Konoha Children's crusade Chapter 3

Chapter Three: After School.

"Hi Aiko! What are you going to do after school?"

"Hi Masami! Tamiko and I were going to go to the new sweets shop that just opened. Do you want to come with us?"

"That would be great. I've heard that they have a raspberry jelly dumpling that is just amazing."

"Shh!" hissed Tamiko. "Not so loud! Tubby over there will hear you, and she will eat the whole place out!" All three girls laughed behind their hands at the large girl who was walking by. "Hey Inoji!" Tamiko called out. "Come over here! We want to ask you a question."

Inoji lowered her head, so that her long blonde hair covered her face. Ignoring them, she plodded past them and over to the school gate. Aiko frowned. "Hey she didn't even stop to say hello... That's rude."

Masami smirked. "Maybe she's too busy thinking about what she's going to have for dinner."

Aiko smiled a mean smile. "I don't care. Walking by like that and ignoring us? She just disrespected us. I think we need to go teach her a lesson. Come on." The three girls jogged up behind Inoji, and then surrounded her. "Hey Inoji," said Aiko. "We asked you to stop and chat with us for a bit. What's the matter chubby? Is there fat blocking your ears?"

Even though she towered over the other girls by three or four inches, Inoji just looked down at her feet. "Hi Aiko, Masami, Tamiko," she mumbled. "I have to get going. My mom and dad need my help at the store this afternoon."

"Oh, I bet you love that don't you? All the free ice cream and candy you can stuff into your greedy little mouth," said Masami. "Why don't you ever bring any of it around here to share with your friends?"

"That's not how it works. I'm not allowed to eat anything unless I pay for it," Inoji said. She started walking toward the gap in the circle made by Aiko and Masami. "Sorry, but I really have to go, my parents need me there."

Aiko and Masami linked hands. "You're not going anywhere," said Masami. "You were very rude to us earlier. I think you owe us something in return."

"Yeah," said Tamiko. "If you want to get out of here on time, you better go and bring us back some ice cream."

"Guys..." whined Inoji. "I can't do that. That's not how the store works. Please, just let me go."

Masami smiled. "Look if you do this for us, we'll let you eat lunch with us tomorrow."

Inoji backed up. "I really can't guys. I'll get in trouble."

Aiko grabbed Inoji's arm. "Oh you'll do it alright. You will do it or we will tell everyone you like Mako the bug boy."

Masami laughed. "Yeah! We'll say you want to kiss him and feel the bugs squiggle all over your tongue."

Aiko smiled a mean smile. "You will take the ice cream for us, or that will be just the start. For the rest of the school year, we'll make your life miserable."

"Tell you what, how about I make all your lives miserable right now?" Aiko gasped as a hand grabbed her hair and twisted her head around. A pair of yellow eyes with slitted pupils bored into hers. "Go pick on someone else Aiko," snarled Tsudemi. "Beat it, before I scratch up that pretty face of yours."

Tamiko started towards Aiko, but a low growl stopped her. In front of her stood Akakaru with her fur bristling. Tsudemi gave Aiko a shove and sneered as she stumbled back toward her friends. "What are you waiting for?" Tsudemi sneered. "Get lost."

Aiko stood up and dusted herself off. "I don't think so."

Tsudemi cracked her knuckles. "You are really looking for beating aren't you?"

Aiko smiled. "Go ahead you ugly bitch. Hit me, I dare you." Tsudemi hesitated, and Aiko laughed. "See? I know how much trouble you are in here for fighting. I heard what Principal Irukai said. One more fight for you and you've had it right?"

"Yeah," said Tamiko, waving away a wasp that was circling her head. "Why don't you go ahead and fight us? We'd love it if you got kicked out."

"The school would certainly stop smelling like a wet dog, that's for sure," smiled Masami. She pulled at a bug that was stuck in her hair.

The three girls advanced on Inoji and Tsudemi. "In fact," said Aiko in a low voice, "maybe we'll just start a fight with you right now... That way we can make you get kicked out. After all everyone would believe us if we said that you started it." She stepped towards Tsudemi, her fist raised. Suddenly she yelped and slapped her arm. "Something bit me!" she yelled.

"Youch!" wailed Tamiko frantically slapping at her leg. "Wasps! It's wasps!" A cloud of the insects started to ominously orbit the three girls.

Masami screamed. "It's caught in my hair! It's stinging me!" The three girls suddenly had a hard time standing still. Frantically waving their arms and slapping their bodies, they fled from Tsudemi and Inoji.

Tsudemi turned her head this way and that. "Alright Mako, where are you hiding? I didn't need your help you know. I could have handled all of them on my own."

"I never said you couldn't you know," said Mako, perched in a tree next to a large paper wasps nest. "I have the utmost confidence in your abilities."

Tsudemi looked sideways at him. "I thought principal Irukai said you were getting in too many fights as well? Aren't you worried you will get in trouble?"

"Get in trouble?" Mako hopped down from the branch he was sitting on. "I have no idea what you are talking about. I don't think I've ever seen wasps behave that way before." He rubbed his chin as if deep in thought. "Hmmm... It must be the shampoo they are using."

"Thanks Tsudemi... Thanks Mako... You guys really shouldn't be sticking your necks out like that for me all the time." Inoji scuffed the ground with her foot. "I mean really you guys could get in so much trouble."

"Well, we wouldn't have to if you would just haul off and slug them sometime Inoji," said Tsudemi with a frown on her face. "I mean seriously. Do you think that any of those jerks would keep making fun of you like that if you just stood up to them once in awhile?"

Inoji covered her face. "I can't do that Tsudemi. I'm not like you."

Tsudemi turned and stood in her face. "What's that supposed to mean?" she growled. Inoji cringed and took a step back.

Mako stepped in front of Tsudemi and gently pushed her back with both hands. "Hey, calm down Tsudemi. She's not trying to insult you, she just wished she had your confidence that's all. Right Inoji?"

"R-right," stammered Inoji close to tears. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to insult you."

"Hmph," sniffed Tsudemi. "It's okay." She tried to turn, but Mako held on to her.

"Okay," said Mako. "Now it's your turn."

"What?"

"You have to apologize to Inoji now."

"WHAT?!?"

Mako sighed. "You completely flew off the handle at your friend here, when all she was trying to do was pay you a compliment. Seriously... you need to apologize."

Tsudemi sputtered, but Mako patiently lifted an eyebrow and waited. Finally, Tsudemi took a deep breath and muttered. "Sorry."

"For what?" hinted Mako.

"For being a touchy jerk today, Okay? Does that make you happy Bug-boy?"

"As happy as I'll ever be you rabid mutt." Tsudemi shoved Mako hard, but she was smiling as she did it. She turned to Inoji. "I'm really sorry Inoji. Sometimes I just forget who my friends are... Do you forgive me?"

"Of course I do," smiled Inoji.

"Good," said Mako stepping into a line with them. "We freaks should stick together, you know?" Akakaru barked once in agreement. Then she leapt up and rode on Tsudemi's shoulders.

As they walked up to the main gate, they heard someone make a huge protest. "But Dad, I can't watch the baby now!" Jiraiya gestured to the group of boys around him. "We were just going to start a soccer game!"

"Hey," said Inoji. "Isn't that the Hokage?"

"Hmm?" Tsudemi looked up. "Yeah, that's him. He was here this morning."

"I wonder what he wants here?"

Mako snorted. "He's probably making sure that Kusumina and Jiraiya are still the most popular kids in school," he sneered. "With their dad being the Hokage and their mom being the head of the Hyuga clan, everyone around here just kisses their ass." Akakaru barked something to Tsudemi and she laughed. Akakaru jumped down off her shoulders, trotted behind Mako and promptly started to sniff his behind. "Arrg! Get away you dumb mutt!" he yelled, trying to push her off. Akakaru dodged his shove and started to sniff him again. Mako howled in frustration. "What did she say?"

"She asked if you were upset because you wanted ass kisses too. Then she offered to sniff your butt if it would make you feel better," she said giggling.

"That's not funny," said Mako his face getting red. Again, he pushed at Akakaru.

Inoji was trying to hide a smile behind her hand. "You have to admit Mako-kun, it is a little funny," she said.

Mako frowned. "I suppose." He turned to look at the dog. "Aren't you done yet?"

A burst of smoke filled the schoolyard. Everyone stopped and stared. Standing next to Naruto was a toad as big as an ox. Jiraiya said, "I told you dad, I can't do it."

"And I said, I'm really sorry but I need you to watch Sasuko now! I'm sorry son but that was your last chance." Naruto turned to the toad. "Gamakiro, please escort both my sons back to my house, if you would be so kind."

Sasuko jumped up on the toad's back. "Yay! Froggy ride!" he yelled.

Jiraiya folded his arms. "I told you Dad, I'm busy playing soccer. I'm not doing it. Go find Kusumina."

Naruto leaned forward to look at his son. "She's doing extra research in the library right now trying to figure out a new jutsu. You are playing soccer. She wins."

Jiraiya narrowed his eyes. "Don't forget Dad I know what is in the urn at home."

Naruto sighed. "I'm sorry son, really I am." He turned to the toad. "Gamakiro, please bring Jiraiya home." A huge tongue snapped out of the toad's mouth and wrapped up Jiraiya. Jiraiya had time to scream once before the toad bounded into the sky.

Far away, Sasuko could be heard shouting, "Wheee!"

Naruto adjusted his jacket, tipped his Hokage hat to all the children watching and said, "Please excuse me everyone." Then he leapt off into the trees.

Tsudemi shut her mouth. "Well, I guess you were wrong Mako. It looks like he wasn't here to make sure everyone is kissing Jiraiya's ass… Unless that frog was slipping him the tongue."

"Eww!" said Inoji.

"That…" said Mako staring, "was the coolest thing ever."
"Hey!" One of the boys who was about to organize the soccer game with Jiraiya trotted over. He had a large wrapped bundle slung across his back. "With Jiraiya gone, we don't have enough people for even teams. Do you guys want to play with us?"

Mako and Tsudemi looked at each other. "Us?" asked Mako.

"Sure," said the boy. "If all three of you play we will still have even teams. He turned and looked at Inoji. "You look like you would make a great goalie. You're really tall and have a long reach."

"What's that you're carrying across your back?" Inoji asked.

"This?" He pulled it off. "It's a puppet. My uncle gave it to me for my birthday. I'm learning puppet ninjutsu. It's really cool." He stopped and looked at Inoji for a second. "Have we met before? You look really familiar."

"I… don't think so." Inoji looked down at her feet.

"Well, my name is Shikasu Nara. It's nice to meet you." He held out his hand. Inoji mumbled something. "I'm sorry," Shikasu said. "I didn't quite catch that."

"I'm Inoji Akamichi. It's nice to meet you." she said flinching, waiting for the teasing to start.

Shikasu tilted his head. "Akamichi… Is your dad Choji Akamichi?"

Inoji nodded once. "Yes."

Shikasu smiled hugely. "Man… that is so great. My dad used to be on the same team as your dad and mom! I have heard all the stories… Well, most of the stories… Or at least all the ones that my dad says aren't too troublesome to tell. This is too cool!"

Inoji stared at him. "Wait… Your father is Shikamaru Nara?"

Shikasu grinned. "Yup!"

One of the other kids waiting to play soccer called out "Shikasu! Are you coming or what?"

Shikasu waved back, and then he turned to Inoji. "We have got to hang out sometime. I want to hear what you know about what my dad did when he was younger." He grabbed her hand and she blushed. "Come on guys, we can talk later! Let's go play." He ran, still pulling her hand, back to the soccer circle.

Mako and Tsudemi looked at each other. "Inoji has a boyfriend," Mako said quietly in a little singsong voice.

Tsudemi punched him on the arm. "Shut up." She looked down the field to where Shikasu was excitedly introducing Inoji to the other kids. "So… should we join her?"

Mako shrugged. "I think I'll pass… I hate running around." Tsudemi nodded, then grabbed his arm and started pulling him down the field. "Hey, what gives?" he shouted.

"I decided you are going to play with us anyway. Besides," said Tsudemi. "didn't you just say us freaks should stay together?"

                                              *******

Sasuke paced around Kakashi's office in the ANBU building. "Well, this is just great. Once this rumor gets out I can only imagine where the village elders will want to put me." He ran his hands through his hair. "I should just leave now," he mumbled.

"Nobody is going anywhere," said Naruto. "You haven't been convicted of anything."

"Besides," said Shikamaru leaning against the wall. "We have to consider the possibility that this rumor was generated to take you out of the equation." He pointed at Sasuke. "You killed the Kurokaze chieftain the last time they attacked. You were instrumental in stopping them from destroying the Leaf Village. If they have managed to revive their clan, they may want you out of the picture."

Kakashi leaned on his desk. "Shikamaru is right Sasuke. The elders may not like you, but they admit you are one of the strongest shinobi in the village and a valuable asset. If there is a threat to the safety of the village, I am sure they will want you here." Kakashi sat back in his chair. "What bothers me more is the possibility that we have been infiltrated."

Shikamaru frowned and nodded. "Yeah, that one is troublesome… Unfortunately, it looks like we have been infiltrated at a pretty high level. I don't know how else we could explain the missing messages and tampered patrols."

Naruto looked pensive. "Is it possible that this whole thing is just a ruse?"

Kakashi looked at the ceiling. "If it is, it is an incredibly complex one."

Shikamaru nodded. "It's possible, but until we have more data, we can't draw any conclusions."

"Well, I guess we just need more data then." Naruto turned to Kakashi. "Can you summon your most trusted captains right now?"

"I had a feeling you might need them, so I sent out the summons before we started this meeting." Kakashi stood up, walked around his desk and opened his door. "Please, come in," he said to the figures outside. "Hokage-sama, may I present to you captains Yori, Nobu, and Kiku." The three ANBU shinobi entered, their faces masked, and knelt before Naruto.

Naruto folded his arms. "Captains, we have heard rumors of a grave threat to the Leaf Village. We believe that the Black Wind clan is once again building up strength. I hope I don't have to tell you how dangerous that would be if they returned to full power." He rubbed his eyes. "What is more is that we believe the village has been infiltrated and that the infiltrators are trying to suppress information from reaching the village." The ANBU officers looked at each other. "I hope I don't have to tell you three that this mission is top secret." He held up three fingers. "I want three things from this mission. First: discover the infiltrators identities and notify Kakashi Hayate of their identities and placements in the Leaf Vllage. We will then decide if they should be arrested, or simply fed false information. Second: Find all information you can on the Kurokaze clan. I want to know their strengths and their locations if possible. Finally," he said dropping the third finger, "I want all the information you can find on this new ambassador Daikiro for the Daimyo."

Yori looked up. "Hokage-sama, do you wish us to work as a team for this or do you want us to work solo?"

Naruto motioned to Kakashi to answer. "We need this information as fast as possible, but we also need this to be kept quiet. This will be difficult with the potential security leaks. I was thinking that each of you would start off working on your own, and then as the need arose, and we cleared other people, we could add more members to your squad."

Kiku sat back, and looked up . "Commander Kakashi, I request to be sent to gather information on the Black Wind."

Kakashi shook his head. "Sorry Kiku. I know you would like the opportunity for revenge, but the answer is no. You are much better suited for infiltrating the Daimyo's court and gathering the information on Daikiro. You Nobu, are our best long range scout, you will look for the Kurokaze."

"Yes sir!" said Nobu.

"That leaves the infiltrators. Yori, that will be your mission. Find them without alerting them that they have been found." Kakashi sighed. "It's tough I know but if anyone can do it, it would be you."

"Thank you sir," said Yori. Kakashi dismissed the three ANBU operatives with a wave of his hand. In a flash, they were gone.

"What happens now?" asked Naruto.

Kakashi shrugged. "Not much we can do right at the moment. We wait for something to turn up."

Sasuke turned to Shikamaru. "Hey Shikamaru, given the information we have right now... If you were planning an attack on the Leaf Village would you do it sooner or later?"

Shikamaru frowned. "Classically the infiltrators would strike a target just as the main force is attacking, sowing discord and confusion. Assuming the Black Wind clan is the main force… well, last time they were around we had plenty of warning. They razed every farm and small village within a mile of their march. Assuming they will do the same thing, we should have about a week's warning." Sasuke relaxed. "But," Shikamaru continued, "something bothers me here the Black Wind traditionally use brute force tactics. Using infiltrators just isn't their style."

"You suspect a new leader for the clan?" asked Kakashi.

"Well, Daikiro did say there was rumor that the new clan head was calling himself the heir to Orochimaru and the Akatsuki. What if it isn't the Daimyo's usual anti-Sasuke propaganda?" Shikamaru looked at Sasuke. Sasuke pointedly stared at the floor, his face cold.

"Sasuke," Naruto said gently. "Everyone here is your friend. No one here is accusing you of anything. You are the one person in the Leaf Village who would know best about anyone who was in either Orochimaru's organization, or the Akatsuki. We need your help."

Sasuke took a deep breath and closed his eyes. "Orochimaru didn't like to have the different branches of his organization being friendly with each other. He liked to have his lieutenants compete with each other, often fatally. People under his command either hated him or worshiped him. However, even those that worshiped him never trusted him.  He was a cruel hard man with secrets within secrets within secrets. So… could some trusted hidden lieutenant of his have survived and become the new head of the Kurokaze clan?" Sasuke shrugged. "Sure… but I don't know how he could have been hiding all this time. As for the Akatsuki connection, all the primary members are dead. The ones that were raised during the fourth ninja war, are dead again. As in the case with Orochimaru's organization, there might have been some lieutenants left somewhere, but where they are now is anyone's guess." He looked sharply at Kakashi. "Kabuto is dead right? He would be the easy one to pick with ties to both groups."

Kakashi nodded. "Unless his body managed to grow a new head, yes he's dead."

Sasuke shook his head. "I'll let you know if I can come up with something. But right now…"

Shikamaru nodded. "That's all right Sasuke. It's probably just some egotistical bully wanting to sound like the biggest, meanest, monster in the world." He sighed. "I should probably get going. Does anyone have anything else?" When no one said anything, he started to stroll out the door. "Let me know when you get anything new."

Naruto and Sasuke said their goodbyes to Kakashi and left as well. Naruto looked at his friend. "Sasuke, are you going to be okay?"

Sasuke was clenching his fist so hard he was shaking. "I… just really need to hit something right now." He looked up at Naruto. "Do you feel like having a friendly sparring match?"

Naruto grinned. "Loser buys drinks?"

Sasuke smiled his small confident smile. "I hope you brought your wallet because after this morning, I'm going to need a lot of drinks."

                                              *******

Naruto panted and rubbed a sore spot on his ribs. "Dammit! Sasuke, where the hell did you learn that?"

Sasuke grinned. "I was fortunate enough to catch Lee once when he was practicing drunken fist. I borrowed that one from him."

"Ouch… That was impressive." Naruto picked up two water bottles and tossed one to Sasuke. He opened his, poured half of it on his head, and then drank the other half. Sasuke sipped his. They both sat in silence for a moment.

"Thanks for the sparring match," said Naruto.

Sasuke smiled. "Heh, you're welcome. Your doctor said you needed more exercise and suggested it."

"Gah, I become the Hokage, and Sakura still finds ways to pick on me." Naruto lay back on the grass. "We could make it more challenging… How about we can use ninjutsu next time?"

Sasuke shook his head. "No thanks. Sage mode versus Sharingan is enough excitement for me." He sighed and idly picked at a few blades of grass. "Besides, I can just hear the rumors now, how the monstrous Uchiha attacked the Hokage with ninjutsu."

"Sasuke…"

"I know… You are my friend… Blah blah blah. Sometimes Naruto, I just get so sick of it, you know. What do I have to do to get the people here to forgive me?"

Naruto frowned. "Some of them never will. I think the more important thing Sasuke… Is that you have to forgive yourself."

Sasuke took a drink. "Yeah. That might happen. Some day." He leaned back against a tree. "But what are we going to do now? Kakashi sensei is right. Something bad is coming, and part of their plan seems to be getting me out of the way."

Naruto put his arms behind his head. "If Sakura wasn't busy making Uchiha number six, I'd suggest we get team seven back together and start training. Man, we could handle anything."

Sasuke smiled. "We did make a good team, even if it was just me saving your sorry butt most of the time." Sasuke stood up and stretched. "Well, it looks like I just kicked your ass again Hokage-sama. How about those drinks?"

"What?!? Excuse me? You have never even come close to kicking my ass you sorry loser." Naruto did a kick pop up from the ground to his feet. "Besides that was just the warm up. I hope you are ready for round two!"

                                              *******

The Konoha Emporium was the premium hangout spot for all ages in the Hidden Leaf Village. It had an indoor/outdoor café, a small area for market stalls, a pharmacy, an arcade, and several more permanent store where trades people maintained a residence. The Emporium was the brainchild of Choji and Ino Akamichi. They purchased the land, maintained the area, and operated the café and the pharmacy. They worked very hard at it. Two years ago, some of the students at the academy gave the Emporium a new name.  To Ino's ire the name stuck.

"Seriously Choji?!? Why on earth would you want to name the café that?" Ino stomped her foot at the base of the ladder.

Choji aligned the sign on the hooks attached to the crossbeam. "I don't see the harm in it. Everyone in the Leaf Village already calls it this already. Now when strangers come looking for the best café in Konoha, we have a sign telling them where it is." He hung the sign and climbed back down the ladder. "There," he said moving the ladder out of the way and putting an arm around his wife. "I think Sai did an excellent job designing and painting it don't you?" There, flapping in the breeze was a broad sign picturing a pig with butterfly wings. "The flying pig," intoned Choji. "It's certainly a name that sticks in your memory."

"It's insulting is what it is," grumped Ino.

Choji hugged her tighter, and smiled. "Look at it this way… a noble, hard working pig soaring on the wings of a butterfly, what better a symbol for this which we have worked so hard on?"

Ino sighed. "I suppose, but you really don't see anything insulting with it?"

Choji looked at it hard, and then shook his head. "Nope. I don't see anything wrong with it at all." He looked sideways at Ino and smiled a little. "Besides, I know how much you hate being called a pig. So I figured if I just came out and took the name for my café, you would be free to name your pharmacy whatever you wanted. You can't have two stores called the same thing."

Ino looked up at her husband in a new light. "You are so sweet." She stood up on her tiptoes and kissed him. "I wonder what I should call the pharmacy." She said slipping an arm around his side. "The sweet flower maybe?"

"That has a nice ring to it," said Choji. "Do you want me to ask Sai to make another sign?"

"No… let me think about it a little more. Say, have you seen Inoji? She was supposed to help me with the store after school."

Choji shook his head. "No, but I'm sure she just got distracted by something. She'll be along soon."

Ino frowned. "Well she'd better hurry. She's going to be late."

Choji smiled. "Relax Ino, it's not the end of the world if she is late."

Ino turned on Choji. "Choji, I don't want to have this discussion again. Learning the responsibility that comes with having a job is important. I worked all the time in my mother's flower shop and it taught me all sorts of things."

Choji held up his hands. "Yes dear, I agree. I am just asking that you give her a little leeway every now and then, that's all. She's not as social and popular as you were growing up. I want her to have a chance to make friends without us putting more restrictions on her. Do you understand?"

Ino sighed. "That girl… I don't understand what her problem is. She won't stick up for herself. She just needs to get out there and make some friends." She shrugged. "It doesn't help that she is always with that Mako and Tsudemi. Those two are so wild it's amazing that anyone will have anything to do with them at all."

Choji touched her chin and brought her face up to look at his. "Some of us don't make friends easily. I know where she is coming from. For better or worse, she looks like an Akamichi. I had to grow up with everyone making fun of the way I looked too. It was hard for me to make friends as well, but I found them. It just took time, and understanding."

Ino leaned into him. "You are the kindest person I know. I love you for it." She stood up. "Alright, I promise I will try to be more easy on her."

Choji smiled and kissed her. "Thank you my love. Speaking of work... we both have to get back to it. The afternoon rush will soon be here." He kissed her one last time. "I will see you after we close." Choji tied up his apron and went inside the café.

Ino smiled gently and brushed a hand through her hair. As she turned to head back to the pharmacy, she saw a breathless but grinning Inoji come running up to her.

"Mom… Mom… I'm sorry I'm late," she said panting.

"Just where have you been young lady? You were supposed to be here half an hour ago?" To her surprise, Inoji grinned at her.

"I was playing soccer, Mom! The other kids invited me to play soccer! There was this boy, Mom! He said I looked like I'd be a really good goalie! He invited me to play!" Inoji was breathless and blushing slightly.

Ino raised her eyebrows, and smiled. "Well, I'm glad you had fun sweetie. Why don't we head inside and you can tell me all about it."

Ino unlocked the door to the pharmacy and Inoji darted right in. "It was so cool, Mom. I was walking home from school, and these mean girls were picking on me, they said they were going to spread mean rumors about me all over school unless I took a bunch of the ice cream from the store and I gave it to them. Then they were like, all going to beat me up." Inoji pulled off an apron from behind the counter and put it on.

"Hold up a second," said Ino, "These girls said what? Who are they? I'm going to talk to their parents."

"No Mom! You can't do that! You don't have to... Please? It's all taken care of. You see all of a sudden Mako and Tsudemi came up and were all like, "Hey she's our friend, beat it!" and they chased away the mean girls."

Ino sighed. "Well, Honey I'm glad they helped you, but I'm not sure they really are the best friends for you... I mean..."

"I know Mom, I know.  You think that they are a bad influence. But Mom, they are my friends. Now would you stop interrupting? I'm getting to the good part." Inoji eyed her mother.

"I'm sorry sweetie. Please go on."

"Thanks Mom... Where was I?"

"Mako and Tsudemi chased away the mean girls."

"Right... Thanks." Inoji smiled at her mother. "So then Mako and Tsudemi and I were all like, 'Nobody likes us... Everyone thinks we're freaks' and stuff like that. When all of a sudden this boy comes up and is like, 'Hey come and play soccer with us!' and we're all like 'who us?' and he come right up to me and is like 'you look like you'll be really great as a goalie.' and 'Hey don't I know you from somewhere?' and you'll never guess! He knows us! His name is Shikasu Nara! His dad was your teammate! Shikasu thinks that you and dad must be the coolest shinobi ever! How come you never talk about him?"

Ino's face fell. She reached out and held Inoji's hands. She took a deep breath. "Inoji, I'm really glad that you've made a new friend. I'm sure that Shikasu is a very nice boy, and he is right. His father and Choji and I were all on the same team; team Asuma so very long ago..."

Inoji bounced up and down with joy. "This is great! He so wants to meet you! Apparently, his dad had all these stories that he won't talk to him about... You can tell him right?"

Ino shook her head. "I'm sorry sweetie.... I don't think that any of us are willing to talk about some of that."

"But Mom..." Inoji started to say, just as the bell to the shop door rang. Both Ino and Inoji turned and bowed at the customers.

"Welcome to the Konoha Emporium pharmacy!" they said in unison. "How can we be of service?" A sheepish looking Naruto and Sasuke, covered with scrapes, cuts and bruises, limped in.

"Hi!" said Naruto grinning. "We're going to need a big bottle of aspirin, a box of small bandages, two ace bandages, and three ice packs."

"Four," grunted Sasuke, testing his weight on his left knee.

"Better make that four ice packs," said Naruto smiling. Sasuke elbowed him. "Ouch! Oh, Uh... is there any way we can avoid mentioning this little purchase to our wives?"

"I don't understand why the Hokage keeps that guy around."

"Hmm?" Konohamaru looked up from his tea. Across the plaza, Naruto and Sasuke could just be seen entering the pharmacy. Konohamaru sighed and shook his head. He then looked up, and pretended to be studying the new sign. "The flying pig huh? I like the name. It's catchy."

"Seriously, I just don't understand how he can stoop to associating with that guy. He's a monster."

Konohamaru stirred his tea. "What do you think of the name?"

The young man jerked with a start. "Huh? What was that Uncle?"

Konohamaru pointed up. "The name. What do you think?"

The young man squinted up and smiled a half smile. "The flying pig... Well, I guess Akamichi-san had enough and decided to make it official. It's as good as any other I guess."

Konohamaru drained his tea. "I like it. Choji-san always had a good sense of humor." He waved for one of the servers to come by.

"So Uncle, I answered your question... Why aren't you answering mine?"

Konohamaru sighed. "I didn't realize you wanted any advice of mine on the subject, I thought you were just venting your spleen as usual."

The waitress bounced over snapping her gum in her teeth, and primping her hair. "Sarutobi-san, is here anything I can get you?"

Konohamaru smiled at her. "Another pot of tea would be wonderful...I must apologize, I can never tell the pair of you apart... Which one of the beautiful Fang twins of Konoha are you again?"

She smiled at him. "I'm Chirosu. Hebisu is working the counter today." She turned and looked at the young man. Her smile grew wider, and she blushed slightly. "And can I get you anything? Anything at all Asuma-kun?"

The young man shrugged, his broad shoulders straining the Konoha flak jacket he wore. "More tea is good... Thanks." Chirosu smiled at him again, and skipped her way back to the counter.

Konohamaru smiled at his nephew. "I think you might have a secret admirer over there." He turned to look over at the counter. Both girls were giggling and stealing glances at his table. "Maybe even two of them."

Asuma shrugged. "Whatever."

"Whatever? All you can say is whatever? Two beautiful girls over there are practically begging you to ask them out on a date and all you can say is whatever?" He paused as one of the twins came by with a fresh pot of tea. As she placed it on the table she leaned over and brushed up against Asuma. Then she flounced away. Konohamaru pointed after her. "What would you call that?"

"I call that, my uncle desperately trying to change the subject." Asuma slouched back in his chair.

Konohamaru sighed and ran his hands through his hair. "I just don't want to have this discussion again. We both know that neither one of us is going to change any minds. So can't we just sit and have a nice quiet cup of tea? Just as family?" He poured for each of them and picked up his cup. "So how's your mother doing?"

Asuma sighed. "She's fine. She misses my father every day. Do you remember my father? I don't. I never got the chance to meet the man. From what they tell me he was a tall guy, had the same name as me, and was killed by the Akatsuki. It's funny, you know, I might almost expect someone like my uncle to understand why I would resent a former member of the same group so much..."

"Sasuke wasn't a member of the Akatsuki then."

"No, he wasn't. He wasn't a member when Pain came and destroyed the entire village either... In fact he only joined when the Akatsuki was about to conquer the whole world. I wonder what that says about him? Maybe they were not evil enough for him until then?"

Konohamaru was about to answer when a piece of decorative molding next to his chair hissed. "Hey, Konohamaru-sensei!" Asuma jumped, and Konohamaru smiled at his nephew's surprise.

"Hey Jiraiya, what are you doing sneaking around here?"

"I need to know if my dad is around here."

Konohamaru looked across the plaza. "He was just in the pharmacy. Do you want me to get him?"

"No I want you to tell me when he's gone... My leg fell asleep trying to stay like this."

Konohamaru smiled at his nephew. "Jiraiya is one of the more talented students we have at the academy. He is especially good at the disguise technique." From across the plaza, the pharmacy door opened and then shut. Sasuke and Naruto, chatting quietly to themselves, and looking less banged up, headed off down the street to the nearest bar. "It looks like they are gone now," said Konohamaru.

"Whew!" exhaled Jiraiya. He lowered the sheet that was disguising himself and Sasuko as part of the wall. "That was close." He looked down at his younger brother. "See what you and your ice cream fixation almost made me do?"

Sasuko grinned and waved at Konohamaru and Asuma. "Hi Konohamaru-san. Hi Asuma-san!" he chirped.

"Hi Sasuko," said Konohamaru. "You are getting so big these days! What are your parents feeding you?"

"Ramen!" he giggled.

Asuma leaned forward with a weak smile on his face. "So what brings the pair of you out this afternoon?"

Jiraiya sighed. "Apparently, in his infinite wisdom the Hokage promised my brother here an ice cream this morning. My brother may forget many things: like wearing his pants when we have company, or that you aren't supposed to eat worms, but one thing he never forgets is when someone has promised him a treat." He shrugged. "So it's up to me to make good on my father's promise." He grabbed his little brother's hand. "C'mon Sasuko, lets get you that treat." He bowed to Konohamaru. "Konohamaru-sensei." He gave a small frowning nod to Asuma. "Asuma-sensei."

Sasuko resisted Jiraiya's pull. "I'm named after Uncle Sasuke you know," he said to Asuma.

Asuma looked uncomfortable. "Really?" he said.

Jiraiya pulled on his hand again. "Sasuko... Forget it. Let's just go."

Sasuko remained firm. "He ran away from the village when he was young. He was really mad at everyone. He did some bad things. He had bad friends. Then one day my dad found him and told him to come back to the village because he was making everyone sad, and he did. And he married Aunt Sakura. Then he wasn't so mad anymore and he was really sorry for all the bad things he did. I'm really glad he came back."

Jiraiya gave a nervous grin. "Sorry, we didn't mean to overhear... I was just looking for a good place to hide... We are not even supposed to be out here."

Asuma had a waxy look on his face. Konohamaru spoke up softly. "Sasuko-kun... Why are you really glad he came back?"

Sasuko gave him an exasperated look. "You know why Uncle Konohamaru. Because Uncle Sasuke saved my Mommy and me when I was still in her tummy. Then he chased away all the bad guys, because my daddy was too sad to." Sasuko turned to Asuma. "I'm sorry you're mad at him. He did do bad things a long time ago, but he's trying really hard to make it better now. My dad says more people should give him a chance. You should give him a chance." He tugged on his brother's arm. "Jiraiya, I want ice cream now." He pulled him into the store.

"Uhm... like I said, I'm really sorry," said Jiraiya as he was dragged inside.

Asuma sat in silence. Konohamaru drained his tea, and refilled his cup from the teapot. Holding the fresh cup in both hands, he blew on it to cool it. "Your father, was a brave, friendly, understanding man. He believed that every one in the village carries within them the Will of Fire, and that we can pass it on from generation to generation. Shikamaru once told me that his dying words were to protect the next generation, and build for them the best village for them to grow up in. He believed that the children of the village were our most precious resource. I like to believe that when he said that to Shikamaru, he was thinking of you." Konohamaru blew again across his tea, raising a cloud of steam. "You asked me what was the Hokage thinking? Well, I won't pretend to know another person's mind." He took a sip. "All I can tell you is what I was thinking that day."

"It was three years ago, on the day of the final matches for the Chunin exams. The Black Wind clan was sweeping across the Fire Nation. Many people believed that we should postpone or cancel the exams because of that. Naruto disagreed. He said, 'The moment when we are most afraid is precisely the moment when we should show our solidarity with the other nations.' We were on high alert. Looking back, if we knew then what we knew now, we would have canceled it all together."

He drank from his cup. "The Kurokaze, the Black Wind clan, we thought they were just a large group of bandits at first. Then we decided that they were mutinous soldiers. No one we ever sent in to infiltrate them ever came back out. We could map their movements, but we could not learn their secrets, and what we needed to know was their secrets." Konohamaru looked at his nephew. "Have you ever seen their secret weapon? Have you seen the 'demon's blood'? If you pour it into a glass, it looks like a dark red wine. It has the smell of roast meat seasoned with exotic spices. It makes one's mouth water. At least until you find out it is the liquefied flesh and chakra of the dead. It grants one unimaginable power, but it has a price. It ties your mind and your will to whoever performed the ritual to produce the demon's blood. Back then it was the clan chief of the Kurokaze." Konohamaru shuddered. "I have seen an old grandmother kill an ox with her bare hands after a sip of demon blood. Can you imagine what power this would give someone with ninja training?"

"There were twelve candidates for chunin that year. There were going to be six matches at the start. Do you remember how nervous you were at your chunin exam? Do you remember how hard you trained and looked for something, anything that would give you an edge? Someone very clever, very quietly approached each of the candidates and offered them an elixir that would give them limitless power."

"The demon's blood?" asked Asuma.

Konohamaru nodded. "That's what the autopsy reports concluded. Twelve ambitious students, the best in their classes from Leaf, Sand, Stone, Cloud, Mist and Rain, each of them gave into temptation, and upon drinking the demon's blood, each of them became an agent of the Black Wind."

"How does that work?" asked Asuma.

Konohamaru shrugged. "As far as I know we are still trying to figure all of it out. But remember how we thought that the clan was rogue ninjas or rebelling soldiers?" He shook his head. "They were just ordinary people. People made incredibly strong, and tied to the Kurokaze clan chief's will and his crazed blood lust. That was how they recruited, and it was also how they brought a huge army to our gates before we even noticed."

"Naruto and Hinata were in the Hokage's box, along with Hishyota, Kusumina and Jiraiya. Hinata was huge; she was probably seven, eight months along with Sasuko. Naruto greeted everyone, made the usual speech about unity, friendship between the villages, and maintaining honor. Then he started the first match. I think it was a Leaf shinobi against one from the Stone village. I remember remarking that they were both incredibly powerful."

"Didn't you notice anything was wrong?" asked Asuma.

Konohamaru shook his head. "It didn't seem like there was anything wrong. The candidates weren't fully under the control of the blood yet. They seemed... normal. Unbelievably strong yes, but still normal." He took another sip of his tea. Konohamaru's eyes unfocused and he leaned back in his seat. "It started off being such a nice day…"