Hey guys!
Naruto was summoned to the Hokage's office early the next morning where he found Guren and Yukimaru were already present. Alongside Tsunade herself, Shizune and Jiraiya were also in attendance. Both were flanking the Hokage and everyone appeared grim.
"You look like shit," that was until Jiraiya's greeting. "I see Gai wasted no time with you."
He felt like it too. He was always a fast healer, but that didn't always save him from feeling incredibly sore all over, including places he didn't know could be sore, and he almost regretted having already implemented the weights.
"Jiraiya," Tsunade warned.
"Yeah," Naruto approached the desk, doing his best to avoid looking in Guren's direction, a task made difficult hearing Yukimaru gasp in excitement.
"Naruto-nii" Yukimaru wormed his way out of Guren's grasp and ran to greet him with a hug.
"Hey there, Yukimaru," Naruto subconsciously smiled, already feeling better. He ruffled his hair before kneeling before him. "You doing okay?"
What he really wanted to know was if they treated him well, and judging by his beaming smile, he really hoped so. This alleviated some of his worries enough to make his body feel just the slightest bit lighter.
"Uh-huh!" Yukimaru nodded excitedly. "That nice lady asked me a few questions and then she gave me some yummy food!" He said, pointing to Shizune.
Naruto patted his cheek before standing to bow to Shizune. "Thank you, Shizune."
"Of course, Naruto-kun," Shizune smiled at him and returned the gesture.
He risked a glance at Guren then as she was not too far from the Hokage's assistant, and was disappointing to find her glaring daggers at him. With a sigh, he palmed Yukimaru's head, feeling better that he remained at his side.
"Before we begin — " Tsunade was promptly interrupted.
"Come on, Naruto-nii," he began pulling him along. "Let's stand next to Guren!"
"Ah," Naruto remained in place, allowing the boy to reach an arms length before stopping him. "That's okay. I need to speak with the Hokage. But why don't you stand by her for now? I bet she misses you already."
"Okay," Yukimaru agreed sadly before trudging to stand at her side.
"Sorry 'bout that," Naruto apologized for the boy.
"That is quite alright," Tsunade was surprisingly calm and didn't show the slightest sign of displeasure. Whether or not she was currently experiencing any was always difficult to discern. She was always stoic when she wasn't angry, and that was the current face she was wearing, that of restraint. "Before we begin, it is imperative that what is said in this room remains a secret until the agreed upon date."
Everyone in the room nodded their agreement.
"Good. Then let's not waste any time. We're here to discuss the terms of Guren and Yukimaru's future here," Tsunade said, her eyes roaming the room. "By now, everyone present has been made aware of the current situation, and some to the terms. This includes the village clan heads and the village elders."
Naruto felt his stomach drop.
"As you can imagine, I received considerable pushback, but I used my executive powers to push it through despite holding the minority," Tsunade informed them, Naruto more specifically. She made this apparent by how she held his eyes.
"Who was against it?" Naruto asked.
"Everyone," Tsunade answered immediately. "Initially, anyway. It was only through the support of the Nara, Hyuuga, and the Aburame that I was able to utilize my executive powers."
The Nara, Naruto understood upon quick reflection, as they were known to be analytical in nature. If they'd agreed then they must have found an angle they deemed beneficial to the village.
He couldn't claim to know much about the Aburame beyond their use of insects, so he would've accepted their support, or understood opposition either way. It was the Hyuuga he almost didn't believe considering their horrifying traditions of enslaving their own.
Though that may have been their very reasoning. Guren possessed a rare bloodline that, as his wife, would belong to Konoha.
The very thought set Naruto on edge.
"So what happens now?" Naruto asked. "Did Guren…" he was reluctant to look at her, so he didn't. "Did she agree?"
"Before I answer that, I need to know your answer, Naruto," Tsunade said, coming to rest her chin on her cupped hands. "Have you made your decision? Will you accept this woman as your wife?"
"You're marrying Naruto-nii?" Yukimaru sounded absolutely ecstatic. "Does than mean we're all gonna live together?"
He could avoid it no longer.
Guren was looking down with clenched fists, absolutely furious. At her side Yukimaru was oblivious to her reaction and was grinning ear to ear in his direction.
This reminded him of what he never forgot. Why he was wagering his future along with the one he wanted to create for Konoha, and the world. Even if Guren hated him, as long as Yukimaru was safe and happy, then it would have been worth it.
"I do," Naruto turned back to answer, Tsunade, resolute in those few words. "But only if she does."
Though judging by her reaction, she would not.
"Then it's settled!" Jiraiya stepped around from behind the desk with a bottle he'd been obscuring to pat him on the back. "Congratulations on your marriage, Naruto! I wanted to celebrate with you yesterday but," he laughed. "Well, you know."
"Jiraiya," Tsunade warned again, this time more forcefully.
"Right," Jiraiya said following a sheepish chuckle.
But his actions and her reaction to it was muted in his realization.
She had agreed. She had to have if he'd interpreted his sensei's words correctly. Guren's resigned expression confirmed this, boding no misunderstandings.
"Is there really no other way?" Naruto asked one final time despite already knowing the answer.
"Nothing has changed, no," Tsunade confirmed, sounding oddly sympathetic. "Guren has signed the appropriate paperwork. Pending your own signature, and allowing time for proper processing, you'll be officially wed by the end of the week. Though your responsibility for them is effective immediately once you do sign."
The few steps to her desk were among the longest he'd ever taken.
"The terms and conditions are listed within. Feel free to take your time and read them but — "
Tsunade stopped speaking seeing him pick up the pen and sign his name. She sighed and accepted the papers. "Shizune will give you a copy once our meeting comes to an end."
"Alright then!" Jiraiya popped the cork off the bottle. "Who wants a drink?"
No one answered him.
"Oh come on, Naruto. I didn't even get the chance to plan a bachelor party for you. I guess I do have a week but for now, the very least you can do is have a drink with your sensei!"
Unbeknownst to Naruto, Guren seemed surprise to hear this.
"Uh, sure," Naruto felt he really needed one. "Why not?"
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune sounded incredibly concerned by this development. "Isn't Naruto-kun a little too young to be drinking?"
"Not anymore," Tsunade sounded resigned. "As of now, he's considered a fully independent adult."
That meant he could finally learn of his lineage, but that could wait, it would have to, even if he didn't want to.
"What about you?" Jiraiya asked Guren.
She acknowledged him with a stone faced expression but did not answer.
"Okay then, what about you little man?" Jiraiya turned to Yukimaru next. "You want in on this?"
"Yes!" Yukimaru agreed, oblivious to what was being offered to him.
"Sensei!" This time it was Naruto who halted the man's behavior.
Both Tsunade and Shizune smiled at the interaction.
"Ah well, more for us, Naruto!" Jiraiya said, nonplussed. "Where are the saucers? Come on Hime, I know you've got a few in your desk."
"Tsunade-sama!" Shizune was aghast seeing her retrieve a stack of three porcelain saucers from within her desk. "You cannot be serious?"
"When you can't beat them," Tsunade said following a sigh. "You want one?"
"Absolutely not!"
Jiraiya eagerly poured for three. "To Naruto becoming a man!"
He was the only one to toast. He immediately went to refill their saucers but was stopped by Tsunade.
"Now we need to discuss housing arrangements," Tsunade said, setting a set of keys on the desk. "It goes without saying, Naruto, but all three of you won't fit in your apartment. Beyond that, it won't be easy to secure it when you're not around. That's not to mention the area isn't exactly reputable nor conducive to raising a child."
Her words were sobering despite the onset of a feeling of lightheadedness form the alcohol. It certainly burned going down.
"I'm guessing you've found a place for us, then?" He said, looking down at the keys.
"I didn't. Your parents did," Tsunade said.
"My parents?" Naruto's eyes were wide.
"A discussion better had in private, but one we'll have very soon, I promise you," Tsunade was quick to say.
Jiraiya immediately grew somber, looking away when Naruto turned to him.
"Okay," Naruto agreed, but was less than pleased either way.
"Jiraiya here will show you the way," Tsunade almost sounded vindictive and definitely appeared it with the pointed look she was sending the man.
"Then will that be all, Hokage-sama?" Naruto asked.
"That will be all," Tsunade confirmed, averting her eyes from his own. "Jiraiya."
"Let's go."
The meeting had been something.
Guren trailed closely behind the trio of two men and a boy, observing them with a racing mind and heart.
Her husband continued to prove to be more than what he appeared on the surface. This was proven when he was revealed to be the student of Jiraiya of the Sannin, arguably the most powerful Shinobi currently in Konoha's roster. That was in addition to being the student of Kakashi of the Sharingan; the second most powerful Shinobi of the Leaf.
He also seemed to be familiar enough with the Hokage, another in the trio of the Sannin. There was no mistaking his importance to the village beyond the fact he was also the Kyuubi's jinchuuriki. She'd already witnessed his impressive power, and with good reason.
Taking to account his youth, Naruto definitely had the potential to become an incredibly powerful Shinobi.
But not Hokage.
Not anymore.
Despite her anger and the feeling of betrayal that persisted, her belly iced and her heart twisted every time she thought of just what he was giving up for her, for them. It was becoming increasingly difficult to believe Naruto had done what he had out of any personal gain. Not when he had so much to lose.
Another realization to his possible innocence came in the form of her own admittance.
His hair was the brightest shade of blond she'd ever witnessed in her travels, and his eyes the deepest of blues. At only sixteen, and with more time yet to grow, he was already tall, taller than her, certainly, and his shoulders were broad. His face was a little round but his chin was already becoming defined, the whiskers on his cheeks only added to his overall appearance in a way she couldn't identify.
There was no denying Naruto was a handsome young man. Certainly he lacked a fashion acumen, but his potential spanned beyond just his abilities.
Even now now she could see the looks girls and women alike were given him. There was also the memory of the Hyuuga girl's lingering stares and bashful reactions to him.
All to say he wasn't exactly without options when in regards to women.
"And that's Ichiraku ramen!" Naruto's voice broke through her traitorous thoughts as he pointed out a dingy little ramen stand to Yukimaru, who rode happily upon his shoulders. "We'll stop by there sometime soon. I just know you'll love it!"
"I've never had ramen before. I can't wait!" Yukimaru cheered.
He was also good with children.
Guren shook her head, stopping short of slapping herself feeling her face grow warm.
She had not forgiven him yet. For what exactly, she wasn't sure anymore, but she was nothing if not stubborn. A detrimental trait of hers, to be certain. Be he without fault or not, Guren knew she shouldn't be feeling whatever she was feeling for a boy who was five years her junior.
Around them commercial neighborhoods gave way to more residential ones, which then grew rural. Some of the sparse homes were surrounded by high walls that seemed to span endlessly into the forest, compounds likely belonging to either a clan or those of noble status.
Finally they reached another compound, one with sun bleached walls overtaken by vegetation and time, guarded by a massive iron gate.
"Press your hand to the seal," Jiraiya said. "It should recognize your chakra."
"What're the keys for?" Naruto asked as he approached the gate, taking a hand off Yukimaru's leg to do as he was asked. "Surely if the gate's sealed, then the house would be too."
"How astute," Jiraiya grinned at him, seemingly back to his old self. The two hadn't spoken much along the walk, a tangible tension having grown between them at the mention of Naruto's parents. "And you're right. The keys themselves are for rooms within the house. You'll see."
Naruto hesitated just before pressing his hand to the gate, as if unsure of something, before finally doing so. Slowly, the gate began to swing open, groaning loudly, almost as if displeased by having been disturbed after so long.
Guren was surprised by how large the home was, even compared to the massive compound grounds that themselves seemed to contain its very own forest behind it. Between them and the home was what once must have been a vibrant garden, complete with a small stream that had since run dry, running beneath a dilapidated cross bridge which was missing a rail.
"Wow!" Yukimaru was in awe despite the disrepair. "We're gonna live here?"
"Yeah," Naruto answered breathlessly.
"It'll take a little cleaning up and care but I'm sure you and your clones will get this place back to pristine condition in no time," Jiraiya sounded undeniably nostalgic as he stood beside his student, wrapping and arm around him. "And it's all yours now, Naruto."
"Mine?" Naruto still didn't sound like he could believe it.
Neither could Guren, because as his wife, it now also belonged to her.
She dismissed the very thought, remembering the four wall that surrounded her were nothing more than a beautiful prison. And when given the chance, she would be escaping it.
The inside of the home was surreal in that it seemed homely, but layered in dust, empty with the exception of a few pieces of furniture. They'd congregated in the large living room following a prompt tour, Jiraiya waking through the halls with a purpose that eluded he'd done so many times before.
"So this is it," the man concluded, once more reserved.
"We're here now," any previous levity abandoned Naruto then. "Who were my parents?"
Guren briefly wondered if their display was all a charade, put on to convince her of Naruto's character, but she couldn't find any angle in which that would make any sense. The very real emotion he appeared to be trying to restrain was very convincing if this were the case.
"As much as I want to tell you," Jiraiya looked over to her. "I can't right now."
"Then when?" Naruto's impatience began to boil over. "And why the hell didn't you tell me before?"
"I… I really wanted to, Naruto," Jiraiya looked away.
"Then why didn't you?" Naruto challenged quietly.
"There are… there were rules in place, laws old man Sarutobi put in place to protect you," Jiraiya seemed to choose his words carefully. "You'll know everything today, I promise."
Naruto sighed heavily and with clear frustration but seemed to accept the response.
Guren couldn't deny her own curiosity.
The Uzumaki name was known across the Shinobi world despite being a long extinct clan. Considering it then, he didn't exactly display the common characteristics they were known for; their red hair namely.
He did, however, seem do posses their renowned plentiful chakra. Even now she could sense him, like a heater, Naruto radiated power in the form of his chakra. She didn't even have to focus on sensing to feel his presence and it wasn't exactly because of what he contained.
His own chakra was too warm, too comforting, if she were being honest. She could remember clearly the brief spike in the Kyuubi's chakra when he used it to save her. The sensation that she'd experienced then was that of imminent death; a gripping fear that somehow also felt cold, genuinely frightening her.
But her need to save him made her forget about it immediately. Now, it was yet another reminder of the sheer potential for power Naruto possessed.
"What should we do until then?" Naruto asked impatiently.
"That's up to you, but if you want a suggestion, I would clean this place up," Jiraiya motioned to everything around them. "The furniture should do for now, but if you're gonna live here, you can't have it looking like your old place."
"Yeah," Naruto palmed the back of his head sheepishly. "I should probably get groceries too," he said, glancing at them.
"More than just ramen, right?" Jiraiya appeared to be trying his best to take his student's mind off the more pressing subjects.
"It's not all I eat," Naruto muttered.
It seemed to be working.
"Sure," Jiraiya agreed, though his tone indicated he believed otherwise.
Nervously, Naruto turned to them. "Uh, I guess we should choose our rooms first, huh?"
"It's your house and we may be married but if you think we'll be sharing a bed — "
"I don't," Naruto was quick to deny. "I meant you should choose a room for you and Yukimaru."
"The master bedroom should be yours," Jiraiya interjected seriously. "It's the biggest room, obviously, but it was your parents, so, you know."
"Yeah," Naruto agreed but sounded reluctant to do so. "But there are four other rooms. Feel free to choose one."
"Ooh, does that mean I get my own room?" Yukimaru asked excitedly.
"Sure does," Naruto smiled at the boy. "Which ever you want. It's up to you, kiddo."
"Yay!" Yukimaru jumped off the sofa from beside Guren and immediately sprinted off down the hallway.
"Yukimaru!" Guren called after the boy as she stood. She moved to follow after him but stopped to look at Naruto.
"Go on, whichever room you want," he urged kindly.
"I don't need your permission!" Guren spat despite knowing that wasn't exactly true.
Part of her persistent ire stemmed from the terms of her confinement. As per her surrender to Naruto, she wasn't allowed to roam the village without the express consent and presence of her husband. And when he was out on a missions she wasn't even allowed to leave their home.
It would be ignorant to believe they wouldn't be under constant surveillance to assure she was adhering to these terms, making her plan for escape that much more difficult. But she would escape, no matter his intentions.
On this she'd already decided.
"Actually you do," Jiraiya verbalized the truth, clearly none too pleased with the way she had spoken to his student.
"It's alright, sensei," Naruto placated.
"Naruto, I know neither of you wanted this but you can't just — "
"I said it's fine," Naruto reiterated firmly. He looked back to her, his expression now devoid of any sympathy or patience. "Go choose your room, Guren."
She did just that, but not because Naruto had told her to. Well, partially. Her traitorous feelings didn't find it pleasant hearing the tone he'd taken with her.
Guren found Yukimaru in a room with a nice view of the overgrown garden on the second floor. He was looking out of the window with a smile that reflected off the glass despite the grunge that covered it.
"I really like it here!" Yukimaru said. "I can't believe we're really gonna live here now, with Naruto-nii!"
Guilt riddled Guren then knowing his illusions would soon be shattered, but she couldn't tell him that. As much as she cared for the boy, she knew she couldn't trust the honest boy not to reveal her intentions should she inform him of them.
It seemed her own reflection had betrayed her then.
"What's wrong?" Yukimaru turned to her.
"Nothing," she lied through a smile and despised doing so to the boy. "I'm glad you like it here."
"Are you mad at Naruto-nii?" Yukimaru asked next, innocently. "It's making him sad, you know?"
Guren didn't know how she was supposed to respond to that, and perhaps she was expecting too much to assume he wouldn't notice or acknowledge it. But neither did she want to burden him with the truth of their reality.
"I"m not mad at him," Guren said with a small smile. Whether or not it was true, on the other hand, not even she knew anymore. "I'm just, I'm still getting used to the idea of being m-married to him."
"But you like him, don't you?" Yukimaru asked with an adorable tilt of his head. "You're supposed to marry someone you like, right?"
Guren often found it difficult to believe just how Yukimaru seemed to retain his childish ignorance and wonder despite all he'd experienced in his short life. A life filled with violence, fear, and loss; one she'd inadvertently inflicted upon him, and one she would continue to subjugate him to if she were to follow through with what she intended.
She truly didn't know what to do anymore.
"That's how it's supposed to be, yes," Guren started slowly, finding she'd lost the ability to stay of one mind any longer. "But Naruto and I, we didn't exactly have a choice."
"What do you mean?" Yukimaru asked.
"If," Guren struggled to think of how to carefully explain their situation to him. "If we want to stay here, in Konoha, I have to marry Naruto. But is that what you really want, Yukimaru? Do you want to stay here?"
"Yes!" He answered immediately. "I like it here! Everyone is so nice and Naruto lives here. I want all of us to stay together, forever, so I'm happy your getting married!"
Guren didn't actually know how she wished Yukimaru to respond, but that was't exactly it. Despite her reluctance, it did bring her peace seeing him so happy.
If only briefly.
She chose her own room; the one directly across from Yukimaru's to stay near him. It was the smallest of all the rooms, just down the hallway from the master bedroom and it was painted a beautiful baby blue dulled by time.
An unknown feeling twisted her belly when she'd opened the closet, confirming what she assumed seeing a partially deconstructed baby's crib, clearly never before used.
Using purely context, it was apparent it belonged to Naruto, but he never got to use it. But for what reason? The question bothered Guren more than it likely should have.
Who were Uzumaki Naruto's parents and why was it such a secret that even he himself didn't know?
Whoever they were they must have been important, considering the vast compound typically reserved for clans. That was without mentioning the sheer secrecy the information seemed to require, even for an Uzumaki.
A commotion below pulled her from her conflicted thoughts. She and Yukimaru descended the stairs to find multiple Naruto's working on cleaning the home.
One of his clones held a broom, another a mop, and they seemed to be arguing about something while another worked diligently on wiping down the kitchen counters. A few cast a shadow on the window as they worked on something outside.
"I don't know what I'm supposed to do with all this space, sensei," she heard Naruto, well, one of Naruto's voices amongst many coming from another room. "The living room alone is bigger than my whole apartment!"
"Well, you fill it, Naruto," Jiraiya's own voice broke through the cacophony.
"But I don't have that much stuff."
"Not with things, you dunce, with kids! I didn't get to say this earlier but seriously Naruto, good job on bagging such a woman. I mean, wow, what a figure!"
Guren frowned in disgust hearing him speak of her in such a way, along with what must have been a strong pat on Naruto's back.
"Yeah…"
Then her face colored.
Had he really agreed with his lecherous description of her? And if so, why didn't it annoy her as much as she believed it should have?
"Wait, no! Don't talk about her like that!" Naruto seemed to come to his senses then.
"Alright, alright, I get it. But I'm serious, Naruto. If not kids then maybe another wife or two," he trialed off, giggling.
Guren felt a twinge of annoyance course through her.
"Shut up," Naruto said following a long sigh. "My current wife hates me. What makes you think I'd, uh, never mind. This still feels weird."
He sounded defeated and self deprecating.
"Kid, you really are oblivious," Jiraiya released a sigh of his own. "Why don't you talk to that Hyuuga girl more often?"
"Hyuuga?" Naruto sounded confused. "You mean Hinata? Why?"
"You really are hopeless. Where did I go wrong?" Jiraiya questioned dramatically.
"Hey, what the hell is that supposed to mean?" Naruto didn't seem to catch on but sounded offended nevertheless.
"I mean she clearly has the hots for you, kid!" Jiraiya almost sounded frustrated.
"What? No she doesn't… does she?" Naruto sounded reluctant then, but also almost hopeful.
"Are you kidding me, Naruto? How the hell have you not noticed? The blushing, the fainting?" Jiraiya pointed out. "I mean, who does that? What else could that mean?"
Even she could see that was true and it annoyed her for some reason.
"She's just shy," Naruto tried to deny, but even he didn't sound like he believed himself then.
This time, Jiraiya was the one who sighed. "Alright then, how about this. Next time you see her you should — "
Guren pulled Yukimaru along into the study room, finding Naruto seated behind the large mahogany desk, while Jiraiya leaned against the long extinguished fireplace.
"We chose our rooms," she announced from the door way, louder than she had any reason doing.
But her reasoning, she found, seemed to be tempestuous as of late.
"That's good," Naruto remained muted and reserved in stark contrast to how he usually was, almost tired in his response. "Do you like your new room, Yukimaru?"
"Uh-huh!" Yukimaru ran to him, taking a hold of his hand immediately. "It's so big! I've never had my own room before!"
"Well you've got one now," Naruto said with a small smile as he picked the boy up and set him on the desk. "So, what do you want for dinner?"
"Ramen!" Yukimaru cheered. "I wanna try the place you showed me earlier!"
"He's already taking after you," Jiraiya grinned.
"That's because he's got good taste!" Naruto was beginning to sound like the man he was before. With a look of pride, he stood and hoisted Yukimaru onto his shoulder. "Don't you Yukimaru?"
Once more, a warmth encompassed her cold, traitorous heart at the sight they made together.
"Ramen! Ramen! Ramen!" Yukimaru began to cheer with his hands held high and Naruto soon joined in, followed by Jiraiya. They took to marching in a circle around the desk, continuing to behave in a manner that only proved to conflict her.
Especially when he seemed so damn genuine.
Tsunade had sent word via her slug summons she would be stopping by his new home in the evening to discuss his parents.
Naruto still couldn't believe it was true.
In what seemed like overnight, he had a home, a true home, would learn the truth of his parents, and would be getting married. And the catalyst of it all was the woman who now hated his very existence.
It resulted in a constant feeling of anxious anguish that burdened him in what should have been a momentous occasion for him. But he would endure it, for her and for Yukimaru. Even if she never forgave him, he would not deviate from his every intention of protecting them .
But Guren wasn't about to make it easy for him.
They had gone to Ichiraku's for dinner, leaving his clones behind to clean and prepare their new home. And in all that time, Guren did not speak to him once. Not that he had the nerve to try and initiate conversation either. And on the few occasions he did risk a glance in her direction, she seemed deep in contemplation.
He supposed it was better then her piercing glares, but it didn't exactly make him feel any better. Guren was obviously attempting to restrain herself for the sake of Yukimaru, but there was likely more to it than that.
Naruto suspected she was already contemplating her next course of action. He would not be surprised if she tried to escape very soon.
But he couldn't allow that; not only for their sake but for his own and Tsunade's. He wasn't exactly content with the Hokage at the moment, but she did place her judgment on the line because of his own.
He would not defraud her.
Naruto's anxiety continued to mount as more angles to the very complicated situation in which he now found himself came to light. There was much riding on his ability to convince Guren to believe in him again. He was resolute in sitting down to truly talk to her at the very first opportunity that presented itself.
"This is so tasty!" Yukimaru said following a content sigh, slamming his empty bowl down on the counter.
Jiraiya laughed boisterously. "He eats just like you too!"
Behind the counter, Teuchi laughed along, clearly of a like mind.
Naruto smiled, a feeling of pride swelling within to briefly overshadow all his concerns. That was until Ayame approached him, leaning on the counter directly across from him with her beautiful face resting on her chin mere inches from his own.
"So," she leaned forward as he leaned back. "Who's the girl and the kid? Is there something you need to tell us?"
His face burned at the implication and just how her breath tickled his nose pleasantly.
He had, at one point, something of a boyhood crush on Ayame. It had taken hold of him when his hormones began to shape him, but it didn't stem from her appearance alone. She was one of the first people to treat him like a human being, and not like a monster, or even a pest.
But Ayame also treated him like a child, and considering their differences in age, his affections had shifted to and remained with Sakura. That didn't mean he didn't still think she was very pretty and with how close she was currently to him, he could see the small moles that sparsely populated her forehead along her hairline, as well as the complications in her large brown irises.
She also happened to be wearing a perfume he found pleasant.
Naruto found it difficult to formulate a response, feeling all rationale abandon him. "Ah… ya'see,"
"I don't get why you like this place so much," Guren voiced abruptly, frowning in his direction as she pushed her bowl forward. "They're just noodles."
Despite being taken aback by the fact she had actually spoken to him, Naruto couldn't help but feel disappointed hearing she didn't share in he and Yukimaru's appreciation for the noodles.
"The food not to your liking, young lady?" Teuchi voiced patiently. "We have other dishes too."
"I'm not hungry," Guren said, finally breaking eye contact with him to cross her arms, looking away from them all.
"I'll have another!" Yukimaru cheered.
"He has your appetite too," Ayame smirked at him, her right cheek dimpling. "But you could'a done a little better choosing the mother," she finished in a whisper that wasn't exactly quiet. Winking, she poked his nose lightly before sauntering off to retrieve Yukimaru's empty bowl.
Naruto watched as Ayame retrieved Yukimaru's bowl, affectionately roughing the boy's hair with a smile, but she snatched Guren's without so much as a second glance.
Though he couldn't quite place it, Naruto thought something odd just happened. This suspicion was furthered feeling as though someone was staring at him. It had been Jiraiya, who happened to be grinning at him viciously with a knowing look.
Told you.
Jiraiya mouthed the words with a single thumbs up.
Ultimately, Naruto decided it would do him no good worrying about any of it and instead chose to enjoy his meal, finding solace in the fact at least Yukimaru shared in his great joy.
After dinner, they returned back to his new home, finding his clones had already made a great progress. There was nothing to be done about the yard beyond trimming it, but it looked ready to be reworked. This prospect excited Naruto.
He always wanted to take up gardening, but with how often he was away on missions, he didn't get much of an opportunity to explore this interest beyond caring for a single cactus.
Now he had a very good reason.
Tsunade had arrived as they all inspected the work, whistling in appreciation as she too looked around.
"You work fast," she complimented him with a small smile.
"Thanks," Naruto decided to, if nothing else, treat her with the respect she was owed. "The Shadow Clone Jutsu is a useful technique."
"I can see that," Tsunade continued to observe the home with a strange look in her eyes. "Must be nice having all that chakra."
"Yeah but it makes using most other jutsu kinda a pain," Naruto replied.
"I heard you're working with Gai to remedy this," she returned her attention to him, her smile still in place. "If you'd like, along with our lessons in diplomacy, I can show you a little about control."
Naruto didn't actually believe she was being serious when she'd offered it, but her words rang heavily in his mind then.
'I'd do that and more for you, Naruto.'
"I'll take you up on that," his smile became genuine. "Thank you, Hokage-sama."
"Better than the alternative but it still sounds weird coming from you," Tsunade smirked.
"Would you prefer Tsunade-sama?" Naruto asked, only semi-sarcastically as he opened the door to his home.
"No, that sounds weird too, especially from you," Tsunade chortled. "My name alone will suffice, but only in private."
With that, any levity abandoned everyone present.
"You want a tour or…" Naruto trailed off.
Tsunade almost smiled at him but she ultimately shook her head. "Maybe after, but I believe you've been kept waiting long enough. Are you ready?"
"I am," Naruto agreed.
"Is there a room somewhere that'll allow us some privacy?" Tsunade asked.
"There's a, what did you call it, sensei?" Naruto looked to Jiraiya.
"It's a study, your study," Jiraiya said. "I can secure it pretty quickly, it'll work."
"Show me the way," Tsunade said. She stopped and looked to Guren and Yukimaru, who had remained silent since her arrival. "You two need to stay out here. Until we know you can fully be trusted, you are not allowed to know who his parents are."
"Tsunade?" Naruto suspected she was speaking to him as well just then.
"It goes without saying, Naruto, but you need to keep this a secret. At least for now," Tsunade explained, but her attention remained on Guren, who was frowning with arms crossed.
"Like I give a shit," she muttered, uncaring.
That one hurt too.
"I mean it, Naruto," Tsunade reiterated firmly. "Not even your friends can know. You'll know why soon enough but I need you to understand the severity of this knowledge."
"I can't even tell Sakura-chan?" Naruto asked.
"Well," Tsunade seemed to consider this. "I'll leave that one up to you, because unlike you, that girl knows how to follow the rules," despite her words, there was no real bite to them.
Guren snorted at this, appearing further annoyed.
Jiraiya, meanwhile, was all smiles as he quickly wrote something into his notebook. A notebook Naruto recognized all too well. In fact, he'd written in it earlier as they left Ichiraku's.
"What're you up to, old man?" Naruto questioned suspiciously.
His concern stemmed from the fact he only wrote in that certain notebook, with that certain giggle, when he was struck with inspiration for his next book.
Ordinarily, this was done through a hole he'd bored into the wall of a bathhouse. Now it was because of him and this admittedly concerned him.
"Oh nothing," Jiraiya said with painfully faux innocence.
"Let's just get this over with," Naruto sighed.
Tsunade was direct and to the point. The moment Jiraiya indicated the privacy seals were in place, she began by revealing their first names.
His father was Namikaze Minato, and his mother Uzumaki Kushina.
The first name had the most immediate impact on him.
The Fourth Hokage was his father.
His hero, one of the Shinobi he had always looked up to growing up. His exploits paved the way for his own dream of becoming Hokage; his selflessness and willingness to protect the village had molded his own inspiration to do the same.
He and his mother had died sixteen years prior, on the day of his birth, protecting him from a man in a mask who'd attacked the village, taking the beast under his control with the use of the Sharingan. His parent's murderer and that of many on that night, was an Uchiha.
This fact gave him a considerable amount to ponder on, but these dangerous thoughts were put on hold after Tsunade ended her brief.
His father, alongside his mother, made the ultimate sacrifice to save the village, but it wasn't only their life he'd staked, but that of their son. Naruto's father had chosen him to contain the Kyuubi, cursing him to become a human sacrifice.
A jinchuuriki.
It was difficult to follow Tsunade's words on the Third Hokage's choice to protect him from the many enemies his parent's amassed by putting in place of a decree of utter secrecy regarding his lineage. It was a ridiculous notion for many reasons, but Naruto was still caught up on the fact it had been his own father who had cursed him to a childhood of ostracization.
"Do you have any questions, Naruto?" Tsunade asked after having finished her explanation with not a single word for him.
Naruto was seated behind the desk that must have been either his father's, his mother's, or both. The Sannin remained standing across from him in what must have been a sight to behold for a curious fly on the wall.
"That's stupid," Naruto began, knocking his knuckles against the desk while his other hand clenched his knee very tightly. His outward displays aside, his words were muttered as if in afterthought and his eyes unfocused. "I wouldn't have told anyone. I didn't tell anyone about the Kyuubi unless I had a choice. But I guess I didn't have the right to know about that either, huh?"
Tsunade and Jiraiya exchanged looks of uncertainty.
Naruto noticed this and it only proved to irk him further.
"Neither of you had to wait, you know. You said I'm quick to disregard the law, and maybe I am, but that's just an excuse. You could'a told me, the both of you," his fist was now shaking on the desk from how hard he clenched it, his words coming from behind clenched teeth. "Do you know how it felt not knowing who my parents were, or if they even loved me?"
"I have an idea," Jiraiya added quietly. He seemed to regret having done so as it resulted in his student's undivided aggression.
"Then why the hell, during all our time out there, didn't you tell me?" Naruto's words were sharp with accusation. "And don't say it was because of some stupid decree."
Tsunade remained silent but Jiraiya couldn't. His sigh was staggered, looking truly ashamed of himself. "I was scared you'd hate me."
"You were scared I would — I was hated!" Naruto allowed his anger to fuel his honest words. Releasing years of pent up frustrations on those who could have saved him from it. "So don't you give me that shit! Everyone hated me and it wasn't until Mizuki told me why that I even knew! A traitor was more honest with me then all of you! Do you know what that's like, sensei?"
His sarcasm was hateful and his eyes were narrowed dangerously.
Neither had a response to that.
"For thirteen years everyone looked at me like I was a monster or a pest!" Naruto could feel his anger begin to overtake him and despite being fully cognizant of this, he did nothing to restrain it or himself any longer. "Thirteen long years I was alone, thinking I didn't have anyone in this world. And here it turns out Kakashi was my dad's student, and my dad was yours, and neither of you cared enough to check on me once? To see if I was even alive?"
Both Tsunade and Jiraiya flinched as his fist shattered the table in two and his presence flared, his eyes glowing with power while his body became illuminated in a feint blue outline as a result of the sheer amount of chakra he radiated. While neither vocalized it, both felt their every senses warn them of the presence of a great danger before them.
"Thirteen years," his voice was the calm before the storm. "You all had thirteen years, no, sixteen years to do what was right and it took me having to marry Guren for you to tell me?" He looked between the two with the inklings of hatred burning his very soul. "Does that make any sense? Huh, sensei? And what about you, Tsunade? You said it yourself; you'd do anything for me. Anything but tell me the truth, right?"
"Naruto, I understand your angry but you need to calm yourself," Tsunade's voice was calm and collected but her glossy eyes betrayed her.
"Don't tell me to calm down," Naruto shook his head slowly, pointing at her. "Get out."
"Naruto, please — " Jiraiya tried but was promptly cut off.
"Out!" His chair slammed into the bookshelf behind him from how violently he stood. "Both of you, get the fuck out right now! Before I say or do something I'll regret!"
Jiraiya wanted to say more but Tsunade grabbed his arm, pulling him along. They left without another word, leaving him to simmer in his free flowing anger.
A few moments passed before he released his emotions in a single expletive that lasted until his lungs ached for breath. Naruto proceeded to pull at and topple the bookshelf behind him with a loud crash, breaking its remnants with a kick. He grabbed a nearby lamp and slammed it against the wall, shattering it along with anything else he could get his hands on.
He was well into his rampage, having planted his fist deep through the wall when a gasp from behind halted him immediately.
Slowly, standing alone in the aftermath of his anger, he turned to see Guren at the door with Yukimaru held tightly in her grasp, both flinching back in fear at the sight he must have made.
Naruto realized at once the liberating feeling of hatred that coursed through was the Kyuubi's influence beginning to manifest. At once he forced his chakra to smother that of the beast's just as his head fell in shame, seeing his reflection in a shattered piece of glass, revealing a pair of crimson, slitted eyes.
Yeah so Naruto's more than a little angry.
I always found it odd in most other fics how Naruto seems to gloss over the fact almost everyone knew about his parents and the Kyuubi before he did. I don't know if it was ever actually officially addressed in the Anime/Manga, but I know I'd be pissed if I was in his situation. This might be a bit of a tangent but think about, how many people knew one or both of Naruto's parents in one way or another, and decided to pretend they didn't after he was born?
Maybe there was really was some law or equal explanation, but it never really made sense to me.
Either way, hope you enjoyed this chapter.
Until next time!