Hi everyone

I know it has been a long time since I have updated, but things have been a tough for me. I finished University and have been struggling ever since trying to get a job, keep drawing, and also have time to write. I try to my best to write and draw, but with no income on either it is very difficult for me to continue. So yes I am updating, it is just very slow.

I do have a proposal to help with updates and also try and actually make a small amount of income. I would like to create a small manga, updated every 2 weeks. Something you could download and pay for, so that I can eat. I would update one chapter (20pg) 1 week and the one of the fanfictions the 2nd week, and so on. But the only way I can do this if enough people are willing to go along with it. I have put up a link on my profile to the first few test pages. You can decide from there if it is worth it, and PM me about any questions. I have put up a poll on my profile as well.

Edit: for some reason the link isn't showing up properly so I here it is, just take out the spaces: lilbakasaru. wordpress 2016 / 06 /12 /elysian-test-pages /

The poll will also be open longer, because the damn link didn't work.

I will still update of course, but it will be slow, and will be based on when I have time. Hope you all enjoy this chapter.

(unbetaed)

Chapter 3: The mark

"Hashirama-san I would just like to advise you again that it might be best for your godson to at least stay overnight for observation-"

"Look here doctor, I respect your opinion but there is no way I'm leaving my godson restrained in this place!"

"But Hashirama-san-"

"No, I'm taking my godson home, I can assure you that I can take care of him."

Naruto and Sasuke sat there and watched the doctor and Tsunade go back and forth between each other. They had been arguing for a while, Sasuke stayed only because he had promised the brat he would, but now he regretted it with every fibre of his being, as he watched those two squabble. So far though Tsunade was holding up step by step with the doctors, not giving an inch, and Sasuke watched how the man finally give in with a defeated sag of his shoulders.

"Okay, Hashirama-san, you can take him home, but I must ask that you at least-"

"I already told you doctor, I have nearly 40 years of medical experience under my belt, I can handle this. What I need you to is get these damn restrains off my godson and hand me those release forms to sign."

The doctor gave a final nod, and instructed a few nurses to get the necessary forms, and undo the padded restrains on Naruto hands and feet. The blonde gave relieved sigh, and rubbed the chaffed skin around his wrist in an uncomfortable gesture. There was a pile of new clean clothes on the bed, that the blonde picked up and then awkwardly shuffled into the bathroom with. Sasuke tried to make himself as inconspicuous as possible not wanting to have Tsunade's wrath aimed at him but she already had him in her sights.

"Are you going to be staying with us detective?" she asked.

"For your godsons own safety it might be best that I stick around for now, I have already contacted the precinct for another officer to come replace me later."

Tsunade gave a thoughtful hum, "Ah, you're one of those types of then..."

Sasuke frowned, what did she mean by that?

Then just a few moments later a dishelmed Naruto came out of the bathroom. His clothes a mess from getting dressed quickly, he gave a confused look between them.

"Er... can we go now?"

Tsunade gave a nod and led the way out of the hospital room, Sasuke knew that all the staff members eyes were on them. Especially on Naruto, most of them curious some filled with fear, rumours about what happened at the crime scene with the blonde being the only survivor. They probably had the same thoughts he had, why was Naruto left alive and would there be someone else coming after him now?

They left the hospital and Sasuke saw a black car with an older man with wild white hair smoking a pipe. He was ogling some nurses who were having a smoke break under a shelter. Tsunade gave a snarl and before either of them could do something she ran over to the car and slapped the hood of it, startling the man inside.

"You perverted idiot, stop staring at those nurses and get the car started. We have to get a move on, Naruto needs to get some rest." She then turned to look at him. "You got a car detective?"

"Er... yes, I'll just follow you."

She nodded and stepped inside the front seat of the car while Naruto got into the back. Sasuke sighed and went to his car and buckled himself in. He tightened his grip on the wheel and wondered what type of situation he had gotten himself into.

The drive was long, out of the city and into a more rural part of the region, they drove along a long stretch of road with big trees surrounding the area. Soon Sasuke saw a temple come into view, it was large temple, towering high. He was instantly reminded of the Uchiha compound, and the large ornate temple that had stood there. Although it this one was smaller and didn't have the same oppressive feel his that surrounded his childhood home. They drove past the temple, further down the road, were the Miko obviously lived.

Sasuke felt strange being back in such an environment, hadn't been near a shrine or temple since the incident. He had tried to distance himself with anything connecting him to his families work, this especially involved visiting a temple.

They drove along a long a winding path that took them along the back of a forest area towards their actual home; which was just an average house. Yet what he found strange, was that by either side of the gate were two Kitsune statues, one holding a scroll and the other a key in his mouth. Sasuke was confused, because he was sure that Zenkokuji temple was not temple dedicated to Inari. Maybe they were collectors and repurposed these statutes, it wouldn't be the first time that has happened.

The car in front pulled to a stop and Sasuke pulled up behind them. He got out of the car and went towards the others who were getting out of their own car. The blonde kid stumbled out, looking groggy and tired, it seemed like he was about to fall down but the older man caught him just in time.

"Wohaa, kid, let's get you to bed before you collapse," he said loudly and led the sleepy blonde inside the house.

Tsunade then turned to him. "Well come in then detective, I'll make some tea."

Sasuke wanted to say that there wasn't a need, that he was here to work, that is until another officer came to replace him; but she was already on her way inside without waiting a reply from him. He sighed again heavily and locked his car before he went inside. The house looked average, with a spacious living room with an old beige couch set and a coffee table, there was a book shelf in the corner, filled to the brim with old books. On the far side of the wall a small tv, on a stand with more books underneath.

A wide window dominated one side of the wall, it let in a lot of lights, and you could see a well maintained garden. The windowsill was lined with several pictures, most them Sasuke noticed being of Naruto when he was younger. He had been a cute kid growing up, with a cheery smile, chubby cheeks, and bright blue eyes. He also noticed in most of those pictures Naruto was either on his own or with Tsunade, which meant it was probably his godfather taking those pictures. Another thing he noticed that there were also a few more kitsune carvings scattered around.

"Sit down detective, " Tsunade said from behind him, a tray with tea and a plate of biscuits. She put the tray down on the coffee table, and Sasuke took a seat on the two seater while the Tsunade sat down on the arm chair.

The leather squeaked underneath him as he tried to get comfortable. Tsunade poured him some tea, and offered it to him while she made her own, he didn't like sugar so he drank it as it was.

"So you are a Uchiha?" she started.

"Hn," Sasuke grunted between sips.

"Of the shinto Uchiha's?"

Sasuke paused and looked up at the miko, who regarded him with a coolly.

"It isn't a secret," he replied. The Uchiha's had been a well known spiritualist sect, one of the 13 families. Normally the average person would not really have linked his name to the sect, but Tsunade as a miko would have obviously have made the connection.

Tsunade hummed in agreement and took a sip of her drink, "It's just strange to see an Uchiha work in law enforcement."

"Following in the family footsteps doesn't seem like a good option."

Tsunade put her cup down, "Apologies, I don't mean to be so crude. I knew your father he was..."

"A cruel bastard," Sasuke replied nonchalantly.

Tsunade smiled. "I was going to say strict, but I guess that s true. He never took no for an answer."

"You knew my father personally then?"

"Of course, our sects were tied together not too long ago. As head priestess of the Namikaze clan I had met him...and your brother."

Now that was one topic he did not want to talk about, especially with a complete stranger. "Hashirama-san please, I'm not here to discuss what happened all those years ago, I am here about your godson."

"Of course, the brat still hasn't told me what happened to him," she said putting her cup down.

"I don't want to go into too much detail, but we found him at a crime scene drugged, and covered in strange symbols."

"What symbols?"

"We don't know, but... they were painted on with the other victims blood..."

"Other victim? Someone died?" she asked, visibly shocked.

Sasuke nodded and took out his phone from his jacket pocket, he unlocked it and looked for the cleaned up image of Nii, to show to her. "Her name was Yugito Nii, do you by any chance know her?"

Tsunade took the phone off him so that she look at the picture better, her eyes widened and she quickly handed the phone back to Sasuke. "I'm sorry detective, I don't know her," she said, her voice slightly cracking.

Sasuke knew she was lying obviously she knew who Yugito Nii was, but why was denying it for some reason. He wanted to probe her further but was pretty sure that she wouldn't tell him anything. There had be another way he could get the information out of her, then he remembered the tattoo.

"Then have you by any chance seen this symbol before? It was tattooed onto your godsons stomach," he said showing her the photo he had taken before of Naruto's stomach.

She took the phone off him once again, and her eyes widened in shock when she saw the swirling pattern on her godson's skin. She dropped the phone on the table and then ran upstairs before Sasuke could do anything. He grabbed his phone of the table and went to follow her.

"Jiraiya we have a problem!" she shouted, rushing up the steps with Sasuke close behind.

The older white haired man came out of a room looking confused, "What is it Tsunade?"

"He's got the mark!" she shouted, gripping him tightly.

"What? What are you talking about?" he asked.

"The release seal, they put it on him," she hissed out.

Jiraiya cursed under his breath and went inside another room, Sasuke was confused at what was going on. What kind of seal were they talking about who were they? "Hashirama-san what is going on?"

Tsunade stopped and turned to look at him as if she just realised that Sasuke was still here. "Detective..." she whispered. Her demure suddenly changed as she composed herself. "You can leave now Detective Uchiha, I'll make sure my godson is safe."

But Sasuke was not going to budge, "Hashirama-san, you need to tell me what is going on, this is murder investigation and it involves your godson!" he replied firmly.

Tsunade rounded on him, Sasuke may be tall, but she had two quiet imposing 'assets' that caused him to take a step back. "This does not concern you Detective, this is a clan matter which you are not a part of."

"Hashimara-san-"

"Please leave!" she with a tone of finality.

Sasuke paused, but knew he couldn't stay any longer and left the house, he had some research of his own to do.

Tsunade didn't breath until she heard the front door close, she then quickly hurried to Naruto room where Jiraiya was already there crouching over the passed-out blonde. She stepped closer to his, and realised that the older man was mutter something his breath, he was reading something from an unfurled scroll. Naruto stomach was exposed, the swirling tattoo standing out stark against his tanned skin. Jiraiya's hands started to glow unnaturally as his mutterings got louder, suddenly with a shout he pushed his fingers against Naruto stomach and the blonde screamed as the mark on his stomach stared to glow red.

Steam, and the smell of something burning filled the room as Jiriaya's fingers seared into Naruto's skin, and when they pulled away a set of writing formed like a ring surrounding the already existent whirlpool tattoo.

Jiraiya let out a tired breath and wiped his hand across his brow to swipe off the sweat, he collapsed onto the floor but Tsunade was there too steady him. They both stared at the passed out blonde in worry, slowly the miko let the man go and went towards Naruto. She stared at the new mark on his stomach with trepidation.

"Will it hold?" she asked.

Jiraiya breathed heavily, "It will hold for now, but we got a bigger problem."

Tsunade nodded in agreement. "We need to warn the others, Akatsuki is on the move again."

Hope you all enjoyed this chapter, review and join the dark side we have cookies!