Chapter 9

Naruko glared at the fox that was behind its' cage. She never liked what he called her that, and the demon knew it.

"Never call me that fox!" she spat. This made the Kyubi chuckle at her.

"I'm sorry. I know how you get when confronted with the truth." The fox mocked. Naruko wanted to say something else to the beast but she was here for something else.

"Listen here fox, I'm here for your chakra." She spoke.

"Oh, and why would I do something like that?" the Kyubi asked amused. He got his answer when vines shot out and wrapped around him. He hissed when he felt the thorns dig into him. The large red eye glared at the smirking Naruko. He was angry but it suddenly turned into a smirk. "Clever. I wonder what Kushina, Naruto or even Minato think about what you allowed done to your seal?"

"You keep your mouth shut fox." This only amused the fox more.

"Very well brat. I'll allow you some of my chakra. Use it well. However, be warned. Your actions and secrets will come to light. How will you explain yourself to your family, dark princess?" the Kyubi asked with joy. Naruko only growled and quickly turned around to leave. She ignored the laughter that was coming from him and just left.

XXX

Sasuke and Naruto was sitting at Ichirakus'. The young Uchiha was looking at his ramen while the older teen was wolfing his third bowl. Naruto finally noticed this and slurped up some noodles.

"Something wrong with food Sasuke?" Naruto asked.

"No, it isn't that. I'm just… I'm confused about what we talked about earlier. A few years ago, you refused to train me and now, you're offering training."

"Yeah, I guess that would be confusing." Naruto said. He put down his chopsticks and pulled out some money. "He's taking his ramen to go." The two nodded and prepped his bowl. Once that was done, Naruto motioned Sasuke to follow him. The two walked in silence for a while before Naruto spoke up. "I'll be honest with you Sasuke. The reason I offered you this is because I am doing this for the village's benefit more than yours."

"What do you mean?" Sasuke asked.

"Do you know what the higher ups think of you Sasuke?" the boy shook his head in the negative. "Many of them believe that you will one day flee the village to get your revenge. A boy with your skill and one of the most powerful dojutsu know is not something the village is willing to risk. When it comes right down to it, they don't trust you." Naruto explained. Sasuke was surprised by this and a little pissed.

"So, you're trying to help me or the village?" he asked.

"Both actually. If you become an Oinin (Hunter Ninja), you will be given the tools to get your revenge. As a bonus, you also help the village will dealing with all threats that might cause it harm. It will also get those elders off your case." The blond answered. Sasuke couldn't help but agree with what Naruto just said. However, Sasuke just need to know the why. Sensing this, Naruto stopped and looked directly at him.

"You may have realized that Itachi was messing with you, but you are still too impressionable. You can still be led astray and don't think you can't. I know for a fact that if anyone could give power, you will jump at it if it means that you can complete your ambition. With this path I am offering, you will get the strength and skill to do what you need to do when the time comes. What I want for you Sasuke, is to paint your own path instead of allowing others to do it for you." Sasuke looked at Naruto, hard. He was not pleased with what Naruto told him. He felt betrayed by the village that his clan helped build. However, he would not deny that the blond had a point. He also was happy that he was being honest with him. He did not see the last Uchiha like others did.

"So, if I accept your training, will I be able to complete my ambition?" Sasuke asked.

"That depends. Can your ambition align with the 'Will of Fire'?" Naruto countered. Sasuke thought about that.

"I guess we'll see." Naruto smirked at that.

"I guess we will."

XXX

Hiruzen had his chin rested on his hands. He was in deep thought at what he was just told by Naruto. He looked at his successor's son who sat across from him.

"This is a huge gamble Naruto. While you have installed a small change in the boy, that does not mean it will stick." Hiruzen said.

"I get that but hiding things for him will only hasten things. I agree that telling him the truth about why his clan was killed would be a huge mistake. However, the truth about what you and your council think about him is fair game. The minute you placed that order, you knew what could possibly happen." Naruto said.

"And you think that this would help?" He argued.

"It's better than what you'll get." Hiruzen sighed at that but he couldn't help but agree.

"Very well, I will allow this, and I will keep it under wraps, but do not expect it be kept a secret for long. Danzo has already shown his hand concerning Sasuke."

"I heard about that from mom. Can't believe he's worried about such a small change. Shinobi no Yami (Darkness of Shinobi) shows some actual emotions and it's fear."

"Don't act so blasé about Danzo, Naruto. You are strong but he has not survived for so long by chance." Hiruzen warned.

"Noted. Well, this has drained me. I'm going to get some shut eye." Naruto said and stood up. He gave the Hokage a salute. "Later old man." With that, Naruto vanished. Hiruzen just chuckled and turned to the portraits of the Hokage. He looked at his successor the most.

"You son is giving me grey hairs Minato. I just hope he knows what he is doing."

XXX

Naruko entered her home tired. Danzo really put her through the ringer today but at least she got some results using the Kyubi's chakra. Lucky for her that Danzo created that room so it wouldn't worry everyone if they sensed it. She really didn't want to deal with the backlash that would happen. As she dragged herself to her room, her heard voices coming from the kitchen. She was curious and sneaked up closer to see what was going on. She quietly peeked to see who it was.

"You certainly worked up a sweat. Hard training?" a voice said. Naruko balked before stepping out. She looked to see the person and narrowed her eyes. The man who was speaking to her mom was familiar to her. He had silver hair and one of his eyes covered by his hitai-ate (Forehead Protector). He was wearing a dark blue Konoha shirt and pants. His flak jacket was hanging off a chair and he was barefoot with his shins taped. "So, how have you been princess? Haven't seen you for a while."

"I thought I told you to never call me that?" Naruko said with a tone.

"So, everyone else can call you that but me? That hurts. I thought we had such a close bond?"

"It's because I know that you are mocking me just like Naruto does, Kakashi." Naruko spat.

"That's enough, both of you. I will not have you two fighting in my house. Now Naruko, go and get cleaned up. Dinner will be ready in a few minutes." Kushina said.

"I'm not hungry." Naruko said and left the kitchen in a huff.

"Glad to see that she is still as pleasant as ever." Kakashi said. Kushina just sighed and went back to cooking. She then looked at Kakashi.

"So, you failed your team? I was surprised when I heard that. The last team you had did very well. Aren't you training one, preparing them for the ANBU?" Kushina asked.

"I am but my last team are in high standing. Suki will become a full jonin soon and Sanzo is a respected Chunin instructor. I was ready for another team, but they just fell short. I guess you can't produce a winner every time, Kushina-chan." Kakashi said with an eye smile.

"Ha, ha, so funny." Kushina said with a pout.

"So, what's with all the time Naruto is spending with Sasuke? I know that he was close with the Uchiha. Is he looking after him or something?" the jonin asked.

"That boy is as secretive as Minato was. He has a plan, but he won't share until he feels that it matters. It such an annoying habit that they both share." She complained.

"Well, I trust Naruto and hopefully he has a plan. While the little change I saw in the kid is good, a lot of people have the same thoughts when it comes to Sasuke."

"Thoughts that would not have to be if people had patience. Either way, I will leave this to Naruto. He seems to have a handle on it." The topic changed into something more light-hearted. Naruko had listened in and she couldn't believe what she heard. She wondered what her brother was planning with Sasuke. She knew that Naruto wouldn't talk, neither would Sasuke. She would have to find out what was going on by herself. She walked upstairs to her room to get some sleep.

XXX

Sasuke was eating his lunch while deep in though. He was thinking about his talk with Naruto yesterday. They didn't do any training, but Naruto went over what Sasuke was getting into. It was a lot of information that was dropped on him. He would ask questions; which Naruto was able to answer. He was even more interested in becoming an oinin and would work hard to become one.

"Yo Sasuke!" the last Uchiha turned when he saw Kiba with Akamaru on top of his head. The boy took a seat across from him as Akamaru jumped off his head and make his way over to Sasuke, the puppy sat in front of him, his tail wagging. Sasuke sighed before tossing the puppy a piece of his chicken. That made Kiba chuckle at him.

"This is just funny. You're totally whipped when it comes to him." Kiba joked.

"Maybe if you feed the guy, he wouldn't come begging me." Sasuke countered. "Anyway, what do you want Kiba?"

"Meh, I just figure that you could use some company." He answered.

"Why would you think that?"

"Hey man, you're not the broody asshole that I remember. You're much more approachable than before. I can't speak to your fan club though. I don't envy you at all." Kiba said.

"You're telling me." Sasuke muttered.

"So, what's the deal with you and the Yondaime's (Fourth) eldest? He trains you or something?" Kiba asked.

"More like he's given me direction toward my goal. That's all I'm going to say about it." Sasuke stated.

"That's cool. I'm not going to pry but people are talking about it. I hear the gossip around the village when I'm taking Akamaru on walks. The funniest one was that he was training you to be Hokage." Kiba said with a laugh. Sasuke looked at him with raised eyebrows.

"You can't be serious." Sasuke said. Kiba just kept laughing while telling Sasuke about the gossip. Some of what he heard made him smirk. The continued to talk, ignoring the looks that they were getting. Sasuke's fan club were glaring at Kiba with rage at the fact that he was talking to their crush. They couldn't believe that he had the nerve to interrupt Sasuke's lunch. A few of the guys were wondering when the two became friends. Iruka could only look on in wonder but later smiled as Sasuke was not pushing Kiba away. It was a step in the right direction.

XXX

Naruto stood before the graves of the Uchiha clan. He had not come here since the massacre. He could blame it on him being busy but that would just be an excuse. He just didn't want to see the field of head stones that did not need to be. He made his way through them until he came to the head stones he was looking for. They were the parents of Sasuke.

"Hey auntie Mikoto, Fugaku-taichou (captain). Sorry that I haven't been around. I just didn't know how this would go." Naruto said somberly. "I'm sorry that I couldn't get back sooner. You put your faith in me after our talk and I failed. I was too late to avoid this. However, I will not fail you a second time. I know that it seems that I am using Sasuke for the village's purposes, but I assure you that it is for the best. Sasuke will be the one to bring the Uchiha clan back to the light. I will do my best to keep him from the darkness that threatens to consume him. This I swear."

The blond bowed to the head stones before making his way out of the graveyard. He stepped out and sighed. He only hoped that he could keep this promise. He turned to walk away when someone was in his path. It was someone that he did not wish to see, and he wasn't alone this time.

"Sister, Danzo, what can I do for you two today?" Naruto said. The bandaged man did not reveal his intentions like his sister did.

"You and I need to talk."

XXXXX

Authors' Notes: Been a while since I worked on this. I plan to work on it and my other stories in the future. Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy the chapter.