Team Seven broke up for the day after a few choice words from their new sensei (You know the ones, you have no need to hear them for the 12 billionth time.) in the min afternoon sun the troop consisting of Urd, Belldandy, Skuld, Keiichi, Naruto, and Sigil meandered through the streets of Konoha, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of the city in which Naruto called his home. It was all very fun for the gang from Nekomi, if only you could ignore the looks of indifference given to the young boy they followed, and didn't respond to the harsh and cold whispers of a few people as they passed.

Yet Naruto never let his smile drop, never responded, and merely acted much like the villagers did to him. Like two ships passing by one another in a fog, never realizing how close they were, ignorant of the other's presence.

After all, it had been this way all his life.

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A Jinchuriki's Goddess

Chapter Six: Ah! Homeward Bound!

By

Hibiki

Ah Megami-sama and Naruto are not my creations. Characters and Places used here are not my own. All rights to their owners Fujishima Kosuke and Kishimoto Masashi.

"Speaking"

'Thinking'

Flashback

"KYUUBI or DEMONIC VOICE"

"Aria / Spellcasting / Jutsu"

"English or English based words (I.E. Holy Bell, Noble Scarlet, World Of Elegance, Switchu On! Enginru STARTO!)" (Mostly the Keiichi bunch, or gods and demons will use these.)

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"Alright! Let's see about finding you two a love nest!" Naruto blushed and Urd growled at Skuld's word choice as the Norn of the future typed away at a keyboard. Standing next to and about half as tall as the young woman was an odd contraption that looked like a rice maker, a coffee pot and Keiichi's beloved radio welded together with a literal ton of tubes. Urd had no doubt it ran on fission and kept her and Naruto's distance to it. "With riaru esute-to e-jento ma-ku four I can surf the internet and find you the perfect place in seconds! OKAY! riaru esute-to e-jento ma-ku four SUTA-TO!"

"…" Everyone stood by as they waited for the machine to do something… but all they received was a pop and a smoke trail from it's 'head'.

"AH! riaru esute-to e-jento ma-ku four what happened!" Skuld whined out horrified that her machine had burnt out. "I don't under stand, why isn't riaru esute-to e-jento ma-ku four working?"

"Skuld…" Keiichi started.

"WHAT?" Keiichi wilted under the glare.

"There is no internet in this dimension." Urd finished with a bland look upon her youthful (YOUTH~!) face.

"AH! I FORGOT!"

"What's the internet?" Naruto asked Urd.

"Something Skuld doesn't win at." (And neither does the author. I r haz no interwebz winz. ;_;)

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"So with my special 'rakki-gumu doroppu's I'll make us all so lucky our house will literally appear before us!" Urd remarked holding up several suspicious shaped and colored gumdrops. Naruto, Skuld, and Keiichi took a few steps back. Each had seen the results of some of Urd's handiwork, good and bad.

"Erm Urd, what kind of lucky do you mean?" Keiichi asked VERY hesitantly. "Do you mean lucky as in finding a 100 yen lucky or lucky as in…" The man trailed off as visions of bare shouldered Belldandy's leaning in for a sexy seductive kiss, moaning out 'Keiichi-sama' that had him shifting embarrassedly. It effected everyone in the group as his not so innocent thought process was picked up on by the others.

"That… L… L-l-lucky?" Naruto may have been only 13, but he had grown up on the fringe of the darker side of humanity. Sins of all kinds were known to the lad, and the term 'lucky' had been taught to him by catching a few restless souls who could resist one another in the heat of passion in a few alleys he had been forced to sleep in when he was younger. His mind drifted. A sheet covered Sakura-chan was joined moments later by both an adult Urd and the one standing next to him, all very nude beneath the almost sheer white bedding they draped sensuously over their nubile forms. A hungry, needy look appeared as they begged for him to join them.

Naruto's nose trickled a minute amount of blood as he gained a really goofy grin.

The heat from Skuld's reddening face was only beaten by the heat of her thoughts. "Oh you want to touch me like that, Sentaro-kun? Mmm." She was gone in her own happy little world, oblivious to everyone else.

Belldandy remained silent but tilted her head in confusion by everyone's reactions. Then responded in her normal fashion. You know the 'Hi her name is Belldandy and she has an addiction to smiling. It's been 2.1 seconds since her last outbreak' one.

Sigil just sighed. "Mistress Skuld is thinking of that guy again. I don't get what's so great he just acts like Ban…" Then blushed. "Stupid Banpei sneaking into my memory circuits." Apparently even Mecha could think dirty.

Urd looked at the gumdrops… then at the suddenly distracted group.

"I'm a little scared to risk it now." Urd remarked sweat dropping.

"Oh course I would Sentaro-koi… hehehehehee. Just don't forget the cherry on top. Mmm."

"Yeah let's try out something else."

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"Here stands two wanderers, filled with hope of a new beginning together, longing for a place that shall shelter them from any storm. Please provide them with a home for happy memories and fond dreams that will stand the test of time." Belldandy's soft voice was filled with warmth, and yet pleading, in a way that made Naruto want to wrap her up into his arms and comfort her. Keiichi's hand upon her shoulder as she finished her prayer made him realize he wasn't the only one feeling the urge. However the smile on her face brought by the older man's touch made Naruto smile wistfully. The two were obviously deeply in love. Lucky.

"I hope one day I can have something like that." He remarked softly, his hands into his pockets as he looked around at the town around him to get his mind off of the silvery haired Norn beside him and her questioning look.

[FWAP!]

And took a flyer to the face. Urd laughed as he floundered a bit but her laughing soon ended when Skuld pulled it form him with a contemplating look.

"Looks like Onee-sama's prayer worked out after all." She turned the paper around to show the two kids (Oi! -Urd) an add for a newly opened realtor giving great deals was printed.

"Oh!"

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The three Goddesses, Two humans, and a mecha-girl stood before Flaming Hot Realty! A large banner with the name emblazed upon it was a little…. Flamboyant. They all blinked at it then at the door, uncertain.

"So you know what we're looking for, right Keiichi?" Urd remarked, her usual deadpan when reserved for picking on Keiichi.

"YOSH! I have the information! I will succeed as me and Belldandy have suffered through this many times with great fever!" He raised up his fist, showing his desire to be helpful. "I'm a master at apartment shopping so merely… LEAVE IT TO ME!" He cried, fist raised in show… gaining the attention of two rather… interesting people.

"GAI-SENSEI! THAT MAN'S FLAMES OF YOUTH ARE IGNITING!" The shorter one remarked pointing.

"YOSH! HE IS MOST YOUTHFUL! WE MUST AID HIM IN HIS YOUTHFUL QUEST, LEE-SAN!" 'Gai' remarked before punching this 'Lee' person hard. "However! Lee! Did you forget it's rude to point! Your hipness is showing my usually youthful apprentice!" Gai was now crying, as was Lee.

"Forgive me, Gai-sensei! I have proven unworthy of being your apprentice! I will run two hundred laps around the city for forgiveness, Gai-sensei!"

"That is most youthful, my student! However should you not be able to do so, would prove that I am a most unyouthful teacher, then I shall run FOUR hundred laps to make up for it!"

"Gai-sensei is amazing! If he does that I will prove my worth by doing SIX hundred laps around the city!"

The two of them looked to one another, the Goddesses, humans, and mecha all (Minus one, you know who) staring at them with incredulity. To their horror it only got worse.

"LEE!"

"GAI-SENSEI!"

"LEE~!"

"GAI-SENSEI~!"

They hugged.

"MY EYES!" Naruto shrieked at the sunset of youth genjutsu.

"Why do they remind me of my Senpais?" Keiichi questioned scratching his chin in confusion.

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Ending their Bro-hug, the two large men sneezed then turned back to their newest collection of holy artifacts (Read: Cheap charms and trinkets).

"I suddenly feel the urge to make Morisato run a hundred laps around the institute." The big lipped Otaki remarked.

"No, I feel like Morisato should run TWO hundred laps around the institute." The tall Tamiya countered.

"If he shouldn't make it… 12,000 LAPS!" The two cried out, bro-hugging again.

"Are you two threatening my manager?" Her hair a little longer than she wore at the beginning of her shops opening, Chihiro-sama who is beautiful, wise, and wonderful (Stop looking at me like that she said she would hurt me otherwise!), remarked her small hands latching onto the massive men's shoulders with an iron grip. "If you are… I'll be… unpleasant."

"NO MA'AM!" They remarked. She smiled brightly then walked out of the room, leaving the two men.

"This is all Morisato's fault." Otaki grumbled, upset that their precious Chihiro-chan was upset with them.

"12 MILLION LAPS!" Tamiya hissed.

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"Keiichi-san, are you alright?" Belldandy asked worriedly as her beloved sneezing fit slowed finally.

"I'm alright, Belldandy." He smiled. 'But I have this fear my Senpais have made a burden for me.'

"YOSH! It is most youthful for you to persevere in such conditions! You have inspired me! I too shall gain illness and show that my springtime of youth is just as powerful as yours, Keiichi-san! ONWARD LEE!"

"HAI GAI-SENSEI!" With that the two green wonders raced off into the sunset (no not one of their own making thankfully).

"Ara ara, what genki people!"

"Onee-sama…."

With that all done Keiichi entered the real estate agency.

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"Good afternoon, my name is Yamaguchi Sayoko, welcome to Flamin' Hot Realty! How may I assist you today, cutie?" Yamaguchi giggled, eyeing Keiichi like a piece of meat. A shiver of revulsion rolled down Keiichi's back as he stuttered out a greeting.

Yamaguchi Sayoko was nothing like his Sayoko back home. For one, his Sayoko was not in her mid sixties, balding, ugly, and more to the point… A man. Dressed in a shapeless blue summer dress Yamaguchi-san was not overly tall, but still taller than Keiichi's own, and gained a few more centimeters with a reversed pink do-rag that accented his graying hair.

"Urm yes, I am looking for… uh.. A home for two ninja, just recently promoted g-genin a-and-"

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"Two choices, not bad Keiichi." Urd commented as she ran her eyes over the two listings. "In fact both almost are too good a bargain. You did a nice job." Keiichi blushed at the praise.

"Indeed, Morisato Keiichi-san." An older voice broke over them. The group turned to find the Hokage standing before them all. "A pleasure to meet you, and thank for watching over my genin. Hello Naruto, Urd, I hope everything is well?" They wilted under his look remembering the few instances the Ultimate Force attacked a few stall owners as they made their way to the realty agent. "Hmm I see." He turned to Belldandy and his eyes softened. "It's wonderful to see you again, Belldandy-sama." A breeze blew through the crowd masking their stunned looks in dust.

"EH!" They all remarked as Belldandy giggled.

"You seem to be doing well, Hiruzen-san. I should have known you would recognize me, even after all these years. I am sorry to learn about Biwako-chan, but I am glad you decided to tell her your feelings for her after all." Sarutobi closed his eyes then opened them a moment later.

"Thank you for your kind words. However now is not the time to bring up old memories, it seems we have a common goal today, so let us see what we can do for your sister and Naruto." Despite the rather somber look Belldandy had gained she was quick to beam everyone with her brilliant gaze moments later.

"Hai!"

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One of the two listings was an apartment, situated near the west gate of the city, and once inside they admired it taking in sites and spaces that made up the dwelling. However their interest in the place dwindled when their 'neighbor' started in on the 'demon' living next to her family, and soon the entire complex was up in arms against the boy and his goddess friend living next to them, not even the Hokage's presence was enough to quell the outrage from the tenants. It was in a somber mood that the gang headed to the next listing, as Urd tried to cheer up her new friend.

Gloomy moods were pushed aside however as the second listing came into view.

This listing, to their amazement, was a house. Rare as it was in Nekomi, it was even more rare in a shinobi village like Konoha were space was needed for training and defense. Such homes like this, the space that was given often went to wealthy merchants, nobles, or clans, so to find such a cheap deal on such a thing was amazing. Despite it's age, the old house sat comfortably on a small plot of land in a row, it's worn look merely adding to it's welcome look.

"Ah, you interested in Matoko's old place eh?" An older man, easily in his late seventies called out as he came out of his house to sit on his porch. "Lovely gal, she was an old but strong willed lady even when I was your age! Ha! Something about her clan, they say. Didn't have any kids, only a niece who died in childbirth, so when she finally passed away, bless her, her home just sat there. Heard some odd feller done picked it up for a song and was selling it. Anyway have a look, but be respectful, stuff in there was from when Matoko was just coming here from Uzu no Kuni. Some o that is the only thing left of that country."

"Uzu… no kuni?" Naruto's interest was definitely peaked, He touched the paddle like ornament on his shoulder, the crest for Uzumaki. Holding his courage he walked up to the lock, his hand shaking so much from nerves as he tried to insert the key into the lock. So shaken he was, it was virtually impossible to succeed. Cursing slightly he calmed only when Urd and Skuld's hands cupped his and helped him. With a chack sound the old bolt slid from the door jam and unlatched the door. Giving the two ladies his silent thanks he slide into a home that unbeknownst to him was filled with items from his mother's homeland.

Belldandy remained outside listening for a moment, then bowed her head.

"Arigato Kami-sama." She followed the others in.

070707

It was a older styled dwelling, much like the Temple the Nekomi crowd called home, even the aura of the place was the same. The house was filled with sense of the woman who must have lived a long happy life, each room carried many items that almost felt… familiar to Naruto. Three rooms sat off to the left from the main area, where a small kitchen and a living area sat. Not that Naruto would know, he hadn't left the living room, where over a mantle sat the banner of a once proud nation. The banner for Uzukagure.

When the others returned to him, he sat in overly stuffed recliner older folks seemed to like, holding an old photograph of a young girl and two older women. One he recognized as the Shodaime's wife, he now knew as Uzumaki Mito, she looked positively ancient but recognizable from the scrolls and drawings of her from her youth. The younger looking woman, still well past her prime, was assumed to be Uzumaki Matoko, the previous owner of the house and aunt to the final person in the photograph. Unlike the silvery grey hair of the older women this girl, probably around his age at the time, had beautiful fiery red hair, the clearest set of purple eyes that shined almost mischievously, and a smile that seemed more appropriate on his own face than hers. A Konoha hita-ate pushed two long bangs from her face as she V'ed the cameraman. Her name was unknown, the frame's writing had worn down like someone had run their hand over her name one too many times. Ku…ina.. Something. But rather than be indifferent, almost longingly his eyes remained on her. As if something about her… called out to him.

"Who was she?" He asked, but it wasn't directed at anyone. "Didn't that Jii-san say Mitoko-obaa-san's niece died giving childbirth? Could that mean… that this girl… might just be…." He didn't even want to say it. He was scared. This girl in this photo might be his mother, a true and real mother, not some imaginary figure that had no shape or form, but an honest to goodness mom. But what if he was wrong? What if she wasn't, and he longed after someone else's mother. He turned to the man, who had basically raised him and pointed to the girl. "Jiji, please. Tell me." Sarutobi looked troubled, gathering his thoughts, then turned to Belldandy. The goddess solemnly nodded and the old man's shoulders sagged.

"Her name, was Uzumaki Kushina. And yes, she was your mother. She, though I didn't know it, stayed here with Matoko-san when Mito-sama passed away… I realize now it was unfair of me to keep it from you. Forgive me, Naruto, I should have told you sooner."

No reply was given, only a young man's sobs as he realized he was home.

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"This is the place. I belong here." Naruto finally announced. Plans were made to ferry Naruto's things in and papers to be signed, but the final act of leasing the home was denied by the old Hokage, who asked merely to allow take care of it, as penance for hurting Naruto in the way he did. As the older man left, Naruto finally began exploring the house that had been his mothers and families before her. Makoto's room was probably the largest and least personalized, she liked it simple, and the room held her tastes. Only a small framed drawing of a man, presumably her husband, sat beside the bed added any personal touch to the house.

A second room had once been plans for a nursery, but had been changed probably long before his mother had even been born into a study, an idea of Makoto's husband's untimely death filtered through everyone's head. As she was only a civilian little in the study would pertain to anything he needed, but the smell of the aged leather and books calmed him, and it's view of the backyard was what made the room spectacular, a Koi pond was framed by a lush but now wild and overgrown garden.

The final room, was very much a young woman's. While still rather plain, it looked more like many items had been moved elsewhere, perhaps to the home she shared with his father. A part of Naruto would have liked to know who he was, but the realist in him knew that if Jiji had been that adamant about telling him about his mother, it would be like dragging Urd away from triple strength o-sake to get him to talk. No matter, he was still both amazed and excited about learning of his mom. And this room, going through what she left, though very little, gave the boy his first honest look at his mother's life, her dreams, anything.

Like a true ninja, he gathered and made small assumptions on what he gathered. She had long red hair, was less girly when younger, and apparently once hated some 'wimp' but apparently that changed… and… Loved him.

On the inside of her futon cupboard were several reiterations that changed as they went up, apparently as she grew.

Become the first female Hokage! Don't let the wimp beat me!

Prove I can be stronger than any blondie!

I won't let it take over, aunty I promise, dattebane!

I love him.

The kanji for Ku and Min with a heart between them. He assumed his father's name started with Min… a clue. The next three were on the same level, just rather messily written.

Naruto - Uzumaki Naruto - My Naruto

Bye house, thanks for everything!

His hand rested on the worn wood that held his name. running his thumb over it. His mother loved him. Warmth, indescribable warmth, filled him. A small cough soon brought his attention to Urd standing uncomfortably at the doorway. He smiled.

"Urd-chan! Ano sa Ano sa!" He hopped out of the small space and took her hand. With a surprised yelp he pulled her into the space, so cramped she was literally half sitting in his lap as he pointed to the small writing on the door. So happy he was to share it he laughed, hugging Urd against him, completely content seeing his mother's writing of his name upon the wood before him. Urd however happy she was for him, was rather unaccustomed to being held in such a manner and his warmth was rather… interesting. The last person she had been this close to had been Troubadour and even then, that was a LONG time ago. It made her want…

"Naruto…" She whispered turning her head up to look into his eyes as he looked down to her. His heart was beating like a drum and so frozen by Urd's change in emotion. He didn't react until a not so subtle clearing of a throat made them pull away. A red faced and horribly embarrassed Urd hovered past a slightly smirking Sarutobi leaving a slightly disappointed but also red as a lobster Genin sitting in his mother's old futon storage.

"Naruto come here for a moment. I have something I need to discuss with you." Reluctantly Naruto left the space and stood in front of the Hokage as he was handed a set of papers. "The deed to this home." Naruto looked at the papers and tried to understand the words like what the older man had just said was in another tongue.

"D-deed?"

"Yes, as in yours completely."

"Deed."

"Yes your deed."

"Deed."

"Naruto snap out of it."

"Deed?"

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The elderly Hokage bowed as he departed the once again Uzumaki residence, long after sun had set in the sky. Given the lateness of the hour and the work still needing to be done, the more mortal residence turned in for the night leaving the three immortal sisters to talk.

"So what is this that I hear about Naruto getting all cozy with you in the futon storage, Urd-chan?" Skuld remarked her grin more like the cat who caught the canary.

"Stay out of it Skuld." Urd growled, her anger more at herself than her sister. "I don't know what came over me."

"Nee-san. You really should tread more carefully. As goddesses we will remain long after Keiichi-san and Naruto-kun have gone." Belldandy held a hand to her heart. "It pains me, knowing Keiichi-san still worries about how I will be after he is gone. You know too that if Naruto cares for you, that burden will fall to him as well."

"He already cares. I care too." Urd sipped her sake, looking at the clear liquid in the bottle as it swished from her pouring it into a saucer. "But it's not like you and Keiichi. I know there's no chance we could ever fall in love like you and that wimp did." Belldandy's hand cupped Urd's cheek not a moment later, startling her older sister from her silent contemplation.

"You know Goddesses shouldn't lie, right Nee-san?" Urds eyes widened in shock… and more than a little fear. So great was the reaction that even Skuld didn't react, unused to seeing the unflappable Urd so venerable.

It was several more minutes before anyone spoke.

"…Hai." Urds soft but deep voice finally answered.

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Glossary:

riaru esute-to e-jento ma-ku four: Real Estate Agent Mark Four.

rakki-gumu doroppu's: Lucky Gum Drops

AN:

What the hell happened? I mean one moment I am using Skuld as a silly and kinda sexy plot device (Older Skuld is sexy!), Yamaguchi introduced to the AJG storyline, then the next we're in a transplanted Uzumaki homestead full of angst? That sort of came out at me by surprise as well. However Uzumaki Matoko (Mitoko orig) came from my plot idea called Farmer-nin, where Naruto only wants to be a ninja to buy back his grand uncle and aunt's farm after they pass away in a fire. These folks who I have introduced are mine, and it's doubtful Yamaguchi will pop back in again. Answers to some questions will come next chapter, as will the leaving of the Nekomi tech gang as well. But man what an odd chapter this one was, even for me.

Read review, tell me what you all think.

Next Chapter: Ah! Devilish D Ranked Missions!

Till then: Ja-ne