AN: For those that don't know, Wave and Uzu are actually quite close together. Like right next to each other. Wave is closer to the mainland than Uzu, while Whirlpool is a string of islands (16) Northeast of Wave, the capital being on the largest, which is off the Southern coast of Lightning Country, and only a few miles out from the Cloud Village. Also, thanks for the support people. Seriously!

3: Journey East

Hinata blinked in slight amazement as she and her family came up to the gates where their carriage awaited. Her cousin, and his team consisting of Rock Lee, Tenten, and Might Gai stood awaiting them, as well as her own team of Kurenai Yuhi, Kiba Inuzuka, and Shino Aburame. "What are all of you doing here?"

Her Jonin instructor smiled at the girl, and moved forward, embracing her, "You didn't think we wouldn't hear about all of this, did you?" She asked, hugging the girl tightly, drawing back to look at the girl, "You look very much the part of a bride, Dear."

Hinata smiled at the compliment, "Thank you." Hinata had protested at first, but in the end, she had ended up being dressed in one of her finest kimonos of white silk, and pink embroidery. Her hair was left undone, having put her foot down on the matter of not putting up with the hair-pulling feeling for more than a day.

Kiba, a wild-looking young man with animalistic features, gave her a sad smile, "Once we got wind of what was going on, we just had to come along as an escort," he said, making the girl smile at him, "We've been together for three years, so there's no way we're gonna let you just up and disappear on us."

"It would be wrong of us to not come along," Shino said, his face hidden behind his hooded jacket, "Why you ask? Because we are a team, but more than that, we are like family."

Hinata turned her smile on him then, "I appreciate that, Shino."

Neji, for his part, was his normally cold self, but his face looked quite strained as he tried to keep it that way. "We were asked to come along as additional support in case something went wrong with the transport."

"Oh, just say you're worried about her and get it out," said his teammate, Tenten, a girl in a white blouse, and her hair done up in little round buns. The older girl smiled at his disgruntled response and turned to his cousin, "He won't admit it, but he's really worked up over this whole thing with the Demon Lord."

"Yes, a most unyouthful situation it is," Lee, a near mirror image of Gai, shiny bowl-cut hair, and all, said. "I have heard horrible rumors about this Lord Uzumaki, and none of them are flattering."

"And she's supposed to marry him," Tenten bemoaned, Hanabi nodding in agreement, then the bun-haired girl sidled up to the bride-to-be, "You know, I hear that these Demon Lords, the men, anyway, have tentacles for - "

"Tenten, that's quite enough of that, thank you very much," Neji interjected as Hinata blushed crimson all the way to her hairline while Hanabi just paled worse than she already was. "I'm quite sure that that little rumor is false, either way, but it is most inappropriate to speak of such things in front of Hanabi."

Hanabi looked at her sister, "Hinata, if he does have something like that, please just run."

Hinata laughed nervously, "I'm sure he's more human than that, Hanabi."

"I hope so," the younger girl shivered.

"Girls," Hiashi called out as he opened the door to the carriage, "Let's be on our way. It's a long trip after all."

Hanabi huffed and placed her arms behind her head, "Not long enough if you ask me."

Hinata giggled and followed after her, stopping by her cousin to offer a small smile of thanks before entering. "I feel so silly for riding in this thing," she said once she was seated, "I'm really used to walking, or running wherever I need to go."

Hiashi nodded, sighing, "As am I, but the Daimyo and the Shogun will want you to arrive in - "

"A regal fashion?" Hanabi frowned.

"In a nut shell." Hiashi sighed, "But at least it comfortable."

"Speak for yourself," Hanabi groaned, "My butt's already falling asleep."

"HANABI!"

Outside the carriage, Neji rolled his eyes, "This will be a very long trip."

(*)

"How long until the bridge is complete?" Naruto asked as he and Tazuna walked through the village of Wave, noting that many of the buildings were undergoing repairs. "We'll need it as a trade route before long. And we'll need to start on a larger bridge soon."

Tazuna chuckled, "We should be done in the next day or so, thanks to your help." He said, looking out over the village, "I can't remember the last time I felt so satisfied about something like this, Young Lord, even after all these years under Gato's rule."

Naruto nodded, pulling his hood further over his head when he noticed a few islanders staring in his direction, "Gato's men haven't been causing trouble, have they?" He asked, remembering a few incidents in the passed week when a few bandits had harassed the bridge crew while they worked. Thankfully no one had been hurt thanks in no small part to the young Demon Lord himself.

Tazuna sighed, "I'll be honest with you, Naruto," he said, causing the young man to look down at him, "I really wished you'd killed that bastard when you'd had the chance. He won't take this sitting down, I can tell you that." He said, meeting the gaze of the young Demon Lord, "Last time we called in help was from your old village, and they got chased off by some hired thugs from the Mist Village Gato hired. There's a good chance he may fall back on that plan if he thinks he has no choice."

"Demon Lords are viewed as a threat if we start killing normal humans, Tazuna," Naruto pointed out, "If had killed him, then I'd probably be locked up in a cage somewhere until they could find someone that can hold the power of the Nine Tails inside them as well as I can to start a new line of Demon Lords." He sighed frowning, "Never thought there'd be a perk to being the last of my own people."

"Well, surely you're allowed to defend your home, aren't you?" Tazuna question, spreading his arm out across the village, "And this counts as part of your home, now, doesn't it?"

"That's a very, very fine line right there, but yeah, I'm allowed." Naruto smirked, crossing his arms. "In the mean time, how are the boats doing with their harvesting?"

Tazuna grinned, "Pretty good. You Uzumaki sure knew how to spread your fields out, that's for sure," he said, "Sixteen islands, and only two of them were populated? I'm impressed no one else tried to move to one of the smaller islands."

Naruto shrugged, "When I was brought here, I was surprised, too." He said, "It's no wonder the Cloud Village was able to launch frequent attacks on us since the main island was so close to their village." He said, smiling a little sadly, "Still, the orchards and fields were completely untouched, and had time to grow."

"All that wheat and rice will be put to good use, I can assure you of that." Tazuna smiled, "And the fruit's already gone a long way to improving the mood around here."

"What about the fishing?" Naruto asked, "All of those islands clustered together make for some really strong currents, and the whirlpools they're famous for the closer you get tend to form around the more tightly packed ones."

The old bridge builder laughed, "We're islanders ourselves, don't forget, a few whirlpools won't bother us when we're hellbent on making a good haul." He said, then looked out toward the port, "Gotta say though, most of the fish I've seen getting hauled up in the nets look like something out of a nightmare. Taste good, though."

Naruto chuckled, "You've only been getting small fries," he told him, much to the man's disbelief, "If you ever get close enough to the main island, you'll see fish that look like dragons, and twice my height in length."

"I'll stick with a good blue fin tuna," the man said, smiling, "But, I'm sure some people will want to migrate over there. We can't call ourselves Wave anymore considering we're back in Uzumaki possession."

"Call yourselves whatever you want," the young Demon Lord smiled, "I'm just happy to have something like this." He said, gesturing to the village, "I walk by, they stare, but I don't feel any hatred coming from them." His smile grew as they passed by one of the homes being repaired, and the family living there waved to him, the blond raising his hand in return. "If I was back in the Leaf Village, all I would feel is fear and hatred. Until I found out what I was, I never knew why they looked at me like that."

Tazuna looked at him with sympathy, "Are all Demon Lords treated like that?"

"Most," Naruto said, "I've met with all of them at one point or another, but the only on that doesn't get treated like a plague carrier is Utakata, Lord of Six." He smiled with a hint of envy in his features, "He was one of the Water Daimyo's Demon Lords along with Yagura, but he got tired of being treated like dirt, and just up and left. He travels all over the continent now, and from what I hear, he's not alone anymore."

"Got himself a little lady, eh?" Tazuna chuckled, "Can't say as I blame him. Wandering the wilds can be fun, but doing it alone can get lonesome, I bet." He turned to the young Lord, "But didn't you ever think about doing the same thing?"

"Once or twice," the blond shrugged, "But I was too young to really have a chance of making it on my own, and Grandpa Jiraiya treated me like I think someone treats their son." He smiled, thinking back to all of the good times he had had with the old Sage. "After he took me in, I forgot all about a lot of the bad stuff in my life."

Before Tazuna could respond he heard a commotion toward the port, "Wonder what's going on down there?" He said before spotting his grandson pelting toward them, "Inari! What's all that racket about?" He called out to the boy.

"Samurai!" The boy yelled back, "There's a samurai at the port!"

There was a rush of wind as the old man turned back to the young Demon Lord, and just like that, he was gone, a whirlwind in his place. "Damn, even if he's not one of them shinobi, he's sure scary enough!"

Meanwhile, Naruto appeared at the port, spooking a few of the people gathered there as the man Inari had come running about stood with his arms crossed. He was a tall, lean man, but his build was fit for his slimness. At his hip, he carried a katana, as per usual for his station. He face was long, and fierce, his eyes narrowed as the young Demon Lord appeared before him.

"You don't waste any time, do you, Lord Uzumaki," the man said.

Naruto growled in the back of his throat, the sound neither human nor animal as he recognized the man, "Hajime," he growled out, the name alerting the people around him to the man's identity, "What's one of the Shogun's manslayers doing here?" He demanded, his nails growing into claws, and his teeth sharpening into elongated fangs.

Hajime saw this and smiled, "While I believe fighting you would be quite entertaining, I did not come here to kill you," he said, "However," his hand dropped to his sword. Naruto tensed, but the man was gone before he could react. The cold glint of steel appeared beneath his neck as the samurai stood behind him. "Don't think for a second that I wouldn't hesitate to end you. A swift end to an ancient evil, so to speak."

Naruto growled even louder, his fingers lengthening, "Don't think I'd make it easy for you, either, old man," he snarled, looking back at the man with red eyes glowing from beneath his hood. "And don't think for a second I wouldn't tear you to pieces."

"Bold words from a pacifist," the samurai smirked as he sheathed his sword, "But as much fun as this battle would be, I repeat that I was not sent here to kill you." He said, smiling arrogantly, "Our gracious Lord Mifune has seen fit to compensate you for the pain you endured at the whip."

Naruto crossed his arms as he turned to face the man, "If he wants to compensate me, then he's free to feed these people you see around you," he said, gesturing to the frightened villagers. "My islands can easily provide enough food for them, but they have to harvest the crops by crossing my waters and risking the strong currents and whirlpools that surround them. I'd rather they not risk their lives if they can avoid doing so."

"You don't get to decide what sort of compensation you get," the swordsman smiled, "though, I admire your worry for these people, what Lord Mifune has decided you shall receive...is a wife."

Naruto looked at him as if he'd grown a second head, "I've known you since I was a kid, and I've never heard you crack a joke like that." He growled, "Why grow a sense of humor now?"

"Do I look like I have one now?" Hajime asked, "It was decided by Lord Mifune, Lord Iroh, and Hokage Sarutobi that a young woman from the Hyuga clan be brought to you, and given into your family as a wife to continue your line."

Naruto crossed his arms, grinding his teeth tightly, "And if I send her home?"

Hajime grinned at the young man, "Reject the Shogun's gracious gift?" He smiled, his hand falling to his blade once more, "We may yet have that battle, Lord Uzumaki."

"She's a human, not some trinket you can just pass along to someone!" Naruto roared, pointing a clawed finger toward the dock, "You've overstayed your welcome, Hajime! Get out of my territory!"

Hajime chuckled darkly, "Fine by me, Demon Lord," he smiled as he brushed passed the young man, "I was only told to give you the Shogun's decision. Nothing more." He smirked back over his shoulder, "But do try not to devour her. Her father wouldn't care to hear that she had become your meal instead of your mate."

As the man left the port, climbing into a small boat, Naruto felt sorely tempted to slash it in half once he was in the currents. No matter how good a swordsman he was, no one could survive the waters around the islands without support.

Tazuna came up to the young man only moments later, "That man, you called him Hajime," he said, "That wouldn't be Saito Hajime, would it?"

Naruto nodded, "He views all the Demon Lords as evil, and stubbornly keeps an eye on them," he sighed, trying to calm himself down, "And now that I've got your village under my protection, he'll most likely be around more often."

"He's one of the men directly under the Shogun, right?" The man asked, "A real killer."

"He's not the best of them, but he is the most ruthless," Naruto said, "And it seems we're going to have company."

(*)

Two Days Later

The area around the carriage began to grow misty as they neared their destination. Hinata looked out of the window, barely able to see the trees themselves even though they were so close to the road.

"I heard that Kakashi's old Genin team had a mission out this way three years ago," Hanabi pointed out as she too watched the mist rolling in, "Apparently they were chased off by a rogue Mist shinobi and his team."

Hiashi nodded, "I'd heard about that incident as well," he said, growing more nervous as they entered the fog, "Zabuza of the Bloody Mist had been hired on by Gato to keep anyone from aiding the village."

"And then the Demon Lord came in not long ago, and chased Gato out," Hanabi smiled, "Got what was coming to him, I'd say!"

Hinata nodded, deep in thought as she kept her gaze on the misty terrain. All the rumors she kept hearing about Lord Uzumaki being a man-eating monster just didn't add up the more she thought about him. Why in the world would someone so horrible liberate a village? Her first thought was that he could have been using them as a food source, but she quickly banished that thought.

The look in his eyes when she had spoken with him was not that of a flesh eater.

"I can smell people up ahead," Kiba called out, "Akamaru doesn't sense any danger though, so it should be fine."

"My insects tell me that there is a bridge not far from here," Shino spoke from the roof of the carriage. "We won't have to worry about crossing the gap by boat."

Hiashi looked out his own window, "Neji, do you see anything?"

"Nothing of interest," Neji said, his Byakugan activated, "I can see the bridge, however, and two people waiting at the posts. I believe they're expecting us."

"Are they human?" Hanabi asked excitedly.

"They appear to be," Neji said, making the girl pout. She was hoping to be met by demons.

At the forefront of the procession, Kurenai and Gai met with the two humans at the foot of the bridge. Both of them were plain, ordinary people, looking slightly malnourished, but in good health. The two of them carried fishing spears as weapons, having nothing else of use on hand. Seeing the shinobi approaching with the carriage set them on edge, both of them pointing their weapons at them.

"What business do you have here," one of them questioned, "If you're working for Gato, then you're in for a nasty surprise if our Lord catches wind of you!"

Gai flashed his trademark smile, and thumbs up, "Fear not my friends, for we are not with the despicable Gato." He announced loudly before Kurenai cut in.

"We're actually here escorting a young lady to meet with the Demon Lord of Whirlpool Castle by order of the Shogun." She said, speaking calmly, "As there've been frequent bandit raids on the road recently, one team was dispatched to guard the carriage, and my own team has a connection with the girl because she was once my student."

The two men looked at each other for a moment before nodding and stepping aside, "The young lord's been expecting you," the one of the right said, "Cross carefully, there's a storm brewing off the coast and the sea's been violent."

"Thank you," Kurenai smiled, motioning for Lee to move the carriage forward.

As the two men moved aside to allow them passed they would see a young woman peering out of the window, a small smile greeting them. "Whoa," one of them said, "that's the girl the Shogun's forcing him to marry?"

"Doesn't seem like a bad deal to me." Said his companion.

.

Hinata had seen the ocean before, but seeing as it was now, with grey waves crashing against the bridge with enough force to make it tremble, she could almost fear it. "This is a strong bridge," her father noted as they passed a long, "If it were any less, then it would've given way a long before now."

Hanabi was looking a little green at that point, "If this is what it's like crossing a bridge over the ocean, then I do not ever want to be on a boat!" She complained, feeling sick as she leaned against Hinata, who began rubbing her back soothingly.

"We should be across fairly soon," she told her, "If I remember correctly, then Wave is only a short three miles from the mainland."

Thunder rolled overhead as a crash of lightning flashed over the water, spooking the family as well as the oxen pulling the carriage, causing them to lurch. "You don't think this is the Demon Lord's doing, do you?" Hanabi shivered frightenedly.

"I doubt it," Hiashi assured her, "This is nothing more than a natural storm."

Just then Kiba poked his head in the window, "Akamaru senses the storm getting worse, so we're gonna have to speed things up or else the animals are gonna bolt!"

"Do what you have to, Kiba, but be careful out there," Hinata told him as he ducked back out, and they started moving again at a much quicker pace.

Outside, the two Jonin were beginning to get worried as the storm steadily got worse. Rain was already beginning to pelt down on them even before the worst of the cloud cover had passed overhead. The wind was beginning to howl violently, making them have to stick to the bridge with their chakra.

"This is bad," Gai called out over the wind, "Perhaps it would be better to abandon the carriage and make a run for the other side?"

Kurenai nodded, "We'd be able to move a lot faster," she shouted back turning toward their teams, "Cut the oxen loose and get them out! We're making a run for it!"

"But we're not even halfway across!" Tenten shouted.

"At this rate the carriage will get blown off the bridge!" Neji called out, pointing out to sea, "And the waves are getting bigger! We won't have a choice much longer before they're large enough to knock all of us off!"

The Hyuga family was quickly briefed and unloaded from the carriage, much to Hanabi's growing horror as the waves crashed against the bridge higher and higher. Hiashi took the younger girl in his arms and locked himself in place with chakra channeled to his feet, "How much further?"

"A mile and a half!" Gai roared, "Let us go! The weather will only get worse the longer we wait!"

And so they ran. Hinata was forced to hike up her skirts to get more mobility from her legs, but she didn't really care at the moment, so long as they all got off the bridge safely. Her father was right behind her, Hanabi cradled tightly in his arms. Kiba, Akamaru and Shino were close behind him, making sure they were safe while Team Gai took up the flanks.

A massive wave then rose up and crashed over the sides of the bridge, washing over the group. Hanabi screamed as she was knocked out of her father's grasp. Hiashi and Hinata rushed to get her before she fell over the side, but with the storm raging they wouldn't be quick enough to catch her in time.

As the little girl tipped over the side of the bridge, however, a large whirlwind rose up, and Hanabi felt a pair of powerful, gentle arms cradling her as she was lifted back onto the bridge near her father. The only thing she and the other saw of her savior was the flutter of a red cloak as the person floated over them to the other side of the bridge, landing on the railing, seemingly unaffected by the storm's force.

As the storm neared, the figured raised their hand, and what happened next would be forever engraved into the shinobis' minds. A massive amount of chakra gathered in his palm, forming into a large ball of raw condensed power as four blade-like protrusions erupted from it creating the shape of a massive shuriken as the chakra construct began to howl like the wind.

The wind finally managed to blow the hood away from his face as Hinata caught the familiar sight of a wild mane of blond hair "Naruto?!"

"Wind Style!" He pulled his arm back, and hurled the massive attack out toward the storm, "Rasenshuriken!"

With the sound of shredding metal, the massive shuriken flew from his palm and hurtled toward the incoming storm. Hinata could easily see its trail without even the use of her Byakugan as the monstrous chakra shuriken passed into the storm. It then glowed brightly as it briefly vanished...only to explode in a massive dome of wind, shredding through the clouds, and blasting back toward the bridge. As the recoil of the wind struck the bridge, the carriage was flung against the side of the bridge, and thrown into the air before crashing down into the waters below and sinking out of sight.

Hinata was forced to shield her face from the wind as the storm around them dispersed, the sky becoming clear. And then she felt someone draping something across her shoulders. Opening her eyes she found herself staring into the same gentle blue eyes she remembered from their first meeting in the Land of Iron, his red cloak around her shoulders.

"First you were covered in snow," he smiled down at her, flashing sharp canine teeth at her as he did, "And now I find you out in the middle of a hurricane. Feisty doesn't do you justice, Miss, you're just plain reckless."

AN: Such a great turnout so far, and so much love for the story! I can't thank you guys enough!

We're seeing a small reunion, and meeting one of the more unsavory samurai I intend to use, as well as Naruto trying to get Wave running again.

Review if you liked the chapter, if not...well, ya'll get the idea!