Normal
"Speech"
Thought
Kyuubi
Warnings: I do not own Naruto. Rated "M" for language and adult situations.
Chapter 73: Arrivals
Midoriko was feeling very week by the time they stepped off the boat. She had been sick from the moment the boat started moving till the moment it landed. There were only a few people traveling with her. Kisame, her constant companion and body guard, a nurse maid, just in case they didn't make it to Sound, and three other Mist ninja Kisame picked for the trip. He had picked them for a reason. None of them had any skill what so ever in taijutsu. The three of them were heavy hitters, but against a master of taijutsu, they would be helpless.
Kisame knew that Naruto would be coming for Midoriko; however, he suspected Sasuke would tag along just because she was family. If Sasuke was anything like Itachi, family was the most important thing in the world and Kisame let a small smirk grace his shark like lips with the memory of his friend and ex-teammate. Maybe it was Itachi's influence that was causing him to betray Madara, or maybe it was just something he ate. Kisame didn't dwell on it too much. What he was doing was the right thing and it was a good deed that maybe could wash away the sins of blindly following Madara.
Midoriko stepped off the boat and breathed in the salty ocean air. There was something on the wind that seemed so familiar. She paid no attention to the fussing nurse, or the extra guards. Midoriko kept her head up high and a pleasant smile on her face to hide the pain she was in. The pain was getting worse and the contractions, though close, had not gotten any closer together. She didn't bother to walk any less awkwardly. Midoriko felt like a small barge walking anywhere, but she got were she needed to be. She was miserable to say the least.
Midoriko stopped at the edge of the ramp and stepped to the side as instructed by Kisame. She glanced behind her to the side of the dock, near several large crates. There was something there, scurrying around making a rather large racket. Regardless of the fussing nurse maid, Kisame shouting orders at the ship's stewards, or the three extra annoyances charged with keeping an eye on her, Midoriko slipped away to investigate the scurrying near the crates. As she got closer she could hear the growling of an animal. Midoriko turned the corner and sat on one of the crates with a pant. The small fox jumped up on the crate next to her. It studied her and she studied it.
No one has really noticed that Midoriko was missing from the spot Kisame had told her to stay. It wasn't until the nurse maid had come back from the getting the last of her supplies on the boat that the old woman tugged on Kisame's coat. "We seem to have lost her again."
Kisame grimaced in annoyance and started to look for Midoriko. She couldn't have gone that far. He turned to the direction of the crates and shook his head. "I truly wish she would stop that." he grumbled aloud and walked to the crates. He turned the corner to see Midoriko sitting on the crate as calm as calm could be with the small fox in her lap, scratching it behind the ears.
Midoriko immediately looked up at Kisame. "Isn't he adorable?" She said with a bright smile.
Kisame took one look at the small orange and black fox and failed miserably at keeping the color in his face. The normally dark blue shade of his skin became a nice light blue as the shark man could feel the maniacal chakra emanating from the small creature in her lap. The fox took notice of Kisame and jumped off Midoriko's lap, skittering away with the nastiest grin on its maw.
Midoriko stood up with a frown on her lips. "You frightened him away." Her tone implied that she hadn't noticed anything different about the small fox in her lap.
"Trust me when I say, I highly doubt I frightened him." Kisame took Midoriko's elbow. "We must move quickly. I have arranged for transportation to Sound." He walked her to the old woman and gave Midoriko a stern look. "Please, Midoriko-chan, STAY PUT."
The old nurse maid guided Midoriko to a bench, where they sat. The pregnant woman was not happy about being told what she could and could not be doing. Despite the pain of being in suspended labor, this was the first time Midoriko was feeling free. She didn't want to stay in one place. There was a WHOLE village she could explore while they were waiting on this transportation. Another sharp pain in her side, and Midoriko was reminded that she really needed to just stay put. "Fine... I will stay put."
Kisame nodded his approval and turned to the three additional ninja. "Check the gates and sweep the area. If you see anyone even remotely suspicious, come back and report... DO. NOT. ENGAGE." The three nodded and vanished in a blur. Kisame turned back to Midoriko, who was ignoring the ramblings of the old nurse maid. He shook his head. "Midoriko-chan, we need to walk a little ways. There should be a carriage waiting to take us to the Sound Village, just outside the gates." He held out his hand to help her off the bench.
"But Kisame-san, she should not be moving..." The nurse maid tried to protest.
Midoriko smiled, taking Kisame's hand. "For the LAST time woman... I AM FINE!" Midoriko growled out, yet kept her smile. "Stop fussing over me before I insist you are a threat to my well being and allow Kisame-san the pleasure of killing you." She said with a hint of arrogance and uncaring indifference that would make any Uchiha proud.
The old woman swallowed. "I am simply thinking of your health and that of the child's." She bowed humbly.
Midoriko kept her eyes on Kisame and smiled. "I understand that you are under orders from My Lord Mizukage, to keep my health as your main priority, but your constant fussing is beginning to wear on my nerves. I appreciate your concern as well and I assure you, if at any time I am in pain or in any discomfort, you and Kisame-san will be the first to know." Midoriko turned her smile to the old lady. "Now I believe we have a short walk that will do me some good."
The old woman bowed again. "Yes my Lady." And fell into step behind Midoriko.
Kisame looked at Midoriko and shook his head. "One of these days, Midoriko-chan, you are going to make a great wife for a great Kage."
"I'm not interested." The pregnant woman harrumphed and turned up her nose at Kisame.
Kisame gave her a knowing smirk. "You say that now... But I am sure there will come a time." It was only a few steps before they heard the explosion and Kisame felt the waves of maniacal chakra. The Nurse maid went to one knee because of the pressure. Kisame turned back to Midoriko and the nurse maid. "We need to get out of here." Kisame scooped up Midoriko and headed for the outskirts of the village.
"Kisame-san, what's going on?" Midoriko got out in a labored breath as they skipped over buildings leaving the nurse behind.
"I believe your savior is here to rescue you, but it seems that he is a bit more pissed off than I had expected." Kisame grinned.
There was a roar that echoed throughout the village and carried with it a menacing breeze. Midoriko pulled closer to Kisame. "He sounds sad." She said almost apologetically.
"He sounds extremely angry if you ask me." They stopped outside of the village gates. Kisame set Midoriko down gently.
Midoriko walked to a tree and braced herself. She noticed something behind her and she turned to be staring into the most beautiful blue eyes she had ever seen. She stared at the blonde man standing in front of her. His eyes were full of hope and sadness, joy and fear, but most of all, she could see straight into his soul. He had loved more deeply then she ever imagined possible and he had lost it all. She reached out a hand at touched his face. "I know you." Tears started to stream her face.
Naruto pressed her hand to his face. Her hand was cold but there was a hint of warmth just under her skin. He moved closer to her and was about to whisper something when Kisame voice rang across his ears. "DON'T DO IT YET OR IT WILL KILL HER!"
"What?" Naruto spun around to Kisame.
Midoriko let out a scream of pain and there was a gush of water at Naruto's feet. Midoriko put a hand on Naruto's shoulder and let out a pained chuckle. "I don't think Little One is going to wait any longer."
Kisame struggled under Sasuke grip. "There is no time for explanations. We need to get Midoriko to safety and a medic as quickly as humanly possible."
Sasuke turned to Naruto. "You get… My… Midoriko to Lady Tsunade. I can deal with Kisame."
Midoriko let out a heavy breath. "I'm not leaving without Kisame-san."
Sasuke looked at her in confusion. "Damn it you Crazy Bitch now is NOT a good time for you to be stubborn and make demands."
Naruto smiled at Midoriko and placed her next to the tree. The blonde walked out into the field. "Sasuke, just bring him along, we don't have time to argue."
Sasuke pushed Kisame towards the tree where Midoriko was grunting in pain. "What are you going to do dobe?"
"We have to get somewhere quick." Naruto flashed them a wicked smile. "Call it a combined Transformation." Naruto took his stance and made a hand sign. The wind started to pick up around him and there was a loud pop followed by an enormous cloud of white smoke.
When the smoke cleared the field, a gigantic nine tailed fox stood where Naruto had been. Kisame and Sasuke took a step back a little fearful about what they were seeing. Midoriko walked slowly towards the great beast. She had seen the creature in her dreams, but this one was different. Instead of being a dark orange and black, this kitsune was bright yellow and black. She blinked a few times to fight back the pains she was having and to make sure she was seeing the sight before her. The kitsune's huge muzzle came closer to her. Midoriko stared into azure blue feral eyes for a moment before she reached out a hand to touch his nose. She turned back to Sasuke and Kisame. "He says we should climb on."
The giant beast crouched down for everyone to climb aboard. Sasuke and Kisame worked together to get Midoriko to the top of the Kitsune's head. When they were aboard and secured, the fox seemed to grin. Midoriko lay on her side, as still as possible. She tried desperately not to wince with each contraction. Sasuke forced his hand into hers. "Just squeeze when you feel pain. That should help… I think"
Midoriko nodded. The contractions were getting closer and Naruto was enjoying the freedom of running like this. He was bounding over whole forests. Sasuke and Kisame where hanging on for dear life. Through her moments of pain, Midoriko was quit enjoying the ride. "YOUR GOING TO GET US ALL KILLED!" Sasuke yelled.
Naruto smirked the way any fox would and took another bounding leap over a large ravine. "Show off." Sasuke grumbled under his breath.
It took about an hour for the giant kitsune to travel what would have taken too long on foot, laden down with supplies and a pregnant woman. Tsunade was pacing outside Tazuna's house when she spotted the large fox bounding towards the house. The Hokage was panic stricken until she realized the coloring on the fox was different. "Single thought and action." She smiled. "Tsunami! I'm going to need lots of fresh water!"
0 – 0 – 0
The messenger hawk landed in the tower. Madara had been waiting for this hawk for hours. He had been pacing the messenger's tower waiting for it since Kisame and Midoriko had set sail. Madara grabbed the bird rather roughly, taking its message. He unrolled the scroll.
My lord Mizukage,
It is my solemn and unfortunate duty to inform you that the Lady Midoriko and company never arrived at the rendezvous point outside of Sound. Several of my spies indicated that your caravan was ambushed moments after they landed on the mainland. I have retrieved and healed two of your Mist ninja. The third was put on ice for further testing and disposal, per our agreement, and a very confused old woman. She swears to me she saw a giant fox running from the port village headed for the Wave Country.
Upon further interrogation, I found that the fox in question did not have the distinctive orange and black markings of the Kyuubi. It has come to my attention that THIS fox was in fact golden yellow in color with black markings. Where I can not confirm that your precious Midoriko is in Konoha, I would suspect that she is at least on her way there.
Your humble servant and ally,
Lord Kabuto
Otokage.
Madara crumpled the scroll and seethed with anger. "Kisame, you have disappointed me greatly."
0 – 0 – 0
Naruto was sitting behind Midoriko allowing her to brace her back against his front. "Ok Midoriko, here comes another contraction. I need one more hard push and it will be over." Tsunade looked like a catcher at the end of the bed.
Midoriko rested her head against Naruto's chest. She was breathing heavily was sweating profusely. "I can't… I'm too tired." She said breathlessly.
Naruto whipped the sweat from her brow. "You can do it, I know you can."
"YOU TRY SQUEEZING A WATER MELON OUT OF SOMETHING THE SIZE OF A GOLF BALL AND SEE HOW YOU FEEL HALF WAY THROUGH IT! WHEN I FIND THE FATHER OF THIS BABY I'M GOING TO FUCKING KILL HIM!" Midoriko screamed and let out a final grunt of effort.
0 – 0 – 0
Down stairs of the Tazuna house, Sasuke was laughing hysterically. That had to be the fourth or fifth time Midoriko had threatened to kill Naruto. Kisame was also snickering to a point. He had never heard Midoriko utter such language before. But he also found it funny that she had threatened to kill Naruto. They heard the sound of a baby cry loudly and there was a sigh of relief that echoed throughout the house.
0 – 0 – 0
Tsunade was cleaning the baby as Midoriko rested against Naruto. She was still breathing heavily and started to shiver. Naruto wrapped his arms around her. "You did good." He whispered to her.
Midoriko wasn't sure what she was feeling at that moment. It was a combination of elation, relief and content. She knew the man sitting behind her, though she had never met him before, or had she? The only other men that had been her constant had been Kisame and the Mizukage. Being near them never felt this… right.
Midoriko turned her head up to the blonde that had been her constant for the last few hours. She gazed upon his chiseled features and a spark of memory came to her. He was the blonde boy she had been dreaming about. "You…" she breathed out. "You've been in my dreams." She reached up to touch his face again.
"It's good to know you still remember a little of me." Naruto smiled at her. He wanted so much to remove the seal that kept her mind bound. The blonde wanted her to remember him and what she meant to him, and most of all, what he meant to her.
Tsunade walked over to them with a bundle of squirming baby and placed him in his mother's arms. "May I present your son?" The Hokage looked at Midoriko first; then winked up at Naruto. "He is healthy but very weak. It seems this little guy was waiting for something before he joined the world."
Midoriko gazed on the baby and took a sharp intake of breath. The boy was perfect in every way as far as she was concerned, but the three things that stood out the most was the baby's shock of orange blonde hair, crystalline blue eyes and three faint whisker marks on his cheeks. She looked up at Naruto again and felt how warm the man was against her back. She felt how right it was to be there with him. She closed her eyes and a memory flashed before her.
*flash back*
Myra kneeled at Naruto's feet, tears streaming down her face. "You have to do this. It's the only way."
Naruto shook his head violently. "No… I can't… I won't do it. I don't care what the council wants. This is not the answer."
Myra smiled sadly. "Of course it isn't, but it is what must be done for now. I love you Naruto. Don't you ever, EVER forget that? They may be able to force you into changing my mind, but nothing can change my heart. That belongs to you and only you. We will see each other again."
"I don't want to live without you." Naruto whined sadly putting his forehead on hers.
Myra kissed Naruto deeply. They kissed for what seemed like an eternity. She broke the kiss. "Do it now. Don't let it torture either of us anymore than it has to."
*end of flash back*
She opened her eyes and looked at Naruto again. "Your name is Naruto." She whispered.
Naruto gazed into teary chocolate eyes. "Shhh. Don't worry about that now. I'm here and I'm not going to let you go again."
Midoriko held the baby towards him. "Would you like to hold your son?"
Naruto blinked at her. Part of him was scared about holding the baby, the other half was scared that he had somehow released the seal, and still there was another part of him the was fearful of the threats she had made several times over the course of the last few hours. "How do you know?"
"That you are his father? Just a guess for now. I am sure that someone will explain it to me later." She yawned. "But right now, I am very tired and would like to sleep like Little One there." Midoriko looked over at Tsunade.
"Actually, I would think some sleep would be a good idea. We'll take care of junior while you get some rest." Tsunade smiled.
Naruto took his son and cradled the delicate object in his arms. The boy was so small and so warm. This was HIS kit in his arms, HIS son, and HIS family was finally together. An enormous swelling of pride filled his chest. Naruto was about to tell Myra… Midoriko how beautiful the boy in his arms was. But she was fast asleep. Naruto looked up at Tsunade.
"I'll take him for now. You're kind of stuck where you are." Tsunade smiled.
"Tsunade…" It was the first time he had called her by her name.
This caused Tsunade to pause. "Yes Naruto."
"Have you had a chance to look at what Madara did to the memory seal yet?"
"I've been a bit busy since you got here, so no, I haven't. I will have a look when she wakes up. In the meantime…" Tsunade reached out to take the baby.
The new father held the small boy tight to his chest protectively. "I would actually like you to leave him here. They can wait. I've missed nine months of getting to know him. I don't want to miss anymore." Naruto smirked.
"All right Naruto. Call me should you need anything." Tsunade started out the door.
"Thanks… Oba-chan."
"Your father would be very proud of you Naruto. Because I know I am." Tsunade closed the door.
Midoriko let out a sigh of content and snuggled closer to Naruto. The blonde gazed down at her. "I love you and I'll never let you go." He held his son close. "Either of you."