Dangerous Missions
Lady Tsunade sat back in her chair. She felt dread in her heart. For a moment she wished that she hadn't become so close to Naruto but quickly threw that selfish thought away. Her relationship with him had grown in the last month and she wouldn't give it up for the world. The current situation would make things difficult for him but she'd do her best to see him through it.
A knock on her door had her rising. She knew who it was, since she'd sent for him. "Come in Iruka."
"Hey! What's up?" Iruka had gotten used to spending a lot of time with the Hokage. Once or twice a week the three of them would have dinner together and when they were alone he just called her Tsunade. Smiling he joined her on the couch. "Making plans for dinner?"
"I wish." Tsunade said under her breath. "Listen Iruka, it's about time for the Chunin exams again and you know what will happen if they all become Chunin?" She turned so that she was facing him.
"They'll learn Naruto's secret. Damn…But he hasn't told Hinata yet!" Iruka closed his eyes in worry.
"That's not all." Tsunade said knowing what he was feeling.
"What? There's more?" Disbelief colored his tone. What else did Naruto have to worry about?
"There will be a Chunin exam but the Leaf Village does not have to participate. Wait," She said when Iruka's mouth opened. "I received a report that there is a new rival village trying to rise in power. Its shinobi are attempting to assassinate the Land of Fire's leaders and stage a coup. We have been directed to find and take out these shinobi, capture their leaders and destroy the village. Our Genin will be deployed with other Chunin and Jonin to make this happen. If they survive and are successful, then they will automatically become Chunin."
Iruka dropped his head back onto the couch. "So they'll be forced to endure some tough missions, earn the rank of Chunin and learn about Naruto all in one swoop? Is there anyway you can stop this – at least the part about Naruto?" Dark eyes turned to look at her.
"Do you really think I should? Should I change the rules just because he's like my son? You know how it works Iruka – there's a ceremony in front of the other shinobi confirming their change of status then their Jonin take them aside and fill them in on their new job duties and about the Nine-Tailed Fox but they are free to do this at their discretion – at anytime really once the mission is complete. Asuma, Guy and Kurenai all know what their responsibilities are. I've no reason to interfere."
"Yes but you see, they all know Naruto! Surely they could hold onto the information for a while and give him time to tell them himself!" Iruka sat up quickly to plead his case.
"And if someone else tells them assuming they already know?" Tsunade sighed and leaned forward on her knees. "Don't you think I've gone through this a hundred times in my mind since I got that report? If I change one thing, I'll have to change several. I'll have to put out an order that no one mention Naruto or the fox. That's a lot of shinobi and then they would all question why. Why is the Hokage forbidding that knowledge from Naruto's friends? It would place not only me but Naruto in another bad situation."
Iruka heard her words and wanted to deny them but couldn't. She was right, for her to make such a decree could possibly change the way the villagers and the other shinobi under her command question her right to lead.
"When? When do they leave?" Iruka asked silently crossing his arms over his chest.
"Well thankfully not right away. The attempts have ceased for the moment since a few of the assassins got themselves killed the last time. I want them to go through some intense training first. I'm giving them two weeks to sharpen their skills because I want them all to come home again. Their squad commanders will tell them tomorrow and start training right away. We should tell Naruto tonight."
"Right, I'll cook. My place. You'll tell him?" Iruka knew he wouldn't be able to hide his feelings if he saw Naruto right now.
"I'll get someone to tell him about dinner. Let him enjoy his day before we sweep the rug out from under his feet." Tsunade sighed as she rose and went back to her desk. "He'll have the time to tell her, to tell them all but will he?" The question left her lips but she knew there wasn't an answer for it.
"I hate this!" Iruka said as he went to the door. "I gotta go. I left a Sub in charge. I should get back to my class. Later Tsunade."
"Of course, bye Iruka." She sat down but instead of working turned to look out the window at the village she'd sworn to protect. Tsunade knew she couldn't protect it in a way that suited her but she really wished she could or at least protect the one she now claimed as her own from any more pain. "Oh Naruto…"
Hinata quietly opened Naruto's door. Inside she could hear him snore softly and smiled. She entered his apartment and put down the bag of groceries she carried then went to the bed. It was hard not to laugh at the silly panda cap he chose to wear to bed but she controlled herself. He was sleeping soundly obviously tired from being up all night. Kakashi had been taking them out at night for training these last two days.
Naruto slept on his back, chest bare with the sheet tangled about his waist. Hinata wondered if he wore anything beneath that sheet. It was tempting to use her jutsu or to just lift the sheet but she didn't. She'd come to fix him a late breakfast then they were going to spend the day together since they both had the day off. There would time later to see more of his hard body. Sighing she turned away from hard abs and just the hint of blond hair trailing down from his navel.
Naruto turned over and smelled food. To his dream-drugged mind, he thought it was awful cruel to dream of food he wouldn't get to eat. The smells intensified making his stomach growl. He then thought somebody close by must be cooking and the scent was drifting in his windows. Muscled arms clutched a pillow and he groaned in hunger but he remembered closing all his windows before going out to meet his squad yesterday. What's going on?
Sticky eyes pried themselves open and Naruto looked up. Not only were his windows closed but covered. Of course smells could still get in but…He turned over and gasped hoarsely, "Hinata!"
"Afternoon sleepyhead! I wondered if you were ever going to wake up. Better get up and get dressed. This will be done soon." She gestured to the bacon she was frying.
Naruto sat there stupidly for a minute then shrugged and smiled at her. "Good afternoon." He tugged on the sheet to free himself then stood wearing frog-covered boxers.
Shoot! I wanted him to be naked! Hinata said to herself and turned back to the stove so Naruto wouldn't see her laugh. She turned the bacon and looked up in surprise as Naruto approached her.
He'd been surprised to find Hinata when he opened his eyes but it felt natural to have her there. He stood behind her put his hands on her hips then rested his head on top of hers. "This is one of the best surprises I've ever gotten. Thanks Babe." He wrapped a strong arm around her waist and held her gently while he placed a light kiss on her neck.
She felt so warm surrounded by him and wanted nothing more to stay forever in his arms but his grumbling stomach had other ideas. "You're welcome but hurry and get dressed so that I can feed that bottomless pit you call a stomach." She shrugged and pointed at something. "I laid you out some clothes. Hurry now or all this food will get cold!" Hinata shooed toward the bathroom.
"Yes ma'am!" Naruto said, grabbed the clothes and disappeared into the bathroom. He stripped and hopped into the shower wondering if Hinata would be watching and laughed suddenly feeling really good. He started singing as he showered hurriedly.
Hinata continued to smile as she set the table. She did look, just once and really quickly so as not to get too distracted. Being here with him was so…intimate. It was like they were in their own little world where there was just her and the man she loved. They could be a married couple, the way they were acting.
She listened for the water shutting off before breaking some eggs. Hopefully he would come out before she put them on the stove.
Naruto checked his face and noticed a little bit of stubble but decided to leave it for later. He didn't want anything slowing him down for that delicious smelling food. He didn't even dry his hair properly but draped a towel over his shoulders to catch the excess water.
"Here I am! What can I do to help?" He burst through the door and hurried to her side.
Together they put the food on the table. "Itadakimasu!" They said over the food then dug in. It wasn't the most nutritional breakfast but it was a day to do whatever they wanted and today that included a fatty, high calorie breakfast – for lunch!
Naruto sipped at his tea. All the dishes were empty and he was pleasantly full. "You're going to spoil me. I'm going have to get Iruka to teach me how to cook so I can fix you a meal sometime."
"Oh yeah? You'd do that – learn to cook? For me?" Hinata was delighted to hear it.
"Why not? It's not fair that you do all this cooking for me and the best I can do is take you out to eat." He got up to start the dishes. "I'll ask him at the next dinner. They hadn't decided whether they could both do it tonight or not. Guess I'll have to go see one of them later. So what do you want to do today?"
Hinata watched him wash dishes. Naruto stood tall and looked so masculine in shorts and shirt with his bare feet. She wondered why other women didn't see him as she did. He was really good-looking! He had a tight, hard body and he was funny. He was a good catch most people would say…or they would if it was anyone other than Naruto.
"Hinata? What's wrong?" Naruto had looked over his shoulder at her when she remained silent to find her frowning.
"Huh? Oh nothing." She said quickly and rose to help him with the dishes. "How about a movie? They're showing a Princess Gale movie, wanna go?" She knew that he loved those movies.
"Really? You don't mind?" Naruto was a big fan and had the actress' autograph hanging up on his wall.
"Of course not. While you stare at her, I can watch her gorgeous co-stars. They're yummy!" Hinata screamed and ran from Naruto's wet, soapy fingers. For some reason he didn't like her calling some other guys yummy.
She'd ended up on his bed laughing and crying from his tickling. Hinata begged him to stop and finally he did. Once she could see without tears the look on his face filled her heart. Naruto was happy – really happy and it was because she was with him.
"Kiss me Naruto." Hinata raised her arms. She was still breathing hard so her chest rose and fell rapidly.
Naruto watched her breasts lift towards him and his hands covered the soft mounds. Hands on her, he leaned down to kiss Hinata. Inches from her mouth, "I'm sorry."
Hinata looked confused, "Sorry about what? What is it Naruto?" She cupped his face and looked into blue skies.
"Sorry it took me so damn long to really see you. Sorry about all the time we missed together. Sorry I was a first-classed ass chasing after her! Hinata!" He took the words she would have spoken into his mouth. Naruto kissed her with the intent of trying in some small way, make up for everything he'd ever done wrong.
It wasn't enough. Still kissing Hinata he scooped her up until they were lying on their sides, one of his legs between hers. One hand covered her round ass, pressing her close to him while the other still held onto a breast.
She was shocked and thrilled. His kiss was overwhelming like he couldn't get enough of her. Hinata pressed against his hands wanting more of his touch and his hard thigh moved against her mound making her moan for more. "N-Naruto! Nar-uto!" As much as she wanted this – she needed to breathe. Hinata pressed on his shoulders until his tongue slipped from her mouth.
Naruto seemed to understand leaving her lips to kiss her body. His mouth moved to her neck and lower. He rained kisses over the still covered flesh of her breasts but then slipped her shirt over and off. The bra gave him pause because he couldn't tell how to get it off of her but then with a wicked grin he knew what to do. Seconds later her flesh stood up pointing at him. Naruto had pulled down the bra until it was under her breasts making them stand out. "Yeah…" He took one in his mouth and sucked.
Hinata bucked upwards. Naruto was attacking all of her senses giving her no time to get used to anything. While his tongue circled one nipple, his hand tweaked the other. Her hands held his head tightly making sure he didn't move from where he was. She was so hot now that she felt like she could melt. In fact she was melting…
He knew she was wet now and he wanted to see it this time. Naruto pulled away suddenly and rose to his knees. His fingers slipped beneath the waistband of her Capri pants. "Hinata…" He wouldn't do more than she would let him.
"Yes…please…" How could she stop now? Hinata planted her feet and lifted her hips so that Naruto could strip her. And she was naked except for the bra beneath her breasts.
All sorts of thoughts ran through Naruto's mind. Hinata was on his bed all but naked. Her knees were up and with a touch of his hand, they opened for him. Next he was between her legs stroking the silken skin of her thighs staring at her thatch of dark curls.
Hinata thought her heart would rip through her ribs at any moment. She was shaking badly from his gentle touch but his eyes never left her center and she was becoming shy. Her hand moved to cover herself.
"No, don't." Naruto caught her hand. A gentle smile on his face "Can't help but stare when I see something beautiful." Now humor, "Besides you've stared at me enough, haven't you Babe?" Naruto chuckled and inched backwards then lay down on his stomach.
"What – what are you doing? Naruto?" Hinata came up on her elbows.
More sexy laughter. "You forget, I've been taught by the best pervs around. Trust me Sweetheart." Naruto kissed one thigh then the other. "Okay?" Damn, I want her so bad but it's not time for that yet! But this I can do. She looks so adorable right now. Her eyes all wide watching my every move, her cheeks all pink with shyness, her lips red from my kisses and those pert breasts. And before me, her open trembling thighs and the warmth of her wet center…Hinata…
She watched the emotion in his eyes and knew she couldn't deny him. "Uh-huh…" Hinata would have said more but Naruto was already dipping his head. His lips made contact with her flesh and she dropped back onto the bed.
Naruto heard her whine – a high pitched sound and figured, he was doing it right. The curls tickled his lips but he continued to kiss her. When her nether lips parted and he saw that bit of flesh he'd only read about, Naruto licked at it then sucked gently. She almost suffocated him with her soft thighs but he didn't stop.
Hinata couldn't believe what he was doing to her! The sensations were out of this world! It was so good but scary. She pressed herself to him then pulled back for fear of what was coming next but she always went back for more.
He felt she was close. Maybe if he…
Hinata screamed and covered her mouth with her hands. Naruto's fingers are inside me! Now he's sucking…! She kept her hips up high and they moved frantically trying to capture more of his fingers, more of his tongue. Moisture dripped from her body and her muscles were contracting…she was going to loose it!
Naruto pushed two fingers deeper inside her and increased the suction on her clit. The next thing he knew, her legs circled his shoulders and his fingers were caught in a vice. More essence flowed from her body and a muted scream filled his ears.
Hinata had never been this tired or this energized. She wanted more and she never wanted to move again. Naruto was still between her legs with his head on her thigh. She reached down and tangled her hand in his blond locks. "You'll have to apologize more often Naruto." She said with a soft smile.
Naruto laughed deeply. "I hoped you'd enjoy it! So how often would you like me to say I'm sorry?" He lifted up so he could see her face.
"Is everyday too often?" She laughed along with him then noticed the huge bulge in his shorts. "Is it my turn?" Hinata's voice turned sexy and she sat up quickly and pushed down his shorts.
"Hey! Wait – no!" He tried to get away from her but once her hand touched him, he didn't fight very hard. "Sweetheart, you don't have to, really. I just wanted to show you a little loving that's all. Come on, let me go." Naruto was trying to be a gentleman. He could grab a cold shower and be fine.
"You know, it's been awhile since I've seen this so close." She said with wonder. Yeah she looked often but to see and touch it, well that was a different pleasure. Hinata looked up at him. "Can't I show you some loving as well? Besides I can't leave you like this. I want you to feel as good as I do." While she'd been talking, her hands were stroking his hard length – testing his shape and trying to get her fingers around him. "So big…Are all men this big?" She asked innocently. "Maybe I should check…"
"Don't you dare!" Naruto was shocked that she wanted to look at other men's dicks! "And how would I know? We don't go around looking either!" He grabbed her shoulders. "Hinata you cannot look at other men! You got that!" He made his voice as stern as possible.
Hinata was amused to see his jealousy. She admitted to herself that she was now very curious about this subject and maybe she would look but she wouldn't tell Naruto! "Well as long as I've got this – I won't have to!" Her grip tightened and she pulled making him bend forward and close his eyes. Hinata laughed and got down to business.
He couldn't think while she touched him. Naruto hummed in his throat as she used her thumb to caress the head. He lifted his head and pushed his hips forward. He felt his shorts slip down his thighs then to his surprise her hand moved between his legs and cupped his ball sac. "Hi-na-ta!"
She'd noticed it swinging and wanted to touch it. It was soft to the touch but very heavy in her hand. By Naruto's reaction it intensified his lust for his penis grew ever harder and bucked in her hand. "Almost ready to cum for me?" She asked looking up at his pained expression. He'd let go of her and his hands were tight fists.
Hinata manipulated his sac and her grip traveled quickly up and down his length. It was swelling. She wondered if she could do what he did to her. Maybe…
Naruto's eyes and mouth opened in shock when her tongue touched him. Blue eyes watched her lick over the head of his penis. "N-no…you don't…y-you shouldn't! Hinata!" She took him in her mouth. A growl erupted from his chest and he pushed forward loosing the battle with her.
She was on her back with Naruto over her. Hinata was smiling with satisfaction. It had been different certainly, taking him in her mouth but his reaction was well worth it. This love making got better each time. She giggled and ran her hands over his back and naked ass.
"Stop that or you'll get something else started." Naruto said his voice thick. He could only smile when her hands gripped his ass. "Why'd you do it Babe? You didn't have to…" She'd stayed with him until he'd had nothing left. Naruto finally got up the courage to look at her. His leg slid between hers and his chest rested lightly on hers.
Hinata smiled and stroked the sparse whiskers on his jaw. "I didn't necessarily plan it but I wanted to." At his questioning look, "We're in this together right? Right, so we share the pleasure. You kissed me and I kissed you – even."
"Kissing? That was way more than kissing and you know it!" Naruto searched her face but she didn't seem put off by what happened. Hinata continued to smile at him with love in her eyes. "You're a hell of a woman Hinata. Sexy, sweet and kind. I still wonder why you chose me but I'm damned glad you did."
"Yep, you're a lucky man!" She agreed and lifted her head for his kiss.
Lying naked in bed together and kissing could only lead to more sex so Naruto dug down deep and found the strength to pull away. Up on his knees he grinned down at her. "Sorry Babe, you're not going to seduce me this time! Up you go!" He hopped out of bed then pulled her up and got her on her feet. "That bra looks wonderful on you!" He laughed as her breasts bounced free of the cups.
"It's the new style my boyfriend came up with!" Hinata modeled for him then turned her back. "But for future reference, this is how you take it off."
Naruto watched carefully and nodded. "Got it! Okay sweet cheeks – go shower. We can still do something outside today!" He smacked her ass lightly.
"More of this?" Hinata asked sweetly blinking her eyelashes.
"Ha! Maybe. Now go so I can finish cleaning up." Naruto stripped the bed of its sheets.
"You could join me. I could wash your back." Hinata offered from the doorway.
"I'd like to keep some of my nerves in tact." He laughed and went to push her into the bathroom. "Shower." Once she was behind the door, he shucked the rest of his clothes and added them to the sheets. He'd have to pick out more clothes to wear now.
Humming he put new sheets on the bed then went back to the kitchen to finish the dishes. He heard the shower stop and went to the door. "I've got your clothes. Your shorts are okay but the shirt is a mess – you'll have to wear one of mine." Naruto opened the door and handed her the clothes without looking.
"Thanks."
"Sure." He grinned. She really was his because now she was wearing his clothes. Naruto was about to wipe down the table when there was knock at the door and he froze. Who could that be? I'm naked and my girlfriend is in the bathroom dressing! Had they been watched? Damn, what should I do? Another knock. Pants! I need pants! Naruto looked around frantically for something to put on. There was a pile of clothes in the corner and he jerked up the dirty pants he'd worn last night.
"Naruto, you in there?" A voice asked.
He knew that voice! It's one of the guards for Grandma Tsunade! Was she having him watched? A hint of anger mixed with fear rushed through him as he opened the door. "Hey, sorry I was in the bathroom. Just got up." He laughed weakly.
"No problem, I'm just glad I don't have to go looking for you. Lady Tsunade wanted me to give this to you and said that you'd better show up on time." He pointed his finger at Naruto with grin. "Okay? So if she asks, I did tell you. Well I should get back. Have a good day!" He raised a hand then took off.
Naruto looked at the letter in his hand then peered out to watch the man leaving heading in the direction of Hokage's building. He looked around suspiciously but didn't see anyone and closed the door firmly.
Hinata peeped out of the bathroom to see Naruto leaning against the door with his eyes closed. "Is it safe?" She whispered. When she'd heard the knock, it seemed as if her heart had stopped. It wasn't anybody's business what she and Naruto did but she didn't want to get caught doing it either.
"Yeah, I think so. That scared the shit out of me!" Naruto opened his eyes, made his way to the table and collapsed into a chair. "It was just Izumo delivering a note from Grandma Tsunade. I thought maybe we were being watched and they were coming to get me." He dropped his head on the table.
Hinata went to him and felt his still rapidly beating heart. She leaned down and kissed his shoulder. "Me too." When he raised his head, they stared at each other for a moment before laughing.
Naruto pulled Hinata into his lap. "He brought a note from Grandma T. Let's see…Oh it's about dinner tonight at Iruka's and she too tells me to be on time. Guess they want to talk to me about something." Naruto frowned thinking but everything was going well, if there were any problems – they weren't his. Maybe they were both just busy and didn't have a lot of time to spare.
"Something wrong?" Hinata asked resting against him.
"No, don't think so." Naruto glanced at the clock and stood up quickly with her. "If we're going to the movies and hang out some – we'd better get moving!" Naruto shucked his pants. "Mind finishing up for me or you can just leave it – I'll do it later." He rummaged for some new clothes.
Hinata watched with appreciation as his muscles flexed and shifted under smooth skin. "We could just stay here." She suggested as she came up behind him and slid her palm down his back and over his ass.
"Hey, hey, hey! Watch those hands!" Naruto scooted away from her, high stepping. "I'd love to but after that scare, I'd just as soon go out if you don't mind." He made to the bathroom. "Back in a flash!"
She sighed and went to see what else had to be done in the kitchen. He was right of course, anybody could show up and then what? Still a day in bed with Naruto…Hinata began to smile; somehow she'd arrange that for them and do it so that they wouldn't have the fear of being interrupted. She adjusted his large shirt over her breasts then lifted the collar up to her nose. The shirt smelled of him. Hinata hugged herself imagining it was Naruto. "Hurry up or I'm coming in after you!" She said on a laugh happy with her world.
"You wanna learn how to cook? For Hinata?" Iruka laughed. "Boy, you are whipped!" He took a pan over to the table.
"Whipped? Just cause I want to cook for Hinata? And what about you? You cook. Maybe you don't have a girlfriend or wife yet but do you mean to tell me that you are never going to cook for her?!" Naruto put some bowls on the table. He paused and tilted his head with a mischievous grin. "I think Grandma T will be jealous when you do get a girl. I'm mean she's got you all to herself now – she'll have to share you with another woman." Naruto moved closer to Iruka and spoke in a low tone his eyes bright. "You'll have yourself a threesome. Maybe you should get a bigger place or at least a bigger bed."
"You!" He chased Naruto with a spoon. "I'm going to kill Kakashi and Master Jiraiya for that damned book! A threesome! Don't let Tsunade hear you talk of that or she'll rip you a new one. I know she's got people watching out for Jiraiya the moment he enters the village again. I can't imagine what she's going to do to him!" Iruka had caught Naruto and held him a headlock.
That was how Tsunade found them. She entered Iruka's place without knocking and heard a commotion coming from the kitchen. The two of them were wrestling but it appeared that Naruto was doing more laughing than putting up a fight. "So does this mean dinner is ready?" She leaned against the doorjamb a smile on her face.
"Hey Tsunade, just had to teach the boy a lesson – you know how his mouth runs." Iruka gave the blond head a tweak then let him go. "Finish putting the food on the table son." Iruka knew that this would be a difficult conversation but when Naruto had arrived happy and eager to share his day that he couldn't hold onto the dread but it came back with Tsunade's arrival.
Tsunade went to wash up then came back to help. She found herself next to Naruto and was surprised when he placed a quick kiss on her cheek. She tousled his hair affectionately before seating herself. They managed to enjoy a good meal talking about everything and nothing. It was as they moved to sit down on the couch with Naruto between them that he thought something was going on.
"What's up? All through dinner one of you would get really quiet and stare at me. Am I in trouble or something?" His head swiveled from side to side.
"The Chunin exams are coming up." Tsunade said suddenly.
"Yeah? Well it's about time! I still don't think it was fair that Shikamaru was the only one who made it last time." Naruto sat back and brought up one ankle to rest on the opposite knee. "Is that it? You two are worried about me? I got through it last time so I'll do even better this time." He smiled but let it drop when they still looked concerned.
"You won't be participating in the exams. Hold on!" Tsunade said gripping his arm to shush him. "None of Konoha's Genin will be participating in the exams. You, all of you will have another task to perform in order to become Chunin."
Iruka moved closer. "Listen Naruto, this is important." He explained the process he and his friends would have to go through to become Chunin. "This is ten times more dangerous than the exams. At least with the exams, there are proctors there to prevent deaths. You won't have that. It'll just be you and your team. Survival will depend on how much you trust them."
Naruto sat quietly between them. Iruka's hand lay on his shoulder and Grandma Tsunade's hand held his. He reached over and began playing with her fingers. "Okay, I got that. We've had missions like this before and survived. I may have a small problem with Sakura right now but when it comes down to it – we're there for each other. Please, don't worry so much, okay?" He figured this was why they looked so glum but they should have more faith in his abilities. "I know I act impulsively sometimes but this is important. I'll do better – promise."
"Naruto." Tsunade leaned over and kissed his cheek. "I'm going to hold you to that promise but…there's more you should know." She paused to take a breath. "Once a Genin graduates to the next level; they take on more responsibility and learn more about what it takes to truly defend this village."
Naruto looked at her confused. "Yeah, I know that. Chunin get riskier missions and are entrusted with certain secrets that would be too risky for a Genin to know. So?" His head looked to Iruka when he squeezed his shoulder a little too hard.
"So, we also tell the new Chunin how the village was…saved from the Nine-Tailed Fox. We tell them exactly how the Fourth placed the fox spirit in a new born child and who that child is. If your mission succeeds, you and all your friends will become Chunin and they will learn your secret." Tsunade finished quietly.
Naruto blinked at her then tore his gaze away from the concern and sympathy in her eyes. They'll know. They'll know. They'll know I have a demon inside me! I haven't told anyone! What will they think…about me then?! Hinata! I haven't told Hinata yet! He surged to his feet and away from Iruka and Tsunade. Naruto walked behind the couch and starting pacing.
"It's too soon. We haven't had enough time together yet. I wanted…some time. I wanted some time first, dammit!" Naruto's hands came up to pull at his hair. "I just was at her house again last week. Lord Hiashi talks to me. He listens to what I say, stupid stuff and all!" His pace quickened matching the words flowing from his lips. "Sasuke knows something but he…he's accepted me anyway. We've gotten so close but what if he…his own brother's a monster to him but I'm the real fucking thing!" Naruto felt his heart threaten to choke him. "The looks and stares of hatred and fear – I'd gotten used to all that from everyone else but to have my friends do it too?! DAMMIT! DAMMIT! DAMN…" Naruto stopped suddenly and sank onto the floor on his knees.
Iruka and Tsunade had gotten up just after he did and had watched in pained sympathy his reaction to the news. It was worse than they'd thought it would be. Iruka left her side and went to get him. Naruto was dazed so he more or less had to pick him up and take him back to the couch.
Tsunade lay him against her breast as Iruka went to fetch something stronger than tea. He was really too young for sake but she thought the strong drink would wake him from the panic he was in now.
"Here." Iruka handed her a small cup. Again he sat close to Naruto and braced him for when Tsunade poured the sake down his throat.
Naruto had been lost in images of hate and disgust from all his friends. All except Hinata. When he thought of her, all he could see were tears falling from her huge lavender eyes and finally her back as she walked away from him. The sake smelled strong, it burned his tongue and throat making him choke and cough. It took him several minutes before he was able to talk. "What the hell are you trying to do?! Kill me?!" He asked as he thumped his chest and a heavy hand thumped his back.
"No but you need to stop cussing in front of me. Watch that mouth boy!" Tsunade said forcefully and lightly slapped his face once. "Do you hear me? No more cussing!"
Naruto looked at her. "What? No cussing? Now?! Iruka can't you get her to understand what's going on here?! I might loose my friends and she's worried about some stupid, fucking cuss words?!" Naruto was yelling.
The next slap reverberated in the room. Naruto held his cheek looking at Tsunade with a touch of fear and shrank back against Iruka.
"What did I say?" She asked quietly. Tsunade wanted to bring him back to her, get him thinking clearly again.
"No cussing. Yes ma'am, I got it. Sorry." Naruto dropped his eyes hand still to his cheek. Behind him he heard Iruka chuckle.
"It's going to be okay son. Now that the panic is over and the foul language, what are you going to do Naruto? About telling Hinata and the others?"
His face still throbbing from being hit, Naruto leaned forward until his elbows rested on his knees. "…I don't know." He really started thinking about what he'd been told. "Training starts tomorrow. If I tell them now, I could mess up their concentration and they probably wouldn't…trust me during the mission. I-I couldn't do that to Sasuke. He wants so badly to improve his skills and this mission would be proof that he's getting better." He held his hand over his mouth for a moment. "If I wait until it's over, that would probably be best. If I could get to everybody before their sensei told them…but you said it's up to the Jonin how and when they tell their squads, right? They could even do it the field before we return to the village…dam-." Naruto paused and looked out of the corner of his eye at Tsunade. "Darn." That earned him a few chuckles.
"Then there's Hinata." Her name shivered on his tongue. "I've had a month - I could have told her at anytime but no time ever seemed right and now I'm out of time. I can't see telling her now before the mission either. We've been training hard and she's improved so much…I can't mess this up for her." Hinata wanted to impress her father with how far she'd come and Naruto wanted that for her as well. He'd learned that the approval of a parent was very important.
"But what about you Naruto? Maybe we shouldn't have said anything to you either. Have we messed this up for you?" Iruka asked suddenly worried. He looked to Tsunade. "This was a mistake, how's he supposed to concentrate and do his best with this weighing on his mind? Shit! Sorry!" He pulled back out of Tsunade's reach as she tried slap him.
Naruto laughed but tears came with them. He sighed and slid back so the he was between them again. "No, I needed to know. It's not that big a deal, I carry around this fear all the time anyway, it's just this time I'll know when everybody will find out. No more secret." He slumped over onto Tsunade's shoulder. "I'm out of time. Either they'll continue to be my friends or I've gained new enemies." He grew quiet as he sat between them feeling like he was about to loose everything he'd gained these last few months.
They sat quietly for a moment before Naruto sat up. "Wait! You said every Chunin is told, right?" Hope surged into his eyes. "Then Shikamaru knows! He knows - has know for a long time!" With wonder Naruto tried to remember just one time since the exams Shikamaru had ever treated him differently…but he couldn't. "Why? Why hasn't he said anything? Did you talk to him?" He asked Tsunade.
"No I never said a word to him." Even she had forgotten about Shikamaru.
"Well there you go! If Shikamaru took the news well, then they may all! Even Sasuke. You two have come a long way since the academy, competing in everything. I'm sure he'll think of you as the same old Naruto." Iruka said with forced joviality. He wanted desperately for it to be true but knew some people just couldn't handle knowing that the Nine-Tailed Fox still lived and that it was inside of Naruto. To some he was just an abomination that needed to be destroyed.
Naruto's hope drained away just that fast and he slumped again. "Shikamaru's got that big brain, he probably reasoned out something. Him not saying anything doesn't mean anything, nothing at all. Hell, he probably used that high IQ to figure out how to kill me in six hundred different ways all by himself! Or, I can see it now – all my friends gathered around me following his directions as they use their jutsu to kill me!" His voice was loud, eyes wide. Naruto saw the bottle of sake and reached for it only to have Tsunade snatch it away from him.
"What do you think you're doing?" She held it out of his reach. Tsunade looked at him as if he'd lost his mind.
"Oh come on, let me get drunk! It may be my one and only chance!" This time it was Iruka who turned rough and snatched him up on his feet.
"Stop it! Stop it right now! They will not kill you! You will not die! The decree prevents them from that but even if they tried, they'd have to get through me first!" Iruka brought Naruto's face close to his own. "You've got me and Tsunade even if you lose everyone else. Naruto! Do you hear me? We'll always be here and protect you from harm. We won't leave you! Oh son…" Naruto's blue eyes had welled up with tears and now the boy was hugging him and crying silently.
Tsunade took a long drink from the sake wanting to run back to her office and cry in the darkness but Naruto and Iruka needed her now and here was where she'd stay. She set down the bottle and embraced Naruto from behind, her head resting next to his. "It's going to be okay baby, you'll see. It's going to be okay." Her hand found Iruka's and they held on knowing they had to be his strength for the upcoming ordeal.
None of them had answers and it was really too soon to come up with any plans that night. Besides the final decision had to be Naruto's on how or if he would tell his friends. All reflected on dinner when he'd spoken of his day with Hinata. It had been happy and carefree and now the night was full of fear and sadness.
That night as the moon rose high in the sky - the mother, father and son sat on the couch sometimes talking, other times just silently holding each other. It was all they could do but it was enough for this bond of three could not now be broken. As for the rest of Naruto's life it was as fragile as a pane of stained glass showing wonderful, vibrant colors but with just the right amount of force – it could be broken into a thousand pieces.