Chapter 21 - Easy Days, part 1

Tsunade looked at team Anko with a little bit of irritation. They weren't paying attention to what she was saying due to the fact that they were sleeping. She was a little impressed that they were doing it standing up but she was still annoyed by their disrespect. She slammed her hand down, waking the team up.

"If you're done acting like children, I can get to the end of this briefing." Tsunade stated.

"Maybe if you weren't so boring…" Naruto muttered, earning a slap to the head from Yakumo.

"Sorry ma'am, we are just tired. It has been a few weeks of missions for us." Anko explained. Tsunade had to admit that she was right with that statement. Whether together or apart, team Anko were putting in the work for the village. Maybe she could be a little nice to the group.

"Very well, consider yourselves on leave for two weeks. In fact, I may have a mission for your team specifically at that time." Tsunade said. Team Anko lit up and were about to leave, when a cough stopped them. They turned to face the Hokage who was glaring at them.

"Now, to prevent any celebrations, I am going to alert every establishment in the village that they are not to serve you any booze." she stated seriously.

"I completely understand ma'am." Anko said.

"I will also have Ibiki raid your apartment and confiscate every bottle you have." Tsunade added.

"Okay, you don't really have to do that." Anko said nervously. Tsunade then made a hand motion, making two ANBU appear.

"Just to make sure that we are completely clear, these two are going to search you for any liquid courage."

"Okay, I'm feeling like I am not trusted. So we did a few pranks under the influence. How is that my fault?" Anko asked with a huff.

"Are you kidding us?" Jakken asked. He then looked at his teammates. "Twenty ryou says she has at least two flasks on her."

"No bet." they said. Anko glared at her team as the ANBU began to search her person.

XXX

"So, what are you going to do on your two weeks off?" Naruto asked everyone. They were walking down the street.

"I'm heading out of the village in the next three days. I… I'm going to see my mom." Jakken said nervously.

"Really? I didn't know you were getting close." Anko said.

"We've been writing to each other since we saved her. Her last letter, she wanted to meet at a neutral spot. It's kind of a big step for the two of us. I am actually a little nervous." Jakkedn said with a nervous smile.

"Just let it happen naturally, Jakken. That is the only advice that I would give you." Yakumo said. "As for me, I am going to be at my mother's side. She's close to giving birth and I want to help her out."

"And the fact that Haku would also be helping has nothing to do with it?" Naruto asked with a grin, earning a dirty look and chuckles from the others.

"Anyway, what are you going to do?" Yakumo demanded.

"Archives for me. I'm going to do some research about the Uzumaki clan." Naruto answered, earning surprised looks.

"You have a clan?" Jakken asked.

"On my mother's side apparently. Obaa (old hag) is allowing me to read up on them and granted me access to the files the village has. It helps that she is technically a part of the same clan too thanks to her great-grandmother or something." the blonde explained.

"Well, you all have good plans. I would have been enjoying some drinks if my team and the village weren't prudes." Anko said with a pout.

"I don't mind a good prank but I would like to remember it." Naruto countered.

"Also, I would like one celebration where we do not get chased by a village mob." Yakumo added with attitude.

"Facts." Jakken added with finality.

"You guys are boring." Anko said, pouting again. The team reached a fork in the road and began to split to enjoy their time off.

XXX

Midoshi shook hands with Shiin as the group left the room. She then turned to an aide who bowed and left as well. The young woman was smirking at her developing plan. She received a bit of good news from Kotohime and Kagero as they made a little headway with a few members of their clan. Add in the near completion of her jutsu, there was nothing that could ruin her day.

Walking out of town, Midoshi was looking for a place to vanish. She then noticed a tail and was a bit annoyed as she recognized who they were. She decided to deal with this now. Making her way into the forest, she continued to walk until she arrived at a clearing. She stood there while her tail surrounded her.

"Well now, has the Otogakure no Shinobi Gonin Shu (Sound Five of the Hidden Sound) been reformed? Come out Kimimaro." Midoshi called out. Said person stepped out to face her. He had pale skin, vivid green eyes, angular facial features, two scarlet dots on her forehead and shoulder-length white hair. He wore the traditional ensemble of Oto, just more loose-fitting. "If it isn't the walking dead."

"Midoshi," Kimimaro said calmly. The two did not like each other. Midoshi found Kimimaro's devotion to Orochimaru to be funny and pathetic while Kimimaro found Midoshi's disrespect infuriating. The two had a wary respect for each other's strength but that was it.

"So, why has Orochimaru risked your health to come and find me?" Midoshi demanded.

"You have been speaking with the clans of Oto no Kuni (Land of Sound). What are you planning?" Kimimaro demanded back.

"Why is your master so curious? He doesn't care about these clans unless it is to recruit for his experiments." she stated.

"Is that all you are doing? Or are you finally making your move against my master?" he demanded.

"Is that what you think?" Midoshi asked with a chuckle. "If you must know, I am helping your master out. I am trying to consolidate his power base for him. His pathetic loss is an embarrassment and if he had the faith of the strong clans in the land, maybe he wouldn't have been so humiliated back in Konoha." She could see that her words angered the young man.

"I will not have you of all people insult my master." Kimimaro said and began to channel his chakra. It looked like bone was coming out of the palms of his hands.

"Oh Kimimaro, that's not nice." Midoshi unsealed her sword and prepared herself.

"That will be enough." A voice said. In a flash, Guren appeared between the two. She turned her attention to Kimimaro. "Lord Orochaimaru assigned you to get answers, not settle your personal issues." This earned her a glare from Kimimaro who suddenly began coughing. With an annoyed sigh, Guren made a motion, making two others come out. They moved to help Kimimaro who kept them at bay. All of this was amusing to Midoshi.

"He doesn't look good. Maybe he shouldn't have pushed himself so much." Midoshi jokes.

"Enough! Get out of here Kimimaro. I will handle this now." Guren ordered. Kimimaro glared at her but did not say anything. He made his leave with the other two following. It was now Guren and Midoshi.

"Thanks for the help, sensei." Midoshi mocked.

"Do you really think I believe your nonsense about helping Orochimaru? What is your real plot here Midoshi?" Guren demanded. This made the young girl scoff.

"Still the same little sheep as always. That is disappointing. Believe what you want Guren, I've already explained myself." The two females faced each other for a while before Guren 'tsk'.

"Fine. Keep doing what you're doing but do not expect things to keep going your way Midoshi. Whatever this is, it will fail and not even the Hebi will save you."

"That almost sounds like concern there Guren."

"Think what you want." With those final words, Guren began to leave. Midoshi just watched her until she left. She stood until she was sure that she couldn't feel any of them. Midoshi thought her day was now ruined by this and let out an annoyed sigh. She looked into the sky and began to think.

"I wonder what Naruto-kun is doing right now?"

XXX

Naruto closed the book and let out a sigh. He was a little tired from all his research. His head hurt also as research wasn't his thing. Still, he learned a bit about the Uzumaki clan. They were so bad-ass. He wished that they were still around so he could speak with them. With a yawn, Naruto decided to call it a day. He got up and exited the archives.

Naruto didn't realize how late it was as it was now night. He decided to get some food before going home. On his way, he saw two people that were familiar to him. He got closer and was really surprised.

"Kakashi-sensei? Anko-sensei?" he called out. The two turned toward him. While it wasn't surprising to see the two together, it was surprising to see them in nice clothes. He was especially surprised to see Anko who was more dolled up with a dark blue top with short sleeves, dark blue skirt, high-heel sandals, lipstick and her hair done in a bun with nice hair pins.

"Yo Naruto." Kakashi greeted him.

"Hey brat." Anko said.

"Are… are you two on a date right now?" Naruto asked. The two looked at each other before chuckling.

"We aren't on a date, Naruto. I took a friend and fellow 'Icha Icha' fan out to unwind." Kakashi answered.

"In nice clothes?" Naruto asked.

"What are you trying to say?" Anko asked with a dangerous tone. Naruto knew that tone. It meant, stop asking stupid questions or I will cut you.

"You know what, I'm calling bullshit but I'm too tired to deal with either of you. Have fun on your date, not date." With that, Naruto continued forward to his destination. The two looked at him as he walked away. Anko scoffed before taking Kakashi's arm and dragged him to the nearest bar to get some drinks.

XXX

Sasuke threw another combo at the post before resetting himself. He threw another combo, attempting to deal with his frustrations. It had been three weeks and he was still on probation for his actions during that mission to Haru no Kuni (Land of Spring). It was his punishment.

He was called back to face the council's decision. Team Kakashi was no more, which did make him happy. That was until the punishments were handed down. Kakasdhi was placed back on regular forces and would not get another genin team. Sai was relieved of team Kakashi and back into the aid of some cripple. Sakura would be going through six months of retraining, which brought her to tears. When it came to him, that's when things took a turn.

He was deemed unfit for duty. It wasn't just the mission but actions he did that were documented by Kakashi, Sai and an unknown source. They knew what he had been doing and the Hokage, with the council's backing, placed him on probation. Sasuke was not happy with the decision, mostly because he read between the lines. They weren't just kicking him off the shinobi forces, they were keeping their eyes on him.

He could feel eyes on him wherever he went. It wasn't unexpected really when he listened to what was said. They knew about the mark and that he was experimenting with it. He thought that he was careful but he wasn't. Now, the village had eyes on him, waiting for him to make a mistake. It was frustrating, not to use the power that was gifted to him.

Still, he would not let them win. He would not allow this village to stop him from completing his ambition. He would act civil for now, but soon, he would continue on his path of an avenger. Nothing, not even Konoha, will stop him.

XXX

Sakura looked at Ino with a disgusted face, which annoyed the blonde.

"What? You don't like my plan?" Ino spat.

"It's a stupid plan and will not work. Then there is the fact that if she hears about your plan, she'll hunt you down and put you in the most frightening genjutsu. Do you not remember the last person who tried that and what happened? Besides, have any of your attempts worked?" Sakura demanded rudely.

"He's just playing hard to get!"

"He has avoided your every advance. Look, if we want to really hurt that team, we need to be smarter than this. Now shut up and think." Ino glared at Sakura for her comments but did not say anything else. They focused on the bulletin board that had the pictures of team Anko under the word 'Revenge'. As the two plotted, Ino was pouting. What was so wrong with her plan to seduce Haku?

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: Nothing really to say other than enjoy the new chapter. I will try to get these out much sooner but life has been busy. Anyway, enjoy.