Here, fishy fishy fishy!!!! Another chapter for all of you!
Thank yous and review responses:
- HikariNoTenshi-San, DarkRavie, WolfDragonGod, childofflameandwave, FF-loverHP1, Kakashifangirlnumber1000, god of all, think-pink-jess
- alec-potter – Hana isn't a part of Naruto's harem, because she has another pairing. You'll see.
- Helper monkey – No offense taken. To be honest, I haven't wrote much on the technique yet, because I wanted to understand more about it…and you've done all my research for me…haha. Thank you very much, truly. I wasn't planning on getting into the Hiraishin until WAY later…like…many chapters from now…eons…haha. I'll shut up now. But again, thank you for the information. It'll make my story seem more legit. LOL.
- NaruTayuya Fan – I have no plans of killing her off. Tayuya actually came to mind for the harem, but I wanted to stop at five. I've considered her more for Sasuke, honestly. It's not much consolation, but Sasuke isn't an asshole in this fic…I'll try to work on this confusion thing.
- darkjedi35 - it'll take me a while, but I'll get there!
- DJ Rodriguez - why thank you!
- Jehnto - not to sound braggy, but I've always been told I go into detail. Thing is, half the time I feel like I give to much detail. Now a days, a lot of authors just jot down the basic: what's going on, where the character is going, dialogue, and very few other details. Thing is, to me, some of those stories are amazing, because they don't clutter with information, which is what a lot of readers want these days. But, thank you for the compliment. It makes me feel so…sorta official as an author. Haha
- Forlornsolanum - I reread the chapters, and you are absolutely right. The chapters just seem to drag on with information and they feel like fillers until I get to real action. Hopefully this fire you speak of will come back. As for Sasuke, I know, I smile at the idea of their friendship not being fucked up by the mangaka. I'm so pissed at Kishimoto (sp?) for how the manga is turning out now. It makes me really happy to hear that people loved my Kushina. I LOVED my Kushina, and I was so proud of her one and only chapter. Thanks!
- dbtiger63 – Ok, first off, the second I saw your reviews, I started bawling. I kid you not. It made me incredibly happy, and they have egged me on to finish up this chapter. I'm glad that you think this is the best and a compelling story, so I hope that I can live up to that and get out of this writer's block and churn out this story with great chapters. The part with Naruto and Itachi was painful for me, but it had to be done, because I don't see many others doing these types of things, and it is important later on. As for Kisame's role, you'll see. Haha. It took me a while to realize the difference between a story teller and a writer, but thank you, because it really does mean a lot.
- Whispers12 – the original fight I had between Sakura and Naruto was even more bad ass, but I had to slim it down a lot. Thank you!
- JKArcanus – College is a SUCCUBUS!!!!
- Crepusculum Angelus – I'll work on that in the future, thank you.
Words of the Wolf
- I am so clever that sometimes I don't understand a single word of what I am saying.
- Why are there six pedals when there are only four directions! – RvB, Caboose
Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or its original characters. I do, however, take claim to this plot and my characters. No touchy!
Senpuu
"Sasuke, concentrate on the fire inside…Do you feel it?" Mikoto glanced at her son, who was currently sitting in the middle of a large pond, in the outskirts of the Namikaze compound. Her youngest son nodded his head after a while, his eyes still closed as he breathed in and out evenly.
"Good. Now, like you did early, split it in as many segments as possible." Sasuke's face contorted in concentration, sweat dripping from his brow as his eye twitched slightly. It looked like he had succeeded, yet when he opened his eyes to look up at her, once again he fell into the murky water. She sighed, but the corner of her mouth pointed upwards.
That was the eighth time in a row this morning.
Sasuke broke the surface of the pond, sputtering and coughing out the water, and after he shook his head, he used his chakra to climb above the surface of the water, and stood facing his mother. Mikoto chuckled at the look on his face, as some of the pond grass dangled from his hair.
"How about we take a rest. The fish are probably tired of you dropping in on them." Her son scowled, making her bite her lip to hold in her laughter.
The two walked off the pond and back onto land, swerving through the many trees of the compounds forest towards the Head Namikaze home. Mikoto spoke up,
"You are doing much better, but you lose concentration as you are ready to release the balls. Is something else coming to mind?"
Sasuke looked off to the side, but after a few minutes, he answered, "Okaa-san…are you sure this is a good idea? I mean…"
Mikoto's eyes softened, knowing precisely his hesitation. She stopped, and reached a hand out to her 8 year old boy, her soft pale hand on his baby face cheek.
"Sasuke, this is for the best. You want Naruto back, right?" He nodded his head, his black eyes showed a bit of the sadness he felt.
Naruto had only been back a week, and Sasuke knew he still had nightmares. He knew that every night, an adult went to the blond's room and quieted his screams and cries as he woke up from whatever Itachi's genjutsu had put him through. Naruto refused to tell Sasuke just what he saw, but it didn't take the young Uchiha long to figure out that it was a consequence of the Tsukiyomi.
Naruto had always been a big hugger, and he loved a good spar. Now, his muscles flinched just slightly before anyone touched him. He froze up when he fought with anyone, and got hurt because it took him so long to get over what ever he saw in his unseen vision. And just three days ago, when Sasuke had snuck up on Naruto when he had come back from school, the blond had reacted badly to their usual game and greeting.
Sasuke…did not like this. It was like someone else had taken the place of his best friend. His mother, Saki-obaa-sama, and even Hotaru-chan all told him it would take Naruto time to be himself, but that wasn't good enough for Sasuke. And he had told them so.
So, his mother had collaborated with the others, and for some reason, it was decided that Sasuke would learn a new technique. It made no sense to him, but he obeyed. He just didn't see how teaching him advanced fighting techniques would get his blond brother back.
Mikoto's voice broke his thoughts, and he listened, "Do you trust me, Sasuke?"
"Hai, okaa-san."
"Do you trust the Namikaze?"
He replied the same again. This time she asked,
"Do you trust yourself to have the resolve to do what must be done?"
He cocked his head, eyes narrowed. Just what did she mean by that? Mikoto let her hand fall to her side, an odd look on her face.
"Until you can give me an answer, you will need to continue doing practices on your own. Because if you can't find your answer, you will not master this level, or pass any other obstacle you will ever have."
She continued on walking to the house, and he was quick to follow, a half step behind. When they entered through the hidden side doors, they split ways, and Sasuke went to his room in Naruto's section to go and take a shower before grabbing a lunch from the kitchen. Going through his shoji door, and opening one of the fusuma of the first floor of his bedroom, he was surprised to see he had a guest waiting.
Hotaru was sitting on her knees at the low table in the center of the 1st sectioned room, dressed in her finery of many long sleeved kimono, her bright blond hair was gathered up into a bun with some trinkets dangling. Sasuke hid his blush by coughing into his hand as she turned her gentle gaze towards him. A smile lighted her pretty face,
"Sasuke-kun, I'm glad your back."
He managed to hide his red cheeks by walking passed, opening the fusuma to the next sectioned room, his back to her as he asked, "What did you need, Hotaru-san?"
Hotaru's smile faltered a little, but she didn't let it phase her. "I came here to ask on your progress."
Sasuke unknowingly frowned, his stomach sinking a little. He answered bluntly, "I'm stuck on a certain step."
He was fumbling with a box of supplies off to the side and out of her view, trying to find his favorite ink brush. After a minute, she responded, still brightly and cheerful.
"You'll find a way. I know you will."
He could hear the fabric of her silks swish as she stood up and walked out of his room, the only thing signaling the movement of the Namikaze daughter. The doors slid and clacked to announce the fusuma and shoji were both shut. Sasuke let out a sigh, and stopped looking through the box, not needing a focus object anymore.
Tossing his clothes off as he stepped into the bathroom off to the side of his room, he turned on the hot water, drenching him in the heat, letting his thoughts fall away and surface on their own. Hotaru popped up instantly, soliciting a blush from him once again.
At first he had been a bit sketchy with the idea, being forced to marry someone, least of all more than one girl. But, it had surprised him greatly at learning that Hotaru had all but volunteered herself to be his binding wife to the Namikaze. He had overhead the elder Namikaze discussing it, saying what a great match it was and that Naruto would approve in time.
It had offended Sasuke, that they would presume Naruto would agree to it, but he was surprised once again when Naruto consented to it. So, there was no use fighting it.
But even though he was 8, Sasuke understood what Saki had meant when she teased him about having many children with her great granddaughter. And since then, it made him all too aware of the fact that the two of them were different.
Gratefully, his thoughts drifted in another direction. Ever since Naruto came home, Hotaru raced home from school to meet the fellow blond, since he tended to get away from his tutors by that time. And for the past week, they disappeared for a few hours until dinner. No one even bothered to ask what they did. But Naruto came back bruised and with cuts that disappeared after the night.
The thought of Naruto somehow twisted to clothes.
Getting out of the shower and drying off with a nearby towel, he went to his closet to find some simple kimono to put on. It had been extremely weird, adjusting to the Namikaze's style of wearing elegant kimono in layers and all the time. Unlike many other ninja, who wore their training outfits or had clothes that were prepared for battle, the proud Namikaze were very much like the Hyuuga, and wore the seemingly impractical finery.
Until Sasuke had learned of the nature of the clothing. He didn't know if it was just years of practice, or the heavy layers of clothes, or the difficulty in moving in the kimono, but he knew that the Namikaze clan was filled with great ninja. Just as Hotaru had left his room a while ago, the ninja in the family were all extremely quiet when walking, or running, as he had seen the youngest children, Kumiko, Manami, and Katashi do so. Hotaru was quiet in her steps, as were her brother Ichirou and their older cousins, but their presence was known by the sound of breath and clothing.
But the elders of the family, you could not hear them unless they let you. You knew who had the skill in the family just by the way they walked. And the fights between Sayuri and Ume, both dressed in their kimonos, had left a deep impression on him. They were amazing, moving like the breeze as they went after each other.
A shiver ran down his spine as he pulled on his top dark blue kimono. As great as they were, it scared him at how much power they had in one touch. He had to get married to Hotaru, who was one of them.
Finally making his way to the kitchen, he piled together a sandwich, devouring it quickly at the need of some energy, and went back to his section, going into the garden and lying in the lush grass. The sounds of trees swaying in the slight breeze, the birds chirping as they festered with their nests, and the mini waterfall pouring into the small pond came to Sasuke's ears, relaxing him a little. He heard a hushed pop as one of the koi fish went to the surface of the water, probably catching another insect for food.
This reminded him of what his mother had said earlier about disturbing the fish, which led to the training. The resolve to do what must be done…What did she mean?
"Naruto-ouji, please, concentrate!" Hotaru scolded once again. The two were in a sparring match off in the woods, and once again, he had frozen up as she came at him. Naruto nodded warily, his eyes a bit wild and haunted. This practice was driving him crazy for several reasons.
First, she was attacking him, resulting in him stopping in his tracks when his vision transferred back into the red world.
Second, she was by no means gentle.
Third, she was ridiculous in her speed.
Four, he could not use the Kamigan, or his instincts.
He raised the bokken once again, as did she, the hilt near her ear as the wooden blade was aimed straight to his neck. He swallowed once again, preparing his stance, the same as hers. It wasn't even a second later that she launched at him, sword sliding down to her side, and she rose it up as she came in range, swinging at him so quickly that he almost didn't see it, and he barely managed to step back and block it.
But she didn't stop at that. She pulled back to strike, but as he moved to parry, it turned out to be a feint, while she thrust the blunt edge of the sword into his stomach, no mercy as he lost his breath once again at the force.
Falling to the ground on one knee, he coughed as he regained air again. Hotaru stood above him, saying nothing or doing anything as he stood up shakily once again. She shook her head as he looked up at her.
"Let's take a break for a while."
She moved to walk over to the stream running near their practice field, and she climbed up onto one of the large rocks near it. Naruto settled himself onto another one near her, happy to have some respite. Neither said anything, as he laid back on a flat part on the rock, and she just listened to the water, in a meditative state. Her voice startled him a little.
"Naruto-ouji…what did you see?"
Sky blue eyes blinked, turning to stare at her. He immediately answered, his voice strained, "I don't want to talk about it, Hotaru-nee."
She gazed at him, her jaw set and her brow furrowed, and he knew she was not in anyway backing down. It was a look that his entire family had, it seemed, and it was a stubborn determination that he had as well. But when it was turned against him, he could understand just a little as to why people got so irritated with him some times.
"Naruto-ouji, how do you think you can get over it, if you don't talk about it?"
"Hotaru-nee, I talked about it for a whole month. I don't need to talk about it anymore."
She snorted quietly, "Do you really believe that?"
A quiet came between them again, and Hotaru sighed after awhile, stepping off her rock and landing the 5 feet without even telling the difference.
"Come on, let's go for another round. Your Namikaze eyes are getting a little better, and you are getting better at stopping the Kamigan from appearing."
He was glad she didn't even comment on his reflexes and reaction time. It was getting embarrassing hearing it from the others.
"Ah, Namikaze-sama, the same?" The street vendor asked the young girl, who stuck out like a sore thumb. Anyone in Konoha could tell just who a Namikaze was, like a Hyuuga. They wore many fine kimono, and dressed their hair up with trinkets, the air around them tantalizing with strange perfumes. Against the dampened hum drum of the market areas, it was like watching a deity walking through the streets.
Hotaru smiled wanly, extending a hand out to the man she visited often for her treats. He passed over the brown sack of buns, the smell wafting up to her nose, a sweet aroma of pastries. With a swift motion, she dropped a few ryuu bills into his hand, waving a slight good bye, and cheerfully began her long trek through the market back to the compound, the sun still bright in the sky.
Today Naruto had late lessons with his friend Shino's father, so lessons with her were cancelled. She didn't mind it, seeing as for the past week and a half, there had been no progress. Sometimes she felt she was pressing to fast, but seeing that look of terror on her cousin's face every time some one came at him really got on her nerves.
Naruto was the heir of the Namikaze. A position she once held, with many years of practice and discipline. In no terms did she despise him, in fact, she was thankful to him. While she knew she could take care of her younger cousins and brother, she knew that she would never be able to handle the entire clan. It hurt her at the idea of having to make such decisions as Saki-obaa-sama had in the past.
No, Naruto was Hotaru's savior, by her father finding him, and the clan returning to Konoha. She knew when she first met him as he was presented to the family, that Naruto was truly the clan heir. That Naruto could, and would become Hokage one day as well, and bear the many burdens already placed on him.
But this...this constant nightmare in his being, in his every moment…it scared Hotaru. Naruto was falling apart and no one knew how to put him back together. No one, his friends, not even Sasuke, his best friend, seemed able to reach him, as he held everyone off at a distance. At this rate, Naruto would no longer be fit as the heir. And this, Hotaru did not approve of. She had entrusted the future of their clan to him, and he was failing them all.
Not for a second would she pretend to know what he saw when someone came at him during a spar, or when someone was merely reaching a hand out to hug him or ruffle his hair. And she did believe that it must be excruciating, to deal with it every second of the day, to have it in the shadows of his mind, ready to seize him at any chance.
But this could go on no longer.
Grabbing a pastry from the bag, she bit into the steaming bun, chewing tenderly on the meat and sweet beans. Relaxing a little, her mind wandered to her surroundings instead of the constant forethoughts of her mind. Listening to the gossip of villagers was sometimes a fun past time, and you gathered information just as well, as her elders had always told her. While she strolled down one street, her hearing caught onto a tidbit of conversation that peeked her interest. Stopping at a fabric vendor near by, she admired the silks while listening into the gossipmongers.
"…that bitch, thinking that she could do what ever she likes. I don't see how the Hokage keeps her around, the apprentice of that snake. She should have been killed, for the crimes committed!" said an older man, lighting up his cigarette. Another man helped him when his matches wouldn't light, and he responded.
"Maybe the Hokage thinks she is a reformed kunoichi. But I don't see how, after the rumors I'd heard. Messed up, she was. Now look at her, a sadistic thing that goes around flaunting herself. Remember that story last week with Ol' Taro? Well, it's true, what she did to him. And she got no punishment for it, either."
A round of gasps spread through the group, and grumbles and curses were not quieted. Hotaru's mind quickly sifted through their conversation. Snake. There was only one person she remembered in her lessons given such a name, said with the same venom of its creature. Orochimaru. But, she didn't know he had an apprentice. Or at least, her lessons had never said anything about an apprentice.
"…always hanging out at that dango shop, Mikari's. I don't know how they put up with her patronage. I wouldn't allow her in my store even if she was richer than the Daimyo."
Hotaru felt her anger rise a little, but not in defense of this unknown person. There conversation reminded her of the one's Naruto had with the family as he explained his past. And he had been innocent. So, while this person might have actually deserved the scorn of the villagers, she despised that it was so much like Naruto's situation.
With out any more information, she continued on her way, ignoring the stares of the villagers as they parted a little on the packed streets to make room for her. Mikari's wasn't to far from her usual path home, so Hotaru decided to take a different route. Mikari's was a small little shop, an open restaurant much like the Icharaku's Naruto was fond of, though Mikari's main selling dish was dango, advertised everywhere.
Despite being ten, she still wasn't tall enough to touch the high curtain of the entrance, so she lifted her arm, knowing that a wire attached a bell, ringing in the back to announce a customer's presence. And just as she was climbing up the worn blue cushioned stool, a worker came out, with a well worn robe and smudged up apron. It was a genial old lady, smiling brightly over the counter down at Hotaru.
"Well, hello, little one. Never seen you before. Well, what would you like?"
Hotaru bit her lip. She had come here on a whim, not exactly having planned out what she was doing. But it was too late to back out now, as ideas stormed in her head.
"I am looking for a woman who comes around here a lot. Of a…flaunting nature."
Hotaru needn't say more, as the elderly woman's face became clouded, and Hotaru couldn't read her expression. The once kind voice became firm,
"And why do you wish to meet this supposed woman?"
Hotaru swallowed hard. She didn't want to get kicked out, and not at least get this mysterious woman's name. She smiled softly, grabbing a hold of the menu.
"My family has some business with her. My obaa-sama told me I could find her here, but told me no name. Just a vague description."
The woman's eyes narrowed, her voice a little strained.
"And what family business is that?"
Hotaru shined her teeth as she smiled broadly now,
"Namikaze family business…oh, I'd like the number five, please. With black tea."
The old woman stood frozen for a few seconds until she moved rigidly to the back kitchen. Hotaru released a deep sigh with relief. She hadn't been kicked out, at least. A bit saddened that her buns would go cool, she reminded herself that if she actually met this woman, it could knock two birds with one very large stone. That is…if she would agree…A large gamble on Hotaru's part, but if this worked, it would be worth it.
A few minutes later, a steaming pile of dango was brought forward on a plate, along with a cup of tea, and a napkin. Thanking the older woman, Hotaru dug into the sweet treat, savoring every bite, sipping the tea slowly. The older lady had stayed in the back after that, as if trusting Hotaru to pay and let herself out. Disappointed, Hotaru moved to use the napkin to wipe her mouth, when she noticed something.
On the inner folds of the napkin, was black writing. It was hurried, but Hotaru could make it out.
'Mitsarashi Anko.'
A little further down, it gave the apartment address, which the owner must have known either for delivery or for a tab keeping address.
Her spirits raised, Hotaru finished her black tea and left a large tip along with the meal's cost before leaving the shop, and went on her way, her stomach pleased though not full just yet. Checking the sun above, she knew she still had a lot of time to take a quick trip to this Anko's home. Grabbing into her brown bag, she began nibbling onto another lukewarm bun, brushing another of her trinkets out of her face.
Sometimes she was annoyed by the finery her family displayed at all times. Always had kimono on, always with hair pieces that tinkled and chimed, sometimes wearing annoying make up. It was a stupid practice, though she knew why they did it. Not only was it for practicing their infiltration skills, but it required a certain finesse and precision to be quiet when wearing all of it. But sometimes, she would love to just wear clothes like the other kids. She had her training uniform, like Naruto and the others, but it would be nice to not live everyday in such confinement of rules. An image of her blond cousin popped up in her mind, when he was flustered at being adorned in the family dress code, and she sighed. He had not been pleased, either.
It was a half an hour later when Hotaru reached her next destination. It was a part of the many block housing for shinobi and kunoichi who were still basically single, and living on their own. Many were chounin and jounin, and gone on many long term missions. Climbing the stairs of one of the buildings, she was passed by several shinobi who were lazily walking down the stairs instead of jumping the great distances. All of them glanced at Hotaru oddly, curious or just dismissive after a second.
Reaching the fifth level, she went down the hallway to the ninth door on the left, and with out hesitation, Hotaru knocked. She knew it was unlikely that this woman would be here, but it was worth a try. Knocking again, she waited a minute before continuing again. For ten minutes, she banged at the door, but just as she was to turn, the door swung open, and a woman stood there with a revealing fish net shirt and short gray mini skirt, purple hair strewn about around her, and brown eyes glaring.
"WHAT!?!"
Hotaru blinked. This was the sadistic woman others had been talking about? She seemed cranky, and a bit hung over, but that was the most Hotaru could gather in a few seconds of meeting her. The 20 or so old woman was still ruffled up, but she seemed relatively calm as she stood tall, crossing her arms over her buxom chest. She asked again, though not as loudly,
"What?"
Seeing this as her chance, Hotaru bluntly got to the point,
"I need your help, Mitsarashi Anko."
The dumbfounded look on the older woman's face was actually quite comical, as she stood in her door way, her jaw dropped and her body slumped a little, eyeing Hotaru as if she was by far the craziest person in the world.
"Bwah?"
Hotaru bit her lip to stop from laughing. Naruto was right, the reactions of adults are actually rather funny if you throw them a shuriken instead of a kunai.
"I'll just let myself in."
With that, Hotaru snuck around Anko, entering the apartment. It was a one bedroom place, like all the others, a wall was all that separated the kitchen and living room from the bathroom and sleeping area. Everything was cramped into the room, mostly clothes and cans of alcohol, some kunai and shuriken imbedded in the wall attacking a crude picture of a man. The place smelled musky, but despite its appearance, it did not smell horrendous, which could be attributed to the incense burning on the kitchen table.
Cleaning off one of the two chairs, Hotaru sat down, clearing some space to place her brown bag. It didn't take long for Anko to shut the door and sit down next to her at the table, eyeing Hotaru suspiciously. Passing over a bun, Hotaru smiled kindly,
"I would have brought dango, but I already had this."
Anko accepted it, taking a great bite of it, and Hotaru began,
"I am Namikaze Hotaru. I am seeking your help on behalf of two people that I care deeply for."
Mitsarashi swallowed, clearing her throat.
"Aren't you the girl that is announced as one of the wives of that Uchiha kid?"
Hotaru nodded, though kept a calm smile on her face.
"Yes. He is one of the people that I hope you could help-"
"Why in the hell would I help a brat like that! He's going to be nothing but-"
"…and Naruto."
Anko's protest went silent, her eyes narrowed sharply at the little girl sitting at her table.
"What did you say?"
"I am asking you to teach and spar with my fiancé, Uchiha Sasuke, and my cousin, Naruto."
Anko took a deep breath, swallowing hard as her breath went shallow. Hotaru never looked away from the older woman.
"Naruto…as in that blond gaki, Naruto?"
Hotaru dipped her head, "The one and only."
"Your cousin?"
Hotaru nodded again.
"And heir of the Namikaze…We don't tell the public of this information, for many reasons. The fourth had many enemies, and they would target his son, Naruto, if they knew. So, until my cousin can protect himself and the clan properly, he does not affiliate himself directly with us."
Anko nibbled at the bun.
"You know, for a little kid, you know a lot of big words."
Hotaru shrugged, "The children of our family are taught very young."
It was quiet in the apartment as neither spoke for a bit. Anko finished the bread, and spoke up,
"Why me?"
Hotaru shook her head.
"My reasons are my own, but I picked you for the sole purpose of hearing gossip. They say you are sadistic. Ruthless. Unafraid of the clans. That is just what they both need. A teacher who will not favor them. Who will not…be persuaded to be gentle, or kind. Both of them are at an obstacle that they can not surpass, each for their own reasons."
Anko stared hard at Hotaru, "Since when do kids think so deeply?"
The young Namikaze smiled slightly, "We always do. It's just no one really knows it. Or listens. So, we shut up."
Anko snorted, grabbing another bun from the bag. "You got that right…Give me a couple days. I'll give you my answer then."
Hotaru dipped her decorated head, standing, leaving the buns on the table. "Thank you at least for your consideration. But-"
Anko waved her hand dismissively, "Don't worry, I won't tell a sole about any of this conversation. On my honor."
Hotaru smiled brightly, "Then I am assured. Again, thank you, Mitsarashi-san."
With that, the young girl left the apartment, closing the door quietly behind her. Anko slumped back in her chair, hand running through her hair as the other held the bun. Mumbling to herself, she shook her head, worried,
"What kind of mess did that boy get into now…?"
Pale eyes glared down at the empty disc, loathing that the soothing liquid was already gone. But just as he was thinking it, a hand came into his vision with another bottle of sake, and poured generously to fill it again. With out a word, he brought the disc to his lips, and swallowed, enjoying the taste as it slid down. The voice of his companion brought him out of his dark thoughts.
"Hiashi, you've gone through 2 bottles already. Take your time. We're in no rush." Shikaku admonished quietly, though he cocked back his own head to drink. The Hyuuga head rolled his eyes at the Nara's hypocrisy, but he put down his drinking dish, willing to wait a while.
The two of them were sitting in a crowded and dark bar, and had been huddled at their table for a good two hours now, keeping themselves detached from all the other customers. They were here for a specific purpose, and gaining the attentions of the many questionable patrons was not on their agenda. Hiashi's eyes closed, quietly activating his Byuukagan again just as he had 10 minutes ago, taking his vision outside of the building and onto the bustling street of the civilian border town.
With a quiet sigh, he released it once again, not seeing their contact's specific chakra.
"What is taking him so long?" Hiashi murmured quietly, agitated. He hated not being in Konoha, even though he knew it sounded silly. But he was a Hyuuga on the border of Lightning Country. It was a dangerous and precarious situation, but he had volunteered himself for this.
Shikaku snorted,
"Seeing as we are early has no affect on your judgment of another man's punctuality, I refuse to answer that one."
Hiashi was about to bite back at his old friend's teasing, but his eye caught someone new entering the establishment. He didn't need his eyes to feel the suppressed chakra of the tall man, who wore the trader's disguise well. Instead of using genjutsu, all of them had disguised themselves naturally, with wigs, clothing, dirt smudges, and for Hiashi, sun glasses.
However, next to the familiar man, was a young child, a bit scrawny, a lost look on their face. It took Hiashi a second to realize it was a boy, but the child was so androgynous it was a bit disturbing. Around the age of 10, maybe, with shoulder length black hair swept back in a ponytail, dirt on his face and robes, and he stood very close to the man, grabbing a hold of his clothes.
The man raised a leisure hand in greeting to them, and came over to their table, sitting himself down in a spare chair, while the little boy sat and kept his head down. The other man started, his voice gruff,
"Good afternoon, Hiko, Shinta. The weather seems to have picked up."
Shikaku passed over a disc of sake, to which the other man took and downed in seconds, pointy teeth flashing before being hidden behind a grim mouth. Hiashi whispered,
"You are late, Zabuza."
Zabuza shot his eyes at the boy sitting at the table with them.
"My son was having problems hooking up the oxen this morning. Haku's not used to the work just yet."
Shikaku nodded his head at the little boy,
"It'll take time to get used to the family business. But, your father will teach you well."
Haku looked up for a second, nodding a little before returning to keeping his head down. Hiashi questioned,
"So, any news on your end? How's the farm?"
Zabuza shrugged, "From what I hear, it's hard times all over. Passing by the shoreline of tea country, there's news of another civil war in Mist. So, all exports are stalled, and Tea Country is going to have a shortage on some of its best teas."
Shikaku's eyes shot up, "Huh, Wind won't fair well, then. Heard their Daimyo was enforcing harder tariffs on everyone. And one of its main imports is tea. And what with Earth country bringing in a lot of trading contracts, most business is going through Earth, Waterfall, and Grass these days."
Hiashi barked a laugh. "Ha, while those three seem to fair well, it seems Rain has been getting the short end yet again. And there was a rumor about a new hidden village. Oto, I think it was. Heard anything about it?"
Zabuza nodded, "Oto is a popular place for bad people, I hear it. They've been trading heavily with Grass and Earth. Though, they are trying to form a contract with Lightning, too."
Hiashi sniffed, "Lightning has been declining, what with that blockade of no trade with Konoha. They'll probably take the contract, since Snow country is isolated, and the other countries can't exactly support them completely."
"Can I get an order for you sir?"
The three turned to see a waiter finally approaching them, and Zabuza nodded his head.
"A bottle of sake, some tea, and two udon dishes."
The waiter went on his way, but the three were wary of their surroundings. Another shinobi was there, and not friendly. The conversation thinned as Zabuza waited for the food, and him and Haku dug into the meal as soon as it appeared. Cocking back another gulp of sake, Zabuza spoke again.
"Interesting news from my cousin, though."
Shikaku asked, curious,
"Which one?"
"She works as a maid at the Daimyo of Fire's Palace. I was passing through a couple weeks ago, and apparently there is a princess that had been in exile who is now living amongst her relatives. Not much is said about her, or her little cousins who are living with her, but apparently, they are planning an arranged marriage for her, and soon, since she seems unwelcomed at the Palace. Probably another few years before that's announced, though, seeing as she is still young."
Hiashi waved his hand, "Never delve in the business of that lot. Confusing, it is. Anyways, we should be heading out before another storm heads our way. We've got a shipment for Fang."
The three men stood, leaving their payment on the table, and Haku resumed to his spot right next to Zabuza's leg. The three shook hands, and Zabuza warned,
"Be careful, bandits are around that area."
Shikaku nodded, "As you."
Exiting the bar, Hiashi and Shikaku headed off to wherever their cart was, while Zabuza and Haku trudged through the muddy street to their cart. They were being watched over at a stable, and the stable hand opened the gate for them after Zabuza paid the fee. Making sure everything was in order, he lifted Haku onto the seat before plopping down himself, and with a few whistles, he got the four oxen to move again.
As they were leaving the border town, Haku finally asked, not as shaky as he was earlier.
"Who were those men, father?"
Zabuza shifted in his seat, checking their surroundings, glad that Haku had remembered to still keep character.
"Old friends. Good men. We'll be seeing more of them, I hope. These times are getting rough, and with all these troubles, it feels that more trouble is not to far away."
Haku bit his lip, and spoke up,
"Will they help us?"
The older man sat silently for a little while, the storm clouds above crackling and putting the world in a dark gray. Zabuza spoke up, his voice a little gruffer,
"We all need help, no matter how much I hate to say it. But yes, eventually, they will help us."
"Hotaru, what is the meaning of this meeting?"
Saki asked her great granddaughter, curious why the young girl had suddenly assembled all the adults of the Namikaze and Mikoto, along with Naruto's guardians. At first it had been a simple dinner, until Hotaru had called them to the meeting hall in the center of the Head House. All of the adults were seated on the pillows around the dais that Saki sat on, but Hotaru was kneeling in front of her grandmother, her back firm and determination written on her face.
"Saki-obaa-sama…neither of them have gotten better."
Saki blinked, until she took a guess at who Hotaru was talking about. She replied,
"Hotaru, dear child, it takes a long time for-"
Hotaru shook her bejeweled head, the trinkets swaying at the swift action, but made little noise.
"No. It isn't good enough! For two weeks, Naruto-ouji has progressed little in our practices. Sasuke-kun is unsure how to train. Both of them are losing their ways!"
Choza spoke up, his voice calm, and trying to raise the girl's spirits,
"Hotaru-chan, they are young, like yourself. All of you are children. It will take time for them to overcome this wall, but you should let them do it in their speed."
Hotaru's jaw jutted a little as her eyes narrowed. How could they not see what was happening to them? And not just to Naruto or Sasuke. At school, during recess she could see Naruto's friend's in the first year. There was a lack of something in all of them, and it didn't help that Sasuke had to pretend to be sad and angry all the time. They didn't smile as wide, or laugh as loud. Like pieces of them were lost.
How was she, a child, able to see this, better than an adult? Better than a room full of Konoha's great ninjas?
"I think waiting for time, is a waste. The longer they are left alone, the worse they will become!"
"Hotaru! Do not-"
Her mother began to chastise her, but Saki raised her hand, and Kiyoko silenced herself. The elder had searching eyes as she stared at her descendent.
"And what plan do you have, that you believe will help them? All of us have tried reaching out to Naruto-ouji. Sasuke-kun is unable to break from his obstacle, and no one can here has been of much help to him either. What solution do you have, that none of us has thought of?"
Hotaru lowered her head a little, properly scolded by the guilt of her elder's statement. Of course they had thought of countless ways to possibly break the walls forming around the two. But she wouldn't give up, not on her cousin, nor her fiancé. Lifting her head again, she took a deep breath,
"A teacher who will not give in to them, or favor them. Naruto-ouji and Sasuke-kun were going to stop their lessons with you once they had become genin as was arranged, and would take up other senseis. But, I think it is for the best if they are under the tutelage of another capable ninja not in this room."
This created a bit of a stir in Naruto's guardians. While it had been planned for the boys' lessons to stop when they got on teams, this was too soon. They all had their own issue with what this young girl said, but it was Tsume who braved to ask, her fierce face guarded.
"And who, Hotaru-chan, is this teacher?"
Hotaru nodded, and turned her heavy head to glance back at the closed fusuma doors.
"Mitsarashi-san, please come in now."
Many heads whipped to the opening doors, and in walked someone none of them had expected. Wearing her usual scantily clad attire, her hair up in a spiky bun and a dango stick in her mouth, Mitsarashi Anko was not the ideal teacher of two 8 year old boys. In the opinions of some present, she was not qualified to teach any child, let alone the heirs of Uchiha and Namikaze.
She settled into a kneeling position beside Hotaru, still chewing on her doughy treat, a bored look on her face. The Namikaze observed the strange woman, not knowing of the rumors that spun around her purple head. Saki gazed quietly at both this stranger, and the unease of Naruto's guardians who glanced at this very young and flaunting young woman. Anko spoke up finally,
"Evening, obaa-san's and jii-san's."
It came as a shock to everyone as Saki burst into laughter, chortling behind her hand. After a minute she quieted down and responded, a smile on her face,
"Do excuse me. I do not know what came over me. But, as to the issue at hand. Mitsarashi-san, may I ask why you are here?"
Anko herself was taken aback, but she hid it well. This must have been wear Naruto got it from. That tricky personality. She replied, speaking the obvious,
"To teach."
The corner of Saki's mouth rose, and the elder woman brought out her fan from her obi, producing a light breeze. The leader of the Namikaze clan inquired,
"Why are you really here?"
Anko held her head up, seeing the challenge and invitation. This wasn't just a meeting. This was a fight to prove herself. The purple haired youth hated these types of fights when it involved these ninja clans.
"I don't look like much, and I don't have a clan to back me up. My history is stained and burned. But I will not let anyone stop me from teaching when I've been asked too."
Ume spoke up, joining her mother in the questioning.
"And why would you teach these two boys?"
Anko shifted a little, but looked straight at the asker.
"I have no doubt that these two boys have many more suitable tutor candidates. They are of course very important to our village. But both are in a state where you can not help them. But I can,"
She took a deep breath before continuing, "And while the Hokage trusts me, I can not take a team of three genin. To many opposing sides. And with me bringing them under my tutelage, it will be more than just a simple lesson here or there,"
Turning her brown eyes to Saki, she stated, "I will take them both as my apprentices, indefinitely, and teach them everything I know."
A hush came over the room. The guardians, knowing just who Anko had been apprenticed to, were stunned. Not once in the years since her break off with her master did she speak of training anyone in her arts. She was an anomaly to the village, to both civilians and shinobi, and very few had seen her in action. But those who had, knew just how deadly she was.
The idea of finally getting the jutsu Orochimaru had passed on to her was almost too good to pass up. But she was suggesting placing two young ambitious boys in her care, and she was giving them such power…
Anko saw where the majority of the thoughts were going, so used to reading people, that she said softly after swallowing another dango,
"I'm not him. When I say they are my apprentices, I mean it in every respect of the word of a master. The only demands I have of them, is the want to learn, to be silent, to take what I throw at them, and to do as I say."
The room was still silent, but Saki bobbed her head, bowing her back deeply to the young woman in front of her,
"Then please, do my clan the honor of teaching my grandson and heir."
Mikoto quickly followed suit, bowing just as low,
"If you please, do my clan the honor of teaching my son."
The others in the room were astonished. An apprenticeship was not what any of them had thought would happen, especially to this young girl of all people. An apprenticeship was more than just teaching the two boys every couple days. It was an entire relationship, and as their master, Mitsarashi Anko was responsible for every aspect of their training, making their previous instructors obsolete.
This is when Anko spoke up again, though hesitant this time,
"As the master of these two, I believe they would still require going to the Academy and the previous lessons with their clans and teachers from time to time, especially when I am unable to teach them because of missions…If that is alright with you?"
All of them understood the meaning of her words. She was still a young kunoichi, so she had missions of specific natures, and some were longer than a month. And in her own way, she was giving them a peace offering of sorts, by permitting her students to continue lessons under other senseis. It was an odd sort of compromise, but all of the adults present appreciated the sentiment nonetheless.
Inoichi decided to question her, his interest in the matter rising. He occasionally worked with the sadistic girl, but he never really had the chance to pick her brains in a serious matter, and thought now would be a good chance to maybe understand more about her. Casually, he prodded,
"Mitsarashi-san, I've been wondering…just why do you want to teach these boys?"
Anko froze, her jaw firm. She honestly didn't have to tell them…she didn't have to say a thing…but she did not want them to second guess her motives later on… She inwardly laughed at herself. Even after all these years, she still wanted a little bit of trust.
"Hotaru-chan, please leave."
Hotaru blinked, startled at the sudden request from the purple haired woman, but with out a word, she got up and left the room, closing the fusuma with a significant thud. Anko responded, her eyes glazed over.
"I was one of the individuals who helped raise Naru-chan. I was there when he first walked, and ran. Straight into the wall, if you wanted to know. Gaki just got back up and ran into things all the time. His first word wasn't 'no' or anything like that. It was 'ramen-jutsu' cause he hoped it would appear out of nowhere. I've protected him from assassins, and from some of his nightmares. I and others taught him the first basic shinobi lessons,"
She took a break, but quickly started up again,
"I was there when he declared he would be Hokage. Even at three, I would have followed him to any battle…I watched over him when he had to go to the orphanage. I had to stand to the side like others while he was abused and tormented by the orphanage and villagers. I got there in time to see the emergence of the mokuton."
Having to take another deep breath, she went on, eyeing her last dango.
"I was there the day he met Sasuke-kun. And watched as their friendship grew. Their first fight. Their games, their training, their pranks. When Sasuke declared he would be Naruto's right hand man. I know those boys until Naruto's 6th birthday, and then I was removed from his guards."
Finally biting into the sweet dough, she chewed happily, rolling the bread to her cheek to ask,
"So, do you think that qualifies me a little to teach the boys? Cause I got some great blackmail material on them."
Hiashi answered for the rest, his attitude aloof as he stared down this obnoxious woman.
"It seems Hotaru lied. She said you would be a teacher that would not favor them."
Anko jabbed the pointy wooden dango stick in the Hyuuga leader's direction, a chesire smile on her face that sent chills down everyone's spines.
"No, she wasn't lying. Just because I've watched over them both, doesn't mean a damn thing. They'll be praying to Kami in no time."
Shikaku whispered to Miyako, "I'm already there."
Miyako whispered back, "At this point I'm praying to any god to have mercy."
Anko's smile would have scared even the death god.
Author Commentary:
Oh geez, this took a lot out of me. I did this chapter over 5 times in the past few months. This is the only one I'm most satisfied with, and felt more flowy then the others.
Yay, more Haku and Zabuza! And, we are starting to get into more action again.
I do feel mad at myself for not bringing in the rest of Naruto's friends, as I am sure they want to see him as well, and I'm not doing a good job of showing that they care, but for the most part, this is only in a period of two weeks, and they are basically just leaving Naruto alone. However, next chapter, I'll try to bring them into the picture. They do deserve some limelight as well.
Anyways, I'm happy with my Anko. The rest of you might think she is a little OC, but I like her. She's got badass, but she still is seeking belonging in her own village.
As for Hotaru, she's a catalyst, and a supporter.
Alright, that's enough from me. Read, Review, Love. See ya next chapter!
Love to laugh, because that is the only way to live. - Tiffany Carr
Wolf