KG: Hey everyone. I wanted to thank you on your opinions about Manda's height. Thank you for that. Now I'll get started.


With Team Eight

Anko and her three genin were currently walking through the forest at a small pace towards the port. It was still a few hours away and they wanted to get their before nightfall if they could help it The trip was relatively quiet for everyone. Naruto was holding a scroll in his hands as they walked together making other turn to him.

"Umm N-Naruto-kun what are you reading?" Hinata asked and the blonde genin grinned as he held down the scroll.

"This is one of my Kaa-chan's scrolls. She gave it to me to memorize so figured I'd read this while we walk," Naruto said and Hinata nodded while Shikamaru rubbed his head with a small sigh.

"You couldn't get me to do genjutsu. It's too troublesome. Though I wonder if I should be surprised that you can. You seemed more like the type that would go for the ninjutsu and taijutsu aspects," Shikamaru told him and Naruto nodded with him.

"Well Kaa-chan really drilled into me the aspects of genjutsu and the like. Also I've always wanted to learn her techniques so I just did it. Anko-nee told me that it's a good idea to be all-rounded and not stick to one particular style," Naruto said in response and Anko grinned as she wrapped her arm around Naruto's neck.

"That's right I did. I'd do it all again," Anko said making the group chuckle like mad before the fell into silence again.

"Umm Anko-sensei, does the place we're going to have shinobi?" Hinata asked and Anko nodded while a small grin as she explained.

"That's right little Hina-chan. It sure does. It's not one of the Five Great Nations which hold the most shinobi and political power in the world, but it's considered a country with military power. The odds of us meeting shinobi is rather a gamble, but bandits and the other stuff is almost a certainty. Now then let's get moving Team Anko or we'll keep our guides waiting," Anko said and everyone increased their pace towards the docks.

A bit later

Anko and her team made it to the docks in about three hours and looked around. They saw plenty of sailors carrying supplies onto boats and they quickly looked around.

"Alright the scroll says that the ship is around this general area," Anko said and everyone nodded as they watched people work. Soon there was man who came up to them and got their immediate attention.

"Hey are you the group of Konoha shinobi?" The sailor asked in a gruff voice. Everyone of Team Eight nodded as the sailor sighed in relief.

"Finally we're about to ship off to Numa no Kuni and we thought you wouldn't make it. Please we should hurry before they cast off," he said as everyone followed him to the ship.

It wasn't a very big ship. More or less it was a merchant ship deal for fast travel. A little durable, but not the same quality as others.

Naruto and his teammates got on the boat quickly then watched as Anko talked with the captain about some things. She handed him some papers before walking over to them.

"Alright we are to guard this ship from any bandits or pirates that happen to try and sink us. Don't worry as we'll plan in case they do get here. A lot of people want to get their hands on this scroll so make sure we get this done right. Now in the mean time I'll be teaching you all a little trick of mine," Anko told them which made everyone gulp for a little bit.

"So what are we doing?" Shikamaru asked and Anko took out a small smoke bomb. Everyone raise their eyebrow as she stood to her feet. She walked a few ways to the edge of the ship and smiled.

"This is one of my specially made smoke bobs that will explode on impact. Use your chakra to layer your hands keeping the bomb from exploding. It's my own personal chakra exercise," Anko said as she threw the ball to Naruto. The blonde gulped and quickly layered his hands with chakra as he caught the blonde. On instinct Naruto held it for a second to make sure it wouldn't explode and sighed. He threw the ball to Hinata and the Hyuuga caught it or rather fumbled with it for a little while before handing it to Shikamaru. The Nara simply caught it and threw it back to Anko and the same process went on throughout the ship.

Back in Konoha

Sarutobi had quickly arranged a council meeting after he had received the letter from Kumo. It was quite a major thing that was happening and everyone was gathered around in little to no time at all. Sarutobi sighed as he sat in his seat while everyone looked confused as to the reason for the presences.

"Hokage-sama what's the problem?" Shikaku asked as Sarutobi looked to be in a daze while he was thinking over his words. Everyone started to mutter to themselves over what could possibly be the problem. Sarutobi looked up and reached into his clothes.

"Early today I received a note from Kumo. It's about the arrangement of a political marriage," Sarutobi said making everyone gasp. Some unconsciously turned to the Hyuuga Head, Hiashi, and saw he still had his apathetic face and usual.

"A political marriage? But isn't that a little out of the blue?" Tsume asked and everyone seemed to agree with her while Shikaku stood to his feet.

"Hokage-sama may I see that note?" The Nara head asked and Sarutobi handed the note to him. Shikaku looked it over and narrowed his eyes as he read the note out loud.

"To Konoha's Hokage,

Kumo has recently discussed the prospects of the deal that we had made with Konoha many years ago. We have recognized our mistake in asking for compensation for the kill of one of our jonin and realized that we were at fault for trying to disregard the treaty. In offer of not creating war in the future we'd like to set up a treaty now in the form of a political marriage of our best genin student with yours. Respond as soon as possible so we may go over the terms of agreement.

Kumo's Raikage,"

Shikaku finished and everyone narrowed their eyes especially Hiashi.

"Who's our top genin?" someone asked and Sarutobi slightly grinned. He held up the list of the most recent graduates of academy students.

"Well based on academy stats then that's Naruto Yuhi-Uzumaki," Sarutobi said and some people scowled at the name which wasn't missed on the old Hokage as he sighed, but there was nothing they could do about it at all.

"So are we going to accept this?" Inoichi asked and Sarutobi rubbed the back of his head before calmly taking off his hat. He, in truth, wasn't sure how to feel about this. Here was Kumo trying to make amends for what they did, but a political marriage?

"I think we should take it. Kumo is the only country that rivals us in military power. I think for the sake of avoiding war then we should do it," Shikaku said and some people agreed with him.

"So we should go with it then? Well alright, but it's majority vote. How many say no?" Sarutobi asked Sarutobi asked and the civilian council raised their hands. Granted this wasn't about the treaty, but Naruto actually being able to marry someone.

"And those who say yes?" Sarutobi asked and the shinobi side raised their hands except Hiashi. Everyone glanced at the Hyuuga head and Sarutobi sighed. He rubbed the bridge of his nose before addressing the stern looking Hokage.

"Hiashi-san without you the vote is tied. What do you say?" Sarutobi asked and Hiashi took the time to glance at everyone. All eyes were on him as the Hyuuga sighed.

"For the longest time and even know I can't say that I completely forgive Kumo for what they made us do. I lost my brother to them and I don't think I'm ready to fully accept them," Hiashi said and most of the civilian council smiled while the shinobi side sighed.

"But I know when to try and forgive something. At least they are trying to make amends I guess. I agree with it," Hiashi said and the shinobi side smiled with a nod while Sarutobi furled up the scroll.

"Alright then. I'll send a reply immediately," Sarutobi said as he got up from his seat and left the room while Shikaku turned to Hiashi.

"I seriously thought you were going to say no to that one," Shikaku told him and Hiashi closed his eyes while getting up from his seat.

"Personal feelings shouldn't rise above the need for the village to grow stronger. I simply acted on that belief," Hiashi said as he left the room. Tsume and the others got up also and the Inuzuka head tapped Shikaku's shoulder.

"So...who's telling this to Kurenai?" Tsume asked and everyone glanced at Shikaku making the Nara sweatdrop.

"Sigh, so damn bothersome. She's going to kill me," Shikaku said and everyone patted him on the shoulder and wished him the best of luck with the Ice Queen of Konoha.

Back with Team Eight, two days later

Naruto sighed as he looked out of the bow of the ship. He was so bored. They had been at the sea for two days and so far there were no bandits to fight at all. He figured that they should be grateful for that, but still he would've liked something to do. Anko had been teaching them her chakra control exercises which even involved Shikamaru and Hinata trying to walk on water with there chakra and the end result was them falling more than a couple of times, but they got that down no problem after the first few attempts. It made Naruto slightly smile because it took him no more than a few hours to learn it.

Naruto turned his head and saw Shikamaru on the deck looking up at the clouds while Hinata and Anko were talking about something. He then opened his jacket and watched Mikata uncurl from the ball she had tied herself in to conserve her body heat. Naruto chuckled as he soon saw Mikata look at him.

"Issss something wrong Naruto-sama?" Mikata asked and Naruto shook his head. Mikata forked her tongue for a bit and she tensed up which made Naruto know that something was wrong. The last time Mikata tensed up was when she felt a small disturbance when Naruto was training with Kurenai at one point. Her tensing met something was about to go down and it might be bad.

"Mikata do you feel something?" Naruto asked and Mikata nodded. She slithered out of Naruto's jacket and proceeded to wrap around his neck.

"People are coming Naruto-sama. I don't know how many, but there is ssssomeone dangeroussss in their group," Mikata told him and Naruto quickly stood to his feet. He saw a fog rolling in and narrowed his eyes. It was still sunlight and no fog should be coming in unless it was an unnatural fog. Naruto walked over to Shikamaru and woke him hp which irked the Nara a bit.

"Naruto, what's that matter?" Shikamaru asked and Naruto narrowed his eyes.

"We're about to have some company," Naruto told Shikamaru and the Nara fully woke up. They walked over to Anko and Hinata deciding to warn them also.

"Anko-nee Mikata thinks we're about to have some company and I believe her. There is a fog rolling in at the moment," Naruto said to his sister and Anko got up also with a sigh. She narrowed her eyes with a nod before she bit her thumb.

"Kuchiyose no Jutsu," Anko yelled and soon a medium sized python came on the deck of the ship.

"Greetingsssss Anko-sama. How may I help you?" the snake asked and Anko grinned.

"We're about to have some company. Can you help take care of it?" Anko asked and the snake nodded. He then turned to see Mikata and grinned.

"Come on kiddo. If you're going to be Naruto-sama's familiar then you'll need the training also," The snake said and Mikata nodded then they both slithered off into the water and disappeared. Naruto and his team waited as the fog rolled over the ship and Anko barked her orders.

"Everyone get under the deck and don't come out till we say so," Anko yelled and all the workers went below deck while Naruto took out his kodachi.

"Alright here we go," Naruto said as he weaved his handsigns. He carefully sunk into the ground while Anko smirked.

"Using one of his Kaa-chan's favorite techniques. That's just like him," Anko said as she quickly hid behind a door while Shikamaru and Hinata in a door next to hers.

The four saw about four boats arrive each with three people in them. Team eight could only watch as they boarded the ship and looked around.

"On my signal," Anko said as the bandits look around. Soon another person came on and she smiled. She had a sword attached to her back, but her face was covered with a hunter nin mask. She was in her mid 20's while she had blue hair flowing down her form. The only reason Naruto knew she was a girl was because she had the figure of one. At least he knew she was a girl and not some guy looking like one. That'd be so weird.

"There doesn't seem to be anyone here Kyoko-sama," a bandit said and the woman smiled before she chuckled.

"Don't be naïve. There is always someone here. I didn't get to be Yagura-sama's second in command by going on things like that," Kyoko said making Naruto raise an eyebrow.

"Who's Yagura?" Naruto wondered, but then the girl unsheathed her sword and stepped forward.

"We know you're in here if you don't want to die then you will come out immediately," She said and everyone tensed. Hearing no response, Kyoko chuckled as her sword glowed in seals. She walked around the ship and slashed a small barrel making it explode.

"Now!" she yelled and everyone tensed again. Anko sighed as she gave a small signal that everyone on her team noticed before she opened the door with her hands up.

"Alright calm down. I'm here are you happy now?" Anko asked and the woman chuckled as she walked up to the Snake Mistress.

"So Konoha is here. I hope you know what I want," Kyoko said and Anko raised an eyebrow. She put a finger to her chin and shrugged her shoulders.

"Sorry, but I've got no idea what you could want. Mind telling me?" Anko asked and the Kyoko woman's eyebrow twitched before she pointed her sword at Anko's throat.

"I don't enjoy jokes so I suggest that you tell me right now," Kyoko said as Anko narrowed her eyes. The snake mistress spared a glance at Naruto who grinned like mad and she sighed.

"I really don't know what the hell you want," Anko said and Kyoko chuckled before she turned around. She snickered making her men back up out of fear before she turned to Anko and glared at the woman.

"Everyone wants to play with me. They don't take me seriously. They think I'm an idiot. I want that document to Numa no Kuni. I refuse for them to gain any ground. Do you know what they did to me? I'll kill anyone who tried to make contact with them," Kyoko said to Anko and the purple haired woman raised an eyebrow again before chuckling.

"Oh is that all you wanted? Well tough luck cause you'll have to kill me to take it," Anko said with a smile making Shikamaru and Hinata widen their eyes. Anko winked at Naruto and the blonde quickly went through his handsigns while Kyoko shrugged.

"Suit yourself," Kyoko said as she easily slashed Anko in half. The Snake Mistress gasped as she started to blood. Kyoko grinned at her accomplishment before the vision of Anko faded into nothingness making her frown.

"It's a trick," Kyoko yelled as Naruto jumped out of the ground and smiled.

"Isn't that obvious?" Naruto asked s everyone turned around. Naruto finished his handsigns and grinned.

"Genjutsu: Kokuangyo no Jutsu( Illusion: Infinite Darkness Technique)," Naruto yelled as the darkness quickly enveloped everyone in the vicinity. This was the only A-rank genjutsu technique that he knew. It was also the only one that he learned that wasn't made from his mother. Lastly, it was the only A-ranked technique he knew all together. Kurenai had showed him the technique during one of their training sessions. She said that all true genjutsu users knew this technique and she only told Naruto to use it if the situation called for it which he figured was a good enough time for this.

Kyoko and her men tensed as they felt the darkness surround them. It was kind of heavy and at the same time very thick.

"K-Kyoko-sama how do we get out of here? I can't see anything in front of me," the guys said and Kyoko rolled her eyes.

"Calm down, this is nothing," Kyoko said before she felt a slash come across her side. She winced at the pain then gasped as she was kicked across the face sending her to the ground. Kyoko cursed as she got to her feet.

"Shikamaru it's time that you did your part," Naruto yelled and Shikamaru nodded as he knelt down on one knee and did his handsigns.

"Kagemane no Jutsu," Shikamaru yelled as he sent his shadow going for the figures. He was lucky that they were standing still thanks to Naruto's genjutsu and they stayed that way.

"Kagemane success," Shikamaru said as Anko signaled for Hinata. The Hyuuga charged at Kyoko's men and quickly disabled them with her Jyuuken and byakugan. She wasted no time at all and she was luck just as Kyoko grew aware of her surroundings.

"Damn brat I'm gonna get you for that," Kyoko said as she charged at Naruto. The blonde widened his eyes as she slashed her sword at him, but Naruto dodged her and grinned as he took out his kodachi. He quickly went through a handsign while Kyoko looked at the ground.

"Kai" Naruto said as a seal tag exploded, but Kyoko easily dodged it and turned to Anko.

"Not bad for the Snake Mistress of Konoha. You have some good genin," Kyoko said as she turned around to Anko. The Snake Mistress chuckled with a nod as she dropped into a taijutsu stance.

"Well I try. Don't lower your guard or my kiddies are gonna mess you up,"Anko said and she and Kyoko fought each other. They both moved fast and hard as the sounds of kunai filled the boat. Anko handed the document to Naruto and the blonde grinned as he put it in his pouch making Kyoko narrow her eyes.

"You know why don't you remove that mask so I can see the face of the person whose but I'm kicking," Anko said and Kyoko chuckled at the tokubetsu jonin. Kyoko reached for her mask and Naruto waited with some bated breath, but Kyoko put her hand down.

"Sorry, but no one is to see my face. Now then how about I kill you all take that note and rip it to shreds," Kyoko said with a smile behind her mask as Naruto came in front of Anko.

"With who? It hardly seems fair that it's four against one," Naruto said and Kyoko chuckled as she raised her hand into the air.

"Don't worry about that as I have-," She stopped when she heard screaming. Naruto and Anko chuckled as they heard the cries of people about two snakes as they destroyed the boats and the people on them. Naruto and Anko chuckled as the woman behind the mask gritted her teeth into a smile.

"Alright kid, you just signed your death wish," Kyoko said and Naruto quickly blocked her sword strike with his two kodachi, but she was stronger and he was and she showed that when she quickly pivoted her foot and in a swift motion she sent Naruto flying into the air, but the blonde wasn't finished. He watched as Shikamaru and Hinata clashed with her also along with Anko and Naruto had to act fast.

"Well let's see what can I do?" Naruto wondered as he didn't want to destroy the boat, but then he got a good idea. The blonde quickly weaved his handsigns and casted another genjutsu as his teammates began to fade around Kyoko's vision. She watched the ship break apart as she fell into the water. She coughed and looked around. She gasped when the waves picked out around her and consumed her, causing her to stumble further and further into the depths.

"Kyoko you have failed me," a small young man said and Kyoko widened her eyes. She was looking at Yagura. Her former Mizukage.

"Yagura-sama, I didn't fail you," Kyoko said and Yagura turned his back to her.

"I have no need for someone like you. Go live out the rest of your days in despair," Yagura said before he disappeared. Kyoko widened her eyes as the darkness swirled around her and easily consumed her.

"And that's game dattebayo," Naruto said as Kyoko widened her eyes. She saw she had been pinned to a wall by Anko with a kunai to her neck. She huffed and looked to see Hinata, Shikamaru and Naruto grinning at her. Anko turned around and snickered.

"Nice genjutsu Naruto," Anko told him while Kyoko raised an eyebrow.

"Genjutsu?" She asked and Naruto sheepishly chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. He patted Hinata's shoulder and Shikamaru's shoulder.

"Hehe if you guys didn't distract her like we planned then it would've failed. Still I can't believe that worked. I seriously thought she'd kill us," Naruto said making everyone slightly chuckle.

"Just get it over with. Kill me so I don't have to be near you all anymore," Kyoko said and everyone rolled their eyes at her. Anko placed a chakra restriction seal on her before walking the jonin level shinobi to the bottom of the ship.

"Well we obviously can't leave her down here so who's going to watch her until we reach the shore?" Anko asked deviously making the three genin sweatdrop as she pointed out that she wouldn't be doing it. Naruto sighed as he raised his hand offering to do so. Anko smirked and nodded while she, Shikamaru, and Hinata left the blonde alone. Naruto sat down in the storage hold of the ship. Kyoko slightly growled while Naruto took out a scroll.

Both were relatively quiet and didn't have anything to say to each other much less acknowledge the other's presence. This was going to be a long boat ride for them both.

Back In Kumo

A short blonde haired girl was seen walking towards the Raikage Mansion. She was fairly light-skinned with light blue eyes that showed a small coldness in them. Her clothes consisted of a grey short sleeved shirt along with some grey Kumo shorts. She wore some arm guards and leg guards while she was wearing some black shinobi sandals. She walked along with her teammates who were next to her. One had red hair and the other had white hair. The three were Samui, Karui and Omoi. They had just received news from their Raikage and were on their way to the mansion.

"So what do you think he wants with you Samui? You didn't do something did you?" Karui asked with a grin while Samui rolled her eyes.

"Very funny. Let's get going," Samui said and her teammates followed her up the stairs of the Raikage Mansion. They had all just completed a mission with their sensei. They wanted to rest for a bit, but when Raikage called for them they didn't mind walking for a little longer.

Samui knocked on the door and waited for a reply from their Raikage.

"Come in," A said and Samui opened the door. She walked inside along with her team and everyone bowed to their Raikage who made them raise their heads. Everyone did so and stood before A and waited for him to speak.

"Alright everyone the reason I've called you here is because of a treaty we have made with Konoha," A said making the three genin narrow their eyes. They sat down in some chair available to them and allowed their Raikage to continue.

"Is that a good thing though?" Omoi asked and A nodded before continuing.

"That's right it is. A few hours ago we received a message from Konoha saying that they would like to enter the treaty with us and we'll be meeting them soon," A said to them and Samui placed on leg over the other.

"So what does this have to do with us?" Samui asked while Karui and Omoi tensed and the Raikage noticed.

"It's not really all of you, but you Samui. You are going to have a political marriage with their best male genin," A said making Samui narrow her eyes. Karui dropped her jaw and Omoi widened his eyes.

"You're kidding? Why does Samui have to get married to someone she doesn't know? And why are we even making this treaty at all? Did we do something wrong?" Karui asked before Samui calmed her down along with Omoi. A sighed and tapped the desk of his table.

"You three weren't old enough at the time to know about it, but there was a certain incident that happened between us and Konoha. I wasn't the Raikage at the time, but my Father the Sandaime was the Raikage and he was known for being power hungry on more than one occasion. We had a treaty with Konoha before, but our Sandaime did something. He tried to kidnap the Hyuuga clan heiress when she was a child," A said making Samui, Karui and Omoi gasp, but A continued on.

"Anyway, the Hyuuga killed our jonin and rescued their heiress back, but learning of it Kumo warned Konoha that if we didn't receive some compensation that we'd go to war and so they offered one of their Hyuuga members in return for the life of our own shinobi. Only then did we realize the mistake in what we did, but it was too late. Konoha hasn't tried anything with us, but we know that they secretly wanted compensation and rather go through another war we both agreed to a political marriage," A finished and Samui looked at the ground. Karui and Omoi remained silent and let the news sink in.

"I...see, so who am I marrying?" Samui asked and Karui widened her eyes.

"Samui, you're not really going through with this are you?" Karui asked and Samui nodded. She stood to her feet and simply gazed out the window.

"It's alright Karui," Samui said , but Karui shook her head.

"No it's not. You could have a total bastard for a husband and you wouldn't mind," Karui asked and Samui sighed. She closed her eyes and folded her arms underneath her rather impressive assets.

"I said it's alright. So Raikage-sama who am I marrying?" Samui asked with a cold glare and A stood to his feet.

"We just know it's their top genin. We'll be leaving for Konoha in a day, but don't worry just yet. Before this marriage can be fully agreeable I'll have something to prove this boy's worth and if I don't like it then the marriage might be off or you'll get another mate," A said to her and Samui merely nodded while Karui seemed somewhat satisfied with that answer.

"Well I guess that's great, so what are you going to do?" Karui asked and A grinned.

"We're going to-,"

In Konoha

Kurenai widened her eyes at what Shikaku just told her. The Nara head gulped as Kurenai narrowed her eyes into a cold glare making people around them slightly back away. She quickly got to her feet and walked towards the Hokage Mansion.

"I'm getting an explanation and I'm getting it now," Kurenai said to herself leaving Shikaku mentally screaming for his Hokage to find someplace safe, but it was too late. He followed Kurenai as they walked up the stairs and while Kurenai was mad, she wasn't mad enough that she would burst into the Hokage's office, but she really had to suppress the urge She knocked on the door waiting for the Hokage to answer.

Sarutobi heard the door get knocked on and gulped. He could feel the KI radiating through the door and he really didn't want to open it, but he did nonetheless.

"Come in," He said with a slight shudder in his voice as Kurenai opened the door. She quickly erased the distance between herself and the Hokage before she had her hands on the desk.

"Sarutobi-sama, please explain to me about the news I just heard. What's this about my son being used in a political marriage to Kumo?" Kurenai asked and Sarutobi gulped again. He could feel the lump in his throat and swallowed it down.

"Well Kurenai-san let's talk about this calmly alright?" Sarutobi asked and Kurenai glared at her Hokage for a minute before stepping back and sitting in a chair. Doing that Sarutobi explained to her about the entire thing with Kumo making Kurenai understand the situation. She sighed when she calmed down. It was just like her Naruto to be in this situation because he was the strongest genin. That made things difficult.

"And that's all Kurenai-san. I have told you everything," Sarutobi said and Kurenai leaned her arms on her legs. She looked at the ground and sighed. She closed her eyes for a few minutes and leaned back up.

"Sigh, I suppose I can see that, but that doesn't mean I approve of this course of action Sarutobi-sama. I'm Naruto's mother and you should've told me," Kurenai told him and Hiruzen apologized for it. Kurenai rubbed her temples and sighed.

"I can only wonder how Naruto-kun is going to take this," Kurenai said to herself, but Sarutobi nodded also as he wondered how the blonde would take it also. Kurenai got up from her seat fast and headed for the door.

"I'm going to go think. Oh and Sarutobi-sama when I'm done thinking about this I want to know why you sent my Naruto-kun on a C-rank mission," Kurenai said as she closed the door with a glare while Sarutobi slammed his head on the desk. This day just wasn't going well for him at all.

Back with Naruto

The blonde sighed as he read through his scroll. He noticed out of the corner of his eyes that Mikata had slithered down the stairs. The Kyoko woman seemed to notice also, but it confused her when she saw Naruto open his jacket and she watched as the snake slithered into the jacket then nothing else happened.

Naruto sighed as he found it to be late. He got up from where he was sitting and walked upstairs. Kyoko watched him leave, but he quickly came back two minutes later with a tray of food. He walked up to her and sighed.

"Here you should eat something," Naruto said, but Kyoko just stayed silent and ignored him. Naruto's eyebrow twitched as he glared at the woman in the white mask. He sighed and knelt down. He grabbed her mask which certainly got a rise out of her at the moment.

"What the hell are you doing brat! Let go of my mask!" She yelled as Naruto stopped his hand.

"Oh so you can talk. I thought a snake had your tongue for a second. Now then eat, you need your strength," Naruto told her and the swordswoman glared at her captor.

"I'm fine now leave me alone," Kyoko said and Naruto sighed as he left the tray in front of her. He then sat back down in his spot and continued to read his scroll before he muttered something.

"Don't be mad at me cause you fell for a C-rank genjutsu," Naruto said with a snickered and the woman gritted her teeth at behind her mask. Who was this guy that could piss her off so much?

"Hmph I was simply distracted. Plus I wasn't even serious that's why you won. Don't get cocky," she muttered and Naruto chuckled.

"And that's why your tied up and hungry, but too damn stubborn to eat the food I want to give you," the blonde told her and Kyoko growled. It was also embarrassing wen he stomach growled making Naruto give a hidden smirk.

"Told ya dattebayo," Naruto said and Kyoko growled again.

"Hmph, maybe you need food, but I don't just go back to reading your worthless scroll right there," Kyoko told him and Naruto turned to her. He stood up and walked over to her and reached for her mask.

"Don't you dare touch me!" Kyoko yelled and Naruto didn't stop. He took off her mask and watched her remaining hair fall to the sides of her face. Naruto raised an eyebrow at her before he had one word to say.

"Beautiful," The blonde said in slight awe and Kyoko raised an eyebrow before slightly blushing.

"Shut up and put my mask back on," she said to him and Naruto shook his head.

"Why should you hide your face? If you weren't the enemy I might say you were something nice," Naruto told her and Kyoko snorted.

"Flattery gets you nowhere," Kyoko said and Naruto simply shrugged his shoulders while Kyoko was wondering why she was even talking to the blonde in the first place. She easily tried to chalk that up to the boredom of being tied up. Not to mention she was also hungry, but her pride made her refuse.

"So are you going to eat or not?" Naruto asked and his response was a 'hmph' while Kyoko turned her back to him. Naruto chuckled as he rubbed the back of his head. He knew this type of woman as he saw a lot of her in his sister, Anko.

"I'll never eat that slop," Kyoko said to him and Naruto grinned as he took a spoonful of food.

"Alright I guess I'll eat it myself. I hate to let food go to waste," Naruto said to her and Kyoko's eyebrow twitched. She heard the utensils clatter over the plates as she heard Naruto compliment the food. She could feel her resolve weakening as her stomach grew tighter. Her hair shadowed her eyes and she gritted her teeth.

"Back off the food it's-,"

Kyoko stopped as Naruto popped the spoon in her mouth and smiled as he saw Kyoko's surprised face. The blonde took it out of her mouth and smiled as Kyoko swallowed the food.

"I can eat by myself," the woman said and Naruto nodded as he took another spoonful of food and held it up to her mouth. The woman glared at him and Naruto simply kept up his smile.

"Just eat the food dattebayo," Naruto told her and Kyoko grumbled before reluctantly taking more of the food. Naruto continued this process until all the food was gone and the woman was satisfied. The blonde sighed and grinned.

"Now was that so hard?" Naruto asked and Kyoko rolled her eyes at him before the blonde walked back to his seat and opened up a book.

"I knew I saw your face before. You're Kyoko Fura, the A-ranked missing nin from Kirigakure. You're wanted by nearly all of Kiri," Naruto said and Kyoko raised an eyebrow.

"Mind telling me why a genin knows about the bingo book?" Kyoko and Naruto chuckled.

"You don't wanna know about that. It's a stupid story. So what about you? Never thought you'd hate Numa no Kuni so much," Naruto said and he noticed the extra deep scowl on her face.

"It doesn't matter. It's not like you could understand," Kyoko said to Naruto and the blonde looked up at the ceiling for a second.

"Try me dattebayo," Naruto said and Kyoko rolled her eyes. She decided to humor the blonde and told him some of her life and her problems with Marsh Country. Naruto was shocked to learn that she was originally a shinobi from the country, but it was ruled by a tyrant daimyou. Anyone who tried to fight him was executed. She told him about hr parents and how they died because of being in the middle of one of the 'raids' the daimyou did to everyone. She told him how she narrowly escaped death the few times that she had tried to run away and the time that she succeeded was when she saw Yagura and agreed to follow him, but he was beginning to show tyranny to his subjects as he started the Bloodline Purge. She said how she couldn't take him anymore and left to be deemed a traitor for her life. When Kyoko stopped talking she didn't realize that it was almost close to morning.

"And that's why I hate the Marsh and Kiri. People too proud of power that they try and usurp others and abuse them. That's why I hate them," Kyoko said and Naruto chuckled then laughed making Kyoko raise an eyebrow.

"Why the hell are you laughing?" She asked and Naruto shook his head in an apology.

"Sorry sorry. I didn't mean to laugh it's just that I can sort of relate to those like you," Naruto told her and Kyoko narrowed her eyes at him before Naruto explained. It was now his turn as he told Kyoko about his life. He told her about being hated by his village and how he was beaten nearly every single day for reasons that he didn't know. He also told her about how his village's council would try to make his life even more miserable than it was. Needless to say, Kyoko had to ask her own question to the blonde.

"So why do you stay there? You should leave and come with me," Kyoko said enjoying the suggestion even if she didn't want to admit it, but Naruto smiled and shook his head.

"Because I have important people in there. I have my mother, my sister, my team and my friends back in Konoha. It's not a bad place, but I have power also. I don't abuse it and I fight to protect what's important to me," Naruto told her and Kyoko sighed as she leaned her head back into the wall.

"What a cheeky brat you are," she said and Naruto shrugged his shoulders.

"Hey at least we're having an engaging conversation now," Naruto told her and Kyoko actually did something he didn't expect...she chuckled. It was a nice laugh, very melodious and different from the usual chuckles she gave when they were fighting.

"I suppose. Oh well at least before I die I'll be able to say I had an interesting conversation with someone," Kyoko said and Naruto raised an eyebrow.

"Who said you're going to die?" Naruto asked and Kyoko snorted.

"Well you are going to turn me to Kiri for the reward aren't you?" Kyoko asked and Naruto snorted back making her look at him in confusion.

"I could do that or I could ask that you come back to my village with me," Naruto said and Kyoko looked at him incredulously.

"You're a few kunai shy of a set if you think I'm going to align myself to another power hungry village and judging by the way you said you were treated I'd rather take my chances being on my own," Kyoko said and Naruto got up and walked over to her. He sat next to her and smiled.

"Come on, you know you wanna come. Have a nice hot meal everyday, get a nice warm bath. I doubt you get that everyday," Naruto told her and Kyoko felt some of her resolve weaken. She really hadn't had any of that in a while. In fact her latest meal was the one that Naruto fed her.

"Hmph, bribery doesn't work on me brat. I've been through a lot not to get worked up over that," Kyoko said and Naruto grinned.

"Oh come on Kyoko-nee you know you want to come," Naruto said and immediately Kyoko glared at him.

"Who the hell are you calling Kyoko-nee? That better not be me," Kyoko said and Naruto chuckled.

"Is there any other Kyoko-nee in here?" Naruto asked and Kyoko 'hmphed' again. She gave a small smirk and turned to him.

"You're weird," she said and Naruto smiled at her. He simply nodded and rubbed his head.

"Kaa-chan said that too. I wonder why," Naruto said and Kyoko snorted.

"It's because you don't know how to get some sense when someone talks to you," Kyoko said to him and Naruto pouted.

"Hey I have sense. I have better sense than you. Man, you wore a mask for crying out loud and I was just trying to be nice. And...it's morning," Naruto said as Kyoko looked to see the sun coming up through the stairway. They had been talking all night.

"No sleep? I've never not slept before. I'm must be so tired dattebayo," Naruto panicked and Kyoko chuckled. She tried to sit up on her knees and blushed.

"Just sleep on my damn lap. Man this is your fault. I can't believe I'm opening up to someone like you. Someone I could confide in. How unsightly for me," Kyoko said, but then she felt a plop on her lap and saw Naruto sleeping soundly. She gawked for a few minutes before sighing and looking at the ceiling. She widened her eyes when she saw Anko looking at her through the stairs.

"So miss missing nin has a bit of a soft side for my little brother huh?" Anko said and Kyoko rolled her eyes.

"Don't you dare say anything to anyone!" Kyoko whispered and Anko knelt down in front of her.

"Hey I love my little brother too. I just didn't think that he got you to open up in about eight to ten hours. It's better than what I could possibly do," Anko said and Kyoko rolled her eyes. Both saw Naruto nudge a bit on Kyoko's lap before they sighed.

"Well silence irks me to no end. I swear his attitude is a disease. I just found myself talking and talking with him as the night went on. He's a weird brat," Kyoko said and Anko nodded before smiling.

"Yeah he's like that. He just has a quality that makes anyone like him when they have the time to talk to him. I could never figure it out. Hell I bet he could become friends with the entire world if they all had the chance to talk with him," Anko said and Kyoko looked at him.

"No one's ever called me Kyoko-nee. It's weird to hear it for the first time, but not in a bad way I guess. Do you think he was joking when he said he'd like me to go back with him?" Kyoko asked and Anko's smile faded slightly.

"He's not like that at all. If he wanted you to come back then he wanted you to come back. He's always been like that. Hell that's how he found Mikata," Anko said and Kyoko raised an eyebrow.

"Mikata?" she asked and Anko unzipped Naruto's jacket and both looking inside at the sleeping snake.

"His snake familiar. Found her out in the training ground, she was injured, he helped her and brought her home. Maybe you should be like Mikata," Anko suggested and Kyoko rolled her eyes. She looked to the side at some barrels and slowly thought to herself. She muttered things over and sighed.

"I guess if he's there then a place won't be so bad even if I hate some of your power hungry officials, but I guess he could be right. Just so you know I'm not doing this for you, him or anyone else. I'm doing this for me and me alone," Kyoko said and Anko smirked.

"Whatever floats your boat. So do you still want this document or not?" the Snake Mistress asked waving it in front of Kyoko and the swordswoman slightly glared before huffing.

"Get that thing out of my sight before I rip it to shreds," Kyoko said with a huff and Anko nodded getting rid of it. Both looked down at Naruto who yawned.

"Anko-nee, Kyoko-nee it's my ramen," Naruto said making Anko and Kyoko chuckle before the captive's eyes gleamed.

"Ramen? Did he say ramen? Konoha has ramen? I love ramen!" Kyoko said almost aloud waking Naruto up as Anko snickered.

"Yep, she's definitely like Naruto. Teuchi you're about to get some real good business," Anko said to herself before she took out a kunai.

"I still wonder about your intentions, but hey if someone's right to me then I have no reason to keep them tied up, but one wrong move and I'll show you why I'm the second best at the Interrogation Department of Konoha," Anko said as she untied Kyoko's ropes. The blue haired woman sighed as she raised her hand. Anko almost tensed before Kyoko lowered it and ruffled Naruto's hair before smiling.

"He's a pain, but he's cute when he's sleeping," Kyoko said and Anko nodded. Soon Shikamaru and Hinata came down the stairs.

"Anko-sensei we...found...land?" Shikamaru paused as he saw their captive stroking Naruto's blonde hair. He turned to see Anko grinning while Hinata seemed confused.

"Umm did I miss something?" Shikamaru asked as Kyoko glared at the Nara.

"Quiet, if you wake him up then by Kami I'll cut you in half," Kyoko said as Shikamaru quickly backed away.

"Troublesome woman," the Nara said next to the stairs, but they had to wake the blonde up even if he wasn't sleeping long.

"Naruto we have a mission to do so let's go. It won't take long so you can go to sleep on the ride back," Anko said and Naruto quickly got up. He rubbed his eyes and everyone walked out of the boat.

The walk to the palace was relatively short for everyone as the Mansion wasn't far. The entered the mansion and came up to the man in charge.

"Ahhh so I guess you made it. How nice. I was hoping you would," The man said as Anko handed him the note. He looked over its contents and nodded before giving them the Marsh country's reply. Anko put it away and just as easily they were ready to set sail again. Naruto had complained that there was no action involved in the fight, but Kyoko countered and asked him if she wasn't enough of a challenge which Naruto gulped and immediately told her that she was. After that, Kyoko and Naruto were busy sleeping beside each other on the deck of the ship while Shikamaru and Hinata turned to Anko.

"Even I have to find that weird. She was our enemy just a day ago. How did Naruto change her in that time?" Shikamaru asked and Anko grinned.

"That's just like him I guess. We should just be lucky that this mission went off without a hitch," Anko said and soon the waters began to rumble and shake violently. Everyone shifted under the heavy waves before they saw something emerge from the sea.

"W-w-w-what is that?" Hinata asked widening her eyes in fear. Shikamaru sighed as he rubbed the back of his head.

"Oh man that is such a drag," Shikamaru said while Anko whistled. A giant kraken came out of the water and roared out at them making the waves crash around. Everyone braced for the edges of the ship and noticed Naruto and Kyoko still sleeping.

"How can they still sleep?" Shikamaru wondered and the giant creature roared again making Kyoko open her eyes. She growled and stood to her feet. She saw everyone pointing behind her and the blue haired woman turned around to see the giant creature behind her.

"You woke me up from my nap. I hate being woken up," Kyoko said as she grabbed her sword. She unsheathed it and quickly brought it back. The creature roared and thrashed around before Kyoko jumped into the air.

"Vanish...in the hidden storm. Hijutsu: Myakudō Reiji( Hidden Blade Technique: Pulsation Rage)," Kyoko yelled as she slashed at the kraken and a light blue aura surrounded her sword as she making it shine blinding everyone as Kyoko hit the ground. She sheathed her sword and smirked.

"Not enough to scare me," Kyoko said as the creature fell into the ocean with multiple slash marks around its body. Everyone gasped as Kyoko sat back down next to Naruto.

"How did you do that? You really are a kenjutsu woman," Shikamaru said and Kyoko raised a tired eye at them all.

"It's easy enough. I told you I was previously one of the Swordsmen of the Mist. Defeating something like that is child's play," Kyoko said and Hinata quickly waked over also.

"B-But we were able to fight you almost by ourselves how could you be taken so easily?" Hinata asked her and Kyoko rubbed the back of her head and chuckled.

"Two reasons one it was four against one," Kyoko said making everyone nod with that as she sort of blushed in embarrassment at the second one.

"And the second one is that...I suck at trying to dispel genjutsu," Kyoko said making everyone fault completely which made her laugh. Naruto yawned as he woke up also.

"What's all the noise about dattebayo?" Naruto asked rubbing his eyes and Kyoko shrugged her shoulders.

"Come on people keep it down. We're trying to sleep here," she said as the two quickly laid back down on the deck and went to sleep making Anko gulp.

"Nai-chan is going to kill me for this," Anko thought as she watched Naruto and Kyoko sleep. Team eight had no idea what was in store for them at the moment when they got back home.


KG: To clarify here, my OC isn't going to be paired with Naruto also. Unless I somehow change my mind, but for now it's just Naruto and Samui. Kyoko will be another sister figure for Naruto. Nothing more to say people. That's all and I hope you liked it. Later.