As is becoming pretty regular I had things I wanted to add here but ended up putting writing them down off until I had forgotten them completely. Oh well.

Thanks goes to ncpfan for all his help.

Let's start.

They watched her, tracing every energetic movement as she played her role on this great stage. An elaborate play directed by a mix of living and dead to bring about an ending she was not allowed to see. The script, if it could be called such, was a jumbled mess that made sense only to those who were privy to the truth.

Even then, she had a suspicion that not even they knew, truly, how this would end.

Victory or defeat, perhaps, but that was inconsequential. The paths to each one, the lingering results, that's what would likely define the world for time to come.

She, perhaps, did not focus on that fact as much as she should.

It was far too easy to simply slide into her role and play her part, sometimes the fool other times the puppet-master.

Sometimes, she had trouble remembering which was which and, more importantly, which was her.

Of course, either way she knew that she was his and that would ensure she always had an identity. It didn't matter what role she adopted I n the end so long as there was a constant that connected them all to her past life, to her current life, and to her newest life.

Naruto, leader of the Wolves, served that role.

And she, in turn, served him.

It was a symbiotic relationship, in her eyes at least, but one couldn't deny that there were benefits present for both of them. They could argue quite extensively, however, as to who was getting the better end of the deal.

Not that she really cared, she never looked into it that far. She knew he was a part of her life- an important part- and in turn she would be a part of his no matter what it took. They had each other, and that's what she preferred to focus on.

She did not, however, enjoy focusing on the eyes that trailed her every move.

It was to be expected that she'd gather attention with both her act and the fact that she was one of only two women in this group of S-ranked men but it was who she was getting attention from that was the main problem.

She could stand the eyes of the others- and neither the Jashinist nor the Iwa nin were all that bad looking if you could overlook the verbal ticks (namely the 'un's' and the constant stream of vulgarity)- but there was one pair she could not accept looking at her, especially if the gaze was what she thought it was-

Uchiha Fucking Itachi.

Her no good, Kinslaying, traitorous bastard of a son.

Well, not really a bastard, she had been married for several months before he was conceived, but the sentiment remained.

Having his eyes on her at all was disgusting and infuriated her to no end but the thought that he might be, in any way, attracted to her made her skin crawl. That piece of filth would never be worthy of her, not after what he had done.

She couldn't fully hold him accountable, she realized, for he had no idea her identity- though it seemed he might at first with how much he started at her- and even she had to admit the figure she cut in an extremely tight- by Akatsuki standard- cloak was damn sexy.

She could understand, of course, but she didn't like it.

Not at all.

Still, it could have its uses.

If he was interested it was possible that he'd let his guard down providing her with an opportunity to make right her mistake-

The one where she brought him into this world.

Not only would it provide her a chance for both vengeance and to avenge her lost family but it would also eliminate a powerful member of Akatsuki, a group that could prove itself a threat to Naruto one day.

That couldn't be allowed to happen.

Of course, it was only because she could console herself with the fact that this was- at least in part- for Naruto that she was even able to consider such an action. There was just so much that could go wrong and the act to any degree was almost too horrible to comprehend.

But he was counting on her and she wasn't about to let her only precious person down.

That's why she found herself turning to face him, her body language not once breaking out of character but still managing to convey an almost innocent embarrassment. How it managed that was anyone's guess, but the way she bounced on her feet to make her hips sway certainly helped distract anyone who might think to ponder the occurrence.

If nothing else, it most definitely ensured she had his attention.

"Mou~ Itachi-Senpai, it's so embarrassing when you look at me like that! I'm getting all flustered~!"

When there was a noticeable dusting of pink on the usual stoic Uchiha's face she felt equal parts satisfaction and revulsion.

On one hand she had, for the moment, succeeded in catching him off guard and brought to his attention the fact that she was well aware as to how his eyes liked to linger upon her cloaked form. On the other, the traitorous shit she had given birth to was probably- as she thought this- believing she might be interested.

She was willing to bet the fucker was thinking dirty thoughts about her even as he huridly excused himself from the room.

Oh, what she did for her beloved son.

Naruto better show his appreciation when they next met-

Preferably with lots of cuddle time.

Mikoto loved her cuddle time.

He ignored the curious gazes of the sentries, at least a few of which were trying to hide amused grins. Still, they didn't try to stop him, so that was something at least. He didn't know if that was because he had been granted permission to visit by the head of the clan, because some of them were part of the cult allied with his forces, or because they could take one look at what he was carrying and know exactly what it was he was doing at their compound today.

"Do something wrong or trying to get some points built up for when you do?" asked one as he passed.

From behind his boxes from the local bakery he shot the man a smirk but didn't otherwise respond, carrying on with his load without pausing. He didn't both waiting for a guide- in fact, he openly ignored the clanmember that had been waiting to greet visitors on the inside of the gate- as he already knew where it was he needed to go.

Partly from having been here before and partly because he had Wolves who sent back regular reports containing details about everything from most popular dishes cooked by the kitchen staff to the complete layout of the entire complex.

It tended to give one such as he a slight advantage.

Cutting through a few walkways primarily used by servants- that was, branch members marked as slaves by their own kin- he made quick time to his destination.

He didn't know what actually brought her to the door in the end, his quick raps on the wood- how odd that the bedrooms here had wooden doors while regular rooms hod only ricepaper- or the smell of his gifts. Regardless, the door was thrown open even before his knuckles left the wood.

It was followed, naturally, by an embarrassed squeak. Whether that was from her actions or realizing who it was on the other side he didn't know but she did seem to be getting better. The fact that she was able to quickly recover enough to form words was evidence of that.

"Ah- Naruto-Kun!" She moved as if she were about to hug him but stopped at seeing the boxes in her arm. Momentary confusion gave way to recognition and an even greater eagerness overcame her. Practically bouncing she pulled him into her room before quickly closing the door and moving to take the boxes from him.

At the last second she paused, remembering who it was who held her prize but he only gave an amused grin which she took as permission to continue.

Moving them from his arms to a rather clear desk she wasted no time in throwing open the top box and taking in the beautiful sight of fresh baked goods.

He had a feeling his presence was completely forgotten when compared to the greatness of the assorted pastries.

Taking a seat on her bed- oh, this was much more comfortable than his own- he settled in to wait.

Ten minutes- and half a box- later he coughed gently to remind her of his existence. Another squeak followed as she spun around, looking very much like a guilty chipmunk as she cradled her half eaten cinnamon bun tightly to her chest, completely oblivious to the icing getting over her sweater.

"I take it you like my gifts?" He asked. The answer was obvious but he asked anyway. In response she frantically nodded her head, her cheeks too full to speak.

It wasn't Anko-adorable but it was, well, Hinata-adorable.

Hmm, did that just mean the two of them were adorable or was it something more along the lines of them both being Naruto-adorable, as it was him seeing them as such? He shook the thought from his head- he could ponder it later.

For now, however, his visit had more purpose behind it than feeding Hinata's insatiable craving for pastries.

Though, admittedly, that was probably more fun.

"I got your letter." He said simply. Hinata, who was in the process of swallowing her prize and regretting not asking another branch member for some milk first, almost choked at being reminded. Unbidden her eyes darted to her desk drawer where the small vial of blood sat innocently.

Or, as innocently as a vial of blood from a fellow Konoha Shinobi could.

So, perhaps not all that innocently, especially when it could be used to link her to whatever had happened to Inoichi- the details were still rather unknown for the most part and speculation ran rampant through the gossip vines around Konoha.

The fact that she had even thought of such a thing, however, was rather impressive. The Hinata before- and most of her classmates, no doubt, probably wouldn't worry about something like that yet- but to be fair she had been worrying about it almost nonstop for days now.

It was evidence, however, of the Wolves- or perhaps just Naruto- rubbing off on her.

In the world of Shinobi, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

At least not in this case.

He waited until she had recovered and fully swallowed what had likely been the entire other half of the cinnamon roll still spreading icing all over her jacket.

Should he point that out to the poor girl or- no, he'd wait. No need to get her embarrassed now, he could use it in an effort to change the subject later.

"I should probably start by apologizing, which is- in part- why I brought gifts. I haven't been keeping you up to date on the going-ons of the Wolves as well as I should have been and you probably felt quite lost when you received that particular gift."

She nodded in confirmation despite it being unnecessary and he gave her a small, warm smile- something to comfort the innocent young woman. Patting a place next to him on her bed he bid her to join him which, blushing deeply, she did.

She didn't know what role in her life he played but he was still a boy and they were going to be on her bed together, in her room, all alone. Of course, being the daughter of the clan head, this was the first time anything similar had ever happened. Perhaps if she had male friends- or even any friends- when she was younger it would seem less intimate and more casual. Unfortunately, sheltered really did describe her well, though the innocence it resulted in was undoubtedly cute.

When she did manage to make her way over to the bed and take a seat near him he reached out his right arm and dragged her until their legs were touching and then further until her side was against his chest. Placing his chin on her head- which was only possible because the small girl was at an angle- he began to fill her in.

"Inoichi is a good man." He started. "And I'm rather fond of him. He acts as a clan head and caring father should, the only problem is that for those reasons he couldn't ignore me. We had a ceasefire, a tentative truce, and though he was loathe to break it he needed to know what I was doing so he could avoid having his clan and his family in the way."

He paused now, giving her time to process his words thus far, before continuing on.

"The issue occurred when his efforts to keep from being the target of our wrath ended up bringing that very same wrath upon him."

"W-what did he do?" he couldn't' see her face but he was sure it was quite red at the moment.

"It wasn't even him,. He admitted. "He had sent spies to keep an eye on us, nothing that wouldn't have been expected of any good leader, but those spies, in their effort to keep us from knowing their identities and possibly striking out at their clan in retribution ended up killing my children. Five wolves died that night, stolen from me, all so that one of his spies might live to report to him."

"Commendable, for a Shinobi, but as a father I cannot accept such- did not accept such. Inoichi had already managed to get his spy out of Konoha and set up somewhere else which left him as the only one involved still around to feel my wrath."

"I had much respect for Inoichi, but that only increased when he accepted the consequences of his actions. He did not attempt to escape, he did not beg, and even when I left him able to get around some of his punishment he refused to use it. Such strong will, such character, is rarely seen."

"What was it you did to him?" The rest made sense, in a way. She was rather attached to her own Wolf guards alter spending so much time with them and knew that she would be hit pretty hard if they were to be killed. She could understand his anger and knew he would never let those that wronged him or his get away. The only question was the fate that had befallen the man he spoke so highly about.

How odd that he seemed to both curse and praise the man who had ended the lives of those he considered children.

"For his attempts to hide it from me I took his legs, that he might not run." Naruto began, aware of the way her entire body tensed and began trembling against him. "His arms, that he could never again raise his hands against my children. Finally, I removed his tongue, so that he could not order his men against me."

"One piece," he further explained. "For the life of each Wolf he stole."

Pulling her closer, she eventually ended up seated on his lap, her face buried into his chest as she came to terms with what the young man she currently clung to had done. It was horrible, absolutely horrible, and she had some trouble accepting that the one who had been so kind to her could do something so terrible to another.

"He's still alive, Little Lamb." He tried to console her, rubbing soothing circles over her back and well aware of the icing that was now being spread over his own clothes. How fortunate was he to have not worn his furs this day, cleaning them would have been horrible. "Alive and with his family. He was happy to take the full punishment earned by members of his clan so that the others might be spared. In the beginning and in the end, it was always from his choices, don't cry for him."

It took a few minutes but eventually she calmed down .Still, she made no move to leave his lap nor t trun away from the chest she had buried her face in.

"Inoichi, in that moment, was an enemy, a threat to my pack, my family. He paid the price for it but I would not steal his own family away from him. That's why I gave you the vial."

She looked up now, face filled with confusion.

"It's evidence of the price he paid, retribution for what he did against my family. You, Little lamb, and those here who follow you are protected by the pack. That vial is to remind you of what fate befalls those who go against us so you can be confident in the knowledge that we will do whatever it takes to protect you."

Of course, that wasn't true at all.

He had sent out the blood to all allies and she was one of them. She, however, was the only one who wouldn't know what the gift was intended for- she was also the only one who he didn't necessarily want to partake fo the blood. She was still so sweet, so innocent, and he liked that. The fact that it made her so much easier to direct only helped.

So when he received the letter expressing her confusion he realized his mistake and moved to correct it as quickly as possible. Personally, he rather liked the spin he had managed to put on it considering he came up with it on the walk here.

Admittedly, the main reason he had stopped at a local bakery was to give himself some more time to come up with it.

Regardless, it seemed to have worked quite well, all things considered, and the confused face had melted away to something between gratitude and admiration.

Gods above, she had been left so malleable by the actions of her family. He was thankful for that, he really was, as he had come to enjoy her innocence and the way she looked up to him, but it was still shameful that the Hyuuga would leave their heiress- even if they knew that position would be eventually claimed by the youngest- so desperate for someone to guide them.

He would be that person, that protector and guide she so needed. The Little lamb was a goddess to her people, and he her shepherd. Through her he gained formidable political strength and plenty of resources –or, he would, in time- and through him she gained someone to look up to who would care for her.

Perhaps not the most fair trade, but one couldn't deny that they both, in some way, benefited form the arrangement.

Even if only one of them was truly aware of it.

Still, there was no reason for her to ever know about any of that and so he just offered her a soft smile.

"Do you have anything we can use to turn it into a necklace for you? Cord or ribbon perhaps?" Quickly- he likened it to a frightened rabbit- she jumped down from his lap and started digging through drawers until she found a white silk ribbon.

From his position on her bed he could see plenty more and had to wonder if she had at one point had longer hair or if she was intending to sometime in the future. Her current style was rather cute but as she grew he could see it being less flattering, especially if she was supposed to be a goddess.

Best start on that soon, then, he would need her to maintain a firm grip on that position in the near future.

When she returned to the bed, tentatively resuming her position on his lap, and handed him the ribbon and the vial he began thinking of the best way to convince her.

The obvious would certainly work, all he'd need to do is ask that she grow it out for him. Even more, he could just tell her to grow it and she would. Adding the part about it being for him would go further, of course, but both fell sort. A more subtle approach would be preferable, one that did more to retain his position in her life.

And what better way to spin it than as a compliment that lead to them spending more time together?

He slipped the ribbon- now fastened securely around the vial- over her neck, taking a moment to brush away the hair that tickled the back of her neck.

"You have such lovely hair." He commented quietly, his fingers running through it. With her sufficiently distracted he continued. " It's a pity there's not more of it, I'm sure it would look amazing."

"I suppose it's for the better, though." He sighed. "It would be a bit difficult for you to take care of it on your own with everything I'm asking you to do- I would have to come help you brush it regularly."

He felt her stiffen a bit in his grasp before hesitantly asking "Really? You'd come brush it for me?"

"Absolutely. I'd be over here every night I got the chance to help you with it. And if something stopped me I'd send Mai over to make sure you and your beautiful hair were properly taken care of."

She practically melted back into him with that, no doubt thinking about how nice having someone there for her would be.

It really was a sad state she had been left in but he was extremely fortunate to be the one who placed themselves in the position it provided.

Was he manipulating the poor girl? Absolutely. He had use for her and her clan, something having both she and her sister under his control would certainly help.

That use, of course, made sure she was taken care of. She needed someone- anyone- in her life to guide her and he could honestly say this was for her own good. Better he than someone who would take complete advantage of the girl.

In his own opinion, at least.

Sitting on his lap as she was, she couldn't see the small, victorious smile that graced his lips.

He fully admitted to manipulating her, yes, but even he thought it a bid sad- though certainly beneficial for himself- how easy it was to do. She was the goddess of her people, revered as the will of fate given life. To them she was a guide, a symbol of light and a reassurance that their lives were predetermined. It was an odd belief, he felt, but if they drew comfort from thinking their lives had nothing to do with consequences then who was he to say otherwise?

No, their blindness was just fine as far as he was concerned, it allowed her to lead them and furthered her own need for him-

Her need for her shepherd.

It was a role he was more than happy to fill.

Ever-consuming was the darkness, a presence that wrapped around her from every side and threatened to devour her.

She had half a mind to let it.

The other half, however, protested vehemently. She couldn't;' surrender herself to oblivion, not yet, not after everything she had already endured. He was out there still, no doubt needing her guidance as he always had. Her place was beside him, his eternal companion, and she would never let him down by giving into this small trial.

She had overreacted, she would admit that, and it had cost her, but know she had learned from that mistake, realized that taking things into her own hands was the incorrect course of action when he was so determined to remain in control. No, the way to deal with any future problems was to simply direct him as he needed to be so he could do it herself.

So long as it got done what did the method really matter in the end?

If she simply had to play a slightly larger game in order to keep him pleased then so be it, she was more than willing to sacrifice the illusion of control to him if it meant she got to keep him-

He was far more important to her than a position that played solely to her own pride.

She would be much more proud knowing he belonged to her.

Still, there was little she could do know, trapped here to pay penance for her mistakes. So close she had been day after day and yet her jail continued to fall short on her end of their deal. Already the fool had tried to use her power against her warden, and that had been unacceptable, but not once had she approached him afterwards!

She should have been prostrated before him, begging for mercy and delivering her back into the care of her keeper. Instead she consorted with the young man's first enemies- enemies, she had learned, that had been gained due to her own actions, much to her shame.

She had chosen poorly, acted too hasty both when she had made her move and after it had been discovered and in the end she had left him with the results of both.

That was, of course, why she still payed for her actions, until she had the chance to make it up to him, to prove that she did still have his best interests at heart- though she always had- and that she could still be trusted to be a part of his life.

But that would all take time- time she didn't have. With each day her chances seemed to shrink exponentially and the knowledge that she would be back in his presence teasing, laughing, and dining in the wonderful world he had made all for her had become more akin to a distant dream.

Ever so slowly, she felt as though she were waking up.

And when she did, it would all be lost and she would spend the rest of eternity trapped within this god-s forsaken darkness, never to see him again.

That was unacceptable-

But how could she properly convey that to the girl?

Deep within the darkness, Mito smirked.

Oh, she had a few ideas.

He paused in his stroll, attention caught by the familiar shouting of sparing. Odd, that sounded very much like the heiress but as far as he was aware she trained only with him

Perhaps she was looking to surprise him during their own session next time?

Altering his course he came to the main garden of the Hyuuga, aware of the various branch members that had similarly paused to watch. It was too be expected, really, especially when this area got so much traffic through it daily. Still, for it to have completely grabbed hold of their attention meant it must have been interesting.

He was right.

His youngest daughter, the heir to the Hyuuga clan, slowly moved in tandem with her opponent, drifting clockwise in a circle as they waited for an opportunity to strike first or, failing that, the chance to counter their opponent's move.

That really wasn't all that interesting- though he would admit that it was a bit strange for Hyuuga to circle each other like that, which may have been the cause for the change- rather it was who she moved against that caught his interest.

Genin Naruto, ally of the Wolves, moved in perfect synch with his daughter, both feeling for weaknesses to exploit.

Oh, and he was shirtless.

A quick scouring of the garden revealed the missing garment crumpled on the ground covered in- was that frosting? Blinking twice- and momentarily activating his Byakugan- he could indeed confirm it as frosting- though perhaps it was icing, it was difficult to tell. Either way, it could easily be explained by the boxes nearby.

His late wife had possessed a sweet-tooth just as bad as their daughter's and he was very familiar with the local bakeries as a result.

Speaking of daughters with sweet-tooths Hinata was sitting next to the boxes nibbling on some sort of pastry as her eyes followed every movement of their guest. For once, her jacket was nowhere to be found. If he had to guess, it had probably shared a similar fate to Naruto's shirt- in fact, he was willing to bet it was the same accident that had gotten both pieces of clothing.

Hinata had always loved hugs, after all, almost as much as cinnamon rolls.

Both had likely had a hand in Naruto's shirtlessness.

That aside, everything else seemed pretty straightforward, something supported by Hanabi's sudden lunge, hands knifing to shut down the boy's Tenketsu-

And then he moved.

Opposed to the angular force of the Juuken his own style favored smooth curves that- while perhaps a bit more elegant- possessed no less strength, every movement like a crashing wave.

Truly, a description befitting an Uzumaki- his ancestors would be proud.

His movements, however, were not the focus. Rather, the results of those movements were what was realy important. After avoiding a few well-aimed strikes from his heiress Naruto flowed forward and twistedhis left hand until the palm was facing Hanabi's right shoulder.

Her own hand, ready to deliver upon him the wrathful justice of the Hyuuga, stopped in place, two fingers to her wrist stopping her strike and, as he continued to move his arm away from him, redirecting it.

She was left wide open and off-balance.

He didn't hesitate to take advantage of that.

Right palm striking her sternum she was sent to her back without breath, staring up at him with wide eyes.

She was not the most skilled Hyuuga, but she was fast. That tended to be more important to the style that relied on a great number of accurate strikes. So it was saying something that she was one of the fastest in the clan when she put her mind to it.

That had not been the case now, of course, it was just a spar, but she had still possessed a decent speed.

A frown marred Hiashi's face as he watched the boy offer a hand to his downed daughter, one that she, surprisingly, took without complaint or trickery.

It was an obvious weakness that their style was so rigid, speed and the dangerous nature of those very strikes working to even it out into a solid style well suited against most opponents, but seeing the boy moving reminded Hiashi that meeting someone faster could negate the primary advantage of Hyuuga Shinobi.

More concerning, however, was that Naruto had more than just sufficient speed, but also seemed to move against his daughter's Juuken without too much effort, as if he knew what to expect and how he needed to react before she had a chance to strike.

Naruto knew how to counter the Juuken and, despite what appeared to be him teaching the same to his daughter, his hands resting on hers as he stood behind her and walked her through a set of movements that were obviously intended to block strikes in the areas his clan usually targeted, it was horrible to see a counter so casually displayed, and in the middle of their compound, no less.

Naruto was his opponent in the game, but he had to wonder-

Did Naruto actually see it as a game?

See you all for the next act.