Title: Whirlpool Love

Beta reader: xxShadowheartxx

Author: TheRoadrunner

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto

Chapter VI – The party

It was already late afternoon as two familiar people followed the way to Konoha's Uchiha district. The woman was clad in a light blue kimono, which was decorated with golden ornaments on its long sleeves. The kimono's hem nearly reached her ankles, so that she had to step carefully to avoid staining the expensive dress. Her complicated dress was secured by an obi, which was folded like a flower on her back. Directly above her elaborated knot graced an unique rhombus-shaped clan sign the kimono's backside. The sign was cut in half in the middle. The upper side of the embroidery bore the image of waves (波) whereas the lower side bore the image of the wind (風). This sign visualized the family's name: Namikaze (波風).

Her companion wore a similar kimono with the same sign on its back, although his obi was less dramatically folded than her's. It achieved its use, holding the delicate dress together. They continued their march in complete silence. Every now and then the man would risk a glance at the beautiful woman beside him. Her face was pale through the extensive use of powder. Her paleness was perfectly contrasted by her dark red lips, for which she certainly used her favorite lipstick. Her current appearance was the epitome of elegance and femininity.

"We will be perfectly on time. There is no need to be angry with me anymore," Naruto spoke as he tried to soothe her. He offered her his arm. She turned her head and gave him a disapproving glare. Nevertheless, she accepted his offer and linked her arm with his.

"I'm still angry," Kushina stated sourly. She wouldn't forgive him so easily this time. He had disturbed her several times while she tried to get dressed for the upcoming party. Normally, she would have done her hair, but because of Naruto's antics there was simply no time anymore. She almost had to abandon her make-up as well.

"I'm sorry," he apologized while rubbing the back of his head. He couldn't suppress the sheepish grin from appearing on his face, giving Kushina doubts about his honesty. Her doubts were completely justified, because he enjoyed the afternoon greatly. He tried to "help" her with her search for the perfect dress for the day's occasion. Naturally his search was limited to her underwear.

As Naruto and Kushina entered the Uchiha district, they could see some of the other guests. For many, it was a rare possibility to meet the very important people in the village. The heads of the major clans would be surrounded by a lot of people who had tried to establish a steady relationship between them. Those people were heads of Konoha's smaller clans and rich merchants. Both groups wanted to be invited in the higher circles of Konoha's hierarchy. The first group tried to form alliances through arranged marriages between their heirs, but no major clan head wanted to "waste" an heir for a small unknown clan. The second group used their huge asset for wooing, in other words simple bribery. However, Konoha's clans hadn't any money troubles, because the village prospered without limitations under the reign of their fourth hokage.

And then there was the family of the called hokage. Nobody got more focus from the people who desperately wanted to step up the social ladder. Before his first birthday, Naruto had received more than twenty proposals for an arranged marriage. But neither Minato nor Kushina wanted to force him in an arranged relationship. They thought he should have the chance to find his own happiness. It was hilarious how some people tried to befriend the hokage through his son. However, Minato was softhearted by nature and ultimately it was Kushina's task to filter the genuine requests from the false one's. The basic principles of befriending the hokage changed dramatically. You had to first get on Kushina's good side to build up a friendly relationship with the hokage's family, giving her the reputation of a matriarch.

"Either they are totally overdressed or we are miserably underdressed," Naruto stated after seeing the clothing of a merchant's wife. There was so much fur, her mantle alone must have demanded the death of an entire family of furry creatures.

"I really hate these political occasions," Kushina groaned. "You should have stayed at home. Now you will suffer my destiny."

"What do you think of me? I would never abandon you. If it means spending the evening at a boring party, I will be perfectly fine as long as you're with me," he spoke in a sweet voice. Kushina was speechless at his touching statement.

"Well..., maybe it wasn't so bad to take you with me," she responded while turning her head away in order to conceal her growing smile from him.

"Ah! Are you blushing? Soooo cute!" Naruto teased her and received instantly his punishment in form of a light slap on his arm.

"You're terrible," Kushina groaned again, as she rubbed her temple.

"And you love it," he responded with an huge grin on his face, causing her to roll her eyes.

As they were about to enter the mansion, Kushina gave him one last sharp glare, indicating that he should behave himself for his own good.

"Kushina-chan! Oh, my? I didn't expect you with an escort. And so handsome too!" Mikoto giggled as she greeted her friend.

Kushina was about to answer her, as Naruto took the opportunity, "Good evening, Mikoto-dono. I would like to thank you for your invitation to this party on behalf of the Namikaze clan. Maybe you would give us the honor to visit us in the near future, so that we can express our gratitude in the appropriate way." He finished his greeting as he placed a small kiss on the back of her hand.

"Naruto! I told you to behave! What are you doing?" Kushina questioned him in a low voice. She didn't want to cause a ruckus.

"I'm merely greeting our party's host in the proper way. What do you think of me kaasama? I'm hurt," Naruto sighed dramatically. However, Kushina didn't believe his farce for a second.

"Oh, my. Naruto you are lately turning into such a heartthrob. I hope your kaasan knows how lucky she is," Mikoto responded, as a small blush appeared on her cheeks. She placed a hand on her cheek and tilted her head, giving her female friend a serene smile.

"You are terrible, both of you!" Kushina said. Both of them couldn't help but laugh after hearing her accusal. On the matter of teasing, Mikoto and Naruto were professionals, especially when the victim was Kushina.

"You can already go ahead and enjoy the party. I've to receive the other guests," Mikoto stated as she was about to greet the next pair of guests. "And Naruto, tease your kaasan for me." After the last statement, the so-called kaasan gave her son a stern look which someone could easily translate into "Don't you dare!". He gave her an innocent facial expression as they walked arm in arm to the mansion's main hall.

Like in the laws of attraction, the similarly dressed Namikaze duo were approached by nearly everyone on the party. The young bachelorettes tried to engage Naruto in a senseless conversations about his role as future clan head. Every now and then they mentioned his missing female counterpart, while giving him a seductive glance and twinkle in theirs eyes.

Kushina's fate was far worse though. She had to endure never-ending suggestions about improving Konoha's economical competitiveness. She explained several times, that they had to speak directly to her husband and that she wouldn't forward their ideas, but her words fell on deaf ears. Ultimately the duo was rescued by Mikoto, as she returned from greeting the last guests.

"Mikoto-dono, you're an angel of mercy!" Naruto exaggerated shamelessly, as he put his hands together to pray for her well-being.

"If I hear one more word about foreign trade, I will go postal," Kushina added, while giving her friend a warmly smile as a sign of gratitude.

"I would like to spend more time with you, but I've got to take care of the other guests. Can't show favoritism here," Mikoto said, while she gave them her signature wink. She disappeared almost instantly into the thick crowd of guests. Afterward, Naruto used the rare togetherness to glance at Kushina, while he thought how he could tease her in the best way.

"Don't even think about it," his supposed victim stated, as she gave him a killing glance.

"If looks could kill. But without sacrifices, there will be no gain," he thought, as he raised his hands in order to signalize his surrender.

"What do you want to do now, kaasama?" he asked submissively. Kushina couldn't believe her eyes, he even bowed in front of her. To avoid further embarrassments, she took his hand, dragging him over to the next exit.

She carefully avoided the other guests, despite her crazy speed. Every now and then she had to sidestep to evade people, which only served to annoy her, or so she thought. She was about to reach the safe heaven, as her lucky streak ended abruptly. She crashed with all her momentum into another person, causing both of them to fall down on the hard, parquet floor.

"Ouch! What the heck? Are ya trying to kill me?" the knocked down person asked angrily.

"I'm very sorry! Wait …, Tsume! What are you doing here?" Kushina spoke, astonished, as she noticed her companion from older days, the pain from the crash already forgotten.

"Shina? What do you think I'm doing here? I was on my way to plunder the buffet with no ill intents, as some insane redhead tackled me over," the now identified Tsume answered, while she stood up and brushed off the dust.

Naruto observed the interaction between the two women with interest, before he decided to pick up his mother. Naturally she objected, but her protests fell on deaf ears.

"Tsume-san, I must apologize on behalf of my rude kaa-sama. Her manners are not the best," Naruto said, while he bowed in front of her.

"Huh? Trying to annoy Shina? Keep up the good work, Naruto!" Tsume laughed heartily.

Kushina couldn't believe her own eyes as yet another friend betrayed her tonight. First Mikoto and now Tsume. Apparently they liked to make an unholy pact with the devil incarnate, also known as Naruto. But her bewildered condition changed swiftly, as she grasped the sheer magnitude of the conspiracy against her person. Her facial expression reflected her newfound knowledge as she narrowed her eyes at them.

"She's so cute when she's fuming."

"Haha, Shina cannot handle embarrassing situations very well. She'll soon try something stupid. Tell ya!"

"Hey! Stop talking about me!" Kushina tried do stop them, unsuccessfully.

"Tsume-san, you surely know some funny stories about her. You wouldn't mind to share them? You know, the embarrassing ones," Naruto asked with an evil glint in his eyes.

"Sure! I'll tell ya some epic tales about lil' Shina, but lets first grab us something to eat. I'm starving," Tsume practically bellowed in laughter.

Kushina hadn't any other choice but to follow them and doing her best to hinder Tsume from telling stories from her past, which should already be long-forgotten.

"WHAT? I can't believe this!" Naruto stated, astonished. He couldn't believe the crazy story his mother's friend was telling him.

"You bet! I'm not lying," Tsume assured with a feral grin on her face.

Over the last hour, Tsume related a story from Kushina's academy days, while they ate exquisite slices of roast pork. The Uchiha's did things in style, the meat was prepared first-class. On the other hand, Kushina didn't touch her plate at all. She had lost her appetite, since she couldn't stop reviving the old memories. And of all things, Tsume had to choose this particular one! She looked absolutely mortified, her face looked even paler than before.

"Kaasama, you have really changed over the years," Naruto diagnosed with his signature grin on his face.

"Huh?" Kushina responded, slightly absent-minded. She had lost any perception somewhere in Tsume's narration. It was probably her mind's own safety mechanism to avoid psychical damage.

"Are you alright?" Naruto was slightly worried, he even carefully waved in front of her face to cause a sign of life. But her lack of reaction didn't change.

"Don't worry. Soon she will be herself again, … probably," Tsume said, not in the slightest worried about the redheads pitiful condition.

"Hello Kushina-san, Naruto-san. And you Tsume, didn't you only want to grab something to eat and return afterward? Now I was chosen to look for you. What a drag," Shikaku said, slightly furious.

The mischievous duo blinked at the new arrival. Nara Shikaku and his son, Shikamaru, were known for their laziness, but the older Nara's statement sounded akin to a rant. And that was pracitcally unheard-of.

"Ah, sorry Shikaku, but it's really Shina's fault. She crashed into me, so I had to tell Naruto some old stories." Tsume's excuse was very weak, but Shikaku wasn't in the mood to press things further. After all, it would be way too troublesome. He then directed his gaze at Naruto, who became a little nervous under his calculated vision.

"Naruto-san, do you have time for me? I would like talk with you."

"Talk with me? Uh, yeah, sure," Naruto accepted the Nara's strange request. But first he asked Tsume to keep an eye on his incapacitated mother, before he followed the older shinobi outside.

They stood by the mansion's rich-decorated balustrade, their view directed at the beautiful garden, which was located at the mansion's backside. The terrace was completely illuminated through the powerful light of the full moon.

"What do you know about my occupation within the village?" Shikaku's question was merely rhetorical. He was completely sure, that Naruto knew very well about Konoha's complicated and ensnared political situation. Naruto could already guess the topic of this conversation, as he narrowed his eyes because of his newfound knowledge.

"First of all, you can drop the -san. I've known since ages. After all, I used to hang out with Shikamaru when we were kids," Naruto said, before directing his gaze at the seasoned shinobi.

"You're the head of the Nara-clan. Being clan head, on its own, is respectable enough, but that means nothing compared to your work as Jōnin Commander. I would dare to say, that you have more political power than the two village counselors. And naturally you spend a lot of time with our Hokage," Naruto finished his summary, before he redirected his gaze at the pond in front of them.

"Very well, I won't ask you why you said "our Hokage" instead of "my father". But I have to address a very serious topic. "Our Hokage" and I, we both think that you are wasting your potential. After being trained by Jiraiya-sama and Tsunade-sama, you instantly achieved the rank of Jōnin. In terms of skill, you are at the top; far better than most of our seasoned Jōnin. But in terms of political awareness, you are apparently not interested. You are a good shinobi, you could be great one. Someone who could be a great personality in the future, fitting to be Hokage," Shikaku spoke with unknown vigor.

"Are you finished?" Naruto asked, clearly uninterested, while his eyes followed the fluid movements of a particular colorful koi carp in the pond in front of them.

"Minato didn't lied, when he said that you would react unreasonably. But you cannot run away from the responsibility forever. However, I'm sure, it is the proper motivation you are lacking," Shikaku finished his speech, before he turned around to return to the mansion's main hall.

"Me? A Hokage? Don't make me laugh. I'll never strive for that position," Naruto responded nonchalantly in such a manner, that someone could nearly hear the venom in his voice dripping on the floor.

His remark caused Shikaku to stop in his tracks. The clan head turned his head to look at him again. Naruto's position was unchanged. The young adult still leaned against the terrace's balustrade, his head deep-sunk in rebellious thoughts. His gaze remained at the young shinobi, which was completely illuminated by the moonlight. He waited few seconds before he spoke, "Never say never."

"This party is outstanding Fukagu-sama. And your lovely wife is a superb host. I cannot express my gratitude for your invitation in the appropriate manner," some merchant said in an aristocratic dialect. Well, he tried to sound as one. Naturally, there were other persons around the Uchiha's clan leader and his wife. All of them tried to gain the couple's favor. Their efforts were interrupted as a young, male Uchiha approached the crowd and placed his mouth near Fugaku's ear.

"You wanted to be informed, when "they" arrives, Fugaku-sama," the unnamed one whispered in his clan head's ear.

"If you may excuse me, I've something to take care of. Mikoto, please continue to tend to our guests," Fugaku spoke, before he started to march off to a part of the mansion, which was not opened for the public.

Five minutes later, he finally reached his destination. Two Uchiha, with activated Sharingan (写輪眼 ) to notice every form of Genjutsu (幻術), acted as guards. They cleared the path for their leader and opened the door to the mansion's inner sanctum.

The room was dark, only the rays of a dimmed light illuminated the outlines of the eight shady persons inside. Fugaku took his right place as the Uchiha clan's leader at the tee table's head. He activated his own Sharingan and with three, the maximum count of tomoes started to spin in his eyes. The other Uchiha did the same. Eight pairs of full matured Sharingans were directed at him, now he could be sure about their identity.

"Fugaku, let us begin our meeting immediately," one of the unknown Uchiha spoke with power in his voice.

"We would like to hear your plans for our clan," the Uchiha at the end of the table said with interest.

"Uchiha, the clan of the fire user. The clan with the power of the Sharingan, also known as the Heaven's eye. The clan who has co-founded this very village. It is time to take what was ours to begin with," Fugaku spoke with pride and determination.

"What do you mean by that?" the Uchiha directly beside him asked, with a hint of discomfort in his voice.

Fugaku's Sharingan started to spin madly, before he continued his speech, "Our great ancestor was betrayed by the traitorous Senju, as they named themselves Shodaime and Nidaime Hokage in their own autocratic way. Moreover, they betrayed us again as the Nidaime appointed that weak-minded fool of Sarutobi to be the Sandaime Hokage. And the epitome of impudence was the coronation of that nobody Namikaze. Four generations of Hokage and each time the Uchiha were overlooked. The indignity comes to and end now! The Yondaime will be dead soon and then I'll be Hokage!"

Author's note:

Hello everyone. The second part of this chapter wasn't betaed yet. You may find some mistakes and a nice cliffhanger :D

1. I'm happy to see so many people putting my story on their fav/alert list. As of today, Whirlpool Love has 266 Favs, 190 Alerts and 14 C2s. Well, some of those Community archives have no subscribers and some people puts the story on their Fav and Alert list. But I'm happy about the resonance nonetheless.

2. My poll will be closed in four days. I should have allowed only one vote per person. We will have a winner, but the gap between those three choices is very small.

3. Thanks at all reviewers. I didn't forget about Minato. He will get one or two scenes in the next chapter.

4. I will write one more lemon in the first arc of the story. You may review and state your wishes. Someone suggested role play and bondage. That could be a possibility.

Roadrunner