Am I worthy to love you?

by Gravenimage

Naruto is rejected by Sakura for bringing Sasuke back to Konoha and he snaps at her badly he leaves the village 5 years later he becomes the leader of the strongest team of kunoichi assemble team Kitsune Flash rises Naru/Saku/Ino/Hina lemons in the future

9. The priestess temptation

Chapter 9 The priestess temptation

Disclaimer: there's something wrong with this picture indeed, yes I know what it is I don't own Naruto it's that simple.

'' this means thoughts. (that's right no longer I'm using parenthesis, I thought it will be easier for you guys to read.

Bold letters Kyuubi speaking.

Italics are flashbacks.

Authors Notes: once again I thank everyone who are still reading the story and reviewing and to all of the people who are still marking this story in their favorite list and story alert list. However once again I have to say the warning that this chapter will contain some slight sexual content, it's pretty clear when you read the title. Also I want to clear out that during Naruto's travels as Kitsune Flash he has met a lot of people including people from the fillers arc in part 1, the Naruto movies and the shippuden movies. You will all understand as you continued to read in future chapters, now let's not keep you in suspense any longer on with the chapter. One more thing I decided to change the rating of the story to M just for safety of the minors' readers'.

(Location: open road border of demon country territory)

Naruto was traveling the long road that leads to the demon country as usual he had another mission as the mercenary Kitsune Flash, he was happy knowing where he was going or who he was going to visit again. For Naruto traveling has become such a great hobby to him, he could clearly understand why his teacher love to travel so much, that besides the point so he could peep to do his so called research. He has visit so many places and so many people that has become his friends, it was so good to left the village where you were hated since you were born and leave visiting other places where a lot of the people have been very kind to him. And yet there were still a lot of places out there that he still hasn't visited, after all the world was a big place and he wants to see it all. But even if he's been so happy doing his job as a mercenary of Konoha and traveling a lot, he still couldn't get Jiraiya's words out of his head.

"Whenever someone thinks of you, that's where home is."

He started thinking about everyone back at Konoha Lee, Shikamru, Ino, Chouji, Kiba, Hinata, Shino, Neji, Tenten, Shizune, Tsunade, Iruka the people that have acknowledge his existence and have become precious to him. Of course there was a certain backstabber mask jounin and a pink haired bitch that has treated him worst than shit, they weren't precious to him anymore because they betrayed his trust and they have hurt him. He has asked in his head so many times the same question, should he forgive them? Right now his answer was simple no chance in hell. If they want his forgiveness they will have to sweat and bleed for it, he was done playing the goody goody loudmouth idiot who would only smile after being rejected or hit. Then there was the letter she wrote to him back when he was at the hidden mist village, after burning the scroll containing the letter he has memorized every single word she has written clearly in his mind. She has written words that didn't reflect her usual selfish personality, she was putting everyone else before her and he knew this wasn't the same Sakura he knew. Of course he knew she was pretending like she care for him because her precious Uchiha left her for the second time, and now she was looking conform from the second place prize to ease her pain and heartbreak. What a load of shit that was the only thing running in his head about her so called pity letter, this was one of the justifications for him to never return to Konoha.

It was always the same every time he was traveling his past seems to always get the best of him, he will never forget it the way he was treated by the villagers for carrying something that he never asked for. The constant beating, the glares the insults and the mean whispering they said behind his back, no it wasn't worthy to return to the village that has brought him nothing but pain and misery. Even if he was constantly thinking of his friends he couldn't return, right now he just wanted to continued traveling and enjoying the free life away from Konoha. He erased the constant image of the pink haired traitor and every horrible memory she has done to him to concentrate on the road ahead before stopping in his tracks, he took a scroll from his trench coat, opening it he smiled it was list of the missions he has available. He checked the list until he spotted a mission which was the reason why he was in this region.

Mission number: 63

Location: Demon country

Client: high priestess of the Demon country

Mission type: guard

Mission rank: C

He sighed although he didn't like doing missions that were lower rank he just couldn't say no to this mission, for one particular reason to visit an old friend.

'It will be great to see Shion again.'

The mask mercenary thought happily he couldn't forget one of his friends that he has meet in one of his missions and the high priestess of the demon country Shion was one of them. The last time he came here it was the first time he met her during one of his missions to protect her from the henchmen of the evil demon Mouryou, his mission was to take Shion to the shrine where Mouryou's body was buried in a temple somewhere in swamp country so she can use her powers to seal the evil demon once again. While on his journey to rive country he have protect the priestess life from some inhuman beings that the demon has sent to get rid of her in order to prevent her from sealing him, so that his invincible army could destroy the whole world conquering it. That was enough reason for him to destroy the evil demon he wasn't going to let that happen when there's so much he wants to do in this world, while he was on his journey with the priestess he was able to get to know her better.

He chuckle slightly he remembered the first time he met her she was very stubborn and rude, like Shikamaru would say a pain in the ass. But the more time he spend with her he figure out why she was being so distant from everyone, apparently Shion as a high priestess she was given by a power that allows her to see future events. He snorted like a stubborn child Shion has told him that he was going to die due to a vision she got, killed by the demon Mouryou yeah right as a demon lord will be enough to killed the mighty Kitsune Flash Shion obviously didn't knew him that well. He realize that Shion was shutting herself from everyone else because she was afraid that the more she was close to other people she will continue to have visions of those same people dying. He understood her pain she has become lonely for keeping her distance from everybody else, but just like his gift to change the hearts of people he convince the priestess that the future is not foretold by some vision but oneself is the one that forge that future.

In the end he and Shion together they didn't seal Mouryou they killed the demon eradicating his existence forever, with his defeat the demon army was defeated too and the world was saved. Shion was so thankful with his help that she has treated him to some ramen back at her village, to him it was the best reward than being rewarded by money but he still kindly took the money from the priestess. Now he was visiting her again, he knew she was going to be happy to see him. Before he left her well he needed to fulfill his role as a gentleman and gave her compliments, not to mention that the high priestess started flirting with him. Although the way Shion gave him before he left made him wonder, maybe he imagine her blushing and giving a very lustful look like she wanted to eat him up. He chuckle he was just imagining things he wasn't that good looking or such a smooth talker, but apparently to all of the women he has met in his missions they thought he was the god of hottest men.

He finally reached something he has wanted to see, it was a small ramen stand it wasn't as big as Ichiraku's or the other ramen places he has been but it will be enough to satisfy the hunger that was attacking him. He took his seat and order a bowl to the attendant, minutes later the waitress returned with the bowl of ramen which he only devoured in seconds due to his hunger. The constant traveling always worked his appetite more however the ramen wasn't that good. It was still ramen but it lasted flavor and quality and there was only one place that the ramen tastes very good Ichiraku's. He sighed now he was thinking about Teuchi and Ayame more precious people from Konoha that he misses he needed to think of something else before he starts thinking about his village. He ordered another bowl of ramen and only focus on the food only on the need to satisfy his hunger will keep him from thinking about Konoha, as he waited for the bowl his eyes widened in shock as he got up from his seat.

He was sensing two familiar chakra signatures it was very familiar which belongs to people that he haven't met in a while. He went back to his seat trying to forget about the chakra signatures he had a pretty good idea who they were, and judging from how close he felt them they were near his location heading straight at him. It wasn't long before he heard voices not so far from his location, voices which were very familiar to him yet he still couldn't believe they were here.

"Come on I'm tire."

"But we're not there yet we must continue our journey."

"And I say we take a break."

"But Tenten we can still make it let us use the power of our youth to get to our destination."

"Youth my butt Lee we've been traveling for four straight days without rest, I'm tire I'm hungry and I'm cranky now shut up and let's take a rest."

"All right Tenten let us rest to regain our energy."

"Finally." she sighed in so much relief" I can't walk anymore my feet are killing me and I'm so hungry."

"It seems luck is in our side Tenten look there's a small food stand over there."

"Oh please Kami tell me I'm not dreaming."

"It's no dream let's have a race to the food stand."

"Oh no you don't no more racing I'm so tire I can't walk or even run anymore, so Lee you will carry me on your back."

"No problem Tenten."

Naruto was holding his laughter while waiting for his bowl of ramen the way they were arguing it's like they were a couple, yeah right there was no way those two would actually hook up it was just not right it was like saying a very lame joke. The waitress returned with his bowl as he was about to devoured it like he did with his first bowl, until he saw them entering the stand. He smiled as he was now gazing at his friends from Konoha Rock Lee and Tenten which the girl was being carried on Lee's back. It seems he wasn't the only one who has change in five years but the two ninjas next to him have change a little, the sudden case of nostalgia hit him finally he was gazing at people he has missed so much. He gazed at Lee who was a little taller he still had the same lame haircut and the ridiculous green spandex uniform, only this time he was wearing a jounin vest looks like has achieved the rank of jounin. He then looked at Tenten who looked exhausted holding on Lee's back her wardrobe has change, she was still wearing her trademark buns she was wearing white long sleeve Chinese style shirt with a drawing of a phoenix on the sides. She had long red pants with Chinese style sandals, she was also wearing a jounin vest and it seems all of the pockets in her vest were full of scrolls obviously they were weapon scrolls.

What got Naruto's attention is that the brunette jounin had two big scrolls, one scroll was strap on her back and the other was strap on her lower back it seems that both scrolls look very heavy just by looking at them. Lee was about to take his seat carrying the weapons user until she started to protest trying to get off.

"Lee you can drop me now."

"But Tenten you told me you were tire I can be seated while carrying you I don't mind at all."

"Yeah but it's embarrassing I can sit by myself, now drop me."

The taijutsu jounin nodded before he gently put her back on the ground, they took their seats next to Kitsune who has finished his second bowl and wanted to eat another one. For once has wasn't thinking of his hunger but at the two ninjas next to him, he has miss his friends from Konoha so much that he wanted to talk to them and have a conversation with them for old times' sake. But he knew he couldn't because they will immediately recognize him and he needed to keep his identity a secret, the only thing he could do is wait for his third bowl and hope that they don't notice him even if it was killing him inside. The waitress brought his bowl along with Lee's and Tenten's bowl, the two jounins started eating while the brunette was eating like there was no tomorrow.

Even if ramen was not her favorite food Tenten eat the bowl because she was too damn hungry to do anything about it, Lee although he wasn't as hungry as his friend he ate the bowl without seconds thoughts. Kitsune has already eaten his third bowl and he was praying to Kami that they didn't see him, and it seems it was working they still haven't notice him because the attention they've been giving to their bowls of ramen. Tenten finished her bowl with a smile that was enough to clam her hunger before taking a quick glance next to her and her eyes widened. Kitsune cursed his luck knowing that she has spotted him and it wouldn't be long before she reacted just by looking at his mask.

Lee gladly was going to take another bite of ramen with his chopsticks before Tenten stopped him in his tracks." Tenten what's wrong?"

"Lee?" the jounin said in awe not taking her eyes from the mask stranger." look over there?" she whisper so the mask stranger didn't hear her although he did anyway.

"What is it?" he asked before finally seeing what she was talking about, his eyes widened seeing the mask stranger wearing the long trench coat." T….Tenten it can't be….it's not possible."

Tenten nodded." it is no doubt it's him, the fox mask and the coat its Kitsune Flash."

The two jounins stood in awe watching the mask mercenary who look like he was minding his own business without looking at them, they knew who Kitsune Flash was. They have heard so many rumors and tales about him, that he was the strongest and most ruthless mercenary that ever walk the five nations. That was enough to make anyone tremble just by looking at him, but that wasn't enough they have hear that he has defeated S class missing nins without breaking a sweat. Just by listening to the rumors it was not possible to believe, while other rumors were too farfetched and exaggerated. Nevertheless they knew if they ever ran into him, even if he was a mercenary working for Konoha they needed to be careful and watched their backs when it come to the mask mercenary Kitsune Flash.

Kitsune sighed at their staring, not caring if it was either of fear or from shock 'so much for not noticing me, but who wouldn't when they see someone wearing a very noticeable fox mask?'

He got up from his seat praying that they didn't talk to him but he knew that was not going to happen because Tenten and Lee were already next to him, in a distance to have a conversation with him he sighed." yes can I help you?"

Tenten gulped at the level of seriousness in his voice thinking that maybe she may have made a mistake, she kept her composure and try not to show fear." excuse me but you wouldn't happen to be Konoha's mercenary Kitsune Flash?"

"And if I am?" he asked in the same tone making sure he kept his serious image.

Before the bun haired jounin was about to say another word Lee came rushing to him with a salute making the brunette freak out." Lee what the heck are you doing?!"

Kitsune looked at him while Lee had flames burning in his eyes it was his flame of youth, very familiar to the mask mercenary 'I know that look in bushy brow's face.'

"Yosh we finally meet Kitsune Flash I have heard all the rumors about you, I am Rock Lee the beautiful green beast of Konoha and I challenge you to a friendly match."

Kitsune still had his serious expression but he was smirking in his head.' heh same old bushy brows.'

Suddenly Tenten hit him on the back of his head." Lee are you insane, for once kept your eagerness to fight someone to yourself."

The taijutsu jounin rubbed the back of his head." but Tenten I've wanted to fight Kitsune Flash for a while now, we finally get the chance to meet him I just can't let this amazing opportunity slip by."

Tenten frowned at him." Lee for once in your life stop feeling so proud do you have some kind of death wish?" she gazed at the mask mercenary who was still staring at them, she could feel the chakra and the strength just by looking straight at him' this is no ordinary opponent I think those rumors I heard about him are true we better be careful what we say or he might devoured our souls.'

"Tenten please let me fight him?" Lee said like an eager child.

"Lee don't be foolish this guy it's not someone to chose as your opponent." she got closer to his face." This guy is truly strong, for all we know he could be in kage level."

"Of course this is exactly why I want to fight him, what better way to test my strength than fighting the one and only Kitsune Flash."

The bun haired jounin was frowning at his stubbornness." you're not listening to me this guys is dangerous he's the real deal and if you want to get hurt or worst, then I suggest you do not fight him have you forgotten that we have a mission to do?"

Lee sighed forgetting all about why they were traveling in the first place." you're right and just when we get the chance to meet Kitsune Flash face to face."

Tenten chuckled nervously 'yeah lucky us.'

Kitsune finally had it he wasn't going to stay here any longer since he had somewhere to go." well if you don't have anything to say to me then I'll be headed off then." he left the stand.

"Wait!?"

The mask mercenary looked back to see Lee." what is it now?"

"Please can you tell us what's your next destination is? We know you're on a mission maybe we can somehow meet later in the same place."

Kitsune was smirking in his head.' that bushy brows really wants to fight me that bad.'

Tenten got Lee on a headlock." Lee what do you think you're doing, don't upset him it's not our business to know where he's going and I already told you that we have our own mission we have to get to the palace of the high priestess and deliver the letter from the Hokage."

Lee was struggling with Tenten's grip." I'm sorry Tenten but I thought that maybe I still have a chance to have my match with him."

"Don't be silly focus on the mission first."

Kitsune's raised an eyebrow hearing the last thing from the bun haired jounin." excuse me but did I heard you right, are you going to the palace of the priestess of the demon country?"

Tenten finally let go of Lee getting her attention on the mask mercenary." yeah that's our destination why?"

The mask mercenary smirk." It must be a coincidence because I'm heading there as well."

Tenten felt the color draining from her skin turning pale thinking the worst outcome about this situation.' no he wouldn't.'

"Yosh! Kitsune-sama since were heading there too we can go there together, were very lucky to be traveling with you." Lee said in his usual excited tone.

Tenten felt her right eye twitching thinking how to beat up her friend for being so over enthusiastic for traveling with a creepy very strong mask stranger' lucky is not the word I would use.' she grabbed Lee's sleeve" um…Lee come on let's not bother Kitsune-sama I'm sure he wants to travel alone isn't that right?"

Kitsune was grinning in amusement at the bun haired jounin's reaction 'I guess she's that scare of me, probably she's letting the rumors about me get the best of her, and bushy brows is not even afraid.' He saw that Tenten was looking at him with the look that says please say yes, instead he grinned." nah I don't mind traveling with you guys, after all we all serve the village of Konoha were all on the same side here."

"Yes that's right were all allies serving the same village, this is a great opportunity for us to get to know each other better and form our friendship, our flame of youth will grow strong."

'Same old bushy brows.' Kitsune thought with a smirk.

'Sometimes I wish I had Lee's enthusiasm.' Tenten thought while sighing." well what are we waiting for let's get going already." although she was still feeling uncomfortable traveling with Kitsune.

Kitsune smile" all right then it's settle we go together."

"Wait Kitsune-sama?" Lee said looking at the mask mercenary." before we head out how about we have a friendly match using our taijutsu only."

Kitsune smirked." You still want to fight me eh."

"Lee I told you we don't have time for this let's get going already." Tenten said clearly annoyed that her friend was still insisting in having a sparring match with the mask mercenary.

"Please Tenten." the taijutsu jounin said in a serious tone." five minutes I promise it will be quick and I won't get hurt."

"I guess I will fulfill your request Lee if you want to have a match with me that bad." Kitsune said while putting backpack on the ground.

The bun haired jounin sighed." fine five minutes Lee." she started counting the numbers.

"Taijutsu only Kitsune-sama." Lee said getting in his taijutsu fighting stance.

"Sure taijutsu is fine with me."

In a blink of an eye Lee vanished charging at Kitsune with a kick, to both Tenten and Lee's surprise te mask mercenary has bloked the powerful kick with one hand. Lee launched a punch and Kitsune blocked it with his other hand, Lee broke free from his hold launching a barrage of punches and kicks at fast speed and the mask mercenary was blocking them with ease. Tenten was in awe at a sigh she thought she will never see, Kitsune was blocking every fast attack that the taijutsu jounin was throwing at him.

'How it's not possible, not just he can keep up with Lee's speed but he's blocking all of his attacks right now he's wearing his weights but he's as fast just when he took them off back at the chunin exams I knew this guy was no ordinary opponent.'

Kitsune was having the time of his life, never someone has ever giving him quite a taijutsu workout what else would he expect from a taijutsu master.' I see bushy brows have become faster since the last time I saw him, but I can still be faster than him.' he smirked as he blocked the last of his attacks." It's my turn now Lee."

Lee gasped as Kitsune threw a punch and a kick that he barely dodge while Tenten was shocked where she stands, she was still counting the minutes before she calls off the match. Kitsune has launched another strong punch, Lee managed to dodge and counter with a fist of his own he never saw it coming as the mask mercenary blocked the attack. Kitsune launched a kick and Lee did the same thing colliding both of their attacks, both did an endless barrage of attacks blocking and dodging it's like they were equal match for now. They continued throwing punches and kicks using speed that was considered by others to be inhuman, they remained throwing attack after attack none were hit or even tire for the matter. They took a step back to get some distance between them, they quickly charge putting everything they had into this next attack and just before they were about to unleash their attacks.

"Time's up Lee!" Tenten said." the five minutes are up the fight is over."

Lee face vaulted while Kitsune chuckle at his action, although he was looking forward to finish the taijutsu match.

"But Tenten the match was getting better can you give me five more minutes?"

The bun haired jounin frowned." Lee I already gave you five minutes the match is over, let's get going we have already wasted enough time here."

"But Tenten…" the taijutsu jounin argue wanting to continue the match.

"Lee do you want to see me angry?" asked Tenten giving him a warning glare.

Lee kept his distance while hanging his head" I'm sorry Tenten I didn't meant to upset you I apologize you know I will always obey you no matter what."

Tenten smiled" good boy."

Kitsune notice the way she was smiling along with the small shade of pink in her cheeks, being taught by Jiraiya he has know about the kinds of behavior between men and women he had a pretty good idea what was going on with both of them.' no way it can't be.' he cleared his throat." excuse me I don't mean to interrupt, I know it's not my business to ask but are you two together or something?"

"Yosh so you have notice!" the excited Lee said as he went to Tenten and put his arm around her shoulder making Kitsune's mouth open wide." I'm her boyfriend."

The mask mercenary was shocked beyond words looking at the brunette jounin, who wasn't upset or ashamed at the revelation she just accepted Lee's arm and she was blushing. He had to hold his mask because he could've sworn he felt like it was going to fall off from the shock, he was quite speechless at the couple.

'Whoa didn't see that coming I never thought these two will ever hook up, I thought Tenten had a thing for Neji or something pervy sage did told me that love is a very unexpected thing with unexpected results.'

Kitsune chuckle in amusement deciding to say a joke." so Lee I'm guessing your girlfriend must've been drunk when she said yes to be your girlfriend."

The taijutsu jounin blinked at the comment." no of course not Tenten wasn't drunk she doesn't even drinks sake or likes it."

Tenten on the other hand who understood the mask mercenary's joke was glaring at him, because it was a very rude and disrespecting joke." Kitsune-sama you're so funny." she then sweat dropped 'although this isn't the first time they have said that, the jerks.'

"Well I think it's time we head out I want to arrive to Shion's village before it gets dark." Kitsune said as he grabbed his backpack ready to leave.

"All right let's get going on then." Lee said excited ready to have a race." Kitsune-sama I race you to the village."

"No!" Tenten said." there won't be any of that let's just for once walk normally without running like our lives depended on it, either way the village is not far from here."

"Well that's not fun but its fine with me let's go then." Kitsune said with a smile feeling happy to be traveling with old friends.

They started walking before Tenten looked at him." Kitsune-sama do you know the high priestess of the demon country? I mean you mentioned her name so I guess you know her."

"I do we became friends the last time I came when I was on a mission to protect her, you could say we've gotten close since then."

Lee only smile seeing that the mask mercenary treasure friendship a lot while Tenten was still looking at him noticing the sudden change in the atmosphere around him. 'he sounds so different from back at the ramen stand, now he's seems to be all happy that's a little odd for someone like him maybe he's not such a coldhearted person after all.'

Kitsune took a quick glance at the two jounins accompanying him, he felt so happy to be traveling with two people who are part of his circle of precious people. However he knew he had to show that he was a bad ass mercenary and not show them too much kindness in order to protect his identity.

'I better watch what I say around them, if I say anything that reflects on Uzumaki Naruto they might get suspicious of my identity.'

(Konoha: Hokage tower Hokage's office fire country territory)

Shizune entered the office only to sigh at the sight, once again her master has been leaving all the work behind and the paperwork has been increasing. It was different from how it used to be, after years of constantly missing a certain blond ninja Tsunade was becoming more lazy and irresponsible than usual. She was constantly not showing up at meeting with the council she taking naps more often and she was leaving the paperwork to fill up more than regular. It's like she has lost the will to continue being a Hokage and it was because Naruto was not in the village, it's been five years and Tsunade missed the loudmouth brat. Not having him around to annoyed her calling her granny and old has become like an usual thing for her, even if it pisses her when he calls her old she miss Naruto like almost a lot of people of Konoha do. She saw Tonton who was next to her desk freaking out at Tsunade's behavior, right now the blond Hokage was trying to control her anger because her desk was full of paper filling the whole desk.

'This is what happens when she leaves the paperwork to fill up, I thought by now she will get the point but she still won't listen to me' thought Shizune while sighing." Tsunade-sama the paperwork must be done there's too much of it more than usual."

"Shizune I'm well aware of that because my damn desk is filled with it damn it, this sucks why the hell did I ever agreed to become the Hokage this job sucks more than anything in this world Sarutobi sensei must've been a glutton for punishment to have done this job for so long."

"Tsunade-sama that's not way to talk, remember as the Hokage you're the one to set a perfect example of how a representative of Konoha must act."

"Shizune that's bullshit I have been Hokage for nearly six years and I feel like going out of my mind, no wait maybe I finally cracked and I haven't realize it yet."

Shizune was really worried for her master she couldn't bear to see her like this any longer." Tsunade-sama you should take the day off, it's obvious that you're over stressed with the work."

"I can't take a day off Shizune I'm the Hokage, Hokage's don't take day off as the leader of the village it is my responsibility and duty to remain active for any kinds of services and emergency."

"Tsunade-sama I beg of you please take a break, you're current behavior will lead to nowhere good you keep on not showing up to the council meetings if this keeps up the council might take action and kick you off from the position of Hokage."

"And who else will take the position of Hokage?" asked the blond." because I highly doubt the council have any available candidates for the job, they asked Jiraiya and he turned it down because he rather peep at the women bathing than ruling a village."

"Danzo?" was the only replied from the older woman knowing that the old war hawk has been fighting for the position for years.

Tsunade snorted." oh please that old fart has passed his expiration date, he wouldn't be able to fight if his life depended on it they will never put a mummy for a Hokage. And if they were desperate to make him Hokage everyone knows that Konoha will become the number one enemy in the five nations, for trying to take over the world and conquer more territory that's all Danzo cares for power like that snake Orochimaru."

Shizune sighed." You're not taking a day off aren't you?"

"I told you I can't now leave me be I have to start filling this damn paperwork or maybe I will go crazy and never finish this, that will be a nice choice."

"Tsunade-sama I know you miss Naruto-kun everyone does but please don't lose yourself like this, it's not right I'm sure he will be back."

Tsunade growled hearing the name of the blond ninja." that brat if I ever see him he will be in a lot of trouble after everything he made me go through with his stupid decision of not returning to Konoha, I know he has spend a living hell here during his childhood but that doesn't gives him the reason to leave and return to the people who has earned his respect and trust namely me. I mean look at me I didn't wanted to return to this hellhole of a village because of what happened to my love ones in the past, but he made me believe in myself and in Konoha that's why I accepted the position of Hokage he was the reason why I chose to protect the village and face my past instead of running away and now he's the one who's running away."

Shizune saw a couple of tears fell from the blond woman she was one of the people in Konoha who misses Naruto a lot, Tsunade dried her tears ready to start the paperwork while she felt like smashing the desk to dust. Although the thought was very tempting she turned it down, and started doing her work.

"Shizune bring me some water for my sore throat."

"Yes Tsunade-sama." she bowed before leaving the office.

The female Hokage sighed 'what would I do to have some sake and a hot bath, some gambling and pachinko will make me feel better too.'

"Looks like you're having another day in the office."

Tsunade turned to see Jiraiya entering from the window as usual, she didn't reacted but she really wanted to hug him because she was dying to know from personally about Naruto. Jiraya frowned at her reaction she went back to her work, he only chuckle the stock pile of paperwork on the desk.

He walked over to her." Looks like you've been slacking as usual Tsunade."

"What do you want Jiraiya? I'm not in the mood." the blond woman rubbed her forehead.

"I just came to talk you seem to be a little over stressed." his tone was worry and he could tell that she was under a lot of stress.

"I'm fine." replied the woman.

"I know you too well and you don't look fine at all, I think I know what's wrong with you." he knew her that well and it had to do with a certain blond ninja.

"Oh really and since when you have become a doctor?" she replied with sarcasm in her voice.

"Come on Tsunade I'm trying to help you, besides aren't you going to ask me?"

"Asked you about what?"

"Come on Tsunade I know you want to know about Naruto it's clearly written all over your face."

The female Hokage sighed." Well how is the brat?"

"He's doing fine strong as ever doing missions and doing a lot of traveling, last I check I think he was going next to demon country."

Tsunade nodded." I see and has he made a decision?"

The toad sanin gulp." you mean if he has made his mind completely if he wants to return to the village for good?"

Tsunade nodded and Jiraiya stood quiet he didn't know how to tell her but he had to, at that moment Shizune returned to the office with a glass of water." here Tsunade-sama….oh Jiraiya-sama you're here" she smile at the toad sanin.' this is great maybe he can do something about Tsunade-sama's stress.'

"I just came to pay a visit to see how everything was doing in the village course I came to make my report on the information my network has gathered."

"Jiraiya you haven't answer my question." Tsunade said with a frown while drinking her glass of water.

"I'll tell you later how about we go and have a couple of drinks of sake?"

Shizune was smiling while the blond Hokage nodded." I guess it's been a while since I had a drink."

They started walking out of the office, Tsunade opened the door leaving but before Jiraiya left the room Shizune grabbed his sleeve getting his attention." something wrong Shizune?"

"You can say that again, please Jiraiya-sama I don't care how much sake she drinks just please make sure she returns back to normal."

The toad sanin nodded." I see so she's been that stressed for Naruto's absent, don't worry I'll get through to her eventually."

"Thank you Jiraiya-sama and I guess you must have good news about Naruto-kun, like he returning to the village."

Jiraiya sighed. 'I wish it was that.'

"Hey Jiraiya are you coming or not?!" came the voice of Tsunade from the corridor of the tower.

"Yeah yeah hold your horses." he left the office while Shizune gazed at him.

'Jiraiya-sama didn't look happy when I asked him about Naruto-kun returning, I hope he has a good news Naruto-kun returning to the village is the only piece of good news that would make Tsunade-sama happy.'

(Location: village near the high priestess palace demon country territory)

To Lee and Tenten it was probably the biggest shocking thing they have ever seen, they just couldn't take their eyes at what was happening around them. As they walked through the streets of the village with Kitsune, the people around them were just cheering partying as soon as they lay eyes on the mask mercenary. It made them wonder if all those rumors they have heard about him were wrong, the villagers were treating Kitsune like he was a mighty hero who has save them from world destruction when it truth he has against the demon Mouryou. Now the two jounins were having their doubts about the rumors of the mask mercenary, they saw some of the children gathering around him being all happy with him asking him if he wants to play with them. Now after seeing such a happy sight and atmosphere they knew it very well, Kitsune Flash wasn't a ruthless demon like the rumors said he was very much human.

Tenten knew already Kitsune Flash was just a very strong human being wearing a fox mask with feelings, helping the people around him while getting pay by doing it he's just like the regular ninjas of other hidden villages fulfilling their mission in order to get pay and made a living. The more she looked at him and his behavior around people it was somehow familiar, perhaps she has seen this before and for a moment she thought that Kitsune was familiar to her. The feeling that he was someone she knew, she gazed at her boyfriend and Lee was just smiling seeing all the happy villagers as they cheer and say their greetings to the mask mercenary. Maybe Lee was aware about Kitsune too, but she was going to asked him later about it. They have finally reached the palace of the priestess where they were met by the guards of the front gates, as soon as the guards saw Kitsune they immediately let the inside as they started to walked the halls of the palace.

"Kitsune-sama everyone in this village treats you like a hero." Tenten said.

"Well I guess you can say that, I did help Shion defeat a demon who wanted to conquer the world."

"Amazing not just Kitsune-sama a worthy adversary but he's also a hero who will do whatever it takes to help the innocent, you're flames of youth must be burning so bright Kitsune-sama." Lee said excited it's like he has gained a new respect for the mask mercenary.

"It's all part of my job I take any kind of missions from hunting missing nins to bodyguard duty, I do my part to help Konoha by traveling and getting high rank missions."

"I see but you're the first mercenary that Konoha has ever had, even if we have the hunter nins and the ANBU you were still needed if you don't mind can you tell us how you became a mercenary?" asked the curious Tenten who suddenly know had an interest to know more about their masked companion.

Kitsune didn't like where this was going but he decided to play it cool as long as he doesn't say any classified information." the Hokage gave me this position for my strength and abilities and I have agreed to take this important position I'm always glad to help the leaf."

"I'm sure you must have quite a training to become as strong as they say besides I saw how you were able to keep up with Lee and that's no easy task for any ninja in Konoha to achieve." the bun haired jounin said.

By now Lee was staring at his girlfriend with a curious look not knowing why she was asking so many questions and Kitsune was starting to get nervous without showing it.' what is she getting at? Don't tell me that she's getting suspicious of my identity?'

Tenten was staring at the mask mercenary expecting to hear his answer but they have arrived at the entrance to the audience chamber, Kitsune have completely ignore her question and went to the guard that was guarding the gate. Tenten didn't like the fact that he ignored her question she's been looking forward to hear about his training, maybe she will find a way to get him to tell her later.

"Welcome Kitsune-sama it's so good to have you here again." the guard said kindly.

"It's good to be back were here to see Shion, is she available?" Kitsune asked.

"Yes she is Shion-sama is awaiting your arrival please follow me." the guard opened the double doors and lead the group to the large room with highly decorated pillars and walls.

There were also a couple of paintings that look like they were expensive, Tenten was in awe looking around she wasn't expecting a large palace and expensive decorations for someone who is a high priestess. The guard told them to sit down on the floor like it was usually accustomed to once they got seated the curtains of the front were lifted revealing a young woman. Kitsune smiled seeing the eighteen year old priestess Shion wearing a blue priestess robe with a gold line on the sides of the robe, the young woman smiled as she spotted her savior and her friend. She also took notice of the Lee and Tenten and she knew that she had to keep the mask mercenary's identity safe, so for now she decided to play along just convince the two jounins.

"Hello and welcome again Kitsune-sama I am very pleased to see you again." The high priestess gave a small smile to her friend.

"Same here Shion I'm glad that you're still fulfilling your duties as a priestess."

"Of course you made me believe to continue my as a priestess I'm not going to turn my back on my people and for that I thank you very much, I will forever be in your debt." she smiled again not taking her eyes off the mask mercenary.

"I'm always glad to help someone in need." replied Kitsune.

"Anyway ninjas from Konoha I believe you have come to deliver the letter from the Hokage." Shion said.

The two jounins nodded while Lee got up and gave the priestess a letter with the seal of the Hokage he bowed to the priestess." this is a letter from the Hokage asking to have demon country as one of Konoha's allies in both economy and military structure."

Shion nodded as she opened the letter and she began to read the letter, Kitsune however was quite surprise that Tsunade would ask Shion to have demon country to form part of an alliance with the hidden leaf village. In a couple of minutes Shion finished reading the treaty letter and handed back to Lee and he returned to Tenten's side.

"Since Konoha has helped me and my people from Mouryou thanks to Kitsune-sama then I will accept to become allies with the leaf village, I will write a letter to the Hokage to agree to have a meeting to formed the alliance thank you for your help. I will like if you two could stay in for the night I will have the letter ready by then."

"Thank you we won't mind if we stay the night in your palace Shion-sama." Tenten said.

"That's right Tenten you are tire from traveling, we might as well enjoy the stay here." Lee said while his girlfriend elbowed him on the side.

"Don't be rude Lee."

"Sorry Tenten."

Shion smile looking at Kitsune. "guard?!"

One of the guards came." yes Shion-sama?"

"Escort our guess to the guest rooms I need to speak with Kitsune-sama in private." Shion said.

"Yes Shion-sama."

"I will like if you two will joined us for dinner later."

"Yes we will be delighted thank you Shion-sama." Tenten said.

"Please follow me." the guard said as he led the two jounins out of the audience chamber heading to the guest room.

As soon they were gone Kitsune was caught off guard when Shion embrace him tightly enjoying his warm a lot, Kitsune smiled as he returned the hug. They both broke the embrace while Shion was still staring at him with a small blush on her cheeks, remembering how handsome his face is behind the mask.

"I missed you Naruto-kun."

"Same with me Shion how've you've been?"

"Well everything has been fine, the village and everyone has been in peace and quiet after Mouryou's defeat and I've been enjoying the tranquility too, and the best of all I haven't had any bad visions."

"I'm glad to hear that but remember that the future is made by oneself not by some vision." Naruto said with a smile.

"I know and I'm thankful you taught me that I will be forever grateful because of your words, Naruto-kun everyone is gone you can take off your mask now." the priestess said with a slight blush dying to see his handsome face.

The mercenary took off his mask off revealing his face Shion blushed slightly while she was staring at him with so much affection. For a moment Naruto felt a little nervous, Shion was looking at him the same way Mai did at the strip club. But he erased the thought there was no way Shion would be interested in him like that she was his friend, however he wanted to make sure that she wasn't interested in having a relationship with him.

"So Shion any luck finding a boyfriend?" he gave his fox grin.

The priestess only sighed." It's been a little complicated with that Naruto-kun."

The blond raised an eyebrow." what do you mean by that? I'm sure that a lot of guys will be interested in dating the priestess that saved the world from a demon and besides you're gorgeous I thought you already had your own fan boy club."

Shion blushed at his compliment while sighing." I guess I'm not interested in finding someone like that, my life is complicated."

Naruto sighed as he went closer to her he pulled her closer make sure he had eye contact with her." Shion you're lying to me I can tell, is it because of the visions are you afraid that some guy you met and fall for will eventually die if you stay together with him is that it?"

Shion gaze into his beautiful cerulean eyes she could stay staring at them forever but she still kept her cool." I know you taught me to never believe in my visions but sometimes I'm afraid if I find someone special I may never see him again."

"You will find someone special someday Shion you just have to believe don't cling to your visions, you deserve to be happy."

"Thank you Naruto-kun your words always make me feel better, just by listening to you I feel like I can do anything you're right maybe I will find that person someday." she blushed slightly.

"I'm glad so anyway back to business, I came here because of the mission so want to fill me in on what I or who I have to guard is it you?"

Shion blink for a moment before realizing what he was talking about." oh that's right the mission I almost forgot, what you're going to be guarding is very valuable please follow me."

Naruto put his mask on and follow Shion out of the audience chamber entering into another set of double doors, as they were walking the corridor Naruto took notice of the quick glances Shion has been giving him. He ignore it for now maybe she wanted to ask him something, then again the fear that she wanted tied him to her bed and go all out on him was ringing in his head. Even if he felt terrible for what he did to Mai he knew that what he did was wrong, he wasn't interested in having a relationship because of the great burden he carries. The fear of the power he has sealed inside of him and escaping hurting every single precious person he holds dear in his heart was stronger than having a girlfriend. What Mai wanted was probably to have a one night stand with him but what if she wanted something more? What if she wanted to have a committed relationship with him? He couldn't risked her life knowing how dangerous his life, if she gets hurt because she's his girlfriend he would never forgive himself.

For now he put that thought aside he didn't wanted to feel like the victim of pain, although he thought he was one considering everything he's been through in his past not to mention what a certain pink haired kunoichi did to him. He finally gazed at the priestess walking next to him and he admitted that she was beautiful, her skin was white and creamy her eyes, her long blond hair and her body. He halted in that thought and decided to study that assumption courtesy from training with the pervert sanin, he took a long look at her body and it was sight to behold. Even if she was wearing her priestess robes hiding and covering a lot of her womanly parts, he could tell that she was a perfect ten in the chest department. His eyes travel to her legs and they look nice and long, finally his gaze fell to her backside and just like her chest it looked very nice.

By now Naruto was staring at Shion with a perverted glint in his eyes, the perverted side created from training with Jiraiya for five years have finally emerged and he was thinking the most impure thoughts just by staring at the priestess body. He imagined pinning the priestess to a wall ripping her robes fondling her breast follow by groping her butt , doing endless sessions of spanking her hearing her scream his name out loud. Before he realized it a certain part of his body has reacted to the thoughts, and before he lost control he erased everything that was considered perverted and indecent. He took a deep breath in his mind until he heard chuckling, he knew who it belong to the demon fox was chuckling in amusement at his containers situation.

"You know you had this coming kid."

'I don't want to talk to you fur ball so leave me alone.'

"You can't fool me, you're experiencing sexual stress and right now you're thinking of devouring that fine piece of human next to you why don't you take her tonight and make her your mate?"

'First of all fox shut up! Second I won't do such thing I can control my hormones, I don't need sex I'm fine just the way I am just perfect.'

"I will have to say to that bullshit! You know you want to take her even if you don't have any of those foolish and meaningless things you humans called feelings, it's all right to bang her if she wants to just to relief the stress."

'I won't do that to Shion she's my friend and I don't have any stress so back off.'

"Your denial amuses me and sickens me at the same time you're having sexual stress because you didn't bang that human back at that club, humans always have urges its perfectly normal and it's also normal to relief that urge by doing a human. The urge to tame and mark someone as your mate is also normal at least for me it is, but one thing that isn't a normal thing is taking cold showers that is pathetic that only someone who's desperate to have some can do."

'I am not listening to you I am ending our conversation right now.'

"Don't shut me down human!!!" the Kyuubi growled in anger for ignored.

Naruto finally cut his mind link with the demon fox before he realize that he has stopped walking and Shion was a few feet away from him with a concern expression in her face.

"Naruto-kun are you all right?"

"Huh yeah yeah I'm fine no big deal, I was just thinking of other missions I have to do."

"So you're in a hurry to leave here is that it?" asked the priestess who sounded hurt and disappointed.

The mask mercenary realized his mistake and went to her getting close to her." no that's not it Shion believe me that I am not in a hurry to leave you, I am very happy to be here and to see you again trust me that you're a precious person to me don't ever doubt it." he gave his fox grin while the priestess blushed a little nodding understanding his point.

"Just bang her already kid and get it over with." the Kyuubi said with a grin which obviously Naruto ignore it.

Shion finally composed herself due to the fact that her face was close to the mask mercenary's." anyway Naruto-kun were here."

They were standing in front of a set of double doors Shion opened them entering the room. Naruto was in awe at the sight, the room was full of different artifacts from ceramic vase to paintings to even jewelry. Naruto obviously thought that this was some kind of treasure vault and he already what was his mission.

"This is quite a place you have here Shion."

The priestess nodded." this is where all valuable artifacts that belonged to my family is stored, each and every of these items is given to a priestess from generation to generation. However since it's a great collection it must be kept sealed in a room."

"And you want me to guard this place from any thieves?" asked the mask mercenary.

"Yes recently for the last couple of weeks we've been having some problems with a thief that keeps entering the palace."

"Don't you have the guards to guard the whole palace? It wouldn't be so hard if it's only one person."

"Well the culprit is very skillful he has evaded my guards before entering this room, that's why Naruto-kun you're the only one I can rely on with this task I know Kitsune Flash will help me with this problem isn't that right?"

"You have my word Shion I won't let you down consider this thief caught already believe it."

Shion smiled." thank you Naruto-kun now I will leave you so you can begin your guarding duty, don't forget that we'll be having dinner in a few hours."

"Right don't worry I'll be there I wouldn't miss food for the world."

She nodded before leaving the room once she was far away from the room she stopped in a corner of the long corridor where she was met by a stronger wearing black clothing" you know what to do? Make sure you keep him busy until the preparations are complete understood?"

The figure nodded and he left while she went ahead smiling to herself 'just you wait what I have in store for you tonight Naruto-kun.'

(Location: local bar Konoha fire country territory)

Jiraiya and Tsunade were seated having another drink of sake, while the toad sanin was ignoring the fact that this was the same bar where the incident that almost destroyed their relationship happened. He didn't know and he didn't want to think about it, hell they could even be seated in the same table just like the last time. Now the one thing it got him worry was that Tsunade hasn't said a word to him since they got to the bar, maybe she has ignore him because she was too concentrated in drinking sake looks it's been a while since she has drink sake. Now he knew that Shizune was right she was overstress because of Naruto's absence, then there was the great possibility that she was also upset with him. He gulped while thinking about it if she was pissed with him that she could punch him sending him to the other side of the fire country, he drank his glass of sake while trying to evade eye contact with the blond woman.

A couple of minutes later he finally gave up he couldn't take it anymore, he needed to talk to her and he couldn't stand seeing her so quiet. Besides it was better to talk to her now before she gets drunk, she has already had five glasses of sake and counting. He looked at her only to see that she was staring at him with a pissed off look, he hold the urge to take a step back and ran away knowing that angry look in her face. It was similar to that day when he peeped in hot baths when she was bathing Tsunade beat the living crap out of him almost killing him. It was recorded in history as one of the times that the great Jiraiya was close to die, he had to say something and after all these years he was still afraid of her temper. He felt relax seeing that Tsunade got back to drink her sake still feeling upset with him, although he had an idea what it was all about.

"Tsunade?" he started.

"If you're not going to tell me about Naruto's decision then don't waste your time talking to me." He said in anger tone obviously she was not in happy mood.

"I will tell you about that but right now I have other information to tell you, it's important now are you going to listen to me?"

The slug sanin finally sighed before she got his attention." go ahead what you have to report?"

"According to the information my network has uncovered, it seems Uchiha Sasuke has killed Orochimaru when he was trying to take over his body and that's not all but it seems that he's not traveling alone apparently he has formed his own group."

"I didn't expect him to turn against Orochimaru but if he has formed a group that means that he's obviously going after Itachi, what else do you know? Have you located his location?"

"According to the information I received his group has been last sighted somewhere in earth country, that's all the information I have."

"Earth country eh?" Tsunade drank another glass of sake." looks like it won't be easy I won't be able to send Naruto there, earth country is a dangerous region for Naruto to be there."

Jiraiya nodded." right if the hidden stone village find out about Naruto's identity no doubt they will execute him on sight for his resemblance to the fourth Hokage I think it will be best if we keep this information secret from Naruto."

Tsunade nodded." anything else you want to tell me before telling me about his answer?" she try not to sound rude after all she wanted to know if the blond was going to return to Konoha anytime soon.

"I do it's about Akatsuki, they have already capture four of the tail beasts, it won't be long before they go after the fifth tail even if I still don't know what they're planning to do."

"We both know that it won't be long before they go after Naruto, but this is the reason why you trained him into the person he's today."

"Of course and another thing you must know is that Naruto has ran into Akatsuki."

Tsunade almost choke spitting some of the sake after hearing the shocking piece of information." he has what happened is he all right?"

"Calm down Tsunade he's fine he's still alive and well, in fact he handled himself pretty well against Akatsuki."

"Stop keeping me in suspense and just tell me already." she frowned at him getting a little impatient.

"Well I should tell you the whole thing, it happened a couple of months ago apparently Naruto was traveling in lighting country he got a mission request from the Raikage, to become a secret bodyguard for one of their own ninjas. At first I thought it was ridiculous to send someone to protect one of their own until I found out who was that person, it turns out that the ninja Naruto was sent to protect was a woman who's like him a jinchurikki. According to my sources the ninja from cloud is called Nii Yugito and she's the container of the two tails demon cat, Naruto eventually met up with Yugito and team up against the two members from Akatsuki."

"So who were the members of Akatsuki was it Kisame and Itachi?"

"No, it wasn't them they were obviously members that we don't know about, I don't have any information on those Akatsuki members but Naruto took a long look at their faces and you'll be quite shock what he told me about them. He manage to decapitate one of them and cut both of his arms off." he chuckle while Tsunade was shock." the only thing that shocked Naruto was the fact that he was still alive."

"What!?" asked the shocked slug sanin" are you serious?"

"Yes I am I was pretty shocked too, Naruto couldn't kill the guy even if he lost his head and his arms he was still pretty much alive. He was even talking while his head was remove it must've been quite a sight shocking for Naruto to see that."

"Someone from Akatsuki who's actually immortal I thought it couldn't get worst but it did what else? What about the other member?"

"The cloud ninja was the one that fought the other member of Akatsuki and she claims that she landed a fatal blow on him but it didn't kill him, Naruto also attacked him head on with rasengan and he didn't got kill."

"So they're both immortals Akatsuki is sure a handful, and how they were able to beat them?" she poured more sake on her glass.

"They didn't." replied the toad sanin." both of them retreaded in the condition they were in, Naruto and that cloud ninja were too much for them to handle."

"I'm glad to hear that but this brings unfortunate news, with the defeated of those two Akatsuki now knows how strong Naruto has become plus they already know of his identity the next time they will go after him they might send everyone in the organization."

"My thoughts exactly but it's not so bad after all Naruto could handle every member of Akatsuki with his strength, I believe he can do it but anyway that's all I have to say about what my network has discovered I will fill you in if I find any leads on Sasuke and Akatsuki."

"Good because I will like to finally know about Naruto's decision, whether he wants to return to Konoha or not."

Jiraiya sighed he knew he couldn't escape this time and judging by the look Tsunade was giving him he had to tell her for good." look Tsunade I have some bad news, Naruto well he doesn't want to return I tried everything I could to knock some sense into his head and he has made his mind he doesn't want to return to Konoha I'm sorry."

The slug sanin felt like punching the table she was getting upset, she drank another glass of sake not happy in the least with the news." who the hell does he think he is? That brat has no right to never return to his home village, I know he has suffered a lot in the past but that doesn't gives him the right to be selfish and not come back when almost everyone in the village misses or they're going crazy because they can't live without him."

"I know Tsunade I have told him the same thing but he doesn't want to listen, this is the only thing that worries me about him he's not the same Naruto I knew he's different. The Naruto I took as my student would never let his past get to him or even let his emotions get the best of him, I told him to never bottle his emotions inside but this its getting out of hand." he gazed at the female Hokage who had a couple of tears falling he knew what it was all about." you miss him don't you?"

"Yes I do I miss that loudmouth brat I even miss when he calls me granny can you believe that, the village hasn't being the same without him a lot of people hasn't being the same without him here."

"So who are the people that miss him a lot? Just getting curious to know maybe it's the ramen owner Teuchi and his daughter without Naruto around they must be running low on business." he chuckle slightly pouring some sake on his glass.

Tsunade stood quiet but she knew that there was one person in the whole village that misses the blond." Sakura hasn't being the same since he left."

"I see." he replied softly remembering what Naruto told him back at mist.

"Jiraiya please I must know about Naruto?" she gazed at him with a serious expression." do you know if Naruto hates Sakura?"

Jiraiya thought about the conversation he had with his student at the inn in mist, he was really shocked to hear his words the next day when they left the inn.

(Flashback)

Naruto and Jiriaya just left the inn and they were on their to leave to hidden mist village, Naruto already had another mission while the toad sanin was trying to get to his attention. Before taking another turn on the street Jiraiya stopped him on his tracks.

"Pervy sage I told you I don't want to talk about it."

"And you told me you were willing to talk about it in the morning now don't lie to me because it doesn't suits you, Naruto don't you feel anything to know that Sakura is probably suffering right now?"

"Not in the least." was his quick reply in a harsh tone.

"So you want her to be in pain is that it?" he couldn't believe what he was hearing.

"Yes you finally get the point, pervy sage I have always being the victim to feel pain and misery it's always been me for once let her be the one to be the victim of pain."

"I thought I taught you better than this, didn't I told you to always find a way to heal the heart of a woman no matter how much pain she's in?"

"Yes you did but Sakura doesn't fit in that category, she's no woman she's inhuman cold cruel and selfish she will do whatever she can to have her way and she doesn't care if her friends get hurt as long as it helps her achieve her goals to get her Uchiha and guess what I'm her prime target. To her I'm not a friend or even love material I'm her silver medal because she couldn't claim the gold Uchiha medal but she has no choice but to accept me because Sasuke is not there to be her sunshine."

"Then what about the letter she wrote to you? Did every word written in that letter was written by a cold cruel inhuman selfish person?"

"You don't know her like I do pervy sage, this is all part of her game to lure me back to Konoha so I could be Sasuke's replacement and be there for her, then it's all back to the same game of keeping the promise of the life time and once again I become her tool to bring back Sasuke. I'm her personal lap dog to seek and fetch Sasuke and once I bring him back to the village, can you guess what will happen? Because I know what will happen. Once Sasuke is back at Konoha she will be going back to her true self and be ogling all over him, then she will start ignoring me like usual and treat me like crap again I'm no longer her tool and just like a kid who got tire of playing with his favorite toy she tosses me aside just like that not even caring and forgetting the goddamn truth that I am human and I HAVE FEELINGS!" by now Naruto was so upset that he had the Kyuubi's features with a couple of tears falling from his crimson eyes expressing his pain.

Jiraiya stood there stun not believing every word that came out of his students' mouth, he has always known Naruto was holding his pain inside but not like this. He knew he reached his limit with Sakura back at what happened at the hospital, but now it seems that the pain has taken over his life for good. Sakura's rejection at the hospital was the last draw and it was the ultimate blow to his heart that triggered this emotional more cold hearted Naruto. Now he was the one who wanted Sakura to feel pain and suffer just like he did, he didn't know what to think was he doing the right thing? Or was he being crueler than Sakura?

"Naruto please calm down your face, don't get angrier or the Kyuubi might try to take over you again, just calm down and take a deep breath kid."

"I'm well aware pervy sage don't worry I won't let him control me, I just don't want to talk about this anymore."

"I understand kid but answer me this, even after everything you have told me do you hate Sakura?"

Naruto has calmed down and his face was back to normal he stood quiet letting the question sink in his brain, even after everything she has done to him. Every single hit every single verbal assault from her part because she was defending her precious Uchiha. He will be lying if he say yes, but deep in the depths of his broken and tormented heart Uzumaki Naruto still care for Haruno Sakura.

"It might sound crazy to you but I don't, I don't hate her I just want to know nothing from her I don't want to hear anymore from her I want her to continue living her life. The message is very clear she doesn't need me she can go on without me, sooner or later she will get tire of doing her act of the painful girl who misses me and she will move on eventually because to her the only one that has always matter to her its Sasuke. Uzumaki Naruto doesn't matter to her never was and never will she has hurt me for the last time, pretty soon she will give up on me returning and becoming her tool to bring him back to her she will start searching for him on her own. Maybe after that she can finally live happily ever after with her Uchiha get marry have his children, that's all she wants because to her Uzumaki Naruto never existed, to her I was never worthy to be the best candidate to love her it was always Sasuke."

He put his mask on while Jiraiya was still stunned at his student's speech, what else could he do? What else could he possibly do to convince Naruto that he was wrong? The answer was quite simple?

There was nothing he could do about it.

Naruto gave a small smile." pervy sage I know why you're doing this, you told me about what happened between you and granny about the big fight you had with her because you see yourself in me and granny in Sakura but this is different I don't want to live in the past anymore I don't need her and she doesn't need me it's that simple and its all pure logic."

"And this is exactly why I'm trying to help you Naruto, I want to help you to prevent you from making the biggest mistake in your entire life that will only lead to your greatest regret ever."

"Whatever pervy sage and I say you're wasting your time, well I'm leaving farewell." with that said the mask mercenary vanished in a cloud of smoke.

Jiraiya only sighed 'dear Kami what am I going to do with you Naruto?'

(End of flashback)

The toad sanin sighed as he rubbed his forehead." Tsunade Naruto doesn't hate Sakura but he's not interested in her anymore."

"Meaning?" she asked sounding a little alarmed.

"He doesn't want to know a thing about her anymore you could say that he's not interested in having her as his friend."

Jiraiya saw how Tsunade's face turned into a painful expression he saw the small tears falling from her eyes. He knew how much she cares for her student but this was something more, just like Naruto told him this whole thing felt like their big fight in the bar. He could see himself in Naruto and Tsunade in Sakura, both hurt and broken by the great pain they have caused around each other. But nevertheless he wanted to know how her apprentice was doing, he had a big feeling that she was feeling worst than Naruto not believing a bit what he told him back at mist.

"So how's Sakura?" he asked casually.

The blond Hokage chuckle with a hint of grief." what should I tell you about her? I'll be lying to you if I told you that she's fine but she's not all right she's feeling like the whole world has fallen on her and there's nothing she can do to stop it."

"So she's feeling terrible?" the toad sanin asked not sounding surprise at all.

Tsunade nodded." she has felt bad ever since she found out that Naruto had the Kyuubi in him but the one thing that made her feel worst was when she found out that he was never coming back to the village, she fainted in shock and she spend a whole week in the hospital while she was unconscious she kept whispering Naruto please forgive me over and over again. She blames herself for everything that's has happened to Naruto including him not coming back to the village, slowly she's been feeling worst with each day."

Jiraiya knew this was going to happen he knew Sakura was going to be feeling horrible, it was just how Tsunade felt when he told those cold words to her years ago." Is she all right?" although it was a stupid question knowing she wasn't.

"No she's not Sakura feels so bad that she's been suffering from severe depression for a couple of years now, her depression was so high that at some point she will become suicidal." more tears fell from her hazel eyes.

Jiraiya's eyes widened in shock, was Sakura's pain so horrible that will lead her to make such a drastic solution." suicidal oh my….what happened to her will she be all right?"

"She is now, I have given her some pills they're anti depressants they will help her calm down and relax her nervous system it's also for the best not to mention Naruto's name in front of her or anything that will remind her of him for the matter."

"You mean anything?" the toad sanin asked with a raised eyebrow." even…..ramen?"

"Yes any small detail that will remind her of Naruto will make her cry and it will lead her to her depression, I'm always keeping a close eye on her so that she's always taking her pills and even with her depression she's still a great ninja. At first I thought it was a selfish request from her to become a strong ninja so that Naruto will acknowledge her, but I was wrong she didn't quit when she found that he wasn't coming back she continued with her duty and that's why she has become into one of the most dedicated ninjas in the village."

Jiraiya chuckled." I think I know why, when I was traveling with Naruto at wave country we took a sick child to the doctor of the village however he had a disease called leukemia and the doctor was able to cured him because they have received vaccines from Konoha and she told us it was Sakura the one who made the cure to the disease."

A smile that represents pride spread across the slug sanins lips." yes she has, she has also made other cures for other diseases she has surpassed me and for that I am very proud of her I just wish Naruto was here to see how great of a ninja she has become."

The toad sanin sighed." I'm afraid it's going to take more than improved skills to convince Naruto to forgive her, I don't know if he'll ever change his mind maybe he will come around I'm sure that he most miss a lot of people here."

"Well I do know the people that will misses him already, asides from Sakura Hinata really misses him she has change so much she has become so talkative and she can express herself better she's no longer the quiet timid girl. She must've change in order to be a better person for Naruto, maybe if he returns she will finally face him without fainting she's one of the few who believe he will come back to the village."

Jiraiya was smirking 'timid girls like Hinata are supposed to be the wild ones and most passionate when making love.' he cleared his throat." you have to admit Tsunade Naruto has become the ultimate ladies man he knows how to treat a woman and how their hearts work." he laughed feeling so proud of his student." damn I am so good I have turned a dense clueless brat into the ultimate sex symbol for the female population, he's even better than Minato at complimenting a women's look."

Tsunade growled in disgust." please don't remind me it really makes me sick that you have turned Naruto into an exact perverted replica of yourself, I should beat the living crap out of you for what you did to him."

"No hold on Tsunade he is not a replica of me he's an even better replica of myself very smooth and cool looking." he immediately stopped because Tsunade was glaring daggers at him." anyway Naruto has become the strongest ninja alive, he has surpassed me and Minato I know both him and Kushina must be very proud of him."

"Now that's something I'm proud of you Jiraiya you did a very good job training him, except turning him into a woman banging machine just the thought that he has probably sleep with dozens of women really pisses me off." she gave another glare to the toad sanin.

Jiraiya got up from the table trying to avoid any certain death penalty from the slug sanin, he needed to do something or he was going to get kill." now hold on a minute Tsunade you know Naruto better than that, sure he may have become more mature and a bit of a player but he won't go that far to actually go all the way with a woman I guaranteed he's not like that."

He felt Tsunade calming down before he got seated again, she finished another glass of sake." he better not be Jiraiya for your sake your life depends on It." he gave him a quick glare.

The toad sanin gave a nervous chuckle before changing the topic." so anyway about Hinata I think she will be a perfect candidate for Naruto wouldn't you agree?"

"I guess but she's not the only one." replied the slug sanin thinking of another kunoichi." you know Ino has change too, she has become more dedicated to her ninja duties than usual, she's also been talking a lot about Naruto I guess she misses him too."

"Inoichi's daughter eh?" the white haired man said while touching his chin a grin spread on his lips.' Naruto you truly are amazing even if you're not here you already snatch yourself quite the kunoichis.'

"Naruto has three wonderful candidates already." Tsunade said with a smirk.

"What? What do you mean three?" asked the confuse toad sanin before realizing who she was talking about." You don't mean Sakura do you? I mean she can't like Naruto like that."

The slug sanin sighed." honestly I don't know if she has feelings for him, right now all she wants is Naruto's forgiveness."

"That's easier said than done I honestly don't know if he will ever forgive her, every time I mentioned her name to him he gets upset it's up to him whether he wants to forgive her or not."

"Let Sakura suffer for the rest of her life does Naruto really want that?" her hazel eyes softened." He has really change the old Naruto would never want Sakura to be in pain he couldn't even stand seeing her cry, if he could only see how devastated she is right now?"

Jiraiya sighed as he drank his last glass of sake and got up from the table." well I would love to continue and chat with you but I better get going."

"You now it's ironic." Tsunade said looking around the bar." this is the same bar where it happened, that awful day when we hurt each other emotionally."

Jiraiya was shocked hearing that he was stun he couldn't move a muscle." h…how how do you about that I thought you were too drunk to remember what happened?"

"I remember a few things from that day your words mainly, what a horrible day that was."

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you apologizing now? That was thirty two years ago besides it wasn't your fault I was the one that hurt you first, I didn't have the right to insult you like that when you were being a true friend accompanying me in my moment of sorrow."

"But I still feel like it was my fault."

"Oh stop it already stop feeling so guilty, that's all in the past Jiraiya never forget that you will always be an important person in my life." she blushed slightly lucky for her Jiraiya didn't notice it.

The toad sanin smile holding the urge to cry but he was too happy to know that she wasn't angry with him for the cold words he told her on that horrible day, he smirked as he went close to the blond." How about a hug Tsunade?"

"Not a chance." she replied with a scold.

"Okay how about a kiss then?" he was about to hug her.

WHAM!!!

Tsunade punched him sending him to the ground she poured more sake on her glass." idiot"

"I wouldn't want it any other way." said the dizzy Jiraiya on the ground.

(Location: Palace guest room demon country territory)

Lee and Tenten returned to their room after having dinner with Shion and Kitsune, frankly the bun haired jounin didn't like to share a room with her friend even if he was her boyfriend. But she knew he was a gentlemen and he will never dare to take advantage of her, besides the room had two beds and she was not ready to share a bed with him. She was feeling uncomfortable because of the dinner, there was nothing wrong with the food it was very good the problem was the mask mercenary Kitsune. Ever since they started traveling to Shion's village she's been getting curious of the mask mercenary, she wanted to know more about him. When they first meet him he acted cold and harsh but after he started raveling with her and Lee he was acting all friendly and kind, not that she had anything against him he was an ally of Konoha. She just couldn't shake the feeling that there was something about him, his behavior and the way he talks not to mention he's appetite dear Kami he ate like there was no tomorrow.

Yet why is it that she thought that he was somehow kind of familiar, this is the first time she has met him yet she felt like she knows him. She gazed at her boyfriend, the taijutsu jounin has started to do some pushups because he doesn't like doing nothing more than an hour. The worst case scenario is that he decides to do five hundred laps around the entire village just as a warm up, it was better to ask for his opinion in the matter of the mystery behind Kitsune Flash.

"Hey Lee?"

"Huh yes Tenten what is it?" he continued doing his pushups.

"About Kitsune-sama?" she started getting his attention as he stopped in his pushups looking at her, he was always paying attention to her whenever she talks to him it was one of the many things she likes about him." what do you think of him?"

"What do you mean?" he got back up getting near her.

"What do you think of him? Do you think he can be trusted?"

"Of course he seems to be very reliable talking to him is like having a great friend, his flames of youth are burning stronger than anything I have ever seen."

The bun haired jounin smiled." yeah I figure you will say that and don't you think there's something about him like the way he acts?"

Lee got a thoughtful look." now that you mention it his eating was very impressive I've never seen anyone eating so much."

"We do know someone." She whispered while Lee barely hear it.

"What's wrong Tenten?"

"Lee tell me what do we know about what Tsunade-sama said about Naruto?"

The taijutsu jounin was surprise to hear the name of his dear friend." Naruto-kun what does he has to do with this?"

"Tsunade-sama told us that he left the village to train with Jiraiya-sama for five years."

"Yes but we know he's not planning to come back to Konoha." Lee said with a sigh he miss the blond ninja.

"Exactly if Naruto doesn't returns to the village it's pretty clear that he will become a missing nin, so why is it that Tsunade-sama hasn't send the hunters nin after him?"

"What Tenten? You want Naruto-kun to get killed?" Lee said shock.

"Of course not I'm just saying that there's something more here than meets the eye, Tsunade-sama doesn't take action in bringing Naruto back to the village and all of the sudden this guy comes from out of nowhere and starts capturing criminals."

This guy…..oh you're talking about Kitsune-sama, I still don't understand what you're trying to say Tenten."

The bun haired jounin sighed sometimes her boyfriend can be quite slow." I don't know if this is true but I have a slight suspicion, I think Kitsune-sama could be Naruto."

Lee was shocked." what?! That can't be Naruto-kun Kitsune-sama."

"Come on Lee think about it Naruto leaves the village to train with Jiraiya-sama four years later we start hearing rumors about Kitsune Flash a mercenary from Konoha it makes sense, if this is true then this will be exactly why Tsunade-sama hasn't send word to the hunter nins to go after Naruto he's working for the village as the mercenary Kitsune Flash."

"If that's true then why would Tsunade-sama keep this information hidden from us?"

"I don't know maybe it was needed to keep his identity a secret from the missing nins, or maybe Naruto didn't wanted us to know."

"But why would he do that? He's our friend and we miss him we all want him to return to the village."

Tenten sighed." I think the only one who would know that is probably Tsunade-sama and I don't think asking her will be a good idea this could be top secret information."

"How about if we go to Kitsune-sama and ask him if he's really Naruto-kun?" the taijutsu jounin smiled he wanted to see Naruto again.

"That will be worst than asking Tsunade-sama, if Naruto really is Kitsune Flash then he's obviously going to lie to us and he will also know that we know of his identity I think it will be better if we leave things the way they are for now."

Lee nodded feeling disappointed." I guess it's true that Naruto-kun is really Kitsune-sama the way he talked to us, it was like talking to an old friend."

Tenten nodded." I know what you mean Lee I knew there was something about him whenever he talks typical Naruto and his appetite we should it know it was him."

"Should we get to bed then? We have to head back to the village tomorrow morning."

"Yeah I'll go change." Tenten said heading to the bathroom, she gave him a sharp look." no peeking Lee."

"Yosh I would never Tenten I will shut my eyes and pretend I'm blind." he turned his back while blindfolding himself with his leaf headband.

Tenten could only giggle as she went into the bathroom 'how I love to have such an obedient boyfriend.'

(Artifacts room)

A black shadowy figure entered the room where all of Shion's priceless items where store, he slowly walk the room. Looking at every direction making sure there was no one around, once he knew that the room was empty he grinned knowing he was going to get his chance to take a couple of things from the room. At least he will get some money from anything that he takes, he was only one person so he couldn't take everything but what he takes will be enough. He never notice when a couple of items vanished in a cloud of smoke being replace by a dozen of Kitsune's clones, the culprit gasped he made a run for it but he was caught by the real Kitsune who was grinning the thief ran but the mask mercenary grabbed him by his collar. He noticed that he was wearing and all black uniform no doubt that he was the item thief.

"You know I never thought you will be stupid enough to come here when they have put me in charge to guard this place, your mistake will be a nice beating." he grinned as the clones were crackling their knuckles ready to give the beating to the culprit.

Expecting that the thief will pee in his pants he got on his knees and took off his mask revealing a young man in his early twenties with glasses brown hair and dark eyes." please I beg of you don't hurt me, I'm not really a thief."

"I don't know you came here and the look of your face says it all you wanted to steal a couple of things from Shion's vault, so I know you're the thief now beg for mercy."

The young man was scare he needed to come clean and tell the truth." I am not a thief I am just one of Shion-sama's servants I was just following her orders she told me to pretend to be a thief so I can keep you busy."

Kitsune growled as he grabbed him tightening his hold on him." what kind of fool do you take me for? You want me to believe your bullshit? You will need a lie better than that to save your ass because I'm going to give you some hell to pay."

The young man started crying." I'm telling you the truth please don't hurt me, I was just following her orders she really wanted to see you again so she requested this mission to call you they aren't any thieves trying to steal her family possessions, so please I beg you don't hurt me."

Kitsune was in deep thought before letting him go and dispelling his clones." you better be telling me the truth or I will make sure you regret saying your words." he glared at him while he nervously nodded." so in other words this whole mission is a big fake, why would Shion do such a thing?"

"I….I honestly don't know Kitsune-sama Shion-sama is the only one who knows I was just following her orders she wanted you to be kept busy until her preparations were complete that's all I know."

"Preparations, what preparations?"

"I don't know she hasn't said a word to any of her other servants, your guess is as good as mine."

"Looks like I will have to find out what this is all about." the mask mercenary gave a sigh." your job is over leave, time that get some answers from Shion."

He left the room while the young man sighed in defeat he has failed his mission.' I'm sorry Shion-sama I couldn't keep him busy long enough.'

Kitsune was walking the halls of the palace since he has being here before he already knew where Shion's room was located' why would Shion request a fake mission? And what preparations was he talking about? Just what are you up to Shion?'

As he walked the long halls he couldn't stop shaking that something was wrong, he didn't know what but he somehow didn't like it one bit like things weren't going to be the same when he reached Shion's room or maybe his intuition was playing tricks.' I have a bad feeling about this and what is making me more nervous it's the same feeling when I had when Mai took me to give me her private dance.'

He was about to find out how complicated things were going to get for him.

He reached the double doors that lead to the room of the priestess he stopped in the middle of his tracks why was he hesitating? He just wanted to ask Shion why she requested a fake mission even if the simple answer was to see him again. He knew the eighteen year old priestess like him she has grown fond of him the last time he saw her after they defeated Mouryou together, but she likes him as a friend right? the question was hard to answer he wanted to believe that. He didn't have time to be thinking about love or finding a girlfriend with his kind of life. He continued walking until he opened the double doors, even if it was rude of him because he should've knock first before entering but he needed to know once and for all.

As he entered the room his eyes widened, the whole room was well decorated in a romantic way. There were candles all around illuminating the room there was a small table with a bottle of sake and glasses, soft music was playing follow by a wonderful scent that hit his nostrils. It was the sweet smell of roses he saw as there were rose petals on the floor, making a path leading to a large bed covered in the petals. Kitsune felt like he has interrupted something and he felt very stupid right now, the whole scenery was romantic and maybe Shion was having being intimate with someone else so he was going to leave immediately heading back to the door.

"Naruto-kun don't go."

The mask mercenary turned to see Shion and he gulped, she was wearing a white sleeping gown." Shion I'm really sorry for interrupting you I should've knocked before coming I'll be on my way."

"It's all right Naruto-kun you're just in time." she passed right by him and closed the doors locking it.

Now Naruto knew something was definitely wrong with this picture for starters he was locked inside Shion's room which the whole place look like it was decorate to have sex, he felt like he was about to have a heart attack. No there was no way she was planning to do something like that with him he looked back at the priestess which she was smiling sweetly at him.

"So Naruto-kun what do you want to ask me?"

Naruto finally composed himself facing the blond priestess." well Shion care to explain me why you requested a fake mission for me?"

"I'm sorry for doing that I know you have other missions to do but I wanted to see you again I really missed you" she blushed slightly as she took his hand.

"Um…Shion?" he asked feeling nervous.

"Would you like to have some sake Naruto-kun?"

"It's all right Shion I don't drink sake."

"All right but if you want some I have a nice bottle there with your name on it."

"Right thanks." he gave an unsure smile.' what is going on? What is she planning?'

Shion the lead him to her bed covered in rose petals while Naruto was trying to understand the situation of what was going on, he could swear he was hearing the Kyuubi laughing in his head. They both got seated as Shion went closer to him he blushed at the proximity until he saw that she took off his mask off. She put it aside in the bed then she follow by taking his black trench coat, Naruto didn't know why the hell was he letting her take off his clothes no way he was going to let her get him naked even if it sounded very nice. He didn't know what to say no words couldn't come out of his mouth he didn't wanted to think the mere fact that Shion wanted to do him before he knew it his shoulders were being massage by the blond priestess.

"Shion what are you doing?"

"Was it look like silly I'm giving you a massage." she said sweetly while licking her lips feeling his shoulders.' mmm….rough shoulders I wonder if this isn't the only hard part of his body he has' she giggle mentally.

"I mean why are you doing this?" he said in a nervous tone which Shion laughed and he frowned at her." what…what's so funny?"

"Naruto-kun why are you scared you weren't afraid of a demon like Mouryou so why are you afraid of me?" she giggle.

"I'm not scared I just want to know why you're doing this?" he replied this time getting rid of the nervousness from his system.

"Naruto-kun you're my friend I will do anything for you." she continued massaging his roughshoulders feeling her whole body getting hot.' patience is a virtue soon you'll be mine Naruto-kun."

Naruto tried to calm down while enjoying the massage a lot, once again he got the urge to rip Shion's clothes and take her but he hold it in like a true proud man.

'What is Shion doing? I don't believe the you're my friend thing with the way this room is decorate'

"You must be stupid kid isn't it obvious what she's doing?" the Kyuubi said feeling bore of not having a conversation with his human container because he doesn't have anything better to do.

'She's giving me a massage.' replied the blond.

"I thought you weren't longer dense looks like I was wrong, you idiot she's SEDUCING YOU SHE WANTS TO BANG YOU!!!"

"That can't be why she would do that? She's my friend even if she's pretty."

"Kid she thinks you're hot and she's getting horny I said you make the first move and make her yours."

"Shut it fur ball I'm not listening to you now leave me alone."

"Don't screw up kid." the demon fox finally cut his communication because he wanted to watch and enjoy the show that was about to be shown.

Naruto notice that Shion has stopped massaging his shoulder he was now facing her, their faces were very close namely their lips. Naruto blushed while the priestess was smiling at him the urge to kissed and tame him hunting her head, and right now she really wanted to get it over with.

"Shion?" asked the shocked blond.

"Naruto-kun you're my friend and friends are supposed to do favors isn't that right?"

"Yeah that's how it is."

"You see Naruto-kun you already know of my powers and they have to be passed down to the next priestess." she then got off from the bed smiling rather seductively at him." what do you say Naruto-kun will you help me?"

"What kind of help are you referring to Shion?" asked Naruto being stupid because he already knew what the priestess had in mind.

Shion answered him by removing her nightgown revealing a one piece white lingerie revealing all of her marvelous womanly curves and her perfect breasts." I think you already know Naruto-kun" she went closer to him.

Naruto felt something in his pants react to her body as the priestess got closer to him tickling his nose with hers." Naruto-kun I want you I want to have a child with you, I couldn't have chosen a better person to be the father my child."

Naruto's whole face was bright red from the confession and right now having a child with the priestess was very tempting, he was fighting with his hormones before Shion kissed him. As soon as he felt the lips of the blond priestess he finally gave in to his hormones and desires kissing her back with so much force and passion, Shion moaned in his mouth feeling her whole body even hotter and the place between her legs getting wet at the contact. Soon Naruto used his tongue to enter her mouth and Shion complied giving him entrance as their tongues fight for domination, the kiss became so heated that Naruto pulled her closer and the priestess moaned at the action. Naruto started exploring her body caressing her sides groping her butt her legs and her breast, Shion wasn't going to be left out as she was also exploring the blonds' body running her hands on his muscle chest grabbing his butt enjoying the feel of it. Naruto was so turned on he started fondling her breasts roughly making the priestess moaned loudly.

Shion finally pulled the upper half of her lingerie piece revealing to the sex hungry Naruto her amazing double D breasts and he fondle them without holding back his hormones and his desires, Shion moaned feeling his warm hands fondling her breasts while squeezing them. He was so hungry then he licked her nipples making the priestess screamed his name loudly he took her other breast and suck on her other nipple while massaging the other giving it the appropriate and pleasurable treatment. Shion's obvious reaction from Naruto's treatment was a loud moan she started massing his crotch through his cargo pants she was amaze to see a huge bulge she could tell that he was amazing in size.

"Oooohhhh….Naruto-kun ooohhhh yes…..it feels so good….oooohhhhh just like that I love it…..ooooh…"

"Oh Shion your breasts are so big I could suck them forever." the fully hormone controlled Naruto said as he continues to ravages her breasts.

"They're all yours Naruto-kun…oooohhhh…..yes……oh Naruto-kun I want you..ooohhhh…"

Naruto's hand reached her crotch while his other hand was fondling her breast while he was still sucking the other one, he could feel that she was very wet and it was like her womanhood was begging for his manhood to give her the ultimate pleasure of all. Suddenly he started having second thoughts, remembering who he was, the container of the Kyuubi. He knew that the seal was weakening and it wouldn't be long before the demon fox would escape and be free once again, he got the image of his precious people dead because of the Kyuubi. He got another image of a pink haired girl and a blue haired girl lying dead on the ground, he snapped back from his hormonal mode as he stopped doing his ministrations on the priestess getting up from the bed.

Shion was panting still feeling the pleasure from Naruto's ministrations, she didn't know what just happened. One minute Naruto was making her crazy with his skills in making love and the next minute he has stopped, she gazed at him with hurt and confusion in her eyes." Naruto-kun….why did you stop?"

He quickly put his coat and grabbed his mask feeling regret in his system." Shion…I'm sorry but I can go through with this."

"But Naruto-kun I want to have your child, we don't need to have a committed relationship or marriage I only want to have your child please don't leave me like this I….." she didn't finished her sentence because Naruto have her a big hug making her blush she accepted his warm embrace.

He broke the hug while looking in her eyes a couple of tears falling from her eyes, it hurt him a lot but he just couldn't go through with it why, that was something that he didn't understand yet." Shion even if it will be a one night stand I can see it in your eyes that you want to have a relationship with me, but I can't you don't know what I have I'm not that kind of person you will like to have a love relationship trust me."

"I know Naruto-kun….I know about the demon you have inside and I don't care you're no demon even I know that I really care about you I…….l…" she couldn't say it but she wanted to say those three words that means a lot to her.

"That's enough Shion you don't know how much it means to me that you feel that way about me being a demon container, but I know you can find someone else to love you." he felt terrible why did he felt like he was being cold, it will be better if he doesn't get to close to a woman in this level of intimacy for his sake and theirs.

"I understand Naruto-kun you don't feel that way about me, but like I said I only want to spend one night one night that you can give me what I want." she pressed her chest against him in a attempt to seduce him again but instead Naruto pushed her back, it only make Shion to shed more tears." Naruto-kun?"

Naruto gave her a soft kiss on her lips which she returned it with passion, he broke the kiss." Shion I'll be going now."

The priestess dried her tears as he lifted the upper half of her lingerie back up covering her breasts, she lead him to the door and she unlock it." I knew you were going to turn me down Naruto-kun, I had a vision that you were going to turn me down you told me not believe in my visions that's why I still try to change the outcome of the future but it seems I failed."

"I'm sorry Shion but I know that someday you will find someone who will love you very much because you deserve to be love believe it."

Although she was heartbroken the priestess gave a smile." thank you Naruto-kun and I hope that someday you will find that special person."

"Not me I will never find someone that special, well goodbye Shion." he left the room.

"That girl with the pink hair she's very lucky, I also had a vision about her she was with you and you two seem to be happy together there was also two other girls I didn't recognize them."

Naruto stopped walking hearing that he felt anger heading to the pink haired girl he put his mask back on." I don't know if she's lucky but I know I'm not, to me she's a living curse of endless pain and suffering."

Shion shook her head feeling sorry for the blond.' Naruto-kun why do you have to deny your happiness so much?'

(Time skip nightfall: somewhere in the village demon country territory)

Naruto was continuously banging his head against a wall in a corner of a street he was punishing himself for his latest mistake. How can he be so stupid to deny making love to someone as nice as Shion, and she's not the only one but Mai as well. No matter how much he tries to avoid hurting people that has become precious to him he always screws up and ends up hurting them, he was so pathetic how could refuse to give one night of pure happiness to two beautiful girls who were needed and lonely. They wanted him to make love to them but they have considered him to be someone very precious to them, but no he had to reject them because he was being selfish he didn't love them and he wasn't ready to lose his virginity. He has turned into such a hypocrite he has become cold and cruel like two certain teammates, the Uchiha traitor and the pink haired selfish manipulative bitch the only thing this experience has helped him is to hate himself.

He didn't care if he gets a dozens of concussions by smashing his head to the wall he deserves it for causing heartbreak to Mai and Shion.' stupid stupid stupid STUPID STUPID!!!'

"You know kid I've been around for thousands of years I always knew that humans were stupid but YOU! You give the word a whole new meaning can you be anymore pathetic? Stupid brat I am ashamed that you're my container why couldn't I be sealed inside of cold bastard who doesn't give shit about life?"

'Aw you're breaking my heart please fox don't make me cry boohoo.' his tone was very sarcastic.

"So who's the next human in your list? Who will be next to get heartbroken and dump?"

"Shut up you fucking fox I am in no mood to hear your bullshit.' the blonds' tone was very angry.

"You're upset because I'm telling you the truth, you haven't realized it yet but you're cold too in your own way you're no better than that pink hair bitch."

'I SAID SHUT UP!!!'

"You're cold and you're stupid what a combination." the Kyuubi chuckle in amusement enjoying making his container angry.

Naruto gave him a grin.' oh really I'm stupid well I'm not the one sealed in a cage, who's the stupid one now?"

That earned Naruto a loud growl of anger from the demon fox while he chuckle getting even with the fox, he cut his mind link with the Kyuubi as he continued his punishment banging his head on the wall.

"Please stop you're going to get an injury if you keep doing that." a soft feminine voice said next to him.

"I don't care I deserve this and more I'm a horrible person."

"Wearing that mask I guess you could be one but you're voice sounds kind, I don't think you're a horrible person I think you're confuse."

The mask mercenary chuckle at her comment." lady how can you make such opinion about me when you don't know me at all?"

"Because I have a feeling you're a very kind person who may need some advice."

He finally turned his head to see who was the woman speaking to him, he was looking at a woman in her early thirties with long red hair and cerulean eyes wearing a red and white kimono style dress. Naruto felt something about this woman like he has met her before, the red head just smiled at him while checking his head putting her right hand on the cranium era of his mask.

"Are you all right? I may have to take you to a doctor to see if you haven't injured your head." her voice was full of concern.

"I'll be fine don't worry about me, my wounds heal fast."

"I see I don't want to see you with a concussion later, you were really hitting your head hard."

"It's okay I am hardheaded." he chuckle at his comment and to his surprise the red head giggle.

"Anyway how about if we talk about your problem, I know a good place in this village where they made the best ramen." she winked at him.

The mask mercenary was really happy she said the magic word it's been a while since he has eaten his favorite food. However something was wrong indeed here, the woman was inviting him to eat like asking him out. After the incidents that happened with Mai and Shion he knew this woman wants to get in his pants, instead he scold at the red head making her look confuse at his sudden change in behavior.

"Is there something wrong?" asked the red head.

"Actually there is look lady I know what you want from me the answer is no, I won't sleep with you even if you try to take advantage of me."

WHAM!!!

The angry red head smacked him on his head making him fall to the ground." you….you PERVERT HOW DARE YOU!!! I was just asking you to have some ramen with me not have sex with me unbelievable."

The mask mercenary slowly got up looking at her straight in the eyes." lady I've seen it all before, they treat me to dinner we talk then I get taken to some private dance room or bedroom and then they want to have their way with me like I'm a freaking sex machine."

She frowned at his comment." you really do need help honestly you're not the only man in this world."

"A lot of women think I am and they think they need to have sex with me like they're lives depends on it."

"Well for your information I don't want to sleep with you for various reasons, first you're just stranger I don't even know you second you look young and I don't go for younger men and third I'm already married. Well is that enough to convince you that I don't want to get in your pants?"

Naruto chuckle he already like her attitude somehow it reminds him of his attitude." I guess it does all right let's go get some ramen lead the way lady."

The red head frowned again." stop calling me lady you're making me sound old my name is Kushina."

Naruto's eyes widened hearing the name.' wait a minute Kushina, that name sounds so familiar where I have I heard it before?'

"Come on let's get going." Kushina said as the mask mercenary snapped back from train of thought and followed the red head.

"By the way what's your name mask stranger?"

"You may call me Kitsune Flash there's no need to tell you my real name."

"All right thanks for telling me Naruto." she smirked.

Kitsune nodded before he gasped and gazed at her." what the how the heck did you figure out who I am?"

"Because you just told me." Kushina was smirking at the sight of the mask mercenary.

Naruto sweat dropped at his mistake.' I can't believe I fell for that.' he was still staring walking the streets." so care to tell me how you know my name, now I am certain that I have seen you from somewhere."

"Really where have you seen me before?"

"I know I have seen your face before from somewhere, I really can't put my finger on it." he scratched his chin.

"Oh please Naruto I can't believe you don't remember me, think back when you were in a village in lighting country I read your fortune."

That was enough for the blond to finally recognize the red head." It's you….you're the fortune teller I knew I have seen your face before I didn't recognized you without your clothes."

"Don't sound so surprise I was just traveling around on that day, I actually like traveling a lot the main reason I came to this village is because of the ramen they made here."

"Wait a minute so you're not really a fortune teller?" he asked in suspicion." you're a con artist." he thought about the fortune she told him' so it was all a lie about Sakura being my so called soul mate, I knew it someone like her would never be my soul mate.'

"Well I wasn't being honest on that day Naruto the future is something no one can't predict, only one self can create that future depending what he chooses." Kushina said.

The blond frowned." I already knew that why didn't you tell me that back then?"

The red head giggle." I felt like lying to you, you looked so eager to have your fortune told." she giggled again while Naruto was sweat dropping.

(Time skip: at the ramen stand)

They were both seated in a table eating their bowls of ramen, Naruto took a look at the red head and she was enjoying her bowl a lot. On the way to the ramen stand he couldn't believe how much in common he had with Kushina, their personalities were the same and they had perfect communication with each other. Every time he talked to her she was always paying close attention to every single word he was saying, also every time she talked he was also paying close attention to her. He has never understood a women like her, he also didn't flirt with her because of the reasons she told him for going after his pants which he felt very relief. Another thing he noticed that they have in common was their appetite so far they have had six bowls. He has never seen a woman eat so much makes him wonder how she can keep her figure, of course he knew that asking her such question will be considered rude the same with asking her age.

The mask mercenary finished his sixth bowl." burp!" he cleared his throat trying to cover his burp but it was futile.

"Burp!"

Naruto was shocked to see that it was Kushina the second one to burp, she looked at him with an innocent look." what? Men can burp but we women can't?"

"I don't have a problem with that it's just that it looks very unwomanly."

"Well Naruto I'm not that kind of a woman." she winked at him.

He chuckle seeing that some of the people in stand were staring at them for their lack of manners, they both smiled raising their empty bowls" another bowl please!"

(Time skip)

"Thanks for treating to ramen Kushina-chan." the happy mask mercenary said not minding giving her the suffix.

"My pleasure Naruto-kun." the red head smiling said not minding giving him a suffix." so you're wearing that mask because you're the great mercenary everyone is talking about , I thought you were wearing it because you had a bad fashion statement."

"Hey its a nice mask its scary looking because I have to keep my image I am Kitsune Flash after all, I have to look like a real bad ass."

"I guess the look has to live up to the name, at least I know that you won't devoured anyone's soul."

"Seriously that rumor is dumb I don't even have an ability to do something like that, I'm not a soul eater."

"So Naruto-kun I don't see too much people passing around here so how about you take off your mask?"

"I really shouldn't so openly in public."

"Come on the last time I saw you, you were a small fry now look at you you're as tall as a tower."

The mask mercenary frowned at her comment but nodded, he took off his mask showing Kushina his face. The red head was smiling how he looked behind his mask, she giggle slightly getting closer to him Naruto knew that look and he was about to run for his life.

"You know Naruto-kun I regret saying my comment for not going after younger men you're very handsome."

Naruto face vaulted." come on Kushina-chan not you too."

The red head laughed." I'm just kidding Naruto-kun don't worry I won't jump on you or anything of the sort so you're safe."

The blond sighed in relief." It's not that I don't mind being the center of attention it's just that I'm not ready for any of that especially with someone that I don't have feelings."

"I understand what you're trying to say Naruto-kun you want to give yourself to the woman you will have deep feelings, that is a very logical and honest opinion and I will support your idea a lot of men don't follow that idea they just sleep around with any beautiful women they came across just for the pleasure."

"Tell me about it I know someone who's exactly like that." Naruto smirk thinking of a certain toad sanin." and besides I don't think I will find love."

"Naruto-kun how can you say that? Everyone has a right to love no matter who they are or what village they are from."

The blond sighed." not me Kushina-chan I'm not destine to love, I am the kind of person who walks a lonely path that no one else can't follow."

"Because you're the container of the Kyuubi" Kushina looked straight in his eyes." just because you hold a demon that doesn't mean you will never find love Naruto-kun, love is something that happens without anyone noticing until the very last moment trust me I know."

Naruto felt like he could trust the red head before looking at the night filled sky." I never tell anyone about this, but I'm scare that the demon fox will escape and hurt those precious to me. I think it's better to stay away from them in order to protect them, keeping my distance from everyone it's the right thing to do."

"No I don't think that's the right thing to do." replied Kushina." what you're doing is a selfish act, leaving all of your friends behind will only make them miss you and think of you always don't you miss them too?"

"But the Kyuubi…." the blond started.

"Don't use excuses Naruto-kun you're stronger than the demon inside of you, you're in control not him I can tell just by looking at you that you have a strong will and desire to live no demon can't take that from you."

For a moment Naruto stood quiet and he smiled feeling better, Kushina's words were conforming enough to ease his soul." Kushina-chan thank you for telling me this, I don't feel like returning to my home village I really miss them but because of being a demon container I had a painful childhood I was always alone, ignored, hated, beat up and glared at. There were times I had to look for food in the garbage because no one wanted to give me food even if I paid them they just overcharged me even when I was buying clothes too."

He wasn't looking at Kushina but it was a good thing he wasn't staring at her, the red head looked like she was about to go on a killing spree. Hatred filled her system and the only thing that came into her mind she wanted to go to his village and find every single one of those villagers and give them the most horrible death ever. How could they even give a little boy so much pain, blaming him for all the destruction and death the Kyuubi caused was a pathetic excuse indeed.

"Kushina-chan are you okay?"

The red head snapped from her wonderful dream of slowly killing the villagers." oh Naruto-kun I'm fine don't worry."

"Are you sure you looked like you just space out for a minute?" the blond was concerned for the older woman.

"I said I'm fine now don't change the subject, so you don't want to return to your village because of your terrible past that is still a selfish reason to leave in the first place." she crossed her arms.

"No it's not just that I left because I wanted to train and become strong to protect the village, I also have a dream to fulfill so I'm not being selfish I want to continue fighting for Konoha and everyone."

"I see you're doing a very noble thing Naruto-kun, was there another reason that made you leave your village besides your past?"

Naruto eyes widened Kushina has hit the nail in the head, as soon as she said that he started thinking of that horrible moment at Konoha hospital when Sakura slapped him and rejected him for the last time for bringing her Uchiha injure. Kushina was staring at him expecting him to answer although she had a feeling that she already knew the answer.

The blond sighed." I'm sorry Kushina-chan but I don't feel like talking about it, yes there is another reason why I left and why I don't want to come back." he remembered clearly when he talked about it with Jiriaya and he didn't wanted to experience that again.

"It must be something serious if you don't want to talk about it all right I understand, just don't think about it whether you want to return to your village or not I'm sure a lot of people that cares about you misses you and they will want you to return. It's just like I always say, sometimes you have to face the truth and accept it in your case you will have to return to your village and face those people that hated you since you were a child."

"Yeah you're right but I don't hold a grudge against them I never had besides they are people that no longer hate me they have accepted me as one of their own seeing me for who I am not for what I carried."

"I'm glad you're no longer suffering Naruto-kun having friends is the reason to get strong and a will to protect them, you want to become strong to protect your friends keep holding to that thought."

"Yeah someday I will become Hokage and I will protect them all." he gave his fox grin.

The red head smiled back at him." oh so that's your dream you want to become the leader of the hidden leaf village, that is a big dream but tell me this Naruto-kun how can you expect in becoming Hokage if you don't want to return to Konoha?"

Naruto was stun he couldn't believe he never notice, if he didn't return to the village there was no way he could fulfill his dream looks like Kushina got him this time." right now I don't want to return to the village but maybe someday I will I can't run away forever believe it."

"Don't give up Naruto-kun I know you can do it, stay strong and believe what you fight for."

"I know I will never give up thanks Kushina-chan, anyway it's getting late I really have to find an inn to spend the night." he put his mask back on and looked at the other direction for a moment before looking back at Kushina's direction." Kushina-chan I…..what?"

He was surprise to see that Kushina was gone he looked around but there was sing of the red head woman anywhere." where did she go? This feels like last time when I went with pervy sage to find her tent and it was gone just like that oh well whatever she's a cool person." He yawned finally realizing that he was tire and needed rest.

He left heading to the nearest inn in the village he remembered clearly what he almost did with Shion, the images were very livid and he knew what to do. The first thing he was going to do when he arrives at the inn is to take another cold shower.

(Time skip: the next day in front of Shion's palace)

Lee and Tenten were ready to leave to head back to Konoha after they have succeeded their mission in giving Shion the letter to an alliance with the hidden leaf village, Shion was present to say goodbye to the two ninjas. However both could tell that something was wrong with her, she looked like she was heartbroken whatever was wrong with her was not good. Shion was strong and she hold her tears, maybe after this was over she was going to shed her tears just like she did last night when she watched Naruto left her room.

"Thank you for having us Shion-sama were glad you accepted to have an alliance with our village." Lee said.

"The pleasure was all mine I am looking forward to work together with Konoha." Shion gave a fake smile.

Tenten nodded." so where's Kitsune-sama?" noticing that the mask mercenary was nowhere in sight, Lee was also looking for him so he could at least says he's goodbye to his friend and worthy rival.

Shion's eyes softened at the mention of the name." I'm sorry Kitsune-sama left already he had another mission to do."

"Oh I see then I guess this is goodbye Shion-sama thank you." The bun haired jounin gave a bow along with the taijutsu jounin.

The priestess nodded as she watched the two jounins leave shortly she went back inside the palace she was obviously going back to her room to grief, but she knew she couldn't cry forever she will remember Naruto's words to find someone else to be the one to give her a child to pass her powers.

'Maybe I will find someone with a great heart like Naruto-kun who knows?'

Lee and Tenten were walking the streets of the village thinking about the mask mercenary and his connection to their blond friend Naruto. It was no coincidence that they could be the same person, maybe they will find the truth someday.

"I really wanted to say goodbye to Kitsune-sama or at least to have another match with him to test my fames of youth." he sniffed a little.

Tenten sighed "cheer up Lee maybe we will meet him again."

"I wish it's true about Kitsune-sama really being Naruto-kun we haven't seen him in a while, wait till we get back to the village and tell Sakura-san about it."

"No Lee you will not." scolded the bun haired jounin." have you forgotten how she reacted the last time you mentioned Naruto's name in front of her?"

Lee sighed" you're right I'm sorry Sakura-san was so heartbroken her behavior was so unyouthful."

"But anyway let's speed things up a little so we can return to the village earlier than expected."

"Yosh I know what to do."

Tenten screamed as Lee was now carrying her on his back." Lee what are you doing? Put me down now!"

"This way we will return to Konoha faster let's go DASH OF YOUTH!!!"

"LLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!"

To be continued

Well its official Naruto is a complete idiot what kind of person will turn down two lovely ladies that wanted to spend one night with him? He should've hit his head harder on the wall. It seems he still cares for Sakura but he's not interested to see her again might as well hate her, also Lee and Tenten are suspicious of Kitsune Flash identity what will Naruto think about that? And what about Kushina what will she do next time?. Find out in the next chapter remember to review farewell until the next time. Hope you like another long chapter (45 pages 24,552 words)

Next chapter: conversation with the princess: Naruto's decision is finally made