So, this is a short prologue for my new story (the last new story for Naruto I will write.) The rest of the first real chapter is gonna have a lot of flashbacks to explain how things got this way, so it'll take some time to write, but I wanted to put this up for now. Anyway, there are a lot of fics on this site like this and I've been largely disappointed by the ones that start after the fight with Pein (too much super strong/smart Naruto, this wont be much like that), so hopefully this will be more satisfying for me and you. : )
Disclaimed.
As Naruto stumbled through the forest, he marveled at the beauty of the sun piercing the shadows and thought of all the things he still had to do. He let out a muffled groan. He was exhausted from his fight with Pein and mostly just wanted to go to sleep at this point. But he had important information for Baa-chan that couldn't wait. He also wanted to make sure that everyone was really ok. Even though Pein brought everyone he'd killed back to life, he needed to see for himself that his precious people were safe and sound.
That was going to be hard, though, considering he was in the process of tripping over his own feet. At this point, if he fell he didn't think he'd be getting up for awhile. But just as he closed his eyes and gave into gravity, he hit a soft surface with a slightly rough texture that scratch his cheek reassuringly. He opened a bleary eye to see his sensei looking at him over his shoulder.
Naruto breathed a sigh of relief and smiled, "Kakashi-sensei."
"Good job." Kakashi eye-smiled. "Just rest now." With that, he hoisted Naruto onto his back and began the trek back to the village.
Naruto, however, had different thoughts in mind. "Kakashi-sensei, I need to speak to Baa-chan as soon as we get back." He stated firmly.
There was a slight hitch in Kakashi's step, but he kept going in silence for a moment. Before he could speak, though, Naruto beat him to it.
"Kakashi-sensei, what happened?" He asked worriedly.
Kakashi sighed before answering, "She's in a coma. When she protected the village, she used Infuin: Kai and it drained most of her chakra. Also, as you know, that jutsu rapidly ages the user. The strain it placed on her body put her in a coma. To be honest, if she wasn't a Senju, she might not have survived it at all at her age."
Naruto let out a ragged sigh, "Katsuyu, do you think she'll wake up?"
Katsuyu slimed her way out of Naruto's jacket and proceeded to climb into his head. He repressed a shudder at the sensation and vowed to take a long bath later.
"Hai, Naruto-kun, but it may take awhile, her body is very weak right now."
"Thank goodness, well if I can't talk to her yet, then I need to speak with the council as soon as possible." Naruto said decisively.
"Hmm, I suggest you speak to Shikaku, then. He's the jounin commander and is currently in charge of our military forces. He also holds the fourth highest seat on the council below the elders. He'll be alerted as soon as the council is called to session and considering the circumstances that should be soon." Kakashi replied carefully.
He wondered what Naruto had planned and hoped he knew what he was doing. The council was notoriously finicky in its decision making. One wrong word could land Naruto in boiling water.
"Before you do that, though, the entire village is waiting for you, Sakura and the rest of the Konoha eleven included. And remember to be very careful with your words and respectful. Since you just saved the village from Pein, the council will probably at least see you, but you're young and they don't have to listen to you."
Naruto thought for a moment before answering, "I understand. Thank you, Kakashi-sensei."
Naruto stayed silent after this exchange, saving his strength and trying to remember everything he had never learned about etiquette. He had a rough idea of what he wanted to say, but he'd have to be very careful since two of his primary sources of information were deceased Akatsuki members. Ironic, that.
As they started cresting the last hill before the village, a clone popped into existence next to the two ninja and quickly transformed into an ANBU with a dog mask. He thought a fox mask would be more suitable, but might draw too much attention. After a nod of approval from Kakashi (he had been Inu when he was a member of ANBU Black ops), the clone went off to seek out Shikaku.
The original Naruto drew in a sharp breath when he saw everyone in the village standing and waiting to welcome him home. The crowd broke out in cheers and he allowed himself to relax completely and bask in the warmth of the people surrounding him.
Shikaku watched the festivities from a distance, with a stern expression on his face. It wasn't that he wasn't happy, no, but he was a veteran and knew that the village was at its most vulnerable now. Hence his watchful expression. As the current leader of Konoha's ninja, it fell to him to look after the village while the Godaime was incapacitated, and he didn't doubt that certain elements of the village would take advantage of the situation.
An ANBU landed next to him and Shikaku slid his eyes to the right to see that the man bore a dog mask. Judging by the height and build, however, it was not Kakashi. Shikaku tensed imperceptibly, ready to signal for backup in an instant while he eyed the newcomer lazily.
"Shikaku-no-occhan." The masked and cloaked figure spoke.
Shikaku's eyes flicked over to Naruto getting tossed up in the air before looking back at the "ANBU."
"You know that there are severe penalties for impersonating a member of ANBU, right Naruto?" He drawled lazily.
Naruto chuckled nervously, while Inoichi stood to Shikaku's left silently, reassessing the boy he'd argued with earlier. "Kakashi-sensei gave me permission; I needed to speak to you without drawing a lot of attention. Since Tsunade-baa-chan is in a coma, I'll have to report to the council directly."
Shikaku gave Naruto a long stare before asking bluntly, "What's your real reason for wanting to speak to the council?"
He could almost see Naruto's grin as he replied smugly, "It's about a certain tree's rotten roots."
Inoichi's eyes widened to the size of saucers and Shikaku rose his eyebrows and asked one more question, "How long?"
The boy's tone of voice was subdued when he replied, "Since Yamato-taichou joined Team 7. Everything's ready now."
Shikaku noticed that Naruto failed to mention his other newer teammate; Sai joined Team 7 at the same time as Tenzo (Codename:Yamato.) Shikaku still remembered the Godaime's rage at having a member of ANBU Ne (Root) placed on one of HER teams. But how had Naruto gotten information from one of Danzo's own? The Sandaime had tried to find a crack in ANBU Ne for decades and even the Godaime had struggled with Danzo's meddling. It seemed his son was right about this boy.
Shikaku nodded slightly at the boy and turned his eyes back to the celebration, "You'll have to talk to them in person; you can wait with me for the council to be called, but the real you is gonna have to sneak away if you don't want to alert your watchers."
Naruto's mask bobbed in acquiescence, hoping no Hyuuga would cast their Byakugan in his direction. "Once we're out of sight, I'll switch."
The three males stood silently, watching the crowd; each with their own thoughts focused on the future of Konoha.
R&R Please