A/N; Sorry guys, I uploaded this last week but RL got in the way so I never published it. Though over the last few days I had a chance to work on a few bits, flush out a few auxiliary characters etc. Thankfully the chunin exams final is upon us, and I can put an end to this major plotpoint. The Tsunade arc is next after all.
FYI; Tayuya will not be paired with Naruto who has assumed an older brother role to which she finds comforting, much to her own dismay.
Chapter Eight; Fire, Ice and Sand of Sound
Land of Fire; Golden Leaf Hotel; Penthouse Suite
Naruto opens his eyes, yawns lightly before going for a stretch but pausing upon feeling incredibly warm. Glancing down he spots Tayuya gripping his clothes for dear life causing him to remember how, ever since he had recovered her, she was constantly plagued with nightmares. He often held Karin this way when they were kids, doing so for Tayuya caused a small smile that matched the one his new little sister seemed to have when she slept alongside him. On the other side was none other than Koyuki, like Tayuya hasn't slept without Naruto's warmth accompanying them into their dreamscapes. With practiced ease, a shadow clone shimmers in silently beyond the beds edge and the two switch places and he proceeds with this morning routine.
"I'm so fucking bored lock up in this fucking fancy ass prison." Tayuya whined from the coach, the coffee table littered with musical numbers and notes from her time within Orochimaru's forces. A rough gloved hand slams atop her crown, scuffing up her hair "…the fuck…"
"Language kiddo." Red states causing the girl to settle down slightly, cheeks lightly pinked "Idiot." She mumbles as the offending hand removes itself from her bird's nest of a hairdo "ARGHH! Now I'll need to brush out my hair again!" snickering catches the girl's attention, drawing her eyes to Kartel on the table running through his calligraphy sets as ordered by his commanding officer "Oi, shithead! What you laughing at?!"
"Oh nothing really." Kartel still chuckling "…just a big tough, sailor swearing, elite bodyguard…" each adjective was paired with quotations further pissing off the former sound ninja "…getting scolded for her foul mouth, use of expletive and un-lady like conduct…" finally settling down his brush, he continues while turning back with a grin "…is rather amusing."
"Oh? Amusing huh?" their attention is drawn to the speaker Gyr Ren, who was watching Kartel's calligraphy practice from across the room "Just like how you keep messing up the same tail on that fire symbol." This causes the full blood Uzumaki to glance back at his work, standing up and comparing his work to that of his fathers. A blush upon his face now causes the flute user to smirk viciously with a snicker at the misfortune of her new clansmen "Hee… indeed, very amusing."
Red enters the living space of the Penthouse to see Tayuya sprawled lazily upon the sofa, Koyuki on the adjacent one looking through the morning paper "Little sister." He calls out drawing the girl's attention, her cheeks a blazing crimson "I ain't no…" her snap response was cut off as she caught the thrown scroll at her "Get dressed. You will escort Lady Kazahana around with me today." a lengthy silence as the kunoichi just stared at the scroll, the daimyo glancing at the young redhead over the top of the news articles "…umm… are… are you sure…?" an un-Tayuya like whisper from said girl. Red didn't even hesitate for a moment in nodding "You are one of us. I trust you. You may not trust us fully yet…" she flinched at being caught like that, but Red didn't waver "…but I can wait for that all. Now, go get dressed. In that scroll you will find an outfit similar to mine, mask and all as you have been placed under my command."
"How unusual." Artic comments from the upper floor "She's a support type. Thought I'd get her in Blue company."
"It's subjective to review at a later stage. For now, she's with me…" Red turning back to the still stunned Tayuya "…is that okay with you?" the girl nodded somewhat hesitant "Welcome aboard." Spoke their employer, all eyes turning to the small smile donning Kazahana "I look forward to getting to know my betrotheds little sister."
"Betrothed?" Tayuya questioned confused "Don't worry about that for now." Red cutting in "Go get ready. We're heading out in ten."
Ten minutes later Tayuya returns to the living room looking like a smaller version of Red, though the red patterns upon her mask flowed like water, a disguised musical note upon the cheek if looking close enough. Red and Artic look to her and nod "Looking good."
"She looks like…"
"I advise you not to finish that statement." Red cutting off his white-masked counterpart "Let's get moving then." Koyuki standing up "Where are we going to?" asks the now masked Tayuya "From now, your preliminary callsign will be Quaver."
"Seriously." Red could feel Quaver's glare and didn't even hide his amusement "Bara; or Rose." Koyuki cutting in drawing the three masked shinobi to her "Rose is already in use." Red informs them "Miyuki?"
"White Rose?"
"Far better than Aniki came up with." The now named Miyuki comments causally not noticing what she had said, and wouldn't until they had entered the main lobby of the hotel, Artic staying behind with Fenra.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Kohnoha streets
Red and Miyuki flank Koyuki as she strolls through the shopping district many of her fans could be seen admiring from a distance, knowing full well that those Red masked shinobi wouldn't hesitate to put them down. News of a second Red masked shinobi spread quickly, and it didn't take long for a certain silver haired Jonin of the Hidden leaf to appear as the trio exited a coat store "Yo!" with a two-finger salute but got no response as the team continued to go about their business "Red!" he calls out but again, no response "Can I help you…?" Koyuki interjecting herself whilst trying to recall his name "Kakashi Hatake. I was…"
"You helped me escape my homeland, yes?" he nodded "Thank you for that." She bowed slightly "No need. It was a mission and…"
"I see. Well, I need to get moving."
"Umm… can I ask a question, seeing as I have your attention?" Kakashi questioned looking at the Daimyo of Spring country though the two Masked shinobi knew full well he was observing them closely "Sure." The woman responds somewhat on edge, the man looking to the shorter guard "You have a new guard. When did…?"
"None of your concern, Leaf shinobi." Red cutting in drawing a glare from the silver haired man "Oh but it is…"
"I have already informed your leader of the situation and thus, do not question it further unless you want my Katana to relieve your neck of your head."
"Threatening me so openly…"
"Enough." A new voice as Asuma Saratobe drops in, bows at Koyuki who nods in appreciation before he turned to his college "Stand down, Kakashi. My old man is aware of the arrival of additional forces from Red's, and Lady Kazahana's security forces."
"Why though? Do they not…"
"This goes above the Hokage." Asuma cutting him off causing the cycloptic Jonin to widen his lone eye "I see. Very well." turning to the Daimyo "Very sorry for my attitude." offering a curt bow but notices the taller of the two red masks hands over a wad of Ryo bills to the shorter one, who promptly counts it before it disappears beneath the vail of the cloak.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Training Ground One
Red leads Koyuki and Miyuki into the training field, the latter feeling a barrier pass over her that briefly disorientates her causing a slight stumble. She was caught firmly by Red who she knew was smiling at her despite their masks "Easy there. You'll have to get used to those security barriers but for now just focus on steading yourself." She nods as regains her footing and stands tall "Good." Red says before looking to the two Uzu Genin battling against the two Yuki-Genin who have passed into the finals. A soft smile graces Red's face, not that anyone could see though he suspects that Tayuya at his side could tell "Not bad guys." Calling out as Kartel leaps back to create distance with his katana dripping with water from an attack he deflected. The spar ends with handshakes and good works. Red then tutors the non-uzu genin in wind and water techniques with a side of elemental control. Miyuki was surprised when she too was roped in to help with chakra control and Genjutsu identifications, but she was even more surprised at the satisfaction she felt at the end of the day.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Outskirts
Red leads Miyuki out beyond the wall, rendezvousing with two teams of Leaf Anbu landing before them in a crouch "Captain Red, right?" the one in the Dog mask stepping out of the shadows "Yes. Is this everyone?"
"Affirmative." The one in the dog mask confirms to which Red nods before glancing out toward the darkness, signing to his soldiers that the leaf shinobi had yet to notice. Immediately twenty-four additional masked shinobi dropping down causing the group of leaf shinobi to tense up, reaching for their blades but relax upon Red raising his hand "Raven, Crow…" glancing at the numerous masks "Mole, and Badger. I thought…"
"There was no way I was sitting this out." standing before her new leader "I too want my pound of flesh." A brief pause before Red nods before Crow looks to the second Red mask "I thought that Crimson company were…"
"My little sister here has much to learn, Crow." Red remarks seemingly offhandedly causing Crow to nod before stepping in line with the others under Raven, their midnight blue masks painted with grey and silver markings of various birds. Mole and Badgers, only having six members each here, are members of the intelligence department or more accurately, former Root operatives who have been freed of their programming and now loyally, and willingly serve alongside the Uzu forces. Red suspects the reason for their deployment here was to loot everything and anything of value, be it personnel, files, experiments, hell if they could pilfer Danzo himself, they would. Their pure matt black masks, dark grey markings of various underground animals fit them nicely and one of the first things they chose for themselves.
Red clears his throat to address his men "Listen up, today is a joint venture with the leaf Anbu. We are hunting one of those responsible for the destruction of our home, the corruption of the souls we stand beside as allies and colleagues." Red draws his blade "Tonight, we end things at the root of everything." Raising it upward "But remember…" in the reports that would be filed, many would claim to see a demon in place of the man named Red as he made his proclamation "…that mummy is mine!"
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Hidden Root Base
Explosions rip through the crisp night air that leaked into the subterranean facility, Uzu and Anbu forces slice through the defending Root Drones with little effort. The gleam of katana's clashing against tanto's that were ran through, blood ran through the corridor and painted the walls. Red deflects another thrown Kunai before a one handed tora sign before a thin jet of water slices through three hostiles as Raven drops down behind him with a sword punching through the back of another. Handsigns flashed through and a hyper-condensed fire blast punches through another before exploding on a second. Bird chirping echoes through the barracks as Dog runs through four different blank masks, skidding to a stop before noticing the descending blade that pauses just before impact, a genjutsu freezing the room as the leaf anbu cut down the lot of them with all due swiftness. Red lands beside Dog and nods at him before looking to Miyuki who looks up and the two both body flicker up to face the ringleader.
"So, you've come." Danzo Shimora, stepping out from the shadows of his office before the two red masked shinobi "To think you were able to evade our notice. Impressive." The man continued to gloat and proclaim his plans are fool proof, their defeat is nigh and all that jazz not that Red nor Miyuki cared all that much. Blood dripped from the scarlet katana as Red raises it up into his combat stance, the blade held horizontally aligned with his eye sight with both hands upon its handle "You think you can defeat me?" the old warhawk growled flaring his chakra which allowed Red to read it thoroughly and detecting three separate signatures; Senju, Uchiha, and his own which forces his focus on his left arm. Red's eyes narrow at that as he glances at his side, Miyuki was fingering her flute as he nodded at her. Both masked shinobi jump away from a compressed wind blast, Red darting forward across the wall while the elderly shinobi continues to fire wind blasts at him. He smirks as the sounds of a flute echoed off the room and the performance of death began in that moment. Danzo continued his attack completely unaware that his senses had been overruled, believing that his stolen sharigan eyes would protect him. A vacuum of air slams into the sharp edge of the gleaming rogue blade of Red, slicing the attack clean in two as Raven appears from the shadows and slices clean through the man's left arm and within the next moment, before his brain had even registered the pain of the loss, Danzo Shimora's head was removed from his body and Red slides to a stop opposite with the blood upon it flung against the black stone floor "It's over."
With Danzo's death, the remaining ten percent of the two hundred strong forces had surrendered and the combat had ceased. The third hokage arrived in short order, inspecting the damage to the facility of his rogue former friend turned bitter rival. Red, escorted by Miyuki, arrived in the furthest depths of the base to find four seven-year-olds, bright red hair and unmistakeable violet eyes among the crowd of children currently undergoing training. A very deep growl escaped his lips as he gathered them up and the Uzu forces escorted them out "This is unacceptable, Lord third." Red growls through gritted teeth "We had no idea…"
"Exactly. This is exactly why we do not trust you nor your forces." Red passing the old man by "We will be occupying the Senju estate for the time being."
"…but…"
"It wasn't a request." The uzu shinobi snarls as his team returns to the surface leaving the leaf forces to clean up the mess, they ignored all this time.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Senju Compound
The long disused Senju compound was abuzz with life as the Uzu group, now past thirty strong, occupied it and began restorations to the structures and grounds. By afternoon, it was as grand as the day it was built with updated sealing matrixes and top of the line identification barriers. The whole Uzu force moved in with little trouble, their Yukigakure counterparts following their lead and many within the hidden leaf were outraged at the perceived disrespect to the greatest clan their village has ever housed with complaints piled upon the Hokage's desk by noon causing the old man to grumble continuously.
During a particularly nasty shouting match between Kartel and a random chunnin at the gates of the Senju estate, said boy let slip that the hidden leaf had stolen their clansmen and that they had to clean up Root for them. Upon realising what he said, he panicked and asked him not to tell anyone but by mid-afternoon a council meeting was called on said subject as the whole damn village was talking about it. Kartel was used as Tayuya's genjutsu practice target for six whole hours, she enjoyed it immensely.
Behind closed doors, the four rescued Uzumaki children were introduced to their clansmen with Naruto removing his mask along with Tayuya. The six spent hours just playing and talking to one another, the two older just coxing the younger four out of the shell they were being forced into. During this time Tayuya had mustered up the courage to ask "Why did you tell them I was your little sister?" this caused all eyes to turn to her before looking to Naruto who sighed "Well, I figured that you're about Kartel's age, perhaps a year or two older…" he begins as the other four all sit around him "…so I figured, seeing how clinging you've been…" Tayuya growls at that, cheeks matching her hair "I am not f…"
"I figured little sister would be most appropriate." Looking at her with a smile that caused her to stand down with a huff "Right. Fine. I'll be your sister for now…"
"Family…?" the kids pointing at the two olders to which Naruto offers a smile and nod "Family." As he points back at them. The four nod at that clearly trying to mimic his smile but failing miserably "Well, better than nothing I guess."
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Kohnoha Streets
Red and Miyuki escort Fenra and Koyuki as they shop along the main street. As always, Red took notice of a number of Jonin and Anbu keeping his group in sight, which was annoying but as a professional, he ignored it flawlessly but the same couldn't be said for Miyuki "They still don't trust us, huh?"
"Nope." Red responds "Don't blame them though, with a small group we were manageable. With the new forces we added in last weeks raid, we are a substantial force within the heart of their stronghold. Even we aren't that forgiving, ya'know."
"I get that but…" both Miyuki and Red froze as the smell of the heavenly broth crossed them, eyes snapping down the road to the shrine to the food of the gods. They both shuddered as a heavy sigh from Fenra dented their psyche but did not break their trance "…we should probably get them to that ramen shop."
"I can't believe this particular rumour was true." Koyuki snickers causing Fenra to sigh "True? I think they were watered down if anything."
After a gorging out of over fifty bowls of Ramen goodness, which was made funnier when the others thought they would finally see beneath the masks only for the food to seemingly pass through the solid face covering. Though it seems that the chef's daughter, Ayme, saw something she wasn't supposed to and was sworn to secrecy, though was promised a date in a desperate attempt on her part. Fenra's sharigan flared up at the civilian's audacity to request, though thanks to Koyuki's quick hand movement the rest was cut off.
Upon leaving the establishment Red caught a kunai aimed right at Fenra's head, following its flight to the 'last Uchiha' standing on a roof across the road, glaring at the group with his bloodline active. Once their eyes lock, he smirks before leaping off to which Fenra sighs as if doing a public service "Guess I need to whip his ass again."
"Indeed." Spoke Crow, as he and Raven appear from the same shadow between the buildings behind him "You two should be…"
"Don't be like that, Red." Raven stepping into his personal space, hands clasped behind her back "At least…" grabbing his arm with hers, the privacy seal between their armour activating briefly but long enough for her next words to go unheard by all but him "…not out here." Red nods "Fine but no contact is still in effect." His head swivels between the two dark masked shinobi "…am I clear?" they both nod "Good. I'll leave Fenra in your capable hands." Stepping aside as Fenra jumps to the roof, the two new arrivals keeping pace effortlessly.
In the training ground, reserved for genin team Seven of the hidden leaf, Sasuke Uchiha lands in the centre before turning back to see Fenra already standing before him "What do want, runt?" she asks clearly unimpressed "I am the Uchiha clan head. You will respect me."
"Respect is earned, not given runt. If that is all…?"
"You will tell me what I want to know…" Sasuke ordered causing the girl to raise an eyebrow, hands resting on hip "Oh? Will I now?"
"As Uchiha patriarch, I order you…" a snort from her breaks his sentence causing him to glare at her "You may be the 'Uchiha Patriach' but it is clear you know nothing, Runt." Fenra quipped with a raised hand to silence his growling retort "For example, last time I checked the heir apparent is the eldest in a family thus you are not even an heir at this point."
"That's not…"
"Secondly, I am not your clansmen." Fenra continues by showing the Uzumaki swirl on her left shoulder, though Sasuke noticed it was in Uchiha colours this time "I am Uzumaki Fenra. I may have a sharigan but my dream is to become wife to the man who has my heart and become a truly respected kunochi within our clan."
"Then become my clans matriarch and…" another snort but Sasuke swore he heard a second one and a growing sense of disappointment from the treeline "I told you no already." Fenra sighs folding her arms across her chest "Did I not?" his sharigan bleeds to life "Then, I'll just have to show you my power and prove your place is beneath me." Sasuke growled out and Fenra looks out to the two hidden guards with a look of 'Are you for real?' to which they both gave apologetic looks despite the masks which Fenra thought was impressive.
Fenra looks back to where Sasuke was only to see his fist aimed at her jaw to which she snaps her hand up, catching his wrist "That was close…" she whispered as her opponent looked at her with wide eyes as she had caught his attack, without even using her sharigan 'Such speed' his thoughts were cut off as she twirls around, throwing him clear across the field. Landing feet first, Saskue finishes his hand sighs "Fire style; Phenoix flower jutsu!" and a dozen miniature fireballs streek across the grounds to the Uzu shinobi who sighs again "Troublesome." A kid on a hill overlooking the village, with black pineapple styled hair sneezes before returning to cloud watching.
Sasuke was left bewildered as Fenra literally slaps away the fireballs he had thrown at her with her bare hands "Is that all, Runt?" said girl questioned as she began a very slow but deliberate walk toward him "How did you…?"
"So, that is all you had, huh?" she replied cutting him off as she began to crack her knuckles with a growing grin forming upon her face. Suddenly a massive fireball was launched by the last Uchiha but once again she redirected it upward with both hands to which, now that she was closer Sasuke noticed the fire nature chakra fading from her hands "STAY BACK!" he roared as his arm is engulfed by lightning causing the girl to stop, impassive look upon her face. He charges, the earth ripping up behind the arm as he reaches her however the attack fizzles out and she grabs him by his neck and slams him into the ground "Listen here, Runt." She whisper-growled "That move is an A-rank assassination move. Not something that you should even consider pointing at an ally, not even in training." Her grip on his throat tightens "I do not know how you got a hold of it but no this, threaten me or my family again and regardless of my standing order to protect you, I will end your pathetic existence." Grip just beneath neck snapping levels as she leans in closer, her eyes finally bleeding to red, three tomoe spinning menacingly "Am I clear?" an almost inaudible whisper which causes the boy to nod softly, barely conscious at this point "Good." She smiles as her eyes fade back to onyx, standing up and dusting herself down "Now then, good spar. You need to work on…" she pauses for a moment in thought before glancing back at the pre-teen "…well, everything. You suck for your age." As she walks off leaving the Uchiha red faced in anger and embarrassment in equal measure.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Senju Compound
Red is awoken by a coded knock on his room door to which he groans at, his raven-haired sleeping partner joining him as she too awakens upon hearing the full code mention her. "Damn it, Badger." Naruto mutters beneath his breath "They were just doing their duty." Mikoto sighs, rubbing her eyes as she sits up "…but why not just let Crow handle it. Why is that lazy bag of bones pointing them to me for?" Naruto continued to growl before knocking back his coded response "Probably busy with something else." Mikoto responded knowing how serious her son is, thus only thing that could possibly be the reason. Glancing around she notices her bra is missing "Hey, have you see …" said object is thrown her way from the bathroom to which Naruto exits still wiping down his face with a towel "Thank you."
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Hokage office
Red enters the hokage's office flanked by Raven and Miyuki "Why are my men being detained?" Growled Red making his presence known as the toad sage, the Hokage, and several Anbu operatives stand around a group of three bound Badger Operatives "Ah, Red…" the hokage began only to be silenced by a raised hand "Badger, have they harmed you?" to which the three nodded "As reported, code twenty-one." The Killing intent from Red was suffocating to all the leaf personnel as Red turns to the Hokage who, would never admit but was impressed by this level of ki that made even him flinch "You bound my men, hunted down the others, for what? Information?"
"They were sneaking around…?" Jairya began whilst panting before the intent was focused on him directly, "Patrolling around the Senju compound, ordered by myself and verified by your hokage." Red let up against the man as he turned to the Hokage "Unless, you tried to use this as a way to undermine us, old man?"
"I believe this is all just a matter of misunderstanding…"
"I see." Red states before stepping towards his three shinobi, pushing the Leaf ones aside "In that case, I will be taking them back." Both Raven and Miyuki noticed the silent conversation between the Hokage and the toad sage as Red recovered his men "Hey, kid…" Jairya began only to be blasted by an Unholy amount of killing Intent "Move, Toad-sannin." Red all but hissed as he leads his people out of the tower.
Back in the office Saratobe dropped in his seat as more Anbu arrive to help their comrades who had passed out from the level of intent released by Red "He really is something." The toadsage says getting his breathing under control "That he is." Hiruzen responds puffing away on his pipe "Perhaps kidnapping his subordinates wasn't the best way to introduce myself."
"Is that what you were doing?" Hiruzen with a raised eyebrow "I am pretty sure they didn't get word out so I'm not sure how they found out and that reaction time, not even five minutes, is unheard of." The toad sage grumbles. "If you want to try and meet him, why not just go there and ask for a meeting?" the younger of two looks pensive before looking up at his old sensei.
Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf; Senju Compound
"What do you want, Toad-saninn?" Miyuki questioned at the gate of the Senju compound, her tone flat and giving away nothing "You aren't red. You're a bit too short." Jayria mumbles but she heard him anyway "Red is busy right now. If that's all then…"
"Can I see him?"
"No." Miyuki's instant response caught the toad-sage flatfooted for a moment "If that's all…"
"No wait!" Jayria calls out blocking the gate's closure with his arm and foot "Please. I need to speak to…" he froze upon realising just how many weapons were pointed at him, both within the compound and beyond. Many masked shinobi had appeared to assist the short red masked shinobi guard "Now, last warning. Leave." Miyuki orders and the toad sage removes his obstruction of the gate slowly as to not provoke any of the twenty Anbu level enemies aiming weapons at him.
Inside one of the medical rooms lay a hidden leaf Jonin by the name Geko Hayate, standing over him was Yuzuki Yugao, a hidden leaf Anbu operative and fiancé to the previously mentioned Jonin. Red steps into the room the purpled haired Yuzuki took a knee with her head bowed "Lord Uzumaki."
"I am glad the Yuzuki are still around. Your sisters would be proud." Red states formally "Thank you my lord."
"So, have you discussed this with him?" Red asks now looking over the recovering man "No, not yet. It is…"
"You may raise Yuzuki. Your clan has earned the right to stand with us after all." Red states and the Kunoichi slowly raises to her feet "If you find it difficult to explain to him, then perhaps I will…"
"Lord Uzumaki…" Yuzuki interrupts "…this is my duty." She was caught off guard by the gentle hand resting upon her shoulder "We are family, Yugao. Not master and servant."
"…but you've done enough in saving his life, even healing his chronic lung disease… I couldn't possibly ask you to…"
"It'll be fine. Just make sure your decision is made up before he awakens. Then we'll explain it all at once." Red states stepping past her, and she bows to him as he left leaving her to glance back at the biggest decision of her young life.
Sometime later…
Hayate is led into a dining hall where he was met with the infamous shinobi Red, sitting on a sofa with his fiancée standing sentry at his back opposite a second red masked shinobi. "Umm… Yugi-chan? What…?"
"Geko Hayate." Red beckons gesturing to the seat before him "Sit, we need to talk."
"Umm…" the Jonin staring at the sitting red masked shinobi then back up to the impassive gaze of his girl "Sit!" Red ordered and the man promptly sat down, the shorter red masked quickly moving to join the other two but noticed Yugao flinch at Red's tone "Now then, before we get to business, we were able to save you from the attack of the sand Jonin because you were a target of or interest."
"Interest? To you Uzu shinobi?" Hayate questioned to which Red nodding in agreement "Well, seeing as you are engaged to one of our former vassals." Gesturing to the purple haired woman at his back "Thus, we have business to discuss."
"One of your…?" Hayate glances at his wife-to-be "She isn't a spy, nor has she told us anything confidential toward your village." Red notices the leaf shinobi visibly relax before continuing "In fact, we only met when we came for the first time at the start of the chunin exams. We had no idea that any of our Yuzuki clansmen remained here." Red shrugged which caused a raised eyebrow from Hayate "Yuzuki, was a clan?"
"Indeed. They served as the Uzumaki Royal guard since our records began, though with their numbers as they are, it has been agreed to free them from vassal status and offer them a seat at our new council."
"Then, is there…?"
"Before that recent decision you would be forced back to Uzu, alongside her with her taking up clan head status, her station, and you as her consort. Yet none of your children will have your family name, raised as guardsmen for the main house and, you would be thrown out once child six came along."
"You…!"
"That was before this new order. Now, the choice is Yuzuki's and yours." He gestures from Yugao then him "If you wish, Uzu will welcome you both, yet if you want, you can stay here, and nothing changes." Silence dawns upon the group before the leaf shinobi sighed hard "I see. I'll need some time to think."
"You will have it." Standing up, Red looks to his younger sister "Come. They have much to discuss."
"Yes, sir." Miyuki moving after Red leaving the couple to discuss their future.
Authors Note;
I was thinking about adding a point five chapter covering the fights of the preliminaries now that I have time to myself again. Perhaps even cover a subplot of a betrayal within the leaf that will lead to a clan heir to desert the village, and cause a conflict between Uzu and Konoha to which the Sound try to fan into an all out war. The next arc is what is typically known as the Tsunade recovery arc, with the return of a few old names, but I have already mapped out the one after which involves The Hidden Stone causing problems for Uzu and Spring with the Mist assisting Uzu in disrupting their plans.
