The Eternal Chimera – Chapter 6
First thanks for those that have been patient enough to wait for this chapter. There must have been some plot to prevent me from releasing the chapter. Seriously, I get back from Canberra and I get an attack of the lazies before starting the chapter (Ok so that was my fault). Then the file somehow got deleted. Next there were periodic blackouts in my street on my side of the street. Finally when I actually did finish my internet got disconnected. Seriously…WTF?
Secondly, I would like to send thanks to those that reviewed, while I don't ask for them it still gives me a warm fuzzy feeling to know that at least one person likes what I wrote.
That being said, I feel I must extend thanks to Narilyte and VyseN; both leaving MASSIVE reviews. In Naryilte's case citing some massive errors within the fic (if you want to know what these are simply write in a review that you would and if enough people care I will post the largest stuff ups along with the next chapter). These errors will be corrected as soon as possible.
In any case, on with chapter 6.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto
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'What did you do?' Rei thought to Naruto. Naruto just stood there not answering; then it hit her.
'I'm no longer inside Naruto so we no longer share the link.'
Voicing her question out loud so that he could hear she asked again.
"How am I outside of the seal?" her voice held utter disbelief.
Naruto gave her a foxy grin that was so characteristic of him before answering.
"You gave me hints about what I needed to do. It was actually because of my conversations with you that this is possible."
"Really? How so?" she was genuinely intrigued. She couldn't distinctly remember a conversation that would have help circumvent a seal placed by a god.
"Well, the first was that you said that you were chakra with a soul attached. The second thing was when you helped me understand the nature of a kage bunshin. In all essence you and it are fundamentally the same."
Rei was nodding, telling Naruto that she was listening and understanding what he was talking about.
"The final part was to realise what it was exactly that the seal actually sealed."
Rei looked thoughtful before realising what he was talking about.
"My chakra and my soul."
"Exactly. If the seal could allow either one of us to force your chakra through it, then there also had to be the possibility that I could also let out your soul."
"So then you created a bunshin with your chakra and my soul. It took on my form because that is what my soul most strongly identifies with." Naruto only nodded in agreement as a response. Naruto looked thoughtful before voicing his question.
"What would happen if we tried to use both your chakra and your soul?" They looked at each other before Rei offered her opinion.
"It isn't something worth considering. Remember, my chakra poisons you. Even if it can't actually kill you, there is no need to put yourself through anything unnecessary."
She paused slightly before walking over.
"And besides, I'm more than grateful that you could get this far." She said, pecking him on the cheek as a reward before taking the time to look around and experience everything around her. Naruto simply turned into a walking tomato after the kiss and was glad that Rei's attention was elsewhere.
"So what now?" Rei asked, unsure of what to do with her new found freedom.
Naruto looked thoughtful before piping up.
"How bout taking a walk around the village? That way you can experience everything for yourself instead of through me. "
"I would like that."
"Um…maybe we should put you into a henge. If anyone asks I can just say that you're a friend."
"Why can't I be your friend in my adult form?"
"Because aniki knows all the ninja, meaning that you won't be able to say that you are one if we stumble across him and all the adult civilians hate me." He stopped for a second before correcting himself. "Well every one other than Teuchi and Keiichi."
Without further argument Rei was placed into a henge and they set about the village with no particular destination.
As they were doing circuits in the village they ran into various people that Naruto knew, each time introducing them to Rei as a civilian friend from childhood. Naruto was currently introducing her to Konohamaru, the Sandaime's grandson, and his friends Udon and Moegi. Naruto had met Konohamaru through his many dealings with the Sandaime, a thought that made him wince due to the past few days of revelations.
"Naruto-niichan! Naruto-niichan, is that your girlfriend?"
Naruto just turned red faster than a traffic light.
"NO! I mean…no, she's just a friend that has been with me longer than anyone else."
Rei just beamed at his words.
"Well whatever, just don't complain when she gets tak…"
An ANBU had just shunshined into the area and started speaking over Konohamaru.
"Naruto-san, your presence is requested in the Hokage's office." Having delivered his message the ANBU shunshined away.
A frown crossed Naruto's face before heading there with Rei not wanting to leave her there on her own.
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Once Naruto had arrived in the office Sarutobi wasted no time in asking Rei to leave the room as the things he wanted to discus were of a very personal nature.
"Naruto, I'm calling you hear about our conversation yesterday."
Naruto frowned, not wanting to discuss the issue that was still a sore point. Sarutobi not giving him a chance to object continued immediately.
"Yesterday in our conversation you said that you weren't sure if your parents died in 'Rei's attack'. While that wasn't the main part of the conversation, I need to ask, is Rei really who I think she is?"
Naruto looked aghast, realising the slip up that he had made in his rage. No doubt Kakashi would have noticed it as well.
"I need to ask, are you in contact with the Kyuubi?"
"Why should I answer? You kept secrets from me all of my life." Was Naruto's retort.
"Naruto, I do what I do because I have the best intentions village and its occupants. Obviously there have been times when my judgement was incorrect but this is something that I must know about. The Kyuubi is malicious and will try just about anything to get out of its seal."
"First off the stop calling her 'Kyuubi', it's a title, not her name. Secondly, she isn't malicious."
Sarutobi would have grinned if he wasn't a ninja. Naruto completely forgot to deny that he was in contact with the Kyuubi, but also gave very strong evidence that he was indeed talking with it.
"You can honestly say that after the attack that nearly razed Konoha to the ground?"
"That was not her fault. She was tricked by someone. She said his name was Madara Uchiha."
"Naruto, that person is dead. He died in a fight with the Shodaime Hokage many years ago."
"I'm simply reporting what I have discussed with her. If you really want to you can discuss it with Rei."
Sarutobi couldn't school his features for this. If anything he was not expecting to be offered to speak with the demon.
"And how would you suggest that I do that."
"You sent her out a moment ago." Sarutobi's eyes went wide with realisation.
Seeing as all of the ANBU had been sent out of the room he ordered Naruto to fetch the girl. As she was ushered in Sarutobi levelled a very calculating look at Rei, while his face looked calm it was clear that he was on guard.
"Kyuubi no Youko, how did you escape from the seal?"
"It's Rei and she is only a kage bunshin. My chakra containing her soul."
"How is that possible? There is a seal that contains her."
"Well if it was possible for chakra to slip through the seal then I figured it was also possible to have her soul get through as well."
Sarutobi nodded at the explanation, understanding the mechanism behind the kage bunshin.
"Naruto tells me that you did not attack by your own will, but you were forced by a man named Madara Uchiha. Explain to me how this is so when he died many years ago in a fight with one of my own senseis."
"I don't know how that is possible. Perhaps he had some sort of gift longevity. All I know is that he tried to persuade me to join his cause. When I refuse he tried to use force, but I did not react in the way any one would expect to his genjutsu. I was sent into a rage and attacked Konoha."
"Quite a tale. You see for me to believe you it means that I must admit that Madara had a hand in this. While I find this difficult I will simply choose to find more information to come to a conclusion. Another question is why you came to earth in the first place. Why come out of Makai or the plane of the heavens, where ever it was that you resided."
Rei did not answer immediately; she merely looked at Naruto, something that did not go unnoticed by Sarutobi. Naruto chose to speak up at this point.
"If I tell you this, I'm going to want Kakashi-niichan to hear this as well. It is only fair to him."
The Hokage gave a sharp nod before resummoning one of his ANBU and sending them to get the copy-nin.
15 minutes later Kakashi was in the office. He was told that anything less than an immediate attendance for this situation would incur serious penalties. The ANBU in question, wearing a cat mask, had mentioned something about fire and a certain orange book if his presence was not made to the Hokage immediately.
Kakashi had just been briefed about the discussion that Naruto, Rei and the Hokage had just had.
"That is quite a lot to take in all at once." Kakashi stated rather pensively.
"Well now that you are up to date with everything I believe that Naruto was about to explain the purpose behind the Kyuu…Rei'-san's appearance." Sarutobi quickly corrected himself ask he caught Naruto's darkening features.
"Well it starts with my parentage. I belong to two clans; my mother of the phoenixes and my father of the dragons. The phoenix clan is known for their regenerative ability, able to heal most wounds and is reborn from any fatal wounds. It turns out that the dragon clan experience eternal youth and eternal life, barring a mortal death. Given I have the blood of both clans I am actually immortal."
Sarutobi's pipe dropped out of his mouth and Kakashi's visible eye widened considerably.
"Well Rei-san was sent down by Kami to be a companion throughout my life. Eventually all of you will die and I would have been left all alone. Rei-san is here to prevent that."
Sarutobi had a very sombre look on his face, as if coming to grip with the enormity of what he was just told. For the first time in his life Kakashi looked as though he was absolutely stupefied.
"That is…I don't even know how to respond to that." Sarutobi had tried to say something relevant to the situation by was at a complete loss for words.
It was at this point that Rei decided to remind Naruto of his father's letter.
"Naruto-san, remember your father's directive in his letter?"
Naruto looked thoughtful before realising what she meant.
"Hokage-sama, is there any way that I would be able to travel to the mountains separating Suna and Iwa?"
"Why would you need to travel there of all places?"
"In my father's letter he said it was the ancestral home of the dragons and said that it was vital that I visited there."
Sarutobi contemplated the issue before coming to a conclusion.
"I will allow it but you will have to wait for a few days for your travelling partner to arrive. You will be going with one of my ex-students, Jiraiya."
"I was kinda hoping you'd let me go with niichan."
"Sorry Naruto but that isn't an option. I have responsibilities to Sasuke and Sakura as well as you and seeing as they probably shouldn't come along I can't come with you." Kakashi responded, telling Naruto just how impossible it was for him to come. Sarutobi picked up where Kakashi left off.
"You will need to have the best protection available when going anywhere near Iwa at this point."
"Why, nobody knows I'm the son of the Yondaime."
"Iwa's hatred for the Yondaime is so powerful that you wearing a Konoha head band along with the resemblance between the two of you would be more than enough to make you a target."
Naruto nodded and simply asked "When will he get here?"
"I'm not too sure. It could take a while depending on where he has to travel from. Well if you have no further bombs to drop then you are dismissed."
Outside of the office Kakashi suggested to Naruto and Rei that they should head home after all the excitement of the day. As they were nearing home Rei popped out of existence, apparently the bunshin had run out of chakra.
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Naruto awoke midmorning the next day the sun filtering through the gaps in his curtain and onto his face.
'Sunday, no training.' He thought idly.
'Perhaps I should gather the gang together and introduce Haku to everyone. Rei-san, are you there?'
'As always Naruto-san.'
'I was wondering, would you like to meet my friends as well?'
'You would allow me that?'
'Shouldn't I? I'll only call you out later when we are nearer to meeting them. It wouldn't be too good if I said you were a civilian to them and then you dispersed as a kage bunshin. It'd mean that you either knew the jutsu or that something fishy was going on and I'd rather not have to explain.'
'Yes, that would be…problematic.'
After conferring with Rei, Naruto knew what he had to do. First he had to gather his friends and set up with them to meet up with him at some food place. Ichiraku's while his favourite place to eat only served ramen. He'd have to think about a different place to eat for once.
'That barbeque place that Chouji and Shikamaru eat at would be a better pick. Aniki has taken me there so I know they will serve me as well.' Naruto thought to himself, thinking of a decent restaurant to go to that would still serve him.
With that sorted he decided that the quickest course of action would be to send out kage bunshin to look for everyone.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu." Once 11 bunshins appeared he started giving commands. "Right I want each of you to find one of my other classmates and tell them to meet me at the I Ibuki Kafe."
With that done Naruto set off to the Kunoichi only residence to collect Haku. It was a short trek across town via the rooftops and before long he was waiting outside of Haku's apartment door. While he was there he received snippets of information from his dispelled clones, each one telling him that the others would be there waiting for him at the allotted time.
Haku answered the door and was pleasantly surprised.
"Naruto-san, to what do I owe the pleasure?"
"Well with you being new in town I thought you might like to meet some of my friends."
"That would be pleasant." She smiled warmly and stepped out of her apartment wearing a baby blue t-shirt that cut off shortly after the shoulders, a black skirt that went down to her shins and pair of sandals that had strapping going up to her shins where her skirt finished.
Now that Naruto had organised everything he and Haku decided to make their way to the restaurant at ground level. It was about twelve thirty and if they had travelled by the roof tops they would have been waiting for ages before any one showed up. As they walked they talked, but Haku couldn't help but notice some of the looks that were being sent at Naruto. While a great many just chose to look straight through him there was an equal amount that seemed to mutter dark things under their breath and send vicious looks his way.
"Why do you…how do you tolerate such treatment from your own village?"
Naruto looked at her and then had a brainwave.
"I can answer that, but not right here." Immediately he took to the roof tops and waited for Haku to follow suit. From hear he made his way to the training grounds with Haku in hot pursuit. Once they had reached one that was on the outskirts of the main part of village he stopped. Thankfully it was empty.
"Now I tolerate it because of what is sealed inside me. I want to change that opinion. Every time they look at me all they see is the image of the Kyuubi and hate me for it."
She was looking at him expectantly. The way he had finished his sentence told her that there was he had to say.
"What I'm about to do stay strictly between you and me. The only other people that know about this are the Hokage and Kakashi."
"I understand." Was the only reply she gave.
"Well, as I said, they only see me as they Kyuubi, but even their image of her is incorrect. I have been talking with her for a few months now. She is actually a very kind…soul." Naruto finished, almost unsure how to classify Rei.
"Once again you are trusting me with a lot. Why?"
"Well the first time was to repay your trust in me for telling me your secret. This time it is because you did not break my trust when I told you mine. In any case the reason I brought you here is because I want you to meet Rei-san."
'Naruto-san are you sure this is a good idea?" She never received a response, the next thing that she knew she was in the clearing with Haku and Naruto.
After introducing Rei to Haku and then doing the inverse there was an awkward silence between the trio before Rei started to talk.
"Haku-san, I would like to thank you for your actions in wave."
"I'm not sure I follow your meaning Rei-san."
"After you knocked Naruto-san out in your fight he came and visited me in the seal. From that point on I haven't been lonely. I wanted to thank you for this."
Haku was taken aback by Rei's politeness. From what she understood demons were supposed to b vicious and vile creatures; Rei went against that with the way she was currently acting. Wanting to keep the meeting friendly she bowed, only saying that it was of no trouble to her.
"Well now that this is out of the way, perhaps we should get to the restaurant. Everyone else will be waiting for us by now."
The henge was put on Rei, the purposes explained to Haku and then the three set off for the I Ibuki Kafe.
True to his words everyone was waiting for them. All twelve were waiting in an outdoor section of the restaurant; they had gathered some tables and put them together to make one large table as the restaurant didn't normally accommodate such a large group without a prior booking.
There were three empty seats between Hinata and Kiba. Naruto helped Haku and Rei to their places before seating himself between Rei and Kiba, leaving Haku to sit next to Hinata. Sai was the first to address Naruto.
"We have already ordered as we weren't sure how long you were going to be. You can order when the waitress comes out next." He informed the new arrivals while handing over a menu.
"So what did everybody else order? I'm having spare ribs and salad." It was Misao; her simple question had ignited a massive to and fro about who was having what, what sounded better and discussion of sharing dishes. In all the chaos of the conversation Kiba managed to whisper into Naruto's ear.
"How in the hell did you get girls like that to come to this with you of all people?" He had a bewildered look on his face as he asked.
"Ease up turbo. Haku-san came back with us from our mission in wave and Rei is a childhood friend."
Kiba simply nodded slowly as he regarded the girls with interest. Naruto, realising his rudeness as well as remembering the reason he brought the girls here, called for everyone's attention.
"Allow me to introduce my friends. Haku-san, Rei-san, this is the gang." He went around starting with Hinata and moving clockwise as he introduced each person in the group. As each person was announced they each made a small wave to say 'hi' and to acknowledge their name as it was called out.
Several waitresses had come out and were bringing the food that the group had ordered. Naruto, Rei and Haku took this chance to place an order with them.
"Would you like us to wait?" Hinata offered.
Haku simply shook her head and said "By the time our food is ready yours will be cold."
Naruto took this chance to tell everyone about the A ranked mission team seven had been sent on. Their friends made for a good audience, sometimes completely abandoning their food in rapture. It was also different having Haku retell the story with her perspective added in as well.
By the end of the story the food ordered by Rei, Naruto and Haku came out.
"Man, that was quick." Ami commented
"Probably because the order was far smaller than our own that it was pushed to the front and it took less time." Shino thought out aloud.
While the three made short work of their food, the others had the decency to not just stare as they ate and continued in small conversation.
One they had finished eating they joined into the random conversations. Haku was talking with Hinata; both girls seemed to like making remedies for injuries out of herbs. Rei was listening into all the different conversations when Kiba snickered at Naruto.
"So…you got your butt handed to you by Haku did you? Maybe you're losing your skills."
Unfortunately for Kiba, Sakura had overheard the ribbing and got a devious smile about her face.
"So, Kiba, are you telling us that a girl can't beat a guy in a fight?"
"I…er…well…that is…" Kiba was stumbling over himself, realising what he had gotten himself into. Ino, realising where Sakura was going, started to join in.
"So Kiba, if that really is the case then you wouldn't mind taking Kurenai-sensei on in a proper match would you?"
His pupils dilated, realising what they were talking about. Ami had now joined in on the fun.
"Of course that would require us to explain to Kurenai-sensei why we organised a nothing barred match. I'm not sure how she would react if we told her what you just said.
Kiba blanched, evidently he knew exactly how she would react if they told her any of this.
"You wouldn't." While it was mean to be a statement it sounded more like a question…or should that be a plead.
Misao had the clincher.
"We won't…provided you pay for the girls' meals today." She said with a devious smile on her face.
"But…but…that's unfa…"
"Think about the alternative Kiba." Hinata reminded him
It was as though everybody could see his mind ticking…very slowly.
"Alright…fine…but remember, you promised."
The girls all looked quite happy at not having to pay or their meals while the boys just sweat dropped and shook their heads. Shikamaru could be heard muttering "troublesome" while Sai was talking to Shino about their capabilities as a torture and interrogation unit.
It soon was noted by Misao that it was getting later into the afternoon and she had to head home to prepare for training the next day; it was Monday which meant taijutsu training with Gai. Any one that decided to attend one of his sessions while not fully rested was nothing short of suicidal.
With that in mind the group slowly started to break up and head home.
Naruto walked with Rei and Haku to Haku's apartment block.
"Your friends are an…interesting bunch. I'm glad I got to meet them. I enjoyed myself." She said to Naruto before turning to Rei. "Please it was a pleasure meeting you, Rei-san. Perhaps we can meet again in the fut…." She was interrupted by Rei dispersing.
'Naruto-san, please apologise to Haku-san. I must have run out of chakra. It seems that 6-7 hours is how long the bunshins last.'
"Rei-san says sorry for dispelling before you finished." Naruto conveyed the message.
"It is quite understandable. In any case have a good night Naruto-san."
Naruto nodded and wished her the same before heading home to sleep.
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Naruto woke the next morning at twenty nine past four, a minute before his alarm went off. Apparently his hate for the thing was so strong that his body had learned to wake up that extra little bit early to disarm it so he wouldn't have to hear it. After he had disarmed his alarm he set about dressing in his usual orange jumpsuit that he wore for training as well as missions inside the village, or more specifically, D rank missions.
Once dressed he made his way to the training ground that was used for their taijutsu practice with Gai Maito and his genin team. He got there fifteen minutes early so he started to do some stretches before he was made to kill himself. While he was stretching others rolled up in the fifteen minutes and started to stretch with him. Gai and lee appeared out of nowhere and started talking at full volume, apparently they had already been on a morning 'jog' and were about to join the rest of the group.
"YOSH! GAI-SENSEI, IT APPEARS THAT THE REST OF OUR YOUTHFUL COMRADES HAVE ARRIVED!"
The rest of the group not so inwardly groaned; even Neji and Tenten, their teammates did not like having perforated eardrums at five in the morning. Gai who wasn't as bad as his student for yelling things at the top of his lungs reduced his volume to slightly under a commanding boom.
"Well, then, seeing as we are all here we will go on a jog to warm up before settling into form practice and spars.
The warm up consisted of 20 laps around Konoha. Once complete they separated into pair and started sparing. Only 2 matches were running at any given time. This way Gai could intervene and also give pointer when necessary. This morning Naruto was paired against Sai. He settled into the clockwise spin stance used forReikoku Ken-ryuu, he was counting on Sai using his right hand. This immediately put Gai on alert as he had not seen the style in some years.
Sai unsure of what Naruto was aiming to do was wary, when he realised that Naruto wasn't going to move he shot forwards, the whole time keeping his guard up. He launched a straight out left jab. Naruto, realising he was in the wrong stance to rotate and counter attack properly rotated anti-clockwise dodging the initial blow. Sai followed up the jab with a crescent kick from his back foot which was ducked under by Naruto, still maintaining his roatation, as he tried to sweep Sai's supporting leg from underneath him. It had worked and the point went to Naruto for disabling his opponent.
The pair reset their positions, this time Naruto was aware that Sai would be a lot more cautious about he attacked. They were given the signal to begin and Naruto rushed in, using virtually the same opening as Sai, only with his right hand. Sai deftly patted the fist to his left; exactly what Naruto wanted. As his hand went left he spun the rest of his body and tried to land a right elbow to Sai's head. Sai, quickly moving his head out of the way went back in for a counter only to find that Naruto's arm had extended from its strike as an elbow to an extended arm ready to back fist him. He had to duck at the very last second, leaving him in a position that lent itself to neither offence nor defence, so when the follow up roundhouse kick aimed at where his midsection would normally be, but due to the duck it was in line with his shoulder, jarring it on impact.
"That's enough you to. Time for another pair." Gai's voice rang out across the training field as Hinata and Sasuke went up to spar.
While there were only two matches running at a time the rest were not simply watching and sitting down. They were completing exercises ranging from squats and push ups to beating up on a wooden post in the ground. At no point was there any true rest though this session.
As Sai and Naruto were walking away Sai decided to satisfy his curiosity.
"So where did the new style come from?"
"It's actually from…" he was interrupted as an ANBU black ops agent wearing an ox mask poofed into the training field.
"Naruto Uzumaki, you have been summoned by the Hokage once this is completed.
'Dammit, couldn't he have summoned me now instead of making me answer Sai?'
'If this is about Jiraiya arriving then that certainly was fast. I expected him to be a week or so not a mere three days.'
'The sooner the better. I really want to know about the dragon's sword style and I have a few questions to ask as well.'
"Naruto." Sai called again, this time waving a hand in front of his face to try and get Naruto out of his dream world.
"Oh…right. Sorry Sai."
"So where did that new style come from."
"Oh, it's from my mother's family. Apparently she left me a scroll and I just received it recently." While Naruto had tried to sound happy there was still a bitter edge to his words. No matter how much he may want to it was just too early for him to forgive the Hokage.
Perhaps it was because Sai's curiosity was sated or perhaps he could sense the bitterness in Naruto's words that cause the subject to be dropped almost immediately. The two boys continues with their exercises doing five cycles of 200 push ups, sit up, squats and chin ups.
By the end of the morning most of the group felt that death would have been a merciful release. Fortunately most could laze around for the rest of the day and try to recover for the next day or whatever else they had planned for later on. Naruto was one of the unlucky few that was required to be somewhere immediately afterwards. While his body protested at every movement he practically dragged himself to the Hokage's office.
Upon arrival at the Hokage's office door Naruto simply barged in, not bothering to check with the secretary or to knock. No matter what training undertaken and what improvements made, there were some things that were apparently far to ingrained from his younger days to change.
It was fortunate that the Hokage was only expecting Naruto that day so when Naruto did barge in he wasn't in the middle of anything important; only battling his worst enemy since the great ninja wars – paper work. When he saw Naruto enter unannounced he was happy for the distraction.
"ANBU get Jiraiya." While there nothing detectable happened, there was little doubt that the order would be acted upon.
"I thought you said that it might take a while for Jiraiya to get here."
"I said I wasn't sure how long it would take him." Sarutobi corrected "Apparently he was nearby investigating some promising information."
There was a poof in the area and a disgruntled looking man with a mane of white hair emerged from the smoke cloud that ensued from a shunshin. At the moment he was sporting particularly large purple bruises on his right cheek and left eye.
"Your ANBU interrupted my in the middle of my research."
"We have more pressing issues to deal with, Jiraiya."
Jiraiya school his features and allowed his sensei to continue.
"Naruto, this is Jiraiya, one of my students and a member of the sannin. He will be taking you to where you need to go. He has been filled in on everything that we discussed the other day."
"What? Why? What gives you the right to tell and him the right to know?" It was more of demand that a question.
"Two reasons actually. First is if I'm gonna do this I'm gonna want to know exactly why. Secondly, I was your father's sensei and he made me your godfather." Jiraiya replied for the Hokage.
"You're my godfather? Where the hell were you all these years?"
"Out of town, the main reason was to maintain my spy network for the council."
"And the other reason?"
"You'll get to know when you're a little older." He said with a slightly lecherous grin about his face.
"In any case, you will be leaving tomorrow morning. You need to be packed for a mission that might last a few weeks."
Naruto nodded before Sarutobi spoke up again.
"Naruto, pack for an A rank mission. That means no bright jumpsuits. Going so close to Iwa's borders is always a dangerous gambit."
Naruto nodded, slightly more aware of how dicey things could get if things took a turn for the worse. The Iwa would never miss such an opportunity to take out Konoha Nin and they would not let one of the sannin slip through their fingers.
"Meet me at the western gate at five am sharp ready to leave." Jiraiya told Naruto before leaving the office by way of shunshin.
Naruto went home to pack. When his older brother got home he sought him out and told him the news.
"Aniki, Jiraiya arrived. We're set to leave tomorrow at five. I was wondering, what are you going to tell the others?"
"The truth." Was the simple reply.
"What? You can't possibly mean…" Naruto started, dumbfound that Kakashi would simply blurt his secret.
"All I have to say is that you are travelling to find some clues about your family. They will just have to accept that and if they want to know anything more then they will have to ask you themselves."
Naruto nodded, heading off to finish his packing.
Once he was done he found himself double checking everything.
'Kunai, shuriken, spare clothes, food, and tent. Anything else?' He asked to himself more than anyone else.
'Perhaps you should tell Haku. Your teammates will get told by Kakashi at the team meeting tomorrow, though I'm not sure if anyone will think to tell her. Sakura may work with her but she will likely forget to pass the message on in the midst of her duties at the hospital.'
'You're right. And with Haku not working with me on a regular basis she wouldn't even know that I was missing and wouldn't ask.'
With his mind set Naruto went out to find Haku and tell her what was going on in case she was left out of the loop by the others, even if it was accidental.
A short while later he found himself in front of her door for the second time in two days. He knocked and waited patiently for her to answer. She answered wearing the pink kimono that she wore when she first met him.
"Oh, Naruto-san, are we meeting your friends again today?" Haku greeted.
"Sorry Haku-san, not today. What I came here for was just to tell you that I would be out of town for a while. All my friends will find out tomorrow when I'm not present for training, but I'm not sure if anyone would have told you.'
She smiled at his thoughtfulness.
"Well it seems like a wonderful afternoon. Would you care to take a stroll around the village with me? I haven't really seen too much besides the hospital, the Hokage tower and that restaurant from yesterday."
Naruto smiled at the invitation and stepped aside so that she could step out of the apartment. Instead of stepping out she stepped back in, beckoning Naruto to follow her. Once he crossed the threshold she closed the door behind him. Seeing the slightly confused look on Naruto's face she explained.
"While I'm thinking about it get Rei-san to come out and the three of us can go. A look of understanding came across his face before he grinned and uttered the jutsu name.
"Kage bunshin no jutsu."
Rei appeared in the hallway of Haku's apartment. They put her under the usual henge before heading out.
The trio made their way through the village looking at each of the different stalls that dotted the pathway they were walking.
Naruto then took them to see some of the places he thought they might enjoy. The first stop was to the local flower shop. It was the shop owned by the Yamanaka. As they walked in they were greeted by a voice.
"Welcome to Yamanaka Florists. Oh it's you Naruto-san. What brings you here?"
"Haku-san said she wanted to see more of the village than just the Hokage tower, the hospital and the I Ibuki Kafe, so Rei and I are taking her on a tour of the better places in the village." Haku and Rei merely wave at the mention of their names.
Ino just beamed at his words. Shino decided to wander up to the group and join the conversation.
"Whoa, Shino-san? I would have ever expected to find you in a place like this."
"The Yamanaka-sama and Ino-san grow the plants that we Aburame use to make the hives for our kikai bugs." Shino said as he indicated two men talking. One was dresses similarly to Shino himself, with a large white coat and glasses to hide his eyes. The other had long hair in a pony tail, black shinobi pants, a black long sleeved shirt, green jounin vest and red vest slightly covering it.
The two girls were looking between the different flowers, smelling each of their different scents before moving onto the next.
"Well, we can't stay for too long. There is actually a lot to see when you know what you are looking for."
He moved to the door and held it open for Rei and Haku before walking out himself after saying his goodbyes to both Shino and Ino.
The moved their way through the bustling city, eventually finding themselves at Konoha's ninja academy. Naruto walked them through the buildings and practice grounds for the genin hopefuls. Eventually running into Iruka, one of Naruto's academy instructors.
"Naruto, what brings you here?"
"Just showing Haku-san and Rei-san the sites of the city. This is a pretty important place for me. Well, for any person that has become a ninja. So I'd thought I'd share."
Iruka's eye crinkled with a smile that was so similar to that of his older brother, Kakashi.
"Rei-san, Haku-san this is Iruka-sensei, one of my academy instructors."
"So are you two keeping Naruto out of trouble and away from his prankster ways?"
"You used to be a prankster, Naruto-san?" Haku asked with a slightly amused air about her voice.
"Perhaps stories for another time?" Naruto evaded sightly
Haku simply grinned before turning to Iruka.
"Well, seeing as Naruto is going to be out of town for a while we might meet up and then you can tell me all about his prankster ways."
Naruto just groaned before moving onwards. It was getting later in the evening so this would likely be the last place that they would visit before heading home.
The girls were told that it was a way to walk before they got to the last sight that Naruto wanted to see, but when they were walking for nearly thirty minutes through thick forest on a sharp incline they were starting to wonder just where they were heading.
Just as Haku was about to ask how much farther there was to go Naruto suddenly announced that they had arrived at their destination. It took a little while for them to understand what he was talking about until they joined him just outside of the thick forestry.
What they saw took their breath away. They were standing on top of the Hokage monument looking out at the village basking in the glow of the setting sun; a truly magnificent site.
"This place…this is where I come to think, or to just be alone. It's so peaceful, even more so than training ground 44." When he finished a comfortable silence lapsed between the three as they simply enjoyed the sight before them.
Before long it was dark and the sun had completely set. He chose to show them the quick way down; running with chakra sent to the soles of their feet to stick to the face of the cliff. Without even realising it they were standing in front of Haku's door when she turned to say her goodbyes. She turned to Rei first in case she dispelled.
"Rei-san, it was good spending the day with you and Naruto-san."
"I agree. Perhaps we can do this again when…"
'Naruto gets back. That is incredibly annoying'
"Would you like to be resummoned?'
'No just pass on the rest of the message. Thank you.'
"Rei-san said that she would like to spend the day with you again some other time."
"Good luck with your trip and have a safe journey." She said with a slight bow.
"Thank you and I'll see you when I get back." He responded with a slight inclination of his head.
With his goodbyes said he departed set for his house at top speed to rest for the next day of travelling.
Before he could get to his room he heard Kakashi's voice.
"So did you enjoy yourself?" there was a slight giggle behind his words.
Naruto knowing exactly where this was leading nipped in the bud.
"I was just showing some friends around before I left. Nothing wrong with that is there?"
"Nothing at all. I'm just surprised you aren't addressing them as Haku-chan and Rei-chan."
"Whatever, like I said, were just friends." He groused before heading to bed.
While he was lying there he heard Rei's voice.
'I wouldn't mind you know.'
'Mind what.' Naruto asked, completely thrown for a loop.
'If you addressed me as Rei-chan instead of Rei-san.'
'You wouldn't?'
'Face it Naruto-san, were gonna be around for a very long time. May as well get familiar with each other.'
She said nothing more on the matter and left Naruto to mull it over in his head while trying to get to sleep.
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He woke that extra minute early as his body was so used to, just to avoid hearing that infernal alarm going off. He got dressed silently, expecting Kakashi to already be heading to the training grounds to train the rest for ninjutsu. He was wearing a pair of loose pants that was held up by a belt and a black tank top. The rest of his body was covered with a black trench coat with an orange spiral on the back. He was also wearing black shinobi sandals.
Naruto grabbed the bag that he packed the previous day before heading to the kitchen for a small breakfast. It was simply, only having a few pieces of fruit before heading out to the west gate to meet Jiraiya. He would be considerably early, but that was better than being late.
When he arrived at the gate he was greeted by Gekko Hayate, his sensei in kenjutsu. He had with him a long thin package.
"*cough* Naruto, I heard that you found some information concerning your family and*cough cough* that you were going to find out more about them. He also mentioned that your family has their own style of swordsmanship. I thought it only fitting that I give you this now as your current sensei, before you find a new one in your new style *cough*." His speech interjected by his usual cough due to failing health.
He handed Naruto the package who took it from his grasp so gently you'd have thought that it was made out of glass. The sheath was plain black with a golden dragon ornament adorning its length about a quarter the way down the entire sheath. The dragon's mouth was open where the sword came out of the sheath, giving the impression that the dragon had swallowed the sword.
When he drew the sword it seemed to hum in his hand. Looking at Hayate he received an explanation.
"You have wind natured chakra as well as a high affinity for fire. That sword was tempered with a special steel *cough* that allows chakra flow to the blade. *cough cough* You can extend some of your wind chakra to it to make it even sharper and slightly longer, this will take practice of course."
Naruto looked amazed, not having anything to say Hayate continued.
"You can also heat it up to a degree." He grinned "Gives an entirely new meaning to 'a hot knife through butter' *cough*."
Upon closer inspection the blade bore the kanji for 'Carve your own path'
Noticing that he had found the inscription Hayate explained.
"*cough* Those were the words my sensei said to me as he passed on my first sword. You now have a sword, how you choose to *cough* wield it and for what purpose are up to you. *cough cough cough*"
Naruto nodded and bowed giving a solemn thanks and a vow inside his own heart not to betray his sensei's teaching.
He was itching to try the sword out but just at that moment Jiraiya had arrived and told him that if he was ready they would leave immediately. Jiraiya gave a short nod to Hayate as a greeting before setting out of the village with Naruto in tow.
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Jiraiya and Naruto had been on the road for a few hours now; there had been little conversation until Naruto asked a question.
"Jiraiya-sama, what were my parents like."
Jiraiya stopped and turned to face Naruto. He had been briefed on everything that the Hokage knew Naruto knew, so it shouldn't have been so surprising when asked.
"Your mother, she was a beautiful woman. She had long red flowing hair and her face was that of an angel. I think the thing that I will remember the most about her is her sense of humour. She was always the one to try and make everyone else laugh, she tried hard in everything that she did and stood up for what she believed in."
Jiraiya took a second to compose himself before continuing.
"Your father was a great man. Not only because of his accomplishments on the battlefield, but in everyday life. He strived to find a solution that suited everybody, he was selfless and he was compassionate. Above all he was fiercely loyal to his village, his friends and his family. While he may have been a compassionate man anything threatened them was taken down mercilessly in the name of preserving what he held dear. I never had kids, but I grew to see him as my own son."
Naruto remained silent thinking about what he had just heard. His parent sounded like nice people.
'I'm sorry. I'm just so sorry.'
"Rei-chan, I've already told you that I don't hold you responsible.' Naruto consoled.
'I know you don't but I still can't help but feel guilty.'
"Would you like to learn a technique that your father used in his days?" Jiraiya's voice broke into his thoughts.
"What kind of technique." Jiraiya stopped for a second bit his thumb, drawing blood before going through five hand signs and slamming his hand on the ground. Naruto recognised the summoning jutsu and looked at what happened.
"The toad contract. Sign this in your blood and you'll be able to summon toads to your aid in battle."
"I've been meaning to ask someone about that. If I sign a contract then I can summon from the clan that I have a contract with any they'll just obey me?"
"Well the obey part is up for debate. The summons boss might not recognise you f it does not feel you are worthy."
"How will you know?" Naruto asked, wondering if it would benefit him to sign the phoenix clan's summoning contract.
"You just gotta take that risk."
Naruto took out the summoning scroll that he had kept with him and bit his thumb so it would bleed and signed the contract.
"Dog, boar, monkey, bird, ram. Kuchiyose no jutsu." Hecalled out the hand signs as he performed them before slamming his hand on the ground as Jiraiya had done.
There was a puff of smoke; when it had cleared Jiraiya was surprise to see a phoenix standing right in front of him. The small bird was a brilliant gold and red colour. It came as a true shock to Naruto when it spoke.
"A new summoner I presume. My name is Shinme Mochi. I'm of the phoenix clan as you may have guessed. I am a messenger."
"Shinme-san, it is a pleasure to meet you."
"Is there anything you require of me or should I dispel and tell Tobifushicho-sama of our new contract."
"He will accept me?" Jiraiya's words still playing in his mind.
"You are of the phoenix clan so there is no reason that he should not."
"Good, then no, you may you as you please."
"Very well then, but before I leave I should impart some advice. Using the 'san' suffix with me and many others is fine, though you should note that there will be some that insists upon the suffix 'sama'. This if for no reason other than respect for the dead."
Understanding lit Naruto's eyes as he thought about how the contract worked.
"Your safest bet is to always use the 'sama' suffix and the summoned will tell you that a more casual suffix is acceptable."
His knowledge imparted he dispelled.
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Chapter End
Well to those wondering I Ibuki Kafe roughly translates to Hog's Breath Cafe. This is the name of an actual BBQ restaurant chain in Australia. Not sure if you have them elsewhere, tell me if you do.
It had just occurred to me that I hadn't put up translations for certain names or reasoning behind them (or if I have then I've forgotten).
Rei Kagirinai –companion eternal; arranged in the way of a traditional Japanese name it would read 'Kagirinai Rei' or 'eternal companion'
Mizuki Bakamono – Bakamono translates to 'stupid person' so a slight bit of character bashing in that.
Taro Momo – Taro is a name given to the first born boy in a family. When this name is arranged as it should be 'Momo Taro' it actually means 'peach boy' and was a reference to the Japanese legends about the boy who grew out of a peach and travelled to defeat ogres with his companions a dog, a pheasant and a monkey.
Shinme Mochi –translates to 'shoot do not' or arranged as a traditional name Mochi Shinme 'do not shoot' a slight pun seeing as he is a messenger.
Tobifushicho – Fushicho is a way of saying phoenix. I can't remember the significance of 'tobi'. Perhaps it was the name of a legendary phoenix in Japanese mythology. Found it and I'm too lazy to erase the previous. 'Tobi Ho-ou' means 'flying phoenix'. I was unwilling to use ho-ou as it is a kick back to Pokémon (not that I don't like the stuff) and it didn't sit well as an actual name, so I change the word used for phoenix.
Thanks to those who wished me well for my competition. Just so you know, I actually did quite well; I ranked top 10 in two events and took out the gold medal in a third.
The next chapter may take a while to get out (about a week or two). My computer room is generally the hottest in the house and the temperature here in Adelaide has been 42°- 44° Celsius for three days straight and is set to be that way for a little over a week. For those operating in Fahrenheit that's 107.6° - 111.2° Fahrenheit. So you can understand my reluctance to sit in an un-air-conditioned room warmer than that.
For those having trouble picturing Naruto's get up for when he leaves, just think of Dark from DNAngel, minus the strapping on his trench coat and an orange spiral on his back.
Remember only reason really to review this time is if you wanna see the stuff ups I made that Narilyte was kind enough to point out.