On with Chapter Five

Disclaimer: I don't own Naruto or Eragon

It was still early when I woke up from my nightmare a cold sweat down my neck and back. Unable to sleep anymore I found myself walking up and dwon the isles of my store trying to do inventory before I had to leave for my journey. I was thankful I didn't sell any frozen or refrigerated items, the only thing I really had to worry about were the few produce sections. As I was checking off items I got a bad feeling in my stomach that this was all completely pointless. Like no matter how hard I tried I wouldn't be coming back.

I jumped when I felt someone tap me on the shoulder, I turned and was met with the sickly sweet smiling face of Kyuubi. I shook my head and said "I hate you, you know that right, why do you feel the need to do that every time I'm focusing on something important?" She just shrugged her shoulders that creepy smile never leaving her face. I sighed and set the clipboard in my hands on top of a case of flower, all thoughts of inventory forgotten. " I know that smile Kyuubi, it's fake, what's the matter, what's got you so worried". The smile dropped off her face and she become serious almost angry, I could swear it felt like the temperature in the room dropped a few degrees.

"I'm worried about you, you stupid dumbass, were leaving for konoha and in a few day's we'll be meeting with tsunade, I don't know what she has planned exactly but I do know that she's going to try to convince you to stay. I guess I'm just afraid that you'll forgive Tsunade like you forgave Kushina".

I sighed again and sat down on an empty shelf trying to ease the pain that had begun to creep up in my leg. "I didn't just forgive Kushina you know, I don't know when I'll forgive Kushina if I ever do at all. I gave Kushina a chance and she only got that chance because she saved my life. Make no mistake Kyuubi I'm not just going to break down when I see Tsunade, I'm not going to go running into her arms and start crying, telling her how much I missed her, that I just want us to be a family again. You know me better than that. I can promise you this, when I go into that office the meeting is not going to end well you understand". With that in mind I reached over and grabbed the clipboard leaving Kyuubi to her thoughts.

A few minutes later I was walking up and down the rows of weapons when Kyuubi suddenly pulled the clipboard out of my hands taking over. She smiled a real smile this time and said "Why don't you go check on Blackfire or something I can do this a lot faster than you can". I smiled back at her trusting her to take care of it better than anyone else. As I walked out the door I reached over and grabbed an apple from one of the produce tables.

It was a bright beautiful day in the normally misty village and the business district was in full swing. The Merchants were out showing their wares, and travelers were moving from booth to booth buying some of our exotic products. I walked away from my home and over to the stable built into the side. I peered inside and couldn't help but snort in amusement at the sight before me. Lying on her back with her hooves stuck straight up in the air was a black stallion with a red mane.

"you know sometimes I'm ashamed to call you my horse". She cracked open a single brown eye to look up at me." That's right you crazy ass horse I'm talking to you, get up here I've got something special for you". I held out the apple and she was up in less than a second trying to bite my hand while eating the apple. I glared at her and said" You're an evil horse you know that right". She snorted and butted her head into my shoulder.

" yeah, yeah I love you two, look were going to leaving here soon heading for a place I'm not really fond of and I'm going to be counting on you to watch my back". "Can I trust you to look out for me while were away from the village". She nodded her head and stamped her hoove in what I guessed was understanding". I patted her head and turned to walk away when I noticed Sakura and Hinata approaching me. Well Sakura was approaching me Hinata was trying to hide in her shadow. Stars appeared in Sakura's eyes as she stared at Blackfire. I got an evil idea and whispered it into Blackfire's ear. I could swear a glint of amusement appeared in her eyes.

"Awww she's so pretty" Sakura spoke "can I pet her". I nodded and she reached out her hand to touch her head but quickly drew it back as blackfire tried to take a chunk out of it. Sakura glared heatedly at me and asked me why I let her do that. I smirked and said "because I don't like you, I'd have rather she'd taken you hand off, now what do you want". I glared hard at Hinata as she began to poke her head out from behind Sakura. She "eeped" loudly and hid back behind Sakura.

"Naruto we just came to tell you that everyone is meeting up at the gates in an hour to depart for Konoha". I nodded and walked away without a word completely ignoring Hinata's sputtering as she tried to say something.

An hour later after packing everything Kyuubi and I would need into the saddle bags on blackfire I found myself walking towards the village gates. The konoha nin plus Kyuubi and surprisingly Kushina were already waiting for at the gate's. I handed blackfire's reigns to Kyuubi and grabbed Kushina's arm pulling her out of earshot of everyone else. "What do you think you're doing you're not going on this trip".

She pulled her arm roughly out of my grasp and looked at me like she thought I'd lost my mind. "I am going on this trip the Mizukage approved it plus you need someone else that you can trust watching your backs".

I tried to suppress the growl and contempt that came out in my voice as a I spoke "That's just the thing Kushina I don't trust you , I wonder what else the Mizukage has done behind my back". I walked back over to Kyuubi and took back blackfire's reigns. "Keep an eye on Kushina on this trip". Kyuubi nodded her head and walked over to Kushina offering to help her with her stuff.

I was about to climb into blackfire's saddle when I felt someone put their hand on my shoulder. I turned around to see the Mizukage and Chojuro appear before us. "Chojuro and I just came to see you off, we wish you all a safe trip, and Naruto I hope that when you return we can look past this and be friends again".

I nodded trying to give her my most thoughtful look before speaking. "ok Mizukage-Sama let me say this in reiteration, why don't you go straight to hell". I reached over and grabbed Chojuro's hand, twisting until I heard a satisfying snap. Ignoring his screams of pain I climbed into backfire's saddle. Leaning down I whisperead inher ear "Run blackfire let's show them what you can do. She took off at a full gallop leaving behind several surprised ninja and one very angry demoness.

That's all for this chapter enjoy_Goliath