Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Now there are many, MANY things that Naruto Uzumaki is as a person.

Rash, immature, rude, kinda dumb sometimes, a little malicious, and dense when it comes to romance and the like.

But that’s only surface-level stuff, for he is kind, loyal, honest sometimes and optimistic....however, he is also known by a smaller known trait.

He’s good at picking up things most don’t notice.

And right now, as he waited for the first portion of the Chunin Exams to start, the genin looked towards a corner of the room that was unblemished by the bodies of other genin teams....and lo and behold.

He was staring at the team from Otogakure...he was looking at her. 

The girl with the hair of ebony.

She was....beautiful.

Her skin was as fair as snow, her hair....long, silky, without any blemish. Her eyes were like pools of darkness. That smile...confident like she was.

Her clothes, while themed around a snake and akin to camouflage...just made her look even more divine. The violet bow matches her inner cuteness perfectly.

The way she talked, the way she laughed....the way she moved without hesitation or fear by the numerous genin around her....

Her body, mature...large yet toned...in certain areas....

....she was like a kami on earth, no, a goddess on earth....and for the first time in his life.

Naruto Uzumaki, the former prankster of Konoha, the only user of the Shadow Clone Jutsu and perceived ‘Kyuubi Incarnate’....

Was in love.

It wasn’t a crush like what he had with Sakura, no that was just attraction....

This was something else, something that made his heart leap for joy and his very soul ache.

He....He needed to know more about her, he MUST know more about her!

And perhaps that guy with the glasses might help him, he has those weird cards after all.

Slowly, the genin turned his head towards Kabuto, the eternal genin, and walked towards him, making sure to not get his teammate's attention, as they were busy talking to the other Konoha teams.

“Oh? Uzumaki-san? What-”

“Hey, I know you said that there’s no info on the Oto-nin.” Naruto interrupted, his tone barely above a whisper. “But can you tell me about the girl with the long hair?”

“....her? Why?”

“I just want to know who she is, that's it.”

“....wait, are you-”

“Just tell me about her, dattebayo!” he said in a low whispered yell, his patience slowly cracking from all the time spent on stupid things like questions on his motives.

“....well you’re in luck, I did ask them for some info for my cards, but again, it's not the full story and you might not truly understand her unless you talk to her outright.”

“I might do that AFTER you tell me what info you have on her first.”

The gray-haired genin sighed, really not wanting to do this but had to maintain appearances, as he added some chakra to one of his cards and looked upon its limited contents. “Her name is Kin Tsuchi. She’s fourteen years old, height 150 cm, weight 39 kg, blood type O, a Pisces apparently. She has the Yin Release nature type and uses senbons and genjutsu related to sound to defeat her enemies. She is the only member of Team Dosu that’s a female and....huh, she doesn’t have any history before becoming an Otonin.”

“What?”

“Apparently, her personal info and past are an enigma even to me. But from what I can see from her mannerisms, she’s a serious kunoichi with a sadistic streak, one that might have overconfidence issues.”

“....does she have any likes, dislikes?”

“Not that I can see but she seems to be protective of her hair, despite hating kunoichi that favors boys and fashion over training. Heh, a hypocrite if I ever did see one.”

“Ah, thanks four eyes.” Naruto said while taking the card and pocketing it away, much to the other genin’s disbelief. “I owe you one.”

‘....he didn’t need to take that card, they are worth a fortune to make.’

Steady steps, calm your heart, don’t act stupid...these were the words that entered the Uzumaki’s mind, his body language trying to remain calm despite the internal panic inside.

After all, this was his first time talking to this....girl, this Kin Tsuchi, he had to be on his best behavior.

And....it was hard, given his nerves.

......but he MUST stay calm, don’t be an idiot Naruto Uzumaki, don’t be an idiot!

‘Ok. She’s not looking and from the looks of it, neither are her teammates. Just walk over, say hi, compliment her and don’t act stupid. You got this, dattebayo!’ he thought to himself, pepping him up for the eventual conversation, as he quietly and without anyone realizing his presence walked over and stood on the Oto kunoichi’s left side. ‘Huh, really tall. Normally I’d be annoyed but if it's her....I’ll stomach the fact she’s taller than me.’

“I’m telling you, this mission is going to be an easy one.”

“Zaku, keep it down. You might draw attention to us.”

“Oh relax Dosu, no one’s paying attention to us. And even if they did, Kin here will just put them all to sleep for a moment.”

“Heh, at least you admit that my genjutsu skills are second to none.” Kin said with a smirk.

“Not really, the genin here are just on your level, weak.” Zaku said in a mocking tone.

“How dare you!”

“Enough.” Dosu said with a frown behind his bandages. “Stop acting like kids, especially you Zaku.”

“Yeah yeah, it’s not my fault Kin is an easy target.”

“You better knock it off Zaku or I’ll stab you right in the balls.”

“I’d like to see you try!”

“Yo.”

And within a fraction of a second, the three genin from Oto turned towards Naruto’s direction, the blonde’s left hand raised upwards in an attempt to look cool, and felt a fair amount of fear rushing down their spines.

For HOW did he appear next to them without them NOTICING!?

“What the hell, what-when-HOW did you sneak up on us!?”

“Easy, I walked.” Naruto said while rolling his eyes at the gauntlet user, knowing the guy was like Sasuke if he didn’t refrain from making outbursts twenty-four-seven. “You guys must suck at sensing other’s presences.”

“Why you-”

“Zaku, don’t. He’s not worth it.” Dosu said with a narrowed eye, making the taller genin flinch and refrain himself from starting an augment. “And you, why are you here? Don’t you have a team to talk to?”

“Yeah, but I wanted to say something to your teammate.” the Uzumaki said while pointing to Kin, who blinked in surprise but kept an air of confidence to mask her confusion. “It’ll be quick.”

“It better be.”

With a roll of his eyes, the genin turned towards the visiting kunoichi and gave her a smile, not his usual grin or anything like that, but a calm...mature one that he saw a few people use for situations like this.

Although to be fair, this....was hard for him, since he never TRIED to act cool in front of a girl before, not even in front of his former crush Sakura....who usually ignores his normal antics....

Just how does Sasuke deal with this stuff anyway?

“So.” Kin said, her expression slightly confused yet trying to show some confidence in front of this....sneaky Konoha nin. “What exactly do you want to talk to me about? No really, just why are you wasting-”

“Your hair is very beautiful, like a silk trail.”

The chatting of other teams slowly died down to a razor-thin static as Team Dosu just stood there, slightly dumbfounded, as....

Kin’s face flushed bright red and instinctively grabbed her ponytail like a safety line.

“W-W-W-What?! Why would-”

“Because you have nice hair, duh.” The Uzumaki said with a serious tone, not realizing that Kin’s sudden exclamation got everyone's attention, including his own team. “Matches you in general, the beautiful part I mean.”

“B-Beautiful, what are you even saying? What game are you trying with me!?”

“Nothing, just saying that you’re beautiful. Nothing is being ‘played’ with here.” he said while putting both his hands behind his head. “I just wanted to say my keep.”

“But-”

“By the way, if we survive the exams, maybe we can hang out before you guys leave. Have some friendly ramen or something? How about that, dattebayo?”

And just like that, the Oto kunoichi felt her entire face turn red as a tomato as the Konoha genin, without saying another word...just walked off back to his team, like nothing was wrong in the world.

....and all the while she tried and failed to make any sort of retort to her enemy, the words getting jumbled in her own head every time she tried.

‘...huh!? Wait, what just, how in, why!? Why!? WHY!? Beautiful, me!? But-how-I-what!? GAH! That brat-OOOOH! He’s so weird-no, CONFUSING! GAH!’

“Huh, the kid has balls just walking up and calling ‘No Romance Kin’ beautiful.” Dosu said in confused disbelief.

“HA! Oh, this is hilarious, the first genin that MIGHT die here has a crush on you. Oh, he’s SO doesn’t know anything about you at all!” Zaku laughed while ignoring his teammate’s nasty glare.

“Oh shut up you humanoid porcupine!”

“WHAT!? How dare you!”

“I dare, now shut up or I’ll stab you in the eyes!” Kin growled, face still flustered as she, from the corner of her eyes, saw....the blonde fool talking to his team....his blue eyes occasionally staring at her with a sense of....longing, pride, something like that.

And it just....made her so confused.

“What was that about, usuratonkachi?” Sasuke said with a frown.

“Nothing, I was just asking for a friendly outing.”

“She’s an enemy ninja!”

“Yeah, and your point is what?”

“We aren’t here for romance, we’re here to become chunin.”

“Can’t we do both?” Naruto said with a deadpan expression. “Just because you don’t want to do it, doesn’t mean I can’t.”

“Um, Sasuke has a point.” Sakura said with a false smile, though it was tinged with concern. “We can’t just do that...and why DID you do that anyway?”

“........” the Uzumaki sighed while not noticing that the lone Hyuuga of Team Eight was currently catatonic and lying on the ground in a daze, her teammates panicking at her current condition. “Maybe because I found my ebony string of fate or something?”

“....oh....OH!”

“Yeah, I still like you Sakura-chan. But I guess....my feelings just moved elsewhere.”

‘Oh...so he found that someone then....well, that’s nice I guess?’

“ Shannaro! That’s the best news all day, now Sasuke is mine-wait, if he likes that Otonin...oh no! Hinata’s going to be devastated! ’

‘Too late.’ Sakura thought as she saw Hinata being slapped away by Kiba, to no avail. ‘...I did hope they became a couple, but hey, life is strange sometimes. Maybe she’ll find someone else to love and just be friends with Naruto...hopefully?’

‘ If she turns into a yandere, I’m blaming the idiot. ’

‘Same.’

“You are just an usuratonkachi.” The Last Uchiha grumbled while pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration. “You know that right?”

“Meh, love is love. Can’t stop or change it...anyway.” Naruto said with a grin. “Let’s get this exam done and over with so we become chunin, I get a shoo-in to become Hokage and I get friendly ramen with Kin-chan.”

“.....”

“....”

“What?”

“Nothing.” Sasuke said while deciding to ignore him, his gaze turning towards the red-haired Suna ninja and his team and envisioning himself fighting him.

Yet as the team started to settle back into routine, the only Uzumaki of Konoha kept his gaze fixated on the ebony-haired kunoichi, making note of her flustered embarrassment and how....adorable it was in his eyes.

Yes, he knew he was two years younger than her, he knew she was from another village and he knew that this was....sudden for both of them.

But he was willing to try and get this relationship started.

....however, he wouldn’t just go down the fanboy route like those Sasuke fangirls, pining over someone is fine but NOT when it involves actual feelings at play. He isn’t going to just jump in kunai blazing and freak her out by being a simp, he’s not THAT stupid!

He’s going to try and start as friends, hence the friendly ramen date.

If that goes well then he’ll do more dates, maybe long-distant letters and visits to her village.

If she feels the same, good, if not....oh well, it didn’t work. After all, this is his first TRUE feeling of romantic love for someone....

Sometimes love plays tricks that make or break a relationship.

He, the next Hokage, just has to learn how to love someone the hard way....even if it will hurt.

‘...I better make sure she doesn’t see me as a creep or something. Ugh, this romance stuff is so hard, dattebayo!’ Naruto thought while looking at the Oto kunoichi with a faint blush on his cheeks. ‘....so beautiful.’

‘ Not another blonde with a hair kink. One was enough in this lifetime. ’

‘Wait what?’ The Uzumaki thought in surprise as he blinked and....felt like something dark entered his mind for a moment, but it was so abrupt that he assumed it was just something random his mind made up on the spot. ‘....mmmm, must've been my imagination or something. Oh well, better keep on watching before the exam truly starts...oh kami, that sounded creepy in my mind! Bad mind, BAD!’

Chapter Text

The wind blew across the bodies of the various genin from across the shinobi villages, gentle yet cold, as all of them looked upon the massive wooden ‘training area’ known as....

The Forest of Death.

Foreboding, terrifying, covered in a thick metal fence....it was unlike anything they have ever seen before in their entire lives.

Yet as Team Dosu looked on unperturbed and confident....the lone kunoichi’s eyes were focused elsewhere.

For instead of the forest, she was looking at the boy who called her beautiful...and his silly mocking dance against the jonin instructor, Orochimaru-sama’s former apprentice, Anko, words of intimidation.

Personally, she thought it was a pretty dumb thing to do, given how soon they were ready to complete the second part of the Chunin Exams. And the fact that said jonin had an unnerving glint in her eyes didn’t help the boy’s chances either.

Yet....she thought it was funny too.

Especially when the former apprentice slashed at the boy’s cheek with her kunai and licked the blood from his wound. Oh, the sheer terror was so amusing in her eyes.

....yet, even when embraced by more endowed jonin....his eyes seemed not entranced by her chest or her fishnet attire.

Instead....his eyes were on her and her alone.

She quickly averted her gaze, feeling like she was making the moment awkward and shook her head, not realizing her cheeks were tinged a faint pink. ‘Focus! You can't get distracted by some dumb blonde who's going to die in the first ten minutes.’

Taking a deep breath, one to expel the frustration in her soul, the kunoichi of Oto watched as the gates were opened and each of the genin handed in their wavers, signing themselves to death in the process.

“Let's go.” Dosu said, tone firm yet direct, as the cocky Zaku just grinned with delight.

“Finally, I was getting bored watching Kin's boy toy make a fool of himself.”

“Shut it Zaku, or I'll leave you behind in there.” she warned the arrogant genin with a narrowed glare.

“Yeah yeah, no need to get your panties in a bunch.” Zaku said mockingly while walking ahead of his team, arrogant in each of his strides.

“Kami, I hate him.”

“Just keep it to yourself and let's get going.” Dosu said bluntly before following after the genin, leaving the kunoichi as the only one that didn't move yet.

She narrowed her eyes upon that remark, but decided to not to say anything more before she followed her team into the dark forest and onto certain death.

Yet as she was about to enter the forest, she sensed something behind her and quickly grabbed the kunai with her left hand without looking.

Only to see a piece of paper attached to the hilt, quickly pulling it off....and read....the following....

Good luck Kin-chan! I'm rooting for you, Naruto Uzumaki.

Her eyes widened, face heating up, before she turned and saw the blonde giving her a wave in the distance.

“Do your best, Kin-chan! I believe in you!” He called out while his teammates just looked on in bewilderment, although the pink genin was....strangely supportive at this moment.

Like she was TRYING to get the blonde and the Oto kunoichi together!

‘Gah! Damn boy loving weakling, making this feel even weirder!!’ Kin thought while unconsciously waving back to the Konoha ninja....till she realized what she was doing and quickly ran away in embarrassment. ‘What was I thinking?!’

“Later, Kin-chan!”

She gritted her teeth and wanted to yell at him to knock it off, but the words got stuck in her throat.

And as she started jumping into the canopy for easy traversal....she couldn't help but feel....

Embarrassed by his blind trust for her.

It was....strange. Unnatural.

It made her skin crawl....her very bones tremble from the unease.

And for some kami damn reason, it all started because of a genin two years younger than her!

“Remember the mission.” Dosu said while all three genin landed on a large branch far from prying eyes. “We get the scrolls, kill Sasuke Uchiha and make sure no one realizes our role in the invasion. And no Zaku, we will NOT provoke the Suna jinchuriki.”

“But I want to see if my sound blasts can destroy his sand barrier.”

“If you do that then I won't be responsible for you getting turned into a bloody paste.”

“Ha! Like that redhead could even reach me.” he boasted with unrestrained arrogance.

“If he does, maybe we can trade you in for someone competent.” Kin retorted with a smug grin.

“What?!”

“Well, you ARE too stupid for Orochimaru-sama to care so if you die, not really the biggest deal in the world.”

“Says the girl that can't do ANY ninjutsu except stupid bell genjutsu so weak that even a genin can break out of them!”

“Oi! It's not my fault the training sucks!”

“No, you're the one who sucks!”

“SHUT IT!” Dosu snapped, his singular eye twitching in annoyance. “If EITHER of you mess up the plan. I will personally be the one to end your lives, so knock it off and FOCUS!”

Both flinched at their leader's remark before remaining silent, something that made the bandaged genin relax slightly.

“Now, Zaku, go find Kabuto and make sure they get their scrolls. Kin, do reconnaissance for any possible targets. I'll make sure the Hatake led genins aren't planning anything to detriment our miss-”

“Perhaps I'm better suited for spying on those brats?” Kin interrupted with a low tone. “If they do notice me I won't be attacked on sight, unlike you. You did anger the blonde after attacking his 'friend'.”

“....this doesn't have anything to do with his crush on you?”

“No, I'm just saying I can be less conspicuous than a walking mummy.”

Dosu narrowed his single eye at Kin, who held the gaze without flinching, before looking away. “Fine, but don't get into a fight or we'll have to save your ass.”

“If anyone needs saving, it's Zaku the Loud Ass.”

“Oi!”

“I'm just saying, no need to get YOUR panties in a twist.”

“SHUT IT!”

“That's easy for me.” Kin said while jumping away from her team. “Unlike you, blabbermouth!”

“At least I don't have a blonde suitor that's louder than me!” he spat out in rage before heading off in the opposite direction.

Suitor....suitor....suitor.

That stupid word kept ringing in her ears as the kunoichi jumped from tree to tree, mind a maelstrom of agitation and embarrassment.

Not once in her life had this ever happened before....

With good reason....

How can she have suitors....if she wasn't even worthy of them in the first place? She wasn't special.

She had no clan, no family with merits....she was just a random orphan, alone in the world and fated to die in some backwater village had the Snake Sannin been devoid of pity and left her there to perish.

Instead.....he took her in....and yet even he lost that pity eventually.

No kekkei genkai, no real skills in ninjutsu, a failure in taijutsu, mediocre in genjutsu....heck, she was so bad that she didn't even get body modifications like the rest of her team because how can ANYTHING improve her already weak abilities even further?

She was....a failure, one that had no chance of success and yet....she joined this mission to change her fate. If she killed this Uchiha, then perhaps Orochimaru-sama will look at her again with favorable eyes once more and train her as his apprentice?

And yet now she has a random blonde going gaga over her when she didn't even mean for it to happen!?

She never prided herself on her own personal beauty before, not even when she came of age.

She wasn't a beauty like Guren nor a spitfire like Tayuya....she was just a country bumpkin with mediocre attraction....and yet....

That boy called her hair beautiful....

He called her beautiful.

....he saw her as beautiful....

Out of every kunoichi here, from Suna to Konoha....he saw HER as beautiful enough to ask on a date.

Quickly, she landed upon another branch and shook her head in embarrassed denial.

‘Focus! That stuff doesn't matter right now!’

As she looked around for her query, she recalled the calmness he gave her when....

When he commented on her beauty.

When he offered her a date.

....when he wished her luck in this kami-forsaken forest.

....that smile....kami, that smile made her heart skip a beat more than once.

“Gah! STOP THAT!” She yelled to herself while fully tempted to bash her head into a tree truck. “He's not worth it! It's just a brat!”

In an instantaneous moment of subconscious thought, the memory of that boy....

Suddenly altered, showing him not as a boy....but as a tall, handsome man....one....oh my....

One....only wearing a pink apron and nothing else.

“FUCK!!!” she screamed in frustration, which made a few birds fly away in panic from their nests.

“Aho aho aho.”

“Shut up, you stupid bird!” Kin screamed at the bird flying overhead as she continued to bash her head on the tree trunk, trying and failing to get the mental image out of her head.

It didn't help that....her favorite kink was in said vision.

Her love of naked aprons....on hot guys....oh boy.

She slowly pulled her head back from the bark, blood leaking from her forehead...and a little from her nose as her mind swirled with...lustful lewd daydreams.

...all of them of the blonde boy-no...blonde man in a naked apron!

“Damn it....damn it all!”

As she cursed her hormones to high hell, she realized something.

If she can locate that blonde brat and kill him, maybe it'll stop the....wet dreams?

“....that sounds perfect.”

She muttered while getting the image of his....bubble butt out of her mind and continued to jump across the forest in search of her prey.

Funny, when she came up with that plan a few days ago, she didn't expect....to get herself lost on the second day.

And here she was, lost, annoyed, and looking down the terrifying gaze of a giant snake summon, one that MIGHT eat her if she made any sudden movements.

....yep, she was going to die today....fuck.

“ Hiiiissssss. ” the unnaturally large reptile hissed, flicking its tongue out in a sign of intimidation, its eyes trailing the kunoichi’s every movement.

“Shit.”

“ Hisssss. ”

“Shit shit shit shit!” she muttered, her face now pale and in a state of utter fear.

As the hot breath of the serpentine monstrosity covered the kunoichi like a fog of imminent danger, she failed to notice a tuft of blonde hair moving past her line of vision....

Until she heard it.

“ Kage Bunshin no Jutsu! ”

The sound of multiple cries rang out across the forest, a cloud of smoke obscuring Kin's vision as she felt herself getting lifted into the air and 'flew' out of the path of the now confused beast's direction.

“What in-”

“Are you ok, Kin-chan?”

And lo, right in front of her, holding her in his arms like a Hime and leaping away from the smoke cloud with a big grin on his face....

Was. That. SAME. BLONDE. MOOK!!!

“W-HEY! What are you doing?!”

“Saving your life, duh.” Naruto deadpanned with a raised eyebrow. “I saw you about to get eaten and I didn't want you to die.”

“WHY?!”

“Because I like you, dattebayo.” he casually remarked, landing on a branch without setting Kin down.

“W-What?” Kin stuttered in surprise while only NOW realizing that she was being carried like a princess.

“Well, like is....isn't the right word. I mean I do like you but....it might be more.” He admitted with a chuckle. “However, I don't want to just confess outright and get slapped by you so....maybe we can be friends first?”

‘How can he say all that with a straight tone and NOT hesitate!?’

“So....do you want me to leave you here or do you want me to keep an eye on you a little longer?”

“J-Just put me down, you idiot!” she stuttered while extremely tempted to stab the boy in the face with senbon needles....only for him to carefully put her down, making sure her feet were touching the bark, and moved back with a smile. “....thanks, I guess.”

“No problem, Kin-chan. As long as I’m around, no one’s going to mess with you, that’s a promise, datteayo!” he smiled while giving her a thumbs up, making her face heat up even more from embarrassment.

“W-Why do you even like me?!” She yelled, not realizing she was saying her inner thoughts out loud due to being extremely flustered. “What even made you THINK that me, a total stranger, was beautiful?! Well?! HUH?!”

“....well....because your hair was beautiful.” He said, a little tinge of pink forming across his cheeks. “And....you just seem....really confident in yourself. Someone who knows what they're doing with their life....I mean, if you were from Konoha, you might've become the Hokage! You just have that um.....air of confidence that just....makes people listen to you....maybe I'm a bit biased but you're a shinobi that I'd respect if we had met as kids.”

“........HHHHHHUUUUUUUUUUUUUUHHHHHHHHHHHH!?” The Oto kunoichi cried out in shock, her eyes wide and mouth hanging loose in disbelief. ‘Kids!? Did he just say kids!?’

“Kin-chan? Are you ok?”

“D-D-D-D-Don't go making assumptions like that!”

“What assumptions?”

“Us having kids!!”

“Eh?! I said I'd like to MEET you when we were kids, but having kids! Dattebayo!”

“T-Then learn to clarify!” she cried out in embarrassment, her mind too flustered to notice the slip-up.

“....wait? You want kids?!” Naruto said in shock, pointing his finger right at her. “I-I know we just met and all but....mmmm, maybe went we are older-”

“BAKA!!” she cried out, closing her eyes and turning away from him, feeling mortified.

“Wait, Kin-chan!” Naruto cried out as the Oto kunoichi quickly ran in the opposite direction, her emotions overtaking her original spying mission. “Kin-chan!!”

“STOP SAYING THAT!”

“Kin-chan! Don't-”

“LEAVE ME ALONE!!” She yelled while disappearing from the Uzumaki's line of sight.

“....but that part of the forest has giant leeches!” He yelled while a dark chuckle rang in the back of his mind, something he chose to ignore out of concern for his....‘Ebony Hime’.

Fucking leeches.

Fucking life.

....fucking everything!

She had one mission, to keep an eye on Team 7, and she blew it!

And now here she was, pulling a leech off her neck and trying to locate that stupid blonde playboy again!

She winced when the leech came off her skin and tossed it aside before bandaging the wound to stem the bleeding, teeth gritted in frustration.

This entire week was....torture.

And she still couldn't get one thing out of her mind....

The notion that....that stupid genin....honestly wanted to be friends with her.

Ha! In this world, friends don't get you far....though she....never had friends before, just intolerable teammates that want her dead as much as anyone else that wanted to rise to Orochimaru-sama's inner circle.

....sometimes, she wonders if friends are important to have or not, same with love....

But she was a kunoichi! Love isn't part of that life, only power!

“Stupid brat, stupid smile, stupid kindness and stupid naked apron daydreams!” She growled while hopping towards another tree branch, only to notice a small fire in the distance and decided to follow it....hoping it was her intended target and not some other team trying to survive in this living hell of a forest. ‘I swear if it's not them, I'm going to make whoever it is wish they were dead when I'm done with them!’

Yet as she moved closer and closer to the source of the fire....

She saw it was right near a large tree, its insides gutted by years of weathering and animal damage upon its bark, as right within its insides....

Was Team 7 itself....although....

From the look of things, the only one still awake in the middle of the night was the pink kunoichi.

‘What is she doing?’ Kin thought before moving closer to the ground and peeking her head a little from behind a bush.

Only to see that inside the tree were the unconscious bodies of the Uchiha and....that stupid Uzumaki womanizer!

Her eyes widened, momentarily caught off guard at the sight in front of her, but she had to remind herself not to make a sound to alert her quarry.

Yet as she looked again at the sight of the unconscious blonde....

She felt....torn. Yes, she could just kill them now, the pinky was too weak to take her on.

But....it didn't feel right, not even close.

The blonde brat saved her life....and now here he was, unconscious and looking like he just had a battle with a strong opponent....killing him just....didn't feel right.

Perhaps she was overthinking this a little but....the boy DID save her and, technically, she owed him her life.

....ugh, morality is a bitch!

‘I know he's....dumb and infatuated with me, but he did save my life....ugh! I'll help this ONE TIME, then we'll be back to enemies!’ She thought with a groan before jumping down near the pinky and frowned. “Oi, boy toy.”

Sakura quickly jolted to her feet, standing up in front of her unconscious teammates as she grabbed a kunai from her pocket and pointed it at Kin with a warning glare. “Stay back!”

“Idiot, if I was going to kill you, then I'd have done it by now and you and your idiot Uchiha would be dead by now.” Kin said while rolling her eyes. “Also, you're holding the kunai by the bladed end, not the hilt.”

The pink-haired genin, looking down at her hands, quickly noted the awkward grip, turned the kunai around before rushing to adjust her grip, blushing in mortification at her blunder.

“As for why I'm here....your blonde Casanova saved my ass and well....”

“Wait, you're ACTUALLY reciprocating his feelings?” The pink genin said in surprise while Kin felt her cheek turn pink. “Huh, didn't expect him to actually be romantic like that, but hey, I'll support it-”

“N-NO! I don't feel that way about the baka!” Kin interrupted while the Haruno genin deadpanned at her with a knowing glance. “I'm serious! I just came here to repay the life debt he owes me! Nothing more!!”

“....this isn't a trap?”

“No, and before you ask, I'm not here to do ANYTHING to the Uchiha and the baka!”

“....mmm, fine. You can keep an eye on Naruto, but if you try anything-”

“Yeah yeah, like I'd be afraid of an obsessed fangirl with pink hair.” She said while walking passed Sakura and sat next to Naruto's left side. “By the way, what happened to him?”

“Some creepy lady named Orochimaru attacked us, placed some weird seal on Naruto that knocked him out and then bit Sasuke-kun's neck before leaving. They've been like that for three days now.”

‘Wait, WHAT?! Orochimaru-sama was here?! Wait....did he give that Uchiha a Curse Mark?! But we were supposed to kill him, not recruit him! And huh, that blonde brat looks kinda adorable when he’s asleep-OH KAMI WHY DID I THINK THAT?!’

“Are you alright? You're looking a little flustered.”

“I'm fine!”

“Are you-”

“I'm fine! Just go do your hair or something!”

“....says the girl who uses jasmine shampoo.” Sakura deadpanned while Kin stared at her in surprise. “Also, you have split ends.”

“N-No I don't! I brush it every day!”

“So do I, hypocrite.” She retorted with a smirk, one that was FULLY intended to annoy her blonde teammate's crush for the heck of it.

Kin narrowed her eyes as she was very tempted to whip out her senbon now more than ever to stab the genin in the throat.

“By the way, I know you think Naruto is stupid falling for you, I should know, he liked me only a few weeks ago.” Sakura said with a frown. “But he does deserve someone that isn't me, and I also know you'll kill him next time we meet....but.”

The Oto kunoichi blinked before seeing the genin turn towards her....only to notice....

Her deadly glare, one almost like a hidden beast behind those green eyes.

“If you hurt his heart, make him suffer, or worse, kill him. I WILL find you, cut that hair off, shove it down your throat, gut you like a fish, stuff YOUR entrails through your esophagus, and then use your head like a ball till it breaks into bone shards. Naruto is an idiot and a dumb brat, but he is also my teammate, my friend and I'll make sure HIS life means something after all the pain he went through. So, don't. Fuck. This. Up. Bitch.”

The Oto kunoichi felt her blood run cold, and swore her face turned pale as marble.

She hadn't felt like this since the last time she was talking to Orochimaru-sama.

Why the hell could she let this pink-haired bitch threaten her?!

And....And why is she being COMPLIANT to this threat?!

‘This little bitch is SO lucky I'm keeping an eye on the baka instead of killing her.’ Kin thought to herself while subconsciously rubbing the boy's hair with her right hand. ‘....still, she has guts, I'll give her that.’

“By the way, you're on watch duty now.”

“Eh?”

“I've been up for two days, you're covering for me....but my threat still stands. Hurt Naruto and I'll make sure you don't live to see the next sunrise, even IF you're trying to rub his hair like a 'boy obsessed fangirl'.” Sakura said with a playful, yet malicious, grin.

Kin quickly tensed up, pulling her right hand off the genin’s very soft hair like it had been burned by a hot flame. “N-No I'm not!”

“I just saw you doing it....and yes, his hair is soft.”

“H-How-”

“We shared baths, the team I mean.” Sakura said with a faint blush. “Plus, he really enjoys rose petal conditioner, it makes his hair really soft.”

“....”

“Just don't go sniffing it while he's unconscious, it makes you look weird.”

“I'M NOT SOME SICK PERVERT YOU BITCH!”

“Yeah yeah~”

‘Damn her! She's REALLY pushing my buttons!’ Kin thought while seeing the pink genin lying on her side and closing her eyes shut....although she seemed to be smirking at the Oto kunoichi's misery.

And that just made her even more annoyed....

Although....the idea of sniffing that brat's hair did seem....stupid yet intriguing.

After all, she treasured her long hair more than her own life....as it was her attempt to get Orochimaru-sama to notice her. Once upon a time, she had short....ugly hair like she lived in a rat's nest for her entire life.

It wasn't until she saw the Sannin and how....effeminate he was that she started growing her hair out....though that made her some enemies.

Mostly the other kunoichi that wanted power and lust from the Snake Sage....none worked, but she SAW how damaging fangirls were so she promised herself never to become one.

Though it didn't help that she was NEAR ONE RIGHT NOW!

‘Hmmm, it wouldn't take much to put her out of my misery. Just a few senbon in her neck and it might be painless.’She thought to herself with a smirk and was about to stand up-

Had the blonde idiot, in some twist of fate, NOT moved his body in his unconscious state....

And perfectly placed his head on her lap.

She quickly froze up in shock, looking down at his head with wide eyes. ‘W-What the?! Is he awake?!’

Yet....nothing happened, nothing at all....as the boy's head remained fixated on her lap like a....pillow.

Cheeks faintly turned pink as she realized something in that moment.

....she was giving this idiot the infamous 'lap pillow'! And it was only reserved for....BOYFRIENDS!!!

‘OH COME ON!’

She thought while trying and failing not to look flustered like an academy student.

Only to see the pink genin staring at her with a wide grin and open green eyes.

“Oh? Enjoying the view from up there~?”

“Shut. Up!” Kin yelled while hissing through her teeth in frustration.

“It's not like I wanted to be in this position! He just rolled onto my lap!”

“Oh, that, he moves in his sleep or in this case, while unconscious. Don't worry, he's not trying to be a pervert, if he did that I'd be punching him into orbit right now.” Sakura said with a smirk. “You're lucky, not everyone gets a chance at being his lap pillow. Or....being comfortable enough for that sort of thing.”

“Eh?”

“Right, you aren't from the village. He's....an orphan, bad childhood. No one likes him, well, a few but nothing that intimate. If anything, seeing you, a complete stranger, getting this treatment makes me somewhat trust you.” She said while the ebony kunoichi blinked in surprise at that information. “Either you have the same type of childhood as he did or he just unconsciously views you as a good person.”

“W-What?” she cried out in disbelief, caught completely off guard by the sudden backstory reveal.

“What?”

“What was with the sudden lore drop?!”

“Eh? I was just making sure Naruto's new girlfriend is up to speed with his past.”

“I'M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND!”

“Oh? Then why protect him then?”

“You are pushing your luck, bitch!”

“I know, but call it payback for making fun of Konoha.” Sakura retorted before closing her eyes. “Hope you hear wedding bells in your dreams tonight.”

‘....I am going to slit her throat.’ She thought with narrowed eyes while looking down at the blonde genin, his head still on her lap....and looking rather peaceful in his unconscious state.

It was....adorable to say the least, his whisker-like marks making him look like a sleeping fox kit.

....it was a little hard to NOT pet his head like one right now, especially with that pink bitch nearby.

‘How did things end up SO out of left field?’

Ugh....her knees were in pain....so much pain....

All because the boy didn't move since last night and now, as the early morning light shone on the horizon....

She felt nothing but agony and pins and needles all at the same time!

‘If something happens, I don't know if I'll be able to move!’ She thought to herself while resisting the urge....to pet the boy's head.

So much pain....just how heavy is this brat's head and why does he have to be so adorable-wait....WHAT?!

‘He's not adorable! He’s an idiot! A stupid, idiotically adorable brat that looks good in a naked apron-GAH!! Stop thinking that!!’ She thought as the mental images returned with a vengeance.

....and this time....

She was....

'Inspecting' him....very, very, VERY thoroughly that is.

Oh, and it didn't help that she was ALSO wearing a naked apron as well!!

‘AHHHHHHH!’ The ebony-haired kunoichi internally screamed in horror as she kept on getting those wet dreams every passing second of her conscious thought, not noticing that her team was watching her from a nearby branch. ‘Stop! STOP THIS CRAZY HORNYNESS!!!’

As she felt her brain turn into a hot mess....she failed to see a kunai taking aim at the blonde's body.

Until said kunai missed its mark and collided with the bark right behind him that is.

“Fuck! Missed the boyfriend!”

“Zaku?!” Kin yelled while quickly getting up, ignoring the pain in her legs and the fact that the genin's head fell from her lap, and narrowed her eyes at the tree's main opening. “What the hell are you doing?!”

“What am I doing? What the hell are YOU doing Kin?!” Zaku yelled while the loud genin and his 'mummy' friend jumped down a few feet away from the large tree.

“My mission, I'm infiltrating them. What are YOU doing?”

“It's time to kill them, that's OUR mission!”

“Wait.” Dosu said with a raised eyebrow. “Did you join forces with this team?”

“No! Look, the blonde baka saved my skin and I’m just repaying the favor. Kill the other two, just not him.”

“That's NOT what Orochimaru wants Kin.” Dosu said while narrowing his lone eye.

“Well, his wants are very different from our mission.” The Oto kunoichi said while pointing to the unconscious Sasuke. “Apparently Orochimaru-sama decided to show up to this weak team BEFORE us and placed a Cursed Seal on the Uchiha. If he wanted us to kill him, why give him that seal in the first place?”

“You're kidding.” Zaku frowned. “Why would he even do that?!”

“No idea, but either you two leave or you can come here and get your asses kicked by the Uchiha once he wakes up with a Curse Seal power boost. Your choice.”

“....it could be a lie.” Dosu muttered to himself while noticing that Zaku was choosing to ignore the warning in favor of killing the Konoha nin. “Who told you this information, Kin?”

“The pinky.”

“Then she lied, why would an enemy nin willingly give information to you without a cost? ....unless you and the blonde-”

“Yeah! Her boyfriend must be the reason she lied to us! You're falling for him!”

“I am NOT! And I'm not lying either! If you get even closer, then you're going to die!”

“We'll take our chances, Zaku, deal with the Uchiha.” Dosu said with cold calculation in his tone as the hot-headed Oto ninja smirked with sadistic delight.

Although none of them noticed the trip wire near their feet....or that the pink-haired genin was sleeping with one eye open right now, kunai in hand and smirking with satisfaction on her face.

Zaku quickly held his hands out, aiming them right at Sasuke, and ignoring the fact that Kin and Naruto were close enough to where the shockwave would hit them directly. “This is almost too easy.”

Yet-

In a split second....he stepped on the wire, causing the appearance of TWO LARGE LOGS from the canopy....as they went careening towards the Oto shinobi in the blink of an eye.

“Shit! Zaku, you idiot!”

“Fuck!”

‘Wait, how did she make that trap?!’ Kin thought while turning towards the genin, who was now holding several long wires in her right hand. “Wait, what-”

“I might be useless, but I'm intelligent and making traps is easy for a fortified assault.”

“DAMN IT!” Zaku growled before raising his arms towards the colliding logs. “ Zankuha! ”

A sudden boom, the shattering of wood....all this happened in the fraction of a second as sound waves shot out from the ninja's hands like invisible weapons of doom.

“How many-”

“Lots.” Sakura said while looking at Kin with a smirk. “They won't get far.”

“Dosu is extremely observant, he'll find them eventually.”

“Then do something, or is Naruto's life not that imp-”

“Don't you dare drag him into this!” Kin yelled, cheeks flushing pink as she noticed a blur of green heading right towards Zaku.

“ Konoha Senpu! ”

Zaku quickly turned towards his left, only to find himself careening through the air and slamming into a tree due to a kick right to his cheek.

“You will not harm Sakura-chan!”

Kin blinked before looking at the pink genin and smirked. “Oh? You have a boyfriend-”

“Lee's not my boyfriend!”

“Sure he is.”

“Gah! Damn you green spandex-wearing freak!” Zaku yelled while pulling himself off the bark and failed to notice that his arms were covered in large splinters.

The green spandex-wearing genin quickly took a ready stance, one arm behind his back, the other one held out with his fingers together while a burning blaze of confidence formed in his eyes. “If you wish to get to her, you will have to get by me.”

“Why you!! Zank-”

And just like that....

“AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!!!!”

The Oto genin's arms, modified to have openings that regulated both chakra and airflow to the boy's body....well....

Exploded from the built-in pressure from the numerous sprinters, sending bone, gore and clothing flying everywhere as everyone looked on in horror, including the still hidden Team Gai and Team 10, who unfortunately got some of the splatter on them.

“....hehe.” Kin chuckled to herself, knowing full well she hated the guy and he got some karma for antagonizing her every day. “Ok, pinky, you have to admit that was funny, right?”

Sakura, at this particular moment, remained silent, merely giving a grimace at the sight in front of her.

“Aww, is the little leaf genin squeamish?”

“No, I saw the Demon of the Mist's handiwork first hand....but.”

“But?”

“I didn't expect....a person's arms would explode like that.”

“Zaku's arms were modified to produce sound waves, that's why he can use jutsu without hand signs....but they are his weakness since they have easily plug-able holes running down his arms. Think of it like a flute but fleshy.”

“And since those splinters got lodged in those holes....oh kami.” Sakura muttered out loud as Dosu turned towards the group and narrowed his singular eye.

“Kin, you are dead to Oto-”

“Says the one who is following a man who wants us to die. Just leave and I'll accept any punishment after the exams, you KNOW that Zaku will bleed out if he doesn't get away from this death trap.” Kin said calmly while subconsciously putting herself between the blonde genin and her team leader's line of attack. “Or are you logically able to withstand the traps, that spandex-wearing freak and the genin surrounding you?”

“Wait-” Zaku said before seeing Team 10 and Team Gai popping out from the bushes in front of Lee....showing the Oto genin that even if they were on opposing sides at the moment....they were still Konoha nin.

And Konoha nin had each other's backs.

“Unless you want him to die and we end up disqualified. Your choice, Dosu.”

“....”

“Ah....fuck....fucking Konoha bastards! I'll rip your throats-”

“Zaku, we are retreating.” Dosu said sternly, causing the spiky-haired genin to look at him in shock. “If you die, then Oto will be seen as weak for letting its own shinobi die from their own stupidity.”

“But...But I can-”

“You have no arms, you're deadweight right now. So retreat, now.”

Zaku scowled in rage and would’ve jumped into the fray....but with his condition?

He had no room to argue....

It was either bleed out, get killed by enemy nin or....well, getting left behind.

“....fine.” He growled before jumping into the trees, vanishing from sight as Dosu turned towards Kin.

“When you're done protecting the brat, you better come back....and expect the punishment to be painful.”

“....I know, now leave.”

“....Orochimaru will know of this.”

“Yes, but it's better to survive your own assassination than blindly following a man who sees us as cannon fodder. Now, please leave.”

Dosu stared at the kunoichi for an uncomfortable few minutes before he headed off into the trees while giving her a warning glare, vanishing from sight within seconds of his departure.

And as the threat slowly passed....

“HOLY KAMI!” Kin cried out while holding her chest with her right hand, the sudden loud scream making all the genin jump in surprise. “That was terrifying!”

“Wait, why aren't you joining her?” Tenten asked in confusion.

“Well-”

“She wants to protect her boyfriend.” Sakura said with a smirk, something that Ino quickly noticed and decided to be a part of the 'hot gossip'. “Naruto saved her life and now she's here being Miss Uzumaki to him~”

“I WILL END YOU HERE AND NOW, PINKY!”

“Wait, she LIKES Naruto!?” Ino said with wide eyes. “Forehead, tell me more about this!”

“Do NOT tell her more, forehead!”

“Oi! Only I can call her that!”

“Well-”

“Don’t you dare, pinky!”

“She did let Naruto lie on her lap, rubbed his head and oh right, she kissed him-”

“That’s a load of bull and you know it, you Uchiha simp!”

“I am NOT a simp!”

“Then stop saying stupid things about the baka and me! I don’t like him! Not even in naked aprons-”

“Wait, naked aprons!?”

And just like that, Kin quickly covered her mouth, her face turning a bright shade of red as Shikamaru, the only sane genin in the group, just sweatdropped at this insanity.

“Are we really doing this?”

“Doing what?” Choji asked while eating some chips he had been saving for the occasion.

“Are we going to just ignore the fact she's from Oto?”

“You’re just jealous that Naruto got a girlfriend before you.” Ino said with a teasing smirk.

“Not really, getting one is way too much of a drag.”

“Then what’s the problem?”

“She’s-”

“Oh! You’re being overprotective of him, aw! Shikamaru, you do care!” Ino said with a grin. “That’s just like you, Big-Bro-Maru!”

“.......”

“It is pretty nice of you.” Choji tossed in with a smirk, making Shikamaru groan in frustration at his team’s antics.

“You two are such drags.”

“I don't like him!” Kin yelled while pointing to Naruto. “He's the one that asked ME on a date first!”

“.....weaklings do attract weak-” Neji tried to say before getting stabbed in the neck by a few senbon needles to his chakra points, causing him to pass out on the spot.

“Girly assed Hyuuga bastard.” The genjutsu user growled before noticing that Sakura and Ino were grinning at her, causing her cheeks to flush bright pink. “I-It was just a reflex! I wasn't trying to defend the baka's honor or anything!”

“Suuuuuuuurrrreee you weren’t~”

“I’m not into him!”

“Yeah, and I have blue hair.” Sakura said with a smirk. “I hear wedding bells coming soon.”

“I will END you!”

“Oh, don’t be a tsundere.” Ino giggled while poking Kin’s left cheek. “I think this is the start of a beautiful relationship, one with naked aprons-”

“SCREW YOU, PIG FACE!”

“Hey!”

“......should we tell them that Sasuke just woke up?” Tenten asked while pointing to the Uchiha, who just woke up and was fully expecting a fight but......

Instead saw a two-way brawl between Ino and Kin.

“......nah.” Shikamaru said while putting his hands behind his head with a sigh. “They’ll figure it out.”

“Sakura-chan!” Lee called out while appearing in front of the genin. “Are you alright? Are you hurt?”

“I’m fine, thanks to you.” she smiled, causing the taijutsu-themed genin to beam brightly with happiness, sparks forming all around his face.

“...Sakura-chan! You are the sun goddess and I promise to protect you always with the Power of Youth!” He exclaimed with delight as he clasped his hands on Sakura’s hands...only to quickly realize what he was doing and released them. “I’m sorry! I forgot you were just attacked! I’ll do ten thousand laps around the forest as punishment!”

“Wait Lee, you don’t have to-”

“I must! I nearly tainted your honor, I must punish myself to balance it out!” Lee said before getting grabbed by Sasuke and thrown across the forest like a rag doll.

“She’s. Mine!” The Uchiha yelled, his delirious brain accidentally forcing his subconscious thoughts to the surface, as he failed to notice that he was holding Sakura’s waist like a protective husband. “Get away from my wife, you green-clad homewrecker!”

“HUH?!” Ino gasped out, her mouth dropping open in disbelief and shock. “What did you say?!”

“Mine.” Sasuke said before picking up Sakura, held her in his arms like a princess, and....

Fell face-first on the ground from complete exhaustion, the pink-haired genin completely flushed from both embarrassment and confusion.

“.....ha!” Kin cackled while pointing at the genin with amusement, her laughter sounding both genuine and filled with unfiltered merriment. “Oh kami! This is WAY funnier than seeing Zaku's arms blow up! Pinky, you DEFINITELY picked the right man, congratulations! You are crushing on a dirt-eating lunatic! Hahahahaha!!!”

Yet as the cackling continued, Sakura's own face quickly turned bright red as she laid right under Sasuke’s chest, all the while Tenten was snickering at the scene with a grin on her face.

“......this is why I will never fall in love.” Shikamaru muttered while watching as Ino stared at her crush like a gaping fish, her friend becoming a catatonic mess and....

Naruto's girlfriend was laughing without a care in the world at the chaos.

“Hey, Shikamaru.” Choji said while still eating his chips. “What do you think?”

“Eh?”

“Do you think the Oto girl is a good match for Naruto, since you are his first friend and all.”

“.....she's fine, a little annoying, but that just makes her have the same vibe as Naruto.”

“Think they'll get together by the end?”

“Only time will tell.....but knowing him, he MIGHT get a real girlfriend by the end of the year, maybe less.”

“.....want to bet on that?”

“You’re on.”

“Good, because I bet that Naruto will ask the question within three years.”

“Knowing him, it’ll take ten years for him to pop the question.”

“FOCUS YOU TWO!” Ino yelled at her team while frowning at them. “We have an exam to finish!”

“So you don’t want to bet on how long it’ll take for them to get married?” Choji asked while seeing his teammate cross her arms over her chest.

“I already KNOW that they’ll marry in eight years, it’s so obv-GAH!”

“I’m not marrying him!” Kin yelled while punching the blonde genin in the stomach. “So STOP making bets on my love life, you blonde bimbo!”

“B-BIMBO!?”

“Did I stutter?”

“Oh, you...you.....well at least I don't have split ends!”

...ooooooh, she did NOT just say that! That little BITCH!

“S-Split ends?! You little!”

“Bring it bimbo!”

“I'm going to scalp that bad haircut you call a head off!!”

And just like that.....in the face of utter death by monstrous animals and killer genin....a deadly brawl started in front of the sleeping Uzumaki and....it made him smile in his sleep....for what reason not even the Oto genin knew....but perhaps....

Perhaps he was dreaming of a certain ebony-haired kunoichi who stole his heart?

Either way....for the Oto kunoichi....this entire mess was all HIS FAULT....SOMEHOW!!!

‘Damn you, Naruto Uzumaki! Damn you and your naked apron potential!!!!’