Night of the Vulpine Moon
*Naruto doesn't belong to me because if it did Itachi, Deidara, Sasori, and Asuma would never have died.*
(A/N: These are the main members of the clan: Naruto, Hinata, Neji, Gaara, Temari, Kankuro, Anko, Konohamaru, Konan, Matsuri, Sasori, Nagato, and Yahiko)
(They still have to find: Itachi, Deidara, and Kisame; more will be joining soon)
Chapter 9-"Hero"
After a day of running and flying, with a break for sleep and food, the constantly growing clan made it to the border of rain and stone where they took a break as to figure out where to look first in the stone country.
"Whew, I hope we find Deidara soon because carrying all the clan members while running and flying nonstop has started to get tiring" Naruto said as he stretched his back muscles while the riders stretched their legs.
"Yes but in order to find Deidara we actually need to know where to start looking for him" Neji said as he sat in a meditative position on a dry rock while the rest took his example and sat around. Naruto sighed and took a seat only to jump back up in surprise for the rock he sat on was wet, making Konohamaru snicker, while Naruto gave the rock a glare before looking around at the other non-Konoha nin.
"Have any of you been near stone or earth country?" Naruto asked, looking at Gaara then Nagato who both shook their heads as Naruto sighed in defeat before sitting on the rock again, only this time he dried it with a quick low fire jutsu.
"The Tsuchikage isn't exactly easy to get along with, not even to offer the idea of alliance" Gaara said as he had tried to but was rejected, saying he wasn't experience enough to earn his favor of alliance.
"Not only that he watches the surrounding countries as if he owns them as to make sure nobody tries and sneaks in to earth country" Temari said as she had went patrolling wind country once and was nearly attacked for entering stone country. Kankuro grumbled about the Tsuchikage being an annoying old fart who needs to give the job up to someone else in which made some of them chuckle at his words.
"Great, sounds like a wonderful person we would love to meet and have a nice conversation over tea" Anko said sarcastically making all of them laugh as they brought out food to eat as they discussed what they knew about the Tsuchikage.
"I don't think he has any real alliances since he likes to sit on both sides of the fence and can't really be trusted either way." Nagato agreed with Konan's words as he told them that he made it very clear for earth country to stay out of rain country after their previous history with them being used as battlegrounds for earth's battles with the other nations.
"Not only that, Iwa is more secretive and guarded than Ame so getting in will be a huge hassle and if Deidara is there than it will even be harder for they will be guarding him heavily." Naruto groaned in frustration at the near impossible mission ahead of them as he looked up at the clear sky.
"So there is no possible way to get into earth country without being seen or caught and since we're in the bingo books they will looking specifically for us so trying to sneak in is out of the question. Then on top of all that Iwa still hates Konoha for what my father did, so there is a personal grudge to add to it so even if news that were near earth country gets out then everybody will be out to capture us. So we can all agree to try and keep a low profile and to avoid any earth nin that we see and try and get as much information about Deidara's whereabouts at the nearest town, right?" The rest agreed as they finished their quick lunch and stood up to get ready for the trip to the nearest town as Sasori started to complain about making him wait.
"It would really help if we had a map of the nations, so we can find the fastest and safest route around the countries" Matsuri sighed as she and Konohamaru got onto Hinata's back. Everybody paused at her words before a smile appeared on Naruto's face and said that it was possible for them to get one as he activated his rite and summoned Shizune's fox who had a pen and paper ready.
"If you can summon them using the rite on your shoulder than why can't you summon Deidara or the rest of the clan?" Yahiko asked as he noticed that the other biju had one of their shoulders but Naruto shook his head.
"I have to activate them before I can summon them to me or me to them or I would have done that a long time ago" Naruto said before he gave the took the pen and paper from the fox, wrote a quick request for maps of the area, and handed it back to the fox who yipped once before disappearing.
"While we wait for the fox to return, let's find somewhere we can stay out and find some information about Deidara or where the heck we are?" Anko said as she jumped onto Neji's back, making him grunt and glare at her while she stuck her tongue out at him. The group muttered an agreement as the riders got back onto their rides before they took off over the rocky terrain. Naruto asked Neji and Hinata if they saw anything in their byakugan in which they responded no, but quickly said yes when they saw a town come within range and told Naruto and Konan to stop which they did, Naruto and Hinata landing next to Neji and Konan.
"Okay, we don't want to draw attention to ourselves so let's drop the animal looks and just casually walk in to town and act normal." At Naruto's words Konohamaru snorted and said sarcastically that it would be so easy since 13 people all traveling at the same time just happen to casually go into a town they know nothing about is something that happens normally. Naruto flicked Konohamaru in the head, making him cry out in pain, before he grumbled to go into the town and try not to draw any more attention to them.
"Try to stick together since we're so close to earth country there will most likely be some earth nin there so let's hurry up in finding out where we are, if Deidara been around, then hightail it from around here." Naruto said which the others nodded before they all began to walk toward the unknown town. After about 20 minutes of walking, they all saw the shady stone buildings of the town ahead and a sign not far from them that they read.
"Post Town: ½ mile ahead" Matsuri read then turned when Sasori spoke up, saying that they needed to watch their step in the town as they neared the entrance to the town. They asked why and he responded that it was a rough town fully of shady people whom couldn't be trusted and most likely some is missing nin too. Kankuro asked him how he knew all this if he never been there before in which Sasori gave him a dull look and said that he heard from Hidan who always complained about Kakuzu visiting this town often. Naruto had a frown on his face before it turned into a smirk as he looked at the rest of the clan.
"I bet I know why he visits this town often" Naruto chuckled while they asked what he knew and if he had a plan in which he nodded but said they needed to stay focus. "Now we need to get information on both Deidara and Kakuzu" Naruto said before he grew quiet and tone in to his surroundings as they entered the town they felt was watching them. The first thing they did was find a hotel where they paid for 2 rooms and went to wait for Shizune's fox to return. As they walked up the stairs to the second floor they stayed on edge as they felt eyes from all around as they walked down the hall before they piled into one of the rooms. Nagato, Konan, and Yahiko placed sound barriers and traps all around the room before any of them felt safe to talk.
"They all already know huh?" Temari asked and watched Naruto and Gaara shake their head before sighing then laying/sitting on the bed as the others piled around. "So what are we going to do now? Just stay here in the room until the summoning comes back with the maps?" Naruto nodded, stretched, and curled up into a ball before he took a quick nap.
"Looks like the trip took a lot out of him."
Hearing yawning, the rest watched Hinata, Neji, and Konan stretched before they curled up into bowls of fur and followed Naruto's gesture as they hoped onto the beds and took a nap. Seeing as they weren't going anywhere anytime soon, the rest decided to go get some food for when they woke up. Gaara and Anko ordered Matsuri and Konohamaru to stay inside the room as they grabbed the suitcase with the money, took some out for all of them, put it back, and left the room to go get some food and stock up on supplies for when they left again. 1 hour later the group returned, arms filled with supplies, and opened to find Konohamaru and Matsuri decorating Neji and Naruto's fur with little ribbons. They stopped when they heard the door and looked at the adults who just looked at them before they filed into the room.
"When Naruto and Neji chase you around the town, I'm not saving you" Anko simply stated as she heard Konohamaru snicker and Matsuri give them a small smile as she said it was their fault for making themselves so vulnerable. Gaara just looked at Matsuri who smirked, saying she loved being a tanuki before her and Konohamaru high-fived.
"These two are a bad combination together" Temari stated as the others nodded before they saw the sleeping group twitch, stretching and yawning as they woke up from her nap.
"Man I needed that" Naruto said as he jumped up from the bed and looked at the group who were staring at him. "What, do I have drool in my fur or something?" Naruto asked before everybody shook their head no, so he shrugged and changed back to this human form making a lot of the ribbons fall off while Neji, Hinata, and Konan did the same. "So did the summoning return yet?" Naruto asked, raising a brow at Konohamaru and Matsuri who were pouting, but before anybody could answer they heard a loud poof sound and there in front of them was Shizune's summoning with several of the other summonings who were carrying tons of items.
"Now that's what I'm talking about, Shizune sure did come through for us" Anko said excitedly as she and the rest of the biju clan took the things from the animal summonings and began to inspect what was sent. Shizune had gotten help from Iruka and the rest of their supporters in getting not only maps but notes on which towns were safe, the best routes to the different countries and ideas on where to settle along with updates on Konoha.
"Alright now we're in business, thanks you guys and girls" Naruto said as he pulled out the suitcase they been using as their current source of money and handed them some a stack before they disappeared while Anko frowned at his actions.
"Okay Naruto, I know you feel generous enough to give out money to the help but seriously, you don't have to give them the money and if you feel so obligated to do so then at least hand them a 10 or something. At this rate we will be low on money and be back at square one."
Naruto closed the briefcase before he looked up at Anko, a smirk on his face as he said that he knew that but if he was right about what was hidden nearby than they wouldn't be. Everybody had a confused look on their face as Naruto shook his head, said he would explain later, before he took one of the maps to study the surrounding area. 10 minutes later, they all got a general idea of the area and decided to head into the town to try and find something about Deidara or Kakuzu as they left the hotel. The second they left the felt the town hidden eyes watching their every move which made Naruto frown at look at the group before his eyes landed on Konohamaru and Matsuri. Naruto gave Gaara a look as he nodded and casually moved Konohamaru and Matsuri in the middle of the group as to keep them protected if something happen.
"So we should we go first so we can get out of this forsaken town. I swear if I feel one more person glare at me, I will personally go around and bite every one of their asses until-"
"How about a bath since "Anky" is most likely heated and we all need one from the "traveling" we done" Naruto quickly said as made a quick turn towards the bathhouse as not to give any of the watchers a reason to attack as Hinata giggled, knowing the reason for Naruto's quick decision. One relaxing hot bath later, Anko and the rest of the group were in better moods that were quickly ruined as they sensed some people following them. They decided to take a quick stop at a food place where they ordered something to eat while trying to figure out who was following them.
"It's a good thing we left Gaara's gourd back at the hotel" Kankuro muttered lowly as he could sense his brother's agitation before the waitress brought their food and asked where they were from.
"Around" Konan stated calmly before she dug in to her sushi as the waitress gave her glare and looked at their outfits, an eyebrow raised.
"You should know that it's risky to where those clothes around here?" the waitress said as she sat her hip on the table much to the annoyance of all the kunoichi while Nagato quickly asked how as he tried to avoid an unnecessary battle. "They belong to a group with a large bounty on their heads and anybody who fits the description is to be captured immediately. If I were you I would hightail it out of this town seeing as many shinobi here would love to get their hands on that type of money" the waitress said before she walked off to the back as the group mentally cursed at their mistake.
"I can't believe we forgot to use a henge when we entered the town" Naruto muttered, smacking him on the forehead as Hinata said it wasn't his fault and that they had a lot on their minds at the time.
"Yes and the fact that such a small country would even know about the bounties on our head makes an even greater reason that we need to get out of this town" Gaara said as he finished his tea while the others ate quickly, paid for the meal and head out the door only to see a large group standing outside, waiting for them. Neji sighed as he noticed the Iwa rock symbols on the first two ninjas heads as he thought, 'that was the reason for the stares.' Naruto casually went up to them and asked what they needed in with one of the two earth nin smiled evilly as he said they wanted the bounties on their heads. Naruto tapped his chin in thought before he said to make a deal which got the group look at each other as they waited to see what Naruto had planned.
"Do you know anything about a blonde-haired male with bangs covering his left eye or a weird man with a mask over his face, green eyes, and a slashed waterfall headband?" Naruto asked as if it was normal while the earth nin laughed as said that those character's features rang a bell but they would have to battle him for the information. The second earth nin made the rules that if any of the two people they chose from the group, minus Konohamaru and Matsuri, managed to defeat them then they will let them go easily and give up the information but if they couldn't then they were to be their prisoners. Naruto looked at the others who nodded and said deal right before the two earth nin rushed him and Hinata thinking that they weren't so tough.
Both earth nin, who they guessed were brothers, summoned large double bladed axes that they swung at Naruto and Hinata who dodged and jumped back as they summoned their own weapons. "Kitsune blade/Vixen sais" Naruto and Hinata called out at the same time as they weapons appeared suddenly if their hands in time to stop the earth nin's axes which they pushed back with little force. The earth nin were surprised but quickly got over it as they threw their axes away and started some hand signs to use a powerful jutsu which made everybody get to higher ground and Naruto and Hinata throw their weapons as they saw the two earth nin bring their hands down to the ground.
"Earth Style: Ant-Lion Technique" the second and younger of the earth nin brothers cried as the earth near Naruto and Hinata's feet suddenly dipped, making them lose their footing and slide down the cone-like trap while the first nin grinned before calling out his attack.
"Earth Style: Inescapable Hell" and everybody around watched as the ant-lion technique was combined with the inescapable hell technique forcing Hinata and Naruto towards the center of the swirling earth as they were dragged down deeper into the pit before the earth swallowed them up.
"Nii-san/nee-chan" Konohamaru and Neji cried out in shock as they watched the earth return back to normal as the earth nin and his gang laughed at the misfortunate of the two leaf nin.
"Now the rest of you come with us quietly or you will end up like two comrades there" the older nin said as he pointed in the direction of the turned-over dirt before he frowned when he saw Gaara smile, saying that the battle wasn't over yet, making everybody look at him. The group was about to ask what he meant before they gasped as they felt a large surge of chakra that made them look up which confused the earth nin until they looked up too. Everybody in the town, except Gaara, was shocked as they saw Hinata and Naruto, who was holding a big giant rasengan, floating down at them with smirks on their face.
"Too bad for you two that you wasted a lot of your chakra on that attack but now it's my time" Naruto said as Hinata flew down to the building with the rest of the biju clan as Naruto brought down his "Oodama Rasengan" (aka big a$$ rasengan) right in front of the earth nin and all his goons, making them blow straight back into the nearby buildings and shaking the town in aftershock. Everybody in town watched in shock as Naruto landed in the giant crater he made with his attack, go over to the older earth nin who was still conscious, and grab him by his vest, demanding to know the information they seek as the rest of the clan joined him. The earth nin laughed as he spat out that they wasn't finished as Naruto and the clan turned to see the whole town jumped down and come out of hiding to surround them.
"You got lucky with me kid but do you and the rest of your friends think you can defeat the whole entire town?" the earth nin laughed as he knocked Naruto's hand away and shakily got to his feet as his brother leaned against the wall, arm clearly broken, and glared daggers at them.
"Well since we already made a scene, want to go all out and show them our real power?" Naruto asked as he looked at the biju of the group who nodded before smiling as they moved apart from each other for what they were about to do. Gaara, Konan, Sasori, Neji, Anko, Hinata, and Naruto started to make animalistic sounds as they tapped into the deep hidden power that was their true biju forms while the townspeople back away in shock as the 7 seemingly weak clan members changed before their eyes into 7 monstrous sized animals all but one with multiple tails that they swung around causing some of the people to duck.
"Still want to take us on?" Naruto snarled at the people who only stood there for a second before they all tried to make a break for it which the biju wasn't having as Gaara and Anko created an earth wall that was followed by a wall of water from Neji, and lastly a wall of fire from Konan who wanted to join in on the fun. Sasori then shot yellow venom from all four of his tails that rained down on the nin, paralyzing them in place while Temari, Kankuro, Yagato, Yahiko, Konohamaru, and Matsuri rounded up some of the people who had tried to hide but got hit by the venom. Once a large crowd was in front of them, all but Naruto and Hinata changed back into their hanyo forms, while Naruto growled out to the crowd to give him the information he required which they willingly gave up.
"The one called Kakuzu has been seen near the border of stone and earth many times because he passes through the town often in that direction. The one called Deidara asked the same question you bunch did only he was more effective at getting the answer quickly in which we lead him in the direction and he left about half a day ago."
"Now see, that wasn't so hard, now was it?" Naruto said in a chided manner making Konohamaru laugh as he heard some of the town people whimper before Naruto and Hinata changed back to normal. "By the way, the venom only lasted for a couple of minutes so can you move now" Naruto said as he and the rest of the biju clan watch the townspeople test this theory before giving them space to move as Naruto made several clones to go retrieve their things while the rest of them went into the nearest clothes store to change their looks.
"Hey Naruto nii-san, how did you manage to escape his earth jutsu?" Konohamaru asked as they shopped around the now empty store while Naruto and Hinata summoned their weapons to show a rite on the handles.
"I implanted the rites on my weapons so I can summon them or be summoned to them wherever I am. Why do you think that I and Hinata tossed her sais high in the air while I threw my sword aside? It was to draw their attention away from what I was really planning, why do you think we got caught so easily when we could have easily just floated ourselves out?" Naruto said smiling as Konohamaru and the others complimented him for a well thought out plan before they went back to clothes searching.
10 minutes later they all came out wearing new outfits that were similar to Naruto's summer outfit with an attachable hood and several others pair of clothes if they needed to change their identity which they paid for before they grabbed their things from the clones and quickly left the town behind.
"After all that word is going to get around real soon and since we've been asking about Deidara we need find ASAP" Hinata said the group quickly got onto their backs where they burst into a full run towards the border where they saw a bunch of boulders and stones dotted everywhere. They stopped when Neji caught a weak scent of Kakuzu, signifying he had been there recently, which made them wonder why Deidara decided to visit here and where he was. The group started thinking on how to find the clay artist while Konohamaru jumped onto one of the rocks and looked around in interest which gave Temari an idea as she stated that Deidara had the same animal necklace as Konohamaru. Said shinobi looked at her when his name was called before she asked if could summon or call forth a badger in the area in which he said he could try before he started to concentrate real heard on finding help.
"Come on Konohamaru, I know you can do it" Naruto chanted slowly as not to break the boy's concentration before they heard a chatter around their feet and they looked down to see a single badger appear from around a stone before looking at Konohamaru who seemed proud of himself. Konohamaru, on Naruto's request, asked the badger if it had seen Deidara in which it nodded once before running off between the rocks. The group took that as a sign to follow it as they chased after the badger to a field of stones where they saw the badger nudged its nose in a direction before running off back to its home. Believing they were close, Neji and Hinata used byakugan while Gaara used his 3rd eye to look around where all three saw someone in the distance before they confirmed it was Deidara. Naruto celebrating, because he wouldn't have to carry them much longer, ran ahead of the others before Neji, Hinata, and Gaara could finish talking, excited to see another member of his clan before he stopped suddenly, making Anko run into him.
"Why the heck did you st-" Anko started to say but was cut off by Naruto's hand as she saw the hard look on his face before she opened up her senses to see what made Naruto freeze while the others joined. Sensing distress coming from the direction where Deidara was they quickly and quietly made their way over rocks before they all hid when they saw the last person they wanted to me. The Tsuchikage and two of his bodyguards were standing in front of Deidara, his clay pouch in the Tsuchikage's hands as he looked up at the blonde.
"Deidara, it's time you came back to Iwa and accept the punishment for you actions. You have nowhere to go and no way to get there without your clay so make this easier for this old man and come back with us now" the Tsuchikage said as he looked up at Deidara who had yet to say anything until he looked down straight into the short man's eyes.
"I already accepted my punishment" Deidara said softly which made the Kage look at him with confusion before he noticed the anger in the blonde's visible eye. "I accepted my punishment when I let you control my life" Deidara yelled at the confused Kage who he glared at before continuing. "I'm sick of your rules and you treating me like the dirt you try and control. You didn't care for me when I was training under you and you don't care about me now." The earth Kage took several steps back as he asked what Deidara mean before the guards took a step forward when they heard Deidara snarl at the short man. "I had to learn how to deal with my explosive chakra on my own since my father was too upset because I wasn't born with fire chakra like him. I tried to be useful to you, to show you I can be helpful so I stole the jutsu you told me about to help me blow up the boulders that got in our way but that only made you madder."
"Are you suggesting that it's my fault that you stole the forbidden jutsu in the first place?" the Tsuchikage yelled at the blonde who gave him a hard look as memories of that day he left the village.
"The only reason I left the village was to gain control of my ability and show to you but you wouldn't even here me out, no you had the Anbu hunt me down and put me in the bingo books for trying to do for my village. Well I'm sick of not being appreciated by you for the things I can do and that's why I left and there is no way in hell I'm going back" Deidara snarled as he felt his new found anger and determination fuel him as he let go of his human past. The three Earth ninja took several steps back as they watched Deidara's features change as he grew badger-like appendages, making the Kage ask what was he going on and what was he doing. The biggest shock to them was the 7 dark yellow tails appeared from behind each with a white streak down the back as he snarled at the trio and thumped his tails, making the ground quake below them.
"Deidara stop this now" the Tsuchikage shouted before he and his guards tried to attack the blonde but was knocked back a scorpion tail as Sasori and the rest of the clan came to back Deidara up who seemed surprise at his change before he smirked, showing off his pointed teeth. They watched as Deidara changed into his new hanyo form before addressing the earth country Kage.
"You are not allowed to hurt or take any of my clan members for they are under my protection and therefore must go through me and the rest of us to get to him" Naruto said as the he watched the Tsuchikage stare at him before Hinata growled at the look before she told him to leave for they weren't going to let him take Deidara. The Kage blinked before he took in the rest of the group before he shot a glare at Gaara then at Naruto who saw the Kage's eyes darken in anger.
"You look like the fourth who defeated earth so long ago" the Kage said as the guards got into fighting positions as Naruto smiled and said he should since he was the fourth's son. The bodyguards attacked in rage and revenge for their nation but before they could reach him he had already disappeared and reappeared behind their backs which shocked all three earth nin. "How did you do that without that blasted kunai?" the Kage asked before he watched Naruto smile, see Gaara reappear beside him, where they got ready to strike.
"A good ninja never reveals their secrets" Naruto said as he and Gaara knocked out the two guards and dodged when the short Kage tried to attack them but was knocked back by one of Deidara's tails. "You're both out-numbered and out-powered so if I were you I would take you and your helpers back and go back to Iwa before they start looking for a new Tsuchikage." Naruto said with a smile as he saw the Kage frown at them before he and his guards flew back to Iwa before Naruto collapsed from exhaustion. "Whew that was exhaustion" Naruto said as he sat down on the ground where he collapsed as he looked up at Deidara and asked if he was okay in which he nodded and said he was.
"Thank you for standing up for me, I never had anybody do that for me" Deidara said as he looked at the group before his eyes landed on Sasori who had a bored look on his face. "Hey Sasori no danna, I see they found you and Konan but where are the others, un?" Deidara asked looking around before Sasori said that they still had to locate them which they could have been doing if the brat hadn't taken so long which made the blonde frown. "Still the same person" Deidara muttered before he asked who the redhead was and why Pain didn't have the piercings which they said they would explain but asked why he was all the way out here. "I was looking for Kakuzu's safe which I know is around here and since I can't exactly stay in town if I didn't have any money and going back to Iwa was a huge no so I stayed here trying to figure out how to break open the stupid thing."
"I guessed the safe was around here…did you find it?" Naruto asked before he grinned as Deidara smirked and nodded before he led them to a rock smaller than the others that was slightly out of place.
"Well that was easy seeing as this doesn't fit since it's a river rock and there wasn't a river for miles so there was no reason for it to be here" Konohamaru snorted which made Naruto impressed that he saw the difference in which he complimented him on.
"I wouldn't have never noticed the difference" Naruto admitted which made Konohamaru smile but turn when they heard Deidara sigh and sit on a nearby stone.
"Yea it good we know where it is but there is no way to open it unless one of you has the affinity of all 5 elements" Deidara said as he looked up but noticed the large smiles on the group's face as they turned to look at Neji who raised his 5 tails. "…that will work, un" Deidara said as he moved out of the way, not sure how the safe would open before he told Neji to do his thing as they watched the rock slide to the side to show a hole no bigger than a small mammal to squeeze into. Once again Neji and Hinata used their byakugan and said with some excitement that there was even more than the last one which they caught Deidara up on robbing Kakuzu in fire country. Deidara let out a laugh at their prank before he looked around at the group and asked how they were going to get it before Naruto, Hinata, Gaara, and Anko started to make animals sounds which he joined in on to. A few minutes later, 3 badgers, 4 foxes, 1 tanuki, and a snake appeared in front.
"Do you think you can help us with retrieving the briefcases?" they asked the animals that a made a single cry as they went inside the hole to retrieve the cases of money while the group caught Deidara up on all that had happened since they separated. 20 minutes later, the last badger pulled out the last case which they checked and all were full like the last stash in which they counted 20 briefcases which they roughly guessed held 2,000,000 yen and added to the 1,000,000 yen from fire country they would be able to buy a small island at that rate.
"Art-is-a-bang, if the rest of Kakuzu's safes are as loaded as this and the fire country then we will be billionaires at this rate, un" Deidara said as Naruto sealed the scrolls handing them out as not to overwhelm himself with money scrolls before he looked at Deidara and asked if he knew where the other safes were in which he said he thinks he knew where another one was. "Hidan was always complaining about when Kakuzu passed by his old country and how he seemed to visit too much for his taste" Deidara answered in which they thanked him and the animals by paying them, only half the stacks this time before the animals left with their loot. Naruto got up from his spot on the ground and stretched before he handed Deidara his clay pouch and asked him to make a bird big enough to carry them all.
"As much as I like to run and fly, my poor back needs a break" Naruto whined, making them laugh as Deidara looked at his hands and turned blue before he showed the others that his hand mouths were gone which made Naruto whimper in sadness. However Deidara soon worked the clay with his hands where he easily made a clay bird that he fueled with his chakra by sending it through his palm and activated it until it grew big enough to fit all of them. "Hot spring country here we come" Naruto said as he hoped up onto the clay bird ready to take off before he looked down at the others who said that they needed to make a quick stop into town.
"Deidara still needs new clothing and food" Gaara stated calmly before they all heard said blonde's stomach growl as he chuckled and said he hadn't had much to each in which made everybody laugh as his stomach continued to growl. Saying they would make a quick stop in town, Naruto watched the rest of the clan hop up onto the bird before it took off back towards Post Town and soon in the direction of the hot spring country.
"Hey Naruto, can I ask you a question, un?" Deidara asked as gave Naruto a curious glance when he said fire away as they started to land the bird of clay, making the town people flee when they saw who was riding on it. "Why do you and that clear eyed boy have ribbons in your hair?" Deidara asked before he heard a couple of snickers behind him as Naruto and Neji frowned before looking at each other. Their eyes grew wide as they saw the ribbons in each other hair before they started to glow with anger.
"KONOHAMARU, MATSURI, I'M GOING TO GET YOU TWO" Naruto and Neji screamed as they chased the pranksters through the town while the group sighed, shook their heads, and went to get Deidara some food and clothes before they had to take off again.
Back in Iwa, the Tsuchikage had just finished writing reports to the other nations for help on dealing with Naruto and his biju clan. "We're going to need all the help we can to bring them down, especially the fourth's brat" Tsuchikage muttered as he gave the reports to someone to send out on hawks. "They must be captured now" he said as he left his office, selected a team of his finest shinobi before he stated they were giving chase to bring those who fled to be punished. "Let's go and show them not to mess with earth country" the Tsuchikage rallied as he and his group flew out of the village and towards the next place he was sure they would go to.
Life in Konoha wasn't looking so good either for there was an air of depression that seemed to cloak the village ever since the flight of 5 of their greatest shinobi and kunoichi who they driven away. This downy atmosphere didn't seem to affect the townspeople for they were celebrating the departure of the boy they saw as the Kyuubi's reincarnation while many of the teams were sad and upset at their own actions while almost everybody shunned Sasuke and Sakura, especially Sakura. In the Hokage's office Tsunade was looking over papers while Jiraiya watched her from the wall as she finished off the bottle on her desk and drew it in the corner where a large pile was collecting. Tsunade had basically been drunk since they left and felt it was the only way she could deal with the pain while Jiraiya was there to make sure she didn't get drunk enough to the point of it becoming hazardous to her health.
Tsunade opened her drawer, pulled out another bottle, which she uncorked, and was about to take a drink when her office door slammed open, making her lose the grip on the bottle as it went crashing onto the floor. Tsunade looked up at the some of the team members while Jiraiya looked out the window, a frown on his face, as the teams piled into the room. Tsunade, being able to focus slightly from the shock of the door ask what was wrong with them in which she noticed their grim faces.
"You said the last location of Naruto was that he had left Suna and was heading north right Hokage-sama?" Kurenai asked fearfully as Tsunade nodded and asked what about it as she went searching for another bottle. "If they're heading north, then they will be close to earth country who would love more than to get their hands on Naruto" Kurenai said as she watched the Hokage paused, straighten up and look at them with seriousness as she said that Naruto and the rest could escape by either running or flying until she saw Shikamaru shake his head.
"Many of the Iwa shinobi have the unique ability to fly or more correctly levitate due to their living area. They have the ability to lighten and weight things down, even their own bodies if needed where they can move just as fast as Naruto and the rest on both land and in the air." Shikamaru sighed as he stared at the Hokage with sad eyes as she asked them what they were getting at but heard the underlying fear in her voice.
"What they're saying Hokage-sama…is that if they need to find all their clan members, they need to visit all the nations…that includes earth." Asuma said as he rubbed Kurenai's shoulder who hiccupped as she thought about Hinata and the others. Tsunade paled at the news while from behind her Jiraiya cursed, making everybody turn towards him where they noticed a hawk sitting on the window sill. Jiraiya looked up at them and said that the Tsuchikage had already encountered Naruto, who escaped, but he has sent word to lightning country about their possible arrive for Itachi was last seen around there.
"That is where they will be heading next. To look for Itachi there and since the Raikage knows about this-" Kakashi whispered quietly before they all watched Tsunade jump up, half-way somber from the news as she ordered them to ready the teams that were left as they informed Tsunade that they would never make it to lightning country in time.
"We're not going to lightning country but to water country" Tsunade said as she picked up her coat and put it on while the team members that were there were confused. "He already traveled to fire, wind, and it seems earth or at least been near there and now he is heading for lightning country for Itachi. So he will have to visit water country for the final member of his clan before they disappear to who knows where" Tsunade said as she started to look more like her old self as she looked at the people in her office and dismissed them. They all quickly leave to go pack just as Shizune entered the office and noticed the smile on Tsunade's face before she asked her what she was about to do. Tsunade answered which made Shizune frown and shake her head.
"Why do you consist on bringing them back when you said you gave up the hunt for them?" Shizune asked but stopped when she noticed the look on his Tsunade's face when she said that she wasn't trying to bring them back but to help make things right. Shizune stood there in stun silence before she turned to look at the two Sennin who were about to leave the office and asked how.
"I'm going to help by getting rid of the last obstacles in their way" she said with a smile as Shizune nodded before telling Tsunade to have the teams meet in the mission's room. "There is something I and some others must show and tell you. It's finally the time for me to tell you the truth" Shizune said as she followed the Sennin out of the office and to their first big change at helping Naruto and his clan.
