Chapter VIII

ebo372: Sorry, Jiraiya won't be getting any Sekirei love. Besides, Yahan is already with Sasuke.

Exanime Draco: We already talked in PMs and I've gotten a solution to my little problem but I just wanted to take a moment to say that yours is the kind of review writers love. Long, detailed, and chock full of suggestions or areas that need improvement. If only every review was as loaded as yours, so for that I thank you.

Strife666: You may have missed it but yes. Instead of unlimited credit cards they use pieces of paper with transportation seals that allow them to access MBI's near infinite stockpiles of ryo.

Markus-Antonius: That whole event is explained here and my hopes is it makes you hate the council almost as much as I do. I suppose I will freely admit that if there were one group of characters in the Naruto world I hated it would easily be the civilian council.

dragonmage666: I have my reasons and you're right it IS a power grab by the council, just not exactly in the way you're thinking. Don't worry, Sasuke makes sure the Uchiha clan's jutsus are nice and safe. I had him walk away without hurting a work because he, in his anger, ended up hitting Yahan. He has developed enough humanity to feel such great guilt for hurting someone who is so loyal to him. He just runs off because doing that caused his mind to go crazy and he left because of guilt. If I hadn't wanted that specific pot detail in there then he would have pounded one of the workers into the dirt but I felt having him hit Yahan by accident and struggling with the guilt of it (since guilt is such a foreign concept to canon Sasuke) would help build his character up more.

Keeper of Harmony: I thank you for your great praise. I've tried my best to get good character development and keeping the characters as true to canon as possible, though I have made changes to many just so they aren't quite as infuriating.

shazbotz77: Yay, another long review. You needn't apologize for it being long, I love long detailed reviews. I understand that a lot of people don't seem too happy about me removing Kazehana. She's a powerhouse for sure, but I simply didn't like the idea of her with Naruto, but I did like the idea of her with Asuma. The reasons will be aired out soon enough. Also she won't simply be falling off the face of the earth, she hasn't had much exposure but that's because I'm focusing on Naruto and his group. As soon as I can lift the focus a bit I'll aim it at Asuma and Kazehana. Plus I've got some plans for her in the near future. I'm pretty sure this won't make up for her being removed but I hope this at least helps you accept it. If not I apologize but there is simply a reason I made this specific pairing and it wouldn't work with anyone else and I really didn't see it working with Kurenai.


During their training in the Forest of Death, Uzume was training with a few of Naruto's clones who were practicing fighting styles. They were attacking her while she defended with her veils.

Two clones came from the right bearing kunai. One tossed its kunai and made several seals and said, "Shadow Kunai Jutsu!" One kunai turned to five.

"Oh, please," Uzume said with a smirk. She whipped a veil in front of her, deflecting the kunai. She then shot the veil forward and wrapped around the clone. She tossed the wrapped clone at the other, dispelling them both.

Three more clones rushed her from behind.

Uzume responded by forming three veils into spears and took care of those clones.

The remaining clones that were training stopped and immediately had a unanimous idea.

"Hey, why don't we get the others to fight too!" one of the clones proposed.

"That sounds like a good idea, bro," Uzume said with a thumbs up.


Uzume took off and found Tsukiumi and the rest. She hopped down and got their attention.

Tsukiumi stopped from drowning Toyotama and asked, "What doth thee require?"

Uzume walked over and said, "Naruto's shadow clones are over their training to fight, why don't we train with them?"

Tsukiumi immediately perked up and said, or rather commanded, "I see! Let us do it then." She then said quietly, "Though twould be better to train with my husband personally."

"What'd you say?" Taki asked puzzled.

Tsukiumi turned red and waved her arms and said, "Nothing, nothing! I didn't say a thing."

Uzume and Taki chuckled teasingly and the group, Uzume, Tsukiumi, Taki, Toyotama, and Akitsu went over to the group of shadow clones.


They quickly arrived in the clearing to see the many clones, who stopped sparring and noticed the Sekirei.

Uzume walked up and said, "So, wanna divide into groups?"

The clones nodded and broke into groups of ten with each Sekirei.


Toyotama prepared to face her group, who all equipped the sword Naruto just bought and assumed the kenjutsu pose Miya taught him. She uncovered her spear and got into a fighting stance.


Tsukiumi got ready to fight with water swirling around her, while the ten clones got into taijutsu stances.


Akitsu began forming ice spears, but had an uncomfortable expression.

One of the clones noticed this and asked, "Something wrong Akitsu?"

Akitsu stood silent for a moment and then nodded and said, "Ah…I don't like the idea of fighting mast-" she stopped as a clone walked up and bopped her on the head lightly.

It smirked and said, "What did Boss tell you? Neither he nor us are your master, we're friends remember? And friends spar. Besides, we're not actually real, so you won't be hurting Boss."

Akitsu gave a miniscule smile and nodded, the clone then rejoined the group and pulled out a kunai with the rest.


Uzume got ready with her veils as her clones prepared as well.


Taki, however, didn't get into a fighting stance. One of the clones tilted its head and asked, "What's up?"

Taki scratched her cheek and said uncomfortably, "I uhhh…don't know how to fight. I only ever used my mist and Zabuza didn't teach me any fighting techniques."

The clone sighed and said, "Well that's unfortunate. I guess even though we're clones we can help you. We know all of Boss's moves, so a simple taijutsu style shouldn't be too hard."

Taki nodded and said, "Great, though I wish I was training with Naruto himself."

Another clone pointed to itself and said, "I could let 'im know and he could see what he thinks."

Taki blinked in confusion as to how it would do that but nodded all the same.

The clone vanished in a puff of smoke. A couple minutes later a new clone appeared and said with a shrug, "He's busy training on his own right now, but one of us could teach you instead."

Taki pouted but agreed.

One of clones rushed over and walked away, giving a peace sign and smirking childishly back at the others, who were visibly annoyed.


Back with Tsukiumi, she nodded and the clones began their assault.

Two ran to the side and threw kunai, shouting, "Shadow Kunai Jutsu!" They continued circling around her throwing and multiplying kunai.

Tsukiumi smirked triumphantly and raised a circular wall of water, easily deflecting the kunai. She brought down the wall just in time to see one of the clones had snuck behind her with a kunai. She grit her teeth as she ducked to the side to dodge it. She kicked out with a high kick to the clone's gut, sending it flying and dispelling it.

She didn't catch the other clone that caught her in a bear hug as two more clones ran up with more knives.

"Curses!" Tsukiumi shouted, she condensed water in her hand and shot it at the clone behind her, but to her surprise it dodged.

The two clones closed in and Tsukiumi turned her hands to them, and called, "Water Celebration!" To her pleasure both clones were dispelled.

The other clone didn't expect her to surge water from her feet and flipped herself over the clone and punched it, dispelling it.

Four more clones came at her from all sides. She smirked and spun water around her, and shot it at them.

One clone was struck and dispelled but the other three dodged.

Two rolled to the side and the last jumped, high. In the air it decided on a desperate move. It grabbed four kunai and tossed them, then flashed several hand signs and called, "Shadow Kunai Jutsu!" The four became twenty, all falling at her in high speeds.

Tsukiumi saw this and prepared to dodge, but the other two did the same. Deciding that dodging sixty kunai was near impossible she brought up a dome of water that blocked the kunai as they all crashed into it in a popping symphony.

Right as the dome fell she had the aerial clone bearing down on her with a cocked fist. Her eyes widened and she retaliated with her own fist. She flinched as she felt her wrist bend back uncomfortably. She pulled up on her fist and threw the clone away. Her anger getting the better of her, she raised her leg high in the air, giving it quite the view the original would get, and smashed her heel into its chest as it burst away.


Elsewhere in the clearing Naruto, who was almost standing, just received the clones' memories, one specific segment, and fell over with a bloody nose.


Tsukiumi panted and then heard another clone say with a laugh, "I see why Homura calls you panty flash now."

She turned back with a sneer and sent a crescent blade of water that cleaved it in two, leaving only the last of the group. It froze as she threw a large burst of water at it.

It dove to the side and sighed in relief, only to be crushed under foot.

The last two clones finished a conversation and began to run at her.

She simply smirked and said, "Come, I am prepared for whatever thee can hurl."

The clone to her left smirked and form the Shadow Clone sign.

Tsukiumi's eyes widened and she said in surprise, "What!? A clone can perform the Shadow Clone Jutsu?!"

The clone smirked and shouted, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" Two clones appeared beside it and one charged at Tsukiumi.

She huffed and threw a punch.

What she didn't expect is that the clone wasn't a normal shadow clone, it was an exploding clone.

Tsukiumi shouted in surprise and pain as the clone exploded in a moderate fireball.

The clones high-fived but froze in fear as Tsukiumi bellowed, "HOW DARE THEE!"

The smoke cleared to show Tsukiumi with her black dress torn and her white under-dress shredded, exposing one breast and giving further credence to Homura's 'affectionate' nickname. Of course the clones were busy seeing her infuriated expression, which was a mixture of anger and embarrassment with her face covered from forehead to neck in deep red. Water swirled around violently and she shouted, "Water Torrent!" A massive swell of water surged towards the first two clones, dispelling them instantly with the force before turning on a dime and heading towards the last one.

It stood frozen in place flailing before finally taking off at high speed, only to be crushed by the violent wave.

Tsukiumi huffed and then looked at herself and sighed.


Back in the other clearing, Naruto sighed and said, "This is pointless. With my clones sending me these images I'll never get any training done." He deactivated his resistance seals and stood up.

Right as he did Tsukiumi walked into the clearing.

He screamed shortly and covered his eyes and said, "I-I'm sorry! I didn't see anything!"

Tsukiumi tilted her head and asked, "What hath gotten into thee?"

Naruto peeked through his fingers, being careful to reveal only her face, and said, "Well…you're…indecent. So I shouldn't look. Besides, I don't want to end up like my clones."

Tsukiumi blushed deeply, having just remembered the memory feedback of the clones and instinctively covered herself with her arms. She then eased up some and said, "Naruto."

Naruto, who was turned away trying to look occupied, said uneasily, "Y-yeah?"

Tsukiumi looked at him worried and asked, "Art thou…ashamed of my body?"

Naruto turned around in surprise, only to quickly turn back and say, "Uhm, no. It's…a wonderful body." He then realized what he said and, due to past experience, expected something violent. When nothing happened for several seconds he turned around slowly and saw Tsukiumi standing unsurely with a deeply reddened face and looking down at the ground. He then asked, "What's wrong?"

She looked up through her bangs with a small smile and said, "It…it makes me happy to know that thee thinks of me as such."

Naruto turned around completely, too shocked to be embarrassed. His own face turned red as he saw her red cheeks contrast wonderfully with the fair skin on her face, the upper part of which was covered by her blonde hair as it flowed in the wind.

He was so entranced he didn't notice she had been walking up to him slowly until she was right there. She took his left hand in her right and said, "Naruto, thou art my husband. As such, my body, this body, is thy to do with as thee please. All that thou need do is ask." She took his left hand and placed over her exposed breast.

His face turned a deeper red and he unconsciously squeezed it, resulting in a small moan from her.

Seeing her fair skinned face tinted red with her pursed lips, Naruto didn't even realize it when he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers.

Her eyes widened in surprise at first but then softened as she closed them back and sunk into his kiss, leaning her body into his.

Naruto took his free arm and wrapped it around her waist and pulled her closer. He slipped his tongue against her teeth, and she responded first by pushing back with her own, and then shortly after gave way. He slipped his tongue into her mouth and began to explore. He noticed the salty taste to her that had an undercurrent of sweet that he noticed quite well. He moved around as much as he could to take in that sweet sensation as much as he could.

As he did that wings of water appeared from her back and pressed against the bushes and trees, soaking them thoroughly. After several seconds they pulled apart and took a moment to look at each other. They stepped apart blushing heavily, which then turned to reciprocated content smiles as they simply looked at each other lovingly.

Though they quickly regained their senses and turned away from each other embarrassed.


Not much later the others seemed to finish their spars, training periods for Sasuke and Sakura, and rejoined Naruto and Tsukiumi. Of course Naruto's other Sekirei immediately became suspicious, with Musubi being the first to speak.

"Heeeyyy!" she shouted with a pout. "What are you guys doing?!" she asked.

Naruto flailed his arms and said, "Nothing, I swear!"

His actions caused the others to noticed two things. He wasn't wearing his orange and black jacket. Second, they noticed that Tsukiumi was.

Naruto seemed to realize this and said hurriedly, "Her dress got torn while she was sparring with my clones! I gave her my jacket so she wouldn't be…indecent."

Sasuke, Sakura and their Sekirei weren't convinced but Naruto's own Sekirei could feel his sincerity and accepted it; albeit not happily.

The two other genin walked and sat down exhausted and Sakura said, "Well we got to where we could stand, then the tags shut off."

Naruto nodded and said, "I designed them that way, since the physical tags are for beginners."

The duo nodded and Sasuke asked, "So, ready for the shadow clone?"

Naruto stood up with a nod and said, "But first, you need to teach me the signs for the fireball."

Sasuke grumbled but agreed. He brought his hands up and said, "Pay attention. The signs for the jutsu are mi, hitsuji, saru, i, uma, and tora." He made the signs quicker, but more slowly than he would during combat and then said, "The last motion is to make a ring with your fingers and, Fire Style: Fireball Jutsu!" He shouted the name, inhaled, formed a ring with his index and thumb, brought in front of his mouth and exhaled the breath; the exhalation became a moderate sixed stream of fire. Sasuke stood triumphantly with a smirk at the singed tree and said, "So, think you can do that?"

Naruto nodded and then said, "I need a minute but I'll be right back." He disappeared in a puff of smoke.

A few seconds later and Naruto reappeared in a similar burst of smoke. He put a big grin on his face and said excitedly, "Right! So, you ready to learn the most useful jutsu in existence!?"

Sasuke simply looked at him with a blank expression and Anko coughed into her fist behind him.

Naruto chuckled embarrassed and said, "Rrrriiiigght. Well, I assume you remember some of the basics about the shadow clone?"

Sasuke nodded and said, "It divides your chakra evenly to make solid clones; you get memory feedback from a clone when it expels, and this can often be traumatizing; the clone also has its own network so it can perform jutsu, but will dispel when all of its chakra is used up."

Sakura clasped her hands and thought with starry-eyes, 'Sasuke's so cool, he remembered all of that!'

Homura just sighed, he had thought she had gotten rid of Inner Sakura, but it seemed she still lingered.

Naruto chuckled and said, "You memorized it with you sharingan, didn't you?"

Sasuke smirked and said, "It gives me an eidetic memory."

Sakura suddenly felt a weight hit her shoulders and she mumbled, "He memorized it with the sharingan? I don't think that counts."

"What's that?" Sasuke asked absent-mindedly, not hearing what she said.

Sakura waved her arms furiously and said, "Nothing, nothing!"

Sasuke huffed and said, "So, we gonna start?"

Naruto nodded and said, "Might as well activate your sharingan, it's an easy sign to remember but better safe than sorry."

Sasuke nodded and activated his fledgling sharingan.

Naruto nodded in satisfaction and formed the shadow clone hand sign. He then said, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A single clone burst into existence next to him.

Sasuke deactivated his sharingan and said, "That it?"

Naruto nodded and said, "Just fair warning, I was there when Anko learned the jutsu, the chakra drain nearly knocked her on her ass so just get ready to be winded."

Sasuke nodded and formed the hand sign and said, "Shadow Clone Jutsu!" A solid clone of Sasuke appeared nearby. The original then began breathing heavier than normal.

Naruto smirked and said with a chuckle, "I'm impressed, it seems you've at least got enough to stay on your feet with one clone."

Sasuke caught his breath and said with a smirk, "What do you expect, I'm an Uchiha."

Naruto snickered and said, "Guess so. Alright, dispel the clone, but be warned that everyone, without exception, will get a headache of some degree from the feedback."

Sasuke nodded to him and then to the clone, which promptly dispelled. Sasuke then stumbled backwards clutching his head in discomfort, but aside from a mildly annoyed expression was fine.

Naruto nodded proudly and said, "Good, it seems like the feedback isn't affecting you too much."

Sasuke immediately ran over and started grinding his fists against Naruto's temples and he said dangerously, "Isn't affecting me too much? This hurts like hell you bastard. I was expecting something like a brain freeze, not a full on stone to head you jerk."

This immediately when Sasuke noticed the back of his collar raise up. He turned his head curiously and then paled.

Musubi had ahold of his collar with a fire in her eyes. She tightened her grip and promptly threw him at a tree, getting him stuck neck deep while she shouted, "You will not hurt Naruto!"

Sasuke simply hang from the tree twitching, before he finally went limp. Yahan and Sakura immediately raced over to make sure he was okay, Naruto simply nursed his head; fortunately for him it was nothing as bad as what he usually received from Anko.


After managing to free him from the tree, and Musubi apologizing for putting him there, the group decided that with dusk approaching the Forest of Death was not the ideal place to be. So they packed up what they needed to and left the forest.

They quickly arrived at the forest's gates, though their speed was less attributed to themselves as it was to Naruto's familiarity with the forest and the deathly chase Anko was giving them.

They all, aside from Naruto, Musubi, Anko and Homura, were standing at the gate trying to catch their breath. Sakura finally regained some energy, looked angrily at Anko and shouted, "What's the big idea!?"

Anko merely snickered while twirling a kunai and said, "Just thought I'd give you some last minute training." She then proceeded to walk over to Naruto grab him in a loose headlock that just so happened to land his head against her chest. She smirked at the effect it had on his Sekirei then said while poking his cheek, "I was actually chasing you at about a third the speed I usually chase the little brat over here."

This time even Sasuke paled and was the first to mumble, "O-o-one third?"

Anko nodded and said, "Yup, now why don't you kiddies run along?"

Naruto grumbled and headed out with his Sekirei nearby.


Eventually it was just him and his Sekirei along Sakura and Homura.

Naruto gained an uncomfortable expression and slowed his pace slightly so that he eventually met up with Tsukiumi, who was making up the group's tail with a lost expression.

After several seconds where she didn't respond, Naruto eventually nudged her elbow, getting her to perk up her head with an embarrassed look.

She then turned to Naruto, gaining no small amount of blush, and said, "Ah…Naruto. What tis it thy needst?"

Naruto scratched his head and said uncomfortably, "Erm, about before…"

Tsukiumi proceeded to imitate a high school girl by pressing her index fingers together with an intense red hue and asked, "Dost, dost thy mean that…event within the wood?"

Naruto paled at her choice of words but collected himself enough to give a weak nod.

Tsukiumi put her arms behind her back and said quietly, "I…I suggest we keep that particular…event quiet. Consider it…a moment of weakness on my part."

Naruto blinked in confusion and asked, "A moment of weakness?"

Tsukiumi nodded and said, "Aye. I was made…uncomfortable by thy gaze and my, baser instincts took over." With a hair flip she seemed to revert to her normal self, though averting her gaze from her fellow blonde, and said confidently, "After all, I doth pride myself on mine ability and control over my emotions. As such it would tarnish my image to have such…sensitive information made known."

Naruto simply laughed pathetically, but they both froze when Uzume intervened with, "Ooohhh, what sensitive information?"

Both blondes made an exact copy of the other's movements and shouted while waving their arms wildly, "Nothing, nothing at all!"

Uzume giggled and said, "Right, just be sure that whatever information you shared doesn't get shared again within Izumo Inn. It wouldn't do for my Ashikabi to get sliced in half," she accentuated with a wink.

Naruto and Tsukiumi simply shook at the thought of Miya's wrath but continued onward.


Sasuke returned to his home, though unwillingly accompanied by Yahan.

Sasuke simply sighed as the smiling Sekirei walked beside him.

"Something wrong, my Sasuke?" she asked cutely.

Sasuke reddened slightly simply, "Hn, no. I'm…" He trailed as they stopped.

Yahan blinked several times and then asked puzzled, "You what?" She then turned to face ahead and saw they were standing in front of the gate to the Uchiha district, but that there were some minor changes.

The tape sealing it off from the village had been removed and there were construction workers inside, removing all traces of the Uchiha, seemingly preparing it for use by the rest of the village.

Sasuke, enraged bolted inside, found one of the works and grabbed him by the collar and shouted, "What the hell's going on here!?"

The man cringed in fear and stammered, "Ah…well, you see the council-"

"The council what!?" Sasuke screamed.

Yahan ran over and pulled him off the man and said, "Sasuke, calm down. What's going on?"

He turned and swung his arm wide and shouted, "Hell if I know! These people are-" he stopped as he looked at her. He then realized he had unintentionally hit her across the face when he turned.

Yahan sat on the ground with a hand to her reddened cheek, her eyes widened in surprise.

Sasuke pulled back slightly, his eyes wavering before he simply took off.

Yahan stood up and shouted, "Sasuke! Wait!" She turned to the construction worker angrily.

The man brought his arms up defensively but lowered them Yahan spoke softly.

"What's going on?" she asked simply.

Taking a moment to realize she wasn't going to attack him, but still quavering in her stern gaze the bearded man said, "Well, the council sent out an order to begin reforming the Uchiha district. It's been four years since…that…so they figured it was about time to make the nearly empty district usable to compensate for some of the overgrowth in the rest of the city."

Yahan blinked and said, "Is that why every trace of the Uchiha are being taken away."

The man nodded shakily and said, "Y-yeah. It would provide some discomfort to the residents if they were constantly reminded what happened here."

Yahan sighed and asked, "And you don't think that Sasuke doesn't, and won't, live with that?"

The man scratched his cheek and said with a shrug, "Not sure, but the council also said he was to receive normal housing requirements."

"Normal requirements, like what?" she asked.

Another voice, a female voice, answered, "A job and the ability to pay the village the necessary taxes for living in a house."

Yahan looked over her shoulder to see a stuffy woman with short black hair and glasses wearing a grey business suit holding a clipboard.

The woman then added, "He's been living here, in an empty housing area, rent free for four years as the village's form of recompense. But he can't simply go on like that while others are forced to suffer homelessness because this area isn't useable."

Yahan growled and turned fully to the woman and asked, "Oh? Something tells me that he won't just turn a blind eye because of that."

The woman pushed her glasses up the bridge of her nose and said haughtily, "It matters not whether he accepts it or not. It simply is and there's little he can do about it. He has received special treatment in every area of his life because he is the last member of the prestigious Uchiha clan, but it is now time he begins living up to that name become part of the regular militia."

Yahan grit her teeth and said quietly, but audibly, "That so? I'd love to see you tell this to him."

The woman snorted and said, "Hardly, I'm simply on the village's advisory board for housing and development. Social services will handle that part. Now, this is a construction zone and your…outfit…is hardly suited to such a task so I suggest you leave before you're detained for interfering with village proceedings."

Yahan huffed and walked past the woman, being sure to bump her shoulder as she left.

Once she got far enough away she made for the rooftops and began searching for Sasuke.


Meanwhile, Naruto was heading down to his favorite spot in town. A small ramen stand owned by a father daughter duo, Teuchi and Ayame Ichiraku.

He made his way there whistling when something caught his eye. He proceeded to walk backwards slowly and then turn his head towards an alley. He then turned fully and walked over with a raised eyebrow.

Sitting mostly concealed behind a dumpster was someone Naruto never in his life expected to be laying somewhere looking decrepit.

That someone was none other than Sasuke Uchiha, who seemed to have a lost expression on his face, an expression Naruto was all too familiar with.

That expression a person gets when what is their normal stable life is completely upheaved. An experience Naruto had many times. He didn't know why the Uchiha was out there, but he did know something. That if Sasuke really was anything like most people, that the one thing he needed, not necessarily wanted, was a distraction.

Naruto wasn't much for mushy stuff, so he did the only thing he could think of. He walked over and popped Sasuke right on top of his head.

After Sasuke finished nursing his swollen head he turned to Naruto with a half-hearted glare and said, "What was that for, loser?"

Naruto grinned and said, "I just happen to see the great Sasuke Uchiha sitting behind a trash can like a lost puppy."

Sasuke stood up and looked left, right, then up, and then finally back to Naruto and asked meekly, "Is it really that bad?"

Naruto rubbed the bridge of his nose and said, "Oh yeah, you look pretty pathetic."

Sasuke flattened his brow and said, "I oughta deck you."

Naruto snickered and said, "How about before that we eat?"

Sasuke tilted his head in confusion and Naruto thumbed towards Ichiraku ramen.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes in thought but then shrugged and said, "Long as you're paying."

Naruto sweat-dropped and said, "S-sure."

The two teens made their way to the stand and a teenage girl in a chef's uniform with waist-length brown hair walked out from behind curtain and said merrily, "Well look who it is, our FAVORITE customer." She shouted favorite, which was accompanied by the sound of rummaging followed by an older male voice saying, "Ouch," as the sound of a pan hitting the floor echoed throughout the stand.

The teenage girl walked over to the counter and put her elbows on it, resting her head on the butt of her hand. She looked at Naruto, then to Sasuke, then back to Naruto and asked, "So, who's your friend?"

Naruto chuckled and put his hand over Sasuke's should, making the ravenette visibly uncomfortable, and said happily, "This is my teammate Sasuke." He then pointed to the girl and said to Sasuke, "And this is Ayame Ichiraku, her dad owns this stand and they make the best ramen in the world."

Sasuke simply waved nonchalantly at the girl.

She nodded and asked, "So, why're you two here? Though to you specifically," she paused as she grabbed Naruto's cheek and began to tug with a false glare and asked, "Why haven't you been here in a while."

"Ayame…huwts…owwie," he managed to squeak through his outstretched cheek.

She let go of his cheek with an audible 'snap' as it recoiled and returned to her normal expression as the blonde nursed his cheek. She then turned to Sasuke and asked, "So, I haven't seen you around before. Any special reason you're here?"

He simply sat with a flat expression and pointed to Naruto.

Ayama giggled and said, "Well, then it seems he knows his stuff." She turned with a grumble and shouted, "Dad, get out here already!"

Eventually an older man with narrow eyes and grey hair walked out from behind the curtain and said abashedly, "Sorry about the wait, seems that Ayame misplaced some pans so I had to rearrange them."

Ayame put her hands on her hips and argued, "I misplaced them? How about you didn't place them period?"

The old man simply laughed and turned to Naruto and asked, "So, what'll it be?"

Ayame flailed her arms and shouted, "Hey! Don't ignore me!"

Naruto chuckled and said, "I'll have the usual, old man Teuchi."

Teuchi nodded and turned to Sasuke, handed him a menu and said, "Just holler when you decide what you want."

Sasuke nodded absent-minded and began to peruse the menu while Naruto took up a conversation with Ayame about the best kind of chopsticks. Sasuke could only bury his head in his menu as their conversation got more ludicrous, and loud. Eventually he turned and shouted, "Would you be quiet!"

Naruto and Ayame froze. Naruto took a moment to blink, while Sasuke pulled back slightly and gave his order to Teuchi, who responded with a simple thumbs-up.

Naruto then turned to Sasuke as Ayame went to help her father and asked, "So, why were you all the way out here looking like some homeless sod?"

Sasuke seemed to cringe at the word 'homeless' and said through grit teeth, "It's the council."

Naruto blinked and joked, "Why? They trying to impose the CRA on you or somethin'?"

Sasuke sent him an obvious 'not amuse' looked, prompting the blonde to shut up and said, "No, they've…they've decided to repurpose the Uchiha district for general development."

Naruto was shocked. He knew personally the council could be selfish biggots, but that was not something he expected. So he responded with the usual question, "You serious?"

Sasuke simply nodded and said, "Yes. They've also revoked my privilege to live in my parents' old house."

Naruto was internally kicking himself for the homeless joke. He sighed and said, "Man, that sucks. I know how the council is from experience, but I never expected them to treat you like this? No offence but to them you're practically a priceless relic."

Sasuke responded flatly, "Is that supposed to make me feel better?"

Naruto sweat-dropped and said, "Good point."

"Here ya go," Teuchi said as he placed the two's bowls down.

They thanked for the food, snapped their chopsticks and began to eat, though uncomfortably silent for Naruto's tastes. He began to regret not inviting at least one of his Sekirei. He turned to Sasuke and decided to ask, "So, what're you gonna do?"

Sasuke paused momentarily than took his bite and said after swallowing, "Don't know. Why do you care anyway?" He sent the blonde a suspicious glare.

Naruto shrunk at the glare slightly but answered with a shrug, "Dunno. We're teammates, so I just…figured it's the right thing to at least ask."

Sasuke narrowed his eyes and said, "Well…thanks, I guess."

Naruto then perked up and said, "Hey, I think Miya's got some free rooms at the inn."

Sasuke turned promptly and deadpanned, "I am not living in the same building as you and your harem."

Naruto fell out of his chair with a nosebleed and screamed while pointing, "They are not my harem!"

Sasuke gained a microscopic smirk and asked, "What are they then?"

Naruto fumbled over his words for several seconds before plopping down in his chair and saying with a huff, "Well they're not my harem."

Sasuke's smirk widened and he thought, 'Gotcha.' His face then normalized and he said, "Thanks for the offer but I'll pass, living in the same building as you and you're…whatever you want to call them," Naruto sent him an annoyed glare that he ignored, "is not an attractive idea." He sighed as he finished his bowl and stood, "Thanks for the meal."

Naruto blinked as he took off and asked, "Hey old man, what did he order?"

Teuchi pointed to an item on the menu and Naruto paled and then hollered, "THAT'S THE MOST EXPENSIVE THING ON THE MENU YOU BASTARD!"


Down the street Sasuke looked at the sky with smirk before moving to the rooftops.

Pein sat on his makeshift throne as the rain fell around him, his eternally bored expression adorning his face.

Soon he was made aware of a new presence. He turned and said uninterestedly, "Konan. What is it?"

A woman with short blue hair, an origami flower on the right side of her hair, amber eyes and lavender eye shadow with a labret piercing. She wore the same robes as Kisame, Itachi, and Pein, albeit hers were slightly more fitting. She walked up to Pein and said emotionlessly, "Lord Pein, the Discipline Squad have returned."

He nodded and said, "Send them in."

Benitsubasa and Karasuba entered through a side door and walked up to Pein. Benitsubasa waved energetically and said, "Hey spikey."

Konan glared angrily at the girl but maintained her calm façade with a hand motion from Pein.

He turned to look at the two and them back out to the village and said, "It took you quite a while to return."

Karasuba ran her hand along the hilt of her sword and said, "We ran into a few Sekirei who refused to participate. They were dealt with soundly."

Benitsubasa gave a knowing expression and said, "Riiigghht…you just wanted an excuse to kill something."

Karasuba chuckled darkly and said, "I won't deny that."

Pein then turned to them and asked, "Did you encounter the jinchuriki?"

The two nodded and Karasuba said, "No. I fought with Itachi's little brother and Benitsubasa fought with two unrelated Sekirei alongside Kisame."

Pein nodded and said to Konan, "Get ready, I'm going to call a meeting."

Konan nodded and told the Discipline Squad members, "It's time for you to leave."

Karasuba simply nodded and left but Benitsubasa stuck out her tongue before joining her.

Konan grumbled lowly and said, "Nagato, why do you put up with them?"

He gave a hard look and said, "I told you not to call me that, and because they serve my purpose. A god needs angels of death."

Konan flinched from gaze but simply nodded.


In the Leaf Village, Sasuke was sitting on a bench at a dango stand with Yahan and sighed angrily. He had just gone to the council room to get an answer for what happened to the Uchiha district. What he witnessed angered him greatly.


Sasuke walked up to the double doors of the council room as the ANBU checked him for hidden weapons. They nodded and let him in.

As he entered all conversations that had been proceeding halted. He then noticed the civilian council smirk as he entered while many of the shinobi council glared at them. He was confused but ignored in favor of his major purpose.

He walked towards the large horseshoe shaped table that seated the civilian and shinobi councils with the Hokage at the center. He then said, "I want some answers."

Hiruzen sighed and said, "Sasuke, you know we can't answer a question you don't ask."

Sasuke felt a sweat-drop coming for his obvious oversight and clarified, "I want to know, why has the Uchiha district been retaken by the village?" Sasuke was keenly aware of the confident expressions the civilian council were failing to hide.

Hiruzen sighed and said, "The answer to that is quite simple. The civilian council decided that civil development takes precedent over clan privileges. You will still have the privileges you normally do, you simply need to find a place to stay." Hiruzen and Sasuke simultaneously withheld sighs as the civilian council snickered.

Sasuke narrowed his eyes in thought and decided to check on his suspicions. "What if I asked to be provided housing?" His suspicions were proven as the civilian council sprang into action. Every single councilor with a daughter began clamoring for him to live with them. He clenched his fists and thought, 'That's it huh? Those bastards did that so they could try and set me up?' He looked at Hiruzen who nodded imperceptibly and Sasuke thought, 'Well they won't get the chance.' He then said, "I won't ask, I've got other solutions." Even more credence was added to his supposition as the council vehemently opposed this decision, especially one Mebuki Haruno, the mother of Sakura Haruno. He said, "I would like to request one more limited piece of access to the Uchiha to collect a few items."

Hiruzen nodded and said, "I've made certain that taking anything of the Uchihas without your permission is expressly forbidden. Collect what you need and the remaining items will be dealt with. Any requests on what to do with those items?"

Sasuke shook his head and said, "No, once I have what I want you may do as you please." He then looked at the civilian council and muttered just loud enough to hear, "It's not like you haven't already."

He then turned and left the council room with Yahan right behind him.

As soon as the doors closed the civilian council exploded in an uproar, but one banshee woman shrieked, "WHO WAS THAT WOMAN!?"

Everyone, even the other civilian councilors, covered their ears in pain.

Hiruzen cleaned out his ear with one finger and then said, "She is Yahan, a close friend of his."

"Huuuh? That's unacceptable, he must make my Sakura one of his close friends," she argued.

The other councilors then joined in an argument of whose daughters should be his close friend before Hiruzen released a heavy wave of killer intent and shouted, "SILENCE!"


Outside Sasuke turned to the council room and slammed his fist into a wall. He then said, "I refuse to be used by anyone." After that he proceeded to find a place to think.


That lead to his current situation with him thinking of what to do, about collecting the items he needed and housing, while Yahan happily munched on dango.

He then got an idea as a solution presented itself in the form of one blonde haired Ashikabi. He immediately got up and walked over to Naruto and put his hand on his shoulder.

The sudden contact caused the blonde to jump from experience, but he loosened when he realized who it was. He turned and asked, "Oh, it's you Sasuke. Don't spook me like that."

Sasuke neglected to apologize as he asked, "Naruto, I…need a few favors."

Naruto turned to him fully and said with a smirk, "That's rare."

Sasuke glared in response but kept silent.

Naruto made a nice guy pose as he asked, "So, what can I do for you?"

Sasuke gave an uncomfortable expression at Naruto's new pose but ignored it and asked, "Do you have any storage scrolls I can use?"

Naruto blinked and reached into his pocket, unrolled a scroll and then unsealed a scroll from it and handed it to Sasuke saying, "This has got some unused ones inside."

Sasuke looked at it puzzled and then thought, 'A storage scroll inside a storage scroll inside a storage scroll?' He became slightly disheveled as he thought, 'My head hurts.'

Naruto then asked, "What's the other favor?"

Sasuke stiffened up, then proceeded to go through many subtle facial expressions as he fought with himself. He then decided that if it meant he wasn't being used by the civilian council, he'd give up a little of his pride and asked, "Can…can you see…if Miya has any vacancies?"

Naruto blinked in curiosity and then gave a thumbs up and said happily, "You bet! I wouldn't worry, she usually does."

Sasuke cracked a small smile and said, "Thanks."

Naruto nodded and then said, "Well would you look at that? I forgot what I even came out here for. I'll go ahead and head on back and talk to Miya."

Sasuke nodded as Naruto took off.

Yahan walked up to him and asked, "What was that all about?"

He turned to her and said, "Finding a place to live where I'm not going to be used by the council."

Yahan nodded and asked, "We goin' to the Uchiha district?"

He nodded and proceeded to jump to the rooftops with Yahan right behind him.


The duo quickly arrived in the district and much to Sasuke's satisfaction, all of the workers seemed to be gone. He and Yahan jumped down to street level and he said, "Let's go to my house first. There are a few things I want to collect from there."

Yahan nodded and asked, "Did the Uchiha have any clothing stores?"

Sasuke tilted his head and said, "Yes. Why?"

Yahan chuckled and said, "Don't think that outfit's getting a little ragged?"

He looked at the outfit he was wearing and decided it was getting a little beaten up and sighed. "My house first," he said.

Yahan nodded with a smile.


The two walked in somber silence as they moved through the empty streets of the district, eventually approaching the clan head's house and went inside.

Yahan asked, "So, what do you need from here?"

Sasuke looked at the empty house lost in his own thoughts and said mindlessly, "I want to collect a few books, and my dad's old sword."

"Sword?" she said puzzled.

Sasuke moved to where his parent's bedroom was and stopped as he reached for the handle, his hand trembling as the memories from this room flowed into his mind.


"Mother! Father!" a young Sasuke shouted as he saw the bloody bodies of his parents on the floor. "NO!" he screamed as he fell to his knees, putting a hand over his mouth to hold back the vomit.

Before coming this far he had walked through the district, witnessing the dead bodies of his clan members, all ages and sizes, strewn across the streets killed mercilessly and bloodily.

"So. You've finally come, little brother," a calm voice said from behind Sasuke.

He turned slowly, his mind filled with fear as he saw his older brother, Itachi Uchiha, standing behind with a sword in hand. The blade, hilt, and Itachi himself covered in blood. His eyes widened as his whole body screamed to run, to flee. His body wouldn't respond as he simply sat there, trembling in frozen fear.

"Sasuke," his brother said. "Sasuke. Sasuke."


"Sasuke!" Yahan shouted as he snapped out of his thoughts.

He turned to her and asked, "W-what is it?"

"I should be asking that," she said concerned as she wiped his cheek. "You were trembling and crying."

His eyes widened slightly, then narrowed angrily. He looked at the door in front of him angrily and said calmly, "This room. It was my parents' room. I came in here, and saw them both dead. Killed by my brother."

Yahan's eyes shot wide in shock.

"That day four years ago, he killed everyone in the clan…except me. He left me alive so he could test his powers in the future. He killed my clan because he was bored with his ANBU missions and wanted to test his abilities. He did it all…for such stupid reasons," Sasuke said as he trembled in rage. His whole body froze as he felt a pair of arms wrap around him. He looked down to see Yahan looking at him with a sympathetic smile.

She said soothingly, "You had to live with that alone for so long?" Her smile turned sweet as she said, "Well you don't need to anymore. I'm here, along with Naruto and the others. We'll help you share that burden, 'kay?"

He was frozen in surprise, but then he loosened as he said ironically, "That can't happen."

She looked at him confused but waited for him to finish.

"I'm the one that Itachi targeted with this. I'm the one who has to kill him. Ow!" he said as Yahan lightly knocked him on the head, causing him to fall to the floor.

She looked at him with a slightly scolding expression and said, "If he really did say those things to you, wouldn't you imagine he did it to keep you weak? He'd want you to grow up consumed by your own hatred and suffer, right?"

He looked at her puzzled as he nursed his growing welt.

Yahan crouched down and poked one finger into his forehead and said, "Rise above that. Prove to him that you aren't weak. Show him you're strong enough to not be held back by him, that you aren't controlled by him." She tilted her head to the side and gave a soft smile as she said, "Kay?"

Sasuke's eyes widened exponentially before his whole body drooped and he returned her smile with a weaker smile and said with a small nod, "I'll…try."

She stood up confidently and said, "Right! So, we will go into this room to get what you need. That way…you're not facing the horrors of this room and those memories alone, right?"

He stood up confidently and nodded. He then said, "Also, Yahan."

She looked at him expectantly and gave a simple, "Hm?"

"I'm sorry."

She turned to him and asked, "What for?"

He narrowed his eyes in self-loathing and said, "For...for hitting you earlier."

Her eyes widened some before she dropped into a smile and said, "Don't worry about it. I've been hit much harder by much bigger people. And besides, I know it only happened by accident because of your grief."

He gave a small smile and said, "Thank you," before he wrapped her hand in his, eliciting a slight blush on her dark skin, as he reached for the knob, twisted it, and opened the door.


Naruto had just arrived at Izumo Inn and as he walked in he saw Ino and Kusano playing in the living room. Ino planting a flower seed in a pot of soil as Kusano would concentrate and use her powers to make it grow.

Ino gave a thumbs up and said, "Way to go Ku! You're getting better!"

Kusano giggled happily as Ino rubbed her head in a happy manner.

Her eyes then began to water as she wrapped the younger blonde in a heavy hug as she squealed, "OH! You're just so gosh darn cute!"

Kusano patted her back and squeaked out, "Big sis, can't…breathe." The little girl then passed out as Ino held her by the shoulders and shrieked.

"Gah! Ku! Ku! Wake up!" she shrieked as she shook the little girl's shoulders.

Naruto just chuckled as he walked in and said, "Getting along?"

Ino sighed as the little girl came to and said, "Yeah. I'm helping her control her powers."

Naruto nodded and said, "Good. Hey, where's Miya?"

Ino pointed to the backyard and said, "Out back, she's sparring with Musubi."

"Sparring, why're they doing that?" he asked.

Ino shrugged and said, "From what I saw, Musubi saw Miya training and just started going at it."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and said, "Right. I'll see if she can talk."

Ino nodded while she played with Kusano.


Naruto reached the back of the house and saw Miya and Musubi's "training" which mostly consisted of Musubi charging blindly at Miya, getting nowhere; then trying and failing to guard attacks from Miya, but getting welts on her head from Miya's wooden blade.

The two stopped when they heard chuckling.

"Ah, Naruto!" Musubi said happily before getting whacked on the head. She rubbed her head and moaned.

Miya said kindly, "I thought already told you Musubi, don't look away from your opponent under any circumstances."

Moaning again, Musubi, "Right Miyaaa."

Naruto waved Miya over and said, "Hey, Miya! Can I talk to you?"

Miya raised an eyebrow but nodded and told Musubi, "Why don't you take a break while I talk to Naruto?"

Musubi nodded happily.

Miya followed Naruto and asked, "So, what do you need?"

Naruto nodded and said, "I need a favor. I know I really shouldn't but I-"

Miya stopped him with a hand and said, "Don't worry, what do you need me to do? As long as it's within my power I'll do my best."

Naruto grinned happily and said vigorously, "Thanks! Right! I'd like to know if you'd be willing to house one of my teammates."

Miya nodded and said, "Of course. As long as their able to pay I've got plenty of spare rooms."

Naruto smiled and said, "Thanks Miya."

Miya giggled and said, "Of course. So, who might this teammate be?"

Naruto answered, "It's Sasuke. The council took away the Uchiha district. I'm not sure why he specifically asked to stay here, but if I know the council then they probably did that as a way to try and subject him to the CRA."

Miya frowned and said, "I know about that law. It is a rather barbaric law."

Naruto nodded and said, "Yeah. Sensei taught me about it since I'd basically be the heir to the Uzumaki clan at some point. I can sort of understand what the Second Hokage was thinking but the last thing I'd want is to be forced to marry four women I didn't love."

Miya hid her mouth behind her sleeve and said deviously, "I suppose that isn't a problem you need to worry about, hmm?"

Naruto just sweat-dropped and said, "I'm not going to answer that."

Miya returned to her normal state and said kindly, "I'm happy that you care so much about your friends. Your Sekirei have a good Ashikabi."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head and said with mild embarrassment, "Ya think so? Thanks Miya."

She simply nodded as she returned to training with Musubi and thought, 'He truly is similar to Takehito. I wonder…no, I doubt it.' She shook her head of the thoughts as she resumed her training of Musubi.

Naruto ran out the front of Izumo Inn and began jumping across the rooftops, searching for Sasuke.


He soon found him and Yahan wandering around the village, but he noticed something was different.

First was Sasuke's outfit. His normal blue shirt, white shorts and leg and arm warmers were gone. He wore a dark purple, high-collared blazer with a black t-shirt underneath, a necklace with the Uchiha crest hanging from the bottom, dark green pants with his kunai holster and wraps underneath that on the left leg. The last thing he noticed was a long black chokuto at his waist with a long, flat scabbard and handle that appeared like one long stick with a dip in the middle that ran its length.

The second was that as Sasuke and Yahan walked, rather than Yahan walking slightly behind him and a few paces back, she walked right next to him rather close by. He didn't know what had happened between them in the Uchiha district but figured it was something positive.

He jumped down to the ground and waved at them and said, "Yo Sasuke, got a minute?"

Sasuke noticed Naruto walked over and nodded, "Sure. What'd Miya say?"

Naruto grinned and then said, "Long as you can pay it's fine."

Sasuke nodded and pulled out the MBI payment seal and said, "I have this so I'll be fine."

Naruto nodded and said, "You know how to get there?"

Sasuke nodded and said, "Yes. But we might as well head there now."

Naruto nodded and went back up to the rooftops with Sasuke and Yahan close behind.


They arrived rather quickly and Naruto said, "Just talk to Miya and she'll tell you which room to use."

Sasuke nodded and they followed Naruto inside.

When they entered Ino took notice and said, "Hey Sas-whoa!" She jumped in surprise and asked hurriedly, "When did you get the wardrobe change?"

Sasuke examined his outfit and said, "Just a little while ago."

Ino tried to make herself look demure and said with a wink, "I like it."

"Inooo," Shiina whined.

Ino sighed and said while rubbing her head, "Heheh, sorry Shiina."

Sasuke saw Miya and walked over and said with a bow, "Thank you for letting me stay here."

Miya smiled and said, "Of course. If you'd like, I'll show you to your room."

Sasuke nodded and began to follow but was pounced on by Yahan who said happily, "I've got a better idea. How about you just stay in my room?"

Sasuke blinked in surprise and then turned to Miya.

"As long as you follow my rules I won't argue," Miya said.

Sasuke turned slightly blue and nodded weakly, he had become keenly aware of Miya's rules due to his visits to the inn.

He then followed Yahan to her room in the inn and they began setting up.


Naruto then came over to Miya and asked, "Hey Miya, do you enough energy left to do a little more training with me?"

She nodded and said, "Of course, just get your training sword and we'll begin."

Naruto nodded and his sword appeared in a puff of smoke.

The two then headed over to the backyard and Miya began by saying, "Okay, take the normal kenjutsu stance."

Naruto nodded and did as she said.

She looked him up and down and said, "Very good. You need to make a few adjustments. First you need to loosen you rear facing leg more and straighten the other. Next you need to bend your arms some more."

Naruto listened to her suggestions and made the adjustments she told him. After that they began with the basic swings before she decided he was adequate enough and moved on to more complex moves and stances.

Soon enough Naruto made multiple shadow clones that started training alongside him. He and his clones trained with Miya for nearly an hour before everyone heard a scream and the clones dispelled.


Naruto and Miya ran inside to find Ino laying against the wall with a shocked look while Kusano sat on the floor puzzled.

Naruto looked between them and then asked, "What happened?"

Ino pointed at Kusano and said weakly, "I-I-I…"

"You what?" Naruto asked.

"I just winged Ku."

Nearly everyone face-faulted and Naruto said, "S-seriously?"

Ino nodded weakly and said, "Uh-huh."

Naruto sighed and said, "Well, I guess that means you've got two."

Ino jumped up and grabbed him by the collar and shouted, "I JUST WINGED A LITTLE GIRL!"

Naruto sweat-dropped and said, "Uhm, sorry?"

She then proceeded into a full glare and punched him straight in the face, sending him flying out the door and into the hallway.

Miya appeared behind and said in her extremely sweet voice, "Ino. You know the rules, don't you?"

Ino's blood ran cold as Miya's infamous hannya mask appeared behind her. This one a red mask with a heavy scowl and a feudal lord's hat. Miya then said sweetly, "For violating my rule, you go without dinner."

Ino sighed and said, "Rats."

Naruto meanwhile sat in the hallway twitching.

Immediately after that, the doorbell rang.

Naruto looked up from currently prone position, kicked his high up, planted his feet on the ground and straightened himself up and said, "I'll get it!"

He approached the door and got quite the surprise. Standing in front of Izumo Inn's was none other than Sakura Haruno, with a travel sack on her bacl. He blinked in confusion and said, "Hi Sakura. Why're you here?"

Sakura sighed and said, "It's a long story."

Homura, who was standing next to her, said, "It started after the training in the Forest of Death."


Sakura and Homura were flanking the others of the returning group from the forest.

Homura could feel Sakura's uncertainty through the bond and asked, "Sakura, what's bothering you?"

Sakura jumped slightly then turned to him and said with a fake smile, "Nothing, nothing!"

Homura narrowed his eyes and said, "Sakura, I'm your Sekirei. You can't hide your emotions."

Sakura sighed and said, "Well…it's my folks. Remember that blow up I had this morning?"

Homura nodded and said, "Considering half the village heard, yes I remember."

Sakura's shoulders slumped and she said, "Right. You see…I'm not sure what'll happen when I go back."

"And you're worried about the results of what might happen," he finished.

She nodded and then asked, "Hey Homura?"

He said, "Hm?"

"Will you come with me? I'm pretty sure I don't want to face them alone," she asked.

Homura smiled kindly and said with a nod, "Of course. You're my Ashikabi, so it's my duty to protect you. Even if it is from your parents."

Sakura laughed and said, "Thanks."


The two split from the group and returned to Sakura's house, where she walked up to the door and twisted the knob. When she realized it was locked she sighed and mumbled, "Guess they're not home."

"Still want me to follow?" Homura asked, placing a hand on her shoulder.

She turned to him and nodded. She then unlocked the door and waited for her parents to come home.


It took several hours but they eventually came home and Sakura tensed, but eased up when Homura gave her a small morale boost.

"Don't worry, if things go absolutely awful you'll have somewhere to go," he told her.

She returned a soft smile and said, "Thanks Homura."

She took a big breath and walked into the kitchen.

Her mother turned to her and said scornfully, "Oh, look who's home from their trip with the demon."

Sakura scowled at her and said, "Mom, you're wrong."

Mebuki scoffed and said, "What? About what? That brat being a demon? Hardly."

Sakura glared and shouted, "No! You're wrong!"

Kizashi, her father, glowered and said, "Sakura! Don't use that tone with your mother!"

"But you're both wrong! Naruto may have been a pain with his pranks and a bad student, but it's your fault! Everyone treats him like garbage for no reason!" she argued.

"That boy is a demon! Because of him our village was nearly destroyed!" Mebuki said then froze as she caught herself.

Sakura also froze and said, "What?"

Kizashi looked at Mebuki and said, "Mebuki, that's against the law!"

Mebuki seemed repentant at first but then hardened and said, "I don't care. Maybe if she knows what he did she'll realize the kind of monster he is."

Sakura clenched her fist and shouted, "There is nothing Naruto could have done to make you hate him this much!"

Mebuki shouted back, "If you're so enamored with the demon then why don't you just move in with him!"

"I just might!" Sakura shouted back. Then she flinched as what she said hit her.

Mebuki just glared at her.

Kizashi tried to diffuse the situation but Sakura took off to her room before he could say anything.

Sakura walked in and simply started crying.

Homura sighed and walked over and hugged her, allowing the pinkette to simply cry into her shirt.

After several minutes Sakura asked, "Homura, can I live with you for a while?"

Homura pulled away some and just nodded and said, "Yes. You pack your things and come with me. I'll explain the situation to Miya."

Sakura nodded and wiped some of her tears while she began packing up.


In the kitchen Kizashi sighed and said, "Honey, I think that was a bit too far."

Mebuki simply scoffed as her eyes wavered and she said, "That girl simply can't understand. That boy is a monster. How can she not see it?"

Kizashi rubbed his wife's back and said, "She's only a kid. She'll eventually see what the truth is."

Sakura finished packing up the belongings she wanted, mainly clothes, and then looked at Homura and said, "Alright. I'm ready."

Homura nodded and moved to the door but Sakura stopped him. He turned to see her hanging her head as she said lowly, "I really don't want to confront them again."

Homura nodded and said, "Right." He opened the window and Sakura jumped out onto the nearby rooftop with Homura following close behind.


That led to Sakura and Homura standing outside the front entrance of Izumo Inn.

Naruto sighed and said, "Well…I can't say much else but that sucks. Homura, want me to tell Miya?"

Homura shook his head and said, "No, I'll do it. Sakura has some questions for you anyway."

"Questions?" Naruto said. He turned to Sakura and she nodded. He nodded in return and said, "Come with me, I have a feeling I know what you want to know."

She nodded and followed him to the living room.


The three went in and Sakura moved to the long table in the middle and Naruto got Homura's attention before he left, "Hey Homura."

The flame Sekirei turned to him and asked, "What's up?"

"Think you could round up the others? I want to tell them too," Naruto said.

Homura nodded as he moved through the shoji screen.

Naruto sat down with a sigh and said, "If you don't mind waiting, I'll tell everyone at the same time."

She simply nodded solemnly in response.

Naruto frowned at her response as he waited.


After a few minutes Sasuke, Yahan, Homura, Miya, and Naruto's Sekirei entered the room.

He looked around and asked, "Where're Ino and the others?"

"They're not here, Ino's gone shopping," Miya answered as she assumed her spot at the head of the table.

Naruto nodded and began by asking, "How much does everyone know about the Nine-Tails attack?"

Musubi put a finger on her chin and said, "Not much. I don't think I had been born yet."

Taki nodded and said, "I had already gotten out of MBI before it happened. I heard about it by word of mouth but didn't know anything beyond that."

Toyotama said, "I was in the adjusting phase just like Musubi. I was smart enough to check the few news reports MBI didn't take perfect care of but all I heard was that one of the hidden villages was attacked."

Uzume shrugged and said, "Sadly I was in the same boat as Toyotama and Musubi."

Akitsu said, "Ah…ow." She paused as Naruto lightly chopped her on the head then said, "I was still being adjusted too."

Tsukiumi said haughtily, "I hadst almost completed my adjustment, although I prefer not to discuss such…events. I was aware of the Nine-Tails however."

Yahan nodded and said, "I wasn't old enough to remember at the time."

Homura said, "I was here when it happened. I actually saw the damn thing."

Miya smiled and said, "Unfortunately I was not here when it attacked. But I would ask that you don't inquire what I was doing at the time; it is improper for a housewife to speak of such things."

Naruto sighed at some of the responses but accepted most. He then turned to Homura and said, "That means you fought it right?"

Homura shook his head and said, "No, I was still masquerading as a civilian. But I do know one thing. Moments before it attacked there was a large plume of smoke, similar to what you shinobi call a summoning jutsu."

Naruto nodded and said, "Well, I know that you two know just what was in the history books."

Sasuke and Sakura nodded in unison.

"I also assume that most you believe in the popular lore that the Fourth killed it?" he asked.

They all nodded, most in confusion.

"But he did kill it, didn't he?" Sakura asked.

Naruto shook his head and said, "No. Something like that can't simply be killed. The tailed beasts aren't actually creatures made of flesh and blood. They're massive amounts of chakra bound by a conscious will. So even if a tailed beast's entire body were destroyed it would simply regenerate after a certain period of time. The only way to truly make them unthreatening is to seal them."

Uzume tilted her head and asked, "Seal? Like in a sealing scroll?"

Naruto shook his head and said, "There isn't a scroll in existence powerful enough to hold back a tailed beast's chakra. The only way to seal it, is in the body of a human."

The reactions varied among the listeners. Miya remained stoic and graceful as always; Homura's eyes narrowed; most of the others' eyes widened. A few who hadn't made the connection simply looked confused.

Musubi was the first to ask, "So who did he seal it inside of?"

Homura face-palmed as the others smiled uncomfortably.

Naruto smiled softly, expecting that from Musubi. "He sealed it inside of me, Musubi."

Musubi's eyes widened as she realized it.

"So what thou art saying is that the village hath hated, scorned, ostracized, attacked, and abused thee, assuming that thou and the Nine-Tails art one? How asinine," Tsukiumi gibed.

Naruto frowned and answered, "Pretty much."

"Then why?"

Naruto turned to Sakura, who had asked. "Why what?"

"Why would you protect, or not even hate in the least people like that? I saw the way my mother thought of you, and I doubt the thoughts of anyone else would be much different. Don't you hate them?" she asked in complete confusion.

Naruto smiled and said, "No, I don't. They're just scared. The Nine-Tails nearly destroyed the village and killed a lot of good people."

"I told you it wasn't my fault," Kurama commented.

'I know that. But this is enough of a surprise as is to explain that part,' Naruto responded. "Because of this the people were rightfully terrified of it. Then they heard, and believe, the Fourth Hokage had killed it. Then they're told that he didn't kill it, instead he sealed it inside somebody. Unfortunately most people don't understand how sealing jutsu. So not only is something they're afraid of involved, but a ninja art they don't know the workings of. As a result, they feared me at first because I thought I was the Nine-Tails in human form. But after I didn't attack the village they changed to believing that I was biding my time, waiting to attack. So then they're fear turned to hatred as they saw killing me to be a solution to the Nine-Tails problem."

Everyone took in the information and processed it.

Toyotama was the first to speak up, "So you're saying that the village hated you and tried to kill you, and you know the reason is because of misplaced fear and hatred and you still don't hate them?"

Naruto nodded and responded, "No, I don't. It's because of their fear, even if it is of me, that I want to protect them. I want to protect them, and show them that I am me, not the Nine-Tails. Then, I can lead the village as the Hokage, and no one else will be treated like me, ya know!"

Everyone listened to him and Miya spoke first this time, "That's quite the ambition. That's also quite warm-hearted of you."

Naruto rubbed the back of his head abashedly and said, "Thanks Miya."

Uzume and the others nodded in agreement as Musubi said, "That's so sweet Naruto! Right! I know you'll do it Naruto!"

Tsukiumi smirked and said, "Whilst I believeth that such an ambition is foolhardy, I admire thy determination. So be it, I shalt support thee as well."

Taki said with a finger on her chin in a false attempt to be demure, "I'll help too. Then when you're Hokage I'll give you plenty of heirs."

Naruto just laughed uncomfortably.

"I'll be on your side the whole time, and I'll make certain anything in your way is broken," Toyotama said confidently with her blade in hand.

Uzume made a fist pump and said, "Don't forget about me, I'll make sure you're never bored!"

"And I shalt keep thy mind focused, as well as fulfill all of the roles a proper wife should," Tsukiumi said with a light blush.

Naruto smiled at her and felt a hand on his forearm.

He looked over to see Akitsu who said, "And I…will be by your side as your Sekirei."

He smiled as his eyes began to water from everyone's support.

Musubi was the first to notice this and said, "Naruto, what's wrong?"

Naruto wiped his eyes on his sleeve and said between sniffs, "It's…nothing. I'm just…just…"

"Not used to this kind of moral support?"

He turned in surprise to see it was Miya who said that. He dropped into a content smile and said with a nod, "Yeah. Thanks guys."

"Hn, don't forget about us loser," Sasuke added with a smirk. "At least until I kill Itachi I'm stuck with you guys, so at the very least I can make sure you don't screw up to bad. Besides, if you become Hokage I can bribe you into letting search for my brother."

Naruto blinked in surprise before laughing loudly and saying with a close-eyed grin, "You bet Sasuke! And I'll make sure you keep your legion of fans."

Sasuke grumbled and threatened half-heartedly, "Don't push it."

Sakura herself was amazed at how Naruto was able to act that way despite having a life filled with such hatred. She also began to realize something else, Sasuke and Naruto were still leagues ahead of her. So she decided in that instant she'd need to step up her training to catch up. She then nodded and said, "I'm not quite sure what I can do to help, but I'll make sure to whack you if you do anything too stupid."

Naruto smiled weakly and said just shaky, "Aaaah, thanks…I think."

"Ahh, I can't take it!" Taki said happily as she glomped the blonde shinobi.

Tsukiumi and the others shrieked as she shouted, "Gah! Remove thyself from my husband hussie!"

Taki proceeded to mash the blonde's head between her cleavage before looking at the water-wielding Sekirei and sticking out her tongue.

This resulted in the blonde getting even angrier as she condensed water and shouted, "Water Celebration!"

Both Taki and Naruto were subsequently swamped by water.

Taki got off the blonde and groaned, "Awww, I love this dress!" She then noticed Naruto's reddened complexion and looked at herself. Tsukiumi's attack had the side effect of thoroughly wetting her white dress. She then smiled deceptively and said, "Now I love it even more."

Tsukiumi screamed and was about to attack again but suddenly both she and Taki received intense blunt pain to the tops of their heads.

Rubbing the sore spot they turned to see Miya holding a ladle and tapping it much like a warden would a baton as she said, "Now, now. You two know the rules against violence and lewd actions. Taki, you lose the next three meals."

"WHAT!?" the mist user shrieked.

"And you Tsukiumi, lose dinner," Miya said.

Taki glared at Tsukiumi, who put a hand on her hip and snorted superiorly, due to her lessened punishment.

"Ah, ah, ah. You also instigated this Tsukiumi, so you lose the privilege to sit next to Naruto for the next five meals," Miya said teasingly.

"NO!" she shrieked in disbelief.

"Now, Naruto. Why don't you go take a bath? You are already wet," Miya said. "When you're out I should have finished dinner preparations."

Naruto nodded as he examined his outfit and said, "Yeah. I'll be back then."