Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto

The Tale of Chigatana Kenshu and Naruto the Yellow Wind

Chapter 2: Sake

She felt the burning liquid drip down her throat slowly. She felt it ebbing her life away. She felt the pain and suffering slowly die off and numbness set in. She couldn't feel anything. She couldn't see, hear, feel, taste or smell anything but the fiery liquid. It drizzled down her throat again as she lifted the bottle to her lips. As soon as the last drop had fallen she threw it aside and grabbed at the next bottle.

She felt a strong hand gripping her wrist and heard a soft voice whispering to her. "Stop. It's not worth it. It'll only cause more pain for the ones you love."

She forced her hand closer to it trying desperately to get it to her mouth. "No." But she only felt his hand tighten and force her hand back more. She fought against him feeling the need for the numbness that the sake brought her.

Kenshu reached down and picked up the bottle. Then to the horror of the Hokage he tossed it against the wall shattering the bottle and spilling the precious nectar on the wall and floor. Then she felt blind rage force it's way up. In a flash she had a reservoir of chakra built in her hand that was swinging towards the brunette. She felt her hand stop. She waited for the explosion from her chakra being released. She waited for the pressure to leave her wrist. But it never came.

"Tsunade, look at what you've almost done."

She turned her head slowly and saw her fist a fraction of an inch from his face. He held back her hand by the wrist. Then she realized what she could have done. What she was going to do just because of a little alcohol. She began to shake violently as tears streaked down her cheeks. And when she said it, it barely came out as a whisper. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry." She slowly fell to her knees and sobbed.

He sat next to her and hugged her. "I can help." He stroked her hair and cradled her head to his chest. "I can help."

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He didn't think. He didn't move. He didn't blink. He just sat there motionless staring at the gift. He didn't feel anything, not a scrap of emotion entered his heart. All he could see was the book and dagger sitting on his dining room table in front of him.

"Naruto-kun?" A soft and subtle voice crushed through the blond's trance-like state in the manner of a battering ram splintering a castle door open. He jumped in surprise and felt his heart pounding so hard it was close to bursting.

Then he felt her arms gently wrap themselves around his waist washing away every trace of his strange mood. He felt peace and happiness flood his very being, cleansing him from all evil. "Hinata-chan," he whispered in sheer bliss.

She looked up at him and smiled weakly. "I was worried about you." She brushed his cheek with her hand. "Are you okay?" Hinata stood and looked deep into the shinobi's eyes. She didn't need her Byakugan to see the pain and suffering he was going through. She didn't need her eyes to see his heart behind all the fake smiles and laughs. She knew who he was. And it scared her.

A silence fell over them but for only a moment. And he spoke in a hushed voice, "I'm fine Hinata-chan. I'm going to be okay now that you're here." He smiled at her. A true smile. A smile that told her how much he loved her for being there for him and thanked the heavens that such a gentle being could exist to calm his spirit.

The kinoichi took his hand gently and pulled Naruto out the window with her. In a daze the blond followed the young woman from roof top to roof top into the forest. They landed and ran between the trees. The moon shone down on them illuminating the world in a dull and magical like glow. The wall that surrounded Konoha appeared in front of them abruptly blocking their path. But this was no hindrance. The ran up the wall and leaped off the top into the forest beyond undetected by any guards.

They ran for what seemed like a blissful eternity. The forest rushed by them and the cool air cleaned out their lungs. Hinata suddenly leapt into the trees and Naruto followed. In front of them a calm lake emerged from between the branches and reflected the world and moon perfectly. 'Time for training.' The thought rushed through Naruto's mind as he prepared. He knew how vicious Hinata could be both in battle and in bed. A slight blush crossed his face as he thought of one night they'd shared together. 'If her dad found out he'd kill me.'

But he didn't have much time to ponder as the raven haired girl landed on the lake and spun dipping her hand in the water and throwing the droplets at him. They formed into the shapes of senbon and rocketed straight at him. His eyes widened as they struck home. Then the puff of smoke appeared.

Hinata was surprised when the hand grabbed her ankle and Naruto emerged from the water throwing her in the air. He sailed behind her and slightly above as he twirled and shot a leg at her gut sending her crashing into the water below. The splash was impressive but what came next was more so than the temporary ten foot fountain.

Hinata seemed to melt out of the water and stand below him. She glared and formed a few hand seals. The water across the lake rippled then fell calm. 'The beast is awake.' Liquid tendrils erupted from the body of water and formed into sharp points at the ends aiming for the shinobi. 'But I have a trick up my sleeve.' He seemed to melt into the air as a shadow clown discreetly replaced him and dodged the attack. The kage bunshin slid on the long watery limbs and steadily worked his way down to the source.

Hinata searched the area and saw but one figure. But it only had half of Naruto's chakra. A kage bunshin no doubt. But the original was no where to be seen, even with the Byakugan. She let the tendrils do their jobs by themselves as she put her energy into searching and destroying her target. 'Naruto,' she thought. 'I'll get you. Just wait. I'll get you.' She was patient, cunning, meticulous and above all else knew his mind better than anyone else. But even this disappearance caught her off guard.

The kage bunshin shot closer and was suddenly vaporized leaving no traces of chakra anywhere. The liquid whips seemed to hang in the air waiting before lowering and surrounding the girl in a kind of cocoon. She didn't see anything. It wasn't possible. But then a sudden burst of energy behind her got her attention. But it was too late.

She knew it was over. He'd appeared out of no where and pressed the kunai to her throat from behind before she had time to even register what was happening. She smiled as she turned to face him dropping her water barrier around them. "Nice one. When did you learn that?" She leaned up and gave him a long, tender kiss. She pulled away slowly and stared into his eyes. "I can't wait to be the Hokage's wife," she whispered to him. Then they embraced each other under the moon.

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A soft smile crossed her lips. "You're right. It would only hurt those that I love." Tsunade stood and stared through the trees at the two teenagers standing on the lake. The serene night and cool, crisp air cleared her mind. And she knew what she had to do. She turned and sped back to the Hokage's Mansion. "When I get there it's straight to bed. And effective tomorrow morning I start the Fude Buntai's training."

End of Chapter 2

This chapter is simply a staging point. The next chapter will be much longer but will unfortunately not contain much action. Please bear with me as the story progresses. And if you stay with it until chapter 5 you'll be greatly rewarded.