Chapter 5: The Swallow's Wing

The Swallow represents Good Luck, Homecoming, Loyalty and the Nearing
Spring.

Naruto walked down the hall of the Hokage Tower. He was on his way to turn in a report. Yamato got a new mission, Tsukiyomi was being shown around by Sakura and Sasuke was resting. He stopped when he 'saw' Shizune walking down the hall in the opposite direction of him, away from the office.

"Oh, Naruto. Good to see you," she greeted. "Do you need something? Tsunade-sama is expecting a report on Tsukiyomi's abilities."

"I'm actually on my way to drop off that report," Naruto stated. He waved the small leather book that was in his hand. "It's right here."

"Good," Shizune replied. "She is having a meeting with the council, so just drop it off at her office mailbox."

Naruto gave her a simple brief nod.

"Anyway, I need to get going," she stated. "See you around, Naruto."

"Yeah," he mumbled.

The two walked in their off in their original directions, Naruto smiling his good bye. But it faded when his thoughts trailed off to the council meeting that Tsunade had.

Does it regard me, or something Akatsuki related? He wondered. He sighed, his shoulders shrugging. Whatever, I guess I'll just drop the report off and eat, 'cause I am star-ving!

Danzo, Koharu and Haruno marched in to Tsunade's office, and almost instantly the Senju death glared the elders.

"What do you three want?" she hissed.

"Having a blind shinobi is unexceptionable, Tsunade-hime," Danzo stated calmly. He tapped his cane against the floor, interrupting a protest that was about to escape Shizune's mouth. "May I ask you to leave, Shizune? I would like a private audience with the Hokage."

She glanced to Tsunade, who nodded her approval. With a sigh and shrug, the assistant slowly walked out of the office, closing the door behind her heels.

"What about it?" Tsunade continued. "It matters not whether Naruto can see. He can manage perfectly fine as far as I'm concerned."

"We understand that, Tsunade-hime," Koharu stated. "But that doesn't matter. A severe handicap such as blindness is ridiculous! How can the Jinchuuriki manage if the Akatsuki attack?!"

Tsunade slapped her hand on the desk, slightly cracking it. "I said he manages perfectly fine on his own."

"Now, now, Tsunade-hime," Danzo warned gently. "If he ever went on an S-class mission, how do we know he won't die? If he die's, then we lose the Kyuubi no Kitsune."

"Are you retarded?" the Hokage snarled. "He is a shinobi. He is prepared to die at any given moment."

"Then retire Naruto Uzumaki," Danzo suggested. "If we do that, then we won't lose Konoha's weapon."

The other two elders nodded their agreements, making Tsunade sneer.

"That is my choice—"

"We are the council. We have a saying in the matter, as well," Koharu interrupted. "I vote we retire the Jinchuuriki."

"I agree," Haruno stated.

"As do I," Danzo agreed. "Tsunade-hime, what about you?"

"I will not allow him to retire!" Tsunade shouted. "If you dare even force him into retirement, I will demote all you and banish you from the Land of Fire!"

Danzo smirked. "Do as you wish, Tsunade-hime. But your vote has been overwritten by ours. Naruto Uzumaki will retire tomorrow. Tell him the news before then."

The three elders didn't hesitate to turn and walk out. In a scream of frustration, her punch broke the desk in half while also crushing a hole in the floor boards.

She had just lost, and now Naruto's dream was going to be crushed.

Shit... Naruto thought as he tucked the report into the mailbox. He closed his blind eyes, his teeth scratching against each other. I had a feeling this would happen...

...Are you going to do something about it? Kurama hesitantly asked.

I hate the council, and Granny Tsunade's vote was overwritten. Of course I'm going to do something about it. Naruto retorted. I just don't know what...

Well, you could always run. Kyuubi no Kitsune pointed out.

...True... Naruto hesitantly responded. He shunshined out, landing at the oak tree he loved oh so much. He put his hand against the scathed bark, feeling the holes of kunai, fresh and old. I have until tomorrow. Where should I go? Any suggestions?

You have that traitorous sensei of yours. He stated. Remember what he said? "If anything terrible or life-threatening happens, come to me and I will gladly help."

...True... the blonde quietly replied. He sighed, sitting down and started meditating with his eyes closed. Itachi sensei could help out. But that would mean going rogue...

Would it seriously make a difference? The council is forcing you to retire in a day. Whether or not you go rogue doesn't make a difference.

Naruto looked at the caged Kyuubi as he entered his mind. He sighed again. "I don't want to abandon Konoha, though."

"Well, Konoha is abandoning you, gaki. There's a huge difference," Kurama retorted.

The blonde shook his head. "No. The council is giving up hope on me."

His red eyes opened, and he stuck his finger through the bars to flicked Naruto into a wall. "Moron!" He bore his fangs. "The council is superior and they have an actual saying! If they give up on you, Konoha gives up on you!"

Naruto growled in annoyance, pushing himself out of the dent in the stone wall as it regenerated. "But that doesn't mean I'm giving up on them!"

"...Let me ask you this one more time," Kurama stated. "Are you going to do something about it?"

"My answer was clear!" Naruto shouted. "I said yes!"

"Then figure something else out. If you can't, then just go rogue."

When Naruto opened his eyes, he felt a bird stir on his shoulder. Where it had been sitting, it was warm, indicating that it has been there for a while. Maybe even hours. The air felt moist, fresh and new.

It was dusk. Last he remembered, it was the late afternoon.

You fell asleep meditating. Kurama informed. ...Have you thought about it?

Yeah. But I couldn't think of anything. Naruto responded.

So you gonna go rogue? He questioned.

It seems like my best option. The blonde stated thoughtfully. He sighed, the bird still not moving from it's spot. Why the hell is there a bird on my shoulder?

Kurama sighed. Maybe you picked something up from that crazy nature kid.

Oh, shut the hell up. Naruto retorted.

"Naruto," a voice softly said.

He blinked, looking straight ahead of himself. The color was a deep and dark violet. His face softened out of relief and slight remorse. "Oh, Tsunade..."

"Tsukiyomi said you never came home last night," she stated. "He said I could find you here. What were you doing? You looked like you've been here all night. And that little swallow seems content sitting on your shoulder, too."

"Yeah. I've been here since four," he responded.

"AM or PM?"

"PM. So in other words I've been here since yesterday."

"Oh," she murmured. "So...the council recently figured out that you were blind, and voted that you were forced into retirement..."

Naruto tried to suppress all reaction, but his finger twitched anyway.

"Their vote overwrote mine," Tsunade stated.

He sighed. "I...know. I accidently eavesdropped while dropping off a report regarding Tsukiyomi."

A heavy silence dropped.

"...A-are you going to do something about it?" Tsunade quietly asked.

He closed his eyes. "...No."

*gasp* will Naru-chan do something about it? Or will he just stand by and do nothing?!

BTW: 'Tsukiyomi' means 'moon reader'. I don't know why I named Tsuki-chan 'Tsukiyomi', I just did. I wanted him to appear as a wise, spiritual and very smart OC prodigy. How is it working out? Good? Bad? What should I improve? If you have anything to say/advise, go ahead and tell me.

Peace! :3