chapter 27

Naruto looked from his hiding spot and was relieved when he saw that the coast was clear. Minato has promised him that he was going to teach him the Hierarshin and at first the boy had jumped with joy at the prospect of learning his father famous jutsu. However he didn't know for what he was signing in. Each night he was practicing his calligraphy and seal making with his mother as she being an Usumaki was a seal master of the highest caliber and each second day he was practicing his speed with Jade. At first he through that it was going to be a fun time with Jade spending time with him, however what he got was this and quite more, as she had days when she was training with him one on one, but also there were days like today when she asked for help to train his speed. He shuddered at the through as her helpers were in fact Shade, Flare and her basilisk. Each of the animals had a role to play in his training, Shade was the one tasked with chasing the boy until he was unable to run anymore, the basilisk used her agility to mock attack Naruto and the blond chunin had to dodge her and finally it was Flare. Naruto had to chase Flare and try to catch him, this was hard as the phoenix was allowed to flash from place to place. The only rule was that he should be in the boy line of sight if he flashed. Sometimes, to Naruto horror, Yuki Shade albino daughter and Itachi bonded familiar joined in the training. In days when she joined Naruto was unable to hide in the trees as the little hellfire covered them pretty well. This was one of these days and Naruto was looking for both nindus and the basilisk. Finding no one he exhaled however as he turned he froze. Shade, Yuki and Naga were looking right at gulped and prepared himself to run, however he stoped as he saw Jade.

-Relax, Naruto neither of them are going to chase you.
-So, this means that I am finish with today training?
-Training for today is finished for them, however there is one more thing for you- Jade smiled as she looked at her tired brother
-One more, Haven't I done enough?
-Don't worry, you task is simple, after a two hour break you will return to the training ground. Yuki here will be wearing a collar. On it there will be a golden cloth. You job will be to take the cloth from her collar. This exercise will measure your speed and stamina, If father decides that you have improved enough in this department he may decide to teach you the next step of his jutsu
-Really?- Naruto eyes sparkled
-Yes, really, son- Minato appeared next to Jade- very soon you and Jade will be learning the next step- after he sed that Jade looked at him
-But father, are you sure, that you want me to learn it?- she asked Yes, honey,you have the right to the jutsu as much as Naruto- the hokage said,
-Thank you dad- she said to him

Naruto looked at his sister and smiled. Finally, she has accepted to learn their dad signature technique. He remembered how one day while Jade was still in her coma, he had raged infront of Kushina and Minato about the stubbornness of the eldest teenager in her refusal to learn that jutsu that would have saved her from being again imprisoned and again experimented on. Then and there Minato had promised his son that he would do everything in his power to make Jade accept to learn the Hierarshin. Minato knew that Jade already had the speed and the knowledge of seals necessary for the jutsu. He had waited until Naruto was ready to teach both of them the Hieraishin.

Two hours later Naruto was facing Yuki. The young nindu had a collar around her neck with golden cloth tucked inside. Both participants on the final tests knew very well their roles and waited only for the signal to start the game. Shade looked at Jade and she nodded, then the big cat looked at his daughter and Naruto and roared. In the next moment there wasn't a sign from the white leopard. Naruto first action was to make as many shadow clones as possible and transformed them into insects, then he masked his scent and did a jutsu to cancel all sound that he was making in order to sneak to Yuki as he knew that the young leopard senses were sharp as her fathers'. The clones spotted Yuki and then transmitted the location to Naruto and then disappeared leaving the boy to continue tracking his target alone.

Yuki was hiding in the trees. She was using her spots to hide herself in the trees, however she have not noticed that a part of the cloth was sticking out from her hiding spot. She sensed the kunai before she saw it and jumped out if the way before disappearing into the trees. Naruto cursed colourfully at his miss. He had spent a lot of time, trying to get close to Yuki and he has almost succeeded. Now however the young nindu was going to be on alert and making his job more difficult. He looked again at the kunai and was unable to believe it his luck. He may have missed Yuki, but nevertheless he had accomplished the objective of the task. Stuck on the tree by the kunai, the gold cloth could be seen. In the next instant, Shade roar could be heard echoing through the training ground signalling the end of the training. Naruto teleported to the meadow where he found in addition to his sister and father, Itachi and Sasuke.
Congratulation, Naruto- his best friend said Thank you, Sasuke- said the boy as he looked at Minato Two days from now 8 am sharp, we start , you two be ready- the hokage looked at his two children and then left Jade, can we talk.
Sure

With Jade and Itachi

Itachi led Jade to the hokage rock and both teens sat and looked at the stars. Itachi looked at Jade and saw her radiant smile.
-Jade?
-Yes, Itachi?
-I want to ask you something What?
-Well, I am hoping that you will consent to move in with me. I know that Ruy is planning to ask Mia the same thing...
-So you want us to potentially move in with Ruy and Mia?
-No, not with them, move together I would like that, so an apartment or a house?
-What would you prefer, Jade?
-Well looking at our age, maybe the apartment route will be good, however eventually we will need to move again and furthermore...
-If its an apartment, neither of our familiars will be happy, Shade and Yuki as well as Naga will need space, Flare also will not be happy as he like his space So a house then, I prefer that- Jade smiled
-Where in the city or close to the forest?
-Forest, both of us prefer the privacy and our furred partners will like it- Itachi smiled
-How many bedrooms?
-I think three will be enough
-Why three?
-Well one for us, one for guests and one eventually for a nursery- said Itachi
-a nursery?
-Yes, I don't see anybody else that I want to start a family with, Jade. You are my one and only.
-Do you think that the hokage will give us a few days off to search for a place?
-I am sure, I don't know how pleased he and Kushina-sama will be pleased with our plans.
-Well, I am sure that they will accept it.- Jade said and kissed Itachi.