Play To Win [Rewrite] || Naruto Fanfic

Devour [Explicit]

Warning! Adult themes! Not for the prudish.

. . .

Autumn in Konoha is special in its own way. The once warm breeze that Konoha is known for, turns cold and the vibrant green leaves yield to yellow and orange that decorate the forest for all to see. It's a bit strange, to have a home. Somewhere to return after the sun sets, somewhere to spend your idle time away.

No longer on the road, she adjusts almost painfully slow. No missions, no fights and no gods to scream and shout at. Nothing.

At first, she puts herself to work.

Konoha was flattened almost two years ago, and while the Village looked better than it did at the end of the war, the influx of civilians had its toll.

And Yamato looked like he was on the verge of collapse.

She builds rows of houses and their gardens, creating parks and squares. After nearly three weeks of work, she get's shooed off by Shizune, claiming that she was stealing jobs.

Tamako pouts for three days, only leaving the covers of her warm bed when Sakura invites her to hang out.

Wherever Sakura goes, Ino follows. They make a group of three that grows to four and five when Hinata and Tenten seldom join.

They meet every other day at different times. Whatever fits each other's schedules. Sometimes they eat at the new cafe that opened on main street, other times they visit the Hyuuga Estate to enjoy ceremonial tea, and sometimes they spar with each other at Training Ground 3.

She likes them, finding herself integrated into the group without feeling like an outlier. And for today, they found themselves in Tamako's humble abode. Or rather, Itachi's abode where she's been mooching off of.

Konoha land was really expensive, and Itachi all but dragged her to his home before she could lease an apartment.

She sips on her favorite roasted tea, sighing at the warmth and smell. Everything felt so perfect.

"And? And?" Ino leaned forward, wiggling out eyebrows at Hinata. "What did Naruto say then?"

Today was a rare day when all the girls showed up. Perhaps they were a little curious about what Itachi's house was like.

Hinata deflates. "He said he's busy that day teaching at the Academy."

Ino scowls her pale features twisted up as she curses. "That damn Naruto!" She turns to Hinata with a far more gentle look. "Don't worry Hinata, it's only a matter of time until Naruto grows up! He's been dimwitted since we were children, we'll be asking too much for him to wise up now."

"That Naruto..." Sakura trails off, a disappointed look on her face. "Hinata, don't give up!"

Hinata flushes, fist pulled tight and a smile on her face. "I-i won't!

The brunette of the group finally speaks, leaning into her open palm. "Still though, who would've thought that Naruto grow up like this?" Tenten smiles, almost nostalgic. "I still remember the Chunin Exams, you know. That's when I first met you guys."

Sakura laughs, almost embarrassed with how she held a palm to her mouth. "Oh god, I don't want to think about it."

"Ha!" Ino chuckles, biting into the jam cookie. "Didn't Naruto tell the entire room he'll beat them all up and become Hokage? After all these years, even after becoming a hero, he's still a Genin! Haha!"

The table dissolves in laughter, memories springing up as they tease and taunt each other. "Ah, that's when we met you as well!"

"Me?" Tamako says, pondering. "Hmm, we met a year before, no?"