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Chapter 9

The celebration of water

The clean up crew was working as hard as possible to take down the wind ceremonies decorations and place up the water decorations. After all the Mizukage was expected at 8 when the parade started. They had a scenic water display at the water front so the water ninja's were practicing their things.

Naruto watched as the lights changed to water lamps instead. Some had fish swimming around in there.

Sasuke kept his arm around his lover's waist keeping him close to him. He didn't want anybody taking away Naruto from him. Naruto didn't mind, he thought it was nice that Sasuke thought very dearly of him.

Watching as the fire town turned into a river of water made Naruto impressed. The ceremony was going to start very soon. And the decorations looked spectacular.

Naruto looked at his love and smiled. He loved being around Sasuke. He was so happy that he forgot all of his troubles. But that wasn't all that was to come.

-- Animal god Kingdom!

Kyuubi waited at the front gate for all of the people to arrive. He wanted to see them off. It was 3 in the morning and Kyuubi was supposed to be resting at that time. But he had to see the people off.

Hearing the trees rattle Kyuubi saw Kakashi with his two nephews Akamaru and Kiba. Kakashi saw the tired King waiting so they all rushed over. Then hearing a third rustle Kyuubi readied himself for battle as did the other two but a man and a boy with black bowl cut hair came out of the trees as well made them drop their guard.

"Ah there you are Gai and your son too? What a surprise… what are you doing out of bed Lee?" Kyuubi asked.

"I'm going to Konoha too! If his highness needs any help of any sort then you can count on me!" He said saluting to Kyuubi. Kakashi and the rest of them were sweat dropping but Gai was proud of his son. And Kyuubi was just Kyuubi…

"Isn't that great, the flame of youth burns strong in his blood. And don't worry great rival! I shall accompany you on your journey to Konoha!" He said giving thumbs up and his teeth flashing in the moonlight.

"Thanks… I feel safer already I think…" Kakashi said back to Gai.

"Where's Neji?" Kyuubi said with a few coughs after that.

"He's coming, but you really should be in bed your majesty." All of them worrying about their king's health.

"Bed is for chumps Kakashi. I need to see you all off. Now be sure no one and I mean no one hears or sees you. That means be quiet unless it is necessary to talk! And even if so Kakashi and Gai are the only ones to talk! When you get to Konoha find Naruto there, then you'll find the one I need you to train. His name is Uchiha Sasuke, so be careful while you are there. Poachers are everywhere these days. Make sure to leave no trail that you were here as well."

They all bowed and Kakashi placed his headband over his left eye. "You do mean my technique do you?" Kakashi asked with a mischievous glint in his eye.

Kyuubi glared at the other, "You're a pervert Kakashi… Yes I do mean your technique. Sasuke will need all you can teach him."

"Tell me again why I am headed off to Konoha?" Neji asked as he appeared from the shadows.

"Naruto is over there and needs a surgery done, but my friend doesn't have enough help to do this. So she needs you over there."

"Yes your majesty!" Came a reply from the three of them. And with a wave of Kyuubi's arm they were off. Come back safe…He thought to himself before leaving back into the castle. Completely aware of the eyes that were on all of them a moment ago.

-- Konoha!

Sasuke watched the parade from the distance keeping a sharp eye out for any stalkers, predators or anyone that would dare lay a finger on his fox. Catching his fox's eyes every now and then Sasuke would catch his kitsune's eyes for a brief glimpse seeing Naruto smile made him feel all hot and sticky. Either he was a real pervert or he was an animal in heat.

My god Naruto what is it about you that makes me so horny? As Sasuke was going through this dilemma in his head Naruto was greeting the Mizukage. Sasuke watched the Mizukage bow to Naruto and Gaara as they did the same to her. So on cue Sasuke jumped down and landed behind Naruto.

"It's an honor to meet you Mizuki. You must be very tired from your journey."

"Well you know Hokage-sama; it is quite a ways from Water to Fire."

She had a mysterious glow around her that gave Sasuke chills.

"Well shall we get going?" Gaara said motioning for the guards to come down. But instead of his normal guards it was…

--

"Excuse me but which way is it to Konoha?" Kakashi asked some people in a nearby village. Looking at the man strangely he pointed towards the forest Kakashi rubbed the back of his head and thanked the man.

"Great, just what we need. A leader who can't find his way." Kiba said silently. Akamaru barked in agreement, in the language of the wolfs. (1)

"It might be hard to get through though. It's the celebration days right now…"

"Thanks I'll keep that in mind…" He said motioning the others forward with him.

--

Assassins surrounded them all getting ready to strike. Mizuki and Naruto were frozen in place. Mizuki because she thought she was going to die and Naruto at the sight of all their Kunai. Everyone in the crowds were gasping at the sight of the Ho, Kaze and Mizukage being held hostage.

"Where are the guards?" Mizuki yelled at the others. Naruto's eyes were wide at the sight of the Kunai near his neck and side. Gaara however was very calm for some reason. A reason Naruto didn't know why. But when the man behind him was knocked out and Naruto was caught by another pair of arms he looked into Sasuke's eyes and smiled his thanks.

"Why you!" Said another man who came charging after him and Sasuke began fighting him and a couple of others. While we go back to Gaara's situation.

"Get your hands off of me… Or you'll regret it…" Gaara said to the man holding him.

"What did you say you wimp?" Said the man, gripping tighter to him.

"Can I just say I warned you?" Gaara said as he ducked his head down as a foot came in contact with the mans face.

Looking up the man saw a boy with a black and green martial arts outfit. (It's not the sexy spandex. They don't have spandex in neither sand nor the animal god kingdom) And four other men. The other four headed towards Mizuki and Naruto while the black and green wearing one stayed in his place.

"I don't know who you are but I, Rock Lee shall be your opponent!" The man was confused but another swift kick to the head knocked him out. Lee looked down and smiled at Gaara who smirked back in return.

"Hrm… Not much of an opponent… Maybe I should've gone easier on him." Lee said towards the Kazekage.

Once they were all knocked out they all headed towards the three of them asking if they were okay. Then telling everyone to go about the festivities there was nothing to see there.

Sasuke was sitting near Naruto hugging him close to him. Looking for any injuries. "Get away from him human!" Yelled Kiba from the side. Naruto's eyes opened but a wall of sand blocked Kiba from going near them.

"Damnit! What was that about!" Kiba yelled at Gaara who was being helped up by Lee.

"Naruto is in no danger… That is his mate after all…" All of them looked surprised except Kakashi.

"That's the guy he mated with!" Kiba exclaimed while Naruto looked downwards at the comment. At this Sasuke let him get up.

"So what if I mated with him… Is it wrong to mate with someone from a different race?" Looking up at them he glared at them… "Every year I see ceremonies where there are different races mating with each other! I see people giving birth to another races child. So what if Sasuke is a human! He's the kindest person I have ever met! You all should be ashamed of yourselves for saying such things about Sasuke!"

All of them looked at Naruto and then down shamelessly. Except Neji and Kakashi who would never lower their guard.

Sasuke stood behind Naruto the whole time leaning against the wall next to him. Eyes full of concern for his kitsune.

"Now that that is over, shall we get on with WHY THE HELL ARE YOU ALL HERE!" He said pointing at Lee, Akamaru, Gai and Kiba.

"Your father sent us here. To guard you." Kiba said.

"I see…" Naruto commented back.

Gaara then spoke to the boy beside him, "Speaking of which. Why are you Lee? You know you shouldn't be up and about!"

"Gaara-sama, you know that my legs aren't that bad..." Lee said back stating his point.

"I know that but… you really should be resting. You don't know when you'll have troubles. If you keep up your recklessness then I'll just have to tie you down!" Gaara placed his hand over his eyes rubbing them.

"Gaara-sama, you know that I can't stay still for that long! It goes against everything that I stand for." He said.

"Lee… you know how dangerous it is for you to be up and about. Your legs could give out any minute now." Gaara said.

"Gaara's right you know… I mean after your accident in the sand village you shouldn't be up and about." Kakashi said to him. "But there is nothing we can do now."

Gaara sighed and started walking away. He turned around and looked towards them all. "Come on Lee… I'll get you something to eat." Lee energetically fallowed after him and walked with him towards the town.

Kakashi watched as Naruto dragged Sasuke towards the town as well. Mizuki was now confused at everything.

--

When it was getting later into the night Sasuke was holding Naruto close to him watching the whole ceremony. Gaara stepped out onto the water and they listened to the story of Mizuni.

"As Shukaku wandered around the earth he felt lonely being the only guardian and animal god. So as he wandered he found a deserted lake. Nothing at all lived in the lake. Shukaku looked at his reflection in the water and saw not his but another's face." At this Gaara backed away from where he was standing on the water. And then Mizuki came out of the water and stared Gaara in the eyes.

"Shukaku was surprised at this person. He had never seen someone like this. He heard the voice of his father, the Great Spirit, tell him. 'I noticed how lonely you were so I created this creature. Her name is Mizuni and she is your younger sister.'" At this Gaara looked up at the sky and then back at Mizuki. Everyone laughed at how well the two were doing their dance for that night. They were circling each other and the story continued.

"What Shukaku found amusing was that no matter what he did Mizuni copied his actions. Shukaku was so happy to have found someone else. Even though she was just a reflection right now. Shukaku circled around her and finally gave her life." Gaara then commanded the wind to lift her up and then she was given "life" as according to the story. He stage kissed her and then she finally became lively.

The dance went on for a while both of them circling and acting like water and wind. Mizuki circled water around her while Gaara circled it to make a cyclone. A large one that stretched quite a ways up. It was very amusing to the crowd as it lifted the Mizukage up into the air. At this Mizuki created a water form and broke the cyclone falling down and into the water everyone gasping at it. Once she hit the water the droplets formed a sign saying, "Day of water, Mizuni"

Everyone applauded as Mizuki came out from the water and bowed along with Gaara, then bowing to each other in appreciation.

"Naruto stared at them then went down towards the lake where they both were. While Sasuke was pulled off to the side by Kakashi.

"Your name is Uchiha Sasuke, is it not?" Kakashi asked.

"Yes… it is. And you are one of Naruto's guards aren't you?" Kakashi nodded.

"You see Sasuke, I'm not here to guard Naruto." Sasuke lifted one of his eybrows in question.

"Kyuubi-sama sent me here to teach you." Sasuke was even more confused. "Kyuubi-sama is very concerned for his son. So he wants me to teach you my technique. You see Lee here is going to work you in your Taijutsu. And I am going to teach you Chidori. All forms of it." (2)

"Chidori? A thousand birds?" Kakashi nodded yet again. "It is a technique that I created myself. Naruto already knows a very powerful technique but that won't be enough to help him against Orochimaru." Sasuke looked over at Naruto who was talking with Gaara at the moment.

"If you teach me this technique then… Will I be able to protect Naruto?" Sasuke asked.

"Yes. If you let me teach you this Naruto will be safer." Sasuke looked at Naruto then back to Kakashi. Looking at how happy Naruto was he wanted to keep that smile on his face.

"Alright… But can I say bye to Naruto first?" Kakashi nodded and told him to meet him in the center of town by 2 am."

Naruto looked over his shoulder to see Sasuke coming towards him. "Sasuke! Did you know that Mizuki is realated to me?" Sasuke shook his head and looked towards the Mizukage.

"Mizuni was my great great grandmother. I guess that's where I get my eyes from." She said looking at him. "I never knew that Kyuubi's son was the Hokage."

"I'm not… The real Hokage is the master of ceremonies." Naruto said to her.

"Oh really… I never would've known." Mizuki said to them.

Sasuke stared at Naruto and started to walk away. "Sasuke?" No answer. "Sasuke!" Still no answer. Naruto ran after him and caught up.

"What's with you? You didn't answer me when I called you." Sasuke looked at Naruto then ahead.

"I don't know how to say this to you…" Naruto's eyes went wide and then wentto the ground. "Oh… I see… I understand if you don't want to be with me anymore…"

"What? That wasn't what I was going to say!"

"I know… I just wanted to get it out of you. So what is really going on?"

"Kakashi is taking me away for a while to train." Naruto smiled and continued walking.

"Well… As long as Kakashi is the one training you. I'm fine with it. But… I'll miss you." Sasuke grabbed him and turned him to face him.

"I'll only be gone for a while. I'll be back soon… Besides I don't have to meet him until 2. So lets get home." Sasuke said then kissed him passionately.

Arriving home Sasuke and Naruto ran up to the bedroom. You can only guess what they did up there.

--

Kakashi waited for Sasuke to come and meet him. Seeing the lone form of Sasuke walking down the street. Kakashi looked at him.

"Are you ready."

Sasuke stood there, and waited a second before nodding. "Yes I am.."

(1)- Technically in this story this is how it goes.

Foxes don't receive their human like bodies until they are 4 months old.

Wolves and dogs don't receive them until they are about a year and a half years old.

Snakes receive their bodies when they are about 3 weeks old.

Birds don't' receive them until they are over 3 years old. Considering they live that long.

So technically Akamaru is about 1 years old right now.

(2) If you've read up to chapter 306 and on. SPOILER! You'll see another form of Chidori. But yeah.

Oh yeah and Lee's species is a different breed of wolf. So that's why Gai says he and Kakashi are rivals.