Peaceful Waters

OK! I have gone back and fixed the ages in the last chapter (and edited the chapter HOPEFULLY eliminating all of my embarrassing mistakes in grammar spelling and such). That’s what I get for doing it late at night and not reading it before I post. BAD BAD ME! I am going to pick a BETA I’ve decided. I was sure I was going to do it earlier but I haven’t gotten around to it so once again if you want be my BETA please e-mail me at {jayedraven @ gmail . com}( take out the spaces) and then I’ll pick someone somehow and I’ll start sending the chapters over before I post them.


“Are you sure you didn’t overdo it training with Sasuke?” Sakura asked Genma, leaning over as they walked to look him over.


“Positive. Basically we just studied each others chakra flows as we moved. I showed him the spots I hit on him the other day and tried to show him how to accurately hit them in proper succession. Of course we didn’t actually break skin or anything. It was basically more like a talkative dance then fighting,” Genma reassured her releasing her hand and wrapping his arm around her waist instead.


“Hm,” Sakura mumbled in concerned agreement as she leaned into Genma. He seemed to be fine and she couldn’t feel any awkwardness in the way he moved so she supposed that he’d survive.


“So Kakashi and Sai ran off together hm?” Genma questioned Sakura lightly.


“Something like that,” Sakura giggled back, “After you and Sasuke left he said he wanted to have a word with Kakashi. I can’t imagine what about. I think those are two of the least talkative people I know, especially towards each other.”


“They don’t get along well?” Genma asked.


“Oh no, nothing like that, we’re all teammates after all. I think Kakashi just watches him closely because he was in ROOTS. You know Kakashi used to be ANBU, I don’t think they quite trust each other about some things,” Sakura answered, “But Sai’s come around a lot since he first was assigned to us. The ROOTS training is supposed to clear you of all emotions. Sai isn’t even his real name, they’re not supposed to even have names, that’s the one he was assigned when he was first put in our team and he decided to keep it. We’ve all been trying to help him learn how to interact with people, he has a horrible time trying to figure out emotions.”


“So he was really in ROOTS huh? I’ve never actually met someone from ROOTS before,” Genma told her smiling at her oddly, “Do you know how old he is?”


“How old? It’s anyone’s guess I suppose, he doesn’t know his birth date but we all figure he’s about our age,” Sakura answered thoughtfully.


“How old are you now anyway,” Genma asked as they finally reached Kakashi’s cottage and paused before the door. “I’ve never been one who could tell ages very well.”


“I’m 17,” Sakura answered smiling coyly, “How old are you?”


“I’d say I’m 17 at heart,” Genma replied with a cheerful goofy grin on his face as he waggled his senbon up and down. When Sakura rolled her eyes and leaned back with her arm on her hip giving him a typically womanly glare he finally answered, “I suppose biologically I’m 33. Does that bother you at all? That I’m old enough to be your brother?”


Sakura giggled and answered, “Only if it bothers you that I’m young enough to be your sister.”


“No problems there, I don’t have any brothers or sisters so I doubt I’ll get you confused,” Genma replied pulling her to face him and wrapping his other arm around her waist.


Sakura looked up into his eyes as he looked down at her, one eyebrow slightly raised as a sexy smirk played around his senbon.


“Does it really not bother you? Our age difference?” Sakura asked quietly waiting for any sign of rejection.


“No, you’re an adult I’m and adult. Hell, you already technically outrank me so I think you’ve got the intelligence and maturity to handle an adult relationship,” he answered silkily; holding her closely as he gently pressed his firm hips into hers.


“That’s true,” Sakura agreed mistily as she continued to gaze into his eyes, becoming transfixed.


In the light of day she could see that there were flecks of amber gold in the brown that seemed to sparkle down at her. She felt herself melting under their scrutiny and before she even realized that either of them had moved, his lips were on hers moving slowly and sensuously, coaxing them open so that he could run his tongue along hers. His mouth was warm and welcoming and she relaxed into his arms letting his firm body surround hers. She held him closer with one arm and reached up with the other to play with his shoulder length hair, softly tugging and rolling it between her fingers. Genma made a low growling sound, almost inaudible but clearly felt against her mouth as they kissed causing her to let out a much higher-toned one in return.


“Sakura,” Genma breathed pulling back from their kiss reluctantly.


“Mm?” Sakura responded still not quite back on planet earth yet.


“I think Kakashi’s waiting for us to finish,” he said clearing his throat in what should have been embarrassment in anyone else, but for him seemed to be a kind of cocky arrogance.


Startled Sakura jumped back out of Genma’s arms as she finally noticed the silluette of the copy nin leaning against the now open door and clearing his throat loudly.


“I warned you about the dangers of being with Genma,” Kakashi said sharply, glaring slightly at the unashamed senbon shinobi.


“Kakashi sensei we were just-Genma- going into town,” Sakura babbled senselessly, inner Sakura rolling her eyes at the thought that she had been caught making out in public AGAIN. She gave herself a quick and fierce mental slap and managed to blurt out,” Genma wanted to ask you something before we went into town.”


“No you don’t have my blessing to get married,” Kakashi answered, pushing of from the doorway and crossing his arms, looking as stern as a one-eyed copy nin with a good three fourths of his face covered could look.


“Damn, well there goes all our plans for the day Sakura,” Genma retorted crossing his own arms and rolling his eyes heavenward.


“I thought you said that Genma-san wouldn’t mind you kissing other people Perky? I thought if you were getting married that was a bond that did not accept that form of physical contact with others,” Sai questioned appearing behind Kakashi tilting his head slightly.


“We’re not getting married, Kakashi’s being sarcastic Sai,” Sakura cut in quickly hoping to avoid any further discussion about the topic.


“Who else have you been kissing Sakura?” Genma pouted, his eyes seeming to grow larger and more puppy dog-like, “How will I explain to the children?”


“SHUT UP!” Sakura bellowed grabbing Genma by the arm and dragging him off the stoop and back down the path.


“Sakura I didn’t get the chance to ask Kakashi-” Genma started looking back towards the copy nin helplessly.


“You’re a ninja right? We’ll spy out the damn sign ourselves!” Sakura answered briskly not showing any signs of stopping.


“Makes sense,” Genma had to agree considering she still had a death grip on his arm and didn’t seem to be letting up.


Kakashi and Sai watched the pair make their way away from them and when they were at last out of earshot, Sai informed Kakashi that he would be going to the surrounding forest to do some sketching and Kakashi waved a seemingly lazy goodbye to the artist nin mumbling something about stepping into town later to catch the Icha Icha movie.


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“Did I embarrass you Sakura?” Genma asked as they walked down the road towards the town peering at her from the corner of his eye.


It was a fine day, the sun shone down warmly and a cool mountain breeze swept by them every once in a while in refreshing gusts gently blowing the hair from their faces and carrying the sweet smell of trees and grasses. The road they were on was dirt with visible grooves from carts and wagons that had been drawn along it on their way through to the other cities and villages that dotted the landscape in this area of fire country. Pine trees stood silent guard on either side of them and every so often they would see animals, accustomed to humans as they were from living so near a village, peer at them from the safety of their shady boughs waiting to see what to make of these strangers in their midst.


“No, I’m fine,” Sakura replied lying slightly. Genma quirked an eyebrow at her and she smiled a bit and sighed continuing, “Well it’s just Kakashi, he’s, well it’s just weird to be caught kissing by him, he’s been my teacher and our team leader for years now. He’s just that kind of authority figure that’s weird to have been watching, or even knowing about your sex life. Does that make sense?”


“I can see what you’re saying,” Genma answered smiling. He had long ago lost any kind of embarrassment that he might have had in any situation, although he doubted he had much to begin with in the first place. But he could understand that other people still felt that way.


“You know, if you’re uncomfortable with me or you want to be with someone else I would understand,” Genma started to tell her, hoping that she didn’t really want to leave, “It sounded like Sai was-”


“No, I just,” Sakura started glancing quickly at Genma, “I hope this doesn’t sound shallow or insulting or anything, but I am really attracted to you.”


“Feel free to insult me anytime,” Genma smirked grabbing her hand and giving it a squeeze.


“I wasn’t finished!” Sakura giggled despite herself. She took a deep breath and continued trying to straiten things out in her own mind as well, “ I mean, well, I already told you. I used to have this huge crush on Sasuke. I had all these dreams of marrying him and helping him to restore his clan. It probably would have died a lot sooner if he had stayed in Konoha but since he left he could remain this dream guy that had never truly existed in reality. I was kind of obsessed with this image I had of him and me for a long time. But since he’s come back, I’ve realized I don’t want to settle down right now, and even if I did it wouldn’t be with him. I want to have fun and be with whom I want when I want while I still can. I’m not looking for a long-term thing right now, I’m not really sure if I ever will. I kind of feel like I’ve escaped from this obsession with one person and so I want to be free to be with others.”


Sakura eyed him waiting for his reaction and hoping that she hadn’t run him off with her babbling. He gave her a large dazzling smile that shined even brighter with the sun glinting off the polished metal of his senbon.


“I understand completely Sakura, I’m not offended. It’s not as if you’re using me or anything. We came into this together. You just want to live for the moment and enjoy life as it comes at you. You’re not tied to me and I’m not tied to you but for as long as you want I’ll be the man in your life, or one among many. I’m willing to share if you are,” Genma answered truthfully, “I feel the same way. I don’t think I’m capable of settling down with one person. My experiences have prevented me from that but that’s not to say I don’t enjoy company.”


Sakura raised one corner of her mouth in an odd sort of understanding smile and answered, “ So basically we’re a couple of sluts.”


“True that,” Genma replied straight faced.


They were able to walk for almost a full ten seconds before they both burst out laughing neither quite sure what at. Genma once again reached an arm around Sakura’s waist and tugged her towards him both of them still stifling giggles.


The town had come in to view at last a moderately sized village that sat comfortably in the mountains. Genma and Sakura could make out the people that walked happily through the streets, going in and out of shops and restaurants, tourists stopping and pointing at various pieces of art in the windows or just at the beauty of nature that was framed by the quaint and pleasant architecture that made up the town.


“I suppose we should spy out the sign first, then do you feel like eating or shopping?” Genma asked feeling up for anything. The mountain air was really doing him good, along with the semi-relaxing soak this morning and the light exercise he’d had he was sure that he would be back to one hundred percent in no time.


“Lets walk around a bit and see,” Sakura answered. “We’re in no hurry for once after all. There’s no time table as long as we finish before the dance tomorrow.”


“Yeah, it does feel nice not to be on a mission for awhile. I’ve been going pretty much non-stop for quite awhile now. And I know that Kakashi’s been busy too so I guess you guys must be pretty ragged as well,” Genma commented as they began to walk by the first few buildings in the town.


“We’ve been kept busy, yeah. And even when we don’t have missions I’m assigned to help out in the hospital. This is the first break I’ve had for a long while,” Sakura answered peeking into the windows of the shops happily. Sakura couldn’t remember the last time she’d been able to go shopping, never mind wear civilian clothes without being assigned to for a mission. It would be a nice change of pace to feel girly again, especially when she had a handsome man with her.


Sakura couldn’t help but feel a bit smug as she noticed other girls checking out Genma and giving her envious looks. She was determined to get him into something other than his shinobi gear for the dance as well. Something that would allow him to move but would showcase his body a little better then a pair of baggy blue pants and an equally unrevealing shirt.


They walked for about five minutes pointing out different sights to each other and taking note of the layout of the town so that they would know where to go when they wanted food or clothes or maybe even a few silly souvenirs. They finally came upon the entertainment district of the town heralded by a fairly large cinema displaying the titles of three movies that were playing there, one of them being the adapted to screen version of Icha Icha Tactics that Kakashi had mentioned to Genma earlier. Genma pointed at the sign waggling his eyebrows and followed by doing an incredibly good imitation of Kakashi with his nose stuck in an imaginary book giggling sickly to himself and than upon ‘noticing’ the movie sign doing the little window dance that team seven had once seen him do when they had been spying on him to see what his face looked like under the mask.


“Stop! Stop! That’s too good!” Sakura cackled bending over with laughter unable to right herself lest her sides split.


“Being an impersonator is part of my job description. Plus we’ve been friends forever,” Genma added chuckling as well.


They continued on seeing several bars and restaurants, a karaoke club that was going to be opening in the next few days and finally a large surprisingly nice for such a moderately sized village nightclub. There was a large poster on the outside advertising the dance that Kakashi had mentioned. They walked across the street so they could see it better and read, “The Horny Toad proudly presents the return of its infamous WhereZat! Dance Night. Music spanning all time periods and nations will be played so be up on your steps! We will also be holding our signature dancing competition so if you think you’ve got what it takes, enter to win our grand prize! Cover is $15 for men and women with a discount if you’re dressed to kill !”


“Well Sakura we don’t need to get you any clothes after all, just make sure you’re kunai are visible and- oof!” Genma laughing chokingly causing him to spit his senbon into the sign for fear of choking on it in his attempts to get some air in his lungs after Sakura elbowed him squarely in the gut.


“Ha, ha very funny,” Sakura replied rolling her eyes, “If you want to go with me, we’ll both be needing something decent to wear.”


Genma stopped laughing at this, “Both?”


“Yes both I want to be with someone who’s dressed to kill style wise, not complete with assorted weapons for killing someone one thousand different ways,” Sakura answered.


“I can kill someone one thousand different ways with just my senbon,” Genma answered cockily.


“Then you don’t really need to have your gear on then do you?” Sakura replied haughtily. Then in a softer tone she added, “Please Genma, we’re on vacation, let’s just be normal for once! No one knows who we are. We don’t have to be unarmed just let’s not go proclaiming our shinobi status to everyone.”


Genma softened a bit at her words, “I guess so, I’m not really opposed I just hate picking out clothes for myself. I sometimes wonder if that’s the real reason I became a ninja, for the uniform.”


“If you just wanted the uniform you could have been a fast food worker,” Sakura chided.


“You’re right, I may have missed my true calling to the food service industry,” Genma deadpanned, “I could have made one hell of a kabob.”


To emphasize his words he twirled some of his senbon around his fingers gracefully, finally shooting one out to impale several flies that had been buzzing around a garbage can they had just passed by. The skewered flies with the senbon through them made a small clanging sound as the metal from the senbon stuck into the side of the metal trashcan.


“How many of those things do you have on you? You seem to keep losing them one way or another,” Sakura grimaced as she peered over the side of the trashcan to see the senbon still vibrating slightly after its trip.


“Too many to mention. That one was dull, I was going to throw it out anyway,” Genma supplied as they continued to stroll, “So what is it first then, fashion or food?”


“Hmm. I’m not terribly hungry yet. Lets’ go get some clothes first. That way we’ll blend in better when we get some food,” Sakura suggested.


“Ladies choice,” Genma answered lightly, “Did you see anywhere that you’d like to go look?”


“Not yet, let’s just walk a bit and see,” she replied happily holding on to Genma’s elbow as they passed by different shops.


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Neji returned from the hot spring irritable and annoyed. Naruto could be so utterly clueless sometimes he just couldn’t see what Hinata-san saw in him. Sure he had his good points but he was just too energetic and dim sometimes to be able to get along with easily. He reminded Neji in many ways of his teammate Lee. He silently shuddered as he clothed himself imagining the possibility that Naruto might someday not only be related to him but in the head branch of the family as well.


“This is just a crush, this is just a crush,” Neji mumbled silently to himself as he padded out into the little living room of his cottage.


“Keep telling yourself that Neji,” Sasuke smirked at him from the couch.


Neji started at the sound, Sasuke had not been there when he had entered the cabin to get dressed. Deciding to clarify he said, “ I was referring to my Hinata-san’s feelings for Naruto-kun.”


“Afraid of fox babies running around your family’s house?” Sasuke asked imperiously.


Neji stared him down, “ Wouldn’t you be?”


“Of course,” Sasuke replied blandly.


“May I do something for you Sasuke-kun?” Neji asked walking over to the couch but not sitting down.


“Perhaps,” Sasuke replied thoughtfully, “I’d like you to train with Genma and me tomorrow.”


“I see no problem in that. Is there any particular reason?” Neji inquired. Genma had indeed perked his interest.


“I want you to study his techniques. He told me that he can feel other people’s chakra and that’s how he can find and hit their vital points, he said it ‘echo’s’ in his own body,” Sasuke informed him, “Have you ever heard of that before?”


Neji narrowed his eyes in thought, “ No, it sounds interesting though. It would explain a lot.”


“I want you to use your Byakugan and see if you can see what’s going on with him when we’re sparring. In close combat his talent seems to be very effective even against the sharingan. I can see where he’s moving but he can sense where I’m going as well. I want to figure out how this works,” Sasuke told him.


“I would be very interested to see how the Byakugan would work against him as well. I’d also like to test him. Send chakra to different parts of our bodies and see if he can really tell where it is without seeing it,” Neji mused.


“It’s actually quite odd. It doesn’t look anything like when Sakura gathers chakra for her super strength, at least it doesn’t look that way to the sharingan,” Sasuke provided.


“We’ll just have to find out tomorrow,” Neji supplied, then smiling slyly, “Would you be interested in seeing how the sharingan fairs against the Byakugan?”


“Ready when you are,” Sasuke answered eyes flashing.


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“Oh you look fabulous Genma!” Sakura squealed delightedly as the thoroughly nonplused tokubetsu stepped from the dressing room.


Genma gave himself a halfhearted once over in the mirror at the clothes Sakura had picked out for him for the club. He currently wore a gold patterned sleeveless muscle shirt with a see-through long-sleeved black shirt over it with some sort of leaf design, topped off, or rather bottomed off with a pair of relaxed dark jeans, worn places already included thank you very much, and a pair of high-topped black leather boots.


“I love it, can we leave now,” Genma pleaded giving Sakura a look every woman who’s ever forced a man to go clothes shopping would recognize as the sign that he’s about to break.


Sakura pouted and slinked over to Genma wrapping her arms around his waist and looking up into his eyes, “Genma don’t you like it? These clothes are very becoming on you, of course,” Sakura continued going up on tip toe to whisper into his ear, “if I were on you I’d be coming too.”


Sakura dropped back down to her feed and leaned back smiling devilishly.


“Sakura, I’ll get this but I have just one question,” Genma asked eyebrows raised and sexy grin firmly in place, “If I got you a sexy negligee would there be anything in it for me?”


“You’ll just have to find out won’t you?” Sakura purred back calling the salesperson over to let her know they were ready to check out. “Lets get what you’re wearing for the club and that red shirt you had on earlier to walk around in today and you can just re-wear the jeans.”


“Perfect,” Genma answered not really caring, just happy to be escaping the throat tightening enclosure that was this clothing store. Just because he enjoyed men in a sexual way didn’t mean he cared anything about fashion, or clothes shopping, other then checking other people out.


Genma switched shirts he was wearing at Sakura’s direction and the sales girl packed up the rest and placed everything including the clothes he had come in with into a bag. Genma quickly wrapped his weapons pouch back around his thigh with bindings before he felt naked and paid for their clothes. Sakura asked for him to pay for hers separately so that she could pay him back when they returned but Genma waved her off and said that he already told her this was his treat.


Sakura had gotten a pair of tight stretchy low cut black pants that flared a bit at the bottoms and had cutouts on the sides at the top. The effect it gave made it seem like she was wearing a wide belt around her hips with her pants clinging to the front and back of her, her sides tantalizingly bare. She had also picked a metallic gold halter style top that stopped just shy of her belly button, showing off her tiny waist. Genma approved thoroughly and wasn’t really listening when she explained that she picked out his clothes to help compliment hers. For day wear she had gotten a low slung pair of jeans and a simple girly pink tee shirt that she was sure she would be able to wear again in the future.


The two walked out of the shop blending in wonderfully with the townsfolk and handful of tourists, besides the fact that Sakura stood out like a sore thumb with her bright pink hair.


“Let’s eat! I’m starving!” Genma whined hoping to forestall anymore shopping. Sakura had finally found a section of town that had clothing she liked and had dragged him in and out of several places before she had finally settled on the last one.


“I’m almost surprised you don’t make me take off my hitai-ate,” Genma sighed as Sakura practically skipped beside him.


“I like it actually. I’d like to see you without it again too, but it’s so unique how you do it, it suits you. How did you ever come up with the idea to tie it backwards?” Sakura asked as they searched for a good place to eat.

“Well I guess I feel like this way someone’s always watching my back,” Genma answered quietly.


“Oh,” Sakura answered hoping she hadn’t inadvertently brought up a painful topic.


Sensing her hesitation Genma added quickly, “It doesn’t bother me that you asked, surprisingly no one has asked me that for quite some time. I just haven’t thought about it too much, it’s become habit you know?”


“I thought it might be that it was just easier for you to tie that way,” Sakura smiled up at him trying to lighten the mood.


Genma laughed and answered, “You caught me, I’m just too lazy to twist it to the back.”


He tugged on the knot above his face and pulled it so that the Konoha leaf was facing in the proper forward facing direction, causing his hair to travel with the material and block his face messily.


“You should leave it like that, it may be an improvement,” Sakura giggled as Genma blew a shot of air out of his mouth around his senbon attempting to get it out of his eyes and messing his hair up further.


“Wouldn’t help my accuracy much, might start getting complaints when I start nailing the wrong people with my senbon,” Genma said miming hitting her in the butt with his long metal weapon.


“Probably wouldn’t be the first time you got in trouble for nailing the wrong person in the butt,” Sakura jibed.


“And not the last either!” Genma smirked running after her, senbon in hand as she shrieked.


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When Naruto had returned to his cabin and dressed he realized that he no longer knew where anyone was. Sai and Sasuke were not in the cabin and no one answered the door when he went to check on Genma, Sakura and Neji’s or Kakashi’s. Bored he idly decided to wander through the forest and look for a bit of fun. Maybe he’d do some training to pass the time or make a couple of kage bunshin and play a game or too. He decided at last to race himself after wandering around for fifteen minutes or so when he came across Sai sitting on the edge of the mountain sketching the scenery.


“Hey Sai!” Naruto greeted cheerfully happy to have found one of his teammates.


“No-dick,” Sai replied absently.


“Will you STOP WITH THAT ALREADY!” Naruto fumed, “What are you drawing there?


“I would have thought it was obvious,” Sai replied gesturing to the wondrous landscape.


“Not the way you draw!” Naruto lied making himself laugh.


“Naruto-kun,” Sai said sweetly, “Would you mind posing for me?”


“You want me to pose for you? Really?” Naruto asked taken back a bit, “Not naked or anything.”


“I don’t want to go blind,” Sai retorted.


Naruto glared at him but answered, “Well how do you want me to stand?”


“Hmm,” said Sai thoughtfully, “You’ve been practicing those push ups while doing a one-handed hand stand right?”


“Yeah but I hate those, it makes all the blood rush to my head,” Naruto complained.


“A place I’m sure it’s not used to being consider you never think,” Sai replied smiling his fake smile brightly, closing his eyes and tilting his head.


“TEME!” Naruto bellowed.


“Naruto, please go just over there and stand on your hand, I’ll let you know when you can move,” Sai replied calmly gesturing to a place about fifteen feet in front of him.


“Well it better be a good sketch then, not one of your usual crappy ones,” Naruto grumbled getting into position.


“Perfect,” Sai congratulated Naruto as he stood upside down on his right hand. “Now
bend your legs and do a horse stance.”


“Why?” Naruto asked the blood already turning his face a bit purple.


“I thought you said you’d pose for me. I need you to stay like that till I tell you to move. And close your eyes as well,” Sai added in a cheerful voice. “ I don’t like to be watched while I’m sketching.”


“FINE,” Naruto growled sure he was going to get a headache.


He stood on one hand for several hours but whenever he began to complain Sai told him that as soon as he couldn’t handle it he could leave so of course Naruto struggled on until after a particularly large bit of silence on Sai’s part Naruto asked, “Sai are you done yet? Sai?”


At this lack of response Naruto opened his eyes a crack to peak and bellowed as he saw that Sai was gone and in his place a single piece of paper. Collapsing on his head Naruto groaned turned over and scrambled over to see what Sai had left. There was a beautifully detailed sketch of the area directly behind where Naruto had been posing with a Naruto shaped space of completely empty white paper, on the back of the drawing Sai had written, “I had originally intended to do a sketch of you but when you requested it be pleasing to the eye I had to of course leave you out.”


The resulting stream of swear words could be heard echoing off the mountains in the valleys below for some time.


Ok I hope that was long enough for you all. I hope it doesn’t seem forced, I’m a bit tired and I did this pretty much all in one sitting. Be sure to tune in for the next exciting enstallment of Peaceful Waters, and as always PLEASE R&R!