Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or any of its characters as they are the property of Masashi Kishimoto. The author of the cover image is indy-riquez from DeviantArt. You can check the link for the original image in my profile.

Chapter 39: In Plain Sight

Yugao stared into the distance with worry. Katsuyu had informed the remaining ninja that Naruto had gone by himself to find Pain's real body but that had been hours ago. Had he won? Why was he taking it so long then?

''We should have gone with him'' Yugao berated herself mentally.

''I understand how you feel, Yugao-San,'' Said Kakashi who had been accompanying the ANBU captain ever since he recovered consciousness. ''But we have to keep our cool''

''How can you be so calm, Kakashi-Senpai?!'' Inquired Yugao incredulously. ''Naruto is your student, how can you be so collected when Naruto left us to fight that monster?! We should at least have gone after him!''

''In our current condition we would be of no use to him, you know that'' Said Kakashi as he eyed Yugao seriously. ''We are injured and almost out of Chakra. You felt how Naruto and Pain fought. In our current health, we can't hope to keep up with them. Pain may even target us to force Naruto to slip up''

Yugao glanced at the floor and clenched her teeth in suppressed rage. She knew that Kakashi was right, but that didn't make this all the less frustrating. Konoha was her home, those who there laying in the remains of their village were her comrades, and Naruto was her fellow leaf Shinobi. Knowing that she wouldn't be able to help didn't make all this any less aggravating.

Suddenly, Kakashi narrowed his visible eye as he noticed something approaching in the distance. ''Yugao, look!''

The purple-haired woman diverted her look to the horizon and saw some kind of light rays getting closer at an impressive speed. Both Jounin didn't even have time to wonder what it was before the light beams were upon them and started raining all around the village.

''What the heck is going on?!'' Asked Yugao as she glanced around in confusion at the beams of light landing everywhere.

Kakashi managed to catch glimpse of a ray that landed on the corpse of a Chunin laying in a pile of rubble a few yards away. The copy ninja didn't have time to wonder what was goong on when he noticed in shock that the ninja started stirring and standing up with a hand on his aching head.

Yugao was now also paying attention to the man coming back to life. Both she and the cyclops were in still in complete astonishment when they started noticing several more Shinobi starting to rise from the debris around them. The previously dead ninja wandered the place, seemingly just as confused as Yugao and Kakashi.

Yugao stared in disbelief. ''Did they just come back to life?''

''how is that possible?'' Said Kakashi.

''Maybe it was Naruto''

Kakashi and Yugao turned around to see another Katsuyu approaching them.

''Naruto must have defeated Pain,'' Said the slug. ''This should be the result of that''

''I can't think of any other explanation'' Said Kakashi. They knew almost nothing about the Rinnegan. This could very well be the result of Pain being defeated.

Yugao watched this amazing scene deep in thought. She couldn't believe this was possible. Suddenly, she widened her eyes when a realization hit her. ''Wait, does this mean that...'' Then the woman took off into the ruined village, looking for the place where she had put Kurotsuchi's body.

After a couple of minutes, she landed beside the still form of the Iwa Kunoichi. Yugao was starting to wonder if the girl was going to be affected by that strange light when another ray buried itself in the corpse.

Yugao watched intently in amazement as she saw before her eyes the chest wound of Kurotsuchi starting to mend itself in seconds. ''this is amazing'' Thought the older woman before she noticed the pale skin of Kurotsuchi starting to regain some of its natural color.

An instant later, Kurotsuchi started coughing as Yugao supported the girl helping her sit up.

Kurotsuchi stopped coughing as she gave a deep breath and opened her eyes slowly, blinking a few times as she groaned.

''Kurotsuchi, are you okay, can you hear me?!'' Said Yugao with urgency.

Kurotsuchi's vision cleared and focused her attention on Yugao. ''Yu-Yugao?''

''Thank Kami, you really are back!'' Said Yugao in relief.

Kurotsuchi widened her eyes in her own surprise. she was back! She remembered being with her mother before she started emitting a strange light. By Yugao's reaction, Kurotsuchi knew that it hadn't been a dream, she really had died and come back to life.

But then, Yugao gave the tomboy a berating look. ''You stupid girl! What were you thinking going off to fight Pain on your own without any backup!?''

Kurotsuchi shrank at the intensity in which Yugao was glaring at her. It was weird seeing the woman worked up. ''What was I supposed to do?! Let Naruto die or-''

Kurotsuchi quieted down when Yugao put her hand on Kurotsuchi's shoulder.

''It's fine I understand why you did what you did,'' Said Yugao in a much softer tone. She didn't have the heart to be too hard on the girl right now. ''Just try to be more careful next time''

Kurotsuchi returned the smile. ''Believe me, I don't feel like dying again anytime soon'' It was good so see Yugao again even if she wouldn't admit it to the ANBU.

''You'd better,'' Said Yugao. ''But how are you feeling? Are you sure you are all right?''

Kurotsuchi nodded. ''Yeah, just a bit lightheaded but other than that I'm as good as new,'' Said the girl, even inspecting her wound just to find that it had been healed. ''By the way, do you know how I'm back?'' Even just asking that felt weird to Kurotsuchi.

''You are not the only one. Our Shinobi started recovering all over too,'' Explained Yugao. ''We aren't sure why but we suspect that Naruto somehow managed to bring you back''

Kurotsuchi looked amazed at the notion. ''What do you mean? How could he have done this and where is he anyway?! I have to see if he is fine!'' She quickly got to her feet, stumbling as Yugao helped her steady herself.

''Calm down, you need to take this easy,'' Said Yugao. ''Naruto is not here, he left a while ago to fight Pain's real body on his own. A bit later was when everyone started coming back to life so that's why we suspect he did something to cause this''

Kurotsuchi meditated on everything Yugao said. That did sound like a reasonable explanation, at least the most reasonable they had at the moment, but she still could only hope that Naruto was okay. There was so much she wanted to make right after how she had treated Naruto. She couldn't forgive herself for how she had almost killed Naruto when she found out who his dad was, or how she had told him she never wanted to see him again. On top of that, she was alive because of him. Nt only did he make her life more meaningful but she gave it back to her. She knew that she could never pay Naruto back for all he had done but she would try and this time around she would do it with all her heart.

''You are back too?!'' ''Amazing, isn't it?!''

Both Kurotsuchi and Yugao turned their attention to a bunch of Chunin that seemed to be ecstatic with the turn of events.

''This is a miracle!'' Exclaimed Achunin with a huge grin.

''But how did it happen?'' Asked another.

''Didn't you hear? Apparently, Naruto found a way to bring us back to life when he defeated Pain!'' Said another.

''What?! Naruto did it?!'' Responded his surprised companion.

''Who would have thought? And here I always thought the boy was extremely lacking in talent,'' Said the other. ''I was so wrong''

''And he got so strong too!'' Exclaimed the previous one. ''To be able to defeat Pain when not even Hokage-Sama and the entire village could! He is going to go far I tell you! Maybe even become Hokage!''

''Hokage? Aren't you overreacting?'' Said Another Chunin.

''Of course not! To be able to defeat a monster like Pain that makes him more than qualified!'' Said the other.

Kurotsuchi was surprised at the conversation the Chunin were having before she smiled with pride for the blond Jinchuuriki. It looked like his dreams weren't so far-fetched now.

''It looks like Naruto's victory is already changing people's opinion about him'' Said Yugao, happy for the boy. Katsuyu must have told some ninja what had happened and word was already spreading like wildfire.

''Come,'' Said Yugao to Kurotsuchi. ''Help me see if everyone is back, at least until Naruto is back''

Kurotsuchi nodded at Yugao. It was fine, it wasn't like she had anything to do for the moment. She just wished that Naruto would arrive soon.

-Iwagakure no Sato-

Ohnoki grumbled angrily as he took another document on the pile of his desk. The paperwork load was so massive that the stacks easily towered above him, forcing him to occasionally use his anti-gravity Jutsu to reach higher sheets of paper.

Like any Kage, he had always used to ramble and complain about the ridiculous amount of paperwork that he had to do some days but ever since the loss of Kurotsuchi, the attack on his village by the Akatsuki, and the exorbitant monthly tolls he had to pay Konoha to keep his granddaughter safe, his work seemed to have multiplied as the damage of all issues put together could still be felt even months later.

a Knock was heard on his door and he gave permission to enter as he knew perfectly well who it was.

Kitsuchi entered the Tsuchikage's office, spotting his father deep in his work.

''What is it that you wanted to show me?'' Asked the Jounin with crossed arms. His relationship with his father was still a bit shaky ever since he caused Kurotsuchi to be captured but they were slowly becoming more cordial towards each other again.

Ohnoki stopped signing a sheet of paper to regard Kitsuchi with his gaze attentively.

''We got a letter from The Land of Iron'' Informed Ohnoki.

''The Land of Iron you say?'' Inquired Kitsuno not hiding his surprise.

Ohnoki nodded as he stood up from his chair. ''Mifune himself sent it''

''That's very unlike him,'' Said Kitsune. ''What did he want?'' The Land of Iron was completely neutral, they didn't even have Shinobi just Samurai instead. They didn't even trade with ninja villages to disassociate themselves entirely from any sort of allegiance. They have gone to such lengths to remain neutral that it was very strange that they were now sending a letter to them.

The small Tsuchikage crossed his arms before floating to a window in his office. He glanced down at his beloved village before answering. ''They are summoning me to go to The Land of Iron. They want to gather all the Kages. Like some sort of Kage summit''

Kitsuchi widened his eyes at that. A Kage summit? When was the last time one of those had been made?

''Even the Daimyou has already approved it so it would reflect badly on us if I refused to go'' Said Ohnoki.

''But does it say what they hope to accomplish with that summit?'' Insisted Kitsuchi.

''Just so you don't misunderstand. the one proposing this summit is the Raikage. Mifune is just hosting the event'' Declared the small man.

''Well that makes more sense,'' Said Kitsuchi. He thought that it was weird that Mifune had all of a sudden decided to host a Kage summit, it made way more sense for another Kage to summon the others even if was unheard of. ''Still, what is the Raikage thinking?''

''They want to discuss the underlying threat of the Akatsuki and they want all the nations to cooperate'' Said the Tsuchikage.

''I see,'' Said Kitsuchi in thought. That had to mean that they hoped to reach some sort of truce between the villages or maybe even an alliance just to deal with the Akatsuki. Kitsuchi himself wanted to make Akatsuki pay but trusting other villages? That didn't seem wise, and besides... ''So that means...'' Muttered Kitsuchi.

Ohnoki already could guess what his son was thinking. ''Tsunade will be there, probably. I don't like the idea of seeing the Hokage or any of those Konoha bastards either,'' Said Ohnoki through clenched teeth. Konoha had Kurotsuchi hostage and they had extorted millions of Ryo from him just to keep his granddaughter safe. He wasn't about to forgive Konoha so easily and much less work with them. ''Still, I need to face her and make sure that she is keeping her promise to us. By not assisting we will look weak which is exactly what we don't want right now''

Kitsuchi didn't like the idea but his dad was right. If they stayed out of it not only it would look like an offense to the rest of the Kages assisting who were taking a risk by meeting with their enemies but they would also look like cowards. And he also wanted to hear from the Hokage that Kurotsuchi was safe. ''In that case, I'll go with you'' Declared Kitsuchi.

Ohnoki had already expected that reaction from his son. ''Very well. You'll be coming with me as my guard and so will Akatsuchi. Inform him that he is to accompany us''

''Right,'' Said Kitsuchi. ''When are we leaving?''

''In just a few days. I'll let you guys know the exact date later,'' Said Ohnoki. ''Now go, I have a lot to think about''

And with that, Kitsuchi left the office leaving his father to his devices.

''A Kage summit, uh?'' Thought Ohnoki. There hadn't been a Kage summit ever since the founding of the main ninja villages. Ohnoki could only guess what had prompted the Raikage to feel the need to one. But no mater, Ohnoki's interest's were in his village and granddaughter's well-being, every decision he took was a consequence of that and the actions he would be doing in this meeting would be no different

''Kurotsuchi...'' He wondered how was his granddaughter doing. He hoped he would be able to bring her home soon some time in the future. Meanwhile, he prayed that she was hanging in there.

-Konohagakure no Sato-

Naruto landed at the edge of the village ruins, gasping for breath. ''I'm..finally...back.'' Said the tired boy between breaths. He had been in such a hurry to come back and see if his friends were truly back that he neglected to consider how drained he was from his fight with Pain.

''Yo''

Naruto turned to see Kakashi smiling at him behind his mask. ''Kakashi-Sensei!?''

''I was waiting for you,'' Said the man as he put a hand on Naruto's shoulder with pride. ''You did well, Naruto''

''I'm glad to see you, sensei,'' Said Naruto. ''But where is everyone?!''

Kakashi waved his hand towards him, telling Naruto to follow him. ''Everyone's been expecting you'' Informed the copy ninja before he and Naruto turned around a building.

As soon as Naruto turned the corner he spotted with great joy a huge crowd of people waiting expectantly at the other side.

''There he is!''

''Naruto's back!''

''We believed in you!''

''Nice job, kid!''

''You showed 'em!''

''He is the hero of Konoha!''

Naruto stared speechless at the crowd of villagers. He was incredibly happy to see them safe and sound, but this feeling of acceptance was alien to him.

''Naruto!''

Naruto saw several of his friends running up to him as they gathered around him.

''Naruto-Kun, you were incredible! your flames of youth have no comparison!'' Said Lee with emotion.

''You were great, man! I envy you'' Said Kiba giving Naruto a toothy smile and a pat on the back.

''You almost looked cool! Who knew you could be so strong?!'' Said Ino.

''I had faith you could do it!'' Said Chouji with a smile.

''But, Naruto-Kun, are you okay!?'' Asked a worried Hinata. ''You are not hurt?''

''You had us worried for a bit there'' Added Neji.

''Don't ever scare us like that'' Sakura berated him lightheartedly.

Naruto laughed and reassured his friends. He was beyond ecstatic to see them again. Then, his eyes lit up as he watched in surprise as someone else made her way through the crowd.

Kurotsuchi stood shyly before Naruto as the boy stared at her in relief but at a loss for words. To him, it felt like a dream to see her unharmed after he felt her die in his arms.

The weird atmosphere of the scene caused everyone to quiet down as they waited for the two to say something to the other.

Kurotsuchi's relief at seeing Naruto couldn't be expressed through words. She wanted nothing more than to throw herself at him and let her emotions do the talking. But she knew that she still had to clear things up between them. She had acted awfully to him the last time they interacted properly. She couldn't just ignore those terrible things she said and act as if it didn't happen. Naruto deserved better. But she didn't know what to say.

''You are back'' Said Kurotsuchi lamely, meeting Naruto's eyes before she glanced back to the ground. ''I was looking for-''

She never got to finish before she found herself in the strong embrace of Naruto.

''You are alright, thank kami,'' Said Naruto, barely containing his tears. ''When Pain...I...I didn't think I would ever see you again''

''You weren't going to get rid of me so easily'' Said Kurotsuchi softly before she returned the hug.

'' I want to use this second chance to amend for the pain I've caused you,'' Said Naruto, much to Kurotsuchi's shock. ''I just want things to go back to how they were before. Please, forgive me for what my dad did to you''

Naruto felt Kurotsuchi grip his jacket as she buried her face in his chest tenderly.

''Dummy, I'm the one who is sorry. Those horrible things I told you...I shouldn't have said them. What your dad did doesn't matter, it doesn't reflect on you. You are you and I like you just the way you are,'' Said Kurotsuchi softly. ''I'm always hurting you needlessly, But please, just one more time forgive my stupid and hateful self''

Naruto cupped her face with his hands as he lifted her face to meet her beautiful eyes with his own. ''Let's just forget all that. I only want to be by your side regardless of what happened in the past. I told you before, I love you and nothing will change it''

Despite her blush, Kurotsuchi managed to return his loving smile as she lost herself in his gaze. ''I love you too''

Naruto caressed her cheek before he brought his lips to hers.

Kurotsuchi widened her eyes at the sudden action. they were practically in the presence of the entire village. she knew that she should break off the kiss. But then, she remembered her mother's words. If her mother was fine with this why should anyone else?She wasn't going to hide anymore. These wonderful arrays of feelings she felt couldn't be something to be ashamed of. If anyone had a problem they could just screw themselves, but she wasn't going to ruin her relationship with the man she loved just to appease ignorant people.

She grabbed Naruto by the nape of his neck as she deepened the kiss, letting herself get lost in the moment. She loved Naruto and he loved her. Nothing else should matter. It was a shame that she had been so reluctant to be truebto her feelings and over nothing.

Meanwhile, Naruto's friend expression at the scene ranged widely, from the agape faces of Rock Lee, Neji, and Sakura, to the content faces of Ino and Kakashi.

''What is going on?'' Muttered Kiba as he stared in disbelief at the scene.

''I didn't know those two...'' Said Chouji, mirroring Kiba's astonishment. He didn't want to keep intruding in such an intimate moment for Naruto but he just couldn't take his eyes off just like the rest of his friends.

At the same time, several of the villagers started whispering among themselves. Some seemed just surprised, others looked happy for the couple, others looked embarrassed to watch an intimate scene between lovers, while some others were looking in indignation.

Ino was swooning over the turn of events but she could start to notice her friends and the rest of the citizens started muttering all around. She didn't want Naruto and Kurotsuchi's moment to go sour so she thought of something.

''Okay! Now that our hero is back let's celebrate by tossing Naruto in the air!'' Declared Ino.

''Yeah, let's show our gratitude to the hero!'' Someone from the crowd shouted.

''Great idea!''

Naruto and Kurotsuchi broke their kiss once they noticed everyone coming for them.

Naruto tried to calm them down. ''Wait you don't have to-''

''Let's throw the two lovebirds together!''

''Wait, me too?!'' Exclaimed Kurotsuchi.

But before any of them could keep complaining about it, they were already being tossed to the air only to be caught again and repeat the action.

Kurotsuchi squirmed for a moment as she fell, but upon noticing that despite what he had said earlier, Naruto had a huge grin on his face.

Kurotsuchi smiled at the sight. Naruto had tried to play it cool but it was obvious that he was enjoying all this attention. in that case, she was gladly going to let herself enjoy this moment with him.

Ino sighed in relief. She had successfully managed to divert everyone's attention from the kiss, at least for the moment.

''Some ANBU guard I am'' Thought Yugao as she regarded all that had happened. Now everyone in the village would know about Naruto and Kurotsuchi being in love. And Yugao had failed in keeping it secret. Now she was gonna get it with the Hokage, well as soon as she woke up that is.

Even so, Yugao couldn't help but smile at the cheerful faces of those two love-struck idiots, despite knowing that she should be angry. Even after all of this she was happy for them.

Still, her smile vanished and a frown took its place as she remembered that things could get ugly. Not everyone was going to approve of their relationship and it might bring them trouble in the future, and afyer they had started earning the village's approval.

The ANBU captain spotted the Hyuga heiress hiding away from the crowd. She was weeping in her hands uncontrollably trying to sooth her broken heart while Neji was beside her putting his hand on her shoulder showing her support.

It was this soon and people already had a problem with their relationship, and they were Naruto's friends. Once powerful and bitter people got word of this, things were going to get complicated.

Yugao knew that Naruto and Kurotsuchi could tell the whole world to piss off but things weren't that simple, they never were. Especially because of who they were. Their teenage naivety could only get them so far against an entire world that wanted them separated.

All in all, one thing was for sure, Naruto and Kurotsuchi's love was going to be put to the test in a not so distant future.

Author's notes:

Here it is guys! I had hopes that the chapter turned out longer but oh well.

So, the cat is out of the bag now, at least in Konoha. This will have some repercussions, obviously. Some good, some bad. And not to mention the impact that this will have in Naruto's friends. We have seen a bit of their reaction here but we will see more of those. Not to mention that a lof of people really want to see Hinata's reactions more in depth, and all I have to say is have patience. Hinata is not the kind of character that would cause a ruckus. Heck, she is so shy that she was ready to let a bunch of other girls steal Naruto away from her in The Last. I'm just saying that if you Are hoping to see a big drama caused by her you might be a bit dissapointed. But that doesn't mean that she will do nothing, she will, just wait.

I'm having trouble deciding on what I'm gonna do with the Kage summit arc. I have a lot of ideas but I can't decide on one.

The good news is that once the Kage Summit arc is over shit will get good, and I mean really good. At least I think so.

That's all for now I think, please review or PM. until next time!