Naruto nodded again and then told them he was going to turn in early since they would have a long day tomorrow. He went to his room and packed his bagpack for his trip. Then he took a shower and listened to Chiyuki sing him a lullaby as he fell asleep.
Naruto woke up early and went to take a shower. He had just finished getting dressed when he felt it. That nauseating feeling rising up. He quickly hurried to the bathroom and let it all out.
"Lovely way to start a morning isn't it?" he thought.
Chiyuki laughed. " not much you can do about it kit , so just take it like a ninja." she said.
"Uh huh." said Naruto drily. "Tell that to my stomach."
Chiyuki giggled softly in the back of his mind. He picked up his mission pack and left the room. He went downstairs and began to prepare breakfast as he ate a few saltines crackers. He knew that it would probably make him sick again but he also knew that he had to eat.
That was how the two other men found him when they came down. Kakashi saw that he was making breakfast and perked up.
"Hey breakfast is almost done." he told them.
Iruka instantly went into mother hen mode. "Are you sure you don't want me to do that?" he asked worriedly.
Naruto smiled and nodded. "No, I'm fine. Just relax tousan and have a cup of tea." he said.
Iruka nodded and after sharing tea for himself and Kakashi, he sat down.
"Are you sure you should be going on missions in your condition?" asked Iruka , back to worrying again.
"Its an easy mission, even if it is an A-ranked one." said Naruto. "We're just going to be helping Gaara with a diplomatic conference with the land of snow among others that's all. I haven't seen their leader in a while either. She is pretty cool once you get to know her but is a piece of work most of the time and I don't want Gaara to go all "sand burial" on her. Normally I'd go with Neji but Tsunade-sama insisted on sending Sai, Sakura and Kakashi with us as well so I'm completely safe." he reassured.
Iruka nodded although he still looked a bit worried. Naruto shared breakfast for the three of them and then he sat down.
"This is really good." said Iruka. "I didn't know that you could cook."
Naruto smiled. "Well over the years I've picked up a few things." he said as he ate. "I only began cooking when Kakashi kept on bringing me fruits and vegetable all the time though. I figured that I might as well learn."
Iruka nodded then he turned to look at Kakashi. "Kashi, how come I didn't know that you used to bring stuff over to Naruto?" he asked.
Kakashi just shrugged. Iruka kissed him on the cheek and turned back to Naruto.
"Did you pack your vitamins as well?" he asked.
Naruto nodded. "Yes. As well as a few snacks if I get hungry." he said.
"Good!" said Iruka.
They all talked for a bit more until Naruto and Kakashi left for Tsunade's office to meet with the others.
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When they got there the other members of the team had already assembled.
"Ah good! Come in brat." said Tsunade fondly when she saw her favorite adopted grandson of her heart.
"Good morning Tsunade -sama." Naruto and Kakashi greeted her.
Tsunade smiled, knowing she was about to make his day.
"Listen brat." she said. "Things are gonna be a bit different this time. You'll be going to this conference as acting Rokudaime and will be representing Konoha since the council has finally agreed to you succeeding me."
Naruto blinked in surprise then he nodded. "Yes Tsunade-sama I understand and will do my best." he said formally, surprising everyone. "And thank you."
Before , if he was excited he would have started yelling and glomping everyone .
Tsunade smiled happily, her brat had really grown up. "You deserve it brat, now go and complete your mission." she said.
Naruto nodded and after giving her a hug they left the office.
"Congratulations Naruto." said his friends as they left . They were all genuinely happy for him.
Naruto nodded, accepting all of their congratulations graciously. He was still a bit surprised by it all.
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The three day trip to the sand village went by quickly and was relatively peaceful, since they hadn't been attacked or anything. The reached Sunagakure near sunset a little before sunset on the third day and began walking through the town to the Kazekage tower. As they walked Kakashi , Sai and Sakura noticed how many of the villagers and ninjas were all openly friendly and genuinely kind to Naruto.it was obvious he had his own fan base here as well. Some greeted Neji as well since they knew he was the Kazekage's lover.
"Hey Naruto-sama," yelled one woman. "My husband is doing much better now thanks to the herbs you recommended." she said.
Naruto waved to her. "Its nice to here that Tachi-chan." he yelled back..
Then he saw an obviously pregnant woman nearby.
"Hey Rukia-chan, how's the baby?" he asked.
The woman blushed prettily. "He's doing fine Naruto-sama, but he's still doing Taijutsu in there though." she said grinning.
Naruto laughed. " well at least you know he'll be a strong ninja like his dad." he said.
The woman nodded looking proud and he walked on.
"Hey Naruto-sama, when are you gonna marry me?" a little girl asked running up to him with a daisy.
He leaned down and picked her up. "Since you're much too beautiful for an old man like me, tell you what. When my kids grow up I will let you marry on of my sons okay princess." he said charmingly and the girl blushed and nodded as she stuck the daisy behind his ear.
Naruto pinched her cheek fondly and pulled out the snacks he had saved for her and her friends and gave them to her. She giggled and ran off after thanking him and went to share them with her friends.
"Who was she?" asked Sakura curiously. "That was Yuki." said Naruto. "She is an orphan like me."
And on and on it went as they made their way through the village. The others thought that it was a shame he wasn't treated so nicely in his own village. They were all learning a lot more about him than they had learned in all the years they had known him. They hadn't known that he was good with herbal remedies either. In fact , the only thing that had seemed to remain of the blonde they all knew was his kind heart and unusual ability to make friends so easily. Neji was the only one who had been aware of the villagers of Suna's regard before.
Finally they reached the Kazekage tower and walked into the building. The Anbu guards on duty saw them and immediately let them in.
"Welcome back Naruto-sama, Neji-sama and company. The Kazekage is waiting for you." one of them said cheerfully to Naruto.
"Thanks guys." said Naruto. "How's your cough birdsan?" Naruto asked the anbu with the bird mask on.
"Much better Naruto-sama. The herbs you recommended got rid of it in less than a day. Thanks a lot." said the bird anbu.
"Good ." said Naruto nodding before walking into the Kazekage's office.
Gaara came around the desk and allowed Naruto to glomp him as per usual.
"Hey Gaara." said Naruto in greeting.
"Hello Naruto. Thank you all for coming." Gaara said.
Naruto and the others nodded and Gaara gave Neji a half smile in greeting, Neji nodded back.
"Come." said the Kazekage. "Dinner is waiting."
They nodded and followed him into the dining hall. They found Temari and Kankuro there and exchanged greetings once again before sitting down to eat.
"So how are things with you Naruto?" asked Gaara.
Naruto smiled a bit. "Its all right. I found out a few days ago that I'm with child but that's okay. I also bought a house." he said.
"What!" yelled the sand siblings simultaneously.
The sands outside the window began to rise immediately, since Gaara was in a rage having only heard the words 'with child' going over and over in his head.
"Its all right Gaara , calm down."said Naruto to the angry Kazekage. "I'm actually happy to be having these kits."
The sand settled down again and everyone breathed with relief.
"How is that possible?' asked Temari. "You're a guy." she said, stating the obvious.
Naruto nodded. "Yes I am, but you forgot that I have the Kyuubi in me." he said then. "Gaara, you might want to run a few tests on yourself. It is possible that like me you can carry kits as well since you used to have Shukaku inside you. Even if he was a man, all demons can procreate so check okay?" he said.
Gaara's eyes widened. "You mean its possible that I could have kids too?" he asked in shock.
Naruto nodded. "Yes it is. Tell you what, why don't you have Sakura check you out after dinner just to make sure." he said.
Gaara nodded and looked over at Neji. He would give anything to have Neji's kids. Naruto saw the look and smiled. He sincerely hope that it was the same for Gaara. He knew how happy they would be if he could too.
"So I heard that you're officially the Rokudaime in training. Congratulations Naruto, I am happy for you." said Gaara.
Naruto smiled. "Thank you Gaara. I'm really happy about that." he said. "Especially since I am not even a Jounin yet."
Gaara nodded. "I skipped that part too so don't worry about it. After all our suffering we deserve a break for a change." he said.
Naruto nodded in complete agreement with him. He was still planning on taking it though just to make it official. They discussed various things during dinner and then Gaara , Naruto and Sakura went off to test him. Naruto had been dragged along at Gaara's insistence.
They went into a private room and Sakura began her tests.
"They are there, but he needs just a little bit more demon chakra to completely develop them." She said . "that's why he hasn't gotten pregnant before."
Gaara looked crestfallen when he heard that since he now longer had a demon inside him but Naruto chuckled.
"Is that all?" he asked. "Really Gaara, did you forget I carry the most powerful one in me?" he said walking over to them.
In the back of his mind he could here Chiyuki purring with pride at being called the most powerful.
"Chi, are you ready?" he sent.
"Yes kit , lets do this." she said .
Naruto covered his palms in his Chakra and then he laid it against Gaara's stomach over his ovaries and began to input it inside him, further developing the ovaries. He did this for about a half an hour and then he stopped.
"Is that enough?" he asked Sakura who immediately began to check.
She smiled and nodded. "Yes, more than enough." she said. "In fact , the amount you put in was so much, that his body will now form the necessary birth canal etc whenever he conceives ." she told him pleased.
Naruto smiled and Gaara looked up at him with tears of joy in his eyes. Naruto nodded and went to get Neji. After getting him he walked out unto the balcony and now looked out unto the horizon, enjoying the sounds of nature and the night air.
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Naruto was still standing out on the balcony an hour later when Gaara hurried out looking a bit disheveled. Naruto smiled when he saw the normally stoic redhead actually smiling. Neji followed him looking equally disheveled and there was no doubt in anyone's mine what they had just been up to.
"Congratulations Gaara, I'm so glad you now can too." he said with a genuine smile.
Gaara nodded. "Thank you so much Naruto. I cant believe that it never occurred to me before." he said. "Although I never really talked to Shukaku on a friendly basis either."
Naruto grinned. "Well it is unusual for a man to conceive and all." he said ironically. Then he looked at Neji. "You should consider moving here permanently. I will see what I can do on my end with the Hokage in order to help smooth the way for you. Even a caged bird can still fight for its freedom Neji."
Neji's eyes widened in delight, then he nodded and gave him a soft smile. "Thank you Rokudaime-sama." he said , then. "I've come to realize something else as well. Every time you had a mission here you always brought me with you, even though it was more than obvious that you didn't really need me . Why?" he asked.
Naruto turned and looked out unto the darkened horizon. "Because people who love each other as much as you do should not be apart. Love is a gift Neji. It cannot be bought, stolen or borrowed. Treasure it." he said sadly.
Both men looked at the blonde. They knew that he was speaking from experience. They both felt saddened to see the normally hyper-active blonde looking so subdued.
"Are you sure you want to have your child?" asked Gaara.
He was worried that Naruto would be unable to deal with raising a product of rape and he didn't want to see him in more pain.
Naruto touched his belly and sighed. "Yes, I'm sure. They are my kits as well, no matter who the father is or what he may have done. I know that I will never regret having them." he said.
Both men nodded. Then Naruto turned to them.
"I'm fine." he said. "Neji we will only be here for about three days at the most so go make use of it ." he told him.
Neji nodded and pulled his lover close to him , then they walked off to go work on their new 'project'. Naruto watched them go with a smile and then returned to contemplating the horizon.
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A few minutes later Kankuro and Temari came out to see him.
"Thank you for what you did for Gaara Rokudaime-sama." said Kankuro with Temari nodding in agreement.
Naruto smiled. "No need for thanks , I consider you all family anyway. Please don't be so formal with me." he said.
The two of them smiled and nodded. They talked a bit more and was about to leave when Naruto stopped them and pulled out two envelopes from his pockets.
"I got these from two of my friends before leaving." he said handing each to their respective owners. "I'm sure you already know who."
The two sand ninjas flushed with pleasure and after thanking him , hurried off, no doubt about to go read them.
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Naruto had been standing there alone and lost in his own little world when he sensed someone nearby and realized who it was.
"What is it Sai?' he asked calmly.
Sai moved out of the shadows and walked up to him.
"Rokudaime-sama, Sakura told me to tell you that she would like to check you over before you turn in for the night." he said.
Naruto nodded. "Thanks for coming to tell me." he said.
They stood side by side for a while in silence until Sai finally spoke.
"You do still love him don't you?" he asked quietly.
Naruto sighed heavily. "I think that in some part of my heart, I will always love him, but he doesn't own it all anymore. Of course the love that I still feel could probably be the aftereffects of being a kitsune and all since we tend to mate forever. Its kind of ironic you know. He could see so many things with his sharingan and yet he couldn't see my love for him or how great it was." he said .
"Maybe someday soon you'll find someone else who will love you above everything else Rokudaime-sama." said Sai.
Naruto turned to him. "Perhaps, but still I have my kits and Chiyuki. I don't need anyone else." he said. "It hurts too much to love someone."
Sai nodded, realizing that like a wound, it would all take time to heal.
They stayed that way for a few more minutes until Naruto decided to go find Sakura so that he could retire for the night. He stopped at the doorway to the balcony and looked up.
"You can come down now Kakashi, all that spying is bad for you." he said drily.
Kakashi laughed. "What can I say. You can't teach an old dog new tricks." he told them.
Naruto shook his head and they went inside and down the hall to Sakura's room and knocked.
The pink haired kunoichi sitting on her bed waiting and they entered after being given permission to do so. She made him lie down and after checking him over, she sent him to bed. Naruto thanked her and left the room. He found Sai waiting outside with Kakashi and they walked him to his room. After saying goodnight to them, he walked in and closed the door. He began to undress as he made his way to the en suite shower.
"That boy likes you." said Chiyuki.
"Really?" said Naruto. "I didn't notice."
Chiyuki snickered. "Yes he does. Why do you think he is being so charming to you? He is trying to court you discreetly kit." she told him.
"Hmm." Naruto said as the shower began to beat down on him. "That's too bad, I've had enough of men in that way for a while." he said.
"I know kit." said Chi sadly. "But someday it will all be okay again."
Naruto sighed. "I really do hope so." hesaid. "Not just for our sake but for our kits."
"It will be , you'll see." said Chi. " now hurry up and go to bed. You're dead on your feet."
Naruto mentally agreed and quickly got out of the tub and got dressed. Then he crawled into bed and promptly fell asleep.
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the next morning...
Naruto woke up and went through the usual routine of puking his guts out, taking a shower and getting dressed. He stepped out into the hallway and found Sai there waiting for him with Kakashi.
"Morning Rokudaime-sama." they said.
Naruto returned there greeting even though it felt a bit weird to be called that by Kakashi and followed them to the dining hall. As they walked Sai and Sakura who joined them on the way, kept up an almost endless stream of chatter all the way there and Naruto silently wondered how no one had ever murdered him when he used to act that way, much to Chiyuki's amusement. Kakashi saw the look on his face and chuckled silently. Once they had breakfast, they moved to the conference room.
The conference began and during the negotiations Naruto raised interesting points and made certain observations that surprised them all. None of them had known that he had such good observation and deductive abilities. He was not only able to estimate fairly accurately the time it would take to trade between villages, but also could calculate costs and the probabilities of ninja's attacking each route. At the end of the first day, the negotiations were going even better than they had hoped. Even Gaara was happier than usual about inviting Naruto and Kakashi felt proud. There were diplomats from other countries as well and they were all impressed with the future leader of Konoha and were actually looking forward to trading with them in the future. At the end of the day Naruto would visit the orphanages and villagers and then turn in for the night after speaking with Gaara. The next two days went well and by the time they were ready to leave, even Temari was patting Naruto on the back.
The decided to start out the next day since the conferences were finally over and it was already dark out. It was very dangerous to travel in the desert at night. The next morning Gaara and the others came to see them off.
"Thank you for all your hard work Naruto." said Gaara. "Because of your useful input and presence, we've manage to make useful contact and will not only be able to supply our village with unlimited amounts of water, but at a cheap cost because of your trading routes and methods. In a nation such as ours , water literally means life or death."
Naruto smiled and nodded. "No thanks necessary Gaara. We are brothers after all as we started from the same place. Its better this way if we look out for each other don't you agree?" he asked.
Gaara nodded. Naruto had really grown up. They talked a bit more and then the Konoha ninjas started off on the three day trip back to Konoha.
The first night went well but on the second night all hell broke lose. Out of nowhere they were stopped by a bunch of extremely powerful rogue ninjas. They all fought well but Naruto had to use his Odama rasengan to stop them. The rogue ninjas were all defeated and killed and they got ready to continue on. Naruto took to steps and then felt himself begin to fall. The last thing he heard was Sakura screaming his name before darkness claimed him.
authors note: hi again. How are you all. Sorry for the late updates. I am working on a lot of projects right now so its kinda hard. Anyway I hope you liked this chapter. Check out my other stories as well as my new naruto story 'broken dreams and retribution'. Thanks again for reading a please review.