Tools of the trade

Sorry, friends. I know this update was supposed to be out yesterday. All I can say is life and work said no.

I've seen a huge uptick in support for Anko, so I'm feeling like I don't want to leave her hanging. There is more to Anko and I've always liked her, so I'll try to figure something else out. Maybe she can be his bodyguard or something. Who knows! The fanfic world is only limited by imagination and bad grammar. Personal thank you to Fuyuriku for catching my mistakes.

It's about 10.6 K so please enjoy

KURENAI

Observational Log: Week:01 Day:01. 01 Days out of(/) undetermined(?)

SUBJECT: Summer Fox*¹

AGE: Undetermined*²

GENDER: Male.

HEIGHT: Confidential*³

WEIGHT: Confidential*⁴

PENIS SIZE: Beyond Average.

Reference:

According to the latest reproductive organ study published in the Journal of Medicine, the average length of an adult's genitalia is 5.6 inches(14.2cm) long with a circumference of 4.8 inches(12.2cm) when erect. The margin of physical variation does not exceed .7 inches(1.7cm). Fifteen percent of the male population is over 7 inches(17.78cm) and only three percent are over 8 inches(20.32cm).

According to the Journal of Urology, the average size of an adult testicle is measured at 4x3x2 cm and the average measure of semen per ejaculation is one teaspoon. It's noted that younger males ejaculate two or three more times than older males, however, it's only a generalization.

Observation:

Subject: Summer Fox—from here on will be referred to as SF—has been measured at 7.4 inches(18.8cm) in length when erect. Circumference measurements from tip to base when erect are as follows: Crown; 5.5 inches (13.97cm), Neck; 5.2 inches(13.02cm), Shaft; 5.6 inches(14.22cm), and Bulbous Gland(his knot); 5.1 inches(12.95cm).

The spherical erectile tissue at the base of his penis is not larger than the crown or even the widest part of his shaft nor is it always triggered. Further study is required at this point, however, the sensation it creates is so singular, it effectively aids physical sensation upon climax.

Testicle size is slightly above average, measuring at 5.2x4.1x3 cm.

Average quantity of semen per ejaculation is measured at three tablespoons.

SF has irregularly high levels of stamina and staying power. Personality and living conditions play a significant role in framing his style of intercourse; typically observed as long in duration and unyielding in intensity.

Evaluation:

The vagina SF regularly engages in sexual intercourse is measured at 3.4 inches—average for a woman of my height and weight. However, as the vagina is made for birthing babies, it's exceedingly elastic and can expand up to 200% when aroused, correcting the vaginal length of SF's partner when sexually aroused to 6.8 inches(17.2cm). Given the angle of entry, SF regularly fills to maximum capacity.

SF's crown is pronounced and the thickness of his shaft works in tandem with the crown to induce—with every stroke—a highly pleasurable dragging against the soft barbs of the vaginal wall. Considering the stage or round of intercourse, effects can range from delicious friction to mind-numbing pleasure and possible catatonia.

SF sexual appetite is ravenous and his lust is on a hair trigger, however, he always asks for some form of consent, whether it be vocal or physical. SF will need extensive training in self-restraint. Once SF is in the throes of passion, all lucidity and technique are discarded for the sake of reaching climax. While naturally-endowed advantages ensures partner's satisfaction, SF will require prolonged instructive discipline to expand his sexual ability to that of masterful.

To begin with, areas of training will include massage training, nipple and breast play, and kissing. Future education will feature oral sex and—at SF's repeated request—anal sex*⁵.

Personal Notes:

I may be starting this observational journal now, however, the bargain struck between Summer Fox and I—which has progressed to consensual sexual congress—began nearly two months ago. I will not be going over the events that's lead a woman of my standing to this unexpected point in my life. Truthfully, I still have notable reservations about the entire affair, however, I've come to realize that this ever-present concern stems more from the condemnation of society as well as reaping the disappointment of my friends and colleagues, than it does with SF himself. He's a singularity, and if this relation wasn't with him, I'm certain it would NOT have happened with anyone of his standing.

I now look to the future; as I always have. In that respect, SF has boundless potential; both in and out of the bedroom. Due to behavioral constraints imposed by our governing organization, I am hampered by how much I can influence his training as a shinobi. Taking into account that he can be in multiple places at once, I've decided to use this ability to expand his knowledge base. It's unlikely either of us would be punished if I recommended a scroll for him to read. However, without even handing him the first scroll, I know this will be a challenge for the hyperactive male. Fortunately, this is the purpose by which I live my life happily.

*¹For the purposes of anonymity, SF's Full Name will not be documented.

*²SF's age is unspecified. Public Records may have been compromised.

*³For the purposes of anonymity, SF's Height will not be documented.

*⁴For the purposes of anonymity, SF's Weight will not be documented.

*⁵I am not looking forward to anal sex. Not with his size. Toys and preparation may be needed.

Observational Log: W:01 D:03 03/?…

…Personal Notes:

SF has the kind of penis most woman wish were on taller, hotter men. Even calling it a penis feels insufficient. It truly is a cock. No other way around it. And Kami does it do the job. While Summer Fox is certainly not perfect or highly skilled, and tends to forget when he's too excited, I can't fault him too much without noting my own shortcomings. I sort of lose my own head; not as much as he does in the beginning of our session, but after round four or five, I'm mindless. It's so bad sometimes I don't even notice we've started another round without a condom… kami, the creampies…

I have a theory. It's been brought to my attention through the comments of my colleagues and though I hadn't anticipated it, it does explain the buoyant joy of it all. While the term Honeymoon Phase is generally reserved for newly formed romantic pairings due to the feelings of perfection in discovering each other, at its essence, the phrase is simply a union that shares a wildly acceptable biological experience throughout the initial stages of their coupling. While SF and I are not a pairing in any conventional way of the word—that is to say romantic in nature—we do share a bond, a connection, that's deeply gratifying and dare I say, addictive. As an emotional relationship, the honeymoon phase wouldn't apply to us, but as an honest physical union, it most certainly does.

As the most responsible of the two, I should begin to move us past this bubble of bliss. The bargain struck between SF and I centers around guidance, sexual enlightenment, and self-improvement, not numerous cream-pies, mindless orgasms, and nestled slumber*¹.

As for his knowledge base, I decided to start him with various scrolls on different Taijutsu styles. With my own team to manage and develop, I can't dedicate as much time on SF's training as I would like but it's my hope I can slowly slip in Genjutsu or Fūinjutsu theory and begin to round him out as a shinobi.

*¹Every time I wake up in his horrible bed—either before or after a round of coitus—SF is always holding me. Always! While it feels comforting and nice more often than not, I'm beginning to ponder the depth of this behavior. How alone was he?

Observational Log: W:01 D:05 05/?…

…Personal Notes:

After a week of vigorous lessons at his residence, I've had it!

While I would never use jutsu on undeserving civilians, I'm still an infiltration specialist. Henge'd as an obscure Konoha Housing Rights Division officer, I easily met with SF's landlord; a fat, balding, inbred and shoved in his unshaved face the Article Code expressly ensuring all tenants have a right to clean, habitable housing, and landlords are required to maintain livable units—ones in which doors and windows are not broken; the roof and walls keep out water; plumbing works, there are no vermin running free in the building or unit, and dispenses HOT and cold water. Hot Water!

If I have to wash off the copious amount of dried up evidence in his freezing cold shower again, I'm going to burn that building to the ground!

Lastly, the Honeymoon phase seems to still be in effect. Having learned SF is the only occupied apartment on his floor, I've become noticeably more vocal in my more mindless moments of bliss. I've instituted a day-on, day-off rule. Hopefully meeting every other day will ease the cravings.

Observational Notes: W:02 D:01 08/?

Reference:

According to the latest orthodontic study in the Journal of Medicine, the average length of an adult tongue for a male is measured at 3.3 inches(8.5cm).

Observation:

In addition to the canine trait on his sexual organ(his knot) SF also has a long tongue with observable nodules that produce above average friction when licking. SF tongue is measured above average at 4 inches(10.16 cm) in length.

Evaluation:

SF is enthusiastic with regard to licking and sucking my vagina. The exterior of his tongue provides a wonderful amount of friction. However, SF lacks awareness when picking up his partner's cues. As a result, SF has little sense of how to build toward an intense climax. Instruction should focus on pacing, the inclusion of simultaneous stimulation—nipple play, hair pull, or muscle massage—and combinations.

As his instructor, I've also explained the complexities of kissing properly: Compromising with your partner, of leading and following, of biting and sucking, of erogenous zones like the neck, earlobe, collar bone, of bringing the whole body in closer, whether it be hands on the face, neck, lower back, or my personal favorite, in my hair.

Despite obvious inexperience and repeated instruction, SF was enthusiastic throughout and eventually found a rhythm that worked well with me. Further practical experience and guidance are required.

Personal Notes:

He's noticed kissing is another one of my weak spots. There's just something about two, hot, saliva coated tongues squirming inside my mouth, against the roof or teeth, at the same time my pussy is writhing as he drills me... Without thought, my body just clamps down on his thick length and I orgasm that much harder because of it.

As such, we've spent a fair amount of time on the subject of kissing. I've revealed three personal thrills during kissing that make my knees tremble; gripping and tugging my hair, allowing me to suck his tongue as he drills me, and tasting my own juices on his tongue and lips. Unsurprisingly, our make-out sessions end with my cunt squeezing the cum out of his cock.

This was before he left.

It's unfortunate I've only spent a week with him before his team was assigned an escort mission. It was shocking to learn how they had received said mission. While I begrudge low-rank missions as much as every shinobi in the village, I would never raise my voice and demand better missions from our Hokage. I was sure SF would be reprimanded in some way shape or form, however, I've learned—after the fact—that SF seems to have a working relationship with Hokage-sama. It makes sense considering certain details.*¹

Of course, I refused to engage in our usual activity the night before his mission. As a general rule, shinobi tend to not engage in rigorous sexual activity before missions. However, I utilized the time to go over strategy and his gear, and was upset upon discovering everything he owned was worn and or old. He explained that it's all he could afford which didn't make sense. As I had plenty to spare, I gifted him a standard shinobi field pack, complete with Kunai, Shuriken, Makibishi spikes, Exploding Notes, Cable Wire, a couple Flash and Smoke Bombs, Emergency Food Pills, and an empty Sealing Scroll.

SF was through the moon, to say the least. He used the day and many clones to present me with a gift of his own, an unusual flower; dirty because of all the earth still attached, but pretty and thoughtful nonetheless*². Though he was worried about how things might change when he returned, I reassured him that I would still be here when he got back and I had no intention of breaking our arrangement.

*¹For the purposes of anonymity many details of SF's relations will be restricted.

*²Our bargain shouldn't have room for gifts, however, I allowed it given his insistence it was special, though he didn't know how. Will check with a specialist.

INO

It took Ino half a day before she simply decided to do it. Due to her age and her clan's prominence in the village, buying one made her nervous. It would certainly get around if people found out the heiress to the Yamanaka Clan, Yamanaka Ino bought a vibrator to pleasure herself at sixteen. Ino listens to enough gossip and bathhouse rumors to know that would definitely be talked about at length. Her clan would also be looked down upon. But according to her body, her fingers weren't enough to reproduce the high of pleasure she achieved with Naruto.

As a ninja, Ino found out she had nothing to worry about. She was in her bed that evening with a vibrating dildo the length and girth that most reminded her of Naruto. While acquiring the sex toy was all too easy, using it seemed to be a problem. For some reason, it didn't fit, and Ino isn't sure why. She was plenty wet. After sucking Naruto off as Sakura, she has a fairly accurate idea of his size, and yet something wasn't quite the same. Ino tried putting it in until it hurt and had to stop.

To ease her frustrations, Ino's been making do with the vibration against her clit and training harder with her team, but it's been the most confusing issue of her week. Not the only confusing occurrence. Recalling her conversation with Sakura when she dropped off her report before Team 7's mission, Ino is growing more and more confused about Naruto. Sitting at the register of her families empty flower shop gives Ino plenty of time to try and make sense of Sakura's evaluation.

"How's your training coming," Ino had asked an annoyed looking Sakura. The Yamanaka was absolutely thrilled by how disheveled the pink-haired kunoichi looks. Un-moisturized, unconditioned, un-beautified, Sakura looks like she went through an obstacle course in the densest part of the forest. Ino smiled with obvious satisfaction, clearly angering the pinkette as she adds, "I don't want either of you two slowing Sasuke-kun down."

"…I hate you," Sakura plainly spits. Though the vitriol was plain as day, Ino shrugs it off. "Do you have any idea how much that baka trains?! It's practically attempted murder!"

"It can't be that hard," Ino chuckles with amusement.

Narrowing hateful eyes on the long-haired platinum-blond, Sakura simply growls, "have you water-walked yet?"

Unsure of what Sakura is implying but unwilling to appear unaware, Ino shrugs with her response, "we'll be starting tree-walking this week actually. I'm sure we'll be water-walking in no time. Why? Have you?"

Smugness is the only other emotion the pink-haired girl showed that day as she told her, "well when you start tree-walking, you're going to feel proud when you can hold it for thirty minutes, and you should. As a student of Iryō-ninjutsu, I can tell you that's above average for ninja our age. Do you want to know how he trains… What lunacy you forced me to be apart of? That idiot fights Kage Bunshin of himself on water for hours! Everything he does is jacked up to insanity and it's killing me! It's a personal best if I only pass out once."

Ino didn't believe it. Not that Naruto. Not the Dead Last of their class. How could she? He was the most hopeless case the Academy had ever seen. If he wasn't an orphan, Ino was sure his parents would've taken him out after failing the second time. Ino even asked Asuma-sensei what's the average length of time one can hold tree or water walking. His response of, "hours," also came with a caveat.

"Just because a thing is unlikely, doesn't mean it's impossible," the gruff Jōnin-sensei told them. "This world is filled with odd and unexpected shinobi. The Nara technique of Shadow Binding is as unique as the Yamanaka techniques mind-walkers and the Akimichi techniques of body weight and size manipulation. Then there are Kekkei Genkai which is a different league of weird. You never know what you may face out there which is why teams are the most effective way to fight—to cover each other's back."

It suddenly didn't seem so impossible, though that doesn't explain why Naruto was so horrible in school. Clowning around is fine and all, but when it came time to actually doing the work, Naruto was always a failure. The blond loud-mouth was a paradox Ino couldn't ignore because she knew her mind simply wanted to think about the biggest event in her young life since graduating from the Academy. The event that turned her from a girl to a woman now made Ino hyper-aware of Naruto, despite how pathetic he is… 'or appears?' she wonders.

It almost made Ino happy when Asuma informed them he wouldn't be marrying Princess Tomoko. Not because she hadn't liked the princess when she got to meet her—Tomoko-hime even said she looked like a family member. Like many in the village, Ino was impressed by the grandeur of the royal daughter and was looking forward to the announcement of a wedding; partly because it would be such a momentous event the entire village would celebrate and also because she would get to buy a new dress.

No, Ino was happy because the news of it was more distracting than thinking about her urges. More so when she learned that Asuma apparently has a sweetheart within the village. He had come into the shop after the princess left to buy roses. Red roses. As a student of botany and flower arranging, Ino knows what red roses mean. They're the unmistakable expression of deep emotion, whether it be love, respect, admiration, devotion, heartfelt regret, and sorrow. And any florist worth their petal knows twelve roses mean 'be mine,' or 'I love you.'

Considering the princess was gone, it wasn't hard for Ino to deduce Asuma-sensei had a special someone in Konoha. Initially, it made her wonder about honor and duty to one's village. She never thought Asuma-sensei would prefer not to marry the princess until she saw his face as he purchased the roses; which could only mean he'd do it out of duty. Simply put, it was expected of him. He clearly loved whoever this woman was far more than his face expressed for Princess Tomoko. It was a salacious thrill that thankfully had nothing to do with Naruto. This distraction made Ino feel like she could breathe, and the Yamanaka heiress was desperate to know who this woman was.

Ino doesn't recall anything from the bathhouse talk or from some of the older girls working for her Clan. She had even asked Shikamaru. The pineapple-head was too bored to care but when Ino promised to wake him up every time he tried to go to sleep, he deduced Asuma's sweetheart was either a Jōnin-sensei or a Special Jōnin. When Ino asked her mother, she mentioned how reserved Asuma is about his private life, primarily due to being the son of the Hokage and that meant most of the woman seen with him never lasted.

Despite her curiosity to know the identity of this kunoichi, what was more interesting was the fact that he came back three days later and then four days after that to buy a dozen red roses, which told her he either had multiple women, or he was really really sorry to one who wasn't having it. She wished him luck the latest time he came in to purchase a dozen long stem roses.

Sitting alone in the shop waiting for any customer to come in and distract her from her medical scroll on 'Basics of Water Release,' and her unsuccessful exploration of her sexual awakening. Ino plans to try her vibrator again once her mother returns when the bell above the door finally rings, automatically making her sit up, close the scroll, and speak with practiced cheer, "welcome to Yamanaka's Flower Shop."

Ino's happy to see her mother return, though she's talking about orders with a woman she's never met—likely a potential client—which means she'll have to wait a little longer before she can run to her bed and relieve some pent up stress.

"I'll only be a few minutes sweetie," her mother calls as the pair head into the hallway leading toward the greenhouse. Assuming the potential client simply wants to see their wears, Ino guesses her mother will be five minutes tops as she starts removing her apron. As it often happens when Ino is ready to leave, the chime above the door rings again, automatically prompting Ino to cheer, "welcome to Yamanaka's Flower Shop," while at the same time hoping this won't take long.

Tying her apron back in place, Ino immediately recalls the beautiful kunoichi as Team Eight's sensei. Ino's only seen the ebony-haired sensei in passing around Hokage tower and remembers thinking, 'with her long dark locks, large red eyes, and shapely athletic body, that's a woman who stands out.' Women like her make Ino, along with other girls, wish she can grow up faster to have a body like that. "Ah, Yūhi-sensei, how can I…" Ino greets with a smile that quickly sours.

"Afternoon, Yamanaka-chan," Kurenai smiles her greeting. Before Kurenai even makes it to the register, she notices how frightened the young blond is, frozen in panic at the sight of the exotic flower in her hand. So terrified was the girl, that Kurenai began to wonder if the potted flower was a poisonous plant she was unaware of. "Ino-chan?" Kurenai calls, dispensing with the honorifics.

Ino's head snaps up to the beautiful sensei. The question of why she has a Fire Slipper Orchid, one of the rarest flowers in the world, in her possession is on the tip of her tongue when she hears her mother call out from the back. "I'm nearly done, sweetie."

Instantly Ino thinks about the deal she made with her parents; keep the profit of the rare orchid's sale or allow the Clan to try and cultivate more; which of course will take no less than fifteen years. Ino had decided not to ask Naruto if there were more orchids. She didn't want to see him. She didn't want to feel urges. She didn't want to lose control… at least not with the Dead Last. For the thousandth time, Ino thinks how much easier this would all be if her deflowering happened with Sasuke-kun rather than Naruto. Clearly, there were more Fire Slipper Orchids, and for some unholy reason, Kurenai-sensei had one.

"Where did you get that… sensei?" Ino nearly snaps, only barely recalling Kurenai-sensei is her superior and respect is due. Hearing her mother return with the potential client, Ino knows she doesn't want her mother to see the orchid. It would raise questions of who discovered this 'golden' garden that Ino didn't want to be answered. She didn't want anyone to know Naruto gave her the orchid all those weeks ago. And now, to her dread, Kurenai-sensei may answer those questions for her.

"Pl- Please, sensei," Ino begs, moving around the counter and extending her hand. "Please, please, please, can you come with me? I- we- can't…" Kurenai-sensei is clearly confused but trusts her and takes her hand. Exiting the shop with haste, Ino is shouting behind her shoulder, "mom, I'm heading out! I'll be back soon!"

Despite her panic as they rush through the market's street, Ino happens to note the ebony-haired sensei's calloused palm and couldn't help but be envious. Ino wonders how much training it would take to create so many callouses when the young sensei stops her cold.

"I feel this is far enough, Yamanaka-chan," Kurenai states, stopping between buildings at the edge of the street. "Can you tell me why we had to rush out of there in such a hurry?"

Ino looks around nervously a moment before responding, "I can… but, can you please tell me where you got that orchid?"

Kurenai eyes the girl skeptically. Clearly, there's a story here and the young Yamanaka is agitated. Still, she answers, "it was a gift, though I'm unaware of this particular orchid. Now, would you care to answer my question?"

Ino isn't sure what kind of cover-story she can come up with that would be convincing when she hears a squeal. Ino and Kurenai both turn to Ino's elated mother. She'd found them and the way Ino's stomach tightened up felt like she was kicked in the gut. "Ka-san-"

"Another one!" The normally calm brunette Yamanaka exclaims. Moving closer to the rare orchid, the Yamanaka matriarch looks from Ino to Kurenai and back before stating, "I'm fairly certain the Fire Slipper Orchid my daughter had received was from a boy. Why my daughter didn't think I would find her rushing off strange, I do not know, but I'm curious, Kurenai-sensei, are you perhaps delivering this orchid on his behalf? Would that mean you know his identity? I know my Ino-chan has reservations about the boy-"

"Ka-san!" Ino hisses.

"Ino, recall your manners," her mother warns, returning to her normally calm and collected demeanor. Ino calms down as her mother continues. "As I was saying, I realize this can feel embarrassing for all involved, however, as a mother and florist, I can't ignore such extravagant gifts."

Kurenai smiles politely before stating, "I'm unaware of the details surrounding this plant-"

"I'll explain it to you," Ino interjects. "If we can go to lunch?" One look at her mother and Ino adds, "alone please."

"Really now, Ino, for this boy to go so far…"

"Please," Ino begs her mother with both hands clasped together.

"…Fine," Ino's mother replies, before turning to Kurenai. "However you must tell me who this boy is- Not as a mother, but as a florist. Clearly, he's discovered a gold mine."

"I take it this is a valuable flower," Kurenai hazards an easy guess.

"One of the most," Ino's mother simply states.

"Well, Yamanaka-san," Kurenai begins. "If anything, I can assure you this boy does not know it's value. He simply thought it was pretty. With your permission, I'd like to take Ino-chan to lunch."

Using her mask to perfection, Ino's mother nods her acceptance, however, Ino knows she wants answers and it seems like she won't let it go. Turning to her daughter, she extends her hand, sternly asking her curious daughter, "the key to the register? You left with it." Sure enough, wrapped around Ino's elbow is the key to the cash register and the realization that she had to suffer all this because of a small bit of metal annoys Ino to no end.

KURENAI

Once the pair have settled in a nearby tea shop with the apparently valuable Orchid on the table between the kunoichi, Kurenai states, "I feel I've been patient enough, Ino-chan. How about you start with the orchid."

With a huff, Ino slowly answers, "it's one of the rarest orchids in the five nations. Taking fifteen years to bloom, the market value is as high as seven-hundred and fifty thousand ryo per stem."

Kurenai could not keep the shock from her face. 'Seven-hundred and fifty thousand ryo per stem!' Kurenai wonders if she'll ever stop being surprised by the boy. First, his chakra reserves, then Rasengan, to then learn of his nature manipulation training and of course the sex. To Kurenai, the surprise isn't simply the orchid with such an astounding value but also because Ino seems to be the girl Naruto wanted the lessons for to begin with. He'd always mention his teammate Sakura, but never once did he bring up the heiress to the Yamanaka clan.

For some reason, the obviously beautiful platinum-blond sitting before her seems to want to keep Naruto a secret from her family. If nothing happened why would such a secret need to be kept? Unless the girl doesn't want to acknowledge unexpected feelings for Naruto. It's understandable. Kunoichi of late seem ravenous over the Uchiha or the Hyūga boys. Most boys seem to dislike Uchiha-kun primarily because he has the tragedy, the wealth, a face, and natural ability that receives all the female attention. Kiba-kun, in particular, will go off on such a tirade if the Uchiha is brought up.

The two are silent long enough for the tea to arrive. In that time, Kurenai wonders what Ino and Naruto's relationship is, and so asks, "why don't you want your parents to learn about Naruto?"

Ino gags in response, which seems like an exaggeration in Kurenai's opinion, but then again, Kurenai is aware and often reminded of how effortless Naruto brings out negative reactions out of people. Kurenai is really starting to wonder what kind of life the blue-eyed boy has led. The sensei has heard and seen too much extreme behavior not to satisfy some of her growing curiosity. "You know, if you have feelings for Naru-"

"I don't have feelings for him," Ino cuts her off, adding, "who would? He's the worst in just about every way you can think of!"

'That's definitely not true,' Kurenai thinks with a tingling tightness of her legs before imagining Ino yelling that very rebuttal to Naruto. It would certainly explain why he'd want to gain more experience with girls… though, the sex doesn't make sense. He would've asked, 'how to date,' not, 'how to make girls feel good.' Unless the pair have done some physically romantic activity which Ino is extremely embarrassed and ashamed about. 'Possibly a moment of weakness?' Kurenai wonders, before asking, "how would he know to bring you this orchid?"

Again, the girl seemed dejected to answer, "a couple of months ago, he was coming back from his training in the forest and I noticed a petal of the orchid stuck on that disgusting jacket of his."

'Yes, that jacket is absolutely horrendous,' Kurenai can't help but agree.

"I never told him how valuable it was but you can probably guess how much I wanted to know every detail," Ino finishes.

'That must've been when they first started being aware of one another in a setting that wasn't the Academy,' Kurenai thought. Understanding the lengths Naruto goes to for his dreams, Kurenai wonders if Ino is apart of that future he sees so clearly. 'Maybe he's using Ino to get over Sakura,' Kurenai wonders, though quickly coming to the conclusion that isn't the type of impression Naruto reflects. "And you haven't seen him since," Kurenai wonders aloud.

"Kami, no," Ino answers with such ire, it mildly annoys Kurenai. "You're not going to tell my parents are you?"

"I'm not certain," Kurenai answers honestly. "How difficult is it to tend to this orchid?"

"Very," Ino simply puts.

"Which means it would likely die under my care," Kurenai reasons. "I need a specialist to avoid killing it. Would you prefer I deal with another florist? As a shinobi, I don't feel your parents would appreciate my taking such a rare prize to their civilian competitor."

"You can sell it," Ino suggests.

"Again, I would need a florist for their connections," Kurenai responds. "Unless you'd like me to stand in the market place trying to convince someone to spend seven-hundred and fifty thousand ryo on an orchid. Do you know what you can buy with that amount?"

"Then…" Ino grasps for ideas a couple of seconds before suggesting, "then give it to me and I'll sell it for you. Just please don't tell my parents about that baka."

Again, Kurenai is irked by the casual way Naruto is disregarded, and so assuages the blond. "I will not tell your parents, however, I will not lie to them either."

"Thank you Kurenai-sensei," Ino states with clear relief.

"I also have two conditions you must adhere to," Kurenai adds surprising the girl. With her silent nod, Kurenai declares, "one, you will take and tend to the orchid until I decide whether to sell it or not. I will, of course, pay you for the work." Though it was a gift from him, Kurenai should talk to Naruto about it. It's a very expensive gift after all and he might have different ideas for it if he knew the price. "For my second condition, you will join me for a little reconnaissance work."

She hesitates to ask, "uh, what kind of reconnaissance?"

"Intelligence gathering," Kurenai answers. "On one, Uzumaki Naruto."

"What?" she gasps. "Why?"

"I have questions that need answering," Kurenai simply states, taking a sip of her tea.

"About that idiot?" Ino asks. "What's there to know that you haven't already heard? There are all sorts of rumors about him, like, stealing, rape, and murder, but, I'm not so stupid to believe that kind of fear mongering. I only believe what I see, which is the stupid pranks he does, he's talentless, which is only worse because he's so loud and annoying about becoming Hokage."

Having heard all of that and more, Kurenai expresses her dissatisfaction. "Well, I wonder about all of that."

"Why?" Ino can't help but ask the beautiful kunoichi. "How do you even know Naruto, if you don't mind my asking? You're Team 8's sensei, so why would you care about that idiot more than Kakashi-sensei?"

"You shouldn't speculate on Kakashi-sensei's diligence toward his students," Kurenai quickly asserts before adding, "Uzumaki-kun has been assisting me for several weeks now. Interacting with him has led me to wonder about a number of things I would like clarification on."

"Like what?" Ino follows up, not at all expecting the idiot to be helpful to such a beautiful woman, but then wondering about what Sakura said of him. Ino's mind is curious and her body is pushing to delve deeper into his world.

"Like everything," Kurenai answers easily.

As Ino mentally repeats, 'it has nothing to do with him and everything to do with the deal,' Ino states in a huff, "okay."

NARUTO

'Ah, the Escort Mission to Wave,' Naru-nii recalls with melancholy.

'I'm just happy it's not another stinkin' D-Rank mission,' Naruto thinks as he walks with his team in formation around Tazuna-jiji. 'Besides, I have way too much energy,' Naruto adds.

'Yeesh, maybe it was a good thing I never had sex…,' Naru-nii comments more to himself before really thinking about it.

The way Naru-nii trails off, Naruto adds, 'how amped up I'm feeling, I'd say you were right, if you weren't so wrong Nii-san.'

Naru-nii laughs before offering, 'relax. You've got clones training right now. Dispel them when you want to feel tired.'

'That helps, but it's more physical energy than chakra energy. Nai-chan wouldn't even budge the night before I left. Like, that's so mean! And now we're walking suuuper slow when I feel like I can run all day!'

'Well, putting the smoking hot sex aside, I get having too much energy. Which is good because you're going to need it for this mission. Actually, there was something that I wanted to talk to you about.'

'What's up?'

'You remember how I said we have to be careful with some stuff? Like, if we change too much, I won't know how things play out before they happen to you?'

'Yeah…'

'This is one mission I want to change no matter what.'

'What about the future?' Naruto's concern asks, trying to calm down his energetic muscles.'You said it could be dangerous to change stuff.'

'I can still help in other ways; like with training and info on shinobi to watch out for,' Naru-nii assures him. 'Besides, I think we can both agree you're already doing stuff I've never done.'

'Okay,' Naruto agrees with a shrug. 'So what do you want to change?'

'There's a person I want you to try and save,' Naru-nii expresses. 'His name is Haku. You'll know it's him because he looks like a girl and he's got long dark hair. He also pretends to be a hunter-nin.'

'Why's Haku so important?'

'Haku is one of those shinobi who's had it as bad or worse than us. He lost his parents too and he was alone until he met Zabuza.'

'Zabuza?'

'Kiri Jōnin. Crazy strong. You'll have to be extra careful around him. He thinks he's a monster, and to some extent he is. He knows a lot about the dark side of the shinobi world but he's wrong about the things that matter.'

'What's that?'

'Friends aren't tools. Ninja's have feelings. And we're not just fighting machines for the highest bidder.'

'Why would Haku be with someone who thinks like that?'

'Because to Haku, Zabuza is like Iruka-sensei or Ji-chan. Zabuza was the first person to care for Haku and Haku will die to protect him.'

Naruto nods in understanding, making Sasuke look at him oddly. 'So how can I help him? I can't imagine anyone would ever make me change my mind about Ji-chan or Iruka-sensei.'

'You have to convince Haku that his existence DOES matter, and you have to convince Zabuza that shinobi CAN be more than tools or killing machines.'

'Yeah but how?'

'You'll figure it out,' Naru-nii simply states. 'You're me after all. I have faith in you.'

'Hmm,' Naruto's mind wiggles with suspicion at the puddle ahead.

'What?' Naru-nii asks.

'There's something weird about that puddle…'

With a lot of mirth in his voice, a humored Naru-nii asks, 'what's weird about it?'

'I don't know,' Naruto responds. 'I guess it's just weird to see a puddle all of a sudden.'

Hearing Naru-nii chuckle a bit, he then advises, 'well since you're on mission, you should definitely keep your eyes open, just in case.'

With too much energy to just wait and see, Naruto simply takes out a shuriken and tosses it with deft accuracy at the puddle. To Naruto's great surprise, a clawed hand shoots out of the dematerializing water, 'clanging' against Naruto's blocked shuriken.

'…Huh,' Naruto thought to which Naru-nii laughs and says, 'have fun using up that energy!'

Naruto didn't know what to expect from his first battle, but he's full of energy and he'd been sparring against multiple clones with Sakura's accurate tactics for weeks, making him rather calm. Despite the power aching to be released as a pair of ninja sprint toward them with deadly intent, Naruto thinks, 'thank Kami.' Without even acknowledging his team or sensei, Naruto crosses the middle and index of each hand and shouts, "Kage Bunshin no Jutsu."

Ten clones appear surrounded by thick smoke. In the distraction of the extra bodies and smoke, the sharp claws of the gauntlets cut in from the left and the right. Two clones are popped instantly, one by each attacker, yet Naruto only needed the physical extension of their weaponized hands for a couple of well-timed clones to grab each gauntlet, holding them inert for simultaneous strikes from the remaining Narutos to the body and face of both attackers. Naruto, himself felt such gratification driving the knuckles of his energized fist into the temple of one of the assassins, he wanted to do it again.

After Naruto had absorbed Sakura's pinpoint timing of attack from the clones she always commands, Naru-nii helped Naruto to quickly pick up on the trick to fighting multiple attackers at once: focus on his own openings while using his ears more than your eyes to read an attack. Shinobi ears can hear the shifting of dirt, splitting of air, metallic humming and even note the distance and timing by how fast sound reaches the ear. It's how Naruto fights all his clones two or three at a time. With Naru-nii's experienced guidance, Naruto eventually recognized a few of his own openings and learned to expect attacks and focus there.

These shinobi don't seem accustomed to such all-around continuous attack.

Like a Naruto-barrage, the second they turn one direction, a clone is striking at their blind spot. The assassins take out another two clones before two more clones throw kunai at the killer's heads, and as expected, the fast ninjas dodge, allowing Naruto and a clone to catch the thrown weapon in a sprint toward the killer's backs and stab them between the tenth and eleventh rib, directly into the liver.

Having experienced multiple times how a liver shot can incapacitate, the would-be assassins are shocked to stillness long enough for more cloned kunai to be brought up to their necks, threatening them with execution via severing the jugular.

With pressure firmly kept on the kunai in their liver, the assassins aren't in any immediate danger of bleeding out or a quick death as Kakashi calmly walks up to them, impassively congratulating his genin student. "Well done, Naruto," Kakashi says as he walks around the black-haired assassins. "Gōzu and Meizu, the Demon Brothers. Chūnin from Kirigakure."

'What did you guys do with the Demon Brothers?' Naruto asks, Naru-nii.

'Ya took care of them already,' Naru-nii asks more out of surprise. 'Man, I wish I could figure out how to see with this thing.'

'Yeah me too,' Naruto wistfully agrees.

'We just tied them to a tree,' Naru-nii recalls. 'I assume they were arrested since we never saw them again. Still, you should ask them who they're working for.'

In the deepest voice he could muster, Naruto asks, "who are you working for," while Kakashi and an irate Sasuke-teme are disarming and securing them.

"What makes you think they're working for anyone," Tazuna stiffly asks.

"Because they would've let us by if we weren't a target," Kakashi answers. "I think it's time you were open with us, Tazuna-san."

Tazuna, of course, explains the real circumstances of the mission. Team Seven were told of the destitute living conditions the people of Land of Wave is suffering due to the greed of a shipping magnate named Gatō and how he uses Gatō Company as a front for illegal dealings. "Gatō's effectively bankrupted our country with his company's monopoly on shipping and the only way to revitalize our economy is to build a bridge to the mainland."

"Naturally he wouldn't want this bridge to be built," Kakashi easily interprets. "Ma, ma, what to do… this is easily an A-Rank mission… It's likely to only get harder from here on out…"

"Please, we can't go back," Tazuna proclaims. "I have to continue! Everyone is depending on me to finish this bridge!"

After all the help Naru-nii's given Naruto, helping Haku has been the only request he's ever made, and truthfully, after hearing a bit about the supposedly girl-looking boy, Naruto would've helped him regardless of Naru-nii's request. So, Naruto shoulders his pack and easily chimes in, "we're wasting time, Kakashi-sensei. The faster we get there the faster we can help these people!"

INO

Ino was upset. No, she was angry. Outraged even. Kurenai-sensei and Ino had just left the second most popular grocery in the market—the same grocery she shops in, her clan shops in, most villagers shop in at least once or twice. While the number one grocer in the market has more product, they can be overpriced, which is why the number two spot will always have business. The number two grocer, Mitsuwa's, is also run by a retired shinobi which means active military receive discounts.

Kurenai explained the reconnaissance was a twofold plan, though she would only share the first, which was walking in the blond idiot's shoes. Ino didn't see the point, however, Kurenai mentioned Naruto—despite only earning genin rank pay—doesn't have the type of expenses that would keep him perpetually poor. So, Kurenai had entered the most popular of the grocer separately to observe, while Ino, henge'd as Naruto, shops for basics. Before Ino can get one thing in the basket, she's chased out with a broomstick… 'a broomstick, of all things!'

In the second grocer, Mr. Mitsuwa took over the tender from one of their cashiers and proceeded to charge Ino-in-Naruto's guise, four hundred and eighty ryo for a single candy bar when the price tag clearly says ten ryo. At the first word of outrage, Ino got Naruto banned from the grocery store for life.

Both Kurenai and Ino were shocked and regretful for getting Naruto banned. "Let's try not to ban him from the weapons shops," Kurenai says as they walk the crowded markets.

"Well, that asshole overcharged me by over four thousand percent for a stupid candy bar!" Ino yells, feeling an absolute need to defend herself. She hadn't even done anything wrong. More than that, Ino had done so much to avoid the blond blue-eyed boy, and now she's literally disguised as him. Ino was stressed enough. "I could buy premium steak for that amount!"

They walk the market toward their next destination. No longer disguised as Naruto, Kurenai explains to Ino as they walk, "it's critical shinobi fuel their body for maximum performance. I had wondered why instant ramen—a meal lacking many essential vitamins and minerals—seemed to be the only thing he eats. Now we know."

"I still don't see why this matters," Ino shamelessly admits. Sure she wasn't expecting to be treated like that but Naruto must've deserved it somehow. "For all we know, he probably pulled a prank on Mr. Mitsuwa," Ino reasons.

"That's a possibility," Kurenai agrees. "We're investigating because I want to know how much Uzumaki-kun is accountable for. Imagine what happened to you at Mitsuwa's happening to him all the time for no reason."

"That doesn't make any sense," Ino comments. "No one can be that mean for no reason. I'm certain Naruto's done something."

"Well let's see what we learn," Kurenai states.

Kurenai enters the familiar shinobi weapons shop, 'Ten Out of Ten,' a few minutes before Ino, henge'd as Naruto, strolls in as she imagines he does. Kurenai is greeted warmly by the man in Chinese garb. The shop's owner, Dānyī-san, is enthusiastically helping Kurenai, while Ino waits. Like Ino in her clan's flower shop, Dānyī-san's daughter also works in the weapons shop but the bun-haired girl refuses to help Ino-Naruto. Ino even calls to the girl, who only replies she's busy stocking.

Dānyī-san excuses himself from Kurenai, saying, "I'll only be but a moment, Yūhi-dono. I must deal with such a rude customer." The older man didn't have to walk far to tell Ino-Naruto, "I have nothing for you this month, so leave, boy!"

Unsure what the arrangement might be, Ino keeps it moving for Kurenai's reconnaissance, replying, "but I need to buy a field pack."

"Boy," the old Chinese man warns, heightening himself to tower over Ino-Naruto. "You should consider yourself lucky I'm even letting you buy our secondhand inventory. Without me, you'd be fishing through the recycling center for the broken and useless."

"B-But I'm a shinobi," Ino-Naruto returns. She's never heard of a shinobi weapons dealer refusing to sell to a shinobi. "I have ryo, I can buy your best!"

"These weapons are for true shinobi, not some demon Dead Last!" the man profanes. "Now get out of here before I ban you like all the other shops!"

Sure enough, every other weapons shop had violently reminded Ino-Naruto that he was banned. Throughout the day, they learned that it was not just the weapons shops but the wears, accessory, and armory shops as well. Restaurants were worse and even furniture stores were hostile. Ino couldn't believe it, yelling out in sheer frustration, "what the hell!" As they walk into Naruto's building, Ino also has to yell, "And why are we here?"

Kurenai was deep in thought, compiling a report of the day in her head as she passively answers, "the only other person he could ask to take care of Tori-chan is in the hospital, so he asked if I would feed her."

"Tori-chan?"

"A beautiful royal purple Sterling," Kurenai answers, thinking of the best feature inside his apartment, excluding the boy himself. As they ascend to the top floor, they both wonder why the hallway lights aren't on. Entering Naruto's apartment, they quickly learn the electricity is out, then eventually discover the water and power to the entire building is gone.

Even in the dark room, the Sterling wouldn't leave as Ino irately comments, "you know, it wouldn't surprise me if the landlord's charging him as much as a clan home to live in this dump."

"I'll figure out what's going on later," Kurenai conveys, hoping it's not what her brain is suggesting it is. "In the meantime, I think we gathered enough intel to move onto the second leg of the mission."

"Gathered enough aggravation you mean," Ino totes. "Kami, I was ready to kill someone! How could anyone who has the honor of selling clothes ever treat another human being like that? Fashion is beautiful and that idiot needs it more than anyone!"

"At least we're more aware of why he has so many jumpers," Kurenai adds. "The only place that would sell him an outfit has boxes of unsaleable merchandise."

"That orange garbage shouldn't exist in this world and he's selling it one at a time for as much as premium shinobi linen! How does Naruto not murder someone? And did everyone get together and just agree to call him a demon? 'Demon this,' and, 'Demon that…' It's… urgh!"

"Keep in mind this is more difficult for you because you're accustomed to a significantly different mode of address," Kurenai reminds the platinum-blond. "You're the heiress of the Yamanaka Clan and he's just an orphan no one likes. Obviously, they would treat you with more respect. Remember, he's accustomed to this… even if he shouldn't be."

"…I guess, but still," Ino argues. "That doesn't explain everything."

"Well, hopefully Iruka-sensei can help fill in some of the gaps," Kurenai tells the girl as they begin to leave.

"Iruka-sensei," Ino repeats. "Why him?"

"Aside from this 'Ji-chan' of his, Iruka-sensei is the only other person that seems to know him," Kurenai affirms. "I'll meet you at the hospital next Sunday, visiting hours."

Ino remains silent, taking it all in, and simply nods.

NARUTO

'Are you in Land of Wave yet?' Naru-nii wonders. 'I'm almost gone here.'

'Not yet,' Naruto thinks. 'Still in the fog.'

'How are you and Kurama getting on?'

'Not bad,' Naruto hesitantly answers. 'He can be pretty stingy but he had a pretty good idea I wanted to run by you.'

'What's up?'

'He wanted me to use up all my chakra on a bunch of clones to do whatever I want throughout the day, then he'll let me use his chakra instead.'

'Are you nervous about that?'

'Yeah, I guess I am,' Naruto admits. 'I mean I don't want to lose it or anything.'

'I get that, but remember, he's angry because everyone thought of him as some mindless monster only capable of hate,' Naru-nii explains. 'But I can tell you he's not terrible and his chakra's not terrible. It's up to you, though. He's your partner after all.'

'Yeah,' Naruto affirms as their group slowly advances in their little boat under the cloak of thick fog. 'I guess I just wanted to talk about it. I feel better now, thanks.'

'Anytime,' Naru-nii voices. 'I won't be there when you meet Zabuza and Haku. Remember, just because I told you what happened to me, doesn't mean it'll happen the same to you, so keep your eyes and ears open. Haku will be the one in a mask pretending to be a Hunter-nin. If you see any white rabbits, be ready.'

"There!" Sasuke calls as he throws a shuriken into the bushes, startling a few birds to take off in the air.

After checking the shrubbery, Naruto yells, "Ah! You killed a rabbit!" With big balls of tears in his saddened eyes, he quickly cradles the motionless rabbit in his arms. He looks from Sasuke to the bleeding rabbit, continuing to yell, "how could you be so cruel!"

"I- I sensed something-" Sasuke defends.

"Oh! Thank Kami," Naruto interrupts. "Usagi-chan's still alive!" Rushing over to Sakura, Naruto presents the injured furry animal, asking, "could you?"

"What am I, your vet," Sakura asks though taking the bleeding animal and working her best to heal its injury, after which, Kakashi yells, "get down!"

They all get down just before a giant sword spins lethally overhead like a tossed shuriken, filling their ears with a deafening metallic hum until it lodges itself halfway through a tree ahead. Feet land on the long handle of the large sword and the Demon Jōnin they belong too amplifies his awesome killing intent.

Despite the suffocating killing intent, Naruto moves into place with as much stealth as possible. It wasn't until Kakashi-sensei cleared the mist and told his team he would never allow his comrades to die that Naruto recalls the summit Naru-nii has him climbing toward, of the training he's killing himself over every day, and then he remembers who has worse Killing Intent than Zabuza… Kurama. Staring down the Demon Jōnin after staring down the Demon Fox suddenly didn't feel so challenging.

"Ne, you should give up now," Naruto calls out to the unmistakably strong Jōnin. "Because you're looking at the greatest Hokage there'll ever be!"

"You're acting big, wearing that headband like you're a ninja," Zabuza slowly, evilly, chuckles. "But a real ninja is someone who hovers between life and death numerous times. Only those in my Bingo book deserve to be called Ninja. Guys like you, can't-"

"So, all I have to do is beat you to deserve being called a ninja?" Naruto interrupts.

"Naruto-" Kakashi warns as Zabuza chuckles evilly.

"You should have been a comedian brat," Zabuza spits. "You would've lived longer."

"How about this," Naruto irately yells back. "How about I let you have the old man behind me," he bargains as he points to the old builder, "if you beat me. But if I beat you, I get your sword!"

"Naruto, enough!" Kakashi admonishes even as his stern red and black eyes remain fixed on Zabuza. Though Naruto feels it in his body to listen to his sensei, he also knows—through no fault on sensei's part—that Kakashi doesn't know everything.

Again, Zabuza laughs before bringing up his index and middle, activating jutsu. "A clone is more than enough for you," Zabuza states as a water clone emerges. "Kakashi, if you interfere, I'll kill the brats and the old man behind you."

"Kakashi-sensei," Sakura warily calls but isn't sure what she wants to ask. Whether it's about Naruto, them, or the mission, this is all dangerous territory and it's looking closer and closer like one of them wasn't going to survive it. While her duty kept her by Tazuna-san, she worried more about Sasuke-kun and her team.

Naruto moves away from the safety of his battle-ready Jōnin-sensei—who's stuck between the mission behind him and the assassin in front—to the clearing beside them, all the while the water-clone is eying him. Naruto takes out prepped kunai for each hand, spinning them in the air before gripping them in a fighting pose. The water-clone rushes to the blond, and as a taller faster adult, he was on Naruto in a second, bringing down the clone of his large sword with scary speed. Naruto smiles as the sword slices down for the kill before speaking, "boom."

Both Naruto and Zabuza's water clone explode, surprising some longer than others. Kakashi and Zabuza were able to sense the kunai being thrown from the bushes at the original Demon of Hidden Mist, and when Zabuza blocks it, Kakashi and his Sharingan are on him. Though Zabuza stops Kakashi's kunai to the neck with his bare hand, a couple of shurikens thrown low and from Zabuza's blind spot are embedded in his leg.

"It's over," Kakashi harshly states as he locks Zabuza's injured arm in an arm grapple before expertly breaking it at the elbow then immediately follows up with a strike to the rogue Kiri-nin's nose. Despite a broken nose, the Kiri-nin rolls back with the force, attempting to gain some distance, but Kakashi is far more mobile, never letting up on the constantly retreating Kiri-nin until the half-naked ninja is leaning heavily against a tree, visibly exhausted with a kunai deep in each limb.

Before Kakashi can execute the killing blow, two senbon stick the eyebrow-less assassin in the neck instead. Turning to the direction of the senbon, the mostly stunned group find a masked ninja with long black hair standing calmly on the long branch of a tree. Naruto emerges from the bushes as Kakashi checks Zabuza's body, asserting, "definitely dead."

"Thank you very much," said the sweet voice of the hunter-nin. "I've been waiting for the right moment to kill Zabuza."

"Uwah," Naruto bemoans, looking at the senbon and thinking, 'so, this is Haku.' "That's a hell of a shot."

"He's a Tracker-Nin, from Hidden Mist," Kakashi mildly states, happy his blond student isn't irrationally outraged by the impressive skill of someone who could be as young as Naruto himself.

"You're very knowledgeable," the Tracker-Nin comments.

Naruto and Naru-nii had discussed how to handle the situation enough to realize they needed more time. Neither one could come up with a plan that could readily convince Haku to not sacrifice himself for Zabuza, so they decided to just go with ignorance for the moment and taking the time to ask as many questions as they could in the hopes that a plan will form. So, Naruto takes the large sword from Zabuza's back and examines it as he asks, "do you think he had anyone he cared about? Someone who might be sad he's gone?"

"Zabuza Momochi killed over a hundred Academy students before becoming a member of the Seven Ninja Swordsmen of the Mist," Haku calmly states from behind his mask. "He's murdered too many since then to have anyone he cares about."

"I doubt that," Naruto returns, knowing the truth and slowly lifting the sword. "I bet even Zabuza had someone he cared about. We're not just killing machines after all. We all have people we want to protect."

The quiet that followed is broken by a scoff from Sasuke. "Don't pretend that was protecting us, Dobe. I don't need your protection!"

"Sasuke," Kakashi admonishes.

"Ninja are tools," Haku tells Naruto. "They are the highly tuned instruments of death for the use of a village or a benefactor paying for their services."

"Nope!" Naruto calls loudly. "Friends aren't tools. We have purpose and it's got nothing to do with just killing."

"If you ever felt any loss at all, you'd know how stupid you sound," Sasuke retorts. "You think being an orphan means you know loss!" Though Naruto's angry enough to attack the last Uchiha, Kakashi deals with him instead.

"Sasuke!" Kakashi barks, grabbing Sasuke by the shoulder, though the avenger simply shrugs his Sensei's hand away before walking away.

As Naruto glares at the angered Uchiha, Haku walks to Zabuza, lifting the large adult by the injured arm. Naruto walks to the masked Haku and extends the handle of Kubikiribōchō. "For the person he cared about. Tell 'em Zabuza fought hard!"

"Naruto," Kakashi calls. "That weapon can earn you a lot of ryo if you keep it."

Though he wavers a little at the prospect of ryo and all the ramen it can buy, Naruto asserts, "this matters more than ryo, sensei. And besides, shinobi are more than tools."

Haku pauses for several moments, staring Naruto in his confident baby-blue eyes before eventually taking it. As Haku leaves, Naruto knows he'll see them again. Though he was really hoping to help Haku here and now, thoughts of Ji-chan and Iruka-sensei tell Naruto it'll take more than that. Still, Naruto is happy he told the masked boy the truth.

Lowering his headband, Kakashi wobbles on his feet before he drops to one knee. "Kakashi-sensei!" Sakura calls, running to check on him. Sasuke returns as Kakashi explains, "I used… my Sharingan… carelessly."

"We should go," Sakura states as she does her best to ease her sensei's physical exhaustion, though, Sakura feels like it's not nearly enough.

"Oi!" Naruto calls, and from out the trees at the other side of the clearing with the scorched radius from the clone's explosive notes, six Narutos and Tazuna-san walk toward them. Kakashi, Sakura, and Sasuke turn to the Tazuna-san next to them, who promptly grins before popping into white smoke. A clone of Naruto appears in its place before it dispels as well. As Naruto receives a small cache of memories, he notes no pain at all.

'It must be easier when there's not a whole day's worth of training to send back,' he guesses with a shrug. As a prankster, Naruto loves getting away with a hoax and smiles as he answers his team's bewildered looks. "You didn't think I'd actually risk the real old man in that little bet, did you?"

As Tazuna's primary defense, a confused Sakura asks, "when did you…"

"Before Kakashi-sensei cleared the fog," Naruto answers, thinking how helpful Naru-nii's been with details of what's supposed to happen on top of all the training he helps guide. With the help of his clones, Team Seven make it to Tazuna's home with their chakra exhausted Sensei.

HAKU

In a small clearing next to a river, Haku dresses the last of his precious person's wounds. With thoughts of the ninja team who did this to Zabuza's immaculate body flashing in his mind—none more than the golden-blond, blue-eyed boy—Haku can't help but think, 'that was unexpected.'

While Zabuza is a powerful shinobi, attacking without an exit plan is a sure way to die in their world and this was too close. The Konoha shinobi almost killed his special person. Turning to Zabuza's Kubikiribōchō, Haku knows he's no different than that finely crafted tool for murder… 'I am his tool.'

Returning his eyes on his injured owner, Haku mentally asks, 'what would I do without you?' With his wounds and his hyper-extended elbow, Zabuza will be down for a minimum of two weeks, but he needs medicine now. Understanding why they need the ryo, Haku sighs before sorrowfully asking an unconscious Zabuza, "will you be alright next time?"

I didn't feel like repeating every part about canon's mission so I just stuck to the parts I changed due to my Naruto's growth and meeting Kurama early. Which is why I interlaced it with Kurenai and Ino. I want to start bringing Ino back. I know many of you have been missing her and I agree.

FYI. That info about the flowers is real. There are orchids that sell for 250K in dollars which translates to tens of millions in Yen which when considering currency in the edo period is about 750K. Yay for research :)

As always, please let me know your thoughts. Have a great one,

-Moon