Chapter 15 - 14 (1/2)

Disclaimer: Naruto is not mine. Also this story is a lemon fic and therefore is intended for people of a legal age from wherever they come from. So if these type of stories offend then stop reading now. Thanks

Chapter 14: Target Shizune

”You allowed your target to get away then,” a man said although he wasn't really there his body appearing hazy and in an array of colors, ”that is unlike you Kakuzu.”

Sounding defensive the Akatsuki treasurer said, ”Well if that fool Hidan hadn't of needed to lie around to pray afterwards. We would have been on our way instead of losing our target to that woman.”

”Regardless this is now twice she has interfered. It would appear that we have competition for rounding up the jinchuriki. Is it possible that she is working for Konoha as they were the one to fight you and that was where our last target ended up?”

”I don't know,” Kakuzu said answering Pain, ”But she wasn't one of the shinobi that we fought. It's possible she stumbled on a group pursuing the jinchuriki and was forced to flee. Also the seven-tails supposedly ran to Konoha after getting away from her. Or her primary mission is just to make sure we don't get our hands on them. Since our information said the two-tails was returning from a sabotage mission against Konoha she may have been lying in wait to warn our target of the threat.”

”Perhaps, or the information we received wasn't as exclusive as we were led to believe,” Pain said. ”It may be that Hotsprings Village is selling its services to all sides in this conflict.”

”I doubt that,” a large man with spiky hair said and although just as hazy Kakuzu could make out the bandaged sword on his back, ”Hidan's former village is nothing but a tourist trap with a penchant for getting secrets from their VIP visitors. They'd have to be suicidal to play us off against each other.”

”Don't underestimate what greedy fools will do Kisame,” Kakuzu said having met his fair share of such people in his long life. ”Should I pay their Daimyo a visit?”

”No, this calls for more subtle methods,” Pain said looking towards the lone female of the organization. ”Konan, I want you to head to Hotsprings Village and observe the leaders there. If we are lucky we'll learn just who this mysterious red-head who is interfering with our collection of the jinchuriki is working for.”

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Yugito had her head resting on Naruto's shoulder looking over Tayuya's bingo book with him. It had been three days since her surrender, and much as he promised he had explored almost every nook and cranny of her body. Although she had put the brakes on when he asked her if it was okay to penetrate her backdoor due to her not being entirely comfortable with the idea, she was willing to admit that she was thinking about giving it a try.

Still except for the few occasions when one or the other would run to get some food or to relieve themselves. They had spent most of the days in the bed. But sadly their time was coming to an end. Kumo patrols were both discreetly and not so discreetly searching for her now and although they needed to keep a low profile while they were operating in a foreign country. Chances were sooner or later those searching for her would stumble upon the safe house slash summer home.

Therefore despite still being n.a.k.e.d, the two jinchuriki were looking over the bingo book so Yugito could tell him some of what she knew about those it contained. Still despite their trying to get something done it was proving difficult due to the bobbing head of red hair in Naruto's l.a.p. Trying to remained focused despite Tayuya's insistent s.u.c.k.i.n.g Naruto said, ”So she's the reason getting doc.u.ments to enter Kumo is so difficult.”

Yugito nodded but noticing something wrong about the dark skinned woman's entry in the bingo book said, ”Yes, but her name isn't Rio but Mabui.”

Looking at the picture of the Raikage's assistant Naruto shrugged saying, ”I'm sure that somebody came up with the name so that they didn't have to keep calling her Raikage's assistant all the time.”

”Yeah, but a lot of good it would do you to walk up to her and call her the wrong name,” Yugito replied dryly, ”especially if you were hitting on her at the time.”

Naruto's chuckle turned into a groan as Tayuya ran her tongue across the s.e.n.s.i.t.i.v.e spot underneath his head. Pulling her mouth away, but still stroking him, the former Sound-nin said, ”How about you two concentrate on how we get around the bitch in order for me to get into the village.”

”Says the girl with a d.i.c.k in her mouth,” Yugito replied her voice teasing.

Yugito shook her head saying, ”Without the proper doc.u.mentation she wouldn't be able to get a job. And Mabui keeps a close eye on all applications. Since she took the job of assistant, spies who actually got into the village have fallen some eighty-five percent. I'm even willing to bet the fifteen percent that do manage to slip in are allowed in to be manipulated so they spread disinformation.”

Naruto sighed saying, ”Basically what you're telling me is that any chance of getting into the village lies with her. But getting to her is near impossible because she is the gatekeeper, so to speak.”

With a loud slurp Tayuya let Naruto's length slip from her mouth. Straddling him, she lined his c.o.c.k with her opening and with a deeply satisfied sounding m.o.a.n slid down until he was fully inside her. Slowly rocking her h.i.p.s she m.o.a.n.e.d out, ”w-why…don't we just have…f.u.c.k…Yugito grab her when they're alone t-together. We can…goddamn… teleport her away then.”

Yugito looked away saying, ”I'm not comfortable with doing that. She's my friend and betraying her trust like that…”

Naruto turned her face towards his and gently kissed her and when he pulled back said, ”I-I understand.”

The way his voice hitched due to Tayuya's actions when he was trying to be serious caused him to shoot her an annoyed glance. Tayuya just gave him a stare that said, ”Deal with it.” Then perhaps to discourage further discussion while on what she considered her time, she increased her pace as well as began to raise and lower herself on his pole. Naruto g.r.o.a.n.e.d as he began to focus more on her. He placed his hands on her h.i.p.s shooting an annoyed glance towards his cast. Due to Naruto's disappearance from the village for the past seven days, they had needed to concoct a cover story. Using the vial of rabies, Tsunade had come up with the idea that the team dispatched had gone after the saboteur. Only to end up in a slugging match with Akatsuki, but since his ability to use the Hiraishin was still a secret they needed to adjust the timetable. Therefore the official story was after chasing the kunoichi. Who Konoha would be able to identify claiming they had managed to identify her before Akatsuki's arrival; Naruto had then injured his arm after using the Rasenshuriken. This meant that instead of being almost fully healed he'd need to pretend his arm had just been injured.

There were several problems with the story of course, namely due to the devastation his jutsu had caused to the countryside it was likely Kumo would know the altercation had happened on their side of the border. But it was widely hoped since almost everyone involved in the incident had been in the wrong; both villages would agree to just sweep the whole thing under the rug.

Tayuya grabbed ahold of his face pulling his gaze away from his arm towards her. Getting the hint, he began thrusting upwards pulling a loud m.o.a.n from her which she silenced by kissing him fiercely. Yugito watched the m.o.a.ning pair and as she began to get aroused at the sight she began slowly to rub her p.u.s.s.y.

As she did so she once again marveled at the sudden change her life had experienced. While before she hadn't thought much of Konoha, one way or the other. She now found herself believing in an idea that had in a sense originated from it. What truly surprised her though was that Naruto wasn't willing to compromise her values in order to achieve his goals. Especially since what Tayuya had suggested would be the quickest path to his getting his spy into the village. Yugito could serve as that function, but Naruto had promised her that he wouldn't make her. She felt bad that her hang-ups were in fact delaying his plan to get a stronger presence in Kumo. However, he assured her that she didn't need to as he was positive that eventually they'd find a way and when they did it would be in a way that didn't force her to betray her friends' trust.

Getting tired of being a spectator, Yugito got on all fours and began crawling to the coupling pair. Coming to a stop near the m.o.a.ning red-heads face, Yugito leaned over her saying, ”I never did thank you for saving me.” She pressed her lips to Tayuya's who immediately responded. The kiss however was more for Naruto's benefit as their lips separated from each other thus exposing the tongue play between them. Still Yugito soon found herself panting regardless and when she pulled back noticed a thin string of saliva that connected their tongues.

Turning to look at Naruto, she saw him watching mesmerized as a result of their actions as he continued to pound Tayuya's snatch. Giving him a sultry smile, she moved her attention to Tayuya's b.r.e.a.s.t where she lowered her mouth to her n.i.p.p.l.e. Keeping enough distance that he could see her tongue's actions she began fl.i.c.k.i.n.g it, causing Tayuya's m.o.a.ns of delight to grow louder.

Yugito suddenly let out a m.o.a.n of her own when a hand reached between her legs to give her p.u.s.s.y a rub. Not recognizing the touch and due to her long having become accustomed to Naruto's was able to deduce that it belonged to the m.o.a.ning ex-sound-nin. Two of Tayuya's slender fingers pushed into her hole causing Yugito to rear up as they moved about inside her. Grabbing at one of her own b.r.e.a.s.ts she began moving it about as she played with her n.i.p.p.l.e as Tayuya's fingers began exploring her p.u.s.s.y.

Leaning towards the kneeling Naruto she placed a hand on Tayuya's midsection and believed she could feel the c.o.c.k stirring up the girl's insides. Once her face was close enough she pressed her lips to his and soon the two's tongues were sliding around one another in a slow dance. Yugito pulled back though as the fingers working her snatch tensed which was followed by a shout of, ”F.U.C.K, I'm F.u.c.k.i.n.g C.U.MMing.”

Naruto g.r.o.a.n.e.d out a, ”Me too,” before giving Tayuya's p.u.s.s.y several more pumps and pulling out to shoot several ropes of c.u.m along her stomach with a few reaching almost to her chin. One of the ropes had landed right on Yugito's hand. Pulling it away she licked it clean and then lowering her face to Tayuya's groin began l.i.c.k.i.n.g the rest up while working her way up Tayuya's body.

Naruto watched as almost like a cat drinking up milk she cleaned Tayuya's body of his seed. By the time she reached the last of it near her chin he was already hard again and when the two women began kissing again sharing his c.u.m between them it was almost all he could take. As Yugito had climbed up Tayuya's body she had presented him a view of her glistening snatch so took the opportunity to position himself behind her. In one quick and violent thrust he buried his c.o.c.k inside his fellow jinchuriki who broke her kiss to m.o.a.n out in p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.

With a smirk Naruto said, ”You shouldn't tease me like that.”

Yugito looked over her shoulder with a smile of her own replying, ”Who's teasing, I'm supplying motivation.”

Reaching around Naruto groped both of her b.r.e.a.s.ts pressing his back to hers and whispered into her ear, ”Like that's hard to supply with a beauty like you around.”

Naruto moved one hand from Yugito's c.h.e.s.t and grabbed Tayuya's, who was being straddled by the blondes, saying, ”I'm sure you know the answer to that.”

With a hard d.i.c.k inside of her that was currently doing nothing Yugito said, ”Now who's teasing.” Naruto laughed before beginning a slow and languid pace. Yugito didn't mind though as Tayuya provided her with extra stimulation by pressing her lips to the jinchuriki's collarbone before moving on to her b.r.e.a.s.ts. M.o.a.ning in p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e, she began rocking back to meet Naruto's thrusts. Naruto picked up the hint and increased his own pace to match the host of the two-tails.

Switching things up, Naruto wrapped a hand around Yugito's midsection and pulled her back towards him. His c.o.c.k never left her c.u.n.t as he fell backwards on the bed leaving the Kumo-nin on top and facing away from him. She sat there a moment getting herself situated and then slowly rose her h.i.p.s up. Naruto g.r.o.a.n.e.d as his d.i.c.k became visible inch by inch, which was mirrored by Yugito's m.o.a.n as she slowly lowered her c.u.n.t back down. She kept the pace slow wanting to draw it out since in all likelihood it would be the last time for a while since he wouldn't even be able to take her out in her village at least until they found a way to infiltrate Kumo.

Tayuya figuring that it would be a while until she got to ride Naruto's c.o.c.k again made her way to his head where standing over him said, ”Make me feel good too, Naruto,” before lowering her snatch to his mouth.

*****************************

As Naruto and Yugito used their bodies to say good-bye, Kyuubi took the opportunity to enter the woman's seal. Once again in the large playroom that represented Nibi's seal Kyuubi could hear content purring coming from one of the carpet covered towers. Kyuubi was also feeling the pleasant sensations that Naruto's coupling was sending through the seal, however she ignored it finding that they paled in comparison to what she had experienced with the blond directly.

For a moment Kyuubi thought of her own lovemaking with Naruto. It hadn't escaped her notice that Naruto hadn't c.u.m with her. Nor was she upset that he didn't mention it or bring it up as she believed he was trying to spare her feelings on the matter. Particularly due to what she believed was behind his inability to be fully satisfied in the seal while she had been. The first clue for her had been when she had given Naruto a blowjob. When she had tried to taste him through his boxers she had instead tasted nothing. She believed it was because none of his other lovers had tried to do such a thing, and since all she had known of s.e.x came from their experiences. She reasoned that to Naruto s.e.x in the seal was merely mental stimulation. Since she had no physical experience or body she wasn't bogged down by any such thing.

Naruto had visited her several times during the four days it had taken to break Yugito's resolve. Kyuubi was glad to learn that her coming to such an understanding hadn't dampened her enjoyment of those times. However knowing that there was another level of p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e for her to enjoy did make her hungry to experience it.

The problem of course being how, as her physical existence was still only chakra and was locked behind the seal. Plus, she couldn't access it without killing the man she wanted to be the one to make love to her. She had several ideas in the works, but first needed to talk with one of Naruto's other lovers. She also wanted to keep her plans close to the vest for the moment. Partly since she didn't know how Naruto would react to it and also partly as a response to his not talking to her about the matter. While not mad, it did irk her, so she considered taking matters into her own hands rather fair.

”Kyuubi, I want to experience more…”

”Of course you do,” Kyuubi said her tone amused.

Almost immediately Kyuubi noticed that Nibi's inhuman face changed from pleased to guarded. Kyuubi fought down a sigh figuring her fellow Bijuu felt that it had fallen into a trap she had set. ”Relax,” Kyuubi said holding her hands up trying to calm the chakra beast. ”I meant that I'm aware of what it is you are feeling. For now though I'm afraid you're going to have to let what you've felt already be enough. But I promise that when the time comes you'll experience all that you want and more. But first, can you tell me are there any weaknesses in Kumogakure's defenses that my host can exploit?”

Nibi looked away saying, ”I can't tell you. Yugito would be upset.”

Kyuubi scowled saying, ”I guess you want your seal to go back to the way it was then.”

”That isn't fair,” Nibi said angrily, ”Would you betray your host just to get what you wanted?”

The question caught Kyuubi by surprise, which she didn't doubt showed on her face. Nibi picked up on it saying, ”You haven't really thought about such things, have you? Tell me, is his only value to you the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e he can give you?”

”No…” Kyuubi said weakly although a part of her felt such a thing was possible. As her whole reason for her fear of telling Naruto about the truth of her role in his parent's death had resulted from her fear he'd cut her out of his life. But was it him or the p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e that he gave her that she truly cared about.

Taking a step away from the Bijuu she said, ”Forget it then.” Allowing herself to fade from the seal she said, ”If you are interested in more then perhaps you should consider coming up with a more physically appealing form.” As she disappeared she heard her fellow Bijuu hiss at her but nonetheless the idea took root and Nibi began dreaming up a human form to take.

sunade screamed in contentment as she felt Naruto release his seed inside of her before relaxing and falling to the side of him in his bed. As their breathing returned to normal, she admitted to herself that she was relieved that Naruto wasn't upset about her knowing the truth about his parents. While they had seen each other since he learned this was the first time they had truly been alone. Rolling over and tucking herself into his side she asked, ”Aren't you ever satisfied? You just got back from Hotspring Country and a week's worth of s.e.x.”

Naruto pulled her closer saying, ”Heaven help me if I ever am. I fear you'll all mutiny against me. Let's not forget you jumped me.”

Tsunade smiled, but it faded as she turned somber saying, ”Naruto…”

Sensing that she was about to bring up her knowledge of his parentage he placed a finger over her lips before saying, ”Tsunade, it's fine. I understand that as the village leader there were things you couldn't tell me. Plus I figured that you were honoring a promise to either Pervy Sage or the Old Man. But you still found a way to let me know that let you honor your promise and our relationship, and as a bonus headed off a potentially bad situation between Kyuubi and me. There's nothing left to be said.”

Tsunade nodded but leaned in to kiss her lover. Before things got too heated however she broke the kiss. With that cleared between them, she decided to bring up another matter that she wanted to discuss. ”Naruto, when I found your list of women you planned to target. I noticed that Shizune's wasn't there. Did you plan to not add her?”

”Well to be honest me and Ino sort of got distracted before we really finished it. But you put her in the bingo book you made up. However, to be honest I sort of always assumed she was off limits.”

”Why?”

”Um, because you raised her didn't you.”

”It didn't stop you from sleeping with Tsume and Hana.”

”True, but I wasn't really targeting Hana from the beginning. She sort of just fell into my l.a.p. Not that I'm not happy things turned out that way, but I understand there are certain lines people don't want to cross.”

Tsunade arched an eyebrow saying, ”Do Tsume and Hana seem at all conflicted?”

”No, but…” Naruto began but was silenced by Tsunade placing a finger against his lips.

”I understand what you are saying,” Tsunade said before pausing to collect her thoughts. After rejecting several discreet ways of phrasing what she wanted to say she settled on being blunt telling him, ”I think what you believe is that I see Shizune as a daughter.” When Naruto nodded she said, ”That couldn't be further from the truth.” Tsunade could see Naruto's confusion and perhaps indignation but said, ”Do you see Jiraiya as a father?”

”No, but…”

Cutting him off she said, ”Why not, you spent a considerable amount of time with him?”

”I don't know it's hard to explain. He's important to me and we have a precious bond, but I never really thought of him along those lines.”

”So why assume I would hold Shizune to a daughter role?”

”Because didn't you take care of her for close to ten years. I mean…”

Tsunade sat up in the bed staring away from him so Naruto let his sentence trail off. Figuring she would explain her position. Finally after several minutes she said, ”I think it would be fair to say she took care of me. I was a wreck when Dan died, and to be honest the last thing I wanted was some brat tagging along. But I knew she'd end up a ward of the village if I didn't take her in.” She looked back over her shoulder and the sadness on her younger face almost appeared alien. As if it didn't belong there, Naruto guessed it was probably due to her telling him that her current appearance was from before all the tragedies that had happened in her life.

Naruto sat up as well pulling her back towards him before wrapping his arms around her sending an annoyed glance to the cast still on his arm. Tsunade basked in the comfort before continuing, ”Still she may have been better off. I hardly let the fact I had a young woman traveling with me deter me from indulging in my own habits of drinking and gambling. I can't tell you the number of times that I came to in whatever hotel we were staying at with no idea how I got there. Yet was still dressed for and tucked into bed. A life of constant travel was no way for her to grow up and sometimes I don't think she's ever been kissed. I guess what I'm saying is if you can give her the same measure of happiness and love you give me, it'd make me happy.”

Naruto remained silent not sure how to respond. It still took a little getting used to the fact that at times his harem was the one encouraging him to take on new lovers. Tsunade having said her piece and figuring Naruto needed to time to think about it changed the subject saying, ”I suppose we can take the cast off. With your rapid healing it should match up to the timeline we've set up.”

Having made his decision Naruto said, ”Actually, let's leave it in place. It might come in handy.”

Tsunade looked over her shoulder in confusion only to receive an amused smile that made her think he already had an idea of how to add her first apprentice to his harem. Feeling her own body respond to the thought she said, ”Tell me more.”

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”It is good to see you returned to us, Yugito,” The Raikage A said visibly relieved by her being found as she was heading back to Kumo. ”When I had heard about the devastation of the environment before we lost your trail I feared the worse.”

”Thank You, Lord Raikage,” Yugito replied genuinely to her leader.

Switching topics and his visage, which went from relieved to stoic and serious, he said, ”Now care to fill us in on what happened.”

Yugito spent a moment to look around the room finding it filled with some of the Raikage's most trusted shinobi. Mabui was naturally among them. Yugito shifted her gaze from the assistant back to her leader before saying, ”My mission to the Leaf was a success. I had given one of the vials of rabies to our client and was returning to the village when I was ambushed by two men wearing cloaks.”

”Akatsuki,” A said with a sneer.

”Yes,” Yugito replied grimly knowing she most likely would no longer be among the living if not for Tayuya's timely appearance. ”I was defeated in battle by a man named Hidan. He possessed a unique ability to shrug off fatal blows while being able to curse people to suffer the same damage as him.”

A shifted his focus to Mabui asking, ”What can you tell me about this Hidan?”

Yugito wasn't surprised that Mabui was able to rattle off, ”He's an anarchist that worsh.i.p.s a heathen god known as Jashin. He's also a missing-nin from Hotsprings Village and is rumored to be unable to die.”

A scowled at the mention of the man's village, due to its having been a constant source of information leaks from various shinobi, kunoichi, and even political leaders, since its conversion from a shinobi village to a tourist destination. Whatever was in the water there tended to make its visitors loose lipped so he had banned his shinobi from ever visiting. Not that the political leaders of Lightning Country ever listened to him much to his annoyance and the ruination of several of his schemes to increase the military might of his village.

Thinking along those lines he said, ”Hmm, perhaps we can use this to our advantage. Konoha did cross into our borders and we may be able to use that to get our hands on the Byakugan.”

Yugito fought down her frown at that. While she respected A like no other shinobi, with the exception being the one she was now bound to, she didn't like how he was willing to go to such lengths to get his hands on other villages' bloodlines. Glad that they had taken precautions against such an occurrence she said, ”I think it would be best to let the matter drop, Lord Raikage.”

Her leader arched an eyebrow which she took as permission to speak her mind so added, ”Although I wasn't aware of any pursuit it's possible that Konoha was tracking me. During my battle I lost the remaining vials of the disease and since it didn't turn up during your search for me. They may have taken it. With Tsunade as their Hokage she may be able to track the origin of it to our northern villages.”

”That's rather farfetched,” A said dismissively with a wave.

”I wouldn't underestimate one of the Sanin,” Yugito said severely to which her leader had to agree. Adding the icing to her argument she said, ”Also, take into account that one of their shinobi was responsible for the devastation you found and that he killed a man that our own information says was unkillable. I think it would be best if we let the matter drop for now.”

She could see her leader didn't like it but was hard pressed to argue against her recommendation. With a sigh he said, ”I suppose there will be other opportunities. You're dismissed.”

Yugito nodded heading for the door but not before sending one last glance Mabui's way wondering just how Naruto would be able to get close to the serene looking woman.

*****************************

Shizune woke with a sigh not wanting to leave the comfort of her bed or wake from the rather steamy dream she had been enjoying. However, as she rubbed the sleep from her eyes, she blushed at what the dream had entailed. Pulling her sleeping shirt over her head, she looked at herself in a full length mirror clad in only her p.a.n.t.i.e.s. She ran a hand over one of her n.i.p.p.l.es finding it still hard from her dream which had starred her and a certain genin who could probably take a great deal of the village's jounin on and win. Stifling the m.o.a.n her actions brought on, she looked at her day planner seeing that today she had to finish Naruto's medical examination.

With a sigh she thought, ”No wonder I dreamed about him.” Although a plausible excuse she knew it was only partly the reason her dream had been so e.r.o.t.i.c. The other being her life in general and while she was glad for the opportunities she had been given such as studying under one of the strongest women on the planet. There were times when she wondered if perhaps she would have been better off staying in the village.

At least as far as her love life was concerned, as having to act as the a.d.u.l.t in the duo that had been Tsunade and her had taken its toll. That was no doubt one of the reasons why she was having s.e.x.u.a.lly explicit dreams about someone half her age. Not that she hadn't tried to lose her v.i.r.g.i.n.i.t.y, but she had bungled it in such a way that she had never tried again. It had happened a few nights after she had turned twenty-one. Tsunade had been on one of her all night benders, but instead of fretting over her as had often been the case. Shizune had headed out to a bar herself. There she had met a handsome young man and approached him with the intention of seducing him. Sadly, she had been so nervous that she had kept feeding the man drinks to the point that when they had retired to a cheap hotel room. The man had after a heavy make-out session had passed out on top of her. Feeling mortified, she had left her would be deflowerer in his drunken stupor to collect her master. Luckily and gladly they had left the village early the next day.

Therefore, with her first and only really experience with s.e.x ending in abject failure. Shizune had simply funneled all her energies into being there for her teacher. She guessed that may be the other reason she had begun to feel so frustrated with her lack of a love life, which was lately Tsunade had needed her less and less. To be honest it was something she had always feared about Tsunade taking the position of Hokage. That being as she had grown into the job, and rediscovered the strong woman she had been, before her devastating losses, she'd stop relying on her.

It may have taken a little over three years but that day had seemed to arrive. Normally Shizune would have quickly showered before heading to Tsunade's room to rouse her from bed. Looking at the clock, Shizune sighed as she didn't even need to check as her master was no doubt already in her office. It had surprised Shizune the first time she had headed to the Sannin's room only to find that Tsunade was already awake and gone. She had quickly headed to the office expecting to find out that some emergency had happened during the night that had required the Hokage's attention. Instead all she had found was the blonde working diligently on her paperwork.

At first Shizune had delighted in the change in her master having never seen her so happy. However as time went on that joy had turned into a wondering of how she would define herself as the role she had performed for nearly twenty years seemed to no longer be needed. Shizune shook her head as she remembered trying to convince herself that it was all a front and Tsunade still needed her. She had even checked the blonde's secret, secret stash, since while Tsunade no doubt knew that she was aware of her hidden sake supply. Shizune was positive that her master wasn't aware that she knew of her real secret stash. When she had checked it all she had found was clothes, some of them rather risqué, that Shizune imagined that Tsunade would only wear in her youth. Not really sure what the clothes symbolized, she had put them back wondering just what she would do with herself if Tsunade had truly turned a corner and no longer needed her.

With a weary sigh Shizune decided to shower before heading to the office. Pulling her p.a.n.t.i.e.s down, she flushed in embarrassment at the reminder of her dream the dampened p.a.n.t.i.e.s represented. Quickly and efficiently showering she ate a light breakfast before heading to the office wondering just how she'd break the monotony her life had become.

*****************************

What followed for Shizune was another day of filing the papers that Tsunade signed with the various people they needed to reach. One of the things she noticed was a mission acceptance form for one of the many G-ranked missions that Naruto had accrued over his shinobi career. She didn't know how he'd react particularly if he learned that Team Eight plus Kakashi had discovered something troublesome in their search for answers to what had happened to the Anbu team looking into Orochimaru's hideouts.

Normally she believed that he'd go ballistic at the idea of being left out, even if he was injured. However, the calm way he was reacting to being on the light duty assignment of filling in for Hinata surprised her. She had half expected that by lunch he would have pestered Tsunade into giving him an assignment a little more exciting. Instead he went about the various tasks he was asked to perform with a minimal of fuss. Therefore when lunch did arrive and she entered the office to tell Tsunade she was heading to the cafeteria she was surprised to find him sitting behind the desk looking over a piece of paper.

Entering the office fully she had said, ”Does Tsunade know you're sitting at her desk?”

”I'm sure she wouldn't have a problem with it,” he replied with a grin she couldn't help mirroring.

”Do you know where she went?”

”S-she said something about getting something to drink,” Naruto replied.

Shizune found the small hitch in his reply a little strange and noticed his cheeks coloring a little so asked, ”Are you alright?”

”Never better, Shizune.”

”Okay, well I guess we'll find out later, don't forget we have to finish your examination after lunch.”

”I know. I'll be there.”

Shizune nodded and began making her way out of the office. Just as she reached the door she said, ”Can you tell Lady Tsunade that I'll be taking my lunch now.”

”Y-yeah no problem. I'll see you after lunch.”

Shizune paused wondering what was wrong with him as he seemed to be fighting back a grimace. Figuring she'd find out what was going on with him later she opened the door to leave. Just before the door closed she heard a slurping sound and heard Naruto groan out. Except the sound was the farthest thing from pain she could imagine. She stood frozen outside the door wondering what she had just heard.

”Was Naruto with someone,” she thought shocked, especially since the only place for the person to hide was under the desk. She was tempted to go back to get to the bottom of it but decided to leave not willing to subject either of them to the embarrassment. She guessed that he was just at that age. Naturally that left the question of just who it was with him. ”I guess those dates must have paid off,” she thought both amused and titillated.

She had heard the rumors that Naruto had become quite popular with the ladies recently, having been seen about town with several beautiful women. While several of them had been civilians, two of them had been the kunoichi that had graduated with him. She had just assumed that like the rumors also said that they had been play dates and that Naruto was doing them in hopes of wooing Sakura. Still unless it had been Sakura under the desk then perhaps the dates had bore some unexpected fruit for the blond.

She reasoned that had to be the case as Sakura had been rather depressed lately. At first she had believed that it was due to the disastrous mission to capture Sasori's spy. In part to Sasuke's appearance, and subsequent attacking of the team. But now she assumed it was more Naruto related. As it didn't escape her notice that in all the rumors Sakura's name was never mentioned and he had been on several dates with each of the women whose names had. Another thing that hadn't escaped her notice was that as Sakura's mood fell. The kunoichi's whose names she had heard had picked up. Add Tsunade to the mix and it would have been a trifecta of women associated with the blond who suddenly seemed to possess a more positive outlook.

Shizune stopped dead in her tracks, thinking, ”It wasn't Tsunade was it?” She shook her head clearing it of such craziness as surely Tsunade the world's most powerful kunoichi wouldn't be on her knees under her own desk s.u.c.k.i.n.g off Naruto. Guessing her hunger was getting the best of her. She quickly headed to the hospital to stop at the small cafeteria it had.

Taking a seat by herself to be left alone with her thoughts. She began to really wonder if her dream was having an effect on her. She had just about almost convinced herself she had imagined the whole thing when Ino and Sakura entered. The contrast between the two couldn't be greater as Ino was doing her best to try and cheer up her friend. Still it was easy to see the more the blonde tried the worse she was making the pink haired girl feel and so eventually they both lapsed into silence.