I don't own Naruto and I never have, probably never will. Can never tell for sure though.
Nightfall!
Chapter 37 The Weight of Love Blinds Eyes
Naruto walked out o the stadium and found Jiraiya waiting for him. "Hey sensei where is everyone else?" he asked.
"They have gone to the carnival, we are going to meet up with them in a bit. But first we need to find something for you to wear tonight. Can't have you showing up without a shirt on after all" Jiraiya chuckled.
"Yeah Mei gave me a the address of a good place, here" Naruto said handing over the handkerchief.
"Well that saves us some time. Speaking of time it didn't take you long to start getting love letters from a powerful kunoichi" Jiraiya said with a lecherous smirk.
Naruto blushed from the implication behind what Jiraiya was saying. "It not a love letter, all that is on it is the name and address of a place to get dress clothes. Get your head out of the gutter you damn pervert".
Jiraiya's smile didn't falter, he just wrapped an arm around Naruto's shoulder and led him away from the stadium. "You have a lot to learn about women kid, I can teach you all you will ever need to know if you want" the Toad Sage said.
"I think I will pass, all you will teach me is what ever is in those perverted books of yours" Naruto said.
"Ah you say that, but when it comes to the fairer sex you are are a complete novice. I mean you didn't even make a move on Koyuki and everyone could see that she was interested" Jiraiya sighed.
"You don't know what you are talking about. Koyuki-Hime wasn't interested in me. She was just happy that her home had been saved from her uncle" Naruto said.
Jiraiya just shook his head, he couldn't believe how thick his normally brilliant student was when it came to women. "Fine, I'll let you figure it out for yourself. I just hope it doesn't take too long, I need inspiration for my books after all".
"No way in hell will I let you use me as inspiration for your damn smut" Naruto said.
"Oh please! It's family tradition after all" Jiraiya pleaded.
Naruto stopped in mid step. "What do you mean 'family tradition' Naruto asked wearily.
"My first best seller was based on your parents and how they fell in love. Although I changed it just enough so that not even Kakashi could tell it was inspired by Minato and Kushina" Jiraiya explained.
Naruto was now unsure how to react, on the one hand he was angry Jiraiya had used his parents as inspiration. But on the other hand he was intrigued, to the point that he was even contemplating reading the novel, he always wondered how his parents fell in love. "How closely did you follow the story?" Naruto asked.
Jiraiya rubbed his chin in contemplation of the question. "Well obviously I had to change the characters so nobody would even think that it was inspired by my old pupil. I also had to lengthen it quite a bit, add some more challenges for them to overcome, raise the age that they met added some sex here and there to help it sell. But I would say it follows the story Minato and Kushina told me quite closely" he answered eventually.
"I see, so you know how they met then, would you tell me?" the blond asked hopefully.
"No read the book and find out for yourself" Jiraiya chuckled.
Naruto visibly flinched. 'Damn, if I want to know I'll have to read his perverted trash. I guess I could just ignore the smut' "Can I get a copy of the book then, but I swear if this is just a trick to get me to read your books you will pay!" Naruto threatened.
Jiraiya's lips twitched into a very satisfied smile and just walked on towards the tailor.
Picking out a set of dress clothes was one of the most painful experiences of his life. He was once left bloodied in the middle of a forest, all alone and scared. But the more Naruto thought about it, the more he thought he would prefer the endless expanse of the Land of Forests to shopping for another set of dress clothes. Naruto had been content to go in pick up the first suit he saw and purchase it. The store owner however had other ideas taking Naruto's measurements from every angle to get a suit that would fit. Then he came out with a precession of different shirts and made Naruto try each one, the same thing occurred with the trousers and then again with the Traditional Land of Water dress robes until Naruto felt that it might be less trouble to just flatten the village with a gravity jutsu and run for it. Eventually however the store owner was satisfied.
"Two hours! Two fucking hours! The free for all battle, with one hundred ninja only took twenty minutes, yet getting dress clothes took two hours... Never again!" Naruto sighed once they finally left the store.
Jiraiya couldn't help but agree, but was also impressed with the tailors attention to detail. "Well at least you know that the man likes his work. If he just allowed you to buy any old thing it would have looked bad for someone who takes pride in what they do" he said.
"I guess, but still I wish it didn't take so long. I probably spent more time buying the clothes than I will be wearing them" Naruto complained.
Jiraiya just laughed knowing that Naruto wouldn't be far from being right about that. "Come on, the robes will be delivered to the Hotel so lets go check out the carnival, we still have a few hours before we need to get ready after all".
"Yeah should be fun, lets go" Naruto said happily and the pair jumped up onto the rooftops and ran off towards the area where the other ninja were gathered.
They arrived on the main street of the village and began looking for the other members of the Yoinokuchi. Lights stretched across the street and stalls games and food lined the side of the street. At the end of the road was the town square and that too had been set up for a night of partying and celebration.
"It's no good, they have all separated" Naruto said after searching for their chakra signatures.
Jiraiya scanned the area and sighed. "It's alright, lets just go have fun. We can meet back at the Hotel later" he said happily.
"Sounds fun, see ya later sensei" Naruto said and then took off with a small wave of his hand.
Naruto inspected the stands as he walked up the street. Most of them were targeted at civilians in the area he was at the moment with a few that allowed genin to play as well. But the further he walked towards the town square the more stalls began showing up that were targeted for ninja of all skill levels. There was an arm wrestling booth and kunai obstacle course that seemed to be highly popular. Then there were specialized games, a section for genjutsu, ninjutsu, and taijutsu. There was even a large area devoted to kenjutsu games and a small area devoted to fuinjutsu.
'Now this is more like it' the blond jinchuuriki thought as he made his way over to join the cue for the kunai throwing course.
Hours passed and Naruto had a great time, even though he had failed to find his friends the people of Kiri were all really friendly and he had won quite a few prizes. After getting a perfect score on the kunai run he received a box of finely made kunai, each one had the symbol for the land of water at the end of the handle and was coated in a chakra conductive metal. He also had won two double length dueling kunai from the kenjutsu area, and several ninjutsu and genjutsu scrolls.
Overall Naruto had a great time and was upset when he realized that he needed to get back to the hotel and get ready for the ball that night, so he reluctantly left the area just as the party lights came on giving the village a warm glow of many different colors.
It was a good thing that Naruto left the festivities when he did because he only just had enough time to have a shower and wasn't even finished getting dressed when there was a knock on his door.
Naruto opened the door, his shirt was still unbuttoned, and his hair that was normally kept in a neat yet loose ponytail like Jiraiya's was loose and still slightly wet.
On the other side of the door was a kunoichi slightly older than Naruto with burnt red hair and green eyes upon seeing Naruto half dressed began blushing. "U... um I'm supposed t-to tak-e you to the Mizukage tower to meet with Mei-sama" she stammered fighting back the blush although somehow retaining a business like attitude.
"Oh alright, just let me finish getting ready and I'll be right out. Would you like to come in for a drink?" Naruto asked with a friendly smile.
The kunoichi's blush intensified but she soon regained her composure. "I'm sorry I have to decline, I appreciate the offer however" she said.
"Oh alright, I'll be quick, no more than two minutes promise" Naruto said and then with a quick wave left the kunoichi to finish getting dressed.
Naruto exited his room now fully dressed. He wore a nice pair of black shoes and pants. His shirt was a deep auburn a few shades darker than Mei's hair and over the top a loose fitting black cloak that went all the way to his ankles with gold wave patterns at the edge of the arms and around the base. Naruto had to admit that despite the fact that it was dressy it was also comfortable, something that wouldn't have happened had he just brought any old thing in the store. "Uh sorry to do this, but what do you think? I'm no good at these things" Naruto asked the kunoichi who was going to be his escort to meet up with the Mizukage.
The kunoichi appraised Naruto appreciatively with a smile. "You look very handsome, I am sure Mei-sama will be pleased to be accompanied to the dance by you" she said.
Naruto was a little put off by her formal tone of voice. 'She looks relaxed but she speaks it's as though she is addressing a superior' "You know you don't have to be so formal around me" Naruto said.
"But you are considered a war hero and an incredibly powerful ninja, it would be disrespectful to address you in any other way" she said the shock of seeing him just after getting out of the shower now completely gone.
"Well it creeps me out. I'm not superior to you. I do not even hold a rank in this village as a ninja apart from the title as an honorary Kiri ninja. With that in mind I would say that you out rank me" Naruto said.
"Even if you say that you are a far superior ninja than I will ever be" she replied.
"You don't know that, if you train hard you could accomplish anything. Anyway, shall we go?" Naruto said.
"Yes, follow me" the kunoichi said and began to lead Naruto out of the hotel.
Upon reaching the Mizukage tower the kunoichi turned to Naruto. "I will leave you here, Mei-sama's living quarters are on the top floor" she said then with a respectful bow shunshined away.
Naruto made his way up the tower to the top floor. Until he stood in front of a large arched doorway with double doors made of deep red wood. Each door had a carving of the kanji for water and the handles were made of gold and designed to look like the symbol for water country.
Naruto knocked twice and waited for Mei to answer. Mei opened the door fully dressed, she wore a long elegant blue dress with a low V neck dress showing off a large amount of cleavage, so much so Naruto was tempted to ask how she managed to keep her ample chest inside the dress at all. Shaking those thoughts off Naruto took in the rest of Mei's appearance. She wore matching blue lipstick and eye shadow that was the exact same shade of blue as her dress. Her hair was in the same style as always but it just worked to emphasize just how stunning she looked.
"Hello Naruto-kun, you are looking tremendously handsome" Mei said smiling as always.
"You look beautiful yourself Mei, are you ready to go?" Naruto asked returning her smile with one of his own.
"Yes I am ready, but come on in and have a drink first, we still have time before we need to be at the hall for dinner" Mei said opening the door to allow Naruto to enter.
The Mizukage's apartment was truly stunning. The rooms were not separated by walls, rather by water that rose up from the maze like river that ran around the area. When someone wanted to move to another section the water would drop allowing them access. The room also was very green, Mei seemed to like surrounding herself with plants, it gave the whole apartment the feeling that it belonged outside in the open for everyone to appreciate rather than hidden away.
"This place is amazing" Naruto said in awe.
"It is isn't it. But it is also deadly. Anyone who enters the room without the knowledge of the current Mizukage is killed. Those water walls will fire deadly Suiton jutsu at intruders or anyone who intends to harm the Mizukage. It is why we were never able to get anyone close enough to Yagura to attempt an assassination" Mei said leading Naruto to a small couch with a table in front full of different types of alcoholic drinks.
Mei poured two rather exotic looking drinks that smelt like a mixture of pineapple and strawberries. "Have you had alcohol before?" Mei asked as she handed a glass over to the blond.
"Yes I have, but only once before" Naruto answered before taking a sip. Naruto enjoyed the taste of the drink it was not as strong or as bitter as the sake he shared with Jiraiya during their training trip. This was sweet and tasted exactly like it smelt fruit flavored and sweet.
"So tell me, how have you been the last three year's? I'm sure that doing nothing but training must have become rather boring after awhile" Mei asked.
"Nah it was fun, I like learning new things so I always found the training interesting. And I could think of lots of people who would be worse sparing partners than Jiraiya sensei" Naruto replied.
Mei giggled lightly "Yes I'm sure there are, not everyone gets the chance to test there skills against someone of his caliber every day. In fact at the moment I am the only ninja in Kiri considered to be an S rank. It makes things difficult, we haven't been able to locate either Bijuu although Sanbi might not have reformed yet. Anyway without S ranked ninja or jinchuuriki Kiri will remain the weakest of the five great shinobi villages. Although I hear that Suna is in a similarly poor state at the moment" Mei said.
"I wouldn't worry about it too much, Iwa only appear strong, they have no idea where there jinchuuriki are. In fact I think Kumo is the only hidden village with jinchuuriki at the moment. And Konoha only retains its title as the strongest shinobi village due to have the most A and S ranked ninja" Naruto said.
"Well what about you? I'm sure you don't want to live the life of a mercenary forever. One day you will inevitably look for a place to belong" Mei said.
"Yeah that's true, I haven't really put too much thought into it. I suppose my home is Konoha, I was born there and so was my father. Maybe one day I will return for good" Naruto said.
"You know, you would always be welcome here? The people love you for ending the war after all" Mei mused.
Naruto chuckled and gave Mei a warm smile. "Thanks for the offer Mei, but for now at least my home is with my team, they are my family. Besides we have a lot of work to do" he said.
Mei just smiled back, she had hoped that Naruto would join Kiri as a shinobi but she knew it was a futile task. "So you said your father was born in Konoha and was obviously Minato Namikaze, the Yondaime Hokage. But where was your mother from if not Konoha?" the Mizukage asked to change the subject.
"My mother was Kushina Uzumaki, from the whirlpool village. She was also the previous host of the Kyuubi. Something must have happened to her seal when she gave birth to me. Unfortunately Jiraiya sensei didn't know what it could have been" Naruto said.
"I see, I'm sorry to hear that, I guess you know that there is not much left of the old whirlpool country, as far as I know the whole island is abandoned" Mei said solemnly.
"Yeah Jiraiya sensei told me that, I would still like to check out out one day though" Naruto replied.
They finished there drinks and left Mei's home walking together to the location of the ball. Naruto was pleased to find that the whole town seemed to love Mei, everyone came running to give respectful greetings and a small boy around ten years old even gave her several small blue flowers that she accepted with a kiss on the boys cheek. Naruto couldn't help but smile at seeing the boys face warm up from being kissed by the Mizukage. "It's good to see the people have warmed up to you, I must admit I was a little worried when we left that some Yagura loyalist's would attempt to regain control" Naruto admitted.
"Most of the people fought for Yagura out of fear. It wasn't easy to locate our hideouts after all. And the others were honestly happy for the years of war to end" Mei explained.
Naruto nodded in understanding. "It make's sense, after years of suffering they just wanted the pain and loss to end, they didn't really care who won anymore" he sighed.
"Well I like to think they wanted us to win, but in essence you are right" Mei chuckled.
The Hall that was the location of the dance was by no means a grand building, just a long plain construction in the same design as most of the building's in Kiri. It was however lit up with lights of all different colors giving it a grand feel and made it look as though it was the most important building of the village.
Naruto and Mei walked inside and found that they were entering a hall that was already full of happy people sitting at various round tables. Most of those that were in attendance were clan heads and high ranking ninja, there were however a few civilians that Naruto guessed made up Kiri's civilian council.
Mei dragged Naruto up to their table that was at the front of the hall. Three other people were also seated there. Jiraiya, Ao and the elder Naruto had remembered from the end of the war.
"It's good to see that you made it on time, I was beginning to fear that you had got lost" the elder said.
"Oh I'm sorry we were having a good talk getting to know each other better and lost track of time while we were walking here, that's all" Mei said with her trademark smile.
After having their apology accepted by the three other members of their table Naruto and Mei sat down and were immediately served a glass of wine by several older genin. "Now that is what I call service, we should get some genin to work for us as butlers" Naruto joked as he took a sip.
"That would be nice, but it would also be very expensive added to the fact that we live in underground in a hideout and it isn't exactly on the cards" Jiraiya laughed.
Naruto pouted and mumbled something about him never getting genin butlers. "Hey where is everyone else? I can't imagine the others coming all this way and not even showing up for the main reason we came" Naruto asked once he had calmed down.
"They are on a different table over there" Jiraiya pointed out a table a few rows of tables back where the rest of the Yoinokuchi were sitting and chatting happily.
Naruto nodded and was about to get up and go talk to them since he had failed to do so after the match, but as he stood the genin returned and distributed the food, a traditional Land of Water seafood dish with stir fried rice and vegetables.
Naruto had to admit the food was delicious, the chefs had really outdone themselves. Sitting and talking happily to the various people at the table it want long before the plates were being cleared away and the lights seemed to dim slightly.
Mei then stood up and after grabbing Naruto's arm dragged him off to the dance floor. "So you ready to learn how to dance" she asked.
Naruto paled slightly. "Ah well I guess so, it's just I was hoping we would do this when the dance floor was full and everyone would be to drunk to notice how bad I am" Naruto admitted.
"Don't worry, it's easy. Just do what I do and you will be fine" she assured the blond.
"I wish I was that confident" Naruto sighed as they made their way to the center of the floor and as if on cue the music started.
"Okay then, lesson one is a slow dance it would seem, place your hands on my waist gently then just follow me" Mei said and after wrapping her arms around his neck began to lead the dance.
Naruto was surprised by how simple it was, and after a short while began to get into it more and more until he began to take the lead. "Now that wasn't so hard was it, but there is still different styles for you to learn so I would be delighted if you let me teach you those as well" Mei said.
"Yeah that would be awesome, thanks for your help Mei" Naruto said.
Meanwhile two kunoichi were glaring daggers at the Mizukage. "That should be me" they both sighed at the same time. In this situation however they were too focused on Naruto and Mei that they both didn't hear the other. When the song came to an end both kunoichi were planning on dragging Naruto away to dance with them but as soon as one ended another started and Mei and Naruto were still dancing.
"What the, it was only supposed to be one dance! What dose she think that she is doing" Akimi seethed. "And I spent all this time in the afternoon trying to look my best" she added. Akimi was wearing a long flowing red dress with a decent amount of cleavage showing. Her long hair was tied up in an elegant yet loose bun. Her normal yellow highlights were now gone replaced with a few streaks of electric blue that were not tied back and fell gracefully around her face.
While Akimi was hot headed and fuming, Fuu was far more calm although no less disappointed. "They entered the hall together, ate together and now they are dancing again. I think we may have both lost, our constant bickering has cost us both in the end. Looks like he is having a good time with Mei-sama" the green haired kunoichi sighed.
Akimi clenched her fists. "No way I'm letting her take Naruto without a fight, where is Haku? We can use her ice manipulation to make the Mizukage slip. It would be the best prank I have ever pulled and would give me a chance to talk to Naruto" Akimi said.
"Well that's horrible, I know she seems to be stealing Naruto, but is that any reason to do something like that. Besides this is the Mizukage we're talking about, something that simple wouldn't work, we need a better plan" Fuu said.
Akimi's eyes went wide. She had expected the Nanabi jinchuuriki to lecture her for her joke about embarrassing the Mizukage, but she had never expected Fuu to join in. "Well, it wouldn't do any good anyway. Haku is already out there with Gaara" she said pointing to a corner of the dance floor where Gaara and Haku were slowly turning to the music.
The longer the dance went on the worse of a mood Akimi found herself in. Fuu was trying to look on the bright side and just be supportive, but that was not the style of the Yoinokuchi's resident hot head. Song after song went on and Naruto and Mei hadn't left the dance floor once.
Naruto on the other hand was having a great time. Each different style of dance was like a new taijutsu style, and just when he thought that there couldn't possibly be anything else to learn a different style of song would come on. Also Naruto couldn't help but marvel at how good Mei looked and the clear smile on her face that indicated that she was having fun pleased Naruto considerably.
At the end of a slow song Mei leaned into Naruto "This has been a lot of fun Naruto-kun but I have a lot of work to do, the life of a Kage is filled with paperwork that wont go away just because I am having fun. I would like to do this again sometime, you are a fast learner" she said quietly in his ear.
Naruto smiled "I would like that a lot Mei this was great" he said happily. Then Mei pulled back from his ear and leaned in again this time to give the blond a kiss. "Goodnight Naruto-kun I hope you think about me" she whispered.
Naruto was stunned and blushing like mad as Mei pulled back and walked away. The blond had a goofy smile on his face that soon turned into a look of confusion as he turned around to go back to his table only to be met with a slap across the face from a clearly crying Akimi. "What the fuck?" Naruto said rubbing his cheek but the answer didn't come as his long time friend had bolted.
Naruto saw the corner of her red dress slip out the door and quickly moved to chase after her.
Chasing after someone like Akimi was no easy task, if she had wanted to she could be half way across the village by now. So Naruto remained calm and waited. 'I don't know what that was about, but I am going to find out. Now where are you hiding' the blond thought as he scanned the area. 'There you are!'.
Akimi sat atop the tallest building overlooking the village, holding her knees against her chest as tears fell down her face. She was so upset that she didn't even feel the arrival of someone behind her. "Are you going to tell me what that was about?" Naruto asked standing behind the swift release ninja.
Akimi tried her best to control her tears but it was proving to be rather difficult. "Go away" she said quietly.
"Not until you tell me whats wrong! I don't know what I did to upset you but I can't apologize or make up for it if you don't tell me" Naruto said.
"It's nothing just go enjoy your night with that woman" Akimi said wiping the tears from her eyes.
"What you mean Mei?" Naruto asked raising an eyebrow in confusion. "She has to go back to work so she had to call it a night. So I can stay here for as long as it takes for you to talk to me" he added.
Akimi stood up and faced the blond anger mixed with the sorrow etched on her face "That didn't stop you from kissing her did it! You run off with the first woman who throws herself at you and you are still completely clueless! And in the end I never got the chance to..." she trailed off unable finish her rant as tears once again took over.
"But Mei kissed me, and I'm certainly not going to, uh run off, with her. I don't know what you are talking about at all" Naruto said.
Akimi rubbed the tears away from her eyes, a small glimpse of hope. "Kiss me" she said so quietly that it was barely audible.
"Huh what did you say?" Naruto asked not sure what it was that she had said.
"I said Kiss me!" Akimi replied this time with force.
Naruto took a step back not believing his ears. "What why do you want me to do that?" he asked.
"Isn't it obvious!" she answered tears once more beginning to form at the corner of her eyes.
"Uh should it be?" Naruto confessed knowing that Akimi wouldn't like the answer he gave.
"Yes!" she screamed and not waiting anymore grabbed the front of Naruto's robes forcefully and pulled his face forward so she could slam her lips against his trying to put all of her feelings for the blond into the one action. She didn't even care that he was too shocked to return the kiss all she cared about was making sure that Naruto knew how she felt. "It should be obvious! How could you not know that I... that I lo" Akimi was once again unable to finish her thought, although this time it was Naruto who stopped her with a kiss of his own. And the young swift release ninja's troubles just seemed to melt away as she wrapped her arms around his neck and deepened their embrace.
End Chapter!
Okay so I'm sure some of you will be upset at the way the chapter ended. Keeping everyone happy at this point seems to be an impossible task. Some people wanted Fuu others wanted Akimi while another group thought using them both will be the best option. I went on what the reviews were saying and there were lots of people that wanted to see Akimi win this one not saying I wont add Fuu. So I'm sorry if your disappointed at the chapter. All I can say is this was not what I had planned when I did the poll.