I'm soooooo sorry! I've got valid excuses, but if you want to read it, you'll have to go to my profile, because I really don't want to type it three times! Before I start, I have to tell y'all something! Okay, the poll on my profile for this story will be closing in three days, so get to votin'! After the poll is gone, I'll need a bit to think up a way to set up the winning couple in a plausible way. If you want your couple to win vote vote vote! Well... you can only vote once, but you know what I mean! And if you choose 'other' on either HET or Yaoi, please send me a PM specifying what 'other' couple you would prefer. Okey doke, on we go!
Title: Protecting From the Shadows
Pairing: Vote on it. I won't know your opinion unless you tell me!
Warnings: Don't really know... slow, sporadic updates?
Disclaimer: (Monotone) I am not Masashi Kishimoto. There! I said it! Now give me my damn plushies back, Kishimoto!
Chapter 4
Recap:
Sakura also watched the young captain, unable to dismiss her suspicion. It was impossible, yet everything between them was so similar. The way they jumped as they navigated through trees, the easy way he kept pace with Sasuke, and the lock of golden hair that slipped from the hood. Not to mention the facts that just as one leaves, the other appears, and that when she was at ANBU HQ, his laughter echoed through the halls. Impossible unless...
Kitsune was Naruto.
~~~~****~~~~****~~~~
The more Sakura looked at the ANBU captain, the more he reminded her of the obnoxious blond that was absent. She watched as Kitsune caught up with Sai, keeping pace with the other teen.
That reminded her, ever since Sasuke's defect, Naruto seemed to get closer to the 'undercover' ANBU than he ever had with Sasuke, she often saw them walking together, the blond talking, the raven listening intently. Sasuke and Naruto had never been seen together outside of training.
Sai thought silently for a second, then smirked over at the teen beside him. "So, Kitsune-taicho, you're well connected to the missions office, do you, by chance, have any idea when Naruto Uzumaki will be back from his solo mission?" He asked loud enough for the others to hear. Kitsune scowled at Sai's obvious flaunting of his knowledge.
"From what I hear, most of those sent out on solo missions last week are due back tomorrow. Chances are, you friend is among those on their way back." He answered formally, though the glare he shot his friend promised pain.
Sai remembered how he found out that the legendary Kitsune, Konoha's cooldest blooded assassin, was in fact, Naruto, Konoha's loudest and most unpredictable ninja.
Flashback: 1 year, two months, and 1 day and 1/2 ago (A/N: Don't ask. Really, don't. ^^U)
As he was ordered, Sai spent two weeks spying on chuunin Sakura Haruno and genin Naruto Uzumaki before he was officially assigned to their team.
Sakura's life was boring, to say the least. She spent most of her time staring at herself in the full length mirror in her bedroom, or arguing with the blond haired girl Ino, or beating on her poor teammate.
Naruto, on the other hand, was interesting. By day he kept to the schedule of a normal genin, though he often trained alone. At night, however, he performed the bunshin jutsu he was most famous for. The clone was left on the young ninja's bed, sleeping, while the original slipped out of his window into the night.
Of course Sai had tried to follow him, but somehow the genin was able to shake him off before they reached the blond's destination, leaving the art nin with no idea where the other went.
Finally, at the end of the week, at half past three in the morning, the clone Naruto left behind dispelled itself suddenly as Sai watched it. He had decided to come back to the apartment to see if the boy was back after he lost him. This shocked the raven out of his light doze, and he stared intently into the dark apartment. There was a light feeling of alien chakra, then the small building was flooded with the blond's chakra signature. But, there was no one in the dank apartment.
Movement drew Sai's eyes upward, and there, perched on the highest eave, staring silently up at the full moon, was a man the young Ne operative had only heard tales about, someone, he was sure, didn't even exist. The fox masked ANBU Captain, Kitsune.
The captain slowly looked away from the moon, and met the onyx eyes of the astonished teen. As Sai looked, he realized that the eyes he met were a crystal clear blue.
The next thing he knew, it was morning, and Kitsune was gone.
Sai blinked in confusion. He knew he didn't fall asleep, and he wasn't aware of the passage of time. What the hell happened?
He sighed as he leveraged himself out of his uncomfortable perch, his mind whirring. Blue eyes, strange schedule, the chakra signature. It all made a strange sort of sense, he supposed.
No real ninja, intent on gaining the title of Hokage, would wear such an eye searing orange, or talk so loudly, even on a mission, or train so hard with no real results... unless... it was all a show. An act to throw off suspicion. No one would watch such an idiot too intently. In reality, there was no Naruto Uzumaki, just a character in a very convincing play. The actor was Kitsune.
What bothered Sai, though, was that if this was all so obvious, why was he the only one to have put it all together? The blond had had a sensei for months who was also part of ANBU, yet it seemed the man was oblivious.
Unless... that's exactly what Naruto wanted. Kakashi knew, just as anyone who had their ear to the ground did, that Kitsune was supposedly among the Rookie 9... er... 8.
Naruto was an extraordinary idiot, and if Kakashi ever suspected him, he probably just cast that suspicion aside, some one that stupid could not possibly be the efficiently silent killer that Kitsune was said to be.
And so, the facade of Naruto Uzumaki was perfect.
That is, until weeks later, when Sai, who had officially been made a part of Team 7, took the blond deep into the woods away from the others, and announced what he knew.
Before the raven knew what was happening, a deadly sharp kunai was pressed lethally against his throat, and he looked straight into the coldest eyes he ever hoped to see. Naruto, who had been standing ten feet away before, was now in his face, covering the distance in a fraction of a second.
"Who else knows?" Naruto hissed, voice very unlike his usual boyish tones.
"W-what?" Sai gasped, though he was silently wondering what this new emotion was. It coiled in his stomach, making him feel nauseous. He wanted to run from this boy. He mentally glanced over the books he had read, and finally identified it. Fear.
"Who have you told, Ne dog? Did you tell that scum Danzo? Those blathering idiots on the council? An enemy, perhaps?" The kunai pressed harder, drawing a trickle of blood.
"N-no one! I was going to confront you first!" The raven announced, as panic mixed with fear. He may have been trained not to feel, but human nature trumps training.
"Then tell me why I shouldn't end your life here, to keep it that way?" The blond demanded, but the feeling of the weapon against his throat softened. "I have permission to kill whomever I think is a threat to the safety of Konoha. Who do you think they'll believe, Kitsune, respected ANBU captain, or a corpse?"
"I-I have no reason, except that I will not tell." Sai murmured, and the weapon disappeared as Naruto stepped back, looking him over with shrewd eyes.
"I guess I'll have to believe you, if only because Sakura and Yamato-taicho would get suspicious if you vanished while we were alone. But know this. If I find out that you have told anyone, your life, as well as the life of the one you told, is forfeit."
Sharp, cold eyes transformed to the wide, innocent blue of before when Sakura's voice echoed through the woods, calling for them.
"Well, let's go, Sai-san."
End Flashback
It had taken months to get the blond to fully trust him, but, looking back, Sai realized it was worth all of the work. He now had a friend whom he could trust beyond all doubt.
At first, he had toyed with telling Danzo-sama, or the council, whom, Naruto had told him unknowingly, had no idea of the other's true identity. But he knew that Naruto's threat was not idle. If his record as Kitsune was anything to go by, he would kill them. And Sai couldn't take that chance.
So he found himself trying to prove himself to the blond, working for his trust, rather than avoiding the one who so calmly threatened the lives of those who were on the council.
At first he convinced himself that he only wanted the ANBU's trust so that he could use that connection, but after a while that excuse just wore too thin, and he had to face the truth that he wanted Naruto's trust and friendship.
And finally he had it, three months after their initial encounter, and two months before Kitsune managed to drag the Uchiha back. His first true friend, since his older brother, and the only person he could talk to without the restrictions of protocol and secrecy.
"Sai. Keep laying out clues like that, and I will personally skin your hide." Kitsune growled lowly to him, where only he could hear. Sai grinned at his friend, then they sped up, caught in an impromptu race.
Sakura caught up with Yamato-taicho, who was watching the speeding pair as she was.
"Taicho," She called his attention to herself, "I didn't know that Sai had such powerful friends... Did you?" The way the two were acting were cementing her suspicions, but she wanted Yamato's thoughts.
"I didn't know, Sakura, and frankly, I don't understand it. Kitsune-taicho is famous for being antisocial, and supposedly only trusts his team." The new Team 7 leader told her, as he lost sight of the two speeding teens.
Sasuke caught up with the two, breathing heavily. Even Orochimaru didn't push his speed to the level these two were playfully exhibiting. Maybe it was good he came back to Konoha.
Kitsune noticed the raven, and smiled ferally behind his mask.
"Uchiha-san, long time no see. Conscious, anyway." He called, and Sasuke scowled.
"Na- Kitsune! I'm winning!" Sai shouted, and Kitsune sped up, leaving behind the irritated raven before he could respond.
Sasuke caught Sai's 'slip'. 'Na? Who the heck is Na? Nami... Nadi... Nato... Naruto?'
The thought was so odd, so impossible, that he dismissed it immediately. Maybe it was just because Sai was used to Naruto being the fifth member of their group...?
"That was intentional, you prick." Kitsune growled, easily catching up to the scantily dressed boy.
"At least I have one. You are sadly lacking." The other bantered, but Naruto one upped him.
"How would you know, have you been peeking at me in the hot springs? Of course, if you have, you would know how very wrong you are."
Both teens continued to banter until they reached the Hokage tower, the three other shinobi far behind them.
Naruto waited for them to arrive, then bowed to them, thanking them for allowing him to accompany them. Sakura blushed, pleased. Sasuke scowled and 'hn-ed'. Sai and Yamato bowed back.
As Kitsune disappeared to the Hokage's office, Team 7, minus two of the regular members, made their way to the missions office. Sai ignored the questions shot at him, mostly from Sakura, though Yamato tried and failed a subtle inquiry.
They delivered the report of their successful mission, then seperated. Sai made sure none of his team mates were watching him, then made his way to Naruto's rooms in ANBU HQ to wait for his friend.
~~~~Naruto: Hokage's Office~~~~
Even though she was 'indisposed' only hours before, Tsunade sat calmly at her desk, her chair back where it belonged, under her butt.
"Hokage-sama." The younger blond bowed respectfully, and the woman sighed.
"Sit down, Naruto, and take off that dang mask. You calling me that makes me feel older than when you call me baa-san. Why the heck is that?" She complained.
Naruto slid into a chair, and reached behind his head for the ties to his fox mask, but stopped when he sensed his team's chakra signatures perched just outside the window.
Tsunade sensed it too, and grinned.
"A very curious team you command, Gaki. Or is nosy the word?"
"Tell me about it." Kitsune grumbled, casting a grumpy glance at the offending window. The team, knowing they had been discovered, slipped through the small window one at a time, bowing deeply to the Godaime before turning to their Taicho as one.
"Can you blame us for wondering who the guy we're supposed to trusts our lives with truly is?" Neko complained. The other's nodded in agreement.
"That's just it. If you knew, you wouldn't trust me." Kitsune told them, all of them forgetting they where they were. Tsunade dug a bottle of sake from under her desk and sat back to enjoy the show.
"Why wouldn't we trust you. No matter who you are behind the mask, that doesn't change the fact that you saved our sorry butts more times than we can count." the normally quiet Ookami murmured, and the other's shouted their approval.
"A hint, then?" Inu wheedled.
Kitsune sighed, knowing that he wouldn't get out of this without giving them that much. "Fine. First, tell me what you know about me, that way I'm not just giving you repeat information."
They all thought, and Tsunade shot the squirming captain a sympathetic glance. He was in a loosing battle. Eventually Inu, Ookami, Mizuhebi, and Neko would figure it out. The only question was, once they found out he was the vessel of the Kyuubi no Kitsune, would they treat him the same, or would they shun them as they did in their every day lives?
"I heard that you're a member of the Rookie 9." Ookami finally said.
"You are undoubtedly young enough." Mizuhebi added.
"Though it's obvious you're not the Uchiha, unless you are a master in clones." Neko announced, and they could all hear the disgust in her voice. She made it no secret how much she detested the boy.
"Is that all you know about my life behind the mask? Not my favorite food, or color? You're making this easier than I thought." Kitsune said.
"Of course we wouldn't know either of those, nobody does!" Inu announced angrily.
"Okay, I'll tell you that, then, but don't ask me for more, that's already one more than you demanded. My favorite food is spicy sushi, made with salmon. My favorite color is red. But remember this, just because those are my favorites, doesn't mean you'll find me scarfing sushi or decked out in scarlet. Now if you'll excuse me, a friend of mine is waiting for me in my rooms." Gloved hands flew through the hand seals, and the teen disappeared in a flash of fire that didn't even singe the fabric of the chair he was perched in moments before.
Tsunade barked out laughter. They would never guess with those hints. Her Gaki was either evil or a genius. Hopefully not both, else Konoha was screwed.
"Damn. We should have just specified the hint, like what kind of summons he has. I've never seen it." Neko growled.
The older blond woman decided to tip the scales a bit. Besides, Naruto needed these people to trust him.
"He has two. I won't tell you what they are, because that would just be too easy." She answered.
"Two?! How is that even possible?" Inu cried. Then, realizing he had just shouted at the Hokage, he cowered slightly, tensing to be ready to dodge any flying furniture. None came. Tsunade just waved her had loftily.
"Go away, you guys are buzz kills." She ordered, and she didn't have to say it twice. All four ANBU scrambled, two out the window, two opting to shunshin.
Tsunade sat back in her chair with a sigh. If they shunned Naruto when they found out, like they did now, she would have four very powerful ANBU to get rid of, so they couldn't spread the knowledge. She really hoped she had made the right choice.
~~~~Naruto and Sai: Naruto's Room~~~~
"I still can't believe that Kakashi-san hasn't guessed yet. It is really obvious once you think about it." Sai said, as he watched Naruto move around the room, doing what he called packing, but what Sai called throwing shit into a suitcase.
"Well, you only guessed because you didn't know me before you realized it. My facade doesn't look as good on paper. Or from afar, for that matter." Naruto's voice, muffled by the wall between them as he rummaged in the bathroom, called.
"Good point. But isn't he trained to look behind masks like yours?" The Ne operative asked.
"So am I, which makes it easy for me to make one he can't see behind. You just never got to see it." Coming back into the main room, Naruto tossed a small pile of clothes into the suitcase perched beside the raven, on the bed.
"Doesn't excuse him, though." Sai grumbled.
"Yeah, yeah. But if you hadn't seen my eyes that night, you would still be in the dark, as he is." The blond told him, plopping down on his other side.
"You still haven't told me how you hypnotized me like that." Sai complained. He was going to continue, but froze as both of them felt a familiar chakra signature made its way down the hall. "W-what is Sakura doing here?" He questioned. Naruto didn't even look at him, relaxing into the mattress.
"It's her job to come get the ANBU who forgot to file their report, or to give them announcements or summons from the Hokage, don't wo-" He paused when he felt Sakura stop in front of his door. She seemed to deliberate for a second, before she pounded ominously on the door.
What she shouted, though, sent both boys out of their skins.
"NARUTO UZAMAKI! I KNOW YOU'RE IN THERE! I KNOW YOUR SECRET! COME OUT RIGHT NOW BEFORE I BREAK THIS DOOR DOWN!!!!"
Hehehe, you get me back, and I give you this piece of crap chapter. Ah, well, I still have two other stories to update, so please don't kill me. remember, you can find my excuses on my profile, where you can also find my poll, which will be closing in three days from the time I post this. Well, places to go, people to turture, you know, the usual. Hasta. ^^/