Dream Walkin'
Chapter 4: A Day Off (Part 1)
A/N: More flashbacks here, too. Kishimoto uses them extensively, so I'm going to in this fic.
Konoha – Naruto's Apartment – Time: 08:00 hours.
Naruto started to stir, after sleeping an extra hour. His alarm went off at 07:00, but since he was given the day off by Tsunade, and the fact that the gorgeous blonde he was currently sharing a bed with would have a fit if he got up, he turned the alarm off and went back to sleep. He took another look at Ino, currently with her head laying on his shoulder, and her leg intertwined with his, and his arm wrapped around her waist, and thought about the previous night.
-Flashback-
Konoha – Hokage's office – Time: 15:00 hours.
"You know, Naruto," the fifth Hokage noted, "I'm glad to see you in this relationship with Ino. You both seem happy."
"Been a long time coming," Naruto replied, "I always used to think that a girl like Ino was WAY out of my league. That's one reason I chased Sakura as long as I did."
"And Hinata?"
"Baa-chan, she confessed to me before she was struck down by Pain," the blonde toad sage answered, "If it weren't for Hiashi, I could POSSIBLY see trying to have a relationship with her. Now, I just don't know if it'd work out or not. Ino and I are so compatible. We both have that passion. It's something that I just don't see in Hinata."
"It's important to have that in a relationship," Tsunade noted, "It's something that your perverted teacher had in spades. I do still regret not giving him a chance. Tell you what, Naruto, why don't you take the day off tomorrow and spend it with Ino."
"Thanks, Baa…uh…Lady Tsunade," Naruto said as he finished his last papers for the day, and got up from the desk, "I've got just the idea on where I want to take her tonight." His eyes lit up with life as he thought of where he was going to take Ino. He left the office and stopped just outside the building. He made a single shadow clone.
"Whassup, boss?" the clone asked.
"Go find Ino," Naruto commanded of the clone, "Tell her that I've got a special surprise planned for tonight. Dress for tonight is, and I quote, 'try to outdo yourself from the engagement party'. I'll pick her up at 7:00." He then thought, "That gives me time to get the reservation set, and a new suit," as the clone left.
Yamanaka Flower Shop – Time: 15:25 hours.
Since she didn't have any patients at the hospital today, Ino Yamanaka had decided to help her mother at the flower shop. She had just sat down a magazine she had been reading off and on today, when the bell rang signaling the door opening. "Welcome to Yamanaka Flower Shop," She said, then noticed the blonde coming through the door, "Naruto! Wait…you're a clone, aren't you?"
"Yeah," the clone answered, "Naruto wanted me to tell you that he has a special surprise for you tonight. He'll pick you up at 7:00, and he said that dress for the occasion was, and I quote, 'Try to outdo yourself from the Engagement Party'."
"I wonder what he has planned if the dress is that fancy," Ino thinks to herself, then responds to the clone, "Ok, I'll be ready at 7:00 then." After the clone dispelled, Ino sat back down, thinking, "What is he up to now?"
"Was that Naruto?" her mother, Reika, inquired.
"Just a clone," Ino responded, "He had a message. Apparently Naruto's taking me somewhere really special, and the dress code for it is fancy. He said to try to outdo myself from the engagement party."
"I wish you'd bring him around," Reika told her daughter, "Inoichi knows him, as a shinobi, but I've not had the chance to meet him, and we'd love to know more about Naruto, the man, not just the ninja who's becoming more of a legend than the 4th Hokage."
"So he's creating more of a legend around himself than his father?"
"What? He's Minato's son? Does Inoichi know?"
"Probably. He is a jonin." Mother and daughter continued to talk through the rest of the afternoon, till 5pm, when Ino had to start getting ready for her date.
Konoha – Merchant District – Time: 19:30 hours.
Sure enough, Naruto had been at Ino's apartment at 7:00 to pick her up. This time, he had on a black suit with a gray shirt and burnt orange (A/N: Think University of Texas Longhorns) tie. Ino had surprised him again, this time in a strapless red dress that clung to her figure nicely, and had a split down the left side from her ankles to her hip, with dark heels. Her hair was done up in a bun, but had a ponytail that flowed over her right shoulder.
"So," Ino finally asked, "Are you going to tell me where we're going?"
"Here," he announced, stopping in front of a large building with a neon sign that looked like an orange toad dancing.
"The Dancing Toad?" she asked surprised, "This place has a waiting list months long. How did you get us in?"
"After Pain's attack," Naruto explained, "Gamakichi and I helped pull several civilians out of the rubble. Two of them were the owners of this place, Michiru and Konda Sato. They quickly became friends of mine. Michiru has this infectiously positive outlook on life, so she and Konda used this time as an opportunity to renovate the place. They bought 3 extra lots to expand the building, and even put in an orchestra pit and a dance floor. I helped them as much as I could, using about 5 dozen shadow clones, 'Kichi and 'Tatsu. When I found out about their plans, I figured they were onto something, so I invested in their business, too. I don't need much, so I put back quite a bit during my career. Funny thing about the name, during construction, we took a break, and for some odd reason, 'Kichi and 'Tatsu started doing this strange toad dance. That image stuck in Michiru's mind, and thus, the place is named 'The Dancing Toad'."
"So that toad is?" she pointed to the sign
"Gamakichi."
"Mom and Dad have been trying to get in here since the end of the war," Ino mused.
"I'll see if I can get them in," Naruto smiled as he walked up to the door, opening it for Ino to enter, before entering himself.
Konoha – The Dancing Toad – Time: 19:35 hours.
"Naruto!" the woman behind the counter shouted, "Great to see you again." She then noticed Ino at the future Hokage's side. "Is she your date for the night?"
"Michiru, this is my girlfriend, Ino Yamanaka," Naruto stated, "Ino, meet the owner of the Dancing Toad, Michiru Sato." Michiru was a rather small woman, around 4'11", with dark hair and eyes that contrasted on the pale skin of someone who hardly ever saw the sun. Naruto just looked around for a moment, and commented, "I hear business has been off the charts since the end of the war."
"We're packed most nights," Michiru answered, "We've had to bring on 2 more cooks and 4 more servers to keep up."
Naruto looked like he was thinking of something, then asked, "Can we add 2 more to our party?" Ino's face just lit up.
"I don't see why not," the owner of the place replied, "We're actually rather slow tonight."
"One second then," Naruto said, then walked out and summoned Gamakichi. The two women inside watched as Naruto spoke to the toad for a moment, then the mammoth amphibian took off down the streets of Konoha, and the young sage headed back in, stating, "Kichi is bringing Inoichi and Reika Yamanaka to join us.
"Excellent, your table should be ready in a few minutes."
Ino spun around to look Naruto in the eyes, wrapping her arms around his neck and shoulders. "You didn't have to do that," She noted, "But I'm glad you did."
"I figured I'd have to meet the folks sooner or later," Naruto responded, holding her around her waist, "Plus, why not do something nice for them, while I'm at it. Also, since we're in a social situation, I doubt Inoichi will try to pull his almost legendary intimidation tactics."
Ino just laughed. "I doubt he'd ever think of going into your mind," she said, "Since there's a giant fox in there."
Naruto just chuckled, as he lead Ino to the bar, "Yeah, Kurama's rather protective of people entering my mind. Funny thing, though, he likes you."
"That fox sure isn't what the stories make him out to be," the blonde bombshell mused, "I was actually fighting to keep from cracking up at his jokes at the engagement party. He doesn't like Hiashi very much, does he?"
"Hiashi isn't one of the fox's favorite people. Personally, I'm over it, since I'm with you, and you're much livelier than Hinata. But Kurama? He's another story."
"I'm sure Dad and Mom'll love you," Ino told her boyfriend, "It's not every day that you find out that your daughter's dating the hero of the entire shinobi world, son of a Hokage, and soon-to-be-Hokage himself. Believe me, Naruto, you've proven yourself time and again to be worth dating. I'm surprised no one's snatched you off the market before me."
"Likewise, Ms. Yamanaka," Naruto replied, before something on the dance floor caught his eye, "Ino, look over there."
Ino's eyes went over to the dance floor. "Oh my god," she said with a smile, "Is that who I think it is?" She was referring to the dark haired beauty dancing with a familiar silver-haired, mask-wearing jonin, "Kurenai and Kakashi-senseis?"
"I know you told Lee no extreme training, Hime, but does that include the cha cha?" Naruto asked his girlfriend, pointing out the bowl cut, bushy browed chunin dancing with a girl with brown hair and eyes.
"Who's he with?" Ino asked, "I don't recognize her."
"I do," Naruto laughed, "It's Yakumo Kurama. She comes from a family of genjutsu specialists. Her clan gave Lee a bit of a hard time, till I reminded them of a little known fact. One that they, themselves, forgot over the ages."
"Kurama. You don't mean?"
"Yep, their clan is named after a certain smartass, giant fox in my head."
"Ino, Naruto," came the voice of Inoichi Yamanaka as he and his wife joined the young pair, "Thanks for this, Naruto. Reika's been wanting to come here for quite some time."
"Figured now was as good a time as any to meet the folks," Naruto said, giving Inoichi a firm handshake, "Besides, why not do something nice in the process. Kichi wasn't too rough a ride here, was he?"
"Quite exciting, actually," Reika answered, sizing up the young man, "Naruto, anyone who couldn't see you were Minato's son is probably blind."
"I got most of my looks from my mom," Naruto noted, "All I got from Dad was his hair and eyes."
A server soon came along and led the 4 to their table. After taking their drink orders, the server left and the conversation continued.
"After Asuma's funeral," Inoichi noted, "I was hoping you two would get together. Tell me, Naruto, why DID you chase after Sakura for so long?"
"First off, until Pain, I was completely oblivious to Hinata's feelings," Naruto answered, "Kami was I stupid. Also, I figured a girl like Ino was WAY out of my league. Sakura was attractive, and from a civilian family. Figured I had a shot. Shows what I know. Sakura's with Sasuke. Hinata's marrying Kiba, and I'm dating the most amazing kunoichi in our age group."
"Honey," Reika started, "Did you not remember that time when you were 5? Those bullies knocked you down and kept kicking you? Ino was the one that made them back off."
"Kurama, do you remember that?" Naruto asked the fox.
"Sorry, Kid, your whole childhood was one big bruise. They all seem to mix together."
Naruto just turned to Reika and answered, "My entire childhood was one beating after another. They all just mix together after a while. Even the fox doesn't remember."
"You talk to the Kyuubi?" Inoichi inquired.
"You should have heard him last night. Seriously, I'm going to talk to Baa-chan about having a roast for Hiashi, just so I can let the fox out as the first act."
"That funny?" Reika quieried.
"Both of us were fighting to keep from cracking up," Ino replied.
"I hope you don't mind me saying this, Mrs. Yamanaka," Naruto started, "But I can see where Ino gets her looks from. You two look like you could be twins." This comment got blushes from both Ino and Reika. There are occasions where a child heavily favors one parent over the other. Ino and Reika are one such occasion. Aside from Inoichi's eyes, Ino and Reika look so much alike that one could possibly mistake them for twins.
The server returned to deliver their drinks, and after placing their orders, more casual conversation continued, and went on through dinner. After dinner, Naruto led Ino down to the dance floor and tipped the orchestra conductor to give them a slow bossa nova to dance to. Watching their daughter with Naruto, Inoichi and Reika soon joined the festivities on the floor. The 4 danced the night away until the place closed at 01:00 am, and then they parted ways. Ino and Naruto headed to Naruto's apartment, and Inoichi and Reika to their home.
-Flashback End-
"I think you'll have no problem with Inoichi after last night," Kurama told his host, "He'd probably have no problem with you marrying Ino after last night."
"Now there's a thought," Naruto responded, looking back at Ino again, peacefully slumbering on his shoulder, "If this is what love feels like, Kurama, I like it."
"Well, enjoy it, Kid, and hold onto her with all your might." Naruto just smiled at the thoughts that Kurama put in his mind, of a life with Ino, before finally getting up, replacing himself with a shadow clone, getting dressed, and going into the kitchen to make breakfast.
-End Chapter 4-
NOTE: I'm going to continue this part of the story next chapter. Now, I don't normally write Omakes, but this image was stuck in my mind since I wrote Chapter 3, so I had to add this.
-OMAKE: THE KONOHA ROAST OF HIASHI HYUGA-
The council chamber was abuzz as the members of the shinobi council met for an after-hours session, called by Tsunade and her successor, Naruto Uzumaki. In attendance were all the ranking jonin, as well as the clan heads and heirs.
"As you know," Tsunade prefaced her statement, "Since the dissolution of the civilian council at the end of the last war, morale has been high. We want to keep it that way. So, to that effect, once a month, the shinobi council will meet after hours to roast a clan head."
"Roast a clan head?" Hiashi Hyuga inquired, "What do you mean roast?"
"What we mean is," Naruto explained, "Once a month, we'll have an after-hours meeting of the shinobi council, strictly for the purpose of, in good humor, cracking jokes at the expense of a selected clan head. It's worked wonders for morale in Suna and Kumo, so we're trying it here."
"Since you spoke up first, Hiashi," Tsunade stated, "You'll be the first one we'll roast. Guess what, someone already wants to crack a few jokes at your expense." She pointed to Naruto who just made a single shadow clone, henged into a smaller version of the Nine-tailed fox. "I'm sure you know Kurama."
"Hey Hiashi," the fox started, "How do you keep your posture so straight? Does that pole up your ass go all the way up your spine?" The whole room erupted into laughter, except for Hiashi, but Kurama was just getting warmed up. "You'll have to excuse Hiashi," the biiju continued, "He had a troubling experience as a child. When he was 5, on his birthday, he told his parents, 'I want a watch'...so they let him." Tsunade, in an attempt to keep from completely losing it with laughter, resorted to trying to stick her entire fist in her mouth. The entire room burst out with raucous laughter at the fox's jokes. "Coming soon to a theater near you," Kurama started his next joke, "Konoha's 'The Fox and the Hound', the story of a young Hyuga girl, in love with a fox, but ends up marrying a hound. Seriously, though, folks, if there's one thing I respect about Hiashi it's that no one can call him two-faced…because if he was, he'd sure as hell be wearing the other one right now." Several jonin fell back in their chairs in laughter, and several clan heirs had to be carried out of the room and given oxygen because they were hyperventilating from laughing so hard. Even the stoic Sasuke Uchiha and Shino Aburame were laughing so hard that they started to find it hard to breathe. Hiashi, on the other hand, was fuming, but Kurama wasn't done. "Hiashi's psychiatrist said he was crazy," the Nine-tails continued, "But Hiashi said he wanted a second opinion. Shrink said, 'Ok, you're ugly too'. Hey, Hiashi, hold still. I'm trying to imagine you with a personality. Folks, I could do this all night, but why deprive you all of all the fun? Enjoy!" The Nine-tailed fox then disappeared in a puff of smoke, and Tsunade asked if there was anyone else who wanted to go up and roast Hiashi.
The jokes continued for hours, until almost every jonin and clan head who wanted to go, got their chance to crack their own jokes at Hiashi's expense.
-OMAKE END-