A/N: I'm Still Alive! Yes! But first onto what you all came here for.

Thirty-Seven: The Bee and the Fox

Walking to the sweets shop, I had to keep my head up and keep my face stoic. I could hear hushed voices but I didn't pay attention to what was being said. Duelo-papa next to me though, his temper was rising and his face was masked, it was a cross between Medic Mode and Dad Mode. When we arrived to the familiar street of my childhood, my heart pounded in my chest. Walking up to the familiar white and yellow building with the sign: Hachimitsu Treats, felt so nostalgic, and yet it hurt so much, because my little heart, expected Mim to come out and smile at me... But that wouldn't be possible, her chakra signature wasn't there, she wasn't here.

I contained my feels as Duelo-papa led me into the shop. The display cases of candy were still there but now on the walls there were more glass display cases and there were different sweets. I smiled sadly seeing the table by the window that I occupied often as a child.

"Hachiko-chan?" I smiled seeing an older Soujiro. He was much taller, manlier and his brown hair was hidden underneath a white bandana, his friendly smile was still there and suddenly, nostalgia hit me harder but I contained the feelings.

"Is that the boss' daughter? She's really pretty."

I smiled at the teen with messy white hair; he was rather good looking. His eyes connected with mine and he winked. I blinked unsure of how to react but Soujiro quickly wacked the teen.

"Sesu, cut the flirting. The Boss will hear and then you'll get reprimanded again."

I bowed my head in acknowledgment to the teen, Sesu. He smiled back charmingly and I labeled him a flirt for sure, one I'd steer clear of especially because I knew Naruto wouldn't like him one bit.

"Where is Jun?" Duelo-papa asked Soujiro who looked at Duelo-papa and nodded his head in the directions of the back door, behind the counter.

"Out back in the courtyard with Toneri-kun." Duelo-papa guided me to the curtained exit behind the counter and as I walked, Sesu winked at me and I silently laugh it off but Duelo-papa's hand on my shoulder tightened and I heard him mumble something about beating boys away.

We walked into the courtyard and Jun-jiji sat under the shade of the tall tree in the middle of the yard. Toneri noticed us, well he noticed our chakra signatures because he was facing in our direction with a wide smile, waving.

"Hachiko-chan." Toneri, looked different and felt like a different person compared to how we had started out. He still had his shaggy white hair but he didn't wear his Ōtsutsuki garbs. He dressed up, in black baji pants and dark green-grey jeogori shirt with white collar and grey tying ribbon and over that a long white jeonbok vest. He was dressed every bit like a Hachimitsu, and it suited him.

"Ah, Hachiko, you are here and, that's Duelo too." I felt Jun-jiji's chakra along with Toneri's feel around Duelo-papa and I.

"Yes, that's him too. You are getting better at this Father." I blinked a little hearing Toneri call Jun-jiji, father.

"Yes, thank you my son." It was stranger hearing Jun-jiji call Toneri, son, but that's what he was now. Toneri was now a Hachimitsu and it was something new to get use to.

"Hachiko, come here so we can talk. It's been a while." Toneri and Duleo-papa left us alone in the courtyard as they headed inside the house. I sat by Jun-jiji as he focused on me and touched my face, mapping it out with his fingers.

"How have you been?" Jun-jiji's emotions turned serious and in his heart there was a heavy mixed feeling of pain and disappointment. The feelings almost engulfed me and made me want to cry. A part of me felt like I had been the one to disappoint him and the one to cause him such pain in his heavy heart.

"It's easy to adjust and pretend that I'll be fine but I'm not." Jun-jiji's hands pulled away from my face, he was a bit shocked hearing me speak.

"I heard rumors… You speak… So similar in the way Rei sounded at your age." I stilled as Jun-jiji's heart swelled with happiness that overshadowed the disappointment from earlier but yet it lingered in him. Although his eyes were closed, small tears streamed from the corners.

"Jun-jiji, I'm sorry I kept it from you. I wanted it to be a surprise." I hugged him in a way I hadn't done so in a long time. In a way that was so unlike a refined Hachimitsu Heiress. His arms slowly wrapped around me and he held me protectively, in the same manner he use to when I was a little girl.

"Oh my little Hachiko." He sighed and I let him have this touching moment simply because we were both unbound by the shackles that the Hachimitsu named bounded us by.

"I'm sorry you had to go through so much. I tried my best for you, to ensure things would be easy for you but alas they weren't so simple. I swore to Mim, that I'd protect you. Despite Himitsu's best intentions to bring our family back into the clan perhaps Mother was right. My line wasn't meant to rejoin the clan… Maybe you're meant for something bigger than the Hachimitsu. Something like… An Uzumaki."

I pulled away hearing Jun-jiji say that. He never approved of Naruto and now he had a change of heart.

"Jun-jiji… Y-You mean it?" Jun-jiji had a small smile and he was struggling with his words.

"It's a difficult idea to get use to but that boy has stuck by you through the ups the downs, even with the distance and time that came in between, nothing can separate you, even if you both tried to stay away, something keeps bringing you two back together Hachiko, even when the Clan was in the way."

My smile faltered as Jun-jiji's disappointment came back and cast back the happiness.

"Mother should've told you what was coming… The things she had planned, there was so much she kept hidden from you." Jun-jiji's face-hardened and my heart became stone.

"Planned?" I eyed Jun-jiji whose face was somber. My feelings became still as did my chakra as I waited for his answer.

"After your 8th Birthday, long before Mother learned of Uzumaki and your friendship with him, she considered potential suitors for you. Among these, Inzen." My face-hardened hearing that particular name.

"I-Inzen, but he is older than me and h-he was infatuated with K-Karen at the time."

"Yes. Mother knew that and still, she sent out letters to several young noble heirs. Mother's intention wasn't to have you married. No, it was to produce an heiress as soon as possible. The first priority of a Matriarch is securing the succession line by all means. Inzen as was the only charismatic young noble in the Land of Honey. She had hopes for you to grow alongside him and for a comfortable friendship to form. Her plans were for you to be ready by your 16th Birthday to start baring children." My illusions, my construction of the kind and loving Great Grandmother from my childhood suddenly cracked further.

"I couldn't have that happen to you just like it happened to others before you. So I went to Himitsu. Himi went through the same thing but she was smarter than Mother realized. Himi was never successful at having children not because she was barren as she had earlier made Mother believe, it was because Himi took care of herself." I managed to find my voice and looked at Jun-jiji, who felt ashamed of admitting these things.

"Himitsu-obasama, that's why she said she saw me like a daughter. After Mim… She was going to take me under her wing wasn't she? All this so Kisaki wouldn't have her way?" Jun-jiji nodded and anger welled in my chest.

"Yes. I asked Himitsu to teach you to prevent anything you didn't want to happen. There's no one like Himi to teach you all the things I cannot. Along with Himi's attempts, Mori and I tried our hardest to protect you from Mother's plans. I'm the one that told Mother about Uzumaki. Uzumaki are well known in the Land of Honey, the last name itself holds high regards and Mother fell for it and it held off her plans with Inzen. Mother then began to plot around Naruto and you. I didn't like it but I had to do it for your sake, to buy you time. To complicate things further, I have a confession, I do not wish to carry anymore." I watched Jun-jiji's heart grow heavy with guilt.

"I was the one that told Karen of Mother's plans for you and Inzen. I had hoped to inspire Karen to runaway with Inzen." My heart grew a little heavy and my breath got stuck in my windpipe for a second as I heard Karen's name.

"So then… K-Karen, she grew jealous and when I had that run-in with Inzen while I was at the training ground… That same day, she attacked me. She saw didn't she? Kisaki planned it out, didn't she, the run-in with Inzen?" I asked and Jun-jiji nodded.

"Mother promised Inzen the Daimyo position in exchange of his services, he was to help you produce an heiress. Karen overheard this and it broke her heart to hear Inzen agree. Karen confronted Mother and to teach Karen a lesson, Mother sent Karen to pick up fabrics and that's how she came upon you and Inzen in the market." My eyes welled up with tears of rage. I had blamed myself for Karen and all this time but she and I were victims of circumstance.

"Hachiko… Mother was wrong to call you those awful names. You aren't the harbinger of destruction. It was all Kisaki-mama's own doing that destroyed the clan. Her favoritism send 'Setsu off the edge. Her plans for you, set off Karen and now Inzen. Matriarchs of the Hachimitsu Clan, although they love their children very much and although they love their Clan, they play with their members and try to appear to everyone else as kind and loving leaders but they're not. Such is the role of a Matriarch and now you know why I was so opposed to you becoming Heiress. Now that you're no longer an heiress, there's no reason for me to stay in a Clan with practices I don't agree with."

I swallowed hard as I came to terms with everything Jun-jiji had said. Looking at Jun-jiji and feeling out his chakra, he felt lighter than he had ever been while I was heiress. He also looked much more relaxed but so tired.

'I promise to make sure you don't have to worry again. I'll make sure of it.'

"Then maybe it's good the Hachimitsu name, the Heiress title, are no longer mine." I placed my hand on his and Jun-jiji's smile returned but it was weak. I hid my clenched fist that trembled with rage. Kisaki… I would never forgive her.

"Enough about what's past. Let's focus on what is now. Pick up with what we can and move on. How is it living with, Sandaime-sama?" Jun-jiji moved the topic on to one he wasn't comfortable, considering it was his Father we were talking about.

"I am comfortable. Yui has helped me adjust and Konohamaru has been nothing but kind. He seems like he's rather lonely so it's not that bad. I hope to be very good friends with him and improve familial ties through him." Jun-jiji seemed genuinely happy about that.

"Konohamaru-kun is someone to get close to. What of Asuma? Has he tried approaching you or speaking to you?" Jun-jiji seemed a bit worried, over Asuma.

"No. I haven't seen him since I moved in but Hiruzen-jiji assured me Asuma would show make appearances from time to time." Jun-jiji relaxed hearing that.

"Is there are reason you're concerned?" I asked and Jun-jiji nodded.

"Asuma is my brother but he and I haven't properly spoken, I know from his end, there is confusion and disappointment in Sandaime-sama. Then there's the feud he and your father have. I'm sure Duelo will tell you in time. It's after all, his personal business." I nodded and changed the topic before the conversation got awkward but I filed away Asuma and Duelo-papa's feud for later.

"There's a business meeting in Wave coming up. I need to attend to make plans with Minamoto. I was wondering if you'd like to come? Your advice, has always helped me and your experience is much greater than my own." Jun-jiji didn't even think about it, he simply nodded.

"Attending would do me good. It would also give me the chance to introduce Toneri to other places. He's not use to being around others and I know you two get along, so you could ease him into being comfortable with larger crowds." I smiled at that.

"I'd love to help Toneri. The meeting is next week. I'll have Yui submit the request for an escort at the missions office and it'll give you plenty of time to get ready for the trip." Jun-jiji smiled and sighed.

"Hearing you speak is refreshing. It's like hearing Rei again." I smiled softly at the comment and changed the topic.

"Jun-jiji, I was wondering how your meeting Tsunade-sama went." Jun-jiji smiled and sighed. It was a strange mix of acceptance and sadness.

"She examined my eye sockets and there's high success rate for a perfect eye transplant, however, I have decided against the procedure… I don't wish to see the world… Not without Mim." It broke my heart to feel how heavy his aura got when he spoke of Mim but I understood what he meant. He was still mourning and felt it unfair to get his sight back but not get Mim back.

"Oh, What about Uncle Mori?" I asked changing the topic again, to stop his heart from drowning in sadness. Jun-jiji smiled softly.

"Mori is the luckiest man alive sometimes. He has always had luck on his side since we were children. He was born with his heart on the right side of his chest… It's why he survived when when he was 'impaled" the left side of his chest, where his heart should be. Now, the injuries on his knees, Tsunade-sama believes she can fix so he'll walk again but he'll still have pain and the damage is too great, he'll have to retire his sword." Jun-jiji smiled amusedly and leaned in a little.

"Which I think is good because if he's not focused on his swords, maybe now he can finish reading a book."

My talk with Jun-jiji was cut short not long after as I had to get back to the Sarutobi Clan grounds. Toneri and I didn't talk much but it seemed like he had this urge to speak to me, like this hidden curiosity.

"We'll see each other soon Hachiko-chan."

"Soon?" I asked and he nodded.

"You'll see and I'll bring Father over as well."

I wasn't sure what he meant but it seemed he was excited for it. Duelo-papa seemed to be aware of what Toneri meant and it left me wondering what was going on all the way back to the Sarutobi Clan grounds.

Once back at the Sarutobi Clan Grounds, I noted a great change in how the masses looked at me. Outside the clan grounds there was much talk and murmurs but once within the grounds, all murmurs ceased. Instead I was ignored, which wasn't much of a welcome but it was as if I were a normal regular civilian.

The days passed by and Naruto on and off visited me. He couldn't sneak in at night because of the Sarutobi Clan Patrols around the grounds but he did visit during his down time from training. However when he did visit, Yui and Konohamaru were around and I noted how Naruto was starting to yearn for alone time. So I got Yui set up something, so that I'd get to see him before going out to Wave.

The day before the date with Naruto, Pinkie dropped by and while we were having tea with Yui, talks about beauty and style came up and Yui happily told us her beauty tricks but when the subject of hair came along.

"I miss your long hair." Pinkie whined as she stared at my short wavy bob. I smiled and nodded.

"I miss it too." I touched my hair and shook the sad and angry thoughts that were attached to my hair cut.

"Hachiko-ojou, what if we were to used hair extensions? Like how Himitsu-hime uses?" I blinked and looked at Yui, who was dressed in her usual black chima skirt and black jeogori shirt with white cuffs and neckline.

"Yui you're a genius." I simply said and Yui just like that, gathered the material needed. Pinkie simply observed how Yui added the hair extensions and tied them into my hair.

"Is that real hair?" Pinkie asked as she watched Yui work.

"Yes. In the Land of Honey, aside from fabrics, hair is also on the market and for the only the best hair can be acquired at a good price. Prices range from hair color and rarity. Red, Gold, Blonde and Silver are the most difficult to acquire. Himitsu-hime, when she bought Hachiko-ojou her new wardrobe… She also purchased hair extensions of high quality." Yui explained to Pinkie. I simply smiled. It seemed even though Himitsu-obasan knew I was being kicked out, she still planned to distantly raise me and stick to the Hachimitsu Clan tradition, a Hachimitsu clan woman must take responsibility for any Hachimitsu child who lose their mother figures.

After a good 5 hours, Yui grabbed a mirror and showed me my reflection My hair was in layers, it was long again reaching my lower back but I could tell it wasn't my own hair… this hair was shinier and lighter than my dark golden shade.

"Braiding will be nearly impossible due to the many hidden short layers on top but you look better with your hair down Hachiko-ojou." Yui said and Pinkie agreed.

"I'm sure Naruto will love it."

oOo

The Next Day, I got dressed quickly in the morning into a simple white jeogori shirt with leaf designs in different shades of orange embroidered on the tying ribbon, and on the front of the shirt. The chima skirt a nice orange to match Naruto's orange jumpsuit, which he was back to wearing since it was his day off. It was a cold day so, Yui and I remedied this by adding layers under my chima skirt and jeogori shirt.

With my hair, well hair extensions making my hair appear long again, I simply let my hair down and smiled at my appearance in the mirror, making sure I looked good. When Naruto arrived to pick me up, I ran down the stairs the moment I felt the tug. Needless to say when he saw me, he was in shock. His cerulean eyes went wide but there was delight as well shining through.

"Your hair! It's long again!" I blushed as he walked up to me and his fingers ran through real and fake hair.

"I-I had Yui fix it… I missed it and, do you like it?" I shyly asked and Naruto stopped gaping then suddenly pulled me in for a sudden kiss that melted my mind and heart.

"Eww, Boss. Not in front of me. You two get outta here! Smooch elsewhere!" Konohamaru complained as he walked by us entering the house. Naruto managed to bonk him on the head causing Konohamaru to complain loudly.

"HEY! 'snot nice boss!" Konohamaru didn't have the chance to say anything more because Naruto took my hand and pulled me away and into the street. I shivered a little, the cool air was hitting my face but Naruto's hand, it was warm and took my mind off the cool weather.

A few of the Sarutobi Clan members smiled my way and bowed. Others, simply glanced at Naruto and I but thought nothing much, as it was normal to see he and I walking around the area. My thoughts strayed to when Naruto and I reached outside the Sarutobi Clan district.

"Hachiko?" Naruto's hand on mine tightened and he snapped me out of my thoughts.

"Nothing… I'm just mentally preparing myself for when we go out of the grounds. The murmurs." I admitted and Naruto's aura turned warm and understanding, albeit a bit mischievous with a tad of aggressiveness.

"I have an idea ya know." Naruto behind me hugged me and I grew a bit suspicious.

"What Idea- AH!" He, crept behind me and I felt him slip under my orange chima skirt. I felt his head between my legs and then I started to lift off the ground and his head popped out from the front of my skirt. I became a blushing mess by the time he surfaced and I clung to his head as soon as it popped out from under my skirt.

"How many layers are ya wearing? I got lost for a bit down there ya know!" He didn't even let me respond because he started to run and up the walls of closest building and then the roof hopping started.

"N-Naruto!" I yelled in that first long jump. I was terrified, thrilled and blushing red.

"Just have fun ya know!" He yelled and I tried to enjoy myself through the run. It was chaotic but just when I started to enjoy myself we reached our destination, the top of the Hokage Mountain. Naruto, gently knelt down so I could get off and once I did, he quickly pulled me in for a tight hug.

"See you enjoyed yourself and I got us through the village without any hard stares." He said as he nuzzled me and slowly pulled away but slipped his hand in mine.

"Come on, I wanna show you where I live now." I nodded and followed him in through the maze of brown, green, orange and yellow leaved trees behind the Hokage monument. It was a good 10 minute walk and we reached an area with a small boulder with the Uzumaki swirl on it. Walking past it, the forest area was gone and in place was a dark green clearing and a wooden house stood in the middle. It was notably dark brown but the roof had dark orange shingles... Fitting of Uzumaki Naruto.

'This is… Not what I had imagined in my head… Very different from what I remember in Road to Ninja but that was a film and not considered canon.'

Naruto's smile went as wide as he led me into the house, we took off our shoes and my feet touched the wooden floors that smelled freshly polished.

"Come on," He pulled me into a wide spaced room with a high ceiling, tatami mats covered the floor and the kitchen was visible but what got my attention was the large kotatsu table with an orange thick futon blanket, and on top of it, it had an assortment of pastries and tea.

"N-Naru did you-" I looked at him and he had this foxy grin that gave away just how happy he was.

"I made most of it with a bit of help from Yui but there's one thing I made all by myself." He pulled to sit down and as I got comfortable using the orange kotatsu blanket, to keep warm. Naruto brought out a pot of what I assumed was tea and poured us both cups and it was then I learned it wasn't tea. It was warm milk with honey. He sat beside me and huddled close to me.

"Did you see it?" He asked and beamed out amusement. I was unsure of what he meant and his face, his emotions dropped and the tug got strong, as if it was urging me to make him happy.

"Oh…" He turned away sadly and sipped on his milk honey and yelled. Pain registered, he had taken a sip while it was extremely hot and then he spilt it on his jacket.

"GAH!" He cried and I moved closely quickly unzipped his jacket, not caring that he was exuding embarrassment. Luckily, only his shirt had gotten milk honey on it, I set his jacket aside and inspected his tongue closely, as he had it stuck out of his mouth trying to ease the pain of it.

"H-Hachi-chan?" He asked with his tongue sticking out.

"It hurts?" I asked and he nodded. He was still upset from whatever I hadn't seen on the table and now even more so.

"How about a kiss to make it better?" I asked and Naruto turned a shade of red.

"K-Kiss? You're gonna kiss my tongue!?" I hid my amused smile. Making him blush was too cute but him being bashful over this when we had done more embarrassing things, was too much, I had to keep going.

"Yes." Grabbing his shoulder and I pulled him in and he quickly stuck his tongue into his mouth and I ended up pecking his lips. His hands took to my waist and he pulled me over him as he laid down. I quickly pulled away but his hands pushed the back of my head into him deepening the kiss. The tug didn't make it easier to pull away this time and my fluttering heart, plus Naruto's intoxicating emotions, I ended up completely over him, ignoring how my chima skirt covered us both but it got very obvious when I my thighs, not my layers of chima, squeezed around Naruto's hips and he quickly froze and I rolled off him a blushing mess.

"W-We pushed limits again didn't we?" He asked between pants and sat up straight. I simply nodded and to ease the awkwardness setting in looked at all the pastries on the table.

"I-I love kissing you, I do but and I've missed being able to kiss you like that but its just… Ya know, you suddenly came onto me and the opportunity landed on my…"

I blocked out Naruto as my eyes landed on a plate of chocolate shaped like naruto (the fishcakes).

"Hachi?"

I grabbed a chocolate and smiles softly. Naruto must have noticed because his spirits rose up high.

"This is what you wanted me to see… You made me those chocolates again." Taking a bite, I was quickly reminded of how happy those chocolates had made me and then the waterworks started. Naruto instantly went into a panic.

"Are they not good? Did I get it wrong? I know I checked them and got them right. Or maybe I mixed them with the bad batch ya know." I quickly hugged him and cried on his shoulder.

"They're perfect…" I managed to say and kissed his neck.

"Then why are you crying? I want you to be happy."

"I am happy." Pulling out of his arms I gave him a happy smile but my tears weren't helping much.

"You are, so you're not sad and they're not horrible?" He asked and I sniffled and hugged him again.

"When you sent me those chocolates for Valentines Day… With everything going on, between my… Akuzetsu and the clan, even on really bad days that I felt so sad, your chocolates, just one bite and it would brighten up my day." Naruto was floored by my words and held me protectively. This feral feeling within him surged, it was filled with pride, joy and possessiveness. It was strangely comforting.

"Now you made my day." He whispered and began kissing my neck. Letting out a small happy sigh, I pulled him over me and captured his lips, getting lost in his kisses. It was after of kissing that my stomach growled and Naruto burst into laughter mid-kiss.

"Come on. You need to eat. Duelo-oyaji will kill me if you don't eat right ya know." I sat up and fixed my jeogori shirt and hair while Naruto laughed at my messy look.

"You don't look any better ya know." I grinned at he paused from bringing a few sweets closer to our end of the table. His hair messy as it is, was much rose and his shirt very rumpled up.

"Hey that's my tic, get your own!" I was about initiate a tickle fight when two chakras got within my sensory range and I sat up straight and so did Naruto, only because he noticed me go on alert.

"Shisui and Sai." I got up and both Shisui and Sai were dressed in their ANBU and their masks.

"Hachiko, you Hokage-sama has requested your appearance."

"I'll go later." I replied but Shisui's aura was firm.

"No now." I was about to ask why when he signed discretely.

'Hachimitsu and Sarutobi Clan business only and your attendance is required.'

I grimaced and clenched my fists, something Sai and Shisui both noted and shifted ready to pounce.

"No. I have no business with the Hachimitsu anymore. If they think they can interrupt my date with Naruto, then they're dead wrong and don't you try to order me, I'm not one of your ninja." Shisui was pissed with my attitude and Sai seemed so lost on what to do.

"You're right Hachiko, you're not a ninja I can order but I have orders to take you to that meeting by force if necessary. Naruto as your superior, you're ordered to stand down. Any interference and I'll have your headband."

"WHAT?! SHE JUST SAID SHE DOESN'T WANT TO GO!" Naruto yelled and took a hold of my hand. Shisui's voice became rather monotone and impassive, his emotions cold and disconnected.

"Naruto we're ninja and given orders. Hokage-sama has given me permission to drag her there if necessary and I will complete what I was ordered." Shisui swooped in and picked me up throwing me over his shoulder so naturally, I began to thrash.

"LET ME DOWN! I'M NOT MEETING WITH ANY HACHIMITSU PERIOD." Squirming around in his hold, I looked to Naruto who was pissed but could do nothing. His temper, he had to keep in line and his shinobi career was on the line. My actions were putting him in a tough position and guilt in him swelled from not being able to do much for me.

"Wait… I'll cooperate, just let me say bye to Naruto. 5 minutes." Shisui's cold demeanor softened and he carefully set me down.

"5 minute. We'll be outside." Sai and Shisui walked out of the house and as soon as they were out of sight, I ran over and hug tackled Naruto.

"I'm sorry this date together was ruined and that I put you in a tough spot. I didn't meant to I just don't want to meet up with… Kisaki… No one from the Clan… I don't think I'll be have if I do and-" Naruto's arms wrapped tightly around me.

"It's so weird to hear you ramble, but even stranger to see you yell angrily… The tug demanded I step in an take you away, hide you… Hachi-chan, for you, I could give up my dream. We could runaway and-" Shaking my head, I shifted and bit his cheek.

"OW! WHAT WAS THAT FOR?!" Naruto yelled. I quickly nuzzled where I left my teeth indents.

"For getting the dumb idea to give up your dream for me. We had this talk before. I don't want you giving up your dream. You have so much to prove to the world and I'm your right hand woman too. Not just your pretty girlfriend." Naruto seemed to understand and he was no longer guilt-tripped but now he was confused as to why I kept pushing him in his dream whenever he was ready to give up.

"Times up! Hachiko we have to go." Turning to the door I sighed and then turned to Naruto and kissed him goodbye.

"I'll see you later."

-In the Land of Honey-

"Hachimitsu Hachiko was disowned? Are you certain?" Inzen asked the informant before him.

"The merchants say it's so. It seems Lady Himitsu is now Heiress once more, with the Fire Daimyo dead, and the scandal involving Hachiko-"

"Scandal?"

"Yes. Rumors are that an Uchiha dishonored the ex-heiress. She's currently been adopted into the Sarutobi Clan, even her own father has given up his paternal rights." Inzen grinned hearing this. Hachimitsu, no Sarutobi Hachiko was abandoned by her clan, her family.

"Its must be hell for her in Konoha. No longer an heiress, disgraced…"

"In actuality, her bravery has inspired many of the women of our lands. Hachiko-hime doesn't let her excommunication affect her at all and her intended, Uzumaki Naruto hasn't abandoned her." Upon hearing this Inzen's hand tightened on the fan in his hand.

"Tell me all you know about Uzumaki Naruto."

-Black Zetsu-

Black Zetsu couldn't help but laugh at how easily this man could be manipulated. His heart, it was beautifully dark as Madara's had been. Lusting after a woman was never good, especially when that woman was unattainable and untamable.

'Soon, getting her to leave Konoha will be easy. White Zetsu already knows Uzumaki his her weakness and mother's chakra, is already affecting her emotions… It's only a matter of time before she's banished and runs into my plans.'

A/N: My lovely and handsome readers! I missed chu!

Yes I'm back. HK will be updated every other Friday! Mhm. You heard me. Back to the regular schedule but with a twist. I'd elaborate but I don't want to make a long authors note as to why I was gone for so long. I can say that I tried to come back so many times but every time something would happen. So I took the bold and obvious decision to come back no matter what, today, the 6th of November (PST) on the day HK first debuted.

YUP HONEY & KUNAI IS 1 YEAR OLD AND WHAT BETTER WAY TO CELEBRATE THAN A GOOD OLD NARUHACHI CHAPTER. XD

Oh yeah and main plot stuff too that puts shadows there light is and light where there's shadows. Let me know about errors and stuff to fix.

Commentary will be up in 2 weeks so that I can reply to any anonymous reviews. Those of you that PM'ed me, worried about my disappearance... Thank you sooo much! You're the reason I came back today instead of *cough* next year *cough*.

New readers who dug up HK from somewhere, you're reviews (when I eventually saw them) got me to wake up and smell the honey! So really, thank you awesome readers for picking me up out of my funk.

Aish, enough of the sentimentalities, see ya in two weeks and stay gold!

-Anbu