Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Underneath The Leaves	By : ChaCha92 Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 4798 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: Don't own anything in the Naruto universe. Some dude in Japan does. Make no money on my stories either.

Chapter List
- 18
- 19
- 20
Sauntering down the hallway, Kakashi pulls his mask up in place as he emerges fully dressed into the living room. He stops cold when he notices Naruto sprawled across the sofa in her sleep clothes reading a book.
“Aren’t you coming to the Zodiac tonight?”
“Nah,” she waves off, glancing up from her book to smile at him. “Don’t really feel like going out.”
Kakashi stares at her for a few moments as she resumes reading.
“Bullshit.”
Startled by his swearing, her gaze snaps to his, prompting him to continue.
“Genma’s an active shinobi. Chances are good you’ll run into him anywhere, not just at the bar. Plus, you can’t hide. We all know what happened. Might as well face it,” he shrugs. “It’s important to assure everyone you’re okay. Besides,” he emphasizes with an arched brow. “I’m curious to see how you’re going to prank Shigure for his betting pool. You did promise payback.”
That little reminder did the trick. He watches in amusement as blue eyes narrow and the book in her hand promptly snaps shut while sitting upright.
“Give me five minutes.”
They arrive at the Zodiac a short while later. Although it’s still early in the evening, the place is already packed with the usual crowd, consisting mostly of shinobi.
Raido, Kotetsu and Izumo play pool at their usual table near the door. Pulling down the borrowed mask, Naruto doesn’t get more than a few steps inside when they pounce and pull her aside to talk privately.
Smiling in amusement at their antics, Kakashi walks across the bar where Sasuke sits with Shikamaru, Kiba, Ino and Gai. He notices the others haven’t arrived yet before speaking to the Uchiha for a few moments. A devious smirk crosses the young man’s lips as he nods. The elite jounin straightens up with another smile and heads back to the bar to settle himself at his usual seat between Yamato and Anko.
“Where’ve you been, Naruto?” Kotetsu demands. “We thought you evaporated into thin air.”
“I was starting to think you were mad at us,” Izumo adds before she can answer.
“Guys, it wasn’t like that at all,” Naruto laughs, throwing up her hands in surrender.
“Kinda hard not to think that when we know squat about what happened,” Izumo pouts and crosses his arms.
“Raido was being an ass and wouldn’t tell us shit,” Kotetsu adds, glaring pointedly at Raido who’s watching the entire exchange in amusement.
Naruto arches a brow at the older brunet.
“I’m not an old housewife prone to gossip.” He jerks his head at the two buddies, adding, “I told them it was your tale to tell if they wanted the truth.”
“Thanks, Raido,” Naruto smiles before launching into an abbreviated version of what happened. Naturally she leaves out the demon cloak part.
“We knew about the betting pool, but hadn’t heard about the broken nose. I think we need to remind Genma about how much a broken nose hurts,” Kotetsu mutters darkly, earning a nod from Izumo and a hum of agreement from Raido.
“As much of an ass Genma was being, it wasn’t all his fault,” she points out. “Sasuke was being just as big an asshole by getting involved, igniting an already tense situation and brawling with my ex-idiot.”
“Yeah, especially since he deliberately ignored a direct order from a superior,” Izumo agrees. Rubbing the back of his head he sheepishly admits, “I placed a bet in Shigure’s pool. I didn’t think about how much it disrespected you until Raido got on my ass about it. You’d already been through enough shit and shouldn’t have had that crap dumped on top of you. I’m sorry for being an ass, Naruto.”
She briefly contemplates really making him squirm over it, but since he’s freely admitting to his idiocy and apologizing she’ll let him off the hook.
“It’s okay, Izumo,” she reassures with a smile. It then turns into a devious smirk. “Now if you hadn’t realized your mistake and apologized, you totally would’ve been on my prank hit list with Shigure.”
“You’re going after his ass?” Kotetsu eagerly asks.
“Yeah,” she nods. “But I’m gonna need everyone’s help.”
Gesturing the three to lean in closer she outlines her plan. The men snigger and chuckle when she’s finished, agreeing to help.
“Thanks Raido for cluing me on my mistake,” Izumo looks at the scarred, older jounin. “Last thing I want is to end up Naruto’s target. She’s evil when provoked,” Izumo quips, earning a laugh from the others.
“And don’t ever forget it,” Naruto grins. “We’re good now, no worries.”
Satisfied at getting the whole story, the two take turns hugging her before resuming their pool game, leaving Raido sitting off to the side with her. Minutes later he briefly leaves her to watch them play while he gets her a glass of water. Returning with two he hands one to her.
“Thanks.”
“Anytime,” he replies, smiling. Becoming serious, he adds, “And, again, nothing about the breakup was your fault, Naruto.”
“I know,” she sighs wearily, combing her fingers through her bangs. “I don’t blame myself, but what he did hurt,” she admits reluctantly. “I’m used to people disrespecting me, so it wasn’t a shock Genma acted that way, especially considering his history and hang ups.” Her voice grows softer. “I just don’t like being humiliated.”
Raido surprises her by pulling her into a hug.
“I’m sorry for the shit Genma pulled,” he apologizes.
“Thanks,” she mumbles into his shoulder, returning his hug. Moments later she pulls back. “And I’m at peace with what happened and will move on,” she reassures him. Smirking she quips, “Genma sure didn’t waste any time moving on, so there’s no point in dwelling on it.”
With a snort of derision, Raido rolls his eyes.
“I would not call his latest relationship moving on. Hell, it barely qualifies as a relationship.” At her confused expression he explains, “All the things Genma accused you of like nagging, clinging and being suffocating this woman does worse and more. We don’t see much of him anymore because she throws a fit if he even mentions wanting to join us for pool. She’s quite the high maintenance girl as he’s buying her whatever she wants.”
Naruto stares in shock before narrowing her eyes.
“Must be all about getting a good fuck with him.”
“Don’t know about the ‘good’ part,” he shrugs. “But Genma’s setting himself up for a big, nasty fall because he’s completely in denial over how bad this girl is. She qualifies as a manipulating gold digger in my book.”
Naruto thinks about it before sighing heavily.
“He’s going to get really hurt this time.”
Raido gives her an incredulous look.
“You’re not seriously feeling sorry for him are you?”
“I can’t help it,” she shrugs helplessly. “I hate seeing anyone miserable, but he’s effectively cut me out of his life, so I can’t even begin to help him if I wanted to.”
Raido lightly cuffs her on the side of the head.
“Cut it out!” he playfully admonishes. “Genma made his choice and now he’ll have to live with the consequences.”
“Alright, I surrender!” Naruto laughs, playfully shielding her head with her hands. Dropping them, she adds, “I also want to thank you for going on that mission with him the day after our break up.” When he frowns in confusion she explains, “Kakashi and I were supposed to take it, but because of my injuries we couldn’t. The plus side is it got Genma out of the village before he was tempted to shoot his mouth off. I’d like to treat you to lunch or dinner in thanks ‘cause I know you weren’t happy about it.”
“I’m pissed at Genma, but it wasn’t a big deal,” Raido waves off
“It was to me and I insist.”
“You’re going to be a pain in the ass about it until I say ‘yes’ aren’t you?” he eyes her shrewdly.
“Yep,” she grins.
“Okay,” he caves, returning her grin.
“How about sometime next week if you’re not out on a mission?”
“Sounds great to us,” Kotetsu chimes in, draping an arm around Naruto’s shoulders.
“How about around noon on Thursday?” Izumo chimes in.
“No one invited you two!” Raido snaps, much to Naruto’s amusement.
“Sounds good to me,” Naruto agrees. Her grin widens at Raido’s shocked look, causing her to shrug. “Hey, it’s not like I’m paying for them if they tag along.”
She laughs with Raido at their protesting howls of outrage. When they all calm down enough, the guys insist Naruto joins them for a game before letting her loose in the bar.
Drifting over to the bar, Naruto says ‘hi’ to Yamato and Anko while playfully tugging Kakashi’s hitai-ate down over his right eye. The three laugh at his irritated grumbling while he readjusts his headband back into the place, making sure to glare at the grinning redhead before she quickly moves away to join the rookies and their significant others at their usual tables.
“’Bout time you joined us,” Kiba ribs as she pulls up a chair across from him.
“What can I say? I’m popular,” she teases with a mock dismissive shrug.
Kiba rolls his eyes while she looks around the three tables pushed together, noting not everyone was present.
“Where’s Sakura and Ritsu? I thought they were coming,” she frowns in confusion
“Sakura got a double shift at the hospital and Ritsu didn’t feel right coming alone,” Ino explains from her position with Gai a couple seats down the table to Naruto’s right. “But enough of that. Tell us what happened!” she eagerly demands.
Knowing no one will let her leave without filling them in, Naruto fills the ones who don’t know on what happened on the training ground, again, leaving out the cloak part. Then she shares what happened afterward.
“Kagura got in a shit load of trouble with Shisou and Shizune-sempai for running her mouth instead of healing your nose right,” Ino smirks.
“I still don’t get why they let her become a medic, she’s a total ditz,” Konohamaru scoffs from his place at the end of the tables.
“She’s actually a pretty good medic,” Ino explains. “But it’s the ditz part that keeps getting her in trouble.”
“Speaking of trouble, Genma should’ve gotten into a hell of a lot more trouble for breaking your nose, Naruto,” Kiba growls, earning an echoing chorus of agreement from the assembled group.
“That’s because it wasn’t entirely his fault, Kiba,” she emphasizes before looking pointedly at Sasuke sitting directly to her left.
He sighs heavily.
“If I hadn’t ignored her wish to handle things herself and Kakashi’s direct order to stand down she wouldn’t have gotten hurt,” he reluctantly admits. Gazing sidelong at her, he pointedly adds, “I felt Genma crossed the line when he backhanded you. But if we hadn’t started fighting you wouldn’t have tried to break us up and got nailed by Genma’s fist.” He pauses to sigh again, “I was wrong.”
His admission causes everyone to stare and blink at him in stunned silence.
“I do admit if I’m wrong,” he snaps in annoyance.
The silence is broken by murmurs from around the group.
“I don’t remember him admitting he’s wrong.”
“Me neither.”
“Not once that I can think of.”
“There had to have been one time, wasn’t there?”
“Knock it off!” Naruto laughs at Sasuke’s more pronounced scowl of annoyance. “The idea is to encourage him, not return him to sullen, anti-social avenger kid again.”
Sasuke shifts his glare directly to Naruto. She ignores it as a round of water arrives for them. He then decides a little payback is in order.
“Why don’t you tell them about your fun filled adventures with tea ceremonies, dobe? Everyone’s heard but don’t know all the details.”
It’s Naruto’s turn to glare at the smug looking Uchiha as everyone’s interest is piqued.
“Fine, teme,” she huffs irritably before regaling them with her recent tea ceremony misadventures.
As she talks, she doesn’t fail to notice the rest of the bar surreptitiously eavesdropping. Deciding to ignore it after realizing it saves her from repeating it to Anko or anyone else she knows later, she makes sure to explain Koharu and Homura’s hidden motives.
“I don’t get why they’re so interested in marrying you off,” Choji frowns at Naruto in confusion.
“Obviously they wish for her to retire before she becomes Hokage,” Shino bluntly states.
A storm of outrage lasting several minutes erupts around the bar. As annoyed as she is by Shino’s typical bluntness, Naruto’s secretly glad to see no one shares the old geezer’s sentiment.
“I’ll check with my dad because I’m curious if anyone else on the council shares their foolish sentiment,” Shikamaru states.
“Indeed,” Neji agrees. “Being aware of the situation will help to not only put a stop to their machinations, but might benefit everyone else in the long run because who’s to say they won’t interfere with anyone else’s love life under the guise of it being for the good of the village?
“Naruto has every right to choose when and if she ever wants to retire, not because they think she should,” Choji states with a disapproving frown.
“C’mon, guys, this garbage is nothing new,” Naruto protests. “They’ve always interfered and are still upset because they didn’t get their way when they tried stopping me from entering the academy.”
“Which only proves they’re manipulative, controlling old farts who believe what they’re doing is what’s best for the village when they don’t know jack shit,” Anko pipes in.
“This is why a lot of civilians are fed up with the council,” a blonde civilian woman sitting with her chuunin boyfriend on the other side of the room declares, attracting everyone’s attention. “They don’t focus on the important things that truly benefit the village and assume everyone else shares their attitude.”
Her statement kicks off a chorus of agreeing murmurs from around the bar, mostly from other civilians. It shocks Naruto to realize she has supporters among them.
“Neji’s right,” Izumo adds. “Those two need to stop their interference or they’ll just keep doing the same to someone else.”
“They won’t do that,” Naruto shakes her head. “They’re only doing it to me because there’s a different set of rules and standards applied to me thanks to my ‘condition.’ That’s all the justification they’ve ever needed.”
“Bullshit,” Sasuke hisses in disgust drawing everyone’s focus. “Long before I left, those idiots kept badgering and harassing me, saying I needed to get married and immediately start cranking out the replacement Uchihas. Because I wasn’t a prodigy like Itachi they strongly emphasized I should give up on being a ninja. If that wasn’t bad enough, they forced me into weekly meetings to discuss prospective spouses, providing very detailed dossiers regarding the candidate’s social status, wealth, education and even their fertility. Then they’d make me attend their stupid tea ceremonies where they’d only introduce women they felt would make suitable wives.”
“Women?” Gai asks pointedly, arching a massive brow.
“Women,” Sasuke nods. “They never presented girls my age. Their idea of suitable candidates was any female 16 and over because any younger than that was at a higher risk of dying from complications during childbirth. Some of the women they waved at me were already in their thirties.”
Gasps could be heard around the room.
“All of this started before I even left the academy.”
“That means they were trying to marry you off before you went through puberty with women over twice your age,” Tenten muses in shock.
Sasuke nods before looking at Naruto.
“Maybe they do apply a different set of rules to you, which I sure as hell don’t agree with, but this crap didn’t stop with me. And it sure as hell won’t stop with you either. Not as long as they think they can get away with it.”
“It might stop once they die because they’re older than the hills,” Kotetsu quips, earning a few agreeing sniggers. “But a lot of people follow their example, so it probably won’t.”
“I don’t think so,” a brown haired civilian man disagrees from another corner of the bar. “Those of us with a brain and a good working pair of eyes know Naruto is an excellent shinobi and disagree with the dismissive attitude certain members of the council have towards her. Those with a poorly functioning intellect did need a little help from one of her comrades if their ignorance was bad enough.” He pauses when snickers and chuckles break out. “Honestly, the opinions of those two councilors just don’t carry the same weight they used to.”
“I still don’t get how in the hell they stayed on as councilors for so long when they’re both blind and stupid,” Konohamaru huffs with his arms crossed. “The boss has more than proven herself to be worthy of becoming Hokage like my grandpa. I’d hate to see what they think is a better candidate.”
Naruto’s a little uncomfortable and a little overwhelmed by the conversation.
“They’re not gonna change their attitudes anytime soon, which is why Sasuke and I went evil on them and fucked with them at the last tea ceremony.”
“Hey!” Shigure loudly interrupts from his place behind the bar. “As interesting as all this is, I run a bar not a meeting hall. Why hasn’t anyone ordered drinks for the past couple of hours?”
The brunet recoils slightly at suddenly being faced with a room of deviously smirking shinobi and civilians.
“Because you haven’t apologized for starting the betting pool on Naruto’s breakup with Genma. You deliberately nudged it out of control, resulting in the constant harassment of Naruto,” Kakashi calmly points out
“It was harmless fun!” Shigure protests.
“It was insulting, especially to Naruto,” Yamato points out. “Until you properly apologize, she suggested everyone should only order water for the rest of the night. Since we all agree you at least owe her that much, we’ll comply with her request.”
“What about the people who placed bets?” Shigure asks defensively. “The pool wouldn’t have happened if no one participated.”
“Naruto-chan’s true comrades made sure to make their disapproval of the pool clearly known to the bettors,” Gai declares.
“If that wasn’t enough,” Raido pipes up. “The Hokage threatened anyone who continues harassing Naruto over what happened, promising they’d get assigned security patrols of the cesspools for the next six months, receiving ‘D’ rank pay for it.”
“And if you still want to be stubborn about it, Shigure, we can spread the word the Lucky Leaf is the new preferred hangout,” Anko happily offers. “I’m sure Jin wouldn’t be unhappy to see the increase in patronage. Besides, he really likes Naruto and would never pull a stunt like that on her.”
“Y-you wouldn’t!” Shigure sputters, looking alarmed.
The answering smirks clearly indicate they would. Realizing his livelihood is at stake Shigure comes from behind the bar walks over to Naruto and kneels before her.
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes, bowing low to the floor. “I swear to never make your love life the subject of a betting pool ever again.”
“What you really mean is you won’t ever make any part of Naruto’s life the subject of a betting pool again, right?” Hana corrects from her seat next to Neji.
Realizing his error, Shigure nods vigorously then bows again.
“Please forgive me, Naruto.”
Much to everyone’s amusement, Naruto takes her sweet time in mock consideration, making him sweat while still bowing low.
“Alright, I think I can manage to forgive you,” she states. When he straightens up on his knees in elated joy, she adds in a sinister tone, “Because you won’t like what I’ll do if you make it back on my shit list. I’ll make sure you get a particularly special prank.”
Shigure gulps before managing a nervous smile.
“No worries. All your drinks tonight are on the house, by the way.”
Scrambling to his feet, he hurries back behind his bar to happily resume making drinks for everyone while the conversation resumes.
“Naruto, can you please tell us about the tea ceremony you referred to?” Hinata asks.
“Sure,” Naruto smiles fondly. “Kakashi came up with the idea Sasuke and I should make everyone believe we’re secretly a couple. I mean, if the old geezers are so hell bent on matchmaking us then why not screw with their plans? They didn’t see it coming.”
“I don’t doubt it,” Ino grins. “Especially considering everyone knows you two pretty much hated each other in school.”
“That’s what made the idea so great,” Naruto agrees, spreading her hands out in emphasis. “It’s the perfect prank. Sasuke amended the idea where instead of showing up together we’d show up separately.”
“It was a good move to keep people guessing,” Shino observes. “It throws them off balance wondering whether you are or aren’t a couple.”
“Yeah, well, it’s a good thing we decided to pull that when we did,” Naruto mutters before telling them all about Hiro.
“What an ass,” Tenten muses shaking her head. “I would’ve been sorely tempted to try seeing how many kunai I could shove up every orifice.”
“You have no idea how tempted I was to do exactly that,” Naruto rolls her eyes. “I had to put up with his narcissistic ass until he finally decided he was hungry and took off for the food tables.” She turns to Sasuke, “Hey, what happened to you before showing up?”
“Mimi,” he succinctly states rolling his eyes.
Knowing Naruto wouldn’t let him off the hook without telling them about her, he shares his part of the story.
“Gee, that must’ve taken you back to your fangirl days,” Kiba mutters facetiously.
“You have no idea,” Sasuke dryly retorts. “I thought I left that horror behind at graduation.”
“Well, Sakura may have been that bad, but I wasn’t,” Ino haughtily declares prompting nearly everyone to stop and gape incredulously at her.
“Yes, you were,” her former classmates who are present declare in unison, causing the blonde to blush in embarrassment.
Huffing irritably she turns to Gai.
“Do you think I was that bad?”
Gai gazes at her lovingly.
“A happily married man does not look for faults in the past because the past is what makes his wife an exquisitely beautiful woman in the present.”
A brilliant smile spreads across her face before she squeals in delight while latching onto his arm.
“Good answer,” is murmured around them.
Gai responds with a wink and a brief nod while Ino isn’t looking. Smirking, Sasuke picks up the story again.
“I was finally able to ditch Mimi to meet up with Naruto when Hiro found us. That’s when we started screwing with our respective ‘dates’ and planting the idea there’s more to our relationship than being friends and teammates.”
“It was little things like Sasuke brushing lint off my yukata and me leaning on him to adjust my sandal,” Naruto adds. “Anything to touch each other to hint at a more intimate relationship.”
“And we tossed in comments about each other subtly emphasizing how well we know each other,” Sasuke continues. “Once Naruto delivered the coup de grace, mentioning how hard it is to get blood stains out of mission clothing and to repair kunai slashes our companions were too horrified to say anything, not even goodbye.”
Laughter breaks out throughout the entire bar.
“That should get the gossipmongers going,” Moegi snickers.
“Rumors are already circulating about them being a couple and gathering steam,” Udon points out.
“How the hell do you know?” Konohamaru demands. “I haven’t heard anything in the Mission Room and that’s gossip central.”
“The rumors aren’t circulating among the shinobi yet,” Udon replies, pushing his glasses up his nose. “Right now they’re mostly circulating among the employees and civilians of the Okamoto bank.”
“And how did you become aware?” Moegi arches a brow.
“I’ve got accounts at the Okamoto family bank and was waiting in line when I heard two of the tellers gossiping about it the other day,” Udon shrugs. “They weren’t being quiet so other customers and employees joined in eager to share what they’ve heard. Apparently Hiroshi was really upset because he was already planning his wedding to Naruto and thought it was disrespectful how Sasuke snatched her away from him.”
Raucous laughter breaks out at Naruto’s horrified expression. Udon continues when the room calms again.
“Word is, Mimiko has been comforting Hiroshi as best as she can and their engagement is expected to be announced soon.”
“It was obviously a close call for Naruto,” Shikamaru states when the laughter dies down again. “If Koharu and Homura caught wind of Hiro’s intentions they would’ve done anything to make the marriage happen.”
“They aren’t likely to be deterred if they realize how close their plans came to being successful,” Shino adds.
“Not as long as everyone believes Sasuke and Naruto are a couple,” Hinata reminds them. “Now that Sasuke has returned they’ll continue encouraging him to restart his clan, but know they aren’t likely to succeed if they push too hard. They won’t take the risk of upsetting him by shoving girls at him if they believe he’s already in a serious relationship, especially with Naruto since she’s the one who convinced him to return. If anything, they’ll probably try pushing them to both retire and set a wedding date as soon as possible.”
“Not if I can help it,” Naruto growls, narrowing her eyes. Relaxing a little she reasons, “I’m not against getting married and retiring. Eventually. But I like making my own choices, not have things decided for me again.”
“As it should be,” Hana agrees. “For both you and Sasuke. Neither of you have parents or clans to make decisions for you, so you two have every right to decide your futures on your own terms. However, until Koharu and Homura are forced to back off, you two should keep up the ruse.”
“It wouldn’t hurt to continue nurturing the rumors,” Neji muses thoughtfully. “Especially if we all act like we’re trying to aid Naruto and Sasuke in keeping their relationship discreet.”
“We really won’t have to do much to keep the rumors going,” Ino snorts derisively. “Naruto and Sasuke make such a hot couple tongues will be wagging nonstop for months.”
Everyone laughs again when both blush in embarrassment.
“The rumors should be enough of a distraction and buy us enough time to figure out how to get the message across that Naruto and I simply aren’t interested in a relationship right now,” Sasuke states when his blush fades and everyone calms again. “There’s too much we have to focus on to afford to be distracted by this nonsense.”
The crowd in the bar breaks out in murmurs of agreement to help keep the rumors alive and circulating in the village.
“I’ve got a question,” a green haired civilian woman speaks up from a table near the bar. “Does anyone know how Koharu and Homura are funding their tea ceremonies?” she asks, causing everyone to blink in surprise. “I mean, I’ve heard they’re lavish affairs. If they’ve been hosting them since before Sasuke-san entered the academy, that’s a lot of ceremonies to pay for on their own.”
“That’s a very good question,” Shikamaru shrewdly states. “One that needs an answer and could force them to back off permanently.”
Everyone again murmurs and nods in agreement. The rest of the bar moves on to other topics or resume private conversations.
Except the focus of conversation among Naruto’s group remains firmly and annoyingly rooted in the machinations of the aged councilors. Reluctantly Naruto ends up providing them with a fairly detailed recounting of their attempts to dominate her life since before the academy.
“Honestly,” she finishes. “If Jiji hadn’t shielded me like he did, I’d be lucky working as a street sweeper.”
“If they didn’t arbitrarily decide to imprison you for life,” Neji observes.
“There goes Mr. Positive.”
“That’s a bit extreme, isn’t it, Neji?”
“Quit being fatalistic, Neji!”
“He’s right, guys,” Naruto sighs. Meeting a few surprised looks, she explains, “I don’t doubt if they had their way no one would know I exist.” Shrugging, she adds, “Since I’m established now the best they can hope for is getting me to willingly stay inside the village and focus on being someone’s little housewife.” Blue eyes harden with determination. “I want my life to mean more than just being a baby factory. Besides, what’s to say they won’t continue interfering while I raise my kids?”
“Well, you’re going to need our help to do it,” Lee declares, clenching a fist in determination. “You’d probably discover how Koharu-san and Homura-san are funding their tea ceremonies on your own, but they might twist it around to imply you’re trying to make them look bad.”
“Definitely,” Choji nods. “If a couple of us look into it, we can discover the truth so they can’t deny it. Council accounts are public record, which is probably how they’re paying for the parties, so any of us can access them. Plus, they aren’t likely to notice anyone else poking around, but would definitely notice you doing it.”
“Yeah,” Shikamaru nods in agreement. “Although you’ve got that ongoing special project you’ve been working on,” he pauses to smirk as Naruto rolls her eyes. “It’s a good idea if you don’t go anywhere near the council records for a few weeks.”
Naruto considers it.
“We’ve got plenty of stuff to work on, so it won’t be a problem staying away for the time being.”
“We’ll take care of it,” Shikamaru nods in approval. “We’ll keep you and Sasuke in the dark so Koharu and Homura can’t try to blame the fallout on you. They’ll have a harder time arguing out of what we may find if both of you can truthfully claim you know nothing about it.”
“Definitely,” Naruto agrees. A fond smile crosses her lips as her gaze roams around to all her friends. “I still don’t think it’ll stop Koharu and Homura, but I’m grateful to you guys for trying.” Rolling her eyes she adds in exasperation, “So can we now move on to other topics already?”
Sniggers, chuckles and smirks break out before they oblige Naruto’s wish and move on to other topics. It’s not long before the redhead decides to call it a night.
After exchanging ‘goodbyes’ with everyone, she rises to her feet and heads over to the bar. Sensing her approach, Kakashi turns to see her smiling at him.
“Just letting you know I’m heading home,” she informs him.
He mulls it over for a moment before nodding and rising to his feet.
“I’m done for the night,” he replies in answer to her questioning gaze.
Playfully rolling her eyes at his over protectiveness she waves at Anko and Yamato before letting him guide her out into the brisk night air while pulling up the mask and adjusting her winter cloak. They’re surprised to notice Sasuke stepping through the door right behind them. At their questioning looks he merely shrugs.
“It’s to keep up appearances.” Looking at Naruto, he adds, “Even if you’re with Kakashi, it makes more sense that if we’re dating I’d escort you home.”
“It sort of implies I’m not capable of protecting her,” Kakashi observes, quirking a brow.
“No, it implies I’m a bit overprotective and territorial of my ‘girlfriend,’” Sasuke smirks back.
“No, it implies you jerks don’t think I’m capable of taking care of myself!” Naruto snaps in irritation. “Do I have to kick your asses to remind you of that?”
When they both merely laugh at her, she pouts and crosses her arms.
“Now, now,” Kakashi soothes, reaching over to muss her hair. “Sasuke’s just being a typical Uchiha and watching over what’s his.” Ignoring her swatting his hand away, he continues, “I’m just being a good sensei and making sure you both behave properly.”
Naruto stops dead in her tracks and gapes at them both in incredulous outrage.
“I’m not a piece of meat to be possessed and fought over!” she shouts.
Laughing, Kakashi grabs the steaming redhead in a headlock and drags her along as they continue walking. Eventually she works herself free and sullenly smoothes out her hair.
“It’s just for show. To further the rumors along. Don’t get bent out of shape about it,” Sasuke mumbles just loud enough for her to hear.
“Okay, true, but I can’t help it,” Naruto sullenly mutters back. “I don’t like having to pretend when it’s too soon after Genma. It feels like I’m caving in to what the old bags want.”
“You’re not,” Kakashi counters. “But you have to participate in this ruse for it to work.”
Folding her hands behind her head and looking up at the starry night sky she sighs.
“Yeah, I know. I’m just fed up with everything. I’m tired of people trying to manipulate me. At 21 I think I’ve got a pretty good handle on my life. I can’t be that much of a screw up that no one can trust me to continue living it. It’s not my fault it’s kinda weird and out of the norm. I didn’t make it that way, but I’ve done the best I can. I doubt anyone could’ve done half as well as me.”
“No one could’ve managed that much,” Sasuke drolly comments as they stroll down the street. “Anyone else would’ve killed themselves before hitting puberty.”
“Agreed,” Kakashi nods. “Koharu and Homura are too caught up in their delusions. It’s time to shatter them and make them see the truth.”
“As much as I’d like to believe that, I can’t,” Naruto shakes her head. “They’re old and set in their ways. And they should’ve gotten the message to leave me the fuck alone when Jiji ripped them a new one for trying to sabotage my entrance into the academy.”
“What happened?” Sasuke looks at her.
“They did everything short of hanging me by my ankles from a tree in the middle of the Forest of Death to keep me out,” she sighs again heavily, dropping her arms. “When arguing with Jiji didn’t work they got sneaky. They tried getting some of the senior ranking medics to cook up a valid medical excuse, like the rigors of the academy would be too much of a strain and I’d snap, killing all the other students.” Looking between the two men she smirks. “That lasted until the old man challenged them to provide proof. Then the geezers visited me on the sly, saying I shouldn’t bother. I wouldn’t make it because children of civilians never make good ninja and quickly wash out.”
Noticing Kakashi’s frown she shrugs.
“Not like I knew any better. And it didn’t work anyway because I knew Jiji believed in me.”
Without a word Kakashi silently returns his furious glare ahead of them.
“The geezers got desperate around the start of the school year,” she continues. “They visited the parents of the other kids under the guise of easing their fears regarding me. Instead, they subtly nurtured and fed those fears so on the first day I was the only one sitting in the classroom.”
Sasuke gapes at the redhead incredulously while Kakashi continues walking on her other side wearing an inscrutable expression.
“Yeah, they went there,” she nods at Sasuke. “As it was, Iruka wasn’t crazy about having me as his student, but he was shocked when no one else showed up. He asked me if I knew anything about it and I said I didn’t know about the other students, only the old bats didn’t want me coming to school. I think he figured out what they did and got really pissed. He dragged me to the Third and told him what happened.”
She pauses briefly to adjust her cloak.
“The Old Man wondered what was going on and called all the parents in. He assuaged their fears, playing on their trust of the Yondaime. The next day he called Koharu and Homura in and let them have it, warning them to never go against him again.” Noticing the silent question in Sasuke’s eyes, she adds, “I stopped by to visit Jiji after school and heard them really going at it from the waiting room outside.”
“If those two idiots left things alone they would’ve realized you were perfectly capable of sabotaging your own academic career without help,” Sasuke comments.
Naruto levels a particularly nasty glare at the unaffected Uchiha.
“That wasn’t nice, Sasuke,” Kakashi admonishes.
Without any hint of scorn or malice Sasuke meets her angry glare.
“You already failed the graduation exam twice before they placed you in our class to retake the entire course since all your other classmates either graduated or dropped out. There was a reason you were dead last.”
Naruto looks away to stare sullenly ahead in silence. Seeing she was closing herself off again, Kakashi takes his cue.
“It’s not like anyone bothered to help when she asked, Sasuke.”
“Or she was too busy ditching or sleeping in class,” the younger man counters.
When Naruto opens her mouth to yell at him, Sasuke raises a hand to stop her.
“I’m not blaming it all on you, but it didn’t help, did it?”
When Naruto refuses to answer Kakashi does instead.
“It’s hard to put forth the effort when it’s clear no one wanted her to succeed, especially with the dated materials and methods used at the academy. Even Iruka admits much of what he teaches is boring and useless to today’s shinobi.” At Sasuke’s startled look Kakashi continues, “Iruka adjusts his lesson plans as much as he can get away with to emphasize the things necessary for ninjas in the field, which is why he has the highest graduation success rate of all the instructors. His students also tend to have the quickest promotion rates as well.”
Kakashi pauses as they pass a small group of pedestrians going past them in the opposite direction before continuing.
“The Third recognized there were serious flaws at the academy and tried correcting them, but the council interfered and there were more important things to focus on. He wasn’t blind to the fact certain instructors deliberately ignored the needs of some students to favor others. And it wasn’t just Naruto,” he emphasizes, looking over at Sasuke.
“The Sandaime tried getting her a tutor,” Kakashi continues. “But as an orphan that had to be paid out of the support funds. Most of the council vehemently opposed his requests, claiming it showed favoritism, but were quick to approve any extra expenditures for certain orphans they felt showed promise.”
Sasuke looks over at Kakashi with a slight frown on his face at what he’s implying, prompting the older jounin to nod.
“Didn’t you notice whenever you needed to replace your ninja tools you suddenly had more than enough to afford it?” he asks with an arched brow. “You were on the same budget as Naruto because you wouldn’t access your inheritance until you graduated, but the funds an orphan is allotted is just enough to cover room and board. For some, like Naruto, there’s barely enough left to buy the clothing and tools they need.” Both young adults clearly hear the amusement in his voice. “Which explains how she came into owning that orange jumpsuit; it was on clearance.”
“I liked that orange jumpsuit,” Naruto sullenly grumbles.
Kakashi just smiles and reaches over to muss her hair a little before turning back to Sasuke.
“It’s hard to want to succeed when the help that is supposed to be there isn’t. Especially when you’re aware there are those doing everything they can to prevent your success. With that in mind, it makes sense why Naruto put more effort into pranking. Not only was she making others notice her, but she was also forcing her detractors to back off.”
Naruto stares at Kakashi, but doesn’t say anything. Choosing not to acknowledge her surprise he continues.
“When you take the time to see things from her perspective, Sasuke, it makes sense she’d flourish even with the little help she got from me and couple of other sensei after she graduated.”
“Little help. That’s an understatement,” Naruto snorts derisively, earning a light cuff from Kakashi on the back of the head.
Kakashi ignores the murderous glare she gives him as she rubs the spot.
“Naruto outstripped you by leaps and bounds after you graduated,” he points out to Sasuke, eliciting a scowl from the younger man. Ignoring it, he asks, “Imagine how far she would’ve progressed if she had the right help in the first place? You may have had to deal with Homura and Koharu’s interference as well, but not on the same level as she did. You also can’t deny you received preferential treatment.”
“I didn’t ask for it,” Sasuke mumbles sullenly.
“No, you didn’t,” Kakashi agrees with a nod. “But you didn’t refuse it either, did you?” he asks, casting another sidelong look at an affronted Sasuke.
Not waiting for an answer, he continues.
“You can’t deny you felt entitled to it either because you’re an Uchiha. If you look at things realistically, Naruto’s anger whenever you got acknowledged for being the last Uchiha or being named ‘Rookie of the Year’ makes sense. It wasn’t from jealously. It was from being ignored and dismissed as unimportant when all anyone had to do was look long enough to see how much she had grown and improved.”
He gives Sasuke a few moments to consider his words before plunging on.
“Naruto worked a lot harder than you did to get to where she is today. That’s why it’s insulting for Koharu and Homura to ignore her abilities and accomplishments to insinuate she should give that all up for the greater good. It’s also an insult to her superiors and peers who feel she’s earned her promotions, which weren’t simply awarded because of her circumstances.”
The uncomfortable silence stretches out before Sasuke breaks it.
“How do you know so much about Naruto’s time in the academy?”
Kakashi smiles.
“I knew since you first enrolled I’d be your jounin sensei if you graduated, regardless of your class standing, because of your special circumstances. It just worked out that you both were the ‘Rookie of the Year’ and ‘Dead Last’ respectively; so even Koharu and Homura couldn’t question it. I just made it a point to learn as much about you two as possible.”
Sasuke stares at him in shock while Naruto smirks.
“You didn’t know me that well since I still took off for Orochimaru,” Sasuke mumbles, looking off to the side.
“Kakashi knew you better than you think, teme,” Naruto states, arching a brow. “It’s why he focused on training your sorry ass so much. C’mon, it was so obvious,” she grins at both their stunned looks.
Seeing Sasuke frown in confusion she rolls her eyes.
“At first it was to give you an edge against Gaara in the finals of the Chuunin exams because Kakashi recognized how dangerous he was. Since you wanted to grow stronger, he took advantage of that so you wouldn’t want to desert the village. He was trying to get it through your thick skull you could get stronger without leaving.” Shrugging, she adds, “But you were so narrow minded it didn’t matter.”
“I had no choice but to leave to get stronger to beat Itachi,” Sasuke grits out while glaring hard at her.
Naruto stops dead in her tracks, causing both men to stop as well to watch her place her hands on her hips and match Sasuke’s glare.
“That bullshit is so weak it’s diarrhea,” she scoffs dismissively. “Why was it necessary to leave the same village that’s been historically powerful since it’s founding? With every Hokage recognized by the entire ninja world as exceptional?” She gives him an incredulous look. “So you’re saying you honestly didn’t believe you wouldn’t get stronger in the same place all those Hokage hailed from, but also the Sannin, which happens to include Orochimaru? And what about Kakashi and any legendary Konoha ninja you can easily name? And let’s not forget your own clan, which not only helped found the village, but was one of the strongest and largest clans among all the ninja villages!” she throws her hands up in exasperation.
Calming a little after a few deep breaths, she continues.
“You didn’t have to chase madmen. You chose the short easy path to killing Itachi. Kakashi was just trying to make you see the truth, but you were in too much of a hurry to become an avenger. You really need to stop trying to justify your actions. Accept the fact you made a bad choice.”
Sasuke doesn’t answer and sullenly looks away down a side street. Naruto smiles in fond frustration.
“If you truly believe you were right, that’s okay,” she sighs softly, prompting him to grudgingly look at her. “We don’t have to share the same beliefs or agree on everything or anything. We’re just trying to widen your perspective. Like Kakashi’s favorite saying, ‘look underneath the underneath.’ You don’t always do that. That’s why you’re back. The truth about my time in the academy wasn’t what you thought it was.”
When Sasuke doesn’t answer they tacitly continue walking in silence. When they’re standing outside Kakashi and Naruto’s building, he briefly closes his eyes with a sigh, capturing their undivided attention.
“I’m sorry.” Looking at Kakashi he adds, “For failing you as a student.” He then shifts his gaze to Naruto. “And for being so closed minded and dismissive of you. I’m no better than Homura and Koharu.”
He pauses for a few moments to gather his thoughts.
“Ever since Team 7 it seemed every time I turned around you surpassed me on one thing or another. I only wallowed in my own frustration at not improving.” A self-depreciating smirk spreads across his lips as he bores into Naruto’s eyes. “I shouldn’t have been surprised, though. You worked harder than I did because you had a lot more obstacles in your way.” He pauses again, making sure to meet both their surprised gazes. “Thank you for putting up with my foolishness. Goodnight.”
Without another word, Sasuke continues on his way home. Naruto and Kakashi watch his retreating form until it disappears down the street.
“Think we struck a nerve?” she quips, turning to Kakashi.
“It’s nothing more than the truth,” Kakashi chuckles, gesturing they should head upstairs. “Would you like some tea?” he asks moments later once they’re inside the apartment.
“Didn’t you have enough water at the Zodiac?” she frowns as he closes the front door behind him. Before he can reply realization dawns on her face. “Ah, but there’s a couple points you’d like clarified, right?”
She rolls her eyes at his answering grin, which she can see since he already removed his mask.
“Sure,” she smiles back. “I’d like some tea because I’ve got a couple questions of my own.”
With a nod he disappears into the kitchen while she heads into her room to change into her comfortable sleep clothes before returning to meet him at the sofa. He emerges from the kitchen just as she’s getting comfortable. Once he sets the tray down on the kotatsu he settles on the opposite end.
“What’s tormenting you this time?” she asks reaching for her cup.
Kakashi pokes her in the side, eliciting a startled squeak and forcing her to sit back and glare at him while rubbing the spot.
“You said you had questions too,” he reminds her. “So I’m not the only one with an inquiring mind.”
“Yeah, but unlike you, I can survive without having my questions answered,” she retorts pithily. Before he can reply, she irritably asks, “Are you going to ask already or are you just going to continue being a brat?”
Rolling his eye with a sigh, Kakashi decides it’s best to get on with it.
“You seemed surprised when the civilians in the bar showed their support of you and when Sasuke revealed Koharu and Homura tried their hand at running his life too.”
She sighs before picking up her cup and taking a sip before setting it down to reply.
“No other civilians besides Ayame and Old Man Teuchi ever hinted at being remotely accepting and supportive of me. Pretty much it was only most of the ninja corps. As for Sasuke, I thought the entire council was busy falling all over themselves to see who got to wipe his ass first. I didn’t think they were pulling the same shit on him too.”
“You were also too caught up in the misconception the council only catered to Sasuke’s whims rather than doing things to further their own goals.” As she opens her mouth in outrage he cuts her off. “You’re too used to preparing for the inevitable attack you don’t realize how much things have changed. Like Sasuke, you’re too afraid to look more closely at the truth.”
“I am not!” Naruto protests defensively.
“Then why did the reactions of those civilians surprise you?” Kakashi calmly challenges.
Thinking for a few moments she’s unable to come up with an answer.
“You also seemed uncomfortable with the outrage shown on her behalf,” he continues when it’s clear she doesn’t have an answer. “Everyone was merely showing their support of you, demonstrating you’ve earned their respect.”
“I’m not used to it,” Naruto reluctantly admits quietly, shifting under his unrelenting gaze. “Used to be whenever anyone insulted or disrespected me, everyone nearby readily agreed and joined in.” Holding his gaze, she wonders, “Why would anyone defend me? I mean, there has to be a hidden motive.”
“Like Mizuki, right?” Kakashi quietly asks.
She gapes in stunned surprise before looking away, becoming more uncomfortable with the conversation.
“After all these years and all the shit that’s been pulled on me, it’s hard believing things have changed,” she reluctantly admits in a soft voice without looking at him. “You saw it yourself on my birthday. They’re still clinging to the grief and anger, blaming it all on me.”
“You saw yourself tonight, Naruto, examples of more villagers changing their attitudes and opinions about you,” Kakashi gently reminds her, earning a questioning look. “Sasuke may still stubbornly cling to many of his old beliefs, but he’s changing thanks to you. And, in a way, you were doing the same thing to Sasuke as he was to you by not looking beyond your own circumstances to see someone else’s reality.”
Unable to counter she crosses her arms and pouts.
“It’s not like I meant to dismiss Sasuke’s situation. Just seems like the council only likes to pick on me.”
“True,” Kakashi concedes. “The council does pick on you more. I’m just saying you shouldn’t be surprised they’d do it to someone else.”
Leaning back to slouch into the sofa with a sigh, she reluctantly nods.
“It’s hard to think differently when it feels like so much hasn’t changed.”
“Keep giving everyone time, they’ll come around eventually,” he encourages. “At least try to be more aware and open to the possibility they’re changing for the better.”
Instead of answering, she straightens up again to lean forward to pick up her cup and take another sip of tea.
“It’d be easier to believe if Homura and Koharu weren’t playing games,” she admits, setting down her cup again.” Looking over at Kakashi, she arches a brow. “You got really upset when they implied my parents were civilians, didn’t you?”
“It was a dirty tactic and insulting to your parent’s memory to be involved in a lie like that,” Kakashi scowls disapprovingly.
“Yeah, well, can’t really fault them on believing they were civilians since they don’t know about my true heritage,” Naruto reasons. “And I sure as hell don’t want to correct them or they’ll get more determined in their schemes.”
“They’d push you to marry for political gain.”
“They’d stoop that low,” Naruto rolls her eyes. “After all, these are the same people who made it very clear I was the monster they didn’t want involved in any activity normal humans engage in, like the academy. Hell, I’m surprised they’ve changed their tune enough to try to marry my off, but maybe they don’t really like the guys they’re trying to hook me up with,” she finishes with a smirk.
“They called you a monster and suggested you weren’t human?” Kakashi’s eye narrows.
“They weren’t suggesting,” she corrects. “When they found out I knew about the Kyuubi after my first kidnapping, all gloves were off and they stepped their campaign up to a whole new level. Needless to say, Jiji’s relationship with them grew very strained after that.”
“We’ve got to be very careful of those two,” Kakashi shakes his head. “If they’re feeling confident to start acting boldly again there’s no telling what they would do.”
“Yeah, ‘cause I can never trust what they say,” Naruto agrees. Smiling, she adds, “Thanks for defending my academy performance to Sasuke. It was nice having someone else who actually understands explain it. If I did, Sasuke probably would’ve said I was making excuses.”
“It was something he needed to hear from a neutral party who wasn’t involved,” Kakashi nods. “You were surprised I knew so much about it, weren’t you?”
“Well, yeah,” Naruto shrugs. “It didn’t seem like anyone was paying attention. Iruka didn’t really at first. Jiji did, but he seemed more exasperated and disappointed by my performance.”
Kakashi chuckles.
“That was probably a combination of the pranks you’d pull and the lack of effort by the sensei to properly teach you.”
“Yeah, I see it now,” Naruto agrees with a grin. “But then I thought they were putting it all on me.”
Kakashi sighs softly.
“I may have felt you were better off without me in your life, but that didn’t mean I didn’t try keeping up with your progress. I did what I could to get you what you needed whenever the council shorted you.”
“Like what?” Naruto frowns slightly. “’Cause my room and board was always covered.”
“Yes,” Kakashi nods. “But extras like the equipment you needed for school such as scrolls, kunai and shuriken weren’t.”
Before he can finish, realization dawns on her face.
“Whenever I’d run out of money for supplies, I used to find packages in my apartment with the stuff I needed. I thought it was the Old Man but he always denied it.” Gaping at Kakashi in surprise, she asks, “It was you?”
“It wasn’t much,” he shrugs. “But since I wasn’t your guardian I couldn’t do more. It would’ve attracted too much attention if I just gave you the money even anonymously because if the council caught wind of it they would’ve put a stop to it.”
The joyful grin spreading across Naruto’s face is his only warning when she leaps forward and grabs him in a crushing hug.
“Thank you!” Releasing him to sit back again she continues smiling. “It was a hell of a lot more than anyone bothered to do for me before. It saved my ass because most of the sensei weren’t sympathetic if I tried claiming I couldn’t afford what I needed to finish my homework. It’s nice knowing someone else was trying to be there for me in the background.”
“I should’ve done more,” Kakashi states.
“As far as I’m concerned, you did plenty,” Naruto shrugs. “Besides, it’s in the past.”
Before he can reply, she adds, “It was great how you got Sasuke face the fact he got and accepted preferential treatment.”
“Sasuke accepts criticism better now,” Kakashi reasons. “Because of his pride it’s difficult to have his past mistakes pointed out to him, but it shows significant growth on his part to stand there and take it.”
“He’s learning to look at things from different perspectives.”
“I’m surprised you caught on to the real reason I was training Sasuke. You always used to bitch about me ignoring the rest of the team.”
“It was true!” Naruto snaps irritably. “Just because I understood didn’t mean I liked it! I wanted training too, but unlike the teme, I wasn’t interested in running off and killing people.”
Unable to resist, Kakashi laughs at her pout before reaching over again to tousle her hair.
“Then you took off like a wildfire with what I did teach, showing you really didn’t need that much help in the first place, did it?”
Naruto blushes at the praise before crossing her arms and pouting.
“Yeah, well, it still would’ve been nice to get training,” she sullenly grouses, causing him to chuckle.

“Still,” he grins, taking a sip of his own tea. “Nice use of my favorite saying to make your point, by the way.”
“Got him thinking and I least I gave you credit for it instead of blatantly stealing it like the teme did in Wave,” she teases, recovering from her pout.
“Well, you’re doing a great job getting him to think differently and not focus on the wrong things. That’s helping turn him around.”
Ignoring her blush at his praise, he changes the subject slightly.
“Continuing to pretend to be a couple is a good idea, but there’s a genuine attraction between you and Sasuke.”
Naruto’s blush deepens to a fiery red.
“No there isn’t, we’re just good friends!”
“Your friendship has deepened since he returned,” Kakashi smiles while cocking his head. “It’s not surprising it could develop into something more. Do you have a problem with developing a real relationship with him?”
Reaching for her tea she sips it while considering the question.
“No,” she reluctantly admits, setting her cup back down. “But I’m not sure I can jump into another relationship so soon after Genma, especially with him.” Seeing the question in his eye, she explains. “I understand him better than anyone and forgiven him for a lot of crap, but I can’t forget all the times he’s tried to kill me. Not exactly a great way to start a relationship and not something we can laugh about and say, ‘Hey honey, remember the time you shoved a Chidori in my chest?’ We haven’t dealt with any of that.”
“All valid concerns,” Kakashi agrees. “I recognized your attraction and agree with everyone else that there’s some definite chemistry between you two. I was curious how you felt about it and am glad you thought it out so thoroughly.”
Naruto rolls her eyes.
“I feel so much better knowing my sensei approves of my love life.”
“You’re both my cute little students and as your sensei I’m responsible for overseeing your well-being and raising well adjusted little shinobi,” he retorts facetiously.
“You’re so full of shit!” she busts out laughing.
Calming down and feeling the conversation was pretty much finished, she arches back in a stretch.
“I’m going to bed.”
Rising to her feet she starts gathering the tea things to take to the kitchen. Kakashi silently takes the tray from her hands, earning another eye roll from her. He responds by nudging her in the rear with his foot towards her room.
“Goodnight, Naruto-chan.”
“Goodnight, Kahashi-kun,” she teases back while shaking her head before disappearing down the hallway.
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Underneath The Leaves