-AN-

To those of you who apparently find my stories posted up on patre0n and the tube, thanks for the heads up. Even now, I'm still only doing this for the enjoyment of it all. The original goal wasn't to build a following or a fanbase, but to share my ideas and stories with others. And I've gotten to do that. If I can turn this hobby of mine into something more, then hell, I'll give it a go. But for now it's still just for fun. Someone wants to steal my work to make a quick buck? Well, good luck with that I guess.

That aside, been slow going with writing lately, work has been hectic to say the least. But here we are with a new update.

-Story Start-

There was an energy in the village lately that even a shut in like Anko could feel. News traveled fast she supposed, even in a ninja village, and as she hopped from rooftop to rooftop on her way to the training fields, even now she could feel a certain something in the air. Konohagakure was abuzz with the news, what should have been a guarded secret had spread like wildfire thanks to two loose lipped gate guards.

Sasuke Uchiha had been returned to Konoha.

That his traitorous teacher hadn't been found wasn't being mentioned. No, the only news that seemed to be on the greater population's mind was that the Scion of the Uchiha house had come home. Most didn't care if it was unwillingly or not. No, what was important was that Sasuke was back. Everything would be better now with the Uchiha within their walls.

Anko snorted as she gave that general sentiment a huge middle finger in her mind. Sasuke was but one man, unbalanced at that. His being retrieved would do nothing more than give the village at large another option for future advancements. And even then, probably minimal. The Sasuke of now apparently hated Konoha and would do nothing to help them willingly. Though if one listened to his forever follower and teammate Sakura, she would bring him back around one day. "Fat chance of that." Anko voiced her own thoughts on the matter as she moved further away from the village itself and moved through the trees of the outskirts towards the larger training grounds at the rear of the Hokage mountain. Because of all the news and rumors she had heard, none of them mentioned the man who had actually retrieved Sasuke. Naruto was MIA lately. No one had seen or heard from the blond since Sasuke's return. Some said it was because Sakura was doting on Sasuke and Naruto was the jealous type. Others said it was because Sasuke had beaten him once more and he was in a funk. The more informed and smaller group who knew Naruto a bit better figured that Naruto just needed some time alone to figure things out was all. He'd be fine in a few days.

Not being one to wait, or listen to other people's oh so sagely advice, Anko was on the move, going to the one place she was sure Naruto would be right now. Training his ass off and doing his best to ignore anything and everyone around him. She knew the feeling, because she did much of the same herself.

Thoughts proven right, Anko paused at the treeline of a reserved training field. Nearly two hundred meters of cleared space in the forest was pot marked with craters and jagged looking rends in the terrain. At the center of the destruction was a melee that Anko was sure she wanted no part of, hundreds of clones were circling and fighting against a single opponent, one she already knew the identity of. Welp, she did say she was going to be proactive about this. Striding forward with all the confidence of a woman who knew what they wanted, Anko readied herself for a fight.

The real Naruto at the center of the chaos already knew she was here and grunted as he dove under the seeking hand of another clone. A mini Rasengan was born at the tip of his finger to be launched into the exposed midsection of the overextended clone, destroying it and three of its fellows behind it. Already on the move Naruto back flipped away from an Oodama Rasengan that plowed into the earth and detonated to send up a cloud of smoke and dust. Naruto was already making handsigns as he cleared the debris field, smirking as several clones were already turning his way. Augmenting his hands with chakra, he clapped them together harshly. "GREAT BREAKTHROUGH!" The wind based technique was further heightened by blades of wind, the clap from his hands rising into a thunderous roar of hurricane force winds that ripped through the clones facing against him within seconds. Touching down and smirking, Naruto was already turning to his next set of opponents, only to find none. Instead he found a grinning Anko who was twirling a kunai by its ring on a finger. "Granny send you to find me? Tell me to quit moping or something?"

Anko shrugged her trench coat off, tossing it to the side as she limbered up her shoulders, "Nah, decided to come find ya on my own. No orders or requests from anyone else." She started to circling him, noting he did the same easily. "Wanna talk? Or continue to beat the stuffing out of yourself?" She noted that his eyes darted to her chest before coming back up, welp, he really was distracted wasn't he? "Or maybe something else more fun?"

Shaking his head, Naruto focused fully on the scantily clad Special Jonin, "Is this your attempt to pull me out of my pity party?"

"Could be." Anko was slowly closing the distance, chakra singing through her blood as she considered her options. She was going to have to be fast in order to put Naruto down.

Rolling his eyes but for once actually focused on the here and now, Naruto's frown started to build into a small smirk, "Maybe the fun route would be better then." Think she could get the upper hand on him did she? Well, two could play at this game.

"Oh really? Finally falling for my womanly charms?" Another step closer, and the circle shrank.

"Maybe I'm just using you to get closer to Hana." Naruto noted Anko was closing the distance and mentally shrugged. She'd learn he was even more dangerous at close distance soon enough.

Snorting and waving him off, a second kunai appeared in her other hand, "We both know you aren't like that. So, spill, what's got you so moody and out here all alone." She was close enough now to almost see her reflection on those blue eyes of his. The snake hand jutsu she was molding would have no problems hitting this close.

"I'm not moody."

"Say's the shut in who's kept away from everyone since returning to Konoha. I thought you'd be elated that you've returned your friend."

"Friend, hah, that's a word I wouldn't use to describe Sasuke." The dry laugh that left Naruto's mouth didn't worry Anko at all. She was getting close. "You gonna talk my ear off or are we getting started? The circling continued.

"Don't be so impatient, women don't like that." Anko chided him as they both finally stopped, mirthful honey eyes locking onto tired blue. "You know, I'm glad you're back. Mai is too." A little unfair, but necessary.

Pausing and searching her, Naruto did feel a little better that indeed she wasn't lying. "Well, thanks. At least someone is." Learning back from a sudden spear of snakes, Naruto smirked and rolled away easily, "Nice try."

From behind his ear, Anko latched onto him, "Thanks, been working on it." The fast shunshin she had performed had taken some careful work, but latching onto his back and rolling them both to the ground made it all worth it. They wrestled and tussled in the the dirt, a kunai was sent sailing away as Naruto easily disarmed her. The second kunai did score a shallow cut along his cheek, but that one as well was tossed away eventually as Naruto captured both of her wrists in one hand and slammed then into the ground.

Their short but intense fight paused for the moment, Anko smirked as Naruto hovered over her, "Oh nooo, you've got me. Whatever shall I do." Laying it on a bit thick, Anko smirked as Naruto finally took in their position, him nestled quite comfortably in between her legs. Seeing the flush begin to build on his face, Anko wrapped her legs around his waist, "So, who's got who in this situation hmmm?"

Refusing to look away, Naruto sighed and did finally give up, "Okay okay, you got me."

"That I do." Anko pulled him closer, "And I don't see a reason to let you go just yet."

"What happened to me being to young for you?"

Anko shrugged as she wiggled in his grasp, "Maybe I had a change of heart." Anko had been thinking to herself that she had been trying to go the soft route. Be more like normal women like Kurenai or Yugao. But that wasn't her style. She was loud, brash, in your face. If she wanted something, she took it. If she had a goal she fought for it. Why should this be any different? "Besides, you're a great man, maybe you just need to be shown it from time to time."

Letting go of the Snake Mistresse's hands, Naruto thought he could escape that way. No dice as Anko wrapped her arms around his neck next, "You're not going to let me go, are ya?" Normally this would be the part where he would toss his touchy feely friend into the river, but he just wasn't up for it today. "Could you at least stop wiggling?"

"No can do Whiskers. Not till you talk to me." Once more she pulled herself closer to him, close enough to feel his breath on her face, "Unless you wanna skip the talking part."

At the least, Naruto could pull himself upright into a sitting position. Sure Anko hung on for the ride, now situating herself into his lap with her arms around his neck, but at least he was more comfortable like this. "Anyone remind you lately that you're too nosy for your own good."

"Mai actually, I'll tell her you're stealing her material." Anko's searching eyes still never left his, "Gonna keep beatin around the bush or do I need to start pulling clothes off?"

"I get it, I get it, pushy woman." Naruto finally relaxed back, hands on the ground to brace himself as he released a heavy sigh. He should have known someone would track him down by now. He had kind of been hoping Kakashi-sensei would have been the one to find him. Or Iruka. "I kept my promise, ya know? And yet, it feels so hollow."

Anko could see that, now the job was to dig deeper. "Guess that's begs the question. Did you keep your promise because you wanted something? Or because you needed to keep your word?"

"I wanted to keep my word. I didn't want anything else…" Naruto had to look away from the pointed look from Anko. Yeah, no getting out of this one. She knew him a bit better by now than most anyone else, "At least. Maybe I just wanted to be acknowledged, ya know? Like a, 'hey, thank you for bringing back my first love' or something like that. Instead Sakura's been doting on that asshole since we've returned. And Sasuke's got his head so far up his ass he doesn't realize that Tsunade would sooner imprison him forever than let him run loose like he was."

Pulling herself closer, now a genuine hug with no other motives, Anko sighed and leaned into the tired young man. "I don't think it's so bad, to want to be appreciated for your efforts." Pausing as Naruto gently wrapped his arms around her in return, it took all of Anko's self control not to smirk, "Would it help at all if I said you did a good job? Bringing back the traitor took some effort."

Refusing to look up, Naruto nodded into the older woman's shoulder, "From you? It means something."

"Then thank you, Naruto. You did good." Anko enjoyed the closeness for what it was. Both of them descending into silence as they embraced one another. Anko ignored the warm feeling in her chest as Naruto clutched her just that much tighter, because thinking on it, it was depressing. Someone like Naruto should be getting all the praise and worship after completing this mission. But that wasn't going to happen, because Naruto was Naruto.

Sighing deeply and finally pulling away, Naruto nodded to Anko once, "Thanks, for putting up with me."

Pressing her forehead against his, Anko linked her hands behind his neck a bit tighter, "Anything to cheer you up Whiskers."

"Whiskers?"

"You like it." Now in a good mood herself, Anko pressed herself further into the young man who flushes red in return. "So, now that we've worked through your angst. About that fun time I was offered."

"I don't remember offering anything like that."

"Something not so little begs to differ." Anko's lips tugged into a full blown smile as Naruto flushed even deeper red. Hah, take that boy hormones! She still got it!

"You'd be better off with someone more normal ya know. Go bother Iruka-sensei or Kakashi-sensei." Naruto was in a better mood, but that didn't change the fact that reality would come calling sooner or later. Anko had worked hard over the years to improve her image to the village, even if she wouldn't admit it. Tying herself to the current village pariah would not do her any favors. "I'm too damaged."

Making a split second decision, one she was surprised she hadn't done up till now, Anko pressed her lips to his in a somewhat jarring but warm kiss all the same. Tightening her hold on him, Anko refused to let up until Naruto's arms tightened around her as well. Falling deeper into the impromptu kiss, Anko gave a soft moan as Naruto responded positively.

Though the short make out session was quick, Naruto still had a smile on his face as they pulled away from one another, "Well that was…something." The slap he got to his chest was worth it and put a smile on his face, "Thank you, for bringing me back down to earth."

"Once again, a paragon of manliness here. Has a hot nearly naked woman in his lap and can't seem to focus on what's-" Speech interrupted as once timid lips once more captured her own, Anko let her eyes naturally close as Naruto pulled her fully into his chest. There was more fire to this kiss, a heat that once pooled in her chest now suffused through her body completely. As their mouths separated, tongues lingering against each other for a moment, Anko gave Naruto a hooded look in return. "Never mind then."

"You're gonna start something you can't finish." Naruto's eyes were dark, a deeper blue that reminded Anko that this was a man capable of leveling mountains. And she currently, dare she say, might be in love with him. Great.

Anko made a show of eyeing the empty training ground around them, "I don't see anyone here to interrupt us. Unless you're admitting you're scared."

"Never said that."

"Good, because I like you Naruto Uzumaki, time to take responsibility for that." Anko finally blushed herself, not used to coming clean about her own emotions to anyone. Much less a member of the opposite sex.

Naruto himself could appreciate the effort she was going through, "Well, guess I should do that huh?" Forcing his body up, Naruto stood with Anko still wrapped around him, "Time to go I think, don't say I didn't warn you."

"I think you'll be delightfully surprised Whiskers." Anko cheered in her mind. One major hurdle done. Now to the fun part!

-b-

Sakura grumbled as she walked along, a minor mission having pulled her from the hospital today and saw her on the road to Naruto's place. Of all things, a noise complaint that had even reached Lady Tsunade's desk and was summarily tossed to her. Normally this wouldn't be a bother, if not for the tag along she had picked up.

"So anyway, I've decided being single isn't so bad. I can focus on my work, I'm thinking about joining up with the barrier team for a while, maybe even use that to move over into T and I. Ya know, really get to the nitty gritty stuff." Ino paced along beside Sakura easily, hands linked behind her back as they walked together. Ino had learned her lesson and was steadfastly ignoring the Sasuke topic. Sakura certainly didn't want to talk about it, and Ino had little interest in him anymore. The girlhood crush she may have had was long gone after all. "Plus, maybe I can get a few pointers from daddy about Yamanaka techniques. He's been real cagey lately and I haven't figured out why."

Sakura had to restrain herself from bringing up that maybe Ino should stop getting her heart broken so often chasing after pretty boys, but held her tongue. That certainly wouldn't help either of their moods right now. Eyeing Naruto's apartment complex, she started for the stairs as Ino kept up behind her. "Not that I don't enjoy your company Ino, but why tag along with me for this? Naruto's probably just doing some stupid training again."

Ino shrugged, flipping her blond hair over a shoulder, "Dunno, haven't seen the powerhouse in a while and wanted to catch up I guess." Though the memory was hazy, Ino did distinctly remember running into Naruto during one of her drunken benders after a breakup. He had been ever the gentleman, even in the face of her puking her guts out. She figured she owed him an apology at the least. "Besides, I don't have anything else to do today besides bother you."

Wishing the perky blond could find someone else for entertainment, Sakura and Ino made short work of the stairs up to Naruto's apartment. Taking in the patched walls and rather worn out interior of the building, Sakura had to remind herself that Naruto had always been somewhat bad with his money. Maybe she should help him get his finances straight. Get into a better place now that he was older.

Ino had no problem pointing out the obvious, "I didn't realize Naruto lived in this dump. Considering the missions he takes, he could do so much better." Ino sniffed as she took in a wall full of graffiti that looked to have been painted over several times before the building owner gave it up. "How can Lady Tsunade let him stay here?"

Sakura shrugged as they reached Naruto's door, the place silent now that they were here. "No clue. He's been here as long as I can remember anyway. Probably just force of habit at this point. Knocking on the door firmly, Sakura settled in to wait, mentally thinking up the lecture she was about to give her teammate.

Not enjoying the silence one bit, Ino decide to fill it, "Sooo, any new news about our resident run away?" Maybe a soft approach would be good. Try as she might, she couldn't ignore such a good story!

Shifting her weight as she crossed her arms around her middle, Sakura shrugged once, "Sasuke is still with Ibiki. Probably going to be questioned and on lock down for another week before he's allowed to have visitors." She had thought that she'd be feeling happy and motivated now that Sasuke was back. Instead she was if anything, even more irritable than before. "Not that it matters. He's only just avoided execution because he himself didn't harm any leaf ninja during his escape. But it depends now on everything he's done since he left."

Ino wanted to point out that Sasuke nearly killed Naruto when he ran but decided to hold her tongue again. Especially as Sakura started banging on his door a bit harder. She did not want to draw the pinkette's ire today. "Well, at least he's home right? Now you can work on bringing him back around."

"We can do that if Naruto would answer the Kami damned door already! Naruto! You know we're out here! Get up!" Sakura was not in the mood to be ignored by her blond teammate. Not today.

Ino smirked and leaned against the wall, "Still haven't worked on that temper huh?"

Turning to her friend, Sakura leveled a finger at her, "I'll show you what I've worked on you-"

The door swung open, a sweaty but grinning Naruto there to greet them, "Has anyone told you that you're bedside manner sucks?"

Sakura did her best to ignore the once over Ino was giving her teammate, pushing her own embarrassment aside at the chiseled chest in front of her, "Forget that! Stop training at home and causing problems for your neighbors. If Tsunade gets more complaints about you you're gonna be in a heap of trouble."

Naruto made a show of looking back into his apartment for a moment, one hand idly scratching at his bare midriff just above his black sweatpants. "Okay, I'll make sure to keep it down from now on."

Ino pushed forward with a yelp from Sakura, a smirk on her face as she put on her best smile, "Say Naruto, I never got the chance to thank you for the other night. How about you and me get lunch huh? My treat?" Hinata had had all the time in the world to lock this tall drink of water down. Welp, in Ino's mind, ya snooze ya lose.

Opening his mouth to reply, Naruto sighed as thin arms circled around his shoulders, "Well, about that. I'm a little busy at the moment." Anko's head poked up from behind his right shoulder, "I'm pretty sure you were knocked out."

Anko smirked at the flushed faces of the younger ninja before her, "Oh I was. Good job by the way. But I sensed prime teasing material and dragged myself awake." Pressing bare flesh against his own bare back, Anko leaned into his ear, "Besides, I wouldn't mind a round…five? Six?"

"Seven, and I don't think that's wise."

"I do, and that's all that matters."

Blinking quietly as the two flirted right in front of them, Sakura turned on her heel to leave. Yup, she knew Anko was bugging her for more than just info. So she did have the hots for Naruto. Well good for them. They could go annoy each other from now on. "W-w-w-well that was all. I'm headed back to the hospital."

Ino was stuck between wanting to figure out why Sakura's mood shifted so quickly, and pout that Anko had gotten to Naruto first. Never let it be said though that Ino would give up quietly, "Say, there isn't room for one more in there is there?"

Turning wide eyes to her longtime friend, Sakura couldn't stop the gasp that left her, "Ino!"

Ino shrugged as Anko was smirking and whispering into Naruto's ear, "Look, Naruto's hot and apparently knows what he's doing. I'm not asking for love and marriage here. Well, not yet at least." Ino turned and winked at the other blond, "Besides, Naruto seems keen on it, why deny a good time?"

Throwing up her hands in frustration, Sakura was already hoofing it back down the stairs, "That's it, you can all do whatever it is that you want! It has nothing to do with me!" This had to be a bad dream. Yup. She never woke up from that dream about her and Sasuke getting locked in the supply closet and instead and dove into a nightmare. Welp, it was time to wake up now! Anytime thank you!

Ino watched her friend begin to mutter to herself as she walked away, back down the way they came, "Huh, wonder what her problem is." Instead she turned back to the smirking Anko and the contemplating Naruto, "So, how about it Naruto. Room for another?"

Anko shrugged, "He really is too much for one girl to handle. I wouldn't mind sharing for a bit." She could admit when she was outclassed. And Naruto certainly was in a league of his own. Whoo, no wonder Mai wanted this brat. Anko certainly wasn't going to let him go now! "Just remember, I'm sharing here, not the other way around."

Ino saluted and bounced in place, "I won't forget this Anko-sama."

Naruto turned bored eyes to Anko as Ino rushed her way inside, "Don't I get a say in this madness?"

Anko leaned in, full form molding into his own as she nibbled on an ear, "You really going to pass up a threeway with two of Konoha's hottest kunoichi?"

Ino voice drifted from somewhere in the apartment, "He better not!"

Closing his door and sighing, Naruto nabbed Anko and pulled her around into a bridal carry as he walked back towards his bedroom, "You're going to get me either killed or in trouble with Granny and I'm not sure which is worse." Naruto could deal with whatever the fallout with Sakura was about to be. He did not want to think about the drama that was about to unfold later with Tsunade though.

Anko kicked her feet and giggled as they found their way back into Naruto's bedroom, a curious Ino already there and eyeing the nearly destroyed room and bed. "Well uh, you two were busy."

Rolling his eyes as he tossed Anko to the bed with a yelp, Naruto stood before Ino with his hands on his hips. "For the record, I didn't even know you liked me like that."

Ino held up a hand, ticking off with her fingers as she proclaimed his good points, "Let's see here. Loyal, dependable, strong. Hot. Always willing to help others and willing to put your life on the line for your comrades. Oh, did I mention hot? I feel like that needs to be brought up again."

Naruto sighed as a fairly naked Anko sat up and eyed the Yamanaka, "Remind me later, I need to have a serious word with you."

Anko shrugged, "Whatever it is, might as well get it over with now, cause I'm not going to have a mind for anything later on." She was already mentally taking a bet if Ino was a screamer or not. Anko was betting that she was.

Naruto motioned to his gut where the seal was currently dormant, "It has to do with my friend."

Another shrug as Anko hooked a thumb at a curious Ino, "She can handle that I think. I'd trust her more than your teammate, sorry to say."

Raising a hand and drawing their attention, Ino locked gazes with Naruto, "Uh, what's this about? You're not into some weird and kinky stuff are you? Cause I'm willing to experiment sure, so long as no blood is involved I suppose."

Grumbling about pushy women who made it a point to make him open up, Naruto gave Anko a pointed look. Was he ready to share his secret with his peers? Much less the most open gossip of them all? Granted, Ino was a good person and a friend. She'd put up with more than enough of his nonsense over the years. Plus, if Shikamaru trusted her, she couldn't be all bad. As for a first one to tell of their group, Ino wouldn't be a horrible choice. He watched Anko pull the surprised blond to the bed, hugging her from behind as they both eyed him. "Well…"

Anko snorted, "Naruto has the Kyuubi sealed away in his guts." Seeing Naruto shoot her a glare, she reached around and hefted Ino's impressive bosom, "Boob distraction?" Seeing Naruto was not impressed, Anko smiled at him, "You worry to much."

"You don't worry enough."

Ino blinked slowly, such was her surprise that she wasn't even phased at the moment at the way Anko was manhandling her. Naruto harbored the Kyuubi inside him? Like, for all this time? "Wait, so that means…"

Naruto crossed his arms over his chest, "Yup, since I was born. Kurama has been in my gut, my little prisoner who pays rent in the form of chakra from time to time."

Blinking some more, Ino watched Naruto carefully. Sure he looked calm and determined, but she could see the signs of some extreme anxiety. The shuffling of feet, the closed off arms, a slight twitch of the eyes. Looking back, the actions of the parents started to make a lot more sense. They didn't hate him, they hated what was inside of him. And some had passed that hatred onto the kids, like her. Sure they hadn't been overly horrible to him in the past, but they certainly hadn't understood. And now, now she did. "Well shit. I'd ask how you've kept it together so well for so long, but I guess you really didn't have a choice, huh?"

Shaking his head, Naruto did not in fact have a choice in the matter. He rather liked his head where it was after all. "So, now you know, and outside of Anko you're the first person I've actually told."

Well that made her feel a special sort of way. Hah, take that Sakura, "Well, you are still you. Just a little extra I guess." Ino relaxed back, finally smacking Anko's hands away only to pull her top down herself, "So, about that fun time?"

"Just like that? I have a beast of legend sealed away inside of me and you're more focused on getting in my pants?" Naruto sighed as Ino's smirk grew to match Anko's. "You're all hopeless."

Anko placed her chin on Ino's shoulder as both women watched him calmly, "Just wait until I get Mai involved. You're never getting any rest again."

Ino looked over her shoulder at the other woman, "Mai?"

"Long story, I'll tell you after we knock him out."

That had Naruto raising his eyebrows, "Oh, so sure you'll outlast me this time?" Fine, he could roll with the punches on this one. Anko apparently had feelings for him. Cool. He could accept that. Ino apparently had the hots for him and accepted his status as a Jinchuriki. Okay. Somewhat of a surprise but he could roll with it. He'd deal with Anko's meddling later. "Just don't fall in love with me over this."

Ino smirked as Naruto started their way, "Oh don't worry, I'm sure I could find other reasons if I felt like it." Not that she was looking to. She had meant it, she wasn't in the market for love and marriage just yet. A few years from now though? Sorry Hinata, you really did take too long.

Helping the blond out of her top, Anko looked up to Naruto, "So, next round is a go? You're about to pipe your teammate's best friend. How does that make ya feel?"

Naruto smirked as he took in both women entwining themselves together on his bed. He just knew Pervy Sage would literally kill to be here right now. "You know what? Pretty damned good." Like Mai would say, stop thinking so much and just go with the flow for once. How bad could it end?

-b-

Naruto should have known better than to invoke the wrath of fate. Because while the following day and night had been, enjoyable, today was not so much. Standing before Tsunade with Shizune at one shoulder and Jiraiya at the other, Naruto stood at attention as he tried and failed to understand why he was here today. He had made sure to put up a silencing seal the second time around, so there shouldn't have been any complaints this time. He hadn't missed any team meetings either or a summons from Granny. So what gives?

Jiraiya was doing his best to hold himself back, but he couldn't help it. He was just so damned proud of his student! So proud indeed. Why, he would be willing to bet that Kushina and Minato both were looking down on the boy with wide smiles right now as well. Well, Minato would be. It was a toss up on how Kushina might react.

Tsunade was doing her best to ignore the perverse giggling going on behind her. She should have left Jiraiya out of this. "I guess congratulations are in order?"

"Uh…what for? You already debriefed me about the Sasuke retrieval mission." Naruto sighed mentally. Good, this was related to a mission then. Not his personal life.

Fat chance of that. Tsunade smirked as she pointed a lazy finger at the teenager, "Well, Uzumaki, since you've decided to be thick about this. I'll spell it out. How was Anko? You have a good time, maybe help the woman mellow out a bit?" It took everything in her not to laugh in Naruto's face as he nearly faulted into the ground. Still, the look on his face was worth it. "And bagging the Yamanaka girl at the same time, you really do have a pair on ya don't you?" Which, now that he had broken his celibacy apparently, she wouldn't take any bets on how long it would be before Mai threw herself into the ring. Never get between a Senju woman and what she wants. "Maybe next time don't let Anko parade around in your jacket if you're trying to keep it a secret." She eyed Naruto's chainmail covered chest pointedly, the boy unable to find his jacket this morning.

"No secret here, I'm not ashamed." Naruto wasn't at all. If anyone asked he would have no problem admitting that he had a thing going on with Anko. More than just fun, Anko was a good person who also accepted him for him. They had bonded over the raw deals they had gotten in life, and had gotten closer over how well they had weathered the storm so to speak. What came next? Well even he didn't know that one just yet. "And Ino was. IS. Well I'm not sure on that one. Ask me later." He had been nervous about opening up to someone closer to his own age, but it had gone well. Even after he had knocked them both out eventually, he and Ino had talked at long length this morning as he made tea for them both. The blond woman had a keen mind on her, and was driven to continue to improve herself. Naruto wouldn't say they had sparked something together, but he wouldn't say no to spending more time with the woman. "But uh, that's not why you called me here is it?"

Shaking her head, Tsunade pulled a folder free from her desk along with an old scroll that was bound with a red string. "No, no it isn't. This is long overdue I think. So, first things first." With a snap of her fingers a green chunin vest appeared in the air next to her. Jiraiya caught it, proudly walking over to Naruto and handing it to the boy with a smile as Tsunade motioned to it, "In recognition of your retrieval of a long time Konoha defector, I recognize Chunin Uzumaki as deserving of the rank and promotion. May you continue to serve Konoha well and continue to advance in your career and abilities."

Naruto was not going to cry. Nope. Not this time, not now. Even still, pulling the vest on over his chainmail with a wide smile on his face, he couldn't help but stand a bit straighter. "Thank you, Tsunade-sama."

"Uh uh, I don't want to hear that respectful shit out of you. Not after the bullshit you pull so often." Tsunade shared a smile with the boy before pushing the folder and the scroll towards him. "With that, there's one more order of business. Reaching the rank of Chunin means a long overdue promise can be fulfilled. This was something Sarutobi should have gotten around to, but I'm glad the honor is mine."

Stepping forward to take the offered paperwork, Naruto flipped through the folder first, "Is this, a deed?"

Tsunade nodded as Jiraiya returned to her side, "That it is. The home of your parents, passed on to you now that you've reached the correct rank and proved that you can more than take care of yourself. We can also now get to properties and assets left by the Uzumaki that you now have control of."

Something in his mind was buzzing, Naruto was staring at the paperwork with two names on it that he never in a million years had thought he'd learn about. "I…what?"

Sighing and understanding, Jiraiya stepped in quickly. "Sarutobi put a rule into effect. You weren't to be told about your parents until you reached Chunin and proved that you could handle yourself against the types of enemies that your parents had gathered over the years." Jiraiya motioned to Naruto and his new rank vest, "Now that you have, you can be told everything."

Tsunade could see the conflict on Naruto's face and sighed. "I didn't agree with this, but it wasn't something I could…no…I shouldn't have overruled. You parents were powerful, and thus had powerful enemies. Your mother more so than your father if you can believe that."

Naruto eyed the other name on the paperwork for the home. Minato Namikaze. Why did that sound so familiar? "Wait…."

Seeing the realization dawning on Naruto's face, Jiraiya smirked and pointed a thumb over his shoulder to Minato's picture on the wall, "To think I'd get the chance not only to train that genius, but his son as well. Great times really."

All sound was starting to fade around him. So, he was the son of the forth. His mom was apparently a super bad ass as well. Go figure. "You know what, I need a nap."

Tsunade was already pulling a large jug of Sake out along with glasses. "Join the club kid. Have a seat, we've got a lot to talk about."

Naruto eyed the drunk and the pervert, before turning to the only other person of sanity in the room. "Shizune-nee-chan. Is this real?"

Shizune smiled and nodded firmly once, "Afraid so Naruto-kun."

Dropping himself down into one of the chairs set before her desk before he passed out, Naruto absently accepted the offered drink from the other blond in the room. "Well, how about that." It was going to be a long morning with a lot of explanations. But that was fine, Naruto was finally getting some long overdue answers.

-AN-

Naruto finally gives it up, but now there's new drama on the horizon. How will it all play out? Well, Naruto sure as hell doesn't know anymore. Best to ride those waves while you can I say.