Author's Notes: Hmm what to say before I thank those that reviewed... well, this chapter is basically going to be me bashing Tsunade as a human being. As a ninja she seriously kicks a (apparently ff doesn't approve of the mildest of curse words -.- ) but as a person she is the most pathetic there is, second only to Sakura, Ino, and even Hinata. Those kind of characters really get on my last nerves. So yeah, this is your warning for those that like her personality.
DarkRavie, you are my favorite reviewer for sticking with me like that!! (giggles and sends a big bear hug)
Zane Makura, thank you so much for your advice. I'm still learning but hey, a great writer still continues to learn no matter how many books he/she has written. I'll continue to do my best :) And thanks for telling me about my little mix-up so here's the revised.
dhh, well thank you! I adore Naruto and I ran a lot of fics of how he would be if he had a family take him in why not see how he would fare with my OCs? But yes, all it took for me to get this far was a good kick in the backside. I always tell me friends to give me that once in a while but getting it from a fan really helps a great deal! And I totally don't mind you listed my fic! I feel so honored (tries not to get a swell head) That was really sweet of you, thanks!! (sends a hug your way)
Disclaimer/Warnings: From now on I will only post these on the first chapter. I don't want to fill up the chapters with these things and annoy you, the readers. Sound fair?
"Family Ties"
By: Beloved Shadow of Light
+ Gamble of A Lifetime +
Tsunade-hime. Granddaughter of the former Shodaime Hokage. The only kuniochi to ever earn the title of Sannin. A medical genius that is unmatched in any and all countries. One would think that a woman who bore so many titles would be a level-headed and mature woman who did all she could to help those around her, a perfect role-model and possibly the best hokage the village has seen. That's not what Naruto saw. All he could see was a woman so consumed with grief and self-loathing, someone so spineless and yellow-bellied that she physically changed her appearance just to escape the increasing debts she willingly put herself in, a gold-digging fool who let money consume her as bad as lust consumed the porn writer. The genin listened with half an ear as the two talked, trying hard not to wince as he held the chopsticks. His hands were still tender but he knew that it would take the rest of the evening for them to heal before he could go back to training.
"So, will you accept the position of Godaime?" the gama sannin asked.
A drunken blushed adored her face but she was sober enough to give a clear enough answer. "... Iie."
Naruto snorted as he finally set the chopsticks down, unable to continue eating. "Is it because of Orochimaru told you not to?" He knew they were all looking at him but he didn't acknowledge them; he wrapped both his hands around the mug of cold tea and took a sip. "I can smell his stench all over you. I'm beginning to wonder just what you two did even in such a short amount of time.
"What the hell is that suppose to mean?" she demanded angrily. How dare this gaki talk like that to her!
"Don't flatter yourself thinking you were the first choice to be the next hokage."
"Nani?" Okay that was a low blow.
"How do you know?!" Jiraiya demanded only to slap his hand over his mouth.
"You talk in your sleep, ero. The way you talked about your teammate I thought she would be a great ninja who could lead Konoha out of ruin. But all I see is some silicon-implanted whore who's such a failure she can't face her own reflection, no matter how many times she changes her appearance." He looked into her brown eyes and narrowed his blue gaze dangerously, fingers tightening over the earthen mug. "You, are an insult to shinobi, kuniochi, your clan, and humanity itself."
Silence fell over the table, Shizune and Jiraiya too shocked to say a word. Tsunade felt her heart drop into the pit of her stomach even as she slowly forced herself to stand and placed her hands flat on the table. "Let's take this outside, unless you're all talk and no action," she seethed.
The young blonde looked up at through without lifting his head before quietly standing to his full height, never looking away from her eyes. "My mother told me to never hit a lady. But you are far from being a lady."
"Naruto!! Your family will skin me alive then kill me if anything happens to you!!"
"Tsunade-sama, wait!! Don't do this!!" All their warnings and pleas to stop may as well have fallen on deaf ears.
The two blondes walked out of the bar, standing in the middle of the street. There was no one out save for the group, leaving the street barren of life; a cold wind ruffled hair and clothing, chilling bared skin but no one paid any mind to it. A tense silence filled the air but it wasn't for nothing.
'I refuse to acknowledge a kage who doesn't know the meaning of true sacrifice!' In a fluid move he quickly spun on his heel and let the hidden knives fly from his sleeves. He didn't say anything when she dodged one and caught the other but she suddenly was in his face with his weapon in hand. He, literally, bend over backwards, the sharp sound of the kunai scratching over his headband, knocking it off but instead of standing right back up he threw his weight into his hands and kicked her under the jaw and nose, immediately drawing blood. A safe distance away he watched her stagger back, dragging her hand over her face, smearing the blood dripping from her nose and busted lip. He did frown when he saw her begin to shake at the sight of the redness smeared on her hand but didn't dare relax.
"Hemophobia." It seemed to shake her out of her daze as her eyes snapped up to meet his. "We all have fears we must face but you let yours rule your life. You're not worthy of being offered the title of hokage."
She bristled at his all too-conceding tone. "Why do you want to be a kage so much?"
"I was taught that everyone should have a dream, something to strive no matter the cost... I've decided that, it's my dream to become hokage!"
Eyes widen and for a split moment, Tsunade could see the faces of Nawaki and Dan voicing the same dream. For a moment, she looked older than a 50-year-old woman. So very very much older.
'I have no choice.' Concentrating he brought his hands together and began to focus, summoning the few dregs of chakra into the third step his mentor had told him. His hands protested, the chakra tearing up the bandages and worsening the skin but he didn't care. He ignored everything around her as he charged forward, both eyes staring intently at his target.
Brown eyes widen as she recognized the technique. Acting on instinct, she raised a finger and drove it into the ground, causing a chasm to form under the blonde's feet but he surprised everyone when he lunged forward with chakra boosts under his feet. The namekuji sannin didn't have time to do anything but gasp in pain as the Rasengan rammed itself into her chest, beneath her massive breasts.
"Nani?!" To think that the genin actually managed to land a hit was unbelievable and even though they were there to witness it they still could not believe their eyes! The dust cleared and Naruto fell back but immediately dropped to his knees, clutching his hand in pain. Even though the jutsu was weak he pushed himself much too far and broke his right hand; now it would take longer for the kyūbi to heal this if he wanted to continue training. The old woman stepped back but was clutching beneath her breasts. Her shirt had gotten torn and she knew without looking that the attack had done some damage. If he had the proper control over it, he could have easily killed her with it.
'He... He was trying... to really hurt me...' she thought to herself. In fact, even with his pain he was glaring at her with enough rage that she was surprised she wasn't ash by now. Instead she looked over at her former teammate, upset at being betrayed by him. "You taught him that jutsu?"
"... He's my student and he had a right to learn it," he answered simply, listening as Naruto ignored Shizune's concern. 'To advance this far...'
"Hmph. Fine then..." She turned to the blonde and shivered at the hatred directed at her. "I'll make you a bet. If you can master the Rasengan in a week not only will I came back to Konoha and become the Godaime, but I'll acknowledge your dream of being hokage... and I'll give you my necklace."
Naruto snorted as he forced himself to his feet, holding his injured hand to his chest. "Why would I want a piece of worthless trash like that?" he asked.
"I wouldn't take it lightly, Naruto; its a very rare crystal. It belonged to the Shodaime and if sold could easily buy three mountains," Jiraiya explained but was taken back when the kid gave a weak laugh. "What's so funny?"
"Okaaasan has two similar crystals but one's a dark ocean-blue and the other an ice-blue. Yet I'm surprised this one hasn't sold it to pay off her debts. Maybe she does have some respect for her kin."
"Watch it, gaki!! I could easily have cracked your skull open!!" she yelled at him angrily.
"All talk and nothing to back it up. I accept your bet and I will master the Rasengan in seven days."
"And if you lose, all your money belongs to me."
"Do I look like I care? Seven days." Turning he retrieved his headband, putting it in his pocket but paused and added over his shoulder, "I don't know what happened that made you this way, but unlike you, I'm sure they died for what they believed in. They're probably rolling over in their graves at what a pathetic you've become, ama." The busty blonde looked like she had just been slapped with the same monstrous strength she possessed, all the color draining from her face. Naruto didn't care and ignored everything as he entered the bar, pulling his pack onto his back, and walked down the street. He had training to do and to hell if the ero-sannin wasn't going to help him.
As much as he knew he should reprimand his student Jiraiya knew the kid's words were along the same line of his thinking--he couldn't agree more. "Shizune-chan... can you help Naruto with his hand and watch over him?"
The dark-haired lady blinked but looked down at the ground, nodding quietly. "Hai..." Without looking back she went after the young boy, the small pig following with a soft cry. Then it was just the two of them.
"There is one thing you and the past hokages have in common, Tsunade."
"..."
"They protected the people of Konoha and even though their reigns were during wars the village still managed to prosper... it was a dream that each and every one of them bet their lives on. Does that sound like a worthless gamble?"
She didn't give him an answer.
"... Let's get a drink."
--
Shizune looked all over for the young teen, wondering if maybe he had left the village but thanks to Tonton she found him struggling to put his hand in a splint. It was evident that he didn't have much medicine practice but it was also clear to see he was in a lot of pain. Sympathy won over as she walked over. She was startled when he looked at her but there was no rage in his eyes and he didn't tell her to leave. Silently walking up to him she knelt before him.
"I can help if you like," she told him softly. He didn't answer but silently held his hand out to her. Nodding she began the careful task of trying to set the bones. She knew it had to hurt but he never said anything, not even a whimper but a tiny grunt here or there. Wrapping the hand tightly she nodded to him. "I'm afraid it'll be days before you can start training again."
"In three to four days my hand will be back to normal but I refuse to slack off my training," he said simply, carefully placing his hand in his lap. "What sort of deal did Orochimaru make with you and her?"
"W-What are you talking about?" she asked nervously.
"Don't ever play poker, Shizune; your countenance sucks."
She flushed brightly at his bluntness. "If you really knew Tsunade-"
"Yamero. I don't want to know anything about her or why she acts the way she does. I was actually hoping to meet her after the way Jiraiya described her but she's a fake. A woman like that has no reason to be called a kage, not if she's that much of a coward."
"You don't know her the way I do!"
"And you don't know me!" he yelled at her, shocking her into silence. "My mother took me away from Konoha when I was little, traveling all over the world to escape the narrow-minded bigotry of those assholes in Konoha. Less than a year later she took in a boy younger than me who had been the target or more than fifty assassination attempts by his own father, a kage of the village. A man who I look up to as my father and big brother was betrayed by his kage just for following orders; his adoptive son was labeled a murderer when he killed his father when he killed his mother just because of what she was.
"Then I was assigned to my first team but my teammates don't give a damn what happened to me as long as I was available to go on missions; the kuniochi, for all her brains, lacks the tiniest sliver of common sense, too busy fawning over the teme that refuses to get rid of the log up his ass, and a sensei who would rather baby said teme than train me. Orochimaru sneaked into the village... cursed Shiruba-ane and Sasuke-teme... murdered Sarutobi-oji... his stench is all over that ama it makes me ill. Don't tell me what or who I should believe in, Shizune. I've had enough of people I thought I could trust only to be stabbed in the back by them." Taking a deep breath he tied his headband around his head and closed his eyes. "Arigato for your help but I need to train. Onegai leave."
"... Tsunade knows her own share of loss. She lost her little brother and lover, each one saying their dream was to be hokage... each one died the day after she gave them the necklace... that's why she refuses to come back to the village!" she told him, hoping to make him see the truth.
"... What kind of excuse is that to shame their name by becoming what she is? All she's done is run away from their memory, from the very village they died protecting. Onegai leave, or will I be forced to kill you in order to get some peace?" he growled out. He heard her start but quietly get to her feet and leave him alone. He took a deep breath and waited before slowly releasing it, trying to push the tension from his shoulders. Only then did he allow the tears to fall. There weren't tears for himself, but for the same haunted looks his family bore when he didn't think he was watching, and for Tsunade who refused to let go and move on.
--
The days seemed to pass by quickly for the small group. The busty blonde found herself in a daze as she wondered the streets of the city, playing in the gambling parlors and losing. Every time she closed her eyes unbidden images of the gaki insulting her came to mind yet at night bad dreams of her loved ones reaching out to pull her into their graves, telling her repeatedly how she deserved to be dead more than they ever did was slowly starting to make her lose her sanity. Shizune was tore between helping the woman and making sure the genin was alright as well as worrying herself sick about Orochimaru coming back for Tsunade's answer. Jiraiya tried to take it one day at a time, periodically watching Naruto from a distance as he trained himself. The kid never even came to the inn once night fell, opting to sleeping outside in his sleeping bag. The only times he saw him not training was when he was in town to buy food but then he was gone. He was really pushing himself.
With a grunt the blonde pulled back, the spiral mark etched deeply into the tree was deeper than before but it wasn't enough. He flexed his hand, still feeling the strain of the muscles he fell back and braced his back against a large stone. Despite having removed his jacket and vest he was still bathed in sweat, his breathing labored. His hands were tingling again that he forced himself to sit and closed his eyes, trying to get his breathing back under control.
'In and out... in and out... in and out...' he chanted quietly, feeling his heart rate begin to slow down. He was so close but something was still missing. 'He said that I had to create a layer around the chakra, like making a balloon so it doesn't go flying every which way... but I can't do it with just two hands...' he frowned and raised his still bandaged hand to his face. The bones had been healed thanks to the fox but the muscles were straining from the over-use. He had to be careful or else. He allowed his hands to drop and fell into that deep and meditative state where he found himself before the tall gates.
Eyes the color of a raging fire opened, staring at the boy quietly. He watched as his jailor silently knelt before the bars and he lowered his head to the ground, still watching him. "Why have you come?" he asked in a deep growl.
"... I need your help in my training," he asked without sugar-coating it. He knew it was a gamble in itself talking to the yōkai like this but he didn't care. Compared to normal humans, talking with demons were far more trusting. "I'm having trouble with the third stage and I need advice."
"Long before you were born, ningens, kami, and yōkai lived together and benefited from one another... it was not unheard of when humans sought advice for that they did not know but of course everything came with a price," he said with a deep sigh.
"What happened to change it all?" the blonde asked quietly.
"Humans became greedy and jealous, seeking power and immortality we possessed for their own selfish desires. What could not be explained was sought and destroyed if it could not be controlled. The celestial beings were forced to flee to other worlds and demons were given no choice but to live deep underground, forced to make homes in the darkness. Even now with humans trying to live in balance with animals it's no use; we have all lost our way. Yōkai have let rage consume their every being, many wild animals have forgotten how to speak with humans that have not been dominated by them, even the kami themselves refuse to step down from their pedestals least they be raped." The large fox sighed deeply once more, closing his eyes he started when he felt a hand reach out and managed to touch the fur from one of his many tails.
"Gomen but I can't let you get free... even if I removed the seal, you have no body to return to." To be quite honest the blonde really wasn't sure how it worked but who's to say the kitsune wouldn't just vanished if he was released? The headed moved closer and he was worried his arm would be bitten off but instead he ran his fingers through the thick fur, feeling the warmth and softness of the heavy coat. He felt as warm as a campfire on a cold winter day and the softness reminded him of the softest of blankets.
"... My advice to you lies with your Kage Bushin. Only through them can you hope to complete your training and teach that fool of a woman a lesson." With that as his only warning the genin was gently pushed back into his body.
Brilliant blue eyes opened, their conversation lingering in the foremost part of his mind. Quietly his hands went through the signs and a clone stood before him. Nodding he allowed the clone to help him up and held out his hands. They worked seamlessly together, gathering the chakra together, molding it and going so far to create a shield around it but they didn't stop. More and more chakra was feed into it; the winds picked up around them and they both knew that they had achieved the desired effect.
"Rasengan!!" With a powerful shout the real body threw himself at the tree he had been practicing and let it loose. All around him the tree and several behind it blew up into a rain of splinters and kindling, the stones turning to rumble, the hard-packed earth torn up. When it died down the clone was gone and Naruto was trembling with exhaustion. He smirked even as he silently fell onto his back, panting heavily for air. He had finally mastered the technique with one day left.
About an hour later Shizune came to check on the young boy and gasped at the amount of destruction littering the area. It was at though nature released her rage in the small area but her greatest concern was that of the unconscious boy lying among the rumble. With a cry she ran towards him and knew he needed help. Unfortunately, there was no warning that even she would be betrayed by the one woman she trusted her life with and by the time anyone knew what was happening, dawn broke free on the seventh and final day of the bet.
--
Kabuto and Orochimaru jumped form branch to branch as they headed back to Tanzaku Gai. There was no stopping the grin from forming on the snake summoner's face as he thought to his ex-teammate's answer to his proposition. Tsunade had always been ruled by her heart and the fact to see two of her most precious people alive was someone she would never think of passing up. And it would also benefit him in getting rid of two burdens at the same time. Everything was falling right into place. However...
"It would be a problem if we were interrupted during the negotiations, Kabuto," he told the glasses-wearing shinobi next to him.
"What exactly are you implying, Orochimaru-sama?" he asked with a slowly growing smirk.
"Kill the companion of Tsunade."
A razor-sharp glint entered his eyes as he withdrew a kunai from his weapon's pouch and leap into another direction. The snake continued forward, eager to hear the answer and to have his arms healed. Then... he would burn Konohagakure to the ground. But fate did not work as well as he would have liked when he heard that the Gama Sannin was in town. Everything that could go wrong did and none of it was in the hebi's favor.
Senju Tsunade, the legendary kuniochi who earned the title of Namekuji Sannin during the war, refused his offer to not only bring her brother and lover back but would have killed him on the spot had the former Konoha nin not return and explain the situation. When asked why she would not help a former friend, she wasn't sure what to say yet found the words spilling forth from her lips.
"I wanted nothing more than to see Nawaki and Dan again, to hug them and tell them both how much they meant to me... but I also knew that I would never be able to live with myself if I had to sacrifice two innocent people just to see them again... they would rather stay dead than take the lives of someone innocent. That gaki... he's opened my eyes to the truth... I refuse to listen to your lies anymore!"
Fate now saw the fighting trio in the outskirts of the city, in a grassy area dotted with barren ground as well as stones and knarled trees scattered here and there. None of it stopped Tsunade as she charged forward, each kick and punch she threw enough to shake the very earth beneath their feet. Orochimaru was no match against her; even if he had the use of his arms her strength could easily destroy him without trying. Kabuto was quick and agile yet being a medic he knew that he could not afford to get hit. The two danced a complicated ritual of taijutsu, attacking and/or dodging but neither of them were know for their physical abilities. They were known for their Shōsen no Jutsu.
Kabuto proved what a cruel genius he had become by using Chakra no Mesu against the female sannin, slicing through the muscles. When she went down he tried to lunge forward and sever the main arteries but she moved in time for his hand to strike at her Rokkankin, making it harder to breathe. He smirked, growing so over-confident he was taken back when she quickly got to her feet and gave a powerful jab at the base of his skull, making him tumble head over heels several yards away. If he had struck a normal person with his chakra infused hands, they would have died within moments but he did not take into account her fat breasts.
The blonde woman gasped for breath, watching at the young man tried to lunge at her only to fall onto his face. She took the momentary time to heal her own wounds even though it would waste chakra. However, she was taken back when her opponent managed to figure out the Ranshinshō and lunge at her once more. He never got that far as a several figures imposed themselves between her and him.
"..."
"Long time no see, Jiraiya..."
"You haven't changed a bit, Orochimaru."
"Naruto-kun..."
"Kabuto." He immediately noticed the hitachi and grinded his teeth together. "From the start you've been with Oto... I thought, I could trust you but you're just like everyone else. Shimatta! You betrayed me, you tired to kill my big sister, you helped that snake curse Sasuke, and you attacked Tsunade! I won't allow you to leave this place alive!!" he roared angrily.
The battle proved to be one-sided as Jiraiya and Orochimaru summoned their respective animals but where as the golden-eyed man summoned two massive anacondas, the likes which the genin had faced during the chunin exams, but the perverted writer could only summon Gamakichi, the small toad that witnessed first-hand the terror that lay sleeping with Sabaku no Gaara. Naruto tired his own hand at summoning but sadly, all he could bring forth was a yellowish-toad called Gamatatsu. Chaos broke out as everyone attacked: the hebi and gama sannins fought with all they had, using one jutsu after another. Shizune paid a heavy price when she tried to take on Kabuto on her own but she was too kind-hearted to take on the cruel genin. The namekuji sannin was useless in the battle, still in shock of Kaubto's blood on her hands she was rudely shaken to her senses when Naruto caught his fist, the kunai embedded itself thoroughly through his left hand that would have killed her.
"I told you before, Yakushi Kabuto... I won't allow you to leave this place alive," he seethed angrily, flames of red licking at the blue depths of his eyes. He gripped the hand tightly, keeping the traitor in his spot even as he held his free hand out to the clone he had managed to summon at the last second.
"This is the last time you stab me or my loved ones in the back," the clone snarled, molding the shield around the chakra, focusing all their might into this one attack. Their chakra reserves were very low, their bodies straining to keep it up but neither of them refused to go. Gripping the spiraling sphere tightly the clone vanished with a poof and Naruto slammed the ball of raw power right into the medic's stomach.
Eyes widen behind the lens, the power tearing through his skin and into the muscle beneath, forcing his body back he was barely aware of his arm being ripped from its socket, of the nails shredding the skin of his hand, of the bloodied kunai flying free. Naruto watched as Kabuto was thrown back, his back connecting with a large boulder. The large rock cracked but didn't break completely, having braced the young man even as blood fell from the serious injury. The blonde huffed for breath, snarling at how the Rasengan was still weak but his body couldn't take anymore and shut down. The last thing he could remember was hearing Tsunade call out him name in concern.
"Iie... kami don't take him away... onegai..." she cried, tearing the jacket and shirt away she focused her chakra into trying to save the young blonde. In a last ditch effort Kabuto had served the arteries to the heart and if she didn't do something, she would lost him. 'Nawaki... Dan... onegai, help me... he has, so much to live for!'
Barred from helping the demon fox watched, growling as the darkness began to gather and spread, knowing that the boy was dying. He snarled angrily, yelling at the boy to not give up. There was nothing he could do to save him-
Drip.
That sound... what is it?
Drip. Drip.
The darkness... it's being pushed back... how...?
Drip. "Don't die." Drip. Drip drip.
The fox's head rose and ears perked forward, straining to hear. Who was calling out?
"Don't die. Don't die. Don't die. Don't die. Don't die."
"... Looks like we were wrong, gaki... even one such as her, can overcome the darkest of sins..." His eyes closed as he allowed his chakra to seep out, spreading to every cell of the boy's body. "It's not your time so continue living, child."
Tsunade's eyes widen as a bloodied hand reached up and covered her glowing hands, squeezing tightly as the chakra healed the damage that had been done. "... I won... the bet... ba-san..." he whispered in a hoarse voice. She wordlessly caught his hands and held them tightly, healing the deep wound as the tears continued to fall.
"Hokage is your dream... then it, too, shall be mine..." Gently lifting his head she slipped the necklace around his neck, a stray tear landing on the green crystal. Even when the snake tried to kill the young boy she selflessly threw herself in harm's way, allowing the Kusanagi to pierce vital organs and drawing blood she never faltered. "I am, the Godaime Hokage!!"
A battle of titans could be felt as three of the most powerful summons Hi no Kunihas ever known appeared: Gamabunta, the boss of all toads and the personal summon of the Gama Sannin, Jiraiya; Manda, the lord of all snakes and personal summon of the Hebi Sannin, Orochimaru; and Katsuyu, the head of all slugs and personal summon of the Namekuji Sannin, Tsunade.
--
Naruto slowly opened his blurry eyes, blinking at the bright light that pierced his vision. He groaned and struggled to sit up but found he had no strength so he decided to just try and figure out what had happened. Bits and pieces of the battle came to mind, he remembered the pain of Kabuto's attacks, of how he could hear someone calling out to him. He blinked when he felt something around his neck and studied the necklace he now wore. Many thoughts ran through his mind but instead of being happy he felt--nothing.
'She almost sided with the same murderous bastard who has caused nothing but pain for my family,' he thought bitterly. 'I respect her as a kuniochi and even as the next hokage, but I will never respect her as a person.'
The following day found the group heading out of town, going back to Konoha to tell the village they had a new leader but things were far from joyous. Despite winning against such odds, the mood was not joyous. Uzumaki told the female sannin he could see how she managed to earn the title of sannin but he was far from trusting her. That hurt her but she accepted it and told that within time she hoped he would change his mind. Jiraiya, for once, kept his mouth shut and wordlessly lead the group back home, knowing that the hime's reign would be far from a peaceful one.
--
Zabuza grunted as he charged at his opponent, aiming a kick for her stomach but watched as Hidama flipped into the air and managed to block her knee from striking his temple. Feeling her push off he swung with his massive sword but she effortlessly dodged it and lunged with her own in a clean arch. Dancing back from her strike he took a moment to study her form, both of them breathing hard.
She ignored the beads of sweat rolling down her skin, the way he muscles tightened in reflex, keeping a light hold of her blade in hand. A breeze blew it, causing her damp bangs to dance across her eyes and making the straps of his hitachi glide along his shoulders. Shifting her left foot she charged and struck with her sword only to have it knocked from her hand. Grunting she struck the inside of his elbow, making his arm give out and kicked the blade away. Now the two exchanged blow for blow in a deadly dance of taijutsu that would have made Gai awe in its beauty.
He had the thick built to back up his strength but he also knew how to move like water: fluid and silent until it was too late. She was agile and nimble, moving seamlessly to avoid his strikes but she struck like lightning: swift and unpredicted. They ended up in a stalemate when she slid her foot behind his, striking his chest with her elbow and causing him to lose balance. His back connected hard with the ground but he lashed out and locked his fingers around the front of her throat, dragging her down with him which allowed his other hand to press a kunai to her stomach. But the pale woman had her fingers pressed into the thin skin on the inside of his wrist, a kunai in her other hand pressed dangerously close to the side of his throat even as she straddled his waist. The match had ended in a draw.
Their chests rose and fell sharply for breath, sweat coating every inch of their bodies, muscles trembling from the intense training, but as they looked deep in each other's eyes the strong attraction they felt for each other intensified. But neither of them dare act on it as much as they wanted to. They still had ghosts they had yet to let go of. Slowly they relented and relaxed their death grips on one another, knives pulled back. Standing up slowly she backed up and extended a hand to help him up. Taking it he allowed her to help him to his feet, rotating his shoulder in a full circle.
"I didn't think you'd be able to knock me down," he admitted as he went to retrieve his Kubikiri Hōchō.
"Old saying, 'the bigger they are the harder they fall'," she said with a deep sigh, retrieving her sword and placing it back in its sheath. Taking their clothes that hung from a nearby branch she handed him his jounin vest and slipped her shirt on though they were still hot. "I'm still amazed you were able to knock my sword out of my hand with the blunt edge of yours."
"Picked it up before the invasion," he grunted, focusing his chakra through his tired muscles so they didn't tense up on him but didn't put his vest on. He was still too hot and it didn't make sense to put the heavy thing back on. Making sure they had their things they headed out of the training area, glancing at the newly repaired buildings. "It's been over a week since he left on that trip."
"I know. If Itachi did get to him, we would have known."
"Gaki's dropping his mask each day. Whether the people are ready or not, he's gonna prove himself before we know it."
"I think he already did." They stopped at one of the small stores, buying two bottles of water and took up a bench to enjoy the cool breeze coming in. They knew they were a sight to see with their dishevel appearance but the duo didn't care. All that mattered in the life of a shinobi was the skills you had to ensure your survival. They breathed in the peace of Konoha, the hustle bustle of the villagers running errands, the sounds of genin doing various D-ranked missions, the sounds of children playing with friends and/or pets. For that single moment, they could forget what they had been trained for and happily accepted the serenity of peace. But it didn't last too long.
"Okaasan! Zabuza-sensei!" Naruto said happily as he ran towards his parental figures.
Hidama smiled and stood, holding her arms open and braced herself for the tackle hug the blonde hurricane was prone to do. Even as a child he would barrel his way towards her, hoping to catch her off-guard. "Kit..." Something felt strange but she hugged him tightly, ruffling his hair. "How did it go?"
"... Good!" He didn't want to look up but he knew that she knew he was lying. Looking at his sensei he grinned, noting their appearances. "Hey 'kaasan, you kick Mummy Man's butt?"
"Damara gaki," he grunted. His eyes went over his head when he noticed the pervert and immediately tensed, barely glancing at the two women and pig. "Oye, now that you're back you better rest up. Training starts again tomorrow morning."
"Hai. I gotta go but I promise to meet up with everyone at home tonight. Ja ne!" Waving to them he walked off with the group, his smile immediately dropping. The two adults noticed but said nothing.
"... Let's go home."
"Hn." Getting up he tossed the empty water bottle in the trash.
--
Iruka turned from the chalkboard and faced the class of students. "Use the diagram to find a way to the goal as quickly as possible," he told them. "Begin!" More than one student was scratching their head at the quiz but the chunin looked over at the door to the classroom slid open. Raidō nodded and moved until he was close enough to whisper something into his ear. The chunin nodded and turned to his class. "Gomen but we'll have to cut class short again today."
"Yeah!!" one of the students said happily as he jumped from his seat.
"The worksheet is homework."
"Nani?!" But Konohamaru looked on as the two shinobi walked out of the classroom. Something was up and he wanted to know what.
The academy students chatted as they walked out of the school, talking with friends or heading home early. Konohamaru walked just a bit ahead of his two best friends, Moegi and Udon.
"I'm glad we didn't have to go through with hand-to-hand combat class," she said with a small smile.
But a lot of the classes with end before noon or are cancelled for the whole day," Udon sniffed. "Is this really okay?"
"Don't be such a bookworm! Right, Konohamaru-chan?" The little girl was turning into a bipolar Haruno Sakura. They were forced to stop when they stopped before the hokage tower. He was staring so intently at the hino kanji on the building that he didn't hear Moegi calling out to him. But he did notice two jounins walking down the curving stairwell with boxes. Grinding his teeth together he ran up the stairs right for them. It didn't take long for him to reach them before he demanded, in a loud voice, to know what they were doing with his grandfather's things.
Izumo and Kotetsu stared at him, trying to find a way to gently break it to him. "We're putting them away for safe storage since they won't be used," Kotetsu explained.
"What are you talking about? Who said you could do that?!"
"The godaime will be using the office from now on."
That was news to him. "The godaime...?"
"H-Hai. The next hokage has been appointed," Izumo said in a soft tone. "The village will be in good hands now." That wasn't what he wanted to hear as he ran past them.
'It's too soon! They can't have gotten a new leader already!' he argued, trying to keep the tears from falling that he ended up slamming into someone and would have fallen if hands didn't reach out to steady him.
"Chibi hokage?" He blinked and looked into the caring gaze of Naruto-sempai's big sister. "Where's the fire?"
"Shiruba-chan, they got a new hokage already and they moved all of ojisan's stuff out! How can they do this? Don't they care!" He had been successful in holding back the tears but now they were coming good and hard. The young girl just knelt and pulled him into his arms. Sobs racked his body but she just held him tighter. Even when the woman who would get the title of hokage the she didn't make a good impression by calling them brats and that the tower wasn't a playground and to leave before she had them kicked out. A meek dark-haired girl chased her down, saying she needed to speak with the council then go to the hospital. The last they heard was her complaining about the work she had to do and how she wanted some sake to drink.
Shiruba was less than pleased and growled deeply in her chest, her nose twitching at the lingering scent of the slimy snake and wannabe-lackey that refused to leave. Already the bitch had rubbed her the wrong way and that was never a good thing. "Konohamaru-kun, do you know if they got the gift I got Sarutobi-oji?" she asked after a moment of thought.
He sniffed but shook his head against her shoulder. "I-I don't know... Everything was in boxes," he admitted with a sniff.
"Then let's go have a look." Smiling she gently wiped his tears and took his hand in her own. They headed for the office but behind the smile and tears a plan was forming in their minds. No one had the right to be called hokage until they passed their test.
--
Naruto watched as Tsunade healed Sasuke, watched as his eyes opened and he sat up. He watched as Sakura happily hugged the raven-haired boy but it took everything he had not to snort. The teme was still lost and dazed, he probably didn't even know where the hell he was much less the date. Saying nothing he turned to the medic.
"Next patient is Hatake Kakashi," he said coolly.
"Right." She shivered at the coldness he was emanating and gave the pink-haired girl one last look before leaving the room. She took one look at the jounin and sighed. He looked like hell warmed over and when she was told what happened she was not pleased yet before she could reprimand him the gaki spoke up.
"Just tell him what he needs to do and look at Lee. He's the one who needs a medic the most yet he's also the only one that hasn't been bitching like a spoiled baby."
Kakashi flinched and found he couldn't look up at his student. When he thought he had gotten through to him he gave him the cold shoulder once more. "Gomen..." he said softly. He was stopped from saying anything else when Gai interrupted, asking if the new hokage would take a look at his youthful student. Knowing that he would tell her what the situation was the blonde nodded to them.
"I have to go but ba-san." He looked at her and his eyes narrowed. "Lee hasn't been told to give up his dream of being a ninja but if you don't live up to your title of be a medical genius or if you crush his dream, this village will be searching for a Rokudaime soon." More than one person shivered as he made his way out of the room and hospital, his hands in his jacket's pockets. The village was still getting back on its feet but a lot had been done in such a short amount of time. Still, it just didn't feel the same.
"Naruto-san!!" He looked up and saw Udon and Moegi running towards him as fast as they could, both with worried looks on their faces. "It's Konohamaru-kun!!"
"Nani? What happened?" he asked, fearing the worse.
"He locked himself in the hokage office and Shiruba is with him! They won't let anyone in!"
--
"Open this door immediately," Izumo commanded as he pulled at the handles. "We'll use force if we have to."
"Who do you think you're talking to? I'm the magomusuko no sandaime!" All the furniture had been built into a kind of fort, trip wires running all over the room, paper tags here and there along with other traps. Konohamaru was sitting under the large desk, huddled in a tight ball with Shiruba next to him, cradling the cracked gift she had given to Sarutobi in her hands. She seemed to move in a daze when she noticed the deep crack in the gift, tracing the damage that when she looked up she watched as the chibi hokage set up trip wires. She also helped by placing exploding tags and helped with his traps. "Going against me, is going against him!"
Outside the two jounins nodded and rammed the door with their shoulders but all it did was release a hidden shelf where over a dozen smoke bombs were released but once they smoke reached their eyes they were forced to draw back, sneezing and rubbing at their watering eyes.
"Pepper smoke bombs!"
"Kami it burns!"
"Try that again and you'll get worse!" came the voice from within.
"Gomen but we need to get in there!" Izumo coughed only to step on a tripwire outside and cry out in pain as inch-long spikes littered the floor, piercing even through the thick soles of their shinobi issued sandals. Kotetsu grunted and managed to get the door open an inch but fell back when a wave of kunai came flying out, one managing to slice a deep gash along his upper arm and thing.
"What's with all the noise out here?" Tsunade demanded as she walked up to them, ignoring their injuries. "It's still morning."
"Gomen Tsunade-sama but we're having trouble trying to get the two kids out..." Kotetsu hissed, grabbing his arm.
"Kick them out." Shiruba's hands tightened over the glass ball as she listened to the heartless voice of the ama outside.
"Ano, its Sarutobi-sama's grandson and niece..."
"I don't care if who they are. I, the Magomusume no Shodaime, am ordering you two to settle this."
"...!"
"If you hurt them a little, they'll learn their lesson. Hurry up!"
"Keep talking like that and you'll never get into the office."
"Hmm?" Naruto walked up to the small group, followed closely by Hidama who was glaring at Tsunade with so much rage she was releasing a killing intent solely at her. Glaring at the blonde she walked to the door, the two jounins immediately stepping out of her way, and knocked on the door.
"Shiruba, what do you think you two can do staying in there?" she asked but didn't force her way in. "Goku's death affected me too, but staying in there like this is doing more harm than good. Onegai Silver... come out."
"... Gomen but I can't do that, haha. I can't accept someone who uses Toshiro-oji's name in such a disgracing manner. I can't let that council of inbreed fools continue to run a village that allowed Yasuo-chichi's sword be stolen. And I can't allow that ama in when she doesn't know the true meaning of protecting the innocent; she's nothing like Takehiko-ani..." Tears fell from her eyes as she curled in on herself, the pain slowly becoming too much for her. "Gomen... but I can't... I refuse to let her ruin their memories!"
'I... I never knew you felt this way... sweetling, why didn't you tell me?' she asked herself but was pulled out of it when the blonde whore shoved her out of the way and kicked the doors open.
"I've had enough of this!!" She strode through all the juvenile traps but when she entered the middle of the room she stepped onto an image on the floor and immediately triggered the genjutsu.
Tsunade looked up and stared into the enraged eyes of a silver-haired girl with bright blue eyes, dressed in black with a white coat but in her hands was a crystal ball that began to drip blood onto the floor. She watched in horror as the past leaders and shinobi pull themselves through the floor as it turned into fresh graveyard soil. Their rotten flesh falling from their bones, maggots infesting fresh battle wounds, broken armor and torn clothing hanging from their forms, gaping and empty eye sockets staring out at her, it was a gruesome scene that nightmares were made of. She tried to run but boney hands pinned her in place, their fingers digging painfully into her flesh to allow the others to advance and tear into her, ripping her flesh and limbs off one by one. The blonde opened her mouth to scream but gagged as rats, snakes, and bugs crawled out from her throat, eyes wide in terror.
Konohamaru watched as the busty blonde froze in place, eyes widen as she looked like she was screaming in silence. What was Shiruba-chan doing to her? He watched as the prettiest (and scariest) woman walked over to them, stepping past the traps that hadn't been set off and wrapped her arms around Shiruba. The hold was broken and Tsunade collapsed in the middle of the floor, trembling violently. He looked up at Naruto came over and nodded to him.
"I've seen her in action, Konohamaru. She's a gambling liar but she'll help the village or die trying." He carefully led him out with his sister, arms around their shoulders, giving them support.
Hidama glared at the woman with so much hate she waited until she looked up and gave her a look that had been known to chill the most hot-blooded of enemies. "Next time you try and use the Senju name like that, I'll gut you like the pig that you are. Yasuo and Toshiro were never that heartless to a young boy who was still grieving." Only then did she leave, giving the slightest of nods to the two jounins and silently left the tower with her family. As they reached the bottom of the stairs she watched as Shiruba quietly knelt before Konohamaru and placed the crack orb in his hands.
"Sarutobi-oji was the one to teach me about the Will of Fire so I got him this because it best represents it and him. Now, I want you to have it, but only if you promise me to always live with the strongest Will of Fire the world has seen. Deal?"
Konohamaru nodded feverishly and held it as though it was the most valuable thing in the world. "I promise, Shiruba-chan! I'll be the best hokage the village ahs ever seen!" Wiping the rest of his tears away he ran off with Moegi and Udon, feeling as though a weight had been removed.
Naruto smiled and hugged his sister tightly. "Pretty soon he's gonna be calling you sempai," he teased.
"Then I'll never get any peace." She smiled but closed her eyes tightly. "Is it okay if I spend some time along?" she asked softly. Hidama nodded in understanding.
"Hai, of course. Come home when you're ready." Softly kissing her cheek the two silently left. Shiruba waited several moments before teleporting to the side of the river where she sued to come when she was young. Sitting down she watched the light play on the river, remembering all the good times and the bad she had with her family. Time passed by, the sun slowly moving over the sky but she didn't notice. She watched as the winds gently rippled the water, ripples forming and waves gently flowing side to side. Through the water's reflections she watched as the skies begin to darkness in a colorful array that before she knew it the stars had become to come out one by one. Wrapping her arms around her legs she buried her face in her knees, and let loose the tears.
Author's Notes: Um I really don't know what to say. I was crying at the end with my OC breaking down and I know the bit about Konohamaru locking himself in the hokage office is only in the anime but it just shows how much I like the chibi hokage-in-training. Sure he's a dork but he's an adorable dork, like a mini-Naruto and emo-Sasuke combined. Now, the next chapter with deal with Morino Idate but only because he stole the Nidaime's sword before the series started and Shiruba wants it back. After that thins will follow the manga and pick up once more. But, because I made this fic a NarutoxKakashi one I'm gonna include the episode where Team 7 tries to find out what lies behind Kakashi's mask. Except with a brand-new-Naruto-personality-wise, Naruto may get his first real kiss. At least I'm gonna try and go for that! :D Later all, love ya!
hemophobia: fear of blood
namekuji sannin: slug sage
ama: bitch (I think)
countenance: facial expressions
ningens: humans
Shōsen no Jutsu: Mystical Hand Technique
Chakra no Mesu: Chakra Scalpel
rokkankin: muscles in the respiratory area
Ranshinshō: Chaotic Mental Collision
ba-san: old woman
Rokudaime: 6th Leader
magomusuko no sandaime: grandson of the 3rd leader
magomusume no shodaime: granddaughter of the 1st leader