Naruto glanced around the room as she entered the office, upon seeing that Kakashi was there leaning on the wall and reading his porn book she groaned loudly. Really it's just her luck today! To arrive later than her teacher, oh and the old hag is glaring at her this is just great!

"Don't look at me like that! It's not my fault that I'm late, I was locked in the bathroom and I couldn't come out until Shikamaru came and helped me get out." She said which earned her flat looks. They obviously didn't believe her.

"What else can we expect from you, Dobe ?" Sasuke said with a slight roll of his eyes.

"Teme!" Naruto said in warning.

She and the bastard had become very close since she'd brought him back to the village three years ago. Well, as close as she and Sasuke can be, She had finally convinced him to return home after he had killed his brother and avenged his clan, though she had to use physical force to make him acknowledge her as an equal. She had literally dragged him, she was tired of chasing after his stubborn ass every damn time.

The rest of the Konoha 12 were weary of him at first, then they just kind of welcomed him after his first year of probation because by then they deemed him trustworthy enough. But of course, Sasuke couldn't care less about what others thought of him.

"Tsunade-sama the mission please." Sakura intervened, before an argument could transpire between her two teammates. "Sometimes they act like husband and wife" she thought, with a roll of her eyes. If she didn't know better, she would have thought that they were dating. She knew better of course, Naruto was going to tell her if they were. Naruto also knows how she feels about him, although she's gotten over her fangirlism, she still has feelings for him. She's just not acting on it because Naruto told her that Sasuke needs a friend more than a girl that admires him. That and if she loves him, she need to be his friend and support him as such. "He was betrayed by the person he looked up to and loved" Naruto had said. "If you love him you will have to be patient with him until he is ready to open up again." That day Sakura had listened, because even though Naruto might act like an idiot sometimes, she's probably the only one that understands Sasuke better than anyone.

And Sakura is grateful to her because if it wasn't for Naruto she wouldn't have the kind of relationship she has with Sasuke now. She felt included with the things they do, she doesn't feel like the weakling of the team anymore. Sasuke values her opinion as a teammate as well as a friend, sometimes he even smiles at her. Though its small and brief, it's a sign that she's making progress with him.

The Hokage cleared her throat and smiled gratefully at Sakura before speaking. "Now that everyone is here let's get down to business." she said "There has been complaints about the Land of Waterfall's new bar; it said to be dealing in illegal things, but isn't very sure. So I want you to investigate the matter. The bar only allows girls to apply as waitresses, so I want one of you girls to go in, preferably Sakura." She said as she looked at the girl who was looking insecure before nodding with determination. Tsunade smirked, the girl has come a long way. She looked at the second female on the team. "Naruto, you can't act worth shit and you're not girlish enough to pass up as a waitress. You're going to blow your cover as soon as you pass through the door." she said before the girl could protest.

Naruto scowled "What is that suppose to mean?" she said glaring at the Hokage who sighed impatiently but before she could open her mouth to say something Sakura interjected.

"What the Hokage is trying to say is, Naruto, you are more of a direct person. You can't do undercover missions because you prefer acting more than waiting it out. Your personality doesn't allow you to act like a girl in missions because you're too...too..." she trail off looking for the right word.

"Unlady-like?" Kakashi provided from his corner, earning him a glare from Naruto.

"Brash" Sakura finished, which is better than what Tsunade was going to say. Really her Shishou could be inconsiderate sometimes.

Naruto's mood seemed to have soured more after that explanation, because it didn't sound different from what the Hokage had said. "So basically you guys are saying that I cannot do missions girl related because I don't act like one?"

"Admit it Naruto, you never do things girl related and I bet you don't even own a dress or any girls clothing. You're like a boy in a girl's body, a tomboy." Sakura said rolling her eyes.

Naruto spluttered, "I-" she was cut off before she could defend herself.

"Let's finish the mission assignment first, you girls can argue later. I want to train after this." Sasuke said. with a touch of annoyance coloring his voice.

"Uchiha is right, do you have any questions regarding the mission?" the Hokage asked as she looked at the shinobi gathered around her office.

"Hokage-sama, about the mission you said that they weren't sure if the bar is dealing with illegal stuff what made them suspicious in the first place?" Sakura asked with a frown on her face

"Well mercenaries have been spotted going in there more than once, but they never seem to come out the same way. They're not the only ones, missing-nin have also been spotted on occasions." Tsunade answered. "I want you to investigate what's going on in that bar before you take any actions, consider it a B-ranked mission it should take you two or three weeks to complete the mission. The rest of the information is in the mission scroll." She said throwing the scroll to Kakashi who caught it with one hand eyes still fixed in his precious book."You leave tomorrow doesn't matter what time, you are dismissed." She finished as she went back to her paper work.

Naruto was the first one out, she stomped her way out the Hokage tower in a foul mood. She knew it was stupid being angry at such a simple comment and it's not like what Sakura said is not true either. She knows that she doesn't act like a girl, she's more forward than most girls and just because she doesn't fawn over cute boys and wear dresses that doesn't mean anything. There are plenty of girls that are kunoichi but don't wear dresses, like Tenten on Neji's team. Naruto has never seen her act feminine or wear dresses, though if she's honest with herself Tenten at least is going out with Neji, which can be considered as feminine things.

Naruto stopped as she caught her reflection in the mirror, there stood a girl in baggy clothes. You can only tell she's a girl because of her long hair in a ponytail and her feminine face, the curves of her body are hidden under her clothes. Naruto scowled as she resumed her walk, why is she thinking about it anyway it's not like Sakura meant anything by it.

She sighed as she put her hands in her pocket, she just wished the fox was here so she could talk to him to distract herself from this awful day. But the fox is busy sleeping, he calls it hibernating, though how a fox hibernates in a seal she will never understand. He'd told her he will be out for a month, he's been sleeping for two weeks now which leaves two more weeks to go, she m-

"Hey Naruto!" her thoughts were interrupted by a familiar voice, she turned around to find Kiba running towards her on Akamaru's back.

She waited until he caught up with her and fell into step with her. They walked silently for awhile with Kiba glancing at her for every other step, until he grew uncomfortable of the silence.

"What's up?" he asked.

Naruto shrugged her shoulder, "Nothing much you?"

"I'm all good. " He replied.

And they felt into silence again, Kiba shifted awkwardly and cleared his throat.

"Ino is making a small gathering at her new place tonight, all the Konoha 12 will be there I was just on my way to tell my team when I saw you." He said with a lopsided grin.

Naruto suddenly stopped in her tracks having gotten an idea."That could work" she muttered.

Kiba who had stopped with her looked at her warily."What would work?" he asked knowing that things with Naruto never end well, especially her ideas.

Naruto turned toward him with a determined look and asked "What time is the party Kiba?"

"uhm... at 8 'til later?" he replied hesitantly.

She beamed at this. "Great! See you there I've got some preparations to make, wish me luck!" then she was gone, leaving a dumbfounded Kiba behind. He scratched his head and looked at Akamaru who also had a confused look on his face, he shrugged before walking to his destination.

Naruto stood there, staring at the door because she couldn't gather the courage to make herself knock. She had just arrived at Ino's place when she'd started having second thoughts about her idea. What if she doesn't look right? What if they don't notice? What if she's just embarrassing herself? She groaned, since when does she even care about what people think or say about her? She shouldn't have let Sakura's comment get to her now she's about to make a fool of herself.

Her plan was simple, she was going to Ino's party dressed as a girly girl. Instead of her usual baggy clothes, she's wearing tight-fitting jeans that hug her curves and a crop top that looks almost like the one Ino wears, except hers is orange and covers more stomach.

But now she is starting to regret it, she sighed as she glanced down at herself then back at the door what if she went back and changed would she still make it in time?

"Naruto?" her plans of escape were interrupted when a voice from behind startled her. She turned around to find Shikamaru looking at her, his expression surprised.

"Shikamaru! Hi what's up?" she said with a sheepish smile her hand going up to scratch behind her neck, the action causing her top to go up, giving Shikamaru a good view of her stomach.

Shikamaru found himself drawn to it even though he tried to avert his eyes. Eventually he managed to look at her face instead, he shrugged. "Nothing, just came to the party when I saw you standing there." He said as he looked at with a raised brow.

Naruto shrugged as she glanced at the door she was standing in front of then looked back at him."You actually came? Isn't it too troublesome for you normally?" she asked her tone curious.

"It is, but Ino threatened me to come and I needed the distraction anyway." he responded.

She raised an eyebrow but said nothing, instead she stepped aside to let him pass through. He didn't move. He was still looking at her, though this time his eyes moved to the clothes she was wearing and paused momentarily at her breast. The expression in which he was looking at her was making her feel flustered, though she didn't know why. She shifted uncomfortably before she could open her mouth to say something probably to break the silence.

"You look good" he said.

"Uh?" was her response because she can't have heard right, Shikamaru of all people couldn't have given her a compliment right?

"I said you look good, so stop worrying about it and go in." he said his expression back to its bored state.

Naruto sputtered at this, her cheeks turning pink. "Baka, who said I'm worried?" She said with her nose in the air "I'm just having some fresh air that's all."

Shikamaru shrugged," Are you coming in or not?" he asked as he held the door open so she could go in first.

She hesitated for a second and he rolled his eyes. "Naruto nobody will judge you, No matter what you wear you're still you."

She looked at him for a moment before nodding, she grinned at him "You're right I am Naruto Uzumaki, who cares about what people think." With another determined nod she went in with Shikamaru trailing after her. They were met with the sight of a very annoyed Ino trying to shove her shoes in Kiba's mouth.

"Troublesome, I'm going to get us something to drink." Shikamaru said beside her as he made his way to what appeared to be the kitchen.

Naruto was about to protest but he was already gone she shrugged then made her way to where she could see Hinata standing and watching her teammate being beaten by Ino.

"Hey Hinata!" she greeted as she approached the girl.

Hinata gave her a warm smile as she replied."Evening Naruto-chan, you look nice"

Naruto beamed at her before hugging her. "Thanks Hinata you're too sweet!" she said as she release the blushing girl.

"Look who decided to brace us with her womanly presence today!" Ino said as she walked towards them. She stopped in front of Naruto to assess her before nodding in approval "Good job but let your hair loose, come let me help you." she said as she grabbed Naruto's hand and pulled her on the couch so she could fix hair.

Naruto let herself be pulled because she knows better than to argue, when it comes to fashion and hair, Ino can be very determined if she wants to. With a resigned sigh she let herself be pulled on the couch and sat through all of Ino's comments and advice about hair product until they were joined by Sakura.

"Naruto?" she asked surprised. "Wow you look amazing!"

"Hey Sakura-chan!" she greeted pleased by her last comment.

Sakura sat next to her, she looked a little anxious as she took her hand and said "Naruto i just wanted to say I'm sorry for what I said earlier today and I still love you no matter what you wear or how you act." she finished with a small smile.

"It's alright Sakura-chan." Naruto said with a shrugged then added "Though it did hurt my feelings a little I kind of understand what you meant. I mean I'm not exactly the typical kind of kunoichi, imagine me doing seduction." She finished with a grin which Sakura returned with a smile of her own.

"So Naruto where did you get the clothes I thought you didn't own girls clothing?"Ino asked which earned her an elbow from Sakura.

Naruto though didn't mind "I bought them during my travel with Ero-sennin he forced me to buy them actually, said something about me needing to wear clothes like a normal girl." She said with a roll of her eyes though she had a small smile on her face she really missed the old pervert.

" Woah! Naruto!" A loud her voice interrupted her before she could say more, she turned around to find a slightly drunk Kiba making his way toward where they're sitting.

"Kiba do you really have to shout my name like that?" she scowled.

"Wow, you look hot!" he said ignoring her question. "Are those real?" He asked as he tried to touch her breast, he received a punch from Sakura before he could have the chance to.

"KEEP YOUR HANDS TO YOURSELF YOU PERVERT!" she screeched.

Naruto laughed at Kiba's expense, really she was worried for nothing she thought, as she watched everyone.

"Hey guys! Here are the drinks, what's a party without drinks anyway!" Ino said as she came in the room with bottles of drinks in her hands at one point having gone out to fetch them. She handed them each a bottle of beer refusing to take no for an answer.

Naruto hesitated for a second, she didn't want to get drunk now that the fox would not be able to stop the drink from taking effect and she didn't want to wake up with a hangover tomorrow. The shout of Kiba saying "Come on Naruto don't be a pussy!" made up her mind and she took a large sip of her drink, after all what's the worse that could happen? At the back of her mind she wondered where Shikamaru was she didn't see him since he went to fetch their drinks, the thought was quickly forgotten when Kiba shouted they should make a competition about who drinks the most.