Naruto tossed and turned.
The bed in the village's guest quarters was not uncomfortable. It was better than the one that Naruto usually slept on.
Images kept flashing across his mind. Some were his own memories. Others were horrific scenes of death and wanton destruction. Any number of times, we awoke with the false taste of blood in his mouth. It was Kyubi. Their dreams must be mixing. Maybe Tsunade could tell him how to prevent that from happening.
THE ANSWER IS QUITE SIMPLE. FIND SOME WAY TO RELEASE ME. NO DOUBT THE WOMAN WILL SAY THE SAME.
"Sure. Bastard fox. I know who would end up as a midnight snack!" Naruto tried to hush his voice. He didn't want the visitors in any of the neighboring rooms to think that he was talking to himself.
The youma chuckled.
"Besides, I'm going to be Hokage some day. It will be my job to protect everybody, then. But, it's also my job to protect them now."
Naruto's meaning was clear. By keeping the Nine Tails confined within him, he was almost doing as great a service as the Fourth had done. In some ways, he wondered if Yondaime's death might have been a kinder thing than the life he himself had to live.
YOU HAVE GIVEN ME REASON TO THINK
Kyuubi's spectral voice sounded kind and contemplative, almost sorrowful. Naruto was not fooled for one moment. He knew the meaning of 'Crocodile Tears'. When crocodiles fully extend their jaws to swallow a victim, the creature's lacrimal ducts are squeezed, and excess lubricating tears are produced. Real crocodiles' tears are in fact meaningless in emotional terms. Metaphorical crocodile's tears are an emotional diversionary tactic, a kind of camouflage for the metaphorical teeth.
"Bite me," Naruto said, closing his eyes. He was soon fast asleep again.
But, there would be no peace. Nine Tails projected more images into the boy's dreams. In one such vision, a magnificent Nine-Tailed figure towered over the village of Konoha, protecting it from an ever growing number of enemies. He was a cause of destruction, but that damage could be done for the benefit of his friends. Perched on the demon's back, a proud young man pointed his fist at the sky. He could be the greatest leader that the village had ever seen. No, he would be the greatest leader that the world had ever seen.
That was only the beginning. With surprising deftness for a being of such power, the demon triggered the sleeping boy's memories of a particular fable, suitably altered:
A Slave once escaped from his master and fled to the forest. As he was wandering about there he came upon a Great Fox lying down, moaning and groaning. At first he turned to flee, but finding that the Fox did not pursue him, he turned back and went up to him. As he came near, the Fox put out his paw, which was all swollen and bleeding, and the Slave found that a huge thorn had got into it, and was causing all the pain. He pulled out the thorn and bound up the paw of the great beast, who was soon able to rise and lick his hand like a dog. Then the Fox took the Slave to his cave, and every day used to bring him meat from which to live. But shortly afterwards both the Slave and the Fox were captured. The slave was sentenced to be thrown to the great creature, after the latter had been kept without food for several days. The Emperor and all his Court came to see the spectacle, and the Slave was led out into the middle of the arena. Soon the Fox was let loose from his den, and rushed bounding and roaring towards his victim. But as soon as he came near to the Slave he recognized his friend, and fawned upon him, and licked his hands like a friendly dog. The Emperor, surprised at this, summoned the Slave, who told him the whole story. Whereupon the Slave was pardoned and freed, and the Fox let loose to his native forest.
Naruto sat up straight in bed. It wouldn't do him any good to begin feeling sympathy for Nine Tails. And, it would be better if he never even fantasized what it might be like to have something like Kyuubi at his beck and call.
"Nice try," he said out loud. Rubbing his tired eyes, he smiled. He had a suitable tale of his own"
"The Ass and the Fox, having entered into partnership together for their mutual protection, went out into the forest to hunt. They had not proceeded far when they met a Lion. The Fox, seeing imminent danger, approached the Lion and promised to contrive for him the capture of the Ass, if the Lion would pledge his word not to harm the Fox. Then, upon assuring the Ass that he would not be injured, the Fox led him to a deep pit and arranged that he should fall into it. The Lion, seeing that the Ass was secured, immediately clutched the Fox, and attacked the Ass at his leisure."
The moral was simple. Never trust your enemy.
NO MYSTERY WHO THE ASS IS.
Naruto smiled. He must have scored big time! "You've given me reason to think," he quipped. Kyubi stopped pestering him after that. Nevertheless, his dreams did not allow him a deep and soothing repast. He kept seeing Hinata. Hinata smiling. Hinata in danger.
Hinata undressing. "Urk!" He sat up again, awake. He had no business thinking about that!
Truth be told, there was very little naughtiness to his thoughts. But, it wasn't the frequency of such thoughts that mattered most. Rather, it was the timing. Naruto was no stranger to early morning erections. To him, 'waking up with wood' had long since become unworthy of notice. However, coming out of sleep in that condition had a noticeably different effect this time. He had been thinking about Hinata again.
At first, he lay in bed lazily, enjoying his moment. Then, he put two and two together.
"Damn that Kurenai!" Naruto quickly placed a pillow in his lap. "This must be her fault. Stupid lecture."
Still smarting from Naruto's earlier fable, Kyuubi took the opportunity to dig his figurative claws in. He conjured up an image of a naked Naruto, flames shooting forth from a certain part of his anatomy. An image of Hinata began to crystallize...
Naruto toppled slowly out of bed. "Damn Kurenai. Damn Kakashi. Damn Kyuubi."
Eventually, he managed to bring himself under control. But, not before he had caused a minor scene in the dormitory cafeteria. Bananas were a rare delicacy. The morning's sausages came from some of the finest animals in the Konoha district. The slender cooked yams had been roasted to perfection. Why then did a young ninja drop his tray and run out of the eating area, knocking over tables and a score of chairs during his mad dash?
When Naruto had regained his composure, he sat down on an empty bench near his old classrooms. He should head back to face Jiraiya, but had to see Tsunade first. She was apparently in the middle of a complex surgical case, and wouldn't be able to hold audience with him for a while. What should he do with his time?
His friends all had duties to perform. He wasn't even certain he wanted to see any of them yet, after the events of the night before. How could that mix-up have occurred? The same way that any of the crazy or messed up things in his life took place!
"It's never too early for noodles!" Naruto tried to pump himself up with no luck. Somehow he had lost his appetite. He looked around at his surroundings. If he wasn't hungry, he might as well make best use of his time here. Before he knew it, he was walking about, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of his old stomping grounds. He eventually found himself in one of the training fields. Standing in front of the monument there, he read down the list of names. He had long since come to understand just how many of those names were there because of Nine Tails.
His thoughts went back to the first test that Kakashi had given Team Seven. He scowled, remembering in particular 'One Thousand Years of Pain.' He smiled, remembering his teammates risking censure, just so they could share their food with him. Walking over to the great wooden posts, he stood near one, just as Hinata had on the day of the Chuunin Exam battles. Her words echoed in his head, causing him to smile. He had been even more clueless then than he was now. She had a crush on him at the time, and he had been totally oblivious. Those words had given him confidence at a time he really needed it. They had lifted his spirit at a time when he could have drowned in fear and doubt.
BUT SHE WASN'T NAKED THEN.
Kyuubi replayed one of Naruto's dream images. Naruto just smiled. He was not going to allow himself to get angry, or become swamped with guilt. There was no reason to give into embarrassment. Not at that moment. Not in thatplace. Besides, if any emotion was going to erode the pleasant memories he had, it would be sadness. He thought back to the early days of Team Seven. He wished that he could have done something to save Sousuke.
The sadness changed, transforming into anger. How could Sasuke have done that? How could a genius, someone who had everyone's respect, turn against his own village. He knew he shouldn't judge someone else, never knowing what kind of pain Sasuke may have gone through. But, he himself had lived through many difficult years, and he would die before betraying his friends. At times he felt such a great bitterness towards his old friend.
"Things change," Naruto said to no one in particular. It was true. Sometimes, good things got better. He smiled, thinking of Hinata. Sometimes good things got bad. He thought of Sasuke agin. He wondered if his teammate had gone bad because of what Orochimaru did in the Forest of Death, or had been poisoned by his thirst for vengeance.
With plenty of time to kill, Naruto retraced his steps over to the arena. He relived the memory of his contest with Neji. He recalled being awakened by Sakura, an A-class mission waiting for them. Shikamaru. Pakkun. Sasuke. The Sand siblings. Shukaku. Gama Bunta and his son. The images all marched by in a slow procession. It seemed like a dream now. He remembered hearing about the Third's death. That seemed like a nightmare. Even now, the memory brought a tear to one eye.
Itachi and Kisame wandered into his thoughts, casting a shadow on everything. They were joined by images of Orochimaru and Kabuto. Kimimaru stoped by as well. Finally, he remembered standing on top of a massive stone statue, shouting at Sasuke across a great divide. The two shinobi had fought. Naruto had lost. Because of that, he failed at the mission that had meant the most to him. Not only had he failed the Leaf, he had failed his friends. Sasuke in particular.
The nature of Sasuke's treachery meant little to him at the moment. As important as that truth was, it was a mere thorn in his paw. His own failure was what stung him the most.
Sure, his mental defense attorney had points in his favor. It had been amazing how fast he had grown in his abilities, just to be able to stand toe to toe with an Uchiha bearing a curse seal.
He was also well aware of just how much he had learned since that fateful day.
It just didn't feel like enough. Not even his Kyuubi-lent powers might be enough to take on the members of Akatsuki alone. Jiraiya had said that Naruto was never too far from someone who could help. There was only so much truth in that. He would be facing just such a situation on the way home, for all he knew. The enemies with their sights set on him were S-class criminals. Not only were they a formidable organization, each member was good enough to routinely escape capture and death. Who knows how many years they have been planning their actions?
The stay of execution was about up. Soon, they would be coming for him.
Sighing, he went to his favorite training tree. Running to the top, he looked all about him. Konoha and its people were well worth fighting for. How many other villages would have let him live, knowing what was inside him? If someone were to kill him, the fox would die. Wouldn't it? One quick slash of the knife, and Nine Tails would be a bad memory.
How could it be otherwise? If his death would allow the youma to go free, why hadn't they simply cut off his limbs and confined him to a cell somewhere? Otherwise, it wouldn't make any sense, their allowing him to go on dangerous missions as a ninja.
His thoughts grew morbid for a moment. Perhaps he should seek some jutsu that would allow him a quick and irrevocable death if he found himself in Akatsuki's clutches.
YOUR WILL TO LIVE IS TOO STRONG
'Yes.' Naruto realized the truth in that. Looking at the ground below, he wondered if he would be doing everyone a favor by jumping head first. Sure, those people who cared about him might mourn, but they would get over it. No. That wasn't his way. It was his instinct to take things head on alright, but not like that.
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Naruto listened.
He heard the characteristic call-to-business of the downtown vendors. That meant it was nearing lunch hour. His stomach rumbled, but he knew it was not time to eat. It was time to go see Tsunade.
When Naruto made his way to the Healing Center, he was told that Tsunade was still busy, but should be finished with her part of the process in a half hour or so. Shizune passed him in the hall, an exhausted look on her face. She told him to head over to Tsunade's office and wait there. She scribbled him a writ of permission for just that, then hurried on her way.
On his way out, Naruto caught sight of Sakura. She was a secondary assistant in what appeared to be a very difficult task. She looked so confident, different than the Sakura that he best remembered. Time was changing them all. Their carefree days had long since passed them by. He smiled. It happened to the best of them. If Sakura was anything like her teacher, she would be beautiful for many years to come.
"Shit." Naruto shook his head. He didn't like that line of thought. It might also mean that Sasuke would end up as Orochimaru. He frowned. It might also mean that Sousuke would end up as Orochimaru, if that bastard of a Sannin stole Sasuke's body. That wasn't the worst of it. He pictured himself many years older, hair hanging down his back,
peeping at girls through a telescope. No! This symbolism thing with the Frog, Slug, and Snake only went so far, right? Right!
When Naruto found himself sitting in the Hokage's study, he found himself eager to resume his training. He did not relish the fact that he wouldn't see Hinata for a while, but his time walking and thinking reminded him what lay ahead. He also found that he was feeling edgy, unable to sit still for very long. Even though he knew it was not permitted, he began wandering about the suite of rooms, pulling one object after another from off the shelves and out of cluttered cabinets.
Most of the stuff was boring information. Population census. Crop reports. Beautification projects. Minor treaties. Duty rosters. Weather predictions. And so forth and so on. He certainly didn't give a rat's ass about the number of deer with deciduous antlers versus those with permanent antlers. Only Shikamaru's family would get hard-ons over stuff like that!
One old book fell from the shelf when he was putting a different one back. It was yellowed, and the binding was coming loose. Curious, Naruto opened it up. It was the Third's personal log, from the days when he was a jounin. He had recorded personal thoughts, accomplishments, and aspirations. On one page, the words 'I will be Hokage' were circled. That had Naruto feeling a special kinship with the man. He missed him. A great deal.
The back cover of the book was splitting with age. There was something secreted inside it. Cool! It was a sequential listing of the skills that the Hokage had learned over the years. It didn't include his latest and greatest jutsus, but the last one on the list was rather remarkable. There was a detailed description of how to summon the Enma, the Demon Monkey King! Kyuchiyose Enkouou Enma. Naruto smiled. It might be best that he never met that creature. One of Jiraiya's favorite brands of Shochu carried the name 'Enma, Gate-Keeper of Hell.' It wouldn't do to blurt out that fact at the wrong time.
Still, he had to wonder. He had sworn contracts with a number of great toads. That wasn't an exclusive arrangement though, was it? Could he also make contact with the Demon Monkey King? Would that even be wise, considering some of the tales he had heard?
Well, it wouldn't hurt to just read it. Right?
Something tugged at the frayed corner of his memory. What was it. Oh yeh. Enma Daiou. That couldn't be the same Enma, could it? Enma Daiou was supposed to be the Judge of Souls and ruler of the Fifth and lowest layer of Hell, also known as Jigoku? No, that entity was supposed to sometimes take the form of a bull, or a man riding a bull. Not a monkey. In any case, his lack of knowledge might be a good indication to leave well enough alone.
Then again.
When Naruto was finished learning the exact requirements of the summoning, he put the book back just the way he had found it. He was excited. He wanted to learn more. But, there weren't too many scrolls with forbidden jutsus just laying around, were there? Wait. He only needed one. How could he ever forget that scroll!
Naruto thought back to the day of the genin exams. He had failed miserably. Iruka-sensei refused to let him pass. Later that day, he had been naively cozened by Mizuki to steal the Scroll of the Forbidden Seals. Curious, and eager to prove everyone wrong about him, he read from it. That had brought him the jounin-level skill that had served him so well. Kage Bunshin.
At the time, he didn't have the opportunity to read much more. What's more, the concepts had been too complicated for him at his current level of knowledge. What might happen if he read that same scroll now? Would Tsunade let him look at it? Doubtfull!
But, what if he just happened to come across it by accident? What if he read it by mistake? Who might it hurt if he learned another jutsu or two?
READING IS FUNDAMENTAL
Where the hell had Kyuubi stumbled across that one? And why in the world would a fox demon know what it meant? What's more, why did the stupid creature sound so eager?
Naruto swore a vile oath. The room was so huge, and it was unbelievably cluttered. "It wasn't like this when the Third stayed here!" He would have thought a woman Hokage would be neat or something. Damn! No matter. Where might that scroll be now? Could it be in the same place it was before? Why not look there first?
It was there. But, at first, Naruto hesitated to even touch it. Not only was it the wrong thing to do, he was suspicious of tricks. He wouldn't put it past the old lady to booby trap things. She was pretty sneaky.
IT IS TRIPLY WARDED. I WILL WALK YOU THROUGH THE STEPS NECESSARY TO DEFUSE IT. FEW COULD MANAGE THAT. YOU ARE FORTUNATE
Naruto's self doubt reached new heights. Could he trust Kyuubi? No doubt the damn demon was acting in its own best interests. What might happen if he was caught in the act?
"Shit! If I'm already in trouble..." Naruto used his abilities to create an illusion outside the room. Anyone who thought they were walking into the Hokage's chambers would actually be stepping into the janitor's closet. It wouldn't trick anybody for long, but a minute or two would be all that he needed to get the scroll back where it belonged.
Alright. He would do it. Now or never. He undid the scroll. "Hell. I didn't realize how long this actually is." There was so much to choose from. How will would he know what would be most useful?
I WOULD BE GLAD TO OFFER SUGGESTIONS
'Stuff it, bastard fox! I am not as stupid as most people think.'
The only reply was a fading series of bark-like laughs.
By sheer good fortune, one of the first sections he came across dealt with a skill that could prove quite useful. A jutsu that could help one learn other jutsus rapidly. Why was it banned? He read further. Oh. That's why. It was short-acting. Most people couldn't use it, and those who could were limited to one use. The most that anyone had ever used it was three times. That had been the Fourth. The technique carried with it great risk, with death and madness being only two of many possible bad outcomes.
IF I ADD MY PROTECTION, NOTHING BAD CAN HAPPEN TO YOU
Naruto swallowed hard. Kyuubi's statement had the ring of truth. He wouldn't want Naruto to die or go mad. But, what if the process somehow allowed the bastard fox to get free? No. Reading about a learning jutsu wouldn't do that. But, who knows what some of the other jutsus on the scroll might do? He would have to be careful in his choices, making certain that Nine Tails wasn't influencing him somehow.
Concentrating, he learned the necessary hand seal progression. He wouldn'y risk the learning jutsu on a whim… despite Kyuubi's assurances…unless he found something worth his while. Rolling the scroll out further, he found reference to Hakke Fuuin Shiki, Eight Divination Sealing Style. A sharp pain shot through his belly then. Nine Tails was upset. Very upset. That had been the technique that the Fourth had used to seal away the great beast.
'If anyone should be upset, shit head, it's me!'
There was a lot of information on placing great seals, odd-numbered, even-numbered, and null. There was also a sizeable amount of knowledge regarding the removal of seals.
For a moment, Naruto felt as if his head was about to explode. Kyuubi had made a tremendous attempt at taking over his senses, if only for the time needed to read one passage of great potential benefit to him. With great force of will, the young ninja asserted command of his own body.
"Guess I just can't take you anywhere, can I stupid fox?" naruto tried to smile, despite having a massive headache.
TIME IS ON MY SIDE, MORSEL.
Naruto's bravado could only go so far. One by one, beads of sweat fell on the scroll like an early morning rain. "I hope the damn thing doesn't run or stain!" He clenched his fists, but the paper was strangely dry. His heart beating ever so fast, as he resumed his reading. He held his breath. He had come across a concept that he had never heard about before. Half Seals. One way conduits of energy.
They had such great potential. The dangers were phenomenal. The cost was prohibitive.
To be able to tap a demon like a keg of beer, pouring out its power like a fine vintage ale. Amazing. But, it did no one good to become drunk on such a skill. It also drained away one's life. Not slowly like Tsunade's regeneration jutsu. Quickly, and irreversibly.
YOU WOULD PERISH. STUPID PATHETIC FOOL
Was the fox protesting too much? Maybe. There was record of the jutsu being performed on lesser demons. The use on greater youma and the like would use up one's life before the technique was even finished. Not good! Wait a minute. What if the demon were within the host, and had every reason to keep that body alive? There was no mention of anything like that. Naruto wasn't surprised. How man people were used as vessels to contain beings like Kyuubi?
FEW ARE SO FORTUNATE
Naruto did not feel unique or special at that moment. He took another deep breath. He had chosen to learn what he could about the Half Seals. It was much too involved for one short reading. That meant he had to make use of the learning jutsu. He did so, his hands shaking. Thoughts spun within his head, as if his mind was performing kaiten in that confined space. A reference came to mind. Tempest in a teapot. Now it made sense.
It felt as if his skull was expanding. Bigger. Bigger. Bigger. About to burst. It took great effort, but he raised his hands to his temples. Nothing actually felt over-sized.
"Hold on. I. Must. Hold. On."
Then, it was over. Naruto felt like he had to vomit, and draped himself over the nearest trash can. Fortunately, the feeling passed. He had survived. Checking, he found that he knew what he had intended to learn. Amazing. His greed began to build. He could learn more. No, he wasn't like that bastard Sasuke. It wouldn't be just for himself. He wouldn't be like Gaara once had been either, needing to prove his existence. If he learned more, he could use it to protect other people. The village. Hinata. Everyone he cared about.
Naruto read further. He stopped. Tears came to his eyes. Shikifuujin. Dead Demon Imprisonment. That jutsu had brought a lot of pain into his world. It was a variation of the Kuchiyose no Jutsu, but did not require a sacrifice of blood. That was not a good things. Shinigami, the god of death, is being that is summoned, and the minute he becomes manifest in this world, he takes the soul of the ninja who summoned him. In this manner, whether the ninja succeeds in battle or not, he or she will die. That's what had happened to Sandaime.
Naruto used the learning jutsu again, despite pressure he felt from Kyuubi. If he was taken captive by Akatsuki, this might be the only recourse he had left. He read over the particulars.
The ninja performs the hand seals snake, pig, ram, rabbit, dog, rat, bird, horse, and snake. After that Shinigami appears behind him with the soul already in his clutches. Only ninjas who have signed a contract with Shinigami can actually see him, though, unless their enemy is close enough to death that they will actually be able to see the god of death himself. While he is in this world, the god of death is under the temporary control of the summoning ninja. Using the commoner's body as a conduit, the god will wrap his beads around his arm and form the seals for the jutsu upon his hand and forearm, and then reach through the ninja and grab hold of the enemy's soul. The enemy must be firmly held down by the ninja, so that he cannot to break the seal early. At this point, it is the summoning ninja's responsibility to help tear the soul of their enemy from his body, despite the fact that the act of plunging his arm through the ninja's soul will physically damaged the ninja himself. If they run out of chakra at this point, they will die a useless death while their enemy is freed from Shinigami's grasp.
"Well, that would suck!" Naruto cursed. It would be just his luck to have something like that happen. But, it didn't really matter, if Shinigami would take his life quickly. He was more interested in removing Kyuubi's value to anyone than he was in taking down Itachi, Kisame, or some powerful bastard that he had never met.
However, with the use of Kage Bunshin no Jutsu the ninja can attack multiple enemies, having Shinigami steal their souls at the cost of the chakra used to create a shadow clone. The ninja will still die as payment to the god of death, but it is worth it to seal away two or more powerful enemies, so long as their stamina and chakra can endure. Of course, Shinigami is open to bargain, just as long as he gets a soul out of being summoned from his home.
Naruto scratched his head. The death god only took the arms of Orochimaru's soul, restricting his use of jutsu, at the direction of the Third. While no one had ever told him, we wondered if Yondaime had sealed Nine Tails in his belly in the same manner.
The use of this Kuchiyose creates a seal on the caster's body, which is why this technique is a Fuuinjutsu. The seal, which consists of eight parts in a circle around the caster's chest with a counter-clockwise spiral in the middle of them.
"Damn. That sounds a little like my seal!" Naruto put his hand on his abdomen. "Except that his seal consists of two four-part seals and a clockwise spiral."
The seal acts as a trap through which the captured soul can leak chakra. The eight-part seal binds the ninja's enemy's soul to their own, so that when Shinigami takes the caster's soul, he takes along any souls sealed to them with him. It is said that the ninja's soul and their enemy's soul will forever remain in the belly of Shinigami, never gaining release, and battling for eternity.
"Well, isn't that special." Naruto shivered. "At least I might get to see the Third again. I might even meet the Fourth." Somehow, that didn't make him feel any better.
I WOULD NEVER ALLOW YOU TO USE THAT. YOU MIGHT AS WELL FORGET ABOUT IT. YOU WOULD MERELY IMMOBILIZE YOURSELF, AT THE MERCY OF YOUR ENEMY
"Uh huh. Right.' Naruto smirked. That was a lot of words from the bastard fox. He sounded a touch worried, didn't he? Maybe it was just his imagination.
There was a sound. A small sound, but a significant one just the same.
Tsunade!
Tripping over himself, and wrapping the scroll around himself as he rolled, Naruto cursed. Fortunately, he could hear voices in the hallway. The Hokage had stopped to speak to someone.
He worked to undo his entanglement. Then, carefully, he smoothed out the scroll and rolled it up. When it was safely back in its holder, he dispelled the illusion he had cast. No reason for Tsunade to trigger that if it wasn't necessary. That would just make her suspicious. He cleared the room with one great leap, then quickly tossed himself in a chair, adopting disrespectful slovenly posture.
"Hah. Let her focus her attention on that!" Naruto tried to calm himself. If she noticed that something was out of place, Tsunade wouldn't give a damn about his rude posture. He might though. He didn't want to be buried looking like this.
The door handle jiggled. The door opened. Tsunade walked in, looking like death warmed over. She was obviously exhausted. Seeing a new stack of papers on her over-crowded desk, she put one hand to her forehead and swore. The oath could have peeled the paint from the walls. She turned to look at Naruto. The look on her face clearly said 'And you want to be Hokage?'
Naruto quickly sit up straighter. Her eyes were on him. Good. The only thing he could do was look suspicious. It was OK to seem worried, since coming here today was no picnic.
"Naruto. I'm glad to see you waited. I would have hated to send the ANBU after you." It didn't sound as if Tsunade were joking. "It's a good thing I don't need to add you to the list of S-class criminals."
Naruto swallowed hard. She was joking about that last part, right? Wasn't she! If she was, her sense of humor remained discomforting. That wasn't the only thing that had him on edge.
He couldn't prevent himself from glancing in the direction of the damn scroll.
If the Hokage noticed…
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The conversation lasted a little under forty minutes.
Tsunade had certain expectations for Naruto, and laid down the law in rather blunt and forceful fashion. After that, even if Kyubi somehow managed to break free of his body, the shaking young man was certain could face raging beast without fear.
The Fifth was a force of nature!
But, the Hokage was also genuinely fond of Naruto, and spent the second half of their talk focused on him. She was concerned about the life he was living, knowing that he had a lot of work to do, but wanting him to find time to have fun. She hoped that he would learn to appreciate something other than jutsus and training. Looking over at pictures of the loved ones she had lost, the she knew that she didn't want the young shinobi to waste the opportunities that life offered. His life had been tough enough. From the very beginning.
Naruto struggled with a growing sense of guilt. Part of him wanted to tell Tsunade what he had done; but, it was probably best if he did not. At least not now. He had done what he had done. Given the chance, he would do it again. But, it should be his burden, not hers.
After the Hokage gave Naruto a packet of messages for Jiraiya and the ANBU squads that she had sent to keep watch in that other village and surrounding glens, Naruto left when he saw Tsunade put her head down on her desk, close to falling asleep.
With the sun at his back, he left Konoha, feeling a great wave of nostalgia wash over him. He would be back again some day! He hoped to call it his home once more. But, for now, he had his own weight to carry. And his own penance to pay. Jiraiya would be certain to exact some kind of punishment.
Jiraiya.
Naruto stopped dead in his tracks, almost run down by a draft ox. Listening to the animal's driver shout and swear, the young ninja smiled, taking little notice of the farmer.
Yes, Jiraiya would be pissed. Who could say what would happen when Naruto got back. But, there might be a way to lessen the sting. Reaching into his carry bag, he took out his frog wallet. His sensei hadn't gotten his greedy mitts on that! If was pregnant with coin, ready to burst.
"Let's go shopping, froggie!"
Turning around, he ran at full speed back into the village, waving to the startled gate guards. People jumped out of his way. One woman shouted as her precious dog pulled free and ran away. Naruto smiled. Looked like there would be another D-class mission for the newest batch of genin.
The scooting pooch caused a heavily-burdened man to toppled over, the long slats of wood he was carrying side-swiping a large barely stable ladder. The carpenter grimaced as he watched the ladder fall. The young man who had been given the task of stringing the huge rope of festival lights grabbed onto the wire, swinging involuntarily out in to space, three stories above the ground. He crashed into one of the noodle shops.
"Oh no!"
Naruto ran to help. He wasn't needed. The noodles were safe. He smiled at the shop owner, who held up a bowl with a wink. Sighing, Naruto shocked the man by shaking his head. He had something to do. Arms pumping, he sped towards the business district of the village. Some of that pervert Sannin's favorite shops were there.
He spent every coin he had.
Smiling as he prepared to leave one flamboyant shop with a particularly gaudy paint job, Naruto threw a large bag over his back. It would be an uncomfortable weight to carry, but it would serve as good physical training. The impish boy had bought every girlie magazine he could get his hands on. Some were rather expensive. Others were remarkably exotic. Mission accomplished.
"Thanks!" he shouted in his ebullient fashion, running out the door, intent on hitting the road. He found himself falling, having tripped over someone. "Shit! What kind of idiot…" His angry protestation was cut short.
It was Hinata.
"Sorry, Naruto-kun." Hinata tried to untangle her limbs from Naruto.
"Hey you two, not out in the street. Geez!" It was Shikamaru, on his way somewhere. "What a bother!" Waving, he was soon out of view.
Hinata blushed. Naruto swallowed hard. Parts of her were pressing on parts of him. One of those parts threatened to respond in a striking physiologic manner. He quickly got to his feet, and then helped his girl friend to hers. "Hinata! I would have thought that you'd be off training. I wanted to say good bye again, but…" Naruto turned to face away from her. He did not want her to notice the sudden bulge in his trousers. Now, that was a bother!
"N-N-Naruto-kun... are you angry at me?" Hinata had misinterpreted his actions. He had been rather gruff when he ran into her. He had not spoken to her since she had left with Neji. "I'm sorry that everybody jumped to conclusions last night... I tried to..." She began twiddling her fingers furiously.
"Uhhh... it's OK, Hinata… I'm not angry with you at all!" Naruto took his scroll off the hangar and held it in front of him. That ought to hide things.
HOLD IT OUT STRAIGHT FROM YOUR LOWER BODY. THAT WILL IMPRESS THE FEMALE. A FEW BARKS MIGHT HELP TOO.
Naruto almost choked, picturing the image that the Nine Tails suggested he present to Hinata. He felt his face go warm. Egads! He couldn't help but stammer as he tried to reassure his girlfriend.
"Y-Y-You were brave last night, Hinata. I was very proud of you. I think that Tsunade and Neji were as well." Naruto tried to focus on the words he spoke, not his misbehaving appendage. Naruto was glad that he had not undergone a similar reaction during his talk with Kurenai.
Great. The talk. Why did he have to think about that now? Kyuubi chose that moment to replay those steamy dream images again. Naruto almost keeled over.
"Thank you, Naruto-kun." Hinata stepped closer to her beau, but stopped. She sighed. Naruto actually had little reason to worry. Her eyes hadn't left his face. "I... Kurenai-sensei... She.." She blushed again.
"WHAT?" Naruto fought to calm himself. "What did your sensei do?" He was worried that Kurenai had told Hinata about their talk. "Did she talk to you about... ummm..."
"Naruto-kun?" Hinata brought her hand up to her mouth. She rested her other hand on her weapons pouch. That had Naruto remembering Kurenai's forceful methods of instruction.
"What I mean to say... did Kurenai...you know… your sensei... mention that..." Naruto's throat tightened up. This was ridiculous. He was brazen enough to sneak a look at a forbidden scroll, but he had trouble talking to a girl. He coughed.
"Are you coming down with a cold, Naruto-kun? I have an ointment that might help." Hinata looked concerned.
"N-N-No... thanks, Hinata… you know me... Uzumaki Naruto... strong as an ox. Hah hah hah."
OXEN MAKE FINE EATING.
Naruto wondered if there was some way to wire a certain fox's mouth shut, mentally.
"Oh. I'm glad. I was trying to say that Kurenai-sensei allowed me to leave practice early today. I told her I wanted to try and find you. I wanted to give this to you in person." Hinata bowed her head and took something out of her pouch. It was a small scroll. "I will not need to send this by courier, now."
Naruto took the scroll and opened it, one eye on Hinata. Something had her very nervous. She was fidgeting more than he had seen in a long time.
"It's… well… it's an invitation, N-N-Naruto-kun." Indeed it was. Not just any invitation. In two weeks time, the Hyuugan clan was holding a special ceremony. An ages old tradition, it took place just after the 16th birthday of any girl in ruling family who was considered a worthy successor, whether or not she were the family member chosen for such a responsibility. "D-Do you think you could... I mean, would you want to..."
Naruto realized that Hinata was paying him a great honor. He was uncomfortable, but didn't want to disappoint her. "I could do that!" Damn, that sounded cold and pompous. "It would be great, Hinata. I've never been asked to something important like this before." He blushed. "Thank you." It was appropriate in a way, he thought. The ceremony meant that Hinata's father had changed his opinion of his eldest child. Naruto was partly responsible for that.
"Naruto-kun!" Hinata's face lit up. She brought both hands up to her mouth.
"But... uh... Hinata..." Naruto was concerned about one question in particular. "Does your father know that you invited me?" Hyuuga Hiyashi was very tradition-minded. It had caused great friction with Hinata, when she proved a disappointment to him before. And Naruto was not usually on the guest list for the oldest families of Konoha. What was secret to many people now, was all too well known by them.
"Ummm... ummm..." Hinata bit her lip. "N-No, Naruto-kun. But... he..." She took a deep breath. "Neji thinks this is a good idea. You helped us both..."
"OK. Great. I guess I better find a nice outfit before then." Naruto smiled and pointed to a store next to the one he had gone in. The window showed manikins dressed in bondage gear. "Something like that, maybe?"
"Naruto-kun!" Hianata's mouth fell open. Then her eyes narrowed.
"I was just kidding, Hinata. Sheesh!" Naruto put both hands behind his head and barked a laugh. 'Damn. I'm beginning to sound too much like that stupid fox!'
Hinata blushed, and then smiled timidly. She took a step closer to Naruto. They both stared at each other for a moment, before looking away. The memory of the night before was fresh in both their minds. "Naruto-kun? Did you have something to tell me about Kurenai-sensei? Ummm... was there something she was supposed to tell me?" Hinata took note of Naruto's immediate reaction. Was there something wrong?
"Well…" Naruto tried to look nonchalant. How was he going to get around this one? "It's not important really. It's kind of personal."
"I see. Ummm..." Hinata looked concerned. "Was it about me, Naruto-kun. Or something else?"
"No. Well, not really. Some, I mean. Yes it was, but nothing bad." Damn. He sounded like a babbling idiot. But, he didn't want to lie to Hinata. "It was mostly about me. Nothing to concern yourself about. She obviously didn't think it was something you needed to hear. It's always good to trust your sensei's judgment." Kakashi would have dropped his book, hearing that.
"OK, Naruto-kun." Hinata sounded like she was ready to let the subject go, even though there was still a worried look in her eyes. Naruto relaxed some. Finally, a bit of good fortune!
"Oh. There you are. I was so worried that I wouldn't get to see you again!" It was a woman's voice. A buxom young woman ran in their direction. Her appearance had Naruto ready to spurt blood and Hinata ready to breath fire. The store attendant's clothing was obviously designed to garnish business, not support or contain her ample anatomy. It hadn't been so shocking when she stood behind the high counter in the shop. "I couldn't let you leave yet…"
Naruto closed his eyes. He bit his tongue. It was the sales clerk from the adult literature shop. Of course. Just his luck.
Hinata watched as the young woman stopped in front of Naruto, still bouncing. Her hands began curling into claws. If someone who didn't know the two of them were to guess, they would say that the Nine Tails was in the white-eyed girl's belly.
"Hey. It's OK. Whatever it is. Hah hah hah." Naruto hoped that the woman wouldn't say something that would get him in any deeper shit.
"No, it's not. With all the money you spent with me, how could I let you leave without getting all you paid for!" The woman tossed her hair. "I wouldn't want my best new customer to be unhappy!" The woman's anatomy continued to defy gravity.
"C-C-Customer?" Hinata's eyes narrowed. She looked at the woman. She looked at Naruto. She looked at the clerk's scanty clothing. She looked at Naruto's face. Where... were... his... Eyes… looking? And just what had that shameless girl done for him earlier?
"Hey... Hianta... you see..." Naruto looked at Hinata. His eyes were drawn back to the older woman in front of him, as if by magnetism. He blinked rapidly, and then looked back at Hinata. She was showing her teeth. He had never seen that before.
SHE MIGHT DO AFTER ALL.
"Here you go, sir. Please, come again!" The girl held out a thin paper bag, discretely covering a magazine he had purchased. She had forgotten to add it to the others.
Naruto quickly reached for the package, intending to put it with the large bag with the others.
Bag?
He had been so busy worrying about Hinata earlier, he hadn't realized that he had dropped the bag.
"Oh, let me help you with them!" The girl bent over. Naruto clamped his hand hard over his nose. The clerk had noticed the same thing that he did. The magazines had slid out of the larger bag, and were spread all over the ground. Their covers were all rather dramatic, so to speak.
"N-N-N…" Hinata's eyes were bulging. She tried to look away, but couldn't. Her face went from pale... to pink... to red... to vibrant scarlet.
Rushing to pick up the magazines, Naruto tripped and began to fall. The sales clerk caught him. More accurately, she cushioned his fall with a rather soft part of her body. Hinata began her preparations for kaiten. She stopped when Naruto took her hands.
"It was an accident, Hinata. And the magazines are for my teacher, not for me!" Naruto bowed his head. "I'm so sorry!" Hinata just stood there, glaring. After all the trouble I caused yesterday, I thought these might distract Jiraiya some." Naruto looked truly sorrowful. His girlfriend's face softened.
"Oooooooh. Are you talking about the legendary Jiraiya. I'm a big fan of his books." The store clerk looked practically giddy. "When we drank together once, I asked if he knew how to do tattoos. He learned how on me. Want to see?"
Before Naruto could say 'no' or cover his eyes, the ditsy young woman dropped her trousers. Hinata froze. She began to rock back and forth, like an object teetering on a jostled shelf. At that exact moment, Kiba happened to run by, followed by Akamaru. He slid to a halt and did a double take. "Naruto! What are you up to now?" It was his turn to freeze. "Hinata?"
Hinata snapped out of it. She wished that she hadn't. "K-K-Kiba-kun?" She was as white as a sheet.
Seeing his friends, Shikamaru walked over, heading back from his quick errand. "Kiba! Hey… Naruto... Hinata... you two still here? Now what." His jaw fell open. "Oh my. Troublesome does not begin to describe it." The store clerk blushed and ran back inside, her duty done. Everyone now stared at the magazines that had yet to be picked up.
"Shikamaru. What's taking you so long. It's time to eat!" It was Choji. Walking up, the rotund young ninja didn't seem taken aback in any fashion. "Naruto. Hinata. You use this store too?" Everyone stood stunned. Choji paid no attention to the magazines.
"Ch-Ch-Choji..." It was Kiba's turn to stammer.
"Yes. They have food. They carry the best chips in Konoha." Choji ran into the store to make a purchase.
"Wait until Kurenai-sensei hears about this." Kiba shook his head, smiling. "Naruto, you surprise me more and more."
"Tell me about it." Shikamaru looked back down at the magazines.
"Hey, what's going on guys?" It was Ino, along with Ten Ten and Sakura. Each was carrying bags of groceries. Hinata sat down hard on the ground.
"Naruto! You pig!" Sakura had obviously seen the magazines. The girls all started scolding Naruto. The guys all felt obliged to add their opinions as well.
WHAT FOOL THESE MORTALS BE.
The clammor grew louder and louder. The girls were all shaking their fingers at naruto. The guys kept staring at the magazines. Hinata looked like she was ready to pass out. Naruto was growing red in the face.
"SHUT... THE... HELL... UP... EVERYBODY…" Naruto's voice was so loud, that everyone felt compelled to cover their ears. People in some of the shops ran outside to see what was going on.
"Shikamura. I want you to do me a favor." Naruto spoke calmly now.
"Favor? That sounds annoying." Shikamaru shook his head, his ears still ringing..
"If you do it, I won't tell Temari what I heard you say the other day." Naruto smiled a big smile.
Shikamaru blushed. At the mention of Temari's name, Ino grew beet red. From what Naruto had heard, his friend the chuunin had yet to decide between the two women chasing after his favor.
"Shik… a… maru…" Ino began trembling with rage. That had Sakura smiling like she had just won the lottery. She blew Naruto a platonic kiss. That had Hinata frowning.
"As a bonus, I'll stay quiet now, too!" Naruto sounded pleased with himself. He knew that he had his buddy over a barrel.
"OK. What is it?" Shikamaru sighed.
"Shadow bind," Naruto answered. "All of them." His look took in each and every one of his friends. "Until I finish talking."
Shikamaru nodded, and did as he was requested. Everyone protested at once, but stopped when they saw the look on Naruto's face. The look, and the globe of fire that he bounced in one hand.
When he had everyone's attention, Naruto made the fire vanish. "I'm not about to get in trouble for another misunderstanding." He squared his shoulders and stuck out his lower lip. "And I am not about to have Hinata's reputation unfairly hurt!" It was his eyes that burned now.
Everyone swallowed, and then listened politely. Naruto went on to explain the recent comedy of errors. As he did so, Hinata felt very grateful. She decided to help Naruto by picking up the last of the magazines for him. It made her hands shake, but she would do it for her special person.
Hearing Naruto's plight, Kiba laughed so hard, he nearly ran out of breath. Even Akamaru made snickering noises. Sakura and Ten Ten turned looks of sympathy on Hinata. Ino was still glaring at Shikamura, who was busy watching the clouds go by. Choji passed out snacks. There were none left for the newest arrival.
"Kiba. There you are. Good, Hinata's here too!" It was Kurenai. She had Shino in tow. "We just got word of an emergency mission. You need to gather... your... gear... and..." Her voice ran down. She had seen what Hinata was holding.
Naruto followed her gaze. His shut his eyes. His shoulders slumped.
"Hyuuga Hinata!" Kurenai's voice startled everybody in a ten meter radius. "Just what do you think you are doing?" Hinata looked confused, then looked down at the things she still carried. She dropped the magazines. "And Naruto..." Kurenai took out a brace of kunai, holding four in each hand. "I guess our little talk didn't do much good..."
"T-T-Talk?" Hinata's head snapped up. "Kurenai-sensei?"
It was Naruto's turn to collapse to the ground. Why did this keep happening to him? As part of the favor, Shikamura bound Kurenai until Naruto had the opportunity to repeat his story.
"I knew Jiraiya would get you in trouble, one way or another." Kurenai said. She then turned her attention to Hinata. "Just what do you see in Naruto?" There was an obvious touch of humor in her voice, not condemnation.
Hinata surprised both her teacher and Naruto. After she had gotten home, she had read from a book of fables hermother used to read her. It made her feel closer to Naruto somehow. One of those stories was perfect:
"A Cock, scratching for food for himself and his hens, found a precious stone and exclaimed: 'If your owner had found thee, and not I, he would have taken thee up, and have set thee in thy first estate; but I have found thee for no purpose. I would rather have one barleycorn than all the jewels in the world'."
Hinata looked fondly at Naruto when she told that tale. She would take him over any jewel in the world. Any jewel, and any other man that she knew.
Kurenai smiled. Ino, Ten Ten, and Sakura looked like they were about to swoon. Shikamura put his finger in his mouth, like he wanted to gag. Choji finished off the last of the snacks.
"A cock, huh?" Kiba started laughing, looking in the direction of the adult book store. He put undue emphasis on the second word. Something had obviously tickled his fancy.
That fact did not escape Kurenai. It also did not please her. Not one bit. "Kiba, when we get back from the mission, there is a talk we need to have." She winked at Naruto. A kunai spun on one of her fingers.
"Talk?" It was Hinata who spoke. She looked at her sensei, then at Naruto. What was all this talk about talks?
"Well guys, I'm late as it is. Gotta get going. Bye!" Naruto took off running.