A/N: Ello! Nothing much to say... I ranted in Hydra an' watnot. Hmm.. this new chapter of Blond differs greatly from what it originally was. I hope people enjoy it... After this I'll be starting a challenge story. Hope ya'll enjoy that one to...

On with the show!

Chapter 4

A lone blond figure walked through the burning ashes and remains of what appeared to have been a thriving city. Long dead corpses littered the street, rats eager for easy meals swarmed the homes as dried blood clogged the sewers.

The Lone Wanderer (A/N: All the way from Vault 101 chillldren! sorry, had to do that) walked uncaring at the carnage surrounding him. He paused at the familiar burned out remains of a school, small bodies scattered everywhere, the stench of their rot threating his stomach contents. He didn't bat an eye as he watched a crow greedily peck a pearl colored eye from a little girl with dark hair, impaled on a twisted piece of iron, undoubtedly a former swing set.

No, he simply sighed and continued his trek onward, past the burned out husk of a once great tower, past a ramen stand, it's owners drowned in broth, He trudged through the thick human waste that had consumed his path. His clothing, which had been clean and spotless upon his arrival, was now drenched in assorted fluids. The wastes of a society that tore itself apart in its final moments.

Eventually, he found himself at his destination, the village square. It was empty, save for a small blond haired child, playing with a small nine-tailed fox. "Ah... So that is what this is."

The child looked up at him with sparkling sapphire eyes, full of innocence. "Hey Mister! You wanna play with me?" HE said ending with a childish giggle.

The elder blond shook his head. "No... I have no wish to play with dreams."

The child's face took a serious tone, "Why? Are not dreams our greatest desires? Was this not your dream?"

The older boy's eyes softened. "Long ago.. Yes this was my dream. Things changed... And dreams are such fickle things, changing with the winds."

The boy furrowed his brow in what many would call an endearing gesture. "But your here, I'm here. So the Dream must still exist... Why will you not see it through?"

"Because, this is a dream born of hatred. And I have seen what that does to men, and women." He said with an exasperated sigh. Irritated to explain himself to this child.

The blond boy pouted and folded his arms, "Nu uh!" HE began, "Hatred makes you strong! We've seen it happen! Hatred can achieve dreams!"

"Hatred can make one strong yes, It'll even see a dream like this through to the end." The older said, gesturing to the depravity around him. "But... At the end of it all... Hatred makes for a very lonely existence."

The child looked thoughtful for a while before shrugging, "So?"

The older blond sighed and turned around, noticing the world was being consumed by light. HE turned his head back to look at the child and let out a weary sigh, "I am tired... So tired of being alone." He whispered softly as the light consumed them.

()()()()()()

Naruto awoke with a start, his bedsheets drenched with sweat. He shook his head moaned in irritation flopping back down onto his mattress. "Fuck... Haven't had that dream in a long, long time." He glanced over at his clock to find out what time it was. "4 AM, shit... I'm not gonna be going back to sleep anytime soon."

With no small amount of irritation, which he felt the need to vocalize to his empty home, using colorful, explicit and fairly descriptive terms. He dragged his not-quite-awake body into the shower, where he proceeded to scream further indignities as his body was blasted by a torrent of icy water. Furious he switched it off and went to check the heating system.

A vein on his forehead started to throb as he looked at the note taped to the hot water shut off valve for his apartment. "Konohamaru...." He seethed, "You will pay."

Water problem fixed he went back to his home, finished a nice, this time hot, shower before wandering into the kitchen. He shivered a bit, pulling the fleece robe around him a bit tighter. His face brightened as the whistle for the hot water went off. HE allowed a small smile to form as he poured him self a cup, dipping the outrageously expensive tea bag in.

A few minutes later found him on the balcony, a steaming cup in tea in one hand, design notes for a new weapon in the other. On the end table beside him was a plate of eggs, toast and bacon. He flipped through the pages, a touch of frustration evident. HE still hadn't found away around the wight problem... He sighed, looks like he had serious muscle training to do before this could be fully implemented. He put the plans downs and picked up his food, staring out at the horizon as the sun rose up.

Taking a moment to enjoy the almost ethereal beauty of watching the sky seemingly lit by golden flames, Naruto proceeded to plan his day. At 6, he was to be picked up by one of Danzo's agents and start his training with them. He wasn't sure what that would entail, probably political training first, he wasn't quite sure just what the crafty old man intended for him. He mused that he probably should have asked. HE shrugged it off and continued to think ahead, he was to meet Temari for lunch, presumably spend the rest of the day with her and her brothers. Then just her in the evening again. He smiled, maybe she wouldn't mind if he trained? After all no sense in putting that off longer then he had to. Besides he would like to see just what she was fully capable of.

He closed his eyes as he bit down on a slice of bacon, sighing in contentment as he settled into his chair, enjoying the rest of his breakfast thinking of ways he could paint a sunrise.

()()()()()()

5:55 AM, his doorbell rang. "Right on time..." Naruto mumbled to himself getting up and opening the door, he was mildly shocked they had bothered with the door at all. Polite shinobi are so hard to come by these days after all.

The ANBU at his door wore a blank mask, save for a small Ne mark in the bottom corner. "I am here to escort you to your new training grounds Uzumaki-sama." A soft voice, male probably though it was hard to tell.

Naruto raised an eyebrow, not that he had any right to judge on someone looking androgynous. Not the plain black kimono he was wearing. He had spiked his hair into 3 short and spiky ponytails, not entirely dissimilar to his bride-to-be's hairstyle. "All right then... Lead the way."

The masked shinobi tilted his head in a nod and placed his hand on Naruto's shoulder, the pair of them disappearing in a swirl of leaves.

()()()()()()

The young jinchuuriki surveyed the room he had been taken to. It was a nice office, books lining the walls, and a nice Oak desk. The lighting could have been better, but he mused the rooms other occupant had a thing for the dramatic. Mind you, saying Danzo had a flair for the dramatic was like saying birds had a flair for flying. "So, what kind of training is it you wish to put me through?" Naruto started off in a bored drawl. A tone which hid the fact he had at this point been awake for far to long, for being this early in the day.

Danzo raised his sole visible eyebrow, which by coincidence rested above his sole visible eye. Your time in training will be split between political dealings, and leadership abilities. Traits I believe you to possess naturally, and getting your basic skills up to ANBU level." He paused and flipped through a stack of folders, with amazing dexterity considering he only had one arm. "Reports have indicated your Ninjutsu and Fuuinjutsu abilities are already at jounin level. Well, a jounin that specialized in those, and you so rarely see people study seals as... Extensively as you have." Danzo said, briefly thinking back to some of the more ingenious designs he had come across in the boys home during his recent visit. "You regularly train with Maito Gai and his pupil Rock Lee?" Naruto nodded wordlessly. "We won't need to cover that then, your probably around mid to high chunnin in that area... Hmm, you'll be focused on genjutsu and medical training. I'll consider you worthy when those are at chunnin or higher in ability."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Normally an Anbu, or even most jounin are only good at 2 or three things."

"I am aware of the usual requirements of ranks Uzumaki-san." Danzo said dryly. "And strictly speaking your already at the Tokubetsu Jounin level. But I want you better then the best. You might not wish to be Hokage, but I want the power to have taken that position there anyways. My Root forces are the best of best in terms of ANBU, and I won't have them led by anyone BUT the best." HE paused, leveling a neutral glare at his new apprentice. "Besides, you'll be sparring as much as possible against some of my more talented members. You need the tactical experience."

Naruto nodded, agreeing, and more then somewhat excited at what Danzo had said. He gave a distinctly vulpine grin, "Sounds fun."

"Oh it will be. You should know however, t is unlikely you will remain on active duty for long. You've become to important politically to put out on high risk missions constantly." Danzo said flatly.

Naruto sighed, "Yeah I figured as much. I wasn't expecting much different, especially since one of the stipulations to my upcoming marriage is conception of a child withing the year." He paused, and got a far away look in his eyes. "I'd have asked to go on the reserve duty list then anyways."

The Ne Commander gave a nod, he understood that feeling well. His own family had been killed by an assassin while he was away on a mission, many many years ago. He regretted not being there, and had thrown himself into his work. He was hoping Naruto didn't make his same mistakes. "Provided you are up to what I deem a worthy level, both in and out of combat. You will take your formal duties as my replacement. There may be times your particular skill set is called for on a mission, otherwise you would rarely have need to leave Konoha." Danzo paused here, and furrowed his half exposed brow. "Ah yes, before I forget. You will also begin training with your new partner and teammate. And the one who will become your second-in-command when you take over, Sai, come here."

The same ANBU that had brought Naruto here emerged from the shadows, he gently removed his mask, a large eerie smile on his face. "It is a pleasure to meet you formally Uzumaki-sama."

Naruto raised an eyebrow, "Naruto, just call me Naruto."

Sai nodded, "Very well, Naruto-San."

The blond sighed, close as he would get for now. Then he cocked his head to the side, "Wait, new teammate? What's happening to team 7?"

"Due to your upcoming nuptials, you are being removed from team 7, and a new team is being formed. You, your soon to be wife, Sai and an ex-Anbu named Kagura(1) as your jounin sensei. She will also be the one teaching you Genjutsu."

"Sounds like fun I suppose." Naruto said with a shrug.

Danzo nodded and rose, "Come your torture begins now."

"Uh, you mean training right?"

"No. Torture resistance is the first needed skill for all Anbu to have, especially someone like you who will be in a position with vitally sensitive information." Danzo said in a monotone. It was hard to pick up, but he was amused.

Naruto groaned. "Fuck... I better not get blood on my clothing, I just had this washed."

()()()()()()

6-7 hours later, Naruto was sitting across a table from Temari, who had a slight frown marring her otherwise pretty features. "You okay Naruto? You look a little pale."

Naruto, who was in fact several shades closer to a ghostly white shrugged, "No, just training to hard." Yes, the kind of training that involved expounding on the list of 'Shit not to put up One's Ass.' He flinched slightly at the memory, he would never eat pineapple again. Some people simply enjoy their jobs to much. He shook it off and looked back at his fellow blond. "Anyways, enough about me! What time are we meeting your brothers again?"

The wind mistress shrugged, settling back into her chair, "Soon as we finish up here I suppose."

Naruto gave her a grin, "Good good. So tell me, Tema-Chan, what are your thoughts on this whole.. thing."

Temari let out a long sigh and closed her eyes, leaning back in contemplation. "I was pissed at first ya know? I figure anyone would be. But now... It doesn't seem to bad. Your pretty fun to be around, and you gave Me my brother back... So yeah, this ain't such a bad thing."

Naruto smirked, "Nice to know I'm within acceptable limits."

Temari smiled at him as she straightened up, "So those're my thoughts on the matter, what are yours?"

"Are you kidding me? I was ecstatic." He said with a large grin. "I mean, I never thought I would get the chance to have a family with anyone, specially from Konoha, then this popped into my lap." He stopped for a moment, gulping down some more ramen. "I had a chance to get out ya know? But I didn't, and damn..." He eyed her and grinned, "Am I glad I didn't."

They laughed with each other at that, then spent the rest of the meal in comfortable silence. Merely learning to enjoy the others presence.

()()()()()()

An hour later found Naruto in one of the more awkward moments he had ever had. He looked his crimson haired friend in the eye, "You say you made something for me?"

Gaara nodded, his elder sibling snickering in the background. "Indeed. Upon your advice I have decided on a more constructive hobby for my time, as opposed to comparing blood splatter patterns." It was here the cork popped of Gaara's gourd, and a tendril of sand slowly came out of it holding a a small object. Depositing it into the blond boy's hands.

Naruto stared at it for awhile, it was a sackperson, made out of alight orange canvas-ish material. It was wearing a dark green mask with 5 orange lights, and had the weirdest (and creepiest) arm things coming off it's back, which had little creepy dolls hanging from it.(2) It was unsurprisingly filled with sand. "Uh, wow Gaara I'm... Speechless."

What could he say? His friend had such a look of pride on his face. The Ichibi container nodded his head, oblivious to his friends discomfort. "I've made dozens of these, I made this one especially for you." That worried Naruto slightly, he made these specifically for him? How the hell did Gaara see Naruto as? But it got better! "It has special seals, so when you channel chakra into it it makes noise."

This Naruto had to see, so he gave the doll, thing, a small pulse of chakra. It gave off the most inhumane tortured scream, not totally unlike the ones Naruto had made earlier, the blond had ever heard. Naruto looked up at Gaara, "Um, wow. I already don't know how I lived without it for so long." Maybe he could rig it to some security seals and scare any thieves into a heart attack. "Thanks Gaara." That was said genuinely though, as even despite the explicit creepiness of it his friend was proud of it, and its not like people were lining up to give him things.

A few hours passed and the quartet of friends had split again, leaving Temari once more alone with Naruto. She smirked and reached into her pack. "This is what he made me." It was done in a soft white velvety fabric, and had adorable bunny ears, with a tiny fan strapped to it's back.

A vein pulsed on Naruto's forehead. "Ok, the hell! You get some little ninja bunny thing and I get the bastard child of a BDSM star and an doll maker?"

Temari snickered, "Aw don't be hard on him. It's the thought that counts."

"I know, thats what scares the hell out of me." Naruto said, running his hands through his hair. NA action that caused Temari to finally comment on his hair.

"So, new hairstyle?"

He shrugged, "It was time for something new, and I like the look."

Temari just smiled and stretched her hands above her head. "So what now?"

Naruto shrugged, "Your choice. We could go for a nice relaxed romantic walk in the evening sun. Or we could get some last minute training in."

She sweat dropped and sighed, palming her face. "Ya know what? I'm not surprised." She paused, then shrugged, "But what the hell. I've been lax in my training since I got here. A few hours could do me good."

Naruto grinned. "Great, Now I noticed your a little weak in the short range department. Hey don't glare at me like that you know it's true. Anyways... I'm gonna start you on a jutsu I know, but I don't really use that often... It's called..."

()()()()()()

2 hours later Temari sat slumped against a tree, almost totally drained of chakra. A shirtless and sweat Naruto stood in front of her with a large toothy grin. A couple hundred clones of his were in the background, all working on various things. The shirtless one smiled at her. "I'm impressed. You got a lot farther in so little time then I'd expect."

Temari smiled at the compliment. "Thanks... Can I ask what was up with your training? All that crazy strength building stuff..."

Naruto shrugged as he plunked down beside her, his own body sore and exhausted from the relatively short, but intense training period. "New weapon design I'm working on. I don't have the physical strength needed to use it properly. I won't make it until i do."

"Ah." Was the simple reply. She was still trying to get over the fact he designed and made weapons, among other things. She closed her eyes as the sun set down on the horizon, disappearing back into parts unknown. "Mm... Think I'm gonna rest my eyes a bit..." She trailed off, silent until a she gave a soft snore.

Naruto chuckled at her and leaned her head onto his shoulder, then rested his head on top of her's staring off into the burning sunset. "Not alone anymore..." He whispered quietly, before he to dozed off into the world of dreams once more.

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A/N: Whew! And we done! I feel sorry for dropping the chapter length off then usual. But hey its still a decent length (over 3k). I probably could have written more but I felt the chapter ended best there, and didn't feel like dragging any of the other scenes on. Next chapter for this story? Wedding day! Should be longer then normal. I hope... We'll see. Before I forget...

(1) Kagura is from Naruto Clash of Ninja Revolution 2, the main boss in fact. She is an ex-apprentice of Tsunade who went nuts and betrayed the village. In this fic she simply joined Root instead. She is skilled in Genjutsu and Senbon, and is a total babe. Seriously go goggle her.

(2) Playing Little Big Planet. Couldn't resist, thats what my Sack Person looks like, decked out in the Screaming Mantis gear.

Hope ya'll enjoyed the chapter! Please read and review as always... Lemme know what you think about that first scene, its something I've wanted to try for a while, and I'm attempting to broaden my writing style, and hopefully make it better.

~Draton Out.