The Healing Sekirei

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto or Sekirei and make no money off this fanfic!

Chapter 4

Evening in Shinto Taito

Naruto snuggled close to his Sekirei as he felt her warm body cling to his own. Today had been the easy part of having Konoha around. They both knew that the next day would be far more difficult and not to expect things to go so smoothly, especially when they heard he had no intention of returning to the elemental nations.

"Hana's offer was rather shocking. I'm surprised you wanted me to accept," he said as they cuddled.

Uzume shrugged, "The idea of you having a second woman isn't that odd to me. I'm a Sekirei remember? I always knew there was a chance you'd wing another Sekirei so the idea you'd have a second wife really isn't surprising. I admit, I wasn't thrilled that they initially offered it but the more I thought about it the more it made sense."

Naruto raised an eyebrow and waited for the love of his life to continue. Uzume shifted slightly so she could look him in the eye while at the same time pressing her ample bust into his chest causing a slight blush to reach his cheeks, he really liked her breasts and Uzume knew it.

"First, Konoha is more likely to let you go if they think they have an in through Hana. It'd be easier to convince Hana to stay here once she gets comfortable than dodge whatever assassins or kidnappers your old home might send for you or our children. Second, I like Hana. She's really kind and the vibe I get from her kind of reminds me of Kazehana only, well, less drunk. She obviously doesn't have anyone back in the village she's interested in and she's open to being with both of us but it was her eyes that really got me. They were so warm and the way she held Sora, it was so tender. I dunno, I just liked her.

Naruto nodded, quietly kissing her head and pulling her closer, "If you're ok with it I'll go through with it but you're all I need Uzume. Now and forever."

Uzume blushed at his words and sigh happily against her Ashikabi as she drifted off to sleep.

The next morning

"Now, I know this will be tougher, but, Naruto, Konoha would truly like you to return to the elemental nations and reestablish your clans within the safety of our village."

Now the hard part had arrived. Tsunade had arrived at the same time as the day prior with Sakura, Hinata, Lee, and Konohamaru. Shizune had taken Hana to explore the city since there was a good chance she may end up living there. The others were left with the task of convincing the blonde to return to a village that had hated him most of his life, seen him crippled by the actions of her shinobi, and who had been betrayed by former friends and comrades.

"I know everyone here will likely have something to say on the matter but I will start. I want to begin by saying that as the representative for Konoha and the council we offer our apologizes that this event occurred. We know that you have little reason to return given the current situation but we hope you will consider what we have to offer, the past alliance we have with your ancestors and parents, and our hope that you won't forget all that Konoha has given you.

"As the representative for Konoha and the council we first and foremost understand that as a civilian you have the right to come and go as you please. Also, due to the attack by shinobi of the village, under the agreements between Konoha and her great clans you have the right leave the village and reestablish your clans elsewhere. However, we hope you will understand that the attack was not ordered by the Hokage nor any official of Konoha and thus we would like to do our best to move past it and do everything we can to work with the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans to bring them back to greatness.

Naruto nodded, understanding much of this thanks to their conversation the night before. He knew that because of Neji's jonin rank his attack freed Naruto from any binding agreements with the village. Neji was technically a high ranking commander in the village and his attack was essentially an attack ordered by Konoha itself.

This meant he could go anywhere he wanted and with his War Hero status and good relations with every other village in the elemental nations that was a real concern. Normally a clan wouldn't have that option, too much bad blood with other villages and clans, but for Naruto none of that was a concern. So rather than try and brow beat him back into the village on extremely shaky legal grounds, only to have the other villages potentially get involved, the council had decided to go with the carrot approach and offer him a lot to return. They could always use the stick later if it didn't work.

"As such we would like to offer land to build a joint compound to connect both the Uzumaki and Namikaze clans. The council has reviewed several locations we believe to be acceptable and I have them marked on the map. We would offer ANBU protection for yourself and family until you feel comfortable that you can provide adequate protection for yourselves. Also we would offer your female companion full citizenship.

"The council and Konoha would also like to remind you that Konoha is your home. Your father was the Fourth Hokage and your mother was a close friend and family of the Senju. The blood of Konoha literally runs in your veins. You were raised there, grew up there, trained there, and fought and bled for Konoha. We don't simply want to let you go without doing everything possible to ensure your return. Please keep these things in mind," Tsunade said as she finished her initial piece.

The plan had been simple for the Konoha shinobi. Let the Hokage start off in the official capacity and show they were willing to give him a lot to return then let his friends jump in. In truth the amount Konoha would make in taxes from the combined fortune Naruto would bring easily dwarfed the cost of construction and pay for the ANBU protection.

And jump in Lee did, "Naruto my friend and rival! I am so glad to see you alive and your Spring Time of Youth has only grown through your adversity! I know things look dark now but we could easily give you medical attention you will not receive here! I don't want to see you using that chair for the rest of your life my friend! Look at me, Lady Tsunade was able to heal my body when everyone said it was impossible! I am sure she could do the same for you back home!"

Naruto smiled at the green clad young man, one of the few he had offered upon seeing Hinata and Sakura enter the room, "Lee, I know that going back could speed up my recovery but don't misunderstand. My own Uzumaki bloodline combined with the medical technology here will ensure I make a full recovery. Sure, it may take longer but I'll walk and run again one day.

"Honestly, I know how much I am being offered by Konoha but I am happy here. I don't want to return to Konoha. I found something I was missing back in the elemental nations, peace," he told them as he squeezed Uzume's hand and looked at her with a genuine smile.

Lee nodded to this before continuing, "I see. I see. But did you not consider that your current situation is very similar to my own? Master Gai and I discussed it at length and we would be happy to have you join us! We have much experience and could help train you in taijutsu so you could continue to be a splendid shinobi!"

Naruto blinked a moment before shaking his head, "Lee, please offer my sincere thanks for yours, and Gai's, offer. I know that accepting someone into apprenticeship is a huge offer of faith in another's abilities and trust they are worthy of the attention. The thing is Lee, I've had over a year to think about things and honestly I am truly happy here. I and my family have given up everything for Konoha and finally found peace. I think it would be best for me and my family to enjoy that. Here we have a chance for a new start, one I intend to take advantage of."

Sakura glared at the blonde but before she could step in Konohamaru beat her to it, "But bro, if you don't come back you'll miss all the important stuff. Weddings, kids growing up together, all the important stuff! The village isn't the same, Moegi and Udon feel the same way, we want our boss back!"

"Ko, you have to understand. I gave everything for the village, why shouldn't I be allowed to remain where I'm happy? I don't have Kurama anymore. I can't mold chakra, hell, soon I'll only be able to do even basic chakra channeling. I'm just lucky my Uzumaki blood doesn't require active use. I know I won't be there for the big stuff but you'll know I am always thinking of you guys right? And now that you know the way you can always visit if you want, we'll even set aside a room in the house just for you."

Konohamaru frowned but nodded in understanding. If his big brother was happy here, then why would be force him to return? It saddened the young man immensely but he always knew there was a chance his boss wouldn't come home.

Hinata decided to try her hand next seeing Lee and Konohamaru hadn't been able to get through with the friend and village cards, "Naruto, I know I don't have much room to speak to you…" she began quietly before being harshly interrupted.

"No. Don't even try it," Uzume said with a deep glare on her face, "I may have been civil yesterday but don't mistake it for anything less"

Uzume glare turned glacial at the pale eyed girl. Her voice took a frigid tone as she continued, "You betrayed his trust! You who should have been the first to defend him was the first to assume the worst! You had everything he could offer and threw it away! Well I found him and I won't let you have a chance to hurt him again!"

"Shut it you jackass," Sakura snapped, he anger rising as he headache seemed to return in full force upon seeing Hinata folding in on herself at the brunette's words, "Hinata didn't do anything wrong! Just because you're some temporary comfort doesn't mean you get to hold onto Naruto forever…"

"Temporary comfort?" Naruto whispered, his voice devoid of emotion, "You know nothing Sakura."

Sakura flinched at the obvious anger and even hatred behind the blue eyes of her former friend. She had never seen such rage before from the blonde and had always assumed he was incapable of such. Now she knew better, she had pushed too far.

"When I was lying in a hospital bed ready to let myself die Uzume was there to make me smile. When I wanted nothing more than to let go of everything Uzume hugged me close. At night when nightmares of the war rose up she was there to hold me through them.

Do you know what spawning a thousand clones to fight in a war does Sakura? It means I lived years of a war you only participated weeks in. Uzume has stood by me through everything I've gone through. Helped me recover both in mind and body but more importantly in my heart. Don't you dare speak to her like that. She helped me through every painful treatment, has been with me at every physical therapy session, and never left my side.

"You, in your obvious jealousy, tricked everyone into believing I was a liar, a cheater, a person without honor! That I would betray Hinata's trust and everyone was just as willing to agree with that belief! Don't think for a moment I've forgotten that. I don't want to go back to a place where those I trusted as my closest friends and comrades were so ready and willing to believe the worst! Those I fought and defended against Kaguya, Madara, Obito, and the Akastuki. Those same people turned on me at the drop of a hat."

Hinata felt the shame at her actions rise up inside her again. She saw Uzume lay her hand on Naruto's shoulder and offer him comfort in what she knew must have been a difficult moment. However, she couldn't help the jealousy that coursed through as well, it should have been her that sitting there offering comfort! Now that stupid big breasted bimbo!

"But Naruto, I only went to confront you about what Kiba and Neji saw! I didn't mean for them to attack you! How could you assume I would do that!" Hinata said suddenly.

Naruto's glare focused on her as he answered, "Because you showed up with a lynch mob. You could have come to me alone, spoken with me in private, like you should have. Hell, you could have done the RIGHT thing and assume it was a lie and trusted me! Did you? NO! Instead you show up with guards ready for a fight. You didn't come to talk, you came to demand answers and make me pay if you didn't like them."

"Neither of you get it," Uzume said, "Your actions nearly killed the man I love and I will never forgive you for that even if they led to us meeting," Uzume's head began to rest on Naruto's shoulder as everyone looked at her before she continued with a vicious smirk, "I know what I have and I won't be so foolish as to toss him aside."

The unsaid words were obvious to everyone in the room. Uzume had what the two girls wanted and would not give him up. It was a challenge, one that Sakura was ready to accept.

Sakura clenched her fist ready to send the dark haired girl through the wall when she felt a cold blade at her throat with the purple haired landlady holding it as if nothing has happened, "Violence is strictly prohibited at Maison Izumo. Please refrain from breaking my table," Miya told her with a too sweet smile on her face before removing the blade from Sakura's throat.

Sakura glared at the purple haired woman before looking at the brunette who had glued herself to Naruto's side and was currently resting her head on his shoulder and had his arm wedged securely between her breasts.

With a scoff Sakura rose, muttering about her headache, from her seat and proceeded out of the inn to return her hotel room.

Fine, if the bastard and his bitch are so happy to insult us when we come all the way here to be nice and cordial we'll just do it the hard way…

Tsunade glared at the pink haired girl before coughing delicately, "I apologize for Sakura's actions Miya."

Miya nodded without responding as she gave a pointed look at the other Konoha shinobi, reminding them whose house they were in.

After the incident with Sakura the remaining arguments by Konoha seemed futile and it wasn't long before they decided it was best to remove themselves. They planned to remain for a few weeks and hoped they could continue their efforts once everyone had calmed down. Hinata hadn't had the heart to speak up again and was forced to accept she may have lost Naruto to Uzume. Lee and Konohamaru tried their best but Naruto made it clear he had no intention of going back to Konoha when he was so happy with Uzume in Shinto Teito.

As they left Miya made it clear that only Tsunade, Hana, and Shizune would be welcome to return since Minato and his flock would be returning as well that evening. Said Ashikabi and his Sekirei had been obviously relaxing and thanked Naruto many times for his generosity. Little did they know the drama they had missed while away.

Late in the night

Naruto and Uzume had been sleeping peacefully in one another's arms when their sharp ears heard a window being opened nearby. Uzume struck without thinking, manipulating the cloth nearby into a drill and breaking the window itself. She quickly rose, wearing nothing but an overly large T-shirt and panties to investigate the window.

Uzume had been expecting something like this ever since her Ashikabi's former friends had arrived. They understood the value Naruto represented to them and she knew they wouldn't just let him stay without some kind of fight.

"I'll go check outside and wake Miya," she told her Ashikabi.

"Good idea, you might want to wake up Matsu as well," Naruto suggested as his Sekirei left the room to wake up the other residents of Maison Izumo.

Naruto reached for a nearby shirt to get himself out of bed before he paused. He knew that presence. He'd know it anywhere.

Naruto turned to a darkened portion of the room, "Come out Sakura. I know you're there."

Sakura stepped from the corner, her dark clothing and training allowing her to blend in seamlessly, "How'd you know I was here?"

"I was trained my entire life; you think that would go away from being injured?" he responded.

Sakura shrugged as if it was of little consequence, "You're coming home with me, whether you like it or not Naruto. I've decided you're the one I want, not Sasuke."

Naruto gave the girl an appraising look seeing something obviously wrong with her stance and that her eyes seemed to be unfocused, "Sakura… I have no intention of returning to Konoha. I am happy here. With Uzume."

Sakura's eyes narrowed, they seemed to focus on him as she gave him a strangely tender smile, "No No, you spent your entire life wanting me. Now I've decided I want you so you belong to me. I get first dibs, not some big breasted slut."

Naruto's eyes narrowed at the reference to the woman he loved but he knew he needed to stall for time. He hadn't realized it before but Sakura's psyche, it was obviously broken. Before he probably wouldn't have noticed anything but after having so much time to examine himself, talking to therapists about the psychological side of healing, he was able to recognize the signs Sakura was showing.

"Sakura, what about Sasuke, I thought he was your one true love?" he asked.

Sakura grinned, "Sasuke? He was happy to use me, happy to abuse me, and happy to lose me!" She said with a slight giggle before stopping herself and taking deep breaths.

"Sakura… are you alright?" Naruto asked.

"Of course! Everything will be fine once you're back. We'll just go forward together, no Sasuke needed. That's what you always wanted right? You'll have it. We'll have it. Together," Sakura's eyes seemed to refocus for a moment as she took another deep breath, "Sorry, I lost myself there for a moment I guess," she said as she continued to take deep breaths.

Something's wrong, Sasuke must have done something without knowing it, he thought to himself as he saw he regain control of herself.

"Sakura… did Sasuke do something when you were together?" Naruto asked cautiously, wishing he hadn't stopped sleeping with a kunai under his pillow. His doctors had taken months to convince him he was safe and that letting the habit die was a step on his way to recovery.

Sakura's eyes unfocused again, "Do something? No. Not at all. He just showed me his feelings! Sleep with'em and leave'm. That's what he does. Not you though Naruto, you'll stick with me, just like always."

It was at that moment Uzume, Kazehana behind her, returned and before anyone could utter a word saw the pink haired girl.

For a single moment nothing happened, everyone stared at one another before Sakura leapt forward as Uzume launched several pieces of nearby cloth at the girl.

Sakura dodged and proceeded to send kunai and shurikan at Uzume, forcing the Sekirai to take cover behind the door. This was exactly what Sakura was hoping for as she grabbed hold of Naruto and dragged him through the already broken window and into the dark night.

"SHE HAS NARUTO!" Uzume yelled as she gave chase to the pink haired woman.

Sakura rushed from building to building, moving as quickly as her legs allowed. Even though she couldn't mold chakra she could still channel it within her body. Using that advantage, she sprinted away with her prize in her arms, locked by her super strength. She could hear the cloth user following closely and knew several others were not far behind the other girl. The chase lasted for a mere 45 minutes and came to an abrupt end on the roof of the very hospital where Naruto and Uzume met.

As Uzume and Kazehana followed the pink haired girl Kazehana was grilling her friend on why her Ashikabi had been kidnapped, "Who the hell is this girl?!"

Uzume shook her head, "She's a former friend of Naruto's! While you guys were gone his village sent people to find him and bring him back. He refused and now she's trying to force him back!"

Kazehana's eyes narrowed, how dare someone interfere with love! To her nothing was more deplorable. Such a person would be stopped, the wind told her so.

Strangely enough it wasn't the Sekirei who stopped the chase but rather a strike from where she hadn't been expecting. Naruto found himself caught in a rough embrace as he saw Tsunade staring at her downed apprentice, chakra restraining cuffs already on her hands. With a quick glance Naruto returned the feral grin of Hana Inuzuka who quickly handed him off to a distraught Uzume.

"I'm sorry it took so long. We noticed Sakura missing and it took a while to track her down. We figured she would go after you and decided it best to set a trap," Hana explained as Tsunade narrowed her eyes at her apprentice.

"LET ME GO! HE BELONGS TO ME! NARUTO IS OURS! HE'S OURS!" Sakura screamed into the night.

Sakura continued to struggled, "WE DESERVE HIM! HE WANTED US FIRST! WE GET FIRST CHOICE!"

Tsunade sighed as she looked Sakura, "Damn it. I knew something was wrong but I had no idea it was this bad."

"Granny, what's wrong with her?" Naruto asked.

"Who cares! I want to gut the bitch for this!" Uzume roared with hate in her eyes at Sakura's actions.

Naruto was doing it best to stop his Sekirei from committing murder that night while Tsunade was examining an irate Sakura who had finally ceased her screaming when Tsunade had been forced to render her unconscious.

"I don't know how but her mind has been fractured. It could have been a repressed personality from her childhood or something more recent but there is definitely more than one personality at work here. The only thing they seem to agree on is that you belong to her. I noticed one or two signs to indicate something was wrong but I had no idea it was this bad," Tsunade told him as Shizune, Konohamaru, and Lee arrived.

"Lee. Konohamaru. Take her back to the hotel and don't be seen. I want her under guard for the duration of our stay. Shizune and I'll do our best to examine her when we returned," the Hokage ordered.

The two young men nodded and headed off into the night knowing Sakura had likely destroyed any final chances of convincing Naruto to return to Konoha.

Konoha 2 months later

Kakashi sighed again as he looked at the council before him.

Damn you Tsunade. Damn you to hell for leaving me with this mess!

"So you're telling us that Haruno Sakura attacked the Namikaze and Uzumaki clan heir against orders. That she is also suffering from multiple personality disorder, likely an undiagnosed from her childhood and now exacerbated by Uchiha Sasuke's actions losing us likely the best Medic Shinobi we've had since Tsunade. That her actions basically ruined any chance we had of convincing said clan heir to return to Konoha by any means other than force. And our fifth Hokage and her other apprentice, Shizune, have chosen to remain with Naruto outside the elemental nations," Inoichi of the Yamanaka clan stated in summation of the events that had occurred.

Kakashi sighed again, "Yes. That would be correct."

"Well then, I suppose now is the best time to send a retrieval team…" a civilian began only to be silenced by the glare of their new Hokage.

"No. That would only hurt us. If it was just Naruto and his female companion, a girl named Uzume, then yes we could potentially do that. But the situation is more complicated now with Tsunade, Shizune, and Inuzuka Hana choosing to remain behind. Tsunade alone would prove nearly impossible to overcome without access to anything but internal channeling techniques. Also from what Rock Lee has reported they plan to begin traveling once Naruto has full function of his legs, which will make it impossible to find them. Then if any of the other villages received word of what we did we would be facing almost the entire elemental nations, many of whom could cripple us without firing a single shot through economic sanctions," Kakashi told them with a deep sigh.

"Even as it stands Naruto sent messages via the Toad clan to the other Kage's. He informed them he was moving away after losing the ability to mold chakra to enjoy the peace we all worked and fought so hard to obtain. They would be on alert to Konoha trying something like this and all, I am sure, have offered him a home within their villages," Kakashi revealed to the council.

"No, our best option right now is to leave Naruto and his companions alone. Naruto has agreed to the marriage with Inuzuka Hana. I would recommend we wait and make overtures to any children they have," Kakashi told them, "Since from reports Naruto has agreed to leave it up to them if they wish to return to the elemental nations or not and I have no doubt Hana will instruct any of his children in our traditions and stories."

The council muttered amongst themselves trying to decide what would be best and ultimately never reached a conclusion. No one could decide if it was best to just cut their losses sense little had changed for the village itself with the loss of Naruto. Yes, they had lost potential power in the loss of his children and clan money but to the civilians this represented little lost since at that moment he already had two women positioned to become his wives. There simply was too little gain for the civilian representatives to bother continuing after the blonde ex-shinobi.

The shinobi clans were happy to wait and reach out to Hana's children in the future. The Inuzuka would of course send ninken and remain in contact so they would have a consistent line of communication and could spend time endearing themselves to children, much easier than their parents. And since Naruto planned on remaining outside the elemental nations as opposed to moving to another village there was little sense in moving too quickly.

Shinobi, after all, were ones who endured. And patience was a key trait of enduring.