Chapter fixed.
Konoha 2 months after banishment :
Things in the village were constantly shifting, and the situation could be called hectic, to say the least. As stated before the old ally and trade partners had turned their backs and stopped all trade with them. Now the real issue came when the daimyo found out and put the whole village on notice. After that many clients were calling the honor of the village out and wondering if they could be depended on. This lowered the status of the leaf and caused the other nations to monitor them waiting for a slip-up.
Through the whole thing, Tsunade was struggling with all the paperwork along with stress. She managed to convince half of their clients that they should still support them. The villages name was still in the dirt, and it was an uphill battle.
"I swear this paperwork is the devil!" Tsunade wined as she was currently looking at three towering stacks of paper on her desk. "I have more lady Tsunade." Tsunade saw her come into the room with more papers. She needed a drink.
"Greetings hime!" A voice called out from the window near the edge of the room. "Sigh...what do you want Jiraiya?"The sage looked hurt."Oh, can't I see my hime without their being something wrong?"He said in mock anger.
"We both know you don't show up for mere social visits," Tsunade informed him as he sighed as well, the truth is that both of them had little time on their hands for fun anymore. "I just came by giving you the new bingo book and inform you I haven't found the brat yet." At this, she looked baffled. "What do you mean you haven't been able to find him?!" The sage sighed at her outburst he knew she would get worked up. "I can't seem to find him...I get sightings here and there, but nothing concrete."
"I see." The light in the room seems to fade at the sadness they were feeling. Deciding to see the update bingo book she flipped to the page Jiraiya had marked for her. Most were the usual riffraff until she came onto two entries.
Name: Kitsune
Rank: A+
Age: Estimated around 15 or 16
Village: Unknown
Location: Unown
Chakra Nature: Lightning & Wind.
List of Justus:
Wind bullet
lightning kunai technique
electron technique
Known Affiliates: Kami
Note of feats:
Defeated many bandits whose leader was a high B+ nukenin.
Cleared out gangsters from mine and freed prisoners.
Protected a merchant from three assassins with two at a mid-A rank and one high A rank.
Description: Has a fox mask and stands about 5'6 (166 cms) has blonde hair. Clothes are an orange jumpsuit with blue sandals.
If encountered without backup flee if the target is by himself proceed with caution.
Name: Kame
Rank: A
Age: Estimated 15 or 16
Village: Unown
Location: Unown
Chakra Nature: Water
water pellet
hidden mist Jutsu
water shurikens
Known affiliates: Kitsune
note of feats:
Saved a merchant from three ninja assassins two who equal mid-A rank and one high A rank.
Description: Wear a turtle mask is about 5'6 (166 cm) has brown-haired and wears a blue jacket with navy pants.
If encountered capture target quickly but if with kitsune flee to a safe distance.
'Hmm they're kinda young to be in the bingo book but I guess that just shows how messed up this world is.'
"Thank you Jiriaya and now I have to get back to...sigh this paperwork."He nodded and left out the way he came.
"Lady Tsunade is something wrong?" Shizune asked in concern seeing her teacher contemplating something. "Hmm oh sorry I was just thinking about Naruto." At this Shizune nodded with a frown on her face as she too missed him.
"I will leave you to finish this lady Tsunade." Now all alone she turned back to work but not without offering a small pray for his safety.
'Wherever you are safe.'
"Hiyahh" A man screamed as he swung his sword in a downward slash only to be stopped by a kick to his stomach."Damn it Naruto, why did you have to piss them off!"The raven yelled while dodging the strikes coming from the crowd surrounding them."But this was the best way to capture them all at once."He shouted back with a big grin on his face."I agree with Amane on this, but what's done is done."Replying calmly in attempts to calm his teammate.
It went on for a few more minutes before the attackers were unconscious and tied up. "Phew, that was a good workout." The blonde smirked to the annoyance of the raven. "Now that we're done here let's get back to the client." They both nodded and transported their prisoners.
After returning to the client and handing them the knocked out prisoners before heading to their campsite. Dinner went as usual with the blonde laughing and making lame jokes to the ire of the raven and a chuckle from the chestnut hair boy.
Things have gone well after meeting Amane though at first, it was a bit tense since she was still wary of entrusting them. Naruto being the man he is was able to convince her with his actions and made her feel more at ease and open up to them.
They learned that she grew up in a small farming village until bandits attacked and she was orphaned at a young age. Living by herself she stole what she required and kept to herself. Until she was found by Shoji and he trained her in ninjutsu and gave her something close to home.
At the mention of home, Chusei had a faraway look in his eyes something not missed by the blonde. Though he noted it for discussion later as he wanted to aid him if he could but for now they needed to rest.
(Next morning)
Waking with a loud yawn the blonde left the tent to perform his daily routine. Afterward, he noticed Amane was still in the process of waking and Chusei was leaning on a tree. "Morning." He said to a yawn from the raven and a hmm from the brown-haired boy. "So Chusei how about a quick spar before breakfast?" He nodded and both of them set out for the clearing nearby.
"So let's just use taijutsu." He said to get another nod. Both boys took their stances on different sides of the clearing before launching at each other. Naruto aimed a punch at his face to be blocked and an elbow sent to his ribs. Shrugging off the blow he quickly countered with a feint then did a leg sweep. Knocking him off his feet, he tried to stomp his stomach but the boy rolled to the side and got to his feet.
Once again they engaged in a series of kicks, punches, and dodges with both gaining no ground. Chusei delivered a punch to the blonde's stomach but seemed to hesitate. This was not unnoticed by said blonde as he countered before kicking him in the ribs launching him back some.
"That was a good work out, but we should end it here." Naruto beamed excitedly about the spar. "Chusei" The boy who had been silent as if in a daze quickly snapped his attention to the blonde."If you need to talk, I'm willing to listen."The boy was opened his mouth to deny but couldn't."It's nothing but old memories of my home."He said looking down and the blonde mouthed an ahh in understanding. Walking over to him he placed a hand on his shoulder. "While our situations may not be the same, I know how unpleasant memories can be." The boy just looked shocked as his teammate as he saw the pain before replying with thanks.
Dusting themselves off they went back to the campsite to see Amane had finished preparing breakfast. The three ate in silence with Naruto giving Chusei some time to ponder things and as for Amane, she was still tired. (I feel ya.)
"So have we decided where we're going." The raven said shattering the silence. "Hmm, we should head to the neighboring station for some easy spending money." The blonde said with a nod in agreement from his teammates.
"If I remember correctly the following station is a few hours from here so we should get moving," Chusei informed the duo before packing up their items and setting off down the road.
(4 hours later at the station.)
"Phew we're finally here," the blonde complained. "Finally I couldn't stand another minute of your winning." Amane sighed in relief with Chusei lost in thought. Looking at the building, it was an old run-down inn. Wasting no time, they made their way inside and went to the counter and rigging a bell. "Ah yes how may I assist you? An older man in his thirties appeared from the back. "We're here for a request," Amane said wasting no time. "Ah nins...just one minute please."He walked into the back for a few minutes before returning with some papers."Here you are, take your pick."He said with a smile while handing the trio the papers.
Taking their time examining the papers the requests ranged from protection, bandit hunting, scouting and...babysitting? This confused the blonde as he was reminded of D rank hell but more specifically one mission involving a cat.
Deciding for the easy pay, they went for the babysitting request as it paid well enough. After accepting the mission they went to the neighboring town over to where the client was residing.
"So it should be one of the houses in the middle of town." The raven informed the duo. It didn't take them long to find the address and were a little shocked as they didn't find a small house but a medium-sized mansion. They continued to stare in awe for a few more minutes before snapping out of it and knocking on the door.
"You think they have a big enough house?" Chuckled the blonde to whom this got him a death stare from Amane. Before long a man in his thirties opened the door and greeted the trio. "Ah hello, I take it you're here for the request?" The trio nod and he escorts them into the house while following him down the halls they glanced at the fancy set up. He leads them to a grand living room and got them some refreshments as they sat on one of the couches.
"Alright now you're wondering the details. I'm Shojin, and I deal in real estate, I will be having a big meeting involving a large transaction. So I need you three to keep my daughter company and safe while I'm away. The meeting should last no longer than 4 days."
The trio talked it over and agreed to watch the girl for him. "Now as for my daughter, Sweetie could you come down here!" He yelled surprising the trio as he didn't seem to type to yell like that. Soon a girl around 5 or 6 came down. "Yes, daddy?" She asked tilting her head. "I will be going on my trip as we discussed and I got these pleasant people here to look after you." He informed her while pointing their way. When she noticed the trio and their masks he eyes lit up and had stars in them. "Are you ninjas? That's so cool. Can you do tricks? How about throwing some kunai at the wall over there."
She rambled on getting a sweatdrop from her dad and the trio. "I'm sorry you see my daughter has a fascination with ninjas. Now dear introduce yourself." He said scolding her a little for the rant. "Hmph. My name is Masaki pleasure to meet you."She said bowing with a pout."Now that we're all introduced I will finish packing."Shojin said before leading them to one of the spare rooms.
The trio took the time to roam the halls and passed a few maids here and before arriving in the main living room again. Awhile later the trio waved Shojin off as he left for his meeting.
"So Masaki-chan what do you want to do?" Asked the raven in a gentle voice. "Hmm...I'm hungry can I have something to eat?" Amane just giggled a little before nodding and set off to fix something."I'm gonna go look around see ya later, Naruto informed before dashing off before Chusei could say anything.
"So...Masaki-chan what do you want to do while we wait? The brown-haired boy sighed. "Hmm...how about tag your it! Hehe. Just like that, she was gone down the hallway with Chusei following behind. For the next half-hour, he chased her around before catching up to her in the garden.
The garden was filled with numbers of flowers and was a truly beautiful sight. "Hey, Chusei ne-chan come catch me!"
His eyes widen when images begin to flicker in front of his eyes. "Ne-chan come catch me! Hehe."Masaki noticed him frozen and walked up to him shaking him a bit."Ne-san you alright? He quickly snapped out of it before smiling at her and telling her everything was fine. "Hey, dinner's done so go wash and get in here yelled Amane.
Dinner was ordinary for the most part with Naruto making jokes and Amane battering him over the head for his antics. Chusei, however, was silent throughout the whole thing and quickly left once he finished
Later:
It was night and Chusei was sitting in the garden looking at the stars with faraway eyes. Everything was silent until a voice spoke from behind him. "Chusei-san?" This got him to turn and look at the girl confused about why she was here. "Did I do something wrong?" He rose his eyebrows to that. "Why do you believe that?" She hesitated before speaking. "Well when you froze up in earlier, I thought I did something. And you didn't say anything at dinner and looked troubled by something."His eyes widen she hit the mark."Masaki, I assure you did nothing wrong its just...my past."He frowned and sadness could be seen."Um...if you want, I can listen."He thought about it for a while before sighing as he saw no point in not talking."In the past, I had a sister. She was like you lively and energetic, it's just you remind me of her so much." She nodded and understood a little."I failed to protect her, and I'm unsure if I can help anyone. Especially, my friends, I don't want to be a burden for them."Suddenly he was hugged from the side and saw it was Masaki.
"You shouldn't think that way, I'm certain you did your best. Naruto-san and Amane-chan both trust you so why not trust them with this." He was wide-eyed with this."I-I don't think it's that easy."She shook her head before continuing."Because you are making it such. I know how you fell in away. Once I and Ka-chan were out walking and a horse pulling a carriage got spooked and ran off. I was in the way and Ka-chan told me to move but I was frozen and couldn't move and so the last second she pushed me out of the way. I blamed myself from then and felt the same that I was a burden until tou-san informed me. That I should wash away those doubts and remember the good times and walk forward for her and make her happy."
He listened silently till the end and she was right he shouldn't be beaten himself up turning to her and smiling. "Thank you, Masaki" Hugging her before standing and helping her get to her room as it was her bedtime.
The days flew by as Masaki and Chusei were close as real siblings, he played with her and told her stories of his journey. Finally, Shojin returned and saw how close they were he laughed at the situation of Chusei was forced into having a tea party with some stuffed animals.
"I have to thank you three for looking after little Masaki here for me." He smiled while shaking their hands. "It was no problem Shojin-san, the raven bowed." Masaki ran at chusei and hugged him. "Chusei ni-san can you come back again?" She asked while bouncing up and down causing him to chuckle. "Of course so long as it's fine with your tou-san." He told her looking up at the man, and he nodded. "I will come back then." She hugged him once last time before the trio set off for their next destination.
"So Chusei you and Masaki were close." He merely smiled at his teammates while nodding telling them she was like a sister to him now. "Later when we set up camp, I have something to tell you both." He informed then and they nodded. As they walked off Chusei looked back one more time silently thanking her for his renewed confidence.