Summary: Nearly four years have passed since three of strongest shinobi of the Leaf village left their home and have carved out a heroic reputation throughout numerous and faraway lands in their travels. Meanwhile, in Konohagakure the Village Hidden in the Leaves, many people are still waiting and hoping for three of its greatest heroes to finally return home. Little do they know that their hopes will soon be granted, as the heroes have finally returned...home.
Naruto vs. Sasuke: The Aftermath
Chapter 60: "Homecoming Pt.1"
Neji heaved a sigh, as he trudged towards the main gate of the Leaf village. Truthfully, he would have much rather stayedwith his wife Tenten and their newborn son Hizashi at Councilman Hanshiro Sato's home, Tenten's father where they resided. Unfortunately, he was still on probation from his release from prison, so he had no choice but to fulfill the Hokage's terms of his probation…...guard duty. Lady Tsunade had enacted a security measure of having a Hyuga guard at all gates that led into the village. Neji had to admit it was intelligent move on her part to have a Hyuga scan everyone who entered the village given that a State of Hostility still existed between the Fire and Rice countries. So, no enemy even under henge would be able to infiltrate the Leaf village not with the Byakugan guarding its gates.
As Neji approached the main gate, he was spotted by the Kotetsu Hagane and Izumo Kamizuki serving in their usual capacity as its guards. Neji's comrade and branch family clan member Sulu was also there and all three of them waved to him as he walked towards them. Upon arriving Neji noticed three aged monks waiting to be let into the village. Turning to Sulu, he announced to his fellow clan member.
"Sulu, I've come to relieve you."
"Hai, thank you Neji-senpai, how is your wife and little one?"
"They're both doing well, thank you for asking."
Neji then noticed the old monks fidgeting a bit and asked Sulu.
"What's the story with these three?"
"Oh, they're just some traveling holy men who are visiting and paying their respects to various shrines all over the elemental nations. Their paperwork checks out and I've already scanned them, so I was just about to let them through when you arrived."
"Well, another look over can't hurt." Neji stated, as he activated his Byakugan and focused on the monks.
Almost immediately, he knew something was amiss, as there seemed to be a foggy haze around them. Increasing his Byakugan to a higher level then what Sulu could achieve, the foggy image began to lighten and Neji could see that these were no doddering old monks, but three men under the most advanced henge he had ever encountered. Even with his higher level Doujutsu, Neji could still not pierce the fog to see their faces, but knew enough that these monks were not who they seemed and he shouted out in warning.
"Kotetsu, Izumo, Sulu, these men are not monks, stop them from entering the village!"
In the blink of an eye, all three men disappeared from Neji's sight, startling him and a second later he heard a thud and looked over to see Kotetsu, Izumo, and Sulu lying on the ground at the feet of two of the men. However, before Neji could even react to this, the third man was suddenly behind him holding a kunai to his throat. The man then leaned forward and whispered to Neji.
"I'm impressed Neji, you've advanced your Byakugan quite a bit if you were able to pierce our henge. I'm glad you didn't have it this strong when we fought in the Chunin exams, I might have lost if you did."
It took the Hyuga prodigy a moment to process what he had just heard, before his eyes grew wide in recognition and he stammered.
"Nar-Naruto, is that you?"
"Hai, it's me, it's good to see you again."
However, before anything else could be said a shout rang out piercing the air.
"Dynamic Fist!"
Neji instantly recognized the voice and exclaimed.
"Hinata!"
"Hinata-hime!" Naruto cried out in excitement, releasing Neji and turning around.
Unfortunately, Naruto never got to see Hinata, as the moment he turned around he was met with a chakra enhanced fist to his face, which sent him flying into the open wooden gate crashing into it before he slid down to the ground unconscious. Hinata was about to follow up her attack when Neji caught her and shouted.
"Hinata stop, it's Naruto!"
Hinata immediately froze upon hearing that and her face took on a visage of abject horror, as she stammered.
"Nar-Naru-kun!"
A few minutes later Naruto stirred from his slumber, as he felt something wet hitting his face and someone was stroking his hair. Tentatively opening his eyes but still in a daze he looked up to see Hinata's weeping face, as she cradled his head in her lap, before Naruto groggily said.
"Oh Kami...I'm dead."
"You're not dead gaki."
"What are you talking about pervy-sage; I must be dead because I'm staring at the face of an angel right now."
"What a corny line, that will never work on a woman." Jiraiya commented to Kakashi, before the two veteran shinobi heard Hinata cry out.
"Oh Naru-kun!"
Hinata then began to place multiple kisses all over Naruto's face in rapid succession, as Kakashi openly commented.
"Apparently it does work, at least as far as Hinata is concerned with Naruto.
By now Naruto's head was starting to clear up and he gently cupped the side of Hinata's face so he could look at her and asked in disbelief.
"Hina-hime, is that really you?"
Hinata could only nod, as she choked back a sob of joy.
"My Kami, you're even more beautiful than I remember."
Hinata's face flushed red in a blush at Naruto's words and fresh tears rolled down her cheeks and struck Naruto and he realized that was the sensation he had felt earlier and he asked while lovingly wiping the tears off of her face with his thumb.
"Why are crying my hime?"
"At, at first I was crying because I thought I had hurt you. I just saw someone holding a kunai to Neji-niisan's throat and acted, but now I'm crying because I'm so happy that you've returned."
"Well you don't have to cry anymore, I'm back and I'm never leaving you again...believe it." Naruto stated in assurance, before leaning up and capturing Hinata in a deep and passionate kiss, their first in nearly four years of being apart.
After a minute, Naruto and Hinata broke apart slightly panting and Naruto commented once more in loving appreciation to his Hyuga love.
"I still can't believe how even more beautiful you've become since I've been gone. You're almost perfect and you will be as soon as I keep my promise to you the day I left and get you a flower."
Jiraiya who had been writing down various portions of Naruto's words to Hinata during their reunion, as he felt they were pure gold for a future Icha, Icha novel, looked up and asked Kakashi.
"Did he say he was going to get Hinata deflowered?"
"A flower, a flower Master-Jiraiya!" Kakashi exclaimed in embarrassment of the Toad-sage.
A moment later Naruto stood up and scooping up Hinata bridal style announced.
"Pervy-sage, Kakashi-sensei, you two go meet up with baa-chan without me. There's something I've to do for my hime right now."
A second later, both he and Hinata disappeared in a brilliant flash of yellow light, leaving behind his two teachers before they could protest otherwise.
"Did Naruto say he had something to do to his hime?" Jiraiya questioned once more.
Kakashi could only slap his hand to his forehead and shake his head. A groan was then heard and Kakashi, Jiraiya, and Neji looked over to see Kotetsu, Izumo, and Sulu begin to awaken. Helping rouse the three Leaf shinobi back into consciousness and getting them back onto their feet, it was Jiraiya who ordered with authority.
"Kotetsu, Izumo, Sulu, we would appreciate it if you didn't announce or tell anyone of our return. We'll divulge it in due time, but there are some matters that need to be discussed with the Hokage before our arrival is revealed to the village."
"Hai Master-Jiraiya, we shall not tell soul until you or Kakashi-sempai tells us otherwise. Kotetsu replied, while Izumo nodded his head in agreement.
"That goes for you as well Sulu."
"Hai Neji-sempai, I will not say a word."
"Good, well now that's taken care of, I've got to get my preparations ready for the most beautiful woman in the world for tonight. Kakashi, I'll leave it up to you to stop in and report to Tsunade and I'll talk to you later." Jiraiya announced, before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
"Wait, I don't want to report to Lady Tsunade by...myself...damn it!" Kakashi exclaimed, but to no avail, as the Toad-sage had already vanished, before he could finish his sentence.
Heaving a disgusted sigh, Kakashi bid farewell to Neji, Kotetsu, Izumo, and Sulu, before covering his head once more with his dark-grey hood, as he set off towards Hokage Tower.
When Naruto arrived with Hinata in his arms across the street from the Yamanaka flower shop, he set Hinata down, before she began to waver on her feet. Quickly catching her before she fell, Naruto exclaimed in self-admonishment.
"Hina-hime, I'm sorry, I'm so stupid, I forgot that if you're not use to traveling via the Hiraishin jutsu that it can be disorienting the first time that you do. Are you ok?"
"I'm, I'm fine Naru-kun, I'm just a little bit light-headed that's all."
"Well, why don't you sit here and rest a bit and I'll run over and get a flower for you, I'll be right back."
When Naruto entered the flower shop he looked around before his gaze fell upon a sight that would make the most faithful of men weak in the knees. Standing on a small ladder behind the counter with her back turned towards him was Ino Yamanaka dusting a high shelf. Naruto nervously gulped as he took in Ino's appearance. Ino had pulled her blonde hair back into a pony-tail and was wearing a white tank-top. Gazing lower, she was also wearing a very tight pair of purple nylon short shorts and she had the legs built especially for those shorts, long, firm, and sexy. Not an ounce of wasted curve and the shorts were riding so high and tight that a tiny portion of Ino's well-toned and firm ass was peeking out the bottom hem of the garment.
'Damn, are those even shorts or did Ino just paint her ass purple? No, no, no, bad thoughts, bad thoughts, damn you pervy-sage, I never should have read your books while we were gone!' Naruto thought to himself in reproach.
Naruto finally tore his gaze away from Ino's backside and cleared his throat to get the girl's attention and have her turn around to remove the tempting sight away from him.
"Ahem, could I get some help please."
Unfortunately for Naruto, the view from the front was no less tempting, as Ino stepped off of the ladder to turn around and greet the customer. Naruto had been wrong when he thought Ino was wearing a white tank-top. The Yamanaka heiress was actually wearing a very tight white tank-top which hugged her torso like a glove and was stretched to its capacity because of Ino's sizable...attributes. The tank-top was also low cut in the front and showed off a great deal of the ample cleavage the girl possessed.
"Yes, how can I help you...whoa!" Ino exclaimed, as she turned around and was greeted with the presence of what could only be a Greek God in her opinion. Naruto was still wearing a dark-grey cloak, but Ino wanted to get a better look at this God from the heavens that had walked into her family's shop and she coyly said.
"You can hang your cloak up by the door sir, so that it won't get dirty inside the store."
"Oh, ok."
When Naruto took off his cloak and hung it, he turned around and Ino's breath hitched in your throat, as she gazed lustfully at him. Naruto sported a dark blue short-sleeve jumpsuit that was unzipped to below his chest showing off an orange colored t-shirt. The t-shirt Ino noted seemed to be plastered onto Naruto's chest and she could see every well-defined muscle stretching the material like a second skin on him. Naruto also carried a large summoning scroll on his back and had fastened to each leg a shuriken holster. The young Leaf Nin still had standard black sandals, but now wore fingerless gloves similar to what Kakashi had. The final touch of Naruto's appearance was he now proudly wore a hitai-ate tied around each large bicep causing Ino to almost drool at the thoughts of those powerful arms wrapped around her.
"Now, how can I help you handsome?" Ino asked in cool and sultry tone of voice.
The seductive tone of Ino's and the way she was looking at him made Naruto a bit nervous and he stammered in response.
"I, I need to buy the most beautiful flower you have in the store."
Ino walked out from behind the counter and pretended to brush something off of Naruto's chest, but her hand still lingered on it, as she leaned up and cooed in a sexy tone into his ear.
"Well handsome, I'm the most beautiful flower here in the store, but I have to warn you I don't come cheap."
Naruto gulped nervously once again, before he stammered in reply.
"That, that's good to know, but I need an actual flower to give to that girl sitting on the bench across the street. You see I promised..."
Naruto never got to finish his sentence, before a fist crashed into his face knocking him to the floor. Looking up from the ground, which was not all that unpleasant a view considering Ino's attire. The Yamanaka girl was standing over Naruto with her hands on her hips and her foot on his chest, as she yelled at him.
"Listen carefully, because that girl sitting on the bench is my best friend Hinata and she's got a boyfriend who she loves and has been waiting for his return for almost four years now. So I'm not about to let some bronzed hunk make a play on her and ruin her relationship with the boy she loves. I don't care how hot and sexy you are, that's not going to happen, even if I have to date you myself to prevent it!"
"Ino, why is Naruto-kun on the ground and why are you yelling at him?" Hinata asked, as she entered the shop.
"Oh hey Hinata, this guy here was looking to buy a flower and make a play on you. So I decked him and was telling him you were off limits and...wait a minute...did you say Naruto?"
"Yeah Ino...NARUTO." The blonde Jinchuuriki proclaimed in irritation, as he rose from the floor rubbing his cheek.
Ino stared at Naruto for a few seconds, before her face lit up in a huge smile and she embraced Naruto in a hug and shouted.
"Naruto, you're back!"
Ino was Hinata's height, but Naruto stood a head taller than both of them, so the top of Ino's head was tucked underneath Naruto's chin, while she pressed the side of her face against his chest, as she hugged him. The Yamanaka girl couldn't believe how comfortable she felt and closed her eyes and reveled in the feeling she was experiencing while hugging Naruto, as she thought to herself.
'Oh Kami, his chest feels like it was chiseled out of granite and with his arms wrapped around me, I've never felt so safe and warm. If this wasn't Naruto, I'd let him take me right now!'
"You can let go now Ino."
Ino in her lust-filled haze thought she heard Hinata's voice say something, but she wasn't paying any attention, as she snuggled her cheek deeper into Naruto's chest.
"INO!" Hinata's terse voice shouted, startling the Yamanaka girl who reluctantly released her embrace of Naruto and looking to her best friend sheepishly said.
"Sorry Hinata, I just got caught up in the moment of being happy that Naruto was back."
Naruto wasn't sure what was going on as Hinata was leveling a harsh gaze at a blushing Ino, as if it were a mother catching her child with their hands in the cookie jar. Looking back and forth between Hinata and Ino, he decided he was never going to figure out what was going on between the two friends and said.
"Anyway Ino, about that flower, I was thinking I'd like to get a red Hibiscus, do you have any of those?"
"Umm, yeah, we've got some of those in the greenhouse, wait right here and I'll be right back."
A minute later, Ino returned with a beautiful red hibiscus, which consisted of five, large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, petals. As Ino handed the flower over to Naruto she asked.
"You do know the meaning of that flower don't you?"
"Of course I do, the meaning of this flower is a rare and delicate beauty, which is what you are Hina-hime." Naruto answered, as he placed the flower into Hinata's hair.
"Oh Naru-kun!" Hinata lovingly replied, before Naruto leaned down and they kissed.
"Ooooooh you two are just so cute together!" Ino squealed in delight at the scene before her.
Hinata and Naruto broke the kiss and he turned to Ino and asked.
"So how much do I owe you?"
"It's on house; consider it my way of apologizing for decking you earlier."
"Thanks Ino, and don't worry about that, at least your heart was in the right place, as you were trying to protect Hinata from how did you put it...some bronzed hunk making a play on her."
"Bronzed hunk." Hinata commented in a curt tone of voice, while lifting an eyebrow at her best friend.
Ino could only shrug her shoulders at Hinata, before Naruto continued on.
"Yeah Hinata, you should feel proud of Ino, she's such a good friend that no matter how hot and sexy I am, she was willing to protect you from me by making the oh so noble sacrifice of dating me herself."
"Oh really!" Hinata exclaimed, as her eyes narrowed upon a blushing Ino who cried out in defense.
"I didn't know it was Naruto when I said those things!"
"Oh Ino I'm hurt, does that mean I'm not hot and sexy anymore?" Naruto asked in a mocked pain of voice, while he brought both of his hands up to cover his heart.
"Oh be quiet!" Ino replied, blushing furiously in embarrassment, as she playfully smacked Naruto's shoulder.
Naruto could only laugh at Ino's current demeanor and even Hinata giggled a bit at how embarrassed her best friend was. Wishing to change the subject and perhaps turn the tables on both Naruto and Hinata in terms of embarrassment Ino asked in curiosity.
"So Naruto, now that you're back, I bet you can't wait to do what I'm sure you've been dreaming about since you've been gone."
"Oh you know it; in fact Hinata and I are going to do exactly that as soon as we leave here."
Now it was Hinata's turn to sport a fierce blush, before she heard Naruto shout.
"Ichiraku Ramen, here we come."
"Grrrrrrrr, that's what you've been dreaming of you baka!" Ino growled out in angered response and was about to punch Naruto again, before Hinata stopped her and whispered in her ear.
"It's alright Ino, let Naruto get refueled and recharged at Ichiraku's, he's going to need that energy for later on tonight."
"You-you mean you're going to..." Ino whispered back.
Hinata nodded her head at her best friend and Ino whispered back in encouragement.
"You go get him girl and remember what I told you and also make sure you wear that lingerie we picked out for you."
As Ino watched Naruto and Hinata walk out of the store and then disappear in a flash of light, she openly commented to herself.
"I can't believe what a super-sexy hunk of man-meat Naruto turned out to be! Hinata is one lucky girl to have that waiting for her every single night when she goes to bed."
Ino then looked up to the sky and with a loud and determined voice announced.
"Kami, if Hinata ever decides she doesn't want Naruto anymore, I'm calling first dibs on him right now!"
When Naruto and Hinata arrived via the Hiraishin jutsu a half a block away from where Ichiraku Ramen was located. The excitement in Naruto's voice was evident, as he had not tasted their delicious ramen in over two years, not since the supply of instant ramen Jiraiya had brought with them for their trip had run out. Naruto was practically drooling at the thought of digging into his favorite ramen dish miso and made by who he considered the greatest chef in the entire world. So focused was he on this that Naruto failed to hear Hinata who was trying to get him to stop, before he rounded a corner and was greeted with a sight that immediately brought tears to his eyes, as he dropped to knees in abject horror and cried out in heartbreaking agony.
"Noooooooooooo…...!"
Hinata knelt down to try and comfort Naruto, as he looked upon the now barren field with the broken remnants of what was once the Ichiraku Ramen stand. Helping Naruto to his feet, Hinata tried to calm him down and explain what had happened.
"I'm sorry, I tried to stop you from seeing this Naru-kun, but Ichiraku's was destroyed during the Oto invasion three years ago."
"Were-were old man Ichiraku and Ayame alright?"
"Yes, they're fine; luckily they weren't inside when the restaurant was destroyed."
"That's good, I'm glad they weren't hurt, but still there's no more Ichiraku Ramen." Naruto commented in a morose tone of voice.
"Not exactly, come with me." Hinata replied, as she led her dejected boyfriend away from the scene of carnage of what was once the Ichiraku Ramen stand.
Walking a few blocks, while holding onto and trying to comfort Naruto, they rounded a corner and Hinata said.
"Naru-kun please look up."
Naruto reluctantly looked up and his breath hitched in his throat when he saw across the street a large building with a gigantic neon sign on its roof that spelled out Ichiraku Ramen II. Looking to Hinata who nodded her head happily, Naruto was ecstatic at this revelation, but then he saw the long line of people waiting to get into the restaurant and he proclaimed sadly.
"Oh no Hina-hime, were going to be waiting in line forever."
"Not necessarily, I happen to know someone who is very good friends with the owners, so follow me."
Naruto and Hinata made their way to the back of the restaurant and rang the bell at the service entrance. A minute later, Ayame Ichiraku opened the back door and greeted Hinata.
"Hey Hinata, how are you, are you here to get some dinner?"
Ayame then noticed a hooded figure in a dark-grey cloak a few feet away and asked.
"Is this a friend of yours?"
"Actually, he's a friend of both of us."
Naruto then pulled his hood down and Ayame stared at him for minute, before tears began to well in her eyes and she cried out, while leaping up to hug him.
"Naruto-kun, you're back, it's so good to see you again, I missed you!"
"Hey Ayame-chan, it's good to see you as well and I missed you and the old man too."
"Come in, come in, you're probably starving knowing you and Dad will be so happy to see you."
Ayame quickly ushered Naruto and Hinata into the restaurant and began leading them through the large kitchen area. Naruto was amazed at the size of the kitchen and of the numerous cooks and other staff rushing around. The smell of the various ramen dishes being prepared wafted through the kitchen and smelled like ambrosia as far as he was concerned. Naruto was brought out of his scent intoxicated stupor when he heard Teuchi's voice shout out and ring a bell twice.
"One Naru/Hina romance special table #17 order up! One Miso, two Shoyu, and one Yokohama table #20 order up!"
"Dad, there's someone here you'll want to see." Ayame called out, as she tugged on her father's sleeve.
Teuchi turned around and saw Hinata and warmly greeted the Hyuga girl.
"Why hello Hinata, are you here for dinner?"
"Dad, it's not Hinata you'll want to see." Ayame said, as she drew his attention to the cloaked figure a few feet away.
Naruto lifted the hood off of his head so Teuchi could get a better look at him and after a moment the Konoha councilman and restaurant owner smiled and extended his arms to hug the cloaked man, as he said.
"Naruto my boy, I'm so glad to see you again."
Naruto and Teuchi embraced in a warm hug before they broke away and Naruto replied.
"It's good to see you too old man."
Teuchi then shouted some orders in the kitchen.
"I want one order of Shio and five orders of Miso ASAP for table #1"
The cooks and the kitchen staff paused and everyone went silent when they heard the table number, before they sprang into action to complete Teuchi's order to the very best of their abilities. As table #1 was the owners table and reserved for only the most special of guests. Teuchi and Ayame then escorted Hinata and Naruto to a secluded private table within the restaurant and sat down with them to catch up with their favorite customer and friend.
"So Naruto, life on the road has treated you well, you've grown into a fine young man since the last time I saw you."
"Y-yes Naruto, you've grown very h-handsome." Ayame commented in a blush, as she tried not to stare at Naruto's physique.
"You see Ayame, if you had waited instead of settling for your current boyfriend, maybe Naruto here might have filled that role." Teuchi commented in amusement poking fun at his blushing daughter.
"Stop it Dad, I'm very happy with my boyfriend, besides you know as well as I do that Hinata had already staked her claim on Naruto here a long time ago."
"Ha, ha, ha I know you are pumpkin, I'm just teasing you. Hinata you really lucked out seeing how little Naruto has turned out.
Hinata was about to reply, when Naruto took her hand and kissed it while saying.
"You're wrong old man, I'm the lucky one."
Hinata began to blush from Naruto's loving comment, before he then stated.
"I'm sorry about the old Ichiraku's old man, when I saw it I couldn't believe what I was seeing. I almost didn't want to go on living if I couldn't eat anymore of your ramen."
"Yes, when those Oto bastards destroyed it during the invasion, I thought Ichiraku Ramen was finished as well. Fortunately, a silent business partner stepped up with the money to help me build this place. If it wasn't for him, I don't know what Ayame and I would have done."
"Who was it that helped you out, because I'd like to shake his hand, that guy is a saint as far as I'm concerned. " Naruto declared in appreciation.
"Well, the guy who saved Ichiraku Ramen was…...you."
"Huh, what do you mean it was me?"
"It's true Naruto, after the invasion I didn't have enough money to rebuild the restaurant, but then Lady Tsunade approached me."
"Baa-chan came to see you."
"Yes, she said she was the executor of a restitution fund for one of her shinobi and felt this particular ninja would be quite upset if my restaurant were no longer in existence. So she allocated the necessary money so that I could rebuild Ichiraku's. Essentially, you're co-owner of the restaurant."
"Wow, me owning a ramen restaurant, that's like a dream come true."
"It will take me a few days to have the accountants go through the books and determine your share of the profits over the past few years, as well as what I owe you for the construction costs. But I can probably have a check for you by the end of the week."
"Keep it."
"Huh, wha-what do you mean?"
"I mean keep the profits and don't worry about paying me back for the construction, I don't need it."
"Nar-Naruto are you sure? I mean I want to pay you back for helping me and Ayame out so much."
"I'll tell you what old man, I'll make a deal with you. You agree to comp my meals I eat here for me and whoever I bring as guests in the future and we'll call it square. You can keep the profits of the restaurant and forget about what you owe me. Is it a deal?"
Teuchi was stunned that Naruto was being so generous, before he replied.
"Well knowing the way you eat, the profits will definitely take a bit of a hit, but if that's what you want Naruto, I agree to your terms. Come on Ayame; let's get these two their orders."
A few minutes later, Naruto and Hinata were happily eating their ramen and enjoying each other's company. Kiba entered the restaurant and leaned over the counter to kiss his girlfriend Ayame, before he asked.
"Hey babe, how's business, did anything interesting happen today?"
"Well, Hinata came by and…..."
"Hinata's here!" Kiba exclaimed, interrupting Ayame, as he looked over to the private owners table where Hinata always sat when she came to the restaurant to eat.
Kiba's smile at seeing his old teammate became a frown when he saw she was not sitting alone. The Inuzuka couldn't see very much of who was sitting with her, but he saw enough to tell that it was a man. Growling in irritation, as Kiba figured it was another guy trying to hit on Hinata, he marched over the table ignoring Ayame's cries for him to stop. The moment Kiba reached the table he grabbed the front of Naruto's shirt yanking him up and out of booth, as he shouted menacingly.
"Look asshole, that's one of my best bud's girlfriend you're hitting on, so you got 10 seconds to leave on your own or I can throw you out, your choice!"
Since Naruto had been gone, Kiba had grown to be the tallest of the Konoha 10 and in general was always taller than most of the villagers and shinobi in the village standing at six feet two. So he was surprised that the guy he yanked out of the booth stood an impressive six foot four and Kiba had to actually look up into his azure colored eyes. The Inuzuka heir was wondering if he was going to have a fight on his hands, before Naruto spoke up and asked.
"Would your best bud happen to be me Kiba?"
Kiba then took a closer look and noticed the blonde hair, blue eyes, and the faded albeit still noticeable whisker marks on Naruto's cheeks, as he finally recognized his friend and called out while hugging him.
"Naruto buddy, you're back!"
"Yeah, I'm back, it's good to see you Kiba."
Kiba released his hug and slid into the private booth, where he was joined by Ayame who scolded him a bit for almost making a scene instead of listening to her tell him to stop. Kiba sheepishly apologized to his girlfriend, who let him off the hook with a loving kiss on his cheek, which stunned Naruto who stammered in disbelief.
"Ay, Ayame-chan, you, you mean Kiba is the boyfriend the old man was talking about earlier?"
"Hai."
"Wow!" Was all Naruto could say.
"What do you mean by wow?" Kiba defensively asked in annoyance.
"I mean the last time I saw the two of you together, Ayame-chan was calling you a creep and slapping you, before old man Teuchi chased after you with a cleaver. So I'm just surprised to see that the two of you got together that's all."
"Yeah well, that's all in the past." Kiba grumbled.
"So tell me, how did the two of you end up becoming a couple?" Naruto openly asked in curiosity.
"You can thank your girlfriend for that." Ayame happily replied with a smile on her face, as she began to tell the story of how she gained Kiba as a boyfriend.
(Flashback 3 Years)
It had a been a few months since the Otogakure invasion of the Leaf village had occurred and life was finally starting to return to normal for most of the villagers. The second incarnation of the Ichiraku Ramen restaurant had been built and Hinata, Ino, and Tenten were there eating lunch and enjoying each other's company when Ayame approached them and asked if she could speak with them. Taking a seat offered by the three kunoichi's, Ayame was quite nervous, which Hinata picked up on immediately and asked in concern.
"Ayame, are you alright?"
"Hai, I'm fine, I'm just a bit nervous I guess."
"What are you nervous about?" Tenten questioned.
"Well, I sort of need some help and have a favor I need to ask of all of you."
"What sort of favor?" Ino inquired in curiosity.
"Well it's about….Kiba."
"Kiba, what about Kiba, I thought you hated the mutt?" Ino exclaimed, before receiving a kick to her shin courtesy of Hinata who scolded her friend.
"Don't call Kiba-kun a mutt! How would you like it if I said something mean or insulting about Shikamaru?"
"Owww, alright point taken, I'm sorry Hinata."
Accepting Ino's apology, Hinata turned her attention back to Ayame and asked.
"Ayame-chan, what is it you need about Kiba-kun?"
"I, I haven't seen him lately and I was wondering why?"
"Well he's been busy helping with repairs at the Inuzuka compound, which got hit pretty hard during the invasion." Hinata answered.
"Besides Ayame, I would think you would be happy that Kiba isn't hanging around anymore and hitting on you like he constantly did before the invasion."
"If you had said that to me six months ago, I would agree with you Ino, but now I kind of miss him and wish he would ask me out again."
This statement shocked all three kunoichi's who all sat in silence, before Tenten spoke up and asked.
"Ayame, are you saying you like Kiba now?"
"Hai, I guess I am."
Needless to say, Ayame's admission shocked Hinata, Ino, and Tenten even more and all three of them wondered what had caused this change, as Hinata finally asked.
"Why do you suddenly like Kiba-kun now?"
"It's not that I ever disliked him….well….not really. It's just during the invasion I got to see the real Kiba and not the fake one he always presented to me before."
"What do you mean you saw the real Kiba during the invasion?"
"Well, the day of the invasion, my father and I hadn't gotten to the safety shelter yet. As we were making our way, we were ambushed by eight Oto shinobi. My father did his best to fight them, but they injured him and they were about to…rape me, when Kiba-kun and Shino arrived. The two of them along with Akamaru took them all down and then Kiba-kun made sure he got us to the safety shelter."
"Ayame, it sounds like you're just feeling grateful for what Kiba did saving you and your father, that's all. I mean it was his duty to protect all of the civilian villagers, just like we all did."
"I am grateful for what Kiba-kun did and maybe it is a part of why like him now, but it's not the sole reason. When he was saving us, he didn't act like a testosterone filled jerk like I've always known him to be. He was kind, concerned for both me and my father, and he was brave. The way he spoke and acted was totally different from how he usually spoke and acted around me and well….I liked it."
"Kiba-kun can come across as rough, but once you get past that facade, he is everything you just described Ayame-chan." Hinata commented with honest sincerity.
"Ok, now you would like Kiba to ask you out again, so what do you need our help for?" Ino questioned.
"I was wondering if maybe you could I don't know;…help get him to do that again."
"We'll help you, just leave everything to us."
"Thank you Hinata, thank you to all of you." Ayame gratefully replied, giving a small bow to the three kunoichi out of respect, before leaving.
"Hinata, just how are we supposed to get Kiba to ask Ayame out again?" Tenten asked in curiosity.
"The three of us just need to talk to him."
Later on that day, after some searching, Hinata, Tenten, and Ino finally tracked down Kiba, who was in the process of chatting up a civilian girl outside of book store. The three kunoichi's approached and effectively surrounded the two, before Ino growled out at the girl.
"Get lost; we've got business to discuss with the Inuzuka here."
The young girl looked nervously at Ino, who brought out a kunai and started to twirl if around her finger. That action was enough to convince the civilian girl to quickly scurry off, much to Kiba's protests, as he shouted to her, before he turned around and glared at Ino and angrily said.
"What the hell did you do that for, I've been talking to her for the past twenty minutes, I liked that girl, we had a connection."
"Oh really, what was her name?" Tenten asked.
"Ummm….well… we hadn't gotten that far yet."
"Kiba-kun, I thought you liked Ayame over at Ichiraku's."
"Yeah, I do, but a guy can only take getting rejected by a girl so many times, before he just has to give up and move on.
"You got rejected by Ayame because you never asked her out properly and always hit on her like some sleazy gigolo with your cheesy pick-up lines." Ino stated to her fellow clan heir.
"Cheesy pick-up lines, my game is gold with the ladies."
"Kiba-kun using lines like, Baby, somebody better call Kami, cuz he's missing an angel!" Hinata said.
"Or, Your legs must be tired because you've been running through my mind all night." Tenten followed up.
"Or If I could rearrange the alphabet, I would put U and I together." Ino finished.
"What's wrong with those lines?" Kiba questioned.
"THEY DON'T WORK!" Hinata, Tenten, and Ino shouted in unison at their friend.
"Huh, what are you talking about; I've picked up plenty of chicks with those lines?"
"The only women you've picked up with those lines are cheap civilian skanks, because no respectable girl civilian or otherwise would be so easily swayed by such cheesy lines." Ino openly commented.
"Then why did those lines work on those…skanks as you called them."
"Kiba, it wasn't the lines that you used, those civilian girls you picked up were only interested in you because you're the heir to one of the strongest and wealthiest clans in the entire village." Tenten answered.
This was a blow to Kiba's ego and all three girls could see they had unintentionally hurt him a bit with the cold hard truth, as he angrily spat.
"Why do you three care anyway about who I date skank or otherwise?"
"Kiba-kun, were not trying to hurt you, you're our friend and we want to see you with someone who respects you and is worthy of being your girlfriend." Hinata said, to console her friend.
"Yeah, not some gold-digger who only cares about her social status and money she can get by going out with you." Ino added in brutal fashion.
"So you three think I should try again with Ayame, but how do you know she isn't one of these gold-diggers?"
"Because Kiba, if she was one of those, she would have accepted a date from you the first time you used one of your idiotic pick-up lines." Tenten answered.
"Yeah, that's true I guess, but what's the point, Ayame doesn't even like me and every time I've tried asking her out, I get slapped and then her old man attempts kill me!" Kiba exclaimed in frustration.
"If you would try to ask Ayame out showing her some respect as you do, you might find her more agreeable to accepting a date from you."
"You really think so Hinata?"
"Hai I do, but no pick-up lines, just be honest with her."
"Alright, I'll think about it."
The next day thanks to some prodding from Hinata, Kiba entered Ichiraku's and with rest of his comrades in the Konoha 10 watching in the distance at a table inside the restaurant. He walked up to the counter where Ayame was working and stammered nervously.
"Hey-hey Ayame, I-I was wondering if you would ummm,…I mean would you like to uhhhh….."
"What are you trying to say Kiba?" Ayame asked in confusion.
Taking a deep breath, Kiba finally blurted out.
"I was wondering if you would like to go see the new Princess Gale movie with me tonight and then maybe we could get some coffee afterwards?"
Kiba immediately closed his eyes and winced a bit, as he waited for the inevitable smack to his face. After a moment when the blow never arrived, he tentatively opened his eyes, as Ayame replied.
"I would like that very much; can you pick me up at seven?"
"Oh ok, sorry to have bothered you." Kiba answered, as he turned around and started to walk away, before his mind finally processed Ayame's reply and he whirled around and asked her in confusion.
"Did you say yes, you would go out with me?"
"Hai Kiba-kun, I did, can you pick me up at seven?"
"Ummm seven, yeah I can pick you up then."
"Good, I'll see you later on tonight then."
"R-right la-later on tonight." Kiba mumbled to himself, as he stumbled out of the restaurant, still in disbelief that Ayame had agreed to go out with him.
For her part, Ayame giggled at the bemused look Kiba had on his face as he left, before she turned her gaze to Hinata and smiled brightly, as she silently mouthed the words thank you to the Hyuga girl.
(End of Flashback)
"And the rest is history, after that first date Ayame-chan fell in love with my rugged good looks and suave personality and we've been together ever since." Kiba boasted in supreme confidence.
"Ha, don't be so full of yourself; I didn't fall in love with you after our first date. It's taken me three years to get you trained into being a proper boyfriend, but now that you are, is when I fell in love you Kiba-kun." Ayame stated in amusement, before she kissed Kiba on his cheek.
"Well I'm glad the two of you are happy together Ayame-chan." Naruto offered in sincerity.
"Thank you Naruto-kun, we are."
"Hey Kiba, do you remember what you told me when I first started dating Hinata?"
"Uhhhh, not really."
"You told me that Hinata was more like a sister than a teammate to you and Shino and that if I ever hurt her in anyway, you and Shino were going to kick my ass all over this village and that it wasn't a threat, but a promise from you."
"Kiba-kun, did you really say that to Naru-kun?"
"Yeah Hinata I did, but you have to understand, Shino and I have been protective of you since we first became a team, always have been, and always will be. So if you're expecting me to apologize to Naruto for telling him that, it's not going to happen. Because I stand behind what I said, if he hurts you in some way, we're going to kick his ass!" Kiba defiantly stated to the Hyuga girl.
"I'm not looking for an apology Hina-hime, I actually appreciate that Kiba and Shino care that much about you. It makes it easy for Kiba to understand what I'm about to say to him."
"What is it you want to say to me?"
"Well what you said about me ever hurting Hinata goes double for me when it comes to Ayame-chan. She's always been like a big sister to me, so if you ever do anything to hurt her,…..well you know the rest."
"I understand, and like you said to me years ago, about you with Hinata, I'd rather die than hurt my Ayame-chan in anyway, so you've got nothing to worry about." Kiba replied in honest sincerity.
"Thank you Kiba-kun." Ayame lovingly replied, as the two of them kissed.
Unfortunately, Teuchi arrived with Naruto and Hinata's food and seeing his daughter and her boyfriend kissing growled out in annoyance.
"Hey you two, I'm not paying you to sit around and make-out in public, get back to work!"
Both Kiba and Ayame blushed in embarrassment, before they excused themselves from Naruto and Hinata and allow them to eat their dinner in private. An hour later after they had finished, Kiba rejoined them and apologetically stated.
"Hey Naruto, I just wanted to say I'm sorry for getting in your face earlier. I just saw some guy with Hinata and figured it was another idiot trying to pick-up on her again."
"It's cool, I know you were just looking out for her and me and I appreciate it. I can imagine keeping the creeps away from my Hina-hime was a tough job considering how beautiful she's become since I've been gone." Naruto stated, causing Hinata to blush a bit.
"Yeah, it was early on, but after Neji took the arm of that asshole who groped Hinata a year and half ago, the number of guy's stupid enough to hit on her dropped dramatically."
"Kiba-kun!" Hinata exclaimed, wishing he had not brought that incident to Naruto's attention.
"WHAT!…Some guy groped my hime!"
"Take it easy Naruto; yeah some ex-Root asshole henge'd into you so he could cop a feel from Hinata at a nightclub we all were at. She smacked the shit out of him, before me, Neji, Shikamaru, and Shino beat the crap out of him and his buddies who were laughing about it."
"Why didn't you tell me about this?" Naruto turned to ask Hinata.
"You've only been back a few hours Naru-kun and I just want to forget about it. Neji-niisan and the others took care of the matter and they got into a lot of trouble because of it."
"Is that true?"
"Ummm sort of, Neji got in trouble the most since he was the one to start the fight, while our folks paid off the nightclub owner, so we wouldn't get punished, but unfortunately Neji wasn't so lucky."
"What did you mean about Neji taking his arm?"
"Well we jacked up those guy's pretty good, but the dude who felt up Hinata got the worst of it from Neji. He beat the shit out of this guy so bad, that he purposely destroyed the arm he used on Hinata. So because of that and the damages to the nightclub, the civilian owner pitched a fit and Lady Tsunade had to sentence him to a year in prison."
"What, baa-chan sent Neji to jail because he defended Hinata!" Naruto yelled in angered disbelief.
"She sort of had to, but the weird thing is Neji wanted to be sent to prison."
"Why did he want that?"
"He wouldn't tell us, but he was adamant that he going to prison was the best solution for everyone. I was pissed off about that, as were Shikamaru and Shino, but he convinced us that it was what he wanted, so we agreed."
Naruto brow creased as he thought in deep contemplation about what he had learned. After a minute, he exhaled a sigh and stated.
"I need to have a talk with Neji the next time I see him."
"Well, you can talk to him tomorrow morning around 10:00, everyone is getting together at training field #11 for some spars and light training, you and Hinata should join us."
"That sounds like a good idea, thanks Kiba, we'll be there."
"Cool, hey the other reason I came up here besides to apologize to you was to let you know some of the other customers are getting restless. Some of them think your Dad has been reincarnated and they're about to wet themselves because of it. So you and Hinata might want to leave before things start to get uncomfortable for the two of you."
"Are you throwing us out?"
"No, I'm not throwing you out Naruto, you two can stay here as long as you want. I just thought I would give you a heads up, that's all."
"Well good, because we haven't even had dessert yet."
"Naru-kun, we should go, because dessert is waiting for you at my place, if you know what I mean." Hinata sexily cooed into Naruto's ear, before she gave his earlobe a swipe of her tongue.
Naruto along with Kiba's eyes grew wide in shock and surprise upon hearing Hinata's words and her actions, as Naruto stammered in reply.
"I-I know what you mean my hime, Kiba we'll see you later."
A second later, Naruto grabbed Hinata around the waist and they disappeared in a flash of light leaving the Inuzuka heir sitting alone in the booth, as he openly commented in amazement.
"Damn, who knew Hinata had that in her."
When Kakashi arrived at Hokage Tower, he looked up the building and smirked. Deciding to relive an old memory, he sent some chakra to his feet and then raced up the side of the structure. Hopping onto the balcony of the Hokage's office, he peeked inside and saw Tsunade was fast asleep and noticed an empty sake bottle sitting on her desk. Taking a small step inside, Kakashi suddenly had to jerk his head to the side to avoid a kunai, which impacted the wall beside him, as a voice rang out.
"You've either got a pair of brass balls or you're the dumbest s.o.b. around if you thought you could sneak into the Hokage's office so easily!"
Kakashi looked over to see Tsunade was wide awake and had her arm extended indicating she was the one to throw the kunai, before she snapped her fingers and four masked Anbu appeared in her office and took up battle stances against him. The Anbu tensed when Kakashi raised his hand and he paused a moment, before pulling the hood away to reveal his infamous masked face for them to see.
"Kakashi-sempai!" The Anbu said in unison, as they kneeled down in respect to their former teacher.
"Get the hell up off of your knees, how do you know its Kakashi and not someone pretending to be him?" Tsunade shouted in annoyance at her Anbu guards.
Kakashi then reached into his pocket to pull out a familiar looking book and began reading it. Tsunade could only shake her head, before she ordered the Anbu to leave. After they had left, the blonde Hokage turned her attention back to Kakashi and said in disgust.
"Alright, so it really is you, but put that damn smut away!"
Kakashi snapped the book shut and put it back into his pocket, before he flashed his patented eye-smile at the Slug Sannin and greeted her.
"Lady Tsunade, it's good to see you again."
Tsunade scowled a moment, before she realized that if Kakashi is back then so are Naruto and Jiraiya and she smiled and said.
"It's good to see you too Kakashi, welcome home."
"Thank you, it's good to be home."
"So where are Jiraiya-ku…..Jiraiya and Naruto?"
"Well, when we arrived, Naruto ran into Hinata and….."
"Stop, you don't have to say anymore."
"Yes, well they quickly disappeared together and as for where Master-Jiraiya is, well…"
Tsunade noticed Kakashi was reluctant to say where Jiraiya was and she ordered in a hard-edged voice.
"Just spit it out Kakashi, where is the pervert?"
"I-I don't really know Hokage-sama, all he said was that he had preparations to get ready for the most beautiful woman in the world for tonight."
"Oh, I see." Tsunade replied in saddened tone of voice.
Kakashi heard the change in her voice and saw the crestfallen look that appeared on Tsunade's face and was about to say something when the door to her office opened and Kurenai walked saying.
"Lady Tsunade, I have to leave, the Academy pre-school called and said my son got into trouble with a classmate today during recess and I need to….Kakashi!"
Kurenai was stunned beyond words when she suddenly saw Kakashi standing in Tsunade's office and exclaimed his name. Her throat suddenly became dry and her mind searched frantically for something to say, but nothing came to her. Meanwhile, similar feelings were racing through Kakashi's mind as he stared at Kurenai and couldn't believe how beautiful she looked. However, he was quickly snapped out of his stupor like taking a punch to the gut when one word suddenly dominated his mind…...son.
'She has a son…..Kurenai has a son! Idiot, I don't know why I'm surprised, I told her not to wait for me and that if she had a chance for happiness with someone while I was gone to take it. Did you honestly believe Kakashi that someone as beautiful and special a woman as Kurenai that somebody else wouldn't see that as well and move heaven and earth just to be with her. It was stupid and foolish on my part to think that wasn't going to happen. As long as you're happy Kurenai, I will always love you even if that happiness is with someone else and not me.' Kakashi thought with bitterness and regret to himself, as his hand gripped tightly a small velvet covered box inside his dark-grey cloak.
"Kurenai-san, it is good to see you." Kakashi said in a strained voice, before he turned to Tsunade and pulled out a thick folder from his cloak and said.
"Here is the report of Naruto's training mission, now if you'll excuse me I haven't seen my home in nearly four years and my journey has been long and I'm quite tired."
Just as Kakashi was about to shushin away, Kurenai finally found her voice and called out.
"Kakashi, about my son, I need to explain….!"
"There's no need to explain anything, I offer my congratulations to you about your son, I'm sure you're a wonderful mother. I'm glad you were able to find someone who loves you and makes you happy." Kakashi offered in sincere yet saddened acceptance, before he disappeared in a swirl of leaves.
"Kakashi wait!" Kurenai cried out, but to no avail, as the silver-haired Jounin had already disappeared.
Kurenai could only stand in silence, her body shivering, as she stared at that the spot Kakashi had been standing on moments before, when Tsunade's voice rang out.
"Go after him!'
"Lady Tsunade?"
"You heard me, go after him!"
Kurenai nodded her head and made her way to leap away from the balcony when Tsunade advised the crimson-eyed kunoichi.
"Check the nearest bar and if he's not there then check the rest of the bars in the area."
"But he said he was going home."
Tsunade exhaled a weary sigh, before she stated in no uncertain terms.
"Kurenai, the man who loves you just found out that you have a son, which would lead him to the conclusion that you must have a husband or a man in your life at the very least. He's probably hurting right now, and the remedy for that type of pain is to get piss drunk. I know it's what I would do were I in Kakashi's shoes right now."
Kurenai nodded her head in understanding, before she leapt away to go find the man she loved.
When Kakashi entered the tavern, his mind was in a daze, as he stumbled up to the bar and ordered a bottle of sake. All Kakashi could think about was all of his hopes, dreams, and aspirations about a life with Kurenai now lay in ruin within his heart and mind. The pain he felt was something he had never experienced before and in many ways was worse than any physical pain he had known in the past. All he could hope for right now was that enough sake would at least alleviate the anguish he was feeling, if only for a short time. As Kakashi raised the bottle to his lips, a kunai whizzed through the air breaking the bottle and impacting into a nearby wall.
Kakashi looked over to see Kurenai standing in the entrance of the bar. Closing his eyes and sighing, she was the last person he wanted to see right now and he openly complained.
"That was an expensive bottle of sake; I hope you're going to reimburse me for it Kurenai-san."
"Kurenai-san my ass!" The Genjutsu mistress growled angrily, as she stomped over to Kakashi, before her hand shot to his ear grabbing it and twisting the anatomical organ painfully while shouting.
"You and I need to talk…...now! And there's someone I want you to meet!"
Kurenai dragged the struggling silver-haired Jounin out of the bar by his ear to the shocked looks of the other patrons in the tavern and the two of them began marching towards the Shinobi Academy. After a few blocks, Kakashi had finally managed to free his ear from Kurenai's vice-like grip and spat with irritation, while rubbing his ear.
"Damn it Kurenai-san that hurt!"
Kurenai frowned, as she thought to herself.
'I'm not even Kurenai anymore; I'm Kurenai-san, as if he doesn't even know me.'
"Kurenai-san, I told you back at the Hokage's office, we don't need to talk, you don't have to explain anything, I understand." Kakashi earnestly declared.
"Would you knock that Kurenai-san shit off and you don't understand a damn thing…...but you will!"
A few minutes later, the two Jounin arrived at the academy and patiently waited, while they watched some young pre-schoolers playing in the courtyard, as they waited for their parents to pick them up. It was a cheerful scene watching the children run around and play, their innocence of the world never more evident. However, after a minute, Kakashi patience was growing thin and he groused at Kurenai.
"Why am I here?"
"I told you there's someone I want you to meet…...ahhh there he is."
Kakashi turned back towards the playing children when he saw a few more children exit the academy to join them. Suddenly, his breath hitched in his throat, as his gaze fell upon one child who looked liked a miniaturized version of himself. The young boy wore a standard uniform which consisted of a simple blue suit with what appeared to be a homemade flak jacket, strapped up sandals, and arm guards just like Kakashi did. However, the most distinctive feature on the boy besides his gravity defying silver hair was the fact that he wore a mask concealing the lower half of his face just as Kakashi had when he was a child. Turning back to Kurenai, his lone visible eye looked at her in confusion, before she answered his unasked question.
"That's my son…...our son Kakashi-kun. His name is Minato Yuuhi Hatake and like me, he has missed you very much."
Kakashi whirled back around to gaze at the child playing with his classmates once again, as his mind attempted to come to grip with this revelation and he openly stammered in shock and disbelief.
"A-a son,…...I have a son!"
Author Note: Well here is chapter 60 for your enjoyment…...I hope? I know some of you will be disappointed that Naruto and Hinata did not immediately start tearing each other's clothes off upon their reunion, but I can assure you that the lemony goodness you so desperately crave is coming. It's just the very first Naruto/Hinata scene like that I've ever done and trying to write it as a romantic piece and not pure smut straight from a Penthouse Forum letter is proving more difficult than I thought it would. Also, as you can tell, Naruto, Kakashi, and Jiraiya's homecoming will not be wrapped up in only one chapter. The only way that could have been done considering everything waiting for those three in their lives upon their return. The chapter would have been 50,000K word count and all of you would have been waiting a minimum of six months for an update.
As for this chapter, you can see it was a mix of drama and humor surrounding the various reunions Naruto was having with other characters. And before I get any indignant reviews about Naruto having perverted thoughts about Ino with Hinata sitting outside. Let me share an undeniable truth about men with you. A man can be with the most beautiful girl in the world, BUT if he sees another hot girl, he is still going to check her out; it's just the way we're wired period. So even though Naruto briefly checked Ino out and who wouldn't considering her description I gave you. He still loves Hinata with all of his heart and that's not going to change. I had fun writing this chapter and I'm crossing my fingers that all of you had fun reading it.
Anyway, I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter and I'm anxious to see what your reviews will be for it. I do wish to thank everyone both old and new readers who took the time to review my last chapter. It set a brand new record for me in reviews for any of my chapters. For those of you who did review, you all had a lot to say about it and I'm pleased that this story has such a strong fan base with readers who actually write out well thought-out reviews. Because of that, I enjoy reading many of your reviews, so please leave lots of them, as they do help a writer get a sense of the thoughts and opinions of the fans of a story. They also can help lift the spirits of an author as well. Also, to any readers who are staff members to any C2 communities, please feel free to add my story to your community if you feel it is worthy of it. I won't mind, I swear. I'll even pinkie swear if I need to?
News and My Final Thoughts of the Uchiha Sharingan issue:
News:
I'VE BEEN PLAGIARIZED
It was recently brought to my attention that someone had stolen major sections of chapters 2 and 3 of this story and posted it as his own work. Several of you have reported him to FFNET and I thank you for that. However, FFNET once again showing how much they truly care about its members and readers have yet to do anything about this thief. It might be a moot point on my part, but I ask all of you if you would be so kind to report this person to FFNET Administration. The link to this "writers" story is at the top of my profile page, since freaking FFNET won't allow me to list the link here even though it's a link on there own web-site!
Perhaps if maybe a few dozen people report him, FFNET will finally do something about it. I don't know, but it's worth a try I guess and I thank all of you in advance who do report him.
In 2010, my fellow author brown phantom initiated a poll asking the following question.
Who is the best Naruto fan fiction writer on this site?
Upon completion of that first poll I finished a very respectable 8th to which I thank all of you who voted for me on that poll very much for making that happen. Now brown phantom has decided to run a second poll asking that same question. So I humbly ask if you feel I'm worthy of being one of your 10 author picks to please place a vote for me on brown phantoms second poll. I thank you in advance for your support and normally I would provide you the links to the profile pages for brown phantom for you to use. However, one of the "oh so wonderful" changes FFNET has recently made is making it more difficult to list a link anywhere even if it's a link on their own freaking site. So just do a quick search for the author, brown phantom. As I said I finished 8th on his first poll and I would be ecstatic if I could improve on that showing, but I will need all of your help to achieve that.
End of News:
The Uchiha Sharingan Subject:
I got a lot of responses to my opinions and viewpoints of what Kishimoto dumped on us in issue #619 of the canon with regards to the creation of the Sharingan. After reading many theories, hypothesis, and viewpoints from others in their reviews. I came to have an epiphany with my own views on the matter.
First, I still think Kishimoto's explanation of how the Sharingan is created is a complete contradiction of what he originally said going all way back to the earliest issues of Naruto. Where it was told that the Uchiha unlock their Sharingan in battle when their lives are in danger. The only examples we have of when the Uchiha have unlocked their Sharingan has always been from battle. Sasuke unlocked his during his fight against Haku, Obito during the Third War in his attempted rescue of Rin. And I believe they mentioned in the canon that Itachi unlocked his during a fight when he was in the Anbu.
Now a couple of readers pointed out that Sasuke flashed the Sharingan for like half a second the night of the Uchiha massacre, but I don't consider that unlocking the Sharingan. To me unlocking it means you're able to call upon it for use, which Sasuke wasn't able to do. I think that scene was more of showing that Sasuke had the potential to gain the Sharingan more than anything. Now the epiphany I had with regards to what Kishimoto did is the following.
I don't have a problem with Kishimoto's incredibly silly premise with regards to the Sharingan, IF he had presented it as why the Sharingan evolves, not in its actual origin. I say this because he's given us examples of Uchiha losing feelings of love and friendship and then suffering anguish and despair over it to evolve their Sharingan. For example, Sasuke's Sharingan evolved and increased after he stuck a Chidori into Naruto's chest at the Valley of the End. Obito's Sharingan evolved into the Mangekyou after he saw Kakashi kill Rin. Even Itachi Sharingan evolved and he gained the Mangekyou after Shisui Uchiha's death.
So we have plenty of examples of Kishimoto's "lovey-dovey" assertion being a means of how the Sharingan evolves, but not in its initial creation in an individual and that's my main problem with it. If Kishimoto had presented it as to why the Sharingan evolves, then I don't have a problem with it, other than I think it's a really silly premise he came up with, but it is his story and he can do what he wants.
As for Kishimoto's humorous attempt to get the readers to now feel sorry and pity the Uchiha clan I still say its pure crap! I mean its bad enough that Kishimoto constantly gifts the Uchiha with amazing powers, skills, and jutsu's. But now we're supposed cry a river for them, as in actuality they were truly the lovey-dovey hippie clan of the Leaf village, give me a break. One of my readers Kyuubi123 really summed up this whole issue the best in his review of #619.
"So not only does Kishi uber charge the Uchiha but he wants us to pity them and find them sympathetic?! Why has he still not learned the basic facts? We don't want or need every villain in the story to have a sympathetic back-story especially not when it's completely contrary to everything that has been shown thus far! Madara does not and should not be a sympathetic villain! He should be evil to the core and leave it at that! Now he's trying to bring Sasuke back into the fold and have us ignore all the evil crap that he did?! My gosh I hated that chapter! Here are the facts: The Uchiha felt slighted and decided to stage a coup despite Sarutobi doing his best to smooth things over. They would have ignited a civil war that would have started another great ninja war because of this and we're supposed to feel sorry for this clan because according to the First their only sin is that they love too much?!
The BS that was coming from that chapter was so much I needed a shower afterwards!"
I have to say I agree with Kyuubi123's assessment 100%. Not every villain in the Naruto universe needs some weepy tragic tale to explain why they became evil. However, Kishimoto can't seem to have an evil villain just be an evil villain period, without trying to get the readers to feel sympathetic for them time and time again.
End of Uchiha Sharingan Subject:
Now, onto everyone's favorite section Kingkakashi's rants on the manga yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaay!
I have very little positive or negative to say about the following issues of the Naruto manga.
*Warning I do give away some spoilers in my rants, so read at your own risk.
#621 – This was a good chapter for the most part. It's a continuation of the Hashirama versus Madara fight for control of the Leaf village and Madara is using the Kyuubi no Youko in the battle. The majority of the chapter is this fight and Hashirama is using some cool jutsu's in the battle. Then the chapter goes to a flashback and you see when Hashirama and Madara were kids and first met. So now Kishimoto is going to give the readers the start of the incredibly predictable storyline of how they were actually friends in their youth, blah, blah, blah. Overall, the chapter is good even with the predictable tacked on storyline at the end if for nothing else the cool battle scenes it had.
#622 – This chapter starts off with how Hashirama and Madara became friends. It shows how their lives are parallel to one another mainly because their clans were at war with one another. And that pretty much sums up the whole chapter. It wasn't a bad or good chapter per-say, it was just sort of…..there.
#623 – This chapter is a continuation of the Hashirama/Madara friendship storyline. As their bond grew stronger they began to share their hopes and dreams of the future. And the idea or goal is set by them to create a village, which would become the Leaf village Konohagakure. However, both the Uchiha and Senju clans learn of their growing friendship and attempt to get Hashirama and Madara to betray one another at their next meeting. It fails as they warn each other of the trap and escape, while the head of the Senju clan Butsuma and Tobirama square off against the head of the Uchiha clan Tajima and Izuna ending the chapter. Once again, it wasn't a bad or good chapter per-say; it was just basically a historical chapter more than anything.
#624 – This chapter shows how the dream of Hashirama and Madara of creating a peaceful village lay in waste and for the next several years they do battle time and time again. However, in the end the Uchiha were losing their war against the Senju. During which, and this part confuses me, it looks like Tobirama Senju inflicts a mortal wound onto Izuna Uchiha, but later on Madara keeps saying that it was Hashirama who killed his little brother. In the "supposed" final battle, Madara lays defeated by Hashirama's hand and Tobirama looks to finish him off. He's stopped by Hashirama who still wants to make peace between the Senju and Uchiha clans. However, Madara says the only way he will trust Hashirama again is if he kills his younger brother Tobirama or kills himself ending the chapter. This chapter is pretty much the same grade as the previous three.
#625 – Well no shock here, I think everyone could pretty guess from the ending of the last chapter that Hashirama wasn't going to kill Tobirama. So for the sake of peace, he's about to kill himself, but is stopped by Madara saying that Hashirama has proven his resolve. The two of them and the clans make peace and a few years later they create the village they had talked and dreamed about as kids. Hashirama wants Madara to be the First Hokage, but this is opposed by Tobirama who says that it should be a democratic process and the people should vote for who they want as First Hokage….they choose Hashirama. Madara isn't upset by this, but feels he must leave the village to pursue his own new goal. What is his goal? Ahhh well, Kishimoto doesn't bother to tell you that. He only has a cryptic Madara flashing his Mangekyou at Hashirama and saying that he's looking forward to going for his jugular in the future ending the chapter.
#626 – This chapter is the conclusion of the whole Hashirama/Madara friendship storyline. They have their final battle, which is cool to see and Hashirama kills Madara. Don't ask me to explain that if Hashirama killed Madara, then how did he end up as the old man who found Obito? I can't explain it, because Kishimoto hasn't bothered to explain it. Anyway, the chapter ends by reverting back to the four revived Hokage's along with Sasuke and apparently the last four chapters has essentially been Hashirama telling the history of the Leaf village and answering Sasuke's question. This chapter was ok, but really about all it was is just the ending of the Leaf village history lesson storyline.
#627 – This chapter is all about Sasuke's decision whether or not he's going to help save the Leaf village from Madara or help to destroy it. And what a shock, who could see this coming? Sasuke decides he won't let Itachi's sacrifice for the village be in vain. So he is going to go riding in on a white horse and help the Shinobi Alliance defeat Madara. The four revived Hokage's along with Orochimaru and Juugo are also going to help. Seigetsu just wants to escape and makes an attempt to do so, before Karin appears and stops him. Sasuke apologizes for almost killing her and she goes back into fighting for the title of #1 Sasuke fan-girl with Sakura. To be honest, with the reappearance of Karin and Kishimoto's undying love for Sasuke, it won't surprise me at all if he ends up giving Sasuke both girls before the manga is completed. The chapter ends with the four revived Hokage's teleporting via the Hiraishin jutsu towards the battlefield. Once again, not a bad chapter or a good one, as it's only significance was about what Sasuke was going to decide, which was predictable a long time ago.
Yes, I'm still thoroughly disgusted that Kishimoto hasn't done anything yet with Hinata's confession to Naruto now reaching 190 freaking issues!
Now I'd like to give a shout out to a couple of stories of quality work that I recommend. I urge all of you to check-out these fine works when you have the time.
Recommendations:
"Found and Lost by Kinsey Rachelle: This story is an enjoyable NarutoxHinata pairing. It's a short two chapter piece, so I won't go into any details about the story, but if you're a fan of NarutoxHinata then I'm positive that you will enjoy reading this tale.
"My Dark Haired Angels by Valkyrie Prinny: This is a rare Naruto/Kurenai pairing story with a nice surprise at the end with regards to Hinata. The essential plot is similar my Naruto/Bleach crossover tale of Naruto leaving the Leaf village to escape the pain he was feeling. Kurenai's team is sent to retrieve him and that is where the story kicks into high gear. This tale does have some lemony goodness to it, but it's not the main focus of the story. So, if you're looking for something unique and different in a Naruto story, then this is one you should checkout.
Now please be kind and leave precious valuable reviews on these stories.
As always, if anyone wants to discuss my story in greater detail, just shoot me a PM. I enjoy talking about the story with any readers who really have an interest in it. I'll try to respond back to you as quickly as I can.
Take it easy and be good!
Kingkakashi
School Time:
Doddering
Definition: Shaky and trembling or moving in a slow way, as from old age.
Etymology: Middle English 1610-1625a.d.
Part of Speech: Adjective