I do not own Naruto in any way shape or form.

Well here we are again as always thank you for all of the support in the reviews, favorites and follows.

Anyway so big thank you to MightyNo8409 who has agreed to help me out. At the moment he is going back and fixing my earlier chapters and I hope that it helps everyone enjoy the story more, if you can drop him a pm helping me to thank him if you enjoy the change.

Ok everyone three quick things, this is the last chapter before the time skip, and sorry it took so long, really I kind of got distracted by trying to update my other two stories as well as starting two brand new ones, one of which is still in the land of beta readers. So ya sorry it took so long, and hope everyone had a nice holiday season.

Second point… Ahem ok this is a public apology to one reviewer on this sight. OnGuard and I have had our differences over some of my works, and looking back I am ashamed to say that I have not acted like the writer I should have. His reviews and comments were never needless bashing, or trolling but constructive and valid criticisms that I overreacted to. Instead of taking his advice to help my story, I acted like a child and argued with him, so to him I say I am sorry, and I hope he has a nice holiday season with his family. I will strive to be a more gracious writer who can accept the attempts of reader to help make my stories stronger.

Third point….look I'm not a great writer…heck I make mistakes all the time, but at the end of the day I'm just trying to have fun, and give you all an enjoyable story and well recently I've been getting a lot of negative PM's and Reviews on my work and it's kind of making me tired of writing. Now I'm really sorry this chapter took so long, I just kept coming back to it and then backing off again. That isn't fair to you the reader, but it's the truth I just couldn't get the spark to write this for the longest time. So I went and wrote a few new stories, and then came back. I hope this chapter was worth the wait and that you understand why it took so long. So my bad sorry about that. Oh and just a small point but if you like my writing at all please take a moment to check out my other work, I'd like to think I've gotten a little better since I started this story so long ago.

Ok on to the chapter enjoy.

Chapter 26

"Talking"

"Thinking/Mental conversation"

"DEMON/God or the like"

"Jutsu"

-A time for change-

Ow….why does everything hurt... groaned a familiar youth's brain as started to sluggishly turn over for what felt like the first time in weeks.

"Well let's see, I could list each minor injury in order as well as the severity of each, or I could just sum it up by saying you playing the hero ALMOST GOT YOU KILLED!" Roared a familiar tone heavy with a mix of happiness and annoyance in that special tone only a mother can manage. As the words assaulted the boy's sluggish mind his eyes blinked open looking up into a pale heart shaped face bordered by gently cascading locks of purple hair from which a pair of moist black eyes looked down at him.

With a small groan Naruto managed to bring a smile to his lips trying to look like a child caught in the act of something. His smile didn't seem to accomplish much as Juubi's face kept its annoyed temperance as she gave a small dangerous smile.

"Oh no you don't buster. You don't get to scare me and everyone else half to death and then squirm your way out of it with a guilty look!" Lectured the purple haired woman as Naruto managed to sit up his eyes looking around the familiar expanse of grass and blue skies of his mindscape. After a second as his mind lurched into gear small flashes of a forest battle ground and valley coming to him as though through a fog.

wait…I was with team seven….then…sound….Minami…Naruko…me.. The Boys mind flashed as an image of a spear of rock punching through him flashed though his mind. With a lurch he tried to stand but found his legs not responding his mind swimming again as he felt slightly sick. With a wave of nausea Naruto tipped forwards as Juubi moved over catching the boy in her arms.

"Easy Naruto…easy." Whispered Juubi as she held Naruto gently her voice a soothing breeze across the shaken mind of the boy. As her words drifted over the boy the blurry surroundings slowly solidified into the familiar blue expanse of sky and soft green grass. Gingerly Naruto turned his eyes up towards Juubi the confusion and worry evident across his face, as Juubi gently moved him back down lightly running her hand through the boys blond hair in a soothing motion.

"It's ok Naruto…you're ok…everyone's safe." Whispered Juubi as Naruto's mind quieted slightly. After a few calming breaths Naruto looked up at Juubi.

"Are they?" asked Naruto as Juubi nodded waving a hand as the area before them shimmered into being as a series of blurred images showing small flashes of Naruto being carried back towards Konoha Minato and Kushina on either side of him as Minami, Naruko, and Hinata behind them all of their eyes focused on Naruto's unconscious form as he lay on a small stretcher between them. Idly Naruto noticed the images shivering before it seemed to dip showing figures of Anbu along with what appeared to be Jiraiya and Tsunade at the head of them along with a bound figure he couldn't make out. As the images shifted again Naruto turned to Juubi who offered a small smile.

"Homeed decided to keep watch over your group the whole way back. You're back in Konoha now. And you better not ever pull a stunt like that again." Juubi started as the images vanished, Naruto turning back to her his voice cutting into her own the concern pushing his soft words past her own forceful ones.

"An…and me?" asked Naruto a little afraid to ask after seeing his own bloody body stretched out like a corpse before him. As his eyes turned to Juubi the woman gave a small sigh before looking around the mindscape for a few moments as if looking for an answer. After a few moments Naruto leaned up to get a better look at Juubi seeing face looking purposely anywhere but at the boy.

"Juubi?" asked Naruto as Juubi gave a nervous little chuckle tugging lightly at her hair. As she continued to try and avoid the boys eyes Naruto leaned over causing Juubi to turn almost completely around to look away from Naruto before a heavy breath drew the pairs attention to a massive sand colored Tanuki looking at the two with a tired expression.

"Oh just tell him already Kaasan, it's not like any of us really have a precedence for this kind of thing." Called Shukaku as Juubi let out sigh nodding over to her Sochi.

"You're right Sochi-kun." Sighed Juubi as she turned to Naruto with a small smile. "Well it seems you…well you kind of part of my family now…sort of." Finished Juubi as Naruto with a look of confusion turned between Juubi and Shukaku who gave a slightly exasperated sigh.

"And you manage to confuse him even more… Honestly I'm starting to see where Chomei gets her scatter brain." Chuckled Shukaku as Juubi gave her eldest and exasperated look as Naruto continued to look between the two still waiting on an explanation.

"Um…I'm what?" asked Naruto as he managed to stand Juubi rising beside him as she pointed to his chest where the stone lance had pierced him.

"The wound was too much for you to recover from, and thanks to my chakra healing wasn't really an option, so my grandbaby merged with you slightly." Explained Juubi as Shukaku spoke up.

"Because you have Kaasan's chakra that means you're compatible with all of ours as well, seems Kyueed recognized this on some level and managed to patch you up, so congratulations you're now a twin Jinchuuriki." Added Shukaku as a small humming caused Naruto to turn to see Kyueed no larger than Akamaru coming out from behind the massive tree with Kyu and Kurama in tow yipping happily as it rushed over to jump into Naruto's arms.

"So wait…I'm?" started Naruto as Kurama's heavy voice called out with a twinge of annoyance.

"Yes, yes, you basically became a new type of Jinchuuriki. Only your part chakra now, not just as part of your system, but part of you physically and that part is what Kyu gave you. just make sure you look after him Got It!" called the massive fox as beside him Kyu let out a small huff slapping his counterpart lightly with his own tails before smiling over at Kyu and Naruto both foxes now free from their cages while they roomed his mindscape.

"Hey look after my sochi ok Naruto!" called Kyu happily as Naruto was still looking slightly shocked even as Kyu moved up to nestle into the boys hair its nine tails waving happily as it curled into a small mound of fur.

"He…he shrunk." Managed Naruto as Juubi let out a chuckle that a small wave of flickering golden insect's mimicked as they coalesced into a female figure on the branches overhead.

"Yep like me, oh maybe Homeed can to, but then I'd have to change his name for a chibi form…hum chomeed? Chibimeed…hibid?" the swarm known as Chomei began to list before Kurama lazily waved one tail sending a small wave of wind out that blew the figure apart into a cloud of insects. In responds a branch reached down from the tree to swat him on his massive muzzle causing him to whine slightly as Juubi gave him a reproachful look.

"I told you to stop doing that to your Neesan Kurama-kun, and yes Naruto he used up a lot of his strength to help fix you, it'll take time but I'm sure he'll manage to get back to normal size. Though I can think of someone who will enjoy this form." Chuckled Juubi as Naruto let out a breath he hadn't realized he had been holding as he reached up to scratch idly as the resting Kyueed.

"Hai, I bet she will, thanks pal." Called Naruto as the little fox let out a small humming purr as two of its tails wrapped lightly around his figure.

"So, how long have I been out?" continued Naruto turning around as Kyu spoke up.

"About half a day, Minami-chan is really worried, but I told her you were ok I think she's coming to see you! Everyone's with her too so expect company." called Kyu as beside him Kurama nodded slightly still rubbing his noise.

"Same with Naruko, so you better wake up already." Called Kurama as Naruto turned to Juubi who bent down to give him a bone crushing hug.

"Go on, but don't you every try and pull a stunt like that again ok Naruto." whispered the woman as Naruto returned the embrace.

"Hai, I won't promise." Replied the teen as the mindscape began to shift and fade around him.


As Naruto slowly blinked awake the first thing he took in was the pale sterilized light of a hospital room. While his eyes fought to keep his eyes from watering two feelings overcame him at the same time, the first being a steady ache all throughout his body, while the second being the rough scratchiness of his own throat as he parted slightly dry lips his voice coming out in a small groan.

"Ow…" murmured Naruto as his mismatched eyes turned slowly around to see a small blue haired form stretched out across his legs her pale face moving slightly with every gentle breath she took, a stray lock of hair swaying back and forth with each of her breaths. Despite his discomfort Naruto couldn't help allowing a small smile to creep across his lips as he saw Hinata giving a small murmur seeming only to have laid her head down to rest before pulling herself closer to the resting boy.

Well Bunny-chan I'm almost scared to wake you, something tells me you aren't going to be too happy with me. Smiled Naruto as he tried to raise one stiff hand to gently brush aside a few strands from the girls pale face but failed as his body protested the move with another painful throb. As he looked down he saw both his arms bound in heavy medical wrappings along with stints. As he took notice of this he heard a small humming purr that drew his eyes around to see three small furry tails wave gently from behind Hinata's head. Following the tails Kyueed's pointed ears and bright eyes rose up as he looked over at Naruto with a happy purring.

"Shhh Kyueed, Naruto-kun needs sleep." Mumbled the girl apparently half asleep as she brought up a hand gently dropping it onto the fox's head causing him to yip slightly as he vanished behind the girls head and under her hand. Despite himself Naruto let out a small snort at the sight regretting it a moment later as he felt a stabbing pain in his chest his sounds of amusement turning to groans as he leaned deeper into the bed his movement and sounds of discomfort causing the girl before him to stir.

"Wha…huh." Murmured the girl a few bits of hair clinging to her face as she blinked her wide lavender tinted eyes open, her hair flattened on one side of her face. Idly Hinata took in the sound of Naruto's voice. For a second the girl just blinked blearily around feeling a small movement as the diminished Kyueed slipped out from under her hand and up onto Naruto's head before turning to look over at Hinata as Naruto gave her a small smile.

"Morning bunny-chan." Whispered the teen as the Hyuuga girl blinked up at him a few times before her eyes crinkled small pools of moisture forming above a shaky smile. A moment later Hinata lunged forwards wrapping her arms tightly around Naruto pulling him close to her as a flood of tears began to fall beside a series of hastily muttered words, as she buried herself into the blonds chest.

After a few moments of incomprehensible sobbing Naruto managed to quiet the girl forcing a throbbing arm around her, and struggling to hold her securely in his stiff arm.

"Easy Bunny-chan…I'm ok." whispered Naruto as Hinata looked up at him her eyes teary even as she forced a hard look upon it.

"Baka!" she managed, before burying her face once again into the boys chest, "baka, baka, baka, baka." She continued to sob slightly.

"Hai I'm a baka, sorry Bunny-chan." Managed Naruto before he found his lips captured by a soft embrace the soft sent of lavender washing around him as Hinata pressed against him. If felt like a long time later that they parted Hinata looking at him through tear stained eyes with that same determined look on her face.

"Never again, Naruto-kun, never." She stated Naruto smiling slightly as he recognized that look, the same one she'd worn every time she'd made him promise something. From the time they were children playing in the park, to the days they spent huddled beside a fire in the land of wave…no there was no getting away from that look.

"Ok, never again." Smiled Naruto even as the door to the small room clicked open, causing the two teens to look round past the small white end table across the white tiled floor to the now open door eliminated with light from the rooms windowed wall.

"Sorry for stepping out Hinata-chan but…" called a warm voice that stopped as the owner spotted Naruto looking towards it. Naruto and Hinata had the briefest glimpse of the redheaded woman before a pair of yellow and red blurs shot forwards. Naruto soon found himself surrounded by Kushina's tight embrace while his siblings crowded around him Mito forgoing waiting and leaping up to plant herself firmly on Naruto's legs excitedly cheering as she saw her Aniki awake.

"Sochi." whimpered Kushina holding Naruto tightly as Hinata leaned back allowing the family to surge in around the teen, smiling at the happy moment. As Naruto struggled to return the hug from his Kaasan a small yip from his hair caused Mito to look up from her Aniki her eyes growing wide as she spotted the shrunk Kyueed stretching slightly in Naruto's hair apparently awakened by the new arrivals. As the little fox spotted Mito it's nine tails waved happily before with a small pounce it landed on her head snuggling up in the red folds of hair as Minami and Naruko let out small giggles at their Imoto's stunned expression.

"Well that's a first, Mito's speechless." Smiled Naruko as she turned from the girl to Naruto giving him a wide grin as he gave him a small punch on the arm. As a testament to his pain tolerance Naruto managed to not whine in pain from the gentle blow.

"That's for sending me off Niisan, try it again and you won't get off so light." Smirked the blond as Naruto gave her a nod from over Kushina's shoulder even as she gave a small embarrassed shrug as Hinata gave her a reproachful look.

"Hai, I'll remember that." Replied the blond as he felt Kushina lessen her embrace looking down at Naruto though slightly watery eyes.

"You better mister, if you ever scare me like that again…" started the redhead before Naruto gave a small nod smiling up at his Kaasan.

"Hai, hai I know Juubi and Bunny-chan already told me, never to do it again, or you'll lock me up in my room and never let me out again." Recited Naruto as Kushina gave him a small smirk gently bopping him on the head.

"Well good, and that goes double for me dattebane!" called Kushina as the room was full of giggles from the woman's words. Minami at this leaned in giving Naruto a hug before giving him her own bop on the head just smiling down at him as a few stray tears worked their way from her crimson eyes.

"Much more love like that and I don't think he'll be able to get out of the hospital." Chuckled a voice from the door, as the family turned to see Tsunade, Shizune and Minato standing there; Minato taking a step into the room to stand beside his wife gently rubbing a hand through Naruto's hair smiling down at the boy.

"Hey Minato-baka…looks like I'm Naruto-baka for a while." Smirked Naruto as Minato managed a small smile.

"Hai, I guess." Smiled Minato as a small squeak drew the group's attention to Mito who seemed to have overcome her shock pulling the smaller Kyueed off her head and holding it before her, before squeezing the tiny fox tightly looking up at Naruto with stars in her eyes.

"Aniki Kyueed shrunk; he's awesome can I take him to the academy? Can I? Please!" called the redhead as the fox let out a small yip before the room devolved into a chorus of laughter. As the group continued to laugh outside the room a white haired figure leaned gently against the wall looking over with a small smile as Tsunade turned her head around to look at him.

"Baka, come on." she whispered before she disappeared into the room Jiraiya looking towards the door for a few moments before pushing himself off the wall and towards the door that happy voices echoed out of.


A few hours later across the village a black haired woman strode slowly through stone halls a tall figure leading her forwards his scared face looking left and right ideally as he lead the woman forwards. As they passed cell after cell the inmates looked out not daring to call at the woman while she walked with Ibiki into the private holdings, the man nodding slightly as he opened the door for her to pass into the secure cells.

A cold tap could be heard as the woman's feet meet the smooth concrete that secured the private holdings. As she strode forwards the dim electric lights cast shadows over the deep navy kimono she wore. As her footsteps fill the corridor the heavy thump of her companions tread followed after her till Ibiki once more stood beside the woman.

"This way Uchiha-san." Instructed Ibiki as he gestured Mikoto over to a large steel door. As they reached it the man turned to her a slightly pained look on his face.

"Uchiha-san…Tsunade-sama has done what she can…so has Inoichi-san…he's in and out, from what we can see the seal is broken, nothing we can do to fix it. Hokage-sama and Jiraiya-sama both did what they could but." Started Ibiki as Mikoto looked up at him with a calm expression.

"I know Ibiki-san, I have spoken to them already, now kindly let me see my Sochi." whispered the woman as Ibiki let out a small sigh, nodding as he opened the seals allowing Mikoto into the darkened room where a boy held under a mass of seals knelt behind a set of bars also sporting their own set of seals. As the door opened the figure looked up his face oddly blank his eyes somehow to wide as he saw her enter.

"Kaasan…Kaasan you're here, where's Tousan and Itachi-niisan, I woke up and I was in this dark place, but you're here to help me." smiled the teen as Mikoto's strength seemed to buckle under the innocence in both his eyes and voice. This was her Sochi as he had been years before, innocent, hopeful convinced in the love of his family. Forcing back a small sob Mikoto nodded kneeling down before her Sochi offering a smile to the boy.

"Hai, sochi…I'm here, how are you?" asked the woman gently reaching through the bars ignoring the sudden drain of chakra she felt as she did so, her palm gently caressing the side of Sasuke's face.

"I'm scared Kaasan…I don't know..." started the boy, before his eyes seem to become distant the light in them darkening slightly as something seemed to be washing over him.

"Sochi?" asked Mikoto worry in her tone as Sasuke's eyes turned back to her, the wide innocent smile shrinking even as small flecks of moisture formed them.

"Ka…Kassan, help, please, I don't want to be a monster like Itachi….I attacked them…my team…please. I…I don't want to hurt you." Whispered the teen pulling his face back from her hand shaking as he looked around his cell. As Mikoto watched she saw the boy transform before her into the boy she knew, a harder one, haunted, but strong, fighting to keep from allowing anyone to steer him.

"Sochi, its ok you aren't a monster." Whispered Mikoto as Sasuke turned to her his face slightly twisted as he shook his head as if trying to clear it.

"No Kaasan I am…I can feel it, it wants out, for you…the children, Naruko…everyone. Naruko, Kaasan did I?" started the teen as Mikoto shook her head.

"No Sasuke you didn't, she's safe, you stopped it. You're stronger than it." Continued Mikoto a few tears openly cascading down her face as Sasuke gave a small smile.

"Go…good. Kaasan…I'm so sorry." Whispered the teen before his head dropped. As it did Mikoto leaned forwards against the bars her voice coming out slightly broken from between her freshly falling tears.

"Sasuke it wasn't you it was that bastard Orochimaru. You're my Sochi, and I love you." Continued Mikoto before a tiny shiver went down her back as she saw Sasuke suddenly stiffen. As she watched a small giggled started to drip from the boy's lips as his body shook like he was privy to some private joke.

"I Love you too Kaasan! Heheehhe Love, love, love, just like Itachi-nissan!" giggled the boy as he suddenly shot forwards. Mikoto was just fast enough to push herself back as Sasuke's face slammed into the bars hard enough to send small flecks of blood from his face to splatter onto her kimono as she saw the crazed face of her sochi twisted with madness his black eyes now vibrant red as he grinned through the bars a small trickle of crimson running down his face as he leered at her.

"What's wrong Kaasan, I thought you loved me, come on I just want to show you my love! Come on just let me show you! Hehehheheheehe!" continued Sasuke as his voice shifted into a maddening cackle that carried him back into his cell as she struggled against his bindings looking around the walls his face turning back to Mikoto every now and then his eyes spinning.

"Get out of my Sochi." whispered Mikoto as she narrowed her eyes the black flashing crimson as the crazed teen turned to her with a grin.

"Why Kaasan, whatever do you mean?" giggled the boy as Mikoto rose slowly to her feet marching over to the bars looking in at the boy her face contorted in a look of fury that even caused the maddened teen to pause before his eyes narrowed his face twisting back up into that horrible grin.

"Oh Kaasan, I'm not going anywhere. Never, never, never…I'll kill you before that, I'll kill you all." giggled the teen as he fell back down as Mikoto's face turned from anger to pity.

Sochi….I swear to you….I'll help you…no matter what it costs…I promise you. Thought the woman as Sasuke dropped to the cell floor his giggle dying away. Before too long Sasuke looked up, the child's innocence returned as he gave Mikoto a confused look.

"Kaasan, are you ok? Why are you crying? Are you hurt?" asked the boy as Mikoto steeled herself. Slowly the woman knelt once more reaching her arms through the bars as she waved gently for Sasuke to come to her. The boy moved as best he could till he was laid up against the bars his Kaasan's arms wrapped gently around him.

"No Sochi…I'm alright…and you will be to, I promise, but you have to be patient for me ok…can you do that?" asked Mikoto looking down at the boy who gave her a small warm smile. Gently Mikoto rubbed away the blood from the boy's face with the end of her kimono. After a few moments Mikoto reluctantly let go of her Sochi rubbing his head as she stood up. With a small movement the woman summoned a shadow clone both smiling softly down at Sasuke.

"Kaasan?" asked the boy softly as the shadow clone knelt down slowly across from him moving her hand through the bars to gently take hold of the boy's own.

"Shhh it's alright Sochi, I'm here." whispered the clone as Mikoto turned stepping out of the room. As she passed the edge of the doorway the steel door snapped back into place curtesy of Ibiki who gave the woman a sympathetic look. For a moment Mikoto stood ridged her dark bangs hiding her face from her escort, as the man turned towards the exit.

"Ibiki." Whispered Mikoto caused the man to turn his head back towards the woman where two bright ruby eyes looked up at him pulsing slightly.

"I need you to look after my Sochi for me." muttered the woman as Ibiki watched her turn towards the exit starting to take forceful steps away from the cell, small flecks of moisture still clinging to her eyes.

"Hai Uchiha-san." Nodded Ibiki as the woman passed him her eyes focused forwards. As the man fell in beside her. As the two continued out through the prison Ibiki gave the woman a slow look over, before deciding to trust his instincts.

"Uchiha-san, if I may what do you plan to do?" asked the man as Mikoto's feet stopped tapping against the cold concrete as she turned to look up at Ibiki for a long moment before letting out a small breath.

"What do I plan to do? I plan to find that fucking snake and skin him alive and to get my family back Ibiki…and not a single shinobi in this village is going to stop me." replied Mikoto as Ibiki meet her gaze for a few more moments before smiling slightly as he looked down the corridor.

"I see." He spoke as the two continued forwards Ibiki moving ahead to open the door for the woman nodding slightly as she passed.

"I know of quite a few who would like the same." Spoke Ibiki as Mikoto passed him looking around and offering a small smile.

"Well then, they will have to get in line." Finished the woman as she strode out of the prison Ibiki watching her go as he thought of the words of not only his partner, but of the members of Sasuke's team.

"That's going to be one heck of a line." Whistled Ibiki as he turned back into the prison, as the door swung shut cutting out the soft sounds of the village.


A little over a week following team seven's return found Naruto now sitting in his family's living room, his arms both held in slings under his orange coat while smiled watching Mito waving a single golden chain lightly above the diminished Kyueed who was rolling on its back waving tails and paws happily at the golden object humming happily. As he watched the small fox managed to grab hold of the chain before with a small pop it burst into chakra causing the girl to giggle happily as the fox let out a small yip of excitement hopping up and looking around excitedly.

"Hey Niisan, Imoto." Called Minami as she walked into the room taking a drink from a small water bottle as she smiled down at her imoto and her newest pet. Mito gave Minami a small wave before moving over to grab hold of Kyueed giggling as the fox's tails gently brushed against her cheeks.

"Hey Minami, still putting yourself through the ringer?" called Naruto as he pushed himself slightly forwards only to have Minami plop herself down beside the blond reaching over to hold the teen in place.

"Oh no you don't, no movement if possible." Repeated the redhead in a lecturing tone as Naruto gave her an annoyed look.

"Baa-chan, didn't say I couldn't sit up." Replied Naruto as Minami smirked at him.

"Didn't say you could either, just take it easy ok." finished the redhead as Naruto gave a small sigh letting himself be pulled back into the couch as he let out a small groan looking down at his bandaged body, his legs being the only area mostly spared the bindings. His discomforting sound caused Minami to look down at her Niisan with a slightly worried expression that did not go unnoticed.

"I'm fine Minami, just a bit sore is all." sighed the boy as Minami snorted slightly.

"You get stabbed, both arms broken, I don't know how many cracks and stabs, oh and you almost died and all you get is that you're sore." Smirked the girl as Naruto gave her a knowing smile of his own.

"And you didn't take my advice about getting stabbed, and got yourself a new friend."

"Wha…I." started Minami blushing slightly as from the floor Mito giggled looking up at her Neesan.

"Ya I saw you with that Mizu boy." Smiled the redhead now having Kyueed laying happily on her head his mismatched eyes looking over at Minami with innocent interest.

'I….no he's just a friend." Started Minami as Naruto chuckled slightly.

"A friend you happen to train with every time you have free time, and took out to lunch what five times." Smirked Naruto as Minami's mouth shut her blush slowly moving to cover her face as she looked between the pair her siblings smiling knowingly at her.

"Oh leave her alone you two!" called Kushina as she moved into the room spying her daughter under attack from all sides. As she stepped into the room Minami turned to her blushing all the more. Kushina for her part moved over to sit across from the group giving two of the children a look that told them to knock it off.

"If Minami wants to spend time with Haku-kun while he's in Konoha, that's her business." Called Kushina as smiled over at her daughter.

"Kaasan!" called Minami as the group started to chuckle. Soon enough Minami moved out to get herself cleaned up as Mito followed after her Kyueed napping happily on top of her head. As the two moved out of the room Kushina turned to Naruto who was leaning back into the couch his eyes closed lightly in apparent comfort.

"So…" started Kushina before Naruto's face shifted into a happy smile as he spoke up.

"Naruko is training with Fu, and Seekaku. Minato's meeting with Mikoto in the Hokage's office, Tsunade and Shizune are with Sakura and bunny-chan working on their justus and Mito just got soap in her eye." Listed off Naruto idly rubbing at the small part of him that now resonated with each of his seedlings. In reply Kushina smirked at him slightly before raising her hands up in mock surrender.

"Ok, you've been practicing with your new sensory ability while you have down time." Waved Kushina as Naruto looked up offering a small smile.

"Oh course Sensei." Smiled the teen as he stopped for a moment blinking before pointing over towards the back yard. As Kushina turned a small flash of yellow light appeared before Minato arrived right at the sliding glass door waving slightly as he saw his wife and Sochi waving lightly at him.

"You know it's a little unnerving you can predict me." chuckled Minato as he moved into the home the pair smiling over at him as he moved to sit beside his wife.

"How is Mikoto?" asked Kushina the concern obvious in her tone as inquired about her friend. In response Minato gave her a small smile reaching over to take her hand.

"She's managing...for now." replied Minato as meet Kushina's eyes. After a moment Naruto spoke up drawing the pair's eyes.

"Well, the snake needs to be taken care of everyone knows that…but I think we need to do something else for her." spoke the teen as he looked between the two, each knowing what he was referring to.

"Itachi-kun." Whispered Kushina looking from her Sochi to Minato who nodded slightly a mixed expression on his face.

"Hai, the problem is that he's so deep undercover." started Minato as Naruto shook his head allowing a pollen to drop into his palm.

"The Akatsuki won't overlook him forever, and if that masked man is involved he may already know about him, and just be biding his time." Spoke Naruto as Minato nodded looking over at Kushina and back to his Sochi.

"Hai, he could be, but he could also save us from them by being there. I don't enjoy the cost Itachi is paying, but it may be necessary." Replied Minato as Naruto nodded sadly thinking of how close the organization had come to already taking his sisters.

"I know…its' just….I don't know." Sighed Naruto as he leaned back Kushina frowning slightly.

"I wish Itachi-kun could come home…but he won't even if we offered it…he's protecting his family and he knows it…for him that's all that matters." Finished Kushina as both males nodded.

"Hai, stubborn…just like his sensei." Smirked Minato as Kushina grinned at the pair.

"You know it." Replied Kushina as Naruto chuckled.

"Well that leaves us with the snake." finished Naruto as he looked around at the front door.

"Though I think Naruko has me beat on that one!" called the blonde as a small snap and a few steps showed the blond walking into the room looking around for a moment at the three in the room. After a few seconds the blonde turned her blue eyes around to Naruto with a small annoyed expression as a black orb with one sand colored stripe flowed past her to sink gently into Naruto's coat with a tired sounding hum.

"Will you stop with predicting our arrival." Called the girl as the three smiled over at her irritation, as she moved to plop down on the couch beside Naruto with a happy sigh.

"Oh is Naruko jealous." Smirked Naruto as Naruko shot him a small smirk.

"Keep it up Niisan and I'll give you that rematch we talked about." chuckled the girl as Minato and Kushina laughed lightly at the boys' slightly worried expression.

"Not so confident when you're facing her down." chuckled Juubi as Naruto sighed.

Hey what can I say, I like living. Naruto thought giving a mental shrug before looking over to Naruko.

"So how's Fu doing?"

"Huh, oh she's good, we're both working on three tails, with any luck we'll have it down soon enough. Then that snake will be in trouble." Finished the girl as she slammed a fist into her open palm with an audible smack. Despite her bravado all three of them could see that her thoughts were on her teammate. Naruto gave a small groan leaning up to gave her a light punch in the arm.

"Hey, don't worry; we'll take care of it. Him and the Akatsuki won't know what hit them." Assured the teen as the girl nodded.

"Hai, but next time." She started grabbing Naruto's head in a small lock, "you don't go off alone, we're a family and that mean's looking after each other!" cheered Naruko as Naruto grinned up at her while their parents looked on both smiling softly at the image before them. Soon enough Naruko headed off to get herself cleaned up as Kushina also excused herself leaving just Minato and Naruto in the sitting room. For a few moments the two sat in silence till Minato started to stand.

"Don't know what to say?" asked Naruto, his words causing the man to pause as he looked over at his Sochi who watched him. Slowly Minato lowered himself back into the seat letting out a small sigh as he did so.

"Me to you know." Muttered Naruto as he looked around the room idly. As he did Minato watched him for a few more minutes before letting out a breath.

"Hai…so I saw how your training manifested…it was something to see." Offered Minato as Naruto smiled slightly.

"Ya, had a kick to it though." Replied Naruto raising his arms slightly in their slings as Minato chuckled softly.

"It does doesn't it, first time I managed to get the Rasengan working it blew me clear across the training field; sensei had to fish me out of a tree. Whole time Kushina-chan was laughing at me for trying to show off to her." Chuckled Minato as Naruto snorted slightly picturing the mighty fourth hokage hanging in a tree and embarrassing himself like that.

"Sounds like fun." Chuckled Naruto as Minato smiling slightly.

"I suppose, though next to that kid I feel like the idiot." Muttered the man as Naruto watched him.

"I worked so hard to get to be Hokage, and then to make a family with your Kaasan…then I mess it all up." Sighed the man as Naruto didn't interrupt just watching him. After a few moments Minato continued.

"And now it seems like the whole world is trying to destroy my family, and I can't even say I'm the right man to protect them." Finished the man as Naruto watched the man.

"I don't know if you are either Minato-baka." Whispered Naruto as Minato looked up into the teen's eyes his heart sinking for a moment before he noticed the small smile on his Sochi's face.

"Now that blonde hanging in the tree… he might be." Offered Naruto as Minato nodded slightly.

"Hai…he might be." Replied Minato as Naruto gave him a small smile.

"And he would be someone I'd like to have as a Tousan." Finished the teen as he moved up moving slowly out of the room leaving the Hokage behind. As Naruto moved down the hall Kushina reentered the room stepping over to stand beside Minato.

"I think I'd like to see that blond baka again to." Smiled Kushina as she gave the man a small kiss before moving out of the room. As she moved away Minato looked around the room his eyes falling across a family photo taken a few years previously his eyes panning over the smiling faces as well as the lack of another…He had wronged his family…and he wasn't ready to let is stay that way…and Minato had a pretty good idea what his next act would be.


A day later found four Jinchuuriki sitting around a small meeting room Naruto laid back on the couch chatting idly with Fu who sat perched on the edge of the sofa. At the same time Naruko was idly tapping her hands on the table before her as she cast an eye up to the clock every few seconds muttering softly to herself. The final member Minami was polishing one of her custom blades, checking over the small nicks it had received in its last outing.

As time stretched on Naruto let out a small groan before Naruko felt a familiar tug on the back of her head as she was drawn back into their mind. A moment later the girl found herself blinking around in the bright open field of Naruto's mindscape. The blonde blinked around a little confused before she turned to see Naruto propped up against the massive white tree.

"Hey, Naruto why'd you me in here!" called Naruko to Naruto who threw a thumb over to where Juubi was standing looking around at the three.

"Sorry, Juubi just wanted to talk to you, and really, you need it." Called Naruto as Juubi stepped up beside him. Naruko in turn looked momentarily between the two giving a frustrated little moan.

"Oh come on." started the girl as Juubi cut her off.

"Enough Naruko, you're just winding yourself up, any longer and you would have worn a hole through that desk." Called Juubi as Naruko looked away from the woman her fist clenching and unclenching.

"So, I'm just tired of waiting I could be." She started as Naruto cut her off.

"You could be training yourself into the hospital at the rate you're going." Added the teen as beside him Juubi nodded moving over to stand above Naruko looking down at the girl with a somber expression.

"Naruko, you can't do this alone. If you try to you'll end up like Shukaku-kun did." Whispered Juubi as Naruko looked away from the woman remembering the talk the two had shared on their trip back from Suna.

"but he's my teammate." Muttered the girl as Juubi sighed gently reaching down to pat the girl's hair.

"Hai…and the hardest thing you can do is accept that sometimes you are powerless to act alone." Whispered Juubi as Naruko looked up into her blackened eyes. Eyes that had been forced to watch her own children suffer while trapped orbiting the world knowing only the feeling of helplessness that such a thing brought. After a moment Naruko let her head fall into a small nod.

"Ok, you win." Muttered the girl as both Naruto and Juubi gave the woman a small nod.

"Well, that's good enough for me." shrugged Naruto as the area around them began to shift slightly before Naruko and Naruto found themselves blinking back into the office. As they returned Fu gave a small smirk pointing over to an inconspicuous houseplant.

"Got you Homeed!" called the green haired girl as a small metallic hum filled the room as the shadow behind the plant shifted before Homeed stepped out its metallic helm bowed slightly. With a somehow pouting sounding hum the seedling idly kicked its feet, even as the six blades wings shifted slightly.

"Oh come on Homeed, you're doing fine. Just keep practicing like Yugao showed you." Called Fu as the seedling nodded as Fu again closed her eyes and the seedling starting moving around before melting into another shadow in the odd game of hid and seek they were playing.

"How are the missions going?" asked Naruto as Fu looked down at him with small shrug.

"Not bad, Yugao-sensei's helping me with my weapons and stealth, while your neesan and I are working on jinchuuriki abilities so ya, all good there." Finished Fu as all three of the siblings gave her knowing smirks.

"What?" asked the orange eyed girl as Minami gave her a knowing look.

"Come on, Mito-chan's already told us about your class." Chuckled the redhead as Fu blushed slightly looking away trying not to meet their eyes.

"I don't know what you're talking about." the girl managed as the rest of the group chuckled lightly at her embarrassment. As their laughter continued to echo around the office across the wooden floor the door to the office cracked open showing the hallway beyond a small hole in the yellow walled room. The noise drew the group's attention around to see a pair of masked Anbu enter to stand on either side of the door looking ahead as a third figure moved forwards.

As he stepped in Roshi's maroon outfit and armored face drew the groups attention as each turned, or in Naruto's case sat up to face the newcomer. Once inside the two Anbu bowed slightly before stepping back out of the room the door shutting behind them as the five looked around at one another. After a few moments Naruto gave a small sigh.

"Well, I suppose this won't be getting any easier if we wait. I take I you're Roshi-san correct, holder of Goku the four tailed gorilla?" asked the blond as Roshi turned to the boy with a blank expression.

"And, now you stare at me like you don't understand English…great." Muttered Naruto looking around the room for a moment before returning his eyes to the man before him. Roshi for his part remained stoic as the remaining jinchuuriki looked between the pair wondering just what they were supposed to do in this situation.

"Children…honestly the Hokage's offer was so I could speak with children, it would almost be amusing if it wasn't so insulting." Muttered the man finally speaking as the four teens narrowed their eyes at him. For a moment the room was silent till a small chuckle drew the group's attention to Naruto who was giving the man an almost bored look.

"Let's see here, headstrong, insulting, and pompous, yep your from Iwa alright." Smirked the teen as Roshi's eyes narrowed on the blond his eyes moving over his broken body.

"And what does that make you boy, just another self-assured Konoha fool." Replied the man as Naruto's smirk grew all the more, carrying an almost dangerous quality to it.

"Nope just a guy keeping a promise to a friend, oh and did anyone every tell you that you're very easy to distract?" finished Naruto as Roshi's gaze faltered for a moment before a small metallic hum caused him to turn around in time to see a metallic hand settling onto his brow. As the four teens watched the red-haired man shivered slightly his eyes going wide before he crumpled to the floor Homeed looking around at the group humming apparently pleased with itself.

"Naruto was that really necessary?" asked Minami as Naruto gave a small shrug.

"What can I say; I don't like being talked down to by people. Besides I've had Homeed watching him for a few days, and you would not believe the ego on this guy." Shrugged Naruto as Naruko gave a small snort looking down at him before moving over to sit beside Naruto with a small smile.

"Well let's get in there before he breaks what little brain you have." Smirked the girl as Naruto shot her an annoyed look before allowing his seeds to slip from his coat to pull the others inside his mindscape.


Blackness that was the first thing Roshi saw as he felt himself pulled once more back into his mindscape. Idly the man felt his body lowered onto what he could only describe as a grassy field the blue sky stretching out before him as though he was back in Iwa back near his forge. Idly Roshi noticed a small movement of lightly that slowly dipped. After a second Roshi realized that the light was a cloud and that it was headed towards him.

With a small shudder Roshi forced himself up instinctively pulling a curved kunai up to a defensive stance as the cloud showed itself to be a swarm of insects that moved past him causing him to turn to see it swirl around a mirror of the massive tree in the center of Konoha. However, his eyes were no longer focused on the swarm but on the other towering figures that sat around the tree. There the monstrous tanuki, a pair of nine tailed foxes, and the metallic shell of a massive insect all positioned their faced turned towards him as behind them massive tails waved gently. Last a woman standing ahead of the them looking past him a warm smile playing across her limps as a thump drew Roshi's eyes around to see a massive red-haired arm slamming knuckle down beside him. As he turned he saw the broad chest of Goku the massive ape not even bothering to look down at him as it moved forwards towards the tree its eyes focused on the woman standing there.

As the ape reached her the massive creature bowed its head down beside the woman as she moved forwards to hold tightly to the creature mumbling something that Roshi couldn't make out.

"It's ok Kaasan, I know." Whispered the deep voice of the ape, his size allowing the words to carry across the clearing to confuse the man even more. After a time he watched as the rest of the tailed beasts moved over towards the ape even the cloud of insects drooping into a kind of outline of a person that sat happily upon the ape's crown looking down at the rest.

What in the name of Kami? Wondered the man as he forced himself to remain calm. He'd seen oddities before, during both peace and war…but this...what was this? As he scanned the scene before him, he suddenly became aware of several figures behind him. Spinning Roshi found himself facing the four teens all standing a small ways from him. At their head stood Naruto his unbandaged arms crossed as he looked upon the man, behind him Minami and Fu both stood watching as well, even as Naruko crouched ideally petting a small black fox as she like her fellows faced the red haired man.

"I wouldn't think of interrupting them." Called Naruto nodding slightly to the scene occurring over by the tree, momentarily causing Roshi to look back before focusing back on the four in front of him.

"And if I do?" challenged the man. He was a Jonin of Iwa damn it, what did these genin think they knew that they could think to lecture him. In response to his words Naruto smirked slightly lifting his arms in a slightly shrug.

"Oh nothing much, but you should mind your surroundings, after all where do you think you are?" asked Naruto smirking as Roshi narrowed his eyes at him. After a short moment Roshi grunted returning his blade to his pack relaxing as he looked around.

"I see…so that's where I am, your mind. I suppose that is the Juubi the Yonbi mentioned." Replied Roshi as Naruto nodded slightly though not losing the expression of dislike on his brow.

"Hai, and Yonbi as you call him has a name." replied Naruto as the man scoffed slightly.

"Which is irrelevant." Replied Roshi as the four teens glared at him. To which Roshi simply shook his head looking almost pityingly at them.

"What do you expect me to befriend that creature. I chose to become a Jinchuuriki to aid Iwa not to gain a pet. His name is irrelevant as long as his power helps to guard my land." Continued Roshi as Naruko rose stepping forwards to be held back by Minami. The action caused Roshi to smirk slightly as he eyed the girl.

"Go on girl, try it, you know as well as I that neither of us can harm another while I am in your country. Your own Tousan swore as much." Smirked the man as Naruko scowled but allowed herself to be held back. At the same time Naruto stepped slightly closer to Roshi his mismatched eyes never leaving the other as he approached.

"So Goku is a tool to you." Stated Naruto as Roshi turned to look at him.

"We are all tools when necessary boy, Shinobi are blades to protect their home, my blade is merely stronger thanks to the Yonbi nothing more." Stated the elderly man as Naruto continued to watch him.

"So you and he are similar then in your eyes." Whispered Naruto as Roshi smirked slightly.

"In a way, but I hardly expect you to understand that. You haven't seen true horror yet boy. Oh you've seen death; I can see that, maybe even pain, but not true loss. When you stand buried in the bodies of those you fought and bleed beside, maybe then you'll learn why a tool is preferable to a person." Replied the man as he marched past the group and over to a small plot of grass to sit his eyes closed as if waiting for something. As he moved out of earshot Naruko snorted looking after him.

"Asshole." Muttered the girl as Minami nodded slightly in agreement with her sister.

"Hai, I know but he's right we can't do anything." Muttered Minami as Naruto looked around at his sisters a sad smile on his face.

"He could be worse." Whispered the teen as the three turned to look at him.

"Huh what are you talking about?" asked Minami having expected Naruto to be the angriest with his connection to Juubi. Instead Naruto looked almost pityingly over at the man shaking his head slightly.

"It's not like he hates Goku…heck I'd say he doesn't really care about it one way or another. From what I was told about him, he's good friends with the Tsuchikage, it's really impressive he's even here. I don't like the guy, but he actually listened to us didn't he." Finished Naruto as the four looked from where Roshi had moved to wait before looking back towards the group as he saw Juubi shaking slightly as she held tightly to the red fur of her Sochi. After a time Naruto and his group, absent Roshi, moved over to the group to see Juubi happily sitting with her children as Goku spoke with the others.

"So how is Kokuō-niisan anyway?" Chomei still laying on top of the massive apes head ideally kicking her glittering legs over the edge as Goku sighed.

"Kokuō, he's ok still not happy about having to fight but I guess that won't change much. Though he's been excited to see you again Kaasan, oh and he says to tell Shukaku to stop with all the random destruction." Finished the gorilla while the group chuckled at Shukaku's annoyed expression.

"I'm never going to live that down am I?" muttered the tanuki as beside him Kyu gave him a small pat with one paw before a small swat of sand caused him to flip back over causing another round of chuckles from the beasts.

"Oh Kokuō, thank you Goku-kun for looking after him." spoke Juubi as Goku shrugged it off.

"Oh course Kaasan; my ototo needs looking after, besides it has allowed me to tell him the good news." Finished the beast as Juubi nodded turning slightly as Naruto stepped into the group Naruko, Minami and Fu following behind him.

"Hey Juubi, I see you meet your sochi." smiled Naruto as Juubi gave him a small smirk.

"Could hardly miss him." muttered Kurama as Juubi shot him a slightly annoyed look before looking back to the group of four that were smiling slightly.

"Hai, Goku-kuns just been telling us about life in Iwa. So what are you going to do about his container?" asked Juubi each of the four noticing her refusal to address the man by his name.

No name for Sochi, no name for him...hum seems fair Thought Naruto as he shrugged looking up at Goku.

"Ya he's…well." Started Naruto as Goku let out a heavy sigh.

"Stubborn." Muttered the massive gorilla as Naruto nodded.

"Hai, he is at that, that's what age does to him. Forty years I've been with him and he refuses to even speak with me, to him everything is about Iwa. Honestly if he didn't have a friendship with the current Tsuchikage and his goddaughter I would say he was a hermit. Still, I am bound to him for now." finished Goku as Naruto nodded looking over to see Juubi frowning slightly. As the group noticed this Shukaku sighed rubbing his sand covered fur ideally as he cast his golden eyes around at them.

"Easy Kaasan, as much as I'd like to get Goku out of there it just isn't realistic now. We have that Akatsuki group after us, and a war only puts our family in danger of getting snatched all the easier. For now a stubborn landlord is something we just have to accept." Muttered the Tanuki looking around curiously as everyone including his family looked at him disbelievingly for a few moments.

"What?" asked the tanuki as Chomei flew over to gently poke at the tanuki looking up at him through the hollow swarm body, her head tilting as the golden mass of her hair slipped one side her expression showing confusion.

"Shukaku-niisan what's wrong you aren't talking about destroying them? Are you sick? Does Kaasan need to give you a nap?" asked Chomei innocently as Shukaku's face turned into one of embarrassment and anger as the group around him exploded into howls of laughter that carried across the expanse of the mindscape.

From where he sat Roshi opened one eyes watching the group curiously as a small yip drew his attention around to see a small black fox one red and one purple glowing eye looking up at him as nine small tails waved out behind it.

.my report to Ōnoki is going to make him think I'm a madman…honestly why couldn't Han take this mission. Thought the man looking away from the fox and focusing ahead even as the small creature moved over to curl up beside the man letting out a small humming purr of contentment as it began to sleep.


At the same time across the land in the wilderness of Rice inside a bunker complex a howling manic laughter could be heard accompanied by shrieks from time to time soon silence with an unpleasant snap or crack. As these and other horrible sound continued a blue-haired girl sat inside a green kimono wrapped around her form decorated with a heavy collar. As another snap came she turned her eyes around the office, her eyes narrowing slightly at the door as if expecting some creature to tear through the steel at any moment.

As another series of screams went up a knock came at the door that caused the girl to set down her notes turning slowly towards the door taking a moment to compose herself before calling out in reply.

"Hai?" her tone coming out as a blunt bark rather than any kind of actual greeting.

"Oh just open the door Guren, or does the noise have you hiding under your covers." Called a stern voice that caused the girl to scoff as she pushed herself up moving over to open the door her eyes narrowed over a scowl as she opened the door. As the heavy door swung open the girl's black eyes fell upon the teen outside.

"Kabuto, I'm surprised Orochimaru-sama hasn't cleaned you out with the rest of the trash." Growled the blue haired girl as Kabuto gave her a twisted smirk raising his hand up in a light wave.

"I'm afraid not Guren, after all unlike some I am still useful to our master." Replied Kabuto smirking as he pushed past the girl into the room. As he walked out of the darkened hallway the light shown over his scarred form including the pale skin that now lay plastered over his face and arms where it looked like great chunks of him were torn free. Growling slightly Guren slammed the door shut turning to face the teen.

"Do not speak for Orochimaru-sama, I am not the one who failed his assigned task, why you live is beyond me." Spat the girl as Kabuto turned his head around showing the pale skin the stretched across his face including his left eye that now seemed to glow with a pale golden light.

"Because it was not my failing, I held back Kakashi like I was assigned to do." Smirked the teen as Guren spat.

"More like you were torn to pieces, pity he didn't finish the job." Smirked the girl as Kabuto gave a small shrug idly tracing a hand over his scarred skin.

"Either way, my mission was my own, I am surprised you aren't observing Orochimaru-sama, after all doesn't blood excite you anymore?" mocked the teen as Guren huffed moving back past the teen to her desk grabbing a file.

"Hardly, I have gathered the information Orochimaru-sama requested. Seems his information was correct. Several of the bodies were missing their eyes, at the time of autopsies." Smirked the girl as she handed the file over to Kabuto who flipped through it a small smirk on his face.

"So it seems someone has a stock of what we are looking for." Whispered the teen as a scraping tearing sound caused the pair to turn in time to see the metal door be torn free of its hinges to be dragged back into the darkness. Without prompting both dropped to knee heads bowed as a figure stepped into the doorway, a mess of black hair hanging down over their face as an unnaturally long tongue poked out as if tasting the air.

"Orochimaru-sama." The pair spoke respectfully as the sage entered, his usually pristine uniform now covered in blood and dirt as the pale figure turned towards the pair a dangerous smile showing under that matt of hair.

"Well?" asked the sage as Guren hurried to reply.

"My lord it is as you suspected, at least five sets were absent, this combined with what was offered in trade, and it is clear that he has what you are seeking." Spoke the girl never looking away from the ground as Orochimaru stepped forwards one blood splattered hand reaching forwards. Guren remained stoic as the hand alighted upon her head instructing her to rise which she did till she stood looking past the mass of matted hair to the blackened burnt looking area that had once been the sage's eyes.

"Good, you will be leaving with us. After all." smirked the sage as he removed his hand turning towards the door. "There is no longer anyone to observe here." chuckled the sage darkly as he stepped out both Kabuto and Guren hurrying to follow after him. As the three made their way through the facility Guren's eyes cast around to see the mangled remains of both human and monstrous bodies laid out pieces torn free, and in some cases sporting what could only be described as bite marks.

"My lord, may I ask why the experiments here were terminated?" asked Guren as Orochimaru stopped in his tracks a small smattering of mad giggles pushing between his lips as he turned his hollow eyes around to the girl.

"It helps the pain." Smirked the sage as he continued to giggle Guren noting the blood and flesh coating the sage's mad smile as she listened to his laughter. Looking back down Guren noted one familiarity among the bodies.

The location of the bite marks. Each one where a cursed seal had once been. As the three turned to leave Kabuto spoke up his tone flat and without seeming interest in his master's behavior.

"Orochimaru-sama, where to now?" asked the teen as Orochimaru chuckled darkly.

"For now we will be leaving Rice Kabuto, after all we're expecting company soon enough." Chuckled the sage as they moved out of the complex the sun shining down to eliminate the rocky side of a cliff overlooking a vast forest.

"And then?" asked Kabuto as Orochimaru smiled up at the open sky the sun reflected off the pool of crimson dotting his body.

"Then, we pay a visit to an old cripple and get what we need." Smiled the sage as he moved forwards his fellows following along behind him.


A few days later in Konoha found Naruto his arms still held in slings walking down the road as Kushina walked beside him both chatting absentmindedly about some of the training that they had planned.

"I don't know Kaasan, I guess we could try but every time I make a seal it doesn't work for anyone else." Shrugged Naruto looking up at the redhead who gave a determined smile.

"Well, I'm not giving up, you're an Uzumaki and you're going to learn sealing if it kills me." replied Kushina as she looked ahead Naruto sighing slightly giving his mother a tried expression.

Kill me more like it. Thought the teen as a heavy voice call out inside of his head.

"You shouldn't disrespect you Kaasan. Recognizing the stronger or wiser is part of life." Came the heavy tone of Goku as Naruto gave a small shake of his head.

Hai, I swear you sound like Juubi sometimes. Shot back the blond as, within the mindscape, the massive gorilla gave a deep toughed chuckle as he turned to the figure below him.

"What do you say to that Kaasan?" chuckled the four tailed beast as Juubi gave the heavy muscled arm of her Sochi a small pat with a triumphant smile on her lips.

"I would say my Goku-sochi inherited some of my best qualities." Chuckled the woman before the pair stepped back from the conversation allowing Naruto to focus ahead in time to see another pair before them.

"Hey isn't that?" asked Naruto nodding ahead of him causing Kushina to turn her eyes ahead as well. Down the bustling street bordered by the tall wooden buildings their shop doors open with people moving steadily in and out two figures caught the Uzumaki's eyes. The first was a redheaded girl they knew on sight, her yellow battle kimono waving gently over her back pants and mixing with the twin tails of her hair. However, it wasn't Minami that drew their attention but the black haired boy beside her wearing a slightly bulky green kimono his wooden sandals putting him just a few inches above Mito's own head so that the pair could see the edges of a smile that seemed to reach up to them.

"It is." Smirked Kushina as Naruto gave her a slightly mischievous look.

"Kaasan, are you thinking what I'm thinking?" asked Naruto as Kushina looked down at the teen for a moment before her face broke out into a mischievous look of her own nodding happily.

"Oh, hai sochi, I think I do." Chuckled the woman. As the two Uzumaki's began their plans down the street with the other pair Minami suddenly felt a small shiver down her back looking around the marketplace, but spotting nothing. Beside her Haku gave a small concerned look turning his own eyes around before allowing them to fall back upon the girl beside him.

"Minami? What's wrong am I to cold?" asked the boy as Minami turned to him shaking her head slightly moving closer to the boy as she gave a small smile.

"No it's not that, just thought I, it's nothing. So what would you like for lunch?" inquired the redhead as Haku gave a thinking pose for a moment before offering a small smile.

"Anywhere you…" he started before Minami gave him an annoyed expression putting a hand over his lips and turning her red eyes to meet his black ones.

"Oh no you don't, its' your turn to choose." Smirked the girl as Haku sighed leaning his face back from the redhead's hand so that he could speak.

"Ok Minami, what do you say to some Ramen?" Asked the teen as Minami gave a small pouting look.

"Honestly, you too, I swear I'm cursed by ramen." Sighed the redhead before smiling up at him and pulling him forwards. "Well come on then." Smiled the redhead as they moved forwards down the dirt covered street. Soon enough the pair found themselves seated at a familiar bar sipping noodles as they idly chatted about everything from training to the new state between Mizu and Konoha.

"So I guess you'll have to head out soon to report on your mission?" asked Minami as Haku turned nodding slightly.

"Hai, but Mizukage-sama seems to think I would make a good representative so I will likely be moving between here and Suna regularly." Replied Haku causing Minami to smile lightly as she turned her eyes ahead in time to catch a reflection in one of the hanging pans across from her. As she spied the two images reflected through the steam of freshly made noodles the girl's chopsticks when tumbling down into her noodles as her whole body suddenly went ridged.

"Minami?" inquired Haku as the redhead turned to him apparent concern on her face that sent a shiver through the pale boy's body.

"Haku….run." managed the girl before an overly happy voice called out behind the pair

"Minami-chan, and Haku-kun now what are you two doing here?" called Kushina in a loud voice that caused Haku to freeze as he heard it.

Ok Kami…Zabuza-sama protect me. Whimpered the boy as he turned with Minami to see Kushina smiling in the doorway wearing her combat armor that glinted slightly with the light coming in from between the flaps of the shop. As she moved forward the interlocking plates made no noise the seals below glowing ominously with faint golden light as she moved to stand before the pair turning a somehow to wide smile between the pair.

"Ka…kaasan?" started Minami trying and failing to think of what to say as Kushina turned to face her with the unnerving smile.

"Oh Minami-chan you took him out for ramen, I'm so proud of you." Continued Kushina turning towards Haku who stiffened at her smile recognizing it from when Zabuza had been in a particularly…temperamental mood.

.I'm going to die Thought Haku looking around at the crowded booth, a few patrons seated with them at the bar while others took up a pair of small tables off to one side of the building. With a small exhale Haku started to calm himself.

No wait too many witnesses. Breathed the boy as Kushina seemed to sense his relief.

"Oh sorry, I guess it's a little noisy here, let me fix that." Smiled Kushina as with a snap everyone in the restaurant suddenly stood before turning to exit the shop in single file causing Haku to look around with Minami wide eyed at this.

"Kaasan what are you?" started Minami as once again Kushina turned to her cutting her off.

"Oh I'm sorry I almost forgot, you see it's Uzumaki custom for the right of ramen to be private, but since you never really wanted to stay for ramen I figured you could use some help with it." Interrupted Kushina as Minami gave her a blank look.

Right of Ramen….you're kidding right? Thought Minami as Kyu chimed in.

"Oh I remember this Kaasan said Naruto did it when he wanted to officially date Hinata-chan….OH THAT'S AWESOME MINAMI-CHAN YOU'RE DATING COLD BOY! THAT'S SO COOL WHY DIDN'T YOU TELL ME!?" called the excited fox as Minami stopped dead with a horrified realization as she looked down at her bowl of ramen a small twitch in her eye.

ra…ramen….I'm….dating…because ramen…. managed the poor girl's mind as it seemed to grind to a stop as she looked blankly down at her noodles. If it were possible smoke would likely have been flooding out of her ears from her now stalled brain leaving Haku to look over at the down paralyzed girl before turning back to the terrifying Kushina before him.

"Oh Haku-kun you need to be ready for the trials, don't worry, I'm sure you'll survive." Smiled Kushina as a few golden chains slinked out of the woman's back causing Haku to look around obviously panicking as he spied the friendly cook his back to the group looking over his noodles as Haku's terrified brain seized on his last hope.

"He….Help." whispered the teen as the cook stiffened turning slowly to show a back from which two glowing eyes offering a small hum as it turned to look at the boy. As Haku saw the seedling whatever hope he had left him as on instinct he moved over to hold Minami's hand gently looking over at Kushina like a terrified puppy.

"Zabuza-sama….I'm sorry." Managed the teen as Kushina moved forwards cracking her knuckles ominously. As the redhead neared him Haku shut his eyes not wanting to see the end come for him. As the world went dark he waited for a second then two, then three.

A master killer will wait for the perfect time, building fear. Zabuza had once told the teen and now he was waiting, he thought for his own end till he felt a small thump on his head followed by a purring hum and a flash of light.

As Haku's eyes opened he saw Kushina holding a camera smiling over at him. Beside Kushina, Haku noticed Naruto smiling while trying and failing to keep his laughter to himself. Blinking a few times he turned to see the friendly owner and his daughter standing beside a seedling draped in an apron humming happily as a purring caused him to look up to see the diminished face of Kyueed looking down at him from its perch on top of his head.

"Wha…what?" managed the teen as Minami seemed to stir looking around at the scene before turning a bright red and turning towards her family with murder in her eyes.

"Yo…you two!" she started before both Naruto and Kushina gave her wide grins vanishing in in a small whirl of purple and black leaves, leaving only the echoes of their laughs behind. As they departed Minami was fuming as she turned to see the still stunned Haku looking down at Kyueed who had hopped over into Ayami's arms purring happily as she stoked his furry form even as the seedling followed after Teuchi apparently happy to help with the next batch of noodles.

"Haku, you ok? Sorry about that, my Kaasan and Niisan just like pranking people I'm." started Minami as Haku let out small chuckled that soon turned into a full blown laugh as he turned to Minami smiling broadly his shark like teeth doing nothing to diminish the jovial look on his face.

"I'm…I'm alive." Managed the teen between his laughs as Minami seemed to pause for a moment before joining in with a small giggle that blossomed into its own gentle laugh as on top of the booth Kushina and Naruto sat smiling at their work as they sipped their own ramen.

"Nice plan Sochi." smirked Kushina as Naruto grinned holding a photo of the two.

"Thanks, now we just have to make sure she doesn't kill us later." Chuckled the teen as the two looked out over the village listening to the happy couple below them as they tried and failed to speak through their laughter.


A few hours later found Naruto seated beside Hitomi both watching as Hinata moved through another set of stances under the watch of Hiashi. As Hinata moved into a deep bend stretching her arms out into an open thrust her eyes shifted into the pools of black as the chakra from her strike carried down across the training yard to collide with an audible smack into a poll. With a small satisfied smile Hinata let out a breath before stepping back whipping away a trail of sweat as Hiashi moved past her to examine the post.

After a moment the stoic man turned with a small smile upon his lips as he moved back over within ear shot of the three.

"A good strike Musume, but you need to put in more force to keep it together, the more it spreads out the less impact it has." Spoke Hiashi as Hinata nodded whipping away a trail of sweat from her brow before returning to her training. As she started to move back through the stances Hitomi turned to see Naruto's mismatched eyes slightly lidded as he watched her musume practicing.

"So Naruto-kun, what brings you here?" asked Hitomi with a small smile as Naruto gave her a small dazed look as though he had been lost in thought as he gave a small shrug his arms still hidden in their wrappings.

"Not much I can do really, besides" started Naruto turning midsentence to watch as Hinata moved through her stance again, "sometimes it's just nice to watch." Finished the blond as Hitomi gave a soft smile nodding as she looked out at her daughter.

"Hai…sometimes." Murmured Hitomi quiet enough that Naruto almost didn't pick up on it. As her words fell Naruto found himself looking out at the training field before turning between the scene and Hitomi a few times his brain filling in the gaps as a small frown creased his lips.

Well that won't do thought the teen as he gave his mindscape some attention. If Hitomi or anyone else had been focusing on Naruto they would have seen both of his eyes go unfocused for a few moments soon followed by an inky blackness working its way down them till his vision mimicked that of Juubi.

As the Hyuga members continued to watch Hinata's training a small pulse drew Hiashi's eyes around as he spotted Naruto's usually vibrant orange coat slowly shifting to black and falling as a gently wave of leaves from him. For a moment Hiashi considered that this was due to some danger, but as he watched the teen his own pale eyes meet the black ones, a gentle smile telling him that this was not the case. In silence he watched as the leaves moved silently over the floor slowly snaking over the lip of the porch moving like a shadow to form a pool under his wives feet that dangled gently over the edge. Looking back he saw Naruto gave a small nod before he saw the leaves slowly drifting up to alight upon Hitomi's legs coating them in the familiar black armor that he had witness Naruto use during the exams.

Hitomi at the same time had been watching Hinata, only just noticing Hiashi's eyes shifting from Naruto to herself. With a small bit of confusion Hitomi looked towards her husband as she followed his vision down to see her own legs now covered in a purple and black coating. In confusion Hitomi turned to Naruto before a voice she recognized spoke softly in her mind.

"Easy Hitomi-san, Naruto's concentrating a lot right now so you can't disturb him." spoke Juubi as Hitomi blinked a few times before replying.

Juubi? What's going on what are you? She stared before Juubi made a hushing sound causing the Hyuuga matriarch to quiet herself.

"Easy, just listen, Naruto's focusing on maintaining the pollens so I need you to do the actual movement." Continued Juubi as Hitomi paused for a moment before letting out a small start of surprise.

Wait is he? Started Hitomi only for Juubi to chuckle.

"Hai, now just remember how to move and we're good to go, so get out there and show you husband what a real sensei is like." Giggled Juubi as Hitomi looked down at her black legs small tears pooling in her eyes as she let her mind remember what her body had long forgotten.

Across the field Hiashi suddenly went stiff, as Hinata finished her set with another thwack of impact. Turning Hinata expected to see Hiashi ready to inspect her work. What she saw instead took her breath away. Hitomi…her Kaasan was standing small flecks of moisture dripping from her eyes as she shakily made her way across the field. After a few steps Hiashi moved, as if pulled forwards taking one, and then another step until the pair stood across from one another.

As they reached the man's confused look passed across his wife's face as she mouthed a name that caused Hiashi to look past her to the boy now still as a statue seated on the deck behind. As Hiashi's mind tried and failed to comprehend this Hitomi's hand gently took his own as she lead him over to where Hinata was standing her eyes wide in disbelief at what she was watching. Soon her parents stood before her, both looking down with smiles as Hitomi spoke up.

"Well my little Musume, not a bad strike but you're a little stiff. Want me to show you?" asked Hitomi as Hinata seemed to shake herself out of her thoughts nodding before moving forwards to grip her Kaasan in a soft embrace shaking slightly as Hitomi quieted her, looking up at her husband who reached around to hold the pair.

Soon the three were practicing Hitomi moving slowly, but gaining speed and confidence with every movement, even as Hiashi and Hinata simply enjoyed the time with her. As the time stretched on Hanabi returned in time to see his family, rushing forwards to propel himself into his Kaasan's waiting arms where she twirled him about. And so the family trained, moving like dancers in some grand performance as Hitomi and Hiashi moved in time like a matched pair their children mimicking them, as the group marveled in the wondrous occasion.

As day slowly shifted into Night the waning light caused Juubi to whisper to Hitomi that the time had to come to an end. So with a final set Hitomi moved back over to take a seat beside Naruto who had been stiff through the entire exchange. As the matriarch alighted upon the porch the black leaves fell from her swirling back around Naruto as the darkness fell from his eyes. Then before any of the Hyuugas could move the boy gave a small smile before falling forwards off the porch face down into the yard audibly snoring as the exhaustion of the day's actives caught up with him. To the groups surprise Hiashi stepped forward to lift the boy up looking over to his wife and children who smiled as he moved the exhausted boy inside the compound to rest

A few hours later Naruto found himself blinking awake in a brightly lit room his head resting on something soft as quiet conversation fluttered around him. His waking seemed to have not gone unnoticed as a soon the smiling face of Hinata appeared in his vision.

"Hey Bunny-chan." Smiled Naruto before his lips were captured in her own, and he allowed himself to simply lose himself in their soft embrace. After a moment a huff caught his attention as the pair broke apart turning to see Hiashi seated across from the pair his arms crossed trying to look intimidating. Idly Naruto noticed that he was resting on Hinata's lap of all things which combined with Hiashi's face was not promising.

.Juuuubbbiii? started Naruto as from inside his head he could clearly make out several voices booming in apparent amusement. Before Naruto could think of a swear to throw the mocking voices direction he saw another figure seated beside Hiashi, his twin in everything but dress. Hizashi looked so much like his brother that for a moment Naruto thought he was seeing double till Hiashi's voice spoke out.

"Uzumaki-san." Called the man as Naruto moved to sit up, succeeding with some help from Hinata as he noticed several other figures in the room including the smiling Hitomi as well as Neji who looked equal parts confused and nervous about his involvement in this.

"Um..hai?" asked Naruto looking around a little nervously as he edged closer to Hinata who leaned into him for support.

"First let me thank you for your gift today…it…" started Hiashi as he moved a hand over to gently take Hitomi's in his own as a small warm smile broke over his face.

"It was more than I can repay…and it made me think that you could help another gift to be given." Finished Hiashi as he turned to Naruto who was rather confused.

"I don't understand?" started Naruto as beside him Hinata gave a small sigh causing Naruto to turn to her.

"Naruto-kun, you remember when I told you about the caged bird seal." Spoke Hinata as Naruto thought back to when she had been insisting that Naruto not take Neji apart piece by piece during the exams. After his defeat he had been originally worse, till with help from Hiashi and Hizashi he had been knocked into the right direction, but always there had been that shadow of the caged bird seal that had meant life as a second class Hyuga.

"Hai, you told me how it was finally banned." Started Naruto as Hinata nodded prompting him to continue only seeming to confuse the teen.

"And?" prompted Hinata as Naruto seemed to think for a moment before Hitomi spoke up.

"What Hinata is referring to is the shame of the Hyuga clan; the seal was designed so that even a master sealer cannot remove that stain. It would mean the death of our branch family to even attempt it." Spoke Hitomi as Naruto looked over at her before turning to Hiashi who nodded sadly.

"However, that may no longer be the case…Naruto would you be willing to try something to help us?" asked Hiashi as Naruto gave him the best shrug he could manage with his arms still wrapped.

"Hai, how?" asked Naruto as inside his head Juubi groaned and he could swear he could hear a sound like a tanuki's head banding against a tree muttering baka over and over.

"Naruto-kun, just do what I tell you ok." whispered Hinata as she leaned in whispering into the boys ear for a moment as Naruto nodded. After a few moments two seeds one carrying nine red lines dropped from his jacket rolling forwards to break open into a seedling and Kyueed who both blinked up at him.

"Ok you know what to do." Called Naruto as the pair gave small nods the seedling moving over to lay a hand over Hiashi's forehead where the mark lay its eyes flashing for a few moments before with a small pulse the seedling withdrew its hand the mark upon the man's brow flickering before crumbling to a pile upon the room's floor mats becoming nothing but a small black pile of dust. Trembling Hizashi reached up to his head feeling for the mark as he turned to his brother who offered him a happy smile.

Seeing this Neji was dumb struck as he turned to see Kyueed looking at him.

"Wait why did I?" started the teen as before he could continue Kyueed leapt crashing into his face the nine tails wrapping around his head with an excited humming yip. Neji's reaction was more or less complete panic at this as he tried and failed to pull the furry object off of his face standing only to fall back through the paper wall behind him followed by a series of crashes as he tried to free himself from the creature.

As this occurred every eye turned to Naruto who was struggling not to look pleased with himself as beside him Hinata gave him a disapproving look.

"Naruto-kun." She muttered as Naruto gave her a sheepish smile.

"What he's helping him." chuckled Naruto as another crash rang out followed by an excited call from what sounded like Hanabi and Mito.

Oh revenge is so worth waiting for chuckled Naruto to himself as despite themselves the room erupted into laughter as Neji's voice came in a small cry of fear accompanied by the excited giggles of Mito and Hanabi who were no doubt having their own fun with the teen's predicament.


A day later found several figures gathered at the massive gates of Konoha as the sun beat down through a cloudless sky upon the dirt road that lead from the village. Looking close one could spy four teens gathered around with a pair of adults as well as what appeared to be a small contingent of children all looking at one mint green haired girl.

"Well I don't know how much longer they're going to wait on me." chuckled Fu as she jerked a thumb back towards a small group of Taki shinobi who stood a little out of the gate looked back towards the group inside Konoha.

"Ya well, just don't be a stranger ok, and look out for yourself alright." Called Naruko as Fu nodded giving a quick embrace to the girl before turning to receive one from Minami in turn. As the pair broke apart Minami stepped back looking the girl up and down as if running through a mental check list.

"Did you remember the kunai?" asked Minami as Fu sighed pulling out the tri pronged kunai with a slightly exasperated look.

"Hai Kaasan I did, oh and I packed clean socks as well." Replied Fu in a mocking tone as a few chuckles went up from the group as Minami blushed a little before giving Fu a small push that the girl seemed to take in stride as she turned to the two adults. The first was Kushina who gave the girl a parting hug.

"Just remember you're always welcome in our home." Smiled Kushina as Fu nodded trying to keep small tears from forming in her eyes as she embraced the woman. As she turned it was to have Yugao hold out a scroll and a small ninjaku in a red sheath that matched the girl's most noticeable accessory.

"Keep up your training; I expect to see you improve when you return." Spoke the Anbu as Fu nodded accepting the gift before accepting a small hug from the woman as well. When the two broke apart Fu turned to Naruto who offered a smile shrugging his wrapped arms as if saying "well no hugs from me". In reply the green haired girl leaned over to give him a small peck on the cheek grinning over at Hinata who gave her a small frown before shaking it off and giving her own farewell embrace.

As the pair broke apart Fu suddenly found her legs captured in a set of arms. Looking down Fu found Mito, Hanabi along with several of the children from her missions all holding onto her legs looking up at her sadly.

"Fu-sensei you don't have to leave do you?" asked Mito sadly as Fu looked around at the children now not even fighting to keep back her tears as she looked around at them. As her orange eyes passed around the group Fu found herself kneeling down to wrap her arms around the group holding them close smiling through her tears. After a moment she rose wiping at her eyes as she struck what she tried to make a strong pose.

"Ya Gaki's I have to go, but I'll be coming back at some point, and I better not see any of you slacking off right?" called Fu as the children nodded at her before a small twinkling drew their eyes around them. As they looked small scale like flecks suddenly blazed into life the light reaching out causing the children to blink around confused till they noticed the absence of the girl. As they looked back and forth a chuckle from above drew their eyes up to see Fu leaned back two green wings flapping with a dull thrum to keep her floating above them. The children started to laugh and jump up waving as Fu gave a small circle before speeding off out the gate leaving the cheering children behind. As she passed the gate her eyes began to tear up again as she struggled to keep her emotion under control.

"Stupid, stop crying you're a kunoichi darn it." Muttered Fu as another voice drew her attention.

"Fu-chan look! LOOK KAASAN'S SAYING BY LOOK HEY FU-CHAN LOOK!" called Chomei as Fu looked back in time to see the massive white and purple tree blast into life as a wind seemed to catch it just at the right time to send a wave of freshly opened flowers to swirl out through the gate to fly around her bathing her in their sweet scent. As Fu watched the village disappear behind her the happiness she had found stayed with her.

"Baka…it's not like I'm not coming back." Fu muttered again to herself as tears of joy dropped down her face her wide smile preceding her towards Taki. Back in Konoha past the still waving group over in the stadium a group of Anbu stood panting slightly along one side of the wall as one amongst them coughing slightly pulled back his mask showing shadowed eyes over a smile.

"Well Yugao-chan, I hope she liked your and Naruto's goodbye gift." Smirked the man as he turned to wave the group back to their positions.

Back at the gate the cheering children had finally stopped as they moved back to their families Kushina taking Mito off to lunch as Minami and Naruko left with Hinata to visit Sakura and Ino leaving only Naruto standing by the gate the wind blowing lightly causing his coat to flutter around him as he looked out through the gate. After a few moments he turned towards an apparently empty area around him calling out.

"Well are you scared I'm going to stop you or something?"

As if in answer a small shifting occurred as Roshi stepped forwards giving the back of the blondes head a small annoyed glare that the boy seemed to see without having to turn.

"Quite relaxed, after all if I wanted I could take you out before leaving through the gate, I doubt they'd find me in time while they were worrying about you." The man spoke in an almost lecturing tone as Naruto shrugged not turning to face the man.

"I think not…Still I do hope you will listen to what we warned you about. The akatsuki are moving for all of us. Villages don't matter in this. This is about our survival as Jinchuuriki." Spoke Naruto as Roshi sighed stepping up and past the teen towards the massive open gates.

"Well that's were your wrong gaki. It always concerns the villages. Still from what I saw and from my passenger won't stop insisting your village is on the level." Spoke Roshi as he came to a halt the sun beating down over his maroon uniform glinting on the metal plates as he turned to look back at Naruto.

"Might be because we told you the truth…I just hope you can convince your Tsuchikage of it." Spoke Naruto his face almost impassive as he watched the man before him. Despite himself Roshi found himself smirking slightly as he looked back at the teen.

"You don't know the old man very well Gaki." Replied Roshi as Naruto's expression changed to a dangerous little smile.

"And he doesn't know me." spoke the boy as a small series of hums caused Roshi to turn to see crouching on and around the gates five black figures, the metallic Homeed and clawed Seekaku among their fellow seedlings. Turning back to the teen Roshi spied the small from of Kyueed now perched on Naruto's head its nine tails waving gently as its gaze fixed on the man before it. Roshi looked around at the group before him smirking slightly before turning back to Naruto.

"Sorry gaki I'm not adding to your collection no matter how much my passenger wants to." Called Roshi as Naruto shrugged.

"Ya ya can't strengthen an enemy and all that stuff, trust me I know Goku was rather unimpressed with you over that." Replied Naruto as he watched the man for a few more moments. As Roshi turned to leave he felt a small pulse as he whirled to see Naruto still standing there except his eyes were now dark black and the jovial tone now lacking from his words.

"I would suggest you think carefully on who your real enemies are Roshi, because I'm warning you now," called Naruto as his orange coat flashed black the back spitting into ten waving strips as the tree on the back spread its now glowing design around flecks of black touched the teen's face, "I won't be letting you or anyone in your village harm them." Finished Naruto as Roshi meet his eyes unflinching.

"Is that a threat Gaki, because if…" started Roshi before a heavy pulse of chakra cut him off as Naruto's eyes seemed to flash with a purple flame.

"No Roshi it is a warning… there won't be threats if you harm them, there will be you and me, and kami himself won't save you from what I will bring." Finished Naruto as he watched the man meet his gaze. After a few moments Roshi turned stepping out of the village to head down the dust covered path that lead back towards Iwa. As he moved out a small shiver racked him as his burden spoke.

"If you were smart my host, you would listen to that boy. Neither my Kaasan or he will waste time with politics." Muttered Goku as Roshi ignored him moving forwards as the gorilla let out a disgusted sigh.

"Oh and don't think I've forgotten you wouldn't let me have a Sochi, say goodbye to your boozing, from now on that stuff is going to taste like lava." Grumbled the gorilla his words causing Roshi to swear under his breath as he turned towards his homeland.


Around the same time of the departure of the Jinchuuriki across the village in the holding cells of Anbu headquarters a redheaded figure was being led forward past barred cells a few sporting freshly spackled walls that looked as though they were covering massive holes in them. As the prisoner halted looking at one of these a small pressure on her back caused her to continue forward rather than gain the ire of the purple haired woman behind her who steered her down the stone floor towards an ominous steel door that sat in the wall ahead of them. Keeping her face impasse the redhead allowed herself to be steered past the door and into an open room with a single light hanging down casting shadows past a chair that sat in the center of a nest of seals.

Not soon after entering the room the girl found herself seated in that chair her body bound as the trench coat wearing woman inspected the seals before moving over to take a seat at the metal table that sat a few feet before the chair. As she sat the door opposite the one she had entered opened allowing a scarred man to enter his black trench coat staying eerily still as he closed the door moving over to the table dropping file upon the table as he turned his black eyes and scarred face with an almost bored expression towards the girl.

"Well, what the fuck are you waiting for." Spat Tayuya as she glared across the room at the pair before her the black pools of her eyes moving back and forth between the pair. Her insults, however, seemed to not even register as the two turned towards one another.

"Honestly Ibiki why are we bothering, Inoichi already pulled everything we could from her mind, not that it amounted to much." Shrugged Anko poking the file as Tayuya gave the woman a scowl. In reply Ibiki sighed rubbing his head absentmindedly.

"Anko how many times do I have to tell you, mind reading gives facts, not truths. Someone working for Orochimaru doubtless was trained to hide the truth with useless information that can bog down someone like Inoichi, it's our job to take that data and find what it truly means." Lectured Ibiki as he turned to Tayuya who gave a sneer in reply.

"Ya cause Orochimaru's all about sharing his plans, assholes, you think he'd tell me jack all." continued the girl as Ibiki gave her a slow look moving over to take a seat watching her for a moment before speaking.

"Oh I don't doubt that, actually I'm counting on it. You see people like Orochimaru never want to tell you anything, and doing that makes it all the easier to find out what he really wants." Smiled Ibiki as he pulled up the file browsing it for a moment glancing up every now and then at the girl.

"So you were sent to retrieve Sasuke Uchiha for a body to repair the damages that Orochimaru suffered…" started Ibiki as Tayuya gave a disgusted sigh.

"Yes and then we failed we've done this already how many times do you want to hear this shit, or does hearing a girls voice while she's tied up get your pathetic ass off or something." Called the girl as Ibiki continued as if not interrupted.

"And he assigned not only his second in command but his elite team on top of a small battalion to accomplish this. Such a force is overkill at best." Continued the man as Tayuya snorted.

"Ya except we failed so obviously not." Spat the girl as Ibiki seemed to consider this before turning to Anko.

"Tell me was Orochimaru the kind to over compensate?" asked the man as Anko snorted.

"You're asking if that bastard overcompensated?" chuckled Anko as she raised a hand starting to count off as she spoke, "he performed inhuman experiments on himself and villagers, he took me and used me as a genie pig before dumping me, he created a village to try and get revenge, oh and he staged an invasion to try and get at one man." Finished Anko giving Ibiki an "are you serious face" as she finished.

"All of which were measured to accomplish the goal intended, no matter how twisted that goal was." Muttered Ibiki as he looked back at the file before looking to Tayuya.

"He's desperate." Whispered Ibiki as he looked over the file before pausing for a moment looking at the file before leaving the room. After a time her returned his face hard as he picked up the file glancing over at Tayuya before turning to Anko.

"We have what we need." Spoke Ibiki as he turned to Tayuya with a blank expression.

"Thank you for your cooperation." Spoke the man as the redhead gave him a scowl.

"What the, fuck it up with your asshole I didn't give you a damn thing!" called the girl as Ibiki chuckled darkly turning to Anko who looked likewise confused.

"Oh but you did, you see I know why Orochimaru was so desperate, you see Anko your old sensei is blind." Smirked the man as Anko blinked several times before letting out a heavy laugh as Tayuya looked between the two confused as her memories of Orochimaru moved into place how he had looked the last time she had seen him, his hair pulled down to cover his face. Had his eyes been damaged…had he been that injured…how could she have missed that if it was the case…wait did that mean that they had been running to get some stupid Uchiha just for his eyes, how would that have helped.

"Fuck you Orochimaru-sama isn't blind, what kind of…" started the redhead as Ibiki turned to her his presence silencing her as his eyes meet hers.

"Because that is the only reason that Orochimaru would have panicked and sent you on what amounted to a suicide mission. He didn't know where your target was, that much we can tell from you running into them by accident. You would have had to sneak inside the village to get them in normal circumstances and at best that was a death sentence, for a planner like Orochimaru your mission tells me all I need to know. And after confirming with the one responsible for Orochimaru's injuries it is clear why. Your master is crippled." Finished Ibiki as Tayuya sneered.

"As if, the one to injure Orochimaru-sama was…was." She started as her eyes went wide the memory of that fox slashing her master's eyes, the burns on her partner's arms during their fight, the damage it did to her summons. All of it fitting neatly into place. As that fact crashed upon her Tayuya felt like laughing and swearing all at once. Orochimaru, her master the source of pride and fear was nothing but a wounded beast that fed her team and her to Konoha in a desperate attempt to heal himself…and now here she was. A prisoner likely to never see the light of day again…and all for some crippled bastard that she'd never see again.

"Fuck…" muttered Tayuya as her head bowed Anko giving a snort as she looked over at the girl.

"Well that's what you get when you deal with the bastard you get fucked." Called Anko as she pushed herself up taking the chains off and reattaching the cuffs as she pulled the girl up from the chair moving her back through the door and down the hall. As they walked Tayuya felt her world falling apart as she looked back at Anko with an almost lost expression.

"So now what?" whispered the girl in a broken voice. In reply Anko shrugged moving the girl back into her cell before locking the door behind her.

"Now we find that master of yours and cut his head off." Chuckled Anko as she turned to go halting only as Tayuya gave a small chuckle leaning back against her cell wall.

"Ha, I'd kind of like to see that…fucking bastard." Groaned the girl as Anko looked back at her for a few moments before moving back to the interrogation room where Ibiki was standing watching Anko as she entered.

"Well?" asked the man as Anko moved in giving a shrug.

"Too soon to tell, nice acting by the way, though come on me not knowing basic interrogation, I'm hurt." Smirked the purple haired woman as Ibiki smirked.

"Well she believed it; though I'm surprised she thought it would have taken us this long to put it together. Heck took us what two hours to scan Kyueed's memories to figure out what was up with Orochimaru." Continued Anko as the pair moved out of the room out into the open hall idly throwing the empty file into a waste bin on their way out.

"Think she'll want to undergo integration?" asked Ibiki as Anko gave a slightly feral grin.

"Oh if I was a betting girl I'd say yes, she wants payback, trust me that's motivation." Smiled the woman as Ibiki nodded.

"Hai…it is at that." Replied the man as the pair moved out into the headquarters.


As the events in Konoha were playing themselves out across the consentient in the land of Rain the seemingly constant deluge pounded upon the metallic buildings the water trailing down the sea of metal pipes and stone corridors to form pools and streams the worked themselves through the streets like the veins of some massive beast that slumbered in the gloom. As the rain continued its assault bringing forth a ringing drowning of impacts two shadowy figures moved through the downpour their wide straw hats offering some protection against the sheets for rain. Trudging forwards the pair finally exited the deluge stepping into a dimly lit corridor the taller figure wasting not time in pull off his hat to toss aside as his fellow moved silently forwards.

"I swear this place is the worst bloody village, at least in Kiri we weren't getting soaked daily." Muttered Kisame as he turned his shark like face around to see Itachi leaving him behind as he moved deeper into the complex. With a shrug Kisame hurried after him so that as they reached the next archway the pair once again stood side by side as they entered into a wide pillared hall where several figures already were milling around a few turning to the pair as they entered without comment. As the two came to rest among their fellows a small flutter of movement drew their eyes up to a small balcony where a woman appeared amongst a swirling wall of paper. The white folds slowly dissipated leaving only the rough stone balcony its railing rough with age now supporting a blue haired woman who leaned back looking over the group a white rose sitting delicately above a pair of bright yellow eyes that flashed as she scanned the room. After a moment she was joined as a second figure stepped forwards his black cloak decorated with red clouds a mirror to the woman's own.

As the new arrival stepped forward the dim light caught the metal piercings littering his face settling upon his spiky orange hair before reflecting off of twin orbs of pale purple decorated with a deep rippling pattern that seemed to make the bulge as they turned around the group before him. After a moment the figure spoke his tone barely more alive than the stone and steel that surrounded them.

"Kisame…Itachi report your findings." Spoke the figure in a seemingly deliberate monotone that reverberated slightly in the pillared arcade. In response Itachi stepped forwards reaching up to pull of his hat as he looked up at the man meeting his eyes before speaking.

"We engaged and attempted to retrieve the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi and Nanabi, however an unforeseen intervention prevented us from capturing our targets." Started Itachi as a few of the members around him snorted. However Itachi continued ignoring his fellows as he focused on the man above him.

"It seems that our secondary target was connected to this, the creature described from our information intervened and was more formidable that we anticipated, its attack delayed us until the situation became impossible to salvage." Finished Itachi as one of the figure around him spat on the ground sneering.

"What the fuck? You start a fight and run away you bunch of yellow…" started a foul mouthed member of the group as beside him his partner threw out a blackened thread that sank into the speaking man's face soon binding his mouth shut. As the man silently cursed attempting to remove the gag the figure above seemed to contemplate Itachi's words for a moment before speaking.

"What can you tell me of these creatures?" called the man as Kisame stepped up drawing his blade that still had a pale completion to it as though it was recovering from some kind of sickness.

"I can tell you, little bastards look like solid black clones, only their eyes are bright lights, and they can apparently shift shape. Not much in a fight at first, heck tore one in half without too much trouble, but then all hell broke loose. First the damn thing is dead then my blade starts getting sick over it, then the bastards back looking like a fucking samurai in armor swinging around six blades at me…" Kisame spoke working into a tangent before a pulse of chakra caused him to halt as the man with the rippled eyes focused on him.

"You say you tore this creature in two, yet it then came back stronger and wielding six blades?" asked the man in a slightly questioning tone as Kisame nodded looking over at Itachi for support who nodded as well.

"Also genjutsu's even my own were ineffective against it, at the time I feel we should hold off assaulting Konoha at least until we understand this new threat." Finished Itachi as the figure above seemed to contemplate his words. From beside Itachi a chuckle came as one of his fellows a younger man sporting a mop of blond hair that moved to cover one eyes grinned at Itachi.

"These things broke your genjutsu, hell maybe I'll have to track it down to say thanks before I introduce it to my art." Chuckled the man as beside him a hunched figure gave a deep sigh shaking his masked face as he focused back on Kisame's blade his eyes examining it as he allowed his mind to process what he had been told.

"Enough." Spoke the orange haired man as once again silence was restored. After a moment he spoke looking around at the group.

"Our plan have not changed, our work will begin soon enough, for now we focus on identifying the locations of the remaining beasts, Itachi, Kisame, provide a detailed report to Konan, she will see the rest are properly informed. Prepare yourselves Akatsuki, our war approaches, and nothing will be standing in our way of showing this world the meaning of Pain." Finished the man as he turned to leave the blue haired woman looking after him before vanishing in a swirl of paper leaving the group below alone.

And nothing will stop me from making sure your plans end in ruin. Thought Itachi as he turned to depart noticing a small flash of crimson from somewhere off to one side as he turned. While Itachi moved away from the rest of the robed figures one man stood between a pair of pipes his visible crimson eyes staring out from behind an orange swirling mask, watching the young Uchiha go.

So Konoha has some bite after all…no matter, my will is not so easily pushed aside. Still these creatures may deserve some observation…and I have so missed home. Thought the man as with a faint pulse the man was swallowed up into a swirl of distorted blackness.


A few days later in an open training field surrounded by a grove of trees inside the village of Konoha two pairs of figures stood across form one another both sliding under blows before lashing out with their own against their own mirror opposites. As the four broke apart a striking clap was heard as the battler's halted turning as one to see a red eyed woman stepping forwards her white bandaged dress swaying slightly in the wind of the warm October day.

"Ok that's good for now, but Ino you need to learn to rely on more than just your legs when your attacking or you become predictable." Called Kurenai as Ino gave a small sigh nodding her head as she looked over at her partner. Beside her Yakumo plopped down on her knees taking a few gasping breaths as she looking over at her sensei.

"Easy Yakumo, you still need to build up endurance, take a break and then get back to it alright." Called Kurenai as the brown haired girl nodded idly adjusting her own bandaged apparel as a happy humming drew her eyes around to the seedling that had taken on her appearance.

"It's ok seed-kun I'm just tired." Called the girl as the seedling moved over to sit beside the girl watching her as she straightened her dress. Beside her Ino smirked looking around to her own seedling that was performing a few stretches as it watched her.

"Hey why can't you be more worried about me?" called Ino as her seedling turned to her looking the girl up and down for a few moments before giving a bored sound of hum as it looked away again.

"Why you!" called Ino developing a twitch in one eye as she shot off chasing her double around the field. Kurenai in the meantime just shook her head watching the pair as she moved back to work on some of her own stances as well as to check on Shino's work. As she departed Ino came back around her seedling racing ahead of her humming happily as it skipped and twirled out of her reach till the blonde finally gave up the pursuit dropping down beside Yakumo.

"Ho…honestly why is it like that." Managed Ino between breaths as Yakumo smiled down at her.

"Maybe because it's your double." Chuckled the brunet as Ino started to speak but stopped shrugging as she lay back on the grass her eyes closed as she folded her arms behind her head.

"Ya, ya well just as long as she doesn't do anything embarrassing we're good." Muttered the blond as Yakumo's seedling hummed happily shifting back into its basic appearance.

"Well I think your safe for now." smiled Yakumo as she pulled out a small pad her seedling suddenly humming happily as it raced off to stand a few steps ahead of the pair striking a pose its face lifted up to the sky taking a heroic stance. Ino for her part leaned up to see this quirking an eyebrow up as she turned to Yakumo who giggled as she started to sketch.

"He likes it when I draw him." whispered the girl as Ino smirked letting her gaze shift to the blue sky above as she did.

"Only you would get the art lover." Chuckled Ino, "So, when do you think we'll be ready for the next chunnin exams?" asked Ino as Yakumo stopped drawing looking out over the field for a moment.

"Hai…I mean Sakura-chan and Shino-kun are already improving so I have to do my best." Muttered Yakumo as Ino sighed.

"Ya same here Choji and Shikimaru are actually training with their Tousan's more, seems neither liked not being able to help in the invasion all that much. Sides can't have Naruto showing us all up." Chuckled the blonde as Yakumo nodded smiling slightly.

"Hai." replied the girl as an excited humming causing the pair to look around to see Ino's seedling down draped around her fellow leaning back as though in a ball room dance her partner holding her up as it bowed its face striking a romance pose both looking over at Yakumo humming happily.

"YOU!" called Ino springing to her feet as she charged across the field the two seedling whirling as the Ino seedling took off again to escape the grasp of its fellow leaving Yakumo chuckling behind at their antics.

Meanwhile across the village Sakura was slumping over a table piled high with textbooks papers on theories and discarded pens her head laid flat upon the wooden surface of the desk her pink hair framing her head.

"Can't read…anymore…brain….mush." groaned the girl as she tilted her head up to look at the still daunting amount of work ahead of her. As her chin rested on the table she allowed her green eyes to travel up to see across from her Hinata in much the same position her usual clean straight hair now sticking up at an odd angle as she blinked tired pale eyes over at Sakura.

"Naruto-kun….I'm sorry." Mumbled Hinata as she slumped forwards her head thumping on the desk as she started to whimper slightly in her sleep.

"No….Hinata-chan….not you." Managed Sakura pushing herself back in her chair the light falling over her red battle kimono as she looked around the library the two occupied fighting to keep from passing out like her fellow.

"Why did I agree to this again." Muttered the pink haired girl rubbing idly at her forehead as she gazed around the room stiffening as a familiar voice spoke up behind her.

"Well I would say because you wanted to take after me, after all you're looking to become a fantastic medical kunoichi aren't you?" called a voice as Sakura turned to see Tsunade standing behind her arms laden with a fresh set of books and papers that caused Sakura to whimper slightly.

"Please no." whispered the girl as Tsunade's face turned up in a smile moving over to drop the books down loud enough to cause Hinata to shoot up with an audible eep before tumbling back out of her chair with a crash.

"Well miss Hyuuga, nice to see you're still awake." Called Tsunade as Hinata rose pulling her chair up and blushing madly as Tsunade turned waving over her shoulder at the pair as she departed.

"Keep up the good work." Called the sage as she left the room the door snapping shut behind her as both girls let out audible groans.

"So what now?" asked Sakura as she looked across at Hinata who gave a shrug before a metallic humming caused both to turn towards the window that now stood open Homeed sitting upon its sill, legs kicking idly as it watched the two.

"Stop mocking us!" called Sakura flinging a book over at the seedling that tilted its head allowing the heavy textbook to sail out of the window and down into the street below.

"Homeed, it's not nice to be here…we're working." Called Hinata in a slightly disapproving tone as the seedling hopped from the window sill its blades wings spreading out to allow it to drop silently to the floor as it moved over pulling a small package from behind its back as it reached the pairs table. As the two turned they saw it was a small packed lunch with a smiling face drawn on a small paper on top that they both recognized. Before they could say more Homeed turned dashing back out the window waving as it leapt out.

"Well delivery, I have to say Hinata-chan if I'd known it was this good I might have snatched up Naruto for myself." Smirked Sakura as she reached for a sandwich causing Hinata to return the look taking one for herself.

"Not a chance Sakura-chan." Replied the girl staring her friend down till both broke out into light laughter moving to enjoy the gift even as below a confused Kakashi was being helped up after a text book of all things had falling out of the sky to brain him.


As the genin of Konoha worked to prepare for the coming days a lone chunnin stood upon a still lake the water rippling gently around his feet as he focused on his task. The light from the sun glinting off of the water to reflect upon his tanned skin and blond locks his orange coat waving out around him as his face crinkled into one of concentration as around him the water began to churn and bubble. A dull thrum of power began to reverberate around him as the trembling intensified, and slowly he began to rise. Around him the water gurgled and sloshed as it too rose lifting like a pedestal where the teen stood perched as the entire lake slowly lifted up leaving its muddy home below. As it rose the shimmering flecks of thousands of purple and black leaves flashing in the light revealed themselves lying interlocked under the water like some massive bowl that held the lake trapped. Steadily the lake rose higher as the teen above allowed his face to turn up in a triumphant smirk.

"HEY CONCENTRATE!" yelled Juubi as Naruto blinked his eyes open.

"Wha…oh crap." Muttered the boy as he felt his focus leave him before a sinking feeling filled him as the mass of leaves faltered causing him to plummet down with his basin into back to earth with a thunderous crash that sent mud splattering everywhere. As the teen slammed down upon the waves he found himself sinking quickly before he could fight his way back up and to shore shaking himself as he looked down at his bandages now soaked.

"Great I'm so dead when Kaasan sees this." muttered Naruto as a happy giggling drew his attention around to see three figures now caked brown sitting not far away. As he looked one of the two larger figures stood mud dripping off of them as they waved their head back and forth revealing a smiling face as well as a few locks of deep crimson.

"Aniki that was awesome do it again!" cheered Mito as beside her Hanabi stood up shaking mud off of him as he looked himself up and down. Before Mito could continue a small humming yip gave her a moments warning before the mud covered Kyueed leapt up into her arms spearing her face with his own mud splattered body causing her to giggle all the more as Naruto looked around at them.

"Scratch that Kassan's going to kill me over that." Muttered Naruto as he watched Mito slip back into the mud dragging Hanabi with her as Kyueed hopped happily around them yipping.

"Well maybe if you focus instead of gloating that wouldn't have happened." Lectured Juubi as Naruto sighed sending small waves of his leaves around to dispose of the water before they returned to his coat.

"Hai, hai look I was just happy I was getting better." Muttered Naruto as Juubi sighed.

"Nothing wrong with pride in your work Naruto, but try and not let it become so messy right." Called the woman as Naruto nodded turning just in time to see Mito and Hanabi both holding globs of mud in their arms.

"Oh no you." Started Naruto before the pair flung the mud forwards to splatter on the teen's coat.

"Hey what are you waiting for fight back!" called Juubi giggling as the children dipped to reload. Chuckling Naruto flung a few leaves forwards wrapping Mito up to heave her gently into the lake with a resounding splash. Hanabi in turn charged catching Naruto off guard and taking the two into the lake as well where they three surfaced the children laughing happily as Kyueed hopped out racing over the water to sit itself upon Naruto's head coating it in a fresh smattering of mud. What followed was a mess of mud, water, and laughter till finally the three found themselves traipsing back down the streets of Konoha. As they found their way to the Hyuuga compound the dripping Hanabi moved in happily past a confused Hiashi who gave the pair of Uzumaki's a small looked before simply nodding as he followed his Sochi into the compound.

As Naruto wound his way back home Mito happily stroking Kyueed who lay in her arms the pair heard a small call out behind them.

"Hey Imoto, Niisan!" called a familiar tone as the pair turned Mito whirling around smiling as she raced down the dirt street past a few shops that were just putting out their lanterns throw herself into a tackle of greeting almost taking Naruko off her feet.

"Neesan!" called Mito excitedly as she plowed into her sister Naruko chuckling happily as she held the girl close looking over at Naruto with one eyebrow cocked up.

"So you take her swimming or what?" chuckled Naruko as Naruto shrugged smiling over at his sister.

"Ya something like that." Replied Naruto as Mito detached herself from Naruko only to fling herself sideways into Minami who stepped up beside her sister taking the tackle in stride and spinning the girls around a few times before settling her down as she took in their appearance.

"Kaasan's not going to be happy you managed to get this messed up." Smirked Minami as Naruto gave a sheepish chuckle even as Naruko moved over offering a small shove of greeting.

"Just couldn't keep from training could you." Smirked the girl as Naruto shrugged.

"What can I say, I'm stubborn like that." Replied the blond as Minami and Mito stepped up as well Kyueed now perched on the little girls head blinking around at the group.

"Ya, it's kind of a family trait." Smirked Minami looking over at Naruko who looked a little embarrassed as she looked away.

"Well come on we can't be late today." Called Naruko as she struck out the rest of the siblings falling in beside her as they moved forwards down the road chatting with one another till they arrived at the Namikaze residence. As the group moved forwards past the gate the door to the home burst open Kushina smiling beside Minato as in the background Voices could already be heard the light of the doorway flooding out onto the area falling across the four siblings.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" cried several voices causing Naruto, Minami and Naruko to smile as their parents and loved ones moved out to surround them the lanterns of the front yard blazing into life as the smiling faces of their teammates, senseis, friends and family circled them. With much laughing and a few scolding's for Naruto's appearance, the group moved back inside sharing both food and drink all celebrating the day that the three siblings entered into their lives. As the night move on and gifts were exchanged it eventually finished with the Namikaze family all grouped together before the couch Minato and Kushina sitting beside one another arm's looped around each other with Minami, Naruko and Naruto all standing in front of them Mito smiling between her siblings still holding Kyueed who looked puzzled at Shizune set off the camera, capturing the family complete, for the first time in what felt like forever.

As that picture flashed to life it was soon joined by others, depicting everything from Naruko and Minami with arms wrapped around each other's necks to a blushing Hinata receiving a kiss on the cheek from Naruto, to Mito pulling a puzzled looking Seekaku towards the yard where a few children cheered to meet the seedling. As more and more memories were captured that night the party continued even as Naruto ducked out to catch his breath looking up into the sky where the moon now shown above them casting a warm glow upon his face.

"Well Naruto, what do you think?" asked Juubi as Naruto smiled looking up at the sky.

"I think I have my family back…and now it's time to make sure they are looked after." Breathed Naruto as inside the mindscape Juubi nodded looking around to see Kurama and Kyu both sleeping their tails wrapped around one another as off in the distance Shukaku and Goku were busy working on something even as Chomei continued to dive-bomb them with questions.

"Hai…we have our work cut out for us." replied Juubi as Naruto nodded looking around as the sliding door opened the forms of his family appearing in it as he smiled up at them.

But it's worth it. Thought the teen as he pushed himself up moving over to his family as Juubi nodded.

"Hai...It always is." Whispered the woman as she watched her children under the moonlight. Struggles were upon the horizon for them all, but just for tonight it was alright to forget that, and enjoy what they had won.


Ok and time skip time everybody, first let me say thank you all for all the help in supporting me and sorry this one took so long, as you might have noticed I kind of started working on a few other works that I hope you also enjoy. I know there wasn't a lot of action here, but it's more of a set up for the time skip so that was bound to happen. So next instalment will be in three years, what will change, who will change, what will Mito become…the answer to all these and more…are right here.

1. Not much lol

2. Everyone

3. Read below

As a thanks for being so patient I decided to include the prizes for the contest as a way of saying thank you and also giving you just a bit more to look forwards to in the coming chapters. Thanks again to everyone who reviewed, followed, and favorite it is thanks to your support that this story will never be abandoned.

Enjoy Minami's summon!

Minami stood in the center of the back yard of the Namikaze residence standing about the same height as her sisters had when they had turned 10. The years had changed Mito into a miniature version of Kushina at the age of twelve excluding the baby fat that Kushina had still carried at that time. She now wore a black battle kimono with an intricate chain design that wrapped around her body in bright golden lines. The design traveled down her sleeves and legs stopping at where the elbows and knees came up. Over the kimono she wore a bright red coat that stopped just at her sleeves and small of her back giving her a tomboy look despite her long hair and delicate features. Mito had taken to carrying her hair in a single long brad that fell across her front accenting her developing bosom.

However, one thing that had not changed was the girl's excitable nature. While she may have calmed down over the years she still was a fountain of excitement, and hard to find not happy about something, although her patience still needed a little work.

"Kaasan come on, I've been waiting for this forever! Aniki and Neesan's have had theirs for years, and I got straight A's just like you wanted!" the redhead called setting her fists on her hips and looking more like a mini Kushina than one would have thought possible. Across from her Kushina was smiling over at her youngest holding a large scroll out in front of her with a smirk.

"That I did my little musume, and here it is the summoning contract your Aniki and I found back in wave." Kushina called holding out the scroll that Mito excitedly accepted.

"Awesome thanks Kaasan, what is it, huh, is it dragons, or phoenix or maybe even a tailed beast like everyone else has, gah wait till Hanabi sees this I'll finally have a one up on him." Asked Mito as she unrolled the scroll in excitement. Kushina in the meantime just shook her head at the girl's excitement.

"Sorry Mito can't tell you we kept it a secret just for today, and I'm not going to ruin the surprise now, so just like we practiced." called Kushina as Mito excitably opened the scroll onto the backyard and summoning a single golden chain to prick her finger before spearing in onto her palm and flying through the hand sign's.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" the girl called as she slammed her hands into the ground before there was a sudden burst of smoke. Mito looked around in the smoke excitedly trying and failing to see what she was looking for. For a horrible moment she feared that she had somehow messed up or that whatever was there, wasn't going to be interested in being her summon. Then there was a small voice.

"Hey where am I? Wait…Alright this is gonna be awesome!" called an excited voice as the smoke cleared away showing the creature that Mito had summoned.

There standing in the center of the clearing smoke was a small red creature about the size of a dog with bright red fur, and black legs ending in pawed feet. Its tail was a mix of red and white stripes that ended just where the tails of its black coat came to an end. The coat went up the creatures back ending in a raised color around its neck that framed a furry face where two black eyes sat in a white face, with two small tufts of ears on top. What stood before them was a red panda.

For a second Mito just blinked down at the little guy before she let out an all to girlish squeak of excitement that caused the little guy to jump and turn to face her. The two just looked at each other for a moment in silence before Mito spoke.

Um…hi I'm Mito, and I guess your my summon…if that's ok?" the redhead asked scratching her hand idly as she held out a hand awkwardly. The red panda seemed to consider her for a moment before it jumped forwards with a happy little cry of excitement.

"Hai Hai I knew it this is awesome we have a summoner again, oh thank you, thank you, thank you! Oh my name is Kuro. But who cares this is awesome!" called the small bundle of fur as it jumped into Mito's chest causing her to fall over letting out a giggle as the furry creature nuzzled against her.

"He-hey cut it out!" giggled Mito as she tried to pry the little furry creature off of her for a moment, before giving up and simply holding it close giggling in turn. Kushina watched with a smile on her face as the two rolled on the grass. Kushina and Naruto had managed to figure out the summoning, but had kept it a secret to give it to Mito when she reached the proper age. Kushina was the holder of the contract currently and had arranged for this little situation. She had meet the boss summon a few years back, and it turned out that she had a little bundle of joy just like Kushina had, so they had hatched a plan to have the two become partners. Little Kuro had managed to figure it out at some point, and had been jumping off of the walls with excitement ever since.

Finally the pair calmed down enough and now Mito stood grinning as Kuro lay draped across her shoulders long fuzzy tail falling down her front as his head stuck up excitedly looking around level with Mito's.

"Kaasan I have to go show Hanabi this, he will be so jealous, Hinata said he had to wait a few weeks before he got the rabbit contract, please!" called the girl smiling over at Kushina as Kuro gave her his best shot of the puppy dog eye jutsu. Kushina in turn just huffed out a small chuckle before nodding as Mito gave her a quick hug before turning to run and jump over the nearby hedge flinging a golden chain from her arm as she did and pulling herself forwards towards the treetops to take her own shortcut to the Hyuuga compound.

Kushina watched her go with a happy smile on her face.

"Yep those two should get along just fine." She thought as she turned to enter back into the house taking the contract back in with her.

Meanwhile Mito was swinging through the forest laughing as Kuro leapt from tree to tree ahead of her calling out as he did.

"Hey Mito care to have a race!" he called excitedly as he sprung off of a branch and twirled in the air to face back at Mito who was grinning a happy and fierce smile.

"Ok but you are going down!" called Mito shooting two chains out to fling herself past the creature letting out a whoop of joy as she sailed forwards. Mito was still smirking when there was a small sound like creaking wood before Kuro came rocketing past her his fur pulled back as a swirling mix of wind and leafs from the forest around him spiraled around him allowing him to bounce effortlessly from the very air around him as if he could step upon it like a solid object.

"Don't think so Mito! I'm winning this!" he called out as she rocketed forwards seemingly off of the thin air. Causing Mito to let out a defiant laugh firing off a few more chains to fling her forwards.

"MY SUMMON IS AWESOME!" she cried as the two raced into the forest faster and faster. After a few minutes the two reached the outer edge of the Hyuuga property, however, the two were going so fast that stopping seemed like it would be an issue. The pair hurtled out of the forest their eyes going wide as they saw the wall of the baths standing before them. With a crash the two flew through the wall splashing into the large spring that served as the outdoor bath soaking the pair. Mito and Kuro came up from the water both coughing and spitting water before spying each other and letting out laughs that didn't stop until the Hyuugas arrived to find the source of the commotion.


Enjoy Hyuga events

Hanabi had just finished a day of playing with Mito and had found himself cleaning up back at the Hyuga compound before heading to dinner with his family. He had spent the day playing with Mito and Kyueed while working on putting their Shinobi training into practice in their games, at the moment it was in the form of chasing after and trying to catch hold of Kyueed, which wasn't easy when the fox didn't want to be caught. He could break through Mito's chains and Hanabi's moves seemed to do little more that tickle the fox. Worse yet was that when they did manage to tackle the creature Kyueed would just pull them off in his soft tails, the fur tickling them as his set them aside and shot off again.

"At this rate we'll never manage to hold him down, bleagh I think I swallowed some of his fur again!" said the boy as he pulled off his shirt and caught a few of the stray black hairs in his mouth as he moved into the bath. Idly he heard a voice but didn't pay it any mind thinking that it was just someone else in the baths. As he entered he looked around not spotting anyone just shrugging as he moved over to start washing himself off.

"Now come on think Hanabi, how are you and Mito every going to catch Kyueed….maybe we could set up some wire traps like Iruka sensei was showing us." The boy continued speaking to himself as he sat down his eyes closed as he worked the suds up and down his body. For a few minutes the boy was preoccupied with the soap on his body again ignoring what sounded like someone speaking to him from a great distance. As he reached the end of his scrubbing he reached up to pull the hair from his face blinking some water out of his eyes as he did.

Hanabi was sitting in front of a long mirrored wall that allowed for the bath room to have several spots for baths at any one time. As a result when he pulled his hair back and opened his eyes for the first time since he had started scrubbing he was looking into a perfect reflection of himself…or at least that's what he was supposed to be seeing. Instead the boy before him was looking at him with two black eyes with wide white globs in the center of them like moons. The next thing the boy noticed was that there were two horns now coming out of the others forehead just where a headband may go when in a few years he would be receiving his. Hanabi looked at the figure for a few moments in complete shock.

Who? who's that? He asked himself as he reached up the figure in the glass mirroring his movements. With a sudden thought Hanabi reached up a hand idly to feel his own forehead, his heart stopping as his fingers traced over a pair of horns just like the figure before him. The boy's reaction was quite reasonable in its own way…though the rest of the Hyuuga household may have disagreed on that point.

From the dining room where Hitomi and Hinata were working to set the table they suddenly heard a shout of pure horror and a commotion causing the two to turn towards one another with equally puzzled looks.

"Kaasan did that come from the baths?" asked Hinata with mild concern as Hitomi nodded in reply. However, before either could do anything more than wonder what was happening pounding footsteps came rushing by. The two women looked up to see Hanabi still wet with soap clinging to his body running by in a dead sprint his hands clutched over his head grabbing onto his new horns, his black and white eyes wide as he let out a stream of excited/horrified cry's.

"AAAAAHHHHHHHH! I KNEW IT I KNEW IT SHE IS A DEVIL SHE TURNED ME INTO ONE JUST LIKE HER! NOOOOOO! I DON'T WANT TO BE A DEVIL AAAAHHHH SOMEONE HELP I NEED TO PUSH THEM BACK IN! WHAT! NO YOU CALM DOWN I'M BECOMING LIKE HER I DON'T WANT RED HAIR, NO LEAVE ME ALONE YOU DON'T UNDERSTAND! TOUSAN HELP ME….STOP LAUGHING…..KKKAAASSAAANNN….NEESSSAANNN! HELP!" cried out the boy as the pounding seemed to travel the full circle of the compound before finding its way back to the dining room the soaped up boy plunging into it looking around in a panic, and spying the two figures he was looking for letting out a small cry of happiness as he flung himself into Hitomi almost flipping the women over.

"KAASAN! You can help right please I don't want to become a redhead!" Hanabi cried into Hitomi's chest, as Hitomi looked from the boy to Hinata and back trying to suppress the laughter that was building in her chest. Hinata in the meantime looked round to see Hiashi standing in the doorway trying not to smile at the source of Hanabi's fear. With a small chuckle Hinata moved over to rest a hand on Hanabi's head causing the boy to look up at her his eyes still wide.

"Imoto, you're not becoming a devil, I think you awakened eyes like mine." Hinata whispered gently to the boy as her eyes shifted to a matching pair like Hanabi's the two rabbit like horns sprouting on either side of her head. Hanabi looked from Hinata to Hitomi who was smiling as she nodded down at her Sochi. From the door there was a small cough and Hanabi turned to see Hiashi standing there a small smile upon his face.

"Hanabi as proud I am to see you achieve the next stage of the Byakugan, maybe it would be better to have this conversation with pants on…..wouldn't you agree." The man said causing Hanabi to suddenly freeze as he noted the state of himself. With an almost Hinata like eep he dove under the dining table only his face showing but glowing bright red from embarrassment all the same.

Hanabi had managed to calm down later, and had even begun to get tutored by Hinata in the days to come on the functions of his new abilities. Needless to say it had taken some getting used to for the boy but after a time he had managed to get the hang of it. It was a few days later Hanabi found himself along with Mito again facing off against Kyueed in a mini battle in the back of the Namikaze compound. Even with his new abilities the fox proved too much for the children to handle and so the two found themselves sitting on the porch both looking out tiredly as Kyueed bounded around the yard chasing a butterfly with apparent interest.

"Hey Hanabi so what kinds of things do your new eyes do anyway?" asked Mito her legs swinging under her as she looked over at her friend. Hanabi seemed to pause for a second before replying.

"Well I guess I can do what my Neesan can, I just need to practice but so far I've only learned the basics so it will be a while till if manage to do more." He replied Mito give him a little smile as three chains slid from her back all pointing at him.

"Ha that means I'm still the best she called hopping up with one hand stuck up in triumph as Hanabi looked worried at her actions seconds before her chains raced towards him to tie him up like she always did when she was excited. However, as the chains shot forwards Hanabi's eyes shifted, and his horns grew before he swung out his hands in a swiping motion towards the oncoming chains causing them to circle back around wrapping Mito from head to toe in her own golden bindings. Mito hadn't even dropped her pose so she fell to her side one hand stuck defiantly up even as her eyes looked around confused at what had happened. For a second Hanabi just stared at the downed girl before letting out a little laugh and standing up.

"Ha not this time Mito now who's superior?" he asked looking down at the girl who was giving him a pouting look from behind the golden chains. Hanabi just smiled in reply before turning around and walking into the house Mito being pulled behind him by her own chains that seemed to be under the boys command.

"Come on Mito let's see if I can find your ramen stash!" he said his voice filled with glee as Mito's eyes went wide and she started to bang back and forth trying to free herself from the bindings her words muffled but sounding something like "anything but the ramen, no Hanabi no fair."

Well that's all for me hope you enjoyed the chapter and the first part of The Leaf's New Tree, we made it to the time skip, YYYYYAAAAAHHHHHH!( insert Kermit flapping arms here). Hope everyone had a nice holiday, and goodbye for now.

Songbird out.