Chapter 61 Interactions
The Royal palace was in a rush as a group of twenty panthers all members of the government were preparing to head out on a massive hunt in the human world. The Panther governmental hunts had been going on since the days of King Alexander, when he brought the leaders of the panthers and tigers on separate hunts in the woods so that he could learn more about them and their wants and needs. It was a time when the King could get out of the city and at the same time form a bond with other members of the government. It had taken on even more meaning this year since the young prince was expected to rise to the throne within a few months a year at the most. To top it off the now famous Hinata Hyuuga who had become popular with the civilians and who was likely going to become Queen was coming along in her first public appearance. A Queen or future Queen hadn't come along on a hunt in since Gamba's great great great grandmother. That meant that they could possibly get the ear of not one but two future leaders.
Hinata was being lead though the palace by Fay who was come along as part of the guard force to make sure that everyone was protected. It was the panther's royal hunt meaning apart from Hinata and Gamba everyone going was a demon panther.
"So this is what rest of palace looks like?" asked Hinata as she looked at the massive buildings all millions of years older than the oldest human building.
"Yes, but Hinata we need to talk about what is going to happen." said Fay
"What do you mean?" asked Hinata "We are going on a hunt."
"Yes, but this is also a time that the royal family is seen by the people." explained Fay "There is a paraded through the city in which the royal delegation is carried though the city for the people to see and have the politics meet with the people all at once."
"We are carried though the city?" asked Hinata
"Yes." said Fay "They are carried to the fortress were the transportation seals are located."
"Still that doesn't seem right." stated Hinata as they turned the corner to see a large open square that had to be at least two miles long by two miles wide with towering buildings flanking the sides and a huge building with thousands of steppes on the top. The back part was a massive stone wall which marked the boarder of the royal city.
"Wow…this is huge." Said Hinata as the two of them walked toward the gathering near the main gate, there twenty panther members of the government and as many members of the royal guard. Almost instantly she was surrounded by people she had never meet all wanting to shake her hand and introduce themselves. It was clear to everyone that she didn't really know to respound to everyone suddenly she felt a hand on her shoulder and she instantly relaxed, as she looked over her shoulder to see Gamba
"My fellow felines we are going to spend ten days in the field together it can wait." said Gamba "Your voters are waiting."
With that the crowed parted as they prepared to leave for a short journey to the main fortress were the transportation seals was located.
"Sorry about that Hinata, I should have been here sooner to deal with them." said Gamba
"It's alright." said Hinata as she placed her hand in his, something that didn't go unnoticed by the palace photographer which was snapping photos of the two of them. "So I heard we are carried though the streets?"
"Yes, but I have an idea which you may like." said Gamba as he whispered into Hinata ear which caused her to smile. "Now we can't totally get ride up the tradition…yet but a modification is good."
The room was small and dark with the only light source coming from a single light bulb, there was only five things in the whole room. A toilet, a sink, a small bed which was bolted to the wall and floor, a metal table which was also bolted to the floor and a pair of chairs. Sitting at the table was Choji Akimichi, he hadn't seen anyone in days. The only interaction he had had with his captors was when food was delivered by a slot in the metal door.
"I am not going to talk." stated Choji to the blackened glass wall. He was sure that the demons were on the other side of the wall but when he tried to attack it, the force just bounced back at him. He wasn't sure why they were doing this, if they wanted information they could just turn him but he found no needle marks and the demons dragged him right into this room after he was captured. The sound of the door opening caused him to look as a blonde vixen with deep blue eyes walked in. He knew who it was demon or not he knew who it was; he had spent almost his entire ninja career with her.
"Hello Choji." said Ino as she sat down across from him; she smiled with her new demon fangs.
"Raeni said you where a fox now." said Choji as he crossed his arms "But I still will not talk."
"You know I have ways to get the information we want without asking you to talk." stated Ino "They would have the information now if they could turn you."
"Could?" asked Choji
"They ran out of the agent, they should be ready within a few hours." Stated Ino "When that happens they will take you to be processed and transformed into a demon bear."
"You sound somewhat saddened?" asked Choji
"Truth be told I kind wished that you would become a fox so Ino-Shika-Cho could stay together but from my understanding you would fit pretty well in the demon bear society." explained Ino "Now will you tell me what I want to know or will I have to use some force."
"Well you can't really use your sexuality on me since we are like siblings, that leaves only your mind penetration justu." Stated Choji as Ino nodded her head
"And Shikamaru and you used to let me practice my justu's on you so you are used to preventing me from entering your mind." explained Ino "But I can break though any barriers you may try to put up."
"Then do it." ordered Choji as Ino nodded her head before forming a hand sign. On the outside it appeared but neither one of them where moving but looking carefully one could see that their breathing was the same because their brains were now linked. The mind penetration justu was one of the most effective but most risky justus since it opened both their minds. It linked two people's minds allowing information to be shared or stolen without saying a word. It was faster than forcefully trying to break down mental walls because instead of trying to break open every wall it went after pinpoint memories however if a person was trained in mental defense or just stronger willed they could stop it.
Choji found himself in a different place; it was full of bluish white smoke and the sounds of events in his life in the background. He had been here enough when Ino was practicing the justu; he was inside the chakra link between his mind and Ino's. In a few moments Ino would appear and try to get past him and into his memories. Battling inside the mind wasn't like fighting in the real world it was more of a battle of will and experience and Ino had a lot of experience.
"You can calm down Choji I am not going to try and break into your mind." said Fox Ino as she stepped out a group of red clouds which lead into her own mind. "I just wanted to talk to you without having them hear what we say."
"What?" asked Choji
"Choji just because I am now a demon and I enjoy the power and the long life doesn't mean I want humanity to be destroyed." Stated Ino "Or that I have stopped planning a way to stop the demons."
"You have a cure?" asked Choji "A way to get everything back to normal."
"No and I am not sure I would want to go back now." said Ino "But we are planning a way to cut the demon world off from the human world for around a thousand years, if not longer."
"How?" asked Choji
"It would be better if you don't know that but we are working on it." explained Ino "We need to tell Kakashi and the what is left of the Leaf command about our plan so we need to radio code your group used. We also need you once you turn."
"You can't get me out of here?" asked Choji as Ino raised an eyebrow "I had to ask."
"No, and I am taking a huge risk by asking for your help." Said Ino
"How so?" asked Choji
"For all I know when you turn you will enjoy being a demon so much that humanity will mean nothing to you." said Ino "We can't be sure who is on our side and who isn't. I can't even trust my parents."
"What do you need." said Choji
"When you become a bear, you need to work your way into their society make them think you're on their side, give them low level information and then when the time comes we set our plan into motion." stated Ino "Now I need something to go back to them with? What was your job in the resistance?"
"My group was in charge of growing food." explained Choji "Remember I was in charge for the food for that long term base in the Rain when Madara took over."
"Ya." said Ino
"Wait is he a demon too?" asked Choji
"No, some humans had too many experiments done to themselves to turn them it was a miracle that Orochimaru became a demon at all." explained Ino "Now they also want to know who has been cutting off the heads of their patrols because they are really pissed about that."
"Who do you think?" asked Choji
"Kiba?" asked Ino as Choji nodded his head "I always had a feeling he could snap if pushed."
"Losing the Leaf, his family and Hinata to the demons is a hard push." explained Choji
"Well Hinata is on her way to become Queen of the Demon felines." stated Ino "Now let's talk for a bit because if I come out too soon they will think you gave up too fast."
"Fine, so how is everyone else?" asked Choji
"Tsunade is pregnant with Jiriaya's kits." started Ino as Choji's eyes widened.
"Ya…things have changed a lot." explained Ino
Meanwhile Hinata was a little shell shock as she looked out over the crowds of demon felines which were lining the streets. The entire sidewalk was packed with demons, some of whom had placed small clubs on their shoulders so they could see the crowned prince and her. Members of what she assumed to be either the royal guard or regular military lined the road making sure they were safe. The members of the hunting group was moving up and down the lines of subjects shaking their hands and talking with them. Judging from how many cameras where pointed toward her and how many looked were toward her she was the center of attention.
"Kind of hard to take it all in isn't it." Said Gamba as they moved slowly though the city. The two of them were riding in a vehicle which was being carried by eight demon panthers four in the front and four in the back. They carried them on a platform which was covered with red silk. They also had a small roof over their heads and shades of the same red silk.
"Ya." answered Hinata as she waved to the crowed which was already something unheard from the Royal family who was suppose to be stern almost God like figures who showed little emotions to the public. The people seemed to love the simple action as that caused the crowed to cheer and seeing that her other hand was wrapped in Gamba's made them cheer even more.
"I don't understand why they like me so much? I haven't done anything for them." whispered Hinata to Gamba.
"You did it by just being you and the fact that you seem like more of a real lioness then the bimbo or power seekers that fill the harem." explained Gamba as the towering main fortress came into view. Next to the royal city the fortress was the largest structure in the feline kingdom and among the largest building in the world. Its massive walls and towers all of whom flew the flags of the kingdom combined with almost unlimited supply of food and water. This was the headquarters of the regular military unlike the royal guard which while made out of the best of the best it numbered only two thousand not the million plus strong forces of the regular army.
"Well I guess if they if they like a simple wave they will love what we have planned." said Hinata with a smile as they neared what appeared to be a school, there lined up along the edge of the road was a group of what had to be six or seven year old kids all waiting to see the crowned Prince.
"Stop." ordered Gamba as the panthers carrying them came to a stop, the fact that they stopped was unheard of and what happened next was such a break with tradition was thought impossible as first Hinata and then Gamba got off and walked over the stunned students, even the members of the government where stunned at the events as all eyes were on them.
"Hello there." said Hinata to the one of the little lioness who was so stunned she didn't say anything for a moment. Hinata knelt down so that she and the kid were at the closer to the same level "What is your name?"
"Mai." answered young cub
"Nice to meet you Mai." said Hinata with a smile as she placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Enjoying yourself?" asked Gamba
"Yes." answered Mai as Gamba and Hinata started to move around and talk with the other students and the people. The royal family any member of the royal family yet alone the crowned prince shaking hands and talking with the regular people was smashing almost every major tradition but the people loved it.
"So Miss Hyuuga is it true you meet the prince in some food stand?" asked a reporter as he pushed his way through the crowed to get close to Hinata.
"Ya." said Hinata "Sort of just ran into him after a long day on patrol and I was too tired to cook."
"She actually thought I was one of her friends." added Gamba with a small laugh
"Ya and the following night I was on patrol and he showed up on a rooftop." said Hinata "If I remember correctly you looked so scared when you asked me out. My friends had to presser me into it."
"And I am glad you gave in to them." said Gamba
"So am I." stated Hinata as she kissed Gamba which caused more people to cheer, they kept moving down the line of demons all whom wanted simply to touch their future king.
Meanwhile Naruto Namikaze was sitting on top of a mound of destroyed buildings which used to be his home village. It was strange coming back to the Leaf village less than a month after it had fallen. The once busy shops were either mounds of broken walls or abounded. Nothing seemed alive the only movement apart from the demons were the wild animals.
"This place still smells like humans." stated Cade "Why do we have to clean this place up?"
"Because someday this might be one of our side villages." explained the only vixen on the team Vaili
"So Seth what was it like here when it was full of humans?" asked Vaili to her teammate
"You should ask him, he knows it better than me." stated Seth as Vaili looked toward her pack trainer
"How could you stand this place?" asked Cade
"You have to understand this was my home, I grew up here." explained Naruto before looking toward the half destroyed ninja Academy, the building where he went to class in was halfway destroyed but somehow the swing where he had sat so many times watching the other kids be picked up by their parents remained "I went to school right, I wanted to live the rest of my days here."
"If only you had never became a demon." whispered Seth to himself thinking that Naruto couldn't hear him.
"Well that is enough of that, let's get this area cleared up." stated Naruto as he looked around, from this spot alone he could make out over three dozen squads cleaning the area up. He looked toward the Hokage building where he had already sent two shadow clones to find the radio controlled detonator, if they were still intact. The fact that neither of his clones had been destroyed told him that they were likely not found yet. It had been gut reaching to watch the leaf village burn that night when it fell but seeing it up close was just as hard.
"Looks like we have a large group coming." stated Vaili as Naruto looked toward what remained of the main gate. A large group of demon panthers were walking into the village but he could just make out a pair of lions. One he knew was Gamba and the other wasn't hard to guess.
"Who are they?" asked Cade
"Gamba and Hinata." explained Naruto as the crowed of panthers moved toward them.
In the group most of the panthers were looking around at the remains of the human village with curiosity and interest however for Hinata it was like visiting a graveyard.
"Hinata we can leave if you want?" offered Gamba already knowing the answer, but he had to ask anyhow.
"No…I want to see this." explained Hinata as they kept walking down the road. Suddenly she looked up to see a blonde fox with deep blue eyes and black marks on his muzzle sitting on top of the rubble. For a moment Hinata's white demon lion eyes locked on Naruto's silted blue demon fox eyes. Naruto slowly got up as he walked down a seemly clear staircase which had somehow still stood after having three walls coming down on it. The guards' eyes were locked on Naruto as a demon fox wasn't likely to attack them but still Gamba is the crowned prince. Naruto walked forward stopping a yard or so away from Hinata.
"Hinata."
"Naruto."
"Things certainly have changed hasn't it." said Naruto with a small laugh.
"I think that goes without saying." said Hinata as she took a deep breath.
"Ya, heard you are on your way to becoming Queen." said Naruto
"I don't really care about that." said Hinata as the other leaders looked at her stunned before she smiled "I am with the lion I love just you are with the vixen you love.
"Ya." answered Naruto
"What I had with you was just one way it would have never had happened, you love Sakura with all your heard." said Hinata "And even if she had died or picked Sasuke you would still love her."
"Ya." stated Naruto
"And what I had on you wasn't really love, not like I have with Gamba." stated Hinata "What we have is what I believe you have with Sakura."
"I hope we can still be friends though." offered Naruto as he offered his hand.
"I would like that." Said Hinata as she took his hand and pulled him into a hug.
"Naruto my sister and a dozen other people are trapped in the basement below our old classroom." whispered Hinata "Get them out of there and away from the Leaf."
"I will and we have a plan to save humanity." said Naruto back
"I knew you would, count me in when you need it." said Hinata as she pulled back.
"Well I hope I can become your friend too Naruto." said Gamba as he offered his hand to Naruto which he took "I won't pull you into a hug."
"I understand." laughed Naruto as he slapped Gamba in the shoulder which caused the guards to flinch.
"I want to check out my old home then we can head on out." said Hinata
"Naruto it was good to see you again." said Gamba
Well I hope you like the interactions between Ino and Choji, Hinata/Gamba and the people and of course Naruto and Hinata. I would like to thank everyone who reviewed and I ask that you keep on reading. Thanks Wilkins75.
