Sealkeeper: He Who Binds
Chapter 133-A "In the Morning"
Patron Release 2021.02.02
The strangest part of being back, Naruto found, was how it didn't feel strange at all. Even after all these years the house- and this room in particular- still met him with a comfortable familiarity that he found it all too easy to settle back into.
Perhaps that would prove to be a good thing considering whose company he currently found himself in.
The woman in question hesitated slightly in the doorway to the room, her violet eyes peering at him more intensely than he was really cared for. After a second she seemed to snap herself out of whatever trance or thought that had stolen away her attention and she proceeded to take a seat on the couch across from his chair.
Well, not his chair, technically, but for the time being it would serve as such. He'd been completely oblivious to it before he first entered the academy but now that he knew of his father he realized that this chair had probably been his.
Kushina, he reflected, had never been seen sitting in it for as long as he could remember.
He wondered how he had missed that before but perhaps it simply hadn't been the sort of thing his younger mind concerned itself with.
Such a different sort of time that had been.
As Kushina settled into her chosen seat so too did a silence settle in the room between them, one that remained unbroken for a minute that seemed to stretch on forever for Kushina.
To Naruto whose attention was constantly stolen away by matters of Wolves and other such projects it seemed to blink away, hardly noticed. Days had been going by awfully quickly for some time now, as he was aware, and if he had time to consider that at all he might have been a bit more concerned. As it was, he already had too much on his plate to spare it a proper thought.
"A-again," Kushina's voice disturbed the silence and drew Naruto's attention to her. "Thank you for coming. I wasn't sure you would."
"While I really do not have any reason to come here at any other time I also have no real reason not to...humor...your request to meet with me." He tilted his head to the side slightly, a casual gesture often seen among the Inuzuka somehow elevated when he performed it. "We're both adults, aren't we? Sitting down to speak with one another should be well within our capabilities I should think."
"Yes," She agreed first with a small frown that soon became a soft smile. "We're both adults." It was...hard...for her to admit that, if only because it meant her baby boy had grown up but she really couldn't deny the fact that he had. Even ignoring the fact that he was more or less an adult when he became a Shinobi, the person sitting across from her was certainly no child-
Even if he was her child.
"I'm sure you're probably wondering why I asked you to visit"
"The thought had certainly crossed my mind," Naruto admitted. "Though I think I may have some idea."
She was- briefly- tempted to ask what he thought she had asked him to stop by for but quickly dismissed the notion. That was probably just asking for trouble so it was better for her to be the one to bring things out into the open. If he had been right he was sure to say so and if he had been thinking something completely different he'd either tell her or claim the real reason as his original suspicion.
Mentally she paused, realizing she had just assumed his reactions based on how she knew Kakashi would react. Was that because Kakashi was likely the closest male relationship she had to use in this situation or was there something about Naruto that reminded her of that infuriating man?
A hint, maybe, perhaps even a small trace, but she brushed that off as residue from time spent as part of the man's Genin team. It was inevitable he would start to infect them with his presence, though she couldn't say she'd really noticed any of that in Naruko.
Maybe it was because both Naruto and Kakashi shared some traits with Minato? Not necessarily the same traits, either, but because both reminded her of her late husband in some way they ended up reminding her of each other.
That seemed to make a bit more sense and if the explanation spared her son from being infected by Kakashi's Kakashi-ness then it was a small mercy she would gladly accept if only for her own peace of mind.
"I heard you were leaving Konoha." It didn't necessarily say why she had requested his presence but they could both still understand what had gone yet unsaid. He gave a nod at her pseudo-explanation, both agreeing with her and showing that he had followed her undeparted train of logic.
"It has been requested by Godaime Hokage Sarutobi Asuma that The House of Wolves vacate Konohagakure no Sato. As we'd already been looking to move on from Konoha to escape certain spatial and privacy limitations we saw no reason to further antagonize him. We'll be gone…" He paused, tilting his head in thought as he tried to mentally recall the calendar sitting at his desk. "...By the end of the week?" it came out more question than statement but that was entirely accurate. "I think that's right but I've been so busy time has been escaping me quite readily. Anyway, we'll be gone pretty soon. We've just about finished up our remaining business here in Konoha for the time being."
That statement brought with it many more questions Kushina wished she had a chance of getting real answers for but she knew she probably wasn't privy to such information. The fact that he was being as open and forthcoming as he was, in fact, already struck her as quite odd.
"You're very...open...about this." She commented. He gave her a questioning look.
"Is there a reason I shouldn't be? It's not exactly a secret." He paused for a second. "Well, it's not well known, I suppose." was his admission. "And things are bound to go more smoothly the less it's spread around but I'm sure Naruko would have told you anyway."
If he figured that Naruko had either already told her these things or would eventually let it slip anyway she supposed she could see why he was so comfortable in revealing these details. It did make her wonder exactly how much Naruko actually did know of this matter and she knew she would find it difficult to resist asking her daughter that when she saw her next.
Then again, if Naruto figured she would learn it anyway it was just as likely she might end up knowing more than Naruko did in the end.
"No, it's fine. I just thought you might be keeping something like this more closely to your chest."
Naruto shrugged. "My judgement may be mistaken," He admitted. "In fact that's more likely than I really care to admit, but I don't see any issues with letting you know such minor details. There have to be some people still in Konoha who know something of the matter if it's to ever get out more publicly."
Now she was starting to get confused.
"I thought you said things were going to go better for you the less this was known?"
"While we're leaving, yes." He gave a dismissive- almost negligent- wave of his hand as if the matter wasn't even worth his attention and yet proceeded to answer it regardless. "But it won't do us any good at all if it never makes its rounds through the grapevine."
"I don't understand."
He raised a questioning brow, his expression equally amused and pitying in ways that made her feel unbelievably small and simple. "You don't think we're just leaving because Asuma asked, do you?"
"You said the Wolves were already looking into leaving."
"I did," He nodded. "But we aren't about to accelerate our schedule just because the Hokage isn't comfortable with us in his village. No, doing it this way has its own uses."
"I...see…" She didn't, not at all, but she could at least understand that somehow they intended to take advantage of Asuma's actions. Kushina had no idea what benefits there were to be had from such a situation but perhaps that was because she wasn't involved with an imperial house.
She couldn't think of any other way Konoha's Hokage and the House of Wolves would be tied together beyond Hi no Kuni itself if the Wolves were going to be benefiting from leaving Konoha.
"So...if the Wolves are benefiting from this somehow I guess you don't need any help then, do you?" She was both hopeful and acceptingly resigned in her tone, prompting Naruto to raise a brow again.
"No, we are in need of no assistance in dealing with Asuma. Is that why you wished to speak with me?"
"I thought I might be able to help," She hesitated before expanding on her thought. "If Asuma was somehow forcing you out, that is. The Uzumaki still hold much influence in Konoha, with pressure from us and perhaps petitioning the Imperial Courts I figured….." She didn't finish her thought but she really didn't need to.
"Asuma would never be able to force the House of Wolves to leave, our hold over clans within Konoha and the influence it grants us is too great for him to remove us. Any attempts he made would merely drag the village closer to a civil war- one he is unlikely to emerge victoriously from."
That was...more than a little concerning, actually. She hadn't even considered the possibility of something like a civil war but the more she thought about it now the more inevitable it seemed. The House of Wolves, as he said, held sway over various clans so if the Hokage tried to go against the Wolves he'd also be going against those clans. Depending on which clans chose which side, you'd have essentially split Konoha's political powers in half and set them against each other.
The likelihood that the tension would eventually spill over into violence was much greater than she was really comfortable with, a possibility only exacerbated by the fact that these were Shinobi clans that would be aggravated- it may have been nearly a century from the clanwars but the continued shinobi lifestyle ensured the clans had remained no strangers to violence.
Hell, it was still very much their way of life for the majority of clans.
"I see, in that case I guess I wanted to say...Goodbye." Her tone was mournful but, again, accepting. She knew he would be leaving and there was nothing she could do to stop that.
"I, uh, didn't get a chance to last time." She looked away as she admitted that, focusing her attention to one of the pictures on the wall.
"No, you didn't." His voice was even and neutral, unmoved by her tone or the memories her words evoked. Silence stretched on afterwards and after several long seconds she turned to face him again.
His expression hadn't changed.
"I'm sorry."
He gave a nod. "That's fine."
"I know I've made...a lot...of mistakes with you, Naruto, but…" She found herself hesitating, wondering if she had any right to even say her next words. "...I do love you, Naruto."
Silence crept back into the room, filling the void between them, and Naruto sat there in stony contemplation with his bright purple eyes fixated on her.
After nearly a minute Kushina found herself squirming nervously from her position on the couch, wondering if he was even going to acknowledge the fact that she had spoken at all.
"I still have fond memories of the time we did spend together, Kushina, but that's all in the past." His look- while not unkind- remained serious. "For good or ill, we've both been pushed down very different paths. I've moved on, you're not a part of my life anymore, and I think it's about time you do the same."
"I...I can't just give up on you…" She objected, earning her a pitying look.
"Knowingly or not, you did that years ago. You focused on Naruko-" She made to object again but he held up a hand to stop her. "I'm not saying you were wrong, Kushina, that's simply what happened. Since your return, however, your focus seems to have been on me. One child at a time doesn't work Kushina, you should be able to understand that."
Naruto pushed himself up from Minato's chair.
"As I'm leaving Konoha I would suggest returning that attention to Naruko and your clan, they would both benefit from it far more than I would. Goodbye, Kushina, I hope you can let go of our old life and focus on a better one for you and Naruko."
He paused as he reached the threshold of the sitting room, glancing briefly at a teary-eyed Kushina. "I don't hate you Kushina and I hold no grudge, there's nothing for you to be trying to apologize for. Life happens, we just have to accept it and move forward."
She managed to hold off until she heard the front door close before she allowed herself to cry.
"It's ready, then?" Naruto didn't turn his chair as the knocking on his door transformed into soft footsteps into his office, his unfocused gaze instead pointed towards his window. Both guards who normally stationed themselves before it- not by any command he had ever given, as far as he could recall, but rather of their own volition- had moved further to the sides of the window to provide him an unobstructed view outside.
It wasn't like there was much to see, the wall of his office simply looked out into a well maintained walkway intended for ground-floor residents. It hadn't seen much use from the other residents of the apartment building ever since the Wolves had expanded to occupy the entirety of the bottom apartments.
"Yes, Nii-sama, everything is ready." Hanabi answered him, sparing a moment to see what had caught his own attention before realizing he probably didn't even realize he was looking out a window at all. It wasn't completely accurate, either, considering he still had his desk here and his room hadn't been packed up but the other rooms had been including hers and the rooms with Wolf occupants.
Even Tayuya and Sasuke had been moved to sleeping bags so the furniture of their rooms could be fully prepared for the move. Fortunately the majority of the furniture that used to be stored here had already been sent out otherwise their exodus would be quite the spectacle.
She wasn't entirely certain they even had enough wagons and carriages at their disposal to do it all at once like that in the first place and, as she thought about it, she did wonder if there would have been merit to moving Naruto out of the village first and then just have the Wolves pack up everything else without having to worry about him being able to continue working while they packed up.
"Good, good." He nodded, still not looking at her. "We'll leave in the morning, then. Please see to it that Mai is informed of this."
"Of course, I'll send one of the Wolves immediately." She paused. "Is-is everything alright?"
Silence.
After a minute he swiveled his head around to see her from the corner of his eye, the slightest hints of a tired smile pulling at his lips.
"Everything's fine, Hanabi. I've just been thinking. It's going to be strange leaving, you know."
She nodded in agreement. "Hmm, yeah. It will, I guess." She'd been living almost solely within the Wolf properties since the Chunin exams and even though she'd been promoted to a position of Mai's assistant she hadn't really left. She could, she supposed, go out for walks or take care of things but even if that would tell the world that she was still alive and well in Konoha she simply hadn't had the time to do so anyway.
Honestly, she was looking forward to a change of scenery.
He turned just enough to look at her properly, his tired smile quirking up in amusement. "You're probably ready to get out of here, aren't you?"
"A bit." She admitted.
"I'll bet. You've been cooped up for a while." He took a moment to think something over. "Perhaps it would be a good idea for you to take a break this evening and take some time to go through the village again." Was his proposal. "Maybe a last visit to the Hyuuga compound?"
"I...Don't think that would be a good idea." She was still very aware of how the former Branch family viewed her and knew going back alone was probably not in her best interests. Even if Hinata would welcome her back and wouldn't want anything to happen to her she'd still have to make it to her sister in the first place and there would still be no guarantee afterwards that someone wouldn't try something as some last revenge on the main family.
Not that they didn't have some justification for that, she could admit, but she really didn't fancy the thought of being the one paying when she'd already managed to escape it thus far.
"No?" One brow raised for a second before settling back down. "I would think you'd like one last chance to see it. You could say goodbye to Hinata, too."
"We've said our goodbyes already." Mostly true, they both knew Hanabi was leaving with the Wolves and had talked about it when Hinata had visited even if the two of them hadn't really said goodbye. Hinata was already planning on making her own visits to wherever Naruto was so the two sisters were bound to be interacting far more regularly in the future.
"...And your father?" Was his question.
That...was not something she had considered. She frowned slightly. She hadn't really thought about her father at all since she had placed herself under the protection of the Wolves but now that he'd been brought up she had an inexplicable urge to see how he was doing.
Honestly, she was quite surprised he'd survived the transfer of power considering he was the former head.
Then again, she had no difficulty believing that the Branch members had had much larger grievances with the elders who had, as far as she was aware, not been quite so fortunate.
"I….I think I would like to see him again." She admitted after a few moments of thought. "But I don't know-" She was cut off.
"Then do so. Take a few Wolves as an escort to the Hyuuga compound. Hinata's guard should be able to cover the both of you but it's better to be cautious and I'd rather something not happen on your way to or from. Do what you can to stay out of Konoha's eyes, too. I'm pretty sure they think you're dead and that's pretty convenient for all of us."
"Of course." She gave a shallow bow. "Thank you, Nii-sama."
"You've done well, Hanabi, this is the least you deserve." He pushed himself up and out of his chair. "I have one last thing to take care of before we leave, you'll probably be back before me."
"What is it?" She quickly added. "If...you don't mind me asking."
"Just...visiting an old friend." There was something about his tone and the look in his eyes that immediately raised Hanabi's concern but she had no idea why.
"Oh." She wracked her brain for any associates of his she knew he'd yet to visit but came up short, something she assumed was probably due to not knowing much- anything really- about his social life. She hadn't realized he'd had a personal social life, actually, and had really assumed the one he did have was purely from a professional or political standpoint.
Sometimes it really was hard for her to remember that he was just a normal person with the same needs as the rest of them; he always seemed like so much more.
"Well, have fun." The uncertainty was still clear in her voice but the sincerity was easy to hear as she gave him a small smile. She didn't know who he was visiting or why but she hoped it would go just as well as her meeting with her father- assuming she was going to get one.
Something about the look in his eyes, though, told her that he already knew he wasn't about to be so fortunate.
He answered her with only a smile just as weary as all the rest and, much to her confusion, surprisingly bitter.
Patting her head gently as he passed her, he left without another word.
He would freely admit- if only to himself- that he had taken as much time as he could manage to get here, pushing back a visit he knew he could avoid but wouldn't be able to bear not making.
The sun had long since retired by the time he arrived.
Shoes clicking over the well-maintained stone pathway he veered off into the grass until he came to stand before the light grey stone that marked her name.
The gentle breeze through distant trees was mixed with the faint sounds of Konoha's evening market coming to a close and served as the only sounds to accompany his thoughts. He would have preferred silence, he thought, but he could be thankful the noises were as soft as they were.
It was probably best not to leave his thoughts alone, either.
He supposed he should be grateful.
Naruto spent several minutes staring blankly at her name, eyes half-focused, before he dropped down into a crouch before her grave marker and gently ran the back of his hand over it. As expected the stone was cold and hard, just as lifeless as she was. A visit earlier in the afternoon probably would have been more pleasant between the golden light of the sun and the gentle warmth that would have seeped into the stone from it but neither matched his current mood.
Not like this did.
There was also the matter of the Yamanaka themselves and he had no desire to encounter them when coming to pay his respects again. He did not need their presence tainting this.
"Tatsuki." His voice was soft enough to be drowned out by the breeze but he was absolutely certain he had spoken it aloud.
As expected she could not answer and he remained in silence for another minute.
"I guess it's been a while, hasn't it?" He gave a quiet, nervous chuckle followed by a sheepish apology. "Sorry. I should have made more time to visit you."
Silence.
"In fact, I can't even recall the last time I stopped by." He frowned at that, desperately trying to recall that day. "I know it was after my first visit, I'm sure of that, but….." Trailing off, he averted his gaze to a patch of grass illuminated by the moon and spent a few precious seconds watching it dance to the sound of the breeze.
"Well, it should be no surprise, really, considering how much else I keep forgetting." He paused and then sighed. "No, that's really no excuse. You deserve better than this. Always did."
"I'm not even sure what to tell you, so much has been happening but the more I think about it the more I think telling you would just cause you grief." Another defeat sigh left his lips before he gave a humorless chuckle.
"I'm not even sure you'd recognize me anymore. So much has changed since she took you from me and I can't even pretend the responsibility for all of it doesn't rest on my shoulders. I found more family, that I'm sure I've already told you, but under my guidance they only ever seem to suffer. We lost another three recently, in addition to those who were killed in a scuffle with your old family months ago. I didn't even know their names."
Naruto shook his head.
"What kind of father am I that cannot provide for his children enough attention to know their names, let alone meet their needs? I continue to work but it's never enough. Sometimes…"
"Sometimes I wonder if the work I do matters at all."
He looked back to the stone before him- it remained unchanged and unmoved by his words.
"That's not right either, I know the work I do is nothing in the end. Just reports and approvals. Hana, Sai, Mai, and now Hanabi do the real work. There's little for me to actually do for my children these days, nothing that makes a positive difference. Instead my pride and my plots just causes us trouble. They don't seem to mind but that's not the point. It's my duty to see them cared for but if I can't do that doesn't it fall on me to find someone who can?"
There was no answer.
"It won't be long now. Things are already being prepared and soon, very soon, I'll do the most good I possibly can for them." He assured her. His hand moved to rest on the top of her marker.
"I'm tired, Tatsuki. So tired. Maybe...Maybe, when everything's over, I'll get a chance to rest."
Careful to keep all of his weight away from the stone he used his legs to push himself back up to a standing position, his fingers falling away as their reach shortened.
"I don't know why I bring this to you, the problems of the living are no longer your concern. You've earned your rest, Tatsuki, though I can never express how sorry I am that so many years of opportunity were stolen from you." Another humorless chuckle dragged itself from his throat.
"Probably not through any of my actions so far, they don't do your memory any justice."
Green eyes flashed in his mind, filled with a sparkling child-like exuberance and accompanied by her playful grin. For a moment his heart seemed to soar, filled with the fond warmth of memories, before crashing quickly to the ground as he considered how it would probably become the fear-filled tear-streamed face he'd seen when he first met her should she learn of what he and his new family had done since her passing.
"Perhaps we could pretend, just for these last few moments, that we belonged to each other; that we had finally found happiness in this horrid world?"
How would she ever bear to be in his company knowing that he had only added to that horrible world she'd been trying so desperately to carve her own peaceful future from?
What would she say, knowing what he had done to her own brother?
A feeling of disgust welled up within him, aimed solely at himself. He'd already regretted those actions but he'd never stopped to consider what she would have thought about it. It was obvious to him he'd betrayed her more than anyone else had ever betrayed him.
He moved slightly closer- just enough for his fingertips to brush across the top of her permanent marker- and whispered quietly; "Get some rest, love, I'll see you in the morning."
Immediately her final words sprung to mind but he didn't allow himself the pleasure of hearing her voice. The one she had spoken that to wasn't him, not anymore, and he wasn't about to steal them away.
He was the last person who deserved to hear them.
Glancing behind him he could see a figure waiting patiently at the entrance to the Konoha Cemetery and knew exactly who it would be. He really had no desire to speak to anyone, least of all her family, but with a soft sigh forced himself to turn and walk in that direction anyway.
He'd caused her family enough suffering, he could at least try to remain polite.
Inoichi watched quietly from his position by the gate as he had for the last week to the confusion of his fellow clanmembers. He'd decided it was probably best not to tell them that with the House of Wolves leaving Konoha he expected Naruto to pay at least one last visit to his sister's grave.
He hadn't been wrong.
Sparing a glance to the other side of the gate he could see his daughter leaning against the wall doing her best not to look nervous and uncertain. It was obvious to her as soon as she had seen the young man approach the stone marker that she was intruding on something far more personal than she ever would have expected.
It was not right, she had said, to see Naruto of all people looking so vulnerable. He had to agree with her. The minutes passed by and every so often Naruto's head would turn away from the marker just enough that he was able to confirm the young man was speaking with his sister. He couldn't really describe the feelings that brought to him, the mixtures of guilt, regret, and tones of relief to know that even when she had left her clan not wanting to be a Shinboi she had managed to find those who cared for and supported her.
And while he still didn't know what really happened that night there was no denying how obvious it was that the young man before her grave had cared for her deeply, perhaps more deeply than Inoichi ever had. He, after all, had been there when Tatsuki had no one. Inoichi certainly hadn't.
As the young man stood back up and finished whatever he was saying Inoichi could see those bright purple eyes turn to glance at him and - after only a moment of hesitation- Naruto turned around fully to make his way towards the entryway, his shoes clicking against the flat stones of the path.
He shot his daughter a look, letting her know that Naruto was on his way, but that wasn't really necessary in the end. She had looked up from the ground as soon as she heard the young man step from soft grass to stone and squirmed even nervously across from her father.
She was not entirely comfortable with whatever conversation was about to take place.
Inoichi could understand that but he also knew that this wound- scabbed as it was- still needed closure before it could fully heal.
He also owed too much to the young man to let him vanish without saying goodbye.
Sealkeeper: He Who Binds
Chapter 133-B "Four Seals"
Patron Release 2021.02.08
From the corner of his eye Naruto could see Ino standing on the other side of the gateway but he kept his focus squarely on Inoichi. The man had remained out in the open to catch his attention, no doubt, so he would allow the former clan head to explain why.
Their eyes locked for a second, Inoichi searching for something that Naruto wasn't sure he managed to find, and after a few tense seconds the older man inclined his head.
"Naruto." He addressed the young Daimyo. "Good evening. I hope you found what you were looking for at the Yamanaka Plot."
Naruto glanced back to Tatsuki's grave but only managed to look at it for a moment before he returned his attention to Inoichi.
"...Perhaps." While he did his best to keep his voice neutral he was sure his eyes screamed just how little he wished to speak at the moment. If Inoichi understood that he deftly ignored it and pressed on.
"I'm sorry to intrude, I know this must have been a very...personal...time for you Naruto." Inoichi gave another quick bob of his head, imitating an apologetic bow. "We know you're leaving in the morning, however, and I thought it only proper to speak with you before your departure."
"And you could not seek me out in the morning?" Naruto questioned.
"We would hate to hold you up before your departure and-" Inoichi glanced pointedly to his sister's grave. "I felt this might be more appropriate."
"...Is that what you wished to discuss, Inoichi?" Naruto's tone now made it very clear how he felt about that idea.
" I know you were close, Naruto, and I'm sorry to bring it up but…." Inoichi shook his head with a sigh before locking pleading eyes with Naruto. "...I'd like to know what really happened to my sister. Please."
Naruto remained silent, taking a moment to look over to Ino who continued to watch intently. A sister and an aunt, stolen away because he trusted the wrong person and used the wrong methods in an attempt to save her. Taking a deep breath Naruto reminded himself that how he felt didn't matter.
This was something they deserved, something he owed them, and most importantly it was what Tatsuki would have wanted.
"How much…." Naruto had to pause to find his voice again. "How much do you want to know?"
Inoichi hesitated, thinking carefully about his response lest he change the mind of what seemed to be a cooperative Naruto. He'd really like to know all of it- he had no idea what his sister had been up to since she left the clan- but he also realized that most of the information he wished he knew now he didn't because of his own actions - or lack thereof.
"Just that night. What happened that night?"
Eyes closing, Naruto took a second to recall the night in vivid detail, his focus inevitably drawn to the warm blood that had coated him and the way her body had felt as the last of her life escaped to transform it from Tatsuki to a corpse.
"You remember what happened before that night, yes?"
Inoichi gave a grim nod. "Yes, I remember."
"I was returning home from that when I passed by the area she lived, I could hear her voice so I hurried over. Some brute had grabbed her." His eyes met neither Yamanaka, locked resolutely into the distant night. "I didn't even think, I just acted. My...Jutsu... I normally have control over, it should have been nothing to strike him down and it was but…."His eyes screwed shut as he relived the exact moment in his head. "My technique pierced right through her torso before it dissipated. I didn't have to get any closer to know she wasn't going to make it, even with a medic available immediately there was...there was no fixing that...no saving her."
"I see."
"...I would rather you not."
Caught slightly off guard by that interpretation of his words Inoichi blinked in surprise. "Ah, no, of course not. I can imagine how private that memory must be."
As Ino caught on she did her best to muffle a startled gasp. She hadn't thought about that possibility and now that it had been brought to her attention she wished it hadn't. There was a morbid curiosity the prospect brought with it but it certainly wouldn't be worth the cost of prying it from Naruto. That was something for he alone to keep.
"...I did what I could to comfort her in her last moments, she was at least able to smile as she passed."
"...Thank you," Inoichi gave a much deeper incline of his head to show his gratitude. "It's comforting to know she was able to pass peacefully despite her injuries."
"...Yes."
"If...if you don't mind me asking…." Inoichi looked nervous but continued anyway. "...Do you remember her last words?"
As much as he tried not to, Naruto couldn't avoid the sound of her voice carrying them through his thoughts. The initial warmth from her voice was quickly chased away by the empty cold of knowing just how deeply he had failed her and he shuddered slightly at the feeling.
"...I do." Naruto's nod was slow, painfully slow, and it gave him the time to brace his heart for the pain he knew would come from speaking them. It wasn't about him, his feelings on the matter accounted for nothing compared to their rights for closure, but it felt like he was ripping away a part of himself doing so.
Taking a shaky breath he met Inoichi's almost desperate gaze and with a bitter feeling of loss he surrendered them to their new owners.
"Yes, in the morning. Goodnight…" He almost considered ending it there but managed to press on despite the horrible wrenching in his heart. "...Darling."
Inoichi froze, his entire form going stiff, and with a sudden understanding dawning in his eyes he looked at Naruto in a new light,
"You two…."
"If that was all?" Naruto cut him off and turned away from the two Yamanaka. "I'll take my leave."
Understanding just what Naruto had admitted about his relationship with Tatsuki and how much it had probably taken for him to do so Inoichi was quick to hold up a hand to silence his daughter as she made to ask a question of her own. She wasn't happy about it but complied regardless, knowing that if her father thought it best to allow the young man to retreat she should follow his wisdom.
"Of course, I hope your journey proves to be a pleasant one." There was a moment of silence as Naruto began walking away only to be snagged for another moment at Inoichi's voice. "Naruto. Thank you and….I'm sorry."
Naruto didn't say anything, holding his position slightly turned back towards the two. After what felt like an eternity to Ino he gave a small nod and continued into the night.
When he was no longer visible Ino turned back to her father. "Were he and Aunt Tatsuki…?"
"...If they weren't, they would have been eventually." He confirmed his daughter's half-asked question. "I hadn't realized they had been...that close."
"Asking was a bad idea, wasn't it?"
"No, not at all." Inoichi shook his head.
"But he obviously wasn't comfortable with it."
"No, he wasn't." Agreed her father. "But not only have we learned what really happened to your aunt, we've learned something much more important."
"..What?"
"I had a good idea what she meant to him- or, I thought I did- but now we know what he was to her and that tells us what he is to us."
"I don't understand."
"He's family, Ino. He's family."
And that Ino could understand.
He stood in the doorway as the first two carriages started off with what little had remained in his apartment and the majority of the Wolves that had been in Konoha, his own carriage waiting patiently in the pre-dawn. Naruto would be leaving soon enough- likely before the light of the sun fully bathed his home village- but there was still one more group that needed to leave before he took his place in his carriage.
He took a deep breath of the chill morning air followed by a long exhale. This was it, his last morning in Konoha for the foreseeable future. Sometimes the thought seemed like some sort of strange dream but it was really happening.
If pressed, however, Naruto knew he couldn't provide any half-decent reasons for why he'd even want to stay in the first place so why did leaving feel like such a monumental event? It's not like this was his first time leaving the village, either, he'd left the safety of her walls plenty of times. The only change this time was he knew that when he returned home it wouldn't be to Konoha
He shook his head lightly.
There was no use thinking about it, he had much more important things to be occupying his time. How many projects was he supposed to be juggling at the moment? As shameful as it was to admit he was absolutely certain that if he honestly tried to recount them all he'd be forgetting at least one and as many as three- perhaps four on a bad day.
Once they had this all sorted and they'd managed to settle themselves temporarily in Hanahime he could spend some time to finally get organized.
A few days of rest would probably go a long ways towards improving his focus on all of them too, if he managed to fit that in somehow. He was quite doubtful he'd get that sort of opportunity; there was simply too much to do.
His head tilted slightly to glance back into the apartment as Orochimaru joined him in the doorway.
"Everything's packed up isn't it?" He asked, proceeding without waiting for an answer. "And the only Wolves left will be with us on the carriage, so why aren't we leaving?"
"There's another carriage."
"Oh?" One of Orochimaru's brows rose for a second. "Ah, yes. That one."
Naruto gave the Otokage an amused look. "It has one of your Kunoichi in it, you know." Tayuya hadn't liked the idea of being sent off ahead without any of the people she knew so had stayed in Konoha with them until today. Originally he'd intended to have her join the one with Anko in it but when the Tokubetsu Jounin in question was being uncharacteristically docile- something he attributed to the early hour and the fact that she was mostly asleep when one of the Wolves dragged her and her luggage here earlier- he had been quick to fill a carriage around her and have it sent off, it's fellow following suit not long after.
The further along it managed to make it before she became rowdy the better it would be for everyone involved.
The third carriage had been filled up and then sent off to retrieve its last passenger and- unless he was severely underestimating the time Mai needed to pack up and say goodbye to Tsume- should be passing this way any minute now.
"Yes, I know. What I don't know is why that one has to leave before we do. If they want to take longer to get out of here let them, no point holding the rest of us up because they have no sense of urgency.
"I want to make sure everyone gets out before we leave." Was Naruto's explanation and that was plenty to satisfy the Snake Sage. If that's what his Crimson Prince wanted then that's what his Crimson Prince would get.
"As I've said," Naruto continued. "You're free to wait in the carriage. It shouldn't be long now."
"You said that five minutes ago."
"I did." Naruto nodded. "Which makes it five minutes less than the last time I said that."
Orochimaru narrowed his eyes slightly. "...Exactly what are you considering 'not long'?"
"What does time matter to an immortal?" Was Naruto's counter. Whether he was referring to Orochimaru and his pursuits- and near perfect attainment- of immortality or was somehow proclaiming his own immortality Orochimaru didn't know and didn't dare question.
"Of course." Orochimaru dropped his head for several seconds in apology. "I'll await you in the carriage, then."
He'd managed halfway to the transportation in question when Naruto's voice made him pause.
"I know you're excited for this, Orochimaru, but you must be patient. It won't be long now."
"Yes, yes." He lowered his head again in Naruto's direction. "I'm just...eager...to see the changes you'll bring to the seal first hand. Forgive me."
"It's understandable, Orochimaru, I can hardly hold your curiosity and enthusiasm against you." He held up a hand and flicked his fingers dismissively towards the carriage. "Go on, get comfortable. We have quite the trip ahead of us."
Orochimareu gave another nod and did as instructed, pulling himself into the carriage and shutting the door behind him softly.
It was only a few minutes later that the sound of horses caught his ear- unless he'd lost more time to his thoughts than he'd realized- and Naruto turned to watch the carriage he'd been waiting on pull to a stop next to his own. The two Wolves driving the carriages shared a quick word before settling in to await further orders from their superiors.
Unlike his own carriage of lacquered black the other carriage was stained a light red to compliment the natural look of the wood it had been constructed from and the clear finishing coat they had used on it took great care to show it off. He wasn't sure where they had obtained this one- and he daren't ask- but it certainly looked more inviting than his own.
Of course, his looked as such for that very reason. He didn't want people approaching it. Granted the occupants of the other carriage probably wouldn't care for visitors either but their carriage was undoubtedly more attractive and much more welcoming.
Not long after the carriage came to a rest the door opened and Mai gracefully exited, black eyes peering around until they rested on him in the open doorway. Between the dim light, his black clothes, and the darkness of the empty apartment behind him he wasn't surprised it had taken her a second but he did allow himself the faintest of amused twitches in his lips. It was a novel feeling to not be immediately spotted because of his bright hair.
"Ah, Naruto," She continued walking towards him as she began speaking. "Ready to le- "She paused, staring intently at his face. "Is everything okay Naruto?"
He wasn't sure what she had seen- come to think of it, when had he last looked into a mirror?- so he wasn't quite sure what the correct answer to her question was. As far as he was aware everything should have been fine, unless something had happened this morning that he had yet to hear about.
Of course, knowing her she wouldn't be satisfied by that- she'd obviously seen something- so he offered the next best response.
"Just tired," He gave her a small, weary smile in an attempt at reassurance and repeated; "Just tired." No more satisfying than an answer that he didn't know but undoubtedly honest. "I'll try to get some sleep on the way to Nami."
As he suspected she didn't appear too satisfied with his response but with a nod- and another concerned look- she allowed the matter to drop. "Okay, even if you can't sleep on the way there we'll make sure you get some rest when we get there. You and Hanabi have been working hard."
"Yes, she has." He gave her another smile, one that seemed to convey no small amount of doubt that he'd find the chance to rest but what puzzled her more was his focus on Hanabi's contribution rather than just agreeing with her and closing the subject.
Her look became more critical for a moment but whatever she was looking for this time she could not find.
"Alright then," She let the matter drop with the intention of picking it up again should a few days of rest in Nami not resolve it. "Shall we be off, then?"
He gave an underhand wave towards the carriages. "After you."
As she headed back he turned and locked up the apartment, doubtful of the good it would do to keep out any Shinobi now that there was no one within. The carriage filled with Mai, Tayuya, and Hanabi rolled away as he turned back to his own and he took leisurely steps towards it to savor these last few moments in his home.
By the time the sun fully crested the horizon he'd be beyond the gates of Konoha working with Orochimaru to apply the modified cursed seal to himself and he had no idea when he'd be back again.
Or, perhaps more importantly, why.
Hopefully it would be pleasant business, he really didn't fancy the other options.
"Everything alright, Mai-sama?" Hanabi shot a quizzical look to her direct superior, clearly able to see that something was bothering the young woman.
"Oh, I'm fine." Mai looked up in surprise, ripped from her thoughts as she was, to meet Hanabi's pale gaze. "I'm just thinking."
"...About something that isn't fine, yes?" Hanabi took the initiative to complete the sentence properly, earning a capitulating smile from her boss.
"I suppose there's no use trying to hide that from you. Yes, I'm concerned about other matters."
"Such as…?" Prompted Hanabi. She didn't miss the way Mai's black eyes glanced back towards Naruto's stationary carriage and understood immediately. "Ah, of course. I should have expected any trouble to be related to Naruto-Sama."
Mai could feel the slight dusting of pink that spread across her upper cheeks as she was so easily found out but she couldn't help the small laugh that escaped her at Hanabi's comment.
"Well it does seem to follow him, doesn't it?" Mai smiled fondly. "He just can't help it."
"And that's why he has us, to help him keep his distance. So what is it this time?"
"I don't know." Mai's smile pulled down into a troubled frown. "I can tell something's bothering him but I don't know what it could be. He says he's just tired and I'd like to believe that but I also know he wouldn't want to trouble anyone else with any problems he had that didn't involve the Wolves."
"Did he seem tired?"
"What?" Mai wasn't exactly seeing how that had anything to do with whatever he may or might not be keeping from everyone else.
"Did he seem tired?" Hanabi repeated. "I know I was getting worn out and he's been working long before I became your assistant so I don't have any trouble believing he's probably exhausted."
"Well yes, but...no?"
It was Hanabi's turn to be confused and even Tayuya- tucked into the corner and trying to resume her sleep that was so rudely interrupted by the early departure of the Wolves- glanced over at the confusing response.
"What do you mean yes but no?"
"He looked tired," Mai clarified. "But he always looks like that." Try as she might, she found it exceedingly difficult to remember a time when he didn't seem weary and she wasn't sure if that was because it had become the norm or if it was simply his natural expression.
Hanabi frowned for a second before shaking her head and continuing on with her original train of thought. "As concerning as that should probably be I'm going to leave that alone for now. Regardless of what else might be troubling him, though, he's told you that he is tired so work on that first. If that's all it was-" And if he had looked exhausted for as long as Mai had known him then she was damn sure that was probably the largest problem. "-Then you'll have solved it and if not he'll probably feel a lot better which means he'll be more open to sharing what else is troubling him, right?"
Mai could see the logic there and with a nod agreed. "Yes, that's probably the best way to handle this." She gave Hanabi a small but genuine smile. "Thank you, Hanabi, I'm not sure what I'd do without you."
"Don't thank me yet." Hanabi shot a grin of her own at Mai, filled with pride and confidence. "You haven't even seen the miracles I worked when it comes to paperwork."
Orochimaru was upon him even as he closed the door to the carriage. "Are you ready, Naruto-kun?"
"Patience, Orochimaru." He pushed the sage back down towards their seat and moved to his own across from them, ignoring the pout that pushed at their lips. Sitting down he summoned a clone and set about slipping out from the upper portion of his robes, letting them fall around his waist. "Tsukuyomi here should be able to answer any questions you may have during the process- assuming things don't go too wrong. He'll also follow your lead to minimize damages when things do go wrong but make sure to use him wisely because he probably won't have much time before he dispels too."
Orochimaru's excitement waned noticeably. "...Please don't say things like that Naruto-kun." maybe it wasn't too late to change his prince's mind? Yeah, that boat had probably set sail long ago. Damnit.
"It's fine." He waved off his godfather's concern. "There's no reason to worry."
"That's what I had thought," Oromchimaru murmured with a frown. "But now I have you talking about things going horribly wrong. I think that's reason enough to start worrying."
"You know seals." Naruto shrugged. "You can handle whatever happens and, if not, well…" Naruto shrugged again. "So be it."
"Ah…!" Orochimaru's eyes widened in mild panic. "You don't- You don't really mean that do you, Naruto-kun?"
Naruto raised an unconcerned brow. "Whatever happens, we'll deal with it when it does."
"...You mean if…?" Orochimaru hoped to correct only to be shot down with a shake of Naruto's head.
"When, Orochimaru. I know my luck." He gave his godfather a critical look. "You're not getting cold feet on me now are you? You've been so eager to get started."
"Back when I was under the impression that your changes guaranteed the success of the seal, yes."
"Nothing's ever guaranteed. You should know that."
"..Doesn't mean I like it."
"Calm down, what's the worst that can happen? Death?" Naruto scoffed. "You know the Impure World Resurrection, you can just bring me back." A thoughtful frown pulled at Naruto's lips and Orochimaru actually found himself genuinely worried about what might be swirling through then young Daimyo's mind at the moment.
"..Perhaps we should continue with the seal?" Orochimaru suggested, breaking Naruto from his mind. Whatever he was thinking about made Orochimaru far more uneasy than the thought of things going wrong with modifying his Ten no Juin.
"Yes, yes." Naruto agreed with a nod. "Let's get started. The sooner we get it applied the longer I have to recover before we reach Nami."
The way he said that had Orochimaru momentarily pausing in confusion. While the statement was undeniably true he was failing to see the relevance. Yes, he'd have more time to rest before they reached Nami but that didn't mean his recovery wouldn't stretch into the first few days of his stay there too. The Cursed Seal was not something to be underestimated.
Of course, with the way Naruto spoke it almost- almost- seemed as though he fully intended to resume work as normal as soon as they reached Nami no Kuni but that was simply absurd.
...Right?
Orochimaru suddenly had a very bad feeling that his prince intended to do just that and, unfortunately, Orochimaru simply wasn't capable of defying the desires of his prince. He'd have to remember to drop some obvious hints around Mai so the girl could ensure he was tied down to a bed to get some proper rest.
He didn't see any way to actually get his beloved godson to willingly cooperate, so that was probably their best bet.
Well, that or other methods of keeping him in bed but he highly doubted siccing Tayuya on the young man could ever be considered resting of any sort.
It would definitely keep him in bed, though, so perhaps as a plan B.
Naruto wouldn't be too mad- probably.
"There," He announced. "It is done." Without waiting for so much as a 'by-your-leave' the clone of Naruto dispelled itself, briefly filling the carriage with soft white smoke. Had it been anyone else and under any other circumstances Orochimaru might have been irritated but as it was his attention was still affixed firmly to his godson who now lay across the back bench of the carriage completely unaware of the world around him.
To be perfectly honest, Orochimaru wasn't completely sure what he had witnessed over the last few hours beyond what he himself had contributed and even that hadn't been a whole lot. Don't get him wrong, the initial seal he'd provided had been a significant piece- initially. By the time Naruto had finished modifying it, however, very little of Orochimaru's work had survived.
Even that was probably too simplified because everything after Orochimaru first applied his seal seemed to defy every expectation he'd had.
The first notable difference was the fact that Naruto remained conscious for another hour and a half after the application before finally succumbing to the strain the seal would be putting on his body. Granted, some of that might have been lessened by the changes he'd almost immediately begun making but the fact that he had managed to last that long was, frankly, astounding.
That, however, was not a cause for concern.
The fact that the Cursed Seal to originally manifest on his godson didn't match any other that he'd ever created was. There were a good half-dozen variations on the seal throughout the years but what he'd expected to manifest today was either the Chi no Juin or Ten no Juin. Both powerful, they represented the epitome of his cursed seals and were based more on the person they were bestowed upon then anything Orochimaru could control. All of his other seals were either prototypes or otherwise inferior seals designed with specific purposes in mind and he knew for a fact he hadn't applied any of those to his godson.
The four elongated diamonds that had formed around a single black dot on the back of Naruto's neck had, then, been wholly unexpected.
That brought him to something else that didn't sit right with him. All of his other seals- all of them- had always functioned on a factor of three. Every design, every seal, every time. No exceptions.
Naruto receiving a seal with four parts - as much as he'd like to count the dot in the center Orochmaru knew with absolute certainty that the actual design was the four diamonds- was both unprecedented and a terribly unlucky number. Considering the conversation they'd had just before the seal was applied only served to make Orochimaru more nervous about its appearance.
After witnessing that Orochimaru had been given the chance to see Naruto use Minato's masterpiece on his seal and while he hadn't really been able to see the changes themselves- due to the fact that his cursed seals were actually spread across the underside of the bearer's skin- he could certainly feel the results as the seal rapidly matured and mutated.
Due to the complexity Naruto was trying to achieve with this he'd needed to take the changes in steps, occasionally waiting to allow the seal to proceed naturally to a point where he would be able to resume his work. It was an unfortunate reality that couldn't be avoided when the Cursed Seal was creating an entire secondary Chakra System within him. Normally this would be done while the bearer was asleep but that also wasn't an option considering the changes needed to be made early for the best results.
Naruto could change seals, after all, that didn't extend to the physical changes the seal had already wrought onto his body. This needed to be done right the first time.
When things had progressed far enough- or Naruto simply hadn't been able to remain conscious any longer- he'd fallen asleep and Orochimaru was able to witness the first activation of the seal. Normally that would mean a burst of Chakra escaping as it finalized and the bearer tended to go into a brief rage but Naruto hadn't even stirred as the marks crossed his body and Orochimaru hadn't been able to taste even a trace of his Cursed Seal's signature chakra in the carriage.
Whatever Naruto had done, it seemed to have worked.
Of course this was Naruto they were talking about so even that couldn't be quite as simple. As opposed to the usual repeating pattern of their mark which would have meant Naruto being covered in various elongated diamonds his markings hadn't matched the seal at all. Instead patterns of black chains slid across his skin like curious serpents before settling where they pleased. For the life of him, Orochimaru hadn't been able to find the ends of these chains with the exception of at the seal itself despite having seen them when it first activated. They also didn't seem entirely stationary and he could have sworn he saw a few move from the corner of his eye. Absolutely impossible behaviour from a normal Cursed Seal but he should have expected that from Naruto.
With the clone having checked over the sleeping original and proclaimed the modification a success- possibly just because Naruto wasn't dead- there wasn't anything else for Orochimaru to do but wait for his sleeping prince to awaken.
Well, that and come up with names for this new seal assuming Naruto hadn't already done so.
He was really leaning towards Kusari no Juin for simplicity's sake but Musubu no Juin certainly had a ring to it. Maybe something to do with diamonds instead? Or maybe he'd need to play off the unlucky number four.
If nothing else, he was sure to have plenty to keep him busy on the way to Nami no Kuni.
The number four is considered unlucky due to its occasional pronunciation of "Shi" which is also the word for death.
My gratitude to the following Patrons for their continued support;
Lord Generals
Cephalon Keeper, Michael Huber, B4NH4MM3R
Lord Marshals
Ronji, MythicFool, EagleE, Pope Gregory Trivium III, Konan, Sedition
Lord Majors
The SHARP fox, Malte Krain, StayFrosty, Noah, Alex Robb, Jeremy Webb, Jamel, McKinzie, Tjk9399, Raymond Saragian, Elypsus, magicheart 0, Gamer91, Theepicslime, Kurogane, Marcothephoenix, DamnedThrice, Ben Peek, Nathan Carlson
Lord Commissars
Stan the Drunkard, Tim Keizer, Akira, Ashley Pfeiffer, Daron Smith, gabriel reynoso, Romulan, Shi_no_Kage, Whatzzzzzzzup, Nick Payne, Christopher, Desertgem1, Daniel Witry, Liam Kearney, TormisD92
Lord High-Inquisitor
Janus
Lord Inquisitors
Jaykay2307, Angel Morales, Haistos, Bob Ross, Brendon, Joe Schumacher, Michael Friede, Cameron Yourell, Nilzor, Chase, Maroner, Forseeti, Carlos Campbell, Thanyx, Chace Gannon, Slip123, Godfrey Kawi, StoneMonkey, Nicholas Hoover, Nicholas Liu, Supernowy, Milton Pereira, YGO, Louis Lennin, OldManCain, Sivellan, Brandon Romero, Vio, MB, Brandon, LoneSaiyan, Para, Angel de la torre, Nekrull DeUmbrus, Jennifer carpenter, HKaz, Pantheras, Marin Dimovski, MasterT941, J. G., Tyrell2000, Draku, Gobo, Theo McPherson, June Tai, james escobedo, Sebastiaan asselbergs, ChaosFox, Perez, Hentai Prince, James, TheGreatBubbaJ, TheAbsoluteMonarch, Polo Pannini, Neolyn, JonCotterill