chapter 30

"So is the village to your liking kunoichi-chan?" Naruto asked as he wove in and out of the crowd as he led Kurotsuchi and her bodyguard through the Konoha marketplace. The market was booming with local and foreign traders and markets mostly thanks to the Chunin Exams being brought to Konoha this year. Every time a Chunin Exam came to any of the Shinobi villages so did the businesses and travelers who understand the amount of attention the Exams bring across the land and how many people get brought in. Though the tournament would not be starting for another month many had already arrived in the village and set up shop. From fabrics to fruits the entire marketplace shined with color and rich smells, leaving Naruto less then surprised at how big of attraction it had become.

With so many people coming into the village it was only natural security got increased, even with many of their ranks either on missions or having some part in the Chunin Exams. Though no one could see them he could sense the stationed Anbu all in their hidden locations. The civilians were none the wiser that they were being watched.

Kurotsuchi meanwhile watched as the people went about their day and it was exactly how Naruto had always described to her in their times together or the letters they exchanged via summons. It was bright with plenty of warmth that simply radiated from the people that lived in it. The style of the houses along with the bright colors of the acres of tree's that were both inside the village and surrounding the village felt like she was looking at some kind of living painting. As a shinobi of Iwa, Konoha had always been described to them in a certain way and what they should expect from it should they ever see. However after finally being able to say she stood on Leaf soil she could honestly say the place wasn't so bad.

Sure to her Iwa was always going to be her favorite place in the world which had a charm to it that only someone who lived there could truly understand, she could see Konoha coming in second place. Though she would never admit it to the blonde idiot she was in love with otherwise she would never hear the end of it.

"I suppose the village is quite nice. It's no Iwa, but then again Iwa is unique in itself. Konoha isn't so bad." She saw him turn his head briefly and saw his lips quirk up into a grin before quickly turning back around.

"I guess that's the best I can receive so I'll take it. What about you shinobi-san? What do you think of my humble home?" The gruff looking Iwa shinobi only gave a loud grunt and didn't bother looking towards him. In fact, he had kept his eye's in front of him and not straying from the path Kurotsuchi was on.

Not really interested in what man's opinion was he spoke again to Kurotsuchi. "Is there anywhere you would like to visit? Perhaps the Hot Springs? Konoha is known to have some of the best in the land."

"Anywhere will be fine. Wherever you decide will be adequate. Besides, I wouldn't want people peeking on me while I go in the Springs. I hear Konoha has a bad habit of people peeping on women here." She smirked and a playful glint was evident in her eyes. "I wouldn't want the wrong person getting a sneak peak."

'No, but I can bet there's someone you wouldn't mind teasing with that very idea.' He thought before he went to answering her. "Of course. Perhaps the top of the Hokage Mountain would be a good choice to visit next. The view of the village from the top is second to none."

"Then please lead the way. Then again by how slow you walk we likely won't get to the top until it's dark." He did his best to ignore her little jab but still ended up rolling his eyes at the comment.

Unbeknownst to Kurotsuchi and her bodyguard the two were, in fact, being watched from a short distance away by the unlikeliest person who was keeping to the shadows of the village, making sure to stay out of Naruto's line of sight and not getting picked up by his sensory abilities. It was only luck that Naruto was currently only using his sensory abilities those close and around himself and Kurotsuchi.

Peeping up from behind a wooden crate belonging to one of the many market traders the violet eyes of Mina Namikaze glinted as she stared off towards her brother and the two he was escorting around the village. She had caught sight them as she was passing the Hokage building after leaving a friends house. She had thought about going to visit her father but instead spotted Naruto and his guests.

She didn't care much for who the man was that was paying little attention to Naruto but instead was focusing on the black haired girl that seemed to be walking a little too close to her beloved Nii-chan for her liking. She couldn't hear what they were saying yet she didn't want to get too close with the chance of being spotted. So she hung back and kept an eye on them both.

Naruto however despite not showing it was fully aware of Mina tailing them from a distance away. He didn't need his sensory abilities to tell someone was falling. That and there were only two people with that shade of red hair in Konoha and they were too short to be his Mother. That left only his youngest sister. 'I almost feel bad for spotting her straight away. Then again I know Mina better than most.' Both his sisters could get a little jealous when his attention wasn't on them and no doubt him being seen with a girl neither recognized likely would not have been initially well received.

'At least, she is quieter then Mito. She'd be shouting it to the entire village.'

"What are you looking for?" He heard as he turned his head to look back towards Kurotsuchi and saw her leaning in close. His eyes immediately went over towards the bodyguard but quickly saw he was distracted by a few young women that were grouped around one of the many market stalls. Seeing a brief moment to not have to act around Kurotsuchi he quickly jumped into the conversation.

"Turn behind you and look straight down the road we walked." He watched her turn her head and saw her eyes beginning to scan the road. "Now look towards the stall we passed a half a minute ago with the bright purple fabrics decorating the top."

"What about-" Kurotsuchi started before quickly stopping when she watched a small head pop out to the side of the stall. The red hair couldn't be missed now that it had been seen. "Is that who I think it is?"

"Yep, that's Mina. She's been tailing us since we left the Hokage building. I noticed her when we left but didn't want to say anything." Despite her usual tough-girl appearance even Kurotsuchi couldn't help but let her softer side appear at what Naruto just said. She was also glad she could finally put a face to the little girl that Naruto had told her so much about. The red hair really did make her stand out against the crowd and she was surprised she didn't notice her sooner.

"Naww how sweet. Little nee-chan trying to protect her big Onii-san." She lifted her hand and very swiftly pinched his cheek before retracting it back to her side. "I bet you're like a giant marshmallow when it comes to her aren't you?"

She grinned when he didn't answer and knew she had hit the nail right on the head. She could see a picture now with Mina commanding her brother to do her bidding for her and Naruto following her orders like a good little puppy. The women in Naruto life really had him well trained and it was nice to see it wasn't just her that had him wrapped around her finger.

All Naruto did was groan in annoyance as he rubbed the spot on his cheek that got pulled before quickly they fell back into their act as Kurotsuchi's bodyguard, who had finally taken his eyes away from the group of women and focused back onto Kurotsuchi. He grunted when he noticed Naruto was looking at him prompting Naruto to shrug and look back towards him.

Both he and Kurotsuchi wore a smile as they went to their next destination.

Chunin Exam

"Congratulations, you all pass the first test," Ibiki announced as he look out across the room and saw all the remaining teams. The sound of the genin letting out sighs of relief was echoed throughout the room as every genin slumped back into their chair feeling like they had just managed to avoid getting hit in the face with an exploding paper tag.

"That was...more intense than I thought it was going to be," Sakura admitted as she ran a hand across her forehead. Her hands and her forehead were all clammy from the sweat that had built up in the last five minutes when the true task of the written test had been revealed. Never in her life had a written test been built up with so much tension and worry before which made the written exam for the genin test look like a cake walk.

She wondered what those that chose not to take the 10th question must have been feeling or would be feeling once they found out that the true test was to take the question. Whether they were willing to push forward despite the odds being stacked against them. There was more than one occasion during the last 5 minutes where Sakura had wanted to lift her hand in the air and not to take the question. Yet something inside of her was stopping her.

She didn't want to fail her team nor let those that believed in her down. She had seen both Eiji and Sasuke when the announcement had been made and it amazed her at how calm they both were able to keep themselves. Some like Ino, Kiba and Temari had voiced their displeasure but still stuck to taking the question. No one wanted to let the other down nor be the one to get left behind while everyone else continued to climb forward.

"You okay Sakura?" She heard Eiji ask from two rows behind her and turned her head to look at him. His hands were behind his head and his breathing was hard telling her he was more worried than she realized. She smiled and gave him a small thumbs up.

"I'm okay. Mentally exhausted but I'm okay. That was more intense than I thought."

"I know what you mean. I'm glad we managed to stick through it, though." Eiji then looked over towards Sasuke who had turned his gaze in that direction at the same time. The two boys eyes met for a brief moment before both just gave the other a quick nod.

Across the room the team that was left quickly grouped together to celebrate their passing of the first exam, however, brief they could. None was more excited then Mito who was punching the air in delight and quickly grabbed Shikamaru and Sai into tight headlocks much to Nara's ire. "We kick as much butt." She voiced as a megawatt grin was on her face that lit up the entire room. She was on her way to the top and there not going to be anyone who would stop her.

Moments later the window to the side of the room smashed and everyone watched as a figure came through the window, rolled across the ground and stopped just in front of Ibiki who looked more annoyed than he had been during the entire hour. With her hands on her hips and a smirk that promised pain, Anko stood in front of the entire exam hall in her usual attire, looking out across the large room with a sick gleam in her eyes. Behind her, a banner appeared being held up together by two kunai sticking into the ceiling that read "Here Comes the Second Test's Proctor: The Wonderful and Sexy Anko Miterashi!"

Across the room most were looking at the woman in shock at how she entered the room while other blushed at her attire, seeing the curve of her breasts through the mesh shirt. The only ones not reacting in either way were Mito and Eiji who gulped at the sight of their Onii-chan's long time friend and comrade. They both remembered what happened the last time they sparred with the purple haired woman. Though both saw it more as being tortured by the crazed kunoichi. They still remembered all the bites they had on their arms from the snakes chasing them.

'Why did it have to be her?'

Looking out across the room Anko couldn't help but let her look drop when she saw how many of the teams were left. She thought Ibiki's test would have at least got rid of two/thirds of them yet instead almost half the room was still filled. She guessed they must have been about 70-80 people left therefore leaving around 25 teams still participating in the Exams.

"I think you're beginning to lose your touch Ibiki. There's still a whole load of them left."

"I guess we just have a good crop of potential Chunins this year." Was all Ibiki said before turning around and quickly leaving the room, his long black jacket whipping into the air as he turned around.

"Yeah well I guess it's up to me to weed out the weaklings that somehow managed to get passed you." Putting her hands on her hips, Anko stared out across the room and began speaking to all the genin. "Alright, you maggots listen up and listen well. I don't how you all managed to get passed Ibiki's test but if I had to I'd say it was nothing but luck. You will all find very quickly that your luck has just run out."

A genin from Kusa called out "What's that suppose to mean?"

"It means what I have planned for all you in the second test will make this test look like a cake walk in comparison. I'm not having any pencil pushers think they're ready to become a Chunin. Now just so we're clear my name is Anko Miterashi, Jonin of Konoha and all around badass. From this point on what I say goes. If I tell you to jump off a bridge then you jump off a bridge. We clear?"

There was an audible mumble throughout the room that quickly bugged Anko. "I said ARE WE CLEAR!?"

"YES MITERASHI-SAN!"

Grinning Anko scanned the room and quickly zeroed in on two very familiar blondes and one duck haired emo.

"Well lookie here. Naru and Tachi's baby siblings are still with us." She swept across the and quickly planted her in the seat next to Mito who gulped at how close she was sitting next to her. "Naw are you scared of me? I don't bite...at least not that much."

Mustering up the courage Mito stood up from her seat and pointed her finger in Anko's face. "You don't scare me Anko nee-chan. I'm gonna be a Chunin whether you're the proctor or not. Just you wait and see." The people around the room thought Mito was either very brave or very stupid.

"I don't scare you huh?" Anko asked before smirking. Eiji could only shudder as he wondered what kind of untold horror his sister had just unleashed upon herself. "Well then let's put that to the test shall we."

Anko leaned in and pulled Mito closer to her as everyone watched as Anko began whispering something into her ear. Everyone watched as Anko whispered some unknown words into her ear while Mito's face was slowly by turning redder and redder, eyes widening to the size of dinner plates. A moment later Mito managed to break away from Anko and threw her hands over her ears.

"LA LA LA I'M NOT LISTENING LA LA LALA!" Was what she repeated aloud as Anko cackled, glee evident on her a face at how Mito reacted. "LA LA LA THAT'S DISGUSTING LA LA LA!"

Steadily Eiji raised his hand in the air. "Anko-san what did you tell Mito to get her to act that way?" Eiji asked though dreading what the answer was going to be. Anko turned around and looked at the other twin.

"Hmm oh I told her about the night you're brother and I had hot and passionate sex." Immediately Eiji went ghost white and follow his sister's actions, throwing his hands to ears and yelling out anything to stop Anko's voice from getting through. All the other's genin made gagging noises except for Sakura who secretly began imagining the two together and hid her blush.

The sight of the twins looking and sounding mortified warmed her to her heart and yet she had one more thing she needed to say to fully get that warm fuzzy feeling she loved so much."Now before I take you to where the Second Task will be held I have one thing to say." Anko pointed her finger straight towards Kiba who look surprised to see her pointing his way. "You...Hana's little brother...just so you know...I'm having your sister tonight."

Laughing as Kiba followed suit to the Namikaze twins Anko headed towards the window where she crouched onto the window and prepared to jump towards the building just opposite them. "I want every single one of your to be at Training Ground 44 in 30 minutes. Anyone, not there will be eliminated from the chunin Exams and will find a snake in their bed tomorrow morning."

Letting the warning hang there, Anko left the room leaving behind the scared looking genin and three members of the Konoha Rookies wishing they could forget what she had told them.

Hokage Monument

"So what do you think? Nice view huh?" Naruto said as he stood at the top of the Hokage monument with Kurotsuchi and her bodyguard looking over the entire village. Beside him, Kurotsuchi stood looking over the village for he first time and allowed a smile to grace her face. It was very beautiful the way the sun hit the tops of the tree's that surrounded the village and enhanced the warmth of the gravel and stone around them.

Naruto didn't sense Mina in the nearby area and instead could sense her heading back home where their Mother was likely preparing dinner. No doubt she would fill in Kushina of what she had seen today. 'Who know's maybe Kaa-chan planned to have her tail me.' Now that was a thought.

"Yes. It's very nice." It wasn't a lie and didn't nee to act a certain way with her bodyguard hanging back. He too was staring out at the village and while would not admit it found the view to be rewarding and mentally saved a picture for future thoughts. "Do you come up here often?"

Naruto nodded. "I do though I normally sit on the stone faces of Kage. Usually on top of the Sandaime's head. I come up here a few times a week to watch the sunset."

"That must be a great view."

"It is. Perhaps sometime during your stay you could see it. It's not a sight one could forget very easily."

"No, I imagine it's not." She breathed calmly and wished her bodyguard was not with her right now. Despite not being overly affectionate in public she did feel the urge to lean into the young man that stood beside her, too feel his warmth against the sun that bore down on them. "We have a place similar to this that allows us to look over the village. I could compare the sight in the same way to this one."

"Really?"

"Yeah. Right in the center of the village is the Hokage tower, a tall building higher than the other buildings. The Tsuchikage is located at the very top and looks over the entire village in a full 360-degree view." She said. "I would go there a lot when I was younger or when I spent the day with my grandfather. You could follow the entire trail of the sun from dawn to dusk."

"That sounds nice. If these meetings go well then perhaps I could get to see it one day too."

Kurotuschi shrugged. "Maybe but who really know. Besides, I haven't agreed to anything yet when it comes to our two villages. These meetings could go belly up for all we know."

"That's true." Naruto smiled not taking his eyes off the village. Unknown to Kurotsuchi's bodyguard who was once again not paying attention to his charge, Naruto and Kurotschi's hand edged closer together just enough to where their fingers rubbed against one another. The entire time they were up on the Kage monument they kept touched and held the other's hand for as long as possible without raising any suspicion.

Training Ground 44

"This is Training Ground 44? I've never been here before." Eiji muttered as he looked through the chain fence that spread all the way across the front of the Forest of Death. He stood at the front of his team while Sasuke and Sakura hung back yet stared straight back at the forest. Just at first glance, all the genin knew this was no ordinary forest while Eiji, Mito and some of the other clan children had heard about the famed forest that few shinobi in Konoha would dare to enter. They had heard many stories about those that went in and never came out. That creatures far larger and dangerous than any other animals lived and spawned here.

"Kaa-chan would never let us come anywhere close to this place. She said we could easily get hurt here. Even worse if we went too far in." Mito added as she stood beside Shikamaru who this time had a thoughtful look on his face as they looked at the dark and dangerous forest.

"Alright, all you kiddies listen up. Here are the rules for the second task. If you ignore or don't listen to what I'm about to tell you then it could mean certain death." Anko told them jumping up onto a wooden crate and looking down on all the genin. "For this task, each team will be given one of two scrolls, the Heaven Scroll, and the Earth Scroll."

Digging into the pockets of her trench coat Anko pulled out one blue scroll and one white scroll. "Then each team will enter through one of the gates along the fence of training ground 44 where you will then enter the Forest." Gasps could be heard and shocked looks appeared on the faces of the genin, but Anko continued. You will spend five days in the Forest of Death where you must survive and gain the opposite scroll that you have been given. Meaning if you have a Heaven Scroll then you need to acquire an Earth Scroll. Once you have obtained both you must make your way straight to the tower located in the center of the forest."

"What do we do for food?" Choji asked looking horrified at the prospect of no food for five days.

"Then you find some. Once you're in that forest it's all up to you and your team. Scavenger, hunt, whatever it takes."

"Sounds intriguing. I look forward to it." A feminine voice spoke making Anko look over towards the Kusa shinobi. It came from the tall girl that stood in front of her two teammates. There was a gleam to her eye that made Anko believe she was looking forward to the idea of being in the Forest of death. She didn't look like anything unique and wore a standard Kusa nin attire.

Yet looking at her it made Anko feel a bubble of anxiety appear in the bottom of her stomach. Nothing major but it made Anko look twice at the girl before looking back towards the rest of the genin. 'Something about her feels...off.'

"Now line up with your teams and get your scrolls. Once you receive them head straight towards your designated gate."

"Come on guys let's get started. We do this we will be one step closer to being Chunin." Mito declared before racing towards the chunin tent where the scrolls were being handed out. Everyone else follows slowly after her none looking in any rush to go into the forest where they could potential die.

30 Minutes passed by quickly as the teams all stood at their chosen gates. Eiji, Sasuke, and Sakura all stood beside one another and readied themselves as the waited for the gates to open. Team 7 found themselves waiting in front of gate 6 while further down the line Mito, Shikamaru and Sai waited outside of gate 13. All the other teams did exactly the same and waited for their respective gate to open. Team 7 and Team 11 both got a hold of a Heaven Scroll though were not allowed to tell anyone outside of their teams.

'I can do this. I won't fall behind.' Mito and Eiji both thought. Both hoped both their teams had the same scroll as each other as neither one wanted to have to fight one another.

Soon enough the buzzer went off and all team immediately shot into the forest leaving only small dust trails behind them.

Anko watched all the teams vanish from sight as other Chunins and special Jonins went to fulfill their duties now that the Second Exam had fully started. She, however, intended to stay for the duration of the five days due to being the proctor. However the feeling from earlier hadn't gone away and she felt something clawing away in the back of her mind.

It didn't sit well with her and decided she needed to act.

"Itachi." A moment later Itachi appeared next to her in his Anbu gear and face covered by the crow mask. She knew her long time friend was in the area and had been assigned to look over the Exam in secret. She was going to need him for this. "The Kusa kunoichi that spoke out during the explanation. Something isn't right about her. Keep an eye on her."

"Got it." He disappeared as quick as he appeared leaving Anko looking out through the forest as the sound of genin battling for the scrolls could already be heard not just a few minutes from entering.

Golden Leaf Hotel

As the day came to an end Kurotsuchi hummed to herself as she began drawing a bath for herself in her hotel suite. The rest of the afternoon had gone fairly well and kept up her act with Naruto for the duration of their time together. No expected a thing or, at least, she hoped no one could see through the charade. Though she enjoyed her time with the blonde knucklehead that somehow won over her heart it still felt incomplete being unable to act normally around one another. Touring the village was nice but she just wished she could have done it as herself and not behind a mask.

The Hokage had the sense to make her stay in the village as lavish as possible and to ensure she was comfortable. That reason alone showed that Konoha was serious with wanting to begin building bridges with Iwa. The Yellow Flash though Infamous and greatly hated for his part in the many lost shinobis her village faces during the Third War, had thus far been generous towards her.

Her bodyguard Jirou was passed out asleep in the next room, out like a light the moment his head hit the pillow. It all honesty she wasn't sure why her Grandfather had assigned him as her bodyguard during her stay in the Leaf but she had no say in the matter. While she would have preferred her old teammate Akatsuchi since she could reprimand and keep him in the dark far easier due to being rather clumsy and somewhat dim, she made do and ensured Jirou saw and heard nothing of her time with Naruto.

"Kurotsuchi." She heard making a smile flicker on her face as she turned around. The window could be heard latching shut again before she felt the warmth of Naruto's arms wrap around her. She fell back against the embrace before turning and wrapping her arms around his neck while his snake around her waist. They leaned in and pressed their lips together while slowly leaning against the wall.

They stayed that way for a few minutes as they relished in being able to properly touch and embrace one anther after being so close to each other the entire day. It was driving them both nuts and planned on enjoying hat time they had this evening.

"No one saw you come in?"

"No one. I made sure to slip in while the Anbu that have been keeping an eye on you since you got to your room switch over. We have about 5 minutes." Five minutes was hardly enough and Kurotsuchi showed her displeasure by sighing unhappily. She leaned forward and pressed her forehead against his shoulder. I know it's not easy, but these talks between Konoha and Iwa could be the bridge we need to finally go public with our relationship."

"I know. It's just hard." She felt his head lower and sit on top of her own while they stayed together in a tight hug. "I'm tired of all the secrecy. I just want us to be a normal couple and be able to gout in the street and do thing couples usually do."

"We will. Once these Chunin Exams are all over with and the talks begin to go more positively then we can reveal it to everyone." Naruto cupped her face between his hands. "No one wants to reveal our relationship to everyone more than I do, but I know if we do it too soon then it could have a harmful effect on how these talks go. I know we have talked about this before, but we need to think about the well-being of the village before we make this announcement."

Her hands came up and rested on top of his. "Yeah I guess that is true. Our villages will likely feel the effect of this relationship. The Son of the Hokage dating the Tsuchikage's Granddaughter. Sounds like something out of our villages nightmares." Naruto laughed which prompted her to laugh as well. Despite their talk, it did humor them at wondering how their families would take it. Some would undoubtedly take it better then other's."

"I guess it would be a big deal huh?"

"Yeah, the biggest." Both laughed as they held one another as they enjoyed the thoughts. A moment later Naruto peeked through the door to the bathroom and saw the bath still running. "You running a bath?"

A sly grin appeared on Kurotsuchi's face as she played with the hem of the white bathrobe, pressing herself against his chest. "I might have been. Why?"

An equal looking smirk appeared on Naruto's face as he enjoyed her current action. "Well, I have noticed I am beginning to smell a bit. Maybe due to all that touring I've been doing today. I think a bath might be in order."

"Well we can't have that now can we? I guess I might have to give you a good scrub down with the soap."

"Only If I can do the same with you." She took his hand and began leading him into the bathroom and pushed the door open with her free hand. She stopped momentarily and looked at him. "Won't it be a little suspicious if you suddenly walk out of here with your Anbu watching?"

"Don't worry about that. I know how to snake my way around them and I can sense everything around the hotel. We will be fine." Before she could say anything else Kurotsuchi suddenly released a high pitched yelp as Naruto suddenly pulled her towards him and lifted her up with his hands resting on her barely robed bottom. Beside's I'm not missing out on our quality time together." Their lips then met together and slowly Naruto walked inside the bathroom as Kurotsuchi slowly peeled off her robe.

As they spent their quality time together and basked in each other's long-awaited warmth and desire a pair of wrinkled onyx eyes looked over at the hotel from the top of the Kage building, his hands behind his back and standing as a stiff as a board. He had seen the young blonde sneak into the hotel having been keeping an eye on him since he had left the Kage building earlier in the afternoon.

He felt something was off and didn't want to pry but felt it was his duty to do so as someone who loved and cared for Naruto. He was now glad he did.

'Naruto what have you done?'