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Disclaimer: I have never owned, do not own, and will never own any part of Naruto... Which means I'll spend my time writing this fanfiction instead of having millions of dollars and a wildly popular series. Hope you like it.
They reached the gates of Konoha the next morning.
Naruto let out a whoop and ran ahead, waving with zeal at the shinobi at the gate. "Hey! I'm back!"
Shikamaru heard the guards laugh and welcome the blonde ball of energy back. He, himself, followed at a more leisurely pace, still keeping one eye on Keita, Hikari, and Shota. They hadn't shown any signs of wanting to run away, and they still didn't. If anything, they looked nervous.
Naruto was questioning the guards when he caught up with them. "So, how has Baa-chan been while I was gone?"
"You mean the Hokage?"
Naruto gave him a look that clearly said, "Who else?"
"She's been her normal self. Punching people. Drinking sake, maybe a little more than usual," the guard replied, and then looked past Naruto to give a nod to Shikamaru. Then, he looked at the three siblings. "Who are they?"
"Oh, they're friends. Don't worry. I'll vouch for them, " Naruto assured him.
Shikamaru repressed a laugh. Only Naruto could call people who she had just met, and who were assassins captured on their latest mission, friends. Of course, that was a whole lot more likely to get them into the village than telling the whole truth. Not that Naruto lied or anything.
The guard, a man in his thirties with mousy brown hair, looked to Shikamaru for confirmation of Naruto's words.
He sighed. Way to drag him into this mess. He nodded. "Yeah, I'll vouch for them, too." And he was rewarded for saying that with a five thousand mega-watt smile from Naruto. His heart thumped loudly, and he willed down a blush. Damned hormones.
There were no more questions or problems, and, a minute later, they were in Konoha. They went straight to the Hokage's office, surprisingly not meeting any of their former teammates on the way and were shown directly into Lady Tsunade's office.
The big-breasted Hokage was busy pouring herself some sake when they arrived.
Shikamaru shook his head. He really shouldn't be surprised. The woman drank sake how other people drank water. What was her blood-alcohol level anyway? It was probably off the charts.
Her eyes widened, and she stood up behind her desk. "Naruto, Shikamaru! You're back!" she said, sounded extremely relieved. She swiftly skirted around the desk and brought Naruto into a crushing embrace.
Shikamaru stepped back in case he was going to be the next victim.
Naruto flailed her limbs and gasped out, "Baa-chan! Can't breathe…" And it was true, she was being smothered by obscenely large breasts.
Tsunade let go, slightly embarrassed by the overt show of fondness and sat back down behind her desk while Naruto took gulps of air. The Hokage turned her attention to the three people in the room that she didn't know. "Who are they, Brat?" she asked.
Naruto opened her mouth to explain, but Shikamaru stepped forward and brought out the scroll that Takeshi had given him. "Maybe you should read this first, Lady Tsunade. It might explain some things," he offered.
She nodded and took the scroll from him, taking another gulp of sake before settling back in her chair and reading it. He sat back down and glanced at Naruto, whose attention was riveted on the Hokage, one leg bouncing with suppressed energy and nervousness. He sneakily grabbed a cigarette from his pouch and lit it, inhaling the smoke, and then blowing it out through his nose.
Naruto was too absorbed to even notice, for once.
He took another drag. This was probably his first cigarette, or at least the first one he'd actually gotten a chance to savor, since he'd found out Naruto was really a member of the fairer sex, and he was damn well going to enjoy it.
After another minute or two, Lady Tsunade looked up from the message from Takeshi. "These three are the ones that almost killed Takeshi's daughter? Why the hell are they here?" she demanded.
Okay, so apparently Takeshi hadn't explained everything. How troublesome. Shikamaru crushed his cigarette against the bottom of his shoe and cleared his throat before she could explode or hurl any sake bottles. "Maybe I could clear things up, Lady Tsunade."
She raised an eyebrow as if to say, "You better."
He sighed, wondering once again why he'd become a ninja, and then proceeded to explain everything that had happened during their mission, finishing by saying, "… and so Naruto thought that it would be in the best interests of the village to bring Hikari, Keita, and Shota with us. If what they say is true, then Konoha could be host to ninja with Hyoton, perhaps the last living ones with that special ability."
Naruto nodded along vigorously with what he said. "He's absolutely right, Baa-chan!"
That was complete and utter bull. Naruto probably hadn't given a thought to their unique bloodline, but had instead just thought they were good people at heart and wanted to give them somewhere where they could be happy. She was just so good hearted… He glanced at the three siblings, who were still standing awkwardly in the corner of the room.
"You three!" Tsunade barked at them, making them jump.
"Y-yes, ma'am?" Keita stuttered, stepping forward as if to shield his siblings from her wrath.
The Hokage snorted. "There's no need to look at me like that. I'm not going to disembowel you."
"Unless you steal her sake," Naruto said with a grin.
One punch later, Naruto was clutching her head and whimpering, and Tsunade was back facing the siblings. "Now, as I was saying before this idiot interrupted me-"
"Hey!"
She ignored the blonde.
"I'm not going to hurt you three. I just want to know some things, okay? Good. Now, do you three really have Hyoton?" Three nods answered her. "And, if you are accepted into this village, will you stay here, protect it and it's people, and listen to the authority of the village?" Again, three silent, solemn, yet hopeful, nods. "Good," she leaned back in her chair. "I actually believe you. It's just like the brat to go out on a mission and bring back you three. The council is just going to love this."
Suddenly, she let out a yell that seemed to shake the foundations of the building. "Sakura, get in here!"
A moment later, the pink-haired ninja appeared. "Yes, Tsunade-sama?"
"Take these three down to Ibiki to be questioned, and tell him to be gentle. I just want to have their life before here documented. And then get someone to spar with them, again, gently. We need to see in they really have the Hyoton bloodline. Tell Ibiki that they're new members of the village, not prisoners. Got it?"
Sakura's emerald eyes had widened at the mention of Hyoton, and she nodded rapidly. "Understood. I'll over see everything myself." She turned to Hikari, Keita, and Shota. "Come with me."
They nodded and followed her out of the room, but not before Hikari threw her arms around Naruto in a grateful hug. "Thank you!"
Naruto merely grinned in reply and motioned for her to follow Sakura.
Right before the door shut, Sakura paused, looked at Naruto, and said, "I'm glad you're back," and then the door swung silently shut.
Shikamaru stared at the wooden door for a moment. Okay, so perhaps Sakura wasn't as much of a banshee as he had thought. She cared about Naruto at least a little.
He moved to get up, but Tsunade's voice stopped him. "There's one more thing that we need to discuss. At the end of Takeshi's letter, he offered a proposition…"
"About what?" Naruto inquired curiously, sliding into the seat next to Shikamaru.
"It would form a solid alliance between our two villages."
"That's great!"
Shikamaru, on the other hand, narrowed his eyes suspiciously at the Hokage. She was beating around the bush about something. And the look on her face. She looked…troubled?
Naruto leaned forward impatiently. "Well, what is it? What are the terms?"
"It's not quite like that. Takeshi says that he is all in favor of uniting our villages, but he suggests that we go a step further to cement the bond…"
Shikamaru tensed. Something was most definitely wrong. "What is it?" he asked finally. His voice seemed to snap the Hokage out of her silence.
She poured herself some sake, sighed, and then said, "Takeshi suggests a marriage between his only daughter, Kotone, and Naruto."
A thick curtain of silence fell upon the room, and then Naruto shattered it. She jumped out of her seat, and shouted loudly, "No way!"
Tsunade carefully avoided looking at Naruto.
Shikamaru's mind was doing loops, trying to make sense of what was happening. A marriage? Between Kotone and Naruto? That was preposterous. Kotone was in love with Hisako, and vice a versa. Surely Takeshi knew that? On the other hand, what was it that Mrs. Fugiwara had said?
Her rather brittle voice floated back to him. Masago is in love with him, and everyone seems to know it except him. Isn't that just like a man?
If he didn't notice that Masago was in love with him, then it might be that he hadn't noticed the romance between his daughter and Hisako. And even if he had, he might not have liked the match.
There was no way to know. And, now that he thought about it, it wasn't a completely horrible idea. It would firmly cement the two villages together, and he seemed to like Naruto. When he remembered the Naruto was actually a guy, the idea must have popped into Takeshi's head. And if he knew that Naruto was the container for the Kyuubi no kitsune, if he wasn't one of those judgmental paranoid demon-haters, then that would be an added bonus, even if Naruto would never turn against Konoha.
There was just one little problem with the whole plan, besides the fact that Kotone was in love with someone else. One little fact that very few people knew. Naruto was a girl.
He had zoned out of the conversation, and when he started paying attention again, he saw Tsunade yelling at Naruto.
"I didn't accept the offer, Brat! So, don't start yelling at me. But, I am obligated to tell the council about this, and once they hear about it…" She shook her head, blonde hair swishing. "Naruto… They could force you to accept the offer."
"I will not marry Kotone," Naruto said firmly and in a serious voice rarely associated with the jinchuuriki.
"Just think about it a little. I know that you're still in love with Sakura, but you like Kotone, don't you?" Tsunade seemed to hate to even say the words.
Shikamaru understood. She didn't even want to be asking Naruto to consider the idea, but this was reality, and reality often was troublesome. If she could gain a potentially powerful ally, it would mean that her people would be that much safer, and if the council was going to try strong-arm tactics on Naruto anyways…
"It doesn't matter if I liked Kotone or not," Naruto retorted, blue eyes narrowing, "She's in love with someone else. And I'm not in love with Sakura!"
Tsunade blinked. "You're not?"
"No!"
Some small part of Shikamaru did a little happy dance at hearing the words from Naruto's lips. He studiously ignored it, or tried to.
"You can't be certain that Kotone doesn't have any feelings for you or wouldn't agree to this match. Why can't you at least think about it?" Tsunade asked.
"I just can't!" said Naruto, clearly flustered.
"Why?" Tsunade pressed.
"Because I'm a girl!" Naruto blurted out, and then quickly clapped her hands over her mouth.
For all of Shikamaru's massive brainpower, he hadn't expected that. When he said that she'd have to tell someone eventually, he hadn't expected it would happen this soon.
Tsunade was staring at Naruto as if she couldn't quite believe that she'd heard. "Excuse me?" she said finally, after several moments of tense and shocked silence.
"I…" Naruto stopped and glanced back at Shikamaru.
He stood up and stood at her side. For some incredibly odd reason that he couldn't fathom, she seemed to draw comfort from his nearness.
She cleared her throat and tried again. "I'm a girl." The three simple words rang out in the silent room.
Tsunade still looked confused, and Shikamaru couldn't blame her. "You're… a girl?" she repeated dumbly.
"Yes."
Shikamaru stayed silent and watched the exchange between the two blondes.
"Naruto… I know you've been in a girl henge for the past-"
"That wasn't a henge," Naruto interrupted. "This, how I look right now, is a henge."
Tsunade took a fortifying gulp of sake, which seemed to steady her somewhat. "Really?"
"Yes. Look, Baa-chan… I know this sounds unbelievable, but it's true, okay?" With a puff of smoke, the male Naruto vanished, and the female, the true, Naruto appeared, wearing the same black shinobi pants and orange shirt, both of which were now far too big and hug loosely on her petite frame.
She took a deep breath, and then started to talk. She talked about the Kyuubi, about how she used to be a he, about the reasons for keeping it a secret, and about everything else connected to it. When she finished, she let out a sigh, an almost happy sigh, and Shikamaru knew she was relieved at having finally been able to get it off her chest to Tsunade.
Tsunade, on the other hand, seemed to be having a seizure. Her right eye was twitching, and she was groping for her sake bottle blindly. Finally, she said, voice unexpectedly soft, "You're serious, aren't you? This isn't one of your practical jokes."
Naruto shook her head. "No. It's the truth. Just ask Shikamaru. He knows."
The Hokage's brown eyes bored into him.
Great. Way to put the attention, and possibly wrath, of an easily angered woman who could easily make his life hell, on him.
"And how exactly do you know?" Her voice promised lots and lots of pain.
He chose his words carefully. "When you sent me to go get Naruto, before the mission, I ran into her… unhenged, so to speak. She explained everything to me, and I decided that it was her secret to tell, and I wouldn't betray her by telling everyone."
Amazingly, Tsunade seemed to approve. "Okay… So, Naruto, you're a girl. Just to get that absolutely straight."
"Yes, Baa-chan," Naruto said in a soft, lilting voice, and then grinned in a classic Naruto grin. "Do you want me to show you?" she asked, gripping the edge of her shirt.
Shikamaru's eyes widened, and suddenly he felt quite a few degrees hotter under the collar.
Tsunade glared at her. "No, that won't be necessary."
Shikamaru was torn between disappointment and relief. Who knows what his reaction actually would have been if she had taken her shirt off? Since it was pretty clear that she wasn't wearing a bra.
The Hokage glanced back and forth between Naruto and Shikamaru. "Are you two by any chance…?" Her voice drifted off into questioning silence.
Naruto tilted her head to the side. "Are we what?"
Was she really that clueless? Shikamaru considered who he was thinking about. Yes, it was possible. He took pity on the Hokage, who seemed to be actually uncomfortable, and said in an emotionless voice as he could manage, "No, Lady Tsunade, we aren't in a romantic relationship." Yet, his traitorous mind added.
She nodded, tried to pour some sake, and then glared at the bottle when it turned out to be empty. She rested her head on the desk with a thump, and groaned, "Great. How am I supposed to explain this to Takeshi?"
Naruto actually had the nerve to giggle, which got an empty sake bottle thrown at her.
Shikamaru leaned back with a sigh and watched the Hokage chase Naruto around the room bellowing death threats.
How had this happened again? Oh, right. Naruto. How very troublesome.
Naruto hopped over the desk to avoid a punch by an irate Tsunade and winked a Shikamaru, grinning broadly.
Yes, definitely troublesome, but not bad. Not bad at all.
Hello, hello, hello! Time for a new chapter, apparently. And they're back in Konoha! Finally, and someone found out... Well, more like Naruto blurted it out, but still. And I promise that more people are going to find out, too. You'll just have to keep reading to find out their reactions. Right... Ummm... Anyway, I hope you all enjoy the chapter, and, as usual... sorry it took so long to get the chapter up. Oh, and one more thing... I made it past three hundred reviews! Who would have thought that was possible? And it's all thanks to you guys. Thank you, and a special shout out to Eternal Cat Moon for being the 300th reviewer.
Ja ne,
Rumer Hasit
xbamsod: Ah, I hoped you would like how people responded to seeing Naruto as a guy. I especially liked writing Yukio and Nagisa's reactions to it. And I just thought, in regards to Naruto taking the three with her, that it would be the sort of thing that she would do, you know?
pay backs a bitch sucker: You love this story? I can't tell you how nice it is to hear that. And, as for your questions... Yes, I think Naruto and Shikamaru are going to spend time together, and Kakashi-sensei will find out about her real gender fairly soon. And, yes, of course Sasuke is going to find out, too. You just have to keep reading to find out exactly how it unfolds, though.
Dezzal: Thank you. It's good to be back and writing again. I hope you enjoy it.
Sillvog: Muhahahaha! I'm evil that way. Nope, Shikamaru hasn't had the right opportunity to put the moves on Naruto, but I'm sure he will. And it's just Shikamaru's luck that people would like Naruto as a guy, too, isn't it? As for Hinata being competition. I don't think so, but I do definitely have something planned between them... I think you'll find it amusing.
VampiricBloOdyRose: I'm really glad you liked people's reaction (especially our favorite perverts). I know what you mean about the only FemNaru story that really working being Naru/Shika. It really just... works. Don't get me wrong, I like most well-written FemNaru stories, but Shika/Naru really takes the cake. They just work well as a couple.
kitsuneluvuh: Wow. You guys really liked people's reactions to Naruto, don't you? And I'm glad you do. As for your suggestion for Sasuke walking in on Naruto... that might just work. I bet Shikamaru would get jealous, too.
MegamiTenshiHime: Glad you think so. I hope you liked this chapter and keep reading and reviewing.
Immortal Sailor Cosmos: Yes, I am back, and thank you for the welcome back. And the first step of outing her has started! Hope you enjoyed it.
animeboylover: I know. I just had to have Naruto take the three back to Konoha. It's something that's just completely Naruto. I mean, it wouldn't be in character if she didn't. Sigh... a lot of people are asking for some Shika/Naru action. A kiss? Well, I'll work on it, okay? I have like another chapter or two written at this point (I went on a writing spree), but I think I could write a kiss scene after that.
Le Diosa: That is the best sort of review that I can possibly get. I mean, all I want to do is make people laugh with this story, and if I managed to brighten up your... sh*ty day at all, then I've succeeded.
Nero Strauss: Yes, I have returned. *Cue the dramatic music* Sorry I kept you waiting. And Anko! I can't believe I forgot about her! I definitely need to put her in my chapters. Thank you for reminding me on that point. Oh, and I definitely need to bring in Tenten, too. I can just imagine it now... I think you've just inspired a certain chapter.
meglepetes: Yep, so many disappointed perverts. I mean, people. Well, perverts are people, right? I think they are at least... Nope. Naruto didn't go back to Konoha as a girl, but she just got discovered! Well, more like she blurted it out, but still. One more person knows the truth. And, yes, poor Shikamaru. He could have chosen to like so many other people... but he likes Naruto. Poor guy.
ZAFO: Glad you liked the reactions. And, yes, I promise that Kazuo and company will show up again. I don't think I could just forget about them. I wonder how Kakashi and Kazuo would get along...
Dante Nastaran: It's nice to know that you liked the reactions, and I really do need to write a chapter where Shikamaru gets farther with Naruto, don't I? I'll get on that. After all, after all of the stuff that Shikamaru's been through, he deserves a least a little loving, right? And I like Shikamaru jealous, too. It really does make him human.
Shimigami's-Neko-Gaki: Ah! You're right! I should have had someone comment on Naruto and Shikamaru of being together when they thought they were both guys. An opportunity missed... Anyway, glad you like the everyone's reactions.
Mystia Katsuragi: Well, it's nice that you think my OCs are realistic enough. So, thank you for that. And as for it being Hisoka or Hisako, it's Hisoka... I think. I really need to get that straight. And I'm glad you enjoyed the villager's reactions to Naruto being a guy. It was fun to write.
SharinganUserZ: Sorry the the update wasn't really quick... at all, but I hope you keep reading and enjoy this chapter now that I've got it posted up. Oh, and thanks for the review.
aerinkudo: Well, you were right. It was high time that at least Tsunade found out about Naruto's real gender. So, thank you for that idea, and I hope you enjoyed reading this chapter.
Danielle mary-song harkness: Ah! The best Naru fanfiction you've read so far? Thank you so much! What a complement. And I got all four check marks! Wow. Thank you. It's great to know that you like the story so much that you'd do that.
Anie6142: Yes, Kazuo did indeed suffer. He really is pervert, but even I'm not sure he deserved to suffer that much. I mean, he thinks his perfect woman is... a man. Yep. That's got to put a dent in his day. And, yes, I think Hikari will find out about Naruto's real gender.
9tailedokami16x: I have... death's vote of awesome? Well, that sounds pretty cool. And my story is one of your favorites? That makes it even better.
Nikkii-Love706: Well, I apologize that I didn't update sooner, but I do hope you liked this chapter. And, in answer to your questions... There will be more romantic development between them in a bit. Naruto just dropped the henge. No. And I'm happy that you love the story.
GILLIGFAN: Wow... What a wonderful review. I mean, really. I'm grinning like an idiot right now. I don't really know what to say except that... It gives me great pleasure to know that you like my story that much and that you think that much of it and my writing skill. And thank you for putting it on your alerts and favorites, and thank you for reviewing, really. I mean... Thanks.
Eternal Cat Moon: Ummm... What do you mean by Sasuke leaving with them? He was just supposed to take them to the Yugakure and then go back. So, Shikamaru and Naruto are just traveling back to Konoha with Hikari, Shota, and Keita. But, Sasuke will show up again in the next chapter. And as for a love triangle... maybe... maybe not.
NatalieNamikaze2006: Yes! I've converted you into a FemNaru/Shika fan! Success is mine. And you love it? Wonderful! That's great to know. I hope you loved this chapter just as much.
Q3APo: I make the story interesting? Well, thank you, thank you very much. I do try. And as for the story making you smile... That's perfect, and all I'm trying to do with this story. So, thank you for letting me know. And, yes, poor Shikamaru. He really needs to put the moves on Naruto soon, huh?