Chapter 11

New Day, New Decade

Naruto

I gotta say, you would think flying on the back of a giant eagle would be weird. Turns out; it's anything but. Since I made a contract with the eagles, I could summon them at will. Except these eagles were like the size of the smallest plane with a wingspan of 40'. A lot more convenient than driving a jeep, except a desert of course. Since there is not a lot of water to give them out that far, they can only go a short distance.

"We almost there, Hien?" I asked my personal eagle. "Almost, Naruto. We ain't gonna miss anythin'," He smirked with a beak.

I raised Hien ever since he hatched from that little egg I carried around after becoming an official Assassin. He's been my animal partner ever since. He's very loyal to me and my friends although he can be very protective of me and Akiko.

I looked back to see Jushiro looking a little nervous, which was expected since his animal contract was used to the ground. But I could understand why he'd want to have Hinata on the team.

See now here's a little food for thought that Aki and I knew; Jushiro and Hinata had been secretly going out together for six years now in the running. Although they tried, only a rare few knew about their relationship. It started after Jushiro had lost his left arm on a mission… not really my place to talk about. She was there as much as Aki and I were, and they just hit it off. Ever since then, they've been almost inseparable, until Jushiro received an invitation from a famous old Assassin. Even though I should remember her name, it slipped my mind.

We began to realize we were hovering over the Hyuga District of Konoha City. Even though it was one of the oldest parts of Konoha, it was by far one of the most advanced. Hiashi Hyuga, the head of the Hyuga and father of Hinata and her younger sister Hanabi, was one of the top cybernetics scientists in the world and specialized in metallic prosthetics. And the man was a major supporter for The Assassin Order. He knew what we did brought balance to the world and often supplied any injured assassins with prosthetics.

As we landed and hopped off our birds, Jushiro let out a breath that I'm sure he held for a while. Take the guy into a fight, he's okay; but if you put him above it he has a panic attack. Moron. Complete moron.

I patted Hien's beak and pressed my forehead to it. "You can leave now boy," I told him softly.

"You got it boss." He nodded and vanished. Jushiro smiled, "Always was a birdbrain, Naruto."

I chuckled at that. "Whatever wolf. I just happen to care for my eagle. You should understand loyalty the most out of all of us."

He gave a 'true, true' nod and looked at the mansion. "I can't believe it's been four years since me and her saw each other… what if she hates me," He said and I noticed his right hand was sweaty.

Aki saw it too and gave him an encouraging smile. "Trust me Shiro; she hasn't been mad at you at all. Misses you yes, but hate you? I don't even think it's possible for her to hate you."

He seemed to lighten up at that and gave a smile and nod, "Then lets go, He chuckled cracking his voice and went in. I took the opportunity to wrap my arms around Aki's shoulders which made her smile.

"How do you always know the right things to say hon," I asked her grinning. She just giggled and turned her head to face me. "Because I know my friends as much as I do my lover."

That comment made me raise a brow with a mischievous smile. "Oh, you know our friends like that huh?"

She shoved me off playfully and smiled. "Where does your mind go half the time? I don't know them that well!" She laughed. I just smiled and gave her an affectionate kiss on the nose. "I know, sweety." I hugged her and she giggled hugging me back.

"Will you two hurry the hell up?! And stop talking about crap like that, it's downright disturbing!" Jushiro shouted from the top of the steps.

We just laughed and joined him up the stairs. As we walked inside the building was all painted in white and the architecture was gorgeous. That may be the only time you'll hear me say gorgeous, but yeah. There were statues of the past heads of the Hyuga clan in a row in the center corridor. We walked down to the right of it and knocked on Hiashi's office door. "Come in," We heard a voice say and opened the door.

We walked in to see a wise looking man sitting at his desk and bowed. "Lord Hiashi," We all said at once.

"Ah, Masters Uzumaki and Suzuki, a pleasure to meet you again," He looked over to Jushiro and gave a nod. "Warrior Sarutobi, it has been too long."

"Indeed it has, Lord Hiashi," Jushiro smiled back. "We'd wish to speak with Hinata, if you please?"

"Oh of course," He turned to one of the bodyguards, "Ko, go bring down Hinata. There is a visitor she'd be more than happy to see again." He smiled. My guess was Hinata had told him, which was exactly what Shiro must've thought because his face went red. That is a once in a lifetime opportunity right there. "Right away, m'lord." The guard nodded and left.

"I'd wait here, young Master's," Hiashi nodded and we just smiled. "We'll just wait in the hall, if that's ok sir," I said respectfully. "Oh yes, of course." He smiled.

We walked out and sure enough, Hinata came down the steps. She was very beautiful for her young age and her pale eyes only increased it. She grew out her old cropped short hair to where it was flowing to her waist. She was average height for a girl, around maybe 5'4 or 5'5. Jushiro was very lucky to have her, otherwise he'd have competition with Kiba, who couldn't seem to tell she was not interested in him. I think it was just the fact that the dog couldn't stand being beaten by a wolf. Again.

"Oh Naruto, Akiko. Ko said that-" She stopped talking and looked beside me and her eyes grew wide. "J-Jushiro?"

He gave a sincere and warm smile, the warmest I ever saw him give. "Hey Hina," He said shyly. I didn't even know the jackass could even be shy! Hinata didn't seem to notice or care and leapt right into his arms happily.

I just shook my head as I clapped and laughed at them. Aki laughed too and we just shook our heads in amazement.

"I missed you…" She whispered and gave a soft kiss to his cheek making him smile as he moved one of her bangs out of her face. "Missed you too, my Hime," He said smiling.

"Hypocrite," I mumbled and Aki shoved me lightly, "Well it's true," I chuckled.

"I'm a hypocrite, I know." Jushiro chuckled as he placed her on the ground. She looked at his left arm and gently held it. "Is it still—"

"It's fine Hinata. Really," He smiled and she smiled back and looked at us. "Why are you guys here?" She asked us.

We gave her the rundown. We basically said we need Jushiro on the team and he wanted her too. We even gave some points of how no one knows how to attach prosthetics to the right nerve endings except her. She smiled at the last part. "Why didn't you say so," She giggled and looked at Jushiro.

"I would love to join Griffon," She said and he was about to say something back until he got blindsided by a twenty year-old spiky haired devil, who was of the same blood. "Jushiro!" He yelled happily.

"Konohamaru… can't breathe…" He gasped twitching. Konohamaru hopped off and smiled at him with a wide grin.

Standing at 5'8, Konohamaru was Jushiro's kid cousin. The guy had a huge worship thing for me and Jushiro. The only time he never cared was when he was with his girlfriend Hanabi; who was walking down the steps with a gentle smile that was extremely rare on her. Considering she was Hinata's opposite in personality, you'd be lucky to see her smile like that.

"Welcome back Jushiro," She nodded and he nodded back at her. "You too, Hanabi,"

He then looked at Hinata with a smile, "So you're with us?" He asked.

"I am never letting you out of my sight," She chuckled caressing an old scar on his cheek.

Later that night…

We all decided to go into town that night and danced to some alternative music. Papa Roach's "Last One Standing," I believe. Leaving Jushiro and Hinata alone for the night, Aki and I ran off to the grass near the river. We looked at the sky that glowed with stars as I held her in my arms. "This has been a good day," I said with a small chuckle.

She just nuzzled into me and nodded. "Every day's a good day when you're around," She commented with her eyes closed.

"That's because of my charming personality," I grinned looking at the river. I could tell she tried to hide the smile, but it failed royally. I tickled her sides and she began laugh hysterically. "Stop it!" She said between the laughter and I did.

She cupped my cheeks, "How can someone so deadly, be so affectionate?" She asked softly.

"When you have the right love ones, anything is possible." I said seriously as I gently squeezed her hand. She smiled and gave a passionate, loving kiss that I returned wholeheartedly.

"I love you Akiko," I whispered against her cheek.

"I love you too, Naruto," She said kissing my cheek softly and we just lied on the grass in each other's arms. At that exact moment, I didn't think anything would cause trouble. Especially Kurama who has been a reliable companion, despite the fact his negative attitude hasn't grown any the better...

Zetsu

As the Nine Tail's host lied down with his lover, Zetsu appeared out of a tree talking to himself.

"The boy has grow strong,"The dark half said to his counterpart. "Yeah, but can we defeat him now?! He already is friends with his Bijuu!"

"Shut up! Jesus you are loud…" The dark side growled. "We'll send the boy to deal with him."

The white Zetsu snorted. "Why him?! He only just became Itachi's partner now—"

"Shut up! Why do you always talk so loud?!" Dark Zetsu whispered sharply. "We must report back to Pain now," He grumbled.

"Fine… killjoy." The White Zetsu said and they vanished inside the tree.