Chapter 1

It was a very loud evening with people on the streets, celebrating the death of the Kyuubi no Kitsune. They were mostly travelers or shinobi from Konohagakure. The original residents of the village shut themselves inside their homes and never looked twice at the celebration that seemed to happen every year. Alcohol was shared amongst the adults and children laughed as they ran down the streets, holding pinwheels and streamers in their hands.

Only one store was open, its lights brightly lit with a red peony lantern hanging by the doorway. The store clerk was a thin woman who watched all the men with a forlorn, almost longing look in her sunken eyes. She sighed and hurried off to assist a woman looking for more firecrackers.

High above them was the directory tower. The building and the windows were dark and almost mysterious, accentuated by the dark shadows of the night. A pretty woman pulled back the curtains slightly, peering over the exuberant crowd, before letting it cover her from sight.

"You know," she said, looking over her many red nails in boredom, "they're still wondering who we are. I don't think 'Rest Area' is going to cut it out."

"Pass me that, Jorogūmo," the blonde teen said, holding out his hand as he went through the paperwork.

"What?"

"The roster list. Behind you. Third shelf to your right."

The woman's face went blank as one of her eight hands reached for the thick folder, throwing it in the teen's hands. "Did you forget about our name policy?"

"I will call you Jorogūmo when we're alone," Naruto said, signing another paper. "Hiromi when we're with...the common people."

"You mean humans," Jorogūmo said, standing up. Her long kimono trailed behind her and she shifted a bundle in her arms. A dry smile graced her lips. "You are one of us, honey. There is no going back."

Naruto looked up at her with his red eyes, his expression blank and almost regretful. "I know. I don't need a daily reminder."

Jorogūmo shrugged, all of her arms raising as well. "I'm just saying. You're such a depressing sight." Two of her arms shifted through some files. "Anyway, have you received anything that's interesting?"

Naruto paused for a moment. He opened his drawer and took out a thick pamphlet. "I wouldn't call this interesting. We're not technically a shinobi village."

"That is true," Jorogūmo said, "but we do have potential to become one. Quite frankly, it'll be easy. Besides, we have a few candidates. Tayuya hates being sheltered in the hot springs all day. Don't you think it'll be better for a little fresh air for her?"

Naruto flipped through the thick pamphlet. "The Chuunin Exams are in Konoha. I cannot supervise anyone there and none of you can go with them. They'll eventually find out something's not right with all of you."

"It will be nothing major. Just a test."

"It will take a little over two months until it's over."

"Well, a vacation wouldn't hurt."

Naruto raised a brow. "Are you telling me to leave this place unsupervised?"

"I'm not your secretary for nothing," Jorogūmo said with an almost proud smile. "I already sent papers to the Shinobi Village Registry and received confirmation yesterday. We are officially a shinobi village."

"What?" Naruto said, standing up. "Why did you - "

"You forget that we demons love to have a little fun in a while."

"This isn't fun, this is suicide."

"Honey, we can't die," Jorogūmo said, waving him off. "Hmm, how does Kagegakure sound to you?"

Naruto rubbed the bridge of his nose. "Tell me you're joking."

"I'm not a comedian," Jorogūmo said, "nor am I a kitsune. You can't prevent Tayuya or any of the youngsters from achieving their dream, honey. You can keep your dreams but don't drag others from going for theirs."

Naruto sighed, running a hand through his hair. The cheers of the people didn't help with his mood. He bared his fangs and slowly sat down in his chair, his eyes glaring at the pamphlet. His eyes closed as he intertwined his hands in front of him.

"What did you say our village was called again?"

Jorogūmo smirked in triumph. "Kagegakure."

"Subtle," Naruto muttered. "If anything happens - "

"Don't worry, honey. I got it. Now go tell the others. It'll be best to leave tomorrow morning." One of her arms extended, holding a folder. She smiled. "I planned ahead. Go on now."

Naruto nearly snatched it from her hand. He stood up and vanished.

The hot springs weren't as full due to the little Kyuubi Festival everyone was celebrating. Though there were some elderly people bathing in the springs. It was located farther away from the center of the village and within the quietest district, much to Tayuya's relief. She couldn't stand loud noises or anything of the sort.

"Tayuya-chan!" a voice said.

Tayuya nearly shrieked when a woman appeared behind her, her waist stretched ridiculously as she floated in the air. "Fuck! Holy shit!"

The woman scowled, her dark eyes gleaming. "What did I say about that mouth of yours, Tayuya-chan?"

The red-head turned around and started to scrub the wooden floors profusely with her wet brush. "Well, why are you here then, um, Taka-Onna?"

The woman sighed, shaking her head. "It's Yori, Tayuya-chan. There are guests here, did you forget?"

"They're old asses," Tayuya mumbled, dunking her brush in the bucket. "Can't hear shit anyway."

"I didn't quite catch that," Taka-Onna said, stretching further. "What did you say?"

"Nothing!"

"Hmm, I thought so. Anyway, Naruto wants to see you."

Tayuya widened her eyes. "What?"

"I'm not repeating myself. There are other guests waiting. He's in the east wing. You'll be able to find him."

She retreated, her waist going back to her body at the reception desk. Seriously, no matter how many times that damn woman snuck up on her like that, it still creeped the hell out of her.

Tayuya immediately ran through the halls, picking up speed when the east wing came into view. She sensed Naruto's unique chakra and a few others as well before bolting through one of the doors.

Naruto was calmly sipping from a cup of tea, his posture straight and confident just like a few years ago when he saved her from the slave trade.

"Tayuya-chan," Kin said with a smile, patting the cushion seat next to her. "Over here."

Tayuya complied, sitting Indian-style rather than in a formal manner. "What's the matter?"

Naruto looked at all of them and then let out a small sigh. "I am sorry for everything that I've done."

Haku widened his eyes. "What are you saying, Naruto-sama? There is nothing that you did wrong."

Even Kimimaro, the usually calm individual amongst them, seemed a bit alarmed. "Naruto-sama, what do you mean?"

The blonde raised his hand. "No. There is." His eyes became serious. "I've heard of all of your progress as a shinobi from your mentors and..." He slightly faltered before speaking again. "I received news of the next Chuunin Exams, which will take place in Konoha."

Tayuya gaped at him. Is he saying what she thinks he's saying? Holy shit. Then that means...

"Jorogūmo registered us as a shinobi village," Naruto continued. "This means that we are able to participate in the exams. I came here to tell you of the news and wish to hear of what you all think."

"Hell yeah!" Tayuya said, her eyes burning with determination. "You don't know how long I waited for this shit to finally happen!"

Sai gave him an empty smile. "Tomato is right, Naruto-sama. I wish to see the many artoworks that Konoha is famous for as well."

"What the hell did you call me, dickhead?" Tayuya said, glaring at him.

"A tomato," was the blunt reply.

Kin quickly pulled Tayuya back. "Don't start another fight, Tayuya-chan. Calm down. It's nothing to get worked over."

"Fucking tomato," Tayuya mumbled under her breath, placing her chin on her hand. "I'm goin' to fucking castrate him."

"I would like to see what kind of perfumes they have there," Karin said, fixing her glasses before flushing in embarrassment and looking down at her lap. "If we can go..."

"If Naruto-sama wishes for us to go," Kimimaro said, "then I will go as well."

Haku's eyes were downcast as he fidgeted nervously. "It would be great to go, but...it still doesn't explain what you did wrong, Naruto-sama."

Everyone turned to him, their eyes curious.

"I kept you sheltered here," Naruto said. "You guys never got to experience the whole world. I was too afraid to lose all of you again so I kept you here selfishly." He looked at them with sad eyes. "But now...I have a chance to make things right. I will take you there along with your mentors tomorrow morning."

Tayuya and Kin looked at one another before a grin stretched on their lips. Finally, they can leave and go off into the world. It wasn't like they hated this place, no. This was their home; but the thought of seeing the world together like this was just thrilling.

Karin smiled. "I'm glad to hear that. But...isn't Chieko going to participate as well?"

Naruto frowned. "Yes. I forgot about that."

"Oh," Kin said. She smiled anyway. "It'll be alright, Naruto-sama. We'll be by your side all the way."

Haku and Kimimaro nodded determinedly.

"We'll never leave you, Naruto-sama," Haku said.

"If people say otherwise, I will not hesitate to kill them," Kimimaro said.

"That won't be necessary," Naruto said quickly.

Tayuya scowled. "It will be if they mess with us. They'll be in the fucking dirt before they say 'I'."

Sai smiled. "My paintings would love company."

Karin wiped her glasses with her shirt before putting them back on. "We might be cousins, but I won't hesitate to attack my own if it means for you, Onii-san."

Naruto looked at them with wide, disbelieving eyes. "You guys..." A smile stretched on his lips. "Thank you for understanding."

"Well," Kin said, "let's get packing."

A/N As you can see, Naruto's companions and friends are all demons from Japanese folktales and legends. Some of them will be altered to give more character and to suit the story, but will remain with their original layout.

Jorgūmo - "binding bride" or "whore spider". Known as a spider that can change its appearance into a seductive woman.

Taka-Onna - A female monster that can stretch its waist to peer inside buildings.

Kagegakure - Village Hidden in the Shadows

There will be no pairings with Naruto in the story. Maybe the other characters will but not him.

Hopefully you enjoyed it! Thank you for reading!

See you in the next chapter.