It's happened. As of September 25, Fox Knight has surpassed Rebirth of Legends in everything but hits. My current stats are 254 reviews, 21,323 hits, 11 Communities, 89 Favorites, and 165 Alerts. It's seems you all like my second story a lot more than my first. I thank you all for your support, and I am glad that I am able to serve all of you. I hope that I may be able to keep this up with my other stories to come.

RS: You're so dramatic. DRAMA KING ALERT!

LR: Shut up! At least people are reading what I write.

RS: (sticks tongue out) NNNNHN!

LR: Don't make me get my katana.

RS: AHHHHHHHHHH! (Runs and hides)

LR: Now on to the story.

Disclaimer: "I Don't Own Naruto", the most hated song in the world. Sing it, and I'll cry rivers of tears to drown you.

Chapter 11

It had been a week since Hiashi's funeral. Each day of the week, Naruto and Hinata had spent at least five hours training together. Added to the training with her own team, Hinata found her self exhausted, but elated. The training with Naruto was all ready making a difference. After mastering the fox weapon summoning jutsu, Naruto had begun to teach her some of the grass style jutsu's that she could now use as a hanyou. She also noticed the slight increase in her strength, speed, and chakra. Her teammates also noticed.

They were busy training together as a team. Kurenai was watching them and when she noticed Hinata was moving faster than before, she halted them.

"That was really good, all of you. Hinata, you're doing better than before. Care to explain?"

Hinata nodded, as she slipped her jacket off. Ever since Naruto had started her hanyou training, she had slowly felt more comfortable with herself, and was wearing her jacket less and less. Kiba's eyes bulged slightly, first at the sight of Hinata without her jacket, but then at the weights on her arms that the jacket had hidden.

"Kurenai sensei, it's my training with Naruto. He has been training me in the abilities I can use as a hanyou, as well as helping me increase my overall capabilities. I think the training is helping me a lot."

"I'll say. Some of your strikes are lot stronger, and it's getting harder to hit you. But with those weights on? How are you able to move so fast?" Kiba eyed the weights, and noticed that each one was fifty pounds.

"I guess I'm getting used to them. Naruto-kun says I should be able to move to the next set sometime next week."

Kurenai nodded. "I think I would like to watch your training. It might help me get an idea as to what you are capable of."

"Not a problem with me." Naruto dropped out of a tree nearby, scaring Kiba and Akamaru.

"Naruto, where the heck did you pop up from!?"

"I was coming to see my hime, and make sure she wasn't pushing herself to much. She'll need all the strength she needs for today's training." Naruto smiled, as he kissed Hinata's cheek. She returned the kiss on his lips, as both of their tails flicked back and forth in happiness.

Kurenai nodded. "Actually, there's not much else we can do today, so why don't you two start training. We'll all watch."

"Watch? Heck, join in. We could use the company." Naruto smiled, as he led Hinata over to the clear area of the training field Team Kurenai had been practicing in. With a look of apprehension, both Shino and Kiba joined them.

Naruto led them through stretches, laps around the fields, and several other physical exercises. Both Shino and Kiba dropped in exhaustion, while Hinata merely panted lightly. Afterwards, Naruto and Hinata sparred in taijutsu, their speed and agility amazing all those watching. When they were done, Naruto smiled as he indicated for Hinata to sit.

"All right. Now normally, we would be sparring with Yari and Ken, or working with your new jutsu's. But I remembered something that I should have taught you first, as it would help with your training."

Naruto created a shadow clone. "I'm going to teach you the shadow clone jutsu."

Hinata's eyes widened. "The shadow clone jutsu? Why?"

Naruto turned to Kiba. "Why don't you go with the clone over to the trees there, and play a game of rock, paper, scissors."

Kiba looked at him like he was crazy, but did what Naruto said. After a few moments, Naruto stiffened, then smiled as Kiba came back.

"I beat you with paper, didn't I?"

Kiba looked at him in amazement. "Yeah, you did. How did you know?"

Kurenai nodded. "Impressive Naruto. The shadow clone jutsu is not just good for giving a numerical advantage in combat, it also is a very handy scout and training technique. Whenever a shadow clone is destroyed, whatever it has learned and experienced is passed back to the original."

Naruto nodded. "Exactly. I myself didn't know it, until Kage explained it while we were training. He was familiar with the technique, even if he couldn't use it. There are down sides, like the mental fatigue you get from the clone when it is destroyed. Too many of them being wiped out can cause you to faint. But that's not usually a problem, unless you summon hundreds of them."

Naruto had Hinata stand back up. "So, I'm going to teach it to you, so your training can speed up. All right?"

Hinata nodded eagerly, and Naruto smiled. "All right then. First you need to perform the modified Ox handsign, then concentrate on releasing your chakra into your clones. Don't over do it."

Hinata nodded, and performed the handsign. With a poof, a sickly looking clone of Hinata was sitting on the ground. Hinata looked at it with disappointment, and released the jutsu. Naruto gave her a smile.

"Don't worry. It took me a few hours to finally get it down. Just add more chakra this time. Be careful, but don't be stingy either."

Hinata nodded, and tried again, and again. By her fourth try, the clone that appeared was a perfect copy.

"See! You did it!" Naruto hugged Hinata and her clone, causing both of them to laugh. Kiba added his own shout of praise, while Shino and Kurenai clapped their hands. Naruto put the two Hinata's down.

"Now, let's see if you can do another one."

By the end of the second hour, Hinata had successfully created five clones. She was panting, but was happy. Naruto nodded in approval.

"I'd say you have it down. Now, you should keep practicing with it, until you're able to make a bunch with ease. For now, lets put these clones to use."

The six Hinata's nodded, and immediately began to train. Two worked on fighting with Yari and Ken, while the other four each practiced a different grass style jutsu. Her teammates and sensei watched in amazement, as the Hinata's performed several unknown jutsu's, while two of them furiously sparred with everything they knew and had. After a few hours, the clones all dissipated, and Hinata stood there, panting heavily. Naruto went over, and hugged her, kissing her on the lips.

"You did great, Hinata-chan! I definitely think you've earned a long rest, though."

Hinata nodded weakly, and Naruto picked her up in his arms. She secured her arms around his neck, and the two nodded to the rest of Team Kurenai, before Naruto vanished in a flash of gold. He reappeared outside his and Hinata's home, which he had secretly placed a Hiraishin seal on. Naruto carried her up to their apartment, and managed to unlock the door, and open it. He placed Hinata on the couch, secured the door, then got her a drink of water.

As she took small sips, Naruto pulled out a book he had found in his parents room.

"I thought you might find this interesting. This book is a history of the Namikaze family."

Hinata sat up, and moved closer to Naruto, as he opened the book. He smiled at her over his shoulder, before looking back at the book.

"The first Namikaze were actually a family of highly skilled samurai, who came to the Village seeking a new home when their old one was destroyed. The Shodaime accepted their help, and gave them a position as protectors of Konoha. In time, the single members of the family married shinobi, and the Namikaze, mixing the teachings of samurai and ninja, were able to produce exceptional shinobi warriors. The family grew, but could never really be called a clan. As the great shinobi wars began, the Namikaze were called to fight, and fight they did. But the wars took their tolls, as the Namikaze were usually sent on the most dangerous missions because of their skills. Eventually, the Namikaze family was reduced to just my father, Minato."

Naruto smiled at Hinata again, who noticed tears in his eye's. He chuckled as he wiped them away. "It's funny. A few weeks ago, I was alone, believing myself to be a monster and with no knowledge about my family or my past. Now... I have an incredible girlfriend, and I've learned that I'm descendant of a long line of great shinobi."

Hinata hugged Naruto, and snuggled against his neck. "And you will be the greatest of them all. You're going to be the rebirth of the Namikaze, this time as a ninja clan. And I'll help you, so long as you want me too."

Naruto turned, so he was facing Hinata, and hugged her back, holding her to him. "Thank you. You don't know how much that means to me." He smiled at her, then kissed her lovingly on the lips. They kissed for several minutes, alternating between quick, sweet ones, and passionate kisses.

Suddenly, there was urgent knocking at the door. Naruto swore to himself, while Hinata let out a frustrated groan. Naruto went to the door, and opened it, to reveal the ANBU with the Bear mask.

"Naruto, Tsunade-sama requests both your's and Hinata's presence immediately."

Naruto nodded, and turned to Hinata, who was all ready getting up, and grabbing her ninja equipment.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

A few minute's later, Naruto and Hinata stood before the Godaime Hokage. Tsunade looked at both of them.

"I have somewhat disturbing news. We have reports of confirmed Akatsuki movement in the Land of Fire. They have been identified as Hidan and Kakuzu, the 'immortal brother's' of the Akatsuki."

Naruto looked over the files presented to him. "Hidan is a follower of Jashin, and has no techniques, other than immortality, and a type of voo-doo ritual. Kakuzu is also immortal in that he takes an opponents heart, and therefore has multiple hearts, plus multiple styles of jutsu's. Kyuubi has heard about Jashin followers. Almost impossible to kill. Me and him might have a way though."

Tsunade nodded. "That's why I called you here. I want you to come up with a strategy for defeating them, then I will send in a team to take care of them."

Naruto shook his head. "It's not that simple. As it stands, you would need two teams of ninja's to take care of them, and at least one S-ranked, high destruction jutsu. Out of all the ninja's in Konoha, I'm the only one with that type of jutsu. Besides, Hiraishin would help me shred these guys."

Tsunade sighed. "Naruto, it's Akatsuki. I know you are a lot stronger than the last time you faced them, but we can't take risks of you getting captured."

Naruto looked her in the eyes. "Baa-chan... I couldn't live with myself if a ninja from Konoha was killed because of a problem involving me. I should be the one to deal with Akatsuki. Not alone, but I should still face them."

Hinata added her own thoughts. "Tsunade-sama, almost no one else is better qualified to deal with them. The only ones strong enough are you, Jiraiya, Naruto, and possibly myself, when I've had more training. We must do what we can to eliminate this threat, while lowering our own casualties."

Tsunade sighed. "Fine. Naruto, you and Hinata will be leaving to deal with the threat. Who else will be going?"

Naruto thought for a moment. "I think Team Asuma would be could, as well as Team Kakashi. I know that the Shadow jutsu's of the Nara, combined with my Rasengan and Kakashi's Chidori, will help make this easier."

Tsunade nodded. "I'll have both teams report to the south gate tomorrow at 6 AM. Naruto, you are in overall strategic command, but Kakashi and Asuma are otherwise in charge. Got it?"

Naruto nodded. "Right. Don't worry nee-chan. I'll bring everyone back in one piece. I promise."

Tsunade smiled. "All right. But make sure you bring yourself back too."

Naruto nodded, and he and HInata left. Tsunade's face became worried. "Otouto, be careful out there."

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

As the sun was barely rising the following morning, Naruto and Hinata waited near the south gate. Naruto was garbed in his Fox Knight outfit, while Hinata had actually altered her own look. She still wore the black capris, tank top, and fishnet shirt. But now she had on a indigo blue cloak, which matched her hair. She also had a similar colored bandana around her lower face. There was a fox muzzle on it, so it looked like her mouth was that of a grinning fox. Naruto told her it made her look more intimidating. Hinata had responded by kissing him, before pulling the face mask back up.

Off in the distance, Naruto saw Asuma, Ino, Choji, and Shikamaru approaching. Naruto nodded to Hinata, who pulled her cloak hood up, hiding her hair and eyes in the shadows of the hood. Team Asuma came up, and nodded to Naruto. Asuma glanced at the cloaked figure next to him.

"Hey Naruto, where's Hinata? Isn't she supposed to be on this mission too?"

"I'm wondering the same thing too." Kakashi, Sakura, and Sai also appeared, surprisingly on time.

Both Naruto and his cloaked friend laughed, much to everyone but Shikamaru's annoyance. Naruto shook his head in mirth.

"Is she that different? Who else could this be? Hinata-chan, show them."

Hinata lowered her cloak hood, causing everyone but the lazy genius to gasp. Hinata smiled behind her grinning face mask. "Like it?" She twirled a little for them. "It actually feels better than that jacket I always wore. It feels more... free to me."

The others looked at Hinata in shock. They knew she was getting stronger, and more confident. But this Hinata was starting to act like Naruto. She seemed to be so happy, and carefree. Was Naruto really having that much of an effect on her? Eventually Kakashi shook his head.

"All right. I assume we all know what our mission is?" When everyone nodded, Kakashi continued. "Good. Me and Asuma are in command, but Naruto is in charge when we find the targets. Everyone is to proceed with caution. Understood?"

As they nodded, Kakashi turned to Naruto, his one eyebrow raised. Naruto understood immediately, and turned to face the open road ahead. With an energetic shout, he yelled "Let's go!" Then he turned back to Kakashi.

"Good?"

Kakashi nodded. "You don't know how much I actually missed hearing that. Let's go."

The nine ninja's disappeared into the forest.

XxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxXxX

Kakuzu's patience was thinning. He and Hidan had secured the Nibi jinchuuriki from Nii Yugito, the Kumo ninja. Then, they had gone off to track down a bounty, while they waited for their next orders. Hidan was complaining the whole time, about how this was a sin against Jashin, how they should be slaughtering a village of people for Jashin, how great Jashin was.

Kakuzu really wanted to just rip Hidan's lips off, even if it would only temporarily shut Hidan up.

"Well? Where the f# is this bounty of your's? I thought you had his f#-ing trail?"

"Will you please, SHUT UP FOR FIVE SECONDS!" Kakuzu turned back to the recent trail left by the serial killer he was following.

"Well excuse f-ing me. I just wanted to get back to that village we passed. So many good sacrifices back there, all for Lord Jashin." Hidan got a glazed look in his eyes, thinking about killing so many innocent.

"Whatever. Your stupid religion can wait until I've got my money, can't it?"

Hidan was about to reply with the javelin he carried, when Kakuzu suddenly ducked, and a kunai buried itself in Hidan's chest. He just looked down at it, then pulled it out and tossed it aside.

"Did we find the little f-er?"

"No, you found trouble." A dozen Naruto's fell from the trees, and surrounded the two, blades drawn. The immortal brothers eyed them.

"So, the nine tails came to play. Looks like we get to do Itachi and Kisame's dirty work, don't we?"

"I guess so. Lord Jashin will be pleased."

Kakuzu readied himself to perform a jutsu, while Hidan charged with his weapon. He stabbed at one of the Naruto's, hoping it was the real one, so he could get his blood. But his attack was parried to one side, and an elbow met his face. He suddenly felt himself being pierced by several blades, but just laughed, and swung his weapon around, destroying all the clones. Kakuzu had all ready dispatched the rest with a fire jutsu.

In some trees nearby, Naruto sighed. "Like I thought. Close quarters is suicide against Hidan, and Kakuzu was able to keep me at a distance. Their skills complete the other's fighting techniques."

"Are you done admiring them, Naruto?" Ino asked softly. Naruto just shook his head.

"All right. Me, Team Kakashi, and Hinata will take Kakuzu. Asuma, you guys have Hidan. Don't let him cut you with that weapon of his. If he does, he'll drink your blood, and then if he is hurt, you take all the damage. Keep him at a distance, and when you can, sever his head from his body. Afterwards, bury the head, blow it up, burn it to ashes."

Shikamaru sighed. "This is so troublesome."

Naruto nodded. "I agree. For know, we need to separate them, and I know how." He pulled out a kunai, as did HInata. They both wrapped explosive tags around them, and threw them at the Akatsuki members.

The immortal brothers were forced to jump apart, as the explosions ripped apart the area where they had been standing. Almost in an instant, the two teams were in between them, and driving them back.

(A/N: Fights will be taking place at the same time. Also, I'm having a pain-in-the-butt-of-a-time finding some of these peoples jutsu's, so I may not name all of Kakuzu's attacks. I will do my best to do them justice though)

TEAM ASUMA vs HIDAN

Hidan landed on his feet, and looked up in time to see three shurikens coming at him from the blond haired girl. He blocked two of them, and the third buried itself in his neck.

Well, that's annoying. Hidan pulled out the shuriken, and tossed it aside. He rushed at Ino, only to be swatted aside by the big kid with long hair and armor. He had somehow expanded his arms, so he was able to attack from a distance.

Hidan muttered under his breath in frustration. He needed to make one of these shinobi bleed, if he was going to take them down. But they seemed to be keeping him at a distance. And there wasn't anything he could do, because usually Kakuza was able to keep them distracted for him. He shook his head, and prepared to rush forward again, only to find he couldn't move. He looked down, to see his shadow was connected to another one belonging to the kid with the lazy face. He was crouching, with his hands in the rat handsign. Hidan smiled.

"You think that one little shadow will be enough to stop me?" Hidan began to struggle, and was actually able to move a foot.

Shikamaru cursed under his breath, as Ino and Choji joined him.

"This guy is strong. I don't know how long I can hold him."

Just then, Asuma fell from a tree, his trench knives ready. He powered one up with a wind jutsu, and sliced right through Hidan's neck. Shikamaru grunted at the feeling, and released his jutsu, causing Hidan's headless body to collapse. His head rolled for several seconds, and then stopped, lying face down in the dirt. Ino looked at it, then disappeared, followed by the sound of vomiting. Choji just merely said " That is seriously messed up."

Asuma came over to the head, which was screaming muffled curses. He rolled it over, and Hidan screamed at him.

"You ugly 'bleep'! Put my 'bleeping' head back on my 'bleeping' body right now! I 'bleeping' mean it!"

Asuma looked at him, then pulled at several explosive tags. He placed them on Hidan's head, while Choji and Shikamaru did the same to his body, then they retreated a safe distance, taking a weak kneed Ino with them, and detonated the tags. With one finally curse, Hidan blew up into millions of pieces, which would later infuse with plants, and create a new type of flower, known as the "cursing carnation".

Asuma sighed, and looked in the other direction. "That was way too easy."

(A/N: In my opinion, Hidan, by himself, is a weak freak who would die this easily if met by teamwork. If you believe otherwise, I respect your opinion. But come on. The guy has not one real freaking jutsu. Just his religions abilities. Really weak in the world of Naruto)

TEAM KAKASHI/HANYOU vs KAKUZU

Kakuzu landed, skidding several feet back. He looked up to see the cloaked figure of Naruto, along with another cloaked figure, a pink haired girl, and white skinned boy in clothes that screamed "gay", and then the mother in law of bounties.

"Kakashi, the Copy Cat Ninja? Worth twenty million if delivered alive to Iwa? Or happy days, I'll be a rich man soon."

Kakashi looked at Kakuzu, who was doing a weird dance in glee. Everyone else just had their hair soaked by huge anime sweat drops. Except Sai, who still wore his stupid grin.

(A/N: I'm not much of a Sai fan. As for the Akatsuki, forgive me, but some of them just deserve to have fun poked at them. I mean, a bounty hunter, and a religious fanatic? No way to not make fun of them)

Naruto sighed, as he moved forward. "As much as I hate to stop your merriment," he said, lying through his teeth, "I believe we have a fight to get through?"

Kakuzu stopped dancing, and nodded. "Right. To buisness." He suddenly unleashed an earth jutsu, which built up a huge tidal wave of dirt and stone, but as it was about to crush the Konoha ninjas, it stopped. A sudden burst of vines had grown throughout the wave of earth, holding it in place. Naruto was sweating slightly, holding his jutsu, which was keeping them from being crushed. Kakashi suddenly appeared over the wall, chidori in hand. He rammed it through Kakuzu's heart before pulling out and jumping back. The wall of earth slowly crumbled away, helped along by Naruto and his jutsu. Kakuzu was hunched over, breathing heavily, but he looked up.

"Not bad. You got one. Now I have to find a new earth heart, don't I?" Kakuzu ripped off his Akatsuki cloak, revealing four masks on his back, each bearing a symbol of fire, lightning, water, and air. As they watched, the water mask moved around, and covered the place where his heart was, before falling off. Meanwhile, the fire and wind masks erupted from his back, and turned into strange black creatures.

As one they opened their mouths, and began building chakra. Naruto heard Hinata gaps next to him, and he saw she had her Dokushogan activated. "There going to combine their attacks!" Hinata yelled. Naruto turned to the others.

"TAKE COVER!"

As one, the masks unleashed their combined power. They blasted the area apart in a huge inferno, spurred on by the gale force winds. When the fire finally cleared, Kakuzu was smirking. But that smirked died away, at the sight of Naruto surrounded by red chakra. Naruto looked up, his eyes having shifted to the Kitsunegan. But instead of crosses, or even x's, the pupils had become starburst in shape. Suddenly, Kakuzu was frozen in place, unable to move, unable to look away from those eyes. Naruto smirked, as he unleashed the brand new power of his doujutsu.

Kakuzu suddenly found his body moving, but not of his own will. He suddenly started running around, waving his arms like a chicken, before going into the "I'm a Little Teapot" dance. The Konoha ninja came out, and watched Naruto in amazement, and a small amount of fear. Hinata giggled though, because it was funny. Naruto smiled at Hinata, glad that she was happy. But then he started to feel the drain on his chakra system. Even with Kyuubi's immense powers, and using his chakra, this new stage of the Kitsunegan was tiring. He used Kakuzu to order the fire and wind elements to face him.

"Well, Kakuza, I wasn't expecting to unleash this new power. Heck, I didn't even know about it. But it seems this battle became a lot easier than I thought." With that, Naruto had the two element maks unleash the same attack as before, obliterating the lightning mask and heart. Then he had them turn on each other, and destroy themselves. Kakuzu was left with just his water heart, and was doubled over in pain, until Naruto brought him up right again. Naruto held out a hand, and his Rasen-shuriken formed in it, the wind blades whistling. Naruto held his hand out, keeping his eyes locked on Kakuzu. Then he smiled, as he finished reading the Akatsuki's mind.

"When you get to the underworld, say hi to Orochimaru for me." With a shout, Naruto rushed forward. At the last minute, he let go of Kakuzu, and rammed the Rasen-Shuriken into Kakuzu. With a scream, Kakuzu was enveloped in a dome of energy, which suddenly rushed into him. In the aftermath of the explosion, Kakuzu laid in the middle of a crater. Naruto slowly approached, panting heavily. He slid down the crater wall, and examined the body of his opponent. He slowly nodded, and looked back up at the others. He stood up.

"He's dead. More than dead. Not even Orochimaru or Kabuto could do anything with this body."

Kakashi came down next to him, and took a look. Hinata glanced at the body with her Dokushogan, and let out a gasp at what she had seen. The man's entire chakra network had been shredded, and his nervous system as well. She passed these findings to Naruto and the others. Naruto looked back at the body.

"I wonder if my dad realized that his completed jutsu would be that destructive. Maybe he wouldn't have gone any further than what it was."

Kakashi merely shrugged. "Who knows. Maybe he would have come up with something else."

Naruto merely shrugged, as he helped sling Kakuzu's body out of the crater. He crawled out, only to be tackled by Hinata. Her hood had fallen, off, and she had pulled her face mask down. Now, she pulled his armored face mask down, and kissed him. He kissed her back, the two of them oblivious to Kakashi's perverted giggle, Sakura's blush and, and Sai's raised eyebrow. When they finally pulled apart, Naruto smiled at Hinata, slightly confused.

"Well, not that I didn't like that, but what was that for?"

Hinata snuggled against his chest. "When I saw you engulfed in those flames, after you pushed me out of the way, I scared. I thought you were really hurt. I'm just glad you're safe, and wanted to let you know it."

Naruto smiled, even as he heard Ino yelling "What's going on here?", and Shikamaru muttering "Troublesome.". He slowly stood up, and just smiled, as he still held Hinata too him. He simply said, "Let's go home."

LR: Yeah. About the fight sequences. It now seems silly that I dragged Team Kakashi along, when Naruto was the one who did almost all the work. My original intent was to write something similar to what originally happened, but then I was inspired otherwise. Please don't hate me!

RS: Just make sure your next fight scene is better. Then they won't care.

LR: That is... actually good advice. Unless they are Akatsuki fans. Alicia Kawa Uchiha, if you read this, then I'm sorry for what I did, even if you prefer Itachi.