Disclaimer: I do not own anything pertaining to Rumiko Takashi's work. Nor do I own anything by Masashi Kishimoto. Ok I do own this story and characters not in any of the series by the authors of said stories. Anything that sounds like someone else's work is purely coincidental.
The Fox Siblings Ch 10
"Talking"
Shouting
*Sound Affects*
[Written Words]
{ Memory }
Mizuki was mad scratch that he was livid he couldn't believe what he was having to put up with in his attempt to defect from his village case in point his current conversation.
"Even though you of Kumo contacted me about if I could help get a Hyuga that isn't possible. Hinata doesn't have the Byakugan and Neji is definitely out of reach." Mizuki said as he bemoaned his bad luck to a Kumo Jonin he was meeting secretly.
"The girl doesn't have the Byakugan you say." Hitori the nin from Kumo stated before asking. "What is her rank within the clan?"
"She's the daughter of the clan head." Mizuki answered. "But your retrieval of her failed two years ago."
"That was two years ago without inside help." Hitori shot back. "You will be the reason we succeed. Even if she doesn't have the Byakugan herself it's in her genes."
"Then I'll do my best but I'm only one man." Mizuki replied.
OOooOO
Mizuki spent another week finalizing his plan and confirming it with Hitori and now he put it into action.
"Good morning students I have good news and bad news." Mizuki said as he entered the room.
"Good news first." The currently male Naruto called from his seat bored now that his sister was currently off training.
"We get to do a practical test of your map reading skills in the forest surrounding Konoha." Mizuki said as the students cheered. "But first a pop quiz on the history lesson from yesterday." Smiling as the students groaned. 'I so love playing with their emotions like that.'
OOooOO
"I'm sure I flunked." Naruto groaned as she leaned her head against the tree in the front yard of the academy.
"It can't be that bad." Hinata said as she sat on the swing.
"No it's bad you know that me and history don't get along." Naruto answered as Sasuke was rubbing her shoulders.
"Well it's not like history truly effects your performance as a ninja. But you need to know your history to be hokage." Sasuke replied.
"Your not helping Sasuke." Naruto stated as she felt Sasuke stiffen as she too felt a tingle at the base of her skull. "Are you going or should I?"
"I'll go." Sasuke said as she turned to go to the springs and immediately the pull subsided from the other caretakers.
"See ya later." Naruto called as Sasuke left the schoolyard waving just as the bell rang.
OOooOO
"Where's Sasuke?" Mizuki asked as Naruto and Hinata took their seats as they were the last to enter.
"She's at the springs." Hinata answered.
Mizuki while not completely satisfied with the answer dropped the subject as he had been given orders by the Hokage, like every other teacher at the academy, not to interfere with jusenkyo seeing as six of the students and a teacher worked there. Not that he understood any of that but it really didn't concern him. He decided there wasn't a reason not to put his plan into action. "That just means she'll miss out on the field assignment." Mizuki picked up a bundle of maps off of his desk. "These are the maps that you'll be using. There will be a bonus for those that actually finish this."
"What will this bonus be?" One of the other students asked.
"How would getting out of basic navigation sound to the class?"
There was a gasp throughout the classroom because that would mean they wouldn't have to go to two hours of classes a day for three months.
"Did the Hokage okay this?" The lone pink haired girl asked.
"Well Sakura how did you think students that are five and six graduate from the academy?" Mizuki asked in return.
Sakura clammed up at that as if she had to think about it. "Alright if there are no more questions then grab your gear and let's get going." Mizuki said as he stood at the door while Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki where in the hall trying to figure out how they got roped into this as they weren't academy staff.
OOooOO
"Ok here are the rules follow your maps to their completion without getting lost your time limit is two hours." Mizuki told the class before continuing. "You will be split into three man squads for obvious reasons. The teams will be as follows."
Naruto didn't pay any attention to this till her name was called and noted she would be paired with Hinata and Ino.
OOooOO
Sometime later
"Are you sure this is right?" Ino asked looking around the forest.
"Of course it is! –-Maybe. –I'm not sure." Naruto said as she flipped the map over a couple of times.
"Give it here." Ino said angrily then looked it over. "Let's see the sun is still rising so it should be to our back. That means the map needs to be held this way to look right." Ino mumbled to herself before declaring. "Miracles never cease. You had us going the right direction and close to the right path any way.
"You make it sound bad when you say it like that." Naruto said indignantly.
"Oh quit whining." Ino shot back.
"Can't we please not argue?" Hinata asked getting a headache from listening to the pair.
A short distance further they came to the stream indicated on their map as their destination. "Shall we see what's hidden here for us?" Ino asked as she shoved the map onto Naruto's chest.
"That was uncalled for." Naruto mumbled folding the map. "She doesn't even know how to fold a map." She muttered under her breath.
Just as the map was folded an unfamiliar ninja appeared from the surrounding trees by the river in front of them. He released a wave of Killer Intent freezing the three girls out of fear. Smirking the ninja threw kunai at Naruto and Ino. Naruto broke free of her paralysis to push Ino out of the way taking the kunai meant for her. This shocked Hinata loose of the effects of the KI as she ran up to Naruto. "Naruto are you ok?" Hinata asked worried.
"Is Ino ok?" Naruto asked in pain.
"Y-y-yes I'm fine." Ino stuttered out shaking in fear as she crawled over to Naruto.
"That's good." Naruto added before she blacked out.
OOooOO
Naruto came to in what appeared to be a sewer. "Where am I?" She asked aloud as she followed the tunnel.
"You are pathetic." A booming voice said quietly from behind a set of large double doors.
"Whoareyou?" Naruto asked quickly in surprise as she tried hiding herself in the cavern she found herself in.
"I must say. I find it intriguing that you think of yourself as a girl even in your mind when you transform." The voice said not answering the question.
"Of course I'm a girl at the moment. Why would you think I'm not?" Naruto said looking at the overly large doors.
"Most that suffer the malady you have acquired would do their best to try and be rid of it." The voice said as a large silhouette became visible.
"I more or less wanted this curse." Naruto answered as she stared almost breathlessly at the large silhouette.
"You intrigue me so I will help you." The voice said as the silhouette became visible to her.
"You're the nine-tails!" Naruto in surprise as she fell back against the wall in fear.
"So what? You're my Jinchuriki." The Kyubi stated as he lay down.
"Jinchuriki?" Naruto asked confused.
"Yes." The Kyubi answered as chakra that was so dense it was visibly tangible began to waft through the bars. "Now make good use of my gift." With that Naruto faded from within her own mind.
OOooOO
"Now now be a good girl and die so that there won't be any witnesses." Hitori said almost soothingly as he slowly walked toward Ino and Hinata twirling a kunai. He stopped his walk as he felt a pulse coming from the girl he had struck first. "What is this?" Hitori asked as he watched dense red chakra forming around her as he stood frozen in fear as the three before him had been when he first arrived.
"Now that isn't any way to treat children from another village." Naruto said as she sat up and opened her eyes. Rather than their usual blue they where red with slitted pupils. There was more than just her eyes that had changed her hair had become longer and wilder, and the whisker marks on her cheeks had also darkened and widened. "I can't just stand by while people precious to me are in danger."
'I'm one of her precious people?' Ino asked herself as her cheeks reddened in embarrassment.
While she was thinking this Naruto had launched herself at the Kumo Jonin punching her fist threw his body killing him instantly as the momentum carried the two into the river and the current carried them away.
"Naruto!" Hinata called out in despair as she collapsed seeing her adoptive sibling sink into the water disappearing.
"Naruto sacrificed himself for me?" Ino asked herself aloud in a daze as she watched what was occurring around her.
OOooOO
Mizuki felt the KI coming from where Naruto Ino and Hinata even though he was some distance away. He smiled hoping that the Kumo Nin would kill the demon so the village would be rid of him. Then he felt an oppressive powerful KI that he had felt only once before. 'That idiot did he release the nine-tails?' Mizuki asked himself cursing under his breath as he headed toward the felt location.
When he arrived he took stock of the situation Hinata appeared to be distraught and Ino looked dazed not really processing what was happening. 'Where are the nine-tails and my partner?' He asked himself. 'It appears that they fell into the river so I should start heading downstream.' Without revealing himself to the girls Mizuki left.
While all of this was going on Kotetsu and Izumo felt all of it occur and after meeting up with each other determined that it would be a good idea to cut the exercise short. Izumo went to inform the Hokage while Kotetsu went around and gathered the students together to get them back to the village.
OOooOO
About an hour prior to this Iruka had run into Kotetsu as he was directing some students down the hall. Prompting him Iruka was able to learn that they where performing a field exercise. Iruka had been having a bad feeling all day and now he thought he had confirmed his feeling. Following this feeling Iruka went to visit the Hokage.
"How can I help you Iruka?" Hiruzen asked as Iruka entered the room. "Aren't you supposed to be observing Asuma's class about now?"
"I should be but I wished to warn you of a possible problem. As I've been having a bad feeling since this morning about something to do with Naruto."
"Please continue." Sarutobi prompted wishing to hear what he had to say.
"Well Kotetsu told me in passing that Mizuki had roped Izumo and himself into keeping an eye on his students."
"And what is Mizuki attempting to do?" Hiruzen asked.
"It appeared to me that it was a navigation exercise as the students were split into teams with a map in hand." Iruka explained.
Hiruzen raised an eyebrow at this. "That's news to me. While I do allow things like this I would have had a few ANBU assigned to the exercise for safety purposes as it takes place outside the village walls."
"Then I wish for permission to check on them sir."
Sarutobi scratched his chin as he thought about it. "Permission granted." Bowing Iruka left in a swirl of leaves. "Get me dog." The Hokage ordered through the intercom. A few minutes later an Anbu with a dog mask on entered the room. "Dog you can remove your mask in here."
"As you wish Hokage." Kakashi stated removing his mask.
"You are aware of the question concerning Mizuki's loyalty." Sarutobi stated.
"Who among the Anbu hasn't?" Kakashi asked.
Nodding Hiruzen continued. "Mizuki has organized an extracurricular activity outside the village without my consent. That said I would like for you to go check on them."
"Right away lord Hokage." Kakashi said as he put on his mask and left.
OOooOO
Naruto came to laying on the riverbank some distance downstream of her starting point. "My head. What happened?" She asked groaning as she sat up.
"That's what I'd like to know young one." A voice stated startling her.
"Who are you?!" Naruto asked jumping up and spinning around catching sight of the person in question.
"That's a good question." The white haired man with red robes said as he stood up from his fire. "I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it with my own eyes you really do change into a girl." He stated before standing and striking a pose. "As for who I am." He began as he twirled his hair in a wide circle. "From the North to the South and the East to the West. Not even the spirits can defeat this Sannin. The white maned toad charmer. A red hot ninja that strikes fear into the hearts of men. I am the one and only master Jiraiya."
"Uh huh?" Naruto asked an anime sweatdrop appearing while she asked herself. 'What's up with this whack job?'
You could see the gloom collect around Jiraiya at this reaction. "Fine I might as well get to the business at hand." He stated sitting back down as he became serious. "The Hokage has given me orders to take you to the person that'll be your Sensei."
"What about my friends?" Naruto asked.
"They'll be fine you killed the ninja that attacked the three of you. I'm sure the Hokage will explain all of this to them."
"Oh is this person any good?" Naruto asked excited glad to hear Hinata and Ino where fine.
"Well you'll find out if you'll follow me." Jiraiya said flashing a victory sign.
OOooOO
'Crap that's Jiraiya. I can't do anything against one of the Sannin. Oh well I might as well leave.' Mizuki thought as he left. Jiraiya though had seen his arrival and departure.
OOooOO
A short time later Kakashi arrived to the same spot. Having spotted where Naruto had landed ashore he had a look around he noticed where Mizuki had arrived and then left but he was unable to ascertain where Naruto had gone. Because of his dilemma Kakashi summoned Pakkun one of the nin-dogs he had a summoning contract with. "Hey Kakashi long time no see." Pakkun said in greeting.
"Good to see you as well unfortunately there isn't any time for pleasantries. Naruto has disappeared and I need your help to find her."
Pakkun's ears perked up as high as a pugs could at hearing this pronoun. "Her? Isn't Naruto a boy?"
"About six months ago he acquired the ability to become female when he comes into contact with cold water." Kakashi explained quickly. "Seeing as Naruto just exited the river it is safe to assume that his current gender is female."
"I see." Pakkun said thinking a minute before adding. "You really need to summon me more often so I can keep up on current events."
"I'll keep that in mind now please sniff out what went on here." Kakashi asked as calmly as he could.
Nodding Pakkun began to do just that. "Hmmm. It appears that someone female left the water here and walked around this general vicinity a short time while in the company of another."
"Can you identify who it is?" Kakashi asked anxiously.
"Smells like Jiraiya." Pakkun declared sitting down. "Should I follow?"
"Yeah we should hurry." Kakashi answered deciding to ignore the other person that had been here.
OOooOO
Jiraiya and Naruto had almost made it to the nearest town outside of Konoha when Kakashi caught up to them. "It's been awhile master Jiraiya."
"Uncle Kakashi what are you doing here?" Naruto asked as Kakashi had removed his mask awhile back.
Ignoring her Jiraiya answered. "It has been awhile Kakashi. All you need to know is that what I'm doing is approved by the Hokage."
"What's to stop me from taking Naruto back with me?" Kakashi asked calmly.
"You know you can't stand up to me in a fight Kakashi. So how about you just stand aside and let me continue my mission."
"Naruto is my responsibility. Why would I let him/her out of Konoha without a good reason?" Kakashi asked.
"What would you do if I where to tell you it was for her own good?" Jiraiya asked.
"I'd ask how?" Kakashi shot back.
"I can't tell you. That's an S-class secret." Jiraiya answered.
"I know other S-class secrets about Naruto."
"It's not my place to say. You'll have speak with the Hokage about that." Jiraiya said before asking. "Knowing that will you let me pass?"
"I don't want to but it appears that I have no choice in the matter." Kakashi answered.
"Thank you Kakashi now I have a message for the Hokage." Jiraiya stated.
A minute later Kakashi grudgingly left.
"What did Kakashi mean by that?" Naruto asked.
"Like I told him you'll find out in due time." Jiraiya answered before asking. " Shall we be off?"
"Yes." Naruto said excitedly. "I'm getting the short cut to being a ninja." She giggled happily.
Jiraiya stopped cold at this before slowly turning toward Naruto with a dark look in his eyes. "First I'd like to make one thing clear. There is no such thing as shortcuts anything that appears like it'll be a quicker route will just put you further back because you'll come to rely on it." Then suddenly his face changed from serious to playful. "So do me a favor and work hard and maybe I can get some research material from you."
"Eh?" Naruto said thrown off by the whole doom and gloom.
By this time they had arrived at the small village where Jiraiya directed Naruto to a bar where she was left outside while Jiraiya checked out the interior of the shop. Coming back to the door the Toad sage ushered Naruto into the building where a cloaked figure sitting at the bar was the loan occupant of the room.
"Here's your student." Jiraiya declared solemnly.
Naruto felt awkward and fidgety under the scrutiny when it was interrupted by the person standing and pulling the hood back revealing a young woman with purple markings on her cheeks and a warm smile adorning her face. "Hi I'm Rin Nohara jinchuriki of the three tails nice to finally meet you Naruto."
OOooOOooOO
No I'm not crazy.
No Shane you are insane.
Oh come on I'm not that bad.
No? Could have fooled me. That's all we have to say. Other than Happy holidays see you sometime next year. Please R&R on the way out.