Sakura, "Sensei, are you heading out?"
Tanna, "Yes, from the sounds of it, the fighting is over. Plus I need to ensure all of my students are safe."
Ino, "I don't think you should go by yourself Sensei."
Tenten, "I will go with you."
Hinata, "Me too, I have my byakugan. Just in case."
Tanna looked at the girls feeling very proud, "Look at you four, despite not being able to complete the exams, you already acting like Chunnin kunoichi."
The four of them flushed pink at the sudden praise feeling a little shy and also happy about making one of their favourite Sensei proud of them. While Sakura and Ino stayed back to keep the medical area running smoothly, Tenten and Hinata headed out with their Sensei who was walking with a calm stride. Tanna was looking around the area carefully keeping an eye out for blurry areas that were effected by Genjutsu. It was something she had previously noticed while observing Genjutsu training alongside her fellow teachers in the Academy. A lot of the Genjutsus looked like blurred out areas in her peripheral at least and while she could not be effected, it does not mean another could not be tricked into attacking her.
Hinata murmured, "That area up ahead has civilians trapped behind the wall Sensei."
Tanna, "If I recall right, you two mastered the leaf clone right?"
Tenten, "Yes, Naruto - kun insisted we learn it in case we needed to send messages to each other..... Oh!"
Hinata, "We will help them out and take them to the safe area."
Tanna watched the two make three clones each and nodded, "Good, you girls take care of those people. The three of us will head forward."
The six leaf clones nodded and Tanna started to move again while Hinata and Tenten kept acting like her bodyguards. They came across three more groups who needed help and the two kunoichi created clones two more times before they ran into Naruto and his group plus some. Tenten and Hinata were understandably wary of the sand siblings who appeared before them but Neji said there was a change of plans and priorities. Tanna just looked between them then promptly turned and ushered the group to follow her to the Uzumaki building. Tanna opened the door ushering them in while Naruto took out a couple of papers for them to start writing reports.
Naruto, "Here, start making the reports."
Temari, "Seriously?"
Sasuke grunted, "Trust me, getting this done ahead of time is the best."
Hinata took a couple of papers as well, "Yes, they question you less, if you have a report ready which means more time to rest."
Gaara eyed them deadpanning, "You are really weird shinobi, you know that?"
Tenten, "Normal is overrated. Now, sit down. You will thank us when you do not have a long interrogation session later."
Kankuro, "Sounds like a plan, come on nee - chan, you do not want to be stuck getting interrogated either, do you?"
Temari, "Yeah, yeah, I am too tired to argue."
Neji, "Shikamaru has probably given the verbal report by now."
Tanna appeared with tea and snacks, "Which means you only have to worry about the written report."
Temari almost jumped, "I... Where did you come from? I did not sense you."
Neji, "Sensei does not have chakra receptors."
Kankuro gaped, "How are you alive?"
Tanna smirked, "Spite! Lots of spite. Well in the beginning at least. Now, I just want to see my brother and students prove everyone who questioned their worth, wrong."
Gaara snorted, "Mother says you are a strange one."
Tanna, "The one tailed? I did not realized they were female. Interesting fact to know."
The group blinked at that and Gaara did not elaborate nor correct her so they shrugged and focused on completing the reports. After an hour or so, Kakashi appeared at the doorstep took a look around, snorted and informed them they needed to report to the Hokage. The teens, Tanna noticed were now sprawled out thanks to the tension melting away and exhaustion hitting them like a hammer, offered Kakashi the written reports. The silvered haired man took the five reports from the Konoha shinobi and informed the sand siblings someone from T & I would appear to collect their reports. The three siblings simple nodded and got back to reading the books that were around the house. It was mostly Tanna's fictional works but they were interesting to read. After a while, Tanna offered the three siblings a room separate from the leaf kunoichi and shinobi.
Temari and Kankuro though wary were still grateful and crashed for the night, making Tana realize they were still kids despite their tough acts. Gaara on the other hand, refused to sleep and was talking to Naruto in a quiet voice about his one tailed sleep problem. Naruto was listening seriously and the two discussed their very unique circumstances till late in the morning. They were still talking when Tanna woke up the next day to prepare breakfast that woke up the rest of the sleepers. Hinata sat next to Neji who was too sleepy to glare at her, it made her smile a bit just to sit together with her cousin. Tenten grinned to herself seeing the two and then pulled Temari into a conversation about weapons. Kankuro had woken up and was checking the damage to his puppet while Sasuke left after kissing Naruto's cheek saying he needed to return home.
Tanna, "Take this tomato sandwich with you Sasuke. It has boiled eggs as middle."
Sasuke, "Thanks Sensei."
Temari watched the young Uchiha heir leave, "So, the rumours about you two being engaged are true."
Naruto nodded, "Our moms agreed to it actually. It was before we were born. I have nothing against it. I trust Sasuke with my life."
Kankuro, "Huh! That is pretty cool then. We do not have any such engagements ourselves though, right?"
Temari, "None that I can think of, though father was hoping two of us would consider political marriages for the sake of our village in the future."
Hinata, "You too?"
Temari nodded, "I get it in a way. I just hope I find someone I can trust at least."
Tenten, "You will find someone yourself Hinata. Do not worry."
Hinata smiled and tucked into her breakfast which was toast sandwich with cucumbers and crispy pork in the middle while Neji took another egg and tomato sandwich. This was one of the calmest and serene breakfast the two cousins had together in a long while. Usually, whenever they ate together back at the clan, there would be barbed words flying over the dinner table. The lavender eyed girl enjoyed the peaceful meal and wondered if she could request to join Sensei from time to time. Neji and Tenten thanked Tanna and left muttering about checking on Lee and making sure he is resting as he is supposed to. Tanna recalled Sakura running after that stubborn boy in frustration and agreed they should. Hinata waved Neji farewell to which the older one nodded in answer and left.
Temari watched them, "You two are more awkward then the three of us."
Hinata, "It is complicated. I should head out too. I have to meet my team and make sure they are okay."
Tanna, "Hinata, if you want you can join me for lunch in the next break you have again."
Hinata smiled, "I will take you up on that offer Sensei."
Temari, "They respect you."
Tanna, "I am their teacher."
Temari, "No, I mean they respect you, despite the fact you are weaker then them."
Kankuro, "Are you half siren by any chance?"
Tanna snorted, "Nothing that drastic I assure you. I just listen to them whenever they come to me with their problems. Sometimes that is all that anyone wants, really."
Gaara, "Strange one indeed. Listening does not solve problems."
Temari, "No, but giving them an outlet clears the mind, allowing them to come up with a solution to the problem."
Naruto, "Bathroom is empty."
Temari, "Thanks, we better head out to T & I after this. It will be better if we co - operate willingly instead of being called there."
Tanna, "It will spare you the humiliation of being summoned, yes. Are you going to meet the Hokage?"
Naruto, "In a bit, yes. I have to make sure pervy sage survived."
Jiraiya appeared at that, "Oi! Oi! Brat! Is that anyway to talk about your sensei?"
Naruto, "He is alive, never mind. It was a false alarm."
Jiraiya, "Hey!"
Tanna, "So, who are you here for?"
Gaara tensed, 'The frog Hermit.'
Kankuro, 'One of the legendary Sannin.'
Jiraiya, "For all of them actually. Have to escort you three to T & I. Naruto and I have a mission to find Tsunade. So, I got two missions."
Kankuro, "Fine, just let us change."
Jiraiya waved, "Sure, we got till tomorrow before we leave anyway."
Kankuro nodded and went to the adjacent bathroom while Gaara was regaled with Jiraiya's pervy tales and escapades making the silver haired man squawk. Temari eyed the man once she was done with the bathroom and dressed up but Gaara just shrugged so she did not panic. Tanna also looked relaxed so perhaps a friend, she was corrected in seconds when Naruto introduced the pervy Sage. Tanna chortled saying he deserved it for peeking on her and her kunoichi friends before. Naruto had a dark scowl for a split second before it disappeared making Temari wonder if she imagined it for a moment. After Gaara was ready Jiraiya announced he would escort them to T & I then told Naruto to pack and be ready to head out by next day.
Temari, "Thank you for your hospitality, Tanna - san."
Tanna, "Do not mention it. Best of luck with the interrogation."
Naruto watched them go, "I wonder what mission pervy Sage wants me to go on."
Tanna, "Well the village did get attacked and a lot of people were hurt. So, maybe to find someone who can help deal with Orochimaru."
Naruto, "Maybe, I am going to check on pervy Jiji now. See you later nee - chan."
Tanna sighed as she got ready herself and headed out towards the Academy which was still standing, miraculously enough. She entered the Academy grounds and started to look around the building searching for damages she might have to report later on to the Bureau of Education. Konoha had one for education, it was one of the new things she learned after arriving in this world. It did explain how the orphans without any family support afforded education easily in the anime and manga. The bureau would fund their education and once they started working either as Genin or civilian adults, they would take a portion of their pay directly till the loan was paid off. It was a clever system created by the second generation of Ino - Shika - Cho after it became very obvious that orphans were outnumbering the adults during war.
Iruka, "Tanna - Sensei, you are here already."
Tanna snorted, "You are here too Iruka - Sensei. I thought I told you to just call me Tanna, we are fellow staff members."
Iruka, "Only if you call me Iruka."
Tanna, "Sure Iruka - san."
Iruka chuckled, "So, Tanna - san, why are you here today?"
Tanna, "To check the damage mostly. I pray everything is still standing but considering the rather bold attack, I am preparing for the worst."
Iruka, "Ah! Well, I understand the feeling but I assure you the Academy was secured before they could even touch it."
Tanna, "Really?"
Iruka, "Yes, different clans ensured there were shinobi ready to fight back or evacuate the building if necessary. You can guess what they all chose."
Tanna, "I see. How big were the casualties?"
Iruka, "Some of the more stubborn kids saw the shinobi die to keep them safe. I think they might be in shock."
Tanna, "It hit them life can be lost or taken easily."
Iruka, "Yes, before that it was more of a book concept."
Tanna, "The Yamanakas are going to have their hands full after this one."
Iruka, "What about you Tanna - san? I recall you were at the stadium. You finally used one of your paid leaves to watch the tournament after all."
Tanna, "I am processing everything that happened. We were attacked yes, but I accepted it would happen at one point. So yes, I am still processing."
Iruka, "And that concludes my inspection. Anything you wish to add."
Tanna passed her notes, "This is all I got, I am afraid."
Iruka, "Works for me, you always make to the point notes anyway. This aside Tanna - san, if you ever need help, please do not be afraid to ask for it."
Tanna nodded, "Yeah, I will. I would be a hypocrite otherwise if I lecture my kids to ask for help when I am too prideful to do so."
Iruka nodded, "Exactly, lead by example as your books say."
Tanna was amused, "You read my fiction books?"
Iruka, "It is fascinating to dream about life beyond the sky across the stars. I enjoy your Star Trek stories the most though. It is whimsical and fantastic. The Star - Clone Wars however remind me too much of the last war to actually enjoy completely."
Tanna smirked mischievously, "Want to a little secret about the two series?"
Iruka nodded curious, "Of course."
Tanna, "Trek series is actually the start while the War series is one of the possible futures."
Iruka, "There is more then one future?"
Tanna, "Of course, why limit yourself?"
Iruka chuckled, he enjoyed having his little chats with the young woman. In the beginning he had been admittedly wary of the older adopted sibling of the Jinchuriki of Konoha. There were all kinds of rumours floating around about her ranging from how she was born unlucky to how she cursed the orphanage caretaker to how the vessel of the nine tails was enchanted by her. He had been skeptical about her joining the Academy at all in the beginning but as he observed her he realized she was well read in economics and she even created a whole new language from scratch. It made him see her in a new light and he wondered if the shinobi clan hovered around her because she was a useful asset. Kami knows how useful that secondary language turned out for the shinobi who needed a new code language.
Iruka, "I heard you are adding a new language to the War series?"
Tanna, "I finally finished with the Mandalorian language, Grammar and everything so yes, a new book is coming out."
Iruka, "You do realize, it will probably not be sold outside Konoha, yes?"
Tanna, "I know they censor my books. It was pretty obvious actually. I kind of expected it really. I do not mind, as long as I can tell my stories to my kids, it is fine."
Iruka, "Your books are outselling Jiraiya's too."
Tanna gave an impish smile, "Oh? You read those too?"
Iruka turned pink, "I like it. People falling in love with their partner who they trust with their backs and life. I believe most shinobi wish someone like that out in the field."
Tanna, "That was what I was aiming for. Plot without any substance to support falls flat in my humble opinion."
Iruka coughed, "The erotic scenes are very interesting to read too, especially with the different body types, interests and kinks, was it? I think a few of the shinobi have tried the bath scene and costume play stuff."
Tanna looked at him with mirth, "Sounds like you tried some of the stuff too."
Iruka, "We were curious and I must admit, I find myself liking some of the stuff."
Tanna pat his back, "As long as everyone consents and there is no underaged child involved, I say go for it."
Iruka laughed, "Indeed, I will be honest though. I expected you to rest today, most teachers are except a few."
Tanna, "Naruto is off to meet Hokage - sama and then he will be gone on a sanity knows how long mission tomorrow. It is gonna empty without him and not to forget, Akari and her family are visiting Lady Shijimi."
Iruka, "There will be a mass funeral held for the shinobi who passed for the public tomorrow. Think Naruto - kun will stay around for it."
Tanna, "They might, depends really on Jiraiya. He is in charge but knowing Naruto he would find a way to strong arm him into paying respects."
The next day just like Tanna had guessed Naruto did drag Jiraiya to the funeral and the Sandaime despite being wheelchair bound still gave a speech thanking the shinobi for their services to Konoha. Tanna wore a simple black dress with a small pearl studded earring and a neck piece as she paid her respects to the fallen shinobi. She had seen the scene in the anime and manga before and it was emotional to attend it in person compared to watching it. Tanna was very pleased that the third Hokage survived though he is limited in movement, it was still a better outcome then before. Naruto hugged her before following Jiraiya to the gate where Sasuke was waiting and the two hugged before letting go.
Sasuke, "Tanna - san, can we talk?"
Tanna, "Sure, shall we go somewhere more comfortable?"
Sasuke, "I know a place. I took Naruto there for a more private date."
Tanna followed the dark haired boy to a barbeque house hidden between three buildings meant for something else, 'Hmm... Interesting place.'
Sasuke, "Here Sensei."
Tanna, "Just call me Tanna, if you and Naruto live long enough to get married we will be in laws."
Sasuke nodded, "Nee - san then?"
Tanna, "Works for me. Now, what's wrong?"
Sasuke, "It's just, this is going to sound stupid."
Tanna, "Stop right there. No worry coming from my kids will ever sound stupid. What is the problem?"
Sasuke, "I feel a little left behind actually."
Tanna, "I see, tell me your thought process. Step by step."
Tanna braced herself, this was not the first time she took up the role of counselor for her students and from the look of things it will not be the last. Tanna listened to what Sasuke was saying and realized the young teen had been comparing himself to his older brother and cousins who basically bulldozed their way through the shinobi promotion missions. She understood in a way, she recalled her own cousins and siblings in her previous life before she transmigrated. Whenever she thought about her accomplishments and compared it to her siblings it always felt too small or just not good enough. Her parents told her otherwise but sometimes it was hard to shut that niggling little voice inside your head telling you that it was not enough. Tanna took a deep breath and started by reminding Sasuke of everything he has accomplished first and how proud his family and the rest were of him.
Sasuke, "But I feel like I could do better, be stronger. Even back when we confronted Gaara, I felt a little helpless as I watched Naruto fight that behemoth."
Tanna, "I see. I am afraid there is not much anyone can do against a chakra beast unless they are a jinchuriki themselves. It is just one of those things in life you have to know to bow out gracefully."
Sasuke, "But I want to fight side by side with Naruto."
Tanna, "It does not feel right to dump the responsibility on someone else. I agree but it is important to know our limits in order to fully be capable of helping others. I have an idea that might help."
Sasuke, "What sort?"
Tanna, "This happened because you felt like you had to allow Naruto to deal with the tanuki alone, yes?"
Sasuke, "More or less yes."
Tanna, "How about becoming their escort to Suna? You can observe the jinchuriki yourself and figure out how to defend yourself. I know you have the sharingan so it is not like you are observing blindly. Talk to Kakashi about this too, he should be able to guide you better."
Sasuke, "Kakashi - sensei? Why him?"
Tanna, "Despite how he looks he has personally dealt with two Jinchurikis. Which is a lot more then the rest of us."
Sasuke nodded seeing what Tanna was hinting at. Since Kakashi knew the previous nine tailed jinchuriki and the current one, he might have some tricks up his sleeve that might come in handy. Their orders came after a while and Sasuke decided to enjoy the calm lunch with his previously Sensei and soon to be in law. Sasuke had the sudden thought that as long as in laws were concerned Tanna would no doubt be the best one out there. She does not have the habit of nagging and unlike certain people he knew and would be a welcome addition to his clan, just like his mom wanted.