"HIYAH!" Clover cried out, her leg stretched out in front of her and aimed at Naruto's head. He flashed her a smile before vanishing from the spot. She tried to rotate her body and barely landed on her feet, waving her arms to right her balance as Naruto appeared on the couch with his hands folded together.
"Good form, but crying out when you attack gives you away." he advised before grabbing the side of the couch and rolled to the floor as Sam came dropping down from the ceiling, landing on the couch. "Sneak attack needs to be more unexpected, hanging from the ceiling only works in certain situations."
"Who said that was it?" Sam smirked as Naruto jumped back on his feet, his back turned to the kitchen as Alex poked her head up from the counter with a confidant grin.
"Oh?" Naruto raised an eyebrow before finding his arms restrained at his side due to thin, but sturdy, ninja wire.
"Ha! Got ya!" beamed Alex with the ends wrapped around her hands as she held the wire back tightly. "We win!"
"Aww yeah!" Clover let out with a fist pump as Narto shook his head.
"You forget girls." he vanished once again, the wire falling down before reappearing against the wall with his arms crossed. "Don't celebrate too soon over what might be an easy victory."
"Ugh! So unfair." Clover crossed her arms with a pout. "Those seal thingies make training too hard."
"Hard, but enlightening." he smiled, walking over and patting her on the head like a father would a daughter. "I'd rather you work hard and get stronger, then work easy and be in danger."
"Don't worry, we'll shape up and catch you in no time flat." Sam reassured with a confidant smile before Clover smirked and draped Naruto's arm around her shoulder, pressing up against him.
"In the meantime, I think we earned a nice loooong break~" she purred seductively in his ear, making Alex run over with a frown.
"No fair! I got him tied up! For a second." she grabbed Naruto's other arm and held it against herself with Naruto chuckling.
"Easy you two, we're not done yet." he pulled away from their holds, much to their disappointment as he clapped his hands together. "Now let's do some chakra exercises."
"On it." Sam beamed and moved over to the wall, putting one foot on it as it stuck. She put the other one in front of it, slowly walking up the wall while trying to keep focus.
"Good Sam, you're improving." He gave a thumbs up while Clover and Alex tried to follow along, but with more difficulty.
"Man, I hate this." muttered Clover, holding her hands together to try and help keep her mind focused while Alex was wobbling on her spot.
"R-Remind me why we can't do this outside!" she nearly fell back, but one foot kept a grip and held her as she tried to right herself.
"Walking on water is one thing, but clinging to parallel surfaces requires more focus since gravity is working against you."
"Yeah girls, it's a breeze." smirked Sam, crossing her arms with Clover and Alex giving deadpanned looks.
"This coming from the girl who had trouble climbing a rock wall." Alex jabbed.
"Hey, this is way different than that! I don't need to worry about a stupid rope and just keep my mind focused on doing the gripping for me. This is why the brain is the best part of the body." she retorted with Clover rolling her eyes.
"And the reason your forehead gets bigger."
"What?1 It is not big-woah!" Sam lost focus on keeping chakra on her feet, making her tip backwards and go falling, only to land in Naruto's arms with a smile, making her blush. "Heh, thanks Naruto."
"Hey, I'll always be there to catch my girls no matter what."
"You mean because of that hira-thing?" asked Alex before she dropped down and landed on her feet with Clover following.
"Hiraishin Alex, yeah. As long as you have those seals, I'll be able to show up whenever I can and lend a hand."
"Well giving us our own chakra to use and pull off cool ninja tricks alone is wicked awesome." Clover piped up before looking at Sam in annoyance who kept smiling at Naruto, not moving from his arms. "You gonna stay there all day?"
"Mmmm, maybe~"
Clover narrowed her eyes before stamping over and yanked Sam from her spot, making the redhead glare back. "We agreed, we either share time with him or none at all, remember?"
"Hey! That didn't count!"
"Easy girls, easy." Naruto stepped in between them before they could fight. "Look, how about we break for now? You got better, which is a good sign, so you've earned it."
Both of them smiled at Naruto and nodded their heads quickly, his smile alone getting them to relax and lose any hostile feelings at the drop of a hat.
With that fight out of the way, Naruto went back to sit on the couch with the girls going to the kitchen to grab some drinks. Said area and living room all were different. The furniture, appliances, even the layout itself had changed all thanks to Naruto.
Ever since they got together, he had insisted on spoiling them, with Clover over the moon about it. This meant giving them a state of the art security system with hidden mechanisms all around the walls that made it sound proof on the inside and made it impossible to see them even if they were standing right in front of a clear as day glass window. Not to mention hiraishin seals scattered throughout the layout in the rooms and in areas that weren't out in the open, giving him the chance to appear all over the place at the drop of a hat.
The renovation led to the building becoming bigger and more expansive to give them more leg room, with the structure actually overshadowing part of Mindy's own home, which peeved the drama queen off. Oh she complained and whined about it, but Naruto provided legal documents that showed it was all allowed and there was nothing she could do about it, except maybe try and find somewhere else to live.
Alex guzzled down the water from the bottle with Clover and Sam sipping their energy drinks slower. "Ah! Man, training reminds me of when we started out as spies, it stinks."
"With all the sweat? Kinda part of the package." remarked Sam, giving the kitchen a look with a smile. "But it's worth it for all the stuff Naruto gave us. It only makes sense that we do our part to take his training seriously and grow stronger."
"Ahhh, providing a new hot tub alone would have been enough, but all of this? I wouldn't mind seeing what else he gives us if we pass." smiled Clover, looking up with a blush. "Maybe a good time where Mandy can see it all~?"
"Bleh!" Alex stuck her tongue out. "No way! I don't want Mindy getting a free show, then she might get some idea on snatching him away!"
"Trust me Alex, I don't see Naruto going for someone like Mindy. Unlike her, he has class and much better taste in girls." reassured Sam.
"I'm just glad our moms gave the go ahead to let Naruto live with us." Clover leaned against the counter. "Remember their looks as soon as we told them?"
"I thought my mom was gonna have a stroke." Sam shook her head. "I mean, how many times are you told your daughter and her best friends are all dating the same guy?"
Their minds drifted up to the moment, taking the shape of one big thought bubble between the three. It showed them telling their moms, who showed outrage and disbelief over this, only to show Naruto appearing and looking as charming and suave as he was, leading to their moms all smiling and agreeing to the set up, before the moms all had blushes and seemed to get awfully close to Naruto before the bubble popped.
"Wait, that didn't happen." Alex looked confused with Clover frowning.
"With how their faces looked? Oh they SO were getting ideas. Name one girl who hasn't looked ready to ask him on a date."
Alex and Sam looked at her before Alex tried counting using her fingers.
"Nevermind."
"Which is why we need to keep our game up and make sure he doesn't get bored with us and think about hitting up our moms next, majorly weird." Clover grumbled the last part with a shiver.
Her friends gave their own shudders, agreeing with her silently while Alex climbed on the countertop and crossed her legs to get comfy.
"But hey, with these awesome seals, we're getting better and better at using chakra! I mean, remember the last few missions? Learning how to stick to walls and water really made a difference. I thought I was gonna get swept away, but bam! I stand right on the water and go surfing!" she pumped her hands up.
"Don't forget making clones." Sam perked up. "Now I can read several books at once and retain it all!"
"Which stinks when you do it at once. I can still feel that headache." Clover rubbed her head with a huff. "At least they make studying easier, now my mom can't get on my case about failing math."
"And they're awesome when you need someone to play video games with." Alex grinned, getting raised eyebrow stares from her friends who shrugged. "What? It's true."
"Let's not forget another major point girls. WHOOP's been catching a lot of baddies without us having to raise a finger."
"Yeah, with Naruto's help and tips, they get to take care of the smaller stuff while giving us a break. Ahhh, it's like a dream come true~" sighed Clover with a dreamy tone and smile.
"Yeah~" the other two let out, giving their own content smiles with hearts floating over the three.
Back with Naruto, he closed his eyes to enjoy the softness of the cushions before hearing a ring going off. Reaching into his pocket, he whipped out his private cell phone and hit answer. "Hello?"
"Hey Naruto, been a while hasn't it?" came a woman's voice making Naruto smile.
"Wow, that you Cassidy?"
"Turn this to a video call and you tell me."
Taking a sec to push a few buttons, he watched as the screen lit up to show two people smiling at him. One was an African woman with blue eyeshadow, short brown hair, yellow earrings, and a orange sweater. Beside her was a man with glasses, neatly brushed brown hair with chin hair, and a slim physique wearing a black turtleneck sweater.
"It's been so long, I almost forgot what you two look like." joked the blonde.
"We could say the same to you. I thought you were gonna cover up those whisker marks and try looking less like a fox and more like a mouse." the man joked back, making Naruto grin.
"No way, the ladies love the whiskers."
"Well before you start telling us you landed a pair of twins, again, we wanted to call and ask you something." Cassidy piped up.
"Since Christmas is coming up, we wanted to invite you to a party we were gonna set up. Not just to have fun and relax, but because I wanted to announce to the guests about partnering up with you." Ricky explained. "It's packed with a lot of socialites who are quite fancy and rich, so I figured it might be a way to help establish new connections with people who'd be interested in what we're doing."
"Not a bad idea." Naruto nodded before giving a confused look. "But are you sure that'll work out? I mean, I AM the new leader of a big named yakuza group now. I mean, that's been over the news pretty much every day since word got out."
"Aw come on Naruto, it's pretty much half and half. Some folks might be quick to think you're dangerous, but the others know you're actually a good guy. All the work you've been putting into the US alone proves that." Cassidy tossed in.
"Besides, we'd be nuts to act like sheep and treat you like some random thug." Ricky smiled. "How long have we known each other after all?"
"Mmmm, thanks you two, that means a lot." he beamed. "Alright, count me in! Oh! But I gotta know, can I bring a plus-one? Maybe plus-three?"
"Bring as many as you like, we'll have plenty of space and food to cater to a whole town."
"Sweet! I'll let them know."
"Can't wait to see you, later."
Ending the call, Naruto backflipped off the couch and zipped over to the kitchen. "Girls? How would you feel about joining me to a Christmas party for some old pals?"
"Oooh! Is it one of those really fancy kind with jumbo shrimp?" asked Alex.
"The very same."
"I'm in!"
"Ooh! I can wear that new ball gown outfit I got last week!" Clover piped up with stars in her eyes.
"Who invited us?"
"Let's just say I'll save their identities for when we get there, but I can tell you they're big believers like me, in trying to fix the world."
"Awww, come on, not even a hint?" pouted Alex. "You're mean."
"No, I'm a fox." he winked with a teasing smirk. "Big difference~"
While that went down, the camera panned away from the beach house and far across the globe to a quaint little town called Crystal Cove. Specifically, at a building that was the headquarters for Creationex Corp.
"Well, now that we know Naruto is coming over, we can go over the guest list to make sure we didn't miss anyone." remarked Ricky, sitting at his desk with a list in hand.
"Might wanna hold up on that babe." Cassidy interjected, holding a familiar orange book out in front of him, making his eyes widen as his wife had a knowing smirk on her face. "I wanted to show you something."
"Uh, and that would be…." he trailed off, watching as she flipped the book open to a particular page that showed a colored illustration of a sex position. One that he vaguely noted they hadn't done in….ever.
"We haven't tried this out yet, and I think it'd be nice and spicy~" purred Cassidy with a seductive look that made Ricky's face blush. "Why don't you take a break from that list and we get started early?"
"U-U-Uh, well I mean, it's…uh…" he stuttered, gulping as he saw his wife come around the desk and take a seat on his lap, leaning the chair back from the extra weight. "Well I mean, a little break couldn't hurt."
"Good boy~"
Right before the two could lean in for a kiss however, the intercom on the desk buzzed to life.
"Mister and misses Owens? Are you there?" came the voice of a young girl on the other end.
Both of them looked at it. Cassidy sighing in disappointment before pushing the button.
"We're here Marcie, what's up?"
"Sorry to interrupt you two, but I wanted to inform you that mister and misses Blake are here to talk to you about the guests for the upcoming party."
"Go ahead and show them in." Ricky interjected as Cassidy pulled her finger off. Ricky rubs his wife's back. "Sorry Cassidy, maybe next time."
"Oh you better believe there's gonna be a next time," she smirked and gave him a quick peck on the cheek before getting off his lap.
It took a few minutes before the doors opened up and a couple who looked well off and very rich entered. The man had blonde hair with a square shaped jaw, wearing a purple jacket over a white turtle-necked sweater, and purple pants. The woman had long red hair with a white shirt, purple jacket, blue pants, a white sun hat with a purple stripe, and a green handkerchief.
"Ricky, Cassidy, it's so good to see you," smiled Nan.
"We could say the same to you." Cassidy replied back as the couple sat down while she stood beside her husband. "So, you're here to talk about the guests?"
"Yes, but no sense in rushing. We can get to that after we catch up." Barty smiled with a hand wave. "After all, you two have been so busy we hardly get a chance to sit down and talk."
"Well with starting Creationex Corp, we've been hard at work trying to find more investors who'd be all for our dream. There's still a lot out there who don't think it can be done."
"Well you'll always have our support." reassured Nan.
"You should try and focus on cutting loose instead. After all, work too hard and not play enough and you'll go crazy." chuckled Barty.
"Sorry, I don't wanna get too drunk. Not after what happened last time." Ricky shook his head with the three chuckling.
"Oh come now, it wasn't THAT bad. Granted it was pretty embarrassing, but there have been worse." remarked Barty with Ricky rolling his eyes.
"Need I bring up the Halloween party two years ago?"
The blonde immediately shut up while Cassidy and Nan burst out laughing. The man tugged at his collar and cleared his throat. "Uh…no thank you."
"Besides Barty's dirty little secret, anything major been going on with you two?" Cassidy got out while trying to calm down her laughing.
"Oh! Well, we are very proud of our little girl. Daphne's joined this cute little group with her soon-to-be-but-current-boyfriend, Freddy." smiled Nan. "Apparently they go around the country solving all kinds of mysteries and helping people."
"Yes, it makes us so proud our daughter could be so successful while finding the perfect young man to complete her. Now if only the rest of her sisters could be so lucky."
Ricky and Cassidy chose to keep their mouths shut given the couple's blatant favoritism.
"Not to worry though, we made sure she and her friends all got invites. It'd be rude to leave them out." Nan waved her hand. "We even managed to get an ambassador interested. It was…uh…what was it again dear?"
"A Kingsley Mbola(1) as I recall. Very fine gent really, we gave him the ok to bring his family along with, but we wanted to check with you if he might be allowed to bring guests not related by blood."
"Of course, the more the merrier." smiled Ricky.
"I heard he was actually thinking about funding the company." Cassidy tossed in with a smile. "Showing him a good time with a party like this might help bring it home."
"Well with us there, you'll have even more rich folks eager to help. After all, with me donating to charity, granting out scholarships, they'd feel overshadowed and eager to try and show me up, like that'll happen." chuckled Barty.
"And with my business of having tutors help people out all across the country? They'd be jumping to write as many checks as you need." giggled Nan.
'Sounds more like you just wanna show them up.' thought Ricky and Cassidy, shaking their heads, but unable to hide their smiles at their friend's personalities. Even when working together to better the world, they still held themselves to a high standard.
And so the group went over the guest list, a few of them having to be removed due to suspicious business deals and those who would have ties to rival companies who wouldn't pass up the chance to make them look bad. Of course there were a few choices Nan picked because 'their taste in fashion is atrocious!', which Ricky and Cassidy agreed to say maybe on for her sake.
After about an hour, they set the revised list down and felt content.
"Well, I'd say that's everyone, we're good to go." smiled Ricky.
"Fantastic!" Barty let out, shaking Ricky's hand and then Cassidy's before adjusting his clothes. "Well then, we best head on out. I've gotta get my best tailor to work. Don't wanna show up with last week's wardrobe."
"And me without a new dress would be a complete disaster." Nan remarked with a shudder. "Oh! Actually we need to hold off on that dear, we're meeting with Fred's parents, remember?"
"You're right! Silly me." he chuckled, shaking his head. "We need to go over their wedding. Catering, decor, location, oh there's so much to get done for the lovely couple."
"Ah, it'll take me back to our own wedding." sighed Nan in nostalgia.
"Then you don't wanna be fashionably late." Cassidy joked.
"Oh don't be silly Cassidy dear, we're always fashionable." the two of them laughed together, Nan's eyes briefly glancing down at the desk for the briefest of moments before returning back to it's original position.
"Can't wait to see you back." Ricky waved them off as the two of them made their way to the door, with Nan stopping at the door and poking her head back in with a sly smirk. "Yes Nan?"
"Before I leave, a bit of a suggestion. I'd recommend page 17 instead of page 24. Trust me, it'll make you feel like a brand new woman~" she winked before closing the door with the two confused.
"What is-oh no!" Cassidy looked down and saw the Icha-Icha book still out and sticking out from under forms, revealing the position.
"Crap." Ricky covered his blushing face as Cassidy grabbed and closed the book. "Oh great, that's a slip up we did NOT need."
"You said it." Cassidy let out a groan, shaking her head. Looking at the book, she raised an eyebrow and opened it before skimming across the pages before stopping on the one suggested and gave it a closer look.
Ricky saw his wife slowly giving a saucy smirk and turn to him with a hungry look in her eyes that showed she found inspiration. "Uh…honey?"
"She's right, this one looks WAY better~" she nudged the book over to him so he could take a look see and looked amused when his whole face turned bright red.
"That's…I…uh…wow." he tugged on his collar and had to pull out a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe some of the sweat off. He moved to close it, but Cassidy put a hand on his before climbing on his lap while licking her lips. "Uh, Cassidy? Maybe we should-"
"Oh no big boy, don't you know it's rude to make a girl wait? I'd say we get a headstart."
"B-But what about-" he shut up when she held a finger to his lips before she reached over and pushed the intercom button.
"Marcie? Me and my husband are gonna be busy for the next hour or two, hold all calls and don't let anyone bother us."
"Right away Mrs. Owens."
"Thanks girl." she turned back to Ricky who gulped. "You were saying?"
"Uh…well…in that case, with or without rubber?"
"Aw babe, we both know the answer to that~"
'Good, because I forgot to pick some up,' he thought before finding his lips captured by Cassidy, setting his hands on her hips while the camera panned out of the office and to Marcie at her desk who was already opening a science book up with ear plugs inserted to the sides of her head.
'Might as well catch up on some reading while they're 'indisposed' of,' she thought, eyes browsing the index on invertebrate and their habitats before looking up and smirked. 'Wonder if I should grab one of those Icha Icha books for girls? Maybe I can find something me and Velma could try out next time she drops by, that'd throw her for a loop. She might be speechless and turn so red I could take charge like last time. Oh! Keep it together, don't wanna get too raunchy on the clock.'
(1): Hint to another show that will be a part of this massive crossover in addition to Totally Spies and Scooby Doo Mystery Incorporated. If you can't figure it out, you'll learn in the next chapter
