Hello everyone and a quick thank you to everyone that reviewed last chapter. I really do like to hear opinions from outside parties it really helps me with my writing. Anyway enough talk here's chapter five.
Chapter 5: Changes
(Konoha)
Tsunade grumbled in annoyance at the stares she was receiving from the curious villagers as she, Shizune, Kakashi, Naruto, Haku, and Kimimaro made their way towards the Hokage tower.
She admitted she hadn't been in the village for awhile, but that didn't give those nosy damn villagers the right to gawk at her.
Naruto for his part was trying to remain as inconspicuous as possible. So far people seemed to be too interested with Tsunade to pay him any mind. And to be honest he couldn't be happier, it wasn't every day he got to walk though the village without being glared at.
Naruto had noticed that Kimimaro had stopped walking, and turned around to ask him what he was doing just standing around. But before he could question Kimimaro's actions Kimimaro whipped out a bone dagger and launched it at a nearby pole, imbedding the bone deep into the wooden pole. Naruto simply stared at Kimimaro with a questioning look.
"You can come out now" Kimimaro says while pointing at the wooden pole. "I know you're there" he added.
A moment later a small girl fumbled away from behind the pole, with a fear stricken expression on her face.
Naruto instantly ran up to the girl. "Hinata?" he asked with worry written on his face. Hinata looked to afraid to speak. Naruto then rounded on Kimimaro. "Hey Kimimaro you have to watch where you go throwing your bones around. You could have really hurt someone."
Kimimaro bowed his head. "Forgive me; I just noticed someone had been following us since we arrived. I feared we may have been under attack."
Naruto sighed, before he extended his hand to Hinata. Hinata gingerly took Naruto's hand in her own, and allowed him to help lift her up. "You have to forgive Kimimaro, he can be weird sometimes" Naruto says while brushing the dirt off Hinata.
"I-its ok I wasn't hurt." Hinata says softly.
Naruto nodded. "That's good, but what were you doing hiding behind that pole? If you wanted to say high you could have just came out." Naruto asked curiously.
Hinata started to twiddle her fingers nervously. "I-I'm sorry" she says while looking away from Naruto.
By this point Tsunade, Shizune, Kakashi, and Haku had noticed that Naruto and Kimimaro were talking to a small blue haired girl a little distance behind them. Tsunade cleared her throat to get their attention. "Naruto, Kimimaro, you'll have to talk to your little friend later right now we have business to attend to."
Naruto nodded and flashed Hinata a wide toothy grin. "Well Hinata we gotta go, but maybe I'll see you in class later or something."
"Y-yes I'll see you soon then" Hinata added before hastily taking off in the opposite direction.
Naruto stared at Hinata's retreating form curiously. 'I don't get why she's so weird sometimes' Naruto thought before he simply shrugged it off, and decided it must have been a girl thing. He noted mentally to ask Shizune about it later.
When Naruto and Kimimaro returned to the group, both Shizune and Tsunade were grinning at him.
Naruto stared at the two females questionably. "Why are you two looking at me like that?" Naruto asked while eyeing the two suspiciously.
Shizune chuckled. "You didn't tell us you had a little girl friend Naruto-kun" Shizune teased.
Naruto raised his eyebrows. "What are you kidding me?" Naruto asked indignantly. "Hinata's nice but everyone knows girls have cooties, right Kimimaro?" Naruto asked looking for support.
Kimimaro shrugged. "I don't know what cooties are" he replied simply.
Naruto frowned "how could you not know what cooties are?"
"I don't know what they are either" Haku interjected. "Please do tell" he added.
Naruto put his hand on his chin in a thinking pose. "Well their kind of like, uh I think have something to do with…well the thing is." Naruto then looked at Haku and Kimimaro bashfully. "Well I don't know what they are either. Kiba just told me that all girls have them and that I should stay away from them if I don't want to catch it."
Shizune covered her mouth to stifle her giggling. "I'm afraid cooties aren't real Naruto-kun, their merely an imaginary disease dreamt up by children that fear to be around the opposite sex."
"Huh?" Naruto says with a confused expression on his face. "So that means Hinata doesn't have cooties?"
Shizune nodded. "I'm afraid not, because there's no such thing, never was and never will be" she concluded.
Naruto looked skeptical but accepted the answer none the less.
(Fifteen Minutes Later)
Naruto and company were being escorted to the Hokages' office, by one of his many secretaries. The secretary had nearly fainted upon seeing the slug sanin show up at her desk unannounced.
When they reached the Hokages door, the secretary knocked and was told to enter by a weathered voice from the other side. The nurse gingerly opened up the door and stepped aside to let Naruto and the others through.
As they entered Sarutobi looked up from his mound of paper work he was currently working on to see whom had entered his office. His pipe nearly fell out his mouth when he saw Tsunade strolling into his office with Naruto at her side, with two other small children that he did not recognize.
Tsunade didn't even bother with any formalities, she simply walked right up to Sarutobi's desk and sat down in one of the chairs that were positioned in front of it. "Long time no see eh Sarutobi-sensei?" Tsuande asked casually.
Sarutobi took a moment to regain his composure, before he cleared his throat. "Yes it has been quite some time." Sarutobi says while eyeing Tsunade carefully. "What brings you back to the village after all these years" he continued.
Tsunade jabbed her thumb at Naruto. "That gaki" she replied simply. "But I'm not here to discuss why I have returned, we can talk about that later."
Sarutobi nodded before he turned his attention to Naruto. "I'm glad to see you've been returned to the village safely Naruto." Sarutobi then leveled Naruto a stern look. "But by no means shall you ever do what you did again. What you did was completely reckless and I'm disappointed in your actions." Sarutobi scolded Naruto with an even tone.
Naruto cast his head down in shame, and Shizune placed a reassuring hand on his shoulder.
"You're one to talk" Tsuande interjected.
Sarutobi quirked his eyebrow "excuse me?"
"You heard me" Tsunade replied dryly. "I've heard all about how this village treats the gaki. And frankly I'm surprised he stuck around as long as he did. If you want to be disappointed in anyone it should be these damn villagers." Tsuande spat venomously.
Sarutobi sighed before taking a drag of his pipe. "Believe me I'm doing the best I can in regards to Naruto, but I can only have so much leeway with him."
Tsunade scowled at Sarutobi "Well your best isn't good enough. Just look at the boy" Tsunade says while reaching out to grab Naruto by the wrist and pulled him closer. "He's malnourished, he smells like a pair of old socks, and he barely knows up from down."
Naruto scowled at the insults directed his way, but remained quiet. He was interested to see where the discussion was headed.
Tsunade continued. "I know you can't stop the villagers from feeling the way they do, but there's no excuses to why you couldn't have given him a better life." Sarutobi flinched at Tsunade's harsh tone. "Would it have been so difficult to get him a caretaker? The boy is only seven years old, there's no reason he should be taking care of himself at such a young age. On top of that I've witnessed his ninja abilities first hand and simply put I'm appalled."
"Hey I'm not that bad" Naruto grumbled under his breath.
"Quiet gaki, adults are talking right now" Tsunade whispered in Naruto's ear.
Sarutobi rubbed his temples, trying to collect his thoughts. "I see nothing that I can say will help elevate your anger" Sarutobi says while puffing on his pipe. "So tell me what was it that you had in mind?"
Tsunade narrowed her eyes on Sarutobi for a moment. "It's simple I wish to have guardianship over Naruto." Tsunade answered bluntly.
Both Sarutobi's and Naruto's eyes were as wide as dinner plates; even Kakashi's one visible eye had risen.
"Guardianship?" Sarutobi asked in disbelief.
Tsunade nodded. "That's what I said; I'll also be looking after these two as well." Tsunade says gesturing to Kimimaro and Haku.
Sarutobi eyed the two boys' curiously. "And who might these two young boys be?"
"This one is Haku Fuyu" Tsuande says while jabbing her finger at Haku. "And that one is Kimimaro Kaguya. Both of them are orphans from the land of water, and possess rare kekkei genkai's."
"I see" Sarutobi says while nodding his head thoughtfully. "How was it that you ended up with these two children?"
"To be honest it was a one packaged deal." Tsunade stated in a joking manner. "They both were with the gaki when I found him."
Sarutobi sighed before taking another drag of his pipe. "Since their orphans, giving you guardianship over them won't be a difficult matter. I'll have to write up some legal documents making them citizens of konoha, but first I'll need to know the nature of their abilities. The counsel members will have to be informed that there are two new blood lines in our village." Sarutobi concluded.
Tsunade nodded. "I don't mind you telling those pricks about Haku and Kimimaro, but let's get one thing straight." Tsunade says while leveling Sarutobi an even glare. "I don't won't any of those snobs sticking their noses in my business. I know how that counsel functions, and there's no way in hell I'm going to allow them to use Haku and Kimimaro as breeding tools. So I suggest when you hold your meeting with the counsel that you nip any stray thoughts in the bud."
Sarutobi blew out a cloud of smoke before he addressed Tsunade. "That's fine; I'll see to it that it's done." Sarutobi then started to shuffle through his desk and pulled out a thick envelope. "These are all of Naruto's legal documents, they now belong to you." He says while handing Tsunade the envelope.
Naruto watched with anticipation, as Tsunade took the envelope from Sarutobi.
Sarutobi stood from his desk and walked over to one of the file cabinets and opened it, reaching inside he pulled out a lone document. After returning to his seat, he signed the form and handed it to Tsunade.
Tsunade took the form and read it for a minute before signing it herself, and handing it back to Sarutobi.
Sarutobi pulled out his Hokage seal and stamped the form. "This makes it legal; Naruto is officially under your care Tsunade." Sarutobi says while putting the form away into his desk. "I'll get to work on Haku's and Kimimaro's citizenship, documents right away, in the meantime you can…"
"Sending me away won't be necessary." Tsuande interjected. "I still have much to discuss with you, I'll stay here and wait for you to finish with the forms."
Tsuande then turned to Shizune. "Why don't you take Naruto to retrieve his things, and move them to my old home, I trust you remember where it is?" Tsuande says while shuffling through her coat pocket and pulling out a key and tossing it to Shizune.
"Yes lady Tsunade" Shizune chirped after catching the key. "I'll see that it's done."
Tsunade nodded. "And one more thing, why don't you take these kids out to get some new clothes. It's embarrassing to see these kids in those beat up old clothes."
"Very well lady Tsunade" Shizune says while ushering Naruto, Kimimaro, and Haku out of the office."
Sarutobi turned his sights on Kakashi. "Thank you for you assistance Kakashi, your mission is now over. You can return to your station now."
Kakashi bowed before he exited the Hokage's office.
Sarutobi turned his attention back to Tsunade and eyed her carefully. "So what is it you wanted to speak with me about that can only be spoken in private?"
Tsunade smirked "you know me too well Sarutobi-sensei"
"That I do, now tell what this is about."
Tsunade narrowed her eyes on Sarutobi. "It's about Naruto's assets I want them returned to him." She replied dryly.
(Meanwhile)
Naruto was deep in thought about all that had transpired as he walked alongside Shizune, Haku, and Kimimaro. He couldn't figure out how his luck had changed so drastically. Not more then three weeks ago, he was nothing more then a lonely orphan boy. Now he had friends, and Tsunade had even opted to be his guardian.
Naruto then turned to Shizune "Um Shizune-san?"
Shizune looked down at the small blond to her side. "Yes Naruto-kun?"
"Since Tsunade-san has become my guardian, should I call her kaasan?" Naruto asked wistfully.
Shizune quirked her eyebrow. "Well Naruto-kun, lady Tsunade isn't exactly your mother. Guardianship is somewhat different then adoption." Shizune explained. "With adoption the adopted formally becomes the child to the person that has adopted them. But with guardianship you'll only be under lady Tsunade's care until you turn eighteen. You'll keep your last name and your birth certificate will remain the same" Shizune finished.
Naruto had a bewildered expression on his face, and continued to stare at Shizune intently.
Shizune sighed she figured Naruto was much too young to understand what she had said. "Well if you really want to call her kaasan I guess you should probably ask lady Tsunade herself."
Naruto nodded vigorously, "Can I also call you neesan?" He asked hopefully.
Shizune had genial smile etched on her face. "Of course you can" Shizune chirped. "That goes for you two as well" Shizune added to Haku and Kimimaro whom both nodded.
(Meanwhile)
Sarutobi was staring at Tsunade intently. "Assets you say, you're talking of Naruto's heritage?"
Tsunade nodded. "That's exactly what I'm talking about; he should have what's rightfully his returned to him."
Sarutobi puffed on his pipe for a moment before he continued. "I'm sorry but you know as well as I do the reasons why I can't do that." Sarutobi blew out a steady stream of smoke. "Naruto isn't ready to have everything returned to him."
Tsunade glared at Sarutobi. "Forgive me, but doesn't that decision now rest with me considering I'm his guardian now?" Sarutobi narrowed his eyes on Tsunade but remained quiet. "Besides I'm not talking about returning his father's belongings to him only his mothers." Seeing that Sarutobi was still silent Tsunade continued. "I'm no fool so don't take me for one. I know what could happen if I were to go around teaching Naruto his father's techniques, and what dangers could ensue from such an act."
Sarutobi nodded thoughtfully. "I see, but you do intend to teach the boy his mother's techniques."
Tsunade smirked. "That's exactly what I plan to do. Kushina was a practitioner in an art unique only to her, but I'm sure Naruto has all the necessities to utilize her techniques."
Sarutobi sighed before going back to puffing on his pipe. "You know their a lot alike Naruto and Kushina." Sarutobi stated in a solemn tone.
Tsunade's face looked equally as mournful as Sarutobi's "Yeah they are, every time the little gaki speaks I'm reminded of Kushina."
There was a moment of silence between Sarutobi and Tsunade, before Sarutobi piped back in. "I know this goes against my better judgment, but I'll grant you permission to enter Kushina's vault and take anything you think you'll need." Sarutobi says while shuffling through his desk and pulling out a scroll. After unsealing the scroll a small metallic key popped out and Sarutobi caught it. "I trust you remember where Kushina's vault is located?"
Tsuande nodded, and Sarutobi handed over the key to her. "Thank you Sarutobi-sensei" Tsunade says appreciatively.
(Some time Later)
Shizune, Naruto, Haku, and Kimimaro were approaching, a weapons and clothing shop. Shizune had decided their first stop should be to pick up some new clothes for the three boys, and then they would move on to Naruto's apartment to gather his things.
When they entered the shop the three boys stared around curiously, Naruto and Haku more so then Kimimaro.
Haku was like a kid in a candy store, as he raced through the shop admiring the many sharp and pointy objects. Too caught up in his excitement he ran smack dead into a small girl knocking both of them over to their rears in the process.
"Hey why dontcha watch were yah going" The small girl grumbled in protest.
"I'm sorry" Haku says while lifting himself up from the ground. Haku observed the small girl with interest she was wearing traditional Chinese clothing and her hair was done up into two buns. Haku extended his hand to the girl he had knocked over and she took it. "Please forgive me I was just so excited, I wasn't paying much attention."
The girl merely waved him off. "It's no big deal" She reassured him. "Besides I'm a ninja in training so it's nothing I can't take." She added with a touch of haughtiness in her voice.
"Really" Haku questioned curiously. "I'm also studying to be a ninja."
"Oh yeah" the girl challenged "How come I've never seen yah around? We look like were da same age?" She asked curiously.
"Well actually I'm new to this village and have yet to enroll in the academy." Haku answered. "But I will soon, after we get situated." He added.
The girl quirked her eyebrow. "Who's we? You mean you and your folks?"
Haku shook his head. "No I do not live with my parents any longer." Haku answered while trying to hide the sorrow in his voice.
The girl seemed to have caught on for she didn't press the matter any further. But just as she was about to question who was taking care of him if not his parents Shizune popped her head up from around the corner.
"There you are Haku-kun I've been looking all over for you." Shizune spoke before she noticed the little girl. "Oh and who's this?" Shizune asked with a sly smirk.
"Um actually I didn't get your name" Haku stated.
"It's Tenten" she answered. "And my daddy owns this shop."
Haku smiled brightly. "And my name is Haku; it's a pleasure to meet you Tenten-san"
Tenten merely nodded.
"Well come on Haku-kun I've already picked you out something I think you'll like." Shizune cut in.
Ten minutes later all three boys found themselves observing how they looked in the mirror. Kimimaro was dressed in a lose fitting long sleeve lavender shirt and dark purple pants with tapping at the ankles. Haku had on a dark blue shirt with a long sleeve white shirt underneath it. His outfit was topped off with a pair of dark blue ninja shorts and ninja sandals. Lastly Naruto was wearing a white shirt with an orange spiral in the middle along with some black shorts and orange wrist bands.
Naruto chuckled to himself as he made posses in the mirror, all the while grinning like an idiot. "Do we look badass or do we look badass?" Naruto questioned no one in particular.
"Language young man" Shizune scolded with an even tone.
"Well I think you all look really nice." Tenten says adding in her two cents, as she followed them to the counter to pay for their things.
The man standing behind the counter gave them a warm smile, and greeting. Naruto was slightly taken aback considering most didn't waste their time in smiling at him. But he smiled back none the less.
"I hope my daughter didn't cause you any trouble." He says while adding up the total for the clothes they were purchasing.
"No Tenten-chan was no trouble at all" Shizune assured while reaching into her kimono to retrieve her money.
After Shizune had paid for their things the three boys said their good byes to Tenten and promised they'd see her again when they returned to the academy.
(Fifteen minutes later)
Naruto had directed the group to the apartment building he was living in. Shizune frowned when she entered the apartment building. The place was quite run down, and not placed in a particularly friendly part of town. She was appalled that a seven year old kid was subjected to living in the place.
Meanwhile Naruto looked around the place thoughtfully; he didn't have many personal possessions so packing was easy. His luggage consisted of his remaining stash of ramen along with the few spare clothes he had, and his potted plants that were sitting on his windowsill.
Shizune eyed Naruto curiously as she watched him fumble with the plants. "Um Naruto-kun let me help you with those plants." Shizune offered as she summoned three shadow clones to hold the potted plants.
Naruto and Haku gawked at what they had seen while Kimimaro merely raised his eyebrow.
"How'd you do that!" Naruto questioned anxiously.
"Yes my clones' aren't capable of holding anything." Haku says while prodding one of the clones "And their not solid either like these ones."
"That's because these are shadow clones, not ordinary clones." Shizune answered with a smile.
"Can you teach me this?" Naruto questioned hopefully. "I can't use the normal clone jutsu so maybe I'd have better luck with this version."
"Well I'm not sure Naruto-kun, this is a forbidden jutsu after all. I'll have to get lady Tsunade's approval and I doubt she'll give you permission to learn it until you're older."
Naruto looked downcast but didn't press the matter any further. He'd have more opportunities to beg for the jutsu after all.
Seeing that Naruto wasn't going to push the matter any further Shizune decided to ask a question that was on her mind. "By the way Naruto-kun you didn't really grow these yourself did you?" Shizune asked obviously intrigued with the prospect.
Naruto nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah I did, I've been growing them for a year now, at first I sucked and my plants kept dying, but I got really good at it."
"I can see that" Shizune says while eyeing the plants. "These are azalea's and these here are delphinium's not to mention these lupines."
Naruto shrugged "yeah what of it."
"Well Naruto-kun these are all very difficult plants to raise in our climate, especially from scratch. I bet even some professional florist have some form of difficulty raising these plants." Shizune says with a level of praise emitting form her voice. "It's a true talent."
Naruto frowned "I like planting in all, but what kind of talent is that?" Naruto asked indignantly. "Why couldn't I have a talent for ninjutsu or something like that?"
"I think it's an excellent talent." Haku says admiring the beautiful flowers. "Wouldn't you agree Kimimaro?"
Kimimaro merely nodded.
"You two are one's to talk." Naruto challenged. "I mean you can create ice and control water and you can do what ever you want to with your bones. Now those are talents I wouldn't mind having."
Kimimaro shook his head. "Our talents are good for taking lives, but anyone can take a life." Kimimaro countered. "To be able to nurture and give life, now that's a talent worth having."
Shizune nodded approvingly "That was well said Kimimaro-kun, now let's get going I'd assume lady Tsunade will be finishing up her discussion with the Hokage soon."
The three boys nodded and followed Shizune and her clones out the apartment. Naruto turned around and looked at his apartment for most likely that last time. He couldn't help but feel a tiny tug of sadness while he looked at the apartment. Though not the fanciest place in town, it had been his sanctuary after all. A place he could go to get away from the glares and comments of the villagers and now he was leaving that sanctuary behind.
Naruto sighed to himself as he turned on his heels and walked away from his apartment. "Oh well out with the old in with the new."
Kimimaro turned to Naruto and quirked his eyebrow. "Did you say something?"
Naruto grinned and shook his head. "No nothing at all."
(Meanwhile)
Tsunade made her way inside the bunkers that were hidden behind the great stone faces. After heading down a few corridors she stopped at a seemingly random patch of stone.
Placing her hand on the stone and channeling some chakra into it, a small piece of stone moved aside revealing a keyhole.
Tsunade gingerly placed the small key into the keyhole and the wall began to move aside revealing a room behind it. Tsunade took in the sight before her; the room was littered with numerous scrolls, and family heirlooms.
Tsunade smirked before pulling out a sealing scroll from her coat. After collecting all the necessary scrolls she would need she sealed them away and stuffed the scroll back into her coat.
As Tsunade made to leave the room her eyes fell on a picture that was situated on a shelf. Tsunade walked up to the picture and eyed it carefully before a lone tear rolled down the side of her face. "You truly were a beautiful kunoichi Kushina." Tsunade whispered before grabbing the picture off the shelf and leaving the room shutting the stone wall behind her.
Well there you go chapter five, I hope you enjoyed it. Anyway please tell me your opinions on the chapter and I'll see you with the next update.