Rating: Eventual NC-17 most likely.
Pairing: Itachi x Naruto
Warnings: Sequel to Shadows of Leaves, won't be updated too regularly (wydk will be my priority, though I do have this fic all planned out), violence, bombing-scenarios (and aftermath/destruction of whole nations), character death (minor, mainly random people) and I think that's it for now.
Summary:Five years, Oblivion wrought havoc on the world and Naruto left Konoha with everyone believing him to be dead. Now, a new threat has raised its head with the power to destroy entire nations in one swoop. The remaining nations are crumbling, but there is a sliver of hope in the mysterious village, Taiyōgakure, the village of the sun. Not everything is as it seems here though and there are far more secrets than anyone could have imagined lying in wait. ItaNaru.
Shadows of the Sun
We're not a myth. I help because I can; we help because we can. You'd do the same too, but it just so happens that you're the ones in need. Stop being noble and get inside the gates. If it's repayment you want to offer then fine! I have something for you to do that revolves around ramen and you getting it for me.
Uzumaki Naruto, Taiyōgakure, Village Gate
Chapter Two
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The night was cool and crisp and Naruto looked out at the stars above from his office window. It was scarce hours since Mizu had been destroyed by the unknown force, yet it felt like days.
While he couldn't say they had anticipated it, the attack on Mizu wasn't a complete anomaly. Iwa's destruction had been far too generalised; if the attacker had been looking for something specific or a person, bringing down an entire nation would have been fruitless. As such, repeat attacks weren't to be discarded, as had been shown with Mizu.
Naruto leant back in his chair, wincing as he ran his hands through his hair. It was getting long – too long for comfort. Before long, people would be commenting how much he resembled the late Yondaime Hokage, which would be quite the compliment had Naruto not been trying to keep the fact he was alive on the quiet. It was for that reason too that he hadn't had contact with Kurama's power for years now, afraid the contact would draw unwanted attention. They still spoke, but Kurama was content to do as Naruto wished, remaining in his seal until the inevitable time to reappear came.
Looking out over the village – his village – Naruto thought back to the effort it had taken to create this stronghold, this haven. After Oblivion had been destroyed, Naruto had taken up with the Akatsuki, rethinking his life plan and healing his wounds. Itachi had been his pillar back then (and still was), when Kurama was too tired to respond and the rest of the Akatsuki were too unsure of their latest addition.
They had built this village, this community, together. It had been Konan's suggestion, but they had all contributed to it, all slaved away to make it the safe haven of legend it had become. It was a secret sanctuary, away from the choking politics of the rest of the world and the one place that no one would be turned away from if they were in need.
Taiyōgakure had started off as a small stronghold of the Akatsuki's, tucked away in a cluster of mountains. Deidara had helped to carve into the mountain range and created their infamous sun valley, small explosions that had been designed for minimal notice, building the extensive, elaborate village with no notice from the outside world. The village kept the sun in its arms, Deidara's meticulous planning having paid off, and the village certainly earnt its name.
It had only been a matter of time before people discovered Taiyōgakure and buildings had been built and farms began spreading out at the edges of the village. They were prosperous, despite limited trading with outside nations, because they all knew the pain of loss and he benefits of hard work. Generous was a word Naruto would use to describe the people he looked after, as well as one that had been used to describe him in return.
The village, first as a permanent residence for those who had been left wandering after their homes had been destroyed through various means, was now a plethora of backgrounds and stories. Naruto only had to walk down one of the market streets to see people from all five nations of the world and others from outside the jurisdiction of shinobi and samurai.
This was the place Nagato and Konan had wanted to start with the Akatsuki back in Ame. Taiyōgakure was everything they could have imagined and yet so much better for it was a fresh page, a village free of war and tragedy.
Soon, their village had become legendary and, as with all legends, spread like wildfire from the land of steam. It wasn't meant to remain a secret, but Naruto had made it clear that only those in need should find refuge in their walls. As such, there were protective seals placed across the entrance, seals that needed to be verified by a former-Akatsuki member (or Naruto) that the person coming in met their criteria. Once the seals had been verified, the person was then granted access to come and go as they pleased, able to move the very mountain itself (even if it was technically only a small part of the mountain that served as the gate).
Taiyōgakure hadn't started off as it had now. In fact, it was only when the village reached around a year and a half old that the villagers decided they wanted a leader, a kage despite Taiyōgakure not being part of the Five Nations. By then, the Akatsuki had transformed into the council of Taiyōgakure and had introduced plans to help train villagers in self-defence. Interest had gathered and soon there were calls for a ninja academy to be built and therein lay the villagers want for a kage.
There had been around five hundred inhabitants and almost every single one had voted for Naruto to become their Taiyōkage. Naruto had been shocked, but accepted gladly, marking it as one of the best days of his life. He loved his village even more than he had loved Konoha and becoming a kage the people loved was a dream come true.
The celebrations had been extravagant and lasted for an entire week. They ended with buildings installed with gold plating and the horse insignia covering Taiyōgakure, Naruto's vibrant gift to the village. They were the village of the sun and they would shine, brighter and more glorious than ever before. The children of the village had crowded around Naruto when he'd unveiled the lone ground-horse, a gleaming statue of a rearing Pegasus before the kage offices.
The door to Naruto's office opened and his attention returned to the matter at hand. Madara's face was grim, shadows under his eyes revealed as his mask lay only on one side of his face.
"I was hoping we'd lucked out somehow and it wouldn't be that bad," Naruto said simply, though they both knew it was a ridiculous statement. There was no way, after what had happened, that things 'wouldn't be that bad'.
Madara took the chair opposite him and Naruto waited for him to speak. Madara was always careful with his words and knew exactly what to say, no matter the situation.
"It's chaos," he said bluntly. "Worse than when it was just Iwa that had been targeted. The villagers are all doing their best what with the newcomers in the temporary camp area, helping to sort them out, fed and checked over… but there's only so many hands and so many people."
Naruto nodded, knowing that their camp system was far from perfect. He had tried to think of a better way of getting people in, but no one had been able to offer a better solution. At the moment, they needed to be identified, checked over for injuries, fed and then allowed to rest. There was no point giving out houses now when families were waiting to see if their beloved ones would join them and they were near death themselves.
As if he could read Naruto's thoughts, Madara said, "Don't you dare think about using kage bunshin. They need proper human contact and a kage who isn't exhausted. All these people want is to feel safe and now we know this destructive force isn't just out for one nation, we need to plan against it."
Naruto nodded, air leaving his lungs in a melancholy sigh. "I just wish we could do more. Their whole lives are gone, people they loved..."
Madara reached over the desk, hand patting Naruto's in a slight moment of reassurance.
"We're doing all we can," he said softly, drawing a nod from Naruto. "Our ninjas are scouring the surrounding areas for any sign of more survivors. We'll try to get as many people here as possible, where it's safe."
"It'll take more than Orochimaru's plots to tear down this fortress," Naruto said, the fondness he felt for his home shining through his words.
"Precisely," Madara said. "Have you heard the rumours, by the way?"
Naruto looked up, eyes shifting – as they did with his moods – from blue to curious purple. The change unnerved those who didn't understand it was a natural, unconscious, action for Naruto and so he tried to keep them as blue as possible. Curiosity, anger and excitement, however, left him little control.
"They say the Mizukage herself is on her way here. If the rumours are true, she'll be looking for a fight." Madara paused, a rare frown worrying his brow. "It's one thing for villagers to come here, but a kage? She'll want revenge for her people and want to protect them."
"You seem worried," Naruto said carefully, studying Madara's expression.
"She's known as a smooth talker," Madara replied cautiously, and Naruto nodded. He knew of Madara's past with the Sandaime Mizukage and it was clearly still a grating topic.
He digested the information with a weary nod though, accepting it for what it was.
"It's only a matter of time before someone of high-level power came here and challenged how we work." Naruto sighed, wondering if Terumi Mei could understand why Taiyōgakure wasn't about to charge into this war, even when they had all seen its effects.
Though, just because it didn't look like Taiyōgakure was striking out, didn't mean they weren't doing anything. Naruto had begun to plan counter attacks in his head and the council was prepared for a full on war meeting.
It had taken longer to establish the camp and start building work than Naruto had anticipated. Now, though, it was flowing as smoothly as could be expected and they should have enough space to accommodate the survivors, providing the attacks stopped. If they continued, they'd be hard pressed to keep up – though Naruto would make sure everyone was safe and well fed.
"Konoha has sent scouts out now. They should be arriving in Kumo and Suna soon… though I assume they'll also be trying to track us down by following other survivors." Madara's mouth twisted dispassionately. "Everyone's so convinced we're allied to the nations simply because we're rumoured to be taking survivors in. When they come looking for us, what will we do?"
Naruto sighed gently and shook his head. It wasn't really a question – Naruto would do what he always did and protect as many people as possible. If it meant staying hidden from the world then he would. If it meant unleashing the jaws of hell itself then he would gladly do that.
It was hard, though. It had been five years since he'd supposedly died, revealing his dark history in all is glory. It had been painful to leave everyone he'd ever loved and turn his back on his village, but there had been too much bad blood spilt, too many terrible memories, and there had been no option but to leave.
He'd tried explaining it to the rest of the former-Akatsuki before, though the only person who could truly understand had been Itachi. They had both sacrificed so much in their life and it had been clear that they could share their lives with no other, even without the fact they loved each other deeply.
"We'll do as we always do. Tackle the problem head on and make everything up as we go along." Naruto's smile was enough to make Madara burst into laughter, the sound echoing through the room. His head tilted backwards, mask falling back into place and muffling the laughter a little.
"There's no one else who could pull such a feat off," Madara said, amusement clouding his voice.
"Without it," Naruto quipped, "this village would be empty of horses and fun. People take themselves too seriously most of the time and if I have to spend my lunch hour galloping around the playground to make children and parents laugh, then I'll do it every day!"
Madara gave a soft laugh at the exaggeration (yes, Naruto had let children climb on him and he'd run around a playground, but it had only been the one time – too messy and too many small knees and elbow bruises left behind). Naruto followed his gaze as he looked out of the window and remembered, long ago, Madara standing at his side, confused as to why Naruto had planted horses over the village over foxes or more impressive animals – such as lions or dragons
"There are myths about horses pulling the sun across the sky. A tireless, joyful job that they continue to do, no matter how hot or heavy their load. There are stories of magnificent horses too, of wild Pegasus and the unicorns. They're a symbol of everlasting hope; the dawning of a new day." Naruto had smiled as the sun began to set, light catching the golden horses.
"Kurama is my own sigil," Naruto had said, hand coming to cup his stomach. "In a sense, he has always been bonded to my clan and it's why I could not take Itachi's name when we married."
No one had pressed for details when it had been Itachi who had taken Naruto's name, but a few eyebrows had been raised for it was an uncle through the Uzumaki bloodline who had caused Naruto so much pain before.
The answer had made sense and Madara had never questioned Naruto's choice again. The horse, winged or otherwise, was a fine choice for their village.
"It's about time," Madara said, bringing thoughts back to the meeting that was about to take place. "Shall we?"
Naruto nodded and picked up a folder from the desk. Madara opened the door and they left the office, walking the short distance to the council's meeting room. Naruto had scheduled a second meeting after allowing the council to gather more information about what had happened. This would then be used to evaluate what could be done if Taiyōgakure entered the war.
As they entered the room, Naruto smiled at the group of people who had become a family to him. Even though the partnerships had technically been dissolved between the members, they knew who worked best with each other and often migrated into these pairings.
Itachi was there, as always, and he stood as Naruto entered. Everyone looked up, cutting off their conversations to begin business.
"Thank you for coming on such short notice," Naruto said. They'd only just decided to hold the meeting a few hours ago and it was only polite to thank them all for gathering.
"As you know, we're here to discuss the current climate and see if we can find any solutions to the problems." Naruto took his seat and everyone nodded slowly.
"We're not going to be able to stay unnoticed for much longer. Rumour has it that Terumi Mei will be knocking on our door in the near future and we need to be able to answer her question." Naruto shifted and the others looked down, already knowing what the question was.
"So we need to decide now whether we offer help to the five nations or simply continue to provide safety for those who need it." If it was Naruto's decision alone, it would be easier – but he had so many people depending on him and needed counsel.
Itachi leant forwards, resting his elbows on the long table and looking at everyone. "We need to consider our position first and how we can deal with the survivors here and the other villages. We have a reputation and people aren't going to be trusting at all."
Kisame snorted, glancing at Itachi before looking up at the ceiling. "Of course, but aren't you forgetting something? They're not going to be trusting because they think we're all dead."
He was right, of course, but a deep voice added "Or be under the impression we're evil. Konoha only entered into contract with us because of Naruto and they're not going to be happy if we suddenly all pop up out of the blue."
Everyone was silent as they remembered the circumstances in which they had left Konoha after a war. The Kyūbi had given them all an opening they'd needed, but had withdrawn into Naruto's seal thereafter, vanishing from sight. They'd all been weak after that and it had taken a long time to recover their chakra levels, leaving no signature for tracking behind.
They'd left and Konoha had never been given a reason to suspect Naruto might be alive. Naruto had needed the distance, too sick of being a hidden shadow, their protector Hikage, anymore. His friends hadn't known who he was anymore and Naruto had been on the verge of breaking point.
They hadn't vanished completely just after the battle though. Naruto could remember returning to watch Konoha pay tribute to the people who had died in the battle. They had pledged to remember and Naruto had simply watched, allowing his friends and family to cry under the illusion that he was gone.
The only link to the world that day had been Itachi's fingers threaded through Naruto's own. Throughout the whole thing, Itachi had simply stood by his side, offering his silent support.
"No," Naruto said to the room. "They won't be happy, but we're not left with many options. Everyone's being backed into corners and we're lucky that we're no pressed against the walls yet. Everyone's going to find out sooner or later if these attacks continue, as survivors of the attacks. We won't be able to prevent anything."
It was a fact now, after this attack on Mizu. It wasn't a random effort targeted at one person, but a force gathered on intent to simply destroy. The choice really was between sitting and waiting or being involved.
Being directly involved was harder than it sounded, though.
"I'll take a vote. After what we decide, I'll talk to the main families of Taiyōgakure and see what they think. Regardless to what we decide, they'll be safe here, but I'm not going to move without letting everyone know what we are doing."
It was one of the qualities that made Naruto the loving Kage everyone knew. He was considerate, careful to involve everyone, and knew that, no matter what, he had to be prepared. He would talk to the families who ran the major industries and see how they would feel, discuss their options and make sure everyone reached a conclusion that was acceptable for all.
"All in favour of helping, raise your hand." Naruto's eyes scanned the room, counting the raised arms.
"And against?" he said. Not a single muscle moved. Naruto smiled and stood up. "Well we have our answer then. I'll set up a meeting with the others and I expect you back in here later. We have another meeting to schedule what to do."
"What ever happened to the whimsical Naruto? The one who would make a split decision with no regrets until the end?" Madara said softly and Naruto shrugged.
"Entire villages are on the line. We hold the cards at the moment, being the place people see as salvation. We're responsible now." He chuckled, shaking his head. "Responsible. No one would ever have thought it of me!"
Naruto left, his cloak whipping at his heels. The rest of the council looked at each other, knowing that it wouldn't be long before at least some of them would move out, most likely to Konoha.
"It's a matter of time now," muttered Madara. No one had to ask what he meant, they all knew.
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The Yondaime Raikage, leader of the Allied Shinobi Force, rubbed his head. He had been thinking of making this decision for days, talked about it with a few people, but he had never hoped to implement it. It was just supposed to be words, except A knew it was more than that now. There wasn't supposed to be a second attack, but now that Mizu as well as Iwa had been destroyed, the remaining three villages had to support each other.
Which was why A was about to contact Konoha in a request for help. Or at least, he would have been about to contact Konoha, if not for Samui strolling in and staring at him.
"How can I help?" A muttered, looking pointedly at her. Samui glanced at the door and nodded towards it.
"Seems like Konoha sent us a scout. He's outside," she said bluntly, a pinched look on her face. A couldn't blame her; she was as overworked as he was, though she had to keep on a lot more things and make sure it was organised for him.
She left a moment later and allowed Konoha's scout to enter. A watched as the man entered, glad that he seemed to have a good head on him as he looked at his new surroundings. Only when he was comfortable he knew his surroundings did the man settle himself into them. A watched as the man's head tilted slightly at the window, indicating he had spotted a way out and hid a smile as dark eyes connected with his own. Konoha had not only sent a scout, they had sent a highly trained shinobi.
"I would welcome you to Kumo except it's not much of a pleasant call. I'm guessing you've travelled straight here from Konoha?" A asked, surprisingly chatty. Well, if it would help sort out a plan of action, he'd talk daintily all day.
The scout nodded. "Uchiha Sasuke," he bowed and waited for A to introduce himself, though it was clear he didn't expect A to do as such.
As predicted, Uchiha continued. "I stopped for one night to sleep, but I know you'll understand when I say it was more important to get here.
"I was sent from Konoha to ask your permission to gather the remainder of our Alliance and work out what we can do together to combat this enemy." Uchiha was a good man. He skipped right to the point and said what he wanted, even if the words seemed a little stilted. So perhaps he wasn't the best with politics – who was?
A looked at him, trying to judge his character. He was a true Uchiha, the crest printed onto the breast of his clothing. He was tired, that much was clear, but there was also an underlying tiredness, as if he had many regrets and losses.
Uchiha Sasuke needed to prove himself, though. A wasn't about to let him just throw a name around and be able to gain things from Kumo. No, here in Kumo, everything was based on respect and power. Some viewed it as an archaic rule, but they had different views on everything.
"Then why are you here? Why not send your Hokage or head of council. Someone who is able to make choices for the village rather than someone who will be reporting back," A said, wanting to hear an answer of this man's own thoughts. He had to be smart, Tsunade-hime wasn't an idiot who would send an incapable idiot to meet with him.
But A was also concerned for his people and wanted to make the right decisions for them. If this man was here to begin negotiations, Uchiha had to know that nothing would be easy and he wouldn't just let Konoha dominate the field. Konoha had no idea that Kumo was a moment away for calling the meeting. It just so happened that Konoha had been that little bit faster and stepped up, alleviating the worry from A's shoulders somewhat, just so that he didn't feel as if he'd gone running for help (it was a matter of pride that B would tell him to get over).
"As you can imagine the situation in Konoha is like your own. People are scared. They need a kage in their walls to feel protected. Besides, we all know that it takes a battering ram to strike a deal with the leader of the Alliance." Uchiha quipped a smirk and A took it. He didn't bother trying to refute the claims; they were correct. He was stubborn, a bull that would not move. It took more than a handsome name to make the Raikage bend to anyone's will.
"We need to protect our people and formulate plans that will help us to protect each other. Konoha plan to send people out to find the source. We have a few clues, but we would appreciate any help." Uchiha fell silent and A sat down, resting his feet on the table.
"Help Konoha to scour the world with only a handful of clues? It's not practical. We need to be in defence rather than baiting danger." A countered. Konoha wouldn't get everything, not on his watch.
There was a small chair in front of the desk and Uchiha had taken A's cue as one to sit down himself. He looked directly into A's eyes as he spoke, a good sign for his courage though it annoyed A a little that this brat defied the norm.
"How can we defend ourselves if we have no idea how they are attacking? You could burrow yourself into the ground for all the protection it would offer, but does it actually help? No." Uchiha stood firm and A hid a mile.
This was a good indicator of why Konoha has sent Uchiha Sasuke. He was willing to reach A's levels in bargaining, something that not many people had the balls to do. With such a title as the Leader of the Alliance, A was a force to be reckoned with.
The Alliance itself had been set up four years ago when Konoha had requested meetings with all other Kages. Senju Tsunade had proposed an alliance between nations, to prosper trade routes and smooth negotiations between them. The kages of the five Shinobi nations had met in the Land of Iron and forged a tender alliance between them and the lone samurai nation. It hadn't been easy and they'd all wanted to walk out at some point, but they'd still done it.
A had been elected on his merits, his strength and ability to think things through. He had been able to battle aside the criticism on his short temper, even rein it in at points, and fought through all odds. He had become the leader and he had to think as a leader.
So when someone from Konoha turned up to negotiate some rules in the face of a crisis, he wouldn't back down. A knew from experience that things like this would benefit from careful strategies, but they simply didn't have time.
"What do you want then?" he ventured, tired of their faux cat-and-mouse game.
"I want you to strike a proper agreement. Help us and we'll help you. Start by getting people to look for any signs, talk to survivors. They've been said to be scouring the land of steam for signs of the mystery village." A looked at Uchiha as if he was mad.
"You expect me to deploy my ninja just to help your search parties? And for a village that doesn't even exist?" Uchiha stood, nodding his head as if it was really that simple.
"Then thank you for your time. Perhaps when your village is the one scouring the hills you will feel a little more hopeful it does exist. Contact Konoha if you wish to help, unlike you, we are open to suggestions." And with that, Sasuke left.
He was a nuisance and A let him go, calming his temper. He wouldn't let Uchiha leave Kumo, but he needed a while before he called him back to accept the terms of help.
Samui, with her wonderful sixth sense, looked in on him.
"When the Uchiha leaves, get someone to send him back to me. I don't want him leaving without making the deal, but I want it on my terms." He hunkered down at his table, wondering whether B was free to take his anger out with by sparring.
He ignored Samui's eye roll at his predictability
.
Kakashi waited patiently for the man before him to finish scribing, but it was hard when he had been painstakingly writing for nearly ten minutes. They were only supposed to be small notes, little one to send to a group of people, but the scribe was determined to make it drag on.
"Just a minute," the man said and Kakashi refused to believe him. If they were any longer, the team wouldn't be able to set out at a decent time.
Luckily, though, the man passed the small scrolls over at that time, sending Kakashi on his way. He passed on his reluctant thank yous and walked off to the tower where the messenger birds were kept. The easiest way to contact someone was to use a bird keyed directly to their chakra. It was a short-time method as the birds had to get used to the chakra signal and be in close contact, but it was quick and efficient.
The reason for the birds was to call together a varied team in order to look for anyone who could help in their investigations. They would set out for the land of steam, mainly with the intent to look for Taiyōgakure. If the village existed, then it had to hold a lot of knowledge about the attackers, or even – though Kakashi didn't want it to be so – be h ones behind the attacks.
Regardless to where they stood on the line of good and evil, Taiyōgakure held an important role in the survivor's lives. To get to the survivors, Konoha would have to look at the land of steam, if rumours and legends had been interpreted correctly and it was the land of steam the village lay in. It would be incredibly lucky if they found it, but it would not be made their main aim.
Kakashi returned to Tsunade's office where he would wait with her for the arrivals. They would come soon, knowing about the importance their mission would have, yet Kakashi hoped they would just end the waiting.
He always said it was the waiting that did it for most people. Kakashi had been there to listen, before they interrogated the man so many years ago, the fox ANBU and the dog ANBU. Naruto had told Kakashi that he was sick of waiting; waiting for the Akatsuki, for Oblivion. For death, for love, acceptance, hatred. All the things that everyone waits for in the end.
At least Naruto didn't have to go through that anymore. He was free from waiting, could make his decisions, and was free of feeling sick.
Kakashi, on the other hand, had to sit and wait for the group to trickle through. No matter how old they all got, Kakashi would always see the younger kids who had grown up rather than the men and women they had become today. He couldn't hide the fondness in his (covered) smile, no matter the circumstances.
Predictably, Sakura was the first to enter. She gave Kakashi a quick hug before she sat down, obviously still recovering from the stint she'd pulled at both the hospital and out at Iwa. Sai and Kiba entered together, silent except for the knowing look they shared.
The two men had become somewhat friends since Sakura had been on an almost permanent team with Kakashi, Tenzō and Sai. Sasuke joined them occasionally, but he had mainly been busy with work in the ANBU. Team Kakashi had become a specialised team, taking high ranked missions that weren't quite qualified for ANBU and completing them in record times.
Sai had met Kiba at a dinner Sakura and Sasuke had been invited to. He had struck a fast friendship with Kiba, trading insults over beef, and they had kept the odd friendship since.
The last to enter were Ino and Shikamaru and they joined the team quietly, nodding to their friends and waiting for orders.
"I'm sending you to the land of steam. I want you to track down as many people who are willing to give information to you in order to find the whereabouts of Taiyōgakure. In the event that you do find the village, enter and get as much information from there as you can. If it seems they are on our side, strike a deal where possible. If they exist, we need them." Tsunade sounded weary, not bothering to embellish the mission report.
The group simply nodded.
"You may meet up with Jiraiya. He's also searching for the village. The only difference is priorities; yours is to find people, his is the entrance to the village." Tsunade ran a hand through her hair, sighing.
"Come back safely. If, at any time, it looks hostile, pull back. I don't want any of you hurt on something as small as this." Kakashi nodded and Tsunade smiled.
No matter how weary they were, the prospect at getting a free mission to look for the fabled village was too good to pass up and everyone seemed ready to go despite not having fully packed yet.
"You leave when you're ready," Tsunade said and Kakashi watched everyone flee, their one chance at hope of surviving becoming closer to their grasp.
.
Naruto looked up and smiled. Above him stood Itachi, leaning over the bed. His hair dangled down, loose from its usual ponytail, and Naruto reached up to run his fingertips through the strands. His fingers caught on a few knots and he combed them out gently.
"Hey," he whispered, smiling at the man he loved. Naruto scooted over and Itachi climbed on top of the bed next to him, slipping an arm under Naruto's neck. He closed his eyes, Naruto feeling the brush of eyelashes against his shoulder.
"It feels like it's been ages since we last laid here doesn't it?" Naruto murmured, running a finger along the veins in Itachi's left hand. "It hasn't been that long, but it will be by the end."
Naruto propped himself up so that he could look at Itachi. If he could memorise and draw from scratch anyone's face then it would be Itachi's. He had seen Itachi's features so many times, yet each time he could never get enough.
Itachi was like a drug; addictive. Although he was good for Naruto, Itachi presence could also be counterproductive; for example, three months ago, when Naruto had to sign some papers for planning permission. He had ended up getting them reprinted after Itachi had visited him in his office and they had gotten a little carried away.
Of course that had been the butt of jokes from their friends for weeks. They'd tolerated it and ignored the barely-concealed laughter until Deidara had managed to get one of his tongues stuck to a toilet seat, courtesy of careful planning from Itachi. That was a rivalry that had never truly faded, though it had grown out of its hateful phase and Naruto knew Deidara and Itachi cared for each other.
"Whatever happens, whoever finds us, I love you," Itachi said suddenly and Naruto snorted.
"I know you've always been the sappy kind, but do you have to bring doom and gloom in as well?" Itachi smacked Naruto on the shoulder lightly and stood, retying his hair and stretching out.
"I promised I'd take an extra shift at the entrance tonight. They want some more scouts out in the dark and they're a person short at the gate. I assumed you were busy with planning and all so I agreed." Naruto nodded, understanding.
"I'll walk you down before I go back up to the office. We've finally reached an agreement, but it needs to be documented in case something goes wrong. Documents help as long as there is an organised system." He rose from their bed and stretched, just as Itachi had.
Itachi smiled, putting an arm around Naruto's shoulders as they walked. They left their home and headed for the entrance to the village, greeting the people they saw. It had been a while since Naruto and Itachi had been alone together, but they talked about nothing harder than the weather. It was pleasant, gentle conversation that showed the level of comfort and content they had found with each other. It also meant they didn't have to think about the bigger picture, think about the death and destruction around them or the new alliances being put to the test outside their walls.
They walked through the outskirts of the camp and greeted the staff there briefly. Naruto knew that they were under a lot of pressure trying to find places for everyone and set them up with proper housing in the village and knew he would have find time tomorrow to do his bit, even if it was just for support. The people deserved that much at least.
The air suddenly shifted and Naruto could feel the confrontation before he saw it. Itachi looked ahead to the skirmish at the gates, Naruto's gaze following, to see that a few people were running about, swapping quick-fire conversations.
"Naruto-sama!" one of the younger patrollers shouted as he noticed Naruto and Itachi, drawing all attention their way.
"What's the problem?" Naruto asked, wanting to solve whatever the problem was with as little fuss as possible.
The young patroller gestured to the gate, "There's a mad woman out there."
Itachi looked away to hide the smile. Naruto knew why. The barriers had been created with the former-Akatsuki members' chakra and, as such, both Itachi and Naruto could feel the chakra of the 'mad woman'. And she was no mad woman.
"Well then, I think you best let her in," Naruto said simply and moved over to the gate, just in time for the signal to go up.
The gate swung open slowly, the dark stone moving back until there was a large enough gap for the three people standing outside.
"May I introduce you to Terumi Mei, Godaime Mizukage," Naruto said, voice carrying despite the slight kerfuffle everyone had gotten themselves into.
The patrollers stilled, looking at the dishevelled yet proud woman as she stepped into the light. Mei was tired, understandably, and looked in good need of a long bath, but she was here and Naruto greeted her warmly.
"And who are you?" she said, an undeniable challenge in her words.
Naruto knew she would be difficult and felt Itachi clasp his shoulder gently before walking over to relieve someone of duty. Even without Itachi, Naruto knew he had done enough to assure Mei he was no harm from the warm look in her eyes as she inspected Taiyōgakure, taking note of the organised camps and how healthy people seemed despite their horror.
"I am Uzumaki Naruto, Taiyōkage." Naruto let her inspect him, looking into her eyes.
"By marriage?" she asked, eyes darting from his left hand and then to where Itachi had vanished off to, not missing a single thing.
"By blood," Naruto said, unashamed and unafraid to speak of his personal life. "My husband was from the Uchiha clan before he took my name."
An eyebrow raised and Naruto could see she was a beautiful woman underneath the dirt and debris.
"The Uchiha clan was always said to be a clan of good looking men," Mei said, a slight hint of elation in her voice at talking over something so silly, so trivial as men. "It's evident the men also have high standards for their lovers."
She grinned and Naruto moved to her side, letting her take his arm. Her reputation preceded her, but Naruto knew he'd have no problems being friends with Mei.
.
Notes:
Thank you for all your support! I can promise that I'll update this story every month, though I can't say when in that month. I missed July, but we'll ignore that!
Thank you again and I appreciate all comments/favourites/alerts! Have a great weekend.