((This story is pure fan-fiction. The characters and locations are the sole property of Shonen Jump and the series's creator, Masashi Kishimoto. At no time is this fiction an intent to infringe upon their rights nor properties. Neither do I own any of the Predator series, characters, nor concepts as created by Jim and John Thomas nor written/drawn by the many literary artists in the comic book, video game, and book genres.))

((The next day))

Arriving back at the Village, Naruto used his cloaking mechanism to bypass the gate guards with ease. He took to the rooftops and made his way towards the Hokage Tower, reflecting on the events that took place during his return. I don't know who that man was, but it was obvious as to just why he is Orochimaru's second. If it hadn't been for my cloak I wouldn't have escaped with my quarry. Still...no one has ever managed to last long enough to drain a battery in my pack. Just more than a little lucky I managed to wound him seriously enough to give me a good head start. Enough of one to let me drop into a bolt hole and wait out the night... He frowned behind his mask as he considered that it had also been the first time he had been forced to run from someone. A new experience to say the least as he was more used to doing the chasing; not being the chased. He vowed to resume his training and grow stronger as well as improve on his existing equipment if not expand his arsenal. A glance to the now empty launcher attached to his left vambrace at that reminder and he removed a clip from a seal on his belt and loaded it quickly. "Next time...Yakushi Kabuto, I will be ready for you. Your head is mine..." he said lowly as he arrived at the Tower and snuck past the lower levels and saw the Hokage's assistant, Shizune, going over some papers and sorting them with a quiet efficiency. He smiled behind his mask in appreciation of her features as well as her form. An act he didn't even realize was an after effect of his new found awareness of females. Simply taking a moment to watch her economical movements before he spoke softly through the vocal distortion seal of his mask, "Shizune-san...I need to see the Hokage."

Shizune froze at the filing cabinet and her eyes went wide as the voice seemingly came from maybe six feet behind her. She recognized that strange modulated voice and she felt more than a trickle of fear run along her spine. She gulped slightly as she turned very slowly to face what appeared to be an empty hallway. "Tsunade-sama is in a meeting with the Council at the moment." she replied hiding her trepidation.

"Excellent. If you would excuse my imposition, please guide me there and inform the Hokage that the Predator has returned with a successful mission." Naruto stated with a very professional tone and he noted her choppy nod before following her down the curving hallway. Sighing mentally, he said quietly, "Relax Shizune-san." he had hoped to calm the woman's nerves, but saw it had the opposite effect as she tensed up even more. Which just made him sigh once more.

"Wait here." Shizune said, knowing there were ANBU in the hallway, though hidden. She opened one of the doors and entered, the loud arguing within silenced once it shut. She looked and saw the current Council was at it fully and she approached the Hokage and whispered in her ear. She stepped back quickly as the Hokage spoke aloud.

"Enough! We will shelve the matter of appropriations til next meeting. Uchiha Sasuke has been brought back. Predator is waiting outside and has requested to enter." She rose and looked to Shizune and nodded.

The Chamber had gone silent and the eyes of every member turned to the doorway as Shizune opened it and spoke with someone outside. The two remaining Civilians squinted as though that would give them the ability to see and Hiashi automatically activated his Byakugan. Silence continued for a minute more while Shizune closed the door and moved to stand behind Tsunade's left shoulder with her hands clasped at her waist in the front.

"Well? Where is he?" one of the two remaining civilians said in a burst of irritation, not once noting how Hiashi's complexion had gone waxen and his eyes returned to normal. Nor how Tsume had begun to fidget nervously and her companion, Kuromaru had risen all four feet and was swiveling his head and sniffing the air. The civilian councilman opened his mouth and added, "If he keeps us waiting, I say he be.."

There was sudden double "pufft" sound and the man was flung backwards, pinned to the wall at the shoulders by his own council jacket. But before anyone could react a low chuckling clicking could be heard. The suddenness freaking out the female civilian, who called for ANBU, and the way the Clan Heads had immediately drawn weapons in preparation for battle.

"I'm already here..." he replied as he tapped the command to disengage the cloaking system. His smile behind the mask grew even wider as he took in the shocked faces of the civilian council members and the way the Shinobi side didn't relax. "Just making a point."the masked head turned towards the Hokage and ignored the rest as he slowly dipped his head to the buxom blond. "Retrieval mission is a success. But not without casualties." he intoned calmly.

Tsunade nodded and spoke as she waved the Clan Heads down, "Yes. However, due to your actions in the field, both Akimichi Choji and Hyuuga Neji will survive and return to active duty. I thank you for that." she said and noted that both Chouza and Hiashi nodded, albeit slowly, in agreement.

The sole councilwoman stood up and cleared her throat, "Predator-san? If you would please...where is Uchiha-sama?" she asked nervously, knowing that she was on borrowed time despite surviving the purge due to her own refusal to be partisan nor accepting bribes from her peers to influence her votes. She saw the way several of the clan Heads, especially the Akimichi and the Hyuuga had stiffened at her manner of address in regards to the Uchiha.

In response, a clawed hand reached down and removed a thin scroll from one of the several that encircled his left thigh. He turned and offered it with both hands to Tsunade. "He is sedated and in reasonably decent health considering the fight he put up. He needs help, Hokage-sama." a tap to the temple region of the mask indicating his meaning, "He really doesn't want to be here." after Tsunade accepted the scroll, he backed up and turned, walking to the wall where the councilman was pinned, reaching out to grip the small projectile which held the man up. "Nothing personal."he said noncommittally as he removed the items and let the man drop to his feet. He then returned to the main floor and assumed a respectful position.

Nara Shikaku rose and asked in the usual lazy manner of his family, "Mind telling us how it was that you defeated him?"

The mask tilted slightly before Naruto replied, "Proper application of brute force and chakra." he went silent after that, noting how the Nara sat back down with a muttered "Mendokuse."

Hiashi stood and asked, "How did you get past the Byakugan?" his tone insistent, bordering on rude. Which was seconded by Inuzuka Tsume as she added in how neither she nor her companion got so much of a whiff of his presence until he appeared.

"The nature of my skills and equipment is a private matter, Hyuuga-san, Inuzuka-san." he replied a bit of KI leaking out as he addressed them. "Much in the same way as your Doujutsu and Techniques are private within your respective Clans. Before you ask to what Clan I claim, that is irrelevant to my ability to do the job." he then turned back to Tsunade and bowed his head once more, "If there are no further relevant questions?" a silent and slow pause from the room before he nodded, "I will await you at your office, Hokage-sama to deliver my mission report."With that said, he left the chamber and closed the large door behind him, raising his hand and ticking the fingers, "Three...two...one." after which he chuckled softly as the voices behind the door began rising.


((Fifteen minutes later...))

Tsunade arrived at the Hokage's Office only to find an interesting sight. Sitting in a chair was the Predator, calmly working on something with a pen and paper. Seemingly ignoring the presence of no less than three ANBU who were watching him intently from their various positions. Tsunade wanted to smirk despite herself. It was like watching a mouse stare down a lion. Waving off the ANBU, she said in a tone indicating her suppressed mirth, "Shall we go inside?" She then entered her office and took a seat behind her desk, hands coming up to steeple under her chin. Only once he was inside and the door closed did she speak, "Report."

A nod of the mask as he nonchalantly took a seat in front of her desk. "Engaged the Target at the Valley of the End, where he stated clearly he defected willingly on the promise of power. Combat ensued...I say combat but more like a skirmish in my opinion. He is too reliant on the Sharingan but cannot physically keep up with what the doujutsu interpreted. His taijutsu was decent but lacked finesse. Ninjutsu was limited. Speaking of which I have to ask...Who in their right mind teaches a Gennin an A-Rank Assassination Jutsu? The teme tried to strike me with a Chidori for Kami-sake."Naruto noted grimly how Tsunade's eyes narrowed dangerously and her lips thinned before he gave a shake of his head, "Anyways conflict lasted perhaps three minutes. Four tops. Upon completion of the capture, subsequent sedation, and sealing of my quarry, I began to make my way back. Before I got far, I was confronted by one Yakushi Kabuto. He demanded I hand over the Uchiha. Which tells me he was watching our...dispute...and had bided his time. I refused, of course, and was warned that it was unwise to cross his master, Orochimaru. Combat ensued during which I barely avoided serious injury while delivering damaging blows to him." he paused to ensure he had her full attention "I have something of a healing ability but his put mine to shame. It appeared to be more of an actual regeneration. I really want to read his file as I plan to add his skull to my collection in the near future." his tone indicating a strong desire to do just that, "In any event, after making my escape...which is rather a new concept to me...I reached a safe distance and waited out the night to ensure I avoided capture. Once I was sure he wasn't in the vicinity, I made my way to Konoha under my camouflage to render delivery."

Tsunade listened and nodded as she mentally took in everything he said and the way he said it. "Kabuto is a very dangerous individual. I've had the misfortune to face off against him once before myself so I understand where you're coming from. I will have Shizune give the file to Yuu... Neko-san for you to read over. Anything else?" she asked as she saw he made no move to leave after finishing his report.

"I am going to presume you will have a detail on the Uchiha once he has been released from the scroll. I put a heavy suppression seal not only on the Curse Mark but one also over his Doujutsu. That should keep him biddable for the now but he needs help, Hokage-sama. At the beginning, I treated it as a rescue, however; after his initial attack, I realized he truly and freely went Rogue." he stopped there before he overstepped his bounds, "Now, I need to ask you something."

Tsunade nodded curiously, though she suddenly had an urge to pull out her sake bottle and take a long draw. "What is it?"

"You said you knew who I was...behind my mask. Were you serious?"at her nod, he grunted lowly and reached up "I take it since I haven't been attacked that you kept it to between yourself and Jiraiya at the least." He paused before removing his mask, though he did de-activate the vocal distortion, "You of course understand that due to past circumstances I would rather it stay that way."

"Of course. Though I have to thank you again for your restraint in those particular cases. The Council as a whole is nervous enough as it is, but if they knew you are Uzumaki Naruto...I can easily picture the panic it would cause two of the Clans specifically." she answered, revealing she knew of the incidents which drove him underground, though she meant it in a figurative sense.

Naruto nodded and removed the mask, running his clawed fingertips over his bare chin. "Good. I want them in the dark for now. Now then...on to another matter. Do I speak with you or the pervert about the seal on my gut?" he asked bluntly, watching her with an intent gaze.

Tsunade froze, her eyes widening ever so slightly as her mind raced, Oh Kami...he doesn't know after all this time?! How is that even possible? she took a moment to compose her thoughts and in the silence her blood tried to freeze as he spoke up.

"I would prefer to hear it from you but if you won't...I can alway tinker with the containment seal on my own later."

"No! Don't!" Tsunade said before she could help herself and she saw him form a smirk that deepened as he chuckled and she cursed herself for being played yet again. She pinched her nose and decided to be straightforward, "You are a Jinchuuriki. Your seal holds the Kyuubi no Kitsune."

Any retort he had disappeared at her words. He blinked a couple of times, his right hand drifting over his abs. "I thought it may have been important, but damn, I hadn't considered that. I always knew that story about the Yondaime didn't add up. I mean... how could one man destroy a Bijuu? And the Kyuubi at that...answer is: he can't. Not without a lot of Fuuinjutsu back up and even then its not a certainty." he said thoughtfully as he rubbed his chin yet again. "It also explains something." he mused and clarified as he noticed her expression, "I know my way around just about any type of seal. But this one, while an obvious containment type, is ten times more complex than any I have ever read about or encountered." he then rattled on about the multiple layers until he realized that Tsunade was lost and was staring at him in confusion. "Nevermind, it doesn't change the fact of what I hold." His smile returned and turned devious, "In fact this may well make my plans easier for when I face Kabuto again."

Tsunade could only nod as she was pretty certain she didn't want to know what was going through the young blonde's mind at the moment. "So what next?" she asked as she finally took out the bottle of sake and took a hard swig of its contents.

Naruto shrugged, "For now, I'm going to get some rest and work on some new gear I've thought up. What I have works just as I designed it but I need to expand my arsenal..." he said cryptically as he stood and reset his mask. "Send word when you have everything in order for the agreement Hokage-sama. "

Tsunade nodded once more and watched as he tapped the small console on his left forearm and he disappeared from sight. A minute later, she felt the draft as he departed by the window. Hate to say it, but damn I'm glad he's on our side...


Jumping from building to building, he came to a stop and looked down at the apartment building that he knew Anko lived in. He quickly wrote a note with directions on where to meet up in Training Ground 44 and approached her door before sliding it underneath. He then used a Shunshin to get to his Den and begin his newest project. He never saw the door jerk open and Anko step out with a kunai in one hand and the letter in the other. Nor did he hear the happy shriek that came out from that same apartment a few moments later.

((In the Den))

Naruto strode to the bookcase and began looking over several books and tomes until he found what he was looking for. He turned on a light and settled down to read. It didn't take him long to find what he was looking for and he chuckled. He reread the material and set it aside once he was sure he understood the contents. Removing his gear and taking a hot shower, he went to his bed and assumed a meditative posture and closed his eyes. Focusing his attention on his Chakra flow and following the warmth until he reached his navel. It was there he sensed a mixture of Chakras taking place and that is where he concentrated.


((Mindscape))

Looking around him, Naruto whistled lowly, "Never thought my mind was THIS interesting..." His eyes took in the view as he stood on a low cliff overlooking a long valley filled with lush, thick vegetation. The sky was a rich golden red and two pale suns peeked through gaps in the heavy cloud cover. In the distance, he saw a high wall surrounding a structure that stood right up against a mountainside. As though the wall and structure had been a part of the mountain itself once. His brow furrowed as he realized something, there was a bit of every Elemental Nation he had visited or traveled through present in the landscape before him. Shrugging he jogged down the small trail and entered the jungle.

By the time he reached the outer wall, he was sweating. He had let his instincts guide him through the dense undergrowth and it was a good thing too. More than once, he had narrowly avoided traps of some form or another. Upon entering a cleared area just outside the wall, he looked back and wondered why he had so damn many traps and of such a variety. Yet when his eyes fell on the outer wall, the immensity of it struck him. On each side of the large iron bound doors stood ten foot tall matching statues of Predators staring forward with wrist claws extended on their side closest to the double gate. ((For image, see profile)) Placing a hand on the gates, an eyebrow rose as they opened with a loud scraping sound of metal hinges.

((A few minutes later))

Naruto panted as he wiped sweat from his eyes as he turned to regard the innocent seeming courtyard. "Okay...this is crazy, what gives? First it's the million trap jungle and now it's a booby trap yard from hell...this is my mind...I should be able to go wherever I want, when I want..." Still grumbling in irritation, he turned around again, this time to face the entry of the single structure. Again two Predators, this time only seven feet tall, stood watch on each side of an iron bound gate. This one however was embossed with a bronze image of a large fox bearing nine tails. He sighed and pressed his hands against it and pushed. Peering into the darkness, he shook his head and walked inside.

Torches lit up every few feet until the huge chamber chased away all shadows. He looked around curiously, noting the statuaries depicting Predators in various poses and an assortment of masks. A large console, about the size of a bookshelf, stood just in front of a four foot wide trench that made a curve along the floor. He approached this piece cautiously and studied it before he heard a low feminine humming sound followed by footsteps. As well as the unmistakable sound of metal scraping against stone.

Naruto turned to face the oncoming whatever as it emerged from the depths beyond the curving trench and his blue eyes widened momentarily. A slender yet physically fit woman strode forward. Wearing Predator armor plating over the outer thighs and a leather fringed codpiece to cover her feminine place. More armor sat atop her shoulders while a breast plate covered her left breast, apparently to protect the heart and left ribs. Her right was bound by an expanse of more leather while a fishnet covered the rest of her body without hiding the tone and definition. Vambraces identical to his own were worn on each forearm completed with wrist claws. Naruto recognized as well, the combat staff that hung from a sheath on her left hip. Red hair, bound in a series of hanging lengths flowed from under her mask and the eyes of said mask flashed a bright red before the figure spoke.((For image, see profile))

"I see my Host has decided to pay me a visit. Have you come at last to finish what you have started?" she, and it was definitely a she if his hormonal response was any clue, said after apparently studying him just as intently. "I take it you like what you see?" she teased with a chuckle before she posed a few times.

Naruto closed his mouth quickly and blushed at being caught staring. He cleared his throat and replied, "You are indeed lovely, Lady Kyuubi no Kitsune, but also definitely not what I was expecting. And what do you mean finish what I have started?"

The figure jerked a thumb behind her to indicate the enormous mound of russet red fur. "That is my true form, the one that was originally sealed here. This, " she paused to run clawed fingers over her skin and body in a provocative manner, "...is a construct. A physical form created by the seal that allows us to communicate. I must admit to enjoying your imagination, Uzumaki Naruto. I wouldn't have thought of this one. My last host had something of a preference for the geisha look. This one is closer to my actual nature and predisposition. Now what I meant is this." she lifted her hands up into the brighter torch light to reveal thick metal manacles attached on her wrists before pointing to a matching collar, waistband, and anklets. Each had a trail of chain leading back towards the huge furred form. "These keep me from going any further than here and even if I broke them, the barrier," a hand pushed forward and flattened against something between them, the air around her hand sparking slightly. "would prevent me from advancing any further. I presume you came here to take my Chakra for yourself since I, for all intents and purposes, am powerless to stop you." The masked head tilted as Naruto began chuckling.

Naruto held up a hand and soon stopped his mirth and shook his head, "Actually I came here in the hopes we could reach an accord of sorts." He walked over to the control before he resumed speaking, his eyes on the controls as he began making some adjustments. "Okay, here we go..." he murmured.

Behind her mask, her eyes widened as the shackles released her abruptly and disappeared. Then she quickly stepped back as the barrier widened, making the trench widen in response until it was easily three times the thickness. Though she noted it had only thickened outwards, not decreasing her space like it would have if it had expanded inwards instead. "Why?" she asked as she absently rubbed the chafed spots on her wrists and neck.

"Two words. Hyuuga Incidents." he replied with a note of anger, "Since then I abhor chains even though I know they are a viable restraint for prisoners." he added, though he failed to note the way her body stilled to an inhuman degree. He proceeded to type in a new command string on the console.

The Kyuubi watched warily until a screen on her side of the barrier lit up and once she focused her attention on it, her eyes behind the mask narrowed as she watched events unfold. A few minutes later, she was trembling in unadulterated rage. She realized he had given her access to his memories. "Now I understand." she said from clenched teeth. "I am sure your other memories will give me a better insight to you." she said once she calmed down.

"They should, now let us discuss the accord." Naruto said as he thought hard and a pair of chairs appeared on each side of the barrier. His was a simple affair of smooth angled planes to form its body and arm rests, minimal cushion added. Hers, in a strange show of respect was a throne like structure embossed with skulls on every flat surface and thick cushioning was provided.

Settling into the chair, Kyuubi almost purred at the sensation of comfort. "Now then what sort of agreement do you want to propose?" she asked bluntly as she settled her hands atop the skulls at the end of her armrests and crossed her legs at the knees. She knew the youth across from her had the upper hand. Much could be gained but if she pushed too hard, he could just refuse and use the seal to do what he wanted no matter her wishes. It was a disconcerting scenario yet here he was offering to discuss it out with her instead of just taking. Much more reasonable and open minded than your predecessors...she thought to herself.

"Consider my actions to present a goodwill gesture between us. All I am after is a partner of sorts. Someone I can discuss ideas and concepts with." Naruto started as he kept an eye on her.

"You mean you don't want my Chakra? You don't want to grow stronger, more powerful to defeat your enemies?" she asked genuinely surprised and unable to keep it out of her tone.

"Not really. I don't need your Chakra for my purposes. At least, I should say, I have yet to come across a situation or quarry forcing me to draw upon it." he clarified though the image of Kabuto flashed across his mind briefly and he suppressed it immediately. "I plan to broaden my arsenal options and I need a sounding board, so to speak. Someone that won't immediately shut down my ideas as being ludicrous or impossible. You have existed for thousands of my years and as such I am sure you are more open minded to possibilities than those of my kind."

"Laying it a bit thick aren't you?" Kyuubi replied though she smiled at the flattery he showed her as well as the less than optimistic view he had for his own species. "However; I do see what you mean. You want access to my experience and knowledge to better your equipment and weaponry. What do I gain?"

"A Host that will try to make your stay as comfortable as possible, within limits. Not one that will abuse the situation nor you by simply taking. As I have already shown, I can adjust the seal parameters I can do so again as our agreement and thusly our relationship, improves." he answered in a direct manner and a tilt of his sun kissed hair.

"I see." and she did. No boasting, no blustering, threats, nor posturing. Simple clean statements that outlined things starkly. She could start liking this kid. "Then it is in my best interests to tell you a few things. I aged and improved your body over the past few years. I don't want a weak host so I also strengthened your bones, muscles, and tendons. You have a minor healing ability from your Clan but the presence of my Chakra in your system has augmented it. In the end, you have a body of one who has lived and trained hard for eighteen years with a near genius level mind because of my being sealed within you." she paused to watch as he absorbed this new information then added, "I want access to your senses, so I can observe your hunts and not just rely on your memories. Plus a means of communication without you having to enter here every time. In return I will grant you access and free use of a portion of my power as well as my vast knowledge and expertise as you want." she offered in counter and watched again as he considered it.

"Very well, I can agree to do that. Which reminds me...what is the deal with all the traps outside?" he asked curiously as he turned to regard the console from his chair.

"Those are the layered defenses of your mind. Some of them you subconsciously created yourself, but the rest were defenses integrated by the one who sealed you inside me. To ensure no one snooped around without your consent." she answered promptly before reclining slightly in the throne and adjusting her position to see her host's reaction as she she slowly let her thighs part just a bit.

Naruto noticed and his cheeks reddened at the display but continued doggedly. He rose from his chair and walked back to the console and made a couple of new adjustments resulting in the chamber brightening a bit and more screens on the Kyuubi's side of the barrier to come to life. Satisfied, he engaged a lock on the new parameters and returned to his chair. "With that done, shall we begin?" he said with a composed smirk.

Kyuubi chuckled throatily as she set her elbows on the armrests and steepled her long fingers under her chin. "Let's." A tingle of anticipation coursed down her spine as she waited to see just what he came up with.

Settling in, he grinned and his eyes sparkled as he took a breath, "Well, you see...here's what i have in mind..."


((End Mindscape))

Naruto yawned as he sat up and looked over at the clock. Stretching, he felt refreshed as he got up and got dressed in loose fitting clothes. Heading to his workbench to write down some of the things he and Kyuubi had discussed. Turning on an overhead lamp, he began drawing out the basic seal through which he would by adaptation, devise the finished product. Pausing at points to go and get a scroll or four to begin comparatives of theory and function. He had been in his mind for what seemed like several hours when it had only been maybe two. He blinked a couple of times as he studied the seal and set it aside and took out a fresh sheet. Using a few drafting tools he began his design for the physical instrument. It would take him days to have a finished and potentially functional design but it would definitely give him yet another weapon for close to medium range.

Straightening a bit later, he rubbed his eyes as he checked the clock and cursed. Shit! I have to hurry or I'll be late. Anko will be there soon. he thought as he raced to his bedroom and changed into his regular clothing. Slipping on his overcoat, he decided to forgo his combat gear and quickly slid his sandals on to head out through the system of tunnels on a path he had memorized.


((Tower in TG #44))

Anko entered the tower slowly, head turning to one side then the other while her eyes searched the darkness with equal parts suspicion of it being a trap set by those that hated her, wariness for the same reason, and a rising eager anticipation that he had really left her that note. Walking further into the dim interior, she kept the large box of dango held loosely while her free hand gripped a kunai tightly. If this IS a trick or a trap, I'm going to make whoever did it scream and bleed so bad...she thought with a twitch starting over her left eyebrow. She heard stone grinding against stone and she tensed, hunching slightly in preparation for combat. A tension that disappeared as a certain blonde haired teen emerged carrying a torch over his head. A new tension started in her gut, and lower, as their eyes met and he smiled at her in welcome.

"Hey Anko-chan... Is that a kunai in your hand or are you just glad to see me?" he teased and held the torch higher as she began walking towards him.

Stopping shy of his position, she said in a slow manner, "Almost thought I had been set up, Whiskers. Good thing you came when you did." she hefted the dango box and smirked, "Just hope you got the sake to go with this."

Naruto laughed quietly as he turned, "Of course. Follow me." he said as he began walking away.

Anko smirked as her eyes fell to his ass and she whispered lowly, "With that ass? I'd follow you anywhere."

A minute later, the stone panel closed with a crunch, obscuring the evidence of where they had gone.