The Hidden Truths of the Village Hidden in the Leaves
Summary: Starting after the trip to the Land of the Waves, Sasuke has developed a sense of overprotectivness a shinobi feels towards their partner and Naruto has to deal with new surprises every day. The secret behind the Uchiha clan massacre is revealed and Orochimaru is scared of one man. ANBU and foxes flock towards Naruto as much as danger does. A whole new take on the life of Team 7 and co.
Half an hour after Sasuke had almost roasted the Inuzuka and his dog, the twelve genin, four jonin and their two clients were in the town for the festival. Kiba was still sore about having ran away screaming like a little girl, but he sure as hell hadn't planned on staying to get cooked like a roasted duck. The Uchiha was downright frightening when he got pissed. Lee, who had been barreled over in Kiba's escape from the fire, was now thinking of ways to improve his training so he could challenge the younger genius in a fight, even as he repressed winces from his bruises and burns hurting with every step. The black haired genius was still pissed that such an intimate moment had been intruded upon, especially as he had been opening up to Naruto, for reasons unknown to him. And the blond was just relieved that he could take Kurama so he won't have to listen to the fox's complaining all night.
They had all borrowed yukatas from the hotel and were now walking down the streets, having fun. Sakura was dressed in a red yukata with sakura petals pattern, her hair pulled up in a messy bun. Beside her, Ino was in a light blue yukata that had gold designs, her hair also in a bun. Hinata was in a plain lavender kimono with a white sash and Tenten had opted for a traditional Chinase dress with twin green dragons on the light blue material. Neji had taken a black and white yukata and Lee opted for a red one with a green belt, as the green monstrosities he and Gai had wanted were disapproved by everyone. Kiba was in a gray yukata with red square designs, Akamaru peeking from the folds as they walked beside Shino, dressed in a plain dark blue yukata. Kakashi, still in henge, was wearing a black and silver kimono as he tried to cheer up the red and orange dressed Gai. Kurenai was being lead around by Asuma, both of them dressed in red and blue, looking like a pair. Chouji had found a nice sea green kimono for himself while Shikamaru had grabbed the first one within reach, a nice brown yukata with leaf designs. Naruto had been forced into a blue kimono with clouds and gold patterns as it matched his eyes and hair while Sasuke had taken a black yukata with red and purple spiral designs and a dark blue sash with an Uchiha fan hidden in its folds (it was his own, as he refused not to wear any symbol of his proud family). Utsukushi was now in a light purple kimono with yellow and pink rose petal design while her father was in a dark purple kimono.
The rich girl had been hanging all over Naruto, annoying his companions greatly. She had a few scratches and bite marks from where Kurama had attacked her in annoyance when she disturbed him in his place in Naruto's arms. Sasuke was smirking at her smugly as it was apparent he was the only one the fox could tolerate, much to Utsukushi's displeasure. Sasuke had even worse luck, as not only were Ino and Samura attached to his arms, most females at the festival were staring and giggling at him. It was getting on his nerves. Neji wasn't that far off as quite a few girls were ogling him, too, but one glare from white eyes was enough to send them packing, unlike with Sasuke's glare, where they would squeal just because he had looked at them. Kakashi guessed that this was one time and place where the famous Uchiha glare didn't have that much of an effect.
Naruto, although he was having fun, was very uncomfortable, especially ever since Utsukushi had gotten fed up with Kurama and had snatched him from his hold, threw him and then dragged him away from the Kyuubi and Sasuke. The last glimpse he got of them was Sasuke shaking off Ino and Sakura to pick him up, two pairs of angry red eyes glaring after them. Utsukushi then proceeded to drag him around for two hours before they caught a glimpse of the others again. It was Tenten competing in a knife throwing booth, Neji taking an uncaring looking around, scanning their surroundings. A bit further away, he could see Kiba and Lee competing at catching goldfish with little nets, wanting to get gifts for Hinata and Sakura. Utsukushi then dragged him away again and they headed for a cotton candy stand. In the past two hours, he had been eating all sorts of delicious treats, all his client's treats. She had been smiling the whole time, never losing contact, hugging him and even kissing his cheek a few times. He didn't know why she was acting this way but he just wanted to find Sakura-chan, Sasuke-teme and, most of all, Kurama.
The demon fox had been agitated ever since they were separated but if Naruto asked, he would say he was fine, if only a bit irritated. He guessed that the girls were annoying him or that he simply didn't like being with Sasuke ... or could it be the crowd? He was worried about the flash of red eyes he had seen and wondered if the rest of Kurama's tails were going to burst if he got angry enough. That's why he wanted to get back to the Kitsune before things got really ugly. He still didn't know how Kurama was able to take over a clone and transform like that, but he guessed that was going to stay one of Kurama's mysteries.
Besides, he wanted to spend some time with Sasuke! They hadn't had a moment's peace since Sasuke had chased Kiba out of their room. He feared Sasuke would clamp up again if he left the older boy alone (or with Sakura and Ino, anyway) for too long. And he didn't want that, as they were finally heading somewhere with their unmentioned friendship. He had been so happy when he had opened up and told him something so intimate. He smiled at the thought of the two of them going to places, eating together, training together...
Naruto didn't see it, but Utsukushi's eyes had turned blood red and a chilling snarl was etched on her pretty face as she caught sight of one Uchiha Sasuke, following after a red blur that was running in their direction. Uchiha returned her glare with his own but he didn't see the red tint in her eyes, or if he did, he must have thought that it was the low lights playing tricks.
"Utsukushi-chan?" Naruto called and the snarl left her face in a second, turning a large smile at the blond. Those blue eyes were looking at her curiously and she quickly shook her head before dragging him the other way. However, Kurama was not having any of that. Using his true powers, Kurama sped up and caught the lower part of Naruto's kimono and tugged until both the blond and the black haired girl fell onto their butts. The whisker-scared boy groaned at the throbbing backside until he felt the healing chakra from his inhabitant flow through him and the pain ebbed away. He then felt something settle in his lap and blue eyes met fox-like red, Kurama grinning triumphantly at him. Just beyond the fox in his face, Naruto could see his client, who had landed in some dirt and as such ruined her kimono. Before he could say or think anything, a pale hand appeared in his line of vision and he looked up, a smile stretching across his face when blue eyes met black.
Sasuke spent another moment scanning him for injuries before scowling at the blond. Getting the message, Naruto gripped Sasuke's outstretched hand and allowed the slightly older boy to lift him back to his feet. Those onyx orbs did another sweep and pale hands adjusted his ruffled kimono before the Uchiha was dragging him away just as Kakashi and Gai appeared with Inpu. The man immediately ran over to his daughter, who jerked up with a growling sound as she stared after the retreating backs of Uchiha Sasuke and the object of her interest, along with that damned fox!
"Utsukushi-sama!" Inpu yelled under his breath as soon as he fell on his knees beside the girl. He reached out to touch her but a firm, cold glare of glinting red eyes stopped him. He suddenly subtly hunched in on himself, his head slightly bowed and his eyes fixated on the ground. "Utsukushi-sama, are you alright?"
"No!" She hissed and Inpu flinched at the sound. "Not only are my garments ruined but my Naruto is gone as well! And all because of that Uchiha-kisama!" Inpu further flinched away and hunched in on himself at the venom in the insult, a type of language she only used when really angry. And that never bodes well for him. "Inpu, send one of them to take care of that kisama. Nothing lethal. Just enough to make sure he suffers and realizes that he is no one. Make sure that he never interferes with my plans.''
Inpu didn't say anything for a moment before he nodded. ''It is done, Utsukushi-sama.''
''Are you alright?'' Kakashi asked from above them, he and Gai having just walked up to them. Utsukushi looked up ''sheepishly'' and smiled at them while Inpu sighed.
''Hai. I just hit the ground harder than I had thought so my ankle hurts...''
''I guess it can't be helped.'' Inpu said as he helped his ''daughter'' to her feet. ''You should return to the hotel.''
''No!'' The girl denied immediately. ''I was having such a good time with Naruto! I won't go!''
Kakashi's eyes narrowed suspiciously but he nodded. ''I will find Naruto and tell him to go back with you.''
''There's no need for that-''
''Yay!'' Inpu's halfhearted protest was interrupted by his daughter's delighted squeal. She smiled smugly as her plans unraveled just like she wanted them to. As soon as Naruto was away from the dark haired boy, they will strike and the Uchiha will find out the new meaning of terror and torture. And when she disposes of him, she will have Naruto all to herself.
Kakashi nodded and went off to search for the blond and the raven. It didn't take long as he soon found them at the only ramen joint in the little town, where Sasuke was treating Naruto to his third bowl already. ''Naruto,'' The blond looked up, the little fox sitting on his lap glaring at the copy ninja with such intensity that Kakashi swore it had heard their conversation and was hating him at the moment for approving. That animal was far too smart for its own good, even for a fox. ''Utsukushi-san has twisted her ankle and is returning to the hotel. She demanded that you escort her.'' Now he had a pair of black eyes glaring at him too and Kakashi wondered if he should just send Sasuke along... But they needed them all spread out like they were now, as Kakashi had felt a strange presence not long ago. He knew they will not like this. ''Sasuke, do one more seep of this area, then you can return to the hotel as well.''
''Eh? I'll be guarding Utsukushi-chan on my own?'' Naruto asked and Kurama growled, as he had noticed that the annoying girl usually stayed away when the Uchiha was near his host. If Sasuke was out of the picture, Kurama would have to reveal that he was more than he appeared to be in order to help Naruto if the blond got into some sort of trouble.
''We were hired to guard them, Naruto, and right now, there is some suspicious activity here. We need as many ninja here as we can and I am sure you can make enough Kage Bunshin to cover the whole hotel on your own.''
''Of course!'' Naruto finished his bowl, thanked the woman who had served them and straightened up with Kurama dangling in his arms. He then turned to look at Sasuke, an apologetic smile on his face. "I'll see you later, teme."
"Dobe," the other acknowledged with a nod before turning the other way, more than eager to finish the sweep before returning to the hotel, where they could talk in the privacy of their room. He'll trigger trap the door so Kakashi will leave them alone. They seriously needed to talk about what Kiba had interrupted, both the conversation and the moment that had followed. Besides, he wanted to know how Naruto really got Kurama, as the fox was far too smart to be a normal animal. A kyuchiyose, maybe? But when could have Naruto learned that? Besides, the blond would have been boasting about it for days if he had.
"You better not be long, bastard, or I'll lock you out of the room."
"Hey, now! I sleep there, too." Kakashi halfheartedly protested and the blond snickered as he thought about both his cool sensei and impassive teammate stewing outside the locked door while he, Uzumaki Naruto, was having happy dreams in the room on his comfy bed. Sasuke stared at the fox who had just snorted as he saw his host's thought and couldn't help but want to see that happen. When he felt those black eyes resting on him, the Kyuubi stuck his tongue out at the Uchiha and the raven's eyebrow twitched.
"Hn. Usuratonkachi." With that, Sasuke turned around and walked away in the different direction, all the while ignoring the whiskered blond's yells of "Teme!" and various other insults with a scowl on his face. As soon as the Uchiha was completely out of sight, it was replaced with a big smile before he turned around and followed his waiting sensei to his waiting duty.
00000
Hours later, Kitsune and Kit were bored out of their minds from sitting around and doing nothing this long. It was well past midnight and the others have yet to return, which left Naruto feeling sour fore being left out because Utsukushi wanted him to be her guard. She should have chosen one of the girls, since boys weren't allowed into girls' rooms, even if they were bodyguards. It was hotel policy.
Kurama grumbled from where he had sprawled himself over Sasuke's bed, having done so because he wanted to annoy the Uchiha when he returned, but now he was close to dozing off from boredom. This was almost as bad as when he had been stuck in infant Naruto! All he could see was a small nursery and the occasional nurse to take care of the blond baby or, even worse, Sarutobi would come by to check on him. The rest of the time, he could only sleep or stare at the ceiling. He had slept two years, until Naruto was considered "old enough" to live on his own with help. Now, he had been ready, at one point, to destroy the whole village of Konoha for their treatment of him, but the rage he felt on the child's behalf would have leveled a continent. But that was beside the point. The point was that he was bored to death and a bored Kyuubi no Kitsune is a dangerous Kyuubi no Kitsune.
"Naruto, let's do something." He whined at his vessel, who only whined back that he was just as bored and he didn't know how to solve it. "I know! We can put worms on everyone's pillows and watch the fallout! Or we could let lose a rat-"
"What?!"
"Ok, a mouse, then and watch the girls freak out over a creature ten times smaller than them-"
"WHAT!?"
"It doesn't even have to be a real mouse!" Kurama pleaded with his Jinchuriki. That's right, the great Kyuubi was begging his vessel. Damn his pride, he was too bored to care about it! "How about we do it now, with that spoiled brat down the hall? It'll be fun!" He promised gleefully, only to pout when Naruto stubbornly shook his head.
"No! She's our client and we need to keep her safe!"
"That's why the mouse can be a fake! A cat toy!"
"No, Kurama." The fox humphed and lay back down on the Uchiha's bed, only to jump three feet into the air when the door slammed open and Kakashi and Gai brought Sasuke in. Naruto was on his feet in an instant, only to momentarily freeze in place when he heard the older boy whimpering in a mixture of pain, fear and sheer desperation, as if reliving his worst nightmare.
"Sasuke!" The blond was moving again just as the two jonin placed the dark haired boy down on his bed. He was a step away when Sasuke shot up, glazed eyes shinning with fear as he tried to fight off Kakashi and Gai. The silver-haired man kept calling out to hum and the other genin in front of their room, peaking through the still wide open door, started calling out to him, too, but there was no response. The Uchiha somehow managed to grasp his sword and was about to unsheathe it when Naruto called out again. "SASUKE!" The boy froze, looked around, before falling into unconsciousness again. Kakashi sighed in relief but it was soon replaced by concern as a fewer broke out and the usually pale cheeks burned red while the rest of the face became white as a sheet. The whimpers soon returned, followed by trashing around, whatever Sasuke had been seeing returning full force.
Soon enough, he started mumbling incoherently in his unconscious state. "Kaa-san! K-kaa-san!... No! Otou-san! Please, no! Nii-san! I want Nii-san!" The trashing was picking up and Asuma had joined them in holding the boy down. They were all confused, as Sasuke had been just fine when Kakashi had picked up Naruto to send him off as Utsukushi's guard. "Nii-san!"
Naruto, without thinking, remembered the last picture taken of the family and he made a hand seal. A small could of smoke covered him as his form transformed and when the smoke cleared up, in his place stood a tall, raven haired man with black eyes and pale skin. He was still dressed in the night shirt and pants Naruto had dressed himself in as he prepared for bed, but other than that, he was the perfect replica of Uchiha Itachi. And just in time, as Sasuke jerked awake again, eyes even more frantic than before.
Before he could start yelling again, Naruto closed the distance between them and drew his ''otouto'' into a hug, letting Sasuke's head rest against his chest. The Uchiha tensed for a few heart-stopping moments before he began to relax against his ''Nii-san'', hold tightly onto ''Itachi's'' shirt and arms. He kept mumbling things about a nightmare, mother and father being dead and how it couldn't be Itachi who did it. Naruto felt a tugging on his heart strings as his friend, usually so cold and distant, clanged to him as if he were a lifeline. He looked up for a second to see that Kakashi, despite his obvious surprise at Naruto knowing anything about Itachi, let alone how he looked, had had the mind to usher everyone away from the door other than himself, Gai and Kurenai, who was the best at medical things.
His eyes returned to Sasuke as the boy kept babbling and he sighed in a manner he had heard Sasuke do it in quite a few times and he spoke in a quiet voice, imagining what someone so similar in appearance to Sasuke would sound. He remembered how Sasuke had quoted his brother's last words to him and he did his best to mimic that manner of speech and depth of voice.
''It's alright, Sasuke.'' Naruto was surprised at the velvety voice he had managed to produce and he saw the jonins stiffen at the sound of it. However, Naruto paid them no mind as Sasuke stopped shivering at the sound of it. And Sasuke was the one who was important now. Always, a part of his mind whispered, but Naruto was too focused on his friend to listen to it. Kurama, on the other hand, was watching Naruto's new form curiously. Something about it seemed ... familiar, but for the life of him, the fox couldn't say what. ''It's okay. It was only a dream, otouto. Chichia and Kaa-san are just down the hall, asleep in their room. Everything is fine. Go back to sleep, Sasuke.'' To his surprise, Sasuke just nodded and, still clinging to him, fell right asleep.
Naruto, still in his henge, dared to focus on the three other people in the room. Kurama, naturally, ignored them and settled beside the sleeping Uchiha, looking at him, really looking at him and not trying to find Fugaku in him. It had just dawned on him that this boy was the same age as his vessel, had just as tough a past and was just as broken, if only in a different way, as his Jinchuriki. Pity welled up in him but the Kyuubi quickly stomped on it. The brat of an Uchiha would never forgive him if he pitied him, even if only in his thoughts. And since he and Naruto seemed dead set, if unknowingly, on forming a full partnership, then he will need to learn how to ... get along ... and more than tolerate the boy.
Kakashi was still staring at a face he had never thought to see if not in the middle of an attempt to take the other down. After all, Uchiha Itachi was an S-class criminal and it was his duty, or so he saw it, as his once senpai, to defeat Itachi. If only so that Sasuke would let go of his revenge and focus on rebuilding his life. Although, it would seem he had already started doing that.
''What happened?'' The three jonin shivered once more at the voice, as it has been years since they had last heard it.
''He was ambushed somewhere in the forest surrounding the town. He must have been out for an hour, at the very least, when we found him. There was a trail left, so I guess that Asuma will find them before morning. We don't know what they, as there were two footprints in the dirt, did but hopefully, we will be able to interrogate them throughly so we can find a ... cure. A more convenient and permanent one.''
The Uzumaki glared up at his teacher and Kakashi felt a thrill go down his spine, as he remembered all the times Uchiha-black eyes glared at him. Obito, Fugaku, Itachi and now Sasuke... Somehow, the Uchiha glare was the scariest on Itachi, who rarely wore it. His blank facade was scary enough to send their enemies running the other way. It was fascinating how Naruto could imitate the older Uchiha brother so well.
''This cure is just fine.''
''You can't stay in henge forever, Naruto!'' Kurenai snapped and Kurama hissed at her, his tail standing on end in warning. Naruto just glared at her and the tingling that went down her spine was most definitely not a thrill but rather fear. She heard all about the prodigy that was Uchiha Itachi and although she knew this was Naruto, it was instinct to want not to annoy that man.
''Watch me.'' Red met black as the two dark haired figures glared at each other, Naruto's scowl making Itachi's face look deadly. Before anyone could react, there was a knock on the doors and Asuma walked in, dragging two men by the scuffs of their necks. He was a little worse for wear but he didn't seem to have gotten any serious injuries, which was good. All they needed now was an injured shinobi to further complicate the mission.
''Sorry to interrupt, but I caught them.'' At the sudden loudness of the smokers voice, Sasuke tensed in his sleep and Naruto lowered his friend's head into his lap and started threading his fingers through the dark hair. He was surprised by how soft it was. He could do this the whole night. Sasuke relaxed once again as Asuma stared at the man he had thought to be long and far gone by now. Once glance at Kurama, however, explained almost everything. ''Oh. I'll just ... be going now.''
''And so will we.'' Kakashi said as he dragged Gai out and grabbed Kurenai on the way. It was obvious that they won't be able to do anything for Sasuke right now, as the boy was showing signs of trauma even when unconscious. Besides, it would seem that Naruto got it all under control. No need to impose on his good work. ''We will come back in an hour or two, after we have a ... chat ... with Sasuke's attackers. If you need us, we will be just one shout away. Jaa!''
And with that, he dragged his two colleagues out and closed the door, the blond never even looking up from where he was studying Sasuke as h slept, his hand still massaging Sasuke's scalp as he played with the raven strands of hair.