Hey, ya'll. Remember me? It's been a while. I've been workin way too much lately, and it's really been a pain in the ass. I've not been able to write as much as I want to, and it's killing me inside with all of the plans I have for this fic. I'll get to it all eventually, but I don't know when.

In the meantime, I'll post what I have. It's not that much, but it'll have to do. Hell, it's not even the 10k mark I usually want to get to before I post. I'm really sorry if I disappointed you as much as I did myself. I'm so tired right now, I want to collapse. I just want to put this up right now, and get on with the rest of the story tomorrow.

No lemons here. I just can't get it done right. I wrote it twice, and it just didn't feel right. I'll probably get it next time, but I'm done making promises I just can't keep. God, this just is so messed up right now. Sorry if I disappoint, again.

While it's on my mind, I'll get it off my chest. I only got 13 reviews for the last chapter. Man, with all the time I put in it, you'd think I'd get more feedback than that. If I don't get a little more back than that, there's a chance I might not continue with this thing.

I'll stop whining… now, time for some fan mail answers.

Timeshifter: I kept my promise! No lemon, but at least you got a few minute's Naruto fic fix.

HEE-HO KING: They are hilarious. Glad you like.

Graity The Wizard: I'm here for the long haul.

Aikori Shukrai: Glad you liked it. Good luck figuring it out. Have fun!

Infiniteternity: Thanks for the glowing review. I'll do my best to make sure I do as well next time.

Silver Warrior: It was hilarious!

Dragon Man 180: It has to be an elemental ability, but it can be any ability thrown at him. Just you wait, it will be sweetness incarnate!

Third Party: Fatigue is a way of life for me. Thanks for catching that.

Xardoth: Glad you dig it.

djz3r0310: Another glowing review. That's the kind of thing I live for, brother. Appreciate the offer for help, but… Man, I just gotta keep the lemon thing to myself. Can't be outsourcing the porn!

Narutos Vixen: Your wish is my command.

Ok, that's enough of that. I gotta go to work. Enjoy the fic (short though it is) and get back to me.

Chapter 10

Naruto, Hinata, Sasuke, and Kakashi made their way down the main marketplace of the last good-sized town on their journey to their final destination to the lord's manor.

Dozens of people surrounded them, hundreds of individuals, men and women, old and young. Kasugai was a prosperous, bustling town, made so by being one of the central cities in the trade routs that River, Rain, Grass, and Waterfall countries all used at one point or another. All around them, smiles abounded. People were happy with their lives, and any kind of police force didn't seem to be too heavy, an indication that crime was a minor annoyance, at best.

The people gave the quartet a respectful breathing space, due to the swords strapped to various parts of their bodies—on Naruto, it hung from his right shoulder to his left hip, and Hinata's wakizashi was tied across the small of her back. Sasuke and Kakashi both preferred to wear their blades in the more traditional manner in display on their opposite-handed hip. Few real samurai were visible anywhere that they could see, and no shinobi presence in any form was obvious.

They had avoided towns and villages for the most part for the majority of their travels, so as to maintain a sense of anonymity. In that time, they had spent every night outdoors, usually with a campfire nearby, but on the occasional evening that rain had dampened their spirits, they had been forced to resort to setting up their small one-man tents... although Hinata and Naruto learned early on how to turn a single into a double in a pinch.

This foray into the heart of a town the size of Kasugai was the first time in over three weeks that they had had more contact with people than an occasional that they had had more contact with people than an occasional passing on the back roads.

It was early evening, and the sky was just beginning to darken into dusk. A few stands and stalls had closed early, but the majority of storefronts and shops remained open to customers. Restaurants and stores selling all types of food and wares bustled with activity, the former with early dinner-goers and the latter with late shoppers.

Never had Naruto, Hinata, or Sasuke been in a town the size of Kasugai. They'd spent almost all of their life in Konoha, only leaving, for the most part, to train in the outlying forests. Konoha, unlike the majority of communities in the world, had a specific purpose in the world: provide a military service for those who could afford to hire their shinobi. The entire purpose of the village was to house the various ninja who held loyalty to the Leaf and provide a variety of tactical and logistical support to the rest of the villagers who chose to live there.

It was a common misconception that only shinobi live in ninja villages. The truth couldn't be further from the truth; of the fifteen thousand people who lived in Konoha, only three thousand of them were licensed shinobi. The rest were family members, merchants, businessmen, or support staff.

Kasugai, however... was unlike anything the trio had ever seen. Everywhere they looked, a dozen different stores sold a dozen dozen different products that they had never imagined existed. Yes, there had been stores in Konoha, but they had either sold the essentials or novelties for children, save for a few specialty shops.

Um, Sando... is that what I think it is? Naruto asked the dog demon.

Heh heh... It sure is, he replied. Aww, don't get embarrassed, kid. Some of the men on the road go weeks at a time without company. Businesses like that are almost a necessity!

Suuure, thought Naruto. Whatever you say, mutt.

Naruto heard Sando chuckle as he receded back into his corner of the communal consciousness shared among the spirits of the Sanseirei. Pervert, Naruto thought with some humor. Kami, he's almost as bad as the fox!

"Okay," said Kakashi/Nagano brightly. "We have two choices right now. We can either stay here for the night and get a move on in the morning and be at our destination by early evening, or travel through the night and get there before dawn. What do you say?"

The children exchanged a glance with expressions of anticipation. "STAY!" they said as one, eliciting a laugh from their older escort.

"I don't know about them," said Naruto/Seijuro, "but I'm tired as hell of sleeping outside all the time. We want real beds for once!"

"I second that!" piped in Hinata/Misao.

"Third," followed Sasuke/Tanaka lazily.

"Motion carried," Kakashi said lightly. "So, what do you want to do right now?"

"Sleep," moaned Naruto. "We've been walking for weeks, all I want to do is lay down for a couple days and hibernate!"

Kakashi chuckled. "That's not going to happen, kid," he said. "Not for that long, anyway. But we can check into an inn and clean up... Let's face it, we all need a shower; quick river washes just aren't cutting it anymore."

"Yeah," said Sasuke. "No offense, Seijuro... actually, I do mean to offend—you kinda stink. I don't know how Misao can stand being next to you!"

Naruto smiled. "My shining personality and witty humor, I'd expect," he replied with a laugh. "You might want to start taking notes when I turn on the charm, Tanaka-kun!"

Hinata snorted. "You know," she said, a mischievous smile on her lips, "you're both right. You are kinda funny... and you really, really need a bath!"

Naruto stopped dead, dumbfounded, as the rest of the group walked on. "Not funny!" he shouted as he ran after them, causing some townspeople to glance over at him. "I don't stink!"

.........

An hour later, the sun was noticeably lower on the horizon and had begun to change hue from yellow to orange, and was just beginning to go into the red phase. Naruto, Sasuke, and Hinata were sitting around a small table at an outside noodle stand, eating for the first time in weeks food that one of them hadn't prepared themselves. After saying that he would pay the bill when he got back, Kakashi had left them to go find someplace for them to stay the night.

Naruto was already on his fourth bowl of ramen before he started to slow down, while Hinata and Sasuke had barely finished their first. "More please!" Naruto shouted as he thrust his empty bowl into the air, the chopsticks inside barely managing to remain in it.

The shopkeeper shook his head in bemusement; never had he seen anyone eat so much at one sitting! "One more miso, coming up!" he said with a grin. This was going to be one hell of a tab!

There were perhaps a dozen more people around them, most of whom were with someone else, almost all talking loudly. Apparently, they had stumbled across some sort of fair night; stands were beginning to set up all up and down the marketplace and paper lanterns by the dozen were being lit every hour. Already, a festive atmosphere permeated the air as men, women, and children dressed in yukata made their way up and down the street, often passing quite close by to the three undercover shinobi. Laughing children danced around their parents, young men and women walked together, and girls and boys shyly held hands as they traveled side-by-side in the early twilight.

The waitress who worked at the ramen stand brought Naruto's latest bowl of miso ramen over to their table. Earlier, he had noticed that she had a remarkable resemblance to Ayame from Konoha. Do all ramen waitresses look like that? he asked himself as she brought his latest bowl over to him with a smile on her lips. That's just freaky.

"Father's been gone for a while now," Sasuke said as he slurped up the last of his own bowl of pork ramen. "It shouldn't take this long to find a room around here. I saw enough inns on the way here, so where could he be?"

"Dunno," Naruto said through a mouthful of noodles. "But if he's not back soon, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind, I can tell you that!"

Hinata and Sasuke looked at Naruto, eyes wide open. Or rather, behind Naruto. "He's...Standing right behind me, isn't he?" Naruto asked neutrally as he set his bowl and chopsticks down.

"Yes, I am," Kakashi said with a smile as comedic horror fell on Naruto. "Sorry for taking so long, kids... I got lost on the path of life."

Naruto twisted in his seat to look up at his guide. "Uh, N-Nagano-sensei," Naruto stammered. "Heh—um, what's up?" he asked with a weak grin.

"Hmm...Just waiting for a piece of your mind, Seijuro-kun," Kakashi said with a slight smile. "Am I going to get one today?"

"N-no, sir!" Naruto said. "I was just... uh... I'll shut up now, if that's ok with you."

"I never complain about silence from you," quipped Sasuke, his developing sense of humor showing itself. Ever since he'd bonded with Shukusatsu, his personality had changed into a somewhat lighter hue than before. He was no longer as moody as he used to be; instead, he seemed to come out of his shell more and more every day. "Silence is golden, after all."

Hinata interrupted before the two could start arguing. "So, where were you, Sensei?" she asked Kakashi. "We really were beginning to wonder."

Kakashi pulled the one remaining chair from under the table out and sat down on it. "Well, there's good news, and bad news," he began.

"Uh-oh," muttered Sasuke. "Here we go."

"Well... It's not really bad news," Kakashi went on. "The festival in this town has attracted tourists from miles around. Just about every hotel and inn has either been reserved or taken by now. I must have went to seven or eight places before I found an available room for us. It's somewhat pricy, but affordable.

"The bad news is, I know we all want to sleep on something other than bare ground, and the only two rooms left have one bed each. They're big enough for two, though, so I rented the both of them for the night. We'll split up; Tanaka and I will take one room, and the two of you will have the other."

Naruto choked on his ramen as it went down his throat. With a sigh, Sasuke hit him on the back hard enough to jolt his esophagus and allow him to swallow. "We- we're sharing?!" he said. "Me and her? Alone for the night?"

Kakashi rubbed his temple and sighed. "How did I know this would happen?" he mumbled to himself. "Seijuro," he began, "I didn't plan on it ending up like this. But I know that you love Misao, and you haven't spent any time together alone at all in a long time, and I just thought it'd be a lot easier on us all if you two just relaxed for once.

"Tonight is a festival, after all—we have a big day ahead of us, tomorrow," he said, dropping his voice in volume, "and this is possibly the only time you will have together alone for a while. "Have fun, play some games. Be kids. You're all growing up so fast, we sometimes forget how young you really are. Most people your age... don't have to worry about the same things we do. I just don't want these last days you have of innocence wasted. Do you get it?"

"I—Yeah, I think I get it, Nagano-sensei," Naruto said. Hinata and Sasuke both nodded with him. Hinata grabbed his hand and held it in hers tightly. "Tomorrow will change a lot for us. We... Thanks, Sensei." Naruto was at a loss for words; he knew that Kakashi could lie just as easily as breathe, so he didn't know if this set-up was intentional or not. He certainly wouldn't put it past his master.

"You're welcome," Kakashi said. "Are you ready to go?" he asked as he scooted away from the table.

Naruto gulped down the last of his meal. "I am," said Sasuke. "I need a good shower."

"Check, please," Kakashi said in the direction of the ramen stand loudly enough for the waitress to hear him.

Naruto suddenly got nervous. He stood up and almost dragged his girlfriend to her feet. He grabbed his pack and indicated to Hinata that she should do as well. He started walking in a random direction with her in tow just as the waitress brought the check to Kakashi.

"SEIJURO!"

Naruto's face fell. "Busted," he mumbled.

"That's what you get for being a pig," Hinata said with a laugh.

He sighed. "Oh, well," he said. "Might as well go face the music."

He turned back toward the table, but Hinata latched onto his arm. "Not without me, you don't," she said as she looked into his masked eyes. "I'll be by your side for anything that happens."

Naruto smiled. "I know," he said. "That's just another thing I love about you."

"Ahhh..." Naruto mumbled as he sank deeply into the soft comforter of the bed that was provided in his and Hinata's room. "This is the life..." He had barely had enough time to close his eyes in relaxation before Hinata grabbed his feet and yanked him off of the bed with a stiff tug, forcing him to fall at her feet.

"Ouch!" he said as he looked up at her from his lying position. "What was that for?"

She smiled at him. "Neither of us has had a decent wash in three weeks," she said to him as she rummaged through his backpack for some clean clothes. "Find something clean to wear..." She stopped after a moment of frustration when she realized that they hadn't had a chance at all to do any laundry in that space of time either. "We don't have anything that' clean at all, do we?"

"Uh...No, I don't think so," said Naruto sheepishly. "Wait...I think I have some boxers in there that I forgot about in the side there..."

Before Naruto could finish his sentence, Hinata had found the underwear in question and dropped them on his face. Naruto reacted as comically as he was wont to do in recent weeks, possibly as a side-effect of partnering up with Sando. "Take a shower, ok? There's a yukata in the closet—I checked with my Byakugan. But don't take all of the hot water, I'm next!"

Naruto sighed. "Fine, fine," he grumbled as he got off of the floor and pulled the white cotton robe out of the small closet. "I'll be out in ten minutes, ok? So no peeking with the Byakugan!"

Hinata's face was the perfect picture of innocence. "Who, me?" she asked. "Peek? I hadn't even though of it."

Naruto looked sideways at her as he walked to the somewhat opulent bathroom. "Riiight," he said with a smile as he walked past her. Without warning, he quickly turned around and kissed her on the lips, momentarily stunning her into submission. "Hold that thought," he whispered softly as he broke the connection. "To be continued!" With a satisfied smile, he closed the door, but didn't lock it, confident that he had won that round... but perhaps not the war. I'll just have to live to fight another day!

Hinata silently fumed as Naruto turned on the water and began his shower. That... That ass! she thought as she sat down in one of the comfy chairs in a huff. He thinks he can just kiss me like that and keep me hanging on, does he? Thinks I won't peek, will I? Well, I'll show him!

Hinata took a deep breath, then let it out. "I'm really doing this," she mumbled to herself. She closed her eyes, then silently activated the Byakugan. Curiously, instead of her temples popping with veins, her irises shone silvery-white, closer to their natural hue than her current disguise's.

She focused her sole attention on what was happening on the other side of the wall. In a flash, she took everything in that she could from the room—the separate shower and bathtub, the sink, the toilet, even the mats on the floor. Then, she saw Naruto... as he was bending down from a standing position to take off his socks, his pants and underwear already on the floor.

"Eep!" she said as she took in a full view of Naruto's ass in all its glory. She was lucky she was already sitting down, or she might have fallen over in a stunned stupor. She had felt that particular part of his anatomy several times before, but never before had she seen it.

It flexed as Naruto lifted up his leg to remove his sock, and Hinata then saw his penis as he moved to the side. It flopped around as he shifted his body weight, and even flaccid it was more than she had ever imagined.

Naruto turned his body around so that he was facing her as he grabbed the hem of his shirt with his arms crisscrossed and pulled the t-shirt he was wearing up and over his head, giving Hinata an almost unobstructed view of the front of his body. Hinata was amazed—she had seen Naruto without his shirt on several times before, but never before had she seen anything quite this... glorious.

Hinata felt something begin to warm up inside of her. She'd felt this sensation before when she was very close to Naruto, but now it was magnified by an unbelievable magnitude that she couldn't believe. It was like a core of energy was welling up inside of her, slowly and gently but surely expanding into something that she was as of yet unfamiliar with. Her pulse began to race, and she felt her own temperature go up all over her body. Small drops of sweat began to form on her brow, and her breathing became just the slightest bit labored.

W-what's going on? she asked herself. Am I getting sick?

No, darling, you are not ill, Aoiryu said to her, responding to her host's thoughts. Your body is simply responding to what you are now seeing.

Oh, Aoiryu! Hinata mentally said. I didn't know... erm... that you were here too!

Hinata heard the spirit chuckle. I am always here with you, child, she said. There is nothing you see or hear that I do not as well. It is my job to help you, guide you. And if that means that I assist you in attaining you man... so be it.

Attain my man? Hinata said. I don't—I mean, I don't...

I know what you want, young woman, Aoiryu said to Hinata, just as much as you do. You want him more than everything else; I can see it in your heart.

But I already have him! Hinata protested. For almost three months I've had him!

Even though she couldn't see her, Hinata knew that her dragon was shaking her head. My dear, that is not what I meant, and you know it.

Hinata bit her bottom lip. I know, she said after a minute of mental silence as she watched Naruto climb into the shower and turn on the water. She smiled as the water hit his body and he yelped; apparently, the cold had hit him before it could turn hot. It was some of the little things like that that made her love him—as good as a person as he was, as strong and brave and smart and all of the things that she didn't think that she was, he was still human, just like her. He wasn't a monster, or a demon, or anything of the such.

He was her Naruto, and she wouldn't change a single thing about him.

I know what you meant, Hinata continued. I've been thinking about it for a while, now. But... Aoiryu-chan, I have to ask you something, something that's been bothering me for a couple weeks now.

A moment of silence followed Hinata's statement. For just a second, she was worried that Aoiryu wouldn't respond. Her fears were alleviated, however, when she spoke back. As you wish, child. Speak.

Hinata let out a breath that she didn't know that she had been holding. It's just... I've noticed a few things that have begun to make me wonder what the side effects of the mask and our bond is. A week after I put on your mask, my muscles began to strengthen, I'm faster, and...well... my chest is getting a little bit bigger. Do you have anything to do with that?

Hinata felt a smile come from Aoiryu. You are astute, she said. Yes, I have had a hand in that. But I am not doing it in any way that would harm you; I am merely changing your body into what it could be if you pushed yourself to your maximum potential. Few people ever achieve everything that they could be; with my help, you will always be as strong and healthy as possible.

But... what about my breasts? Hinata asked, a blush forming on her face. How does that keep me healthier?

Aoiryu chuckled again. Well... it might not necessarily make you healthier, she said, but you have a frame that could easily support a larger chest when you get older. Some women don't have the right body type for attributes such as that, but you do. Also, you have gone through a period of your life where your body changes rapidly lately. All I have done is accelerate that portion of your growth by a few months or so. Trust me, my dear, it would have happened sooner or later. The same is probably being done to the boys, too, so you are all in the same boat, so to speak.

Oh... Hinata thought. Well. Well then. I... um... Thank you, Aoi-chan, I guess. No, I appreciate it! I do! But...

You would have preferred that I let you know beforehand if I was going to do something like that? Aoiryu said, finishing Hinata's sentence.

Exactly! Hinata though-spoke. I need to know how to take advantage of everything we can do together, right?

Hinata felt the affirmation from Aoiryu. You are correct, dear, she said. But right now, I believe that you have some more pressing issues to deal with.

Hinata cocked an eyebrow. Like what? she asked.

Like how you are going to get that boy naked and in the same bed as you, Aoiryu said to her host, making her gasp in shock. Oh, be quiet, she said with a laugh. You both are more grown up than you think, and I know you want him.

How am I supposed to do that? Hinata asked. I'm not really that good at romance, you know.

Aoiryu snorted. Who said anything about romance? the dragon asked. I know men. Listen to me, and you will have claimed him as your own, for as long as you want.

Forever, replied Hinata. I want him forever.

Do you trust me? asked Aoiryu.

Yes, Hinata said. I trust you, Aoi-chan.

A warm feeling came from inside of her soul. Good, Aoiryu said. Now, listen to me, and do what I tell you. I have had some experience with males of several species... they are all the same. When he gets out of the shower, hop right on in. I will tell you everything after that. Have faith, child... I know what I am doing.

Oh...ok, Aoi-chan, Hinata said. I hope you know what you're doing.

I do, child, I do. Just be patient, and I promise you that this will be a night you will never, ever forget.

Naruto lay smack dab on the middle of the bed, hands under his head with his legs spread out to their fullest extent. This was the first proper bed that he'd been able to lay in for quite some time, and he was enjoying it as much as possible. He was relaxed, but in no way sleepy.

What's going on with Hinata? Naruto asked himself. She was acting kinda weird earlier. Did I do something wrong? Is she mad at me? Why are women so confusing?

Naruto heard a snicker from inside his psyche. Hell if I know, kid, Sando said to him. Women of any kind are not something that I've ever understood. Hell, my sister was one of the biggest hellcats I've ever known, and she was a right horrible bitch!

Um... That's not a nice thing to say about your sister! Naruto said to Sando.

What, calling her a hellcat? Sando asked, genuine confusion in his "voice."

Naruto laughed. No, calling her a bitch!

Sando laughed back at him. I think you're confused here, kid, he said. You see, it is an insult to call one of the Gobi a cat. The Gobi and the Neko have a... well, we'll call it a "rivalry" to be kind. Originally, the Neko were granted power over the dead, which is why they cannot be truly killed, only defeated. Reincarnation is a skill of theirs that even the Kyuubi himself envies.

One word of advice, kid, Sando continued. Don't tell my sister I said that, if you ever meet her.

Naruto grinned at the voice in his head. And why's that, oh fearless dog? he asked.

Even though he couldn't be seen, Naruto could feel the blush on the dog's face. She... well... she might try to kill me. And the only way to kill me is to go through you... so the best thing for us all is to keep our mouths shut, right?

Naruto laughed aloud at Sando. Yeah, yeah, he said to him. Whatever you say, dog. Naruto thought for a moment. Exactly how would I meet her? he asked. It's not exactly like I can just pack my bags and go on a trip to your homeland, right?

Heh heh... just trust me, Sando said. One of these days, you'll meet some more of my family, one way or another. We have ways of keeping in touch over long distances. Hell, you might even meet my father, if he's still alive and kicking.

Your father? Naruto asked. Wait, isn't he one of the Great Tailed Demons? One of the nine famed Bijuu claimed by the Rock village?

Sando sighed. Yes, that is him, he said. Of the nine Bijuu, he was one of two given to Earth country after the first Shinobi World War. Your Shodai used his unique abilities to manipulate him into compliance, but his spell disintegrated when he died.

You see, Naruto, the Bijuu aren't like most other demons in this world. They are the first, the original monsters. They were crafted in the images of creatures already of this world, and given unnatural power. But for one, there was little real intelligence among them, and not a lick of conscience.

Animal instinct was what they were given. Somehow, they mated with their kind, and a new race of demon was born into this world. My father sired eleven pups, and we each gained a small portion of his power. Eventually, as we grew older and more powerful, we each grew more rational and sentient than Father.

The other Bijuu did the same, except for Shukaku... for some reason, he was a beast completely made of sand, and couldn't reproduce in the same manner as the rest of them. Instead, he made clones of his physical body and imbued them with his own demonic aura. Most of them gained their own awareness, and acted similarly to the rest of the Bijuu offspring. Demonic clans of various sizes formed, and over the course of a thousand years or so, grew into prosperity.

So, where is everyone now? Naruto asked. If they used to be here, and they're not now, then something must've happened to them, right?

Sando sighed again. That is correct, youngling, he said. Shortly before I was captured with Shukusatsu and Aoiryu, a mass hunting of all of the clans had begun. The vast majority of the Beast Demon clans were opposed to wanton destruction, but there was no reigning in the Bijuu themselves. Even the weakest of them, Shukaku, was able to easily overpower most of the rest of us. At the time, only six, maybe seven, had the power available to oppose the Kyuubi together, and it would require all of our combined energy and wiles to merely stall him.

So, what happened? Naruto asked.

Sando was silent for a few moments. Naruto could sense that whatever he had to say next would be difficult for him. Someone make a... mistake. A very, very big mistake, and none of us know for sure who it was.

There have always been humans who've been special. Those who have been able to do things that must have seemed like miracles. I told you already about the sorcerers who tried to destroy my father. They were each perfectly in tune with their individual elemental affinities. But I would be lying if I said that they were using elemental chakra, or ninjutsu of any kind. They were born with those abilities, and grew up training themselves in their art.

Only one out of every hundred thousand people in this world are born differently than normal, he said with a sigh. It is always these people who consider themselves either more special than the rest of their kind, or above the general rules. Sometimes, being special isn't enough, though. They begin to crave power, control, prestige. One of the progeny of the Great Demons showed a gifted young man the secrets of the seals that we used in our clan techniques. Somehow, he gained enough knowledge to learn to seal, not only the demons in the area, but anything that they felt was supernatural or inhuman. Every spirit, every demon, down to the last sprite, was rounded up... or so they think.

The truth is, only a handful of us were actually captured. Five, maybe six demons in total were contained by the humans in the beginning... not counting us Sanseirei, of course.

Where did everyone go? Naruto asked. It's not like they just up and disappeared and nobody noticed! You said the children of the Bijuu created clans, right? There must have been SOME interaction with people!

A mental sigh came from Sando. In this, you are right, he said. We did have a platonic relationship with humans. Each clan needed a certain space to flourish, away from anyone else. We claimed territory, and respected the boundaries for the most part. Any human stupid enough to come into our territory... well, some of us were more benevolent than others, let's say.

When the humans began to hunt us down, the more talented spellcasters among us hunted for a solution for the problem. We had two options: run from those hunting us down, those who invaded our territory, and hope that they would give up the chase eventually, or wage outright war on humanity until they stopped.

For nearly a year, the clans argued over what should be done. Six of the clan heads gathered together to discuss the situation; the Kitsune, the Tanuki, the Sanbi, Mujina, and Raijuu clans were all represented by the most wise of their clans. The Orochi butt in on the summit, claiming that all who could be affected by the situation should have a vote. Reluctantly, the five elemental clans agreed, but not before the snake gave his word to hear out all other arguments. You see, of all of the Bijuu clans, only the Orochi were inherently violent and bloodthirsty. That is a story for another time, however... the more pressing one is at hand.

Naruto had a bad feeling in the pit of his stomach. He somehow knew that this story was about to turn ugly... very ugly.

Someone... betrayed the summit, Sando said, fury barely held in check, even though his mental voice strained. The six demon representitives had changed their forms to resemble humans, so that they might meet more easily in neutral ground. When a demon goes from beast to human, it takes a moment to fully adjust; our eyes, our noses—everything is different. It is like vertigo, only the opposite; sometimes, it's nausea-inducing to be so close to the ground.

They had gathered together as demons, but transformed as one to human. As their senses were adjusting... they struck.

Naruto felt a black pause come from Sando. It was as if it was difficult beyond measure for him to reenact this tale. It...it's ok, Sando, he said to the dog. You don't have to finish the story if you don't want to. I know how hard it can be for you to think about this kind of thing.

Naruto felt Sando shake his head against his consciousness. No... No, I can finish. I don't have that much more to go. I always finish what I start, child, and I'm not about to break that reputation now.

As the six were growing accustomed to their newly-formed senses, six warriors with blades enchanted by complex seals specific to their clans rushed the demons and, in one fell swoop, slew them.

Now, the blades themselves were formed specifically to kill the members of the summit, but they had an unintended side-effect: they absorbed, to the individual, all the power of the demon. Five of them took in the elemental power of the beasts, and the sixth became the sword that is today known as Kusanagi.

The five warriors used the swords to establish the power, political and militaristic, now known as the Five Nations: Earth, Wind, Lightening, Water, and Fire. Over time, the swords themselves have changed hands, many times over the years, but it was their actions that brought about the world you now know.

Sando stopped talking for a moment, but faithfully resumed. A... a month later, I was captured, along with Shukusatsu and Aoiryu. As to your earlier question—where did everyone else go?

The demonic clans banded together, unilaterally, for the first time ever. They pooled their energy together to open a gateway to another world, a world devoid of humans, of shinobi, of war and strife. There, they are safe, and they don't have to hide. My—my family is there. My son is there. And guess what? I've never met him.

Sando was silent for a long, long time as Naruto listened to the sounds of Hinata showering. Guilt pulled at his gut like a fish on a hook. Sando... I... I don't know what to say. "I'm sorry" just doesn't seem like it would cut it.

It's not your place to apologize, young one, Sando said. It wasn't your fault. Not a thing you could do. This all happened way, way before your time.

I hate humanity as a whole. The race is, generally, corrupt. I hate the species. But it's people that make this fight worth the effort. People like you, like the Hokages... like your father. You are good people. As a general rule, Leaf ninja are good people. Sure, some of them are asses, but the teachings of the Shodai are strong, even today. Unlike the Sand or River or Cloud, the individual strength is not stressed.

Naruto... One day, you will lead the Leafs of Konoha. You will be the one every shinobi looks up to. I sense inside of you the same spark your father had; I have faith that it will eventually blaze into the Will of Fire that consumed your father all of his life.

But... enough. There's no point to this right now. Listen:

Naruto tuned his ears, and realized that the sounds of the shower had stopped. Hinata's about to come out, he said to himself. I better get up. What'll she think if I'm just lazing about?

Patience, young one, Sando said. Things will come as they come. The future will come when it's good and ready. The past is something you can only remember or forget. But the now... it is a gift. That's why it is called the "present." Treat it as such; enjoy what you will be given today.

Given? Naruto asked.

Naruto heard Sando chuckle once again. You'll see, he said. You'll see. But for now... It's time for me to rest. It takes a bit of energy to talk to you like this, when we're not active, and I haven't had any exercise in over twelve years. My chakra is lethargic, and it is taking a while to get out of atrophy. When we begin training as one, I will make it back to full power. Until then... Just try to enjoy yourself, and not cause any trouble?

Naruto smiled. Me? Cause trouble? What makes you think I'd do that?

Just a hunch, Sando said with a mental smile. Now, I rest. See to your woman, kid. You two deserve each other. And with that, Naruto felt his inner demon—well, one of them—fall into hibernation.

Sleep well, friend, Naruto thought as he sat down at the edge of the bed to await Hinata. I wonder... I hope... A smile crept across his face as the thoughts of what might happen tonight came to mind. Well... whatever happens... it will be the greatest gift I can get from the woman I love.

You can bet on it.

Hinata stood in the shower, water faucet off, with drops pooling and dripping from her body like a miniature shower of rain. Her eyes were closed, her head tilted back, as her sodden hair added a familiar weight to her head.

The light from the socket in the ceiling shone through the cloudy glass of the sliding shower door. The sensation of droplets of water sliding down her body was a feeling that she had missed from her time before this mission had started. Say what you want about the place—the ANBU had great showers.

For just a few minutes, Hinata enjoyed the brief time between the end of the shower, where warmth still surrounded her, and the beginning of the drop in temperature that brought the shivers.

She leaned back against the stall wall and folded her arms under her breasts. When she had asked Aoiryu about the changes in her body, she was speaking from a standpoint brought on only by casual observation from quick washes on riverbanks and in bends of creeks.

But, when she had undressed in front of the mirror in the bathroom, she was stunned—her body had developed much, much more than she had thought. She'd believed that she'd just developed in a more or less natural fashion... but her mind was blown when she saw herself in full view, both front and in profile.

She'd been physically fit when she'd left with Naruto, Sasuke, and Kakashi, a combination of a life full of training with her father and the torturous regime they'd been under from Maito Gai. But now... she hardly recognized herself.

Her increased muscle tone had dramatically changed the way her body looked, even in the minutia. Any baby fat she had left was gone, replaced by firm, evenly-toned arms, legs, abs, and chest muscles.

Her body had become much more lean and mature-looking in the short space of three weeks. Her breasts hadn't just grown—they'd become more well-shaped, too. While not enormous by any means, it looked as if sizable, well-shaped pears had somehow appeared on her chest without her noticing. Dark reddish nipples tipped them and swayed gently every time she shifted her weight.

Suddenly, she shivered, a cold chill sending goose-bumps up and down her body. Her nipples contracted into rosy red buds as she massaged her arms. I should move, she thought to herself. I don't want to catch a cold. That would be a really bad way to start off the evening's... festivities. She opened up the sliding door and stepped out, grabbing the surprisingly soft towel as her feet hit the floor.

Water droplets splashed around her body as she rubbed herself dry. She reflected to herself that something like this was a luxury that she had taken for granted before; something as simple as a shower was not something that she had thought could be taken away from her.

She'd lived her life in luxury, as the heiress of the entire Hyuuga clan. Although she'd lead a mostly-simple personal life, not surrounding herself with adornments as some of the other Hyuuga did, money, things, and even the simple possessions only available to the affluent were readily available to her. And yet, even with all of that around her, all the time, she'd almost never, ever been happy.

In fact... the only time she could remember being happy while she was in the Academy was when she was near Naruto. Even before she really fell in love with him, she took strength and security from him. He had something of a rough exterior, and put off an aura of negativity, but she always knew that he was a good person. He'd never gone out of his way to hurt anybody who didn't deserve it, not in his entire life. Even when he fought some of the other students in practice at school, nobody was ever really hurt. He knew that he was stronger than them—there was no need to prove it to anyone.

From a young age, she found solace in his company, as fleeting as those moments might be. She was almost never alone; either she was with her father while in town, or she was surrounded by other young children, or she was in the middle of the Hyuuga compound, encircled by a tight ring of security. She'd almost never had a chance to actually talk to Naruto... and looking back on it, she knew that some of the things she'd done might not have been the best for her, but in the end she knew that it was all for the best. If she hadn't focused on Naruto when she did, she might never have been happy. Happiness wasn't something that came easily or readily in the Hyuuga clan.

Her young love of Naruto had been a refuge of hers when she was desperately looking for a safe harbor for her heart.

She owed everything to Naruto—mind, body, and soul. She couldn't deny him anything he asked for, even if she wanted to... not that she ever would. He was her most special, most precious person in the world.

And tonight... she would prove it.

She finished drying her body with the towel, making sure to take care of her various crevices. She then took another towel and wrapped her hair in it, twisting it so that it supported itself. She closed her eyes, then used a trick Aoiryu told her about; she sent an extremely minute amount of chakra through her hair in short, constant pulses. This shook the water off of her hair and into the towel itself. With a smile, she unwrapped her hair, and but for a very small amount of moisture at the tips, her hair was dry to the touch. She silently thanked Aoiryu for the tip, dropped the towel, and wrapped the provided yukata loosely around her body. She lazily tied the knot around her waist.

She turned her head, and realized that she still had on the adopted face that she had been told to adopt at the beginning of the mission. If I'm going to do this, she thought, I'll do it as me. She closed her eyes and concentrated, calling on the same power now as she did before. More quickly than before, she felt her face and hair shift back to its original form, the one that she'd grown up with and seen in the mirror every day. With a rush, she felt a euphoria that came from a sense of self-identity. She was Hyuuga Hinata, the only one in the world. She was the only her. She was the only love of the most amazing man in the entire world. And tonight...

Tonight, she would exercise all of the privileges that came with the station.

She smiled as she flipped the light off and stepped out of the door.

There was no way in hell that Naruto should have been able to fall asleep with everything that was awaiting him that night. He knew that Hinata was up to something. He also knew that whatever it was, there was not a chance that he would hate a single thing about it. Naruto loved Hinata and everything about her. He wouldn't change a single thing about her, and would do whatever he could to make her happy. Disappointing her would be the last thing on his mind.

But, to be fair, he had just spent a good three weeks on the road with only a bedroll to look forward to spending the night on, and the temptation to just fall into the bed and lose himself was just too strong.

The bed was beyond comfortable. It wasn't just comfy... it was like a slice of heaven had burrowed itself into his soul as soon as he lay down. He didn't see the problem with getting comfortable in it when he broke his connection with Sando. Hey, he was supposed to be here to relax. What was the harm in indulging in the luxury of a real bed?

He'd already relaxed his false mask; he didn't need it behind closed doors. For once, he wanted to talk to Hinata with his own voice, with his own lips. He was tired of the "Seijuro" persona. As much as he hated to admit it, even to himself, he missed being Naruto. For once, he wanted to be who he had been, even with all of the negative stigmas that had come with his own identity.

The next thing he knew...

A shift in the bed roused him from his soft slumber. A lifetime of waking panic woke him up in a hurry, but in an instant he recognized Hinata's soft face in the semi-dark. He smiled when he realized that she'd dropped the illusion as well. "Hinata—" he said as he began to sit up to move next to her, but she surprised him by placing a palm on his chest and firmly but gently pushed him down on the mattress. "Hinata—" he said again, more softly this time. He couldn't finish his sentence, however, as she had planted her mouth on his in a deep, slow, passionate kiss.

Naruto closed his eyes and lost himself in her.

He fell in love with her, again and again that night. She gave him many things to love.

A/N: Well, there you have it. Another chapter, woot. I'll start working on another one tomorrow.

Sorry for the distinct lack of action and lemon. Oh well. Deal with it.

Read and review, please.