Naruto was dirty. His clothes wee torn. His face was scratched. It felt like he had broken a rib or something and he was bruised but he managed a small smile as he gazed at Hikari some distance away in the same bad shape he was in. Both were panting for air. A small crater, from when Naruto had tried to hit her with a very powerful Rasengan but missed, was in between them. Jiraiya, Tsunade, Sakura and Sasuke stood on the side. Tsunade in shock because she didn't think Naruto had that much power in him. Jiraiya rubbed his chin thoughtfully trying to figure out how his student had fought like he had without the fox's power. Sakura's hands were over her mouth which shows how she obviously felt. Sasuke stood as still as a statue twirling a kunai on one figure. That's how Shizune found them when she arrived. She didn't bother asking questions but instead walked up to the Hokage
"Lady Hokage you have a visitor"
"What?" She snapped out of her daze "Umm..ok. Jiraiya we WILL talk about this later". He nodded. As she and Shizune started to leave he heard her assistant ask
"What happened? Did Naruto do that?" He sighed. His pupil had become stronger but Jiraiya had no idea of how. As far as he knew, Naruto hadn't actually trained in awhile with all the missions he'd been doing then Hikari came but they hadn't been training with each other. He was so confused, then a past conversation with Naruto came back to his memory
"Well kid how was the mission?" Jiraiya asked as he and Naruto sat at the ramen stand
"Great, the guy we were assigned to escort was pretty cool. We actually spared for a little bit"
"That's unusual. Where's he from?"
"Sorry but its classified even for you. Tsunade made it clear about that" He downed the rest of his ramen.
"Did he reach his destination?"
"Yeah but he was only there for a week then came back with us. He wanted to train me"
"Really?"
"Yep, I told him I'd think about it. HEY! There's Kiba! I gotta talk with him about something. See Ya!" He darted out before Jiraiya could stop him, leaving the toad sage with the bill for once.
Jiraiya had thought nothing of that day. He'd assumed Naruto had said no because he hadn't brought it up again, but now he wasn't so sure. Some of those moves he'd seen werent anything he'd, Kakashi, Tsunade or even Iruka had taught him.
"Where'd he learn to do that?" Sakura finally asked
"No clue"
"I've never seen those kind of moves before"
"Sakura do you think…was Naruto trained by anyone else that you know of?"
"No" she shook her head "I mean Sai had made an off handed comment about how his speed and skill had gotten better before he was confined to the village but we thought he was training with you or Kakashi-sensei"
"Amazing"
"He didn't learn that from anyone in the Leaf Village or the Fire Country for that matter" Sasuke whispered. He had an idea of who Naruto had trained under but he'd leave it for him to say.
Naruto was leaning against a tree catching his breath. Hikari was standing straight, eyes lit up with excitement. Tsunade had warned him that she loved a good fight. He grinned. Day one of his training hadn't gone the way he expected, for instance he never thought he'd use the stuff he learned from that guy but here he was.
"Naruto you should rest!" Sakura yelled but he wasn't listening. He was getting too much of an adrenaline rush to back down now. He could tell Hikari was thinking the same thing. With a push he ran towards her. She did the same. They jumped over the crater, Naruto getting ready to use a new attack and Hikari seemingly with nothing. Then they collided with each other. The blast sent them both flying back into the trees. The three bystanders waited anxiously for them to emerge. Five minutes later they both walked slowly from their opposite ends. Sakura made a dash for Naruto while Sasuke headed calmly towards his cousin.
"Asshole! Why didn't you tell me he was your teacher? Only he could block that attack!" Hikari fell to her knees
"I wasn't sure at first" He gave a soft laugh "I cant believe it was your…" before he could finish he fell backwards into Sakura's arms.
Tsunade made it back to her office ten minutes later. She wanted to finish as quickly as possible so she could go back to Naruto's training. She stopped outside her door.
"Who is it Shizune?"
"Not sure, she wouldn't say"
"This should be fun" She opened the door to see an older woman sitting in a chair in front of her desk. She wore dress pants and a dress shirt with matching heels. Tsunade was surprised by the shoe choice because her guest was an older lady. Her gray hair was pulled back in a ponytail and she was reading a book.
"Hokage" Shizune whispered. Tsunade turned to see two women dressed all in white kimonos standing against the wall. Both stood quietly not saying anything.
"Can I help you?" Tsunade asked
"This book you've been reading is very interesting" The woman answered
"Just a bunch of myths" She shrugged then walked over to her desk
"No they're not"
"How would you know?" She closed it then looked up. Brown eyes met hers
"Because I married into one Tsunade"
"Okami Amaya" She grinned "Its been a while". Amaya Okami was around the same age as Tsunade but instead of trying to keep up youthful appearances she had embraced her age.
"Yes it has" She glanced over to Shizune "And is this little Shizune? I remember you when you were smaller"
"Yes ma'am"
"You would've been perfect as one of the girls" She motioned towards the women behind her
"Are they your new students? I heard you weren't taking anymore" Tsunade sat down in her chair.
"Not mine. My lovely daughter didn't want me traveling alone so she sent her best students as companions. They are excellent fighters"
"That's right, she's supposed to be a great teacher"
"She is. She will one day take my place as Matriarch of the family"
"Only you three came?"
"No, Minoru also"
"Well what can I do for you?"
"I'd like to discuss my granddaughter. Hikari is greatly missed at home"
Twenty minutes later Jiraiya, Naruto, Sakura and Sai stood outside the Hokage's office. Naruto had been called there and told to bring his closest friends. They all waited quietly, except Naruto who was trying to think of what could be so important.
"Calm down kid, I'm sure its not that serious" Jiraiya glanced up from writing notes for his next novel.
"It has to be, why would she want me to bring my closest friends?"
"Which by the way we are both happy you consider us that Naruto" Sakura said. Sai gave a slight nod.
"Come on, after all we've been thru! Who else would I choose besides you guys?"
"Well…" Sakura started to say
"Don't finish that thought" He stopped
"But Naruto are you even trying? Sasuke IS sorry"
"That doesn't change things, he fucked up not me. Besides we talked a little bit" He shrugged "Its not as easy for me to forgive him as I'd once thought itd be"
"Its hard on him too!"
"Why are you defending him anyway? He hurt you too remember?" She flinched
"Naruto" Sai cut in "That's enough"
"Yes, why don't you two calm down and relax ok?" As Jiraiya finished the door started to open. An elegant older woman emerged, followed by two more women in all white. Naruto noticed the earrings she wore were in the shape of a wolf. Her gaze fell on Jiraiya.
" Jiraiya. How are you?"
"Amaya…I'm…what…how…" Naruto started to snicker. He'd never seen the old guy tongue twisted in front of a woman before.
"We have to talk later"
"Where are you going?"
"To see Hikari"
"You know Hikari?!" Naruto asked
"I do young man" She turned to him "And who might you be?"
"Naruto, my newly adopted hard headed son" Tsunade said from the doorway
"I'm not hard headed" He mumbled.
"You are Hikari's friend?"
"Yep"
"It was nice to meet you Naruto, ladies come" She walked down the hall.
"Who was that?" Sakura asked
"NOW THAT'S A WOMAN!" Jiraiya shouted
"We couldn't tell with you drooling and everything" Tsunade went back inside her office
"Who was that?" Sakura asked again
"Lady Amaya Okami, matriarch of the Okami clan and one of the best fighters I've ever met. In other words Hikari's grandmother" He walked inside
"I guess we know for sure she gets her scruffy looks from her fathers side" Sai said. Sakura elbowed him.
Hikari stood in the over sized kitchen of the Hyuga house as she tried for the hundredth time to make the meal on the paper. It was an old Hyuga recipe and Mika Hyuga had thought she should know how to cook it. It was a rite of passage for all the Hyuga women. Hikari groaned then crumpled the paper and threw it behind her.
"You're not going to learn that way" Hanabi said. She had formed an immediate attachment to Hikari and tended to follow her everywhere when she was over "If Hinata was here she'd help you. Mama taught her the recipe when she was ten"
"Or maybe you weren't meant to be a cook" Neji added. They both sat at a small table in the corner. Whenever he was home he'd help or keep Hikari company when she was doing her 'lessons'.
"Thanks Neji, that makes me feel a lot better" She sighed. TenTen was supposed to be coming over later. His aunt adored her. At first Hikari hadn't been bothered by it but now TenTen's stuck up attitude was starting to get on her nerves, especially since Sakura had voiced her concern that the two were in love. She ran a hand through her hair. She didn't want to admit it but she was slowly starting to like Neji more each day. Hanabi picked up on how Hikari was acting. She poked her cousin who didn't bother to look up from the scroll he was reading. Hanabi didn't like TenTen.
"Go over there" She whispered
"Why?" He mouthed
"Its starting to get to her" Neji closed it "You promised me and Hinata you would talk to her"
"Fine" He got up
"I'll be back Hikari" Hanabi jumped up.
"Kay" She was absorbed in her thoughts, that was probably why she couldn't fix the food right.
"Whats wrong?" Neji asked standing next to her
"Nothing" She lied. She was chopping some vegetables
"I can tell you're lying, I don't need the Byakugan to see that"
"Just tired, that's all" She kept chopping. He put his hand over hers. She stopped
"If that's whats wrong then go get some rest, I'll cover for you" She hesitated "But that's not it is it?"
"Neji I have a question for you" She faced him, putting a hand on her hip " I have to know if you care about TenTen?"
"That's all?"
"Yes"
"That's easy then, yes I do" Hikari felt even worse but she wasn't about to let him see. She went back to chopping. Neji smirked and leaned against the counter
"What?"
"You're even prettier when you're annoyed"
"Shut up" She smiled. She found it hard to stay mad at him
"That's better and I didn't finish giving my answer"
"Then please continue" She said sarcastically. Before he could however a voice said
"Nice to see the both of you getting along. I honestly thought you would've done something outrageous by now granddaughter" They turned to the doorway to see Hiashi and his wife with Amaya Okami.
"Grandma!" She dropped what she was doing. Amaya walked over. Neji bowed but Hikari knelt. It was common practice in her family to show the proper respect to the head. She felt hands on either side of her face
"Okami Hikari I'm proud of you" She looked up meeting her grandmother's smiling face
"Hikari!" A blur ran past everyone. It latched its arms around her neck. She fell backwards a little. Looking down she saw a head of messy brown hair. A tanned face grinned at her. She realized who it was. Her crazy fourteen year old brother
"Minoru!" She wrapped her arms around him
"He wouldn't stop begging to come along and of course since he was coming your cousins wanted to come too. It was a mess" Amaya said
"We all miss you you Sis, even Hiro" He finally took notice of where he was and saw Neji standing next to her "Sis is this the asshole you're marrying? He doesn't seem as much of a punk as the last one" Amaya yanked him by the collar
"What have I told you about that mouth of yours?!" Hikari stood up.
"Dinner will be ready soon Lady Okami" Mika Hyuga said
"That's fine" She started to walk away "Come Granddaughter. We have much to discuss, Neji will you watch Minoru for me" It was more of a command than a request but he said
"Yes Lady Okami" His aunt and uncle trailed behind them.
"We're gonna have fun huh Nishi?" Minoru gave a creepy grin. Neji wondered what he'd gotten himself into.
Naruto sat outside a building on the dirt. He couldn't believe what had just happened. He rubbed his temples at the memory
"I'll get to the point. Naruto, I've asked Hikari to through with separating you from the fox"
"What?!"
"Let me finish. I've received some information that Akatsuki is getting ready to attack. You'll be their first target. This is very important. If Hikari does this now then there's a better chance of survival, especially with me here but if they get you then…well you already know"
"What about Hikari?" He asked quietly
"Naruto as much as I'd like to give you a picture perfect scenario, I simply cant"
"Great"
"Naruto" Sakura put a hand on his shoulder
"It will begin in three days. You and Hikari need to get enough rest, eat properly and build up your strength. You'll need it"
"There's no other way Hokage?" Sai asked
"The other options will take care of the problem temporarily. This is the most efficient and effective"
"My friend will die because of me" Naruto said quietly before leaving the room
"Naruto!" he heard Sakura call after him
"Whats wrong with you Uzumaki?" Neji kicked his foot
"Huh? Oh just thinking"
"May I join you?"
"Sure" He sat down beside him "How've you been?"
"Tired, I'm leaving on a mission tomorrow"
"What kind?"
"Cant talk about it"
"Oh that kind"
"What about you? I heard about your sparing match today"
"Word travels fast" He shrugged "Tsunade is working with me tomorrow and did you meet Hikari's grandma? Jiraiya couldn't say a word in front of her"
"I would've liked to see that. I did meet her earlier. Hikari is with her now"
"Speaking of Hikari, how's it going between you guys?" There was a pause then he said
"Perfect"
"Whatever Neji, you had to think about that! If it helps I think she might actually like you" Neji smirked
"And you know this because…"
"The way she gets so irritated whenever she sees TenTen with you. I think she's jealous" He grinned "How do you feel about her?"
"Maybe we can discuss that later"
"Fine Hyuga but if you hurt her…"
"You don't have to worry about that" He gave a slight smile. Naruto wondered if Neji knew what Hikari was getting ready to do.
"I need to get ready. You need to relax"
"Is it obvious?"
"Yes" He rose "Sometimes no matter how much you want to change things, you cant Uzumaki. Whatever happens know its not your fault" He and Naruto stared at each other for a minute then Naruto slowly nodded, understanding passed between them. Naruto stayed in his spot for a little bit longer when. He leaned his head against the wall behind him watching the clouds go slowly by. Suddenly something caught his eye. He sat up. A figure was standing on the roof across from him. Naruto jumped up. The figure crossed its arms as if waiting. He made a dash for the roof, landing behind the person.
"Usually you're not out during the day"
"Nice to see you too" She answered
"Tsunade said they found another body in a small village a few hours away"
"Did they now?"
"You don't have to kill in order to get your point across"
"Silly boy. You act as if there is only one way to have justice and that is thru the law, am I right?"
"That's…" He hesitated
"Speak up since you have such a great moral outlook. I'm sorry I'm not like you. Everything isn't always in black and white"
"But there has to be another way, the way they die is horrible"
"Fitting for what they've done"
"Do you even care?!"
"Not about them"
"How can you say that?"
"Come here boy" He walked slowly over "Do you see that woman down there with the child?" He saw a middle aged woman walking as if she ached with her little girl's hand in her own. He nodded "She works three jobs, two during the week and one on the weekend. You'd think she'd have enough money to pay off a small debt she owes a rich woman but she hasn't. The rich woman adds interest every day so that's its becoming impossible to pay it off. I had a visit with her last night. And see that young man?" Naruto turned his eyes to a guy walking not too far behind them. He seemed ok. "His father was killed, now he has to provide for his family. There are days when he doesn't eat just so his mother and sisters can. I ask you Naruto Uzumaki what other way is there to protect them? Obviously Konoha itself is more concerned with the demon fox and Akatsuki which have been around for awhile, then taking care of its own"
"Why are you telling me this?"
"So you don't become so absorbed in your own problems"
"You want me to kill people like you?"
"Get over the killing part boy" She growled "You're missing the point. Hikari has chosen what she will do, have you?" He knew he should've been surprised that she had knowledge about what was going on but for some reason or another he wasn't. She started to move
"The world doesn't stop because you do Naruto" She said softly "Think about it" She took a step off the roof. Naruto looked down but she had disappeared. A new determination filled him. He wasn't going to let Akatsuki win, especially with what was at stake. He wouldn't let Hikari's death be in vain.
"We'll miss you Neji!" Hanabi wrapped her arms around him. He returned the hug. His mother, uncle, aunt, cousins, along with Hikari, her brother and grandmother stood in the front room saying their goodbyes. Minoru stuck his tongue out at him which got him a hit from his grandma.
"There's nothing to worry about Hanabi, he should be back tomorrow" Hiashi tried to soothe his youngest daughter.
"But I have a bad feeling" She whispered. His mother gave him a hug then kissed him on the cheek
"I worry every time you go on a mission"
"I'll be ok" He answered. He was already dressed in his ANBU uniform minus the mask.
"Where are TenTen and Lee? Didn't they want to say bye?"
"They'll meet me at the gate"
"Have fun Nishi!" Minoru sneered
"We are going to have a talk when this is over" Amaya growled.
"Be careful" Hinata said "Remember who's out there"
"I will" He could see Hikari next to her brother. She appeared to be out of it so much that she didn't notice when her brother stuffed a spider into her pocket.
"For cryin out loud you guys act as if he's gonna die! Wait a minute…what the hell?" She saw a large black spider crawl out of her pocket "AHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!" She started running around like she was on fire. Minoru was laughing at her. Hanabi giggled Amaya rolled her eyes.
"Whats wrong with her?" Mika asked. They were all surprised because no matter how much she tried to get it off, the spider hung on as if its life depended on it.
"My lovely granddaughter has a great fear of spiders" She snapped her fingers. The two women appeared "Please take care of that"
"Yes Lady Okami" They bowed. One tripped Hikari. As she fell the spider flew into the air. The second women sent a needle through it, killing it. The first one grabbed the back of Hikari's shirt just before she hit the ground.
"Thanks" She mumbled. They disappeared as fast as they had come.
"You're such a baby!" Minoru kept laughing. Hinata walked over to see if she was alright.
"Hikari walk with me" Neji said
"I don't feel like it" She groaned
"Go with your husband young lady" Mika Hyuga said "You need to spend more time with him anyway". Noriko Hyuga nodded in agreement
"Grandma?"
"Do what she says".
Hikari tried to keep her mind on anything except for how she had embarrassed herself a few minutes before. She watched a few birds above her. One was jet black. Hikari squinted her eyes at it. She'd never seen a bird like it before. It was larger than the others, she guessed it was the size of a hawk It flew to a branch. After looking around its gaze fell on her. It squawked. She had seen that bird somewhere before.
"Hikari how do you feel?"
"Huh? Oh, great"
"Will you go out with me when I return?"
"Yeah, sure" She blinked "Wait, are you asking me out?"
"That's what some people call it"
"Why?"
"You mean besides the fact that we're getting married?"
"Smartass" She grumbled. They were near the gate. He stopped.
"We haven't spent much time together since you've been here, except when you're doing those lessons. I want to know more about you"
"Guess that's ok" He brushed a strand of hair out of her face. She felt her face heating up I feel like Hinata.
"Hikari, I..."
"Neji!" Lee called out. He and TenTen made their way over. He frowned. Hikari couldn't be sure but it had sounded like he had cursed.
"We'll finish this later" He whispered. He let her hand go.
"Hikari! You are very lovely today" Lee said
"Thanks"
"Neji your captain wants to talk with all ANBU before they go on this mission" TenTen said. She ignored Hikari
"I'll be back then" He was gone in a poof of smoke. Lee could sense the tension between the girls.
"Nice weather isn't it?" He asked
"Perfect" TenTen answered "Neji is not going to marry you"
"Tell me something new" Lee tried to figure a way to diffuse the situation.
"You're no good for him"
"And you are?"
"Yes, for one his family loves me"
"That's news to me" TenTen balled up her fist
"Why don't you go home?"
"Why don't you get a life?" Hikari's eyes changed to gray. The wind began to blow. She heard Sasuke calling her in the distance. She heard Akane shouting for her to look at the sky. She pulled her eyes away from TenTen long enough to see the black bird from earlier. It squawked. Then she remembered where she'd seen it.
"Okami you idiot! Do you know whose bird that is?! I've been trying to find you all day!" Akane yelled. Hikari smiled and held her arm out. TenTen took a few steps back as the bird landed on her arm. There was a note attached to its leg. She pulled it off then read it. Her smile became bigger
I'm almost to Konoha, try not to get into any fights until then. By the way you have a lot to answer for, ditching me like you did. We're supposed to be best friends right? Oh yeah and tell Akane she owes me money for those heels she had me buy.
Jin
Tsunade stood at her window watching what was going on below. Hikari was jumping up and down excitedly. Akane was trying to calm her down. TenTen had walked off in a huff. Lee had gone in the opposite direction. Sasuke seemed bored but what else was new? She rubbed her eyes. She knew this battle coming up would be the final one between her people and Akatsuki. A lot was on the line. She wondered if Naruto would be ready. They had to be ready within the next few days. She had a feeling Akatsuki would know when the separation was going to take place and if that was the case then they'd be striking very soon. She had to see the Leaf village through this. She heard a sound behind her. Thinking it was Shizune she said
"I'm leaving early, I told Naruto I'd give him an answer today on whether he made ANBU or not"
"I'm not Shizune" Tsunade whirled around to find the masked woman many people were afraid of in her office, dressed all in black.
"What do you want? I should have you thrown in prison right now!"
"But you wont because I have come to offer my services Lady Hokage"
"What do you mean?"
"I feel the time has come to show you who I am" She removed her mask. Tsunade gasped.
A note from me: Remember in the last chap when Miya was shown to be the masked woman and Hikari said it was more like a partnership? There are two of the ladies, so who is the second one?