I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form.
Welcome back, I'd like to thank all of you for reading my first few chapter…so looking back and taking the advice of my beta as well as a few of you readers I have come to the conclusion that 30,000 word chapters are a little much. So I've decided to try and stick with about half that at most, that is why this is now chapter seven instead of three, I hope this is not to disappointing, but I think it helps with the overall reading enjoyment of the work.
Ok a few details that I saw brought up. Yes Kumo and Iwa made a move, why? Because Danzo tipped them off and let's face it they want minato dead big time, this was a one in a million shot of actually managing to kill the bastard and they were going to take it. Any damage they did would be counterbalanced by removing the single greatest threat they had, so ya they went for it, and honestly it could have worked very easily if not for dumb luck that Naruto was awake at that time.
Another point, no the Namikaze family won't be learning who "Uto" is for a while, sorry but I'm holding off on the reveal until it seems right, so it won't be for a bit, besides this allows them time to actually bond in a way without the awkwardness of guilt hanging over it, really the best chance the family has of every being civil to one another again.
Ok hope that helps and now onto the chapter enjoy.
Songbird out.
Chapter Seven
"Talking"
"Thinking"
"DEMON/SUMMON/Scroll"
"Jutsu"
- Misdirection, Masks, and Missions-
Over the fog covered mountains the first rays of sun began to shimmer to life stretching out and down into the valley rushing into the Kiri village below where the shadows of the shinobi were steadily moving the sun only being a formality to their days beginning. As the sun pushed its way through the trails of mist that hung over the hidden village they found themselves slowly working over the yard of the Uzumaki and Temari compound.
As the rays moved over the buildings and gardens of the home it was to find the household already shifting many having been unable to return to resting after the attack the previous night. Kiri forces had already shepherded away the remains from the training field as well as the few who had fallen punching their way out of the guest compound, and while the guards as well as the border patrol were on watch the danger had passed, at least for the moment.
Nothing made this this more apparent than the cry of two children who ran excitedly around the yard chatting happily under the watch of a few of the house hold. As the group observed young Shinore, her white hair flying out behind her, was just jumping up waving her arms out her voice raised in excitement.
"And then Aniki was like whoosh wham!" cried the girl excitedly waving her arms to try and show how Naruto's coral had sprung up around them her green eyes fixed on the blue haired Yoake who was looking excitedly between her and Menma who was nodding his head in excitement.
"Ya ya, then there was like this "how dare you" then bam all the bad guys were gone!" called the violet eyes boy following right on the heels of Shinore as Yoake's gaze turned to him listening enthralled by their story of the nights event.
"So I guess we can stop worrying if they'll be traumatized." Chuckled Nagato ideally brushing a few strands of red hair from his face as he smiled over to where Konan stood beside Shizune both women shaking their heads slightly at the scene before them.
"Honestly, an attack in the middle of the night and here they are not only over their fear, but up and excited about it." Muttered Konan as beside her the black haired woman let out a sigh.
"I blame the Uzumaki in them, they're cursed with a boundless optimism." Spoke the woman as from a little before them a pale blond boy, his face decorated in several wrappings stood one arm resting gently one his hips a few stray trails of cloth waves empty from his other shoulder.
"Better than the alternative, besides it's not like they saw anything….I made sure of it." Finished the teen a little quietly as Nagato gave a soft smile moving forwards to rest his hand on top of Nartuo's head drawing the teens ocean blue eyes up to his own.
"Hai you did at that, Uto, you showed just what an Uzumaki can do. But next time maybe call for help earlier." Chuckled the man as Naruto gave him a small smile from behind his bandages nodding.
"Ok sensei." Replied the boy as he watched Nagato turn moving away with Konan and Shizune moving after him leaving Naruto to move over to take a seat at the end of the wooden porch his feet handing over the side to rest securely against the dew covered grass that carpeted the small yard.
Well this Is going to be a mess…wonder what Kaasan's going to do about this….ugh wonder what Tousan's going to do about this….ya that won't end well. Thought Naruto his mind showing him visions of a group of giant toads smashing Kumo and Iwa to powder as above them Jiraiya roared about hurting his princess's.
"You know I have to say I do like the idea of smashing up a village or two…it's good to stretch every now and then." Spoke the watery gurgle of Isobu as Naruto shook his head smirking to himself.
Careful there boku you're sounding like your other brothers. Naruto replied sending a mental smirk that the great turtle shrugged off.
"Oh, and tell me those thoughts you had about dropping an ocean on their villages? What would you call that?"Asked the three tailed beast its one eye narrowing over what Naruto could almost assume was a mocking smirk. In reply Naruto let out a mental sigh raising his one remaining arm in surrender.
Mai, mai you win boku we'll try for something less than total destruction. Replied Naruto with a mental smirk as the turtle let out a watery chuckle at the boy's words.
"I suppose that is wise, after all it's not like there isn't time for me." finished the turtle sagely as Naruto blinking back into focus in time to see Menma rushing behind the concerned form of Yoake, using the boy as some kind of makeshift shield as his white haired sister darted around trying to get at the redhaired boy an evil little smirk on her face doubtless a result of some childish exorcise. As Naruto watched the three race around he become aware of someone standing close to him. With a minute pulse of chakra found himself suddenly more exhausted than he had been when battling the shinobi the previous night.
After all, the person now moving towards him was the woman who had once been his mother, her red hair waving out behind her as she slowly moved towards him her violet eye looking out over the yard where the children were still running around.
And now this…wonderful...Thought Naruto as he waited for the woman to reach him.
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Meanwhile across the village within the tall stone tower that served to house the Mizukage's office Mei Terumi sat behind her desk figures interlocked as she looked between the two blonde figures sitting before her.
"I see, I can certainly understand your wish to return to Konoha after these events." Replied Mei leaning back as across from her Minato bowed his head slightly.
"Hai, as much as I would like for Kushina and the Uzumaki's to have time to bond, after the attack I am afraid staying in your village would be brining unnecessary risk to you and ourselves." Replied Minato as the Mizukage let out a tired sigh.
"I am forced to agree with you Minato-san; I doubt that either Kumo or Iwa will try to push the matter so soon after their last move, but placing your family at risk is not worth the chance they are that foolish. I will arrange and escort to see you to the boarder of our lands within the day." Finished Mei as Minato gave a soft smile.
"Thank you Mei-san. I hope that you will consider our offer to personally attend the chunnin exams as proof that we still wish for a bond to form between our village." Spoke the blond man as Mei found a small smile coming to her ruby red lips.
"I see no reason that I will not be in attendance Minato-san, after all I expect to see my shinobi participating in the finals." Replied Mei her emerald eyes flashing slightly as Minato found a small smirk playing across his lips.
"I see, I assume that means that your son will be among those competing?" asked Minato as the redhead smiled slightly leaning back in her chair.
"Hai my son will be participating, after all, despite his skill he has not attended a proper chunnin exam, yet, his rank in my own forces does not exclude him from participation." Replied the woman her emerald eyes flashing slightly at her words. Beside Minato Tsunade chose this time to enter into the conversation with her usual subtlety.
"Don't you think that's a little underhanded, from what he demonstrated Uto is obviously above the skills of a simple genin." remarked the sage as Mei turned to her with a slightly annoyed expression upon her brow.
"Underhanded? How so? I am merely allowing him the opportunity to gain the official rank his skills allow him to earn?" asked Mei a slight edge of challenge to her voice as Tsunade scoffed.
"You know that's not the point, he's already at least a chunnin in strength, heck if you want another Kage's approval we'd give it to you just from what we saw. I can't help feeling this is just an attempt for Kiri to show off." Finished Tsunade as beside her Minato let out a mental groan at his sensei's bluntness. True he couldn't argue with her statement, but such practices were hardly uncommon, heck Konoha had at least one team already sporting at least two that were chunnin level in them already and his own daughters were even further beyond them. Mei, however, seemed to take the sages words with an almost mocking enjoyment as she turned to face the woman emerald meeting brown as their eyes found one another.
"You seem to be under the misunderstanding that Uto would want something given to him. My son does not wish to be given anything, he earns what he has. Kiri earns what it has, and the exams will be no different." Replied Mei a touch of anger in her tone that Minato saw instantly as he moved to keep his sensei from doing something else to harm their new relations.
"Oh course, I look forwards to seeing both Uto and his team in the completion, I am sure that he will be making quite a favorable impression for the new Kiri." Spoke Minato his words cutting of Tsunade before she could fire back a response to Mei.
"Thank you Minato-san, I am sure Konoha's genin will do the same, now if you will excuse me I have matters that must be addressed given the recent events. I will see you again before you depart." Finished Mei as the pair of blonds rose, Minato giving a respectful bow as Tsunade simply jerked her head in the redheads direction before the two turned to leave, Mei smirking after them.
Oh pout away Tsunade, but I can't wait to see your prized students getting thrown around by my Naruto…oh the look on your face….hum I wonder if I'm becoming a bit of a sadist with this woman….maybe I should explore this with Jiraiya-kun a bit. Finished Mei with a sensual smile playing across her lips as a small lovely chuckle left her. At the same time across the country a white haired man suddenly went ridged a shiver that was not entirely pleasant moving slowly up his spin as he looked towards where his home lay.
"Oh Mei-chan…you dirty girl." Smiled Jiraiya letting out a small perverted giggle before he turned back to his mission vanishing in a small shiver of movement.
Meanwhile Minato was turning towards his sensei with an exhausted expression on his face as the two made their way through the towers halls.
"Honestly sensei did you have to challenge the Mizukage like that?" muttered Minato as Tsunade sighed shaking her head at his words.
"Minato have you thought about this, if that Uto kid goes into the chunnin exams you could be looking at having to explain to a few clan's why their children were found speared with orange rock throughout the competition." Replied Tsunade as Minato sighed.
"Tsunade you are out of line, you really think that Uto would jeopardize our village's peace by killing off our shinobi if it wasn't necessary. If anything his strength makes it more likely he'll just incapacitate them without causing serious injury, besides there are no grounds to refuse him at any rate. Why are you so interested in keeping him out, he saved Menma's life?" asked Minato as Tsunade shook her head.
"I know that, and I'm grateful to him…I…I just get a bad feeling about him, something in the way he looks at me…I can't place it but he's hiding something." Replied the woman as Minato shook his head looking ahead as they turned towards the staircase.
"We're shinobi sensei, hiding things comes with the territory." Replied Minato even as his own mind turned the seals he had seen the night before. Tsunade was right about one thing…there was something being hidden here…but what it was still remained to be seen.
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As Minato and Tsunade made their way down the tower, across the village within a familiar compound Naruto watched as the children ran around amusing themselves steeling himself as Kushina moved closer.
"Hello Uto-kun." Spoke the redhead in a gentle tone still a bit unsure about the boy watching as he turned a bandaged face up to look at her through a few strands of his dull yellow hair.
"Hello Kushina-san, can I help you with anything?" asked Naruto keeping his tone passive, forcing himself to see Kushina as the stranger that she was and not the mother she had been. As his eyes looked up to her Kushina felt that same odd sensation of familiarity, but pushed it aside for the time.
"No that's alright, may I sit with you?" Naruto looking back from her and out towards the yard again privately sighing to himself.
"If you want to." Replied the blonde as Kushina lowered herself so that she now sat just an arm's length from the boy who had been her son offering him a warm smile that he couldn't help but find oddly soothing.
"I wanted to thank you again for saving my Menma-kun….I…I don't know if you can even understand how much it means to me." Spoke Kushina as she looked out small flecks of moister in her eyes as she watched her son running after Shinore as behind him Yoake ran to keep up the them as they rounded a small pond in the yard. At her words Naruto found a small smile touching his lips as he let out a sigh.
"You don't need to thank me Kushina-san, I'm just glad both he and Shinore are alright. After all they are my family, looking after them is what I'm supposed to do." Smiled the blonde as beside him Kushina nodding letting out a small chuckle as she did.
"You know, you remind me of someone I use to know." Replied Kushina as she turned to look back at Naruto, who was just able to keep a look of shock off of his face even as his mind went into overdrive.
Oh no..no no no, I can't have been found out already! This is bad is she figures it out now what am I going to do, this cannot be happening. Though Naruto as he forced his voice to remain free of his internal turmoil.
"Really?" asked the blond as Kushina nodding smiling fondly her eyes becoming somehow gentler as she looked at the bandaged boy across from her.
"Hai, her name was Mito Uzumaki Senju, she was the wife of the first Hokage." Replied the redhead as Naruto let out a breath of relief his mind slowing down as Kushina continued.
"She was the one who taught me when I first arrived in Konoha. She could be stern, and most people found her a bit intimidating but to me, well to me she was like a mother always caring and looking after me. She was like that with everyone she cared about, didn't matter how old they got, she was always trying to look after everyone; just like you Uto." Continued Kushina Naruto feeling a slight warmth spreading out from his heart as he listened to her words.
"She sounds like she was an amazing woman." Replied Naruto as Kushina's smiled grew as she reached up to rub slightly at the back of her head.
"Ya she was, though she had to knock me straight a few times." Chuckled the redhead as Naruto found himself chuckling himself.
"So you were a troublemaker Kushina-san?" asked the blond as Kushina gave an embarrassed look her eyes shutting as she continued to grin rubbing her head all the more.
"I suppose. Still you really are a lot like her; it's good to know that there are still Uzumaki like you out there. She would have liked you, heck knowing her you would have found yourself being run ragged to be the next head of the family." Finished Kushina chuckling slightly. As she continued to speak Naruto felt a small peace at her words, a kind of warmth he associated with the times Mei or Jiraiya had praised him…
I guess, it figures…my heart still remembers her as my mother…turns out I was still longing for some praise from her after all…odd, can't remember that last time she actually praised me back when I was home…had to come to Kiri to have that happen. Thought Naruto as he looked across at Kushina noticing as her smile faltering slightly. Naruto's mind filling in the blanks as to why that would be.
"You sound like you don't consider yourself one of those Uzumaki's Kushina-san?" asked Naruto as Kushina's smile shrank into the barest hint of one as her eyes grew distant.
"No…I don't. If Mito was here now she'd probably be knocking me around for how much I screwed up…still that's not important now right now." replied Kushina as Naruto watched the pain flash over her face before being pushed back.
"Well I suppose that answers one question." Muttered the turtle as Naruto mentally nodded as he watched Kushina wrestle her emotions back under control a moment later.
"Oh Uto-kun there was something I wanted to ask you." Spoke Kushina after she seemed have steadied herself.
"Hai Kushina-san?" asked Naruto wondering what could possibly be coming next after these conversations surprises.
"Well I guess it's more like another comparison really. You're a jinchuuriki aren't you just like Mito and I were." Spoke the redhead as Naruto quirked an eyebrow up at her before letting out a little chuckle.
"I'm surprised you noticed, what gave me away?" asked Naruto not very bothered by her question. After all it wasn't like he had been trying to hide the fact. In reply Kushina shrugged slightly offering an understanding smile.
"Well I guess it wasn't any one thing, just a feeling, like I say you remind me an awful lot of Mito, and she and I had to deal with the Kyuubi." Chuckled Kushina as Naruto nodded deciding to have a little fun with the situation.
"Oh so you were holding the youngest, that's nice, bet it made conversations rather entertaining, does he still gnaw on his tails in his sleep?" asked Naruto as inside his mind Isobu let out a watery chuckle as they both watched Kushina's face shift to one of blank shock.
"Wh…what?" managed the redhead as Naruto faked a look of complete innocence.
"Hu, didn't you know Kyuubi is the youngest of the nine tailed beasts, apparently he's always throwing temper tantrums and yelling about how he's the strongest one ever." Replied Naruto as Kushina blinked down at the blond completely lost at what she was hearing.
"Wh…How, who told you that that? Kyuubi is the strongest of the tailed beasts, ever since they were sealed by the first hokage." Argued the redhead remembering everything Mito had told her about the tailed beasts, and of her burden. Her words drawing a smiled to Naruto's lips visible even behind his bandages.
"Oh, so you never talked with him. Hum, sorry I thought you would have talked with him given he was living in your body for a while, sorry I mentioned it." Replied Naruto as he pushed himself off of the porch landing lightly on the grass yard as he began to make his way towards where his sister had managed to somehow tree both Menma and Yoake who were looking down in apparent fear of the white haired girl. As he started to move away from the porch Kushina managed to shake herself out of her confusion calling after him.
"Wait who told you all of this?" called Kushina wondering just how much she didn't know about her previous burden, the burden her daughters now shared. Her words caused Naruto to pause as a light breeze pushed through the garden causing the bush and tree's to sway lightly along with the scraps of cloth that billowed out from the blond arm as he looked back towards Kushina.
"Um, oh well it was my friend Isobu of course." Replied Naruto joining his normal smile with ones from his eyes as he privately chuckled at the shocked look on Kushina's face as he turned back towards the children privately laughing to himself.
"I'm starting to think you're becoming a sadist like your mother." Muttered the great turtle as Naruto paused before smiling a little wider.
I suppose so, I'm a lot like Mei Kaasan. Replied Naruto as moved across the yard to where the children played leaving Kushina to look after him frozen from what he had told her.
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The end of the day came too soon for some as Shinore, Menma and Yoake continued to try and argue that they wanted to stay leading both of their parents to have to promise them that they would be able to visit soon enough with the chunnin exams. Meanwhile across from them Minato was bidding farewell to Nagato thanking him again for his actions even as beside him Tsunade sent the redhead small glares as she watched him moving over to speak with Shizune, a small blush touching the black haired woman's cheeks as she spoke with the ripple eyed man.
Meanwhile Naruto found himself standing beside Yahiko both smirking as Konoha and Mei pulled Yoake and Shinore apart from Menma, who was in turn being pulled by Kushina in a kind of weird take on tug of war.
"You know by the time they split them up it'll already be time for the chunnin exams." Chuckled the orange haired man glancing down to Naruto who gave a small shrug.
"Ya, I can't wait to tell Suigetsu we're being put as genin again, man he's going to flip out." muttered Naruto as Yahiko chuckled reaching down to rub at the blonde's hair affectionately.
"Oh relax it won't be so bad, besides you get to go to a real exam and show off, heck you'll get a few fan girls if you're not careful." Chuckled the orange haired man as Naruto shivered slightly.
"Ugh no thanks, I saw what they were like with Magetsu sensei…they're like piranha." Shivered the boy as above him Yahiko chuckled at his reaction.
"Well, might want to tell Haku-chan that, after all she's been stopping by to see you a lot recently." Smirked the orange haired man as Naruto turned away from him looking deliberately away from the orange haired man.
"Aw is little Uto embarrassed, what with your pin pale I would think that you were already use to the ladies." Mocked Yahiko again just as Konan moved up behind her husband sighing as she reached up to grab hold of his ear pulling him back while holding her still struggling son in her other arm.
"Yahiko-kun, stop picking on Uto-kun." Whispered Konan dangerously as Yahiko froze letting out a nervous chuckle as he allowed himself to be led away from Naruto. Even as Yahiko found himself being led away Naruto found himself turning to see Kushina moving up with Menma in her arms the little red haired boy waving excitedly to Naruto.
"Uto-niisan, don't let them take me!" called the boy as Naruto found himself laughing at the boys words as he moved over as Kushina knelt to let her son free, though looking ready to tackle the boy should he make another break for it. Once the boy was free of her hold Naruto found the boy affixed to his own leg big blue eyes looking up hopefully at him.
"You won't let them take me will you." Asked the boy trying to look as pathetic as possible, and succeeding for the most part as Naruto let out a small chuckle reaching down to pat the boys head lightly.
"Hey come on Menma you need to go home, after all don't you have friends back in Konoha?" asked Naruto as the boy looked down still gripping his pant legs nodding.
"Ha…hai." muttered the boy as Naruto knelt down to pull the boy into a one armed hug.
"Well then you better get back otherwise they'll miss you. Besides we'll be visiting soon enough so it won't be so bad. Just remember to keep working or Shinore will have something to say to you." Chuckled Naruto as the boy nodded. After a few more moments Naruto released his hold on his brother a small tears in his own eyes that he managed to hold back as he rose pulling his hand up to rest on his hip.
"Well then I better see it next time I see you." Smiled Naruto as the little redhead nodded turning slowly back towards his mother only to hear Naruto's voice calling out to him. Menma turned back just in time to catch an orange kunai like the one he'd been given previously only now sporting the small symbol for Uzu upon it along with a small wrapping on the handle decorated with a few small seals. As the childes eyes looked up he saw Naruto giving him a smile as his hand lowered back to his hip.
"Take care of that for me till then ok." called Naruto as the boy nodded excitedly.
"I WILL ONIISAN JUST WATCH!" called the boy excitedly as he moved back to his parents both of whom gave the wrapped boy a nod of thanks as they were lead off with their escort leaving Naruto to move over to offer his hand to Shinore who was stubbornly looking ahead her little arms held firmly at her sides refusing to wipe away the tears falling down her face.
"You know imoto its ok to cry some times, come on." whispered Naruto as without speaking Shinore reached up with one hand to take her brothers even as her head dropped letting her tears fall as Naruto shook his head at the girl.
"It's ok imoto, trust me you'll see Menma in no time, I promise." Smiled Naruto as his sister turned her emerald eyes up towards her brother nodding slightly allowing herself to be lead back inside the home.
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A few days after the Namikaze's departure found Naruto standing inside of Mei's office a new bandaged arm in place as he finished listening to his latest mission. As the redheaded woman set down the scroll here eye flickered over her son who was still fiddling with the shoulder strap of his grey vest causing the woman to sigh reaching up a hand to become him over. With a sheepish grin Naruto obeyed allowing Mei to snap his vest into place giving him a disbelieving look.
"I swear maybe it's a good thing I'm having you return to genin status for the exams, how would it look if our chunnin couldn't even wear their vest correctly." Smirked the woman as the blood flushed with embarrassment before looking away.
"Ya, ya so just an exchanged of the lists for the chunnin exams in the land of fire, easy." Replied Naruto trying to shift the conversation back to the mission as Mei relented leaning back in her chair the blue kimono she wore catching the light as she did.
"Hai, the information needs to be delivered, and given the trust issues, it only makes since that we send someone that they at least can identify with." Nodded Mei as she pulled out a scroll that Naruto accepted stashing it into his back just as the door opened behind them. As the pair turned they saw a white haired man entering offering a grin at the pair even as a small girls head poked out from behind his mop of white hair grinning along with her father.
"Hey there Hime-chan, sochi." called Jiraiya as on his back Shinore waved calling out her own greeting.
"Kaasan, Niisan, Tousan's back!" cried the giggling girl as both Mei and Naruto chuckled at the pair antics. Soon enough Mei had moved around to greet her husband a brief embrace of both body and lips that caused Shinore to bury her facing into her father main of hair making yuck sounds. As the two broke apart Jiraiya turned his attention around to Naruto smiling as he saw the boy stepping up giving his father a small hug his smile apparent even from behind his wrappings.
"So is my family free to take their old man out to lunch?" asked Jiraiya as Mei let her face fall into a smile moving over to hock one of the sage's arms in her own as her emerald eyes met her husband's own.
"Oh I think that can be arranged, what do you say Naruto-kun?" asked Mei looking over to Naruto who nodded.
"Hai, I think I have time before the mission." replied the blond before the group turned from the office moving out into the tower headed to one of the restaurants of the village. After only a few steps Mei suddenly paused a wicked smile playing across her lips as she turned back to her office.
"Oh Haku-chan, why don't you come with us, after all I'm sure Naruto-kun and Shinore-chan would enjoy seeing you." Called the redhead as Naruto blushed slightly even as Shinore, still perched on her Tousan's back, nodded smiling back towards the office. As Mei's words fell there was a small shimmer of what appeared to be snow forming into the air as a young girl dressed in a simple pink kimono appeared touches of red on her cheeks, even as her deep brown eyes shifted to Naruto before nodding.
"Hai..hai Mizu-sama. I would appreciate accompanying you." Spoke the black haired girl in a soft voice that caused Mei to smile knowingly as beside her Jiraiya shot her an amused look his eyes shifting down to Naruto who was looking away, twinges of red still apparent on his cheeks.
"Well then hurry up." Called Mei as she turned Jiraiya and her moving forwards with their daughter as Naruto waited a moment for Haku to move after them falling into step beside her. As the group made their way down the halls of the tower Naruto and Haku found each other glancing back and forth every now and then but neither able to find anything to say to one another.
"….I must say you are quite the coward today." Muttered Isobu as Naruto shot him a mental glare.
Hey it's not that easy uncle Yahiko's got me all confused ….I mean sure Haku-chan's stopped by the compound a few times, but….well what do you say to a girl? Asked the blond as the turtle let out a watery gurgle of a chuckle.
"The same thing you would say to a boy I assume, or are you forgetting she is a kunoichi, one I dare say more experienced that you." Added the turtle as Naruto paused at the beast's words.
I…I guess that makes since...ya she's just like everyone else….just a gentle beautiful confident….wait what? Thought Naruto as his mind started to show him flashed of his time with Haku over the last few weeks now adopting an oddly rose tented outline. Blushing suddenly Naruto started to shake his head trying to rid the perverted through from it as beside him Haku was having her own mental battle.
….what am I supposed to do now….lady Mei just invited me all of the sudden, what do I say…I know it was just his mission but Naruto-kun gave me a home…a life…friends. Even Zabuza-sama never gave me those, and he's never asked anything in return, it makes me…warm. Thought the girl as even then she felt her heart beat a bit faster at the thought of the blond beside her. Her first week in Mizu had been difficult to get used to. Even now she still had to suppress a small flinch every time she passed a hunter shinobi or kunoichi; mentally reminding herself that she was no longer being hunted by them. On most days she would visit the small grave that held the remains of Zabuza to ask her masters blessing before heading to work, and every now and then stopping by the Uzumaki compound.
Maybe…maybe this is what Naruto-kun was talking about…family…I do love spending time with him and Shinore-chan…But what am I supposed to say to him…why didn't Zabuza-sama every explain this kind of thing to me. Thought the girl wanting to pull at her hair in frustration at her complete lack of experience with this situation. Luckily for her Naruto had someone to prompt him into action.
"So Haku-chan how have you been, I hope Kaasan's not running you to hard." Smiled Naruto turning his blue eyes around to meet her brown ones even as a twinge of red colored her cheeks.
"Um..no, no Naruto she had been very kind to me. My work is not too much, and I'm given time to learn more about my families justus and past." Replied Haku stumbling for a second before replying to the boy noticing as she did that her inner turmoil seemed to dissipate.
"Really, that's good to hear, anything new that you've learned?" asked Naruto as Haku nodded slightly holding out a hand. A moment later there was a small swirling of chakra as a bird of ice slowly formed, no larger than a sparrow. As it finished forming it seemed to shiver before taking off from her hand fluttering around before landing on the girls shoulder turning its ice eyes towards Naruto.
"Wow, that's amazing, is it like a summon?" asked Naruto looking at the ice creation as Haku smiled softly blushing at the boys praise.
"Not really, it's called living ice, by putting some of my chakra into it I can let it move around and report back to me. Kind of like your shadow clones." Replied Haku as Naruto nodded.
"Still that's really something Haku-chan. I'm glad that you've been able to learn more about your clan." Smiled the pale blonde as Haku nodded in reply as the two fell into a conversation their earlier concern seeming to evaporate as they followed the rest of Naruto's family into town.
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Meanwhile within the land of fire a red haired boy was rushing down the street laughing happily as his sisters tried and failed to catch him. As the boy rounded a corner he looked back grinning as he saw the pair skipping to a stop looking around before spotting him both tearing after him a moment later.
"MENMA GET BACK HERE!" called Narumi, her blond hair waving out behind her as she raised a hand shaking a fist in the direction of her younger brother. In response Menma simply gave the pair a raspberry before turning to sprint ahead.
"Wh...why is he so fast." Panted Mito looking around at her sister as she reached up to whip a trial of sweaty red hair from her face with the sleeve of her yellow battle kimono. Narumi for her part simply shook her head in reply before pushing ahead as her own green kimono waved out behind her.
"Who cares we just need to catch him!" called the blond as she moved ahead, her sister following after as the pair burst out into a new street spotting the red-haired boy rushing into the park ahead.
With Menma the little boy had just leapt into the undergrowth surrounding the parks trees giggling to himself as he pulled out his coral kunai.
"Ha no way my Oneesan's are getting you." Chuckled the boy as he heard his sister stampeding by his hiding spot. Earlier that day both Narumi and Mito had returned from their mission excited to tell all about their adventure in snow helping to save a princess. However, what they found was that Kushina and Menma had their own story to tell. After a while both sisters were staring open mouthed at the story as well as Menma's constant excitement over this Uto from Kiri.
Eventually Kushina had asked them to look after Menma as she prepared a special dinner for their return, promising to hear all about their mission at dinner leaving the two to look after their brother. It hadn't taken the pair long to grow tired of hearing about how amazing these Uzumaki's from Kiri were. After trying and failing to get the boy to calm down Narumi had gotten the idea to tell him they'd take away to coral kunai he'd been showing them if he didn't calm down…it did not have the intended effect.
Menma had looked at the pair for a moment before pulling the object close to him as his eyes narrowed at the pair catching them off guard. Before either could figure out what was going on the redheaded boy had spun in place before shooting off like a rocket out into the village leaving the pair blinking after him for a few moments before they rushed after him, leading to the current situation.
"Narumi I think we passed him!" called Mito as her twin skidded to a halt looking back at the redhead before her blue eyes spun around the park.
"You sure?" called Narumi as Mito let out a sigh.
"Yes, I'm sure, he's probably hiding somewhere in the park, just scatter some clones, and this time try not to set him off." Lectured Narumi as her sister scoffed at her but summons a swarm of clones.
"Oh ya blame it all on me, I wasn't the one who kept egging him on for information." Shot back the blond causing her sister to shake her head in an exasperated fashion.
"Narumi, he meet the one we saw in wave, and from what Kaasan said he'll be in the chunnin exams. Of course I was going to get any information I could." Retorted Mito even as she summoned her own small force of clones. In reply Narumi's eyes just narrowed over a small knowing smirk.
"Ya whatever, just keep pretending you've got all the answers." Smirked Narumi as her sister shook her head in annoyance.
"And you keep charging head first into everything without thinking, cause that works out so well." Replied Mito narrowing her own eyes at her sibling, the two engaging in a mini staring contest before both cracked genuine smiles.
"Well come on then egghead!" called Narumi happily turning with her clones to begin her search even as across from her Mito did the same.
"Waiting for you cannonball!"
Soon the two sisters and their clones were scattered all around the park red and yellow haired girl looking over play equipment and behind trees all searching for their youngest sibling who had slipped out of the park just a moment earlier.
Menma was just turning out of the park smiling to himself at losing his sisters when to smacked straight into someone causing both to drop to the ground as his coral kunai flew out of his hands landing between them.
"Ouch." Muttered Menma pushing himself up rubbing his head as he looked across to see a pale eyed girl about his own age push herself up rubbing her own head of brown hair as she looked across at the boy an annoyed expression on her face.
"Menma watch where you are going." Called the pouting tone of Hanabi Hyuuga as she pushed herself up dusting of the dirt from her black training outfit. At the same time Menma was pushing himself up not bothering to remove the dust now matted against his blue shirt and pants.
"Hey same to you we ran into each other!" called the red head as Hanabi gave him a disapproving look.
"No I was walking down the street you were running around and hit me." shot back Hanabi as the two soon found the conversation devolving into what usually accompanies young children's disagreements. Many "yes you did's" and "your faults" flying back and forth as a few passerby chuckled at the two's exchange. It was common knowledge that the youngest children of the Namikaze and Hyuuga family had found in each other a kind of rivalry since the two had first meet at the academy. No one knew quite how it started but one this was for certain, neither was going to walk away from it any time soon.
After a little longer of verbal back and forth Hanabi's eyes fell on the coral kunai on the ground between them bending down and snatching it up her eyes looking at it for a moment before turning to Menma with apparent anger on her face.
"HEY YOU STOLE FROM HINATA-NEESAN!" called Hanabi pointing at Menma who looked suddenly lost pointing at the kunai in the girls hand.
"Hey give that back its mine!" called the boy as Hanabi shook her head.
"No it isn't this is my neesan's she had lots of these orange things."
"I don't care that's mine give it back!" called Menma as Hanabi narrowed her eyes at him.
"Oh ya well let just see about that." Replied Hanabi before she spun taking off down the street with Menma tearing off behind her.
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Meanwhile across the content the Uzumaki family was just exiting a small restaurant Shinore handing onto a hand of her parents as behind them Naruto and Haku chuckled at the innocent scene she portrayed. The meal had been an interesting affair Jiraiya going slack jawed at the event that had occurred. At one point the man had even had to be held down by the combined efforts of Naruto and Mei, as he tried to charge off to Kumo and Iwa that seconds to provide, as he called it, "sage justice for his Hime's". Luckily for the villages his family was able to keep him from doing anything drastic as he settled back to hear all about Shinore's new friend, and about Naruto's new mission. The sage positively burst out laughing at the news that Naruto was the be moved back to a genin for the mission causing the blonde to shoot him an annoyed look that only grew as Jiraiya continued to refer to him as tadpole genin for the rest of the meal. Finally the meal came to an end Naruto deciding to head out now for his mission Haku walking with him as they watched his family moving way waving back at them.
"Seems Shinore's doing better, after your guests left she was down for a few days." Commented Haku as Naruto nodded his eyes becoming half lidded as he look towards his sister, even as flashes of his other younger sibling flashed through his mind.
"Ya, she was kind of broken up about having to lose a friend after just getting to know him. Still Yoake was able to help, and it's not like she won't see him again." Replied Naruto with a soft smile from behind his bandages as Haku nodded smiling softly herself.
"Hai, but you know you don't have pretend it isn't bothering you either." Offered the girl as Naruto sighed looking back ahead.
"Can't put anything past you hu." Muttered Naruto as Haku gave a small nod.
"I was raised by Zabuza-sama, I had to become very good at spotting hidden emotions." Replied Haku as Naruto let out a small chuckle.
"I bet you did…you know Haku…your free to hate me over what happened. Heck I just saw family I didn't know I had leave and it hurts…and I took yours from you." Spoke Naruto as he turned his eyes over to Haku's who looked momentarily sullen. However, it passed a moment alter as she gently shook her head letting her black hair wave gently around her.
"No…I don't think I could even hate you even if I wanted to Naruto-kun. Zabuza-sama chose his end, saying otherwise would be an insult to him. I think he knew he would die in battle someday, and I'm at least glad it was someone like you. He's a peace now…in a way I think that's all he ever wanted." Replied Haku smiling softly over to the blond who found himself thank the existence of his bandages that covered the blush now moving across his face as he saw the gentle expression across Haku's face, the small mist shimmering giving her an almost unearthly appearance.
"You know you really are an amazing girl Haku." Whispered Naruto not realizing until after the words had left him that they had been spoken out load. The result was for Haku's cheeks to take a small pink hue as she blinked back the shock at the blonde's words. Meanwhile Naruto was already trying and failing to fix his earlier words.
"I…what I mean is... you are…well…." Was all the blond managed as Haku found herself giggling at his embarrassment? As her gentle laugh began to build Naruto found himself pausing for a moment before his own chuckle formed into a laugh as well. For the remainder to the pairs short trip both teen continued to laugh pausing every now and then to glace at one another before bursting into a fresh stream of it till at last they stood before the outer walls of Kiri.
"Well, I guess this is by for now Haku-chan." Smiled Naruto as he turned to face the brown eyed girl.
"Hai." whispered Haku her heart still beating a little fast after the laughter the pair had shared, mixing with her own tempest of emotions.
Naruto-kun… you make me feel ….like I'm home…I don't want to lose that…never again… Though Haku as she found herself stepping forwards slightly her hand moving up to cup Naruto's cheek as the blonde turned to her his eyes widening. Before Naruto could even truly understand what was happening he felt as the bandages around his face were pulled away a moment before the light touch of Haku's lips meet his own as his mind shut down as their lips pressed together.
….so…soft… Stuttered the boys mind as he felt the silken lips part from his own, a part of him wanting to push forwards, to keep the feeling of gentle cold they offered upon his lips even as his eyes looked up to see Haku's brown eyes above a soft smile.
"Stay safe Naruto-kun…I won't forgive you if you don't come back." Whispered Haku before she vanished in a swirling of ice leaving Naruto staring at the spot she had been standing as he ideally raised a hand up to touch his lips still disbelieving at what had just happened.
di…did she….did we….I….what happened? Finished Naruto as inside his head another voice chuckled.
"I would say that she is interested in you Naruto, hum it seems your uncle was correct you have an interesting future with women." Chuckled the turtle as Naruto just stood there looking after where Haku had disappeared not knowing the she had appeared only a moment before inside the Mizukage's office her face a bright pink wondering much the same questions he was.
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Around the same time Naruto was finally coming back to his senses across the continent a pair of children were thundering down the halls of the Hyuga compound causing a few men and women to pull themselves from their path as they hurtled themselves forwards over the smooth wooden floors.
A moment later Hanabi rounded a corner skipping a few steps before pelting ahead just as Menma went skidding by still calling after her.
"GIVE IT BACK ITS MINE!" called the redhead as he pushed himself back up racing after the pale eyed girl who gave him a confident smirk before replying.
"YA RIGHT!" called Hanabi as she turned back ahead her destination just a few rooms away. As she padded closer to her elder sisters room Hanabi allowed her mind to shift to her elder sister for just a moment. Despite what many of the household might believe Hanabi looked up to her elder sister with almost reverence. When she had been just a child she had watched her sister practicing with her father, enthralled by her grace, and even as the years had pressed on that feeling had not dwindled. However, that was only the start for the young Hyuuga. What had really cemented her love for her sister had been the day before they were made to compete against one another.
The night before, she had awoken to find Hinata sitting astride her bed her soft hands moving through her long brown hair. Before she could speak Hinata had placed a hand upon her lips shaking her head for silence. Then she had told her what she would not understand until much later…that night Hinata told Hanabi that she would be becoming the head of their clan. When the younger sister had tried to argue Hinata had just bent down to hold her tightly before giving her a soft kiss upon her brow as she rose from the bed moving slowly to the rooms door as Hanabi watched her still unsure as to what her sister meant.
The next day she had learned as they were set to spar against one another, her eyes going wide as she saw Hinata avoid the winning blow. She was to slow to stop her own that came crashing around into her sisters chest throwing her back winning her the match. She had then watched in disbelief as Hinata was chastised by her father, and stripped of her title, unable to believe what she was seeing play out. But as she saw her sister's soft smile directed towards her she knew…Hinata had chosen her to take the title…and so she would, she would become strong enough so that no one would ever be able to hurt her sister because of some stupid rules.
Even after the fight the two siblings had remained close Hanabi finding Hinata always waiting to look after her when training was too much or she simply needed the comfort of a loved one. Which was why Hanabi recognized the Kunai now clutched in her hand, after all Hinata had a small collection of such things in her room, and she wouldn't let anyone steal from her sister.
As Hanabi reached her sisters door she skidded to a halt reaching out to fling the door open rushing in a moment before Menma came in after her throwing himself into a dive that caught her around the middle sending both children to the floor as the kunai went skidding under the small bed on one side of the room.
"Give it back!" called Menma as he tried to hold Hanabi down only to be pushed off as Hanabi spun to him.
"No its Neesan's." called back Hanabi jabbing a hand up to the dresser behind her where several of the orange ordainments sat along with a few stuffed toys. Menma was about to call back when his eyes spied the pile of coral objects his words dying even as they left his mouth.
"No it was…hu? Why does your Neesan have those?" asked Menma suddenly confused as he looked across at the ordainments. Across from him Hanabi stopped as well caught off guard by the boys open confusion.
"What do you mean? You took one." fired back Hanabi as Menma shook his head.
"No I didn't that kunai was a gift from Uto niisan…but where did your Neesan get some?" asked the redhead looking at the ordainments for a few more seconds until his focus returned to his own kunai. With a little shout the redhead dropped to his knees moving around the floor looking for his lost gift till he spotted a small glint of orange from beneath Hinata's bed. Before Hanabi could start to understand what was happening the boy was already half way under the bed letting out a small cheer of triumph.
"Ha found it!" called Menma as he grabbed at the orange object only to find his hands touching something like glass instead. As he pulled out the object he found what he was holding was a small bowl of water in which stood a single coral flower waving gently back and forth. As he pulled it clear Hanabi moved over ready to stop him but pausing as she saw the odd flower.
"Hu what's that?" asked the girl as Menma turned to her looking confused.
"Hu? Its Uto's coral, he says it's soft when its wet, but how does your Neesan know him?" asked Menma confused as he set the bowl down before turning to spot his kunai reaching out for it accidently pulling up a small photo that it had come to rest beside.
"What is it?" asked Hanabi leaning forwards over Menma's shoulder starting to wonder just what the redhead knew about these orange ornaments, after all Hanabi had never really been able to figure out where they had come from. As she looked over the boy's shoulder she saw what had his attention, a small photo showing a white haired girl about their own age smiling in front of a pale blond haired boy smiling happily over her a few odd lines decorating each of his cheeks. A few small words scrawled across the photo.
"Its Uto niisan and Shinore-chan…" replied Menma looking up at Hanabi who blinked between the boy and the photo still not understanding just what the pair had stumbled across.
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Meanwhile on the border between the land of fire and water Naruto found himself leaping from tree to tree his mind still processing his encounter with Haku at the gates of Kiri. After several hours of travel Naruto have managed to at least come to one conclusion.
I have no idea what is going on. Thought the blond as he leapt from a branch flipping once as he flew out of the forest landing upon a small lake that he took off across as his companion chuckle.
"In my limited experience probably the best thing to admit."
We what am I supposed to do…I mean Haku's really nice and pretty and… started Naruto before Isobu cut him off.
"Stop trying to think about it Naruto you'll never find the answer you're looking for, just go with it." Replied the turtle as Naruto gave a mental sigh as he leapt from the lakes surface moving into the tree line once again.
So what just let a girl kiss me is she wants to, that's your advice? Shock back Naruto. Isobu was about to respond when a ping of chakra caused both to come to a halt looking ahead.
"How many?" asked Naruto his eyes narrowing as he watched the forest around him. He was close to the boarder but this was still a ways from the meeting place.
"Seven, no eight but something's off about one of them, from what I can tell their in combat." Replied Isobu as Naruto nodded considering what he had been told before sighing.
"Well great, it could be the people were supposed to meet…ok we'll check it out for now, keep up a pulse will you I don't want to get spotted." Called naruto as he turned towards the group Isobu sending a mental nod as they shot off into the forest once again. Soon enough Naruto found himself looking on the edge of an open field already dotted with the signs of combat.
Great trenches had already but cut into the earth along with more than one tree looking as though a lightning bolt had crashed into it at some point. As Naruto's eyes tracked around the field he spotted a few figures he vaguely recognized as members of Konoha's Inuzuka and Aburame clan both around his own age squaring off against a pair of dark skinned figures dressed in grey and white both sporting blades in their hands, as their final member a blond haired girl stood across from….
"Hinata." whispered Naruto his eyes going wide at the sight of his old friend…only she wasn't so young anymore…and she was in trouble. As Naruto's eyes found her he didn't even notice as two other figures flickered into view a woman with flowing black hair and a white haired dark skinned man who held four blades in his arms standing across from one another. Taking in the entire field Naruto shook himself before making his decision.
Just as the two groups seemed ready to reenter the fight a sudden wave of chakra swept over them as all eight turned to see a pale blond haired boy stepping out of the forest his eyes looking around from above a bandaged face, a simple grey flak jacket being the only distinguishing thing of his dress apart from the wrappings that covered his right arm.
"Sorry to interrupt but I think I have some business with the Konoha shinobi here, mind if I ask you to leave?" called Naruto as he came to a stop looking around at the group who were taken aback by his sudden appearance.
"Yo little man, in the middle of my jam, don't go busting up my time, your messing up my rhyme!" called the dark skinned man as he shifted his head around to face Naruto his eyes covered by a pair of black goggles hanging below a headband decorated by a pair of clouds.
"Now you get gone mate, before I bring the eight!" called the man as Naruto spied a flicker of red chakra working around the man.
"Hum, so it's Gyuki? Well that explains the odd charka. Still he doesn't seem to be working well with the host yet." Muttered Isobu as Naruto's eyes shifted from the chakra back to the headband memories of the attack flashing in his mind.
After a moment Naruto let out a small chuckle that carried across the clearing unnerving several of the figures there except for one who was staring wide eyed at the boys appearance.
"Oh so you're from Kumo, well my apologies then." Called Naruto as the group watched his light attitude vanish, as his right eye suddenly shifted from blue to red the white turning black as he turned to face the shinobi from Kumo.
"It seems I do have business with you." Whispered Naruto as his eyes narrowed upon the group an audible cracking ringing around the field as they watched the boy's bandaged arms start to distort and swell the bandages falling away.
"Well I suppose it was just bad luck for them…well Naruto lets show them what a real Jinchuuriki looks like." Called Isobu as he allowed his mind to move into harmony with Naruto as the coral arm shattered revealing three segmented tails bursting out each covered in a hardened grey shell with a red underbelly like that of some kind of sea creature. As the assembled shinobi watched the tails stretched out until they were almost twice as long as Naruto was tall. After reaching their full length the tails began to wave gently the small shell spikes at the end effortlessly digging into the ground as all the water in the area seemed to shiver as if under its own volition. As the group watched Naruto turned to face the Kumo forces the tails waving out beside him as a smirk appeared from behind the bandages.
"Well, who's first?"
And that is chapter 7, yay, thanks to all who followed favorite and reviewed I appreciate it. Hope you like this chapter.
Ok small point yes in my version Kyuubi is the youngest, if you want to know my reason I ask you to simply follow these instructions.
Count to 9.
Now which number did you start with? I rest my case.
Songbird out.