talking: Ya' know

thinking: Ya' know

jutsu: Flying Raijin Jutsu

Tailed Beast talking: Damn you 4th Hokage

Tailed Beast thinking: Damn you 4th Hokage

Chapter 6: Hinata and Hikari Akatatsu

-Hinata-

It was late at night, and Hinata was exhausted. She was currently lying in bed, thinking about whatever came to mind. Mostly Naruto. She really cared about Naruto, and hoped that he was safe. She knew that he had Haku with him, but with everyone after him she was worried that he alone would be enough to protect 'him.

Despite her worry, she couldn't help but think of what her mother may think of him. She told Naruto that she had gone out on a mission, and went missing. Eventually she was declared KIA however, her body was never recovered. Within the cemetery, stood and empty grave marker with her mother's name on it. Her name was also engraved on the 'Memorial Stone'.

"I'm sure you would like him mother. He's sweet, kind, brave, cute, and overall a wonderful person." Hinata thought, as a tear left her eye. "I miss you, so much."

-Naruto (Twelve Hours Earlier)-

Naruto was currently training with Natsu of the Chikara Clan, and Yusako of the Kudo Clan. The Kudo Clan are highly intelligent, and specialize in reading body language and using Genjutsu. Yusako was a middle-aged man in his mid thirties. He had short black hair, a mustache and wore glasses.

Naruto's training was rough, to say the least. He told them that he didn't want to rely the 'Flying Raijin Jutsu', and asked for their help in training him. They agreed, but wouldn't train him in their clan techniques. He of course agreed without hesitation. But his training did consist of them using their techniques. And though the training was tough, he wasn't complaining since he was being trained by the strongest members of the clans.

His was making progress with his training from the Chikara Clan, but not with the Kudo Clan's Genjutsu. It turned out that Genjutsu was Naruto's biggest obstacle. So, Yusako taught him how he could break out of a Genjutsu. He taught him the most basic way, but told him that it's not always enough. Naruto's Genjutsu training consisted of breaking various types and levels of genjutsu. Unfortunately, Naruto was having a difficult time breaking through most of even the lower ranked Genjutsu.

Naruto had been training since dawn, and Yusaku decided to call for a break. Releasing the Genjutsu on Naruto, Yuasku said. "Alright Naruto, time for a break."

*SIGH* "Thank you. Man, Genjutsu sucks!" Said Naruto, as he plopped down. Naruto closed his eyes, panting and trying to catch his breath. "I wonder how Karin and Tayuya's training is going. Better than mine, I hope."

"Are you sure it's Genjutsu that sucks, and not just your skill at breaking it? Hnhn." Yusaku asked, rhetorically.

"Ugh." Was Naruto's reply.

"Escuse me, Lord Naruto?" Asked Ran. Ran was about a year older than Naruto. She was the daughter of Kogoro and Eri Mouri, a civilian family who had lived back in the day when the village was prospering.

"I told you, it's just Naruto. I'm not into that whole formal crap." Naruto replied, with his eyes closed.

"Sorry. But, someone wanted to see the person in charge here. And you're the strongest of the three Uzumaki's here." Ran explained. Next to her stood a woman in her late twenties or early to mid thirties. She had long dark bluish black hair, and had hazel brown eyes.

Naruto opened his eye, and was shocked at what he was. Naruto stood up, and rubbed his eyes to make sure he was seeing right.

"Is something wrong?" The woman asked. She was shocked that everyone had such respect towards a child. She was sure that there was a reason, but she wasn't going to asked about it just yet. Also, she couldn't help but feeling that she'd seen the boy somewhere before. A long time ago, but she couldn't put her finger on it.

"Huh? Oh sorry. It's just that you look a lot like my girlfriend. And if I didn't know any better I'd say you were probably her mother. No offense." Naruto explained, as he held his hand behind his head with his toothy grin.

*Gasp* "N...none taken. My name is Hikari, Hikari Akatatsu." Said Hikari. "Ok, now I'm really starting to believe that I know him somehow. But where? He couldn't have been in the Leaf Village, could he?" Hikari asked herself.

"My name's Naruto Uzumaki." Naruto replied, receiving a shocked look from Hikari.

"I...it can't be! Naruto Uzumaki?! What's he doing here?! And why isn't he in the Leaf Village?!" Hikari had no knowledge of what's been going on in the Leaf Village. Since she went missing during her last mission, she has pretty much become a hermit. Only ever going out to gather food. Other than that, she always stayed out of sight. As much as she wanted to go back to the village, she couldn't. Otherwise her family would be put in danger. Missing was her best chance to protect her family.

"Hey. Are you ok?" Naruto asked, concerned about Hikari's sudden change in behavior.

Coming out of her stupor, she suddenly changed her behavior again. "Naruto! What's your girlfriend's name?!" She all but yelled, her voice sounding full of worry.

"Uh, her name's Hinata. Hinata Hyuga. Why?" Naruto asked, eyeing her suspiciously.

Hikari simply just fell down to her hands and knees. "Hinata is dating Naruto? I knew she had a crush on the boy, before I left. But, she was always so shy. I'm amazed that they're together."

"Heeelllloooo. I asked you why you wanted to know her name." Said Naruto, slowly getting annoyed that he was still waiting for an answer.

*Sob* "I...*sob* is she *sob* okay?" Hikari asked, as she cried.

"I'll answer, but only if you answer me why you wanted to know about Hinata." Said Naruto, now curious why this woman was crying. But he didn't dare drop his guard just in case.

"I...*sob* I'm her m...mother. *Sob*" Hikari cried out.

"That's impossible! Hinata's mother dies years ago on a mission!" Naruto yelled, angry that this woman would say such a thing.

"Please! I know it's hard to believe! But I'm sure Hinata told you that my body was never found, right?" Hikari asked, looking at Naruto with tear filled eyes.

Naruto couldn't see any deceit in her eyes, but he wasn't sure if he could entirely believe her. "How can I be sure that you're not lying to me, and trying to trick me?" Naruto asked.

Hikari didn't reply. She just slowly reached her right hand towards her weapons pouch. She then pulled out a worn out photo, and handed it to Naruto. Naruto cautiously took the photo and looked at it. Naruto was stunned. It was the same photo that Hinata had once shown him. On the right side stood Hiashi while the woman, though slightly older now, stood on the left side holding a new born infant. And a little five year old Hinata stood in the middle. The entire family, except the infant Hanabi, stood with smiles.

"Ho...how? How are you still alive? Why aren't you dead? What's going on? And why haven't you returned to the Leaf Village and your family?!" Naruto asked, angry not because she was telling the truth, but that she never returned to her family.

"T...to protect...my daughter. *Sob* F...from D...Danzo! *Sob*"

"Danzo?! What the hell did he want?!" Naruto asked, through gritted teeth. His fists were clenched, angry about how Danzo may be involved in this. Hoping to get an answer, but Naruto knew that he wouldn't. At least not until she calmed down. *Sigh* "C'mon, get up. Then once you calm down, you can explain what happened. Alright?" Said Naruto, extending his hand.

Looking up with slight shock, and tear filled eyes. Hikari nodded. "A...alright." Hikari replied, as she accepted Naruto's hand.

Once Naruto had helped her up, they went somewhere near the outskirts of the construction and on top of one of the houses. Namely the roof of Naruto temporary home. Once Hikari had calmed down, Naruto asked her to explain herself. "So, what happened?"

*Sigh* It all started when about a year after Hanabi was born."

-Flashback (Hyuga Compound)-

Hikari and Hiashi were in Hiashi's office, when there was a knock on the office door. *Knock knock*

"Enter." Said Hiashi, as both he and his wife looked up at the door.

A servant from the Branch family entered the room, and then bowed before saying. "Lord Hiashi, Lady Hikari. Lord Danzo is here to see you."

"What could he want?" The two thought, simultaneously.

"Show him in." Hiashi ordered.

The servant nodded and left the office, allowing the elder ninja inside the office. "Greetings Lord Hiashi, Lady Hikari. How are you this fine day?" Danzo asked, trying to get on their good side. Not that he cared either way.

"We're doing well. To what do we owe the 'pleasure' of having one of our Elders to come here and visit?" Hiashi asked, already suspicious of the man.

"I'm here to take your daughter, Hinata, in order to train her as a part of my 'ROOT' division." Said Danzo, getting straight to the point.

Hiashi and Hikari were shocked. They couldn't believe what they just heard. "Are you insane?! You can't just come here and take one of our children! Get the hell ou..." Hikari yelled, before she was stopped by Hiashi.

"Calm down, Hikari. Now, Danzo. My wife has a point, you can't just come here and demand one of our children." Said Hiashi, in a calm voice. "He must be up to something. But, what is it?"

"Hmm. You have a point. But the Hokage has consented to this." Said Danzo, gaining shocked looks from both of the present Hyuga. "I'm authorized to have one child from each clan. And so, I've decided to begin my choices with the heirs and heiresses of each Clan. I've decided to begin with the Hyuga Clan's heiress, Hinata Hyuga. This is all for the sake of the village." Danzo explained, shocking the two even more.

"That can't be!" Hikari yelled, not believing her ears.

"Actually it is. Now, if you don't mind. I'll be taking Hinata, and training her." Said Danzo, as he turned to leave the room.

"Wait!" Hikari yelled, gaining Danzo's attention.

Danzo turned his head to look at Hikari over his shoulder. "Yes. What is it?" Danzo asked.

"Damn it. I can't let him take Hinata. No matter what it takes, I'll protect my family!" Hikari thought. "What if you took me instead?!" Hikari asked.

"Hikari what're you saying?!" Hiashi asked, shocked that his wife would ask such a thing.

"Tell me. Why would I want to do that?" Danzo asked, now fully turned towards them.

"Because, I'm already well trained. And Hinata could possibly die, during one of the missions she's assigned by you. Should that happen, you risk losing the Byakugan to enemy hands. Taking me would prevent that. And if you take a Branch family member, there is a chance that they could be discovered and captured. Again resulting in losing the Byakugan." Hikari explained, with a look of total determination in her eyes.

"I already have thought of precautions for those slim chances. Besides, you're too attached to your emotions. I don't have the patience to knock them out of you, when training a child to not feel emotions would be so much easier." Danzo replied, earning shocked looks from Hikari and Hiashi again.

Composing herself, Hikari continued to try and convince Danzo to leave her family alone. "You have a point there. But, it would also take less time to train an adult that a child. So what's the difference between that. Besides, don't you usually preach about self sacrifice for the greater good? I'm willing to sacrifice my self for both the Leaf Village and my family. I could at least get any missions you have in mind started, instead of you having to wait for the children to mature a little bit." Said Hikari, hoping that this was enough to convince him. Because she couldn't think of anything else.

Danzo seemed to be thinking about his options. She did have a few good points. She is technically a Hyuga, it would risk the Byakugan falling into enemy hand down to 0%, she's already trained as a ninja and she could get his missions started. "Tell me. Would you follow all orders given to you? And by all, I mean including the annihilation of all enemies of the Leaf Village. both foreign and domestic? Including children, if necessary?" Danzo asked.

"Even children?! Is he serious?! It doesn't matter. I'll accept, but I have a back up plan ready. He won't control me or my family!" Hikari thought. "Do I have your word that you'll never pursue someone from the Hyuga Clan, ever again?" Hikari asked.

"Yes. That seems easy enough, to promise. Very well. You have my word. I'll come get you tomorrow morning. Be ready to leave before 10 a.m." Danzo ordered, turning around and leaving the room.

"Very well." Hikari replied, with a bow.

Once Danzo was gone, Hiashi turned towards Hikari. "Are you insane, Hikari?! Do you know what you've done?!" Hiashi asked, not believing what had just happened.

Hikari stood up and looked towards Hiashi, tears overflowing in her eyes. "Yes, I do. But it was the only way to save Hinata, Hanabi and the rest of the Hyuga children. *Sob* I had to! I couldn't let him take her." Hikari answered, as she ran into Hiashi's arms, crying against his chest.

-Flashback End-

"So, I served Danzo for six months. Luckily, I never had to kill any children or innocent people. Eventually, the team I was on defeated a group of enemy ninja. It was a difficult battle, so we were all exhausted. But I took that as my chance to kill them, and fake my own death. And as a precaution, I made it look like they had taken me captive. I admit that I've done things I regret, but I don't regret why I did those things. So please understand Naruto, I did this all to protect Hinata, Hanabi, Hiashi and the rest of the Hyuga Clan. After faking my death, I took on my maiden name. In hopes of throwing off any pursuers." Said Hikari, as she finished her story.

Naruto sat next to Hikari in thought. "I guess I can believe you. For now anyway. I still need a reason to trust you." Said Naruto, as he turned his head towards Hikari.

Looking back towards Naruto. "I could say the about you, to be honest. But since I'm the one that came here, I don't have much of a choice." Hikari replied, before she looked down with a sad expression in her eyes.

"Why did you come here anyway?" Naruto asked.

Turning back to where she was originally looking, Hikari replied. "I heard that this village was being rebuilt, and I was guess I tired of living like a hermit. And I can't go back to the Leaf Village, otherwise Danzo will have me killed on sight."

"I see. So you want to be a Hidden Whirlpool Ninja then, huh?" Naruto asked, with a face of understanding.

"That's right. And since the Leaf and Whirlpool were once good allies, I thought it would be the best choice for me. Besides, life as a hermit is boring." Hikari answered.

Naruto faced forward once again, to think about his options. "Hmm. I would normally have almost immediately accepted her, but Natsu and Yusaku told me to more patient and think things through. And her story seems straight forward. I could always give her an ultimatum. But what would I want in return." Naruto thought.

"Naruto?" Hikari asked, interrupting Naruto's thought process.

"Hmm. What is it?" Naruto asked, turning towards Hikari.

"You said that you're dating Hinata, right?"

"Yea, but we had to keep it a secret since my reputation wasn't the best."

"I see. Do you by chance know why that is?" Hikari asked, wondering if he knew about the Nine-Tails.

Naruto faced forward once again. *Sigh* "Yea, it's because of the Nine-tails."

"I see. So you know about that then. Does Hinata know?"

This time Naruto smiled as he replied. "Yea, she knows. And she doesn't care about that. She considers me a hero for keeping the Nine-Tails at bay."

*Gasp* "Really?" Hikari asked, earning a nod from Naruto in response. "I see. That's my girl. What about the people hear? Do they know?"

"Yea, they know. Some are a little weary about the Nine-tails, but they understand the difference and don't pay much mind to it." Naruto answered.

"I see. Heh. So, why are you here instead of in the Leaf Village?" Hikari asked.

"Grrrr! You're not the only one who got screwed by Danzo!" Naruto replied.

*Gasp* "Danzo?! What did he do?" Hikari asked.

Naruto then explained his reason for leaving the village. He explained the retrieval mission for Sasuke, the reason he left was for power from Orochimaru, the 'Legal' Document signed by the 3rd Hokage, Danzo's deal and his decision to leave rather than fake his own death.

"I see. I'm sorry." Said Hikari.

"It's alright. It's like I told Hinata when I told her that I didn't know who my parents were. It wasn't your fault." Naruto replied, with a large grin on his face.

Hikari looked shocked at Naruto's response, but then smiled. "Heh. I guess you're right." Said Hikari. Hikari then asked some questions that's been she's been burning to ask. "Naruto. How is Hinata doing? How often did you go on a date? And you did treat her nicely, didn't you?" She asked, giving Naruto a stern look when she asked her last question.

Naruto put his hand behind his head. "Heheheh. We went on a date when ever we were both off from team training and missions. We used the

"Good. *Sigh* I wish I could see my daughters. But, Danzo would find out." Said Hikari, facing forward with more tears threatening to fall.

"Oh, I wouldn't say that." Said Naruto, with in a sing song voice and a smile on his face.

"Wh...what do you mean, 'Oh, I wouldn't say that'?" Hikari asked.

"Heheh. If you promise your loyalty, to me and the Hidden Whirlpool. I can take you to Hinata. And later maybe even Hanabi and Lord Hiashi, after Hinata is back in the village." Naruto anwered, knowing that he finally came up with an ultimatum. One that would work for both of them. Of course he planned on taking Hikari to Hinata either way.

Hikari gave Naruto a suspicious look. "Truthfully. You'll only take me to see Hinata, IF I pledge my loyalty to you and the your village?" Hikari asked.

"Are you?" Naruto asked, not wanting to back down with his test.

Hikari weighed her options. She really wanted to see her daughters and her husband. But she's have to pledge her loyalty, not that she had a problem with it. Naruto was her daughter's boyfriend. Something about this made it seem like this was a test. But, she wondered how Naruto would bring her family. *Sigh* "Yes. I'll pledge my loyalty to you and the Hidden Whirlpool village with my life."

Naruto's face was spread by a large grin. "Great. And the deal was just a test. I would've taken you to Hinata either way." Said Naruto, as he stood up. "Anyway, I need to get back to training. I'll take you to see her tomorrow morning. I'll get Ran to find a place for you to stay until the village is finished. Ok?"

"Sure, but how can you bring me to Hinata? And why just Hinata?" Hikari asked.

"You'll find out tomorrow about 'how'. And why only Hinata, is because she's the only one we can get to without getting caught." Naruto replied.

-Next Morning (Sunrise)-

"Are you ready to go, Hikari?" Naruto asked.

"I'm... a little nervous, to be honest." Hikari answered.

"Why, just tell Hinata the truth. She'll understand. It's one of the best things about her. Not like there's anything bad about her." Said Naruto, with an encouraging grin.

Hikari took a deep breathe, before she said. "Ok. I'm ready." Hikari said.

"Ok. Just put your hand on my shoulder. Hinata is alone with 'Pervy-Sage'"

"'Pervy-Sage'?" Hikari asked.

"Jiraiya of the Sannin. I asked him to take Hinata as an apprentice, after I left the Leaf Village." Naruto replied.

"What?! How did you get Lord Jiraiya to take on Hinata as an apprentice?!" Hikari asked, shocked about the news.

"I was his student before all that bull shit. He caught up with me some time after I left, and that's when I asked him." Naruto answered.

"Why would you do that for Hinata? I know that you two were dating back when you were part of the Leaf..." Hikari began, before she was interrupted by Naruto.

"'Were'? We're still dating. I visit her every now and then and take her out on a date. I try not to interfere too much during her training, so that she can get even stronger." Said Naruto, with a grin.

"Wha... Still dating?" Hikari asked.

"Yea. The news about us dating spread around the village after I left, but it's a secret that we're still dating. Hee hee. It wont' be hard to take her on a date even after she returns to the village. We just need to use our disguises like we used too. We'll just have to be extra careful." Naruto explained.

*Sigh* "I see. But I'm still nervous about meeting Hinata after so many years."

"Don't worry. Hinata told me that you were kind. Her goal was to be as strong as her father, and as kind as you. And I know for a fact that she's achieved the latter. You have nothing to worry about. Trust me." Said Naruto, looking her in the eye.

Hikari looked back into Naruto's eyes, and she couldn't help but feel like she could trust him. With a smile now on her face, she placed her hand on Naruto's shoulder and said. "Alright, I trust you. Let's go." But then a thought occurred to her. "Wait. How are we go..."

-With Jiraiya and Hinata in a clearing, somewhere in the Land of Fire-

"...ing to get to Hinata?" Hikari finished asking, not aware that they had gained Jiraiya and Hinata's attention.

"Heheh. We're already here. Just look around." Naruto replied.

"Huh?" Hikari then looked up, and immediately noticed that they were now somewhere else. As she looked around she then noticed Jiraiya and Hinata, and froze.

"Hey, 'Pervy-sage'. How's the training going?" Naruto asked.

"Brat! Quit calling me that!" Jiraiya yelled. Jiraiya noticed the woman that Naruto brought, and was curious. "Hey, Naruto. Who's that woman you brought?" Jiraiya asked. But before Naruto could answer, Hinata gave him the answer to his question.

"Mo...mother?! I...is that you?" Hinata asked, shocked to she the woman in front of her. Once Hinata saw Hikari, she instantly recognized her. "I... I can't believe it! My mother is alive?! But how?!" Hinata asked herself.

"Hinata. You've grown so much. You may have your father's eyes, but you look so much like myself at your age." Hikari thought, the moment she saw Hinata. Realizing what Hinata asked, Hikari said. "Hinata. You've grown so much. *Sob*"

"MOTHER!" "HINATA!" Hinata and Hikari yelled respectively, as they took each other in their arm and hugged the other as tightly as they could.

"Mother? As in you're Hinata's mother?" Jiraiya asked, shocked at what he heard and what he was seeing. "Impossible! I thought that Lady Hikari died on a mission! Is this some sort of imposter?!" Jiraiya thought.

"Yup. She faked her death to be free of Danzo's control, and to protect the rest of the Huyga Clan from falling into that bastard's hands." Naruto answered, gaining Jiraiya's attention.

"Danzo?! Grrr. Him again, huh? Naruto, are you sure that this is Hinata's mother?" Jiraiya asked, suspicious about the woman with them.

"Of course I'm sure! I wouldn't have brought her here if I wasn't sure! Sheesh, you need to start trusting me little more here! Lousy pervert!" Naruto yelled, gaining Hinata's and Hikari's attention.

"Quit calling me a pervert!" Jiraiya yelled.

"Well, if you weren't such a big pervert I wouldn't have to call you one! 'Pervy-Sage'!"

"Umm, Naruto." Said Hikari, gaining Naruto's and Jiraiya's attention.

"Why are you calling Lord Jiraiya a pervert? I mean you did tell me that he was your sensei, right?" Hikari asked.

"I call him a pervert beca...Hmmm!" Naruto began, before Jiraiya clapped his hands over his mouth.

"Because he wrote the 'Make-out' series, as well as having a habit of peeping on women in hot-springs." Hinata finished, sticking her tongue out at Jiraiya's shocked expression.

A moment of silence reigned over the area. It wasn't until Naruto finally got Jiraiya's hands off him that Hikari broke the silence. "WHAAAAAT?! You wrote that trash?! You lousy pervert! You better not be corrupting my daughter with you perverted habits! And you Naruto! How could you let a pervert like that teach Hinata! Didn't you think that maybe he might've turned Hinata into a pervert as well!" Hikari yelled.

"I did think of that! That's why I threatened to use the 'Rasengan' on his privates if Hinata turned out like him." Naruto answered, rubbing the back of his head.

"And since he has a way of succeeding in his threat, I'd never try and do such a thing. And I'd never peep on a girl that young." Said Jiraiya, waving his hands in front of himself.

Hikari stared at them with a stern and calculating gaze, as she stood up and crossed her arms. Looking towards Jiraiya, Hikari asked. "And just how would Naruto be able to hit a Legendary Sannin with the 4th Hokage's jutsu?"

"Lord Jiraiya sensei taught Naruto the jutsu, but Naruto can use another of the 4th Hokage's jutsu." Hinata answered, gaining everyone's attention.

"Hmm. What jutsu would that be then?" Hikari asked, looking at Hinata.

Looking and Naruto, Hinata asked. "You don't mind if I tell her, do you Naruto?" Hinata asked.

"Heh. Or course not Hinata. Oh, Hikari. That jutsu is the same one I used to get here." Naruto replied, earning a questioning gaze from Hikari.

"Naruto has learned the 4th Hokage's 'Flying Raijin Jutsu'." Hinata stated, gaining a shocked look from her mother.

-The next day-

Naruto and Hikari had returned to the Hidden Whirlpool Village, it was currently nearing sunset. After what Hinata told Hikari about Naruto's mastery of the 4th Hokage's jutsu, Hikari had a whole new level of respect for Naruto. For he had, what most believed to be, an unbeatable jutsu.

Jiraiya had decided to give Hinata the day off, so as to give her time to spend with her mother. After giving Hinata that privilege, Jiraiya left to do some 'research'. For the rest of the day Hinata, Naruto and Hikari spent the day getting to know each other better. Once the day was over, Hikari told them the she approved of their relationship with each other. But told Naruto never to try anything that Hinata wasn't ready for, causing the two to blush.

The next day Hikari asked Jiraiya if it was ok for her to train Hinata for the day. Saying that she could help Hinata with some of the Hyuga Clan's techniques. Being married to the head of the Hyuga Clan, it's difficult not to be able to see how the techniques are performed. With permission, Hikari then trained Hinata for the day, while Naruto trained by himself.

Although Hikari could help Hinata improve on the Hyuga techniques, it was still difficult considering she herself couldn't perform them. But she was able correct Hinata's form for the various techniques. Once the day was almost over, Hikari made Jiraiya promise to bring Hinata to the Hidden Whirlpool Village, to visit.

Naruto and Hikari were shocked at what the saw. Some of the buildings were damaged, and the adults of the two Clans surrounded a group of eight bound masked ninja. "What's going on here?" Naruto asked.

The group parted to let Naruto and Hikari through. It was the Chikara Clan's Elder that answered. "Lord Uzumaki. These eight shinobi here suddenly appeared in the village and demanded to know where you we were hiding you. Once we refused to answer, they began attacking the village. It didn't take long for us to subdue them, but unfortunately they managed to do a considerable amount of damage to surrounding area." The Elder explained.

Naruto looked around. He saw that he was right, but the damage could easily be repaired with a days work. "Was anyone hurt?" Naruto asked, worried about those who wouldn't be able to defend themselves.

"No, luckily the children weren't around. And the rest of us were careful with these ninja. Though, some of them are gravely injured." The Elder answered, earning a *sigh* of relief from Naruto.

"That's good." Said Naruto, as he began looking over the bound ninja. Most of them seemed to have minor to moderate injuries, while two looked like they wouldn't survive the next few minutes without some major treatment. "Have they said anything?" Naruto asked.

*Sigh* "Not a word. They refuse to talk. We could probably interrogate them, but none of us are very refined to the art." The Elder replied.

"I see." Said Naruto, as he walked up to them. Kneeling down in front of the least injured of them all, Naruto asked. "Danzo sent you, didn't he?" Naruto asked, receiving a slight jerk from one of the more severely injured ninja. Getting up, Naruto went to kneel down in front of him. "Why did Danzo sent you here?" Naruto asked, not expecting an answer.

The name Danzo made everyone of the adults tense. They never met the man, but have heard of his reputation. A battle hungry war monger, who was given the moniker 'The Shinobi of Darkness'. They knew that he'd go to great lengths to protect the Leaf Village, but also gain control of said village.

"It doesn't matter what happens to us. Danzo will get his hands on you. And don't think about interrogating us, we'll die before you get any information out of us." Said the one Naruto had just come from.

"No he won't. We'll never let someone a vile as Danzo to have Lord Uzumaki. We'll die before letting that happen." Said the Chikara Clan's Elder, earning nods from everyone present including Hikari.

"So be it. When Lord Danzo doesn't here word from us, he'll know what has happened. He'll send even more ninja here. He will have Naruto Uzumaki, no matter what it takes." Said the masked ninja.

"We'll see about that, after he sees the message we're going to send them. *Sigh* I don't want to do this, but I have to protect the people here as well as this village. Tayuya, Karin, Natsu and Yusaku!" Naruto called out. The four he just called came forward.

"Yes, Lord Uzumaki." Yusaku asked, as he and Natsu bowed their heads.

"Take them to the outskirts of the village as behead them. After that's done, seal their heads and dispose of their bodies. Then send the sealed heads to the Hidden Leaf Village, addressed to Danzo. Send it as though we were sending a letter." Naruto ordered.

"Yes sir!" Yusaku and Natsu replied, as the four left to follow their orders.

The four followed their orders, but the bodies had disintegrated themselves once their severed heads left their body. Luckily the heads remained intact. Once they sealed the heads, Yusaku volunteered to travel to the Land of fire to send the scroll off to Danzo.

-A few days later-

Danzo had just arrived home, with a scroll in hand. He went to his kitchen table to look at what was in the scroll. He found it strange that he actually got mail from outside the village, but paid it no mind. He opened the scroll, and found a seal inside. With a *poof* of smoke, eight severed masked head no laid on his kitchen table. He immediately recognized the masks. These heads belonged to his 'ROOT' ANBU. He then noticed a letter had appeared among the heads as well, but it wasn't Naruto's handwriting. That he was sure of. But it infuriated him none the less, what the message said.

Dear Old Bastard,

If you ever send more of your ninja here, they will meet the same fate as these eight. Leave us alone for we don't want to do this. However, we will carry out this promise if you do not leave well enough alone. And if you ever come personally to capture Lord Uzumaki, then you will meet the same fate as well. And I doubt many people will care.

Yours truly,

Yusasku Kudo.

P.s. Dont' underestimate the Hidden Whirlpool!

Well that's it for this story. I hope you all liked it. The next one truly will begin after a time skip. Thank you all for reading along thus far. Please review, as it will bring new chapters to you sooner. Once again, I thank you.

P.s. Please don't be mad that I brought back Hinata's mother, she was a key part to my last chapter. As well as to help make Hinata stronger in my next story.