He could feel his skin searing from the heat, how could it not when it surrounded him like an invading horde? His vision was blurry from the smoke, signs of smoke inhalation starting to take affect but he wouldn't stop. He was a ninja and ninja endure, especially for their families and right now he had to save his wife and daughter. He couldn't even hear their pleas for help so he knew he was running out of time. He reached the door to the supply closet they were trapped in and started to kick, punch and push it down. He could barely breathe, his everything hurt but he wouldn't stop. Not this time, he would save his family. Finally, he managed to break down the door and was awarded with the exterior view of his flower shop sat ablaze. For the twentieth time he had tried to save his family, only to have to relive the nightmare of hearing their screams and failing to save them. This time, it was too much. Inoichi's will was broken, he couldn't mount another rescue attempt. It broke his heart to know that he had died and gone to hell but the will to continue just didn't exist anymore. For his decision he was assaulted with the most desperate, pain filled screams he had ever heard. Ino's calls for her daddy to save her causing Inoichi physical pain. Eventually the screams stopped and the shop was rendered as nothing more than ash. He broke down and cried like he never has before. Everything hurt until he entered shock. His screams of agony replaced with eerie quiet, letting unconsciousness take him.
Sometime later, Inoichi opened his eyes and was greeted with the sight of one Kushina Uzumaki.
"Ohayo, Inoichi! See you finally managed to beat my seal. Congratulations, it only took three days."
"What did you do to me?" Inoichi asked though his voice was hoarse.
"I put a seal on you. Mikoto once told me about this sharingan genjutsu that would play on a loop until the person inflicted accepted their fate, cool right? So, I figured… why not make it a seal and test it on you."
"Are you crazy?" Inoichi asked, still reeling from the routine deaths of his family and a little disoriented from the effects of the seal.
"Probably." she said with a shrug. "But you got off entirely too lightly for what you did to my son. Some could argue that screwing with his mind is forgivable as you were ordered to do it and clearly didn't have the spine to tell Hiruzen no. But you also burned his apartment down. Twice you wronged my son, Inoichi and you need to be held accountable."
"Tsunade-sama…"
"Gave you a slap in a wrist. Her position restrained what she could feasibly do to you for an "accident" and Kakashi's warning clearly didn't work so," Kushina pauses to grab Inoichi by his jaw while adding a significant amount of pressure, "consider everything they did a preamble. Next time, Inoichi, accident or not; your position or not, I'm going to murder you. Not "disappear you" nor "make you pay" but straight out murder you where ever I should find you." Kushina released Inoichi when she finished and left his hospital room.
"You feel better?"
"I'd have to do that to a significant amount of the village to feel better but I can accept it."
"Good, I really don't need you going on a bloody, revenge fueled rampage. I don't need the paperwork." said Tsunade.
"Well, I'd never want to increase the workload of my co-mother, now would I?" said Kushina.
"And may Kami bless you for it."
"So, have you seen Naruto? He's been MIA since Oonoki."
"Yea, he got in last night so he'll probably be out and about today."
"What makes you think that?"
"Because he has to spend the day with Tonton, "Tsunade said through laughs.
Naruto was fairly certain that if you killed a Kage in single combat your reward for doing so wouldn't be trying to make amends to a pampered pig and yet, here he is. Why is Naruto having to make amends to Tsunade's pet? Well, he violated the rules. After living with Tsunade and Shizune for a few months, Naruto noticed Tonton would be cold towards him when he came back from missions. Not knowing how he had offended the little pig, he asked Tsunade to which she, in all sincerity, stated Tonton was a worrier and when he doesn't check in before he departs she gets really concerned. He would have laughed if he couldn't tell she was being serious. So, as best he could, Naruto would inform his little friend when he was leaving so she wouldn't worry so much. This last mission didn't allow him time to do that and Naruto being awakened by a slap of her pig hooves let him know how he'd be spending his day.
So, a few hours later found Naruto in Konoha's market district. Along with him were Tonton riding atop Gamatatsu. Why Gamatatsu? She likes him. No one knows why but she does and his life is easier if the pig is happy. Also with him are Shino and Kakashi, neither being shy in taking pleasure in the village's most powerful shinobi catering to his mother's pet.
"Shino, Kakashi is a well known dick" Kakashi merely shrugs in response, "but never did I think my best friend would find amusement in my suffering." this earned him a glare from Tonton. "Not that I'm not happy to be here, Tonton-chan, it was just a difficult mission is all." Hearing her oink in delight let him assume she bought it.
"Well, Naruto, it isn't every day one sees a battle summons called upon to assist in such unique matters. Besides, given you've been hiding out in my clan's compound for the last few days, I think I'm owed."
"Besides Ashura's reincarnation kowtowing to a damn pig is hilarious." Added Kurama and instantly Tonton started glaring at Naruto's stomach. "Shit, can she hear me?"
'I have no idea, this pig is freaky.'
"Agreed."
"SOCHI!" Kushina yelled in the crowded marketplace.
"Oh, Kami, help me. It's the tomato."
'Oi, shut it, Onii-chan."
"I hate you."
"Hey, Sochi." Kushina chirped.
"Hi, mom. This is Shino. Shino this is my mom."
"Shibi's boy? Nice to meet one of Naruto's friends." she said, shaking his hand.
"Nice to meet you as well, Kushina-sama."
"Pfft, not need for that sama crap."
You seem awfully excited, what happened?"
"I tortured Inoichi a little bit so I'm keyed up. Hey, are you free today?"
"Well, after I finished up with Tonton I was going to see Hinata for a bit."
"Ok, come to dinner tonight. You can bring Hinata along if you like and after dinner we're going to spar. Doesn't that sound fun, dattabane!?"
Chuckling, Naruto replies, "Sure mom, I'll be there and ask Hinata if she'd like to join."
"Excellent" Kushina chirped. "Well I have to get somethings for tonight, see ya later, Sochi."
"Bye mom" Naruto called out to a retreating Kushina.
"Naruto?"
"Yes, Shino."
"Did, your mother just admit to torturing a clan head?" asked Shino
"I believe she did."
"At least she didn't go with her initial plan to stab him with her sword." offered Kakashi. The three exchanged looks as they silently decided to not inquire into Kushina's actions.
After spending a small fortune on acorns and various other treats for the most spoiled pig in the elemental nations, Naruto parted ways with the group and made his way to see Hinata. They hadn't seen much of each other since becoming an official couple and that was not sitting well with the blond. Deciding it'd be best not to just sneak in, Naruto actually went to the front gate so he could be shown in and announced, much to the surprise of the security guards.
Escorted through the ornate halls, at what Naruto feels is a snail's pace, the group finally arrives at Hinata's office and the guards promptly leave as Naruto enters.
"You look familiar, stranger. What can the Matriarch of the Hyuuga clan do for you?" Hinata says.
"I highly doubt that, I'm uncommonly handsome, Hyuuga-sama."
"If you say so but you didn't answer my question."
"I'm sorry, I was distracted, what was the question again?"
"Ah, I think I know who you remind me of. I had a boyfriend that was easily distracted and a bit of a baka."
"Maybe he just found you distracting."
"My my, so forward, stranger and I don't even have a name."
"I've been called lots of names in various contexts. For now, Naruto will do. We can build from there."
Hinata mock gasps before continuing, "My boyfriend was named Naruto, too. But you couldn't be him. My boyfriend wouldn't hideout at the Aburame compound for a few days after killing a Kage, leaving me to worry."
"Oh."
"Oh is right, teme. What the hell, Naruto-kun!"
"I felt a overwhelmed, I needed some time to decompress, that's all."
"And you couldn't do that with me?"
"No, I wasn't going to let you see me like that."
"No, you aren't doing that again. I accepted it when we were kids but no longer, Naruto. If you're feeling underwater, I'm the one you're suppose to come to. I'm not made of glass."
"I don't think you are, Hinata. I'm sorry, I didn't think it'd upset you."
"Why wouldn't it? We're suppose to share everything but you shut me out when you should be leaning on me. Naruto, you have to let me help you. I won't leave just because you were vulnerable around me. You do know that, right?"
"Yea, I do. I'm sorry, Hinata-chan."
"Good, now what's going on with you?"
Naruto then began to share what had been bothering him and what transpired on his mission. How he started to feel suffocated in the village due to his father's return and how killing those Iwa shinobi and Oonoki so easily scared him. Hinata shared her discussion with Tenten and her fears that she had manipulated Naruto into never truly moving on. Naruto reassured her that wasn't the case and ultimately him never getting serious with someone was his choice. The two sat in silence for a long while after that, just enjoying each other's presence, both silently resolving to make more time for each other. Soon, the realities of being a clan head intruded on their moment and Hinata had to get back to work. Before he left, Naruto extended the invite to dinner, which Hinata gladly accepted. The two parted ways with a passionate kiss and Naruto decided to track down one of his oldest friends and do something he should have done sometime ago.
It hadn't been an easy day for Tenten as she has been training for her Jounin exams. While she doesn't necessarily feel she is ready, Gai-sensei has convinced her she should at least try as she has all the qualities, especially now that she has branched out to elemental manipulation to better utilize her Kiba blades. A shower and a nap is all she wanted but it seemed that was not going to be possible in the immediate future.
"You enjoy breaking into places entirely too much, Whiskers."
"I have to keep my skills sharp however I can, Ten-chan."
"So, you've spoken to Hinata, I take it." Tenten said, taking a seat by Naruto on her sofa.
"I have but I hope you aren't implying that's the only reason I would have come to see you."
"I'm not, shrimp."
"Oi, I'm taller than you."
"Doesn't matter."
"Fine, Tenny. Fine but enough stalling, I think I owe you a conversation."
"Coming to defend her?"
"No, she can defend herself. I've come to apologize. I hadn't been honest, not with you and not with myself."
"Oh, finally going to admit we were more than just some casual hookup?"
Sighing, Naruto replies, "Yea. You were more than that to me. I don't paint the Hiraishin array on everybody's naked back, you know."
"I remember that day, you were quite proud of yourself."
"That I was and you were the first person I told about it. I'm sorry Ten-chan."
"Don't be sorry, just explain it to me. Could you really not see yourself with anyone but Hinata? Was that the problem."
"Yes and no. I felt I could move on with you if that's what you wanted but if she were ever able to get around Hiashi's edict I just didn't know how I'd deal with that and if I knew there was a chance I couldn't commit to you fully I didn't want to give the impression I could."
"You're an idiot. You always have been, even when you were that shrimp that couldn't throw a kunai."
"But Princess Panda-chan saved me."
"Damn right." she said with a laugh.
"I'm sorry Ten-chan, if I ever made you feel like I didn't care about you or about us."
"That wasn't my issue and I don't need to rehash it."
"Fine, fine. Well, I need to get going besides you have a gentleman caller approaching" Naruto said before pulling Tenten into a hug. Tenten hears a knock on the door but by the time she answers it and invites in Neji, Naruto is already gone.
Walking toward his parents' house, and what should have been his house, Naruto was nervous. He didn't know why he was nervous but he was. 'Oh, wait, I hate my dad but I have to spend the evening with him, yes, that'd do it.' He sighed for the tenth time, wishing he didn't have to do this, that he could spend a quiet night with his lady. Hinata and he arrived to an expectant Kushina who gushed about how cute a coupe the two made. The foursome shared dinner and it wasn't as awkward as Naruto feared it was going to be. He thinks it was because the food was so good so he had something to distract him but the night moved along. It wasn't until he was getting ready for his spar with Kushina that things went left.
First, an ANBU arrived requesting Minato and himself go to the Hokage's office. Given the time, that signaled a likely emergency and Naruto cursed his luck. When they entered Tsunade's office her grim visage didn't give much room for optimism. The fact that the Sandaime, Danzo and Jiraiya were there only made Naruto certain, something bad had or was going to happen.
"Iwa has called a Gokage Summit and is threatening war if I don't attend."
"On what grounds?" Minato asked
"They are accusing us of tampering with their village's administrative functions and having an operative active within their borders. They are also trying to get the other Villages to support them given we have stolen their biju."
"I'd say this is a low percentage shot but if Kiri and Kumo believe we're hoarding Biju they might do something rash." replied Minato.
"That's the conclusion we've come to but if Iwa does declare war that'll change things. It's one thing to sign onto a hypothetical conflict, another thing entirely to not take a chance to get some boons from an existing one." said Tsunade. She turned to Naruto to see him being uncommonly quiet, "what do you think?"
"I think this is absurd and I'm getting a little tired of Iwa. If you go to the summit we can explain away some things, they can't prove anything so these feels like a setup. Get you out of the village while they have a large force lying in wait."
"But if they did that, the other Kage would turn on them, it'd be suicide."
"If Iwa declares war it's suicide because I'll leave it a smoking crater and I'm quickly regretting not just doing that to start with."
"Calm down, kid." said Jiraiya. "None of us want that much death on our hands so let's just think our way out of it."
"I believe my student has. Iwa can't be allowed to dictate the pace of this. If they crave their own destruction I see no reason not to give it to them. If they don't have the good sense to go quiet after they lose their only true Kage level ninja when we have enough to field a cell of them then Kami help them because being stupid is no way to live."
"No, I will not have this put on Naruto." said Minato.
"Now now, Minato. You did seal the kyuubi in Naruto, you facilitated him having the ability to do this."
"To protect and defend Konoha. As of yet, we don't have to do that. How many people can you bring with you, Tsunade?"
"Three. One advisor, two bodyguards."
"Yes, this doesn't remotely sound like a setup. I say we skip the summit and just attack Iwa directly." said Danzo.
"Do that and we will bring people to their side. I suggest you take Minato, Jiraiya and Naruto with you. If Iwa has planned something, extraction won't be an issue for shinobi that can teleport. We then give Iwa no quarter and show them no mercy. Naruto-kun, if the worst does come to past could you actually go through with it?" asked the Sandaime.
"To stem off even more dire consequences? Yes. I wouldn't like it but yes, I would." replied Naruto
"Ok, we leave in two days. Naruto you may leave."
"Minato, what's wrong?" asked Tsunade.
"When I sealed the Kyuubi into Naruto, I wanted him to have the power to defeat Madara and protect the village. I sacrificed his childhood for and now by either necessity or convenience he'll be treated as a super weapon instead of the guiding light I hoped for. It's just difficult to accept. It's just not what I wanted."