KG: I do believe that for it's time, slavery was…a thing in Naruto that wasn't expertly expressed. There were subtle hints such as the Hyuga seal, or captured enemies, but I believe it was a bit more common than anyone felt it was.
KG: Well I guess I can cross that bridge when I come to it. Moving on.
Music of the Week: Music Box by Dennis Kuo.
Quote: "Our greatest weakness lies in giving up. The most certain way to succeed is always to try just one more time," by Thomas A. Edison.
Kakashi wasn't going to lie. The addition of Naruto's two…purchased assets was going to change his team's dynamic. It wasn't even that their purpose or function was different, but…given that Naruto told Kakashi about the limits that both girls could be…a distance from him then Kakashi knew that team 7 was going to have to get accustomed to Naruto having his slaves in nearly every single mission. It essentially hinged on their lives as well. Kakashi wasn't looking to test out the limits of the seal as well, at least not without Konoha's residential seal master for confirmation.
Kakashi grimaced at himself. Even saying the word 'slave' left a bad taste in his mouth. This wasn't even like in Icha-Icha were there was that one part with main protagonist, Ichika, and his love interest, Houki, having a master-slave role-play fetish. That was a good story. Yet this was real life and Kakashi definitely found it unappealing. He couldn't imagine Naruto's mindset. Sasuke looked like he didn't care, but obviously Sakura did. Even with the scene in front of them, Kakashi could see that certain actions were…angering the female of the team, but she would have to learn to curb it. As much as Kakashi was against it as well, legal issues were just that…legal! In the eyes of the law, Naruto wasn't in the wrong. Though perhaps on morals themselves…Kakashi could see Naruto's uneasiness in accommodating both.
"I will go to the pond and refill your bottle Master," Sasuke, Sakura, and Kakashi heard Suzumebachi say as she picked up Naruto's empty bottle. Naruto quickly turned to her. "Y-You don't have to do that dattebayo. I can do…," Naruto didn't get to finish as the former Iwa kunoichi bowed and walked away. Naruto nearly deflated.
Kakashi sighed. It looked like Naruto would have rough time settling into his new, unwanted role as a master from his actions three days ago. Kakashi turned an eye and noticed Sakura suffocating her chopsticks in her hand as she struggled to eat her food. Sasuke didn't seem to have a problem as he seemed content to ignore his blonde teammate's interactions. "Even when he doesn't want to be, Naruto is still unpredictable," Kakashi thought. He had never encountered this situation before. Oh sure, he had deal with my clients that had slaves and even worked for some of them on mission orders. Kakashi had seen many slaves mistreated by their masters and he was still ashamed to say he never did anything about it. How could he?
Once, Naruto, Sasuke, and Sakura were finished eating, everyone watched as the Taki kunoichi, Fu, collected Naruto's dishes. "I…I…I will wash these for you quickly M-M-Master," Fu said as she picked up the dirty plates before moving to the pond that Suzumebachi had been going to. Naruto wasn't able to make a protest in time before Fu vanished into the trees. Naruto glanced down at the grass.
It hadn't taken a minute longer for Suzumebachi to return with a full bottle of water. "Your water Master," Suzumebachi said. Kakashi wasn't sure, but Naruto seemed like a shell of his former self as he grabbed the water bottle almost unconsciously. He couldn't even meet Suzumebachi's eyes.
"Thanks Suzumebachi-san," Naruto said. Suzumebachi gave him a bow before she knelt back to her place. Fu had returned after her with Naruto's clean dishes. She quickly packed them away and took her place next to Suzumebachi, behind Naruto, ready for another order. Kakashi just watched as Naruto…almost robotically put his water bottle to his mouth. Kakashi closed his visible eye. Words at a time like this wouldn't help. Kakashi knew that at this time words help only empty meaning and empty hope. Naruto wanted to come to terms with things on his own. If he needed Kakashi then as his teacher, Kakashi would lend his ear and his advice as best he could. Still perhaps, Kakashi could at least give Naruto's mind a short reprieve. He clapped his hands bringing in everyone's attention.
"Alright everyone, it will be one more day before we reach Konoha. We've had a successful mission and after we report everything to Hokage-sama then I'm sure we'll all be given a couple of days off. Do what you want, but I want you all prepared because by next week we will be having more practice and a couple more D-rank missions to slow down the pace. I want you all to do your best," Kakashi said. He got nods from Sasuke and Sakura. He got a hesitant nod from Naruto.
"And Naruto…," Kakashi said making Naruto straighten up a little bit. "Life isn't fair and we can't control it, but we can control how we respond to it. While your situation won't change…it will only be truly bad if you make it that way," Kakashi said. Naruto blinked, but gave a nod that he understood. Kakashi wasn't sure how much of that he 'understood', but it was all Kakashi could give at the moment.
So everyone picked up their things with Naruto more or less telling Fu and Suzumebachi that unless he would do what he could and if he needed their help then he would let them know. Both former kunoichi nodded. That wasn't to say that Naruto didn't appreciate their help, but being an orphan you learn to not really rely on other people. Though Naruto could see Fu and Suzumebachi's mindset a little. Some of the things they did for him were out of fear that he would activate the Master seal for them NOT doing something. Naruto didn't want it that way so to help with that, he decided to have both girls do things in his sight for correction. This seemed to help both not only deal with the pressure, but also not have a fear of doing things that they shouldn't have.
Over the day, Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura watched as Naruto tried to at least make the situation better by telling Suzumebachi and Fu about Konoha and some of his more…pleasant experiences in Konoha and what he hoped they would experience as well. Granted for Suzumebachi, this was rather…a mixed reaction being from Iwa. It wasn't even like she hated Konoha, but they were her former village's enemy and by that former extension, her own. She could see her master's joy in talking about his village. It was the same with anyone who would like for their village to be in a good light. Suzumebachi would be living there so it was nice to know what she would be getting into. She couldn't really gauge Fu's reaction to Naruto's words, but from the little she had observed of her fellow servant she seemed a little more relaxed than when they were in Taki. The shine in Fu's eyes at Naruto's words wasn't lost on Suzumebachi either.
"And they have the best ramen in the world! I'll treat you both to some when we get there! I think you'll like it!" Naruto said. Suzumebachi and Fu nodded, both couldn't deny that they held some interesting in seeing Konoha. From his place, Kakashi smiled lightly. It looked like Naruto would be just fine.
That day went by rather quickly in Naruto's eyes. He wouldn't lie. He was dreadfully nervous. He didn't know how his Jiji would take this news and he hoped that he wouldn't be too angry with him. If there was one thing Naruto never liked seeing, it was disappointment in other people's faces on him. That emotion usually hurt a lot more than any words could. Naruto wouldn't lie, he still didn't like having slaves and he doubted he EVER would, but Kakashi was right. Naruto couldn't run from this situation and his moping around wouldn't change it either. He had promised Fu and Suzumebachi that he would be the best master he could and he meant that. That wasn't to say he wasn't prone to lapse back into his…half-conscious half-unconscious state, but he seemed to be better with it. At least from the past three days he was dealing with it prior to leaving Takigakure.
"You're village is really amazing Master. It's much bigger than Taki-ssu," Fu said. Naruto grinned at her compliments of his village, even though technically it would of course be bigger than Taki since Konoha was one of the Five Great Shinobi Nations. Still a compliment was a compliment. "Ya got that right dattebayo!" Naruto said.
Suzumebachi glanced down at Konoha. For the longest time, she had been taught about how the Fourth Hokage had won the Third Great Shinobi War through his famous/infamous technique, the Hiraishin Jutsu. Suzumebachi had never seen Konoha until this day except in some of Iwa's textbooks and some random pictures. It definitely deserved to be called The Village Hidden In The Leaves. Trees, trees, and more trees surrounded the place for miles! From a distance Suzumebachi could appreciate the natural landscape that surrounded Konoha.
"It is nice," Suzumebachi commented offhandedly. The air was a lot cleaner than in Iwa. Being so naturally high in the mountains and the earth, the air was thicker. Perhaps not as thick as Kumogakure's air, but it was certainly close enough. Suzumebachi could appreciate good air when she felt it. "Well we hope you'll come to like it here. I do wish it was under better circumstances," Kakashi opted to say. Suzumebachi and Fu released their breaths, remembering their situation. It would have been nice to forget that for just a moment.
Naruto sent a light glare to Kakashi in response. The jonin rubbed the back of his head and apologized. Slight slip of the tongue. "W-Well, shall we get a move on?" Kakashi asked. Naruto took a calming breath and nodded. Sakura and Sasuke nodded as well. So…with that, everyone entered the village of Konoha. Fu and Suzumebachi took their last calming breaths. The female jinchuuriki looked up at the massive doors to Konoha. This was her home now…until either she or her master died. The Nanabi jinchuuriki closed her eyes before she and Suzumebachi moved through the gates.
Fu and Suzumebachi watched as Team Seven flashed their identification to the gate guards. They then proceeded to walk with Team Seven through the village. Fu had to admit. She was really surprised by how…normal everything looked. Not like she had a true opinion on Konoha in the first place, but it looked like her own village only…a few times bigger. She and Suzumebachi saw many people walking the streets, talking and laughing, much oblivious to the true cruelty in the world that Fu had just experienced. Kids laughing and playing in the streets. No one could have known that Konoha's master:slave ratio had just gone up by two percent.
Team Seven had walked into the Hokage Mansion. They then proceeded up the long flight of stairs before finally coming to the door that separated the group of six from the most powerful shinobi in Konoha and if Suzumebachi was honest the she would say that she was a little excited to meet who many professed to be the 'God of Shinobi.' One that even that old bastard Onoki had to give respect to.
"Master, are you okay?" Fu asked, alerting everyone to see Naruto breathing rather heavily. He strained a laugh. "Y-Yeah, just nervous dattebayo! That's all," Naruto said. Kakashi gave him a pat on the shoulder encouraging the blonde jinchuuriki as best he could. Sasuke and Sakura didn't speak, but at least Sasuke could understand why Naruto was nervous. Sasuke didn't know the Hokage's views on slavery or…whatever was going on here with Naruto so it stood to reason that Naruto wouldn't want to make the Hokage angry.
"Just hurry up and tell him Naruto. Maybe he'll do something about the seal. He might even be able to free those two," Sakura made the vain attempt encourage him. Obviously Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi knew where Sakura stood on this issue, however Kakashi couldn't help but sigh. Why didn't Sakura get it? Not even the authority of the Hokage could break this much legality. Perhaps Kakashi had to truly sit down with Sakura and discuss the issue because obviously there was something here that the kunoichi wasn't understanding.
Setting that aside, Kakashi knocked on the door. Naruto's spirit nearly dropped dead when he heard the words, "Come in," from the other side of the door. Kakashi grabbed a hold of the doorknob and opened the door. Everyone quickly stepped inside. "We're entering Hokage-sama!" Kakashi said as Team seven, Fu, and Suzumebachi stood before the Sandaime Hokage.
Suzumebachi's first analysis? The man was old. Hella old. He looked about as old as Onoki did! Suzumebachi wouldn't voice it for a small fear of the revenge from her master, but she couldn't understand how this was the man that Iwa had so much trouble with when the Yondaime had died. Yet, there was a reason he was behind that seat and while Suzumebachi couldn't accurately see it, there was also a reason why he was feared and his presence commanded respect. Forgive Suzumebachi if she wasn't intent on finding out just how strong he was.
Fu's reaction? If he was a grandfather, then Fu would have easily thought that this guy had more than enough experience to share with many a great shinobi people. "Team Seven reporting Hokage-sama! Mission success!" Kakashi reported. The Sandaime Hokage cracked his neck as he pushed a set of paperwork to the side. He withdrew the pipe he had been smoking and a stream of smoke escaped his lips.
"So I see. Well done Team Seven. Though I can't help, but wonder why there are two more than I assigned to the team. Care to explain?" he asked. Kakashi rubbed the back of his head and gave an eyesmile. "About that Hokage-sama, it…happened when I was returning from the emergency jonin meeting we had about a week ago. I think it would be better if Naruto, explained it himself." Kakashi said.
The Sandaime turned his eyes to Naruto and immediately sighed. Truth be told, the Sandaime had always had a soft spot for the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki. It wasn't even because of outside factors, but it was because after so long, Naruto had just grown on him. His dream to become the Hokage had instantly had the Sandaime connecting with the young blond on the views of the village as a whole, the Will of Fire, and what it truly meant to be the Hokage. The Hokage remembered the many times that he treated Naruto to ramen just to spend some quality time with him. He truly considered Naruto his grandson, despite his annoyances sometimes.
And it was for that reason, that the Hokage's eyes softened when Naruto took a step forward with about as much energy as a Nara and the regret of…a jonin. "Hey Jiji," Naruto said. Hiruzen Sarutobi turned a glance to Kakashi who only nodded silently saying that only Naruto could explain it. Hiruzen turned back to Naruto and smiled. "Good afternoon Naruto-kun. Not a single mission can just end normally with you, can it?" Hiruzen asked good-naturedly. Naruto managed to edge out a laugh of his own though Hiruzen could tell that it was relatively strained. The Sandaime cleared his throat.
"Well Naruto-kun, are you going to introduce me to these two lovely young ladies?" Hiruzen asked. Naruto immediately nodded. He motioned for Fu and Suzumebachi to approach, which they did. "Hai, Jiji this is Fu-san and Suzumebachi-san," Naruto introduced. Both girls bowed to the leader of the village which the Hokage gave a nod to them as well, welcoming them to Konoha.
However, Hiruzen could see the look of shame in Naruto's eyes as the blonde tried to find his voice. They…ummm…they…they…are…my…slaves," Naruto croaked out rather tiredly as he held his head down. The room was interestingly silent. Kakashi did feel bad for Naruto, but it would have been a lot better for Sarutobi and for Naruto if Naruto had been the one to say it.
Sasuke couldn't help, but groan. What was with him and always getting into these situations where he didn't want to be? Okay sure fine, he couldn't really blame some of them on Naruto, but this was getting out of hand. Sasuke was tired! He wanted to go home! Not stand around because everyone was too scared out of their ass to talk!
Naruto didn't hear any reprimand and looked up to see the Hokage staring at him. It was a look that Naruto couldn't properly identify and he was sure he couldn't understand what was going through the Sandaime's head. It must have been an eternity, because everyone felt the need to breath when Hiruzen closed his eyes, crossed his fingers, and took one more lasting breath of his pipe. "Explain Naruto-kun. If you fear that I will think less of you, then don't. Do not be afraid to talk to me. Answer me honestly. How did this happen?" Hiruzen asked in a solid, yet gentle tone. Naruto swallowed his self-doubt. Fu and Suzumebachi watched as Naruto came to make his story of what happened. Honestly, though they hated their predicament, they felt a tad bad for their new master.
Naruto continued with his explanation. He told Hiruzen the same things that he told Kakashi. The fight with Sakura, the need to get away from his team, the sneak into the slave auction, the thoughts he had upon finding out he was in a slave auction, the thoughts he had when purchasing Suzumebachi and Fu, and the ruined thoughts he had about setting them both free. When he was done, Hiruzen could tell that he had done something most thought impossible to Naruto Uzumaki. He had mentally drained the Kyuubi jinchuuriki.
"I see," Sarutobi said as he began to process his thoughts. Naruto having that level of stealth was certainly unheard of, though given the blonde's natural capacity for pranks then it wasn't THAT impossible, but to have the subtle tendencies to be able to weave through even as closed an event as a slave auction marveled the God of Shinobi.
"Well Hokage-sama? You can remove it right? The seal from Naruto's hand allowing them to go free?" Sakura asked. She shivered when she noticed Hiruzen give her a rather intense look. "Before we go into things about Naruto-kun, Sakura-san I would like your thoughts on why you seem so adamant that Naruto-kun cannot take the Hokage position," Sarutobi said, an amount of steel in his voice.
Sakura withered underneath his glare, but she was going to be as honest as she could. "W-W-Well Hokage-sama, he had the worst grades in the academy, he's the dead last of our generation, and…I don't think h-he would take it seriously enough," Sakura replied. Sarutobi sighed. He could understand…some of that. Naruto truly didn't inspire the best confidence out of people sometimes with his antics. Hiruzen could understand that.
"And just what, in your opinion, makes a Hokage?" Hiruzen asked. Sakura shivered at the sudden pressure in the room before holding her head down. "I…I don't know," she answered as best she could. The Sandaime closed his eyes and took a breath from his pipe.
"Here in Konoha we do not call the dreams of others impossible! We encourage them to the best of our ability and we help make sure that those dreams succeed. To put down another's dream is to deny the existence of your own. I will let you off this once. If I hear anymore of this, especially out of what the Academy called, 'a model kunoichi', then I will make sure to have a very long productive chat with you. Understood?" The Hokage asked. Sakura quickly stiffened up. She really didn't want to have that happen.
"H-Hai Hokage-sama!" Sakura proclaimed. Feeling that he had made his point, Hiruzen turned back to Naruto who was a rather difficult case. What he didn't know was that it was going to be even more difficult as Naruto spoke. "Also Jiji, I have to tell you…i-it's about Fu-san dattebayo," Naruto remarked. Hiruzen raised an eyebrow. He nodded, but he blinked when Naruto moved to his side and leaned into his ear. Obviously it was something he didn't want Sakura or Sasuke knowing. Naruto whispered into Hiruzen's ear and if the situation wasn't what it was then Kakashi would have laughed when he, and everyone else, saw the pipe fall out of Sarutobi's mouth and into his desk.
Naruto moved back to his place as Hiruzen took a look at the group, more specifically Fu. "To actually bring in the jinchuuriki of Taki…a slave no less. I don't know if this is Naruto's luck or the world moving in a strange direction. I never thought Taki's hatred of their jinchuuriki would be so bearing that it would prompt selling her into slavery. How can I handle this?" Hiruzen asked. Truth be told, he couldn't handle it. A jinchuuriki was a powerful military asset to ANY village and to have even one was an excellent case.
Yet…this green-haired girl was a slave. Hiruzen was going to admit it, his clan had slaves…once upon a time. Not their proudest moment of life, but it had happened. Hiruzen was well adversed in slave laws. Sure there were 'humanitarian' societies that looked down on slave masters or tried to help slaves, but runaway slaves were…not pleasant to deal with. Most were either kill or others given an extremely unfair punishment, but it was at the discretion of the master so nothing could stop them. It was the law after all. How sometimes Hiruzen hated that word. Legality isn't always right.
She was a jinchuuriki…enslaved to another jinchuuriki. Hiruzen was sure that just by her jinchuuriki status it warranted the council, but it was easy for the God of Shinobi to see if he did bring it to the council then they would ask where she came from. Hiruzen wasn't confident in the council's wants of a jinchuuriki having a jinchuuriki for a slave, but…it was legal. Nothing in the law said that Naruto…couldn't have another jinchuuriki for a slave. Yet one of the problems Hiruzen was figuring was that Naruto having Fu as a slave…was a waste in a way.
Slaves in general had no rights. Granted if a master was kind, then they said 'You have the right to do this, or that' but that was more like a pseudo-right as the master was more or less allowing it to happen. Plus slaves, only had one master. There could never truly be two. Even in the case of families were there was a Master and a Mistress, the Master's word still help prevalence over the Mistress' word. What Hiruzen was trying to get at here was that slaves…could not be shinobi. Shinobi answered to the Hokage and the power of Hi no Kuni, a slave did not do this. They answered to their slave master. That was essentially a jinchuuriki and bijuu in the village without having the might to do anything with it. Granted Hiruzen would never have wanted toe young woman to become a weapon anyway, but the fact that her powers couldn't…directly be used in the force for Konoha was a little worrying. But that wasn't the problem! Well, okay yes it was, but it wasn't the most major one.
By law, Naruto was allowed to have slaves. Not even Konoha could prohibit the selling and buying on slavery if the Daimyo didn't agree to it as well. It was a very complicated political issue, on that Hiruzen didn't like. Currently none of the nations had a ban on slavery and slave trade. And why would they? Cause it was wrong? They had child soldiers ready to kill for their nation in raw blood and death. Something like the rights of other humans wasn't a very high on the list.
Possibly the worst thing that Hiruzen knew about the slave business? A very, very sad thing. It was also a very simple. It was merely profitable. That was it. Nothing more. Nothing less. The slavery trade made money, lots of it. No one would be so eager as to get rid of that much income even if they had to fuckin' sully their damn hands and take away the naturally-given human rights of other people. If Sarutobi felt like he had anything on Naruto, it was that Naruto didn't want to be a master. He didn't want slaves. He didn't want to know this type of world existed. Though if Naruto was the Hokage…he would have learned about it eventually. He just happened to learn about it much earlier. Naruto had just been at the wrong place at the right time.
There was another problem. These were kunoichi from an ally and an enemy nation. It was like Kakashi said before. Their team didn't have an obligation to Taki, treaty allies or not, that Fu was Naruto's slave. Something in the young girl's eyes told Sarutobi that she didn't want even have a single thing to do with Taki either. Hiruzen could understand. It's easy to betray, but it's hard to trust.
Hiruzen couldn't really do anything to this Iwa kunoichi either. He could, as the leader of Konoha, order Naruto to let Konoha interrogate her, but that would have been a direct conflict of interests as Naruto's new rights as a slave master would come into question. It was actually in a handbook of laws. Article 5, section 3-09B, 'if a slave master is a shinobi, mercenary, or any military asset pertaining to a village, leader, or council, the slave master holds the right to all of his property to be used or unused by all pertaining members.' Essentially what this meant was that even if Hiruzen ordered Naruto to let them interrogate the Iwa kunoichi, she was still a slave and Naruto, as a slave master, held the right to refuse that order, since the Iwa kunoichi was HIS property, without fear of retribution from the village or the council.
Plus Hiruzen knew that given Naruto's strong, yet soft heart he wouldn't subject those girls to interrogation after they had been through that much. Hiruzen would have called it a true bind, but…honestly there was no bind. Hiruzen was trapped in a political loop where he could truly do nothing! "Naruto-kun, show me the seal on your hand," Hiruzen said. Naruto quickly nodded and showed the Hokage the seal on his right hand. Hiruzen gazed at it.
"So this is the Master seal. There must be something to this or it wouldn't take so much effort to remove. I might have to bring Jiraiya back earlier than I anticipated especially if another jinchuuriki is involved," Hiruzen thought to himself before he nodded and allowed Naruto to return back to his post. "A most interesting tale Naruto-kun. However I agree with Kakashi's assessment. No matter how infuriating those words from your teammate were, a Hokage must always act rationally and think about the best course of action. That said, I do commend your stealth skills. Not even many jonin can get away with a slave auction," Hiruzen said.
Naruto wasn't sure he wanted THAT kind of praise, but it was praise nonetheless. "So…can you remove the seal?" Sakura asked, almost hopefully. Hiruzen noted her sudden concern before denying her with a shake of his head.
"Seals are dangerous when tampered with. I would rather we didn't for now. Though I regret to say that even if we did, that still wouldn't alleviate these ladies and their slave status with Naruto as their master. It would help that they wouldn't have to fear for their lives and the distance of the village, but no. Legally Konoha can do nothing to either help or condemn them. That all lies with Naruto-kun," Hiruzen said. The Sandaime noted Naruto's look and sighed.
"I know it will be tough Naruto-kun, but just imagine what would have happened if you hadn't been there? It might have been a blessing in disguise that you bought them both. No one may see it now, but I'm sure you will do right by yourself and by them," Hiruzen encouraged. Naruto gave a nod and his best, for his mood, smile. "T-Thanks Jiji, I'll do my best," Naruto said. Hiruzen nodded. Sakura deflated at the news before giving Naruto a light glare that Hiruzen and Kakashi didn't miss. It seemed that someone was much against the issue even more than everyone else in the party was.
Hiruzen sighed. "If that is all, then Team Seven you are dismissed for a job well done. Kakashi I will expect the report by tomorrow. No later. You may have the rest of the week off. Dismissed!" he said. Team Seven saluted their Hokage before they filed out of the room. "Naruto-kun, be strong my boy. You will need to be. For you are not the only one who suffers here," Hiruzen said before moving back to his work. Damn paperwork.
-x-
Exiting the Hokage Mansion, Team Seven made it into the streets. "Alright my cute little genin, you heard Hokage-sama, we have the rest of the week off. Use your time wisely cause we will pick up the pace for missions in the middle of the week. Well I'm off. Don't do anything I wouldn't do," Kakashi said with a wave before vanishing in smoke via the Shunshin technique.
With their sensei gone, this left Sasuke, Sakura and Naruto alone. "Ne, Sasuke-kun, would you like to do anything on our days off?" Sakura asked. Sasuke hardly looked interested in her question as he was looking off in the direction of his apartment.
"Do what you want. I'm going home," Sasuke said as he stuffed his hands in his pockets and walked off. Sakura deflated and Naruto resisted the urge to help her. It wasn't like him to stay mad at someone, but given Sakura for the past few days and her words back in the Hokage Mansion, forgive him if he wasn't too keen on being around her for awhile. Naruto only shook his head before turning around. He faced Fu and Suzumebachi. Master looked at servants. Nothing was going to change this situation. But, Naruto could at least make them feel welcome even if it was a somewhat unwilling welcome.
"Well, I guess we can start by me showing you my place dattebayo! Then, I guess we'll go on from there," Naruto responded. Fu and Suzumebachi nodded. "Yes Master," they said. Naruto decided to take the word in stride and he hoped with time he would be able to not find the word so…isolating.
So Naruto, Fu, and Suzumebachi left Sakura to her own devices and entered the village. During their walk to Naruto's apartment, Naruto pointed out some more stores that they could go to or good places that they could eat. Now that Naruto thought about it, he would have to give them some money, or at least some type of daily or monthly allowance to spend on what they wanted. Some type of regulated stipend would probably work.
Naruto opted to carry his own things, much to, his surprise, Fu and Suzumebachi's distaste. It wasn't like Naruto was trying to go against giving them things to do, but he had never had anyone to help him with things. He had always done it on his own. To just suddenly have help was…a change he needed to adjust to. He was sure it was the same for Fu and Suzumebachi. Naruto was sure that adjusting to slave life was never easy.
Soon the three came up to Naruto's apartment. "Alright, my house on the third floor at the very end of the walkway. I'll make sure to get you both keys so you can get in. Sorry if it's too small dattebayo. It's meant only for one person, but I think we can make it work. I have about three closets so I'll…move my stuff from two of those and allow you both to use them if you want. I…guess I have to make some kind of schedule for you both to work, don't I?" Naruto asked the rather rhetorical question. Fu and Suzumebachi blinked as Naruto slumped his shoulders.
He then guided them up the stairs and to his apartment door. He quickly opened the door, allowing both to enter. "It's…surprisingly clean," Suzumebachi thought to herself. Granted she had never been in a young man's room before, but she had always assumed a guy's room was messy just out of perspective. "M-M-Master, would you like us to put your things up?" Fu asked. Naruto turned back to her.
"At least let me show you where everything is first then we'll get to that," Naruto said. The grand tour wasn't as spectacular as anyone could have expected. It was just an apartment after all. Naruto showed them his bedroom, the place where he had his garden that he watered his plants, he showed them the closets, bathroom, how the shower worked, how his stove and oven worked, where the Tv was, and anything else they would be knowing.
Once he was finished with their introduction into his apartment, Fu spoke. "M-Master, you must be tired-ssu. I…I think it would be best if we prepared your bath and food before moving on to getting everything else," Fu said. Naruto resisted the urge to sigh. He had been doing that too much since his mission had been close to ending.
Y…You don't….erm…f-fine. Thanks Fu-san," Naruto said just deciding to go with this new relationship for a change. It was just a bath, Naruto figured. Fu nodded and dropped her things before running back to the shower that Naruto showed her. "I will prepare something to drink for you Master as you get everything settled," Suzumebachi said. Naruto opened his mouth, but then closed it. He just nodded. Naruto rubbed his scalp. Kami, this was REALLY going to take some getting used to.
So as Suzumebachi and Fu worked, Naruto did as well as he removed his clothes from two of his closets and sealed them away into a scroll before placing them in his own first closet allowing Fu and Suzumebachi to use the other two. He had just been finished with that when Fu returned. "I-I warmed the shower Master. You can enter if you wish-ssu," Fu remarked. Naruto offered a smile. He supposed a shower would do him some good, though how it was done? Naruto could have done without it.
"Thanks Fu-san. Can you tell Suzumebachi-san that you both can set up your clothes in the closets and free drawers?" Naruto asked. Fu nodded with a bow and went to go fetch Suzumebachi while Naruto got himself situated in his shower. The hot water was especially pleasing to his tired and aching muscles. For some reason, a shower was also good for his mental state as he found his mind becoming a lot clearer than before. Naruto never knew how great showers could possibly have been at times like these. It was a rather wonderful sensation.
Naruto didn't spend too long in the shower before he wrapped a towel around his waist. He stepped out of the shower and opened his door. "Master, Suzumebachi-san had me bring you…a…drink…," Naruto and Fu stared at each other as Fu held a cup of tea in her hands. Naruto widened his eyes. A sudden fear rising in his eyes. Please don't have strength like Sakura! Please don't have a temper like Sakura! Please don't kill him!
Fu's face brightened as she stared at her master…water dripping from his hair and his…body. Fu's first urge was to scream, but…was this supposed to be ordinary? They were two females and one male living on a very small apartment until arrangements could be made. Fu somehow managed to find her voice. "I…I…I'm s-s-sorry for interrupting M-M-Master. H-H-Here is your tea-ssu!" Fu said holding out the cup to Naruto. Naruto looked at the offering and took a breath.
"T-Thanks Fu-san. I-I-I'll quickly get changed and you both must be tired as well. You can use the bath now that I'm done," Naruto said before Fu just nodded with a bow and stiffly walked away. Naruto watched her go before he moved to his room and sat on his bed. That…was a little scary. He touched his chest. Damn heart, stop beating so fast!
Having finished his tea, which Naruto had to admit it was some damn good tea, he quickly got dressed in some more casual clothing. He reappeared in the living room. Following his walk, he had heard the shower running so it was obvious that either Fu or Suzumebachi were inside. Naruto had wisely kept moving.
When he reached the living room, Naruto noticed Suzumebachi still hanging up some of her clothes. "Ne Suzumebachi-san, what was in that tea you made? That was awesome dattebayo!" Naruto complimented. Suzumebachi looked over her shoulder and smiled. That was odd, none of her former teammates liked the tea she made. They always had some kind of idiotic sarcasm for how her tea tasted.
"Thank you for your words Master. That was a mixture of some special leaf juice I found in your refrigerator and made it with some pepper spice and molded bee honey," Suzumebachi said. Naruto merely smiled before a thought came into his head. "Bee honey? I don't remember having Bee honey in my refrigerator," Naruto said. Suzumebachi turned around. She held out her finger and Naruto noticed a bee land to her finger.
"I made it Master. It was…one of my special abilities when I was a shinobi. I…could control insects," Suzumebachi said. Naruto widened his eyes. "You can control insects?! Wait, are you related to the Aburame clan?! I have a friend, Shino, who can control bugs too dattebayo!" Naruto said. He noticed Suzumebachi's smile diminish slightly before she allowed the Bee to fly into one of her pouches.
"I do have abilities similar to the Aburame Clan, Master, but there are no Aburame in Iwa, that I know of. They are actually my clan's rivals for insects. I am…was a member of the Kamizuru clan. We have been at odds ever since the founding of our clan. We had…a conflict with the Aburame clan that disgraced our clan. We've been trying to regain our honor. I guess…I should say 'they' now, since I'm not a member. More than likely I have already been outcasted due to my failure in my mission. No clan wants a member whose a slave," Suzumebachi said rather sadly. Naruto held his head down.
"I…I'm sorry. I thought what I had was a good idea, but it turns out that I was just being stupid. If I had my way you would have been back there right now, instead of…here," Naruto said, but Suzumebachi shook her head. "It is done Master. Anything I do is by your will now," Suzumebachi said. Naruto didn't know how to respond to that statement, but luckily he didn't have to as Fu came out with a fresh set of clothes. She glanced to Naruto for but a moment and Suzumebachi was certain that Fu's cheeks were a tad redder than they were before, but she didn't think on it as Fu spoke.
"The shower is yours Suzumebachi-san," Fu said. Suzumebachi nodded and quickly took it over. Until Suzumebachi exited the shower, it would be a very long and awkward silence for Naruto and Fu, with Naruto taking up his time writing down something in a pad and Fu putting her own clothes in a closet.
Both couldn't have been more thankful than when Suzumebachi appeared about half an hour later. The three quickly gathered around the table in the kitchen. "Alright I wouldn't necessarily call these 'orders', but I would like to call them…regulations. They are rules that I follow when I live here and I would like the both of you to do the same. I…don't really know what a…slave does typically, but I guess I separated it into three categories. We're partners and this is our home now dattebayo. We're going to make sure it's neat," Naruto said. Fu and Suzumebachi nodded. Naruto cleared his throat.
"For the first two weeks, Suzumebachi-san will handle the cooking and Fu-san will handle the cleaning. I guess if it's fine with you then you can switch every two weeks. I will handle providing all of the supplies needed as well as washing the clothes and drying them dattebayo. We train for at least two hours everyday before dinner. I didn't have anyone to control my bedtime so I don't see a need to control yours. Go to sleep when you want, but I generally go to sleep at about 10 or 11. No loud noise after that point, can't disturb my asshole neighbors. Anyone say different?" Naruto asked. Fu and Suzumebachi looked at the sheet. They didn't argue.
"If that is what you wish Master," Suzumebachi said. Naruto nodded. "Erm…M-M-Master, are you sure you…want to do the washing? I-I mean, not to speak back, but will you be comfortable with…washing our clothes?" Fu asked. Naruto's eyebrow nearly twitched as he realized the implications of what Fu was saying. Naruto rapidly pushed down any thoughts he might have had! Just stay away thoughts! Just stay away!
Naruto looked up and noticed Fu and Suzumebachi looking at him, waiting for his answer. "N-N-No problem! Uzumaki Naruto doesn't back down from a challenge dattebayo!" Naruto said. As their master, Fu and Suzumebachi couldn't really argue Naruto on his desires. They didn't have the right to do so, but given Naruto's attitude towards them…they hoped he was as true to his word as he said he was.
Once that was settled, Naruto gathered them all together once again. He quickly held up his wallet. "From most of the money I…got from that guy back in the woods I will give you both a portion over the months. A stipend if you wanna call it that. You can do whatever you want with it. Just try not to spend it all. I will provide the major things, this is for you for your own enjoyment. 11,000 ryo to each of you," Naruto said handing each girl a wad of the money that he had.
"M-Master, we aren't…," Fu wanted to say, but Naruto stopped her almost immediately. "I will do what I can to treat you both right dattebayo. I can't give you back your rights, but I can try to help you be happy with what you have. Just consider it like this, I, Uzumaki Naruto, order you girls to use this money as you want," Naruto said. Fu and Suzumebachi were sure that orders weren't supposed to go that way, but it was an order nonetheless. Both took the money and pocketed it away.
"So what now Master? Suzumebachi asked. Naruto grinned. "Now, we go get you both some beds. At the most those won't be delivered until tomorrow or the day after. After all, I need to buy some equipment. I'll let you both pick what you want. I don't care if you can or can't become shinobi, I'm going to make sure you two can defend yourselves. Well…i guess you are kunoichi aren't you? You probably can…but my point still stands!" Naruto exclaimed. Suzumebachi and Fu couldn't stop the smiles that came to their faces.
Both nodded and quickly followed Naruto out of the door of the apartment and into the streets. If Naruto were honest, he was sure that Fu and Suzumebachi weren't putting much thought into their beds as he might have thought they would. He couldn't place his finger on it, but both had just gotten beds similar to his own. Naruto had those paid for easily enough with the manager stating that they would be delivering along with the supports for them in about three days which meant an extra day that what Naruto had originally thought. Naruto also got them some bedsheets that they wanted.
They quickly left the store and made their way over to the a shinobi supply shop. "So…you're both kunoichi. What ranks were you guys?" Naruto asked. The green and brown-haired girls turned to him in relative surprise.
"I was still a genin Master," Suzumebachi said. Naruto gave her a small look before turning to Fu. The Nanabi jinchuuriki scratched her cheek. "Genin as well Master-ssu. Though I was mostly kept isolated from some of my teammates," Fu said. Naruto nearly let out a snarl, but managed to rein it before it made itself known. He didn't like bringing up bad things.
"So you guys must know some cool jutsu right?!" Naruto asked. Suzumebachi and Fu chuckled, despite themselves and their situation. Nearly everyone their age would have loved to learn more jutsu. "Nothing too awesome-ssu. My knowledge of jutsu is rather limited, but…one of my sensei always praise my strength-ssu. I…have a limited ability to control some dragonflies and smaller insects. Not the best of abilities-ssu," Fu replied. Naruto and Suzumebachi widened their eyes as Fu explained their abilities. Suzumebachi had never imagined that her fellow slave was also capable of incorporating bugs into her skill set.
"Whoa, any chance you guys could teach me to do that?" Naruto asked. The walk was a little silent for a moment before Suzumebachi cleared her throat. "I would say no Master merely on the fact that I was a clan member and members of a clan aren't able to teach people outside of their clan…their techniques, but…I suppose I'm not a part of the Kamizuru clan anymore. Not many people enjoy bugs Master. Plus, forgive me for saying, but you do not seem like the type of person who would find this style of combat effective. I…I can't say because I have never seen you fight. I would better know if I had something to base it off of," Suzumebachi said.
She was surprised her master didn't get depressed immediately. Naruto could understand that. It was essentially the same with the clans in Konoha. "Well we'll be meeting with Kakashi-sensei in the middle of next week. I'm sure he'll have us sparring a bit. I guess you can take a look then," Naruto said. Suzumebachi agreed. Naruto turned and noticed Fu scratching her cheek.
"F-Forgive me Master, but my abilities are more tied to my bijuu than merely just me-ssu. I have it on instinct, not practice. It's not something I can teach," Fu said. Naruto just placed a hand on her shoulder. "Nah don't worry about it! I get it!" Naruto said positively as the group continued walking.
Finally the master and his servants made it to one of the weapon shops. Naruto opened the door. "Welcome to Higurashi Weapons. Can I help you?" a feminine voice asked. Naruto looked up in surprise. He was sure he had heard the voice before. He was also sure he had seen this girl before. He thought he would have been hella sure that he remembered a girl with twin buns for hair, but for his life it wasn't coming to him.
He just smiled and shook his head. "We're only getting the essentials for now. We have small space so we gotta make it count dattebayo! We'll sort through it" Naruto remarked. The girl blinked before she nodded. She shrugged her shoulders and returned back to the book that she was reading.
Suzumebachi and Fu quickly moved through the shop. Suzumebachi picked up some kunai, tags, ink, and some other clothes. She doubted she would ever wear anything shinobi related again, but it was nice to have. Opposite of her, Fu had picked up some shuriken and some leg weights as well as a standard Academy pack that anyone below genin could buy. "Is this enough Master?" Fu asked. The girl behind the counter widened her eyes a she looked up from her book. She noticed Fu holding a pack of senbon in her hands. She watched Naruto look them over.
"Yeah those will do I guess. We can store them back in the house. I personally think senbon are boring, but if you like them then go for it!" Naruto said. The Nanabi jinchuuriki quickly agreed. The girl behind the counter frowned as she looked at Naruto. Either these guys were HEAVILY into role-play or there was something entirely wrong with this situation.
"Master, how many sets do you believe we will need?" Naruto heard Suzumebachi call from her side of the store. "It's on you Suzumebachi-san! You probably know the amount better than I do!" Naruto called back. The girl placed her book down and leaned her elbows on the table.
"Master, eh? Is there a hidden meaning behind that I should know about?" the girl asked making Naruto stiffen. He turned back to see her eyes nearly piercing into his skull like a pair of kunai. Naruto didn't know how many people were experienced in this whole…master-slave…thing, but from this girl's tone, she didn't look amused by the situation. Though to be honest it wasn't any of her business. At least it wasn't as far as Naruto was thinking it should be. It pained him, but he might actually have to pick up a damn book and read on the master's rights and the laws regarding slavery and slave labor, as much as he hated it. Don't get him wrong, it had only been a couple of days for him since the whole thing. He wasn't used to this…stuff yet, but he was doing it in his own…Naruto-ish way.
"Why are you asking?" Naruto asked. The girl shrugged her shoulders. "Color me curious, I guess. Not the most traditional friendship I've ever seen. Just…intrigued," she said. Naruto had learned to read people growing up, or at least he felt confident in himself to be able to read civilians and genin-level shinobi. This girl was studying him, inspecting him even.
"Do I know you?" Naruto asked. The girl gave a small grin. "Dunno. Judging by your age you graduated from the academy a two or three months ago. We probably had some classes. Name's Tenten Higurashi if the name of the store didn't give it away," she said. Naruto looked at her. He did remember having studies with a weapon fanatic by that name, but she must have only been in passing.
"Oh," Naruto said. Tenten and Naruto stared at each other for a little bit of time before Tenten turned to see Fu and Suzumebachi talking. "Never seen them before in this village," she said before glancing at Naruto. The blonde frowned and folded his arms.
"Yeah, that's because they aren't from Konoha. They just arrived today with my team," Naruto said. He noticed Tenten's eyes harden. "Oh, I thought they were in the village cause I figured only close friends would joke around like that. However you have to admit, it's a really poor joke," she said. Naruto glared at her.
"Suzumebachi-san, Fu-san, you can put everything back. We're leaving!" Naruto called out. Fu and Suzumebachi looked up in surprise, but they noticed Naruto and the girl at the counter staring at each other rather harshly. "Why do they have to leave with you? I'm sure you can leave on your own," Tenten replied.
Fu and Suzumebachi could feel…something happening between these two. They could see it in their master's eyes that he was a little crossed between difficult places. Fu and Suzumebachi quickly placed the things they had back before they started on their way to their master. "None of that will be necessary!" The tension broke as everyone heard a gruff voice speak from behind the counter door.
"Tou-san! I thought the furnace had to be cleaned," Tenten said as she noticed her father smirk. "Well it's been cleaned. Now then, Tenten, what have I told you about harassing the customers?" The man asked. Tenten wilted at his words. She sighed angrily before giving a last look to Naruto. She then walked behind the door and shoved it out of her way. The man sighed before he turned to Naruto, Suzumebachi, and Fu.
"Name's Daichi Higurashi, kid. You'll have to forgive my daughter. She's a little headstrong for her own good," the man named Daichi said. Naruto glanced at him for a moment before he shook his head. Naruto didn't want any trouble. He just wanted to get them what they needed and then leave. He glanced at Fu and Suzumebachi, awaiting his orders. Naruto nodded for them to proceed. Both former kunoichi retrieved their supplies and placed them on the counter. Daichi rang up the price and Naruto paid for it. Naruto quickly gave him a bow as Fu and Suzumebachi grabbed their things and left out the door. Daichi watched them go. Now, to have a talk with a certain girl about professionalism.
Meanwhile, it didn't take long for Naruto, Fu, and Suzumebachi to return home. Fu and Suzumebachi quickly set the bags on the table while Naruto sat in a chair. That confrontation back at that weapon's shop had worn him out a great deal. He really hated it when others had to press an issue he didn't want to have pressed. He knew Tenten had a high suspicion of him as a slave master, but in hindsight it wasn't like he tried to hide it at all. Perhaps that was something that needed changing in the very near future. Naruto didn't want Fu or Suzumebachi to be put under scrutiny from his village, at least not when he tried hard to actually put Konoha in a good light like any shinobi would. "Master, would you like me to get dinner started?" Suzumebachi asked.
Naruto turned to her for a moment before he grinned. He was starting to get hungry. "Erm, yeah. That sounds great dattebayo!" Naruto responded. Suzumebachi nodded before she moved to the kitchen area and took out some of Naruto's pots and pans. "I'll go put our supplies up Master," Fu said taking the bag off the table. Naruto just allowed her to do so. He removed himself from the main room and appeared back in the bedroom. He quickly changed his clothes one more time.
He had just finished changing when he heard the door knock. "Master, Suzumebachi-san said that dinner will be ready one hour-ssu," Fu called from behind the door. Naruto was actually glad another encounter wasn't made, but obviously Fu and Naruto had learned to be a little bit more careful that what happened hours ago in the morning.
"Gotcha! I'll be out soon!" Naruto called. He heard the retreating footsteps from the door. He then opened it and walked through his apartment. He came back into the main room. He watched Suzumebachi pour some salt into the pot before adding about two eggs, showing that she was indeed making something. He then turned and noticed Fu…mopping the floor. Naruto wasn't entirely sure what to do, or say, so he just settled for taking some time to water his plants in his spare time.
An hour later, Naruto sat down at the table. "Your meal Master," Suzumebachi said placing the bowl and a couple of plates in front of him. "Thanks…but where is your food?" Naruto asked. Fu and Suzumebachi glanced at each other.
"We…ummm…we eat after Master-ssu," Fu said. Both Suzumebachi and Fu stiffened when Naruto held his head down. He hadn't touched his food. Actually, both could see his available hand ball into a fist. "Suzumebachi, Fu…," Naruto called. Both girls, either instinctually or knowingly, stiffened as they noticed the absence of the '-san' from their names. Naruto was not happy right now. He truly, truly, truly hated this goddamn system right now.
"Y-Yes, Master?" Suzumebachi asked for both herself and for Fu. Naruto pointed to the dishes. "Pick up your plates, get some food, and sit down and eat with me. I don't care how other masters treat whoever else, but you two are going to eat with me. All of us. Together!" Naruto stated fiercely. Suzumebachi and Fu gazed into his eyes before both walked over to the counter, picked up their plates, got their food, and then sat at the table with Naruto.
"Itadakimasu!" Naruto said grace and ate his food. Suzumebachi and Fu looked at their master before they looked down at their food. An order was an order. Both ate their food. "Suzumebachi-san, this is good!" Fu said despite the situation. The former Iwa nin gave a small grin.
"Yeah this is awesome!" Naruto complimented. "Thank you Fu-san. I'm glad you're enjoying it Master," Suzumebachi replied. The trio ate their food relatively peacefully. Suzumebachi was actually happy she made enough for fourths seeing how her master ate when they were traveling back to the village. Naruto had eaten her food with extreme gusto. Suzumebachi couldn't help, but shake her head. A very odd master she had. But even in this situation that she, Fu, and Naruto found themselves in, the Iwa kunoichi felt a small sense of comfort as she watched Naruto's satisfied face.
Fu had proceeded to collect the plates and wash the dishes. After which Naruto had essentially demanded they all spend time together…which, while yes they had done that the whole day, but apparently Naruto didn't think they had enough. So…the master and his slaves gathered around the Tv in the center of the room and watched programs for a couple of hours as the sun went down.
Naruto brushed his teeth, then did Fu, and lastly Suzumebachi as the three got ready for bed. Though, there was a problem. Naruto looked at his bed. Fu and Suzumebachi's beds wouldn't be here for another three days. Naruto gave a sharp sigh. He quickly turned around. Even if he was the 'master' of these girls, he couldn't bring it in him to just have them sleep on the floor. He didn't like it either, but he wasn't about to voice the complaint. "Well, goodnight!" Naruto said as he made his way out of the door out of his room.
"Master, it's going to be very cold tonight. Are you sure you will be alright?" Suzumebachi asked. She wasn't exactly sure WHY she was worried. As a kunoichi, she was used to taking advantage of her opponents and their weaknesses, but her master had been very understanding and very tolerable. Maybe that was why. Naruto smiled.
"Don't you worry about me. I'm tough dattebayo!" Naruto said. Suzumebachi and Fu glanced to each other. Both quickly nodded and simultaneously grabbed Naruto's arms. "Hey! What are you two doing?! Let me go! We don't have to do this! I don't want to do this!" Naruto exclaimed as he was dragged back into the room.
"We are only looking out for your best interests Master-ssu," Fu said with a mischievous grin on her face as Suzumebachi turned out the lights to the room. There was a lot of ruffling in the room and a lot of shouting, but finally it was quiet as the moon settled into the sky.
You ask Naruto, why his life had to end up like this? He figured he had tried to live a life of normalcy, well as normal as an orphan with a mountain-sized monster fox stuck in your could get. In any case, Naruto always figured, yeah okay he wasn't normal, but just how different could he be from everyone else? Well he was probably sure that not most would be slave masters. He also figured that…he wouldn't be sharing a bed with two of SAID SLAVES!
"How? How did it come to this?! Why me?!" Naruto shouted mentally as he looked up at the ceiling as Fu and Suzumebachi slept at his side. He was perfectly fine with a couch! He was damn perfectly fine with a couch. Naruto closed his eyes. He was happy these two could get some sleep because he sure as hell wasn't going to be able to. Naruto shivered as Fu turned over on her side. He sighed this was going to be a LONG night.
Honestly, Fu didn't know what to think with this choice. It sounded great in her head when she went along with it. Fu had never been around guys that much. She never had that…subtlety of doing wit the opposite sex. She was a freakin' teenager! Plus, it wasn't like anyone in the village went out of their way teach her these things. She just…Naruto had been a much better Master than Fu had thought.
Fu's introduction into the world of slavery was…rough. People had come for her in the night, blindfolded her, and bound her. She didn't remember how long she had been in darkness. She did know that she had a…teacher of sorts. He often told her and other slaves their purpose in life, what they were made to do, and other things. It truly terrified Fu a lot. Being on that stage…in front of everyone, humiliated, degraded, it had nearly destroyed Fu. One could imagine her surprise of her master when he revealed himself to be just a genin like herself. Even more so when he told her his intentions in buying them. She felt…a measure of security. She felt a swell of gratitude in her body when Naruto claimed he tried to get her back into Taki, but Fu had known. She could smell it in the air, the smell of the material that made up Taki's uniforms. She didn't know who had done it, but she knew it was Taki. Fu had resolved to never go back…even if she had to have her freedom restricted. This wasn't an ideal scenario, but…it was better than Taki. Fu's opinion of Naruto? A much better draw than she could have hoped for.
For all three it was a very uncomfortable situation. "We…never talk about this to anyone dattebayo!" Naruto remarked. Fu swiftly nodded her head as Suzumebachi turned over. "Understood Master," Both said as all three fell asleep.
The three days were…trying for the Master and the slaves and after three nights of utter embarrassment the beds were delivered and Naruto had clones put the frame to the beds. He then had them move Fu and Suzumebachi's beds into his room. It was a definite tight fight, but Naruto as able to move them to the walls, giving everyone their separate beds. Granted they all slept in the same room, but they were all sure that there couldn't have been anymore embarrassment higher than those first three nights. Suzumebachi and Fu had learned a LOT about Naruto in those three nights. Likewise for Naruto. He learned a lot of things he wished he could not have learned.
"Alright here you guys go! Your keys, I ordered them two days ago. Usually it takes a month, but apparently the landlord has copies of every key so he gave me what I needed. Don't lose them," Naruto said. Suzumebachi and Fu took their keys. Both nodded quickly. Fu placed hers away and so did Suzumebachi.
"So…what now Master?" Fu asked. Naruto scratched his cheek. He didn't have much of anything planned for the rest of the day. He was on break so there was no need to do any training…yet. He crossed his arms and adopted a thinking posture. "Well I guess what the first thing we can do is…," Naruto didn't get much farther as a knock came to his door. He turned around, a little surprised.
"I'll answer it Master," Suzumebachi said as she moved and grabbed the door handle. She slowly opened the door. Naruto widened his eyes. "Sasuke? What the hell are you doing here?!" Naruto asked.
"Kakashi sent me to get you loser. We are to all meet at the training grounds as soon as possible. Hurry up and get it in gear," Sasuke said before he dashed off. Naruto watched him go as did Fu and Suzumebachi. "Master?" Fu asked, but she noticed Naruto quickly move across the room and into the bedroom. He quickly grabbed his headband, a shinobi pouch, and his orange jacket.
"Master, what's going on?" Fu asked as Naruto zipped up his jacket. "Kakashi-sensei's calling us all off our break for some reason. We're going to find out. I want you guys to come with me dattebayo. I don't know how wide that guy who gave me this damn thing said when he meant 'village length' and I don't want to find out. Besides the training grounds are outside of the village. I don't want to endanger your lives by doing this. Come on!" Naruto said. Suzumebachi and Fu blinked, but quickly began to move as they made their way out of the house. They locked the door and quickly chased after Naruto.
Rooftops slowly turned into trees as Naruto and his group made it into Team Seven's training ground. Fu and Suzumebachi didn't have much time to look over the place before Naruto jumped the gate. They effortlessly followed him. The three could see the forms of Sakura, Sasuke, and Kakashi waiting for them. "Sorry we're late. What's the meeting for?" Naruto asked.
"Why are they here?" Sakura asked pointing to Fu and Suzumebachi. Naruto didn't have to think on that for very long. "I don't think I would be a kind master if I let Fu-san and Suzumebachi-san get hurt just because of this seal Sakura," Naruto remarked. Sakura gazed into Naruto's eyes, but she quickly shook her head and huffed as she looked away.
"Glad to see you could pull yourself away from your vacation Naruto-kun and the Hokage would like to express his apology to all of us for this last minute mission. I hope you all don't mind sand in your shoes because we're going to Sunagakure on an escort and delivery mission," Kakashi said with an eyesmile.
KG: I will admit that with that bed scene I might have made them a little TOO close already since they are all new to the master-slave thing. The intention wasn't really to be embarrassing, but more as an act of a last resort since Naruto, given his nature, wouldn't let Suzumebachi or Fu sleep anywhere other than the bed and they, out of a small slave-mindset, would believe that Naruto didn't deserve to sleep anywhere other than the bed.
KG: In regards to slaves, I have two more than I find myself drawn to. You will discover them when the time is right.
KG: I think can cover everything. Well we're done here. See you later, protect what's important to you, never give up, review, and SEND ME AN EARTH-SIZED CREAM SODA BOTTLE! …..Plz?
KG: Also I demand you all to RESPECT THE DAMN CREAM!
