To my female readers, it's not what it looks like. Please behave. XD

To the fellas, head up!

Geez, I really need to switch to decaff. -_-'

But I admit this chapter was fun to do. I brought closure to Sumaru here. We'll be in Konoha the next.

'Til next time, take care.

Later…