"Ahhh!" Naruto exclaimed, climaxing again. What number it was he couldn't say as he'd lost count. Naruto kissed his lover deeply as he slowly withdrew from her, it took a great deal of effort to roll off her. Both bodies were covered in a light sheen. He was tired. More tired than he'd possibly ever been. Or if not more, at least different. He felt drained, depleted but wholly satisfied. He knew he was grinning like an idiot. If he could have stopped he would have.
"Kukuku," he heard as he felt Orochi pull closer to him, wrapping her arms around him and he returned the gesture. He fought to open his eyes, at the moment he'd have sworn he'd uprooted trees with greater ease but he did manage it, partially. The half-lidded gaze of the Uzumaki met the Sannin's. He stole a glance at the alarm clock over her shoulder, it proudly displayed the time of a quarter after five. He really needed to get a few hours before he reported in for the day.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Hmm?" he hummed, sleepily.
"You said you hadn't mastered Koton, what did you mean by that?"
Naruto fought back a yawn before answering, "It's like with the basic elements. You learn how to mold your chakra to perform it and for a while, you always have to consciously mold your chakra in that way. It's as if there is a disconnect and you are making your chakra produce fire, wind or whatever. After you gain enough experience with the release, that transition seems to disappear and you don't feel like you're transforming your chakra you're just producing Katon chakra, your body and mind know how to do it. I haven't gotten to that reflexive stage with Koton yet."
"Hmm, so with my Jiton, I just need more experience and it'll start to feel natural?"
"Yep." Orochimaru smiled at the response as that was an obstacle she'd yet to overcome. She can control the iron sand but it took a good deal of effort, it hadn't felt natural yet and she didn't know if it ever would. It seemed she simply needed to train it more, condition the yin and the yang of her body to accept the transformation so she could expand on her abilities. It makes sense, why he only had one Lava and Ice jutsu when she trained him, creating more jutsu before he'd mastered the release was accepting a shoddy foundation.
"And how many sub-elements have you mastered to your standards?"
"Depends on who's asking; my rival or my girlfriend?"
"Girlfriend?" She asked teasingly.
"I'm too sleepy to be embarrassed," Naruto observed, causing the Sannin to giggle.
"How am I to know when I am one, the other or both?" she asked, pulling even closer into their embrace.
"Mm, when we're naked let's not be rivals," Naruto offered.
Orochimaru laughed into his chest. "I'll consider it. Now, if you could answer my original question."
Naruto leaned down and whispered in her ear, a look of surprise giving way to a sultry smirk. Swiftly, Naruto found himself on his back.
"Kukuku, it appears you won't be getting any sleep just yet, Naruto-kun," she said as Naruto felt her slide down his body. He really hoped she wasn't suggesting another spar because there was no way that was going to be possible. Naruto's worries were nullified when he felt an intense and welcomed sensation. He, shakily, sucked in a breath air while clutching his crimson sheets. He peeked toward the end of the bed and the bobbing of his girlfriend's head was confirmation. Sleep would not be coming soon, he thought but he wouldn't complain. Naruto took another look down. No, no complaints at all.
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Shino considered himself unflappable. It was as much his personality as it was discipline but he could remain calm through almost anything. However, one could forgive him for having difficulty with the weirdness that was his morning breakfast.
In the Uzumaki Manor, there were two primary places to eat; the first was a large, ornate dining hall. A large room with a 15 person table, crystal chandelier and walls decorated with red Uzumaki spirals. None of the three current Uzumaki were much for formality so the room was rarely used, Naruto explained it as more of a promise to the future. One day, maybe a generation or two from now, that table would be full.
The second place was the kitchen, a generously sized room itself. Dual wall-mounted ovens, side by side refrigerator covered with blackboard paint, induction range. In the center laid an island with even more kitchen gadgets, including a grill, atop of it was an industrial hood. Also, seals. So many seals. It was absurd. Within the kitchen resided two places to sit while eating, either at the end of the island where one would sit atop bar stools or the six-person, circular dining table with wood bay windows. Seals on the windows made them tint should the sun get too bright.
Shino was sitting at the island, eating oatmeal with blueberries, along with Tayuya who was eating the same. Karin was enjoying some steamed cod with rice and miso soup. That was fairly normal as the trio had shared breakfast countless times before, Karin never making a deal out of Shino being there while also managing to be welcoming. No, the weirdness was contained at the table as sitting across from each other were two of the three Sannin.
Orochimaru, looking freshly showered, hair pulled up, and wearing a pale purple kimono was absent-mindedly dining on an arugula, walnut and pear salad humming a tune. Jiraiya, enjoying a steak with some rice and miso soup was scowling at the woman as he cut through his steak. It was clear to Shino that Orochimaru had spent the night here, and mated with his teammate. That fact must have been clear to Jiraiya as well, it displeased him greatly.
"Really now, Jiraiya, what have I done to deserve such a hard look?"
"You couldn't even wait a day?"
"What difference would it have made?" Orochimaru asked before breaking out into a face-splitting grin, "Besides, he didn't protest. Which reminds me, Karin-chan?"
"Yes, Orochimaru-sama?"
"Naruto-kun might need a bit of chemical pick me up."
"Ok, I'll whip something right up," Karin said, going to the cabinet to get a mortar and pestle. She grabbed several ingredients but Shino's attention was pulled back toward the Sannin.
"Would you have stopped if he had?" Jiraiya questioned and Orochimaru shrugged.
"Irrelevant. We both got what we wanted so I wouldn't entertain any ideas of changing that if I were you."
"If I stay out of this it certainly wouldn't be because I fear you. And stop telling people you're the strongest of the Sannin. I'm a damn Sage, I'm stronger than you and Tsunade both. And before you get quippy, I've fought the kid full on and if your little show last night was anywhere near your best… you're a distant number 2."
"No need to speculate, Jiraiya. We can test your hypothesis whenever you want," Orochimaru offered.
"I think Obachan would throw a temper tantrum for the ages if you two wrecked her training grounds, 'ttebayo," said Naruto, lazily but with an underlining of humor. He had a soft smile and closed eyes as he shuffled into the kitchen, black t-shirt clinging to his hastily dried body.
"Naruto!," Karin greeted. They'd missed each other yesterday but the medic was happy to see her cousin again. "Here, take these with water, and a little food," Karin handed the pills she'd just finished making, placing them in his palm. He gave her a one-arm hugged while thanking her. He continued on, retrieving a glass and filling it with water.
"Yuya-chan, you are certainly looking luminescent this morning. I hope you're taking good care of Shino."
"Fuck you, Stump," Tayuya fired back, getting a laugh in response.
"Morning, Shino."
"Same to you, Naruto," the Aburame heir replied.
Naruto finally made it to the table, sitting by Orochimaru. "Good morning, Orochi-chan."
"Good morning, yourself. I figured you'd still be asleep."
"I wish, I have to report to Tsunade-obachan in an hour to officially start as an elite tutor," Naruto said with zero enthusiasm. Not that teaching was a waste of his talents, it just simply held no interest to teach people who probably didn't like him.
"Poor thing," Orochimaru in mock sympathy.
"Yes, I'm a pitiable figure if there ever was one. Cursed by the very Gods themselves," Naruto replied with great effort. He ingested the pills and drank the water.
"Well, maybe the day won't be all bad."
"It can't be, I have a hot date tonight," Naruto declared.
"Oh, really? Should I be jealous?"
"I wouldn't blame you if you were, she's pretty amazing."
"Please, get a room," Jiraiya cut in. He knew he had to accept this abomination of a relationship but he felt no need to actually watch it. His godson rolled his eyes, likely recalling all the times Jiraiya got sloppy with some woman while Naruto had to go busy himself. Said godson then placed his right hand on the table and channeled some chakra. Most of the onlookers gaped when they watched a small tree sprout from the table, maturing until it bore fruit. Naruto picked the Gala apple off a miniature limb, winking at Orochimaru as he bit into it.
"What the actual fuck was that!?" Tayuya asked/shouted, managing to summarize what most of the others present.
"I was told to eat, I wanted an apple so I got an apple," Naruto said, completely ignoring the justified shock of those around him. In truth, he knew he was showing off but if simply telling Orochimaru what he could do resulted in that, he was curious what a casual demonstration of power and prowess might net. Looking into her eyes, he concluded it'd be mind-bendingly awesome. A gentle hand on his whiskered cheek and Orochimaru leaning forward was all the warning he got before being pulled into a kiss. A simple liplock escalating into more, to Jiraiya's dismay.
"Hmm, I should leave," Orochimaru whispered and got up from the table. "Karin-chan, Tayuya-chan, let's see what kind of trouble we can get into today." The two female Uzumaki nodded and followed their Mistress out of the kitchen. Naruto turned back around to see Jiraiya frowning at him.
"What now?"
"How long have you been able to do the apple tree trick?"
"Long enough, why?" Naruto asked in genuine confusion.
"Because all those days I was hungover and you made me go get some food… you could have just given me a damn apple you brat!" Jiraiya exclaimed before laughing.
"You seem pretty accepting of this," Naruto pointed out.
"You're going to do what you want to do. Do I have my concerns? Yes, I won't lie to you about that but I'm going to trust you and hope for the best. But know, if this is some scheme and you get hurt, I'll kill her. Even if I have to die to do it." Naruto nodded. Jiraiya didn't often make threats but he carried them out when he did, Naruto had seen it personally.
"Now, on to more important things, how was it?" Jiraiya smoothly dodged the red spike of death that shot toward him, Naruto's hair returning to normal in an instant. Even Shino facepalmed at that. Jiraiya laughed at the boys' response.
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"All five of the great Hidden Villages will have teams in attendance, Hokage-sama," Shikamaru stated. Temari and he were in the final stages of planning for the Chunin Exams, which was vetting all the participants and their sensei. It was a tedious but necessary process, made even more so because of the weight of these exams. The first Kiri teams since the resolution of the Civil War would be on display. Kumo may use the exams to kill up and coming ninja from Konoha and Suna while also attempting to show Iwa who they should be allied with.
After the Team Kurenai reunion, Shikamaru stayed up all night to finish the planning. The exams started in a month, which meant the Kage would be traveling to Suna in two. He just wanted to be done with the whole damn thing and go back to cloud watching and Shogi playing.
"The only other bit of information we need is to know your guardian detail for the finals."
"Orochi and Kakashi," the Godaime answered and Shikamaru nodded. "Is there anything else?"
"No, Hokage-sama," the lazy Nara answered.
"Good, for the time you will be returning to Team Asuma and your regular Chunin duties. Thank you for your service, Shikamaru. You are dismissed," Tsunade said. Shikamaru bowed and exited the office. As Shikamaru walked down the hallway, passing the various ninja waiting to meet with the Godaime he sees his two teammates chatting away.
"What are you two doing here?"
"I'm here to meet Tsunade-obachan," Naruto answered, still dragging as the pills Karin gave him hadn't kicked in yet. He briefly remembered never asking her what was in them and resolved to not swallow pills given to him without asking a few questions.
"I'm here for moral support," Shino said. Shikamaru bit out a laugh.
"Oh, that starts today? I'm guessing you don't know who you'll be babysitting."
"Not at all. Man, I'm supposed to be out there, kicking ass and saving Princesses,"
"It's a statistical anomaly that we have saved as many as we have," Shino observed.
"It's also troublesome. Stop looking a gift horse in the mouth."
"Shika, you need a greater sense of adventure," Naruto teased but grew confused when Shikamaru took him by the shoulders and looked him square in the eyes.
"Naruto, boring is good. Boring means stable, peaceful. Embrace the boring. Adventure is for storybooks."
"I think he'll be too busy embracing something else," Shino stated. Naruto was called into the Hokage's office before he could respond.
"So… embracing something else?" Shikamaru asked
"Yes," Shino answered.
"He works fast," the Nara observed.
"Or she does," the Aburame countered.
"Good point. Should we be concerned?"
"Maybe about his exhaustion levels. As for everything else, I suggest we wait and see."
"I'll try to think up some contingencies but…"
"I understand." The two nodded at each other and then broke out into matching grins.
"So, she exhausted him? Outside of hours of fighting, I didn't think it possible."
"There were other developments best not spoken about here. Team training tomorrow morning." The slight inflection told Shikamaru this was serious. He affirmed he understood then departed the Hokage Tower, Shino leaving to attend to his own matters.
As Naruto reached for the door to the Hokage's office he felt a wave of energy rush through his body, which was followed by a very brief but very painful headache. It left as fast as it came and the Uzumaki no longer felt drained. He resolved to thank Karin later.
Naruto entered Tsunade's office, finding himself wrapped in a hug with Tsunade saying, "I couldn't greet you probably yesterday, so I'm making up for lost time." She released him soon after and returned to her seat. "Now, down to business; I know you aren't thrilled about your assignment but you can best serve the village by sharing your knowledge. Most days you'll have one charge," Tsunade paused to toss him a scroll, "as she requested you personally. It's a fraught situation so handle it with a measure of diplomacy. There will also be times I'll have you help our forces with some training seminars."
Naruto nodded. He knew nothing he could say would change it so he'd just have to accept it.
"Now, there is one more thing. Team Kurenai is put on hold as all three of you were simply better served elsewhere but there was also a problem that none of you have any medical training. You will be sending a clone to the hospital to get some basic training."
"Why me?" Naruto asked. He didn't mind and iryo ninjutsu was a blank spot in his knowledge but this just seemed odd. "Both Shino and Shika have the chakra control and intelligence for it. Shika isn't a frontline fighter and Shino has extensive knowledge of anatomy due to his hunter ninja training. They've also been here and could have easily been certified so why me?"
Tsunade bit her lip and looked away, "It was simply decided you'd be the best fit for the training." Naruto looked at Tsunade in puzzlement. She was clearly lying and wasn't even trying hard to hide the fact. It didn't make sense, he had to follow her orders regardless and he'd do it anyway since she was family. And she might even show him something if he learned enough. That's when a light bulb turned on.
"You aren't jealous that I've learned things from each of the Sannin but you, are you?" Naruto asked, smiling. Tsunade dawned an embarrassed blush at being caught.
"Medical ninjutsu is just as cool as other ninjutsu and you can do a lot with it."
"I don't deny that, Oba-chan."
"But there is another reason. I saw you spar with Orochi, I know you've gotten really good over the last three years but if war breaks out you're going to be a primary target. When Ay learns you aren't so easy to kill he'll target those you care about. Add that to your tendency of throwing yourself in front of threats and you can see my concern. My grandfather was excellent at self-healing. I could never manage to replicate it but with the advanced healing offered by the Kyuubi I was hoping you could."
Naruto didn't know what to say, he could tell her worry ran deeper than just his welfare but how it would only compound the grief she felt of previous losses. He didn't like seeing her like that, it felt wrong. Naruto smiled largely and brightly, "Don't worry, Oba-chan. I'll go through the training and whatever you want to show me. I can't die until I take that seat, 'ttebayo!"
Tsunade smiled in return, perked up by his declaration of taking her position. "I can't wait, Naruto but don't be in too big a rush. Enjoy your youth while you can and then come rescue me from this chair and the paperwork. Deal?"
"Deal."
"Good, now go meet your new student and try not to cause an incident."
"Diplomacy and discretion are my middle name," Naruto said, attempting to pacify the Godaime but her rolling her eyes let him know he'd failed.
"Just do your best, now scram."
"I am not a house cat, 'ttebayo!" Naruto said, departing through the window just to annoy his surrogate aunt. The Uzumaki clan head landed on the ground and then blurred to his destination, arriving near instantly to the Hyuuga Clan compound. Naruto presented his mission scroll to the exterior guards and was promptly escorted in. As they walked, Naruto could feel more and more people watching him. The Uzumaki wanted to roll his eyes. 'Yes, that kid is here. Hide your wives, hide your children,' he thought, dismissively.
Naruto was led down a few more corridors before finally reaching his destination. The Hyuuga slide back a door and ushered Naruto into an outdoor training ground, with two people in attendance. The older Hyuuga, obviously Hiashi, seemed tired and worn. The younger Hyuuga, Hanabi, looked resolute. When Hiashi realized who was there he simply left, sparing no words for Naruto but the Uzumaki didn't mind. He sized up his new student. The girl had certainly grown from the tiny thing she was. She'd cut her hair at some point, it styled in a bob and with her charcoal colored gi, she was clearly ready to train.
"Hello, Hanabi," Naruto said.
"Hello, Naruto-san," the now Heiress replied back but Naruto waved the honorific off.
"I have to admit, I was a little surprised to learn you'd be my primary student. Not that I mind, of course, but I am curious as to why the Hyuuga Heiress would want outside training."
Hanabi had suspected he'd ask that and was prepared with an answer. "My nee-chan told me the one thing she wanted for me more than anything else was to be the kind of Hyuuga I wanted to be. My clan is not just prideful in their traditions and legacy but arrogant. It's made us stagnate. Even the removal of the seal hasn't fixed it as now the former branch members are just free to flaunt their clan membership to the rest of the village.
While they revel in their pride, they do not see the concrete ceiling they've erected above their heads. No S-rank ninja to our name, no Hyuuga ever considered a candidate for Hokage and few if any innovations to our primary fighting style. We're capable of more but too many are blind to it, chained to the habits of the past," Hanabi had to pause to breathe in and out, the frustration with her clan, with how they treated her sister. It felt so heavy, the inescapable weight of it all.
"Hinata-nee, she wasn't naturally good at Gentle Fist but worked around it. She developed herself and found alternative uses for her bloodline. Almost no one praised her for it, they could only see the break in tradition. I want to be like her, a Hyuuga in my own way, following my own path."
Naruto smiled, "That's a good goal, Hanabi. How can I help?"
"You can help me unlearn the Gentle Fist."