Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; holy fuck nut it's only been a day and my story is blowing up. Ok well I'll try to make another good chapter and hopefully you all like it; also no this is not going to be a NarutoxTenten ship. I have another story planned for that but it will be after I'm done with Set in Stone; ok with nothing else to say lets begin.

Mist and Maelstroms: Chapter 2

Konoha: 2 weeks before the Chunin exams

"198… 199… 200" Naruto ground out as he finished his final push-up; Naruto currently had Zabuza's executioners' blade on his back and Mei was also sitting on his back giving him extra weight. Mei deciding to have fun while training Naruto had decided to ditch her usual outfit for a track suit and athletic sandals.

"Great job Naruto" Mei said getting off him and relieving the weight a little bit; Mei then took out her note book "ok a 20-mile run, jutsu practice with me and Ao, sword practice with Chojuro, 200 push-ups, pull-ups and sit-ups and squats; ah now we can end the day with a 25-mile run" she said with a cheerful smile.

Naruto sighed "yes Mei Sensei " Naruto said getting up; over the past 2-week Naruto has slightly changed; due to his 'special guest' his advanced healing has been a great help. His arms and chest were more defined due to his exercises and training with Zabuza's sword; he also seemed to put on a little more muscle weight as Mei had told him he needed to eat more to ensure he has enough energy to keep up.

Mei turned around "Ao, hurry the hell up" Mei shouted as Ao was finishing his pull-ups using a tree and with rocks tied to his ankles "kami above I finished all my 200 before all of you; Naruto is a genin and he's making you look bad" Mei said.

"Yes Lady Mei" Ao said doing another pull-up "but I'm getting up there in my years; I'm not as young as I used to be" he said. Mei scoffed at that.

"Excuses, excuses" she said brushing off the one-eyed man; she then turned to Chojuro "Chojuro are you almost done" she asked sweetly.

"Almost Lady Mei" Chojuro said finishing his Squats with his 'Soto' sword above his head "199… 200; Lady Mei I've completed my exercises" he said walking toward her on wobble legs. Chojuro stood next to Naruto and smiled "I lost to you Naruto; I'll try better next time" he said.

Naruto punched him on the arm playfully "hey c'mon man; you did good have a little more confidence in yourself" Naruto said "if you try hard at something you'll succeed eventually" he said. Mei hearing this smiled and placed a hand on their shoulders.

"Good work the both of you" she said sweetly "you both make me so proud; I can't wait to see the fruits of your labor once we are done with our training" she said. She then turned back around "Ao, hurry the fuck up; kami above the chunin exams are going to start by the time you're done" she shouted as she walked over to the struggling man.

"Mei Sensei is so nice isn't she" Naruto said oblivious to the abuse going towards Ao.

"And she has such a wonderful smile" Chojuro said.

Naruto and Chojuro became fast friends since he came to Konoha to assist Naruto in his training; as the only loyal member of the 7-ninja swordsman Chojuro was the best person to help Naruto wield Zabuza's blade. While Chojuro was a genin and still an apprentice to the 7 swordsmen he was still a big help to Naruto; so far Naruto was decent with the sword but with another 2 weeks and Chojuro's help he knows that he can be pretty close to wielding it with some skill.

Mei then walked back over dragging a half dead Ao "Ok boys" she said sweetly "since Ao here is acting like a little bitch" she said to the groaning man "I'll carry him for the run; he weighs about 220lbs so he is about 20 or 30 pounds short of your swords' weight but I think it'll do" she said. "You boys ready" she cheered.

"We're ready Mei Sensei" both boys shouted as they shouldered their blades.

"Off we go" she said in a singsong voice as they began their run.

With Kakashi

"You 2 are doing good" Kakashi said as he stood on the shore line; Sasuke and Sakura were standing in the middle of a lake using their water walking technique they learned yesterday. Kakashi had the idea of building their chakra reserves; so, he's making them stand in the middle of the lake while holding a heavy rock in their arms. So far, they been out there for 4 hours.

"Kakashi sensei" Sakura whined "is it ok if I take a break… I have to… you know… go" she said blushing.

Kakashi liked at her "is it number 1 or number 2" he asked.

"Ummm… 1" she said confused "I don't see how- "she began until Kakashi interrupted.

"Then walk like 20 paces away from Sasuke and go while holding the rock" Kakashi said blandly "imagine the lake under neath you as one big toilet" he said.

Sakura was looking at Kakashi like her was crazy; he wanted her to go, in front of a Sasuke and him. Before Sakura could saw anything Sasuke put the rock on his right shoulder and started walking away; he then turned to Sakura and spoke.

"Can you look away" Sasuke asked embarrassed "I can't go when people are watching" he then used his left hand to start undoing his belt. 'Good thing I'm a lefty' Sasuke thought.

Later that night: at Ichiraku's

Naruto and Mei were chowing down on ramen like no tomorrow while Chojuro was still eating his first; both of them finished their bowls by slurping down the broth and slamming the bowls on the counter.

"Another bowl please" the both of them said; Teuchi chuckled and started preparing for another bowl.

"Of course," Teuchi said "I mean hey buy all you want; thanks again Naruto, because of you I got my second-best customer Mei" he said and Mei smiled. Mei being an ambassador was given a per diem for food and lodging; however, they expected her to be eating at more expensive restaurants not at a ramen stand for the past 2 weeks.

"What can I say I'm hooked" Mei said "I swear if you ever want to franchise your restaurant let me know; I'll pay and all I ask is that you put one in Kiri down the street from my office" she said and Teuchi chuckled.

"Well, I'll keep that in mind" Teuchi said as he put 2 more bowls down in front of Mei and Naruto.

"Uggh" Ayame groaned as she walked in the shop in a bad mood "why do men suck so bad" she said as she sat down. "If you plan a date you show up" Ayame said "god is there no good men left in this village" she complained.

"What's wrong Ayame" Mei said concerned "he stood you up" she asked and Ayame nodded.

"Yeah, it just sucks" Ayame said "and now I got 2 movie tickets that are going to go to waste" she said.

Mei looked saddened and then had a bright idea "Chojuro" Mei said gaining the boys attention "you don't have a girlfriend back in Kiri do you" she said and Chojuro shook his head.

"No I don't" Chojuro said "most of the girls in Kiri are sword squids; they only like me because I'm a apprentice to the seven swordmen" he said as he had his head down.

"Ayame" Mei said cheerfully "I have a cute, single, sweet and younger guy for you to go to the movies with" she said. Ayame's eyes went wide and Chojuro blushed and fidgeted.

"Well, uhhh…" Chojuro stuttered until Naruto grabbed him and Ayame and dragged them out of the shop.

"Have fun on your date" Naruto said as he walked back inside. Ayame looked at the nervous and shaking Chojuro and smiled.

"Well shall we go Chojuro" she said making Chojuro smile.

"Ummm ok Ms. Ayame" he said "umm can we hold hands" he asked nervously.

'Awww he's shy; how cute' Ayame thought "ok cutie lets go" she said as she grabbed Chojuro's hand and began to lead him to the theater.

A little while later

Naruto and Mei both finished their meals and left Ichiraku's; Naruto was currently escorting Mei back to her hotel which luckily was in the same direction as his apartment.

"Good job today Naruto" Mei said "over the past 2 weeks you have improved so much; and I can only see you getting better and better" she said. Naruto grinned and spoke.

"Well, it's all thanks to you Mei Sensei " Naruto said "before I only had 5 people I can count on; Ji-ji, Iruka, Konohamaru, old man Teuchi and Ayame. My team treated me like dog shit and nobody from the academy ever gave me the time of day" he said. He then looked at her "but now I got you, Chojuro and even Ao" he said "you are one of my precious people Mei and I thank you for everything you have done for me" he said.

Mei wiped a tear from her eye and smiled; she then hugged Naruto pushing his head into her chest "thank you Naruto; I'm glad to call you one of my precious people too" she said. Naruto smiled and returned the hug; upon breaking it Mei looked at him "you know tomorrow is our off day; so how about you come with me and watch some movies in my room. It's free" she said.

Naruto thought for a minute and nodded "ok but nothing scary; I don't like scary movies" he said and Mei giggled.

"Ok nothing scary" Mei said as they both walked in.

Hours later

A 6-year-old Mei was running through a burning village with her mother as the sounds of battle echoed around her; as another explosion erupted, they ran into an abandoned house. Her mother began to look around until she heard the sounds of footsteps; she then found a crawlspace that was out of sight and put Mei in there.

"Mei sweetie" her mother said "whatever happens don't come out" she said as she covered the crawl space. Just then 5 Kiri loyalist shinobi kicked in the door.

"There she is" the leader yelled "get that bloodline freak" he shouted; the Kiri ninja then grabbed Mei's mother and was about to kill her.

"Wait; hold up" one of them said "let's have some fun first" he said and the other men agreed. They then began to tear off Mei's mothers' cloths as she screamed and fought.

Mei laid there in the crawl suppressing her cries space as she saw her mother be raped by the Kiri ninja; when they were done one of them stood up and raised his sword above his head. And in one slash he ended the woman's life.

"Well, that was fun" he said now let's- "he began until his head was severed from his body. In a blur of black all 5 ninja fell dead and 2 people were standing in the middle looking down at the dead woman. The 2 were wearing an anbu masks and black body armor with the Konoha symbol on the shoulder pads; just then one of them holding a sword sheathed it and began to walk over to the crawl space where Mei was hiding.

Mei began to panic even more as she was scared and the tears began to fall; as the ninja moved the board covering the space they spoke.

"Little girl" the person spoke "Mei, Mei..." he repeated

With Naruto

"Mei, Mei, Mei; wake up damn it" Naruto shouted as he tried to wake up the sobbing woman; Mei then shot up and began to look around frantically.

"Mommy" Mei said "mom, mom, where are you" she repeated oblivious to everything around her; Naruto then grabbed her head and made her look at him.

"Mei it's me; Naruto" Naruto said "what's wrong; you were crying and- "Naruto began until Mei buried her face in his chest and began to sob uncontrollably. Naruto not knowing what to do put his arms around her and began to hold her; Naruto then began to stroke her back like how ji-ji used to when he was a child. 'Mei' Naruto thought as he held the sobbing woman.

Outside the room

Ao was standing outside the door as he listened to what happened inside; he was one of the few people who truly knew Mei Terumi. He had been her military advisor since she started leading the rebels at 14; he knew of her night terrors. It was off and on and changed every time; the death of her mother, the Battle against Yagura, all the people she led to their deaths damning her to hell.

He was usually the one to calm her down; mostly by using a genjutsu on her to make her go back to sleep. As Ao listened to Naruto comfort Mei he started walking back to his own room 'thank you brat' Ao thought 'looks like there are 2 people who can handle that dreadful job' he thought as he went back to his room to get some more sleep.

2 days later

Naruto and Mei were standing together in the training ground alone; Ao and Chojuro had to go and demonstrate jutsu for Hiruzen. Naruto and Mei were standing awkwardly as they have not seen each other since the night Naruto woke her from her nightmare.

"Ummm Naruto" Mei said a little uncomfortable "about what happened that night… well uhhh" she began until Naruto raised his hand.

"It's ok" Naruto said "you don't have to explain anything to me; and if you do then it should be when you're ready. And when you are I'll listen" Naruto said. Mei smiled lightly at that.

"Ok Naruto… thank you" Mei said "now then on with you're training" she said; Naruto got excited as Mei reached inside her backpack. Mei then pulled out 2 glasses and 3 bottles of whiskey "Jaku Danyo" Mei said with a smile "best sour mash whiskey in Kiri" she said as she did hand signs and created a table and chairs with a earth jutsu.

"Uhhh" Naruto said pointing and confused.

"Your next training is something we do for our Anbu" Mei said sitting down and pouring 2 glassed of whiskey "I'm going to create water clones and you have to fight them drunk; it'll simulate fighting poisoned" she said.

"Ok" Naruto said skeptically he then sat down and smelled the whiskey and gagged "oh god; my first drink" Naruto said. Mei then raised up her glasses "ok what the hell" Naruto said "cheers Mei sensei" he said and both drank their drinks.

Inside Naruto a certain 9 tailed demon was laughing 'I usually protect him from poisons but I kinda want to see what happens hehehe' the Kyubi thought as he was watching his host get drunk for the first time.

1 hour later

Hiruzen, Ao and Chojuro were walking into the training ground to see Mei and Naruto; when they arrived, they saw 2 empty bottles of whiskey and one that was only half full.

"Hey jI-Ji" Naruto slurred as he got up and walked over to the old man holding a glass of whiskey; Naruto then stopped in front of Hiruzen and began to cry "WhEn zhe hEll Are YoU Goin' tO teLL Me abOut My PaReNTS" he slurred as he rocked back and forth.

'Oh god almighty' Hiruzen thought 'he's completely hammered' he thought.

"AOOOOOO" Mei yelled as she took a swig right out of the bottle "WE ARE ALMOST OUT OF WHISKEY; GET SOME MORE. AND SOME CHIPS WHILE YOUR AT IT" she yelled.

"Lady Mei" Ao said as he pinched the bridge of his nose.

"HEY NARUTO" Mei shouted "I'M TOO DRUNK TO SPAR; FIGHT WITH THOSE 3. JUST LIKE DON'T KILL THEM OR SOME SHIT" she said before taking another swig of whiskey.

"Ok" Naruto said grabbing his sword and looking at the 3 walking targets in front of him.

'Shit' Hiruzen, Ao and Chojuro thought; Naruto then charged at them and the 3 scattered and tried to defend themselves.

2 hours later: With Naruto

Hiruzen and one of his anbu carried a restrained and unconscious Naruto into his apartment; Naruto was then thrown on the bed still wrapped up in wooden restraints.

"Thanks for helping Tenzo" Hiruzen said to the masked Anbu.

"No problem lord Hokage" Tenzo said "how did he do if you don't mind me asking" he said.

"Half a training ground destroyed" he said "he didn't land a hit on me but still quite impressive for someone his age" he said.

"Kids a chakra monster" Tenzo said "imagine how powerful he'd be in a couple years" he said and Hiruzen nodded.

"One can only imagine" Hiruzen said as he and Tenzo began to walk out "goodnight, Naruto" he said. "I think I'll tell you about your parents once the exams are over" he said "it's about time" Hiruzen said as he closed and locked the door leaving a sleeping Naruto.

With Mei

Mei walked into her hotel room with a bottle of whiskey and a chip bag 'I'm a big girl' she thought 'I can do whatever I want' she thought as she took another swig of whiskey.

Ao and Chojuro were huffing as they finally got Mei to calm down and return to her room.

"I'm to old for this shit" Ao said as he and Chojuro guarded the door to ensure Mei does not escape.

Later that night: in Mei's Dream

Mei was back in Kiri standing on top of the Mizukage tower as the crowd below cheered.

"Citizens of Kirigakure I present to you your new Mizukage; Mei Terumi" Ao said as he placed the Mizukage hat onto Mei's head.

"Congragulations Lady Mei" Ao said shaking her hand.

"Thank you Ao" Mei said smiling; Chojuro then walked up.

"I'm very happy to be serving under you Lady Mizukage" he said; Mei smiled and nodded.

"And I'm glad to have you here as the leader of the seven swordsmen Chojuro" Mei said; she then turned to the last person and saw Naruto standing there with his foxy grin and wearing a Kiri headband.

"Congratulations my love" Naruto said walking closer "I know you can do it; and I'll be right here by your side every step of the way" he said.

"Oh honey" Mei said wrapping her arms around him and bringing him in for a kiss.

"Oh my god" a girl in the crowd squealed "Lady Mizukage and the first gentleman are kissing" she said.

"Aww such a cute couple" another said; Mei and Naruto broke the kiss and waved to the crowd as they cheered.

With Mei

Mei opened her eyes and saw that everything was a dream 'oh god; I think I drank too much' Mei thought "Naruto honey can you get me a water and aspirin" she said rubbing her temples. She then looked to her side and saw no one was not there; her eyes then widened to the size of dinner plates "oh shit" she said as the realization of what she just said hit her.

Ok another chapter done; first of all, I would like to explain I based Mei's nightmare off of what sadly happens in genocides. As the Naruto universe explains a genocide of bloodlines happened in Kiri; so, I decided to add some back story to Mei. I did this to show that even the greatest of warriors can be damaged on the inside; sadly, a lot of my fellow veterans and servicemembers have nightmares of being overseas. And the only thing keeping them together is their family and their brothers in arms. Also, the flash back is foreshadowing just FYI. Ok then please like comment and share with your friends and until next time bye.