An: I would like to thank everyone that has reviewed as always. Thanks, they really make my day S. o. t. A.
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and I'm doing this for fun not profit.
Chapter 40: The Great Escape
Naruto awoke slowly as was his usual ritual surprised at just how dark it was still. Opening his eyes he found himself sleeping on a stone slab in the middle of what he guessed was a cave. He immediately thought he was still asleep and dreaming as he couldn't possibly understand why he would be on a slab in his boxers. Getting off the slab sleepily he felt something crunch under his bare feet and saw that the whole floor was covered with insects of every shape and description. He immediately leapt back up onto the slab as it was surprisingly clear of the infestation. He was now wondering if he was having a nightmare. As his fear sharpened senses scanned the room and saw that the entire cave was covered in insects.
Naruto pinched himself, in hopes of waking up in his sleeping roll. His hopes however were dashed as all that he received was pain in return. He began to freak out but calmed remembering what both Zabuza and Jiraiya had drilled into his head about not losing his composure. Taking in his surroundings he spotted what he guessed was the way out but he couldn't get to it without crossing the sea of bugs. Still he considered chancing it but noted that some of the insects were rather poisonous. Still he wondered why the slab remained untouched by the bugs as almost every other inch of the cave was covered even the ceiling.
He supposed that whoever had brought him to the cave at least wanted him alive for the moment so decided to settle in and wait. Whoever they were he really wished that they had at least left his clothes with him.
Mei Momochi or more affectionately known by her people as the Fifth Mizukage was walking through the village that she now led to talk with and see how the citizens were doing. She wanted to show the people that the times had changed by being a more visible presence in the village then Yagura had been. She was being followed around by Ao who was a respectable distance behind her. Walking through the village she could still see some of the damage that the Shinobi Sector had sustained but was still in need of repair. Regrettably, the funds of the village were at an all-time low as it had seemed that Yagura had been diverting large sums of money to accounts in Grass Country. A team sent to investigate found the accounts had been cleaned out within days of Yagura's death, most likely by the Third Mizukage, or people working with him.
Luckily Zabuza still had access to Gato's hidden accounts and had turned them over to the village which prevented it from falling into bankruptcy. She also had teams of shinobi snatching up every available job that came the village's way, although she didn't seem to have enough manpower for them all.
Another problem Kiri faced was its severely depleted shinobi forces. The battle for Kirigakure hadn't been overly bloody, but it had taken its toll. Not to mention, Yagura hadn't made it a priority to train new shinobi as the curriculum of the Academy was horribly out of date. It had almost been like the goal had been to weaken the village as much as possible, probably in preparation for a hostile takeover. If the Third Mizukage was behind everything why give up his power if his goal was to eventually come back? It didn't make sense. However her goal was clear and that was to return the village to prominence. She had an idea on how to do that and had already taken several steps to begin implementing her plan. The new construction, where the old Anbu headquarters had been, being the biggest sign of her strategy. If the construction crews stayed on schedule it would be completed just in time for the event she wanted it to be used for. It was a gamble she knew, since she had yet to run it by the principle players in the next part of her plan, but she was confident she could sell it.
Furthermore, she hoped that many people would answer her call for shinobi, but more importantly that children would begin to return to the Academy. She had even hoped that Zabuza would consider becoming a Jounin-sensei, but he had refused saying, "Training one group of brats had been enough for several lifetimes."
She was pulled out of her reverie by the shout of, "Stop thief!" Turning in the direction she saw a wild looking boy with unkempt hair. He was wearing a grey shirt with dark shorts. Geta adorned his feet which made a clanking sound as he ran from the vendor with a peach in his mouth. Walking up to a nearby stand she paid for a piece of fruit, an apple, and then threw it at the boy catching him in the back of the head.
The Anbu that guarded her but remained out of sight instantly pounced on the boy, since the Mizukage had decided to get involved, holding him down as he struggled to get up. Walking over towards the boy she could see a wild dog like look in his eye as he glared up from the ground at her. A look that reminded her of the one her husband had when he first entered the Academy. Also she noted the blue bands around his ankles and wrists which showed he hailed from the Ryukyu Islands, a place that had been used as a prison colony to the south. One of the Anbu noticing his glare instantly pushed his head down saying, "How dear you look upon the Mizukage with such disrespect."
Mei gently rebuked the Anbu saying, "I gave no order to treat him so roughly," causing the Anbu to instantly apologize to her. Giving a sign for them to pick the boy up to his feet she was about to speak when the boy beat her to the punch saying, "What's the big idea you old hag?"
A bruised cranium later, to which Ao and her Anbu sweat dropped due to Mei's earlier rebuke of the rough treatment, Mei said, "Why are you out here stealing, shouldn't a boy your age be in the academy?"
"Ha they wouldn't let me in. Said they don't need trash like me, but that's fine. I don't need to join no stinking academy," the boy said but in a way that made Mei feel as if he had wanted to be there, "Besides I's got to eat don't I?"
"Ao," Mei said angrily staring at the boy, "Did you not pass along my orders that all children were welcome in the Academy?"
"Yes Milady," Ao said also noticing the bands, "however perhaps due to the boy's origin the headmast…"
"All children means all children," Mei said her voice telling Ao she would accept no excuse and then addressing the Anbu she ordered, "See that the boy is signed up in the Academy for the next semester and then bring the headmaster to my office." The Anbu immediately left with the boy to fulfill her commands. She sighed once they left wondering why, although many people may have said they wanted change they still clung to old animosities and ideas. To which the boy served as the perfect example of why she believed that was foolish as he was probably a child born from one of the many prisoners of the island and despite having been born innocent carried the burden of his parents crimes. Addressing her assistant she said, "Add new instructor to the list of wants, Ao. Also when is Zabuza due to return from his mission?"
"I believe in several days, Milady why?"
"I think it's time we implement the next phase of my strategy for the village, and I believe he will be the perfect messenger for it," Mei said with a smile.
The Leaf Maximum Security Prison had been quiet for years causing the Fire Daimyo to begin cutbacks to the personnel of the prison. Although, the Leaf Village still maintained a strong presence they had needed to pull quite a few of the chunin guards to offset the losses they suffered during the Sound Invasion. Therefore, the prison was horribly undermanned considering how devious and dangerous some of the prisoners were. A matter that one prisoner planned to take advantage of.
Mizuki had waited a long time for the right moment to put his plan into action. The final piece of that plan had arrived just over a month ago in the form of Jibachi. Although his chakra had been sealed he still had control of a swarm of bees that were able to locate him anywhere due to a chemical he treated his hair with. When Mizuki had learned about it he had easily convinced the man to join him in his upcoming escape attempt. Jibachi had been all too eager to join him as Shura and the rest of the Shinobazu had already attempted to kill him once. Mizuki had been able to protect him due to the power and influence he had managed to amass during his time in the prison.
The reason Jibachi was key to his plan was that the prison was located in the middle of a volcano and as soon as trouble started in the prison the guards in the control tower at the edge of the crater would raise the bride to the prison trapping the prisoners inside. Jibachi was key to preventing that from happening. The first part of the plan was already in progress as Jibachi and he were working the food detail. He was handing out food to the prisoners in the maximum security section which housed the most dangerous prisoners the prison contained and Jibachi was doing the same except in the control tower bringing the guards their lunch.
Mizuki saw a clock on the wall as he pushed his cart and smiled as the second part of the plan was about to begin.
"This is all your fault," Meizu shouted pushing his brother into a group of his fellow prisoners in the prison cafeteria, "If you hadn't insisted on betraying Zabuza we would be living the good life finally able to return to Kiri."
"My fault," Gozu shouted, "You're the little toady that wanted to work for that bastard Gato in the first place." He threw a kick that missed catching another of the prisoners causing the large man to stand and attack the nearest thing near him which sent off a chain reaction and before they knew it the Demon Brothers were in the middle of a riot. Nodding their heads to each other they waited until several guards charged in before slipping out of the room.
"Hey Mizuki here to feed the scum again," the guard said as he buzzed Mizuki into the Most Dangerous Prisoner Section or M.D.P. S.
"Aren't we all scum," Mizuki said jokingly while pushing his cart through the gate and smiled at how easily he had fooled the guards of the prison into believing he was genuinely remorseful for his previous crimes.
"Well at least some prisoners like you are around to help keep the more dangerous ones in line," the guard said walking up to inspect the food as procedure dictated to ensure that dangerous objects weren't passed to the prisoners.
Suddenly a red light went off behind the guard causing him to say, "What the hell is that about?" Wondering why the Code Red light had gone off.
"Must be a riot in the cafeteria," Mizuki said.
"How would you know where it's at?" the guard said while checking his board for information.
Pulling out a shiv he had made from a toothbrush Mizuki pulled the guards head back and said having lost his friendly aura, "Because I'm the one who ordered it," he then shoved the shiv into the man's throat to let him bleed out. Pressing the button to open the gate to the M.D.P. section Mizuki made his way through the large barred doors until he arrived at the one he wanted.
Using the dead guard's key he opened the large vault like door and smiled at the sight before him. In the cell suspended in midair by large steel cables that connected to steel manacles which completely covered their hands and feet were the Legendary Orge Brothers, Fujin and Raijin. Atop their heads was a sensory deprivation helmet to prevent the brothers from being agitated. The two brothers were down in this portion of the prison as it was the only place that could actually contain the two. Rumor had it that the pair had been stopped from the rampage that got them locked up only by the combined might of some of the Leaf Villages most powerful shinobi. Mizuki didn't doubt it, because although the two of them were incredible stupid once they got going almost nothing could stop them. Which was why, when he had first arrived he had immediately befriended the pair as he delivered their food.
Taking the first helmet off of Fujin the eldest brother he smiled saying, "Ah my good friend. I trust you have been well."
"Is it dinner time already Big Brother," Fujin said.
Mizuki couldn't help but sigh at how simple minded the man was but that was what made it easy to control him. "Indeed," Mizuki said hitting the lever that loosed the steel cables to allow Fujin to touch the ground. He was about to release the manacles but found he didn't need to as Fujin smashed them together to destroy them. Once his hands were free he simply ripped apart the ones on his feet.
Fujin proceeded to set his brother free in a similarly destructive manner before the pair began to chow down on the food he had brought. Although they were gorging themselves Mizuki said, "Hurry it up. We are in the middle of breaking out of here."
Fujin stood wiping his tree-trunk sized arm across his mouth saying, "Yes Big Brother. Let's go Raijin."
"But I'm still hungry," Raijin said only to receive a hit to his head.
"Then take it with you," Fujin said, "Big Brother says we go, so we go."
Grabbing his plate Raijin followed behind as Fujin walked out into the hallway and began ripping gates of their hinges in order to lead his brothers out of the prison.
In the control tower Jibachi smiled as the Code Red light went off on the control board as he handed the guards in the room their food. "What are you smiling at?" the guard receiving the meal through the bars of the control room.
"A dead man," Jibachi said opening his prison garb to show hundreds of bees were under it almost like a shirt of insects. The bees then flew through the bars stinging the three guards to death. Several of the insects grouped together to push the button opening the metal gate and giving him control of the tower. Locking himself into the room he sent his bees to search for and kill any of the other guards they found within.
The Demon Brothers met up with the other two members of Mizuki's gang Junzo Chuda and Zeshin Asako, the two chunin that had aided Mizuki in the plot to kidnap Hinata. They found the pair outside the room that stored the prisoners' belongings trying to stay out of the riot that had spread from the cafeteria. The still over-weight Zeshin although more muscular due to the time in prison had just finished pounding his way in. The Demon Brothers immediately began searching for their gauntlets finding them quickly they donned them as well as their masks.
"Ah it's good to see everyone is dressed and ready to go," Mizuki said from the doorway.
"Not quite," Junzo said pulling at his thin mustache, "There is still the matter of the chakra repression seals."
"Raijin, Fujin show them what we brought," Mizuki said stepping into the room further followed by the two large men each holding a guard by the head. Their massive hands were so large that until they threw the men in the room the other prisoners had no idea who they were. However they all smiled as they saw one of the men was the hardass head of security for the prison.
"I heard what you said," the man said, "and I'll never release those seals. You'll have to kill me first."
"Fujin show our resident hero here that there are worse things than death," Mizuki said sinisterly.
"Yes Big Brother," Fujin said before approaching the two. Grabbing the young guard that they had grabbed along with the Guard Boss, he pulled the man's arms out straight as the man whimpered and then ripped them both off almost as easily as pulling off a fly's wings.
Ignoring the guards screams Mizuki said, "Go ahead and take off one on mister hero. He only needs one to release the seals. If that doesn't do it well take a leg next."
"Wait," the guard said his earlier bravo gone, "I'll do it. Just…just don't kill me."
"Glad to see we understand each other," Mizuki said stepping up to have his seal removed. After all the seals were removed Mizuki nodded to Raijin who slammed his hands together in a giant clap that smashed the Guard Boss's head between them. "Alright boys time to go," he said stepping out into body filled hall as the prisoners took over.
He stopped and avoided a knife thrown by Shura. "So this is your doing Mizuki," the Shinobazu leader said his voice filled with hostility.
"Is now really the time to settle our differences?" Mizuki said confidently, "We can always kill each other after we escape if you want."
Thinking it over and realizing Mizuki seemed confident he could get out of the prison Shura said, "Fine we'll settle up after we escape."
Mizuki led the way to the drawbridge that led out of the prison seeing that a lot of the prisoners had already crossed over. While he expected that he also didn't want them all to leave so sending a vicious kick into Shura's gut that knocked him into several other prisoners. He slammed the heavy door that led to the bridge behind him and locked it. He could hear Shura banging on the other side so said cheerfully, "Sorry Shura, but I need you fools here keeping the Leaf busy with taking back the prison. But here's a piece of advice take some hostages it'll give you room to negotiate. I believe the warden is still in his office. Take care."
Enjoying Shura's shouts of rage that followed behind him as he jogged across the drawbridge he waited until he was two thirds of the way across before sending a little wave to the control room. The bridge began rising into place and by the time it was fully retracted Jibachi had joined them at the base of the tower. Mizuki removed the seal on the man before asking, "I trust you destroyed the controls?"
"Yes," Jibachi answered put-off by Mizuki feeling the need to question him, "I remembered."
"Alright, Alright," Mizuki said holding his hands up defensively, "Are you sure you want to part ways here?"
"Quite sure," Jibachi said fixing his glasses. "While it is tempting as I owe the Leaf a little payback, your plan is a little too daring for my blood. I'd much rather just get the hell out of here. Not hang around looking for a bargaining chip."
"He raises a good point," Meizu said still nervous about the upcoming part of the plan.
"Then go with him," Mizuki said, "But I for one would rather not spend the rest of my life as a missing-nin, however if we are going to join another shinobi village we are going to need to bring them something of value."
"Good luck with that," Jibachi said sending a salute as he began to join the other escaped prisoners for parts unknown.
"All right let's go," Mizuki said preparing to collect his bargaining chip, the rest of his gang following behind.
Tsunade was walking the halls of the Senju Compound trying to do her best to ignore the ghosts that she felt haunted the place. At times as she walked the halls of the large building she thought she could almost see her brother playing under the great tree that was in the foyer. Running her hand along a banister that almost seemed to have grown from the ground she climbed up the giant staircase and made her way to the library where both her grandfather and granduncle had spent a good portion of their time. Pushing the large oak door open she almost thought she caught a glimpse of the pair seeing her grandfather sitting behind the desk with her granduncle standing just behind his shoulder pointing out something in the text they were both looking at. Blinking back tears she moved to the desk and sat down. Looking around the room she wondered in all the thousands of books that the library contained which one could be the one Jiraiya was hoping for her to find. As she searched she ideally wondered why the compound wasn't falling apart, but wondered if maybe there was some budget to preserving it that she just hadn't come across yet.
She began by searching the desk hoping to find some mention of a ten-tailed beast but found nothing. Rubbing the bridge of her nose she heard the noise of someone entering the Great Hall downstairs so quickly made her way to see who it was. She was slightly surprised to see the Anbu Tenzo walking up the stairs cautiously. Seeing the Hokage he instantly dropped to his knee saying, "Forgive me Lady Hokage. I did not expect to find you here."
"What are you doing here Tenzo?"
"I noticed that the gate had been disturbed so decided to investigate," the Anbu said still kneeling.
"You're the reason the building is in such good shape," Tsunade said in understanding.
"Yes milady," Tenzo said, "I didn't want to see the building just fade away. Please forgive my impetuousness in doing so."
Kneeling down she placed a hand on his shoulder telling him to look at her and said, "Thank you. It's something I should have done."
They both stood so Tsunade asked, "Have you ever used the library?"
"No my lady," Tenzo said, "I didn't feel it was my place."
Tsunade nodded but said, "Tenzo for the time being I'm reassigning you from Anbu. Your codename will be Yamato and I want you to search these archives for any information on the Tailed Beasts including any rumors of a Ten Tailed one."
"Yes Milady," Tenzo said eyeing the library with both joy and dread at the task waiting before him.
Before she could go on Shizune burst into the foyer shouting, "Lady Tsunade!"
"What is it Shizune?" she asked worried at the emotion she heard in the woman's voice.
"There's been a riot at the Leaf Maximum Security Prison," Shizune said, "The prisoners have taken over the prison and have managed to secure hostages. We also believe that a good portion of the prison population have managed to get across the bridge to escape."
"Damn it," Tsunade said running down the stairs and out of the compound her coat billowing behind her.
Ino was at an all time low emotionally. Her special mission, the one that required her special skills had merely been to act as a body double for a princess that had packed on a few pounds. What was worse was that even though the mission had turned out to be a success it had not been because of her. The reason was that due to her having put up such a fuss that the supposed hunk had in fact been an out of shape lothario the client had become so worried Ino would screw up that she had left the room she was monitoring her from and ended up being spotted. The lothario who had been surprisingly resistant to her charms had instantly snatched up the princess talking her someplace they could talk in private.
She could tell that Chouji had been amused by the whole display but she had offended him on the way home as she had continued to state how she couldn't understand how the prince had passed her up for the porky princess. Therefore, the rest of the trip home had been made in silence.
Afraid and upset she may have alienated the only person on her team that had yet to talk down about her abilities she said, "I guess the important thing is they are happy together."
Chouji merely sighed as he ate a few more chips. She was about to say more hoping to get him to talk to her when he said, "I don't think their relationship will last."
"Why?" Ino said pleased he was talking to her again.
"Because Ino it seems to be based solely on how they look," Chouji said before blowing into his bag and popping it.
He didn't seem like he was going to elaborate so she asked, "What do you mean?"
Shaking his head Chouji said, "Their relationship developed solely based on how she looked. The prince didn't really take the marriage talks any more seriously then you did, until he saw the real princess. Therefore the only thing that mattered to him was how she appeared. The princess was exactly the same way which was why you were hired in the first place, because all she cared about was how he looked. She didn't know anything about him like he liked big girls."
"Well at least she doesn't have to watch her figure," Ino said.
Chouji merely shook his head saying, "I guess looks are all that matter to you too and that's why you don't get it."
A little angry but not wanting to agitate him she said as calmly as she could, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Ino maybe the princess isn't happy having gained all that weight and maybe she'll want to take it off," Chouji said a little heatedly, "Since all he cares about is how she looks now, he might get upset and dump her and call off the wedding. It's all superficial."
"Well maybe they'll develop real feelings for each other," Ino said.
"That's possible but I'm talking about right now," Chouji said, "Not the future and for now the only thing either of them can care about is outside appearances."
The pair saw Konoha off in the distance but had to cut their conversation short as they could hear the clanging of chimes that indicated a state of emergency. They began running towards the village as they were reaching the gates they saw many of the jounin of the village running through it. Spotting Asuma, Chouji shouted for him. The jounin stopped and seeing them ran up saying, "Report to the top of the Hokage Mansion to receive orders. Sorry don't have time to go into detail." He then turned on his heel and began following after the rest of jounin and chunin assigned to take the prison back.
Arriving to the top of the mansion showed almost all the genin in the village and several chunin all lined up in rows. Quickly taking their places Tsunade began the emergency meeting, "All right, at roughly around noon there was a riot at the Leaf Maximum Security Prison. Before it was completely overrun the warden managed to get a message out to us. Unfortunately, while it seems that preliminary reports show that the drawbridge was raised limiting the number of prisoners that escaped. There were escapees; your task is to break into pairs or small teams and to search the surrounding area. We believe that most of the prisoners will be alone, since they obviously don't want to attract attention. Do not count on that fact, and approach with extreme caution. If necessary let them go. As it is more important that we know who escaped and in which direction they were heading." Addressing the chunin she continued, "Chunin you are to divide the surrounding area between you and will act as command units organize the search parties in your sectors. We don't want to be wasting what limited manpower we have. You have your orders now go."
The next instant Tsunade found she was alone on the roof and she wished her shinobi luck in battle before heading down to her office to begin receiving progress reports on the situation.
Fū despite planning to make Naruto her mate still had a duty to perform so had left him in the cave that served as her home. Having finished patrolling the forest around the village she decided to clean up before hand. Stripping out of her clothes she gently washed them and set them to dry in the sun near the pond she had chosen to bathe in that was feed by a waterfall. Opening her knapsack that held the limited supplies the village left for her at the start of each month she pulled out the various bathing products. Pulling out her favorite, which she had to ration, since she never knew when she would get another one as the village never asked what she preferred but just sent whatever they had on hand.
Moving into the water she narrowed her eyes as she thought of the village her father had given his life to defend. Despite the horrendous conditions the man had been forced to live he had been cheerful and content. So had Fū as they had lived in a cave similar to the one she occupied now, except far more homely due to her mother's touch. Fū hatred for her village and humanity stemmed from how she lost her parents. Eventually a group of wandering shinobi had entered into the country and had managed to track the guardian of Taki to his home. She never learned how, as he had been practically invisible when in the forest, due to his keen understanding of Guerilla Tactics, a skill that he had passed on to her mother, who in turn had passed it on to her. Her father had been badly wounded in the battle with the legion of shinobi, but not before he had driven the invaders out.
Her mother had sent a message to the village, but instead of sending a doctor they had sent a man to transfer the Bijuu from her father to her. Before he died he had asked her to carry on his duty something the five-year old Fū had easily promised not really understanding that maybe her Father could have been saved. He had smiled weakly as the man began the transfer using the life of a condemned prisoner as the sacrifice for the sealing jutsu.
But even then she hadn't hated the village until four years later when her mother fell ill and although they had sent a doctor. It had taken two weeks and only after she had almost entered the village. She had run into the old village leader who had been surprised and promised to send a doctor. A few hours later her mother was dead. She quickly realized that when they had wanted to save their precious tailed beast they had sent a man in little under an hour. When the doctor had tried to say how busy he had been it had been all she could do not to rip the man limb from limb.
They hadn't even sent anyone so her mother could have a proper burial, instead leaving it to her to dig the grave. After burying her mother next to the grave of her father it had only been the promise she had given her father that had kept her from abandoning the village. She hoped that Naruto and she could build a similar type of family out here in what she thought of as her woods.
Finishing bathing, she walked up to her clothes and saw they were dry so folded them and placed them in her pack. Pulling out a silken robe she had stolen from a kunoichi that had made the mistake of crossing into her territory to cause trouble. She slipped it on and went off to consummate her relationship with Naruto.
Jiraiya was cursing his and Naruto's luck. Why of all the people to kidnap the blonde did it have to be a girl that could melt into the forest? He had managed to follow her trail for a while until she reached an area of bedrock. She had used that to make sure she left no trail behind her. During the Third Great Shinobi War, Jiraiya had seen firsthand, just how good the Shinobi of Taki were at Guerilla Warfare. He quickly realized that if they had let her into the village the girl would be teaching the classes they gave she was that good. With the fear of what three angry kunoichi could do to him he pressed on. Hoping in her haste the girl had left some clue of her and Naruto's whereabouts behind.
Naruto had face palmed at forgetting his go to justu as a means of escape, which just went to show him that his teachers were right about not letting fear and panic cloud his judgment. Creating a dozen clones he had them approach the boulder blocking the entrance and was glad he did as some of them did end up being dispersed due to receiving bites from deadly insects. As they moved towards the giant rock, the clones gripped the entire way about having to walk barefoot through the sea of bugs. Reaching the boulder they began to push but found that there must be something propped against it preventing it from budging. Cursing he considered using his Rasengan but feared he would cause a cave in.
Sitting in the center of the slab he wondered who or what went through the trouble of kidnapping him. He received his answer an hour later as he heard a log of some sort being pushed to the side and then the boulder began to be pulled away. He wondered if he should attempt to make a break for it, but decided against it as he was sure his kidnapper expected him to do so. As he heard the footsteps approaching his mind played all sorts of gruesome scenarios for him the most prevalent being that his kidnappers where Akatsuki. What he wasn't prepared for was his kidnapper being the girl jinchuriki or that she would be wearing a sheer robe. As she approached the slab he marveled as the insects seemed to move from her path and was further surprised as several large grubs on the ceiling began glowing bathing the cave in a light green.
She stopped at the edge of the slab causing Naruto to lamely say, "Um, hello again."
"Hello Naruto," Fū said wondering why her voice sounded so strange to her.
"Were you kidnapped too?" Naruto asked wondering if whomever grabbed them had some sort of strange fetish with stripping their victims.
Fū shook her head no saying, "It brought you here."
"You did, why?"
"It has chosen you as its mate," the female jinchuriki said climbing onto the slab.
"Mate," Naruto said shocked quickly backing up as far as he could from the girl.
Fū nodded her head vigorously before reaching for the sash of her robe. Naruto's eyes widened as she pulled it off. Before she could let the robe fall from her shoulders he closed the distance with her and pulled it closed his face beat red. It also didn't help as the girl said, "Would you prefer to copulate with our clothes on. The book described many scenes like that as well."
Hoping to buy himself some time to wrap his head around why the strange girl was stripping in front of him. He said, "What book would that be?"
Fū moved back from Naruto and getting off of the slab made her way to a hidden spot of her home. As she walked barefoot Naruto still couldn't believe how the insects moved out of the girl's path. Moving a rock she reached into the crevice that it had hid and pulled out a familiar orange covered book. Recognizing the book that Jiraiya was so proud of only one thought came to Naruto's mind, "Damn you Pervy Sage."
"Achoo"
Rubbing a finger under his nose Jiraiya wondered what sexy thing was talking about him. He was about to make a silly comment but then feared that somehow Naruto got a message to Tsunade and that he was now a marked man. Quickly squashing the idea of making a run for it, he redoubled his efforts to find his apprentice.
"Aren't you a little young for that book," Naruto said as Fū climbed back up onto the slab and began crawling towards him on all fours her robe hanging open. Naruto however was looking away trying to be a gentleman.
"It took it off of an invader it killed," Fū said getting closer. She stopped for a moment leaning back to drop the robe off her shoulders, but again Naruto grabbed it pulling it close."
"This is wrong," he said nervously and worriedly.
He instantly regretted saying it as tears entered the girl's eyes before she glared at him saying, "It should have known better. You're no different than the rest."
Surprised by the vehemence in her voice he moved back which confirmed for her that Naruto feared and hated her like the rest of the villagers. Turning away from him she said, "Leave."
"Wait…"
"Leave or it will make you leave," Fū said having snatched up her sash and tightening it to prepare to fight.
"Then make me," Naruto said calmly.
Turning the girl glared at him, but her pink eyes softened a moment later and she whimpered, "Please. It has made a fool of itself and wants to be alone. It should have known it will always be alone."
"I'm sorry," Naruto said knowing the pain the girl felt, "I know how you feel. But what you wanted to do, well that should only be done with somebody you care for."
"Nobody cares for it. It is alone," Fū said wretchedly.
"That's not true," Naruto said, "You met me." He gave her the brightest smile he could before saying, "But I don't even know your name."
"Its name is Fū."
Sticking his hand out he said, "Well Fū my name is Naruto. I'm glad to meet you."
She looked at his hand confused so he picked hers up and began shaking it. Looking at him she said, "Does this mean we are mates now?"
"What," Naruto said dropping it, "No, this is just a way of introducing ourselves to each other." Noticing that her smile which had slowly been coming back fade he said, "I don't know about being mates like you mean. But I would be happy to be your friend."
"Do you already have mates then?" Fū asked.
Naruto blushed at her question before saying, "It's complicated. Can I ask you something?" She nodded her head and since a part of his anatomy, that had been more rebellious ever since the Water Nymph at the waterfall had begun to respond to the girl in the very thin robe he asked, "You wouldn't happen to still have my pants would you?"
Noticing what Naruto was trying to hide Fū said, "It can help you with that. It has studied the book thoroughly."
"Um no thanks," Naruto said, "But how about we get dressed and spend some time together."
He smiled as Fū almost seemed happier by that prospect then what she had originally planned. Staying close he followed her out of the cave and found she had neatly folded his clothes by the entrance. As he got dressed he happened to look up as Fū disrobed right in front of him and began to get dressed into her own clothes. Spinning away he tried to get the image of the beautiful nude girl out of his head and idly wondered if the predicament he had found himself in was a result of his new sensei.
Ino somehow wasn't surprised that she was assigned to the grid that Shikamaru was in charge of. Although, almost all of the Rookies were currently assigned to him, so guessed it couldn't be helped. As he had them gather around he said, "We'll split up into pairs making a zigzag path through the forest."
"Why," Temari asked her tone curious but not overly questioning.
"That way the teams will be moving across each other's paths and if anybody runs into trouble another team will hopefully show up in time to help," Shikamaru replied which surprised Ino who would have expected a simple, "Too troublesome to explain." Ino figured he answered her because he respected her, which considering the recent blows to her pride grated on her nervous.
Temari nodded but had to bite her tongue when a haughty Ino said, "What don't teams cover each other in Suna."
"Oh I'm sure they do," Temari said, "But my team never worked with any other teams."
"Why's that," Ino said.
"One because our team didn't have anyone holding the group back," Temari said taking a small amount of satisfaction at seeing her fellow blonde wince. "And two, up until recently, my younger brother didn't get on well with others."
"That's enough you two," Shikamaru said seriously. Addressing the rest of the group he said, "Don't forget we have a forest full of dangerous convicts to deal with. If you feel like you've bitten off more than you can chew, remember what the Hokage said. We'll get them later."
The shinobi then began pairing off. Ino noted that Temari made straight for Shikamaru. She also saw Hinata and Sakura had teamed up. She felt a little jealous at that as Sakura was her best friend, but figured that due to all the recent training together they knew they would work well together. Ami had teamed up with Kiba since Shino had been assigned to a different section of the forest being overseen by Iruka.
She noticed that Chouji had moved near her causing her to smile tightly and silently thank the Akimichi for always being there for her. Shikamaru saying, "Good luck and good hunting," forced her to focus on the task before her. With a final nod to the rest to his fellow shinobi Shikamaru took off Temari right behind him.
Ino and Chouji were the last to move out taking the path furthest from Shikamaru's. As Chouji followed behind Ino he really hoped that it didn't symbolize the end of Team Ten.
Kakashi who was in charge of taking the prison back stood atop the control tower watching some of the prisoners who were on the roof of the prison shouting at the amassed Leaf forces. Inoichi Yamanaka had just finished using a hawk to gatherer information on the situation and was telling the other jounin what he learned.
"It's not pretty Kakashi," Inoichi said grimly, "The prisoners are solely in control of the prison. Also, they have the hostages locked up in D-block."
"Are you sure they have them all in one place?" Kakashi asked hoping they did as it would be a mistake they could exploit if it came down to a siege.
"Yes as near as I can tell," Inoichi answered, "However two of the surviving guards are seriously injured and although the prisoner running things is allowing them medical treatment. I doubt they'll last too much longer."
"Damn it," Kakashi said cursing the very features that made the prison so good for holding imprisoned shinobi, but now prevented the gathered Leaf Shinobi from taking it back. "How about the Chakra Seals are they still in place?"
Inoichi shook his head indicating that the prisoners had probably had the hostages remove them. "Well when it rain it pours," he said. "But maybe we can use the injured guards as a means to get someone inside the prison."
"What do you mean?" Kurenai asked.
"Well the prisoner in charge…" Kakashi said before trailing off looking to Inoichi who supplied the name, "Shura, he's a new inmate and was leader of the Shinobazu."
"He was captured only a month ago," Asuma said after lighting a cigarette, "How'd he manage to mastermind a prison break already."
"I don't think he did," Inoichi supplied, "the way he was ranting makes me believe he was left here. The prisoner that killed the guards in the tower must have raised the bridge in order to strand him there."
"I still don't understand why though," Anko said, "Why strand some of the prisoners here?"
"To tie us up here," Kakashi said, "And while we could normally just starve them out. The hostages make it so that we have to deal with this situation instead of focusing on capturing the escapees. Any idea on who the real mastermind is? As I doubt he's still in the prison."
"My money's on Mizuki," Ibiki said joining the rest of the jounin on the roof. Handing Kakashi a folder containing many of the records he had been having the Warden send him he continued, "Ever since his imprisonment he has been keeping on the guards' good side and a month ago protected a new inmate from Shura. That inmate was the Kamizuru that was captured along with the Shinobazu. Mizuki even used the goodwill he had generated with the prison staff to get the man onto kitchen detail. Judging by how the guards of the tower were killed it's obvious the Kamizuru played a part."
"Which is why we need to deal with this situation as quickly as possible," Kakashi said, "I don't like the idea of Mizuki being out there. Who knows what else he has planned? So as I was saying, we can use those injured guards to get a person on the inside."
Noticing the questioning gazes on many of his fellow jounin faces noting that Ibiki and Gai appeared to have some idea of what he was planning he said, "Shura has to realize if those guards die on his watch it'll put us in a position to have to take the prison back by force. He'll definitely want to prevent that."
"Still I understand you would use that as a means to get into the prison, but the prisoners will most likely place a Chakra Repression Seal on whoever it is," Kurenai said, "They'll be at those prisoners mercy."
Nodding his head Kakashi said, "So how about it Gai you up for it?"
Gai stood still for a moment his head down and arms folded over his chest before he gave his famous Nice Guy pose and smiling said, "You can leave it to me Kakashi."
Surprising many of the jounin present Kurenai said, "Are you both nuts? You can't send somebody in there under those circumstances they'll eat him alive."
Undeterred Gai said, "Fret not Kurenai. Being without Chakra will not hamper me in the least. Perhaps you've heard of my pupil Rock Lee."
"Yes of course but…"
"Ha Ha," Gai laughed cutting her off, "You may have heard about how he can't mold chakra but you don't understand. As an instructor, if you can't understand what it is your student has to overcome. How can you help them to surpass it?"
Kurenai flinched slightly remembering a student she failed in the past but said, "I understand what Lee has had to go through but what…"
"He trains with Chakra Repression Seals on Kurenai," Kakashi said to which Gai nodded giving another thumbs up, "As I said Kurenai, having my chakra suppressed will barely even slow me down."
"Hey we got the bridge controls working again," a chunin shouted to the Jounin.
"Gai, we'll move on your signal," Kakashi said seriously. Guy instead of making a big display merely nodded seriously in return before making his way to the bridge as it began to lower into place.
The jounin made his way across slowly making sure to keep his hands raised as he made it halfway across he saw a man fitting Shura's description watching him from the roof of the prison. Slowly he unzipped his flak jacket and took it off laying it down on the bridge, followed by his pouch of ninja tools. Continuing the rest of the way across the bridge he saw Shura make his way down the wall of the prison followed by a dozen of his fellow prisoners.
Gai reached the gate and was quickly surrounded by the prisoners with Shura immediately saying, "Are you here for our list of demands?"
"No" Gai said flatly.
"Then why are you here?" Shura asked pointing his umbrella that he retook from the personnel affects room.
"I'm here to tell you if you surrender now time will not be added to your sentences," Gai said calmly.
Shura however scoffed saying, "I've received multiple-life sentences like I care about a few extra years." Pointing the umbrella under Gai's chin Shura said seriously, "Maybe I should just cook your ass to show the rest of them we are serious."
"Well," Gai said calmly, "You must recognize that such unyouthful behavior would only have my colleagues storming this prison. But perhaps we can work something out. It has come to our attention that you have some gravely injured hostages. If you were to release them as well as somebody to help them across I'll allow myself to be taken hostage in their place. You must realize them dying would further force our hand and you can send your list of demands across with them."
Shura eyed him a moment before saying, "Toki get those guards and the warden's secretary. Also bring some chakra repression seals for our new guest."
The squat man went to fulfill his orders causing Monju to say, "This is a bad idea, Shura we should just send this bastard back."
"Look if those guards die they'll be on us within in minutes of their passing," Shura said, "We'll plant some seals on this guy and keep him separate from the rest. They'll deal sooner or later, until then we buy time."
Toki arrived shortly after with a pale guard that was leaning on a young woman holding a wound over his stomach. The other guard couldn't walk so the pair had put him in an office chair to wheel him across the bridge. While Toki slapped the seal on Gai, Shura pulled out a list he had prepared and handed it to the woman. He then told them to hurry across before he changed his mind.
Gai had to fight the smile that threatened to appear on his face as they began to lead him into the prison. Granted there was still a veritable army between him and the hostages but he'd show them why they called him the Leaf's Beast of Battle
Sakura watched Hinata closely as they ran through the forest. The pair had already caught and restrained two prisoners making easy work of the men whose chakra had still been sealed. However it was what the second prisoner had told them made the girl worry for her friend.
"Mizuki was behind the prison break," he had sneered when Hinata had asked how they escaped since the first prisoner hadn't known; only taking advantage of the opportunity.
She had stiffened for a moment before growling out in a very un-Hinata like way, "Where is he?"
"Beats me bitch," the prisoner had said.
"Gladly," Hinata said darkly causing the man to almost wet himself when she attempted to hit him with the empty palm technique. The man fell to his behind causing the technique to miss and to leave an indentation in the tree behind him.
Sakura merely stood back and watched positive that if Hinata had wanted to connect she would have. However the prisoner looked towards her saying, "Help this bitch is crazy."
"I suggest you tell her what she wants to know then," Sakura replied evenly.
"I don't know where he's at I swear," the panicked prisoner said. Hinata hit him in the side of the neck causing him to lose consciousness.
Sakura raised an eyebrow so Hinata said, "He was telling the truth. Let's go." Hinata had then jumped into the nearest tree leaving the prisoners for the teams tasked with collecting them. Although she knew Hinata wasn't going all emo-avenger on her. She did worry that her friend wouldn't back down no matter what obstacles got in their way.
"Oh well," Sakura thought, "I'd like to show Mizuki-sensei a thing or two myself. Guess I should just enjoy the ride."
Ino had used her Mind Transfer Jutsu on a hawk to locate a prisoner they were in the midst of ambushing. However, Chouji hadn't liked it saying it was too easy and if he was an escaped prisoner he wouldn't just be sitting around waiting to be caught. But Ino desperate to prove herself a real kunoichi had insisted and said they could easily take the lone prisoner. She further sold her point by saying he was probably resting since the small gorge he was in ended in a dead end and since all the escaped prisoners they had found bound by the other teams still had been wearing the Chakra Seals issued by the prison was positive they could take him.
Chouji still didn't like it. but could see that Ino was desperate to prove herself especially in light of her recent mission. Always finding it difficult to tell the blonde girl no, he relented. They moved quietly each traveling atop one side of the gorge as the trees were rather sparse around the area one of the things that had raised his unease in the first place. Since he was positive an escaped convict would want as much cover as possible.
Reaching the point where the gorge opened into a circular dead-end that had a large boulder sitting in the middle they spotted a man with light gray hair wearing the gray uniform of the prison. Despite his facing away from them Chouji could tell he was rather muscular. Ino sent a small nod towards Chouji that he returned and the pair jumped down on either side of the man.
Ino was about to boldly announce themselves to the prisoner but was stopped short as he said, "It would seem my little trap has been sprung."
"You can't bluff us," Ino said keeping her focus on the prisoner, "I already saw you are alone."
Although Ino was confident their target was alone, Chouji wasn't so sure. Shifting his focus around the area he didn't really see any place from which an ambush could be sprung. However, he shot a quick look towards Ino and spotted a giant of a man rising from a puddle behind her. Moving instantly he dodged to his left towards Ino and using his Expansion Jutsu enlarged his arm and grabbing Ino pullingher towards him.
"What's the big idea Chouji," Ino snapped unaware of the threat initially but froze when she saw the large man that had appeared behind the Akimichi. Turning towards the prisoners she could see he was joined by four others besides the giants.
"Well what about these two big brother," Fujin said, "The blonde is pretty enough right."
"Look I already told you," Mizuki said, "We need someone that we know a village would take us in for. That means a Hyuuga or the Uchiha."
"Good luck finding a Uchiha," Chouji said standing his voice firm while moving in front of Ino. "Sasuke defected to the Sound Village."
"Well luckily the village still has plenty of Hyuuga," Mizuki said before adding, "Fatass."
"I'm big boned," Chouji shouted enlarging his fist and smashing it down on the boulder where the five other shinobi had gathered.
Although it missed Mizuki was impressed enough to say, "Not bad. Too bad no villages are looking to make an army of lardasses you might just have lived to see another day. Fujin. You and Raijin kill these two, and be quick about it. We'll set up our trap someplace else."
"Yes Big Brother," the pair said replying to the order. Mizuki nodded to the others who swiftly jumped out of the gorge.
As the two large men advanced on them Ino said, "We can handle this. Right Chouji?"
Although he wasn't positive he gave a small reassuring nod to Ino hoping one of the other teams would arrive to back them up. "Alright watch my body for me," she said forming the jutsu for her mind transfer jutsu and aiming it for the younger looking of the two men she guessed were brothers. Chouji tried to tell her to stop but was too late catching her body before it could hit the ground.
Fujin charged in when the boy turned from him intent on killing him with a single blow. However before he could reach them he found his path blocked by his brother who nailed him in the jaw sending in careening into the rock face of the gorge causing a little avalanche to bury him.
Ino was surprised at just how much power the body she had taken over possessed, but was even more surprised when the man emerged from the pile of rocks saying nonchalantly, "What's a matter Raijin?"
Ino was stupefied as to how the man could even be standing let alone conscious. Before she could come up with something to say he said, "I asked you a question. Why would you hit your big brother?"
Despite his large size he closed the distance between them in an amazingly short amount of time and nailed her in the gut, hard. Although the body she was occupying was tough enough to take the punishment, she herself was not and judging by the pain she felt was pretty sure her body had suffered severely. She saw the Ogre like man charging to deliver another punch except to the chin and was pretty sure if it connected would probably kill her. Hitting him full on Ino canceled her jutsu had opened her eyes in time to see the one called Raijin fly into the opposite side of the gorge.
Emerging from a similar pile of rubble as his brother had Raijin said, "Thanks big brother. I feel loads better now. I think I was being controlled."
Turning towards the pair of genin Fujin said darkly, "You dare to take over my little brother." The man then began turning red much like Lee had during the Chunin Exams making Ino wonder if he had opened the chakra gates Lee's sensei had described. Gaining the traits of a berserker he began advancing on the pair.
"Ino," Chouji said helping her stand, "I want you to get out of here."
"No way," Ino said standing on her own as best she could, "I'm a part of Team Ten too."
"I've never doubted that," Chouji said, "But we are way out classed here. None of our jutsus are particularly well suited for this fight. I need you to go get Shikamaru and the others. I'll keep them busy."
"Chouji…"
"Go now," Chouji shouted charging the two brothers.
Ino tried to run but Chouji was smashed to the side by Fujin causing her to hesitate long enough for the other one to close with her and backhand her away. She could see Chouji lying on a pile of rubble that his smashing into the wall of the gorge had loosened unmoving. She wanted to get up and run towards him but froze when the brother who had seemed to turn into a berserker had calmed, now that Chouji didn't appear to be a threat. He then said while smacking his lips, "You know Raijin, I think I'm hungry for something other than food."
Recognizing that the brothers were undressing her with their eyes fear gripped her heart as the one called Raijin said, "I know what you mean Fujin. I don't think Big Brother will get upset if we have a little fun first."
She tried to back up, crab walking away from the two which made them smile and advance a little faster. She turned about to make a run for it when Raijin snatched her by her ankle and effortlessly held her upside down with one hand. He was reaching out for her chest probably to rip her shirt away his big brother egging him on when suddenly he was smashed into the ground by a giant fist from above.
Ino was prevented from hitting the ground by Chouji catching her in his arms as he moved at incredible speeds. The first thing that she noticed that all of the weight that Chouji had gained back seemed to have disappeared and that he had chakra like butterfly wings coming from his back before they disappeared as if he absorbed them. Having a good idea of why she said, "Chouji you didn't take the Chili Pill again did you?"
"No," Chouji said setting her down, "My dad taught me a new jutsu. The Chili Pill increases chakra while consuming our fat reserves. This jutsu simply consumes all our stored energy I have about five minutes before I'm out of chakra. So get out of here."
"I won't leave you here," Ino said trying to pull him with here surprised that he didn't even budge.
"Go," Chouji said noticing that Rajin was extracting himself from the crater his fist had made. Before Ino could say she wouldn't abandon him, he charged the brothers who both were becoming red as they entered their berserker rage.
Fujin threw a punch that Chouji avoided before hitting the brother and sent him flying. Spinning, he caught Rajin's punch one handed and grabbing it with both of his flipped the berserker over his shoulder smashing him into the ground. He was forced away by Fujin before he could do any more damage to the brother surprised that whereas they didn't appear to have much in the way of brains while in whatever frenzy they had entered. They still had teamwork, as Fujin covered for his brother as he picked himself back up.
He took a moment to check on Ino and saw she still hadn't moved. Cursing he tried to make it to her but both brothers moved to attack preventing him. While most Akimichi jutsu increased the body's mass the jutsu he was using did not. Instead it took all the stored reserves of the Akimichi and converted it into chakra. But unlike when he had used the three pills it didn't increase his chakra but instead feed it straight into his muscles allowing for the stronger hits and speed. But it was very limited as he had told Ino as he could only maintain it for five minutes. However, when he had saw the monster threatening Ino he knew he had to use it. He just wished she would run as he also knew he couldn't beat the two, as they were built to take damage and didn't seem to feel any of his punches.
Dodging beneath a punch thrown by Raijin, he kneed him in the gut. As the giant involuntarily leaned forward he brought both his hands down on the back of his head sending him full force into the ground. Fujin again backed up his brother throwing haymakers trying to hit Chouji but he waited for an opening and hit him with a palm thrust to the chest that sent him barreling into his still recovering brother.
Chouji took the moment to yell at Ino, "Will you get out of here already. I told you I can only maintain this jutsu for so long."
However, Ino stood transfixed as Chouji battled the two to a standstill. Unable to move from the spot as it donned on her, had Chouji not been there those two monsters would probably still be in the middle of raping her. Furthermore to prevent that Chouji was willing to bet his life on a five minute window that he could buy her time to escape. But she couldn't move, as tears slipped from her eyes, while the Akimichi fought for her whereas she was too helpless to do anything. Chouji appeared to have an edge in speed but she notice that was fading as time went on. Finally Fujin connected with a punch that sent Chouji skittering across the ground stopping several feet from her.
Bloodied and frail looking now that the jutsu had consumed the last of his reserves. Chouji shouted, "Ino run. Please, I could never live with myself if something happened to you." He tried to get to his feet but the brothers had closed on him and proceeded to rain blows down on him smashing into the ground inch by inch.
Still unable to move, Ino screamed, "Somebody please help." She finally began to run towards the pair not sure what she could do to stop them but was saved from having to come up with something as a red and pink blur entered her vision and landing between the brothers kicked them both away. Hinata landed next to Sakura a second later. Both girls took up a fighting stance and prepared to meet the brothers' inevitable charge.
Naruto was sitting next to Fū as they watched the sun set having spent the day learning quite a bit about one another. Naruto had even managed to get her to stop calling herself it.
"Fū has never had a friend before," she said.
Causing Naruto to chuckle while thinking, "Well it is better than it."
Fū looked at him asking, "What's so funny?"
"Well I still find your talking in the third person a little weird," Naruto said honestly although she simply shrugged her shoulders in response.
"Fū is sorry for kidnapping you."
"Don't sweat it. I made a new friend out of it. Although, I probably should attempt to find Pervy Sage pretty soon," Naruto said.
"He is on his way here," Fū said which still amazed him about the girl which was she could communicate with all the insect life of the forest which was how she knew about when intruders entered. Naruto wondered why he got screwed when it came to special abilities. Gaara had his sand, Han could control steam, and according to Jiraiya the hermit Roshi had been able to manipulate lava. Fū's ability had come up when Naruto wanting to let her feel like a normal kid for a day had suggest they play hide and go seek. No matter how well he hid she had always been able to find her. Yet on the other hand she had remained practically invisible the entire time. He began to suspect the few times he caught her she had been feeling sorry for him so let herself get caught.
The pair settled into silence till Naruto said, "I wish you would reconsider about staying. I know you would like Konoha there is even a clan that uses insects for battle. I'm sure they'd like to meet somebody with a giant one sealed into her."
Smiling again something the girl found she had done more in one day then in the years that had passed since her mother's death. However she said, "Fū thanks you for the offer. But she gave her word that she would protect the forest."
Nothing more needed to be said, as Naruto understood the importance of keeping ones word. Still he couldn't help but wonder that if her father knew there was a place that would accept her if he would have released her from it.
"Fū would like to hear more about your friends from Konoha though." Naruto smiled thinking of two in particular and began telling her all about the people of his home.
Almost twenty minutes later a sweating and wild-eyed Jiraiya appeared behind him and throwing the bags he had been carrying all day to the ground shouted, "Naruto! I'm so happy to see you."
The Toad Sannin ran up to the boy dropping to his a knee he placed a hand on Naruto's shoulder and while eyeing the girl warily saying, "Are you okay? She hasn't done anything inappropriate has she?"
"Not at all, Pervy Sage," Naruto said moving away from Jiraiya placing an arm around Fū he added, "Although I think she's carrying my child."
Jiraiya nodded his head at that until what Naruto had just said hit him. Turning ghastly pale due to the various things he had spent all day imagining the three kunoichi back home would do him. The Gallant Jiraiya's eyes rolled into the back of his head and he passed out.
"Fū still does not understand how you knew that he would know her plan had been to mate with you," the female jinchuriki said amused.
Naruto flashed a big grin before saying, "He's a great teacher, but he's also a dirty old man. And I just figured that he would jump to the most perverted conclusion."
"Does his reaction mean, he doesn't think Fū would be a good mate?"
"No," Naruto answered turning away from the passed out Jiraiya, "I'm pretty sure that he's afraid of what Granny Tsunade would do to him if she learned I was kidnapped on his watch."
The two jinchuriki went back to watching the sun set until the young woman said, "Fū is glad to have met you."
"Thanks and I'm glad you kidnapped me," Naruto said.
"Fū is a little jealous of those two you told her about," she said still looking at the sunset, "She wishes you thought of her like them."
Blushing Naruto said, "Don't worry Fū. I'm sure one day you'll met somebody that you will like even more than me."
"Fū hopes so."
Turning back to the sunset Naruto hoped so too, as he liked to believe that there was somebody out there for everybody. However it still left him in somewhat of a bind, as although he had been catatonic when Sakura and Hinata had showed up to wish him a good journey, he had still heard what the pair whispered to him, "I love you." He still had no idea of how he would address what they said when he got back. But for know he decided to concentrate on his training after all he still had a little under three years. That should be plenty of time to come up with something. He hoped.