Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Underneath The Leaves	By : ChaCha92 Category: Naruto AU/AR > Het - Male/Female Views: 4797 -:- 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
- 3
- 4
- 5
Life back in Konoha drifts along at a fairly easy, mundane pace for Sasuke. He continues to focus on his training with Naruto, Ino and Lee when not spending the rest of his time at the Uchiha compound reading yellowed, musty smelling documents dragged out of the bowels of the Hokage Towel.
That is, whenever Naruto isn’t dragging him out to socialize against his will.
Didn’t matter if it’s to do some shopping, even if she hates doing it herself with a passion. Wherever people are she’ll drag him there. Her frequent cohort Ino often accompanies them. Both women make sure he doesn’t try sneaking off, but they also act as a shield if the glares are too heated or the mutterings against him too loud. Not that it bothers Sasuke much. However, Naruto doesn’t hesitate to berate any shopkeepers who try raising the prices on him when they go to pay. With Ino backing her up, she shames them for their behavior by reminding them that he surrendered willingly and is complying with his punishment. As a result more people start behaving more courteously towards him even if it still can’t be described as genuinely friendly.
About two months before the chuunin exams another surprise shifts Sasuke’s world again, if only slightly.
With two dusty file boxes open off to the side and several files spread out across every available surface in the living room, Sasuke, Kakashi and Naruto continue searching for anything related to the massacre. Firm knocking echoes through the house causing them to exchange confused looks and wonder who it is. Out of sheer nosiness, Naruto and Kakashi follow Sasuke to the front door. Tamping down his irritation at them, he opens it to find an ANBU standing on his doorstep.
“Sorry for disturbing you, Sasuke-san,” the ANBU in a painted leopard mask bows slightly. “Tsunade-sama requests your presence. Patrols found an Akatsuki member mortally wounded southeast of the walls. She is refusing to cooperate. Tsunade-sama is asking for your help to discover why she was within our borders before she dies.”
“She?” Sasuke asks with an arched brow, suspecting who it might be.
“Yes,” the ANBU nods.
“Alright, I’ll come,” he agrees.
Not surprisingly Naruto and Kakashi invite themselves along. No one speaks the entire way to the secured ward at the hospital. If Tsunade is surprised to see Naruto and Kakashi with Sasuke, she doesn’t show it.
“Thanks for coming, Sasuke,” she nods at him. “Based on physical descriptions provided by Naruto and Kakashi from past encounters, we’re pretty sure the woman in custody is Karin, but she’s refusing to tell us anything.”
“The ANBU said she was mortally wounded,” Sasuke states.
“Yes,” Tsunade confirms. “She’s been through one hell of a fight. I’m surprised she was still alive when they found her about ten kilometers outside of Konoha,” she shrugs. “She lost too much blood and her heart is failing fast. I honestly don’t expect her to last beyond the next hour. Before she dies I’d like to find out what her purpose is and make sure it’s not ruse by the Akatsuki to get to Naruto.”
Nodding, Sasuke follows behind the blonde with the others into the same hospital room he stayed in months ago. His suspicions are confirmed when he sees Karin lying on the bed. Her red hair and eyes stand out against her pale, bruised skin and the stark white of the room. Her upper torso is covered only in bandages tinged with patches of red seeping through and a white sheet covers her from the waist down. Ibiki stands off to the side, quietly observing the prisoner as her face lights up at the sight of Sasuke.
“You’re alive!” she cries overjoyed, forgetting everyone else in the room. “When you didn’t return from your mission I thought you were killed until we heard rumors you were still alive! The rest thought you defected, but I didn’t believe it for a minute. I was certain they caught you or you would’ve returned.”
Sasuke calmly studies the redhead before replying.
“No, Karin. I chose not to return to the Akatsuki.”
“What? Why?” she asks in shocked confusion.
“I no longer share the same goals as them,” he states simply.
Karin stares at him in disbelief, a couple of tears racing down her cheeks.
“When you left, Team Hawk paid dearly. Suigetsu and Jugo were immediately executed. I sensed them coming and escaped as they were killed. I thought Konoha had captured you and I came to free you, but the Akatsuki caught up to me.”
Overcome, Karin cries quietly for a few minutes, squeezing her eyes and clutching her chest in pain. Her heart monitor beeps as the reading becomes more erratic. Taking a couple of deep breaths she looks up at him again.
“Why did you leave us behind? We would’ve gone with you.”
Sasuke shrugs.
“It wasn’t planned, it just happened.”
Grunting in pain as her breathing become shallow and rapid, Karin forces out the words.
“We would’ve followed you into hell, but I’m glad you’re at least alive and well.”
With one long gasp, Karin arches off the bed before suddenly relaxing as the line on the monitor goes flat. Her open eyes staring at nothing and her cheeks streaked with her last tears as she died. Tsunade reaches for the chart hanging at the foot of the bed.
“Time of death 20:24 hours,” she calls out while scribbling on the chart. She then looks at Sasuke. “Thanks for coming.”
Knowing he’s dismissed, Sasuke calmly leaves with Kakashi and a subdued Naruto trailing behind.
“Karin was your teammate, wasn’t she?” Naruto quietly asks as they exit the hospital minutes later into the warm night.
“No, she was my subordinate.”
The silence stretches out before she speaks again.
“Aren’t you saddened by her death?”
“No,” he answers without hesitation. “She knew the risks of joining the Akatsuki. They all did. Death was their obvious end.”
Naruto halts dead in her tracks. Kakashi stops immediately as Sasuke walks a couple more steps before turning in annoyance to see Naruto glaring angrily at him.
“Karin obviously thought she was more than a subordinate; she cared for you,” she grits out, stepping closer to him. “And even if she only saw you as a teammate, she was willing to follow you without question. Apparently, so would the others. Karin could’ve easily gone into hiding from the Akatsuki, but chose to try and free you. And you needed them or you wouldn’t have formed the team in the first place. So how could you so callously throw them aside?”
“They were helpful, but meant nothing more than that and knew it.”
Sasuke didn’t see her hand coming. He definitely knew she slapped him judging from the sharp sting against his left cheek and the fact his head snapped painfully to the right.
“They were willing to give their lives to you, to protect you!” Naruto shouts, getting in his face. “If that means nothing, then no wonder you got seduced by Orochimaru! You didn’t gain power because the old snake held back to keep you from becoming strong enough to resist him; he was fattening you up like a lamb for slaughter!”
“I did gain strength!” Sasuke snaps, taking a step back.
“No you didn’t!” Naruto goads with a laugh, irritating him more. “If you were strong enough you wouldn’t have needed them at all! You can’t get strength from the curse mark ‘cause it’s gone now!” she cries throwing her arms in the air. “So, if you think you gained strength from vengeance, and vengeance doesn’t exist anymore, what do you have left? And if you want to restart your clan, what’s to say you won’t abandon your family in a moment of weakness, like your team?” she asks, pointing back at the hospital. “How can you claim any sort of pride when you willingly dishonor yourself by abandoning your team and village when convenient?”
“That’s just how it is with warriors,” Sasuke seethes.
“Bullshit!” she snarls. “If it’s like that there’s no way in hell you’re gonna pass the chuunin exam. You’re nothing but trash for abandoning your team, us and the one you created. Maybe I’m being stupid for thinking there was some value left in you after all.”
Naruto turns and stalks off, leaving Sasuke and Kakashi staring after her.
“She certainly picked up that lesson well,” Kakashi mutters before leaving a pissed Sasuke alone with his thoughts.
Naruto is still fuming about Sasuke by the time she gets home. When she finally settles into her futon for the night, she hears a loud tapping at her window. Annoyed, she gets up and pulls back the curtain. Surprised to see Genma perched on her sill, she opens the window only to regret it when she realizes he’s drunk.
“I came to visit you,” he slurs happily, climbing inside with a grin.
“Go away. I’m tired and had a bad day,” she grumbles, trying to push him back out the window.
“I can make it all better!” he declares gleefully, pulling her close and kissing her.
She struggles for a moment before shoving him away.
“Did you leave any booze at the bar? You smell like a walking distillery.”
Genma laughs and grabs her around the waist just as the bedroom door opens and light flicks on.
“What’s going on?” Kakashi asks, sounding bored as he leans against the doorframe with his hands in his pockets.
“Hey Kakashi!” Genma waves cheerfully after Naruto breaks from his hold. “I’m just visiting Naru-chan!”
Naruto grabs him by the shoulder and tries steering him back toward the window.
“I’m too tired, you’re too drunk. Go home!”
Using his hands and one foot, Genma braces himself on the frame of the window and the wall to keep her from pushing him out.
“There’s no way you’ll get me out!” he laughingly taunts before suddenly disappearing through the window.
Naruto sticks her head out the window to peer down before turning back to Kakashi, who is now leaning against the wall by the window.
“We should see if he’s hurt. We’re at least six floors up,” she points out.
“Don’t worry about it. Any jounin drunk off their ass can handle that kind of fall.”
Closing her eyes briefly Naruto groans.
“Shit, he’ll be bugging all night then.”
“I’ll take care of Genma,” he assures her. “Go make some tea so we can both unwind before turning in.”
Arching a brow Naruto eyes him before reluctantly nodding and disappearing from the room.
Kakashi closes the bedroom door and summons Bull. Smiling, he leans forward to pat the huge dog on the head before straightening up to give his orders. His world shifts and grunts in pain when he suddenly finds himself pinned to the floor while Bull expresses his love by attempting to smother him with doggie kisses. It takes a few disgruntled minutes for Kakashi to maneuver out from under the animal.
“Bull, that’s enough!” he orders while pulling down his now soaking wet mask. Taking a deep breath he continues. “A friend of mine needs to brush up on his breaking and entering skills. I want to make it as realistic as possible and don’t want to make it too easy.” He points at the window in emphasis. “My friend will attempt to come in this way. Your job is to drive him out. Don’t worry about hurting him. He’s a jounin and can handle it.”
Looking up at him, Bull’s tongue lolls out of his mouth as his stubby tail wags furiously. Kakashi knew the dog was happy for the chance to play with one of his friends. Satisfied, he leaves the dog alone, cutting the light before darting into his own bedroom to get a dry mask. He joins Naruto in the kitchen a few minutes later.
“Does this happen a lot?”
“Once in a while,” she shrugs, pouring out the tea for them and handing him a cup. “That’s how I know he’ll be a pain in the ass all night until he passes out somewhere.” She pauses to take a sip. “Last time he got his ass beat by one of my neighbors. The old lady pounded him with a broom, screaming bloody murder when she found him passed out among her potted plants on her balcony the next morning.”
Their laughter is interrupted by the sudden growling and barking mixed in with the screaming and cursing coming from Naruto’s room. She looks toward the bedroom in alarm as Kakashi calmly sips his tea.
“Is that one of your ninken in there?”
“Yeah,” he replies matter of factly. “Genma shouldn’t be bugging anymore tonight. Finish your tea before it gets cold,” he encourages, ignoring her narrowed gaze.
When it becomes a glare he sighs wearily.
“Genma will be sulky about it for a few days, but shouldn’t be any worse for wear. Although, by the sounds of it he may have issues sitting down properly for a couple of days.”
Naruto merely shakes her head and continues sipping her tea.
When she finally goes to bed a half hour later, she finds Bull sound asleep on her futon.
“This is my bed!” she grunts, attempting to shove him over. “Move over you damn dog!”
Despite her best efforts the mammoth dog refused to budge. Kakashi appears in the doorway chuckling.
“You won’t get him moving anytime soon. I could dismiss him, but it’s better to keep him around in case Genma comes back.”
Straightening up on her knees Naruto glares at him before glaring down at the dog. Shrugging, Kakashi leaves, pulling the door closed.
Refusing to relinquish her bed, Naruto slides and shifts into position next to the huge dog, forcing her way in. Bull finally shifts, giving her enough room to squeeze in and both happily sleep the rest of the night together.
The investigation is on hold because Naruto is too pissed at Sasuke to want to see him for a couple of days. She’s not even sure she wants to continue helping the idiot.
Sulky and depressed she moves mechanically through her days. She thinks she’s stupid to believe Sasuke cared for anyone. If he could throw aside his Akatsuki team like this no wonder he left everything behind so easily for Orochimaru back then.
Kakashi doesn’t like seeing this broody side of Naruto and discreetly lets Iruka know what’s going on. Iruka cheers Naruto up somewhat over a bowl of ramen, but the redhead is still down in the dumps.
Not giving up, Kakashi seeks out a disgruntled Genma, attempting to enlist his help to cheer up his girlfriend. He finds him leaving the tower late one afternoon.
“What do you want?” Genma demands while attempting to walk past the silver haired jounin.
“Well hello and a fine afternoon to you too,” Kakashi greets back cheerfully, falling into step next to Genma.
“You’d be testy too if someone sicced a rabid monster that attempted to rip your ass clean off as a joke,” the brunet huffs.
“Then you shouldn’t have tried breaking into my apartment again,” Kakashi points out reasonably, earning a glare from the other man. “That isn’t Naruto’s fault. I came to see if you could help cheer her up.” At Genma’s questioning look he briefly explains, “Sasuke upset her and has her wondering if she’s wasting her time on him.”
“I’ll try, but I’m busy right now,” he brushes off dismissively. “Besides, she doesn’t need me for moral support since it’s just some moody, angsty friendship drama with the Uchiha. And considering it involves him, I’m not surprised. I warned her the kid was going to cause trouble, so she has to grow up and deal with it.”
Incredulous, Kakashi watches Genma continue striding off without another glance. Annoyed at the dead end, he decides to try handling things on his own. He doesn’t want to bring any of the Konoha 11 into it because Naruto already said their attitudes are still hesitant and somewhat hostile towards Sasuke. He doesn’t want to risk them feeding into her negative mood.
Tsunade doesn’t fail to notice something off with her favorite redhead. She tries discreetly prying what’s wrong out of her, but fails at every attempt. Determined to find out what’s got Naruto upset, the busty blonde decides some loosening up is in order.
“Okay, Baa-chan,” Naruto announces while entering the office. “I dropped off those papers to Intel. Unless you’ve got some other obnoxiously tedious task for me it’s quittin’ time!”
“Sort of.” Tsunade smiles at the confused expression on Naruto’s face. Reaching into a drawer she pulls out a large sake bottle. “You’ve been doing a great job lately, so a little celebration is in order.”
“Okay, so how about some ramen?” Naruto suggests instead. At Tsunade’s arched brow she sighs. “You know I’m not much of a drinker, Baa-chan.”
“But you do drink sometimes, right?” the older blonde prods.
Naruto hesitates until Tsunade gives her that ‘join me or else’ look.
“Yeah, sometimes,” she sighs softly in resignation.
Two hours Shizune leans inside the doorway, shaking her head at the pair of hysterically laughing, roaring drunk women. Without a word she disappears.
A few minutes later Kakashi saunters into the deserted Mission Room, looking around in mild surprise before arching a questioning brow at Shizune.
“You said it was urgent and not to be late or there’d be dire consequences for Naruto. It’s too quiet and I don’t see her,” he gazes at the brunette pointedly.
“That’s because Tsunade-sama is getting both of them completely smashed in her office,” Shizune explains while leading out a side door. “I summoned you to get your roommate safely home before things get worse.”
“Like what?” he asks in curiosity.
“I have no idea and don’t want to find out,” she replies honestly. “They’re already trashed to the point Naruto’s hangover will last a couple of days. It’s probably best she doesn’t come into work as Tsunade-sama is especially cranky when hung over.” Glancing sidelong at Kakashi she adds, “I noticed Naruto seems down lately, so she’s likely not going to be up to dealing with a particularly vindictive Tsunade-sama on top of that.”
“Probably not,” Kakashi nods as they clearly hear the raucous laughter before reaching the open office door.
Both silently observe the pair from the doorway.
“I’ve got another joke for you, Baa-chan!”
“Oh, wait! I’ve got a ‘redhead’ joke for you!” Tsunade declares excitedly.
“A redhead joke?” Naruto laughs. “This I gotta hear,” she states, leaning back in her chair and crossing her arms.
“What do you call a redhead standing between a blonde and a brunette?” Naruto considers the question before shaking her head. “An interpreter!”
Both double over, laughing hysterically. Kakashi glances over at Shizune who rolls her eyes in exasperation.
“Is that based on actual experience between you three?” he innocently asks.
Shizune glares while he chuckles quietly before turning back to watch what the pair would do next.
“Okay, okay my turn!” Naruto giggles. “Three shinobi are traveling through a distant, uncharted land. One is from Iwa, one from Kiri and the other from Suna.”
“Oh, this oughta be good,” Tsunade quips.
“Shh, let me finish!” Naruto playfully scolds. “Okay, so they go from village to village stopping in the local bars and ask what the local sights are. In one village the bartender tells them about a nearby bridge. Legend has it if you take a running leap off and call out your wish it’ll come true by the time you land. So the three shinobi head off to the bridge. So it’s this really ordinary looking footbridge, right? Looking at each other they shrug. The Suna nin says, ‘I want to go first!’ So he starts running and leaps off the bridge shouting ‘I want to be Water Daiymo!’”
“Water Daiymo?” Tsunade laughs.
“Shut up and let me finish, Baa-chan! He’s from Suna and probably tired of all that sand! Anyways, when the Suna nin lands he’s dressed in the Daimyo’s robes and surrounded by Kiri ninjas ready to escort him to Mizu no Kuni. He waves at the other two and wishes them luck. Now the Kiri ninja says he wants to go. So he takes a running leap shouting, ‘I want to be the richest man!’ When he lands he finds ryo pouring from his pockets. So he turns to the Iwa nin and waves goodbye, wishing him luck. The Iwa nin didn’t know what he wanted. So he sat on a rock and thought about it for a long time. When he finally figures it out, he stands up, steps back and starts running, but then trips on the rock and going over shouts ‘oh shit!’”
Tsunade and Naruto fall into hysterical, gasping laughter. Shizune looks at Kakashi who nods. It’s time to break their little party up. He didn’t want to know what other bad jokes the two would start telling next.
“Okay Naruto, time to go home,” Kakashi soothes, walking over and lifting her onto his back.
“Awww, but it’s early!” Tsunade protests.
“Time for you to turn in too, Tsunade-sama,” Shizune adds, stepping in front of her mentor with her arms akimbo.
Taking advantage of their ensuing argument, Kakashi disappears with Naruto through a window. As he’s running across the rooftops, she asks him after a couple of minutes to put her down.
Glancing over his shoulder he replies, “You’re not in any condition to make it on your own.”
“If ya don’t you’ll have puke running down your back.”
Kakashi promptly sets her down and holds back her hair as she vomits onto the roof. He duly notes it’s been awhile since she’s eaten anything. When she’s finished, he picks her up again and continues with her chattering all the way home. She tells him about Tsunade and her laughing over how she got past the Third when she stole the sacred scroll.
“I always wondered how you pulled that off,” he muses.
“Used my Sexy no Jutsu on the old man. Knocked him flat. Baa-chan laughed her ass off. Said always been a closet perv. Then she wanted to see. So I whipped it out and she said with the way I look now it’s probably way more effective if I just strip.” Naruto pauses and then adds, “Probably the next time I’ll just go naked, uses less chakra.”
Kakashi stumbles before regaining his footing.
After they arrive home, he decides to get some fluids in her to stave off dehydration before putting her to bed. After settling her in a chair at the table Naruto continues rambling while he heads into the kitchen to make some tea.
“If my father was blonde, how come my hair is red?” she wonders, eyeing a lock of hair between her fingers while she props the side of her head with her right hand. “That’s if my mother’s wasn’t red. Never seen a picture of her.”
Pausing in his preparations, Kakashi briefly closes his eye and takes a deep breath. Rather than trigger a deep discussion in her current condition, he opts for a partial truth.
“Red is a mutation of blonde,” he opens his eye and replies over his shoulder.
Stunned Naruto blinks at him before leaning back to laugh uproariously.
“That sounds weird! Like I’m a mutant demon!” Calming down somewhat she wonders, “Which is worse, bein’ a mutant or a demon? Bein’ a mutant is probably better ‘cause they’re probably smarter than a demon. People would probably like me better if I was a mutant and I would’ve been a hell of a lot smarter about Sasuke.”
Before Kakashi can think of another diversion, Naruto continues.
“It was funny to see Baa-chan try gettin’ the reason for my moodiness outta me. Even turned it around on the old lady and got some good dirt on her,” she declares proudly.
Kakashi laughs as he carries the tea try over to the table and sits down with her.
“What did you discover?”
“Hell no, Ain’t tellin’! Get your own dirt,” she laughs. “‘Sides, wasn’t hard. Just kept Baa-chan talkin’ ‘bout herself ‘cause I didn’ want her to find out ‘bout Sasuke. Might feel guilty when she hears how stupid I was, believin’ in the idiot. Baa-chan’s too much like the old man like that, worryin’ and feelin’ guilty about things they can’t change, like how the villagers treat me,” she shrugs. “Tho’ things are better than they used to be. Mostly ‘cause a lot of people are too scared of me now. At least they don’t try to hurt me like they used to.”
“I thought the Third was swift on punishing people who tried to hurt you?” Kakashi asks, surprised.
“Yeah, after the fact,” Naruto shrugs indifferently before picking up her cup.
“Mostly worked, but didn’ stop the people at the orphanage from tryin’ to sneak ‘round that. They didn’ beat me, but sometimes I got locked in the closet for a couple days, without food or water. Usually landed me in the hospital. Didn’ take long for the Third to get fed up and get me my own place.”
Kakashi shakes his head in disgust at her story.
“Nothing new and wasn’t the worst to happen,” she continues. “When I was four. Don’ remember much, just a lot of pain, but it’s why the old man cracked down hard on the ones who hurt me. Did try lookin’ up the file on it while researching the teme’s family, but wasn’ there.” She pauses to sip her tea. “Guess Baa-chan hid it so I can’t see it and not gonna ask. Might upset her too. Like Jiji. And I didn’ want him to be sad anymore ‘cause of me, so I didn’ tell him a lot of shit.”
“Is that why you pretend to be happy when you’re upset? So we won’t know what’s really going on?” Kakashi prods.
Naruto tilts her head in consideration before answering.
“Yeah. Pretty much. Baa-chan guilt trips like the old man. Was better to distract her or would’ve really drunk herself under the desk if I told her about Sasuke.”
Kakashi scrutinizes her for a moment.
“Those who care about you want to know what’s going on, regardless of how much it hurts. Your relationship with Genma might improve if you shared your feelings more rather than pretend everything is okay.”
“Totally different,” Naruto slurs shaking her head. “’Sides, he’s not interested in hearin’ about my feelings. He’s not a bad guy, just really lonely, but ‘fraid of commitment.”
At Kakashi’s confused look she rolls her eyes with a sigh.
“Got him a pair of funny boxer shorts on our first month anniversary. A joke, y’know? Makin’ fun of Ino and how she celebrated one-week anniversaries, then one-months. An’ she wondered why her relationships never made it a year,” she muses before continuing. “Thought dumbass’d get the joke. Got all pissy and said was tryin’ to tie him down. Asked if I had our wedding planned too. Calmed down only after I jumped on him an ripped him a new asshole. Used simple words to explain was a joke to poke fun at Ino, a gag I thought moron was smart enough to enjoy.”
Naruto pauses again to finish off her tea, prompting Kakashi to pour her some more.
“That’s when I realized he’s scared. He’s ‘fraid to lose those he loves. It’s easier to indulge in casual sex ‘cause he doesn’ have so much invested in the relationship.”
At Kakashi’s surprised expression she shrugs.
“Pretty obvious. Also why I won’t have sex with him. Not savin’ myself ‘til marriage. Not that I’ll ever marry, but don’ want to be a casual fling to him. It’s the principle of the matter. He needs to realize it’s much nicer to let people in.”
“Do you love him?”
She cocks her head in thought before finally speaking.
“No. I care for him and want to see him happy. He doesn’ love me either, but maybe I can become his friend an’ make him realize what he’s doing. It’s not an ideal relationship, but I’m not giving up that easily. Did you know he’s never broken up with any of his girlfriends? They’ve all broken up with him.”
At Kakashi’s arched brow she nods.
“True. Either way doesn’ bother me as long as he doesn’ cheat. And that’s one thing no one ever accused him of. ‘Sides, if he did, the rest of the Rookies would kill him before I had the chance. And if they didn’ Iruka, Anko and Yugao would.”
“Don’t forget me,” Kakashi chuckles.
Naruto smiles before being overcome by a wide yawn.
“Okay, time for beddie bye,” Kakashi declares, nudging her to her feet and grabbing her gently by the shoulders to steer her towards her room.
He ends up having to help her change into her sleep clothes when he keeps hearing random thuds and curses drifting through the closed door. Studiously not ogling her lingerie-clad body, he helps her change before settling her onto her futon.
Before she lies down, Naruto grabs him around the neck and gives him a chaste kiss on the lips through his mask.
“Thanks for takin’ care of me ‘cause if Genma did it, I don’ think he’d be able to control himself and would’ve gotten what he wanted.”
The moment her head hits the pillow she passes out. Kakashi watches her softly snoring form for a minute before rising to his feet to turn out the light and leave the room.
“Why hasn’t Naruto come in yet?” Tsunade demands irritably.
“Because she’s suffering a hangover,” Shizune mildly states.
“I’ve got one too! Why does she get to stay home?” the outraged blonde yells before groaning and clutching her head in pain.
“Because your hangover is self-inflicted; Naruto’s was inflicted by you, so you don’t get any sympathy whatsoever.”
Tsunade glares at her apprentice as she cheerfully hands her a cup of tea.
Naruto meanwhile ends up dealing with the hangover from hell. At first, Kakashi is sorely tempted to torture her, but takes into consideration the fact she was already miserable before getting drunk and didn’t get herself drunk. So he takes pity on her and cares of her.
The first day she barely emerges from her room around midday, looking like death warmed over. It takes all morning for Kakashi to bully her into coming out and eating the miso soup he prepared. When she finally realizes how late it is, she groans.
“What’s wrong?” Kakashi asks.
“I haven’t gone into work,” she groans again, propping her elbow next to her bowl and dropping her forehead into her hand.
“Shizune said you didn’t have to go in,” he explains. “I think it’s because Tsunade instigated the bender she’s taking pity on you.”
“Shit,” she hisses. “That means she’s making Baa-chan work and she’s impossible when she’s hung over. She’s going to kill me.” Pausing in thought, she admits with a pain filled groan while closing her eyes, “That doesn’t sound so bad after all.”
Kakashi shakes his head in slight amusement, but refrains from teasing her. Later that afternoon a knock on the door interrupts his favorite pastime. Mildly annoyed, he sets aside his Icha Icha to rise from the sofa and see who it is. He’s surprised to see Iruka, his girlfriend of two years Yugao, and Anko on his doorstep.
“Hi, Kakashi,” Iruka greets him. “Shizune told me about Tsunade-sama getting Naruto drunk and that she probably has a bad hangover. That and what’s going on between her and Sasuke, we wanted to check on her.”
When Kakashi arches a brow at Anko, Yugao rolls her eyes.
“We were on our way to Ichiraku’s and when she found out what we’re doing and invited herself, sempai,” she explains, her annoyance clear in her voice.
“C’mon, Kakashi!” Anko whines. “Are you inviting us in or what?”
“Although the ‘what’ is tempting, I think a visit from Iruka and Yugao is what Naruto needs right now,” Kakashi replies, ushering them inside.
“And what about me?” Anko protests.
“Hm? Did you say something?” Kakashi asks indifferently much to Anko’s annoyance and Iruka and Yugao’s amusement. Not giving Anko a chance to reply, he adds, “I’ll get Naruto. She probably won’t want to come out, so give me a few minutes. Make yourselves comfortable.”
True to Kakashi’s words it takes some effort to get a sullen Naruto to come out of her room. Iruka and Yugao force Anko to help serve up the food so it’s ready by the time the two join them. Naruto eats in sulky silence while they chat around her until the conversation turns to hangover remedies.
“There’s really not much you can do but keep hydrated,” Iruka points out.
“Still, it’s too bad for Naruto ramen isn’t a remedy, but I guess it makes sense,” Anko shrugs. “Because all that oily, salty mess sloshing around isn’t very soothing in the stomach. It’s even worse if it makes a return trip. Looks and smells terrible,” she finishes, pointedly ignoring the green shade Naruto is turning.
Without a word Naruto rushes straight to the bathroom.
“Point proven,” Anko observes before noticing Iruka, Kakashi and Yugao glaring at her. “What?”
“Don’t give us ‘what’, Anko, you did that on purpose,” Iruka scolds.
“No I didn’t,” she protests innocently.
“Sure,” Yugao rolls her eyes. “We’ll remember that the next time you’re hung over.”
“Which should be next weekend,” Iruka quips, causing Yugao and Kakashi to chuckle.
“Hey!” Anko protests.
They hear Naruto emerge from the bathroom before hearing her bedroom door close.
“Guess that’s all we’ll see of her tonight,” Kakashi sighs before throwing another glare at Anko who wisely remains silent to sip her tea.
After dinner the four jounin move to living room and start discussing the situation with Sasuke until the conversation eventually focuses on Genma.
“I’m surprised he’s not skulking around trying to take advantage of Naruto,” Anko observes. “Raido said he’s been a prick to the hilt towards her and this is a great chance to actually come off as a decent boyfriend and get a little something from her in return.”
“He claims he’s too busy,” Kakashi explains. “As far as he’s concerned she doesn’t need him because it’s nothing more than some angsty friendship drama.”
The others gape at him with varying degrees of shock and anger, causing Kakashi to shrug in response.
“Sounds like Genma’s due for a wake-up call on how to treat his girlfriend,” Anko muses, arching a brow.
“You know Naruto’s not going to appreciate that, Anko,” Iruka points out reasonably. “She’d rather handle it herself. Besides, how would you like for Naruto to interfere in your love life?”
“She’d be terrified to go there,” Kakashi mutters.
Before Anko can retort, Yugao adds, “She’d be smart to be scared.”
Feeling picked on while Iruka laughs, Anko crosses her arms and pouts. “Anyways, Genma’s being a total douche bag and doesn’t know when he has it good.”
The others nod and continue discussing the situation further before calling it an early night.
Naruto is doing much better the following day despite still suffering from the hangover.
Deciding it’s unhealthy to languish indoors, Kakashi drags her out into the middle of the forest.
“The best way to get over a hangover faster is to exercise,” Kakashi explains to the surly looking redhead. “The exertion will circulate the alcohol through your system faster. However, instead of sparring, where you might injure yourself, we’re just going to have a simple run through the trees.”
Naruto’s scowl turns into a glare, but he just smiles innocently at her.
“You have no choice. How else will you get home?”
With that Kakashi immediately takes off through the trees.
“You son of a…” Naruto growls, immediately giving chase while cussing up a storm. “I’m gonna kill you and feed your remains to your ninken, jackass!”
Kakashi laughs as he leads her back to village.
“Not at the pace you’re going, Naruto-chan,” he taunts.
Growling she speeds up. Misjudging the space between two parallel branches she brains herself hard landing on the lower branch. Hearing the impact, Kakashi glances over his shoulder, his eye widening in alarm when he sees her falling to the ground far below. Rebounding hard off a branch, he twists around and races back just in time to catch her before she hits the forest floor.
Moments later he eases her onto the soft grass in a small clearing nearby to check her out.
“Ouch,” she groans, pressing a hand against her head near the wound.
“Not going to help your headache much,” Kakashi muses.
Ignoring her glare, he gently examines the bleeding cut across her forehead, noting it’s already swelling and will probably bruise beautifully. Digging into his first aid kit, he pulls out a compress and gently holds it against the wound.
“I’m surprised this is still bleeding,” he mutters, lifting the compress again and seeing it’s still oozing.
“The fox is hung over too and isn’t up to healing right now,” Naruto snaps irritably.
“Maybe we ought to get this checked out at the hospital then.”
“No way!” she protests. At his questioning look she adds, “Chances are good Baa-chan will be there today and wreak some revenge since I haven’t showed up for work. I’m in enough pain from the hangover.”
Kakashi considers it before reluctantly nodding. Positioning her hand to hold the compress in place, he lifts her up and takes her home to treat the injury himself.
That afternoon Anko surprises Sasuke when she shows up on his doorstep. Still irritable from his fight with Naruto, he’s not in the mood to socialize with anyone.
“What do you want?” he demands.
“Well, hello to you too, sunshine,” Anko replies cheerfully as she pushes her way inside.
Sasuke growls, fed up with people barging in when not invited. Ignoring him Anko makes herself comfortable on the sofa.
“Just stopped by to check how you’re settling in.”
“I’m fine. Now get out.”
“Doesn’t sound like it,” she laughs, propping her feet up on the coffee table to irritate him more. “Coming back after several years of being a missing nin and hanging out with Orochimaru and the Akatsuki isn’t going to earn anyone a warm homecoming.”
“I don’t care. What’s it to you?”
He remains standing over Anko with his hands stuffed in his pockets, attempting to make her uncomfortable enough to leave.
“Liar,” she grins at his glare before turning serious. “You can try lying to yourself, but you can’t lie to me. I know the hardest thing to do is to come home after falling from grace like that.”
“How the hell would you know?” he sneers. “You only hung out with Orochimaru because he was your sensei, you didn’t go looking for him.”
“Like you, I bought into all his crap. Even though I was a tag along, it still didn’t stop others from deciding I was just as evil as he was. He wasn’t around to take the blame. I was. So I know first hand what it’s like to rebuild a life in Konoha, even to earn back people’s trust.”
“I don’t care if people accept me or not,” he scoffs.
“Maybe,” Anko replies seriously. “But it’s lonely. I’m not the touchy feely type, but I appreciate what I’ve got here. It would’ve been much easier to have just stayed a missing nin and become a thug like the crooks in the Akatsuki, but I had people like the Third who wanted me to stay. If you want to leave again, go ahead. I’m not going to say you should stay, but you won’t get any more chances because the next time a Konoha nin encounters you, they will kill you. And you won’t have Naruto to back you up like you did this time. You’re damn lucky to even have her now.”
“Why, because you think she’s stronger?” he snorts dismissively.
“She is,” Anko states with a short nod. “Naruto is strong in ways you could never be because she rarely wavers in her beliefs and believes in you despite what anyone else says.”
Unable to break from her steady gaze, Sasuke can’t find the words to retort.
A couple of days later Kakashi is surprised when Sasuke shows on the doorstep.
“Is Naruto home? I’d like to speak with her.”
Nodding, Kakashi ushers inside before heading down the hallway and knocks on her door.
“Naruto, Sasuke’s here to see you.”
Getting no answer, he arches a brow and opens the door, catching Naruto opening her window and preparing to sneak out. She sheepishly smiles and waves while chuckling nervously. He eyes her for a moment before speaking.
“You should talk to him, even if you don’t forgive him. Leaving things unresolved is driving you crazy.”
Reluctantly she nods and follows him out into the living room. She settles onto the sofa the furthest away from where Sasuke sits in the armchair. Kakashi grabs his Icha Icha off the arm of the sofa and starts heading for the door when Sasuke stops him.
“Kakashi, stay. This concerns you too.”
Studying him for a moment, the older man nods and settles on the opposite end of the sofa. Sasuke takes a deep breath before speaking.
“I’d be lying if I said I never felt connected to my teammates, especially on Team 7. Despite that, it wasn’t hard convincing myself I didn’t need Team 7 or the village when vengeance became my priority. Right or wrong, I made my choices and stuck with them.” Boring into Naruto’s eyes, he adds, “I’m not apologizing for my choices.” He takes another deep breath when he sees her bristle. “Both of you have made me aware nothing is clear cut anymore. I’ll have to open up more to move on, to reestablish my clan, but I can’t promise to change my beliefs overnight. If I can even change them at all. I can only consider my options and take things one day at time.”
The trio sits in silence for several minutes until Naruto breaks it.
“What pissed me off was how callous you were,” she begins. “Like your own teammates were insignificant, disposable. Is that really how you see others? Could you really stand and watch innocents die around you for no good reason and it won’t bother you? I wasn’t expecting a wailing lament over Karin from you, but treated her death like a ruined shirt you could replace at the store.”
“To be honest, yes,” Sasuke sighs. “I didn’t realize that’s what I was doing, but it’s how I detached. If I don’t care it won’t hurt to lose anyone because for the longest time achieving my goals were all that mattered.”
“Okay, I can accept that,” Naruto grudgingly relents, releasing some of her indignation with her own sigh. “But if you want to stay, even if it’s just a possibility, you’re gonna have to work and interact well with others. Y’know, become a part of a community. You can’t just dismiss those you think are weak.”
Sasuke considers her words.
“I have to work on that,” he nods. “It’s hard because I feel no connection with the village. I haven’t for a long time since my family died. When that happened I felt truly alone. That’s part of the reason why I feel so conflicted.”
Naruto stares at him in shock.
“How can you feel alone when everyone in the village popped you up on the highest pedestal they could find? You were their prince.”
“I can’t explain it,” he shrugs indifferently.
“Why did you return then?” she asks annoyance.
“I need to find out what happened to my clan. You’re right. I wouldn’t have been able to discover the truth unless I came back. I don’t have plans to leave, but it depends on the outcome of the investigation. Can you expect me to stay if what Madara said was true?”
Naruto sighs heavily in exasperation, realizing she has no real argument for that.
“No, I guess not.”
Sasuke nods.
“Right now I plan to stay, otherwise I wouldn’t bother complying with my probation or going through the promotion process and returning to work for the village. I haven’t had a real home for a long time and know I’ll have to lay down roots eventually if I’m going to reestablish my clan. That’s why there’s so much to think about.”
Sasuke pauses to take a deep breath before leaning forward and looking deep into Naruto’s eyes.
“Regardless of what you think of my opinions, you need to accept this is how I am right now. However, I do need both Kakashi’s and your help if I’m to uncover the truth. I wouldn’t have made it this far without you two and would’ve lost patience a long time ago. I respect you both for putting up with me and going through all this trouble for me.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Naruto nods wearily. “Even if I don’t like it. I’m glad you’re being honest and open, something you never did with us before.” She pauses as her eyes harden with determination. “I made you a promise, so I’ll still help.”
“Good,” he nods. “I better get going.”
“G’night, teme,” Naruto waves as Kakashi rises to his feet and sees him out.
She remains seated on the sofa, staring off into space. Turning back from closing the door, Kakashi watches her for a moment.
“Stop thinking about it because you’ll never understand.”
Naruto snaps out her reverie to blink at him in surprise before recovering.
“I can’t. The village idolized him, treating him like a prince when they treated me like shit, but he willingly turned his back on them? Why?”
“It’s just something you’ll have to accept without knowing why,” he shrugs, rejoining her on the sofa.
“You obviously know,” she eyes him shrewdly. “Explain it because I really want to understand.”
“Because I can relate to it. Doesn’t mean I can explain it.”
“That’s bullshit, Kakashi,” she snaps. “I’m your friend, not your genin student anymore. Back then I had to accept it wasn’t any of my business. This is now. I know you and Sasuke shared some common ground, so even if I can’t claim any of that too, I’d like to at least be able to understand where you guys are coming from.”
Kakashi considers her words.
“How long have you known who your father was?”
Shaking her head slightly in confusion Naruto replies, “Since Baa-chan told me when I was seventeen. What does that have to do with anything?”
“You can’t understand Sasuke’s disconnection from the village is because you never had to live in your father’s shadow. You weren’t treated with the same reverence as Sasuke, but you made a name for yourself without his fame hindering you. Sasuke had to live his entire life under his clan’s shadow, by the standards they established and by what people expected from an Uchiha. People weren’t concerned with Sasuke the individual; only that he was the sole survivor possessing a powerful Kekkei Genkai. People respected his family name, his status and his bloodline, but wouldn’t see any deeper. I can understand because I had to live under my father’s shadow. People recognize you by who your parents were, not for who you are.”
“But didn’t that open doors for you instead of causing you problems?”
“Leave it alone, Naruto. I can’t explain it in a way you’ll understand,” Kakashi replies with a distant look in his eye.
Naruto’s eyes narrow.
“Can’t or won’t?”
“Won’t,” he replies honestly. “That’s all I’m willing to tell you. You don’t need to know the rest.”
Naruto opens her mouth to retort when she looks in his eye and decides against it. It hurts, but she can accept some things are just too painful to share with anyone else. However, it fuels her determination to figure it out on her own.
“Do you have anything new to report?” Danzo asks, eyeing his late night visitor from his seat behind his desk in his home office.
Blowing out a harsh breath of frustration, Sakura drops heavily into a vacant seat across from him.
“Not much,” she admits, exasperation clear. “It’s not like they’re keeping me in the dark, but I just don’t have the time to visit with the losers when they’re at the Uchiha fag’s house working on the investigation. When I can make it, it’s usually just for dinner then I have to take off because I’ve got an early shift the next day,” she rolls her eyes. “Sasuke is a lot friendlier towards me now. Meeting Ritsu put him at ease. The sap’s mouth is like a sieve and blabs everything he hears in the Mission Room. I just don’t have anything new to report that we don’t already know.”
“That is good,” Danzo nods approvingly.
“Plus, the sap says word is getting around among the rank and file about how much effort Sasuke is putting into preparing for the chuunin exam, so they’re slowly changing their opinion of the professional victim,” she explains, clasping her hands together before raising her arms above her head in a stretch. “The baka keeps me up to speed, so I know they’re not making much headway.” She pins Danzo with a look. “They are aware someone is actively hindering their investigation. They’ve noticed documents missing when they go look them up.”
“Their awareness if of no concern,” Danzo intones dismissively. “It merely raises their suspicions. They do not know whom it is that hinders them. It’s more important they do not view those missing documents.”
“Yeah, and without those files they’re hitting mostly dead ends and will reach the end of the road before getting anywhere,” she smirks. “Despite not finding the files they want to look at, Naruto and Kakashi continue combing through the archives focusing on any money trails related to the Uchiha.”
She stops when she notices Danzo’s frown deepen.
“The financial records are the only documents I have been unable to completely wipe clean,” he states. “There are hints of transactions that do not have enough of a description to identify what they are truly for, but could lead the vessel and Hatake into digging more deeply.”
“I don’t think I can redirect them,” Sakura muses. “Do you want me to set fire to the bookkeeping archives?”
Despite his inscrutable look, Sakura knows he’s pissed.
“No,” he answers succinctly. “Likely the fire would be extinguished long before enough damage can occur. For now we will let them be and monitor what they uncover, then we shall address any issues that may arise. If the opportunity presents itself, you or Sai will set a trap to eliminate the vessel. That should sufficiently cripple the investigation.”
“Sure thing,” Sakura grins.
- 3
- 4
- 5
You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Underneath The Leaves