Silver Dog and the Dog General.
141…
"Let's see… From Suna, Sabaku no Temari and Sabaku no Kankurou" The hokage stamped the letter and handed it to his assistant so it could be strapped to the carrier hawk and delivered to suna's representative. "From Kusa, Gakurou Amida" the same process… then came konoha's turn.
The jounnin amassed shared a look of curious bafflement.
The hokage continued "If all are in agreement, the ones who will be promoted to chunnin are Shikamaru Nara, Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke and Aburane Shino"
Kurenai and Asuma shared a look. Kakashi looked awfully satisfied with himself that two of his kids managed to gain a rank – to the other's annoyance who only managed one…
142…
Sarutobi Hiruzen tried to appear nonchalant as he sat on his official hokage chair and the recently bought table, still gleamingly new and smelling like wood. In front of him standing all majestic was that fated silver haired woman who was so much more than that, one of his jounnin and two of his students.
A smile forced his whiskered lips upwards.
"I'm retiring the office" He announced without preamble. "It's about time I spend some time with my grandson, this old man has seen too much, and is ready to lay down the will of fire to the younger generation"
Tsunade twitched but kept silent, a kind of solemn expression making her pale face appear stern. Jiraiya shared that expression but to a lesser degree while Kakashi simply stood there looking official. Sesshiou was the only one who obviously didn't care for what was being said at the moment – she really could care less about human politics, unless they involved her somehow.
As if reading her thoughts, the old man sent her a deep, searching look. "I trust that Jiraiya has told you about Akatsuki" It wasn't a question. "The threat they present Naruto is serious, as it stands, we have few solutions in keeping him safe"
Feeling slighted and offended, sunny golden eyes bled a dangerous red color.
"Are you suggesting this Sesshiou is not capable of keeping her ward safe?"
The hokage winced.
143…
"You… didn't really need to do that…" Kakashi commented after a while of awkward silence.
Looking much more amendable instead of murderously angered, Sesshiou allowed a gracious eyebrow to rise unbidden. "This one was only protecting her honor" Yes, because implying she wasn't able to take care of her ward's protection was a capital crime that deserved ultimate penance.
The hokage's office would never be the same again, however breezy it now was, no one approved of the lack of wall and the budget committee didn't appreciate the fact they'd have to buy another table… and a chair.
144…
Looking at what was going to be a grand palace fit for a queen one day, Sesshiou allowed the bite of hubris to take over for a moment. As things looked right now, it would take at least another couple of years before her new house was complete.
Naruto was strong on his own right now… he had those teammates of his that would have his back in a battle, plus there was that… man, Hatake Kakashi, who was a competent fighter even though he had such irritating habits.
Thus she remembered what the old man had the guile to propose. That Jiraiya take him away from the village in case the Akatsuki came after him. Preposterous! She would sink her claws and tear apart in the most painful manner possible anyone who dared approach her pup. Naruto was hers. Hers to protect, her responsibility ever since she found him weak, alone and dirty walking aimlessly through the fields.
"Is everything to your liking my lady?" The engineer asked as he approached cautiously. Looking at him still in a pensive mood, Sesshiou answered, feeling like she was answering both the hokage's earlier statement and the human engineer.
"It is"
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad if she allowed her ward his own space. He'd get to travel this land some more and figure things out for himself instead of being dependent on her. Jiraiya was his godfather and new his parents, he'd be able to teach the boy according to their wishes… Then, the more selfish part of her was whispering that without Naruto there, she'd be able to travel around herself, get to know the lands and figure out who the heck planted a bounty on her head.
She was looking forward to that…
145…
Tsunade groaned pitifully. Hung up like the moon in the sky and with a headache so bad it felt like the second shinobi war was being replayed behind her forehead - the future hokage didn't feel like getting out of bed.
She still thought she was a bad, bad choice to success the hokage tittle. She had a drinking problem, a bad luck streak with legendary status; she was a fallen kunoichi and a disgraced medic who was also afraid of blood.
There was also that brat. Naruto… who somehow knew how to goad her worse than his guardian could… speaking of Daiyokai Sesshiou… the blond's eyebrow twitched. Was it possible that woman was older than Tsunade and still looked younger? Eyes narrowing and glinting, the Senju heir had a new resolution.
146…
Kakashi looked at his old friend. Pakkun stared back.
"She agreed to let Naruto leave with Jiraiya-sama in a couple of months…"
The pug snorted. "Without her pup around, she should be easier to approach" Dog's logic was simple. Yes, a female whose pup has grown was a lot easier to approach – but Sesshiou wasn't a simple female, she was on another whole level and the challenge to simply reach her was blood warming at any case.
"Won't work… I don't think she works like that… I'm not sure how to fit in her life besides being her ward's teacher and squadron leader. Should I present a weaker front and allow her to feel protective or should I display my manliness and induce the feelings of security?" He lamented quietly to his dog.
Huffing, Pakkun replied with certainty. "Just be yourself"
That was all there is to it in the end, being yourself, Kakashi mused, was harder to do than talk – he wasn't sure who he was anymore anyway… He wasn't sure how to act like Kakashi since he got used to his Obito mask. What would Obito do? He didn't remember that idiot ever confessing even at death's door. Rin confessed a couple of times but was wholly ignored and left in her wistful desires. He wasn't present when Minato-sensei finally confessed – or was Kushina who proclaimed her love first? Did it have to start with a love confession? Kakashi didn't feel like he loved that Lady – it was an attraction that was steadily growing in proportion as he got to know her.
So perhaps it would develop into love one day…
What should he do?
147…
"What is this…?" Sesshiou was holding a piece of paper attached to a flower. Narrowing her eyes, she read what was written resisting the urge to melt it all with her poison. "A dinner?"
Catching that, Naruto who was dutifully practicing calligraphy on the porch that led to the garden sprung to his feet.
"What?!" Sparing her ward a warning glance, the lady pinched the flower between two claws' tips, a single pink rose. The color pure and solid, leaves green and healthy – such a beautiful flower – who ever could have sent it but her own personal stalker? "It's from Kakashi-sensei right, don't listen to him!"
"This one has no intention of ever listening to him" Her voice was direct and dull, bored to the point of tears. She was unimpressed, Naruto sighed in relief. "Though this Sesshiou finds this invitation curious, Hatake Kakashi's continuously tries to stand in this one's company and has indulged in human courting traditions" Flowers, a date (to hunt and kill things, it was a nice week since she got to exercise Tokijin) and now another date. She wasn't as obtuse as Inuyasha liked to think she was in these matters; she had Kagome as a sister after all.
Paling rapidly to the point of feeling faint, Naruto could only gape in righteous indignation.
148…
As a belated reaction to Naruto' scandalous revelation that yes, his dearest guardian was indeed way older than Tsunade, and yes, it had to do with her demonic heritage, and no, she wasn't actually from their world since she's older than dirt and never met Hagoromo, thank you very much.
As it goes, a thousand years was one heck of an age difference and intimidating on a whole new level. Kakashi was having a small, barely perceptible, breaking down.
"Gai, what would you do if the woman you're trying to impress is actually a thousand years old demon from another world? …metaphorically speaking…"
Gai, who was caught off guard by his eternal rival on a bad day sat there, utterly baffled and feeling happy at the same time that Kakashi recognized the valor of their rivalry and that it has grown into a transcendental friendship.
"Is this a tricky question?" He questioned the question because it was so out of his depth… he still wavered about Lee's blooming love life, how to deal with Kakashi's?
"No… it's a very direct one" Kakashi drawled. Then Gai's face fell… this had to be another one of Kakashi's weird competition and he apparently won if the expression on his face was any indication. He had to try and answer, anyway.
"If the lady in question is from another world, I'd try to show her the beauty of this one!"
149…
Asuma stared, still trying to figure out what Kakashi meant by that question. Maybe it was something he's read in that book series of his? If it was, Asuma wanted nothing to do with it, his awkward start with Kurenai stood on shaky grouds – they only recently started to meet in a few dates between missions and training – and she'd be angered if she ever found out he ever touched IchaIcha books.
With half lidded eyes, the smoking jounnin leaned back against his seat with a thoughtful frown. "Well, I'd invite her to do something thrilling, I think"
Losing his marbles, that's what happening to Kakashi, it has to be.
150…
On the other side of the village, the very contrary was happening.
"What would you do if your teacher fell in love with your mom?" Naruto asked a consequently freaking out Kiba. Even Akamaru yipped pitifully at the mental image if Kurenai-sensei courting Inuzuka Tsume… it was terrifying and completely insane to even think about it. Shino, who was the more level headed of their team – Hinata found herself indescribably red and her stutter reached a new level – decided to take upon himself the labors of an answer.
"In the case of Kurenai-sensei falling in love with my mother, I'd try to talk with her to ascertain the motives behind the relationship, or perhaps I'd try and reach Kurenai-sensei herself and reassure myself that her intentions to my mother are not fowl and that she means well to me and my family by pursuing a relationship with her" The blond haired, blue eyed gennin nodded, face a sheet of concentration as words left Shino's mouth.
Kiba, who was calmer by now shook his head making his hair even shaggier. "I don't think I ever want to find out how Kurenai-sensei would react to my mom…"
151…
"What the hell?!" The ever passive Shikamaru startled at Naruto's question. Even Choji chocked on his food. The only one who seemed remotely calm at all was Ino, who was eyeing the other blond with such speculation in her eyes that was frightening.
Repeating the question, Naruto started back at the funky trio.
"I don't ever want to think about Asuma-sensei going after my mom!" Shikamaru claimed in a show of unnatural energy. "Tsc… Only you Naruto"
Choji managed to swallow. "Mum wouldn't go for Asuma-sensei like that, but if she ever did, I would respect her decision though I'd be sad for dad…"
"Kakashi-sensei is going after your mom?" Ino finally opened her mouth and asked, sky blue eyes gleaming in glee. Naruto winced.
152…
He didn't know what would come out of a dinner invitation. He wasn't even sure she'd accept it! But at any case, he made reservations at a nice high classed restaurant, sent the letter and sat back hoping for an affirmative answer.
When the note came back with the positive result he hoped for, another kind of apprehension gripped his gut.
Spending the day auspiciously questioning his friends with what could only be a totally fake question, because come on, where would he find a thousand years old demon lady from another world to go out with? He had a battle plan ready… he decided to act like himself, be purely himself, and if she liked him for it even a little he'd continue to impress her how good a male he could be.
The dinner was a mediocre success… Not a total failure, but none of the dating advice he's read in the magazines 'forgotten' by the training field by his cute little gennin seemed to work. She didn't hold hands, she didn't care for his new cologne, she didn't care when he acted gentlemanly and she didn't even react to the pretty bouquet in her house colors beyond a suspicious look.
She seemed to like the food well enough as she sat on the same booth with him, posture straight and oozing power and beauty. All men had eyes on her and jealous filled glares in his direction. More than one acquaintance shot incredulous glances their way.
Maybe it was a success after all.
153…
"My son seems to be under the impression we'd start to court" Tsume laughed boisterously. Kurenai blushed, but smiled at the silly idea. "Don't take this the wrong way Yuuhi, but I don't go that way" Winked shamelessly the head of the Inuzuka clan.
Giggling awkwardly, Kurenai replied. "What gave him that idea?" to which both women sat back and thought.
154…
He should have guessed that accepting help from Ino would have caused Sakura great deals of angst, and he did feel guilty… remotely… but in the end things solved themselves nicely when both girls came to the conclusion that Naruto' situation was way worse than their rivalry, and the single chance to meddle in Sesshiou-sama's love life was too good to be true.
Thus Naruto suddenly became popular, even Jiraiya was seen cracking haren jokes here and there. If he ever used Gohana-san (that rolling-pin lady) as a mean of revenge on the sannin, no one could pin the blame on him – Gohana-san made really good Oden, that although wasn't as good as Ramen, reached a close second – and they incredibly became friends when the matronly lady found that Naruto quite enjoyed her vicious displays of violence and the deliverance she gave prowling perverts.
Her stall was moved close to the hot-springs after that. Though that wasn't the case this moment.
"Naruto… are you in favor or against Kakashi-sensei's relationship with Sesshiou-sama?" Sakura asked after dragging both blondes – male and female – to her pink, pink room.
Ino added helpfully. "Because we need to know that in order to proceed, and Sakura told me how you were all for them before – what changed?"
Sighing, Naruto contemplated revealing a very, very embarrassing aspect of having such a sharp nose, no doubt Kiba would receive his fare of riddance after this, but it should help quell curious girls.
155…
"The office is officially Tsunade-sama's" Shizune explained with a quiver of pride in her voice. The assembly of ninja forming a council all looked with mixed reactions that ranged from blank stoic faces betraying nothing, to quiet shock and blatant bafflement.
Sarutobi, who was glad to finally pass down the hokage tittle – again – proudly gifted his old students the stuffy old hat – with some smidge of luck, Tsunade wouldn't be killed within a year of taking the position, though considering the fact that she forgone the first's cursed necklace to the one with the largest, thickest lucky streak in all shinobi nations, she was quite safe from a relative early grave.
Danzo stood beside him, not quite believing that Sarutobi lasted three whole generations as honkage being the softy he is.
156…
Sesshiou didn't pay much attention to human politics, really, though she was absurdly aware that the old man wasn't hokage anymore that day forward.
Simply because that day forward, said old man took the annoying habit of coming over for tea and polite conversation that mixed company shouldn't be within hearing distance – when you put together a war veteran seen as gid of shinobi and a master swordswoman with more experience than Iron Contry itself, their talks tended to lean on the bloody, nightmarish side of the spectrum.
"There is something this one hasn't been able to digest yet" Sesshiou took a sip out of her porcelain cup of tea. Movement almost rehearsed to be as beautifully poetic as the act of sipping tea allowed. Inclining his head, Hiruzen motioned how he wouldn't mind answering. "Who is Orochimaru? This Sesshiou has heard the name before"
The enormous and completely unnecessary protection whipped up in her favor against that man should mean something – no one ever told her clearly just who Orochimaru is and she didn't have interest enough to ask – until now that is…
When she thought about it, there is only one person who'd have put a bounty on her head, and that had to be the person whose plans of invasion she thwarted.
Sighing despondently, the ex-hokage started. "He was my student once, a very promising shinobi and one of the named sannin, Tsunade and Jiraiya's teammate… Fourteen years ago, his name was listed in the succession line for the hokage tittle, though he was neglected in favor of Naruto's father, Minato Namikaze and for that he became very bitter and uncontrollable, kidnapping children and civilians and conduction immoral experiments on them… When he was found out, he ran from the village and I let him, it is one of my biggest shames today…"
Not really knowing how to answer, Sesshiou took another sip of her tea in a thoughtful mood.
157…
"This one is going to hunt down the one called Orochimaru" Sesshiou announced without fear or hesitation to the wholesome of the hokage office – walls still under construction. Tsunade coughed, eyes wide as were the eyes of every one in there.
"You… you are going after Orochimaru… alone?" The blonde asked when a monstrous silence covered her new office.
"Are you doubting this Sesshiou' skills?" Eyes narrowed dangerously, the killing intent mingled with yoki almost had the new paint peeling.
Breathing heavily through her nose, Tsunade crossed her fingers under her chin in an amusingly similar manner to her teacher. "Not at all, I don't doubt your power, though I don't think tasking a civilian with an impossible mission is fair, nor would I like knowingly sending you to danger"
Calming down once realizing that the blonde wasn't really insulting her honor, Sesshiou understood the other lady's reasons. It would go against her honor as a leader to send someone thought of as a civilian into something that could only lead to certain death. Being highly magnanimous and understanding in a way that would have had Jaken weeping, Sesshiou nodded. "This one will allow for companions, as long as Hatake Kakashi is one of them" Plus, it would help politically if the village fell under the impression they had a hand bringing down such a felon traitor. And Kakashi was someone she could tolerate on a daily basis as proven by previous experience.
She did it once when she allowed herself to be allied to Inuyasha's ragtag pack to bring down Naraku – why couldn't she extend the courtesy to these deadly trained assassins?
158…
"Um… can I talk to you for a moment?" Naruto cornered her the moment she stepped through the barriers. Eyeing the child, Sesshiou relaxed in a sitting position all but inviting the blonde to come cuddle on her lap. Doing just that, the silver haired great demon got a lapful of sunshine adorableness and a question. "Do you like Kakashi-sensei?"
Thinking his question quite odd, the Lady actually took a moment to ponder over it.
"This one… does not dislike him" And that was a huge thing as far as she was concerned, new acquaintances usually fell under 'disgusting weaklings' or 'not worth my time' category, people she respected but wouldn't hesitate impaling on her sword came next, right after the 'does not dislike' 'wouldn't mind reviving' 'like a little' 'Inuyasha and Kagome' 'Father/Mother' and the last one that belonged to Rin and Naruto... Naruto was a particular being out of two who fell under 'maternal love and utmost devotion' and that was it.
Wraping an arm around her neck and nuzzling her white fluffy boa, the blond sighed. "But do you like, like him?" What was it and all these like questions?
Then it was as if a light lit in her mind that had the proud demon lady resist the urge to chuckle in fond amusement. Children and their mad theories, well, Kakashi was being so blatantly obvious in his wooing attempts that even someone as obtuse as Naruto caught up to it.
Was he trying to protect her? Her little ward that she let cuddle up to her side trembling after a nightmare, that she had to practically tie him up so he'd take a bath, that she patiently taught everything she knew about being a feudal lord/lady, was trying to protect her against that silver haired irksome man?
"This Sesshiou does not object to his attempts at courting" Naruto whimpered pathetically like a kicked puppy.
159…
"Oi, Inuzuka" Ino called. Kiba halted on the path to his compound, Akamaru balanced on top of his hood and cheerfully barking.
Stuffing his hands inside his pockets, the Inuzuka boy eyed the blonde with distrust… Ino never, ever would have spoken to him without an ulterior motive. "Hey Ino, what do you want?" She better be quick, his sister was waiting for him so they could train their clan dogs together after an afternoon filled with training and D-ranks since only Shino got promoted.
Cheeks red, Ino stuttered a few intelligible words – a scorching fear ran down his spine, for a moment he thought she would confess to him and he was so freaked out he almost missed her actual words. "It's just… I heard that you can... smell… girls when they are… you know"
Horrified understanding filled him. This time his cheeks were flushed and he so wished she had come with a confession instead of this particular question! Mostly because his hide still felt rather fresh after he asked Hana why she smelt like blood and the throughout beating he received afterwards, with the solemn promise he'd never in his life talk about this down side to a dog's powerful nose.
"Who told you that?!" Voice higher and softer than a squeak was all answer Ino needed. Vengeance glinting in her eyes, Kiba didn't really deserve the punch that knocked him to the ground.
160…
"Naruto… what do you think you're doing?" Jiraiya asked as he came around the training ground closest to Sesshiou's mansion in hopes of finding his godson around. And he was found alright – practicing sword stances with that strange personalized sword of his and emitting quite a large amount of chakra. Behind the sword holding Naruto, a battalion of ten more were found forming rasengans.
"Ehe… mom said she would be busy today making preparations for who knows what, so she told me to work on my new jutsus and how to… incorporate them in my style" As if in answer, tennoarashi let out a burst of wind nature chakra.
Gaping, Jiraiya asked. "Your chakra nature is wind, right? And…" his eyes roved over the Narutos spinning rasengas in their hands as if they were baseballs. Swallowing at the absurdity that Naruto could be so competent given his situation – he expected a loudmouth, hardworking but a knucklehead – not a loudmouth, hardworking dedicated knucklehead. "You're improving your mastery over the rasengan…"
"Mom told me to… since my sword converts chakra, I'm trying to form rasengans out of the blade instead of my hands, but it takes a lot of concentration and tennoarashi doesn't feel like helping until I manage to do it myself first…"
And for perhaps the first time, Jiraiya truly understood everything that woman, Daiyokai Sesshiou meant for Naruto… she taught him discipline and made him strong, smart and at the same time teaching him how to work hard to attain that strenght – Minato would have felt so proud of his boy… maybe, maybe if Minato have had the chance to raise his son, Naruto would be just like this.
161…
"…Its… true" Ino let out a pitiful, embarrassed sound as she crashed upon Sakura's bed. "I asked Kiba – Oh Forehead, I've never been so embarrassed in my life!" That's what she got for losing their jokenpo game to see who'd go ask Kiba.
"Then all this time Naruto has been able to tell when I…" A harsh, angry red took over her pale face so much that her minty green eyes stood out like blatant lakes in a desert. "Hell! Even Kakashi-sensei must have been able to…!" Choking down on her growing fury, Sakura exchanged glances with Ino.
Understanding crossed between them as their eyes met. "Should… should we let Hinata know?"
"It's fair that she knows!"
They forgot what started that crusade in the first place, and the male scent trackers part of the village were in for a very nasty revolution in the near future.
162…
Sasuke was feeling kind of neglected lately. Apart from the missions his team took in the mornings – all D-ranks with the occasional C-rank tossed in there somewhere – because Sakura hasn't been able to gain a rank in the end even if she gave her hardest, he found his feet taking him to the Lady's house most of the time he had free because Kakashi-sensei was being a recluse and Naruto took to training with that weird pervert from the other day.
Sakura was spending an awful lot amount of time with the other girls again – he hoped she wasn't neglecting her own training in favor of gossiping all day as she did in the academy.
So he was alone anyway.
Knocking on the gate and opening the double doors as soon as he felt the wards shiver around him in acknowledgement and acceptance was by now routine. He had the wooden practice sword Sesshiou gave him the first time she took him under her wings and the weight was now a part of him, the sword an extension of his arm whenever he practiced with it.
"Today this one cannot mentor you" The Lady herself spoke stoically, bent over a large map of the elemental continent and marking suspiciously on it using pins. "You are welcome to use the dojos, however do not interrupt this Sesshiou" Nodding in understanding, Sasuke led himself to the vast dojo, never failing to feel calm when he entered the large room.
There, he settled into a starting position and smoothly and with practiced easy, slid into motion using his wooden sword, anxiously waiting for the time he'd be granted his own named blade.
163…
"Hinata-chan and Ino are meeting a lot, along with Sakura aren't they?" Kurenai asked curiously. She and Asuma were sitting together in the convenient jounnin-only bar that stood close to the mission tower. There, a lot of the various and notorious faces of konoha's forces found a place to unwind and relax drinking copious amount of alcohol and gossiping like school girls.
Asuma nodded, noticing how edgy Ino's been these days. "Yeah… And lately the kids have been asking a lot of troublesome questions too" Kurenai's eyebrow shot up in surprise.
"You too? Inuzuka Tsume came to tell me that she wasn't interested in me the other day" The genjutsu mistress confessed with a blush dusting her cheeks. The monkey' son had to resist the urge to laugh, though the snort that inordinately left his nose clued his companion to the hidden wishes in his heart. "It's not funny! What kind of gossip is going around?"
Just as Kakashi poked his head inside the bar and caught Asuma's eyes, the rebel Sarutobi sighed with humor on his face. "I think I know just whom we should question"
164…
"Wait… you're going traveling again?" Naruto asked his guardian with a huge pout on his lips. "You just got back!" Then he brightened "Wait, maybe I can come with you this time, I'm a chunnin now, believe it!" Shaking her head, Sesshiou dislodged the extra limb that decided to attach itself to her hips.
"No. You shall remain in the village until it is time you leave with the sage" Making a face, Naruto looked up at her with bright, tearful blue eyes. "Do not test this Sesshiou's patience." Her voice didn't rise in anger, though it gained a warning edge that had Naruto nodding, well aware that he'd be punished accordingly should he push her further. She wasn't unfair when she punished him, but he'd rather not incur her wrath unnecessarily even if he was safest with her even then.
"Alright… fine… just… when do you have to go?" Eyes softening, Sesshiou curled a hand on soft blond tresses.
"Soon… this one is going to avenge our house's honor by vanquishing the one who dared to mar it" The dark promise flowed delicately, even voiced and patiently. "That is a promise"
She would hunt the one who put hunters after her.
165…
Kakashi stared hard at the ones the Hokage picked to go along with Sesshiou's crusade of revenge. Against Orochimaru.
Of course initially she wanted to go by herself and it wasn't as if she couldn't pack the promised punch, but having someone else there to guard her back would make things go tremendously smoother.
So there stood in a pose and having a grand time out of intimidating the greenhorns was Inuzuka Tsume in all her ravage glory. Kakashi remembered how the mere mention of that woman's mother was enough to put the fear of Kaguya in his father's heart – and his father was the White Fang himself – then there was Tsume. A whole class on her own…
Next to her was a Hyuuga that the silver haired jounnin was vaguely aware of – The blatant use of konoha's headband on the guy's forehead told he was from the branch house, though his rigid posture and the almost reverent way he's been sneaking peeks at Kakashi might have clued him the Hyuuga has been in ANBU for a while.
An Aburame with ridiculously long hair was posed by the far wall in the typical antisocial way one has come to expect from the loners insect whisperers, he had a pair of swimming goggles covering his eyes and the high collared uniform that didn't leave an inch of skin bellow the nose to be seen.
Then, unknown to everyone but Kakashi, Danzo and obviously the root operative himself was a man he was familiar of with during his binge in the underground operations when he's been rather self-destructive and craving enemy blood after the Kyuubi was set free.
An Aburame, an Inuzuka, a Hyuuga, a Kakashi, an unknown root operative planted by Danzo and Sesshiou out on a blood hunt for Konoha's public enemy number one. The over powered tracking and infiltration party was to be led by the Lady and they were going as support only. It was bound to be interesting.
166…
Kabuto resisted the urge to curse. He was beyond that.
But the situation was really asking for it… This was… hard. Danzo has taken him out of the frying pan and tossed him right into the fire for lack of better description, leaving the poor medic-turned-spy loose to the figurative sharks to feed on.
After the disaster a month ago when Orochimaru's plans failed due to konoha somehow managing to unravel their plot and alerting suna to the ruse, effectively cutting in a half the intended invasion force and making the snake sannin give up his plans before everything went down the drain – Kabuto was left behind as the dorky gennin who failed the chunnin exams eight times due to his fragile nerves – at least he was able to update his nin-cards slash spy info on promising youths they'd have to keep an eye on.
Well, being in the medic corps had him privy to so much juicy information – being Danzo's lap dog while Orochimaru wasn't there, while unpleasant also gave him ample opportunities to snoop around unnoticed.
Like he did now – That Daiyokai Sesshiou woman who Orochimaru apparently had a dislike for decided to set out on a blood hunt after said sannin, and by what he read in the mission report the hokage, Tsunade happily put together, she was accompanied by a few jounnin and covert ANBUs (And a root one too) and wasn't to return to the village without an Orochimaru head on a spike. Literally.
Playing triple, triple agent was starting to become overly stressing… maybe he should change sides – again – and send a report back to Sasori. Three powerful figures leaning on him for information… Nah… a dark grin stretched his lips – out of all of them, only Orochimaru understood him best.
167…
This was a good opportunity. If they timed their attack just right, they'd be able to hit Orochimaru where it would hurt most. Right now, the snake sannin was safely absconded in his Village, entertaining himself with being kage and playing life like one would play an instrument by continuing those horrible experiments of his.
Leafing through the Bingo book and staring deeply at the picture of the person who started it all, the masked figure chuckled. The woman wore beauty and power effortlessly even in a static image. Fair face framed by shiny silvery hair and eyes brighter than the sun, purple/magenta stripes rose from the base of her throat to an inch before her nose as if they crisscrossed on her back and simply decided to meet there.
There was a hefty bounty on her head – not as noteworthy as a few others that could be found around, but her status read as civilian and that made her an easy, easy target.
Apparently, she was everything but…
What with that very civilian woman now heading a hunting party going after the snake sannin himself!
If they timed their attack just right, he might be able to have Orochimaru's ring back.
168…
There was something wrong with half these humans, Sesshiou decided after spending a couple of moments in their presence.
From one she heard multiple buzzing sounds coming from right under his skin… another one was an Alpha female that she foresaw a world of trouble in the near future. The one who had potential to be a normal human had faint familiar traces in his scent that she only ever smelled in Sasuke before… maybe they shared a demon ancestor someplace in their lineage? The last one was actually the most nerve wrecking… He felt like a whisper of air against her senses, hard to keep track of and slippery if she wasn't concentrating.
"Why don't I introduce you to your team?" The busty blonde hokage waved a hand at the parade of humans looking overtly curiously at her. Some more blatant than others. "This is Inuzuka Tsume, Hyuuga Kouchou, Aburame Muta and… Shinjou Ren… they were chosen for being formidable trackers and ninja, along with the one you personally requested, Hatake Kakashi... This is being considered an S-class mission that you, Daiyokai Sesshiou agreed to fund – marked as Escort and Assassination. The target is Orochimaru previously from konoha… All in agreement with the mission's parameter?"
Of course they were. The low class had the nerve to put a blight in her house's name by placing a bounty on her head like she was a common criminal… There would be hell to pay.
169…
"What are supposed to do while you and mom are away?" Naruto whined childishly, well aware of the looks he was receiving from his two sadly brainwashed teammates. Sakura and Sasuke respected Sesshiou too much to question her, ever.
Blinking, Kakashi simply said. "Seeing as you and Sasuke both are now Chunnin, you're qualified to lead your own squads… so occupy yourself with missions and training, we will be back before you know it"
Not really taken aback because she didn't make it chunnin, Sakura shuffled her feet before announcing. "I got Tsunade-sama to coach me!" She cheerfully smiled at the surprised faces her team made. "While learning from Kurenai-sensei, she said something about learning medical jutsu as well taking in consideration my chakra control – so I decided to explore the field a little and found I really like it, yesterday I spoke to Shizune-san and Tsunade-sama and they agreed to teach me" explained the pink haired girl.
Feeling pride swell in his chest for his little gennin now all grown up and responsible, Kakashi relentlessly ruffled her long, pink hair.
Now that she could wipe the floor with most gennin her age group thanks to the vigorous physical and sword training she received from Sesshiou these past few weeks, her gleaming, streaking pink hair became an amusing trademark.
"Alright, see? You're all on your way to becoming your own ninja, make me proud of you" Naruto beamed with the intensity of a thousand suns, Sasuke looked less vengeanceful for a moment and Sakura grinned a grin worthy of toothpaste commercial.
170…
"This Sesshiou expects you to be able to raise your own barrier by the time of this one's returning" Sesshiou spoke lowly, pointedly handing her ward a thick scroll about boundaries runes and droll youkai lore that was guaranteed to have Naruto bored to tears within the first few lines of kanji – yes, it was written all in kanji, so she'd left a dictionary sitting on top of her desk predicting with sadistic satisfaction the blond's certain need of one. "Do not fall behind in your other studies as well."
"Right… I know..." Grumbled the blond, wrapping his arms shamelessly around his guardian's waist. "I'm gonna miss you mom"
As it always happened when he slipped and called her openly 'mom', Sesshiou felt that torn feeling in her chest that dared to cross the line between duty to her young ward and the conflicting fact that by affectionately loving a human, she'd lose him one day… Arms tightening against the warm little body cushioned by hers, the Lady allowed herself a moment of reprieve from her own mother's teachings and her father's betrayal. Humans weren't weak, they might be even stronger than demons in some areas.
171…
"This is… for me?" Sasuke asked wide eyed as he stared at the wrapped sword shaped bundle in front of him.
Looking at him behind narrowed eyes was his benefactor, blank faced stoicism woven around her very being made it hard to figure out what she was thinking… though Sasuke felt that fuzzy little warm spot in his stomach when he thought that she might care for him as him, just a bit.
"This Sesshiou deems you ready to wield a real blade. Master it and show pride in this one's teachings"
Grabbing the bundle, Sasuke curved his neck in a bow. A brilliant sense of accomplishment making his heart pound harder.
172…
The six figures stood in front of the gate were so different from one another that the gate keeper had to pick his mouth from the ground before the Inuzuka woman could toss another jibe at him. To his surprise, amongst those six was that noblewoman everyone heard about, the one with enough guts (and money) to have a castle – a good to god real castle – built in konoha's land.
Amusing fact that shook the noble's cast to its core and opened a vast opportunity for business – konoha's mission office never been so overflowing with requests from the court, after all, if one of that Lady's lineage deemed konoha enough to have residence there, they could also extend a hand to grab a piece of good cheese.
173…
Sakura dressed accordingly. After spending so much time being throw to the ground, trussed up, dirtied, having her clothes rip and torn and many, many calluses – some of those still healing – she learned the advantages of smart ninja clothing and light armor. She'd never be one built for speed, her body wasn't the lean type naturally which led to many failed attempts at dieting throughout her life. She had a stocky build, perfect for strength and dexterity if what Sesshiou had her do was any indication.
Weight being introduced into her training routine, bounds of laps to raise endurance and a murderous amount of meditation to keep her chakra balanced and her control top-notch… Plus the sword arts and the weird hand-to-hand combat style she was being taught by her silver haired (the female one) teacher.
And now she was going to present herself to Tsunade-sama as her hopefully new student and would do her damn best to fulfill the blond hokage's expectations – Sakura had no plans of letting down sword practice, though it wasn't really compatible with medical jutsu, there was something strangely seductive at being able to hoist a blade skillfully. Maybe all those samurai and pirates romances she's read have finally taken their tolls.
174…
Jiraiya looked down at his godson… and his godson's friend.
"Ne, pervy sage, Sasuke will be joining us from now on!" Naruto declared boisterously. Sasuke shot the blond a mutinous look but didn't look as if he'd protest any time soon. The young raven haired boy stood straight and proud, with hair a little longer than Jiraiya last remembered seeing and a sword strapped to his hips – a real sword, scabbard and all. "We are working on the same thing so you only got to keep an eye on us!"
Intrigued, the veteran sannin silently wondered on what they were going to work on when both chunnin released their swords. Naruto's blade glinting under the sunlight, singing its power in a metallic hum as it was set free. Sasuke's wasn't as impressive, but it was clearly made out of chakra metal and high quality enough to make a daimyo jealous.
Soon, both swords were lighting up with chakra, bursts of it clouding away from the blades – Jiraiya understood then when he felt the boy's natures enter the picture. The blonde's wind element piercing Tennoarashi sharply – the blade didn't protest – and then accumulating over the tip beginning a sloppy spin.
"Naruto… you…" Gaping, Jiraiya could only watch as the first forming of a rasengan settled on the blade. Sasuke, not to be left behind, closed his eyes in concentration. When he opened then agaim, the sharingan was there glaring at the world.
Then Sasuke's blade was sparking in electricity. The sound of chirping birds filled the clearing and Jiraiya had to face palm this time when Kakashi's brat modified said copy nin's only original jutsu and made it his own. "Chidori!" Sasuke cried when all the sword's length was covered by lightening.
175…
With a brat under each arm, a white haired sannin could be seen making his way back to the village's center, suspiciously following the direction where the hospital was located. Both boys were smoking and had locks of hair singed to the point of no salvation… well, it was high time Naruto got a haircut anyway – his yellow hair was as long as his shoulder and if left to grow longer he'd start to resemble his mother… only blond.
176…
"Oi! Fuzzy-butt! I'm back!" To the fox's eternal grief, his jailor took it upon himself to punish the fox in the most painful way possible… by being a cheerful ball of sunshine and happiness and by the bestowing of the Sage forsaken nickname.
Fuzzy-butt didn't look amused, only growled from deep within his throat and lashed out with his curling tails in the hope of eternally squishing the annoyance known as Uzumaki Naruto. "You test my patience! Come closer if you dare!"The enraged Fuzzy-butt clawed at the gates of his prison.
"No way! Come on Fuzzy-butt! Tell me more about yourself!"
177…
Drinking his tea, as the ex-hokage didn't let up his very comfortable routine of coming by Sesshiou's house daily for said cup of tea even if the house's owner was away, Sarutobi Hiruzen regarded Naruto with shining amusement written on his weathered face.
"And then he said that he'd tell me his name if I stopped calling himFuzzy-butt" Naruto finished the valiant tale of how he managed to not only enrage a couple of centuries out of the monster fox, but also wrangled the Kyuubi's name while at it.
"What, pray tell, is the Kyuubi's name?" The old man asked all interest.
The blonde grinned, rubbing the back of his now short haired back and missing his longer tresses before they got singed… "Kurama, his name is Kurama"
Setting his now empty cup of tea down, the ex-hokage couldn't help but settle his mind into militaristic mode. "Naruto… this is going to be a secret S-rank mission only you can complete" This captured the jinchuriki's eager attention. "Talk to the fox… Kurama… find out all you can about him"
178…
Jiraiya leant against the counter, forehead touching the cool worn wood. On the other side of the counter staring at him skeptically was Gonaha-san with her trusty rolling pin in hand as she prepared noodles for her famous Oden – that according to Naruto was the second best thing next to ramen.
Taking pity on the downed man, Gohana-san sighed and batted his head with her improvised weapon, dusting pale strands of hair with some flour for good measure. "What have ya pantsies in a bunch?"
Seeing as the Oden stand now was located precariously close to the women's bath house, Jiraiya didn't have a choice in the matter and simply crashed right then and there as one of his last pleasures inside Konoha was taken from him.
"I'm bored!" He wailed like a middle-aged man in a crisis.
179…
Eight dogs' head were congressed close as the dogs gossiped like old ladies about their human's love life, or lack thereof…
A huge dark bulldog snorted. Beside him, a smaller white pug nodded sagely. "Right… We will keep an eye on things Bull, no worries"
Urushi, Shiba, Uhei, Guruko and Bisuke all nodded winsomely, a sense of undisguised interest around all of them. As the only one who has had contact with Kakashi outside the jounnin's home, Pakkun was delegated the task of shameless spying.
"Make sure you do, eh?" Akino, as the only other dog who had human speech swished his tail close to Pakkun.
180…
On the road… again… this time the blood pumped through her veins with a burning purpose. Ignoring the ones she was for now following – they were deemed the best trackers amongst the super humans known as shinobi from konoha – and they would be able to guide her half way to sound country, where there was a chance Orochimaru was located – if not, well, they'd have to deal with a rampaging dog demon, wouldn't they?
Kakashi however had a worry… Sesshiou was strong, strong enough to take on Tsunade and knock her out… but she still was a demon…
What if she was hopelessly sealed away?
TBC~
Just a note… I forgot to say this at first, ahha.. but whatever I don't add, went just as cannon aside from changes already alluded, like how quickly team seven went through the tower so Sakura didn't have to cut her hair, or how because Orochi didn't fight the third, he didn't lose his arms, thus didn't go after Tsunade – Kakashi and Sesshiou did though, and dragged her back with fear of blood phobia intact. No invasion, Gaara went ballistic anyway and was carted off by the proper authorities not Naruto, so he's still psychotic but Jiraiya fixed his seal… Itachi didn't come to Konoha so Akatsuki sent another one to keep an eye on Naruto, thus Akatsuki 'learning' about the sneak attack on Orochimaru. Naruto a lot more needy because of a nurturer influence and etc…