Life as a banished Jinchuriki was, before the end of the 4th shinobi war, always one of peril. Akatsuki, nuke-nin wanting a name for themselves, and even other nations would try and either force you to their will or kill you in an effort to take the bijuu from you. However as the last Jinchuriki, with Akatsuki wiped from the earth, nuke-nin fearful of the power of Kurama's jailor, it left only the four remaining shinobi villages in search for the illusive 'savior of the world'. Wave however, was not taking the chance. To them, their savior twice over had suffered too much at the hands of the other countries.

So for two years after the war and his subsequent banishment, Uzumaki Naruto lead an odd but peaceful life in solitude. The world nations ran amok looking for him, world traveled of Konoha's embargo and trade blockade from other villages and countries, all with the express hope to entice him should he have been wanting retribution against his former village. Yet, no words nor sign of him appeared. His friend seemed to have vanished like morning clouds over his homeland in the dry air.

It was around that time, Ichibi reappeared. Within a month Nibi, so on and so forth until by years end all eight bijuu were returned to the world. For a time they were allowed freedom so long as they remained peaceful. That ended the day Shukaku attacked a rural village and suddenly the hunt for the exiled hero was not as fulfilling to the nations as gaining new Jinchuriki. Last he heard Yonbi was still swinging free with Hachibi. Gobi had returned to the mists and was still hidden away, and Sanbi had departed the known world for fear or being controlled by humans again. The rest had been captured once more by Iwa, Kiri, Kumo, and Kusa. To which village had taken them in, he did not know. Nor did he truly care, though his status demanded it of him. He was the youngest of his kind in the world, but he could have walked away in an instant. Because in the time the world stopped caring about Uzumaki Naruto, he had found his oldest friend.

He knocked upon the door of a small but quaint home.

As he heard someone walking to the door, he remembered the words spoken to him, all those years ago.

'It's almost unbearable, isn't it… the pain of being all alone. I know that feeling, I've been there, in that dark and lonely place, but now there are others, other people who mean a lot to me. I care more about them than I do myself, and I won't let anyone hurt them. That's why I'll never give up..."

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His and Her Daughter: Arc One: The Shinobi of Wave

Chapter Five: A Question

By

Hibiki

All Naruto characters belong to Masashi Kishimoto.

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"GAARA!" Naru at once pulled the red haired man into a hug. "You finally made it!" It wasn't a moment later that a pink haired missile grabbed onto his leg.

"Gaara!" With his sand laying outside ready as always in a moment's use he was quickly able to pick up and tickle the small girl under her arm. The small warm smile on his face so unlike the tough and emotionless face the four at the table knew.

"Kazekage-sama." Shikamaru greeted with various similar greetings brought forth. Had the small girl not been there, the facade of his demeanor would have changed, but with the small girl happily laughing in his arms as he continued to make her squirm and giggle he remained the calm and happy uncle.

"Hello."

"S-Stop G-Gaara! You're gonna make me pee!" Everyone laughed as Naruto and Naru mortified reached for the small girl in their friend's arm.

"UZUMAKI EMI!" Naru admonished.

Such a shame, I was liking where this was going but I just cannot find the drive to try. A damn shame.

Naruto just went too far for me to enjoy anymore and RL has left me with no interest in trying to keep writing in this fandom. Therefore, this fiction is as finished by me as it every will be, and any one may continue should they wish. PM's are always welcome if you would like to know where I was heading with the story. Adoption papers are a go.