Disclaimer still in place…

Chapter 2

Naruto was exhausted. Ever since he got to his house several nights ago, he kept on seeing something out of the corner of his eye. Indistinct flashes of red and black haunted his dreams to the point where sleep was an enviable thing. Seeing there was no hope in getting any sleep he headed out to meet his teammates for the day.

Naruto had arrived early to team seven's rendezvous point on the bridge leading towards Konoha's training grounds. Staring into the river's sluggish flow, his mind wandered aimlessly until a feminine voice caught him off guard. Whirling around he was caught in mesmerizing violet and silver eyes, "Who?"

The eyes rolled, "I asked, are you Naruto?"

When Naruto didn't answer a deep voice spoke up, "I guess your repulsive face has put the poor boy into shock." It was then Naruto realized there was a masked ANBU leaning against the opposite railing. "Just give him the letter and let's go."

A large scowl marred the young woman's face, "Fine, here," handing Naruto the envelope the woman and the ANBU disappeared.

Naruto tore open the envelope, instantly recognizing Sarutobi's handwriting.

Dear Naruto,

Please forgive this old man. The young woman that delivered this letter to you is to become your new Kage…

Naruto didn't read any further. New Kage? He could not understand it. Crumpling the letter in his hand, he made his way towards the Hokage's Tower ignoring both of his teammates curious gazes as he ran past them. Out of breath Naruto burst into the Hokage's office, "Old man, what's this?" shaking the crumpled letter in front of Sarutobi, Naruto glared at him for all he was worth.

"Naruto," Sarutobi's voice was thick with emotion, "I'm so sorry Naruto."

Seeing how badly it hurt his long time guardian stunned Naruto. He knew that the Hokage had always wanted the best for him, but he could not for the life of him understand what would cause the old man to give him up to a different Hidden Village. Tears starting to well up in his eyes, Naruto's whimpered 'why?', caused the Leader of Hidden Leaf to cringe in guilt.

"Naruto, how much do you love your village?" seeing the questioning look in the boy's tear filled eyes Sarutobi pressed on, "Just how much are you willing to sacrifice to keep this village safe?"

Naruto narrowed his eyes, "You just had to ask, this is My Village! I love it with all my heart!"

"Just how much are you willing to sacrifice, Naruto? Would you give up your life to keep everyone within these walls safe?" again Sarutobi asked.

Naruto looked away guiltily, perhaps he didn't love the Village as much as he claimed. He began thinking of the villagers, their glares, sneers, and jeers. His thoughts turned to those who accepted him, Sarutobi, Iruka, Kakashi his teammates, Sasuke and Sakura, his other nin friends… Nodding his head, he answered with a slight crack, "I would, but I still would like to know 'why?' "

Sarutobi thought over the boy's request, it was not unreasonable, "Naruto, I know you learned of the fox you harbor in you as the Kyuubi, that however is not the entire truth...

Long, long ago…

When the land was untamed and there were only small bands of nomadic tribes there were two twin boys born to the Celestial Clan. Those two although twins were night and day, one silver haired and onyx eyed the other blonde haired and golden eyed. The two grew into great warriors each trying to out do the other.

These are the two founders of the Primary Villages, Sun and Moon. The two Villages thrived, until the arrival of a young woman. She had caught the eyes of both brothers, and their rivalry grew until they knew no bounds. During one of their more violent squabbles the woman was caught in the crossfire. Fearing for the young maiden's life both decided that she would need a guardian. The leader of Sun sought the Daemon clan and the leader of Moon sought the Ketsueki clan. In all there are twenty Guardians, ten from each, sworn to be loyal only to that young woman.

The young woman in the end aligned herself with Moon, and what should have been the end of the brothers' squabbles only escaladed into a full blown war. The first to die was the Kage of Moon, the woman inconsolable pushed her people to finish it once and for all. It was rumored that both villages had wiped each other out to the last man, woman, and child.

But, you see Naruto the Kyuubi is one of these Guardians, and his Mistress has come to reclaim him."

Naruto's face scrunched up, "I still don't understand, how's me leaving going to help the village?"

"That's because he roped all twenty of my Guardians into watching over this Village, including the one you have" the violet eyed woman from before and the dog ANBU appeared from the shadows. "I take it you didn't read the whole letter," Naruto flushed. "Sarutobi, they will arrive in a few days. I take it you are not going to remove the mutt from my presence until then?"

Do-Gu's body language shifted to mock hurt, "And here I thought you enjoyed my company."

"Not in the bathhouse you filthy mongrel." Ignoring his innuendo filled response, for now, she turned back to Naruto, "Go home and sleep, tomorrow you are no longer going to be housing a fugitive."

…

It was nearly sunset when there was a rap on Naruto's door. Opening it he was surprised to find Sasuke and Sakura on his doorstep, "Naruto what's wrong with you? You ditched both practice and patrol two days in a row!" Sakura placed her hand on her hip, her body language exasperated. "We asked Kakashi, but he told us it wasn't our business."

Naruto was saved from answering the question when his door swung unexpectedly open, revealing his new Kage. "Naruto, there you are. Do-Gu said this was your apartment." Grabbing his hand she began to drag him out the door when a sharp 'hey' made her pause, "Ah, you have visitors. Sorry for the inconvenience, Naruto will be back tomorrow night."

"Who are you?" Sasuke took in the woman, glaring he waited for her answer.

Sakura twitched, Sasuke acknowledged a girl and a very pretty one at that! Inner Sakura was railing at the injustice. She needed to take Sasuke's attention away from the silver haired beauty and blurted the first thing that came to mind, "Are you dating, Naruto?" seeing everyone's attention lock on her she finished lamely, "Cuz, your taking him somewhere…"

Nehru blinked as she took in that statement. Glancing at the blonde she still had a grip on she realized just how hard a human could blush. Grinning she took the out the rosy haired girl unintentionally gave her. Throwing her arms around Naruto's shoulders, "Why yes, we are dating. We are going to be horribly late so we must be off."

Before anyone else could get a word in both Naruto and Nehru were gone.

Inner Sakura cheered, she was taken! Now Sasuke won't be interested in her. Turning to her crush to ask if he would like to go out somewhere, Sasuke's face was unreadable, "She's lying."

Both Sakura and Inner Sakura froze, "Why would she lie?"

"I am going to find out."

………