I DON'T OWN NARUTO
How long had he felt unbearably tired? Years? A lifetime? Since that day? He can't even remember anymore, the weight of his secrets and sacrifices had been unrelenting. He missed home and yet it was for its protection that he could never return. He was made a villain to people that would never know he was acting under orders. Orders? The spell that is weaved by the lie of authority. How many times did he remind himself that he was only following orders? Too many to count but even the first time it felt hollow. The logic was especially galling to someone like him. Puppeteers are incredibly sensitive to manipulation for it is the underpinning of their very art. He sighs again for once again he makes a sacrifice and once again his actions will likely lead to the death of a kazekage.
"Sasori-danna, you ok?"
'No asshole, you just tried to detonate a massive explosion, killing of hundreds of people in the place I love more than anything! Oh, and I just poisoned some poor bastard that only wanted to save his brother. I'm not ok!' he thinks.
"Fine, I just don't want to be late, let's get a move on."
The alarms can be heard in the background as the two missing nin flee Suna. Sasori's guilt is only magnified by the pride he feels in the young Kage, he protected his people to the end and a long and painful death will be his reward. 'Chiyo-baasama I hope you know what you're doing.'
8 hours later
"We've just received an emergency message from Suna. Akatsuki has kidnapped Gaara and poisoned his brother, Kankuro. You four are to head out immediately, I'm assigning Naruto command of the mission. Any problems with that?"
Everyone knew the question was rhetorical, Sakura thought. It was like a team 7 reunion except for this other Jounin she had never met named Yamato. Kakashi looked the same but she had heard rumor he was not considered an S class shinobi due to an incident in Lightning Country. Then there was Naruto. It amazed her how far Naruto had come. Before he returned from his trip, she hadn't directly interacted with him since that night in his apartment, even though she had really wanted to. But what was she to say? He had been right about her, he had put forth the effort to be a real time but had been rebuffed at every turn, often physically. She wanted to apologize to tell him how horrified she was when Sasuke tried to use the Chidori during their match.
True enough she was in love with the last Uchiha but she wasn't blind, Sasuke intended to kill Naruto and in the moments between him activating the jutsu and being killed in an explosion she fully assumed Naruto was going to be killed in front of an audience, after having been humiliated. Had what Sasuke said been true? Had Naruto been stunted and held back?
Why, if she knew Sasuke's intent did she ultimately want Naruto to justify his actions? Because, irrationally, she never thought Naruto would do that. She expected that if he found some way out of his predicament it would be by the slimmest of margins but both Sasuke and he would still be alive. It took her weeks to get over her guilt in realizing she was prepared for Sasuke to kill Naruto or for both of them to survive, she had that little faith in Naruto's skills and potential as a ninja that he simply couldn't be a threat to anyone; so when he demonstrated he could it felt like a betrayal, a rejection of his role.
Over the years training with Shizune and Tsunade Sakura had a lot of time to reflect on her teammates from the academy to the first chunin exams. She had always thought of Naruto as a loser and it took a lot of soul searching to realize he had been assigned that role before he had done anything to prove it. Had that been any other child, everyone would be mortified at his treatment, the constant bullying from children and neglect from the teachers but it was normalized. Naruto deserved it, he deserved all of the bad and none of the good. She cried for hours when she had that breakthrough and wanted to make it up to him but how? He had essentially moved on, training with Kakashi then a respected ANBU operative (a student and assistant of the Hokage has its advantages) so would he even care? Then he returned from his year long training trip, no longer the boy she remembered but a young man. One who didn't greet her stiffly nor strictly professionally but with a certain amount of kindness. Maybe they could mend their relationship?
"Meet me at the Gate in 30, pack for a range of conditions" he said and she departed.
At Shinobi speeds, the trip to Suna takes three days so she was skeptical when Naruto stated he had a way to cut that time down. She was until she experienced teleporting for the first, and hopefully last time."
"Gaah, Naruto, how do you handle doing this?"
"Conditioning and practice. The effects are actually muted for you all since I encase you in a layer of my chakra, it's what's truly being transported. You have just a little, I have a ton. It sucked so hard the first hundred times." He said, scratching the back of his head.
"How do you know the Hiraishin no Jutsu?"
"Ok, I might as well tell you everything. Sakura, the things I'm about to share are S rank secrets, you don't have permission to divulge them to anyone who doesn't already know, ok?"
She nods, what else can she do?
"What you were told about the Kyuubi attack was a lie. You can't kill a biju, only contain it. The fourth sealed half of the Kyuubi's chakra into his son, me. Gaara has a biju too and an organization of S rank missing nin named Akatsuki are trying to extract them from the 8 hosts.
If a host has their biju extracted they die, almost instantly. The only reason my mom was able to survive the extraction as long as she could was because she was a full blooded Uzumaki and had a strong life force than a normal shinobi. I am the third host of the Kyuubi, the first was the wife of the Shodaime Hokage. Almost no container of a biju asks for the burden and likely no biju wants to be imprisoned but regardless, if the seal is strong enough the two remain separate entities with minimal influence upon each other."
"Oh" was her intelligent reply.
"So this is kinda personal for you?"
"Somewhat but it also is because Gaara is my friend. During my time away I got to meet most of the other jinchuuriki from other Hidden Villages and there is a kinship amongst us, it's a unique experience. Are you ok with all of this, I know it's a lot."
"It is but if you are the fourth's son why were you alone?"
"Virtually no one knew of my parentage but the older generations knew of my burden so I was made a pariah."
That bit of information isn't going to help her with her guilt, that's for damn sure.
The team make decent progress into Wind Country until they stop at an Oasis for the night, she had been thinking about everything until she heard Kakashi speak.
"I see the stories are true, Naruto."
"What do you mean, Kakashi-sensei" she asks.
"Well, our cute little team leader here created this Oasis with fuinjutsu and suiton jutsu, isn't that right?"
"Partially. I had help with creating the water, it wasn't all from me but I think while we've stopped it's a perfect time to get familiar with our skillset. Who would like to start?"
"I will. My name is Yamato, I am a ninjutsu specialist primarily utilizing doton and suiton jutsu. I am a close to mid-range fighter."
"I am Kakashi Hatake, I am a tracker and ninjutsu specialist as well as strategist for the team. I likely have a jutsu for every occasion."
'Do I really have to go? Neither of those two were good for my ego.'
"I am Sakura Haruno, I am a medic and support specialist but with strong taijutsu skills. Long range support or close range fighting if need be."
"Excellent. I am Naruto Uzumaki Senju. I specialize in nin, fuin and kenjutsu. I can fight from any range and have mastered every elemental nature release as well as space time ninjutsu."
'Oh, now I just feel like shit' Sakura thought.
"We've all been assigned here for a reason and I'm sure with our collective skills we will save Gaara.
After curing Kankuro and saving Kakashi-sensei from a granny, we picked up the trial and rushed toward Gaara's location. Her brief time in Suna had been enlightening as the people there almost revered Naruto for saving Gaara years prior and had the utmost faith he'd do it again. And she had to admit she started to believe it too when she saw him effortlessly behead Itachi Uchiha. "That's not the real Itachi" he said almost flippantly as Kakashi-sensei and Yamato handled the other person, Naruto later identified as Kisame. The team ran into a barrier once they arrived at Gaara's location but thanks to the arrival of Team 9 they eventually dispelled it, to only find Gaara's dead body.
"No matter what else happens, you both die today" Naruto said, his voice could have frozen water as it even scared Sakura a bit. The blonde ran off with Gaara's body, causing Naruto and Kakashi to give chase.
Why was she late? What had taken so long? She said she had a plan, she said she could save him but once again Sasori is responsible for the death of a Kazekage. 'Damnit' he shouts internally. It wasn't suppose to be this way.
"No matter what else happens, you both die today" some blonde punk said… 'oh it's the Kyuubi jinchuuriki' Sasori noticed and wondered if the kid could back up his threats. Guess he'd find out later. Seeing who is left, Sasori paid special attention to his Grandmother and the pink haired girl. 'Is that natural? Admittedly she does pull it off' he thinks as he prepares for final battle.
'He took my fucking arm! I'm going to blow that Kakashi bastard straight to hell for this. Goddamnit I hate those eyes, Itachi being an ok guy notwithstanding.' Deidara thinks as he flees with Gaara's body.
"You just had to use your eye, didn't you?"
"Did you have a better idea?"
"Several."
"What has Uncle Kakashi said about showing him up?"
"Don't do it when chicks are around."
"Fair enough. What's your idea?"
"Charge a kunai with raiton chakra and throw it when I tell you. Shadow Clone Jutsu"
Kakashi watches as the shadow clone positions himself in front of the two not realizing the plan.
"Space Time Barrier" the clones says as a void with kanji emerging from it appears. "Now, aim to the lower right" Naruto says as he throws two kunai through the barrier.
Deidara didn't have time to react, the fuuton powered kunai ripped through his heart, the raiton kunai deactivated his dragon and his last image was a blue eyed blonde appear in front of him out of nowhere, grabbing the Kazekage and then disappearing just as fast.
"Why didn't I think of that?"
"You rely on that eye too much, it's going to get you in trouble one day. Let's head back."
"You've gotten so strong, Sasori-chan" she whispers to her grandson. "Go on and rest, you've earned it. Besides they are waiting for you and I won't be too long." The reassurance of his beloved grandmother is how Sasori of the Red Sands leaves the impure world.
If she hadn't been feeling completely insecure about her abilities before, the battle with Sasori sure did the trick. Without Yamato's mokuton defenses and Lady Chiyo's abilities with chakra strings Sakura knows she'd had been of little use. Fortunately, those two were there and she was able to utilize her chakra enhanced strength to break his puppets. Now she watches as Lady Chiyo performs some jutsu to revive the Kazekage, at the cost of her own life Sakura assumes. She see's Naruto look so solemn, 'does he think this is how he'll end up?' she wonders. It isn't too long before the Kazekage awakens and hugs his friend, appreciating the rescue. We collect the Lady Chiyo and head back to Suna for a much deserved rest and to pay our respects to the fallen.
2 Days Later
"Tsuchikage-sama, urgent news!"
"What is it boy, what has you so animated?"
"Deidara the Mad Bomber has been killed by Konoha nin."
"Any idea who?"
"Yes, the slated to receive the bounty are Kakashi Hatake and Naruto Uzumaki."
"That man's student? And Uzumaki, you say? Any intel on him?"
"..."
"Speak, damnit."
"He is likely the jinchuuriki of the Kyuubi, though no reports of him using its chakra can be found. He is the student of Hatake but pretty much fell off the radar a little under a year of being his student. From what we have, he apparently became a Jounin around a year ago at the age of 15. No word on his skills, however. It is also alleged he is the apprentice of Jiraiya of the Sannin. Here's a picture."
The Tsuchikage was quiet for several minutes, looking over every detail in the picture.
"Leave. Return in ten minutes with the Jounin commander and send out word for Han and Roshi."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama"
The Iwa nin barely made it out of the office before he heard it. The Tsuchikage, in blind fury, destroying everything in his office.
"First, that bastard decimates my army, costs me the war and humiliates our village for a generation. Then he manages to get that red headed whore pregnant with his demon spawn and NO ONE KNOWS! Said son hides in plain sight for years, jinchuuriki status an apparent open secret within the village and I knew nothing. Then the little bastard kills Deidara, my son in all but blood? This will not stand. I couldn't kill that Namikaze but I will kill his son. Potential for war be damned. Those two families are a curse, that they would jointly produce a menace is inconceivable. He needs to die, he needs to die soon."
It was soon that the Jounin commander joined Oonoki in his now destroyed office. The longest serving Kage informed him of his suspicions and his need to kill the boy of their most hated enemy.
"I'm assuming you don't want him in the Bingo Book?"
"No, I actually want him dead, not to spread his legend. We need to draw him out so Han and Roshi can deal with him, though I'd still send three full Jounin squads to back them up just in case."
"And that's not overkill?"
"We have no idea what this boy can do, I'd rather be over prepared than under. Get more information if you can and start working on a way to get him, I need him dead as soon as possible."
"Yes, Tsuchikage-sama."
One Day Later
"Excellent work all, your pay will be deposited by close of business tomorrow. Is there anything else?" after receiving no answers she dismisses the team.
"Hey, Naruto?"
"Yea, Sakura?"
"Would you like to grab some lunch with me?"
"Sure, sounds like fun. You can tell me what you've been up to for the past three years."
And fun it was. Sakura quickly realized how engaging Naruto could be and while it may take some time she does hope that the two can find a way to be friends.
"Hey, Naruto, I felt outclassed during the mission, do you think we could train together sometime?"
"I'd be happy to, what would you like to work on?"
"Speed and reaction time. I trained it with Tsunade-shishou but I've seen how much I can improve. I know I'm not a frontline fighter but I'd like it to be out of choice, not necessitate."
"Ah, yes, I understand completely. I'll certainly help where I can, I have a few ideas that cou…"
"Naruto, what's wrong?"
"ANBU"
And as soon as he said it, an ANBU agent with a mouse mask appeared. "Naruto-sama, your presence is requested in the council room, immediately." she said before disappearing in a swirl of leaves.
"Well, this was fun while it lasted. I'll see you later, Sakura."
"Bye, Naruto."
Extending his senses Naruto feels a Hiraishin marker already in the Council room and instantly teleports there.
Upon appearing he startles the clan heads in attendance, including his adoptive mother.
"Hokage-sama, I was summoned."
"Yes, Naruto, please sit down. We have called you here today not as a Jounin of Konoha but as a clan heir. There has been an allegation that you have been directly interfering in the business of a clan and said clan has levied a grievance with the support of one other clan head. This process has not been used in decades but so things do not escalate we have come here to discuss the allegation and potential remedies. Hiashi, you have the floor."
"Thank you, Hokage-sama. The Hyuuga clan has been stagnating in our business affairs for about three years now. A majority of our attempts at growth have gone to a particular group, a Concern that seems highly knowledgeable about internal clan affairs and the general M.O. of the Hyuuga."
"So you're an influence peddler losing influence, what does that have to do with me?"
"Insolent whelp, are you a member of this concern?"
"No."
"Can you prove it?"
"You generally aren't encouraged to attempt to prove a negative."
Starting to feel frustrated, Hiashi continues, "Would you be willing to show us your financial documents? If you aren't a part of this concern an audit would prove it."
"It might but no, my financial affairs are my business, not yours. Besides, I don't see the issue. If you're so great then get these opportunities back, be better."
"We've come here in good faith, this could be an issue between clans and you do not want that."
"Why wouldn't I? What would you actually do?"
"In times past these kinds of things caused feuds between clans."
"Ok? These aren't times past. Be a man, make a proper threat or shut up and let me leave."
Tsume had remained quiet for most of this but seeing Hiashi's smug ass smacked down proved to amusing and she couldn't help but laugh, boisterously at his current predicament.
"You think I'm bluffing?"
"Yes, yes I do. You're not a shinobi anymore. You're just a politician that can fight. You hide behind words and your duplicity is only met with more words. You've forgotten what an immediate consequence feels like and that's the difference between us. I don't play word games, I don't concern myself with deals in locked rooms. Make your threat. Threaten my family and then see, see what threatening a shinobi gets you. I'll give you a hint, you'll be fattening the Yamanaka's coffers with all the flowers you'll be buying."
"Lady Hokage, surely you won't allow this!"
"What do you want me to do? This is the process, you've made it an issue between clans. Since I'm the Hokage he is acting clan head, if he doesn't want to aid you or offer evidence to counter your allegation what you do about it is your choice."
"But we know he interferes, he did it with my Ino. The smug prick's damage has yet to be fully healed."
"I didn't tell Ino anything specific so your problems are your own, Inoichi but my general position applies to you as well. If you have an issue, do something about it. But understand, the next time you burn down something of mine I won't care how drunk you were or how accidental it was, I'll be coming to see about you."
Inoichi looks at Tsunade, shocked at what Naruto just said.
"I only withheld it from him until I was sure he wouldn't try to harm you, clearly he hasn't so I made the right decision."
While she had initially lied to Naruto, she had revealed the truth of the fire in the letter she gave him when he left the village. She didn't want there to be any secrets between them. When Naruto read the official report and Inoichi's confession, he shrugged. Losing the apartment hurt because of what it represented but she wasn't wrong to delay telling him. His hard won maturity allowed him to reach that conclusion fast enough.
"Troublesome, this is getting out of hand. Let's take a few steps back. Naruto, no one is threatening you. While no law says you can't, we generally stay out of the way of each other's affairs and while that can get a bit tricky with how widespread the Hyuuga dealings can be we are hoping to come to an accord."
"But I'm not part of any concern. If I had a reason to undermine Hiashi, I'd just break him in front of his fellow clansmen. I prefer to be straightforward in my personal affairs. Leave all that cloak and dagger shit for the job, dattebayo."
"You forget yourself, boy. The Hyuuga is the strongest clan of Konoha and I stand atop its members. You.."
Hiashi couldn't finish his statement as the snickering, turned to full on laughter stopped him. Tsunade, Hiruzen and Danzo could be forgiven due to what they witnessed during his assessment a week ago.
"Hiashi, please just stop. We are all people of action here, bluster does not become us." Hiruzen said.
"Sandaime-sama, what do you mean?"
"I mean you may see a cocky 16 year old talking out of turn. I'm trying to assure you if anything he's being modest. Naruto has claimed innocence, you really haven't provided proof he's involved and intimidation tactics won't work. You either have to accept he's telling the truth, search for more evidence or declare yourself in conflict with the Senju."
Taken aback by the Sandaime's words and realizing he has trapped himself Hiashi withdraws the complaint.
"If that's all, this meeting is dismissed." said Tsunade.
In the park, 15 minutes later three figures meet to discuss the session with the clan heads.
"I am somewhat surprised it took him this long to levy an accusation. Are we prepared for the final step?" asked Danzo
"I think he is sufficiently rattled, goading Hiashi into making one final mistake shouldn't be too difficult but once you do this there is no turning back." stated Hiruzen.
"I knew that when I started this. Hiashi crossed a line, too used to screwing with people who can't strike back. He'll be humbled and stripped of his power. When I'm Matriarch the Hyuuga will be a real family and can finally grow again. I think you gentle for your efforts, I couldn't have done it without you." stated Hinata
"I owed Naruto-kun that much." said Hiruzen.
"I just really don't like Hiashi." supplied Danzo.
The last thing you generally want to do after finally being able to shower after a desert mission is run errands for your lazy ass sister. Why Shizune couldn't do this Naruto will never know but he has learned that his life is just easier when he gives her what she wants.
Only because Tsunade wouldn't be happy if he threw a rasenshuriken at her long time apprentice/ daughter figure. Hell, knowing Shizune she'd still manage to be a pest. Luckily the errands didn't last long and Naruto can finally relax. Or so he thought, so stuck in his head about the Gaara rescue mission and the council session he didn't notice his visitor until she was on his bed, damn near in his lap. He didn't have to look up to identify the person, her familiar lavender-vanilla scent a dead give away. But why is she here… in a towel and nothing else, and why is she so close, he wonders as Hinata is so near that simply turning his head would cause his lips to brush past hers and she waits.
This is a special kind of torture, why is she here? He wants to uphold his promise to do what he could to make her a clan head and that involves staying away. He wants to keep to his word it's his nindo but her being this close.. He almost has to touch her to confirm she's real. He closes his eyes as the last of his restraint leaves, only consumed by the smell of lavender and vanilla and the tightening muscles in his stomach. He can feel her smiling, as if her victory had be assured and only Naruto was the last to know.
'One quick kiss and that's it,' Naruto reasons and soon he does just that. Instead of it quenching his desire it was the spark of an uncontrollable wildfire. That initial kiss, a peck, turned into a proper kiss. Followed by a lip lock. Eventually his hands cradled her cheeks as she eased into a deep, soul search kiss where they both explored each other's mouths. The rest of the night was a blur of bodily movement. He remembers not removing her towel, only that it eventually lead to his head between her legs. More time lost as now he's on top of her, a steady rhythm gradually increases as she moans his name. Then finally she's on top of him, riding with abandon until both were satisfied. He felt sleeping claiming him as he held his lover, his Hinata-chan in his arms, managing to say one thing before drifting off.
"I love you, Hinata-chan"