Author's Note: So I really just wanted to apologize for taking so long to get this up.Rubs neck with a sheepish expression So much has been going on that I barely find time to stop and take a deep breath before continuing. Summer or not, it seems that since I don't have school at the moment, my life got even busier. Though I do love writing, there are some things more important then Fan fiction. On a happier note, I've also one back and looked over my previous chapters and fixed the grammar mistakes that I haven't caught before hand.
Oh, and if any one has any suggestions for my story, like something that you would like to see happen, let me know and I'll try to get it in. I won't promise anything, but it would be nice hearing what you all would like to see happen.
Disclaimer: Sadly, I do not own Naruto. Though I do own this plot line and my few OC's.
As the odd group of four walked down the streets of Konoha, they came across few people. The twins, thinking it weird, asked Ryuu why they were not being surrounded by people as one would usually think when visiting such a large village. Ryuu's response was that he was purposely having them take the 'back roads', if you would, to avoid all of the main shopping streets and other area's that were no doubt packed with villagers given it being the middle of the day.
It was something that Naruto was internally grateful for; not having to be surrounded by villagers that might for some strange reason recognize him, if only to make his life more difficult, even though he no longer looked like he once did. Still, there was always that extremely slim possibility; a possibility that he rather not happen. The emotionless looking teen silently pondered if Ryuu was thinking along the same lines as him, or if he just wished to avoid walking with great masses of people. Sadly, knowing Ryuu, it was most likely the latter.
The few villagers, some shinobi and some not, that they did come across seemed to look at one of them, or more specifically the head bands that they wore, then turn their noses in the air and continued to walk on without giving any of them a second glace, treating them much like the chunin guard did before he found out their names. There were even some that looked at Naruto's mask and sneer slightly, then look at the head band that he wore, and the sneer would either deepen, or change into a smirk before they continued on.
The pure arrogance and sense of superiority that the villagers here seemed to have when it regarded them irked the four to no end; in particular Akimi and Akimitsu since the two really are from the Waterfall Village, unlike Naruto and Ryuu who were just pretending to be for the sake of the mission.
Already Ryuu had to hold back Akimi once for fear of her attacking a small group of academy looking students that happened to glance at her and snicker to each other at something that one of them said to the others. What happened next was something that both greatly amused and irritated Naruto though he hid both emotions.
Irritation because even academy students, all by the looks of it no older then eleven, and most certainly none of which could possibly even think of matching any of the four's skill, were mocking them, thinking them weak, simply because of the headbands that they are wearing.
His amusement, on the other hand, came from watching an angry Akimi unsheathe her sword, and yelling a loud 'That's it!' before charging the small group of preteens.
Sadly, though, Ryuu managed to knock the blade from her hand, (which handle's was quickly grabbed from mid air by her bother) and pinned her to the ground with her arms secured behind her back.
To say that the academy students were scared would be a great understatement. The moment that they saw her draw the deadly weapon, they grouped even closer together, eyes wide with horror.
Ryuu, annoyed with the quivering group of students before him, wished for nothing more then to let the angry girl pinned beneath him go and have her wicked way with the snobbish children. He only resisted his rather dark urge because doing so would not only mean failing the mission before it even started, but also giving means to start a war between the Leaf and the Waterfall. Something that he was pretty sure Shibuki would not like even if it wouldn't technically be their fault in a manner of speaking.
And so, with a heavy sigh, he pushed back his annoyance and began the grueling task of calming down the livid kunichi. Never a fun thing to do.
After a few threats, bucking, kicks, and strings of curses that would have even the strongest and cruelest of sailors go red in the face with embarrassment, Akimi finally gave up fighting Ryuu and became limp, breathing rather hard.
Sighing a breath of relief, Ryuu turned his attention to the spot where the group of students last stood, not expecting them to still be there. So it was with an amused look that he apologized to them for Akimi's behavior.
The small group of shaken students nodded slowly, eyeing the now deathly calm kunichi, as if expecting her to suddenly start back up again. Finally content with the knowledge that she was in fact no longer going to attack them any longer, they slowly ebbed away a few feet before flat out running, pushing each other trying to get ahead of the others.
All the while this was going on; Akimitsu was suppressing his urge to laugh. As soon as they were all out of sight, he finally broke down, having to cling onto Naruto's arm to keep from falling. Naruto glanced at him out the corner of his eyes, mentally wishing that he was not known to be so emotionless so that he could to do the same.
After that incident, nothing of real significance happened to the four. They still got curious glances that quickly turned into arrogant one's by a few other villagers, but besides that, nothing.
Ryuu continued to lead them, something that they have all grown accustomed to over the last few days traveling together. Their formation went Ryuu in the lead, fallowed by the twins walking side by side a few steps behind him, then Naruto walking behind them all by a few paces.
As Ryuu continued his search for the least crowded way to the hotel that all foreign chunin exam takers were told to stay in, Naruto used the time to look over his not-so-new surroundings. As his eyes drifted lazily from one place to another, quick flashes of his past entered his mind's eye. Though the memories were not much, being too young to properly remember everything of any real significance, he did remember some of his more unpleasant memories that he would have rather forgotten if given the chance.
As they passed an ally, his eyes drifted down it, taking in its form. The ally itself didn't go that far back, about twenty feet, being blocked off by another building. The space from one wall to the other was roughly five feet in width. Though cleaner then what it use to be, the blonde teen could still see a younger him curled up at the back of the ally, staring out at the passing people, none of which sparing a glance at the young child.
Mentally sneering at the memory, he forced his attention to the backs of the Takahashi twins, wishing the thoughts of his past to leave him.
His wish was answered, though he had no doubt that they would be back later.
Finally, the four reached the hotel. Naruto had to silently admit, the hotel was rather nice looking. The building itself gave off a feel of comfort if at all possible. The inside lobby only added to the feeling. The room was done in hues of earthy green and brown, creating a relaxed atmosphere.
Naruto stood back, letting Ryuu and the twins check them all in. There were few other people milling about in the lobby, though they all had different head bands, none of which belonging to the leaf. Doing a quick scan, he counted a total of three Nins from the Hidden Village of Grass and four Nins from the Hidden Village of Rain. Not really seeing anyone that he knew from past travels or anything that really caught his attention, he turned his attention back to his team who were at the moment talking to an older man behind the front desk.
From the look on the man's face, what ever they were talking about was beginning to annoy him. After a few moments though, Ryuu rested his hand on Akimi's head. The man's expression turned smug as he reached under the counter, producing a key. Handing it over to Ryuu, he shooed them away.
Naruto mentally raised an eyebrow at the man. Either Ryuu didn't tell the man his name, or the man didn't know their reputation.
Mulling it over, he went for the former instead of the latter.
As the three made their way back over to the silent blond teen, he took in their emotions, almost by habit.
Akimi was clearly annoyed, if the crossed arms and hard glared that was aimed at the floor was anything to go by.
Akimitsu looked bored, obviously not affected by what ever just happened.
Unlike the grouchy kunichi and bored teen, Ryuu looked amused. His eyes were sparkling and he was grinning slightly.
Finally reaching him, Naruto was the first to speak.
"Do I even want to know?"
Ryuu chuckled, Akimitsu rolled his eyes, and Akimi huffed in annoyance, her glare becoming even more poisonous. Poor floor.
"Since all of the foreign chunin exam takers have to stay here," Akimi drawled out, "we all have to share a room that only has two beds."
Here Ryuu piped in. "I've already told her that you and I would take the floor, Fox, but--"
"I'm still not happy about it." Akimi cut him off. "I mean, we're all forced to stay here the entire time of the exams, the least the damn Hokage can do is make it to where the rooms have at least four beds. I mean, really. It's called common courtesy, people." She huff once again.
Akimitsu laughed softly at his sister's antics, quickly with Ryuu's own quiet laughter. Naruto simply lowered his head lightly, showing that he agreed with the kunichi whole heartedly.
Shaking his head, Ryuu steered the three teens towards the stairs.
"Come on, there's nothing that we can do about it."
Giving one last huff, Akimi was the first to start moving, closely followed by her brother, then Naruto and Ryuu.
Reaching the third floor then finally finding the room number that was on the key, they all piled in.
The room, like the lobby, was done in hues of green and brown which Naruto found add, what with them being in the fire country and all. He would have expected reds and yellows, maybe even orange.
On the wall opposite of the door was a medium sized window that had a table and two wooden chairs. From where he stood, he could make out the rock wall that held all of the village's past Hokage's. To the right was a door, which he guessed led to the bathroom. Finally, on the wall to the left, two beds headboards were pushed up against. In between the two twin sized beds was a simple nightstand that held a lamp.
The twins quickly took off their back backs and kanata's, setting them against the wall that held the exit, before going over and claiming a bed, falling down onto them. It seemed that as soon as their heads hit the pillows, they were asleep.
Naruto raised an eyebrow. "So much for hating the room arrangements." His voice held some amusement now that they were alone.
Ryuu was about to comment, but was beaten by a sharp knock at the door. Sharing a quick look, Naruto nodded and went to answer the hotel door as Ryuu stayed in the background out of sight.
Opening the door, Naruto was greeted with the sight of three men and one women, all in cloaks that covered their entire body, hoods covering their heads. Resting on their faces were animal looking masks. A dog, a boar, a rooster, and a cat. He was standing before four of Konoha's famous Black Ops, the ANBU.
Naruto tilted his head slightly. "May I help you?" The teen's voice was back to his usual emptiness, his eyes completely and utterly blank.
The one in front of the other three seemed to hesitate before coughing slightly.
"Ah, yes. Would you happen to be Fox?" Mirroring Naruto, the Dog masked man tilted his own head lightly.
"That I am."
The dog masked man cleared his throat. "And would Dragon happen to be with you?"
Even though Naruto knew that Ryuu was back behind him towards the window, he made a show of turning his head, made eye contact with Ryuu, and then turned his attention back to the four ANBU in front of him.
"That he is."
"I see."
An awkward silence filled the air; well, awkward for the four ANBU, amusing for Naruto and Ryuu though neither showed it, even if Ryuu was hidden from view.
Ryuu, taking pity on them, finally came into view. Smiling, he came up behind Naruto, placing a hand on his shoulder.
"Ah, ANBU-san's. How may we help you?"
Clearly taken aback by Ryuu's smile and politeness, the four ANBU shuffled amongst themselves, almost as if they were trying to see who would speak next. Finally, the one wearing the rooster mask spoke.
"Well, we're here to take you to the Hokage. He wishes to see you two."
Ryuu's smile didn't falter. "Ah, of course. I take it that he is seeing the jounin and a genin from every foreign chunin exam teams then?" His once calm and friendly look turned cold and piercing, as if daring them to lie to him.
"Well, no, bu--oomph" The rooster was cut off by having the boar digging his elbow into the other man's side.
The dog masked man brought his hand up and rubbed the back of his head, laughing nervously.
Naruto mentally rolled his eyes at the display.
'These are suppose to be the best of the best? Wow…'
Behind him, Ryuu sighed. "Well, I guess it can't be helped. What do you think Fox?"
Naruto simply tilted his head to the side, making a sound in the back of his throat that sounded similar to a hmm.
Ryuu nodded. "My thoughts exactly." He turned his attention back to the four slightly confused ANBU. "Well then, do we have enough time to where I can leave a note for the other two member of my team in case they wake?" He nodded his head over to the still sleeping bodies of Akimitsu and Akimi.
"Go right ahead." The cat masked women spoke for the first time.
Ryuu smiled his thanks before turning and heading off to prepare the note.
In the mean time Naruto continued to stare them down. "Move."
The four all visibly faltered.
"Ex-excuse me?" The dog asked.
"I said, 'move'. How do you expect us to leave when you four block our exit?" He lightly tilted his head again, his voice still bleak sounding.
"A-ah, right. Of course." He nodded his head, motioning for the three behind him to move back.
Satisfied and slightly amused, Naruto spare a glance at Ryuu only to see the man set a piece of paper against the lamp that rested on top of the nightstand in between the two beds. Nodding mentally, the blond stepped out of the room to join the ANBU, waiting for Ryuu to join them as well.
Finally, Ryuu also stepped out, shutting the door behind him. Standing beside Naruto, he motioned with his arm toward the stairs, smiling all the while.
"Please, lead the way."
Giving a sharp nod, the dog masked man led them, the boar, cat, and rooster trailing behind them.
Standing in front of the Hokage with Ryuu beside him, Naruto resisted the urge to sigh. Instead, he continued to stare at the old man before him with his haunting blue eyes.
The old man, to his credit, didn't shift in his seat or avoid eye contact like most ended up doing. Ryuu always said that it was because it was unsettling to stare into his dead looking eyes after so long. But, Naruto expected no less. The Hokage was, after all, rumored to be one of the strongest amongst of the five Kages.
After a few tense moments, neither Ryuu or Naruto wanting to be the first to speak, the Hokage finally spoke.
"So," he stopped to fold his hands and rest his chin on top of them before continuing, "You two are the famous Fox and Dragon that I've so much about."
Ryuu laughed lightly, smiling at the elderly man. "I wouldn't say 'famous', but yes. I'm Dragon and this is Fox." He nodded his head towards Naruto.
The Hokage's stare hardened as he made a noise in the back of his throat much like how Naruto did.
"And you two have really joined the Hidden Waterfall Village."
Naruto inclined his head slightly while Ryuu answered. "That we have."
The Hokage leaned back in his chair, never taking his eyes off the two.
"Why?" His tone was curious and hard at the same time. "The reason was never stated clearly."
Once again, Ryuu answered from the two of them. "I'm sorry Hokage-Sama, but that information is rather personally and confidential. You understand, right?"
"Yes, yes, of course." Despite the man's words, his eyes narrowed. "Well then, perhaps you can answer this. A short time ago, my grandson and his friends come to me in clear distress, saying that a group of Waterfall nin's tried to attack them as they were walking down the street. You wouldn't happen to be those nin's would you?"
"Ah, yes. That was in fact us. Well, technically it was our female teammate Akimi Takahashi that rushed them. Hopefully you'll forgive her. She's been rather stressed lately, you see, worrying over the exams and all. Though I promise that nothing will happen to any of your shinobi while I or Fox here is near." Ryuu smiled, lying smoothly to the question that was more of a demand than anything else. At times like these, Naruto was thankful that Ryuu could think quickly on his feet.
The elderly man once again made that noise in the back of his throat, looking Ryuu over as if trying to sense if he were lying to him or not. Once again Naruto was thankful that when needed, Ryuu could easily pull off a lie that was even hard for him to catch.
After a few more tense moments, the Hokage finally seemed satisfied and nodded, though more to himself then to Naruto and Ryuu.
"Very well. Thank you for coming to see me and I hope that you two and the other members of your team enjoy your stay here."
Ryuu's smile brightened. "Thank you, Hokage-Sama. I'm sure we all will."
The Hokage nodded absentmindedly, waving them off.
Both Naruto and Ryuu bowed slight before finally turning and exiting the now opened door.
Once the door was closed, an ANBU appeared before the Hokage.
"What are your orders, Hokage-Sama?"
Said man stared intently at the younger man across from him.
"For the moment, watch them. Do not, and I stress these words, let any of the four see you. Simply make sure that they don't act out in any way while not in one of the three exams. Understood?"
The Black Op bowed. "Yes, Hokage-Sama." And with that, the masked man disappeared just an quietly as he appeared.
The elderly man leaned back in his chair when he was alone.
"You two better watch yourselves, Fox and Dragon." He murmured quietly to the empty room.
Arriving back at their hotel room, they entered to find both Akimi and Akimitsu exactly where they left them.
Chuckling light, Ryuu walked over to the window and sat on one of the two chairs, Naruto sitting across from him on the other chair.
"That went rather nicely if I say so myself." Ryuu hummed.
"Quite, if that underlying threat is anything to go by."
Ryuu leaned back in the chain, lazily looking up at the ceiling.
"True, but I guess it couldn't be helped. We are, after deadly killers." Here Ryuu rolled his eyes. "Hypocrites. The lot of them." Shaking his head, he turned his attention back to the silent teen before him. "And from the looks of it; the Hokage didn't recognize you either. That's always a plus…" he trailed off, apparently lost in his own thoughts.
Naruto simply inclined his head, showing that he agreed even though Ryuu was no longer watching him.
"In all honesty, I would have been surprised if he did recognize me. After all, I was five when I left with you, and the last time that the old man saw me that I can remember was a little before my fifth birthday. I wouldn't be surprised if he even forgot that I use to live here in the first place. After all, what's the likely hood of remembering an orphan?" Naruto spoke, his tone turning spiteful towards the end.
Ryuu brought his attention back once again to the blond teen before him, taking in his calm face and fierce blue eyes. Ryuu's own face softened.
"You wanted him to remember. You wanted him to recognize you." Though Ryuu spoke softly, Naruto still heard him if the stiffening of his muscles were anything to go by.
Turning his face towards the window, Naruto looked over towards the four faces that were carved onto the mountains side.
"Part of me wants nothing to do with either this village or most importantly the Hokage, but the other part of me almost yearns to be…"
Ryuu sighed before smiling kindly.
"Fox," he waited until he held the boys attention, "its okay you know to feel that way. This village is, after all, where you were born and spent the first five years of your life. I don't think any less of you for that desire. After all, everyone wants to be remembered."
Naruto stayed silent for a few moments, going over what Ryuu said. Slowly, he smiled.
"Thanks, Dragon. You really do make a great father."
After that was said, Naruto went back to looking out the window, still smiling slightly.
Ryuu once again leaned back in his chair, grinning widely at Naruto's statement. Both waited for the twins to wake, but in the mean time, stayed quiet, enjoying the comfortable silence between them.
Outside of the hotel, hidden amongst the tree, stood the hidden ANBU. His dog masked face looking towards Naruto's and Ryuu's window. It was at times like these that the man was grateful for being able to read lips. Even though he was only able to catch half of the conversation between the two, it was still information.
It was with that thought in mind that the hidden man turned to leave, to report the interesting information back to the Hokage. After all, if what that Dragon man was saying was, in fact, true then the other, this Fox, was born and used to live in the Village Hidden in the Leaves, even if it was only for five years. Yes, he was very grateful for being able to read lips.