And so I HAVE FINALLY FINISHED! YESSSSSSSSSS
Enjoy my hours of hard work :]
Chapter 1
"You promise?"
Kiba laughed, and ruffled her hair fondly. "Naruto, I promise. Have faith in me." Akamaru barked excitedly, and Kiba shot him a quick grin. "And Akamaru too." She didn't trust his light-hearted words. Suppose they got ambushed? Suppose they…
"Kiba," she whispered, eyes filling up with desperate tears. "Promise me that you'll meet me again back in Konoha. Promise me!" Her voice had taken a sharp turn at the end, and her last word was a shrill shriek. The blizzard wind howled and it seemed to carry her words far off into the forest. The snow fell steadily, turning the world into a white blankness. The ground was colored red beneath the two ninjas' feet as their wounds dripped blood.
Kiba saw the terror that were etched in her cerulean eyes, and he gave her a gentle hug, trying his best to calm her. "I promise. And I promise for the rest of the gang. We'll be fine, I swear. Just leave and get to Konoha safely. You need to give Tsunade-sama the report. Go, Naruto."
She shook her head in despair. "Why me? I… I can fight! I have Kyuubi's power. I'm just as strong as anyone of you!"
The man laughed in amusement. "I guess it's a men thing. You probably forgot what it was like to be a boy. How long has it been since the seal? Ten years?" Kiba's face turned solemn but his eyes still remained warm. "Naruto, you have to leave. There's no time left. I have to join Neji and Lee at the battlefield. They need me and Akamaru."
Naruto gave a silent sob. "I… I don't want to! Switch with me, Kiba. I'll go—"
She couldn't finish her sentence. Kiba had taken her face with two blood-spattered hands and roughly crushed his torn lips against hers in a desperate kiss. She fiercely kissed him back for all she was worth.
"Naruto…" he murmured thickly when they broke apart. Naruto's eyes were still misted over with love and lust, and Kiba cracked a smile. He fondly licked the tears that trickled down her whiskered cheeks. "Honey, there's no one else in this world I love more than you. Naruto, do you love me?"
Naruto looked up at him and deeply kissed him again in response to his question. Kiba quietly chuckled, and his hands teasingly made traces up and down the blond girl's sides as he licked her lips. Her breathing soon became pants of want.
"Kiba…" she whispered. She pressed her aching body against the man.
He felt himself go hard. "Whoa, little tiger," he said softly, trying to keep himself in check. "Not now, honey. Remember, you have a duty left to do." His hands grabbed her thighs and he tenderly pulled her off of him. They stared at each other, and Kiba couldn't do it anymore. "Fuck, Naruto. I want you so bad, I…" He bent his head and bit the side of her neck. Naruto yelped in pain, but it quickly became a purr as he nursed the would he inflicted with his warm tongue.
"I'd ask you at a better time," he said lovingly between each lick, "but Naruto…"
Naruto gasped in shock as she suddenly felt Kiba grind his hard hard hips into hers. Their moans filled the air, and Naruto couldn't breathe. She wanted Kiba, here, now…
"Naruto," he panted heavily. "Will you marry me?"
She stared hard into Kiba's eyes and saw nothing but love.
"Yes," she whispered. "Yes."
The sweetest, most tender smile broke upon Kiba's face, and he gently cupped Naruto's face, kissing her softly once more. "Something to remember me by. Now, leave. I swear, I'll come back. By that kiss, by that proposal, I swear." And he lightly pushed the stunned Naruto in the direction of Konoha. "I love you so much."
He and Akamaru then ran off into the forest.
"Kiba…" she whispered.
The wind screamed.
"Don't… die..."
She woke gasping for breath. The same dream that haunted her everyday, how she hated it! And Kiba… She had never wanted him to endanger himself in the first place, never wanted him on that mission.. And now she didn't know if she would ever see him again, if he were still…
Kiba.
Wincing from her excruciating headache, Naruto put her palm against her forehead. Damn. A fever.
The blonde directed her attention to her surroundings. She was in a small, sunny room with nothing on its drabby blue-gray walls except for a tiny clock. There was a sour smell that hung in the air, and it didn't take the woman long to recognize she was in the village hospital. Turning her head towards the other direction, Naruto saw a vase of fresh flowers placed on the oak table by her bedside, and as her eyes focused, she detected a note underneath the glass. Slowly getting into a sitting position – taking care not to pull her sore muscles and jolt her pounding head - the blond woman reached over and gently slipped the paper out.
Meeting at 10:00.
Cerulean eyes swiftly flickered to the clock ticking quietly on the wall. It was 9:57. She smiled grimly and let her head fall back against the headrest. "Seems like I woke just in time."
As soon as the words left her mouth, three loud raps were heard from the door, and Naruto tiredly turned her eyes towards the source of the sound. Her hand lightly put the note back on the table before she let it fall wearily on her bedcovers.
"Come on in, Morino-san," she said softly.
A tall, formidable shinobi opened the door and strode in, smoothly closing the hospital door behind him. He wore a black bandanna over his head and his face was full of long and thin scars. "Morning, Uzumaki. It's been a long time." He gave her a dry grin. "How did you know it was me?"
She smiled a weak dry grin back at him. "Who else would they send to interrogate a ninja who's been supposedly dead for more than half a decade? I haven't forgotten Konoha customs, if that's what you mean, Morino-san."
Morino grabbed a chair and placed it in front of Naruto's bed. He sat down resignedly. "As sharp as ever, Uzumaki." His eyes scanned her arms, the only part of her that was outside the bed sheets. "I see your arms have healed. What about the other wounds?"
"They're faring fairly well," she replied back in a quiet tone. Her cerulean eyes shut listlessly. "I'm just a bit sore, that's all. I'll be fine in another couple of days."
"That's good to hear."
There was a moment of silence. Naruto sighed wearily and she half-opened her eyes, looking at the uncomfortable shinobi with dull blue eyes. "How's baa-chan?"
He smiled. "Tsunade-sama," he corrected. The ninja's smile turned into a grin as he thought about the Fifth Hokage. "Lively. One certainly doubts that she's older than any one of us." Morino's eyes suddenly became grim. "She wants to see you, Uzumaki."
Naruto's eyes never changed expression. "Why hasn't she?"
Morino stared hard at the blond woman's placid face. "You said you haven't forgotten Konoha tradition, Uzumaki. Then don't you – "
Naruto chuckled feebly. "I was just teasing, Morino-san. Of course I remember. I also know that baa-chan and Ero Sennin are listening to this conversation in another room through the bug on your jacket." Seeing Morino's stunned eyes, Naruto sighed. "I haven't gotten stupid, either, y'know. Very well, if it's answers you want, I'll give you them. Fire away, Morino-san."
He stared back at her. "Uzumaki – "
"I've prepared myself for months to get this message back to Konoha," she cut in. "I'm not going to break from emotional stress. Believe me, I may be injured but I'm not weak."
Morino grinned sardonically at her. "I'm glad to hear that, Uzumaki. All right, shall we?" His eyes became flints of steel. "Where are the rest of the members in your team? Nara Shikamaru, Inuzuka Kiba, Hyuuga Neji, and Rock Lee?"
Naruto's hands quickly became fists against the bedcovers, but her eyes never left Morino's and her voice never wavered when she replied softly, "I don't know."
"What was the last time you saw them?"
"Six months ago."
"What happened then?"
Naruto smiled coldly. "Cutting to the chase already?" She chuckled bitterly. "I can't summarize seven years of my life on such a short notice, Morino-san."
Morino stared blankly at Naruto. "Well, what do you suggest?"
"You're the prosecutor."
He pondered briefly at Naruto's pungent words. "Why don't you start from the very beginning? Of why and how you guys left."
Naruto's orbs of silver-blue misted over as her mind traveled back a decade into the past; the memories all came rushing back, and she opened her mouth to tell her story… their story.
"I had just gotten home from Ichiraku Ramen when I was summoned to baa-chan's office…"
XXX
Nineteen-year-old Naruto bounded into the room, grinning wildly. "Hey, Granny, whatcha want me for?" He quickly dodged all the sake cups that Tsunade flung at him before settling down on his favorite spot in the big sofa chair near the far wall (far from Tsunade and her frightening weapons).
"Brat," Tsunade snapped as she massaged her temples. "I'll pound you next time I hear you calling me that." Naruto snorted, but the Hokage took no notice. "Uzumaki Naruto, the seal the Yondaime placed on you cracked four years ago, am I correct?"
Naruto rolled his eyes. "Of course you're right, obaa-chan." He quickly raised his arms up to his face, protecting himself from any attack Tsunade might hurl at him. It never came, and the teenager visibly relaxed. "You were there when I suddenly became a girl in front of you, weren't you?"
A new voice spoke from the window. "Unfortunately, I was not present to see such a show."
In a flash Naruto whipped out two shuriken and hurled it at Jiraiya. "Pervert," he said lazily, without even turning his head to look at him. "I bet you were down at the spa spying on naked ladies as usual. Too bad, Ero Sennin."
The toad hermit sighed and threw the two shuriken back at Naruto, who caught it easily.
"When shall I ever get the respect I deserve?" the great Toad Sage lamented in mock despair.
Naruto was opening his mouth for a retort when Tsunade snarled, "Quiet, the both of you."
The two ninja stared at their Hokage with unease.
"Baa-chan…" Naruto said. "Is everything all right?"
Tsunade snapped, "Would you be here if it were?"
The blond was instantly on full alert. "Tsunade-sama, what's the matter?"
Jiraiya's eyes became ice. "Is it what I think it is, Tsunade?" The Fifth Hokage didn't reply as she massaged her temples and stared at the table in front of her. The only sounds were the quiet breathing of the three ninjas as Naruto and Jiraiya both waited edgily for the Godaime to make her decision.
"Uzumaki Naruto…" Tsunade began to say.
"Yes."
Their eyes met and the Hokage paused briefly. She then said tersely, "I'm afraid we will have to let some new people in on your secret."
Naruto blinked in surprise. "What? Tsunade-sama?"
She sighed in resignation. "I am assigning you a mission, Naruto. It will be a long one." Tsunade tapped her fingers against the wood table. "How much do you know about the Earth Country?"
Naruto wavered. "Not… a lot."
Jiraiya cut in, his eyes full of worry. "So it's true, Tsunade," he said urgently. "They really are planning an all-war attack against Konoha?"
Naruto jumped up from his chair, knocking it over in his shock. His blue gaze was directed intensely at Tsunade. "Godaime, is what Ero Sennin said true? Is it?" Unconsciously, the blond began calling on the Kyuubi's power and his body shook hysterically.
"Godammit, Jiraiya!" Tsunade yelled at the white-haired sage. "Did you have to jump to conclusions so fast? And Naruto, brat, calm yourself down this instant! I haven't even gotten to the point of this meeting yet and you've already got your panties in a twist!" The Godaime exhaled in disgust. "And you call yourself shinobi?!"
Naruto's eyes never left the Hokage's face as Kyuubi's chakra receded. "Then get to the point already!" His knuckles cracked loudly as his hands became fists.
Tsunade looked straight at Naruto. "All right then." She took a deep breath. "Earth Country's behavior seems suspicious. Naruto, I want you to go to there and collect some information. I know it's a lot to ask, but you're our best spy, seeing how well you can henge. Of course, I will be asking a few other ninja to accompany you, and they will need to know of your special condition before we send you off. Do you agree with this mission and what it asks of you?"
The worry lines on Naruto's forehead disappeared as he gave the Hokage a big grin. "So that's what it was. Sheesh, making a mountain out of a mole hill, weren't you, baa-chan? Of course I agree."
The anxiety in Tsunade's eyes didn't fade. "Naruto, you do realize this may be a year or so mission? You won't - "
"Tsunade-sama, I'm a big kid now," the blonde soothed. "I can take care of myself. Don't worry about it." He turned to look at Jiraiya, who was quietly pondering to himself. "Ero Sennin?"
He sighed. "I can't say I'm entirely for this plan, but I think it's the best one we've got. Very well." He gazed fondly at the blond. "You'd better not do anything stupid."
Naruto beamed at him. "I would never."
Tsunade cleared her throat. "Now, I've already gathered the rest of your team members. They shall be Nara Shikamaru, Rock Lee, Hyuuga Neji, and Inuzuka Kiba." Tsunade glanced at the sheet of paper she had in front of her. "Would that be all right with you?"
Naruto shrugged. "Anyone's fine with me, baa-chan." He smartly dodged a chair Tsunade flung towards him, grinning cheekily. His big smile quickly faded as he – with guarded blue eyes – carefully asked, "When am I meeting with them?"
Tsunade shared a knowing look with Jiraiya. "You have to leave for the mission as soon as possible. There's no time to waste." Naruto thought it over slowly before nodding apprehensively. Slightly hesitant as well, the Fifth Hokage clapped her hands together twice. Puffs of smoke appeared throughout the room and four small distinctive pop sounds were heard. When the smoke cleared, Kiba, Neji, Lee, and Shikamaru stood in the center of the room, looking wary and alert.
"You said it was urgent?" Neji stated softly, his voice as emotionless and cold as ever.
Tsunade sighed. "Yes, you ANBU kids are the next available on the list. Everyone else already has a mission or personal issues that they need to attend to."
Kiba snorted. "Personal issues my ass. Just cuz Ino and Sakura got into a fight about which conditioner worked best for their hair."
"Ah, the beauty of youthful love!" Lee cried out, flashing his best pose yet. "Isn't it just simply energi – "
"Hey, hey, hey," Shikamaru drawled out. "That's none of your business, you two. Stop being so troublesome and listen to what the Fifth Hokage has to say. She said it was classified information, and that means no messing around." He gave a curt apologetic nod to Tsunade, who in return shot him a grateful look.
"Yes, what you are about to learn in the next hour must remain top secret. The information I am going to tell you will soon value more than your lives; to disclose such info would be to lose your life. Do I make myself clear?" Tsunade glared at the four shinobi, who all grimly nodded back.
Jiraiya stepped in. "Well, guess there's no point in keeping it quiet anymore." He wearily brought his hand up to his hair and ruffled it. "Naruto?"
Naruto, who had been quiet the whole time, fidgeted awkwardly. Kiba, Neji, Shikamaru and Lee all raised their eyebrows and wondered what had gone amiss. Naruto was never awkward. Ever.
"Naruto?" Tsunade said gently. "No pressure. Whenever you're ready, dear."
Naruto scowled as the other shinobi adopted puzzled looks on their faces; since when did anyone ever call Konoha's number one hyperactive ninja "dear?" It was the four shinobi's turn to shift uneasily now – something had to be terribly wrong. Naruto was not being his usual self.
Kiba decided to try to alleviate the blonde's discomfort. "Hey, what's the matter? You can always tell us, you know? We're brothers."
Instead of having the consoling effect Kiba intended, Naruto flinched at the word "brothers" and muttered a low "Shaddup Kiba. Like you know shit." Grimacing yet again when Naruto saw the hurt look flash across Kiba's face, he groaned and apologized, "I'm so sorry Kiba. I'm sorry, guys, its just that…"
The four ANBU stood in tense silence as they waited for the blonde to finish his words.
"Right," Naruto muttered angrily. "It's now or never. Kai!" Naruto placed his hands together and disappeared behind a veil of red fog. An explosion of Kyuubi's chakra filled the room, and soon enough everyone was coughing and feeling wary as they felt Kyuubi's sinister presence.
"What the…" Neji then uttered, his face in obvious shock. Neji's Byakugan had activated instinctively when Kyuubi's chakra had entered into the room, and now his white eyes stared at the figure in the midst of the rapidly clearing red smog. "No way."
"What? What is it?" Kiba asked feverishly. "Neji, you fucktard, tell us what you see already!"
The Hyuuga could only shake his head in wonder, unable to utter a coherent response. "I don't…"
Kiba was about to punch Neji in the face when the smoke subsequently cleared, and Kiba, too, fell into a daze as he stared at the figure in the center of the evaporating fog.
A lithe blonde stood in the space where Naruto had previously occupied. She had his softly bright ocean-colored eyes and thin whisker markings, and her skin was even the same shade of tan. She had, however, a shorter stature and was definitely skinnier, so her clothing – or was it Naruto's? – fell loose and baggy around her body. But the way she held herself up, the radiance and vigor that emanated from her… It was definitely similar to Naruto's, coupled with a little bit more grace and finesse.
It was impossible… and yet…
"Naruto."
Shikamaru's tone was flat as he voiced the one word that the four shinobi all were thinking, but his stunned countenance gave his shock away.
The girl shifted uneasily, yet she still smiled broadly. "Hey Shika-chan." Her voice, was pure and clear; it reminded Kiba of chimes in the wind and carried a soothing, melodic appeal. Her smile too was so winsome and charming. "Kinda a surprise huh? It threw me into hysterics the first time."
Lee broke the paralyzed stances of the four shinobi as he suddenly darted forward and took the girl's hands in his. "Oh the power of youthful love!" he gushed out, his eyes sparkling like night stars. "Could you be Naruto's sister? I think I am infatuated with you, dear love! Will you go on a date with me?"
There ensued an awkward, dazed silence, broken by the girl's hesitant laugh.
"Lee, you dumbass!" she said. "It's me, Naruto!" Her smile turned to a mischievous grin as she suddenly snatched her hands out of Lee's hold and kicked upward towards his family jewels. It was only Lee's years of intense training that gave him the ability to quickly dodge the blow.
"Whoa, whoa, whoa, Naruto," Tsunade chided gently as Lee collapsed onto the ground in traumatic stress. "Let's not injure them before your mission, Naruto."
Jiraiya, who had been watching silently the whole time, chuckled bitterly. "That's right, guys, you'd better watch out. This girl's a feisty one. She's quick to take offense, even when you're genuinely complimenting her womanly features." The toad sage absentmindedly rubbed his arm, where the occupants of the room could guess an injury that must've been inflicted by Naruto resided.
Kiba turned his attention back to Naruto, noting that what Jiraiya pointed out about Naruto now feminine beauty was indeed the truth. The eighteen year old male Naruto, although he was of muscular build and stature, lacked a certain manliness in his psyche. Naruto – as a guy – had always seemed small and was eclipsed when thrown into comparison with the other ANBU guys, but now that Naruto was a girl… Kiba blinked. She could easily be the hottest girl in Konoha, he realized with a jolt, and blushed accordingly. Dammit this is Naruto here! And yet his male self could not help himself. Kiba looked at Naruto. Her azure eyes, blond hair, womanly figure… It was enough to make any male get down on his knees and beg to be taken home. No wonder she punched Jiraiya. If I didn't have slightly better control, I'd be left with a bruise too.
Neji gathered his wits together the fastest. "How… is this possible?" He looked at Naruto to Tsunade to Jiraiya. "Does it have something to do with the Demon Seal?"
Tsunade blew out a tired breath. "Oh boy. It has everything to do with the seal."
"What do you mean?" Shikamaru asked. He looked at the exhausted faces of Tsunade and Jiraiya, and the ninja then sighed. "I have a feeling this is going to be a troublesome mission."
Naruto scowled, a fierce dark look clouding her features, yet somehow it only enhanced her beauty. "Shut up, Shikamaru! I can fight just as well as before! Don't call me a burden!"
Shikamaru involuntarily took a step back (who could blame him after seeing what she almost did to Lee). "No - that's not what I meant." The ninja realized he was blushing and saw the amused looks of Tsunade and Jiraiya. "Never mind, Naruto," he hastily said. "Can you explain?"
Naruto furrowed her eyebrows, not noticing Shikamaru's apparent discomfort. "I don't know for sure what happened. The theory that we're trying now is the possibility that Dad assumed there would be a lot of controversy and outrage from the villagers after I got sealed with Kyuubi. Since Dad knew that he and Mom wouldn't be around to protect me, he probably thought that it would be better for me to grow up as a boy in the orphanage, rather than a girl."
Kiba narrowed his eyes. "Dad?"
Naruto pointedly stared at the floor, unwilling to meet her peers' curious gazes.
Jiraiya coughed softly. "Naruto's father was the Fourth Hokage."
Kiba felt like he had been punched in the gut. Sure, now that he thought about it, there was such an uncanny resemblance Naruto shared with the Yondaime, starting obviously with the blue eyes and blond hair. But...
"Who would sacrifice their own child to be a jinchuuriki?" Neji asked dubiously.
An angry snarl escaped Naruto's throat. Her eyes almost bled red as she spat, "Fuck you, Neji! You don't know my parents well enough to judge them!"
Neji took a step back from Naruto's sudden fury. "I-I'm sorry, Naruto, I didn't mean it that way."
Kiba feverishly thanked the gods that it was Neji and not him who had asked such a careless question, although he had been thinking the exact same thing.
Tsunade decided now would be a good time to interfere before Naruto ripped off the Hyuuga's head. "Brat, stop it. Neji meant no disrespect."
Naruto growled, but she complied to the Hokage's order. "I'm sorry, Neji," she then admitted. "I didn't mean to snap at you."
"Kids," Jiraiya said, "I assure you, Minato and Kushina loved Naruto more than anything in the whole world. But we need to focus on the mission at hand." The ANBU shinobi nodded their heads grimly in agreement, and Jiraiya continued. "Since there was already talk of unrest in Konoha when Kushina was pregnant with Naruto, Minato forbid anyone to know Naruto's true gender. I'm thinking the only one in on the secret was the Sandaime."
"When did the seal break?" Kiba questioned, avoiding Naruto's gaze. He just wasn't ready to accept the fact that his close friend had been a girl this whole time, not to mention her fury was now a thousand times scarier. Plus it didn't help that she was so goddamn... pretty.
Naruto frowned, seeming like she noticed Kiba's avoidance. "On my fourteenth birthday." She realized that her hunch was correct when he wouldn't meet her eyes. "Kiba, what's wrong?" She saw color blaze the dog ninja's cheeks and mistook his embarrassment for anger. "Kiba, I didn't mean to lie to you all these years! I just didn't want to tell everyone until I was ready…" Her voice trailed off. "Kiba, don't be mad at me. We can't be brothers, but you're still my best friend!"
Kiba's face flamed with red and he felt himself burn with mortification. "N-no… it's nothing like that. Naruto, I'm not mad at you. Really I'm not! Don't worry about it." Kiba saw Jiraiya's raised eyebrows and amused look, and he glared at Jiraiya. "What's so funny, Jiraiya-san?"
The toad sage laughed. "Don't worry about it, Kiba. We'll all go through this phase sooner or later."
Lee, who had then recovered, struck a pose. "Ah, youth! Springs of love are in the yonder!"
Neji could only shake his head as a baffled Naruto looked around at the laughing faces of Tsunade and Jiraiya to the amused countenances of the three ANBU ninja.
"What… What's going on?" she asked. "Kiba, tell me!"
"It's n-nothing!" Kiba coughed out. "Ignore them."
Shikamaru then cleared his throat. "Ok, c'mon guys, let's get to the jokes later." He waited for the laughter to die down before turning to Tsunade. "Hokage-sama, can you inform us of this mission?"
Tsunade massaged her temples, her smile disappearing as the teasing atmosphere of the room turned tense. "I have a hunch that the Earth country is planning something big. We don't have evidence enough to say that they're planning to go to war with us… but…" Her voice trailed off, and she shared an apprehensive look with Jiraiya.
Jiraiya stepped forward. "What Tsunade's trying to say is that we have reasons to believe that suspicious activities are being held in Earth country. It's not enough to accuse them of breaking our peace treaty, but Tsunade and I are worried."
Neji nodded. "And you want us to infiltrate to see what's really going on?"
"Exactly." Tsunade took out a stack of papers. "I have your paperwork right here. You are to pose as five young villagers from the outskirts of Water Country. Tell the Earth country sentries whatever story would seem appropriate."
"When will we be leaving?" Lee asked.
Tsunade closed her eyes. "Right now."
There was a stunned silence.
"Right now?" Kiba then yelled, flailing his arms in distress. "But that's hardly enough time to say goodbye to our families! We'll be gone for a year, Hokage-sama!"
Tsunade glared at Kiba. "Inuzuka Kiba! Do you not realize the importance of this mission? All of the villagers' lives depend on you guys! For all of what we know, Earth country could be planning a mass ambush. We'll be completely annihilated!" The Godaime slammed her fist onto the desk, splitting the table in two. "Do you not think I understand what I'm asking of you guys?"
Kiba reeled back, stunned. He had never seen Tsunade lose her temper… not like this. Not when she was so obviously sober.
Naruto was suddenly by Tsunade's side, her hand placed comfortingly on the Hokage's shoulder. "Godaime-sama," the blonde said softly. "It's ok. Don't worry for us, baa-chan. We'll be fine, I promise."
Tsunade shook her head, looking at Naruto with fondness. "Promise me you won't do stupid things, you brat." The Hokage got a huge, shiteating grin in response.
"When have I ever, baa-chan!"
Jiraiya cut in, clearing his throat. "Now where's my goodbye, you little ungrateful – " He was almost bowled over as a lightning yellow blur hit him straight on. Naruto hugged the toad sage with all her strength.
"I'll miss you, Ero Sennin!" she said, grinning widely.
He smiled affectionately at the girl and ruffled her hair. "Dumb kid." He looked at the other four ANBU ninja. "Well then, now that Naruto's got us all feeling so mushy inside, are you guys ready to leave?"
Neji, Shikamaru, and Lee nodded briskly. They all glanced at Kiba. Kiba, though still hesitant, blew out a breath and then nodded as well. "Well, that's the way of a shinobi, eh? What will you tell our families, Hokage-sama?"
Tsunade said softly, "The most we can say is that you've left on a one year mission. I'm sorry, but that's the best we can do."
Kiba smiled bitterly. "It's ok. I'm sure Sis will understand." He clapped his hands together. "All right, guys, let's go." He looked around the room, as if remembering something. "Oh crap! I'll meet you guys at the gates of Konoha, aight? I need to get Akamaru. He's still napping." He saw the grim look on Tsunade's face, and he sighed. "Really, I'm not going to talk to anyone else."
Naruto noticed Tsunade's unease, and she offered generously, "I'll go with him, baa-chan! That way you don't have to worry about Kiba being an idiot and letting vital information slip!"
Kiba scowled at Tsunade. "Godaime, really is this necessary?"
"No, no, no, I insist!" Naruto said, taking Kiba – who was quickly turning a shade of purple red – by his arms and dragging him out the door. "Meet you at the gates in ten minutes! Don't be late, you guys!" And so the blonde pulled a spluttering, indignant Kiba out of Tsunade's office.
There was a moment of silence.
"Hundred bucks says they get together in a month," Neji commented.
Shikamaru laughed at Neji's statement, as well as the look of hurt on Lee's face.
"What? Why did she say no to me then?" the green ninja lamented. "Has the powers of youth left me already?"
Jiraiya was about to comment when he took note of the sudden murderous look that was darkening Tsunade's face.
"All right, you people," he hastily jumped it. "Let's get to the front gates of Konoha now." Jiraiya gave Tsunade a bright smile, grabbed a crying Lee by the ear and nodded hurriedly at Neji and Shikamaru. "When I say now, I mean now! Yip yip, brats!"
Shikamaru and Neji wasted no time taking heed to Jiraiya's urgent order.
XXX
"You're mad at me," Naruto stated crossly as they walked down the deserted streets of Konoha. It was a cloudy night at Konoha, and so Naruto hadn't bothered to henge. She scowled. "Kiba."
Kiba scowled back at the pressing girl. "No I'm not, Naruto! Really. You're completely imagining things."
Naruto studied his blushing figure. "Why are you being so awkward then?" She crossed her arms. "This is what I most dreaded, Kiba!"
Kiba came to a sudden stop, staring at Naruto. "Dreaded? What are you talking about?"
"That you wouldn't take my transformation easily!" She saw Kiba flinch, and the blonde felt tears threatening to fall. Damn these female hormones. "I told Tsunade that I didn't want to tell anyone yet, because I wasn't sure how you'd take it." She studied Kiba's face. "And I was fucking right." Kiba flinched again, and Naruto couldn't help it. She was so incredibly hurt at the distance Kiba had put between them. Naruto promptly turned to run away, but Kiba grabbed her arm. "Let go Kiba!" She struggled to get out of Kiba's iron grasp.
"You're pretty."
Naruto froze.
"You're pretty, Naruto," Kiba said quietly. "That's what's weird for me." The blonde in his hold stayed silent, and he continued. "It's weird when your best friend suddenly becomes the hottest girl in Konoha. And it's weird to hear such vulgar language come out from the mouth of such a beautiful face. But I don't mind at all that you're a girl now. It doesn't change the fact that you're still my best friend, Naruto."
Naruto raised huge bright blue eyes to look at Kiba. "What?" It was Naruto's turn to splutter and turn red. "Kiba, what the fuck?"
Kiba cringed. "That's not very ladylike."
Naruto couldn't believe it. Of all the things she worried Kiba wouldn't accept about her new self, it was her cussing that bothered him.
"You're kidding," Naruto said, cerulean eyes wide. "Kiba, you've got to be shitting me."
The man frowned. "Naruto, stop that!"
"Wow..." In an instant, the blonde burst out in laughter. She clutched her sides as she fell into a fit of giggles. Relief flooded her. "Thank the gods, I was so worried."
Kiba let go off Naruto's arm and slightly bonked the girl on her head. "Are you done yet? It's not that funny." His liquid-brown eyes softened as he listened to Naruto's chuckles. "How about we make a deal, Naruto?"
"What?"
"If you don't cuss, then I won't treat you like a girl."
Naruto blinked before almost splitting her tan face in two with the beautiful, big grin she gave Kiba. Her azure eyes sparkled. "Really, Kiba? You mean it? You'll treat me just the same as before?"
"Of course." Kiba chuckled and ruffled the blonde's hair. "I'm assuming that's a yes, Naruto?"
"Fuc – I mean, of course that's a yes!" Naruto jumped forward and grabbed Kiba in a bear hug. "I love you so much! You can read me just like a book."
Kiba flushed and awkwardly patted Naruto's back. "Aight… This will certainly take a while to get used to. Guess handshakes and chest bumps just won't work for us anymore." They broke apart, and Kiba smiled. "At least I'm still taller than you."
"Shut up." Naruto skipped a few paces forward. "Let's go get Akamaru!"
Kiba closed his eyes tiredly. "Oh boy, will Akamaru be in for a surprise," he muttered.
"Did you say something, Dog Breath?"
"Who, me? Of course not, Naru-chan."
"Better not hav – wait, what? Kiba, what the fuck did you just call me?"
"Hey!"
"You broke the promise first, shitface!"
"Naruto!"
XXX
Naruto widened her eyes, stopping in mid sentence. Suddenly a fountain of blood spewed from her mouth, and the blonde's injured, tattered body was hacked with coughs. Her chest was throbbing, and she felt like she was drowning in excruciating pain. Pain that was not physical but that of which paralyzed her mind and tore at her heart…
Kiba.
Morino immediately stood up and snatched the phone from the table. "Hello?" he said, speaking rapidly in a low voice. "Yes this is Uzumaki Naruto's room. We need assistance now. She seems to be in critical condition again. I think she might have burst an artery. No – "
Suddenly the door of the hospital room was thrown off its hinges, where it consequently hit the wall and shattered into bits. A frenetic Tsunade barged through the now open doorway, amber eyes harried and anxious. "Where is she? Let me through, Morino!"
Jiraiya had followed Tsunade. Although he was not in a hysterical state like Tsunade, there were definitely a haunted expression in his eyes that had not been there just a day ago.
"It would be wise to not disagree with us, Morino," the toad sage said quietly. "I am willing to fight you to the death if it means letting Tsunade attend to our granddaughter."
Quickly assessing the amounting tension in the room, Morino nodded curtly. "Of course, Godaime-sama, Jiraiya-san." He respectfully stepped aside and watched as Tsunade, already muttering medicinal incantations, flung herself to the bedside of the blond girl.
Jiraiya grimaced. Blood splattered everywhere on the floor as Naruto continued to cough. "What happened, Morino-san?"
"I don't know. She seemed fine until she started talking about Inuzuka Kiba." Morino saw the look that flashed through Jiraiya's face, and the interrogator put one and one together. "They were lovers."
"That's what I'm guessing." Jiraiya shrugged, his face wan and taut. "We all saw it coming, to be honest. Even when Naruto was pretending as a guy, she was heads over heels. And Kiba was smitten for her the moment he knew her secret."
"I see. This can be a problem."
"Morino," Jiraiya quietly said, "I'm sorry, but this is our baby girl here. I can't let you do this. I forbid you from interrogating Naruto any longer. I'm sure you can see she is of no threat to Konoha."
Morino set his lips into a thin line. He didn't like it when people told him what to do, especially when it came to his own line of work, but he knew better than to argue. "Of course, Jiraiya-san." He nodded to Tsunade and Jiraiya. "Now if you'll excuse me." Getting no reply from either shinobi, Morino walked out the door and was gone.
"How is she?"
Tsunade turned to look at the tired Jiraiya. "She'll be okay. Thinking back on those memories must've been a strain on her, and it caused her blood to pump too fast. I gave her some calming medications and healed her injuries. She should be waking any time now."
As if on cue, Naruto stirred. Both Tsunade and Jiraiya stilled, staring at the blonde who was quickly gaining consciousness.
"Wh-what happened…" Naruto murmured. Her eyes opened, revealing two misted orbs of blue. "Where am I?" Her vision cleared, and the blonde quickly sat up. "Baa-chan! Ero Sennin!"
Tsunade and Jiraiya smiled in relief. Naruto was no longer in critical condition.
The Godaime's eyes filled with tears. "Oh Naruto…"
"Baa-chan!" Naruto grinned. "Well what do you know, Granny! You still look the same!"
Tsunade, unable to stop herself, threw herself forward and fiercely hugged Naruto. "You dumb child…" she whispered. "I told you to take care of yourself."
Naruto smiled fervently through her own tears. "Oh baa-chan, I have so much to tell you…" She pulled away. "Hokage-sama, please, you have to listen to me."
Jiraiya wiped at his wet eyes, his face turning serious. "What went wrong, Naruto?"
Naruto shook her head in despair. "I know that you thought we had died, but that wasn't the case. We were stuck in Earth country for seven long years because the Tsuchikage realized the amount of skill we possessed and made us part of his assassination team." She saw the shocked looks of Tsunade and Jiraiya. "One of his scouts caught us sparring once… Oh we were so stupid!" The blonde groaned. "It's all my fault. If only I didn't insist we train that day.."
"Naruto…" Tsunade tenderly cupped Naruto's cheek. "Why didn't you ever contact us? We would've sent the strongest shinobi in Konoha to help you."
"That's exactly what we didn't want. First of all, we were under surveillance every minute. The Tsuchikage didn't trust his own son and daughter, not to even mention his shinobi. Amazingly though, in the seven years, he never figured out that we were from Konoha." Naruto met Jiraiya and Tsunade's eyes. "But most of all, you were right, baa-chan, Ero Sennin. They did want to go to war with Konoha. Someone was feeding him false lies. Horrible rumors were being spread about Konoha. We spent seven years gaining the Tsuchikage's trust, and we were so close to finding the source of the Tsuchikage's misinformation. We almost succeeded, but…"
"But?" Jiraiya pressed gently.
A new batch of tears filled Naruto's cerulean eyes. "Someone murdered the Tsuchikage's son and attempted an assassination on the Tsuchikage himself. The Tsuchikage naturally assumed it was Konoha. He went into a frenzy. We couldn't convince him otherwise." Naruto's voice broke as she thought back to that nightmarish day.
Jiraiya was stunned by the information. "Who killed him?"
"Akatsuki." Tsunade had spat out the word.
Naruto nodded bleakly, her blue eyes dulled with pain. "Yes, it was definitely Akatsuki." She closed her eyes. "They want to see Konoha burned to the ground. I wouldn't be surprised if they were the ones behind the Tsuchikage's hatred of Konoha."
"And what of Kiba and the others?" Jiraiya asked.
"They went to fight the troops that the Tsuchikage sent to ambush Konoha. I was the messenger." Naruto's eyes narrowed. "I should've stayed and fought. They needed me.." Naruto's voice died in her throat as her mind wandered to her four comrades. There was hardly any sliver of chance that they could still be alive, and yet the thought that they might be dead was too much for Naruto to bear. They had to be alive. Kiba… No… not Kiba. The pain, more agonizing than ever, crippled her and took her breath away. She felt like she was burning, tearing, breaking, dying.
Boom.
A hole was now in the wall as Tsunade pulled her fist out of the fissure. "Dammit all to hell!" She looked at Naruto, and sorrow was etched in the Hokage's beautiful face. "I never meant for this to happen! The mission was supposed to be simple; it was supposed to help you get used to your gender, not… " Tsunade buried her face in her hands. "Dammit."
Jiraiya shook his head in distress. "We're already at war with two small neighboring countries. If Earth Country were to join in, I don't think even an alliance with Suna will help…"
"Suna?" Tsunade's voice was flat. "They've been having trouble in their own country. They won't help us." The Hokage turned to Naruto. "How long do you think we have, Naruto?"
"I honestly don't know."
"Fuck!" Tsunade exclaimed. She pulled back to punch another hole, but Jiraiya caught her fist and held her firmly.
"C'mon, Tsunade, you know that's not going to help anyone," the Toad Sage said quietly. Jiraiya, after making sure Tsunade was in control, sat down next to Naruto. "Everything will be ok, Naruto. They're strong shinobi; they can take care of themselves."
Naruto nodded glumly.
Tsunade hugged Naruto. "You and Kiba…"
"How did you know?" the blonde asked incredulously.
"It was obvious, you little foolish kid," Jiraiya fondly chuckled. "We knew before you did."
Naruto closed her eyes. There was a brief moment of silence. "He asked me to marry him before he left," she then said. The words sounded strange and surreal even to her. "I told him yes."
Tsunade's hug tightened. "Oh Naruto…"
Jiraiya placed a gentle hand on the blonde's hand. "Congrats, Naruto. He'll come back for his own wedding. Don't you fret."
Naruto smiled thinly. "I'm counting on that."
Tsunade pulled herself off of Naruto and wiped away at her tears. "You brat, you've grown up so much." The Hokage brushed away the hair that stuck to a side of Naruto's face. "Look at you. You've matured into such a beautiful woman."
"Thanks, baa-chan." The blond held Tsunade's hands warmly and tried to clear the air of the deadness and sorrow that hung about. "How's Konoha been like these last seven years? Do I still have my apartment?"
Tsunade winced. "I'm sorry, Naruto. Your landlady - "
"Is a bitch, I know," Naruto sighed. "Trust me, I would've been surprised if she kept my place for me. Can't say I'm bummed, it was a giant piece of shit anyway." The blonde snorted. "Guess the first thing I'll be doing is apartment hunting."
Tsunade glanced at Jiraiya, sharing a quick look with him, before turning back to the blonde. "Well, actually, there is some news that might be of interest to you," she said.
"What is it?" Naruto asked, immediately wary. She didn't like the hesitant tone of Tsunade's voice.
Jiraiya cleared his throat. "Uchiha Sasuke returned to Konoha."
The words whirled around in Naruto's head.
"S-Sasuke?" The name sounded strange on her tongue, for she hadn't uttered it in quite a long time. "Uchiha Sasuke?" Realization struck her. "Wait, what? When?"
"About two years after you had left for your mission," replied Jiraiya.
She blinked rapidly. "Why did he come back?" After all those years that she had spent chasing after him, begging him to come back, why now?
"Itachi's innocent," Tsunade said bitterly. "He had been following orders from Konoha after all. The Council obviously wanted to leave it at that, but I'm not convinced. There's something fishy going on, and I don't like it one bit."
Naruto was quiet as she carefully processed this sudden flood of information. "Does that mean Itachi..."
"Yes," Jiraiya said, guessing what Naruto was about to say. "When Sasuke came back to Konoha, he dragged home a very battered Itachi as well. All their sins and crimes have been exonerated. They've taken residence in the Uchiha Manor."
"And there's more, isn't there?" Naruto asked softly. She didn't like the tension that somehow diffused itself back into the room.
"Well," the Hokage said softly. "Sasuke and Sakura…" Tsunade sighed, her eyes sorrowful as she thought about the brightest pupil that she had ever had. "He proposed to her out of simplicity, and she said yes. But their marriage is over. Sakura was nearly hospitalized last month for having a mental breakdown. She's going to divorce Sasuke as soon as he comes back from his S-rank mission."
"They have two kids," Jiraiya said continued after a long pause. "Ryuushiro's a four-year-old mute, and Momo is the most timid baby you'll ever find in this village." The toad sage grimaced. "Itachi has a daughter too. We don't know her mother, but… well, Kaira's very distant and cold. Not unlike Sasuke and Itachi themselves."
"Why are you telling me all this?" Naruto asked softly, her cerulean eyes carefully guarded as she waited for the two Sandaimes' response.
Tsunade frowned. " Sakura's living in Hinata's house and a temporary babysitter is taking care of the children. I believe Sakura could be charged for child abuse if it weren't for her mentally ill condition. She's completely shut herself out from the rest of the world. Only Hinata has been able to see her these days." The Godaime thenstared intensely at Naruto. "Brat, I know you and Sakura weren't on the best of terms before you left for your mission, and god knows how impossible Sakura is now, but she's gone and.. Well, the Uchiha children need a babysitter."
There was a moment of strained silence.
"What?" Naruto then spluttered. "You want me to be the babysitter?" Her incredulity caused her voice to jump a few octaves. "Baa-chan, I know it's been a while, but nothing's changed. Sasuke - "
"Is gone on a mission, and will be for quite some time," Tsunade said calmly.
There was a brief pause in the conversation, and Naruto took the time to think hastily. She knew Konoha was bound to change in these seven years, but to change this much, and in this horrid fashion…
"It's not just for the kids' sake that we're asking you to stay in the Uchiha Manor." Jiraiya's voice seemed on edge and carried an ominous undertone.
"Jiraiya!" snapped Tsunade, her cheeks becoming splotched with an angry red.
"She should know," Jiraiya said evenly.
"She just got back!"
"And she needs to understand the bigger picture."
Naruto watched as the two Sannin argued back and forth. She knew better than to butt in when they got like that, so she waited patiently, her eyes glazing over as she became engrossed in troubling thoughts of her own. Finally Tsunade crossed her arms angrily and turned to glare at the damaged wall, her lips pinched in a thin, angry frown, and Jiraiya shook his head, heaving a heavy sigh before smiling jadedly at the wary Naruto.
"Is it bad?" Naruto asked.
"No," the Toad Sage replied impassively. He paused briefly, and then said, "The Council is questioning your allegiance due to your long absence from Konoha, and they want to put you under surveillance 24/7. Which is just euphemism for jail."
"Like hell that's gonna happen!" hissed Tsunade, her amber eyes flashing dangerously.
To the surprise of both Sannin, a grin broke across Naruto's face. "Is that it? And here you got me thinking I had cancer or something." The blonde snorted. "After working under the Tsuchikage for seven years, I've become far too familiar with the petty workings of politics. The Council just wants to make sure my allegiance is still with them. Don't worry, baa-chan, they won't keep me locked up for long."
Tsunade's face softened as she realized the full extent as to how much Naruto had matured, and she ran a fond hand down the blonde's face. "Maybe so, but I'm still not letting them have you."
"You shouldn't defy the orders of the Council, baa-chan," Naruto chided gently.
A derisive chuckle escaped from Jiraiya. "Too late for that."
Tsunade shot a well-leveled glare at the Toad Sage before turning back to Naruto. "I didn't defy them, I merely expressed my intense dissatisfaction at their outrageous idea and rallied for a new proposal."
"Which is.."
"That you be stripped of your ANBU duties until further notice and stay under the household of a strong, respectable ANBU."
Naruto gaped at Tsunade. "And since when did the Uchiha killer duo become the pinnacle of honor, trust and respect?" she spluttered out.
"Itachi's not going to bother you, brat," Tsunade snapped back. "He's a decent man and the Council trust him. And we'll get you out and on your two feet way before Sasuke comes back."
"Baa-chan, I'm not so sure – "
"This is the only option right now, Naruto, unless you want to live with Anko instead!"
Naruto opened her mouth to retort when logic and reason finally caught up to her, and she abruptly closed her mouth, frowning as she mulled over what Tsunade said. She glanced briefly at Jiraiya, who had stayed silent the whole time, but when he gave a terse nod signifying that he too thought this was the best choice of action, the blonde gave a defeated sigh.
"I know you're right, baa-chan. It's just a lot to take in." She made a face. "Anko? I certainly don't love the Uchihas, but at least they'll be better than that creepy snake woman. She'll molest me in my sleep."
"Naruto," Tsunade said gently. "I'll get you out of the Manor in no time, I promise."
"I'm not good with children."
Jiraiya bonked the blonde on the head. "You're fine, brats will get along with brats."
"Ero Sennin!" Naruto growled, throwing a playful punch towards the white-haired sage's direction. The blonde then laughed as all the tension left her shoulders. "All right then. Can't say I'm super excited, but at least this will be a worthwhile experience. When do I move in?"
"As soon as you're released from the hospital," Tsunade answered. She proceeded to ruffle Naruto's hair lovingly. "Now rest. Your health comes first."
"I will, baa-chan." The blonde smiled shyly. "Thank you, for everything."
Tsunade gave Naruto a hug. "We'll be leaving now. We'll check up with you in a few hours, so get some sleep until then, okay?"
Naruto nodded, a genuine smile gracing her lips. "I can't tell you how happy I am to be back."
And with another hug, another fond ruffle on her hair, the Hokage and Toad Sage then left the room. Naruto wearily closed her eyes. Ever since the start of Morino's interview, she had been aware of a mental tug at the corner of her mind, but she had easily ignored it.
But now the tug had become an urgent, pressing pull, and Naruto knew it was futile to fight against it any longer. Letting her mind go blank and allowing the red haze to fill her consciousness, Naruto then slipped into the world of the Fox Demon that was sealed in her stomach.
XXX
"Snot, just how long did you plan on ignoring me?" Kyuubi growled out in annoyance, snapping at the air just inches in front of Naruto's nose.
Naruto smiled brightly at the fox, who had become one of her closest companions over the years. "You know I can't just suddenly fall unconscious in front of Morino. That would've made him go ballistic."
Kyuubi snorted. "You and your foolish human ways." He turned one huge, red eye to stare at Naruto. "This is a bad idea. I don't want you staying with them. You're still obsessed with that Uchiha," the fox demon accused.
Naruto reddened. "No I'm not, Kyuubi!"
"Don't try to fool me," Kyuubi growled. "I can read you like a book. You've been in love with Uchiha Sasuke ever since you were a Genin. And nothing has changed."
Now it was Naruto's turn to be angry. "Watch what you're saying! Sasuke was my best friend, but I realized that best friends did more than to try to make holes in your chest. I'm not in love with Sasuke and I will never be." The blonde flashed angry blue eyes at the amused demon fox. "I'll be fine."
Kyuubi laughed a deep, demonic laugh. "Oh you insolent brat, when will you ever come to accept reality? You say you love that dog boy, but your love for Sasuke has been a much crazier, fiery passion. I can still feel your love burning away for him in your heart. If I didn't know any better, I'd even say that you were rebounding on that mutt – "
"Kyuubi!" Naruto's eyes blazed with fury. "Is this why you called me? So you can insult me like this?"
The fox demon glanced down at the seething Naruto with a look that could almost be called affection. "You idiot." Kyuubi bent his head to gently lick the blonde on her forehead. "I wanted to see if you were okay. Hearing that bosom woman's suggestion for you to live with the Uchihas worried me. I don't want you to hurt yourself again, Naruto."
Naruto's anger vanished as quickly as it appeared. "Kurama." It was rare for the fox to show fondness towards her, and Naruto smiled at the demon. "I'm fine. I'm not in love with Sasuke. He can't hurt me anymore, I promise."
The fox demon studied the bright countenance of the blonde before blowing out a breath of red chakra. "If you say so. Go back now, before the hospital panics at your sudden coma."
Naruto smiled. "Thank you, Kyuubi."
"Brat."
And Naruto was gone.
Kyuubi stared at the space where Naruto had previously occupied. "Not in love with him?" he scoffed. "Brat, the day that you fall out of love with Uchiha Sasuke is the day that I turn mortal." Kyuubi snapped at the empty air in aggravation. "Naruto, the twenty four years of being trapped as your demon has given me more grey hairs than all my hundred years of living."
The fox proceeded to delicately lick his paws, and then he closed his eyes as he was drawn into Naruto's dreams. It was the usual. Lee, Neji, and Shikamaru flashed in and out of sight, and Kiba, obviously, was the main focus of her dream. But what Naruto would never see was the figure that always stood silently in the background of her fantasies. He never ceased to appear in Naruto's dreams, even though the said girl would never remember him when she awoke.
But Kyuubi did.
The fox demon sighed as he stared at the raven-haired man standing mutely in the background.
"Uchiha Sasuke."
XXX
I will keep trying to stay motivated into finishing this story if you guys keep up with your reviews. Even saying "please update" or "I love the story" is enough to make me smile. Of course, criticism is appreciated as well!
I currently have no beta, but I will definitely tell you guys if I am searching for one.
:] In the next chapter, I think Naruto shall finally meet the Uchiha kids.
So review please guys! Thanks!