A/N To the reviewer rescue007, I understand how you might feel that me clearing shit up is me crying because someone said I suck. For your information, that "Chapter 3" was in fact an update I made that same day at 3 in the morning. I was simply trying to clear up everything.
Decidedly, I don't really care.
Also, as if you noticed, all of the chapters are only around 1k words. That's my goal, and unless I'm really feeling what I'm writing, that's how it'll stay.
For the sake of this story, let's pretend Mifune has a daughter, and isn't too neutral when it comes to shinobi wars/affairs. Also, this chapter is rushed, because I'm on a trip and I promised a chapter, so I spat this out.
Onwards!
The shaggy, brown haired male woke up in a daze and looked around groggily, only to find his hands were tied behind his back and he was in a dusky, dimly lit storage room. As he attempted to break free, three figures entered the room. They were all clad in heavy plate- armoured yoroi hitatare. Each man had a tanto or a katana readily by their side. They had on face masks and helmets. The man looked up in awe, realising they were samurais of Tetsu no Kuni.
"Fool. Did you truly think you could escape with our general's daughter?" The first man snickered.
The two other men just sneered at him, not bothering to speak at all. Just as the first man was about to strike, a fourth figure walked in. He was dressed similarly to them, besides the small horns on his helmet. The male recognised him as a samurai of higher rank.
"I should be able to dispose of you immediately. Sadly, our taisho, the great Mifune wishes to see you." The man grunted. "Follow or die. Your choice."
The man was shoved off into the direction the four men had entered, and was pulled outside into what looked like a teashop. The teashop was plain with little decorations, and seemed empty, except two figures sitting furthest towards the front of the shop.
"Kazu-kun!" Haruhi cried.
"Haruhi?" Kazuhiro said, confusion laced in his face. "What happened here? What happened to me?"
"My father had men follow Hokage-sama and I when we went to Sunagakure. He was expecting you would wish to meet me. My father is a humble man. Speak reasonably, and do not undermine his calmness. My father is a strong warrior, and will only be approached with one that carries his conduct." Haruhi whispered as she struggled to cut at the ropes that bound him together.
"I understand. Am I to speak to you father?" Kazuhiro asked quietly.
"Yes." She responded.
Kazuhiro walked over to the other figure, a man dressed in a purple yoroi hitataire, bandages wrapped around his head.
"Mifune-taisho. I am Yamazaki Kazuhiro, wooer of your daughter."
"Let me ask you something, Yamazaki." Mifune said steadily, tranquility clear in his gestures and voice.
The other man only gulped and nodded.
"What do you honestly think of this world?" The older man asked.
Regaining his composure, Kazuhiro replied, "It's unfair and cruel, especially those who lack the powers that the shinobi and the samurai have. Although that is the truth, I also believe that harmony would be ideal between all."
"That was a relatively acceptable answer. Do you understand that the marriage of Haruhi and the Hokage would bring harmony throughout the nations? The Fourth Shinobi war has passed. But if another war of any sort were to occur, all would be lost, would it not? "
Kazuhiro stuttered. "I-I hadn't thought that far, taisho. I simply followed my heart's will."
"Your heart you say. You put your heart above what was my act towards harmony? Are you against harmony, or for it? Let me tell you something, boy. I believe myself a capable leader, humble as I may be. But times are changing. People are changings. Violence was already in the nature of those who live in this time, and those who lived in the past. Now, the violence has become a habit. It's done not only out of mere contempt, but for fun. Do you understand? Violence is defense, not entertainment. It is sickening." Mifune asked.
Kazuhiro was shocked, but spoke nonetheless. "Harmony can be found in many other ways. An alliance contract could very well do the same thing that you are attempting to by marrying your daughter to the Rokudaime of Konohakagure."
"You are… correct. I shall reconsider. I must talk with the Hokage then." Mifune replied somewhat uncertainly.
Mifune did not let Kazuhiro know that he had considered the alliance, but thought that the alliance would not last long enough, as opposed to breeding his kin in Konoha. He decided that his daughter deserved better than that. Haruhi knew better than her Kazu-kun himself, and a new level of respect, far past the respect she had for him as a father was reached.
"Thank you, Father."
"Nonsense. You deserve the best. It seems this man will hold you like the treasure you are. Now, I must be headed to Sunagakure to see Uzumaki Naruto."
Haruhi bowed to her father, and Kazuhiro followed suit.
"Men, let us depart." Mifune said. The men grunted and followed him.
x-x-x-x
Uzumaki Naruto was having a good day. He had gone to see Gaara, who had made time for him immediately. They talked, well, Naruto talked, and Gaara sounded his approvals, or disapprovals for that matter. It was a refreshing thing to do, just to kick back and forget the duties of a Kage.
"So, Gaara. Met any ladies?" Naruto grinned cheekily.
"Hmph. No." Frankly, Gaara on the inside was just happy that his friend was more normal than usual. His happy-go-lucky was back.
"C'mon now. You can tell me, right Gaara?" Naruto edged closer to the red-head. "It'll be our secret."
"Sadly, there is no secret to share." He said as Naruto put his arm around his shoulder. "Wretched man, release me."
"You sure now?" Naruto inquired further.
"I am sure." The Kazekage deadpanned.
"Fine." Naruto pouted a bit, which elicited a small, miniscule smirk from Gaara. "Did you just smile?" Naruto asked, his eyebrows raised.
"Perhaps so. Did you see me smile?"
Naruto laughed. The conversation lasted for another two hours, winding down and turning slightly more serious as the men talked about their lives and their liabilities and obligations as Kages.
x-x-x-x
Mitarashi Anko was having a bad day. The man she was supposed to ambush, knock out and take back to Konoha had not arrived at the rendezvous spot. She was beyond pissed. She sent a snake back to Konoha to let them know, and began phase two of the mission. Her B-rank mission just turned into an S-rank classified. Now if only she could get a meeting with the Kazekage. This classified mission could not be known virally. It was information only for the eyes of the Sabaku no Gaara.
A/N There's another chapter. Fairly quick. This was mostly a filler chapter, because I honestly did not know what to write in order to have Haruhi and Naruto both get what they wanted. I haven't decided yet, but the conversation between Naruto and Mifune will probably be something along the lines of an alliance contract in trade of the marriage, with Narutp profusely agreeing.
Okay, Mr. Lame. I'll laugh with you. :)
See ya when I get back! -Eric