-AN-

Jiraiya's back? There's a house full of women and only one Naruto? Is this a pervert's dream in the making?

-Story Start-

A new day was dawning on Konohakagure, the market was beginning to open up, civilians were rising and preparing themselves while ninja young and old were either coming home for rest or readying themselves for missions. In one particular apartment however it was as if a bomb had gone off.

Naruto's home looked as if someone had the wildest party the previous night, which it sort of had. Naruto had never entertained people in his apartment before and suddenly stuck with not just two but four women, he kind of overdid it. And as he groggily came back to the land of the conscious he frowned as he recognized a particular perverted giggle. Trying and failing to move for some reason he could only turn to find his mentor at the window with his little book in his hand.

JIraiya had a slight nosebleed as he wrote page after page of notes. Naruto was stuck on the couch, Hinata laying against him on one side while Ino took the other. Both apparently were cuddlers, hanging tightly onto his arms in their sleep. Hinata was quiet at least but the blonde Yamanaka was snoring up a storm and drooling on the poor boy's shoulder. Across the room against the wall was some short red head who at some point got a hold of Kubikiribocho and was cuddling it in her sleep with a light blush on her face. That would be something to explore for sure. Not far from her in the center of the floor was another duller red head, limbs spread everywhere and dressed in only a sports bra and biker shorts. Oh yes this could be good! Little Naruto builds a harem. The girls fight over the hierarchy, things get spicy, special weapons are involved. Giggling increasing he missed Naruto replace himself with a clone so he wouldn't wake the girls. He didn't however miss the boy tackling him out the window.

Both men ending up across the street. Naruto had his hands on his hips while he frowned at the older man. "Gee pervy sage, nice to see you haven't changed."

Chuckling and putting his book away the Sage leaned down a bit, "Oh com'on Naruto, even you gotta admit that was good material. The inspiration!"

Blushing the boy turned away, "They better not end up in your books. I won't have to get to you, they'll tear you apart."

Waving a carefree hand to dismiss the concern, Jiraiya took in the fact that Naruto was still upset and it likely had nothing to do with this morning. "What's up shorty?" Best to address it right away. He had been gone for a few days after all and he probably had missed something important.

"You've been gone." Blunt and to the point Naruto was upset that just after Jiraiya learned about how shitty things had been, it felt like he had been abandoned by the elder ninja again.

Sighing Jiraiya sat on the ledge of the building they were on. "Pull up a seat kid, I've got some news for ya."

Naruto did so, sitting on top of an air conditioning unit, "Funny, so do I."

Pulling out a scroll, Jiraiya tossed it to Naruto. "To make it simple, you're being hunted by an organization for that demon in your gut. I don't have concrete numbers yet, but all the members wear black cloaks with red clouds."

Naruto nodded, "So Itachi and that Kisame guy?"

"Yeah, them plus a whole host of other's. They're all kage level nuke-nin, and they're traveling all over the nations hunting down demon containers." Pausing to watch the boys face he added some extra information as well, "Apparently Orochimaru used to be one of them as well."

"Somehow that's not shocking." Naruto took a deep steadying breath before releasing it all at once. Cool, so even some crazy missing nin wanted him, just great. "Anything else?"

"Oh kage level ninja wanting to steal the demon from your guts and kill you isn't a big enough worry?"

Naruto leaned back, looking up into the color changing sky as morning came, "Remember how I told you things weren't great here. How the council was screwing around with me?"

Jiraiya nodded, "Yeah, but Tsunade's back, so that should be settled soon right?"

Naruto shook his head, "Nope. Council had already taken everything. Or at least the civilian side did. The ninja council had enough reasonable doubt to let them go through with it, at least that's what they said to me."

Standing quickly Jiraiya had to beat down his immediate reaction of wanting to hunt down the council and beat some answers out of them. There was a reason he knew he wouldn't be good as the Hokage. "I'm guessing so as to not seem biased Tsunade had to recuse herself." At Naruto's nod the Sage was still frowning, "What else did they pull?"

"Oh the usual, denied my promotion, warned I wouldn't get another chance at least for another year." Naruto's eyes narrowed dangerously, "You know the normal treatment for the village demon."

"You aren't a demon." Cuffing the boy on the head, Jiraiya frowned in thought. "They're taking advantage of you because your clan is gone. If only you had more members. Tsu-chan might work but that's still only two and that's only sorta. She's publicly a Senju after all…" More muttering and ideas, but Naruto raised a hand.

"I actually, um, there are more Uzumaki here." His master was in his face before he could blink.

"You found more Uzumaki? How?"

"Uh, godlike luck?"

"Remind me to take you to a casino." Standing up straight Jiraiya wasn't going to question who it was, remembering the two red heads in his apartment. "That solves the clan act, restoration is another deal for later. But that makes you a council member. That also means reparations for wrong doing against your clan. But you'll need at least two other clans to agree."

Naruto crossed his arms as he thought it over, "That Inuzuka woman seemed nice enough."

"That's Tsume, loyal as they come. I'd believe it. Shikaku might as well, if we present the idea to him from a logical standpoint." Seeing Naruto's raised eyebrow Jiraiya waved him off, "Guy is a genius, has a kid on your little Yamanaka girlfriend's team."

"She's not my-"

"Oh hush kid, the way she was clinging to you said enough." Jiraiya however had a feeling something drastic was going to have to happen. Sure the civilian council had some say in economic matters, but it was still a stretch that they received enough ninja support to fully block a promotion. He was missing something.

"Oh, and that Danzo guy? Tried to give me a fake book laced with listening seals."

There it was. The war hawk was up to his old games. Threats were in order. "Ok kid, we've got some work to do. But we also have to have a talk soon about what we're going to do in the upcoming years. Those Akatsuki nutters are going to keep coming for you and the village isn't enough of a deterrent to keep them away." Seeing Naruto want to protest the sage held up a hand, "We can talk about it later. For now get back into a routine and I'll catch up with you in a few days. Gotta run some things bye Tsu-hime." Getting the boy to nod and agree, Jiraiya was off to the tower. He had information to give.

Naruto himself turned back towards his apartment, hopping up and through his window. Smiling at the sight of his friends looking so comfy, his eyebrow twitched at his clone. Which had been creeping it's hands to encircle both girls and was attempting to cop a feel. "Do you really think that's smart?"

"I'm you. What do you think?"

"I'm not a pervert."

"Me being me says otherwise."

Growling the real Naruto switched himself with the clone while keeping his hands far away from sensitive areas. Clone giving him the finger, he dispelled it with a thought. He'd figure out why his clones were so defiant one day. His minor shifting however had managed to wake up Ino first who pulled away slowly while rubbing her eyes, "Mmmm still sleepy."

"Uh, mornin' Ino-hime."

Eyes suddenly wide open the aforementioned girl looked around to confirm that yes she was just sleeping on Naruto but also yes she was fully clothed. Reducing her panic the girl wiped her chin of her drool. "Uh, g-good morning Naruto-kun. Sorry bout the drool."

"Don't stress, you were asleep." Staying close to the boy, Ino's surprise began to morph into a teasing look. "It's to early for whatever your cooking."

"Sure thing whiskers, I'll just keep this blackmail to myself for a while." Standing slowly and stretching, she decided that sleeping on a couch was not the best for her body. The blonde considered her options for the day as she absently bent over at the waist. She missed Naruto's blush as her stretching did interesting things to her legs and backside.

Next to him Hinata began to stir, pressing herself into him and cluing him into the fact that she was also growing up very well. 'What is in the water around here?'

Inside his mind the Kyuubi snorted, 'And you call your teacher the pervert.'

'I'm not a pervert fuzzball!'

'Oh really, what're trying to sandwhich your arm right now?'

'Hinata-hime's ti-no no no! I'm not a pervert!'

'Says the pervert.'

Naruto missed Hinata finally waking and pulling away from him while rubbing her eyes. Still very groggy, the girl latched back onto Naruto's arm, "Mmmmm. I'm still dreaming. Five more minutes can't hurt.'

Naruto began to panic as Ino-hime watched on from the sidelines. Yes, yes five more minutes could hurt! Wake up Hinata-hime! Hearing the other's starting to stir as well, he looked pleadingly at Ino for salvation. Gazing as if upon an angel given flesh, his heart sank as the grin on her face grew even more.

"Don't worry pervert-san, I'm sure they'll understand." This had to be the best wake up ever the girl decided.

Traitor! No more Ino-hime! He didn't want a beating this early in the morning.

-b-

Grumbling as he finally reached the training grounds, he'd have to remember a panicked Hinata was a hard hitting Hinata. Sealed sword back on his person and fully clothed, Naruto was actually looking forward to training. The girls he left in his apartment all asked if they could hang out while he was gone which he had no problem with. Though he was worried just how much of a wreck his place would be by the end of the day. Taking a breath and seeing Sasuke ahead of him, he waved to the half asleep boy, "Stay up late again emo boy."

"I'll murder you one day."

"Gotta be awake to do that." Not seeing Sakura around, Naruto decided to pass along the teasing. Wiggling his eyebrows he grinned, "Don't see Sakura, you finally give in and give her that date?"

Blushing the boy looked away, "It's not like that."

Naruto finally came up to the boy and slugged him in the shoulder, "Sure sure, but you know…"

Sasuke sighed, "Actually….can we talk about this, seriously, later?"

Immediately caught off guard Naruto nodded without hesitation, "Sure Sasuke, we can talk."

"Thanks, baka."

"You're even starting to sound like her."

"Like who?" Said pinkette jumping into the training ground finally, both boys looked between her and then each other.

"Ja ken po for it?"

"Uh uh, you cheat. Cheaters should do it."

"You're the one who's predictable, not me."

"Being surprising all the time isn't really a good thing."

Smacking both of the boys and walking away the only girl of the team groaned loudly, "I swear, I think you're both losing brain cells every day." Beginning to stretch and warm up, Sakura missed both boys fist bump each other.

Naruto had his hands behind his head, "Aw com'on Sakura-chan, you love us."

"Like a bad rash."

Snorting, the blonde ninja unsealed his sword so he could begin working through basic forms shown to him by Kakashi-sensei. Again not a sword master but someone who had picked up enough through their life to show him something. Beginning exercises while they waited, he noted that after finally removing those weight seals the sword felt even lighter. That was a little terrifying, pretty sure he could throw it like Zabuza had when they first met. "So what's the plan, wait on Kakashi-sensei?"

Sasuke himself was performing push ups as a warm up, though he was in a handstand and balancing on his fingers, "Yeah I guess. He's been pretty good about being on time recently."

Sakura nodded from where she was stretching on the ground, laying flat on her chest while her legs were spread to either side of her, "At this point, it's almost like he's been on time more than he's ever been late."

"We probably shouldn't jinx it." Naruto was swinging away, beginning to work up a light sweat. Mind still distracted by not only his family drama, and wasn't that a doozy to think about, but also the council fuckery again, he almost missed the appearance of his sensei's chakra.

Shunshin complete, Kakashi was all smiles as he waved at his team, "Yo!"

Continuing his warm up Sasuke greeted their sensei first, "Morning sensei."

"Hey Kakashi-sensei!"

Sakura bent and rolled to her feet out of her latest stretch, "Morning sensei."

Seeing his team come to attention, with Naruto resealing his weapon, he got straight to the point. "We won't have a mission today, we're in full intensive training for the next week."

That made all of them slightly nervous, "Intensive training sensei?" Sakura wanted to run. A focused Kakashi was not a nice Kakashi.

"That's right. You've all made it clear that you wish to be the top of the top as quickly as you can for your own reasons. So, I'm going to do my best to help." That he wanted to make sure they didn't end up like his old team was a different matter all together.

"Uh, so what does that mean sensei?"

Eye smile at full strength, kunai were already in his hands, "Remember kiddos, full intent to kill!" Screaming, all three genin would be pushed very hard for the next several hours. They all came to the consensus that Kakashi-sensei had lost his mind.

Half a village away in a top floor apartment, the Uzumaki girls were getting to know Hinata and Ino and visca versa. Tayuya seemed to get along easily enough with the more outspoken Ino, while the shy types of Hinata and Karin melded together easily. It was however as they were cleaning up the mess from last night that Ino asked probably the most important question of the day.

"So, you're going to be staying for a while yeah?"

Karin nodded right away, "Yup. It's not like we have any set place to go in mind, and Naruto-kun seems to really want to help us out. I'd feel bad if we didn't accept."

Tayuya wanted to kick the smaller girl, "But we do need to pack up eventually. Can't stay in one place for to long." Orochimaru wouldn't leave them alone. Both of them had use to him still.

Ino shrugged, "I mean. Now knowing you are all clan members I get wanting to stick together. Plus the leaf is pretty safe."

Hinata sighed, "Council interference not withstanding."

"Uh yeah, forgetting about the council."

Karin was tying a trash bag closed as she looked over their handiwork, "Naruto did suggest blowing them up at one point didn't he?"

"We can't blow up the council. Giving the civilians a seat at the table has helped Konoha weather so many disasters over the years." Hinata remembered her own training in politics from her father, back when she was meant to be the heir.

"Yeah well, seems like this council has no love for the Uzumaki." Tayuya grouched as she and Ino brought another bag to be sat next to the front door.

Karin did have to nod at that, "True. I'm almost worried they'd try to marry us off and breed us like what the lightning ninja wanted to try with us."

Tayuya shuddered at that, a real admission that brought forth unpleasant memories. "Yeah that was the worst. Like their ninja need any more of a power boost."

Ino was watching them both with wide eyes, "They would go so far to obtain Uzumaki blood?"

Tayuya scoffed as she and Ino walked back into the living room, "You betcha. After the fall of Uzushio we've all been hunted down like dogs. It goes one of two ways. Either they want to kill us so we can't become a threat, or they want to capture us to breed us and make super ninja."

Karin again thought of her mother, "They use us and use us until there's nothing left. And then throw us away when we're done."

Ino sighed, "Konoha's different though."

Hinata was the one to step in before either of the foreigners could, "Is it though? The village has used and abused Naruto all this time. And when he's finally started to make a name for himself among the populous, they take his achievement away from him."

Dropping back onto the couch with a groan Ino couldn't refute her friend, "That's true. But the village is better than a lot of the other major villages. We have more freedom here than say, Earth or Lightning."

Hinata dropped next to her friend, "Does that mean anything really? We're not as bad as other villages, but we're still kind of shitty."

Tayuya threw them a bone, "I mean, it'd still be great to grow up here than anywhere else. I at least don't have to worry about someone tying me up and selling me off to the highest bidder while I'm here."

Karin shuddered, "Or waking up to some pervert breathing on you." Having had a few close calls herself the younger girl rubber her arms where goosebumps had grown.

Hinata and Ino looked at each other, nodding as a silent conversation was held within the span of a breath. Ino was the one who turned to the others, "Well as long as you're here you're safe. You can hang with myself or Hinata when you want to go out and you know whiskers will help you out whenever he's available."

"Whiskers?"

"It's her name for Naruto-kun."

"Ah, makes sense. Hey what's with the whisker marks anyway? Someone cut up his face when he was a kid or are they weird birthmarks?" Tayuya leaned forward with curiosity. They hadn't been told about the Kyuubi, only that they needed to bring back the Uzumaki boy.

"Um, something of a birthmark." Hinata knew that wasn't a secret for her to tell so she kept her answer as easy to accept as possible. She was however slightly put off about the casual mention of torturing children.

"What about his eyes? Did one have to get replaced? That scar is pretty gnarly." Karin had been interested in it but never had the chance to ask about it.

Ino fielded this one, "Injury from his first major mission, got hurt and some poison apparently changed it. Bad reaction with his chakra. He says it doesn't hurt at all but we catch him itching it from time to time." Again, something that involved the Kyuubi that they couldn't answer truthfully. At least Naruto had given sanitized answers before in the past that they could use now. At least until he considered these girls trustworthy enough to learn his secret.

The rest of the day held the same sort of vibe for the four. With no missions and no reason to go back to her clan at the moment, Hinata was happy to stay and learn more about the Uzumaki pair. While Hinata noted Karin was much more open with them, Tayuya seemed very guarded and cagey. Obviously both girls had been through a lot in their lives, possible that Tayuya had been through much worse. For Naruto's sake however she was willing to be welcoming. Ino was much of the same mind though she was worried about Naruto himself. She realized pretty quickly that Naruto was latching onto these two very quickly possibly from an effort to control something of his family that couldn't be taken away. The council had unintentionally created a very dangerous situation. Ino felt a chill fall down her spine as she had a thought. If something happened to one of these girls, just what would Naruto be willing to do? Considering his talents she didn't want to consider it to hard. Eventually a clone of Naruto came back to the apartment, warning the girls he wouldn't be home so he could help out his teammate Sasuke. This was fine with Karin and Tayuya as they were perfectly okay with being independent. Ino however pulled Hinata aside while telling the clone not to dispel just yet.

"What's wrong Ino-chan?" Walking away from the other girls who were chatting with the clone, Ino was frowning as she pulled Hinata down the hall towards the front door.

Coming to a stop Ino looked Hinata dead in the eye, "Listen. I can't stay, but is there any chance you can?"

Hinata nodded slowly, "If I sent word to Kurenai sensei I would be fine. We do have a team meeting in the morning."

Ino nodded, "I can't stay, I need to get back home." Looking over her shoulder to make sure the girls were distracted the blonde turned back to the Hyuuga, "I don't think we should leave them alone. Like at all." Seeing Hinata's questioning look Ino continued, "The council has been rat fucking Naruto as much as they can for years. And now we learn that apparently Uzumaki women are very much in high demand outside the village. Wanna take a guess what they might do if they learn that two Uzumaki women are here in the village unprotected?"

"You….do you really think they would go so far?"

"It's Naruto. They interfered with a chunin promotion and stole his inheritance."

"Point." Hinata was thoughtful for a moment before nodding, "Sure, I can stay till tomorrow morning. Maybe we can work out a rotation until we figure something more permanent out."

Ino nodded, "Sounds good." Turning back to Naruto's clone she jogged over and grabbed it, careful not to exert enough pressure to break it's shell, "Hey, can you pass a message back to your creator?"

"Uh sure thing beautiful. What's up?"

Blushing Ino had to remember Naruto's clone were much more, liberal, than he was. "Tell him to make sure Karin-chan and Tayuya-san always have a clone or two here with them. Just in case."

"Oh, yeah that's not a worry. But he'll know you were worried about them Ino-hime. Anything else?"

Wondering what he meant about it not being a worry, Ino just nodded and accepted it, "Sure, that's all."

"Then I'm out. Peace!" Dispeling in a cloud of smoke, Ino sighed at the clone's antics.

"Should we be concerned?" Karin was watching them with an unreadable expression.

Hinata shook her head, "No. We just want to take your worry into consideration is all. Nothing crazy." That she knew just as much as Ino how power hungry their village council was went without saying. She'd go along with helping these girls for Naruto's sake.

-b-

Naruto wondered briefly how his life had come to this. When teams were made he was sure he would never get along with Sasuke. Nevermind actually consider him something of a brother. But here they were, walking through the abandoned Uchiha district while Sasuke talked about his long gone family. It was a different feeling to hear him speak about them. His parents, his older brother before he apparently went off the deep end. His various cousins and extended family. They were all Uchiha after all. Everyone that had lived here had been family to him at least a small amount. Coming up to the boy's home Naruto gave a respectful bow before crossing the threshold and following Sasuke inside.

Sasuke however just sighed, "You know. Before I gained any respect for you, I just considered you a trouble maker and a burden."

Naruto nodded, "Well, back then I wasn't much else. Plus I figured you were a complete prick and a bastard."

"My parents were married thank you very much."

"Oh, so just a smart ass then." Both boys laughing Sasuke led Naruto to the back porch where the view included a small lake and a training field. Sitting and motioning for Naruto to do the same. Sasuke was deep in thought for a while.

"Now however, I respect you. You're my teammate. Someone who has fought and bled with me. Someone who has promised to help me get my revenge against my brother. Hell, you even tried, going after Itachi with no hesitation once you learned who he was." Turning to looked at the blue and purple eyed boy, Sasuke bowed his head, "Thanks. For being a better brother than Itachi."

Naruto chuckled, "Well thanks for accepting me for me, it's not like you had to after all." They sat in silence for a while. Just enjoying the view and ignoring their sore muscles and minor injuries. Kakashi sensei had pushed them all very hard today and neither wanted to move once they had sat down. Leaning against a post for the roof, naruto groaned, "You said you wanted to talk about something serious. Was talking about your family it?"

Sasuke shook his head in the negative, leaning back himself and resting against a different support, "No. I uh…." Naruto had both Hinata and Ino sniffing after him. He had to have a better idea of dealing with girls than he himself did. Biting the kunai as it were, Sasuke just blurted it out. "How uh…what should I do, on a date?"

Entire mental train derailing and falling into a ball of fire, Naruto had to take a moment to process that. Sasuke was asking him for dating advice? Him? Did he give off the impression he was dating anyone right now? "Uh…what do you mean?"

Sasuke sighed, "I uh. I know we joke. But rebuilding my clan is on my list of things to do. Sakura-san is a major supporter of mine. Plus now that she's actually training and showing herself to be an actual decent person. What with her not ignoring you all the time in favor of fawning all over me. So uh. I want to give it a shot. And I figure. You're always on dates with Ino-san and Hinata-san. You should have some idea of what to do right?"

Wanting to deny all of it and tell his friend that no, he did not go on dates with his friends. He could see that this was in fact really bothering Sasuke. Sasuke deserved for Naruto to take this seriously. While Naruto didn't consider training, fighting, or lunches as dates there was the fact that they were ninja. Kakashi-sensei had mentioned that they were a more physical people at least once or twice. They learned more from exchanging fists than any civilian could while talking. Shrugging he decided he could wing it. "Well uh. I guess the first thing is to not get weird about it."

"Weird?"

"Yeah uh. Don't think so hard about it being a date. Start small. Go to lunch with her, ask her stuff about her family. What she grew up like, things she's done outside of ninja life. Just, treat her like a really good friend you wanna know more about. In return answer her questions honestly, don't hold so much in." Naruto shrugged finally, "My go to when talking doesn't get a point across is to go train and let em beat the snot outta me."

"Yeah I think you've got some kinks to work out there buddy."

"Says you. Training get's a lot done."

"Still say you're broken."

"Oh, there's no argument there, trust me."

Chuckling, Sasuke looked at the calm lake waters, "Do you…do you think you might let Hinata-san or Ino-san in that much? I know you're not that dense Naruto. So would you follow through with your own plans to rebuild the Uzumaki?"

Naruto had to sit in silence for a while as he really considered that one. His new fear was that even if he somehow got that far with any of the women in his life, somehow the council would come in and ruin all of it. He was unsure of his life as long as they were alive. But if something happened to any of them? He knew exactly what he would do. "I….I'm sure Hinata-hime or Ino-hime would be thrilled. I just, I'm worried about what the council would do."

"If they try anything, you have the full support of the Uchiha. That's a promise."

Naruto did really appreciate that, "That's great, but reality is we're both heads to clans that are broken and scattered. The council doesn't give a shit about us except to use us."

Sasuke nodded, but then paused as the way Naruto said that hit him. "What do you mean scattered? How do you know you're not the last Uzumaki."

"Oh uh…" He hadn't meant to bring that up. Sasuke was supposed to be the focus here, not him. "Yeah uh, no big deal, but I've run into a couple of Uzumaki recently. Don't worry, I confirmed that they are in fact Uzumaki clan members. But uh yeah, I have family in the village right now."

Sasuke's eyes went wide, "Of course you wouldn't bring that up sooner. I thought we were done with secrets."

"I didn't mean to keep quiet about it. But you wanted to talk and I wanted to focus on you and-"

"Dobe."

"Hey!"

"Shut it. This is actual clan relations, they're family. That's important. Yes I want to talk about dating Sakura, but we can do both you know."

Chuckling Naruto rubbed his neck, "Noted."

Huffing the dark boy knew this would be a constant thing with Naruto, his mind was already bending towards this new information. "How many?"

"Two girls."

"You're a clan head then, as long as neither of them contest it." Thinking quickly now, he himself was building an idea in his head. "That means you're eligible for a seat at the council. And that also means protections to."

"Protections?"

"Yeah. An attack against you means a response from your clan allies and the village itself. That also means everything that's been stolen from you that can't be returned must be reimbursed by the clans or the village. It also means if we don't have a mission tomorrow you and me might be making a trip to the Hokage tower."

Naruto raised a hand to interrupt the boy, "Actually, pervy sage is working on something already."

"Of course someone else knows. Do I wanna know the story involving that?"

"It's pervy sage being pervy."

"Ah so the usual." Back to silence for a moment, both boys just appreciated the time for a while. Sun beginning to set and travel towards the horizon, Naruto couldn't keep quiet.

"You know. Once you and Sakura start dating, think she'll finally chill out a bit?"

"Doubt it, we've been riling her up for to long."

"She'll probably beat us within an inch of our lives when she figures that out."

"Just you. I plan on tripping you and running away."

"Do that and I'm sending Hinata-hime and Ino-hime after you."

"Oh a real threat for once, I'm impressed." Both boys chuckling again, they eventually returned to silence and just watching the sky and the clouds. That they had given themselves this time to relax and bond was good. Next time they'd have to include Sakura.

"Bet your kids are all gonna be dark haired with loud mouths and monstrous strength."

"Yours will probably all be pranksters with kyuubi sized appetites."

"As long as they don't get the broody gene I'm good."

"I don't brood that much anymore."

"At least you're self aware enough to know you brood."

"I'm gonna toss you in the lake."

"You can try. I'll smack you around from here to snow."

"You and what army." Sasuke watched Naruto's eyebrow raise comically. "Yeah, that sounded stupid the second it left my mouth." Groaning the last possibly sane member of the Uchiha clan rolled to his feet, "Com'on, I'll cook and we can crash."

"Oh food and sleep sound so good right now."

"Also, one word of this to Sakura and I'll tell Hinata-san and Ino-san the truth as well."

"You think I'm dumb? Bro code man, bro code."

Laughing, both boys set about making dinner together and eventually passing out for the night. It was good they decided that they could have this time. Maybe together they could change things in this village in the future. Time would tell.

Across the village as the night wore on a quiet Tayuya and Karin were meeting on a secluded rooftop with another member of the sound four. Sakon had his arms crossed as he tapped his foot impatiently.

"What's taking so long. You've made contact with him haven't you?"

Tayuya frowned, "Yeah, even staying with the squirt now. What's the problem. I thought we had time."

Sakon shrugged, "Things change. If you can't convince him to come on his own, at least get knocked up and come back. That should be easy enough for you two."

Karin grit her teeth, "We were suppo-"

Sakon glared at the younger girl, "Do not speak up. You're barely above an insect as it is." Turning back to Tayuya Sakon held up four fingers, "Four days. If you can't complete your mission in four day we're coming back to try it our way. Got it?"

"Whatever you say shithead, we got this."

Nodding, Sakon started jumping away along their secret route to avoid patrols. Left behind Tayuya was visibly shaking as Karin looked at her with worry. "We…we shouldn't do this."

"Shut up. We don't have a choice."

"We could stay."

"Don't start that again. We can't stay. This village will treat us just as bad."Tayuya was already turning away and preparing to jump back towards Naruto's apartment where they had left the Hyuuga girl.

"Not in the village, but with Naruto-kun. Naruto-kun won't betray us. You know it just as much as I do."

"Whiskers is a stupid dreamer, just like you."

Karin pulled forward to stand in front of Tayuya, arms spread wide and blocking her off, "Listen to yourself. You're even using that nickname for him too." Karin sighed, still unsure of just how loyal Tayuya was. With plans changing so quickly she was willing to risk herself. "I want to stay, dreamer or not you know he'd protect us."

Tayuya looked away with a frown, "He'd try." Sighing heavily and closing her eyes, but eventually turned to look at the younger girl, "You know what'll happen to us. To him. The second this village learns about us we'll turn into their prisoners instead of Oto's. Are you ready for that?"

"What if….what if we convice him to leave too?"

"That goodie goodie? No way."

"I'm serious."

"So am I." Both girls stared each other down for a long while. Karin had no loyalty or love for Oto. First Kusa had used and been responsible for her mother's death, then used her and thrown her away. Now Orochimaru was looking to do the same. No, she was done with the villages for a long while.

Tayuya however knew she wasn't loyal at all, but scared. She had been a prisoner, had to fight for her place in the sound four and even then she wasn't close to the strongest at all. She had skill sure, but if they wanted to, the things any of the others could do to her made her shiver. Never mind now knowing they were fine with her just being a seed bed for Naruto's kids told her exactly what they really thought about her. Given a better option and assurance that she'd be safe, she'd leave Oto as well.

"We…we have four days."

Karin nodded, "We can figure something out in four days. Maybe a way to buy some time too."

Tayuya frowned as she accepted the deal all the same. "Hopefully this doesn't get us killed."

"I'd rather die than go back to Oto."

"Suit yourself, I want to live personally." That one point they couldn't agree on, both girls jumped away to take a round about route towards the apartment.

Tucked away out of view, Hinata with her byakugan active sighed and let the bloodline technique fade away. So that's what was up with the girls. Lip reading being on of the first skills she had picked up, Hinata thought things over as she left and took the more direct route to Naruto's, not having to worry about anbu patrols herself. She'd first have to talk with Naruto but a plan was forming in her mind. This was something that had a time limit after all.

-AN-

And we're done on this one. I know we've been pretty emotional these last few chapters. Getting out of it soon promise. Jiraiya's back and now he knows, Sasuke and Naruto have had a heart to heart and Hinata knows the Uzumaki's secrets now. Just what does this all lead to? Personally the council being blown to bits might be the least of anyone's worries.

-OMAKE-

Far across the border in the land of rain, a group was meeting to discuss a small bump in their plans. Everyone arranged along the fingers of the Gedo Mazo, it was Pein who started things up for the evening.

"Deidara, you called for this meeting, what is it about."

Said ninja was all grins, spreading his arms wide while his partner just sighed with irritation. "Leader please just ignore this idiot, he has so few brain cells left."

Deidara scoffed, "Oh piss off, you just have no courage to ask for what rightfully needs to happen."

Pein sighed, they didn't have time for things like this, "And what, pray tell, needs to happen?"

Deidara again spread his arms wide, "Okay! So, we know the nine tails kid is in Konoha right?" Getting some nods he continued, "I think we should, instead of trying to pull the demon out of him, we should recruit him."

"You want to recruit the nine tails container?" Pein almost couldn't believe his ears.

"Yes! He's a very gifted artist and a genius of his generation. It would be a shame to let that go to waste. Why not recruit him, turn him to our side and just, hold out on pulling the kyuubi out of him until we actually need the weapon." Deidara looked around with a wide smile, "He's gotta be last anyway right, what's the harm?"

Sasori spoke up again, "Other that you being a complete moron talking about your wasteful art."

"Take that back you charlatan!"

Kakuzu sighed and almost turned to go, "I can't believe we entertained this nonsense. I'm to old for this."

Hidan shrugged, "I hear the kid has a nice little bounty on em, could be fun to hunt down. He did blow a town sized crater into the country."

Deidara heard them however, "Touch him and I'll blow you to bits."

Hidan wiggled a finger in an ear, "Sorry, I don't swing that way, no blowing me please."

Coloring with rage Deidara pointed a finger, "That's not what I meant and you know it!"

Itachi sighed and he turned to Kisame, "Should we bring up the fact Naruto-kun would never betray his village?"

Kisame shrugged and tapped his sword on his shoulder, "I don't' know, I kinda wanna cross swords with the kid. He may be a rank amatuer but give him a few years and I might actually get a workout out of him."

Sasori sighed and tried to cut off Deidara's ranting at Hidan, "This is enough isn't it? Why not let it go before I start telling secrets?"

Deidara paused, turning slowly like a broken puppet to start at the puppet man himself, "You wouldn't."

Pein himself finally exerted some chakra pressure on everyone, "If we're quiet done?" Next to him Konan just sighed and shook her head.

"Uh, yeah leader, guess I'm done then." Unnoticed to Deidara, a picture was pulled from a pocket of his robe.

"Oh, thought you might want this back Pein-sama" Sasori, using a chakra thread, tossed the picture to their leader which was caught by Konan.

Looking down at the picture of herself, Konan was confused, "Why do you have a picture of me?"

Within the cave there was silence. No one moved or even breathed. Deidara refused to meet the woman's gaze, "I uh…"

Hidan however burst out in hysterics, "Oh man! Do you have a crush on Konan!? Is that your spank material?" Howling with laughter, the immortal missed the explosive humming bird headed his way.

"No that's uh. That's….I was gonna use it to convince the nine tailed container to join us! Yeah that's it!"

No one was buying it. But Nagato as Pein was very much over all of this, "Of….course."

Kisame leaned over to whisper to Itachi, watching the chaos unfold as Deidara turned on Sasori with explosions, "So uh, wanna talk about your own little picture you think you hide very well?"

Itachi didn't move or react, "Wanna talk about that picture of that red head rebel Mizukage candidate back in your home village?"

"Ah, I'll keep my mouth shut."

"Good idea."

After a moment of watching Deidara try to smash or blow apart Sasori and his puppets however Kisame grinned, "At least the rebel has some amazing knockers. Wouldn't mind drowning in those."

Itachi sighed, "Konan has a quiet refined beauty to her. You wouldn't understand you brute."

"Just admit you like sticks to a full sized tree."

"Bigger isn't always better." Yes another well worn argument that would take some time to work out through all of the chaos.