Sealing Twilight

by Kyoto141092

Naruto has just returned from his two year training trip with Jiraiya, but what happens when he finds himself stuck with someone he thought had died. One thing is for sure... he's gonna need earplugs... or lots and lots of ducktape. - Naruto X Tayuya Fluff/lemons later on.

2. Chapter 1 - Spark

Hiya! Kyoto back with the next chapter of Sealing Twilight... and the plot thickens...

So I put up a poll for about a week... and it'll stay up until I change my mind, but unless a significant group of people want otherwise, I'm making this a single girl fic. It's what I originally planned. The secondary girl was simply to add some drama and add to the theme of rebuilding the Uzumaki clan.

So without further incoherent ramblings here you go.

(I don't own any part of Naruto) sucks don't it, this would make a great branch of anime...

Chapter 1

Tayuya sat to the left of Tsunade two days later. All of her injuries, both major and minor had been healed. She felt physically perfect, but... mentally she was balanced on the edge of a razor. Not long after Naruto had left... Perhaps an hour later, Danzo had appeared in her room. She would never forget his intricate and detail descriptions of what would happen to her should Naruto choose not to marry her.

It didn't bear thinking about. And then the day before this one, Tsunade had come with the head of the Yamanaka clan to speak with her. It had ended... fairly well she supposed. Tsunade had asked what her choice would be. For obvious reasons she said that she would rather marry Naruto.

Tsunade explained that the wedding would be... different from others (nonexistent). In the legal sense they would be married, but the rest of the village wouldn't know. To all outward appearances she would just be living with Naruto. It would only be made official at such a time when she became pregnant, or if Naruto decided to make it known.

However... Tsunade told her that she would not be leaving the hospital to live with Naruto until Inoichi assured her that she wouldn't try to escape or harm anyone in the Leaf. She had promised that she wouldn't and Inoichi had proceeded to delve into her thoughts, looking for false feelings. Any other time she would have Mind-screamed him out of her head, but she forced herself to stay calm. Even as the blond man rifled through her life and thoughts like a skilled jeweler looking through gem stones.

In the end it was determined that she was telling the truth. Tsunade said that the rest would be explained at the clan meeting the following day.

So here she was... waiting. Everyone was here except for Asuma who was need for a mission. Also Danzo hadn't bothered to hide his presence this time. His icy stare was very much clear to the rest of the room.

And yet again... they were waiting for Naruto. She wondered if he was always this late.

Then the door to the meeting room opened and there was Naruto. Everyone reacted to him in different ways. Most were simply shocked by his appearance. Kakashi chuckled, relieved that Naruto was up to his usual antics.

Tsunade blinked her shock away. Naruto was wearing the tattered remains of his jacket. His pants were filled with holes and every thread on his person as badly singed. However... his skin wasn't even scratched. There was soot in his hair, which he ruffled as he walked forward.

Chozen asked, "Naruto... what happened to you. It looks as though you were hit with an explosive tag."

Naruto stuck his finger in his ear and twisted it around, "Sorry... what was that? My ears are still ringing a bit. Honestly, your guys have like the worst timing in history. Good thing I'm more durable than your ANBU messenger. He's out cold."

Tsunade inquired, "You were training I take it? With what?"

He scratched the back of his head nervously, "Nothing really, just a new jutsu I'm working on. It tends to blow up in my face when I get distracted. Anyway..."

Naruto sat down at the close end of the table looking towards Tayuya. He asked, "You better now?"

She nodded curtly, "I'm fine, idiot."

He raised one eyebrow, "Ok... well Granny, should we pick up where we left off or are things pretty much settled?"

Chozen and Hiashi shared a look, "Did something drastic happen while we were gone? Has the matter been closed?"

Tsunade shook her head saying, "Naruto has agreed to marry Tayuya as asked. She has also agreed to the arrangement, granted that her record is wiped clean and no negative actions are taken towards her from now on. Also, she has made it clear that she doesn't wish to become a home bound wife. She wishes for the chance to become a Leaf village Shinobi sometime in the future."

She turned to Inoichi, "Inoichi has searched her mind and finds no traces of deceit. She will move in with Naruto as a roommate for now. When the time comes that she is with child or Naruto wants it to be official then they will move to the old Uzumaki embassy. It will be renovated in expectation of that time. Naruto has asked that he be allowed to apply for the Clan Restoration act as part of the deal."

Hiashi nodded, "A wise decision. But as I have been told by my daughter Hinata, you live in a very small apartment. Is there room for two people to live in such a cramped space? Especially since I doubt she will be leaving your apartment for the first few weeks. Others will need to be alerted of this proceeding's result before she is seen in public."

Naruto sighed, "I have enough money to buy a bigger place, but I've been gone for the better part of two years. I'm used to having very little space to myself. It's up to her how she feels about it."

Danzo muttered, "You are surprisingly welcoming to an enemy ninja. I did not expect you to consider her wishes important."

There was a murmur of agreement around the table. Naruto gave Danzo a dirty look, "Cut the crap Gramps. I'm not like you and ever will be. I have friends in every secret village. Actual friends. I'm not going to mistreat her just because she used to be an enemy. Besides, there's no point for her to try and hurt me so why hurt her?"

Kakashi coughed, "Well, As the leader of Squad 7 I must say that we are currently shorthanded. I wouldn't usually suggest letting an enemy nin join a squad until they'd proved themselves loyal to the village... but Inoichi says that she's safe enough. I can have her on Squad 7 as a way to earn some trust."

Tsunade shook her head, "Not yet Kakashi. Maybe another time. For now she needs to adjust to the village. I suspect it will be harder than she thinks." She turned to Naruto. "I'll ask again. Are you sure you are ok with this. After all, you are only 16. Most Shinobi don't marry until their early twenties."

Naruto grinned, "Yeah, well most shinobi aren't Jinchuriki either. And I don't know many who trained with the Toad Sage. I've never been cut out for normal. So... I still haven't mastered my new technique, so could we hurry this up. It's not like we're exchanging vows are we, cause I'm not sure that I could do that without it getting awkward."

By Tsunade, Tayuya said, "You can all forget about wedding vows. I ain't saying any of that shit to him even if we're married."

There was a rustle of cloth and Danzo drew forth a scroll. He bent forward and placed it in front of Tayuya. He said, "Sigh your name at the bottom girl, next to the symbol."

She obliged and the scroll was passed down the table to Naruto. Danzo gestured to him, "Sign just above hers."

He did so and passed it back around to Tsunade. The Hokage signed it quickly and blew the ink dry. She nodded to Danzo, "This is done. Take it and process it."

The older man nodded and left the room. Naruto would have swore he saw a smug smile on Danzo's face. It left him with a sour feeling that wouldn't immediately go away. He looked to Tsunade, "Anything else?"

"Yes Naruto, don't be so impatient. There are a few things that need to be attended to. First of all, your mother was the last head of the Uzumaki clan. She sealed dozens of important documents and items away for a time when her descendants might need them. They need to be taken from the village vault and sorted through. You're the only one who can do it unfortunately. I have slight traces of Uzumaki blood, but not enough to activate the seals."

Hiashi asked, "Just how large an inheritance does he have from his mother? As I recall she tended to save everything she made. There should be a large estate."

Tsunade pulled out a document from her sleeve. "This is a short record of the general contents of the inheritance from Kushina Uzumaki. It shows only the basics though. Pass this to Naruto."

Naruto took the scroll as Hiashi handed it to him. He opened it. His eyes scanned down a long list of items till he came to the figure at the bottom. "Holy Fuck!"

"She had a king's ransom in money... You'll never lack for funds it seems."

"You got that right! Hey, why didn't you tell me about this? You should have known. Wasn't my mom your last container?"

"Yes, but she always kept me tightly bound. Her chakra was particularly dense and strange. I was always under the tightest of bindings with her. I rarely saw what was going on outside."

"Oh... well, still, I've never seen so many zeros before... I guess this is from like the whole clan right?"

"I suspect it 's compensation to the Uzumaki clan from the Leaf village. You remember what I told you about the destruction of the Uzumaki clan."

"Yeah..."

"Hm... I suspect this isn't a good time to bring it up."

"You're probably right about that."

Tsunade asked, "Something wrong Naruto?" He blinked as he looked down the scroll.

"Actually... this doesn't make sense. There's a bunch of numbers here for something. They're not locations are they?"

There was a moment of silence before the head of the Aburame clan spoke, "They are most likely the designation for specific jutsu in the Forbidden scroll of the village. Jutsu invented by the Uzumaki."

Naruto's eyes widened for a second, "Cool... so there must be some pretty awesome moves to learn huh? I got to look into that stuff since I just started working on sealing jutsu. Hm... what is this right here? A deed to a house on the north end of the village?"

Tsunade nodded, "That is also part of the inheritance, but it isn't available to you yet. Certain requirements need to be met. And before you ask, no, I can't tell you what those are."

He continued down the list, noting things that he didn't understand. It seemed like either his mother or the clan had own lots of stuff in the village. Most of this was rented out already... "Maybe that's where all this money is from. If the Uzumaki clan owned all this property and was renting it out to people, then it's been collecting money for the last...I don't know how many years."

Naruto put down the scroll, "Ok... lots of stuff. I had no clue there was this much. Pervy Sage told me that Mom had some inheritance for me after I turned sixteen, but I never knew it was... well... so much." He scratched the back of his head, "But on another topic... uh, If Tayuya is staying at my apartment, then it's going to be a problem."

Glancing at Shikaku, who had yet to speak so far, Naruto said. "The thing is that Shikamaru and me have been hanging out a lot lately. And he's about the most observant person I know besides Kakashi sensei. He'd recognize her the second he saw her. Then there would be a huge mess and the whole village would know. Not to mention my other friends stopping by. Sakura is always coming to try and drag me to some lame mission. I'm pretty sure she'd blow something important if she saw Tayuya there."

Shikaku sighed, "I understand that. Effective immediately all of the Shinobi are to be informed of her presence. Those who know her will be advised of her status. Those who don't will be told that she is your girlfriend. Not such a big lie since you're technically married as of five minutes ago."

He looked to Tayuya, "Are you prepared to do some acting when required to keep up the illusion until it is no longer needed?"

She glared at him, her expression and body language showing instant anger, "Yes."

Tayuya turned her gaze on Naruto, "Don't get any bright idea's Uzumaki!"

He let a smirk cross his lips, "You don't need to tell me that. I already know you're an antisocial paranoid."

Tayuya looked like she'd been slapped. Her cheeks flushed red in both anger and embarrassment. She shouted, "SHUT UP!"

Naruto asked Tsunade, "What about the details on why she's here and where she came from. It's not like I can just say, Hello everyone, meet my girlfriend Tayuya. Don't bother asking about her past. She doesn't have one." He glanced at her. "I mean... it's going to seem really sudden. I ever exactly had any.. eh girlfriends before so..."

Tsunade groaned, "Arg... yes Naruto, we're still working on that. For now she needs to stay at your apartment and have minimum contact with others. I hope you can deal with that accordingly. And don't leave her unattended all day either. You have a bad habit of being so completely engrossed in your training that you forget to eat or sleep."

He cringed, remembering the week he'd spent mastering Rasengan. Almost no food or rest for days. "I guess you're right. Will someone drop by with the details or do I need to bring her to Hokage tower to be briefed?"

Shikaku said, "Someone will stop by with her back-story. We're not sure how long it is possible to keep this a secret. But it should be simple once the right parties have been informed."

Naruto felt relieved at that. Perhaps it wouldn't be as much of a pain as he thought it would, but then again. He had a feeling that Tayuya and his small apartment was a potentially explosive combination. "She is pretty aggressive like Sakura and she's got an even bigger mouth... Makes me wonder if we could possibly get along. Especially after that argument back in the hospital."

Taking a deep breath he looked around again, gauging the looks he was getting from the various clan leaders. It was slightly unnerving knowing that rank wise, he was on par with them now. "It's almost the same as a sudden promotion to Jonin just because I got older."

Naruto let out his breath. "Anything else?"

Tsunade nodded, "A few things left. Then you can go..."

ooo

ooo

Tayuya looked around Naruto's apartment. It was indeed small, but no smaller than her room in Orochimaru's base had been. And it was larger than the room carved into the base of the tree. That had been almost closet sized.

But that wasn't the problem she had with it. The problem was the blond who had taken a seat on the bed. He looked at her warily, suspicion in his eyes. She ignored him for a moment and stepped around the room. A dresser with clothes, some ninja gear on top of it. Another by on window had a large scroll set out on its surface. She thought it looked like a summoning scroll.

There was another window by the bed. It had a couple pictures on it. One was of Squad 7. Naruto and Sasuke were glaring at each other over a pink haired girl's head. Kakashi Hatake stood over them with a hand on their heads.

Beside that was another picture. This one showed Naruto, a bit older, with the Toad Sage. Her attention was caught by the third one. It was a distance shot. Naruto could be seen sitting on top of the Fourth Hokage's monument. From the perspective it looked like it had been taken from the roof of the Hokage's tower.

She glanced at Naruto and back at the picture. Something puzzled at the back of her mind, nagging her, like phantom itch. Tayuya turned away from the pictures. Naruto was watching her carefully. His deep blue eyes curious, but still edgy.

She asked, "What? You were so damned sure of yourself back in the meeting room. What the fuck happened? You look nervous now."

He shrugged easily, "Nothing, just wondering is all."

"About what?"

He blinked, "You're a bit nosy. Fine. I was wondering if you're planning on trying to escape. Or do something else stupid. You act smart, but sometimes you say stuff that doesn't make any sense. And after signing that contract, we're pretty much stuck living together. Permanently... So I guess I was really wondering what kind of person you were."

Tayuya straightened, "Well. I guess that it would probably be nice if I told you about me. But there isn't much to tell. Besides, I still don't think you really care. You're just pretending to be concerned so you can get what you want. That's how the world works. Orochimaru was no different. And neither is your Hokage. They both say nice things so they can fuck you over later. Orochimaru abandoned me even though he would have known that I didn't die since I still have my curse mark."

She sneered. "You want something from me, which is why you agreed to something that inconveniences you. I just haven't figured out what your twisted idea is. Or what is has to do with me."

Naruto smirked, "You're more paranoid than anyone I've ever met. Well... actually there are a few people who were worse than you, but it' a small number." He stood and leaned in close, "You need to figure out that some people don't have any horrible plans hidden away."

"And you don't?"

Naruto shook his head, "I have goals. First I want to get Sasuke back. I made a promise to Sakura-chan to bring him home. And then I want to become Hokage so I can protect everyone I've come to know as friends. That's my main goal. It's what I live for."

She gave him a questioning look. "How does helping me get you closer to becoming Hokage?"

"Simple. It doesn't. If I think about it, it's probably hurting me. Since I'm putting so much time in to keeping you from Danzo and the village, I might not have as much time to train or go on missions. And I'm sure that it's going to be a hassle as soon as my friends find out about you."

Tayuya glared at him, "SO!? WHY HELP ME?!"

He cringed a bit at the volume. "Hey, listen my ears are a bit sensitive ok! Don't shout so much! It's giving me a headache."

She threw her hands in the air, exasperated. "Damn it. Why are you doing this?! I don't believe that it's out of the kindness of your heart. This is the Shinobi world, the age of the Ninja. People don't do that shit."

Naruto's eyes flashed as he lost his temper. His palm connected with her cheek. The harsh sting taking her completely by surprise. His voice was almost a growl as he griped her shoulder painfully.

"Listen Tayuya! I'm not your damned enemy. I am trying to help you because you were taken advantage of. You've probably lived through hell for as long as you can remember. I lived through the same. This entire village hated me. Most of the people still think I'm an uncontrollable monster."

He closed his eyes which were starting to burn with the anger flaring up inside him. His chest was beginning to hurt too.

"I want to help people, to prove I'm not the same as the demon inside me. You... you are someone I can help. So... stop insulting me for trying!"

Naruto released her quickly and turned around. His heart was beating too fast. His chakra was erratic, even his breath was coming out as a purr. He hurriedly stepped into the bathroom and looked in the mirror. "That's right... Pervy Sage loosened the seal. When I get angry.. or stressed out, my chakra mixes with the Kyuubi's. Damn it. Now Tayuya's going to be freaked out."

His eyes were a murderous crimson, so deep that blood might have been lighter in color. "Darker than an Uzumaki's hair... It's no wonder Sensei almost pissed himself after opening the seal too much. I look evil."

Naruto gazed into the angry eyes of his reflection. He'd never seen himself in a mirror right after drawing on the power of the Kyuubi. It was... scary... Even as he watched the red faded, draining out of his iris until only blue remained. A moment later the slit pupil opened.

In the door way Tayuya said, "You looked like a demon just now. Does that happen all the time?"

He glanced back at her, "Sometimes. Not often. Depends on how stressed I am. Almost killed the Toad Sage when he pissed me off during training. I see you're not scared. That's good for me I guess. I don't have to worry about you going ballistic on me."

She tilted her head, seeming curious. "Would you kill me if I made you too angry?"

He chuckled, "Probably. Even though I trained to two years, I still have no control. Just to warn you Tayuya... if you ever see me grow a tail that looks like it's made of red chakra... you'd better run."

"Why?"

Naruto smiled at her, "Cause that's when I really lose control. It's only happened a couple times, but there isn't a whole lot that can get in my way when it happens. And..." He looked back at his reflection. "... if you see more than one tail... you'll probably die anyway."

Tayuya asked a bit puzzled, "And why not say, fuck the village? You're strong enough to do what you want right? If the village hates you then you should make them fear your power. Kill a few of them and they'd leave you alone. And if you were strong enough, you could do whatever the hell you wanted."

He turned back to her and stepped close. He prodded her hard in the chest. "Because. That's not my ninja way. I protect my friends and I'm loyal to my village. The Fourth Hokage sealed the Ninetails in me for a reason. I'm the one who has to master it's power. Once I do that, I can defend the village from anyone who tries to harm it. Then the village will stop hating me and start respecting me."

He moved around her and back into the main room. He looked around at the small chamber. A thought occurred to him. He glanced back at Tayuya. She caught the look. He seemed to be mulling something over. After a moment he made a quick handsign and a plume of smoke enveloped him. As it cleared she saw three clones. They nodded to their master before leaving the apartment.

Naruto groaned and dropped back on the bed.

She moved back into the room with her arms crossed. She wanted to know where he'd sent the clones but figured he wouldn't tell her. It was making her uneasy that he kept up the act of being a kind person. Jinchuriki weren't nice people. Sure they had it rough. Even rougher than she'd had it. But they were still shitty people. Everyone knew that. Having the demon inside turned them into hair trigger maniacs where were just as likely to kill you as look at you.

It reminded her of Jugo from the far northern hideout that Orochimaru maintained near Kumo. That man was a crazed lunatic and he wasn't even an Jinchuriki.

The fact that Naruto had the Kyuubi inside him. The biggest, strongest, most evil of the demons... it proved that he was trying to pull something over on her. Some deception that she was either to slow or to ignorant to notice. "I'll just have to wait and see what happens. But after that little outburst... Kami knows I'm not going to try and piss him off. I don't have a death wish."

When she looked down at him again, his eyes were closed. "Did he fall asleep? Who does he think I am? He can't be that trusting..."

Tayuya glanced around for some place to sit down... and saw none. The bed was the only place to rest besides the floor. She gritted her teeth. "So that's the game right now... If I want to sleep, It'll be on the floor or with.. him. And he told me he wasn't a fucking pervert. Like I could believe him."

She moved to the other side of the room and sat down. Her eyes still focused on the blond. He looked asleep, but... he probably wasn't. In her mind she guessed that he was waiting for her to go and sit on the bed. Or even lay down with him. The narrow bed would have just barely enough room for them both to fit without touching. And that was if one of them laid on their side.

Irritation crept into her mind as she watched him doze. It was ticking her off more and more every minute.

Just then there was a knock at the door. Naruto's eyes opened and he bolted out of bed. Tayuya's shout was stifled by a hand as he hustled her into the bathroom. He didn't speak, but put a finger to his lips, signaling silence.

Then the door shut. She cursed him mentally, but stayed silent. She pressed her ear to the door, hoping to catch some of the conversation.

ooo

She heard the door open, followed by an overenthusiastic greeting.

"Naruto! My rival! It is time that we fight, for you have prolonged our... long awaited match long enough! I long to meet you is Youthful Combat!"

Tayuya sweat-dropped at the challenge. "This guy sounds like a complete looser."

Naruto's reply was somewhat less than energetic, "Sorry Bushybrows, but I can't spar right now. Maybe another time."

"Aw... But Naruto! You have returned from two years training with the legendary Jiraiya! You should be shouting your readiness to test your metal!"

Naruto said, "Not now Lee. I can't train or spar. I have other stuff to do... Ok?"

"Fine, but when you are free, you must fight with me! I will see you soon my fearsome rival!"

Naruto sounded slightly aggrieved, "Yeah, sure..."

The door closed with a snap. A moment later the door to the bathroom opened. Naruto apologized, "Sorry about that. Lee gets out of hand. But at least he didn't kick in the door like he usually does."

Tayuya spared him an annoyed look, "You have weird friends... or should I say mentally unstable."

He agreed, "Yeah, most of us have something crazy going on. Lee is a training lunatic. Tenten, his team mate is crazy about weapons... and Neji Hyuuga. You've met him I think. He has no social skills and is over polite to the point that he's rude."

She didn't know what to think about his easy acceptance of them. She asked, "How can you stand being around them?"

"How can I stand being around you? You're louder than Lee, more foul mouthed than Sakura, and even more insulting than Neji... and you aren't polite at all. The only think I like about your personality is that you're blunt. At least I don't have to worry about you saying something you don't mean."

She smacked him upside the head.

"Hey!? What was that for?!"

She sneered, "What do you think?"

He rubbed the side of his head saying, "I think you take things too seriously and you can't take what you dish out. You keep insulting me and my friends, but you get mad when I tell you how you act. I should be asking what you're thinking."

Naruto turned away from her, "If you want to sleep on the bed instead of on the floor, try being a bit nicer."

Tayuya steamed and shouted, "Why would I want to sleep with you!?"

He moved to take his place on the bed again, "I'm not asking you to sleep with me. What do you think I sent the clones for? I told them to go buy a bed that we can fit in the cornet once I move the dresser. And the other one was going to get you the usual stuff. Ya know... Toothbrush, toothpaste, hairbrush... etc..."

She blinked in surprise. "You really sent them out to do that?"

He glanced at her, "Do I have to keep telling you, I'm helping you. And because of that you are living in my apartment. It would be rude if I didn't at least get you a bed of your own. Besides you'd probably attack me if I suggested using the same gear for cleaning and stuff."

Tayuya smirked, "You're not as stupid as I thought."

He closed his eyes and said sarcastically, "Thanks for the compliment."

ooo

ooo

Later that night Tayuya lay in her own bed. Listening to the sound of Naruto sleeping. She didn't like him... not one bit, but she respected him slightly more now than she had that morning. He was considerate at least. Not something people generally were towards her.

And... confusing. His motivations didn't match up with how he'd been treated by the village. Anyone who had suffered the scorn of their entire village like that... didn't just turn around and want to be the hero. It made her blood boil thinking about it. If she were Naruto... this place would be only slightly better off than it would have been if Orochimaru succeeded in destroying it.

Everything about Naruto was a mystery. She was stuck wondering... did he really have something up his sleeve... or was he just unhinged. "I don't know which one I prefer. If he's just plotting something then he's normal. Everyone deceives others and tries to get what they want... any way they can. I couldn't hate him for being normal. But on the other hand... if he is actually a... good guy... And he's doing this just because he doesn't want to see me suffer... I can't hate him for that either. Fuck! I can't justify being pissed at him either way!?"

She rolled over, looking across the room at him. He looked... handsome. At least when he wasn't wearing orange. She didn't like that color very much. To garish. She like red, purples, and blues. Orange was... tacky. Something else she might have liked about him was his smile. He seemed to smile a lot, but it always looked fake to her.

Something she had to admit though... he was tall. It was a bit strange. His height must have been from his father. Tsunade said his mother was an Uzumaki... and Uzumaki tended to be on the small side, like her. He had the rounded face of an Uzumaki and the eyes. Unlike hers he had the rich blue that looked like the sea after a storm.

"Shit! What am I thinking about!?

She rolled on her back, unable to believe what she had just been doing. "I was doing some sort of girlish inventory of his looks... Fuck, I not some damned fangirl to go admiring beauty! Shit, Damn, fuck! He's messing with my head!"

Tayuya forced her eyes closed and willed herself to sleep.

ooo

ooo

Naruto yawned mightily. Light steamed through the window over his face as he stretched. He sniffed the air and froze. His keen sense of smell picked up a strange flowery scent. And mixed in with it was another slightly musky one.

He sat up quickly and slipped off the bed, wondering what it could possibly be. Naruto halted at the bathroom door. The sound of movement clicked something in his mind. A prickling sensation on the back of his neck... his body's warning of imminent danger, signaled the door's opening.

The bathroom door swung open and he was face to face... or near as he could be with the height difference, with Tayuya. She had put on the clothes she was wearing the day before, but her hair was damp. A towel was wrapped around her head, keeping the wet hair off her neck.

Naruto registered her expression as it changed from calm to wrathful.

TWACK!

Tayuya's hand chopped into a pillow as Naruto substituted with the one on his bed.

Her eyes went wide a second before she was engulfed in white down feathers. She thrashed for a moment as they descended to the floor. Naruto watched as the hale of white cleared.

Tayuya glared at him. All of her exposed skin, which was still damp, was now covered in feathers. She pushed out her lower lip and blew hard, clearing some of the fluff that clung to her face.

Naruto guessed that it probably wouldn't do any good, but he said it anyway. "Sorry Tayuya."

She removed her towel from around her head and used it to wipe the annoying down off her face and arms. She kept her frosty glare on his the whole time. When she was done she moved to her own bed and sat down.

He noted that she didn't look very... rested. There were dark circles under eyes and he was sure that she hadn't slept the night before. Seeing how her bed was an even greater mess than his. In addition to that she continued to radiate anger at him, as though she were trying to burn holes with her gaze alone.

Naruto looked away from her and to the savaged remains of his pillow. He quickly made a shadow clone. The copy cleaned up the mess and disappeared in a puff of smoke. A few minutes passed before he muttered, "Good morning... not."

She made no move to remove her weighty gaze from him. He was starting to feel like an ant under a magnifying glass.

Eventually he felt compelled to break the mood.

"Listen, I don't know what is wrong with you but could you STOP staring at me like that. It's starting to get to me."

She smiled.

Naruto groaned, irritated, "Ok, we are not going to get along if you are trying to goad me into getting angry. If you want me lose it and beat the shit out of you go ahead and mess with me."

Tayuya smirked, "Maybe I'm just getting revenge."

"On what?!"

She shrugged, "Nothing."

Naruto growled, "What did I do to you since yesterday? Are you staring me down because you walked out at the wrong time and got feathered? Or are you trying to claim that you're getting revenge for me buying you a bed and everything. Cause if you want to sleep on the floor that bad I'll take your bed and put it next to mine and sleep real good."

Tayuya shrugged, "It's for keeping me up all night,"

He shouted, "I DO NOT SNORE!"

"And what if I say you do?"

"Then you'd be lying!"

Tayuya demanded, "And how would you know if you snore or not? You're the one sleeping!"

ooo

Kakashi watched them argue for the better part of ten minutes. Both of them getting louder and louder until it became unbearable. He rapped the window frame with one metal backed glove, alerting them to his presence.

"Well. You two certainly get along well for newlyweds. Tell me, How's the honeymoon going?"

Both of them froze. Naruto asked, slightly horrified, "How long have you been there Kakashi sensei?"

The Jonin said bluntly, "About ten minutes."

Tayuya looked mortified. Naruto decided to pretend that nothing happened. He let his shoulders relax. "What did you need sensei?"

Kakashi scratched his chin thoughtfully. "Well, I was just passing along some info Naruto. The clan leaders agreed that it would be simpler if all the Konoah twelve were told the truth about her. Seeing how close you all are already. In addition to that most of the Jonin in the village will be told. The vast majority of them already know about the incident with lord Third. Tayuya might not be immediately recognized, but it would only be a matter of time."

He turned his head to look at Tayuya, "On another note, Lady Tsunade wants to see you later this week once you're adjusted here. You're rather lucky. The Hokage trusts Naruto enough that she rejected Danzo's proposal to put a chakra seal on you."

Tayuya glance at Naruto, though she offered no thanks. Naruto asked, "Anything else? Like a cover story for the people we don't tell about her?"

Kakashi said, "Nope, Not yet. You'll have to wait on that. Skikaku is working on it thought, so you probably won't have to wait too long. Anyway, Sakura will be stopping by with some measuring tools since Tayuya here can't just go out and buy ones that fit. Try not to get injured Naruto!"

With that the Jonin vanished, leaving his disgruntled student to fend for himself.

ooo

Naruto sighed loudly and let himself drop limply into his bed. Tayuya raised her eyebrow. She was curious about who this Sakura was. Some girl that Naruto didn't get along with? She didn't know, but if there was a chance she could take advantage of the situation... she would. The only question was… could she get answers out of Naruto without him figuring out what her game was?

"So ... Naruto. Who is this Sakura?"

He grumbled. A girl with pink hair from my own squad. She's obsessive over Sasuke and probably is going try to kill you, me, or both of us." Naruto rolled over to looked at her, "Seeing how you were partly responsible for Sasuke escaping. She won't take kindly to that. I just hope they explain things to her before she shows up and sees you. Otherwise I'll be stuck as her punching bag while I try to talk her down."

Tayuya smirked, "You let some girl wail on you like that? Aren't you a Jinchuriki? I'd think you could handle your own team." It crossed her mind that Naruto was the kind of boy who would let a girl beat on him. The whole nice guy routine had disadvantages too.

Naruto grimaced, "Yeah, but she's a lot like you. Loud mouthed and easy to set off."

She growled, "Watch it kid!"

"Kid? Is that the best insult you could come up with? Surely you can do better Ta-yu-ya..."

Leaping at Naruto she brought her fist in line to plow through his head. Naruto didn't move like she expected him to. His brought up one hand and caught her wrist easily. His blue eyes burned into her for a moment before he let her go.

"Sorry, but Sakura-chan is an expert in chakra manipulation and she can barely scratch me half the time. Without enhancing your strength you won't be able to touch me. My body is naturally more durable and stronger than yours. As you said, I'm a Jinchuriki and an Uzumaki. And, I don't really like getting hit, so don't try it."

He shifted and looked up at the ceiling. "You're still treating me like an enemy. But I'll keep trying to be friends with you as long as you don't hurt any of my friends. You're safe as long as we get along."

Tayuya crossed her arms. "I'm not interested in being your friend. I chose this rout because it was the best course. That doesn't mean I have to like it... or you for that matter."

Naruto closed his eyes slowly, "Yeah? Well, it wasn't your choice. It was mine. I was just being nice when I asked how you felt. If you're not my friend then you'll never be friends with anyone else. And if you have no friends and you're trapped in a house all the time... it's no better than prison is it? You might be clever, but Orochimaru never taught you how to accept things did he? That's part of your curse mark too. When you get angry you can draw out the curse's power to increase your strength..."

He let a smirk cross his face, "What is the point of living if you aren't happy?"

She stepped back from him. "So... you really have no plan to take advantage of me as soon as I let my guard down?!" Tayuya already knew he wasn't that kind of person. Even if he was a pervert, it was easy enough to figure out he wasn't that kind of pervert. What bothered her is what else he could have planned for her.

Naruto said, "I might be a deep thinker sometimes, but I'm not a schemer like some people. If I wanted to take advantage of you... I would."

"Oh... and, by the way, just so you know..."

"What?"

She started as a wave of foreboding washed over her. Naruto's body language seemed to change in an instant. He sat up and looked at her. Tayuya was taken aback by his eyes. The warm blue was gone, turned cold. His gaze was predatory and reptilian. "If you want me to be the bad guy... I can totally play that role. It's not hard."

Tayuya shivered violently and turned around. For a moment he looked just like Orochimaru. That gaze that saw only what it wanted and desired power. Naruto's warmth had flooded out of him, leaving... hate. "Why do I feel so weak right now? He just looked at me?!"

"Tayuya."

She hesitantly cast her eyes towards him. "Y...yes..?"

"Do you want to live with nice Naruto... or not nice Naruto? Your choice Tayuya. But you need to know. I'm not going to switch back and forth once you decide."

He laid back down. "You don't have to choose now. I'll give you a chance to think it over."

Tayuya could hear that his voice had changed. It was deeper, but lacking in emotion. It was cold, like his eyes. Eyes that might have matched the demon inside him. Another shiver... chill as a mountain peak in midwinter, rushed up her spine. She shuddered and rubbed at her skin. Goozebumps had broken out all over. "I remember this... It's just like when Orochimaru would get pissed at us... Oh fuck... this is way worse. Is he.. is this how he is all the time and just hiding it? shit..."

It was almost like the temperature had dropped, making her skin crawl. Her damn hair felt as though it was freezing to her scalp and the back of her neck. She hurried to her bed and sat down. Her eyes darted to where Naruto was lying with his eyes closed. He seemed so calm... still, but his presence... it was like a panther crouching. Waiting for the moment she showed any weakness.

She knew she was showing just that. "I.. can't...breathe..." Tayuya clutched at her chest, trying to force air through her frozen lungs.

ooo

ooo

Naruto lay still, allowing himself to fall into a deep trance. He heard the Kyuubi speaking to him as if from a great distance.

"Naruto... you're going to knock her unconscious if you keep this up."

"And... so?"

Kurama recoiled at the hate frozen in Naruto answer. This was not like Naruto at all. This side to the blond boy who's mind he called home. This part of him was... dangerous. "She is not strong Naruto. You could kill her eventually. Tone down the killing intent before she has a heart attack."

"Why?"

The fox felt his fur stand on end. Fear... an uncommon emotion to him, bit into his essence. Kurama hoped that he would never see this side on his container again. His voice rumbled with urgency, "Stop Naruto... you are starting to cause her pain."

"You didn't answer my question. Why should I stop? She wanted to see the real me."

"This isn't the real you."

"So says the one who would take over my mind and rip the village apart."

"JUST STOP!"

"Make me Kurama."

The demon stilled. There it was... for the second time. Naruto had used a name that had not been given to him.

"You will not forgive yourself for it later."

"Fine... weakling girl. And she's one of the last Uzumaki... I guess It would be a waste."

ooo

Tayuya gasped in relief as the killing pressure left her in a rush. She felt stiff and sore. And an ache had settled behind her eyes. She forced herself to sit up. Naruto... was looking at her out of the corner of his eye. They remained cold, but the crushing hand around her heart had vanished.

"What... was... that?"

Naruto looked bored. "It was too easy to do. You're an Uzumaki. I expected you to be stronger. But I expected too much."

She paled. "That was a test?!"

He smiled and she had to look away from him. It was like the Shinigami's smile. Naruto said bluntly, "I did it because I wanted to. Though it was a test of sorts."

Tayuya glanced at him and thankfully his smile was gone. "What... were you testing?"

Naruto slipped out of bed and walked towards her. The temperature seemed to plummet as he closed the distance between them. He looked down at her. "There are only two reasons for the clans to have you marry me. The first is to keep you out of Danzo's hands. The second it to get you pregnant with Uzumaki children. And really... that's the main one. They might have morals, but when it comes down to it, you're only a womb on legs to the village."

"You see the original Uzumaki clan didn't even live in the land of Fire. They existed in their own small nation between this country and the Land of Water. So the clan heads really were excited to have the opportunity to reinstall the clan inside the village. So as soon as Sasuke Uchiha is brought back, they'll have three legendary clans in a single village. Sounds tempting doesn't it?"

He pushed forward till his face was inches from her. His breath hissed out and his pupils seemed to expand. "I want to know... are you worth my time?"

His hand shot out fast as a striking serpent. His fingers curled around her arm. His voice purred out, "I could take you now and not have to worry about it. I'm sure Danzo won't turn his nose up at one kid. And Tsunade will be a perfect grandmother to it."

Naruto leaned into her, one hand scratching up her side, eliciting a gasp as his fingers grew claws which raked her skin through her clothes. He asked, "Well? Are you a worthy mate? Or should I find a girl with a better constitution. I might even find someone who didn't have such a foul mouth."

His calculating gaze took in her own, "Fact is, you might be one of the last Uzumaki alive. There's a good possibility that you're the last female. So that gives you a bit of worth. The Uzumaki clan's ability to master Fuinjutsu was legendary even among the Senju… and they were the ones who made it a viable ninja art. Our children could probably surpass the Fourth Hokage in talent."

He smirked and brought his face close to her own, "Well… nothing to say?"

Tayuya yanked free and leapt off the bed. Naruto's lips twisted into a feral grin. She backed away till her back was against the door. Naruto shrugged and returned to his bed.

The terrified girl kept her back against the door until her heart slowed enough to breathe properly. She vowed not to ask another question until Naruto went back to normal. "If he does..."

ooo

oooooo

ooo

The door to Tsunade's office slammed shut. The Hokage looked up at her student as she slid down the wooden surface to rest on the floor. Pink hair in disarray with a bag under her arm, Sakura looked like she had just stumbled out of a horror movie.

Alarmed, Tsunade stood and quickly moved to her side. Sakura's breath was erratic and her fair skin had gone a deathly white.

"Sakura! What happened?!"

Her apprentice looked up at her. Sakura's green eyes were wide with fear. "S...something is...wrong... with Naruto..."

Tsunade took Sakura's words at face value and helped her to her feet. The girl was unsteady, but Tsunade supported her to a seat by hers. When Sakura was installed the Hokage called for Shizune. The assistant came in a moment later.

"Hai Hokage-sama!"

"Shizune! Get Inoichi... NOW!"

ooo

ooo

Inoichi Yamanaka placed his hands gently on either side of Sakura's head. The girl was still unable to form coherent sentences. She mumbled to herself as Tsunade looked on.

He glanced back at her, "This will take a moment, but I can use my jutsu to allow us to see what she saw. I will have to go through the entire memory before I can activate it though."

"Fine, do it."

Inoichi nodded and pushed his thoughts into Sakura's mind. It was unnervingly easy, but then again, she had no defenses up. She was traumatized. He wondered what could have happened to do this as he accessed her most recent memories. "Something thoroughly unpleasant..."

They came to him easily. He immersed himself as he replayed the memory

ooo

Sakura opened the door to Naruto's apartment. Immediately she saw the red head on a bed against the far wall. She was curled up with her eyes focused on Naruto.

The blond was lying in his own bed, looking up at the ceiling, obviously bored. He twirled a funny looking kunai on his fingertip. Sakura walked into the room already chastising him. "Naruto-baka! What the hell have you gone and done now?! Lady Tsunade told me you agreed to an arranged marriage or something! Is that true?!"

Naruto's voice was lazy and bored as he said... as if to himself, "And in walks the Original Loud-Mouth. All hail the Banshee and future Queen of Emo."

Sakura eye-ticked, "What did you just say Naruto?! Answer me already. Why in the name of the First Hokage would you do that?! And with HER of all people?! Don't you know who she is? She's one of the Sound Five! You know, One of the group who kidnapped Sasuke-kun!"

There was silence as she stopped speaking.

Naruto took a moment to stop his spinning kunai. Then he threw it at the wall to stick in the wood. He sighed, "Take you measurements already. I won't peek."

Her knuckles cracked at his calm attitude, "NARUTO! I am so going to kick your ass if you don't get out of bed and answer me!"

Her breath caught as Naruto materialized in front of her, one hand catching her in the center of the chest. The impact sent her into the wall behind her, but didn't hurt. She growled, "Naruto-baka!" her fist swung at his head, glowing blue with chakra.

Naruto caught her fist on his palm and pressed against her, molding himself to her. His other hand trapped her arm to the wall. He stared at her coldly, "I don't feel like answering that stupid question. And I'm getting tired of the noise."

His eyes shifted to where he had stopped her punch. "You getting weak Sakura. Or were you pulling you punch?"

She struggled, "Let go you idiot!"

Naruto's face twitched and Sakura went cold. It felt like her strength had completely deserted her. The sudden pressure made it difficult to draw breath. Naruto pushed his face past hers to whisper in her ear.

"Why should I care about anything you say. Even that pathetic Uchiha recognized how useless you are. I promised to bring him back to you, but it was a childish vow. Don't think Sakura that I am the same loser that lets you punch on him. I'm not the orange stripped fool you seem to like calling names so much. I'm Naruto Uzumaki, not your crutch to take out your little girl fears on."

He growled deep in his throat as she almost went limp. "Don't stop struggling Sakura. It's no fun if you give up... You did want to play didn't you?..." His tone had turned from menacing to playful… in a predatory sort of way.

She turned her head to the side as pain carved through her hand and wrist. Claws were poking from his fingers, cutting furrows across her skin. Naruto pulled back slightly. "Come on Sakura... you were always trying to get to Sasuke, but what do you think he was into? Romance and puppy love... no. He was more the handcuffs and bedpost kind of guy."

He grinned, "Although I admit I never figured out which side of the equation he preferred," Naruto looked thoughtful for a moment before he chuckled, "But you're more of the sweet girl... not the S&M kind. You just want your tender moments with the dark bad boy so you can feel special."

His hot breath blew across her neck and down her shirt. Sakura whimpered and tried to pull free again, putting as much strength as she could into it. But no matter how much chakra she forced into her arms and legs… his grip didn't so much as loosen.

Naruto held her until she felt she was about to drop... then he let her go. Sakura stumbled to the door, flinging it open before she caught her balance and dashed away as fast as she could go.

ooo

Inoichi pulled out of her mind with a shout, falling on his ass as he did so. Tsunade demanded, "Inoichi! What is it?!"

He wiped sweat from his brow. "Something is defiantly wrong with that boy. And not in the goofy way everyone loves. He was... terrifying in that memory. I've never seen or heard of him acting like that. It seemed completely at odds with his normal personality. And... he was using that chakra. I could feel it even though her mind.

Tsunade paled herself, "Inoichi, I thank you for your help, but right now I need you to come with me to Naruto's apartment. Shizune! have ANBU on standby!"

Her assistant nodded and rushed out of the room, quickly followed by the Hokage and Inoichi.

ooo

ooo

Naruto closed the door to his room and looked back at Tayuya. "Did you like that?"

She shook her head, "No."

He smiled, "Have you decided whether you want me or nice Naruto? Honestly, I enjoy having the chance to play around a bit. I was hoping Sakura would give in though... It's a shame that my other side would be furious if I actually did anything to her."

Tayuya gulped once before saying quietly, "I want the other one back. And I don't want to see you again."

"Aw Tayuya-chan... you wound me so. Is it that you dislike me that much?"

She turned away, "Yes. Go away and bring the idiot back. I like him better. You're insane."

Naruto moved towards her, quickly moving atop her. "But he can't touch you like I can. We're different he andI. I... Know things. He's too ignorant or noble to notice or act sometimes. You are my wife... in a sense. Don't you want to have the strong, cunning one as your mate?"

Tayuya felt a claw trace down the side of her face... a razor sharp caress. "No... nonono No NO!"

"I don't fucking care! I choose the other one!"

Naruto smirked, "That was an odd way of answering me. First you say you don't care. And then you tell me that you would prefer the other me."

She brought her hand around to smack him, "Get off me! and leave me Alone! Give back the nice Naruto, demon!"

He pulled back and stepped off the bed. "Very well Tayuya Uzumaki. If that's your choice..."

Tayuya watched as Naruto tilted his head and smiled again. He pushed in close once more. His face was an inch from hers. He purred, "... however, if you want me to leave right now then you'll have to pay for it... How about a kiss for your mate."

"Fuck you. Leave!"

Tayuya bristled as he his expression changed to a pout. "Aw... Tayuya... not even a lick? or a peck on the cheek?"

She hissed, "Fine...!"

Naruto turned his head slightly, inviting her to do it. She grimaced and moved to press her lips to his cheek. His head turned at the last second and their lips touched. Tayuya's eyes flashed open wide as claws raked her once under her breasts and Naruto pushed forward, deepening the kiss. His powerful muscles levered her down till she was lying flat under him.

Butterflies exploded in her stomach even as she grabbed handfuls of his jacket and pushed. It didn't work for a moment. Her chakra surged through her arms and she forced herself back further, breaking the kiss as her cheeks flushed red.

Naruto's fox like smile vanished. It was replaced instantly by confusion and surprise... and... his cheeks went red.

Across the room from them the door opened with a bang and Tsunade strode in, followed by Inoichi.

Both of them stopped dead. Tsunade's eyes registered that Tayuya was under Naruto, her hands grasping at his chest while Naruto was on top of her. One arm by her head and the other on her belly. Both of their faces were bright red. Tsunade felt acute shock as Naruto's blue eyes flicked to Inoichi, then to hers, then to Tayuya's and back.

Naruto looked down at Tayuya. She was... under him and he was holding her down. Her soft skin rubbed against his as he attempted to piece together what the hell happened. He wasn't in his bed. He was in hers. She was right there and they were... molded together, sensuously. Her face was flushed a deep crimson... and her lips were slightly parted.

The moment froze in his mind. His thoughts back tracked to the last thing he remembered.

The soft satin of her red lips on his... Had she kissed him... or the other way around? Naruto blinked as a massive migraine loomed just over the proverbial horizon. He realized that they were so close... he could smell her distinct scent past the strong aroma of shampoo and conditioner.

His heart beat loud in his ears and he stopped trying to piece the last... however long it had been out... together.

Tsunade opened her mouth to shout and Naruto decided for a tactical retreat. He pulled back in one fluid movement and made twenty clones. They poofed into existence, filling the room with white smoke. He used the diversion to jump off Tayuya and hide his chakra signature as best he could. Then he blasted out of the window over his bed, followed by a mass of clones.

Immediately he was swarmed by ANBU. He ducked and weaved, dodging paralysis Jutsu and quite a few disabling nets. His feet touched the street and he was off like an Olympic sprinter (with chakra mind you). He quickly separated from his clones as they dashed off in all directions. He knew Konoah better than the ANBU. Every niche and cubby was his own hiding place.

A place where he might be able to figure out what the hell had happened.

Que the whiners. So what did everybody think of Naruto's DARK side? Hm...? I won't just be handing out information on him, but he will be a fairly beg part of this story. Expect to see him in future.

Now for a moment, back to my poll. Everyone seems to want Shion. This is perhaps one of the harder pairings to do with this story. Since she is from the fillers in Shippuden, she wouldn't even come into play for quite a while. In addition to that she and Tayuya would rip each others throats out. Are there any worse pairs of girls? Besides maybe Kurotsuchi and Tayuya?

I suppose I should touch on the stuff that Naruto inherited. It's property that Minato and Kushina acquired during their time as Shinobi of the leaf. It was rented out by the Third Hokage to various people so that Naruto would have enough funds to jumpstart his clan.