Chapter 4
The Lazy Devil.
As Sasuke left, Mimi was about to follow him, that is until her big brother Naruto called to her, "Mimi-chan, leave them alone for now." Not understanding why, Mimi replied with a questioning "Nya?" Naruto, understanding Mimi simply float down and picked Mimi back up and answered with a yawn, "They need each other at the moment, we'll only be in the way, so for the time being stay put."
Feeling a little upset, but also understanding what Naruto was saying Mimi agreed with Naruto, Kakashi, looking interested at what Naruto was saying, simply asked the question on everybodies mind, "Naruto, what are you planing?"
Naruto, having his eyes slightly closed looked towards his sensei, while "getting up" from his floating, laid down position, his feet now on the floor and replied "I'm playing a bit of a matchmaker with them, in a way, those two need each other, I'm merely helping them out, what with Sakura no doubt asking Sasuke for training to get strong and as they're training Sakura would worm her way into Sasuke's heart, making them a couple would be perfect for the team." explained Naruto with a smile.
Kakashi, understanding what Naruto was trying to accomplish nod his head and went back to his book thinking of Naruto's idea, it was a good idea, get Sasuke and Sakura together, that way Sasuke will open up more because of Sakura, and Sakura would get stronger because, since she is so focused on Sasuke if he trains her, she will be pushing herself and hopefully, the training will awaken her inner kunoichi, allowing her to become just as strong, if not stronger, than Tsunade of the Sannin.
As Naruto was moving to the door, Zabuza and Haku came in, while Naruto was asleep, Kakashi and Zabuza came to an understanding and agreed to work together for the people of Wave, Zabuza openly admitted that Haku was more than just a tool, he saw her as his own flesh and blood.
Naruto happy to see them, smiled, that is until Haku barreled into his stomach, his body didn't move because of his strength, he was feeling uncomfortable because of a "boy" hugging him, not knowing about Haku lying about her gender, but then he "felt" something on his chest, two somethings to be precised.
Naruto, red faced, asked "H-Haku, what are you doing, man, two guys shouldn't be hugging!" Naruto thinking the "two thing" were just his imagination, realizing Naruto doesn't know about herself truly being a girl, she decided to explain.
Turns out she was hiding her gender for protection, by hiding herself as a boy, people would think he was a very feminine boy, Gatou wouldn't have thought anything about it and leaved her be.
Understanding and leaving it alone, Naruto then picked up Mimi and placed the little Cabbit on his head, Mimi happily Meowing, then Naruto turned to Haku and asked, "Say Haku-chan, would it be alright if you come with me to help me get some new clothes, I can't walk around in a pair of plain trousers and white tank top all day, I have to be stylish as well."
Mimi meowing as though she was forgotten, that is until Naruto a sly smirk, while looking towards Mimi says "And we'll need some carrots as well."
As though hearing the magic words, Mimi was meowing with joy, Naruto was also thinking to himself, "And I may as well get some Sake." Because you see even though he loves his ramen, since gaining Ryoko's memory and some of her personality, that also includes her love of Sake as well.
Haku, believing it was a good idea, to really get to know Naruto better, now that they're no longer enemy's, simply said, "Of course Naruto-kun, after all it was you who saved me and my... father, from being killed by both Kakashi-san and Gatou." Still feeling embarrassed about being praised, Naruto rubs the back of his head and laughs awkwardly, with Mimi moving on his head a bit to accommodate for it.
Naruto starts walking on with Haku following, just as they were about to start to the village, Naruto has an idea, "Hey, how about I help us get to the village faster, huh?" He floats a bit closer to Haku, wanting to know what she thought, with Haku wondering what he meant. Seeing her confused expression, Naruto decided to elaborate, "Come on, you remember, I used the same technique to, not only defeat you, but to stop kakashi from killing both you and Zabuza."
Realizing what he was talking about, Haku thought it might be a good experience to let Naruto "flicker" them both to the village, so she agrees, as long as they walk back.
Skipping the shopping, cos I'm no good at that. ;P
Naruto, in his new clothes, that consists of, Black combat boots, that are only tied around the ankle (think Dante's boots style from DMC reboot), black pair of form fitting jeans (he's got the muscles for them), a sleeveless white tight tank top, and a denim jacket.
In one hand was a wicker basket (think the same type Tenchi used to carry Ryo-ohki's carrots) full of carrots, with hardly any swinging motion or effort, especially with Ryoko's strength add to his own, with the ends of the carrots, one after the other being thrown out.
Stopping for a moment to reprimand his little sister and to tell her to, at lest, save some of them at home, with Haku giggling slightly at the back.
Naruto, sighing about it, lifts his other hand to his face, where a big bottle of Sake was, taking a good hit from it, then removing it from his mouth with a satisfied sigh, realizing that Ryoko was right Sake real does hit the spot for relaxing, they carried on, though at first Haku was a little concerned about his Sake intake, but Naruto calmed her down by telling her he had a healing factor, that not only lets him enjoy the effect of alcohol, but has a no morning after effect on him and if he wanted he could drink just about anyone under the table, if he was serious, wanting to show someone up or just have fun.
As they got back to Tazuna's house they noticed that it started to rain, but managed to make it back in time.
They called out and everyone greeted them, all except Sakura and Sasuke, who, apparently, haven't made it back yet.
Deciding that after the rain let up, he'll take Mimi and Inari to find them, because the kid knows the area and Mimi can follow Sasuke's sent, but for the time being Naruto just lays on his front on the settee and relaxes, with his bottle of Sake of course.
Inari, going towards Naruto, with a worried expression, "They're still not back yet, Naruto nii-chan, make the rain stop, Sakura and Sasuke are still out there." Thinking that because of Naruto's new power he may be able to change the weather for a bit, but that was squashed.
Naruto, with a tired sigh, replied, "Sorry Inari, I may be powerful now, because of my ancestor's power in me, but both of use can't control the weather, besides they're both ninja's, they'll know how to survive and look for shelter from the rain."
A bit upset of Naruto's answer, but agreed with him, Naruto seeing the downtrodden expression sighed, got up ruffled Inari's head a little, making the kid up up at him, with Naruto smiling down at him,Naruto replies, "How about you, me and Mimi go looking for them, once the rain has stopped of course, no point in all of us catching a cold." Though he thinks to himself, "Not that the fox or my powers would let me."
Inari with a bright smile to his big brother figure nod with a cheer.
Sometime later.
After the rain stopped, during which Naruto got to know both Haku and Zabuza some more, while drinking both Zabuza and old man Tazuna under the table, with both snoring their heads of, much to an embarrassed Haku and a frustrated Tsunami, though Naruto made her day by telling her, "Imagine how they'll both feel when they wake up."
Tsunami, feeling a bit vindictive about her father's drinking, couldn't wait until he woke up, but she will, just for the satisfaction of giving her father more pain that his hangover would give him. (let's face it all mothers feel that way about their father's that accidentally drink too much.)
But now the rain stopped, Naruto, Inari and Mimi, hopping along with the two, went out to look for Naruto's teammates.
A few minuets later, they both see Sasuke coming up to them, all the while carrying something on his back, or in this case, someone, and that someone was happily snoozing peacefully on the Uchiha's back turned out to be Sakura.
Sasuke, not noticing he had company, couldn't help feeling relieved, not just finding Sakura and telling her of Naruto's apology and finding her with a bit of a bad sprain, that he fixed, but he ended up talking with her, while helping her, about why he was an avenger and everything, not knowing why, Sakura even told him that she would help him and knowing Naruto, even though she was still slightly upset, would help, after all they are a team and that with Naruto's "upgrade" he would no doubt help them both with the training.
Though reluctant about getting help from Naruto, of all people, he can not deny that training with Naruto now would really push him to his limits, so a little peeved he agreed, provided that Sakura, herself, gets serious about her ninja training and not think that Naruto, powers or not, or himself, would be able to rescue her all the time, after all they have their own fight to finish, so should she.
After hearing what her crush had to say, she agreed and promised that she take her training seriously and asked if he could help her, thinking about it, he agreed, but told her he wouldn't be holding his punches and that she needs to get up herself, of course after the training he'd give her a hand, but she didn't need to know that.
Looking at Sakura's face, with the light of the sun just starting to peek behind the clouds, he can't help but feel the butterflies in his stomach start to fly around in there, yet he doesn't know why and why does his face feel like it's on fire whenever he looks at Sakura's face.
Before anything else, Inari came running up towards them laughing, but sees Sakura was asleep, so he quickly clamps his hands over his mouth, not wanting to disturb Sakura as she sleeps, her anger scares him slightly.
Naruto on the other hand didn't care, after all his plan seemed to have worked and just smiled, along with Mimi, but probably because they found Naruto's teammates, so Naruto exclaims happily, "Alright, alright, my plan seems to have worked, well except for the bandage wrapped around Sakura's leg, but all in all, it worked out perfectly."
Not understanding what Naruto was talking about, and apparently Naruto's happy talking has awoken Sakura from her nap, Sasuke questions, "What are you talking about Naruto, what plan has worked?" Not liking the mischievous look from the "resurrected" powerful alien ex-space pirate, Sasuke was getting nervous, but wasn't showing, Sakura on the other hand was just curious on the matter, but didn't say anything.
Naruto knowing they'll be upset, pulled Inari to him and placed Mimi on his own head, smiled and simply chuckled, saying, "Wellll, I may have set you two up, by playing matchmaker with you.~" He finishes in a singsong voice, while both he and Inari, along with Mimi, flickered out of the two red faced couple, thinking that both their faces heated more.
Sasuke looks towards Sakura, at the same time, Sakura did the same towards Sasuke, catching each others eyes they looked away from each other, completely red, Sasuke looking towards the sky, while Sakura was looking down on his back.
Sasuke clearing his throat, because of the awkwardness of their situation, says "L-Lets get back to the house and get cleaned up."
Not trusting her voice Sakura nods her head yes, think to ether beat the hell out of Naruto for the prank he pulled on her, or thank him for the opportunity he gave her, to not only better herself, but to help Sasuke open his heart a little more, it wasn't much, but it was a start.
Then she hears Sasuke say to her, "We are going to beat the living hell out of Naruto for this embarrassment.
Thinking about now though she couldn't help but say, "Oh most definitely." She agrees with a slightly evil smirk, just because shes thankful, doesn't mean she doesn't want to pummel Naruto into the ground, granted, Naruto's stronger now, put the feeling won't change.
As for Sasuke, he saw Sakura's evil little smirk, couldn't help but blush think,"Why does Sakura's angry look turn me on?" Not knowing what else to do Sasuke continued on to Tazuna's house.