Chapter 98

"Only if it's supervised," Sandaime answers. "Speaking of… Kakashi, Kurenai, we cannot be so blind to progress by what we think we know. More than any, I understand the magnitude of the bond between a student and his sensei. To my very core, I believe no other significant perspective of tutelage should interfere with that development, that relationship. Many successful shinobi have been produced in this manner, however, so too has it contributed to our failures… my own included. And so, Naruto-kun's development will now be two-fold with Kakashi as lead architect. Kurenai-kun, I understand you have your own team, as such, I only ask for any assistance you can manage without hindering the progress of your own students. I mean it. You're no use to me if you burn yourself out."

"Hai," Kurenai speaks.

"Hokage-sama, that will not be necessary," Kakashi begins to explain with the smallest measure of shame in his voice. "My shortcomings are clear to me now. You have my word I will do better."

"Kakashi-kun," Hiruzen starts, softer in tone than his authority. "You are by far one of the most brilliant shinobi I've ever had the privilege of witnessing, but there are simply some tasks better managed together, as a team, as a village."

When Kakashi nods in understanding, Kurenai bids her leader, "if I may, Hokage-sama?" At his eye blink, Kurenai turns to the silver-maned shinobi, asking, "Kakashi-sensei, you live in a one bedroom apartment correct?" Unless shinobi are part of a clan, work in a military position that sees no combat, or their family are civilians with homes, most shinobi tend to keep a simple apartment. Death is too constant of a companion to plan for a home so Kakashi's answer of, "…that's correct," is no surprise.

"That's what I thought," Kurenai responds then turns to Naruto. Before his eyes dilate and lid even further, Kurenai declares, "Uzumaki-kun, I'm sorry to have to be the bearer of bad news, but your building's landlord has fled Konoha with all the funds meant for business expenses, which means your apartment currently doesn't have running water or power, and in another forty or so days, all tenants will be evicted."

His squinted eyes are doing the math. "… … Wait, are you saying I'm homeless?" he voices before loudly crying out, "Ah! What about Haku? I said he can stay with me. Mmn, no, Zabuza-jiji's not going to like this…"

"With the Hokage's permission," Kurenai begins to suggest. "My home has three bedrooms and a study that could be converted-"

"I'd rather ask Sasuke-kun," Kakashi interjects. "It would be advantageous if two of my students lived under one roof. And he has more than enough space."

"Ha!" Naruto laughs at the suggestion. "Not with that huge head of his."

"Naruto-kun, he's your teammate. It wouldn't hurt you to be a little more empathetic considering you know why his home is empty," Kakashi tries when the Third Hokage calls out, "enough! Kurenai-kun, I appreciate your offer however I would feel more comfortable if Uchiha-kun is asked first. If he disagrees, try other avenues. Kurenai-kun's offer is the last resort, understood?"

The senseis nod, though a part of Kurenai is beginning to realize how much more difficult it'll be to meet her blond bed-mate now. She informs the shinobi elder, "Hokage-sama, while possible outcomes are currently unclear, Uzumaki-kun has found a very rare plant that he gifted to me with a market value of seven hundred and fifty thousand ryo." They all repeat the amount under their gasping breaths as she continues, "I realize apartment buildings range in the millions, but-"

"I'll have a list of possible properties sent to you," the Third cuts in. "I will expect progress reports. Dismissed."

Kurenai's mind disobeys her moral's will to stop thinking about how hampered her sex-life now is. Her intellect is rebellious in its tremendous desire to locate suitable alternatives for their lessons to what now appears to have been the heaven that was his apartment. Her mind can't help but yell, 'he literally had the entire top floor to himself!' With Hinata-chan and her all-seeing Byakugan living in her home during the week, and this Haku boy living with Naruto every day, the difficulty of keeping their lessons secret went from an E-rank to an A-rank.

'A new location means a new routine which means a higher risk of discovery and all with the same Naruto.' This is the math Kurenai's mind is incessantly trying to solve as they walk out into the hall. Kurenai spots a beautiful girl waiting and finds it odd when Kakashi walks up to her, disclosing something she couldn't hear.

Kurenai's assumptions about the pair don't travel far as she hears, "careful, Nai-chan." Turning around Naruto is leaning the weight of a sword longer than he is against his shoulder and has to lower himself for the tip of the immense blade to clear the doorway. His immediate question after he got her attention is, "uh, um, when do you think we can-"

Kurenai cuts him off just as her own rising core temperature moistens, asking instead, "where did you get such a… actually, why does this sword look so familiar?"

"Mn? Zabuza-jiji wanted me to hold on to it for a while," Naruto responds.

"Zabuza… Momochi, Zabuza?" Kurenai gasps as Kakashi and Haku walk over. "As in the'Demon of the Hidden Mist?' He's one of Kiri's Seven Swordsman! That's- Don't tell me that's actually Kubikiribōchō?" Kurenai asks, looking over the large sword.

"You are well informed," Haku comments standing beside Naruto.

Now Kurenai is wondering why this beautiful girl is next to Naruto when the ever-surprising blond states, "Kurenai-chan, this is Haku. Haku, this is Kurenai-cha-"

"Yūhi Kurenai," the raven-haired Jōnin-sensei clarifies and she wonders how it's possible this bowing boy could look more beautiful than many other actual girls.

"We should get going," Kakashi states, taking the lead toward the Uchiha compound.

As the four begin to walk, Kurenai makes certain Naruto is in front of her while Haku stays beside her, and requests of anyone, "maybe someone can tell me how a legendary sword like Kubikiribōchō, came to be in your possession when its previous owner is a notorious assassin."

"Naruto-kun made a wager with Zabuza-sama," Haku begins to explain to her in a positively enchanting voice. 'He even sounds like a girl,' Kurenai mentally gasps as Haku states, "if he defeated him, than Kubikiribōchō would be his prize."

Kurenai didn't mean to laugh in disbelief, especially not in such an unladylike manner—deep from her toned gut. Without a single denial from Kakashi and at Naruto's hurt expression, Kurenai couldn't help the, "no! He- He was one of Kiri's highest ranking shinobi; having graduating their Academy at the age of nine by single-handedly killing all their students."

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