"So, that's why you hit me?! To remove a seal?!" Naruto yelled. "Yeah, I suppose I should've told you instead. It would've been a lot easier." I explained. "Yeah! You should've told me! I'm your son, after all! Hell, you could've at least warned me that I were going to remove it, dammit!" Naruto whined.

I smiled and playfully tugged on his ear. "True, you are my son, and I am your mother. But I was only doing what I thought was best. I'm sorry about that. Also, you shouldn't swear in front of me." I said. Naruto grinned and made me let go of his ear.

"Okay, but I'm allowed to swear if  it's necessary, right?" He asked. "Necessary?" I repeated. "What do you mean?"

"Well... Say, I'm like, really because someone kidnapped you, for example. Am I allowed to swear from that?"

"Hmm... I suppose so," I gently ruffled his head. "But enough talk for now. Let's eat!" I said. "Yeah!" Naruto agreed, and began to wolf down his food. "This is truly delicious, Mr. Teuchi. You've outdone yourself once again." I said.

"Oh, you're too sweet, Miss Haru." He replied, blushing. I smiled at him and continued to eat my food. "U-Um... Excuse me?"

Naruto and I turned around, spotting Hinata under the curtain. "Hinata?" Naruto said with his mouth full of ramen. "Hi, Hinata." I greeted. "What are you doing here?" Naruto asked. "I invited her," I answered. "Come on in. Have a seat." I beckoned her over. 

Hinata walked over to us and I got up so she could have my seat. I sat beside her and ordered her a bowl of ramen. "How have you been, Hinata?" I asked. "I'm fine." She answered, shyly.

"Oh, yeah! Hinata did amazing during the Chunin Exams! They way she fought Neji was totally awesome!" Naruto mentioned. "Oh, really? So, you're advancing to the finals as well?" I asked Hinata. "Oh... No, I'm not. I didn't beat Neji." She said. 

"Oh, I'm sorry. But I'm sure you did your best. You're a very talented girl, Hinata. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise, okay?" I said. Hinata looked at me with a soft blush before smiling gently while giving me a nod. "Thank you, Miss Hana." She thanked. 

"Please, call me 'Haru'." I said. "Yeah! Mom's right, Hinata! You're a skilled ninja! Don't let anybody get you down!" Naruto chimed in. Hinata's face turn red as steam burst out of her ears before falling off her chair like if she fainted. Which I'm pretty sure she did. "Hinata!" 

Naruto and I were both by her side as she laid there on the ground. "Hinata, are you all right?" Naruto asked, shaking her. "Hinata? Does she do this often, Naruto?" I asked. "I don't know. This is the first time I've ever seen her do this." Naruto admitted. 

I placed my hand over her head to see if she had a fever, then got behind her, placing her head in my lap. "What are you doing, Mom?" Naruto asked as I went through my handbag. I took a small bottle, took off the top, then gently waved it under Hinata's nose.

"What is that stuff?" Naruto asked. "Just some smelling substance that I carry around for situations like these." I answered. 

"What else do you have in there?"

"A couple of severed fingers."

Naruto's face went pale. "R-Really?" He asked. "No, I was just kidding." I said, giggling. I took the bottle away from Hinata as she started to wake up. "Welcome back, Hinata." I said, smiling down at her. "Haru..." She looked over at Naruto. "Naruto... What happened?" She whispered. 

"You blacked out, dear." I explained. "Aw, man! Thank goodness! You had me worried! I thought something terrible happened to you!" Naruto said. "Here, stand up," I helped Hinata to her feet and helped her back in her seat. "Are you all right?" I asked. 

"Yes, I'm fine. I'm sorry for having you worry about me." She apologized. "Don't be sorry. It's a mother's job to worry," I said. "Oh, yeah. I just remembered that I need to go pick up a few things. You two enjoy each other's company." I said, patting their heads.

I waved to them before heading off. "Let's see... Where can I find some fresh herbs?" I wondered. I went to a rocky area and found some herbs that would be perfect for medicine. Carefully, I began pick to them out and place them in my bag. 

"Haru no Hana?" 

I turned my head, spotting Sasuke standing behind me. "Greetings, Sasuke Uchiha. What brings you by this area? Are you looking for herbs, too?" I asked as I continued to pick them. "Herbs?" He repeated.

"Mm-hm. They're quite useful for making medicine," I looked back at him and gave an unamused look before turning my attention back towards the herbs. "Never mind. You don't seem like the kind of person who likes to collect herbs." I mentioned. 

"Right..." Sasuke agreed. "Are you waiting for someone? You should be in the hospital. Your wounds are still healing for the previous part of the exams, aren't they?" I mentioned. "I'm fine." He said. "Very well. It's your own prerogative." I said. 

"Miss Haru... Can I ask you something?"

"Of course. But please, call me 'Haru'."

"Okay. Are you really Naruto's mother?" 

I stopped my movements for a moment before going back to picking the herbs. "What makes you ask such a question?" I asked. "I'm just curious. The two of you look nothing alike." Ssuke stated.

"Well, of course we don't look alike, silly. I adopted Naruto when he was young," I said with a giggle. "There. That should be enough."

I closed my bag as it was filled with herbs, then stood to my feet. "Bye-bye, Sasuke. Tell Kakashi I said hello." I said, waving to him. "How'd you know I was meeting up with Kakashi?" Sasuke asked. "Just now." I answered with a closed-eye smile. 

"Huh?"

"You just told me."

I grinned at him, then walked away. I went back to Hinata and Naruto, and noticed the two of them were talking. "Looks like they're getting along better than I thought." I said before walking over to them. "Sounds like a lot of chatting over here." I said, taking a seat next to Naruto. 

"Hi, Mom! Did you get what you needed?" Naruto asked, and I nodded. "What were you two talking about?" I asked. "Just stuff. Turns out the two of us have a lot in common!" Naruto said, happily. "Is that so?" I asked with a smile. 

"Mm-hm." Hinata nodded with a soft smile. "I guess it won't be long until you two start dating." I teased. "D-Dating?!" The two of them said at the same time. Both of their faces turned red before turning away from each other. 

"Aww! You two just look so adorable! You're perfect for each other!" I cheered. "Mom, cut it out! You're embarrassing me!" Naruto said. I laughed as his blush darkened. "Since you guys have already had lunch, who's ready for some dessert?" I asked. 

"I am!" Naruto said, holding his hand high in the air. "Hinata, would you like some, too?" I asked. "Yes, please." She answered. I smiled at the two of them and ordered them each a dessert. 

After they were finished eating, I walked Hinata back to her home, then continued with Naruto's training. 

"Hi-yah!" Naruto tried punching me, but I easily blocked it and flipped him over his shoulder and onto his back. "Your offense is pretty good. But we can do better." I said. Naruto groaned with annoyance and I helped him to his feet. 

"Hey, Mom. Are you sure you want to be training me while wearing a dress?" Naruto asked. "I don't mind." I said. Naruto smiled at me and I smiled back before glancing back towards the trees with a frown. "What's the matter, Mom?" Naruto asked. "I smell a rat." I said. 

"A rat?"

"No. More like a pervert."

I turned my attention back towards Naruto and smiled. "Naruto, cover your ears." I instructed. "Huh? What for?" He asked. "Trust me. You're gonna want to cover your ears." I said. Naruto shrugged and did as I said. 

I turned around so I was facing the trees and let out a scream, turning it into a loud screech as it blew away the trees. I saw a figure fly into the air, then land on the ground, right at my feet. "Whoa! What was that?!" Naruto said. 

"Ninja Art: Banshee Screech." I mentioned. "Banshee Screech?" Naruto repeated. "Mm-hm. It's a technique my mother taught me when I was younger." I explained, giving him a closed-eye smile. "Ow..."

I looked down and sighed. "Oh. It's just you, Jiraiya," I said "Up to your old tricks again, I take it?"

Jiraiya laughed sheepishly before scratching the back of his head as he sat up. I rolled my eyes. "You know this guy, Mom?" Naruto asked. "Sadly, yes." I answered. 

It was quiet for a while until Jiraiya broke the silence. "So... What's new?" He asked, sheepishly. "Oh, Jiraiya..." I sweat dropped.