One Hour Earlier; At The Uzumaki House)
Karin was in her room with a towel wrapped around her body with the five Naruto clones standing in front of her.
"Thank you, all of you," Karin said, "You guys made me feel like a true princess."
"We live only to serve, Karin-hime," the five clones said with a low bow.
Karin giggled and said, "That's wonderful. But for my final request, I'll need only one of you."
"Just one?" the second one asked.
Karin nodded her head, "That's right. But still, I appreciate all of you."
The clones nodded and then four of them burst into clouds of smoke, leaving the fifth clone alone with Karin.
"So, what would you like me to do?" the clone asked.
Karin smiled gingerly and walked over to the clone. Looking at him she replied, "What I want from you is this...a coconut popsicle."
The clone blinked for a moment and asked just to clarify, "A coconut popsicle?"
"That's right," Karin said, "A nice sized one. That's my request."
"O...K," the clone said with a shrug. He expected her to ask him to try to do something outrageous or questionable, knowing her character, but he didn't expect such a mundane request, so after making sure he heard right, he didn't question it further.
"A coconut popsicle it is, then," the clone agreed before leaving the house to do as requested of him.
"A popsicle?" the clone asked himself, "That's the last thing I thought Karin would ask for. But whatever. If that's all there is to it, then it's nothing too big to worry about."
The clone hurried on his way to the ice cream parlor and ordered a frozen coconut popsicle. With the popsicle in hand, the clone made his way back to the house where Karin was waiting. Entering the house and closing the door behind him, the clone returned to Karin's room. However what he saw next wasn't anything he was expecting. Instead of Karin, the clone found 'Hinata' on the futon with the white towel loosely wrapped around her naked body.
"Naruto-kun," 'Hinata' chimed shyly but happily at the same time, "You're back! I was getting worried that something happened to you."
The clone knew that was Karin in the form and appearance of Hinata, but still, the sight of 'Hinata' was enough to make the clone blush and smile, though he still kept himself in check.
"What are you doing Hina-...I mean Karin?"
"Naruto-kun," 'Hinata' replied in a sultry tone, "Karin said that I could spend time with you before you go. I understand that you're a clone, but I still want to make the most out of it."
'Hinata' looked at the popsicle in Naruto's hand and asked, "Is that for me?"
Naruto watched as 'Hinata' got on all fours and made her way over to him with the towel partly sliding off her body. When she reached Naruto, she got on her knees in front of him. She gave him a lustful look that caused the clone to blush and stutter as her towel hung off her left shoulder, exposing her breast and nude lower body.
"Hinat-Kari...What are you-"
"Shh..." 'Hinata' hushed him politely before she took hold of his hand with the popsicle and placed it in front of his crotch.
"Naruto-kun," 'Hinata' said with a mixed tone of surprise and timidness. She proceed to free the popsicle as if she was unzipping his pants. Naruto could only watch as very explicit images started forming in his head. After she was done, 'Hinata' marveled at the popsicle and said with admiration, "It...It's so big Naruto-kun...I-I'm not sure if I can deep throat this..."
The clone bit down on his tongue and groaned as so many ideas started forming in his mind. 'Hinata' then started kissing around the popsicle before she opened her mouth and slowly took it into her mouth. In a rhythmic motion, she moaned and slowly bobbed her head back and forth as she was blowing the popsicle that was being held at Naruto's crotch. The kage bunshin could only watch 'Hinata's' performance as perverted ideas flew through his mind.
Acting like the popsicle was going to rupture in her mouth, she sucked harder and moaned with added pleasure. When she pulled her mouth away from the popsicle, a line of saliva between her lips and the popsicle gave the kage bunshin different ideas of what was in her mouth.
'Hinata' licked her lips and said with sultry and sexual lust, "That tasted so good, Naruto-kun. I was able to take it all in and caress my tongue all around it. This is my kind of thank you for such a wonderful time, Naruto-kun.'
The clone burst into smoke, unable to handle it any further. 'Hinata' caught the popsicle before it could hit the floor. She sucked on it once and grinned before changing back to Karin.
(Present Time)
Suddenly Naruto's mind was bombarded with the memories of the fifth clone that dispelled itself after seeing to it that Karin's last request was taken care of. The result was instantaneous. When Naruto saw and experienced what Karin had his last clone do with her, which was far more than what Naruto counted on, he slapped his right hand over his mouth with the color of his face changing to a dark shade of red that would have been envied by Hinata. While holding his mouth, he felt a small trickle of blood seep down his nose.
Jiraiya looked at Naruto with a curious expression and asked, "Did...something just happen?"
"Far more than I counted on," Naruto replied quietly, but loud enough for Jiraiya to hear.
"Would you like to talk about it, Naruto? I'm willing to listen and hear you out if you want to tell me what happened," Jiraiya offered, but when Naruto looked at Jiraiya, he saw that the Sannin had his pen and notepad in hand, ready to take inspirational notes at Naruto's expense.
"Fūjin Bakuhatsuteki!" Naruto yelled as he thrust his right hand out and released a powerful wind explosion that blasted his godfather off the ground and away from him before seeing the screaming Toad Sage plunge hard into the river and down to the riverbed.
"Itami o shire (Know pain)!" Naruto replied before he wiped away the blood from his nose. He then sealed his Kiba Blades away and walked away into the woods to clear his head and deal with what his mind and body were presently experiencing.
Meanwhile, Jiraiya emerged from the river completely soaked and sore from taking a direct hit from Naruto's fūton jutsu.
"What the hell got into that gaki?" Jiariya asked no one in particular as he went to look for Naruto.
Elsewhere, Naruto was walking through the woods working on getting his head and body back in gear. The memories and experiences his clone gave him were more than he had counted on. He had to fight his body because at that moment he so badly wanted to find Hinata and seduce her into allowing him to have his sexually explicit way with her.
'It's not like Hinata-chan would actually mind anyway. She'd shyly but happily allowed me to become one with-'
Naruto was fighting himself again, trying to not to allow his hormones to get the better of his judgment. But he so badly wanted to find Hinata and do her hard in multiple positions thanks to Karin's prank. When he visualized Hinata doing what his clone saw 'Hinata' doing with the popsicle but with his member, blood burst out of his nose again. He wiped the blood away and calmed himself down after taking several deep breaths. After a good amount of walking, Naruto managed to relax and calm himself from the sensations he was experiencing.
"I never thought Karin would go so far as to-"
Naruto didn't get to finish his sentence when a kunai suddenly came his way. He narrowly dodged the kunai that now stuck to the tree it hit. The lone Uzumaki turned to his left where the kunai came from, only to find an unexpected ninja holding two katana, looking for a fight...
"Fight me Naruto!" the ninja ordered.
"I don't have time for this, short stuff!" Naruto groaned under his breath.
"I'm not short!" the ninja retorted, "And you'd be smart not to-"
The young masked boy didn't get to finish before he felt a katana to his throat with the wielder of the katana standing right behind him.
'He's fast!' the young ninja thought, 'I didn't see him move!'
"You picked quite a time to be playing 'Ninja' with me, Konohamaru," Naruto remarked, before the revealed youth pulled his mask off his face.
"But you got to admit, my aim with my kunai got better," Konohamaru grinned. "It almost caught you by surprise."
"But it didn't, and I was still able to reverse the situation and ambush you instead," Naruto stated with his katana still held at the boy's throat.
"I see that," Konohamaru admitted, "But can you please move that katana away from my neck? I-"
"What do you think you're doing to the Honorable Grandson you hooligan!" a voice yelled.
"Not that useless Jounin again," Naruto groaned before sheathing his weapon as Ebisu made his appearance.
"Who are you calling useless?" Ebisu asked arrogantly, "and what were you doing to Konohamaru?"
"I did nothing to jeopardize Konohamaru's safety. He just came looking to play 'Ninja' with me," Naruto clarified, "He just caught me at a very awkward time, that was all. When it comes to playing 'Ninja' with Konohamaru and his two friends, I play with real weapons and real situations, not toys."
"You'd be wise not to underestimate me, Naruto," Ebisu warned, "Trust me, I've had my fair shares of dangerous battles."
"By the way, Ebisu, you did a nice job hiding from Hana and Honoka at the book store the other day," Naruto replied, "You looked rather worried that Hana and Kuromaru would sniff you out with that lame disguise you wore at the bookstore."
"What are you talking about, Boss?" Konohamaru asked in confusion, "Why would Ebisu-sensei need to wear a disguise in a bookstore?"
"Just ignore him, Honorable Grandson," Ebisu said nervously, "It's nothing important."
"But it's such a funny story to share," Naruto continued, "After all, someone with your fair share of dangerous battles could teach Konohamaru the dangers of dealing with angry kunoichi."
"Ebisu-sensei, did something happen?" Konohamaru asked, "You look kinda nervous."
Ebisu straightened himself out and was about to talk when...
"Naruto!"
Naruto, Konohamaru, and Ebisu turned to see Jiraiya making his way over to them.
"Jiraiya-sama!" Ebisu greeted respectfully with a bit of surprise, "I wasn't aware that you returned to Konoha. You've been away for a very long time."
"I only returned recently," Jiraiya said, "But during my return, Naruto and I have been getting to know each other. After all, I did train his father."
"You trained the Yellow Flash?" Konohamaru asked, surprised.
"Honorable Grandson," Ebisu spoke up, "Jiraiya-sama is one of Konoha's most respected ninja and he's one of the legendary Sannin. He's a very strong and formidable ninja."
"While I appreciate the praise," Jiraiya replied, "you caught Naruto and me at a most inconvenient time."
"I understand," Ebisu said, "In that case, the Honorable Grandson and I will take our leave."
"Konohamaru," Naruto said, "The Chuunin Exam Finals will be in about a month's time. Do you and your friends think you can be there to watch the finals?"
"I'll have to asked Jiji and see if he'll let me and the others go," Konohamaru said.
"Okay," Naruto replied.
"Looking for moral support from the Honorable Grandson and his friends?" Ebisu asked.
"Actually," Naruto corrected, "I'm looking to expose Konohamaru and his friends to the realities of the ninja world before any of them start developing misleading fantasies of what being a ninja entails. I've seen far too many before me leave the ninja academy without truly understanding the harsh realities of the ninja life. Some of them learned the hard way with their lives. I feel that showing them the truth of the ninja world will better prepare them for their future roles as Konoha ninja."
Ebisu and Jiraiya thought about what Naruto was telling them.
"You bring up a good point, Naruto," Jiraiya spoke, "Perhaps I can convince Sensei to allow Konohamaru and his class to watch the event just this once. It could inspire even those looked at as dead last to strive to reach goals others would have said were impossible."
"I'll leave it to you then, Jiraiya," Naruto said, "But I have to take my leave now. I have something personal to handle."
Naruto shunshin'd in a whirl of wind and took off, leaving the the scene. Turning to Konohamaru and Ebisu, Jiraiya suggested, "C'mon, let's go see the Hokage now. I'm sure he'll be interested in this new idea Naruto suggested for you and your class, boy."
"Are you sure it's wise to actually to do this, Jiraya-sama?" Ebisu asked.
"There will be those Konohamaru's age or younger there to watch the Finals regardless," Jiraiya reminded, "I don't see why the old man would argue with that being the case."
"I see your point," Ebisu relented.
(Meanwhile; On The Hokage Monument)
Naruto was laying on the grass on his back while looking up at the darkened evening skies. After getting his hormones to calm down, he decided to think about what happened in the forest and how his perverted nature could have badly compromised his judgment a while ago.
"Now I can't help but think about what Susanoo told me back then about my deeply-ingrained perverseness. I can't believe I was so caught off guard by Karin's stunt to the point that I wanted to use Hinata-chan to satisfy myself. And if I'm not careful and let my guard down like that again, I might do something I'd regret, which would lead to me to hurting Hinata-chan. Ironic how I'm always on Sasuke's case about his attempts at getting into Hinata-chan's pants, and now here I am worrying about doing the same damn thing," Naruto said to himself. He sighed as he continued meditating on his past perverted actions and the stunts he pulled.
"I'm amazed how patient Hinata has been towards me," Naruto said, "Most girls would have dumped me long ago because of how I act. The fact that Hinata-chan was willing to deal with it is a clear sign that I don't deserve her. I'm going to have to find a way to keep my perverted nature in check, otherwise someone will find a way to use it against me."
Naruto sat up and looked over at the village and the lights that were lit up at night. A moment later, he felt a pair of arms wrap around him from behind. He didn't need to guess who was behind him at that moment as she rested her head on his right shoulder.
"Hinata-chan, I'm surprised to see you out here at this hour," Naruto said with a smile.
"I knew you'd be here, so I decided to take an evening stroll up here," Hinata said, "And from the look on your face, I'm guessing you're deep in thought about something. Does it concern the Chuunin Exam Finals?"
"No," Naruto said, "Something else entirely...about myself, really."
"Wanna talk about it?" Hinata offered as she held him tighter and closer to her, "that is, if it's not too personal to share with me?"
"Earlier today, after you and Hanabi-chan left, I was made me see how much I don't deserve you for a girlfriend," Naruto said.
"What are you talking about?" a perplexed and worried Hinata asked, "Yo-you're not thinking of breaking up with me...are you? N-n...not after everything we've been through!"
"I'm not breaking up with you, Hinata-chan. Please, don't even mention that. But what I've been giving a lot of thought to is how I put you through a lot with how perverted I am. It was only today, a few hours after you left when I came to acknowledge what could happen if I were to lose control of myself. I know you've been very patient with me, my Moon's Eye Rabbit, but I know deep down that in some ways you felt some measures of frustration and hurt because of of my perverted actions, and for that, I'm sorry."
There was a brief moment of silence between the two. Hinata said nothing as she allowed Naruto's words to sink into her mind. When they did, she rested her head and face into her boyfriend's right shoulder and neck.
"That's what I love about you, Naruto-kun," Hinata said affectionately, "Despite your strengths, you're willing to admit and own up to your faults and imperfections instead of excusing or justifying them. You're willing to apologize when you think you've done me wrong, no matter what. And listening to what you said assures me that my trust in you is not in misplaced, and that I don't have to worry about you betraying me. And you don't need to worry about me betraying you either, Naruto-kun.
"And just so you know, Temari-san and I talked things out and came to an understanding about each other's feelings. Though she admitted to having feelings for you, she assured me that she wouldn't be a rival for your time and attention. Honestly, though, I always thought that the perverted side of your personality would be a lead factor in dissuading other potential rivals for you away."
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked.
"Beside using your perverted nature as an instrument against unsuspecting targets for ambushes, for a time I tolerated your perverted character because for the most part, lots of girls of our age group were turned off by it," Hinata explained, "I didn't have to worry about would-be rivals wanting your interest and affections. But to my shock, Temari really likes you in spite of the fact that she knows about your infamous perverted nature. That was when I realized that there will be females other than myself who'll see beyond your flaws, imperfections, and illusions, and look for the person I see deep inside you."
"I see," Naruto acknowledged, "And clearly I'm going to have to work on keeping my perverted nature in check, seeing as it could backfire and be used against me." Naruto looked to Hinata and teased, "But that doesn't mean I'll completely stop being a pervert towards you!"
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata playfully chided and giggled while still holding Naruto from behind in her embrace, "...Well, it's getting late. But I can stay like this for a while longer."
Hinata moved herself in a sitting position on Naruto's lap before she rested her head on his left shoulder. As Naruto held her, his mind drifted off to thoughts concerning his future with Hinata and the possible outcomes. His mind then drifted off to that stunt Karin pulled on him when she henge'd into Hinata. He literally shook his head and dismissed the thought before his hormones could start getting the better of him again. For now, he wanted to enjoy his peaceful moment alone with Hinata.
(The Following Day; Early Afternoon)
Hinata was in the forest with her clone standing in front of her. But it wasn't her standard kage bunshin. It was her first ikite'ru bunshin. After several grueling hours, she finally got the hang of blood manipulation and successfully created her first ikite'ru bunshin.
"I finally did it!" Hinata said, feeling proud of her accomplishment, "I'm happy it didn't take me longer than I thought it was going to."
"I can imagine so," the Hinata clone replied and suggested, "Now how about we practice what Naruto-kun instructed us to do after reaching this stage?"
Hinata nodded in agreement, "Let's start with the far sight technique, and see how far I can see through your eyes."
The clone did as instructed and ran through the woods. As it did so, Hinata was able to see where the clone was going as through she was actually there and on the move.
"Wow!" Hinata said excitedly, "Naruto-kun was right! This jutsu will come in handy! Let's see how far my clone can travel with my sight tagging along."
As the clone was moving, she got a pretty far distance from the original Hinata. So far, the clone traveled almost three hundred yards, and Hinata was still able to see through the clone's eyes. Soon though, her eyes caught sight of something that caught her attention as the clone slowed down and stealthily moved in closer to what caught their attention.
"That's Hanabi," Hinata realized from her original spot, "Looks like she's still waiting for Naruto-kun to show up. I guess he still had a few more things to see to before he meets up with her. Well, it's understandable, considering what happened earlier."
Hinata thought back to what took place earlier that morning when Hiruzen announced Naruto's clan heritage, familial lineage, and status as the Jinchuuriki of Kyuubi no Kitsune to the entire village. The crowd had mixed reactions. Many believed it to be outrageous. The younger villagers were speechless after learning the truth of what really happened thirteen years ago.
The younger villagers of Naruto's age group had feelings of guilt for being amongst those that made his life difficult and shame for allowing their older folks' bitterness toward him to influence their thinking about a boy they never knew. Hinata had seen some in the crowd yelling and arguing with their parents and older relatives who futilely tried to justify their actions, but that only made them look worse in front of their children as the younger generation lost a lot of respect and trust in them.
The Hokage, after that announcement, made it clear to everyone that all information and history regarding the Uzumaki clan and its ties with Konoha was going to be taught by a member of the Uzumaki clan, Uzumaki Honoka herself.
Soon though, Hinata snapped out of her thoughts to see Naruto arriving and heading over to Hanabi. Besides looking forward to her new training, it was clear to Hinata that Hanabi was more than happy to be alone with Naruto, again. The older Hyuuga sighed and shook her head while wondering when Hanabi was going to finally let go of her romantic affections for her boyfriend. Speaking of new training, Hinata saw this as her best opportunity to find out what exactly was Naruto teaching Hanabi.
The ikite'ru bunshin quietly moved closer to see and hear what they were talking about. Just when she was about to put her herself in a good hiding spot, Naruto took hold of Hanabi and shunshin'd to an entirely different location.
"Drats!" Hinata pouted in disappointment after seeing through her clone's eyes what happened, "I was so close! I thought I had them that time!"
"Who did you think you had?" a feminine voice asked from behind her. Hinata jumped and turned quickly to see Kurenai standing and grinning behind her.
"Spying on someone, are we?" Kurenai teased with a knowing smile.
"Actually...you see...I-I...," Hinata stuttered, feeling embarrassed that she got caught red-handed by her sensei.
"So who were to trying to get intel on, Hinata?" Kurenai asked.
Hinata, seeing that she was caught, replied, "I was trying to gather information on Hanabi and Naruto. But they got away."
"Really," Kurenai asked with interest, "Tell me more if you will."
Sighing, Hinata canceled out her ikite'ru bunshin and started explaining herself to Kurenai.
(Meanwhile)
Hanabi now found herself alone with Naruto inside his new house. Presently, they were standing behind the main entrance.
"Make yourself at home, Hanabi-chan," Naruto invited, "Karin and Honoka-nee won't be home for hours, so we pretty much have the place to ourselves for now."
Hanabi quickly removed her sandals and placed them to the side. Naruto followed and removed his sandals also before making his way deeper into the house with Hanabi following close by. As they walked around, Hanabi took in everything she was seeing.
"Hinata-neesan hasn't seen this house yet, has she?" Hanabi inquired. Naruto stopped for a moment to think about the question. A few moments later...
"Wow," Naruto suddenly realized, "Come to think of it, I've never gotten time to actually show her this place."
"But you sure made time to show me first, Naruto-kun," Hanabi teased gingerly.
Naruto looked back at her and thought, 'How cute. This girl is actually trying to flirt with me.'
"Whatever," Naruto remarked before they continued walking into the house and into the living room, "While this room is no actual training room, we'll be using it for the very purpose I spoke to you about. You're going have to put aside all distractions and take this seriously. Understand?"
Hanabi nodded her head. Even though she liked that she was alone with Naruto, she had to remind herself, as hard as it was, that Naruto was Hinata's boyfriend.
'I wish you were a boy my age, Naruto-kun,' Hanabi wishfully thought with a sigh escaping her mouth. Shaking the thought away, Hanabi refocused her mind to more important matters. She saw Naruto sit down on the sofa and gesture for her to come over and sit with him. Doing as instructed, Hanabi went and sat next to Naruto on the sofa before he started up the first drunken master movie.
(Meanwhile Back In The Forest)
"That's an interesting story Hinata," Kurenai said, "So Naruto has taken an interest in training your little sister and now you want to find out what it is he's training her in since he refuses to tell you."
"That's pretty much it," Hinata confirmed, "I even thought about trying to bribe Hanabi into telling me what Naruto-kun is training her in, but I decided against it knowing she would use that to blackmail me in return, something Naruto-kun has been training her in as well."
"Do I detect a hint of jealousy from you Hinata?" Kurenai inquired.
"W-What a-re you talking about, Kurenai-se-sensei?" Hinata stuttered both in surprise and denial.
"I know from what you've told me a few days ago that Naruto has invested a great amount of his time and energy teaching, training and helping you become the kunoichi you are today," Kurenai said, "Now that he has turned some of that same attention to your little sister, you feel some measure of jealousy since it's not you that Naruto is training. Am I correct?"
Hinata didn't reply at that moment as she thought about what Kurenai said.
"There's more to this than that Kurenai-sensei," Hinata replied.
"What more is there?" Kurenai asked attentively.
"Hanabi admitted that she does carry feelings for Naruto-kun as more than a dear friend," Hinata revealed, "I talked to Hanabi about it, and she said that she wouldn't try to rival me for Naruto-kun's affections. But honestly, part of me doesn't completely believe her."
"Why is that?" Kurenai asked, "What reasons do you have to doubt her?"
"Well...for starters," Hinata answered, "Temari-san also has eyes on my boyfriend and even she admitted that she carries the desire to fight me for his affections, though she promised that she wouldn't resort to doing that. We talked about it and came to an understanding about each other's feelings. Temari-san made no advances towards Naruto-kun afterwards, and so far she has given me no reason to doubt her."
"Yet the one that concerns you the most is your own little sister despite the fact that she said pretty much the same thing," Kurenai said, "Why do you feel such concern?"
"Because it's the same kind of affections I started developing for Naruto-kun when I was her age, and it's not just a passing crush," Hinata replied, "She looks at him the same way I did regardless of the age difference, and I feel that the more time she spends with Naruto-kun, the stronger her affections for him will become, and the harder it will be for her to cope with the fact that he's in a relationship with me. But Naruto-kun gave his word to Hanabi that he would teach her, and I can't selfishly ask him to undo his promise to her. I just don't want to see Hanabi hurt."
Kurenai saw where Hinata was coming from. It was natural that Hinata would feel such worry and concern for her family, especially for Hanabi since they both became very close over the course of time, ironically thanks to Naruto's involvement in their lives.
"I can see that you're worried about your sister's first possible heartbreak," Kurenai said, "But sadly that's part of life and growing up. I know you want to spare your sister from experiencing that kind of pain, Hinata, but life and growing to maturity don't work that way. It's understandable that you want to look out for your sister, but you can't shield her from everything. I can't say when Hanabi will move on from Naruto, but as her big sister, you can be there for her when she needs you most, seeing as you know her best."
Hinata sighed and lowered her head slightly as she took in everything Kurenai told her. A moment later she looked up at the older woman and said, "Thank you Kurenai-sensei. I will be there for Hanabi."
"I know you will," Kurenai said, "Now, how about we continue to strengthen your prowess in genjutsu? I remember you telling me you have an affinity for water manipulation."
"That's right," Hinata confirmed, "Naruto-kun helped me develop and strengthen my abilities in water manipulation after we learned what my elemental affinity was."
"Well then," Kurenai said, "I'm not about to let Naruto be the only one to teach you something in regards to water manipulation. I went through some scrolls and found a genjutsu I'm sure you'll make good use of."
Kurenai took out a scroll from her blouse and handed it over to Hinata. Hinata opened the scroll to examine the contents.
"Kirigakure no Shinkirou (Mirage of the Hidden Mist)," Hinata said as she read the name of the genjutsu.
"It's a water style genjutsu," Kurenai said, "I thought you may be able to utilize that genjutsu against Gaara during the Chuunin Exam Finals. As we all saw from the preliminaries, Gaara will be a dangerous opponent to fight and it's very likely he'll do the same thing to you as he did to Lee. I have to wonder, though, what miracle doctor completely healed him?"
"Perhaps that doctor will do the same to me should I lose my match against Gaara," Hinata remarked.
"Hopefully it'll never have to come to that," Kurenai stated, "So I'll spend the rest of my remaining time helping you study and practice that water style genjutsu, and while I'm at it, I'll teach you another genjutsu in my arsenal."
"Thank you Kurenai-sensei," Hinata said, "I won't let you down."
Kurenai nodded before they got down to business.
(Back At Naruto's House)
For the next number of hours, Naruto and Hanabi watched several drunken master movies together. As they watched them, Naruto would occasionally pause the movie and question Hanabi about what she observed about the body movements and timing and agility of the drunken fighters. She explained how drunken fist pays very close attention to the lack of structural integrity of stances in stillness and motion, and the method of using the human body to act with gravity or the force from an opponent. She stated how that resulted in an ability to always get back on your feet.
Later, when asked again what she observed, Hanabi explained how as soon as the drunken fighters stumbled into a drunken ready stance, their opponents froze in their tracks. She described how they were mesmerized by wobbly footwork and unstable advances and retreats to the point that all the drunken fighters had to do was stumble over to them and pick when and where they wanted to strike. She said how from what she saw, Drunken Fist emphasized the importance of being relaxed and being able to "go with the flow" of battle, instead of trying to go against it; and that as a result the drunken fighters were in a better position to turn the tide in their favor.
In one of the movies they watched together, Hanabi saw how some of the drunken fighters learned how to actually fight at high speed with the classical weapons of the style as well as actively training in transference of those weapons to common everyday items. When asked about it, she explained how the sash and gourd for example were easily adapted to beer bottles, belts, ropes, extension cords and other objects like those; while a broadsword was adapted to anything of the same length, such as sticks, clubs, and other similar items.
It was late in the evening by the time they were done watching all of the movies and going over everything they saw. Hanabi, once again, came out feeling that she learned far more from Naruto than she does from Iruka. Naruto took out a piece of paper and handed it over to Hanabi.
"I want you to focus chakra into this paper Hanabi-chan," Naruto instructed.
"What for?" Hanabi asked.
"This is to reveal what elemental affinity you have and it'll help me better assess where I can take your training in Drunk Gentle Fist," Naruto explained, "If the paper burns, your affinity is fire; if it gets wet you have water as your affinity; if it turns to dust, you're earth type; if it crumbles, you have lightning; and if it splits into two pieces, you have wind like me.
"Are you ready?"
Hanabi nodded her head and focused her chakra into the special piece of paper. A few moments later, the paper withered as it broke down and turned to dust on Naruto's house floor. Hanabi didn't look all that happy about her affinity.
"You're an earth type, Hanabi," Naruto acknowledged, "But you don't look so thrilled about it."
"I was hoping that I was a wind-type like you, Naruto-kun," Hanabi replied.
'Hinata-chan said the same thing too,' Naruto recalled and then stated, "Well, wind-type ninja are rare in Hi no Kuni (The Land of Fire), to tell you the truth. But the fact that you have earth as your affinity puts you in a better position to fuse Juuken with Drunken Fist, and take it to an even higher level than originally planned."
"What do you mean?" Hanabi asked with a look that showed she wanted to know more.
"Well with my wind affinity, I can use it to sense my targets and enemies around me through the vibrations of air molecules," Naruto explained, "With earth, you can do that through seismic waves."
"Seismic waves?" Hanabi asked, "What are those?"
"They're vibrations that travels through the ground, regardless of whether it's caused by an earthquake or one's footstep," Naruto clarified, "I'll be teaching you that later on down that line, as I don't want to overwhelm you with everything all at once."
"I understand," Hanabi said, "I'll wait until you think I'm ready that for that training. Still, I learned a whole lot today Naruto-kun. And I have a good way for us to celebrate how much I learned and will put into practice to create and perfect Drunken Gentle Fist."
Hanabi pulled out a scroll from within her shirt and opened it on the table. Naruto quietly watched.
"Kai!" Hanabi said as she released the contents that were sealed into the scroll. The smoke cleared to reveal a most familiar bottle and two glass flutes.
"The Imperial Blue Dragon Of The East," Naruto realized, "I remember giving you that as a present some time ago."
"Would you like a drink with me?" Hanabi offered.
"I'm up for it," Naruto said before Hanabi went and poured the flutes with the imported wine. Setting the bottle down, Hanabi picked up her glass and gave the other one to Naruto. Both sipped their wine while savoring the taste of their drinks.
"When did you learn to seal items away?" Naruto asked.
"I told you some time ago that I'd think of new hiding places for my wine Naruto-kun," Hanabi answered as she winked at him, "I had Kō teach me a sealing jutsu of this sort. Thankfully he didn't ask why, since it was only a jutsu to seal items."
"Clever," Naruto complimented as he sipped more of his wine. When they were done, Hanabi cleaned the two wine glasses and sealed both them and the wine itself away in another scroll. As soon as she slipped it back inside her shirt...
"Hey Naruto-kun! Are you home!?" Karin yelled out rudely with Honoka following from behind as they entered the house and closed the door behind them, "I have a new hot orange two-piece bikini swimsuit I'd like to model for yo-"
"Knock it off!" an annoyed Honoka retorted as she smacked Karin across the shoulders, "And get your head out of the gutter!"
"Oh shut up Granny!" Karin shot back, "And let me have my fun with Naruto-kun!"
Both females growled and stared hard at each other as though they were waiting for the other to try something. Meanwhile, Hanabi looked at Naruto curiously after hearing the commotion in the hallway.
"The pervy girl you heard offering to model for me is a brethren Uzumaki named Karin. I found and rescued her a few days ago, and now she lives with both me and Honoka-nee," Naruto explained, "Just so you know, she's an even bigger pervert than I am."
"That's surprising," Hanabi remarked before it registered what Naruto said, "You found another member of your clan!?"
"Didn't I just say that?" Naruto replied seconds before Honoka and Karin walked into the living to find Naruto and Hanabi sitting together by the table.
"Hanabi, how nice to meet you again," Honoka greeted politely.
"You're from the Hyuuga clan," Karin deduced after recognizing the girl's eyes. Hanabi simply nodded and asked, "And who are you?"
"Uzumaki Karin," Karin answered.
"What brings you here?" Honoka asked.
"I was invited over by Naruto-kun," Hanabi replied, "My time spent with him was more enlightening and charismatic than any class I have with Iruka-sensei."
"Damn! Your sensei at the academy is that boring?" Karin asked.
"I pride myself in being a studious learner, but to my surprise Naruto-kun was right in how boring Iruka-sensei is," Hanabi commented, "Sometimes even I want to sleep in his class and that's saying something."
Naruto was about to comment on that when he suddenly stopped and paused in his tracks. He was receiving information from one of his spy clones and he didn't like what he was finding out. Hanabi, Honoka, and Karin saw the change in Naruto's facial expression.
"Hanabi," Naruto said seriously, "I'll continue with your lessons tomorrow. Something just came up and I've gotta see to it now."
Hanabi nodded just as Naruto summoned a kage bunshin. Naruto instructed his clone, "Take her home and don't look suspicious."
The clone went and did as instructed as he led Hanabi to where her sandals were. After she placed her sandals on, the clone held onto Hanabi and with a swirl of wind, he shunshin'd both of them from the house. Turning to Karin and Honoka, Naruto said, "I'm going to need you both to come along with me."
"Did something happen?" Honoka asked with concern.
"It'll only get worse if we don't leave now!" Naruto warned as he took hold of both of them and shunshin'd to their next location.
A moment later, the three Uzumaki found themselves at the previous spot Naruto's spy clone was last standing before dispelling himself.
"Over there!" Naruto said as he pointed to where on the roof Genko Hayate's body was lying. They ran quickly to the motionless and unconscious Special Jounin and checked for a pulse. Honoka checked his condition and looked at her brethren grimly.
"His wounds are severe. He's bleeding to death," Honoka said, "He'll be dead in less than two minutes if we don't act fast, and the hospital is too far from here."
"We don't have a minute," Naruto said as he turned to Karin.
"I understand," Karin said as she went over and held her left arm over Hayate's mouth. Grabbing his jaw with her right hand, she opened his mouth and lowered her left arm into his mouth before she forced his mouth shut over her left arm. A second later, chakra started traveling out of her body and into Hayate's. Soon, his critical injuries started to show signs of healing with the blood loss beginning to decrease. Eventually all of his fatal injuries and wounds were healed up, though the unconscious Hayate was still covered in his own old blood.
"And that should do it," Karin said with a bit of fatigue, "His condition isn't critical anymore but he won't be awake for a few hours. I wonder what happened that led him to be in the condition we found him in."
"He saw and heard too much and Baki tried to kill him," Naruto said gravely.
"Baki?" Karin asked, "You mean the Jounin for those three Suna Genin?"
"That's the same one," Naruto confirmed, "And that was after Gaara killed the Oto Genin, Dosu, when an altercation of some sort occurred between them. My spy clone didn't get all of the intel behind the incident between Dosu and Gaara, but what he did manage to uncover is that Suna is secretly working with Orochimaru and Otogakure. Kabuto is serving under Orochimaru as Baki's secret contact. They're planning something against Konoha, something big and from what my clone was able to gather, what they're planning to do will most likely occur during the Chuunin Exam Finals."
"So Suna is plotting to betray Konoha for Orochimaru and Otogakure," Honoka acknowledged, "We're going have to report this to the Hokage immediately."
"We will, but we have do so discreetly," Naruto said before he summoned three kage bunshin. Two of them went and picked up the unconscious Hayate while the third one went and lied in the same spot and in the exact position Hayate was in. A second later, the clone henge'd into the unconscious, bloody, and dying form of Hayate.
"So as to not raise suspicions from Suna and Oto," Naruto explained, "I don't want to alert them that we're on to their plan."
The two female Uzumaki nodded in understanding as they and the clones holding up Hayate shunshin'd back to their house.
(At The Uchiha District)
Sasuke was returning home after spending the earlier part of the afternoon training with Kakashi and Hayate after the Hokage's announcement regarding Naruto's status as a Jinchuuriki and his heritage. It was only later that day when Kakashi introduced him to lightning manipulation and its elemental principles. The Uchiha could only wonder how he would find a way to rival Naruto's skills.
Putting those thought aside, Sasuke stepped into his house and closed the door behind him. After removing his sandals, he walked into the kitchen and found Tayuya, in her usual 'house clothes,' reading a scroll of some sort and from the look on her face, she wasn't all that happy about what she was reading. He also noticed two pots on the stove that had some cooked food in them. She looked up at Sasuke and greeted, "So Numb Nuts, how did your time with your favorite cock-eyed cyclops go?"
Already used to the nickname Tayuya gave him, Sasuke answered, "Enlightening to say the least. He introduced me to lightning manipulation and I was wondering how I could incorporate that into my training with you."
Tayuya gave Sasuke a thoughtful expression but didn't give a reply. After thinking about it, Tayuya admitted, "I never trained in elemental manipulation of any sort, but Orochimaru-sama would more than likely know a lot about it. The best I can possibly do is tell you to implement what you suggested and see where that take us."
Sasuke nodded his head asked, "What's with the scroll?"
"A written message from Orochimaru-sama," Tayuya said with an emotionless tone, "He stated that while I'm teaching and living with you, I'll be temporarily replaced with another colleague of mine as he fills in my role as a member of the Sound Four. While this is upsetting and unexpected, Orochimaru-sama stated that this would help me to better focus on developing your skills, and that I would later be allowed to rejoin the Sound Four after your training with me is over."
"I see," Sasuke replied, "Orochimaru evidently doesn't want you being distracted by your role as a Sound Four ninja."
"That also means that he doesn't want me involved with anything else outside of teaching and training you," Tayuya informed as she set the scroll down on the counter.
"You gave me your word that you would help me become stronger and learn how to use the Cursed Seal," Sasuke reminded, "Look at it as Orochimaru helping you to live up to that."
Tayuya looked at Sasuke and remarked, "You really know how to be a smart ass Numb Nuts; but then again, I'd hate and hurt you if you were still a Hinata-obsessed dumbass dick."
"I told you, my days pursuing the Hyuuga heiress are over," Sasuke stated firmly, "And that's final."
Tayuya was about to say something when...
"By the way," Sasuke said as he reached into his pocket and retrieved her hat, "You dropped this at the dojo yesterday."
"You had it with you all this time!?" Tayuya asked in disbelief, "I looked all around the damn place wondering what I did with it!"
"I forgot I had it with me in my pocket so I'm returning it now," Sasuke said as he went and gave it back. Tayuya took the hat and set it down on the counter by the scroll. Turning to the stove, Tayuya said, "I made us some food. Feel free to help yourself Numb Nuts."
"You cook?" Sasuke asked with a raised eyebrow. Tayuya frowned and replied, "Does that surprise you ass-wipe? Being a kunoichi also means I have to know how to take care of myself and not rely on other shitty people to feed my ass. As I'm helping you to improve in your strengths and speed, I'm also making sure your duck ass is eating the right stuff and not some fast food shit you're probably used to eating."
"Hn," Sasuke grunted before going over and checking out what Tayuya made for the both of them. Though Sasuke didn't mention it earlier, his time with both Kakashi and Hayate left him both drained and hungry. Seeing that the food actually looked and smelled good, Sasuke said, "I'm going to clean myself up first."
Tayuya gave no reply as she watched him leave to do as he said. It was another fifteen minutes when Sasuke returned wearing a pair of sleeping shorts and a T-shirt. He went and took a plate and got some food to eat. He then went over to the table where Tayuya was sitting at with some warm tea and a plate of food of her own and sat at the opposite side of the table on the sitting mat. As they both ate, there was an awkward silence between them; in fact this was the first time they were actually eating together and both were wondering who would break the silence between them.
"Who's this ninja who's to be your temporary substitute?" Sasuke asked.
Seeing that the silence was finally broken, Tayuya answered, "His name is Kimimaro. He's a sickly guy, but regardless of the circumstances with his health, he's still a very strong fighter. I've seen seasoned Jounin killed brutally by him on missions we've went on and like me, he was trained by Orochimaru-sama."
"Does he possess the Cursed Seal like us?" Sasuke asked.
"He does," Tayuya said, "And that makes him even more dangerous. He was dangerous enough without it, but through Orochimaru-sama's genius, Kimimaro became twice as deadly. However, he's still a humorless prick who's more obsessed with pleasing Orochimaru-sama than anyone else I know."
"Funny how someone like him utilizes his time and energy," Sasuke remarked.
"And speaking of time," Tayuya interjected, "How long will you be training with your cyclops sensei tomorrow?"
"For half of the day. Kakashi will go further into lightning manipulation with me," Sasuke said, "I'm also having him strengthen my abilities with my Sharingan."
"You're hoping to use that against Naruto during the Chuunin Exam Finals," Tayuya deduced.
"I'm willing to use everything and anything if it'll help give me that increase in skill against a stronger opponent," Sasuke replied, "Kakashi made it painfully clear that I'm no match for Naruto. I'm seeking to develop some kind of handicap against him and combine that with my developing kenjutsu and lightning manipulation."
"Well I can't promise you that you'll accomplish all that in less than a month," Tayuya stated.
"Itachi accomplished and overcame many feats at a very young age," Sasuke replied, "I don't intend to let his accomplishments continue to overshadow mine, especially since I still intend to kill him."
"...And you will," Tayuya said, "but I'm sure Itachi didn't become an S-class ninja without working hard, regardless of whatever age he accomplished whatever feats he did."
"He was thirteen when he became an ANBU Captain," Sasuke explained, "the same age I am now. That's a huge feat at that age."
"It doesn't change the fact that everything comes with time, effort, and patience," Tayuya retorted, "and that was something Orochimaru-sama had me understand while I was training under him. If I had gone after my parents' murderers before Orochimaru-sama deemed me ready, not only would I have lost, I'd have died. Itachi isn't an S-class felon for nothing, and if you go after him at the level you're currently at, not only will you lose, he'll have no mercy for your ass."
Sasuke's anger was boiling. He knew that Tayuya was telling the truth, but part of him wanted to argue against her words. However, when he recalled how she herself beat him twice in a one-on-one fight even with his Sharingan, he held his tongue and calmed his anger down.
"...I understand," Sasuke admitted with a bit of reluctance, "Though it's hard to swallow."
"I understand how you want vengeance for your clansmen but you'll be doing them no justice if you die prematurely by Itachi's hands," Tayuya said, "Got it Numb Nuts?"
"...Yeah...Crystal," Sasuke said dryly.
The pair continued eating together. All the while, Sasuke thought about what was happening, and the fact that he and Tayuya were eating together as though they always did. It started to remind him of how he, Itachi, and their parents used to eat together like this. He remembered how they would talk and share how their day went and what happened on one of their missions. For Sasuke, he remembered how he used to relate what he learned at the academy, while his mother Mikoto would get on his case if he was taking up too much of Itachi's time and attention.
"What the hell are you thinking about, Numb Nuts?" Tayuya asked after seeing Sasuke momentarily spaced out.
Sasuke snapped out of it and said, "Just how I'm going to intensify my training with Kakashi tomorrow."
"You're a dickless liar," Tayuya grinned, "Even I was able to see right through that lie. But you don't have to share your thoughts with me if you don't want to," Tayuya then gave a serious look and said, "Still, on a more serious note, we're living together and if we're to truly trust each other and work together, don't ever lie to me. I sure as hell won't lie to you."
Sasuke smelled the scent coming off Tayuya's body again, and unconsciously he inhaled her scent quietly in loads.
"Right," Sasuke replied. Soon both Tayuya and Sasuke finished their meals and cleaned up the dishes and utensils they used before deciding to turn themselves in for the night.
"I'm heading to bed now," Tayuya said, "You're free to do whatever you want."
"What do you mean? This is my house," Sasuke replied with a frown.
"Like I said Numb Nuts, you're free to do whatever you want," Tayuya shot back as she retreated back into her room. As she was making her way there...
"Feel free to make me a bento tomorrow before I leave in the morning," Sasuke remarked before Tayuya turned and raised her right hand to give him the finger. She then went into her room and closed the door behind her. Sasuke, left with his thoughts, stood there briefly, thinking about how things have changed for him since Tayuya moved into with him. And now she was even cooking and making meals for him.
True, the kinds of meals she was making for him were for the benefit of his training, but it still was hard to believe how things have changed so much in such a short time. When he thought about either Ino or Sakura living with him like this, he shuddered and concluded that he'd have ended up twice as weak as before. In fact, thoughts of Hinata didn't cross his mind once. So far, everything about Tayuya proved that she was not only a seasoned and capable Jounin kunoichi, but also a smart and competent female.
But seeing what Tayuya was capable of made Sasuke see how much he to do in order to catch up. He refused to be left in the dust considering that she had already fulfilled her goals in avenging her murdered family. He told himself that he would succeed like she did and get to the level he was meant to be at. With those thoughts in mind, Sasuke retreated back into his room and retired for thé night