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I DO NOT OWN NARUTO OR AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER OR THEIR SUCCESSORS IN ANY SHAPE OR CAPACITY. I ONLY OWN MY FICTITIOUS OC'S.
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Upload Schedule: Sundays and Thursdays
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Glossary: Scene breaks will be denoted by a line of X's
"Speech"
'Thoughts'
"Demonic or summons speech"
'Demonic or summons thoughts'
Jutsus shall be rendered in Japanese or English depending on which they are. For example, I will not be saying Almighty Push, I will be saying Shinra Tensei, or Rasengan instead of Spiraling Sphere. However instead of Raiton: Gian I will be saying Lightning Style: False Darkness
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"Caesar recognized the omens, but he didn't believe they applied to him." - Nate Silver
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This chapter will have plenty of foreshadowing to the next two arcs of this story. I want to make a game of this chapter, more than it just being for plot. To anyone who wishes, I want you to examine this chapter, make assumptions, and either post them in a review or a PM. The winner of this contest will be an OC for the coming arcs. I will be contacting the winner with a small form to fill out so I may have some information to use so I can insert the character. This form will include items such as, but not limited to; rank, name, nature element, bender or shinobi, and one exciting one, a unique technique, or two, that is solely in their repertoire, maybe if you feel wild enough give a brief history of your character. Now this character will be in the next two arcs most definitely, and any future occurrences would be up to the winner. Also, one form slot will be love interest, I have a few Shinobi and two ATLAB characters whom do not have love interests that I would be interested in pairing if you agree to it. So, please sit back, enjoy, and make sure to review and enter your PMs, this contest will last until Sunday, June 17th. The first chapter to feature the OC will be that following Thursday, though I may have to give a few spoilers to my storys line so that you can better understand the impact of the character. If you wish to know the spoilers, then tell me so at the bottom of the form, I will also want an electronic signature, your username and date next to it, so that I have proof of this OC being a legitimate use, good luck, and have fun. Till this chapters Epilogue,
~Ardent Chronicler
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Tapping, he hated that tapping with a fury. In his anger he grabbed a book and threw it at the window, but in his morning fog the book impacted the wall. With a startled cry the girl laying on his chest against his left side jumped awake startled from the loud bang. Her walnut brown hair cascaded over his face and with a lazy wave he pushed her hair from his face. Sitting up he looked over to the window seeing a very familiar black crow with a note tied to its ankle. Throwing the covers off of him and onto the young woman he stood walking to the window, opening it allowing the crow to climb onto his shoulder. He untied the note from its ankle and the crow flew off leaving the couple with the note. Naruto sighed as he rubbed the back of his head and sat on the side of the bed rubbing the back of his head roughly.
"What's wrong Naru?"
"It's Master, he's called a meeting, even though he gave us the next two weeks off for some reason." Naruto turned and smiled to her, seeing her sitting up in the bed he looked to her unkempt hair and her foggy eyes still riddled with drowsiness. Naruto leaned over to her and kissed her forehead. Swinging his legs off the bed he stood and gathered some basic gear, a fresh turtleneck, a fesh tunic, and a dagger to tie to his hip.
"Just go back to sleep Ty, I'll be home in a couple of hours. It is probably an update on his marriage, he wishes for us to attend after all." Naruto spoke to the girl who just stood from the bed. He gathered his hair and tied it in a low ponytail too tired and lazy to braid it. Naruto left the room and looked to the clock, it was barely even seven in the morning. He made his way silently down the hallway and into the living room. He saw Muy sitting on the couch writing in his small notepad he kept on his person.
"Good morning Naruto, I expected you to be asleep for another hour or so."
"Master had other plans, he wants to see us as soon as possible. He is already waiting for us at the bridge. I will only be gone for a couple of hours."
"I see, well I id want to talk to you about a few things."
"Oh?"
"Yes, it is about the other Nations. There is unrest, many of the nations are arming their militaries, and Lord Ozai is asking for more Ninja, Benders, and warriors to line the borders. Something big is on the breeze, something ominous."
"I feel the same, I noticed it, but the trees seem saddened, the flora seems less bright, and this air of oppression has settled over the village."
"Indeed, well, you better hurry on to your meeting. When you get home we will go through some meditation training with your mother." Muy watched his son nod and turn to leave.
Naruto sat down at the doorway and slipped his moccasins on his feet. He stood and had been about to leave until a soft hand on his arm stopped him. Turning around he saw Ty Lee and smiled to her.
"You should head back to bed, I will only be gone for a couple of hours." Naruto saw her face morph to an unsettled sadness. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her close to him. He looked her in the eye.
"I promise, three hours at the most, and that is just due to travel time. Master is probably wanting to ask about who we want to come to his wedding."
Ty Lee closed her eyes and reached up placing her hands on both sides of his face her thumbs rubbing his cheeks gently.
"I have a bad feeling, like a really bad feeling. Like the feeling you get when the doctor walks in and says I have bad news. Please, hurry back." Ty Lee kissed his cheek and let him go. Watching him open the door and seeing his smile to her she sighed worriedly and made her way back down the hallway to their room. Her frown never leaving her face.
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Minato sighed deeply sitting at his desk. He was looking at the declaration that Iwa, Kumo, and the Earth Kingdom had sent. He also looked at another letter he had gotten back, the one that dealt with Naruto. He sighed once again and rubbed the back of his neck as his thoughts drifted to his eldest child. Over the past months he had dinner with Naruto, his friends, and adopted parents several times, but it just did not feel the same. He heard the shuffling of papers and looked to his left, sitting next to his desk lifting her head from atop her arms. Minato reached over caressing her cheek with his thumb.
"Good morning Inora."
"Morning hun." Inora stretched taking in her environment, it seems the two had been working long into the evening. She smiled to Minato but she could see the storm in his eyes.
"Inora, if I fall in battle, I need you to promise me that you will hide, take Kai and yourself and run. Go to the capitol and seek shelter with the Fire Lords wife Ursa. She will protect you, she was one of your personal friends after all." Minato looked at her and sighed at the anger and hurt in her eyes.
"Quiet Mina, you wont die, what even brought this up?"
"On October 10th of this year, Iwagakure, Kumogakure, and the Earth Nation will be officially at war with us. If the other villages or nations get involved it would be another world war."
Inora sighed, his problem was that he was over thinking everything, again. So she did what she learned worked best with him.
"I was thinking, pink. I think that the baby will be a girl, and I want to do pink for the walls. We could always mix pink and blue to make purple so it could be used either way."
"Inora, I'm serious, I need your promise!"
"I was also thinking, maybe we could set up those baby monitors to watch the baby with us. It wouldnt do well for the baby to have to fuss to get our attention lik Kai." Inora began to softly rub the spot over where her uterus laid. She smiled softly to her husband and took his hand in her own, pulling it up and kissing it she smiled into his hand.
"Inora, this is not time for babying."
"This is the perfect time to baby you. You are overthinking things once again, you need to relax hun."
Minato sighed as he nodded, pulling his hand back he rolled up the scroll, put the letter back into its envelope, and placed the items into the bottom right drawer of his desk. Minato looked to the clock, it wasn't even five o'clock in the morning yet. He had to give a briefing on the status of the Chunin Exams to the teaching Jonin, though he wondered how the teachers thought about their students. Standing from his desk he walked over to the coat hanger to his right and donned his Hokages robe. He left his wallet for his wife to grab something to eat on her way home and he left for the large hall on the second floor. Entering the room he noticed that almost all of the active Jonin were there, including the teachers. He walked over to the Hokages Podium and stood behind it. Just as he was about to speak the door opened and one Anko Mitarashi walked into the room. He barely hidden chest and her ponytail bouncing with each step.
"Sorry I'm late, 'Biki was being a bitch about things." Anko winked to the named Ibiki who scowled at her words.
"Good, since all active Jonin are here I will begin with the announcement. Over two months ago I received a declaration from Kumogakure, Iwagakure, and the Earth Kingdom. These Villages and nation are going to declare open war upon Konoha and her allies starting on October 10th. This means over the next week and a half we will need to step up personal training regiments. As of today, all ANBU are going to be recalled and redistributed to their wartime locations as per protocol. All council meetings will be suspended, and per the law, all powers from the council will be granted to the Hokage. As of October 0th we are in open war, so prepare your students, and prepare yourselves. Never has a Nation declared open war on a village in the history of the Shinobi Village Era. As for the Chunin Exams, we will be proceeding with the Chunin Exams with Kirigakure, Sunagakure, Takigakure, Otogakure, Amegakure, and Hoshigakure. Kusagakure and its surrounding lands have closed their borders to any and all people. Iron country has closed its borders as well and as of now it looks to be a full blown war. As we speak correspondents of the Fire Nation are delivering messages of war to the offenders. So I repeat, and this will be my last thought before we begin nominations for the Chunin Selection exams, train yourselves harder than ever, and train your students to survive this onslaught. We are not just facing Ninja this time, we are facing benders from the Water Tribes and the Earth Kingdom. Prepare and pray. Now, onto the nominations, step forward and announce your teams." Minato watched as dozens of Jonin walk forward to announce their running in the exams, but three Jonins step forward that shock Minato.
"I, Jonin Yuhi, nominate Team 8 for the Chunin selections."
"I, Elite Jonin Sarutobi, nominate Team 10 for the Chunin selections."
"I, Eite Jonin Uchiha, nominate Team 7 for the Chunin selection exams."
Minato gave the three of them a critical eye but one more voice stopped him from speaking.
"What are you three doing! I know those children and they aren't ready for this type of exam!"
Itachi turned before the others could react and looked Iruka dead in the eye his Sharingan activating.
"Are you assuming I do not know my squad well enough?"
"That is not what I am saying. I taught these kids for years, I know their limits, and this would break them. They aren't ready!"
"Iruka, you are one of my friends, and one of my closest confidants. Explain to me this, if these children are not as ready as you think, why have each member of my team eliminated a bender all on their own? Young Yu has eliminated three and two water tribe warriors? So tell me, if all of my team can handle these types of enemies, why cant they handle the exams?"
"Itachi, these are my students!"
"No Iruka, these are my soldiers." Itachi let his Sharingan fade as he saw Iruka sit down dejectedly. He will have to talk to the man later.
"Now that that has been settled, I will leave you all to your own devices, and go alert your teams of the exams, but not the preparations. Dismissed."
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Itachi counted heads and nodded as he looked over his team. He sits up on the guard rail of the bridge looking down to all of the young teens. He sighed as he rubbed his brow line and began to speak.
"So, I should start with, this is not about the wedding. We were called this morning to talk about the Chunin selection examinations. Now I personally believe each of you are prepared to complete this exam with no issues, but the true choice is up to you." Itachi opened the neckline of his shirt reaching in and pulling out three sheets of paper.
"These are your Chunin selection registration forms. You need to sign these and submit them to the first proctor of the exams. Don't feel pressured, if even one of you do not feel ready, speak now and I will take these forms back to Minatos office." Itachi handed the forms to each of his Gnin looking over their faces for any sign of conflict.
Sakura looked to the two boys on her team before she overlapped and arm around both of their necks pulling them close to her. With a large smile on her face she nearly yelled her responce.
"No way Master, we're going into these exams, were gonna fuc all of those other Genin up. We're gonna pass every test, and we are going to be Chunin by the end of it!" Sakura smiled but her smaller fram had pulled the two boys down to make them bend their bacs as if they were bowing.
"I concur, Saura seaks for me Master."
"Me too big brother, Sakura is right. We're gonna kick ass and take names, and im all out of names!"
Itachi nodded as he waved to the three children.
"Then go and enjoy your break, I will alert you if any situation arises that demands our immediate attention." Itachi smiled to his team before vanishing in a murder of crows.
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Naruto folded the form and placed it in the pocket of his pants, he was conflicted. Naruto didn't know if he was ready to try for this promotion, it seemed risky. Why not give it time and assure your position instead of leaping at the first sign? He sighed and rubbed the back of his head, he just did not know anymore. Looking down at the scar on his hand he ran his thumb across its length and was about to head home when he heard a scream.
"BIG BROTHER HELP ME PLEASE!"
Naruto knew that voice and he ran, faster than he thought he could. In less than two seconds he was staring down a road with no one but two people. A Male, in his late teens, wearing a onsie that looked like a cat with purple warpaint on his face. The other person happened to be a certain Kai Namikaze, all alone out in Konoha. Naruto looked at the situation and he tore his belt off of his waist and wrapped it around his arm. Summoning an arrow he knocked it on the end near his elbow and allowed the tip to bit into his arm. HE saw the shaft bend and with the twitch of his hand the arrow sailed through the air. Chargin after the arrow with all of his might, the teen leapt back to avoid the arrow before Naruto scooped his brother up off of the ground. Unsheathing his dagger he stared the teen down.
"Who the fuck are you? You know what, I dont wanna know, youre gonna die now." Kankuro reached around his back and pulled the bundle from his back off and smacked the tip on the ground. Naruto swapped his knife into a reverse grip his free hand held a single handsign out, Naruto was prepared to fight. Kankuro was about to move when a strng gust of wind flew through the area ripping leaves from limbs of the trees and knocking Kankuro on his ass.
"One job, you had one job Kankuro. Stay out of trouble, was that so hard to ask?"
Naruto looked to the woman who leapt down from the tree top and onto the ground. Two metal hand fans in her hands wide opened and pointed to Kankuro. Naruto looked her up and down, she was an air nomad. Her sandy blonde hair did nothing to hide the tip of the blue arrow from her forehead or from her wrists. Her clothing simple orange pants, a yellow tunic, with an orange sash from her right shoulder to her left hip. Her teal eyes widened as she realized who was holding the knife out.
"Kankuro, apologize right now."
"What? But Temari!"
"NOW Kankuro! That is the heir of the Yu Yan, Naruto!" Temari bowed softly she then stood straight closing her metal fans and placing them inbetween her clothes and the sash.
"Oh, I'm sorry for the threat, I didn't know."
Naruto narrowed his eyes at the bender and the ninja. His grip on his weaponed tightened but Kais shifting interupted him. Naruto sheathed the dagger and used both of his arms to support his brother who clung to him for dear life.
"You were lucky I interviened. I do not know what your brother attempted to do, but this boy is no ordinary person. He is the son of the Hokage and my brother." Naruto watched Temaris eyes widen as Kankuro paled in the face.
"We" Kankuro didn't get to finish that thought as a young redheaded male jumped down from the tree he had been perched in.
"Kankuro, you are a disgrace, be quiet before I kill you." The redheaded boy with teal eyes turned his gaze onto Naruto who felt the killing intent. He turned his torso partially to the side to prepare to run in case of attack when another wave of killing intent flooded the area even sending Gaaras eyes wide.
"If you attempt to harm the children of the Hokage, you will be eliminated Suna Shinobi."
Naruto turned and saw someone he never thought to have seen protecting them. Homura Mitokado stood there in his garb, arms by his side. Naruto sighed in relief that at least it was someone he could rely on even if it was due to his personal investment in the boy. Naruto watched the three Suna Shinobi run from the situation and Naruto looked to the elderly man and nodded in thanks.
"Do not mention it, I couldn't stand by and see the two children of our beloved Hokage suffer. Are you alright little one?"
Kai looked up to see the old man and nodded wiping the tears and sot from his face. HE placed his head back on Narutos shoulder clinging to him once again.
"Thank you for the assistance, I will bring him to his home post haste. I do hope to see you under more amicable setting Lord Mitokado."
"I hope to see you later on as well however, I have new material for you. I will be busy in the coming weeks and will have no time to deliver them personally so I sealed everything into a scroll for you." Mitokado reached into his sleeve and withdrew a single scroll, handing it to Naruto who took it and put it inside of his shirt.
"Inside it are six books on the varying types of Fuijutsu; Offensive, Defensive, Barrier, Supplementary, Medical, and Advanced Compositions. I suggest seeking our Lord Namikaze or Lord Jiraiya for instruction. Your father would be the prefered choice due to his surpassing his teacher and your mother in skill. I warn you, stay away from Hiruzen Sarutobi, he is a vicious and cold man who will try to approach you if he knew of your interest. Do not under any circumstance accept his help. The other item in the scroll is the basis for the Raiton: Shichū Shibari. This jutsu will do you well, speaking of jutsu. How is the progress on the jutsu I gave to you beforehand?"
"I have gotten the Jibashi, Suijinheki, and Suiben Jutsus to a fairly efficient point. Though I am struggling with the Raikyu jutsu. I simply do not have the ability yet to compress the lightning into a ball."
"It is to be expected, so tell me, your master has taught you a few techniques no?"
"Master taught me the Water Shot, Water Shuriken, and Water Bullet jutsus. I have mastered the first two, and can use them efficiently, but the Water Bullet is causing me a few problems, but I am confident I will have them all handled by the third exam."
"Good, well, I have kept you all long enough. Good evening Naruto, Kai."
Naruto watched the older mans retreating back and he recalled Zukos words.
"Dont trust him."
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Azula groaned as she looked around the district. That damned fan was everywhere! How was she supposed to know which house was her targets! She growled and before she knew it she saw one of the Uchiha Police Force members and she tapped him on the shoulder.
"Yes Miss?"
"I am Azula, Princess of the Fire Nation, and I want to know where Fugaku Uchihas house is."
"Oh, my Lady, we had no idea! Of course, it is the last house on the left on this street."
Azula nodded to the Police force and stalked towards the house to her target. Reaching the house she walked right up to the door and knocked. Azula blinked rapidly and cursed, she hadn't thought this through, what was she going to say? God damnit she should have had a battle plan beforehand. Fuck it, she was going to wing it completely. The door opened and the tall black haired pale woman who answered the door seemed shocked as well.
"Oh my, um, good evening how can I help you?"
"Hi, my names Azula, is Sasuke home?" She saw Mikotos eyes widen as she realized just who this person was.
"Oh, my Lady, yes Sasuke is home. My names Mikoto, I will go and get him now."
Azula nodded as she crossed her hands, she felt naked without her armor, but she decided she would just wear her red with gold trim Yukata like top. She still wore her favorite maroon leggings and her black heeled shinobi sandals. Her golden eyes glanced around the traditional style house that the clan head had chosen to live in. She heard stomping behind the door before it reopened with her target there in front of her.
"Lady Azula? What're you doing here?"
"I told you two days ago, call me Azula, or you'll piss me off."
"Sorry Azula, what're you doing here?"
"I'm picking you up, you're coming with me for the day."
Sasuke looked at her, she seemed plain compared to normal, her ack of armor and make-up outside of the pink gloss on her lips. He saw her smirk and her quip caught him off guard.
"See something you like?" Azula felt accomplished knowing that she caused her target to fluster. She reached out taking his hand and began to drag Sasuke from his home and towards the exit of the compound. She heard the people gossiping and gasping at seeing her but she couldn't give a shit.
Sasuke stopped fighting her and walked next to her her hand still holding his, peeking over to her he could have sworn he saw the red dusting on her cheeks. Sasuke followed her throughout Konoha from shop to shop. She would ask him how something looked on her, if he liked it, and what was his opinion on her outfits. He always gave her his honest opinion and sometimes it seemed to urk her, but she caught him off guard with her next question as she stood inside of a changing booth trying on a few clothing items.
"What do you want in a woman Sasuke?"
"What?"
"You heard me, what do you look for in a woman?"
Sasuke blinked but he sighed deeply, he knew he had to answer or it would be rude, and he would never wish to be rude to the children of the Fire Lord.
"I enjoy strength, I like longer hair, a woman who can stand on her own two feet and takes shit from others who try to antagonize her. What I want in a future wife is someone who can show empathy but knows when to not be empathetic, someone who will stand beside me instead of behind me. I want a warrior, not a doll, and someone who isn't afraid to speak their mind. I don't care about status, or wealth, or even status among the people. Peasant or Queen, means nothing to me, just as long as they can stand beside me with their head held high and their chest outward with pride. That is what I wish to see in a woman." Sasuke closed his eyes leaning backwards and he sighed in the chair.
"I see." Azula examined his words. She always believed herself a warrior, she was only trumped by the men in her family in power. She was confident, prideful, and she liked to believe she was empathetic. She doesn't take shit from anyone either, but she knows sometimes a finer touch is needed. She looked in the six foot tall mirror that encompassed the right wall of the small room, she looked at her form in the mirror. She was only fourteen but she believed she looked attractive enough to try and catch his attention. She had been trying out several different outfits to try and find a rise out of him and so far there was nothing. This was her final outfit, a simple black form fitting black shirt and black form fitting leggings, she trace her hands down her ribs, the shirt hugged her B cups perfectly, the leggings pronouncing her plump rear. She would be damned if she didn't try to use her assets to get her target, she was a hunter, and he was her prey. She let her hair down and pulled it over to flow down her right shoulder and she bit her bottom and top lip a few times to get them a small bit swollen. When she was satisfied she left the room and when she saw him she twirled and smirked giving him a half lidded stare she saw his wide eyes, his cheeks red and she saw something else had been swollen. Azula sauntered over to him and smiled to him.
"How do I look Sasuke?"
Sasuke was speechless, was this the same girl he came in to the store with? He tried to speak but couldn't, and when she walked over her hips swaying and he could swear he saw her bust bouncing with each step, something stirred in him and he stood.
"I, I mean, you, I, you, you." Sasuke closed his mouth and blinked rapidly.
"I see, so it doesn't look good?" Azula sent out her final weapon that got every target beforehand, she stuck her bottom lip out a small bit and placed her teeth visibly on it, though barely. She nibbled on her bottom lip. Crossing an arm below her bust pronouncing them further she grasped her other hands elbow and looked away from him shyly. Her hair seemingly hanging from her cocked head her neck fully exposed to his view and then she saw it when she turned her eyes to his. She had him hook, line, and sinker. She took his hand in both of hers and led him to the front desk, paying for the outfit she had chosen to keep on.
To Sasuke the rest of their trip seemed to be a blur, the only thing on his mind was Azula, her lips, her neck, her form, but what had him captivated was none of the aforementioned things. It was her eyes, the golden hue, framed with smokey Limbic rings, framed on her beautiful pale skin and the black as night hair that seemed to compliment her form perfectly. With her hair up it seemed to vanish, but with her hair down, she was a picture of beauty. He was shaken from his reality as they sat in a stall eating some red-bean soup, he had been shaken out by her hiss in shock, the sound of feet padding on the ground.
"MY WALLET!" Azula shouted angrily.
Sasuke stood from his seat and seemed to vanish in his blur f speed to Azula. HE quickly caught up to the thief and with a single blow to his temple he knocked the thief out and took the wallet back. He called over to a patrolman from his fathers forces and told him what had happened. The man had been arrested and Sasuke walked back to the stall, sitting back down next to Azula he handed her the wallet.
"Thank you Sasuke." Azula smiled to him and he was captivated by her eyes once again. Just as before the rest of the day blurred, Azula and him spent the next few hours walking aimlessly talking and enjoying each others company until it had reached four o'clock in the evening. Sasuke realized they were in front of Narutos house, and he sat her bags down on the front deck as she opened the door. She moved the bags into the entryway and turned back to him.
"You saved my wallet, and my most prized possession today." Azula leaned in and gave Sasuke a peck on the lips and stepped back into the entryway watching his face light red.
"Good night Sasuke."
"Good, good night Azula."
Azula closed the door and almost squealed in delight, she had her target, now she just needed to make sure he stayed hers.
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Sakura felt awkward, here she was, in the middle of a market she never went to, like ever, and she was with Narutos mother, Ty Lee, and some emo girl she had never met before. Sakura was keeping up with them but Ty Lee and Zarehya just talked about Naruto, and the Mai girl didn't talk at all. She just felt out of place.
"So, have you two made out yet?"
"Lady Zarehya!" Ty Lee blushed crimson.
"Oh? So you have, is he any good?" Zarehya loved teasing her sons girlfriend.
Sakuras eyes widened, wait, was Ty Lee Narutos girlfriend?
"Ty Lee, is Naruto your boyfriend?"
"Oh, yeah he is. We haven't really been in public that much due to his missions, but yeah, we are."
Sakura inwardly grinned like a cheshire cat, this was information she could use. She spent the next half hour talking over the specifics of everything, from their first kiss, the their confessions, everything. Sakura never liked to act too girly, ut when it came to her teammates, her brothers, she couldn't help it.
"That sounds so awesome, I didn't know that matchstick was so sentimental!"
"Matchstick?"
Sakura giggled to Zarehya and nodded.
"He looks like one, the red top with the pale white skin. He's a matchstick!"
Zarehya was about to come up with a quip before Sakura was hoisted into the air and onto someone's shoulder. A sickly looking man smiled up to her as Sakura clung to his shoulder for dear life. The purple haired woman next to him seemed to smirk at the two before she nodded respectfully to Zarehya.
"I apologize my Lady, but Sakura needs to head home. The Chunin exams are going to be rough this year and we need to make sure she is prepared."
"I understand, by all means." Zarehya watched the three vanish in a swirl of leaves.
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Itachi closed the door to the Uchiha heads household, he removed his sandals placing them by the steps into the house. He stepped into the house opening the sliding screen door. He walked through the big open room in the middle of the house, completely roofless and open to the elements. Walking along the side he slid open a door and stepped inside and saw her. He smiled softly to Izumi sitting at his desk fiddling with a small grey box. He snuck up behind her and wrapped his arms around her midsection and leaned his face down to the crook of her neck. Taking in her scent his body relaxed, this was his person, his love.
"Morning Izumi."
She reached her hand up behind her and smiled playing with his ponytail, she stood and turned wrapping her arms around his waist.
"Morning Itachi, how'd the meeting go?"
"Oh, it was just a meeting about the Chunin exams."
"Oh? Are you going to enter the kids?"
Itachi nodded and pulled her to their bed, he sat down and she straddled his waist, his hands sliding down her sides and settling on her waistline. He smiled up to her leaning back on his elbows, he noticed the small grey present box in her hands. It was about six inches long, three wide and two deep. It was sealed with a red ribbon tied into a bow.
"What's that 'Zumi?"
Izumi bit her lip but placed it down on his torso, she looked into his eyes and leaned forward giving him a passionate kiss. She stood and took a few steps back crossing her arms over her chest as she nodded to it.
"Open it, it's something I picked up a few weeks ago, but I didn't know how to give it to you. So, Ayame told me to just give it to you." Izumi motioned for him to take it.
Itachi sat up and caught the box as it rolled down his chest. He held it, it was extremely light, all the weight seemed to come from the box, he pulled on one of the bows tails to unbind the box. Looking up to her he smiled.
"You aren't pranking me again right? I remember the white paint."
"No 'Tachi, this is serious."
Itachi looked to the box and he removed the top, and whatever it was had been wrapped tightly in pink and blue paper. He removed the wrapped object and began to tear it open, but his breath caught when he saw something. A small indicator halfway down the thin stick was in a blue plus. He dropped the stick in his hands and in a nanosecond his form was wrapped around hers lifting her in his arms crossed below her rear. He smiled widely a mirthful laughter filled their room as he looked up and into her eyes. He let her down noting her tears and he collapsed to his knees nuzzling her waistline his hands on her waist.
"I'm going to be a dad!" Itachi was so out of his mind happy that he never noticed Izumis tears, he looked up and saw her crying with a big smile on her face.
"I was so scared you would be mad."
"How could I be made about this! I'm going to be a father!" Itachi stood and kissed her so deeply she leaned back from the pressure, though they were distracted by the sliding door to his room opening.
"Izumi, I needed to get the rest of your si-" Mikoto blinked seeing Izumi in tears and smiling and her eldest so happy. She saw something on the ground and picked it up and nearly dropped it when she saw the blue plus.
"YOU'RE PREGNANT!" Mikoto had the biggest smile on her face as she wheeled herself over to the two she hugged Izumi so tightly she thought the poor girl would snap. She looked to Itachi with a loving gaze and hugged him as well.
"How far along! Oh my, I'm going to be a grandmother!" Mikoto couldn't contain herself and wheeled herself out of the room ranting about what to buy and how to set the room up. Itachi laughed as he wrapped Izumi in his arms once again when he heard someone step into the room.
Sasuke was confused, seeing his mother wheeling away so happily and seeing his big brother and future big sister happy he looked to Itachi for an explanation
"I'm pregnant Sasuke." Izumi saw his eyes widen and let him walk up to her and place a hand on her lower abdomen. She saw confusion in his gaze before he smiled widely.
"I'm gonna be an uncle?!" Sasuke hugged the both of them, he was out of his mind happy. Sasuke left to give the two lovers some privacy but his thoughts were all on the baby.
Itachi smiled down to the love of his life and kissed her softly just taking in her presence. He loved this woman with all his heart, and nothing would ever change that.
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The house was large, but homey. It was a simple urban two story townhouse, painted beige. Naruto walked to the door and before he could even open it the door opened. Behind it he saw Kai standing there with the biggest smile in the world. Running to Naruto he hugged his big brother before Naruto picked him up and put him on his shoulders.
Naruto smiled, even though his half brother, he was starting to adore his little brother. Kai was a refresher and reminded him that there was still innocence in the world, especially after what Ty's dad did. He walked into the house and kicked off his moccasins using his feet to position them next to the others. Stepping into the house he looked around, the white walls contrasted by deep blue waves that littered the walls. He saw Inora walking out of the kitchen and registered her shock before she smiled widely.
"Oh! Naruto, I wasn't expecting you. Are you here to see Minato?"
"Ah, that is partially it, I also wanted to see Kai. To see if he was alright after the debacle earlier today."
"Oh, yes, I heard what had happened. I am thankful for you saving him, and thankful to Mitokado for diffusing the situation. Minato was so worried he almost left from his office in the middle of a meeting with foreign dignitaries."
Naruto nodded as he held the spiky blonde haired blue eyed monkey on his head. HE had to swear that there was something in Minatos genes, if it wasn't for his mothers conditioning on his emotions he would act just like the kid. Naruto took a seat on the couch and felt Kai jump down from his shoulders and into his lap. Naruto began to play with Kais hair absentmindedly as Inora and he talked for an hour, but one thing she said caught him off guard.
"I'm pregnant Naruto, and this time, I want you to be here, not just as a half brother, but as his big brother. I know due to living with the Yu Yan clan you couldn't be here for Kai, but I want you to be here for this child." Inora felt awkward making the request and she was nervous too. She wanted a relationship with Naruto, even if she couldn't be his step-mother in the way she wanted, she wanted her children to be his family.
"I see, you know I will be there regardless. I have said it once and I will say it again, I do not pin the sins of the parent on the children. This extends to you as well, I do not blame you on Minato turning me away, and I won't turn away another sibling." Naruto inwardly was very happy about the prospect of a new sibling. With his sister and brother, nd now this new child, he would be content with his siblings. Naruto looked down at Kais head while he played with one of Narutos hands.
"So you'll be there?"
"I'll be there." Naruto looked flatly to Inora but inwardly he was smiling. He was about to speak again when the sound of the door opening and closing made them all turn to the doorway. There stood a tired looking Minato.
"Daddy!" Kai leapt from Narutos lap and ran to his father wrapping his arms around Minatos legs.
"Hey Kai, evening Inora, Naruto? What're you doing here? Not that there's a problem."
"Well, I came over to check on Kai after todays event, and I came to ask for help."
"Oh, what happened?"
"It is private, I wanted your advice about Fuinjutsu as well." Naruto watched Minato smile at him and motioned for Naruto to follow him.
"Come with me, we can talk in my office here at the house. I also have something I need to give you."
Naruto followed Minato through the house to a back room, it was a clean room with a desk that had numerous papers and three chairs against the far wall.
"Take a seat, now what's the problem?"
Naruto sighed, he felt a little awkward about it, but he needed to ask someone this and the last time he asked Muy about the subject he got chased by arrows.
"It's about Ty."
"Oh?"
"I, need advice about our situation. We're together now, and I just don't know how to handle this. I was raised with the thought that I may never marry, or that the nation was more important. However, Ty makes me care less about the nation and the mission, and more about getting back to her. I do not understand this emotion I feel, and I don't know whether to end the relationship or continue it. It confuses me and it is irritating."
"Why didn't you ask Muy or Zarehya?"
"The last time I was with someone, I asked them about how to have a relationship and dad chased me with arrows saying that the nation was more important than anything and he would have to econdition me. I dont want that, I like the way this feels, it's just confusing."
Minato smiled to his son, reaching forward he gently rubbed the top of his head and chuckled to himself.
"You know, I was in a similar position, with your mother. I didn't know how to feel or what to do. So I asked my Master about it, and his advice helped but it wasn't what I needed to do."
"What'd he say?"
"That the feeling was infatuation, and I should hurry up and bag her before she changed her mind." Minato chuckled seeing Narutos eyes narrow. Sighing he closed his eyes and leaned back into his office chair.
"To be honest Naruto, what you are feeling is the start of a relationship. You start to see things you didn't before, good and bad. You are seeing her with rose-tinted glasses, and will see her that way for a while. Then the fights and the silent treatments will begin, but that is normal. You will feel greater pain than you could think of and greater happiness. You just need to push through it, hand in hand not by yourself. If you are serious about her, than never let her go, because the moment you do she will be gone." Minato smiled to his son and watched the red-head think things over.
"So I should do nothing, just move on in the relationship?"
"Yeah, but dont be afraid to tell her how you feel. Nine times out of ten she will feel the same way, so speak up. Sometimes she will be mad at you for no reason, or worry for no reason. That's just how some people are. Don't be afraid of it and embrace it. Live hard and love harder, that was your mother's favorite phrase. It means to live your life and regret nothing you do, but find love, and hold on to it. Love is hard to find, and it is worth ending countries over. There is nothing more fierce than love."
Naruto nodded as he mulled the information over in his head. He looked up into Minatos yes and nodded.
"Good, now, about the Fuinjutsu, why the sudden interest?"
Naruto contemplated telling Minato a half truth about the books, but he felt he should give the other half of his reason.
"Someone talked to me about Fuinjutsu, and I realized how useful it is. It's also my heritage, and I want to understand more of where half of my blood comes from."
Minato nodded, he could understand what Naruto was saying. If he knew his parents he would want to learn about his heritage too. Turning to his desk he reached under the open midsection and opened a secret compartment. Removing a red notebook, about five-hundred pages thick and covered in stickers and drawings he held it out to Naruto.
"I still use this notebook to this day for projects, but it should be yours. It was Kushinas, it holds all her knowledge and her tricks to Fuinjutsu. It also has some seals that contain scrolls teaching techniques, and also a special seal on the last page that is coded to her DNA only." Minato watched Naruto take the notebook gently and nodded to his father. Minato watched Narutos expression and ever so slightly he saw a pained smile on his face.
"Thank you Minato, this means a lot to me."
Minato nodded reaching out and tossing Narutos hair.
"Any time Naruto. I want to train you in Fuinjutsu personally before and during the Chunin Selection exams, would that be alright?"
"That would be great Minato, I thank you very much." Naruto bowed softly to the older man and held the notebook with both hands.
"Now what do you say you stay for dinner? We're having ramen."
Naruto nodded to Minato, he never tried ramen before.
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Hiruzen slammed his door shut, he hated some of the damn doctors appointments he was going on. It made no difference to him if the cancer was in stage two or stage three, he had goals to accomplish. Speaking of goals he strode to his dark office, throwing the switch on the light a dull white filled the room illuminating the hardwood mahogany desk. He saw a neatly folded note laying on its top. He picked the note up and read over the contents his grin setting in after everything was finished.
"Good, very good, all the agents are set. I will send instructions on the 11th, the Nations will fall, and we will remain in our position, permanently. Now, I just need to take care of the little Namikaze, then all will be set for the future of this great village." Hiruzen pulled a small file from the top of the desk and looked it over making sure everything was correct, and with a blur one of his personal ANBU guardians took the document to perform the mission.
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He threw his shirt off and into the hamper by the door, shedding his pants and doing the same he stood in his boxers next to his bed. He smiled to the woman sitting in his bed with a book in her hand.
"New book?"
Inora nodded showing the cover to him, it read "Hard in Hightown."
"It's the one Ty Lee told me about, it really is good." She placed the book closing it on the bed side table. When Minato slid in she cuddled up to his body, not showing yet she fit to the curve of his body. Feeling her husband wrap his arm around her shoulder brushing his fingers across her skin.
"What's on your mind Love?"
Minato sighed an he told her of his plans for Naruto, and his reasons why.
"Are you sure that is the best thing for him Minato? What if he comes to hate you for it?"
"He needs this as much as the village does, and there is only one way to do it. So, if he hates me for it, then I'll take that. I would rather hate than abhorrent violence."
Inora nodded as she closed her eyes absorbing her husbands warmth through her skin, his scent intoxicating to her.
"I dispatched the ANBU tonight, hopefully we will have results by the morning. I only hope he will forgive me for this."
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Naruto was woken up from his slumber by a sudden weight on his chest, two legs, slender and long holding his arms down. A slender feminine hand covered his mouth and the other was messing with his shirt, struggling the masked ANBU looked down their long black hair shrouding his vision for a moment before their hair was moved from position. Narutos eyes widened as he saw a fully evolved Sharingan, captivated by the eyes as they spun, the tomoes gaining tails before they reached and combined into a circle with slight bulges where the tomoes were. He heard a voice, soft and full of something he never heard before.
"Tsukuyomi."
With that simple word, Naruto was flung into a living hell. For the next seventy-two hours he was forced to see brutality and murder like he had never seen before. The torture ended with a vision of his mother's dead body, the Tsukuyomi manipulating her body as it forced Kushina to slit her throat and cut her heart out before his eyes over and over.
Naruto couldn't focus, he couldn't feel, he wasn't even aware if Ty Lee was alright. All he felt was the figure remove themselves from his form and the sound of metallic snapping. With that his vision went dark and he fell into a coma.
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Well, this chapter was longer than normal and held most of the foreshadowing for the next arc. There will be plenty of things to address and will be shown over the next few weeks. So for now, I bid you farewell, and remember, if you wish to have some footnote in the door of this story, follow the rules of the game. I will choose the winner Saturday night due to wanting to include the OC in the final scene of the next chapter. I will not announce the owner, only contact them via PC, so remember to participate! Also, if you can guess who the ANBU at the end is and what exactly they had done to Naruto, I may throw in a special bonus for you. Till next time,
~Ardent Chronicler.
