A/N AAAAAAAAAAAARHGGHGHH
It's late! So late I'm pretty sure people think the fic has been completed/ended...
But hey it's done,m another chapter is done! Over with the Hyuga arc and away we go...(though it may be pretty anticlimatic...)
Anyway, I hope you all enjoy this chapter.
~Chapter 18 - THE HYUGA AFFAIR
2 Years Later – December 27th
"Welcome to Konohagakure," Miyu greeted as the foreign team of ninja approached the main gates, eyeing their headbands all the while, "State your business."
"We wish for and audience with the Hokage." The leader, she assumed, held out an official scroll that had been sealed with the mark of the fourth Raikage.
"I see," Miyu didn't have to check the scroll to know what their business was about, "Follow me then." She turned and set a brisk pace for the Hokage tower.
"So," One of the ninja attempted some small talk, though his smile was a bit too tense, "You must be a chuunin I'm guessing? Stuck on gate duty maybe?"
"Actually, you're wrong on both accounts." She replied, indulging him a bit.
"A genin then? First time gatekeeper?" He tried again.
"Hm, wrong again," She shook her head lightly, eliminating the most common assumptions, "This is the first time in months I've been in charge of people's comings and goings. It was the only mission I was allowed since I'm supposed to be recuperating." She allowed a small smile that unknowingly eased the foreigners' tension.
"Jounin then?" The Kumogakure ninja continued, "Pretty rare for someone your age."
"Not as much as you think." She answered with a shrug. Miyu led the group to the red landmark and ushered them inside, sharing a few words with the secretary before proceeding upstairs, ninja in tow. "You're lucky he's not very busy today," The blonde commented, "Otherwise you might have had to wait a day or two."
"Thank you for escorting us." The same ninja she had been conversing with, replied politely as they stood in front of the office's large, double doors.
"It's my job." She knocked on the door a few times and waited.
"Who is it?" A young, cheerful voice called out.
"Miyu," She replied, "Ambassadors from Kumogakure are here for an audience."
"Come in." His tone changed into something a bit more professional but when they opened the door they were still greeted by a smiling face.
"Should I return to my post?" Miyu asked, wondering if Minato wanted to keep her out of political affairs.
"No, you're fine as is," He replied, asserting her place as a high ranking shinobi in front of the foreigners, "Now what was it you wanted to discuss?" The leader of the group cleared his throat, taking in the similarities between their guide and her leader, and storing the information away for further use.
"Kumogakure would like to propose an alliance." He announced, passing over the important scroll.
"Alliance?" Minato was pleasantly surprised as he read through what he took as an earnest request. Miyu remained sceptical regardless. Sure some of her memories were a little foggy after all these years but she remembered enough of her history to know what happened last time Kumogakure requested an alliance. This time she was also emotionally invested and would not allow her sensei to die. "Hm, I'll need some time to think this over," The Hokage stated, "I'll send a reply when I've decided but feel free to stay the night."
"Thank you for your consideration." Their leader said smoothly.
"Bear here, will lead you to your accommodations," One of the hidden Anbu dropped from the ceiling landing next to the door, "Enjoy your stay in Konoha." Only once the ambassadors were out of sight did Minato release a sigh and another smile. "Isn't this great Miyu? If we secure an alliance there will surely be fewer wars."
"Don't get too excited," She warned, "Alliances don't last forever and such a thing as betrayal exists."
"Bah!" He waved off her concerns, "I fought the Yondaime Raikage in the last war. He seems like a straightforward type of guy." Miyu sighed with a small shake of her head wondering if Kumo was still willing to go through with its plans now that Minato was alive and well. As of now Kumogakure was the only village that could contest with Konoha in terms of economy and military. "But let's put these thought aside for now, I can't decide without telling the council after all."
"I think I'll be taking my leave now," Miyu decided rather abruptly, "I promised I'd help Itachi train."
"Train? I doubt the little prodigy needs anymore training." Minato joked.
"Well, he is still a genin," Miyu acknowledged, "But I think he wants to take the chuunin exam either this year or next year."
"Kid's these days," The older blond sighed, "Always wanting to grow up fast."
"Happy birthday, Hina-chan." Miyu called, handing the child a small wrapped parcel.
"Arigatou!" The young heiress chirped happily. She gently put down the flowers she had clutched in her left hand, courtesy of Naruto and Sasuke's team effort, in favour of unwrapping her newest gift.
"What is it?" Hiashi asked his daughter as the rest of the guest clamoured around in interest.
"A bracelet!" She revealed, showing the white delicate looking band. It was slightly flat, with enough room to carve in small flowers and birds.
"Wow, it's gorgeous." Hitomi uttered as Hinata easily slipped her hand in and out of the too large circle, "Though maybe slightly too big for her wrist."
"You activate it with chakra." Miyu explained, tapping the white bracelet once it was around Hinata's wrist. Conveniently it shrunk just enough that it would no longer slip off. "If you want to take it off you just need to reactivate it again."
"Where did you find it?" Kushina asked, wondering what it could possibly be made off.
"I made it." The blonde revealed, "I even installed a couple safety features for our little heiress." She left it off with a mysterious smile as the rest of the guest continued to pass on gifts.
"What king of safety features did you put in?" Hizashi asked, as he watched Iruka hand over a set beginner learning items. On the brunet's shoulder sat a prideful eagle, that quietly preened, enjoying the liveliness of the party.
"I guess anti-kidnapping ones mainly," She answered, "Honestly if I was a bit more paranoid I'd be slapping them onto everyone."
"Hm, maybe I'll ask you to make one for Sasuke." Fugaku contemplated aloud, joining their little conversation.
"It's a bit girly for his taste," Miyu said with a laugh, "He'd hate it."
"Hn, he'd wear it if you told him you made it," The Uchiha head replied honestly, "He absolutely idolizes you and Itachi."
"He has a right to," Minato cut in, "You're great with kids and as a shinobi. Must be the Namikaze blood coming though."
"Ahem," Fugaku cleared his throat loudly, "I think you mean the Uchiha blood, Minato."
"Hey, don't leave out us Uzumaki, dattebane!" Kushina all but jumped into the fray as the three began a long and heated argument in an isolated area of the room.
"Whatever blood she has doesn't matter," Hizashi began in a wise tone, "After all it was my teaching as her sensei!" Miyu watched with a blank expression as the Hyuga head promptly ignored the quartet in favour of continuing the party.
"Thank you very much for the beautiful flowers Inoichi."
"It's no problem," The T.I head replied, trying to pull his, apparently shy daughter, out from behind his leg, "Come on Ino, go say hello." Slowly the shy blonde inched around enough to offer a tentative 'congratulations' to the equally shy Hyuga heiress.
"How adorable." Miyu cooed, watching the two girls interact. The more they talked the more Ino's inherent confidence came out, making her seem more and more like the kunoichi she'd grow into every passing second.
"Adorable?" a deep voice questioned, "More like troublesome, don't you think? Just wait until you're old enough to get your own kids, you'll hate it and love it at the same time."
"Ah, Shikaku-san, how are you?" The blonde turned to greet the spiky haired tactician, keeping an eye out for the other guests, "Where's Shikamaru-kun?"
"The brat's faking a stomach bug just so he can stay at home," the Nara explained, exasperatedly, "I hope he understands soon that Yoshino's mothering can be more troublesome than parties."
"Wow, he's three and already picking up your bad habits." Shikaku only grunted in response.
"Better mine that someone worse."
"Worse, he says," Chouza added as he passed, dragging away his friends attention.
"Hey, I'm telling you he could be worse." The brunet defended weakly.
"I've never seen a kid that sleeps so much," Inoichi added, "Or one that's so fascinated by clouds."
"They're interesting alright," Shikaku snapped, "Plus he's a kid, anything could catch his attention at this age."
"I guess," Miyu allowed, "But Sasuke and Naruto are more interested in playing ninja."
"Can't blame them since they're whole family is in the trade," Shikaku replied, "Maybe you should take up a peaceful hobby, raise some animals or something."
"Kurama would eat them out of jealousy." She laughed.
What Kakashi next woke to, wasn't the chirping of the dawning birds he was used to, but instead an eerie, high pitched howl that cut through the silent night. His sleep dazed mind registered the sound as familiar. A second howl rang out, this time jolting Kakashi with its sudden urgency. He had heard it before, it was what he likened to Kurama's distress call, which normally meant Miyu was in some sort of life-threatening danger. His mind went over the info twice, as if confirming its reality before the Anbu suddenly jumped into action, quickly dressing in his gear before jumping through the window.
"What is going on?" He asked, arriving at the scene, within the outskirts of the Hyuga compound.
"There was an attempted kidnapping on the Hyuga heiress," His Hokage explained, all emotion carefully masked on his face as he gazed to where Hisashi stood by a single knocked out ninja, talking furiously to Inoichi, "We're lucky Hinata-chan had that bracelet on. Since it releases pulses of chakra it was easy for the Hyuga to find her after she was captured. Honestly it's a great anti-kidnapping trick for the Hyuga and their Byakugan." Minato rambled ever so slightly
"That's not all is it?" Kakashi questioned, recognizing the offender as one of the ambassadors from Kunogakure and leaving him to wonder where the other two were.
"No, Fugaku informed me moments before that Miyu has gone missing," Despite his well hidden intentions, Kakashi could hear the worry and concern in his voice.
"You don't think they attempted a second abduction…?" He uttered more to himself than anyone else.
"I've already sent a team of ninja out to find her, including a few trackers from the Inuzuka clan," Minato answered, "but your assumptions are highly likely." The mere thought of the young girl being forcefully taken away left a bad taste in the Anbu's mouth.
"I request that you allow me to join the search, Hokage-sama." He respectfully dropped to his knees keeping his eyes focused on the ground. He could feel the moisture in the air, meaning it would rain soon, lessening their chances of finding her if they didn't act fast.
"You have my permission," the Yondaime allowed, hating that he himself was needed within the village for now, "Please bring her back safely."
"Hai!" Kakashi quickly bit down on his thumb and rand through a multitude of hand seals before slamming his hand onto the ground, "Kuchiyose no Jutsu!" As his eight ninken popped into existed, Kakashi stood and saluted his commander, before jumping into the trees.
"What did you call us for, Kakashi?" the smallest of the pack asked, his voice, deep and gruff.
"One of our ninja may have been abducted and we need to find her at all costs," Kakashi explained, "Do you remember Miyu's scent, Pakkun?"
"Miyu, who would've thought? She must've been caught off guard," the pug-like dog remarked casually as he jumped ahead, "Anyway, I never forget a scent, so leave this to me."
"Miyu, wake up." Kakashi gently shook the girl's shoulder, hoping that she'd open her eyes.
"She won't wake up," the enemy nin stated, wincing in pain as Kakashi's ninken tightened their already merciless hold, "We dosed her with a potent poison-"
"Shut up," the silver haired teen cut in, his voice sharp and commanding, "Don't speak as if she's already dead." He shot the man a deadly glare, wondering how he could even have the gall to look guilty.
"Nng…Kashi?" Miyu bleary opened her blue eyes, much to the surprise of both shinobi, "What happened?"
"You were abducted." The Anbu replied, slowly helping the girl to her feet, "How are you feeling?"
"A bit stiff, and my head is pounding," She didn't feel confident in her legs at all and ended up using him as a leaning post, only then did she notice the lone Kumo nin tied to the ground by a pack of dogs, "Where's Kurama?"
"I sent him to report to Minato-sensei after he helped me find you." Kakashi answered, leaving Miyu to wonder why Kurama hadn't saved her himself.
"You…" The missing nin seemed utterly confused, "How are you alive?"
"Give me one reason why she should answer your question," Kakashi replied disdainfully.
"I'm already a dead man aren't I?" the Kumo nin replied with a tense smile, "She's related to the Hokage right? An attempted kidnapping is a sure way to get executed as far as I know…"
"It's a bloodline," Miyu gave, recognising him as the friendlier ambassador.
"Ah, I see..." He quietened down, several thoughts running through his mind though his face remained sombre, "I assume my companions were also caught?"
"Of course," Kakashi answered simply, "They were nearly killed when the Hyuga head caught them, luckily our Hokage had enough sense to stop him. Wouldn't want to start a full scale war now would we?" Even though he kept his words light his voice was stern and threatening.
"Please refrain," The ambassador pleaded, "We we're idiots for even attempting something like this, hoping that our leader would be pleased, when all we've done is cause trouble for him."
"The Raikage isn't behind this?" Miyu asked in slight surprise.
"Of course not, who would risk the lives of his people for a mere bloodline, no matter how powerful it seems." He scoffed at his own foolishness.
"You'd be surprised." She commented softly, "Though that piece of information, if it is true, may have saved both our lands from pointless bloodshed."
"Hearing that brings me a sense of relief." He exhaled a deep breath and Kakashi twitched in annoyance, wondering how he could pretend to be so calm when the road ahead of him seemed so bleak.
"You're a strange man." The blonde stated with a wry smile, "What is your name?"
"Naoki, Yotsuki Naoki," The corner of his lips tilted upwards ever so slightly, "And who exactly are you, miss Kunoichi?"
"Miyu, Uchiha Namikaze Uzumaki Miyu." She said, announcing all the bloodlines she was tied to. Naoki let out a low whistle of appreciation.
"That's a death sentence for sure," He punctuated the clause with an almost hysterical laugh before turning to Kakashi with unknown tears in his eyes, "You're a lucky one, better not let someone snatch her away…"
"What an idiot." Kakashi complained exasperatedly, the Kumo nins words echoing in his head. What did he mean by not letting anyone snatch her away? They were nothing more than friends, comrades, yet why did that thought leave him feeling troubled?
"Better a kind idiot than someone who truly meant harm." Miyu retorted from her position on his back as he piggy backed her to the hospital.
"I suppose." He felt reassured in hearing her calm voice, the panic of her being dead having slowly receeded.
"Ah, what a tiring day," She sighed, looking up at the full moon, lingering in the night sky, "I hope Hinata-chan will be alright after all of this."
"She'll be fine, she has a lot of people to rely on after all." Kakashi answered, shifting her weight as they neared the understaffed hospital. He wished the Sandaime's search for his students, at least for the slug princess, was more fruitful. "The same goes for you. Be sure to come to me if there's anything troubling you," he felt a little embarrassed saying such a thing, "I mean, Minato-sensei would be happy to hear you out to. In fact I think he wishes you would rely on him some more. You're always trying to do things on your own…"
"I could say the same about you," Miyu replied, laughing at her companion's slight confusion, "But it's just the way we are."
"What's the big deal, Kurama?" Miyu asked, sitting up on her futon as she threaded her fingers through Itachi's silky hair. The sleeping child hadn't left her side at all since she returned, and she found it strangely heart-warming.
What do you mean? The fox replied, licking his front paws as he sat on the windowsill.
"Why did you leave me when I was captured? Surely you could've have killed a single jounin?" Her stare was piercing yet the fox never broke eye contact.
I just decided he was not worth my time. Hatake was nearby, so I led him to you. He showed off a toothy grin. Would you not rather be saved by the man you love? Miyu merely sighed at the whims of the demon.
"Saa…" She exhaled softly, fiddling with the rings on her necklace.
"Nee-chan?" Itachi sleepily lifted his head from her lap, rubbing the sleep from his eyes, "How are you feeling?"
"Fantastic," Miyu replied with a smile, "Did you enjoy our sleep?"
"…Hn," his cheeks darkened, it wasn't like he had meant to fall asleep, "What time is it?"
"Just a little after dawn." Kurama jumped off the ledge and pattered his way to the futon, curling up and deciding to sleep now that Itachi was awake.
"Ah, I have to get ready for my team meeting then," He stated, slowly getting up, "I think we'll be taking an escort mission today."
"Oh really? You might be out of Konoha for a day or two. Make sure to take care of yourself." She mothered over him a bit, fixing his messy bed hair. It was starting to get a bit long, she noted.
"So what is it you wanted, Miyu?" Minato asked, carefully putting his paper work to the side. He was glad she had recovered from whatever deadly poison the Kumo ambassadors had fed her, but even with her apparent bloodline, he couldn't help but worry.
"A vacation!" She stated boldly, while Kurama sat patiently by her side.
"A vacation?" Minato repeated.
"Well not exactly a vacation," Miyu clarified, "I just need permission to be out of Konoha for a month or two."
"For what purpose?" The Hokage asked curiously, "And whereabouts will you be going?"
"I was thinking about going up to the north of Shimogakure," She explained, "To follow some rumours."
"Shimogakure is right on the edge of the Land of Lightning…" He paused to give her a meaningful look, "I'd rather not risk you going to such a place for the sake of chasing up some rumours."
"I'll be in disguise the whole time," Miyu promised, "And I have Kurama to protect me."
"Still," He was beginning to find it hard to maintain eyes contact, "What rumours are so important that you need to go that far?"
"There's a sword I'd like to find." She said simply.
"A sword." The Hokage echoed, watching as his subordinate nodded.
A/N Thanks for reading!
This chapter's a bit dodgy since I haven't edited as thoroughly so...
So the Hyuga affair is pretty much avoided. And Miyu is leaving for a brief moment.
The next chapter I'm looking forward too, more than ever because, well...I'll be showing another another familiar face :D
And we're on our way to randomness! Away we go!