Life as a fox

Chapter six*2012 Revision*

NSW

Days went by swiftly for Naruto. Between keeping tabs on Sasuke,missions, his extra training and studying. He was running himself ragged. But he did not stop, nor did he even slow down. He pressed onward knowing that he must do this, he had to get Sasuke back, he had to.

Danzo and his goons where patient, but Naruto was more. He had stopped three assignation attempts already. He has also been writing down the names of people he has heard in the many meetings he had overheard. He also marked a map to where each secret hide out was, all of these things he kept inside his 'evidence' scroll.

Weeks went by, most everything stayed the same, but Danzo was getting testy, someone was uncovering the attempts, yet none of the attempts had been revealed to the public, it was if someone was protecting the Hokage without even telling her.

Still he paced his office, planning on what to do, 'if this keeps up, I will no choice but to overthrow her with force' he thought, then he looked down. He had one more plan to do before he was left with that option, it was a more testy approach. A quick assassination while she slept. He had no choice, he picked up a small folded paper, and put chakra into it. It formed into a little black bird, it came to life and flew to the person it was meant to go to, as he summoned Sasuke once more.

Naruto dozed, the sunlight warmed him up in a nice way. Hinata was once more with Kiba out somewhere, 'its good she has got over me, Kiba will be good for her' he thought to himself. Knowing full well that they were more then 'just friends' after Naruto had saw them in a deep kiss behind a tree only a few days ago. Naruto smiled sadly he knew that even if he was human, he could never like her like that. She was a smart beautiful, kind person, but he saw her like a sister, the same with Sakura, he didn't know who he liked.

So in a way it was good he died, it eased over the fact he would have had to confront her about it, and he didn't want to see her sighed a rolled over, something was bugging him; he decided to get up and go see what Sasuke was up to.

Naruto walked the streets openly, no one paid any real attention to him, but still Naruto kept a wary eye out, then Naruto saw a flash of familiar reflex, he hid behind a barrel, it was Sasuke, and in his pocket he could see the edge of a paper black bird which meant Danzo had summoned him.

Naruto grinned, 'my gut is always right' he thought as he quickly followed but made it look like he was not following, once again Sasuke disappeared by a familiar walk through wall, Naruto slipped in carefully after.

Placing himself in his usual hidden spot, a small vent duct. Danzo was getting testy he could smell it, finally he said "this is the last 'silent' option we have" He said angrily throwing something at Sasuke. He commanded Sasuke violently "sneak into her room when she is asleep, and smother her with a pillow." He said then added "It will look natural, everyone will think the old bitch died of old age, so no one will suspect foul play."

That was it, Sasuke nodded, and left, Naruto then got up and entered the outside world again. Naruto's heart raced in his throat, his gut told him that the time was drawing in, Naruto quickly ran to the woods and once again trained his sealing jutsu even more, practicing until it was perfect.

Sasuke Uchiha snuck through a window, Tsunade had no guards or any arms due to the fact she was Tsunade, no one would try and mess with her. Oh how naïve people could be. Sasuke wore a black mask to cover his face, his hair was pulled back in a small pony to keep out of his eyes, and he eased across the floor, slowly, making sure not to make a noise.

Finally he came to her bedroom, she slept deeply, her henge taken off for the night. She had some wrinkles but due to her good health and assortment of creams she used she did not look as old as she should be. Her hair on the other hand was thin and graying. She looked in a way innocent, the way she had no idea her life was about to end. Sasuke poised a pillow ready to smother her, it was just over her head when, a howl split the calm night, Sasuke vanished dashed away instantly, as Tsunade woke with a start.

She heard the sound of something landing softly outside her window then the poof of someone transporting themselves away. Tsunade rose and calmly went to the window that was open, somehow she knew that her life had been in danger, it was like a premonition in her gut. She smirked as she reached to grab a almost invisible object naked in the night. But she did see, a strand of beautiful black hair, this told her that the person who had broke in and probably tried to murder her in her sleep...with a pillow...how interesting.

Tsunade placed the hair in a small bag, then went through her mind of those who knew the transporting jutsu, then with black or dark long hair, then to people who have questionable backgrounds, she snorted it was quite obvious who had tried to do this, lets just say she was going to have a very interesting chat with Uchiha Sasuke tomorrow.

Then it dawned on her that tomorrow she had to do a rookie nine assessment. So he was going to be there and if he did show, she could question him. If he didn't then she could assume (if her hunch was right) it was him, then she could track him down and kill him. Briefly the thought of Naruto crossed her mind, 'sorry brat, wherever you are, he's not worth saving, I hope you understand'.

Then she went back to bed, (after locking the windows of course), Naruto smirked to himself, he howled at just the right time, he ran happily back, adding an extra bound in his step. That should slow them down, he thought as he ran back to the compound, before Hinata woke up to find him missing. . . again, the last time was not good. Kiba got in her head that he was out visiting 'lady friends' and he needed to be taken 'care of' meaning fixed and he was NOT getting that done, not without a fight of course.

Sasuke swore and cursed, as he ripped the mask off, he would have to get her another time until then act like nothing happened, so he would go to the assessment tomorrow even though his guts told him no. But would did he care, the only thing at the moment he wanted was revenge on that animal that had made that noise. It was a deliberate howl, and there was only one animal in the entire village to howl like that, that low moaning wolf howl, with a slight high pitched keen to it. Lets just say he was going to have an interesting talk with Hinata tomorrow.

Naruto sat looking up at the moon, his nerves where frazzled and his heart raced, 'tomorrow is most assuredly going to be the confrontation day' he thought to himself. Naruto heaved a heavy sigh, 'I wonder what they will think?' he thought as he looked towards Hinata's room.

Naruto followed Hinata and Kiba as they walked to the Hokage's office. They were caught up in conversation and paid him no heed. So Naruto taking his chance, slowly slipped behind them and soon split away and ran to his father house. He went over and picked up his evidence scroll and was about to go when he spotted some old wrist braces. They were in a far corner, hidden and tucked away in the back, he walked over to them, they where metal, with leather padding on the inside to keep the skin from chaffing. They where long enough and big enough to fit on his for arms of his legs. he looked closer to see the Uzumaki swirl pattern lightly traced in the brandished metal, Naruto smirked as he saw his reflection.

He looked up as a thought ran into his head, 'why the heck not' he said to himself, 'it's not like I am going to a normal dog from now on'.

Everyone waited quietly in the office, Sensei's where not allowed at the meetings which was good because everyone was squished already. There was few chairs that where in the office, Hinata sat on Kibas lap Kiba had one arm around her waist, everyone laughed a giggled and joked around (except Sasuke, Shino, and Shikamaru).

Then Tsunade cleared her throat, everyone calmed down, "okay everyone, I am bringing important news, I am thinking of stepping down as Hokage." There was an audible gasp throughout the room, before anyone could yell at her 'why?' she put her hand up. "It seems to be that I am in inadequate Hokage" Sakura snapped out "what makes you say that?" Tsunade replied calmly "because last night there was a try on my life, while I was asleep in my own house".

There was a dead silence throughout the room, then she continued "but I have narrowed out the possibilities of who did it" She said then continued "one, they know the transporting jutsu." She said holding up one finger." "Two they have dark hair" She looked to Sasuke, "now Sasuke, I am not saying it was you, but you have both of these qualities. As investigation stands, I have to question all suspects, do you have an alibi for last night? Around the time between 10:00pm and 1:00am?" Sasuke stepped foreword, "I do, and I was heading home with a slight buzz from the bar I was at".

Tsunade quirked an eyebrow, "can anyone back your statement"? Sasuke nodded then fumbled in his pockets, he pulled out a receipt from the bar, Tsunade looked at it, it stated he had a few drinks and a meal at 10:30 and have him leaving at 11:45. She cursed the attack was at 11:30. She sighed maybe she really was getting old, she nodded and gave it back, "very well Sasuke I am sorry about this, it is my duty" Sasuke nodded "I understand completely, but I swear to you, I am trying to turn over a new leaf, I am not the old Sasuke I once was".

Before anyone could say a thing a deep voice rang out "that's right this Sasuke Uchiha is even more murderous then before" Tsunade whirled around, and everyone looked to the sound of the voice. It was coming from a figure that stood in the window. Hinata gasped, everyone else stared, there was Fluffy, dressed in what looked like chest Armor (like anbu wears) and metal braces on his forearms of his front legs. His Hitai-ate was not Hinata's old one but a different one made with black fabric, and across his back a large scroll was strapped, he glared at Sasuke eyes full of hate.

No one said a word until Hinata muttered out "Fluffy?" the dog looked to her "in context yes, but that is not my real name, however, right now I have more important things on my mind then names."He jumped down and growled at Sasuke. "Very clever counterfeit, you had Danzo make you last night, makes you look almost innocent, I also like the added affect of you turning over a new leaf, but we both know that the only time you turn a leaf...is to destroy it".

He then jumped on Tsunade's desk, and growled, Sasuke backed away, "what are you talking about . . . mutt" Fluffy smirked, "very funny, but unlike you Uchiha, when I plan my revenge I think things through a lot better, I plan everything and leave no room for error." He paused sending a knowing look at Sasuke. "Like what happened last night, did I startle you with my howl?" Fluffy said putting his head up Innocnetly then said "I know It was startling enough to wake the Hokage up" then the dog grinned his fangs showing.

Sasuke glared at the dog, "like I said I have no idea" Fluffy sighed, "Sasuke, Sasuke, Sasuke, when will you ever learn? Acting like an idiot will never solve your problems, I learned that the hard way. . .anyway, it doesn't matter" He said shaking it from mind. "Because I have all the evidence of every attempt you have done...sealed away, in this scroll" he then flipped the scroll on the desk, ". . . in here you will find plans and plots for not only last night's attempt but many others I saved you from Lady Tsunade".

Sasuke glared he bit his lip in anger, "careful Sasuke with that temper of yours, I bet your wondering. . . how I did all this? How did I know about everything?..." seeing the look on Sasuke's face Fluffy grinned. Then said darkly, "didn't I say Sasuke? That you had better watch yourself?. . . That I would be watching?. . . Does that ring a bell"? Sasuke staggered back as if Fluffy has struck him.

"N-no,. . . It, c-can't be possible!, y-your dead"! Fluffy grinned from ear to ear, "so I thought as well, but it turned out the demons took pity on me. . . and gave me this body, not too shabby?" He said turning around as if showing off. "A little difficult at first but, it's easier to blend in like this." Sasuke cursed, "How did you come back?" Fluffy sat down, "easy, once I died I wandered for a bit, and like I said the demons took pity and here I am".

At this time most everyone was confused as hell, trying to figure things out. Shikamaru was burning gears in his mind as he too was trying to clarify what was happening, by only using the verbal ques that Sasuke and Naruto were giving.

Sasuke said nothing then started, "Why? Why not go to the afterlife"? Fluffy sighed "sadly, thanks to that little deal I made with Kyuubi, I was not permitted to enter heaven" He sighed. "So I was banished to be a ghost, but surprisingly, I met with Kyuubi later, and he did this summoning thing, and then the Demon goddess appeared and what happened... well happened" He said looking down to himself. Sasuke said nothing, but already some realization was coming across the faces of the more smarter of the rookie nine.

He yawned "plus, I really wanted to get revenge on the one who killed me" He said casually. Then huffed "but of course, I had to obey Sakura's wishes, I let you return...now you are back, so that promise is paid." Fluffy trailed off then rose a glint in his eye, "now I can finally avenge my own death." He snapped at Sasuke.

It was silent, then Sakura broke it saying "Naruto"? He flickered his eyes to her. To everyone, then nodded slightly "correct, I am sorry for fooling you, and mostly you Hinata, I am very ashamed how I used you to get back, but I hope we can still be friends after this, but right now I have business to take care of" then Naruto growled lowly.

Tsunade stood up slamming her hands, Naruto leaped away, and turned to her, and yelled "Everyone stop this now! Just because a dog talks and says it is Naruto and gives me a scroll saying is evidence does not mean it is true-""BAA-CHAN!" Naruto barked out (no pun intended) so forcefully, yet also hinted sadness. Caused her to pause. "You sit back down and sip your tea, and read that scroll, I will handle the traitor, you and I both know that one death could never take away my nindo." There was a silence. "I never give up, and I never run away, I proved that once and it cost me, and I am proving it once more, but this time, I will be returning back to you".

Tsunade slumped in her chair, then Naruto turned to them. Flickering his eyes back to Sasuke, "tell me,. . . Tenge, ready for a real fight this time?" Sasuke smirked "are you sure you can handle this?" Naruto grinned "believe me Uchiha, this body is armed to the teeth with weapons, all pointing directly at you, lets see how much you like getting stabbed in the chest with a sword, all I can tell you is...its pretty damn painful."

Sasuke winced but stepped foreword. Naruto's ears where a flurry of movement, as a few shadow clones appeared, "stay back, this is my fight, no one intersperse, don't worry, you won't lose me a second time, I promise" He said as the clones herded them into a tight group in the corner. Then he switched back to Sasuke. Sasuke drew his sword, Naruto sighed 'it is time', his ears where a flurry of movement once more, then four clones appeared, but these clones where different, even Naruto changed.

Blue chakra swirled around him, his eyes glowed brightly, each clone traveled to a certain destination. Each one seemed to stand for a certain element, Naruto was wind, the clone with dark ochre fur and warm amber eyes with a Kanji for fire on its forehead obviously stood for fire, orange like chakra swirled around him.

The next one was water, light blue fur, dark almost purple grey eyes, with the kanji for water, then a dark brown furred clone, with muddy eyes stood for earth the chakra around him swirled like a sandstorm. Then the last clone was a bright yellow, its eyes a pulsing green, its fur sparked, and the chakra crackled around him, they lined up perfect spacing and everything.

Naruto then quickly cut his wrist with a sharp edge of one of his bracers. The blood splattered to the floor, then the clones and Naruto moved in sync as they went through some sort of dance with ears, it wasn't until half way through Shikamaru noticed that the blood was animated and moving. Writing strange symbols on the floor, it was a very huge, very complex sort of seal, and he could see already that it somehow paralyzed Sasuke who was straining to move.

Then the blood finished writing, Shikamaru could understand very little of it, and he considered himself a seal pro. All he knew was it sealed something very powerful, very strong, but in a way he had never seen. The chakra around the clones formed into ghostly wolf heads, each one howled eerily. Sasuke collapsed to his knees, a strange black mass oozed out of him. He screamed in agony, a terrible ripping and shredding sound filled the room, along with a dark coldness, it sent chills down their spines, this chakra was cold and resentful, something unnatural and not right.

It grew more and more pressing down upon them with an evil pressure. Until the full Sasunoo warrior was emitting from Sasuke yet he still cried in agony, the wolf heads pounced, they swirled around the mass. It bellowed and roared demonically, but the wolves where not effected, they just curled tighter and tighter around the mass, seeming to herd it somewhere.

The wolves struck, they grabbed a hold of the mass, it screeched as well did Sasuke. A pulsing light filled the room, the mass shrank, and shrank, it fought but the wolves beat it down, howling and growling, the elemental chakra flared and sparked in the air, soon both the wolves and the mass disappeared. The room seemed to lighten back up with the coldness gone. Sasuke sat his head flung backward as he clutched his eyes, they bled and smoked. With one last burst of chakra Sasuke was flung to the floor, he rolled around slightly yelling "Fuck! My eyes! What the hell?".

Naruto panted slightly, the four clones where gone, "it,… is finished, my Forbidden Sealing art: raging god of battle" Naruto shuddered slightly, "it takes quite a bit of chakra, plus...to concentrate that much elemental chakra for so long...it's insane, but...it effectively seals away your Sasunoo." He said finally. "You can never access that power ever again."

Sasuke stood, he rubbed his eyes once more, "sealing huh?" Naruto nodded "yeah, I am actually glad I take after my mother, seals come in handy" Sasuke blinked a few times, "I guess, but you are still at a loss, I can actually use my jutsu's, how are you supposed to do resengan as a dog"? Naruto growled "wolf…fox….hybrid" He spat. "Also,I would be glad to show you,. . . but this not the place" Naruto then leapt towards Sasuke, Sasuke brought his sword out, Naruto deflected the blade with his bracers, then used the sword to propel him behind Sasuke.

Sasuke turned to him, but not swift enough, using his jutsu that concentrated his chakra into claws he swung at Sasuke. Who wasn't able to move in time, the claws hit him in the guts, he flew across the room and through a window, clipping the wall with his head on his way out. Naruto landed gracefully on his feet, he turned to his clones, "no one intersperses" the clones nodded and formed a guarding circle around everyone.

Everyone was shocked for a moment, "I can't believe it, he was . . . alive all this time, and next to us the entire time" Then a clone said softly "we wanted to keep all of you safe, and so we let you deal with your grief, we also wanted you to learn to get stronger and be able to believe and have faith when we are not there to inspire it".

Shikamaru nodded to the clone, "thank-you Naruto even if you are a clone" the clone nodded "you welcome- gah! Dammit! Didn't move fast enough!" Sakura gasped "what is it? What's wrong?" the clone shook itself "nothing much, just a flesh wound. . ." Naruto clone smirked "Tenge got a lucky jab with his over-sized butter knife, nothing I can't handle"! then the clone grinned, and winked "don't go worrying you head about me, I made a promise remember-. . . stupid! Cock sucking prick! You and your Chidori blade! lets see how much you like it!" it was so ironic, Hinata couldn't stifle the laugh, neither could anyone else.

Naruto growled lowly. they where battling it out on the roof. A few chunks of the roof were smoking craters, another few spots were on fire. Naruto winced Sasuke got a lucky cut on his left front leg above the brace. Then he got hit by a chidori blade which had made his back leg go numb for a bit, although he was getting feeling in it once more. Sasuke though didn't escape unscathed either, a large cut bled freely on his hand from where Naruto sunk his teeth.

They glared and charged at each other once more, they dodged and intercepted blows. Naruto using his chakra shield to block and even attack, then he brought chakra claws down once more. Sasuke blocked with his sword, but the amount of force added to the fact it was in his weakened hand made him lose his sword and it flipped end over end in the air and disappeared out of sight.

Sasuke flipped backwards and went into the familiar hand signs for the 'fire release: great dragon fire technique' a large burst of flames came hurdling at Naruto in the form of a dragon. Naruto quickly brought up his Chakra shields, the fire swirled around him as he braced himself in his little dome of safety. Here he was caught in a raging inferno, and knowing Sasuke he would be using this distraction to come up behind him, or attack him from above.

Naruto leaped up his chakra shield forming to fir around his body as he leaped away from the inferno to intercept Sasuke who was jumping over the flames to attack from behind, they met in the middle Naruto did his 'Great wolf fangs no jutsu' and attacked the surprised Sasuke. The large wolf head lunged to snap at him, Sasuke defended it off with 'fire release: great fireball technique' .

Both of them landed studying each other when the flames dispersed, all in all they where even, Sasuke bent forward slightly then using his special bracelets that had Shuriken sealed away, he threw dozens of the things at him. Naruto had to dodge them, and in doing so lost track of where Sasuke was, when Sasuke came behind him and used his Strong fist.

Naruto dodged and sprang up his teeth sunk Into Sasuke's arm, Sasuke sent a small amount of lightning chakra into his fist and punched Naruto in the head to get Naruto off of him. Naruto's fangs dragged across Sasuke skin, causing him to rip Sasuke's arm wide open. Sasuke exclaimed and tossed him with new found strength. Naruto flew quite a ways, and the lightning chakra he was hit with messed up his nerves, mainly the ones telling his feet and legs to save him from crashing across the roof and landing in a heap.

Naruto staggered to his feet when he was able to. Sasuke was wrapping his arm, he had grown pale from blood loss. Naruto spat the iron taste of blood from his mouth not knowing if it was Sasuke's or his own. Sasuke glowered at him then with his able arm and hand he formed a chidori. It crackled like a 1000 birds (hence the name) Naruto growled and started to form the resengan in his mouth, the two charged at each other, Naruto leaped and Sasuke yelled, the two jutsu's collided, an infamous orb once again formed.

Naruto stared at Sasuke, Sasuke stared at Naruto, Sasuke was fighting for his life he had nowhere to go, and no one to go to. Naruto felt his resolve slip ever so slightly, but hardened his heart. 'You brought this on yourself Sasuke, what goes around comes around' he thought then he sent an extra burst of chakra through his jutsu and it broke through the chidori. The combination of the two jutsu's expanded and started to tear apart the building, finally the building had enough and started to collapse(luckily no one was in it,. . .or near it).

Naruto landed on what he thought was a stable peice, he couldn't see where Sasuke landed, but the roof was giving way. Before he could jump away, Sasuke appeared with his sword. Naruto was surprised, but then Sasuke's blade punctured through his armor and into rib cage, cracking a few ribs. Naruto yelped in sudden pain, Naruto grappled the air, as he fell. He grabbed Sasuke's ankle and with all his might bit down. Until he heard a satisfying 'snap' and Sasuke screamed in agony, and they both fell with the building falling upon them.

All of them knew something had gone wrong, a terrible roaring sound was heard Tsunade got up and said "they just destroyed that new apartment complex", but before she could say anything more, the clones all howled in agony, all of them disappeared except for one, who stayed for a bit longer, "S-sasuke got me,. . . when I fell, through m-my armor, r-ribs cracked, I- I am buried in the rubble, Sasuke, b-broken ankle,. . .low chakra, . . . both of us, bleeding pretty bad, . . . scratch that, . . . both of us is…" then the clone disappeared as well.

Tsunade quick as a flash jumped through the huge gaping hole in her office wall, and ran to the pile of rubble, she yelled out "Naruto!" but there was no reply.

Naruto stirred awake, he was in darkness once more, he woke with a start 'I can't be dead' was his mantra for a few seconds before he realized he was in pain, a lot of it. He looked over himself, he had landed in a good place, a large section of the roof had kept him from being squished by the rest of the stuff. In fact he even spotted a way out, Naruto slowly moved his body seeing what was hurt. His front left leg was broken, Sasuke's sword was gone but he could tell his ribs where more then fractured, and ironically he was stabbed in the chest once more, by a very large wood splinter.

Naruto winced as he got up, he felt lightheaded but he stood, he climbed slowly, his vest was all but destroyed, but still the protection lasted a little while at least. The jumps it took to reach the light jarred him and sent pain through out his entire being. He coughed, blood filled his mouth, he wheezed, 'shit, my lung must be punctured' he thought and continued on 'I must get help, or I will die,…again' he added flatly.

Naruto made it to the opening, he worked his way through to freedom, he looked down Tsunade was far below him. Looking intently for something, Naruto saw a flash of light, it was Sasuke. As he had hobbled into view Naruto could see he held a broken sword. Naruto looked to his side and noticed that the other half of the sword was jutting out from his side, 'interesting' he thought to himself.

The look in Sasuke's eyes was what gave away his plan, Naruto gasped then jumped into action, ignoring the protest of his poor body, he rushed to Tsunade's aid who was too busy looking for him, to watch for her own hide. Naruto raced and leaped into the air just as Sasuke had raised his broken sword, Naruto landed just in time tackling him to the ground Tsunade turned in surprise, and dismay as they wrestled with the last of their strength with each other.

Naruto had knocked away the broken blade, his jaws ready to crush Sasuke's jugular, Sasuke was holding him back with his good arm, choking him. Naruto shot a paw foreword to strike him, he cut Sasuke's face. Sasuke yelled in pain, and loosened his grip, Naruto was merely a few centimeters from achieving his goal, when out of nowhere a voice in a crackled old tone said "earth wall of destruction" Naruto glanced in time to see a huge wall of earth, it hit him so hard he felt nothing for a bit, then his body registered the pain, he blacked out but woke back up when he landed in the dust.

The council member then had him captured and pressed him more and more into the ground, Naruto looked to see it was the male village elder Mitokado. Tsunade saw Naruto's pain and what was happening, then she went over and shook the elder like a dog (once again no pun intended) "WHAT THE FUCK ARE YOU DOING LET HIM GO! HE'S IN PAIN!" the elder let the jutsu go only because he couldn't concentrate when someone was shaking him.

Tsunade then turned and ran to Naruto's side, he was a wreak an absolute wreak. She had seen better looking corps-, she dare not finish that sentence, she began to remove the destroyed armor. Then set out to remove the large wood splinter lodged in his chest, Sakura by that time had arrived, she sank to her side wordlessly, and began to help her, there was so much to do, everything with in him, was battered, bruised, or punctured, his ribs on his right side where mostly broken, his lung was punctured and was filling with blood even as they tried to stop all his other bleeding.

Naruto coughed up blood then looked at them, "don't worry, it doesn't feel as bad as it looks- ark!" he said trying and failing to comfort them, then Naruto's eyes started to close and open, "Naruto what's wrong" Hinata said scooting next to his head, "good, you're here, everyone is here, this time,. . . last time, . .it was bad,. . . I was alone, that was the part I hated,. . . dying alone."

Hinata started to cry "w-we didn't mean t-to" Naruto breathed haggardly "there is that stutter again,. . . and don't worry I know, but the thing is, … I really am afraid, . . .no I am petrified of death" he closed his eyes and a tear rolled out "I don't,…I don't want to die again, I-I just came back,. . . and got to see what you guys had grown into, I don't want to leave you, . . .I want to stay. . " Naruto turned his head slightly, dragging it in the earth, "P-please,. . . S-sakura d-don't let me die" he pleaded to her with his voice and eyes.

Sakura pushed tears from hey eyes "you're not going to Naruto, not until a long time when you are an old and have lived a good long happy life" Naruto sighed "I died, . . .when I was only 17,. . . I never got to see my dream, I never was able to find a women and settle down have children,. . . have a team of my own, none of that, but I still was H-happy,. . . I-I had the greatest friends I could ask for, I had sensei's and teachers who believed in my dream, and in a way I have trained Konohamaru, he's like a student to me,. . . yes. . . I was happy,. . not old, but happy. . . in a way" Naruto coughed.

Naruto whimpered "it's happening, I can feel the pull once more, P-Please Sakura, Tsunade, tell me what to do!" Hinata gripped his paw "hold on" she whispered Naruto looked at her "I am sorry for lying to you; I know you liked…me, but I am s-so-, s-sorry, even, if… I was,…Human, again, I don't think….." Hinata nodded "I understand", Naruto grinned "we had some pretty fun times though, look what we did with Hirashi, I just hope you are able to fight him back if I d-"Naruto stopped his ears where perked, and his eyes focused on something else.

For a moment Hinata's blood chilled, she thought that he was gone. Seeing that which only those who were mvoing onto the next world saw, but he still breathed. So she turned and so did everyone else, except Tsunade and Sakura, who where busy trying to save his life. Hinata gasped at was a women, dark skin, but beautiful, twigs and leaves where in her hair, her robes where shimmering and perfect, she had many bangles on her wrists and ankles, her jewelry was warm amber, she walked confidently up to them. Beside her walked a man that looked like Naruto only he had red hair and eyes, and a more bronze skin, he was taller and had nine tails flowing from him, and two fox ears.

Naruto coughed and said "O-okami no megami? . . .Kyu? What are you doing looking like me"? the Kyuubi chuckled and sat down next to him "here you lay almost dead, and you are wondering about my appearance, okay so I needed a human form I decided to borrow your image just change it, slightly,. . . it works" the goddess leaned down "what did you do?, get run over by a buildi-" she looked at the destroyed building heap, then Naruto said "that's exactly what happened." She grinned "that is why I can not be mad, your soul, so strong and happy, able to joke when death is lurking nearby" Naruto coughed "well Kyuubi, go scare death away, your breath out to do it" the man laughed "ha! You are a funny kit all right, but no it's not me who will scare death away, Megumi-Chan, will do that" he said grinning at her.

Naruto smirked "you're going out now?" He smirked "maybe. . ." the goddess elbowed him in the ribs "quiet you over grown fur ball, I have to heal my small warrior" Naruto coughed "I am not small" but then went into a fit of coughing, "quickly turn him to his back" she snapped, Tsunade and Sakura did just that, Megumi put her hands on his chest, "to help you healers I will give him an image for you to work with" then like that Naruto's appearance changed back to his real one, he was a Human once more, only he was pale, blood trickled form his mouth and he had a large puncture in his chest, he wore black pants but no shirt or anything else, you could see a large bruise where his lung was, a small silver shard tuck out of it, Megumi swiftly pulled it out, Naruto's body flinched and he yelped.

Megumi started to heal him, Tsunade and Sakura where able to work a lot better now they had a human anatomy to work with. Naruto looked at each ones face, Shikamaru looked at him "come on Naruto you can pull through this" Naruto smirked "you never can truly see how you live your life until you look around at people that are by your sick bed or. . . deathbed" Kyuubi sighed "you know if you keep saying your going to die, you might jinx your self and really kick the bucket,….again, then maybe I can have the goddess of small furry animals resurrect you as a squirrel…" Kyuubi snorted, Naruto sighed and Megumi did as well "you have a terrible humor,…Kyu" Naruto said "hey I am a 9000 year old demon, I am easily amused if I wasn't I would have died of boredom long ago, or went crazy and try to attack a village" he grinned "ah…..good times, good times".

Naruto smirked "ironic, isn't how life works, I get stabbed in the chest yet again, and your back in the village you attacked-hey! What about our deal!"? Kyuubi shrugged, "what? I am not attacking it", Naruto sighed "I died for nothing, you still broke the promise," then Naruto smirked again "thanks" he said then his eyes fell "you know I am very tired I think I will go to sleep, that okay right? Megumi nodded, "you are out of the clear". Then she stepped away and the image disappeared and Naruto was back to a sleeping wolf form.

Shikamaru, Neji, Kiba, and Tsunade and Sakura eased Naruto onto a stretcher and carried him to the Hospital, once Naruto was asleep and under machines for the night Tsunade turned matters to finding out the information Naruto had paid so dearly for. First she found out that the council members had taken Sasuke Uchiha to a private council center to be healed she ordered a squad of Anbu to watch him and the council members at all times, then she went to her office and opened up the scroll marked evidence, and inside read as followed.

Sept 12, followed Sasuke Uchiha at 1:36 p.m, he entered main hideout number one, a hidden building in between Negami snacks, and hodi's bar, entrance hidden under seal, very unique wrote down below.

Tsunade looked to see intricate patterns, she skimmed it, and sighed seals weren't her strong suite, so she decided to keep on reading.

Sasuke and danzo talked for half an hour to an hour on various subjects ranging from governmental issues to networking within other villages.

Note to self: next mission to Onogakure, find more information on Hitoshi Satomi.

Sept 14, Sasuke poisoned Tsunade's Sake stash, got rid of stash and sealed it away, stole more Sake to replace poisoned Sake.

Tsunade twinge involuntary, just the thought that someone had found her stash and had messed with it gave her the heebi jeepis

.

Sept 18th, was able to give away location of a would be assignation attempt when Tsunade was at the grand opening for new factory, man (Hyusha Toyo) was able to come up with good enough alibi and escaped prosecution.

Sept 21st, disengaged bomb that was sent into mail and was carelessly put in the mail room below hokage office.

Note to self: dogs can get paper cuts.

Double note: Bombs are very touchy.

Triple Note: move mail room to a different vicinity if I ever become Hokage.

The scroll went on and on about different notes, Naruto had even made a list of what each person that worked for Danzo did each day and night, for everyday, he had everything down to there favorite food, and color. 'I must say his observatory skills have sky rocketed' Tsunade thought dryly to herself, but she smiled inwardly, Naruto had done class A information gathering, even she would not hope to do this without placing a person in danger, but Naruto could, 'I will have to use him for other missions I have in mind'.

Tsunade thumbed through more of the scroll, studying intently the information Naruto had gathered on the plant that was used to make her poison, if Naruto was master at sealing, she would be master at being able to figure out antidotes to anything, in her head already she was putting together information to make a counter to this new poison, it could be very deadly.

Tsunade sighed but she had more important work to do, "shizune get me Shikamaru" she said Shizune rushed off and a few moments later Shikamaru was in her office standing at attention. "Shikamaru, put together a worthy team, you need to hit and sack whatever documents and papers you can get from these various locations, be careful some of them are guarded by Genjutsu and Anbu guards, but Naruto was kind enough to supply all our answers."

She handed him the scroll Shikamaru studied it with a surprised look then nodded, he left the office, Tsunade leaned back in her chair and looked at the Hokage Monument, "you know Yondaime, you should be proud of your son, even if he no longer has a human body he still has his heart, and surprisingly he finally got the brains."

Shikamaru called together, Neji, Lee, Sakura, Choji, Ino, and Sai, they formed ranks and where about to leave when Kiba Hinata and Ten-Ten arrived, "we're going with Shikamaru, Naruto did it for all of us, so all of us should do it for him", Shikamaru couldn't argue with them, besides they where right, but he wasn't about to let them know that.

They ransacked the nearest location, this one was not guarded by people but various traps, but thankfully Naruto put in detail how to get around each one, the took everything and sealed it away in scrolls, then moved on to the next one and next one. There was four buildings in all, only two had people in them, Shikamaru wasn't going to say it was a piece of cake, some had slipped through their fingers and fled while others fought back hard. But the rookie nine had the strength and anger to fight back.

All in all they did an okay job, but if it wasn't for Naruto's scroll and tips they would have been beaten before they got to the third hideout. The good news was, they were able to capture Danzo. Sure Sakura had to stitch Shikamaru up, but if Naruto could lay his life on the line so could Shikamaru even though he got severe verbal abuse by Sakura, Ten-Ten, and basically everyone.

They returned back to the Hospital and Sakura led them upstairs to a private wing, to a private room, there inside on the bed an oxygen tube through his mouth, many different IV's coming out of his arms, and layers upon layers of wrappings around his chest and broken leg, was Naruto still asleep. But a steady strong heart beat emitted from the machine and Shikamaru couldn't describe it, but even though Naruto looked battered and beaten, be he seemed to be stronger, at least in his mind.

Sakura walked over silently to him then leaned down and whispered "we did it Naruto, we captured Danzo, so you sit back and rest, we got this, your right, you leaving us did make us stronger" then she kissed his forehead and walked out of the room, Hinata situated herself in a chair next to him, Shikamaru finally realized how tired he was, and walked over to a chair and was asleep before he even sat down.

Holy crap, younger me did not know how to use periods or page breaks...that took awhile, I think...O,O no way...three hours? THREE HOURS...ha...ha

excuse me while I go collapse...

NSW