Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, or any of the Characters that are written of therein, my only concession to any ownership is my oc and the story plot that I am putting out there for others to read for their own enjoyment and amusement.
Chapter 4: Truths Still Hidden, Secrets Revealed
"So what do you think, Kaze-kun? Are you ready to reveal yourself to your friends, it's been almost a year since they last saw you and you've changed." said a shadow sitting in a chair across from a slightly larger shadow.
"I'm not sure Kori-nee-chan I don't know how they're going to react to the rest of the news and I couldn't bear to lose even one of my friends, I just don't know what to do." answered the slightly larger shadow.
"It'll be okay, you don't need to worry about that, they've already accepted that you were the container for Aniki. I'm sure that they'll be able to accept that you've changed a little because of what we had to do to save you. All we can do is wait and see, and if something goes wrong you'll always have a place with me and Kaji-kun, and you know that the rest of the clan cares for you a great deal. So no matter what you'll always have a family. What ever you decide know that I will always see you as my ototo, nothing will ever change that and I'll always be here," the smaller shadow placed a hand on the larger's chest over his heart. "We also get to surprise everyone with the news of your lineage, that'll be fun at least."
"You're right nee-chan, I know that I shouldn't worry so much, but I really do want to go back to the village, after all I can't become Hokage if I no longer live there."
"That's right kittling; nothing can stop you as long as you can clearly see what you want and yourself achieving it. Of course, helping to broker an alliance between your village and the incredibly powerful Kitsune Clan can't hurt either. So, do you want us to call us by your clan name, your kitsune name or your given name?" asked another shadow, bigger than either of the shadows sitting in the chairs.
"I am and always will be Naruto, so call me that, but I want to see their reaction when they realize what a wonderful prank we've pulled on them so far."
"Just be prepared to accept your punishment for worrying all of your friends so much, they probably think you've gone insane or something after what was said." the smaller shadow said, a laugh obvious in her voice.
"I know, but I don't want them to know yet. I need them to work a little for me, to show me that they care about me as much as I care about them."
"There's nothing wrong with that, you need to make your friends realize how lucky they are to have you and don't forget that, besides you're part of the kitsune clan now, and in true kitsune fashion we're going to play a little trick on those ninja, just don't expect to fool that Suna friend of yours, he'll probably see right through your act." the female voice assured the young man that was hidden in shadow.
"What makes you say that?" Naruto asked, stepping toward a door.
"Didn't Aniki tell you about the fun he and that kuso tanuki used to have tricking everyone? They often played tricks on others when they were younger."
"Really, what kind of tricks did you play?"
"I am not discussing this with you kittling, the tricks that we played are a little to adult for you any way and I would thank you not to mention any of those imoto. Now if the two of you are done playing around we need to prepare for the arrival of our guests and where exactly are you planning on them staying while the negotiations are taking place?" the largest shadow asked looking at the smallest shadow.
"I was thinking of them staying at The Kitsune Inn."
"Now that's just mean, nee-chan, even I'm not that mean." Naruto exclaimed, but he sounded anything but upset about the plans.
"What can I say; Aniki has been a bad influence on me. Right after I was born he taught me a great deal about playing tricks." Kori snickered.
"Yeah and the first trick you played was on me and I still can't believe that I fell for it."
"Neither could I, it was such a simple trick I didn't think it had a chance of succeeding but I was proven wrong and the whole clan got a good laugh out of it too."
"What did you do?" Naruto asked suddenly interested.
"I…" Kori was interrupted by a knocking sound, "we'll have to continue this later Aniki, someone's at the door."
"Don't worry about it imoto, I'll see the two of you when I get back from my mission, I'm keeping an eye on the tanuki and his entourage. They should arrive in Konoha late tonight or tomorrow morning at the latest. Is there anything else that you need me to do before I head home, maybe follow the delegation home and make sure that nothing happens to them?"
"I've already got others taking care of that, I sent several of the younglings to meet them in the woods outside Konoha, now ototo and I really have to go, we'll see you soon Aniki." Kori exclaimed.
"See you later Kaji-nii-san." and with Naruto's exclamation the shadowed place where the three were speaking disappeared.
Shizune knocked on the door once again, not receiving an answer she turned to look for the two guests only to face one of them, "Oh, Kodama-kun, I was just looking for you and the others, dinner will be ready soon and I wanted to make sure that Tsurara-san was okay from her headache earlier." the kind young woman explained.
"It's no problem Shizune-san, I was just coming to do the same, did no one answer when you knocked?" Kodama replied looking at the closed door behind the dark-haired woman.
"No, I knocked several times but there was no answer from anyone." Just as Shizune finished speaking the door across the hall opened to reveal an Uchiha with a major case of bed-head, not that it was all that different from his normal hairstyle. "What are you doing over there Uchiha-san; I thought that the seal only allowed you to go a maximum of ten feet."
"It was, but when Tatsu tried to make a run for it and I choose him to carry the seal again I gave myself a little more room, it is now 15 meters instead, this way I don't have to be right outside the restroom anymore." Sasuke grumbled.
"So where are Tatsu and Tsu-chan? If they aren't with you and you aren't unconscious then they can't be far." Kodama commented, having checked the room that Sasuke had come out of and not smelling either of his two friends.
"Tatsumaki told me that he was going to stay with Tsurara until she got a little more rest and some more food in her to make sure nothing to bad happened."
"Oh yeah, I almost forgot about what happened the last time Tsu-chan forgot to eat and got a migraine. That was a really bad situation and I really hope that there is not a repeat…ever." Kodama commented before going to the door that Shizune had been knocking on when he had showed up and opening the door to show a mostly empty room with a ruffled bed and a knapsack on the floor in the corner. They all noticed that the bathroom door was closed and there was a faint light showing under the door, fearing the worst Shizune hurried across the room and pushed the bathroom door open to reveal a few lit candles providing light and Tatsumaki standing over a kneeling Tsurara as she leaned over the toilet.
Shizune immediately rushed forward to help as Tsurara finally leaned back against her brother, pale and sweaty. "Are you alright?" the older woman asked as she performed a diagnostic jutsu to discover what was happening, and blanched at the look that she received from the young man supporting Tsurara.
"No, she is not alright, not only does she have a very serious migraine, but now it is so bad that I'm going to have the knock her out until we can get to the Inn and get Fuji and Fujiiro to take a look at her and get the stupid migraine under control." Tatsumaki growled, still glaring at Shizune until he felt Tsurara patting his arm to calm him.
"Don't blame them, T. I've felt this coming on for a few days now, I was just hoping that I could delay the rest of the symptoms until we could get back home or at least to the Kitsune Inn, unfortunately I wasn't so lucky and now we'll have to leave for the Woods earlier than Tsunade-sama had planned and I'm not going to be able to do anything at least until we get to the twins, I'm sorry ototo, I really didn't want to place all of this trouble on you, you and Kodama are going to have to lead everyone to the Inn," the young woman turned to the kitsune-turned-ningen that was still hovering in the doorway leading to the bedroom, "Kodama, Kaji is shadowing the Kazekage's party, I need you to go out to meet them and make sure that Aniki comes along as well, I need him here to make sure that nothing happens to anyone while I'm incapacitated, and Shizune-san, I forgot to bring something stronger with me so I'm going to have to ask you to find me something that will keep me unconscious for the next few days."
"Is there nothing that we can do for you here Tsurara-san? Tsunade-sama is the world's best med-nin and she trained me personally."
"Not meaning this as a slur against you or your shisou, but my condition is very delicate and persnickety and I don't really know enough about it to help you treat me right now, however I would greatly appreciate anything that you and your shisou could do to help me after we get back to Fuji and Fujiiro, as they know exactly what my condition is and will be able to explain it in detail."
"Of course Tsurara-san, as for knocking you out for a few days I can use a jutsu to send you into a dreamless sleep and you will remain that way until I remove it, will that be acceptable?" The dark-haired med-nin offered.
"I accept your offer but must ask you to wake me when Kaji-nii arrives so that I can tell him what all is going on."
"I'll go ahead and knock you out now, and then I'll go immediately and inform Tsunade-sama about the change in plans, okay?" Shizune offered and acted as soon as Tsurara had nodded.
I know I know, it's not very long. But I'm kinda busy and figured that you all had waited long enough for the next chapter, and I know that I promised a few of you that you would find out about who Naruto is in this chapter and if you squint you can probably guess, but I don't want to ruin the surprise for everyone else so you'll have to wait another chapter. I'm starting some new classes in school and depending on how that goes I may have some more time to write soon, I plan to have the next chapter of The Truth of the Matter out by the end of September and a longer chapter of Kitsune out by mid-October at the latest. No promises, I don't make promises I can't keep but that is the plan. Also, I know that no one expected the migraine, heck I didn't expect it until I wrote it and I promise that all will be explained soon, not next chapter (although that plan could change) but if not then the chapter after that. Thanks for reading and please don't flame me, I really am trying. Tya.