In a village, no matter how big or small, word gets around fast. It has a life of its own. Long before the messenger reaches the destination, woman are already gossiping about it. Children run to their parents, wondering if what they had heard was true.
Naruto had not yet left the tower and people were speaking of the new member. He had not yet even realized not only could he love both of them, he could have both, and they were talking about multiple wives for the clan head. And he had not yet kissed Hinata before word was already heading back to Hiashi that he intended to marry his first daughter, Hinata. And Naruto had not yet returned to his home, and Hinata's future home, when his summons had found them.
"That didn't take long," Naruto said, having been expecting this letter, somehow.
"How did he know," Hinata wondered. She looked at Naruto, worried but then shook her head, what could her father do to him? She reached up, pulled down the bandages, and gave him a kiss on the cheek. "You better go meet him, you would hate to make a bad impression." She stretched a little before saying, "We're going to go ask the Hokage to help us train in something."
Naruto grew interested, there was little that they could do that they that needed help with. "Really, what?"
Hinata smiled under her mask, reached down, picked up a pine cone, and focused on it. It was slow but Naruto swore he saw it begin to move. One of the seeds opened and a leaf began to grow from it. Hinata was panting from the effort. "We have only just begun to gain a little of control with it," Hinata said, wiping her brow.
Naruto lifted the pine cone and looked at it. It made him smile under his mask that Hinata was so determine to do this. "...You should ask us. We know someone that might be able to help. But you must keep your identity a secret."
"Just called me Shinobu-chan," Hinata said as Truth changed her suit and mask until it covered her face and made her look older. She also altered her voice. "Who is it?"
"He is an ANBU. We will send him to the playground, gate one." Hinata thanked him and started swinging from web to web to get there.
—oo000oo—
Naruto, after telling Tora about 'Shinobu' needing some help in training and owing the man a huge favor, walked into the Hyuuga Estate and froze when he saw one of the elders. Old feelings are not so easily forgotten. But he was trying his best to. Naruto now had a position higher than his, one to respect. "Uzumaki-san, I did not realize you were coming."
"Hyuuga-sama," Naruto said with a bow. "We received a message from Lord Hyuuga to meet with him."
The old man arched an eyebrow. "For what purpose, I wonder."
"We know not for sure. But we have an idea."
"Do tell."
"We can't for if we are wrong, it would be an embarrassment to all who know." Naruto bowed again and continued the directions given to him. He knocked on the paper sliding door of the private study of the Hyuuga Clan head. "You wished to speak with us, Hiashi-sama?"
"Ah, Naruto-san, please enter." Naruto did, leaning the Samehada against the wall as a sign of respect. Hiashi motioned to the chair in front of his desk and the cup of tea, which Naruto took. "You are in one hell of a bind," Hiashi stated. "Two weeks to get married twice."
Naruto sighed, "No easy task."
"Tell me about it, I still remember the hell it was to marry my wife... But that is not why we are here, now is it? I have been thinking about it, and I have decided that it would be beneficial to both our clans to help you."
Naruto would have smiled if not for the serious nature of this meeting. "That is very generous of you, Lord Hyuuga."
"We are of equal rank, Naruto. As such, formalities are not needed. Now, as I was saying, I have considered it and I would like to introduce to you the woman I have approved of you marrying. Come in."
Naruto turned around, confused on how Hinata would have gotten here. But it wasn't Hinata that entered, it was her sister, Hanabi. Naruto jumped back shocked that Hiashi would want him to marry his youngest! Apparently, he was shocked as well. "Pardon my intrusion, father," Hanabi said to him. "I was unaware that you were in a meeting."
"It is alright. Tell me, where is Kaeda?"
"I am here, Lord Hyuuga," a girl said as she entered. "I tried to warn her you were in a meeting but she went in before I could." She was around fifteen and had a lovely looking face and figure. Her hair was black and her eyes a pale blue instead of white like a normal Hyuuga. She was pretty but Naruto found her...lacking he guessed the word would be. She just wasn't Hinata nor Haku. "Lord Uzumaki, I am pleased to meet you," she gave him a bow.
"As we are you... But Lord Hyuuga, we are afraid we must turn down your offer," Naruto said, turning back to him. "We are still hoping to marry for love over necessity."
Hiashi shook his head. "While I can understand why, I must point out to you that you hardly have the time for such wishes. You really must marry out of need right now, marry for love later. And this is to form an alliance between my clan and your's."
"I am sorry, Lord Uzumaki...do I displease you in someway?"
"In a way, though not in something you can change. We are in love and you are not them."
Hiashi tilted his head, "So there is more than one? Tell us their names please."
Naruto hesitated. "Uzumaki Haku, my fiancée through an arranged marriage, and Hyuuga..." He couldn't seem to force himself to finish. He tell the truth, he could marry her or lose her.
"So it is someone else in may clan," Hiashi said, relieved. "That is good news. I..."
"Excuse me, sir," a servant said, knocking on the door. "Lord Uzumaki has a message from... Lord Yamanaka, Lord Akimichi... Lord Aburame and Lord Kurama."
Naruto and Hiashi looked at each other for a moment. "Bring them in," Hiashi said. The servant gave the four scrolls to Naruto. He opened the one from Shino's father, Shibi, and read over it. "...We didn't know Shino had a sister." He looked at the next one...then the next...followed by the last. "We've never been so popular." Even as he said that, another knock came from the door.
Hiashi sighed, "Who are these from?"
This servant was shocked that he already knew what it was about. He opened the door and saw why though. "The Fuuma clan of Rice..."
Both council members dropped their jaws. "How the hell did they find out already? We haven't even met the Fuuma clan personally."
Hiashi blinked in surprise. "But you know of them?"
"Yes, Hiashi-sama. We met the Fuuma clan...through a mission that we can't speak much of." Namely, they were working at the same base Naruto attacked. "They are a wondering ninja clan. We guess we made an impression. Just how the hell did they find out?"
—oo000oo—
Tsunade couldn't help but laugh with Jiriaya as they watched those scrolls get taken to Naruto. She was so glad she had scent the message to allies that might be interested. Although she had no intention for the Fuuma to find out, Jiriaya agreed they were good at such things.
"That was mean," Jiriaya stated. "How can you do that to your godson?"
"By thinking of him forcing me into this," She replied smoothly. "Now if only we could see his face." Then she began to laugh her ass off. "Maybe we should try to get Icharuka Teuchi to consider his daughter!"
—oo000oo—
Naruto looked at the seven proposals and/or clan alliances and sighed. "Lord Hyuuga, we request permission to marry your daughter, Hyuuga Hinata."
Of course, Hiashi already knew the who he meant, but that didn't mean he would let it be that easy. "...My daughter? What makes you think I will allow that?"
"You will do it to be a good father," Naruto stated, his back straight and head held high. "We were not lying when we last talked to you some months ago. It is only now, when her worth has become more visible that any of your clan, aside the branch house, has cared."
Hiashi clenched his jaw, knowing the truth of his words. "You don't take prisoners, do you?"
"Only when the enemy surrenders do we," Naruto stated. He was being harsh, and calling Hiashi the enemy was as well, but he was his chance to do something about that position. All he had to do was want Hinata's happiness.
"...You have it," Hiashi said. Kaeda smiled, happy for Hinata and for this charade to be over.
Naruto took a deep breath and slowly let it out. "We thank you, Lord Hyuuga. Know that we will always treat Hinata right."
Hiashi fixed him with a cold stare that Naruto realized was one of the things that made the clan famous. Because he began to sweat under it. "You have better. Because if I ever find out that you don't, there is no way to measure just how fast and how hard I will come down on you."
Naruto swallowed and nodded. "Yes, sir."
"You may go now," Hiashi said. "You have much to plan and many meetings to attend." Naruto turned and left, hoping to avoid more messengers.
—oo000oo—
Naruto walked calmly but quickly, trying to avoid notice. Normally, he would be swinging around the village to get where he wanted. But there was no better way to be noticed for him. And he needed to be somewhat visible in case Oni had a message for him. He kept glancing around, hoping he wouldn't be spotted.
"There he is," the voice of Akimichi Chouza said as he walked over to him, laughing. "You look like a man hunted!" He clapped Naruto on the back, making him take a step forward. "So, tell me, Councilman Uzumaki, how do you like your new status?"
"Comes with a load of trouble," Naruto stated.
"Ah, that it does. Come, lets go meet my daughter." He turned Naruto around.
'Once we get free of this, Oni be damned' Naruto thought as he was dragged off. Now, like mot people, when Naruto thought of an Akimichi, he thought of a slightly to really plump man in armor, spiky hair, and swirls on his cheek. He absently wondered if this was also what the woman were like. Boy was he wrong.
When he was brought to the Akimichi clan house, he was met by a slim looking young woman, older than him, younger than Ayame, with red hair the fell below her butt. She seemed the definition of beauty. Naruto to to pick up his jaw, making them laugh a little. "What's wrong, Naruto," Choji asked. "Expecting someone else?"
"...Truthfully, yes. Chouza-sama, we are sorry but we are already engaged. The Hyuuga made their move before you."
"That is alright," Catherine said, "I am only attracted to strong men like those of my family."
While Naruto froze, Choji dropped his jaw like Naruto just did. "Did she just..."
"She did," Chouza stated.
Naruto slowly turned around. "...The Akimichi clan is strong. But tell us, what attributes do you have that would even make us think about accepting you?" There was a slight edge to it.
"Well, I am good on the piano..." She walked over to it and picked it up over her head. "Or maybe I should say, under it." She set it back down. "Any man that marries me has to be able to do the same. And there is no way you can do that, even if you wield that sword."
Naruto, while shocked that someone with such a slight figure could do that, did not look impressed. "Haku-chan could have done that with one hand." He walked over to it, tapped on the wood until he found one of the support beams in it, and lifted it up like he said. One handed, over his head. He set it back down, turned to her and said, "We still see nothing that would make us interested. Have a good day, Choji, Chouza-san." Naruto turned and walked out, leaving a stunned Catherine.
"...Wait, Uzumaki-san!" She said, running after him, only to find him gone.
—oo000oo—
The ANBU with the Tiger mask came to outside the Forest of Death, where he saw a sixteen year old kneeling, with a seed in her hand. She had on a mask and was so focused on the plant, he thought she missed him. "Are you the one Naruto-san told us could help in our training?"
"That depends, you see, I fail to see why it has to be me. What is it you are training in?" Shinobu stood up, walked over to him, and showed him the same thing she showed him the same thing she showed Naruto an hour ago. "...Yeah, I am the only one that can help you with that."
—oo000oo—
Naruto jumped from roof to roof, trying to get back home so he can start getting things ready. But when he landed his next jumped, he couldn't move. "Now what?"
"Thanks, Shikaku," Inoichi said to his friend.
"No problem," he replied. "Seems to me, Naruto-san, you are trying to avoid someone."
"Behind us, on the ground," Naruto stated. They looked and saw the eldest child of Chouza running around, calling his name.
Both men sweat dropped at that. "Well, that seems a good reason as any," Inoichi said. "I know! I have the perfect way to keep her off your back!"
"Inoichi-sama, while we appreciate the offer, we must tell you, like we told the Akimichi that we must turn you down. The Hyuuga was speaking to us even as you sent your message."
Inoichi shook his head. "You don't understand, Naruto. You have full permission from the Hokage and the council to have as many wives you want! Do you even realize the dream you have entered!?"
"To quote the Nara clan, troublesome," Naruto stated. "This has been nothing but troublesome. Aside from you and Chouza, we have three others asking to meet. Not to mention any that just hasn't found me yet. And we have Danzou breathing down our neck to join his ANBU. Though he hasn't said anything since that one night."
"But surely, you would like more than two."
"Ino is a great girl," Naruto stated. "When she grows out of her fan girl phase, any guy that gets her will be more lucky than they can imagine. But we are not going to be that person."
Inoichi couldn't believe that he was being given the chance to have his own harem and was sticking with just a love triangle. While Shikaku nodded at how smooth he put it. Inoichi sighed and said, "Let him go."
When Naruto could move again, he said, "If you want an alliance with my clan, there are more ways than through marriage. We better go before Shibi or Unkai find us. And Kami help us should any of the others get a hold of us as well." He turned, not noticing that the two men grinned at him, and jumped to the next building.
"...Wasn't that one of the Kikai insects," Shikaku asked. They has saw it land on his hair.
"It was. And, if I'm not mistaken, that was a red female," Inoichi said, laughing.
—oo000oo—
Naruto landed on the road leading to his home and decided to walk the rest of the way. His spider sense had been telling him that something was close to him but he had no idea what that was. He couldn't find it, which surprised the hell out of him.
"You are a hard person to find," he heard from behind a tree. Shibi walked out on the road. Naruto saw the bug fly from his hair and land on his finger. He dropped his head and groaned. "Long day?"
"Yes," Naruto told him.
"...I won't take up your time then with the details. I believe our clans..."
"Would be stronger with an alliance between us. Yes, yes, we have heard it allot today." Naruto sighed, "Is our bloodline really that important?"
"You did beat not only a jinchuuriki with it, but a demon as well. And if your children should have your massive chakra reserves... And your father... Well, I don't think I need to say more."
Before more could be said, Naruto groaned again. It was then that Shibi started to notice something was wrong. Though he didn't know what. "Come on out, Unkai-sama," Naruto stated.
He slipped out of a tree, hand behind his head. "Ah, you noticed me. Those senses of your's are top notch, Naruto-san." He held out his hand. "I see I am the last. Am I too late?"
"Yes, you both are, no you are not last. We still have the Fuuma settle."
While it was obvious that Unkai was surprised, Shibi didn't even arch an eyebrow. "Those are foreign ninja," Unkai stated.
"They are. Since we are not getting out of it so easy this time, let us go to our home. We have company there, as well as we need to check up on Haku-chan."
"Uh... My daughter, Yakumo, is already there."
"I had my daughter head there as well." Naruto, once again, dropped his head and groaned.
—oo000oo—
"...I am actually a swordsman, originally from Water," Kimimaro said, talking a little to Yakumo when asked.
"Come on, I'm sure you are really cute under there," Suigetsu said, trying to see what Aburame Kafun. She, like all members of her clan, had on sunglasses and a coat that covered most of her face. Her hair was black and tied back.
"I told you, I am not interested. I am only even here because my brother is a friend of Uzumaki Naruto. That he has never made fun of my clan for being 'weird'."
"Suigetsu, leave her alone," Haku said, hitting him on the head lightly. "We have already sent a message to Zabuza-sama and Mangetsu-sama. Your brother will be here in a week, so stop flirting already."
"Never, I'll even flirt with a demoness when I die," he said, giving her a toothy grin. Haku shook her head and went to her room. But not before saying, "Kimimaro, make sure he doesn't cause an international incident."
"Of course, Uzumaki-san." He faced Suigetsu and remained that way. When Haku had come home, so had Kin, who was very surprised to see him. After all was explained, she decided she too would be quiet about who he was. And Suigetsu had hit on her as well.
"Kafun," Kin said, walking over to her. "The only way you are going to get through to him is like this." She reared back her fist and hit his crotch.
Suigetsu grimaced as water reformed down there. "If that was permanent, I would have been very upset."
"But it isn't, now lay off." It came from Naruto behind them. "Shibi-sama, Unkai-sama, these are Suigetsu, brother of Mangetsu, one of the Seven Swordsmen of Mist, and the other is Kaguya Kimimaro, uh, a servant of our clan, we guess."
Kimimaro stood and bowed to both men. "It is an honor to meet you gentlemen."
"A boy with manners," Unkai said, with appraisal. "Good, I was afraid you were like this one," he motioned to Suigetsu.
"He wishes," Suigetsu stated. "Naruto, any reason why you invited the clan head and their daughters to your home?"
"They were uninvited," Naruto stated. "As we told your parents, we are already taken ladies. We are sorry. Though you are welcome to stay for a bit, we have much we must do and tell Haku-chan." Excusing himself, he went up the stairs and was about to knock on the door. But he stopped when he heard Haku was crying inside. It still hurt a lot.
Going back down, he turned to Kimimaro. "When Haku-chan is feeling better, and should we not be here, we want you to give her this." He grabbed a piece of paper and began writing. When he about covered the whole page, he folded it up and gave it to him. "Now, we have to go, because we have to go meet some people." Naruto reset Samehada on his back and walked outside. "Make sure he stays out of trouble."
"No worries, I'll keep an eye on him," Suigetsu replied.
"We were talking about you," Naruto said before walking outside.
"...So, I wonder just who the second person is he found to marry him," Unkai said after a moment.
Kin didn't even need to think about that. "Hinata. Now, what do you mean 'second'? He can have more than one wife?"
—oo000oo—
Naruto stopped to rest after a few hours of running. Oddly enough, he found himself at the canyon where he let Itachi drop at. Looking down, he frowned when he saw the carrion birds. Swinging down, scattering the animals, he looked over the remains of Itachi. The damage, besides from the fall wasn't that bad yet. His position among the rocks kept the birds away.
Naruto was about to use one of the few fire jutsu he could do when he noticed something. On his hand was a ring with the kanji for Shu. But it was more like a uniform item, it had not value that he could see,. So it had to do with Akatsuki. Naruto removed is and slid it over the finger he took it from. He then preceded to destroy his body.
Thinking about it, Naruto realized he saw that same ring on the hand of Kisame as well on this dried up hand that had no doubt belonged to Orochimaru at one time. The base wasn't far out of his way. He would retrieve it later. Right now, he still had to meet the Fuuma clan in the village not far from here.
—oo000oo—
"Hello, Fuuma Hanzaki, we are Uzumaki Naruto."
"Where are you guards," he asked, looking around.
"We do not need guards."
"You are arrogant boy," Hanzaki said. He took his Zanbatou from his back and pointed it at Naruto. "I could kill you right now and no one would be the wiser."
"Or, more likely, we would subdue you and hang you in the street by your feet. You asked for this meeting, either tell us why or we are leaving."
Hanzaki swung his sword at Naruto. He watched, noticing how slow it was moving, and sighed. He ducked under the swing, pulled Samehada from his back, and placed the tip of it under the Fuuma's chin. "Why not reveal everyone in this room already? And end this game. That swing was far to slow for one of your reputed skill."
"...You are right. Come on out." Six other Fuuma stepped out. "Arashi, it this the one," he asked. A boy with ash gray hair looked at Naruto.
"His build is right and he has the same sword. There is no doubt, this is the one that killed Orochimaru and Kabuto." He nodded his head to Naruto.
A girl with orange hair stepped forward a little. "...Uh, We intercepted a message to Water that you were establishing a clan in Konoha, sir." She gave him a bow, "We the Fuuma clan request to join as a branch house to your clan."
Naruto sighed, "Well, at least you didn't ask us to marry you. We had enough of that today." He leaned against the wall, his arms on the pommel of Samehada pointed into the floor. "...No need to even say that it would be a good idea. Even in Konoha, we have heard of the skill your clan possesses. The Sannin Jiriaya has even fought one of your clan and respects your strength. And as one of the Council of Konoha, it would be foolish of us to let this chance slip away." He sighed again. "What do you get out of this?"
A bald man with a scar over his right eye said, "We are able to thank the man that prevented us from being used as lab rats as well as possible restrengthen our clan. Is that not enough?"
"It is," Naruto stated. "Who speaks for your clan?"
"I do," Hanzaki replied.
"Gather your clan and go to Konoha, tell the Hokage that you wish to join, under the endorsement of Councilman Uzumaki. Tell her that you are to be stationed near the Uzumaki grounds. Once there, introduce yourself to Kaguya Kimimaro and Uzumaki Haku. Tell them that you are now the branch clan of Uzumaki like Kimimaro." Naruto shook his head. "What a day, we don't need this shit. We should have said no."
"Long day," Hanzaki asked.
"And with every meeting, and every person that ask that, it gets longer. Thank Kami this was the last one."
"And yet, you are not going back with us," Sasame asked.
"No, we have something we must retrieve." Naruto turned and walked out.
"Are you sure this is a good idea, Arashi," Sasame asked.
"I saw him fight, he is like a demon. That sword isn't the only one of its size that he has or wields. He may not look much but he fights like a demon. And finding out he is now a council member means he has good judgment. Plus, he doesn't seem the type to be controlled. I am sure he is the one to help us."
Hanzaki rubbed his neck. "Hard to believe that kid is the one responsible for the death of three S rank ninja."
—oo000oo—
Naruto, having changed into his hunter uniform, arrived at the base and found most of it trashed. Apparently, those that left had wanted a little revenge on the man that tortured them. Naruto walked through it, looking among the debris for it. Checking in the same room he saw it in, he found in on the ground. A ring with the kanji for Sora on it. He took it and placed it on his left hand, where it had been on Orochimaru.
He straightened and said, "Can we help you?"
"That ring, yeah, we want it."
Naruto turned around and saw two Akatsuki behind him. "This ring? Or this one?" He held up both hands, revealing Itachi's right on his right right finger and Orochimaru on his left little.
"You couldn't possible understand the power of those two," the large, squat one said.
"Try us," Naruto challenged.
"He annoys me," the blond with the Iwa headband remarked. "How about we turn him to art, yeah."
"I believe this is the Hunter ninja that did this to the base. He will make an excellent puppet."
"But you can't do that," Naruto said. "If you did, you would kill the Kyuubi as well. Before you get a chance to go after your targets." Naruto removed his mask for a moment. "We are the jinchuuriki Uzumaki Naruto, and we are also your deaths."
"...Change in plans, yeah?"
"We are not under orders to capture you, only to retrieve the ring and find out what happened to Itachi and Kisame. Why do you not have his ring?"
"Because we only just realized that they are important. Tell us how and why."
"Yeah, like we will."
"Deidara and Sasori, you are at a disadvantage here. Your attacks take space, we can kill you both here."
"Is that a fact, boy?" A tail shot out from over the shoulder of Sasori, aiming for Naruto's right leg. Naruto moved his leg right and and shot it with his web. Stretching his arms out, the tail hit the end of slack, stopped an inch from where it would have taken his leg off. Naruto then flicked his wrist, wrapping it around a part of the tail father up. With a jerk of his right hand, the tail bent in a way it wasn't supposed to and the tip broke off. They looked from the tail the the two feet of it at the feet of Naruto.
"What now?"
"Now you die," Deidara shouted, throwing several small things in the room before ducking out into the hall, pulling Sasori with him just before explosions fill the room.
"You fool, if he dies, the leader will kill us," Sasori growled.
"He killed both Itachi and Kisame! He fights to kill, not disable! If we hold back, we are dead!" The sound of cracking came from in there. He looked around the corner and was mesmerized by a crystal of ice. "...Beautiful."
Something was moving around inside of it. Sasori, his eyes much better than Deidara's, saw it was Naruto. His arms were crossed over his chest and was gathering chakra in them. "Look out!" Naruto threw his arms down and the ice shattered and launched outward. Spears of it embedded into everything. Even as they got back up, they heard, "Tsubame Fubuki!" Swallows made of ice flew out the room and at them. Deidara threw some of his own birds at them which proved to not be the best idea. The Ice Swallows fragmented, sending a shower of the jagged pieces around the hall.
"Haryuu Mouko," Naruto shouted, jumping out into the hallway, launching a new creature of ice. A tiger formed and ran at them.
"Enough," Sasori said. He swung his remaining tail at it, shattering it before it could reach them. There was another explosion from the ice and this one opened to ceiling to the outside.
"Damn it, why does that keep happening," Deidara shouted, jumping outside.
"Water," Sasori told him. "Water is the most unique thing on earth. When it gets hot, instead of expanding, it contracts until it is only a vapor, when it gets cold, it expands. His jutsus are using this."
"Thats right," Naruto called from underground. Spikes of ice shot up trying to impale them. It got even worst when they grew branches like trees does. They only survived because Deidara got them into the air on one of his giant birds.
"Still want to try to take him alive?"
"...Better not risked it," Sasori agreed. They saw Naruto jumped out into the forest of ice and land one one of the branches. In his hands were the Kage Keiri and the Samehada. He looked at them in challenge and motioned for them to bring it on.
—oo000oo—
Author's notes: We had thought of getting a clan from Water as well as the Hoshi clan from Waterfall on this but that would have been to many. We need to know one thing, does it seem like Naruto is going to just walk over them? We hate that, where it is all too easy.
Someone told me that that fact about water doesn't sound right. So, we issue a challenge to any that doubts us. Take a bottle, fill it to the brim, cap it, and put it in the freezer. We garrenty that it will explode, or at least crack, expand, excetra. The most sure way is take a soda can, unopenned, and put it in the freezer.
See ya space cowboys.
