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Chapter 301: The Right Exceptions

NARUTO

Sprinting through the trail leading away from Training Ground 3, Naruto

leaps onto the first available rooftop to leap from building to building his

home. Normally he would've walked her home to make certain she was

safe, but after revealing something about himself that's practically

taboo, he opted to flee and leave a clone to cover her back. Though he

does like the vision of a large loving family, he knows he didn't confess

to her his preference in hopes she would agree. He used it against her

but it was for her own good, huffing, "dodged that kunai."

'You lied to me,' Kurama growls from deep within his seal.

"Wha," Naruto sounds before mentally asking his furry partner, 'how'd I

lie? I said I didn't want to use her.'

'You agreed with Jiraiya's wisdom,' Kurama retorts with his husky

voice. 'You said you would!'

'First, no, I didn't,' Naruto responds, letting his body naturally sprint as

his mind converses with the Nine-Tails. Looking through the high

golden gate, Naruto shows the prowling beast his counting fingers.

'Second, I don't want Gaara to hate me for hurting his sister. Third, I

don't want to ruin whatever friendship Temari-chan and I could have.

Since I know what they're planning, it wouldn't be right to take

advantage of her like that.'

'I don't like you right now,' the destructive chakra beast flatly

declares.

"Aww, come on, Kurama," Naruto replies.

Kurama stops prowling to testify to the blond, 'first, our primary mate

refused us, then the crafty blond, then the teammate, and now you

reject a willing mate! You enjoy claiming we're partners, yet you

make all the decisions!'

'Partners don't ask friends to deliberately trick and hurt other people's

feelings,' Naruto hollers back as if it's obvious. 'You wouldn't like it if

someone asked me to take advantage of you- Oh, actually, I seem to

remember Ji-chan asking me if I could control you, and what did I say?

It's not right to do that to a friend!'

'…You said, a person,' Kurama begrudgingly corrects. 'Which I am

not.'

Slumping his shoulders, Naruto returns, 'I was respecting the fact that

you don't want them knowing too much about you or I would've said

friend.' Walking closer to the golden gates, Naruto reminds the great

beast, 'and Nai-chan only said she needed a break. If anything's

wrong, I know she'll tell me.'

'That was too long ago,' Kurama complains, taking a seat and resting

his head on his paws inches from the gate.

Groaning, Naruto begins to say, 'it hasn't even been a week-'

'Don't pretend you're not restless,' Kurama accuses the blond.

Naruto avoids Kurama's eye as the chakra beast continues to say, 'I

can't imagine you'd make so much progress in your Sage training

if you didn't have a plethora of pent up energy.'

'Yeah, well, I didn't think I'd be so… wired,' Naruto sheepishly admits

before insisting, 'even still! That's no reason to take advantage of

Temari-chan.'

'I can't trust anything you say,' he angrily retorts. 'Rectify the

situation. Seek the advice of a professional if you must.'

'Fine, I'll…' Naruto pauses for a moment, thinking about a professional

sociologist who can help; an awesome person who didn't deserve his

backlash. 'You know, I should probably see Mabui-chan again. It wasn't

fair of me to just walk out on her like that. Plus, it really looked like she

didn't know.'

'I prefer Jiraiya,' the great beast proposes.

Pointing a stern index finger at Kurama's large red eyes, he bellows,

'I'm not asking Ero-sennin about Nai-chan!'

Leaping on all fours, Kurama bares fangs as he contends, 'you see!

There you go again, making all the decisions! And now we're

absent any mates to sex with!'

Lulling his heavy head lower than slumped shoulders, Naruto groans,

'ugh, will you please stop talking like that…'

MABUI

Mabui wasn't surprised to see the orange-clad blond looking through

the aisle, likely searching for her. She'd been at their table for nearly an

hour before getting up to look for him. Walking back from the entrance,

she assumes she must've missed him, but he sees her now and walks

directly to her. Mabui was surprised that he was alone. Possessing an

item that belongs to a lost clan was a risk. Naruto could've gone to his

Hokage and she would've met a squad of Anbu, rather than her

handsome genius.

After they greet each other, it feels slightly tense and stuffy, prompting

Mabui to suggest they go outside. After collecting her things, she takes

him to a restaurant that immediately refuses Naruto service. Though

Mabui wanted to argue, her alluring hair, skin tone, and appearance

already draw more attention than a spy would like. Offering to treat her

to ramen, Naruto creates a clone to bring their order from Ichiraku's

while they make their way to his old apartment. Though he mentioned

his cousin, Karin showing an interest in redeveloping the area, Mabui

didn't press him for more details.

They're in his old room twenty minutes later. With scattered trash,

empty needles, burned wood from a small fire, and tatted walls, the

one-bedroom, one-bath has clearly housed squatters since Naruto's

departure.

Happy about the privacy, Mabui places her hands behind her back—

accentuating her voluptuous breasts—before leaning against the wall.

She gazes at him with a small smile as she confesses, "I'm glad you

came today."

Observing her watch him brings a small smile to his face before he

humbly offers, "I'm sorry I blew up on you. That bugged me way more

than I expected."

Shaking her head, no, sways her silver bangs as she assures him, "I

understand. It's your family; your lineage. I wasn't expecting that, and

please believe me when I say I had no intention of upsetting you."

Taking a step closer to her, he affirms, "no, I know."

He's five paces away and silent for several moments. He seems deep

in thought, in a way only lost family—lost possibilities—can ever do.

Having lost her parents only months ago, Mabui softly asks, "would you

like to talk about them? Your family?"

"Uh, I don't mind, but there's not much to say," Naruto reasons. "I only

found out I had a clan a couple months back, so, I don't know much.

Apparently, they were destroyed by an alliance of other villages, but I

don't know who yet."

Chapter 302:

Recognizing the possibilities for revenge, Mabui cautiously asks, "do

you plan on pursuing this?"

"When I have more time, sure," he shrugs, not quite inspiring a lot of

malevolence. As if proving to her he's not a vindictive person, he simply

adds, "I'm pretty busy at the moment."

"I see," Mabui evenly states. Her parents died of natural causes, yet

she still felt angry. His entire clan was apparently targeted and

destroyed, yet he has better things to do. His heart is inspiring, giving

her the strength to voice, "well, then allow me to share what I know."

He takes a step closer to listen as she begins. "The first thing you have

to understand is I left my family when I was very young."

"How old?"

"Nine," she winces to admit. Immediately she comments, "I know, I

know, very risky but I knew I couldn't stay with my parents. They were

farmers, not ninja." Looking at the smoke damaged ceiling, Mabui

recounts for Naruto as much for herself, "they inherited a plot of land

from my deceased grandparents, and if they wanted the farm to

survive, they would need a son or marry me to a strong man so he can

help with the workload. Even at a young age, I knew I couldn't be like

them. I was too curious about the world with all its mysteries waiting for

me. I always had questions; questions they couldn't answer. So, as

horrible as this makes me, I left. I left them. I regretted it every day—

especially when I was starving, lost, hurt, scared, or a million of things

out of my capability—but not once did I turn and run back."

"I know what that's like; being on your own," Naruto sadly muses. "Only

in my case, it was the orphanage that I left. I was nearly six when I

started living on my own. How'd you survive?"

Her shoulders sway in line with her rotating head shake as she

answers, "I stole a little, did odd jobs, but before it got too bad, I tested

into a boarding school. My parents were not educated. They could

work the land well enough, but, philosophy, literature, fūinjutsu,

ninjutsu, math, science, a number of studies I wanted to know about

went right over their heads. As much as I loved them, that place was

suffocating for someone as curious as me."

Nodding, he then asks, "so you lived in school?"

"They tested for academics and military aptitudes," Mabui details.

With a competitive smirk, he boldly asks, "how'd you do?"

Smiling, she brags, "in the top percentile for logistics, memory, and

clinical & social dynamics, and in the top ten percent for chakra use

and control." Impressed, Naruto whistles before Mabui curtsies with a

smile and continues. "As interesting as being a kunoichi sounded—and

they really pushed me toward it—I didn't have high chakra reserves.

Ultimately, I decided the pen was mightier than the sword and joined

the academic world instead of the shinobi one."

"You must've trained a little," Naruto questions. "You don't feel weak at

all."

Mabui easily avoids that land mine by asking, "have you been feeling

me up without my knowledge, Naruto?"

"That's not what I mean," he bellows affronted yet with a small smile.

"I'm just saying, I can sense you're at least a strong genin level."

"Well thank you," Mabui cutely bows. "Practicing Fūinjutsu helps but I

also do a daily workout regiment that an old boyfriend taught me. It

includes several chakra control exercises. And I was taught from a

young age that you shouldn't neglect the body or chakra to train the

brain. They're symbiotic and you need to train them rigorously to be the

best."

Naruto's smile flattens as he thinks to cautiously ask, "did you ever see

your parents again?"

Inhaling deeply, she crosses her arms as she answers, "I did." Feeling

a pang of regret, longing, loss, her voice sours as she elaborates,

"after I graduated, I went back a few times… sent them ryō every

month. They were… cordial, for the most part, but, it wasn't hard to

sense how betrayed they felt."

Sensing her distress, Naruto takes another step forward as he gently

asks, "did they ever forgive you?"

Rather than trust her voice to answers, a misty-eyed Mabui simply

shakes her head, 'no.' Mabui couldn't ignore the benefit to the mission

hugging Naruto for support is, but deeper than that, she simply wanted

a hug. His strong arms wrap around her body, making her feel safe and

warm. Resting her head beside his, she softly voices, "the last family I

had died resenting me… and that was the price I paid to be who I am

today."

"…We all pay a price," Naruto voices into her light-gray hair.

After several moments of warm embrace Mabui takes a step back,

leaning on the wall as she continues to inform the blond, "the only

other thing I remember about my family is my father's brother; I never

liked him. My uncle was a shinobi but I don't know where. He visited a

couple of times a year until he died. If anything he's the likely culprit for

how that jutsu ended up with my parents. I can only assume he found

or stole the jutsu since he was never a big name."

Nodding in acceptance, Naruto then asks, "anything else?"

"If I knew more, believe me, I would tell you," Mabui assures him.

Having already pondered this conversation, a hopeful Mabui asks,

"what would you like to do with your family scroll? I won't lie to you and

say I wouldn't like to keep it, but, I know it belongs to you."

"I'll have to talk to my cousin about this," Naruto responds. "I'll let you

know what we decide."

Though Mabui didn't like his response, it's to be expected. She can

only work to convince him in the future, which is why she's planned for

this, calling out, "oh! There was another reason I was happy you

came."

"Oh," Naruto starts, perking up as he asks, "what?"

Mabui pushes off the wall and slowly walks around the curious blond,

adding more sway to her hips and keeping her hands clasped behind

her back as she slyly asks, "do you remember how I said I'd try and

come up with a helpful strategy for you to be a little more confident and

polished with the polyamory lifestyle?"

"No way," Naruto gasps, turning in place to keeps his large eyes on

her. "You came up with something?" Her beautifully symmetrical face

nods with a proud smile on her pink lips. "That's great! I actually just

told a girl about it and that did not go well, at all."

Chapter 303:

Though it's surprising he'd try, the result isn't. Quite fortunately for the

blond, this mission, Samui, and especially Darui pissed her off. She

wasn't normally a vindictive person, but this whole situation was a lose-

lose scenario and she was going to share the wealth. "That's to be

expected," Mabui answers him, lining up her plan. "This lifestyle isn't

for everyone. It takes a special acceptance a lot of people can't

approve of on an emotional level."

Nearly hopping in place, his closed hands are in front of him as he

rapid-fire asks, "so what is it? Do you have time? Can you tell me

now?"

"Yes, yes, and the strategy is very simple," she assures him. "It's

called, practice."

His expression flattens before he quirks his brow and skeptically

sounds, "huh?"

"Obviously, the big challenge with this lifestyle is how unpopular it is

and the stigma behind it," Mabui orates like a sensei. "To many looking

in, you would appear as little more than a playboy who only wants to

sleep around with many women and is afraid of commitment. This

means that you have to know—deep down—why this is the lifestyle for

you, and that's not going to happen without some good ol' trial and

error."

"Okay, that makes sense," Naruto agrees before requesting, "but

what's the strategy specifically?"

Pulling on his loose orange sleeve, Mabui looks affronted by his attire

as she asks, "do you own other clothes- nice clothes?" Quickly adding,

"I mean something dressy."

Looking down at his beloved orange and blue jumpsuit, Naruto

hesitates to answer, "I… I'm going to say no. Why?"

Considering what he likes to wear, she can't imagine his fashion sense

has matured enough to dress appropriately for her plans and mentally

decides to help him find an outfit as she answers, "because, tomorrow

night, you and I are going out on the town."

INO

After telling Naruto he can enter, her blond stud walks into her room,

instantly making her remember the last time he was there and how he

forgave her; wrenching a little more happiness to her day. They greet

each other casually as Ino stands from her desk and when she settles

the wrinkles from her purple mini-skirt and crop top, she notices him

sneak a quick look. Fortunately, she always dresses to captivate the

eyes, so it's not as if she was trying to seduce him, but she appreciates

his quick gaze to her naked midsection. She unfurls her ponytail to give

him a better look before taking a seat on the floor ahead of the short

table at the center of her room. Taking a seat opposite her, Naruto

asks, "what's up?"

Without the third party member of her plan, Ino instead asks, "did you

talk to Karin yet?"

"Yeah and thanks," Naruto replies with a broad smile. "She's pretty

excited about the whole thing."

"You don't have to thank me," Ino assures him with a shrug that sways

her platinum blond bang. "That's what friends are for. What'd you tell

her?"

Leaning back on his arms, Naruto recounts, "I told her it sounded great

and she can do whatever she wants."

Snickering a second, Ino asks, "just like that?"

He shrugs as he responds, "I trust her."

Grinning, she jests, "well aren't you just the most amazing clan head

ever?"

Rhetorically, he asks, "was there ever a doubt?"

"Just don't leave her with all the work, you know," Ino verbalizes. "What

she's taking on is a lot of work, reading, and meetings. Delegation is

part of the job as Clan Head, but you also have to be with her every

step of the way."

Palming the table with energy, he implores, "are you kidding? I made

sure she knows to bring me in on everything that comes up; I don't

care how small. Even now, I got one clone in line at the Council's

Housing and Building Safety Department, one waiting in the Area

Planning Commission for Wood District, one in Power and Water, and

since she said we need a contractor to talk repairs, estimates, and…

what did she call it… appraise! We need a contractor to appraise it, I

sent a clone to a builder I know in Wave. Hopefully, he can help."

"Wow, you're a one-man army," Ino deputizes, adding, "property

developers beware." Enjoy his snicker, she then asks, "what's Karin-

chan doing?"

Naruto immediately laughs, making her increasingly curious until he

finally explains, "Karin's super pissed right now!"

Absorbing his fun energy, she leans in as she jovially asks, "why?"

"I got a clone with her too," Naruto starts. "They first went to the

Civilian Council building to ask about buying a foreclosed business.

Someone there told them they had to go to the auction house that the

Council outsources to. When they get there, someone tells em the

auction house doesn't accept any bids on property without proof of

funds. So, they had to run to the bank and open an account for our

clan then transfer the ryō into. After running back to the auction house,

their files said that the apartment we want to bid on is listed as an

REO, which means—get this—that it's owned by the village! So they

had to race back to where they first started! The last I checked in, Karin

was banging her head against the wall while waiting in line."

Ino covers her mouth to hold in her snickering, then shakes her head

remorsefully as she expresses, "I'm sorry, that's not funny."

Restrain his smile to a weak grin, Naruto admits, "it's a little funny."

"Maybe," she timidly admits. Shaking her head and lovely silk hair, Ino

hastily orders, "but get her something nice for all her hard work."

"I'll pick her up some okonomiyaki later," he answers with a nod.

"Since you're basically the Hokage of Helping, I'd like yours, if you

please- that is, I hope you'll help. You don't have to if you don't want

to-"

"I want to, Ino," he assures her with that honest face she loves to see.

Just for them, he adds, "we've come a long way, so, lay it on me."

"It's about Sakura," Ino begins.

"Is she still staying with you?"

"Yeah."

"How's she doing?"

Disgruntled, Ino sags as she honestly answers, "ready to collapse any

day now if she doesn't rest."

"Yeah, she's pushing herself harder than I've ever seen," Naruto glumly

voices. "But she's getting really good with her Iryō-ninjutsu. Ji-chan let

her make a copy of one of an advanced text, so she's learning a lot."

"Good," Ino replies. "That's good. It's not like I want her to stop. I'm

thrilled she's getting stronger, but, she can't keep going like this; not

without some relief. Something's gotta give."

"What do you have in mind?"

Chapter 304:

"All that stress, building day after day," Ino voices. "I think she'll be fine

if we help her vent a little. She needs a good, solid break to recharge

or she's going to hurt herself." At Naruto's mellow chuckle, a curious

Ino asks, "what?"

"Nothing," he assures her with a smile before explaining, "it's just, you

two used to fight ALL the time in the Academy; like, every day, non-

stop. And now, you're super worried about her."

"Always have been," Ino replies with a smirk before affirming, "I'm sure

I can speak for the both of us when I say we've grown a lot since then."

Nodding his head, Naruto then asks, "what's the plan?"

"You," she quickly answers with her casual confidence, making him

sound, "huh?" The front door downstairs opens and Ino smiles as she

answers his curious gaze, "hold that thought. She's finally back."

Looking at her suspiciously, Naruto deepens his voice to rumbling as

he asks, "Ino?"

Lifting her palms submissively, Ino admits, "I want to help and I don't

want to go behind her back to do it, honest. When it comes to the two

of you, I want to be as open as possible, so I invited her too."

Walking in without knocking, Sakura listlessly communicates, "sorry,

I'm late-" before realizing her teammate is also in the room. "Naruto?"

"Yo," Naruto calls out.

"Take a seat," Ino offers with a hand.

Lethargically, Sakura plops down in the space west of Ino and Naruto's

north and south as she asks, "what's going on?"

"Not sure," Naruto replies lean back on both hands as he adds, "this is

Ino's show."

A worn-out Sakura jokes, "should I be scared?"

"Ha ha," Ino flatly jests. Boldly, she tells her pink-haired friend, "I'll get

straight to the point. Sakura, I'm worried about you and I want to help."

With tired eyes lazily landing on Ino, Sakura asks, "why? I'm fine-"

"You're not fine," Ino interrupts. "You're overworking yourself, but that's

fine. I didn't ask you here to stop or even slow you down." Sakura

seems happy to hear that before Ino confesses, "both of you know I did

terrible, unforgivable things-"

"Stop worrying about that," a tired Sakura gripes. "I already told you

lets just move forward."

"We've forgiven you," Naruto assures her.

But Ino can't forgive herself just yet, replying, "regardless, I won't

forget. What I did was immoral and my remorse has entitled me with

the responsibility of helping you both whenever I can. It may always be

like this so get used to it."

"Soooo," Naruto slowly voices, looking from Sakura to Ino and back.

"Basically, you're saying we're friends," he finishes.

Slumping, Ino tries to reply, "No, I'm saying-"

But she's interrupted when Sakura tells Naruto, "that's what it sounds

like to me."

Turning to Sakura, Ino rebukes, "it's more than-"

Naruto casually interrupts to tell Sakura, "she took a long time to say

something that's so obvious."

"That's Ino for you," Sakura replies. "Always over-thinking things."

Amused by them, annoyed by them, and amused by how annoyed she

is by them, Ino simply smiles in gratitude at the playful teammates until

Sakura eventually asks, "so this was about helping me somehow?"

"This is about giving you that thing you wanted," Ino cheekily returns.

Drawing a blank, a confused Sakura asks, "what thing?"

"I'm sure you remember, what with your memory," Ino casually

remarks, enjoying the anticipation before her bomb. "It was a few

weeks back, the night I told Naruto everything."

"The night…" Suddenly Sakura's eyes popped wide in surprise. "Ino!

No!"

"What, what is it," Naruto asks.

Ino starts to tell him, "Well, Sakura demanded I let her have se-" But

Sakura rushes over the table to clap her hand over Ino's smiling mouth.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. Don't listen to her," Sakura desperately insists

of Naruto. With rough hands over her lips, Ino simply eyes the pinkette

with all the confidence of a queen. The self-proclaimed sisters have

long since been able to communicate with eye contact alone, and

looking at Ino's pupil-less blue eyes, Sakura just knows, asking, "you're

going to tell him anyway, aren't you?"

With her ability to speak incapacitated, Ino nods once. Sakura groans

and huffs loudly as she slumps back into her cushioned floor. The

pinkette begins to blush and fixes her gaze downward, avoiding either

blond.

"I'm so lost," Naruto bemoans.

"Sorry," Ino brightly calls with a pretty smile. "As I was saying, Sakura's

working hard and I feel that qualifies her to play hard too; really hard."

"Things are different now," Sakura weakly protests.

"The only thing that's changed is Naruto isn't my boyfriend," Ino hates

to admit. "But even if he was, I'd still ask for you."

"But-"

"But nothing," Ino heatedly cuts her off. "You need to relax! Time for

leisure is in the schedule you wrote for yourself. But if you can think of

something better than that-" she asks, pointing a casual thumb at a

bewildered Naruto, finishing, "I won't ask him for you."

"I… He…" Sakura blushes profusely and Ino understands why.

Masturbation feels good and it's efficient; sex, in general, feels good

and though she's never been with anyone else, she's sure she'll enjoy

it. After all, she loves talking to the older women in the bathhouses and

her more experienced cousins, and the topic generally always revolves

around clothes, men, and sex. Asking them discrete questions about

the average performance is how Ino knows sex with the blond stamina-

freak is on another level.

"I'm still lost," Naruto's voice chimes in.

Proudly, bluntly, Ino assertively decrees, "I want you to have sex with

Sakura."

Sakura's entire body glows red with capitol embarrassment as Naruto

looks from Ino to Sakura, to Ino and Sakura again before he admits in

a daze, "…I'm even more confused now."

Rolling her eyes, she huffs, "Kami, Naruto, what's the confusion?"

Using her hands to create simple visual aids, she conveys, "you put the

P in the V until she O's. It's nothing you haven't done before."

"That's not what I-" Naruto cuts himself off to then try by asking, "how

are you okay with this? It's not- Isn't this like… a thing girls don't do?"

In support of her teammate, Sakura yells as well, "yeah, you! I thought

you-" But when she catches Naruto's clear blue eyes, the blushing girl

quickly turns away as if physically pained in her stomach to be

observed.

Chapter 305:

Not bothered by their curiosity, Ino casually answers, "I'm okay with this

because—not to sound too sentimental here—I love you both. Naruto

means as much to me as Sakura does, and after everything the three

of us have been through, this sort of just became okay." Turning to

Sakura, she explains, "you're the sister I found—the sister I hurt—so,

as long as it's you, then having Naruto go balls deep in you doesn't

bother me."

Returning her regard to the conversation, a wide-eyed Sakura looks

between Ino and a flabbergasted Naruto. It's clear to Ino that the

pinkette is thinking emotionally when she asks her, "but, what about

you and Naruto?"

Turning her gaze on Naruto for a moment, Ino then answers Sakura,

"I'm still in my self-imposed dog-house. I can't worry about that right

now. I just want to help. You need some much-needed relief and I'm

sure Naruto's been frustrated having to go without for so long." Looking

at Naruto, she adds, "in the future, if it feels right, I'm going to ask you

out regardless of who you're sleeping with."

"If he says yes," Sakura begins to ask. "You'd still be okay with me and

him…" Sakura blushes furiously as she avoids eye contact with a

lightly blushing Naruto.

Ino smiles as she honestly answers, "yes, Sakura."

"And if he says no," Sakura suggests.

"If you're afraid of rejection, then you've already lost," Ino flatly and

casually announces. "So, here's the logistics. Sakura's training

regiment gives her an hour a day for recreational activity; to

decompress from the buildup of the day's fatigue. Naruto—for her

recovery—I want you to smash in her guts real good for every second

of that hour-" In sheer embarrassment, Sakura groans, "for the love of

Kami," as Ino finishes, "till she's gushing out globs of your baby-gravy.

You guys can decide when the best time for yourselves is. Any

questions?"

"Can you kill me now," Sakura chimes.

"Sakura," Naruto softly voices, gently calling the pinkette's attention. "Is

this what you really want? I thought you didn't… want a relationship

with me."

Sakura couldn't look him in the eyes for long and turns away as she

struggles to say, "I… I'm not the same girl I used to be. I'm not saying I

love you romantically, but, you're my teammate and I like to think we've

grown really close."

"I think so too," Naruto proclaims with a small smile. "I love being your

teammate and I know you'll get even stronger. Hell, you even heal me

now instead of just Sasuke."

Sakura quickly snorts before taking a deep breath and admitting to

Naruto, "I did ask Ino if we… if you and I could… have sex again…

regardless if you were her boyfriend."

He lightly asks, "why?"

"Ugh, don't make me say it," Sakura groans in agonizing

embarrassment.

"Because you rocked her world," Ino chimes

"Ino!" Getting up, Sakura calls out, "that's it, I'm leaving! I'm way too

tired to survive this degree of embarrassment-"

"Wait," Naruto quickly beckons, holding out his palms in hopes she'll

stop. She's halfway to the door but she doesn't leave. Naruto turns to

Ino and asks, "I'm assuming your asking because Sakura wouldn't?"

"Naturally," Ino hums with a short bow.

Naruto then asks, "would you care if either one of us said no?"

"Not at all," Ino honestly assures them. "This is just me trying to be

helpful."

For ultra-precise clarity, Naruto finishes by asking, "helpful like this

because Sakura and I have already had sex?"

"As in, I'd never set Sakura up with some rando," Ino assures him. "I'm

only presenting this option because you two have already done the

deed and still care about each other." Though he didn't need to, he

nods to her and she can tell he's not doing so because of the sex, but

the respect. Ino wasn't thinking in terms of moves or angles, but simply

helping a friend, wild though the suggestion may be.

Turning to his pink-haired teammate, Naruto asks, "first, you have

nothing to be embarrassed about. I don't want you to be uncomfortable

talking about this but I'm more worried that you're being pressured in

some way."

Sakura is rosy pink, but she doesn't leave and Ino can see a

tremendous struggle raging within her. Not unsurprisingly, the pinkette

turns her tortured gaze on Ino and she knows precisely why. It's the

same reason she thinks of Kurenai when she's conflicted; a sense of

comfort and realization that leads to a decision. A decision Ino can tell

Sakura made when her beautiful green eyes get a little braver before

telling Naruto, "you don't have to worry about that. I'm not being forced

into anything. I did think about having sex again, but, I quickly

concluded that if I don't have the time in my schedule for a loving

relationship, then it's just about sex. And the idea of starting something

so important with someone just for that felt…"

"Cheap," Ino finishes.

"Yeah," Sakura projects. "If sex is as important as love then it should

mean more. And without someone like that, I just decided to focus on

my training."

Naruto nods before he asks, "am I… can you see me like that? I know

it's not love, like in love, but, would you really be okay with me?"

Sakura turned her beautifully hot face away as she answers the blond,

"I… did enjoy it. So, yes."

Naruto hesitates to ask but does. "And Sasuke?"

Ino hasn't felt the same about the raven-haired avenger since he

threatened Sakura's life and the lives of her parents, and most

crucially, when he nearly murdered Naruto. Her stock in Sasuke

dropped dramatically after that, but Sakura visibly shook before

sagging. "Well, I can't exactly save my virginity for him, now can I," she

responds before adding with some torment, "and you know him. If it

has nothing to do with 'killing a certain man,' then not even his

Sharingan can see me like that. I just… you're my teammate, Naruto,

and my friend, and… we've already done it, so I know… I know you

can do the job."

"Repeatedly," Ino adds.

"Ino!"

Chapter 306:

To Ino's surprise, Naruto becomes pensive. It's unexpected that he

would take so long to think about this. But when her thoughts recite the

pros, 'sex, Sakura, no strings attached-' she suddenly realizes why he,

of all boys, would hesitate to agree. Kurenai-sensei already told her

Naruto values bonds over meaningless or artificial relationships.

Sakura is getting antsy by the length of silence when Ino interjects,

"Naruto, you helped me when we didn't have a friendship and I've

grown to really value what we have. Sakura's your friend and

teammate; if you help her with this, I don't think it'll harm your

relationship. If anything, as long as you're both honest with each other,

I think it'll bring you closer." Sakura's green eyes have always been a

joy for Ino to see. Since they were little girls, Ino's always wanted

Sakura to look at her like they do now, in subtle awe and admiration.

"Okay," Naruto agrees. "As long as everyone doesn't feel left out or

taken advantage of, I'd be happy to help."

Sakura smiles for a split second before hiding it and declaring, "as you

should be!" Ino smirks as the pinkette mirrors the same reaction she

had when she asked Naruto for help. Ino holds in her amusement to a

smile as Sakura tries to retain some dignity by declaring to the room,

"Kami, I can't believe how backward this is. Where has the romance

gone?"

Ino smiles even wider when Naruto takes Sakura's hand and pulls her

to him so she's flat against him, torso to torso, pelvis to pelvis. A

surprised Sakura can only yelp before he grips her toned hips and

effortlessly lifts her off her feet so she's looking down into his fearless

blue eyes before assuring her, "don't worry, Sakura. I may only be

helping, but for that hour, you're my one and only hime-sama."

Ino hasn't felt such a sharp spike of arousal since the night she

confessed her misdeeds to Naruto. She thought that stirring, craving,

yearning feeling was gone, but watching Naruto take charge of

Sakura's fit body sent a thrill through her. She was hot at the sight of

Sakura blushing and both Kunoichi tightened their hot legs together.

KURAMA

Leaving Ino's home, Naruto leaped from building to building and

Kurama was thrilled by the turn of events, laughing his large furry head

high to the dark ceiling and the consciousness above.

'HAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAHAH!'

Annoyed, Naruto's voice reverberates throughout the chamber. 'You

know, it's super distracting having your commentary in my ear while I'm

trying to have a conversation.'

Not bothered, Kurama returns with just as much annoyance, 'do you

know how infuriating it is to listen to you reject a perfectly willing

mate? You should be grateful I didn't try to rip this cage open.'

'You and I need to have a serious talk about boundaries,' Naruto

replies.

'Yeah, yeah, I'm taking a nap,' Kurama grumbles

TENTEN

After opening the back access door of the Ten Out of Ten weapons

shop for the blond, Haku leads the personable Naruto to the apartment

upstairs. Spotting Tenten seated at the table, Naruto calls out to her,

"yo," before looking around the two-bedroom apartment. Tenten knows

her simple furniture and decor isn't much but he seems impressed.

Rather than reply to the man she'll be intimate with, she gives him a

short nod before focusing on the hot tea in front of her.

Looking around, Naruto comments to Haku, "I can't believe you're

living here now."

As Haku grabs the teapot from the center of the table and pours Naruto

a cup, he replies, "if I'm going to help Tenten, this is for the best."

The entire time, Tenten is staring at her steaming beverage, she's

wondering about the blond; all the rumors the other shops spread, his

hard upbringing, beating a monster like Zabuza, and still finding it

within his heart to rescue her and her father. It isn't difficult to admire

someone like that, but it conflicts with a boy who approves of Haku.

Tenten doesn't know what it is about beautiful boys who treat her so

frivolously, but she's starting to dislike it.

Tenten was so deep in thought, she missed Naruto taking a seat in

front of her and asking, "Tenten-chan? Are you okay?"

Sitting up straighter, she nods weakly while answering, "I… yeah."

Haku takes his seat at the table as he begins saying, "I know you're

busy with your training, but I was hoping you could spare some time to

help me train Tenten."

"No problem," he quickly replied. "Just let me know when you want to

spar."

Tenten tries not to take offense when Haku replies, "that won't be

necessary right now. I'd like you to help in another way."

"If I can, you know I will," Naruto assures them.

"As you already know," Haku begins. "Traveling with Zabuza-sama

since boyhood, I came across many types of shinobi. Some fearsome,

some frightfully strong, others inept, and in your case, surprising and

steadfast ninjas. Due to these encounters, I've been able to extrapolate

a baseline of what the proper mindset might be to reach a superior

level of success. I'd like you to help Tenten reach that mental fortitude."

Hearing Haku explain it like that in front of Naruto somehow feels a

little different than when he explained to her when they were alone;

Tenten nearly believed it had nothing to do with pimping her out.

Naruto's puzzled countenance ends when he asks the bun-haired

brunette, "is it like building up your confidence? Because I've helped

with training like that."

"Even I don't know what this is," Tenten answered, which isn't

completely true, but Tenten wants to hear what more Haku will say in

front of their supposed master.

"I don't know if you've observed this yourselves," Haku continues. "But

I've come to believe that much of the education a shinobi gains comes

well before they first pick up a kunai or mold chakra. It's hard truths. In

many, if not all, of my encounters with strong shinobi, the painful

education one receives from life's negative experiences, often leads

them down the path of greatness, whether good or bad. My childhood

was far from ideal, as was Zabuza-sama's, and Naruto-sama's, and

many other exemplary shinobi."

Chapter 307:

Feeling blindsided, a confused Tenten demands to know, "that's what

you're basing this on?" Even if she didn't know all the shinobi in the

village, she knew of one eternally youthful shinobi who's exceptionally

strong. With fierce brown eyes, Tenten declares, "my sensei didn't have

a horrible past and he's one of the strongest shinobi in all of Konoha,

rivaling Kakashi-sensei. There! Your 'observation' is wrong!"

Haku didn't seem bothered. Instead, he was surprised and that

bothered Tenten before he asks, "you're his student and yet you don't

know his past?"

Confused, Tenten cautiously asks, "know what?"

"Your sensei may be flamingly optimistic, but his past is no exception to

my theory," Haku calmly claims. "Sometime after the Third Shinobi

World War, the Seven Swordsmen of the time, Fuguki Suikazan, Jinin

Akebino, Kushimaru Kuriarare, Raiga Kurosuki, Jūzō Biwa, and two

others, cornered a Konoha team in the forest; your sensei among

them. A young Might Guy and his team were rescued by Might Duy—

his father—who fought all seven swordsmen by himself using an

unknown, yet substantially powerful technique. Out of seven, only

Fuguki, Jūzō, and Raiga survived and not without heavy injures."

"Wow," Naruto sounds. "I didn't know Guy-sensei's tou-chan was so

strong."

"While Guy-sensei and his team ran, his father fought to protect them

and died," Haku educates Tenten.

Defensively, Tenten questions, "how could you possibly know that?"

"Before Zabuza-sama," Haku starts. "Kubikiribōchō belonged to Jūzō

Biwa, who suffered lasting damage from his battle with Might Duy.

Before Jūzō lost his sword and his life to Zabuza-sama, he confessed

what had happened and the name of the lone man, with steaming red

aura, who nearly wiped out the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. It's not

hard to imagine what leaving your father to die while you flee for your

life might feel like, Tenten; how that might push a person like the

eternally spirited Might Guy."

Tenten takes several moments to absorb this revelation,

absentmindedly asking for the sake of speaking, "have you told Guy-

sensei?"

"I've been debating if I should," Haku muses. "I wouldn't want to cause

him needless pain."

"I think you should," Naruto proposes. "If it was my tou-chan, I know I'd

want to hear it."

The sheer measure of empathy Tenten feels for her sensei only adds

weight to Haku's point and Tenten isn't sure how she feels about that.

Not only because she can't measure up in that category but also

because she can't think of another strong shinobi who hasn't

experienced horribly traumatic experiences. Defensively, she asks

Haku, "is that really the same as being forced to kill your parents or

practically being enslaved by your own family, or being an orphan in a

village that hates you, or the orphaned survivor of a massacred clan?"

"To each their terrors," Haku plainly replies. "I can't say without

speaking to Guy-sensei, but I wouldn't be surprised if his father meant

the world to him. Nor have I spoken with Hyūga Neji or Uchiha Sasuke

about their pasts but I'm certain they've matured drastically due to their

experiences. In your case, your father's an idiot, but he's still alive. I

cannot say anything about your mother, but even if I knew her story, I

don't believe it's a driving force for you."

"Maybe," Naruto hums in deep thought. "I can't say my past doesn't

push me every day to prove everyone wrong but it's a tough thing to

prove."

"I'm certain there are exceptions," Haku acknowledges. "Geniuses and

truly talented shinobi may not need a traumatizing inciting incident to

drive them. My theory is ongoing but I've yet to meet someone who

disproves it."

"Well, it's hard to live in our world without tragedy," Naruto proposes

with a shrug, making Tenten wonder how true that is and if she

qualifies. Naruto continues, "I still don't understand how I can help

Tenten-chan."

"Misfortunes are owed in large part to the inexperience and naivety of

youth," Haku begins to answer the both of them. "Trained in

challenging truths, laborious grit, and the hard work we put into the day,

even Tenten-chan can learn the theory of success. To put it simply, I

feel Tenten would benefit from stoic maturity. So, while I train her in her

physical abilities in every way I know, I'd like you to help her

experience that maturation."

Looking stunned and amused, Naruto asks with disbelief, "help with

maturity? From me? That's a new one, but, okay. How do you guys

want to do this?"

"Tenten," Haku asks.

Hesitantly, Tenten struggles to answer, "…doing… a-adult… stuff." She

can already feel her body temperature rise to prickly hot around her

armpits, neck, and forehead.

Squinting his sky-blue eyes suspiciously, Naruto repeats, "adult stuff,"

before asking, "like what?"

Swallowing audibly, a fidgety Tenten blushes as she hesitates to

answer, "full… bodied… massages… would be nice."

With a tone that's thick with accusation, Naruto asks, "Haku?" Tenten

feels a spot of hope when Naruto questions, "why's it sound like

Tenten's not up for this?"

'Maybe…' Tenten's mind wishes, hoping to get out of this.

Without a hint of guilt or culpability, Haku offers, "I suggested

murdering a few homeless people, but she refused-"

Surprised, Naruto calls, "murdering homeless! Haku!"

"It was just a suggestion," the captivating boy insists.

Turning to Tenten, Naruto begs, "I know you want to get strong, but

please don't murder anyone."

Calmly, Haku remarks to the blond, "Naruto-sama, you already know I

don't care for killing. I simply want to train Tenten-chan to the best of

my ability."

"There are other ways," Naruto argues, to which, Haku agrees.

"I'm sure there are," Haku voices as calmly as ever. "But I can't

guarantee Tenten the true strength she herself desires using those

passive methods."

Seemingly frustrated with Haku, Naruto turns to the bun-haired maiden

and assures her, "Tenten-chan, don't do anything you don't want to."

To which Haku casually comments, "yes, because the path to

greatness never encounters anything you don't want to do."

Rotating toward his friend, Naruto frustratingly calls, "Haku-"

But the blond is interrupted when Haku bows to Naruto, voicing just as

respectfully as he always does, "I know what you intend to say, Naruto-

sama, and I admire you more for it. What I'm attempting to explain is,

you already fit the theory, so you can't know what it's like without that

drive. Not everyone is ready to accept greatness without conquering

the adversity necessary to build that confidence. If Tenten graduated

the Academy in Kiri, it means the girl before you would've already killed

peers she's studied with just to survive. I don't mean to say Konoha

needs to be like Kiri. I only mean to say they expose their ninja to life

and death early and often to mold only the best. As a genin, your fight

with Zabuza-sama brought you to the line between life and death."

Turning to Tenten, Haku confirms to her, "I can't give you that because

you are still a Konoha kunoichi and there would be ramifications that

would affect Naruto-sama. But I'm giving you the next best thing I can

think of. So for the last time, choose."

Chapter 308:

Through a thick cloud of denial, Tenten can't completely disagree with

Haku. If she truly wants to be strong, he makes too many possible

points to completely disregard. But she never imagined giving up that

part of her to gain the strength. To then watch Naruto—someone who's

also suffered—come to her defense suddenly, and unexpectedly felt

galling. When Naruto proclaims, "she can choose but it doesn't mean

I'm going to help do something she obviously doesn't want to," it

provoked her. Like she needed protecting… again.

The image of Zabuza holding his butcher's blade to her neck, accusing

her of being sheep, immediately made her mortified that she'd make

such a fuss for something she'll eventually do in her life anyway. Her

thoughts debate, 'like Neji says, only fate determines who the best will

be.' However looking at Naruto, the Dead-Last of his class, she

remains confused. To her, they're all incredibly strong; 'even Lee, who

was born with a demoralizing handicap.' Neji, Naruto, Rock Lee, Guy-

sensei, Kakashi-sensei, Tsunade-sama, and so many other strong

shinobi; all with traumatizing pasts. 'And those without?' Her deductive

mind registers Sakura, Ino, Chōji, and many of the ninjas in her class,

and beyond. This reality was crushing to her dream of being praised by

grateful villagers for her ability and of men, including Neji, falling over

themselves for a date with her.

As honest as ever, Haku assures Naruto, "I've said my piece, Naruto-

sama. And were you to help or not, the request was never mine to

make."

Naruto turns to her, assuring her, "don't listen to Haku. In his way, he

means well but there are other ways of getting strong. You just keep

training, and I'm sure you'll get-"

Abruptly, Tenten stands up, pushing her chair back to loudly scratch the

wood floor. The boys look on expectantly, however, she remains quiet,

deep in thought. She wonders who she is, who she wants to be, and

the price it'll take to get there. The destination is clear but the road isn't,

and before Haku's challenge, she's never once said, 'she'd do

anything,' and truly meant it. She's fought Haku and lost, Naruto and

lost, her teammates always beat her, and she wouldn't even dream of

challenging Zabuza.

Looking at Naruto, she knows Zabuza would never call him sheep and

that twists her face in anger. It's a scary and uncertain step, but it's a

step she's forcing herself to make for the future she wants. Additionally,

she trusts Naruto, vividly remembering how she reached for him when

she was afraid Zabuza would kill her. If Haku's theory turns out to be

sound, and he's offering her Naruto to help, she feels just a tiny bit

braver.

Taking a deep breath, she tells the blue-eyed blond, "yes, I'm nervous

as hell, and scared." Her throat is so dry Tenten has to pause and

swallow. "I'm new to all this and thought I'd be married when… it's a lot

to ask, but… I won't be sheep! I'm willing to do what it takes to be

strong. So, if you can help me with this… Naruto… I'll be grateful…

like, later in life. Right now, I can't think past my anxiety."

"And if I say no," Naruto proposes.

"Don't," Tenten earnestly pleads, planting her palms on the table. "I

know we're inexperienced and that's scary, but it has to be you,

please."

Pausing for several moments, Naruto voices, "you have to promise me

you'll tell me the moment you want to stop. I want you to be sure."

"I will and I am," Tenten nervously answers.

"And you have to promise me you'll always be honest with me, even if

it's not something I want to hear," Naruto sternly adds.

It's a little shocking and uplifting to her that he would take this so

seriously. With a stern nod, she answers, "I promise."

With a clear eye toward the bun-haired beauty, Haku adds, "because

we don't go back on our word."

KURAMA

'HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA,' Kurama laughs entirely too much for

Naruto's patience. As Naruto heads home for the night, the great beast

celebrates, 'back to two!'

Rolling his eyes, Naruto retorts, 'it's not two! It's just massages!'

MABUI

Mabui used the day to recon the appropriate venue to execute her

plan. She needed a place with a spacious enough dance floor, as well

as booths for a bit of privacy. Additionally, she wanted a nightclub no

ninja frequent. The last thing Mabui needs is an interruption by a

Konoha shinobi, especially one who recognizes Naruto.

So close to the final contest of the Chūnin exam, the streets are

packed with travelers, villagers, tourists, and general nomads. With her

tight light-gray dress, Mabui takes a rickshaw to the club she picked

and arranged a booth in. It's a tight fit with the other pedestrians,

rickshaws, and carts, but she eventually spots the golden-blond hair of

the spiky-headed boy waiting for her across the street from the civilian

nightclub. The line to enter is long and curves around the building.

Stopping in front of Naruto, the blond's eye saucer as he hollers, "wow!

…Mabui-chan…" Astonished blue eyes soak in every inch of her from

top to bottom as she steps off the transportation. With her silky light-

gray hair down over her honey-toned skin, Mabui chose a light-gray,

thin strap, bodycon dress that stops three inches from the apex of her

legs to keep the allure of a two-tone contrasting visual. Mabui was

blessed with winning proportions so as long as her tight mini dress

showed plenty of her amber cleavage and thighs, her curves would be

all the seduction she needed fro her plan.

"Insanely gorgeous doesn't even come close to how amazing you

look," he praises, adding, "I mean really… talk about a knockout."

"Why thank you, Naruto," Mabui hums, gratefully appreciating the

compliment. In the crowded road, she instantly draws a lot of attention

but she ignores them to shyly tell Naruto, "you're looking exceptionally

dashing yourself. Very good fit."

Chapter 309:

Though it took her some time to convince him muted orange was better

than bright orange, she's glad that she did. The spice-orange athletic

dress-shirt that shows off his strong shoulders was a fine color to pair

with his black slacks, shoes, and vest. Mabui hates herself for doing

so, but looking at such an alluring genius, she can't help but compare

Naruto to her deceased fiance. Tensai's intellect was all she needed to

love and adore him physically, but not only was he twenty years her

senior, as a pure academic, his body was unhealthy and on the heftier

side. He'd tire before long and they couldn't try many positions. The

current genius arousing her womanhood is as fit as an alpha male can

be, filling out and thinning his attire in all the right places.

"Thanks, but I feel naked without my Hitai-ate," Naruto laments,

rubbing his bare forehead. "Plus, I don't normally think about what I

wear. Though, I did like that orange and black one we found in the first

store."

"As I said," Mabui starts, recalling the tactical black and orange jacket

and pants. "For our mission, an outfit like that wouldn't work in a scene

like this. If you like it for casual wear, you should go back and buy it."

"I think I will," he replies. Turning to the popular nightclub in front of

them, Naruto asks, "Mabui-chan?"

"Mnn?"

He candidly points out, "we bought clothes and then you said to meet

you here but you haven't explained the strategy."

"There's not much to it," she admits with a shrug, causing her fleshy

mounds to jiggle in her tight mini-dress. "You and I are going to pretend

to be a couple-"

Rounding blue eyes snap to her as he sputters, "wait, what? You didn't

mention that!"

With a grin and a shrug, Mabui lightly claims, "I didn't think that'd be a

problem. Unless… you mean I'm not your type-"

"Don't even go there," Naruto calls, waving her comment away. "There

isn't a guy on this planet who wouldn't be drooling at the sight of you. I

just- Are you okay with me? Acting like a couple means we have to be

intimate, like, physically."

"I know," she easily answers, lazily twisting her body in place. "I give

you permission to treat me like your girlfriend, and if I ever feel

uncomfortable, I'll let you know."

Humming before hesitating to ask, "so… holding hands?"

"Yes," Mabui flatly puts.

"What if I touch you, like, hugging and massaging and kissing?"

With a playful tone of voice, Mabui asks, "what if I touch you?"

He shakes his startled expression away quickly before playfully

returning, "what if I like it?"

With a light humming-laughter, Mabui happily responds, "do whatever

feels natural. If I don't say anything, assume I'm fine with it. Just don't

hesitate."

Taken aback by her permission to be intimate, Naruto has to question,

"just like that?"

"Just like that," she answers, adding, "you're a fine man, Naruto. This

may be an act but we're both single and I don't think there's anything

wrong with enjoying this."

"Wow," he moans. "Doing this for me… when you don't have to. I feel

incredibly lucky. Thank you."

Though in the middle of a deceptive mission, Mabui is thankful she

doesn't have to be dishonest when she tells him, "it's nice to know I

can return the sentiment. Since the beginning, I've felt like the lucky

one to have met you."

Naruto matches her smile before turning to the bustling nightclub in

front of them and asking, "so, what do we do?"

"First, we're going to enjoy ourselves," she insists. "You're too young to

drink and I won't have any so that just leaves dancing. Can you

dance?"

"Mnn, I've seen other people do it," he replies without embarrassment.

"It's easy," she assures him. "All you have to do is feel the music and

move with it."

"And if I don't," he wonders out loud.

"Just move from side-to-side to the beat," Mabui instructs. "We'll be

dancing together so I'll help out. Just trust me, I'll make sure you enjoy

it."

"Alright," he agrees with a smile. "What else?"

"As a sociologist," the silver-haired scholar begins to explain. "I'm

trained to understand human behavior by recognizing social cues and

interactions. So while we're having a good time, I'll be searching the

room for someone I estimate may be open to your- or for the purpose

of this plan, I guess our lifestyle, and will hear us out."

"Then I talk to them? Like, how? I've never picked up girls before."

Assuming he has next to no experience with women—especially in a

club scene—Mabui understandably enlightens him. "You're not 'picking

up' girls, Naruto. You're simply talking. It's like making friends except

the end goal is slightly different, so don't worry about it too much. Just

be a friend and if you see a chance to flatter or compliment her, take it."

As if resolving a difficult mental problem, he nods as he determines,

"well, this feels like training, so, why not?"

"Training with help," she corrects. "I may be playing your girlfriend but

I'll also coach you in real-time or steer the conversation when needed."

Ignoring the men staring at Mabui, Naruto turns to her and asks, "so

we're really doing this?"

"We are," she says, taking his hand in hers. Enjoying the warmth and

strength of his fingers, she reassures him, "and don't be discouraged if

it doesn't work out. However they react is perfectly fine and we can

always try again another night."

Intertwining their fingers, Naruto responds, "right."

If Mabui hadn't purchased a booth and bottle service the day before,

she and Naruto would've had to wait in line with the others outside due

to the influx of people packing the village and resulting businesses. The

nightclub Mabui and Samui located was closer to the heart of civilian

sectors and more upscale than she would like. Though more expensive

than a casual club, it did a better job of ensuring concealment and

anonymity. The club had three levels with bars, booths, and a dance

floor on each. All the rooms were dimly lit with many sources of low

light; a decorative light bulb at the center of the table, glow-lights at the

edges of the booth, warm lighting on the walls with lasers, strobes, and

spotlights illuminating the dance floor, bars, and small tables.

As they were led to their booth, Mabui ignored the attention she easily

drew in to enjoy the spectacle with Naruto. He didn't seem to pay any

mind to the lascivious attention she was garnering, so either the male

attention didn't bother him because he was confident or ignorant.

Holding his hand as they're led to the second floor, Mabui then realizes

he's likely enjoying the night for what it is; educational training.