Yo, thank you again for tuning into to this's week's chapter. I say this week despite the fact I publish these biweekly mostly but for this one I think it counts, I was so excited about this chapter that I started writing it at the same time if not a little after Chapter 7 and managed to get the chapter pretty much finished at the same time. However, the editing process was something else I realized there were a few more elements I wanted to add and that took the rest of that week.
This chapter officially marks the end of the first arc of Naruto Kokai that I've dubbed the Beginning of Exile/Wave and Sand Arc. I mentioned last chapter that there wouldn't be a lot of time in the Hidden Sand (For now) because I wanted to really turn the focus to the more unfamiliar parts of the world and Naruto's journey through them. I probably shouldn't here but I'll go ahead and drop the name of the next arc to give just a tiny insight to where the story will be going next.
Naruto Kokai: The Land of Iron Arc
I'm also really excited for this one I've already started writing for it and might have something out by possibly next week but it depends on the editing process.
Anyway let's get to the reviews, that I thank you all for.
Jagsboy: Thank you! When I was writing Chapter 7 I really wanted something Slice of Life/Plot like and I hope I struck that balance. Also in regard to companions, it's a good question and I'll answer with this. Naruto will have multiple companions joining him on his journey across the ninja world. We'll be meeting a few of them soon. Now as for his main love interest... just read and see but I've got something for that.
Alexander4443: Thank you! I will continue to do my best to keep the quality of the chapters.
ghust95: The dinner scene was one I had fun writing, I wanted to display the evolving relationship of the Suna trio since the last time Naruto saw them. I was also nice to write something calm knowing how the gears will soon shift. I have a soft spot for Narutema as you are about to discover but I shall stay focused on the course. Thank you.
thor94: Thank you! I also agree, Naruto went through a lot of crap and busted his ass only to have to wait regardless. I really wanted to display more of the elements of the Hidden Sand but I can't go too into depth here or we'll get lost before moving forward but I'm glad you like the dynamic. Naruto jutsu wise in this story, he will be creating a lot of different jutsu from multiple sources of inspiration I won't spoil anything with that but basically, you've seen nothing yet. I also do plan on utilizing Naruto's lineage (On both sides) to the fullest, Naruto's fighting style will also change with time.
TigrezzTail: Thank you! Naruto here is kind of like a progress report or experience boost for their relationship as siblings as they get closer together I wanted to provide some more peaceful scenes for these guys since they deserve it. Also with Temari and shape manipulation there is plenty that will be done with that, there's even a small taste of that here.
AkashimaUchiha: I love this review, purely because it makes me wanted to say something or even give a little hint but I won't bite and I'll only say this. Danzo and Root will be taking full advantage of Naruto's current exile status. Trust me. Thank you!
ecoBlade: Thank you! I really appreciate that and I will continue to do my best!
TopSpartan216: No offense to anyone else but this review is currently one of my favorites in the bunch. You've taken a look at it from a different lens and I highly appreciate that. In Chapter 5 the thugs were purely just that they were thugs, I forgot a section where Banira was going over his past with the gang where I was supposed to mention a little about their past as shinobi before the war left them as mostly thugs but I must have missed it in post it's a really good point and I'll take better care to catch that.
Let's talk about Naruto's struggle in that chapter.
I'll try to keep this brief other than the fact that a lot of these thugs were previously shinobi Naruto is alone and these guys had been waiting for Team 7 to return just for that occasion. I am an author that believes in progress, it's easy to write a character and make them the most badass thing to ever appear in a story. While I don't hate OP characters or AUs I like to think of Naruto as the ultimate underdog, Naruto will one day become the strongest but before that he needs to struggle.
Naruto will not be continuously beaten by weaker characters to help his character, I mentioned in an earlier review that the gears are changing now in this next Arc. However the purpose of this Arc is to establish how Naruto's journey will be moving forward, it's impossible to move forward without a goal or motivation so in order to protect the people he cares about he had to first find out that he wasn't that strong. This is Naruto's beginning to his new story where he will struggle and he will grow. He will not be perfect all of the time but he will be making an effort.
Please look forward to the next chapters on and thank you very much for your review.
That was a lot and I'm sorry but I wanted to recognize these reviews and any reviews moving forward so please continue to ask questions and leave your thoughts here and I'm more than happy to respond.
I know you're probably ready to start reading but one last thing before I let go, Naruto will be journeying around and will be meeting a lot of different people throughout his time. I wanted to give you all the opportunity to throw your hats in the ring, if you leave a review on the story make sure to add this somewhere in it.
Who would you like to see join Naruto's Journey? Who would you like to see Naruto's love interest be?
You don't have to if you don't want to of course but I'm curious to see what you guys would think when it comes to Naruto's journey and I will be looking over these seriously and I am more than willing to implement them. I just wanted to give you guys a voice in the story as well (Who knows our visions may line up.) This is optional of course.
Lastly, thank you all. The support for this story has been incredible so far, it was mostly a crack pot thought that came to my head that I just started typing about one day but I'm so glad so many of you are enjoying. I will continue to best my best so I hope you can all move forward with me on this journey.
Thank you again for reading and I hope you enjoy.
-Ken
{...}
Chapter 8: The Result of Effort
-4 Months Later-
Kankuro stirred in his bed while the early morning sun peeked into his window. Thankfully one of his puppets was always in a strategic block the sun from beaming directly in his eyes to give him more time to sleep.
However, something else was causing him to stir, a scent was wafting through the household of the sand siblings. Unfortunately, no matter how hard the brown-haired boy tried he couldn't ignore it and it eventually woke him up.
The boy rubbed at his eyes before he opened his door walking through it. This smell was coming from the kitchen downstairs, a sensation that he was still finding himself getting used to even after months of it.
The sounds of sizzling and cooking filled his ears while he yawned, sitting at the table was his younger brother who was reading a paper from the Sand Village gazebo before his teal-colored eyes made eye contact with his brother entering the room.
The red-haired boy was dressed in formal attire from head to toe which wasn't all that surprising, they were still talking about the big news to this very day. Gaara had become the Fifth Kazekage after being deemed the most suitable, Kankuro wouldn't act like he was surprised he always knew that Gaara had it in him.
"Good Morning."
Gaara spoke in his usual even tone while Kankuro nodded, "Mornin'." the boy said before taking a seat at one of the chairs at the table.
"Look who decided to come and grace us with his presence, the legendary sleeping beauty."
Temari teased while Kankuro narrowed his eyes at his older sister, he could tell how early it was considering Temari still had her hair down. The girl had a strict regime so strict that Kankuro used his sister's hair to tell the time, still not the strangest sight he had seen just this morning.
Nah, that went to Temari cooking breakfast.
Ever since the blonde idiot started teaching her how to cook, she's been determined to force her younger siblings to endure her efforts in the brand-new world to them that was home cooked meals they would eat together.
Temari went back to cooking their meal while Kankuro tried to fight off dozing off, "Gaara, you seriously don't have to stay you know. I know you're busy, so I don't want to make you late." Temari said while Gaara shook his head.
"It is fine Temari, eating with my family is just as important as work. I'll leave properly once we've eaten,"
Gaara spoke while a smile came to Temari's face, a part of her was ecstatic to hear that coming from her little brother it made it feel like they all were truly getting closer. She doesn't even really know for certain when she started wanting to have this kind of family time together with her brothers.
What she did know was that she appreciated it more than anything.
"Temari, the bacon's burning."
Kankuro broke his older sister from her daze before she turned to save the bacon from burning to oblivion, the young woman sighed before she transferred the bacon to a plate, she then did the same with the eggs she was frying.
"Good."
Temari admired her own handiwork before she started making up plates for her brothers, Kankuro watched as a plate was placed in front of him, "Thanks," The brown-haired boy said while Gaara also thanked his sister.
Kankuro dug into his food before a small bowl of rice was placed next to his plate along with Gaara's; the way that Temari moved around was starting to display more confidence than she ever had in the dining area.
The brown-haired boy was actually surprised, with every attempt she made she got a little better at cooking. This breakfast was actually pretty edible this time around, "How is it? It hasn't killed you yet, right?" Temari joked while Kankuro huffed.
"Still not sure if eggs are supposed to be crunchy sis, but it's pretty alright."
Kankuro gave his opinion being difficult as ever while Gaara gave his sister a thoughtful look, "I think today's breakfast is really good, thank you Temari." The boy spoke while Temari grinned at her younger brother's praise.
"Thank you Gaara, at least someone can appreciate the effort."
Temari snarked while Kankuro shrugged his shoulders at his sister's remark before she started making another plate.
There was a knock on the door that caused Temari to jump slightly, "Why didn't you tell Naruto was here?" Temari hissed while Gaara looked at Kankuro before he looked at his older sister.
"Naruto's here."
Gaara said flatly while Temari gave the boy an unamused look, "Let him in, tell him he had to make his own plate." Temari said while she dashed up the stairs messing with her hair while Kankuro watched his sister closely.
She's been acting all weird too and the same source was to blame, Gaara opened up the door revealing the blonde boy in question.
"Yo."
Naruto said while Gaara smiled slightly at his friend, the guy barely changed in the last four months since he had been training here with Temari.
He was a little taller than he was when he first came here, his blonde hair was now slightly longer spikes at the top and undercut below leaving the top spiky and the sides even.
"Mornin!"
Naruto cheered brightly while Kankuro kept a suspicious eye on the boy, while he was starting to get used to the guy he still didn't want to let his guard down around the blonde boy.
Out of the fear that somehow, he was going to get him to like him too.
"Where's Mari?"
Naruto asked casually while he walked toward the kitchen, "She left to her room the minute she heard you knock, also you can make yourself a plate for breakfast I suppose she's getting ready." Gaara spoke while Naruto sweat dropped.
"Running off before she can say hi or good morning at least. I must have done something to get on her nerves again."
Naruto theorized while he quickly made himself a plate, Kankuro rolled his eyes at the boy approaching the table.
"Do you blame her? It is you we're talking about."
Kankuro snarked while Naruto narrowed his eyes at the boy, "Looks like someone forgot their make up this morning, is that why you're so grouchy?" Naruto teased while Kankuro huffed.
"It's war paint!"
Kankuro yelled while Naruto laughed at the boy while Gaara looked toward Naruto, "It was good to see you but I have to leave soon, I have duties to fulfill early this morning." Gaara said while Naruto nodded.
"You do your thing Kazekage!"
Naruto chirped while Gaara nodded his head at the boy. The blonde was proud of his friend and was impressed with how much Gaara had grown in such a short period of time.
His friend was now the Kazekage and was now at the top of his village earning the respect of others that he never had before.
It was nice being able to see what that looks like from this close.
Naruto began to dig into his crunchy fried eggs and slightly burnt bacon, "Hey, Mari's getting better." Naruto commented while Kankuro couldn't see how the boy was so unphased by the food.
"You sure took your sweet time this morning."
Temari walked down the stairs in her usual get up and tied up hair while Naruto rolled his eyes at the older girl.
"Yeah, says the chick who ran off the minute I got to the door."
Naruto fired back while Temari rolled her eyes, "Good morning." Temari said while Naruto gave her a smile.
"Mornin Mari."
Naruto said while Temari made herself a plate, Kankuro's eyes kept flicking between Naruto and his sister.
Mari?
That was the third time that boy had said the nickname, even right in front of her and his sister was barely phased. The boy kept a suspicious eye on Naruto while he and Temari ate together while talking about their training for the day.
Kankuro watched as Gaara gave a small wave on his way out, "Have a good day Gaara." Temari said while the boy nodded his head at everyone else before he left.
"Alright, it's go time. Kankuro we're heading out. If you have a mission, be sure to lock up when you leave the house."
Temari said while Kankuro nodded, "Yeah yeah." Kankuro said while Naruto followed Temari.
"See ya later Make-Up Boy!"
Naruto yelled while Kankuro growled, "It's not make-up!" He yelled after Naruto while Temari unfolded her fan.
"Ready?"
Temari asked while Naruto nodded, "Always!" The boy cheered brightly before she tugged at her fellow blonde.
They did their usual controlled descent before they flew toward their usual empty spot in the desert.
{...}
Temari panted while Naruto stood just across from her, there were multiple craters surrounding them before the blonde boy immediately sat down pulling out a little notebook.
"That's three for me!"
Naruto cheered before he started scribbling in his little notebook, Temari meanwhile rolled her eyes.
"That technique is cheating and you know it."
Temari pouted trying to nurse her wounded pride while Naruto gave her a smug grin.
"Oh yeah? So that means you admit defeat in our little bet?"
Naruto asked while Temari huffed, unfortunately over the span of the months that he's been here the blonde boy has grown leaps and bounds. An almost scary amount.
He was much stronger than he was before and not to mention savvy, in any other case Temari would display sportsmanship with grace.
However, that smug looking grin on this idiot's face made it incredibly hard.
"One more round. Hold nothing back, I'll show you another of my own new jutsu."
Temari declared while Naruto's expression shifted into one filled with excitement before he stood up.
"You're on! Winner takes the bet win as well!"
Naruto shouted while his fellow blonde narrowed her eyes at him, "You're on." Temari quickly unfurled her fan revealing all three stars.
"Wind Style: Dancing Tempest!"
Temari yelled out while Naruto's eyebrow raised before three rotating gusts of wind blasted toward him. Naruto flipped backward trying to avoid the gusts, the boy then noticed that Temari was still moving her fan causing the vicious winds to follow him.
Naruto dodged and ducked past many of the three gusts' attempts to hit him before he flipped again, weaving hand signs.
"Wind Style: Vacuum Cutter!"
Naruto yelled before he landed on his feet performing a somersault while wind gathered around his legs.
The gusts sped toward the blonde boy who unleashed three kicks; the wind from his kicks became sharp blades that easily cut through two of the gusts leaving the third one on its own. The gust spun in the air before darting down toward the boy, Naruto weaved another hand sign before he looked up at the approaching gust.
"Wind Style: Great Redirection!"
Naruto jumped directly into the gust letting it engulf him before he spun his body launching it back toward Temari. The blonde girl easily destroyed her own gust with a spike of wind before she positioned her fan.
"Try this one!"
Temari yelled before she started swiping her fan rapidly, the swipes started to form into sharp blades that became faster the further they got away from her initial swing. Naruto dodged through the swipes while Temari kept swinging her fan before she abruptly stopped the swing before she slammed her fan into the ground.
Naruto dodged another wind blade before he felt the sand underneath him rumble slightly, the blonde had no time to think before he was suddenly launched into the air.
Temari hopped on her fan before she blasted into the air after the boy, Naruto grinned before he started trying to form hand signs instead, he was smacked by a blast of wind that knocked him higher into the air.
Naruto didn't have time to recover before he was hit with another wind blast and another follow up one.
The boy looked around noticing that they were extremely high in the air, his blue eyes then spotted Temari flying toward him. Naruto adjusted his fall to speed toward the young woman, Temari closed her fan before Naruto's foot slammed into the iron of her fan.
The pair then proceeded to engage in close combat, Naruto's punches were countered by Temari's fan swipes while her fan swipes were countered by Naruto's attacks. The two exchanged blows in midair before Temari noticed they were getting dangerously close to the ground.
The blonde girl quickly opened her fan before she blew a gust that sent Naruto flying away from her while she adjusted her landing hitting the sand carefully.
Naruto meanwhile made his famous hand sign before multiple shadow clones were summoned. The clones softened the boy's landing while Temari extended her palm out, wind chakra slowly began to form in her palm while Naruto's eyes shot open.
"Huh?! I didn't teach you that one!"
Naruto pointed his finger at the now smirking blonde girl who slammed her palm into her fan before she swung it.
"Wind Style: Screaming Gale!"
Temari yelled before she shot the wind from her fan, the sound of the wind was almost like a roar while the wind slowly rotated before creating dense wind discs.
"We gotcha boss!"
A clone yelled while they prepared themselves for the impact of the jutsu meanwhile Naruto started forming hand signs.
The discs made quick work of the clones defending Naruto before the boy gritted his teeth. He took the three wind discs directly before they started carrying him backwards through the air.
Temari smirked before she rotated her fan before she snapped it shut causing the wind discs to explode into a massive gust of wind blowing sand everywhere creating a mini sandstorm.
"...Hmm, I wonder what you should do first as my servant."
Temari pondered out loud with a smile on her face, her smile quickly faded when she felt a sudden change in wind pressure. She barely had time to turn before the sound of a boom and a line cut the mini sandstorm that she created with her technique perfectly in half while she spotted blue eyes.
Temari went to swing but before she could fully react Naruto had already quickly brought his hand down touching the top of the blonde girl's hair gently.
"Looks like it's my win."
Naruto spoked while Temari paused under the gentle touch on her hair, the girl quickly growled before she turned away from the blonde boy.
"That jutsu is so cheap!"
Temari threw her hands up while Naruto rubbed the back of his head, "The only person to blame for that is you." Naruto taunted while Temari shot the boy a glare.
Naruto quickly shut up before Temari sighed, "...Fine, I'll admit it. Just this once that you've grown a lot since you started…" Temari struggled through her words while Naruto smiled.
"I win!"
The boy cheered while Temari pointed at him, "Be glad this was just a jutsu contest! If this was a real fight I would wipe the floor with you!" Temari yelled before the pair made eye contact.
Naruto snickered before Temari bit the inside of her lip, the blonde boy started laughing before Temari cracked, chuckling a bit before she joined the boy.
They both collapsed into the sand before their laughter died down, they both looked into the sky.
"...You ready for the best date of your life?"
Naruto asked while Temari flushed slightly before she rolled her eyes, "I thought you would have forgotten." The girl said while Naruto grinned.
"It's a bet, you can't forget about the prize or the cost of a bet. If you forget then it isn't a bet anymore."
The boy explained while Temari huffed, "Whatever… you can try your best Uzumaki. I'm not the easiest woman to please." Temari said while Naruto quickly stood up.
"Yeah, well you've never gotten the classic Naruto date experience!"
Naruto pointed toward the girl who stood to her feet, "Naruto date experience huh? You sure I won't be bored out of mind? You are kind of an idiot." Temari said while Naruto crossed his arms.
"And you're scary but you don't see me complaining."
Naruto pouted before he jumped back from another glare from the slightly older girl before he pointed a finger.
"Just you wait! I'll take you on the best date you've ever been on!"
"Believe it!"
{...}
"I've never been on a date before!"
Naruto yelled in an over dramatic tone while Gaara just blinked at the panicking boy pacing around his lodging.
"I mean sure I had a few practice scenarios in my head with Sakura but none of those were real! Not to mention 'Mari isn't Sakura so that's an even bigger problem!"
Naruto's room currently had clothes and other items scattered around it with Gaara finding a place for himself by the window of the blonde's current abode.
"Naruto…"
Gaara spoke while the blonde ran his hands through his hair while still pacing, "What should we go eat? There's no Ichiraku's here! What kind of stuff would make me look cool? Is there some kind of way I could copy Sasuke or something?" Naruto continued to ramble while Gaara sighed.
"Naruto."
Gaara tried to speak again but it fell on the blonde's deaf ears, "Where are we going? I still don't know the village enough to check out some good date spots! Who would I ask? No offense Gaara, but we can't just walk around all day in the sand!" Naruto rambled on before Gaara closed his eyes.
"Naruto!"
Gaara raised his voice getting the blonde boy's attention, "Sorry, what's up? I'm too worried about this?" Naruto asked while Gaara blinked at the boy.
"What is a date?"
Gaara asked while Naruto paused to take a look at the red-haired boy, "A date is like when a guy really likes a girl he takes her out somewhere to try to win her affections or something. Usually there is plenty of ramen eating involved." Naruto answered while Gaara slowly nodded his head.
"Win her affections? Are dates some kind of competition?"
Gaara asked while Naruto tapped his chin, "Yeah… that's a good way to look at it. Yeah, dates are like a competition, in order to win the heart of the girl you love you have to win." Naruto answered again while Gaara touched the scar on his head.
"Do you love my sister, Naruto?"
Gaara suddenly asked while Naruto's eyes shot wide open before he flushed slightly, his hands rapidly waved in the air.
"Wait wait wait! Let's not jump to crazy conclusions! I mean your sister is great and also a little scary, but she's cool I don't know if I would say love but-"
Naruto was cut off by Gaara looking the blonde boy directly in his eyes.
"I hold great admiration and care for my sister, though I don't truly understand it. I know that I do love my older sister."
Gaara spoke while Naruto paused to look at the boy, "At one time in my life, love was just a pointless curse. One that permanently marked me, one that I loathed. I didn't understand why anyone would stoop to something as weak as love until I met you." Gaara spoked while Naruto's eyes widened slightly.
"You were just like me, a monster who everyone hated. Yet despite the hatred and the despair you still loved your friends enough to risk your life. You made me one of those friends."
"It was then that I decided that I wanted to learn the point of love, because your friendship has made my life warmer than it's ever been."
Gaara explained while Naruto sat on his bed listening to his friend.
"You taught me love and how it has different meanings for different people. I know you aren't sure because you were too busy thinking about what would make her happy instead of what is the point?"
"She's fond of you and you are fond of her. Whether or not that's love yet doesn't matter, it's a start to something."
Gaara spoke while Naruto looked at his hands, Gaara of all people giving him a lecture about love.
The red-haired boy was right in a way. Naruto's first love was Sakura and he's always held that love for her, he wasn't even really thinking about anyone else if he couldn't even win her.
Temari is not Sakura.
He shouldn't think about her that way either, there's no comparison between the two of them.
It's a start.
And who knows what could happen from here?
"What I'm trying to say is Naruto, don't take the sister that I love on a pointless date."
Gaara spoke while Naruto clenched his hands into fists before he stood up. "This date isn't pointless… I won't allow it to be. I'll take your sister out and I'll make every minute worth it." Naruto declared while Gaara smiled at his friend.
"I'll wing it and go with the flow. She'll come back with a smile so big you'll be worried about her."
Naruto pounded a fist against his own chest before he started putting his clothes away and cleaning up. "Hopefully this will make your plan easier." Gaara pulled out a piece of paper that Naruto tilted his head at, the blonde grabbed the paper before he inspected it.
"There's a festival?"
Naruto asked while Gaara nodded his head, "I was supposed to give that to you when I got here but you were in no condition for proper reasoning. It's for my inauguration, you can take her here." Gaara suggested while Naruto grinned at his friend.
"Seriously?"
Naruto asked while Gaara slowly nodded his head at the blonde, "Temari hasn't been to very many festivals. She never really had anyone to go with before. Help her make some good memories." Gaara said while Naruto nodded his head before he sighed.
"This really helps, I feel way less nervous now. Looks like Temari won't be the only cool and collected one."
Naruto spoke while Gaara drowned out the sounds of Kankuro suffering from Temari's nervous breakdown the minute she returned home from their training.
"Yes, of course…"
Gaara trailed off while Naruto looked at the boy whose expression matched one of someone having a horrible flashback.
"I'm also really proud of you buddy."
Gaara lifted his head toward Naruto who was still cleaning up, "Why?" Gaara asked while Naruto grinned.
"You're the freaking Kazekage now, you're living my dream or at least my old dream. Not to mention you got wiser and speak longer sentences. Just a lot of things have grown about you, it's awesome."
Naruto said while Gaara softly smiled at the boy, "Thank you." Gaara said while the blonde boy shook his head.
"I feel like I'm getting super mushy, it's almost gross."
Naruto laughed while Gaara chuckled slightly, "I approve by the way." The red-haired boy said while blues eyes looked toward him.
"Temari's choice of you, I approve. You're a good man and I know you wouldn't ever hurt my sister deliberately."
Gaara spoke while Naruto grinned, "Thanks Gaar-" The blonde was suddenly cut off by sand quickly being pointed at him.
"That said, should you ever hurt my sister, I'll have no choice but to inflict that same pain on you but worse."
The red-haired boy threatened while Naruto quickly nodded his head.
"Good, I believe you."
{...}
"You look stupid."
Kankuro said while Naruto gave the brown-haired boy a look, "Say you Make-Up Boy!" the blonde countered while Kankuro rolled his eyes.
"It's still not make-up you bastard."
Kankuro huffed while Gaara gave the pair a look, "Temari left earlier something about wanting to say a certain line or something?" the red-haired boy stated cluelessly while Naruto shrugged his shoulders just as clueless as the red-haired boy.
"I'll also be in attendance for the festival however I unfortunately won't be able to join the festivities. I'll be busy planning and working with the council. If anything happens, I'll be nearby so feel free to reach out."
Gaara offered while Naruto grinned, "Thanks Gaara, I appreciate it. I hope I'm not underdressed." Naruto looked over his appearance once more before Gaara shook his head reassuringly.
"You look fine."
Gaara spoke while Naruto nodded his head toward his friend, Kankuro meanwhile kept his eye on the blonde boy. Honestly in the time that he has been here he's always felt like while Naruto was annoying almost constantly that the guy was making an impact on his family for the better.
That being said.
"Oi Naruto."
Kankuro suddenly spoke while the blonde boy looked toward the brown-haired boy's direction, "Yeah, Make-Up Boy?" Naruto asked causing Kankuro to growl before he huffed.
"You're serious about this right? No pranks, no jokes?"
Kankuro asked while Naruto without hesitation nodded his head, "Of course." the blonde confirmed while the brown-haired boy slowly nodded his head before he rested his chin on top of his hands.
"Temari, she's prickly, aggressive, has the same social ability of most desert snakes."
Kankuro started listing out multiple downsides to the blonde girl while Naruto and Gaara both sweat dropped at the list the older boy was forming with the same expression on his face.
"Overly sarcastic to the point where talking to her is a pain in the ass, sadistic, awkward, doting..."
Kankuro continued the list while Naruto was about to step in, "But even though she sucks at it she's kind... I wish I could say I knew that side of her a little more honestly. I can't though, she's been taking care of me and Gaara as long as I can remember and she's mostly of lot of those things because of us." the brown-haired boy added before he looked toward Naruto.
"She's been working hard for the two of us so much that she's hardly herself at times. As far as I knew she was just the anchor for myself and Gaara... Now all of the sudden she's an annoying big sister. She tires her best to cook, she worries about us and scolds us whenever we get even a little scuffed on missions."
"I didn't really know my father as much as she did, the same with our mother. I hate to admit it but she feels like the closest thing I have to a parent, and I don't have a way repay that yet. However, you came along and have been helping her smile a bit more."
Kankuro scoffed while Naruto watched the extremely rare scene happening in front of him, an flash of a younger Temari looking over her shoulder at a very young Kankuro who was crying as she stood in between him and their father. He remembered the look being a cross between a glare and disappointment, but now that he really thought about it.
It was probably really determination; she was trying to protect him.
"I want to repay my older sister one day, but the only thing I can do right now is play my part as the annoying younger brother until the day I can hoping that it helps our family feel a little more normal."
Kankuro explained while Gaara smiled at his older brother, "That being said not a word of this leaves this room. If you're worried don't be you idiot, just make her laugh and let her wear her hair however she wants. If you do that you should be fine." Kankuro finished while he heard a sniffle from the other direction.
"Make-Up Boy... That was beautiful!"
Naruto said while sniffling causing Kankuro to glare at the boy, "Shut up! It's nothing to cry about you idiot!" Kankuro yelled while pointing at the blonde who was wiping at his face.
"You guys are a really good family you know..."
Naruto said while Kankuro and Gaara gave the boy a look before Kankuro wiped his hand over his face before he pointed a finger at the boy, "Listen, as long as Temari is happy I don't care what you do or how your date goes. No screwing around and you've probably already got this speech from Gaara but you hurt my sister and I'll kill you." Kankuro threatened while Naruto nodded his head.
"I was planning to add a third puppet to my arsenal anyway."
Kankuro said while Naruto wiped his face one more time before he flashed a confident look toward the brown-haired boy sticking his thumb up at him.
"You got it, Kankuro."
Naruto said before he suddenly rushed out of the door, "Wish me luck!" Naruto yelled before he was quickly out of sight from the two brothers. Kankuro sighed while Gaara nodded his head before he turned to smile at his older brother.
"You're a really good brother."
Gaara said while Kankuro gave his younger brother a look, the image of himself and Gaara sitting at the table, Gaara with his usual calm demeanor and himself with his usual try-not-to-care demeanor. Temari walking toward the table with her newest food attempt on plates and a cocky smile on her face and Naruto walking into their home to join them.
Kankuro smiled at the image that came to his head.
"Nah."
Meanwhile at the festival being nervous being an understatement was an unfamiliar concept to Temari who was always steeled for even the tensest of situations. Yet here she was nearly a Jonin with almost a hundred missions under her belt and the moniker of the best wind user in the Hidden Sand.
Nervous.
It was just some stupid boy, what was there to be nervous about?
Sure she's never been on a date in her entire life but that's a tiny thing nothing to sweat about.
Sure she's scary on a good occasion and snarky on a regular one but what did that matter?
This wasn't helping.
And neither was the kimono she had obtained from one of her newly acquired friends.
It was a navy-blue color with a red and white flower design on it. The kimono fit well but felt tight in a few areas. It was making her feel far more conscious than she should have been.
However, it was going to be just fine.
Temari touched her hair bun to make sure it would stay in place before she spotted her fellow blonde approaching her, he looked a little winded as if he had been running for miles.
He was wearing an orange jacket over a black T-shirt paired with navy-colored pants with a bag slung over his arm.
He looked… pretty normal?
The change of pace from their training attire was nice so she'll give him points for that. Temari was doing multiple last-minute adjustments on herself before Naruto caught her in his line of sight.
The young woman broke into a small sweat, before Naruto approached her.
"Yo."
Naruto said almost nonchalantly while Temari took a breath, "Yo?" The young woman asked while Naruto rubbed the back of his head.
"It's just a thing my old sensei used to do, but uh you look awesome… I mean super pretty."
Naruto said while Temari huffed before she chuckled, he was nervous just like she was but he was trying his best to keep her calm by acting calm himself.
Not bad for a start.
"Thank you but flattery won't win you the day, so what's the plan Date Guy?"
Temari joked while Naruto blinked at the girl before he smiled at her.
"There is no plan."
Naruto said simply while Temari's eyes widened slightly, "Huh? What do you mean no plan?" Temari asked while Naruto nodded his head.
According to what her friend was telling her, a date was mostly a guy trying way too hard to impress a girl and the girl finding his efforts either cute or a waste of time while sprinkling little bits of super sweet words here or there to help his confidence.
Naruto was an anomaly, he was also nervous yet he seemed pretty calm as well. It was still early so her friend could still be right but so far he was outside of the box.
The two walked next to each other toward the entrance of the festival quietly before Temari looked toward the blonde who kept his eyes ahead. She had no idea what she was supposed to say or what they were supposed to talk about.
She knew it was going to be a little awkward but at this rate it might be almost unbearable, she was not making herself look super confident.
"Hey Mari?
Naruto spoked breaking the girl from her stupor before she looked toward the boy who kept looking ahead. "I wanted to let you know that I'm not just doing this because of a bet." Naruto said while Temari stopped walking before she raised an eyebrow toward the boy.
"I'll be honest, this is my first date so I'm not really super sure what exactly I need to do but I genuinely want to make sure you have fun and somehow make it the best date ever so I'll do my best."
Naruto explained while he looked toward Temari's surprised expression before he pointed at her. "Just for tonight, I wanna try to win your heart. I'll make sure to win too, believe it." Naruto said with a grin while Temari flushed before she took a step back away from the blonde boy.
What the hell?
That was actually really nice.
"...You're way too damn blunt."
Temari said while she turned away from the boy while Naruto could feel himself overheating. The sandy blonde tried her best to keep her face hidden away from Naruto while the blonde boy extended his arm and wrapped it over her shoulders. Temari flinched at the sudden touch but still didn't look toward Naruto, Naruto meanwhile was amazed at how small her shoulders were.
From a distance Temari seemed pretty relative in size to himself but up close like this there were many things that seemed completely different than what he could see.
Temari was a lady.
Naruto suddenly felt Temari shrug off his arm causing the boy to panic, "Uh, that's my bad! I should have asked first!" Naruto said before he felt a hand wrap around his.
Their fingers intertwined while the boy's blue eyes widened, "Shut up, it's just hard to walk like that." Temari said before Naruto beamed at the girl before they entered into the festival together.
Naruto and Temari watched the villagers bustling through the festival area watching kids run around with their parents and their friends. While the stall workers hollered and cheered for customers trying their hands at potentially rigged games.
"See something that you like?"
Naruto asked while Temari narrowed her eyes at the boy, "I wasn't even looking at you." Temari tried to defend while the boy grinned.
"I was talking about the games, Mari."
The blonde boy grinned while Temari flushed before she stomped on his foot before turning her head.
"Yikes! What was that for?!"
Naruto yelled while Temari kept looking away, "That smug look on your face was passing me off." Temari said before Naruto laughed at the girl.
Temari cracked a smile at the boy before Naruto started taking them toward one of the stalls.
"You any good at goldfish scooping?"
Naruto asked while Temari looked at the stall, "A competition already? Of course, you would pick a game I've never done before."
Temari commented while Naruto grinned, "Well as an experienced fisherman I'm more than happy to teach you how to catch a few before we compete." Naruto answered cheerfully while Temari rolled her eyes.
The pair greeted the stall owner before they sat at their spots at the game, Naruto twirled his paper catcher while Temari stared at hers. "Here's the game, whoever catches the most fish picks out a prize for the loser. They have to keep it with them until the end of the date!" Naruto declared while Temari huffed she already knew he was planning on getting her the most embarrassing item on the prize wall.
But what's the fun in turning down a challenge?
"Fine, sounds good to me. Now teach me, Mr. Fisherman."
Temari said with a sly smile while Naruto demonstrated or at least tried to, his paper catcher kept breaking.
"So you seriously lived alone for all your life?"
Temari asked while she easily scooped up a fish while Naruto nodded his head, "Yeah, for as long as I can remember. Old Man Third got me a shabby apartment when I was only 7 I think? I had to start paying rent when I was 10." Naruto answered while his paper catcher broke again.
"Naruto… that sounds like it sucked."
Temari answered while Naruto shrugged his shoulders, "Yeah, but it wasn't all bad. I still had plenty of friends so I guess that helped me forget. So what about you, Desert Princess?" Naruto responded with a grin while Temari rolled her eyes, snickering at the nickname.
"First off don't call me that, secondly contrary to your belief I wasn't as much of a princess as you might think. Everyone has always been wary around me, some because of Gaara and some because I'm kind of a bad person."
Temari admitted before she scooped yet another fish while Naruto raised an eyebrow at the girl.
"Huh, who? I'll go clobber them real quick."
Naruto responded while Temari exhaled out of her nose, "Well she's right here. I don't know if you noticed but I'm no sunflower. I'm snarky and I've done plenty of terrible things. I even invaded your home and possibly killed a friend or two. It makes sense to me." Temari said while Naruto gently smiled at her.
"So?"
Naruto said before he retrieved a new paper catcher, "Shinobi kill people all of the time, if you wanna think about it like that then I've killed people. Yeah, you are a bit scary and hard to talk to at times, but no one's seen you with your brothers." Naruto said while Temari watched the boy fished around.
"You learned how to cook just so you guys could eat at the table together, you also dealt with me on a near daily basis for 4 months when you could have said no."
"Those things dont-"
"The past is the past Mari."
Naruto quickly shot down the sandy blonde's argument while he lined his paper catcher to his choice of fish.
"If I had to pick, I would agree and say you aren't a sunflower. You're more like a cactus."
Naruto said while Temari huffed, "Because I'm prickly and live in the desert?" Temari answered while Naruto shook his head.
"Cacti have pricks but I think their flowers can be just as beautiful as any sunflower."
Naruto's words caused Temari's breath to hitch as he plunged his paper catcher into the water pulling out his first fish. "I got it!" The blonde boy celebrated while Temari watched the young man beside her cheer while a smile slowly crawled on her face.
This boy was an anomaly indeed.
Their bags were compared but Temari ended up coming out the victor with three fish while Naruto only caught one. Soon the pair were on the move again, Naruto was now carrying around a teddy bear charm Temari ever so happily attached to his jacket.
"That was bull! You said you never fished before, that was rigged!"
Naruto fumed while Temari laughed at the boy, "You're a pretty good teacher, if it's anyone's fault it's your own. Besides, aren't you happy about your adorable prize?" Temari teased while Naruto huffed.
"So you find another game you wanna lose at?"
Temari asked while Naruto rubbed his stomach, "I'm actually kind of hungry, wanna go on a food stall run?" Naruto asked while Temari smirked.
"Sure, I could eat."
Temari said while Naruto grinned before the pair hand in hand went from food stall to food stall.
Eventually Naruto ended up carrying around the multiple hot boxes while Temari was now guiding them to a place to sit.
"Where are we going? Ow, you know these are hot as hell right?!"
Naruto complained while Temari kept looking around before she spotted the area she wanted. "Come on, just a little further you big old baby." Temari said while Naruto groaned before they reached the spot, is was a hill covered in multiple grassy patches.
"Hey Mari, grab my bag."
Naruto said while Temari grabbed the boy's bag before she pulled out a large blanket, the girl gave Naruto a look.
"I thought you said there wasn't a plan?"
Temar asked with a smirk while Naruto grinned back, "This is just a slight detour, still totally planless." Naruto said while Temari chuckled before she laid the blanket on the grass.
The pair settled themselves and their food on the blanket before they started to open up boxes. Naruto wasted no time slurping away at the fried noodles in one of his boxes while Temari raised an eyebrow.
"You like Yakisoba that much?"
Temari said while Naruto sighed, "This is almost like ramen! Without the ramen part but still it's good!" Naruto said before he slurped down his food.
Temari meanwhile gave the boy an amused look watching him eat, "Oh, by the way where were your parents?" Temari asked while Naruto stopped slurping his noodles swallowing before he gave her a look.
"No idea, I heard that the fox killed them. I never really got to see them, hell I don't even know what they look like."
Naruto said while Temari felt a little bad for asking, meanwhile the blonde boy pointed his chopsticks at her.
"What about you? Did you know your parents?"
Naruto asked while Temari blinked before she took a bite of her food, "My mother not really, you probably could have figured but my father that guy was a piece of work… I hold a respect for him but at the same time he was a bastard. It's weird." Temari answered while Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"If he was a bastard then why did you hold respect for him? From what it sounds like he wasn't the greatest guy in the world."
Naruto pondered while Temari looked ahead wordlessly, "My father... I think he somewhere deep down really cared about us. However, his duty as a Kage and our failing resources at the time was splitting him. Eventually that stress tore the man I called my father apart, honestly its the one thing that scares me about Gaara becoming Kazekage." Temari confessed while Naruto listened.
"I'm afraid that all of the kindness and care that he's been trying his best to understand recently will be corrupted by the sheer weight of the responsibility over the whole village... I'm afraid I might lose my little brother."
Temari voiced while Naruto's eyes widened at the girl, she normally kept her composure and always seemed like she could handle everything that came her way. Yet even someone like Temari had worries that eat away at her so much that she can't ignore them, the type of worries that can make even her well practiced mask crack.
"There's no need to worry, I have faith in Gaara."
Naruto spoke while Temari looked toward the boy, "How? I've known him a lot longer than you have. Now that I can see how much he cares, I can see that kindness being his downfall. I'm sure they are just ready to tear him apart." the blonde girl countered while Naruto looked up into the star filled night sky with a small smile on his face.
"Gaara's kindness isn't his weakness, it's his choice. Caring about people doesn't have to be weakness, for Gaara it's his strength. He's going to use that strength and kindness to show those old coots on the council that he's going to be a great Kazekage of his own making."
Temari marveled at the blonde boy who slowly brought his gaze down from the stars toward the teal colored eyes of the girl before she looked away from his gaze for a moment.
"And what if he does change?"
"Then I'll just have to beat some sense into him again. That's what friends are for."
Naruto quickly countered while Temari brought her gaze back up to meet the boy's while he kept that same signature grin on his face, it was reassuring and filled with that same kindness.
"I'm kinda jealous of you, you've got your brothers and at least knew your parents enough to respect them. I wonder what kind of people my parents were. Were they good people? Or were they bastards too?"
Naruto asked before Temari gave him a nudge, "There's nothing to be jealous of, trust me. I bet they were good people, if not a little annoying if the apple doesn't fall far from the tree." Temari said with a smirk while Naruto huffed.
The girl then held out a piece of Takoyaki on a stick toward Naruto who blinked, "Cheers, to parents shitty or not." Temari said while Naruto smiled before he grabbed his own piece, tapping it against hers before they both ate their pieces.
"This is super good too!"
Naruto said between breaths with steam coming out of his mouth while Temari laughed at the boy.
"It is kind of good huh?"
Temari asked while she took another slow bite again while Naruto nudged her, "You know you don't have to hold back eating. If you enjoy it just wolf it down." Naruto said while Temari narrowed her eyes at the boy.
"That's unladylike you moron."
Temari said while Naruto shrugged, "I won't tell anyone?" The blonde offered while Temari resisted the urge to roll her eyes before she gave in eating a little faster.
"You better not laugh."
Temari warned while Naruto nodded his head while he continued eating his food, the pair ate together before Temari pulled out another food item.
"Hey, have you ever had this before?"
Temari asked while Naruto tilted his head at the food item, "No what is it?" Naruto asked while Temari shrugged.
"It's like fried cake batter covered in sugar, basically a death sentence for me. So I'll give it to you."
Temari said while Naruto grinned, "Sure!" The blonde boy extended his chopsticks before Temari pushed them away.
"...Open your mouth."
Temari said while Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Why would I do that? I could just grab i-" Naruto was cut off by a flushed Temari pushing it closer to his face.
"Just open your mouth, Naruto."
Temari said while the boy complied, the girl stuck the piece into the boy's mouth allowing him to eat it.
She watched as Naruto's eyes lit up while he chewed his food, "This is awesome too!" Naruto yelled while Temari chuckled at the boy's reaction.
The pair then continued playing games and walking around the festival, eventually Naruto even got Temari to dance with him during the fireworks show.
Neither of them knew when it happened but any sort of nerves that they had before this about the date.
Had gone away as quickly as the night had passed.
{...}
Temari held on to Naruto's hand tightly as the boy covered his mouth with his free hand to yawn.
It had to be at least 3 something in the morning, the sun usually rose early in the Hidden Sand and the sky was purplish so it was their best guess.
Suddenly Naruto broke into a sweat while Temari gave him a look, "What's up, you look like you've seen a ghost?" The girl asked while Naruto looked around.
"Ugh I wasn't even thinking about the time! It's super late, we're probably going to get there and Gaara's going to be waiting for me! He's going to turn me into that guy from the Forest of Death!"
Naruto yelled while Temari tapped him on the back of his head, "People are trying to sleep you moron, also you don't need to worry about Gaara. He's my brother not my keeper." Temari said while Naruto looked at her in awe.
"How cool, but he is still your brother. You think you can convince him not to turn me into fine paste?"
Naruto practically begged while Temari laughed, "You'll be fine you big old baby." Temari reassured while the blonde boy sighed.
"Speaking of Gaara… Thank you."
Temari said while Naruto turned to raise an eyebrow at the girl, "For what?" The teen asked while Temari looked toward the sky.
"I was always terrified of my younger brother, back then he was essentially a killing machine hell bent on getting rid of anyone in his way. Kankuro or myself couldn't even get close to the guy."
Temari explained while the sand siblings home slowly entered their sight, Naruto kept his eyes on the teal eyed girl.
"I was still terrified of him even still during the invasion when he was losing control, you jumped in and fought him tooth and nail without a bit of fear in sight."
"It was brave, but it was the part when you were able to be there for Gaara that changed everything for him and for us too."
Temari gave Naruto one of the most genuine smiles he had ever seen from the girl, leaving him speechless.
"Thank you for giving me my family back, Naruto."
Temari spoke while Naruto gave his own smile back to the girl whose hand he held on tightly.
"Anytime."
Naruto said while they made their way to the front of the house, Temari slowly let go of his hand, almost missing the warmth while the boy watched her go up the stairs to the front door.
"So did I win?"
Naruto asked while Temari gave him a smirk from the top of the stairs, "Win? After a single battle? Love is war Mr. Uzumaki." Temari said while Naruto chuckled.
"Though… I wouldn't mind a few more battles here or there. At least give you a fighting chance."
Temari said while Naruto's grin widened before she looked off to the side before she reached down grabbing Naruto by his shirt collar. The boy nearly froze in place at the sudden closeness between himself and Temari who had a small smirk on her face.
"So I'm guessing this uh wasn't the best date ever?"
Naruto asked nervously while Temari kept the smile on her face, "I don't usually kiss on the first date." The sandy blonde said while Naruto flushed.
"Um well uh I wasn't thinking anything like that! If anything you were the one who suddenly pulled me! I don't even know how to kiss!"
Naruto nervously rambled while Temari chuckled, "But for the best first date ever… I think I can make an exception." The girl said while Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Huh? First date…. Wait so it was yours to-"
Naruto's mind didn't even register how fast the small space between them had disappeared.
All he felt was her.
Her lips were soft, unbelievably soft and warm. Her lips pressed against his gently, the boy was nearly frozen at touch but soon he was kissing her back. They were both clumsy, but the effort and care was there, Temari's hand cupped Naruto's cheek while the boy felt like he could have melted and set on fire then and then.
Any thoughts that Naruto ever thought he had about what his first kiss with Sakura was going to be like if it ever happened crumbled to dust in his mind.
There was just Temari.
Naruto placed his hand on the small of her back slowly and carefully trying not to lose track of her in the process. Fireworks were blowing up in the young man's head while he started to find a flow with the older teen.
He could feel the way her hand placed itself on his chest, before she pulled away releasing the boy. He didn't take another breath until he watched her take her own, Temari's eyes were so beautiful.
This was the best 4 seconds of his life.
Temari cleared her throat before she hid her reddening face away from Naruto who still looked starstruck.
"Good motivation?"
Temari said while Naruto was still speechless, "When a girl gives you her first kiss, she kind of expects a reaction." Temari said while Naruto blinked.
"It was my first one too… that was amazing."
Naruto said while Temari smiled, "Well you've got more battles to win if you want anything like that again." Temari said before she took a step back from the boy.
"I had a lot of fun, thanks for tonight too."
Temari said while Naruto watched the girl in front of him, while one part of him was jumping for joy another part of him came to a realization.
"...Temari, I-"
Naruto was cut off by a light stomp of a sandal, "Save any sad news for the morning, let's just have tonight. But I'll see you… right?" Temari asked while Naruto smiled before he nodded his head.
"Good."
Temari said while she gave a small wave before she entered her home, the minute she was inside Naruto punched the air.
"HELL YEAH!"
Naruto yelled before he winced looking around the neighborhood before he quickly dashed away. Once his feet landed on the rooftop of a building the boy began jumping from building to building.
His time in the Village Hidden in the Sand felt short, but he still had plenty of ground to cover. Just listening to Gaara, Kankuro, and Temari reminded him of one of the reasons for his grand journey around the world.
He wanted to help people.
There were those out there who needed help and there wasn't anyone out there to give them any. There were still people like himself who felt like they were alone in this world with no way to fight.
For them he would be there.
His thoughts traced back to the Leaf Village, back to his friends. Naruto wondered how they were all doing without him. Probably better in more ways than one, he at least knew for a fact that Lee missed him, but he hoped everyone else was still in good health and getting better.
For them he wouldn't ever give up.
Naruto looked around as he jumped high into the sky viewing the village from a bird's eye, he saw the bright orange cracking through the purple on the horizon.
He was going to be there for as many people as he could.
He was going to win.
Believe it.
{...}
The sound of geta sandals clacking approached the front of a large bridge that led to a village across a large body of water. A hand was placed on a small sign that marked the front of the bridge.
"The Great Naruto Bridge huh?"
The white-haired man smiled at the sign before he let out a deep sigh before he started walking on the bridge toward the village.
"What kind of story have you been writing while you've been gone?"
Jiraya spoke while a small smile appeared on his face as he walked into the village ahead where a dark-haired young woman was replacing the flowers by a memorial.
{...}
Meanwhile elsewhere a fire quietly burned at a quickly made campsite for the night a figure stood in front of the fire. In between two of the fingers of the figure was a picture of Naruto with his classic fox-like grin.
The masked figure inspected the picture before nearly crushing it underneath their tight grip.
"I'll end it for you."
The masked figure spoke to themself before they crouched in front of the flames revealing a Eight Trigrams Seal on their stomach.
"I swear."