A.N: Fair warning, this is the last chapter in the latest mini-gun clip. Future chapters could range from slowed release to another hiatus. I'm hoping this blast of productivity is reusable, but it takes a hell of a windup, and a leap of faith to boot.

===Chapter 8===

The leaf had been taken for quite the scare. In the window between the delegation's final delivery, and the time at which they would leave the village proper, the lead negotiator went missing. Not long after, he was admitted for urgent care at the hospital. A case of severe shock that had him incapacitated until well after the caravan returned. They wanted answers.

Unfortunately, during all of this, the Hokage was called out to address the matter of a clansman's disappearance. It took hours after tracking their sole lead, and completing a massive search of the area. They found the trail, but it led no further than that they knew of.

Heartbroken, and shrouded with a blind rage, the clan head returned home. To his relief, his daughter had been returned some time before, resting now at home and burning off the last of the sedatives.

Thankfully, the lead negotiator was beginning to recover from the shock, and had gained consciousness. To his chagrin and frequent protest, The leaf corps were not about to invite another gamble. He was kept in the hospital through each stage of recovery, and released for the return journey only after closing in on a full recovery.

The third Hokage rubbed his jaw wearily. They had been as forthcoming about his condition as they dare, and while it was the nightmare of any ninja village to leave such a skilled compromise, Sarutobi would stand by that decision to the end of his days.

The contents of his pipe were cast out as the staff delivered the volley of paperwork that would cover the following days. By his age, he could do this particular task in his sleep, and still make good time to the office the next morning. It did his comrades well to see him at the helm though.

The report for coming events was well underway when a shout interrupted from the doorway. Hiruzen bit back a knowing smile. As quiet as it had been without the blond, Naruto had taken the time well, and his over the top enthusiasm was a breath of fresh air.

The secretary caught up with him a moment later and prevented him from plowing over his current appointment, "He will be with you shortly, but you have to pipe down!"

Naruto bristled throughout the grip but turned to follow soon enough.

Hiruzen nodded for the apprentice to continue, and soon enough, he had the gist of things.

When the blond sat across the room, he was considerably more subdued. Hiruzen wasn't sure whether it was a tell of his, but the blond certainly seemed more mature these days, "So, what brings you to my office today? I see the wait hasn't curbed your thunder."

Naruto scratched his head, nodding fiercely, "It's about my condition, old man."

Hruzen raised a brow and nodded to the secretary. Following their dismissal, the doors were closed behind them, "Has your illness sprung up then?"

Naruto shook his head, "It's different, but it's not like other people, at least, I think so." Repressing the urge to nurse his head the boy added, "I can move stuff without touching them, or erm." He put his arms over his head and frowned, "It's like, I can move extra arms around, they help me when I run, If I trip, or when I fall. They can move stuff when I really try." He brought his hands down on his lap, "And, I can climb a little bit too! It's so cool." He blushed and adjusted his scruff, "I thought I should tell you about it though, before anybody else."

Hiruzen furrowed his brow in thought, "Can you show me?"

Naruto nodded vehemently, looking around for something particular. He spotted a cup of pencils on the desk and brought them over to a table between them. He stretched his arms out in front, reaching toward the edge of the table.

Hiruzen caught a shimmer in the textures on the wall behind, and followed it around until the cup between them wobbled. The pencils spilled out before clamping together and rising into the air.

"I can hold little stuff like this, a bit bigger if I really try. I can poke or bat things with them, although it's not very strong." Naruto lowered his arms and the distortion retreated into his back. Proceeding to gather up the fallen pencils he added, "I can break stuff though, like these pencils or that can, If I grip too hard." He tucked the stationary back into the can and sat back.

Hiruzen raised his gaze from the can, "And how long have you been able to do this, Naruto?"

Naruto rubbed his shoulder, "Since earlier this winter. I uhh, had an accident on a slick, and caught myself with them. I don't know when they started being there, but… I tried to come to you as soon as I figured it out."

Naruto's last attempt to contact him had been around that same time, 'You've kept this under wraps since then.' "Do you have it under control?"

Naruto nodded, "They only come out if I focus, lose my balance or really want something badly."

Hiruzen raised a brow, "I suppose the Ichiraku's have their hands full then."

Naruto blushed, "That's not what I meant."

Hiruzen chuckled before settling back, "So this is something that comes to your aid then, when you are in trouble?"

Naruto pouted, "It would've been useful when kids were picking on me." Turning forward, "But they're not all that strong, and might not do much against a good punch."

Hiruzen raised a brow, "You're getting into fights now?"

Naruto flinched and waved his arms no go, "It was just the one time. They were ganging up on a kid, and I mostly just stood in their way anyway." He pouted, "Those guys were jerks." They weren't the first kids he pranked either. Wanted posters had sprung up on every pylon and street corner he could think of.

"Was this related to your tails at all?"

Naruto frowned, "No." Turning he fixed the old man a curious look, "Could you see them?"

Hiruzen shook his head, "It wasn't easy, even knowing to look."

Naruto's eyes shined, "What are they like!? I can never really tell unless I'm looking at my shadow."

Hiruzen smiled. Clearly the boy was enjoying this prospect. Rising to his full height he ruffled the boy's hair, much to the toddlers' chagrin, "Stay out of trouble, Naruto." 'You'll make a fine shinobi yet.'

It seemed like every time she closed her eyes, an icy howl would echo in her ears. A bright light shining beside her, bathing her in a light warmth.

Hinata glanced at the clock. It had been almost two days that she'd been bedridden, and she hadn't found the drive to get out of bed yet. A full meal and a shower were her last visit to the world outside those walls, and yet, she felt that somehow she had never left them in the first place.

The gentle, albeit unresponsive faces of her family, the sheltered trips out into the village proper. The picnics she shared with her family were fond memories, but it seemed as of late that every time she reached out on her own, the arms of something chaotic and mean were there waiting for her.

That in mind, she wanted to leave this room. If it meant going with someone looking over her shoulder all the time, that would be fine. She just wanted the world to be bigger than her own family. And maybe, quietly inside, that there was a nicer side to things waiting for her.

Breaching the warmth of her bed for not the first time, she resolved to get herself up, and get ready for whatever came up. She could hide all day, but the first chance she got had to be the one where she saw the world with her own eyes. Shrinking back from everyone who spoke to her, she would make better of it somehow.

===Intermission: Extra===

Here's a review of some of the context that's been circulating in the last few chapters

Naruto: Jinchuriki

The itch - A side effect of the sealing, It influences a person's attitude at odds with their composure. While it does not affect inhibitions, the way a person carries themselves and the foot they put forward can be drastically altered from what they are used to, and in ways they are largely unaware of. This effect of Naruto's energy has not been lost, but where the seal hadn't been able to bind the fox strictly to his person, Naruto has adapted to control that energy as it pertains to the world around him. (Spoiler alert, it correlates to his composure, the events of its appearance.)

Nine tails - The distortion of nature chakra Naruto gained awareness of. It surrounds his body all the time, and with a degree of focus, Naruto can stir up assets from around him and give them a pseudo-form. Extending their range and influence from about his body to objects he shares close proximity with. While passive, or withdrawn, naruto gains a sixth sense about the intentions of those around him. A sheer drop in proficiency from the likes of late shippuden, but he can sense ambitions and desires from those engaged around him. (Not enough to read minds, but enough to get the gist driving one's reactions.)

SI: Phase release

Wind release: Firewall. Similar in angle of attack to the breakthrough, the firewall creates a barrier of mashing air currents that destabilize an attack that comes against it. This turbulence routes an attacks power and counteracts the disturbance where the attack originates, defeating any attempt to compensate. Overwhelming force would break the technique, however the onslaught would be diverted completely to one side.

Wind release: Seam step. (Compare: Shunshin) The castor draws out their connection from the world around them and implants it at another location. Requires excitement in the air currents. Typically fronts, Ecospheres, or disruptions in aircurrents. (Fire, windbreaks, eddies.)

Earth release: Undercurrent. Builds up elemental influence over time, and a sixth sense regarding changes in elemental distribution nearby. Can be used to enhance optimization techniques, and is a backbone of elemental harvesting techniques.

Water release: Stronghold. Draws in and maps out effects in the area, particularly of resonance, and taps into the mechanism bearing load. Used as an improvised dowsing technique to determine how a person can / will respond to changes, using the mechanism as a visual aid.

Water release: Pressure point. Fundamental to the juken, a general manipulation of the energy flow about the tenketsu network. Enables to tap into and adjust the flow of chakra, as well as the resources administrating through it. Used in combat to adapt to or capitalized on diverting battle stress. (Shut down, the body is a swinging sack of potatoes with as much creative potential. Also, see Kabuto in the sannin reunion fight.)

A.N: I may have brought up another and forgotten about it. If you have any questions, feel free to review, or use the personal messaging system.