"Hi, Sensei," Naruto said standing in the doorway of Kurenai's modest but cozy home. The Genjutsu Mistress, clearly showing the sixth month into her pregnancy, hugged her student. Naruto, gently, hugged her back, not wanting to harm the baby. Kurenai rolled her eyes guessing about the boy's unnecessary gentleness. He then offered her two plushies, one panther and the other a purple toad.
"I didn't know if it was too early for stuff like this, 'ttebayo," he said bashfully. Naruto truly felt out of his depths, he'd never been around a single pregnant woman before. He was just happy he didn't think she was fat.
Kurenai escorted him to her living room where he sat on the maroon colored couch, waddling just a little. It was hard to believe how much Naruto had changed. She'd seen her other two students mature in real time but to see it all at once was a bit shocking. Kurenai sat down, feet tucked under her, mindlessly rubbing her belly, red eyes focused on her student.
"How was your trip, Naruto-kun?"
"Really good but I'm glad to be back."
"Oh, really?" she said with genuine surprise but couldn't help matching the warm smile Naruto broke into.
"Yea, I missed you guys, 'ttebayo. Plus there's Tayuya and Karin, Tsunade-obachan and Shizune-neechan."
"Hmm, seems there's a name missing," Kurenai said knowingly.
"I'm sorry, Sensei, I don't know what you mean," Naruto said, feigning ignorance.
"Ok, I won't push but be careful," Kurenai advised.
"I'm the most careful person you know, Sensei."
"Land of Vegetables," was her response. She laughed seeing cross his arms and huff.
"That's revisionist history, 'ttebayo." Kurenai continued to laugh but tapered off when she heard the door open.
"Kurenai, I'm home and brought a couple of stragglers with me," Asuma announced. He soon walked in with Shikamaru and Shino, each taking seats in the empty matching chairs.
"You look like you've gotten more troublesome," the Nara greeted.
"You look like you've gotten lazy again, I'm sure Mageela-chan would love to help with that," Naruto responded with a smile. Shikamaru simply grinned.
"Welcome back, Naruto."
"Thank you, Shino. How have things been with you guys?" Naruto asked and was regaled with their experiences, Kurenai filling in her time as well.
"Naruto, I have not been requested to resign as a Hunter-Nin and it appears, as for now, Team Kurenai is on hold; what will you be doing?"
"Oh, I've been assigned to act as an Elite Tutor. I used to think Ebisu was just blowing smoke out his-"
"Language, Naruto-kun," Kurenai warned.
"Pipe but that's apparently a thing. Not one I want, however. I am not a house cat."
"You would complain about a good thing. You teach a little and then watch the clouds, sounds like the life."
"Says you; both of you could probably be Jounin if you tested for it."
"Why would I want that?" Shikamaru asked, making Naruto and Kurenai form a sweatdrop.
"I am satisfied with my current position, an increase in rank wouldn't affect much."
"Well, enough of that. We have to talk about something serious," Naruto interjected, "I call dibs on being the fun Uncle!."
"Troublesome, you can't call dibs on being the fun Uncle," Shikamaru said, as if it were obvious.
"Agreed. Your being the "fun one" is as much contingent on Kurenai-sensei's progeny as it is on your individual qualities. Besides, as I will obviously be the favorite I will be the de facto fun Uncle."
"Hogwash! I'm done losing to you, Aburame."
"Why are you both acting like this is a two-man race. I'm just as likely to be the fun Uncle as either of you," Shikamaru said and then grew annoyed with the disbelieving stares he was receiving. "I'm fun."
"You'd be the life of the party at a retirement community, why? You are a curmudgeon."
"He's right, Shika. You got that Old Man energy that doesn't play with kids. I, however, am a walking library of cool ninjutsu. Every kid loves ninjutsu."
"You will not teach my daughter ninjutsu prematurely just to be her favorite, Naruto," Kurenai ordered, finally chiming in.
"I've got low-level stuff, Sensei."
"Yes, I've seen the "low-level stuff" you left Konohamaru and his friends. A twenty-foot spiked wall is not D-rank ninjutsu, Naruto."
"But it was one of the first ones I created and it's really easy while using very little chakra."
"See, this is why I will win," Shino observed, smugly.
"Oh, I have an ace up my sleeve, just you wait," Naruto said in all confidence. Kurenai smiled as the boys continued to bicker, her team and family back together again.
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Neither combatant could know how closely their actions mirrored each other. One, the infamous Snake Sannin, taking the utmost care while getting ready. A black and red battle kimono, stopping at above her knees covering her mesh armor, fitted snuggly at her breasts. A purple obi tied around her waist, matching her finger and toenail polish. A slit on either side, revealing the mesh coverings on her legs. She slipped on her heeled shinobi sandals. Her hair was pulled back into a bun, two senbon keeping it in place. The most notorious woman in the Elemental Nations gave herself a once over and smiled seductively, confident she'd be victorious before the night was over.
Over at the Uzumaki compound, the current head prepared himself. A matching set of midnight blue pants and shirt, both with mesh lining embraced his frame. The shirt's sleeves stopped just below the elbow, leaving his two summoning tattoos visible. Over his shirt, a red, ANBU style chest armor with a blue Uzumaki swirl in the back. A red and black holster was strapped to his right leg, a large pouch on his back, just below his armor. His katana also strapped to his back. He smiled as he exited his room knowing he'd be sure to impress his former teacher.
Both timed their arrivals perfectly so they'd show up at midnight exactly. The training ground was bathed in moonlight, the wooded areas surrounded it offering a perfect contrast of darkness to light. No words were spoken as each eyed the other intently, closing the distance. Orochimaru took the initiative, striking with a straight right when Naruto was in range. The Uzumaki sidestepped the blow and caught it with his outside hand, unleashing a back fist in retaliation. There was a brief pause as blue met yellow.
And then duo exploded into action. Orochimaru broke Naruto's hold on her arm while twisting Naruto's into an arm lock. The Uzumaki recognized this and dropped lower, flipping Orochimaru over his shoulders. Naruto gave himself some distance and got into his stance. When Orochimaru approached again, he performed a double roundhouse, both kicks blocked but he expected it. The two kicks were feints for a transition into a standing sidekick, which hit true at Orochimaru's stomach. Naruto bounced on his heels and then settled into his stance. Orochimaru dusted off her kimono and did the same. After a brief lull, the two blurred toward each other again.
What followed as an intense exchange of fist and feet. Naruto's style, utilizing multilevel kicks, feints and powerful punches going against Orochimaru's inhuman flexibility and surreal reaction time. Naruto had the distinct impressive his moves were being read almost perfectly, he simply wasn't being punished for it because he had a speed advantage but landing a clean blow was proving incredibly difficult.
Orochimaru was finding the taijutsu exchange difficult herself. While Naruto didn't use Jiraiya's style, it was clear her former teammate taught Naruto how to outmuscle and impose himself on physically weaker opponents. It gave her a slight thrill to know Naruto-kun was physically stronger than her and made her want to beat him down all the more. Narrowly avoiding to short uppercuts, Orochimaru counters with a two-punch combination that lands cleanly to Naruto's stomach. She delights in his grunt of pain. Her follow up middle kick his absorbed by Naruto's forearms, the Uzumaki using the force to transition into a sway. Orochimaru predicts what's coming and does a swift replacement. The counter left Naruto unleashed shatters the log replacing Orochimaru.
"Kukuku, if I didn't know any better I'd think you were trying to hurt me, Naruto-kun," a disembodied voice says, sounding as if it is coming from all around.
"Here I thought you were the strongest of the Sannin. I can go half speed if you want, Shishou," Naruto mocked before tilting his head to the side, just avoiding the extended blade of the Kusanagi. Naruto spins, simultaneously drawing his sword and bringing performing a downward slash, clanging against the legendary sword, Orochimaru supporting it with two hands, one on the handle the other at the tip of the blade.
"I am the strongest Sannin but I am not your shishou anymore," the snake summoner said before tilting her blade down, unbalancing Naruto. Smoothly transition into a reverse grip, Orochimaru attempts to cut her former student while he is out of position but he meets her attempt with an upward slash, intercepting the blade and then retreating back. Instantly, Orochimaru's arm feels wrong. She looks at it and sees it is encased in ice. Flaring her chakra shatters the ice.
"You can flash freeze the air around me just by channeling hyoton chakra into your sword?"
"No, I chose to only flash freeze the air around you because I didn't want you to lose an arm. Impressed?" he asks, cheekily.
"Mildly," she responds and then goes on the offensive once more. Like with their taijutsu exchanges, neither manages to get the better of the other, the clashes looking more akin to a dance than a fight.
Naruto couldn't make sense of it. He'd been utilizing a subtle genjutsu during the exchanges to make Orochimaru miscalculate distance but she seemed to tear through it with no effort. She was masterful with her sword, only one other person comparable to her skill but he wasn't being overwhelmed, not in the slightest. He knew he could simply utilize his [Swift Release] to increase his advantage but this way was more fun. He swung his sword, causing a pressure wave to release from the ground.
Taking advantage of the distance he performed his version of Asuma's [Hien], what he called his [Songbird Blades]. Making several swings of his sword, he heard the faint ringing as the supersonic blades tore through the air. And he watched as Orochimaru danced around his attacks as if he'd announced where'd they be exactly, the blades making short work of the trees behind her. He knew something wasn't right. This fight felt like one he'd had previously but not with Orochimaru. She was good, unarguably one of the best but something was off. He didn't have more time to consider, Orochimaru's renewed assault demanding his attention.
Her heart rate was elevated, not from exertion but excitement. She could barely contain her glee. This is why she forced herself to wait, why she didn't abduct Naruto from under Jiraiya's nose. Things had felt so dull, while there was a certain pride in training Anko again it just wasn't the same. Her first student didn't challenge her, didn't push her as he did. Even now she could tell he was holding back and she wasn't even offended. Winning wasn't the point.
There had been a part of her that was worried he wouldn't progress enough to really keep up with her developments but that had been for not. She wondered if he'd be able to piece together why his genjutsu wasn't working, why she could read his movements well enough to counter. Her Sharingan, hid under a special contact lens, spun wildly as if to match her burgeoning ecstasy. She needed to see more, to push him harder. To force out every secret hidden behind those blue eyes that shone with mirth.
Her attacks ramping up forced Naruto to go on the defensive, decidedly not his preferred style. But it was necessary, slashes and stabs coming from unique angles, Orochimaru constantly changing levels and maintaining no set pattern. He was caught off guard when her tongue, elongated, wrapped around one of his wrists, jerking it from his sword while the other was forced to release his sword by her jian. Pleased she was able to disarm him, the Snake Sannin was prepared to take full advantage of her new opening, except the Naruto still restrained by her tongue dissolved right before her eyes.
'Kai,' she thought immediately while performing the dispel technique and then immediately ducked under the kick aiming at her temple. She then rolled from the axe kick, coming from a second Naruto, transitioning into a cartwheel kick to back up a third.
"Clones already, Naruto-kun?" she asked, standing upright as the three Narutos surrounded her.
"Thought I'd spice things up a bit," one Naruto said.
"Bored already? I'm hurt," Orochimaru mocked. She then had to fend off a double front kick from one Naruto, then dispelling him with a quick stab. The others decided to attack in tandem, one going high with a flying roundhouse, the other low with a leg sweep. Orochimaru became parallel with the ground, managing to avoid both attacks. Spinning out of her evasive maneuver she dispelled the clone above and below her with a circular slash of her sword. As she landed she realized two things; firstly, that was entirely too easy. Secondly, she couldn't sense the real Naruto anywhere.
'[Earth Style: Dragon's Maw]' the red-haired Uzumaki thought as he willed an earthen dragon's mouth to emerge underneath Orochimaru, taking her by surprise. The mouth snapped, mightily but all that was heard was the sound of wood being snapped.
The Snake Sannin continued to scan her surroundings, now taking refuge in the trees. Her hearing alerted her to an oncoming threat and through instinct alone she cut the single shuriken aimed at her back. She simple dodged the next volley. Or so she thought as the bladed stars did sink into tree bark like she predicted but followed her, while gaining speed. More shuriken were added to the pursuit, Orochimaru darting through the trees. She realized this was a [Jiton] technique, one used by Toroi of Kumo.
The infamous woman smiled as she made her way back to the clearing, figuring it was time she showed off as well. Upon a rival, she sheathed the Kusanagi and waited for the projectiles to catch up. Unbeknownst to her, Naruto watched while cloaked in a version of Tobirama Senju's [Bringer of Darkness Jutsu]. He had a lot of pieces that were not making a clear picture. His former teacher would rip through his ocular genjutsu but not the one cast by physical touch nor one meant to block all senses. That she could get out of his genjutsu wasn't shocking, but the speed in which she did one and not the other perplexed him. He was further confused when she left the trees to return out in the open. As he watched his eyes widened in surprise and glee. He didn't care that his attack had been negated, it was too cool to worry about that. He dropped the genjutsu and appeared in the clearing.
"You did it!" he exclaimed, causing Orochimaru to smirk.
Naruto had been right, the sub-elements were available to people without the bloodlines. But possible does not mean easy. Orochimaru had managed only one, Jiton and it was because Wind and Earth were the elements she had the most experience with. Not even her Sharingan really helped her, it seeing the sub-elements as an unreadable code of chakra it can't make sense of. But all those limitations aside, she reveled in the sense of pride she felt at impressing him.
"The Sandaime Kazekage's [Iron Sand Gathering Assault], she said as the iron walls returned to sandy particles. Creating her own magnetic field disrupted Naruto's, the iron barriers she created simply intercepting the shuriken that continued to move through inertia.
"That's awesome but… um, you're surrounded by metal," Naruto said as speedily performed a series of hand signs, ['Lightning Style: Chained Lightning Jutsu]," Naruto thought as the red lightning surged to every piece of metal in its path. Finely honed senses caused him to sway back before he was fully cognizant dodging the uppercut from a previously subterranean Orochimaru. Undaunted, she continues with a high kick that Naruto blocks with his arm. The all too confident smile suggested he'd missed something, the chakra flare and sound of upcoming blitz led him to conclude this was a clone of some kind.
Orochimaru's [Iron Sand Drizzle] tore towards Naruto and the Snake Sannin assumed he wouldn't have enough time to dodge the attack. When the jutsu made it to Naruto's location she saw her mud clone dissolve but the watched as her iron sand pellets would ping and then fall down. She discontinued the jutsu after the initial wave to see Naruto now covered a blackish metallic coat that was receding from his limbs to his core.
"[Steel Release: Impervious Armor]," Naruto said before going through another series of hand signs, pausing for a split second before going through a series of more. Orochimaru was caught flat-footed, having never heard of Steel Release before and her lapse cost her, steel chains emerged from the ground, binding her feet together and her hands above her head. She was prepared to simply break the constructs until she felt much of her energy leave her, she looked up to see seals migrating from the chain to her.
"Chakra suppression seals?" she asked. And Naruto nodded, wiping the sweat from his brow.
"I can't form chains like my mom so this was the next best option," he said.
"Then you can use Sensei's combination technique?"
"I've been able to do that since I was eleven," Naruto said nonchalantly.
"You've never displayed such an ability before," Orochimaru pointed out and watched as the Uzumaki shrugged.
"I didn't want the Old Man to think I was trying to be him; besides, I already had a sub-element I was training. I didn't need his stop-gap technique," Naruto breathed in deeply before continuing, "though using it on an element I haven't master does make things more difficult." Naruto said as he took a moment to really look at the result of his jutsu. He never really considered himself kinky but seeing Orochimaru tied up and at his mercy was incredibly alluring to the young man.
As if reading his mind, Orochimaru asked, "See something you like?" while smiling. Naruto reflexively rubbed the back of his head, trying not to blush at being caught perving.
"You know, I'll release you if you concede," Naruto observed, trying to cover.
"Oh please, Naruto-sama, free Orochi-chan. I'd be ever so grateful," the Sannin said in a sultry voice, struggling against the chains just enough to give certain body parts a subtle jiggle.
'A cold show is in my immediate future,' Naruto lamented while trying to avoid doing anything lame. When Orochimaru said Naruto wasn't going to visibly react she decided to stop the act but smiled nonetheless.
"It's your win, this time," she said and instantly felt the chains leave her and her chakra flow return to normal. She stumbled a bit but found herself supported by Naruto's frame. She looked up to see him staring down at her, a thousand-watt grin on his face.
"I won't let it go to my head," he replied.
Orochimaru giggled a little before responding, "Good because if you hold back again I won't go easy on you."
"You could just ask," Naruto pointed out.
"Where is the fun in that, Naruto-kun?" she asked
"I wouldn't have to avoid that sharp ass sword of yours," was his reply.
"But that is part of the fun, for me!"
"And my preferences?"
"Don't matter in the slightest. Privilege of being the strongest of the Sannin," Orochimaru quipped. Naruto simply chuckled and Orochimaru could feel it reverberate through his chest. "But since this is your victory, I believe you are allowed to name your prize."
"So I am," Naruto said, a mischievous look in his eyes. "Well, I have had a long while to think about this,"
"Carefully weighed your options, I hope," Orochimaru interjected.
"Oh, I've sought the counsel of wise men and everything. And I have decided I want ice cream."
"I'm sorry, what?" Orochimaru asked in confusion as he could not have possibly said-
"Ice cream. There's an ice cream shop in the village that I like and I want you to go with me."
"Ice cream?"
"Yuup. They have a Rocky Road I think you'll enjoy. So I will see you tomorrow," Naruto said before disappearing from view.
'Did he really say ice cream?' Orochimaru asked in disbelief before the recorded images of her Sharingan caught up to her, surprising her slightly.
Naruto appeared in his bedroom and started to undress. He was relieved part one of his plan worked. He'd won the bet and managed to not do anything lame or blush like he used to. He'd have to thank Jiraiya for help on that except the man wouldn't approve of how those lessons are being utilized. The Uzumaki walked into the attached bathroom, lights triggered by his entrance. He took a relaxing shower and then changed into some plain, black boxers. He was ready to call it a night, the various reunions and spar having drained him mentally. Naruto was asleep as soon as his head hit the pillow, a small smile gracing his lips.
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Naruto's senses flared and he was instantly awake, though his body language nor his breathing changed. Someone was in his room. Someone had gotten through his security seals and was in his room. It was impressive, Naruto had to admit. And whoever managed it, Naruto hoped they could take those bragging rights with them to the other side. It was difficult but he remained patient. The person was doing well to hide their presence and Naruto wanted to get a sense of what they planned.
He heard what sounded like footsteps and the rustling of clothes as if they were being removed. By the time he felt the weight on his bed, he still hadn't moved but it was shock that gripped him. A familiar scent, of wild flowers and a hint of antiseptic. He couldn't put together why Orochimaru was in his bedroom. When the Sannin slid into his bed, under the covers he almost shut down.
'Be cool, Naruto' the Uzumaki told himself. 'She's probably just here to mess- oh,' he thought internally when she finally reached him, the sensations on his back revealing something. 'Ok, so she's topless,' he thought as he felt her bare breasts, while her arms snaked around his front, Orochimaru gently making circles on his abs with her fingertips.
"Kukuku, I know you're awake, Naruto-kun,"
"Uh, hey?" he responded weakly. 'So much for not doing anything lame!' he lamented.
"I had some time to think about your request. It confused me initially,"
"How so?" Naruto asked.
"It was timid and you are not known for timidity," Orochimaru said, continuing her ministrations. "So, why ask for something I would have agreed to anyway? Seems like a waste. Unless," she paused.
"Unless?" Naruto repeated.
"It was part of a larger plan and you were conspiring for some end I didn't know about."
"Me?"
"You."
"Conspire against you?"
"That's what I'm thinking."
"Why, I would Ieeeh…" Naruto's replied was cut off as he felt a pleasing cool hand slide into his boxers.
"Naruto-kun, you can admit it now and have an incredibly satisfying night or deny it and have an incredibly frustrating one. Choose wisely," she whispered into his ear. The choice was obvious.
"Let's say I did have a plan-"
"To seduce me?" Orochimaru asked in amusement.
"More woo than seduction," Naruto responded.
"Woo?" She asked and Naruto could hear the humor in her voice but he was paying greater attention to what her hands were doing, one in particular.
"I regretted it the moment I said it, 'ttebayo."
"Don't, kukuku, it's sweet. I've done something similar. The hardest part," she paused when Naruto let out a groan, "was the waiting. I hate waiting. I've only ever been as patient as I absolutely needed to be and for this, I had to wait years."
Orochimaru removed her hand from Naruto's boxers, the Uzumaki promptly missing the contact. He turned toward her, and as soon as he was facing her he found himself pulled into a kiss. All thought left as his body responded on instinct, one arm around her waist pull her closer while his other hand cupped her cheek, stroking it gently. In his haze, he didn't remember when it happened but soon their tongues were meeting, gentle flicks giving way to something deeper. Naruto felt her hands running through his hair, adding to the series of pleasing sensations he was already experiencing.
At some point they broke the kiss, panting slightly, her warm breath tickling his ear. He'd returned to his senses long enough to hear her declaration, whispered but containing more steel than any shouted words ever have.
"I'm done waiting," was all she said before she claimed his lips again. But as the lovers explored each other's bodies, the mutual pleasuring containing a multitude of unspoken promises the world continued to spin. Enemies from within and without planned and plotted for their mutual and individual downfalls. Storm clouds gathered, portending of an easterly wind, embers still sparked in the shadows, and a divine will continued to exert its influence. But for all those that scheme against them, are any prepared for the consequence of trying to separate a snake from her obsession?