(AN:Alright. Sorry this took so damn long to update, but I... well, look in the notes section at the bottom to find out, cause it'd take to much space to write my explenation twice. However, to make up for this overdue update, I wrote the bulk of the chapter (14,869 words - not including this AN - of it to be exact) in one sitting, such was my determination to get the damned thing out there for my readers. I can not explain to you how horrible I feel right now, so this is out raw and unedited. I haven't even read it over myself, so if anyone would be kind enough to point out any major flaws - not including spelling... I know I make mistakes, but the little things like that only concern me when they're bad enough to pop out at me while I'm writing them - rest assured, I will thank you profusely, fix them, and give you an honorable mention in the next chapter. Now,onto the major concerns thus far. FIrst off, I really didn't do too much to advance the plot in this... I did some, but not nearly as much as I originaly set out to do. Blame the fingers, for they are wild and uncontrolled... but I like what they come up with most of the time anyway. So, consider this a fluff motivated filler chapter for the most part.)

Kage of the Graves:

Proclamations Delivered, Proposals Made

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Ino had just enough time to get under the covers before several people barged into the room - intent on discovering the source of the explosion that had been heard throughout the sublevels of the ANBU HQ. Two of them were men, who reacted more to the sight of the crumpled wall with two little legs sticking out of a big hole. However, one of them was Sakura - a fact that didn't please Ino much. Naruto was still standing, growling at the fallen ANBU - naked as they day he was born - and her rival was now on the scene, staring directly at the man she loved. Naruto was an impressive sight even when flaccid, a fact that Sakura seemed very much aware of as she froze halfway through the door to stare at the naked fox. After a minute, Naruto turned to face the three - completely without modesty as he waved. "Oy, you three. You knew we were using this room, so what's with the unexpected visitor? Poor bastard's lucky I was only half asleep when he came in, if he'd've roused me from a full slumber, guy'd be dead." The two men only laughed, conspicuously avoiding making anything more, or less, than eye contact with their returned-from-the-dead comrade.

Sakura was a different case however, she continued to stare boldly at Ino's fox, and that was not done. She was about to wrap herself up toga style and usher them all out of the room when Naruto simply walked over to Sakura - right up to her! - with a grin on his face. He waved his hand in front of Sakura's eyes and laughed softly. "Hello? Fox calling Blossom, come in Blossom." When Sakura snapped out of it, Ino specifically heard the whispered stutters coming from the girls mouth, "Wow…that's… oh man… he'd tear… big… it's.. wow…" It was at this point that Ino, having managed to gather up her hoody and jeans without exposing herself - untangled herself from the covers and rose to her feet. Crossing the room in several angry steps before shoving Naruto's pants into his stomach, covering his manhood. "You, get dressed!" Her tone was now that of a commanding officer in the field - one that brooked no arguments. So Naruto hastily complied, bending over to re-clothe himself. Ino immediately whirled on the ANBU and her friend. "Sakura, out!" Her finger stabbed through the air in the direction directly behind the pink headed girl, forcing her to hastily back up. One traitorous wench taken care of, she spun back to the two men. "Well, what are you waiting for? Remove the idiot from the wall and get the fuck out! That's an order!"

Once everyone had left, Ino whirled on her lover with a glare that was half pout. "You come out in a towel and freak out, yet you have no problem conversing in the nude with Sakura and other ANBU?" Naruto only looked at her with a bit of a sheepish grin on his face, those foxy ears slowly angling downward until they stuck out almost horizontally from his head while his tails drooped to the floor. "I'm sorry Ino-chan… I… well, I never sleep naked. I didn't even think about it, y'know?" Ino groaned, discovering a drawback to her bestial lover - he was now twice as cute when he pouted, and she hadn't thought that to be possible. "Ugh! Dammit, that's it. Get dressed, we've got things to do today… but first, I'm going to take you shopping. I know we have a lot of preparations to make, but you and I are together now, and, since I really do not want to face my parents wrath alone you get to be introduced."

Naruto was having a hard time trying to follow the erratic logic that all women seemed to be possessed of. Shopping? He had clothes… granted they wouldn't fit him anymore. But! He could just get a new ANBU uniform issued, and a new mask and he would have all he needed for - likely - some time. So why shopping? And what wrath in particular was she talking about? He'd been on decent terms with the Yamanaka's for some time - hell, he'd stayed with them once or twice when they'd taken vacations - Mrs. Yamanaka tended to act like he was her son or something. So… what? He shook his head with a sigh, resigning to the thing that most men invariably do in such situations - that he would never understand women - and headed for the door before Ino stopped him again. "Ino? I thought…" Ino smiled softly and hopped up to latch onto his shoulders long enough to give him a quick peck on the lips. "Mmm, just a minute. We'll leave soon, but I am not dragging you around in pajamas. I'm gonna find you some proper pants or something first, okay? I'll be right back!" With a happy smile on her face, Ino had rushed out of the room and left the blonde scratching his head in confusion. "Women… I swear." With that proclamation, he headed into the bathroom to brush the sex breath out of his mouth and run a claw through his hair to give his spikes the usual amount of bounce.

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"But Ino-chaaaaan!" The giant fox man was whining again as Ino muscled him back into a changing booth - much to the amusement of the sales woman who was assisting them. This store housed all manner of clothing - armor, fabric, anything really, and the proprietors were retired Shinobi. Ino had dragged her fox over to this store because they made clothing on the spot with some interesting, chakra infused techniques that Ino - despite her avid curiosity - had never been able to learn, much to her consternation. She was now discussing a few different outfit ideas with one of the owners - a man she respected for his tastes and talent - to have made for Naruto while she kept sending him back in to try on outfits she really had no intention on ever letting Naruto wear. She knew he would need a long coat, and - although she'd never really considered Morino Ibiki an attractive man - she was thinking of the lead interrogators long, weighted and multi-pocketed trench. She also knew the ears would be somewhat of a problem - after all, if they were to introduce Naruto back from the dead, Ino thought it best to do so gently.

"Oh hell no! It's pink, Ino. PINK! I am not wearing pink… you can leave that up to Sakura-chan." Ino sighed softly and shook her head as he stormed back out in a button down shirt that was several sizes two small - and blaringly pink. "But, sweetie, it brings out the color of your tails!" "No, dammit!" She watched with amusement as her foxy lover grabbed up another shirt - orange no less - off of the rack before stomping back into the booth. Ino giggled softly before returning to her conversation with the male half of the proprietary team.

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(1)

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The comfort Orochimaru found in the shadows was absurdly close to what a small child found in the presence of a nightlight. His bedroom was filled with floor-to-ceiling silken scrolls - each depicting a conquest of sorts. The result was, by the time one reached his actual bed - an obscenely extravagant sleigh bed from the far away France - they could hardly see anything at all. Each gust of wind that flowed through the carved marble walls created another movement in the layers of darkness until one would get the impression of life - slithering, coiling, sinuous life - not unlike an adder pit(2). It was in this darkly comforting area that Orochimaru rested now. His breathing was even and slow, though he was not asleep. The snake never slept when in the presence of company - as rarely as he allowed that to occur - and, although he barely considered the pretty no-name resting against his pale skin company, he refused to make an exception now. He had other reasons for remaining awake, reasons that had much to do with his seeking of this pitiable girl at his side.

The young woman was one of the few survivors from a village far away - a small farming village towards the eastern coast of Japan - that had been picked up by one of his patrols. The story she told to him - of a horde of conquerors she had witnessed from afar - was troubling. An army approached, and Orochimaru was not sure of the target. It was a misunderstanding on the part of many that Orochimaru did not care for his citizenry. Yes, he would gladly sacrifice disturbing amounts of his Shinobi and non if it would accomplish some desire, but he had long come to understand that he needed them - for without them, he would have no village. Without a village, he could not collect vast amounts of knowledge with ease - along with an excellent cash flow - to finance his research and projects. So yes, he needed them - and things Orochimaru needed had to be protected.

It was these thoughts he meditated on as he listened to the precious girl's breathing. He would kill her soon, but moments such as these gave him such delightful confusion. He had raped her of course, the scent of blood was still very much fresh in the air, but in the end she had had called to him with love. It was Orochimaru's way to work the mind over more thoroughly then the body. After all, it was pleasurable to orgasm - but it was orgasmic to defile. The Snake Sannin was just beginning to contemplate summoning Kabuto for a meal when the shadows around him shifted alarmingly -someone had entered his sanctuary! 'Whoever it is had better have a damn good reason,' he thought as he continued the farce of sleep. 'Or I will not only kill the messenger, but their friends as well.' They were close, he could see that now. The shadows alerted him to their every step, changing the constant pattern as the intruder created their own silent breeze. When he decided they were close enough, he sprang. Leaping from his bed, Orochimaru was quick as lightening in his assault. He turned a somersault in mid air and crashed his heel down viciously onto the intruders collar bone in an aerial ax kick.

However, instead of the satisfying crunch he had expected, it was only a smoke filled pop that greeted him. 'A shadow clone!' He had no time to seek out his opponent before the world seemed to explode around him. All of his scrolls, so carefully placed to become the perfect alarm were suddenly ablaze - and Orochimaru felt as if he were looking at the specter of death himself. For there, some twenty feet away from him, stood a demon of war. Nine tails thrashed through the air while eyes burned a solid white against a body that easily out massed his own. Demonic lettering flowed as fire across the creatures body as he took a step towards the Sannin.

"Orochimaru. I have come to speak with you. You will cease hostilities or I shall be forced to make you listen. Trust me, snake. You do not want this."

Orochimaru had recovered his equilibrium marvelously fast after being threatened and he hissed softly as he dropped into the ready stance for his own personal style - Coiling Viper - and prepared his assault. "I do not know you, creatu-" But the Snake Sannin was cut off by a sharp bark of laughter - and it was amazing how much like a bark it sounded.

"Oh? I stand before you with nine tails and jagged jaws… yet you do not me? I was mistaken in thinking you intelligent then. But if you are not intelligent, then you do not possess the ability to be reasonable."

Orochimaru snarled at the insult and began to slowly approach, killing intent - of such ferocity that the girl in his bed suffered a fearful hyperventilation before collapsing into a deeper sleep than the one she had just been woken from - rolling off of him in waves. "It would appear that I do not. Now ssssuffer.!" He had come across an extremely rare few who could match his power, and even less his speed - so Orochimaru was rather confident of his ability to destroy this upstart.

"Pity." The pain reached the snake's body almost before the word reached his ear. He simply hadn't seen the fox move, but he was suddenly bent over a limb that seemed made of expertly forged steel. Breath left him as the knee retreated from his abdomen, but it was only a momentary reprieve - an elbow was quickly driven into the juncture of bone between back and neck, and he dropped like a stone. However, he was not about to be done in so easily.

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Naruto was actually quite surprised with the ease in which he had been able to deal with the Snake Sannin. Before the original Naruto's suicide, he had suffered grievously at the hands of the Sannin. If memory served, it had taken three days for Tsunade and Kyuubi combined to heal his wounds… and that had been before Sasuke had helped Orochimaru defeat and take over Itachi. When his mind came across this thought, an alarm bell began to ring - causing Naruto to leap backward just in time to avoid a knee breaker - a move continued through into a rotary kick that brought Orochimaru to his feet. Although he was temporarily immune to the effects of the Mangekyou Sharingen, it was still disconcerting to see the distorted version - split vertically by a partial pupil slit - he was now staring into. Things were to be more difficult it would seem. Orochimaru came at him again, using the almost hypnotic grace of his style to distract Naruto from a kunai that had been brought to bear under the shadow of a swift back-knuckle… and when the sensation of a small cut across his chest reached him, it nearly caused him to lose his temper. Chakra blazed heavily around him for a moment and he drew on more of the demonic power at his possession and reached forward to brutally slap the feminine Sannin - sending him crashing to the wall. Before Orochimaru had even a chance of recovering from the unexpected turn of events, Naruto was on him. One hand gripped the mans testicles while the other closed like a vise about his throat.

"Listen to me, and listen well, Orochimaru. I am the complete fusion of Uzumaki Naruto and Kyuubi no Kitsune. I have a world of power at my beck and call that you can not imagine. To crush you would be nothing to me, and I would gladly do so were it not for more pressing concerns. I know you have knowledge of the coming of the Dark Legion. I am here to deliver a message of temporary truce with Konoha. If you wish to cooperate - and thus, stand a chance against them - then come to Konoha in one weeks time on the day of the next full moon to begin discussing tactics. If you do not show, or attempt to deceive in doing so. Rest assured, I will hunt you down and skin you alive like the snake you are. Am I understood?"

Naruto only waited long enough for the feeble nod of acceptance before releasing him and activating the seal he'd etched into the hilt of a kunai some few miles off - using his own personal revision of the Yondaime's Flying Thunder Gods Technique(2). When he arrived, he immediately collapsed onto the ground as a seizure overtook him. The powerful tails began to recede - returning to the seals they were represented by along his back - while his muzzle reverted back into an only slightly elongated jaw.

He lay, gasping for air, for some time afterwards as his - still mostly human - body suffered through something very much like withdrawal as he resumed his normal appearance. Eventually though, he was able to rise to his feet and retrieve the kunai he had had specially made for the occasion before leaning heavily against a tree. "Ugh.. This.. This was not supposed to happen." something had obviously been done wrong in the sealing process for him to suffer so. After all, the merger was supposed to give this body the full power of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, as well as Uzumaki Naruto - an impressive enough warrior on his own - and yet he had barely begun to warm up when the pain had begun to set in. The result had been him cutting short the profound beating he had been prepared to give Orochimaru and simply deliver his threats, promises and proclamation with only a weak show of power before skee-daddling out of there. Despite the trace amounts of fear that this realization gave him, Naruto knew he had to set this aside for the moment. 'After all,' he reasoned, 'I've many miles left to travel, and there's no rest for the weary.'

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Naruto had promised Ino that he'd be back within the walls of Konoha by 6:00 the next evening - and no later - so that he would have time to wash up and dress appropriately for a dinner with her parents. He wondered, though, at the odd wording Ino had used. Dress appropriately? How many times had he eaten dinner with the Yamanakas' in ripped training gear or -still dirtied - ANBU attire, sans the fox mask of course. Why should this evening require the semi formal attire she'd made him purchase? He continued to ponder this as he made his way towards the next destination.- a small hollow that he'd visited once or twice under the heavy escort and binding seals of a red eyed Atkatsuki member and his partner during his youth. It was hardly what one would call a home base for two of the stronger nins, but Kisame still honored the place of his former comrade-in-arms' choosing. Naruto paused, knowing that, if the shark were at the hollow, he would swiftly be in the sword wielders range of detection. It troubled him greatly to realize that, if he had to use more power than before, he wasn't sure of how long he'd be able to hold it. 'Ah well. Things to consider, things to worry, and things to bother about later.' It had been Naruto's motto in life, and he supposed it could still serve it's purpose in half life. And so, with that thought planted firmly in his mind, the fox nin poured on a burst of speed and charged into the small hideout with just enough chakra leaking out to make his presence known, while attempting to reign it in so that this wouldn't seem exactly lie an attack.

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"So, here's what I was thinking. I know you said that this place was secure due to the fact that it was hard to notice and there were few signs of living ever being here at all, but… if we just added like, I dunno, a curtain or something for privacy farther inward. We could put up a Genjutsu and tie it into a power node somewhere in here to maintain while we were away. Y'know.. Make it a little more homey?"

Kisame listened only partially to the continued rants of his young - and admittedly attractive - team mate. She had joined the Red Dawn only in the past year, and, although she was certainly powerful, he often wished that she hadn't. For starters, the girl had this insanely bubbly persona. Always trying to brighten things up in an occupation that was dark by nature. However, despite that, the girl was all business when it was time to bring the pain - though he still missed the companionable silence when he had a hangover. Thankfully, he didn't have a hangover at the moment, although that was largely due to the fact that they would be leaving the hollow in the morning, and he refused to drink when he had any reason to rise early. So he was about to simply shoo the girl down again when he something shut her up for him. They had both felt the flicker of chakra at the extreme range of the senses - a chakra signature that was rapidly coming closer - and each began to make preparations for battle. Kisame felt… something… familiar about the incoming person, but he didn't really pay it any mind. People rushing into attack him was something Kisame had gotten used to - though it had happened much less frequently over the years as he added to many skulls to his own entry in the bingo book - so this was nothing new, and he chalked it up to simply recognizing the intent.

Kisame's preconception was shattered a moment later when the chakra signature flare briefly as the person grew almost near enough to be in sight, before suddenly vanishing off of his radar entirely. When it reappeared, it was behind him, and before he could even bring his infamous shaving sword to bear, he found himself in a bit of a bind - literally. What felt much like furry tails had wrapped around his torso and trapped his arms to his side, while another set had similarly bound his legs together. A sideways glance showed his female partner to be in a similar situation - and although Samehada was rapidly drawing in chakra at his side, it did not seem to be affecting his attacker. "Alright," Kisame said in a genial tone. "You have our attention."

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"Good." Naruto was rather relieved that Kisame was still as level headed as ever. The man was a very odd Shinobi - as Atkatsuki members went. While he enjoyed the lust of battle as was - seemingly - required by all of the Red Dawn, he was also a bit lazy and complacent. Naruto could recall several times - during one of the three times he had fallen captive to the duo - where the man would bring some willing woman to the campsite as if he and Itachi were not some of the more highly valued criminals in the Shinobi world - swaggering drunkenly and introducing Itachi as 'Slick the Weasel' and Naruto, bound and gagged, as 'A foxy little snot they'd picked up somewhere.' These traits - though somewhat annoying - were what led Naruto to form an odd sort of friendship with the two most troublesome members of Atkatsuki. Mind, it hadn't ever gotten to birthday parties and 'boys night' outings, but they had willingly released him against orders on the final two occasions of capture. Aside form these reasons, he was also rather aware of the shaving swords presence bringing the onset of the pain that much quicker. "Now, I'm going to release you both, and I'd like to have a nice little chat with you for a minute. I do so, knowing that I won't be able to catch you both by surprise again and trusting that my lack of hostility thus far will prove that I'm not here to attack."

Seeing Kisame nod, and a more reluctant follow up from the former Marsh nin that was the sharks new partner - Naruto released them both and allowed the additional tails to recede. Back into the seals that produced them once again. "Good. Now… where to begin. Ahh yes, let me first state that Atkatsuki's royally fucked in long term goals now, by the way." He could see Kisame blinking in confusion before sudden comprehension dawned upon him. "Holy shit! Izzat you, kid?" Naruto laughed softly, although he was always weary. After all, part of the terms of their bizarre friendship was that truces could be ended by either party for no reason whatsoever. Kisame and Itachi - before Orochimaru had stolen his body - had both frequently helped him out only after beating him to within an inch of his life. And, although it had only been in some of the more recent confrontations, Naruto had been a fan of doing the same.

"Indeed, Kisame. It is I. Although not quite the Naruto you knew. I am… the combination of Kyuubi and Naruto, although I am still called Naruto at the rather forceful insistence of the Hokage." Kisame nodded, as if this were the most normal statement in the world. "Well," the shark man stated. "That would explain the tails, the ears and the eyes… along with the fact that you're not having to look up at me anymore." Naruto groaned softly at the 'small' jibe to his former height. "Anyway, onto seriousness for a moment. Kana, Kisame, I'm here because out of all the members of Atkatsuki, I trust you both the most… sort of. Although we've only met once or twice, Kana, you seem to bring a ray of sunshine to the almost punish darkly natured Red Dawn, so I kind of like you on instinct… despite the fact that the first time we met you spewed acid onto my arm and nearly melted the flesh to the bone." Kana had the good grace to blush, despite the happy grin on her face that occurred due to the compliments - direct and indirect - Naruto had given her. The girl virtually preened while attempting to look sheepish, something he noted with amusement.

"Kisame, although you've always been a pain in the ass, and I doubt that'll ever change.. You were… in your own special way, kind to me when I often needed it the most. Hell, I would have continued to swear off pot like an idiot. I mean, Kami… can you imagine that?" Both shared a good laugh for a moment as Naruto allowed himself the continued distraction. What he was about to say would be difficult. Much more so than it had been with Orochimaru, for he genuinely hated the snake bastard. "Alright kid. Enough lollygagging. You don't seem overly different from before, aside from appearances and the fact that you can use big words now - take phonics while you were gone, hmm? - so I bet the same habits apply. This is a big issue and you're not sure - for one reason or another - how to approach it, right?"

Naruto grinned softly at the good natured jibe that was part of an insiders joke. Somewhere, sitting in his apartment back in Konoha, was a shirt that the duo had given him the last time Naruto had seen them before Itachi had lost his soul. The title on it was simple and amusing as hell, 'Hucked on foonix rilly worked fer mee', a slogan he bore with pride for all the eye rolls it received. But he realized that the time for jokes had just been officially ended. "On target, Kisame. I assume you've heard of the invasion force approaching by now. Whether or not you know the name isn't important at the moment, what is however, is that it's a serious threat to all of us. They possess many relics of the forgotten cities, and that alone is dangerous enough. I know the western provinces are beginning to incorporate siege engines and ball bearing combustion guns again, but this army has several of the real thing. That alone is enough to warrant attention." Kisame only rose an eyebrow, but Kana - who professed an avid love for all things that had to do with the forgotten cities and the once powerful people who resided in them - seemed positively awed. "What makes them even more dangerous, however, is the fact that they are a fanatical army of cultists devoted to a god even more bloodthirsty and ambitious than that of your fellow Atkatsuki member who's name escapes me at the moment." Both of them nodded, knowing whom he meant.(3)

"Worse still, their god does not sit idle. It imbues each of it's warriors with a measure of power… making even the weakest of their active members a match for any decent Chuunin." Naruto sighed softly, giving them time to absorb the information presented as he reached into the travel bag he'd brought along with him to retrieve some of the sake he'd purchased before leaving Konoha - in a moment, each had a drink present in front of them and, by the time conversation had started up again, were on their second cup. "To make matters even more pressing… they have the numbers that we simply don't. Not alone. We have many powerful Shinobi, as do many of the villages and countries - great and small - but we are not united. It saddens me to realize how many will fall. But… I, along with our allies, are working swiftly to make a combined front. My personal duty in these preparations…" Naruto grinned softly for a moment before continuing. "Is to be the suicidal idiot that runs around delivering messages of temporary truce to all of the most dangerous enemies, neutral parties, and criminals that I feel even the most remote of hope in convincing to join the cause. Such as yourselves."

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Kisame nodded, knowing when the time to keep quiet and let the boy speak had come - a trait which Kana didn't seem to share now that they had left the subject of the forgotten ones behind. "You think that highly of us, Naruto?" The girl giggled happily and attempted to sneak a hug in on the now giant sized fox. Kisame sighed softly. The girl had had a bit of a crush on Naruto since he'd first bested her - even while nearly loosing his mind under the pain of having his flesh attempt to regenerate while still being burn away by Kana's spectacular usage of one of the Marsh's forbidden techniques. 'Silly little twit,' he thought to himself, although there was genuine fondness in his words for the 17 year old ball of sunshine, hormones, and killing glee that was Haridiyo Kana. He continued to watch with amusement as Naruto deftly defended himself from both the hug and the retaliatory hail of shuriken sent his way at the rebuff.

"Alright!" His voice easily silenced his younger team mate and forced her to settle as the authority echoed with the single word. "Kid. I can't say the same for Atkatsuki, although I will swear by at least a few members being open-minded enough to listen and - hopefully - join up. Regardless of the rest of the organization, I know you came to us specifically because you knew you could count on the fact that we'd be willing anyway. Well, rest assured, you've got my cooperation, and I think it goes without saying that Kana would be happy to help you in any way she could." Kana eagerly nodded while scooting closer to the fox once again. "So, that said, I only gotta ask when you want us in Konoha - I assume that's the gathering point right? - and under what circumstances are we to be arriving in?

The shark man listened intently as Naruto outlined the vaguest of plans. They were to arrive in Konoha within a week. If Kisame were able to convince other members of the Atkatsuki to follow with him, they were to follow within a few days afterward after completing any preparations necessary - but were not to follow any sooner than a full day afterwards. An area in the outlying training grounds beyond Konoha's walls would be dedicated to their personal use and lodging would be set up there should they require it. But Kisame and Kana alone would be allowed inside the walls to announce their presence. When strategy meetings began in earnest, concessions would be made to allow the others if it came to that - but they would be discussed at another time. Kisame and Kana were to arrive at the small Western Gate and announce their presence, their intent, and that they were to be escorted by Naruto himself. From there, Naruto would take them to the Hokage where further instructions were given.

Once all this was discussed, Kisame grinned slightly as he noticed the approaching dawn and nodded towards the Sake bottle present. "Alright kid. Since it doesn't look like I'm gonna be getting any sleep tonight after all, wanna stay and kill the bottle? Have a small little party before we all head out? There's a village not more'n ten miles from here, which I assume you'll be staying at before your next foray to another of those most dangerous enemy, neutral parties, or criminal types you mentioned. I figure you got time, 'sides, it's been a while, neh?

But Naruto only sighed at him, a weary look crossing his face for a moment - one Kisame knew well from his own reflection - that could only mean many miles to travel before rest could be had. "Can't," the blonde fox said with resigned shake of the head. "Gotta be back to Konoha before six tonight, and it's a good twenty mile run from here just to get back into Fire." 'Ouch,' was Kisame's only thought on the subject. He could tell the kid had been doing a lot of running already, and even with the few hours they had been talking, Kisame could easily say from experience that rest - especially when filled with intense conversation - was no real substitute for sleep. "What the hell would you need to get back to Konoha in such a hurry for? I mean, I know we're working on a tough time table, so I doubt you're supposed to report in after each meeting, right?"

The kid nodded, yawning something fierce - exposing a mouth lined with impressively sharp teeth that rivaled Kisame's own - before shaking it off with a foxy grin. "Got an important dinner to attend, and I've been warned that my tails will be the only appendages sticking out from my waist region from tonight onward if I'm not back in time to get cleaned up in time for it. If I was smart, I would'a reworked the Hiraishin seal I've got back in my apartment so that it would recognize my new body. But nooooo." Kisame had to grin, giving the fox a pat on the back before standing and extinguishing the fire with a small waterfall Jutsu before giving Kana the signal to start packing. "Well then, kid. Rest assured the sake will not go to waste in your absence. Now get going so you can introduce your future hell spawn to the strongest nin they'll ever meet -" He paused, giving Naruto a grin that made it obvious he was including Naruto in the 'weaker party' that included everyone but himself. "- cause I look forward to helping out the next generation of missing nin." It was another insiders joke. Kisame had often made mention of the fact that if Naruto ever bore children - 'hell spawn' Itachi had amusingly termed the fox's future offspring - they would turn missing nin just to get the hell away from their eternally loud and boastful father.

Naruto growled softly, but without any real malice, and gave Kisame a solid slug to the shoulder - which Kisame returned happily, making no mention of the god awful throb in his arm - and turned to give Kana a quick and awkward one armed hug before escaping from Kana's attempt to turn it into a snogging session.

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"Just… Two…more... Fucking… miles…" Naruto was panting heavily, his long tongue hanging comically out the side of his mouth as he pushed his sore body for all it was worth. He was running late and he had no doubts whatsoever that Ino would at least be believable in attempting at making good her threat. 'Although…' He though with a grin - wincing slightly as he felt a sharp canine digging into his flopping tongue, he'd have to get used to such things. 'I'm pretty sure she values my manhood a bit to much to do more than threaten.' His lecherous grin turned into a happy smile as he crested a rise in the next moment, breaking his loping run long enough to let out a small whoop and pathetically weak jump for joy - sighting Konoha at last - before nearly crashing back down to the earth. He was so unbe-fucking-lievably tired after all this running… and Ino seriously expected him to do anything more than drop into bed? Hell, he should have been more assertive in his argument to postpone the dinner until he had finished handing out messages and dealing with missing in and village representative alike. He really couldn't afford to take this time away from tracking everyone down, and this long run back to Konoha was as wholly unnecessary as it was tiring. But… he sighed softly as he remembered the tearful blue eyes of his lover. She had been so hurt when he'd told her it was stupid to waste an entire day running back to have dinner with her and her parents - and at least another half of a day heading towards his next destination - that he'd crumbled. He had apologized profusely, spending almost half of the last few hours he had with her before he had to start out just trying to make her smile again.

In the end, though, he had found out what was truly bothering her, and why she practically begged him to return and stay - at least until early morning - his second night in the allotted week back in Konoha with her. She was worried about him. Not that she didn't know he could handle himself. She knew from experience that he was a very powerful Shinobi, she also knew that he had - at least as far as survival went - the most insane amount of luck anyone could imagine.

But, despite knowing that, she'd tearfully confessed that, "It doesn't matter if I know you're more than capable, Naruto! What matters is that I lost you once before you were even mine and it almost killed me right along with you… now that you're mine, I know I couldn't survive losing you again!" He'd held her then as she cried, ignoring the fact that he should already be packed and moving - swearing to Ino that he would return to her, that he would always return to her. 'And see where it's getting you, dammit? You've been together all of three days now and you're as whipped as a circus lion.' He grumbled softly, but without any real anger involved. Truthfully, even if he had any real regret.. He doubted his body had the reserve energy to spare for such an emotion. Red was rimming the edges of his vision, and not the type that came with his Yôkai enhanced vision either - but the solid, pulsing red that signaled a bone deep exhaustion that would shortly put him into the dirt if he didn't get some rest soon.

Finally though, he was on the last stretch of road before he enter Konoha. The main gate of Konoha was right in front of him and he could stop soon. Granted, he was already down on all fours - the bestial changes wrought on his frame making quadruped motion as easy as biped for him - just to capitalize on what little energy he had left, so he doubted stopping would be a very good idea unless he managed to get a hold of a soldier pill sometime in the very, very near future - but it was a comforting thought none the less.

--------------------

The guards at the gate were staring at the approaching form with curiosity. They knew who it was, for Naruto had left a message with the security office, but they couldn't believe their eyes. The description they had been given - which they had taken for a joke or some sort of extravagant new outfit - included the fact that he had two tails, and long ears. It did not however do justice to the fact that Naruto more closely resembled a haggard animal than a human. When he finally arrived, he only stopped long enough return to an upright position - accompanied by two, rather disturbing, popping sounds as the fox man's knee joints reversed - and sign in before continuing on into the village. Silence reigned as the two tailed fox shuffled tiredly into the village proper.

"Holy shit…"

"You ain't kiddin'."

--------------------

It was nearly 6:30 when Naruto finally unlocked the door to his apartment and stumbled inside. Gods he was tired. 'But…' he thought with a sigh. "I promised Ino I'd be there at…" His thoughts - which he remained unaware to the fact that they were no longer internal - paused as he glanced to the wall clock. "Fuck… In a little under an hour." With a grunt, he moved towards the small, cramped bathroom - cramped, in fact, to the point that one had to squeeze through the door because it hit the toilet about halfway through it's swing - and pulled aside the moldy shower curtain to crank up the hot water. That done, he plopped down on the toilet and reached within the petals of the fake plant atop it to retrieve his bowl and sack. Naruto figured that - unless divine intervention, along with a scheduled visit from Konoha's Health and Housing Association came up, occurred and caused his slum/landlord to replace the ancient boiler in the basement, he had a good twenty to thirty minutes to invite a bit of chill into his life and let some of the stress go.

Yes, he knew he would be absolutely exhausted by the time the bowl was cashed, but he had a small celebratory bottle of Vigor Vine Liquor sitting around somewhere that Jirayia had given him some months ago when Naruto had inadvertently stumbled into a blind date with Ayame. Although he knew that the liquor deserved - at least in part - every accusation it got for being some sort of legal 'date rape' drink, he also knew that it would give him the few hours of vital energy it would take to get him through the night. So, with a grunt, he began to pick apart the sticky little nuggets of such a beautiful crystal white and fuzzy red and pack them into the bowl with the flat handle of a mini screwdriver he'd bought for just this purpose. Naruto, unlike so many of his fellow ANBU, did not prefer the roll'n'smoke method. Instead, he was what he termed a 'Holy Bowler'(4) and, as such, he was a dedicated enthusiast.

The intense concentration provided him a momentary reprieve from his exhaustion, and he smiled happily at the results of what a little patience and a skill honed from several years practice could produce. Not a hint of stem, not a single seed to mar the simple beauty of a perfect bowl - just a little slice of sticky, furry, sparkly heaven inside a hand carved marble bowl he'd gotten from Temari about four years before. "Ah." He smiled softly and reached across the tiny space between him and the mirror cabinet above his sink - opening it to reveal a small boom box with a broken antenna. The radio never worked, hell Konoha didn't have any station Naruto really cared for anyway, but the bulky tape inside held a musical treasure trove of toking songs. "Heaven… I'm in Heaven. I'm in Heaven, so that I can barely spe-ak." His voice had risen a pitch to a soothing baritone as he sang the old love song that was the beginning of his ritual while he plugged in the radio and switched it over to tape. His timing was perfect after so many repeat performances, and he was able to finish up the once verse he knew before the silence ended and the slightly staticy music began. "And when you're near me, know that I hear angels sing… Oh heaven… I'm in Heaven, wi-i-th youuuuuu."

His battered Zippo, produced from the same fake plant, flared to life as the first klaxon that heralded the beginning of I want to get high by House of Pain. Naruto sucked in a deep lungful of the intoxicating smoke and held it for the full 36 seconds it took for the singing began… and, by the time Reefer Day, an old Cheech and Chong song from the way back days had reached the second chorus. Naruto was tucked inside the steamy shower, singing along - baked out of his mind and pondering the mysteries of the universe.

--------------------

"Shit, shit, shit!" Naruto was tearing across the rooftops of Konoha, with blatant disregard to all measures of safety in an attempt to make up the time he'd lost in his stoned distraction - a whirlpool had started in the drain as the water level dropped in the shower and the fox had been helpless to resist the fascination he felt as it twirled to and fro. He was now dressed in the outfit that Ino had laid out on his bed during his absence. Naruto could scarcely conceal the embarrassment he felt as he tried to tie the sash on the run. In memory, he'd only ever worn fancy clothes to funerals - so he felt awkward indeed to be wearing - what he had begun to realize was the first ever produced formal attire for the head of the Uzumaki Clan(5) - such… finery.

The flared legs of the silken - and finely embroidered - hakama pants were temporarily rolled up to his knees and pinned there rather indelicately. Atop his broad upper body was something like a Gi, but the sleeves were cut partially through at the shoulders and left much longer than normal until, they too, flared out at the ends where they would envelope his clawed hands when he allowed them to unroll and do so. Beneath the Gi was a silken shirt stitched together with a hardened leather vest that had a collar designed to be imposing when he wished - reaching up to cover all but his eyes when tied into place - while also allowing him to let it lay flat, exposing the intricate gold leaf etching of his trademark spirals.

His hair - much longer now due to the fact that he hadn't groomed it since his immense growth spurt - was pulled sloppily into it's first top-knot - and the tufted tips of his ears each sported a sparkling ring. There were, however, two parts of the outfit he had simply 'forgotten' in his rush: an ornate decoration that Ino had gotten specifically designed for his tails that resembled some odd type of fan, which he'd told Ino repeatedly he would never wear - and a ridiculously poofy hat that Ino giggled about for some time after sneaking it onto his head. Needless to say, the collar was tied up tightly, and he was doing his level best to keep from being spotted by anyone who might recognize him and thusly receive a lifetimes worth of blackmail material in one evening.

Wearing the overly traditional outfit, however, had finally driven home into his overly thick - even now that he was supposed to much more intelligent and perceptive - skull, just why Ino had been stressing this dinner so much. He, that was to say the original Naruto, had seen Ino declare herself to be an Uzumaki, and he had also noticed her parents reaction when he'd gone to visit them in spectral form. They were both immensely proud of their daughter for her decision as well as her vigilance, but they were deeply saddened by the fact that it could never be.

'I was, after all, quite dead as far as they knew,' he thought with a grin as he crossed the official midpoint in his trip from the slums to the Yamanaka household. His more serious thoughts continued as he pushed himself as fast as he dared to go in the delicate clothing he wore. This was to be his official return from the dead as far as either Inoichi or Minoa were concerned, and he was quite sure that Ino meant to show her parents that she had not wavered in her decision to be an Uzumaki. This thought alone was enough to make him smile brightly, as well as nearly falter in his next jump as nervousness struck him. This was such a big thing to come upon him so suddenly… and for a moment, he had to wonder if he was ready. In the wake of that query however, came the realization that he hadn't thought to ask himself if he was sure of her love or his own, nor did the question of whether or not it was what he wanted come up. Yes, he truly loved her and would indeed be happy to spend the rest of his life with her… even if that was only a period of time slightly longer than a month.

At the last, a sobering thought if there ever was one, he did stop in his - almost panic speed - flight towards his beloved's house. If, although he couldn't find it in himself to believe such a thing, one of them were not going to make it…

Stop it, never gonna happen.

But if…

Shut up, dammit! You won't let her die and you know it. If the reaper dared to touch a single hair upon her head, you know you'd slit your own throat on the spot and be halfway through finding out what happens to a soul harvester when they're taken apart by your barehanded rage before your body even hit the ground and you fucking know it, Uzumaki.

But still… Naruto turned slowly, getting his bearings after a moment and heading slightly northward from the direction towards the Yamanaka's. He had two things to take care of before he continued his rush to his lover's side. One proved impossible as he fumed in the phone booth - slamming the damn thing down on the cradle hard enough to break it off - after receiving some unfortunate news from the receptionist. But the other was a very quick stop at least. The door had scarcely closed behind him when he'd come right back out of it, smiling as brightly as the sun. Now… now he could at last be with the woman who had, in such a small amount of time, become the biggest and best part of his life.

--------------------

Inoichi sat in his chair, completely mystified as to why Ino had cornered him the previous night and told him - in no uncertain terms - that if he ever wanted to hear her call him 'daddy' and have her respond to the title 'daddies little girl,' or 'little girl' for short, then he would be dressed in his most formal attire and seated in the dining room at 7:15 on the dot. His confusion was only compounded by the fact that his wife had also complied with the girls demands and now knelt upon the pillow beside his own - as beautiful as the day he'd met her, which also happened to be the day he'd fallen in love with her - in her finest kimono, smiling demurely and serving expertly heated sake to their guest. That was another thing that had him so confused. Their guest was the Hokage - which, in and of itself, wasn't all that unusual, considering that she had often stopped by. What was so confusing - and becoming increasingly annoying - was the fact that she refused to tell him why he had been exempted from taking part in the huge amount of A-ranked missions that were circulating through Konoha and had all of his friends and most of his associates gone from the village without so much as a word. Every time he had tried to bring the subject about when a lull in the pleasantries occurred, the Hokage had either given him a vague dismissal, or he was shushed - outright shushed! - by his daughter.

Ino, was just another piece in the puzzle at this point. She was looking positively radiant alongside of her mother, her hair - still short from her grief stricken butchery - was expertly put up and ornamented. The kimono she wore was brand-new and, judging by the look and label -for Inoichi was a man very in touch with his fashion sense - it must have cost the girl more than she spent on clothes in the past four months. Even after Inoichi and Minoa had told Ino that she would be responsible for her own wardrobe several years back, his little girl had still kept up the same shopping pace as before… so this was no small sum. The final mystery surrounding this little formal affair, however, was that Ino simply would not let them begin dinner.

The time when she had told them it was to start - 7:30 on the dot she had said with a malicious glare in her eye that hadn't… exactly seemed meant for him - had come and gone. A glance at the clock told him that it was nearing a quarter till eight, he was becoming impatient. Finally, just as he was about to demand that they stop this nonsense and get this pointlessly formal - as far as he could tell anyway, Tsunade had stopped by for a meal and a drink in nothing but jeans, shirt and jacket on more than one occasion after all - dinner on it's way, the doorbell rang. Ino squealed, surprising everyone present by racing towards the door at such a speed that he could have easily believed she had performed a Body Flicker to get there.

Her voice carried to back to the dining hall, carrying muffled words that made it obvious she was having an argument with someone. Tired of being left in the dark, and possessing only a small portion of the infinite patience his wife seemed to have at the moment, Inoichi almost stood to go greet this mystery person and find out what the hell was going on. He was halfway to his feet when the Hokage gently settled a hand on his shoulder - a very bright and almost, but not quite, misty eyed smile curving her painted lips - and told him to wait just a little bit longer.

He sighed resignedly and settled back down, grumbling quietly. Thankfully, he didn't have to wait much longer, for his daughter appeared once again in the entrance to their small dining hall - on those occasions where the Yamanaka clan had to meet, they would use the clans ancestral house on the outskirts of Konoha where the official office was run by a steward until such time as Inoichi retired from active status - with a smile on her face that melted his heart. His daughter was happy again, he could see, and he did not hesitate to admit that he would have waited in his seat until he was to old to perform even a C-ranked mission if he had to just to see that smile on her face once more - thankfully though, it hadn't taken that long. As his daughter opened her mouth to speak however, he almost choked on the very air he breathed… such was his shock at what came next.

--------------------

"Lord Inoichi, Patriarch to the illustrious clan of dream walkers, soul weavers, and reapers of wisdom that are the Yamanaka. Beloved and fair are thee as leader, husband, father, and family to all who bear such a praiseworthy name." All eyes were upon her as she recited the words that had been drilled into her when she was first old enough to speak. She saw much surprise evident in the expressions of her parents, and she didn't really blame them - she hadn't used the official clan greeting since she was very little, and never with such passion. This was the introduction used in the presence of dignitaries, a duty usually reserved for the first son of the clan patriarch, though in the absence of male progeny, the first daughter was also expected to fill the role.

"Lady Minoa, Matriarch and Mistress of Lore for our clan which is gentle in speech and manner, but fierce at heart and in battle. We, the proud Yamanaka, honor you and love you as you deserve." Ino could see each of her parents sitting a little straighter as she honored them more by the feeling she put into the speech - especially when reflecting upon the fact that Ino had found excuses to duck out of official meetings whenever possible, and when not, performing her duty as briskly and dispassionately as possible… much to her parents embarrassment - more than the words themselves ever had or could. At last, as protocol dictated, she turned to the Hokage.

"Godaime Hokage, honored and cherished protector of all that is dear within the provinces of Konoha. We, the Yamanakas', most humble and loyal amongst the clans, praise you within our most sincere of hearts, and without through the open arms we extend to you." Ah, but now, Ino could scarcely contain her excitement, and she begged her body to restrain the tears of joy that threatened to fall from her eyes as she prepared to give her enraptured audience the final introduction - one she had worked out on her own and was wickedly hopeful that it caused her lover to squirm in the bashfulness that was only present when being praised - that, almost a week before, she had despaired to realize she would never have the chance to perform.

"Lord Inoichi, Lady Minoa, and Honorable Hokage, it is the pleasure of myself, Ino, cherished and doting daughter of the Yamanaka Clan and she who is gifted by birthright, to have the honor of introducing all who are worthy of your attentions. If it would please the Lord and Lady Yamanaka, as well as the Godaime Hokage, I wish to make such an introduction now."

Ino knew she had played her part perfectly, never before had she ever felt such unbridled joy to be saying such formal words - they'd always felt so stiff and unnecessary to her before - and it had made her parents very proud indeed. Even Tsunade-sama seemed to have been affected by her words, for the old woman was smiling grandly and seemed to have lost fifteen years to become every inch the firm and powerful leader that was immortalized in stone upon Hokage Mountain. As she spoke the last bit, Ino knelt to the ground, demurely bowing her head and fixing her eyes firmly downward. She could hear her mother softly sniff once behind the ornate fan held open before her now - there as much to hide the show of 'weakness' it would be seen as were they in a more formal setting with all the clans in representation, as it was to formally create a barrier between herself and those who had yet earned the honor of viewing her openly… a custom as old as the clan itself. There was a silence that pervaded the room, and it made Ino uncomfortable despite the fact that, this too, was part of the ceremony. The three had to bee seen as debating weather such a thing should be granted. After all, fair or not, they were a Clan, and all Clans had to be careful with whom they allowed within their domain.

At last, just on cue, her daddy spoke up in a voice that radiated power and authority. "I, the Lord Inoichi, Patriarch of the Yamanaka Clan, will allow this. Although, I would ask you, child of mine and my beloved, to bear in mind that we may deem this person beneath our notice and send him away. Unless the Lady Minoa has any objection she wishes to voice against this taking place, we will allow you to introduce them now." Just as Ino knew she would, her mother, of course, did nothing of the sort. Instead, she merely nodded - first to her husband, and then to her daughter. "Very well. No objection has been made, you may rise, Ino - child of mine and my beloved - and introduce this person now."

At last, the time had come, Ino stood slowly and gracefully, letting not a single wrinkle settle onto the fabric of her kimono. She had quickly thrown a jacket on when answering the door - not wanting Naruto to see her like this just yet. After all, on such an important and stressful evening, a girl had to get what relief she could. After hastily fighting down the urge to grin, Ino smiled and nodded to her parents, and then to the Hokage before speaking one final introduction. "I have said, Lord and Lady, that I have someone I feel is worthy of your attentions that I wish to introduce unto you. Having received your blessings, I shall do so now." She turned slowly towards the entrance and called out to him, her foxy lover, with a voice as soft as and beautiful as freshly fallen snow. "You may enter, Lord. My plea for you has been well received and granted. Come forth and show yourself."

--------------------

Outside, Naruto had been almost upset when Ino had answered the door in a trench coat… after he had gone through all the trouble of getting ever so thoroughly dressed up! She had grinned at his reaction and pulled the coat open just enough to reveal something… dammit! He hadn't gotten a long enough glance to get more than a hesitant impression of something silky. If that wasn't enough, she'd berated him for his sloppy job on his top-knot! "But Ino-chaaan…" He had practically whined. "It's the first time I've ever done one!" She had laughed at his antics and undid it for him before performing one hell of a magic trick - redoing it to perfection while kissing him lovingly. He had to marvel at the woman that he had been lucky enough to live for, even as she frustrated him to no end. Breaking the kiss, she stepped back to yell at him for being late, proving that he was the insensitive jack ass she'd always thought him to be… and that was one of the more affectionate things she'd said before she finished releasing her pent up nerves to gently hold him.

"I was almost afraid you wouldn't come, Naruto…" And he'd melted all over again. Now he stood inside the small waiting room attached to the dining room, getting more and more nervous at all the lofty titles, heavy handed praises, and intricate phrases being thrown around like kunai on a battlefield - 'cept without the killer intent'n such. 'Kami! Is this what being part of a clan means? Am I gonna have to put up with this stuff all the time if Ino gets her way and I establish the Uzumaki name?' These thoughts - and many like them - were put aside as he shook his head vehemently. 'Hell no. My clan'll be relaxed and light on the praise. If someone wants to address me, their clan head, they'll just be like.. "Yo! I got something' I gotta tell ya!" and then… I'll be all, "Well, tell me then, dammit! I've got a warm bowl of ramen waiting for me, and after that.. A beautiful blonde who told me to come to bed early tonight, so hurry up!"… heh, yeah. I think that's much better.'

Lost in his thoughts, Naruto almost missed his cue to enter, but thankfully - so that he did not incur the wrath of Ino - his brain registered what he'd heard just in time to step through the entryway and… do nothing but stare awestruck at Ino. His mind ground to a complete halt as he took in the beautiful satin and silk kimono that was a breathtaking mix of several shades of blue an cornflower yellow - although there was no actual picture present in the mingling patterns of color, Naruto got the distinct impression of some familiar scene… but his thrice damned mind simply couldn't get around the sight before him to figure it out. She was… "Beautiful…" Naruto whispered softly, causing a fine blush to color the white painted cheeks of his angelic lover.

Ino smiled softly and bowed before him, a brilliant smile gracing her features at his compliment. "I thank you, Lord, but please - and I sincerely beg forgiveness for my rudeness in presuming to remind thee - you should wait to speak until you have been introduced." Naruto, still having trouble doing anything but admire her, could only nod slightly as the woman of his dreams turned around to give an introduction for him. "This is he whom I wished to bring to your attention, Lord and Lady Yamanaka. Although his clan is small yet, and includes only himself. I must attest that he is truly worthy of note. This man has saved my own life and countless others. This man has brought about the end of traitors to our most mighty of villages. This man who is so powerful, not even death can stop him. I present to you, Lord and Lady Yamanaka, as I do to you as well, Godaime Hokage, the Patriarch of a clan which has yet to come, Uzumaki Naruto."

--------------------

Utter silence. Silence so thick that the soft clatter of Minoa's fan clattering onto the table seemed to thunder throughout the room. Time seemed to have stopped and no one moved. Ino was smiling softly to herself as she waited. She had made sure to adjust his hakama ever so slightly while he was distracted, hiding his tails, and with the top-knot and earrings, his ears seemed more like some sort of ornamentation than what could conceivably be flesh. She had waited for this moment since she'd first come to understand - truly understand - that he had come back to her. And now, at last it had arrived. She could easily see how her parents warred with their emotions to remain firm in their roles of clan heads. She could see the tears of joy shining in her mothers eyes, and the same expression mirrored in her fathers.

"Greetings, Lord and Lady Yamanaka. Greetings be to you as well, Godaime Hokage. My name, as your lovely daughter has said… Uzumaki Naruto. I do not deceive you, nor does your doting daughter. I am he who has survived all that was set before him - including, even, my own death. I come before you, not as the happy fool, but as a representative to the clan which I will form. I do this, not because I fear I could ever feel awkward in your home, but because I have something of grave importance to discuss. I wish to… that is, I have to say… ah shit…"

Ino groaned inwardly, though with great affection. He'd been doing so good! For a while, she'd almost been afraid that her plans would go awry and she'd have to continue being overly formal when all she wanted to do was hop into his lap and feed while they all talked and had a good time. Her parents suddenly laughed at the more familiar Naruto that had replaced the one that stood before them - instantly feeling more sure of the possibility that it truly was him. Ino smiled softly and stepped back as her mother stood to hesitantly approach the new Naruto, reaching up to softly caress his cheek with a smile as tears began to leave trails through her makeup.

"Oh Naruto… can it be..? Is it really you?"

Her foxy lover only smiled softly and nodded. "Yes Mrs. Yamanaka-"

"Minoa."

"- Mrs. Minoa, it's me. I mean, I know I'm a bit taller and uh… " Ino giggled softly as Naruto grinned sheepishly before letting his tails twitch into view. "A bit furrier…" She couldn't help it, Ino had to laugh aloud again as her mother - true to her usual skepticism - quirked a brow at him and gave the tail a quick pull before gasping when Naruto yelped and whipped his tail from her gasp. "They're attached, you know!" And just like that, Ino smilingly realized, all was right in their household once again.

--------------------

Naruto stood outside in the Yamanaka's backyard. He was staring up at the stars while enjoying the silent company of Inoichi. The man seemed content to smoke in companionable silence with him, and Naruto appreciated it - although tobacco wasn't his typical choice for smoking. He had asked the man to walk with him outside after the women of the table had begun to gang up on the men, and Inoichi had happily agreed. So now they stood, unconcerned over the gentle mist that fell from a low hanging cloud.

"So…" Naruto smiled softly and turned to face him, just as Inoichi snubbed out the fag in small porcelain ashtray.

"Hmm?"

"Well Naruto, I don't recall a single time you ever asked me to walk with you that you didn't have some question for me that you felt you had to ask in private. But… if you don't have any questions, believe me I have a few of my own. So, either start talking or I will."

Naruto grinned sheepishly and snubbed his own before heading towards the small gazebo in the back corner - motioning Inoichi to follow, which the man did. When they arrived, Naruto tilted his head slightly to the side and studied Inoichi for a moment before sighing softly.

"I want you to know… I've always respected you Inoichi. Ever since the first time we fought together. You and your family have always treated me kindly…"

Naruto quickly waved aside whatever Inoichi was about to say - knowing full well it was probably going to be something negating some of Naruto's gratitude.

"Listen. You know I didn't have the best childhood. I grew up having to be fiercely independent and ready to defend myself at the drop of a hat. I never got much chance to express myself in words… beyond shouting whatever was on my mind to everyone who would listen. But that's not the kind of thing I'm talking about, y'know? I gathered a few friends over time, yeah. I got little birthday parties here and there from Iruka, and a few other guest stars showed up for different occasions. But… The night I left to go on my training trip with Jirayia, you guys showed up on my door. I never could figure out why you did it. Hell, me and Ino weren't even more than slightly friends at that time… we wouldn't even have been that if Sasuke hadn't defected."

Naruto laughed softly as he remembered Ino slapping Sakura across the face when she'd become irate with him for failing to bring Sasuke back. It had sparked a few interesting conversations when they'd happen across each other around Konoha, never intentional but never unwelcome.

"But then… I was all alone that night and it hurt. I couldn't tell anyone because I couldn't risk Atkatsuki finding out, so I didn't even get to say goodbye to Iruka.. I just sent him and Sakura notes. It still confuses me… I mean, I'd only spoken to you once or twice when I bumped into Ino while you two were doing something. I know I messed up and told Ino on accident, so I know she must have told you… but… I couldn't believe it that you guys came over."

Naruto suddenly laughed, retrieving another smoke from his pack and lighting up as Inoichi did the same. "Kami I just keep circling, eh?" The older man remained silent, sensing that Naruto just needed to talk until he got to where he felt the conversation needed to be.

"What I'm trying to say though… Is that you, Minoa and Ino-chan… you've all been so great to me. You invited me on trips when you guys went places. I cried… I admit that, I cried until I was afraid I'd never stop because it felt so good that I couldn't imagine it lasting. I was scared that you guys would go away. That eventually.. You'd get tired of me and kick me out. But… you never did. I'm circling again, I know… so I'll just wrap this up in one, quick and simple bunch of words, alright?"

When Inoichi nodded, glancing at him curiously - albeit with an intense quality to his eyes - Naruto took this as a sign to continue. "I love your daughter, wholly and completely. With all my heart, with all my body, and with all of my soul. I want to be with her every second, and if it weren't for all the documents I'm going to be delivering again starting tomorrow… I would certainly try my level best to do just that. I'm… I'm here to ask for your permission to marry her."

Inoichi only laughed and ruffled Naruto's hair with a smile. "Hell, 'Ruto, I've been hopin' you'd pop the question all night."

"What!"

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Inoichi continued to laugh for a moment longer before smiling and leaning back against on of the support columns on the gazebo, turning his eyes to the bright moon in the sky.

"I've watched my daughter for years, Naruto. I can't understand women nearly half as well as I'd like to, so I've always tried to defer to her mother and meddle as little as possible… but, sometimes, when I wanted to jump in the most, I would realize I simply didn't know how to make things better once I was in. It was like that when you died… I felt.. I felt like I lost a son and a daughter in one swoop. I didn't know how to help her, and so I could only watch her… bring her food and drinks that I knew she wouldn't touch… and tell her how much her mother and I loved and missed her."

Inoichi sighed softly, pausing to take a long drag and exhaling slowly. His eyes were open and staring into the night sky, but Naruto could tell it wasn't the stars the man was looking at.

"I've known for a long time that she liked you. S'why I tried to get you two in the same room as often as I could. Hell! I was proud of her for finally picking someone worth a damn. I couldn't wait for it to happen, but it never did. My sweet little girl who was so open with her affections for the one she thought she loved before, simply couldn't speak a word once her heart was truly set. When I read that note, 'Ruto… I wanted to break into the morgue and pound your thick skull in because you couldn't see what was right in front of you… even after you stopped pining away for Sakura."

Inoichi grinned good naturedly as Naruto scratched the back of his head with a sheepish expression. It just seemed odd.. Talking so openly. It was especially weird to have someone else speak of his death without breaking down or changing the subject. "But now, here you are and I can't believe I ever thought for a moment you were truly gone." He chuckled then, reaching over to rest a hand on Naruto's shoulder.

"You'd think that after all this time, I woulda figured out that no one and nothing can beat you that easily… not even the Shinigami himself."

There was more silence for a while as the night continued on around them before Inoichi spoke up again, finally answering Naruto's question.

"I'd be very proud to have you marry my daughter, Naruto… but it's not up to me. So if you want an answer that really matters, go in there and ask her yourself." Naruto could only laugh and wrap the man up in a bear hug before rushing back into the house - Inoichi following at a much more sedate pace.

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"Ino, my love."

Naruto's voice reached her from the doorway as Ino giggled over Tsunade's humorous retelling of a complaint she'd received from a villager. Truth be told, she was feeling a bit tipsy, but she hadn't drank nearly enough to miss a hint of… something in his voice. She was just starting to turn around and rise to her feet to face him when his hands latched onto her hips and easily hoisted her lithe frame into the air - releasing her with a spin and catching her in his arms to face her lover. "Ack!" Her surprise had both of the other women laughing over their sake cups, but they were ignored now as Ino rested her hands along his biceps.

"Why hello, my love." A radiant smile - to match the one that was already present on her own face - broke out on those kissable lips of his that she loved so much. "What ever is so important that you must make a girl dizzy to get her attention a half second faster?" Her tone was teasingly brisk, and he made an attempt to pout dramatically despite the joyful smile that continued to dominate his expressive features.

" Ohh… nothing much…"

She would have believed he was just playing around, enjoying a bit of affection now that he had someone to be affectionate with… but his voice continued to intrigue her - there was something he was hiding, something that made him nervous enough that he was practically bouncing around from the frenetic energy such an emotion supplied. "Izzat so, hmm? Nothing?" It was Ino's turn to pout. She was supposed to be the one who teased in this relationship dammit! He was not supposed to turn the tables on her in such a manner - it simply wasn't fair! But her lover was becoming more at ease, not by much, but apparently enough to allow him to go through with whatever it was he had planned… for his smile turned down a few watts and became a tender look on his face as he set her down on her feet and knelt - 'Oh my god!' - in front of her, with an audience of her mother, the Hokage and, judging by the sounds coming from the back porch, her father certainly wouldn't be late to this show.

'Oh god, Naruto… you… in front of everyone! Oh you wicked little fox!' She tried so hard not to giggle, but the whole situation was simply to much for her. Her heart was hammering against her ribs and the tears were already beginning to roll down her cheeks as time seemed to slow around her. He was reaching into his pocket now, and a million thoughts had already gone through her mind before his fingers had even parted the expensive fabric that artfully concealed the opening amidst the embroidery. Her knees were going weak under her as a nervous laughter began to bubble up from deep inside of her, this was a dream come true and it was happening all wrong for her. She wasn't able to give him the coy smile she'd envisioned - the words that she had so carefully prepared on countless nights spent imagining - dreaming - this very moment and how she'd react.

She would be the goddess to her god… but it wasn't happening. Her hands - had her mind called to them? - had risen to her face, cupping her cheeks and smudging here make up even while she fought so hard to put them down. She wanted to be perfect for him, dammit! How could her body betray her so - A box, small and lined in velvet, was in his hands now - how could she do this to him? This wonderful man deserved her at her fullest, but she was quickly becoming a wreck as he slowly - almost glacial in his movements it seemed to her - began to open the box. Her breath was coming quicker now as the tears began to blind her and she couldn't believe this was all real, that this was happening to her. When the box snapped open, the sound thundered against her ears as the world tilted beneath her. 'Oh no! Please don't faint!' But… but she hadn't feinted, she realized as the world resumed normal speed so quickly it almost seemed to crash - and it had! She was atop of him and plastering him with kisses, sobbingly chanting "Yes! Yes!" over and over again to a question she hadn't even given him the chance to ask yet, but she didn't care… Naruto was asking her to marry him, and that was all that mattered in the world.

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(Notes:

(1: Alright. I was right here when I decided I needed cigarettes. So, at 2:40ish Friday morning, I pulled my forest green ride out of the garage and made my way down to the local Walthall. I'd purchased that soothing nicotine at the sale price of two dollars and thirty eight cents and was on my way home when a spider of ridiculous dimensions crawled out of wherever it was hiding out at, descending on a piece of gossamer thread directly towards my lap. My mind put this together right as my eyes widened in instinctual panic - for those of you in the southern states, you will understand what I mean by that - as I spotted the solid black color scheme marred only by a sinuous glossy red hourglass. How a black widow found it's way into my car, I'm unsure. Although I've had nests in my yard in the past, they've never approached anywhere near enough to cause me undue worry, and my cat doesn't climb those tree's they've nested in, so I never bothered them for pet safety either. However it got into my car doesn't really concern this story, though, so I won't bother you or I with it. I drive like a maniac, a fact which I firmly enjoy and proudly admit - unless a police officer is present. So, although I wasn't glancing at the speedometer at that particular moment to get the cold hard facts, I can only conjecture that I was driving somewhere above 70 in this 40mph stretch of road, (I realize that isn't very maciac-driver-ish, but it's a bit curvy so I like to be careful.) when this evil arachnid came into view and my hands left the steering wheel to bat the creature out of my open window.

At the same time I'd reached to smack it, I tried to tap my break to give myself the time necessary to get my concentration back on the road - but I'd just replaced the brake pads earlier in the day, and my brakes responded to well. The cig in my hand was knocked out of my grasp as I hastily slapped both hands back onto the steering wheel to keep my unbelted body from doing the same while my car skidded a bit, and the Pall Mall - "Wherever particular people congregate" - fell down the giant rip in the right knee of my denims.

The burn caught me off guard at a bad moment and I ended up going off-road in a car designed for no such thing. The sequence of events isn't very clear after that point, but I vividly recall bouncing around in my front seats as I hit a tree or four before coming to rest partially propped up against a stump in what I would assume will be someone's property in the next year or so. Fellow nicotine addicts will be proud of my next actions, for - the moment I was able to kick the damn door open - I lit up a cigarette to replace the one I'd lost. (Sadly, due to up-and-coming blood tests, it was only tobacco that I had for such terrible stress relief.)

After that, I began to walk back towards the road, and from there, back to the gas station - my cell being just another crumpled piece of plastic somewhere in the smoking remains of my car at the time - to call the cops. I didn't want paramedics, as ambulance rides cost far more than I'd ever pay for myself, and simply asked the cop for a ride - by this point, the shock had begun to wear off and I realized I was having a very hard time breathing around sharp spikes of pain in my chest, and he complied.

By Friday afternoon, I was dreading the mountain of bills I will receive, and looking forward to having several prescriptions filled to keep me nice and high above the pain. So, I have spent the last couple of days with my mom getting pampered and watching TV… But.. I can't put off writing any longer, so I give you this chapter of Kage of the Graves… written under the influence of small morphine injections every 5-6 hours (Fuck the recommended dosage dammit, they're not painkillers if you have to breath acid for four hours before taking another dosage.) along with Hydrocodone and Cephadyn… as such, it will ramble, I'm sure. Oh yes, the car's fucking totaled, by the way. So there may or may not be more updates than usual, depending on how long it takes me to get the check and find me another marvelous used car.

(2. Flying Thunder Gods Technique: Alright. I've noticed that a lot of fictions out there seem to be under the impression that the Body Flicker was the fourth's ultimate technique. It isn't. The Body Flicker - Shushin no Jutsu or something like that - is one of the Jutsus that seems to be known almost universally by Shinobi above a certain level of skill. An easy example to prove this is how Kakashi just kinda… poofs in and out. It's also how others quickly appear and disappear seemingly at will. The Hiraishin - I really don't care right now how it's spelled, I'm just trying to finish these notes before I rush to go to sleep before my ribs get any worse - was the technique that earned him the title Golden Flash. It involves - not just extreme speed ala body flicker - but almost instantaneous transition from point A to B with just a concentration of chakra. It is focused through a seal that must be set up ahead of time. The fourth had several special kunai designed with the seal permanently imprinted into them. In this fic, Naruto only had a few hours to prepare before he headed out to deliver his first and second missives - so I think it understandable that he only has one or two.. Such as the Kunai he used to escape Orochimaru's layer without having to go through all the people and pathways in between.

(3. The Mentioned Atkatsuki member with a religious background: H-I-D-A-N, H-I-D-A-N, H-I-D-A-N and Hidan was his name-o. A deeply religious person, this Hidan character. He belongs to the Jashin religion (Roughly, Evil God) and is said to be un-killable. Go to Wikipedia if you want more in depth info on him.

(4. 'Holy Bowler': My own term, a play on words of the title 'Holy Roller'… appropriate, I think. A holy roller is someone who constantly preaches the virtues of their religion. I am a 'Holy Bowler', and I constantly preach the virtues of pipe smoking when in the proper company. As for how Naruto is depicted in this particular section - a dedicated enthusiasm who takes great pleasure in the art of bowl packing - that was a blatant rip off of myself. I've got an entire kit that I made out of items I've picked up over the years - tools for packing, tools for cleaning, tools for weighing, tools for examining - but you will never catch me with a grinder. I take great pride in my skills and I won't cheapen them by mixing in little pieces of stems and seeds as grinders do. Also… pretty much the whole reason for this scene is because I'm losing my mind not being able to smoke right now. I've got a real sweet opportunity coming up - although, sadly I will most likely be unable to update, or possibly even write, for a time period that may stretch into the months - and I can't afford to fuck it up and fail the drug test… especially since my boss has decided to let me since I can't drive trucks for a little while.

(5. Uzumaki Clan: Since no one I've come across has been able to say for certain-sure what the Yondaime's last name was - hell, there've even been a lot of variations with his first name as well - but everyone seems to agree that it was not Uzumaki, I've decided to just skip the whole fucking issue and simply say that Naruto has decided that he will become Hokage entirely upon his own merit. He will not reveal the fact that his father was the fourth until after he is chosen for the position… if ever. Thusly, he will endeavor to make his own clan, starting with Ino.

(Misc. Notes: A lot in here I thought I should comment about, which kind of pisses me off at the moment… - need sleep - …but I will do so anyway. I've always liked Kisame. I know he's older than Itachi, but he's got a youthfulness (Yosh!) about him that appeals to me. I also think that, given enough time, it wouldn't be too bazaar to say that it would appeal to Naruto and vice versa with Kisame. We do have a psychological classification for such occurrences by the way, Stockholm Syndrome… so yeah, stranger shit happens.

Naruto's attire… you can chalk up to the painkillers.. I dunno.. It just looks cool in my mind right now. But then again… so do marshmallow Peeps: The Icha Icha Edition. I mean.. seriously.. Think about it! Perverted little treats shaped like lovable nekkid whores, courtesans, samurai, ninja, farm boys and girls, etc, etc. and after you're done posing'm, you can eat the gooey little bastards - or blow'm up in the microwave, s'what I do.

This was largely a filler chapter, but deal with it. I have very little to do while I deal with broken ribs, a nasty sprain and enough bruising make an interesting camo design out of - so I spend my time reminiscing and snogging my pillow. Don't laugh, you've all done it at least once. I just happen to have the excuse of being out of my fucking mind half the time.

Also.. As for Ino's portrayal of events while being proposed to… once upon a time - when I was younger and less cynical by far - I proposed to a beautiful face I thought I was in love with and she told me (This was several years before she tore my heart out and disappeared with my daughter) later that this was pretty much how things seemed to happen to her.

I suppose I'll make mention to Naruto's relationship with the Yamanakas' - though I know I'm skipping around quite a bit - I didn't mention it in earlier chapters, true. But hell, as I've said many times in many review replies and PM's, my fingers do the writing, not me. If it were up to me, I don't know quite how my fiction would end up, but I have a feeling it would tank pretty hard. Anyway…. It just seems natural to me that Ino and Naruto would get along well. It's in how they parallel each other, as well in how they clash. They both possess very vibrant personalities, are very passionate about things they want, and have a well of emotional depth that doesn't really come across clearly enough in either the manga or show. Most of the time, all you get is pure attitude - which is fine - but it grates on the nerves when you see someone go deep, seriously deep really, for about five minutes and then just absolute overbearing, full throttle, brashness. People don't act like that. Everyone is an iceberg dammit. What you see is only what any given person wants any other given person to see at any given time. I was a psyche major for nearly two full years before I decided that English was a subject I felt much more passionately about, so trust me… as both an analyzer, and a subject… I know what I'm talking about. But..,.

Wow it's easy to get off topic right now. So… where was I? Ah yes. I think Ino would be a severe daddies girl. To balance out the weak control of the father figure, you'd have to have a superiorly grounded mother figure, who is openly caring, yet cynic enough to not be drawn in by her daughters schemes. Thus, as Ino befriends Naruto, Inoichi has to get to know him to figure out if Naruto's the right kind of crowd for her to hang around. He sees a kid that genuinely enjoys the amusing side of life. He pulls pranks, boasts big, and has a fierce sense of loyalty that invokes an almost psychotic protective instinct where the well being of his friends are concerned. He would casually mention the boy to the mother, who would then find out a bit for herself… and upon finding the child to be an orphan who is constantly under an aura of hatred form all of those around him - while retaining a humanity that should have, by all rights, been destroyed much earlier on in life - who still has it in him to be kind and decent. I don't think it to much a stretch to assume that, with these observations in hand, the Yamanakas' would be kind to the boy.

Ah yes, and one last thing.. The court talk. If you didn't enjoy it, oh well. Court life, especially in feudal settings such as the one you find in the Naruto-verse -A leader of each country, and if large enough, a hidden village that is controlled by a Kage or similarly focal figure of power that acts something like a back up government on the whole - the courts were dominated by pleasantry and praise. Everyone buttered up everyone, and no one hurt another's pride with anything resembling open mockery. Yes, words were easily twisted to find the true meaning - but the words themselves were never anything less than pleasant. Everyone tried to prove that they were both better than any other person among them, while also proving that they were humble and loyal to a fault and would never oppose the Emperor. So anyway, if you thought it was long winded and over the top, guess what? You're right! Now pat yourself on the back and leave me to sleep.

Oh yeah, although it dosn't have anything to do with the court speech... I wrote Tsunade into this with the full intention of actually doing something with her. Hell, She was originally going to play the proud mother figure or something.. but it just didn't end up happening. However, by the time I realized just how useless the preliminary setup work and mentions of our favorite busty-bouncy blonde powerhouse Hokage were due to her almost complete lack of action outside of these things, they were already to ingrained into their respective paragraphs... so I'll probably just try and devote more time to giving her some space in the next chapter.

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Dirtwater

P.S.

It amuses me to see the term AU tagged onto some fics but not others. Why? Let me explain… AU - Alternate Universe - means that something different occurred at some time, in some place, to someone, in some way, that changed something in the story, correct? Well then. Every piece of fan fiction out there is an AU, no matter how minor or major the change - because something is indeed changed to suite the whim of the writer. The only exception would be an absolute, word for word, action for action, novelization of whatever series it was about. This would plagiarism, and it would also be very boring - considering that I read the stories on this site to see what someone else could do with a show / movie / book / manga / anime that I enjoy.