My Chibi Dobe

Chapter 10 “Old Love and Youthful Spirits”

“The news about the attack on Naruto from those Rock nin has spread to other villages. By now the Akatsuki knows about Naruto’s condition. It’s only a matter of time before they come here to investigate the matter themselves.” Jiraiya said as he leaned against the window frame.

“I see, well then you had better stay close to the village for now. If the Akatsuki sends anyone other than Uchiha we could be in serious trouble.”

“My sources say there is a dividing among them but it’s subtle.”

“Very well, you have your orders, stay in the village and stay away from the Onsen. I don’t need the headache cause by complaints about you peeping.”

Before the toad sage could justify her accusation with a response a blonde blur came flying through the door followed by his huge ninken guard. Before she could blink Tsunade had her arms full of a grinning Chibi.

“OBAA-CHAN! I win! I made it too ANBU Twaining gwounds and back before the big hand is on the 7!” Naruto shouted! Showing her the watch on the chain he was wearing around his neck.

“It seems I lose again.” The Godaime sighed with a smile. “We’ll have Ramen for lunch and Ice cream tonight for dessert.”

“Yay!”

“The ANBU training grounds?”

“Naruto is the only besides ANBU who knows where the training grounds are. Right now all ANBU teams are training in some war games. That’s why there are no guards at my door. You would know that had you not come through the window.”

“You mean you don’t have any guards?” The Toad Sage asked trying to hide the concern in his voice. It would have worked too if Naruto didn’t have his kitsune hearing or if Oushi was a deaf dog.

“I’m the Hokage I don’t need a guard.” Tsunade glared at her former team mate before turning her attention to Naruto. “Thank you for delivering that message to Ibiki. Now I just have to finish this paper work and we can go home for the rest of the day. Why don’t you go see Shizune I’m sure she has some blank paper you can doodle on.”

“Okay. Is Ojii-san coming home with us?” the chibi asked pointing to Jiraiya

“No, I think he has other plans.”

“I don’t have any other plans runt, I’ll be happy to walk you two home!” the prevy Sage Smiled.

“We don’t…”

“Good! Sasuke say Princess needs a knight to potect from bad ninjas!” Tsunade looked at the chibi in shock and Jiraiya was doing his best to contain his laughter.

‘Good job kit. After they get home invite the knight to stay for dinner.’ Kyuubi purred. He and the older Naruto had been watching the chibi match-maker at work but it was going to take a lot more then cute smiles and surprise dates to get the two Legendary Sannins together. The older Naruto knew exactly which buttons to push and he relayed them to the fox who told the chibi how to act.

“The boy’s got a point. You need to be protected Tsunade-hime.” The Toad Sage said softly causing the Hokage to blush.

“Fine you can walk us home but that’s it. Now let me finish this paper work and we can go.” Tsunade refused to look at either of them and gently set the chibi down off her lap.

“Come on Ojii-san! Su’ne-nee-chan! I found Knight for Obaa-chan!” Naruto shouted as he pulled Jiraiya out of the office.

Tsunade was torn. On the one hand she wanted to hurry up and finish the paper work so she could have time with Naruto. On the other hand she wanted to work slowly to avoid time with her former team mate. That Pervert, he was always hanging around the Onsen peeping on the bathing women. Research he calls it for that trash he writes, but really it was just an excuse to be a pervert. She had known him a long time and there was nothing she could do or hasn’t tried to get him to look at her with any kind of affection.

After losing her Otouto Nawaki and then her fiancé Dan she closed herself off from her feelings. She hid behind her gambling and lost herself in a bottle of sake where no one could hear her heart cry out for love. She knew she had always a soft spot in her heart for her pervert teammate but she refused to let him know and she didn’t dare act on it for fearing it might make her look desperate. So she pushed him farther and father away and surrounded her heart with a wall of loneliness.

If she had ever bothered to truly look at Jiraiya she would have seen he loved her too. There were many similarities between the Sanin team and team seven. Jiraiya was just as big a loud mouth and trouble maker as Naruto. Tsunade was just like Sakura smart and beautiful but unsure of her place in the Shinobi way. Both of them fight with their hearts to prove themselves worthy of being apart of team. Orochimaru, well the one they knew before he went insane, was like Sasuke, both were the supreme emo bastards of the group. They were geniuses and survivors, both of them grew up alone desperate for vengeance and both of them were very lonely. That’s where the similarities end because team Sanin fell apart never to be seen again. Team Seven on the other hand fell apart only to have the teammates fight like hell to pull it back together.

The Toad Sage ruffled the chibi’s blond hair as he thought about the two teams. He envied them and their determinations to hold each other close. He wished things had been different that maybe he could have saved his best friend like Naruto save Sasuke. But things could not be changed and in the end he lost Orochimaru. Now he was losing Tsunade the one woman he ever loved.

“Oi, brat what are you drawing?”

“A picture of you and Obaa-chan! Like the one Obaa-chan keep in her desk!”

“She What?!”

“Yeah! I see it. I remember when…” The chibi held his head as the memory tried to surface.

“Hey there don’t push yourself. It’s okay.” The Sannin calmed the child down getting him to relax. He didn’t want to push the kid it was just enough that he knew Tsunade had the picture. Maybe there was hope for them after all because he also carried a picture of her close to his heart. Now if he could just get through that stubborn heart of hers. As he was lost in his thoughts he didn’t see his godson smirking behind his golden bangs.

Later that afternoon found the unlikely trio plus one nin dog walking through the village with the chibi swinging between the two powerful Sannin. In that moment they look and felt like a family. But inside the mind of the chibi his older self and the caged fox were planning a bit of mischief for his god-parents/grand parents. The chibi, his older self and Kyu-san were up all night planning for this. They would be on their own since Sasuke couldn’t be there. Tsunade wanted her time with Naruto and she promptly told the young Uchiha in chibi form that he could come back tomorrow when Naruto stayed with Lee and Sakura. So he was on his own with a little help from Shizune-nee-chan. While his god parents were talking he had set up plans with Shizune to have a special dinner sent to the Hokage’s house. Shizune was delighted with the chibi’s plans she started making calls and giggling at the thought of her sensei finally being happy after being alone for so long.

“Well we’re here Naruto. This use to be My Grandfather’s home and now it has passed to me.” Tsunade smiled as she opened the front door.

“Your Ojii gave you this and you gave it to big me!” Naruto pulled the necklace from under his shirt. After it was taken once when he was twelve he had placed a permanent binding jutsu on the necklace. No one could remove it because only he knew the counter jutsu. His older self was glad that the jutsu wasn’t affected by his transformation the last thing he needed was the chibi to lose his precious gift from his self-proclaimed godmother.

“That’s right Naruto and I gave it to you because I know that one day you will make a great Hokage.” Tsunade smiled as she kissed the chibi’s forehead. “Now why don’t you and Oushi go explore, I need to talk to Jiraiya.”

“Okay!” Naruto ran up the stairs with Oushi hot on his trail. No one saw his eyes shift from the innocent chibi to demon red to the hard dark blue warrior eyes of the older Naruto.

“Okay Tsunade what is it?”

“I want you to go. This is my time with Naruto and I don’t want you interfering. You had him for two and a half years! I barely get five minutes with the boy in between missions!” It was hard to hold back the tears that were threatening to show themselves.

“Calm down Nade… I’m not trying to steal your time with him. He asked me here remember can’t we share this time together? After all we are like his grand…” The toad sage was cut off with a nasty glare. “I mean we are his godparents.”

“Fine, but if you bring up any of those perverted books of yours, I’m going to kick you all the way to Suna from here!” The medical-nin grinned evilly pleased at the lost of color on her former teammate’s face.

Xxxxxxx

Jiraiya and Tsunade were surprised when Shizune showed up with their surprise dinner a couple of hours later. Shizune just smiled as she set to work setting up the dinner for the three of them and leaving just as quickly as she came giving Naruto a barely noticeable conspirator wink. During dinner the two Sannins began to relax and started to reminisce about old times which gave Naruto the perfect chance to slip out from the dining room and find the Toad Sage’s notebook and Tsunade’s diary with the pictures of Jiraiya that Naruto had sent her. He switched books then returned to the dining room into to refill their cups. Naruto kept their cups full and watched the two former teammates get closer as their inhabitations were quickly disappearing.

“You know Nade, it’s been a long time since we had a chance to chat like this.”

“That’s because you spend most of your time staring at my chest.”

“Well I’m still amazed that you were once a flat-chested-know-it-all.” Jiraiya managed to barely dodge the powerful slap. “But you grew up to be the most beautiful woman in Konoha.”

“You’re not so bad yourself when you’re not being a perverted bastard.” Tsunade blushed, but it was hard to tell from all the sake they had been drinking.

“May I have this dance Tsunade?”

“I don’t hear any music.” Suddenly there was soft music drifting through the house and The Godaime was swept up in the arms of her former team mate. She tried to protest but it was useless. She felt happy and safe in the arms that held her close.

Eventually the chibi pushed his godfather who had a good grip on his godmother’s waist, out of dining room and up the stairs. Wisely Naruto and Oushi slept in the living room buried in a mountain of pillows to avoid hearing anything that might be embarrassing.

Monday

The birds were sing the sun was shining and two Sannins were blushing. It seemed that Naruto’s plan to get two of his favorite people together was working. Needles to say it was a very awkward morning for the whole village as a naked Jiraiya went sailing over out a window and over the village to land a few feet out side the main gate.

“Well Gaki I’m sorry we didn’t get to spend much time together. Maybe this weekend okay?” Tsunade sighed as she ruffled the sunny blond hair.

“It okay Baa-chan. Oushi and I found this when we e’plored.” The Chibi handed her a worn leather bound book. “I find it in your room. You read to me?”

“Naruto, this is my Journal it is not for chibi’s to read. Now I’ll lock this up and you wait for Lee and Sakura.” The Hokage took the book from the chibi locked in her desk for later, before picking up the latest report.

Report Mission to Yoru
Objective: retrieve and escort Kurai, Sukora to Konoha.
Progress: Team of Hyuuga, Neji; Aburame, Shino; Sabaku no Kankurou have acquired Kurai, Sukora’s corporation after a brief confrontation. We are in route to Konoha with Kurai, Sukora and her two apprentices, Kurai, Ryuu and Kurai, Phoenix. Estimated arrival is 5 days.

Signed

Jonin Hyuuga Neji

“Well Naruto looks like we are one step closer to getting you cured.”

XXXxxxXXXxx

“Aburame-san will you please keep your Kikai to yourself.” Sukora growled as she stomped through the forest. She knew she should be using her guide stick and conserve her chakra but her pride wouldn’t let her show weakness in front of strangers. She was also annoyed because one of the Kikai was harassing one of her Hotaru.

“I’m sorry Kurai-san but it is curious.” Shino apologized but made no move to call it back. The Kikai were not the only ones curious Shino was curious about the well skilled Kunoichi.

“Fine let it get fried then.” Sukora smirked as he little Hotaru zapped its annoying stalker. Shino stopped and watched as his Kikai fell to the ground twitching. It was still alive just stunned. The two younger Kurai tried to stifle their laughter but they couldn’t hold back the snickers as they passed the bug-nin who was picking up the fallen Kikai.

“Sukora-sama we should stop.”

“We are a day away from the border.”

“Phoenix, Ryuu, this is not our mission we are the mission. So we do not dictate when we stop or go.” Neji watched the three Yoru ninjas intently. The two younger seemed to hover close to the Kunoichi. They watched her for any sign that she might need them but disappointed when she didn’t. He was shaken from his musings when they switch languages. It seemed to be of a feudal era form of Japanese but it was too hard to translate and the three Kurai were speaking rapidly and furiously.

“(Sukora-sama you need to rest!)”

“(You are not recovered from training!)”

“(We have to keep going! I am fine, Blue Eyes needs me and I will not fail him.)”

“(He doesn’t need you to drop from Chakra depletion!)”

“Hey you three! What’s with the yelling?” Kankurou shouted breaking up the fight.

“Nothing, it’s just a family disagreement.” Sukora shaded eyes glared at her nephews.

“Neji it is about sunset we should set up camp.” Shino stated more than suggested. The Kikai could feel that the petite Kunoichi’s chakra levels were low using the Hotaru as a reserve.

“Agreed. We’ll set up here and leave at dawn.”

“That’s if we can see it. How can you even tell its sunset?” The puppet master grumbled.

“It can be hard to tell sunrise and sunset here in the Shadow lands. Ryuu and I can take last watch and get every one up.” Phoenix volunteered.

“That will be helpful, thank you. Let’s get these tents up.”

XXXxxxXXXxx

“We’re going to have a lot of fun when we get to Lee’s.” Sakura smiled as she held Naruto’s hand as they walked through the forest with Oushi trotting beside them.

“Where’s Lee?”

“Oh he starts training when the sun starts to rise.”

“Oh… Are we gonna stay at your house?” Sakura tensed at the chibi’s words.

“I live with Lee.” She didn’t look at Naruto but straight down the path to the dojo.

After Naruto was changed into a chibi Sakura asked her parents about Naruto’s childhood and if they knew about the bad treatment of the Kyuubi container. She was shocked by her parents’ pure hatred of her teammate. They made it clear that he was not welcomed in their home.

Flashback*~*~*~*~*~*

“Mom, Dad, I’m home!”

“Sakura we’re in the kitchen!” the young medic-nin ran in to the kitchen where her parents were having dinner.

“Mom, Dad, Naruto was attacked today and something happened him.”

“I’m sure the demon is fine Sakura don’t worry yourself over nothing.” Her father replied coldly.

“Naruto is not a demon. He is my teammate and he needs my help. He will be staying with different Shinobi till he is cured.”

“Well, he shall not be staying here. I refuse to let that demon into my home! He should be kept in the hospital if he’s ill; instead of infecting innocent people.” Mrs. Haruno snapped.

“Mother what is wrong with you? Naruto was turned into a child he is defenseless.”

“Good then they should kill him while he is weak. Fugaku had the right idea ‘Destroy the monster before its strong enough to destroy us’.”

“Father? Naruto has done nothing to you! Why are you acting like this?”

“That thing is a demon! When it was younger it was a terror destroying everything its path.”

“Naruto is not an ‘it’. He is one of my best friends!” Sakura tried to protest but was ignored.

“We were upset when it was assigned to your team but we knew the Uchiha boy would protect you from the beast. We had hoped the two of you would have been married by now but you left him for a substandard ninja with no talent.”

“Lee is not Substandard! He is a great ninja!

“He is a poor boy with no chakra and no future! We raised you to be the next Lady Uchiha. If Fugaku had lived he would have signed the marriage contract that he proposed to us. He said you were a strong girl with a good chakra flow, you would give Sasuke-kun many strong heirs. I have tried to approach Sasuke-kun in hopes he would honor his father’s ideas but he refuses to listen. He is always with that demon and that demon is the problem. He must be killed so you can fulfill your duty and revive the Uchiha clan!” Mr. Haruno shouted.

“NEVER! I don’t Love Sasuke-kun! I don’t think I ever did. It was always you and mother feeding me these hopes and dreams that were not my own. I Love Lee and I love Naruto as the brother I never had. Both of them are kind, sweet, loyal, and both are stronger than you substandard human beings could ever hope to be!”

“How Dare you! You are no longer my daughter!” Mrs. Haruno slapped Sakura in the face.

“Don’t worry I have other family to go to. I will leave once I gather my things.” The young Kunoichi tuned away and headed for the last time to her childhood bedroom ignoring the cures her mother was throwing at her.

“Leave and never darken our doorway again. That demon will kill you and you will die a fool’s death.”

End Flashback*~*~*~*~*~*

After that night Sakura had packed up her things and moved in with her boyfriend. She loved Lee more than anything maybe she always had but was blinded by her parents manipulations to notice. When she got to Lee’s house, the house she forced him, Naruto and Sasuke to build, because it was unhealthy to live in a dojo on a mat and thread bare blanket, she sobbed out what happened at her former parents’ house in his arms. Lee was enraged on her behalf and swore to protect her from them and their foul words. Then He got down on one knee before and said the most precious and wonderful thing she would ever hear in her life.

“My Beautiful Sakura you are the star that shines brightly in my heart and the sweetest blossom that puts all others to shame. They unjustly took your name from you but you are still the greatest Kunoichi in all of Konoha. Will you honor me and take my name for all of eternity?”

Lee had been happy that his training allowed him to endure such strengths because he received the biggest bone crushing hug of his life as Sukora sobbed out her ‘yes’ over and over again. After the emotions settled and Sakura healed her fiancé’s cracked ribs they decided to wait until Naruto was back to normal before having the wedding.

“Who is Lee?” the chibi asked as they reached the dojo.

“Lee is…”

“NARUTO-KUN! MY YOUTHFUL FRIEND!” shouted a green clad figure running up to them at full speed.

“AH! Hide me, Gai-san, make me run forever!” the chibi hid behind the medical-nin and Oushi.

“That’s not Gai-sensei that’s Lee his student.”

“NARUTO-KUN! SON OF MY ETERNAL RIVAL! YOU ARE HERE AT LAST COME HERE AND LET US TEST YOUR YOUTHFUL SPIRIT!” another green spandex wearing figure exclaimed following closely behind Lee.

“Now that’s Gai-sensei.” Sakura sweat-dropped.

“Ah… My Eternal rival was correct. Naruto-kun is at his most top shape for his age. He even has a better chakra control than he did the first time around.” Gai pulled the chibi from his hiding place to get a better look.

“Gai-sensei you knew Naruto when he was just a chibi?” Lee looked to his mentor in awe.

“Longer than that Lee my faithful apprentice. I’ve know Naruto-kun since he was a few days old. He was just a tiny thing but you could feel the strength of his youthful spirit even back then. Yes those were the days.”

“Yes, those were the days of long hours of running and push ups and endless torture. I say we kill ‘im and run for it Kit.”

“No Kyu-san. Ruka said no killing Gai-san or we get not chocolate ice cream.”

“Damn you and your sweet tooth.”

“Gai-sensei I think Naruto needs a good healthy lunch. He’s had a long morning maybe he can train a little tomorrow.” Sakura said as she lifted the chibi into her arms and away from Gai.

“Very well Lee Training is done for today spend time with your Friends. I must tell My Eternal Rival that his son is in the best of care with my wonderful student!” The Taijutsu master gave the ‘Good Guy’ pose before dashing down the road in a cloud of dust.

“It’s going to be a long week.” the Nin-ken gruffed.

Tuesday

Sakura wasn’t joking when she said Lee was up at dawn for training. Normally Lee would let her sleep and sneak quietly out of the house and meet up with Gai-sensei. Unfortunately Gai decided to show up an hour before sunrise at their house for morning training. Normally Lee would be excited about Gai-sensei showing up for morning training at his humble home; that was before Sakura had moved in with him. Sakura liked to sleep in the twilight hours and if you woke her up without the offering of coffee you were in for one hell of a beating. This was the one time Lee had wished his favorite sensei had stayed away from his house.

“GOOD MORNING LEE, MY PRIZED STUDENT!”

“Shhh! Gai-sensei what are you doing here?” Lee had rushed from the bedroom to the downstairs living room in record time not caring that he was only dressed in green sleep pants.

“I DECIDED TO SURPISE YOU AND YOUNG NARUTO-KUN! WE ARE GOING ON A FULL PACK HIKE TODAY!”

“Shhh… Please Sensei you must be quiet. Sakura-chan in still sleeping…” Lee whispered pleading with the older jonin.

“SARUKA IS STILL SLEEPING? WHY YOU LUCKY NINJA YOU DIDN’T TELL ME YOU WON THE FAIR MADIEN’S HEART!”

“SENSEI! PLEASE SAKURA IS SLEEPING!”

“Lee, you should be more considerate, when your girlfriend is sleeping.” Gai whispered chastising the teen, who was now slack jawed at his oblivious instructor.

“LEE…” voice growled from the upstairs bed room causing the young Green Beast to pale.

“I’m making your coffee my dear Sakura Blossom!” He ran into the kitchen to do just that leaving his sensei alone in his house. This was a mistake as the jonin made his way upstairs to Naruto’s Room.

“GOOD MORNING NARUTO-KUN! IT IS TIME TO TRAIN IN THE SPRING TIME OF YOUTH!”

“AHHHH!!!” the chibi was jostled from his Kyuubi and Older Naruto visit and fell out of bed and hit his head. “OW!” Naruto was so tired, confused and now his head hurt he gave up the brave front and just started to cry. “Wa…wa..waaaaaa!”

“WHAT’S WRONG NARUTO-KUN IT IS A BEAUTIFUL…” Gai didn’t see the chakra filled fist come flying at his face until it was too late.

Sakura eyes had snapped opened when she heard Naruto fell out of bed and she was practically flying out of the bedroom and down to hall to the chibi’s room when she heard him crying. Then like a mother lion she took care of the intruder that had hurt her cub. She sent Gai-sensei flying through the wall and through most of the trees in the forest. She may have been dressed only in Lee’s green sleep shirt but she never looked as terrifyingly powerful, strong and determined to protect as she did right then. Once the threat was gone she gathered the chibi in her arms and ran a healing hand over the bump on his head to ease the child’s pain.

“Lee!” Sakura called out.

“Yes, Blossom?” Lee asked as he tip-toed in the room holding out an offering of coffee.

“Gai-sensei is not allowed to come over here before 8 AM EVER! Is that understood?”

“Yes, my love.”

“And fix this room Naruto can’t stay in here with the hole in the wall.” She ordered and snatched the mug of coffee from his hands before leaving with the chibi.

“I’ll fix it right away!”

XXXxxxXXXxx

Sukora loved the quiet serene feeling of the mornings. When everyone was still asleep she could let down her mask for just a little while. She had been reading over her notes and trying to find something that would help Naruto.

“Do you need more light Kurai-san?” Sukora stiffened at the voice and cursed herself for not paying more attention to her sleeping escort.

“No Aburame-san. It’s Braille I don’t need any light.”

“Interesting.” Shino took this as an invitation to sit down next to her.

“Was there something you needed Aburame-san?” Sukora was annoyed with the sudden intrusion on her peace and quiet.

“No.”

“Then will you go away?”

“No.” Shino was amused by the Kunoichi but kept a straight face. She was fascinating, strong and smart. He had deduced that she had been using her Blood limit to navigate the paths and the use of Braille confirmed that she was severely blind if not completely. She had over come such an obstacle to become a high ranked ninja and gain the respect of her village and others. She was remarkable but what drew him to her most was how serious she was. Kurai, Sukora was more stoic than his entire clan. The Aburame clan was a very closed clan. They need to keep their emotions in check because they need to control the Kikai. If you lost control of your emotions than the Kikai hive could overwhelm you. That was how Shino had been until he met Naruto, who taught him that control wasn’t everything and that if you didn’t let some emotions free it could end up killing you from the inside out. He still had yet to confront his father about the chibi but that will have to wait until he returned to the village for now he would observe the mystery that was Kurai, Sukora.

“Fine if you will not leave than I will.” The Kunoichi rolled up her scroll and placed it in her bag and was about to leave when a hand reached out and grabbed her wrist.

“What’s your hurry? Did I offend you?”

“You did not offend as much as annoy me. I am trying to find a cure for Uzumaki-san but you are bothering me and your Kikai are bothering my Hotaru.” It was true that one Kikai was following the one Hotaru again all around the camp.

“I do not know why that one is interested in your familiar but the rest of the Kikai are not bothering you.”

“Hn.” Sukora tried once again to free her wrist but the hand would not budge. Her body was still recovering from her training and defeat so she could not break free from the simple grasp.

“You called Naruto ‘Blue Eyes’, why?”

“That is none of your business now let me go the others are waking.” She shook off the warm hand ignoring the cold that now surrounded her slender wrist. “It’s about a days walk to the border once there we can take horses to Kikanai a village 3 hours from Konoha and walk the rest of the way. It will cut our travel time by a day and a half.”

“We will discuss your plan with Neji he is our leader in this mission.” Shino rose from his seat. Staring at the girls shaded eyes through his, own shades. “You should conserve your chakra Kurai-san. No need to waste it when others are here to guide you.”

If she had not spent a lifetime schooling her emotions she would have let her mouth drop at the sheer audacity at the bug-nin’s implications. Worst she knew the bastard was right, but she’d be damn if she would admit it! Sukora clinched her jaw and walked over to her nephews to wake them up and get away from the Aburame.

‘Yes she is very interesting.’

XXXxxxXXXxx

“Sa’ura? Why we going to all the ninja houses?”

“We’re making house calls on some Shinobi that are too stubborn to go to the hospital for treatment.” Sakura smiled as she bandaged Genma’s arms.

“They were just cat scratches Sakura-chan.” the Tokubetsu jonin whined.

“They maybe have been just scratches but they turned infected when you didn’t clean them properly or bandage them with clean wrappings.”

“An’tie Genma should wisten to medi-nins. Obaa-chan says they always right!” the chibi smiled.

“Auntie Genma?” Sukora giggled as the gossip hound blushed. “Well you’re all set. The bandages need to be changed morning so I’m leaving Raido some bandages and instructions on how to change them since I know you will ignore them.”

“Hey! I follow instructions!”

“Come on Naruto let’s head home.” Sakura say as she gathered her medical bag.

“Okay Sa’ura-nee-chan! Bye An’tie Genma!” waved Naruto as he ran out side to meet Oushi.

“He’s really happy isn’t he?”

“Yes, Genma-san he is. I just hope once he is back to his old self he won’t hide from us anymore.”

“Naruto is a strong Shinobi with an even stronger heart. I think all will be just fine but I hope he’s cured soon because we need someone to talk Iruka out of giving us D-ranked missions!” Sakura laugh at the Jonin’s misery and followed the ball of sunshine and ninken home.

Wednesday

Gai had certainly learned his lesson about visiting before sunrise and did not bother the Lee household this morning; but he did mange to get Lee to bring the chibi to training that afternoon since Sakura was doing Hospital rounds today. Oushi wished dogs could roll their eyes because that’s what he felt like doing listening to the springtime of youth speech yet again for the 1,000th time. Even Naruto was getting sleepy, his youth could only take so much youth talk. Lee was geared up for training but even he was starting to tire of the youthful speech today he really wanted to train after missing a whole day due to fixing Naruto’s room and Gai being in the hospital.

“Now let’s get going!” Gai shouted as his three students… okay one ninken one student and one chibi, snapped to attention. They each had their own packs and Naruto and Lee had added weights to their legs. They group ran around Konoha 5 times before hiking up and down Hokage Mountain 7 times.

“We should have killed him while we had the chance.”

“No Ruka says that’s bad. Kashi said twaining gets me stwongr!”

“Kit this is torture not training!”

“Wee-nii-chan I thirsty!”

“Oh Naruto-kun here is some water. I’ll carry you the rest of the way. We are almost to the Curry of Life Stand”

“KYUBBI! DON’T LET HIM GO THERE!” the older Naruto heard Curry of life and was awake in an instant.

“No choice the Kit’s tired and hungry.”

“Then reinforce his stomach with chakra or dull his senses anything! Just do something before that curry kills us!”

“Here you go Naruto-kun! This will give you the youthful energy you need to keep training!” Lee smiled as he set a plate of curry down in front of the chibi. Naruto looked hesitantly at the blacked mess covering his rice. Oushi sniffed the curry mixture and passed out. “Try it Naruto-kun you’ll love it!”

Resultantly the kitsune took the curry fill spoon and brought it to his mouth. One thought ran through all three of his personalities as he took his first bite and that thought was…

“HOT!”

His little face was red and he huge blue eyes began to water as sweat formed on his forehead. It took all his might to swallow that first bite because he didn’t want to let his Nii-chan down. Naruto looked over at his guardian who just smiled as he shoveled more curry into his red face. There was no fighting it; he would have to eat the Curry of Death to keep Lee-nii-chan happy. After taking a huge gulp of water he began to shovel the curry down.

“You and that damn honor code of yours!” The fox growled as he diverted his chakra to protect the chibi’s insides from being fried by the nuclear curry.

“I just want my friends to be happy. I can’t help it my chibi side wants to make them happy too.” The older Naruto shouted as moved some of his chakra to the chibi’s mouth hoping it would soothe the burns he got on the first bite.

xxxxxxxxxxx

“Here are the field reports, Tsunade-sama.”

“Thank you Sakura. Were there any serious injures?”

“No not really unless you can count the injured pride of half the Jonin, Chunin and almost all the ANBU.”

“Ouch. Who knew Naruto would have so many babysitters?” The Godaime laughed as she read Sakura report on house call injures.

“Most of the ANBU say they owe their promotions to their experience from watching Naruto.”

“I can’t say I’m surprised he a sneaky and resourceful chibi.” Tsunade smiled as she thought back to the notebook she held locked in her desk. It was the Perverts journal not hers as she had thought, and it wasn’t full of notes for his latest perverted book. It was an old worn book filled with the hopes and dreams of a young sage. She had spent hour reading about the true Jiraiya and the man hidden beneath the pervert. She was surprised to find out he really did care about her and as the entries came nearer to the present date she could feel the love and secret devotion he held for her. It was the same love and devotion she felt for him. Maybe there was a chance for them; for two old fools to find love after all these years.

“Tsunade-sama?”

“Oh sorry, I was just lost in thought.”

“Naruto tends to have that affect on people.” Sakura smiled. “I’ll just head back to the hospital I have another 2 hours before my shift is over.”

“Very well, when you get there have the labs make room for a private lab with all the necessary equipment. I received word that team sent to Yorugakure will be returning sometime Friday afternoon. I want everything ready for Kurai when she gets here the sooner she gets to work the sooner Naruto will be returned to normal.”

“Hai!” Sakura beamed and raced out the door; finally a sign of hope that Naruto will soon be cured.

Thursday

“Oi dobe!” Sasuke ran up to the dojo where Naruto was sitting and watching Gai and lee Spar.

“SASUKE!” Sasuke’s heart skipped a beat when he saw his blond dobe running towards him. He dropped the book he had been carrying just in time to catch the kitsune who had jumped into his arms. This moment was pure heaven the only thing that would make it better would be if they were their older selves and preferably in bed with no clothes. On that thought the Uchiha Heir once again had to apply pressure to his nose to stop an on coming nose bleed.

“Okay Dobe I get it you missed me.” The raven chibi smirked. “I brought you something today. It took a while but I put this together just for us.”

“Really? What?” Naruto asked tilting his head to the side like a little fox.

“It’s photo album. Let’s go in the house and I’ll show it to you.”

“Okay” The chibi ran back to the dojo and called out. “Lee-nii-chan! Gai-sensei! I go the house wit Sasuke!”

“Alright Naruto-kun! Tell Sakura we’ll be in for lunch.”

“Okay!” Naruto shouted happily before grabbing Sasuke by the hand and pulling him to the house where Sakura was making lunch and cookies.

XXXxxxXXXxx

“It’s a pleasure to finally meet you Kurai, Sukora. I’ve heard much about you from Jiraiya and your uncle. It’s seems Kyuubi no Kitsune has also gained your trust. I hope you’ll be of some help to Naruto.”

“Thank you for your kind words Hokage-sama. I will do my best to help Uzumaki-san. I will need to examine him and run some tests before I can start researching a cure. My team and I will need some where dark or shaded to stay, as our eyes are unaccustomed to the bright sunlight.”

“Yes I can understand your predicament. It must be strange to go from one extreme to the other.” Tsunade said as she looked over the Ninja from Yoru. The Kunoichi’s male teammates were tall identical twins, at least six feet tall if not taller. They were dressed in the uniform of jonin Yoru ninjas wore their crescent moon hitai-ate around their necks, their short brown hair cut exactly the same and the same dark shades concealing their identical green eyes. They stood behind Kurai more like guards then teammates. Kurai was another surprise. She was a petite girl about 5’2” tall with long ink-black hair and wore dark round shades over her sensitive eyes and her uniform was not that of a typical Shinobi. She wore black leather shorts a short leather top with a fishnet shirt over it and her hitai-ate around her waist like a belt and a long leather coat with ankle boot like sandals. “I’m sure we can find accommodations to fit your needs.”

“Godaime-sama?”

“Yes Shino?” Tsunade was startled by the usually silent nin.

“As Heir of the Aburame Clan, I offer the hospitality of the Aburame Clan compound to our guest from Yorugakure.”

“That is very generous of you Shino.” The Sannin smiled. She saw Sukora bare movement of clinching her jaw at the offer from the Aburame heir. “Kurai, I hope these arrangements with suit you and your team.”

“Yes, Hokage-sama.” Sukora and the twins bowed and then turned and bowed to Shino. “Thank you for your hospitality Aburame-san.”

“You are most welcome.” Shino replied while inside he was smirking with glee. He knew he irritated the Kunoichi and he knew she was not happy with the arrangement at all but her training kept her from speaking out. Yes, Shino was a very happy ninja now that he has caught Kurai, Sukora in his web.

XXXxxxXXXxx

After lunch Sakura left Sasuke and Naruto alone in the living room with the photo album. She knew this was hard on the Uchiha so she wanted to give him her silent support and as much privacy as she could. While they were occupied it wouldn’t hurt to snap a few pictures of the chibis for her and Ino’s scrapbooks.

“Naruto before we look at these I need you to know these are really you and me. You know you are really 17 and I’m really 18. We are really grown Shinobi.”

“I know.” the chibi whispered. “Big Nawuto is in my head. He misses being big but he hurts in his heart. I no want him to hurt. So I keep ‘in safe wit Kyu-chan!”

“I won’t hurt his heart chibi, just like I won’t hurt your heart. That is why I want to show you this. So you won’t be scared of me as a grown up.” The raven chibi put his little arm around his kitsune and opened the photo album. It had taken him a day and a half to go through all the boxes in the Uchiha storage but he had finally found some pictures of when he was growing up before the massacre. He then went to Iruka-sensei and asked him for pictures of Naruto to put in his album as well. The academy teacher was more than happy to dig out his son’s baby pictures and spent the rest of the day telling Sasuke stories of Naruto embarrassing moments.

“Who is that?” Naruto asked pointing to a picture of two dark hairs boys with solemn expressions.

“That is me and my Aniki, Itachi.”

“You both not happy.”

“No we weren’t. We’re Uchihas we are not supposed to show our feelings.”

“Where’s ‘achi?”

“He’s away on a very long mission.”

“When he be back?”

“I don’t know, but hopefully it will end soon and he can come home. I’m sure he’d love to meet you.”

“He nice?”

“Yes he’s very nice.” Sasuke flipped the page and show Naruto their academy days.

“Why you look gwouchie?”

“I didn’t like those girls hanging around us when we trained. They would just bug us and get in the way of our sparring. It wasn’t until we were assigned to the same team that we actually got some serious training done. Look here is our team photo.” Sasuke pointed out photo of team seven it wasn’t one of their best days as they were both glaring at each other.

“Kashi!”

“Kakashi-sensei is our team leader and Sakura is our teammate. We were a team for awhile before I left the village for some serious training. It was a mistake and you brought me home.” Sasuke glossed over those missing years not wanting to traumatize his little kitsune. “This was us when we came home.”

Naruto’s eyes widen as he stared at the picture of his other self supporting an injured older Sasuke. Then he flipped the page to see more pictures of big Sasuke. He looked a lot like Uchiha-sama but the more he studied the photos he could see the differences in there expressions and looks. Sasuke looked younger somewhat kinder than the hard hatred he got from his father. Though in almost all the photos Sasuke was glaring at the camera Naruto could see that the anger of the glare did not reach his eyes. The chibi flipped the page and his breath got caught in his throat. It was a candid shot of Sasuke walking on the lake in front of the waterfall by Iruka and Kakashi’s house.

“I remember this.” The chibi had a dazed look on his face, as he traced the photo with his tiny fingers. “You looked so peaceful and, for a brief moment, happy as if the heavens were smiling down on you. It was the first time I actually saw you smile. I had to capture the moment because I feared I would never see you smile again. I knew you would never smile at me like that, so I had to take it or lose it forever.”

“Dobe I’ll smile for you and only you.” Sasuke whispered. Naruto was in between consciousness and was in a trance like daze but both Naruto agreed that this was a happy moment and smiled.

Friday

“Good morning, my cherry blossom of love.” Lee greeted as he entered the kitchen. He then gave her a breath stealing kiss before pouring himself some tea.

“Ohayoo! Lee-Nii-chan! Ohayoo! Sakura-nee-chan!” Naruto smiled as he and Oushi ran into the kitchen. He hopped on to the chair and waited to be severed breakfast.

“Oh! Good morning Naruto.” Sakura greeted coming out of her kiss daze. “What are your plans today?”

“The Pup is visiting with Kakashi and Iruka this afternoon and who knows when the Uchiha pup will show up.” gruffed the huge dog.

“Then I shall take Naruto-kun to the academy when I go to meet Ten-ten and Neji.”

“Neji and his team are back?”

“Yes, they return yesterday with the Yoru-ninjas. They are of a youth like no other says my eternal rival! I must meet these strong and youthful warriors!”

“Then I should head over to the hospital and make sure the lab is set up for Kurai.”

“Emerald…” The medic-nin turned to the whispered voice. The chibi’s eyes seemed to have dulled and he was in a trance like state.

“Naruto! Naruto can you hear me?”

“I no wanna grow up!”

“Chibi we talked about this. Emerald is here to help us we can’t let the bad ninjas get us.” Naruto held the smaller boy in his arms.

“But you be lonely again! Your heart will hurt again!”

“No chibi we won’t. You have been healing the hurt in my heart and we won’t be lonely. We know our friends care about us. We know we won’t be left alone ever again.” The older boy wiped away the tears from the chibi’s face and smiled. “You still have time Chibi we won’t be cure right away so enjoy the time you have and remember we still have a few more friends to set-up.”

“Okay Nawuto.”

“Better hurry back kit, Pinky is getting worried.” The chibi nodded before fading out and waking up.

“Lee we should take him to Tsunade-sama!”

“It okay, I alwight.”

“Oh Naruto you had me worried. What happened?”

“I… had memory. Kyu said it okay. Emewald is gonna help me.”

“Emerald?” Lee asked totally lost in what was happening

“He must mean Kurai-san. Naruto do you remember Kurai-san?”

“Yeah, she a ninja from a dark place, but she nice. I call her Emerald and she call me Blue Eyes.” The chibi still had a slight dazed look but soon he shook it off and began to eat breakfast.

“Well you’ll see her soon Naruto finish your breakfast and then you can train with Lee.” Sakura didn’t know really what to say, or do she felt somewhat helpless. In a way she was jealous of the Kunoichi she had never met because Kurai, Sukora could do something to help Naruto and she couldn’t. Sakura hadn’t felt this helpless since she was a genin always needing to be protected and always defenseless. She was so lost in thought; she didn’t notice that Lee had pulled her away from the kitchen and in to their bedroom.

“Sakura, aisuru, what is wrong? Don’t say it’s nothing because I can see it in your eyes. You look deeply troubled and it hurts my heart to see my blossom so wilted.”

“It’s nothing really Lee. I just was lost in the past for a moment.”

“We all have things we are not proud of in our past but this seems to bother you more. You might feel better if you talk about.”

“I just feel helpless.” Sakura broke away from the arms that were holding her so tenderly and sat on their bed. “Just like when we were genin. I couldn’t help Sasuke when he was in trouble during the chunin exams or Naruto during his struggle with Kyuubi’s chakra. I was always the one who needed be protected watched out for. Even you had to save me a few times. I swore to myself that I would change and I would be there to save them for once. So I studied hard to become a medical ninja but even that wasn’t enough. I couldn’t stop Sasuke from leaving or get him to come home. That was all Naruto’s doing and now I can’t help Naruto by curing him when he needs me most. I’m jus so… USELESS!”

“Sakura! You are not useless. Aisuru, you are a talented and gifted Kunoichi. I am sorry can’t help Naruto like you wish to but you are helping him have a better childhood. Do you know why I love you so much?” When she shook her head ‘no’ Lee knelt in front of his pink haired goddess a spoke from his heart.

“I Love you because you have a strong and caring heart. Even though Naruto-kun and I have annoyed you beyond belief you still love and care for us.” Sakura tried to protest but she was cut off by a gentle finger on her lips. “There is no denying it my blossom, I know not everyone enjoys Gai-sensei’s Youthful speeches as much as I do but you have never held it against me. You accept it and love me anyway. I admire Naruto-kun’s determination and his perseverance. Against all odds he has become a truly extraordinary ninja. You still love him like a brother, even if he is as loud and annoying as I am with my springtime of youth. You are helping him by curing the hole in his heart; we all are in our own way. Naruto-kun has had no one but Iruka-sensei to trust and love him, now this is a chance for us to show him there are others he can trust and depend on. I love you because in this week that we have had Naruto you have shown him the Sakura I know. The one who is loving, playful, smart and protective and sometimes a little grouchy with out her morning coffee.”

“I’M NOT GROUCHY!” Sakura shouted wiping the tears away from her face.

“My point is I love you and I will always need you so will our friends.” Lee smiled and pulled his love into his arms only winced a little bit as his fiancé gave him a rib cracking hug.

“I love you too Lee!” Her jade colored eyes sparkled with unshed tears. She knew everything was going to be just fine.


AN: Yay! Another chapter done! Things are rolling along I wish I could say the same about my Laptops as they are still out of commission. But as Promised I am find alterative sources to publish my work. Also a new list of words Japanese words I’ll be using more often. Thanks for read and Keep reviewing to feed my muses! They threaten to go on strike since My Zune crashed. I’ll try to get another chapter out before winter break promise!

Hime – Lady or Princess. Lady of noble blood.

Aisuru – Beloved

Ojii – Grandfather

Obaa – Grandmother

Hotaru – Firefly

Kikai – Kikaichu, Destruction bugs