A/N: I know it has been awhile but I just could not seem to get my muse for this story back. The fact I have been sick does not help. Anyways, I came up with an extra chapter that I think will throw you readers for a loop and I want to see if anyone can figure our what my ultimate enemy will be after this. Feel free to speculate.

To Grindle the Wise: Ok as for motor skills I will bow to you have used it.. I think, cause I haven't checked your stories but if you say you did so I will take your word for it.

Lednacek: He used a 4 Tailed Inari and he was using chakra while attacking. Plus you have no idea if the ability Suraisā used uses chakra or not. In any case, When did I ever say he used his youki?

"Don't ask what the world needs. Ask what makes you come alive and go do it. Because what the world needs is people who have come alive." -H Thurman.

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto.

Chapter 18: Marks and A New Enemy

Naruto smiled happily as he smelled the breakfast he was making. He had talked with Tsunade and had the ANBU he had replaced put back on his team for a few weeks so that their teamwork would not become rusty and when Naruto was gone that team would still be operating at optimum efficiency. In the mean time, he was expecting a C-rank with his old team that Tsunade had put aside a little while ago to promote Hinata and allow his old team to take a few B-ranks for his teammates to gain some experience.

Naruto hummed a tune to himself as he was quite happy with the current situation. Kurenai had become stronger and he was pretty sure that if Kurenai and Yugao worked together, with their near perfect teamwork by now, they would be able to take down one of the Akatsuki members themselves. Though each was awkward and their skill sets weird, Kurenai and Yugao's combination of genjutsu along with Kenjutsu while throwing in Kurenai's newfound fire element was one nasty combination. Naruto had sparred with them and he had trouble keeping up with the both of them when he had his seal only on level 2. Their Hanyou bodies were helping them reach new heights and they did not stop mentioning it to make sure that Naruto did not ever regret what he had done.

He had questioned whether they were hanyous or not, since Katsumi had never really specified what they had turned into. She had said they were in their hanyou states and that their tails would grow over the course of the next few hundred years or so. Kurenai had little stars in her eyes as she thought of being able to play with her own cute, fluffy tail, while Yugao just turned her head to stare at her backside for a few minutes upon being told.

Naruto had chuckled from their actions while it reminded him he needed to contact Mei. But, once he had tried, he had been informed Mei was still out on a diplomatic mission for the village. Naruto was a little worried about her but he knew she would alert him to any danger using her ring. She may be overconfident but she was never so arrogant as to not know when to call for help. Naruto's face set into a slight frown as he finished up the breakfast.

"What's wrong Koibito?" Kurenai said as she drapped her arms over his shoulders, pressing herself into his back.

Naruto's slight frown turned into a small smile as he took a deep whiff of Kurenai's scent. He loved how his mates smelled. He sighed as he finished off with the pan and put the heat off. He proceeded to put the food onto plates as he detached himself from Kurenai's embrace. Kurenai stepped back and watched as he moved around the kitchen. "I am worried about Mei-chan. She has been out on a diplomatic mission for far longer than she should be." he said as he gathered some of the plates and headed to the dining room with Kurenai following.

"So? Maybe there were complications from the village she went to and she has been detained?" she explained using a logical reason she could be running late.

"Yes, I know. But I can't help but to think that she might have been captured by my enemies without time to warn me." Naruto explained as he looked over his completed food and was about to turn to go up the stairs when Katsumi and Yugao came down them. Naruto smiled at them as he greeted them. Naruto gave Yugao and Katsumi small kisses as they walked past him and sat down. Kurenai was turning something over in her mind as this occured.

All of the mates/mates-to-be, sat down and began to enjoy Naruto's culinary skill yet again. All that was heard for a few moments was the clink of plates and utensils in use, as all but one enjoyed each other's company, before it was broken by Kurenai finally asking what had struck her as odd.

"Koibito?" she said. Naruto looked up at her and saw her confused look.

"What did you mean by Mei-chan could have warned you?" she asked. Naruto cocked his head to the side in a manner that had Katsumi giggling behind her hand as he reminded her so much of a kit. "I mean, how could Mei-chan have warned you BEFORE she was captured, unless she knew she was going to be, hours before she actually was?" Kurenai explained as she had picked up on Naruto's confusion. At this, Yugao looked curiously at Naruto as his eyes widened slightly and Katsumi simply stopped giggling as she heard this.

Naruto immediately smacked his hand to his head in a natural facepalm as he registered her question. He looked up and noticing the questions starting to form said, "Firstly, Hime, Kouhi-sama, I was worried about Mei-chan because she is late from her diplomatic meeting in a village she needed to visit to increase her own village's prestige." Katsumi and Yugao both nodded as they were brought up to Kurenai's question. "As for how she could warn me, Megami, Hime, please take your rings off and look into the band directly underneath the gem." he said.

Kurenai and Yugao both did as asked. "What do you see?" he asked.

"Your name for me." Kurenai said

"Same here." Yugao said.

"I told you how the seal for the Hiraishin was covered by another mock seal that showed another drawing correct?" he asked. He watched as their eyes widened and they both came to the conclusion before he even spoke. "I did the same here. Only I put your names instead of a seal array. There is a small communication seal in there that will resonate with the seal on my body that will alert me to your dilemma should you ever need me, all you need to do is channel chakra into your rings and I will be by your sides in a flash." Naruto produced two of his Hiraishin kunai. "So long as you hold onto these, I will never be more than a second away."

Kurenai and Yugao both looked at their rings and smiled. He never stopped worrying about them. Some women might take offence but they knew Naruto was doing it so they could call on him should they need it. It was not something that was to undermine their own independence.

"Thank you Koibito." Kurenai said as she stepped close to him and kissed him.

"Good Thinking Anata." Yugao said as she kissed him as well.

Katsumi huffed as she crossed her arms, a little jealous she couldn't kiss him too. "They don't need those kunai Naru-kun." she said.

Naruto, Kurenai and Yugao all looked at her and she huffed again as she said, "By your mate marks, you all can reverse summon any of you. If you need him or he needs you, you can summon the other one." she explained.

"What if they are unconscious when they need me?" Naruto asked after some thought.

Katsumi sighed as she rubbed her temple. "Then the warning will allow you to summon THEM to YOU Naru-kun. You would never even see their enemy." she explained.

Kurenai and Yugao both smiled widely as Naruto struck a thinking pose to make sure this was foolproof. After some internal debating, which was ended when the girls pocketed his kunai, he decided to let them choose to keep it or not. However, right as he began to voice his opinion they both took their kunai and went to sit back down.

"Well, now he has 2 ways of getting us." Kurenai said as she sat back down, mirrored by Yugao.

Katsumi sighed as she crossed her arms again, feeling a pang of loneliness. Naruto suddenly spoke up, "Wait, Mate marks?"

Katsumi looked at him incredulously, "Don't tell me you forgot you marked them," she waved at Kurenai and Yugao. "As mates, did you?" she asked.

"Of course I marked them, but it doesn't actually show a mark does it?" he asked.

Katsumi frowned, "Of course it does. Why do you think it is called a mark?" she asked but she immediately saw his feeling of guilt. "It is nothing major Naru-kun. Just something that looks like a tattoo on their hanyou bodies along with your own. When you have your defensive mechanism up they can't be seen. It will represent your bond with each other. Much like how human's use rings."

Naruto was still frowning until Kurenai said, "Where is it?" in frustration.

Naruto looked up surprised to find himself looking at a nearly naked Kurenai and Yugao as they both twirled around looking at their bodies. Katsumi smirked as she saw the girls ploy in showing how they liked what he had done. They were both showing off their newer, more impressive assets, while simultaneously getting an answer they want. After a few more minutes, Kurenai and Yugao both smirked at Naruto. Naruto smiled at them as Yugao spoke.

"We do not regret anything. After everything we have been telling you, you still worry about it. We love you and would have done much more if you had but asked it of us." she said.

Naruto nodded. Katsumi spoke up, "Now Naru-kun, since Kurenai and Yugao would like to see their marks, release your defense mechanism." she said. Naruto shrugged as he stood and let his 9 flowing tails out. They flailed about behind him as his youki flared and settled. Kurenai and Yugao gasped as they saw a tattoo marking Naruto's neck. Naruto in turn gasped as he saw the outlines of the girl's marks before they settled with his youki to being visible on their skin.

"So I was right..." Katsumi muttered. "It seems that their hanyou states are only released when you are in this state Naru-kun." Katsumi said. "Once they gain some more youki and some more control, they should grow their own tails and then they will be able to control their mechanism as well. Now, let's take a look. Shall we?"

Naruto focused on Kurenai first. He looked at the square shape on her neck and focused. Finally he made out the image. He blinked as he took it in and smiled. "Kurenai's looks like a book, at least the background does. The book is a curious shade of gold for bindings but the cover of it holds dual swords crossing in a X pattern. But behind the swords are a swirl of crimson with flecks of gold, almost like a small whirlpool behind the swords but above the book." he turned to Yugao.

"Yugao's looks like a full moon. Though the moon is purple like her hair. It is crossed in front of by three swords. two in a X with the last one having its hilt pointing straight up crossing the blades in the middle." he finished his explanation.

Kurenai and Yugao both had peaceful smiles on their faces, as if everything was right in the world. To them? Everything was. Naruto was not hiding his enormous power, he was radiating his aura of peace even more powerfully than ever before. They were at peace with themselves and with their lifelong partner.

Katsumi immediately smiled as Naruto's tails had appeared. She listened to his explanations of the marks he could see on his mates. Anyone could see them it was just easier for him to do so. So Katsumi slowly walked towards him as he kept his attention on his current mates. She felt another pang of jealousy but it was quickly swept away as his aura fluctuated once again. Once he had finished talking she bent down slightly to look at his neck. She growled softly as she saw the mark.

Naruto blinked and looked down at Katsumi, surprised she was growling. He immediately knew what she was looking at and just as quickly knew why she was growling. She was very possessive as her demonic traits kicked in and he was sure she was being influenced slightly when it came to her normal self control. He had expected her to be much more jealous than she had shown already. He sighed and was about to put himself in front of Kurenai and Yugao when she suddenly stopped growling and he heard her start to talk.

Katsumi growled as her demonic instincts told her this male was worth mating with. He was already powerful enough to trigger her own heat. All she saw was images of what the girls must have done with him to incite her feelings to potency. Her instincts screamed at her but she saw his breath hitch and for some reason she put her instincts to the back of her mind as she focused on his mate mark. She smiled slightly as she saw the shape. She wondered what it would be when he marked her and began to describe it for the group.

"It seems to be a swirl. No... a whirlpool." she said as the rest cocked their eyebrows. "Yes a orange whirlpool. But that is not all. It seems to switch constantly between two figures within the swirl of the color. The first... is a book. It looks thick yet very sturdy. Beautiful calligraphy and a picture of a swordsman with a red blade on its front. The second... a full moon with a sword struck through the center. The sword looks plain but the hilt has golden wrappings. This continually repeats. Though the swirl never actually moves it seems like it is a genjutsu." Katsumi said as she stood up. (Think of those pictures where you have to focus on one certain object to actually see it within the picture as your stare at it. Thats what this is with a uzumaki swirl as the random picture you would see at a glance.)

Naruto hummed slightly before a smile spread across his face. "I like it." he stated. The girls giggled at him. "Well let's finish eating. We have some time before we are supposed to meet Tsunade for our mission later." he sat down and the girls all followed his example. All of them had happy smiles on their faces except for a slightly jealous pout that had found its way onto Katsumi's face. Naruto took notice of it but he did not feel he was ready for her yet.

Timeskip: a few hours

Naruto sighed as he exited his compound. The girls had gone shopping before the mission to pass some time and left him all alone. He turned his thoughts to Katsumi as he allowed his body to take him into town to waste the last hour he had before meeting with Tsunade.

He was quite certain he liked her. He knew he had feelings for her beyond friendship and probably beyond just a boyfriend/girlfriend love. He was close to saying he loved her as he did Kurenai and Yugao. It really was no surprise he felt this way with the actions of Katsumi when he was younger and the way she had never really ever left him. They had their rough spots but both of their actions spoke love to one another. Naruto had been surprised when she explained why he had liked Mei and Kurenai even when he was younger. But the first four women he had seen as worthy were the four women he was engaged to.

It hurt him to see the jealusy that would sometimes flash across her face but he was not sure if he was willing to mark her. He knew that the both of them were stuck together for all eternity but something just seemed to be holding him back, much like what had happened with Kurenai and Yugao. He knew he loved her but he was afraid of expressing it to her. It was irrational but he couldn't seem to figure out how to get past it.

He frowned slightly but put the thoughts to the back of his head as he realized he was within the city. He began to think of what to do until his meeting when he noticed someone in the crowd. He smirked slightly as he remembered meeting the man when meeting Konohamaru, the Sandaime's grandson. He introduced himself as a elite tutor with all the shortcuts to the Hokage title but Naruto had quickly cut him down to size with the logic of their is no shortcuts to the top.

Naruto's smirk widened as he thought of something. He created a Kage Bunshin to tail Ebisu and stepped into an alley. He ran threw a few handseals and said, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu: Akiko, Akemi (Summoning technique: Akiko, Akemi)" with a small puff of smoke the two fox demons were standing in front of him both in their hanyou forms. Naruto smiled as they both looked at him.

"Naruto-kun!" Akiko shouted and launched herself at him. Naruto laughed lightly as he caught her and ruffled her fox ears.

"Naruto." Akemi said stoically. But he could see she was happy about being summoned.

Suddenly, Naruto's smirk returned as he looked at the two of them. Both of them started to grin evilly. "Who are we pranking Naruto-kun?" Akiko asked.

"Yes... and what is the prank?" Akemi asked. Naruto's smirk broadened slightly as he began to tell them his ideas. Both of them giggled evilly as their tails wagged in happiness from his brilliance.

Ebisu was walking down the street with a smile on his face. His glasses settled on his nose and a spring in his step. The training for Konohamaru was going great and he was very proud of Konohamaru's progress. Not only that, it was a beautiful day outside on his one day off. So he continued his stroll taking in the sights of his beloved Konoha.

Ebisu continued his walk until he saw a small fox kit sitting on the side of the road. Now, most of Konoha did not like foxes but Ebisu held no great hate for them like the rest of his villagers. He did not particularly like them but it was odd to see one within the village limits and because he was having such a great day he decided he would help the fox kit out. So he made his way across the street intent upon picking the kit up.

As Ebisu approached the kit, he noticed it was sitting on something while seemingly staring at him. He chuckled lightly to himself as the kit cocked its head to the side. "Hey little fella, you know this isn't a safe place for you... why don't we get you to the forest?" Ebisu said as he leaned down to pick up the kit while looking at what it was standing on.

All of a sudden, the kit jumped up and nipped Ebisu's hand before darting off. Ebisu gasped as his hand started to bleed slightly and he glared after the kit. He looked back down and noticed that there was a book. He recognized the famous Icha Icha Paradise books by Jiraiya-sama. Miraculously enough it was a edition he didn't have! Now he was by no means a pervert as big as Jiraiya or Kakashi but he did enjoy the female body enough to look when he had the chance or sometimes even when it was inconvenient.

Ebisu looked around and noticed that there were few people around. If he picked the book up no one would ever notice. He also noticed that the fox kit was now sitting at the corner of the street looking at him with what he swore was a smirk. He decided that he didn't like that look and quickly grabbed the book, placing it into his pouch before he looked back at the kit. He took off down the street, going a bit faster than before but saw the kit stand up and move as well. He was now sure that it did that on purpose.

Ebisu came around the corner and saw that the kit was weaving its way through the crowd. He quickly began to follow it. After 2 blocks of following he kit, he suddenly came upon it sitting on yet another book. He warily approached until the kit yipped then turned around and ran to the corner before disappearing around it. His eyes darted around as he looked at who was near him. Once he was satisfied he was mostly alone, he bent down and went to pick the book up.

"Hentai!" he heard a girl scream. He quickly stood back up but left the book on the floor. He glanced around and noticed something he had missed since he was paying too much attention to the kit. There was a kunoichi hangout right next to him. He felt a shiver run down his spine as he was surrounded by some of the kunoichi. "Now ladies, I can explain..." His screams could be heard for miles around.

Rooftop

Naruto, and Akiko were watching as Ebisu got beat down. Both of them laughing at his misfortune. Akemi suddenly showed up next to them and joined them in their laughter.

"That was devious Naruto-kun! Having me draw his attention and bring him here in front a known Kunoichi hangout while simultaneously planting those perverted books and having Akemi-nee cry out pervert! hahahaha hehehehe." Akiko gasped out as Naruto beamed and Akemi nodded her head.

"Hopefully this keeps him from rubbing off too much on Jiji's grandson. He already has Jiji as a pervert, he doesn't need anymore perverted rolemodels, even if Ebisu is only a closet perv." Naruto said. "Now I need to go see Tsunade."

Akemi and Akiko nodded while thanking him for the oppurtunity for the prank before they poofed back home. Naruto chuckled as he set off to the Hokage Tower.

Hokage room

Naruto walked into the room and took in his old team with a smile. Kurenai was standing over to the side with her arms crossed. Shino was standing in his usual overcoat but Naruto had gotten used to his demeanor and could tell he was happy. But the person he concentrated on was Hinata.

He took a few moments longer to inspect her. He noticed that all the signs of her imprisonment had been removed as her bruises were gone. She actually looked quite good for someone who had been imprisoned not but 3 days ago. She was radiating a peace that he had never known she had. He smiled as he saw her look. She had a glazed expression like what Kurenai, Yugao, and Katsumi would get for him when he would be gone. He noticed they would occasionally just zone out or when he would return, and they couldn't sense him, they would have those expressions.

He smiled wider and stepped closer to Hinata. "So how is Gaara?" he asked with a suggestive tone.

Hinata promptly blushed red but said, "Amazing." she whispered. Naruto looked at her shocked.

"You..." he trailed off.

"Not that it is your busniess..." Hinata said as she whispered to only Naruto. "But his demon had a heat and since Tou-san took care of the council he approved of us... one thing led to another." she finished.

Naruto's eyes unfocused for a few seconds before he said, "As long as you weren't forced Hinata-chan, I am happy for you and Gaara. If you need anything, either of you, don't hesitate to ask."

Hinata nodded and the team turned their attention forward as Tsunade cleared her throat. "This team is being reformed for this one last mission. If Hinata is not promoted on this mission she will be recycled into the other teams." she said as each of the shinobi eyes' hardened.

"Kurenai and Naruto will have cooperating leadership during this mission. This is a B-rank protection mission." She unrolled a scroll and proceeded to read its contents. "You will protect Yukie Fujikaze, the actress, during her trip from Hi no Kuni to Yuki no Kuni. You will assist the movie crew in anything they need but your first priority is the protection of Fujikaze-san. Your employer is Sandayuu her manager. Any questions?" she finished.

Naruto and Kurenai both glanced at each other then at their subordinates before turning around and saying, "No Hokage-sama."

Tsunade nodded and handed the scroll over to Kurenai. "Very Well. Dismissed!"

Team 8 saluted and headed out of the tower as Tsunade sighed and sat back in her chair.

"You are going to promote her no matter what aren't you Hime?" Jiraiya said as he appeared behind her and began to rub her shoulders.

"Yes. She has shown her prowess by defeating a ANBU even while tired. No matter that level that ANBU would kill any genin and most chuunin. EVen if it was a lucky shot she deserves the rank from her actions during her team's workings anyway." Tsunade said as she relaxed under her boyfriend's massage.

Jiraiya grunted and continued his ministrations as he reviewed some information he had come across. He knew Naruto was going to be angry about what had happened and that he would be pissed that he had allowed him to go on a mission but telling him now would do nothing to help.

With Naruto about 1 hour later bordering town

Naruto sighed as he rode on the back of a galloping horse. When they had gotten to the town about 5 minutes ago, Naruto and company had nearly been bowled over by this horse. Naruto had, by intsinct, dodged the madly galloping horse and landed on its behind. He turned back to watch as the rest of his team took down the armed people coming after this girl as they noticed he was in control of her.

Naruto looked at his fellow rider and his eyes widened as he took in the visage of the woman they were to protect. He smiled under his facemask and simply settled himself onto the horse while crouching down. He could stop the horse but there was no reason as they were on a dirt road with few people around now and the woman was simply running away from the inevitable with him right next to her. Besides, if he ever got knocked off he could easily outpace the horse.

He chuckled slightly as she finally noticed he was on her horse. She started to swerve the horse so as to get him to fall off, even going so far as making the horse rear up on its hind legs. He merely eye smiled at her from behind his half mask and asked, "Are you done?" with laughter coloring his voice. Her eyes narrowed as she detected his mirth and she lashed out causing him to jump in reaction to avoid the attack. She immediately took advantage of his new position by getting the horse to gallop away.

Naruto shook his head as he landed on the road and dusted himself off. He put his hands in his pockets as he started to follow her scent back to the town they had just left, which was the way she had galloped off, as she hadn't checked her directions before trying to evade him.

Bar

Yukie sighed as she downed her next shot. She giggled slightly as she remembered how she had evaded that ninja. She suddenly grimaced as she thought how easy it was. "Pitiful what passes for a ninja these days." she whispered to herself as she had one flashback to her childhood.

"Oh really?" a voice said right next to her as she heard the person take a seat. "I wouldn't say that Yukie Fujikaze. You didn't evade me as easily as you seem to think." the person finished.

Yukie turned to her partner and almost jumped out of her seat as she took in the same ninja she supposedly left behind. "Who are you? Why are you following me? How do you know my name?" she sputtered as her slightly drunk mind lowered her inhibitions.

"My name is Namikaze Naruto and I am part of a mission that has you as a person of importance to protect." Naruto said as he took in her state and ordered his own drink. "Sake please?" he asked the waiter.

Yukie narrowed her eyes. "I am not going to Yuki no Kuni. They can recast my role. I am never going back to that godforsaken place." she finished her own drink and grabbed Naruto's as it was placed on the table. She quickly gulped that down and merely said, "You shouldn't be drinking on the job." to Naruto.

Naruto smirked under his mask. "Neither should you. But you just made my job easier, thank you." he inclined his head to her.

Yukie looked confused and was about to ask him something when her vision suddenly went blurry. She swayed a bit before pitching forward being caught by Naruto from crashing into the table. Naruto merely shook his head as he paid for the drinks and gathered her up to catch their boat ride.

Boat

Naruto sighed as he looked out over the ocean. Once he had deposited their charge in her room he had simply moved himself to the boat's deck to enjoy the sea air. He wished Katsumi would have come with him but it would have been a bit of a give away if he was seen working with a nin fox just as the Fox ANBU did. His thoughts turned back to Mei and what could have happened during her trip which had been taking longer than planned. He desperately wanted to talk with her as he hadn't even communicated with her since when he went into heat. He had been worrying for some time before someone joined him.

"Stop worrying Koibito. She will be fine. She isn't a Kage for nothing." Kurenai said as she hung over his shoulders.

Naruto's lips twitched upwards and he relaxed slightly as he felt his mate. "I know. I just can't help it though. I have this really bad feeling."

"It does you no good to worry about her. Just focus on the mission and, if she still hasn't returned by the time we have, you can always hiraishin to her to check things out." Kurenai said. She shivered from the frigid air coming off the sea as they had made good progress towards their destination.

Naruto nodded but frowned as Kurenai shivered. He turned around and wrapped her in his arms to warm her up. He smiled when she sighed contentedly. "Head inside." he said in a slightly commanding, slightly pleading voice, Kurenai looked up at him surprised. "I control my own body heat so I am okay posting watch. Keep Shino and Hinata-chan near Yukie-san and you patrol the lower decks. I will pulse my chakra if anything happens."

Kurenai nodded, "A good plan but I think I am going to stick near Sandayuu-san. He is our employer afterall." she said to which Naruto nodded and the two mates shared a small kiss before separating.

Timeskip

Naruto looked out as the ship ground to a halt. "Iceberg Ahoy!" the man from the crow's nest yelled.

"Little late for that isn't it?" Naruto muttered to himself. He jumped up and landed on the mast to look out and right next to the ship was the iceberg. He did note that the ship managed to stop before hitting the iceberg however.

Naruto narrowed his eyes as he looked around. Something about the iceberg put him on edge. "The iceberg seems to be larger than should be possible within these waters Naruto-sama." Kamikaze thought to his wielder. Naruto nodded his head but he could not seem to figure out why that would bother him so much besides the fact that it wasn't normal. He pushed it to the back of his head as he saw the movie crew gather on the ship's deck.

"Yes. Yes! Yes!" the director cried out as Naruto dropped back to the deck. "This is perfect. Time to shoot our next scene. Onwards men!" he shouted overruling the many questions of how dangerous this might be stating, "Movies are created they don't make themselves. This is a sign that we are to film here!"

Without further delay the movie crew and actors began to get dressed and makeup was prepared as the camera's were set up. Naruto moved to his team, all of whom were standing near Yukie's dressroom. "Okay, I am going to take the point of the iceberg to give me some visual as I can move back down the fastest. Kurenai what do you think the rest should do?" he asked going with their coleadership.

Kurenai thought for a moment before saying, "Hinata should stay near Sandayuu and the director using her Byakuugan to keep range on everyone. Since you will be able to see past her, she will be our first line of defence for the bystanders. Shino will keep an eye on Yukie herself, with his bug jutsu and defense he is best suited for protecting her besides yourself. I will patrol around and will keep in touch with you." she stated.

Naruto nodded and the team jumped off to accomplish their mission.

With Hinata

Hinata was quite bored but she was determined to pass this mission with no mishaps so she could be promoted and allowed to stay on her own team. She flashed her byakuugan on and off as she protected and watched the crew.

About 10 minutes after her team had separated she flashed her eyes again and caught something that she was confused about. So she reactivated her eyes which resulted in her yelling out to her team, "Ambush!" she immediately grabbed Sandayuu while keeping her byakuugan active.

Shino heard her call and immediately had a clone switch out with the still acting Yukie just in time to disperse as it was riddled with senbon. He quickly gathered the actor in his arms and dashed towards Hinata.

Kurenai turned to look at where the senbon had come from while radioing in to Naruto. "Naruto. Ambush return immediately." she sent out.

It took a few moments while she scanned the area to find her opponents. Already worried as she couldn't seem to sense them just yet. "Urgh. Yeah one of them is up here. Once I deal with him I will be there." he said before the radio went silent.

Kurenai tensed. It sounded like one of them managed to hurt Naruto. This would be bad if that were true. If the person that is fighting Naruto was their leader then they had a shot but if not, well Kurenai didn't want to think about how strong these guys were if that were true. One last thought crossed her mind, "With such strong enemies, why is this ranked B?" she asked herself before finally catching sight of one enemy.

Kurenai looked at the chubby man running after Shino and smirked. She started handseals to one of her favorite genjutsu.

Shino looked over his shoulder to see the fat man who was chasing him slobbering almost like a pig while wearing a stupid grin on his face. "Come here you little brat. If you hand over the princess then you need not get hurt." said the man.

"Princess?" he thought as Yukie started to freeze up in his arms. "No. No!" she started to whimper as Shino continued to run. Shino cursed himself as he should have her on his back but he turned back around to look for his assailant only to smirk and send his bugs to suck the man dry as he was caught in Kurenai's genjutsu, running off in another direction.

He looked back to Hinata and his smirk went away as he took in the enemy she was now facing. He cursed as the crew of the movie had only moved away to film the rest of her battle. Shino made a clone which grabbed Yukie and jumped towards the ship as he headed to help his teammate.

Hinata panted as everything she tried didn't work. She had managed to land a few hits on her opponent but that damn armor seemed to stop the Jyuuken from taking effect. She had an ace but she didn't want to use it just yet. She straightened herself only to be relieved when she saw Shino suddenly fly in and kick her opponent into a snow mound a little ways away. She turned to the crew.

"Get back to the ship. Now!" she ordered and most obeyed her.

Shino nodded to Hinata and the two got ready for a fight.

"You bastard!" the female said as she rose from her position. "I will teach you not to hit a lady." she immediately activated some weird chakra wings which granted her the ability to fly. She gained some altitude before turning around and hovering.

Hinata and Shino prepared themselves with some of Shino's bugs starting to float around them. The woman suddenly smirked as she held a single handsign and said, "Hyoton: Hyōrō no Jutsu (Ice Release: Ice Prison Technique)"

Shino and Hinata's eyes widened as they jumped to avoid the jutsu. Unfortunately they were too slow and the ice managed to capture them in a freezing pillar of ice. The entire crew of the ship started to shiver lightly as the woman laughed menacingly and landed next to the pillar. "Shows you right for thinking you could beat me!" she exclaimed as she looked at her enemies' frozen faces.

Kurenai cursed as she ducked under another attempt at grabbing her. That chubby guy had managed to break her genjutsu when he stumbled and fell. She knew her genjutsu wrre getting more powerful but she seriously sweatdropped when he simply fell into some snow and dispelled her jutsu.

She rolled away and watched as the man pulled his hand back with the cable using a metal contraption on his arm. He had been attempting to grab her with it ever since the start of the fight and she had been avoiding him as she didn't want to test her luck in taijutsu with him. She started handsigns to her favorite genjutsu and once finished called out the technique. "Magen: Jubaku Satsu (Demonic Illusion: Tree Binding Death)"

The man immediately lost focus on Kurenai as his sense showed him he was tied up by a tree. He started to struggle in place against his bindings as Kurenai snuck past him and went to plunge a kunai at his heart from behind. She was unprepared as he suddenly twisted around with a vicious smirk on his face, "Gotcha illusion bitch!"

Kurenai's eyes widened as he went to reach down to grab her.

Naruto looked across the peak of this mountain scowling as he pulled one of his hands to his mouth. "Fuuton: Daitoppa" releasing the great blast of wind augmented by his huge chakra reserves.

His opponent jumped away and reappeared on Naruto's side. Naruto turned to his opponent. "Who are you! Why are you attacking?" he asked as he started to look down while keeping one eye on him. He was worried about his team.

He was brought back to his opponent as he started to laugh uproarously. "You don't even know who you are really defending?" he asked incredulously.

"Yukie Fuji-" Naruto began. "Wrong!" he stated as his face twisted into a devilish smirk.

"I am not surprised they never told you." he stated. "But let's answer your first question. I am Nadare Rōga. Snow Shinobi at your service." he said with a slight mocking bow. "Now for your second question. I was hired to kill Koyuki Kazehana. She is the last remaining line of a corrupt power hungry line of leaders that have been sucking Yuki no Kuni dry."

Naruto's eyes widened as he relaxed his guard slightly. "Now if you just hand her over silently then We can easily silence the client and your reputation will never be tarnished by the man who is trying to trick you." Nadare said.

Naruto was about to nod when Nadare held out a handsign. "Fool!" he said and called out his technique. "Hyōton: Ikkaku Hakugei (Ice Release: One Horned Whale)" a massive white whale suddenly rose from the sea and crashed into the iceberg. Naruto noticed it was made of the ice and water surrounding the area. One thing no one had expected however, was the massive explosion that happened right as the whale slammed into the iceberg. Nadare and Naruto both turned to the opposite side of the iceberg to see it starting to submerge as they both heard a bloodcurdling scream accompanying a bright light. Both jumped away, Naruto to his team and the light, while Nadare retreated.

Kurenai's eyes widened as the man stumbled when the explosion and whale both appeared so fast. She quickly kawarimi'ed away from the man. She appeared about 50 feet from him just to turn around and get into a fighting stance. She had to suddenly cover her eyes as she saw a blur approach her opponent before he started to scream along with a female. She squinted her eyes as the two collided and suddenly started to thrash around.

She quickly shunshined away just to feel a heatwave catch her right before the jutsu took affect. Her eyes widened as she turned back after she had landed and saw the massive explosion from before was suddenly added to as her opponent blew up.

She sighed in relief as she detected no other enemies and immediately ran towards the boat as the iceberg began to submerge. She hoped Hinata and Shino were okay.

Kurenai and Naruto both landed on the water as the last of the iceberg slipped beneath the waves. The two jounin shared a look before sprinting towards the boat from which they heard a cry of "ANNNNNNNNND CUT!"

A few moments later, Naruto and Kurenai both landed on the boat deck to see a shivering crew, an almost comatose Koyuki, and two very shaken up teammates. They both relaxed as they saw that both of them looked up and had guarded stances before taking in who they were seeing.

They all smiled at each other before turning serious and beginning to explain what had happened. It seems once they had fooled the female into thinking they were stuck, Hinata and Shino had hidden some empowered exploding notes made by Naruto in a genjutsu. Once she got close enough they exploded them leaving her to go flying at her teammate. This resulted in what Kurenai had seen. Naruto explained his fight and how his opponent had managed to flee before he was able to kill him.

The whole team was uncomfortable with what Nadare had said but when Sandayuu was confronted they gained the truth, which was supported by Kakashi's own mission report, having been sent to them by the Hokage via summons. They all decided to finish the mission.

The caravan had disembarked from the ships and was following an old railroad. They had just exited a cave when a cry went out, "Yukie is missing!"

Naruto sighed as he rubbed his eyes. "I am going to go get her, Protect the caravan while you wait?" he asked pleadingly to his team. They all nodded as he jumped off.

(Same thing as in the actual mission. I want to get this chapter out and typing this is getting tedious.)

Timeskip to when Naruto reappears with the train following him

Naruto smiled at Koyuki. "See, told you no train could catch me!" he said. Koyuki's lips twitched upwards until she heard a voice from behind Naruto.

"Ah Koyuki-chan. It's been so long. Let's take a good look at you." Dotou said in his greasy voice from on top his carriage within the train, Nadare was next to him. "A picture of perfection, such a shame I must end your life."

Naruto stood between Koyuki and her uncle, his eyes starting to flash dangerously. "You will not lay a hand on her you scum." he said.

Dotou was interrupted from his retort by a load roar up on the top of the hill. A host of samurai were on the top of the hill. Sandayuu made a rousing speech of how the samurai were all there to support Koyuki as the last hope for their land. Koyuki scoffed but Naruto could see the doubt in her eyes. "Charge!" Sandayuu said and the samurai surged forward with Kurenai, Shino and Hinata leading at three points with the fourth being Sandayuu.

Dotou smirked but Naruto saw it and released his seals just as Dotou said, "Show them how outdated they are Nadare." Nadare nodded his head and raised his arm. Naruto's eyes widened as he saw panels within the train fall down revealing Kunai blasters. Naruto cursed but made a clone and started to move.

"FIRE!" Nadare shouted. the train instantly spewed hundreds of kunai towards the charging samurai. Koyuki's eyes widened in horror as the weapons hurtled towards their targets. They widened even further as her bodyguards showed exactly why they had not turned down her mission despite its difficulty.

Hinata sped forward using her newfound speed from her training to gain some distance from her division before she shouted, "Dai Hakkeshō Kaiten" She began spinning rapidly as a dome of chakra spread out and covered her division from the incoming objects.

Shino smirked under his mask as he looked at the oncoming attack. He nodded his head slightly as he pulled away from his own division with Kurenai mirroring him right to his left. He started handsigns with Kurenai and both called out their techniques at the same time. "Doton: Doryuheki" "Katon: Karyuu Endan" a wall of earth spread from Shino's fingers to protect both their divisions. Kurenai's fire dragon immediately hardened the earthen wall giving it extra defense as the kunai bounced harmlessly off it.

Koyuki's mouth was hanging open but she saw that Sandayuu's division had no protection. "Benikaze no Kizu." Naruto spoke as he appeared in front of Sandayuu while swinging his sword at the train. The air rippled and blew away each of the kunai on its way to the train. Dotou's eyes widened as the attack slammed into his train. He quickly got the train moving.

Naruto smirked as Kurenai appeared next to him and whispered their preparations. Naruto saw that both Shino and Hinata were almost out of chakra for the huge amount they had just used to protect their charges. He smiled, proud of them being capable of this. Kurenai raised her hand in a signal as the train reached a bridge. "Katsu." she said as the train was suddenly engulfed in a explosion.

Naruto and the group all gathered together at the train tracks to plan their next move.

About 10 minutes later

Naruto looked up as a blimp suddenly rose from the cliff face they had been on. He saw a wire shoot out and latch onto Yukie as his team scrambled to grab her he activated his true transformation. He turned himself into a hawk and rose with the blimp as his team stared at the blimp with lost eyes. He had his premade clone tell them of his plan and he followed the blimp.

Once he reached it, he landed in an open window quickly changing himself into a rat. He snuck around until he was in the control room where he could see Koyuki was being held with her uncle and Nadare. He eavesdropped on their conversation about the ultimate treasure of Yuki no Kuni and how only Koyuki could have opened it. Just as he was about to move away he noticed Nadare stiffen and look right at him. After a short scuffle, he allowed himself to be captured to be taken tot he treasure vault.

Dotou looked down at him as Nadare held his arms. "Well well well. A stowaway." Dotou's eyes suddenly shined with a glint Naruto had seen many times in his youth. "I want to test something! Bring me the chakra absorber." he declared to one of his henchman. Naruto raised an eyebrow but did nothing else. Soon a man appeared with something in his hands. Dotou rubbed his hands together and grabbed it instantly placing it at Naruto's chest.

Naruto grunted as he felt the machine attach itself to his chakra and start to keep it from him. He slumped down and was thrown into a corner after Nadare claimed he could feel no chakra from him. Naruto watched out the corner of his eye to make sure Koyuki was kept alive as the blimp made its way to the vault. His clone dispersed letting him know that Hinata was following him while Kurenai and Shino were heading to the castle with the samurai to cleanse it of Dotou's followers.

At the site with the mirrors, still on the blimp

"Let's go Nadare, We're here." Dotou said as he stood holding Koyuki's necklace in one hand.

Naruto rolled himself into a seated position. "Finally." he said as he stood and stretched his limbs.

Dotou and Nadare looked back at him. After a few seconds, Nadare simply smirked at him but Dotou's eyes were slightly wary. "And what are you talking about worthless little scum?" Nadare spat. "You are nothing now that your chakra is inaccesible."

Naruto smiled a feral smile, bringing Koyuki out from her depressed state as she stared at him. "Oh? It's a good thing I don't have just chakra then neh?" he stated only gaining curious looks from Koyuki and Nadare but he noticed Dotou subtley take a step back towards the door leading outside.

Nadare smirked and turned his back on Naruto. "Stop trying to bluff your way past this. Your speed was impressive but without your chakra you have no chance of hoping to match me. I applaud your performance but if I hear anything else from urgh-" Nadare was cut off from his tirade as he looked down at the red fur piercing his chest. His eyes widened as he looked up only to see Dotou had already fled. He started to tremble as he felt the massive power behind him.

"Kami-sama, you were annoying. So damn arrogant. Even naming a jutsu after yourself, no matter how accurate it is, is just asking to be killed. Well a little late for anyone else now." Naruto said in his Hanyou state as his eight tails flailed behind him. He looked down at the contraption on his chest and merely grunted. The machine sparked once before suddenly shattering from the youki Naruto had saturated it with. He flicked Nadare off of his tail and flicked it clean of blood before allowing it to return to its state with its brethren behind him.

Naruto turned to Koyuki and smiled, "So, still think fighting back is pointless? We have managed to take out his 'elite' ninja without incurring any major damage to ourselves and have saved your own army from destruction." Naruto stated as his voice changed back to normal, though his tails stayed out.

Kurenai gasped as she felt her body grow more energetic and a lust for battle creep through her limbs. She smiled ferally as they reached the castle.

Naruto cocked his head as his ears flicked.

"Kawaii!" Koyuki screamed and started to pet him on his head as she cuddled him. Naruto sweatdropped.

"As much as I enjoy this we might want to take care of your uncle first." Naruto said. Koyuki nodded and stepped away blushing. Naruto merely smiled at her before he made a clone, without tails, to carry her back to the castle and meet up with Hinata before that. He nodded to his clone and went to leave.

"I expect you to come back Naruto-san." Koyuki stated.

Naruto turned and smiled over his shoulder, "Count on it. But I am already taken, so don't go getting any ideas." he stated with a cheeky grin before he jumped off to a spluttering Koyuki.

"Baka." Koyuki stated before Naruto's clone grabbed her and set off to gather Hinata and meet with the rest of them. Dotou was not worth Naruto having backup.

Naruto sighed as he looked down at the hexgonal crystal in his hands. It appears the 'ultimate treasure' was a heat generator to bring spring to Yuki no Kuni. He smiled as he thought of what this might do for Koyuki before he set his sights ahead. Dotou was pathetic. He didn't even have a chakra armor like his subordinates. Something which puzzled him. But he had to hurry back to the castle to stop Kurenai.

He could feel Kurenai's bloodlust taking control as she had never been to battle in her Hanyou state. Her body may have increased but she had never actually fought in a partially demonic body just yet. Luckily enough her enemies were numerous enough she had not attacked allies but he needed to hurry. He stepped up his pace. His tails still visible as he couldn't seem to activate his defense because Kurenai was in a bloodlustful state.

Naruto dropped down in the courtyard of the castle as Kurenai stabbed a enemy through the heart. He could see that some of the samurai were scared of her and that enemies were dwindling. He sighed before he disappeared in a shunshin. Reappearing right behind her he grabbed her waist and whispered huskily in her ear, "You know, seeing you like this is quite the turn on for me." he said being honest. She was frustratingly in control of her emotions at almost all times. So seeing her be so free was quite pleasureable to his inner demon.

She snarled slightly before saying, "Well, if you don't let me go. You won't be getting any from me. I want to get some more of them." she said with minute amounts of youki in her body. Naruto's shock was seen for one second before he suddenly released her and stared at her with his youki taking a slightly more golden color than normal.

Every bystander was in awe as Naruto's tails flailed behind him and his youki swirled blanketing the area with an impending sense of victory for the wielder. Hinata and Shino both in awe as they saw their classmate showcasing, what they thought was, Kyuubi's power.

"Do not forget yourself Kurenai. I am Alpha within our family. You listen to ME. Now you need to STOP!" he stated in his most commanding voice.

Kurenai looked defiant for all of two seconds, until Naruto flared his considerable youki. She immediately lost her bloodlust and shook her head as she looked at Naruto's glowing eyes. "Koibito? What happened?" she said as she groaned and suddenly Naruto's tails disappeared along with his youki. He grabbed her again and whispered so only she could hear as the bystanders slowly recovered.

Naruto had explained everything that happened when he felt it. The ground trembled beneath him and he shunshined away. "Move! Get out of the courtyard now!" he shouted at the samurai. Each of them scrambled to comply as Naruto's eyes turned back to the middle of the courtyard where he had just been standing.

He watched as the ground seemed to rise up and mold together to form a creature that he had never seen. It stood at a towering 16 feet tall. It was humanoid in shape but with no visible face. Its legs held no distinguishable features aside from the small bits of stone from the courtyard floor. Its arms made of jagged rock looking more like clubs attached to the body of his enemy. Its featureless head staring blankly at him. Or behind him, he couldn't really tell.

He felt Suraisā start to hum in its sheath and heard Kamikaze speak up, "Ah, our old enemy seems to have arisen. It seems I will be used as my makers intended. This is a earth elemental Naruto-sama. It is quite mindless but very powerful. Luckily it is not too old so you can eliminate it rather easily using Suraisā."

Naruto saw Kurenai, Shino, and Hinata ready themselves but he merely drew Suraisā and said, "Stay back, it seems this thing is only capable of being hurt by Kamikaze." he said. His entire team nodded, dropping back to stop any collateral damage.

Naruto looked forward and dashed at his enemy to attack. It reacted slowly, bringing its arm around to smash down on Naruto. He easily dodged it and swung Suraisā cutting part of the arm but barely scratching the overall width of the arm. Naruto backpedaled as it swung its arm to the side in an attempt to bash him away from itself.

He flipped and landed on his feet as he looked at his opponent again. He moved forward and charged a small amount of youki into Suraisā as he ran. He dodged the incoming arm and swung, "Benikaze" he said as he sent the wave of crimson energy forward. It quickly cut through the arm and the severed arm piece fell to the ground with a loud crash. Naruto's eyes brightened as he took in the way he could beat this monster when the ground suddenly shifted and the rocks were suddenly hurtled back at the elemental.

He watched, in slight horror as the arm he just cut off was fixed and the monste hadn't even uttered a single sound beyond the moving of its body! Naruto growled and was about to use his other attack when Suraisā began to hum like when he had fought Hidan. "It seems you have need of my power wielder. Very well. Here is my ultimate attack. Use it well." the way to unleash Suraisā's ultimate attack appeared in Naruto's mind as he took a batoujutsu stance.

Naruto suddenly disappeared from his teammates view and reappeared behind the elemental. "Katto Tenmetsu (Flash Cut)" he said and put his sword back in its sheath with a click. The earth elemental turned to dust as it floated back down to the earth.

Naruto turned around with a frown on his face as he thought of a new enemy that had appeared. Even with how easily he defeated this one, it was a youngling. If there were ones like this capable of coming close to his speed, he would have one hell of a fight. Even worse if something might be controlling them. He shook his head of the thought as he turned back to his teammates and smiled.

Timeskip

His team had successfully completed its mission and Hinata was promoted on her outstanding record. Naruto smiled as he made to turn away from Tsunade and Jiraiya before being halted. His eyes turned steely as he looked at the serious expression on his godfather's face.

End A/N: I am so sorry! This was supposed to be out 2 weeks ago but I just couldn't seem to find the time or the muse. Everytime I would sit down this chapter would flee my mind. Though it turned out close to how I wanted. Here is a bit of a cliffhanger. Hopefully some reviews will get me rolling to finish this.

Hope you continue to read this even with my long absence, Happy Holidays to all and Ja Ne!