CHAPTER 9 A COLD WELCOME
Naruto walked down the road with his fox Kuza at his heels and Mei to his left wearing the Mizukage hat and Zabuza on her other side along with a group of three genin following behind one of which was Haku, the other was a boy named Chojuro who carried a large oddly shaped sword on his back, then there was the kunoichi with blue hair wearing a similar dress to the Mizukage but it stopped just above her knees, named Tuna.
"So when we get there I just want to give you all a warning that they really don't like me over there so if they start acting… weird towards me let it be I will handle it." Naruto explained
"What someone doesn't like you? Naw couldn't be." Zabuza chuckled
"Laugh it up, but if my swords weren't shattered I would kick your ass… again" Naruto said
"No way you could beat Zabuza sensei he is one of the legendary seven swordsmen." Chojuro argued "And I am aspiring to be one myself."
"Well hate to break it to you but I did kick his ass back in wave." Naruto said but Chojuro still didn't believe him and looked at Zabuza who just remained silent "isn't that right Haku."
"He is correct he did beat Zabuza in a sword fight then delivered us the message saying we were needed in mist." Haku said in a flat tone.
"Whose side are you on Haku?" Zabuza said angrily
"I am merely stating a fact." Haku said again with no emotion this just made Zabuza mumble where no one could understand
"Will you two stop it, we are coming up on the village." Mei said as the gates to the village came into view.
The group entered the gates and the two gate guards stopped them asking who they were and their business in the village.
"I am Mei the current Mizukage this is Fox my body guard and my other body guard Zabuza Momochi and his genin team who will be participating in the chunin exams." She says gesturing toward each of them "I am here to speak with the Hokage about Kage matters. I sent a message a few days ago I was coming."
"Oh I see, here it is." One of the Guards said going through the some of the paper work "My apologies Lady Mizukage. Just need you and everyone to sign in and you may enter."
"Thank you" she said as she signed and everyone else signed
When Naruto went to sign in they stopped him and asked "why do you look familiar?"
'And here it comes' Naruto thought to himself
"Do you have a sister by chance?" the guard asked giving Naruto a hidden smirk
"No can't say I do but I was an orphan so who knows." Naruto replied 'didn't see that one coming' he thought to himself
"Oh alright cause a girl of about your age came through here same hair and those marks on your cheeks. What was her name?" the guard thought
"Naruko I think." The other guard said "that was when. Wait a minute all those pranks happened when she came in you think maybe?" the guard said looking at the other "But she had different eye's is that a Kekkei Genkai or something?" he asked
"Well any way I'll keep an eye out for her, and that last part is for me to know." Naruto said with a grin as he signed and walked away
"Still pulling that gag on people?" Zabuza asked
"If it works why stop?" Naruto said with a smirk
"What gag?" Tuna said
"It's a henge I use to gather information or move about unseen." Naruto replied
"And what henge is that?" Tuna asked
"I turn myself into a girl, and most times it's not really that… decent but I was decent when I came here." Naruto said
"That is horrible and degrading to women." Tuna replied furious
"why is it women always say that about that technique?" Naruto sighed to himself "Alright listen I won't be judged by a girl barely out of the academy, and especially one named Tuna seriously your parents must of hated you to name you that." Naruto chuckled but he looked back and saw her lower her head as tears began to well up. 'ah shit'
"My parents died before I could remember they gave me that name." Tuna replied at that Naruto stopped and bowed his head to her.
"I'm sorry I didn't know." He apologized getting a shocked look from everyone in the group. "I know what it's like to grow up an orphan not knowing you parents."
"Ah ok it's alright. I accept your apology." She replies shocked as he turns back around and begins to walk away from the shocked group of mist ninja
"Never seen him apologize for anything before." Zabuza said in shock before he shook it off and began to walk again. "But then again he always did have a soft spot for orphans." He sighed
Naruto headed toward the Kage tower when a drunk bumped into him "Hey watch where…." The drunk began then looked up and saw the red slit eyes and then looked more closely at him and a look of recognition came across his face "dddddd…DEMON" the drunk yelled "the demon has returned." He yelled as he ran away drawing everyone's attention to look at the fuss then others began to realize who he was and started to whisper and some even fled.
"Damn didn't think my reputation was that well known." Zabuza said with a smirk
"They weren't talking about you." Naruto said as he continued to walk "let's just get to the Hokage." He said as the rest of them followed the genin in confusion and Mei walked up to him.
"So this is what you mentioned on the road on the way here?" Mei asked
"Such is the life of a jinchuriki." He said looking over at some people just staring at him some in fear others in disgust.
"This is horrible." She said
"At least I know why they despise me, before I had no idea why." Naruto said at this Mei got a look of shock
"You mean…" she began
"Yep this is where I started out till I ran off and this is how they treated me till that day." Naruto said as a rock came soaring at his head that he caught in midair and saw the assailant and whipped it right back at him hitting him square in the head knocking off his feet and out cold and making the others who had objects they were about to throw drop them. "But now I know how to defend myself." He said looking up at her
"That is unforgivable." Mei said
"And it is my grudge to bare not yours so leave it be." He said as they approached the doors to the Kage tower and entered. They walked up to the desk in front of the office.
"I am the Mizukage here to speak with the Hokage." Mei said to the secretary.
"One moment please" she said as she got up and walked into the Hokage's office then walked back out "He will see you now."
"Thank you." Mei said as she turned toward the genin. "Wait here till we call or come out." They all nodded and sat at the bench next to the door.
Mei walked in front of the desk of the Hokage with Naruto on her right with his fox and Zabuza on her left "Hokage dono it is an honor to meet you."
"You as well lady Mizukage." Sarutobi replied "I wasn't expecting you so soon."
"Yes I wanted to get talks about an alliance out as soon as possible. The mist is weak from the coup and we need strong allies. I know it takes a long time for talks like this so I decided it best to do them as soon as possible and with the chunin exams coming up I thought it would be easier to come with a genin team since they will be participating. They can see how other villages work." She said with a smile.
"Ah yes I would love to put an alliance in place between our villages, but it's the counsel that will make the decision and they can take a while to deliberate it, seeing as the reputation of the mist or as some see it the bloody mist." Sarutobi replies
"Those days are behind us with that mad man out of power I want to bring a new era to the mist." Mei says
"That will bring another friction point on your loyalty to the alliance. I can tell you are being honest but some will see the coup you raised against you previous kage a mark on you honor." Sarutobi said
"I had no choice in that. It was that or watch my people suffer." Mei defended getting angery
"I agree I have heard the stories coming out of the mist, evidence is standing to your left. I would have loved to have done something myself but I couldn't risk a war. I am merely telling you what will be brought up in the council" Sarutobi explained
"So you will consider it?" Mei asked
"I will bring it to the counsel and it will have my support. But my support alone won't make it happen, but it will help." Sarutobi said
"I thank you Hokage dono." Mei replied
"I will bring this up at the next council meeting and we they will come up with a date for you to present your case." Sarutobi explained
"I thank you again Hokage dono" Mei replied
"Now on too other matters such as your guard assaulting a civilian." Sarutobi asked
"Which one the drunk who bumped into me cry about something that was his fault, or the one who gave me a present and I returned it to him." Naruto said
"The one you put in the hospital from a rock to the head." Sarutobi replied
"Simple he threw a rock at me I threw it back not my fault he sucks at playing catch" Naruto said with a chuckle but only recived a stern look from the old man. Then naruto face turned serious as well "I told you I was done taking shit from this village if they can't let go what happened twelve years ago that is on them but I will not be their door mat."
"It's true that man threw the rock at my body guard and he merely protected himself." Mei replied "And I will stand behind my guard's actions." She said
"So you have joined the mist then?" Sarutobi asked
"No I am merely on protection detail. They needed some extra muscle after the coup and they are good customers." Naruto replied
"He is under my employ and will be treated as such." Mei said
"I agree I will put out a message to the villagers saying if they are caught trying to harm Na… fox they will be imprisoned." Sarutobi replied
"Yeah we all saw how that one went when I was a kid." Naruto scoffed "how about this if they try to assault me I will defend myself, I won't kill them but they won't mess with me again." He explained
"Very well I will tell them." Sarutobi replied
The three turned to leave Naruto was the last but stopped at the door and turned his head and said "Did you bring what I asked you about before to the council?"
"Yes they are still deliberating but it doesn't look good." Sarutobi said.
"That stuff is mine by blood." Naruto said in anger
"I agree but it is a sensitive issue I will tell you more when it comes in." Sarutobi said
"Very well." Naruto said as he left.
"What was that about?" Zabuza asked
"My own business with the leaf and leave it at that." Naruto said as he continued down the halls
The sun was setting as the group walked down the street headed toward the hotel that had rooms reserved for them.
"I'm starving there any good places eat around here?" Mei asked
"I do know of one place." Naruto said with his fox grin and started walking down another street
They followed Naruto down the road till they came to a small ramen stand.
"Ichiraku?" Mei read on the sign
"Yep best ramen in the world." Naruto said as he walked in and sat down at a stool and the rest followed him in.
"Welcome" an older man behind the bar said
"Hey there old man." Naruto said
"Hey now I ain't that old." The man said with a chuckle looking at the blonde "wait is that, it is little Naruto you're alive, we thought you were dead!" He exclaimed as a girl a few years older than Naruto walked out from the back
"What's the ruckus dad?" she asked then she saw the young blonde sitting at the bar with a fox like grin "Nnnaruto?" she asked a bit confused.
"Yep. But I go by Fox now." he replied with a grin
"Ha ha Naruto that is your real name? No wonder you changed it to Fox." Zabuza chuckled that was when Ayame and her father noticed who he was with.
"Wait, are you part of the mist now?" Ayame asked seeing the mist head band on the ninjas
"No merely a working for them at the moment." Naruto responded with a grin. giving the father and daughter a confused look. "I am a mercenary and they hired me for protection detail." He explained getting a realization look from them, then one of shock.
"YOU'RE A MERCINARY!" the both of them yelled out in surprise
"Easy now calm down the villagers don't like me as it is and them knowing I'm a merc on top of that won't help." Naruto said trying to calm them down "but any way can we get some food. I'm starving."
"Right right what would you like." Teuchi asked
"Alright I'll start out with five large bowls of miso pork then see what I feel like after that." Naruto said with a smile getting Mei to look at him in shock at the amount of food he was ordering
"Don't you think that is a bit much?" Mei asked
"That is just an appetizer for him. I have seen him eat twenty bowls in a single sitting." Zabuza said "in under thirty minutes." Getting a look of shock from Mei.
"And who are you friends I can tell they are Mist ninja but who are they." Teuchi asked as Ayame got everyone else's orders and went to the back to start working on their them
"Right this is Zbuza Momochi and his genin team Haku, Chojuro, and Tuna." Naruto introduced then turned toward Mei "and this is Mei she is the current Mizukage."
"Oh it's an honor to meet you Lady Mizukage and to have you eat at my humble shop." Teuchi said as Ayame brought out one bowl for each of the customers
"Oh and do you have any leftover fish or something for my other friend here." Naruto said as Kuza jumped on his lap trying to eat his ramen but was picked up before he could get to it.
"Oh he's so cute of course I can find something for him." Ayame said with a girlish squeal as she went into the back to find something for him and bring out the rest of Naruto's order. Once she came back out with the fish giving it to the happy fox she looked at Naruto again seeing his eyes with a bit of shock she asked "Naruto what happened to you baby blues? They were so cute."
"Let's just say my time away from the village has changed me and leave it at that" he said with a friendly smile but with the hidden mean to leave it be.
Once everyone was done eating they left with Naruto leaving twenty five empty ramen bowls at his chair.
"Come again soon." Teuchi said as he waved them good bye
Burp. Naruto let out a belch as he waved "oh you know it" he said as he tapped his full stomach
"Seriously I still haven't been able to figure out how the human body can consume that much food." Zabuza sighed as they reached the hotel and got their rooms
The next morning Mei had told them she would be working on some paper work she brought with her so they could go about the village as long as they didn't start any trouble. Zabuza had brought his student directly to the training grounds that had been provided for them to train and get some last minute training in before the chunin exam.
Naruto was walking down Main Street getting nasty looks from the villagers. He stopped in front of a small weapons shop and walked.
"Hello welcome." Said a girl maybe a year older than him with buns in her hair sitting behind the counter and cringed a bit at seeing Naruto's demonic looking red eye's but got over it as he approached.
"Hi there" he said as he walked up "do you happen to do repairs?"
"Yes we do." She replied happily
"Alright good I need these repaired." Naruto said as he pulled out a scroll and opened it then a poof of smoke revealed his broken swords.
"Interesting." She said as she inspected the broken blades "these are chakra blades very difficult to break. Do I even want to know how you did this?" she asked looking at the fragments of the blade.
"Happened in the Mist. I would of gotten it taken care of sooner but their forge got destroyed in the battle and my normal guy is up in the Demon islands." Naruto said with a grin
"In the Mist so you're a Mist ninja here for the exams then?" she asked
"Well yes and no." naruto said looking at her only to get a raised eyebrow "I am a mercenary working for the mist while they get everything settled down."
"You seem kind of young to be a mercenary." She questioned
"Well I am, unlike ninja I don't have an ID to show cause some jobs ain't that… shiny." Naruto said with a grin.
"Ha right." She laughed
"So can you fix it and how long will it take?" Naruto asked
"Well fortunately for you I have some of that chakra steel in stock I should be able to have it done before the end of the week after that I have the chunin exams myself." She said
"That would be great I just don't feel right without them on my back." He said with a grin
"I know what you mean if I don't have my weapon scrolls on me I feel naked." She giggled "by the way my name is Ten Ten." She said holding out her hand
"Fox." Naruto replied shaking her hand
"Maybe after I am done with them we can get a sparring match in before the exams I always love to fight fellow weapon users." She replied
"Sounds good I need some sparing been a week since I used them." Naruto replied as the door opened behind him and in walked Zabuza with his massive sword strapped to his back
"Thought I would find you here trying to get those tooth picks fixed" Zabuza said looking down on the broken blades, and the young girl who stared at him in awe but then he realized she was staring at his sword.
"Those tooth picks kicked your ass didn't they?" Naruto shot back at this Ten Ten's eyes stopped sparkiling and shot over to Naruto in shock
"Wait your saying you beat one of the seven swordsmen?" Ten Ten asked
"Yep." Naruto said with a grin
"I will wipe the floor with you any day of the week. You just got lucky that day." Zabuza defended himself
"Once my blades are fixed any time anywhere." Naruto replied
"A true swordsmen should be able to fight with any sword." Zabuza shot back
"Then put that over compensation you call a sword away and fight me with another sword." Naruto laughed
"Hey Ten Ten mind if we borrow some of you swords for this duel?" Naruto asked and he looked over at her and she was in a trance like state at what he asked. "Hello, you there?" he asked as he waved his hand in front of her face, snapping her out of it.
"Yes but I want to watch." She piped out at realizing what happened.
"Not a problem by me we'll have my students watch as well. Maybe they can learn something." Zabuza said
"Alright just give me a second to get some swords and tell my grandpa he needs to take over for a little." Ten Ten said excited as she ran into the back bringing Naruto's broken blades with her. After a few minutes she rushed passed them and was at the door holding two katanas one in each hand "what are you waiting for lets go." She said excitedly as they followed her
They walked to the training grounds that Zabuza's students were sparing with each other.
"Alright whelps gather round." Zabuza said as his genin gathered around him and Naruto "We will be giving you a demonstration on how to properly sword fight."
"Zabuza sensei who is she." Chojuro asked pointing at Ten Ten who was holding the two swords
"She is here to watch as well and provide us with some swords to use." Zabuza said
"But why don't you use your own sword?" Chojuro asked
"Because a true swordsman can use any kind of sword to fight." Naruto broke in as he walked over to Ten Ten and she handed him a sword with a black and orange handle, and Zabuza did the same. "And give her yours I don't want you whipping that thing out or saying it was throwing you off balance or some shit." At this Ten Ten's eyes sparkled again
"I would never." Zabuza said but got a stern look from naruto "pfft whatever." He said as he took it off his back and handed it to the starry eyed kunoichi, who took it and hugged it like a child receiving a new teddy bear for Christmas.
The two squared off Zabuza in his normal pose and Naruto in his.
"Alright so only swordsmen ship no jutsu just raw skill." Naruto said
"Fine by me." Zabuza replied
"Alright Zabuza sensei is going to beat the hell out of this merc." Chojuro said excitedly to his team.
"Fox is a great swordsmen so it won't be an easy win as you think." Haku said calmly Ten Ten just sat there waiting for them to begin it was a once in a lifetime event to see one of the seven swordsmen in action especially since they were from a different village.
Just then they both launched toward each other locking blades. Naruto pushed and jumped back missing a slash from Zabuza who charged again. Naruto ducked under it and brought his blade up but Zabuza side stepped it trying to bring his blade down on the blonde. Naruto swung his blad behind his back blocking the attack.
"Wow he is good." Chojuro said in awe.
"Yeah." Tuna agreed, Haku just remained silent watching the battle unfold
"This is awesome I get to hold the legendary Kubikiribocho, and watch one of the seven legendary swordsmen in action against someone on par with him using my swords. Officially best day ever" Ten Ten squealed with excitement watching the two go at it.
The two swordsmen continued their battle for over an hour. They were both sweating and breathing heavily.
"Ready to give up yet you're out of juice." Zabuza said out of breath
"Look who's talking can you even see through that sweat in your eyes." Naruto chuckled
"Let's finish this" Zabuza said as he charged again and was blocked and pushed back as naruto swiped at him.
"Just what I was thinking." Naruto said as he spun around and brought his sword up and stopped it right at the side of Zabuza's neck, but realized Zabuza had his own blade at the back of Naruto's neck. "So draw then?"
"Looks like." Zabuza said as he pulled his blade away from Naruto's neck. After they took a step back and started to walk towards the genin who were still in shock from the fight except Haku who just watched without showing emotion.
Just then Ten Ten jumped up and with excitement "That was awesome two swordsmen of top level skill going at it. This has made my day probably even my week." She jabbered on like a school girl.
"I give you guys the day off and what do you do?" came a female voice causing everyone to look over and see Mei standing at the edge of the field "You start fighting like wild animals."
"Oh good afternoon Lady Mizukage." The three genin said in unison and bowed getting a confused look from Ten ten at first then realized what was going on
"Oh good after noon Lady Mizukage" she repeated after the three and bowing as well
"What can I say demons like to fight." Naruto chuckled.
"Of course they do." Mei sighed then looked over and saw Ten Ten "and who are you?"
"Um Ten Ten my lady." Ten Ten answered
"Why are you here watching my guys." Mei asked narrowing her eyes
"Um um uh." Ten ten stuttered
"She is here with me." Naruto said getting Mei to look away from Ten Ten "she works at the local weapons shop and is going to fix my blades that got broken. Since I couldn't get them fixed in Mist and I can't get to my normal guy in Demon I need to get them fixed here. While I was there I ran into Zabuza and well one thing led to another and we challenged each other. I asked if she had some spare swords we could use to have our match since my swords needed repair. So for letting us borrow her swords we let her observe our match." he explained as he walked over to Ten Ten and handed her back the sword and Zabuza did the same while taking his back
"Very well I guess I can't rightly tell you who you can and can't allow too watch your matches." Mei sighed to Naruto.
"Thank you for letting me watch it was very inspirational." Ten Ten said as she took the swords and went back to her shop.
"Alright you whelps can have some time off and get some sleep, cause it's going to be a another early morning tomorrow just remember don't start any trouble" Zabuza said as his genin team bowed and walked off
"Alright now you two we are going to the hot springs cause I need a soak and relaxation and you two need a bath cause you stink" Mei said as she walked up to Zabuza and sniffed him and recoiled at his stench
"Thought you liked the smell of a hot sweaty man?" Naruto teased just getting Mei to blush
"Maybe, but I will not have my guards walking around smelling giving the Leaf a bad impression of the Mist." Mei replied as she started walking away, and the two followed her.
At the hot springs Zabuza and Naruto had found some washing machines to put their clothes in while they bathed while Mei went straight for the women's out door hot spring.
Mei sat in the springs enjoying the hot water. 'Alright I am going to make sure someone builds a hot spring in the mist, when I get back.' She sighs to herself as she sinks all the way down into the water till just her head is sticking out of it.
"So why did you drag me all the way out here Ino?" Mei heard the voice of a young girl coming from the entrance of the outdoor bath.
"What just cause we are rivals for Sasuke's heart doesn't mean we aren't still friends." came the voice of the one who must be known as Ino. "Besides you have been brooding ever since you came back from that mission in the land of waves."
"I have not." The other voice shot back
"Sakura we have been friends since we were little you can't fool me something happened out there and you're going to tell me." Ino said as they came into Mei's view. The one that was known as ino was pale with platinum blonde hair that reached her lower back, while the other had pink hair that also reached her lower back
"Oh we didn't know any one was here." Sakura said as she caught a glimpse of Mei. "we won't bother you." She finished as she turned to go to the far end of the bath.
"So you two are love rivals then?" Mei spoke up getting both girls to freeze up.
"How did you…?" Sakura began
"I couldn't help but over hear as you were walking up." Mei explained
"Sorry to bother you with our meaningless problems" Sakura explained
"Hey I could use some 'meaningless' girl problems I really need a distraction from my work" Mei said with a smile "So what is the problem?"
"Well first off I am Ino Yamanaka and the pink haired billboard brow here is Sakura Haruno." Ino introduced herself and got into the bath with Mei.
"Shut up Ino pig." Sakura shot back as she followed her friend into the bath
"Mei, nice to meet you." Mei said with a chuckle and smile. "so I'm guessing you two are good friends to be harassing each other so much."
"Hehe I guess, we have known each other since we were little." Ino chuckled
"So what seems to be the problem?" Mei asks with a friendly smile.
"Well Sakura here has been brooding about something ever since she got back from her mission and won't tell me what it is." Ino said
"I told you it was just a tough mission and it made me take a second look at my standing as a ninja." Sakura said
"Sakura I have told you I have known you since we were kids I know when you're lying to me." Ino shot back.
"I told you it's nothing." Sakura said
"If she doesn't want to talk about it then you shouldn't force her to talk." Mei said only to get a confused look from Ino and a smile from Sakura.
"But I…" Ino began only to get cut off
"However if you can't confined in your friends who can you confined in?" Mei said looking to Sakura who looked down in thought. "That is why we have friends right to help through the tough times."
"Guess you're right." Sakura sighed in defeat as Ino gave a thumb's up and a smile to Mei "Well while we were on our way to wave we were attacked by some rouge ninja and all I could really do was stand my ground even though I was pretty much just a human meat shield." Sakura explained "then just before I was ripped to shreds a stranger came out of nowhere and saved me and took down both the missing nins. After he left he showed up again and saved Kakashi sensei from a high ranking missing nin with a giant sword." Sakura went on at this Mei's eyes widened. "After he fought and beat the missing nin he left again and we found a boy who…" Sakura stopped for a second think if she should tell them about what happened all those years ago and decided to leave it out "Kakashi knew him and we took him in and it turned out he was the mysterious guy from that saved me… um mean us but this time he was fighting us. I don't really know what happened cause I was captured while at the bridge builder's house and was about to be mo…" she stopped as tears began to form in her eyes.
"It's alright you don't have to continue if you don't want." Said Ino
"No I'm fine well he saved me again." Sakura replied whipping the tears from her eyes "it's just that ever since then I have been questioning everything about being a ninja. He wasn't a ninja but he was strong and confident with no doubts about his strength even though he was the same age as us, and ever since I have had doubts about being a ninja."
"Well just cause some one has knocked down your confidence doesn't mean you should just give up" Mei chimed in and both girls looked at her. "you'll be knocked down throughout your lives but you have to use that to better yourself not to give up."
"Yeah definitely" Ino said getting a smile from Sakura
"Alright now that we have you out of your gloom and doom. Time to get to the juicy parts, this guy you said was our age, was he cute, hot or hideous?" Ino said with a wicked smile
"What? No I don't… I wasn't" Sakura stuttered. "I only have eyes for Sasuke." She came back with.
"Just cause I have eyes for him to doesn't mean I don't look at other guys." Ino said with a smile "But since you were so quick to defend I think your resolve for him has slipped and you are looking at this new guy."
"What? No way he left and doubt I would ever see him again." Sakura shot back
"I don't know the ninja world may be large but it is also small so you may run into him again on another mission." Mei said with smile teasing the girl "maybe sooner than you think" she said quietly too where the girls barely heard her. "Trust me on this I didn't think I would ever see the guy I liked again and just recently he has come back." She said with a smile
"Alright there is a chance of seeing him again. Yes!" shouted inner Sakura
'Shut it inner I don't want to have this conversation again.' Sakura said to her inner self
They spent the next hour soaking in the outdoor bath and chatting about girl stuff like Ino consistent questions to get information on this new guy.
"Well looks like it's time to get out don't want to get all pruny." Mei said as she stood up and wrapped her towel around herself.
"Agreed" Ino said as she got up and wrapped her towel around herself as well
"Yeah should probably get heading home before my folks start asking questions." Sakura said
"Hey you idiots done we are leaving." Mei called over to the other side of the wall separating the men and women's side of the bath. Getting a confused look from Ino and Sakura.
"Bout damn time." came a husky voice. That made both girls blush a bit at someone on the other side of the wall talking to their side
"Who is that?" Ino asked
"My body guards while I'm in the leaf." Mei said with a smile
"Why do you need body guards?" Sakura asked
"Oh, because I'm the new Mizukage." Mei replied getting a look of horror from the two girls at the same time. Ino because she hadn't realized she was speaking to a Kage in such a familiar way, Sakura cause of the stories she had heard from Kakashi about the Mist while on their mission.
"I'm sorry lady Mizukage I didn't realize…" Ino began
"Oh don't worry about it, it's been far too long since I have just relaxed and just talked with someone it was nice." Mei said with a friendly smile
"Wow you don't resemble any of the stories I have heard from the Mist." Sakura blurted out.
"Well I just took over the mist and that is where you have heard all the horrid stories about. I want to move the mist in a new direction." Mei said understanding Sakura's concern "first thing I do when I get back is have someone open a spa like this." She said with a grin getting the two girls to giggle a bit
They walked into the changing room and after putting on their clothes the exited together to see a man with a giant sword on his back that Sakura recognized instantly and got into a defensive position the moment she saw him.
"Zabuza!" Sakura yelled out in shock from her defensive position getting the swordsmen to glance over at the trio casually
"Ah the pink hair kunoichi from wave." Zabuza said not paying any mind she was in a fighting stance
"Be nice Zabuza, don't want to scare the poor girl." Mei said teasingly "this is one of my body guards." She said looking at Sakura getting her to lower her guard a bit but not all the way
"He tried to kill me in wave." Sakura said
"No I tried to kill Kakashi your blood isn't even worthy enough to feed Kubikiribocho ." Zabuza said
Before she could retort a voice came from the changing room "damnt Zabuza did you steal my damn sock?"
"Why would I steal your damn sock I wear sandals?" Zabuza called back
"I don't know to spite me?" the voice of a young man came back and for a moment Sakura could of sworn she recognized it "never mind found it….. get back here you little shit." Came the voice again
Just then a black fox with four tails ran out of the changing room holding not only a sock but a black combat boot as well, the fox seemed to have an evil grin of entertainment on its face. Just then a boy about their age ran out of the changing room with black cargo pants with orange trim, a black sleeveless shirt under a black unzipped flak jacket with orange trim as well, and only having one boot on.
"Damn't Kuza." The blonde boy yelled as he launched himself at the little fox tackling it so he could get his boot and sock back. Once he got them back he sat on the floor with his fox grin putting on his sock and boot on. He looked up at the two young kunoichi with his demonic eyes
"FFFFox?" Sakura stuttered
"Ah shit." Naruto sighed to himself
"Whwhwhat are you doing here?" Sakura asked
"Taking a bath." Naruto replied sarcastically
"No I mean in the village." Sakura asked still confused at seeing him there
"Body guard detail." Naruto replied flatly gesturing toward Mei
"How can you be a body guard for a Kage you are the same age as us?" Ino said not believing him
"Let's just say I didn't live a pampered life like you in the village I have been fighting since I can remember." Naruto said to the blonde with an evil look which was only intensified with his slit eyes getting the blonde to take a step back.
"Now now Fox don't want you scaring my new friends." Mei said stepping up to the blonde making drop his killing intent.
"Alright fine you're no fun." Naruto sighed
"And yes he is good enough to be my body guard. If you don't believe me ask your friend she has seen him in action if the story she told is the one I think it is." Mei replied getting Ino to look over at her pink haired friend who was only looking down.
"Sakura?" Ino asked softly getting her friend to look up at her
"Well it was nice talking to you two we should do lunch some time." Mei said as she walked out of the bath house followed by Naruto and Zabuza.
"And let me guess you're going to make me be the one on guard duty when you have lunch with them." Naruto asked once they were out of the bath house
"Of course Zabuza has a team to train." Mei said with a smile
"Just can't get away from that pink haired one can you?" came Kurama's voice
'And you're just loving this ain't you?' Naruto asked the fox only to get a chuckle from the beast.
END CHAPTER 9
A/N alright longer chapter but please read and review if something don't make sense so I can either answer it or fix it for later on