Authors Notes: I just flipped a coin to see which story to work on next, and this one won the flip. So here we go! Also, really wanted to work on this one again.
So, last chapter we got to see Naruto having a reoccurring dream that actually turned out to be a repressed memory from when he was younger. Our young blonde met and talked with Haku, which of course lead to him thinking of what was said. And finally, with all the emotional tension and seeing the first person truly treat him as a friend die, Naruto finally snapped and with the help of the Kyuubi's chakra, broke the memory seals that were placed on him.
Question is, now that Naruto remembers everything, how will he react?
Also, it should be noted that I will not be using the Japanese names for many of the places and countries. Though I will still be using certain titles, names, and suffixes.
Review Corner
Chaos Snow Kitsune – Anko is completely unaware of all that have transpired surrounding Naruto. You'll see why in a later chapter. Small hint, he has to do with her own cursed seal.
Insanemaelstorm – Well, here is more. Going to see a bit more of Sakura changing in this chapter, though Naruto will be apprehensive of her intentions.
HyperA2019 – He will escape eventually, but he needs to bide his time and prepare. Despite having his memories back, and the power of the Kyuubi, he still will not be able to compete with a complete team of ANBU that would no doubt be sent to hunt him down and bring him back.
JagyarSupreme – I think you may have read too many harem stories that just focused on smut. No need to up the rating to M, unless I actually add scenes that require such an action. As of currently, I have no plans to add lemon scenes to this story. Should that change, I will then place the proper rating and warnings.
YeagerMeister31 – Yeah, you get to cheat with your inside knowledge, but I haven't told you everything I have planned just yet, mwhahahaha!
Harem – Anko, Aqua, Kairi, Koyuki, Morgiana, Rory, Sakura, Xion
A few more will be added later, but I have learned my lesson from Darkness Falls, and the list will cap at 10, max. Eight are already locked in, so only two more slots remain. With that in mind, feel free to make suggestions on who should take the last two spots. It can be characters from other animes, games, and even movies. I will be making a poll of those suggested and leaving it up for you all to chose!
Remember Me
Chapter 2
Berugakure, 350 Miles North East of Wave
A young girl with red hair and ocean blue eyes, no older then fourteen stood on the cliff face, over looking the water crashing into the shore. Staring out over the open ocean as tears stained her cheeks as she clutched a photo in her right hand. The photo in question shown her and four other girls, all surrounding a single blonde haired boy with distinctive whisker marks on his cheeks, whom had a large smile on his face. All five had managed to sneak a kiss on the blonde boys cheeks just as the photo was taken. Morgiana and Rory on the boys left, and Aqua, Xion, and herself on the right sided. The photo itself was worn, and faded in some areas, littered with water marks from when she would cry over it.
'Please, be safe Naruto-kun.' Kairi silently prayed, closing her eyes as she clutched the photo, a lone tear escaping her eye. 'Kami, if you're listening. Please, please allow us to be reunited. For all of us, and especially Kushina-sama.'
It had been just over seven years since Naruto was taken away from them, and while she and the rest of the girls did their best to meet each day like normal, it just felt like their light was gone. The way he would smile and laugh always warmed their hearts and brought them joy. Over the years, Kairi had filled out nicely, growing into an attractive young woman with a slender athletic body. She had abandoned the dresses she once wore as a child, in favor of pink and black bicycle shorts, with a matching hooded sleeveless vest that exposed just enough of her developing cleavage, along with a black pair of kunoichi sandals.
Letting out a sad sigh, she turned from her spot on the cliff face and began to make her trek back towards where the others were gathered. It was then that she felt a very familiar chakra source erupting from the south west, prompting her to look in that direction. Her heart swelling with hope from feeling the familiar chakra source.
'Kurama-sama… Naruto-kun!'
In the blink of an eye, the red haired teen disappeared in a water shunshin.
Not even a full minute later, Kairi arrived in one of the villages many parks, where the others had gathered.
"Did you feel it!?" She asked, a tone of excitement, and above all, hope, in her voice.
"We did." Xion commented, earning nods from the others.
Like Kairi, Xion had filled out nicely over the past seven years. Her hair had only grown out slightly as she insisted on keeping it short, though her bangs now covered one of her beautiful golden yellow eyes. Aside from that, she sported her usual black hooded cloak that hid her standard ANBU style gear that she wore. A simple black pair of shorts, and sleeveless vest, along with a pair of knee high kunoichi combat sandals. Also like her red haired friend, Xion had gained a more athletic body due to all her training.
"No doubt about it, that was Kurama-sama's chakra signature." The pink haired teen Morginana, stated. Her pink eyes sparkling with a life not seen in them for nearly seven years.
Of the five girls, Morgiana had grown the most, especially in her chest area, giving her a rather large bust for her age. Aside from that, she had trained rigorously throughout the years, specializing in taijutsu and adding her wind affinity into her style. Though her fashion style had not changed much over the years, still wearing her white battle dress with an orange cinch tied around her waist, and a simple pair of white shorts underneath, accompanied with a pair of brown kunoichi sandals.
Rory, whom was leaning against her halberd like weapon merely silently nodded in agreement with her pink haired friend. A sense of excitement bubbling up inside her, as well as hope. Hope that she and her other soon to be sister-wives would be reunited with their loved one.
Like the others, she had grown into a beautiful and deadly young woman over the years, earning the nickname of Rory the Reaper. Her long black hair flowing in the breeze while her piercing red eyes took in everything around her. Her outfit was unique among her soon to be sister-wives. Sporting a black gothic lolita like dress with red trimmings. Though the bottom half was a combination of a pair of shorts woven into the dress. A large bow adorned the top of her head, giving her the appearance of having fox like ears. To finish off her outfit, she wore a black pairing of stockings that stopped halfway up her thighs, and a pair of red shinobi combat boots.
"We should report to Kushina-sama." Aqua suggested, with the others quickly agreeing. "She would have no doubt felt it as well."
With blue hair and equally blue eyes, Aqua had matured greatly over the years. Usually being the pillar of strength for the others after Naruto's disappearance. Remaining calm and collected in even the most dire of situations, becoming the voice of reason for the group. Sporting a purplish-black high collared halter top with two pink intersecting belts crossing over the center of her chest and a pair of black shorts. A pair of black stockings that stop half way up her thigh and a black pair of shinobi combat boots round out her outfit.
With one final nod in agreement, each of the five girls disappeared in their signature shunshin technique. Kaira once again disappeared in a swirl of water. Xion, in a flash of lightening. Rory in a swirl of fire. Aqua in a mist of snow, and finally Morgiana in a gust of wind.
Berukage Tower
"So you all felt it as well." The red haired woman spoke as she gazed out the window that over looked a good portion of the village she now lead before finally turning to look at the five girls who were now kneeling before her, prompting the red haired woman to roll her eyes. "I told you five you don't have to do that. I'm going to be your mother in law, dattabane!"
"Sorry, Kushina-sam…." Xion was cut off by another glare from the red haired woman.
"Anyways," Aqua interrupted, catching the Berukage's attention. "We felt the chakra signature coming from the south west."
"Right," Kushina turned her attention to a large map that was spread out over the desk. Upon feeling the Kyuubi's chakra signature, the red haired woman knew the five girls would soon arrive and had prepared accordingly. "and according to the map, the most likely place it could have originated from is Wave country.
As if to emphasize her point, Kushina had made a line with her finger from the location of the island their village was on, and dragged her finger down diagonally, until it reached where the small island know as Wave was located.
"We're going to go find him and bring him home, right?" Morgiana inquired, which prompted the other four teens to look expectantly towards the Berukage.
Kushina sighed, before addressing the five.
"Your mission, is to go to Wave, talk to the villagers there and get what information you can. Afterwards, you are to return here to report your findings, no matter how bad they may be." Kushina instructed, receiving a nod from each of the girls in front of her. "However, I stress that you keep your hopes tempered. My sochi may not be there when you arrive. But, if he is there, bring him home."
"Understood Kushina-sama." Kaira replied with a small bow of her head, prompting the others to do the same.
"You leave early tomorrow." The red head village leader stated. "Now, go and pack and prepare yourselves."
Bidding their good byes, the five departed the office to prepare for their mission. A mixture of excitement, hope, and a little bit a fear simmering between all of them. Leaving the red haired woman alone, who finally collapsed in her chair and laid her head down on the desk. A lone tear escaping her eye.
'Please, be safe sochi and come back home, please.' She silently prayed, lifting her head up to gaze out over the village once more from his desk.
Wave Country
The young blonde teen stood silently over two marked graves, one of which was identified with a mask, and the other with a massive sword being used as a grave stone. Saying a silent prayer in hopes that the two fallen shinobi's would find what they desired in the afterlife. Reluctantly, Kakashi had allowed him to give the two a proper burial, using their personal items as grave markers. Sasuke had scoffed at the concept of honoring a fallen enemy whilst Sakura had remained uncharacteristically silent the past few days.
The pink haired girl had even halted her advances towards the raven haired emo, much to the entire teams surprise. Though even more surprising for Naruto was that she appeared to be watching him silently from a distance, a look of concern etched on her face. This of course only made the young blonde even more apprehensive of her, not trusting her intentions. He had been lured in by false concern in the past when he was only ten years old. A mistake that had nearly cost him his life.
Then there was his sensei, Kakashi. After the incident in the forest, the masked pervert had snuck over to his cot while he was sleeping, ensuring the seals were still present on the young blondes neck. Of course at the time, they were still active. However, after the fight on the bridge, the silver haired jonin had checked once more, only to find that once again, the seals were still present. Unknown to him, the 'seals' on Naruto were now fake on merely simulated the effects, even able to fool the Sharingan, and possible even a Byakugan. Leaving Kakashi unaware that the young blonde had over powered the seals, and had now gained back all of his memories.
Naruto had to hand it to Kurama, the fox had faked the seals perfectly. Now it was just up to him to keep up the act. Though he mentally shuddered about proclaiming about being Hokage and acting like a complete fool. Though, perhaps he could use this mission as an excuse to tone it down a little. After all, he had just taken his first life on the first mission outside of the village. The old monkey surely would expect some mental change after that, right?
Of course, all of this made the young blonde recall his discussion with Kurama after he had passed out on the bridge.
Flashback no Jutsu
It seemed like hours had passed before Naruto had finally calmed down enough to talk to the large fox. Though in reality, it had only been around half an hour. Though during that time the blonde was conflicted with himself. Naruto had felt like he had abandoned his girls, and his mother, despite not really having a choice in the matter.
"How are you holding up kit?" Kurama asked, after minutes of silence had passed between the two.
"I don't know, Kurama." He finally answered after a handful of seconds. "I'm still trying to wrap my mind around how this could have happened."
The large fox sighed as he laid his massive head down near the cage doors. He knew his blonde host was not going to like the answer, but the boy deserved to know the truth. He just hoped Naruto wouldn't act too irrationally.
"In short, we were betrayed." Kurama began with another sigh. "You were trusted alone with the bastard, Kakashi that night. He lured you into an isolated training field under the promise of teaching you one of your father's techniques…."
"And he slapped a seal on the back of my neck instead." Naruto growled, remember the events of that night.
"Yeah. Except I know he didn't make the seal." The fox stated with narrowed eyes. "That seal was from a Fuinjutsu grand master, and there is only one who would be stupid enough to invoke your mother's wrath."
"That perverted bastard." The blonde clenched his fists before slamming them down into the water in anger. "It was bad enough with him perving on my hime's, but to betray my mother and father like that. I'll rip his balls off and shove them down his throat!"
"You'll be lucky to get a chance once your mother finds out." Kurama laughed as he imagined the horror the red haired woman would unleash upon the perverted toad sage. She wasn't called the Crimson Death for nothing.
This of course earned a small chuckle from the blonde, like the large fox behind him, he was imagining different scenarios his mother would put the old fool through.
"So what now?" Naruto finally asked. "Once that masked bastard realizes the seals are broken he will just subdue me again and have them reapplied."
"Oh ye of little faith, kit." Kurama laughed, before he continued with a short explanation. "As soon as they broke, I placed false ones in their place. They will simulate the same chakra pattern and action. Also, now that I am aware of their intentions, I can block further seals from working as they should."
"So that means…."
"You're free from the seals, kit." The fox smiled. "However, it will be up to you to maintain the illusion until we can escape this cesspool of a village."
Naruto merely nodded, understanding what his partner was saying. Even though he had his memories back as well as the old lessons his mother and others had taught him, he couldn't tip his hand. He would have to maintain the illusion he was still an idiot.
"Well," Naruto smiled as he stood up and turned to look towards the large fox. "I am sure with these traumatic events on this mission, I am expected to tone it down a little."
"Perhaps kit." Kurama chuckled. "Just try and find a balance so you don't attract too much unwanted attention."
"Agreed." The blonde nodded before looking around his mindscape once more, before shaking his head in disgust. "But first, let's take care of this place."
Closing his eyes, he began to focus on his surroundings. Allowing the sewer system to fade away, soon to be replaced with a large forested area, complete with a meadow clearing and a babbling brook cutting through the center of it all. Off in the distance, a large waterfall could be seen pouring into a large lake that the brook was connected to. For added measure, the young blonde also added an assortment of wildlife to his new mindscape, similar to how he had it structure before he was kidnapped.
"There we go, much better." Naruto smiled, turning to his companion who was no longer trapped behind the cage. A collar hanging firmly around his neck to act as the seal.
"Thanks kit, I really missed this place." The large fox smiled as he took in his new, yet familiar surroundings.
"No, thank you Kurama." The blonde gave a soft smile. "Even if I didn't know it at the time, that dream I had every night gave me hope that things would get better."
"You're welcome kit." Kurama smiled before it turned into a sadistic grin as he gazed at the blonde boy before him. "Now, let's talk training. Because you are severely out of practice with your skills, no thanks to that old monkey."
A shiver ran down Naruto's spine, as he recalled the foxes training regiment. Knowing full well he was in for a world of pain and suffering for the immediate future. Still, he would meet it head on and get stronger. So that one day, he would reunite with his hime's and his mother.
Flashback no Jutus Dispel
Naruto was taken out of his reminiscing when he felt a lone chakra signature behind him. Letting out a soft sigh, he kept quiet until his pink haired team mate reached where he stood. No need to let others know of his sensory capabilities. Though he frowned slightly as he felt her primary emotion was concern.
"Um, did you know them?" Sakura asked as she stood next to him, looking down at the graves. Though she mentally wanted to slap herself for asking such a ridiculous question.
"Actually, I only met Haku two weeks ago, when I slept outside." The blonde replied, though in a solemn tone, seeing no reason to hide his meeting with the ice user. "Though at the time, I didn't know he worked with Zabuza."
The pinkette was about to inquire further, but was shaken from her thoughts when she heard the blonde next to her chuckle. Seeing her look of confusion, the jinchuriki decided to let her in on what he found funny.
"I was just remembering when I first met Haku." He chuckled again. "I actually thought he was a girl, because of how…. cute he looked."
Sakura couldn't help but giggle as she imagined it. Though it did help validate the blondes story when she recalled that Sasuke commented on Naruto talking with a girl out in the woods, so it appeared the look even fooled Sasuke.
"So, how are you holding up… after, you know." She tentatively asked.
"Why do you care, Sakura?" The blonde asked, causing the pinkette to flinch slightly at his tone. Also feeling a slight plain in her chest at the lack of the usual -chan suffix that had once accompanied her name.
"I… Look, I'm sorry." She sighed, knowing what she had to do. Her and her inner self had had a long discussion and reflected of their past interactions with the blonde, and realized just why the boy felt the way he did, and they were to blame for it, partially. "I know I gave you the impression that I don't care about you, and I've been a complete bitch towards you."
Naruto's eyes widened slightly at her words. 'Is she really….?'
'I think she is kit, I feel actual sincerity in her words.' Kurama replied.
"Despite that, I would care if something happened to you." The pinkette continued. "And I am sure there are those in the village that would as well."
"Very few would." Naruto replied automatically, causing Sakura to frown slightly. 'And one of them wouldn't be for the reasons she thinks.'
"An-anyways, Kakashi-sensei wanted me to tell you that we will be returning back to the village in two days, once the bridge is finished." Sakura stated and turned to leave the blonde haired genin alone.
Though the pinkette was a little disheartened that the discussion didn't carry on for as long as she had hoped it would. She truly did want to make an effort to actually get to know him, instead of just ignoring him like she had in the past.
"Thank you, Sakura." Naruto finally spoke, though not turning to face her.
Hearing this, a small smile formed on the pinkette's face before she ran off to rejoin her sensei, and perhaps ask Sasuke for a date once they got back to the village.
Konoha, Four Days Later
Kakashi let out a quiet sigh as he thought of the report he was going to have to deliver to the Hokage. First and foremost was the events surrounding the jinchuriki. In between the blondes shift in attitude during the tree walking incident, which had affected his pink haired student. He had checked the seals that night, and was relieved to find them still in place, which only reaffirmed his earlier excuse to Sakura that the stress of the jinchuriki's first mission outside the village had forced him to reevaluate certain aspects in his life.
Of course the villagers with the way the villagers had treated the boy, the masked jonin wasn't surprised that the blonde was finally starting to take a more cynical outlook on those around him. However, it needed to be curbed a little so the boy would remain docile and loyal to the village. At least there were a few that genuinely treated the boy well. Like the father and daughter duo at the ramen stand, Iruka, and the Tokubetsu Jonin, Anko. Kakashi still didn't know how those two met, but didn't care as the Hokage didn't deem it a threat to the weapons development.
That lead to the jonin's next problem. The incident on the bridge when Naruto had tapped into the foxes power and slaughtered Gato and his men after they had killed Zabuza and his little helper. No doubt the realization of taking a life still weighed heavy on the boys mind, as he had barely said a word the entire trip back, having nearly completely ignored Sakura, only giving her short replies when the pink haired genin would attempt to start a conversation with him.
This was troubling to Kakashi, as it showed that the blonde had all but given up on his crush on the girl, which threw a wrench into the masked jonin's plan to utilize his feelings for her to manipulate him further towards to Hokage's goal of turning the blonde into the villages weapon, once he was broken enough into a form of submission and loyalty towards the village.
"You three are dismissed." Kakashi stated after his team and himself arrived inside the village. "I'll report the missions success to the Hokage."
"Hai Kakashi-sensei." Two of them replied, while the third merely nodded and slowly began to make his way towards his apartment.
Meanwhile, Sakura was torn on what to do. As both boys on her team had split off into different direction, forcing her to have to chose. Should she follow her crush and obsession in hopes of getting a date with the last Uchiha, or should she make good on her promise and try to talk with Naruto more. Frowning slightly, she reached her decision and walked in the same direction Naruto did.
Kakashi had noticed this, but said nothing. If she inadvertently re-ignites the crush he once had on her, it would be all the better and would make him easier to manipulate down the road with the lure of a relationship. Though in reality, the masked jonin already knew the Hokage wouldn't allow any form of serious relationship to form with the boy until it was needed, and then they would just get a volunteer to become impregnated with the jinchuriki's child to pass the Kyuubi to, once Naruto no longer had a purpose. Shrugging it off, he quickly made his way towards the Hokage's Tower.
It didn't take him long to arrive at the tower, jumping into the office through the window like he normally did when he had to report something. Immediately, Hiruzen looked up from his desk, setting his sights on the masked jonin that now stood in front of him.
"Report Kakashi." The elder man ordered.
Taking a deep breath, the silver haired man begin to relay his detailed report of what had transpired while on the mission.
Sakura
The pink haired kunoichi couldn't help but feel a swell of anger as she followed her blonde haired team mate. Initially, she had wanted to quickly reach him and try to talk some more, but her inner self had suggested to hang back. Which is the reason for her current mood.
While tailing the blonde, she had noticed the glares sent the boys way by nearly every villager they had passed. Some even whispering to one another how Naruto should have died on his first mission outside the village. She had even overheard a select few bragging about beating the boy to near death when he was younger. Hearing this, the pinkette clenched her fist.
'He was right.' Sakura mentally sighed. 'No one in the village would care if he died, and even more so, they would celebrate his death. But why?'
'I don't know.' Inner Sakura replied with a frown of her own. 'But I don't like this. Their words, what they're saying is just horrible.'
'There has to be some that would miss him, right?' The pinkette thought with a frown. Though as she thought back, she realized that literally everyone in their graduating class had constantly made fun of the blonde and at one point or another, had bullied him. The only exception being the shy Hyuga heiress.
Snapping out of her thoughts, she noticed the blonde teen had been stopped by a slightly older woman with purple haired tied into a fanned pony tail, dressed in a tan trench coat, and a full body mesh outfit, accompanied with an orange skirt. Sakura couldn't help but frown slightly, not trusting the woman after overhearing what the other villagers had said. Though was surprised when the woman's face went from happy and smiling, to shock and sadness as she brought the blonde into a hug and began to whisper things into this ear, which earned a nod from Naruto.
'I guess she is one of the ones who actually care for him.' Inner Sakura pointed out.
'That's good, but still, out of everyone in this village, only one so far.' Sakura sighed as she watched the purple haired woman lead Naruto into a different direction. Frowning slightly, she decided that it would be no use to try and approach him now.
'Well, he did say he liked ramen.' Her inner self reminded the pinkette. 'Maybe we should stop by there and see if we can find anything.'
With a new destination set, Sakura took off in the direction of Ichiraku's Ramen. Perhaps tomorrow, she would be able to talk with her blonde team mate, now that she had a better perspective of what he has to go through on a daily basis.
Hokage Tower
"And that is what happened." Kakashi had finally finished his report. Having told Hiruzen every small detail. From Naruto's shift in attitude, to him snapping and killing all of Gato's men, as well as Gato himself on the bridge.
"You ensure the seals are still active, correct?"
"Correct, Hokage-sama." The masked jonin replied. "After both incidents. The seals are still working perfectly."
"Good." Hiruzen sighed in relief. The last thing the old man needed was the village's weapon to regain his memories. Even worse would be if Kushina had found out where her missing son had been all these years.
"What should we do about his change of attitude and him taking his first life?" Kakashi inquired.
"Nothing for now." The elderly man responded. "I believe you are correct in your assessment about the boy. If anything, it is better if he becomes more cynical, as the weapon will be less hesitant to kill when commanded to do so."
"And of his views of the villagers celebrating his death?"
"All according to plan, it will make him feel grateful that he is allowed to live." Hiruzen replied, taking a puff from his pipe. "Still, do what you can to down play it."
"Of course, Hokage-sama." The silver haired jonin answered. "I will do my best."
"However, for the next couple of months, I will not be assigning your team any more missions outside the village." Hiruzen stated. "Mostly to avoid any further incidents for the time being. The last thing we need is for Kushina to learn that we have Naruto."
Kakashi couldn't help but shudder at the thought. Should the woman discover that he had helped orchestrate her son's kidnapping, death would be a preferable fate over what that woman would inflict upon him.
"Understood, Hokage-sama." He gulped, earning a nod from the old man.
"For now, you're team has a week off, you are dismissed."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama." Kakashi bowed before disappearing into a leaf shunshin.
'Hopefully you have developed a taste for blood after your first kill, young Naruto-kun.' Hiruzen darkly grinned at the thought. 'Because once you have fully submitted to me, I will turn your power towards your home village, making Konoha the strongest of all the Hidden Villages.'
Wave Country, Two Days Later
The five teenage girls had not been in the best of moods. Due to a small squall that had developed during their boat ride, they had been forced to dock on the mainland, and travel by foot to Wave Country, which had set them back by a day. However, once they arrived at the massive bridge, their mood had quickly dissipated, replaced with joy and happiness as they read the plaque that greeted travelers.
The Great Naruto Bridge.
"He-he could actually be here." Kairi commented, tears forming in her eyes as she placed her hand over his name on the plaque.
"Come on, let's see if anyone knows anything." Morgiana stated, earning an agreeing nod from the girls.
Quickly the five teens ran across the bridge with renewed speed. A small part of them holding out hope that their blonde fiance would still be within the village, so that they could take him back home. It didn't take long for the five to finish crossing the bridge, arriving inside a quint looking village with people happily bustling to and fro, as they went about their daily lives.
"Ah, welcome to Wave." A voice spoke up from behind them, prompting them to turn to the one speaking to them. Seeing an old bespectacled man with a large beard and dark eyes, wearing a sleeveless shirt, accompanied by a towel hanging loosely off his neck. "Name's Tazuna, what can I do for you?"
"Good afternoon, Tazuna-san." Aqua spoke up as she approached the elderly man, offering him a kind smile. "We were hoping someone could help us."
"Depends on what you're asking, but I will do my best um…."
"Aqua." The blue haired teen smiled before gesturing towards the other four. "And these are Kairi, Xion, Morgiana, and Rory. We come from Berukagure."
"That's a bit of a travel." Tazuna observed. Hell, if he had the money and the means, he would have hired a team of Beru shinobi, as the village was considered the strongest of them all. Though the old bridge builder was happy that things had turned out as well as they had, despite the initial set back. "So what brings you to Wave?"
"Well…." Aqua began, but was interrupted by Kairi.
"Can you tell us about the bridge?" The red head inquired.
"You like it?" The old man beamed. "Built it myself!"
"It is quiet the piece of architecture." Xion smiled, seeing the old man proud of his accomplishment.
"Yup, though it would have never been completed if it wasn't for the Konoha shinobi." Tazuna commented, though at the word 'Konoha', the girls narrowed their eyes just slightly. Already not liking the implications. "Especially that blonde kid."
"Could you perhaps tell us more about the name of the bridge?" Aqua ventured.
"You mean Naruto?" The old bridge builder questioned, adopting a thinking pose as he struggled to remember the blondes last name.. "Uzakaze… Uzumayi…."
"Uzumaki perhaps?" Rory offered.
"That's it, Naruto Uzumaki." Tazuna smiled. "Good boy, really helped our village reclaim our hope. That is why we named the bridge in his honor."
"Is he….?" Morgiana asked, fearing that the bridge was named after the blonde boy to honor his memory, due to falling in battle.
"No, he left with his team almost a week ago." The old man replied, not noticing the sigh of relief that seemed to echo amongst the girls.
"Did he look like this?" Kairi inquired, offering the photo she always had with her. "It's a bit old, though."
Tazuna frowned as he took hold of the photo and narrowed his eyes. He could see the five girls in front of him all surrounding a younger version of the blonde teen that had helped their village so much and given hope to his grandson once more. The old bridge builder could clearly see the boy, along with the girls were extremely happy the day of the photo. Not the lonely teen that had left no more then a week ago.
"Why don't we continue this conversation back at my house." The old man sighed, already seeing the writing on the wall. "My daughter will also be able to answer your questions."
Nodding, the six of them quietly made their way through the village until they reached a small house at the water's edge. Opening the door, he invited the five in, before entering behind them.
"Tsunami!" He called out. "I'm home, and we have guests!"
"Coming!" A feminine voice called out from the kitchen, before the owner of the voice stepped into view, seeing the give girls that had accompanied her father, she gave a polite bow and welcomed them to her home.
"These girls are looking for Naruto." Tazuna informed his daughter with a serious look in his eye.
"Oh, how come?" The blunette inquired as she lead the group into the dinning room, waiting for each of them to claim a chair to sit in.
"Well, we're kind of his….fiances." Aqua chuckled, earning a surprised gasp from the bridge builders daughter.
With a nod of approval from Kairi, Tazuna passed the photo the red head had given him to his daughter. As she gazed down at it, an expression of realization had washed over her face as she silently passed the photo back to the red headed teen.
"Seven years ago, he was kidnapped from our village." Morgiana informed the father and daughter, causing the old man's eyes to narrow. Meanwhile, Tsunami bowed her head in acknowledgment.
"And with what we have learned, we now know who took him." Xion finished, with a slight scowl.
Meanwhile, Rory was clenching and relaxing her fists in anger at what they had learned, with Morgiana adopting a similar train of thought and desire to go to Konoha and smash the village to pieces and bring back their lover.
"But why?" Tsunami inquired. "Why would Konoha kidnap him?"
Frowning, the five girls looked to one another, before Aqua let out a small sigh and looked the bridge builders daughter in the eye.
"Naruto-kun is the jinchuriki of the nine tailed fox, Kyuubi. A being a great power" She explained. "We can only surmise that Konoha wanted that power for themselves, despite Berugakure being allied with the village."
"Not for long, as soon as Kushina-sama finds out, she will want to declare war on them." Xion stated with a slight scoff, earning a nod of agreement among the girls.
"That explains what happened on the bridge." Tazuna commented, earning a curious look from the others, remembering that his daughter was unaware of what had transpired during the final battle.
"When Gato and his men showed up and killed the two that were working for him, Naruto seemed to snap. Having a red glow around him as he… slaughtered the rest of Gato's thugs, and finally Gato himself."
Hearing this, the girls gasped in surprise and in mourning. That their fiance had to deal with his first kill alone. They could only hope that Kurama was able to comfort the blonde in their place.
"We should probably head back and inform Kushina-sama of what we discovered here." Morgiana offered as she stood up from the table.
"It's going to be dark soon." Tsunami informed the pink haired teen. "Why don't you girls stay here the night, and head out first thing in the morning?"
"That would be appreciated, Tsunami-san." Aqua replied.
"Very well." The bluenette smiled. "I will show you to the spare room."
Berugakure, Two Days Later
"Did you find anything?" Kushina asked as the five girls entered her office.
"We did Kushina-sama." Xion answered. "And you're not going to like it."
"What am I not going to like, Xion-chan?" The red haired Berukage inquired, narrowing her eyes slightly, feeling a sense of anxiety swelling up inside her.
"Konoha has Naruto-kun." Rory blatantly stated with a scowl.
"What!?"
"It's true, Kushina-sama." Aqua sighed. "When we arrived in Wave, we met an old bridge builder whom had recently hired a team from Konoha. With that team was Naruto-kun."
Slowly, the blue haired teen relayed all that they had learned on their trip to Wave Country about Naruto. Neither of the women in the room could resist shedding a few tears that the blonde had to go through his first killing almost completely alone. Though the red haired village leader was happy to hear that her son had a bridge named after him, to honor him.
"Did you learn who was on this team from Konoha?" Kushina inquired.
"Yes ma'am." The blue haired teen replied. "It was Team 7, comprised of Naruto-kun, Sasuke Uchiha, and Sakura Haruno. Lead by Kakashi Hatake."
At the jonin sensei's name, Kushina had shattered the corners of her desk where she was gripping it, causing the five girls to jump slightly.
"That bastard!" She seethed. It was no coincidence that the masked jonin was on the same team as her son, and not recognize him. Not to mention, Kakashi was the last person to had seen Naruto before he had disappeared that fateful night. It became clear that her late husbands former student had a hand in her sons kidnapping.
"What should we do, Kushina-sama?" Kairi asked.
"We should go to Konoha, smash in their gates and bring our beloved back home!" Rory exclaimed, slamming her halberd down, creating cracks in the floor.
"No." Kushina replayed in an eerily, calm voice. Contrast to her actions just seconds before.
"But Kushina-sama, they have Naruto-kun!" The long black haired teen argued.
"I know, Rory-chan, I know." Kushina sighed as she sat back down. "Next month, Konoha will be hosting the Chuunin Exams. You five will be entering."
"But we're already Chuunin." Xion pointed out, confused at where her soon to be mother in law was going with this. Though their rank was in name only, as in terms of actual combat prowess and technique, they were all at least mid to high jonin.
"Konoha is unaware of your rank, so it is the perfect guise." Kushina stated. "The main objective is going to be to find my sochi. However, you must wait until you have entered the village and assess the situation. There is a small chance that the old bastard won't let Naruto-kun compete."
"Of course, Kushina-sama." Morgiana replied. "We'll prepare for the exams and train hard to bring Naruto-kun back home with us."
"Very well." She smiled. "I know this has been difficult, but soon, he will be back with us where he belongs, and Konoha will pay for their transgressions."
One by one, the five girls departed the office to prepare for the next month. Aiming to train extra hard to ensure their blonde lover returns to their arms once more, and to never let go. Though Rory and Morgiana still hoped to dish out some forms of revenge against the cesspool of a village.
Additional Authors Notes: And done!
Bit of jumping around between Naruto's fiances, Wave, and finally Konoha. Also, Berugakure is a village of my own imagination, Berugakure meaning Village Hidden in the Veil. I am kind of modeling it after Esthar from Final Fantasy VIII, with a touch of Alexandria from Final Fantasy IX. More technological then the other Hidden Villages, with only the Land of Snow/Spring being able to compete with them in terms of technology.
Also, I am taking Sakura a slightly different path with her arc in this story. She still has a crush on Sasuke of course, but due to Naruto's cold attitude now, she was forced to assess her own involvement in our favorite blondes change of personality. Next chapter or two will focus a bit on her trying to actually be a friend to him.
And lastly, we got to see some of Hiruzen's plans for Naruto, too bad for him the seals are broken, but how will Naruto evade the all seeing crystal ball?
Anyways, hope everyone enjoyed this chapter! Feel free to leave your thoughts and comments in the reviews, or hit me up with a private message!