Naruto and the Sacred Pheonix of the Shinobi

by Lei Mortagashi

Old friends and an enemy of the senseis return to the village after years away of training. Then things start to get a little strange. Ties are tested and the balance between good and evil is about to shift. Whether to one side or the other...

1. Chapter 1

Naruto:
The Sacred Phoenix of the Shinobi

Chapter 1: Sakura's Dream and the Three Arrivals
(Sitting out by the lake of the Hokage mansion.)
Naruto: "Where is Kakashi-sensei already? He said he'd be here an hour ago."
Sakura: "Be patient Naruto. You can't expect him to always be on time."
Sasuke: "Then again he's the most calculated ninja in the ranks."
Naruto: "Well duh."
(Inside, Kakashi is sitting with the Hokage.)
Sandaime: "I am sure you are well aware that the two of them alone are dangerous. Let alone with their mentor. Are you sure you want to be the one to lead them through the village?"
Kakashi: "Yes sir."
Sandaime: "Very well then. Meet Iruka at the gates at sundown. He'll give you more information than I can."
Kakashi: "Yes sir."
(Sandaime dismisses him and he heads out toward the lake. Naruto and the other two take notice that their sensei has returned.)
Naruto: "'Bout time. What kept you?"
Kakashi: "Never mind Naruto. That's strictly between Lord Hokage and myself."
Naruto: "Alright. Sorry I even asked."
Kakashi: "Shall we begin then?"
(The four of them are training at the lake for several hours. Once the sun is low in the sky, they head for home. Kakashi tells them to run on ahead because he needs to run an errand. They're confused but don't pose an argument. Kakashi heads toward the gates. There he meets Iruka.)
Iruka: "There you are. Thought you weren't going to show up at all."
Kakashi: "And when have I not? I may be late but I have the decency to show up."
Iruka: "Unlike Nokki."
Kakashi: "Don't remind me. This entire thing is bugging me."
Iruka: "The same for Hokage-sama. He's nervous about bringing them back into the village."
Kakashi: "I know."
(Short pause.)
Iruka: "Well, we have some of an idea when they'll arrive."*pulls a scroll out of his pocket* "One of them sent this."*tosses it to him*
Kakashi:*catches it* "Do you know which one?"
Iruka: "No clue."
Kakashi:*sighs*
Iruka: "Thinking about Lei again there Kakashi?"
Kakashi: "No, I was sighing at your cluelessness."
Iruka:*makes a face* "Just read it."
Kakashi:*reads through it and tosses it back.*
Iruka: "Well, what are you planning to do?"
Kakashi: "Not sure yet."
Iruka: "You better figure it out sometime tonight or before they get here."
Kakashi: "I will, don't worry."
Iruka: "Good."
Kakashi:*starts back to his house*
Iruka: "Oh, one more thing."
Kakashi:*stops and turns to him*
Iruka: "One of the Genin in the village somehow found out about this. Make sure it wasn't any of yours."
Kakashi: "Hm. I doubt Sakura and Sasuke found out anything, and Naruto's not paying enough attention to village affairs. But I'll ask none the less."*starts off again*
Iruka: "Yeesh. Somebody's taking their return a little too seriously."
Kakashi:*about 10ft away* "I heard that."
Iruka: "Gaah! I didn't say anything."
Kakashi: "Sure you didn't."*continues home, thinking about his past the whole way.*
(The sun has already set as he walks in his front door, the dogs asleep on the living room floor. He heads to bed.)(Later that night, Sakura begins to fidget in her sleep in her sleep.)(In her dream, she and her friends are at the gates of the village and apparently waiting for something. Hinata is looking into the distance with her Byakugan. She see's three figures running toward them, two on horse back and another on a large cat. One of the two on horse back comes up; his blood red hair really sets off his emerald green eyes. The other on horse back has pitch black hair with the Hyuuga eyes, and silver streaks in his hair. Naruto cringes at the sight of him. Akamaru is whining as he approaches. Hinata [no longer using the Byakugan] slightly backs away. The large cat creature jumps over the last hill and looks about to land in Sakura's face. She abruptly wakes up.)
Sakura:*looking around, seeing she's safely in her room.* "Phew. That was weird."
(She gradually falls back asleep. The next morning as she and he team mates are waiting for Kakashi, she is quiet.)
Naruto: "Somethin' wrong Sakura? You're quieter than usual."
Sakura: "It's nothing."
Naruto:*exchanges a look with Sasuke and shrugs* "C'mon Sakura. What's eatin' ya?"
Sakura:*doesn't acknowledge he asked the question.*
(Kakashi comes up and looks at them.)
Kakashi: "Since when are you three so quiet? I usually have to break up a fight when I show up."
Naruto: "You're not funny sensei."
Sakura:*quiet*
Kakashi: "Sakura?"
Sakura: "Well…"
Naruto:*vein* "YOU JUST TOLD US NOTHING WAS WRONG!!!"
Sasuke:*confused*
Sakura:*sarcastically* "Oh I did?"
Naruto: "Yeah."
Sakura: "Did you even bother to ask again?"
Naruto:*vein*
Kakashi: "Alright you two, that's enough. What's wrong Sakura?"
Sakura: "I had a strange dream last night."
Kakashi: "Tell us about it."
(As she explains the dream, Kakashi remains calm. When she finishes, Naruto and Sasuke exchange confused looks.)
Kakashi:* "This is strange. How would Sakura be able to see the untold events? Could this be what Lei told Iruka about in the letter."* "I wouldn't worry about it too much Sakura. It probably doesn't mean anything."
Sakura: "Maybe. But…"
Naruto: "But what Sakura?"
Sakura: "Well, not to rat anyone out, I over heard some of the Cadets saying that the Hokage's grand kids were on their way here with their mentor."
Kakashi: "Did you ask them where they found out?"
Sakura: "Only one of them would answer me. She seemed pretty shy so she waited until the crowd left. She told me that they heard it from a Genin."
Kakashi:*sighs* "I was afraid of that."
Sasuke: "Why?"
Kakashi: "That the word about Lord Hokage's grand children is spreading. This was to remain Top Secret until their arrival. Most of the senseis in the village don't even know they're coming. According to Iruka, one of the Genin found out about them early and blabbed to everyone they met apparently."
Naruto: "Wait, how does Iruka know?"
Kakashi: "Iruka and I were both on the same team, for a time with one of the Hokage's grand children. The two of us are trying to get them into the village safely and with no complications. But unfortunately that will be much harder now."
Sakura: "Still, now that sensitive information is floating around the village, there's going to be a lot of suspicion. Considering that nobody but a select few knows what they look like."
Kakashi:*nods* "But Konohamaru doesn't."
(Someone comes running up.)
Naruto: "Hm? Hinata?"
Hinata: "Kakashi sensei."
Kakashi: "Yes."
Hinata: "We found out who was telling people."
Sasuke: "Well, that was fast."
Hinata: "Lord Hokage made sure that the senseis knew they were coming."
Kakashi:*stressed sweat* "Oh god. And Gai can't keep his mouth shut to save his life."
Naruto: "So, he told his team and then Lee blurted it somewhere he shouldn't have and presto the whole village knows."
Hinata:*nods*
Kakashi: "How did you find out?"
Hinata: "The scroll Iruka has was originally sent to me."
Kakashi: "I see. Does Lord Hokage know?"
Hinata: "Not yet. Would you tell him for me? Kurenai sensei is waiting for me."
Kakashi: "Yes, you go on."
Hinata: "Thank you."*gives a polite bow and runs off*
(The four of them head off to the Hokage mansion. Kakashi sees him and explains the situation as Naruto and the others sit outside.)
Kakashi: "Sorry if I'm interrupting anything."
Sandaime: "You're not interrupting anything Kakashi. But I am concerned about why you came back so soon. Is something wrong?"
Kakashi: "We've found the source of the problem. Gai."
Sandaime:*sighs* "Naturally."
Kakashi: "That's not the only reason I've come to you. It's about Sakura."
Sandaime: "What about her?"
Kakashi: "She told me and the boys about a dream she had last night, about the arrival of the three."
Sandaime: "This is strange. As far as I'm concerned Sakura's family has no trait of foreseeing the future, or the Second Sight."
Kakashi: "Then how was she able to process the vision?"
Sandaime: "I don't know. I'll speak with Lei when gets here. This may be her doing." * "First the secret is out, then Sakura' dream. It just doesn't add up."* "Did you see the letter Iruka had."
Kakashi: "Yes."
Sandaime: "The writer was obviously good with a pen. The writing was a good imitation of Nokki's."
Kakashi: "Perhaps it was."
Sandaime:*shaking his head* "No, it was a little to neat. I believe that Lei wrote the scroll to get it past Nokki."
Kakashi: "Perhaps. She was a good artist back in the day."
Sandaime: "And you would know, wouldn't you?"
Kakashi:*trying not to blush.*
Sandaime: "Ah, see. You're blushing."
Kakashi:*blushie* "Sir please."
Sandaime:*smiles* "Your free to go then, unless there's something else."
Kakashi: "No sir. And thank you."*stands with a polite bow and leaves the room*
(Back at the lake, Naruto and the others are talking aimlessly. He comes up to them without their notice.)
Kakashi: "Ahem."
Sakura:*stopping the conversation* "Oh, sensei. Your back."
Kakashi: "Did you expect me to leave you here?"
(They continue with their training. For the next five days, the cycle continues. On the sixth day, Hinata approaches them in the middle of a break.)
Hinata: "Kakashi sensei."
Kakashi: "Yes Hinata?"
Hinata:*pulls a scroll out of her pocket and hands it to him* "I got this earlier this morning."
Kakashi:*takes the scroll and reads through it*
Sakura: "What's it say?"
Kakashi: "Well, they should be here in three days."
Naruto:!!! "That's the full moon."
Sasuke: "What's that got to do with anything?"
Kakashi: "A lot. Nokki has to be sedated before he enters the village."
Sakura: "Why?"
Hinata: "He's a member of the Hyuuga clan. The only problem is, his Byakugan is mutated."
Sasuke: "That's rare, especially in a Kekkei Genkai."
Kakashi: "Yes. And how Naruto found out I'll never know."
Naruto:*smirk* "That's my business."
Hinata: "I need to be going."
Kakashi:*hands the scroll back to her* "You can go."
Hinata:*bows and heads off*
Kakashi: "Well, then our plans just got flushed down the toilet."
Sakura: "Now what?"
Kakashi: "We need to start making arrangements for their arrival."*pulls a scroll out of his vest and rolls it out on a rock. It's a map of the north side of Konoha secret passages in and out of It.* "Getting them into the village undetected won't be easy, but I think we can handle it."
Naruto: "That's a new one."
Kakashi: "I've never had to use it since my days as cadet."
(There are blotches of ink that are labeled with a name.)
Naruto: "The spots are people?"
Kakashi: "Yes. The passages you see won't all be used. We can only use a few of them because they're old and crumbling. This is only half the map of the village, but it'll suffice."
(For the next hour or so, the four of them go over the map trying to find the one to take. Once they've finished it there is only one green line, it leads from the basement of Kakashi's house to an oak tree outside the gates. They all head to Kakashi's house to check the tunnel. )
Kakashi:*as he comes back up through he trap door* "It's a little low for me, but we'll manage."*closes it and locks it up* "We'll leave Nokki in the basement while he's unconscious."
(The next three days pass by quickly. On the final morning, Kakashi and team 7 head down the tunnel to the oak tree. At the end of the tunnel is another trap door, Kakashi attempts to push it up but it sticks.)
Kakashi: "Damn. It's stuck."
(There's a voice above the door.)
Gai: "That you down there Kakashi?"
Kakashi: "Yes. Why are you standing on the trap door?"
Gai: "I'm not, mind you. There's a large rock sitting on top of it."
Kakashi: "You mind getting off?"
Gai: "Fine."*pushes off the rock with a little help from Lee and Neji. Then helps them out*
Kakashi: "Thank you."
Gai: "Don't mention it."
Sakura:*folds her arms, remembering her dream*
Lee: "Something wrong Sakura-chan?"
Sakura: "Huh? Oh, nothing."
Naruto:*raises an eyebrow*
Lee: "You sure?"
Sakura:*nods* "Mm hm."
Gai:*to Kakashi* "What's wrong with Sakura?"
Kakashi: "She had a dream a few nights ago."
Gai: "About what?"
Kakashi: "If you don't know already I'm not telling you."
Gai: "Hmph."
Sakura:*is looking toward the hill saw her in dream* * "How much longer do we have to wait?"*
Kakashi:* "She's worried."*
(A few minuets later, Hinata and her team walk up from the village path.)
Sakura:* "Now that everyone's here, who knows when they'll arrive. I couldn't tell whether my dream lasted for an hour or two. I don't even know how long I was dreaming."*
Hinata:*walking up to Sakura* "Something wrong?"
Sakura: "No, I'm alright."
Hinata: "You sure? You seem a little quiet."
Sakura: "Well…"
Hinata: "It's alright. You can tell me."
Sakura:*sighs. She explains it in a low tone*
Hinata: "Really?"
Sakura:*nods*
Naruto:*leaning lazily on one of the side of the door, listening to Hinata and Sakura. Then he heard the sound of hoof beats. Looks up confused* "Huh?"
Kakashi: "What is it Naruto?"
Naruto: "I hear hoof beats."
Kakashi: "Are you sure?"
Naruto: "Positive. They're coming from the north."
Sakura:* "They're coming."*
Hinata: "Sakura?"
Sakura: "Hinata, look to the north with your Byakugan."
Hinata: "What for?"
Sakura: "See who's coming toward us."
Hinata:*still somewhat confused* "Okay."*activates her Byakugan. She sees two people on horseback and one on a large cat* "Two people on horseback and one on a huge cat."
Sakura: "I was afraid of that."
Kiba: "Does it matter?"
Sakura: "Yes."
(The senseis are alert.)(The first man on horseback comes up. He has short and scruffy blood red hair, baggy black pants and a red muscle shirt. His eyes are an emerald green..)
Kakashi: "Sei, nice to see you again."
Sei: "Right back at ya Kakashi."
Sakura: * "He seems harmless enough. But the other one scares me."*
(Sei shakes hands with Kakashi , Gai, and Kurenai as the second guy comes up. His hair is pitch black with silver bangs; his eyes were identical to Hinata's and Neji's.)
Kakashi: "Nokki. We meet again."
Nokki: "Indeed."
Hinata:*backs away*
Tenten:* "He's scary."*
Naruto:* "I take it Kakashi doesn't like Nokki much. I don't blame him."*
(The cat comes over the hill.. Sakura's eyes grow wide.)
Sakura:* "Well. Here goes."*
(The cat jumps over the hill. Sakura stares. As the cat lands, Kakashi grabs it by the collar.)
Kakashi: "Now Smicha. You know better than that."
Smicha:*is straining against his grip*
(The women on top slides off. She's in a Japanese style white dress with black clasps and trimming. Her hair is the same color as Sei's and so are her eyes.)
Gai: "Since when do you wear dresses?"
Lei:*looks none too happy to be wearing a dress. Her voice is firm and agitated* "I was forced to wear a dress, no thanks to you Nokki."*Giving him a hard glare*
Nokki: "You should at least show respect to your grandfather and dress up every once in awhile."
Lei: "Why should I dress up? I look ridiculous."
(Lee, Tenten, Sakura, Naruto, Hinata, Kiba, and Naruto are trying not to laugh.)
Gai: "Especially in white."
Lei:*sweat drop. Sarcastically* "Gee thanks Gai."*turns to the cat* "You calm down. There's nobody here who wants to hurt me."
(The cat doesn't calm down because it's straining against Kakashi's grip.)
Lei:*sighs. Puts a hand on Kakashi's shoulder* "Let her go Kakashi-kun. I'll take her from here."
Kakashi: "Whatever you say."*let's go of the collar*
Lei:*places a hand on her bottom jaw and calmly strokes the top of its head*
(The cat licks her cheek and shrinks to the size of a house cat.)
Smicha: "Row."
Lei: "That's a good girl."
Smicha:*gently paws her leg, begging to be held*
Lei:*picks her up*
Nokki: "Can we get on with this?"
Lei:*her eyes turn hard and cold* "Shut up you jerk. You've got to be sedated first. Remember?"
Nokki:*glare.*
Lei: "That's what I thought."
Sei: "So how are you gonna do this?"
Lei: "I'll just give him a sleeping root."*pulls a satchel out of her pack and opens it. She pulls out a pinch of what looks like a chopped up daisy.*
Gai: "What the hell is that?"
Lei: "Lettia."*hands it to Nokki* "I'm not feeding it to you."
Nokki:*takes the root and stuffs it into his mouth. He makes a disgusted face*
Lei: "Did I mention it's really bitter?"
Nokki:*through a mouth full of root* "You could've fooled me."*finishes chewing and swallows. He begins to look drowsey and hits the floor with a THWUMP*
Sei:*gently prods him with his foot* "Out like a light."
Kakashi: "Shall we then?"
Sei Lei:*nod*
Smicha: "Merrrow."
Sei:*lifts Nokki onto his shoulder* "Let's go."
Gai:*not paying attention. Welcome to La La Land. Population: Gai*
Sei: "Uhh, hello. Gai! GAI!!!"
Gai:*snaps out of it* "Huh? What?"
Sei:-_-; "Never mind."
(Kakashi re-opens the trap door and allows Lei and Sei down. Sakura heads back to the house on the village path. Kakashi, Naruto and Sasuke follow the twins down the trap door. Naruto shuts it behind him. They proceed to walk down the passage, Lei and Smicha leading the way. Sakura goes into Kakashi's house, then to the basement to unlock the trap door and waits. They all come up a few minuets later and brush themselves off."
Sei:*puts Nokki down and rotates his shoulder* "Ow. Glad I don't have o carry him to the mansion."
Kakashi: "Don't get happy yet. You still have to deal with him."
Sei: "Don't remind me."*bends over in pain from his back* "Ow. I don't think I'll be able to stand straight for a week."
Lei: "Wuss. You're not wearing a skin tight dress that really shows off your butt."
Sei: "No, I'm also not a girl. Thank you."
Smicha:*warningly* "Mewrow."
Sei: "Yes mother."
Kakashi: "You can change upstairs if you want."
Lei: "Thank you."
(They head upstairs, leaving Nokki there.)
Naruto: "So what's with the mutation?"
Lei:*has now changed into baggy black pants, a tight tank top, and a belt with seven kunai hanging off it. One white and the others black.* "His Byakugan is mutated because of a cosmic accident. It makes him go nutso during the full moon."
Naruto: "Why is always the full moon?"
Lei:*shrugs* "They still haven't found the cause of the mutation."
Kakashi: "But they have found that a person with the mutation can use the Byakugan to ten times the strength of a normal Hyuuga."
Sasuke: "How so?"
Lei: "It gives the user the ability to not only read the opponents gestures, but also their mind. But, if they do use it to do so, battle events would be catastrophic. The ability to read another's mind comes at a high price; it requires a vast amount of chakra and will power. I've only seen Nokki use it once. That night forever changed my life. It took me from the people that meant the most to me."
Sakura: "Why'd he use it then?"
Lei: "To make sure I wouldn't run off."
Naruto: "Jerk."
Lei: "Tell me about it. He's been training Sei and I for several years. And not just physically."
Sei: "Mentally too. He thinks that the body and mind have to be in perfect sync to function properly."*adjusts one of his gloves* "We've been all over this world. Land of Sand, Rock, Leaf, Cloud, Mist, and Whirlpool. He's also trained us with various weapons and techniques. When he believes we're finished with our training, he'll challenge us to a battle at the Sacred Arena. From there we have at least two weeks to train. When the battle finally comes, well, if we win we can pass into Jounin status. If we lose…"
Sakura: "What?"
Lei: "We're killed. Honorably, but killed. It's a tradition, and as far as we know, no one in our family has had that problem."
Sei: "I already beat Nokki. Lei here on the other hand…"
Lei: "I know what I'm doing Sei."
Sei: "I hope so."
Kakashi: "You know he won't hold back, even with you."
Lei: "I'm well aware of that. But I won't either."
(Later on, Lei, Sakura, Naruto, and Sasuke are sitting in the living room politely having a conversation when Sei comes in.)
Sei: "Are you people hungry?"
(He's got their attention.)
Lei: "That's the understatement of the year."
Sei: "Just askin'. And I'm not cookin', that's your job."
Lei: "You can barely boil water. Let alone make dinner."
(The kids try not to laugh)
Sei:*pouty face* "Shut up."
Kakashi:*walks in* "What are you two arguing about now?"
Lei: "His cooking, the lack there of."
Kakashi: "Why?"
Sei: "Cuz I walked in and asked if anyone was hungry."
Kakashi:*sighs* "Well you two don't have to worry about cooking."
(Later on, Kakashi serves dinner, the team leaves and the dishes are done. Sei goes to bed afterwards, leaving Lei and Kakashi alone in the front room.)
Kakashi: "Finally. Alone time."
Lei:*sighs* "You just want to pick on me don't you?"
Kakashi: "I won't lie, yes."
Lei: "Shoulda known. You haven't changed a bit Kakashi." *moves from the chair she was sitting in to his lap*
Kakashi: "On the contrary."*Pulling down his mask* "I have."*pulls her into a kiss*
Lei:*wraps her arms around his neck*
Kakashi:*reaches behind him and turns off the lamp. He wraps his arms around her, bringing her against him*
Lei:*rests both hands on his chest.*