The village looked more like a village within the week, donations and help from other villages came a few days after the attack including the Sand. He had sent a toad to warn Gaara that he was in the village, and let him know he was okay, that way he'd reach him before he had to leave for the summit. Tensions were still present between the Kage beside the Sand and Leaf and Naruto worried, he was a little pissed Kakashi wouldn't let him go. He considered heading to the sand to go with Gaara but he had things to do here. Gaara would be fine and Temari and Kankoro would be his guards, Kakashi took Gai and Itachi in his old ANBU, mostly to keep his identity hidden until Kakashi could explain everything completely. They told Naruto the truth, how Itachi had been giving Intel for years, looking for him to ensure he could take them from his trial, Itachi was impressed he had never been made. Naruto was mostly trying to make seals up to standard, the Uchiha and the Hokage tower weren't hard, they were done and well and truly protected. People he cared about resided in them and it was of Importance to them, there for it was Important to Naruto, so the seals were more powerful. The rest... well he hadn't connected with the villagers and he still wasn't eager to try. But he didnt want to give Kakashi less than he was capable. The village was important to him after all.
He had caught up with Sakura, she had told him how Danzo was executed, how Root had been disbanded and a great deal of their ANBU were executed too for their refusal to let it go. She was very thankful to him for what he had done and he realised them that it was because she was in love with Sasuke. He didn't seem too he interested in any sort of romantic relationships from what Naruto gathered but he wished her luck. He was currently sat in the back garden of his parents house with scrolls of drafted seals scattered and weighed down with bits and pieces.
"Still no luck?" Shikamaru's voice called and Naruto groaned.
"No. None of them are right. How did I get myself into the position of protecting this place?" He asked
"You care too much" Shikamaru shrugged. Despite the intentions they hadn't actually talked about their relationship. The rebuild took Shikamaru's time up because he was a shinobi. Naruto had mostly stayed out of the way in concern for a trauma response happening. He had tried one day but the villagers were very excited to know who he was, how he saved the village and one brave woman had actually grabbed his arm, luckily Sasuke was nearby to take the hit and saved the woman a trip to the make shift medical centre at the Hokage tower. Naruto didn't sense any malice from her and she seemed regretful after but he just wasn't ready for them to be near him.
"What's up? Shouldn't you be with your Dad helping with defences?"
"Yes" Shikamaru nodded "we've got a cart of donations at the gate and everyone is spread pretty thin so I was heading up to help. Thought I'd come check on you"
"I'm fine. Seriously being on my own is normal for me" he shrugged, he was trying to be comforting but the look that crossed Shikamaru's face told him he failed. He sighed and stood up putting a shuriken on the scroll he was using and walked over to Shikamaru.
"Seriously. Stop worrying about me" he lifted up on his toes and placed his lips on the taller man's "I'm more comfortable this way. Best to ease into it"
Shikamaru nodded and held him close, Naruto was surprised how much he had missed it. He was surprised how much he wanted to stay there.
"I want to change your outlook on this place. I know it hurt you, but their are good people here. And I'm pretty sure if you had stayed, they'd have been your friends"
Naruto wasn't sure about that, but he nodded to Shikamaru anyway.
"Well let's try to keep the world in one piece before we try to deal with me and this place" Naruto sighed "then again not sure I'll get the seals up to my standards if I don't at least try to connect with it"
Shikamaru looked over his head and Naruto wondered if he had heard him. He began frowning and was about to poke the Nara when a small smile came to his lips.
"I have an idea" he stated and stepped away "Let's get this picked up" he gestured to the scrolls. Naruto pursed his lips in doubt but began picking them up with Shikamaru and placing them inside the house before closing the back door. They landed outside what Naruto assumed was a clan compound. Half of it had been in the crater. When he looked in he saw the all too famous pale eyes on the people. Hyuga. Oh that's right, the girl, Hinata, he never did get round to thanking her properly.
"The most gentle and kind person I have ever met lives here" Shikamaru said "she shouldn't be a ninja, but she always tries I actually didn't have much faith she would last but the girl has some strength and willpower behind her"
"I don't get it" he shrugged
"Well, I figure if anyone can get you to see some good in the people here, it'd be her. You remember the girl from the fight with Pain?"
"Hinata? Yeah"
"Hey, Neji!" Shikamaru called and a man turned. Jesus, what's with these Hyuga? Naruto thought all so damn pretty "is Hinata around?"
"She is at the Uchiha shelters with Hinabi" Neji informed them
"Thanks"
They turned and headed to the Uchiha compound. When they made it Shikamaru walked over to Hinata, Naruto holding his hand trying to remain grounded around all the people.
"Oh... Hello, Shikamaru, N-Naruto" she smiled
"I know you're busy, but can you do something for me?" Shikamaru asked her and she nodded, listening patiently as he explained the situation with minimal detail.
"Of course" she looked to Naruto and smiled with only kindness that he couldn't sense anything else from her. She gave him the same impression of Matsuri and it immediately had him feeling concerned for her. Matsuri was sweet and had not one malicious bone in her body. If they were the same... well Shikamaru may be on the right track and not even know why.
"I'm not good in crowds at the moment" he warned her and she looked around and then nodded
"Alright, I have an idea" she smiled "Can I take your hand?" She asked
He looked to Shikamaru who only squeezed his hand before letting go
"You'll be fine, I better get to the gate" he put Naruto's cheek in his hand for a moment before leaving. Naruto took a deep breath and took the Hyuga's hand. She went to tell her sister she was leaving and then took him from the compound and up to the Hokage tower. They stood on the roof and he wondered what her plan was.
"I ha-have a confession" she stammered and he blinked at her dumbly
"Okay"
"I, I know who you are... I used to... see you when we were kids" she smiled and he realised that she was trying to say she understood his unease here.
"So you understand why I don't want to he here?" He asked her and she nodded
"It's not surprising. And I don't blame you, how could they expect you to be willing to help"
If she agreed they may not get very far with his issue to help. Before he could voice his concern she smiled widely and moved to the edge of the roof. He followed and looked down to the floor as she had. There was Asuma, a woman and a baby. And there were others, mothers and children, some babies and he frowned.
"But they didn't do anything... and the younger ninja" she looked at him "They are the future... and they have the opportunity to do better than our predecessors, than my Father" she didn't stutter once "I plan to change my clan for the better, try to redeem us from my Father's and his elders actions. I'm not undermining your suffering but... surely the majority of the villagers didn't hurt you... even if they didn't help either"
"I get people were afraid" he said "but that didn't stop Shikamaru, a child stepping up helping me, or his father" she looked like he slapped her and she looked at her hands clasped in front of her. Guilt was clear and he sighed understanding she was likely one of those who didn't "So what? Do it for the kids?" He asked doubtfully and she looked at him with a soft smile
"Yes, and to make way for better. You saved Asuma, and now he can watch his daughter grow" she gestured to him and the woman "Why bother if you would let him possibly lose them later?"
He frowned. Shikamaru was terrified, he had to do something. He had no intention of watching him lose someone so important, seeing the fear, hearing the scream was all Naruto needed to know losing Asuma would cause pain that would never truly heal. But she had a point. All these kids were innocent, none of them had caused him harm, and many of their parents likely hadn't either.
"He was important to Shikamaru, I didn't really think about who he was or who he had" he admitted. But he'd be a liar if he said he didn't care. Obviously the children were all innocent, and none of them deserved to die for a crazy man's delusions. And certainly not because he was the target.
Stop trying to think of excuses. It's not a crime for you to save them, or forgive the village Kurama grumbled and he snorted causing Hinata to look at him startled. He wasn't wrong, he supposed that was what he was doing.
"They are better people" Hinata said "for the most part. Tsunade really made a difference and held them accountable for their ignorance"
Naruto looked at her, held who accountable?
"What do you mean?"
"I don't remember... very well but a cousin after you ran away and Tsunade had taken over he had been arrested and questioned. He was sent to prison and I remember the adults whispering it was because of you, because he had attacked you"
He felt a new wave of affection hit him for the old lady.
Well, shit! He thought ignoring Kurama's laughing.
"Why did you come to help? That day?" He asked and she looked worried as she ran her her bottom lip between her teeth
"I-I saw... you being kicked out of a shop once and... they had kicked you so hard your body fell back and your head hit the wall and you got some nasty cuts" she looked upset as she ran her fingers over the side of her head down her temple to her cheekbone. "Y-you just wanted food. My nanny... she pulled me away and..." she frowned looking annoyed
"Told you to stay away" he shrugged it wasn't anything new she nodded
"I always ha-hated myself for not doing m-more. Dropping off food a-and b-bandages wasn't anything" she shrugged and he frowned. He vaguely remembered a basket outside his door when he went home once. That was her? He had assumed it was Kakashi or Itachi.
"Let that guilt go" he told her his voice gruff with the appreciation ge felt to her. They must have been only Four. "That was more than most had ever done for me. Thank you"
He sat on the edge and watched the mother's and their children. For the future Leaf... a quiet snort left him and he nodded, alright. He could work with that.
-
Kakashi had returned the day after Naruto had finished the seals, they didn't look hurt, but the look of dread on their faces was not a comfort. Neither was the fact Gaara and Kankoro were with them. They stood in Kakashi's office and before they could get to business Sakura burst in
"Lady Tsunade is awake!" She yelled
"Oh that's great news!" Kakashi said enthusiastically and Naruto couldn't stop laugh, he had to cover his mouth to muffle the sounds. Gaara looked at him sternly and shook his head, out of pure habit Naruto stood up straight and the laugh vanished immediately. Gaara wasn't one for humour anyway but he'd never look at him like that if it wasn't serious. This was complicated. If Gaara needed him he'd want to go but Kakashi needed him too.
"Is she talking?" Kakashi asked Sakura
"Yes, she wants to see you immediately"
"Lord Kazekage, I apologise for the delay but would you be happy for this discussion in the Lady Hokage's recovery room?"
"Not at all. Kankoro, you can go relax"
"I do-"
"Hattori is here. I'll be just fine"
Naruto nodded and put his hand on his shoulder
"I've got eyes in him"
"But you're here a-"
"I'm here helping a friend. Don't worry so much, Gaara doesn't need protection anyway" Naruto smirked lightly digging his shoulder with the side of his fist. He rolled his eyes and relaxed.
Tsunade was looking much better, her youth had returned and but she did look a little haggard. Kakashi had told her the events of the attack on the village then he and Gaara had told them about the Summit. It hadn't been going well until the masked man came and crashed it. He explained his plan that didn't sound good, and Kurama was agitated by the words
We have to bond properly Kurama said release the seal
Itachi looked furious and Naruto could sense his anger coming from his corner of the tent.
"He claimed to be Madara Uchiha" Kakashi said and the entire room tensed while Kurama growled furiously
"Madara Uchiha is dead" She hissed
"There is more" Gaara said and looked from Naruto to Sakura, Shizune and Itachi "If we could speak in private?" He asked Tsunade
"Itachi knows" Naruto said stepping next to Gaara and put his elbow on his shoulder leaning into him sightly, causing Sakura and Shizune to actually gasp
"Naruto!" Sakura hissed but Gaara only looked up to him
"And the women?"
"Not yet, but I think... might be time to come from the shadows" he shrugged
"You're sure? It's the only protection you have"
He'd decided to protect them, he couldn't do it half cocked, it was time to bond with Kurama properly. He looked to Kakashi and Itachi, Shikamaru's face coming to his mind.
"Yeah" his smile was sardonic
"Very well" he nodded and looked back to Kakashi who nodded "he demanded we hand over the remaining Jinchurichi. When we refused, he declared war"
Tsunade's fist came down cracking the floor beneath her as her face turned to stone.
"The Fourth Great Shinobi war is coming" Kakashi said
"We need to-"
"The other Kage are on board. We have created the Allied Shinobi forces and Lord Raikage is the commander. We need to make arrangements to meet up and plan" Gaara said
"We can't just leave our villages unpr-"
"We have no choice" Kakashi said
"I've set seals in the village, the Sand has some too so they're not completely vulnerable" Naruto said "if he's declaring war and is truly aiming for the Infinite Tsukuyomi this is bigger than the villages. And I'm going to have to master Kurama's Chakra"
"And if he was to get Naruto and Bee? What would happen?" She asked
"The world would be put into a eternal sleep, a dream world under his command" Itachi explained
-
The plans had been made, and Naruto was to go and meet Bee as himself to help him 'get control' over Kurama. The only part that was appealing was the fact, apparently there is a safe and untraceable location they have for him to learn. Kurama suggested they take it. Gaara had asked he did this for him and stayed out of the war
"Like hell I'm going to sit back and let you all risk your lives to 'protect' me. I'm going to be there, having your back. Backing up everyone I care about"
Gaara looked frustrated and Naruto couldn't blame him. He knew he meant well and he knew he was important to Gaara.
"I... have someone" he admitted causing Gaara to make eye contact "obviously there is you, Kakashi, Itachi... but I'd go mad not being able to be there, to make sure he is okay. And if something happened to him, you won and I was hidden away 'safe'?"
Bile rose up his throat at the thought and he had to swallow it back. The thought of losing any of them like that was painful
"And if you died? What do you think will happen to us?" Gaara asked
"I think you'd want the opportunity to help me" he deadpanned and Gaara glared at him his sand moving around him in agitation. Naruto grinned at him cheekily and knew Gaara had no argument which meant he wanted to throttle him.
"Love you too Gaara" he crooned at him putting his chin on his shoulder.
"Get off me" he snapped and turned to storm away stopping a small distance away "if you let him kill you I'll never forgive you" he threatened and Naruto nodded smiling at his back as he followed him three steps back.
-
He sat in Shikamaru's back garden Shikamaru was sat against his tree, Naruto between his legs with his back on his chest. They had sat in silence, Shikamaru sensed something was coming and he didn't seem eager to start it. Naruto just didn't want to say goodbye.
"You're leaving again" Shikamaru stated holding Naruto a little tighter. Naruto pressed his mouth into a thin line and nodded
"I need to master Kurama's Chakra. Release his seal so I can help fight Madara"
Shikamaru tensed
"How will you manage that?" He asked and Naruto turned to face him completely and put his hands on his chest
"Don't freak out, okay, it'll be okay" he assured him "but... Jiyraiya sent the key to the seal to the toads to return to me" Shikamaru didn't react, he stilled and looked at Naruto but his eyes weren't focused "I've already loosened it to get rid of the cage. But that's all. To do this properly, I'll need to release it completely"
"You're sure it's safe?" Shikamaru asked
"Yes" he answered immediately "Hey, look at me?"
Shikamaru blinked focusing on Naruto who sat up on his knees to be at eye level
"I'll be back, I'll be with you on the front lines and Kurama will help kick this guys ass"
"Why would he?" Shikamaru asked
"He has a grudge to settle" Naruto shrugged "and when we win, I want to be with you, I want to know how it feels to not hold back, to plan a future" he said his eyes stinging slightly at the images that haunted him when he confessed all to him flitted through his mind again. That bitter reality of what he had missed. Madara had taken enough "if you still want that, that's what I'm going to hold onto"
Before he could speak again Shikamaru clamped his hand on the back of his neck and with bruising pressure kissed him. Naruto felt his body relax as he felt Shikamaru's warm lips command his own. It was desperate and full of a need Naruto was only just starting to understand. Pulling back Naruto looked up to him with wide eyes
"I told you, I love you. Of course I want to be with you"
Naruto felt as if his heart was trying to burst from his chest and into Shikamaru's lap. He smiled up to the Nara and took his face between his hands
"I love you too, you know"
Shikamaru let out a shakey breath and nodded looking almost relieved before pain took over
"When are you leaving?" He whispered
"Soon. Today. I'm going to be selfish though" he admitted and pulled out a marked blade putting it into Shikamaru's palm.
"Summon me if you need me"
"Na-"
"Please? I can't... I need to know you'll- I can't fight if I a-" he couldn't even think about it. It shook him up, he didn't recall ever having such panic "please?" He pleaded bringing his free hand back to Shikamaru's face.
"Okay" he nodded "I promise" and Naruto relaxed a little.
"I've marked the blade. This is just a way for me to find you, keep it with you?"
He nodded and put in his Kunai pouch
"How do I find you?" He asked and Naruto smirked pulling out his necklace
"Thought you had your own tracker?" He teased and Shikamaru rolled his eyes. "I'm heading to the cloud. I'm not sure where I'll be going after that... but I'll be there when the fight happens" he promised
They sat together for a while talking about anything that wasn't important. Anything that didn't remind them they were being separated again. Naruto wondered if being honest and fourthcoming with his feelings was best. But he couldn't turn it off now, not his feelings for Shikamaru, not for the desire to be where Kakashi was, or to be around Itachi and Gaara. He'd opened up his heart now, all he could do was fight for them. And Bee was going to help.