Hello again, I'm UnlikelyLoveUnlimited, and this is chapter six of Three Stars. Unfortunately, Anko's chapter has been pushed back to chapter seven. [Runs from angry mob But I think you will enjoy this chapter nevertheless.
As always, this is a work of parody and fiction, and I still do not own Naruto. Also this fic contains adult themes, so little kiddies steer clear.
Also, since I lack any other people to read my works before I post them. There are sometimes spelling or grammatical mistakes. Don't be afraid to let me know in the reviews. I'll do my best to correct them a post a revised chapter ASAP. Well, enjoy the show.
Three Stars ch. 6
Tsunade muttered to herself as she trudged through the market place of Konohagakure. As was the way of the world, the brief winter had given way to spring, which in turn gave way to a long summer. Cicadas buzzed softly in the afternoon heat and the Hokage strode through her people. It was now approaching the festival season once again. A whole half of a year had passed since Hinata Hyuga had discovered about her and Naruto's illicit affair. Half a year of having to deal with Hinata Hyuga consistently horning in on her Naruto. She had given the day off to Naruto and Hinata, both of whom were probably up to who knows what perverted antics with each other by now. But it was just as well, Tsunade mused, for she needed to do this chore alone. Fireworks peddlers and Yukata salesmen lined the streets of Konoha, selling their wares in preparation for the fairs. Tsunade, however, had little patience for the noise and bustle as she made her way as quickly as possible across town. Last year she had burned the tanzaku paper she had written her Tanabata day's wish on before anyone else could have looked at it. She had felt bad about not hanging it on a bamboo branch as was customary, but she could not have afforded for anyone to see it. It was ironic, she considered, that her fondest wish last year was now the source of her rush. As she drew nearer and nearer to her destination, the more anxious she became. The worst thing about being the greatest physician of the era was that you knew a red flag symptom when you saw it. While allergies were in abundance in summer, she was going to see her former disciple Shizune for a slightly more important reason.
"Congratulations, you're pregnant." Shizune said simply as she reviewed the test results she had in her hands. "Are...Are you sure?" Tsunade asked her former student. Tsunade was gobsmaked, stuck in between a mix of utter bliss and complete shock. It seemed impossible. At fifty three years old, it should have been impossible, but...
"Beyond a shadow of a doubt." Shizune asserted. "Your hormone test came back positive."
Tsunade was euphoric in the back of her mind, but there were too many questions raised by this turn of events to simply ignore.
"Shizune, I'm fifty three for Kami's sake, how is this even possible?"
"Well, this is just a theory mind you, but I think because of the regenerative chakra you've run through your body for the last twenty five years, you actually haven't gone through menopause. Once your body began to have regular sex, your reproductive systems, which had up to that point received almost no chakra due to how your youth Jutsu normally redistributed it, explaining your lack of cycle up until now, slowly began to start up again. Regardless, you would probably know better than me. After all, Tsunade-sama, you're the greatest physician of this century. And you are the one who designed your youth Jutsu. All I know is that you're almost one month pregnant."
Tsunade slumped in her chair, completely blown away. She had designed her youth Jutsu decades ago as a means of prolonging her life. She had no idea that it had kept her fertile. It hadn't been designed for that purpose. After reaching forty, she had just assumed it was too late. But apparently it wasn't, and after taking into account the frequency of her and Naruto's love making, it was actually surprising it hadn't happened until now.
Shizune placed the papers in a file and handed it to Tsunade.
"But why come to me, Tsunade-sama? Surely you of all people knew you were pregnant before you even came in here today."
Tsunade sighed. "I know...It's just that, I felt I needed a second opinion."
"I see...well, next I guess I should ask if..."
"I'm going to keep it." Tsunade snapped angrily at Shizune's half formed question.
"I see...and naturally, it's Naruto's, right?"
"Of course. He has no idea yet."
Shizune sat down next to her old sensei. "You should know that at your age..."
"I know... an increased risk of complications. But I'm having this child regardless. This may be my only chance to be a mother. And there was one other reason why I came to your clinic today."
"Oh?"
"When the time comes, I'd like you to be there to help with the birth. There's no one I'd trust more with something so important."
Shizune smiled warmly. "Well, then...what can I say? Of course I'll be there. And there's no need to worry. You are Tsunade, the slug sannin, certified medical genius. Although a fifty three year old woman giving birth is unheard of in the ninja nations, I'm sure you of all people could make it work."
Getting up. Shizune jotted out a quick list. "You probably already know this, but...get plenty of folic acid, calcium, iron and vitamin D and absolutely, positively...No alchohol or tobacco...Understand?" Shizune said, her voice taking a hard edge. "You never listened to me about this when we were travelling together, but now that another life is on the line I have to insist."
"I know, I know…" Tsunade sighed "I've already quit drinking, thanks to Naruto, and I have no qualms about giving up tobacco."
Folding the papers under her arm, Tsunade got up to leave. "Thank you, Shizune, for everything." "No problem, Tsunade-sama. You have my private phone number in case something comes up... and before you say anything, I know to keep this conversation to myself."
"Yes, until Naruto becomes Hokage in three months, we have to keep any risk of scandal to a minimum."
"I do wonder how you will keep that." Shizune pointed at Tsunade's stomach. "…hidden for three more months. You'll be visibly pregnant by then."
"Naruto and I will think of something, we always do." Tsunade replied.
Walking out of the clinic, she absentmindedly put a hand on her stomach.
"I wonder how Naruto will react...probably panic, at first. But I believe he can handle it." The truth was Naruto was well on his way to becoming Rokudaime, in terms of power, skill, knowledge, and maturity. In fact she was due to hand the title to him in three months time. And someone who was fit to be a father of hundreds was fit to be father of one more.
Upon returning to her office, she came to an unexpected scene. Hinata was neatening her paperwork. In recent months they had gotten used to each others company. Tsunade tutoring of Hinata ninja boosted her standing with Hiashi and the other Hyugas, to the point where she was now all but destined to lead the Main branch in a few years. And Hinata helped Tsunade with her relationship with Naruto. From teaching her how to correctly hold a videogame controller, to how to cook ramen just the way Naruto liked it. But even with their newfound friendship, it didn't stop them from trying to monopolize as much free time with Naruto as they could, which often led to them clashing with each other.
"It's your day off, you know..." Tsunade commented nonchalantly.
"I know, but after a few hours of…well, you know…Naruto went out to train with Lee, and I figured I'd help you neaten your office up. Leaves less work for me tomorrow.
"I see…guess it was nice to have him all to your self for once this morning."
"It sure was." Hinata said suggestively, swaying her hips slightly to emphasize.
Tsunade stuck her tongue out childishly has Hinata turned her back to organize some scrolls.
"I wish I could remember what that was like, having him to myself." Tsunade commented sarcastically to herself.
Hinata continued sorting. "Oh, by the way, if I were you I would find a better hiding place for those..." Hinata tilted her head in the direction of a drawer of Tsunade's desk… "Or at least put a lock on the desk. I do a little cleaning, and look what I find…"
Tsunade audibly coughed as she spun around, a vein bulging visibly in her forehead. She normally wouldn't need to put a lock on it, since snooping around in her desk could be considered an act of espionage, but it seems she underestimated Hinata's newfound audacity.
"How…"
"I've been your new student, working in and cleaning up your office for…what? six months now? You think I wouldn't notice them just because you bury them under old paperwork? That stuff really is shocking you know… more older female teacher and student, and mother and son erotic stories than I could count. It's also cute how you cross out their names and put in yours and Naruto's. Who would have guessed that the great Godaime had a Shota Complex? And stashed away in your own office, no less! You really are a bit of a hypocrite for condemning lord Jiraiya's vices yet having these." Hinata said smugly.
"You...you little…" Tsunade was not in a happy place at the moment. It was taking all of her self control to resist the urge to strangle the snooping Hyuga then and there. Already having her hormones out of whack was not helping, either. It may have been a positive change in her character, but the new bravado that Hinata was becoming used to displaying could be quite annoying.
Suddenly, an idea dawned on Tsunade. Why get mad when you can get even? Her gritted teeth easing into a smile. "How very thorough of you. Since cleaning and secretarial work is such childsplay for you, I think I have another job for you." Sitting down in her chair Tsunade continued. "From now on I think it might be best if you were to handle any of the Hyuga clan's business with me, at least for the next few months. It's troublesome always being bothered four or five times a day just because both branches seem to lack the common sense to run their weekly agendas by each other."
Hinatas smirk dropped of her face.
"You want me to delegate the bureaucracy of a clan, numbering almost three hundred, everyday?"
"Everything from mission assignments to enrolment of new academy students, you'll be helping me out quite a bit, In fact. But it makes perfect sense. After all, you are going to be the Main house's new leader someday, correct?"
Tsunade had hit a raw spot. Ever since Hinata had gained her newfound courage, she had made it clear that she was interested in reforming the Hyuga clan's family system alongside the soon to be Rokudaime, Naruto. Tsunade had her dead to rights.
"I know you can do it. After all you're so very thorough in your work." Tsunade finished with a grin. Tsunade mentally cheered as she congratulated herself on a job well done. That would give that white eyed sneak something else to do than poking her nose in other people's private property, as well as give Tsunade for free time to spend with Naruto-kun, which was always a wanted bonus. It had a practical application as well. At Tsunade's level of charka control, she could easily weave a henge to hide her pregnancy that only a Hyuga would be able to see through, and with Hinata's help such occurrences could be easily circumvented by simply making her the official liaison between her office and the Hyuga household. "That's a point for me, little girl." She thought happily to herself.
It was Hinata's turn to mumble angrily. But something far more important than the everyday petty bickering was about to reveal itself. As she picked up the last stack of papers, a piece of bright lavender paper fell out. Hinata bent down to pick it up. "Huh, a note? It's differently colored than Tsunade's regular stationary." Looking over it, Hinata's pale eyes suddenly widened.
"Tsunade!"
"What is it?"
"You need to take a look at this."
As Tsunade scoured over the note handed to her by Hinata, her heart leapt into her throat.
The note read: "I know all about the affair. I haven't told anyone, but if you want it to remain that way, cease "tutoring" Uzumaki Naruto and Hyuga Hinata." The note was dated for that very day.
Suddenly the juvenile spat that Hinata and Tsunade were so involved in thirty seconds ago became completely trivial. Someone else knew about Tsunade, Naruto and Hyugas particular "arrangements", and they were blackmailing them to stay apart. "But why?" Tsunade thought as she poured over the note again for hints as to the perpetrators identity. "Why ask for just that? If you were going to attempt to blackmail the leader of one of the most powerful military forces in the world, why not make demands for money or forbidden scrolls or something?"
"Hinata, I want you to get Naruto and bring him here, now. He needs to know about this."
Hinata knew from the tone in Tsunade's voice that things had just become deadly serious. Jumping out the open side window of the office, she moved towards the training grounds as only a shinobi could. Within ten minutes both Hinata and Naruto returned to the office, Hinata not even needing to give Rock Lee an excuse for grabbing Naruto, as Lee was preoccupied with doing five thousand sit ups alongside Maito Gai at the time of her arrival. Naruto himself was obviously winded, having gone from intensive training alongside rock lee, which is heavy exercise to say the least, to a full blown sprint across town.
"Hinata caught me up to speed." Nartuto panted "Where's the note?"
Upon examining the note, Naruto noticed something that Hinata and Tsunade had missed; something only a regular of the downtown snackshops would notice;
A small smudge of dango sauce on the corner of the paper.
Anko. It had to be.
"I think I know who wrote this." Naruto said quietly.
"Someone inside Konoha?"
"Yeah."
"Well, who is it? I'll have ambu dispatched immediately."
Naruto eyes bugged out at the suggestion. "NO!" He couldn't let his team sensei be arrested or killed. Yeah, she was scary, but she wasn't evil. There had to be a reason why she was doing this. "No, I..uh, I mean I think I should go alone and deal with this."
"Absolutely not, this needs to be handled quietly and efficiently."
Naruto sighed, exasperated. "Tsunade, for once please listen to me. I promise I can resolve this without anyone getting hurt, and I swear no one else will find out about us."
Tsunade's eyebrows furrowed. "Baka, I'm finally getting the council to warm up to the idea of you being Hokage, and you want to risk your life, just in order to let someone who could ruin us all live?" Tsunade's hand unconsciously went to her stomach "No way, I am not putting everything at risk just so you can play hero! It's not just your future at stake!"
During this argument, Hinata shrunk away, her shyness making a return. Her voice was muted, and as much as she tried, couldn't say anything. As much as she wanted Naruto to herself, the sight of Naruto and Tsunade arguing just seemed…wrong. After a minute of stuttering, Hinata finally managed to squeak out. "If Naruto really thinks so, I think we should trust his decision."
Tsunade turned and looked at Hinata critically, then after a moment, sighed bitterly and slumped. Hinata was right. She had to begin to trust his decisions. He was no longer the Bullheaded twelve year old she had met two and a half years ago. If he was ever to prove himself mature and capable of become a leader, now was the time.
Tsunade turned to Naruto and said simply. "Who is it?" The fierce look in her brown eyes made it clear to Naruto that he was better of telling her. Naruto clenched his hands to stop from shaking.
"I'll tell you if you promise to let me handle it."
"…..Very well, I promise"
"It's… Mitarashi sensei"
"I see…"Tsunade closed her eyes in contemplation, then began "When this is over with I need to talk to you about something very serious in private, Naruto." Tsunade got up and quietly slipped a kunai and a smoke bomb into Naruto's hip pouch "But in the meantime, you have my permission as Hokage to do whatever you deem necessary to resolve this situation." At this point tears were forming the corners of her eyes. "But above all you will come back safe. That is an order."
Wrapping an arm around her waist with one arm and Giving a thumbs up with the other, Naruto said "I promise."
After Naruto left, Hinata placed a hand on the emotionally shaken Tsunade's shoulder, and said: "When Naruto promises something, It means he's going to do it. Trust him."
Once out of the Hokage tower, Naruto began to make his way towards Anko's apartment, not by jumping from roof to roof, but by calmly walking. While passing a trashcan he dropped the Kunai in it. He wouldn't need it. Anko apparently knew about him, Tsunade and Hinata. And for some reason she wanted him and Hinata to not see Tsunade anymore. There was no way he was going to allow that to happen. He was not about to give up all the love and acceptance he had finally found. There just had to be a reason why Anko would do something so crazy. And he was going to find out what it was.
Next chapter: Anko's and Naruto's altercation (Really, this time, I swear)
Okey, I'm sorry for taking all summer to update. There were several large catastrophes this summer, which seriously slowed my writing down. But I promise you from the bottom of my heart that I will see this story through! Its looking like it will be about nine chapters overall.
I'm also thinking about a Persona 3 fanfiction in the future. (It's an awesome game.) Now that I'm back in school I'll have more time to write. In fact, chapter seven is due in mid September! I'll see you there!