As The Leaf Turns

Seventeen: Promotions, Weddings and Conceptions – Ninjas Make the World More Interesting

Three days of Sasuke pampering him had Naruto ready to take the ninja to the Hokage for a complete check up. Obviously there was something wrong with him, and Naruto wanted the Sasuke he had fallen for back.
He had a mission for the next two days and Sasuke was filling his pack and the baby was asleep so he decided to arrange for someone to watch over his lover while he was away.
No sense taking chances, right?
Naruto slipped out and down the path turning at the corner and hurrying up the street.
Once at a familiar house, he knocked on the door and waited while the resident made his way down to answer it.
The door flew open and Naruto was pulled into the exuberant arms of his old friend, Tanzou.
“Naruto, What are you doing here? Don’t you dare tell me you left Sasuke.” His friend shouted, pulling the blond into the house and dropping onto a large leather couch to stare up at his guest.
“I am not going to leave Sasuke now or ever. Now, are you going to listen or jump to conclusions?” Naruto asked, settling in the chair opposite.
“Okay, so I got my hopes up again. Don’t tease me like this. Now, what is it that I can do for you? I am still your love slave.” Tanzou said, bending in the middle like an obedient servant.
“First off, stop saying stuff like that. You’re going to get me in trouble. I never even slept with you!” the blond said, his cheeks going pink.
“Not for lack of effort on my part, Naruto. After you helped me clear my name in that stupid missing test scandal I would have done anything you wanted and you know it.”
“I had to clear you. I was the one who stole the damn thing, after all.” Naruto said, smiling widely.
“But you never got caught. And you got me off the hook for it. I was too amazed for words. Now, tell me. Tell me how I can repay your deeds.” He said, listening intently.
“Sasuke is acting weird and I have to go on a mission. I need someone to keep an eye on him, and since he is a genius ninja, it will have to be another genius ninja to do it. Will you watch him Tanzou-kun? Neji is kinda wrapped up with Shikamaru right now, so I can’t ask him. And you are the only other genius I know.”
“Wow, a mission to watch the famous Uchiha Sasuke. That is a challenge. But what is he doing that is so weird?” Tanzou asked, his interest piqued.
“He’s being nice to me. All the time. He smiles a lot and does special little favors for me. It’s freaky. I want my stoic, broody, irritable little Sasuke-kuuun back. This guy is just weirding me out.” Naruto complained.
“Naruto only you would miss the worst attributes to you own lover. Okay, I’ll watch the ice princess. Just get back from your mission safely, okay?” Tanzou said.
“I’ll do my best. I gotta get home before Sasuke figures out that I skipped. See ya later, Tanzou.” He said rising from the chair. Tanzou stood and met him near the hallway.
“Wait, don’t I get a kiss goodbye?” Tanzou said, his voice teasing.
“Yaaaah, get off you perv.” Naruto said, rushing to the door.

The Perfect dinner never happened.
The night was cloudy and the weather had turned too cold.
The most beautiful girl in his world had caught a cold and was stuck in bed, and Iwashi was distraught.
He stood outside of the door to Tenten’s apartment and wondered what he should do.
His mind went over the possible problems that could come of his untimely visit and supplied him with the most devastating results.
He was about to turn and leave when the words of his friend filled his mind once more.
“Tenten is in love with you.” Naruto had said.
“You and that teacher are a perfect couple.” Ibiki had told him.
“She lights up when you are around.” Inaho had told him.
“I like the way she smells.” Gennai said.
Well that one didn’t really help him, but the man was right. Tenten was a breath of sweet fresh air.
He looked down at the box in his hand and everything seemed to make sense to him.
He knocked briskly on the door and stood tall, his back straight and his face firm.
The door slowly opened to a pale Tenten in a bath robe, with her hair down and her feet in fuzzy slippers.
“Iwashi-kun? What are you doing here?” she said.
“I have an important question to ask you, Tenten-san. May I come in?” he said, not loosing his strong demeanor.
“Oh, um Okay.” She said, stepping back and pulling her robe tighter around her. “Come on in, but don’t mind the mess. I’ve been sick.” She said.
“I know. Don’t worry; this will only take a second. Please sit down, Tenten-san. I mean, Tenten.” He said, pointing to her chair and waiting as she lowered into it watching him strangely.
“Tenten, I . . . . .” his resolve slipped a tiny micrometer as he looked down at her. He stepped forward and dropped onto one knee and looked directly into her face. “I love you, Tenten. I have for as long as I have known you. I can only hope that you share my feelings and would consent to be my wife.” He said, spilling the words into her lap as they burst from his deepest heart.
Tenten was shocked. Her knight in shining armor had finally found his white steed and come for her. She smiled at him as he continued to speak of his love and his hopes not realizing that he was echoing the dreams of her own heart.
“Iwashi?” she said, cutting his words off. “Yes.” She said and he stared at her for a moment as he realized what she had said.
The dark haired man reached out and pulled her to his chest, bruising her lips with his relieved kiss and pouring all of his love into it.
She was out of breath when he released her and he was smiling like a Cheshire cat.
“This is the greatest week of my life.” He said. “First the Hokage asks me to be a full Chuunin examiner and now you will be my bride. I am the happiest man in the whole of the Fire Country!” he shouted.
Tenten was as surprised by his outburst as she was by his demanding kiss and just sat staring at him.


Vashta – Naruto as an advice columnist is just too funny. I may have to write the things that brings to mind. But, not yet. I have far too many ideas going onto my various word files as it is.

The tentative title to the next Chapter is Sasuke is going to kill you for this one. Why did you have to tell me about it?!!!!