Hey guys!

First, I hope every one is remaining vigilant, safe, and healthy. It's a tough time and all we can do is stick together. Second, I apologize for the delay. Work has not gotten easier. Anyway, I really hope you guys enjoy this update.

Warning: Language, kissing.

17.6K words. Please enjoy!

NARUTO

A groggy Naruto regains consciousness long enough to recognize the disinfectant smells of a hospital and opens his clear blue eyes to the blinding brightness of a white room in strong daylight. Looking out the window to his left, he can tell it's morning and beautiful. Heavily wrapped in white bandages and feeling chronic aches all over, he naturally thought back to the invasion. Fighting Gaara and Shukaku mostly in base level near to the point of severe chakra exhaustion was not an engagement he wanted to repeat anytime soon. Simply recalling the fight gave him phantom pains.

Naruto is checking his restricted mobility when he notices two flowers in a vase on the bedside table—one red rose and the other a daffodil—along with a Fūinjutsu scroll, a balloon in the shape of a frog, a cup of noodles, and several get-well cards from his friends and family. Giddy at the small shrine of well-wishes, he smiles happily at the thought of being loved. He may have cried if not for a nurse suddenly walking in, and to Naruto's great surprise, she looks pleased to see him awake. The bandaged blond doesn't recognize her nor does he understand why any hospital staff would be glad to see him, but she cheerfully saunters over relaying, "Uzumaki-kun, it's good to see you're finally awake."

As she checks the monitors whilst writing on her clipboard, Naruto nervously asks, "how long have I been out?"

"Three days," she replies with amazement. "I have to alert your healer, but before I go, I just want to say, thank you."

Looking at her suspiciously, Naruto cautiously asks, "for what?"

"You saved a lot of lives that day," the brunette nurse answers. "I just… I feel a little safer knowing you're protecting us." Feeling as if she's said too much, she blushes before leaving a stunned Naruto in his room alone.

"Whaaa the fuck," Naruto slowly gasps.

The flabbergasted blond didn't have a lot of time to ponder such blatant positive feedback before his healer enters with a different, older nurse. Naruto spots many younger nurses huddled by the door before it closes. The rudeness of the older doctor and the nurse is an attitude he's much more accustomed with and he relaxes a little. Additionally, the doctor didn't mind telling Naruto how appalled he was by the Fūinjutsu tags he used to heal others. The older man instructed Naruto to stop training for a month and he'll eventually return to normal. Naruto knew it wouldn't take more than a could days to return to full strength but he didn't argue.

Less than twenty minutes later, a giant toad the height of the hospital lands outside of Naruto's windows, rattling the entire building and grounds. Sliding the glass to the side, Naruto sticks his head out just in time to be hit in the face with folded red, black, and orange clothes.

"Get dressed," the exuberant Jiraiya calls uproariously from atop his armored blue and red toad. "We've been summoned!"

Rolling his humored eyes at his Godfather's outrageous antics, Naruto quickly dresses in his orange and black clothes over the medical bandages and takes a few extra minutes to enjoy modeling the cloak Ma finished for him in front of the mirror. The collarless cloak looked similar to his father's white Kage cloak only red with black flames and the name UZUMAKI written down the back with his clan's emblem on the left arm. Shining stars for eyes, Naruto squealed with joy.

Though Naruto didn't know it, walking from the third floor to the front entrance of the hospital gave him a sample of what the rest of the village is like. Three days after the invasion and there are still many wounded soldiers and civilians in the hospital as patients or waiting loved ones; many of whom take note of him as he passes. They point, whisper, and openly stare at him, and Naruto finds receiving so much attention without the vitriol in their eyes odd. It makes him keep his head low and walk faster.

Meeting Jiraiya in the front, the white-haired elder escorts the heavily bandaged boy down Main Street toward the Hokage's Tower. Many of the shops are still in business as most of the buildings hadn't been damaged. There is a lot of fire damage, however, and in the distance, Naruto can see a section of the wall is rapidly being repaired under heavy security. Additionally, the streets are bustling with civilians and Chūnin patrols, all of whom stare at Naruto as he passes. A few even wave at him, which again, makes Naruto feel very odd under the attention. Fortunately, Jiraiya easily demands his entire attention by explaining how they're on their way to see the Hokage.

Noticing his distracted Godson, Jiraiya asks, "nervous?"

Though he shakes his head, Naruto has no idea how Ji-chan will react. On the one hand, he'll be happy just knowing he's alive and well. That was the primary goal for the day, after all. But on the other hand, they kept Ji-chan out of the wager he made with the Kazekage. Naruto wanted to tell him, but neither Naru-nii nor Jiraiya could answer if Rasa would accept the wager if he learned Hiruzen knew of the invasion as well. It's possible Ji-chan and Rasa's deaths was the price for peace in Naru-nii's time, but Naruto didn't want that to be the case in this time-line. The round-a-bout thinking left him confused and without a satisfying choice.

Turning to his Godfather, Naruto asks, "do you think he'll be mad? I mean, he's alive, right? He can't be too mad once he knows; once I tell him everything."

Humming loudly, Jiraiya takes a moment before asking a question of his own. "Do you know why I went along with the plan?"

Quirking a blond brow, Naruto asks, "so Suna and Konoha understand each other better. To prove to the Kazekage that we're really allies. Taking him on and beating some sense into him."

"You're not wrong," Jiraiya comments. "But that's only one side of it. There's more to it than that."

"Like what?"

"Come on now," Jiraiya grouses. "You're the head of your clan, you know. You're going to have to start using that brain of yours if you're going to be a leader of men."

"Yeah, but you're asking me if I know what you're thinking," Naruto contests. "I'm not a Yamanaka. I can't read minds here."

Nodding, the old sage replies, "point," before explaining, "I agreed to this plan because what happened in the other timeline is an event I feared would happen one day. Just as well I agreed too, because if I hadn't, I knew the fault would fall on you."

"But it does," Naruto replies, looking at the village he helped defend. Recalling many of his clones' memories, he adds, "I remember everyone I saved but I can't be sure if I missed one. If I did… they died because of me."

Slapping a strong yet comforting palm on Naruto's injured shoulder, Jiraiya sincerely explains, "the decision to die for your country is a personal conviction you can't take from any shinobi. More importantly, when you're at a bar and you see a fine lady you want to bring to your room, you can't be afraid of rejection."

Crunching his face at a loss, Naruto asks, "what?"

"Shinobi die," Jiraiya flatly answers. "Every leader knows at some point, men under their command will die. Some just don't make it home; that's reality." Before his wager with Rasa, Naruto never thought about death or risking the lives of other people. Being Hokage simply meant defending the village from attacks and complaining about paperwork. Now, however, Naruto often wonders what it really means to be a good leader. Jiraiya underscores his thoughts by continuing, "nevertheless, a leader must still carry out their mission; no matter the loss. This plan—this mission—was technically not yours to undertake. Handling big stuff like invasions is very much the prerogative of a Kage."

Nodding dejectedly, a dispirited Naruto slowly agrees with, "Yeah… I guess, I really messed up-"

"However," Jiraiya loudly interrupts, cleaning out his ear with a pinkie finger. "Our Hokage is also the very reason I decided to do this your way."

Quirking a blond brow, Naruto turns to him and asks, "wait, what? Weren't you saying how I messed up?"

"Technically, you committed treason," Jiraiya clarifies, adding, "which is more than just, 'messing up.'"

Flinching terribly high, a bug-eyed Naruto yells, "treason?"

"However," the elder shinobi strongly replies. "As much as I love sensei, there are facets of his leadership that can't be overlooked. I've come across scraps of intel over the years that led me to side with you over him."

"Wait, what intel," Naruto asks. "And I still don't get why."

"Gah, use your brain," Jiraiya retorts, tapping Naruto on the tippy-top of his blond head. "Think about what it means to be a good leader—in all ways—and really look at what happened and why." As they approach Hokage's Tower, Jiraiya reminds his blond ward, "remember, I already planned for this so let me do all the talking."

INO

Following her pink-haired sister from the hospital through the barren path of an abandoned district, all Ino wanted to do was look for Naruto and it grated on her patience as they neared Sasuke's traditional mansion. The day was gorgeous and she was anticipating the moment he wakes up and sees her there watching over him. They would be thrilled at the sight of one another and kiss passionately on his bed. Realizing how short and precious life is, they would soon start dating and figure out a way to convince Sakura to join their relationship, scandalous as that is.

Since the invasion three days prior, Ino hasn't stopped thinking about Naruto's declaration for polyamory. She's had fantasies about herself, Naruto, and Sakura all sharing a bed, a house, and each other for the rest of their lives, however long that may be, and often finds herself longing for that dream. Walking around Sakura as they did simple D-Rank missions together would always remind her of what could be. The more she thought about the lifestyle, the more she realized that she didn't support polyamory unless it involved them. Following her sister now, however, worried her.

"Sakura," Ino calls in the empty Uchiha street. "Let's just find Naruto first then tell Sasuke."

"If you want to look for him, go ahead," Sakura replies, leading them. With the house is half-a-mile away, she reminds Ino, "I promised Sasuke I'd tell him when Naruto woke up."

Arms crossed as she shakes her head, she asks, "does it have to be now? It's not like he can't wait a few hours."

Sighing and growing impatient, Sakura questions, "if Sasuke wants to talk to him, why can't we all just search together? I don't get what's so wrong with that."

Growing annoyed by her sister's regard for Sasuke, Ino irately replies, "and I don't get why you're so eager to tell him Naruto's awake. If he actually cared about Naruto's well-being, he would've visited."

Sakura tries to respond, "he's my teammate-"

Ino interjects, "who impaled his arm through Naruto's freaking chest!"

"You're never going to let that-"

Ino's eyes widen the same moment Sakura stops talking, both girls abhorrently realizing how that sentence was going to end. Though upset and disappointed, Ino doesn't voice her frustration as Sakura takes a few moments to collect herself. It's as if both girls recognize the signs of obsession and if they're not cognizant of it, they might slip.

Sakura clears her throat before admitting, "I don't know why this is so hard." The shamed pinkette looks over to Sasuke's large home Ino has no doubt Sakura dreamed of living in one day. "Obviously, rules or no, what Sasuke did was inexcusable. I won't forget it, and in my mind, I know what it means. But feeling it…"

Cautiously, Ino slowly asks, "do you still love him?"

Sakura whips around, as if offended, repeating, "do I still love someone who would kill me as easily as an enemy?" The tone told Ino that Sakura was putting on a front. Her sister was never great with masks and Ino always loved that about her and Naruto; they can't hide their emotions easily. It's no surprise when Sakura deflates and sadly admits, "I'm terrified that I still might- …because if I can't answer such a simple question, doesn't that mean there's something wrong with me?"

She looked so vulnerable Ino can't help but hug her as she assures her, "No. It just means it's tough. But you have me and Naruto."

Sakura hugs her back with grateful gratitude, enjoying the warmth and support. After many moments, she's settled enough to say, "I still want to tell Sasuke," however, before Ino can object, she asks, "but will you stay with me, please?"

Smirking happily, Ino sneaks a peck on her lips before answering, "always."

Hand in hand, the girls walk to the Uchiha compound and eventually meet Sasuke. As expected he rushes away without so much as a thank you, strengthening Ino's mission to show Sakura that this version of Sasuke is no good for her. At the moment, Ino is simply happy to look for Naruto as the girls visit Karin at the construction site first.

NARUTO

Jiraiya and Naruto stand at attention before their Hokage in his maximum sealed office. Naruto is partly distracted by the glowing blue seals lining most of the room as he finds them interesting to read on top of Hiruzen's bandaged and heavily wrapped left arm. They're the only three in the darkened office when their stern leader begins with a simple question; no welcome back, no update on current affairs, no inquiries on his health. Simply straight to the point.

Looking at Naruto, he asks, "how long have you known?"

Naruto hums, "Uuuh-" before his Godfather interjects, "Sensei, if you would, I request you unseal Black Scroll, registration number: 318106. I submitted the scroll less than a month ago precisely for this eventuality."

Eying his former student, Hiruzen retains his hard expression for several moments, however, Jiraiya never falters under the intense gaze. The Hokage reaches under his desk with his one good arm, they hear a gaseous pop, then his old hand lays on the desk a black scroll.

Turning to his Godfather, a curious Naruto asks, "Black Scroll?"

"For highly sensitive information that shouldn't be known until the appropriate time," Jiraiya quickly explains. "I submitted one to Hokage-sama because unlike you, I have actual credibility."

Turning to Hiruzen, Naruto wonders out loud, "you wouldn't have believed me if I told you?"

Breaking decorum, Jiraiya boldly rebukes, "of course he wouldn't. You're a sixteen-years-old genin fresh out of the academy, not the superstar protagonist from one of my phenomenal novels. How's the Hokage supposed to take your word about an invasion by one of our strongest allies as credible intel?"

Eying his former student oddly, Hiruzen assures Naruto, "if you had shown me whatever proof you collected, I would have believed you. Even if their betrayal seemed unlikely, I would've placed my trust in you and at least listened to any evidence you had."

"Exactly," Jiraiya adds. "As this concerns the safety of the village, our Hokage would've sent shinobi to interrogate and infiltrate anyone or location that may be involved." Having known him since he was a child, Hiruzen recognizes when Jiraiya is blowing smoke but can't understand the angle as he continues, "I'm sure sensei would've kidnapped someone from Sand or Sound on your say… as long as you had proof-"

"Enough," Hiruzen commands, eying Jiraiya's smiling face. The Hokage breaks open the seal with his chakra before taking a few moments to read over Jiraiya's words. Hiruzen's eyebrows rise seconds before he demands to know, "is this true?"

Looking between the elders in confusion, Naruto asks his Godfather, "is what true?"

"Every word of it," Jiraiya answers, ignoring Naruto.

Impatient in his curiosity to know what they're talking about, the blond demands, "will someone please tell me what's going on?"

"I want to be clear here," Hiruzen tells them both. "What you both took upon yourselves to do—risking the lives of our villagers and armed forces—behind my back is tantamount to treason. I would be well within my rights to arrest and imprison you." Naruto swallows what felt like a rock down his dry throat and he feels stupid for having never thought of that. Lowering his elderly tone, Hiruzen confesses, "what's worse is how deeply disappointed I am in you both, who hold a special place in my heart."

It's the first time Naruto's ever heard those words from his grandfather-like role model. He didn't even think disappointing his oldest friend was possible. Even when he stole the Scroll of Seals for Mizuki, Hiruzen only gave him a stern talking-to about being gullible. While Naruto did feel he could've revealed everything about Naru-nii to his Hokage weeks ago, it truly didn't seem significant to him so long as Hiruzen survived and Gaara became his friend. When Jiraiya agreed with the plan for the invasion, Naruto assumed telling Hiruzen after the fact wouldn't be a problem, making him further wonder why his Godfather agreed to the plan if he knew it would be.

In the everlasting moment of grueling silence, a distressed Naruto is ready to confess to everything when Hiruzen looks between the black scroll and the blond genin, then sighs before continuing, "however, I will not ignore the impossible situation you found yourselves in. I have a contract with a summon as well, and Enma, the Monkey King, can be uncompromising when confidentiality is required. Being unable to freely speak when the Toads insist on privacy is understandable when it involves prophecies. Knowing future events is dangerous information the truly powerful would stop at nothing to gain for themselves and I agree it would be better if others did not know of their ability."

Naruto turns to Jiraiya who only glances and smirks at him before tilting his chin forward to keep listening. "In addition," Hiruzen continues. "Prophecies being what they are, I can't be certain I would've categorized the intelligence as actionable. I would've believed that you believe it and I may have been wary, however, suddenly mistrusting a long-time ally, an honorable person, and fellow Kage on precarious and debatable intel would've been…" Hiruzen pause seemed odd to Naruto, as if he's struggling in some way.

"Unreasonable," Jiraiya offers.

"Excessive, I think," Hiruzen slowly articulates. Turning to Jiraiya, he comments, "I imagine it's why you were so motivated to oversee the security of the village."

With a nod and non-committal shrug, Jiraiya adds, "in addition to the Kazekage's security. After all, it's not like we wanted to destroy relations between Suna and Konoha. The opposite, in fact."

With a sigh, Hiruzen nods as he orates, "this is a distasteful situation. Two people I care about withheld vital intelligence from me, your chief commander. Even if you felt I would not have believed this prophecy, it's your duty to prove otherwise. On the other hand, you both not only saved a multitude of Konoha lives, but Suna lives as well, which will aid our peace talks moving forward. As I see it, you not only deserve punishment, you also deserve reward."

"Did…" Naruto pauses a moment, scared of the answer, but ignores the fear for his stubborn courage as he asks, "did anyone die?"

Turning to Naruto, he answers, "yes." Naruto visibly saddens and Hiruzen adds nothing more as he looks to the pair of them before asserting, "you will await my judgment while I reflect on how best to address your actions. For now, I must meet with Rasa-san and his council."

"How's your arm," Naruto asks in worry.

Shifting his gaze on his wrapped appendage, Hiruzen only answers, "I worry less about it every day," before telling them, "you're dismissed."

On his way out of Hokage tower, Naruto's mind is reeling from his memories of the battles, everything Ji-chan said, why Jiraiya supported the plan, then blamed their knowledge on Old Toad Gamamaru's prophecy ability. As Naruto and Jiraiya wave back to a few Chūnin, Naruto asks, "do the toads know you hung the future stuff on them?"

"Of course," his Godfather snickers. "No one can know what you know."

Setting that worry aside, Naruto asks what he's growing more dire to know. "How many people do you think died because of me?"

"Not because of you," Jiraiya restates.

Stepping outside the Tower to the bustling street outside, Naruto insists on knowing, "did they tell you how many-"

"I only know of Sound-nin deaths," Jiraiya interjects. "Listen well my little leader, you did a fantastic job with those tags. If there are any Konoha deaths, I'm sure it'll either be because of some unrelated accident or medical error. Don't stress yourself ragged over it until you learn more. Afterward, deal with it like the rest of us."

Hoping for a good answer, he asks, "how?"

Staring straight into his godson's clear blue eyes, he answers, "by training harder than ever so the next time someone needs you, you won't fail again." It was a hard truth Jiraiya has been talking about that truly added worry to his life dream of being the best Hokage ever.

At the mention of training, Naruto knows exactly what technique he'll be learning next. Ever since Naru-nii entered his life, he's been training hard every day to protect all his special people. If one person died because he couldn't protect them, he knows he'll have to carry the heavy burden. It's a reality to his world view that offers a tireless grasp of responsibility.

The pair walk down several streets eying the villagers shouting out to the last of the remaining Chūnin Exam business left. To his surprise, he spots Inari and Konohamaru chasing each other around the market. Naruto waves to them as they rush over. The group then heads to the construction site together. With Inari and Konohamaru well ahead of them, a different curiosity runs to the forefront of his thoughts, Naruto proceeds to ask, "can you tell me why you went along with the plan when you knew it was treason, and why we didn't just tell Ji-chan the whole truth?"

"Don't tell me you didn't like the toads getting credit," Jiraiya proposes. "They already make prophecies, so it's not much of a stretch to say they predicted the invasion."

"You know I don't care about credit," Naruto points out. "But you agreed with the plan when you knew this would happen."

"How you didn't think it was treason only means you got a lot to learn," Jiraiya humorously chides, bumping Naruto's shoulder. "But that's okay. We all start somewhere. And yeah, I knew this would happen and agreed anyway."

"Yeah, but why? I don't get it."

Scratching his square jaw, Jiraiya tilts his head as he hums in wondrous pondering. With the boys running off to meet Inari's mother, Jiraiya finally voices, "mmnnn… maybe, I wouldn't mind telling you… if you put in a good word for me with Tsunami-san."

"Wait, what-" Turning to the blushing cheeks and perverted glint of his godfather, Naruto yells, "Oh! No way, you giant pervert! She's too nice a lady for a loose guy like you!"

Erotic fantasy broken, Jiraiya yells back, "loose!? How dare you speak to your Godfather that way!"

"Like I can help it when it's the truth!"

The pair continue their animated quarreling all the way to the construction site. Though Naruto wanted to help out the crew, Karin, Tsunami, and Tazuna refuse to let him work while he's still injured. Aside from informing him Sakura and Ino came by, Karin assures him construction is coming along nicely and he should go home and rest. Naruto stays a little longer, catching up with everyone before going home. Upon finding no one at Iruka's, the blond decides to walk to Kurenai's and finds no one home there either. Deciding to wait, he lays down on her comfortable couch and goes to sleep.

TEMARI

Neither Temari nor her brothers expected to be let out of their guarded accommodations, however, they were given thirty minutes' notice to wash and change, and are now on their way to meet their father. For the past three days, Temari and her brothers have had nothing to do but think and reflect on all the decisions that lead to being held hostage in a village that was once their ally. In hindsight, the reasons why they lost seem so obvious, and many from Suna feel a sense of regret.

Kankurō was very vocal about their mistake in trusting Sound and took it personally. Gaara kept his thoughts to himself, however, he did nod or comment occasionally, which was an enormous improvement from his, generally, homicidal personality. He wasn't suddenly affectionate or caring toward his siblings, however, they could feel his malice was gone. It was as if Gaara had faith in hope once again, and slowly but surely, he's recognizing them as family and not meat-sacks to be murdered.

While Temari was happy to spend quality time with her youngest brother, her critical mind has had upwards of eighty hours to think about everything; from the conception of the invasion to the Chūnin exams, to meeting Naruto, to being forced by her own family and Kage to Honey-Trap him, to learning how sweet, brave, and virile he is, to regretting everything, and throughout it all, she couldn't stop how angry she felt. While Gaara may not have been in his right mind, her father should've never agreed to pimp her out. Her village's invasion plan failed, and on top of that pain, she felt so gravely betrayed, she couldn't stop exercising to expend the pent up energy.

Upon exiting their comfortable prison, Temari, Kankurō, and Gaara are escorted by a Jōnin team up many floors until they reach the surface. They're clearly in the forest around Konoha, however, she can't tell where. Walking through the path, there are seven large pens with many of her countrymen inside, all surrounded by a great portion of Konoha's Chūnin force. Many of their compatriots call for them as they pass and seem genuinely happy to see the Kazekage's children are safe. Temari is just happy so many of them survived, a reflection that spurs memories of Naruto healing the very shinobi that invaded his home, reigniting her shame and anger.

The three don't walk far and are upon a large red tent guarded by Konoha shinobi shortly. It looks like a carnival tent big enough to fit two hundred people inside, and upon closer inspection, Temari notes Fūinjutsu characters etched into the dirt floor all around the tent. It makes her curious about how well it prevents escape. Inside the tent is cool and sectioned off with tall screens to create several rooms. They are taken to one of the larger rooms, and after the guards close the door behind them, the Sand siblings are greeted by Baki, their village's council, and their Kazekage. The man with the stern face of her father was seated in the middle of a round table with an I.V. drip is connected to his arm, and despite his attempt to appear strong, he looks sickly.

'Poison,' Temari's sharp mind deduces. 'Strong poison.'

She hasn't seen him since they were captured. She only knew that he was in the hospital but stable. He doesn't stand to greet them as the councilors did and Temari wonders if he's even able to stand. Regardless, he points to the three empty chairs in front of him, an invitation for his children to sit before him. Though the old war dogs take their seats, Temari does not. She simply glares at her father and crosses her arms. Gaara and Kankurō stand on either side of her, though Kankurō voices, "I'm sick of sitting down."

"Why've we been called," Temari begins. Her mind is perceptive enough to know the three of them would serve no other purpose to the negotiations besides being hostages. Additionally, it's only been three days so she's certain they haven't concluded the terms to an accord. Standing in this room with these men wouldn't make sense unless the siblings were somehow involved in the settlement, though Temari isn't sure how.

"He knew," Rasa gravely voices. In a secure location with half of the Suna Council and his children, the weakened yet active Kazekage singles out his daughter, eying her staunchly as he demands to know, "did you tell him?"

Temari snickers in irritated disbelief, realizing this is about culpability as she angrily retorts, "is that why you've summoned us? To assign fault?"

Rasa specifies, "whether intentional or not, did you tell him?"

Temari takes a strong step forward, angry he would doubt her word even when all of this was his fault to begin with, and boldly proclaims, "I didn't tell him!"

"We're only attempting to establish the origin of the leak," councilor Jōseki evenly states. The clean-shaven old man likes pretending to be civil, however, he's always treated Gaara as nothing more than a weapon and Temari has always hated him for it. Analyzing her with cold hard eyes, Jōseki questions with just enough accusation, "were you even aware of Uzumaki's sage training?"

With a heavily bandaged arm in a secure sling, Baki steps forward to voice, "our plan's exposure must've come from Jiraiya. He's an infiltration specialist of the highest caliber. There isn't much intel he can't figure out how to access."

Rasa simply asks his Jōnin, "and not report it to his Hokage?" Baki had no reply as Rasa continues. "No. I fought Hiruzen. He truly did not know and I can't imagine Jiraiya wouldn't tell him."

"The sages took this gamble together," Jōseki takes the liberty to voice, finishing, "and the only explanation for Jiraiya keeping this information from his Hokage—and former sensei—is if Uzumaki informed him; not the other way around." Eying Temari and Gaara stoically but coldly, he deduces, "that could only happen by sheer luck or he was told."

Getting more upset by the suspicion and passive accusation, Temari yells back, "it wasn't me!"

She's done so much in service of her village and family; things she knows her mother would never approve of if she were still alive. Temari's heart is hammering in her chest as they sit comfortably in their chairs of failure and question her loyalty when she's prostituted herself and betrayed her heart and character for nothing. Temari couldn't help pointing an accusatory finger at her father as she yells, "you're the ones who ordered me to be around him; to seduce him-"

"And he seems to have swayed your heart instead," her father interjects with his powerful voice, despite his sickly appearance.

"He didn't-" but Temari pulls up short when she tries to deny being swayed. Her heated heart then yells, 'so what?' Even if she liked Naruto, she didn't do anything wrong and he never pressured her in any way. In fact, compared to these old hardened men in front of her, it's impossible to not feel affection and respect for someone as good as Naruto. With a commanding voice, she asserts, "regardless of my opinion of him, otou-sama, I would never betray my village or family, for anyone. I thought I proved that when you asked me to be a whore-"

"Your Kazekage gave you a directive for the success of the village," Jōseki commented. "And you failed."

"In case it's escaped your notice, Jōseki, I'd say we all failed," Temari shoots back at the elder. She was thrilled when Gaara backed her up, glaring at the man enough to clear his throat and look away. Even without his gourd of sand, Gaara can still be intimidating.

Father and daughter stare at each other unflinching for several silent moments until the Kazekage tells his advisers, "Temari is not the one," bewildering her. She couldn't tell if his assertion was an olive branch or another tactic but she feels uneasy when he turns to the table of old men and asks, "what's our strategy for the Omiai?" Blinking in surprise, Temari had considered the marriage contract a non-issue, and is again uneasy when he adds, "the document may have been for the invasion, however, it's still an officially binding contract."

In consideration of his student, Baki asks, "shouldn't it be canceled, Kazekage-sama?"

"If they demand we fulfill the terms of the contract, we're not in a position to refuse," Jōseki communicates to the room, all of whom murmur and hum. "They could see it as an act of ill-intent and demand more in other areas we're unwilling to concede."

The knowing look in her father's eyes made Temari clench her fists in anger, pondering if the Omiai was the point of questioning her character in the first place; as if he didn't want her to know this is what he cared about the most. She wouldn't put such manipulation past him, but at this point, she's growing so infuriated, breathing calmly is a challenge.

Then her father asks of her, "do you think you'll be able to convince Uzumaki to cancel it?"

Openly glaring at him, she asks through clenched teeth, "why?"

"You can serve the village in better ways than being a broodmare," he dispassionately admits.

Without anyone to attack, Temari takes as many moments as she wants to calm her raging emotions, consciously unclenching her fists so blood can return to her fingertips. She may have every right to wronged and insulted, but, righteous anger won't serve her here; not with these men. Currently, her only goal is to teach her father how wrong he is and has been, to rebel against him, to throw his stupidity and heartlessness in his face, all while watching him suffer for it. With a much clearer conscious, calmer demeanor, and hard teal eyes, she eerily conveys to the stuffy room, "maybe I don't want to serve the village in better ways, otou-sama. Maybe I like serving the village this way."

Frustrated as only a father can, Rasa sags in his chair—praying for patience—before replying, "this is no time to act a spoiled child, Temari."

"First a broodmare and now a spoiled child," Temari practically spits back. "As if a spoiled child would so easily prostitute herself for her father in the first place!"

"It was-"

"A means to an end," she cuts him off without fear of penalty. "Yes, I know. I understand how to callously move people on a board; you taught me quite well in that regard. Since family seems to mean so little to you, who's to say I wouldn't be better joining another one?"

"Enough," Rasa loudly declares, freezing the old men in the room. "I will name you as our official ambassador in Konoha. You will meet with Uzumaki and you will convince him to reject the Omiai-"

"And if I don't," Temari challenges just as loudly. "You've always taught me to think clearly and weigh the options. Look me in the eyes and tell me, father… how well do you think you can move me now?"

Rasa was angry; angry as only a father of a rebelling teenage daughter can be, but a stubborn and irate Temari won't budge; not for him. Casting aside her reputation as, The Good Daughter, she refuses to do anything for him anymore. Not until he gives her a reason to.

With hesitant calm, the Kazekage implores of her, "Temari, think carefully, as I've taught you, and try to see I'm doing this for your own good. We lost three days ago and a critical portion of our military force are prisoners being fed once a day to keep them weak. With the small remaining forces defending our borders, Iwagakure could invade our home at any time and there would be little we could do to stop them. We need Suna and Konoha to return to the status quo, immediately, and they know that, which means we cannot refuse them. If Konoha demands it so, our Daimyō will have no other recourse but to sanction this Omiai, and per your request, it's been amended to include multiple spouses. Ask yourself if you would truly live a life like that to spite me?"

Everyone in that room felt in their heart and mind how scorned and furious the statuesque Temari feels. Her sharp eyes, her tense shoulders, her rigid stance, clearly communicate she isn't backing down. She didn't even have to speak to convey how publicly she would graciously accept sister-wives to embarrass and shame her father—to be a proud beacon for all the ways he went wrong—and delightfully retorts, "don't expect our first child to be named after you, Otou-sama."

As Temari marches out of the room, Rasa holds in his ire, his disgrace, his frustration, and worst of all, his failure as a father and leader. He turns to Kankurō and tells him, "talk with your sister. You don't want her to regret this in the future."

"The only regret I have is going along with the Omiai in the first place," the second born responds.

"All the more reason to speak to her now," Rasa points out.

While Kankurō thinks about that, Gaara—arms crossed and just as cold—informs his father, "it's her choice. And I think it's the right one." Gaara follows Temari's path out followed by Kankurō. Temari and her brothers are escorted back to their comfortable cell, all while fuming every time she pictures her father's face telling her not to marry Naruto.

TENTEN

From atop a roof two blocks away, Tenten asks her beautiful handler as her focus remains on their target, "uh, why are we spying on Naruto?"

The pair leap to the next building as Naruto slowly walks the streets of Konoha toward the residential district, and Haku answers, "I want you to watch him; to learn his movements." Though Haku needs less effort to keep track of Naruto in his dashing red and black cloak, Tenten is still new to tracking and requires most of her focus.

So she doesn't look away from Naruto as she answers, "even if I learn his movements, I don't think I'll ever be able to beat him. I thought it was amazing that he beat Zabuza, but he stopped an invasion near enough by himself!"

"Shh," Haku sounds. Tenten slows down as Naruto walks in the direction of the residences, to either Kurenai's house or Iruka's a little farther. When he stops walking and looks around, Haku tells Tenten, "we have to go."

Eying the heavily bandaged blond looking around, Tenten asks, "wha- why-"

"He's on the verge of sensing us," Haku responds as he slowly backs away from the edge of the stone roof.

Turning away to question Haku with her eyes, Tenten points out, "but we're so far away-"

Commanding Tenten to move with his eyes alone, he assures her, "his senses have improved after his most recent training."

They remain on the roof for several minutes all the while Tenten watches Haku for the all clear. When Haku finally nods the all-clear, Tenten asks, "I don't get why you want me to learn this."

"As my weapon-"

"I'm not your-" The bun-haired brunette stops herself with Haku's raised eyebrows.

"As my weapon," Haku restarts. "You are also his weapon. In the event I cannot be by his side, you must take my place."

Concerned by the open-ended negativity, Tenten questions, "what does that mean?"

"I'm simply being cautious," Haku responds, but the suspicious brunette isn't sure she believes him.

"…Are you hurt," she asks.

Daring with raised eyebrows, Haku asks, "would you care?"

"I…"

Flashes of her exploits during the invasion race through her mind. In defense of her fellow shinobi and civilians, she wounded eight enemy combatants and several of them didn't even know she was there until it was too late. She also killed one man using Haku's silent killing technique. He would've killed a genin if she hadn't killed him. She was trained in life and death from the academy and knows some shinobi can feel guilt over sacrificing their morality or principles for senseless violence, but to actually take life truly made her wonder if this was the cost to be strong.

Haku had always tried to explain why her perspective was naive, innocent, delusional, and though her sexual interactions with Naruto helped her understand something about life, it wasn't until she killed a man that she learned the other side of that coin; the end comes for everyone. When she killed that sound nin, for a split second, she saw her dead face in his and it was such a shock to see, she froze. If it wasn't for Lee and Naruto's clones watching her back, she might've been the next dead face on the dirt. It wasn't until later that night Tenten realized death wasn't far from anyone; her father, her teammates, Haku, Naruto, or herself. A lonely death comes for everyone and that realization cut out a lot of her naive and pointless thoughts and left her with the only things that matter.

'Do all you can for the people you love,' she thought. 'Because someday you're going to die and they'll be all that's left of you.'

Her Will of Fire never felt more prevalent. Additionally, her new outlook doesn't carry as much reservation over the things she can't control, which is why she has no trouble informing Haku, "well, you teach me a lot of stuff my sensei tends to avoid… and I don't think you're a bad person, even if you're a little off."

Nodding, Haku asks, "why the change of heart?"

"Less noise," Tenten quickly answers before elaborating, "if I were a weapon, I guess you could say I went from a single-edge to a double-edged sword."

"That's a weapon you have to handle with more care," Haku kindly notes.

"Yeah," Tenten realizes, giving the beautiful boy a half-smile. Shaking her thoughts of unnecessary thoughts, she asks, "so really, why do you want me to watch Naruto?"

"A weapon must always be ready for any situation," Haku voices as he looks over to the large hole in the village's wall. "I can't say what the future will bring, but if I'm not around, I want you to protect Naruto-sama on my behalf."

"He took on an entire army," Tenten reminds him. "I don't think he needs my protection."

Turning to her, he asks, "how strong is he when he's fast asleep?" Tenten nods in understanding as Haku adds, "he's been in the hospital for days. Who protects him then?"

"But you were watching him while he was in the hospital," she replies.

"Of course," Haku states before he walks to the edge of the roof once again. "No matter how strong someone may be, there is always a way to defeat them. Remember, no one escapes death's blade."

Tenten didn't have to think long to understand, and answers, "alright, but I still have a lot to learn if you want me to be his bodyguard."

"Quite a lot, yes," Haku returns with almost a tired slant of his head. "Fortunately, Naruto-sama and I are always happy to train with you."

Smirking, Tenten asks, "happy, really?"

"You are Zabuza-sama's gift to me," Haku reminds Tenten as a matter of fact. Sagging her shoulders and rolling her eyes, Tenten is reminded why their dynamic can seem too frustrating at times as Haku remarks, "any gift he gives me brings me perpetual happiness."

KURENAI

After a full day of using her genjutsu to assist in interrogating the Suna shinobi, Anko distracts Asuma so Kurenai can sneak away early from the Torture and Interrogation department. They're nearly finished interrogating all of Suna's forces. Nearly all of them said nothing and those that did only repeated their name, rank, and registration number. It's as expected and with Kurenai's genjutsu, they manage more information in the short amount of time they have with each shinobi.

On her way home, Kurenai wonders if Naruto's woken up yet and debates sneaking into his room to see him. Since the invasion, no one in Konoha's forces has had much free time, but the Jōnin, especially, have been giving the bulk of incoming missions in addition to the task of back-tracing the movements of key security risks; Kabuto in particularly. Additionally, Kurenai is on alert for anything that might involve Shimura Danzō and Root. She alerted the Sandaime on the same day Karin's near kidnapping happened, however, as of yet, she hasn't heard anything about it from him.

As Kurenai enters her home, she wonders if she should speak with the Hokage in the morning about it when her sensitive ears pick up light snoring. Familiar light snoring. Snickering in delight, Kurenai walks into her living room and smiles happily to find Naruto sleeping on her couch. Underneath his new orange and black tactical uniform, he's still wrapped in medical bandages to his neck, but over everything is a new red and black cloak she's never seen before.

Regardless of their status, Kurenai sits on the edge of the couch by his waist and leans down to kiss his inert lips. Sending her love through, she's elated when she feels affection kiss back. She moves back when he wakes and greets him with a casual, "hey."

"Oh man," he groans, sleepy eyes adjusting to the sight before him. Feeling the love in his smile, Kurenai feels lighter, prettier, and merry while he asks, "how long was I out?"

Comforted by his warmth in her home once again, she answers, "a few hours from what I can tell." He sits up and props himself against the armrest of the couch as she asks with clear concern, "what are you doing here? You should be in the hospital."

Noting her own injury—a square adhesive bandage on her left thigh where she was tagged with a shuriken—Naruto rests his hot palm on her thigh as he assures her, "nah, I'm fine. How are you?"

Happy crackling energy twitches through her at his gentle touch, but Kurenai does her best to remain composed as she answers, "I'm fine. It's just a scratch."

Feeling his hot hand directly on her tingling skin expanded the urge within her. Her thigh muscle flexed to hold back the pleasure flourishing within her with his one touch. She's missed him. Kurenai's mind clears of everything except for how much she missed his magnetic touch. Feeling the stirring pleasantness within her ripen into storming desire, Kurenai bemoans, "Naruto," but she isn't sure what she wants him to do, whether remove his hand or take her upstairs.

His hands remained on her strong thigh as he asks, "are we alone tonight?"

Feeling her blood rush to her crotch, her thighs tense together and Kurenai shakes her head of dirty thoughts, replying, "no, sir." She stands from the couch and takes a deep breath before assuring him, "we are not doing… any of that while you're still recuperating. I insist."

"So after I heal," he softly voices with his knowing smile and intense eyes.

Kurenai had to swallow an excess of saliva at the thought of him satiating her gnawing hunger with thick meat and seed. She's gone so long without him, his penetrating gaze on her figure is already unraveling her determination and doesn't feel the resolve to wait until he's fully healed.

Standing off the couch, he walks up to her but claims, "I'm only teasing." Disappointed, an aroused Kurenai doesn't know what to say until he adds, "actually, I need to tell you something."

"…Oh," she despondently replies before taking a deep calming breath. Her logic wrests control from her arousal and to distract herself, she asks, "we could- uh… dinner?"

Snickering, he jokingly asks, "when don't I want your food?"

Throughout the preparation of their meal, the conversation between them centered around the village after the invasion, her assignment in the T&I department, his cousin Karin, his clan, the construction of his apartment complex, and his Godfather. After dinner, Kurenai insists he not use shadow clones to clean and instructs him to wash up instead.

Nearly done with the dishes, she hears the faintest tap against her kitchen door. Through the window panes of the door, she identifies Asuma, and it surprises her she hadn't sensed him on her property. Avoiding looking up to the faint sound of a running shower, Kurenai dries her hand and walks to the door all the while dreading what this conversation with Naruto in her shower. Asuma seems to suspect her relationship with Naruto is crossing boundaries that shouldn't be crossed and has been attempting to talk with her for the past three days. Fortunately, they've been too busy securing the village's security and avoids him whenever possible.

Opening the door, she doesn't let the gruff man in as she explains, "I was actually on my way to bed, Asuma. Can we talk tomorrow?"

She notes his eyes flicker behind her, then up as his nose takes a quick whiff before he asks, "are you alone?"

"First, that's not any of your business," Kurenai responds. "And second, I'm exhausted and want to go to sleep. So if you would…"

Without moving, he insists, "we need to talk, Kurenai. You can't keep avoiding this."

"I'm not avoiding anything," she casually asserts. "And we can talk tomorrow, promise. Good night."

"…Tomorrow," he eventually finishes before turning to leave.

After closing the door and securing the property with her Fūinjutsu system, she shuts the curtains of all the windows in her house. She's closing the curtains of her bedroom's window when Naruto walks out of the shower. Absent bandages and with a head of wet falling locks, he smiles at the sight of her. Her mind still can't believe her heart is so in love with him and she can't help a small smile of her own. Breaking their intense eye contact, she looks down at the red and black cloak on the bed. Kurenai picks it up by the shoulders and gives him a curious eye.

He smiles as he answers, "Ma- uh, one of the Toad Sages, made that for me."

Nodding, she flips it around as she asks, "and the uh, the white one?"

"She made me that one too," he answers. "But I like this one better. It's more me."

Opening that box of curiosity, the raven-haired beauty asks, "and less your father?" When Naruto casually nods, Kurenai clarifies, "less Namikaze Minato, the Fourth Hokage."

"Yeaup," Naruto casually returns, oblivious to her stunned amazement.

Lowering the cloak, the astonished Jōnin gasps, "how do you keep surprising- So, you're truly the son of the Fourth Hokage?"

Eying her with a hint of confusion, he slowly answers, "uh, yeah. Doesn't everyone pretty much know that now?"

"Everyone suspects, sure, but nothing's been confirmed," she informs him.

"Oh," he hums before acknowledging, "well, yeah. I'm his son."

Plopping on the edge of the bed, she's eager to know, "how long have you known?"

"I suspected for a while," he answers with his head tilted. "I mean we practically look alike. But I didn't know for sure until the second task of the Chūnin exam."

Looking at the floor as she recalls all the details of his life, Kurenai heaves, "wow… you're the son of the Yondaime Hokage…" Smirking, Naruto shrugs, but Kurenai hadn't really thought about what that meant until this moment, asserting with disbelief, "the village should love you." He only snorts as she adamantly adds, "I'm serious, Naruto. No one should be treating you… like they've been treating you most of your life!" Clapping her hand over her mouth, she speaks through, "even me… Kami, now I feel even more shame for attacking you. I attacked the son of the Yondaime!"

"Hey, come here," Naruto blurts as he takes her hands and pulls her into a comforting embrace. Kurenai is now face-to-face with Naruto, enveloped in his warmth and kindness. "That's enough of that, Nai-chan. Normally I'd say you can't change the past, but it's probably better to say I rather focus on building a better future… with you."

Pressed against him with his strong arms around her back, her anxious mind and body soften around his strong body. So close to him, nothing of the outside world could penetrate the simplicity of his love for her and her love for him. Leaning in, Kurenai kisses him, taking his lips with a hungry, yet gentle sweetness. Yearning for more of him, she wraps her arms around his neck pulling him in deeper as their hot wet tongues taste each other. The lovers make-out pressed flat against each other growing stimulation until the need for oxygen became necessary.

Kurenai grants him access to her neck as she slowly asks through a fog of rising bliss, "so what did you want to talk to me about?"

As if the room was suddenly filled with ice-cold water, Naruto stops necking her nape and tilts back. After calming down, he lets her go and takes a step back, all of which worried her tremendously. She feared he was about to reject her after she finally became comfortable with her love for him.

"Uh, this might upset you," he starts, alarming her further until he adds, "but let me finish before you say anything. It might make more sense that way."

Willing her body to stop feeling arouse, Kurenai takes a measured breath before replying, "of course."

She did not expect nor could she properly prepare for his very blunt, "I think I'm a polyamorist."

After many seconds of silence, a thoroughly perplexed Kurenai assuages, "just to be absolutely clear, you know what that means, right?"

"Yeah," he replies with a nod. "It's a loving relationship between multiple people."

"… … well, then I don't understand," Kurenai slowly admits. "How… just, how?"

"Until recently," he begins. "I thought being in love could only happen between two people, and if you loved someone else, then it was cheating. It's why I never cared for other girls even if they were obviously pretty. Even though I loved Sakura, not being in love with you in the beginning didn't make our training feel like cheating… not that Sakura liked me or anything," he adds with a whimsical chuckle. "Since then, I've grown to love you, Nai-chan; as a sensei, a friend, and a woman. I love you so much, even if I feel like a polyamorist, I know I wouldn't want that if it meant I couldn't be with you."

If any man she were seeing would propose a polyamorous relationship, Kurenai wouldn't even dignify them with a response and just walk away. A significant other wanting multiple partners, whether sex is a part of the equation, is wrong. As she deserves to be loved as fully as she would love a man, she cannot, in good conscience, support such an open union, however, her mind instantly thinks of one person.

'Hinata… the girl who's like a daughter to me may never be with the man she's loved since she was a little girl because Naruto is in love with me.'

"The way I see it," Naruto continues. "Polyamory is about love; more love sharing love. I get that's hard to believe, but I promise you, it's not like I only care to have sex with multiple women. If you, me, and another girl were in a relationship, I wouldn't even care about more or less sex as long as we all love and support each other. This might sound pretty lame, but I just picture a big kitchen table with you, me, and everyone we love eating and laughing together."

While she's physically swooning under his loving gaze, she's also processing what his words and what this means for herself and the people she loves the most. For a mind as sharp as Kurenai's, it's effortless to connect the dots—crazy though the dots are. He doesn't want to involve anyone else if he can't be with her, which will cause her sweet Hinata tremendous pain, and she ultimately reasons either no one gets to be with the person they love, or everyone does. A longing in her for everything to work out can't help but play out the possibilities of such a relationship; the disasters it can cause, the problems it could resolve, and finally, the freedom she craves to be with the man she loves.

'Love,' Kurenai's befuddled mind sadly repeats. 'If only it were that simple.'

Normally she would say no, but Uzumaki Naruto wasn't just anyone. Everyone saw as much, and Kurenai counts herself thankful to the high heavens to be loved by him. If anything, Kurenai can't think. It's simply too much too fast, and in his presence, so, rather than try and force an answer, Kurenai kisses him again, deeply. Melting against his loving lips, she compartmentalizes the poly matter for another day. Tonight, she just wants to be with him.

When he moves them to the bed, she painstakingly resists, adding, "we can't." At his pleading puppy-dog eyes, her resolve weakens but she remains firm. "Don't give me that look. You're still recovering so until you're a hundred percent, the only activity we'll be doing in bed is sleeping."

Thankfully he agrees, because even if they hold each other in bed, Kurenai didn't sleep. She spent the entire night trying to think of a possible way everyone can be happy, but after every waking hour that passed, she slowly realized more and more that she may have to say goodbye to her love. Praying for Naruto's and Hinata's future happiness, Kurenai curled into her blond love as much as she could, holding his heat to her cold body all night long. Sadly, just after dawn, her finite time with him came to an end with a knock at her door.

—

Standing in a line in the Hokage's round office as the sun slowly begins to rise outside, Naruto, Kurenai, Kakashi, and Jiraiya are at attention in front of the Sandaime's desk. He still looks weak to Kurenai and wonders what his prognosis is. To either side of Hiruzen stand his old teammates and councilors, Homura Mitokado, and Koharu Utatane. Though Kurenai wonders about Danzō's absence, she's glad he isn't in attendance.

Jiraiya is the first to casually speak, asking his sensei, "how goes rebuilding relations?"

"We have a long road to unity ahead of us," Homura takes the liberty to answer. "We are currently debating if occupation zones are required."

"Yeesh, I'm so glad I'm not in politics," Jiraiya bemuses.

"Occupation," Naruto questions out loud, also unafraid of speaking up in front of the leaders of the village. "What for? We're not conquering them. Now's the time to bury the hatchet and be allies again."

"It's not quite so simple, Naruto," Hiruzen tells him. "While peace would be preferable to more war and bloodshed, they're the ones who pushed us to this."

"I get that they messed up," Naruto returns. "But what do you do when a friend makes a mistake? Give up on them? I don't like ending friendships so easily."

"You're too naive," Koharu remarks, annoying Kurenai. The woman's hard views on the world always makes Kurenai doubt her service to the village.

"Better than being a quitter," Naruto rebukes, nearly breaking Kurenai's decorum with a chuckle.

"That is good to know," councilor Homura replies. "We may need you to uphold those beliefs when the time comes."

As the early sunlight fills the wood room, Hiruzen observes his four shinobi from his chair and recounts, "the reason I've called you all in so early is to discuss a matter that's arisen from the peace-talks. The Kazekage and his council have endorsed the Omiai between Naruto and Temari-chan."

Wide-eyed with surprise, Kurenai repeats, "an Omiai?" Kurenai knew that Naruto was escorting Temari-chan around the village but she never heard anything about a marriage arrangement. Noting Jiraiya and Kakashi's lack of reaction makes her wonder if they knew or just don't care.

"Allow me to explain for those who do not know," Hiruzen confirms, and Kurenai tries her best not to look at Naruto for an explanation. "In an attempt to neutralize Naruto for the invasion, their cover entailed using the marriage contract of an Omiai to spend time with him. Seduction, poison, ambush, clearly they were unsuccessful. Regardless of their plans, everyone—myself and the Kazekage included—signed the contract, making it legally binding. At the time, it seemed unnecessary to announce it because no one, including Naruto, thought anything would actually come of it."

"Well," Naruto hums, tapping his chin. "I did think I might have more chances to talk to Gaara. I already knew he was like me and I wanted to get to know him and Shukaku."

Rationally, Kurenai can understand Suna's scheme, but she doesn't like it as she slowly voices, "I see." She feels sick to her stomach when she realizes if this political marriage goes through, neither herself nor Hinata will be with the man they love.

"My advisers believe Suna's endorsement of the Omiai is nothing more than a ploy," Hiruzen continues. "Reverse psychology, to have us cancel the contract so they might avoid the international humiliation of being forced to marry off Temari-chan. My advisers also believe having the Kazekage's daughter remain in our village would deter any future attacks."

"Oh come on," Naruto rebukes to the elders in disbelief. "If Temari-chan wants to marry me because she loves me, I could understand that, but there's no way I'm accepting this as some sort of political move." Though it's a break in decorum, Kurenai couldn't help but nod, fully believing marriage should be between people who love each other. "Besides," Naruto adds. "I already have someone I love and I don't want to leave her."

Kurenai's stomach unexpectedly flutters with hundreds of butterflies and her toes curl at the affection crackling up and down her tingling body, and her scalp tingles happily. It's nearly impossible for her to hold back her swooning desire for him, but she manages to keep it together in the presence of her Hokage.

"That may or may not be to her benefit," Hiruzen replies, confusing Kurenai. "Due to the unique nature of the Omiai within this political situation, my advisers also suggest… Naruto marries a woman from Konoha, preferably before Temari-chan so she may be the lead wife."

Most of the room is stunned into silence. It's as if many thoughts and ideas start and stop before they formulate, making them all blank out. Kurenai is the first to snap out of her stupor by asking, "how's that possible?"

"At some point," Koharu begins. "Temari-chan amended the Omiai to include multiple spouses. We wouldn't have signed if the Kazekage and his advisers hadn't done so first."

"To the victor goes the spoils," Homura tells the room. "The only power in all the land that can approve the scope of this marriage is the Daimyō of both Wind and Fire countries, and as it stands, Wind has lost to Fire. The Daimyō of Wind has no other recourse but to sign off in order to release their men, resume trade, and quell the mistrust between our nations. Our Daimyō would of course consent to the Omiai to expedite peace between countries."

"Naturally, the Kazekage's daughter would have to live here," Koharu adds. "Which would discourage any future attacks if they wish for her and any of her children to remain healthy."

Instantly cross, Naruto begins to yell, "wait a minute-" when Hiruzen interrupts and tells her, "that's unnecessary, Koharu." Though the short and pale senior doesn't appear ashamed at all.

For clarity, Kurenai asks, "you mean to say the Omiai allows Naruto to marry more than one woman?" When Hiruzen nods, Kurenai's entire body feels a great flush of relief she wasn't expecting; like she can breathe again.

"Just out of curiosity," Jiraiya starts. "How many wives will he legally be allowed to have?"

Wrinkled eyes closed and cheeks blushing pink as Hiruzen clears his old throat before answering, "nine."

"HUGHH," Jiraiya chokes with bulging eyes before he smacks Naruto hard in the back, sending the blond to the wood floor and laughing uproariously. He's clutching his belly with both hands as he barely speaks out, "you! …You! …YOU! HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

"That's some Kami level luck," Kakashi comments as Jiraiya begs Naruto, "let me pick four of them!"

After closing her stunned jaw, Kurenai's staggered mind is whirling as she slowly asks, "and they would approve this?"

"I cannot see Rasa wanting this," Hiruzen answers. "He's a hard man, certainly, but deep down, he loves his family as much as he loves his village. Perhaps if he had Temari-chan orate her feelings on the matter during the meeting, I'd feel more secure in my pending decision. I asked you all here—Naruto, his senseis—to hear your thoughts on the matter."

"What's there to say," Jiraiya cheers, still laughing and grabs his godson around the shoulders before lifting him off his sandaled feet. "Obviously, this lucky devil's going to say yes!"

Annoyed by that common shallow fantasy, Kurenai reminds the old sage, "a wife is not a working girl, Jiraiya-sama. A marriage is an intimate relationship between husband and wife that requires constant communication, honesty, respect, and intelligence. It can be overwhelming sharing all that you are with just one person. Imagine trying to connect and please nine wives. Every problem that arises has the potential to annoy two to nine different women, or Naruto can have two to nine unique problems from each wife that must be addressed; for as long as they live."

"Imagine two or more wives pregnant at the same time," Kakashi gasps, making Jiraiya, Hiruzen, Naruto, and Homura shudder. Jiraiya deflates, horrified at the image of that kind of demanding household day in and day out for the rest of his days. "That could be a big family to support. Not that nine wives is mandatory but the potential is there," Kakashi adds, making Jiraiya squeeze Naruto with even more fear.

"Perhaps this may be more than any one man can reasonably manage," Hiruzen suggests, pondering if this could double as punishment.

"Will- you- let- go," Naruto calls out, flexing his way out of his Godfather's fearful embrace. Padding down his red and black cloak, Naruto tells the room, "I don't mind all that, but I can't agree to anything until I talk with Temari-chan first." Turning to Hiruzen, he asks, "when can I see her and Gaara?"

"But you would," Kakashi asks, to which Jiraiya adds for clarity, "if Temari-chan wanted to go through with it?" And Kurenai finishes, "you would?"

"Of course I would," Naruto effortlessly tells the entire room. "As long as we all love and respect each other, why wouldn't I want a big family?"

Imagining a full dining table with loved ones, Kurenai surprises everyone by laughing deeply from the core of her being. She was unable to sleep all night, worried, horrified, hopeless, and now she's hopeful and just relieved. She truly doesn't know why she worries when it comes to Naruto. He doesn't have a selfish bone in his body, and while his inordinate caring seems to invite the strongest challenges, they bring the greatest rewards as well. Kurenai feels pride being in love with such a person, which makes her laugh harder than she intended before ultimately saying, "if it's Naruto, I think he can do it." Thinking of Hinata, Kurenai adds, "he may be the only man who can."

"I will arrange a time for you to speak with Temari-chan," Hiruzen mentions. "If she is… inclined, I will pass the contract on to the Daimyō for their approval under the condition she is your second wife."

"Or third," Jiraiya croaks with laughter. "Or fourth or ninth- Kami! Nine! I need to write this down! I'll call it, Icha Icha Palace! This is going to net me billions!"

"Whaaa!" Naruto yells as Kakashi's cheeks blush and his eye sparkles with hope. "I don't want to be in one of your ero-books! I don't consent," Naruto asserts.

"Come now, don't be so cold," Jiraiya smoothly enunciates, leaning down as he puts his large arm around the blond's shoulders. "How about we spend some long-overdue quality time together… maybe at the hot springs… looking for your number one. How about it, Kakashi-kun? Care to help our young virgin student find his…" Jiraiya has a hard time restraining his laughter as he adds, "find his… find his first wife! HAHHHAAHAHA!"

While Naruto argues how he needs to speak with Temari first, Hiruzen turns to a zoned-out Kurenai and informs her, "Kurenai-kun, if you would stay."

With little else to contribute, Hiruzen dismisses the men. After Jiraiya and Kakashi drag away Naruto with them, Homura and Koharu are also excused and Kurenai and her leader are in his office alone. What the sage elder could want to talk to her about made her nervous, as she didn't know what it could be, but was certain it had to do with Naruto.

"I didn't think Naruto would be so agreeable," Hiruzen begins. "Up until this point, I was fairly certain he understood the moral path of monogamy." Kurenai would agree if it meant she could be with Naruto without destroying Hinata's feelings. "I'll get straight to the point," Hiruzen gruffly continues. "Should Temari decide to go through with the Omiai, you already know we'd prefer she not be his first wife. Depending on how the house is run, the first wife would likely have first say in many matters that arise, which can cause problems if one considers how important Naruto may become in the future."

Pushing aside the image of herself in a wedding dress, Kurenai objectively summarizes, "a first wife more loyal to the village who could stand up to Temari-chan if need be." Delicately withholding her hopes, Kurenai is already planning on setting aside the entire day to relax with Anko and a glass of wine and talk.

"It's not that I don't trust Temari-chan," Hiruzen mentions. "I've had a few precious opportunities to meet her as a little girl and she was always dutiful and charming. Additionally, I can't deny Naruto-kun has a surprising effect on people, so I cannot say I am overly worried. Even still, in the long run, it may be best if Temari-chan were second chair to a wife from Konoha."

Amazed she has to deal with this, Kurenai asks, "what are your orders, Hokage-sama?"

"I can't be certain of any orders at the moment," he initially answers. "However, you are the closest person to Naruto-kun who is not a man and has my trust. I would like your perspective on Naruto's romantic options, if any. To date, the only girl I've ever heard him profess any love for is Haruno Sakura, but from what Kakashi has mentioned, his feelings do not appear to be reciprocated." Kurenai nods in agreement before he asks the pivotal question. "Are you aware of any other kunoichi who may be favorable to the idea of a relationship with him?"

Kurenai's heart was beating fast, causing her to perspire a bit at the thought of confessing her love for Naruto, however, she remains silent. She knows this is more than just admitting her love for him, as she simply remarks to her Kage, "dating and marriage are two very different things."

"I can't disagree with you there, I'm afraid." Hiruzen doesn't speak for several moments, and Kurenai can only assume he's pondering how it's come to this because she can't help but wonder the same. Breaking the silence, Hiruzen admits, "I would rather not assign a kunoichi to such a life-long mission, for marriage should not be a job." Hiruzen chuckles to himself before adding, "even if it may feel like it at times. If you cannot find a girl who might love Naruto enough to marry him, I may have to consider mandating such a duty. I will schedule a meeting between Naruto and Temari-chan for tonight, so we'll know more or less what course to take by tomorrow. If you can assist me with this, Kurenai-kun, I would be grateful."

Kurenai swallowed what felt like a rock down her dry throat as the moment. Life was telling her this was her moment. She loves Naruto more than any man she's ever been with. He's her guy but she hadn't thought of marriage so soon, especially after his lifestyle admission last night. They haven't even properly spoken about their relationship, let alone marriage, let alone marriage with sister-wives.

'Kami, he doesn't do things normally,' she mentally snorts. The leap is too big for Kurenai to wrap her mind around at the moment. Additionally, going public meant she'd was going to have a very uncomfortable conversation with her dear student a lot sooner than she planned. Revealing to Hinata that her sensei is dating Naruto would certainly damage the sweet girl; explaining their nuptials to Hinata would likely decimate her.

In a surprising burst of concept, Kurenai, felt at nervous voicing, "th-there is… there may be one or two options, Hokage-sama."

"Do tell," Hiruzen urges with a weak nod.

SASUKE

He finally found him. On his fourth pass around the construction site, Sasuke observes a fleet of blond clones working like a swarm of builder ants on remodeling the old apartment building. He's been searching the village since the day before, and at the sight of the blond happily laboring away, Sasuke felt a familiar urge of punching him in the face on the off chance he wasted his time. Sasuke already promised himself he'd leave Konoha and track down Orochimaru if hearing Naruto out turned to be a mistake.

Walking around the apartment courtyard and asking for the original, Sasuke's eventually directed to the top floor where he finds Jiraiya of the Sannin, Naruto's cousin Karin, Haku, and Naruto debating about love and monogamy or some such nonsense. Sasuke does find it odd that Jiraiya only seems to be scribbling fast notes as they talk.

"But you have to," Karin declares. "You realize what a boon this can be for the Uzumaki clan?"

"It's got nothing to do with politics," Naruto tells her. "Marriage should be for love, not because of some stupid negotiations between nations."

"I wouldn't be surprised if she agrees," Haku asserts, but when Naruto asks why, Sasuke interrupts them.

"Naruto," Sasuke calls, ignoring the others. "You promised to tell me everything you know. I've been patient long enough."

Haku stands between Naruto and Sasuke as Jiraiya remarks, "brats these days are so rude. Can't you see we're in the middle of an important conversation."

Stepping around Haku, Naruto asserts, "it's okay guys." At the sight of the surname, UZUMAKI on the back of his new cloak, Sasuke can feel his irritation grow. "I did promise we'd talk. I'll see y'all later." Turning to Sasuke, he asks, "so, where to?" Sasuke leads him to the Uchiha compound, to his family's home; a true symbol of a clan, if it weren't so barren. Naruto seemed impressed with the outside, but was amazed by the elegance of the inside of such a finely built traditional mansion.

As they take a seat in the sitting area his father used to use for guests, Naruto voices in amazement, "uwah, you have a nice place, man."

As Sasuke's mind replies, 'it was once,' his voice demands the blond to, "talk."

"I guess I should start by saying I don't know everything," Naruto voices as he casually props his arms behind him to stay upright. "Part of the reason why I want to talk with your brother is because something isn't adding up."

Sasuke finds he's too informal in such a prestigious house as he asks, "who's your source?"

"Can't tell you," the blond quickly asserts, annoying Sasuke even more. "Yeah, yeah, I know you want to know," Naruto continues. "But it's a clan secret and I can't tell you."

"Then why would I even believe a word you say," Sasuke retorts.

"Use your head," Naruto hells him. "Do you really think I'd lie about something this major? I know what your brother and your clan mean to you, so even if I think you can be a total dick, I'd punch you in the face before I'd ever use family against you."

Though his blond teammate can be annoying, Sasuke knows he's not a liar. "Fine. How reliable is the source?"

"First-rate," Naruto asserts. Though doubtful, Sasuke requests Naruto tell him what he knows. "Your brother did kill a lot of his clan that night," the blond starts, and Sasuke tries to keep his hate in check to listen. "But it's not like he did it on a whim; he's not crazy. From what I've been told, Itachi was stopping a coup d'état. The Uchiha were, apparently, planning to take over the village-"

Sasuke's rage gets the best of him and he yells, "you're lying!"

"I'm not!"

"You have to be," Sasuke hotly returns. "I can't believe my clan would forcibly try to overthrow command."

"There aren't a lot of people who know the truth," Naruto argues. "And anyone who does won't tell us, which is why I want to talk to your brother. There's a lot about this that's just fishy and I get you want to kill him for what he did but don't you want to know why he did it? And who helped him?"

Short shakes of his head, a surprised Sasuke asks, "w-what do you mean who helped him?"

Naruto casually explains, "your brother was good, like, take-out-nearly-everyone-good, but from what I've been told, your tou-san was really strong, like Hokage level. I can't see how Itachi killed every single one of your clan without help."

Though that makes sense, Sasuke has a hard time accepting it from Naruto, but asks anyway, "h-how do you know this?"

"Sorry, my source is a clan secret," the blond annoyance replies.

"You don't have a clan," Sasuke shoots back. "Nothing you do will ever elevate you to the prominence of the great Uchiha clan."

"How can someone as smart as you be so delusional," Naruto hurls back. "Rookie of the Year must not be worth shit if someone with your eyes can't see what's right in front of you-"

"Oh, and what's that, Dobe?"

"I told you, you're not the only one who's suffered," Naruto blurts. "If you spared a thought to someone else, you might know the Uzumaki clan was just as prominent as the Uchiha clan. You probably don't even know that whole villages banded together to destroy my clan and villagers. Me and Karin are the last two Uzumaki that we know of. Sound familiar?" Though Sasuke didn't know that, it didn't change anything, even when Naruto adds, "I get what you're going through, really I do, but you have to stop with all this hate. It's not doing anything to help you."

"And what's helping you, I wonder," Sasuke rebukes, curious about the blond's, seemingly, never-ending strength. "Why are you so strong?"

"Obviously because I have people to protect," he casually responds, grating on the avenger's nerves. "Comparing myself to you helped me train hard, sure, but nothing pushes me harder than becoming strong enough to protect the people I love. That's the serious juice."

"You really are an idiot," Sasuke dejectedly states. Despite the validity of his claims about his clan and his brother, Naruto will always be a few shuriken shy of a full set. "Do you actually believe I would buy that?"

"I'm not lying."

"But you're not telling me the truth either," Sasuke argues. "I want to know what your power is! I don't care about the nonsense you do with it."

"First, it's not nonsense," he asserts with a pointed finger. "Second, if you're talking about the red chakra, it's illegal to talk about it, but since we're teammates, I'll tell you the truth. It's a genetic mutation that amps up my power the closer I am to death. I may even become Kami-level strong the moment before I die."

Looking at him seriously, Sasuke asks, "really?" Naruto couldn't hold it a second before he's laughing, spurring an urge to kill the blond. "You fucking…"

"My bad, my bad," Naruto conveys. Raising his palms in the air to sue for peace, he explains, "you were just setting me up so nicely, I couldn't resist. Love is my power and if you don't like it, tough, cuz that's the truth. You might be able to see that if you weren't all about your hate."

"As long as he's dead, I'll live with it just fine," Sasuke flatly promises.

"And what if it turns out there's a lot more to what happened than you know?"

"Then I'll kill everyone who contributed to the demise of my clan; my family," the raven-haired avenger promises just as easily.

"You can always rebuild your clan and make a new family," the blond foolishly suggests. "Not that you have to forget what happened, but if you're ever going to fly, you're going to have to let go of all that heavy shit."

Shaking his head at Naruto's stupidity, Sasuke asks, "what else do you know?"

Shrugging, he answers by counting down, "mnn… let's see. Your brother wasn't trying to end your clan… he had help-"

"Do you know who aided Itachi?"

"Yup," he answers. "A guy in a mask with one eyehole. I was told he attacked the village the night of my birth so, he's been behind the scenes for a while now."

Suspicious of the intelligence, Sasuke warns Naruto, "if you're lying about any o-"

"I'm not lying," he interjects. "If anything I'm not telling you the whole truth- Clan secret!" Naruto immediately yells before Sasuke demands to know everything. "If you want to know why it all went down, you're going to have to ask your brother."

"Why do you care- No, why does any of this matter to you?"

"Well, I'm curious about the village," the blond responds ponderously. "I understand being hated by the village, but I had Ji-chan and Iruka to help me through it. I want to ask Itachi about the village's treatment of the Uchiha because it just seems so weird to me that it went that far, you know? If I could, I know I would've helped."

As Sasuke considers the validity of Naruto's information, he offhandedly assures his teammate, "you won't talk to him. You're too weak. The moment you see him, you're dead and that'll be the end of your clan."

Naruto and Sasuke sense someone entering the grand home and though initially curious, when they realize it's Kakashi, they settle back down. Naruto then comments, "well, even if he's that fast, all I have to do is be faster."

"Without a Sharingan, you have no hope," Sasuke bluntly states. Though, thinking of his current power level, he can't help but voice his own shortcomings. "But even with one, it's still not… I need more power."

Turning to the door as Kakashi enters the room with his little orange book in hand, Naruto finishes, "you and me both."

"Isn't this nice to see," Kakashi remarks with a humored tone. "Teammates bonding."

"You know I don't like unannounced visits," Sasuke reminds his whimsical sensei yet again.

"Just came to pass along a note," the sensei voices before shooting Naruto a folded slip of paper.

His interest peaked, Naruto reads curiously before he excitedly whoops. Hopping to his feet, Naruto yells, "hell yeah! I gotta go!"

"We're not done," Sasuke calls out as the blond hops to the sliding door.

Naruto calls over his shoulder as he leaves, "I pretty much told you everything, but we can talk more tomorrow!"

Kakashi turns to Sasuke and asks, "care to tell me what you talked about?"

"No," he replies. Sasuke needs time with the information. He needs to research, however, he also needs more power and asks, "I'd rather train."

TEMARI

The sand siblings hear a group of guards approaching before they eventually open the cell door to allow a beaming Naruto in. He's dressed in his orange and black uniform, however, with a red cloak with black flames at the hem. It's similar to the Hokage's cloaks, only without a collar. Temari got over her shock of seeing him in an instant for the merriment of his presence.

"Temari-chan," Naruto calls as he rushes to hug her. Despite her brothers around her, Temari hugs him back in part because it's the fourth day of isolation and she really missed him. He lost consciousness after Gaara's fight and she hadn't heard anything about him since. Additionally, it's far too easy to enjoy his warmth against her.

He then turns to Gaara and he extends a fist with a smile. To Temari's surprise, her brother actually smiles. It was a small thing but she hasn't seen anything so innocent on his face for years. Temari couldn't know that the moment the Jinchūriki bump fists, Kurama telepathically connects with Shukaku and it isn't long before the chakra brothers begin bickering. Temari isn't sure why Naruto rolls his eyes until he comments to Gaara, "children, am I right?"

"I can hear them," Gaara gasps in surprise, mildly helping Temari deduce what's happening. "I've never… experienced this side of that voice."

"You know, I think you should talk to Shukaku more," Naruto suggests to her brother, scaring her to high heaven. "You might discover a good friendship. I know I have."

Gaara asks him, "is that why you're so strong?"

"Mnn… it's hard to say," Naruto slowly replies with a wondering face. "Haku always says you can't become truly strong unless you're protecting those you love and I believe him. So, I guess it doesn't matter if I was a Jinchūriki, or not." When he says, "I'd still do everything in my power to protect my special people," Temari wonders if she's one of those people.

"Uh, are you saying you're actually friends with the giant chakra monster inside you," Kankurō asks.

"He's not a monster," Naruto replies, before telling them, "none of them are. They're just misunderstood." Turning to Gaara, he assures him, "I can help you with Shukaku if you want."

"I would be… grateful," Gaara affirms, making Temari appreciate Naruto even more. Not a single person has ever reached her little brother so profoundly, and she's all too thrilled it was someone as kind as Naruto.

"No problem," he says with a smile. He turns to the three and asks, "so how are they treating you? I'm not going to lie, I was scared they were torturing you guys for information."

"As children of the Kazekage, that would be unlikely," Temari explains, humored.

With a long exhale, he expresses, "good. Listen, they didn't give me a lot of time and I have no idea how long this might take-"

"If it's about the Omiai, I consent to the marriage," Temari proclaims. The moment he arrived, she thought that's was the reason for his visit. Though she can't claim to know him, she simply didn't see him agreeing to the marriage without talking to her first.

Shocked and wide-eyed, Naruto blurts out, "really?" Staring between siblings a brief moment, Naruto tells Temari, "I don't understand. Does that mean… you love me?"

"No," Temari delicately confesses, before elaborating, "at least, not completely. I respect you; which I value just as much. I think you're strong, caring, funny, and intriguing. When we were together, it would've been all too easy for you to take advantage of me, but you never did-"

Raising his eyebrows in surprise, Kankurō spouts, "wait, seriously?"

Gaara curiously asks, "were you aware of what we were planning?"

Turning to her brothers, she demands more than asks, "can you give us some space, please?" Aside from the small bathroom, there isn't another room in the empty rectangle, meaning Gaara and Kankurō simply walked to the opposite wall. Leaning against the stone wall, Temari quietly speaks to her blond betrothed, "I can't predict the future, Naruto, but I have a strong suspicion it'll be better with you in my life than without, and that's enough for me."

As she anticipated, he asks, "but what if you regret marrying me months or years from now?"

"I understand we're practically strangers," she starts. "But I think I don't need to know all the details to glimpse the person you truly are. I can infer your character simply by the way you treated me, my brother, and enemies who attack your village. I'm sure we'll have our disagreements but that's normal in any relationships and I'm certain we can work it out." Taking a moment to collect her courage, she can feel a little blush on her cheeks when she declares, "you're the kind of guy who wears his heart on his sleeve, Naruto, and I don't think I'll regret being your wife."

"…Wow," he eventually sounds. "First, I definitely wouldn't mistreat you, but before you decide-"

"I've already decided," she flatly insists.

"I can't let you," he returns, surprising her some. "Not until you know everything."

An image of a girl with a blank face pops into her mind, causing Temari to ask, "you mean the woman you love?" At his nod, she voices, "knowing politics like I do, I'd imagine they want your first wife to be from Konoha." Naruto's raised eyebrows is confirmation enough, when she adds, "don't look so shocked. It's not a hard assumption to make. It's the smart play."

He seems resistant to the political landscape to her, and isn't surprised when he asks, "is it weird that this seems so wrong? I think you're amazing and I should be happy to be with you, but, I don't know. Maybe I just don't like how forced it all is."

Temari smiles and resists a surprising urge to kiss him for his sweetness. "You're an honorable person with integrity and values; practically the opposite of a politician. It makes me happy to see how worried you are for us; the potential wives," she adds with a joking mirth to her voice. Naruto smiles as she informs him, "not so long ago, marriages were often arranged to facilitate political or economical needs more than anything else. Political marriages go against our more modern beliefs of marrying for love but I know many examples of arranged marriages leading to great happiness. My parents, actually."

"Really?"

Nodding, Temari quickly explains, "before my mother died, my parents were very happy together. So much so I was shocked later when I learned that they had an arranged marriage. So, even though this is atypical, I know arranged marriages isn't a restriction on love or happiness. If anything, it's just a path less traveled."

"Like a choice," Naruto asks, and Temari was getting the impression he has experience choosing love rather than submitting to feeling all-consuming love. "My sensei… thinks it's a choice," he remarks. "She says if it were just a feeling, it would give us no accountability for our actions."

Nodding in agreement, it suddenly dawns on Temari that she's looking at her future husband—the man she will be sharing her bed, her home, and her family for the rest of her life. She recalls a private conversation with her mother. A young girl in two pigtails at the time, she remembers she couldn't understand why her father was so cold. As she recalls her precious mother's words, Temari recites for Naruto, "'love is patient and kind. It doesn't envy, boast, or pride. It doesn't dishonor others, it's not self-seeking, it's not easily angered, and it keeps no records of wrongs. Love doesn't delight in evil, but rejoices in truth. It protects, trusts, hopes, and always perseveres.' If that's not you, Uzumaki Naruto, I don't know what love is."

The way his clear blue eyes soften for her, as if he sees to the heart of her, Temari's heart beats a lot faster under his admiring gaze. Happily, he communicates, "if that's how you really feel… okay." Then, as if suddenly remembering, he adds, "I say okay, but I have to talk with my lady first. We actually haven't spoken about all this yet."

"That's going to be a fun conversation," Temari teases, enjoying Naruto's growing apprehension.

KURENAI

It's late in the evening and Kurenai's kitchen is silent and tense. After a full day of interrogations, following every lead that might uncover Orochimaru and Kabuto's network, Kurenai had very little time to think about this morning or her crazy ideas. She told the Sandaime about Hinata and Ino, but she failed to submit her own name. She thinks herself weak for not being brave in the face of such scrutiny, however, she hadn't planned to reveal her relationship with Naruto anytime soon, let alone to the leader of her village.

Kurenai doesn't know what Temari will decide and Kurenai's mind goes back and forth between opposing the Omiai or supporting it. At its core, supporting it means they can all be together, while opposing it means Naruto will choose her, which she would have to reject to avoid hurting Hinata irrevocably. Her day was all questions and no answers, only to come home to a man demanding answers from her.

Setting a cup of tea in front of him, Kurenai begins, "so, what did you want to talk about?"

"The truth," Asuma replies, taking the cup and setting it to the side.

Standing rather than sitting, the casual gesture of placing the beverage to side underlines to Kurenai how seriously he's taking this. Not that it was the only indication that he was upset and barely holding it in. From the moment Kurenai opened the front door for him, his shoulders were squared, his jaw tense, and his brown eyes seemed hardened and tired. Gone was the ease and affection of someone in love. Standing before her now is someone on a mission.

"And what truth is that," Kurenai asks.

"Stop," Asuma slowly but forcefully says. "No games, no lies, no hiding. I deserve the truth, and believe me, I get how hypocritical that sounds after keeping you in the dark about the princess, but it's been months already. If I mean anything to you, you'll be honest with me now."

"About my private life," Kurenai points out.

"Yes," he readily admits. "Because I still love you. And I want to be with you. I thought you felt the same until… I saw the way he smiled at you… the way you looked at him. It was like an epiphany went off in my head, then pieces started coming together. I thought back to all the times he's been around, the times you've been together, and how long you've been so distant-"

"I haven't been distant-"

"I'm not an idiot, Kurenai," he cuts in. Trying to maintain eye contact, Kurenai employs her mask of indifference as he continues. "Spending all this time with him, the flower he gave you, Anko's shift in attitude; from being worried about you, to suddenly being fine again, as if… as if you've moved on. The way he protected you. It all paints a picture and I'd appreciate it if you stop lying and tell me the truth." Though his face is hard with his own mask, his voice is laced with his pain, and it nearly breaks Kurenai's mask. "Have you… Why don't-" he hesitates to ask but his eyes never waver as he continues. "Are you in love with someone else?"

Asuma has always been direct in his suave and easy-going demeanor. Though this is hurting them both, he's not running away. Not like she did earlier in the Hokage's office. So Kurenai takes her stand now, and answers simply, "yes."

"Is it Naruto?" When Kurenai doesn't respond, Asuma tightens his fist as he asks louder, "are you in love with a sixteen-year-old boy?"

The judgment she's always feared stabs her right in the chest, but she doesn't let it show as she tells him, "I've moved on, Asuma."

A crack in his mask, his eyebrows draw closer as he asks, "have you? Or do you only think you have?"

With a huff, she retorts, "oh, don't. I'm not deluding myself-"

"This is our chance," Asuma calls out. Square-shouldered, standing up straight, he emphasizes, "our chance… for the home, the marriage, the children we've always wanted. I'm finally free to be with you, fully, committed. I know you don't want me in the field anymore but we can talk about that, together. The life we dreamed of… we can have that now."

"I haven't just been waiting this entire time," Kurenai slowly responds. Her own mask cracking, Kurenai nibbles on her lower lip before asserting, "certainly, you made me feel safe when we were together and we have a lot in common. You're strong and protective, handsome, kind, and thoughtful. If nothing changed, I feel like we would've married, had a child, and if you quit fieldwork, grow old together raising our son or daughter. I'm sure I would've been happy."

"Nothing's changed," he implores. "We can still have that."

Thinking of her old self, Kurenai had no other response but, "no, Asuma. Everything's changed."

Slowly placing his palms on the kitchen island between them, he leans forward as he argues, "no, you still love me. I know you do."

"You're my first love," she readily admits. "And will always have a place in my heart, but I've made the choice to move on to a larger picture and I don't see myself going back anymore. The world is bigger now, my will is stronger, and I can't see myself as the same girl you knew."

His eyes sharpen and his lips flatten in a terse line before he demands to know, "is it Naruto?"

"Asuma-"

"Stop toying with me and answer the question!"

Asuma realized his own elevated emotions and takes a step back with a deep calming breath. As he calms down, Kurenai may or may not have answered the question but they both sense someone walking onto her property. Kurenai's gut immediately shrivels to the size of a bean when the individual's chakra has the clearance to enter her home. Her blond love, looking dashing in his new look, enters the living space before spotting her and Asuma in the kitchen.

"Hey guys," Naruto cheerfully calls out with a wave.

Asuma seems to have lost his composure as he turns to Naruto like a predator does on prey and Kurenai rushes to move ahead of him, moving between them as she calls out, "Asuma."

He stops a couple of feet in front of Naruto with Kurenai slightly to the side between them and asks the blond, "do you know what you've done?"

Like a fish out of water, Naruto is looking curiously lost between them as he slowly answers the stern man, "uh, what's going on?"

"Asuma, don't," Kurenai warns. "This has nothing to do with him."

He doesn't even look at her as he quickly responds, "doesn't it? Pretty sure it has everything to do with him."

With squinted eyes, Naruto voices, "uh, did I miss something?"

"No," Kurenai answers, her red eyes planted on the gruff Jōnin in warning as she adds, "Asuma was just leaving."

Staying put and still ignoring her, Asuma returns, "you had your chance to tell me the truth. So let's ask Naruto."

"Ask me what?"

"Asuma!"

"Are you and Kurenai in love with each other?"

The immediate silence is deafening. With raised eyebrows, Naruto's face is stunned into a panicked and guilty countenance, and it's all the confirmation Asuma needs. His response is even less convincing. "Uh, what? N-no," Naruto tries miserably. "W-what would ever-"

His large chest intakes air sharply and his brows crease angrily as he glares down at the blond. Losing all patience, Kurenai's had enough, interjecting, "it's okay, Naruto."

In an attempt to cope with the betrayal, he takes out his pack of cigarettes as he asks her, "oh, is it-"

"Stop," she interrupts. "You and I have haven't been official in over a year and have been completely through seven months ago. Whatever the reason, no matter the circumstances, I've moved on. It's time you do the same."

Glaring at her, he vindictively retorts, "sorry, not into children."

"Woah," an offended Naruto hollers. "Don't think for one second this 'child' can't kick your ass."

Returning angry eyes of her own, Kurenai demands he, "please leave."

Asuma returns his ire on the blond as he asks, "we were going to get married, Naruto. Did you know that? Did you know we talked about having children and sharing our lives together in this very house? The house her parents left for her." Before an alert Naruto can even answer, Asuma demands to know, "do you really think someone like you—you… a genin, a child—can give her a better life than I can?"

"Hey," Kurenai calls, stepping in front of him. "I asked you to leave."

"Sure, Kurenai," he gruffly answers, chuckling in humorless amusement before lighting a cigarette. He takes a drag before declaring, "let me just hear it from Naruto."

Standing beside Kurenai, Naruto repeats, "she asked you to leave-"

"No, no, no," the Jōnin interjects. "Let me hear how you're going to love and care for her for the rest of her life. Tell me this isn't some sort of sad fling between miserable people. I'm ready to love her, marry her, take care of her and our family for the rest of my life. Can you tell me the same thing?"

"Yeah, I can," he declares. Turning to her, he adds, "I don't think I've ever loved a woman more."

When a softness graces her eyes, Asuma tells her, "you're a disappointment," before turning to Naruto and adding, "both of you." Before Kurenai can say more he walks around them and leaves the house, slamming the door behind him. After the walls stop shaking, Kurenai exhales before plopping her weary form on the couch.

Taking it all in for several seconds, Naruto sits on the coffee table in front of her and simply waits. She's leaning back with her hands covering her eyes and nose as she processes the madness capping her incredibly long day. Aware that Naruto is here for her but not pushing, Kurenai voices through her fingers, "I'm sorry I didn't tell you I was with Asuma before you."

"It's cool," she hears and senses that he means it. "I mean it's shocking, but, it doesn't change how I feel about you."

Removing her hands and leaning forward, leaving only a few inches between their faces. It's amazing how happy she instantly begins feeling just at the sight of his strong, expressive, and support eyes. Kurenai feels comfortable around him, asking with a hopeful innocence, "do you really love me?"

She loves his cocky smile as he responds, "without a doubt."

Looking away a moment to wipe a bit of moisture from her eye, she drags Naruto to sit beside her on the couch. Once she's comfortably snug against him, she slowly asks, "and the Omiai?"

She feels him shrug as he asks, "what about it? If you're not down, then it's not even an option."

Feeling at peace with his response, and after this confrontation, she's sensed her evolution more acutely than ever before. Kurenai truly does feel apart of something bigger than herself with Naruto and it excites her to know the future will be brighter in Naruto's life, than not. Now that Asuma knows, she has to assume others will find eventually out; Hinata and her teammates specifically. Kurenai feels like she's on the clock, and quickly makes plans for tomorrow. She isn't sure who Asuma will talk to, she simply hopes she has enough time to alert those closest to her first.

In the spirit of tomorrow, Kurnai asks a distracted Naruto, "Temari-chan agreed to the Omiai, hasn't she?"

Continuing to rub her round rump in a circular motion, Naruto replies, "huh? Oh, yeah. How'd you know?"

"Because it's you," she lightly answers, turning to press her chest more into him. Kurenai's sure they haven't had dinner yet, but nourishment is forgotten in favor of her favorite meat-stuffing as she adds, "and I'd say yes too."

Tilting his dazed eyes to look at her directly, he asks for clarity, "really?" With her smiling nod, Naruto's foggy brain then asks, "uuuh, does that mean what I think it means?"

Placing her hand on his rapidly arising members, she assures him, "it means I'm all in Uzumaki Naruto. You, me, and anything life has to offer."

First, thank you to my s. Your monetary support encourages me everyday to write through all the stress at work(8 people got COVID! 8!). I'm practically living at my job. If you anyone would like to show their appreciation with a tip, pay - tre - on /graefoxx. Or you could check out my first novel Belladonna by Grae Foxx on Amazon. I reread it recently… damn, I got better.

Many of you rightfully pointed out what Naruto did was treason. Of course I thought so as well. I just figured Jiraiya would cover him because I didn't think Naruto had the mental scope to see that. I want Naruto to start thinking like a leader, which means he needs to mess up a bit so he can learn from it. There will be more on that in the next update.

So, if it's not apparent yet, I'm not planning on doing the CRA trope(Clan Restoration Act), not that I don't like it. I think it's an awesome idea and it makes sense. I just wanted to see if I can do something else that's a little more grounded. Not that I'm taking credit for this political marriage aspect I'm introducing. I think I remember a Naruto/Temari fic that centered around that. So it's not new, but, I did giggle with laughter at amending the Omiai to have sister-wives. Considering the Daimyō is the law of the land, it made sense to me that their seal would approve it. I'll touch on this more later since this isn't new to history.

Kurenai is all in now and there is no going back for her. 😍😎✨❤ It took a while, but I did it. I've already started the ground work for the other girls so look forward to that.

I know Naru-nii hasn't been front and center in a while but he's still around. I just don't write it. He should be coming back soon. Mabui, Samui, and Mei are also coming back soon. If not in the next update then the one after. Also, apologies. No lemons in this one. Too much setup to fit in, but soon. Trust that I want the lemon😙 .

I also want to apologize for chapter 32. It was a hard and stressful time so the chapter didn't meet my usual standards. For instance, Gaara's fight with Naruto confused people and I don't like confusing my readers. At some point I will go back and edit it. Maybe when this whole pandemic is over and we can return to our normal lives. So, again, sorry.

For people who keep asking, no I'm not going to kill off Sasuke, lol. It's so funny how many of you want me to do so, but let me adjust his world view a bit before your final judgment. Kakashi is finally going to start being relevant. And I finally get to tackle some of the canon story I've been dying to get to. YES! I do feel for my boy Asuma. He's a cool guy but I'm sure this feels like betrayal to him. All I'll say is I have plans.

I think that's everything. Thank you all again, from the bottom of my writer's heart. You guys are my life blood. Please let me know your thoughts or any errors I might've made. It's how I learn. For instance, I wanted to make Naruto more nervous about confessing his polyamorous views to Kurenai, but, I/he also knew that if it wasn't with her than he didn't want it, which I think would make him less nervous. Things like that, too much/too little make me flip flop often and you guys help me find the line. So thank you again in advance friends ❤

Stay safe guys,

-Grae