Piecing Together a Heart

by sasdeadlock

Naruto is banished and runs from the world he knows. With a broken heart he sets out just to escape reality. What happens next is the long journey to becoming the next legend and finding what really matters. Just maybe the pieces of his heart can be put together again and the faith he once had in his home can be rekindled. xxx This will be a strong and smart Naruto. (Harem story)

14. Chapter 14

Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto and this is just a fanfic based on others ideas and hard work.

"Speaking"

"Thinking"

A/N: I am really sorry for taking so long on this chapter. I have actually rewritten this chapter 4 times. I was not happy with the original versions. And to be honest, I'm not excited about this chapter either, but it gets me to the point where I start to bring Naruto home, build relationships, and finally start having some real fight scenes for my readers. Enjoy.

Chapter 14:

-Last time-

This is outrageous." Commented Tsunade with anger not seen in her in a long time.

"What is Tsu-hime?" Asked Jiraiya.

"Danzo, the swine. I never thought he would….

-Caught up-

She nearly choked and cried at the same time.

"I never thought he would sink so low to kidnap newborns from their mothers and tell them that their children died during birth. He has been doing this for years. Based on these estimates he has an army of over 100 shinobi all under his control."

Shizune and Jiraiya stood there in shock.

Jiraiya being the first to gather his wits. "I knew he had a small group of Ninja, but I never thought he would have an army. How is he keeping this all hidden and how is he controlling them?"

"Those other two 'old dingbats' of advisors have been providing him the cushion needed to stay under the radar. He has a complex built underground….I don't believe this….it's right under our feet." Tsunade just had an idea, but then realized who was in the room. "Hinata, first of all you cannot tell anyone a thing about this."

After Hinata agreed Tsunade continued. "Ok, Hinata, use your Byakugan and look down for me."

"Tsunade-sensie, I don't see anything", she replied.

"Damn, how can we figure out how big this place is?" Tusnade commented.

"Tsunade-sensie, I think you misunderstand what I meant. I actually mean I cannot see anything. Not the dirt, not some mysterious complex. I just see a 'void'. Like something isn't there."

"He's masking the complex with some kind of seal, genjustsu, or both." Commented Jiraiya.

"Ahem, we have mapped out the complex with all exits. It's in the storage seal at the bottom of that document." Yakihyo commented.

The others in the room deadpanned; "could have said something sooner." Thought everyone else.

"Jiraiya, I need options. I want this taken care of immediately." Commanded Tsunade.

"Well, let me think…."

"May we interrupt?" asked Sessho.

"Honestly, I want to say no, but I'm guessing at this point that is pointless and you probably have everything ironed out don't you?" asked Tsunade.

With a small chuckle the lion nodded his head. "Yes, and based on your numbers you probably don't have the manpower to fight what would certainly be a civil war so we are going to help. Lady Yakihyo, please continue for us." Commanded Sessho.

"Well, here is our plan….

….

….

….

After hearing the plan Tsunade thought for about 5 minutes in silence. "That plan has to be the most thought out plan I have ever heard. If you can help us pull that off then you will get more than you asked for. I will personally see to that."

"Very well, let's begin preparations. Jiraiya we will need your help to have the seal ready for you to use by the end of the week. Lady Tsunade, schedule the next council meeting for the following Monday."

At her nod everyone bid farewell to each other except for Sessho who asked Hinata if he could walk her back to her clan compound. Of course she agreed.

Xxxxxxxxx

They were silent for a block or two before she asked the obvious question. "I assume you wanted to talk to me about our mutual friend?"

"Indeed; tell me Lady Hinata, what do you know about him? What kind of person is he? What's his personality?" asked Sessho.

Hinata was a little nervous. She had never actually verbalized everything she knew about Naruto. All those years stalki…keeping watch over him. Learning about his likes and dislikes. She finally spoke, "He has a good heart. He cares about people even those that have wronged him. He has a kind personality and when he smiles he can light up the world. Those eyes of his, those beautiful ocean blue eyes, are the window into his soul. I could stare into them forever."

At this point the lion stopped. Hinata looked back and wondered what was going on.

Sessho finally spoke, "Lady Hinata…."

"Please, just call me Hinata." She interrupted.

Sessho giggled a bit at the similarities to her and Naruto on that regard. "LADY Hinata," he continued with an amused tone that turned quickly as he regained his original thought. "I must tell you, be prepared for the day my Lord returns. First, I have never seen him smile. Second, outside training, his eyes do not have any life. I see glimpses of life when he is with Lady Nilu, but those are few and far between. We believe that his heart was shattered that day he was banished. If you truly wish to be with him be prepared to put up with him and fight for him because it will most likely be a very hard and long fight."

Hinata had many thoughts. "If there is one thing I know, He is still in there. He is just too stubborn to completely become cold and uncaring. I will just have to put his heart together one piece at a time."

Sessho continued walking, "I wish you luck Lady Hinata. I believe you will need it."

After a few moments of silence Hinata finally relented on her jealously and had to ask. "Lord Sessho, who is this 'Lady Nilu' and does she take care of my Na…I mean of my Lord?"

Sessho actually laughed out loud. "Jealous are we?"

She just mocked glared and finally nodded.

"Do not worry Lady Hinata, Lady Nilu is my Lord's familiar. A familiar is the personal summons of the clan who is always by their summoner's side. You have no need to be jealous. However, you may want to work on that if you are going to be in the CRA with others. Jealousy could destroy the family."

"I understand, it won't happen again." She commented.

"Lord Sessho, with all the upcoming 'activities' may I ask for a personal favor for a friend?"

"What do you need done and I will decide if we can help."

"I have a friend... Ok, here's the whole story."

By the time Hinata finished the story they had arrived at the front gates of the Hyuga clan. Needless to say with the heiress walking around with the 'talk of the town' the clan head, Hiashi, came out.

"Good evening…?"

"You may call me Lord Sessho. Lady Hinata can fill you in on the basics of who we are, but some details of today's meeting is considered S-Class by your Hokage. Lady Hinata, I cannot make any promises on that request, but we will look into it at least."

"Good evening Lord Sessho, I look forward to future conversations." Replied Hinata with a bow and turned to walk in.

Once inside Hiashi requested that they eat dinner and discuss what happened to the extent she was allowed. Hiashi was impressed that his daughter and Heiress was part of some secret meeting with the Hokage and told her how much honor this brought to the clan.

Xxxxxxxxxx

SLAP (a backhand across the face brought her sleeping form from the land of dreams)

"Wake up you bitch." Sasuke sneered.

Ino practically jumped out of her own skin. She kind of wished it actually happened because it would bring her death and freedom from this nightmare.

"You should stop resisting and just obey me like a proper Uchiha wife should."

"I will never marry you!" Ino defiantly seethed at Sasuke. "Remember this 'sasgay', if it wasn't for those ninja in the white mask putting me in your house with these damn chakra restraint bindings I would so rape your mind and leave you a vegitable on the floor."

STOMP

"AAHHHH" Ino cried out as her knee cap was broken by Sasuke.

As Ino was crying on the floor Sakura came into the room. "My Lord Sasuke, some Anbu from the Hokage dropped by the front gate of the compound with a summons for you to go see the Hokage." Sakura said in a love sick and obedient manner.

"Very well. Listen, bitch, when I get back you better start showing me proper respect." Sasuke stomped out of the room (like the little bitch he is) as a manchild on a mission going to see the Hokage.

Oh how he hated that he couldn't use Chakra.

Sakura looked down on Ino. "I must admit, I am glad you resist. Every time you resist he takes his frustration out on me…in bed. It gets a little rough, but nothing a proper Uchiha wife cannot handle unlike you."

Ino fought through the pain, "look at me Sakura, we used to be friends. Please help me."

"I will help you…here is some advice. Start acting like an Uchiha wife should and you will find rebuilding his clan is what you are destined for from now on." Sakura promptly left the room.

After Sakura left the room Ino began to cry again. "Please Kami, kill me or save me, but please do not let me suffer anymore." She thought.

Little did she know, that one prayer would be the start of her freedom.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Sasuke finally reached the Hokage's office.

Remembering that he had to 'act' respectful in front of her he knocked.

"Come in".

"Ah, Sasuke, I have good news for you."

"Hokage-sama?" he asked with a slightly less that respectful tone.

"That arrogant prick. If it wasn't for this damnable council I would you throw your ass in a jail cell." Thought Tsunade. "I wanted to give you a heads up. It has been decided that you will be allowed to train as a genin again. At the first of the week Jiraiya will be here to remove the chakra seals. However, you will still have the tracking seal on you for the time being. You will only be allowed to do D-rank missions and any low C-rank missions that are held inside the village. You will still be observed by Anbu. That being said you are to compete in the next chunin exams held in Konoha. I hope you don't mind, but you will need to train your heart out and I do apologize (no I don't, she thought), but I believe you will have to wait to put off your second wedding to make sure you are ready for the exams."

Sasuke stood there dumbstruck. "E-Excuse me but how do I know that you won't change your mind." He asked.

"I assumed you might be skeptical, so here are the official orders. A copy is already on file and will be presented to the council at the next meeting to inform them. That copy you have there is for your records." She replied.

Sasuke was elated. He wouldn't show it publically, but who gives a rats ass about some wedding when he can finally have the power he needs. He would be training non-stop from this point on.

"Thank you" he actually said somewhat in a thankful tone, but still with a hint of 'it's about time'.

"Now, go I have work to do." She said as Sasuke left the office. He wanted to run home and get all his gear prepped and clean off the training grounds from the many months of neglect. He would not let a time pass once his chakra was unsealed.

Tsunade sat in her office watching Sasuke hurriedly walk toward the Uchiha compound. "I hope these 'Panthera's' know what they are doing." She thought. However, she was going to take this leap of faith and trust this would work out in order to get her Naruto back home.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Sasuke walked into his house, "Woman, where are you?" he shouted out.

"My Lord Sasuke, how may I serve you." Replied Sakura.

"You have truly come a long way from where you began." He thought. "I have good news, the Hokage, has decided that I will get my chakra restraint taken off and I will be a genin again. It is limited, but I am to compete in the next chunin exams held in Konoha. It is a glorious day for us Uchiha."

Sakura was elated. "Congratulations my Lord. What of the wedding with Ino?" she asked.

"The wedding will have to be put off until at least after the Chunin exams. Keep her locked up and just provide her food. - You know what, give her some freedom in the room with a longer chain and then just create a food slot and slide food under the door. Hopefully the isolation from now and until after the chunin exams will brea…I mean will help her realize that she belongs to the mighty Uchiha clan. Don't converse with her either, just keep her fed and keep with your duties as the matriarch. With the marriage contract granted by the council another month or so won't make a difference. She will be my second wife." He commanded.

"I shall obey my Lord." She replied.

Xxxxxxxxxx

Ino was actually happy about the isolation. For her it was another prayer answered. She could only hope that something would change and someone would come for her.

"Please, Kami, send me a savior" she said out loud.

Xxxxxxxxxx

The time passed by quickly for everyone involved and finally the day came to the most famous council meeting in the history of Konoha. As everyone piled in to the room included the 3 'wise' elders there were quite a few shadowy figures making their way into Danzo's root base.

"Welcome honorable councilors." Said the Hokage in a rather cheerful tone not heard from her in some time. "Are there any internal affairs for the village that need to be addressed?"

After about forty-five minutes the internal affairs were wrapped up and the council was about to depart when Tsunade got their attention. "Please forgive me for making you all stay longer, but we have business to discuss. ANBU, please invite our guest in."

Everyone was curious about what was going on. Just a few minutes and the two large animals that have been the talk of the town walked in. Well, Yakihyo walked in, but Sessho had to squeeze in through the double doors.

The civilian council was rather intimidated by the large animals, but it was Danzo now that seemed to be sweating. Tsunade looked over and noticed this. On the outside he looked calm, but to Tsunade's trained medical eye she could tell he was nervous.

"Welcome to the council chambers. Honorable Councilors, let me introduce you to Lord Sessho the head of the summoning lions in the human realm." Sessho inclined his head. "His companion is Lady Yakihyo who is the head of the summoning Snow Leopards in the human realm as well." Yakihyo inclined her head. "Lord Sessho, I give you the floor."

"Thank you Lady Hokage, We of the Panthera Summoning Clan have served one clan since we started our summoning contract. Through a series of unfortunate events we found ourselves without a clan to serve for a long time. Recently we came across the sole living heir of the royal bloodline of the clan we thought died out during the second great ninja war. Since then we have decided to bring the clan to a village and our Lord is allowing to make this decision for him. However, there are issues that have to be resolved before that is allowed by the Panthera Clan."

Koharu decided to take the lead, "Sessho…"

"GRRRRRRRR; you will address me properly human. My Lord is the only one allowed to address me so informally." Sessho growled out in anger. To his side Yakihyo was giving off a low growl as well.

The civilians were slightly intimidated as well all thinking he could eat anyone of them whole. (Stupid civs right readers).

"M-My apologies Lord Sessho, but what issues have to be resolved?" Koharu asked.

"Perhaps I should take over here; if that is ok with you Lord Sessho?" Tsunade said with some amusement behind her tone. Sessho nodded.

"It has come to my attention that this council has been compromised. Beyond that it has also be determined that there are those on this council that have been committing treason against this village." Tsunade said with a commanding tone.

There was shock throughout the council chambers.

"ANBU!" Tsunade called out. Several ANBU appeared in the middle of the room standing facing each of the Councilors table. "Here are the documents to prove my allegations are true."

The documents provided had the Shinobi side up in arms at the blatant stealing and backroom deals happening with the civilians. The civilian council was shamed, but Tsunade prepped for the big bomb shell.

"QUIET!" she spoke forcefully. "It should be noted that not all blame can be placed on the civilian councilors." This caught everyone's attention and suddenly Danzo knew something was wrong.

"ANBU, please pass the rest of the documents to the shinobi side only. Danzo, you seem nervous, please speak up if you have something to say." Tsunade had a wicked grin and the rest of the council was wondering what's going on until Shikaku Nara spoke up. After all, as a very smart man he learned to ready the important stuff in the back first and work his way to the front of all information documents.

"This is an outrage. How is this even possible none of this has been caught." The Nara jumped up and slammed his hands on the table looking at Danzo to Tsunade, then back to Danzo.

"Please save us some time, what is going on Lady Hokage?" asked Hiashi in his calm façade.

"It would seem that Danzo has been running his ROOT program under the radar. On top of that he not only has been taking in orphans with the civilian side not asking question, but he has had babies born from all the clans declared dead upon birth and then absorbing them into his private military army. On top of that he has had the full support of our esteemed elders as documented in the folders you have there."

The elders and Danzo were sweating bullets now, but for some reason Danzo hadn't yet moved from his seat. He hadn't spoken a word which was very uncharacteristic of him.

"On top of that, he has been influencing the council behind the scenes to get what he wants done."

The shinobi were fuming at this point and the KI was so high the civilians were about to pass out.

"Please calm yourselves." Commanded Tsunade.

"Lady Hokage, how is he influencing the civilians?" asked Shibi the Aburame clan head.

"You see Danzo is not quite so 'crippled' as he makes out. He has a total of 10 Sharigan. One hidden by the wrappings over his left eye and 9 more implanted on his right arm hidden inside his clothing." She commented.

(A/N: Don't know if it was 10 Sharingan or not, but that is how I wrote it.)

At this point an ANBU agent came up behind Danzo and unwrapped his head and displayed the left eye.

All the clan heads were furious. None more than Hiashi due to being positive some of his clan has been taken from him. Especially if they have unsealed Byakugan's.

"I want answers Danzo….Answer me." He commanded.

The councilors turned to Tsunade due to her giggling, except for Danzo. "Oh I completely forgot…" she said with sarcasm …"He cannot move or talk. You see there is a special seal we have on that seat for you Danzo. With the help of some of the panthera clan knowledge and Jiraiya's aptitude for seals we have a special seal that has completely immobilized you and has cut off all your chakra."

"Danzo for treason and multiple counts of kidnapping you have been sentenced to death. We have a medical team here now to remove those fancy eyes you stole from the Uchiha massacre as well."

All of a sudden about five ROOT ANBU came out of nowhere to help their leader escape. They were mere inches from getting him off that seat when Leopards came out of the shadows (surprising the Nara clan head) and took care of the ROOT ANBU by surprise. Several other Leopards popped out of shadows and surrounded the other elders, and just for good measure they surrounded the shinobi and civilian councilors.

Needless to say everyone was surprised as this point.

Yakihyo walked up to the elders and stood there addressing them directly. "You three are directly responsible for the treatment of our clan heir. As such we deem it necessary to kill you now". With one quick swipe the leopards used a single claw to cut the two elders throats and waited for the medics to remove the sharingan.

It was about thirty minutes by the time the elders bodies were taken care of.

"Lady Hokage, what happened with the rest of the ROOT ninja that Danzo has?" asked Shikaku Nara.

"The leopards were kind enough to subdue where they were able to or they have had to kill them. I have several of my personal ANBU with the leopards right now assisting and scouring the ROOT facility for everything. This brings me back to the civilians." She brought her eyes to the civilians who flinched after seeing the 'esteemed elders' so quickly eliminated.

"Without knowing if your decisions were directly affected by Danzo or not I will have to have you removed from the Council and submitted to Ibiki for interrogation to determine if you were or were not controlled by Danzo. On top of that, every decision you have been a part of has to be reviewed for the good of the village. ANBU please escort the civilians to Ibiki." She commanded and the civilians left without a fuss.

"Now back our esteemed guest. Would you like to continue?" Tsunade directed her question to Sessho.

"Thank you, now that the corruption has been taken care of we need to address another issue for our Lord." Sessho commented.

"Lord Sessho, what clan do you serve?" asked Tsume Inuzuka.

Sessho looked at the hokage and she shrugged her shoulders to indicate that he could do as he wished. "We serve the Namikaze Clan."

There were wide eyes from the remaining council members. "Wait, you're telling us that the Namikaze Clan still exists out in the world?" asked Inoichi.

"That is correct. The sole surviving heir of the royal bloodline happened to save one of my young and brought him back to us. It was through sheer dumb luck that we found out he was a Namikaze." Said Lord Sessho.

Shikaku could not add the pieces together and when a puzzle was there he had to solve it. "Please forgive me, but you said earlier that you had issues to be resolved and that our elders were directly responsible. I don't see how our internal issues could have been a problem for you? Don't get me wrong, thank you for bringing the corruption that Danzo had caused to an end, but that still leaves the why?"

"That is quite easy to answer." Replied Sessho. "This council has banished our heir and we need that banishment lifted."

The theme of today's council meeting must have been wide and shocked eyes because once again the shinobi council was starting to put two and two together. "Y-You m-mean Naruto…." Tsume started.

"Yes, Naruto Uzumaki Namikaze" stated Sessho with authority and pride.

The silence in the room was eerie to say the least. Sessho and Yakihyo stayed there and waited to see what would happen.

"Lady Hokage, I would like to make a motion to lift the banishment on Naruto." Stated Shikaku.

"GRRRRRR…..That is Lord Namikze" said Yakihyo rather hotly.

Shikaku bowed his head, "my apologies. I would like to make a motion to lift the banishment of Lord Namikaze." He corrected.

At the exact same time Inoichi, Choza, and Tsume all rose their hands to second the motion at the same time. Tsunade kept a stoic façade, but on the inside she was practically jumping up and down.

One by one all the lesser clans agreed until we reach the final clan…the Hyuga. "Lord Hiashi, this banishment cannot be overturned without a 100% vote. You are the last vote. What say you?" asked Tsunade.

Hiashi thought for a long time and then took out a piece of paper. He wrote down his answer and folded the paper. He gave it to the ANBU to give to the Hokage. She raised her eyebrow as if to silently ask the question. He answered her silent question. "My answer, which is written down, will not change, but may I ask something first?"

Tsunade nodded and he continued; "Does this have to do with what happened in your office…"

He never got to finish the question, but Sessho answered. "Yes Lord Hyuga, it does."

"Very well, Lady Hokage, I approve of lifting the banishment on..." he looked at the Yakihyo, "Lord Namikaze".

Tsunade was overjoyed, but she kept her composure and continued. "Very well, let it go on record that Lord Namikaze may return to the village at his convenience. Now before we adjourn let us discuss the remaining demands of the panthera clan has requested for their Lord."

The council meeting discussed everything with the exception of the Uchiha clause due to Tsunade not needing another headache right now.

And so it was, Naruto was free to return. However, will he sign the marriage contract with Hinata? Will he face the Uchiha in the Chunin Exams? Will he find happiness? What does Hiashi actually think about all this?

xxxxxxxxxx

Next time on PTH:

Flashback:

"GOOD MORNING, my Lord." Yelled Jaga. "It is time for your first day of training. Here put on this belt."

" YAWN….Uh what is this?" as Naruto tied the belt to his waist without looking at it. Sometimes we do stupid stuff when we are sleepy in the morning.

"That is your new training belt for the next month. As you will notice there are two big slabs of steak attached to each side…..