Chapter Eleven

A/N: I do not own the Naruto or Legend of Zelda series. This is purely an idea that comes from playing Twilight Princess and reading one too many Naruto mangas... I only own original items/characters/techniques. Oh, and for the record, I do not own Gokumonken, since it is a sword technique from Rockman X7.

The village was up in arms over the return of Lady Tsunade. And after she had announced her acceptance as Godaime, the Council wanted to have a meeting with her, the few who wished to have something done with the Uzumaki boy, however she ignored them all as she had patients to treat at the hospital. Jiraiya disappeared, but not after giving Naruto the basic instructions to weaving a seal onto an item to increase capacity.

"What the hell?"

Naruto stared in awe at his apartment, which had been rebuilt, and with a second floor added. He and Kin walked into his house only to see Team Ten, Team Eight, Sakura, Kurenai, Gai, and Asuma in the refurbished living room.

"What happened to my house?" was the first words that came out of his mouth.

"We... we fixed it, Naruto-kun," said Hinata, blushing a bit.

"I... I don't know what it say... I mean... it's too much. It's... I just thought I would always be living in a half dump of an apartment..."

Hinata got up, and hugged the boy. "It was my idea, and I managed to persuade everyone else... you like it?"

He hugged her back fiercely, smiling brightly. "I do. Arigatou, Hinata-hime! All of you, arigatou!"

She blushed even redder, as Tenten got up, and hugged the blonde as well. "So, how was your little trip?"

"Exciting enough... I ran into these two Nuke-nin Itachi and Kisame... I disappointed them because that blasted fox is gone now."

Kurenai walked up to the boy. "You weren't hurt, were you, Naruto?"

"No... I held myself, though mostly defense."

Kin looked a bit uncomfortable, as she stayed close to Naruto. She was still technically a Nuke-nin, even if she was wearing a Konoha headband.

"We did hear the announcement that Lady Tsunade would become our Hokage though, must have been easy, huh?" Ino asks Naruto.

"Well, not at first... she did get under my skin, but I managed to persuade her to take the job offer by beating her in a bet."

"Wait, what kind of bet?" Asuma asks.

Naruto simply held his hand, and before the Jounin's eyes, formed a Rasengan. The other Genin were surprised.

"Isn't that...?"

"Jiraiya taught me how to use it, and when we were fighting against Orochimaru and the traitor Kabuto... I saved Tsunade by shoving this jutsu into Kabuto's stomach... I bet her that if I could master this technique in just three days, she would come back and become our Hokage... I won. I mastered this in only one day, and basically out of desperation saving Tsunade."

"Naruto-kun, I'm going to, uh... go to my room."

"Oh... sure Kin-chan," he replied softly, as the girl slipped from the living room.

"Naruto?" Shikamaru spoke up, once the girl was out of earshot, "What is she doing here anyway?"

"I saved her... you see... I found this warehouse in the village which held two coffins inside of them. I heard one of them was thumping so I thought that someone was playing a sick joke of burying someone alive. Turned out Kin was inside one of those coffins, with her energy being drained out through these paper seals. When she was healed enough, she told me that Orochimaru betrayed her, and was going to sacrifice her life for something..."

Kurenai sighed wearily. "That is considered treason you know, Naruto," she tells the boy.

"She's like me though... an orphan, no parents... she was also experimented on with the Mokuton or Aisuseishi bloodlines, but released to be part to his ninja force when she showed no signs of developing the traits. I saved her life, and she trusted me... I trust her with my life, that she is not a spy for the Hebi-teme. Besides, Baachan knows of Kin, and she is going to talk to her once she gets settled in..."

"Fine, we'll accept it for now... but she is going to be watched you know, Naruto..."

"I'll defend her from anyone who harms her," he said with a threatening tone, which made Asuma arc an eyebrow. And for some reason, he believed that boy will follow up on his threat, "Oh yeah! Tankou!"

"What about ojiisan?" Tenten spoke up, confused.

"Oh our way back to Konoha, we got stopped by a Post-nin..."

"Wait, a Post-nin?" Asuma asks, "You hardly see them around Hi that much."

Naruto shrugged. "Hey Tenten-chan, let's go see the old man, he said he's got more supplies of Nin-ombs. I'm almost out of them..."

"Sure Naruto-kun," she said with a smile. When Naruto left to nab some more cash from his bedroom, he soon came back out, not bothering to disarm himself. As he left Hinata growled, causing the guys to back away from the once shy Hyuuga girl.

"Mendokuse... I feel sorry for Naruto," Shikamaru muttered.

=0=0=

Naruto spent a good deal buying more supplies. Midna was complimenting him earlier on his quick thinking of Needle Bombs. Tenten was surprised when Naruto bought another Ninja Pack, one for storing miscellaneous stuff. She sat down as Naruto was reading through a small scroll, before taking out a needle and some sewing threads.

"You really know how to sew, Naruto? Most of the time guys think sewing is a thing only women should do."

"Well if most guys think that, they're stupid."

He gets whacked across the back of his head by Tankou when the man heads to the back. Tenten laughed humorously, and Naruto smiled softly, as he followed the instructions of the scroll, and began threading the thread through the fabric, and also adding his own chakra to the needle and thread. The more chakra he uses, the bigger the space within a smaller one, much like a scroll with inked seals. Once he was finished, the threaded symbol on it reminded Midna of the Gerudo sign. Naruto cuts his chakra once the thread was tied into the heavy duty pack, and grab the scroll for his Heavy Blade, and places it in. Next, with Kagura which he had kept clipped to his belt, gets added in, then the scroll containing Kaitouken, and then the scroll he recently purchased a few days ago holding the Spinner. Finally, to Tenten's surprise, he pulls out the Chakra Grapple.

"Naruto-kun, what is that? I never have seen such a weapon before..."

"Oh, well, that's because I just recently acquired it. Remember the run-in with Orochimaru and Kabuto I talked about back at my apartment?" She nodded, "they escaped, leaving us to deal with this large dragon the masked man summoned on us. Yes, the same guy who transformed Gaara into that demon form during the invasion... after a combined team effort, and mostly me taking it out with my sword, the dragon was killed, and this is what I got as a result... the Chakra Grapple."

Tenten grabs Naruto by the arm. "I want you to show me how that thing works!"

=0=0=

Sasuke was resting, still contemplating over what his brother would want with Naruto. It was eating at his mind, as he sat there resting after Lady Tsunade had arrived and helped heal him. He wondered what Naruto was up to. Well, right now, Naruto was with Epona, who was delivered just yesterday by Biggs, Wedge, Kotetsu, and Izumo, when it was discovered that they were not doing their job guarding the gate... he was also given a Horse Call which Epona would respond to. Tenten was satisfied with how the weapon worked (though a bit envious that it would work very well with Naruto due to his stores of chakra previously enlarged by the fox before it's capture). Neji was apologizing to Hinata for the way that he acted, and which she had forgiven him, when trouble brewed.

"Neji-sama!" A Branch member yelled having just appeared, "Hanabi-sama was just kidnapped!"

Everyone had gasped, before Naruto boarded Epona. "Which way did they go!?"

"Answer him!" Neji commanded when they didn't answer Naruto.

"Out the village gates. They were a bunch of thugs with arrows, spears, and swords, carrying a flag that held the Gatou Shipping Inc. symbol on it."

Naruto's eyes narrowed, and he snapped the reigns. Epona whinnied and began to gallop away. Neji cursed, telling Tenten to alert the Hokage of what happened before leaving. Hinata followed as well. As Naruto reached the gates Epona neighed and galloped faster, as they just barely managed to dodge the various ninja collecting around the gates. They all watched as Naruto flew off into the distance.

=0=0=

Hanabi moaned, having been tied up and stuck to a tall sturdy pole. The leader of this group of thieves were avid followers of Gatou, but when he was killed, this man had taken control of the company, destroying it while keeping all the drugs and ryo for himself and his buddies. Not to mention, this guy was Kumo Nuke-nin.

"I have the cash, the drugs, and now a sweet young girl... oh I hope she's tight," the sick man dreamily spoke.

The other guys on their horses all laughed, not knowing that someone was chasing them. They had passed the tree lines, and were up to a large clearing with a few trees, and in the distance a lake. It was actually close to a large chasm, which recently there was a bridge built to connect both sides, large enough to fit two traveling carriages. An explosion scared them, and coming at them was a boy wearing a green tunic, sword in hand. The men all scattered as the leader started running for it. Naruto followed only for two thugs on either end to come at him, firing flaming arrows. Naruto blocked as best he could and when they got close for their swords, he roared as he unleashed a spinning attack, sending all four men down and the horses to run off.

=0=0=

"And Naruto just hopped on his horse and galloped out of the village by himself?" Tsunade questioned. Only an hour as Hokage, and already there was trouble.

"Now what?"

"Kakashi is still recovering, so I want Maito Gai, Yuuhi Kurenai, Mitarashi Anko, and Sarutobi Asuma to go after Naruto and help him before he gets himself killed. He's still technically a Genin..."

The ninja nodded and left.

"Neji-san, since this is a Hyuuga matter, whatever Hiashi wants to do or send is okay by me, got it. Go!" Neji left the office.

She sighed, leaning back into her chair. "I need a drink..."

=0=0=

In the end, storming out the gates after Naruto was Anko, Asuma, Kurenai, Gai, Hyuuga Ren, and Hyuuga Araujo (pronounced A-rah-juu). At the clearing, Naruto had already frightened them by taking out the few men who were trying to stop him, but now the Kumo-nin hated that this kid was fighting off his men, while still trying to catch up. He figured this brat was from the Leaf, trying to reclaim the Hyuuga girl. Well, he wasn't going to get her back. He swore when he heard parts of his armor get slashed off, so he snapped the reigns on his stolen horse to go faster, but Naruto was not letting him escape.

More riders came up behind Naruto, firing of flaming arrows or lobbing lit black powder bombs. Naruto cursed as he calmed Epona, and got her to go faster. He turned around quick enough to charge them, and swung his sword, slicing the rider's neck and knocking his other partner down. With Kagura in the other hand, he generated a minor tornado that completely rocked the others worlds, before turning back around and began chasing the Kumo-nin. There were only a few riders left, and of course that Kumo-nin, who Naruto saw carrying Hanabi tied to that pole he holds, mounted to his steed.

Five minutes into the affair, and the Jounin and two Hyuuga Chunnin had arrived, to see bodies of various thugs laid out on the ground, sporting injuries, kunai stuck in places, along with metal needles, and only a few were killed. There was one spot which indicated an explosion. The sounds of horses neighing alerted their attention and the cry from Naruto as he slashed at the Kumo Nuke-nin, practically shredding what remained of his stolen armor. They were coming back their way, as Epona rushed faster, and Naruto yelled, unleashing his Spinning Attack. The man swore seeing the other ninja rushing to him and high tailed it towards the bridge.

I'm going to kill that kid first! That's right, follow me you freaking prick!

Naruto indeed chased after the man, as Hanabi was screaming out of fear over what was going on. Once Naruto made it to the bridge, the man had turned around, and lowered the pole that Hanabi was tied to. At the end was a large, flat, hand saw blade. He kicked his horse, and charged Naruto. Naruto, feeling up to the challenge charged in as well, sword at the ready. The other Leaf-nin watched this joust, as neither warrior gave in to fear. Naruto however with a sneak attack grabbed a Senbon, attached a bomb at it, and flung it when he got close enough. The explosion startled the animal, hurting the man as the heat burned at his face and neck.

Naruto roared as he swung, and sliced the man across the chest, knocking him over the edge and down to the dark chasm below. Hanabi and the pole thankfully were dropped during the explosion, so, she was safe, as the other horse ran for it, frightened. Naruto pulled on the reigns, stopping Epona as he got off and rushed to the fallen girl, seeing the other Jounin and Chuunin rush to him. He had freed Hanabi, who had passed out from the ordeal again. He called Epona over and boarded the stallion as he held Hanabi close, sword put away.

"Naruto, what the hell were you thinking going after these thugs by yourself?" Kurenai yelled at the boy.

"Well, I was thinking about saving this girl," was his reply, before he snapped at the reigns, and at a steady stroll, headed back to the village. The two Hyuugas immediately followed, while Kurenai and Anko stayed behind to take out the fleeing injured thieves. That left Gai and Asuma to follow Naruto back.

=0=0=

At the village gates, practically half the Hyuuga Clan was waiting, along with various other ninjas when Tsunade spotted green in the distance coming up. It was Naruto, who was slowly riding up to the village gates, holding a now awake Hanabi, who stayed clung to him for safety. Naruto's friends ran up to him, so did Iruka when he had heard what Naruto did out of his act of selfish bravery. Naruto soon stopped, as Hiashi walked up to him. He got off Epona though Hanabi still stayed clung to him.

"Naruto... thank you for rescuing Hanabi," Hiashi said.

Naruto simply nodded, though there was a hint of a smile on his lips. He helped Hanabi down to the floor.

"It's okay, you're safe, Hanabi."

"A-Arigatou, Naruto-kun..." she whispered, as she was led back to the clan house. Hiashi then bowed to Naruto shortly, and left, leaving behind the Rookie Nine plus Team Gai, and Iruka pulling on Naruto's ear for doing something rash.

"You gaki! Don't ever do something dangerous like chase after a bunch of thugs again, do you understand me?" Tsunade yelled before grabbing Naruto into a hug, practically smothering him between her breasts. Kiba snickered at this scene.

"Tsunade-sama, you're suffocating him!" Shizune yelled, and Naruto was dropped to the ground.

"Thank you Naruto-kun!" Hinata said, hugging the boy from behind, "thank you for saving Hanabi-neechan!"

"It's okay Hinata-chan."

"What happened to the thugs Naruto?"

"Either dead or dying." Naruto, having to kill? Well, Naruto was already used to death, and being the Hero's descendant, he would have to deal with death a lot more often, that much Midna had told him, "I defeated all of his men, before he goaded me to a joust on the bridge. I attached a Nin-omb to one of my Senbon, threw it to startle his horse and also got a good deal of damage to his face. I came in, swung, and knocked him into the chasm below... I assume he's dead. He also, from what I saw earlier, was a Nuke-nin from Kumo."

Naruto was definitely going to cause some people to second guess the boy, once word gets heard to gossipers of the village.

"Baachan?"

Smack.

"Don't call me that, Naruto," she said, a bit of a glare.

Ignoring the pain, he continued speaking. "Can I go to Nami, and claim that payment from Tazuna?"

"Oh... oh yes. I read about that one mission you and Team Seven took... considering you have saved Hyuuga Hanabi, I trust you to be fine on your own?"

Naruto nodded. "Hai."

Tsunade knew of Midna, and gotten a small back story from the weird floating girl, so she dug her back straight. "Uzumaki Naruto, I am charging you with the task of a solo C-Rank Mission. After your bravery of rescuing one Hyuuga Hanabi from a bunch of thugs... which will mean a small increase of security," she glared at Biggs and Wedge, who sweatdropped, "you are to go to Nami no Kuni, and retrieve the payment for the C-turn-A Rank Mission, and return to Konoha as fast as you can. Understood?"

"Hai."

This was a rare chance for a Genin to be able to be trusted to go solo for a C-Rank Mission. Naruto however had changed a lot, and Tsunade could trust the boy. She could always send word to Jiraiya, wherever the idiot was, and get him to accompany Naruto.

"Wait, can Naruto really be trusted to know where Nami is?" Sakura questioned.

"Sakura-san, I trust Naruto..."

The hiya from Naruto, and Epona's whinny as Naruto galloped towards the direction of Nami no Kuni, passing Asuma and Kurenai.

=0=0=

The sun was setting when Naruto took at a calm pace. Midna was sitting with Naruto, in his lap, relaxing. Naruto was, unknown to them both, whistling the tune to Saria's Song.

"Well, you seem to attract the pretty girls, huh, Naruto?"

He stopped whistling, and looked down to look at the girl. "Must be my charm, I guess," he replies to the Twilight Princess.

She grabbed her headset and packs it away into her twili pocket, before turning around to face the blonde.

"What about me, am I attractive, Naruto?"

When he didn't respond, since he was stammering a bit, a blush forming, she leaned up to kiss him. She soon breaks the kiss and smiled, turning back around and lean against him. Naruto continued to ride Epona down the path that would take them to Nami; however he kept an arm around the chibi princess.

He heard a caw in the distance, and then out of nowhere, large birds dived at them. Midna cursed as Naruto took out his shield to block the pecking from these birds. They looked like usual crows, but they were at monster proportions. He also did not like the way their eyes glowed red. When he got away from them, they came flying at him. He pulled his sword and swung, cutting down one crow and causing the other two to scatter before coming back at him. They were killed as well. They got off Epona and inspected the remains.

"Well, this is strange..."

"It's his doing. I recognize this. This is twilight magic... he must be bewitching some wildlife to become monsters..."

Naruto frowned, but he got back on Epona. Midna joined him and they decided to go at a faster pace. In the end of the travel, with Epona or by shinobi travel, it took Naruto about a week to arrive between Konoha to the bridge that spans across the sea to Nami. Again, it is night fall when Naruto stopped at a monument. There, in bronze, was a statue of him when he first acquired the Hero's Clothes. He then takes a look at the hanging sign that is attached by very short twin chains from the delicate archway.

The Great Naruto Bridge

He then takes a look at the monument that was displayed to the left of the bridge entrance. There were other, smaller, statue monuments of Kakashi and his teammates Sasuke and Sakura. Midna smirked at Naruto, finding this all so very heroic. Naruto was smiling, as Midna vanished into his shadow, since they were going to be around other humans. Naruto boarded Epona, and set off across the bridge, into the village of Nami.

=0=0=

"Found: Watch at a pizza business pub in Kane no Kuni (Metal County; pronounced Kah-nay, I believe) about 20 years ago. I forgot about it until recently. Call to identify... that's dumb," said Naruto, as he was riding down the empty streets on his way to Tazuna's place. How Naruto can ride Epona and read the newspaper he snagged, leaving behind fifty cents, is beyond anyone's idea. Naruto soon stops in front of a house... if it was Tazuna's place. The place seemed to have gotten repaired, as it actually looks more livable. He descends off his stallion, petting Epona as she snorts softly, before walking across the short board walk, to the door...

Knock, Knock, Knock...

Naruto waited, as Midna peers over his shoulder, in her shadowed form. The door soon opens, and standing there was Inari's mother, Tsunami.

"Naruto-kun?"

Naruto smiled, as Tsunami squealed and pulls the boy into a hug.

"Naruto! It's so good to see you!"

"Niisan!" Naruto is tackled by young Inari, and Naruto smiled, ruffling the boy's hair.

"Hey, I go your letter, so I came to visit."

"How'd you get here?" Tazuna questioned, walking up and swinging an arm around Naruto.

"My new horse, Epona. She was actually a gift from the Fire Daimyo. Took me only two days to come here from Konoha."

"Wait, by yourself?" Tazuna questioned, inviting Naruto into the house. Epona waited patiently outside.

"Yeah... two days ago I just saved a girl from a kidnapping situation, and when I received your letter a few days ago. I was given this C-Rank Solo Mission to go retrieve the payment from our last mission." He looks at Tazuna, who chuckled softly, pulling out the envelope full of ryo.

(Naruto obtains the A-Rank Payment from Tazuna the Bridge Builder.)

"Well, you do look like a hero, Naruto," Tsunami said, "we were just about to settle down for dinner. Would you like to join us?"

"Of course, Tsunami."

Naruto sat down with the small family, as he told them some things that have happen, excluding the whole business with the Twilight King or mentioning Midna. From the Chunnin Exams, how the village was nearly destroyed but how he had saved them all at the lost of the man he considered a grandfather. Up to finding the legendary Lady Tsunade to become the village's next Hokage. The birds sang in the morning, as Naruto opened his eyes. His sword and shield were set in the corner of the room he crashed in last night, and his hat was to his left. He yawned and got up, stretching, before doing a few routine stretches. He headed downstairs, carrying his things as he joined Tsunami for breakfast. Tazuna and Inari were still sleeping, and after he had breakfast, she gave him some fruit for the trip, and with everything packed, and cash in hand, he left the town. After a brief visit to pay respects to Zubuza and Haku's graves, he makes his trek back to Konoha. Elsewhere, Kakashi, leading Sasuke, Sakura, and temporary replacement Kin are involved in a mission that takes place in Cha no Kuni.

=0=0=

"Twenty grand on a bar... that is just... amazing!"

"Yup, and what's even more amazing is that in about twenty minutes, I'm going to piss off twenty grand."

"On what? The Bolts?"

Naruto ignored the horrible joke on Kumo's Sports Team, as he continued past the group of guys by the open bar pub.

"What, is it funny?" The others do not respond. The guy mutters incoherently and shoves his sake down his throat.

As he left the small civilian village, he snaps at the reigns, and Epona gallops faster. It was only a week, and already it seemed too quiet in the village. The only ones still there was Hinata, who stayed in Naruto's house. Kiba was busy, and Shino... he was off collecting bugs. Everyone else was either on missions or had things to do for the Hokage. The last of the repairs have finally been made, and the walls have been strengthened. In her office, Tsunade had finished the last of the paperwork, when three ninja came in, dumped a workload, and quickly escaped.

"Damn it..."

She pulls out her sake, uncorks it, and takes a long swig before corking it, and returned to work. She looks at the first page, and burns it with a quick Katon jutsu. It was yet another ploy to have Naruto be executed for releasing the Kyuubi nearly close to three months ago. Idiots, it was stolen, not released... she hated people who think that just because the demon is gone (thank freaking goodness in her mind) that the former jailor is the demon itself or had absorbed the demon's power. She only wished that she could find some way to punish them, but for now, she's stuck with the Shinobi Council sans Sakura's mother siding with her, and the civilian council, Sarutobi's two former team mates, and Danzou against her.

The door is knocked on, and she tells the person to enter. Entering was Iruka.

"Iruka, what brings you here?"

"Has Naruto returned yet?"

"Not yet... look, I know how worried you are of Naruto, but he'll be fine... I trust him after all."

Iruka nodded softly. "Yes, but I am worried about Naruto, still. Even if he is no longer a Jinchuuriki, since he does hold the Kubikiri Hocho, he would be a target by many Kiri ninja... and Nami boarders with them take a couple miles of sea travel."

And needless to say, a day before Naruto reached Otafuku Gai, he knew that he was being followed. Midna looked around when a creepy fog slowly began to form around the area, forcing Naruto to halt.

"Well, well, look at who we found," called a familiar voice, as emerging from the thick mist was a man wearing a dark cloak, and he also wore some sort of mask-like ornamental headset. Next to him was his partner and brother. Both were familiar to Naruto.

"It's you two! You're the Oni Brothers!"

Gouzu, Meizu: The Oni Brothers. They were part of Zubuza's group who were captured after their defeat, but it became unknown as to what had happened to them after their defeat and capture. Zubuza before he turned over at the last minute thought they had either been captured, or have committed suicide with some pills. Apparently, they escaped and are still alive.

"So, the blonde brat grew up, all alone and in new clothes," Gouzu taunts.

"We haven't forgotten you... or your little friends."

Naruto leaps in a backward somersault off Epona, and sent her off to safety, as he drags out his sword and shield.

"We have been hearing rumors about how Zubuza died, and how he allowed YOU to take his sword. We don't buy that crap."

"Once we're done with you little ninja, we're going to take that sword of yours and whatever goodies you got on your bloodied corpse! Suiton: Mizurappa (Violent Water Wave)!" The man, who had completed the last seal, unleashed a blast of water at Naruto, who roll dodged to the right. The water smashed a few trees, making them creak under the pressure.

Naruto lifted the shield to block the chain fired during the initial jutsu technique, while the other brother with the poison-tipped claws, the one who used the jutsu, rushed him. Naruto backed away, and swung, deflecting the sharp clawed gauntlets, while keeping his defense up. He cursed as they were both Chunnin, high Chunnin level at least, or possibly Jounin. He kept blocking of their attacks until the regrouped. This gave Naruto enough time to sheath his sword and pull out the Chakra Grapple. Naruto heard buzzing in the air, before two bugs landed on their throats. Both began screaming when the bugs started devouring into their throats. He heard the faint laugh of the Twilight King, before the mist spreads around like twisters around the rising Oni Brothers that he had just taken out.

Soon the mist dispersed, and in place were two Twilight-enchanted humans. Their skin had changed to pure black, intermixed with pigments of white blotches. Whatever armor they wore, was now fused to them, plus they now sported armor that resembled Zant's armored form when Midna and Link had fought the man in Twilight Palace. Midna would never forget Zant's or that familiar armor these two now wear. Their eyes were now glowing yellow and their pupils were blood red. Both vanished in waves of Twilight.

Beware my new guardians Hero... Zugou and Zumei...

His laugh slowly faded away, sending chills up Naruto's back. The fog lifted up finally, and Naruto and Midna were all alone in that forest path. He pulls out the Call that he had tied to his necklace Tsunade gave him, and called for Epona.

=0=0=

Three days later, Kotetsu and Izumo looked up from a boring day of guarding the gates. The time was close to five in the afternoon, when they saw someone trotting up to the gates on a horse. They recognized Naruto, as he was the only ninja who wore a tunic, even if it was green, and the only ninja who really did not look like a ninja, just a hero from some sort of fantasy fairy tale (which wasn't far off from the truth). They also noticed he was holding a six year old girl in his lap.

As Naruto reached the gates, the two immediately noticed that the boy looked depressed, so they simply alerted the ANBU while opening the gates. Naruto simply kept walking on into the village. Epona whinnied softly, and he pets her head, as he heads towards the Hokage Tower to make his delivery. At the Hokage Tower, in the Meeting Room of the Council, everyone was backing away from an angry Tsunade. Danzou was on the ground, nose broken after the woman with fast and powerful reflexes sent the bolted chair she ripped off the floor crashing into the one-armed man.

"I don't know what gives you the damn right to order me around. As far as I know, the Council SERVES ME! Do you understand? Now shut up with your damn pitiful excuses about Uzumaki Naruto! He is a qualified Genin who I trust with his own solo mission, or maybe it's because you still hold onto the fact that somehow he still retains the blasted kitsune? It has been known before the Sandaime's death that an unknown masked man was the one who used a completely unknown jutsu to steal the Kyuubi right from Naruto's body, and vanish with that power. Naruto will return shortly from his mission, he will not be placed in the Bingo Book, and if any of you fuckers dare suggest anything about Naruto that I do not like, I'll simply kick you out of the village! Understood!?"

A nervous cough broke the air, as all eyes but Danzou, who's still trying to cut the flow of blood from his busted nose, turned to see Neko. "Uzumaki Naruto is waiting for you in your office, Lady Hokage, with a visitor," she reported. She calmed herself down, and turned her back to the council, leaving the room pushing the doors open... which both crash to the ground. Neko quickly made haste and vanish, and Shikaku muttered his son's catchphrase.

In her office, Naruto was sitting down in one of the few couches she brought up to the renovated room. "I'm glad that you have returned Naruto."

Naruto took out the payment he received from Tazuna, and handed it to her. She filed it away.

"Well, congratulations on completing your first solo mission."

"Yeah... it's boosted from C to A... I ran into the Oni Brothers... again."

Tsunade looked at Naruto, as she now sat up straight. "What happened?"

"Returning back to Konoha, they ambushed me in fog, but I held my defense. I was going to make a counter attack, when they were transformed into real demons by Twilight King, and he took them away... warning me to beware his new subordinates."

Tsunade made a note in her mind about the Oni Brothers. She then turns to look at the girl. "Who is the girl, Naruto?"

"Her name is Hitomi... her family were killed by a bunch of thugs, and were about to rape her..." He held Hitomi close as she continued sleeping, "I saved her, wiped out the thugs, and buried her parents in makeshift graves... she didn't want to be alone, and since she's an orphan, I decided to take her with me. I couldn't leave her all alone..."

Tsunade groaned. "Naruto, do you know how to take care of a child? You're just thirteen years old yourself!"

"I was an orphan most of my life, so I know how to tend to her needs. She's only six, so she won't be much of a hassle... please, I don't want her to be taken away, placed in a home where she is surrounded by strangers. She didn't even want me to leave and she's already grown on me..."

Probably because she's a blonde, Tsunade thought in a soft tone, as she looked at the long haired blonde wearing the standard girl's kimono. Naruto, when he looked at Hitomi, was reminded of Haku, because the clothes she wore were similar to Haku's pale pink kimono. She just is a sun-kissed blonde instead of jet black. Though, the girl did look a bit pale.

"But, could you...?"

"Don't worry, I give her a complete check-up," she told the boy, immediately easing his worries. Growing up an orphan, Tsunade though knew that before the whole business with that Twilight King having ripped the Kyuubi's energy from Naruto, Naruto was always alone, and would do anything to protect people he cherished greatly.

Naruto smiled softly, as Hitomi continued to sleep.

=0=0=

Naruto lies down in his bed. Only an hour and it was discovered that Hitomi had an incurable illness, one that would ultimately claim her life. It just was not fair... to save someone so innocent and care free, only to soon lose her to the Shinigami...

"Why?"

"Naruto..."

Midna looked at the blonde, as tears began to shed again. So, it was decided that, despite her illness, Naruto had taken care of Hitomi, while also gathering attention from many girls his age or some years older. Hinata and Tenten helped Naruto take care of the six year old girl, and so did Ino, who also got the guys to help after some placed threats. Team Seven was still out of the village, so they had no clue about what was happening, as they were still performing the mission in Cha. Hitomi grew to adore Naruto, and as a month had passed, she slowly began to grow weaker. However, she was still filled with that energy that brought smiles to people; Clothes shopping with Tenten and Hinata, befriending Konohamaru, Moegi, and Udon, and even having the chance to warm Iruka's heart, and on a rare chance, breaking through Anko's toughness and making her act all motherly like (weird, eh?). However, all good things must come to an end...

One day, while Naruto had taken Hitomi to Ichiraku for a bowl of ramen, she had suddenly collapsed, going into an episode. Teuchi closed his shop early, while he and Ayame were running after Naruto as he carried Hitomi to the hospital. Shizune was working her shift there, and soon Tsunade arrived. Hitomi was taken into the ER, and Naruto was left alone with Ayame and Teuchi. Word spread, and all of Naruto's friends and the team senseis have arrived, waiting quietly, waiting for any sort of word. We cut to three hours later; Naruto was sitting next to Hitomi, who was in the hospital bed. Apparently, she was going to die. None of Naruto's friends behind him said anything. They stayed silent for his respect. Before the life support machines had flat line, she said these words to Naruto with a warm heart breaking smile.

"Aishiteru, Naru-tousan..."

It was such a heart breaking scene, as Tsunade quietly placed her time of death, and then left. Naruto sat there, holding Hitomi's hand as silent tears escaped. Sometimes being a hero is not all sunshine and daises. Sometimes, even heroes experience darkness. When Kin found out an hour when she returned with Team Seven from their mission, she had immediately gone to Naruto to comfort the depressed teenager. Three days later, Naruto was the only person at the cemetery, sitting cross legged in front of Hitomi's resting place. When she was laid to rest, Naruto bestowed upon her, Uzumaki. And still, long after the funeral, he cried.

Rest in Peace

Uzumaki Hitomi

Embraced by the Tenshi

Once the tears had run dry, Naruto slowly stood up, and left.

From an adventure to a bit of a depressing scene... the sickness Hitomi had was a cancer that affects the heart. Next chapter, we have a Naruto-ized Legend of Zelda dungeon exploration chapter... you'll just have to wait and see what I got planned... I don't know if they do sit in chairs in the Council Room, or if they ar ebolted down. Let's say for all intended purposes they are, and Tsunade's strength can be just a frightening as it was in her actual youth to rip bolted chairs from the floor with ease.

-- Naruto's Status --

Collection: [Men's Wallet - 22,230 Total Ryo] [Midna's Headgear] [Naruto's Ninpod] [Tsunade's Necklace] [Horse Call] [Letters - 02]
Sword: [Kubikiri Hocho] [Master Sword]
Shield: [Konoha Shield]
Costume: [Hero's Clothes]
Ninja Inventory: [Ninja Pack - Kunai x24] [Ninja Pack - Senbon x26] [Ninja Pack - Nin-ombs x18] [Toad Summon Contract]
Inventory Pack: [Relic Spinner] [Kagura] [Kaitouken] [Chakra Grapple]
Hidden Skills Learned: [Gokumonken] [Mikazuki no Mai]
Jutsu Skills Learned: Kage Bunshin, Sennen Goroshi, Kawarimi, Oroke, Harem, Shougekiha, Uzumaki Naruto Rendan, Fuuton: Rasengufuu, Ichi Ni Ko Rendan, Rasengan