A love in time 005

Kurama reached out slowly, cupping the feverish cheek of the blonde girl and let out a small sigh of relief. Her soul had somehow survived being bound to his own. "Stupid child, you only need to save yourself. Not the world," He was surprised when her eyes opened. She foolishly gave him a victorious grin as she pressed her face further into his hand. "I will not be lenient,"

"Heh," Naruto took deep breaths. Her chest ached with each breath. "I can hear Kakashi-sensei calling me. How do I go back?" She could hear her teacher's painful pleas for her to open her eyes. She had worried him for too long.

"I will cut our connection. Each time you return to the past and are by my side, I will activate the seal." Kurama brushed her bangs to the side gently. His long nails combing at the strands, "I expect you to be beside me during your next visit,"

"Believe it," Naruto felt her body fall through a shift and within a blink of her eye she found Kakashi clinging onto her hand, "Sensei," She called out to him hoarse, giving him a tired smile, "You look like shit,"

Kurama waited until her body disappeared before hiding his ears and tails. It was only a matter of time before keen chakra sensors came to the temple. Tucking his hands into his sleeves, Kurama left the temple and stood at the edge of the lot. He could feel strong chakra signatures closing in but it would still take a while for them to appear before him. "Tch, it would be easier to kill them," He grumbled but decided against it. It would only attract their litter and cause more work for him to get rid of the pests. The image of Naruto dressed in priestess robes crossed his mind and a feral smirk graced his lips. Of course, it was just a passing thought but now he had the ability to make it true. Looking back at the temple, Kurama mused, "It's been far too long since you've had a disciple, Inari,"

In the meantime, Kurama placed up a barrier over the lot. Preventing everyone from entering his temporary home. Kurama's plan was slowly forming in his head. The New Gods dared to add his host to their games then he would make it difficult for them to enjoy the scenes. His fists automatically tightened. He had spoken to his future self and they had both come to the same conclusion - Tobirama Senju isn't the person she was meant to meet.

Kurama wasn't well versed on who the major shinobi figures were but Kyuubi insisted it was meant to be Tobirama's older brother, Hashirama, that the blonde was meant to meet. Kurama couldn't be sure on the matter. All that he focused on was protecting her. She was already attached to her friend. If he forced her to stay away Naruto would, no doubt, rebel or resent him from keeping her away from her first friend. "Stupid child," He cursed her, grabbing a broom from the fragile shed and opted to clean the front of the temple. He had nothing better to do other than sleep. "Stupid foolish child. How dare they…" He hissed, her bright smile flashing through his head. Not once did she fear him. The blonde child was merely curious about him in the beginning and was now sickly fond of him. It disgusted him.

"How dare they choose her…" He swept furiously, cursing the New Gods in his head. Kurama planned to teach her how to detach herself from situations. It was the only way to protect the light inside of her. There was no way a bright child like her would last into adult years. "I swear I'll make them pay for choosing her. Naruto will shatter the heavens," Looking to the skies, he smirked as it roared with lightning. "I swear she will shatter the skies." Kurama stepped out of the way of a lightning bolt and chuckled. A weak move to frighten him. It had been centuries since he last felt fear about them.

"Excuse me,"

Kurama looked up, "ahh they've arrived," He looked at the duo curiously. To Kurama, it was like looking at day and night. "What do you want?" He growled, returning to his sweeping as the brothers couldn't advance any further.

"I apologise for disturbing you but you wouldn't happen to know about a chakra disturbance that happened around here," Hashirama cupped his hands to his mouth and called out. "Are you the owner of this temple?"

Kurama felt his neck vein pop, "Owner?" He tried his best to control his grip but the handle shattered in his hands. "Nobody owns Inari-sama's temple, fool!" He barked. He loathed humans. They were annoying and asked too many questions. Stomping over to the duo, Kurama pointed at the long-haired man rudely. "Who the hell are you? Don't you know it's rude to start a conversation with a stranger without introducing yourself! Huh, who the heck are you, girl?!"

"G-girl?" Hashirama gasped, falling to his knees in shock. "Girl?"

Tobirama sighed as the red-haired man sneered, "I apologise for my brother's behaviour. This is Hashirama Senju and I am Tobirama Senju. As per agreement with the major civilian villages, our clan has agreed to protect them. This includes investigating unknown anomalies. Do you have any information regarding the chakra burst that happened approximately 47 minutes ago, sir?"

Kurama blinked. "This weed mustn't be Naruto's friend. No, there must be a mistake," The tense red eyes that stared back at him, unwavering and firm, made Kurama curious. Moving his gaze to the sulking man, Kurama didn't see why Kyuubi had high praises for this baby. In all honesty, Kurama could see Naruto being friends with this idiot more than the statue. "It's Ramon and that would be my mistake. I was sent from the Land of Darkness to maintain this temple and I activated a seal."

"The Land of Darkness?" Tobirama had never heard of the place.

Kurama nodded, finding that conversing with Tobirama was easier than looking at the idiot's face. "An island just east of the Land of Water. It's a miserable place. You wouldn't want to go there,"

"And yet your mission is in a war-ridden country," Tobirama rebutted and made the red-haired man bark out in laughter.

"Anything is better than that place. Truly a miserable island. Ahhh except for the capital. It's oddly sunny there but don't let the sun fool you. That village is just as vile as the weather," Kurama waved his hand dismissively, "Excuse me, I have work to do."

Tobirama watched as the man left. What Ramon said struck him. "Brother, let us go,"

"Tobi~" Hashirama whined, tugging on his brother's sleeve, "I don't look like a girl, do I?"

"A very pretty girl," Tobirama replied dryly, causing Hashirama to fall into despair. He gripped onto the back of Hashirama's shirt and dragged the man away. "The land of Darkness," he thought. "Don't be foolish. Your hopes will only be crushed again," Tobirama scolded himself. It was a large blow that Naruto wasn't from the Uzumaki clan but it made sense. She was talented in seals and the warmth of her chakra reminded him of that clan. However, he recalled a faint part of her chakra that felt erratic. It was like an underlying current ready to sweep you away. "Perhaps she shares Uzumaki blood and doesn't know about it."

More questions appeared in Tobirama's mind and it only served to give him a headache. He was nowhere near close to figuring out what was going on and with war at its peak, he didn't have time to gather his thoughts. "How annoying," He smirked. Although it frustrated him, it was a challenge he hadn't given up on.

"I'm annoying!" Hashirama cried out. Sobbing uncontrollably when he was thrown over Tobirama's shoulder like a sack of potatoes. "How humiliating~"

"Bear with it, brother."

XXXX

"Narumi,"

Sitting in the hospital bed, staring out the window quietly, Naruto slowly turned her head to acknowledge the woman sitting in the chair. Only one person called her by that name, deeming her birth name too masculine for her liking. "Madame Diana," Naruto greeted neutrally, nodding her head politely. The woman was half-covered in the shadows but her stunning features were still illuminated. Her taut white bun made her cheekbones look higher than they should be with her painted red lips and hard slanted eyes. No matter how elegant the kimono she wore, Diana's presence was more eloquent.

"This reminds me of our first meeting. Wouldn't you agree, Narumi?" Although Diana's voice was gentle, there was a sharp edge to her tone. "Pathetic young thing you were. I recall that overprotective bird hovering over you all the time. It's a shame it bit the hand that fed them,"

Naruto flinched at her words. She could never forget her first meeting with the Madame of Konoha's top whorehouse. Sandaime might've been her saviour but Madame was her guide to survival. "Indeed,"

Flashback:

"Don't touch her!" Itachi hissed, his Sharingan flaring to life as he stood protectively over his student. "Don't come anywhere near her!"

"You don't scare me, boy," Diana stood proudly at the door to the room. She refused to back down and entered the room without a care. "Let me see her," She ordered, yet the young Uchiha refused to back down as his fingers gripped his tanto dangerously. Diana glared at him, "Do you honestly believe that you're in a position to protect her, boy? Step aside,"

"Don't," Itachi whispered as the woman got closer. He knew of her. He had heard the rumours about her. Yet despite the rumours, the woman was still an enigma. A complete mystery that not even Danzo would cross her path. "You have no right to be here,"

"Oh?" Diana arched her brow prettily. "Then tell me, Uchiha, how do you intend to protect this child? Your clan will oppose you and you hold no power to protect the child's heart and mind. You may be able to guide her to protect her body, but what else can you give her?" Diana tilted her head as a devious smile crossed her painted lips, "Absolutely nothing."

"I'm her family," Itachi proclaimed boldly, making the woman's smile drop. "She doesn't need your help,"

"Wait," A small voice called out.

Itachi looked over his shoulder to see his little student awake and put away his tanto. He knelt beside her and held her hand gently as he explained, "Everything's alright Naruto."

"No it's not," Naruto shook her head as Itachi's face fell. Her peerless gaze locked with the stranger in her room. "Will you help me? To be stronger?"

Diana frowned. Taking a good look at the child for the first time. She was wrapped up in bandages and the strong stench of disinfectant came from her. "Define stronger, child," She ignored Itachi's glare.

Naruto dug her fingers into the linen that her knuckles went white. "I'm not an idiot. It doesn't matter how much I train, I will always be weak. I will always be alone," She ignored Itachi's linger gaze yet he didn't say anything to rebuttal her words either. The blonde child tried to ignore the tears that gathered in her eyes as she recalled the harsh words thrown at her mere hours ago. "It will never stop, will it?" Naruto wasn't sure who she was talking to.

"Don't speak in riddles, child." Diana dismissed, "You are just a child. Speak like it,"

"...I hate them," The tears dropped onto her knuckles, "I hate them so much. I want to cave their heads in and make them suffer just as they've made me suffer. I want to destroy everything they love and make them feel what I feel!" Her voice grew louder and louder with each breath.

"Naruto…" Itachi murmured sadly. She always put on a brave face around him and the Sandaime that both of them found it difficult to get her to be vulnerable around them.

"I want to see them burn!" Naruto lifted her gaze. Her fiery blue eyes filled with tears stared heatedly at the unknown woman. "I want to be the one who strikes the match and turn them into ash! I hate them so much! Why is it me? Why do that to me?! What did I ever do to them?! Why am I the one who has to walk away with a smile?! I want to crush them all and make them pay for what they've done to me! I did nothing wrong!"

Diana approached the bed slowly. She looked down at the child filled with hatred. The blonde girl was far too young to be able to maintain her composure for long and if she hadn't interfered, Diana knew the girl would explode. "I will teach you how to destroy your enemies. Once you've knocked them down they will never be able to stand back up or oppose you ever again,"

Itachi stiffened.

Diana continued, "They were wrong to underestimate you. They were wrong to underestimate anyone. You will address me as Madame Diana and I will be the one who will guide you down the path of destruction. Should you accept, I will be waiting for you at the Imperial Garden House at 0700 hours tomorrow." She briefly glanced at the Uchiha, "Without your guard dog." Turning on her heels, Diana left the room and prayed deep in her heart that her granddaughter would come to her. If Naruto was anything like her son, the burning rage in her heart would need to be trained immediately before she caused a massacre.

"You mustn't go," Itachi said as soon as the outsider left.

"I'm going," Naruto said stubbornly, "And I won't ever forgive you if you trick me into not going,"

Itachi frowned. The burning anger was still in her eyes that he sighed and pushed her back down onto the bed. "Get some rest. Once you wake and still wish to go, then I won't stop you. However, should I find that anything is wrong I will keep you away from that woman. Is this clear?"

Naruto didn't listen to Itachi and rolled onto her side. Her mind focused on getting her revenge against those bastards that cut her up. They would pay for what they did to her and Naruto swore she would do whatever it takes to cut them down. Even if it meant being as cold and ruthless as the old woman with the heartless blue eyes.

Flashback end:

"What did you do?" Diana folded her arms. Watching as the young girl's features hardened before she reluctantly took off her shirt. The older woman held her tongue as unfamiliar seals appeared on her body before they disappeared. "I believe I have told you about action and consequences. What do you hope to achieve by showing me that?"

Naruto didn't put her shirt back on. Leaving her top half exposed. "I want to protect him," She said firmly, "I'll do whatever it takes to keep him safe. Damn the consequences,"

Diana felt her unwavering heart tremble as the image of her son overlapped with the young Naruto. The steely resolve in their eyes was parallel. When it came to that look there was no changing their minds.

"If I was asked to burn the world so Kushina would continue to smile I would do it in a heartbeat," Minato's face was firm, staring his mother in the eyes as he refused to back down. "Consequences be damned,"

"There's no stopping you," Diana replied softly. She knew of her granddaughter's affliction. She knew everything and more about her own blood yet she hid like a coward and left her blood alone. "Your mask has cracks, Narumi, fix them before I do it for you," Diana stood up from her chair and was prepared to leave when Naruto called out to her.

"I'm not the only one with cracks,"

Diana looked over her shoulder and saw Naruto's hard look. Suppressing a shudder, Naruto reminded Diana of her son. Leaving the hospital room, Diana kept to the shadows and made her way to the Hokage tower. It was already past midnight, the Hokage was always alone at this time. Entering his office, Diana didn't wait to be acknowledged and demanded, "What happened to her?"

Hiruzen only sighed as he was forced to face the woman whose blood created powerful and scary shinobi that hid behind a friendly smile. "You already know the answer. It's the same as what happened to Minato,"

Diana's glare intensified, "No,"

"No?"

"I don't care what sort of man the Nidaime Hokage was but it will not be him she sacrifices her wellbeing for. She will not be bound to a dead man," She hissed.

Hiruzen clenched his fists. How dare she speak of his teacher in such a manner? "You will not interfere, Diana."

"It's too late for me to interfere," Diana's voice grew colder by the second, "You will claim responsibility for what happens to her and when that times come, I will rebuild her,"

"Rebuild her to mirror you," Hiruzen spat out, "Naruto will never be like you,"

Diana laughed bitterly, "She will be worse than me, I assure you and it will all because of that stupid mask you made her wear. If Minato was still walking the earth without Kushina, he would be as merciless as I am."

"You don't know her,"

"Perhaps not," Diana turned on her heels. She only visited him to make him feel miserable and weigh on his conscience. "But I assure you, once a Namikaze loses the person they love it spells disaster for the rest of the world. There is only so much training I can give her to control her anger."

Tobirama:

As soon as Tobirama got home, he parted ways with his brother and holed himself up in his study. He had already ordered one of his aides to bring him all of the information they had on the Eastern Continent and whatever lay past the Water County. Unfurling the map, Tobirama frowned at the content. The map only went as far as the Water Country and no more. "How annoying," He muttered, pushing the map aside he searched through other documents and found very little. "The Land of Darkness…"

"Tobi?" Hashirama entered the room. Worry etched on his face as his brother scribbled furiously in his notebook. "I hope you're not making one of your ridiculous jutsu again,"

"You're the one with ridiculous Jutsu," Tobirama looked up from his brief work. He sighed seeing the concern in his brother's eyes. "It is nothing to be concerned about,"

"I will always be concerned about you," Hashirama took their conversation as permission to enter the office. The older brother looked over the material gathered and tilted his head, "Are you confirming the priest's words?"

"It's more out of curiosity, brother," Tobirama admitted. He thought for a while before letting his brother know, "I'm looking for someone,"

"Ahh," Hashirama kept quiet. He had already heard from Mito a few years ago. It had taken him a lot of patience to wait for his brother to open up to him, however, Hashirama had to wait for Tobirama to come to him in his own time. If he pushed his little brother, Tobirama would only close up. "And you believe this person to be in the Land of Darkness,"

Tobirama frowned, "I don't know. The world is a big place,"

"Indeed it is," Hashirama sat down. He liked to brag to anyone who would listen that he knew how to read Tobirama best. "Is this person important to you?" He saw his brother's frown deepen - Tobirama was lost in thought.

Tobirama took some time to find the right words, "The clan is important, however, I need to protect them,"

"Need?" Hashirama arched a brow.

Tobirama stiffened, he knew that tone. "I want to protect them, brother,"

When Tobirama picked up his stationery, Hashirama knew that their conversation was over. Standing up, Hashirama left some words for Tobirama to think on, "When everything has settled, let's speak again,"

When the war is over you may look for them.

Tobirama held his breath as his eyes widened. Once the door closed behind Hashirama, Tobirama let out a large sigh. Pushing the material aside, Tobirama slowed his working pace down. His brother had given him permission. "For now, the main issue," He frowned and pulled out his notes on how to approach Emi and her delusions. Tobirama could only groan and rubbed his forehead. "This is stupid,"

Getting out of his chair, Tobirama stretched his back and looked out the window. The moon was full and bright. It reminded him of her. Of their conversations at the cliff face. The growing woman that had no concern for appearances. The growing woman that had heavy eyes. Kind eyes yet they held a lot of anger. The moon reminded him of her in many ways. It would be easy to compare her to the sun, but Tobirama saw Naruto as the moon. Mysterious and unattainable. Just out of distance yet you couldn't help but admire it. "I want to see you," He sighed heavily. He sounded clingy.

Tobirama's muscles stiffened when he felt a subtle change in the room and looked around carefully. His eyes widened briefly as the reflection in the mirror changed. Approaching the mirror slowly, he saw a bare and sterile room. Though what grabbed his attention the most was the lonely looking woman sitting on the bed. Tobirama wasn't sure what she was looking at but her eyes held the same pain and longing he knew she tried to hide each time they met.

Reaching out, Tobirama bit the inside of his cheek when his fingers touched the cool surface of the mirror. She hadn't noticed him yet. He wasn't sure if she could see him. Parting his lips, Tobirama called out to her, "Naruto," He said softly and saw her stiffen as her gaze swept the room. Tobirama felt his heart stop when her eyes landed on him. They were a darker shade than what he was used to. Something was terribly wrong. "Are you okay?"

Tobirama saw the light return to her eyes briefly before she slipped out of bed. It was then that Tobirama noticed her wearing baggy white clothing. She was in the hospital. He waited quietly as she approached him and laid her hand over his. Tobirama was still unable to feel anything and kept his eyes on her.

"No," Naruto whispered, looking up at the stoic man. "Not for a long time," Naruto heard him hum in response and touched her forehead to the mirror. "I'm so glad you're here, Tobi,"

Tobirama heard her sniffing and looked down. Naruto was trembling and he noticed the tears falling onto the floor. Getting down on one knee, Tobirama could see her face clearly. "Will you let me in?"

"I'm so sick of it all,"

Tobirama frowned, he had no context to her words and looked around her room to find answers. All he could deduce was that she was in a private room. "I can't help you if you don't tell much, Naruto,"

"I don't want help," she shook her head.

"Then I'll listen," Tobirama sat down and gestured for the blonde to do the same. He waited when she grabbed the blanket of the bed before joining him on the ground.

Neither questioned how they were able to talk to each other. Right now, both of them needed each other.

"I'm so tired of being mothered all the time," Naruto sighed, wiping up her tears. "As soon as I make a mistake, there's always someone rushing in to fix it. How am I supposed to learn if they keep taking over and fixing everything for me?"

"I'm assuming this is your sensei," Tobirama saw her nod slightly, "And perhaps your grandfather," Naruto looked away guiltily, "Then your frustration is understandable but that isn't the only issue on your mind,"

Naruto looked at Tobirama in surprise. "How did you know?"

"I just know," He narrowed his gaze when she looked like she was about to lie to him, "The one person I don't want lying to me is you, Naruto. Don't start now,"

"Tch," Naruto clicked her tongue but Tobirama noticed the light return to her eyes. "I'm irritated...all the time." She gave him the side-eye when he looked unconvinced, "The village believes I'm an idiot."

"I'm well aware of the mask you wear," Tobirama folded his arms. She didn't need to tell him. He knew the second she created one. Tobirama was only going to mention it if she used it in front of him...not that she ever did. "Of course someone with an ego as big as yours wouldn't last long. Your mask has cracks,"

"Excuse me?" Naruto hissed, "I do not have a big ego,"

"I beg to differ," Tobirama scoffed, "You're a showoff and extremely flashy. It shows in how you deliver your techniques. You aren't suited to wear a mask. Especially with that untapped anger of yours."

"What are you talking about?" Naruto was starting to get upset and angry, "Then what are all those years worth! I worked hard to maintain this side of me!"

"And now it's making you hollow," Tobirama's voice warned her to back down. "How do you plan to deal with all the emotions you've locked away and buried? What will you do about the darkness you allowed to fester within you?" He saw her frown and think over his words. "I'm not your sensei. I'm not your grandfather. I will never be gentle with you when it comes to your wellbeing. Is that a problem?"

"...no," Naruto slouched, licking her dried lips before asking. "What can I do?"

"You ended up in your situation due to the mask you chose: the village idiot." Tobirama saw her flinch but didn't hold back. Whoever gave her the idea to be the village idiot was stupid considering the village already hated her. She should've been a wallflower but it was too late to change. "No matter how close your companions are or who knows the true you, there will always be a part of them that will recognise you as the village idiot and treat you as such. Secondly, your personalities clash. You're tactical and devious–I'm not praising you, idiot!" He bellowed when she rubbed that back of her head foolishly. Tobirama sighed, "You have two options. Continuing wearing your mask until it shatters and you lose control. Or, you step into the light,"

Naruto twisted her face at the advice. "You want me to reveal the real me? I don't know about you but the real me is a bitch," She saw Tobirama's face twist at her language. "And boring. I mean, I only like to study and fight. Well...it's more like fighting first and then studying."

"Are you calling me boring?" They shared the same hobbies.

Naruto was flabbergasted until she realised where Tobirama was. She had only seen his office twice and during those times it was crammed with books and paper. No matter how clustered his office got, it still remained neat compared to her mess at home. Naruto looked up at him, her lip curling into a teasing smile, "Just a little,"

"I'm offended," Tobirama saw her eyes lighten. She wasn't there yet. It would still take a while and it was up to her whether or not to take his advice.

"So," Naruto piped up, feeling better than she was scolded than being smothered. "What brought you here? It's been a while since you've appeared when I'm awake," The blonde bit the inside of her cheek when she spotted his red ears. His face was calm and collected but his ears gave him away.

"I wanted to see you," He admitted, being blinded by her brilliant smile.

"I wanted to see you too," Naruto replied excitedly. "I was looking at the sun, y'know! It reminds me of you!"

Tobirama tilted his head, "The sun?" This was a first. He couldn't find a single parallel between the sun and himself.

"Yup," Naruto nodded her head, "Whenever the sun rises you feel reassured that there will always be another day. You're kinda like that,"

"I see," Tobirama would never let her know that he was pleased with her words. It would only make her head fat. "I thought you were going to say that I'm a warm man,"

Naruto looked at him weirdly.

Tobirama glared at her, "I'm offended,"

Naruto giggled, "Good,"

Tobirama glared harder, "Then for offending me, teach me something I don't know," His ears rang when she laughed. Her brightened eyes were filled with warmth as they looked at him. They weren't filled with hidden intentions or desire. She was just happy to be with him.

The couple spent the time teaching each other ways to survive. Although he would never admit it to her, Tobirama was impressed with how Naruto explained and taught how to insult someone without truly insulting them and swaying the audience over to their side. It was a dangerous dance with words. However, he did voice his displeasure with how she learnt to behave this way from the owner of a whorehouse. Tobirama wasn't able to get rid of his prejudice of the night women but he was open to their line of work.

"It's not something you understand by watching them," Naruto tilted her head, "You have to talk to them, y'know, gain their trust."

"Why would I need their trust?" Tobirama scoffed.

"Whores know many secrets,"

Tobirama shuffled uncomfortably. It wasn't due to her crude language this time. It was the way she said it. The teasing smile didn't match the mysterious look she had in her eyes.

"Why not spend the night with them?"

"I will lay with no other woman than my wife," Tobirama was offended by her words.

Naruto rolled her eyes, "That's not what I meant. Disguise yourself as one of them and experience it yourself." She saw his conflicting look, "You don't have to sleep with them. Some prostitutes use layered genjutsu,"

"Layered genjutsu?" This was the first time Tobirama had heard of the concept.

Naruto nodded, "Yeah it's been used for centuries and a well kept secret amongst whores,"

"Then why are you telling me?" Tobirama still felt uncomfortable with the conversation.

"Well, I can't use genjutsu without a medium. I suck at it regardless but I was taught how." Naruto lifted a finger, "Scent. In a prostitutes room, they're likely to have incense burning or some sort of light scent in the room." She lifted another finger, "Sounds. They use their vocal cords to lull the target." And a third finger rose, "Touch. A light touch is all a woman needs to make the man feel immeasurable pleasure."

"Naruto," Tobirama's voice warned.

"I will be a kunoichi soon," Naruto understood his unvoiced concerns, "It will be expected of me."

Tobirama clenched his fists. He knew the missions kunoichi went on. He knew the dangers that followed them. "I do not like it,"

"We're shinobi," Naruto's tone changed. It sounded older and wiser, "We understand sacrifice more than anybody else." It was inevitable. One day she would get a seduction mission - whether she chose to use her body or not was up to the parameters of the mission.

"Tch," Tobirama clicked his tongue, "I understand." He packed up his notebook he used to jot down notes. It would undoubtedly come in handy in the future. "About the genjutsu," He muttered, "Is it possible to use it for pain instead of...pleasure?" He hesitated.

"Pain?"

Tobirama nodded, "By the sounds of it, you enhance your target's sensitivity. The women must have a threshold they do not cross over to ensure the target only feels pleasure. I'm sure with a few minor adjustments, the genjutsu can be used as a means of torture and interrogation,"

Naruto furrowed her brows, "You're one dangerous man, Tobi,"

"I don't want to hear that from someone who can drain a man of their blood with a seal," Tobirama scoffed as she smiled at him innocently. "Tell me, you're fairly beautiful–" He didn't comment on her flushed appearance, "–there must be followers despite your village deposition."

Naruto's face felt hot. She knew what he was asking of her and replied, "I pretend they don't exist or I bore them with topics I know they can't keep up with. I was told the second you give them an ounce of attention they will latch onto it viciously."

"Interesting," He rubbed his chin in thought, "I plan on discrediting Emi either soon or when the war ends. This depends on her attitude," Tobirama saw her disapproving gaze. "We're in the heat of war, Naruto. Even the unsavoury shinobi are needed at times,"

"Can't you make yourself disappear or something?" Naruto suggested, "You're already fast. Why not be faster?"

"What on earth are you talking about?"

Naruto shrugged, "Give me a few years and I bet I can outrun you. I could probably catch you too….make you fall into a pitfall or something. Traps and all," She waved her hand around like she didn't threaten to hurt him.

"You won't ever be able to outrun me,"

Naruto's smile stretched so far that her cheeks hurt, "Well, you've only recently been able to keep up with me and I'm still young. I'll outrun you in no time, y'know," She folded her arms and boasted, "Soon the hedgehog will be run over by the gallant and swift - Naruto Uzumaki!"

Tobirama's eyes widened as Naruto lost herself in laughter. She hadn't realised what she had just done. "Uzumaki!" His mind screamed. Quickly schooling his face, Tobirama didn't want her to figure out that she slipped up and followed along in their conversation. "Please, you're just making a fool out of yourself,"

"It's true though~" Naruto teased, "I'm fast and I'll be faster than you,"

"Is that a bet?" He narrowed his gaze at her. Feeling egged on by her words and attitude. It was childish of him but the way she grinned at him made Tobirama want to join in on her fun.

"If," She stressed cheekily, "You win, I'll teach you my prized fuinjutsu,"

With a snap of her fingers, Tobirama gasped as a seal appeared in her room and everything but Naruto was being forced into the ground. The metal legs of the bed groaned and snapped as the bedside table was crushed in its effort to kiss the ground. With another snap of the fingers, the weight lifted and left the room destroyed. Tobirama recognised what she had done immediately, "Gravity?"

Naruto nodded, "It's a kinjutsu. If you're not careful with the technique, you can crush yourself or you can destroy an entire village,"

"What made you wager such a jutsu?!" Tobirama yelled at her, yet her proud smile never left her lips.

"Because it's incomplete." She admitted with a casual shrug of her shoulders, "And I think you can finish it," Tobirama stayed silent. He wasn't sure what to make of her words. "So, what do I get when I win?"

Tobirama sighed and rubbed his forehead. "Not that you will ever win, but I'm confident in my smithing abilities. I will teach you how to forge your own weapons,"

Naruto perked up at the offer. It sounded boring but the Sandaime had mentioned that the Nidaime Hokage had created the legendary Raijin no ken (Sword of the Thunder God). It was so powerful that even a newbie welding the blade could be a formidable opponent. "I'll win for sure,"

Tobirama rolled his eyes. His mind was already racing in ways to win the bet. "I highly doubt it." He noticed that her carefree attitude slipped away and was replaced with guilt. "What is it?"

"The sun," Naruto pointed behind Tobirama, "I've kept you up all night. I'm so sorry,"

"Don't be," Tobirama unfolded his arms as natural light entered his office. "I enjoy our time together. Don't make me regret it,"

Naruto frowned at him, "You could say it nicely, y'know."

"Would you prefer it that way?" he arched a brow, teasing her as she puffed out her cheeks.

"...no, I like the bastard Tobi just the way he is,"

"I would be offended if you didn't,"

"You get offended by seeing my legs,"

"..."

Naruto laughed at his silence. She could see him fading away and smiled sadly, "I am sorry for keeping you up though,"

"Please," Tobirama smirked, "Your motormouth would keep anybody up," She was too slow to get in the last word as she disappeared from his sight. Her shocked and angry face made him chuckle. It was rather cute.

Getting up, Tobirama stretched his limbs before taking a seat at his desk and got started on their bet. "She'll pay for calling me a hedgehog,"

XXXX

(A/N: I have changed Naruto's age in Tobirama's diary entry [C1] to 18 years old. The war arc won't start until she's 18 because it felt wrong to have such a large age gap between Tobirama and Naruto during the arc. Also, the diary entry has been updated a bit.)