Kiri's Susanoo

Chapter 6

Life or Death? Which will you live in.

(TADA! I got a Beta Reader! YEAAAAAAA He's german but very good with english and is giving me tips actually on my mistakes. I hope to get better throughout time so i won't need him ut for now he's my shield from the hell known as assholes! But please if there are any KIND Critics out there fill free to throw whatever you want at me :D)

(I would like to thank Tristan76 for always leaving amazing reviews, RogueNya who always has nothing but great things to say about my stories, and my buddy Negima who has sent me many private messages on almost all of my stories. I would also like to thank those of you who have given me some helping criticism in the past. Now I hope you all enjoy if i missed anyone else on My "thank you" list im sorry and you rock!. PEACE OUT! Oh yeah… and drugs are bad... Stay in School?... Righhhht MOVING ON)

Sarutobi slowly lunged from tree to tree, his eyes scanning every angle. He was on alert. Orochimaru wasn't anyone to take lightly, nor was his young student Kabuto. He leaped for another branch but found himself cursing as he saw a white snake curled around it. It lunged out at the older man and struck his neck only for his body to slowly turn to mud and fall to the forest floor.

"Damn it!" a voice hissed from behind the tree, followed by a woman's laughter. "Long time no see… Orochimaru"

Orochimaru turned to see Tsunade standing in front of him, smirking. Behind her stood Jiraiya with Kabuto over his shoulder.

"Looks like you haven't changed a bit, my boy. However, I'm sure I won't like the reasons for that," Sarutobi said while landing beside the snake Sannin.

"But you have all changed oh so much… except for you, Tsunade," Orochimaru smirked while looking into her eyes. "Tell me… has anyone else died around you recently? You always did have oh so much bad luck…. Oh wait… It's not you this time, is it? First Minato and now the child… oh what bad luck you have Jiraiya"

Jiraiya felt his hand twitch as he dropped Kabuto and vanished. He reappeared with his knee in Orochimaru's gut. Saliva flew from the snake Sannin's mouth as Jiraiya placed his palm against the man's forehead and slammed his head into the tree.

"If you say one more thing that isn't an answer to our questions…" Jiraiya said in a dull tone. One that not even Sarutobi had ever heard him speak in. Tsunade watched the man as his free hand shook rapidly, "Then so help me god… I'll fucking kill you!"

Orochimaru looked into the mans eyes as he stared him down. "Very well…"he said calmly, not taking his gaze from Jiraiya's. "What do you want to know?"

"I know about your resent fall out with an organization known as "Akatsuki"…" Jiraiya said swiftly.

Sarutobi followed up while looking at his former student. "Tell me about Itachi and anyone else in this organization. And if you don't start speaking soon I'll let Jiraiya here rip you into pieces…"

"You think he can? Word around the nations is he was the weakest of us all," Orochimaru said smugly only to feel multiple needles stab into his body.

"What did I tell you?" Jiraiya growled, "Now start talking. I know they were after Naruto and the others. And I want to know why!"

------

Naruto sat against the wall of the ship he road on. He looked around and remembered the ride he and Sarutobi took on their way to see the Mizukage. He closed his eyes as he leaned his head against his weapon and could almost see the old man watching him running around and talking with the crew…

Next to Naruto sat Kushina who was watching her father talk with Aoi about their past, but she was more worried about Yagura. Everything she had ever heard about him was that he was a monster.

"What's wrong, mom?" Naruto asked suddenly, breaking her concentration.

"Oh, nothing. I'm just a little worried, that's all," she said before sliding down the wall to sit next to him.

"Why are you worried?" he asked, earning a sigh from the woman.

"Well… I've heard stories about the Mizukage and I'm not sure I like them very much…That's all, dear. It's nothing to worry about," she explained only to see Naruto smile brightly.

"Oh that's all? Don't worry, the Mizukage's a really nice guy. Sarutobi said the same thing but he seemed to like me a lot . It kind of felt like he… understood me in a way. He's pretty funny, too. I felt weird at first when I talked to him because he has a scar under his left eye. But then he made a joke about it and after that I wasn't that nervous around him."

Kushina smirked only to hear a man shouting something. Naruto turned to see the mist clearing slightly and he started to grin. "We're here," Naruto said while jumping up. In a swift move he was standing on top of his long staff and looking over towards the land. It had been a while since he left the island. Hopefully nothing terrible would happen again.

-----

Yagura walked into the large marble room and watched as his council took their seats. He closed his eyes while taking his own seat. The report he got said Aoi had found something very interesting, hopefully he wouldn't be disappointed.

"You're not getting it! Back off!" a laud voice was heard from behind the main doors of the meeting room.

"Kid calm down, just hand it over," an older man's voice said with some amusement in it.

"No way! I just got it…. So! Let!" the boy's voice stopped as he let out a grunt, "GO!"

"Naruto, stop it!" a women's voice yelled before a loud crash could be heard. Naruto had jerked the weapon away from the guard but in doing so flew through the doors of the meeting room back first. He slid across the marble floor and hit the chair across the table from Yagura.

"T-that hurt!" Naruto yelled, rubbing his head slightly. He smirked at the fact that he had his prized possession and began to stand up slowly.

Kushina and Haruo stood at the door as Naruto turned to see Yagura's wide eyes.

"N-Naruto!" he whispered the boys name in disbelief of what he was seeing. Naruto let a bright smile consume his face as he raised a hand behind his head and chuckled.

"Hey there, Yagura! It's been a while!" Naruto's words were loud as was to be expected. He took a step and pulled his weapon over his shoulders and rested his arms over it only to see two figures launch from the shadows.

"Naruto!" Kushina yelled while rushing forward only to see a man appear in front of her and grab her by the neck. Haruo was also quickly bound by a water rope and had to watch helplessly as two Hunter Nin showed up only inches away from Naruto with their katanas drawn.

"NARUTO!" Haruo yelled while watching the wide eyed boy slightly tense in shock. His arms gripped both sides of his weapon and pulled as hard as he could. He quickly unsheathed both weapons, but he wasn't quick enough.

'I'm not going to make it!' his mind screamed as he shut his eyes tightly. He felt his jaw tense as he waited for the pain but… felt nothing. He only heard the sound of liquid hitting the marble floor.

"M-Mizukage-sama…" a voice mumbled alerting Naruto to open his eyes. Yagura stood on the top of the chair in front of him with both his weapons drawn and placed on the chests of the two Hunter Nin, drawing blood.

"You dare attack a child? I'm perfectly capable of protecting myself! You're both lucky that I'm happy to see this boy, otherwise you'd be dead!" Yagura said in a dark tone before quickly snatching the blades and pulling them away from the two men, allowing them to fall to the ground. "Now get out of my sight…"

They both nodded and vanished leaving a sweating Naruto. The boy dropped his weapons to the ground and felt light headed. Arms latched around his back.

"Damn it, Naruto!" Kushina yelled while squeezing him tightly, "Never do that to me again, understood?!"

"Sorry…" Naruto said in a dull tone still shaken up a little. "Thank you, Yagura," Naruto spoke in almost a whisper as the man nodded and walked back down the table and jumped to the floor. He picked up the scrolls on the table and placed them in his jacket.

"It's no problem but I think we should talk in private. Aoi said he had brought the head family of a small village…" he said softly while looking into Haruo's eyes.

"Shouldn't't your council be part of this?" Haruo's words where less a question and more of a statement which caused the Kage to smirk in amusement.

"Yes, I agree with this man," a council member stated only to see Yagura shrug.

"I didn't ask if you did or not. These people are our friends, unless you're calling me a liar. In that case I would love to hear your opinion," Yagura paused. "You're not calling me a liar, are you?"

The man's complexion seemed to grow pale as he shook his head and sat back in his chair.

"Good… follow me."

Mei limped through the halls of the mansion alongside Aimi who smirked down at the young girl. She had fought well as always but still had a lot to learn. Her Blood Line Limit would be a major strength for the village in the future. Aimi also knew that this was why Yagura was trying to keep the girl away from the council. The woman closed her eyes for a moment while walking and thought about the man. She could see him standing alone in pain. She knew first hand of what he was like in the past, her being a jounin of Kiri meant she had her fair shares in the blood purges. Yagura killed without mercy for years, and she could recall seeing a look of almost fear in his eyes as he did so. She tried her best behind the scenes to hide those who could be saved although even she was forced to kill a few innocents. But lately the blood purges grew less and less. Over the past two years the closer her and Mei got to him, the more she saw him change. She could tell the man loved Mei and would die for the girl even though she has an incredible bloodline. And the way she caught him looking at herself for brief seconds wasn't that of someone who wanted to be just friends. But above all, there was hardly any fear left in his gaze…

'but Maybe that's why he's been keeping his distance from me lately?' she thought to herself.

"Aimi," Mei said breaking the woman from her thoughts and pulling her to reality. "It's Yagura-kun… but who's that?" the young girl asked only to freeze in her steps. Her eyes locked with a young blond haired boy. His hair fell past his ears and hung down his neck in a pony tail. His eyes where a shining sapphire blue and his body was covered in a black cloak. In his hand was a long midnight and silver staff.

But above all…

'His cheeks,' Mei thought wide eyed, 'I know these markings.'

She watched them enter Yagura's office and shutting the door. As she stared, Aimi noticed the flower in the girl's hair fall to the ground. Yet the latter hardly paid it any attention.

"Mei, your flower fell out of your hair… What's wrong? Who are you staring at?" Aimi asked while placing a hand on Mei's shoulder. Mei flinched slightly before looking down to the now crimson flower laying on the floor and gasped.

"Was that… Him?" She said looking back up towards Yagura's office.

Aimi sighed and placed an arm around the girl's shoulders. "He was having a meeting today, remember? Maybe that idiot Ao finally found something that pleases him… I'm sure he'll tell us all about it later, so come on. We need to get cleaned up so I can start cooking some dinner!"

Mei allowed Aimi to guide her without resisting, but the image of Naruto remained in her mind…

"It's hard to trust my council," Yagura said while walking to his chair and taking a seat behind his desk.

"And it's safer in your office?" Naruto asked only to see the man smirk in response and snapping his fingers. In a flash Ao appeared and made several hand signs. A burst of light shot from the man's body and before Naruto knew anything the walls seemed to be glowing slightly.

"A barrier… very nice. I wasn't aware a swordsman of the Mist would know such a thing," Haruo said plainly only to see the man let out a sigh.

"Well old man, I'm not exactly one of the Seven Swordsmen. I'm part of the village's Hunter Nin. That also explains how I was able to navigate through the current of your shores. I was on the Swordsmen's side during the war though, that may be where you recognize me from," he said smirking.

"I see. But why did you agree with me when I first confronted you?" Haruo asked. The other man scratched the back of his head slightly.

"Well, I didn't know if you where looking for a fight or not. If you had the impression that I was in fact one of the Seven Swordsmen I might have an advantage. You would have expected me to be for of a swordsmen type…" Ao said smirking. Haruo returned the grin and then looked at Yagura who simply observed them as they spoke.

"So.. Yagura, what is it you wanted to speak with us about?" Haruo asked. Kushina stood beside Naruto who was now concentrating on their words with everything he had. He didn't want to be left out.

Yagura turned his chair slightly towards the window behind him and glared through the dripping wet glass. "I want to talk about helping you keep your secret, and helping my village."

"My secret? As in keeping my village hidden?" Haruo asked the man, not sure what he was talking about. Yagura's eyes slowly glanced towards Naruto.

"Yes… but not only keeping your village secret but keeping the fact that Naruto is dead known to the world Or at least until he's strong enough to protect himself," Yagura said calmly. Kushina narrowed her eyes at the man.

"What exactly does my son need to be ready for?" she asked while stepping in front of Naruto. "There's something you're not telling us."

"First things first… I mean you and your family no harm. It's the opposite actually. Many years ago the third Mizukage burned our treaty and brought war to your people by using me as his weapon. I would like to bring a means to an end by recreating that contract, Haruo-sama. Anything your village can offer will be paid for by double what you earn in the markets. Our alliance was once the greatest strength in the great nations .And the best part about it was nobody knew about it," Yagura explained. Haruo raised an eyebrow at this and crossed his arms while looking into the man's eyes.

"There's a catch," Haruo said sternly.

"Yes, I'm afraid there it is a generous catch. You, Naruto and his mother-" Yagura was interrupted.

"I have a name… It's Kushina!" she said glaring at the man. Yagura raised his hands in his defense, smiling.

"Please forgive me, Kushina-san. I regret not getting the chance for everyone to properly introduce themselves. Anyways, as I was saying, Haruo-sama: You, Naruto-kun and Kushina-san will all live here in my village for Naruto's protection. Any way you can help my village will be appreciated," Yagura said earning a growl from Kushina.

"Are you crazy? We have a village to go back to. Those are our people, we can't just leave them without a leader," Kushina said only to see Ao place his hands behind his head.

"Calm down lady… When the Mizukage said this was for his village he meant our villages as one. Besides, your village isn't exactly safe," the eye patched man explained, earning a shocked look from her.

"Then you're still not telling us something… Stop beating around the bush and tell me why my son is in danger!" Kushina yelled earning a laugh from Yagura.

"Naruto, I see where you got your outspoken attitude from… You're a spitting image of your father but your temper is definitely from your mother's side. Kushina-san please calm yourself," Yagura said while looking into her eyes with a calming gaze. "If you want to hear me say it… I would die for your son, especially after seeing what his death did to the former Hokage of the Leaf," Yagura said. Naruto's eyes grew wide as he placed his hands on Yagura's desk.

"What do you mean former Hokage?!" Naruto yelled, "and why can't people know I'm alive? What's going on Yagura?!" the child yelled, growling slightly.

Yagura let out a deep sigh and leaned back in his chair. He rubbed his eyes slightly before taking a last deep breath and looking Naruto in the eyes.

"Naruto… Sarutobi-san announced his resignation from the seat as Hokage many months ago in which he gave control over to Kakashi Hatake who then announced your heritage to the entire village. I was told the village was in uproar until Kakashi silenced them all. Since then the village has mourned your death, but that is only part of the problem. You, my child, are like me and you know that," Yagura said while staring into Naruto's eyes. "There is a group that has come to my attention. This group is going by the name of "Akatsuki". And if my intelligence is correct they are after people like you and me."

Kushina's breath seemed to hitch in her throat along with Haruo's as they watched and listened to what the man just told them.

"I believe one of their members is a man I once knew… as did you Haruo-san," Yagura sighed and turned his gaze towards Haruo. "Kisame of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist. He was loyal to the late Mizukage. If he is indeed in this organization then that means your village is not safe even with its defenses. If Ao could navigate those waters to reach your island, then Kisame could swim there. Which is why you should stay in this village," Yagura said calmly.

"I remember that man. He had shark like features and wielded a huge weapon almost the size of another man's. Zabuza was his name, what ever happened to him?" Haruo asked, earning a chuckle from Ao.

"He tried to assassinate Yagura," Ao said, earning him a slight unpleasant glare from the Mizukage.

"That was many years ago. I can't say I'm proud of a lot of things I have done but that is not important. Naruto's safety is what matters the most to you and I can help you achieve this. My council shouldn't know anything about this, they wouldn't trust Naruto if they found out who his father is. Ao and a few other men I trust would handle the trade with your village. Haruo-san, you would be my new personal adviser if you agree. There are only a few men in this world I feel I can trust and you are one of them. I can tell you have trained Naruto and I will not interfere in that. You can use our training grounds any time you need them. If Naruto ever needs any pointers from a different view then I would be more then happy to help him or find someone who can. As for you Kushina-san, you would be given two choices: To join our Hunter Nin Unit and command your own team or to become a normal Jounin. Ao here has already vouched for you skills in combat and I can see you're a natural leader. However, I have to warn you. If you join our Jounin ranks, then you may be sent on any blood purging missions we receive," Yagura explained to them all. It was silent for a while as everyone simply stared at one another except for Naruto, who looked to the ground.

"Why can't I just go back to Konoha? If everyone's sad I'm dead, then I wouldn't be in any danger. I know Kakashi-san, he protected me when Itachi or Kurenai weren't around…" Naruto said looking around at everyone. Kushina seemed to freeze in place, not knowing what to say as Naruto looked up at her. "You could come too, mom," He said smiling slightly and Kushina smile back down at him.

"I'm afraid that wouldn't be wise," Haruo said while looking down at Naruto. "Your father had plenty of enemies kid. And now that everyone knows who you are, you could end up being a target of more then this "Akatsuki" bunch. I told you that one day we would return to that village and I meant it. Until we get the chance to do so, you need to concentrate on getting strong enough to impress every last one of them," The old man turned towards the Mizukage. "I will accept your offer Yagura," he said only to hear his daughter's outburst.

"What do you mean you'll accept?! They killed so many of our people and others, too!." Kushina yelled. Haruo's turned his gaze on her.

"I know this, dear. I was a child when our people walked away from Konoha, as was your mother. I know what reason and pure madness is. But this, my daughter, is reason. I have a family to think about just like my father did and I've made my choice, dear. These men mean us no harm and the blood that was shed was not his doing. His hand was forced I can swear that since I was the one who in the end stopped him along side your grandfather," Haruo said softly. Kushina's eyes grew softer and softer the more her father spoke until she finally allowed a sigh to be released from her lungs.

"Hunter Nin… that's the rank I would like, Yagura-sama," Kushina said softly.

"Very good. Ao can show you around and give you any advise you need on our techniques. You're a water user which means he can also show you a few jutsu we use to capture or bind those we chase. He can also show you how our hunters use senbon. There are many secrets to being a Hunter Nin for Kiri. These are secrets we will share with your people, Haruo-san. In return we would like you to show us your warriors' techniques," the Mizukage explained, earning a nod from Haruo.

"I need to contact a man name Azura from my village. He can help train any black smith's you have in our wielding techniques while his father manages our village. Also I will have him bring a few of our shinobi to help train your men in our arts. But only strong willed men and women can learn our ways, is that understood, Yagura? Our weapons are used to protect not to kill recklessly without any SURE reason." Haruo said sternly while looking the man in the eyes.

"Understood, anyone who has been trained in your arts will not be places on any blood purge missions," Yagura said remaining calm and understanding.

"What about me!" Naruto said looking at everyone. All eyes turned to him as he stood with his weapon over his shoulders.

"Well, what do you want to do, Naruto?" Yagura asked and watched as the boy's head dropped to think.

'You would fly through the academy at this level,' he remembered Sarutobi telling him along with Kurenai and Jiraiya.

"I want to go to the academy here… and become a shinobi," Naruto said sternly, looking the man in the eyes.

"Agreed, you'll start next year Naruto Uzumaki. Or should I say…" Yagura paused and pulled a scroll from his desk, "Naruto Uzu, son of Kushina Uzu, the daughter of Haruo Uzu; the leader of the new Uzu Clan of Kiri?"

"That's real creative, taking away half our name?" Kushina said. Suddenly Haruo started to smirk…

"Uzu was my fathers first name, which is where our clan's name stems from, dear. Yagura has done his homework, but I'm not sure how he got that information," he said looking down at the man.

"Actually you give me to much credit…" Yagura said scratching the back of his head. "I'm afraid Kushina is right."

Naruto fell backwards laughing along with Ao who couldn't help but mock his Kage.

Kushina watched as Naruto smiled and laughed. She felt a warmth wash over her body. Her mind flashed to a moment Minato and her shared…

'I told you I'd take you anywhere, remember?' Minato whispered into her ear before he uncovered her eyes. Underneath them was a place she had only heard about. Konoha, where the history of her people began.. The sunlight dimmed around the village and lights began to glow in the streets.

'It's beautiful Minato… But my father's not going to be happy about me coming with you,' Kushina said while turning to see the young blond teen smiling at her. She was at a loss for words as he continued to smile and look into her eyes.

'I already told you I'd protect you now matter what. Your dad's just worried about you. But as long as I'm around, he doesn't have anything to worry about… I promise,' Minato's voice dropped with his promise as his lips inched closer to hers. 'A promise… to protect me, but why?' Kushina's breath fell over his lips as he smirked.

'You really aren't going to get it unless I spell it out for you, are you?' Minato paused while looking into her confused eyes.

'It's because I love you Kushina… And the only promise worth making to you right now… is to protect you, no matter what.'

----

Kushina's suddenly jumped back to reality when her eyes met those of her son. She smiled back at him and nodded. "Fine, maybe things could work out for us. As long as you promise to protect my son no matter what," Kushina said, turning her gaze towards the Mizukage.

"I swear on my life no harm will come to him. You have more then my promise, Kushina, you have my life. And I assure you I'm not ready to give that up yet so Naruto will be fine," Yagura said smiling as Naruto chuckled.

"Wait, there's one last little detail!" Ao said while pulling two slips of paper out. They began to glow slightly before shooting from his hand and slapping onto the sides of Naruto's face.

"AH!" Naruto yelled while falling backwards, the move had caught him off guard.

"What was that for!" Kushina asked while Naruto started to stand slowly. She looked down to see the paper on his face slowly start to vanish and blend into his skin, covering his whisker marks.

"We can't have those showing. It's like a becon screaming who you really are," Ao said smirking. Naruto quickly looked into a mirror to see his whiskerless face and was amazed. He couldn't even feel the paper, it was like he was normal... "There will be new cloths for all of you in your rooms."

"Also," Yagura said catching Naruto's attention. "If you ever need any help with other spear or staff wielding…" Yagura stood up and walked to a closet in the office. He opened it and pulled out a stand hooked weapon with what looked like a flower on the end. "This is what I used to fight your grandfather and great grandfather with. I would be more then happy to train you in any way I can."

"Wow… really? Why do you carry katana around all the time if you have this?" Naruto asked. The man's smile dimmed.

"This weapon holds many unwanted memories. But that's not the case, now. Ao, show them to their rooms. I have two lovely young ladies waiting for me and I'm late for dinner. You're more then welcome to join us," Yagura offered the three.

"No, that's fine although I wouldn't mind being of any help in the kitchen. Haruo and Naruto say my food is amazing," Kushina said smiling while Haruo and Naruto gripped their stomachs while drooling at the thought of Kushina's cooking…

"How about tomorrow? I will introduce you all to…" Yagura paused for a moment at a loss for words as he thought of Aimi and Mei. He felt a small blush fall over his face, but managed to keep it well hidden from everyone except Kushina who raised an eyebrow.

"Your family?" she said suddenly alerting the man. He raised a hand to the back of his head and laughed nervously.

"Well, we're not related by blood. I have no family but if I had a name for them, it would be… family," Yagura's tone slowly fell lower and lower as if realization hit him suddenly. "I will tell them to expect you all around noon. We can all go to the training grounds. I would like to see what Naruto is made of, I remember him tricking a Chuunin with a clone the last time he was here… and I can tell he has come a long way just by looking at him."

"Alright! Training and food, this is great," Naruto yelled as Haruo smiled, agreeing with the young boy and pulling him up onto his shoulders.

"Very good, I will address the council of our newest clan on my way to dinner. Haruo, I'll give you your duties tomorrow as well. As much as I wouldn't mind having a day off, it doesn't come with the title" Yagura said, walking away.

"I understand Lord Mizukage," Haruo said only to see the man pause and turn. He reached into his jacket, pulled out two headbands and tossed them to Haruo and Kushina.

"It's Yagura. Like I said there are few people I trust in this place. You are one of them, so please address me by my name, not rank."

TBC