Me: HEY GUYS IM BACK
Kakashi: Yeah and you forgot us for far too long...
Me: shhhhh... Anyways, here's your... 12th chapter? I think.. Sorry guys, I've been pretty focused on starting my life together anywho.. here's your chapter.
"Kyuubi talking"
'Kyuubi thoughts'
"Normal Talking"
'thoughts'
Chapter 12: The Hunt
It was a long day of traveling, Itachi and Nagato had just made camp for the night. They were going to head to The Hidden Leaf, but first they had to get back through wind country and then they'd have to clear the border of the land of fire. Lately the Hidden Leaf has spent its time fortifying the village and its surrounding areas, and This didnt go unnoticed by the last Uchiha.
'Something big must be coming... Not Sure what though...' Itachi Thinks to himself as he closes his eyes and drifts off to sleep.
Nagato awoke from his sleep. He wasnt sure why he did, but he brushed it off. He arose from his tent and stretched his legs.
For years on end he had been connected to some sort of device 'Madara' had created. Said that it would allow him to "Expand his power to 6 other individuals." It wasn't all it was cracked up to be... To Nagato it seemed that it held more weakness than strength.
Before Konan left Ame, He had her remove the chakra poles that hindered his movement. They shared the briefest of exchanges before parting ways, Konan had travelled to the Hidden Sand Village While Nagato and Itachi made their way towards the Leaf.
Meanwhile in Konoha*
Ino and Naruto walked through the village hand in hand towards their favorite place in the whole village, the top of the Hokage monument. Over time, the monument became their go-to date spot. They could sit on the grass and look down on the city below, or they could lay back and look across the night sky and see all of the stars surrounding the moon that overlooked the village like a guardian of some sort... There was a slight breeze in the wind as the couple laid back on the grass.
"Hey Ino?"
"Yes Naruto?"
"What do you know about Lord Fourth?" He asked, staring into her pretty blue eyes.
"The basics that we were told in the academy, and that he sealed the 9 tails fox inside of you.." Ino says, silently questioning where this is going.
"Do you know why he picked me, me of all the newborns our age?" He pressed.
"No, not really... I figured, maybe you were just a child that was found near the wreckage... But something tells me that isn't the case. Is it?"
"You are right in thinking that. Its a likely conclusion that no doubt, the civilians have come to, but still wrong.. The reason He picked me is because I'm his son." Naruto says bracing himself for nearly every possible reaction.
"What?! Naruto You're Joking. Right?" Ino exclaims, her eyes wide with shock.
"No. I'm not. Minato Namikaze is my father. Remember the old bingo book pictures, or the history book pictures of the previous Kage?"
Naruto waits for the sudden look of realization to come across Ino's face. He saw the look after Ino managed to process the information she just gained, and mixed it with all she already knew.
"This is awesome... Y-You're the son of lord four-"
"Shhhhhh" naruto puts a finger up to Ino's mouth.
"What i just told you is extremely classified information. Triple S class, probably."
Ino sat in shock. So many things didnt make sense.. Like, 'why he was treated this way when the- wait... Triple S class secret... the villagers wouldnt know... thats why...'
All Ino could do at the time was sit back and process it all. After sitting in silence for a few minutes, Ino leaned over to lay in Naruto's lap.
"I'm glad you are different. That you think different from the others.. That you can love me for me and not just what i am to the village." Naruto says softly, running his hands through Ino's hair as they both drifted off into sleep.
Inside Naruto's Mindscape*
"She is an acceptable mate kit."
Naruto turns around to find Kurama standing behind him. "Yeah... She's the best." He smiles.
"What are you gonna do about finding two more? While i dont like the idea, your ridiculous handlers that you are ever-so-loyal to arent gonna be happy if you dont find them- Hey wait what about that pink haired girl? Maybe she'd be an option?"
"No... She's so focused on Sasuke-"
"BAKA, SHE TOLD YOU SHE'S OVER HIM."
"She's gotta prove that to me. And its gonna take a lot for that to happen."
"Hnn"
*Outside Hidden Sand Village*
Konan stood outside the the main gates to the Sand Village.
'I either die or thrive here by this decision. Either way, I'll not be needing this.' Konan thinks to herself as she throws her old Akatsuki cloak over her shoulder and walks through the gates.
Gaara's Office*
"Temari, please listen to me We dont have much other choice!" Gaara argues.
The siblings have been arguing for only a few moments, yet Temari was furious. Whether at her brother for allowing this, or at the councils of the leaf and sand for going around her back and setting her up with a random shinobi from a village a hundred or so miles away!
"HOW ABOUT NO! IM NOT MARRYING ANYONE I DONT WANT TO! ALLIANCE BE DAMNED!" Temari screamed out.
"I HAVENT EVEN TOLD YOU WHO IT IS!" Gaara snaps back.
"WHO THEN? WHO IS SOOOOOOO IMPORTANT TO THAT VILLAGE THAT THEY CAN THINK I WILL MARRY TH-"
"Uzumaki" The one word he uttered.
"WHO?!"
"Uzumaki Naruto."
Temari's eyes widened at the thought. "WHAT THE HELL-"
"KAZEKAGE SAMA!" The door slams open to reveal Kankuro in full blown panic.
"WHAT DID I TELL YOU ABOUT BREAKING DOORS INTO MY OFFICE!?" Garra Yells back as he glares at his older brother.
"AKASUKI-pant- MAIN GATE-pant-GO!"
"BAKA! C'mon Sis lets go! KANKURO GET OFF THE FLOOR, TELL BAKI TO PUT THE VILLAGE ON HIGH ALERT!" Gaara yells on his way out of the building towards the main gate.
At The Main Gate*
"GET ON THE GROUND!"
"GET DOWN NOW"
"I Do not wish to bring anyone harm. I only wish to speak with the Kazekage" She calmly says, but on the inside shes shaking. Nervous that this could be the end... All it takes is one kunai.
"Like hell we will ever let you near the Kazekage. He-"
"Enough." Gaara Interrupts. "You. Who are you and why are you here?" He says sternly as Temari watches from a nearby ledge.
"Like I tried to explain to these idiots, I only wish to talk with you. I am Konan of Ame. And I am no longer a part of that wretched group. I ask for Asylum in your village in exchange for intel i have on my former allies.." Konan calmly explains.
"Shukaku... What do you think? Is she lying?"
"No. She speaks the truth." The Tanuki replies.
"All Shinobi. Stand down now. Konan, was it? Follow me. We will speak in my office." Gaara tells the Unnerved Kunoichi.
"Gaara-Sama!?"
"Silence Baki. I will not hear anything on the matter. Send a messenger bird to Konoha. I need Naruto here."
A moment of hesitation on Baki's part Caused Gaara to leak some of his old K.I.
"Did I stutter, Baki?" He says, Glaring over his shoulder
The Next morning*
Tsunade Lay in bed, just barely awake. "Why the Hell am I up this early?" She looks to the clock on the dresser next to her bed. 6:56AM. She rolls her eyes one last time.
"Damn it, id like for my alarm to go off before I wake up for once in my life.." She sighs, getting out of bed and dressed into her usual attire.
She *just* finishes putting on her top when Shizune Bursts through the door.
"HOKAGE-SAMA! You have an emergency message from Suna!" She Runs across the room, holding out a scroll.
Tsunade takes the Scroll and cracks it open and reads through it with a look of concern.
Hokage-Sama we have quite the security predicament and you may want to watch out in the next couple of days...
*END CHAPTER*
I am SOOO SOOO SORRY for how long it has taken me to update this story *nervous laugh* depression and life in general have been kicking my ass. But i promise im gonna keep posting for this story. As for a timeline on the next chapter, I have no idea when it'll be. But thank you all for the love and support for the story. Until next time-
