-1Holy moley! Eva did you see all the reviews! And they were all so supportive! Yay! Woo-hoo! (begins dancing around)
Eva sweat drops. "Um.. He'll be back in a just a moment (I hope). We all thank everyone who reviewed. SR was very worried about OOC and you've put those fears to rest. Thank you very much." (SR comes back to the keyboard)
On to the next Chapter! OH WAIT! BTW: Some of the reviews have inspired REALLY FUN ideas! So if you posted a review that sounds like the idea I take no credit for it and its yours! (Ya'll rock btw!) Just fan fiction here! Lol even if it is like fan fiction of reviews lol. Onto the next chapter! Ok when I upload things I lose ! And ? When I put them at the end of a expressive question so I'm just using ! So if you see that at the end of a question it really is supposed to be a question, but something is up in the upload between word and it picks up exactly where the last one left off. I wanted to put this all in last chapter but Pixie wouldn't let me!
Pixie glares dangerously at SR, he shudders. "It worked very well and besides, you didn't even have your outline finished for anymore of the chapter. Don't blame us muses for you being lazy."
SR moves to respond but can't.. (DANG IT!) Fine! Story time!
Chapter 7: Waves building.
"Welcome home, my Kit." Kyuubi said with open arms, ones that Naruto ran into. "I'm so proud of you my Kit." She said as they ended the small embrace. "So very proud."
"Arigato Kaa-chan!" Naruto grinned in return. "I can't tell you how worried I'd been. But Neji was right. I never needed to doubt Hinata-chan!"
Kyuubi smiled as she ruffled his hair. "I won't say 'I told you so.' then." She giggled as he pouted. "Go get washed up and I'll fix a quick snack for you." Naruto nodded as he turned to do as he requested. Kyuubi looked out into the dark sky as she sliced up an apple to be dipped in caramel. 'Its time Gideon. I'm going to tell him now.'
Naruto bounced into his seat, light-blue pajamas and strange night cap attempting to gobble his head. His grinned broadened when he saw the apples and caramel. "Arigato Kaa-chan!" And then he eagerly dug into the small dessert.
As he was about to finish the last piece Kyuubi sighed and spoke. "I have something to tell you my Kit." The seriousness of her voice made Naruto freeze, apple slice halfway to his mouth. "Since you revealed your darkest secret. I've decided to tell you another one." Kyuubi sighed again as she rested her elbows on the table follow by her chin into her hands.
"What is it?" Naruto asked cautiously. The tone she was using made the hair on the back of his neck stand on end. A clear sign of danger. When she continued to stare at him with a pained expression he tried to prompt her. "Kaa-chan?" The apple slice still hadn't moved.
The word seemed to snap Kyuubi back to reality. "First I have to tell you I'm deeply sorry my Kit for not telling you sooner. I haven't known about it for long either." Naruto was becoming more and more nervous. Kyuubi let a sorrow filled sigh echo from her as she closed her eyes. "You are not the only jinchuriki in Konoha."
The apple slice fell to the floor. The small splat could be heard echo throughout the silent room. Kyuubi opened her eyes to take in Naruto's form. His hand was still in the same place, although apple-less. His mouth agape and eyes wide in shock. He was staring at her but she knew he wasn't seeing her. His mind was running through everyone he thought was in Konoha, searching for any clue as to who it might be. "You're serious.." Naruto's voice finally broke the silence.
"Hai my kit." Kyuubi reached out and gently took his hands from across the table. "Gideon discovered who it was while he was here. He informed me before he left. We both agreed to keep it from you till you were ready."
Anger flashed across Naruto's features but he didn't withdraw his hands from hers. He couldn't tell if it was her Magnified body or her chakra within him, but he could feel her sorrow, that alone kept his anger in check. "Who is it?" He asked quietly although a suspicion was quickly growing in his mind as it replayed what she had said.
"Thank you for trusting me before my Kit." Kyuubi replied, startling Naruto as more suspicion was growing. One he did not want to believe. "I don't know how exactly or any other details behind it but.." Kyuubi paused again as she gripped Naruto's hands firmly. "Gideon discovered that Haldafang the Eight-Tailed Cat is sealed within.." Again she paused locking eyes with Naruto, her voice fell to just above a whisper for her next word. "Hinata."
Naruto's expression went through several emotions. Rage, surprise, shock, confusion before his shout rang out, probably heard by the entire village and farther. "NANI!"
In a forest on the edge of Fire Country a common looking man suddenly sneezed. His entire visage was commonplace. From the plain garments to the wide straw hat keeping the weather off him, you'd never give him a second thought. He twitched suddenly when he thought he heard a loud 'NANI!' echo through the forest. He looked back towards Konoha, his eyes flashed into completely blue orbs for a moment before returning to human-like ones. "Guess she told him.." Gideon spoke quietly to the stars. "Hope he doesn't try to hurt me when we meet up again.."
"NANI!" The shout echoed back from the Hokage monument into the apartment. Kyuubi had winced both times. Surprise ran across her own features when Naruto took his hands from hers and put up a sound-proofing jutsu. "What do you mean Hinata-chan has a demon inside her!" He shouted again arms flailing about. "Why didn't you tell me sooner? How long have you known? How did Gideon find out? I'm so going to hurt him when I find him! What do you know of this demon? Does anyone else know? What about Akatsuki? Hinata-chan is in danger!" Naruto turned to jump out the window but suddenly found himself enveloped by nine silver and red tails. He tried to shout again but Kyuubi's fingers where holding his lips together. Even as he strained against her tails.
"Please trust me again my Kit!" Naruto jerked his eyes to meet Kyuubi's at the desperation in her voice. It was just like when she made him promise to tell Hinata about her before the Wave country mission. The effect on him was still the same. "Please my Kit, Please.." He stopped his struggling and was slowly released. Kyuubi never took her eyes from Naruto. "I'll tell you absolutely everything I know."
Naruto nodded as he took his seat again and Kyuubi her own. He absently noted that one of her tails had retrieved a cloth from the counter and was cleaning up the dropped apple. "Absolutely everything." He stated clearly. Kyuubi sighed again as she dropped her hands onto the table, surprise once again crossed her features as Naruto took them in his own. "Please Kaa-chan. I have to know. I want to know."
'This must be what Gideon saw in humanity so long ago.' Kyuubi thought to herself as a small smile graced her features. "You remember when I said that nature of the Hyuuga Clan's Byakugan seemed odd to me?" Naruto nodded quickly, "I was right. They draw it from Haldafang."
Naruto's brow furrowed. "But wait.. The Hyuuga Clan has had the Byakugan for like.. Ever. How does that work?"
Kyuubi was pleased Naruto's mind was still analyzing things even in his agitated state. A testament to his previous training. "Its because somehow Haldafang is passed from one clan member to another. Gideon and I aren't sure how. Haldafang's knowledge of seals and their workings was probably the greatest of the Nine."
"So Hinata has this Haldafang inside her now?" Kyuubi nodded in response to Naruto's question. Naruto tensed as he asked his next, "Do the Akatsuki know?"
All the tension was released as Kyuubi spoke. "No. They never made a move towards her in the previous timeline. Even though they had ample opportunities because of Hinata's training style." Naruto actually let a blush splash his face as Hinata's waterfall dance flitted through his mind. "And I'm fairly certain even the Hyuuga Clan knows nothing about it anymore. Or Hinata would never have been treated with such carelessness."
Naruto let his head fall to the table with a small thump. "What a day.." He mumbled.
"And its not quite over yet.." Kyuubi whispered.
"There's more?" Naruto's head shot up and his jaw dropped.
Kyuubi giggled slightly at how much he looked like Hinata did earlier. "I promised to tell you everything I knew." Kyuubi reminded him. "It wasn't Neji or even Hinata's body that caused the damage that claimed her life. It was the seal itself."
"Nani!" Naruto shouted again. Kyuubi was thankful Naruto had been mindful to put up the sound-proofing jutsu after the first shout. "But my seal doesn't hurt me? Why does Hinata's?"
Kyuubi pressed onward quickly. "Generations ago, the Hyuuga damaged the seal, causing the direct carriers to be slowly destroyed from within." Seeing as Naruto now looked as he might repeat the Uchiha Massacre, except in a different section of the village, Kyuubi tightened her grip on his hands. "But this changes everything Naruto!"
Naruto looked at her sharply. "How?"
"We can alter the seal!" Kyuubi knew her next statement would end Naruto's killing desires. "We can save Hinata's life."
Naruto's features softened at those words. It had been a constant worry for them; how were they to protect Hinata from Neji's assault? So many scenarios they had run through but no matter what the answers they came up with, neither had liked any of them. Kyuubi was right. This new information changed everything. "I'm still mad you didn't tell me sooner Kaa-chan." Naruto stated crossly.
Kyuubi gave him a small smile. "But can you see why we didn't tell you?" She asked hopefully.
Naruto sighed as he removed one of his hands from hers to pinch the bridge of his nose. "Yeah I get it." Naruto used the same hand and scratched the back of his head. "What right would I have to know her biggest secret, if I couldn't share mine with her." He ended the statement with a small chuckle. "Sometimes being 'responsible' sucks."
Kyuubi sighed in relief. As much as Naruto acted 'Naruto' it always surprised even her how deep his mind was. "Yes it does my Kit."
"So.." Naruto began looking somewhat uncomfortable. While his knowledge of seals was fairly vast, spending three years with a perverted seal expert would do that to anyone, his mind couldn't come up with one that would do what Kyuubi described. That worried him. "How do we go about fixing the seal exactly?"
Kyuubi looked distressed for a moment, attempting to gauge her next words carefully. "I'm not entirely sure." Naruto's face tightened as well as his grip on her hand. "We're going to rely on Haldafang for that."
Naruto's face went from anger to confusion. "Haldafang? The demon within her?" Naruto relaxed his grip on Kyuubi's hand. "How do we know this Haldafang will help? Actually.." Naruto looked to Kyuubi questioningly, "How much do you know about Haldafang?"
"She was my best friend." Kyuubi smiled sadly, she didn't miss Naruto's expectant look. "Haldafang and I got along quite well, even after Gideon's battle with us. Until Haldafang disappeared suddenly." That sad smile came across her features again, Naruto recognized it; it was just like his regretful smile was after his friends started dying during the Sound War. "At least I know she's safe now."
"But that doesn't explain the how part though." Naruto gently tried to get the subject back on track, he knew what Kyuubi was going through.
Kyuubi looked up as she thought. "If I know Haldafang, she knows what is going on and will help us. All we have to do is help Haldafang and Hinata." Kyuubi giggled slightly before speaking again. "We're going to just have to trust our friends my Kit."
"But isn't there anything we can do?" Naruto questioned urgently. He could still clearly remember Tsunade's words of how Hinata had been in great pain for many years. "I don't want Hinata-chan to be in pain again."
Kyuubi grinned. "That's one of the reasons I was so happy you wanted to alter our seal again." Naruto's gaze turned questioning. "I'm going to fuse some of my chakra with yours, then we'll give it to Hinata. Although my chakra is destructive to you, it heals you as well. Over my lifetime I've infused my very chakra with regenerative powers, it should keep Hinata from that pain. At least until we can safely alter her seal."
Naruto's eyes widened in surprise. "Nani? But won't that hurt her? I mean.. even with the altered seal, you have to almost constantly heal me to undo the damage your chakra does to me, although the damage has lessened greatly since we altered our seal."
"That's why I have to fuse my chakra with yours. I'm going to sort out the regenerative part of my chakra and tie it to yours." Kyuubi explained. "Its going to take me several months to do it properly though." When Naruto's face showed he didn't fully understand she continued. "Think of it like your Rasengan. My chakra is the power, your chakra is the containment. If either is wrong at all, it'll blow up in your hand."
Naruto gulped audibly, "Will this be painful?" He could still remember the chakra burns on his hands and the sheer exhaustion of trying to learn the Rasengan.
Kyuubi giggled again. "Not at all my Kit. I've had a little bit more practice with chakra control then you."
Naruto pouted at that. "Then why will it take you so long then?"
Kyuubi was glad the normal Naruto was returning. "Because I want to be absolutely sure that it will be completely right. There is one thing I'm slightly worried about though." Her gaze seemed to drift off as she fell silent.
When she didn't continue Naruto tried to prompt her. "Kaa-chan?" Kyuubi snapped herself back from her thoughts, Naruto took a mental note of how that word affected Kyuubi.
"If I'm right about how long it will take me I'm going to have it ready at a very tender time for Hinata." Kyuubi stated sadly, she continued when Naruto's eyebrow rose. "It will be ready shortly after the chunin exam preliminaries."
Naruto was taken aback. That meant Hinata would have to fight Neji before she could receive Kyuubi's gift. A sudden thought lightened his mind. "But isn't that good? It means she'll feel better faster doesn't it?"
Kyuubi sighed. "If I was sealed inside Hinata then yes it would but I'm not. When the chakra leaves us and enters her, it will take Hinata's own will to awaken it." Kyuubi looked sadly at Naruto, "Hinata was not in the best of mind after Neji's mental attacks. Even with all we've done, I don't know what will happen."
Naruto's head sagged, "Even with all we know, we still have to leave so much to chance." He let his head hit the table. "This sucks."
Naruto felt several of Kyuubi's tails wrap around him gently. "But we're the only chance the future has. I believe in us and in her, Naruto."
Naruto gently squeezed Kyuubi's hand as he lifted his head. "I know Kaa-chan. We're here to protect our precious people. And we're going to succeed. Believe it!" By the end of his sentence Kyuubi could see the normal fire reignite behind his eyes. "Now lets alter the seal so you can get started on that chakra for Hinata-chan!" He had jumped up to say this when he suddenly looked back down at her. "Just don't do anything weird when you have control ok?" Kyuubi could only giggle and nod.
They cleared a small area and began working. Creating the circle with Naruto's blood. Some of the symbols Naruto recognized from their previous alterations. Although most of the demonic ones still escaped his mind's grasp. When they finished Naruto stood in the center of the circle. "Are you ready my Kit?" Naruto reinforced the sound-proofing jutsu and then nodded. "Just place your hands on the marks I showed you and let your chakra flow into them. The circle will handle the rest." Naruto nodded as Kyuubi disappeared in a puff of red smoke and returned to their mindscape.
Naruto took a deep breath to steady and ready himself. Altering the seal was at times painful, albeit neither had quite known what they were doing the first time though. Naruto glanced around the circle as Kyuubi waited quietly. She didn't want to rush him, after all; he was giving up some control of his body. Although they had made certain that he could retake control easily. Naruto looked at the outermost ring of the circle happily. Kyuubi had informed him that ring was where she would be able to store the chakra for Hinata so that nothing could effect it, no matter what happened to them. With a final breath Naruto placed his hands where instructed and concentrated.
He could feel his chakra being absorbed by the writing on the floor. It slowly glowed from where his hands were and spread outward till the room was filled with a comforting blue glow. As he continued to concentrate he could feel Kyuubi begin to add her own chakra. The blue glow was slowly joined by red to become a pleasing shade of purple. Then suddenly the entire circle shimmered slightly, lifted itself from the ground and began shrinking towards him. Naruto winced as he felt his stomach tighten as the circle condensed there, adding, altering and strengthening the seal there. Naruto finally collapsed to the ground. This was one of the few things that could actually give him chakra depletion even when they were in the future.
Naruto then felt a strange sensation run through him. Kyuubi's chakra condensed within him and formed into a very familiar pattern, and then gently let itself out from the seal. Naruto heard a familiar pop and suddenly he was staring at himself. Then again Kyuubi's chakra took on another familiar pattern and red smoke consumed his shadow clone. Slitted red eyes stared into his as Kyuubi successfully Magnified herself.
"It worked my Kit." Kyuubi grinned as she pulled herself up. Naruto absently noted that her hair was free, allowing it to spill across her shoulders and down her back. She was once again wearing a common looking kimono except this time it was a light shade of pink. Kyuubi carefully helped Naruto to sit up. "Are you alright my Kit?"
Naruto grinned weakly up at her. "Hai Kaa-chan. Just really, really tired." Naruto made a mental note to have his Kage Bunshins work on increasing his chakra levels again. Naruto chuckled at the thought of how surprised Kakashi would be that Naruto already knew how to use them to drastically increase his training. Whatever experience the Kage Bunshins had would become a part of him when they expired or were destroyed. So having a ton of them train was like training himself for months or even years if he made enough of them. "Think I could have some more caramel apple?" The weak grinned turned cheeky as his own insane stamina began restoring his chakra coils.
Kyuubi giggled as she rose. "Of course my Kit." After the quick snack, Naruto settled into his bed for the night. "Sleep well my Kit." Kyuubi smiled as she watched Naruto slip into sleep. "You deserve it."
The night passed peacefully as several people around the village were pleased with what occurred that day. They all fell into slumber and awaited the dawn's light. A new day would bring about the first effects and new questions.
Hinata felt the familiar warmth of the first rays of the sun breach the horizon and shine into her window. She slowly opened her eyes to greet the new day. For a few moments she basked in the comfortable feeling of awakening as the birds outside began singing to greet the new day. She looked to her hand and smiled. It was still there. The key Naruto had given her, the one to his home. The rest of the previous days memories washed over her and she frowned slightly.
'I still don't understand why the villagers can't see Naruto is Naruto.' Hinata sighed as she sat up and held the key in her lap. Her experiences with Naruto when they walked through the village replayed in her mind. A very unfamiliar feeling formed within her, anger, towards the village. But it disappeared as quickly as it came when Naruto's dream of being Hokage came to her mind. 'If Naruto forgives them then I won't start a grudge against them. We'll just have to show them who he really is.' She immediately blushed when she realized she had thought 'We'll'.
"Hinata-sama." A voice came through the door. "The breakfast meal will be served shortly."
"H-Hai." Hinata responded. Although she knew the person had already gone. Hyuugas were expected to rise and ready themselves for the new day. There were no such thing as alarms or wake-up calls. As Hinata pushed aside her quilt, shuddering slightly as her feet touched the cold floor, her mind raced and filled with questions she now wanted to ask Naruto. Hopefully she'd be able to bring herself to ask them when they met for sparring that evening.
Naruto let his hand run through her soft violet hair, then brought his hand to cup her chin. He chuckled as she blushed at the contact. Her pale lavender eyes shone with love as they stared deeply into his. He pulled her close and enjoyed the soft fit that their bodies shared. He breathed deeply to take in her scent.
'mmm.. Bacon..' Naruto's eyes opened. "Bacon?" He looked around to realize he had been dreaming. He knew full well that Hinata smelled of lily. His enhanced nose could pick up her comforting smell from quite a distance away. 'Morning Kaa-chan!' He thought as he prepared to Magnifiy her. When no response came his face took a confused light till the previous nights memory came to him. 'Oh duh.. that's why I smelled bacon! Kaa-chan is making me breakfast!' he thought excitedly as he rushed through his morning routine. The smell of breakfast driving him to new speeds.
When he finally arrived at the table he eagerly took his place. "Morning Kaa-chan! That smells great!"
Kyuubi smiled back at him from over her shoulder as she finished cooking. Her hair was done up into two tight buns much like Tentens, her kimono was a pale yellow with several designs of tree branches stretching up from the bottom to the side. "Good morning my Kit. Its ready. Sleep well?" she asked as she filled his plate with some bacon and eggs, complimented with a good sized bowl of rice. A large glass of what Naruto assumed was fresh-squeezed orange juice, since he didn't remember buying any boxed, was placed in front of him. He nodded to answer her question the slightest tinge of red on his cheeks. He hoped it had gone unnoticed by Kyuubi. Luck, however, wasn't on his side. "Evidently very good dreams. Visiting with Hinata-chan again?" Kyuubi giggled. Naruto's blush deepened before he turned his attention to his breakfast.
"Itadakimasu!" He smiled broadly before attacking the food in front of him. Naruto quickly finished his meal as Kyuubi attended to the dishes. "Love you Kaa-chan! See you when I get back!" Naruto said happily as he headed for the door.
"Wait my Kit!" Kyuubi called before Naruto could open the door. When he turned he felt Kyuubi's gentle kiss on his forehead before she quickly tied his forgotten hitai-ate in its proper place. "Remember to do your best and that you have my love my Kit." Naruto grinned appreciatively as he left. Kyuubi sighed happily as she looked about the apartment. 'This feeling is so nice to have again. I have a home and family.' She shook her head as she quickly completed the dishes and released herself to return to Naruto.
Naruto made his way to Team 7's normal meeting bridge and was surprised again when he was the first to arrive. 'Odd..' He thought before he noticed his fellow genin teammates appear from around the same bend that had before. 'Hmm..' His grin grew wide. "Morning Sakura! Sasuke!" When they got closer Naruto could barely contain his laughter at Sasuke's visage. "What happened to you?"
Sasuke growled but didn't respond. He hated that Naruto had to point it out to everyone. He just hoped that Kakashi wouldn't make a big deal out of it.
"Leave him alone Naruto." Sakura warned. Naruto cringed under her flaming gaze and complied. Naruto couldn't help but notice Sakura was different as well. Or rather part of her wardrobe.
"Hey Sakura?" Naruto asked carefully. When she turned her head to him he continued. "When did you decide to pick up the new gear?" He motioned to his own forearms. Sakura lifted her own arms up to show off her new armguards.
"I picked these up this morning." Sakura replied as she adjusted the straps along the back. "Along with the matching shin guards." Their design was basic, covering her entire forearm and extending a small plate onto the back of her hands. The shin guards did the same for her lower leg and added a small plate around her knee and atop her foot. Although they were basic black, each was obviously made sturdy.
"Why?" Naruto asked as his eyebrow raised. He was being very, very careful not to look at Sasuke for fear of breaking down laughing again.
Sakura was about to lash out at Naruto like she always did but suddenly Inner Sakura held up and shook her Naruto plushie, reminding her of the vow she made herself. So instead she began undoing the binds of an armguard. "Because I'm a girl, Naruto." She set the guard on the bridge's rail and began unwrapping the bandages encircling her arm.
Naruto took a moment to give her an analyzing gaze. "You are aren't you! Did you know that Sasuke? Sakura is a girl!" Naruto's grin turned to a grimace as Sakura continued to unwind the bandages. It deepened when he received a smack to his head from the aforementioned girl.
"Baka!" Sakura berated before returning to her bandages. Naruto had the decency to wince as angry looking bruises came to light, Sasuke actually managed to look guilty before giving Sakura an apologetic look. Sakura simply smiled lightly back at Sasuke before continuing her explanation. "No matter how much I want to believe otherwise, you boys are generally stronger then girls."
Sakura looked over the bruises carefully before beginning to rewrap the bandages. "Even if I am able to block a strike, my body simply can't take the punishment your's and Sasuke's can. The guards balance that out." She finished as she retrieved the waiting armguard and putting it in its proper place.
Naruto brought one hand up to his chin and crossed the other arm over his chest as he stared at the armguards intensely. "You know.." he began after a few minutes thought. "You should figure out a way to hide those Sakura." Naruto jumped over the railing to avoid the angry kunoichi as he hastily continued. "Wait! Wait! Wait! I mean if nobody could see them and you block a kunai with your bare arm! Just think about what your opponent would be thinking!" This seemed to appease Sakura, a fact Naruto was glad for as during his explanation she had grabbed him by his collar and had her fist perched for a potentially deadly blow.
Sakura's face turned thoughtful. "That's a great idea actually Naruto. Don't you think Sasuke?"
"Hn.." Sasuke grunted, "Surprised the dope could come up with it."
"You're just jealous cause you didn't think of it first Sasuke!" Naruto laughed at Sasuke before sticking his tongue out.
Sakura moved to stop the obvious attempts the pair was making for one of their normal 'don't feel like training' fights. "You two think Kakashi-sensei would know of a technique like that?" The slightest trace of disappointment flickered across the boys faces as they thought about her question.
"I don't think Kakashi-sensei is exactly a genjutsu expert." Sasuke replied.
"Yeah." Naruto agreed nodding. "Unless you call being a lazy, pervert a technique." The trio pondered who they knew that could teach Sakura such a technique. The Hokage came to mind instantly for all of them. He was 'The Professor' after all, but they each shook that thought off as the seemingly endless mountain of paperwork that always littered his desk appeared in front of them. "Wait! I might know someone!" Naruto suddenly spoke up. When his genin teammates looked to him expectantly, his hand rose up to scratch the back of his head. "But I can't remember her name, sorry."
A similar vein twitched on both Sasuke's and Sakura's foreheads. "Naruto.." They said in unison, their voices deadly as they slowly approached the now panicking blonde.
"Ano.. I.. uh.." Naruto sputtered as they began to tower over him. Their figures growing darker and beginning to be wreathed in unholy flames. Naruto shrank down, "I do remember something! Her eyes were red and she only recently jonin!" He was now pressed firmly against the railing with his arms covering his head to attempt to ward of blows.
The flames around Sakura died down as she thought about Naruto's description. 'Red eyes, recently made a jonin..' Sakura's mind drawled over the lists of Konoha's jonins. "Yuhi Kurenai!" She spoke suddenly bringing her fist into her other hand, Naruto unwittingly wincing at the motion he thought had been intended for him. "Its got to be her, she's one of the only female jonin with red eyes I can think of." Sasuke and Naruto chose not to press how she knew such details about the female jonins. She was Sakura, probably one of the smartest ninja of their class. "I'm going to go see if I can find her. Kakashi-sensei will be late anyways." Sakura turned and started heading back into the village. Naruto and Sasuke looked at each other, shrugged and began to follow.
As they fell into step with Sakura in between them, Sasuke spoke up. "Do we have any idea where she'll be?"
"I think I might know.." Naruto answered before jumping onto the rooftops. "Follow me!" He did this for two reasons. For faster travel and to hide his laugh about Sasuke's condition. His grin broadened as he thought of who just might be with Kurenai, even better if they were both with her.
The trio made their way through Konoha, making excellent time with their rooftop travel till they came to what Naruto knew was Team 8's normal meeting spot. They weren't disappointed when the sought after jonin and her team came into view, although Sasuke did seem to hang back a bit. "How did you.." Sakura's question died on her lips when she saw Naruto's gaze go straight to Hinata. Inner Sakura's grin grew quite evil. She had been wondering why Naruto suddenly dropped all advances on her and had fallen into a friends position. This was the answer why. 'Naruto finally noticed her.'
Team 7 approached Team 8 openly. Kurenai's face showed interest as to why they would be here. Hinata was fidgeting with her fingers and had the slightest tinge of blush dusting her cheeks. Shino looked turned in their direction but no emotion reached over his high collar or sunglasses. Kiba turned, took on look at the approaching team, turned away again with a snort then did a double-take when he mind caught up to what was on Sasuke's face.
And then with all the finesse he was known for, diplomatically brought the matter to the floor. "Nice shiner!" Kiba laughed. "Never thought I'd see the day Naruto got the best of you." Indeed the Uchiha heir had a very nice black eye obscuring his normal features. He growled in response to Kiba's barb while his fists tightened.
At this Naruto finally couldn't hold it in any longer and fell to the ground in laughter, but still managed to sputter out. "It.. (laugh) wasn't me!"
Kiba was looked at Naruto in surprise. "Not you? Who then?" Naruto had rolled onto his front and slowly pointed towards Sakura as he tried to reign in his laughter. Kiba's, as well as the rest of Team 8's eyes, shifted towards Sakura in surprise. Even Shino's eyebrows could be seen rising above his dark glasses. "No way! Sakura!"
Sakura gave Kiba an indignant glare. "Yeah I did, you want one too?" she emphasized this by cracking her knuckles dangerously. Inner Sakura currently had a leash strung tightly between her hands.
Kiba let himself laugh, "Feel free to try anytime!" Her answer was completely unexpected by anyone there. She did exactly what he asked. Her punch sent the unprepared boy spinning to the ground. Akamaru was thrown from his normal perch atop his head to be caught by a concerned Hinata. Naruto and Sasuke looked to be in a small sense of shock as they stared at their teammate. Sakura herself seemed shocked at what she had done, although she recovered quickly.
"Ask and ye shall receive." Sakura quoted as she adjusted her armguards and turned to Kurenai. "My apologies for interrupting your team meeting Kurenai-sensei. But I have a request." she asked with a polite bow.
"That was a cheap shot!" Kiba growled as he stood, a mouse forming under his eye. Sasuke just smirked at him.
"One that you clearly asked for." Shino stated.
"What!" Kiba turned on his quiet teammate.
"Kiba." Kurenai's word froze the genin. "Shino is right. Sakura offered and you accepted. This is exactly the kind of attitude that causes problems for you. You'll need to continue to work on improving it. You also underestimated Sakura, the result is the black-eye you now have. An enemy ninja would have killed you." Kurenai concluded her lecture by turning her attention to Sakura. "What was your request Sakura?"
As Sakura began speaking with Kurenai, Hinata returned Akamaru to his owner and approached Naruto. "Good morning N-Naruto-kun."
"Good morning Hinata-chan!" Naruto grinned back, pointedly ignoring the growl that came from Kiba. With that the two teams paired off. Kurenai and Sakura discussing the genjutsu. Hinata and Naruto speaking comfortably of trivial matters. Shino and one of his bugs discussing what appeared to be a new beehive that was forming in the forest. Kiba and Sasuke glaring at each other through Sakura induced black-eyes. When the two teams parted later Sakura had already begun applying her newly acquired genjutsu. Working to include the bandages as well, although that was proving difficult as they were directly contacting her skin. Sakura could feel the small but constant drain of chakra and she made a mental note to etch the needed kanji into the guards to assist in the genjutsu that evening.
Team 7 arrived back at their meeting bridge to find Kakashi had yet to arrive. No surprise there though.
"That was a great shot Sakura!" Naruto congratulated her. "Kiba didn't see it coming at all!"
"Didn't see what coming?"
The entire team turned on the new voice. "You're late!" they shouted in unison. This time no one took note of Sasuke's joining in.
"Sorry." Kakashi grinned. "I was busy trying to track down my tardy students." They all had the grace to look somewhat ashamed. The one time they'd depended on Kakashi's tardiness they'd gotten caught. Kakashi's eye lingered over Sasuke's face. "I see you underestimated Sakura too." Sasuke just grunted in answer. "Oh that's no way to act. Now I'm not so sure you're all ready for the C-rank mission I accepted for us."
Naruto looked sharply at Kakashi. 'C-rank mission!' Hadn't he had to throw a tantrum to get the mission last time? 'This is bad, we'll lose our chance to gain Zabuza and Haku!'
"We should have expected this!" Kyuubi berated them both. "With your own and Sakura's earlier advancement Kakashi took it on himself to get the C-rank mission."
'But what are we going to do!' Naruto asked frantically, before Kyuubi could answer Kakashi continued.
"We're going on an escort mission to Wave Country. Its barely C-rank, only getting that because we're leaving the village really." Kakashi's grin however didn't fit his normal persona.
'Huh?' Naruto was confused. How had they gotten the exact same mission without the actions beforehand?
"Perhaps our worst fears are founded." Kyuubi conceded. They had hoped that some things wouldn't follow they're predetermined path. Hoping that somehow Hinata wouldn't be matched up against Neji but all those hopes had begun to fade when the teams had been the same. Along with so many other 'random' factors. "We'll just have to be prepared for them now."
'I don't remember Kakashi being happy about the mission though.' Naruto thought as Kakashi explained the mission details. 'What's he so excited about anyways?'
"So meet at the gate at 7:00 am and we'll start off." Kakashi grinned at them. "You all are to join your sparring partners for the rest of the day." Kakashi turned to Naruto. "I've already arranged for yours to meet you at your field shortly Naruto. Just remember to turn in early and be ready for a long trip." Kakashi disappeared in his usual smoke, hand already reaching for his book.
Naruto grinned evilly at his friends. "Have fun you two. Don't beat him up too badly Sakura." He barely dodged the kunai that followed him as he departed laughing.
"You better run you baka!" Sakura shouted after the fleeing orange dot. She turned back to Sasuke. "We should go too." When she started walking it took her a moment to notice that Sasuke wasn't following. "Something wrong Sasuke?" He had his head down so she couldn't quite see his face.
"I have a question for you Sakura." Sasuke started. Sakura waited expectantly. "You know a lot about the ninja of the village right?"
Sakura smiled slightly, overjoyed that Sasuke was coming to her with a question. "Sure I do. Especially any female ninja the village."
Sasuke shifted uncomfortably as he tried to form his next question. Sakura noted it but decided to wait patiently. Whatever he was going to ask he obviously wasn't something he liked to dwell on. "What do you know of Mikoto Uchiha?"
The question took Sakura by surprise. 'Why would he want to know about his own mother?' Inner Sakura was scratching her chin and holding the Sasuke plushie thoughtfully. "Mikoto Uchiha, rank Jonin. Fought in the Stone/Leaf war. Completed 25 S Rank and 54 A rank missions successfully with no team casualities. C and D rank mission information was lost during the war so I don't know those. She was in the retired status when she died." Sakura held back the part about the cause of her retirement.
Sasuke looked shocked at the information he had been given. 'She was a jonin..' He hadn't known that. He knew she was a ninja, although he had thought she was a lower skilled one. "Why did she retire?" Sasuke realized too late that he had spoken his question aloud.
Sakura looked distressed for a moment but answered anyways. "I remember the book saying it was because she wanted to better protect her family." Sakura carefully gauged her next words. "She wanted to be a real mother."
'She gave up all her status just to be our mother?' Sasuke's confusion that had begun long ago grew again with this new information and what had happened yesterday. Naruto had beaten him easily. Even Sakura had been able to keep up with him and give him the bruise to his eye. Sasuke looked around himself. 'Itachi must be wrong.. Hate can't be the only way to power.. How could my own Mother get her power. She didn't hate. Naruto is treated poorly by the villagers, and he still wants to be the Hokage.' A fire that had dimmed within Sasuke flared to life once again. 'I'll prove Itachi wrong. I'll achieve both my goals without following his path.' He turned his attention to Sakura, who currently had a confused look on her face. 'I'll start by depending on my friends.' For some reason an image of his mother's smiling face flashed through his mind.
"We should get something to eat before we go sparring Sakura." Sasuke said suddenly startling Sakura. "Would you like to come with me to eat? I'll treat." He held his hand out to Sakura. Sakura noted that although Sasuke's face was the same cold look.
His hand was shaking ever so slightly.
"Sure Sasuke." Sakura replied as she took his hand. "That sounds great." With that the pair walked back into the village. Their hands resting comfortably with each other. The Flame of Konoha burning brightly within them both.
'Yes! Yes! Yes!' Naruto shouted to himself from where he had hidden himself to observe them.
"Its working!" Even Kyuubi sounded excited. "Sakura got through to the real Sasuke." Naruto bounded off to meet up with Hinata. A great weight had been lifted off his shoulders. He arrived at the training ground to another odd sight. Hinata was waiting for him. That wasn't unusual as she had always been waiting for him. But her countenance was odd. She was seated at the base of one of the posts, her fingers wrestling with each other and she was chewing softly on her lower lip. Even more surprising was that she didn't rise to greet Naruto as he approached. She always sensed him before. Something was troubling her to the point she wasn't paying any attention to the surrounding world.
"I think she's trying to work up the courage to ask about me." Kyuubi offered. "Its natural. Its not everyday you find out that one of your closest people has a demon within him."
'What should I tell her Kaa-chan?' Naruto thought. 'I don't think she'd be quite ready to meet you.' He could feel Kyuubi gasp as if she was hurt by his comment. 'You know what I mean.' He chuckled.
"Just start with the basics and answer her questions honestly. It will put her mind at ease." Kyuubi replied as Naruto closed the distance between himself and Hinata.
"Heya Hinata-chan!" Naruto greeted. He grinned widely when Hinata jumped, "Its just me Hinata-chan." He laughed. "What were you thinking about so deeply anyways?"
Hinata looked down as she fidgeted with her fingers nervously. "Good day N-Naruto-kun. I-I was just.. Ano.. Thinking a-about.." Her voice fell silent as her courage failed her.
"My special guest?" Naruto grinned back as he took her hand. "You can ask me anything." Naruto suddenly looked around. "But not here. Come with me, I know a good place." With that the pair took off into the woods. Hinata blushing at how her hand felt in Naruto's. Until they came upon a small wooden shack.
Naruto looked around thoughtfully. "This is fitting." Naruto laughed. "This is exactly where I learned about it too." He then lead Hinata into the shack and, to Hinata's surprise, put up a sound-proofing jutsu. When he caught her surprised gaze he explained. "So no one can eavesdrop. I want to keep this a secret between us." He seated himself down in the center of the small room and motioned for Hinata to join him. As she knelt down to let her legs rest comfortably curled up to her side, Naruto spoke. "So what did you want to know?"
Hinata looked at Naruto's smiling face as she gulped to try and find her voice again. "Ano.. Does.. Does it hurt?"
Naruto was shocked by this question. Of all the questions that could be asked Hinata had asked the one that fit her the most. 'Always caring so much about others. You're truly special.' Naruto grinned. "Not at all. In fact I'm pretty sure its why I heal so fast."
Hinata shifted slightly. Now that her worry had been satisfied her curiously burned brighter. "Can the seal be seen?"
"Yep!" Naruto replied as he lifted his shirt. He watched Hinata go bright red as he did so. He concentrated chakra into the seal to make it appear clearly. Hinata's blush didn't abate but she did lean in closer to see the markings better. Naruto noted that her hand started to stretch out towards him, but she quickly withdrew it. "Go ahead it won't hurt me." Hinata glanced up at his smiling face when she realized he had seen her hand move. Gingerly, as if she might somehow damage it, she traced the swirling lines. Naruto had to exercise great control not to start laughing from the sensation.
Hinata pulled away as she felt the tinges of darkness, signaling she might faint, edging into her mind. "I don't recognize a lot of the markings.." She said as she worked on calming her heart rate. It helped immensely when Naruto let his shirt fall and zipped up his jacket. "Ano.. Can you.." she paused as she searched for a word. "Does it talk with you?"
Naruto paused himself as he considered his answers. "Its more like I can sense what Kyuubi is thinking if I concentrate." He saw a look of fear and concern emerge on Hinata's face. "But that's why I need to say something about Kyuubi." Confusion added itself to Hinata's eyes. "I don't think Kyuubi really wanted to attack Konoha." Hinata's eyes widened in surprise. "At least that's what I feel. I think that a demon's mind would be a lot harsher then what I sense from Kyuubi." Naruto gauged his next words. "I don't think anyone knew the whole story about Kyuubi's attack. Not even those who defended Konoha. I think Kyuubi was a victim too."
Hinata's mind was reeling. The Kyuubi's attack had more too it? As she thought she couldn't bring up anything she'd been taught as to why Kyuubi had attacked Konoha. It had just been assumed the demon wanted destruction. But now Naruto was claiming that Kyuubi was a part of the victims of that time. Hinata could feel the fainting sensation starting to overcome her as her anxiety level skyrocketed. "Are you sure N-Naruto-kun?" she stuttered as she fought to stay awake.
"Hai Hinata-chan." Naruto decided to take it a little farther. "When I concentrate I can sometimes see images from Kyuubi." A retelling of memories could be called that when you make the images appear in your own mind right? "Its only bits and pieces, but there is one face that stands out. One that I took the time to match up."
"Who?" Hinata prompted still fighting the fainting urge.
Naruto looked directly into Hinata's eyes. "Orochimaru." He said slowly but with grave certainty. "I think he did something to cause Kyuubi's attack."
Hinata finally let herself go. Knowing that somehow, one of Konoha's Legendary Sannin and missing nin had caused the attack that had cost so many lives sent her over the threshold. Her last images were of Naruto rushing to her side as she fell.
"Wow." Naruto chuckled. "She really is getting stronger. The Hinata I knew back then would have fainted at seeing my stomach." Naruto arranged Hinata so that she would rest comfortably till she awoke. "I'm sorry Hinata-chan. I really wish I could let you be the way you were." His face dropped as he thought of what lay ahead for this unknown jinchuriki. "But I promise I'll do everything I can for you." He felt Kyuubi's comforting energy envelop him.
"And I'll be right there with you both my Kit." Kyuubi stated with absolute certainty.
'Thanks Kaa-chan.' Naruto sighed happily as he awaited Hinata's awakening and whatever new questions she might have. Hinata awoke soon after and the pair stayed in the shack discussing Kyuubi, Orochimaru, and eventually Naruto's C-rank mission late into the evening. Naruto kept his answers short and concise, never straying again far from what Hinata asked. Hinata noticed this but determined it was because Naruto himself was nervous so she didn't press him.
When they returned Hinata to the Hyuuga complex Naruto said one final thing before rushing off. "You're special Hinata-chan. You always see the good in everything, even in demon containers like me. Arigato." And he disappeared before she could answer. Naruto chuckled as he glanced back and hoped that Hinata never learned to fully control her blush. She was just too cute that way.
(scene change)
Night had long since fallen. Shops were closing and people were heading to their homes. One particular was heading into the woods where she and her apprentice had decided to make camp. As they didn't have the money to afford a room. Her long twin blonde pony tails stretched down her green jacket with the symbol for 'Gamble' printed broadly across it. Her youthful face had a red glow to it from the amount of alcohol she had consumed. Although frustration raged across it as a problem arose before her.
She couldn't remember where they had set camp.
And so she had taken to aimlessly wandering the dark forest. Not worried about bandits or animals as even in her drunken state she was more then a match for them. Oh yes anyone who dared to cross The Legendary Medical Ninja Tsunade would feel her might! At least that's what she told herself to try and calm her nerves. Something else was very wrong.
Tsunade hurried to where she believed their camp was and stared in horror at what she found. Blood was everywhere. It covered the ground and splashed the trees. But Tsunade didn't see this. Her vision was locked on what was tied to one of the trees. Shizune stared onwards groaning in pain. Few pieces of her dark kimono remained. The rest had been shredded, whatever removed it had left long gashes in the skin below.
Beside her stood a man. Dark clothing hid his figure. Only when he reached out to tear further into Shizune could Tsunade see his hands were covered in what looked to be metal in the shape of claws.
"Stop right there!" Tsunade shouted, sobering up instantly. "Get away from her!" With that she rushed towards the pair, intent on saving her friend. The figure glanced over to her and did the unthinkable. He plunged his clawed fingers into Shizune's stomach. Eliciting a wail of pain from the bound girl. Before waving his hand towards the approaching Sannin. This seemed to be an uncaring act, as if he was just trying to wave her away. But it caused Tsunade to freeze in terror.
Shizune's blood now dotted Tsunade's face and clothes. This caused Tsunade to realize she was already standing on blood-stained grass. Her hemophobia caused her inability to move. The man laughed loudly.
"So this is The Great Tsunade?" He chuckled as he moved to stand before her. "Ah can't you move? Little bit of blood scare you?" He sent a sharp punch to Tsunade's abdomen, in her shocked state she wasn't able to defend and fell to her knees gasping for air. "Your friend is over there dying you know?" He mocked her. "Guess what the best part is? You could save her!" He laughed again. "I haven't done anything fatal to her.. .. Yet." He turned his back on Tsunade. "I haven't even really started to enjoy her body either. Women react so much better when they're writhing in both pain and pleasure."
Tsunade's eyes widened at this statement but she couldn't move.
"Aren't you going to do anything?" The man asked sadly. "Ah come on! At least make this somewhat enjoyable for me!" He laughed again. "Least you could do is cry or something. I'm sure this little one would appreciate you at least calling out to her."
Shizune called out weakly. "Tsu.. Tsu..na..de.." Her voice was ragged from pain, desperation written plainly across her face.
"Ahh would you look at that! She called out to you. That's so.." The man scratched his chin thoughtfully. "disgusting." He looked back at Tsunade. "Now I don't even want her body anymore. Its like when you drop a candy. Even though it might look the same, you know its now disgusting and not safe to enjoy. Only thing you can do is throw it away." He turned menacingly back to Shizune. With a quick flick of his hand he tore through her throat. Shizune's eyes widened in pain and horror as she drowned in her own blood. Tsunade watched as her student's eyes glazed over. The look of horror frozen forever onto her features.
"And now for you." The man turned back to Tsunade and roughly grabbed her clothes, pulling her up to his eye level. His face was masked but his eyes locked with hers. They were a blue that rivaled the sky. And they were filled with such emotions. Hate. Disgust. And oddly, disappointment. "The Great Tsunade. Hmph." He snorted. "You're nothing but a coward." With that he raised his claws again, still covered with Shizune's blood, and began to slash towards Tsunade's throat.
Tsunade sat bolt upright sweating heavily. She brought her hand to her neck instinctively. She looked over to see Shizune and their pet pig Tonton, sleeping peacefully beside her. The darkness of night still permeated the sky. "What a nightmare." Tsunade spoke softly as she brushed some stray hair from her face. She began to rise when she felt something crackle beneath her hand.
Tsunade's thoughts turned slightly from the nightmare as she remembered the paper. It was the reason they were out in Wave country anyways. But those thoughts quickly returned to the nightmare. Tsunade knew her hemophobia was a major problem, one that any enemy could easily turn against her. She had tried to overcome it but every time she saw blood the images returned to her.
"Nawaki.. Dan.." Tsunade held herself in shame. "What would you think of me now?" she quietly asked the night breeze. The image of those blue eyes burned brightly in her mind.
"It starts." A figure said quietly from his safe distance from the camp. Blue orbs slowly returned to a human iris as he carefully restrained his chakra again. He was absolutely certain that the illusion he'd used wouldn't be detected. "You're going to need to wake up sooner Tsunade. I can't have Naruto or Kyuubi's life be on the line again." With that Gideon quietly replaced the large straw hat and made his way into the night. His own plans were working. The Sannin would meet Naruto in Wave.
There ya go! That chapter came off somewhat bad to me. But I couldn't make it right. Guess it can't all be golden eh? Lol. Ah well Wave country is next chapter! I know I said it'd be this one but soo many ideas and stuff got in the way I decided to change it to next. How will Naruto save Zabuza and Haku? How does Gideon know the Sannin will be in Wave? And why exactly is Kakashi excited about this mission?
