Warning: This chapter contains violence.
Chapter twenty – Black Hole
A black hole is a place in space where gravity pulls so much that even light can not get out. The gravity is so strong because matter has been squeezed into a tiny space. This can occur when a star is dying.
Waking up feeling sore, Naruto noticed instantly the naked man next to her as she sat up. Madara was asleep and she considered either getting the hell away from here, or beat him up.
The latter won out as she kicked him in the leg.
"Oy!" He exclaimed as he was rudely woken. Sitting up and rubbing his thigh he glared over at her before noticing she was as naked as he was.
They were covered enough from people accident passing by because of the surrounding trees. The new day seemed close since the sky was starting to brighten. The angry woman was however not interested in neither the dawn nor the threat of anyone walking in on them in this state.
"What the hell? Do you not know how to wake people the normal way?" He asked grumpy as he tried to rub the sleep out of his eyes. His hair was knotted terrible, and looked like Naruto's hair felt. Like a tornado had run through it.
"You jackass. I can't believe I slept with you. What the hell did you do? Put a genjutsu on me?" Naruto growled and got to her feet and stomped away.
"What? How dare you accuse me of that! You were more then willing, I can assure you. You more or less asked me t-" She whirled around with her pants clutched in her right hand as she pointed threateningly back at him. Her face was as red as a tomato as she promised him a long and painful death without uttering a single word.
Reaching for his own clothes he took a different approach. "I still have no idea why this is such a big deal. We love each other. Having sex isn't that unusual when such things occur." He muttered as he pulled the sweater over his head.
"I already told you. I choose solitude! This wasn't supposed to happen!" She said still beat red in the face.
"Why? I don't get it. is it the out of marriage thing? We could get married today if you want. I'm not going for anyone else you know. I can be stubborn that way." He said as he turned back to the now gaping girl.
"Wh- what? No! I'm not marrying you! I'm not marrying anyone, dattebayo! That's sort of the point! And anyway, I might not be the most traditional girl but even I can tell that was a horrible proposal! Never propose to a girl when she is pissed out of her mind at you, that is the worst way you can go about it!" Naruto snapped back while Madara finally had tracked down all his garments, and was fully clothed as he put on his last sandal. Getting to his feet with his hand on his hip he sighed. Walking over while she kept a close eye on him, he stopped right in front of her.
"Naruto. This… Problem?" He said the last word as a question before continuing. "It's all in your head. Get over it and it'll be better for the both of us." He said and roughed up her hair even more. Dodging her slap he chuckled. More relaxed then he'd been in a long while. "Stop fighting it. We're a great team you and me. We both know it." He added playfully. Naruto huffed and turned her back on him.
"This... This is not continuing. I'm sorry, Madara. You have no idea how much, but us. It just… won't work out." She said and peeked over her shoulder at him with sad eyes that stopped him from retorting with his original intended insult.
"And you still wont explain why?" He asked instead, crossing his hands in front of him.
"No, not now at least." She answered frowning.
"Fine. Have it your way then. When you have come to your senses let me know." he muttered and marched past her. Embarrassingly hurt by her rejection as he walked away.
Naruto felt her heart twist in her chest as he disappeared amongst the trees. The sun had by now just come up over the edge of the horizon, the grey cloudy morning just starting as she stood back alone in the forest. She was a little uncertan how they'd even ended up here, Naruto remembered clearly they had been by the training ground when it started.
She looked down while she gathered her senses again.
Madara… It just couldn't be. Especially not him. The risk was just too high. While he could be a close friend, being with him in that way was too much. Too intense and too overwhelming. She understood that better then ever now.
Cursing Kurama's infection on her the night before for making her so fucking horny, she stomped after Madara. Making sure there was a far enough distance between them as they both headed back to Konoha. Madara loved her, she had felt it clearly last night. But she couldn't afford to get sidetracked again like that.
This was something she had to do at all cost. Being with Madara was also an insult to her friends after what his counterpart had done in her own time. Her friends who died and what the world had turned into. Even though he was changed here, was a better man and a precious friend she would fight for on the same end of a bettle with. Naruto had fought for Sasuke once too, but she couldn't help her guilt. Kurama was disagreeing with her but she ignored him as she pondered her own record breaking stupidity.
Everything she'd done up to now was for the future. This was nothing more than a missed step on the stairs leading to her goal. From now she would do better.
They didn't speak a word to each other for many days. The first to break the awkward silence was Naruto who had never dealt with that sort of thing very well. So she asked him if he was finished with the ink bottle since hers was empty on the sixth day of their evaluations. No one had gotten a hit on her again after that night as she had started addressing the occurrence in her mind.
If Hashirama had noticed something, he didn't say anything. But after a little while things went back to normal, and there was nothing to notice.
A few months later Hashirama halted the council after one of their meetings to invite them all over for dinner that evening at seven. Everyone accepted, but was weary when they discovered Hashirama would be the cook himself. "Em... Brother, I know you mean well, but maybe I should help you with this?" Suggested Tobirama after Hashirama had told him not to come before the set time.
Tobirama had his own house now, while Itama still lived with Hashirama but the teenager was considering getting his own place now these days.
"No, no! You're a guest like everyone else, Tobi! I can do this. You just come and enjoy the dinner, brother!" The Hokage said confidently while Naruto and Izuna looked sceptically at each other, but eventually they all agreed to show up for a home made meal.
As Naruto walked towards the Hokages house she heard Izuna calling her name from behind her. Turning she noticed the Uchiha brothers only a few metres behind her. "Yo, Naruto!" Exclaimed the youngest as they caught up with her. "I don't know if this is something I'm looking forwards to or not." Izuna chuckled as they walked up the streets together.
"I know… Hashirama is as bad as I am when it comes to cooking." Naruto muttered, already dreading the risk of getting foodpoisen if he had grozeries out of date put into the meal by mistake. Izuna laughed but realised that she was actually telling him the truth.
"Oh! Sorry, I thought you where joking. Seriously? Didn't you live by yourself for ages? How can you not know how to cook yet?" He asked while Madara walked mute and expressionless next to him.
"I know how to hunt and what's edible. I stopped being picky a long time ago. Anyway, there is no such things as seasoning when you live from hand to mouth." Naruto answered and shrugged casually.
"I guess… Still, I'm an awesome cook. I could teach you a few tricks if you like?" He offered and looked over at Madara who seemed uninterested. "Madara isn't much of a cook either. I'm sure he would forget to eat if I didn't remind him three times a day." He said and chuckled at his brother's frown.
"You've never tasted my cooking, how would you know if it was bad?" Retorted Madara.
"My point exactly." Said Izuna and winked to Naruto.
Not long after they arrived in front of Hashirama's house, and Izuna stepped up and knocked.
Not two seconds later the door opened by the inhabitant. "You're on time! Great! Come in, come in!" Hashirama exclaimed and stepped aside to let them in.
Getting inside they were met by Tobirama, Itama and to Naruto's surprise and delight; Mito and Kurou.
As they waited for dinner Naruto latched herself onto the two Uzumaki. Wanting to know everything they'd been up to in the months they had been separated since their last visit to Konoha about three months ago. After an hour Hashirama told them to sit down.
To Naruto and Madara's discomfort they ended up next to each other with Kurou on Naruto's other side. She decided to focus on the red head whenever people started talking again.
Hashirama seemed to have used a lot of energy on the meal, since everything was edible and even some of it really good. Half way through the dinner Hashirama coughed and got everyone's attention as he prepared to say something.
"Thank you everyone, for coming tonight. I have to admit there is another reason other then feeding our stomachs and joining as friends behind the invitations though." He said and smiled to all of them. "We have not told anyone except Ashina-dono, Mito's parents and the Uzu council this yet. So you are the first within Konoha we have the pleasure of telling. I am exciting to tell you that Mito has agreed to becoming my wife." He declared smiling so widely at the red head next to him.
"Congratulations, brother." Said Tobirama with a knowing smile.
"About time big brother!" Laughed Itama.
"Congratulations to you both. I'm sure you will have a happy life together." Said Izuna.
"You two were seeing one another?" Asked Naruto confused. She knew they had been married in the other time line, but she hadn not noticed they had started a relationship at all.
The congratulatory comment died in Kurou's and Madara's mouth as everyone looked exasperated back at Naruto.
"Sometimes, Naruto, I wonder how the world looks like through your eyes. It seems you can completely block out anything you don't find interesting. Yes, Hashirama and I have seen each other for over a year now." Said Mito but chuckled at the thunderstruck expression on Naruto's face.
"Hey! How could you not have told me that!? I mean straight out in clear sentences! I can't guess those kinds of things, dattebayo!" Naruto exclaimed in protest while the others laughed. Everyone except Madara who Naruto was painfully aware was sitting right next to her and staring a bullet hole into the side of her head.
"Oh, Naruto. It's a good thing you have good instincts during battle. Your observation skills can be worse then a child at times." Said Izuna teasingly.
"Putting Naruto's unobservable qualities aside, I wish to congratulate you, Hashirama. I'm glad you found someone who's willing to put up with all your nonsense at last." Madara said with a teasing glint in his eyes.
"You're one to talk." Muttered Izuna.
"Yes, sister. I wish you all the happiness in the world. Even though I'm not thrilled you'll be moving so far away." Said Kurou and straightened his glasses.
"Why did you take so long, brother? I've been waiting for the announcement for half a year!" Exclaimed Itama and leaned forwards in his seat.
"It's not a walk in the park to convince Ashina-dono to let his granddaughter leave Uzu, Itama." Said Tobirama and rolled his eyes.
"Oh… Right… But Naruto lived there too. And she left with barely any notice at all. She's family too right?" He asked and looked towards the blonde.
Smiling back she winked. "Yes, but I'm awesome when I want to convince someone to let me go."
Madara snorted into his drink.
"Hah! I agree with Madara!" Exclaimed Mito with mirth. "Grandfather is always pestering me about bringing you back. He's less insistent after he heard you joined Konoha, but I still think he wish you'd come back for good." She chuckled at the grimace Naruto gave and the words of denial that followed.
"Neh', I love all the Uzumaki's to pieces but my home is in Konoha, and anyway, this is about you and Hashirama, Mito! When will you get married? Will there be a ceremony? I've never seen a wedding ceremony you know. Just the reception afterwards. In fact, I have absolutely no idea how it works, dattebayo." She said and leaned forwards. Intent on diverting the focus away from herself and to not look at Madara for another three days.
"Oh! We were thinking that a summer wedding would be great, and we are planning on having it here in Konoha. Grandfather wasn't happy about that, but he'll come around." Mito started gushing while Naruto paid attention with everything she got. For the first time in her life she was immensely interested in what was called 'girl talk.'
From the corner of her eye she noticed Madara leaned back with a sarcastic smile, shaking his head slowly from side to side.
With a quick and precise jab of his chokutō, Izuna cut off the head of his enemy. It landed with a hollow 'thunk' against the stony ground, making a bloody wound into the forehead of the detached scull.
"Good work." Commented Katsu as he sealed away his own target who had been killed by a stab through the heart. They had just annihilated two lightning country shinobi who the daimyō wanted dead. Izuna had no idea what they'd done to get their bounty so high, but they were an easy kill, and neither he nor Katsu had suffered any injuries, in fact, Izuna could have gone alone and the result would have been the same.
"Seal him up and we'll get going." Ordered Izuna as he dried of the blood from his blade, he didn't want it to start rusting, and that meant you had to be a hygiene freak when it came to your weapons.
With a heave Katsu dragged Izuna's victim over to the scroll he wanted him sealed within, the head left behind to be gathered afterwards. He was a big guy, and neither were surprised by how heavy he was to move. The corpse left a streak of blood colouring the fresh green grass red but neither cared as long as they didn't get it on their clothes. Blood could be a bitch to wash out.
"You think this will be a pretty wedding present for our dear Hokage, Izuna?" Said Katsu suddenly and raised the severed head.
His eyebrow raised as he took in Katsu's sneer and demeanour. The older Uchiha still wasn't completely on board with the alliance, he would never do anything to oppose them, but still trusted the Senju as much as he did the dirt under his sandals.
"You might want to drain it of any gore first. I'm sure the bride wouldn't appreciate brain matter over her dress." Replied Izuna and smiled wickedly back to his friend. When it was just the two of them they had a habit of doing this. Just banter and bad mouth the Senju just to get rid of some steam.
"Now we're talking." Smiled Katsu and dropped the head onto the body which lay ready for sealing. It was a quick process of cleaning off, now they just needed to bring the corpse to the capital and get their payment.
As they started walking towards the capital they shared experiences about their latest kill, not that three was much to discuss, they'd been very weak. Picking up their pace Katsu asked if Izuna was actually going to the wedding ceremony for the Senju-Uzumaki wedding. It was well known that only close family should be percent for those sort of things.
"Yeah, I think it's more about the fact that Madara has been forced to go, something about being like a brother to Hashirama. Not sure exactly how he managed to convince him, probably sulked until he got his way. I'm just going to not be impolite anyway." Summarized Izuna as they finally reached the boarders of the endless forest, coming out on the field leading up to the mountains.
"Hn." Muttered Katsu and rolled his eyes. Knowing exactly how much the Hokage of Konoha could mope until he got his way.
"But you're coming to the reception, aren't you? I think everyone within Konoha has been invited." Asked the youngest. Katsu shrugged and ran on without answering for a while.
"Yes... I shouldn't do anything that can damage the alliance I guess..."
With a sigh Izuna looked over at his brother who was sharpening his kama with vigour, the stone clutched in his hand dragging along the blade edge so hard Izuna wondered how on earth it hadn't snapped yet.
"You're going to ruin that if you're not careful." Said the younger brother with one eyebrow raised. His sibling gave him one look that told him clearly that he was already aware of that fact, before resuming his activity.
"I've also noted you're a bit bad tempered these days."
"Hn." Was all Madara replied without looking up.
Izuna strolled over to where he sat on the ground. They were by the falcon turf where Madara had trained Mamuro earlier, and was now fixing his weapons before heading back to Konoha. "And now you're starting to sound like Katsu, big bro."
The Uchiha didn't react much, but Izuna imagined he was rolling his eyes somewhere underneath that hair of his. It was pointless to ask Madara to start putting his hair in a ponytail like Izuna himself did. Both his brother and Hashirama had a habit of just letting it grow wherever it wanted without caring.
"Let me guess what's bothering you… It's about Hashirama and Mito's wedding isn't it?" Izuna guessed, his pointing finger resting against his chin as if in deep thoughts.
His brother snorted and Izuna knew that meant he was disagreeing.
"You didn't let me finish, big bro. I mean, this is about the fact you can't take the girl you want to their wedding." He explained and let his hands spread wide, clearly indicating he'd just solved the mystery of life. The Uchiha leader looked doubtfully up at him, and the younger sibling rejoiced internally at the expression.
Izuna ignored it and ploughed on. "Naruto wont say yes to going with you because of some stupid reason, and while you don't care about having a date to the wedding per say, you also don't like the idea of her going with someone else. Am I right?"
Again his darling brother refrained from answering, he just returned to his activity while silently brooding. "Do not worry, big bro. You're favourite sibling will fix this for you, so this means you owe me one." And with that said, Izuna marched away with his head high and a confident demeanour, his brother watching confused as he left.
It was pretty late in the evening when Naruto was abruptly dragged through the streets of Konoha by a very agitated Mito. The blonde was not exactly sure what she'd done to receive this treatment, but guessed she'd screwed up with the flower arrangements again.
Coming to the hotel at the end of the street Mito pushed her way through a bunch of people giving congratulatory comment and well wishes. All of them travellers who'd come from a far distance away to watch her get married tomorrow.
The bride to be barely heeded them and led Naruto to the staircase in a hurry, forcing Naruto up the stairs and into her private room.
"Mito! I'm sorry about the flowers, dattbayo. But it's not becoming of a bride to kill her best friend over such trivial things on the eve of her wedding." Naruto complained to the young woman when noticing the haggard look on Mito's face.
"I don't give a damn about the flowers!" Cried Mito and plunged down in a chair in the corner, startling Naruto completely.
Earlier that same day she'd thrown a very well aimed vase at Naruto and shouted for half an hour about her lack of kunoichi skills. "Em… You don't?"
"No! I can't get married, I mean… I love, Hashirama but I can't leave Uzu! It's my home! Grandfather is right, I am a woman of Uzushiogakure and I should stay and help my village. What am I doing moving from Uzu?" The Uzumaki started babbling while Naruto's eyebrows raised to her hairline. Okay, that was not what she'd expected the red head to tell her at all.
"Um… Mito, I don't think I'm the best person to talk to about this… Hashirama is one of my best friends and if you're planning on becoming a runaway bride you'll really hurt him, and then I'll have to hurt you, and I don't want to do that since you're my other best friend, dattebayo." Naruto explained and looked uncertainly around the room.
Mito's white shiro dress was placed in the corner of the room together with her uchikake kimono, which were white and red with beautiful silk bird embroidery.
"Who would I talk to if not you? You don't care about weddings or clan responsibility and can be objective about this!" She said and suddenly got out of her chair. Walking briskly over to her vanity desk she started rummaging through one of the drawers. A minute later she fished out a bottle of sake and Naruto groaned.
"Sit! I need your advise right now." She ordered and Naruto plopped herself down on the bed while Mito found glasses for the alcohol. It was going to be a late night…
"I've been thinking, while Hashirama is the love of my life and all that. Uzu is, you know, my soul. I have to protect it, but from tomorrow I'll be a kunoichi of Konoha instead. It just doesn't add up in my head anymore, I just wish Hashirama had been born in Uzu, then none of this would be a problem." She complained while taking a big gulp of sake. Almost emptying the glass.
For a moment Naruto was reminded strongly of Tsunade, Mito's granddaughter, and had to refrain from laughing.
"Well, you know best what is good for you, but you already accepted his proposal. The fact that you would have to move must have entered your mind before now, right?" Naruto asked and accepted the beverage of clear liquid Mito pushed into her hand.
"Of course! I've been wondering about this ever since we started seeing each other, but Naruto, it really only dawned on me this morning. Could you leave all your friends behind? Your home and..." She trailed off uncertainly. "I guess you don't really understand do you? You've moved so much and haven't really belong anywhere before Konoha, and that is still so new. To grow up and love a village is.. It's such an important thing, the people, the nature, the customs. It becomes-"
"A part of you." Finished Naruto knowing where she was heading. The bride to be looked up into her eyes with worry etched into them. A wave of sympathy washed through Naruto as she watched her best friend dilemma being unfolded.
"I couldn't. Konoha is something I've dreamed of for so long. In a way the village is the love of my life and my soul at the same time." Replied Naruto honestly. She could never imagine herself living anywhere but Konoha. She'd dealt with being homeless, but it all was for the sake of one day returning to her home.
"Mito, we are different, unlike me you are pretty sane. I get obsessive over things, I can't give up when I put my mind to a cause and Konoha was one of them. Never have I gone off that path and never have I wavered. But you have, you are torn between Hashirama and Uzu because you love them both. Think of it this way instead. If you stay in Uzu you will be able to protect your village but loose the love of your life. But if you stay with Hashirama you will have the love of your life and protect Uzu in a different way. You will create a very solid bond between our two villages. And anyway, who said you could never go back? If Uzu needed help I'm sure you would be allowed to go." Explained Naruto and watched as Mito let her words sink in.
"You have a point..." Muttered Mito uncertainly but not as upset as she'd been earlier.
"And anyway, you'd be poor help to Uzu after I'm finished with you for leaving Hashirama. I can be pretty hard on those who hurts my friends." Naruto teased, and laughed as Mito slapped her for being such a brute.
Naruto was dressed in her newly purchased kimono and hated it. The outfit was so tight she could hardly move at all, and she missed her normal clothing with a strong longing.
The wedding started in half an hour and Mito would probably kill her for being so late after everything they'd been talking about just hours ago. However, it wasn't Naruo's fault she had such a late night that the blond for once actually overslept. It had taken four hours to calm the red head down and soothe all her worries. By then even Naruto had started getting affected by the alcohol and felt dizzy when she stumbled home.
On the other hand, her date was late too so she could always blame it on him. They were supposed to meet outside in the street and from her living room window she had a good view of it. He was not there yet.
Trying to flatten her uncontrollable spiky bangs and tighten the bun at the back of her head at the same time, Naruto felt very edgy.
All day she'd felt a twinge in her stomach, and had vaguely wondered if she'd gotten food poisoned yesterday from the hurried meal she'd made for herself and Mito. Naruto hoped desperately she wouldn't have to run to the loo in the middle of the ceremony. Or worse, that Mito had to.
She had just somehow gotten her sandals on, a very difficult achievement since she could barely bend in the blasted garment, when someone knocked on the door.
Feeling oddly excited she stumbled to the entrance, it was troublesome to walk with such short steps and the stupid sandals slipping of her feet were not helping in the slightest.
Opening the door she smiled broadly and was met by black eyes and unruly black spiky hair of the young man who would be her date for the evening. "Naruto, you look really beautiful." He said after a moment of silence, somewhat awestruck by her appearance.
The blonde could understand his surprise. Naruto had never really tried to dress up before and she had to look very different compared to the rough girl he'd come to know. "One minute, I'll be right with you, I just need my purse." She said and turned to go get it.
It was stuffed with shuriken which was the only weapon she could fit into the purse, plus a scroll which contained everything else she might need. Naruto was also a guard today in case something unexpected happened.
As Naruto turned she stumbled on her sandals and fell clumsily. As she stretched out her hands to catch herself she felt two hands close around her waist. "Seriously, Naruto. You completely ruined the effect now. I'll go get it since you're a liability in that kimono. Where is it?" Said the Uchiha and chuckled at her sulky expression once she was straightened up.
Wordlessly she pointed to the living room, and he smiled crookedly and walked past her.
Five minutes later they were walking together towards the ceremony being held in the shrine at the boarders of the village.
A lot of people were casting them curious looks, and Naruto was regretting coming with the Uchiha. She was under the impression it would help not draw attention to go with someone for the reception afterwards, sine most would, but apparently going with such a high profile ninja had the opposite affect. She was also unsure why he'd insisted on picking her up at all.
"We'll have to hurry, or we'll be later then the bride and groom." Said Naruto trying to walk quicker but the damned kimono just wouldn't allow for such things. So instead she started moving her feet in fast, short spaced steps. Looking like a hamster on a running wheel as she tried to up the speed. Her date laughed loudly and suddenly swept her off her feet.
"This will help." He told her, and before Naruto could curse his existence properly he took off running.
In two minutes they were outside the shrine, a small group of people already there waiting outside. She could see Mito's parents, Ashina, Kurou and Hachirou standing with Tobirama and Itama, plus Madara standing out of place in a corner.
"Good thinking! We actually made it!" Cried Naruto as she was sat down on the ground again. She smiled brightly, but then felt killing intent close by.
Her head snapping to the side and then noticed Madara and Itama, glaring daggers at her date.
Izuna laughed and held out his arm for Naruto, having noticed the same thing she had. "Come on my lady, we don't want to be late do we?" He said and gave his brother the widest and most innocent smile she'd ever seen on him.
It didn't suit him, and Naruto got the impression the younger Uchiha brother knew more about her and Madara then he'd let on. It clearly was to rile up his brother more then keeping a respectable reputation.
Naruto sighed.
"Eh, alright..." She muttered and felt suddenly very guilty.
It was a very nice and intimate ceremony, even if Naruto got a bit bored towards the end. The highlight was definitely when Mito had to drink the sake and her face which had been carefully made up for the wedding, went a bit green. But as the strong kunoichi she was, she got her act together and drank.
Mito was wearing her white shiro and her hair was put up in two tight buns on each side of her head. Hashirama was wearing his black kimono, and they both seemed very happy once the wedding ceremony came to an end.
Clearly Naruto's pep talk the night before must have had some effect, since despite Mito's well hidden hang over she seemed very content.
Afterwards came the reception which was so filled with people it felt more like a village festival then a wedding feast. Most of the inhabitants were invited, and it had to be held outside since there were no suitable building to house them all.
Naruto sat next to Izuna and Hachirou during the meal, and most were having a very good time as she looked around at the guests. The blonde however was still feeling off. It was a feeling in her stomach that wouldn't leave her as she ate and talked to her table mates.
It wasn't before people started getting up again, and Naruto could finally stretch her legs and go speak to Mito and Hashirama properly, that her uneasiness faded a bit. They had been hogged by most of the village inhabitants, and it had been hard to get a word in at all.
"Congratulations you two! I'm so happy for you." Exclaimed Naruto and hugged Mito tightly, from next to her Hashirama beamed.
"Thank you, Naruto. I'm so glad we talked yesterday." Said Mito and released her.
"Of course, I'm your best friend am I not? It's my job to deal with you when you're stressed out." Exclaimed Naruto and Hashirama looked curiously at the both of them. The bride chuckled nervously and then a Nara came over and whirled the groom away to talk. Naruto was pushed away again, and left to find Kurou instead to discuss a new seal she'd been working on.
It was some time later Mito found Naruto again, looking very tired and stayed with her for a while. Greeting and talking to everyone who came up to them until the evening started setting in. By then most people had time to drink a large amount of sake and were getting giddy and less formal. Mito was also certain there were no one left to congratulate her or Hashirama, and had told her husband she'd had a bit too much to drink and needed some space.
Until now Naruto had managed to avoid talking to master Yasu all day. She had briefly greeted him earlier when they arrived the day before for the wedding, but in general she'd tried to go in the opposite direction every time he was close by.
Now however Mito was using her as a supporting devise, since she was still pretty hungover from the day before and was quickly growing tired. Naruto felt fine except for the twinge in her gut telling her something was off as master Yasu found them at the edge of the table area.
"Dear Mito-chan. Congratulation, I am so happy to see you've made such a good match." He said formally while Naruto tried hard not to grimace at his very presence so close to them. It would only be a matter of time before he'd start insulting her.
"Hashirama-dono and the Senju clan has been friends of Uzushiogakue for such a long time, it makes me glad to see our clans joining. He's a lucky man, truly." He droned on while Mito tried her hardest to stand straight and not wince every time her head pounded.
Naruto lost interest in the conversation and was watching the people mixing instead. Kurou and Hachirou were chatting to her squad member Shin, probably sharing mission stories from what Naruto had overheard earlier. Madara was looking very bored at a table together with a number of his clansmen including Katsu.
Izuna had been ditched by Naruto earlier, and was now sitting alone with Yuko. They looked very cosy from what she could gather. Tobirama was talking with both his brothers while different members of the clans within Konoha came up to them. Keeping him very busy compared to Mito who was exhausted.
The first real signal which truly made her understand something was off was a subtle change of chakra. Nothing too big, but enough for Naruto to take notice of it from inside Konoha. Her eyes drifted towards the barrier fence and she froze up.
It was impossible to pinpoint exactly, but she could never mistake that presence and dread seeped through her veins. She could feel it now. Feel him now. Was this what she'd felt all day? Had it been that fucking inch blotch the whole time? How the hell had she missed this? He was here... In Konoha.
It was obvious now that she concentrated and she felt furious with herself for not understanding earlier. Had she been so distracted lately she'd stopped paying attention?
Inside her Kurama had woken up properly, Naruto could already feel her eyes changing. 'We can get him this time, Naruto. We'll hunt him down and trap him.'
'Of course.' She told the fox with determination.
'Let's force him away from the village, he might be up to something.'
"Naruto? Where are you going?" Asked Mito concerned and the blond realised she'd moved several meters away from her and master Yasu.
"There's something out there." Naruto she replied and cursed as she tried to take a longer step but were hindered by the fucking kimono.
"Something bad?" Inquired master Yasu, for once not insulting her for giving a vague answer when seeing how tense Naruto had become.
"Black Zetsu." Was all she answered, and then fished up a shuriken from her purse and ripped the side of her clothes from the bottom corner and up to her thigh. She ignored the sound of protest and surprise from the other two and pelted away.
Naruto was jumping from tree to tree, her feet going as fast as she could manage, becoming a streak of yellow amongst the dark trees. 'He is here, he is fucking here! What the hell was he doing in Konoha?'
Since she had changed into bijū mode it was easy to pin point his location. Unfortunately it also meant he could sense her and he was moving fast away underground, trying to escape.
'Hurry up brat!'
'I am fucking hurrying you blasted fox!'
'Over there!'
"I know!" Naruto growled out loud.
As she threw herself over a particular wide clearing in the forest, the blonde took notice of the two people following her. Mito and master Yasu.
Her concentration had been so focused on Black Zetsu she had ignored their presences but felt a smile grow on her lips. Master Yasu might be an old knuckled geezer, but he was extremely powerful. Together with Mito they could maybe seal this bastard for good.
She didn't slow down, they would find her as long she kept her chakra cloak up, and right now catching up to Black Zetsu was all that mattered.
Slowly she was gaining in on him. He had turned to the right, probably squeezing through cracks in the earth. Kurama was focusing on gathering nature energy while she ran, it was better to do too much then too little with this creature. Go all out and not leave any opening unguarded.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu!" She cried and twelve clones popped into existence all around her. Without any words spoken, they took off in different directions. With fury boiling inside her she felt the twitch in her stomach grow worse, witch meant he was close.
He was now turning even further to the right, almost having led her in a wide circle while she tracked him.
Naruto didn't feel tired anymore, the adrenaline pumping through her was making her head light and filled with energy. A killing intent so powerful it would overwhelm anyone flowed out from her. She thirsted for his death. Wanting him to suffer. There was no mercy within her now.
This devil was going to be destroyed tonight.
And then… Then she'd be finished. Then her goal would be reached, and they would be safe.
It was an amazing feeling to let herself get lost in the idea of revenge, she could understand faintly why Sasuke and Madara had done so in her own time. It was all consuming and felt irreversible. Even if this version of Black Zetsu really hadn't done anything to anyone she knew, it didn't matter. He had to be destroyed.
The fiery blonde burst through the trees, half the branches blasted away because of her speed, all she could think off was catching Black Zetsu and she had him now.
He was right here.
'Naruto!' Cried Kurama suddenly alarmed and Naruto realized why. Black Zetsu was certainly here, but so was master Yasu and Mito.
The euphoria she had felt at the idea of getting rid of Black Zetsu was replaced by disbelief, because Mito just didn't look right anymore.
She had once seen this happen before, as black Zetsu wrapped himself around a victim, engulfing them inside and making itself a part of the other person. If the person was weak enough he could also control them, make them do things they normally wouldn't.
Naruto's whole body felt like ice when she saw the once white bird patterned garment seeped with blood, a kunai thrust in Mito's gut, a black substance shaped as a hand holding the handle firmly and pressing the blade further into her stomach.
Zetsu had Mito, and he was partly merged with her. His head and right arm still hanging out like odd black limbs, but the rest was attached like a leech to the bride.
The old sealing master had frozen in shock, gasping for breath and seemingly too upset to do anything. Mito coughed up blood and was shaking from head to toe, her eyes wide as she watched herself get infiltrated by this unknown creature.
"You… You bastard!" Naruto cried and ran forwards, but with a speed she never thought Yasu capable off he stood in front of her, blocking her from getting closer.
"No! He'll kill her if we come closer, he said… hy thui fhe" The old man stuttered and at the end the words went intangible. His right arm which had been stretched out to keep Naruto back, fell down.
"Are you hurt?" Asked Naruto, feeling the pain radiating from him.
"No." He said, trying to focus but clearly not alright.
"He is right, Namikaze. Come one step closer and she is dead." Croaked the black creature with relish, his eyes glinting at seeing her conflict of interests.
It was then Naruto noticed what was wrong with him.
His eyes.
They weren't glowing yellow as she had expected, they were both blood red and swirling as they looked back at her.
"T- the Sharingan?!" Naruto cried and pointed shocked at Zetsu. "Where the hell did you get those?!" She shouted getting so angry she was shaking. Should she attack? But he might kill Mito with just a twist of his hand. Could she make it? Would she even be able to seal him? She could use some locking seals, they should create a barrier around him acting like a prison but then she'd trap Mito inside with him...
"Oh, these? They were a gift from Indra. An old friend of mine." Croaked the creature, and Naruto felt goosebumps run up her spine in contempt. Right before her the red pattern changed, and turned into the Mangekyō Sharingan.
They were different from any Mangekyō Naruto had ever seen before. They had a simple spiral pattern similar to the Uzumaki symbol, and they were glaring back at the blonde who averted her eyes, looking at where his mouth should be instead, so she wouldn't get caught in any genjutsu.
"Indra..." She repeated, just as a painful moan escaped Mito.
"He, he, he… I am fascinated, Namikaze. Until now I was under the impression you and Hashirama had the same soul, but now that I can see you up closely I understand it isn't so..." He wheezed in that horrible broken tone. She felt sweat gathering on her brow, her vision going red as she felt like tearing Black Zetsu into minuscule pieces and put them on fire.
"It's like your soul… Is older… Like… It has experienced more than the one within Senju Hashirama." Mused black Zetsu and suddenly twisted the knife within Mito, making her scream, and both Naruto and Yasu took a step forwards in alarm. Their hands outstretched as if to calm Black Zetsu down, but right now he was probably the most relaxed off them all.
"Stay there. I'm going now, and I'll take this one with me so you won't attack. Move at all, and this newly wed bride is dead. When I have finished counting to thirty, you can come get her. One... two..." Hissed the shape and Mito's body were forced to turn and walk away. Her injury enough for black Zetsu to take control of her.
"Three."
By now Black Zetsu's head was sticking out of Mito's neck, keeping a watch on the two frozen ninjas as Mito suddenly started running into the darkness.
"Four, five."
"I won't-" Naruto started, but as they dissapered into the forest a scream from Mito silenced her.
"Seven, eight,"
"Mito." Whispered Yasu through his pain, but then he collapsed where he stood, falling awkwardly into a crouch.
Naruto was torn in two, her instincts conflicted as never before.
Save Mito, save Yasu or kill Zetsu? How could she do all three at once?
Acting quickly she bent down and gave Yasu some of her chakra, pumping in a large doze in hope it would somehow help him while listening to Zetsu in the distance croaking on.
By now he was already at twenty five, and his voice was far away. With a shout she pelted towards their location, her mind having turned into mush as she felt the struggle far, far ahead.
"Thirty!"
Leaves hit her face as Naruto now stumbled through the forest. Already knowing, but not wanting to believe, what she'd find when she reached her goal. Tears mixing with dirt and sweat fell down her cheek as Naruto finally came to the clearing and Black Zetsu was no where to be seen. She could barely feel him at all. He had escaped.
Only Mito lay behind.
Her throat slit and mouth still open in a scream which had never been released. Eyes open wide, staring up at the star filled sky, empty and void of life.
Naruto felt like the world was spinning, her eyes unable to leave the face going paler and paler while she watched. This.. just... couldn't be… couldn't be true…
The howl of agony escaping her lips and went unheard by anyone else and Naruto sank to her knees. Clutching her stomach as the pain intensified, no longer able to see or hear anything but the screaming ringing inside her mind.
Hashirama was looking curiously around for his wife, his eyebrows furrowed when he noticed she'd left the table he'd seen her at last. Tobirama was talking with Katsu over by that table, so the Hokage walked over to ask him if he knew anything.
"Tobi, have you seen my lovely wife anywhere?" He asked cheerfully, he had concluded it was very nice to be married, even if he had yet to truly experience it.
"I saw her talking to Naruto-san earlier, Hokage-sama." Replied Katsu in his mellow voice while Tobirama shook his head.
"Okay, have you seen Naruto then?"
"No, but I th-"
Before Tobirama could answer properly he was interrupted. "I think Naruto had something to do, I saw her leave Konoha earlier." Explained Kurou, his brow was furrowed while he looked in the direction of the gates.
"She didn't explain anything, I didn't think too much about it since I was talking to Grandfather at the time."
"Was Mito with her maybe? And when I think about it I haven't seen master Yasu either." Said Hashirama puzzled and looked to his brother. He felt a little concerned but shook the feeling off. It was his wedding day so it was probably just his left over nerves about getting married still lingering. "Could you find her, brother?"
Tobirama nodded and left towards the gates, calling out to Itama to join him before they disappeared.
In that moment Madara came up to him with a bored and clearly annoyed expression.
"I'm leaving, Hashirama. I'm happy for you and all that, but I've had my social quota filled for the entire month." He said and raised his hand. The Hokage took it and smiled warmly back at his friend as they shook hands.
"Thank you for coming, Madara. The day wouldn't have been as good if it wasn't for you being here. But before you go, have you seen my wife?" He asked and looked over his shoulder in the direction his brothers had left.
Madara chuckled and shook his head. "Heh, it's good you're eager to be with her, Hashirama. But she's probably just fixing her hair or something. There's no need to hog all her attention right now, you two have the rest of your life ahead together."
Author note: Thank you once again so much for reading this story!
About black Zetsu: In the manga it is known he changed the Uchiha stone tablet, even though he didn't have the Sharingan himself. This is my answer to how he managed to do just that. After Indra died he took his eyes and learned to use them.
Please forgive me all Mito fans, she's probably the most underrated female character in all of the Naruto series, because of that she's just a blank sleet to fill things into. I also don't feel I've been able to do her justice in this story, I sort of started liking Kurou instead, who acts more like I originally planned Mito.
Please forgive any grammar mistakes, english is not my main language, so though I try to avoid them they do occur now and then.