Colors of Life and Death series
Truth in Dreams
by Songbird21

Chapter 30

Tenten's stomach felt sick as she walked through the dimly lit streets. She wanted to go home, crawl under the covers and forget that night ever happened, but something pushed her to continue her search. She just couldn't rest until she made sure things would be okay.

"Hey, Tenten. You looking for my idiot brother?" Naruto said as he stepped out from under the fabric entry way of Ichiraku.

Tenten was surprised by the question. How did he know? "Yeah," she answered wearily.

"I saw him run by here about fifteen minutes ago. I figured since you look upset you were probably looking for him."

Tenten managed a barely perceptible smile. "Thanks, Naruto." She gave a quick, mild bow and ran off in the direction Naruto had indicated.

Naruto watched her go for a moment. Good luck, Tenten.

Sasuke paced in front of the pond, the grass underneath his feet becoming increasingly flat. What have I done?! Our friendship just got back on its feet and now this! He kicked a rock into the water and slumped down on the ground as he watched the ripples stretch out from the point of impact.

He laced his fingers into his hair and used it as a brace for gripping his head in frustration. "I'm not ready for this," he said through gritted teeth.

"Sasuke-kun?"

The tightness in Sasuke's chest increased when he recognized Tenten's voice. "Please go away," he asked softly without looking at her.

"I was going to—I was gonna just sit on my lawn all night, but these feelings I have wouldn't let me. I have to know." Tenten took a tentative step forward. "What happened back there?

"I can't deal with this right now, Tenten," Sasuke said tersely.

Tenten felt a little anger crop up. "You can't just punch Neji for no reason and then not explain yourself!"

Sasuke stood up quickly and turned to face her. "LOOK! I don't know the answer either, so just go HOME!" he said, jabbing a finger in the general direction of Tenten's house.

Tenten couldn't explain why, but she knew he was lying. Not only that, but he was desperate for her to not find out the truth. "Not until you tell me why you punched Neji!" she repeated, her voice rising in pitch.

The panic growing in his mind over the idea that he might have to explain himself evoked a 'fight or flight' response in Sasuke. Unfortunately, his subconscious chose 'fight'. "Damn it, Tenten! Stop being such a pain in the ass!" he raged. But the instant the words came out of his mouth he knew he'd made a huge mistake. The look on her face was a mixture of shock and pain. Tears welled up in her eyes and his heart sank. "Tenten...I..." he said, reaching out a hand toward her shoulder.

Tenten's lower lip quivered a bit as she pressed her mouth closed. Even though tears had begun to make their way down her cheeks her expression was angry. She sniffed loudly. "FINE! You won't have to worry about it anymore because you'll never see me AGAIN!!" She turned on her heel and began to march stiffly away.

Sasuke's hands balled into frustrated fists. He didn't want to say it, but he also didn't want to lose her friendship again. "I WAS JEALOUS!"

Tenten stopped dead in her tracks. Had she really heard that? Her feet seemed cemented in place, not allowing her to keep marching or to go back to Sasuke.

He was waiting for a response, any kind of response. Sasuke's stomach was churning so badly that he almost didn't care if she just continued walking. At least then the wait would be over and he would be out of agony.

Finally, Tenten slowly turned around. "What?" she asked softly and in disbelief.

Sasuke squeezed his eyes shut, as if replying to her question was painful. "I was...jealous. But I didn't know it, till you asked me why I hit him. It was complete impulse. I...I had no control."

Tenten walked closer to him slowly, carefully, and looked him in the eyes. "Do you mean that?"

Sasuke stared at her. "Yeah." He swallowed the lump in his throat. "I started to see you that way...during the wedding. That's why..." He sighed. "That's why I avoided you for so long. Because as long as Itachi was alive being involved with anyone was a bad idea. I...I didn't want you to get hurt." Explaining everything was getting easier, as if it had lifted a weight from his chest.

Tenten stood perfectly still for a moment. Truthfully, this was what she was hoping was the reason for Neji getting punched, and to hear it be a reality stunned her. "And...now?" she asked hopefully.

A soft wind blew Sasuke's hair around a bit. "I...I don't know. I'm...confused. I wasn't looking for this," he nearly whispered.

Tenten swallowed. "I wasn't either. I mean, I always thought you were handsome, but I didn't plan to start...liking you."

Sasuke's eyes widened for a second as the implication of what she had said sank in. He sighed heavily. "Me either."

Tenten's expression became apologetic. "I...gotta get back. I was supposed to have dinner half an hour ago."

Sasuke nodded. "See you tomorrow then?"

Tenten nodded as well and shot upwards into the trees.

Sasuke stood in silence for a bit and then started walking home. He could have taken the high route like Tenten but decided that walking would allow him to think about the nights events more easily.

The wind rustled through the trees, eventually tousling the golden locks of a hidden witness to the scene below. Naruto smiled warmly from his perch high in the trees and silently leapt away.

The next day Tsunade walked toward the Hokage tower with a rather large man at her side. He wore an ornate kimono, had a full beard and his hair was in a topknot. The gold pin that held his hair in place glinted in the early evening sun.

"So, Daimyo-sama. You still haven't told me why you've decided to grace us with your presence," Tsunade said pleasantly with a warm smile.

The Daimyo smiled. "I came to see how your resident jinchuuriki is doing."

Tsunade's smiled faltered a bit. "Is something wrong?"

"No no. But I've heard from various sources of his marvelous new chakra and wanted to see it for myself," The Daimyo replied cheerfully.

Tsunade relaxed a little. "Oh. But you do know he's no longer a jinchuuriki, correct?"

The Daimyo winced slightly. "My apologies. It was a slip of the tongue."

Tsunade's smile returned. "No problem." She looked up at the clock on the tower. "It's almost five, so he's most likely still working."

"He's on a mission?" The Daimyo asked as he let himself into the building.

"No. He's doing paperwork in my office."

They began to climb the stairs. "Paperwork? You mean your paperwork?"

"Mmhm," Tsunade chirped in a sing-song manner. She noticed his look of concern. "Don't worry. He's not doing any of the important papers, only deciding the rank D missions."

As they reached the reception area the Daimyo frowned. "Tsunade-sama, I do not think it appropriate to allow your son to do any part of your Hokage duties."

Nabiki looked up from her writing and smile. "Konbonwa, Hokage-sama."

Tsunade held up a finger. "My apologies, Daimyo-sama, I'll be just a moment." She turned to the chuunin at the desk. "Konbonwa, Nabiki. Any messages for me?"

Nabiki shook her head. "Nope. It's been pretty quiet."

"Daimyo-sama, this is Tsukino Nabiki. She's one of our chuunins," Tsunade explained.

The Daimyo inclined his head. "A pleasure to meet you, Tsukino-san."

"A p-pleasure to meet you as well, Daimyo-sama," Nabiki said with a low bow.

Tsunade smiled. "This way please, Daimyo-sama."

"A moment, Tsunade-sama. You have not responded to what I said," the Daimyo said. "I want to know why your son is doing your work."

Tsunade sighed. Apparently her diversionary introduction had not worked. "I am training him in the duties of a Hokage."

The Daimyo instantly looked concerned. "I was not informed you had chosen a sucessor. Do the elders know of this?"

"It's not really that I've officially chosen him yet. But I do think he has the potential and although he's very strong, he needs to learn that it's a hard job off the battlefield as well."

"Yes, that's true. However, if you wish to continue this 'training' then you will inform the elders immediately. I am also concerned that you may wish to mold him into Hokage material simply because he is your son."

Tsunade shook her head. "Of course not, Daimyo-sama. I would never be that irresponsible with the future of the village." She paused for a moment in case he wanted to say something. "Let's go meet him. I'm certain once you know him you will see why I think he's right for the job," she insisted with a hopeful smile.

The Daimyo sighed. "Alright."

Tsunade opened the door and was relieved to see Naruto still hard at work.

Naruto looked up from the small stack of papers he had left to go through. "Yo, Kaa-san," he said with a smile.

The Daimyo cocked an eyebrow at Naruto's casual demeanor.

"Naruto, this is the Daimyo of the Fire Country. He's come to meet you," Tsunade said while giving her son a look that she hoped said "for the love of God mind your manners'.

Naruto's eyes widened and he immediately got to his feet and bowed as low as humanly possible. "I am pleased to make your acquaintance, Daimyo-sama."

Tsunade's eyes widened considerably. Wow. Those lessons with Hinata are really paying off.

The Daimyo's expression became extremely plesant and he bowed in kind. "A pleasure to meet you as well, Uzumaki-san."

"Arigato, Daimyo-sama. And if it pleases you, you may call me, Naruto," Naruto said as he rose from his bow.

"I thank you for the gesture, Naruto-kun," the Daimyo replied.

Tsunade moved a soft office chair nearer to her desk. "Please, have a seat, Daimyo-sama," she offered, waiving her hand at the chair.

"Arigato, Tsunade-sama," the Daimyo replied cordially as he took his seat.

Tsunade moved to her chair behind her desk and Naruto sat in a small wooden chair next to her.

"I've been meaning to ask you, Daimyo-sama—Why is Ganshou under mayoral leadership? I thought you ruled the capitol city directly." Tsunade said.

The Daimyo chuckled. She's certainly as bold as ever. "You're not the only one guilty of giving some of your work to a subordinate. It gives me more time to deal with the larger concerns that come my way. It is also an experiment of sorts."

"An experiment?" Naruto asked.

"Indeed. I've heard of several practices from western countries and was curious to see them up close. So far it seems to be working well and I haven't given up any of my power. He is, after all, under my command," the Daimyo said with a smirk.

Naruto decided he liked this person. He could tell the Daimyo had a mischievous streak.

"So, Naruto-kun, tell me about this marvelous new chakra of yours," the Daimyo requested cheerfully.

Naruto looked at his mother. She nodded so he answered the request. "It's the combination of chakra from all the major chakra groups. It was forcefully given to me by Orochimaru. I have been working on learning to use it well, but sometimes it's difficult to control."

The Daimyo nodded in understanding. "May I see it?"

Naruto gave a quick bow. "Of course, Daimyo-sama." He molded chakra to a relatively safe level for indoors.

The Daimyo stared in awe. "Amazing," he commented. "You may stop now." He turned to Tsunade. "What is his raw power level?"

Tsunade sighed. "Truthfully?" She looked at her son. "He has the most powerful chakra I've ever seen. Of course, learning to use it to the full extent of that power has proven to be quite a challenge."

The Daimyo curled his hand to his chin in thought. "How exactly did Orochimaru give him this new chakra?"

Tsunade could practically see the wheels spinning in the Daimyo's head. "Daimyo-sama, the niji chakra should not be created again...ever."

The Daimyo looked surprised. He hadn't expected her to know what he was thinking. "Tsunade-sama, think about what this could mean for the Fire Country. If all of our shinobi had that kind of power we would never again need fear attack from other villages," he said with some excitement to his voice.

"It would also mean the deaths of hundreds of summon animals," Tsunade said gravely.

The Daimyo was taken aback. "Come again?"

Tsunade closed her eyes and looked down, as if to give respect for the fallen. "The only way to give someone niji chakra, is to completely drain the chakra from one of each of the summon animal groups. It kills them and, according to Naruto, they suffer terrible pain during the process."

The Daimyo's expression became ashamed. "I had no idea," he said quietly. "Please forgive me, Tsunade-sama," he requested with a bow.

"It's alright. I actually anticipated someone would want to duplicate the niji chakra so I wasn't really surprised," Tsunade said with a light chuckle.

"Yes, I suppose it was inevitable."

"Besides," Tsunade said. "There's always a chance it could pass down to his children as a kekkai genkai."

The Daimyo seemed to find this idea satisfying. He then got an amused look on his face. "So, are there any good candidates for his future spouse?"

Tsunade giggled, instantly understanding the Daimyo's game. "Actually, he already has a girlfriend."

Naruto just sat there, his mouth hanging open with an incredulous look on his face.

"Well then I trust you to make sure they are married as soon as they are legal," the Daimyo said, trying his best not to burst out laughing—Quite the feat, considering the look on Naruto's face was most comical.

"Nani?!" Naruto said, his eyes wide and his voice full of panic.

Tsunade and the Daimyo chuckled. "Calm down, brat. We were kidding," Tsunade explained.

Naruto shot his mother a withering glare.

The Daimyo smiled. "My apologies, Naruto-kun, but may I speak to your mother alone for a moment?"

Naruto frowned but managed to call on Hinata's teachings. He stood and bowed. "Of course, Daimyo-sama." He then left the room without a word.

"He's certainly not what I expected considering the stories I've heard," The Daimyo commented once the door had shut.

Tsunade smiled. "Well, he's been receiving training in more than just paperwork," she said with a laugh.

"Quite an interesting young man." The Daimyo cleared his throat. "I have decided I will base my decision on his performance in the chuunin exams. If he receives the rank of chuunin I will allow you to continue his training. If not, then I would like you to begin looking at other candidates—Hatake Kakashi, for instance."

Tsunade frowned a bit but nodded anyway. "Will you be at the exams then?"

"Hai. I've missed it too many years in a row. Not to mention that I'm curious to see the only holder of niji chakra in action," the Daimyo replied with a smile.

"Would you like a tour of Konoha?"

The Daimyo shook his head. "Unfortunately not today. I have too much work."

Tsunade laughed. "I know the feeling."

The Daimyo rose from his seat. "Well then, I will see you October first," he said with a short bow.

Tsunade bowed in kind. "I look forward to it."

Naruto sat alone on the dragon fountain in the Namikaze complex. Ever since the conversation with the Daimyo an hour ago he'd been having trouble getting the screams of the summon animals who died for his new chakra out of his head. During the process of cleaning out the complex he and Sasuke had gotten the fountain working. It bubbled along merrily, unaware of the anguish of the boy who sat on its edge.

The loudest scream in his head was, of course, that of Gamakichi. He wished so badly that he could have saved the young frog. They hadn't always gotten along, but he had considered him a friend. Naruto sensed a familiar chakra approaching. "Hey, Tomoyo-san."

"Hey, Naruto-kun," Tomoyo said as she sat down. She cocked her head to one side. "Something wrong?"

Naruto sighed. "Just...old regrets."

Tomoyo seemed to understand and didn't carry the matter further. She held up a leather bound book . "I brought the pictures from me and Kakashi-kun's honeymoon. Wanna see?"

Naruto smiled a little. "Okay. But only the parts that won't scar me for life."

Tomoyo giggled and opened the book to the first page.

Chouji and Ino sat in Tsunade's office, waiting for her to finish pulling a file from her cabinet. She retook her seat and opened the manila folder. "Seeing as how your team is a man short for the chuunin exams I've decided to supplement said team with a genin from Suna. Her team mates have also been promoted so the timing is perfect."

"Who is she?" Ino asked.

"Her name is Yoshida Nao. She fought along side us when Suna was attacked. I think she'll make a good addition to your team," Tsunade answered.

Tsunade handed Ino the folder. Ino opened it to see a smiling girl with forest green hair and brown eyes. "She looks familiar, but I can't place her."

"Well you'll have plenty of time to remember—She'll be arriving tomorrow evening," Tsunade said with a smile.

"Why is she coming here?" Chouji asked.

Ino rolled her eyes. "Obviously so we can have time to practice with her. Baka," she said as she smacked Chouji's shoulder.

"She should be at the gates around six pm. Don't be late," Tsunade instructed.

"Hai, Tsunade-sama," Ino replied. She and Chouji then left the room.

Naruto stood up from looking at Tomoyo's photo album and yawned. "It's getting kinda late. I need to get something to eat," he said as stretched his arms above his head.

"No problem," Tomoyo answered. "Kakashi-kun rented us a movie to watch tonight," she said with a dreamy smile.

Naruto looked a little green. "I don't wanna know," he said. "Hey, I was wondering if you were busy Saturday."

Tomoyo thought for a moment. "Not unless I get a mission between now and then. Why?"

"I wanna finish this place up. For some reason it just really bugs me seeing it still so...broken," Naruto explained as his gaze moved around the complex.

Tomoyo smiled. "No problem. And I'll make sure Kakashi-kun goes too."

"Thanks, Tomoyo-san!" Naruto said happily.

"Anything for my little cousin," Tomoyo replied with a hug.

Naruto waved to Tomoyo as she walked away. "Ja!" He then headed for home.

Yoshida Nao lay on her back in her sleeping back with her arms folded under her head. Her sensei snored loudly a few feet away as she stared at the occasionally blinking stars overhead. "I can't wait to see Kiba again." She smiled widely, then rolled over and tried to get some sleep.

...TO BE CONTINUED

Woot! A chapter out in under two weeks! Hope you guys liked this one. Things will pick up a bit next chappy. :)