SORRY! Extremely sorry for the big delay no excuse is worth my absence. I just found no real inspiration and combine that with replaying Dragon age Origins and such makes it just worse.
But here it is and I decided to make it longer than usual. Most chapter have around 4k words this one has near 6k to make it up to ya guys/girls.
Now onto my favorite part…answering everyone who had time to write a review which I am eternally grateful for!
Aki-chan97: I'm sorry it took so long and I'm glad you like this story so much! It's readers like you who give me motivation to continue to write this story!
Iluvninjas: I wanted to reduce the amount of oc's in the story a bit so someone had to go and it still followed the storyline, so yea ^^. Thanks for the review!
Bankai777: Ban-kai! (gotta love bleach) I'll just give a wink. ;D (you'll find out soon enough!
Pyrophoricity: my hands were itching! I had to contain myself not to seriously hurt anyone haha! Thanks for the review and I'll try my best to deliver the same quality you expect of me :)
Trak The Cat: Yeah I have the same feeling with this chapter though I'm quite satisfied with it overall, (and I'm sorry I couldn't give you the same wishes :()
Ermda: I hope this will keep you satisfied until the next chapter releases!
Tedlay: I feel honored! I'm sorry I couldn't update sooner! Thanks for taking your time to review though!
Some Dude: sometimes Chapters just aint as good as the others, ;) I hope this chapter satisfies though!
Evil-pain: I'm sorry you feel this way. As I said. NaruHina is the pairing but won't me the main focus, more like an addon and I won't change the plot at all!.
Shika the Brain: You'll get more misery and verbal abuse soon Shikamaru!
Trigun: I stand by what I said earlier ;D they will all get what's coming, I know people want this straight to face verbal abuse and it's coming, just not now. I want Naruto to literally snap, and that requires some build up ^^
SuzyQ: I'm glad you like the pairing and that's one of the reasons why I added it in the poll because I felt the two could connect. And the most enjoyment I get out of this story is that no one even have a clue in the slightest where I'm going with this story ;p
The Wammy Girls: because you asked so nicely! Sorry for the delay and it won't happen again, seriously…three months?
Kairi-kun: I feel disgusted by myself for taking so long. As for Sasuke and Naruto having a fight between each other *whistles*
NarutoPANDAAA: That's the setting I'm trying to establish, and that continues in this chapter. Naruhina was a popular one alright but I'll never make a harem kind of story, I'm not that type :P
Ezra Scarlet: I'm glad you liked it! As if wrote to some of the other reviewers, Konoha will continue try to pull him back on their side, that's a big theme of the story :).
Guest: In a sense Naruto is dead just in a different kind of way. And I suspect you will be slightly disappointed by what I did with this chapter but it was a necessary stop to move the story forward.
Demon-lover-10: As promised!
Madslasher: omg omg omg here it is I'm sooorrryy! Me no want trouble! (ps: every reviewer is great because they give inspiration, motivation and constructive criticism)
And that's that! I'd also like to thank everyone who put this story to their favorites, alerts etc. you're amazing!
After this chapter there will be a timeskip to move the story forward a bit.
Disclaimer: If I owned the story I would've made Naruto a super badass! But unfortunately I don't own Naruto; I just borrow the Naruto universe for entertaining purposes ;)
I will become a Ghost Chapter 20
~ Chapter 20 - Ghost or Naruto? ~
Couple of days later.
Ghost walked through the street, news about his return had spread through the village like wildfire. That disturbed him. He guessed the only reason the HQ wasn't stormed was because of the ANBU stationed at the entrance.
He saw he had reached his destination and smiled. He pushed the flaps aside and leaned against the wooden post. He rapped his knuckles on the wood, gaining attention from the inhabitants.
"Is it too much to ask for a Miso ramen?" Ghost asked Teuchi behind the counter.
Teuchi turned around, he looked at him for a long time before he slowly walked around the counter. He smiled before he pulled him into a tight hug. "Why?" was all he asked.
Ghost returned the hug. "Sometimes you just have to turn into a new direction, Konoha just gave me the much needed push."
Ayame walked in and saw the two hugging. She too had heard of Ghost and Naruto being one and the same and couldn't believe it at first. "N-Naruto?"
Ghost saw her standing and smiled. He held out his arm and she quickly ran over to embrace him as well.
"Why did you leave?" she asked as she pulled away, wiping away a few tears of joy.
Ghost laughed. "Is that all you have on your mind? No how have you been or something?"
Ayame laughed and wiped away a few more tears. "We thought you were dead!"
Ghost sat down at the counter. "Sorry about that. Your Hokage became annoying so she had that coming."
"So…you said that because you wanted to make her suffer? That's low." Shikamaru said as he sat down.
"Well, so was abandoning a friend in need." Ghost replied coldly.
Teuchi and Ayame noticed Ghost's behavior and decided to stay out of their way and moved to the back.
"You troublesome idiot, can't you see that her hands were tied behind her back?" Shikamaru said as he looked at Ghost from his seat in the corner, his head leaned against the wall.
"She's the Hokage, if she can't handle a few council members than the whole title of Hokage is as useless as this village is."
Shikamaru shook his head. "You're one selfish bastard."
Ghost let out a humorless chuckle. He turned around and looked at Shikamaru with cold empty eyes. "This whole village is selfish, I'm just adapting to it."
Shikamaru stood up and walked over. "What made you like this?"
Ghost smirked and stood up as well. "Don't you know?" he casually held his hand up. "It was Tsunade, the Council, Sasuke,Sakura, hell it was everyone from the rookie group. Hell, Shikamaru it was even you. It was Konoha."
"Then why are you helping us?" The Nara almost shouted.
"My god, is that all you people can ask around here? I am only helping this pathetic village for one reason only. Following orders, but believe me when i say that if it were up to me, this village would've already burned to the ground." He shoved the Nara out of the way and walked out of Ichiraku ramen.
"You changed, and not for the better." The Nara said with a grim face.
Ghost ignored him and looked to his left and saw Itachi and Hawke walking across the street. He shun shined beside them.
Hawke who was silently walking beside Itachi looked to Ghost. "So you have a dilemma here."
Ghost raised an eyebrow. "I do?" Already thinking about multiple scenarios with Konoha ranging from his friends to Danzo or the Hokage with her ridiculous attempts to get him back to join the village
Hawke nodded. "Is it Naruto or is it Ghost?"
Ghost shook his head in amusement, he should've known. "I haven't really thought about that yet."
"Perhaps you should?" Hawke asked with a smile, annoying Ghost was so much fun.
"I'm actually thinking about something else."
"what's that?"
"Well since the attack i want to improve my abilities." he looked at Itachi with a strange look in his eyes.
"What?" Itachi asked him.
"Up for a spar?" Ghost asked smirking behind his facemask.
Itachi shrugged. "Why not? Let's meet at training ground seven."
"I'll meet you there in ten but don't start complaining when you get your ass kicked" Ghost antagonized him, earning no response.
Hawke looked at the with wide eyes before abruptly turning around and sprinting towards the HQ 'Holy shit! It's finally happening! Gotta tell the others!"
Ghost and Itachi could only look at his retreating back with surprise written on their face. "What was that about?" Ghost asked.
"No idea" Itachi responded, just as clueless.
xXx
The Hunters along with Pein, Konan,Kisame, and Jiraiya who had recuperated but was still walking limply were sitting in Tactical planning. For some reason the Reaver's hadn't attacked yet and that was worrisome. At first they figured it was because of their attempted attack on Konoha but that was several days ago and there still wasn't any movement.
It was then that Hawke sprinted inside, surprising most of them.
Mayu who figured that something was going on was already going through various scenarios.
"Ghost and Itachi are sparring at training ground seven!"
There was a moment of silence before everyone scrambled to their feet and ran for the door. All except Pein and Konan.
Jiraiya was easily left behind and cursed mentally.
X
Ghost parried Itachi's low blow and already expected Itachi's usual fast follow up.
Only it didn't happen and he was thrown slightly off balance, he jumped back and weaved through hand signs at the same time Itachi did.
"Katon: Gōkakyū no Jutsu!" they both shouted and two humongous fireballs roared towards each other and clashed for dominance in the center.
Ghost smirked, his chakra reserves were always large, and when he merged with the Kyuubi his chakra increased exponentially.
He put more chakra in his attack and watched with slight satisfaction that his began to overpower Itachi's.
He glanced to the right and his eyes widened when he saw two shuriken incoming. He jumped out the way dodging not only the shuriken but also Itachi's fireball.
Itachi used a Shunshin to appear next to Ghost and tried to punch him only to have it blocked. He took a few steps back and dodged a counter from Ghost.
Itachi in return gave a low sweep with his feet. And reached in his sleeve for a kunai.
Ghost jumped to dodge and noticed that Itachi's hand momentarily disappeared in his sleeve, knowing he was reaching for either a kunai or a shuriken.
He held up his vambrace and blocked the kunai with it, while, with his free hand he reached for his katana and made a vertical slash, directly aimed at Itachi's head.
Itachi twirled to Ghost's side and gave him a vicious punch in the kidney.
Ghost staggered and temporarily fell to his knees.' Hold breath…hold…release…calm down…' he thought to himself and the low blow that had shocked him wore off quickly. "Chakra push!" he thrust out his hand and a burst of chakra charged straight at the genius that was Itachi.
But instead of dodging he thrust his hand out as well. "Chakra push!"
'When did he learn that?!' not having suspected a counter along the lines of pure chakra he wasn't prepared and his attack was easily overpowered by the Uchiha's.
He quickly jumped and used flash step, ending in midair in Itachi's back and gave him a sickening kick to the back of his head.
Itachi slammed through a tree and fell to the ground.
"about time I landed a hit." Ghost sarcastically said.
Itachi disappeared in a puff of smoke, a wooden log replaced him.
"I have to admit, I didn't see that one coming." Itachi said as he appeared behind Ghost and stabbed a kunai in his lower back.
Ghost grunted and slammed his elbow in Itachi's face who stumbled back.
The Hunter quickly reached for the kunai and pulled it out. "let's kick it up a notch."
Itachi merely nodded and with a burst of speed he disappeared.
Ghost's eyes darted from the left to the right before matching Itachi's speed and met in the middle of the training area, one held a kunai while the other held a katana, both panting slightly.
They both disappeared, one using shun shin while the other used flash step.
xXx
Jiraiya and the Hunter who had met up with Sasuke and Kakashi were on their way to the training ground, distant explosions tended to attract attention.
What met them was a warzone, and in the middle were Itachi and Ghost in a stalemate. Itachi let out a grunt when he felt him slowly being pushed back.
The blonde knew he had the upper hand and applied more pressure. He saw that Itachi had trouble because his chakra was running low and that most likely exhaustion was creeping into his body.
Ghost smirked and let his chakra flow through his blade and snapped the Uchiha's kunai in two. He followed up by slamming his fist in Itachi's face.
The Uchiha figured he had only enough chakra left for about two jutsu and decided to start with a technique he had learned from Kisame, or rather copied it.
He held two fingers outstretched in front of his mouth while his other hand high above his head. "Kirigakure no Jutsu" he calmly said.
Ghost narrowed his eyes. "Fūton: Daitoppa!" a gust of wind roared into the direction of Itachi.
The chirping of hundreds of birds brought his attention to his left and widened his eyes. "When the hell did you copy that Jutsu?"
He received no answer.
"Well I always wanted to test out the Rasengan against the stronger Uchiha" he said with a smirk, knowing Sasuke was listening in.
His answer was Itachi charging through the mist, a Chidori in his hand.
Ghost in return held out his hand, formed a Rasengan and dashed forward straight into Itachi's attack.
They met somewhere in the middle and slammed both their jutsu against each other.
"Chidori!"
"Rasengan!" they roared simultaneously and a medium sized shockwave erupted from the attack.
At the center of the attack the two missing-nin both were once again at a stalemate, in one hand Itachi controlled his Chidori and in his other he had a kunai aimed for his collarbone.
Ghost on the other hand had grabbed Itachi's wrist and gave it a twist.
The Uchiha's only reaction was a single twitch from his eyebrow. He retaliated by kneeing Ghost in the stomach who gasped and used flash step to prevent a follow up.
Itachi rubbed his wrist after canceling his jutsu. "You win, Ghost. I'm out of chakra."
Ghost smiled. "Maybe you shouldn't have used those ridiculous combos of yours, have to admit though you nailed me good in the leg," He pointed to his slightly burned lower robe. "Though I wonder who would've won if you used your Mangekyo Sharingan."
"Could say the same about your 'bloodline' " Itachi noted.
Ghost walked over and extended his hand. "Good fight, have to do it more often."
Itachi smiled and grabbed him by the wrist, as did Ghost. "We definitely should."
Kisame appeared beside them. "You kiddies should really include me in this, we could've had so much fun."
Ghost's left eyebrow twitched. "adding you… would be overkill."
Kisame merely snorted.
Mayu joined the trio and gave them a nod. "Nice fight," she glanced over her shoulders to the others who were slowly walking over. "But the fun's over. Ghost I've got a high priority assignment for you…we'll continue this…in private" she said as she noticed the others join the small group.
Ghost nodded. "I'll see you guys later." And with that he flickered away, with Mayu following his example.
Kakashi joined the missing-nin and smiled. "amusing to watch, but I never would've thought that someone would be on your level of skill."
Itachi's piercing gaze met Kakashi's. "There are many shinobi more powerful than I. I don't know if Ghost is one of them but he's close. Then again…We didn't fight to our limit." He glanced at Sasuke and a smile tugged at the corner of his lips.
Sasuke sneered and stepped forward. "Let's find out who's the stronger one then, Nii-san"
Itachi softly chuckled. "Maybe some other time, Sasuke." And tapped Sasuke on the forehead.
Sasuke's eyes widened in rage and his hands balled into fists. "I'm going to have my vengeance!"
Kakashi snapped his head to the left. "Take it easy, we got no time for this."
Sasuke swirled around and marched away. "I don't care"
Itachi broke his gaze from Sasuke' s retreating back and looked at Kisame. " let's get some food."
The nightmare he was reliving every single day wasn't been made easy by his little brother but he couldn't blame him. He tried to suppress the miserable feeling that slowly was making his way into his gut.
Killing his family was the one mistake he would pay for the rest of his life. But did the end justify the means? He'd like to think it did, but it didn't make him feel any better.
He heard Kisame's footsteps. "So what do you think his assignment will be?" Kisame asked.
Itachi thought about it for a couple of seconds before coming to the most logical conclusion. "either infiltration with the task to gain information, or infiltration followed up by Assassination."
"The kid's strong, I'll give him that but no way that he can take out the big bad wolf."
"I agree but it all depends on the situation."
"From what I heard from the bald guy, than that Reaver-guy can go toe to toe with most of us at the same time."
Itachi nodded. "That's why I doubt they'll send him on an suicide mission,"
Kisame noticed the subtle differences in both his expression and voice. It was almost completely unnoticeably and it would be if Kisame hadn't known the young man this long. "What are you thinking about?"
Itachi smiled and shook his head. "it's nothing. Come, let's eat."
xXx
Ghost looked over the file. "I accept." He said without hesitation, he shut the folder and gave it back to Mayu who sat opposite of him.
"You didn't even take a good look." She said incredulously.
"A chance at getting to know their troop movement, their base of operations and perhaps a chance to take down the big 'Lord Kenpachi himself', who wouldn't accept this assignment?"
"Ghost," She hesitated for a moment when Micheru and Hawke entered the room. "You'll be away for a long time."
Ghost shrugged. "whatever will end the war and gets me out of this village."
Hawke snickered. "So what's this about?"
"Long term infiltration mission." Was all Ghost said.
Micheru's eyebrows raised. "How long?"
Mayu looked at Ghost who didn't respond to the question. "depends on how well he does. But it can range from ten to fifteen months."
"fifteen months," She uttered and looked back at her mother. "That's too long! You can't accept, Ghost!"
"Already did." He responded dryly.
"But…fifteen months! You can't do this!" she half shouted with a pleading look in her eyes almost making him waver.
"I'm sorry Micheru, but at the moment I'm the only one who has a chance of pulling this off," he glanced down at his left arm. "besides since Akatsuki lost their inside man we have lost our eyes and ears on the inside."
Micheru looked down at the ground in defeat. "but…"
Ghost smiled. "Don't worry so much. I'll be back before you know it. Just make sure there's something I can get back to."
The blonde petite girl gave a sad smile. " When are you leaving?"
Ghost thought about for a second. "Hmmm, I guess somewhere tomorrow, or the day after that. First I have to find out what kind of person our prisoner is. What he looks like."
"you want to get a drink later?" she asked hopefully.
"Sure, I'll pick you up later tonight, sounds good?" he asked, ignoring Hawke's sudden change in demeanor when he heard the word 'drink'.
Micheru noticed as well and softly laughed. "you can come as well."
Hawke almost pumped his fist in the air but restrained himself. "Awesome! See you round 9!" and with that he exited the room a slight skip in his step.
Mayu pointed at his back with a confused look on her face. "a bit too cheery?"
"Hawke is still hurting because of Robatsu's death, he automatically shuts himself off and behaves conspicuously happy." Ghost could understand why Hawke felt how he felt, but that didn't mean he'd allow Hawke to choke on his depressing thoughts.
Ghost stood up from his chair, grabbing the folder along the way. "I'm heading for interrogation, gonna see what our 'friend' looks like."
He said his goodbye and headed for the door.
xXx
Ghost stood in front of the Reaver who was looking at him with disgust. Around his ankle and wrists were chains and on his chest and forehead was a seal that prevented him from using chakra.
The man was wearing dark red robes which was slightly torn. Ghost could see that his left leg was a complete mess it looked like the wounds were inflicted by what he guessed was Kisame's weapon. The man had black spiky hair similar to his only a lot shorter. He had a calculated look and a small scar on his right cheek. His lips were set in a tight grim line.
Ghost decided to start. "So…this must be embarrassing for you."
The man looked at him with narrowed eyes.
The blonde continued. "I mean being the only Reaver to ever be kidnapped."
The Reaver in question roared and tried to stand up and break free only to be pushed back by Ghost.
Ghost looked at him, his head tilted. "What's your name?"
The man ignored him and continued to struggle.
"What…is your name?" Ghost tried again.
"Why do you want to know, you'll just kill me afterwards"
Ghost shook his head. "We don't kill prisoners of war. Depending on your cooperation you could be released after this war is over."
The man snorted. "And I just have to believe that?"
Ghost shrugged. "We're not you we don't senselessly kill people."
The man stayed silent for a moment. "Kane Strap…the name's Kane Strap."
Ghost's eyes twinkled. "now we're getting somewhere," Ha walked around Kane until he stood behind him. "And tell me Kane, what is your rank?"
Kane in return hesitated but answered after a couple of seconds. "I'm a Shifter."
Ghost raised one of his eyebrows in confusion. "What's a Shifter? We know you have regulars an holder as your main force."
"Go to hell we're done talking." The Reaver hissed.
Ghost smirked and grabbed the man by his shoulder, digging his claw in his skin. "I know what a shifter is, it's a holder who can change between his demonic chakra and his own. What I also know is that when someone merges with a Demon his personality changes, causing the person to often give in to their blood lust."
Ghost released him and took his original spot in front of the man again. "A holder merges his mind with that of the demon, making him completely unreliable. Only a completely loyal person to your Lord would be able to keep his mind on a straight line. That's why only a few people gets to be chosen. How am I doing so far?"
Kane gritted his teeth. "How do you know all this?"
Ghost ignored him. "Shifters however have the ability to use either the Demonic chakra or their own."
"How…"
Ghost smirked and reached for a kunai. "I guessed" And with that he flicked his wrist and killed the man.
Seconds later Anko rushed in "What the fuck did you do that for?! He could've been a valuable source of intel!"
Ghost shrugged. "Reavers and long term interrogation don't go hand in hand. He would've found a way to escape."
"You don't know that, you idiot!" she shouted before being pinned to the wall by Ghost.
He looked her up and down and licked his lips. "You know, you're kinda hot when you're angry."
With her free hand she tried to push him away.
"You know, if you're not interested just say so…" he said and released her.
"You're a bastard you know that?" she hissed.
Ghost smiled. "I know, with a capital B, mind you."
"Fuck you," she spat. "I can't believe you were once the blonde brat from the Chunin exams."
Ghost chuckled. "That means no more one nighters?"
Anko sneered at him.
Ghost shrugged again and headed for the door. "shame…you're really hot"
He walked through the door and left Anko standing with an angry scowl on her face.
xXx
The night before Ghost's departure.
After having a couple of drinks with Rome, Micheru and Hawke he headed to the Hokage monument and found who he was looking for.
He sat down and looked down on the village. "It's really strange coming back here, helping to protect it while all I want to do is blow it up. Don't know how you can stand it, Itachi."
"I left because I killed my family not because I hated the village." Itachi softly responded.
Ghost stayed silent for a moment. "yeah...but I know that coming back here is eating you up inside. I don't know why you killed your family but I don't think it's worth price you're paying now."
Itachi didn't respond and Ghost leaned back and looked to the dark but clear sky.
"Itachi I'm not one to talk or anything but you should find happiness."
He heard a single chuckle escape Itachi's lips. "We're both destined for darkness."
Ghost in responded by shaking his head. "I don't believe that."
"How could we…Naruto, we both did horrible things. When we finally depart from this world I dare not think about what awaits us."
Ghost let out a humorless laugh. "That's why I didn't let you in on the Irosa massacre. When we both end down there at least you won't be alone."
"Liar"
Ghost snorted. "When we decided to massacre the village I knew who much you reflected upon your act here in Konoha, That's why Kisame and I agreed that you shouldn't have to relive that."
Itachi turned his head to the blonde who in return met his gaze. "You're a good friend, Naruto."
Ghost laughed awkwardly and scratched the back of his head. "I don't know about that…"
Itachi looked over the village and a lone tear slid down his face. "It was because of you."
Ghost immediately understood what he was talking about but wanted elaboration. "what? Why?"
The Uchiha clan was planning a coup d'état with you as the tip of their spear. They we're going to release the Kyuubi in Konoha, and when Konoha was weak and disorganized they would pull Kyuubi out and march in and kill whatever was left."
Ghost's eyebrow's furrowed. "only Madara can control the Kyuubi and last time he only got his hands on it because the seal was weakened…so what was his plan?"
"there are two stages in a Jinchuuriki's life where they are vulnerable. Around the time when they are three and start developing chakra coils to the point where a tailed beast could take advantage of it."
"that shouldn't be possible…" Ghost muttered.
"why not? Anger triggers his Chakra and The Uchiha could've given you that push easily." Itachi pointed out.
"and three guesses who would've helped them with controlling the Kyuubi…"
"Madara" Was all his friend said.
"It's still strange to believe that. Kyuubi told me that it was Madara who put him on a leash."
"Don't worry about the past, focus on the present, we got enough trouble as it is."
Ghost grinned and nodded.
They continued talking for a while, sipping from the bottle of Sake that Ghost had 'borrowed' from the bar. And when it was getting late and they both decided to call it a night was when Itachi decided on the subject Hawke had started earlier.
"Ghost…or Naruto?" he said with a twinkle in his eyes.
At first Ghost pretended he didn't hear that but it was a fair question, one that needed an answer. "I guess Naruto."
Itachi smiled. "That's been a long time ago hasn't it?"
Naruto simply nodded.
"Well, Naruto, I'll see you tomorrow when you leave, be careful."
Naruto smirked. "When aren't I?"
Itachi stood up as did Naruto and they both walked to the village remaining silent most of the time. And when they finally reached a crossing in the village when they both gave a nod to each other and went their separate ways.
If it were up to Naruto he would've kept the name Ghost for the rest of his life. Kurama had given him that title. It had taken him a long time to finally earn Kurama's respect and friendship. The name Ghost was more of a name to him than Naruto was.
"Oi, Naruto"
He closed his eyes in defeat and annoyance. He was already hating it and word hadn't even start spreading yet. "What do you want, Inuzuka?"
Kiba walked up beside him. "So what's been going on in that head of yours?"
"Well I mainly think about how I can get you guys off my back," he nodded thoughtfully. "Yeah that's it."
"Well, I hoped we could chat about what happened at the arena." Kiba said, trying to ignore the blunt response to his question.
"This again? It's quite simple, I tried to kill you, failed miserable and now I have to life with the consequences and believe me they aint pretty."
Kiba looked at him with a puzzled expression. The only reason he was talking to the teme was because his friends told him to. He hated Naruto with a passion after the whole arena ordeal. But he also believed in their optimism that they could get Naruto to his old self if they continued to put pressure on him. "What do you mean? What consequences."
Naruto sighed. "Well you're still here aren't you? I'd say that be described as a pain in my ass and labeled as a consequence."
Kiba sneered and spat on the ground. "Fuck you, Naruto. I don't know what we've done to make you like this but if you don't tell what it is then you can go to hell."
Naruto smirked and shook his head. "If you don't know that than you can ask Shikamaru, I suspect he already figured it by now." He turned around and continued to walk down the road.
"for once stop being a fucking asshole and tell me straight to my face what your problem is!" Kiba growled and grabbed Naruto by the shoulder.
The blonde Hunter slowly turned around his smirk gone and was replaced by a cold emotionless face. "If you want to keep your hand I suggest you let go. Now."
Kiba let go and backed up. "screw this." He turned around and walked away.
"Bye bye" Naruto waved at the Inuzuka's retreating back.
"You know, that's not really nice" a soft female voice said.
He turned around and saw Hinata standing, as he noticed before she had done a complete one eighty. She was wearing a Jounin outfit an had her hair tied in a ponytail. From what he remembered from last time was that she was no longer the shy little girl but a calm young woman who didn't hesitate to speak her mind.
"Well, he's not a nice person." Naruto pointed out.
Hinata pursed her lips together. "From what I heard you don't like any of us."
"exactly!"
Hinata walked over and sat down on a bench and patted the empty seat beside her. At first he hesitated but decided to go with the flow. He sat down next to her with a relaxed posture.
Hinata spoke first. "I know why you're angry."
The missing-nin tilted his head. "is that so?"
He waited for a moment but when Hinata didn't respond he sighed. "speak, before I leave, I have better things to do than listen to your assumptions."
"What do I get if I'm right?" she said with a smirk.
"I won't tear you a new one for wasting my time when I clearly have better things to do."
Hinata chuckled which slightly put Naruto off his game. Usually people grew angry at his cold and bastard demeanor.
"You're angry at us for not helping you when you needed us the most." Hinata said as she looked in his blue eyes.
Naruto raised his eyebrows in surprise. "It's unbelievable, there is someone in this dump who actually thinks before speaking," He stood back up. "I trusted you to have my back and you didn't. For that I can never forgive you."
"I want to make amends" she said with a slightly raised voice.
"By the time you actually get there I'm most likely six feet under, for real this time!" he said cheerily and with a wave he rounded the corner.
"you want to wager on it?" she half shouted now, not bothering to get up.
He didn't respond so she followed trail and when she rounded the same corner she saw a small note plastered on the wall. She grabbed it and read.
Sure, I'll bet on it. See you when I get back.
"See you when I get back?" she said aloud. What the heck did he mean with that?
xXx
Naruto smirked to himself. He was never going to forgive them. But for the sake of the mission he could at least act on a professional level, somewhat.
He rounded another corner and saw the apartment he was heading for. He walked over and opened the door and stepped in. he walked up the stairs to the second floor and walked to the door. He opened it and stepped inside walking straight into the living room.
He let out a small chuckle when he noticed everything was dark. He walked to the bedroom and saw that the door was open.
"Took you long enough." A female voice said.
He pulled off the top of his outfit and his shirt underneath. "Yeah, well I had planned to getting here sooner if it weren't for your buddies who were keep getting in my way."
She snorted. "Hit them if they don't go away, works for me."
"I'll keep that in mind."
He jumped on bed and the woman quickly straddled his lap. "you're going to pay for making me wait." She said with an evil smirk plastered on her face.
Naruto gave a smirk of his own, "Last time we spoke you pretty much told me to fuck off because you found out who I was."
"Yeah well, you're still a good fuck so don't complain you idiot."
"Whatever, enough talking you crazy bitch and if you bite me again like last time, I am going to hurt you."
The purple haired woman grinned evilly. "We'll see"
xXx
Naruto walked to the main gate of Konoha, Wearing a dark red robe with a metal plate on his left shoulder. The metal claw he always wore was lying in his room in the headquarters. Reavers didn't use equipment of that sort and it wouldn't help his undercover assignment. He glanced to his left to look at Kisame and Itachi who were silently walking beside him.
When they arrived he noticed that all the members of the Akatsuki as well as all the Hunters were waiting for him there. He also noticed a couple of Konoha familiars who he blatantly ignored. "Come to see me off are we?" he asked, nodding to Hawke.
"you would look like a complete loner if we didn't so...yea" Hawke said with a grin.
Naruto just shook his head in amusement and turned to Mayu and Rome. "I'm ready."
"Zake care Naru'o, 'e will watch for your return" Raipa said in his odd accent.
Naruto slapped him on the shoulder.
"Don't take any risk and when you even suspect your cover is blown, make a run for it." Rome advised him while he gave him a hug.
"Risks? I wouldn't dare" Naruto said with a smile.
"Please come back…I don't think I can handle Hawke on my own. " Micheru said in a small voice as she looked at the ground.
Naruto reached out and gave her a hug. "Don't worry, I wouldn't do that to you," and while she softly laughed he whispered something in her ear. "Keep an eye out on Itachi and Hawke for me."
He stepped back and she nodded with a smile.
"Naruto, we haven't always seen eye to eye but if you don't come back to us I'm going to seriously hurt you." Mayu said which put him off since he never heard her talk like that.
He winked. "You guys worry too much." He nodded to the Akatsuki members who gave a few nods in return and he spared a single glance to the Konoha nin who were disappointed that all he did was give them a glance.
"See you guys later." And he gave Kisame and Itachi one last nod before he turned his back to them. he slid one foot back and breathed in deeply.
"Naruto!" a female voice shouted.
Naruto only looked to his left and saw Hinata running over. He smirked and gave her a two fingered salute before exhaling deeply and disappeared in a flash.
Her smile dropped as soon as it had come and stood rigid to the ground.' Where has he gone off to? and why was he wearing that?'
And that's that! Next chapter will take place about a year after the events of this chapter.
The whole thing with Naruto and the Uchiha massacre thing was sucked straight outta my thumb so live with me with the whole Kyuubi part.