Colors of Life and Death series
Truth in Dreams
by Songbird21

Chapter 32

Ino's squeal of delight deafened everyone. "When's the baby coming?" she asked excitedly.

Once Asuma was finished rubbing his ear he answered her. "In about eight months." He grinned as he looked his team over. "Which means you three need to give one hell of a performance at the chuunin exams so I can go out with a bang."

"Huh?" Chouji said.

"I'll be retiring as your sensei after the chuunin exams," Asuma said with a slightly smaller smile.

"What?!" Chouji and Ino said in unison. Nao stayed out of it since she didn't feel she'd been in the group long enough to warrant her a voice in the discussion.

"Why?!" Ino asked.

"I don't want my child to grow up without a father. I'm going to be teaching at the academy," Asuma explained.

"What about Kurenai-sensei?" Chouji asked.

Asuma chuckled. "I couldn't get her to give up missions entirely, but she and Tsunade-sama have agreed that she'll be restricted her to B-ranked missions until our child becomes a gennin." He let out a big, happy sigh and cracked his knuckles over his head. "Well, let's get started on your training. We don't have long before the exams."

"I'm so excited for you Kurenai-san!" Tomoyo said as she gave the unsuspecting woman a rib-crushing hug.

Kurenai winced for a moment at Tomoyo's brashness but she knew she was only happy for her so she put up with it. "Arigato," she said. "So, has Kakashi been treating you right? He's not still reading that disgusting book is he?"

Tomoyo got an impish grin on her face. "They're not so bad. I kinda like 'em myself."

Kurenai grimaced and her eye twitched. "You two are perfect for each other."

"If you send Naruto on a mission like that you'll never hear the end of it. You know that don't you?" Shizune warned.

Tsunade chuckled. "Hai hai. I know a C-ranked mission is a bit beneath team seven by this point but I think this will be good for Naruto. He needs to get some diplomacy missions under his belt."

Shizune looked skeptical but she bowed her head in respect anyway. "Hai, Tsunade-sama. I'll send for him."

"You'll be going to Insei city in the Wave country to speak with their Daimyo. It's a C-rank mission so...." Tsunade began.

"NANI?!" Naruto yelled.

Tsunade clamped her hands over her ears with a scowl. "If you want to be Hokage someday then you will do this mission. The Hokage has to deal with foreign dignitaries on a regular basis."

Naruto was about to make a retort when he remembered what Gaara had said to him nearly a month before.

(("If you want to achieve your dream, you just need to grow up a little. It shouldn't be too hard of a task...for the guy who saved my life," Gaara said with a smile.))

Naruto let out a long sigh through his nose. "Hai, Kaa-san."

Tsunade arched her eyebrows in surprise while everyone else in the room stared bug-eyed at Naruto. Her expression changed into an approving smile. "Good," she said. "Now, since Hinata is your diplomacy trainer she will be going with you and there have been reports of some of the city's children going missing so Gai-sensei's team will be researching that while you speak with the Daimyo. Naruto, it will be your job to negotiate a price for their export of salt to the Fire country. They've finally perfected their seawater separation process and since there isn't much in the way of salt mines in the Fire country or the Lightning country we have to make sure we give them the best offer." She handed Naruto a large manila envelope. "This contains more specific details along with a list of offers you are authorized to make on our behalf."

Naruto nodded as he took the envelope. "Okay."

"Kakashi." Tsunade made a 'come here' motion to Kakashi with her hand. She leaned over and whispered something to him. His visible eyebrow went up.

"Are you sure he can handle it?"

"Gai will be there if any problems come up. Besides, he's got to try it at some point and this is the perfect mission for a trial run."

"I'm fine with it. Tomoyo's been nagging me to spend more time with her anyway," Kakashi answered with a chuckle.

Naruto began to tap his fingers on his thigh. He knew they were talking about him because his mother kept glancing in his direction and the suspense was driving him nuts.

"Alright then. Naruto, how would you like to be the leader of team seven for this mission?" Tsunade asked with a wide smile.

If Sakura's eyes had opened any wider they would have rolled out of their sockets, Naruto's jaw dropped and Sasuke's expression was utterly incredulous. "Are you serious?! I'm way more qualified to lead a mission than that dobe!"

Tsunade's face became serious. "This isn't open for debate, Sasuke. If you can't fight under Naruto's command then tell me now and I will find you a temporary replacement for this mission."

Sasuke gritted his teeth. "Hai, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade nodded in approval, then turned to her son. "You don't have to accept this offer if you don't feel you're ready, but if you do accept then I will expect nothing but your best. You will take it seriously every step of the way. Sakura, I want you to keep tabs on everything Naruto does in the capacity of leader. I expect a detailed report."

"Hai, Tsunade-sama," Sakura replied.

"So, Naruto--Do you want to give this a try?" Tsunade asked.

Naruto's heart was beating hard. He was excited and nervous at the same time. Leadership. He'd dreamed of it for so long, but did he have the skills for it? He took a deep breath and nodded. "Hai, Kaa-san."

"Well then, I suggest you all get packed. Gai's team will meet you by the gates in one hour. Dismissed." There was a shout of affirmation and then suddenly the room was empty. Well, almost empty. She noticed her son had yet to depart. "Naruto?"

"Is it really okay for a gennin to lead a team?" Naruto asked carefully.

Tsunade just smiled. "In this case yes. It's a low risk mission and I think you can manage it."

At hearing that Naruto dropped all formalities. He jumped into the air and let out a loud whoop before hugging Tsunade. "Arigato, Kaa-san!"

"You're welcome. Just make sure you do your job. I want a good report from Sakura, alright?"

"Yosh!" Naruto replied excitedly. "Ja!" And he vanished in a puff of smoke.

"Good luck, brat," Tsunade said warmly.

Naruto had ordered his team to make camp for the night while he worked out what he would say to the Daimyo. Once the tent was up Sakura walked over to him. "We're all set," she reported, feeling a little silly reporting to Naruto of all people.

He looked up from his papers. "Domo, Sakura-chan," he said with a smile before going back to his work.

Sakura cocked her head to one side. "Aren't you coming? You're going to need your sleep for tomorrow."

Naruto didn't look up this time. "Yeah, in a bit. I just wanna figure this out."

Sakura smiled. "Okay. Oyasumi Naruto-kun," she said with a yawn as she walked off toward the tent.

"Oyasumi."

The ground clutter crunched under her feet as Hinata walked up to Naruto. "Oyasumi, Naruto-kun," she said.

"Oyasumi," Naruto replied distractedly.

Hinata frowned a little. "Naruto-kun?"

"Hm?" Naruto said as he scribbled down some notes.

"Do...do you have time for a goodnight hug?" Hinata asked meekly.

Naruto put down his brush, looked up at her and smiled. "Sorry, Hina-chan," he said as he got to his feet and gave her the hug she had wanted. "I'm just kinda nervous about tomorrow."

Hinata sighed in understanding and smiled. "You'll be fine. I know you can do it."

Naruto tightened the hug. "Domo." He gave her a kiss. "I guess I can work on this in the morning," he said, giving the papers on the ground a sideways glance.

Hinata nodded. "Oyasumi. I love you."

Naruto's smiled widened and he gave her another quick kiss. "I love you too. Oyasumi, Hina-chan."

The two teens went to their respective tents and quickly fell asleep.

Tenten couldn't help feeling guilty. She'd caught Neji looking at her with an expression of longing and although he had quickly turned away she'd still seen it. Finally she couldn't take the odd silence anymore. "Neji?"

Neji reluctantly turned around. "Hai?"

"Are you...I mean...is everything okay?" Tenten asked, her lips pressed together in concern.

Neji sighed heavily. "Tenten, I know what you're trying to do, but it's not necessary. I will be fine. It will just take some time," he said. He noticed the sad look on her face. "But our friendship will never be over. Alright?"

Tenten smiled in relief and nodded. "Hai," she said. "Oyasumi, Neji."

"Oyasumi, Tenten." He smiled warmly at the object of his love, knowing that even if he fell for someone else some part of his heart would always belong to her.

Naruto checked to see that his team mates were asleep and then proceeded to pull a mirror out of Sakura's backpack. He sat down on his sleeping bag and used the light of the moon to check out his reflection. He winced as he studied his teeth, pulling his upper lip back so he could see better. Dammit!

"Naruto-kun?"

Naruto's eyes widened when he saw that Sakura's eyes were open and she was staring at him curiously. He quickly thrust the mirror into his sleeping bag. "Yeah?"

Sakura frowned. "What are you doing with my mirror?"

Naruto cleared his throat and pulled the mirror from its hiding place. "I was...just making sure I look good for tomorrow.

Sakura looked skeptical but let it drop. "That's fine," she said as she held out her hand to receive the mirror. "Just ask next time okay?"

Naruto nodded fervently. "No problem. Night."

Sakura yawned. "Night," she said before putting her mirror away, rolling over and dropping back off to sleep.

Once Naruto was sure she was asleep he used his tongue to feel one of his canines and winced when the sharp point on it drew blood from his tongue. He sighed, pulled his knees up to his chest, put his head in his hands, and whispered to no one. "What am I gonna do?"

Sakura sat up and stretched her arms above her head. "Ohayo, Sasuke-kun."

"Uhn," came the answer from Sasuke's direction.

Without looking Sakura also said. "Ohayo, Naruto-kun." When she didn't get an answer she looked to her left. Naruto had apparently already gotten up and left the tent. "Sasuke-kun, where's Naruto?"

"How the hell should I know? I just opened my eyes," Sasuke grumbled.

Sakura looked annoyed. "Geez. You're such a grouch in the morning."

"Hmph." Sasuke got up, took his clothes and went off to find a quieter place to get dressed.

Sakura strolled out of the tent with a bright smile on her face. She noticed Hinata standing nearby and smiled. "Ohayo, Hinata."

There was no answer.

"Hinata? Are you okay?" Sakura asked as she walked to her.

"H-hai. It's just...Naruto-kun...." Hinata said, glancing towards her boyfriend.

Sakura looked over at Naruto, who was sitting on a rock on the edge of the clearing a good thirty feet from the camp. He seemed to be alright but his back was turned to them and he seemed...off somehow.

"He won't talk to me and he hasn't moved from that spot since he came out of your tent. Something's upsetting him but I don't know what," Hinata explained quietly.

Sasuke spoke up from behind them. "He's probably just nervous. I'll talk to him." Without another word he walked over to Naruto.

Sakura shared raised eyebrows with Hinata. Sasuke wasn't usually the type to offer to talk to someone who was upset.

Sasuke tapped his younger brother on the shoulder. "Oi. What's the matter with you?"

No response.

"Hey! I'm talking to you," Sasuke said a bit more loudly, irritation entering his voice.

No response.

Sasuke had had it. No one ignored him—especially not his little brother. So he did the only thing he knew would get a response—he slugged him in the back of the head.

Naruto immediately stood up and rounded on Sasuke. "What the hell is your problem?!" he yelled.

Sasuke noticed Naruto had his teeth bared. And were they ever bared. His canines seemed to be about twice the length and sharpness of a normal human's. "Naruto...." he said in shock.

Naruto realized what had been seen and his hand flew to cover his mouth.

"Geez, I didn't think you'd get that pissed. You can put the fangs away now," Sasuke said with a frown.

As Hinata and Sakura approached him Naruto gritted his teeth, turned around and sat back down on the rock hard. "That's just it, Sasuke! I can't put them away. They've been getting bigger over the last couple of weeks but then yesterday...." Silence. "Yesterday I checked them in Sakura's mirror and they were almost fifty percent bigger than the day before. I..." He studied his hands, subconsciously checking for claws. "What am I becoming?" he nearly whispered.

Sakura knelt down next to Naruto. "No matter what new physical traits you get, you're still Naruto. It doesn't bother us if...."

"IF WHAT, SAKURA?" Naruto suddenly shouted. "If I start to look like the KYUUBI?!" Tears filled his eyes at the thought.

Sakura looked ashamed with herself. Hinata and Sasuke were silent but wore pained expressions on their faces. "Naruto-kun...." Hinata said sadly.

"What if the next time my eyes turn red they...they stay that way forever? What if I keep those claws? What if I...what if I grow TAILS?!" Naruto said. Tears began to run slowly down his face as the fears he'd kept hidden for almost two weeks came tumbling out into the open. He looked at Hinata with fear. "Could you still love me if I started to look like the thing that killed so many people?!"

Hinata frowned sadly at the question but got down in a crouch next to him. "Naruto is Naruto," she said gently. "I love you and that's it. You don't get rid of me that easily." She put her arms around him and he stiffened for a moment but then relaxed into her embrace.

By now the other team had gathered around to see what all the fuss was about. "Is everything alright here?" Gai asked.

"I think so," Sakura said. "But we should let them be alone for a while."

Gai nodded. "Alright, everyone back to what you were doing," he ordered. Once everyone left he looked at Naruto and Hinata. "Ahh," he said with a sniff, "No where does the power of youth shine more brightly than in young love."

Sakura's eye twitched at his ridiculously dramatic statement. She grabbed him by the collar and dragged him away. "Honestly! Don't you have any shame?!"

Hinata broke the silence. "Are you okay?"

Naruto let out a shaky breath and wiped his eyes. "I think so," he replied quietly. "I'm sorry for doubting you, Hina-chan. I...I'm just scared. It seemed like I was okay for so long and then this starts."

"I'm sure you won't turn into Kyuubi," Hinata said.

"I know I won't," Naruto replied. "But I worked so hard to earn the villagers' respect. If I start to look like a fox...."

Hinata pulled out of the hug and looked into Naruto's eyes. "When Kyuubi was alive, the only things that appeared physically were the claws, teeth and red eyes, right?"

A bit of hope entered Naruto's expression. "Yeah...yeah you're right. And, if my eyes change...I could cover it with a henge in public." He smiled gratefully at Hinata and kissed her. "You're amazing, Hina-chan. Arigato."

Naruto pulled his backpack strap onto his shoulder, his hair seeming to glow in the light of the morning sun. "Everyone ready?" he asked with a big grin.

A chorus of affirmatives sounded through the group and they continued on their way to Insei.

.........TO BE CONTINUED

Woot! Morgan found the caffeine. :) Hope you guys liked that one. I know it's short, but it just seemed like a good stopping point. Please review. :)