Naruto: Archer and Loner
First and foremost, I must give a shout-out to Antex-The Legendary Zoroark for giving me the idea of a summons for Naruto. Owls do work. I'm just going to modify it a little bit and use Barn Owls for the summons. Out of all owls, Barn Owls are the most silent when flying and their unique hearing and hunting ability would fit as a summons for Naruto. As per usual, neither Naruto nor Bleach belongs to me. I do this for my entertainment and for the entertainment of you, the readers. Now onto the next chapter!
Chapter 20: Love Woes
Uzumaki Clan Compound (Dining room)
Naruto sat at the dining room table eating an early breakfast. He awoke earlier than usual all because he wanted to see the result of Zabuza's talk with Haku. 'I know it may be petty of me to want to see those two squirm a little,' Naruto thought to himself. 'But, they're always picking on me with using honorifics when they don't have to. It is annoying when they do that.' Naruto came out of his thoughts as Haku and Zabuza walked in and sat down.
"Good morning, Haku-chan, Zabuza-san," Naruto said cheerfully. "How did your day yesterday and your night go? Mine was great. I got to get some training in and that allowed me to sleep quite well." Naruto smiled a little at seeing a slight blush form on Haku's face and Zabuza's left eyebrow twitch slightly.
"Good morning, Naruto-sama," Haku said quietly as she started dishing up her plate.
"Morning, runt," Zabuza grumbled.
"Zabuza," Naruto began, "I want details. How did your talk with young Haku-chan go? How is her relationship with Shino-san going? How talkative is Shino-san? In school he hardly spoke. And when he did speak, it was only a few words spoken at an almost whisper." Haku's blush intensified and Zabuza's eyebrow twitched even more.
"Our talk went well, runt," Zabuza said slowly. "If Haku-chan wishes you to know these things, she can tell you herself."
"Oh, don't be so mean, Zabuza," Naruto said. "I could order you to tell me you know?"
"You're enjoying this, aren't you brat," Zabuza asked.
"Immensely," Naruto replied.
"I hate you, brat," Zabuza said.
"I bask in your hate," Naruto replied.*
"Naruto-sama, shouldn't you prepare for your guest," Haku asked.
"Yeah, brat," Zabuza began. "Don't you have your betrothed moving in today? Shouldn't you be more concerned about that than about Haku's love-life?"
"Oh, yeah," Naruto exclaimed. "I almost forgot Hinata-chan is moving in today. I should go and wait by the gate. Enjoy your day you two." Naruto stood and left the dining room.
"I never thought he'd leave," Zabuza said. "I thought he was going to sit there and grill us all day."
"It is a good thing he left, Zabuza-sama," Haku replied. "But, I still need to make time to talk to him about my relationship with Shino-kun."
"I'm going to be extremely busy that day," Zabuza stated.
"Why is that, Zabuza-sama," Haku asked with a slight smile.
"I already know more than enough about your relationship with Shino-san. I will not be present when you tell Naruto the details of it," Zabuza said sternly.
"Very well, Zabuza-sama," Haku replied.
Uzumaki Clan Compound Gate
Naruto stood at the gates in a sky blue yukata waiting for his guests to arrive. He didn't have to wait long before he saw Hiashi, Hinata, Himsha, Ko and Neji walking towards the gate. Naruto opened the gate just before they all arrived in front of it.
"Good morning, Hiashi-san, Hinata-chan, Himsha-sama, Neji-san, Ko-san," Naruto greeted with a smile.
"Good morning, Naruto-san," Hiashi replied. "As you can see, we have a few more people than expected."
"Why is that, Hiashi-san," Naruto asked.
"You know that Ko-san is here to protect and train Hinata. My nephew, Neji, has asked to be allowed to accompany her. My father, Himsha, has asked to be able to help train both you and Hinata in the ways of being a clan head," Hiashi replied.
"I have no problem with that, Hiashi-san," Naruto said. "Follow me and I'll show you where you'll be staying. I assure you that your rooms will be quite comfortable."
The group follows Naruto as he walks towards the main compound building. Walking up the steps, Naruto turns towards Ko.
"Ko-san, what are your requirements when it comes to the safety of Hinata-chan," Naruto asks.
"Uzumaki-sama, I require a room that is no more than 50 feet away from Hinata-sama. Any more than that and my ability to protect her would be compromised," Ko replies.
"Good to know," Naruto says. "Kiski prepared a room down the hall from mine for Hinata-chan. I can place you in one of the rooms between us. Neji-san, do you have a preference of where you would like to stay?"
"No, Uzumaki-sama. Place me where you think I'd be comfortable," Neji replies.
"Since you wish to be comfortable, you can share Zabuza's room," Naruto says with a grin. Neij's face becomes pale at the thought.
"You must be joking," Neji squeaks out.
"No, I am not," Naruto says sternly. "You need to learn how to relax and not be so uptight. Zabuza would be the best person for you to learn from. He'll either remove that stick you have up your ass or kill you. Real life experience is best in my book."
Neji hangs his head dejectedly. "Very well, Uzumaki-sama."
Naruto lets loose with laughter at hearing that.
"You really think I'm that mean, Neji-san," Naruto asks in-between laughs. "Your room is next to Zabuza's. I am serious about removing that stick and I really think Zabuza can help. I also think you'd be able to help Zabuza some."
"How do you think I could help the supposed 'Demon of the Mist,'" Neji asks.
"Zabuza knows how to get serious when it comes to a fight. He just doesn't do it when it comes to diplomatic issues and that could be a problem," Naruto replies. "Himsha-sama, do you have a preference in where you'd like to stay?"
"Uzumaki-sama, I'd like a room near your hot spring. I find a good soak in the hot spring helps these old bones of mine," Himsha replies with a smile.
"In that case, you'll be alone in one of the side compounds," Naruto says. "Is this fine with you? Otherwise, you would have to room next to Haku-chan and I don't think Zabuza would like that."
"Being in a side compound would suit me just fine, Uzumaki-sama," Himsha says.
"My shadow clones will show you to your rooms, Himsha-sama, Neji-san," Naruto says and creates 2 shadow clones. "I'll show Ko-san and Hinata-chan where their rooms are. We'll meet up in the kitchen for dinner and to discuss a few things." Naruto got nods in reply.
Kitchen (a few hours later)
Naruto sat at the table in the kitchen waiting for everyone to get their plates and take a place at the table. 'Moving everyone in and unpacking took a while. At least it was made easier by things being in storage scrolls,' Naruto thought to himself as everyone finally got seated at the table.
"Now that we're all settled and situated," Naruto began. "There are a few things I need to go over. First and foremost the Uzumaki Archives and Library are off limits. Do not even attempt to look inside with your bloodline, Hinata-chan, Neji-san, Ko-san and Himsha-sama. The amount of seals surrounding those rooms is insane and impossible for even Kiski to figure out."
The Hyuga at the table pale at the thought of trying to look at something so full of seals and nod in agreement.
"Secondly is we are all family here. No honorifics need to be used around family," Naruto said. "Himsha-sama, I'm sorry if you are used to being called Sama, but here you'll either be called by your name or a san as an honorific."
"I understand, Naruto-san," Himsha replies. Naruto smiles at him in thanks.
"Thirdly I will not rule over you. You are free to do whatever you'd like to do, as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else or cause harm," Naruto says. "This is supposed to be a home. By living here, I consider you all Uzumaki. We may have different last names, but that stops at the gate. Everyone will be treated with respect and kindness." Naruto pauses to look at everyone and sees agreement in their eyes.
"Last, but not least, I request that you keep what happens in this compound to yourselves. Do not betray the trust you all share by being here," Naruto says. "Betrayal will see the person forcefully evicted and a seal placed to remove any memories that have occurred here. This is for everyone's safety. It is bad enough I have to defend the Uzumaki clan from the civilian council. I don't want to have to defend it from inside sources." Naruto suddenly stiffens up in his seat. "I must ask for you all to excuse me. There is someone at the gate." Naruto quickly gets up and leaves the kitchen.
"Hiashi-sama, is he serious," Neji asks after Naruto leaves.
"He is deadly serious, Neji," Hiashi replies. "Let me put it to you in words you understand. Neji, if you betray any of the trust Naruto is placing in you, you better hope that what Naruto does kills you. Because if not, I will kill you. Understand?"
Neji nods with wide eyes. "H-h-h-hai," he stutters out.
Uzumaki clan gate
Naruto arrives at the gate to see an Anbu standing there. He quickly opens the gate and steps out.
"What can I do for you, Anbu-san," Naruto asks.
"Uzumaki-sama, you have an appointment tomorrow morning with the Hokage at 10 A.M about the fate of your team," the Anbu says sternly. "Kakashi-san is supposed to be there at that time too."
"Very well, Anbu-san. Please let the Hokage know I will be there at 10 A.M as requested," Naruto replies. The Anbu nods and vanishes in a shunshin.
'Oh, joy. I get to find out what the emo wonder and the pink-haired banshee have been up to and see where it leaves our team,' Naruto thinks to himself. 'Tomorrow is going to be long. Hopefully Hokage-jiji will know what to do.'
Yay! Chapter done. This one took me a while. It kept staring at me and every time I tried to write, the words wouldn't come. Finally I just had to wait for the right moment. Next chapter we'll get to see what will become of team 7 and just what changes there may or not be. I hope to be back to writing at a somewhat normal schedule.
*I had to use the line from one of my favorite fanfiction authors and story. Kenshi618 and his story, Fullmetal Shinobi. One of the best Naruto/Fullmetal Alchemist crossover fics I have ever read.