Author Note: N/A
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.
-Chapter II-
By the time Kakashi and Gai escorted the Kumo-nin back to Konoha, both Kakashi and the Kumo-nin can't wait to be rid of Gai and his youthful speeches. Kakashi decides to send Gai on his way and report to the Hokage with the Kumo-nin by himself before Gai annoys the representative any further and destroys the potential for a successful negotiation. Kakashi noticed that the Kumo-nin seemed surprised when Kakashi told him that Suna would also be sending a representative to Konoha and Kakashi has been keeping a close eye on him ever since. The more Kakashi observes him, the more curious Kakashi becomes. The Kumo-nin kept asking Gai about all the major clans of Konoha on the trip after failing on his first attempt with Kakashi, disguising it poorly as mere curiosity about the strength of Konoha before negotiation. Of course, Kakashi talked to Gai about that after the Kumo-nin failed with Kakashi so Gai had been holding back a large amount of information even if none of them are of any significance to the defense of the village. Leading the Kumo-nin to the Hokage's office, Kakashi knocks on the door and enters when he is told to do so.
"Ah, Kakashi, you're back."
"Asuma, Kurenai, you two are back already? I would've thought that you two would spend some time on your own before coming back."
"Unlike you, we don't like slacking off… where's Gai?"
"I sent him back home. It's been a long trip."
Minato, Asuma, and Kurenai sigh at Kakashi's statement, knowing exactly what he means. Looking past Kakashi, Minato smiles at the Kumo-nin standing on the side. Calling for his assistant, Minato asks the man to escort the Kumo-nin to the hotel and says that they will begin the negotiation the next day.
"Kakashi?" Minato says after the Kumo-nin left.
"He was asking about the village's ninjas on the entire trip."
"I see. Maybe my suspicion is not entirely unfounded after all. Very well, the three of you go and get some rest. You've all had a long trip."
"Hai, Hokage-sama."
"Hokage-sama, is Rin still…" Kakashi asks.
"Oh, she should be training Naruto at training ground seven right now."
"Then what about…"
"Koyuki is also there. She seems to have really hit it off with Naruto… well, with Ginko at least."
"Oh? Of all the things, the silver fox was what it took to get that princess out of her shell?" Asuma asks.
"She's been keeping everything inside. I guess she thinks that Ginko is someone who would listen to her without letting anyone know what she's feeling. After all, it's best for her to get everything off her chest."
"I suppose that is true… that poor girl," Kurenai says.
"But that would mean that she's still not ready to socialize with others yet," Asuma says.
"She has opened up to Rin and Naruto somewhat, at least they are getting more then one word responses."
"I'll go check on them then," Kakashi says.
"I guess I'll go visit Koyuki-chan too. Asuma, are you coming?"
"Not like I have anything else to do."
"I guess I'll check on Naruto's progress and take him to lunch too."
"Ho… Hokage-sama?"
"What? Is it such a crime that I want to get away from all the paperwork for a while?"
"No sir," Kurenai blurts out quickly.
The four ninjas arrive to the training ground and find Koyuki off to the side playing with Ginko and Rin staring at Naruto dumbfounded.
"Rin, what's wrong?"
"Hokage-sensei. When did you teach Naruto-kun your prized technique? You won't even teach me that! It's not fair!"
"What?"
"The Rasengan! Naruto-kun already knows the first two stages… well, as well as he can perform it given his lack of chakra."
"Oh?" Minato says, looking equally as shocked as everyone else before catching himself, "so he has gotten that far along has he?"
"Hokage-sensei, I want to learn that technique too!" Rin whines.
"Really now Rin, you're not a little kid anymore…"
"I want to learn it!"
"Fine… Naruto, why don't you show Rin how to perform the first two stages of the Rasengan?"
"OK."
"I can't believe he can learn that technique at such a young age. It took me forever to even grasp the basics of the technique."
"He is my son after all Kakashi. I know he'll make a great ninja."
"Hokage-sama, you are quite difficult to find these days," a voice says behind the group.
"Oh, Kazekage-sama. Is something the matter?"
"There is a small issue that I wish to discuss with you. Your assistant told me that I would be able to find you here. May we talk in private?"
"Of course."
"Temari, Kankurou, Gaara, the three of you may get some light training in. Don't cause any trouble."
"Yes father," Temari says.
"Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, keep an eye on the children."
"Hai Hokage-sama."
Naruto turns around as his father walks away with the Kazekage. Rin starts bugging Naruto again to teach her the Rasengan but Naruto instead walks toward the Suna siblings.
"Hey, my name's Namikaze Naruto," Naruto says, extending his hand toward Gaara.
"I'm Sabaku Temari, these are my brothers Kankurou and Gaara," Temari answers instead as Gaara stares at Naruto's outstretched hand in confusion, "please excuse Gaara, he's somewhat shy."
"It's OK."
"You are Hokage-sama's son right?" Temari asks.
"Yep. Hey, do the three of you want to be my friend?"
"Friend…?" Gaara whispers.
"Yeah."
"I… suppose," Temari says, looking nervously at her brother, "right Gaara?"
"Yes…" Gaara says before whispering, "it's not like it will last long either way."
"Don't be so negative Gaara," Naruto says, patting Gaara on the shoulder.
"Why didn't the sand…"
"Kankurou, be quiet," Temari hisses.
"I see the four of you have really hit it off," the Kazekage says.
"Hokage-sama. Father, you have returned," Temari says.
"Yes. Actually, it's good that you have become friends. The three of you will be staying at Konoha. Hokage-sama knows someone who would be able to treat Gaara's condition."
"But what about you father? I don't think you would be able to stay here for that long."
"I'm going to be heading back to the village of course."
"You're going to… leave the three of us here by ourselves?"
"I expect the three of you to behave while you're here. I will be staying in Konoha until the treaty is agreed to and I'll come back when it's ready to be signed. After that I will be heading back to Suna."
"But what about the Ninja Academy…"
"The three of you will be studying in the Konoha Ninja Academy until Gaara's condition is fully treated."
"…Very well father."
"Temari-chan, cheer up. Now we can all hang out together."
Temari shows Naruto a forced smile before turning toward her two siblings and lecturing them, though mostly directed toward Kankurou, on the proper behavior as they stay in a foreign village. Naruto shows a quick smile toward his father before Rin pulls him toward the middle of the training ground again and bothers the boy until he shows her how to perform the Rasengan.
"Well… Rin-nee-chan, it's not like I don't want to teach you… but I can't just teach you the technique for free you know."
"Fine, what do you want? A trip to the ramen stand?"
"Actually, if you can talk Kakashi-sensei into teaching me the Raikiri…"
"No way," Kakashi says, bonking Naruto on the head.
"But Kakashi-nii…"
"Let me do the talking Naruto-kun. Oh Kakashi-kun…"
"What is it Rin?"
"If you don't want to see your little books disappear in a Katon jutsu accident, you'll teach Naruto-kun the Raikiri."
"Wait a minute now Rin, that's not really playing fair."
"I want to learn the Rasengan. I don't care what I have to do to learn it."
"I can teach you that myself."
"Right, by showing me once and telling me to figure it out myself?"
"Well, I suppose I can show it to Naruto…"
"Slowly. I want to see the hand seals."
"Fine… but let's find some place more private."
"The great Hatake Kakashi… beaten by a kid," Asuma says, chuckling.
"I assure you that Naruto-kun is very persuasive. I have an empty wallet to proof it," Rin says, "speaking of which, Hokage-sensei, I want to be paid back for all the trips to the ramen stands Naruto-kun took when we trained."
"Fine, fine. Just send me the bill and I'll submit it to the mission room. I swear this kid is going to empty Konoha's coffers through his stomach. It may be more economical to hire Teuchi to be my family cook then to have Naruto visit his stand everyday. …You know, now that I think about it… that might not be such a bad idea. I'm going to talk to him after this."
"Do you mean it old man?"
"Naruto? How did you get back so quickly?"
"All I need is to see the hand seals. I can figure out the rest by myself. And if I really need help, I'm sure Rin-nee-chan would be more than willing to teach me."
"Sure… as long as you hold to your part of the deal."
"Of course! I never break my promises."
The negotiations progressed quickly, and the Kumo-nin returned to his village to report the final agreement. The Kumo-nin promised that his village will send an actual ambassador to officially sign the agreement once Kumo cleared the treaty. A month later, Konoha receives a message that Kumo is sending a second delegation to officially sign the treaty and Konoha sends a copy of that message to Suna to invite the Kazekage, who had returned to his village after the Kumo-nin left Konoha.
"All right, Naruto, do you really think Kumo will try to kidnap Hinata?" Minato asks while working on the mountains of paperwork in his office.
"Yep. Right on the day of Hinata-chan's birthday."
"So how should we deal with this?"
"I was kinda hoping you could give me one of your three-prong kunais and help Ginko-chan and I get inside the Hyuuga Compound for Hinata-chan's birthday," Naruto says, patting Ginko on the head, "Ginko-chan and I can get the Kumo-nin, then you can use your Hiraishin to pick him up."
"Naruto, cut it out, I'm not your pet."
"Aw… you let the girls do it."
"Yes, but they don't try to break my neck with every strike."
"Fine…"
"Back on topic. It might be difficult to get you in there. The Hyuugas are rather reserved about those kinds of things."
"I don't care. You help me get in there. I want to stay there for the night. That's when the Kumo-nin will strike."
"Fine. I'll have a word with Hiashi."
"I already told the guards at the compound to tell Hiashi-jii-san that you are looking for him. He should be here any moment now."
"Couldn't you have at least give me a little bit of time to plan how I should explain this to him?"
"You're just going to delay it and nothing gets done in the end."
"How did you ever managed to become the Hokage with that attitude…"
"Tsunade-baa-chan wanted me to fulfill her brother and her boyfriend's dream for them."
"Hokage-sama, Hiashi-sama is here to speak with you," his assistant says through the door.
"Send him in please."
"Hokage-sama, I was told that you are looking for me?" Hiashi says, taking a seat at the table while completely ignoring Naruto's presence in the room.
"Yes… well you see… my son knows that your daughter's birthday is coming up, so… he wants to uh… come over to your house to celebrate with her that day?"
"I see… if I may be so bold… what is the real reason? As the Hokage, you almost never speak in the manner you did unless you are very nervous."
"He just wants me out of the way because I caused so much trouble to the last Kumo-nin they sent here," Naruto says, kneeling next to Ginko.
"Yes… it was rather embarrassing really," Minato says, catching on to his son's plan, "it's an excuse if the delegates they send over wants to see Naruto. That and the fact that Hinata is a good friend of Naruto."
"Very well. I will alert my clan that there will be a guest that day."
"I was hoping that… since I don't know how long the ceremonies will last… perhaps Naruto can stay there for the night? I can really do without his pranks while entertaining the delegates from Kumo and Suna."
"Yes, Naruto's pranks are somewhat legendary in Konoha these days. I understand. I will have my servants prepare a guest room for him."
"Arigatou, Hiashi-jii-san! Oh, can I bring Ginko-chan with me?"
"I don't see why not. It would appear that my daughter is rather fond of that fox herself."
"You take that long to decide if you want me there and you barely thought about Ginko-chan."
"Ginko doesn't cause nearly as much trouble as you do Naruto."
"…That's not fair Hiashi-jii-san."
"Regardless, if that is all Hokage-sama?"
"Yes. That will be all. I will send Naruto over first thing that morning."
"Very well, I shall take my leave now."
A week later, before he heads to the gate to welcome the Kumo delegate along with most of Konoha's citizens, Minato drops Naruto off at the Hyuuga Compound and hands him a three-prong kunai and a signal flare.
"Naruto, be careful all right?"
"Don't worry. I have Ginko-chan with me. We should be more concerned about keeping the Kumo-nin away from the Hyuugas. We need him alive."
"Do what you need to. You have my permission to use that level two Rasengan you've been working on. That should be strong enough to knock him out and weak enough to keep him alive."
"OK. I've been waiting for you to tell me that."
The day progresses as normal, with everyone oblivious to what will happen. Later that night, Naruto manages to convince Hiashi to allow him to stay in Hinata's room with promises of a prank for the ages if he refuses. What Naruto doesn't know is that even if he didn't threaten Hiashi, Hiashi would've agreed anyway because he still feels that Minato and Naruto are still planning something and it involves his daughter. Hiashi decides that he will stay awake to see what Naruto is planning. What he comes across is the Kumo-nin that is sent to sign the treaty attempting to kidnap Hinata, and before he can even move in, Naruto already knocked the Kumo-nin out with the help of the silver fox. Staying on the sideline, he watches as Naruto plants the three-prong kunai in the ground and launches the signal flare. Within moments, Minato appears on the scene with the Kazekage along with several members of the Hyuuga clan who are close to the scene.
"So… your info is correct after all Hokage-sama. Kumo really is trying to kidnap Hyuuga Hinata."
"Yes. I hoped that it isn't so Kazekage-sama. After all, out three villages just signed the treaty."
"What do you intend to do now Hokage-sama."
"I would prefer if you execute him for his crimes," Hiashi says, walking out from his hiding spot.
"No. We need to make him admit his crimes first… I will have Morino and Mitarashi talk to him. Then I will send the confession to Kumo."
"Once you have obtained a confession, I shall vouch for its validity."
"Thank you Kazekage-sama."
Ordering several of his ANBU to take the prisoner to the interrogation department, Minato takes Naruto and Ginko home making up an excuse that the Hyuugas need time to sort everything out. However, instead of taking Naruto home, they head back to the Hokage office.
"All right, we got the kidnapper. Now can you tell me what you are planning?"
"It's only right that we demand reparation from Kumo right?"
"I suppose that would be a fair request, yes."
"I want you to demand someone by the name of Nii Yugito."
"…Nii Yugito? Why?"
"Yugito-chan is the Nibi Jinchuuriki."
"I highly doubt they will hand over something so valuable…"
"With the threat of Konoha and Suna retaliating, I think they'll give it careful consideration. Iwa is still too weak from the last war, and Kiri has too much internal troubles to care about the other villages."
"Oh? So he does have a brain after all."
"…Ginko-chan… that wasn't very nice…" Naruto says.
"Then mind telling me why did a four years old decides charge a foreign Jounin that can kill him with a flick of the finger?"
"Hey, we got him in the end didn't we?"
"I got him. You're just lucky to still be alive."
"But my Rasengan knocked him out."
"Which you are only able to hit him with because I have his entire attention."
"OK. Quit arguing. I'll write the message. You two get some rest. It's been a long day," Minato says.
True to Naruto's word, as soon as the confession and the Hokage's message arrives in Kumo, the Raikage agreed to the stipulations, albeit begrudgingly. The Raikage attempted to send another girl and have her pose as Yugito but the four ninjas the Hokage sent, Kakashi, Asuma, Kurenai, Gai, to deliver the message and guard the prisoner back to Konoha easily spotted the fake with some of the civilians of Kumo. In fact, having the squad go to the civilians first is part of Naruto's plan, to expose that the Raikage almost dragged Kumo into another war and turn the people against the Raikage and support Konoha's minor demand in exchange for peace.
"Yugito-chan, we should be arriving to Konoha in another hour," Kurenai says.
"Arigatou, Yuuhi-san."
"I understand that you miss your vil…"
"I do not miss it."
"But…"
"I hate that village. I'm glad that I'm no longer living in Kumo."
"Don't worry. It'll all be better once you get to Konoha."
"I am here as a prisoner. The people of Konoha would only continue to look down on me."
"Ohaiyo, Kurenai-nee-chan!" a boy screams as he jumps into the carriage, "you must be Yugito-chan right?"
"Yes…" Yugito says, completely shocked by Naruto's entrance.
"Naruto-kun? What are you doing all the way out here?"
"Well, since a very important guest is coming to the village, it's only right that the Hokage sends someone to welcome the guest."
"And I assume that means that you nagged Hokage-sama into letting you come all the way out here by yourself."
"Ginko-chan is with me too," Naruto answers as the silver fox also jumps into the carriage.
Yugito stares at the fox for a few moments before spacing out completely. Kurenai looks on in confusion, trying to stay on the sideline as the scenes unfold by themselves. The other three ninjas are all leaning in, trying to pick up bits and pieces of the conversation as they escort the caravan back to Konoha. A few moments later, Yugito gingerly reaches out toward the fox with trembling hands. Instead of waiting for Yugito's hand to reach her, Ginko simply walks up next to Yugito.
'It almost looks like she's trying to pick up Ginko's scent. What is going on?' Kurenai thinks to herself.
Gently petting Ginko, Yugito turns her attention to Naruto and stares at the boy. Not finding what she's looking for, Yugito leans in to take a closer look.
"Kyuubi isn't sealed in me," Naruto says, shocking everyone within hearing range.
"Then how…"
"It's a long story. I'll tell you when we get to Konoha OK Yugito-chan?" Naruto says, smiling, "oh, Kurenai-nee-chan, dad says that Yugito-chan can live with me."
"But I thought Hokage-sama is already entertaining Kazekage-sama's children."
"Don't worry Kurenai-nee-chan, the Namikaze mansion have plenty of space," Naruto says before muttering to himself, "mainly because we don't have any servants and have to do everything by ourselves. Training for Shinobi life my ass, he's just a cheapskate."
"You're just upset that Hokage-sama still haven't hired Teuchi-san to be the family cook Naruto."
"He said he would ask Teuchi-jiji. It's not fair Kurenai-nee-chan."
"I can understand Hokage-sama's hesitancy. After all, it's not very healthy to just eat ramen every meal."
'This… is Hokage-sama's son? He looks like an idiot, but this fox…' Yugito thinks to herself as she watches the others, 'he said Kyuubi isn't sealed in him… could it be that Neko made a mistake? What does this all mean?'
"Naruto, stop moving around, we're almost there," Kakashi says from the outside.
"OK," Naruto says before turning his attention on Yugito, "what's wrong Yugito-chan? You're being awfully quiet."
"It's… nothing. I just don't want to talk that's all."
When the team arrives at the Hokage Tower to report, Naruto pulls Yugito out of the room saying that he wants to introduce her to Gaara. Running through the street, Yugito notices that the villagers are all staring oddly at them. However, they are not staring at her with any kind of malice. Instead, they are smiling at them in such a way that makes it difficult for her to stand next to Naruto without blushing. The pair eventually stops in front of a mansion with three children playing in the yard outside.
"Hey, I'm home! I brought along a new friend."
"Hey Naruto. So that's where you've been the whole morning huh?"
"That's right Temari-chan. My dad told me to receive our guest from Kumo," Naruto says, "oh that's right. Guys, this is Yugito-chan. Yugito-chan, these three are Temari, Kankurou, and Gaara. They are Kazekage-sama's children."
"I… see…" Yugito says, "regardless, can you answer my question now?"
"Uh… Yugito-chan, Gaara, please come with me."
When Kankurou wants to go along with them, he's chased back by a wall of sand. Chuckling nervously, Naruto leads the pair to his room. On his way, Naruto hears Temari screaming something about burning dolls and turns toward Gaara for answers only to receive a look that says "don't ask."
"All right, take a seat while I check something out."
After making sure that no one is spying on them, Naruto turns back toward the group and nods toward Ginko, who is lying next to Yugito.
"I guess we can begin," Ginko says as Gaara and Yugito stare at the fox in shock, "I am sent by Kyuubi-sama to protect Naruto until he is strong enough to train with Kyuubi-sama."
"But why would a Bijuu be willing to train a human? I thought demons and humans want to have nothing to do with each other," Yugito asks.
"That is technically true, but who says that Naruto is human?"
"What?" all three children screams at the same time.
"Why is that so surprising to all of you?" Ginko asks, looking at the three children.
"Since when did I become a demon?"
"Technically, you're only a Hanyou. As for when, you'll have to ask Kyuubi-sama yourself."
"Then how are you so sure that I'm a demon?"
"Kyuubi-sama told me he chose you, did he not? That means that he has chosen you to be his successor. In order for you to succeed him, you have to be a demon. When he says that you're not ready, it means that you are not a complete demon. There are signs, it's just that you never pay any attention to them. For example, since Kyuubi-sama isn't sealed in you, how can you have this much chakra and the rapid healing ability?"
"Naruto-san, why do you seem so surprised?" Yugito asks.
"I've never heard anything about this either!"
"Then perhaps we should leave while you sort out this problem," Gaara says.
"No. This involves both of you as well, Jinchuuriki of Shukaku and Jinchuuriki of Nekomata."
"You mean he's…"
"Nekomata… yet another Bijuu."
"Since neither of your seals are produced by any kami, Naruto and Kyuubi-sama should be able to separate you from your Bijuu if Naruto can actually learn how to control his demon chakra."
"But wouldn't they die if we do that?"
"No. If you forcibly remove them, probably, but this ritual is fairly safe for Jinchuurikis and Bijuus as long as, like I said, that the seal isn't produced by any kami. Of course, there are side effects, but still…"
"What do you mean side effects?" Yugito asks, glaring at Ginko.
"You will become Hanyous just like Naruto. As for whether you will become their successors or not, that depends on Ichibi-sama and Nibi-sama."
"I don't care about that. It's not like I don't get treated like a demon already."
"Don't worry Yugito-chan. You'll be fine here. No one will treat you that way."
"So what are we supposed to do to prepare?" Gaara asks.
"Just what you would do as ninja training. All you need is a healthy enough body to survive the extraction. Standard ninja trainings should be good enough."
"Good, I intend to become the strongest ninja in the entire world when I grow up anyway," Yugito says.
"My father has already prepared me to become a ninja," Gaara say, "though I might have a better chance to succeed here than in Suna."
"I can tell my dad to put the three of us on the same team when we grow up. We'll be the strongest team in history. Even stronger than the Sannin."
"That would require for all of you to become ninjas first," Ginko says, putting her head on Yugito's lap, "I'm not worried about Yugito or Gaara. You however, is different story."
"Ginko-chan, you're so mean…" Naruto says.
"Are you three in there?" a voice asks.
"What do you want dad?"
"Naruto. It's nice that you three are becoming quick friends, but don't you think we should show Yugito her room first?"
"Oh, that's right. Come on Yugito-chan."
Additional Author's Note: Leave a note if you like the story.
