Who Are You Really

by dopeboyb

"Who are you really? Are you my friend, enemy or are we something else Sasuke?" Naruto asked his eyes staring into mines. I wanted to lie to him, I wanted to tell him he is just a friend, no he is just an obstacle in my way.. Fem Sauske x Naruto

12. Chapter 12

A/n Hey all I know its been awhile and for that I apologize, No excuses I honestly just wasn't in the writing spirt, and have struggled to find time and energy to write but please don't ever think that I will abandon this story this has been my best story by far and even throughout my break I was thinking about this story and what I wanted to do etc. This will be completed mark my words, and it will be the first story completed amongst my works and that's all thanks to the support; but full discloser my update schedule will change I know I was on fire when this story first started and as of now that flame has dwindled. But you can expect one to two chapters a week after this chapter posted maybe biweekly until I catch fire again. I have received so much support so far from you guys comments it has motivated me to return and I thank you for your support, enough of me here is the chapter.

P.S Sasuke new attire is the Story Picture! Enjoy

Who Are You Really

Chapter 12

In the depths of his unconscious mind, Naruto found himself reliving a distant, hazy memory, shrouded in a dreamlike fog. The scene unfolded before him with an ethereal quality, colors blending and fading at the edges. He felt small, vulnerable, and curious. The surroundings were a dense forest, the air thick with the scent of pine and earth.

Suddenly, a warm, soothing presence filled the memory. A figure approached, his silhouette glowing with a comforting light. Naruto's infant eyes struggled to focus on the man, but the golden hair and the gentle, reassuring voice were unmistakable.

"Hey there, little one," the man said softly, kneeling down to Naruto's level. "What are you doing out here all alone?"

Naruto cooed in response, reaching out with tiny hands toward the comforting figure. The man smiled warmly, his blue eyes shimmering with kindness and curiosity.

"You're a strong little guy, aren't you?" the man continued, his voice a soothing melody. "Let's get you somewhere safe."

Naruto felt himself being lifted gently, cradled in strong, yet tender arms. The man's presence radiated safety and love, a stark contrast to the dark, cold forest. Naruto's tiny fingers grasped a lock of the man's golden hair, pulling it playfully.

The man chuckled softly. "You like that, huh? My name is Minato. Let's get you home, little one."

The scene shifted, becoming even more blurred and indistinct. Naruto could feel the warmth of Minato's embrace, hear the steady heartbeat against his tiny ear. The world around them seemed to fade into a comforting blur, the details of the forest becoming less important than the sense of safety and belonging.

"We'll make sure you're taken care of," Minato whispered, his voice filled with promise. "Kushina will be thrilled to meet you."

The memory began to fade, the dreamlike quality intensifying as the comforting presence of Minato slowly dissolved. Naruto's consciousness started to pull away from the memory, the fog thickening until the forest and Minato's glowing figure were completely obscured.

"Naruto!"

Naruto could hear a familiar voice shouting to him through the groggy darkness.

"Naruto!"

It sounded like Sasuke Uchiha, his best friend, because it was Sasuke.

"Naruto!" She sounded worried; her voice was broken. Even with his eyes closed, he could hear the fear, sadness, and tears from the strain in her voice.

Damn, I made Sasuke worry about me...

"Naruto!"

Finally, he could see the light through his eyelids as he struggled to open his eyes and regain consciousness. When he managed to get them open, he was met with the upside-down face of Sasuke looking down at him, steady tears streaming down her face. Her face was flushed, eyes brimming with tears yet to be shed. He was lying on her lap, his head resting on her legs as she stared down at him worriedly.

"W-What happened?" Naruto asked as he struggled to remember the events that led to him waking up on Sasuke's bed with his head in her lap.

He tried to sit up but was held down by Sasuke, who spoke to him as she wiped the unshed tears from her eyes and cleaned up her image.

"You passed out in the shower, I assume from blood loss. Your wounds healed on their own, and your body returned to normal, but you were unconscious for two hours," Sasuke said as she massaged his temples, removing her gaze from his eyes and looking blankly at the wall in front of her.

"Your body transformed... you had bones sticking out of your skin. I've never seen anything like it. I wanted to take you to the hospital, but you started seizing up, and I was afraid to move you further." Her voice barely came out louder than a whisper. Her eyes were still looking blankly at the wall in front of them. Her face was red, as well as her eyes, from all her crying. She looked as though she was struggling to contain her emotions even in this moment. Her body was here, but her mind was a million miles away.

Naruto sighed, partly because of the pleasure her temple massage was giving him, but mainly to release the tension from the aches and pains his body was feeling. He felt as though he had just finished an intense training session with Kakashi-sensei.

"What is happening to me?" Naruto asked as he looked up at Sasuke.

She sighed, very unlike Sasuke, looking down at him. Her body paused momentarily, surprised at the unsure and unconfident look in Naruto's eyes, which was unlike him. She gave a half-hearted smile, trying to fool him and herself.

"I... I don't know, Naruto... but we need to get you checked out," Sasuke insisted, her voice firm and unwavering. "You just passed out from blood loss and had bones sticking out of your skin. This isn't normal!"

Naruto looked hesitant, uncertainty clouding his eyes. He glanced away, biting his lip.

Seeing his hesitation, Sasuke's frustration flared. "This is no time to be zoning out, loser." she spat out, grabbing his arm and trying to pull him towards the door. To her surprise, she couldn't move him an inch.

"Naruto, this isn't the time to play around!" she yelled, her voice rising in frustration.

Naruto finally met her gaze, his expression serious. "Sasuke, it's better if we don't let anyone know what just happened here."

Sasuke stared at him, flabbergasted. "Are you crazy? You need medical attention!"

Naruto sighed, trying to find the right words. "With these recent developments with the Byakugan and the issue with the Hyūga Clan, I don't want the manifestation of my other dojutsu and now this strange bone abnormality to be known. It'll only cause more trouble for me."

Sasuke's eyes narrowed in disbelief, but there was a flicker of understanding. "You can't be serious, Naruto. You need help."

He nodded, his expression resolute. "Wasn't it you who told me not to tell anyone else about my other dojutsu?"

Sasuke clicked her tongue in annoyance, recognizing her own words being used against her. "That's different! This is your health we're talking about!"

Naruto gave her a reassuring smile. "Besides, I'm feeling pretty good now. The headache is nowhere near as bad, and my wounds have all healed. So, all's good."

Sasuke shook her head, both in annoyance and admiration at his optimism. "You're an idiot," she muttered. "Fine! We'll do it your way." She paused, a genuine smile breaking through her frustration. "Whatever is going on, we will face it together, yes?"

Naruto nodded, feeling a warmth spread through him at her words. "Yes, together."

They stared at each other for a moment, the weight of their unspoken bond palpable. Sasuke finally sighed, her frustration melting into a resigned acceptance. "Just promise me you won't push yourself too hard."

Naruto grinned, his usual confidence returning. "I promise."

Sasuke gave him a half-hearted glare, but there was a hint of a smile in her eyes. "You better. And if anything like this happens again, we're going to the hospital, no arguments."

"Deal," Naruto agreed, holding up his pinky finger.

Sasuke rolled her eyes but linked her pinky with his. "Idiot," she muttered affectionately.

Naruto chuckled, feeling a sense of relief wash over him. Despite everything, he knew he could face whatever came next as long as he had Sasuke by his side.

Naruto returned her smile wholeheartedly. "Bastard." They stared at each other in silence for a few moments, building their courage to face life together. Enjoying the warmth and comfort they could find between the two, Naruto finally noticed Sasuke's attire. His face flushed so red it went purple, and he shot up from her lap, turning to look at her quickly.

She sat still under his shy gaze; her only sign of nervousness was her breaking eye contact with him and unconsciously fiddling with her hair.

"What... What are you wearing, Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

Naruto looked her up and down. Sasuke was wearing a black nightgown that was see-through. He could see her toned stomach through the material, as well as the red thong she had hiding her privates. He had a fairly decent view of the thong due to her sitting crisscross in front of him. As hard as he tried not to look at the red material, his eyes would wander down her body back to it, switching glances between the lovely red material and the cleavage her nightgown showed.

Sasuke narrowed her eyes instinctively. "What, idiot! You've never seen a nightgown before?" she replied defensively.

Naruto raised his hands while he shook his head, passively trying to defuse the angry Uchiha.

"Never mind. Forget I said anything. Ughh..." Naruto gasped as he grabbed his head to massage the painful headache that suddenly hit his body.

Sasuke quickly turned off the lights before gently grabbing Naruto by the arm and guiding him under the covers. She pulled him into her embrace, so his head was resting on her chest and began to softly hum in his ears as her hands massaged his upper shoulders, working their way up to his head in a soothing pattern. She hummed a melody that her mother used to sing to her when she was young. She hoped that the song would bring Naruto comfort like it did for her when she was younger.

Soon, Naruto's headache and his painful breaths were replaced by gentle snores, which brought a smile to Sasuke's face. She was happy that she was able to bring him comfort in his time of pain.

We need to figure out what is happening to you, Naruto, she thought before drifting off to sleep with Naruto wrapped protectively in her arms.

Next Day

Sasuke walked into the training field for Team 7 as usual; she was the first one there. Today was the day Team 7 would return to their usual schedule after receiving a slight reprieve from completing their unexpected S-ranked mission. It was also the day of her double date with Naruto. She would be lying if she said she wasn't still mad about the idiot setting this date up, but what's done is done. She had no intention of paying Goku any attention on the date later. Rather, she would be trying to keep the local ramen whore from getting her filthy hands on her Naruto. She was determined to make Ayame never consider dating Naruto ever again; she'd make sure their date went terribly if it was the last thing she did.

Sasuke looked down at her new attire. She wore the white pants that showed off her figure that she and Hinata had picked out, and her usual gender-ambiguous blue top had been replaced by her custom feminine blue crop top shirt, with a deep V cut exposing her cleavage that was covered by embedded fishnet clothing with the Uchiha clan logo sewn onto the back. No one who looked at her now could ever doubt her gender.

I hope he likes it, Sasuke thought, a blush rising to her face as she took a seat next to a tree, leaning back to look at the clouds as they passed over the training grounds, her thoughts revolving around Naruto.

He has made an enemy of the Hyūga clan by manifesting their dojutsu, he also has an unknown dojutsu in his opposite eye. Now he has bones protruding from his body. Is it possibly a kekkei genkai? But I have never heard of anything like that. Who are you, Naruto Uzumaki?

Sasuke was distracted by her thoughts when Sakura strolled into the team training grounds, sitting a few feet away from her.

"Sasuke?.. Oh, wow.." Sakura said shyly, a slight blush as she sent glances towards her teammate.

Sasuke scoffed, rolling her eyes as she looked at her pink-headed teammate. Sakura was wearing her usual shinobi attire, her eyes taking in her new outfit. Sasuke could practically see the wheels turning in Sakura's mind.

No doubt she will believe this is all for Naruto... Not that she's wrong, it'd just be annoying for her to point it out.

"What is it, Sakura?" Sasuke said, staring at her blankly.

"I was just going to say I love your outfit; you look very pretty. No, you look stunning," Sakura said nervously, her blush increasing at each glance at her teammate.

I knew Sasuke was beautiful but not this beautiful; it's almost godly, it's unnatural.

Sakura thought as she felt her own self-esteem diminishing being close to Sasuke.

Sasuke narrowed her eyes in return and just huffed, looking away from her, which annoyed Sakura.

She could work on her manners though, not even a "Thank you, Sakura."

When Sakura arrived, she was caught off guard by a beautiful girl sitting at her team's usual meet spot. She originally was going to tell the visitor that this was her team's training area and she would have to use it at a different time. The closer she got, she recognized immediately who that beautiful visitor was; it was Sasuke. Gone was her ambiguous blue shirt and tight chest wrappings. Now her womanly figure was on full display. Sasuke no doubt had the best feminine physique Sakura had ever seen. Although her breasts were smaller than Ino's, it was evened out by her slim hourglass figure and round thick thighs with the butt to match.

She realized she was gawking at her comrade when their eyes met, and Sasuke's held a narrow gaze of contempt.

Looking away, Sakura stared off into the distance, not really looking at anything in particular as she spoke.

"I assume this is all for Naruto?" Sakura said, glancing at Sasuke to observe her reaction. Sasuke's face gave no noticeable reaction, but her eyes held a different message, one of anger and malice. One that wished death upon her entire being.

"And if it was, what is it to you, Haruno?" Sasuke spat at her harshly, fixing her with a harder, angrier glare.

Sakura almost broke eye contact again under the harshness of her gaze, but in an instant, the once hard glare was replaced by a light that Sakura instantly recognized as one of happiness and warmth. One she would often see given to her by the ones who she knew loved her, like her parents and close friends. Even a small smile had graced the lips of the once-threatening face of Sasuke. Sakura was confused why Sasuke would offer her such a soft and kind look.

It was then that she realized Sasuke was not looking at her but through her, more accurately over her shoulder and past her.

What is she looking at?

Sakura turned her head to look at what caught Sasuke's attention. She almost gasped out loud at who it was walking towards them. It was Naruto. More accurately, it was two Narutos. One had his hands in his pockets, leaning backward slightly as he walked towards them. The perfect sign of relaxation and laziness, almost a perfect copy of how Kakashi-sensei walked around, he didn't seem to be paying attention to anything around him, just taking a casual stroll. The other Naruto was next to the relaxed one, reading a book out loud.

The two approached Sasuke and Sakura before one Naruto spoke up to the other.

"Thanks, man, that's all. See ya later. Disperse!" Naruto said before dismissing his shadow clone, which was the one reading the book. He effortlessly caught the book before it hit the ground, grabbing it and casually putting it into his shinobi pouch.

Sakura turned to look at Sasuke, whose cheeks held a slight tinge of pink. Her eyes had shifted from staring at Naruto while he approached to seemingly looking off in the distance, uninterested, although Sakura still saw that the Uchiha would glance over to Naruto every few seconds as if she was waiting for his acknowledgment.

"Good morning, Naruto. What was your clone reading?" Sakura asked, offering their blonde teammate a friendly smile, which was returned by Naruto much to the Uchiha's annoyance. She watched her crush casually walk over in between her and Sakura, sitting down next to them, all his attention still on Sakura. Naruto had barely even given her a second glance!

Maybe he didn't like the outfit. If that's the case, I will change immediately! Sasuke thought, slightly panicked.

"Oh, it was nothing much really, just a book I got from the library about kekkei genkai native to Konoha," Naruto said, scratching the back of his head nervously.

Sakura was visibly surprised by this. "Wow, really? What an interesting topic to be reading up on. Does this have something to do with your manifestation of the Byakugan?" Sakura asked, taking a look at the seal around Naruto's neck.

Since his trial ended, the Hokage himself had placed some sort of restriction seal on Naruto, which encircled his neck. Apparently, this seal stopped him from being able to activate his Byakugan. The only person who could remove the restrictions of that seal was the Hokage. Although it sucks for Naruto, Sakura was glad that it wasn't the Hyūga clan responsible for maintaining the seal for Naruto.

From what they learned, the Hyūga clan was far crueler with the usage of their seal than the Hokage would ever be.

"Uhhh, y-yeah, that's it, Sakura-chan... So where is Sasuke? She usually beats everyone here? And who's the pretty girl?" Naruto said softly as he pointed his thumb at the girl lost in thought next to him. He whispered the last part as to try to hide the statement. Sakura sighed at her teammate's cluelessness and noticed the blush on his face as he asked his question.

Sakura looked over his shoulder to Sasuke to see her reaction to Naruto's statement, but her other teammate seemed to be lost in thought. So she decided to inform him.

Why is he just ignoring me!? Sasuke thought as Naruto and Sakura continued their conversation in the background of her thoughts. Was it because of last night? Did I come on too strong? That idiot won't catch a hint if it was plastered on his forehead, it's not my fault he's blind. Damn it, I knew wearing that nightgown was a little too much. He seemed fine when he left my home earlier today, though, so what is it?

"Sasuke? Sasuke? Did you hear me? Earth to the bastard?" Naruto said, waving his hands in front of Sasuke's eyes to get her attention.

Sasuke realized she had zoned out again. She turned her head to see Naruto's face mere inches from hers, a concerned look in his eyes. She quickly glanced at Sakura, who also had a slightly smug but curious look in her eyes.

Sasuke turned her attention back to Naruto and his closeness. Her eyes flicked from his concerned gaze to his lips, then back to his eyes, a blush rising to her cheeks, going unnoticed by Naruto but not their pink-haired teammate.

"What do you want, idiot?" she said breathlessly, her blush increasing at his closeness.

"I said that I like your new clothes. They suit you. Are you okay, bastard? You're turning red," Naruto asked, casually lifting a hand to her forehead, checking her temperature.

Sasuke's face twisted in embarrassment before she grumbled out, "I'm fine," but did not move away from his touch or push him away, merely shyly down-casting her eyes away from his.

"You really like my new clothes?" she asked hesitantly.

I'm surprised he noticed so quickly. Maybe he is just trying to be kind and doesn't really like my clothes.

Little did she know that he almost didn't recognize her. When he first came to the training ground, he thought that the cute girl with Sakura was someone else until Sakura told him that it was indeed Sasuke. He quickly went to apologize for the misunderstanding when he saw that Sasuke seemed to be in a world of her own, deep in thought.

Naruto looked at her questionably before leaning back and taking a better look at his Uchiha teammate.

"Stand up and give me a 360, so I can get a better look," Naruto said plainly to Sasuke, much to Sakura's and Sasuke's surprise.

Sakura was dumbfounded by the obviously surprised Uchiha expression. Sasuke's face was turning redder by the second. Sakura thought that Sasuke would yell and berate Naruto for demanding such a thing from her, the Last Uchiha. To her surprise, Sasuke slowly stood, nervously twitching as she stood there, her intertwined fingers in front of her. Thumbs moved in a calming circular motion on the back of her hands. Looking much like a shy girl asked to do something lewd by her crush.

Never in her life had she ever imagined seeing Sasuke Uchiha blushing, and so obviously! Sakura was stunned. It was so obvious to anyone watching that Naruto was making the cold-hearted Uchiha blush, but not just that; act shy and cutesy like a regular teenage girl! Sakura had no idea if this was how Sasuke had always acted around Naruto, or if her being in feminine clothing was making everything more noticeable to her. Sakura glanced at Naruto to see if he knew the effect he had on Sasuke. But Naruto seemed focused on genuinely critiquing Sasuke's outfit and nothing else. As though that was his sole purpose at the moment.

There is no way! I must be dreaming right now. Sakura thought as she watched the obviously shy Uchiha standing before Naruto to display her new attire.

Naruto pointed a single finger at Sasuke, giving her a friendly smile before moving it in a small circle, indicating he wanted her to turn in a 360 to allow him to get a full look at her new attire.

Sakura's jaw nearly dropped to the floor when Sasuke's blush deepened before she obediently, slowly turned for their blonde teammate. Turning slowly to allow both of them to get a better look at her attire.

Sakura's eyes flipped to Naruto, taking in his reaction. It was hard to tell exactly what Naruto was feeling, but two things were certain to Sakura Haruno: one, Sasuke Uchiha liked Naruto Uzumaki. Two, Naruto Uzumaki was completely smitten by Sasuke Uchiha's new attire. His eyes held a darkened haze, one that spoke of unspoken lustful desires that she'd never seen before in him. She practically could see the drool forming in his mouth for Sasuke. This made Sakura feel a mix of giddiness seeing that both her teammates were obviously falling for each other, but also made her feel a slight tinge of jealous annoyance since not too long ago, Naruto used to look at her like that. Ever since the formation of Team 7, Naruto and Sasuke had been getting closer, and it seems as though Naruto had all but forgotten about her. As quickly as that look of desire appeared, it disappeared in unison with Sasuke completing her 360. Sasuke looked expectantly at their blonde teammate; her body language indicated she was nervous and couldn't wait to hear his reaction.

"So what do you think?" Sasuke asked, although her voice showed confidence, the slight redness of her cheeks gave away her true feelings to Sakura.

"W-wow... Y-you're beautiful," Naruto said with a blush, his comment freezing everyone there.

Sakura's eyes switched back and forth between her two blushing teammates. She did not expect those words to leave Naruto Uzumaki's mouth, and by the looks of it, Sasuke didn't either. Sasuke was frozen in place, her mouth slightly agape, with a reddened blush across her cheeks. Naruto was also frozen in place, but his face was blushed purple as though he himself did not expect the words to leave his mouth.

Sakura herself was surprised by Naruto's declaration. She wouldn't have expected him to be so forward. The two were now just staring at each other like school kids who just got caught flirting by their peers.

"Tha-," Sasuke started shyly and very unlike Sasuke.

"Well now, Sasuke, is that a new outfit? It suits you." Kakashi said to the three, appearing before them seemingly out of nowhere, interrupting Sasuke's reply. "But I am sad to see that our short hiatus has dwindled your awareness so much, but it's okay. This training session should whip you all right into shape," Kakashi said with an evil glint in his eyes.

His students looked at him with a mix of hateful & dreadful gazes.

8 hours later

The members of Team 7 lay exhausted on their training ground. "He is a slave driver!" Naruto said as he huffed and puffed on the ground, trying desperately to catch his breath. Sasuke nodded in silent agreement next to him. Although she was sitting up, she couldn't muster the strength to reply verbally. Sasuke glanced at Sakura, who was all but passed out, laying on the ground a few feet away. Kakashi had first started their training session with 20 laps around Konoha, and since he determined that wasn't enough, he used his dog summons to chase after his students, and they would bite the Genin's ankles or any part of them they could if the dogs managed to catch up to them. Kakashi also hid along the edges of the village and would occasionally cast terrifying jutsu at them at random points in their run. Sakura had received the worst damage, seeing as though she was the slowest among them and also had the lowest stamina.

Earlier

The sun had just begun to rise over Konoha, casting a warm glow over the village. The members of Team 7 stood at the starting line, stretching and preparing for their training session. Kakashi, with his usual nonchalant demeanor, leaned against a tree, reading his beloved Icha Icha novel.

"Alright, team," Kakashi said, not looking up from his book, "today we'll start with 20 laps around the village. Go!"

Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura took off, their feet pounding against the ground as they began their run. The initial laps were manageable, each of them pacing themselves. However, as they rounded the corner for the fifth lap, Kakashi's voice echoed through the training grounds.

"Now for a little motivation," he announced, closing his book and making a few hand signs. "Summoning Jutsu!"

In a puff of smoke, Kakashi's pack of ninja hounds appeared, barking excitedly.

"Pakkun, lead the chase. Make sure they don't slack off," Kakashi ordered.

"You got it, boss," Pakkun replied, his tiny paws already moving.

The dogs scattered, each targeting one of the Genin. Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura's eyes widened as they realized what was happening. The chase was on.

Naruto laughed, enjoying the challenge. "Bring it on!" he shouted, increasing his speed to stay ahead of the snapping jaws of Bull.

Sasuke, with her Sharingan activated, deftly dodged the nips of Akino, her movements precise and calculated. "Is that all you've got?" she taunted, smirking as she leaped over the dog.

Sakura, however, was struggling. Shiba, a swift and agile hound, was hot on her heels. Her breaths were already coming in ragged gasps, and her legs felt like they were made of lead. "This is insane," she panted, pushing herself harder.

Kakashi, hidden along the edges of the village, watched their progress. As they approached a narrow alley, he formed another series of hand signs. "Water Style: Water Dragon Jutsu!"

A massive dragon made of water erupted from a nearby stream, roaring as it surged toward the Genin. Naruto and Sasuke dodged to the sides, but Sakura, already exhausted, barely managed to throw herself out of the way.

"Are you trying to kill us, sensei?!" Naruto shouted, his voice echoing through the streets.

Kakashi's voice responded calmly, though he remained out of sight. "Just keeping you on your toes, Naruto."

By the fifteenth lap, Sakura was falling behind, her stamina nearly depleted. The dogs showed no mercy, nipping at her ankles and forcing her to keep moving. Her vision blurred, and she stumbled, only to be caught by Bull, who gently nudged her back onto her feet.

"You can do it, Sakura," Bull encouraged in a surprisingly gentle tone.

With renewed determination, Sakura pushed on, her legs burning with the effort. As they rounded the final corner for the twentieth lap, Kakashi reappeared, dismissing the dogs with a wave of his hand.

"Well done, all of you," he said, a hint of pride in his voice. "You've completed the first part of today's training."

Naruto and Sasuke collapsed onto the ground, breathing heavily but grinning at each other. Sakura fell to her knees, her body trembling from the exertion.

Kakashi walked over, offering her a hand. "You did well, Sakura. Remember, it's not just about speed but endurance and perseverance."

She took his hand, grateful for the support. "Thank you, sensei."

Kakashi nodded, looking at all three of his students. "Take a few minutes to catch your breath. The next part of our training will be even more challenging."

After they completed their run, Naruto and Sasuke were told to cast their strongest jutsu over and over until they felt they'd pass out from chakra exhaustion, and Kakashi took Sakura away to train. Kakashi showed no mercy against her. By the time Sakura returned with Kakashi, she was literally passed out like a bag of wheat on their sensei's shoulder. While Sakura recovered, Kakashi then instructed his two remaining Genin to work together. They tried their best to get a winning edge against their sensei, but his experience and wide variety of jutsu overcame them. Although due to Naruto and Sasuke's remarkable teamwork, they had managed to corner their sensei multiple times, neither one was able to land a decisive blow that would land them the victory they were seeking.

Through her time training with Naruto, Sasuke and Kakashi discovered that Naruto had indeed advanced in his use of the Flying Thunder God technique of the 4th Hokage. Naruto was now able to cast the jutsu in the same way as the 4th, leaving markers all over the training ground, although he was greatly limited in how many times he could teleport and the distance he could cover trying to teleport with the jutsu.

Sasuke had shown great prowess as well. Her taijutsu had improved, and her usage and timing of her new elemental jutsu Kakashi had taught her, paired with effective timing and teamwork with Naruto, was labeled "deadly" by their sensei. Even though they had improved so much since leaving the academy, they still couldn't pull off the victory.

Earlier with Naruto & Sasuke vs Kakashi

The two members of Team 7 squared off against Kakashi, ready for their final showdown. Naruto quickly created several shadow clones, which rushed at Kakashi in a flurry of movement, engaging him in a fierce taijutsu fight. Kakashi parried and dodged, his movements fluid and precise. The clones pressed on, their attacks relentless, providing enough of a distraction.

"Now, Sasuke!" Naruto shouted.

Sasuke leaped back, forming hand signs rapidly. "Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" She exhaled a massive fireball, aiming directly at Kakashi. The clones dispersed just in time as the fireball engulfed their sensei.

As the smoke cleared, the charred remains of a log were found. "Substitution Jutsu," Sasuke muttered, her Sharingan scanning the surroundings.

Kakashi suddenly appeared behind Sasuke, kunai in hand. Thanks to her Sharingan, Sasuke evaded Kakashi's strike by jumping up, somersaulting several feet over him, and then throwing a shuriken at him. The shuriken multiplied into several, moving towards him in a shower of metal.

Kakashi prepared to deflect them with his kunai, but as they were within an arm's reach of him, they were switched with Naruto's clones via the Hiraishin Jutsu. Before Kakashi could react, he was tied down by several chakra chains emerging from each clone's back, holding him in place.

"Now!" the clones yelled at the real Naruto and Sasuke.

Naruto and Sasuke rushed at him, kunai in hand, ready to checkmate him. Just as they got close and Kakashi felt the prick of their kunai on his neck, Kakashi channeled lightning chakra through his body. The chakra was transmitted via the chakra chains binding him to Naruto's clones, and through the metal kunai, it electrocuted Naruto and Sasuke, dispersing the clones and making Naruto and Sasuke collapse to the ground, twitching.

"I might have overdid it a bit' Kakashi thought sheepishly as he observed the condition of his students.

As the electric shocks subsided, Kakashi walked over to Naruto and Sasuke's twitching, spasming forms, grinning in amusement. "You two really managed to push me this far. Impressive," he complimented.

Naruto was the first to recover, managing to stagger back to his feet, surprising both Kakashi and Sasuke, who was still struggling to regain any feeling at all. "It's no fair! We almost had you!" Naruto complained, rubbing his temples.

Kakashi chuckled, his one visible eye crinkling with amusement. "Almost isn't quite enough, Naruto. You shouldn't be prematurely assured of victory and let your guard down. That might be just what the enemy needs to play their trump card against you and turn the tables completely. Like I just did by using your own chakra chains to electrocute you."

Naruto groaned, annoyed at his failure but nodding his head in understanding. "Yeah, yeah, I get it," he muttered.

Kakashi smiled, proud to see his student growing in maturity day by day. He watched with amusement as Naruto rushed over to help Sasuke up.

"I don't need your help, idiot," Sasuke stated, a blush creeping onto her cheeks.

Naruto ignored her protest and helped the girl to her feet, steadying her as she wobbled slightly. "Yeah, well, too bad. I'm helping anyway," he replied stubbornly.

Sasuke sighed, allowing herself to lean on Naruto for support. "Thanks," she said softly, her embarrassment evident.

Kakashi observed the scene, his amusement growing. "You've done well," he said, his tone more gentle now. "But remember, the real challenge is to keep improving and never let your guard down."

Naruto and Sasuke both nodded, determined to keep pushing their limits. As they made their way off the training ground, Kakashi couldn't help but feel a swell of pride for his students. They had come a long way, and he knew they were only going to get stronger.

After being defeated by their sensei and allowing Sakura some time to recover, Team 7 gathered again on the training grounds, ready for their next lesson. Kakashi stood before them, a serious yet encouraging look on his face. He held three scrolls in his hands, each carefully selected for his students.

"Alright, Team 7," Kakashi began, "you've all shown significant improvement, and it's time to take your training to the next level. I've chosen a new elemental jutsu for each of you to learn and master. These jutsu will not only enhance your current abilities but also help you understand your elemental affinities better."

He handed the first scroll to Sasuke. "Sasuke, this is a scroll on Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu. It's an advanced form of your clan's trademark jutsu."

Sasuke's eyes widened in excitement as she accepted the scroll. Her heart raced with anticipation. Practicing the advanced form of her clan's signature technique was an honor and a challenge she was eager to undertake. She carefully unrolled the scroll, her eyes scanning the detailed instructions and diagrams. The Great Fireball Jutsu was a symbol of the Uchiha's strength and heritage, and mastering it would bring her one step closer to honoring her clan.

Kakashi then turned to Sakura, handing her the second scroll. "Sakura, this scroll is on Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu. It's a versatile and powerful technique that will complement your precise chakra control."

Sakura nodded, feeling a mix of excitement and nervousness. Water Release techniques were not something she was familiar with, but she trusted Kakashi's judgment and was determined to master this new jutsu. She unrolled the scroll, carefully studying the hand signs and chakra manipulation required.

Finally, Kakashi handed the third scroll to Naruto. "Naruto, your scroll contains the Wind Release: Gale Palm Jutsu. This jutsu will enhance your speed and power, making your attacks even more formidable."

Naruto's eyes lit up with enthusiasm. He had always been eager to learn new techniques, and mastering a Wind Release jutsu was a thrilling prospect. He quickly unrolled the scroll, eager to dive into the instructions and start practicing.

"Each of these scrolls also contains the history of the jutsu, the hand signs, and other useful information," Kakashi continued. "Take your time to study them and understand the fundamentals before attempting to use the jutsu. We'll spend the rest of the day practicing these techniques."

The team dispersed to different corners of the training grounds, each of them absorbed in their respective scrolls. Sasuke found a quiet spot under a tree and sat down, unrolling her scroll fully. Her eyes moved rapidly over the text, absorbing every detail. The Great Fireball Jutsu required a significant amount of chakra and precise control, but she was confident in her abilities. The diagrams showed the proper hand signs and the chakra flow needed to create and sustain the massive fireball.

After thoroughly studying the scroll, Sasuke stood up and took a deep breath, preparing herself mentally and physically. She formed the necessary hand signs: Snake, Ram, Monkey, Boar, Horse, and Tiger. Concentrating her chakra, she felt the familiar warmth build up inside her, focusing it into her chest.

"Fire Release: Great Fireball Jutsu!" she exclaimed, exhaling a massive ball of fire that roared to life, surging forward and scorching the air. The fireball was larger and more intense than any she had produced before, a testament to her growing power and control.

Sasuke watched in awe as the fireball dissipated, leaving a scorched patch of earth in its wake. Her heart swelled with pride and determination. She knew there was still much to learn and perfect, but this was a significant step forward.

Meanwhile, Sakura stood by a small pond, her scroll in hand. She had carefully studied the Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu and felt ready to attempt it. Forming the hand signs—Tiger, Ox, Tiger—she focused her chakra, drawing moisture from the air and the pond.

"Water Release: Water Bullet Jutsu!" she called out, releasing a concentrated stream of water from her mouth. The water bullet shot forward with impressive speed and accuracy, striking a distant tree and leaving a noticeable dent in its bark. Sakura smiled, pleased with her first attempt but determined to improve her power and precision.

Naruto, on the other hand, was bouncing with energy as he practiced the Wind Release: Gale Palm Jutsu. He had read through the scroll and was eager to test it out. Forming the hand signs—Bird, Dog, Ram—he concentrated his chakra into his palm, feeling the wind gather and swirl.

"Wind Release: Gale Palm!" he shouted, thrusting his hand forward. A powerful gust of wind burst from his palm, slicing through the air and rustling the leaves on the trees around him. Naruto grinned, exhilarated by the raw power of the jutsu. He repeated the technique several times, each attempt stronger and more controlled than the last.

Kakashi observed his students from a distance, his eye filled with pride. They were all making remarkable progress, pushing their limits, and embracing the challenges before them.

As Kakashi watched Naruto practice the Gale Palm Jutsu, his mind drifted back to the conversation he had with the Hokage just the day before. The weight of the secrets he'd learned still pressed heavily on his shoulders.

"So, there's more to Naruto's story than anyone knows," Kakashi muttered to himself, his gaze fixed on Naruto's determined form. "Sarutobi-sensei said it was all for the greater good, for the village's safety. But how will Naruto handle the truth when it comes out?"

He sighed deeply, the familiar mask on his face barely concealing the turmoil within. "He's been so strong, so resilient, despite everything. But this secret... it's bound to shake him. I just hope he has the strength to cope with it."

Kakashi's eyes followed Naruto as he formed the hand signs again, the gust of wind from the Gale Palm rustling the leaves around him. "Naruto's been through so much already. How much more can he take?"

The thought made Kakashi's heart ache. "And what about the people involved in this secret? How will they face Naruto once he knows?"

He shook his head, trying to clear the heavy thoughts. "Naruto's stronger than anyone gives him credit for. He's shown that time and again. But this... this will be a true test of his character."

Kakashi leaned back against a tree, his mind swirling with concern. "We have to be there for him, to guide him through it. Whatever happens, we have to support him."

As Naruto paused to catch his breath, Kakashi felt a renewed sense of resolve. "We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. But for now, I'll do everything I can to prepare Naruto for what's ahead. He deserves at least that much."

With a deep breath, Kakashi refocused his attention on the training at hand. The future was uncertain, but one thing was clear: Naruto would need all the support he could get in the days to come.

Lastly, they ended their training session with a Team 7 vs. Kakashi showdown.

Out of five different mission scenarios, which ranged from tracking their sensei to guarding a Kakashi clone to evasion, they only successfully completed two, which were the bodyguard assignment and an assassination mission. To say Sasuke and the rest of Team 7 were exhausted would be an understatement. Towards the end, even their sensei had started to sweat a little before calling it quits and dismissing them for the day.

Sakura was the first among the Genin to speak. As she stood on wobbly feet, she had to stabilize herself by grabbing a nearby tree for support. When she was sure she wouldn't fall over, she turned, looking towards her teammates before glancing at her watch.

"Well, I am going to head home and ice my body. It's already 5 PM. Hopefully, my mom has dinner ready so I can eat and pass out. Bye, Naruto-kun, bye, Sasuke!" she said, waving at Naruto and nervously smiling at Sasuke before hobbling off.

At hearing the time, Naruto's body shot up. He looked equally shocked, nervous, and excited at the same time, which confused Sasuke, who cast him a questioning look before he quickly stood on his feet, much to Sasuke's annoyance.

I wish I had the idiot's stamina and recovery time, Sasuke thought as she watched Naruto frantically get up.

"Sasuke! We have to get going to get ready for our date! I will swing by your house, and we can walk to the meeting place together. Be ready by 6! See ya. Don't be late, or I'm gonna be pissed, ya know!" Naruto said before dashing off.

"Wait, idiot!" Sasuke growled as she stood up and dusted herself off. Naruto had dashed off without a second thought. Sighing, she began making her way back to her clan's compound.

He is still being persistent about this damn date... didn't he say I looked beautiful earlier? The thought brought a slight blush to her face before it was immediately replaced with an annoyed scowl.

"Yet, he wants to go out with another girl right in front of me!" Sasuke said, slightly crazed, in the middle of the road. A few citizens gave her concerned and worried glances, and a wide berth as they passed the angry-looking kunoichi talking to herself. Sasuke locked eyes with a boy her age who was looking at her with a lustful gaze, taking in her beauty. His eyes and face showed interest in her despite seeing her negative mood. She narrowed her eyes and matched his flirtatious smile with her own malicious glare and scowl.

She watched as his smile vanished quickly and he turned his head away from her, before speeding off in the opposite direction.

She reached her home and undressed herself as she walked toward her bedroom. By the time she reached her bedroom, she was only in her undergarments. She looked in the mirror, and the light she saw in her eyes last night with Naruto was replaced with a darkness she was familiar with, an anger and malice she'd grown used to seeing within them.

Fine, if he is so caught up on going on this double date with that whore, then I'll make sure he doesn't even cast her a glance, Sasuke thought as the darkness in her eyes was replaced by a cunning look. Sasuke darted out of her bedroom, making a beeline to her parents' room, before walking in and heading toward the closet.

I know she has something for dates in here. Just got to find it!

Sasuke looked through the clothes in the closet, tossing out anything she didn't think would catch Naruto's attention.

Twenty minutes passed, and Sasuke was stuck between three outfits. She was angry at herself for not being able to decide which outfit would attract all of Naruto's attention away from Ayame. She was also angry at herself for the lack of clothing in her own closet for such occasions.

She hurriedly scrubbed herself in the shower, quickly touching up her shave, making sure no hairs were on her legs or underarms. Getting out of the shower, she quickly wrapped her body with a towel and sat down in front of her bathroom mirror, grabbing a blow-dryer to hurriedly dry her hair.

Sasuke glanced at the clock, and an annoyed tick formed on her forehead. It was already 5:40, meaning she had less than 20 minutes to attempt to put on the little make-up she knew how to use and decide on her clothes. As she was thinking this, she heard a knock at the door.

Sighing, she got up and walked to the front door, pondering which outfit she'd wear. She completely forgot that she only had a towel protecting her modesty from the outside world.

I wonder which outfit he'd like most?

Sasuke opened the door and saw Naruto. Her breath hitched, and she had to grab onto the doorknob tightly to keep from falling over.

So handsome.

Naruto was wearing a simple outfit: a plain white crew neck shirt, black pants, and all-white shoes. The combination of dark and light colors suited Naruto very much, but what struck Sasuke's heart the most was his warm smile and the light within his eyes.

He looks so happy and excited for this... Can I really push my selfishness onto him and ruin his first date? Sasuke thought.

She was brought out of her thoughts by Naruto.

"Sheesh, Sasuke! Put some clothes on already! We are going to be late, ya know!" Naruto said with a blush as he looked away from her, avoiding eye contact.

Sasuke was brought back to reality by his words. Looking down, she realized she was only in a towel. Blushing, she grabbed Naruto by the arm and pulled him into her house, closing the door behind them. She had pulled him hard enough to send him flying straight into an embrace. She wrapped her arms around his neck, enjoying the feel of his hard body pressed against hers.

"S-Sasuke! A-are you okay? W-what are you doing?" Naruto asked, his voice holding a mixture of embarrassment and worry.

Sasuke ignored him, snuggling into Naruto's embrace more. After a few moments, Naruto recovered from his initial shock and wrapped his arms around her waist, bringing her into his embrace tighter.

They stood like that for a few moments before Sasuke shifted slightly, tilting her head up so she could get a better look at Naruto's face.

He's so handsome.

"Sasuke, are you okay?" Naruto said.

"Naruto, I know this date is... special for you but..." Just as she was going to express her discontent with this double date, her towel slipped.

Sasuke suddenly felt a cool breeze flood across her entire body. Her brain froze just like her voice. Her nipples instantly hardened at the coolness of the evening air brushing against her body. She was standing there naked, her white towel that once shielded her modesty twirled around her ankles.

Sasuke's face flushed so red as she instinctively pushed Naruto away so hard he fell on his rear end. She let out a very girly shriek as she tried her best to cover her body with both arms, standing before Naruto with a blushed face and slightly trembling.

The damage was already done though. Naruto was sitting on his butt, his arms stretched behind him, having been used to catch himself from the shove. His mouth was agape, and his eyes were staring at Sasuke's nudity. She watched as his eyes looked her up and down, soaking in every inch of her body.

Sasuke noticed this, and her blush looked as though it was spreading across her whole body.

Naruto... Naruto is checking me out… I'm naked... In front… In front of Naruto... it wasn't supposed to happen like this... this is so... so embarrassing!

"Pervert!" Sasuke shouted before turning and dashing off into her room, slamming the door behind her.

"Wait, S-Sasuke, I'm sorry!" Naruto shouted after her, but by the time he finished the sentence, his response was the door slamming shut.

Sasuke ran into her room and closed the door. She put her back against the closed door and slid down it until she hit the ground.

Gosh, that was so lame! I embarrassed myself in front of Naruto! Naruto's seen me naked! It wasn't supposed to happen like that, that was so uncool. It was supposed to be romantic or seductive, not because of an accident like this!

Sasuke sighed as she looked down at her feet. Tears were starting to brim into her eyes, daring to fall. She didn't exactly know why she felt like crying—maybe because of embarrassment or shame. Whatever the feeling, Sasuke was struggling to hold back the tears.

She was brought out of her feelings by a soft knock on the door.

"Sasuke!" Naruto said behind the shut door. Even through the door, Sasuke could hear the worry in his voice.

"Hey, Sasuke, I'm sorry for embarrassing you like that, ya know. I should've looked away. I just… I just couldn't for some reason. I'm so sorry! I completely understand if you would like to back out of our date. I will let Goku know what happened. I'm sorry!" Naruto's voice sounded like it was lower for some reason, as though he was bowed down.

Sasuke stood up, slowly cracking the door. She peeked her head out into the hallway, shocked at what she saw. Naruto was bowed, forehead to the ground, in a deep bow of apology. Sasuke's face twisted with embarrassment, and she sighed. She knew this wasn't Naruto's fault, but he felt as though it was.

Was my nakedness that unpleasant, Naruto?

Sasuke glared at the back of his head. "Whatever, Naruto, you're just trying to get rid of me so you can go out with the local ramen whore. As if I'd let you go that easy. I'll be out in a few!" Sasuke said, slamming the door once again.

Naruto sighed, sitting up on his knees and staring at the wooden door in front of him.

Go figure, she's pretty pissed at me. Naruto thought as he scratched the back of his head comfortingly. As he stared at the door, he was wrapped in thought.

Just behind that door, Sasuke is getting dressed… The image of a naked Sasuke flooded his mind: her smooth, milky skin, her perky breasts and small but nice and hardened nipples, her hairless body, all except a small line of pubic hair that was like a straight road to the juicy lips of her womanhood.

Naruto's face reddened at the thought of the images in his head. His manhood had responded, and the tent in his pants was proof he liked what he saw. Naruto swallowed the saliva that had filled his mouth with a deep gulp.

"Sasuke, I'm going to get some water... I hope that's alright."

No response. Naruto sighed, getting up to grab a glass of water. He needed to calm himself down. Naruto glanced at the clock. It was already 5:45. The meeting place was on the opposite side of town, closer to the arcade. But if Sasuke and he ran across the rooftops, they'd be able to make it on time.

Sighing, Naruto sat at the table with his glass of water.

His thoughts shifted from the date to Sasuke, her sexy-looking nightgown from last night, and her naked body just moments ago. His thoughts then shifted to something she told him about their double date.

"DO YOU EVEN UNDERSTAND what you've done? Are you really okay with seeing me with him? Are you that dumb? Do you want me to be with him? Do you realize the outcome of this if I were to take this seriously?" Sasuke had said.

So if their date goes well today… Goku would get to see Sasuke in her nightgown, and possibly naked… Naruto thought.

Naruto's gut twisted in anger and another emotion he wasn't entirely familiar with. All he knew was he wasn't fond of the idea of Goku seeing Sasuke like that.

"I don't think I like that," Naruto said out loud to himself.

"I could change. I thought it was pretty provocative as well..." Sasuke said, breaking Naruto out of his thoughts.

Naruto looked up to see Sasuke wearing some short jean shorts that had rips in the front that exposed some of the skin of her thighs. She was wearing a white tank top that stopped just above her navel, her cleavage clearly visible. Although you couldn't directly see her nipples through her shirt, it was clear she wasn't wearing a bra.

Sasuke was embarrassed to be dressing this provocatively in public. If her father saw her, he'd roll over in his grave. What concerned Sasuke slightly was this outfit she got out of her mother's room. Although the sizes meant that her mother hadn't worn this in years since she was a teenager, it still made Sasuke wonder what type of style her mother had back then. No doubt her mother had seduced many men in this attire. By the way Naruto was currently eyeing her chest, maybe it would work for her chosen partner as well.

"Huh?" Naruto asked, confused, as he continued to gawk at Sasuke.

Has she always been this attractive? It's hard to take my eyes off her...

"You said you don't like it, so should I change?" Sasuke said, redness on her cheeks. She knew that Naruto did like the outfit; his face was blushed, and although he was trying to look away from her, his head kept turning back, as if drawn to her. Exactly what she wanted.

She wanted all his attention on this date. She was going to make Ayame regret thinking she had a chance with her Naruto.

"Uh-, I don't think it's my place to say, Sasuke, ya know. I think you look great, but it is really… provocative. I can see a lot of skin. I'm not sure if I… I-I mean... Goku should see something like this, ya know?" Naruto said with a matching blush as he looked away from her. He felt the twist in his heart and the uncomfortable feeling in his stomach at the thought of Goku and other men of the village laying their eyes on Sasuke right now.

His eyes caught sight of the time, though. It was already 5:50; if they wanted to be on time, they'd have to leave soon.

Sasuke looked at Naruto curiously. She stared at him for a few moments, trying to understand what he was thinking. Naruto twisted and squirmed under her gaze, which gave Sasuke an odd sense of satisfaction that he was uncomfortable with her presence. Her appearance was obviously pleasing to Naruto, his steady glances were a sign. She also remembered that Naruto had been glancing at her more than usual all day...

So you have been admiring me all day, huh, Naruto-kun?

But what confused Sasuke was why Naruto didn't want her to leave the house in this attire. Then she thought about what he said about Goku, and it hit her.

So you don't want Goku to see me in this, huh? Jealous? I have to get more information out of him.

"If you think 'I look great,' I don't see why Goku wouldn't like it too," she challenged.

Naruto sighed. He really didn't want anyone else to see Sasuke right now, but if they didn't leave soon, they'd be late. He paused for a few moments to consider his options, but Sasuke wasn't relenting.

"I think I want to wear this for Gokkuuu-kun," Sasuke said slyly and seductively, dragging out the last syllables of Goku's name to make it sound cutesy, much like she heard Sakura and Ino do with her name back when they thought she was a boy.

Naruto's eyes widened in shock before narrowing viciously and angrily at hearing Sasuke say Goku's name so familiarly. Sasuke had to fight back her smile at the obviously jealous reaction she finally managed to get out of Naruto, but before he could reply and argue that he indeed wanted to take her up on her offer and have her change, she looked at the time.

"Oh, now look at the time! We are going to be late if we don't leave soon, yes? Let's go then," she said as she grabbed his arm and dragged him out the door.

The pair ran out of the Uchiha compound into the village, leaping onto the nearest rooftops.

"We are almost there. I told them we would meet on the corner of Senju Ave and 1st," Naruto said. Everyone in Konoha was familiar with this road as it was the main road that led to the Hokage Tower.

Sasuke just nodded in response. Soon, the two arrived at their destination. Sasuke followed as Naruto jumped off a nearby street and into an alley that fed into the nearby main road. Sasuke landed just as smoothly as Naruto, quickly making her way to his side and standing noticeably close to him as they walked toward the exit of the alley. Just before they crossed the threshold into the busy street and out of the alley, Naruto spoke.

"Awh! Almost forgot this!" Naruto said, reaching into the pocket of his shorts to pull out a single storage scroll. Sasuke watched him curiously as he applied some chakra to the scroll. A puff of white smoke appeared, and two bundles of red roses emerged from the scroll.

Naruto quickly turned to Sasuke, who instinctively backed away from his sudden movement but found her back against the nearby alley wall. Naruto stood in front of her, looking down at her with a heartfelt smile.

"I know that you're here for my sake, Sasuke. And with you here, I'm not afraid I'll make a fool of myself. As a thank you, I got you these! I remember how much you liked the last set of flowers I gave you," he said with a blush.

Sasuke's face reddened as well as she muttered, "Thank you," before taking the flowers from Naruto. Her eyes narrowed when she noticed that Naruto still had another bundle of flowers in his other hand, and she could only assume they were for Ayame.

"You got Ayame flowers as well, no?" Sasuke asked him, her voice calm, although her blood was boiling.

Naruto's smile didn't falter, and he had the same genuine happy smile on his face when he replied. "Yes, I did. Now, are you ready to do this?"

Sasuke rolled her eyes in disgust and annoyance. Sorry, Naruto, but you think too positively about me. I am not here for you, but my own selfish reasons...

She thought as she nodded her head at Naruto, who smiled brighter before turning to lead them out of the alleyway.

"Alright! Let's have a good double date!" Naruto said as they exited into the main street.

I am going to ruin this double date! Sasuke thought as she boldly intertwined her arm with his, wrapping hers around his left arm.

Naruto stopped briefly, caught off guard by the sudden display of friendliness, or affection, from Sasuke. He looked around to see if anyone was noticing the Uchiha heir clinging to his arm. They had barely taken four steps out onto the street before he felt his left arm being smooshed between Sasuke's soft, warm breasts.

From what he could tell, most passersby were too busy to notice them yet, which brought him some relief. Although those who did notice him would send him hateful gazes before staring at Sasuke with what he could only describe as "want." The men who did notice Sasuke couldn't take their eyes off her, and it was pissing him off.

He looked down at Sasuke to see if she was noticing the attention she was gaining, but Sasuke was looking down at the flowers, not meeting their gaze. She seemed to be thinking about something. Worried, he spoke to her.

"Uh, Sasuke? You okay?" he asked worriedly.

Sasuke looked up at him, her eyes unreadable, but he noticed the redness of her cheeks and ears.

"Yeah, just a little lightheaded. You don't mind if I use you for support, do you?"

Naruto let out a small, stress-relieving sigh. "No, of course not," he said before standing up straighter and sending a warning glare at the men eyeing Sasuke, leading them towards their dates.

They can hate me all they want, but none of you are worthy of Sasuke!

At his own thoughts, Naruto blushed. Wait, am I even allowed to decide that for her?

They only had to walk a few minutes up the road before Naruto saw both Ayame and Goku standing and sitting respectively in front of a local shop. Goku was sitting on a bench with a bundle of flowers in his lap. To the untrained eye, he looked cool, calm, and collected, just waiting for a friend, but Naruto and Sasuke both noticed the nervous fidget of his legs as he waited. Goku was wearing dark blue jeans and a white button-up collared shirt, with a tie that matched his jeans. He finished it with a black blazer and wore a necklace and watch as well. Naruto was slightly envious of the man's style. He looked like the perfect image of a cool teenage boy. Naruto imagined that Goku and his style could be on the cover of Konoha's local fashion magazine. Sasuke's beauty definitely matched Goku's handsomeness and nice style. Naruto frowned as he thought about his simple outfit.

By now, almost every other head on the road was glaring at him, either for what he possessed inside him or maybe because of the beauty on his arm. Naruto wasn't sure which. Although it was possible that the men hated him for both those reasons.

Ayame, on the other hand, was standing off to the side of the sitting Goku. It was obvious the two didn't realize they would be together on this double date. Sasuke noticed that Ayame was wearing a blue and white sundress that reached her upper knee. It was modest, but as she stood still, some of the fabric of the dress clung to the skin underneath, allowing a person to get an idea of her womanly curves without being too overboard. Only the cleavage of her sundress showed any real skin.

In comparison, Sasuke's attire was gaining her lustful glances from the villagers who passed by the group. Her exposed skin was being observed by every man within 20 meters. She scoffed at her overt attempt to gain Naruto's attention and the lengths she went for it. She now had to deal with the lecherous gaze of men, but she considered it a win because even Naruto was casting glances at her every few seconds. She also noticed that he was glaring at every man who turned their head to look at her.

Although she felt ashamed she stooped this low in order to make Naruto notice her, she was basking in the attention and protectiveness he was showing her currently. She now just had to focus on keeping it, with her competition here.

Sasuke felt a twist in her stomach as she admitted to herself that Ayame was better looking when she was out of her work attire. But still, in terms of beauty, she was nowhere close to her. The gazes of the men around them were all aimed at her. Sasuke was sure that they'd still be on her even if she had chosen to wear a more modest outfit.

As they approached, Ayame was the first to notice them, shouting and waving kindly as the two approached.

"Naruto-kun!... Sasuke... Good afternoon. I'm very excited for our date, Naruto-kun!" Ayame said with a smile. Although Sasuke saw it was somewhat forced, Ayame had noticed Sasuke still clung to Naruto's arm even after her greeting. Her pause mid-greeting and slight twitch of jealousy in her face was her tell to Sasuke that the girl did not like seeing her on Naruto's arm, which made Sasuke smirk.

Goku, at hearing Naruto and Sasuke's names, looked at Ayame, surprised. Sasuke figured that he now understood that Ayame was Naruto's date. His eyes followed Ayame and found the pair standing before him. Goku's reaction to seeing Sasuke on Naruto's arm was more noticeable than Ayame's. His face held confusion before a slight twitch of anger and jealousy hit his eyes, but he quickly shook it off and offered a greeting to the two as well.

Naruto watched as Goku greeted them. His eyes held Naruto's gaze for merely half a second before his full attention was on Sasuke. Naruto watched and felt the knot in his stomach tighten at the obvious desire in Goku's eyes for Sasuke. He was practically soaking in every bit of skin Sasuke showed. Naruto had to fight the urge to pull Sasuke close to him.

He reminded himself that he was the one who set up this double date, and if anyone was allowed to look at Sasuke like this, it would be Goku. Still, seeing it firsthand was hard.

"Good afternoon, Sasuke-chan. I got you this...," Goku said. "Are you feeling okay, Sasuke-chan?" He asked her, looking her directly in the eyes as he offered her the flowers he got her. His eyes held genuine worry and concern.

His question's intention was obvious to Sasuke. He was wondering why she was clinging to Naruto's arm. Sasuke just rolled her eyes at him, not even bothering to accept the flowers, which caused Goku to take a hesitant breath and step back as he pulled the flowers closer to his chest.

Naruto sighed before speaking. "The bastard's fine, Goku. She just said she was light-headed a moment ago. Take the flowers, Sasuke!" Naruto whispered in her ear, which caused her face to blush slightly. Her blush was noticed by both Ayame and Goku, although Sasuke was not sure what the two thought Naruto said to her. Sasuke grabbed the flowers from Goku and gave them a look.

"I hate tulips," she said to Goku, who shockingly bowed in apology.

"I'm sorry, I did not know. Next time, I will be sure to get you roses," he said, still bowed apologetically. He noticed that Sasuke already had a bundle of flowers, which he assumed was given to her by Naruto.

Goku wasn't sure if it was a custom among shinobi to give the opposite date on a double date flowers. He presumed since Naruto and Sasuke were obviously close, he wouldn't say anything about it. But he noticed that Sasuke held Naruto's flowers closely, whereas she seemed to barely even want to take, let alone touch, his flowers.

"As if there will be a next time," Sasuke muttered.

Naruto noticed the slight jerk of fear that hit Goku's back. He had to get the attention off the poor boy before Sasuke's brutal onslaught utterly destroyed him. Naruto would be lying if he said that the sight didn't please him. But he didn't want their double date to be awkward for Ayame.

Note to self: do not apologize to Sasuke with tulips! Naruto thought.

Naruto clapped his hands to get the attention back to him before saying, "Ayame-chan, I also got you flowers." Naruto said before handing the bundle of flowers to Ayame with his free arm.

Ayame smiled brightly at this, before taking the flowers and bowing politely. "Thank you, Naruto-kun," she said sweetly before taking a whiff of the flowers. She smiled again before holding them to her chest and humming quietly.

"Are you all ready? I'm so excited for our date! I have it all planned out, so follow me!" Naruto said, turning to lead the group in the direction of the arcade. Sasuke still held on to Naruto's arm as he led Ayame and Goku towards the arcade.

As they headed to the arcade with Ayame and Goku trailing behind them, Naruto whispered to Sasuke, "Hey, can you go easy on the guy? He is so nervous I can practically feel his sweat on me!" Naruto said, looking back at Goku, who was still beating himself up over the tulips. His head was down as he walked behind them. Ayame smiled when she saw Naruto turn to look behind him, and Naruto returned her smile with a kind one of his own. Before Sasuke roughly pulled his arm, forcing him to turn and look at her again.

Ayame felt her left eye twitch at the action, and she fought the urge to say something out loud.

They walked a few steps before both Ayame and Goku spoke at the same time.

"Sasuke-chan, if you'd like, I offer my arm as support."

"Naruto... I'd like to walk next to you as well."

Both Ayame and Goku blushed at the realization that they spoke at the same time and over each other.

Naruto and Sasuke turned their heads almost simultaneously in response. They were ninja, so they heard both the civilians just fine, even though they over-talked each other.

Sasuke and Naruto responded simultaneously as well.

"Sure," Naruto said with a smile to Ayame.

"Absolutely not," Sasuke growled, glaring at both Goku and Ayame.

Sasuke turned to glare at Naruto, who was looking at her confused. The four of them stopped, and Naruto raised his hand, indicating he wanted Ayame and Goku to stop as well.

"Can you two give us a minute, please?" Naruto said before turning and pulling Sasuke ahead and out of earshot. Ayame and Goku stood and watched from a distance.

When the two stopped, he turned and faced her.

"You okay?" he asked, concerned.

Sasuke let go of his arm and crossed her arms in front of her chest, pouting slightly. Naruto had to fight to keep his blush down. Sasuke was showing a lot of cleavage, and her crossing her arms wasn't helping. Also, he'd never seen her pout, and he honestly thought it was adorable.

"I refuse to make physical contact with him in such a manner," Sasuke said, avoiding his eyes as she pouted.

Naruto sighed, running his fingers through his hair, before nodding in understanding. If he was honest, he would prefer that as well.

The knot in his stomach tightened at the thought that Goku's arm would be around Sasuke.

"Okay, I get that, but do you think you can at least be a little nicer with your delivery? We are on a double date, after all, and he is your date! I can't believe I am the one giving you dating advice! I have never been on a date either, you know!"

Sasuke narrowed her eyes at this. "And what makes you think that I haven't been on a date, Naruto?" she said with a slight blush, but her face expressed nothing but annoyance.

"Well, maybe it's the fact that half of our generation thought you were a boy for the longest time, or that you never speak to anyone, or maybe it's the fact that I know you pretty well and am confident enough to say I know you haven't been on one before!" Naruto said, annoyed.

Sasuke huffed, annoyed. "Yeah, whatever, idiot. I told you I didn't even want to go on this double date, so no, I'm not pretending like I want to be here!" she shouted.

"And I don't care if—"

Naruto sighed and looked over to Goku and Ayame, who were looking at them nervously. He then noticed that some of the civilians walking by were looking at them as well. Mainly it was the men walking by and checking out Sasuke.

He wasn't sure if it was their arguing in the middle of the street that caught their attention or if it was Sasuke's provocative attire. Either way, he wasn't appreciating their lustful gazes at her, so he reactively pulled her closer to him, which caught her off guard and she paused mid-sentence. She bashfully looked up at him while he looked down at her with a serious and apologetic look.

"I am sorry, okay. I realize now that I shouldn't have made you come like this. No one has been able to keep their eyes off you since we got here. But for me, please, can you at least be somewhat less of a bastard until after the arcade? I planned for us to go to dinner after, but if you're not up for it, we will cut it short, okay?" he asked her, pleading.

Naruto left out the part that he desperately wanted to get her home as soon as possible. He was already contending with the feelings he got when thinking about Goku being this close to Sasuke all evening. But the eyes of the rest of the civilian male populace on Sasuke too were starting to piss him off for some reason.

Sasuke sighed before saying, "Fine, but in return, you can't get all... touchy with Ayame, and you have to sleep over at my home with me tonight!"

Naruto's face lit up at this. "Deal! So, you ready?"

"Yeah, whatever, let's get this over with," Sasuke said, annoyed.

Ayame and Goku stood in the middle of the street, observing Naruto and Sasuke's conversation. They were obviously arguing. Goku couldn't help but admire Sasuke's figure from where he stood. He noticed that the men passing by the two arguing teammates would also check out Sasuke as they passed by. He felt a mix of jealousy and pride that he was the one on a date with such an obvious beauty.

"Those two are close," Goku said matter-of-factly to Ayame.

"Yes, it would appear so," Ayame said softly back to him, just as Naruto pulled Sasuke in closer to him as he glared at a man who he obviously caught checking Sasuke out.

"They're just... friends, right?" Goku asked, slightly hesitant.

"...Yes," Ayame replied hesitantly. She had no idea how this man managed to get a date with Sasuke or who he even was, but he better help her in keeping Sasuke away from Naruto today.

The two walked back over to Ayame and Goku, who were looking at them both confused and expectantly.

"Alright, we are almost at the arcade. Come on, Ayame-chan," Naruto said, offering her a small smile before turning to walk towards the arcade.

Sasuke saw Ayame let out a relieved smile before quickly walking next to Naruto. Although she refrained from holding on to Naruto's arm like Sasuke was a moment ago.

Sasuke watched as the two walked and had a saddened expression on her face until Goku approached her hesitantly, offering an arm to her like a gentleman.

He figured she must still be light-headed and would give her the same support as Naruto was giving her moments ago.

"We should hurry and catch up, Sasuke-chan. If you are light-headed still, I offer you my support," he said, trying to give her his most charming smile.

Sasuke stared at him blankly before saying, "Let me make one thing clear. I am here because Naruto asked me to be here. You have absolutely no chance with me, and it's okay with me if you go home right now," she said coldly.

Goku looked at her, shocked, his mouth slightly agape. His face looked as though she had just punched him directly across the chin. Sasuke turned and walked away, leaving him there. She walked behind Naruto and Ayame as they headed towards the arcade, a bitter expression on her face at Ayame laughing at something Naruto said.

Goku sighed before walking behind Sasuke. He watched her as she watched Naruto and Ayame talk ahead of them. He also noticed the men and women who noticed them casting Sasuke jealous and lustful gazes. He even noticed a few angry and hateful glares directed at him for what he assumed was walking so close to the beautiful girl that was Sasuke Uchiha.

If Sasuke noticed all the attention she was getting, Goku wasn't sure. To him, it looked as though she either didn't notice or didn't care. All her attention was on Naruto and Ayame.

Goku sighed as he followed the three into the arcade.

Should I just go home? he thought.

The four entered the arcade and approached the counter. Sasuke watched as the custodian smiled at the group, looking at each one of them, before her smile faltered upon her gaze landing on Naruto.

Naruto noticed the look, and his excitement immediately crashed.

Please don't! Please don't! Naruto begged her in his head.

"Hello, are we a party of four? Or is he bothering you guys?" the custodian asked, looking at Ayame, then Sasuke and Goku, before fixing Naruto with a glare.

Goku was confused at the sudden harsh treatment of Naruto. Ayame was at first surprised but then immediately fixed the girl with a glare of her own. She was going to give the custodian a piece of her mind, but her reaction was slower than Sasuke's.

Sasuke reached across the counter and grabbed the front of the girl's uniform, pulling her close to her face. Goku and Ayame were shocked at the amount of hate and outright murderous intent in the eyes, face, and posture of Sasuke.

Goku and Ayame were both reminded instantly that their dates were shinobi. They could feel in the air the killing intent radiating off Sasuke. The poor custodian was so shocked that the words trying to form in her mouth weren't even coming out.

The group heard a loud slam of a door hitting the wall. Ayame and Goku turned to see two security guards in suits speed-walking into the lobby, heading towards them. The two civilians watched and felt the pressure in the air. It seemed like the presence of the security guards made Sasuke angrier.

Goku watched in awe and fear. With just a turn of her head, Sasuke froze the two security guards in their places. She stared at them with the same killer eyes she was looking at the custodian with, and froze both guards in place, who were five feet away from her.

To Ayame's surprise, one of the guards, despite the pressure he was put under with just the presence of an angry Sasuke, managed to barely squeeze out a coherent sentence.

Ayame was impressed, because although none of the killer intent she felt was currently directed at her, just being this close to Sasuke in the moment made it feel like it was hard to breathe. She didn't want to move or say anything in fear that it would be the last thing she ever did.

"Mmmaaa'aaaam, pppp-please..." was all the guard was able to choke out.

Sasuke hadn't spoken a single word this whole time. She looked as though she was seconds away from killing all of them when Naruto spoke.

"Please allow me and my friends to enjoy the arcade. I won't cause any trouble... I promise," Naruto said.

Both Goku and Ayame turned to look at Naruto. Unlike them and the guards, who were afraid to move and having trouble just breathing and standing straight next to Sasuke, Naruto looked perfectly calm, although he appeared slightly embarrassed by everything. Genuine concern for the custodian and guards was written on his face.

"Sasuke, please let her go and relax. This is supposed to be a fun outing, remember? It won't be fun if we both end up in prison for killing civilians," Naruto said with a sigh, placing a hand lightly on the hand that was grabbing the poor arcade worker.

Sasuke looked at him for a moment before sighing and roughly pushing the arcade worker away.

"Get us four one-hour tickets now!" Sasuke spat at the trembling worker.

Ayame, Goku, and the two security guards all let out breaths, relieved to see the situation deescalate. The custodian nodded and immediately went about trying to check in the four visitors. As she worked frantically, the two guards hesitantly approached the group.

"Umm, sir, sorry, but you and your friends are going to have to leave," the security guard said nervously, eyeing the hostile woman.

At this, Sasuke's head whipped away from glaring at the custodian to staring daggers at the security guard. He and his fellow guard took a hesitant step back. Naruto sighed before stepping in front of Sasuke, protecting the two guards from her murderous gaze.

"Why? It was a misunderstanding. Certainly, we can figure something out. I promise we won't be a problem!" Naruto said, begging the guards not to kick them out.

The guards looked at Naruto, grateful for him shielding them from the crazy lady behind him.

"We can't have unruly guests remain on the premises. Sorry, company policy," the guard responded.

Goku turned to Ayame and whispered lowly while Naruto continued negotiating with the guard.

"Excuse me," he said softly to Ayame, hoping Sasuke and Naruto wouldn't hear their conversation.

Ayame turned from the scene in front of them to Goku, who was looking at her with a slightly confused and worried expression.

"Yes?"

"Sorry to bother, I am Goku. Sorry for my lack of introduction earlier. If I knew you were Naruto-san's date, I would have introduced myself earlier."

Ayame shook her head, waving off his apology. "No, it's okay. I was not aware of you either, so it's perfectly fine," she said, offering him a kind smile in return.

She could see that there was more that Goku wanted to talk about, though.

"Umm, if you don't mind me asking, how well do you know Naruto-san? I am curious how you two met and, umm, why the custodian and that guard don't seem to like him," Goku asked as he gestured to the other guard who wasn't talking to Naruto and Sasuke but hiding behind his partner and casting the occasional glare at Naruto from behind his partner.

Ayame sighed. She herself had been curious as to why Goku seemed so indifferent to Naruto. Most people in Konoha either outright hated Naruto or, at best, just ignored him. So Goku's seeming respect and friendliness to her date was unusual, to say the least.

"Umm, I've known Naruto for a few years now. He frequents the shop my father owns. As to why those two don't like Naruto-kun... You must not be from Konohagakure, Goku-san?" Ayame questioned.

Goku nodded his head, confirming her suspicions. "Me and my family only moved here last year. My family is originally from Kumogakure. We moved here for personal reasons," Goku trailed off, indicating he didn't feel like sharing that particular information with her.

Ayame nodded in understanding. "Well, it's only a rumor, but..." Ayame started, turning her attention to look at Naruto, who was trying to convince the guard still that the group didn't intend to cause problems for the arcade and its staff anymore. She had a sad smile on her face, which Goku noticed. "Naruto-kun is rumored to have caused the death of the 4th Hokage."

Goku made a sound that showed his surprise at this. He looked at Naruto with fear, awe, and confusion.

Ayame noticed this, and she knew the speculation and conspiracies were building in his mind.

Goku himself was wondering just how strong Naruto-san was if he had some hand in the 4th Hokage's death. Naruto had to be around his age, which would mean he was just a baby when the 4th Hokage was killed. Goku might be a new Konoha citizen, but he was a studious student. He remembered most of the knowledge taught to him at school about the great Hokages. The 4th Hokage was deemed the greatest Hokage to ever live. He was loved by all of Konoha. No way a mere child could kill him... right?

Just as if Ayame was reading his mind, she spoke.

"Naruto-kun is innocent. At first, I was blinded by grief and unrequited rage for Lord 4th's passing, but I now see Naruto for who he is. The rumors must be wrong. There is no way Naruto-kun is responsible for Lord 4th's death. I don't know how the rumors started, but they are wrong!" Ayame said, fixing Goku with a stern warning glare.

Goku nodded in understanding, looking at Naruto with sad understanding.

It must suck being hated by a village that you're sworn to protect.

Goku himself had no idea why Naruto became a shinobi in the first place, but after hearing a little about his background, he found more respect for the boy.

"Naruto, stop bothering with these dumbasses. If they don't want us here, fine, we will spend our money elsewhere," Sasuke said. She was extremely annoyed and aggravated. She was three seconds away from just destroying the whole building and watching it crumble down on the people who had Naruto begging to enter.

"But Sasuke, I had this whole date planned out for us. With the great pay from our mission, I can actually afford to do things like this now!" Naruto whined.

"W-wait... You two are shinobi?" The guard, who the two shinobi found out through their talks with him was the security supervisor, said.

Naruto and Sasuke turned to the man with a look that said 'duh.'

"Of course, we are shinobi!" Sasuke practically spat at the man in disgust. "It disgusts me to be protecting such ungrateful civilians," she said, glaring at the three arcade workers.

The supervisor and his fellow officer both bowed immediately at this.

"I-I am extremely s-sorry for the hassle. We had no idea. Although we should have assumed you were shinobi based on your demeanor and presence. The founder of this arcade was a shinobi, and it is store policy to never turn away shinobi of Konoha. I am deeply sorry for our sins against you. Please enjoy your time here. Please enjoy your stay on the house, for this unfortunate misunderstanding."

This made Naruto shout, "Yes!" Meanwhile, Sasuke was still glaring daggers at the poor guards.

"I should—" Sasuke started her threat but was cut off by Naruto.

"Come on, bastard, you've scared these poor guys enough. Let's go have fun now!" Naruto said to her as he grabbed the arcade tickets from the custodian and grabbed Sasuke by the arm, dragging her away from the employees before she caused them bodily harm.

Sasuke let out an annoyed huff as she and Naruto approached their 'dates.' If it was up to her, she'd just kill them all and burn the building to the ground.

"We got the unlimited pass, so we can play as many games as we want free of charge! And it's for the whole day! Isn't that awesome?" Naruto said excitedly to Ayame and Goku as he handed them their arcade passes.

"Yes, that is quite amazing, Naruto-kun!" Ayame said with a sweet smile as she took her card.

"Yeah, that's awesome. Thanks, Naruto-san, Sasuke-chan," Goku said with a friendly smile.

The group started walking into the arcade. As Sasuke passed the custodian again, she fixed her with a death glare one more time. Naruto led the group to a seating area within the arcade. The arcade was full since it was the weekend. Teenagers their age, young kids, and even some adult couples on dates were walking past them and playing all sorts of games within the building.

The Konoha Arcade was a multi-floor arcade that had all sorts of games and activities. It was a popular date and hangout spot for kids their age. Although it was somewhat expensive, Ayame had only been once before. Sasuke had been here a few times when she was younger. Goku himself had been here twice with friends, but for Naruto, it was his first time, so he was looking around like a little kid in a candy shop.

The three could see him practically shaking with excitement. Sasuke could tell he could run off at any moment. It brought a small smile to her face to see him excited about such a trivial thing as an arcade.

"What do you all want to do first?" Naruto asked excitedly.

"I am willing to do anything that you want to do, Naruto-kun," Ayame said to him sweetly, which made Naruto smile and Sasuke roll her eyes in annoyance.

"I suggest we do something all four of us can do," Goku said. He remembered Sasuke's words to him earlier. He didn't want to be left with her; she could kill him if he pissed her off.

Sasuke remained silent, crossing her arms and glaring at a group of boys that passed them, ogling her. At her glare, they swiftly redirected their gazes.

"Hmm, well... I have never been here before, so I don't know something we could all do," Naruto said shyly, scratching the back of his head.

"Well, why don't we walk around a bit and see if we can find something?" Goku suggested to Naruto, who immediately nodded his head in agreement. Sasuke figured he was just excited to leave the seating area and see more of the arcade.

Naruto got up and quickly walked out of the seating area and into the arcade, leaving the rest of the group to speed walk after him in hopes of catching up.

They walked aimlessly, all just following Naruto until he entered the elevator and headed up to the third floor of the arcade. On the third floor were a lot of outdoor-styled activities, including basketball, tennis courts, a medium-sized go-kart track, and other activities. As soon as the elevator door opened and Naruto saw the go-kart racing track, Sasuke could see his eyes light up as he made a beeline for the race track.

The trio just followed their hyperactive blonde teammate to the race track. Naruto was already in the middle of talking to the arcade worker responsible for the race track.

"Here they are!" Naruto said excitedly to the worker, who just smiled at him kindly before turning his attention to the rest of them.

"I will be passing out your helmets for the track. There are three laps for this race track. Please choose your go-kart and wait for my instruction to hop in. I will be there shortly to give you your helmets and start your cars. Also, before you go, please allow me to scan your arcade passes," the young worker said as he proceeded to scan their arcade passes.

"I see you decided the activity for us, idiot. How do you know we even wanted to do go-kart racing?" Sasuke said to Naruto teasingly.

"Well, sorry guys. I just got so excited seeing them. I have never done anything like this before. I didn't even know that Konoha had something like this," Naruto said to her and the group.

Before Sasuke could tease Naruto further, she heard Ayame speak up.

"I don't mind, Naruto-kun. I am sure this will be fun. I have also never done this activity before." Sasuke rolled her eyes at the sweet tone Ayame used with Naruto. They all headed towards the track to choose their individual cars.

Goku took the opportunity to attempt to talk to her as the four of them walked onto the track and towards their go-karts.

"Have you ever been here before, Sasuke-chan? If not, I can teach you how to drive them, or you can ride with me if you like?" Goku asked kindly with a blush.

Sasuke noticed this, and although she was sure he was trying to be a gentleman and wasn't using this as an opportunity to be in a confined go-kart to do something perverted, she still would rather drink bleach than be closer to him than necessary.

"I've been here before. It's been a while, but I can manage on my own. That's what the arcade worker is for, anyway," she said, leaving Goku standing there next to the go-kart he chose.

Sasuke chose her go-kart, then looked to see which cart Naruto would choose. He chose one that was two cars ahead of her, but to her surprise, Ayame was standing on the other side of the cart. Sasuke watched as the arcade worker handed them both a helmet before instructing the two to get in the go-kart.

That whore, Sasuke thought.

Ayame had used the moment as an opportunity to get some alone time with Naruto. Sasuke clenched her fist. She could feel her envy building in her stomach. She was taken out of her rage by the arcade worker.

"Excuse me, miss, are you okay?"

"Yeah," Sasuke said, staring blankly at the young worker.

"U-uh, okay. Well, you can enter your cart now. Here is your helmet," the worker said as Sasuke got into the cart.

"Now, please buckle your seatbelt and wait until the light over there turns green. That indicates the start of the race. For your final lap, I will wave a checkered flag. Best of luck!" the worker said before walking off.

Sasuke roughly squeezed the steering wheel as she waited for the race to start.

She thinks that she can weasel her way into Naruto's heart and sit next to him.

Sasuke had the image of Ayame and Naruto's legs rubbing against each other due to the size of the go-kart, and she felt her temper rising.

Well then, try enjoying the ride when I win! Naruto doesn't like losing almost as much as I do. So if I win, then he will be in a bad mood and Ayame will blame herself! Sasuke thought as she chuckled to herself, satisfied with her plan to ruin their moment.

Sasuke watched the light turn green and slammed her foot on the gas. She had hoped for more takeoff power, but the go-kart was unsatisfactory to her.

There were only three cars on the track: hers, Goku's, and the lead car of Naruto and Ayame.

Naruto picked the first go-kart, so he started out in front, then Goku, and last was her. She managed to catch up to Goku by the first turn. They banked right around the first turn. Sasuke was poorly positioned, so she was unable to pass Goku into the second-place position. As they came across the next bend, Sasuke learned from her mistake and didn't even try to pass Goku. Instead, she would try to pass him on the straightaway. They zipped, turned, and drifted their way through the course.

For someone who has never done this before, you're pretty good, Naruto.

Sasuke thought they had just started their second lap. She had made no progress in moving up from last place. Naruto was also still holding off Goku, who had tried multiple times to pass him, just as she had tried to pass Goku.

Sasuke noticed that when Goku went to try to pass Naruto, he left himself open, which would allow her to take his position and put her into second place if she timed it right.

She waited until Goku made his move. Goku went to pass Naruto, who expertly blocked his path with his cart. Sasuke then pressed hard on the gas and successfully replaced Goku, so now he was boxed out and in last place.

I need to make a move, but he drives so defensively, Sasuke thought.

They were approaching the end of the course; it was now or never. As they hit the final turn, Naruto didn't hug the wall tight enough, allowing Sasuke enough room to ram the back end of Naruto's go-kart, making him spiral out of control. As she passed them, she saw the shocked and surprised look in Naruto's eyes, as well as Ayame's. Before she zipped past them to the finish, she briefly recognized Goku also passing Naruto and finishing second.

She smiled triumphantly to herself as she parked the go-kart where the arcade worker instructed her to, handing over her helmet to the worker, who looked like he wanted to say something to her but refrained and walked away to help the rest of her party.

After he turned in his equipment, Goku came running towards her with a grin on his face.

"That was awesome, Sasuke-chan. You're really good at that. I can't believe it was your first time! The arcade worker didn't give you too much of a hard time, did he?" Goku asked, slightly concerned.

Sasuke just looked at him inquisitively. "No, why would he?" Sasuke asked, confused.

"Well... Usually, my friends and I get fussed at for being too rough on the track like that, but the worker probably gave you a break because you're a cute girl," Goku said with a blush.

Sasuke scoffed at this before she took her eyes off Goku to look at Naruto's reaction.

He has to be pissed that I beat him, right? He's going to run up to me and say I cheated and complain, and forget all about Ayame! she thought as she looked for Naruto and Ayame.

When she saw him, she felt her heart drop a bit. Naruto was taking his helmet off with Ayame, and they were both laughing, having fun, and conversing among themselves, as if she didn't just beat them.

Sasuke felt so irritated with the sight that she stormed off, forgetting that she was in a party with them.

She just walked away as far as she could from the sight of Naruto and Ayame enjoying each other's company.

I don't get it. Naruto hates losing. How could he have fun still with her?

Sasuke thought as she walked. Soon she realized she had walked quite a bit away and was no longer close to the go-kart tracks and Naruto and Ayame.

"Hey, beautiful! Here by yourself?" a boy called out to her.

Sasuke turned her head and realized she had walked close to the mini soccer fields. A young boy her age was juggling a soccer ball as he spoke to her with a confident smirk on his face. His friend was watching from a distance, leaned up against the far half-wall that separated the soccer court from the rest of the arcade. He had a water bottle in his hand and was obviously watching his friend 'flirt' with her in anticipation.

Sasuke glared at the boy and went to walk away before she heard a familiar voice say, "No, she's with me!"

Sasuke turned to see Goku approaching them. Sasuke rolled her eyes at his response. Goku walked up to her and stood close to her. Sasuke took a few steps to the side to put some space between her and Goku before the kid got the wrong idea.

Both Goku and the boy noticed. Goku tried to keep his face neutral for appearance's sake, but the boy chuckled at them.

"Yeah, sure. Hey, pretty lady, if you want, we have the soccer court reserved, but for you, I'll let you come in and I can teach you a few things," the boy said, smiling smugly at her.

Sasuke was about to rip this boy a new one, but Goku again stepped in to defend her, much to her annoyance.

"I said she is with me! So leave her alone."

"Whatever, man. She's way too hot to be with a loser like you. You're not fooling me," the boy said rudely, dismissing Goku.

Sasuke could see that this was really irritating Goku. Not that she cared; she found both males to be extremely aggravating.

"Whatever, let's go, Goku," Sasuke said.

"Wait, how about we play a match then? Me and my friend versus you two. If we win, I get your hot girlfriend for the day. You win, you guys get whatever you want from us!" the boy said as Sasuke and Goku were about to leave.

Sasuke paused at the same time as Goku. Goku had a blush on his face for the boy confusing Sasuke as his girlfriend. Sasuke was so pissed at this assumption.

Sasuke turned around and angrily walked towards the boy, who started backing away from her quickly. She hopped the half-wall effortlessly and walked the boy down until his back hit the wall.

Sasuke could hear Goku shouting after her and heard him enter the court behind her.

"First off, HE IS NOT MY BOYFRIEND! Secondly, you have a deal. I hope you're ready to lose your souls," Sasuke said, giving the boy an evil smirk before she walked away towards the ball the boy left behind in an effort to get away from her.

As she passed Goku, who followed her onto the court, she said, "We are playing them!"

Goku just nodded in agreement before following her.

"Yo, David, what did you do to piss her off? She might be hot, but she is terrifying!" David's friend said to him.

"I don't know, but I made a bet with her. If we win, she will hang out with us for the day. You know my parents aren't home; we could actually lose our virginities! All we gotta do is invite her over after we beat her and that guy!" David said excitedly as he pointed to Goku.

David felt, for some odd reason, that 'Goku,' as the hot girl called him, looked familiar, but he couldn't pin where he'd seen him before.

David's friend gasped and whispered loudly to him.

"David! Do you know who that is?" David's friend said, looking slightly panicked.

David shook his head. "Some nobody with a hot girlfriend," David said jokingly, shrugging his shoulders as he looked back to the hot girl who was stretching her limbs. She bent down, and he licked his lips at the sight of her cleavage, his mind filled with impure thoughts.

"Dude, that's Konoha's star soccer captain Goku! He's our senior! We are screwed!" His friend said.

David opened his mouth in shock. Now it made sense why Goku looked so familiar; it was because he had seen him at school before. David and his friend were second years at Konoha High. They were JV members of Konoha's soccer team. Konoha was known to have the best soccer team of all the villages for years, so making the soccer team, even the JV, meant that you were among the best the village had to offer. But Goku was not only varsity but the captain of the varsity. Rumors spread across the school that Konoha High had specially recruited Goku from their rival school, Kumogakure, after a soccer match when he showed his athletic talent.

The rumors had been backed up when it was discovered that Goku was on an athletic scholarship to the school.

"Dude, what did you bet her?" David's friend asked him nervously as they began to walk to the center of the field. It was obvious he thought they had no chance.

David sweat-dropped when he said, "I told her she could ask anything from us..." David said, much to his friend's horror.

"And what did she say she wanted?" His friend asked, terrified, as he made eye contact with the hot girl who was looking at them as though they were some sort of prey item.

"Our souls," David whined.

Sasuke watched as the boys talked amongst themselves. For whatever reason, the other boy seemed scared, but not so much of her as of Goku. She tracked his glance to Goku, whom he kept taking uneasy glances at.

Sasuke turned to Goku as she began stretching along with him.

"I think they know who I am now," Goku said matter-of-factly.

Sasuke just looked slightly confused by this. Seeing her confusion, Goku chuckled to himself.

"Well, I understand why you and Naruto-san didn't know me. As a civilian fourth year, I'm pretty popular. I'm the captain of Konoha's varsity soccer team. Those two are second years, I believe. They are on the junior varsity team," Goku said proudly as he stretched. Sasuke nodded in understanding. She may not be a civilian, but she grew up in Konoha all her life. She knew that Konoha's soccer team was supposed to be really good.

"Good, then you might not get in my way," Sasuke said.

Goku chuckled louder at this. Sasuke may have a rougher delivery than he was used to from females, but if you took your feelings out of it, she could be quite funny.

"I was hoping to impress you a bit with my soccer skills. They didn't make me captain of the Konoha soccer team for no reason, Sasuke-chan," Goku said confidently.

Sasuke raised an eyebrow at this. The air around Goku had shifted. He had been kind of timid and less confident until he found out they were playing soccer. She actually believed he was good. She could see it in his eyes.

"Sure, I'll see what you've got. Not like I'd let them score a point on us anyway," Sasuke said with her arms crossed, looking unbothered.

The two boys walked towards them, and Sasuke could see both boys went from confident and amused to terrified. Seeing the look on their faces filled Sasuke with happiness.

Sasuke was surprised, raising a single eyebrow when both boys simultaneously bowed.

"We are sorry, Goku-senpai. This is all just a misunderstanding. Please forgive us!" the boys said in unison.

Goku sighed, slouching a bit, disappointed. He wanted to show off his skills to Sasuke, but he straightened up when he thought he could use this as an opportunity to still seem cool by being mature and forgiving the boys while giving them a lecture on humility.

"It's—" Goku started his lecture but was cut off by Sasuke, who was glaring at the boys.

"So you forfeit? Fine. I order you both to commit seppuku."

All three boys on the court stiffened and sweat-dropped at this.

The two JV boys looked even more terrified at the order. Goku looked just as terrified by this; he knew he very well couldn't stop Sasuke if she chose violence.

"W-wait, Sasuke, isn't that going too far?" Goku asked.

"These little shits insulted my honor, made a bet, and are trying to back out," Sasuke growled. "I told you, little fucks, I'd have your soul. You want to forfeit? That's fine. Both of you commit seppuku right now, and all is forgiven." Sasuke said.

"I-I d-don't th-think the punishment f-fits the c-crime," David said.

"Yeah, Sasuke-chan, shouldn't we go easy on them?" Goku begged.

"Play us or commit seppuku. Those are your options," Sasuke said angrily, tired of this game.

"We don't have a knife or sword, so we couldn't possibly commit seppuku right now," David's friend said.

Goku, David, and his friend all screamed in terror when two kunai bounced on the floor in front of them. Sasuke seemed to pull them out of the air for them to kill themselves with.

"These should do!"

"We will play you then!" David said, looking at Sasuke with defiance before letting out a scared shriek at the malice in her eyes.

"Good!" Sasuke said as she turned to defend her and Goku's goal. "Goku, if I think you suck, we will switch immediately!" Sasuke said over her shoulder as she walked to their goal.

"Yeah, sure," Goku said to Sasuke.

"Goku-senpai, where did you meet her? She is terrifying!" David's friend said to their elder student.

"I know, right," Goku said with a look of admiration and infatuation in his eyes as they watched their senpai stare at the girl's ass before she turned around to glare at all three of the boys who were watching her walk away.

"Senpai, at least give us an advantage. Me and David know we are no match for you even if we double-team you," David's friend whined to their elder now that the scary girl was a bit farther away.

Goku thought about it for a moment before figuring that this could work in his favor. He doubted that the boys would even get a shot off against him, and Sasuke was a shinobi. He doubted they could score on her. Just to be sure, he'd ask her.

"Hey, Sasuke-chan, how about we make this more interesting for us? I say we go first to 10 and give them an advantage. We will start 9-0. Sound good to you?" Goku said with a confident smirk.

"I don't care," Sasuke said, uninterested, her arms crossed as she stood in front of the goal.

"If you two are on a date... I don't think she likes you, senpai," David whispered to his elder, which made the older boy glare at him.

"Shut up. I get the ball first," Goku said as the boys cleared out of the center circle so he could begin the match.

Goku smiled. The two boys were squatted in an athletic stance, but they made a big mistake. They expected him to dribble through them and closer to the goal before he took his first shot. But with the size of this mini court, he was already in striking range. There wasn't a spot on this court where he wasn't a threat to score from.

Goku kicked the ball with pinpoint accuracy and power. The ball whizzed past the two boys and into the net.

"1-9," Goku said confidently to the boys.

"Amazing," David said as he went to get the ball out of the net.

"Let's not give up, David! All we have to do is score once!" David's friend said to him.

David nodded in response. "Right!"

A few minutes passed, and Sasuke had to admit Goku was good. He was toying with the boys. Right now, he was dribbling circles around the boys, making them look silly and showing off to her. The boys hadn't even managed to get the ball past half-court against him, leaving her back by the goal bored.

She thought about leaving the goal and having fun too, but that left the goal too exposed, and she wasn't going to take the chance.

Goku scored again, making the score 5-9.

"Alright, Goku, switch," Sasuke said as she walked to half-court.

Goku turned around, confused. He hadn't even broken a sweat yet, meanwhile the two boys looked slightly tired.

Sasuke easily read his confusion and answered his question before he could ask it.

"I got bored. My turn. We are going to 10, yes? I will finish this," she said.

Goku nodded in understanding as he headed towards their goal. He heard one of the boys say, "Yes, this is our chance! We can definitely beat a girl! Even if she is scary!" David said.

Goku chuckled before turning around and back to the boys, bending down slightly to whisper to them.

"She's a shinobi," was all he said. He burst out laughing at the pure look of horror on their faces. He passed Sasuke, who had a questioning look on her face. She was curious about what he said.

"I just told them you were a shinobi," Goku said as he passed her.

Sasuke smirked, understanding why the boys looked so defeated.

"We never stood a chance!"

"We are going to die!" David said.

"My ball, no?" Sasuke said with an evil, murderous smirk.

"Help me..." David and his friend said to anyone who would listen.

Goku watched as Sasuke barely seemed to try to score consecutive goals.

Geez, she's probably better than me! Goku thought as Sasuke scored another goal, making the score 8-9.

"Hey, Naruto-kun, I found them!" Ayame said.

Goku recognized that voice and turned around to see Naruto and Ayame walking towards the soccer court.

"Oh, I see. Hey! Is that Sasuke?" Naruto said in awe as he ran past Ayame to the court wall, leaning against the wall. Just as Sasuke stole the ball from one of the boys and scored again, making the score 9-9.

"GOOD JOB, BASTARD!" Naruto shouted, cheering for Sasuke. Goku turned back to see Sasuke's reaction. He saw her turn at Naruto's voice, and her uninterested and unbothered face she had since this match started turned red with a blush.

What I would do to be the reason for such a cute face! Goku thought, swooning at the cute face of an embarrassed Sasuke.

"Oh, hey Goku. We thought we lost you guys. We've been looking all over the place for you two, ya know!" Naruto said when he noticed Goku was the goalkeeper for their team.

"Ah, yeah, sorry about that. Sasuke took off earlier, and I followed her. Then these two underclassmen started hitting on her. Now we are playing them in soccer. It's almost over, though. This is match point, sorry." Goku said.

Naruto shook his head, and Ayame joined him, standing next to him, watching Sasuke play soccer.

"No worries, man. It looks like Sasuke is actually having fun. I'm glad." Naruto said, trailing off as he went back to staring at Sasuke.

Goku noticed this and turned his head back to Sasuke, who was dribbling circles around the two boys. She could have scored multiple times, but she seemed to be rubbing it in. Her face seemed as uninterested as before. He had no idea how Naruto got the assumption she was having fun. He looked closer and saw it—a small smirk on the edge of her lips. You would miss it if you didn't look close enough. Sasuke even sent a glance to Naruto, as if checking to make sure he was still watching.

Goku turned back to Naruto to see him grinning and smiling brightly at Sasuke. Ayame seemed to notice this too. Ayame then looked at Goku, giving him a soft, friendly smile that seemed rather sad to him.

Before he could ponder why that was, he heard Naruto scream.

"Good shot, SASUKE!" Naruto said, jumping up and down excitedly like he was at the Village World Cup.

Sasuke blushed again at this, and Goku just admired her cute face as he approached the half-court spot, where his underclassmen were both on their knees, begging Sasuke for mercy.

"Please have mercy on us!" David said.

"David, man, I am too young to die."

Sasuke stood there, seeming to ponder how she would kill the poor kids. Before Goku could try and defend them, he heard Naruto speak next to him, which scared the crap out of him since he hadn't heard or even felt him approaching.

"What's going on, bastard? Are you guys about to play another game? 'Cause if so, I want to play!" Naruto said excitedly.

"Shut up, idiot. I am trying to figure out what these morons' punishment should be. I guess seppuku is still a plausible choice."

Goku sweat-dropped at the violent nature of such a hot girl. David and his friend were trembling in terror.

Naruto rolled his eyes. "Stop being a bastard. They are obviously scared and can't tell you're joking," Naruto said, chuckling before he stopped mid-chuckle at one glance at Sasuke's face. He could tell she wasn't joking.

"Wait, what's going on here?" Naruto said, obviously missing something. Sasuke was violent, but she didn't resort to death for no reason... well, not all the time.

"These morons insulted me," Sasuke said plainly, leaving a lot in the air.

Goku sweat-dropped at this.

Was being called my girlfriend such an insult it's worthy of death?

"I'm still not understanding, bastard. What exactly did they do?" Naruto asked.

"They said Goku was my boyfriend," Sasuke said sourly.

Naruto then nodded in understanding. "I see... You're right. Death is a worthy punishment."

Goku sweat-dropped and jaw-dropped. He didn't expect the friendly Naruto to agree with this. Even Sasuke looked at him oddly until her confusion turned into a glare.

"I am serious, Naruto!" Sasuke said.

"Aw, shucks, relax, bastard. It was an honest mistake, right boys?" Naruto asked the terrified underclassmen, who nodded their heads in agreement.

"See, honest mistake. Bastard, let's get some grub at the food court. I'm hungry!" Naruto said, throwing his arm over Sasuke's shoulder and pulling her out of the court and back to Ayame, who was waiting on the exterior of the court.

Goku and the two underclassmen watched as the blonde seemed to not only be immune to the glares of the hot beauty, but they all saw a blush. Even though she had such an angry, annoyed, and emotionless face throughout their whole match, she showed no sign of being able to show a positive emotion.

"Hey, senpai, I thought you were her—"

"Don't say anything, dumbass!" Goku said, warning the boys. He turned to see Sasuke glaring at the three, and Naruto trying to calm her down.

Goku sighed, waving goodbye to the boys and leaving to follow the rest of his party out of the court and into the elevator.

The group went to the food court, but it was extremely packed, and Naruto didn't feel like waiting, so he asked if he was the only one hungry or if anyone else was hungry. It turned out Ayame and Goku were hungry. Sasuke rudely suggested they eat at home.

Naruto sighed and said they could go grab food and come back since their arcade passes had been upgraded to full-day passes. Sasuke wasn't a fan of this, but she would be damned if she left Ayame alone with Naruto again. Ayame and Naruto had been talking casually ever since her and Goku had rejoined them. She still caught Naruto checking her out and paying attention to any conversation Goku tried to have with her.

But she wanted his full, undivided attention like she had when she was playing soccer. She thought back to how good it felt knowing Naruto was cheering her on and watching her, and only her.

As they walked, they passed all types of games headed for the exit until something seemed to catch Naruto's eye. Sasuke watched as Naruto approached a table, watching what she assumed to be a young couple their age playing air hockey. Sasuke watched as Naruto stood there, fascinated with the game going before him, his eyes watching the air hockey puck slide across the table. He was in awe before the puck slid into the teenage girl's goal, ending the game. The couple left the table smiling and laughing, talking amongst themselves about the fun they just had.

Sasuke approached Naruto, with Goku and Ayame following close behind her.

"You want to play this?" she asked him with a knowing smirk on her face. Naruto turned to her, his eyes lit up like an excited kid, and he nodded his head eagerly.

"Yes, but it seems like it is only two players?" Naruto said, his voice holding a slightly saddened tone.

Sasuke just shook her head in response, walking to the other side of the table and pulling two more strikers from under the table.

"No, there are more strikers to use. This can be multiplayer," she said with a smile.

Naruto's face lit up as he grabbed one of the blue strikers from her hand.

He turned to Ayame and Goku with an excited but questioning look.

"Would you guys like to play this?" he asked the two.

"Sure!" Goku said, grabbing a red striker from the table.

"Yes," Ayame said, grabbing the other red striker from the table.

"So, what's the teams?" Naruto asked excitedly, trying to get everything sorted out so the game could start already.

Ayame looked at her striker and was about to say something but was cut off immediately by Sasuke.

"It's already been decided. The color of your striker in your hand usually designates what side and what team you're on. Me and you both have blue strikers, so we will be on a team. They have red strikers, so they will be on a team."

Naruto looked at the striker in his hand and nodded his head in understanding.

"Well, it seems we are on a team, Ayame-chan. Let's try our best. I am actually pretty good at this game. I am the best among my friends, so let's do our best!" Goku said to Ayame.

Sasuke rolled her eyes at this.

No matter how good Goku thinks he is, they have no chance against us.

Ayame gave him a small smile in return as she went to the red team goal side, standing next to Goku.

"Yes, let's try our best!" she said hopefully, although in the back of her mind, she was already preparing for war.

The four then scanned their arcade access tickets against the table's game scanner. It registered them, and Sasuke heard and felt the table come to life as air started to come out, making it possible for the puck to slide across. Naruto then took his position next to Sasuke.

"So I have never played this before, but watching the couple before us, we just hit that puck into their goal to win, right, bastard?" Naruto asked her.

"Exactly. The first team to 10 goals wins," Sasuke said with a nod of her head.

Naruto nodded in understanding before he turned and eyed his opponents across the table. She could tell from his eyes and the air around him that he was focused and did not want to lose.

"Well, let's win this thing then, bastard!" Naruto said as he stared blankly at his opponents.

Sasuke chuckled softly at his competitive spirit. Her chuckle turned into a mischievous grin when she looked across the table and saw the pale faces of both Goku and Ayame.

They looked like they were looking at a demon, both their eyes locked on Naruto, watching him as though he were a feral tiger poised to slay them at any moment.

Due to his hyper-focus on the game about to begin, he unconsciously was letting out some killer intent, and his deathly serious state caught both untrained civilians off guard.

"Just make sure you don't get in my way, idiot," Sasuke said, as she focused and unleashed some killer intent as well, frightening their 'dates' even more.

"Hey!" Naruto said to both Goku and Ayame, who still hadn't moved a muscle out of fear.

Goku spoke up first, looking at Naruto in the eyes timidly. "Y-yes?" he asked.

"It's your serve, right? Give us your best shot, Goku!" Naruto said with a smile and thumbs up.

Goku let out a breath.

Damn, they are so intimidating! But it's just a game!

Goku then cast a glance at Sasuke. Her posture was one of uninterest and boredom, but her eyes and the aura he felt emanating from her felt like a snake coiled and ready to strike at a moment's notice. He imagined this must have been what his underclassmen felt when playing against her earlier. It was terrifying.

Goku looked at the strikers in the shinobi's hands. Sasuke had hers ready to act, striker on the table in front of the goal, but Naruto's striker wasn't even on the table. He had it hovering above the table, leaving the right side of their goal exposed.

If I can show Sasuke-chan I am good at something, maybe she will talk to me more and show some more interest in me on this date. I will give it my all! I must win this!

"I like that look on your face, Goku! Let's get this started!" Naruto said with a smirk that reminded Goku of Sasuke.

"Here I go! Ayame, let's do this! We can win!" Goku said to his teammate as he dropped the puck.

I will target their weak side, Naruto! He has never played, and his striker isn't even on the table! I'll do my signature move my friends can never stop. I'll hit the puck and make it bounce off the wall and into the goal on the right side!

As soon as the puck hit the table, Goku struck it with all his might. Sasuke watched as the puck slid across the table; it moved at a boringly slow speed.

From the looks of his strike, he is targeting Naruto's side of the puck, maybe because he knows Naruto has never played, or maybe he thinks Naruto's unusual positioning means that side of the goal is open, and Naruto won't be able to react in time.

Sasuke smirked at this thought.

Big mistake.

Before Ayame and Goku were even able to register what happened, they both felt a gust of wind pass by their hands that were holding the strikers. The flash and sound of the table screaming, "GOAAAALLLLL!" was heard by all four. Both Ayame and Goku looked up at the scoreboard above the table that read Team Blue 1, Team Red 0.

"Wha-" Ayame began.

"What just happened?" Goku said out loud to no one in particular.

Ayame looked under their goal for the puck that, if Naruto and Sasuke indeed had just scored, would be there. To her surprise and amazement, it was. She pulled it out, holding it in her hand, shocked.

She turned to look at Goku, who had the same bewildered and amazed look she had.

"YESS!" they heard Naruto say. "Just 9 more goals to go! Good job, Sasuke!"

Goku and Ayame were even more confused. Ayame had been watching Sasuke the entire time since the other girl was directly across from her, and she hadn't seen Sasuke move one inch! Plus, from what she could see of Goku's serve, the puck should have been on Naruto's side, so there was no way Sasuke could reach across the table and hit it without her at least seeing her move. But from the sounds of it, it was Sasuke who scored that goal and not Naruto.

"Whatever, idiot... it was a good pass, I guess," Sasuke responded with a slight blush, refusing to look at Naruto, whose eyes brimmed with happiness at her compliment.

This made the two civilians even more confused!

They not only didn't see Sasuke score, but apparently, Naruto had managed to pass the puck to Sasuke without them seeing, too!

Ayame turned to Goku and asked, "Did you see any of that?" She asked in a hushed voice as Naruto and Sasuke celebrated their goal.

Goku looked at her just as concerned and shook his head. "No, I have no idea what just happened."

Ayame sighed. This wasn't a good sign. She looked across the table and saw Sasuke's knowing and smug smirk. When Sasuke saw her make eye contact, she turned to Naruto and grabbed his arm, pulling him close to her as she gave him a side hug, all while maintaining eye contact with Ayame.

That bitch is doing this on purpose! she thought.

"Let's do it again, Naruto!" Sasuke said. The unexpected hug made Naruto blush, which annoyed Ayame even more!

Naruto smiled brightly at Sasuke. He was happy to see her seemingly involved with the game.

We can't lose now, since even Sasuke is having fun! he thought.

"I will try serving this time. Be watchful, Goku-san!" Ayame growled through clenched teeth.

Goku merely nodded, trying to focus the best he could. He watched as Ayame served the puck. From the angle of her strike, it was directed straight to Sasuke, which he thought was a bad idea because, although Sasuke seemed uninterested in the game, he couldn't shake the feeling that she was deeply involved, and she was the opponent who just scored their last goal. But it was too late now, as the puck slid across the table towards the shinobi. Goku had no trouble tracking it; Ayame didn't seem like she was able to hit the puck as hard as him.

He tracked the puck across the table. One moment he saw it sliding towards Sasuke's team's goal, and the next thing he knew, it disappeared, and the sound of the table screaming "Goaaallll!" could be heard.

He looked over at Ayame in shock. She, too, was in the same position she was moments ago after she served the puck. It was obvious neither one of them saw how the shinobi managed to score so quickly again.

That's when Goku thought, Winning against those two is impossible! as he heard Sasuke compliment Naruto on scoring.

A few minutes had passed, and both Ayame and Goku were sweating. They hadn't managed to get a single block against Naruto and Sasuke. It was like no matter what they did, as soon as the puck crossed from their end of the table to the other side, it would disappear, followed by the noise of the table announcer screaming a goal had been scored against them. It was now 9-0, match point.

Goku looked over at Ayame, who he could tell had all but given up. He clenched his striker in his hand as he looked over at Sasuke, who was congratulating Naruto on their latest goal. Sasuke hadn't even spared Goku a second glance since this game began. He was hoping to use his skill in this game to impress her a bit, but it turned sour, and quickly.

Goku had to do something to manage to get Sasuke to look at him and acknowledge him, like she had been doing with Naruto this whole game.

"Ayame-san, I have an idea!" Goku said to his teammate. Ayame looked over at him, and he could practically see the doubt in her eyes. But she listened to him anyway.

"After I serve, let's both put our strikers in front of the goal. It's pretty cheesy and I hate the idea of it, but if we do, then our strikers will cover most of the goal, leaving only a tiny gap that the puck shouldn't be able to fit through. We might be able to get a block that way!" Goku said.

Naruto and Sasuke watched this, and Sasuke smirked while Naruto just tilted his head to the side, obviously confused as to what the two were planning.

Ayame seemed to think about this before giving a soft smile. She thought that with this plan, it could work. It was an unwritten rule in duo air hockey that having two strikers blocking a goal was unfair because it would be almost impossible to score, since the strikers themselves stacked side by side cover almost the entirety of the smaller goal.

But if it means I can wipe that smug smirk off her face, I'll do it! Ayame thought.

Goku struck the puck, sending it flying towards Naruto and Sasuke's goal. He knew trying to use his signature bank shot was pointless, so he had no plans for his serve. He just hit the puck straight down the center of the table, before quickly bringing his striker back next to Ayame's as close as possible so they were covering the entirety of their goal.

"Sasuke, finish it off!" Naruto shouted to Sasuke before the puck crossed onto their side of the table.

"You don't have to yell, idiot. I am standing right next to you!" Sasuke replied.

Goku and Ayame didn't let Naruto and Sasuke's banter distract them. Both civilians focused all their attention on the puck sliding across the table. As the puck got closer to crossing to their opponents' side, Goku said to Ayame, "Get ready, Ayame-san."

As expected, as soon as the puck crossed to Naruto and Sasuke's side, it disappeared from the table.

Next thing they knew, they didn't see the puck. Instead, they felt and heard the puck slam against both of their strikers. The impact was so hard it knocked both their hands to the side and sent their strikers flying out of their hands. The sound of the puck colliding with their strikers made a "SMACK" sound much like a bat hitting a baseball.

Goku and Ayame were shocked at the power of the impact of the puck against their strikers. Even though they didn't see the moment of impact, they felt and heard it. Although now their strikers were falling to the ground next to them, they both had the same single thought in their mind.

We blocked it!

Goku saw the puck first after the impact was made against his and Ayame's strikers, sending them flying out of their hands. Ayame saw it shortly after. They watched in what felt like slow motion as the impact of their block sent the air hockey puck flying into the air and headed back towards Naruto and Sasuke.

Goku was speechless. It wasn't unheard of for air hockey pucks to occasionally fly off the table due to the force of it hitting a striker or wall too hard, but he felt the strength and speed in which he assumed Sasuke sent the puck at them, and this was the first time he was able to see the puck after it crossed the table to Sasuke's side.

He watched as the puck flew to Naruto and Sasuke's side. He faintly heard Naruto say, "I got this! Thanks for clearing the path!" He watched in amazement as Naruto jumped up and smacked the puck with his striker in mid-air before he lost sight of the puck again, but heard the sound of it hitting the table and slamming into their goal. The table's announcer shouted, "Goaalll! Match Over! Winner! Team Red!"

Goku and Ayame watched in silent amazement as Naruto landed gracefully next to Sasuke, with a huge grin on his face.

"Yessss! Good job, bastard! You cleared their strikers from the goal, so that's what he meant by both of them using their strikers to block the goal. I could see how that strategy could be pretty effective in this game. Kind of annoying, actually," Naruto said.

Sasuke just smiled smugly at Naruto's compliment. "You had a nice shot too, Naruto. You had to jump a little higher for that one. Next time I will make sure it's lower," she said.

"Awh, thanks, but you know that—"

Goku couldn't help but let out a small chuckle, which got the attention of both Sasuke and Naruto.

Sasuke watched as Goku reached down and picked up the striker that she managed to knock out of his hand with her shot.

"I guess it was wishful thinking for Ayame and me to be able to beat shinobi. That was the coolest air hockey game I've ever been a part of! How were you guys managing to score? Please tell me!" Goku said.

Sasuke rolled her eyes at this.

As if we will tell you our secrets! she thought as Naruto responded.

"Sure!" Naruto said, making her sweat drop.

Goku and Ayame both looked at them expectantly.

"We're going to have to do it much slower since you guys weren't able to see us doing it before!" Naruto said with a smile as he turned to Sasuke.

"Will you pass it to me? Try to do it as slow as you can," Naruto said to her.

Sasuke scoffed. "Whatever. I don't know why you want to waste time showing them anyway."

"Awh, don't be like that, Sasuke! Come on, we get to show off our super cool air hockey skills."

"Whatever, idiot. Here," Sasuke said as she hit the puck off the table, popping it into the air. Naruto tracked the puck in the air, then hit it out of the air and into the goal.

Both Ayame and Goku stood there in shock. They had just witnessed Sasuke pass the air hockey puck from off the table into the air, and Naruto hit it out of the air into the goal much like the last point.

So they were doing that all game, but faster. And from the very beginning without prior communication? Can they read each other's minds? Goku thought in amazement.

"You guys saw that, right? We tried to go as slow as we could, but that was what we did the whole game. It worked, so we just kept doing it. Sorry about that," Naruto said, smiling bashfully as he scratched the back of his head.

"No, it's okay. That was really cool. I can't believe something like that is possible. My friends are never going to believe this," Goku said, laughing.

"No, it's okay. Good game, Naruto-kun," Ayame said sweetly, ignoring Sasuke altogether.

Naruto smiled at both of them in return.

"So, since you guys saw our secret technique, wanna rematch?"

"NO!" Goku and Ayame shouted at the same time.

Their hands were still shaking from the impact of Sasuke's shot. And now that they knew a puck had been flying at them so terrifyingly fast, they both pictured an image of being hit with that puck and the damage that little plastic disk would do to them at that speed.

Naruto pouted at their reply. He obviously wanted to play air hockey some more.

Ayame's face softened at seeing Naruto's obvious disappointment, and she was going to volunteer to play more, but she was cut off by Sasuke.

"I'll play against you, idiot," Sasuke said, giving Naruto a smug smirk.

Naruto's face did a 180 at Sasuke's challenge, and his face lit up with excitement.

"You're so on, bastard!" Naruto said as he grabbed a striker.

"Good, now we can play without holding back!" Sasuke said as she stood across from Naruto.

THEY WERE HOLDING BACK! Both Ayame and Goku thought in shock.

"I am so beating you! I am the Air Hockey King!" Naruto said smugly as he scanned his arcade card on the table's scanner.

"You've never played before, but you're so confident you can beat me? As if I would lose to you at anything, idiot!" Sasuke said as she scanned her card.

"We'll see! If I win, you have to admit that I am the Air Hockey King!" Naruto said as he pointed to his chest confidently.

Sasuke's eye twitched momentarily before a devious smile graced her lips.

"Okay, and if I win, I want something from you," Sasuke said smugly.

"Yeah, and what's that?" Naruto asked curiously.

Sasuke pretended to consider what she'd want for a moment. She glanced at Ayame, giving her a smug smirk before gesturing for Naruto to come closer with her index finger. Naruto looked at her questioningly before he walked around the table to Sasuke.

Sasuke got up on her tiptoes and whispered in his ear what she wanted from him if she won.

Goku stood next to Ayame and watched the display. He saw Sasuke glance at Ayame before whispering to Naruto her request if she won the bet. Goku saw Naruto's face turn beet red. Whatever Sasuke asked of him or told him obviously shook the blonde and embarrassed him a bit.

Goku would be lying if he said that seeing the behavior of the two up to now didn't make him feel jealous. Up until this point, it felt more like Sasuke and Naruto were on a date and he and Ayame were just witnesses to this. It made him jealous and slightly angry.

He looked at Ayame and saw she had a flustered, worried, and slightly angry and annoyed look on her face. Although he had no idea why, the timing of her reaction made him assume that maybe he wasn't the only one feeling envious.

Naruto whispered "Bastard" loud enough for Goku to hear from where he stood next to Ayame.

"We got a deal or not, idiot?" Sasuke asked flirtatiously and almost seductively.

"Wait, does it have to be in front of them?" Naruto said, unsure, casting a hesitant glance at Ayame and Goku.

Goku was now more curious about what Sasuke wanted from Naruto.

"What, you scared? Scaredy-cat? I thought you were the 'King of Air Hockey.'" Sasuke teased, knowing it would get a rise out of Naruto.

"No! Of course not! Whatever, deal!" Naruto shouted in response.

"Hmfph," Sasuke said as she picked up the puck and prepared to serve it to Naruto.

Naruto turned to Ayame and Goku, who were standing close to the air hockey table. Both Goku and Ayame were excited to see the match between the two shinobi. They knew they were about to witness an air hockey game like nothing they'd ever seen before.

Naruto spoke to the two, "You might want to back up a few feet. I'm sure Sasuke and I are going to need some room. Plus, it's for your own safety just in case of a bad shot or an unexpected ricochet."

Goku and Ayame immediately nodded and backed away. They were glad they did too. Ten minutes later, the score was 9-9, match point. Goku and Ayame weren't even sure what they had been able to witness would count as an air hockey game. There was now a large crowd surrounding the air hockey table.

Naruto and Sasuke stood across from each other at their respective ends, gasping for breath, sweat pouring off their foreheads. The crowd of onlookers was cheering for the two, mainly Sasuke. She had gained a mass following of boys around her, cheering her on like fangirls.

The crowd was drawn to the table because of the loud "smack" sound that could be heard all across the first floor of the arcade. But they stayed for the 'view'; apparently, the boys were enjoying the eyeful of skin Sasuke was showing during her and Naruto's rallies.

Ayame had caught Goku staring at the bounce of Sasuke's breasts in her shirt and the jiggle of her ass during the rallies when Sasuke and Naruto would hit the puck back and forth without either managing to score on the other.

Although those sneak peeks were rare and mostly happened at the end of a rally when both parties stopped moving at their top speed, which was untrackable by the civilians, the boys would still cheer. Sasuke and, to Ayame's surprise, Naruto had threatened bodily harm to a few boys who catcalled during the match.

Regardless of the attention Sasuke was getting, both she and Naruto appeared to be evenly matched. The score was 9-9, and that meant that the next point would decide the winner. It was Naruto's serve. From what Ayame could tell, the server in this matchup had the advantage. Almost every time either Naruto or Sasuke served, the server seemed to score.

Ayame crossed her fingers and prayed that Naruto would win, thinking back to his blush at Sasuke's bet.

I hope you win, Naruto-kun! I'm counting on you!

Naruto and Sasuke seemed to catch their breaths at the same time, and in a flash, the game started again without warning. Ayame was unable to track their movements, and it was even more impossible to track the puck, which she had given up on a long time ago. But if you listened closely, you could hear their current location based on the "smack" of their strikers hitting the puck.

Ayame imagined that both Naruto and Sasuke were flying back and forth, hitting and returning the puck, which was bouncing and sliding off the table much like a match of tennis. She thought this because occasionally the "smack" she heard sounded different, more like the puck hitting the table before bouncing up and off the table, then being returned to the table and back by either Sasuke or Naruto.

The current rally they were on was the longest one so far. The silence around the first floor was almost deafening in and of itself. All that could be heard was the sounds of music from the unplayed games on their menus and gasps of amazement from the first-floor onlookers. Quiet conversations between them included:

"What do you think is happening?"

"Who do you think will win?"

"Who are they?"

"They have to be shinobi. That's the only thing that makes sense."

"That girl is so hot!"

"Do you think they are on a date?"

Then, suddenly, "GOALLLL!"

Ayame looked up as both Naruto and Sasuke came into view once again, sweat glistening off their bodies. The crowd seemed to all look up above the table at once before cheers erupted, and Ayame felt her heart sink and shook her head sadly.

Sasuke had won.

Sasuke smirked confidently at Naruto across the table, who just shot her a playful glare as he wiped the sweat off his brow.

"Well, well, well, looks like I am the Queen of Air Hockey, no?" Sasuke said teasingly as she set down the striker and walked across the table toward Naruto, who was backing away from her nervously.

"Wait... wait, Sasuke... maybe we can talk about this..."

Ayame was brought away from watching Sasuke and Naruto when she heard a shout from one of the boys who had picked up Sasuke's striker that she had set down.

"Dude, look at it, it's all dented and damaged! SO COOL!" the boy said, showing some of his friends the beaten-up striker.

"Check out the puck, dude, it's like a quarter of its original size, and the edges are all bent up. The guy's puck is messed up too!"

"They are awesome!" the boys all said.

Ayame turned when she heard Goku say, "Oh wow, that's what she wanted... I guess I understand why she said I had no chance..." Goku said sadly.

The more he thought about it, it all made sense. The signs were there from the beginning; he was just being naïve.

Ayame was surprised by this. She looked at him to see he had a saddened expression on his face, his eyes locked onto the direction Naruto was backing off to.

Ayame followed his eyes to the sight of Sasuke pressed against Naruto, whose eyes were wide in shock before closing. She watched Naruto wrap his arms around Sasuke's waist, pulling her deeper into the kiss. Just as Naruto did that, though, Sasuke pushed herself away and out of his grasp.

She couldn't hear what Sasuke said to Naruto, but whatever she said made him blush madly before his eyes flashed over to where Goku and Ayame were standing.

Naruto always wore his emotions on his sleeve; he was very easy to read, even to a civilian like her. Ayame was sure that even Goku, who barely knew Naruto, could tell what he was thinking just with the brief eye contact he made with both of them. Ayame knew she could. Naruto's eyes were easy to read, and they said he was embarrassed, ashamed, sorry, happy, elated, ecstatic, and in love.

Ayame felt her heart clench in her chest. She knew that Sasuke had feelings for Naruto, or at the very least she was extremely suspicious. She never expected Sasuke to do something like this, though, in front of her and Goku and the other visitors of the arcade who watched their air hockey match. Least of all during a double date! Naruto was supposed to be her date! It's shameless, classless, rude, inconsiderate, and just downright dirty, but she'd expect nothing less from Sasuke.

Ayame watched as Sasuke turned and headed towards them. Sasuke's face was also blushed red, although her eyes and posture screamed confidence and indifference. Ayame saw the fingers Sasuke ran across her lips that were just on Naruto. But what solidified everything for Ayame was seeing Naruto almost at the same time do the same thing. He glanced at her, and his face screamed apologetic and shame, but she had already seen the light in his eyes from the kiss with Sasuke.

Sasuke smirked smugly at Ayame, who returned her smug smirk with an unthreatening glare as she approached her. The girl was obviously hurt and upset, even if she was trying to hide it. Although part of her felt bad for stealing Naruto's first kiss when he was on a date with another girl, Sasuke hadn't come here to make friends with Ayame or to even entertain the idea of a double date with Goku. She came for Naruto, and she would be leaving with Naruto.

Naruto was gaining more and more attention from the opposite sex, and she had to make her feelings known. She had always known Naruto was slower on the uptake with romantic feelings for the opposite sex. She had hoped that her actions recently at her house, his house, and outside would be enough, but even all that wasn't forward enough for her blonde teammate. Her thoughts drifted to their kiss a few moments ago and what she had said to him, as a blush appeared on her face again at the memory.

"Well, well, well, looks like I am the Queen of Air Hockey, no?" Sasuke said teasingly as she set down the striker and walked across the table towards Naruto, who was backing away from her nervously.

"Wait... wait, Sasuke... maybe we can talk about this..."

Sasuke enticingly strolled her way towards Naruto, who was backing away from her timidly, very unlike Naruto. She loved that she was able to do this to him and bring this out of him.

He's so cute.

"S-Sasuke, do you really want to do this here? Ayame and Goku are right there. It's embarrassing. What are we supposed to tell them?" Naruto said as his back hit the wall.

Nowhere to run now, Naruto, Sasuke thought as she approached him.

"I will tell them that you are mine," Sasuke said as she placed a hand on his chest. She could feel his heart racing under her palm.

I better be the only girl who can make you feel this way, Naruto-kun, she thought.

"What d-do you mean?"

"Shut up and kiss me," Sasuke said as she roughly pressed her lips to his, taking full advantage of their bet and collecting what he owed her.

"I'm assuming your bet with Naruto was a kiss?" Ayame asked, still glaring at Sasuke, breaking her out of her thoughts. Sasuke looked at the nuisance of a girl in front of her, then glanced at Goku, who looked at her sadly but was also listening to the conversation.

"Yes," Sasuke said plainly, uncaring of the flash of hurt that appeared on both Goku's and Ayame's faces.

Ayame was the first to recover and continued her line of questioning. "Why would you do something like this? Aren't you supposed to be on a date with Goku? Why even come if you're just going to do something like this?" Ayame asked, fighting to keep her emotions in check. Maybe this was still salvageable somehow. But it wouldn't be if she overreacted. Maybe that was what Sasuke wanted her to do: just storm off and leave Naruto here with her.

"Because Naruto is mine. I only came to make that clear to everyone. Goku knows he has no chance with me. I have already told him that," Sasuke said without remorse.

Ayame was surprised at this and glanced at Goku, who looked away ashamed. It was obviously true.

Ayame squeezed her fists in frustration. She wanted to punch Sasuke right in her pompous face, but knew she'd be dead long before the strike even came close to landing. By the way Sasuke was looking, she was daring her to try it.

Naruto slowly approached the three. He could feel the tension in the air. Ayame was looking at him hurt and expectantly. Sasuke was standing in front of the two with her arms crossed and a smug, usual look on her face. Goku looked sad, but he didn't look angry; more like he was being faced with reality and didn't like what he saw.

"Naruto," Ayame started. She took a deep breath before exhaling. Naruto visibly flinched at her saying his name, which caused Sasuke to glare death daggers at her. "Congratulations," Ayame said with a sigh.

Naruto and Goku looked at Ayame with shock and confusion. Sasuke's eyes narrowed even more at her, obviously not trusting a word she said and scrutinizing her even more.

"I hope you and Sasuke can work things out. Now, if you can excuse me, I am going home. Thanks for the good time," Ayame said before walking away from the three.

Naruto watched her leave, feeling sad. But then again, nothing really could ruin his mood right now. He had just kissed a girl!

"I think I will walk her home. Thanks for the invite," Goku said before waving and walking off after Ayame, leaving Naruto and Sasuke standing there.

Naruto and Sasuke stood there staring at each other, embarrassed. Their double date had gone south, and they were effectively ditched by their dates.

"I-" Sasuke started.

"So-" Naruto started.

They both stopped hearing the other start talking and chuckled at the awkwardness of the situation.

Naruto could feel his heart racing in his chest. It had been racing since the kiss. And if Naruto was honest with himself, this wasn't the first time Sasuke had made his heart race like this. Naruto couldn't keep his eyes off her all day. All day he caught himself stealing glances at her. When he lost sight of her earlier, even though he was with Ayame, he could only think about what Sasuke and Goku were doing. It got to the point that even Ayame noticed he seemed distracted and asked him if he wanted to go look for them, which he immediately accepted doing.

"Go ahead, Sasuke," Naruto asked as he took in his beautiful teammate. Her face was blushed, and she looked very shy, which was unusual for Sasuke. His heart raced as he watched resolve come to her face. Still blushing, she looked him dead in his eyes.

"I love you, Naruto Uzumaki."

Naruto stood there, rendered speechless by Sasuke's confession. He didn't say anything for a bit, his mind racing to process the words that had just been spoken.

Sasuke, noticing his silence, began to panic internally. Did I act too recklessly? Did I confess my love prematurely? What if he doesn't feel the same way? The stinging in her eyes grew stronger as these thoughts tormented her. She felt her heart begin to sink.

As her vision blurred with tears, she heard him say, "I love you too, Sasuke."

Her heart skipped a beat, and her eyes widened in disbelief. Naruto watched her anxiously, hoping for a response. Instead, he saw tears start to trail down her cheeks like waterfalls. Panic set in for him, and he began to sputter out apologies in broken sentences, wishing he could make things right.

"I'm sorry, Sasuke, I didn't mean to—"

He was cut off when Sasuke's mouth crashed into his. Her tongue filled his mouth, catching him off guard momentarily. The kiss was intense, full of raw emotion and passion. Naruto quickly gave in, kissing her back with equal fervor. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her close lovingly.

Naruto's mind was spinning, but he felt nothing but pure joy as he held her. Sasuke's hands tangled in his hair, and he could feel the warmth of her body pressed against his. Every movement, every touch, was electric, sending shivers down his spine.

Sasuke's tears continued to fall, but now they mingled with the overwhelming relief and happiness she felt. Naruto's strong arms around her made her feel safe, cherished, and profoundly loved. She poured all her emotions into the kiss, hoping he could understand just how deeply she felt for him.

Naruto tightened his hold on her, deepening the kiss, as if trying to convey everything he couldn't say in words. His heart swelled with love, beating in sync with hers. The world around them seemed to fade away, leaving just the two of them in this moment of pure connection.

When they finally broke apart, breathless and with their foreheads resting against each other, Naruto whispered, "I love you, Sasuke. I realize now that I always have."

Sasuke smiled through her tears, her heart feeling lighter than ever. She hadn't felt like this since her clan's massacre. No! She hadn't felt like this even then. This was a completely new feeling. One she couldn't get enough of. "I love you too, Naruto. More than you could ever know."

They stood there, wrapped in each other's embrace, feeling the weight of their unspoken feelings lifted. It was a moment of pure, unfiltered love, a bond that would only grow stronger with time.

Land of Water

In the dense, mist-shrouded forests of the Land of Water, a secluded training ground lay hidden from prying eyes. The moon cast a silvery glow over the scene, adding an ethereal quality to the air that crackled with energy. Mito, a fifteen-year-old kunoichi with flowing blonde hair and striking blue eyes, stood at the center, her chakra flaring. Two fiery tails of the Kyuubi's chakra swirled around her, illuminating the night. With fierce determination, she focused on forming a Rasengan using her two tails.

Jiraiya and Tsunade watched from a distance, their eyes filled with a mix of pride and concern. Mito's progress had been nothing short of remarkable. She was a spitting image of her mother, Kushina, but her golden hair and azure eyes were a clear inheritance from her father, Minato.

"She's come a long way," Jiraiya mused, his arms crossed over his chest. "Hard to believe it's been almost sixteen years already."

Tsunade nodded, her gaze never leaving Mito. "It feels like just yesterday we were leaving the village with her, barely a year old. She was so small and fragile. Now look at her, wielding the Kyuubi's chakra with such control."

Mito's tails whipped around, the Rasengan forming steadily between them. She let out a determined cry and hurled the spinning sphere of chakra toward the target sign set up at the far end of the training ground. The Rasengan soared through the air, colliding with the target and exploding in a brilliant burst of energy.

Jiraiya let out a low whistle. "Impressive. She's mastering the Rasengan with the Kyuubi's chakra faster than I anticipated."

Tsunade's expression softened. "She's always been a quick learner. Minato and Kushina would be so proud of her."

Jiraiya sighed, his tone turning more serious. "Sarutobi expects us to return with Mito for the Chunin Exams. The other Elders are pressuring him to showcase the real Kyuubi Jinchuriki. They believe it will bolster the village's reputation and strength."

Tsunade's eyes darkened with worry. "How do you think Mito will react to meeting Naruto? And how will he react to her, after all these years of lies and secrets? He's been forced to live as the scapegoat, bearing the village's hatred."

Jiraiya shook his head. " I know she has been waiting to meet Naruto for awhile now, she's tried escaping to see him mutiple times, but i dont know. We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Sarutobi-sensei believes it's time, and he thinks Naruto will understand eventually. He's strong, Tsunade. More resilient than we give him credit for."

Tsunade clenched her fists, her voice trembling slightly. "I just... I can't blame him if he reacts violently. He's lived a life of loneliness and pain, thinking he was the Jinchuriki. And Mito, she's like a daughter to me. I've raised her, trained her. I don't want to see her hurt."

Jiraiya placed a comforting hand on Tsunade's shoulder. "We've done our best, Tsunade. Mito is strong, and so is Naruto. They're both their parents' children. We'll find a way to make this work. For now, let's focus on preparing Mito for the exams."

Tsunade nodded, her worry not entirely alleviated. "You're right. The time for them to meet is not too far away. We have to be ready."

Tsunade's gaze lingered on Mito, a mixture of pride and maternal affection in her eyes. "You know, she was named after my grandmother, Mito Uzumaki Senju. The First Hokage's wife and Kushina's mentor. Naming her Mito was Kushina's way of honoring the legacy of our clan."

Jiraiya nodded, his expression thoughtful. "And you, Tsunade, are her godmother. You've practically raised her, trained her. She's more than just a student to you."

Tsunade smiled wistfully. "Yes, she's like a daughter to me. Watching her grow, seeing her master the Kyuubi's chakra... it's been a challenging but rewarding journey."

Jiraiya sighed deeply. "And Naruto... I'm his godfather. Minato named him after the main character in my novel, 'Tale of the Gutsy Ninja.' But I never fulfilled that responsibility. I never even met him."

Tsunade's gaze hardened slightly. "You should have, Jiraiya. He grew up alone, thinking he was the Jinchuriki, bearing the village's hatred. You should have been there for him."

Jiraiya shook his head, a pained expression on his face. "It was for the best. If I had been there, it would have raised questions. Questions that he couldn't know the answers to at the time. And with Mito's training being the priority, I wouldn't have been able to do justice to Naruto. He would have felt neglected and resentful which would have been bad for him in the long run. It was better to stay away and let him grow up under Sarutobi-sensei's supervision."

Tsunade sighed, her anger dissipating. "I understand the reasoning, but it doesn't make it any easier. Mito had us, and Naruto had no one. He had to grow up fast, and he had to do it alone."

Jiraiya placed a comforting hand on Tsunade's shoulder. "We've made our choices, Tsunade. All we can do now is prepare for what's to come. They will meet, and when they do, we'll be there to support them. Sarutobi-sensei believes Naruto will understand eventually, and I have to trust his judgment."

Tsunade nodded, her worry not entirely alleviated. "You're right. The time for them to meet is not too far away. We have to be ready."

Meanwhile, Mito walked over to them, her eyes shining with the exhilaration of her successful Rasengan. "Did you see that? I did it!"

Tsunade smiled warmly at her. "Yes, Mito. You did an excellent job. Your control over the Kyuubi's chakra is getting better every day."

Jiraiya ruffled Mito's hair affectionately. "Keep it up, kid. You're going to blow everyone away at the Chunin Exams."

Mito beamed with pride. "Thanks, sensei. I'll do my best. Naruto will be their right! I cant wait to see my onii- san"

Both Jiraiya and Tsunade sighed at this.

As they continued their training, the weight of the impending reunion with Naruto hung over them. Mito was oblivious to the full extent of the secrets that had been kept from her, but soon, everything would come to light. For now, they focused on her growth and strength, hoping that when the time came, the bond between siblings would prevail over the lies and the pain of the past.

Sasuke's Home

Naruto found himself in a cozy, warmly lit home. The scent of home-cooked meals and the sound of a crackling fire filled the air. Minato entered the room, holding baby Naruto gently in his arms, his expression a mix of excitement and apprehension.

"Kushina," Minato called softly, his voice filled with tenderness and anticipation. "Come here, there's someone I want you to meet."

A beautiful woman with fiery red hair and warm, expressive eyes appeared in the doorway. Her presence exuded strength and love. She approached Minato, her eyes widening in surprise and curiosity as she saw the baby in his arms.

"Minato, who is this?" Kushina asked, her voice a mixture of wonder and confusion.

Minato smiled, his eyes meeting hers with a mixture of love and reassurance. "I found him in the forest on my way back from the mission. He was all alone, and I couldn't just leave him there."

Kushina's eyes softened as she looked at the baby, her maternal instincts kicking in. "He's adorable," she said, reaching out to gently touch Naruto's tiny hand. Her fingers froze mid-air when she noticed his unusual appearance—one pale, pupilless Byakugan eye, and one cerulean blue eye. His skin was as white as snow, and his hair was the color of the sky.

"Minato, his eye... It looks like those Hyuga pricks," Kushina said, a hint of irritation in her voice. "But he's too cute to be related to them."

Suddenly, her expression changed dramatically. Her red hair began to rise up & swirl diabolically in the air, reminiscent of the Kyuubi's tails. Her eyes blazed with fury as a dark thought crossed her mind. "Minato, did you cheat on me with some Hyuga whore? Is that why this baby has a Byakugan eye and cerulean blue eyes?"

Minato's eyes widened in panic, his heart pounding in his chest. "No, Kushina, it's not what you think! I just found the baby an hour ago while returning from the mission. I swear, I haven't been unfaithful to you."

Kushina's eyes remained suspicious for a moment, but she saw the sincerity and fear in Minato's eyes. Slowly, she calmed down, her hair settling back to its natural state. She reached out and took the baby into her embrace, cradling him gently and cooing to him.

Minato let out a sigh of relief, watching Kushina as she cradled the baby. He stepped closer and began to stroke Naruto's hair softly. As they both gazed at the baby, they noticed something strange happening.

"Minato, his blue eye... It's glowing," Kushina said, her voice filled with awe and concern.

Minato leaned in closer, his eyes widening as he saw cerulean lines beginning to form on Kushina's arms and his own hand, the one that was stroking the baby's hair. The lines pulsed in resonance with the lines that covered the baby's body. Neither of them could pull away.

"What's happening?" Minato cried in exasperation as the cerulean lines continued to pulse, the baby's body starting to glow.

The intensity of the light increased, and just as the glow became blinding, Naruto felt himself being pulled away from the memory.

Naruto woke up in a cold sweat, his heart pounding in his chest. His blue right eye, the Mugenkessetsugan, was activated, casting a soft glow in the dimly lit room. He lay in bed with Sasuke, who was curled next to him, sleeping peacefully with her head resting on his chest and a tranquil smile on her face. His gaze lingered on her for a moment, marveling at how beautiful she looked. Her dark hair framed her face perfectly, and the serene expression she wore made her seem even more enchanting.

How did I never notice how beautiful she is before? he wondered, feeling a mix of awe and regret. He had spent so much time thinking of Sasuke as a guy, blinded by his own misconceptions. The realization of his stupidity made him chuckle softly, not wanting to wake her. The warmth of her body against his, the softness of her features—everything about her felt right.

Better late than never, he thought happily, leaning down to plant a gentle peck on her forehead. She stirred slightly, a soft sigh escaping her lips, but she remained blissfully asleep. Naruto smiled, feeling a surge of affection for her that he had never experienced before. He carefully untangled himself from her embrace, ensuring not to disturb her slumber. He tucked a pillow underneath her head, watching her for a moment longer before slipping out of bed.

He made his way to the bathroom, needing to splash some water on his face to shake off the remnants of the dream. As he stood before the sink, the cool water splashing against his skin, he stared at his reflection in the mirror. His mind raced with the memory of Minato and Kushina, their love and confusion, the strange glow that had enveloped them all those years ago. He took a deep breath, trying to make sense of it all.

As he gazed at his reflection, the activated, glowing Mugenkessetsugan, he suddenly noticed lines of cerulean starting from his right eye, spreading all over his body. The sight made him recoil and back up, his entire being now covered with cerulean interweaving lines. Panic set in as he watched the lines pulse with a strange energy, each beat resonating through his body like a drum.

"What's happening?" Naruto whimpered, his voice barely a croak as the cerulean lines spread across his body, pulsing more intensely with each passing second. He watched in horror as the lines seemed to come alive, writhing and intertwining beneath his skin like living veins of light. The sensation was unlike anything he had ever felt, a mix of searing heat and icy cold that sent shivers down his spine.

His heart pounded in his chest, each beat echoing in his ears like a drum. The glowing lines began to form intricate patterns, swirling and looping in a mesmerizing yet terrifying dance across his skin. Naruto's breath came in short, panicked gasps as he reached out to touch one of the lines, hoping to stop whatever was happening to him. His fingers brushed against the glowing cerulean, and he recoiled as a sharp jolt of energy shot through his hand, making his entire arm tremble uncontrollably.

The lines pulsed again, brighter this time, and Naruto could feel a deep, resonating thrum within him, as if his very bones were vibrating in tune with the energy coursing through his body. He stumbled back, his legs weak and unsteady, his back hitting the cold, unforgiving tiles of the bathroom wall. His reflection in the mirror wavered, the image distorted by the glowing lines that now covered every inch of his skin.

"Please, no!" Naruto's voice cracked, barely above a whisper, his eyes wide with terror as he watched the cracks begin to form. Thin, glowing fissures appeared on his skin, spreading rapidly like a web of light. The cracks deepened, and he could see the soft glow of the cerulean light shining through, illuminating the bathroom with an eerie, otherworldly glow.

The pain was indescribable, a searing agony that tore through him with each new crack. Naruto's vision blurred with tears as he clutched at his chest, feeling the glowing fissures spread across his torso. His skin felt like it was being peeled away, layer by layer, the glowing cracks expanding and multiplying until they covered his entire being.

"No! Stop!" he protested weakly, his voice trembling with fear and confusion. The words were barely coherent, choked out between gasps of pain. He could feel his consciousness slipping, the edges of his vision darkening as the glowing lines pulsed one final time. The next moment, his entire appearance crumbled, falling away like powdered glass.

Naruto watched in helpless horror as his skin shattered, each fragment glowing with a faint cerulean light before disintegrating into nothingness. The process was slow, agonizing, each piece of his old self breaking apart and drifting away like ash in the wind. His hands, his arms, his legs—everything he had known as himself was disintegrating before his eyes.

As the last remnants of his old form crumbled away, Naruto was left staring at something entirely new. His reflection in the mirror was no longer the face he had known all his life. Instead, a stranger stared back at him, someone with sky-blue hair, snow-white skin, and a cerulean blue right eye with a symbol of interwoven knots in it. His left eye was now a violet, pupilless Byakugan, glowing faintly with its own eerie light.

His attention was drawn to his forehead, where an organic headband-like appendage had formed, spreading from the backside of his head and meeting in the middle of his forehead. From this appendage, two small horns emerged, one on each side, adding to the alien and unsettling appearance.

Naruto's breath hitched in his throat, his heart pounding with a mix of fear and disbelief. He raised a trembling hand to his face, touching the smooth, unblemished skin that had replaced his own. The cerulean lines were gone, leaving behind a being that felt both familiar and alien. His mind struggled to process the transformation, the shock and terror of what had just happened paralyzing him.

Suddenly, as Naruto stumbled back in shock, a chakra chain shot from his back, destroying the shower faucet with a loud crash. Naruto's eyes widened in horror as he saw the chain—it was no longer the deep golden color he was accustomed to, but a strange silverish gold. The sight of it sent a fresh wave of panic through him.

He tried to steady himself, reaching out to grab something, anything to stop his fall. As he did, spike-like bone protrusions emerged from his right arm, sinking into the wall and anchoring him in place. Naruto gasped, staring at the bone spikes in disbelief. The sensation was alien, the protrusions moving as if they were an extension of his will.

The combination of the chakra chain and the bone spikes held him in place, preventing him from collapsing to the floor. His legs gave way, but he remained suspended, anchored to the wall by the bone protrusions. The terror of the situation only grew. "No... this can't be real," he whispered, his voice barely audible. The figure in the mirror mimicked his movements, its cerulean eye glowing softly in the dim light. Naruto's knees buckled, but he couldn't fall, his body held upright by the strange, alien appendages.

Tears streamed down his face as he clung to the wall, the enormity of what had just happened crashing over him like a tidal wave. The stranger in the mirror was him, yet it wasn't. The reality of his new form was too much to bear, the fear and confusion overwhelming his senses.

"Why? Why is this happening to me?" he sobbed, his voice breaking with each word. The mirror offered no answers, only the cold, unfeeling reflection of his transformed self. The glowing cerulean eye and violet Byakugan seemed to pierce through him, constant reminders of the alien presence now a part of him.

Naruto's screams of horror echoed off the bathroom walls.

The bathroom door slammed open, with tears in his eyes Naruto turned his head to look at Sasuke who entered the bathroom, her eyes searched the room, a mad gaze held in them, he recognized the look of pure raw malice and hatred. It was a look he saw her often give to people. It had been a long time since it was directed at him.

"Who are you! AND WHERE THE FUCK IS NARUTO!" she screamed with a malice and killer intent a rage he has never seen before.

A/N And scene! Again I am so sorry for the delay, for those who know I moved recently and as much as I want to blame the move, it would only be half the truth the full truth is I lost the will to write, like I just didn't feel like making time for it, but I'm over it now, and I also think I have a schedule that will allow me to write pretty regularly although I think part of the reason I was so burnt out was how quickly I was updating, I think I will transition to updating once - twice a week, but I will try to make the chapters minimum 15k words this one is over 30k for yall, the longest chapter I ever wrote but I hope you all enjoy it. Well enough of me until next time SEE YA!