Tip Of The Spear
Chapter Eight
As the new Genin filed out of the room the sounds of happy chatter died off. After a few last words with Hiruzen Naruto walked up to Sakura. As the girl looked up her breath caught, for a second she didn't see the thirteen year old newly minted Genin, no, in her eyes she saw her twenty-three year old Navy SEAL. The man she had pinned a Trident on at the age of eighteen. The man that she would make love to upon his return from a mission while they were fighting a war against people that valued money over human life.
However, the second he touched her hand the illusion was broke and Sakura gave a sad sigh. There would be no love making tonight, sure, they would fool around and pleasure each other but the final act would have to still wait. For one, while she was mentally twenty-three or so, she was trapped in the body of a twelve year old. And two, her mind and heart may be willing but her body was still not ready. Especially with Naruto, while he was still short in stature the young man was big in other areas besides his heart.
Sighing she took the offered hand and walked out the building and the couple walked home. It was getting late, almost 2200 when they made their way through the streets of the village. After a dozen blocks or so the quiet was broken by Naruto's stomach making it's presence known. As Sakura giggled her own body betrayed her with it's own growl. Naruto looked at her as he rubbed the back of his head.
"So, it sounds like we both forgot to eat huh Sakura-chan."
"Well, it's been a very busy day, so yeah, I'd say it's time to eat. You know love," she said as she took his hand, "there's only one place open right now and it is a special day for both of us so..."
"Ichiraku's? That sounds like a great idea my little vixen let's go. Besides," he continued as he swept her up in his arms bridal style, "the old man and Ayame-nee will want to know that we passed."
As Sakura snuggled into her husband's chest Naruto body flickered to their favorite ramen stand. There were other stands in the village but for some reason the one Teuchi ran was the best of all of them. Even Ayato's ramen, made to Ichiraku's recipe, tasted almost but not quiet . As far as the two were concerned Old Man Teuchi was Konoha's number one ramen cook.
As Naruto arrived at the stand he smiled at the sight in his arms. Sakura was snuggled into his chest lightly sleeping. "Sakura-chan, wake up my princess. We're here."
"Don wanna, mmmmm Naruto pillow," the girl mumbled into his chest.
Naruto shook his head and stood her up, holding her until she woke up, "Naruto? Where...oh we're here."
The boy softly laughed again as he lightly kissed her lips, "Yeah, you kind of fell asleep on the way. Still hungry?
The growl of the girls stomach was all the answer he needed. As he parted the curtain flaps he called out, " Hey Old Man! Three miso and one chicken for the villages new Tokobetsu Genin!"
Ayame walked out to greet the young couple as they heard Teuchi yell out the order to let them know it was on the way, "So, my little brother and sister are now real ninjas now? How wonderful," saying that the girl swept them into a tight hug.
It was a little awkward considering the pair were still wearing their web gear, weapons and equipment. That said they returned the hug as best as they could. Sakura giving her a small smile and Naruto his foxy grin. Ayame finally broke the hug and the two sat in their usual seats.
"So, I know what a Genin is but what is a Tokobetsu Genin?" the girl asked.
Naruto rubbed the back of his head and smiled as he answered, "Well, the other students were enough to make up seven teams, Sakura and I are special cases. You see, normally I would be automatically made a Jonin because of my titles and Sakura-chan would be just a Genin. The old man and I talked it over and I really want to earn my position as does Sakura-chan. So taking in our training and experience in combat," at that Ayame frowned, she hated the thought that her two adopted siblings had already seen fighting and spilled blood, "we were made Tokobetsu or Special Genin, and the best part is I'm the Genin Commander," Naruto finished as he beamed his smile at the girl.
Ayame felt her cheeks get warm when she saw his smile. Sakura saw the girls reaction and smiled, it's not that Naruto was flirting, he just had no idea that he was the cause of that reaction. It was just Naruto being himself and Sakura could never get mad about that. Besides, Ayame was almost if not already family so why shouldn't she get one of his special smiles.
"Really? And what does the Genin Commander get to do all day?" Ayame asked out of genuine curiosity, unknown to many the girl had retired medically from the ninja corps after a mission had gone wrong resulting in the loss of her sensei and another team mate. While she supported the boys dream she worried for him at the same time. If being the commander of all new Genin was dangerous she'd talk to Sakura and make him resign.
Sakura saw the look on her sister's face and understood so she answered for her husband, who by the way was paying attention to his second bowl, "It's nothing bad, he just helps match up missions to the Genin available. He forgot to tell you about the changes."
"Changes, what changes?"
"Well," Sakura began, "the big one is that everybody that passed the exams and performed in the graduation exercise are now on the rolls as ninja, no more wasted time and effort training a whole class and then eliminating all but a few because of some arbitrary test with no clearly stated goal like my father in law's stupid bell test. The other change is that they won't be assigned to teams for another year, Naruto's job is to work with the Jonin senseis to find who will work better with who."
"Yeah, they're going to hate me but for at least the first six months they'll do nothing but D ranks," Naruto spoke up, "The only person that will be matched to a Jonin already is the Bastard being trained by Kakashi because of his bloodline."
"But that can still change because some of his cousins have the same thing, they've already unlocked theirs and you know it," interrupted Sakura, 'And he's not 'The Bastard', he's Sasuke and he's our friend so cool it."
Naruto rubbed the spot on his head where Sakura had smacked him as he answered, "Yes dear, anyway Sasuke is the only one that will have a predetermined sensei, the rest will be evaluated and trained by all the Jonin senseis that are assigned to this years teams. The one thing we both know is this, they're going to hate not only me but the first month of training," Naruto said as he gave a smile that promised either pain or mischief.
Ayame just grinned at the pair until Naruto dropped a bomb on her, "Ayame, I've been going over the rolls of Genin that were dropped or removed from service over the last few years to see if any could be reinstated or given a second chance."
At this the ramen girl grew nervous, "Really Naruto? I... I think that's a great idea."
"So does Sakura-chan, that's why I'm telling you that Monday you need to report to the hospital for an evaluation physical, Genin Ichiraku."
"You...you know?" asked a very shocked and surprised Ayame.
"Yes, we both do, it makes sense if you think about it, you pay far to much attention to what we tell you about class and our training outside the village. All I'm asking is that you let Shizune do a complete physical work up and one of the Yamanaka on staff do the psyche evaluation. If you pass you can be reinstated as an active Genin and assigned to us for retraining or you can go into a reserve status and all you have to do is train every other weekend and do a month long active duty period."
"Naruto, if you know that I was a Genin then you know why I left. Are you sure you want someone like me in the forces?"
"Yes, I read all the reports and it was not your fault, you had no way of knowing the client lied and was setting up your team to settle an old score with your sensei. Just take the physical and see what the medical staff have to say. I'll even endorse your request into the reserve so you can stay here and protect our home so the rest of us don't have to worry when we leave the walls."
Ayame looked at her father for guidance and her eyes popped open when he nodded his agreement with Naruto, "Naruto...I...I suppose I should go since it seems father agrees with you. I suppose that I would have to train with you to get into shape if I do decide to return to the forces?"
"Yes, but it will be worth it. I and Sakura believe in you and know that you can do this okay?"
The older girl nodded her head and was in deep thought as the young couple paid for their meal and walked off into the night. As she thought about what was said she wiped down the counter and began to help her father close up shop.
Naruto and Sakura turned the corner and walked into their yard. As they walked to the house Sakura pulled him down the path to the hot spring. Even though they were still in their uniforms they had dropped their web gear and weapons. Now Sakura was sitting in Naruto's lap kissing his face like it was going out of style. Naruto on his part was massaging her breast through the material of her shirt. That didn't stop her from moaning in pleasure at his touch.
After about an hour of making out they heard a slight snicker and clearing of a throat. Looking toward the source of the sounds the pair spotted a familiar small red fox. Naruto and Sakura frowned at the interruption, "Makoto," Sakura growled, "what have I told you about interrupting my Naruto time?"
"You told me not to, however before you get mad this was not my doing. I was sent by the children to find you. Moegi is almost in tears because you've not come home yet and it's nearly two in the morning," the fox scolded.
Naruto sighed and looked at Sakura, "Remind me why I thought it was a good idea for them to sign the fox contract."
"It was I believe, 'to make sure they understood that they were now part of a clan'. I think that it was a good decision and it shows that they only use it when necessary, like to night."
Turning back to Makoto she smile and spoke to the fox, "Makoto-san, it was my fault the children summoned you. I didn't realize how late it was. Please tell them that we're home and we will be coming inside in a bit."
Makoto looked at the girl and bowed, "At once Lady Sakura, I will let them know that you two are safe, although it looked to me that you were getting mauled by this low life," the fox told the girl as he gave Naruto a look of distaste.
Naruto just flipped the summon off and went back to kissing his wife. Makoto scoffed and mumbled, "I rest my case," then vanished in a cloud of smoke. Sakura rested her head on the young man's chest and enjoyed the feeling of being in love.
"Naruto, you shouldn't tease Makoto like that, you know how he can be," she lightly scolded.
"He loves it Sakura-chan, if he didn't I'd be the one that would be mauled. Look, he's miffed because the kids had him look for us and he still hates the fact that I'm your mate."
"He only thinks that because of how you act. Makoto thinks you're not good enough for me you know that."
"And why is that my love? Could it be that when you first saw him you thought he was a plushie and took him to bed every night until we got serious?" Naruto asked, "I swear you spoiled him when we were growing up."
"What about you and Asahina? At least Makoto will talk to you, she only talks to me when she has no choice."
"Asahina, is Kurama's little sister and thinks that her brother's host deserves a better mate than you. In her eyes you're still a little six year old girl that let her emotions run her life. At least I've never threatened to beat Makoto for spending too much time with my mate."
"Sh...she told you that?" shrieked Sakura, "I only did that because I used to catch her in her human form watching you take a shower or work out. I swear, she has not only a crush on you but a brother complex as well, and you and that sentimental fur ball let her get away with it. Besides,she is not that cute in her human form."
Naruto laughed as he took Sakura into his arms, "Jealous much? I know the girl has her...quirks, but, she is Kurama and Makoto's little sister so we can't be too hard on her. Besides, who comforted you and actually ran Maria off when I started dating her, hmmm? It was Asahina, see she may not see you as a good mate for me but she hates anyone that even tries to take me away from you," the blonde explained.
"I know, I just wish you would treat Makoto a little better, speaking of which, lets get in the house before those three decide to call him again or worse yet, go looking for...sizzzzzzzzzzzz...BOOOOMM!...us. KONOHAMARU!" Sakura yelled as the smoke from the exploding tag began to clear.
In a flash the sounds of growling and yips of pain filled the air as Asahina and Makoto rounded up the offending youths. Asahina was livid, the tag, while low powered, landed close to Naruto and by extension her big brother. She was chasing Moegi towards her angry guardians. Not only was Asahina jealous of Sakura, she'd recently noticed how the younger girl would blush and act around the blonde. To the small fox it was bad enough that she had to allow the pink vixen to bed Naruto, she'd be damned if she'd share him with someone else.
Makoto was feeling the same as his sister, the little idiots had come close to hurting Sakura-chan and that was not allowed. While he didn't hate Naruto, in fact he was proud of what the young man had accomplished both on this world and the other he had grown up on, he didn't think that Naruto was good enough for his Sakura-chan even if Kurama had told him many times the boy would and has put his life before her's. She was the first human that showed any affection to him and he would be like a good member of the clan and protect his family, and Sakura-chan in his eyes was definitely family.
The three delinquents were now standing in front of their caretakers not one bit sorry for what they had done. It was well past two in the morning and they had yet to come into the house. Naruto had told them how dangerous the end game to their mission would be and they had heard the shots from Naruto's pistol, how could they not? Since they were lagging to the rear of the action after they had been told to go home and had caught glimpses of what the traitor had morphed into. So, to pay them back for the worry they caused a level .5 exploding tag was in order.
It made a lot of noise and clouds of thick grey smoke but no one would get seriously hurt by it. The foxes were just over reacting as always. Still they felt justified in using it to get their point across. Naruto just looked at them after they explained themselves with a blank look on his face.
"We'll discuss this after we all have rested," was all he said on the matter and after taking Sakura's hand he walked to the house with the three children following. The group walked in silence as everyone was too tired to argue let alone speak, the morning would bring another day and if they were lucky Naruto would let them stew for a week or so and then prank them at a later date, IF, they were lucky.
At ten the next morning the house was awakened by someone knocking at their door. Opening it the house's manager greeted the cat faced ANBU agent. While Naruto fought tooth and nail on not having servants taking care of the household he lost out when Sakura explained that as head for the Haruno clan she was obligated to place worthy members of the clan in positions of responsibility in the house. That afternoon Naruto got an education in something he never thought about, how to run a clan head's household.
When growing up Kurama had servants that took care of the cooking and cleaning as well as driving the kids to and from school and events. While Naruto and Sakura were trained to be warriors 'uncle' Tetsuo managed the clan finances and household. Naruto asked about that one day and was told it was not his job as an heir and future clan head to worry about such things. Sakura however did receive some training as the matriarch is the one that handled the finances. Now Naruto had a morning cook, an evening cook, two house keepers and a lady that did the laundry. He also found himself employing two gardeners and one grounds keeper for the yard. All this was overseen by Sakura's aunt Ren, a former kunoichi that had married into the clan and had lost her husband during a mission just after the Nine Tails' rampage. After a few years in ANBU she retired after her niece and Naruto were taken away. It was her assignment to watch over the jinchuriki and his friend so it was no wonder Ren was one of many that objected to how her sister in law treated Sakura. Now, no matter what Naruto said, Aunt Ren was the one that ran the house.
As Neko stood on the porch she began to sweat under the elder woman's gaze, "Ren-sempai, Naruto and Sakura are to report to the tower no later than noon today. Could you please give them that message?"
The woman's gaze was unwavering as she nodded, "Master and Lady Uzumaki are to report to the tower before noon today, I shall tell then Neko-chan. Give my regards to Bear and the others."
"I will sempai, they miss you but Bear hides it well"
"I see, well for what it's worth, I miss them too...Oh Neko?"
"Yes?"
"You need to talk to him, you're part of his clan as much as any, if you don't I will," the house manager told her former comrade.
"I...we'll see sempai but what if he..."
He won't kohai, he won't. If nothing else he'd want to move you into his father's clan's main compound. He's not the cold child you see in the tower, he's a loving and warm person to those that he let's into his heart."
"I..I will talk to him soon then. Again it was nice to see you again Ren, like I said, we miss you," with that the ANBU left in a cloud of smoke and leaves.
Closing the door Ren went upstairs to wake her family. She had always seen Sakura as her own ever since the girls parents threw her to the streets. She had lost some respect for the Hokage, as did everyone on Naruto's protection detail, for not intervening on behalf of the girl. He had excused it away with 'not interfering with clan matters', while the truth was that he had no actual power anymore and was just waiting for the day he could step down.
Then a day or two after the children were taken by the fox the old man finally begun to take his power back. As far as Ren was concerned it was too little and too late, she resigned a week after her niece vanished. Now Sakura was back along with the boy she loved and Ren found herself running the clan head's household, a job she enjoyed if not just for a chance to straighten out Konohamaru and his friends that had begun to live with Naruto and Sakura-chan.
Once Ren delivered the message she began to tend to her duties. Grumbling about old men and their poor sense of timing Naruto dragged himself out of bed and then joined Sakura in the shower. Not that he was feeling particularly amorous this morning, but would never deny a chance seeing his wife in the nude, it was just faster and easier to get cleaned up that way. Back on Earth it caused some problems in the barracks they had shared with their two respective units.
More than a couple of times did someone walk in on the two washing each other up. In the end it was decided that a signal be used to let the others know Sakura was bathing, after which a pink ribbon would be tied to the door leading to the shower room. The ribbon was cut in half after the two had been 'killed' in action, one half going to Naruto's Team and the other was placed in the care of the weapons shop Sakura had adopted and hung out in, along with other items of the girl that her in laws gave them. In that way Sakura Namekazi would live on, for as long as the squadron and it's members existed so would she.
Now cleaned and dressed the couple left for the tower with their three charges in tow. Walking in Naruto waited until Konohamaru greeted his grandfather before speaking himself, "So jijii, what do you want? This was supposed to be mine and Sakura's day off or did you forget?"
"No, no I didn't forget my young apprentice, I..."
At that point Naruto turned to Sakura, "See I'm telling you, put him in black robes and a hood and then tell me I'm crazy."
"Oh my god Naruto, jijii does not resemble the Emperor in Star Wars. Why are you so fixated on that movie series anyway?" Sakura ranted as she pummeled her husband into the ground.
"Oh, and Star Dreck was that much better, how many times did they boldly go where previous scripts went before?" the almost unconscious blonde shot back.
Once again the adults present had no clue as to what the young couple were fighting over and didn't expect one in coming anyway. Most of the time the fights revolved around something that happened in their previous lives. Naruto was usually the trigger because of his hyper personality and short attention span, one that according to Kurama and Sakura would be outgrown in a year or two. Finally the argument was settled and the couple were once again standing at attention in front of the old man's desk.
"Now, as I was saying," Hiruzen began once more, "There is something that you have to do today, or did you forget?" the man asked as he watched Naruto's face in deep thought, "Don't tell me you forgot Naruto, you do remember what day this is right?"
"Oh shit, Sakura-chan don't kill me, please. We've been so busy I didn't realize our anniversary was today," the young blonde was on his knees as his wife looked at him in annoyance, "Okay so it's not our anniversary, I forgot your birthday? Mothers day? No, not that, sorry, ummm, our first date you know the day we first.. ummm you know what I mean," the blonde was fast running out of things that had significance in his life when his wife tossed him a bone.
"No Naruto, not my birthday though you did forget it, don't worry so did I. And it's not mothers day, I would remember that day and," at that Sakura raised her fist once again, "IT'S NOT THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FIRST TIME WE MADE LOVE!" turning to Jiraiya she continued speaking, "Ero-Jijii, if you put that in your book, fan or not I will kill you and have Tsunade heal you so I can do it again."
Naruto just looked at Hiruzen and spoke up, "Sorry old man, I can't remember what today is."
"I figured as such," muttered the old man as he took a draw from his pipe, "Today is the day you promised to allow me to re-introduce you to the village or did you forget that?"
No, I didn't forget even though I tried," Naruto answered sullenly, "I was kind of hoping you did though. You know because you and the others are old and all that."
"Well I didn't so you have to get dressed for the occasion. Sakura, you too, since you're his wife and a clan head yourself."
"I understand, I've talked to the Haruno elder council and they have agreed with my suggestion concerning the clan so I plan on announcing the decision at that time," Sakura replied as she glanced at Naruto.
"What decision Sakura?" her husband asked.
Kissing him on the top of his head Sakura just smiled, "You'll have to wait and find out husband of mine, it's a surprise."
But Sakura-chan, that's not fair," the boy cried out.
"Tough, now let's go and get ready," as she pulled her husband's arm she turned to Hiruzen, "What time today?"
"Sixteen hundred so you have a few hours," Hiruzen answered as he went back to the paperwork that seemed to double in the time it took to have that small conversation.
At fifteen hundred hours, three o'clock to you civilians, Naruto and family stood once again in the Hokage's office as Hiruzen spoke to them, "Naruto, Sakura, I want to say that I and your grandparents are proud of you two. You both had the chance to turn your backs on not only Konoha and the Land of Fire but you didn't. You came home instead not knowing how you would be received."
On hearing the man's words the pair stood a little taller and smiled at the compliments as he continued, "Now here you are, ready to make your official appearance and while there are a few die hards the villagers are happy you and your bride are back and in the villages ninja forces. There is one thing I need to tell you, be prepared for a few surprises during mine and Tsunade's speeches okay? Don't worry, they're something that have been in the works while you were away. The next thing is in regards to you and your classmates,"
Hearing that Naruto looked into the man's eyes, his fear was that he would be parted from them after making his promise to continue to train and take missions with them so he focused on Hiruzen's next words, "I want you to start looking at who will fill the positions in your command when you take the seat. You have an advantage in having time to make the connections and judge who will help you continue your great grandfather's belief in the will of fire."
"That's asking a lot Ojii-san, I have a feeling where I want Sasuke and Kiba to be when that happens but.., I'll pay closer attention to the others," Naruto answered not quiet sure as to how she should answer the elder man's statement.
"Just do your best, now, is this what you really want to be presented in?" the man asked looking at the couples clothing.
"What's wrong with these?" Naruto replied as he tugged at his shirt, "These were what a few of our family wore before we joined the Navy and this looks better than the damn things we had to wear."
Sakura sighed, although she liked the look of the uniform herself she still couldn't help but take a shot at her husband and his 'Nordic' features, "That may be true Naruto but face it, you look like you're in the Waffen SS when you wear that thing."
That 'thing' she was referring to was the Navy's discontinued working or office uniform, the service dress blues, other wise known as Johnny Cash's as they were all black with a narrow black tie and matching black garrison cap. Some of the older petty officers the couple knew were still lamenting the loss of that set of clothes some almost ten years after the fact. Naruto always thought they looked sharp so did Sakura but she, and Moegi were wearing a black skirt and white blouse instead, but they still turned heads.
Naruto and the boys wore the blues as prescribed but where the rating badge or crow would be, with the exception of Kono, was to be a patch signifying the consolidated clans instead as he had had his own clan to belong to. The consolidation patch incorporated the Haruno circle over which lay the Uzumaki swirl. The swirl was bisected with the Namekazi lightening bolt running at an angle in a diagonal left hand slant. That signified that owner of the crest, Naruto in this case, was the son of a bastard clansmen. To the left was a fox head superimposed over an anchor while a kunai was clutched in it's mouth. On the right hand side was the Konoha symbol. The consolidation had been a bone of contention to the Hokage-Regent and the new council, especially the clan heads, but Naruto pushed until they all agreed. Minato, being the bastard son of a Namekazi clansman had no legal right to head the Namekazi clan, Konoha's council had made him one in name only in order to gain access to his assets when he passed. However Minato was no fool and hid everything he could leaving little to plunder.
In considering his linage Naruto had decided that he would continue using his mothers name, Uzumaki. Since he was the offspring of a legitimate Uzumaki clan head he was Kushina's legal heir after all and just as his mother was the last princess of Uzu Naruto was the last prince and feudal lord of that devastated country as well. His self appointed mission now and for the future would be to gather the surviving people of Uzu and relocate them to Konoha.
The last clan he was a member of, the Senju, he would leave in Tsunade's hands, she was still able to bear children even at her age and she had finally said yes to dating Jiraiya leading to marriage later on. Let them regrow that side of the family. His only worry would be expanding his family through blood and since they had a second chance at doing that he and Sakura had put that in the 'things to do as soon as we can' list.
Today would be the day that the consolidation would be officially announced. Whether it would be well received was the question. Naruto wasn't worried, he was going to do this regardless. Right now he was just waiting to get this over with. All he wanted to do today was to stay in bed with Sakura, it had been ages since they had that luxury, now he had to make a speech to the very people that used to cures his and Sakura's existence.
Soon the time arrived and the party began to move to the balcony of the Hokage in waiting looked around at his family and friends and began to sing, "one Hokage-Regent, three orphans grumbling, two advisors aging, and a wife in a pear tr.."...WHACK! "Oww Sakura-chan, why did you hit me?"
"Because you've now got that stupid song in my head you idiot. I swear you can't keep your mind on one thing for more than a few minutes," hissed Sakura. Outside she was fuming, on the inside however, Inner Sakura was on the floor laughing. Sakura loved Naruto's sense of humor but she wished he would choose the time for jokes a little wiser.
Still rubbing his head as he walked into the sunlight that was cast on the Hokage's balcony Naruto glared at his wife and began to listen to Hiruzen as the old man began speaking, "...low Villagers, Shinobi and Kunoichi. It's been a few years since I last stood here with my students, now advisers, lay bare the sins and misdeeds of this village. In that time we have made great strides to honor the last wishes of the Fourth Hokage Minato Namekazi for his son."
"While most see him in a different light there are still a few that refuse to see the youngster as no more than the fox incarnate and therefore refuse to honor the wishes of the man they revere as their savior. Fortunately their number grows smaller everyday either from age or accidents," the village knew what the man meant by accidents, those who still actively tried to harm Naruto, Sakura or those close to him would be found dead by ANBU, "In fact their number is so insignificant that it was deemed time a few short months ago to allow Naruto and Sakura to return home, if they wanted to."
As the crowd began to murmur among themselves Hiruzen waited a minute before continuing, "Fortunately they came home to Konoha and spent the last nine months attending the academy in order to join the ranks of shinobi from this years graduating classes. Both children, Naruto and Sakura graduated at the top of their class followed by the heirs of the major clans of the village as well as most of the lesser ones and civilian families. He and his bride Sakura Haruno Uzumaki learned much while in exile learning and training as warriors and leaders"
Looking at the crowed he smiled at the reaction to his words about exile and now he pressed his advantage, "I'm sure most of you might think I misspoke when I refer to their training period as an exile but that's what one calls it when they are forced from their home and can't return to it until they are told it's safe to do so. Even worse when the people that did that to you are the same ones you've sworn to protect with your life. But that's exactly what these two Shinobi had done to them, they were exiled by you, the citizens of this village. For all the talk of loving the Fourth Hokage you spat on his wishes when you refused to see Naruto as what he is, a boy. It still disturbs me that just a few weeks ago a member of the former council thought that the feeling against this couple was still strong and continued mistreatment approved of, insulting them, refusing to let them into an establishment so they could eat and as he was leaving after being fired from the place took a swing on young Naruto."
"Not only was this crime an attack against one of my Ninja, it was a crime against the Hokage and a clan head. Did everyone forget that Naruto is the Hokage in Waiting having been named by Minato Namekazi with his last breath, Naruto's father? I see the looks you have now, but what about the looks of pure joy all of you held as years ago I announced his and Sakura's departure, just prior to revealing the boys true heritage? You should feel as guilty as you look right now as you all disgust me with your past actions. And it is because of the lingering hate against my fellow Hokage and apprentice that I say this. My tenure as his regent is ending, at noon of the first day next month I'm stepping down."
At that statement the crowd gasped, who would lead now after it was announced that Naruto is not yet ready to take the hat? There had to be a mistake somehow. There was no one in the village to take over now, was there?"
Hiruzen smiled at not only the crowd's but Naruto and Sakura's reactions. Putting up his hands to quell the distention that was growing he began to speak again, "I know what all of you are thinking but believe me when I tell you this. I have given this lot's of thought and no one other than Tsunade Senju is more qualified to warm the brat's seat until he's ready. As for myself, I will be training Naruto what he needs to know how to run the village and live up to Minato's expectations. I will also be assuming the role of adviser to my former student. So without further ado, may I present the Second Hokage Regent, Tsunade Senju."
As Tsunade walked to the railing she smiled, she didn't really want the job but she had no choice. Someone else may not want to give up the seat when the time came or they may try to influence Naruto when he took power. No, it was for the best that she would take the seat and the hat. At one point she considered it a fool's errand to be the Hokage, mostly because not only was it her younger brothers dream but her lover Dan's as well. Both had died in service to the village as they aspired to don the hat. That was bad enough. Her greatest loss was when her son, Minato died sealing the nine tails in her grandson Naruto who was chosen by his father to succeed him as the fifth Hokage of Konoha.
Swallowing her fear the blonde woman stopped at the rail and spoke, "People of Konoha, on my grandfather's honor as well as my own and my son Minato's, I promise to lead this village with wisdom and strength. I'm doing this not only for the village my grandfather loved but for my grandson Naruto as well. May Kami look upon us and show us the way."
With that Tsunade turned away and strode back to her partner Jiraiya. As she passed Sakura she gave the girl a gentle nudge and a small smile, "You're on," was all she said as she passed.
Sakura took a deep breath, in her other life she was trained to speak in front of people in her duties as an instructor. Those days however seemed a long time ago as she walked up to the railing. Her pink hair standing out from under her black cap as she grasped the rail in front of her she waited until it was once again quiet and the attention on her. It was a tactic she had witnessed and had done herself many times before. For such a small woman in the other world she could fill a room with her presence.
Now, with the attention on her and not in a situation where she's running for her life she gave a little smirk. Her idiot was taking his first step on the road to his destiny. "People of Konoha, for those who don't know, I am Sakura Haruno Uzumaki. Wife of Naruto Uzumaki and head of the Haruno clan. I was given this opportunity to speak on two issues," pausing to take a breath and barrel on so the crowds have no chance to interrupt she took continued on, "The first concerns my clan. Over the past few months I have spoke to our elders and other more experienced members of my family. After speaking to all concerned it was wholeheartedly agreed that over the next year the Haruno clan will be joining the Uzumaki clan as a branch family as part of Naruto's plan to consolidate the clan's he heads or represents."
At first the crowd was silent at first and then coming from a mass of pink haired villagers cheers and applause. Looking to her husband she smiled at his startled look. Yes, she nodded as she silently confirmed, this is all for you. Turning back to the crowd she continued her speech,
"The second concerns my beloved husband Naruto. As many may or may not know, we have been under a marriage contract from the moment of our births. That being said, there was a clause to the effect that the wedding would be held upon our passing the Genin exams. Well, we got married a bit early while we were on our training trip. In order for Naruto to continue to his dream we need to be wed in the village of our birth, Konoha."
At this she stopped and let that news sink in before she pressed onward. Seeing that she had set the proper mood she once again smiled at her husband and turned to the villagers, "Would Ino Yamanaka and Sasuke Uchiha step forward please."
A pair of voices from behind answered her, "As you wish Lady Uzumaki," as Ino and Sasuke stepped into the daylight.
With Ino as Sakura's maid of honor and Tsunade and Moegi as her bridesmaids Sakura faced her husband. Naruto was still stunned at Sakura's surprises for him as Sasuke, Konohamaru and Udon stood next to him as best man and groomsmen. Stepping up between the couple was Hiruzen with a scroll reading 'Rights of Matrimony'. As he looked at the couple he began what he called the 'short, short version'.
"My friends, it's not a common occurrence that we see a couple brought together by a contract that love their partners as these two in front of us right now. Not only do they love each other greatly but I have seen with my own eyes the lengths they go to in order to see the other safe and happy," looking at Naruto he continued, "Naruto do you take Sakura as your wife?"
"Yes"
Turning to Sakura he did the same, "And do you take Naruto as your husband?"
"Yes"
"Good, kiss each other, you're married."
Looking at the couple he explained, "I saw the wedding pictures of your ceremony. You got your dream wedding then Sakura-chan. This just makes everything legal in the village and country."
Smiling she kissed the old man on the cheek, "I know grandfather, thank you for doing this anyway."
Turning to Naruto the old man smiled, "You're up, I know you don't want to but, do your best."
Naruto smiled back and stepped to the rail after thanking Sasuke for standing next to him, "People of Konoha, as you know I am Naruto Uzumaki, Tokobetsu Genin and the Fifth Hokage in Waiting. I am not interested in assuming the job just yet. It would be presumptuous and an insult to my great, great grandfather, great uncle and my father let alone Lord Third to take that seat and hat without proving my worth."
"On our training trip it was hammered into both of us that actions and deeds carry more weight than a person's family and name. My plan, our plan," he said as he looked at Sakura, "is to start at the bottom and earn the title given to me. I also plan on continuing to use my mother's name so I can honor her sacrifice and loss of her home village. I have another reason for keeping her name. As the bastard son of a clansman my father had no legal right to be the head of the Namekazi clan, it was the former council's idea and I have been told that he never agreed to their decision. He felt that it would be disrespectful to the clan to assume such a title and was concerned that they would never agree to in just on principle alone. That didn't mean they didn't love and respect him, they just couldn't give him that privilege due to clan law regarding that title."
"As such, it was worked out that the Namekazi clan will be a branch family of the Uzumaki clan and allowed to continue their lives as the have always done. The Namekazi clan in fact have given my grandfather Jiraiya the authority to represent the clan in the village council so the fears that I would vote or influence three or four clan seats. Each seat, the Senju, Namekazi and Haruno will be filled by a person from that clan. I myself will occupy the Uzumaki seat as it is part of my heritage."
"Years ago, I was a clanless orphan tossed into the streets hated and unwanted," at that almost all of the crowd lowered their heads in shame. The only ones the didn't were either ones that refuse to say they were wrong or they were new to the village and not in the know.
Naruto took a breath and continued on, "Imagine my, our," looking towards Sakura again as he spoke, "surprise that while I was gone from here that I was told of my true heritage, that not only was I related by blood to three of the four Hokages but the last of the royal line of the Village Hidden Whirlpools. While I enjoyed this news and finally knowing from who and where I came from, it hurt to know why I was hated and still am by a stubborn few. Holding the fox was not something I volunteered for, it was forced on me.
"The sealing, to put it bluntly, was a rape of my childhood more ways than I can count. It was something I didn't ask for yet it was something I was blamed for. This village has never blamed a kunoichi or said 'it was her fault' were she raped on a mission. Yet that is exactly what the older generations did to me, especially the shinobi of this village, you all blamed me for the burden I carry."
As he looked to his wife and the villagers below he held his face in a stoic gaze. He took no pleasure in saying these things yet it had to be done, the pain in his heart over his and Sakura's mistreatment was like an infection that needed to be purged otherwise he would always feel as if he had to 'even the score' somehow with those that hurt them. Seeing the looks of guilt of the many, confusion of the newcomers and loathing by his classmates directed at their parents was not satisfying in the least. It was painful but it showed that many were actually ashamed of their actions years ago. So much that the majority had stepped away from a very small few that to this day openly hated the young blonde. Now that everyone knew how he felt back then it was time to begin healing. Taking another breath Naruto spoke again,
"I see my words have touched many of you and though I should hate and fear you and this village I don't. I love this village and it's people are dear to me. My father and mother died protecting Konoha's will of fire, as they died they entrusted me with it's protection. I have a legacy to live up to, in the First, the Second and finally the Fourth Hokages. All have served and sacrificed for Konohagakure, I was called to serve as well and as my first official act as Hokage...I forgive all that hates or hated me. To carry hate in my heart is something I can't do, it's not in my being. If you constantly hate it will pull you down and you will eventually self destruct, so I will forgive all that have hurt me in the past. But...I will never forget."
Now the next part of his speech was ready to play out. It would be the best prank since he had several of the foxes run through a regional dog show near his and Sakura-chan's house while in the other world.
"My next words are addressed to the agents working for the other villages and nations," with that a number of people were suddenly standing next one or two ANBU handed them a sealed scroll, "While I am Minato's son I am not Minato. I have no quarrel with your homes, especially Iwa and I do wish to see all of the hidden villages become closer. However, I would ask you to tell your Kages that an attack on me, my family or clansmen is an attack on Konohagakure and I will level your homes in return. I may not have my father's techniques yet but I do have my own and while I may not be as powerful as my father I can be just as deadly. So go, tell them that I live and wish to talk to each and every Kage in the continent. The time for war between the villages is drawing to an end."
As Naruto stepped away from the rail the crowd stood in silence as what Naruto said sank in. As soon as it did however they erupted in cheers and applause. Sasuke looked at his friend and smirked, "Good going dope, you have them where you want them. Sakura?"
"Yes?" she replied.
Leaning in he kissed her on the cheek making her blush and Naruto growl, "Thank you for everything you and the dope have done for me and thank you for including me in your ceremony."
Sakura just looked at him and Naruto and smiled, both boys were trying to hold back smiles themselves and it made her and Ino giggle a little bit, "You're welcome Sasuke, you are one of the few that see Naruto for Naruto and accept him as he is."
As the group made their way back into the Hokage's office the crowds began to break up. Naruto removed his cover and spoke up as he sat down on the couch, "Well, that went better than I thought. Did you see the look on those infiltrators faces when I began speaking to them as ANBU stood next to them? I swear they'd just about shit themselves."
"It was one of your best pranks ever husband of mine," Sakura told him as she kissed him on the cheek.
"So...Sakura," Ino began, "How come I've never seen your wedding pictures?"
Sakura froze for a moment then turned to Naruto who nodded. They both knew that this moment would pop up sooner or later but they had hoped it would be later. They had discussed this moment and depending on who was asking would dictate their response. The Uzumaki matriarch looked at her friend for a moment as Ino sensing she hit a nerve spoke up,
"Hey look if you don't want to show me that's fine, it's not like you were pregnant or something," the blonde girl joked.
"No Ino, I wasn't pregnant but our looks may shock you. Sasuke you're welcome to look as well but before you do we have to ask that you both take a blood oath."
Sasuke looked at Naruto with a raised eyebrow, "What's a 'blood oath' Uzumaki?"
"Well, once someone takes it they cannot divulge what they have discussed pertaining to the oath. At first you will experience some pain but if you continue the pain increases until you drop dead. You cannot voluntarily or involuntarily divulge anything covered by the oath, do you understand?" Naruto explained and then asked his friends.
Both Genin looked at each other before Ino and Sasuke agreed to take the oath. As they began to prepare Naruto looked at Sakura and said, "Might as well show them everything since as time goes on they'll be seeing things we can't explain away."
"Yeah, better for them to know everything and get it over with," Sakura agreed, "Let's do this at home since the photos are there."
"Good idea, let's go," Naruto said and led the way to his and Sakura's house. After a short walk the small party was sitting in the Uzumaki's living room with Naruto dismissing the household staff for the rest of the day. On her way out Ren asked if it was that time and was answered by several heads nodding. Once Ren was gone Naruto began the seals that accompany the oath and then placed them on Ino and Sasuke.
After the ritual was done Sakura stood and turned on one of the PCs they owned in the living room as Naruto pulled down a large screen on the opposite wall. Joking about subjecting his guests to 'death by power point' he turned down the lights as a picture flash into life.
"Before we start I want to explain something about our training trip, we didn't do it here, on this world. We were taken by Kurama, better known as the Fox, to a different world. On that world time passes at a faster rate and we...well..." Sakura was at a loss to explain but was saved by Naruto.
"For every year that passes here, several pass there. I'm not sure of the dilation ratio but we grew up faster than we would had we stayed here. Now, this is us shortly after we arrived at our new home."
Click...
This is us after we both won the regional titles for our...let's say taijutsu tournament since the different style names would make no sense here," Sakura said as another pic flashed to life.
Click...
"This was taken on a training exercise in a place call Nylan. We were getting ready to catch some catfish in that canal," Naruto explained.
"But, don't you need a pole Dope?"
Click...
"Not us Sasuke, see, that's Naruto pulling the pin on the grenade," Sakura told her guest.
Click...click...
The next two shots showed a plume of water shooting into the sky. The following one showed Sakura skimming the surface of the canal with a net. The seven catfish either in the net or floating near it surprised the young couple's guests.
"Naruto, I hope you know that using that technique is illegal in the Land Of Fire," Hiruzen warned.
"It's illegal over there too but when you have a lot of mouths to feed it's pretty fast. Don't worry, we won't do that here Jijii."
Pictures flashed on and off the screen again as the couple described what they were. Pictures of their first days of new school years, of their competitions, Sakura in her first automobile. Shots of them at the beach and at concerts were shown, some of the pics would draw Naruto and Sakura into their own little world as they remembered a cherished moment. There was a few pictures of a place that had a large mountain rising up near it's center next to a fairy tale castle. Ino looked at her friends with questions in her eyes.
"That's one of the amusement parks near our city, it's about one hundred miles, umm, maybe two hundred fifty kilometers give or take. We could get there in under two hours if the traffic was light," Sakura explained.
"That far in under two hours? It would take a Genin almost three days!" exclaimed Ino.
"Yeah, that's why we ride in one of these," Naruto remarked as a picture of his vintage '78 Datsun 280Z.
Sakura smiled again at the memory of that day, it was their trip to Los Angeles without Kurama or any of the clan tagging a long. The Fox could stay in a Shadow Clone's body up to about two hundred and fifty miles away at that point and the couple were only going to a concert in Hollywood so it should be safe. As she remembered Ino caught her attention,
"So, you say those can travel fast? Like how fast? Surely not faster than one of the horses the Daimeyo's cavalry could run."
Naruto just smiled foxy smile and said, "Ino, the standard measurement in that world is how much power one horse can produce in a given time yeah? Well the motor that makes that thing move was rated in the hundreds of horse power. Trust us, if we wanted we could have traveled four to five hundred miles in a day. Anyway, next slide...CLICK"
Click...
"Oh Naruto you're going to look soo hot when you grow up...so will you forehead."
"Back off skank, that's my husband you're flirting with!"
Click...
"So dope, you look better in that shot than the others, what's the occasion?"
Click...
"This, and Sakura-chan looked like a dream that day."
"Oh my, Sakura, is that your wedding gown? How old are you in this?"
"Seventeen Ino, we got married just after I turned seventeen."
"Oh Sakura you're..."
"Hnnn"
Soon the people in the in the pictures gradually got older and began to fill out. Naruto was seen on the beach standing next to Sakura and their surf boards. The next shots were of the pair in some kind shiny royal blue robes and what looks like a flattened Hokage's hat.
"That's our graduation from high school, were we grew up you went to school from age 5 to age 17 or 18 and the only things related to being a Shinobi are the martial arts dojo's unrelated to the school you attended," Sakura explained, "Naruto and I actually took courses that would serve us in our lives should we had been told it was too dangerous to return. Besides the reason for the hatred for what my husband carries there are villages and countries that would kill him in revenge for what his father did in ending the Third war. A hero for one place will always be seen as a monster or war criminal in another and that's how Iwa see's my father in law. Should it have been judged to dangerous we would have remained where we were, finished our careers, hell, with the time anomaly we most likely would have been retired from the Navy by now or close to it."
"Anyway, our education level is greater than what was taught to you in the academy. Education is highly sought after and if you lived in a county like we were it was provided to you free of charge. There's a very old saying on that world, 'Knowledge is Power', and that is true. Overall, I would say the two of us have more than fifteen years sitting in classrooms of one sort or another. Now, dearest, next please."
"Hai"
Click
"Ummmm, Sakura?" Ino asked, "Where are are your clothes? Isn't that water cold?"
"Wow! Sis' hair really is pink!"
"NARRRUUUTTOOOO!"
"Opps, sorry love, heh heh."
Click Click Click
After running through a few pics Naruto stopped on a couple more appropriate ones. These were taken when the couple graduated from boot camp. There were more pics, mostly of Sakura because of the nature of Naruto's duties as a SEAL there were very few of him in action. There were more of him relaxing with Sakura while off duty. Naruto then put on the screen a picture of Sakura standing by a strange looking machine.
She was wearing her flight suit with the top of it tied around her waist using the arms. While the lower half was baggy and disguised her lower figure, the black tank top shirt she wore set off her pinkish red hair and displayed her pink nine tailed vixen. The next shot began moving as Naruto hit 'play'...
(Off camera voices) "Hey Vixen! How many?"
(Sakura) "Gimme six cans Sleaze, my fox tells me it's hot where we're going today!"
(Naruto_Behind the camera) "Hey mamma! What's a hottie like you doing out here?"
"Just doing my thing but I prefer your thing better," Sakura then looked into the camera, most likely into Naruto's eyes, and smiled with her green eyes glittering in the sun, "Help me mount this yeah?"
"Fine, and I thought you aircrew were strong."
"We are strong, it's just you love to help me 'cause I'm your adorable wife."
As Sakura's image grew with each step it Ino was making gagging noises at the flirting the couple on the screen were doing. As he got next to her the scene panned down to the ground and a an M240. It became obvious that the camera was mounted on something since Naruto's hands and arms entered the shot and lifted the weapon up to it's mount.
Sakura's face came into view as she locked the weapon in place on it's pintle and then used a large zip-tie to keep it there. The whole time her face was scrunched up in concentration. The next thing she did was to start prepping her ammunition, belts and belts of it. Naruto whispered to his guests that each belt held 250 rounds and Sakura had asked for six so there were three thousand rounds for her gun alone.
Looking into the camera again she smiled, "There, all done, Sly? You finished up yet?"
"Yes mother, I'm all prepped and preflighted. Can I go back to sleep yet? Oh, hi Namekazi, hey, do you think you could get your wife to back off of me for a bit? I need my beauty sleep."
Naruto and Sakura's heads and point of view swiveled into the dark of the helicopter's cabin falling upon a young man laying on some canvas bags.
"Sly, as much as my husband likes you he absolutely loves me. Fat chance he'll stick up for you against me."
Yeah bud, I swore to all the gods in heaven that I would never cross my wife. Just be thankful she likes you too."
"Fine, all you married people stick together anyway, at least get me a snack. I've got armed guard duty out here until we launch."
"Sure, Naruto," at that point she had begun to walk away towards a large building in the background, sensuously swaying her hips as she called over her shoulder, "You coming?"
"Keep walking like that and I will."
At that point the video stopped and another began to run, This one was showing the ground from an impossible height as it rushed passed the open door. Once again the point of view was from Naruto and it looked like Sakura was in his lap and teasing their friends. This time one of the voices had a distorted sound to it as it spoke,
"Two minutes out, somebody want to break up the love birds? Vixen has a job to do..."
Sakura moved from her husband's lap and into the gunner's seat, swinging out her M240 into the slipstream. Looking over at Naruto her eyes danced with mischief as she leaned over and kissed him. That drew cat calls from the people in the aircraft and gagging noises from Konohamaru and his friends.
Over the noise of the cabin a couple of voices were shouting to be heard,
"I love you, be careful down there!"
"Love you to, just make sure you pick me up on time, you know I hate waiting at the office!"
"Thirty seconds, weapons free, I say again weapons free. Anything that moves is hostile."
As soon as those words were spoken Sakura's weapon began to bark and spit fire. Naruto was leaning out of the door looking for targets. As he spotted one he pointed it out and let Sakura do her thing. The sky lurched a few times as they made climbing steep turns and then dove to the ground again. Finally Sakura had stopped shooting and the helicopter's nose pitched up before settling in a hover.
Sakura kept the right side of her bird covered as Naruto and one of his team mates hooked up a long thick rope on a retractable beam and extended it out of the cabin . As Sakura pulled the trigger once more the rope was tossed out the door. Pausing to 'air kiss' his Sakura-chan Naruto leaped from the door to the rope and slid down. Above him the sounds of gunfire and below the ground and it was rushing up to meet him fast. The screen was a green blur as the cameraman rode down the fast rope, his attention on landing safely. As he hit the ground the blonde SEAL turned off his camera and began to run.
The final pictures were of the drug facilities that Naruto and his squad had raided over time. They showed bales of coca leaves that had arrived for processing, the past that contained the raw cocaine extract and the final product. They also showed the working conditions and the impoverished nature of the factories. The dirt floored hovels the workers lived in and the cook houses that were...well filthy in most cases was too kind a word for them.
There were a few more videos that were taken in combat. The assemblage looking at them were all versed in combat and warfare in different degrees, the Third Hokage his students were veterans of actual combat from small infiltration missions to the horror show of full blown warfare. Sasuke and Ino knew from books and lectures of what to expect and the Konohamaru Corps were innocent of the deprivations and the horror show the adults experienced.
No one was prepared for the noise and chaos of what could be called 'modern warfare'. In one video the patrol Naruto was leading was ambushed. Even before the initial shock wore off the men were moving into cover while shooting at anything that moved. The voices were in tongues no one but Sakura and Naruto understood, all yelling in surprise, shock or barking orders.
Between the booms of explosives the fighters weapons punctuated the confusion. In all the combat videos the bark of firearms were heard. Some made fire cracker like pops and others a deeper, more sinister crack-bang. M4 and AK47/74 weapons were the most common but Naruto's team would usually carry a pair of M60 or M249 SAWs to add a bigger punch and to help break an ambush. As the videos played out Naruto ran one last file.
Most of the videos shown so far were of Naruto and squad. This last one was special, this didn't even have Naruto in it until the end. This was what he always considered Sakura's finest moments. The first scenes were of the small girl, remember she was about five foot five when her body finally matured, tending to sick call with the other medics.
Tsunade looked at the wife of her grandson proudly as she watched as Sakura treated minor illnesses and injuries the men came to see her about with a relaxed manner. "Now come on Sleaze, you play with guns, bombs and rockets but needles freak you out?"
"And snakes doc, don't forget snakes. Spiders too...ssss ouch. That it?" the man asked as Sakura gave him an injection of medicine.
"Yeah, you big baby. Next time make sure to take your own water or buy the bottled stuff when you guys are out in town, now how many?"
"How many what?"
"How many of my boys drank the water in that place?"
"Oh, just the normal group six in all counting me, why?"
"Well I need to know if I've got to get more of this stuff. Now," handing him a small bottle of pills, "two a day until they are all gone. At least all of you wrap your junk before exploring those caves downtown so I really can't complain about this. Now, last thing, light duty until the meds kick in, yeah? Send in the next one please."
The scene had changed to Sakura tending to a group of children. Naruto explained that it was her and her medical team's visit to the local orphanage. The team would visit the place on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday to make sure the kids were medically sound and healthy. The other days would see them spending time in the school located on the military base they operated out of. "'Heart's and minds'," Sakura told them, "By treating the locals we have a greater chance of success of winning them over to our point of view." It was also something that she would see implemented and trained in Konoha's Shinobi forces.
The last scenes were the most horrifying, it was a montage from several cameras including the one mounted on the girls flight helmet. They had responded to a MEDEVAC call after a unit from the local military was ambushed. While being able to fight their way out it was not without cost as several bodies lay under the shade of trees.
As she ran to the men in the shade she began to talk in Spanish and broken Portuguese to the army medics that were on the patrol that was hit. On arriving she looked over the first and second bodies, they had already been through triage and tagged with color coded cards, the first three were tagged with black. Nodding she told the medics to provide painkillers to make their last moments comfortable.
The next two were red tagged, the shots were of her reading the tags and rechecking their vital signs. One man was awake and in visible pain. Wondering why he had not been given at least morphine she looked at his dog tags, with the standard two was another one in dark red, reading it she now understood, the man was allergic to the drug. Opening her medical bag she pulled out a lollipop, only this was special as it contained a powerful synthetic pain killer that was absorbed through the tissues of the mouth. Ideally it was placed under the tongue as that had the most blood vessels in that part of the body.
She began to look over the rest and began to order the men with the red tags loaded on the helicopter and taken to the base for emergency treatment. The others were either tagged green, minor injuries, or yellow, non-life threatening injuries that could wait until the next helo. Those still needed treatment but that treatment could be delayed. As the men were getting readied to be evacuated Sakura ran back to the helicopter, the gunner, Sly, had already begun to get her things ready for the flight back.
The video closed out with the men being loaded to waiting ambulances that had been requested on the return flight. Once the men were inside the vehicles her job was done and the last scene was of her walking next to a tall blonde man that had also been waiting for her helo.
"That...believe it or not was a normal day for her," Naruto explained, "In the morning she would hold sick call and then...well as you can see, she stays busy."
Ino looked at the pair for a while before speaking up, "Wow, if I hadn't seen those pictures and videos I would not have believed it. That was really you guys huh?"
"Yes pig, that was really us," Sakura replied as she rolled her eyes.
Sasuke looked at the couple for a moment before speaking, "So, there are places more advanced as ours? Hard to believe, like Ino said, if it weren't for the pictures..."
"Advanced is not always better Sasuke. Here we use jutsu and edged weapons to kill on the most part. In doing so you have to actually look into your opponents eyes as you kill them. It's a great deterrent for keeping the bloodshed to a minimum. Over there we use machines and kill from as long a distance as we could. It...desensitizes a person since you're shooting at a shape and not looking into your targets eyes. Killing hand to hand or close up for the most part means someone messed up," Naruto replied.
"Be that it may," Sakura began, "Very few countries where we were push for going to war. Most of the most powerful ones try to keep the peace and only fight when all other options have failed. That said, the longest period without a war there is two or three years before an insurgency begins and flares across borders."
"Enough talk about that subject, it breaks a rule of ours, never discuss business at home, and this is business. We wanted to show you two where we came from and what we trained in," Naruto explained, Beginning next week you two and the other Genin along with the Jonin Sensies will be put through a very rigorous training period of three to four weeks."
"Now, it's late and we all need rest," Naruto said as he stood up to usher their guests to the door, "Sasuke, Ino, you two are for now the most influential in our class, I'm asking you two to take the coming weeks seriously. There won't be any learning of jutsus for now, I need all of you to be at your peak so if you hear grumbling I'm counting on you to nip it in the bud okay?"
"Sure, as long as it's to get stronger you can count on me," Sasuke replied.
"Okay, I guess. I mean I want to follow my father but I don't want ugly muscles," was Ino's reply.
"Trust me Ino, you won't be ugly afterwards," Naruto said as he tried to reason with the girl, "Sakura worked out everyday. She had to, that medic bag was sixty pounds alone and she still had to wear her survival gear and carry her weapon. Did she look masculine or ugly in those pictures?"
As Ino shook her head Naruto continued, "Trust me, the program for the girls will do more to enhance your beauty than any diet you could think of, and it's healthier. So see you around, night guys."
With that Naruto shut and locked the door. As he made his way to his bedroom he began to shut the lights out in the house. The next week would be the start of a new Shinobi force for Konoha.
A/N:
I know I said that I was going to work on another story for a bit but, well, I had lots of bunnies for this story pop up as soon as I posted the last chapter. As I was writing this chapter ideas for the next chapter started to make themselves known so as soon as this is posted I'll take a break and start telling you all about the hell the new Genin will be put through. This is also going to be the chapter that introduces Team 9 to the newbs. Basically this story drives itself from chapter to chapter and I try my hardest to ensure each chapter fits hand in glove with the others.
I do have a favor to ask, I cannot come up for the life of my a name for the graduating class, a new name for the Rookie Nine and the Konoha Twelve. If nothing else, I will call the teams chosen to take the Chunin Exams the "Rookie Nine", but the K12 should be renamed as they will be the villages SpecWar assets with skills that develop over time to be equal to ANBU. The main difference is that while the kids have lot's of training, ANBU has that and hard earned experience. They will be sent on missions where ANBU would be overkill and normal nins too under powered.
Now, Truth be told, I'm not happy with this chapter at it's end. I wish I could have come up with something better but I couldn't. It's not from lack of trying, I spent at lest five hours per day writing out a few pages and rereading what I had already put done. In fact I put in so much time in this chapter as well as the others I have written that my wife has to take my laptop from my chair since I will fall asleep writing or editing this. So if I say that something I write came from a dream, well now you know. If anyone see's places where I can improve feel free to PM me with your input.
Now, for something I've been meaning to do but never get around to it. While this story has a small amount of reviews, so far they have been positive and supportive. I thank you all very much for the kind words that you have given this story. There are a few readers the I would like to call out and thank in a deeper way.
Skyrere, you are probably the big reason I try to keep things regarding Naruto and Sakura's Navy lives honest with a few exceptions. Since I was not only in the fleet but a Navy brat I personally know you can't BS a Navy Wife. Without you and your sisters the Navy would not be as strong as it is.
7th Demon Of Razgriz, I hope this story has lived up to your expectations.
Yojimbra, Thanks for hanging in and reading. The remainder of the story is in Konoha with the occasional flashback to Earth.
Tsukoblue, Thank you for your reviews and continued reading. I may take your suggestion for Naruto's wives if I do put him in the CRA. At this time though Ayame is more like a sister to him and Sakura so if anything she and her father would be accepted into the clan.
And finally Mrbrightkills, my fellow writer and AU enthusiast, if you hadn't posted your story I would have not been inspired to do this. And if you hadn't issued the challenges for What A soldier Leaves Behind, I wouldn't have considered an AU for Naruto and Sakura like I have. I lay the credit and blame squarely at your feet my brother but I doubt that I could do a severely stressed out Naruto dealing with PTSD that has not only lost his family but his girlfriend as well. How you do it is beyond me but you do it so well. If anyone reading this has not read What A Soldier Leaves Behind do so. It's a well crafted story.
So see you in a week or so with the next update Chapter Nine or How Sasuke put his hate for his brother aside and learned to dislike a log.
