Naruto felt very tense.
One mistake now, and his whole life would be ruined. If the demon fox wanted to stick it to him good, the opportunity was right under its nose. Literally.
He watched through Kyuubi's eyes as Hinata strolled in the direction of Nine Tail's huge mouth. He could have cut the tension with a kunei. If he had his own hands, they'd be clasped tightly while he whispered every prayer he could think of.
'If you even open your mouth, there will be fox cojones on the menu!'
Nine Tail's response was quick in coming. There was an obvious sense of restrained humor, but underneath that there were undercurrents of hunger and resentment. If Naruto's control had not improved to its current level, nothing could have stopped the fox demon from doing the thing that he knew would cause the boy the most pain, even though he might need his help later on..
YOUR JEALOSY IS UNBECOMING. WE CAN'T ALL BE HUGE.
Naruto didn't take the bait. As long as Nine Tails was joking, there was less likelihood that he would try to exert control. Hinata ought to be safe. But, that didn't mean he was going to relax his control one iota!
Hinata.
She looked even smaller and more petite from this perspective. Moving one eye to look at her, Naruto noticed that she began to walk faster, but soon forced herself to slow down.
She must be frightened. But, she didn't let that stop her. Doubtless, she had figured out that he was in control. That didn't matter, other than to show she was clever. Her show of courage was admirable. He felt a sense of pride growing within him. That, and something he wasn't ready to put a name to yet.
'That's my girlfriend.'
YOU WANT A MEDAL? DON'T LOOK AT ME
Naruto's mental presence sputtered.
The more the great beast pulled from his phrases and vocabulary, and the more talkative the flea bag became, the more points it scored. He could only imagine what that meant for the future. If the two of them would have a future.
Hinata kept on walking. Naruto drank in every aspect of her. It was as if he hadn't seen her for nearly three years again. She was limping slightly, favoring one leg. Her opposite arm wasn't swinging much when she walked. Someone had hurt her! Was it soldiers in battle? Or had those Akatsuki bastards tortured her? He suddenly felt the urge to grow claws and fangs, then hunt down anyone who had hurt her.
'Oh'.
He already had claws and fangs.
DUH
In any case, it was best that Kyuubi stay still. No doubt any offending soldier was dead by Nine Tail's action, if Hinata and the others hadn't handled them during their fight.
As for Akatsuki, he had take two himself, and the fox demon had taken down two more,
including that insufferable leader.
DO NOT REMIND ME. THE TASTE STILL ISN'T GONE
Naruto gave a mental sigh.
Kyuubi seemed to have something in common with him. They both had a lot of memories based on things they had eaten. For him, it was a transcendental bowel of noodles or the perfect squid on a stick. For the demon…
His attention went back to Hinata. Her coat was torn. There was blood on the side of her face. But, she still had that shy half-smile. How had people overlooked her for so many years? Would Sakura ever do what Hinata was doing? Ten Ten? Ino? He doubted it. They were brave enough in their own way, and would rush into battle where necessary. But to walk up to Kyuubi, the demon that featured in so many of the older generations tales and nightmare's? That took sheer guts!
Or something he wasn't ready to put a name to yet. That realization had Naruto feeling uncomfortable and amazed at the same time. Some people used to joke about her being a stalker once, when they even bothered to notice her actions. But, she was something much more than that.
SHE CHOSE YOU. THAT SUGGESTS SHE IS VERY ILL. THE LARGER WOMAN IS A PHYSICIAN. PERHAPS THERE IS A CURE
Kyuubi's words were timely in a sense. Naruto heard Tsunade's voice call out. "Hinata, what are you doing?"
'Damn.'
If the Hokage was worried about Hinata's safety, then she must considered Nine Tails to be a danger. That could have bad consequences. What should he do?
"Get out of the way. There is no telling what that monster will do!" That was his sensei. Stupid perverted old hermit. Things were not going well. So, of course, to top it off, he just had to hear Hyuuga Hiashi's voice.
"Daughter, move aside. There is nothing you can do. I didn't come all this way to save you, just to watch you die."
Holding her hands in front of her eyes and nose, Hinata marched towards them. Naruto could see that Kyuubi's gentle breathing was like storm winds. His girlfriend was in danger of being hurled away against the rocks. That, or being sucked into some moist and dark oblivion. Step by step she pushed against the unyielding rocks, leaning forward during exhalation, and fighting to keep her balance during inhalation. Closer and closer she came to the front of the jaws. If she had guessed wrong, she could be gone in the wink of an eye.
'Hey, bastard fox. Breathe easier.'
WONDER WHAT MIGHT HAPPEN IF I SNORTED OR SNEEZED
Naruto pictured Hinata heading over the top of the mountain. At first he felt a twinge of fear, then he began to feel sheepish and angry. Nine Tails chuckled. The damn fox was probably keeping score!
"Naruto-kun?" He couldn't see her. She must be right in front of the nose. She was! Her hand was there. He could feel it, ever so faintly.
SHE IS TOUCHING ME. UNFORGIVABLE. I WILL CONSUME HER
'Give it a rest already. I'm already worried about her. She's going to have to scrub that hand with a whole damn bar of soap!'
A low rumbling noise was heard. Hinata might interpret that as a purr or positive response. But, it was Kyubi's response to Naruto's comment.
I DO NOT PURR. INSECT. ANIMAL DROPPINGS
"Naruto-kun. If that's you, close your left eye." Hinta walked back far enough so that Naruto had sight of her again.
He took control of the eye and blinked. Hinata was clever all right.
"Naruto-kun…" Hinata dropped out of view again, but he could tell that she had wrapped her arms around Kyuubi's nose as much as she could. She stroked it. Naruto would have blushed, if he could. She must care even more deeply for him that he had imagined. He wasn't sure he was ready for that. He didn't deserve that kind of adoration. He felt another feeling raise its ugly head. He was surprised to find that he was jealous. In reality, Hinata was stroking Kyubi, not him.
I HAVE THAT EFFECT ON FEMALES. IT'S A CURSE. PITY ME
Naruto actually laughed mentally. Then, he grew thoughtful for a moment. Was Kyuubi lonely? Not just during his sixteen years of imprisonment, but before that?
How many planes of existence did he have access to? Were there others of his kind somewhere? His memories certainly suggested there had been.
'Hmmm'.
What was he doing worrying about the demon? He had to be careful. It wasn't some huge pet. It was a perilous trap, feeling sympathy for a creature that would never care in return. He stiffened his resolve. It was easy. That description fit the townspeople of Konoha.
"Hinata! What in the name of all that is sacred are you doing?" That was Hyuuga Hiashi. "Get back, immediately."
"Yes, that would be wise." Tsunade stood, hands on her hips.
"My idiot apprentice seems to be rubbing off on you." Jiraiya laughed, but there was a sense of tension just the same. "It's just a figure of speech. And they think I have a dirty mind! Geez…." Hinata's father must have reacted to the 'rubbing off' part.
'Uhhh.' It was best that he didn't follow that train of thought.
"No," she said. "I will not move. I will not allow you to hurt Naruto-kun. Not now. Not ever." Hinata sounded adamant. He had never heard that tone of voice before. Wow.
SHE HAS COURAGE. YOU MAY HAVE CHOSEN WELL. SHE IS TOO GOOD FOR YOU.
Naruto agreed with Kyuubi. On all counts, Hinata had great potential. He was just a trouble maker, a nuisance, and an irritant. No, he was a target.
"Daughter!" It sounded as if Hinata's father was about to explode. He could imagine how the rigid honor-bound man must be feeling. His daughter was defying him. Not only that, she was siding with a demon that had reaked such havoc on the clan. He wondered what Hinata was thinking. Was this her way of making a statement, after what her father had done at her coming of age ceremony?
"So, my guess was correct. You shouldn't have made that bet, Tsunade!" Ero-sennin walked over and put his own hand on Kyuubi's snout. "But, I suppose we should confirm this once and for all." He stepped back, looking up at Nine Tails' eye. Naruto narrowed that eye, trying to make out the expression on his master's face. "If you're in control of that damn beast, let us know, you worthless young fool!"
'Heh heh heh.' Naruto felt a strong urge for some mischief. It would serve that old purse theif well.
Kyuubi's mouth opened. The giant tongue lashed out, licking the old hermit in a great raspy stroke. The shocked shinobi was lifted a full twenty feet in the air, and then dropped hard on his kiester. He was coated by a thick layer of tenacious saliva.
"That would be Naruto, alright." Tsunade said.
"Two problems, then." Hiashi's voice was harsh.
I REMEMBER THE HYUUGAS. THEY HAD A FUNNY TASTE. MUST BE THE ARROGANCE. ALMOST LIKE EATING MY OWN KIND.
Naruto was grateful that he was the only one capable of hearing Kyubi's commentary.
"Yes, but not the way you mean." Tsunade's voice carried a touch of disapproval.
For who? Him? Hiashi? Probably both of them.
"Indeed. I won't say that I am extremely proud of my pupil…" Jiraiya's tone of voice said just the opposite. "But, you were in the cavern. I remember you being close to death before that thing over there saved your life. You should take a moment to think who was in control of the beast. You should realize just what choice he was faced with, especially after the way he was treated by a certain clan chief." Hinata's father didn't reply. After a few moments, Jiraiya continued. "You should also remember why he came here, essentially against orders." Jiraiya's implication was quite clear. Naruto had come to save Hinata.
This time Hiashi did speak, grabbing hold of the last part of the Legendary Sannin's remark. "That is exactly what I'm talking about. The boy is reckless. He has been poorly raised, having no parents. We all remember his earlier antics. They were shameful then, but could be dangerous now. Especially with that beast under his control."
"It is not his fault that he has no parents." That was Kakashi-sensei! "He was the second sacrifice. The Fourth gave his life for Konoha. The boy has done the same, but in a different way. He was never given a chance to refuse that burden. Too many people act to make that burden heavier, when we should all be acting to make it lighter."
"But…." Hiashi scowled, seemingly annoyed that a mere jounin would speak to him that way, whether or not he had a good point.
"Sarutobi was a great man," Kakashi continued. "He taught Jiraiya and the Hokage, who are also a credit to Konoha. Jiraiya taught Yondaime, another man of legendary proportion. He in turn taught me, and I have done my best to serve the village. All the attitude and loyalty that had been passed on to me, I passed on to that boy you speak of. Jiraiya has since done the same."
"We have had this talk before, Hiashi. Now is notthe time for this. You know my respect for that young man." Tsunade said. "I would not be surprised if he indeed was Hokage some day."
"I do not wish to hear Uzumaki Naruto disparaged." That voice was weary, but intense. "Not by anyone."
Naruto turned Kyubi's head slightly, knocking Jiraiya out of the way in the process.
It was Gaara! He was being supported by Temari and Kankurou.
Sand began seeping to the surface of the rocky hillside. It surrounded Gaara. Small whisps of sand were also swirling around Hiashi's feet.
"Uzumaki Naruto has true courage. He cares for those precious to him. Those people are very fortunate to have such a friend. Those who open their hearts to his words often have miraculous results. Hyuuga Neji should be more than enough proof of that." Gaara put a hand to his head, but easily managed to control his temper. "I am proof as well."
"Yeh. I made the mistake of thinking he was an idiot once. It was an easy mistake to make…." Kankurou stepped up, giving sideways glances to Kyuubi's hulking form.
Naruto had the demon snort, nearly knocking the Sand ninja to the ground.
"Well it was!" Kanakurou managed a crooked smile. "It is a mistake that many people seem to make. That's a shame, considering what he has accomplished. My brother is correct. And, he is my brother now, not just my sibling. We owe that to Uzumaki Naruto."
"The same goes for me." Temari looked uncomfortable, speaking to a clan leader in this fashion. "I am not the easiest person to get along with. I am very critical of people, and it takes me a while to accept them, faults and all. Naruto may have more faults then anyone I have ever met…."
There was another snort. The skirt portion of Temari's robe was blown upward. Jiraiya's chuckling could be heard, until Tsunade punched him in the gut.
"Like I said…" Temari was blushing. She struck out at a laughing Kankurou, but he had wisely kept out of range. "He may have a lot of faults, but at least most of his mistakes come from trying. It's easy to just sit back, or to follow someone else's choices. I know that from personal experience." The girl shook her hair, not wanting to think about her younger life. "But for all his mistakes and personality quirks…"
Kyuubi snorted again. This time it was the demon's doing. He was bored by the talk, already. A little mischief might spice things up. Temari's skirt did its thing again. Jiraiya caught Tsunade's fist. Hinata looked up at Nine Tail's eyes, a look of disapproval on her face.
'It wasn't me!'
Naruto wondered when that bill would come due.
Temari clenched her fists. She unfolded her fan. Not caring if she might be risking death, she walked over and hit Kyubi hard on the snout.
I'M GOING TO…
'You're going to stay still and shut up, hair ball! You got what you deserved!'
"What my irritable and easily distracted sister was trying to say…" Kankurou ducked behind Gaara. "…Was that despite his flaws, Naruto is one of the finest people we know. It may not be easy getting past his personality…." Kankurou ducked down some more, when the demon's eye turned in his direction. "But, it is well worth the effort."
Temari nodded.
Hiashi looked rather annoyed, as if he felt he was being talked down to. He must consider it a stain on his honor, being spoken in this manner by the Hokage, and in front of her official personage.
Hearing the next voice, Naruto was shocked. Judging by the look on everyone else's faces, they were too.
"He may be a dumb ass… but he is often right, in the long run…."
It was Sasuke.
Tsuande's face was unreadable. Jiraiya had a wary expression, his hands poised to work a seal. Kakashi exposed his sharingan eye, a look of uncharacteristic hope on his visible face. The Sand siblings stood close to one another, their posture rigid. Hinata put her hand to her mouth.
SHOULD I PISS ON HIM NOW?
Naruto was too stunned to answer. What was Sasuke doing here? He must have escaped Orochimaru. But why had he walked into the Lion's den. As worn down as he looked, he couldn't possibly escape Tsuande and the others.
"I have made my mistakes, too. That is common knowledge. No doubt I have figured in many a meeting of the elders. I may have been cursed by most people in my home village." Sasuke threw off his Sound forehead protector. "I knew what I did was wrong. I didn't care. No one could make me change my mind, not even Naruto, who risked his life for the village, and for friendship…"
Kakashi walked over to stand next to the dark-haired and bloody ninja.
"But…" Sasuke grimaced, finding the admission difficult. "He saved me again today, even though it placed everything at risk. That was stupid. It was just like him. But he succeeded, where no one else would have." That had him scowling. It was still hard to think of the power Naruto had at his disposal. "And… maybe too late… he helped me see…." He faltered. It looked as if he were ready to collapse. Kakashi put a hand on his arm and squeezed.
Naruto waited anxiously. Was Sasuke going to say he had given up on his damn obsessive goal to kill Itachi? Was that even possible for him?
"What is it you are trying to tell us?" Tsunade asked. Her 'us' had a dual meaning. She was referring to the group of assembled ninjas, but she also meant 'us' in the manner of queens and Hokages.
"There can be no…." Hiashi's comment was halted when the Hokage raised her hand.
"I know what I did was wrong. I have many crimes to answer for, not the least of which was becoming a missing ninja." Sasuke hung his head. "I am willing to face my punishment. It is the right thing to do. As some big idiot once said, it is his Ninja Way." Sasuke looked up at the fox demon.
'I wish Sakura-chan was here to see this!'
Naruto was rubbing his mental hands together.
WHY? WOULD SHE TASTE GOOD? YOU WOULD DO THAT FOR ME?
Naruto ignored Kyuubi. Sasuke was speaking again.
"All I could think about was killing my brother. I couldn't forget what he had done, and what that had cost me. I think many of you have heard me say I was an avenger. I also wanted his approval, if not his acceptance." Sasuke looked over at Kakashi, remembering what he had told the jounin on the day that Team Seven first met their teacher. "Becoming stronger was all that mattered. Even to the point that…." The young ninja stopped a moment, as if he couldn't believe some of the choices he made. "Even to the point of indenturing myself to the man I knew was planning to take over my body. I was arrogant enough to think that I could grow stronger, and avoid that end."
Naruto imaged how pissed off Orochimaru must be, if that scaly son of a bitchsomehow managed to escape. And, f that scum bag was watching, he must have shat in his pants seeing Sasuke walk up to granny Tsunade. Righteous!
That brought up a big question. Did that jerk survive? Who else did? What kind of threat was Akatsuki to him now? He swallowed mentally. Itachi. Where was Sasuke's brother? And what did he have in mind
"But, I finally managed to see things from a different angle, when I was busy fighting my brother and Naruto was fighting to save everybody." Sasuke sounded dejected, wallowing in a tremendous swamp of guilt. He almost felt as if his life had no purpose, and that was devastating now. "That monster was coming to this world, and I did nothing to try and stop it. My priorities…."
Tsunade's look was grim, but there was a glimmer of sympathy and understanding in her eyes. Kakashi covered up his eye again. Naruto was happy that some good might come out of the whole mess. But, he turned one eye to Hiashi again. That man would be a tough nut to crack. But, nothing is impossible for Uzumaki Naruto.
EXCEPT SHUTTING UP
'Oh? It's not easy having a voice talking inside you head, is it dirt ball! Nyah Nyah.'
Sasuke couldn't continue. He merely sat down hard, a blank look on his face.
"Yet another problem," Hiashi said with a fierce voice. "This one's fate should be clear." Hinata's father glared at Sasuke. Then he looked up at Kyuubi. "The other decision should be straightforward as well. The good of Konoha should always come first!"
"I agree. As Hokage, it is my job to decide what is best for the village. You have a great responsibility, Hyuuga Hiashi; but, do not forget the weight that the Hokage carries. Do not place yourself too high. The fact that your clan exists at all rests on the selfless act of Yondaime. It was his decision to place the demon inside the boy. If the Fourth were standing here alive now, what would you say to him?"
Hinata's father looked as if he had been dealt a physical blow. The truth of that statement was unavoidable. The censure in Tsunade's voice was a near palpable thing. Naruto had Kyuubi turn an eye on Hinata again. He wondered how she was taking all this.
A look of determination came to her face. She was fidgeting with her fingers, but stopped to clench her fists. She looked up at the demon's eye again.
'Hinata!'
Naruto had the youma wink again.
CEASE THAT. I DO NOT WINK. IT IS BENEATH MY DIGNITY
'You were whining like a puppy in the cave. You were about to wet yourself when you saw that damn ball. You were bragging how huge you are. Now is not the time to talk about dignity.'
Hinata's next action surprised Naruto. It shocked everybody else. She twiddled her fingers again, looked up at Kyuubi, then down at her shoes. Straightening her shoulders and biting her lip, she walked over to Nine Tail's paw. She rubbed it gently, then stepped back, as if worried she would be punished for her act.
"Hinata! Come back over here." It was Hiashi's voice. "Please." There was a sense of urgency in that last word.
Hinata hesitated. Then, wiping some dried blood off of her face, moved the Leaf forehead protector at her neck a bit, and climbed up on the paw.
WHAT IS SHE DOING? THIS WILL NOT BE TOLERATED!
'Wrong! Now, who was the one that claimed to be such a ladies man?'
Kyuubi fought Naruto, but lost. Hinata kept climbing. It couldn't be easy, but she didn't give up. At one point, she slid back down the demon's forearm, landing hard on her back, head resting on the great forefoot.
"Hyuuga Hinata! That is hardly a dignified position!" Hiashi sounded perturbed. "Enough. Come here!"
"Naruto-kun…"
Kyubi's great ears were remarkable. Naruto actually heard Hinata's voice. It had him smiling mentally. Her determination was remarkable.
She climbed back on again. Bit by bit she made her way to the head, almost falling off the Kyuubi's ruff. She took a brief rest at the withers, amazed at the panoply of sights from that height. Naruto could no longer see her, and Kyubi barely felt her weight.
'See, that doesn't hurt, old fox!'
THAT'S NOT THE POINT
When Hinata stood just above one ear, Naruto saw his master wave his arms to get her attention. "Hey, how's the view up there?" The great man was actually smiling.
Naruto saw Temari give Hinata a big thumb's up. Kankouro slapped his forehead, but smiled. Gaara grinned. That had Kankouro elbowing his sister and pointing at their sib. Kakashi saluted her with his book.
Hyuuga Hiashi's look was not so sanguine. That was probably the reason that Naruto felt Hinata duck behind Kyuubi's ear. That tickled.
Standing there, Hinata was prompted by some thought or emotion. She began rubbing that ear.
HMMMM. THAT MIGHT NOT BE SO BAD. IN THEORY
'Hah!'
Naruto couldn't believe what he had just heard. That remark came from Kyuubi, the great scourge of Konoha, an eons old demon?
'Hey. Move your hind leg. I've seen dogs do that when they get scratched.'
Ooops. He had mentioned 'dog' again. Naruto held his breath, ready to use all his will to stop Nine Tails from doing something spiteful. Nothing happened.
'You actually like it….'
NO
'Yes, you do. You big softie.'
I SAID 'NO', INSECT.
'Sure. Sure. I hear you…'
IT IS A MARK OF MY CLEVERNESS. IF I ALLOW THIS, THE POWERFUL ONES WILL NO LONGER SEE US AS A THREAT. MY BRILLIANCE SHOULD HUMBLE YOU.
'That's a lot of words at one time, hairball.' Naruto coughed a mental cough. That cough sounded a lot like the word 'liar.'
Tsunade stepped over directly under one of the demon's eyes. She looked as if she was fighting a smile. "We have things to discuss here. Not the least of which is determining how to reverse things."
IT WOULD ONLY TAKE ONE BITE
"Why don't you go out for a run or something. Stay away from the new troops, as they would get the wrong impression. Come back when the sun begins to set." The Hokage waved her arm.
NEVER MIND
Hiashi spoke up with loud objections, but everyone else was nodding, whistling, or calling out words of encouragement to Hinata.
The nine-tailed youma stood up. He stepped perilously close to Hiashi, his great tongue protruding. Slobber just barely missed the Hyuuga clan leader.
'You missed.'
THAT WAS THE POINT. KNOWING THAT SOMETHING CAN HAPPEN OFTEN HAS A GREAT EFFECT
Great muscles bunched. Naruto remembered how swiftly the giant fox had run before. He was worried about Hinata's dafety.
'Hey. Don't go rocketing off or anything. Hinata's still standing up there! She could fall off, you big lummox!'
SHE IS SEATED. PAY ATTENTION. BE AMAZED
Kyuubi had incredible body control in a manner that Naruto ever would have suspected.
A number of hairs on the demon's head extended across Hinata's laps and legs, forming a secure cocoon without causing her any discomfort.
'Incredible.'
YES
'But don't run too fast!'
Naruto was worried about Hinata, but he was also jealous. What would it be like to ride the great fox? It was exciting to be up on Gama Bunta or Gamarakki; but, he had to face the truth. They were toads after all. Hopping was not the most enjoyable way to travel.
IT IS NOT ABOUT SPEED. I JUST WISH TO FEEL THE WIND IN MY FUR AND THE GROUND BENEATH MY FEET. I WILL RUN UNTIL I CAN RUN NO MORE, SINCE DESTRUCTION IS OUT OF THE QUESTION
'Whoa there, mister! Old Lady Tsunade said that we had to be back when the sun begins to set!'
Naruto did not want to be in any more trouble than he was already in, if that was even possible.
SHE DID NOT SPECIFY WHICH PART OF THE WORLD THE SUN WOULD BE SETTING IN
'Uh oh….'
EXACTLY
Kyuubi began his run.