The Tale of a Shattered Dream
Chapter Oneshot; The Final Farewell
A bloodied white porcelain mask bounces upon the mahogany desk of the Fifth Hokage of the village hidden in the leaves. The blonde Senin glances up to see her most treasured shinobi, the twenty-year-old Naruto Namikaze, dressed as one of her most elite soldiers. Even among the Anbu his record had long surpassed his mentors, Kakashi Hatake, and his success rate is flawless. He had led his subordinates into countless battles, skirmishes and even a small war and they all made it back in one way or another. No one was left behind. Her honey brown meet his now dark blue slitted eyes and she sighs "Was that it?" she questions glancing at the bloodstained Fox mask he had dropped as he simply nods "Listen Naruto…"
"Ka-chan…" he whispers causing her to focus completely upon him. He only calls her that in private ever since the fourth shinobi war ended and the two finally sat down, spoke, and comforted each other about the death of Jairya. This to her meant that this was as serious as it gets seeing as they were not in the Senju compound, but the Hokage's office where ears may hear this "…I'm done." He offers a rare true soft smile but as much as that sight warms her, those cursed words brought the weight of the world upon her shoulders so suddenly. Her head drops for a moment, nothing moved but she relented and nodded "The agreement was two-hundred S-ranked, right?" he nodded softly at that, his gaze unwavering as he places his headband upon the wooden desk, the same one Iruka had given him all those years ago.
Stepping out of his apartment for the last time, Naruto locks the door before offering a soft smile "Anko-nee."
"Imoto." The trench coat wearing kunoichi responds equally as cheerful as he turns to see her sitting atop the concrete ledge "So you finally done it, huh?" staring at him in all seriousness, his simple smile was steadfast upon his face as he nodded, leaning beside her his bag of scrolls upon his back "I'll miss you, ya'know."
"Me too."
"Then why?"
"You know why." Naruto responds as he continues to look over the grand village in the twilight of morning, before him before glancing at her, his glistening slit blue eyes reflect the low light of the setting sun. She lets out a heavy sigh as she hops down to stand beside him "You'll always be my little sister."
"…and you my older sister." He chuckles as even after nearly two years since their joint mission to which Naruto maintained a transformation, on a dare, that made him look like a relative to Anko. He kept it up for two solid months and no one was none the wiser. Anko even had him registered as Naro Mitarashi and together they took on several missions, including the capture and eventual death of Orochimaru. The rouge Senin was very confused at the twin snake style the two used and their flawless calibration was what caused his eventual defeat. Naro is in the bingo book as an A-rank kunoichi but if spotted with Anko, together they were known as the twin viper sisters as an S-Rank threat.
Anko chuckles recalling that even to this day, no one has caught on to who her little sister is despite many attempts to the contrary. Her smile drops though as she looks upon the clearly tired frame of the man before her "You know, I am sorry that…" his hands raise stopping her "Don't. You and Iruka are happy, no?" she nods "Then enjoy your marriage and I'm sure that Naro will visit every now and then, right?" he offers his soon to be infamous smile. She smiles as the two hug like the siblings they pretend to be "Be sure to see Hana at least."
"My only stop actually." Naruto whispers and feels Anko nod in his chest.
Hana Inizuka is the pride of clan she now leads. Her mother had retired after the fourth shinobi war and has since returned to help training the young pups from time to time. Despite all her achievements throughout her career and even after the war, Hana always felt that something was missing. Her twin sons filled that role and though their arrival was a troubling time of mixed emotions. Due to politics and the machinations of those with power, she couldn't marry their biological father, nor could he ever claim to be their father. The very thought of this caused her to growl and despite all the drama her brother and then boyfriend stood by her which helped her more than she could ever express.
That's when disaster struck. Her kid brother, Kiba Inizuka, and her husband in all but name, Naruto Namikaze, were ambushed on a routine patrol. The duo fought for over three hours before reinforcements arrived and broke them out of the encirclement. The state the two were in when brought through was the stuff of nightmares as even with Kuruma, Naruto was a mess, but Kiba didn't make it. Akamaru was never the same after that. Strangely though the white dog is often seen beside Naruto and the two occasionally go for walks, training, and even on a mission if Naruto needed another nose. Why was the Inizuka Matriach thinking of all this right now? That is because standing in her doorway was a clearly on-edge, former boyfriend and father to her twins Naruto Namikaze "We need to talk."
"I see." Hana whispers to the wind, staring blankly into the tea cradled between her hands "The paperwork's been filed. This was the only stop I had to make." Naruto equally as softly "We can fight this." She pleads grabbing his hand with her soft ones, but he just shakes his head "No, we can't. Between the civilians backed by the Hyuga, Yamanaka, and the Elders. We've tried and now the kids have just turned three."
"…but your motto…" she whispers, and he sighs "I never give up, huh?" Naruto sounding twice his age as he spoke "It may be inspiring, albeit childish, but I stuck to it pretty well."
"Then why not…"
"Hana." The amount of seriousness in his voice as he said this, actually got a flinch out of her before turning her on "The kids are what matter now. They are the king, always have been and always will be."
"You need to be here for them then, as a civilian, and then…"
"Hana." Naruto says unintentionally coming out rather forcefully and despite the growl she sat back down "This is selfish, I know but…" he takes another sip "…for almost two decades and still…" looking directly into her eyes now "As long as I am here, the kids are in danger. As long as no one connects me to them, they will be safe." His soft smile appears and despite being the sight of perfection in Hana's books, she hated it. She hated that smile, so forced and buried beneath it was the price of the sacrifices of her man that he refused to show to others. She sighs "You'll come back every so often, right?"
"Yeah." He says at a normal volume as he pulls down his jacket neckline, a neckless of a fang, visible "After all, I'm Inizuka too." She smiled at that as the mood lightens "Indeed." Cheek falling into her waiting palm "What about Akamaru?"
"He'll take care of the…"
"Take him with you." She orders and he frowned "…but…"
"Are you questioning your matriarch?" her eyes narrow causing him to freeze in spot "I just…"
"Are… you… questioning… me?" she spoke so softly, if not for his own canine senses Naruto would have missed it. Getting over his shock at her openly threatening him, his deep growl back at her "You dare…?" the two growling adults were broken by Tsume "Take it to the bedroom you two. I'll take care of the pups." She chuckles as the two blush but actually follow the suggestion.
At the gate of the hidden village, beneath the lowering moon kissing the horizon land Naruto stands with Akamaru at his side and Tsunade, Tsume, Anko, and Hana "Take care out there, okay pup?" Tsume states hugging her son-in-all-but-law "Not to worry, Akamaru will keep an' nose out for me." Naruto chuckles as said dog barks softly in agreement. Naruto turns to Hana who was very clearly irate at the fact he was leaving despite knowing full well why he was, and so secretly no less. Her pondering was cut short as he pulls her into a firm embrace filled with nothing but love and sorrow. Their closeness and her face in his chest muffled her words to him "I love you, so please come home safely to me." His simple kiss upon her crown was his response.
A sudden body flicker beside Anko surprised everyone for a moment before Naro Mitarashi came into view "Sorry, I just heard." She stated as Anko looks to Naruto with a smirk, this was a ploy to ensure that no one suspected the transformation was Naruto and the three were often seen either drinking, chilling or eating every so often. Naruto brought the two into a massive hug and used that to explain to Anko "…this is a blood clone. Took a while for me to make but should last a month or two. Should buy you some time." She nodded before pulling back and her hard-ass bitch persona was in full display "Catch ya later gaki! Ever get homesick…" she punches him in the gut "…just remember that." With a bloodthirst grin which earns her a glare so cold, she actually shivered under it. She loved that glare of his.
Tsunade would have glumped him like normal but this time it was him who hugged her so gently, so lovingly tender, she wouldn't dream of breaking it. His words flowed like velvet "I love you, ka-san. Keep an eye on the kids whilst I'm gone."
"Kids?"
"Hana's pups… kids."
"So they are…"
"Of course. You knew that already, stop playing around." He chuckles and she smiles, loving his laugh. A small silence of warmth was broken by her "Don't be a stranger, okay?"
"I won't. I'll pop in every now and then." Naruto responds before letting go, resting his head against hers "I'll be back, mum." a small smile that turns into a viscous smirk "You better or I'll resurrect you and kill you myself." They part as Naruto returns to Akamaru, scratching his ear "Ready for this?" a bark was his reply and Naruto's smile returns to his face splitting one "Then… I'll race ya!" and the two darted off into the forest, vanishing from the village hidden in the leaves.
Despite the five being the only ones in the know, many people the following day felt like something was off, but no one knew what it was. One Shikamaru Nara was confused. When he woke up, he felt like he missed something. Throughout the day this feeling seemed to intensify continually, and it was throwing him off his game. After visiting Kurenai and her son, he heads to the tower and knocks on the hokages door "come in." was heard and in he went. Upon seeing a perfectly sober Tsunade, paperwork almost complete he came to a realisation "Why are you here. Shikamaru? Isn't this your week off?" asks Tsunade, leaning forward on her arms with a quirked eyebrow. He just stands there looking into her eyes, and it was at that point she sighs "You are sharp, as always." She sighs whilst gesturing to the seat to which he takes "How long?" he asks but she doesn't answer and offers a half-hearted smile. A heavy breath out "I knew he was unhappy, but…" the Nara's head drops "He's been shunned his entire life, Shikamaru. His request wasn't something unreasonable."
"Troublesome. The damn council and their sleezy ego's."
"Keep this to yourself though. Last thing I want is said council ordering his arrest on trumped up charges before he can get far enough away." He nods at her "I'll keep it to myself." As he stands "Tell that girl of yours too. Do not bring it up to anyone."
"Tamari's way to stubborn for that." The Nara explains as he passes through the door leaving the blonde kage chuckling to herself.
In the land of Fang, a top a cliff stood the long-haired blond shinobi with a large dog at his side, standing almost to his shoulder, both looking out at the forest ahead. "Greener than I thought." Naruto mumbles as Akamaru barks softly causing an equally soft chuckle from Naruto who glances at him "If my humour is dry, then your nose is too." A growl was his answer as he jumps clear of the lunge ninja dog, laughing all the way as the two drops from ledge to ledge, chakra laced leaps and experienced aim allowing them to descend the large cliff face into the dense forestry below. Halfway down however Naruto lands on a ledge that was the front of a cave which piqued his interest, glancing into the darkness while casually returning straight backed as his companion lands beside him "You smell that…?" almost a whisper followed by an equally soft whine. Naruto nods as his slit blue eyes glisten in the low light "Stick close."
In the village hidden in the leafs, the villages council is about to conclude another meeting when the Hyuga clan head, Hinata Hyuga, nods at her Yamanaka counterpart, Ino Yamanaka, who stands and turns to her former master and current Hokage "Lady Tsunade, a moment." a raised eyebrow from the aged leader was followed by a cautious nod "Thank you, Lady hokage…" drawing the rooms attention to the platinum blonde "…it has come to the attention of myself and several others that a certain clan heir hasn't been seen within the village in several months." As Ino speaks Tsunade maintains her external blank face while internally sighs knowing it was only a matter of time but admitted that it took longer than she thought. Glancing at the Nara Clan head, who glanced at her with an almost unseeable smirk she interlocks her fingers in front of her own growing smirk while feigning listening. This small interaction didn't go unnoticed by Hinata who's eyes narrow at the Nara head, almost imperceptibly, making a note to talk to her former classmate post meeting. "…so with all that said…" Ino stares directly at the Hokage's eyes "…where is Naruto Namikaze?" the whole room looks to the Hokage who remained stoic under the scrutiny of most the room. A sigh escapes her lips as she her hand extends out to her left, palm up "Troublesome." As a stack of bills land upon the limb with a sinister grin upon the ladies' face "Pleasure Shikaku."
"Took them longer than I figured." Said man slumping harder back into his seat, at her side as an advisor "Well, I think we have our allies to thank for that." Tsunade mentions as she fingers through the money she was handed, splitting it off in three stacks of different sizes. The largest is placed within her pocket, the smallest handed to Shizune to the left of the Kage "What…?"
"Ino Yamanaka." Tsunade speaks full force causing the whole room to subconsciously straighten up, with both Nara men sitting straight up and fully awake. The Hokage glances at Hinata before returning to the Yamanaka clan head "Your concern for another clan is unusual, unwarranted, and unnecessary."
"…but Lady Hok…"
"Naruto Namikaze is none of your concern, Yamanaka." Tsunade clarifies firmly, her honey brown eyes glaring coldly at the kunoichi who flinches at the tone and glare "What do you mean by that, Lady Hokage?" Spoke up Hinata noting the language used was suspicious, her Hyuga mask on in full as the whole room was now fixated on this "What do you mean by 'None of your concern?' as we all know that the Yamanaka…" glancing from Ino to Hana "…Inizuka…" before returning her gaze to the last Senju "…and Hyuga clans have all been trying to form ties with the last Namikaze, so naturally his status is our concern."
"Perceptive as always." The Senju clansman responded with her head in her palm keeping it at an angle with the room "Allow me to correct myself." Tsunade glancing around the room "The Namikaze clan is no longer a concern for the hidden leaf as there are no Namikaze's left within it."
"Aki, this place is pretty good right?" Naruto glancing around at the hidden oasis, his eyes still flowing around the area as the water scent wasn't enough to drown out the smell of blood they were following. A small, very low bark from Akimaru and Naruto nods "Fine, meet back here in ten." Turning to his fur covered companion with a finger raised "For come…" raises a second finger "…for all clear." Akimaru nods before strolling across the internal beach, following his nose down a path as Naruto turns down a second one following his own.
"I'm guess he didn't die…" Saskue breaking the silence that formed since the Hokage's statement "…seeing as the Inizuka clan head is able to hold her tongue against the Yamanaka."
"Correct." Tsunade confirming the Uchiha Clan head's deduction "Special Jonin Namikaze has been released from his obligations to the Leaf Village and the Land of Fire with the blessings of the Fire Daimyo and his council." She sighs leaning back in her seat as she glances at the stupefied faces of the clans and civilians alike "They set him a task even I thought would take him years to complete – years we had hoped would alter his decision to leave but…"
"…he had his mind set on it…" the Uchiha Patriach states solemnly knowing full well "When he makes a promise…" spoke Shikamaru Nara, current leader of the Nara clan, glaring at the flick lighter in his hands "…he will bend over backwards to keep it." Spoke Hana, tears threatening to break out again "B… B… but why?" spoke Ino, too at the brink of shock and anguish with Hinata just stunned, her brain locked in on itself "Why do you think?!" growled Hana, her claws forming trenches in the table "This council, denying him the promotion of Jonin, clan head status, continuing to try and steer him in specific directions. It all got too much for him." She continued flipping between growling and sobbing "You let him go?" Spoke Ino incredulously only for Hana to actually bare her fangs, Shikamaru moving quickly to stop her from tearing out his childhood friends throat out "LIKE HELL I WOULD BUT WE HAD NO CHOICE!" fighting against the Nara Shadow biding, Hana still manage to roar out "We should despatch tracking teams to bring him back!" shouted one civilian councilmen "He belongs here in the leaf." A snort brought their attention to the Hokage who was sipping tea elegantly "Belong to the leaf, huh?" letting out a tired sigh, it seemed that her age was truly felt in that one simple act as the woman looked so distant as she glanced up from the cup upon the table to the expectant eyes from those around her "In all his Nineteen years of life, Naruto has given everything he was, is, and will be to this village. Not even an hour of life, he was used to seal away the nine tails by his own family who died." Everyone knew this but none dared voice that "From then things got worse, as by his fifth birthday…" she pauses before glancing to the corner "Dragon, how many was it…?"
"Six-hundred and forty-one foiled assassination attempts, Lady Hokage." Dragon appearing from said corner and Tsunade nods, the younger generation cringe at that whilst the kage simply nods with a blank smile "Right, that would rise all through till he left for his training trip…"
"Fifteen-hundred and ninety-two attempts." Dragon supplied on his leader's behalf "Wait a second!" spoke up Sasuke, drawing the Kage and Anbu Commanders attention "…you mean even after he joined Team Seven, people trie…"
"Yes." Spoke Tsunade simply "In fact I believe it picked up at that point." Turning back to her masked subordinate who nodded "Though, as a ninja he was now able to assist us in apprehending those who were after his life."
Naruto finds himself before a group of small kids being shielded by a young teen who held a knife in a reverse grip and an expression of grim determination. He idly noticed her dark hair was matted against her angled face, clearly lacking in personal hygiene which wasn't surprising seeing that the small encampment in his peripheral vision was well used. His attention was drawn back to the lady from the group of six younglings as she spoke "Who are you?! Why are you still hunting us?!" she bellowed clearly distressed "We did nothing wrong!" she continued leaving the late teen at a loss for words. Taking a second to understand the situation, Naruto breathes deeply before locking eyes with the young teen "My name is Naruto Namikaze. I am not here to harm you nor turn you in, however…" he looks to the young girl over behind the confrontation "…she looks like she needs a hand."
"I may not be a medical expert, but she needs help." Naruto explained pointedly causing his opponent to faulter slightly as the pained whimpers echoe in the rocky tunnel, lightly illuminated by small oil lamps. The girls shaky hand lowers, the knife no longer primed to strike "Can… can you help?" an almost plea to which he smiles and nods "I think I can." Naruto whistles back behind him, summoning his old friend's partner, his companion since his passing.
"So now you all understand." Spoke the Hokage to the room "Naruto Namikaze has left our forces, lost his citizenship within the land of fire and well out of our realm of influence." She continues with eyes so cold, the glaciers would shiver "…and you all only have yourselves to blame." Silence was the response as Shikamaru was the first to stand "Are we done?" breaking the gloomy air to which the hokage nods "Dismissed." The room springs lazily to action as members of the council began filing out with Shikamaru stopping by Hana's side, and surprisingly hugged the woman and whispers almost inaudibly in her ear "Stay strong." She nods as she returns the gesture before both going their separate ways. Ino and Hinata share a look before both leaving together to discuss this unexpected event.
A bold green glow engulfs Naruto's hand as he runs a diagnostic over the small girl's form, to his estimates she was no older than nine but based on what he was seeing via the jutsu he was using she was in fact almost twelve. A frown mare his face at the clear sign of malnutrition reminiscent of his former self but he puts that aside for the moment as he continues to diagnose the problem, problems that began to pile up the more he dove into the full scope of the issues at hand. His keen ears pick up the tail tale signs of his partner approaching "Aki, we have kids here." This causes the others to look around as the tall form of Akimaru came into view with a soft bark. Panic ensues for a moment before Naruto spoke up again "Relax, he's with me." Glancing at the white furred ninkin "I need the medi-pack." Said dog approaches and pulls out a white scroll from the pouch over his mid-section, tied with a red string "Thanks bud." Naruto opening said document and with a quick application of chakra numerous vails and medical tools appear, and Naruto grabs a few bottles, inspecting each one briefly before finding the one he needed "This one." Popping the cap off and shaking out a pair of pills "Here, take these." Offering them to the brown-haired girl beneath him.
"Inizuka-san." Draws Hana's attention as she turns back down the hall to find both Hinata and Ino approaching. A deep throaty growl escapes her lips "What do you want, Yamanaka, Hyuga?" the two expected such a response and showed no outwardly reaction to it "We just wanted to apologise for…"
"For what?" Hana snipped fiercely "For blocking our marriage? Preventing his claims to our kids? His Rank? Or the complete disregard to his feelings as always?"
"Well, that but…"
"Look." Hana cutting them off again "Because of your selfishness, my husband –" she shot Ino a glare as she was about to disagree with that, shutting her down " – felt that he had no choice but to leave my clan, my children, and even me, to protect us from you both. So no, Hyuga, Yamanaka – I will not accept any apologies from the likes of you."
"Your anger is understandable." Spoke Hinata calmly, softly but Hana was in no moods to mix words "Anger? No. We are well past that." she hissed hard "Damn right furious, perhaps bordering murderous." Her glare was the stuff of nightmares "…but the CRA was…"
"Never happening." The Inizuka head growled out looking to the bluenette "You chose your clan over him." Before looking to the blonde "…and you broke his heart that I painstakingly put back together. We built a family that you two denied us." She steps towards them, bloodlust and killing intent aplenty "So no, we are not friends, allies, or anything of the sort. My clan, nor I, will not forget this slight against us. Now, get out of my sight."
Naruto sat upon the hidden beach, looking up through the cave roof at the night sky above his small fire crackling not to far with Akimaru laying beside him, snoozing lightly. "How can I help you?" Naruto glancing to the approaching teen who was clearly nervous, head lowering "I would like to apologize for…"
"For looking after your family?" Naruto with a raised eyebrow "I'm not mad or anything. I understand why you did what you did and if anything, I'm impressed." The girls head shot up at that, her eyes landing on his wide smile "You did good."
"Thank… thank you."
"How are they all doing, your family?"
"All sleeping soundly. The meat you hunted means they all have full stomachs in the first time in awhile."
"Good. I'm glad." Naruto offering a soft but sincere smile that she returned "I'm Amii by the way." Bowing at the waist "Thank you for helping us."
"Don't worry about it." Naruto waving her off "My names Naruto. Fluff ball here…" pointing at the ninja dog "…is Akimaru. My good friend." a soft growl from the pup causes Naruto to chuckle slightly "So, Amii. You wanted to talk to me, right?"
"Well, yes." The girl taking a seat on the coarse sand near the fireplace "You see. Our village was attacked some time ago. Bandits raided us and my father told me to take the kids and run into the valley."
"I see."
"…but that was a long time ago. No one's come for us and those that have…" she trails off and he nods "Right. Well, any idea where the village is from here? I'll check it out and see if we can locate your parents or guardians?"
"Look at this place." One Naruto says gazing over the scorched remains of a farming village, a pretty large one that was almost a town sized settlement. The ash and blood had settled which meant that this had happened awhile ago, but signs of the raid are still in plain sight. "No survivors." Another Naruto appearing from a wreaked house, the roof caved in from fire damage "This was done with Ninjutsu." Another Naruto reported from the largest house, probably the mayor's manor "Got it. So, there's a missing Nin here then."
"Tracks and trail are cold. We couldn't track them even if we wanted to."
"So, the kids?"
"We can't leave them here. They wouldn't last the next winter."
"Right. Then we'll have to take them with us."
"That's for the boss to decide." One clone spoke whilst glancing around at the carnage. A sigh later as he looks to his other five fellows "Let's burry the remains. It's the least we can do." They all nod before going throughout the town to recover any of the bodies that still lay strone about. By sunrise the entire population would be buried within a field turned cemetery and the clones dispelled sending their memories to the original who awoke upon receiving the first set. A growl escaped his throat as the last finally settles down.
Morning arrives and the seven cave dwelling kids appear upon the beach where their saviour set up his camp resided. The smell of meat and fish filled the air as he continues to cook breakfast, their stomachs rumbling alert him and his dog to their presence. With a massive smile he waves them over "Come on! Breakfast time!" they rush over and dig into the food he made for them, smiling the whole time. As Naruto watches them, he forces his smile to remain as he knows he has to take them from here and break their hopes of returning home to pieces. After all the food was consumed Naruto clears his throat gaining their attention "I have something to tell you all." They all stare at him expectantly and he sighs hard unsure if this was the right thing to do but then a thought occurred to him. Shion's country isn't too far from here, right? Perhaps a visit could solve this problem and a smile grows upon his face "I'm going to a friend's country nearby soon, do you all want to come with us? I can train you all whilst we go and look for your village as we go." The kids all look to each other whilst Amii gives him a confused look to which he smiles softly at yet somehow, she was able to put two and two together, evident as her eyes widen but he places his finger to his lips, and she looks away to rub away the tears threatening to fall.
On the road to Demon country, that would have taken him a week at most but now closer to three due to the new additions, Naruto would teach all the kids how to hunt everything from beetles to Rabits and boars. He showed them how to track, through the underbrush, how to fish in streams and lakes they passed along their journey. The entire time he was ensuring they each had smiles upon their faces with Amii watching on as her siblings laughed and played in a lake they found just before the sun set. "You want to talk about it?" Naruto from the other side of the rising amber and smoke from the fire between them, Aio the black haired nine-year-old boy currently using Naruto's thigh as a pillow as he slept "What is there to say?" Amii responds with a shrug with Naruto sighing hard "It isn't your fault."
"I should have stayed."
"…and leave the kids to defend themselves? What good what that bring?"
"But…?"
"Amii." Naruto sighed hard, gently laying the child down, who like the others had begun gaining weight in the nearly two weeks since the former shinobi arrived "You did good. Really good." As he approaches and brings her into a very comfortable embrace "You kept them alive for months with nothing but your determination and will to protect them, with no hope of rescue. You are their hero." Sniffles could be heard as he just held her as she gripped his coat back and began balling out her bottled-up emotions into his chest, muffled by his presence yet both Naruto and Akimaru could tell the others were listening in.
Laying Amii down into the lone tent, Naruto comes out with Akimaru watching him "She's finally resting, cried herself to sleep." The ninja dog offered a short whine and Naruto nodded "Yeah, me too. Just glad she allowed me in." an almost inaudible bark of agreement and Naruto nodded again as he gazes out at the still lake before him "Perhaps we could stay here for a few days. Teach them about trap making and such." He sighs as he pulls out his fang neckless, something he does whenever he thinks of his two son's that he won't be able to teach these things to and with a bittersweet smile observes it in combined light of the campfire and moonlight.
The next morning was filled with lively chatter of the six preteens laughing and helping to cook breakfast which is what Amii awoke too. Naruto was supervising the children gut the freshly caught fish, Aio and Mayu cutting up some wild mushrooms they found with Akimaru the day before "Good morning sleepy head." Naruto says without breaking eye contact with the four knife armed kids "Morning." She responds with a yawn, eye rubbing as she climbs to her feet "I thought we were going to leave before noon?"
"We aren't in a rush…" Naruto shrugged "…so why not enjoy ourselves a bit."
"Enjoy ourselves?"
"Yeah. Like a family trip." Naruto supplies causing her to pause at that, the others too before they all look to him "What? Did I say something wrong?" it was Aio who took a hesitant step forward "Umm… are we family?"
"Of course." Naruto responded instantly "Then… umm… can I call you father?" the soft-spoken words caused the oldest to freeze "F… father…? Bu… but why me? I didn…"
"Whenever you slept, they spoke about it in a hushed whisper." Amii adds while scratching her cheek whilst looking away "I suggested they call you uncle, but they were rather adamant on father." Naruto looked at the dark-haired girl bewildered before looking at the expectant gazes of the preteen who were all slightly red cheeked "Explain to me why"
"You always help us when we get hurt…" Aio began "You save us when we get into danger." Mayu, the brown-haired girl Naruto helped initially, "You showed us how to read and write words." Kell, a pale blond boy who was the youngest at six years old, his brown eyes boring into the sapphires of Naruto's "You scold them and keep them from danger." Amii adding her own thoughts "Sounds like what a father would do, no?" a bark from Akimaru causing Naruto to glare at the ninja hound "Not you too." another bark was the response, and the former ninja swears the dog was smirking at him causing a growl from the throat of the blond. "What about you, Amii?" glancing to the oldest of the group "Aniki." A soft, quiet response as she turns away from him and he sighs again.
The moon hangs high above the lake as Naruto sits his mother's Katana across his lap as he finishes up its maintenance. A sigh slips through his lips as he calls out "You know who I am right? Do you really think you all can beat me?" the shuffling of leaves followed by a group of six missing ninja from several minor villages "Naruto Namikaze; Second Flash of the leaf. S-rank hunter. Eighth Blade of Kiri. SS-Rank shinobi." One says stopping before him "So, what… you still want to fight?" Naruto asks but instead the group all kneel with their heads lowered "We wish to travel with you." Spoke in unison much to the surprise of the blond, a raised eyebrow his response "Seriously?"
"We can't beat you and we all value our lives." They explain while sitting upon their heels and knees "So, while we serve you perhaps, we can earn our honour back."
"Honour? You know we are shinobi, right?" Naruto questioned "We don't want to run anymore." One of the kunoichi states as she takes up the hand of a man Naruto suspects was her partner "Fine." He sighs glancing back out across the water "You may come with us but…" his eyes flow to red while turning back to the group of rogues "…harm the kids, you'll wish you were dead." They all nodded frantically.
The following morning the kids were greeted with the new six adults caused a small fright to the kids until Naruto introduced them to one another. They spent the morning getting acquainted with one another and moved out mid-afternoon, with the kids upon their backs with only Amii jumping at his side, much to the surprise of everyone. Before long they reached Naruto's destination, Land of Demons.
A/N:
This was a oneshot idea I had. No clue where I could take it, unless I get some input on it.