Disclaimer: Read the previous chapters if you want 'em.
Author Disclaimer: Sorry about the Lateness of this chapter. Mega Mental Block . . . Couldn't write. Hope you like!
Chapter Six: Happenings in Leaf
A hand upon his shoulder jolted Naruto back into the present. He gazed up at Iruka, who stood smiling at his side. "Mind if I join you, Ototo?" Iruka asked, gesturing to the spot at Naruto's side. Blonde locks shook, Iruka made himself comfortable beside the younger shinobi. "So . . . You and the Kazekage's daughter, eh?"
Naruto nodded, shyly. "Temari is not at all like she pretended at the Chunnin exams" Naruto said, smiling. "I love her a lot". Iruka nodded, smiling slightly.
"So, no you and Hinata?"
"Huh?" Naruto said, confused. "Why would I be interested in Hinata-Sama? She and I are friends". Iruka couldn't help but chuckle at Naruto's never-ending obliviousness. It added to his innocence, that Iruka loved so much; he wrapped an arm around Naruto's shoulder and gave it a squeeze.
"Well, I got class today" Iruka said, standing. "And Kakashi has to deal with becoming a Jonin Instructor again". Naruto laughed, remembering all the hard times Kakashi had gotten when he was his pupil. "I'll see you later today". Iruka pressed a kiss to Naruto's head and left the gardens.
"Oujisama?" came Kage's quiet voice. Naruto looked up at the strange Nin, who was now knelt at his side. "May we speak?"
"Is something wrong, Kage-San?" Naruto inquired. Kage looked around, as if making sure that the garden was really safe to speak of what he had to say. "Do not worry. Only Blood Kin to my aunt and I are allowed to entered the grounds. Which might explain how you entered . . . Are you related to me, Kage-san?"
"Yes, Oujisama" Kage replied, nodding his head. "We are cousins. Your father's mother was of My Clan".
"What?" Naruto inquired, shocked. Kage lifted up his left arm and pulled up the sleeve, bearing to Naruto the mark that was seen in his dream-vision. "Not possible."
"The Mei Clan are Masters of the Shadows . . . Masters of Darkness" Kage started to explain. "If a member of the clan is married outside the family, it is common that the person takes their spouse's name but teach his children the ways of the family. That is how the Branch family was born".
"The Nara Clan!" Naruto exclaimed. "They can manipulate their shadows!" Kage nodded.
"But your grandmother was heir" Kage replied. "She was my Father's youngest cousin and only child to your great-grandmother, Kurai. Nisshoku-Sama married Uzumaki Nagisa with out the consent of Ouhisama and thus banished from the Clan".
"Understandable. What does my Sousobo want?" Naruto reasoned
"Kurai-Ouhisama wants to right the wrongs that were done in the past" Kage replied. "She has always known of your presence and now had decided that you shall be named Heir". Naruto frowned, clearly upset at this recent news. He had a relative that had always known who he truly was, then why didn't she ever come and take him away from the lonely exist that he had called a life? Naruto voiced this question to Kage, who smiled sadly. "To be of the Mei Clan is to have a lonely exists . . . We are the ultimate assassins. We have no Village that we are apart of, we acknowledge only the ruler of our clan".
Kage looked up at the sky; his dark eyes watching the sky pass by. "Kurai-Ouhisama had hoped to give you something more then that life. Since the day we are born, Mei Clan members are trained in the darker aspects of being a Shinobi. She did not want you to experience that until she knew you were ready". Kage looked at the blonde, who studied him. "Kurai-Ouhisama loves you very much and so does many others".
"But some do not" Naruto said, quietly. "The assassin last night proved that".
"WHAT?!" came a voice. Naruto and Kage turned to see Tsunade standing there, her hands clenched into fists. Her blue eyes narrowed in rage; even with out his Ginmegan, Naruto could feel the spike in his aunt's usually indifferent Chakra. Tsunade whirled around and stalked away, leaving a shocked Naruto and a bewildered Kage behind.
-- Oi, Kiji, you better go stop your Aunt . . . Before she does something stupid -- .
Naruto was up and running, his uninjured grasped Tsunade's hand and pulled her to a stop. "Obasan, no!" Naruto said. Tsunade looked at her nephew, but all she saw was an injured little boy that she was supposed to be protecting. Anger flooded her veins, she made to storm off when Naruto shouted on the top of his lungs. "SENSEI!!"
Jiraiya and Kakashi came running, weapons drawn. They were ready to pulverize any threat that dare harmed their blonde-haired student. Naruto looked up at his aunt, smiling an apologetic smile. "Sorry, Obasan". Naruto, with lightening quick reflexes, jabbed his aunt in a section of her neck. Tsunade fell backwards into Jiraiya's arms, unconscious.
"Forgive me, Oujisama" Kage spoke. "I would not have spoken if I had known your aunt was there". Naruto shook his head, giving the Shadow Nin a smile.
"I would not worry about it, Kage-san" Naruto replied. "Obasan would have found out anyway. If not from you or I then from another source". He sighed and shook his head. "Better bring her inside, Sensei". Jiraiya nodded and hoisted the unconscious Tsunade into his arms. He entered the house, a slight blush on his cheeks. Naruto couldn't help but smile. "Sorry about startling you, Kakashi-sensei".
"No biggie" Kakashi replied. He scratched his head, looking a little uneasy at Kage. "So what's this about another bloodline?" Naruto looked up at the dark haired Shinobi.
In another place at that same time, all of the former Rookiee Nine were sitting in what used to be the meeting place of Team Seven. "So . . . Shikamaru, what are these Ginmegan?" Sakura inquired. She and Hinata were sitting under the tree which the Jonin was perched in with Sasuke and Kiba. Shikarmaru's wife, Ino, was sitting with Lee, Tenten and Neji across from Sakura and Hinata. "You mentioned it the other day".
"Ginmegan are known as the Silver Eyes" Shikamaru started. "Think of them like this. They have the Copying abilities of the Sharingan – The Mirror Wheel Eyes and the Seeing abilities of the Byugakan – The White Eyes. Little, if anything, is known of this rare bloodline". Shikamaru looked down at the pink-haired Kunoichi. "But what is known is that Sharingan and the Byugakan bloodlines have evolved from that bloodline".
"But Naruto said, yesterday, that his family . . . The Imahitotsu Clan were the bearers of the Ginmegan" Hinata said. "But there is no clan in Fire Country called Imahitotsu".
"Perhaps they are not of Fire Country" Lee answered. "Shikamaru said yesterday that Naruto was of the Hokage Lineage and the Uzumaki Clan was of Grass and Water, Which is Naruto's paternal family. What's to say that Naruto's maternal family isn't of another country?"
"That is possible" Ino said. "But what Country?" She looked at her friends and husband. "For all me know, the Imahitotsu Clan could be of Fire Country".
"Dobe said that his family was of Hidden Air, where ever that is" Sasuke said.
"You can hardly call him that, Uchiha" Shikamaru said, referring to the Dobe remark. "Afterall, he did beat Hyuga over there. And he does possess the Ginmegan . . . so really, we're sort of the Dobes compared to him".
"I resent that, Shika" Ino huffed.
"Well, what are we waiting for?" Lee said, hopping up and grinning like a young child. Sakura couldn't even speak as she was hoisted up over her boyfriend's shoulder.
"Lee!" Tenten shouted as the Taijutsu specialist made to dash off. Lee turned to look at his former teammate, curiously. "Do you even know where the Uzumaki Estates are?"
"Ah ---- No" Lee said. He set Sakura down, who gave a breath of relief at Tenten's fast thinking.
"But I do!" came a sing-song voice. The former Rookiee Nine looked in the direction of the voice to see Kakashi standing there. "Yo!"
"You know where the Estates are?" Tenten said in disbelief. Kakashi nodded, pulling out his ever present 'Come Come Paradise'. "And how pray tell do you know that?"
"Tenten, the Fourth was Kakashi-sensei's Jonin Instructor" Sakura said. "Kakashi-sensei can you show us the way?" Kakashi's only visible eye curled up, happily and he giggled. The entire group sweatdrop and fell to the ground.
Naruto was less then a little shocked when he was greeted by all of the former Rookiee Nine. He blinked at them, cutely, not really sure at what to do. "Yo!" came Kakashi's greeting as he walked into the main house. Naruto watched as the nine followed Kakashi in. "So, Naruto . . . What's for lunch?"
"Lunch?" echoed the blonde. "Is it lunch time already? Sensei, what time is it?" Jiraiya poked his head out of the main room.
"A little pass twelve, why?" Jiraiya inquired.
"WHAT?!" Naruto said. He rushed off toward the kitchen, Inari striding behind. "Make yourselves comfortable in the dining room! Lunch will be a few moments". Kakashi waved the group into the nearest room. There was a large table sitting in the middle of the rather elegant dining room. Tsunade was already sitting at the table, a bunch of reports were laid out in front of her.
"Good day, Hokage-sama" Sakura greeted the fifth Hokage. Tsunade merely raised her hand and continued to read the reports. Each Chunnin took a seat and waited patiently. Kakashi opened his book only to have it snatched away from him by Naruto.
"Really, Kakashi-sensei" Naruto said "you really shouldn't read such filthy material. It will rot your brain".
"Naruto, nobody will be able to curve Kakashi-sensei's perverted habits" Sakura said. "We're doomed to see him always reading that book". Naruto gave her a smile, a rather devious one. One that clearly reminded her of the old teammate of hers that enjoyed pranks.
"I was able to rehabilitate Jiraiya-sensei" Naruto said. "With some help from my grandmother". He gave a look over in Tsunade's direction, laughing softly. He turned and head away.
"Didn't any one else think it was creepy that Naruto was able to just appear like that?" Kiba said, from Hinata's side.
"All Clan estates have secret passage ways" Neji replied, glaring at the heir of the Inuzuka Clan. "Or does your Clan not have that". Before Kiba could snarl a reply, Neji was hit in the back of the head by Naruto. The Hyuga Branch heir glared at the Heir of the Hokages.
"I would not do that if I was you, Hyuga-sama" came a quiet and cold voice. Everyone turned to see Kage standing behind Naruto in the shadows. His crystal blue eyes darkened with fury. Neji glared at the newcomer, Kage's hand slipped to the Katana at his back.
"Kage, Stop!" Naruto ordered. "Neji-san, Sit down and Shut up!" Surprisingly, both Nins obeyed. He nodded and hurried away again. Kakashi couldn't help be amused at the baffling looks on the Chunnins' faces. His hand slipped toward the book that was lying on the table, only to be greeted with a pan to the head. "Do Not Touch That Book, Hatake Kakashi!"
Kakashi grasped his head, whimpering in pain. "It's your own fault, you know" Jiraiya's voice resounded to the side. The Frog Hermit entered the dining room and sat at Tsunade's side. The Hokage paying no attention to her former teammate. "You should have listened to him in the first place".
"Obasan! Put away that Work!" Tsunade, quickly, gathered her reports and laid them neatly at her side. "Thank you!" Naruto appeared once again out of nowhere with several clones. Plates were placed in front of each person at the table. "Hope you like it! It's my grandmother's specialty". Everyone looked at the plate; Jiraiya was already eating it as was Naruto and Kage. Slowly, the group began to eat.
"Oh Wow!" Sakura said. "Naruto this is delicious!"
"Thank you, Sakura-San" Naruto said, smiling. "It's quite the popular dish in my grandparents' village". Naruto made to say more when he suddenly dropped his chopsticks and grasped his veiled mark.
"Naruto?" came the questioning voices. Naruto jerked away and stumbled backwards. He felt the air around him grow colder; his breaths were coming out in quick and raspy breath. His heart pounded hard and wildly in his chest. "Naruto, what's wrong?"
"Naruto, talk to us!"
Naruto staggered away from the group and rushed toward his great-grandfather's Fire Room. "Naruto!" Tsunade shouted as she turned the corner and witness her nephew entered the room that had always been forbidden to her as a child. The group entered and saw Naruto sitting in front of the fire, mesmerized. A jolt entered Tsunade as she once remembered something from her childhood. She and her brother, Nagisa, had been spying on their father after he had acted funny at supper. He had come to this room just as Naruto had done and was acting just as Naruto was acting. What was going on?
Suddenly, Naruto jolted free and fell backwards into the waiting arms of Kage. His chest rose and fell lightly, his eyes glazed and unseeing. "Hokage-sama, what is going on?" Ino dared questioned.
"I don't know" Tsunade said.
"He is seeing, Hime-sama" Kage answered, quietly. This caused Tsunade to raise an eyebrow. "Just as your father had done before him".
"What do you mean by seeing, Kage?" Jiraiya questioned.
"He sees everything" Kage replied, cryptically. Jiraiya threw his hands up in the air and groaned. Kage turned to his young master, watching him carefully. Then he looked up at the door. "He should be coming".
"He?"
"Naruto?!" came a questioning shout. Everyone turned to see Iruka standing in the door way. Kakashi raised a surprised eyebrow at the sight of his lover. "What happened? Ototo, talk to me?" Iruka was at Naruto's side, gathering the smaller Shinobi into his arms. Blank eyes looked up at the two.
"Child of Two Worlds . . . Child of Earth . . . . Daughter of Winds" Naruto began in a monotonous voice. His voice was hypnotic, entrancing his listeners to pay attention. "Three Destined Souls burdened with powers to protect this world". Naruto made a pause before speaking again. "When Fire kissed Water and Light and Shadow dance, that is the signal. Guard him from the Darkness that clouds reason and judgement. The Snake shall see him returned."
"Powers once were forsakened shall be renewed, the Child of Earth shall gather strength and returned to his place amongst his Clan. He is the key, to lock the power that ignites the Flames. Keeper of the Winds from the Land of where the Sands of time flows; She is the heart, to keep him safe from the everlasting darkness that threatens his world. Bring these three together to combat the darkness that threatens the Lands. Or all shall fall and Darkness will rule". Naruto fainted backwards, his eyes staring blankly at the sky.
"What the Hell was that!?" Kiba demanded. Akamaru barked his agreement and sat on his hunches, staring at the prone body.
"He told you want he saw" Kage replied. Kiba rounded on the dark-haired Shinobi, growling.
"Stop speaking in riddles! You stupid-------" Kiba tried to finish his rant but Hinata and Shino prevented him. Tsunade moved into the front of the group and knelt down then touched her head against her palms. The young shinobi were shocked at the gesture of their leader. Jiraiya copied his friends stance; Kakashi regarded Kage, coolly, as he stood behind the two, protectively. Iruka looked at Kage, calculating.
"I ask of you, not as the Hokage of this Village, but as this boy's Aunt" Tsunade started out, as she sat up straight. Jiraiya did not move, allowing Tsunade to finish what she was saying. "Tell me what you meant. My nephew's life could be in danger".
She bowed again this time Jiraiya sat up. "I ask of you, Not as the boy's Instructor, but as a Person that has grown to love that child as if he was of my flesh and Blood" Jiraiya began, "Tell me what you meant. I have made a pact with his parents that I would protect that boy if I could". He too bowed.
Kage allowed Iruka to fully take Naruto and hold him close. "I, Mei Kage" the Shadow Nin began, "am guardian of all knowledge that is accordance to my Lord, Uzumaki Naruto. He is Heir not only to The Clans of Uzumaki and Imahitotsu but to my Clan, Mei, as well. A child blessed with powers beyond the capabilities of normal Shinobi and Kunoichi. He is descented from Three Great Houses that once ruled with guiding hands across our world. He is the Child of Two Worlds and Keeper of Oracles".
"Oracles?!" Lee exclaimed. Everyone looked at him, curiously. "Are you saying that Naruto is an Oracle?! But the Oracles are myths . . . .".
"As are the Ginmegan" Shikamaru replied.
"Yes" Kage said. "Oujisama is an Oracle, an ability that was passed down the lines of Uzumaki Men since the Dawning of the Great Age. The The gift of Sight is bestowed upon those that are born in a great time of need."
"My father was not born in a great time of need" Tsunade said.
"That is not correct" Kage replied. He looked, gently, upon the face of the Hokage. "This is not know, for it was darker era of our past, The Nidaime was born during the early years of Shinobi Wars. A time where Shinobi fought each other for the dominance of the land. Uzumaki Ryu was born in that Era". Kage looked at the Blonde –haired woman, sadly. "Kurai-Ouhisama fears that someone is trying to restart those Wars. I believe you know what I'm talking about".
"The Sand Invasion during our first Chunnin Exam!" Sakura gasped. "That was the first, wasn't it!"
Kage nodded and looked sadly at the young boy that remained catatonic in Iruka's arms. "Much of the Mei Clan was wiped out during those times and our Country and Village destroyed".
"What does this have to do with Naruto?" Hinata demanded.
"He is the Child of Two Worlds" Kage replied. "The Imahitotsu Clan of Hidden Air are all Children of Two Worlds but he is the most powerfullest of their Clan". Sakura looked at Kage as if he grown two heads.
"Where is Hidden Air?" she inquired.
"Here and Nowhere" Kage replied. "The impenetrable village is protected from the outside world by mists and shadows. Only ones with origins there are premited to enter. Am I not right, Jiraiya-san?"
"I don't know what you're talking about" Jiraiya said, coldly. He looked away, ending that part of the conversation.
"Well then, we must find this Child of Earth and Daughter of Winds" Kakashi said. "But where to look?"
"It easy" Tenten said. "Naruto already told us where we can find the Daughter of Winds. . . . 'Land where the Sands of Time flow' . . . Hidden Sand Village!"
"Temari!" Tsunade said. That earned several curious looks from the Rookiee Nine but Tsunade glared at them. "But the Child of Earth?" Iruka looked down at the young boy that lay in his arms. He already knew that part . . . But should he tell them? Should he reveal to them the secret of his birth and the Origins of which he and his family forsake a long time ago?
TBC