Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto and its characters. This is a collaboration work with my friend, beta reader, and co-writer Shirahane Aikawa.
It was morning when the flames that almost engulfed Souren Village was controlled by the combined cooperation of the villagers, while the remaining rouge ninjas that attacked the village were easily taken care of by the other villagers. Although many homes were lost, no lives were taken much to the relief of Kaname, but the pressing matters at hand were that their village was not hidden anymore at least to the Hidden Leaf Village.
"Are you alright Kaname?"
Kaname rubbed his temples and sighed he must decide the future of his village and people immediately before things get out of hand. If the events that happened last night was a warning then surely next time those rouge ninjas will finish what they came to do.
Akatsuki called out his leader's name to get his attention.
"Kaname, I know you have a lot in your mind right now but the shinobis from the hidden leaf can't stay here any longer."
Kaname almost forgot about those strangers with all the problems presented to him at the moment although they proved themselves last night, however, they are outsiders and they do not belong here with them.
"We've been around for a long time longer than their village itself we built our village and we can do it without their help." One of the council members second the motion.
"First we were attacked by those outsiders and now this? We need to do something Kaname-sama we need to fight back."
"Revenge will not solve anything." Kaname said calmly, but Hanabusa can also feel the constrain in his voice.
"So we'll just lower our heads again like the last time?" One of the elders said with his gritted teeth.
"It's easy to just let them think that we never really exist Kaname-sama you have the power." One of the council men said firmly.
"Do remember why we stayed hidden for all these years we don't want that incident to happen once again. Not again Kaname-sama."
"Whatever you decide to do Kaname we'll back it out." Akatsuki said to Kaname through their mind link. He then turned to Hanabusa who nodded in agreement.
"We need to erase their memories Kaname-sama that's the only way for us to get them to stay away from the village and after that, we'll deal with those people who attacked us."
"You need to decide now Kaname-sama."
"Nozomi, where are you going aren't you supposed to be in bed resting?" Asuka asked worriedly after seeing her younger sister walking not in her bed resting after what happened to her last night.
"I have to thank the boy who helped me last night, besides I am alright I have no injuries see?" Nozomi turned to show her sister that she has no wounds or injuries.
Asuka smiled, "Alright, just be careful on your way there."
"I will."
Sasuke stared at Mitsuki, although the young boy was reserved to himself because of his past he will not hesitate to assist anyone in need of help. What made Sasuke mad and question the boy was his sudden appearance at the village they are investigating.
"I told you everything Sasuke-sensei, I discreetly followed you here and you know about how I can transform into a snake when I want to that is why you never saw me. As for the explosion, you have Minato-kun to interrogate about what happened there."
"Who happens to be lying in bed unconscious. I know you hate Minato because of your rivalry but he's Naruto's son and he's entitled to know what happened to his son. When we return to Konoha you better submit an official report.
When Mitsuki was allowed to leave, he saw a raven-haired girl twiddling her thumbs outside.
Mitsuki scratched his hair, "You are the girl last night."
Nozomi looked up to look at the young boy in front of her and nodded, "I…I just want to thank you for saving me last night."
"Oh, she thought I was the one who saved her not Minato." Mitsuki thought. "I did not save you though I saved both of you after Minato saved you.."
"Nozomi, my name is Nozomi by the way." Nozomi felt her cheeks hot when she said her name.
"Am I blushing or is it just hot right now?"
"Mitsuki, that's my name."
Behind the shadows, Kiseki watched his twin and the white-haired boy exchange words.
Naruto stayed by his son's bedside the whole night joined by his daughter and Minato's twin Natsu, he was thankful Minato did not suffer any long-term injuries just minor burns on his skin. He has a lot of explaining to do with Rin when they return home, first why their children joined him on his mission and second why their son suffered burns on his skin.
"How I wish you are here Rin to take care of our son, you know better how to take care of him than me."
His thoughts were cut off when he felt another presence enter the room.
It was Seiren who entered the room, "Excuse me but our leader requests your presence."
"I'll be back." Naruto said to his son and left with Seiren to meet with Kaname.
When Naruto left Minato slowly opened his eyes much to the delight of Natsu.
"Big brother you're finally awake~" Natsu said happily and embraced her twin but Minato grimaced in pain. "Sorry."
"No, it's alright where's Nozomi is she alright? I saved her right?" Minato asked worriedly, the pain of his burns already forgotten.
"But isn't it Mitsuki who found and saved you both?"
Minato sighed a deep sigh, "Mitsuki huh?"
"I better call uncle Sasuke, uncle Shin, and our friends. They are all worried about you."
"Father, where is he?"
"He was called by the leader of the village just before you woke up."
"You called for me?" Naruto asked to the leader of Souren village who decided to meet him atop the hill overlooking the village. He can't help but wince at the sight of destruction dealt with the village by the attackers the night prior.
"Yes, I know you mean well and your intentions are pure. You proved them last night with your assistance and I am grateful for that. I am also sorry your son was injured with what happened here, although I still have reservations about you and your intentions of seeking us out and the truth is everybody wants you all out of here."
"What about you Kaname what do you think about us." Naruto asked with the same level of seriousness as the man standing beside him.
"What I think doesn't matter as a leader you do understand that above all else you need to protect your own with everything you got." Naruto knew Kaname called him at the spot where they are now for a reason, he wanted to show him the destruction of the village.
"We can help you guys." Naruto insisted he couldn't understand why Kaname intended to bare all the weight on his shoulders and it's damn frustrating! "As long as we can, we will provide you with whatever you may need you can trust us! We can help!."
"What a day." Asuka sighed, she'd been busy the whole day assisting villagers in need of food and medical attention.
"Sister, I saw Nozomi talking to an outsider this afternoon." Kiseki said, his arms crossed in front of his chest.
"Nozomi, oh she must be thanking the young ninja who helped her last night."
"I hate that guy and the rest of those outsiders don't you think it was a coincidence we were attacked after they arrived?"
"It could be, but they also helped us." Asuka said, like Kiseki she also has reservations about those ninjas. Especially the man who they called Sasuke since whenever he was near her head and her heart aches for no reason at all and she hates the feeling.
"I know and I am thankful for that, but that doesn't mean I like them." Kiseki said and left to find his twin.
"Kiseki…"
"Hey why the long face?" Kaname asked suddenly that surprised Asuka.
"Kaname, how long have you been here?"
"I just arrived, too bad I missed out on Kiseki." Kaname said and took a seat beside Asuka and took her hands on his own. "I'm sorry I've been busy whole day tending to the village."
The woman blushed and leaned her head to his broad shoulder. "It's alright the village comes first and I've been busy helping everyone also."
"Asuka there is something I have to tell you, something you need to do and I am telling you this because I trust you."
After his talk with Kaname, Naruto visited his son glad to see him finally awake. Naruto then called Shin to discuss with him the talk he had with Kaname and his role in it that Shin agreed to without questions asked.
Sasuke saw his two friends talked privately and wondered what it could be that Naruto left him out of. He decided to talk to Naruto about it and why he wasn't called after all this damned mission included him.
"Sasuke, there is something we have to talk about."
"Hn. What is it?"
"Kaname and I agreed on helping each other out but there are certain conditions both sides must fulfill."
"Such as?"
"He's sending people he trusts the most to stay in our village while Shin will stay here to learn more about this village."
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at this, he trusted Shin but he would rather stay behind and know more about this village and its powers or more specifically Asuka who looked like his wife Hinata. "I know Shin is capable but don't you think I am more suited to stay than him?"
Naruto knew Sasuke's interest in Kaname's fiancé and would like to know more about her rather than the village that may interrupt the real purpose of the mission which is why he can't let him stay. Besides Kaname told him that he will send people he trusts a lot, there was a chance that his fiancé Asuka will be sent to the hidden leaf village. Although slim Naruto will trust his instinct this time both as Hokage and Sasuke's best friend.
"Sasuke the reason why I chose Shin to stay here over you is because there is a chance Kaname will send Asuka with us back in the hidden leaf."
Author's Note: Almost 5 years later an update. A very huge thanks to the readers who are patiently waiting for an update all this time. Life happened and I have been busy dealing with work and other things but because of the pandemic, I was given the gift of time and I can finally wrap this up. I owe my friend and co-writer Shirahane Aikawa who patiently waited all this years for me to send a chapter to her. Kindly read and review, I will edit the former chapters kindly re-read them again if you got confused. Stay safe everyone.