Chapter Fourteen

The Monday after his demonstration at the Academy saw Ken officially turn in his forms to enter the next set of Chunin Exams, which would be taking place in Kusagakure and would be departing in five days. Given the fact that the Exams would take place over a roughly six-week period, Ken had done some serious thinking in figuring out a temporary guardian for Naruto.

His first thought was Iruka, but it seemed vastly irresponsible to ask a full-time Academy instructor to watch one of his students for so long. Sure, he'd watched Naruto for a week for Team TAK's first C-rank, and for a smattering of two or three day periods since, but Ken had gathered that each time had left Iruka with a considerable backlog of work to catch up on. Six weeks was just too much to ask.

The same went for Teuchi and Amaya. While Amaya had covered for a few of those short jobs, it was not feasible to ask either of them to watch him full-time for a month-and-a-half while simultaneously running their own business. The fact that Naruto would likely be spending all of his free time at Ichiraku's and indulging in far too much ramen from the proprietors' nobly soft hearts also seemed like a bad idea.

And outside them, Ken had no idea who would be willing, able, or fit to watch Naruto, given his status in the village. After Lord Hiruzen's proclamation of Naruto's status, the villagers' reactions had indeed softened somewhat — if you could call avoidance due to shame rather than scorn "softened" — but there were still many who chose to blame Naruto for the devastation eight years previous instead of move on from it. And Ken refused to accidentally leave his little cousin in the care of someone who would take cruel advantage of the situation.

These thoughts were whirling around Ken's mind as he got in some last-minute training with the rest of his team to get his skills as sharp as possible for the Exams. Both Aoba and Tomoko were adamant that Ken was beyond qualified to pass, even if he had to carry his team to do it, but the redhead was unwilling to leave anything to chance.

"So, figured out where the Kit is gonna stay during your trip to Kusa?" Tomoko asked in between a flurry of punches. Ken, who had slowly grown more used to her skill at reading his emotions and her tendency to use it to distract him, blocked all of them flawlessly before swinging into a crescent kick and leaping back for a bit of distance.

"Not at all," he admitted. "And the clock is slowly ticking." Ken's eyes widened as a thought struck him. "Do you have any suggestions?"

Tomoko blinked in surprise and relaxed her stance, her cheeks pinking just a bit. "Well, uh, I might have one," she said, twirling a finger in one of her bangs. She took a breath to continue, but was interrupted by the sudden appearance of an ANBU agent wearing a badger mask.

"Ken Uzumaki, your presence is ordered by Lord Danzo Shimura," the agent said in a clear monotone.

Ken stepped back in surprise before narrowing his eyes. "Danzo, the guy who ordered me through a half-dozen DNA tests to 'prove my lineage' wants to talk to me? Yeah, I think I'll pass."

"Your presence has been ordered by an elder of Konohagakure. Failure to comply is tantamount to treason," the ANBU responded matter-of-factly.

"Really? I was unaware that Uncle Hiruzen had reinstated Danzo on his advisory council," Tomoko said, appearing beside Ken with her chin cradled in her palm in mock-thought. "Unless of course, he didn't, and you are acting under orders from someone other than the supreme commander of this very village." She gasped, softly and theatrically. "And since ANBU are subject only to the will of the Hokage, your actions would be tantamount to treason!" During her little speech, Aoba had appeared at Ken's other side, his arms crossed and clearly glowering behind his sunglasses.

Ken glanced between his teammates with gratitude before an idea came to mind. "Okay, you know what? Considering his reputation, there's no way Danzo is going to stop pestering me until I hear him out, right?" He formed the unique hand seal for the Shadow Clone Technique. "So how about a little game?"

Bursts of smoke appeared around the team and ANBU that merged into a single cloud that in turn rapidly dispersed to a dozen identical Kens that all spread their arms in a "come at me" gesture. "Pick your prisoner!" one shouted. "One guess!" another cried. "The unlucky chosen will accompany you to Danzo, whether he's a shadow clone or the real deal!" a third said. "And since shadow clones relay all they learn to their creator-!" another pointed out. "-The prime will still have had that little chat!" a fifth finished.

The ANBU agent remained silent for a few moments before taking a few steps forward and plunging his hand straight into the ground. He hauled up another Ken, who seemed shocked at this turn of events. "Only the original would hide to let his clones be decoys," the agent noted. "Now come quietly to Lord Danzo."

Ken sighed and nodded. "Clones, keep training. Tomoko and Aoba, I'll see you later. If I don't make it, take care of Naruto for me." With that, he followed the departing ANBU with an air of melancholy.

"Damn," Aoba said. "It can't be a coincidence that Danzo sent a sensor ANBU to collect Ken, right?"

"You think he was a sensor?" Tomoko asked lightly.

"Yeah …" Aoba replied uneasily at Tomoko's tone. "I mean, how else could he have known the real Ken was underground?"

Tomoko giggled. "He saw what he wanted to see," she noted as Ken's shadow clones dispersed with chuckles.

"I couldn't agree more," a familiar voice said. Another Ken stepped out from behind a tree with a wide grin that reminded the two of his child cousin.

Aoba barked a laugh. "Chakra suppression?" he asked.

Ken nodded. "I kinda wish I could see Danzo's face when he realizes it's a shadow clone that guy chose." He glanced at Tomoko. "Though I am curious how you figure it out so quickly."

Tomoko shrugged. "I was standing right beside you and felt your signature wink out as all of the clones emerged. Knowing about your clan's suppression technique, it was easy to put together." She laughed. "And since he didn't, he was playing a rigged game."

"We're ninjas," Aoba siad. "We cheat."

"My thoughts exactly," Ken agreed before remembering their previous conversation. "Oh, right. Tomoko, who would you recommend to watch Naruto?"

Tomoko's smile faded almost completely into a look that, on anyone else, might be bashful. "Well ..."

The ANBU agent escorted the Ken clone to an unassuming warehouse filled with crates of shinobi gear. The lights were sparse from overhead, the interior of the building lit mostly by lights embedded into the ground in the corridors between the shelves of crates. Just inside the door, two more ANBU stood watch as Ken and his escort moved past.

The escort ANBU led Ken through a maze of the crates until they reached the very back of the building, revealing a large open space containing a desk under a single light, at which sat a weathered old man with bandages wrapped around his head and right eye, the rest of him covered by a white shirt and a dark grey robe that held his entire right side. The old man took a few moments to finish writing whatever he was working on before setting it aside and fixing his single eye on the Uzumaki.

"Ken Uzumaki. A pleasure to finally make your acquaintance," he said in the same monotone as his representative.

"Danzo Shimura, I presume," Ken replied. "I can't say I feel the same. Now what do you want?"

Danzo kept up his neutral stare for a few moments before answering. "You are blunt. I can appreciate that; it is quite refreshing. I have a proposal for you, young Uzumaki." He gestured at a chair in front of his desk. "Come, sit. Let us discuss … affairs."

Ken narrowed his eyes before taking the seat. If worse came to worst, he was a shadow clone and could simply disperse to alert his originator. "Okay, I'm sitting. Now what 'affairs' could you possibly want to discuss with me?"

"The state of your clan," Danzo replied. "Or perhaps I should say the lack thereof." Ken remained silent. "Several times over the years I have proposed an initiative to save clans of Konohagakure that become … endangered. If their numbers should fall too far, their secrets and abilities threatening to be lost forever, this initiative would be in place to allow them to survive. Fortunately, until recently no clan has had the need for such a thing, but circumstances have changed."

"You mean the Uchiha Massacre," Ken said as it popped into his head.

"I do," Danzo confirmed. "Now, the Last Uchiha is but a child; he has not undergone the physical maturation necessary for my Clan Restoration Program."

Ken's eyes widened slightly as an inkling of meaning came to light. "Physical maturation?"

"Indeed," Danzo said. "You, on the other hand, are in your prime to do so. And I believe that if you accept my offer, others will be persuaded to do so, should it become necessary."

"And what, pray tell, would this 'program' require?" Ken asked icily.

"Nothing more than reproductive material," Danzo tried to assure him. "After you provided genetic samples, geneticists of the Leaf Village would begin to examine them and find compatible candidates to birth a new generation of Uzumaki children. Within a matter of years, your clan would be bolstered from a mere two to perhaps two dozen. Two dozen young minds you can guide and mold into a new era of the Uzumaki clan."

Ken was silent as he processed all of this. Danzo carefully hid a smile as he watched the lure draw in this young, malleable mind. And then his feeble hopes crumbled as Ken Uzumaki laughed. And no mere chuckle or light cackle but a full-bellied uproarious laugh that echoed within the warehouse that served as his temporary office. A laugh that lasted for a good four minutes before he sobered up and fixed Danzo with a glare that would have shaken lesser men.

"Do you have a family, Danzo?" he asked.

Danzo's eyebrow twitched at a question he would have never expected. "I am a member of the Shimura clan, one of the Leaf's oldest and most respected-"

"No," Ken interrupted. "I mean a family. Your parents are no doubt dead, but maybe a wife? Children? Perhaps a sibling or two?" Danzo chose to remain silent, but that was more than enough answer for the redhead. "Because what you are suggesting is an abomination. It would create a clan in only the barest, most hollow sense of the term. You would have me become a breeding bull with a collection of heifers to spawn offspring vulnerable to your toxic influence!" Ken stood, his expression so thunderous that four ANBU stepped from the shadows, presumably to defend the old man should Ken attack him.

"Know this, Danzo Shimura," Ken said. "I thought I held you in contempt before, but that was nothing compared to what I feel now. As long as there is breath in my lungs, you will never see me supporting your thrice-damned 'restoration program'. And if you try to bring this or anything like it up to me again I will personally inform the Hokage, who I'm utterly certain holds the same views as I on the matter." Ken bowed to the man, the gesture as mocking as could be and paired with a flipped bird. "Good day. It hasn't been a pleasure."

And with that, the shadow clone dispersed.

Danzo's mouth tightened and he fixed his gaze on the Root agent he had sent to collect the Uzumaki. "I ordered you to bring me the real thing," he growled. The ANBU knelt in deference, which Danzo would accept for now. Clearly the Uzumaki foreigner was more wily than he'd anticipated.

He'd considered using Kotoamatsukami on the boy to speed things along, and was happy he'd decided against it. Not for any sentimental reasons, of course, but to try and reason with him in the beginning, to engender trust, of all things. The tactic seemed to work with some consistency for Hiruzen, so why not him? As usual, it proved to be a fool's error. But in this case, he was glad to have not wasted the chakra on a clone.

However, the boy's outright refusal had put a short-term wrinkle in his plans to acquire Uzumaki agents and sealing secrets for the village. Ken was on good personal terms with Hiruzen and so his absence would be noticed, and the Jinchuriki was too closely watched by village officials and that blasted Hatake.

Danzo drummed his fingers against his desk before coming to a decision. The Uzumaki boy was slated to participate in the upcoming Chunin Exams in Kusa and his absence would leave that little assigned place Hiruzen had loaned them vulnerable. If his agents were able to break in and take what he needed, well … that would be more the boy's fault for not protecting his clan secrets.

Later that night, Ken decided to take Naruto out to dinner for something besides ramen, much to the boy's chagrin. With both of them dressed somewhat nicer than usual in blazers over their shirts, slacks, and leather loafers, they entered a restaurant advertised as "Yakiniku Q".

"Um, Cousin Ken? Are you sure this is the right place?" Naruto asked with uncharacteristic hesitance.

"This is the address I was given," he replied, only a little more sure of it. Naruto shrugged and entered with his usual swagger restored, though Ken kept himself a bit more restrained. He looked around before finding Naruto's temporary caretaker waving them over. As the Uzumaki duo drew nearer, their hostess stood and bowed playfully, and Ken's eyes widened in surprise.

"Wow, you look really nice," he said, his cheeks reddening.

"Thanks, Red," Tomoko replied, doing a quick twirl that flared the skirt of her bright yellow dress and showed her short hair in an elegant bun. He'd never seen her out of her mission attire before and he … liked what he saw. "I couldn't ask you to dress up a bit without putting in some effort, myself."

"The pretty lady from my birthday is gonna be my new babysitter?" Naruto asked, a mischievous grin spread across his lips. "Well, jeez, Cuz! If you wanted an in, you're already on the same team! Just ask her out for ramen, already!"

"Naruto, keep your voice down!" Ken whispered fiercely, his face matching his hair as he cast a quick glance around at some of the other tables.

"Oh, it's fine, Red," Tomoko said, sitting back down and gesturing at the seats beside her. "He's a kid. Let him enjoy life a bit."

Ken grumbled under his breath before taking a seat on Tomoko's right, closest to the door, while Naruto sat on her left. A waiter came by with drinks and plates of meat and vegetables to be cooked on the grill in the center of the table, which Naruto had to be coached over to make sure he didn't undercook his portion.

As they cooked their food, Tomoko kept up the conversation by asking Naruto questions about himself; his likes and dislikes, dreams for the future, how his training was going and what they had covered so far, how Ken was as a caretaker, and so on. She even asked why orange was his clearly favorite color. As for the training, Ken took the time to weigh in a bit and assured her that he had a written plan for her in the six weeks he'd be gone.

As they talked, Naruto could barely hide the grin on his face at the sight of his cousin interacting with Tomo, as he'd dubbed her. While his cousin had never been anything less than warm to him, Naruto had noticed he was always a little distant with new people, like he was wondering when they would attack him or hurt him. But with Tomo, he wasn't like that at all. It was like they were back at the house and he could fully relax. It was so nice to watch he that hardly cared when they started talking to each other about weird grown-up stuff.

"So, any rules I should know about for watching Naruto?" Tomoko asked lightly. "I'd be happy to have him stay at my place in the Sarutobi compound, or I can stay in your house."

At this, the easy-going smile melted off of Ken's face as he considered her question — one that he had wrestled with ever since she suggested caring for Naruto. He trusted Tomoko to look out for him, but there was more in the house than his cousin, records of secrets that he had sworn to protect with his life. Not to mention those same defenses would keep Naruto as safe as possible during his absence, which would be a weight off of his mind.

In the end, it really depended on how much he trusted Tomoko to protect his cousin. And with a single glance at her, he made up his mind. "I'd like for you to keep Naruto at your house, if that's alright," he answered firmly. Tomoko smiled and nodded, the expression changing to confusion when he produced a copper skeleton key on a thin chain. "Take this and channel your chakra into it, please."

Tomoko briefly looked over the tiny sealing script that covered the key and focused her chakra. The script flared with faint light that matched the color of her chakra until it started to warm up and Ken motioned for her to stop. "What was that?" she asked.

"That key will get you past the security measures I will be placing on the house before I leave," he answered. "If, for any reason, you need to enter the house before I return, channel your chakra into that from the moment you step on the porch to the moment you lock the door, and vice versa. It will now only work for you and will temporarily disarm the defenses while you enter and leave."

Tomoko could almost physically feel the weight of Ken's words as she looked back at the small, seemingly-innocuous key in her hand. "What will happen if I forget?" she asked.

"There won't be much left for your clan to bury," he answered ominously, keeping his gaze locked on hers. And she could tell, even without sensing his chakra, that he wasn't bluffing.

"Hmm, cryptic," Tomoko said with a teasing grin, even if a chill ran down her spine. What could Ken have stored in that house that was worth such … drastic defenses? "To be clear, when do I start?" she asked.

Ken smiled a bit. "If you want to see me off with him, I'd be happy to pass him to you then," he said.

Tomoko grinned. "I'll be there."

After a few more days of quick missions and training, the day had finally come for departure for the Chunin Exams. Ken and Naruto arrived at the western gate early, the child still rubbing the sleep from his eyes and carrying two duffle bags of everything he would need during his stay at the Sarutobi compound.

"So who's your team for the test thingy?" Naruto asked with a wide yawn.

"I'm not sure," Ken admitted. "Commander Nara has been rather tight-lipped about that." This, despite Ken's persistent questions on the matter. The commander had finally told him he'd find out on the day of departure, explaining that he would need to adjust on the fly to his new team of genin as if it were any other higher-level mission. Ken had reluctantly accepted this and tried to put it out of his mind.

As the Uzumaki duo waited for the departure time, more genin, their presumed families, and the occasional jonin mentor slowly trickled from the streets and to the gate, along with Naruto's occasional remarks about having to arrive so early to which Ken would always remind him of the importance of punctuality. "Early is on time, on time is late, and late is unacceptable," Ken quoted.

As the genin, family members, and mentors began to arrive in earnest, Ken kept his eyes peeled for any groups of two that may indicate his team for the Exams, but they all seemed to arrive with family rather than as teams. He also felt a bit of apprehension rise at the fact that most of them seemed barely older than their mid-teens, and none older than twenty; this mixed poorly with his general problem with crowds that was slowly rearing its head. He was without a doubt the oldest applicant to be participating from the Leaf.

"Why so glum?" came a familiar voice. The Uzumakis turned to see Tomoko in her usual mission garb grinning at them like a smug cat.

"'M tired," Naruto grumbled, apparently trying to fall asleep standing up.

"I'm concerned about being the oldest guy in these damned Exams," Ken admitted without thinking.

Tomoko shrugged. "Hey, I've said it before and I'll say it again. None of these shrimps have what it takes to beat you. Whatever team you're on is all but destined to pass."

"Guess that's good news for me," another, younger, male voice said.

Ken looked around Tomoko to find a mid-teenage boy with shaggily cut brown hair, dark eyes, and tanned skin, dressed in a light-red long-sleeved shirt and a leather vest covered with pockets, belted dark pants, and sturdy boots. A black Konoha headband covered his forehead and held back his bangs while a holster at his right leg contained what looked like a set of long escrima sticks. A knapsack was slung over his shoulder, too.

"You must be the Ken guy that Koko won't shut up about," the boy said with a grin. He held out his hand to Ken. "Kato Sarutobi, I'm Koko's younger brother."

Ken chuckled and shook the offered hand. "Ah, the famous younger brother. I've heard quite a bit about you, too." Kato cackled at the remark while Tomoko blushed.

"So are you in this test thingy, too?" Naruto asked, a little bit more awake than before.

"Yeah, me and my teammate are trying for our second round," Kato said. "Our other teammate got a promotion last time, so we're waiting on information on our assigned third."

Ken raised an eyebrow at the coincidence. "So where's your other teammate and your jonin mentor?"

"Behind you," the siblings chorused.

Ken and Naruto turned to find two individuals behind them, both of obvious clan origin and carrying knapsacks of their own. The elder was easily marked as an Aburame by his long beige coat with an upturned high collar and sunglasses, as well as his brown hair that he wore rather long; though the gourd sitting on his back and hanging from a harness was unique to him. Like most of his clansmen, he seemed of solemn air.

The younger, though apparently a bit older than Kato, was a Hyuga, judging by her white eyes. Her long hair was arranged in a tight braid with her bangs held back by her Leaf headband. She wore the customary Hyuga robes in a shade of light green, along with sandals that extended up past her calves.

"Greetings, Master Uzumaki," the mentor said with an upraised hand. "Yes, I know who you are. How? I was briefed on your arrival." He handed Ken a scroll with the Hokage's seal, which Ken snapped before unfurling the scroll to read. "Why was that?" the Aburame continued. "It is because you have been appointed to round out my genin team for the Exams."

Ken read as much on the scroll, as well as some basic information about the mentor and his new teammates, before rolling it back up and storing it in a seal on a large leather bracer he wore on his right arm. "Well, that settles that question," Ken noted. "It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance, Mister …"

"No doubt you read my name on your orders," Abruame noted.

"But I'd like to have a more legitimate introduction," Ken explained.

"Fair enough. I am Muta Aburame, specialized jonin and mentor to Team Fourteen."

Ken nodded and looked at the Hyuga girl. "And you, Miss?" he asked.

She remained silent for a moment, white eyes narrowed a bit, before answering. "Hotaru Hyuga," she replied formally with a short bow.

Before Ken could reply, a sharp whistle sounded, drawing everyone's attention. "Alright everyone, let's move out!" a jonin shouted before taking the lead, the genin making last farewells to their families before heading out the gates.

"I guess that's our cue," Ken said, kneeling down to Naruto. "Now remember, kiddo. Listen to Tomoko, be polite in the Sarutobi compound, remember to keep up your training, no swearing, no picking fights. Got it?"

"Yes, Cousin Ken," Naruto said with an eye roll and a smile. They shared a brief hug and a hair ruffle from Ken before he stood and followed his new teammates, casting one last look and wave at Naruto and Tomoko before they were out of sight.

Tomoko started at the feeling of Naruto holding her hand, clearly holding back tears. "What's wrong, Kit?" she asked softly.

"What if he doesn't come back?" Naruto whimpered.

"He will," Tomoko said firmly. "I don't think the Shinigami himself could keep him from coming home to you."

Naruto gave a watery smile before letting Tomoko lead him away from the gates and toward the Sarutobi compound.

Chapter fourteen is here!

*Yes, I referenced and commented on the "Clan Restoration Act" that pops up in "Naruto" polyamorous fics. Personally, I think it's an overused, bland, unrealistic, and overall bad idea. No judgement to those who read them or write them, those are just my thoughts. And for those who hope to see it in this fic ... NEVER gonna happen.

*I also find it strange that we have only ever seen Danzo as an example of the Shimura clan. I hope to change that much later in this work.

*Ken's mantra about punctuality is MINE too.

*"Kato" means "all-knowing", fitting I think for a relative of the fabled Professor and rising star of the Sarutobi clan. "Hotaru" means "firefly" and relates to a majority of Hyuga having a given name that starts with "H" and relates somehow to light.

*Muta Aburame is a canon character, while Hotaru is an OC. It is REALLY hard to find canon ninja younger than adults!

At any rate, here we go into the Chunin Exams arc! Wahoo!