Chapter Eleven: Can You Repeat That?
"Sooo…" Ren chirped as they neared Konoha. "Anyone want to take bets on whether or not. Lord Hokage is going to choke on his smoking pipe when he learns what happened?"
"500 Ryo that he does." Answered Tayuya.
"1000 Ryo that he doesn't." Haku chimed in.
"750 Ryo that he does." Cut in Isobu.
"You don't even have any money Isobu." Ren thought back to his new tenant.
"It's the thought the counts."
"I'll give you that one."
"You would please not take bets on Lord Hokage potentially choking himself to death by accident?" Kakashi deadpanned.
"Put me down for 2000 Ryo that he does." Ren put in.
Kakashi sighed. "Tsume please get your minions under control."
"Sorry, can't find the motivation right now to do so." Tsume replied, Kuromaru barked in agreement. "Also, put me down for 1500 Ryo that he does."
"I give up on you all." Kakashi spoke in defeat. Inoichi just laughed in amusement at the whole sight.
The trip back to Konoha had been un-eventful, to everyone's relief. After the insanity that was water country. No one was in any kind of mood for more craziness at the moment. The biggest concern obviously was that Ren had been made into a jinchuriki. While Kakashi had done a patch job on the seal and it was holding up. There was concern that could break, it didn't need to be said how bad that would be. Bijuu had a bad tendency to rampage after breaking free from their current host.
Hiruzen sat at his desk in deep thought as he awaited Kakashi and inoichi's return. There was no telling what sort of political fallout could happen, depending on how everything went. He had yet to inform the council of the matter, he wanted a full report before he did. Soon enough he had a knock on his door and a few moments later. Kakashi, Inoichi, and all of team thirteen walked in. Hiruzen released a breath of relief at seeing everyone had returned in one piece.
"Kakashi Hatake, here to report on the recovery of team thirteen Lord Hokage."
"I'm glad to see, you and Inochi were successful." Spoke the Hokage with a smile as he turned to Ren. "When I received Tsume's message, I feared the worst. I'm glad you're alright. And you didn't even bring anyone back with you this time!" Hiruzen joked with a laugh, though he quickly noticed no one else was. Only decades of being a ninja, made Hiruzen realize. He was about to be told something of major importance. On instinct, he grabbed his pipe, lit it, and took a very long drag from it. Something told him that the nicotine was going to be very much needed. After exhaling the smoke, he was finally ready.
"Well…" Mused Ren breaking the awkward silence, that had fallen over the room. "I did bring someone back with me, the thing is they're not visible at the moment."
Hiruzen narrowed his eyes at this. "What do you mean by that?"
"I mean this Lord Hokage." Ren replied as he unzipped his vest(He was glad he kept spares in a storage scroll) and showed the seal on his chest.
"Why do you now have a seal on you?" Hiruzen asked, he had an idea and he very much hoped he was wrong.
"You see, I kind of sort of maybe am the jinchuriki to the three-tails. Side note. We also kind of helped resolve Kiri's civil war and made friends with the new Mizukage." Replied the Yamanaka with a tone of uncertainty.
Hiruzen blinked a few times in stunned silence. Once the news finally sunk in, he closed his eyes. Pinched the bridge of his nose and took another deep inhale of his pipe. "Give me the full report on everything." Spoke Hiruzen in exasperation.
So everyone, from Kakashi to Tsume and Ren, gave their accounts on all that had happened. Once the tale was all said and done, Hiruzen was leaning into the back of his chair. With the expression of a man, who was clearly too old for this kind of bullshit.
"I see then." Hiruzen said speaking far more calmly than he was feeling. "How would you say the seal is holding Ren?"
"Fine, at the moment Lord Hokage." Replied the Yamanaka. Kakashi-sensei did a great patch job on it."
"Be that as it may, I'm must insist on bringing in a proper seal master to look it over for reassurance. As for the mission itself, considering everything that happened went far and above than anyone could have imagined. With strike forces, civil wars, and bijuu of all things. I'm upping the rank of this mission from a C-rank to that of an S-rank."
"That's one hell of a pay raise." Muttered Ren.
"Well deserved with all that you went through. Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
"Oh Right!" Exclaimed as he suddenly remembered Mei's message. "Lady Mei asked me to gives to you. It's an offer of a treaty of alliance between our sides." Ren explained handing the scroll Hiruzen.
Hiruzen took the scroll and began reading over the new Mizukage's offer. His eyebrow raised in curiosity at what he read. Mei was offering full access to water country's trade routes and avenues of commerce. Also, complete military support to Konoha if needed. In return, she was only asking for access to a few of fire country's major trades routes. As well as military support from Konoha, if ever needed. Hiruzen had to remark it was a generous deal on her part, that would have a huge boom for Konoha's economy. It would also give Kiri a much needed economic boost it no doubt needed after the civil war.
Even if it wasn't getting as much access to trade routes in return. Of course, mutual military support was given in such an arrangement. Even if Kiri's military was a bit in a rough place coming off its internal struggles. Kiri was still one of the five major villages, thus it's strength alone. Still greatly outweighed any of the minor shinobi villages. Plus, with the current alliances with Suna. It gave Konoha a strong ally on their west and Kiri on their east. Effectively creating a strong wall of defense across the entire southern half of the elemental nations. Against the north of Kumo and Iwa. While Hiruzen had no desire for another war, he wouldn't say no to something that could be a strong deterrent to one. One could never be too certain with Kumo and Iwa, especially Iwa. It was no secret the hidden stone wanted nothing more than to get back at Konoha for being beaten in the last war. A three-way alliance would between Leaf, Mist, and Sand. Will make anyone think twice, even thrice about launching an attack south.
Hiruzen took out a blank scroll and began writing his response message. "Lady Mei's terms are quite agreeable. I see no reason not to accept her offer of alliance." Announced the Hokage, as he called one his ANBU and ordered to see the scroll delivered to Kiri. Once Mei received the Hokage's response they could then have a proper meeting between the two. To formally make the agreement official. "With all that done and settled, unless you have anything more to add. I do believe we are done here. Team thirteen I'm putting you on a full week of rest."
With all that settled everyone left, leaving Hiruzen alone in his office. He stood up from his chair and turned to face the view of the village from his office window. "Three jinchuriki are now in possession of Konoha." The elderly Hokage muttered to himself in deep thought. "Now a treaty of alliance between Konoha and Kiri as well. The balance of power between the five nations has now been completely thrown off balance." He looked to the pictures of the other Hokages on the wall. "I wonder if I have made the right decision in all of this?"
"Well, that went better than I thought it would." Ren mused as everyone left Hokage tower. "I'm gonna greatly enjoy the week-long rest period after all the madness recently."
"I think you're forgetting how you're gonna break news of your new status to your mother and the others. You can't exactly hide this from them." Tayuya chimed.
"Don't remind me, I hope my mom doesn't freak out too much."
"You're all forgetting something." Haku spoke, bringing everyone's attention to her. "You owe me Ryo for losing the bet."
"Ahh shit. She remembered." Grumbled Tayuya.
Eventually, the others split off leaving only Ren, Haku, Tayuya, and Inoichi as they arrived back at the Yamanaka compound. "I have to go inform the clan elders of the result of the mission. Kairi is working in the store, so she won't be home until later. Though Naruto and Fū should be home at this time. Chino should be at the academy."
"Probably has Iruka pinned to a wall in the teacher's lounge, making out with him." Tayuya joked.
"Wouldn't surprise me, ever since Iruka-sensei manned up and ask her out a few weeks ago. She can't seem to keep her hands off of him, not that he's complaining I'm sure. If anything he's probably the envy of almost every single man in the village." Ren replied with a chuckle.
"They do make for a cute couple." Haku chipped in.
"Come on let's head inside, I'm ready to relax." Ren stated a fact no would argue with and headed inside. The genin of team thirteen went to their respective rooms. Ren laid his sword against the wall and took a much-needed shower. After getting dressed in some fresh clothes, he decided to check in with Naruto and Fū. They would need to know as soon as possible, he was now a jinchuriki like them. As he approached the door to Naruto's room, he could hear his and Fū's voice from behind it. Without really thinking he simply opened the door and walked in.
To be greeted by the sight of the two of them sitting on the bed directly next to each other. Fū was leaning against Naruto, her head resting on his shoulder. Naruto meanwhile had an arm wrapped around Fū's waist. The two of them looked at Ren like deer caught in headlights. Ren simply looked at them with an eyebrow raise of amusement. "Now, now don't stop on my account." The Yamanaka said playfully.
"Ren!" They both shouted in unison, red in the face with embarrassment. Immediately standing up in their shock.
"Haven't you heard of knocking!?" Naruto exclaimed.
"Yes but, sometimes I just don't care." Ren replied cheekily, which got him a pillow in the face compliments of Fū. "So, may I ask when this became an official thing?"
Naruto looked to the green-haired kunoichi who just simply shrugged her shoulders. "I asked her to be my girlfriend the day after you left for your mission. As you can tell, she said yes."
Ren couldn't help but chuckle slightly. "I'm glad to see you two have found such a thing with one another. You two do make for a very cute couple. However, I'm not here to talk about your relationship status. Things went very sideways on my last assignment and well….I'm different now."
Naruto and Fū gave Ren a very questioning look. Before they suddenly had looks of disbelief appear on their faces. Apparently, Kurama and Chomei had figured out and informed their respective host of Ren's new status.
"No way in it can't be…" Went Naruto.
"You're a jinchuriki like us now, Ren?" Fū stated in uncertainty.
"Indeed I am." Ren spoke as then closed the door and placed a few privacy tags. "I'll explain the whole story." So he went and told the whole story of the island mission, not skipping any details. By the end of his tale, Naruto and Fū both looked at him in astonishment.
"The crazy bastard tried to use you as some kind weird makeshift bomb." Naruto spoke with a shake of his head.
"Well on the bright side of things, you don't have to worry about being alone in this." Fū added in. "You have us to help with all this."
Ren had a smile under his mask at that. "Thanks, I really appreciate that, I mean it." It was at this point Ren noticed something about Naruto's room. There was a multitude of different scrolls laid out all around. From what he could tell, they were scrolls of fuinjutsu but none of them he recognized. "When did you suddenly get so many new scrolls on fuinjutsu, Naruto?"
"Oh, that?" The whiskered blond remarked. "Kyubi gave me a hint on some people from my past. So, I decided to confront Jiji about it. A few days after you left."
Naruto felt it was finally time to get some answers on what Kyubi had mentioned to him some time ago. Whoever this 'Kushina' was, she must have been someone important. She had some kind of ties with Naruto seeing how she was one of the people responsible. For sealing, Kyubi into him to begin with on the night he was born. He arrived at Hokage tower and waited for the old man, eventually, he was allowed in. As he walked in, the Hokage greeted him with a genuinely kind smile as he always did.
"Naruto, good to see you." The Hokage greeted. "How can I help you?"
Naruto gave a small smile in return. "Good to see you too Jiji. I'll just get straight to the point." The blond spoke taking a more serious tone. "Who's Kushina?"
Hiruzen's eyes widened ever so slightly at the name. He always knew a day like this would come, he however didn't expect it so soon. He quickly had his ANBU leave the room so it was only him and Naruto. He then placed privacy seals around the room before sitting once more. "Before I explain who she is, may I ask how you came to know that name?"
"Kyubi told me."
Once more, Hiruzen was caught by surprise. "He's communicating with the fox?" Hiruzen thought with worry. "I'll need to inform Jiraiya of this development and see if I can get him to come back to the village."
"So, who is this 'Kushina', Kyubi told me of?" Naruto asked once more.
Hiruzen took out his pipe, lit it, and took a drag from it. "You see, her name was Kushina Uzumaki and she was your mother, Naruto." The Hokage spoke in a somber tone. "She belonged to the Uzumaki clan, a clan that was so skilled and unrivaled in the art of fuinjutsu. Their home village of Uzushiogakure was destroyed during one of the past wars. She survived by virtue by already being Konoha at the time of it happening. she was a strong and caring woman, though she was prone to bouts of fiery anger at times. She died sacrificing her life to protect yours not long after you were born, the night of the Kyubi's attack."
Naruto stood still in silence, his hands shook slightly as he worked to bring his emotions in control of this news. "Why was this kept from me?" He finally answered in a low tone.
"Primarily for your own safety Naruto and due to the events surrounding that fateful night. Much of which I still cannot say until you're older and of higher rank. There are many things about the events of that night, shrouded in mystery. We have yet to ascertain answers for. Thus to help keep you safer, the information was purposely kept from you. I am sorry for that Naruto, truly I am."
While Naruto was rather upset about something this having been kept from him. At the same time, he could understand the old man's reasoning as much as he still didn't like it. "You mentioned that my name 'Uzumaki' was a clan, right?"
"Indeed they are." Replied Hiruzen. "While others may have survived the destruction of their home. As far as it is known, you are the only surviving member of the clan. While we do not have much as far inheritance of your clan to give you. We do have a cache of Uzumaki clan fuinjutsu scrolls that belonged to your mother. while I had intended to wait a few more years. With you know being aware of who your mother is. I see no reason to not give you this now, from what I understand you've taken to fuinjutsu quite well."
"Myself and Ren have been studying fuinjutsu for nine years now. We've studied everything we can get our holds on within Konoha." Naruto retorted.
"Well, you'll find these scrolls will help elevate your fuinjutsu to new heights, once you properly master them."
"I only have one more question for you Jiji."
"Yes?"
"Do you know who my father is?"
Hiruzen took a deep breath. "I do but I cannot tell you Naruto until you're older. There's even greater risk in telling you who your father is at this point. Then there was with your mother. If you happen to figure it out on your own though, I will then tell you everything I can about him."
Again, while Naruto was exactly happy with that answer. He in a way could understand. "Alright then, thanks for telling me what you could. Have whatever you possess related to my clan. Delivered to me at the Yamanaka clan compound." With that said, Naruto turned on his heels and walked out.
"So yeah, that's pretty much it. I haven't really found anything on who my dad could be though. So, I've been pouring effort into all these scrolls from my clan. I've been instructing Fū in fuinjutsu, she's a newbie with it. Feel free to dig through the stuff I got from Jiji." Naruto explained. Ren however was a little taken back his close friends' offer.
"Are you sure about that Naruto?" The mocha-skinned blond asked with a tone of uncertainty. "These scrolls hold the secrets of your clans fuinjutsu arts. Don't get me wrong. I'm humbled that you would extend such an offer to me. How could I possibly repay you in return for something like this? I would teach you some Yamanaka techniques but I'm forbidden from doing so."
"It's not a problem Ren." Naruto mused. "I'm technically the head of Uzumaki clan after all. So, I have full authority to grant others access to these as I choose. Plus, I trust you anyway."
Ren was silent for a few moments. "I…thanks Naruto, this means a lot."
"Like I said it's no problem at all, Believe it!" Naruto responded with a wide smile.
"I'll be sure to take you up on that offer, for now though. I'm still feeling the fatigue of everything from my last mission. So, I'm gonna go rest. Catch you two later." Ren spoke as left the room back to his own. Though Ren was in thought about something Naruto had mentioned. It being about him supposedly being the last Uzumaki. He knew that wasn't true because Karin was around, he would address that come the exams. It brought a thought though about someone else he knew. His redhaired teammate to be precise, while it was never said in the canon timeline. Hell, Orochimaru might not have even known about it, if his hunch was correct. Tayuya though fit the two major things all Uzumaki's excluding Naruto in one of them, had. Red hair and large chakra reserves, both things she had. It was something he would have to check on. If anything, too sate his own curiosity.
Three days had passed since everyone's return. Team thirteen was still relaxing per orders. Ren's mother had taken the news of him being a jinchuriki with surprise and mild horror. Though ultimately she was just happy that he came out of the affair alive. He had told Ino and Chino as well, seeing how they were close family or at least he considered them as such. Their reactions were more or less in line with his mothers.
He was outside of Tayuya's room, looking to enact his plan. He knocked on the door and waited for a response. After a minute the door opened up to reveal the redhead.
"What's up?" she asked.
"I know we're all on rest technically on rest still. Though I want to do some light sparring to keep sharp. Care to join me?" Ren asked innocently.
"Haku not available?"
"She went with my mom to help at the flower shop today."
"Yeah alright then, give me a sec." Tayuya spoke as she retreated into her room for a moment. Coming back out with her gear. "Let's do this." She said with a little glee.
They walked on out to the compound training grounds and stood across from each other. Ren had left his sword in his room. "Rules?" Tayuya wondered.
"Let's keep it simple, good old fashioned taijutsu spar." Ren suggested.
"Works for me."
Ren's taijutsu style revolved around, various style of kicks and leg strikes in quick agile motions. With hand strikes and elbow strikes only used, when he was right in his opponents' face. Tayuya meanwhile knew she wasn't as fast as others in taijutsu. So her fighting style revolved around very strong arm and leg strikes. That were going to hurt if they connected. Not to mention, her usage of strangling techniques. It was a style that worked well for her and did a lot to make up for her lack in taijutsu.
Both stared at one another for a brief moment, Ren decided to take the initiative. He blitzed forward and shot a leg up, hoping to catch Tayuya in the chest. The redhead twisted to the side and swung an elbow strike at the blond. Ren ducked low and dashed inward right up to Tayuya. He struck with a few fast-paced jabs in her gut, pushing her back somewhat. He then followed up with a solid knee in the same spot. Causing her to fall back but she flipped herself back up onto her feet.
To be greeted by a spin kick from Ren aimed at her head. She ducked managed to catch Ren's other leg. That he swung up as a follow-up strike. "Oh shit." Was all the blond could say before he was twisted to the ground. Tayuya holding his leg in a lock that kept him belly down, her on top of him. "I got you." She announced in apparent victory.
"As if." He remarked as he pushed himself with arms quickly and then wrapped an arm around Tayuya's neck. Giving a strong twist with his he managed to flip over. Causing him to now be on top of the redhead, with his back against her front. The surprise of the sudden flip caused her to lose her grip. Ren pushed up with his arms to move away and spun around and back to his feet. Tayuya had gotten back up on her feet as well. Tayuya looked at the Yamanaka with a somewhat feral grin, Ren returned the gesture from behind his mask. Before they charged at each other once more.
An hour later both were sitting next to each other panting and catching their breath. Both had some bumps and bruises from their spar. Tayuya had gotten a good scrape on her arm. When she took a tumble after receiving a good kick from Ren. The Yamanaka had just finished cleaning it and putting a bandage on it.
"I thought it was just supposed to be a light spar?" The redhead questioned.
"So, we got a little carried away with it. Not like we broke anything." Ren mused, which received a nod of agreement from the girl. They both sat quietly next to each other, then an idea sprang to Ren's mind. "Hey Tayuya, I just got an idea, if you'll entertain me."
"Shoot."
"Well after all the craziness from our last mission and seeing how we're still on rest orders. How about me, you, Haku, and the rest of the genin we know. Get together and just have fun somewhere for the night. Make for a nice change of pace to everything." The blond suggested.
Tayuya pondered the request before nodding her head in agreement. "Sounds good, let's get cleaned up and get the word out."
"I'll take off now, we have plenty of time after all." With that settled, Tayuya took off back inside the house. Ren waited until she was safely out of sight and then body flickered to the village hospital. With a cloth that had Tayuya's blood on it, time to see if his hunch was correct. He approached the front desk and was greeted by the on-duty nurse.
"Welcome. How can I help you."
"I have a blood sample I need to have run against the records for any kind of matches, even distant ones." Ren stated.
"Of course. Replied the nurse. She didn't question the request, it was more common than one might think. That shinobi came in with such things. "Please follow me to the labs and we'll get things situated."
A half-hour later Ren left the hospital, it would take a fair amount of time. To get results back, Ren did ask them to run against all the records they could. They would message him when they had the results back. Ren then took off and informed all the other genin he knew, of the plans for the night. Though he did avoid, going to see Hinata. He would leave Shino and Kiba to inform her, he wasn't exactly welcome at the Hyuga estate. His final stop was at Sakura's house. He honestly felt a little guilty about not seeing her sooner. He hadn't really talked to her since the wave mission.
The canon timeline never said anything about Sakura's parents. It turns out her mom was a single mother from a town near the border of fire country. Apparently, after she became pregnant with Sakura, she moved to Konoha to have a more stable life in the leaf village. She worked as a bank manager in the village and had hair just as pink as her daughters. From what Sakura had mentioned to him anyways. He knocked on the door and waited, a few minutes later it opened revealing the pinkette.
"Ren!" Sakura exclaimed, clearly surprised, yet happy. To see the Yamanaka boy of her affection at her door.
"Hello Sakura, hope I'm not interrupting anything?"
"No not at all, please come in."
Not wanting to be rude, Ren walked into the house. Sakura led him up to her room, upon walking in. He immediately noticed how pink everything was, the walls, the bedsheets, hell even the carpet was pink. Ren took a seat on the edge of the bed, Sakura sitting next to him.
"So what brings you here?" Sakura asked.
"Well, me and the others are going to get together later tonight, would you care to join us?"
Sakura was a little disappointed that he wasn't asking her on a date but the offer was nice none the less. "Also." Ren began. "We haven't really talked since the wave mission, so you know, here I am."
"Oh alright." Sakura replied, cheering up a little at being able to talk to Ren alone. "If that's the case let me get some drinks then." The pink-haired girl chirped as she left the room.
As Sakura put a couple of drinks together for the two of them. Her thoughts wandered about herself, the blond boy, and more. "As sudden as Ren's visit is, it is nice. Though I wonder if I can impress him enough, to see me as something more than a friend. Though I doubt I could be better than his teammates." Sakura thought as her insecurities began to surface in her thoughts. "That seems unlikely though, Haku is prettier and stronger than me. Even Tayuya would count despite her tomboyishness. Hell, they're both on his team and even live with him! How could I compete with them? I've felt like I've been playing second fiddle for a while now to a lot of the other kunoichis around me. Despite my best efforts to keep being better. Though I'm still lacking compared to Ino as always, even Hinata lately has started to outshine me. Since she has gotten better with her Byakugan." Sakura stiffened a little as feelings of bitterness, jealousy and, resentment crept into her. "No matter, I'll just have to get keep working on becoming stronger. I'll find ways to become strong enough. Who knows, maybe something will present itself, only time will tell."
With those thoughts settled, she went back to her room, drinks in hand. Ren was still lounging on the edge of her bed. She handed him a drink, which she took with a nod of thanks. Ren lowered his mask and took a sip.
"So what do you feel like talking about?" Sakura asked sitting next to Ren once more.
At that point, Ren began talking with Sakura about various things. How've they have been, training, missions, and whatnot. This carried on for a little bit before Ren swung to the topic, he was wanting to talk to her about.
"There's one more thing I'd like to talk to you about Sakura."
"Yes?"
"Just….well, how do you feel about what went down in wave?" Ren asked her.
Sakura was quiet for a moment. "This about you and what happened on the bridge, right?
Ren nodded.
Sakura took in a breath and stared out in front of her for a few moments. "I'll be honest Ren…" She said with a bit of hesitation. "You completely scared the hell out of me on the bridge in the moment. The way you bled from your eyes, the snarl you had, the way you viciously carved apart those thugs and Gato. It was scarier than Zabuza had ever been. It was almost like you were becoming less human as you rampaged. I thought very briefly that maybe, we had killed one demon. Just for another, even more, frightening one to be born. Right before our very eyes."
"I can't blame you for that, I was slipping down the slope at that point in time." Ren mused somberly.
"However" Sakura quickly cut in. "I'm over all that at this point. I'm not scared of what happened anymore. You may have slipped up in a way you clearly don't like. But you managed to come out of it before you slipped completely to a point of no return. You're still the person, I've always known."
Ren just sat quietly as he drank in Sakura's words. He turned his head and looked at the pinkette. "Thanks, Sakura, it means a lot to hear that."
"Anytime Ren." Sakura replied with a smile.
Ren finished up his drink and put his mask back on. "Well, I better get back and ready for tonight Sakura." He said with a little cheer.
"Alright, I see you and the others then."
With that, he body flickered away and back to the compound. He started to relax a little and prepare for the night. A few hours later, it was the late afternoon. At the entrance of the Yamanaka compound all the rookie teams were gathered, minus Naruto and Fū. They were taking their sweet time getting ready. Hinata was there surprisingly enough. She must have lied about being here for this whole thing. Hiashi would never let her near the Yamanaka's for a social gathering. With the current tensions between the two clans as they were.
Everyone was dressed as usual except Haku was without her mask and Ren didn't have his sword on his back. He figured it would be weird to have it strapped to him. For what was a fun social gathering between friends, so it was in a storage scroll in his tool pouch.
"Looks like we're just waiting on Naruto." Shikamaru spoke lazily. "Why am I not surprised?"
"Oh hush Shikamaru, he'll be here. With something of a surprise for those who don't live here." Ino replied with a playful look in her eyes. The Nara raised a questioning eyebrow at that. Before he could reply however they were interrupted.
"Hey everyone!"
"The others looked to see Naruto approaching them. However, what caught most of them by surprise was the mystery green-haired girl. Who was walking next to him and holding his hand as she did. The others who didn't already know stared dumbstruck at the sight before them. Even Sasuke and Sakura did. Apparently, Naruto didn't tell them of his new girlfriend.
"Naruto, who's that next to you?" Sakura wondered.
"Oh right." Naruto spoke a little sheepishly, with his free hand behind his head. "Everyone who hasn't met her yet, I'd like to introduce Fū to you all. She's also my girlfriend." It had suddenly become so quiet, one could practically hear the buzzing of the tiniest bugs.
"WHAT!?" Was the loudly shouted word of choice by most of the others. Seeing where this was going, Ren stepped in.
"Ok, before you all start badgering them with questions, let's get to where we're all going first." Suggested the mocha-skinned blond. Despite a few weak cries of protest, everyone agreed and headed out. Though a few purposely walked behind the new couple. With looks as if they were trying to solve the world's greatest mystery. Eventually, they reached their destination, it was a large BBQ/Bar establishment. They even had a large party room in the back, which they had rented out for the night. Once they got situated with drinks and food ordered, the questions finally came.
"Alright, spill it Naruto." Sakura said. "How did all this happen?"
"Well, I suppose you should have to start with Ren. He did bring Fū to Konoha and introduced the two of us." Replied the Uzumaki. All eyes turned to Ren who was sitting in between Tayuya and Haku, sipping some booze. He turned a playful glare on the whiskered blond. "Wow, thanks for selling me out just like that." He deadpanned.
"Don't worry Ren, I'll explain." Fū cut in. From there she explained she was from Taki. How Ren and his team helped save Taki from Suien. How he defended her from the ungrateful and cruel villagers. How his kindness, towards her, convinced Shibuki to let her leave Taki for Konoha. How he was also the one to introduce her to Naruto. "After, that things just sort of worked themselves up steadily, and now me and Naruto have been dating for close to two weeks." She finished happily as she turned her head to Ren. "I've never properly thanked you, Ren. My life has turned around for the better, in more ways than I can imagine."
"No need to thank me. Just doing what I felt was right is all." Ren replied with a small smirk before finishing his drink. During Fū's little speech, he had taken the time to gauge the table. Everyone seemed to accept the couple, which didn't really surprise him. His only real concern was Hinata, he knew how much she liked Naruto. Well from a distance anyways. Even though she was far more confident in herself. Bringing herself to confess to Naruto was something she was still unable to do. Now, it appeared it wouldn't matter anymore if she ever did or not. He was worried she would be angry or jealous. He didn't see that though, he saw glimpses of sadness and disappointment but nothing else.
"Hey, Ren!" Kiba barked, getting his attention. "How about you introduce me to a girl?"
"Sorry Kiba but you're an absolute lost cause when it comes to romance." Ren replied without missing a beat. Kiba cried out in exasperation and his head banged against the table. Getting a laugh from everyone.
"How about you Ren? You have your eyes set on anyone by chance?" Ino chirped, Ren, tossed a dirty look at his cousin. As all eyes now shifted to him.
"No, I'm not looking to date anyone at the moment, and even if I was." He huffed. "I would need a lot more booze before I even considered telling a bunch of people in public. Oh, look the foods here!" Thankfully it actually was. The prospect of delicious food quickly made everyone forget the previous conversation.
From that point on, more eating and drinking was had by everyone. The party room was rather large, so after a while. Everyone began to mingle amongst one another and whatnot. Eventually, somehow, all the guys had grouped together, while all the girls had grouped themselves together as well.
"This was an awesome idea!" Kiba spoke cheerily, his cheeks tinted a little red from the booze.
"Agreed, while such events aren't generally my thing. Though I will admit, something like this isn't so bad. Every once in a while." Shino said, literally speaking for the first time all night.
"It's not that troublesome." Mused Shikamaru.
"So, are you really not interested in anyone right now?" Sasuke said deciding to tease his best friend a bit.
"We are not going back to this talk dammit." Ren retorted.
"I bet he already has someone and just trying to hide it." Piped up Choji, getting in on the fun. Ren decided to not dignify that with a response and simply went to his drink.
"No, he isn't doing that." Spoke the Uzumaki. "He'd never be able to hide it from his mom. If she found out he had a girlfriend, she would do something to embarrass him. Like, wait till everyone was at the kitchen table for breakfast. Then randomly toss him a box of condoms and be all like. 'Remember to wear these when you finally decide to fuck.' Or something like that."
A few things happened at that moment. One, Ren's eyes nearly popped out of his head. Two, he choked on a full mouth of his drink. Three, he then spat out the alcohol out, into Naruto's face. "Kami it's in my eyes! It burns!" "That's what you get for saying such stupid ass things." Ren grouched. Granted, while he would never admit it. What Naruto said was exactly the kind of thing his mother would do to him.
The girls were gathered having their own little talks. "I have to admit you two are cute together." Ino remarked to Fū.
"You've only said that like a few hundred times since you found out a week ago Ino." Replied the green-haired kunoichi
"Well, I can't help it, ok!? I honestly didn't think out of everyone in our class, Naruto would be the first one to get into a relationship. He's like a little brother to me after all, so of course, I'm excited."
"Sure you're just not jealous?" Sakura asked.
"As if forehead, I know I can land someone before you at the very least." Ino snarked back.
"Pig!"
"Billboard brow!"
"Alright, you two." Haku cut in. "This isn't the time or place for that." Both girls gave a huff and turned away from one another.
"You can be such a mom at times Haku." Tayuya snickered.
"I am not." Haku defended.
"Oh?" Questioned the redhead. "Then why do you always help Kairi with making breakfast when you can?"
"I just like to help out when I can." Replied the ice user, fighting back a blush of embarrassment. "Besides, nothing wrong with learning how to properly cook. You could certainly do with a few lessons."
"I do just fine goddammit!"
"Instant Ramen doesn't count, no matter how much Naruto may approve of it."
Tayuya honestly couldn't argue that point. "Fine, I'll take some fucking lessons." She grumpily replied.
Haku and Tayuya's attentions were drawn to all the other girls. When they started to laugh at their little display.
"You know." Spoke up Hinata. "For what it's worth Fū, I'm glad that Naruto has found someone he could be so happy with." She finished with a slightly subdued tone. Hinata knew that she was disappointed that Naruto was with someone else. Though she always knew, there was always the chance that someone else could come along. Before she was able to confess to the whiskered blond herself. "I'll just focus on maybe finding someone else. I can't let myself get so hung up on a single person after all." The Hyuga heiress thought. "At the very least, I suppose I can help support Fū and Naruto both."
"Don't be so bummed Hinata." Mused Ino. "Plenty of other good guys out there. There's always my cousin after all?"
"What!?" Hinata squeaked as the others looked at her. Haku and Tayuya especially, though everyone else and even themselves. Seemed unaware of how intently they were suddenly listening.
"Don't get me wrong, I think Ren is great." Hinata spoke. "He helped with my confidence issues years ago. I do admire him in a sense but it's more of how a sister would a brother. He's a wonderful friend and person but I don't see him in a romantic sort of way. Sorry. Plus, with the way things are, my dad would probably lock me up in the estate. If I ever showed any sign of romantic interest towards Ren."
"Your dad does seem like a prick like that." Stated the redhead.
Hinata let out a sigh. "It is hard to argue against that viewpoint at times."
"Alright enough of such downer talk." Announced Ino as she suddenly had glasses and a bottle in hand. "Let's go back to having fun!"
So the night carried on for all of them. While nobody got drunk, they all got at least a bit tipsy. At some point, Ren had decided to perform an impromptu rap song. Somehow, he had managed to get almost the whole bar singing along with him to it.
"~Well, now, don't you tell me to smile, You stick around I'll make it worth your while, My number's beyond what you can dial, Maybe it's because we're so versatile. Style, profile, I said It always brings me back when I hear, "ooh, child!" From The Hudson River out to the Nile, I run the marathon to the very last mile. Well, if you battle me I feel reviled, People always sayin' my style is wild. You've got gall, you've got guile, Step to me I'm a rap-o-phile. If you want to battle you're in denial, Comin' from Uranus to check my style. Go ahead, put my rhymes on trial, Cast you off into exile.~" Ren rapped with the crowd in the bar, going along with it.
Haku leaned towards Tayuya. "Any clue as to what he's referencing in what he's singing?"
"Not a damn clue, but it works well, so who cares?" Replied the flute player. Haku simply shrugged in agreement.
"Since when the hell could Ren rap?" Muttered Sasuke, as he leaned against a wall. Watching the whole impromptu show by himself at the moment. "He certainly is a person of many different talents." He heard as the source of the voice walked up next to him. It was Hinata.
"True enough, though I'm more surprised he managed to get most of the bar to sing along with him." The Uchiha mused.
"Ren always has been very good with people."
Sasuke gave a small laugh at that. "That's an understatement."
"By the way Sasuke, can I ask something?" Hinata questioned.
Sasuke raised an eyebrow at this. "Sure?"
"Would like to train with me sometime? I've been looking for new ways to help push my Byakugan. Training against a different dojutsu could be very beneficial in that regard. It would probably be good training for your Sharingan as well." The Hyuga heiress explained.
Sasuke thought about the offer for a moment, he had to admit. Hinata made a valid point. "Alright Hinata, I'm in. When and where?"
"The shared training grounds, as for when. I'll send you a message with my schedule. So we can work to fit it in with yours."
"Works for me." Sasuke said with a small smile tugging at his lips. As he and Hinata both looked back to Ren's little performance.
"~We're from the family tree of old school hip-hop, Kick off your shoes and relax your socks, The rhymes are spread just like a pox, Cause the music is loud like an electric shock. I am known to do the wop, Also known for the Flintstone Flop, Tammy D gets biz on the crops, Beastie Boys known to let the beat.~"
"~Mmm, drop!~"
"~Now when I wrote graffiti my name was Slop, If my rap's soup, my beats is stock, Step from the table when I start to chop, I'm a lumberjack DJ Ad-Rock. If you try to knock me you'll get mocked, I'll stir fry you in my wok. Your knees'll start shakin' and your fingers pop, Like a pinch on the neck of Mr. Spock!~" Ren finished with applause from the crowd.
With that finished, everyone hung out for a little while longer. Eventually, it got late enough to the point everyone decided it was time to head home. Everybody left and headed off to their own homes. Leaving all who lived at the Yamanaka compound in their own little group.
"This was a fun night." Ren mused as he and the others walked through the compound gate.
"I have an idea about what we could spend doing for a little while. With it being such a nice night and all." Said Haku.
"What would that be ice queen?" Inquired the redhead.
"Wait for me in the little field on the other side of the compound and find out."
"Sure, I'm in." Ren agreed.
"Ah hell, me too." Answered Tayuya.
Naruto and Fū both nodded in agreement.
Ino gave a very un-ladylike yawn. "You guys go ahead, I'm off to bed. See you all in the morning." She then departed into the house for the night. Haku went inside as well to grab whatever it was, she needed. The others went to the other side of the compound and waited. A few minutes later, the ice wielder appeared carrying a very large dark blue throw blanket.
"I thought that perhaps we could all, spend some time simply watching the stars a bit, together." Haku suggested.
"Sounds like a great idea." Fū remarked.
Within a few minutes, the blanket was laid out and everyone was laying on it. Naruto and Fū laid side by side to each other. Ren was laying down with Haku laying to one side of him and Tayuya on the other. They all laid in silence, looking up at the peaceful starry sky. Enjoying the sheer tranquility of the moment. Ren wasn't sure how long they all were out there for. At some point, he began to hear light snoring from around him. He looked and noticed Naruto and Fū both asleep. Fū being curled up against Naruto her head resting against his shoulder.
Ren then looked and noticed both Haku and Tayuya had drifted off to sleep as well. He contemplated waking the others so they could sleep inside but decided against it. Everyone seemed so peaceful and relaxed, he didn't want to ruin that. Ren adjusted himself to get in a more comfortable position, doing so. The hand on either side of him accidentally brushed against one of Haku's and Tayuya's hands. Whether on reflex or something else he wasn't sure when they brushed against one another. While still sleeping, Haku's and Tayuya's respective hand wrapped around one of Ren's.
While caught a little by surprise by the actions, he didn't fight it. In fact, he felt a strange sensation of warmth fill his chest from it. He looked at both girls beside him, a small smile appearing behind his mask. He knew he was feeling something for the two of them. What it was, he wasn't completely sure. He chose not to think too hard about it and just enjoy the moment for what it was. It was something he could think on later. Ren stared back up at the peaceful night sky and eventually drifted off to sleep himself.
Unknown to any of them, however, hidden in a tree not far from them. A man was keeping an eye on the group.
He had fair skin and waist-length, spiky white hair that was tied in a pony-tail, with two shoulder-length bangs framing his face. There were red lines under his eyes that went down his face. He wore a green short shirt kimono and matching pants, under which he wore mesh armor that is visible at his wrists and ankles. He also wore handguards, a black belt, traditional Japanese wooden sandals, and a red haori with two yellow circles on each side. He carried a large scroll on his back and had a tattoo on his left palm, and he wore a horned forehead protector with the kanji for "oil" on it.
Jiraiya of the sannin, the toad sage, and one of the Third Hokage's students.
A smile appeared on his face as he watched his godson sleep. With the green-haired kunoichi snuggled up against him. "Minato, Kushina." He thought to himself. "If you could see your son right now, you'd be so happy with him. He's growing into a fine ninja and person, already snagging ladies too, he-he." Then his gaze fell to the mocha-skinned blond, his face taking a somewhat serious expression. "That's the gaki, the old man mentioned to me. He got the Sanbi sealed into him. Amongst other things, he's gotten himself into by choice or not. Jiraiya's smile returned to him. "The boy can pull the ladies himself too it seems. Between him and Naruto, I'll wind up with all the inspiration I need. For my future books for years to come!"
A/N: Hello readers! I hope you enjoyed this chapter and the story thus far. We had interesting things that happened in this chapter I'd say. Ren returned as a jinchuriki and not everyone was quite thrilled by that notion. Naruto found out who his mother was amongst other things. Also getting his hands on Uzumaki clan knowledge as well. We now have the first official couple of this story with Naruto x Fū. And an off-screen confirmation of sorts for Chino x Iruka. Ren's trying to figure out some answers with Tayuya.
A talk with Sakura as well, I wanted to get back to her. Her insecurity problems are reeking their heads. Canon Sakura had bad insecurity problems pretty much until the end of the Chunin exams. That was when she was only seemingly competing with Ino. Now she also has Haku, Hinata, and Tayuya to worry about. Making her insecurities weigh even heavier on her, for reasons that I have plans for later on.
We also had all the rookies get together for some relaxing and fun. Seemed like a nice touch for a fluff chapter of fun. Also, yes. I did have Ren get kind of tipsy and do an impromptu performance of "Intergalactic" by the Beastie Boys. I wanted something kind of goofy and fun for the bars section. This idea popped into my head as I was shuffling through my Itune's and came across the song. Jiraiya has made his appearance as well, what will he do?
So while I said this was going to be the last fluff chapter before the Chunin exams. I decided that I am gonna need one more fluff chapter after this one. Then we will hit the Chunin exams, I promise. Some more things will happen, sometime skipping and whatnot. Anyway, please review as they do help with giving me the motivation to write. Please like and fav if you haven't already. In the meantime, stay safe, stay healthy and, I'll see you next time. I'm out!