If I owned Naruto I wouldn't be living off of cafeteria food at my college, now would I? >. All other characters are original, and mine. But you can borrow them if you e-mail me and ask politely. .
This story is the sequel to my other Naruto fanfiction Changing Times. I suggest reading that one first, to save your mind from overwhelming confusion. .
This fic takes place twelve years after Changing Times, when Setsuko is seventeen and Akira is twenty.
Return of the Lost
Chapter Six: A Great Honor
Naruto glared at Zatoichi, playing with the kunai in his right hand unconsciously, trying decide whether to kill the Uchiha standing before him now, or wait and spill Akira's blood first.
"Please repeat the question, I don't think I heard you correctly," Naruto hissed, his anger permeating the air around him.
"I asked if you would please lend your expertise on the treatment of Setsuko Uzumaki," Zatoichi repeated in a calm, even manner, ignoring the blonde's anger with ease, "Because I am not familiar with the effect of a demon spirit on a carriers pregnancy."
"I am going to kill that son of a bitch!" Naruto growled, slamming the kunai down on the desk, glaring angrily at the blind shinobi standing before him.
"Be that as it may, I would still feel better if you helped with the treatment of your sensei's daughter, my brothers death non withstanding."
"I'll see you and her at the hospital tomorrow at eight," Naruto rasped, leaning back in his chair, fury dancing in his chakra lines.
Zatoichi bowed and left, closing the door silently behind him, giving the guards a warning glance. He doubted there were many left alive who would be able to withstand the Hokage's deadly temper for the next few hours. And he was quite sure there were none who were all that willing to try.
.
Sasuke glared across the table at Hinata. As pleasant as she tried to make it appear, they both knew that it was not a social visit. His wife, though not a vengeful person when they had been younger, had grown a sadistic temper in her later years, one that Sasuke had been the brunt of on more than one occasion.
"Would you like some more tea," Hinata asked, motioning at his cold cup, already lifting the pot to refill it.
"What do you want, Hinata," Sasuke growled, cutting the chit chat as he dropped four lumps of sugar into the cup.
Hinata made it a point to make the most sour, bitter, inhumane pots of tea when she visited him. He had never figured out how she managed to sip the swill down without making a face. He added another four sugar cubes for taste.
"I merely came to inform you that the family will be expanding once again," Hinata sighed, sipping at the tea.
Even if she loathed the man sitting across the table from her, she made it a point to inform him every time a grandchild was expected. He may not be a part of their lives, but it was still his blood, and it was only right that he know, even if he might never meet them.
"Who this time," Sasuke asked, wondering which of his children had decided on the new addition. Probably Musashi, his eldest, Sasuke surmised.
"Setsuko," Hinata answered simply, enjoying the view as Sasuke's eyes went wide, and his skin washed pale.
"Does... does Naruto know?" Sasuke flabbered. Naruto was going to kill Akira, he just knew it. And it would probably be a long, bloody death.
"I assume. If you'll excuse me," Hinata bowed politely, "I have some family business to attend to."
Sasuke nodded, gripping his cup tightly. Naruto had turned into a cold hearted bastard when Tenten had died, and he feared to think what would happen after Setsuko drew her last breath. Akira had become a highly trained ninja on his journey, but there was no word made of his disposition. Sasuke could only hope the Uchiha clan could survive without another massacre.
.
"Why are we visiting Aunt Hinata again?" Aoi asked, tugging at the hem of her kimono.
Neji always insisted they dress formally when visiting the Uchiha house, though it drove Aoi insane. She could never convince him that it would be deadly to be wearing the silken garb if they were attacked. Though Neji had rightfully countered with the fact that they were within the city limits, and should not be fearing a deadly attack.
"Because your Aunt was worried about you," Neji replied, slapping her hands as she continued to tug at her clothes.
He had never managed to train her properly in any form of etiquette.
"And she promised to make your favorite quiche," Shino smiled, smoothing out her hair as they approached the Uchiha house.
It loomed dangerously above them in the sunlight, sending shivers down Neji's spine as he remembered the tales of the Uchiha massacre. He had always wondered how they had cleaned the blood from the buildings.
"Aoi, it's so good to see that you're feeling better," Kenichi smiled, answering the door with a bow to all three, "I'm afraid Mother had some business else wear, and shant be back until later."
The three nodded, allowing themselves to be led into a main foyer, where Gaara was busy doing some paperwork. Just because he had dashed across the country to check on his daughter did not mean that he was on a vacation. Even Kage paperwork could trail him across a desert.
"Neji, Shino," Gaara nodded politely, his eyes flickering on his daughter, "Aoi. Are you feeling better?"
"Yes, Kazekage-sama," Aoi answered politely.
She knew the red headed man, but not very well. He always seemed to be around the Uchiha house when the Chuunin exams were held in Konoha, and visited the family at least once a year, usually for the holidays.
"Neji-san, Shino-san," Tetsuo motioned for the two to follow him, leaving Aoi and her father in the room together.
Gaara had expressed that he wanted to discuss something important with the chuunin, alone. And Hinata had ordered Tetsuo to see to it that he got that time.
.
"How do you like life here in Konoha?" Gaara asked, setting down his pen as he smiled, admiring his daughter.
Even though she was still only fifteen, she was turning out quite lovely, with so much of her mother in her. Gaara was beginning to regret giving her up. Nix that, he was beginning to regret giving her up even more.
"It is a strong village, Kazekage-sama," Aoi answered carefully, wondering where this line of questioning was going. She had a shrewd and cautious mind, and would not allow herself to be caught off guard, or walk so easily into a power struggle.
"I'm sure it is, but it must be difficult for you particular talent," Gaara smiled, dusting a few grains of sand from his desk. He knew it must be like hell for her to attempt to manipulate sand on large scales with so little of it present. He was surprised that she didn't carry any spare on her person.
"A ninja should not rely solely upon one talent if they wish to survive," Aoi replied, eyeing Gaara. The conversation had a point, and she wanted to know what it was.
"Yes, but having a powerful talent can sometimes take the place of weaker ones," Gaara pointed out. He was enjoying this little battle.
"I passed the chuunin exams without needing to rely upon the sand, and will continue to do so in my ninja career," Aoi said with a glare. Gaara always put her at unease, something was always out of place when she met with him, and she could never figure out what it was, and it was beginning to drive her mind batty.
"How would you like it if I asked you to train in Sunakagure for a while?" Gaara asked suddenly.
"Why would you do something like that?" Aoi retorted. It was very unusual for ninjas to train outside of their own village, and even more so do to so upon request.
"It will help strengthen the ties between Konoha and Suna," Gaara answered easily, keeping the real reason a secret, for now, "And besides, I have something of an affinity for sand as well. I might be able to help you with your training."
He had yet to train anyone to replace him as Kazekage. Had yet to find anyone he thought worthy of the title. He hoped to test his daughter, and see if the robe would fit her form so easily.
"I'll have to discuss it with my fathers," Aoi whispered, her eyes wide. It was a great honor to be asked to train under a Kage, even if it was not of her home village. It was definitely a choice for her to look into, seeing as her ninja career had run into a stalemate in Konohagakure.
.
Tsuzuku
.
AN: Sorry it took so long for me to get this chapter out, I didn't think Fall Quarter would be as overwhelming as it turned out to be. Never sign up for too many college courses, it really can take a chunk out of your life.
Ummm... other than that, my web site is back up (You can link to it in my profile). Everything goes up there about a day or two before it comes out on More because run really slowly at my home than anything else. Honestly, the stupid site takes me 20 minutes to login at times! >. Well, please review. I can't promise weekly updates, but I can promise that the story should be finished by the end of the year! .