Chapter 21:
"Who the hell are you?" Tsunade demanded
"Oh, baa-chan, I come seeking answers for a certain blond that we are both fond of."
Jiraiya studied the shade and paled. "Kyuubi."
The human form of the fox demon lord smirked as he revealed his nine ghostly tails. "Your smarter than you look Jiraiya of the Sannin."
"So Naruto's dead." Tsunade said slumping into her seat, her expression crushed.
"No."
Her head snapped up and there was a hopeful look in her eyes. "He's alive? But how? You're here…"
"I am as I've said to others I am but a shadow of my former self. Naruto is fine, he holds my chakra which with each passing day becomes his. I came for answers. He does not know I am here, and depending on what I hear, he may never know." Kyuubi said. he moved about and sat on the chair across from the Hokage, and quirked an eyebrow. "Now, are we going to talk like…civilized adults, or would you rather we rant and rampage and learn nothing?"
Jiraiya sat on the edge of the desk and Tsunade looked at the Kyuubi shade. "Is he really alright?" she asked.
"(snorts) You care after exiling him? What realize you lost a powerful weapon?" Kyuubi asked with disdain. "The kit was crushed being exiled. I have thought long and hard about getting him to come back here and continue what I started."
"There is much you don't know." Tsunade said. she spent the next hour telling the Kyuubi about the falsified signatures, of Hinata's pact with the vengeance spirit, of the death of the council, the Hyuga massacre. What she'd learned from Hinata about Kakashi's memories.
"I have Gai's team out looking for Naruto to bring him back." Tsunade concluded.
Kyuubi was thinking. "You have given me a lot to think about." He said after a moment of silence. "I will tell you some of what the kit has been doing, not all. That is his choice." Kyuubi warned.
"After being exiled, the ANBU tried to kill him, they failed as a friend of Naruto's…"
"Micahamaru Melwasu." Jiraiya interjected.
"Yes. Don't interrupt." Kyuubi admonished.
"Sorry." Jiraiya muttered.
"Mica saved Naruto and convinced him to come with him to Kwai's Mountain…and yes it really exists." Kyuubi said seeing Jiraiya about to speak again. "Kwai took them both in and trained them both. He cleaned up Naruto's chakra control problems and taijutsu. He then trained them both in kenjutsu. Over time Naruto became better. He learned from Kwai's library." Kyuubi smiled fondly.
"The kit had a real desire to learn, and with praise from Kwai, myself and Mica Naruto flourished. The nearby fishing village helped. They had no notions or ideas about the kit. They saw him as a blond youth who worked and trained hard. He helped around the village when Kwai would come down for his games, and him and Mica were popular with many."
Kyuubi smiled seeing their looks of pain. "Kwai then found a ritual that would separate me from Naruto, without killing the boy. We talked about it, and Naruto agreed. It didn't go quite as planned, as you can see I don't have a physical body and no chakra."
"We heard about the incident with the bandits." Jiraiya said and Kyuubi nodded. "The boys did extremely well. They killed the bandits and rescued the villagers. The leader managed to escape, but that happens with so many numbers against just two." Kyuubi agreed.
"So, are they still on this mountain?" Tsunade asked.
"Kukukuku. Heavens no. I took them as my Byty, or apprentices and took them to the Underverse."
The shock and explosion of disbelief from the two Sannin had Kyuubi chuckling like mad in his mind, while his facial features remained indifferent.
"Yes, yes. I took them to the Underverse. There they are learning much and I planned on bringing them back over soon. They are both quick studies, fastest I saw anyone learn without having to steal it with a copy eye."
Tsunade wanted to ask what kind of training, but figured the fox wouldn't tell her.
"What do plan to do?" she asked.
"As I said, I had thought of revenge. Twisting the kit to seek vengeance, but it sounds like the little Hyuga heir has been kicking ass and taking names." He chuckled. "So she has a desire for the kit." He stroked his chin and smiled. "Oh the teasing I could give him with that knowledge."
"Kyuubi, what do you plan to do, and please…be serious." Tsunade asked again.
"(sigh) I will tell the kit about the fake signature and I will tell him that the council had been…executed for treason. I won't tell him about the Hyuga girl. And yes, she's still Hyuga, despite what she may say. If you can send a message to your team, recall them. I am uncertain how long this stage in their training may take. We will come thru Suna when we return. Naruto wishes to help the Gaara boy."
Tsunade noted that.
"When he calls someone friend, he truly means it. The Uchiha and the Haruno broke their paths with him. Up until I spoke with you, I thought you had as well." He looked at Jiraiya. "And young Mica will want words with you on how you trained Naruto. You and the Cyclops both will need to answer some hard truth questions."
Tsunade's eyes narrowed. "While Hinata got her pound of flesh Jiraiya, it sounds like I should prepare you and Kakashi a room in the hospital."
"Just promise me Melwasu won't use his blood manipulation on me. I saw the remains of the ANBU."
Kyuubi sighed. "That I can promise." He said. he didn't tell them Mica sacrificing his ability to release him. he didn't tell them the specific training that both boys were under.
Just leave that as a surprise. Kyuubi thought.
Meanwhile…
Neji hated the desert, and he found the desert pressing down upon him. He looked over and saw Itachi was unaffected and he mentally cursed the Uchiha.
What was I thinking agreeing to continue the search while we left Gai with Gaara? Neji wondered. The Kazekage had been absolute that he would continue his own search as well.
Lee had accepted the sand users word and with TenTen managed to convince Neji to move on.
Not like that took much. I'm getting soft letting them both use those damn soft eyes and fake tears to manipulate me.
"So you betrayed your clan, killed your best friend and left Konoha all with the Third's knowledge?" TenTen asked Itachi.
"Yes. I turned myself over to him moments after I ended my clan. Sauske I placed in a trance, but sadly, my father thought ahead on that."
"What do you mean?" the weapons mistress asked.
"My father placed a sharingan enhanced genjutsu on Sauske to make him hate not only myself, but subconsciously to have him move towards hating and killing Naruto eventually. My own Mangekyo Sharingan delayed it by forcing his hatred of me to double, while easing it away from Naruto. It seems to have worked."
Neji snorted. "You think Uchiha. Too clever for your own good. It worked so well that your little brother betrayed Konoha to seek power in order to destroy you and handed himself and your families bloodline over to Orochimaru who according to the bingo book isn't afraid of experimentation."
Itachi was quiet for a moment. "The day I killed my best friend, he had been ordered by my own father to kill me for refusing to kill Naruto. I'd told him I was one of those the Hokage trusted to protect the boy, and I found my one clan more often than not leading mobs to kill the boy. Some would get thru, and Naruto would be slightly hurt, but I and a few others would fight and kill those that tried. My father ordered me to kill Naruto to prove my loyalty." Itachi snorted.
"My loyalty to the clan. I asked about the oaths I swore, and he said there would always be new Hokage's."
TenTen and Lee looked shocked at what they were hearing. Neji had heard similar words from Hiashi's mouth when he'd send branch family members to try and kill Naruto.
"After I killed Shisui, I returned to the Uchiha district, sealed the doors with the Devil's Gate Seal and went to see my father. The clan members that saw me, attacked me. They all swore that Naruto and the Hokage would be dead by dawn."
Lee looked outraged and TenTen did as well. Neji had watched Hinata purge the Hyuga clan and knew it was not something to be seen lightly.
"I reached my fathers home, he used my mother and brother as bargaining pieces. He swore he'd kill them as they'd made me weak." Itachi looked at Neji. "They made me stronger than everyone ever thought. When father slit mother's throat I attacked. I held him in Mangekyo and once I released him, I killed him." Itachi looked over the horizon. "I told Sauske I left him alive because I didn't find him worth killing. I used my Sharingan to force that image into his mind, trying to burn out the orders my father had installed in him. at dawn I turned myself over to the Hokage."
They continued the search looking in every direction as they continued to walk. "The original plan had been for me to get in with Orochimaru, it failed as he'd tried to gain control of my sharingan. However I caught the attention of Akatsuki and Jiraiya convinced me to remain and learn about their goals."
"You were Lord Jiraiya's spy network." Neji said.
Itachi smiled. "Me and others, yes. Who better to find out about enemies than a spy in their own fold."
Lee paused. "But why did you attack Kakashi after the Oto-Suna invasion?"
"I defended myself. I didn't harm him, and I didn't harm Naruto."
"I read the report on that." Neji said. "You used a woman to lure Jiraiya away."
Itachi smiled and actually chuckled. "I slipped a note on her while Kisame wasn't looking. It is how I would pass notes onto Jiraiya without being seen. He showed up just in time and Kisame fought Naruto a bit and was on the losing side. The only flaw had been the arrival of Sauske."
"You broke his arm and left him locked in his mind." Neji said. "Should have killed him." TenTen muttered. "Save us all the trouble now."
"I could have, but he is my little brother." Itachi agreed. "It was a moment of kindness. I am human after all."
"Hey." Lee called and they saw he was on a dune.
They caught up to him and froze. Suna was burning.
Underverse
"I'm sooooo bored." Naruto said.
"Read a scroll." Mica chirped from his bed.
"Why did the fox have to go back to Konoha?"
Mica sighed. "He wanted some answers. He didn't tell me why, only to make sure you stayed out of trouble till he gets back."
"Me? You're the one who had six of those four armed dungeon dwellers chasing you." Naruto countered.
"The Orog are fierce warriors. And it wasn't my fault. How was I to know she was their chieftain's daughter?"
"I don't know…like maybe the numerous bodyguards? How about the tiara around her forehead?" Naruto countered.
"So, you and Viera?" Mica asked trying to change the subject.
"We are not talking about that." Naruto countered.
"Alright." Mica agreed and smirked. "What about Shariza?"
Naruto groaned. "I told you nothing happened there. I woke up and she was in my bed."
"So you're saying something happened with that Viera?" Mica said and laughed as Naruto growled.
"Almost convincing bro. maybe in a couple more years it will be deeper and not sound like one of Shandraella's little ones."
Naruto scowled. "You know, I swear she likes being pregnant." He said after a bit.
"Fourth time." Mica agreed.
"So, you think Shippo's going to admit his feelings for Evee?"
Mica snorted. "Shippo don't know who he wants. I saw him chasing that wolf demon a week before we left. And then Evee the night before we went hunting."
"Hey…Mica." Naruto said, his voice hesitant. A "Hn." Got him to continue.
"I've been thinking. You mentioned Hinata always watching me when we were younger."
Mica smiled at this.
"Yeah."
"I told you about how she acted after you know, I became a genin."
Mica was enjoying this.
"And well…I've was wondering, you know…if we ever saw her…what should I say, you know…like ask her out…or ah, forget it. She's probably got a boyfriend or her clan has her in an arranged marriage." Naruto said waving off his thought.
"Slow down bro. Did she have a boyfriend when you last saw her?"
Naruto crossed his arms. "Well, no…but is been nearly two years. Besides I remember Kiba always sniffing around her, and…"
"You're assuming. You know what that means."
"I make an ass out of you and me." Naruto said and sighed again. "I…I just been thinking about what the fox said, and I know we don't talk about it often, but…"
"Hey, what are friends and brothers for?" Mica asked.
"To annoy and tease and be baka's?" Naruto countered.
"Those work." Mica agreed. "But we're also here to listen and help."
Naruto closed his eyes for a moment. "The more I focus on my memories, things just…I see Hinata a lot when I turn around. Its like…"
"Told you she was stalking you. She liked you."
"But why?" Naruto asked.
Mica shrugged. "Have to ask her that. And if you don't ask her out, can I?"
"No you may not. I know where you've been. Your such a manwhore."
Mica laughed. "What can I say, I like being touched and touching."
"Manwhore." Naruto muttered playfully.
"Hey, Naruto."
"What?"
"What if things don't work out back in our world? You think Master will let us come back here?" Mica asked after a bit.
"You like it here…or is it a certain girl with green eyes that you like.?" Naruto teased.
"Shut up. I don't know her, or anything."
"Never stopped you before. I know Shippo was not pleased when you slept with his sister…and dude, she's a thousand years old."
"Ah, but she still blushed like a school girl and…"
"ACK! ERO-MANWHORE!" Naruto yelled covering his head with a pillow.
Mica laughed. You really need to open up a little bro. everyone's a pervert. It just rates on how far you take it. I haven't had sex in public. I don't read those orange books. I just like women and find them comfortable to be with."
Naruto paused. "Mica…when we were on Kwai's Mountain. I read a book, it talked about Dragons…"
"I know. I'm scared too bro. we both know we've changed. Hell my eyes and hair weren't like this."
"I know. You used to have black hair and your eyes were brown when we were little."
"And you've changed as well…I think…I think Master Kyu was right when he called me a hanyou. I think when I reach a certain age I'll quit aging." His gold eyes locked on Naruto. "And I think…just from the way he introduced you to the Kitsune at the Fox Den…there is something…"
"I think I'm his successor or something like it." Naruto said softly.
The pair sat in silence, the topics they'd talked about weighing on their minds.
"Where the hell is that stupid fox?"
AN:
Each Part will be a new story for those wondering. I'm happy many of you like this. My little notebook is stuffed with idea's and the post it notes are multiplying. Sorry for the delay. I'm using my cousin's pc to post this as I'm currently homeless. Small fire, should be back home and running in a week or two they tell me. I'm posting these three now to keep you guys sated a bit. I'd do more, but my cousin is a bit possessive and this took a bribe to get me on here now.