Welcome back for those of you who are following my story or have favorited it, or my page thank you and a shout out to all of you guys. I would like to thank all of you guys for the favorites and follows as I have now passed 100 followers and now have 74 favorites last I checked still hoping that more of you guys will review my story and give me your opinions I want your input on what you guys think of the story so far, as well as ideas of who should be interested in Naruto. Also let it never be said that I can't take criticism well as one such person has caused me to see that I made a mistake and while his words were harsh they were no less true so I took his advice and reworked part of chapter two I had been trying to convey a specific idea and I did a horrible job now that I look back so I hope this fixes that. Hope to hear from you guys soon. Now on with the show.
After Yūgao finished healing Naruto's injuries and everyone else was ready to move on they headed the rest of the way to Tazuna's home. With Naruto out Yūgao carried him piggyback. Kōga had offered to switch with her after a half hour but she turned him down as she was fine and it would only slow them down to pass Naruto off to the next person to carry him. After an hour of walking, they arrived at their destination. As they arrived a young women who looked to be about in her late twenties with dark hair walked out of the house only to stop when she saw them approaching she came running to meet them and hugged Tazuna and started crying as she held onto the older man like he would vanish if she let go.
"Your back I was so worried about you. When you said it would only take two days I was worried when you didn't make it back on time I had feared the worst." The young women rambled on as Tazuna just let her hug him as he returned the hug.
When she stepped back from the hug she noticed everyone else as Tazuna spoke, "Tsunami I am fine these brave ninja from the leaf village protected me and kept me safe from the men who attacked me."
Turning to the group she bowed before speaking, "I'm Tsunami, thank you so much for protecting my father. Without him, the last hope for the Wave would be lost." She said solemnly.
Knowing that his daughter would venture into more depressing memories, Tazuna opted to break the now saddened mood." Now Tsunami don't just stand there! We have guests, let's try and make them feel welcomed and one of them needs a quiet place to rest after what happened." Tazuna said motioning to the boy who was out cold on the older womens back.
"You're right father, everyone please do come right in. It's small, but it is home." Tsunami said with a smile as she led the group into the house.
As they entered, they spotted a child with spiky black hair and eyes. Seeing them enter, the child gave them a slightly angry look before Tsunami called out to him. "Inari, say hello to our guests. They are ninja who protected Grandpa." Tsunami said with a gently and motherly tone, as she smiled at her son. Though Inari ignored them as he headed up to his room.
Seeing the reaction of the kid raised alarms in Yūgao's head, a kid his age shouldn't be looking like that, something big must've happened with him. Quickly glancing around, she also noted that there weren't many pictures of Tsunami with someone who looked like her husband. Mentally, she made a note to herself about that.
'Well, looks like the situation is more drastic then we thought. Kid's dad either left them or got killed by Gato's men more likely the second.' She assessed, as Tsunami apologized for her son's behavior, getting an understanding nod from the Konoha ninja, seeing as the situation in wave must've been harsh.
Showing Yūgao where she could have Naruto rest Tsunami, went into the kitchen and put a pot of tea on as the rest of team 12 got settled when all was said and done one thing was still on the two female team members minds, that being Naruto. After Yūgao finished a more in-depth treatment of Naruto's wounds she had called Yakumo and Kōga together for a team meeting.
"Sensei What happened back there with Naruto? It was like he was a completely different person?" Yakumo asked Not remembering her friend and teammate being that strong or that scary.
"I don't know for sure but I do know that he has kept a lot of things secret after he came back from the forest of death even from me." Yūgao said looking at Kōga with a raised eyebrow.
"What?" He asked as she gave him her best older sister look, "Don't look at me like that it's not my place to tell secrets that aren't mine. Naruto is the one who should be telling you about this." Kōga stated trying to defend himself.
"But you do know about it?" She questioned in the tone she used that meant she was in big sister mode.
As she asked this question Kōga's tenant chimed in with her two cents, "Oh he knows alright after all he's got me just like Naruto has my brother."
Kōga couldn't help but mentally face palm at her comment as he thought back to the night he met the young tailed beast that resided inside him. And what happened the day after.
Flash back
The day was one that Kōga would remember as both a good and bad day. He had overheard his parents yell at Naruto for trying to do the water walking exercise on his own. As well as heard Naruto crying in his room through the wall the sound was just soft enough that he could hear it since their rooms were right next to each other. He wanted to go and see if his brother was alright but he knew that what his parents had said was something that anyone would be upset about they had said things that were way overboard and hurtful. Right now, Kōga knew that more than anything Naruto would need some time to calm down before he would listen to anyone and so he waited. When he was about to go and see if his brother was alright he heard a knock on the door to Naruto's room and his mother ask if she could come in. Kōga heard the door open and slipped out his own as he tiptoed to his brother's door he heard his mother talk softly to Naruto saying how sorry she was for both her and Minato's words and actions. When he peeked into the room he saw her sitting on the edge of the bed gently stroking Naruto's hair and saying she and Minato loved him before he could be discovered he made his way back to his room and shut the door as quietly as he could.
When he had made it back to his room Kōga knew that he had to do something or else Naruto was going to think their parents hated him. While he thought about how to go about fixing this new problem with his family he had been laying on his bed and hadn't noticed when he had fallen asleep nor that he was now inside his mind till a sound startled him from his thoughts. When Kōga notice he was no longer in his room but in a large open space that could have fit his room about a dozen times over he almost panicked if not for a voice that caught his attention.
"So, you finally come to visit," A female voice said that sounded like it was a young girls.
As Kōga turned around to look at who had spoken to him the last thing he expected to see was a small black and white fox. Its coloring was similar to that of a marble fox or as close as he could guess he had never seen one up close just in books and such. However, something about how this one was colored was off it had white tipped tails and white paws while its main body was a black color with white running down its back in a pattern as well as a white mark the shape of a crescent moon in the center of her forehead.
Kōga blinked as he didn't know how to respond. A talking fox now that was a new one on him but he had already met Kuromaru and he talks so it wasn't that far of a stretch. If anything, it would make it easier to understand her but what did she mean finally coming to visit he had never met her or even seen her before. Now that he thought about it where was he and how in the elemental nations did he even get here in the first place.
"So, are you going to say something or are you just going to sit there?" the she fox questioned snapping Kōga out of his thoughts.
"Um who are you exactly?" Kōga asked bluntly.
"Huugghhh… who I am is a bit hard to say since I don't have a name." The young Bijū said as she came closer.
As his thought went into overdrive for just a second about where he could be and who this talking fox was they just as suddenly came to a screeching halt when his mind registered her last statement, "Wait you don't have a name?" He questioned clearly puzzled by that fact.
The fox sighed as she figured they were in for a long night. After explaining what she was and how she got here along with the fact that she was inside the seal on his body Kōga finally was able to work everything out. Along with putting some pieces in place that made the she fox rethink her previous assumption about being here all night.
"So, you have been here since the night the nine tails was sealed?" Kōga questioned.
"I also have all the fox's memories up till the portion of the excess chakra from the nine tails was sealed inside you but whoever made the seal didn't know that when he sealed the chakra inside you it took a small amount of your own chakra and when it was mixed together inside the seal with the chakra from the nine tails I was born." The she fox stated.
"Wait Tou-san sealed the chakra into Naruto and the others so how is it that I had some of its chakra sealed in me?" The newly self-discovered Jinchūriki questioned to no one in particular.
"Well, whoever did it used the same type of seal that was used on your brother if that helps at all." She said though she knew it wasn't much to go on.
"It really doesn't help because anyone who studied Fūinjutsu to the level that Tou-san did could use that jutsu just as easily." The boy said pondering it for a split second before switching gears and changing the subject, "So, what your saying is that you're the daughter of the Kyūbi?" Kōga asked eyes wide at the statement that the fox just made a moment ago.
To which the young Bijū replied ""Kind of."
"And you have no name?" He asked to which the young she fox replied with a simple shake of her head, "Well how about I give you one." Kōga said making her blink as she stared at him for a second.
"You would give me a name but you don't even know me?" She stated as she looked at him with eyes wide.
"Of course, I would everyone deserves to have a name even tailed beasts…" Kōga paused for just a moment as his thoughts drifted to what was happening with Naruto "Plus I know what it's like for someone to be alone too." He finished as he stroked the fur of the young fox next to him.
"And you would know this how?" She asked, "You have a family that loves you I have seen it when have you ever been alone?"
"It's true I may not know what it feels like personally but when I see the way Naruto looks at the rest of the family I get a small glimpse of what it's like for him to feel like he's alone." Kōga stated surprising the she fox again as she saw the look in the young boys' eyes of how bad he felt and how much he wanted to make things better for his whole family.
"So, what's your plan?" the young Bijū asked.
"I am working on that but I can't just sit by and do nothing, that would be just as bad as if I was a part of the problem." He said as he looked at her before he changed the subject yet again, "Now then I believe that I said I would give you a name so let's see… how about Hikari?" Kōga asked the young Bijū.
"Hikari." She said trying it out once as she then looked at him, "Light?" she questioned as the young boy just nodded his head.
"Yup we'll be a light in the darkness that helps my brother find his way back home and as well as a reminder that when he feels like no one is there our light will help him know he's not alone that he has a family that loves him."
The newly named Hikari smiled at that thought and replied with a deeply grateful, "Thank you."
Flashback end
"Yes I know what it was or I should say what it is, but I don't think I should be talking about stuff that could be considered an S class secret." Kōga stated knowing full well what it was since he had trained to use the same thing himself though again the color was different from both Naruto's and the Kyūbi's.
Yūgao blinked for him to think that it would rate that high on the scale of classified intel meant it was big. She knew that if anyone broke a secret of that level it was punishable by death worst case scenario. This meant that it was something that only specific people knew about and they only discussed it in specific places. If that was true and this was something of that nature she was going to be having a private meeting with the Hokage to talk about this in detail. For now, she would have to wait for Naruto to wake up so she and the rest of the team could talk with him.
Yūgao went over everything she had read in Naruto's file as well as everything she knew about her otōto to see if she could figure out what had happened back there but nothing made any sense. From what she could remember Naruto never had such an ability and the color of the chakra was not normal when chakra channeled into a sword or something like her chakra blade it looked like a lighter blue color. However, the green chakra that Naruto had used was something strange to her. It reminded her of when she had seen Kushina use the nine tails chakra that was sealed inside her but the color of the chakra was red not green and the feeling that seemed to emanate from the boy was not the same either. She knew it was somehow related to the Nine tails chakra that he had but she couldn't figure out how. 'Maybe this is something he picked up while he was in the forest of death?' She questioned in her mind but that didn't seem to track with the fact that Kōga knew about it, and that it was similar to what she had seen her sensi use. Plus, the number tails if it was the nine tails chakra then why didn't it have the same color as before? After her mind came up with about a dozen questions and no answers she decided to wait till Naruto woke up and could shed some light on the subject.
When Naruto did wake it was just past one in the afternoon. Tsunami checked in on him when he had come around and woken up from being out for about three hours.
"Well now seems like someone finally decided to come back to the land of the of the living." Tsunami said smiling as she helped him sit up.
After a minute or two the rest of his team along with Tazuna came into the room to see how he was doing as well as for some of them to try and get some answers to their questions. However, Yūgao didn't think that Naruto would just open up and tell them everything they wanted to know especially after what Kōga had said about what had happened but one could always hope.
"Well, well good to see that you're up." Tazuna said as he smiled at Naruto.
"Please don't do that to us Naruto I was worried that you weren't going to make it back there after the fight." Yakumo said as she hugged him. Naruto who still wasn't all that good with physical contact from many people flinched slightly which caused Yakumo to pull back. "Oh, I didn't hurt you did I?" She asked.
Before Naruto could answer Yūgao cut in "Don't worry he is fine I took care of all the major stuff back at the battle site and went back over him when we got here just to make sure he wasn't in any danger and to make sure I didn't miss anything, he might still have some chakra exhaustion but that is to be expected." Yakumo smiled as her fears had been put to rest.
"Well now that we've had our feel-good moment of the day care to talk about what happened back there?" Yūgao asked hoping that her otōto would at least be willing to share a small amount of what he was hiding.
Naruto didn't know how to approach talking about the subject but at the same time he knew that his Nē-chan wouldn't be satisfied with a simple it was nothing or it was a trick I picked up in the forest of death. Finally, he decided on a partial truth but he would need more privacy since it was a pretty big secret. "I don't know if I should talk about it without permission from Hokage-Sama."
This backed up what she had heard Kōga say earlier on the fact that it was a high-class secret. After a moment to think on it she asked if Tazuna and Tsunami would give them some privacy to discuss the subject, which the father and daughter agreed to and left the room.
"Okay we are alone. Now will you tell us what is going on and how you were able to fend off one of the top 20 most dangerous rouge ninja to be alive right now." Yūgao asked as she looked Naruto in the eyes. "I don't want to have to make you tell me but I will if I have to."
Naruto winced at the comment that she had just made he knew that when she pulled rank on him it meant she was serious. Even so this wasn't something he could just go around telling people if it was he wouldn't have kept it a secret for this long.
"If you must know it is related to the nine tails chakra that is sealed inside me." Naruto stated again deciding to go with a partial truth that would answer Yūgao's question.
Naruto had no idea on how much data about the nine tails chakra was detailed in his file but he knew that at least it would be mentioned if not talked about in some detail. Naruto knew that she would have had to have been given the basic info on what happened with the nine tails and what had been done to stop it. So rather than beating around the bush he decided to ask her how much she knew about the subject.
"How much info have you been given on what happened the night the nine tails was defeated?" Naruto asked to which Yūgao responded.
"Enough and yes, I know about what happened after too." She said confirming that she knew what happened when it was sealed.
"Then you know that I have access to its chakra and am able to use it." Naruto said to which she mentally frowned as she knew that Naruto had never been trained in how to use this power or told that it was even available to him, so how did he know about it? She questioned in her mind.
Yakumo was lost at this point in the conversation what did Naruto mean by he had access to the chakra of the nine tails and how could that even be possible the fox monster was defeated by the fourth Hokage who was Naruto's dad.
When she was about to ask what everyone was talking about Yūgao told her that what she was about to tell her was something that she was to never talk about outside of the company of the team and those who Naruto told her knew. After the warning she told Yakumo everything she knew about what happened and the truth about what had happened to the nine tails which shocked Yakumo as she looked at Naruto who only nodded.
Yūgao however couldn't help but think something was off. From what she knew Naruto's parents had never said anything to him about the subject, and she knew for a fact that he had never been trained by them to use it or trained much at all by his parents for that matter. Yūgao was still perturbed at that fact but when she had learned about the genjutsu she eased up on them if only a bit. Suddenly a thought popped into her head 'Why wasn't I or for that fact any of the people Naruto was close with affected by the genjutsu if it was used on the village then why weren't we affected?' she thought but with no real way to answer that she pushed the thought aside and refocused on the current situation.
Naruto looked at her and asked, "You trust me right?" This question caused Yūgao to feel as if she had been slapped by him of course she wanted to trust him but they needed answers so she replied.
"You know I want to trust you otōto and I do, so I am asking you to trust us with the truth." She said as Naruto looked away.
"The truth is a little more complicated than what you think it is." Naruto stated, "All I can tell you is that it has to do with the nine tails," Pausing as he felt a little unsure before he went on, "This is something I haven't shared with anyone not my family not even the people I trust the most in the village and for good reason." He said which Yūgao knew meant a lot if Naruto never shared it with anyone and kept it secret all this time.
"Really why not?" Yakumo asked confused by why Naruto wouldn't share this secret with anyone.
"Once a secret is known it can never be unknown and you can never go back to the way things were before." Naruto said quoting the wolves as he looked at the rest of his team.
Kōga knew what Naruto was trying to get at once he spilled the beans on this secret people would look at him differently than they did before. He knew that Naruto didn't want people to look at him for what he was but rather who he was. Plus, he knew that if Naruto shared this info and didn't have permission to share it he would get in real big trouble when they made their mission report. Heck he would already technically be in trouble when they got back because Yakumo wasn't supposed to know about the fact that Naruto and Menma plus both sisters had the nine tails split up and sealed inside them and somehow himself which he still didn't get how that one worked.
Finally, Naruto pulled his last card to play as he stated, "If you really want to know more talk to Hokage-sama when we get back." To which Yūgao relented and accepted that she would have to wait till they got back to the leaf village.
"Now that we are done with one topic for now it is time to address the second important thing that we must prepare for Zabuza is alive." Yūgao stated which made everyone in the room give a different reaction. As Yakumo was shocked, Naruto's reaction was underwhelming as he just accepted the fact while Kōga seemed to have figured that out as he didn't seem surprised more like he was annoyed at the fact he had been right.
"But how we saw him go down and that hunter ninja they…"
"Exactly," Yūgao said interrupting Yakumo, "The job of a hunter ninja is to hunt down and eliminate rouge ninja so that their secrets can't be stolen by other ninja and used against them. Meaning that if the hunter had truly been there to kill Zabuza they would have started disposing of the body on site."
"Instead, they took the body away which goes against how they operate." Kōga stated getting a nod of approval from Yūgao.
"This in and of itself is a glaring clue that states we have not seen the last of Zabuza or his accomplice." She said looking to her three genin, "Which means that we have about two weeks to train while Zabuza tries to recover from his injuries during this time we will take shifts watching Tazuna while he works on the bridge before we face them again."
x x x x
After they had finished their team meeting they joined the family for dinner later that day and turned in early so as to get a good night's sleep. Come morning they were going to start training. That had been about a week ago within that time frame Yūgao had learned that her team was way ahead of the eight ball in both skill and technique as she soon discovered that Naruto had not only mastered tree climbing but water walking as well while Kōga wasn't far behind him as he was still working to fully master water walking. To top it all off Yakumo who had been the only one who still needed to learn tree climbing mastered it in just two and a half days and was now starting water walking. 'At this rate, these three will be the top genin team of this year without a doubt.' Yūgao thought to herself as she watch Tazuna during her shift.
Yūgao also decided that it would be better now rather than later to find out everyone's chakra nature so during the next training session she gave each of them a piece of chakra paper and told them to pour their chakra into the paper. The results of which surprised even her. Naruto's paper split in two and then one of the two pieces burned up stating a duel wind fire nature, while Kōga's turned soggy and wrinkled stating a duel water and lightning nature. Yakumo's paper wrinkled which meant she had a lightning Nature. Not only that but she knew that Yakumo also had a natural talent for genjutsu that could put anyone who studied the art to shame. Then there was Naruto who seemed to be strong in both taijutsu and ninjutsu along with a bit of kenjutsu as he had shown when fighting Zabuza. Lastly Kōga rounded out the team with his talents in booth Ninjutsu and Kenjutsu which he had been training in with Yūgao for a while now. Things were looking like they would be ready to take on Zabuza and his accomplice and win. The mood was as positive as it could be that was until dinner rolled around.
Naruto had been on guard duty so that left the rest of the team to train. When they came in for dinner Tsunami was just finishing setting the table as Naruto and Tazuna just so happened to get back at the same time. After they had thanked their hosts for the food they dug in. About halfway through the meal Inari couldn't take it anymore as he slammed his fist on the table before he spoke.
"Why do you guys bother to try so hard?! No matter how hard you train, you're still no match for Gato's men! No matter what glorious claims you make or how hard you work, the weak will only end up getting killed!" Inari shouted at them, his eyes burning with hatred looking at the Konoha ninja gathered around the dinner table.
Hearing Inari's words, Yūgao quickly lost the grin on her face, Kōga stared intently at him, Yakumo's mouth thinned into a small line, but immediately the atmosphere turned tense when Naruto slowly stood up and looked at the boy, matching his glare with an icy glare of his one that if it could have would have frozen the kid where he stood.
"Why do we bother to train so hard? No matter what we do, we're gonna get killed by Gato's men? Are you an idiot?" Naruto commented in a cold tone that made the room feel like it just dropped a few degrees, his icy gaze intensifying with every second passing.
Everyone was unable to speak, never had any of them seen the blonde act like this. Inari voiced his retort.
"Why don't you just be quiet, just looking at you makes me sick. You don't know anything about this country. You don't know what it's like to suffer and be treated like dirt."
The situation remained tense and increased even more when Naruto grabbed the kid by his collar and pointed to his headband.
"You see this? This isn't just a headband; this is a symbol of my dreams, my honor, and my determination. So, what if it seems hopeless? No matter what happens, I will never give up, I will never quite, I will fight to the very end." Glairing at the kid as he went on, "Just look at yourself whining and complaining like some little victim you're nothing but a coward. Do you really believe you are the only one who has suffered? News flash kid everyone suffers and yet here you sit waiting for someone to come and save you like its all some bad dream you can wake up from. Wake up and face reality, heroes don't just appear over night, they aren't born either, Heroes are made when someone gets knocked down hard and then has the strength the courage and most importantly the will to get back up and fight back. You want a hero than man up grow a pair embrace your dreams and become one yourself. You need to have dreams to be a hero in the first place though. Without those you might as well not even try. Those who don't have dreams will amount to nothing and those who complain about their life without trying to change things will amount to less than nothing. So don't go trampling on your father's memory by saying it's useless. At least he tried to change things that's more than most can say they will ever do. If you won't stand up and fight don't expect others to do it for you. You have to fight your own battles no matter how big or small." Naruto said before letting the kid go.
Pushing his chair back he made his way to the door, stopping before he passed through the door as he spoke one last time.
"I'm no hero nor will I ever be one, but at least I am willing to embrace my dreams and fight for them. If someone like me can do it, then anyone can do it. Or maybe I'm just a fool but you know what?" he paused to look back at the boy to get his point across, "I would rather be a fool than a coward." And with that he left to go off by himself letting the door shut behind him to emphasize his point. At which Inari ran from the table and locked himself in his room.
Yūgao turned to their hosts. "Sorry about that, Naruto has never been one for mincing words."
Tazuna waved a hand saying that he didn't say anything that wasn't true. "For one so young to see things like that, something drastic must have happened to him."
Yūgao flinched at that as she knew what had happened as Kōga spoke up. "He was ignored and neglected by most of the village and even our own family minus me and a handful of people until he ran away from home at eight years old because he couldn't stand being overlooked like he was an afterthought." Tsunami gasped her hands covering her shocked expression while Tazuna slightly chocked on his tea saying he was lying before Kōga continued, "For four years he lived in one of the most dangerous places that is used by our village for training strong ninja and came back alive and better off than the ninja that were sent in there by the Hokage our father to try and find him. My brother has been through more in twelve years than most will ever go through in thirty. If it weren't for the good people who showed they cared about him and showed him kindness he most likely would never have come back home."
"That poor boy." Tsunami said quietly as Tazuna just stared dumbfounded at this news.
"Naruto…" Yakumo whispered looking to the door.
"So then why does he stay? Why hasn't he left already? I mean if he has been through all that what is keeping him from leaving it all behind?" Tazuna asked still somewhat stunned by this revelation.
"Because he's trying to protect the people and things that are important to him. And while there may not be a ton of them he will go to any means to protect them along with his own family even though they ignored him when he was younger he still sees them as family and therefore worth protecting." Yūgao said as she looked to the door Naruto had left through. "Because that's who he is."
After dinner, the team went off to be by themselves to process their feelings and what they had learned one such person was on the roof alone with his thoughts and feelings. Looking at the stars Kōga felt like he hadn't in a long time, the last time he had felt like this it was a year after Naruto had run a way and things had been getting worse every day. When he got like this he knew that the only thing that would help would be music taking a scroll out of his back pouch he opened it and unsealed the second seal on the paper which produced an ocarina from the seal. As he pick up the small instrument memories played through his head about how he had played it to help Narumi fall asleep and when he needed to express his feelings but didn't have the words to this instrument had helped. It had been a present from Kushina but it soon became more than that. It had become a way to help deal with everything that had been happening over the years.
As he thought about everything that had happened up till this point he took it all the good the bad and a bit of chakra for good measure and poured it all into his music as he played. As the night sky spread out before him Kōga played a song that he had first heard played on a leaf whistle it was one that always seemed to help no matter the situation and had been Narumi's favorite ever since he first played it for her, and right now he thought he could use all the help he could get. As it just so happened he had a secret audience that was listening to the music he was making as it seemed to wash over them the each of them were listening from different locations but they all were moved by the music that was being played. Tsunami was at the kitchen window while Yakumo was sitting on the deck that surrounded the house and Yūgao who had been sitting on the railing of the balcony that was connected to the room that she and Yakumo were set up in. it was as if the music seemed to make everything feel like it would be okay as if the music had lifted a weight from their shoulders that they didn't even know that they had.
When he stopped to take a moment Kōga spoke up. "I know your there you can come on out." He said as Yūgao blinked before shaking her head at the fact of what her otōto's were able to do. As she was about to climb onto the roof another voice was heard which caused her to freeze in her tracks.
"How did you know I was listening?" Naruto asked as he walked up next to his brother.
"Because I know you." He replied. "And right about now is when you would be looking to be alone with your thoughts so you can process how you feel.
Naruto smirked before sat down next to Kōga and just looked at the stars for a minute with Kōga in silence and then took out a scroll of his own and unsealed a six-string bass. At this Kōga smiled at his brother as the two of them started to play together. The music the two brothers made this time together was even more profoundly beautiful. It was both sad and sweet at the same time as the music washed over those who heard it. The music was moving to the point that it seemed to be overflowing from the two brothers. It was as if the music seemed to refresh the souls of those who heard it. Yūgao felt as she had when she was in the clearing and heard that women singing. The music was so moving that it felt almost too real. When the music ended Naruto nodded to his brother as he left the same way he entered with a body flicker. Once his brother left Kōga smiled before he spoke out loud for the second time that night.
"You can come on up now." He said causing Yūgao to blink once again before climbing up onto the roof.
"How did you know I was listening?" She asked to which he smiled and answered.
"Now that would be telling." He said earning a playful shove from his Nee-chan who looked at the stars with him.
"That song you two played is beautiful you know." Yūgao said looking at him as his face sprouted a small smile at her comment.
"Yeah it is." Kōga said as his gaze remained skyward.
"You know Naruto only said what he said at dinner because he sees what he could have been like in Inari." He said looking to his Onē-chan
"I know, but it doesn't make it any less hard to listen to." Yūgao said as she leaned forward before continuing, "But was it the right thing to do or should we be more understanding I mean the kid lost his father permanently Naruto still has a chance with your father."
"Naruto has been as close to that kid in the sense of losing a parent as one can get before death both parents actually not just one," Kōga said pausing to let the point sink in before continuing, It is going to take time for those wounds to heal for both of them, but unlike Inari Naruto has resolved to do something about it and not just give in to the idea that it's a hopeless situation. That is what he was trying get the kid to see." He finished.
Yūgao had never thought about it like that before. As she thought about it she reached over and hugged Kōga before she looked at him and said, "Don't ever stop playing music it may just be the thing that helps Naruto the most one of these days." And with those words she climbed down from the roof and went inside.
Kōga smiled as he laid back and once again gazed skyward before saying "You have no idea." As he thought about how it had already helped so much in his life and in more ways than one.
x x x x
The next morning came faster than Naruto would have thought as he was shaken awake by a pretty young women who seemed concerned that he was sleeping out in the forest. When he first saw her, he thought that she seemed familiar for some reason. Offering to help as he saw she was picking herbs that would help with healing wounds and illnesses he decided to help her. As they searched in relative silence surrounded by the sounds of nature Naruto observed her from the corner of his eye and noted how she moved and acted and decided to play along to see what happened as he now had a theory that he wanted to test. After about fifteen minutes the silence was broken by the girl, "I think that should be enough thank you for the help."
"You're welcome," Naruto replied, "So are these for a friend who was hurt?" he asked looking to gauge how she reacted.
The girl looked at him and smiled saying, "Why yes they are," Pausing before she went on to ask, "So are you a ninja I noticed you're wearing a headband?"
"Yes that's right I was out here training last night late and I must have fallen asleep." Naruto said hoping that she would reveal more if they kept talking.
"I see so are you training to protect someone?" she asked to which Naruto nodded replying.
"Not just someone but the people who are precious to me," He said, "There may only be a handful right now but I will do anything for them."
The girl froze for a second as she heard the steel and resolve in his voice at the mention of those he wanted to protect. She could relate to how he felt as she too had someone she wanted to protect and she would lay down her life for them. As this thought went through her head Naruto asked her if she had anyone that was precious to her. This caused her to blink before she replied.
"Why yes I do and he is the most important person to me."
"Well, I hope that he gets well soon, Naruto said, "By the way my name is Naruto, what's your name?"
"My name is Haku." She replied smiling before she picked up her basket to go. Sighing inwardly at having to go back to the hideout and deal with the attitude of Zabuza who for the past few days had been doing nothing but complaining about blonde brats and weak ass kenjutsu skills. It had finally been too much for her and she had decided to get some fresh air and leave for bit. As she started to walk away Naruto called after her.
"Oh, and Haku tell Zabuza-san when you see him that I look forward to our rematch." This caused Haku to stop in her tracks which was all Naruto needed to confirm his suspicion.
Turning to face him she looked at him with a look of confusion as she spoke, "If you knew who I was then why would you help me?" she questioned in disbelief at the fact he would actively and knowingly help his enemy.
"Because I feel like you're similar to me. We both have people who are precious to us, and we'll do anything to make sure that they're happy. And also, I don't want a handicap when me and Zabuza duel again." He said, walking away to head back to Tazuna's house, leaving a speechless Haku behind to ponder her thoughts.
Staring at the back of the blonde as he walked away, Haku couldn't seem to get rid of the light flutter that she was feeling in her chest from the blonde and the way he acted. Giggling softly to herself as she left, she didn't know it, but she headed back to the hideout in a happier mood then when she left.
Things after that seemed to be different there was an atmosphere about as the team trained to prepare for Zabuza. In the time that was left Kōga mastered water walking and was able to pick up some genjutsu skills along with learning a new technique he had been studying, while he had been able to help Yakumo with her lightning style training to help her have more versatility in her arsenal since Yūgao wasn't able to help in the regard that she didn't have a lightning nature. All the while Yūgao was sparing with Naruto to help sharpen his kenjutsu skills to help him be more prepared for the next time they fought Zabuza. About halfway through the week the trio of genin were walking through the worn-down roads of wave, getting groceries for Tsunami to make dinner. She had sprained her ankle earlier in the day after slipping in the kitchen and they offered to help saying it was the least they could do for all their hospitality. As they were about to head back, they heard the sound of muffled screaming and went to investigate. What they found was a group of thuggish men taking a pair of girls around their age into a building.
Seeing that scene made the three of them come to the decision that they would help these girls. Making their way stealthily inside, they overheard them speak.
"So, you guys found some fresh product?" A tall and brutish looking man said, admiring the new pieces of 'merchandise' that was brought in.
"Hehe, sure did boss. Gato will pay quite the price for this catch I bet, probably been hiding all this time but we saw them walking by themselves a few minutes ago." A tall and skinny looking man sneered, his eyes trailing over the bodies of their new catch.
"Hey boss, why don't we check if they really are fresh? After all, don't want to give Gato something used right?" A short and fat man said, wiping the drool off his lips.
"Fine, but just don't break them." The brutish man said, walking into the back of the building, as the other men started to approach the bound girls.
Unable to hold herself back anymore, Yakumo was about to lunge at them, but was stopped by Naruto. She looked at him like he was nuts they needed to save these girls before they were raped but when she saw the look in her teammates eyes and knew that they were going to help they just needed an opening. Kōga was also ready to drop down and send these scum to the Shinigami himself until he felt a hand on her shoulder. This caused him to ease up if just a slight bit as he looked to his brother for the go ahead. Waiting for the right moment to strike and when the opportunity came he made his move and with a whispered, "Now." they descended upon them. To say that the fight was a bit one sided was an understatement. As one by one the thugs dropped dead from the combined assault of the trio.
Naruto took out two on his way down and a third with a well-placed kunai throw. While Yakumo caught several in a genjutsu and made them turn on each other. Kōga on the other hand took a more direct approach as he drew his Wakizashi on the way down and with a single hand sign he created a shadow clone as he went about cutting through the enemies in front of him.
"What the heck!" One man shouted, as he frantically scanned the room looking for a way out, his eyes settling on the group of kids who just cut their way through fifteen armed men like it was nothing. He turned to run but there was no way out and now the trio were standing in front of him when he turned around killing intent dripping off them as he fell to the floor wetting himself. Naruto leaned down and whispered in his ear.
"This is for all the families you've torn apart. Now run like the rat you are and tell Gato what happened here. And if I ever see you in wave again and you aren't getting on a boat to leave I will hunt you down and by the time I am finished, you will beg for me to put you out of your misery. Naruto said before standing up borrowing some of Kou's chakra his eyes shifted to that of the wolf's to drive home his point asking, "Am I clear?" To which the man could only whimper and nod his head emphatically as scrambled to his feet. Not looking for where he was running he ran straight into the wall and bounced off it before dashing out the door and ran for all he was worth.
With that done the trio approached the two young girls and cut the bindings of them as they removed the gags that had been place on them the two girls were scared for their live before Yakumo asked if they were okay. The two girls blinked and nodded before they were helped back to their homes which their families were most grateful for. After which the trio booked it back to Tazuna's as so that Tsunami wouldn't be worried. The rest of the week flew by in a blur of training and sparing and sleeping as they sharpened and honed their skills so that when they face Zabuza and the now known Haku they would be as ready as they could be. As team 12's rematch with Zabuza was drew closer.
x x x x
After breakfast Tazuna told them that the finishing touches to the bridge were being made, and that they should be finished with it by the end of the day. Yūgao noticed that Naruto was not there as he had been out late again 'probably training' she thought to herself and decided that the rest of the team would go on ahead with Tazuna to the bridge. While this was going on Naruto was racing back to Tazuna's house, mentally berating himself for training so late into the night as it had caused him to sleep later than he should have. Trees raced by as Naruto made his way back to the house. Even though he was making good time he knew he was still going to be late. When Naruto made it back to the house he saw what was happening and went into action. As two men who he guessed worked for Gato had Tsunami at sword point as Inari was telling them to let his mother go. Naruto had to give the kid credit for trying to keep his mother safe.
Naruto slipped behind the two men as he flickered onto the roof above the two men. Readying to strike he found an opportunity when they both turned to the boy who had tried to strike at the two men only to be cut into by the two men as they sheathed their swords. However now a log had taken the place and the hit that would have ended young boys' life. Also, his mother was now gone from where she had been a moment ago
This surprised them as they wanted to know who was interfering but this surprise cost them both dearly as Naruto used it to strike them both down. As a pair of shadow clones struck from behind. Inari was stunned that the boy was able take out the two men without any hesitation. The young boy couldn't believe it that someone not much older than him could be so strong.
"Inari!" Tsunami cried as she ran to her son and hugged him for all she was worth and she wept tears of joy.
As the two shared a heartfelt moment Naruto approached not wanting to intrude he waited for them to finish as the two looked up at Naruto bent down and placed a hand on Inari.
"Are you two okay?" Naruto asked.
"Yes, Thank you so much Naruto." Tsunami said wiping the tears from her eyes.
Looking to the young boy Naruto spoke "Keep your mother safe go find somewhere to hide and keep her safe." To which the young boy nodded and lead his mom by the hand as they ran off to find shelter.
Not one to leave a job only half-done Naruto raced at top speed to get to the bridge so he could support his team.
While this was going on another fight was just worming up. As the faceoff between Team 12 plus Tazuna and Zabuza with Haku was just starting with the two groups in a standoff on the yet to be finished bridge waiting for the other to make a move.
"Where is Blondie? that brat and I have unfinished business?" Zabuza questioned seeing that Naruto was not present.
"Sorry, but he's not here, looks like you're just going to have to settle for little old me." Yūgao said in a calm tone as she walked forward to face Zabuza drawing her sword as she did.
"I guess I could use a warm up before my rematch." Zabuza said as he rolled his shoulders loosening up for the fight to come. Without another word a group of water clones formed and charged the group.
With a flash Kōga's wakizashi sliced through the water clones without any waisted effort as water splashed to the ground. Yūgao smiled as she stepped around her otōto and pointed her sword at Zabuza, "Now since the warm up has been taken care of let's dance."
"Haku take care of the other two while I deal with her before Blondie shows up." He stated as he readied his executioner's blade.
"You really think that girl is strong enough to take on two opponents at once? You have a lot of faith in her huh." Yūgao commented.
"Huh in terms of strength she could be considered a Chūnin by ninja standards so I would be more concerned for the two brats than I would for her though your concern for her is almost touching." He shot back at her.
"I don't need to be concerned when it comes to them they can handle their own after all they're my students and they have trained hard to get to the level they are at, so don't underestimate them or you might just end up regretting it like you almost did last time." And with that the fight between them began in earnest as they raced toward each other and clashed swords.
Haku stood across from Yakumo and Kōga. As she readied for the fight she knew that it wouldn't be easy for her if these two were anything like Naruto than it was going to be rough. Since she knew Naruto and what he could do and would do if she hurt his friends, she didn't want to kill them so she tried to reason with them one last time. "All we want is the bridge builder give him over to us and you can walk away he is the one we want not you."
"Not going to happen he is our client after all." Yakumo said making Haku frown behind her mask.
"Take off the mask, since we know who you work with you're not fooling anyone this time around." Kōga stated staring Haku down.
"Oh, maybe I just like wearing it?" Haku replied as she move into a combat stance.
Kōga and Yakumo also slipped into combat stances as they readied themselves to fight.
"I am going to love removing that mask when this is over." Kōga said smirking at Haku, and with that the fight began as the three went at it.
Haku found the two of them were able to more than hold their own against her. As she was caught off guard by the teamwork the two displayed as Yakumo managed to catch Haku in her recently learned jutsu. As she rushed forward before she could strike a flash of light blinded her as she was caught in Yakumo's Lightning Illusion: Flash Pillar. The next thing Haku knew she was surrounded by mist so thick that she couldn't see her own hand in front of her face, she couldn't see anything in fact or even hear a sound of the fight that was going on no more than twenty feet away. All of a sudden a thought struck her and she took a risk, "Release." With surge of her chakra, she shattered the genjutsu and just in time to dodge the incoming hound made of lightning which she destroyed with her water whip jutsu. As the fight went on Haku was more and more impressed at the fact that they were as good as the swords women had said they were. They had even gotten close a few more times so she decided to take things up a notch as she flashed through a set of hand signs and with the last one a group of ice mirrors sprang up from the water at their feet to form a dome mirrors around the two genin. "Secret Jutsu: Crystal Ice Mirrors."
And with those words she stepped into one of the mirrors which then reflected her image across the dome of mirrors as a rain of senbon came from the mirrors to strike at them from what seemed like all directions. When it was finished the two inside the dome had been cut about a dozen times each and while none of the cuts would be lethal they were just the beginning as Haku readied for a second strike.
"It's over. This fight was mine the moment you found yourselves inside my jutsu." She said as she moved to strike again.
"I don't think so," Kōga said before running through a set of hand signs, "Gale style: thunder cloud void wave."
Haku wasn't able to change course in time before what seemed to be a black storm cloud enveloped her two opponents and not only that but lightning lashed out from the cloud and struck her mask leaving a cut in it not only that but another bolt singed the edge of her kimono as it grazed her leg for getting a little too close. As she retreated into the closest mirror. When she was once again inside the mirror she found herself once again raising her opinion of the two genin that she was fighting. With this new development anything could happen. But before both fights could continue a streak of blond hair exploded from the tree line as Naruto came to land near the dome of mirrors with his Kamas drawn he took out three mirrors without even missing a beat as he slid to a stop next to Kōga and Yakumo. With a slight grin on his face he looked over to his teammate and questioned.
"So, you guys miss me?"
And done I hope you all like the story and remember to send me your ideas and thoughts about how to make the story better. As always I hope to hear from you guys until next time.