Chapter six:

The first day(s)-Naru style.

Naru glared at the dusty brown path.

The winding menace just wouldn't end, not that it truly mattered as she was in great shape and all, but really-did they need to put in five brothels, two abandoned merchants carts and a partridge in a pear tree. I mean really did they need to plant a damn pear tree in the middle of the fucking path, for Kamis' sake. occasionally she would feel the glance of her mentor on her jacketed back. Though she had already traveled with the pervy man for a few days, both seemed inclined to not talking about anything regarding Konoha, friends, and the occasional flirt of some women-who Naru was sure, suffered from a lack of good eyesight.

But back to the matters at hand. Both Jiraiya and Naru had gotten up at the pivotal ass-crack of dawn, ate a swift breakfast, and then marched in the awe inspiring direction of south. To say the least Jiraiya had developed a case of twitching eye around one in the afternoon, while Naru was currently glaring at no one in particular and cursing the name of every Kami known to the mortal world.

Though thoroughly pissed about the forced march, Naru was also very curious about their destination. Where were they going? What was it like? Would she be learning anything new? Thoughts like these currently plagued her when she was alone, sadly Naru was helpless to stop them, just as she was helpless to control the long dusty path they traveled on.

It didn't take long before her sensitive ears picked up the subtle sound of hooves and feet marching the desolate road. It was an even shorter lapse in time and judgment when both her and Jiraiya came across a traveling troupe. Boy was it a sight to behold: large carts carried poles and tent material; all pulled by oxen who eyed them with bored scrutiny. Women rushed by in clothes that showed sheer-which earned Jiraiya a swift kick in the gut for eyeing the beautiful vixens, courtesy of one Uzumaki Naru. While Jiraiya was currently wooing the women with only some bruised ribs and dignity, Naru walked contentedly around the troupes perimeter. She saw signs for fortune tellers, spice sellers, men who obviously knew what a gym was for, food and drink notices and the occasional drunk who managed to wander mystically among the roads without bother. This seemed to be such a different world from Konoha, she saw people helping others and was even greeted by some of those working.

In Konoha, she was wary of any crowd over five-ten or twenty warranted Armageddon in her vocabulary. It was almost sad when she saw someone wave too her and smile -while she could only compare the misery that had indeed created company out of her pain.

Walking around one of the heavy laden carts-past those yoked oxen of course, and spotted a group of elderly troupe members and felt her feet instinctively carry her towards them. It was odd to say who was more surprised, Naru-who was inwardly cursing herself, or the old folks-who was wondering when they picked up a red-haired child for their shows.

"um…hi…my names Naru…" the uncomfortable silence prevailed after her brief introduction. One by one the old ones turned to each other and spoke in confidential whispers that not even Naru's trained ears could distinguish between. So she stood of to one side and willed the slight burning red in her cheeks to fade, lest anyone saw who was from the troupe or kami forbid Jiraiya would never let her live it down if he caught her blushing. Shuddering in a morbid fashion, she waited for the small war conference to come to an end.

0-0-0-0-0

Ten minutes later.

Jiraiya had finally found her, scolded her about running after strange people-to which naru punched him in the nose for him being a hypocrite, and then proceeded to tell her about his next amazing decision in teaching her all that he knew.

"oh kami, I'm going to become a pervert after this aren't I…just say the word and I will run away from here…nay, just send me the signs." Naru fell to the ground bemoaning the fact that her life was virtually screwed to the deepest layer of hell that had ever manifested.

"oi, shut it gaki, honestly your going to make me look bad in front of the darling ladies, huh to bad there's not an onsen for several miles yet…its just sad when perverts can't unite on the simple plain of peaking on women while they bathe…oi brat what are ya doing with that wheel…" a booming crunch was heard from two towns over and people swore for several weeks after that they had seen a white haired man with green and red clothing flying through the air at record speeds, screaming at the audacity of someone named gaki.

Back down on earth, Naru was currently screaming at the heavens or more importantly the man in the stratosphere, that when he came back down she would castrate him with a rusty kunai and burn his porn novels at the same time.

"stupid brat its…erotica!"

0-0-0-0-0

It had taken a while for Naru to calm down, but now that she had it was time to listen to the elders.

The hierarchy of the traveling show was simple- new people worked the unloading, packing, and fixing jobs until they showed a particular skill that would place them higher in the circle of the show. Next came those who tended the animals, worked on costumes, and played minor roles in the shows performed, these where mostly made up of those who had found their particular skill. Second to last was the senior members of the troupe, these people played the major roles in the acts, handled the money, and owned or made their own props. These were also the people who had a major say in the running of the show and they people who worked and lived with them. Lastly there were the elders, they ran the troupe, the show and the people. They were too old to actively play roles now, but most narrated the events, told stories and occupied the working and peaceful atmosphere. They also had the ultimate say in what happened in matters of business, home and troupe life, and disputes in the show or places they visited.

Jiraiya had stressed to Naru about the need for her to start her espionage training. Maybe it was the one stroke of luck she was granted once in a blue moon, what was a better place to learn how to be a spy then in a traveling troupe who basically had free run of all the countries from Iwa to Konoha and all in between. This was technically going to be a solo assignment as Jiraiya was the official spy master of Konoha and was thus very busy with work- when he didn't delay to watch naked women bathe and write down their habits in his "research" journal. Stupid perv. As such she really couldn't depend on him being near her all the time, so most of this phase of her training would be conducted without her mentor, with Jiraiya showing up once in a while to teach her new stuff and then leave again.

A wizened old women, nearly hunched over in age walked forward towards the girl. She was wearing a simple blue kimono with a white border and some plain straw sandals. Her head was topped by a bun coiled from pure white hair-thin and straight. She was short about four ft six and had laughing brown eyes that had turned pale. Her face and hands seemed to be a mass of wrinkled skin and the color of slightly yellowed parchment.

" I am Ohi, leader of this troupe. That man Jiraiya-san asked that we take you into our care for a time…how does this make you feel Uzumaki-kun?"

Naru watched Ohi and gave her what she hoped was an encouraging nod. Sadly she wasn't used to dealing with people so much and it was giving her just a little more then normal stressful thoughts. hmm, I wonder what Anko-nee would do? Naru quickly stopped that line of thought, it wouldn't bode well for a seven year old to make sadistic and borderline perverse innuendos.

Ohi gave a small lift at the corners of her mouth and waved her hand for some helpers. The next minute Naru was being ushered to one of the wagons meant for riding and then the troupe was off to their next village to perform.

Naru sighed at the dusty road and wished with all her might that her friends were having fun and learning new things from their mentors.

0-0-0-0-0

The day was amazing, not a cloud in sight, the sun was shining and a pretty red head was slowly beating the shit out of a white haired perv. Ah the life of a shinobi never stops.

Naru walked away from the bloody mess that was her mentor and instead turned her attention on the people she passed. It was a pretty, but here in the land of silk, everything seemed false-the smiles, the smells and the people. It was as if a huge secret was being kept and everyone knew it but turned a blind eye and hoped with time it would go away. The land of silk wasn't very big, but it produced the largest quantity of silks and materials from their farms year round, as such Jiraiya-who she was now going to call pervy sage, had ordered this to be her first solo mission. Unlike normal shinobi training, a spy is trained sparsely by their mentor before they are thrown into their jobs. This was one of the reasons that spies were not in large numbers, the other is the psychological tearing of the mind on the shinobi- loyalty is questioned and fear rises before long. Most spies though never live past their first few months and those who do are the ones who are eccentric and can thrive in the backstabbing environment.

Though Jiraiya was counting this as a solo, she was basically just doing this for practice. This would never go on her record besides the one she would write in a journal and keep under lock and key. Her mission: find out what the hell the people of the land of silk are hiding, gather important data, and then leave the land of silk with the traveling troupe until the next village. Seemed easy, until Jiraiya flirted with a passing women and she lost her temper and now had to cool of for the upcoming mission.

Walking back to the main tent, Naru saw Ohi sitting on a lounging chair enjoying the sun. for the life of her, Naru couldn't read the old women, it was as if she was wearing a muslin mask over her features. Truly it was a testament to her great age.

"oi, gaki you better not be thinking about my age."

Naru grinned in reply. "nah, you're to old to actually contemplate the meaning of age, hag. Huh, you were there when the ancients made the first year and even then you were decrepit and lazy and old."

The old women cackled, the spitting image of a witch. "careful baka, even at my age I still have enough power to kick ya all the way back to Konoha and still have time to enjoy the sun."

Naru calmly walked past the laughing elder and into the tent, calling over her shoulder, "at least I don't smell of old lady and moth balls."

The sound of a Ohi's laughter followed her as she joined the others of the troupe.

It was a special day- the first opening was a invitation to happiness and hope of good profit for the coming season, it was the pray that had too be answered if all was to go well. It was an honor to be able to stand with the hard working people who belonged to no true home but the road, and Naru was certain if all went well today she would be closer to her own goals. Friendship among the troupe was the wisest of teachers.

Looking around at the group before her, Naru felt a odd sense of…something. It grew at the sight of mothers embracing their children, boys training in the acrobatics regime, and the elders painting the masks used in plays. She couldn't name the emotion and quickly realized that she didn't want too, that putting a name to he most hidden desires would somehow tarnish the feeling of experiencing them.

Ohi walked by Naru while she was in her musings, and stood in the middle of the cluster of performers. A surprisingly serious look on her weathered face commanded the respect of those present-even Naru who was not one of them. A concentrated voice flittered among the troupe, telling the truth among riddles. "everyone, it is the combined effort of us as a whole that brings me, a little old woman, to lead a group of such dedicated people. You all make my little bitter heart beat just that much faster." a sad smile touched the old woman's face. " we will all go out there and do our best…Taku, you're on crowd control, Kogi, get the props wheeled out here, Naru…I want you to act out a sword dance tonight."

Naru stood stunned. Ohi wanted her to perform a sword dance, she didn't even know how to hold a sword let alone use one with competent knowledge to make it dance. A heavy hand fell on her thin shoulder, looking up she saw Tana, Kogi's wife, smiling down at her. Tana was the smith for the troupe, her word was pretty much law next to Ohi's.

"come fiery-one, let me help find a sword for your performance." Tana had a northern burr, that made her voice so much deeper and warm then any other woman that Naru had met. She nodded to the older lady and walked with her to the forge tent.

It was a large tent, filled with bins of metals and coals. A basin of water stood on a stand in the corner, several twisted chunks of steel leaned out from it. In the center of the tent a large fire burned temperamentally, crackling its war cry in a language long dead to the human race.

Tana walked to a rack of swords-many of them were props used in other such performances, yet a few were actual live weapons of steel. Naru felt oddly at home in the burning expanse of the tent with its sounds of the fire and the smell of molten metals, yet when she saw the swords that Tana had grabbed and brought over to her, she felt like a outsider who was finally let in to a special group.

"here fiery-one, choose the sword that calls to you. This will help the bonding process."

Naru looked up at the older woman and gave a brisk nod. The swords were all beautiful and well crafted-some carried jewels in their hilts, while others had special names and words carved into their blades. She was surprised when she by-passed all of those ones and instead focused on a simple sword. It had a slightly longer blade then the rest, and carried no carvings. The blade itself had a slight ripple in the design and a bluish tinting. The cross guard was a metal disk in the pattern of the moons phases, while the hilt was covered in deep blue fabric that ate the sweat off her palms when she picked it up.

It was weird holding the weapon. It felt right, like it had been calling her from a distance and was now pleased that she had finally gotten her ass here. Naru wanted to laugh who knew that the feeling a sword could give would be sarcastic, just the sword for her then. "Tana, I will choose this one." the finality in her voice surprised even herself, it was the voice of someone who had decided on a long and difficult decision and finally knew the answer.

Tana gave a small secretive smile while Naru had her backed turned. This girl-child would go very far in life but she would always have to prove herself. She would have to learn the skills of a leader in order to build compassion, understanding, and fearlessness. But with that she would have to become strong like a leader in order to show strength, judgment, and perseverance. Until she learned all of these, she could never truly be wise in the ways of a leader. But she was on her way-choosing the sword of character was the first true step in learning.

"fiery-one, come here…I need to teach you the proper hold and kata for your performance."

"hai, Tana-sensei!"

0-0-0-0-0

Naru stood in a small glade at the edge of town with Tana. Both held bokken or short wooden swords used to teach kenjustu. Turning to face each other, Tana launched into the knowledge of sword play. " Now, fiery-one, I will teach you how to manipulate the sword. First adjust your stance until it resembles a slight horse stance. Good, now move you right hand up near the cross guard and move you left hand down near the bottom. Now hold that position until I tell you to drop it, okay begin."

~An hour and a half later~

Naru felt sweat falling down her face. She had been holding the stance for at least an hour and a half and she was tired and cramped. stupid Tana-sensei, leaving me here while she went back to the forge. She didn't even tell me to stop this stance, how am I going to perform anything if I haven't been taught the kata. Things couldn't possible get worse. well Naru wished that she hadn't thought those things.

Tana watched from the tree-line as Naru held the stance for so long. She wasn't trying to be cruel, but Naru had to learn some measure of respect, dignity and humility. This would teach her control.

Naru decided to close her eyes and look into her self. She felt herself falling and before long she was in the same place where her battle against the red fox creature had taken place. The two separate tubes of light glowed apart from each other, yet moved towards the same goal. The contrast between the two startled her.

Well, it seems you have yet to learn your lesson, brat. Why have you come back, I doubt it was for the view.

Naru looked around wildly as the mysterious voice boomed in all directions. "who are you? Show yourself?"

Suddenly a huge flash of light suddenly blinked up from the tube containing the red light, which quickly morphed itself into the shape of a snarling fox. Naru felt weak as a barrage of emotions hit her full force, hate and anger being the most prominent. Well well… seems you still have some fight left in you, eh kit. Tell me, why should I tell you anything about myself, what has allotted you the right to male such accusations? the fox paused before continuing. if you were any other human, I would have killed you by now, but you are amusing at the least so I will allow you to live your pathetic life for a while longer yet.

Bristling at the condescending tone, Naru started to growl in anger as her temper flared. This unfortunately seemed to amuse the big feather duster even more. "just answer the fucking question before I make you." her breathing became more ragged as the fox started to chuckle in some form of twisted glee. " I'm warning you, stop before you piss me off even more."

A menacing grin formed on the beasts face as he spoke through his chuckles. kit, what could you possible do to me. You have neither skill nor weapon to aid you.

It was Naru's turn to grin. " I have beat you once, without the skill or weapons. I can do it again."

Silence prevailed in the empty place as both girl and fox stared at each other. Both hated the other, and neither was willing to admit defeat to the other. They needed a middle ground, for now at least a while. Yet deep within them, a mutual respect glittered and glowed, it was still weak and underdeveloped, but it was the first lit coal of the fire, it just needed air to make it make it burn.

Kit. Earn my respect and attention, and only then will I allow you the knowledge of who I am.

Naru was unimpressed but willing to barter the deal. " will you at least tell me what you are and why you are here." more silence caused her to wait with bated breath. What came next though caused her to become confused with shock.

I am the Kyuubi no Konoha and your prisoner!

0-0-0-0-0

Naru stood among the members of the troupe, simple watching the curious antics of the large family community. Over in the corner Tana-sensei gave her husband a swift kiss and walked over to her, a small smile lifted the corners of her mouth.

"fiery-one, are you ready?"

She nodded, no hesitancy showed on a face that any anbu would glow green with envy for. On the inside, Naru was terrified. Growing up hated and singled out for the simplest mistakes had taught her to hide what she was really feeling. Anbu training had only heightened those instincts, making her more aware of her surroundings but not causing her the normal paranoia that came with it.

Walking up to the tent flap, she adjusted the sword on her hip-its own measure of self-awareness practically ringing with excitement as she waited for the performance before hers to end.

Ohi walked up behind the red-headed girl and slowly tapped her shoulder. In her weathered hands she held a pretty mask made of black painted pine wood and streaming with white ribbons. Its face held the visage of a dragon with deer horns and gleaming fangs made out of crystal. Its features were carved to the finest detail, such definition popping out, stunning the small child in front of her. Handing Naru the mask, Ohi walked out of the conjoining tent up to the stage where she could view the audience in triumphant mystery. Her old voice rose and fell as she illuminated the story that was about to take place.

"long ago, before man had learned of the fates, the dragons ruled the continent. Their reign was peaceful and just for the dragons were wise beyond measure. Under their rule, harvests were bountiful and the forests flourished and man was content." behind Ohi, shadow puppets illuminated a screen, showing the audience the visual story. "the dragons lived high in their home of the greatest mountains and watched as man lived his life, and all was good."

Suddenly a great plume of purple smoke erupted on the stage, stunning the audience as several people wearing dragon masks and kimonos whirled and jumped on stage, imitating the flight of the dragon court to the cheering audience. Ohi smiled mysteriously to her audience, before she continued. " for many years the dragons simply watched the course of life for all beings, but one dragon felt that man was made for his kind to serve them. His name was Yang-the dragon of heaven and light!" a tall, muscular man threw himself out of the fray of still moving dragons, his coloring was a white mask with black ribbons flying gently on his deer horns, his fanged mouth held in a snarling façade. The Yang dragon drew his sword, and moved in slow, languid motions illustrating the rising dawn for which he governed.

"the Yang dragon, filled with a arrogance over man, attacked them in the wake of the rising sun. his steel burned with the force of a million stars as he slashed and hacked his way to victory. His pride compelled that only those who would prostrate themselves would live." the shadows in the background showed the carnage of the Yang dragons might as he destroyed the fragile balance between the universe itself. " the dragons left the world, not willing to fight the vengeful kinsman as he wrought destruction upon those the dragons promised to protect. The world was in despair." Ohi paused as the audience shifted to the edge of their seats, watching as the other dragons disappeared in plumes of dark purple smoke.

"yet, one dragon was not afraid to abandon her sacred duty, she flew down from the great mountains and charged into battle, for her people, for her home, for peace among the universe, the small dragon drew her sword and danced her deadly kata against her opposite-for she was the dragon whose honored name rang among the earths darkest nights, her name was Yin!"

A plume of black smoke covered the stage, as the audience gasped. Threw the smoke they saw bright blue eyes. Then all was silent.

0-0-0-0-0

Naru heard her cue and quickly used a chakra infused jump to appear on stage a second after the smoke covered everything. Her clothes rustled, they weren't heavy but showed a design of scales in bright black as her mask swallowed her face.

The smoke cleared quickly and Naru watched as the audience gasped in wonder-her masked face showed a dragon who was smiling in acceptance and sorrow, as she turned towards the other dragon. Nervous and exhilarated at the same time, she leapt forward.

She was the opposite of Yang, she was not a fighter of gentle moves and kata. Hers sliced with roar of energy and pride. To the audience, it looked as if the Yin dragon was dancing rather then fighting for the existence of mankind. Moving her sword, she told the story in every block and step of her being-she was no longer Uzumaki Naru but the Yin dragon of earth and night, and her duty was the continued peace of her world. She whirled in flight as she jumped and somersaulted in mid air, always moving closer to the other dragon-her opposite in all. Suddenly both dragons jumped towards each other, sometimes balancing on each other and sometimes twirling in different directions, but always coming back together.

Their swords came together as the shadows showed man on his knees, begging for the end of the tyrant dragon they once called lord. Yin, looked at Yang and both started to circle in the same direction, their swords locked against each other as both dragons moved faster and faster, until a bright plume of silver smoke swallowed them up.

0-0-0-0-0

Ohi smiled as she spoke. "so the Yin dragon, who was as wise as her kind, knew that only destruction would come of the Yang dragons death, battled against mind and heart, she created a spell that would meld them together for all time, forever circling each other in a dance of control and harmony, neither winning nor losing but always turning. As for man, he soon forgot all about the two dragons and lived his life in neither peace nor strife, for he could not remember who had once ruled him, but he could remember a circle with two sides splitting it in half- one who was as white as fresh snow and crowned with a sphere of black, while the other was as dark as night adorned with a sphere of white. Forever opposites that lived in harmony!"

Looking back at the shadows, a giant circle with the Yin and Yang intertwined appeared for a few minutes before fading away. Then a cheer so loud and vibrant shook the tent as Ohi was leaving, glad that it had gone well, better then she had hoped.

She smiled in amusement as Naru was hugged and smacked on the back from the troupe members, everyone wanted to thank her and yet no words could truly express how happy they all were that this little orange scrap of a girl had dropped into their lives.

0-0-0-0-0

In the crowd, a man hidden in a dark cloak watched as the girl who played the Yin dragon was brought up on stage for a well deserved ovation. Truly she was a beautiful sight, large blue eyes framed by vibrant red hair in a stunning tan complexion. Her size was small and thin and she still wore the kimono of her dragon counterpart.

He watched as she gave a gentle bow and smiled, before she turned in his direction. He felt a nervous sweat start at his forehead as she gave that same smile. He felt conflicted, he had his own mission, but even though he knew it would involve her, he felt that he needed to keep her safe.

A sinister smile made its way on his face as he stared at the blue eyed nymph. soon my little dragon, we will meet and then nothing will ever harm you again. This I swear!

With a burst of chakra, he disappeared in a wave of heat and was gone.