DISCLAIMER: I DO NOT OWN NARUTO (I'M PRETTY SURE HE WENT TO KINDERGARTEN, WHICH MEANS HE KNOWS HOW TO SHARE)

Ch.38 - Confidantes and Companions


- At Inaho Village -


Having eliminated Nishimoto Kou as the culprit behind the recent dangers, the group now turned their attention to the last person to question—Tamayori's estranged brother, Tamayori Oujirou. The brothers had not spoken for years, and Tamayori couldn't help but feel that there was an underlying resentment from Oujirou. Their father's decision to pass the family business to Tamayori, despite Oujirou being the eldest, had caused a rift to form between them.

With the day drawing to a close, Kurenai wisely suggested spending the night in Inaho Village, as it wouldn't be wise to venture out in the darkness. Tamayori readily agreed, assuring them that he would cover the expenses. However, before they searched for an inn, the group's hunger reminded them that it had been quite some time since their last meal.

Choji's stomach grumbled loudly, and he found himself in the spotlight, blushing with embarrassment. "Sorry about that," he nervously chuckled, trying to shrug off the awkward moment. Observing Choji's hunger, Tamayori decided to treat everyone to dinner.

Now the question was where to dine. The group hesitated to suggest a place, not wanting to impose their choices on Tamayori. To break the silence, Kurenai took the initiative and asked Tamayori what he felt like eating, reminding them all that he had a challenging day with an encounter with his ex-wife earlier.

Tamayori looked around at his companions, sensing their hesitation, and asked if they were sure about leaving the decision to him. They all nodded in agreement, expressing their trust in his choice. "Well then... If that's the case, I could certainly go for some curry," Tamayori suggested with a smile, breaking the ice.

The mention of curry brought an agreeable murmur from the group. With their dinner destination settled, they set off to find a place in Inaho Village that could satisfy their appetites.

After settling on curry for their dinner choice, the group ventured into a cozy restaurant in Inaho Village. The place was just the right size—not too crowded, nor too empty. As they entered, the owner, multitasking behind the counter, warmly welcomed them, urging them to make themselves at home. Tamayori, ever the gracious host, informed the owner that he would take care of their meals.

With menus in hand, courtesy of Kurenai, the students began pondering their curry selections. Sakura held the menu for her teammates to peruse, presenting a tempting array of options, toppings, and spice levels. Choji and Sakura deliberated over their preferences, while Kiba considered something else altogether.

Approaching Tamayori, Kiba got his attention and asked, "Mind if I ask you a question, Tamayori-san?"

"Sure thing! What would you like to ask?" Tamayori replied with a warm smile.

"Well... I was wondering if you'd be alright if Akamaru ordered as well," Kiba inquired, revealing his trusty canine companion, Akamaru, who had been tucked away in his jacket all along.

Tamayori was taken aback by the revelation. "Akamaru? Wait... I honestly thought that you had a third teammate all this time!" he exclaimed, clearly surprised. Nonetheless, he couldn't hide his amusement as Kiba brought Akamaru into view.

"Sure, I don't mind at all. As it happens, I'm a dog person too," Tamayori responded cheerfully. He acknowledged Akamaru's contribution to thwarting the intruder earlier and happily agreed to let him enjoy a meal as well. Though Tamayori, ever considerate, wondered if the owner would have any objections to a dog dining in his establishment. Determined to address the concern, Tamayori took matters into his own hands and approached the owner. With a friendly smile, he inquired, "Excuse me! My good man."

The owner reciprocated the smile, asking, "Yes? How can I help you, sir?"

"I was wondering if you'd be alright if a dog ate from one of your bowls," Tamayori asked on behalf of Kiba and Akamaru.

The owner seemed perplexed by the question at first, prompting Tamayori to reveal the adorable Akamaru and clarify the situation. Undeterred, the owner offered a clever solution, offering to use a clean old tupperware for Akamaru's meal.

Tamayori, being conscientious, made sure the tupperware would indeed be clean, to which the owner assured him with another smile. Pleased with the arrangement, Tamayori generously tipped the owner, handing him a one thousand ryo bill to show his appreciation.

After Tamayori's conversation with Kiba about Akamaru's meal, the duo reunited with Sakura and Choji to decide on their own orders. Choji had his heart set on the Katsu Curry, topped with nori and a medium spice level. Sakura, on the other hand, opted for the Vegetarian Curry, sprinkled with toasted sesame seeds and a mild spice level. When Kiba joined them, he perused the menu before settling on the Beef Curry.

"Hmmm... I guess I'll have the Beef Curry," Kiba declared.

Choji chimed in, "What about toppings and spice level?"

"I'll go for nori as toppings with a, uhmmm... Hot spice level," Kiba responded confidently.

Sakura raised an eyebrow, expressing concern, as it was the spiciest level on offer. Undeterred, Kiba reassured her that he could handle it. Turning to Akamaru for his input, the loyal companion barked, signaling his desire for the same meal but with a mild spice level. Sakura made note of their orders and informed their sensei once she returned.

As they awaited their food, they found a place to sit together. Iku, who had joined them, sat close by, while Tamayori occupied a seat between his guards, with an empty spot reserved for Kurenai upon her return from the counter.

Tamayori, eager to foster conversation, suggested, "While we wait for your sensei, would anyone like to suggest a topic to pass the time?"

Shyness initially silenced the group, but then Iku mustered the courage to ask, "Is curry one of your favorite dishes, Tamayori-san?"

With a warm smile, Tamayori replied, "Curry is definitely in my top three favorites. The first place goes to Kakuni Bossam, followed by curry, and then Tamagoyaki."

This prompted Tamayori to share a curry-related tale, recalling a particularly spicy experience in Kawa no Kuni (Land of Rivers). He stumbled upon a curry shop on his travels, where the aroma alone hinted at its uniqueness. He chuckled as he struggled to recall the shop's name, but Iku's memory came to the rescue.

"Wait... Was the shop owned by a sweet old lady with glasses?" Iku asked.

"Indeed, I do remember seeing an old lady with glasses running the place, and her son helped her," Tamayori confirmed.

The revelation triggered Iku's recollection, "Hmmm... It sounds like the same shop I visited, Tamayori-san. The Curry of Life Shop, I think that's what it was called."

"That's it! The Curry of Life Shop! So, did you enjoy the curry there?" Tamayori inquired, intrigued.

Iku admitted that the taste was alright, but he ended up blacking out after a single bite, leading to laughter from Tamayori. As the conversation continued, Kurenai joined the group, sharing that their orders were placed, and the servers would soon bring their meals. They continued chatting to keep hunger at bay, discussing a variety of topics with excitement and camaraderie.


- Moments Later -


After a satisfying dinner, the group bid farewell to the friendly restaurant owner, expressing their gratitude for the delicious meal. With warm smiles and waves, they stepped out into the night. Knowing they needed a place to rest for the night, they set off in search of an inn that could accommodate their large group.

After some wandering, they stumbled upon an inn with enough vacant rooms to house all eight of them. However, only three rooms were available, as all other inns were already fully booked. Rather than risk being stranded without a place to sleep, they agreed to take the available rooms.

Now came the task of dividing the group amongst the limited rooms. Kurenai offered a suggestion: Kiba, Choji, and Iku could share one room, she and Sakura would bunk together, and Tamayori and his guards would take the last room. The idea was met with approval, and the group members went to their designated rooms to prepare for a well-deserved rest. Tomorrow promised to be a long day, and they needed to be fully prepared for whatever lay ahead.


- Inside Choji, Kiba, and Iku's Room -


Their room, though unassuming from the outside, held surprising spaciousness within. Two beds adorned the room's interior, one a bunkbed and the other a single bed. Kiba, with a spry leap, claimed the top bunk for himself and his jubilant companion, Akamaru. Choji found himself torn between the bottom bunk and the solitary bed on the opposite side. Ultimately, he generously offered the lone bed to Iku, considering his larger stature and need for extra space.

With swift movements, Kiba settled into the top bunk, accompanied by Akamaru's gleeful yips. They were both eager to find rest after the long day's journey. Meanwhile, Choji took a moment to sit on his bed, his hands gently caressing his satisfied stomach, filled from the recent meal.

After a brief pause, Iku inquired if they planned to freshen up. Both Kiba and Choji replied that they would do so later, urging Iku to go ahead. Seizing the chance, Iku made his way to the room's bathroom to find relief and refresh himself in this newfound sanctuary.


- Inside Sakura and Kurenai's Room -

(An Hour Later)


The room they found themselves in was noticeably smaller than the previous one, equipped with just two beds, clearly meant for two people, with a possibility of squeezing in a third person, though that would mean sleeping on the floor if the need arose. Both Kurenai and Sakura had taken the opportunity to freshen up, as evident from the towels draped around their bodies and heads. Kurenai, seated on her bedside, diligently applied lotion to her legs and arms, while Sakura focused on drying her long, vibrant pink hair.

As Sakura observed the intimate setting, she realized this was the perfect chance to connect with their sensei on a one-on-one basis. Summoning her courage, she decided to inquire about Kurenai's thoughts on the mission so far.

Kurenai responded with a warm smile, "It's going fine, though I must admit it's taking a bit longer than I expected. But you know, it's pretty normal for these kinds of things to happen."

Acknowledging her sensei's insights, Sakura nodded in agreement. In turn, Kurenai decided to return the same question to her. Sakura's response echoed similar sentiments, expressing her enjoyment and satisfaction with the mission's progress. Kurenai's smile grew wider, pleased to hear Sakura's positive outlook. Sitting down on her bedside, Sakura faced Kurenai, who was now drying her own untamed black hair.

With the intent of avoiding any awkward silence, Sakura mustered the courage to ask another question. "Kurenai-sensei, I know it's long overdue, but could you spare some time to train with me? Just the two of us?" Sakura's request carried genuine eagerness.

Kurenai considered the proposal, wondering what specific skill Sakura wanted to hone. "You're right, Sakura; I have some expertise in genjutsu. Is that what you'd like me to focus on during our training?" she inquired.

Sakura's eyes lit up at the prospect of learning from her talented sensei. "Yes, that's exactly what I had in mind!" she replied enthusiastically.

"You do have a knack for it, Sakura. I think that's a great idea," Kurenai said with a warm smile. "After this mission, I'll make time to train you occasionally, just the two of us. Sound good?"

Sakura couldn't help but beam with excitement, her eyes lighting up. "That sounds amazing, Kurenai-sensei. Thank you!"

Once Kurenai finished drying her own hair, she noticed Sakura's long locks and couldn't resist offering her assistance to brush and braid her hair.

Sakura blushed, feeling a bit bashful about the idea, but Kurenai reassured her, "We're just two ladies chatting. There's nothing to be shy about."

After some hesitation, Sakura finally agreed, and Kurenai invited her to sit beside her. As Kurenai gently brushed Sakura's hair, they continued their conversation.

"So tell me, Sakura, what have you been up to lately?" Kurenai inquired.

Sakura pondered for a moment before replying, "Well... Before this mission, I was mostly training on my own, Kurenai-sensei. And I'm really looking forward to continuing it once we're back home."

Kurenai chuckled knowingly, catching Sakura off guard. "Training... Right..." she teased playfully. "Since when did following Sasuke around the village become part of your training routine?"

Sakura stammered, trying to defend herself, "W-What?... I don't know what you're talking about, Kurenai-sensei."

Kurenai couldn't help but press further, enjoying the playful exchange. "Come on, Sakura. I've spotted you a couple of times doing this so-called 'training' you mentioned," she teased knowingly.

Caught in her lie, Sakura finally gave in with a sheepish grin. "Okay, fineee..." she admitted. "I may have been following Sasuke around a bit."

Kurenai laughed softly, delighted that Sakura had come clean, though "a bit" was an understatement. It was moments like these that allowed them to bond and understand each other better. Their time together in this intimate setting was turning into something truly special.

Kurenai leaned in with an amused grin, initiating another round of girl talk. "So tell me, Sakura, why the Uchiha? I'm sure there are other boys your age in the village," she commented playfully.

Sakura blushed slightly, feeling a bit put on the spot. "Well, I guess... Sasuke is just so cool and mysterious. It's hard to put into words, Kurenai-sensei, but there's something about him that intrigues me."

Kurenai nodded, understanding that sometimes attraction defied easy explanation. "I see... Well, what about that Nara kid?" she inquired further.

Sakura shook her head, dismissing the idea. "Shikamaru?... I'm not into him though, Kurenai-sensei..."

Kurenai playfully continued her matchmaking quest. "How about Kiba?" she teased.

Sakura replied, clearly not swayed. "Ughhh... No offense, but pass..."

Undeterred, Kurenai offered another option. "Alright, how about Choji?"

Sakura smiled warmly, appreciating the friendship she had with Choji. "Choji is sweet. But... I don't see him that way, sensei."

Kurenai then raised the subject of her persistent admirer. "What about that blonde kid who asks you out from time to time?" she probed.

"N-Naruto?! Why are you asking about him, Kurenai-sensei? And what's with all the questions?!" Sakura responded, flustered.

Kurenai chuckled, dismissing any serious intent behind her questions. "Just some girl talk, nothing much. But you still haven't answered about Naruto."

Sakura hesitated before responding, "Er... Again, I think I'll pass. I've told Naruto 'no' countless times, yet he still asks me out again and again. And secondly, how do you know about that, Kurenai-sensei?"

Kurenai chuckled, a knowing glint in her eyes. "The same way I know about your 'training' escapades" she replied, her tone light-hearted. "Let's just say I have a keen eye for my students' actions."

Sakura blushed, realizing that her secret wasn't much of a secret at all. "I guess I'm not as discreet as I thought," she admitted with a sheepish smile.

Kurenai placed a reassuring hand on Sakura's shoulder. "It's alright, Sakura. We all have our little secrets and quirks.

"I suppose so... But my answer still stands," Sakura replied, maintaining her position on the matter.

"Okay... But doesn't that blonde girl also like Sasuke as well?" Kurenai inquired.

"You mean Ino?... Kurenai-sensei? Yes, she does like Sasuke too," Sakura confirmed.

Curiosity piqued, Kurenai asked, "How'd that turn out for the both of you?"

Sakura sighed, reflecting on the past. "We had a huge fight about it in the past, but we never talk about it now. It was a long time ago, but I think it strained our friendship ever since."

Kurenai nodded, understanding the complexities of teenage emotions. "I see... Well... It's good and all that you have someone as your source of inspiration, but don't let it distract you from your goals and responsibilities, Sakura. There's a time and place for that, and always keep your priorities straight," she advised sagely. Sakura nodded, taking her sensei's words to heart.

However, Sakura decided to throw Kurenai a playful curveball. "Well, if that's the case, Kurenai-sensei. How come you're occasionally late in meeting us? Hmmm?... I bet it has something to do with Asuma-sensei," she teased, a mischievous glint in her eyes.

Caught off guard, Kurenai's cheeks flushed slightly as she tried to maintain composure and not be too obvious about it. "N-Now, Sakura, you're just teasing. Asuma and I are colleagues, that's all," she stammered, attempting to deny any allegations playfully thrown her way.

Sakura giggled at her sensei's reaction, enjoying the light-hearted moment. "Sure, sure, Kurenai-sensei. I believe you..." she said with a playful wink.

The two shared a laugh, their bond strengthening further through these shared moments of teasing and understanding.


- Inside Choji, Kiba, and Iku's Room -

(An Hour Later)


In their shared room, a comical and urgent situation unfolded. Kiba desperately knocked on the bathroom door, pleading with Choji, "Come on, Choji! What's taking you so long?! I'm growing a tail over here!" Kiba's pressing need to defecate was apparent.

Choji, still inside the bathroom, couldn't help but question Kiba's choice of spicy food. "Why'd you have to order the spiciest level?" he asked, trying to understand the predicament they were in.

Frustrated and in a loud tone, Kiba responded, "Poor judgment! Now can you please finish in there?! I don't know how much longer I can hold it in!"

But Choji had his own needs to tend to, and he replied, "I'm not done yet."

Exasperated, Kiba retorted, "So you'd rather have me crap all over the floor then?!"

With a resigned sigh, Choji said, "*sigh* Fineee... Hold on..." Choji replied as he quickly did his best to finish up in order to relieve Kiba's discomfort.

Amused by the situation, their friend Iku couldn't help but comment, "You do know that bobbing up and down isn't helping you hold it in, right?" Iku said with a grin.

Kiba, in his moment of distress, responded, "Ha ha, laugh it up and make fun of the guy who's about to shit himself"

Iku then decided to apologize for making fun of him, "You're right... That was crappy of me" Iku said while stifling a chuckle as he tried to keep a straight face. Suddenly, Choji emerged from the bathroom, having wrapped up his business. Kiba swiftly entered the bathroom, locking the door behind him. Moments later, a loud fart echoed from within that reverberated in the room making Choji and Iku burst into laughter. The noise was so distinct that even Sakura and Kurenai in their neighboring room heard it, though at a slightly reduced volume. Sakura's muffled voice came through the walls, asking, "What the hell was that?!"


- Inside Tamayori's Room -


Tamayori, deep in concentration, sat writing two letters, one was intended for his brother, notifying him of his impending arrival. The other was for Shotaro, informing him that they would be heading to Post Town before returning back to the manor. With precise penmanship, he carefully penned down his thoughts, the ink flowing gracefully across the parchment. Once he completed the message, he folded the letter meticulously and slipped it into an envelope, sealing it shut.

He then turned to one of his guards, instructing them to ensure the letter reached his brother promptly. "I want you to hand these-" Tamayori was unexpectedly cut off by a loud fart resonating from a different room. The unexpected interruption caused him to lose his train of thought, which caused him to start over.

"What I was saying was that I want you to send these letters via courier ninja to these address, immediately, understood?" he reiterated. However, it was evident that the guard he was speaking to was valiantly holding back laughter, found the situation quite amusing.

The guard nodded, attempting to suppress a grin, and replied, "Of course, Tamayori-sama. The letter will be sent as you requested."

Tamayori appreciated his guard's professionalism despite the humorous interruption. He knew that such light-hearted moments were part of life, even for someone in his position. With the matter resolved, he returned to his writing desk, hoping for a peaceful journey to deliver the letter to his brother and reunite with him soon.


(A/N: NOT MUCH ACTION FOR NOW, JUST SOME FUN AND FUNNY MOMENTS/SHENANIGANS..I DO HOPE YOU GUYS ALSO FOUND IT FUNNY AS WELL TO SOME EXTENT, REGARDLESS, I HOPE Y'ALL ENJOYED THIS CHAPTER)