Not you, too!

11: Vacation – A walk in the park


The Restaurant was near the onsen and as they ate they watched the other guests file back and forth outside the window.
They had three descriptions of various people who were suspects in Gaara’s disappearance. So far, they had not seen anyone matching them.
As she ate, Sasuke shifted Naruto on her lap and tried to keep him from playing with her food. Neji and Shikamaru were feeding small pieces to Choji who sat on the shadow Nin’s lap and pounded the table with a spoon.
Almost every table sported at least one child under the age of five and it was very noisy. Sasuke was developing a headache and decided she was not hungry enough for this to be worth it. Leaning in to the Sand Ninja’s personal space, she whispered to him, “I am going back to the hotel. Bring back food with you.” And she rose hoisting Naruto with her.
The others watched her go, and then turned back to their meals.
Another pair of eyes followed Sasuke out of the restaurant and down the narrow street.
Back in the room again, the Uchiha placed the baby on the floor and removed the clothing she had donned to go out. Once naked, she dropped the items on the bed and began to remove the jutsu returning to her original look.
Sasuke stood in the middle of the room back in his black shirt and pants from the morning, watching as Naruto stood by the bed and bounced on his feet. Quickly removing the baby’s clothing and adding them to the pile, Sasuke stood back holding a towel.
Naruto found himself sitting of the floor of a Hotel room behind a bed, being stared at by his friend who dangled a large bath towel before him. Naruto stood, walked around the bed and reached out to take the towel from the other.
“Thank You, Sasuke,” Naruto said, as he wrapped it around himself and headed for the dresser.
“It’s lucky I left early. I remember you were in quite a hurry this morning. Did you really tell that guy that I was afraid to dress you while I was a man?” he asked.
“I just said, that you were getting into the role, and that the jutsu was making it easier, Mommy.” The blond answered.
“Dobe. Now, get dressed. I have an idea.” And as Naruto dressed, he explained it to him.

From the roof of the hotel the two ninja’s dressed in matching black, could not be seen but could see for quite a distance. They watched the parade of people going in and out of the doors and the lines of them up and down the street.
Off to one side near the playground that was built for the many children that visited here, was a small building with no windows. It was off by itself and there were two men standing guard in front of it. Naruto tapped Sasuke’s arm and pointed its way. They stood and headed in that direction until they were on a roof only the playground away.
Sasuke engaged the Sharingan and activated the Seidan. He leaned closer and as Naruto held him from falling he looked for the telltale chakra signature of the Kazekage.
It was there, but weak. He stood back and turned to the Kyuubi holder.
“It’s there. Gaara is being held in that building, but he’s weak. I just don’t get it.”
“Let’s go back and wait for the others. I got a bad feeling about that place.” And they moved away quickly.
Back in their room, Naruto stretched out on the bed as Sasuke paced. It was nothing new for them when on a mission to share a room and end up like this. Naruto waited as Sasuke decided to ask him whatever was on his mind.
Finally, the brunet turned and dropped onto the end of the bed.
“When did you and Jiraiya practice this new jutsu?” he asked.
“Ahh, I wondered when that little piece would get chewed on. I had to practice to get it right, and I don’t have a Neji or a dad, like Choji. So, I mentioned it to Jiraiya and he thought I was joking. I got mad and transformed and there he was just outside of the bushes near the waterfalls with a naked baby. It must have been hysterical to see him. So, he figured out to get me into some kind of a diaper before the girls heard me crying and came to investigate. They thought I was cute, of course. Jiraiya suggested I train on the thing with him, and he even bought some stuff. He gets kinda mad when I lose the stuff turning back, but it gets him new ‘material’ and he is writing a new book. Icha Icha mommy hood or something like that.”
“Well that is a drawback to the whole thing. But, if you are paying attention all you lose is a dirty diaper. Now, how long have you been working on the thing?”
“Only about a month. I got the basics down, but couldn’t hold it for that long. I could go for two days now. Choji only keeps it for the eight hours but we figured out how to change it at the beginning to make it last for whatever time length you need. I don’t think his chakra can stand the longer times, plus he doesn’t need it for that long. I just did it to piss off Jiraiya and to prove I can. So, what was that about the diaper?”
“Just before you change back, you get all fidgety. I just got the stuff off of you, and then it wasn’t lost. I paid for it and I intend you to have it at the end of this mission, at least most of it. I hate waste.”
“Yeah, we can keep it with that cosmetic counter you bought. If you don’t plan on trying to reestablish your family, why do you care about a bunch of baby stuff?” Naruto asked, picking up the little orange shirt.
“I may have a niece or nephew. Itachi is still out there.”
“What will you do if He is gay, too?” Naruto said, his eyes wide and his voice ominous.
“Shut up. If that happens, we’ll just adopt you.” He said, as he lay back on the bed next to the blond.
They had drifted off to sleep when Kankurou returned with the leftovers from Sasuke’s dinner and a tray of food for Naruto.
He put the food on the dresser and went to clean up.
The smell of miso woke the blond who came up off the bed suddenly. Sasuke rubbed at his eyes, and looked around. Naruto was eyeing the two plates and savoring the smells, with his eyes closed.
“Dobe. Go ahead and eat. Don’t spend all night sniffing at it like Kiba does.” He said.
“I like to do this. Kiba is right, if you fill your nose first the food tastes better. I think this one must be yours.” Naruto said, picking up the second lid.
“You can have it, I’m not that hungry. My head still hurts.” He said, lying back on the bed.
“Hmmm, yours smells funny. I think I’ll pass.” And he took the plate to the small table and chairs and began to eat.
A knock on the door was heard even as Kankurou exited the bathroom in only a robe with a towel around his shoulders. Sasuke rose and leaned in to the wood.
“Who’s there?” he asked, with his Sasuru voice.
“It’s us. Hurry up before someone comes along.” And the door opened on the rest of the team.
“Nice to see you, too. Come right in and make yourself at home,” the Uchiha said, as they pushed past him, urgently.
Shikamaru began searching around the room and Sasuke fell back on the bed.
“I already checked for bugs. I found one and disabled it. Checked again after dinner, nothing new.” And Sasuke covered his eyes with his arm as Naruto offered Choji Sasuke’s remaining food.
The others gathered on the end of the bed and talked about the day.
“Sasuke, tell him about the building by the playground,” Naruto added between mouthfuls.
“What building?” Neji asked.
“Just a windowless one room with a distinct chakra being emitted. There are two guards on the outside, but it’s impossible to get closer without being seen. We need to take the babies to the playground, so I can get a better look. It would be nice if you could check it with the byakugan. Can you do it in your other form?”


Twice the blond had kicked him in the night and finally Sasuke had had enough. He crept to the dresser, stepping over the sand ninja on the floor.
Soon, he returned and within minutes he was sleeping soundly for the rest of the night.
Naruto woke feeling stiff and when he tried to roll over he couldn’t move.
“Hey, Sasuke you bastard. What did you do?” he shouted yanking his arm against the bounds.
“Keep it down,” Kankurou yelled from his place on the floor.
”Sasuke!” Naruto growled out through his teeth. Sasuke sat up and crossed his legs on the bed in front of him.
“Serves you right, Dobe. I had to protect myself and you are actually dangerous when you’re sleeping.” Naruto yanked on the ties to his arms once more, growling at the Uchiha. “Settle down, I’ll untie you.” Sasuke said, reaching for Naruto’s hands.
As Sasuke pulled on the knot in the pair of pantyhose he had used to tie the blond to the bed he leaned closer and ended up stretched along side his rival.
“Sasuke?” Naruto said.
“Hang on, I’m getting it,” Sasuke said, pulling himself closer and pushing with his raised foot on the bed below them.
“But, Sasuke,” Naruto continued as that leg moved and the Uchiha’s knee brushed along Naruto’s thigh. “Sasuke!”
“What?!” Sasuke said, rising on his hands to look down at the blond.
“Get. Off. Me.” Naruto said, through clenched teeth. Sasuke looked down at his knee and then up at the blond’s flushed cheek. Sasuke smiled and Naruto went very cold.
“Don’t do it,” he said. “I’ll pay you back, if you do.”
“Dobe.” Sasuke said, rolling over off the bed and walking around to the other side and working the knot loose. Naruto rubbed his wrist before sitting up.
“Stupid, Sasuke.” He grumbled as he rushed to the bathroom.
The brunet had dropped back on the bed and curled up facing away. Naruto never saw the smile that pulled at his lips.

Sasuke shifted her skirt and fluffed her sleeves before turning and glaring at the blond on the bed. Naruto yanked off his shirt and tossed it into the basket of dirty clothes in the corner as he prepared for his change.
“Hey, pack clothes just in case you need to use the emergency word today.” He said as he raised his hands and began by linking his fingers.
Sasuke snorted as he watched complex series of movements and waited for the transformation. Then, he walked over and dressed the child in a colorful one-piece playsuit with a matching hat and a pair of moccasin like booties.
Kankurou sat on the low chair across the room watching the Uchiha work from behind her. When she was finished she lifted Naruto and placed him in the stroller, squatting near to buckle him in. He cleared his throat and Sasuke turned. From her position near the stroller she raised and eyebrow at the sand ninja.
“I was just thinking. If they ever question our, eh . . . Relationship, it could get uncomfortable. Especially if we haven’t ever, eh you know.”
Sasuke stared at the stuttering ninja for a few minutes before smiling and rising slowly from her position near the baby. She crossed the room and stood before the puppet master, arms crossed before her and her stance challenging.
“You have been thinking? Well, maybe a little practice is in order.” She suggested. “Especially after you’ve spent the whole morning staring at my ass.”
Kankurou smiled back as he rose to his feet and slid his arms around the gentle curves of the sexy woman before him.
“I like that idea.” He said as he pulled her close and pressed his lips to hers.
It was awkward and uncomfortable, and though they both tried to find a good position, they pulled away from each other, frustrated and a little annoyed.
“That will definitely take work.” Sasuke said, grabbing a purse and pulling out a mirror to adjust her lipstick and slinging the purse to her shoulder, she indicated that he should carry the baby bag as she pushed the stroller to the door.

Neji had rolled over and sighed as he felt the bed dip and rise and Choji headed for the bathroom. It was early and the Akimichi would be in there for quite a while.
Shikamaru turned and smiled at the Hyuuga as he stretched out on the bed.
“Are you nervous about today? Because I know you will do fine.”
“It’s not that. I know what to do, and I am sure Sasuke will be fine, too.”
“But, you are concerned for some reason?”
“Yeah.” They had discussed this all the night before. It was part of the vacation package to have free visits to the onsen, and that was why they planned a late start today.
The place may be set up for families but that did not include a universal hot springs. Sasuke and Neji would take the babies with to the ladies side and the Hyuuga had an issue with this.
“Neji, I understand. I know you think I’m fooled, but I know that you have never claimed to be gay. I think you would be classified as bi-sexual if I had to do such a thing. So, you are going to be entering the realm of naked women, I can handle the idea.”
“Its just that, when I fell for you, it was Shikamaru the Jounin genius. Not, Shikamaru the man. I love you, Shika. I just don’t think I will ever stop noticing pretty girls and stuff. I’m sorry.” The shadow ninja rolled to his side and rose up on his elbow, looking down at the other.
“Don’t be. It’s who you are. I am me, and you accept that, right? I mean I know I’m not real easy to live with.”
“You don’t give me that many problems. I don’t have to worry about you and girls.”
“That is because I have spent too many years watching my father. The man is whipped. I like knowing that I can be in charge or let you be in charge. But, you don’t try to emasculate me.”
“As if. Speaking of being in charge, I could use some of that today. Um, about that whole affection in public issue?”
“You really would like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Mmmm, hmmm. Kissing you on the train may have been me reacting to Sasuke’s taunts, but it was still me reacting. I liked it, too.”
“Well, then I’ll see what I can do to keep you happy. As for now, how about some affection in private?”
“Mmmm. I’d love that.” And the shadow ninja dropped down to claim the soft lips of the Hyuuga in a deep and meaningful kiss that led to much more.

The two families met in the playground and as Kankurou pushed Naruto on the swings, Shikamaru lifted Choji to the top of the smaller slide and hurried to catch him on the other end.
Sasuke and Neji sat on a bench near the end of the playground where the small building sat. They talked and watched the activities of the two men and the babies while other families joined them. When no one was paying attention to the ladies, while the sand ninja was trying to talk the little blond into something that was easier for him, Sasuke turned to the now unguarded doorway and carefully activated her Sharingan. She had worn her hair down so that it rolled around her face and blocked her eyes from any side view.
The well-known chakra of the Kazekage was stronger today, but still nowhere near the power she had last seen from the redhead.
“Can you use byakugan?” Sasuke asked.
“I don’t know. There are a lot of people around here. I don’t want to draw attention to myself.”
“Well, do you have to say it, you know, outloud? Try thinking about it and see if it activates.”
Neji stared at the other brunette for a minute. It had never occurred to her to activate her family blood limit without speaking the word. She mused for a minute before mentally picturing the ability along with its name. Her back was to the playground and as the tell-tale veins popped she focused on the small structure.
She scanned it for quite some time before releasing the byakugan and focusing on the Uchiha.
“He’s in there, all right. He’s not uncomfortable, but his chakra is low. There are two guards on the inside and three women with very weak abilities.” he said, and the other nodded to him.
“Well then, let’s go play with the babies. It’s almost lunchtime. I need a nap today.”


::: And the romp goes on.


Vashta - Keep that thought. You may be on to something. As for Kankurou and Choji, hmmm. Interesting idea. Maybe another story, though. And, I never dash anything as fragile as a hope.

Now, for some teasers: Who is the mysterious stranger watching Sasuke? Who has the sand Kage? and how did they manage it? Why is Gaara so weak?


Next chapter: In Hot Water – Watched from a distance