"Speech"
'Thought'
"Demonic Voice"
'Bijuu thoughts'
Justu
(A/N: Author Note)
Flashback
Disclaimer: All rights reserved by the original creator this is a fan production.
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Chapter 14: Foul-mouth Person to Talk To
He grunted as he rubbed his neck the uncomfortable position finally getting to him, but he didn't move. Naruto smiled sadly as he looked down at Sakura, the poor girl had cried and sobbed until she'd finally gone to sleep.
Looking out the window he was surprised to see the sun was out. He had slept from one afternoon to the other. Knowing there was going to be hell to pay when he answered the council's summons he thought it best to get there as quickly as possible and not antagonize them any further.
With great care he got out from under Sakura so as not to wake her, but when he tried to leave a frantic grasp found his hand.
"Don't leave."
Naruto kneeled next to Sakura, brushing strands of hair out of her face, a frown on his face, "I would if I could but the council wants to see me, they'll have my head if I ignore them."
He cursed his stupidity as he saw the frightened look on her face, "Sorry, I-"
"It's okay."
"Don't know how long I'll be with them, but Haku will come over later to check on you, I'll make sure of that." Naruto said to as looked at the mess of glass and whiskey, "oh and no more drinking alright."
"Alright," Sakura said as she sat up, only to lie back down, clutching her skull, "uungh my head."
"Yeah that should keep you from drinking," Naruto said chuckling at his teammate's misfortune. Naruto laughed loudly as he left the house hearing his team mate whine and complain about her hangover. His good mood left him as ninja leapt down into his path.
"The council wishes to speak with you Uzumaki-san," he couldn't remember the last time someone referred to him by his last name instead of the traditional brat, scum, and his personal favorite hell spawn. "I wouldn't keep them waiting, they aren't happy with you."
"Thanks I'll get right on that."
"Ah, how nice of you to finally join us Uzumaki," Naruto held in a sigh, oh boy he could already tell how this meeting was going to go, better start licking boot.
"This is ridiculous that thing should be placed in the stocks for ignoring our summons," or maybe he should just stick to his usual plan of being as hostile as possible.
"We are here to discuss Uzumaki's admirable actions during the invasion councilor you do well to hold your tongue," the man who spoke in his defense was a man who looked like an older version of Shikimaru, Naruto briefly wondered if the two were related.
"I beg your pardon Shikaku-sama."
"Enough of these squabbles," the hard voice ceased any other words that may have been said. Naruto smirked as he looked at the old man he had only met in passing when he used to visit Sarutobi.
Danzo Shimura, the old war hawk, looked as happy as ever. Naruto bowed to Danzo, Sarutobi had instilled a healthy bit of respect into Naruto for his old colleague. Naruto smiled as he recalled an old conversation with the old man.
Naruto had once told Sarutobi that he hated Danzo and he wondered why the old man didn't just beat up the war hawk. Sarutobi laughed, and then explained that Danzo was a man who had his utmost respect. When Naruto asked why Sarutobi explained to him what kind of man Danzo was.
Danzo Shimura was cunning, dangerous, ruthless, a shinobi to the bone. He was also a man who loved his village deeply, who would go to the utmost extremes to make sure it stayed safe, and stayed on top. While Sarutobi had disagreed with Danzo's methods he would never stop Danzo unless he went too far, because Sarutobi knew that Danzo cared for the village as deeply as he did.
"Lord Danzo, I think this is the first time we've actually met," Naruto said as he stood from his bow, "the old man used to speak about you, he thought highly of you."
"Hmph, as I him, Sarutobi will be missed," Danzo said respectfully of his old rival, "but for now we must discuss matter pertaining to the village, more specifically how you were able to control the Kyuubi's chakra."
"Not only that," this time it had been one of the elders, Homura he thought his name was, "but the two young ladies who aided us during the invasion, bring them in."
"Aniki!" he only had a second to turn before he was bowled over by a green ball, "hey Aniki did you miss Mei-chan, Mei-chan missed Aniki, oh Mei-chan beat this huge snake and met a whole bunch of new people and they said Mei-chan is really-"
"Whoa, whoa slow down kid," Naruto said as he sat up removing the girl, "let me stand up first."
"Oh, okay sorry, Aniki."
"Come to think of it I haven't seen you much since you came to the village," at this he received a swift kick to the shin, "Ow, what was that for?"
"Aniki hasn't come to see Mei-chan in a long time, Mei-chan thought Aniki hated Mei-chan," the young girl shouted as she pouted.
"Sorry kid I just didn't know where you were," Naruto said with a small nervous smile.
As if she had just forgotten the previous conversation the girl smiled and responded happily, "Mei-chan was exploring the village it's really big and then she had to leave with Tomoko-chan."
"Master, Mei-chan, I believe the council wishes to speak with us," Tomoko chastised hands on her hips.
"Tomoko," Naruto said happily as he hugged her, "I was wondering when you would get back."
"M-Master compose yourself!"
"Uzumaki!" the sharp voice made them straighten up, "let us proceed."
"First is where you found the girl with a mokuton bloodline?" asked Homura gaining the attention of the whole council. They too were curious about this girl; she could me the beginning of the reemergence of the lost bloodline.
"Mei was with Tomoko when I met with them," Naruto said with a shrug. He had already asked these questions, "and Tomoko found her in the woods on the southern border of Mizo no Kuni, Mei herself doesn't remember where she came from, just said she woke up one day and started walking."
"Well that was a waste," Shikaku sighed as he shook his head.
The large man with brown hair next to him chuckled and clapped Shikaku on the shoulder, "Don't be so down my friend at least young Mei is on our village, that means that we have the Mokuton bloodline back, what of you Miss Tomoko?"
"I am Tomoko of the Taka clan," she stated proudly.
"The Taka clan, a respected clan," spoke a wild looking woman with red tattoos on her face, "I take it you managed to escape their destruction?"
"I and a dozen others but I have no idea where they may be or if they are even alive."
"What is it that you wish to do in our village?"
"We both came here for Master, but it has been pleasant to have a place to call our own," Tomoko replied with a gentle smile, "if you would allow us, we would like to take residence in your village."
"That shouldn't be a problem considering your actions during the attack, the village would gladly welcome you, I shall have someone fetch the paperwork and get you settled in," spoke the other elder Koharu.
"You two may take your leave, but we will be keeping an eye on you," said Danzo, "As for you Uzumaki we have posted you somewhere safe until we decide what to do with you, our decision will be made within the week."
"This is not going to be a fun experience for me, I just know it."
"Get in there Uzumaki and guard that prisoner, make sure she doesn't escape!"
Naruto looked into a small cell and saw the person he would be spending the foreseeable future with.
"What in the fuck are staring at shit face?"
"Yeah this is going to be fun."
"Stop fucking muttering asshole, bad enough I'm in this bitch ass cell of this pussy village, I don't need to the hear your dick head psychobabble bullshit. Can't believe that I was fu-"
"Yeah this is going to be really fucking fun," Naruto thought to himself as he tried to drown her out.
"Hey don't ignore me asshole!"
"Great..."
"Dinner time!"
"Oh thank god another person's voice," never in all his life had he been so grateful to hear someone else. The door opened to reveal a very familiar face, "Haku?"
"Don't be so surprised, Naruto," Haku said smiling as she set two trays down in the small room, "Kakashi managed to convince the council that it would be best if someone you knew brought your food, less of a fight from you."
"That was actually kind of them," Haku laughed at his confusion, "what is so funny?"
"Sorry, it's just that you don't what's going on out there."
"Hmm, what do you mean?"
"Hey asshole I'd like to eat sometime today!" Haku looked around Naruto to see a red haired girl sitting on a cot glaring at both them.
"How is it that you can barely move but you can keep running your mouth," Naruto grabbed a tray and placed it next to her on the cot then closed the cell. "Now Haku I think you were going to tell me something."
"From what, Kakashi, tells me the council is split on the matter of locking you up, and the villagers are calling you a hero."
"A hero, seriously?"
"When you bring down a demon in front of half the shinobi force people's opinions tend to change," Haku placed a hand on his shoulder, "Your name is on everyone's lips."
"Really…" a small smile broke out on his face, "at least my image is improving."
"Hey asshole I can barely lift my arms!" with a huff he turned to the angry red head he had to guard.
"So?"
"So," Naruto didn't think the girl could look any angrier, but the look on her face right now proved him wrong.
"So fucking feed me you jackass!"
"The word pleasant isn't in your vocabulary is it?" He had dealt with irate people but they usually stopped or he beat the skulls in, he really missed that option right now.
"Know what else isn't in me. Food."
"Looks like you've got your hands full here, Naruto, so I'll leave it to you," Haku said a small smile playing on her lips, "Oh and someone wants to talk to you."
"Who?"
Then a large shadow fell over the entrance. Tall and imposing, murder in those eyes directed at Naruto, who suddenly wished he could be anywhere else at that exact moment.
"Hey brat, Haku has been telling me some interesting things about you and her," the look in Zabuza's eyes became downright demonic, "and I think you and I need to have a chat."
"What's that you're hungry I'll go help you," Naruto said slamming the door shut, placing an Anchor Seal on the door, "sorry Zabuza can't talk."
"Hey open this damn door right now!"
"Sorry Zabuza I'm busy," Naruto said.
"Damn brat, don't think this is over," with that Zabuza left Haku following him.
Sighing in relief Naruto entered the cell, picking up the tray he spooned a healthy portion of food and brought it to her mouth.
"Thanks," the red head said as she ate. Swallowing she asked a question that had been on her mind, "What was all that about?"
"Nothing that I want to talk about," Naruto said as he spooned more food into her mouth. "But now that you're not shouting how about we introduce ourselves."
"Tayuya," came the mumble from her lips as she chewed more food."
"Naruto."
"So why are you stuck with guard duty if you're the golden boy?" Tayuya asked.
"I helped out during the war, did something stupid, and the council isn't happy about it," Naruto said as he fed her, "In about a week someone will come set me free, or a squad of ANBU will come put me in chains."
"Well don't things just fucking suck for you asshole," Tayuya said taking another mouthful of food that Naruto offered.
"What's your deal, why work for Orochimaru?" Naruto asked.
"Why the fuck would you care about that?' Tayuya asked, "that shit is all in the past no point in bringing it up."
"Humor me not like you have much else to do."
"A small village on the border of River Country, had a real great fucking childhood," Tayuya said, "Till those damn slavers came. Killed anyone who put up a fight, put the rest of us in chains, and sold us all off to the highest bidder."
"Life dealt you a pretty shit hand, didn't it" Naruto said as he placed the empty tray down. "What happened next?"
"Why do you think there is more?" Tayuya asked.
"If you work for a guy like Orochimaru there is always more," Naruto said as he took a seat next to her, "so…"
"My mother tried to use me as a bargaining chip, me for her freedom, damn bitch," Tayuya spat out, "got what she deserved, then I got sold to these swanky aristocrats, treated me like shit, their kid treated me like shit, the wife gave me a good beating every day, and the man of the house, well, that sick fuck couldn't keep his hands off me, but they should have been a lot more careful."
"I'm guessing they got what they deserved," Naruto said a cruel smirk on his face.
"Let's just say those bastards won't be having grandchildren, ever," Tayuya said mirroring Naruto's face, "I ran from their guards, don't know for how long, but I passed out in a forest and that's where Orochimaru found me, there ya happy my life in a god damn nutshell."
"At least I know we're kind of alike," Naruto said.
"How do ya figure that, prick?"
"Well life dealt me a shit hand to," Naruto muttered, "The village may be cheering me on right now but they used to hate my guts up until recently, tried to have me killed a couple times."
"Then why stay here, you beat the sand bitch right?" perplexed by him, "Strong as ya are why not just leave or let them have been destroyed in the invasion?"
"I've got people here that I care about, so I'll protect the village to protect them," Naruto said to her a smile on his face.
"What a crock of shit," Tayuya shouted, "Now I know where nothing alike, protecting someone will just get ya killed!"
"You're wrong about that," Naruto said sternly, "When you fight for someone you'll push past your limits to protect them."
"You're an idiot, watching someone's back will just land you in a mess," said Tayuya.
"Oh really?" Naruto asked as he stepped outside the cell, "well you're in the cell and I'm out here, so your little theory doesn't actually hold up now does it."
That statement actually managed to shut her mouth, for a few seconds, "Yeah well shove it up your ass."
Naruto just sat against the wall and kept his own mouth shut. He'd be here for a whole week and if she was at least keeping quiet he wouldn't provoke her.
Now that he finally had some peace and quiet he let his mind wander to what was going on beyond the room's door. Haku's message came back to mind, a hero, that's what she had told him. He had never dreamed of his village ever seeing him as anything other than the demon. Now it seemed like he might actually have a future in this village.
That thought lifted his spirits and a feeling he hadn't felt in a long time came to mind.
"My lord what do you require of us?"
"It seem that Konoha has captured our former friend," a wicked smirk on his lips, "I want her brought back alive."
"Why wouldn't it be easier to kill her, my lord?"
"Kukuku, you must look at the bigger picture, Kidomaru," said Orochimaru, "She managed to survive the removal of the curse seal, everyone else has died, dissecting her should prove to be very educating, now go."
"At once, Lord Orochimaru."
"What are we going to do about the Uzumaki situation?"
"Obviously we have to place suppression seals on him," said elder Homura
"Now wait a minute that kid fought alongside during the invasion, don't forget that," Tsume exclaimed.
"While his actions should be commended, I don't believe that is enough to get him off, Tsume," was the reply of one of the civilian councilors.
"It should be the only proof needed," said Shibi Aburame in his deep baritone, "the boy could have run, left us to our fate, instead he fought."
"Very true, Aburame," said the other elder, Koharu, "But training to control the Kyuubi's chakra, without permission or anyone's knowledge could have been disa—,"
"Actually, elder Koharu," stepped in the ANBU commander, "Lord Hokage knew of Naruto's training and always had a two man cell keeping tabs on him, suppression seal at the ready."
"Really can you provide evidence?" asked Danzo.
"Yes the chunin gate guards Kotetsu and Izumo, the third Hokage had ordered them to let Naruto pass through the gates so he could train outside the village," replied the ANBU commander.
"Sarutobi did what!?"
"Calm yourself, Homura," Danzo said, "Why did Sarutobi allow this?"
"Lord Hokage felt it best that Naruto experience life outside the village walls, as a sort of therapy."
"Well it seems Lord Hokage's plan worked," commented Shikaku Nara.
"Been about four days since they gave the kid guard duty," said Jiraiya, "not getting stir crazy is he?"
"Considering his situation, Naruto, is holding it together pretty well," replied Kakashi opening the cell door.
"You are the most infuriating bitch I have ever met!"
"I did say pretty well," Kakashi said shaking his head.
"Don't say weird shit like that then," was Tayuya's angry reply.
"Naruto what did you do?" asked Jiraiya.
"Nothing just told her it's been nice talking to her and she flew off the fucking handle," Naruto said tersely.
"Oh I see trying to work your charm on her, Naruto, you dog," said Jiraiya grinning.
Naruto just shook his head, he knew it would be useless to try and convince those two perverts. The last four days had been hell, he had to walk on eggshells around his prisoner. He had tried telling her shut up when he had enough of her shouting, but that only riled her up further.
Being kind hadn't turned out any better, she had just called him a pussy and cursed some more. Eventually he stopped giving a fuck and surprisingly that actually made her companionable. Not caring seemed to make her comfortable. Insulting each other didn't even rile her up, but as soon as he spoke about their conversations being nice and entertaining she flipped out.
Clearing his head of those thoughts he asked why Jiraiya and Kakashi were here. Naruto's irritation died away as Kakashi informed him that the council was leaning towards not placing restriction seals on him. Naruto felt relief swell through him as he realized he had a good shot of just being let go.
"Is there anything else I should know?" Naruto asked.
"Yes the young lady with the eye patch, Tomoko, I believe asked me to give you this," Kakashi said as he placed a talisman in Naruto's palm, "said it was urgent to get this to you."
Naruto held the talisman in his palm, trying to calm his demonic chakra, "Kyuubi calm the fuck down, getting me imprisoned will slow down you plans." Naruto let out a shaky breath as he felt his chakra calm down. "Thank you sensei."
"Gaki is there anything you want to tell us, now is not the time for secrets," Jiraiya said sternly.
"No nothing to worry about, Jiraiya-sensei," Naruto said placing the item in his pocket. "If that's all, I've got a pissed off prisoner to deal with."
"Take care, Naruto."
Naruto sighed as the door closed and he swore he could literally feel Tayuya burning a hole through his skull. "Are we back to angry and inhospitable?"
"Fuck off cocksucker."
"So yeah we are…great," Naruto said, "are you going to at least tell me how I pissed you off?"
Tayuya huffed and turned away from him nitting her lip before answering, "Ya made it fucking weird."
"What?"
"When ya said it was fun talking to me, ya made it weird," replied Tayuya.
Naruto stepped into the cell and sat on her cot, "Sorry." Hoped his apology would end the whole thing but the fierce glare she set upon him said he made another mistake.
"Don't fucking apologize you dunce!"
Rubbing his temple Naruto decided on a new, hopefully successful, approach, "Look how about we forget this whole argument, it's chow time anyway," he picked up a tray and handed it to her. In the last few days Tayuya had managed to gain some of strength back into her bones. Not enough to really do much of anything, but she was no longer reliant on Naruto to feed her.
"I'm not hungry," Tayuya muttered looking down at the food. Couldn't this fucking idiot just shut up and fuck off. She hated his damn voice, his damn eyes, and most of all how he wore off on her so quickly. She hadn't even noticed when they started dicking around, trading insults and perverse jokes back and forth, not until he opened his stupid mouth.
"Come on you have to eat, it'd be bad if I let you starve," Naruto said off-handedly.
There she found something to pick at, to be angry about, "Is that it, am I just the prisoner you're trying to get chummy with so I'll spill the beans asshole."
"What, no I'm not trying anything like that," Naruto said as he picked up the tray, "just trying to get you to eat so−"
"I said I'm not fucking hungry!" She shouted throwing the tray against the wall, "What's up with you!?"
"I'm just trying to fix this mess," Naruto replied annoyed with her.
"Stop it, I'm a fucking prisoner you're a fucking guard, why are you acting like this?" Tayuya asked because it was driving her mad, she had never run into someone like him before. She met cruel sadistic bastards, killed them, kind old people, killed them to, psychopaths, killed them, brave warriors, killed them, cowards, killed, charmers, killed, liars, killed, good people killed. And yet he connected with her somehow, made her begin think about things that she didn't want to. This fucking dunce was changing her and doing it quickly.
"Is this some kind of illusion, who, who the fuck are ya?" Tayuya shouted, "how are ya doing this to me asshole?"
"I'm not doing anything," Naruto replied.
"Whatever, get out of my cell, I'm taking a nap," She said.
"Fine."
"So we've reached a decision," said Koharu.
"Seems so," said Shikaku Nara.
"Good we'll inform Uzumaki at once."
It had been a day since their argument and though she hated to admit it, Tayuya did miss their back and forth. Now that they weren't speaking she had time to think about her depressing predicament. The sad, grey wall could be the only view she had for the rest of her life. Unless Konoha decided to lop of her head. Swallowing her pride, she rolled over and stared at him, she never wanted to do this.
"Hey asshole," Okay good start, "I–I have to tell ya something but you can't interrupt got it, fuckface?"
Naruto looked at her quizzically but thought it better to agree when he saw her glare intensify so he nodded his head.
"Good," she said, "So, I've never had any fr—any people who I can talk to since my village was sacked, but I guess we're fr–people who like to talk to each other so, I wanted to say that I'm sorry…for flipping out on ya."
"Alright," Naruto said, "I understand."
"Really?" Tayuya asked, "Aren't ya going to shout or bitch or something?"
"No," Naruto replied, "With the kind of shit you've been through I get it, it's hard to trust people."
"…You're the weirdest fuck I've ever met," Tayuya said shaking her head, "Do you always fucking win people over like this."
"…No I usually beat most people who've talked to me the way you have," Naruto answered, "but I couldn't, kinda glad now that I didn't."
"You could have kept that shit to yourself, ya know?"
"Honesty is the best policy," Naruto said.
"You're a ninja dumbass," Tayuya said exasperated with him.
"That's why I lied about my policy."
"You're a fucking idiot," Tayuya muttered as she laughed.
"Alright, I know I—"
"Hey the council wants to see you, said it urgent."
"Alright," Naruto replied, "Wish me luck Tayuya."
"I'm sure you'll be fine, shithead."
"Hey, you," Naruto said to the guard, "Take good care of her."
"I will," the guard replied monotonously.
Naruto waved goodbye and Tayuya muttered angrily that she couldn't do the same.
"So what's your story?" she asked, if he turned out like Naruto at least she wouldn't be bored and if he wasn't she had someone to mess with, "Got your ass kicked so ya have to guard a cripple."
The guard said nothing as he walked to the cell and opened it.
"Hey, what kind of shit are ya trying to pull, you touch me and I'll ri—,"
"Oh, please you couldn't pay me enough to do that Tayuya," the guard spat out as he pulled of his mask.
"Sakon!" she back up against the wall as he approached, "Back off ya piece of shit!"
"Don't worry Tayuya," Sakon said as two arms popped out his stomach and grabbed her by the shoulders, "Lord Orochimaru wants to talk to you."
A similar looking face came out of Sakon's chest, "Yes he said it was very urgent."
"Ukon," Tayuya muttered as she tried to kick them. The two brothers laughed as the held her arms and legs.
"Now Tayuya don't struggle—," Sakon said.
"Or it'll hurt," finished Ukon.
Oblivious to Tayuya's trouble Naruto headed to the council chamber contemplating what his fate might be. Where could he go if the village banished him, worse yet they could just imprison him. Not that he would let them but he might only take out a few before they put him down.
Well no use worrying about it now. His thoughts turned to what might become of Tayuya, he sighed as he realized she might spend the rest of her life in a cell. He wondered if there was anything he could do. So focused was he on his foul-mouth friend that he bumped into an ANBU squad.
"Uzumaki, what are you doing out of the cell?"
"What are you talking about," Naruto said as he checked himself, "The council sent for me."
"No," The guard replied, "They sent us to escort you, make sure you didn't try to run."
"What then wh—shit!" Naruto cursed as he ran back to the cell.
"Uzumaki get back here!"
"I can't," Naruto shouted, "Tell the council someone infiltrated the village!"
The ANBU leader looked as his charge ran away, "Damn it."
"Sir, what should we do?"
"You two go inform the council that we may have been infiltrated and you two come with me, move out!"
"Yes, sir!' the ANBU saluted and followed their order. The leader and his two squad mates ran after Naruto.
"Do you think he's making a break for it, sir"
"I don't think so, the kid is smart he would've tried a something more clever than trying to sneak out of here, he would know how many eyes actually watch this place."
"Yes he would, but if he's telling the truth then we have bigger worries, sir," said his other squad mate.
Breaking the door down Naruto stepped into the room, ready to fight. But it was too late Tayuya was gone. He had lost a high value prisoner in the dumbest way possible, and he had been dumb enough to fall for her act.
"The council is going to be pissed," Naruto said as he banged his head against the wall, "Fuck."