"I can see that….we'll rest a bit and then we need to find a shelter for ourselves…I get the feeling we're going to be here for quite a while."
Naruto nodded and they decided to go and get the tools and supplies from the ship wrecks that they had found before and Naruto used the Kage Bushin to mover the materials and tools. Temari looked for the place for them to set the place they would be in….and soon they found a valley near a large river and the river had a lake as well and was spring fed from a source inside the forest and there were a large number of trees that they could use for the basic of their camp as well as several large boulders that offered shade and heavier protection. Temari guided Naruto there and they began to work in the shelter. The Kyuubi guided Naruto on how to build the shelter and use the materials that the island had offered them. He used a combination of coconut palm leaves to add extra covering against rain and wind. He had also cut down several long stems of bamboo and used them to form the frame of the roof and used the materials he could find to tighten the shelter from wind and rain….while using some wood and the nails that he had salvaged from the ships.
The shelter had the bamboo as the roof and walls, with the nearby trees adding extra shielding for the shelter and some of the trees which were some pine and hard wood were also useful as sources of fuel for fires when the need came to that and the leaves they would have would also serve as fuel. To even up the work load Naruto used his Kage Bushin to help him with the shelter at the moment and Temari was certainly helping as well as she gathered herbs and more….she also worked on using the supplies they had and she used some of the cups to gather the cold water from the nearby spring and handed the water to Naruto was in the thick of the work load and was busy with the construction and reinforcement of the shelter that they needed to have soon. It had taken at least several long hours as Naruto didn't have that much skill in construction at the moment. There was also a large pit that he made and used the leaves there to act as bedding of some sort at the moment. The inside was cozy and Naruto did his best to clean it up and get rid of any sharp objects that might become a big problem for him and Temari, as well as anything that could be causing any form of discomfort as well for himself and Temari such as stones, sharp twigs amore….the shelter was tall enough for them to stand and move about and wide enough for them to walk a bit as well as move a bit….it was hard work and therefore….despite the fact that
As soon as it was over….Naruto's Kage Bushin collapsed and Naruto fell down on the ground when the exhaustion of the Kage Bushin hit him hard and Temari was worried as she helped him and gave him a drink of water from the cup she had….Naruto took a sip and smiled at her.
"Thanks Temari-san…."
"No problem Naruto-kun….this shelter isn't so bad so you did all right…."
"I guess….we had better rest for a while and I'll go hunting for some food…."
"No Naruto-kun….you need to rest for the time being….I'll go and get us the food we need while you rest."
Naruto tried to argue but decided against the idea as Temari was not the kind one usually argued with and she did have a point, the weakness of the Kage Bushin technique was already weighing him down at the moment and some rest was certainly something he needed at the moment.
"All right….be careful Temari-san."
Naruto decided to rest on the bed and the sweet smell the leaves gave out and the cool air that came in through the openings of the shelter was certainly welcome. The blonde Genin finally got to relax as Temari managed to look for food and materials. She caught a few more rabbits and some fish for dinner and gathered some wild oranges and used a pail she had to store her fish and rabbits and a can for the fruit. As she took a short break and washed her face in the water…..she looked at herself and then decided to fix herself up a bit as she would look presentable….
(Wait a bloody minute….why do I need to worry if I look presentable or not anyway?)
The blonde stopped herself and thought it over….she had only done the essential things to clean herself up at the moment….but the blonde found herself wishing she looked more….attractive….which confused her greatly at the moment as she had not bothered with such things before….she didn't wear make-up or lipstick that much and when she did wear the stuff….it was only on important social functions as she was not just a Kunoichi, but the daughter of her late father the Kazekage and the sister of the current Kazekage. But here she was trying to fix herself up for one man….a guy named Naruto….
(Why do I care what he thinks about how I look? I bet he doesn't bother with those details much…)
Temari thought it over and sighed as she got her food items and made her way back to the camp and she was able to see that Naruto was currently sleeping and for some reason, she was starting to study him….she noted the whisker marks on his face. Before she had not noticed the marks, and even considered them to be odd looking though they added a certain animal air to the blonde back when she had met him as a Genin in the Chuunin Exams, but after knowing the truth and finally understanding how he had changed Gaara….she realized that the whisker marks were his only showing of him being a Jinchuuriki, just as the black bags on her little brother's eyes were his symbol of being a Jinchuuriki….she saw that when he was sleeping….he had a much softer and more gentle look in him….and the way he would move his face actually showed something to her eyes…
(I have to admit….he's certainly better looking than I thought…I guess all those years had finally filled in the gaps at least.)
Temari then realized what she was thinking and tried once more to make sense of it as she looked at him once more. There was truth in her thoughts….when Naruto Uzumaki was calm and sleeping peacefully he did look very handsome and she wondered why no one in Konoha noticed….the answer came quickly to her….they all focused on the dark haired Uchiha kid named Sasuke, even that pink haired team mate of Naruto's who he was close to used to have a crush on Sasuke as well, and she did too….but after seeing how he was and fighting him, she was not very happy with what she saw in the Uchiha kid.
He was arrogant, selfish, and very introverted, not the kind that would be very sociable and also he had this quality that showed that despite having a team that he should be able to count on when the situation got really bad… he thought only of his own desires when it came to that, and when he had defected to fight with to Orochimaru of the Sound Village, she at the moment considered him a guy not worth being too infatuated about….she had no idea why Konoha would risk much to save him, but it was not her affair at the moment.
However….she went back to her study of Naruto and despite her best intentions, her thought began to take more intimate turn…
(What the heck is wrong with me all of a sudden?! I can't be thinking about him like this….he's just my escort for the diplomatic mission…and he's…he's the one who changed my brother Gaara from a monster to one of the most beloved Kazekage of my village…he defeated Gaara by himself even when Gaara was already allowing himself to be taken over by the demon inside of him and changed Gaara…and he risked everything to rescue Gaara when Akatsuki came for him. And Gaara considers him his greatest friend and the one who is his savior.)Temari thought about those facts and she realized that this blonde Genin had played a great part in the lives of her family and her brother Gaara….if Naruto had not defeated Gaara when the time came….who knew what could have happened to Gaara and the village after the war with Konoha….and how would things have been for her family had her brother not been defeated by Naruto…when she thought about it…Naruto was someone who her family and her village owed a great deal to.
But how did he become the man before her at the moment? That was what tugged at her mind despite her desire not to ask….what were the qualities that made him different from Gaara? There was no doubt in her mind that he would have lived with the same hatred and fear that her brother did, and her brother finally snapped, but him….he survived and endured, and despite all that, he was loud, talked his mind, acted like a total goofball, laughed and smiled a lot, these qualities were for a normal hot headed youth, but she now recalled how radically different he was when the need to fight in a serious battle came to him, he was intense, focused, lucky, and defiant, these qualities made him a very surprising foe. There must have been things and reasons on how he was able to best her brother because she could tell that back then, he was seriously outmatched by Gaara when they fought, yet he won.
She recalled hearing a conversation with her brothers on how Gaara's bonds with others….including them, were of hatred and murder, but ever since he fought and was defeated by the man sleeping before her, he had been shown by Naruto that there was more to life than that, and by making the choice to walk down that path, one could find greater strength in fighting for others than fighting alone for one's self. Gaara said that he saw in Naruto that there was a chance to be more than just a killer, that there was love, warmth, freedom, and more in the world, and that was made him change….because he and Naruto were the same, she never understood that….until the day she learned that Naruto bore the spirit of the Kyuubi and lived the same life as Gaara did once. And as she recalled that conversation, she looked once more at the sleeping Genin, her curiosity deepened and she wondered if she should ask him how he had endured and grew where her brother had failed.
Should I ask him? He might not take well to the questions, he's never revealed anything past the fact that he and Gaara were the same…I….that can wait…
Temari looked at the food she had and decided to get a fire going and cook their dinner for now and worry about her questions some other time. She hoped that she would do well….she was honestly not a very good cook, but no sense not trying anything.
Later…
Naruto was enjoying the rest when the smell of cooking meat entered his brain and the smell was enough to wake him up slowly as he opened his eyes and turned to see that Temari was there near the fire that she started and watching the meat being cooked at the moment. The blonde Genin got up and felt his body was back to full recovery and he got out and sat next to the fire that had the food cooking on it and he smiled.
"Wow….this stuff smells great Temari-san."
Temari smiled a bit and replied.
"I hope so….this is the first time I had to cook for anyone."
The two of them began to eat their dinner and Naruto commented that the meat was not bad, a bit burned but all right in his mind and Temari felt happy at that as they began to enjoy the solace at the moment. The sky was clear and they saw the moon and the stars above them at the moment and the warmth of the fire and the light it gave them relaxed them but what relaxed them even more was the fact that they were together and had not been separated for any reason as neither of them relishing the idea of that happening to either of them at the moment. As they finished their food and the two of them were full, they drank the cool water that Temari had prepared at the moment and the two enjoyed the cool spring water…
As they relaxed….Naruto felt that there were something that was bothering Temari at the moment and while he wondered if he should ask what was bothering her at the moment, he was not sure that he should interfere and he decided not to disturb Temari as she was currently deep in thought.
"Well I guess I'll go and get some covering ready for the bed….I'll take the…."
"Naruto….I have to ask you something…."
Naruto turned to Temari and was somewhat surprised that she seemed hesitant on asking the question, and that made him very curious about what sort of question Temari had in mind for him that seemed to be something that she was hesitant in asking. He sat down and held the cup in his hand and waited…if there was one thing he learned in his traveling days….when a woman asks you a question, no matter how long it was, the woman deserved a straight and clear answer to her question, doing otherwise would be the ultimate form of insult.
Temari relaxed and then spoke her question, realizing that now was the right time to ask her questions, she only hoped that Naruto would be willing to answer those questions for her.
"Naruto…how were you able to make it in Konoha….with your secret?"
Naruto was quick on the uptake and knew that Temari was asking about how he was able to deal with the fact that he carried the Kyuubi and despite the fact that it was something of a sore subject for him, he didn't feel any wariness and decided to speak to Temari, and besides….she was Gaara's big sister after all and he considered her an all right person.
"It was hard, and I won't lie that there were times I felt really angry at them for blaming me for so many things I had no idea about. I used to do pranks to get attention, any kind of attention to be recognized. I wanted to be Hokage to win the respect of the village and the people there, and to protect them."
"How did you find out about you're….uh…"
"The Kyuubi? It's a long story Temari-san….are you sure you want to listen to it?"
"If it's all right with you Naruto-kun….I want to know."
Naruto then told her about the time he had failed the Academy Graduation Exam and was fooled by the traitor Mizuki to steal the Book of Seals and then how he had learned the Kage Bushin Jutsu and also how Iruka tried to protect him, and how the traitorous ninja had told him the truth about him being the Kyuubi being inside of him and how that was the reason the village hated him greatly, Iruka however shielding him and he nearly lost his life. He recalled hiding and hearing Mizuki ask Iruka why he would defend him, the person who carried the monster that murdered Iruka's parents, he then heard that Iruka understood that but he didn't see Naruto as a monster or the one who killed his parents, but a ninja of Konoha and someone he cared for and considered as an adopted son and little brother….Naruto couldn't help but smile at the memories about how Iruka stood up for him with everything he had and how he felt, knowing that despite the other villagers' actions, there was someone who loved and cared for him, and he fought with Mizuki when he tried to kill Iruka.
"Iruka-sensei then told me to close my eyes and then when he allowed me to open my eyes….I was wearing a forehead protector and I was now officially a Genin….and I guess you could say the rest is history."
Temari nodded and had to give Iruka credit for being that kind of person to support Naruto, he must have been one of the true friends Naruto had and no doubt one of the people that that contributed to Naruto's growth both as a ninja and a person. But she knew for a fact that one person was not enough to change a person completely.
"Naruto-kun….I know that I asked a very….personal question, but I want to know something…."
"What do you want to know Temari-san?"Gaara changed because of you Naruto-kun….back then Kankurou and I, even Baki-sensei were frightened of Gaara, if he might just kill without any reason and….I think you know what I meant by that after all….but somehow you defeated him and you changed him, he's much more calm, relaxed, kind hearted, and more, he became the youngest Kazekage and the most beloved in our village's history. My family's back together again and both Kankurou and Gaara are close, like real brothers and I finally get to be the big sister I was supposed to….but all that would have never happened if you had not beaten my brother. And I know that you and he were the same in many ways….I know Iruka was important to you….but what about the others….what about them?"
Naruto looked at Temari and saw that she really wished to know more about him and he couldn't blame her….as she was right after all….Gaara would have never changed had they not fought each other in combat….and he defeated Gaara….he still recalled how the battle between him and Gaara reached it's end and what they had been saying before Sasuke came and so did Temari and Kankurou.
Naruto sighed and spoke.
"It's a very long story Temari-san but if you want….I'll tell you."
Temari nodded and in a few hours….Naruto told her everything about himself and how he had grown up over the years. He mentioned how he and old Hokage would get along and butt heads at times when he was a prankster and causing all sorts of mischief, and how he was saddened by the death of the old man and how Iruka's words inspired him to fight all the hardest to be Hokage someday .
He told her about how he had always been attracted to Sakura and did his best to make her happy and impress her in some ways, and how much he had come to appreciate and admire her when they had met again, though he was worried about her temper at times, he told her about how he looked up to Kakashi-sensei and how he would have a good deal of fun playing pranks on his Jonin sensei and how much he appreciated the Jonin's advice when it came to very serious matters, he recalled how it was Kakashi who told him that he could be the new Hokage and he saw that he could surpass the Fourth Hokage in many ways.
He then told her about how he had met Haku in his first official mission and how he had once mistaken the boy for a girl and how much he had learned from Haku….and Temari had to admit that Haku's advice to Naruto about when one finds someone who they care more than anything and fight all their hardest to protect them, then their true power comes to light, she was shocked to learn that Haku was actually the same masked boy that had fought with Naruto and Sasuke and how he had given up his life to shield Zabuza from Kakashi and how that played out when Zabuza and Haku were buried side by side in Wave and how Naruto would never be a tool for anyone to use, and he would never give up his emotions now matter what happened….and of course his battle with Gaara, how he learned about him and Gaara being the same, and how he felt that if he didn't have Iruka, Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi, and all his other friends, he would have become just like Gaara. He then told her of their conversation together before she and Kankurou arrived to get him. And how proud he was to have learned that Gaara was Kazekage years later…
Temari was enthralled by all that and as she digested the information and she pieced it all together….she could now see just how Naruto had not just defeated Gaara, but changed him and all for the better…it was something that proved to be very enlightening for her as she pieced together the things that shaped Naruto as a person and when she placed it all together to make the image of the man before her at the moment.
As they realized how late it was, the two of them went to get some much needed rest as they would have to wake up the next day and get used to being on the island, as well as make some more work in order to not just survive on the island until rescue came, but to find ways in order to make rescue efforts for them a heck of a lot easier….as Naruto lay down and slept, Temari looked at the roof of their shelter and then after a bit more time to think over all the information about Naruto that she was able to gleam and she then looked at the blonde ninja and spoke silently.
"Thank you for being you….Naruto-kun…"
The next day…
Naruto woke up and yawned and wondered briefly where he was until his memories came back….and then he turned to see Temari sleeping on the other side of the bed with her fan next to her and he then recalled how she had asked him the questions that were hard for him to answer….but he had to admit that in a way….it was kind of nice to finally open up to someone else about his past….though why Temari of all people was something that confused him for the moment….until he slowly understood why she asked those questions…
(Because of Gaara and me being the same….)
(("Huh? What are you talking about kit?"))
(Just thinking about last night….when Temari-san asked me all those questions….)
(("Oh that huh? Can't say I blame her….having to live with the fact that your younger brother used to be the carrier of a demon spirit isn't easy….I guess she wanted to know just what kept you from being like her brother and making him change."))
(I thought you wouldn't approve of that?)
(("Hmph…. You're you kit, and I'm me…besides….I'm not the kind to fiddle with affairs that are not my concern, if she wants to know about how come you were not like Gaara and how you changed him, then I don't see why I should interfere, after all…she is curious about it."))
(I guess…I think I'd better go find some more food.)
(("Good idea…"))
Naruto got out of the shelter and grabbed a cup and headed for the nearby stream and took a good drink of cool water and washed his face to wake himself up further and then he took off to see just what else could be found on the island for eating at the moment. The blonde Genin however decided to send out a number of Kage Bushin to make sure to check the rest of the island to see just what else they could find that would be edible on the island and what other things can be found in the area. An hour or so later before the end of the sun's rise….Naruto came back and with him were some more freshly killed rabbits, as well as a dead lamb and a few found bird eggs. As Temari woke up, both she and Naruto got the gear they had salvaged and went to work on cooking their break-fast. As they finished the food which was roasted rabbit, boiled mutton and hard boiled eggs, they took the time to go together and get some bananas to eat and later decided to go exploring to see the rest of the island and also see what else they could find that would be of use.
They found a number of fresh animal tracks and more stocks of bamboo and after several hours of exploring their temporary home at the moment. They met back in the valley and rested a bit more and then Temari decided to train a bit with her fan and Naruto likewise decided to train with his Kage Bushin in order to keep in practice and keep his edge in combat, as he had learned from Jiraiya that in order to be an effective ninja, one had to train whenever the time and place was available and also to take advantage of time that was not going to be of much use at the moment. The two were busy with their respective lessons and it was not surprising for them to be getting hot and sweaty as the day wore on and with the heat of the sun, Temari decided to sit under the shade of a nearby tree and rest a bit….
She looked to see Naruto still going at it with his Kage Bushin and she had to admit that Naruto's drive to succeed was certainly something would be considered very admirable and she couldn't help but notice how much he has changed from the kid she met before….he was more determined and lot more capable than she recalled and it was a good thing as well. It was then that Naruto stopped the training and his Kage Bushin faded and he lay down on the ground and Temari got up to check on his condition and she was relieved and spoke to the blonde as he propped himself on his elbows.
"You really should be careful Naruto-kun, you'll exhaust yourself at this rate and that's not something that neither you nor I need at the moment."
Naruto nodded and they got up and headed into the shade of their hut….Temari decided to take a slight nap and as she slept for a while, it was then that Naruto decided to take off his outer clothes to clean them up of the sweat and therefore he had to leave the hut yet again and wash his clothes of the sweat and dirt as well…that left him with only his boxers on and he was in the spring to wash his clothes and he found a good deal of salt on his clothes and the Kyuubi told him that the sooner he got the salt off, it would be a lot better for him, it was one of those times that he wished he had a bar of soap or something. But he had no time to think about that and he then had an idea.
"Man I need a bath…."
Naruto then took off his boxers and despite the heat; the spring water was cool and right for bathing, and the water was clean and clear as far as he got to see at the moment. Naruto then took a chance to wash his face and then he walked into the large pool of water and began to swim in it to relax and cool water was certainly a welcome thing to feel at the moment as he took the time to dive into the water and he enjoyed a good long soak as the cool water did wonders for him and as he surfaced , he took a gulp of air and enjoyed the sight of the sky and clouds and he went swimming a few more laps and he dove into the water once more and then decided to head to the surface with his eyes closed….unaware of the fact that on the way up…
Temari had been able to strip off her clothes and was planning to wash them and take a bath and then clean her clothes to get the salt out of them as she was afraid the salt might make her body itch for some reason or another. Naruto had placed his clothes behind a number of rocks to dry after washing them, thus Temari was not able to see his clothes and she had thought that Naruto had gone somewhere else at the moment and she had no idea that he was taking a bath in the lake at the moment as she had been so focused on taking off her clothes that she was not aware of it and she was not wearing only her clothe undergarments and she had placed her fan aside….and took those off as well.Ahhhh….this bath will really be worth it…."
Temari waded deeper into the water and relished the cool feel of the water….unaware that at that very moment as he was about to surface from the deeper area….Naruto was on his way to the surface….and the two met….Temari was surprised to suddenly run into something and Naruto was surprised as well to suddenly bump into something.
"WHAT?!"
Both stared at one another, confused for a moment….but as realization dawned on them….the two found themselves staring at one another….and realizing that the two of them were utterly….naked….and the reaction the two was fairly understandable as the entire island was filled with a shout that surprised just about every land animal and bird in the island.
"AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHH!"
For the next few weeks….the two blonde ninja were not speaking of the incident that had happened. But the damage had been done….Temari was finally able to see Naruto without a single stitch of clothing on and she had seen quite a lot at that point and time….she had not wished to let that happen as it was the farthest from her mind at the time despite the fact that she was still getting used to the idea of liking the blonde Genin, but it did. Naruto was the first to speak but not before turning around and saying that he was sorry for the whole thing happening at the moment and tried to explain himself….she was silent the whole time and she quickly got out of the lake and left to get dressed.
Later, the two of them were sitting down near the fire that Naruto made and Naruto once more tried to apologize to her….and she accepted it as she knew that Naruto was not the kind of person to make the moves on a woman like that and the way he spoke showed that it was not his intention. The way he looked relieved actually made her smile and she decided to tease him a little by asking him if she was all right in his eyes and he sheepishly replied that she was very attractive. The tension between the two at least was lower and they were able to move on and focus on doing what they needed to do in order to survive on the island.
They hunted for food and the boat that they had to make it to the island was used to hunt for other food as well….Temari would steer the boat and Naruto did most of the hunting and they were able to find a good number of fish and other sea life….including some crabs and shrimps as well, there were also mussels on the rocks and the Kyuubi told the blonde Genin how to find the mussels that were the ones that they were able to eat as the demon fox told him that only the mussels that closed when touched were fresh and good for eating, while the ones that didn't close were already dead and were not good for them to eat. On the beach and near the river they also found a number of large crabs and they were able to have other forms of food to eat apart from the animals and plants they could find in the island….they also found a good number of edible sea weed and also kelp as well that was a good source of food for them at the moment. There were also herbs and edible plants that they found on the island; there were more wild oranges, bananas, and melons as well.
They also took the time to make use of the things that they were able to get from the animals they hunted, Naruto and Temari used some long vines that they found and used that to make makeshift blankets and even a bed sheet for their leaf bed, the wool of some of the sheep were used to act as pillows at times. This allowed them to reserve the cloth they had found for more different purposes.
As time passed the two decided to train with one another and Temari decided to pit her skills against Naruto and at first Naruto was rather hesitant on the matter but Temari was insistent on the situation and Naruto had no choice at the moment and agreed. And sure enough, they were now sparring with one another and Naruto had to learn how to fight Temari who was a wind user like him as well though she used her fan to attack….Naruto already knew that attacking her when she used her closed fan as a makeshift club was asking for a large number of bruises but since h preferred close combat more than most….he was adept at this as well.
Temari was able to see just how much Naruto had improved as he was able to use his Kage Bushin in many ways that she had to admit was rather sneaky and actually well done and well planned as he used his clones as shields, as make shift traps, attackers from the side and the rear and she had to resort to her more powerful Wind Release Jutsu, the Severing Pressure, that was enough to stop Naruto or so she thought and she found herself fighting hand to hand Naruto himself as he was armed with a kunai and she had to use her fan to knock him aside. By the end of the sparring match, the two congratulated one another for their skills and abilities and this helped to make them understand one another. The two would then routinely spar with one another on occasion after hunting and gathering food and supplies in order to keep themselves fit and strong while they were on the island at the moment.
They had also constructed several signal fires in different areas
All the while…Naruto would sometimes found himself staring at Temari in ways that were a lot more than the usual and no doubt this had something to do with the fact that he had seen her completely naked weeks before and the sight was enough to make him even more aware of the fact that he and her were the only people on the island at the moment….but he stopped that train of thought as he considered the facts before him at the moment….the first was the fact that she was a highly capable Jonin and was more than enough to handle fighting him, besides he had a great deal of respect for her as she was a good person. The second was the fact that she was the sister of Gaara, his best friend and he didn't want to do something that would be considered as betraying his friendship with Gaara and also placing shame on the family of his best friend and he knew….despite his lack of understanding politics….that doing something to Temari would sour relations between Konoha and Suna….and he was not in the mood to let that sort of thing happen between his home and Suna. And he was not the kind of guy to force a woman to do something that she was against. Besides….she might have already a boy-friend in Suna, Temari was a very attractive woman after all and no doubt there would have been some attempts by men to court her, though he had no doubt in her mind that being a skilled Jonin, sister of the Kazekage, and having Gaara and Kankurou as siblings would have made most young men very cautious when dealing with Temari. He might have a good relationship with Gaara and his siblings at the moment, but he was not going to risk breaking it by doing something stupid….and he knew that both Gaara and Temari might react negatively towards him afterwardsThe Kyuubi was not very supportive of his actions and thoughts though and the demon fox was more than willing to torment and tease it's container about his rather heated thoughts concerning the blonde Jonin and the demon would do it in the most unfortunate times to further add weight to the situation at the moment and that was what happened when he was in the hut and Temari was out at the moment….that was when the Kyuubi decided to speak to the blonde Genin and this time….it was tired of doing it mentally, it had recently come up with a very novel scheme to help it talk in the flesh….so to speak, to the blonde ninja. At the moment, Naruto was making a check on the massive rabbit skins that they were using as a bed sheet for the bed using short but strong and thin vines as make shift thread at the moment.
(("Hey kit….we need to talk."))
(We're talking now aren't we?)
(("Not this way kit….make a Kage Bushin for a minute…,I'll deal with the rest."))
Naruto didn't know what exactly the plan of the Kyuubi was but he knew that the Kyuubi was not leaving his body anytime soon so he decided to let the Kyuubi have it's way for the moment and when he created the Kage Bushin….Naruto followed the instruction of the Kyuubi and imbued a portion of the Kyuubi's chakra into the Kage Bushin and sure enough, the eyes of the Kage Bushin turned red at the moment and the tone of the voice changed afterwards….and that told him that the Kyuubi was now in control of the Kage Bushin.
"So what is it you want to talk to me about now….Kyuubi?'
"That should be fairly obvious kit….I want to talk to you about your recent actions of evading that blonde woman named Temari…."
"Why do you want to know what I feel about the situation….I thought you could just read my mind when you put enough effort into it."
"Keep in mind kit that there are some parts of your emotions and your memories that I can't touch due to the seal that you have on the cage I happen to be in….and some of those said emotions and memories don't concern me all that much. I am curious about something though….what's the deal with you and that Temari woman?"
"What the heck are you asking?"
"You know what I am talking about….you're already had some very interesting and need I say….hot thoughts about that hot blonde babe, so why are you hesitating at this point and time anyway?"
"You know the reasons Kyuubi, she's the sister of my best friend, and it would be extremely bad news if they find out that I try and do something to their sister. I know Gaara's a lot calmer and certainly quite different from what he used to be back then when I first met him, and Kankurou's a lot better now at the moment, but if they find out I've been having perverted thoughts of their sister at the moment….then things can get very ugly."
"Okay….I'll concede that point….but I take it there's more to the whole story…..so what is it kit?"
"She's a Jonin and she probably trained a lot longer than I did and I respect her too much to be thinking about her that way….besides I still care about Sakura-chan…."
"There's no disputing that kit, but you've been thinking about that blonde babe Temari a lot more than Sakura right? I still recall that dream you had one time, and no you've been thinking of doing this and that with her, if you get my meaning."
Naruto blushed bright red at that and he spoke to the Kage Bushin that the Kyuubi possessed at the moment.
"That might be true, but I doubt she's going to let me do that, not only is Temari-san capable as a ninja, and she's the sister of my fried Gaara and the Kazekage of Suna, but I get the feeling she's probably found someone interested in her back in her home and I would just be getting the whole situation in a bad way….and the last one, well, I doubt she'd be interested in a guy who happens to have…"
"A demon like me? There's truth in that, but keep in mind that she's had a brother who was a Jinchuuriki like you. Besides…I think that the situation between you and her will be very different soon enough, besides….you do like her right?"
Naruto thought about that and he had to admit that he did find her attractive and certainly a beautiful woman and their sparring with one another had told him much about her abilities and her skills. And he knew that he wouldn't be thinking about her the way he was if he didn't find her attractive and also hot. Even the normally personal dreams he had of Sakura were now being replaced of him being with Temari and that was enough to tell him that he was thinking of Temari in a much more intimate fashion at the moment.
"I do like her Kyuubi, she's a very attractive woman and she's more than capable of taking care of herself…and I'd be an idiot to say that I don't think of her in that sense. But I can't do that for all the reasons that I said already."
"You do realize that sooner or later you have to do something about your feelings and thoughts because if you don't, then you're going to go nuts and you won't be able to stand the situation any longer. I know that it sounds weird kit….but sooner or later….the truth is going to come out and then you're really going to be in hot water."
"That's a lot of help…"
The Kage Bushin then grinned and spoke in a very sly tone.
"Only things might turn out differently….you'll never know after all."Wirth that the Kage Bushin poofed away and the blonde ninja decided to focus on fixing up their shelter for the night and as soon as he was done, he decided to get some much needed sleep at the moment and then wake up for diner once Temari got back from her bath and they decided to use some of the leftover meat and fruit that they had with them, which they had preserved by drying them and they would be used for the time for them to have dinner.
Unknown to Naruto and even the Kyuubi….Temari had secretly been listening to the whole situation, she had gone to take a bath when Naruto was working on the bed blanket…and she had recently gotten dressed and was on her way back when she spotted the two talking and decided to listen, apparently Naruto and the Kyuubi were so engrossed in their conversation that neither were aware of her eavesdropping in, and hearing those things actually made her smile. The thought that Naruto did find her attractive and had naughty fantasies about her was somewhat embarrassing and rather enlightening. Then hearing how he respected her and would not allow his desires and urges to affect him out of respect for her and her family actually made her smile even more….Naruto might act like a goofball and a bit of a pervert, but he had a gentleman's heart at least.
She left the area and thought about all she had heard….and truth be told…she had been having thoughts about him as well….ever since seeing him buck naked and seeing how well built and grown he was ever since she had last seen him had made her think very impure thoughts, in truth she had not gotten a boy friend since most men were very intimidated by the fact that she was the sister of both Kankurou and Gaara, one being a highly skilled Jonin puppet user, while the other was the most skilled Kazekage of the village of Suna….it had made things somewhat lonely and her brothers were very watchful who she would be dating even though they knew that she could handle things easily herself. However….she wondered what would happen if they found out that she had feelings for Naruto…which she was already developing as she stayed on this island and getting to know Naruto was something that she was starting to like and thus….she was wondering if she could at least know him more before she came to a decision.
As dinner came, they ate in silence and it was then that Temari decided to test the waters and speak to Naruto.
"Naruto-kun?"
"Yes?"
"Do you remember when you asked me if Shikamaru and I are dating?"
"Yes, you said it yourself that you and him are not like tat if I recall rightly."
"Good, and that is true….I am friends with that lazy friend of yours….but you know something, I wish I had a boy-friend…"
"Don't you have one already in Suna or something?'
Temari gave a mock glare and replied.
"Try being the daughter of a former Kazekage and being the sister to the current Kazekage and see how far you'd get in getting a boy-friend."
Naruto couldn't help but scratch his head and sweat drop a little at that.
"Good point there…it must be really hard for most guys to approach you when you have Gaara and Kankurou as brothers….heck, I can bet Shikamaru is still scared witless of Gaara after all this time."
Temari smiled a bit and nodded.
"You know, it's hard at times….even though Gaara's mellowed out a lot and he's certainly treated better now, he still has his past reputation with him so most guys are so scared of doing something that gets his ire that I don't have much in dating prospects at times…"
"Don't worry Temari-san….I'm sure there is going to be a guy for you someday…."
"You might be right Naruto-kun….by the way, I need to ask something of you."
"Sure, go right ahead."