-AN-

Ya'll get lucky and have a double update. I was supposed to have a long job today but it cancelled, so here I am writing away my afternoon. Wee. Isaribi gets some screen time and Naruto gets some family time. We might have a tear or two, who knows.

This is actually take two. I set about editing in the web browser before uploading, and accidentally refreshed the page just as I was finishing up. Pain. I Am In PAIN. Take Two, here we go!

-Story Start-

Today was going to be another perfect day as far as Isaribi was concerned. The sun was shining high above her, the ocean water was crisp and calm and contrasted nicely with the warm sea air. Dolphins were happily playing in her wake as she surfed along. Being on patrol had her alone most days and that was its own challenge sometimes, but it was a small price to pay in the end for the freedom she now had. Having been saved by the Uzumaki clan, able to build a new life for herself. She had filled her days with patrolling the seas, diving and exploring with the local fish and she even had her own little love interest. All that to say she had never been happier and had promised herself that she would without a doubt protect this happy and peaceful life of hers.

Breaking through the seal based fog bank, today she had a mission. Riding atop her favorite golem while four very large flat topped ships stood before her. At least it wasn't looking to be a boring day for her. In her ear, her radio crackles to life.

"This is border monitor control to Undertow Queen, we have four potentially hostile contacts that refuse to answer our hails, do you have visual over?" The man's voice in her ear was calm and very professional. He gave no indication that there was a panic going on within their office, and as far as she could tell, four incoming warships might as well be on the same level of a pesky fly that refused to leave the room. Very professional in her opinion.

Pressing a hand to her throat Isaribi grinned, "This is Undertow Queen, confirming that four warships are on our border and steaming for Uzushio. Permission to engage? Over."

Waves crashing to either side of her and spraying her with cold water, Isaribi waited for a response. "Confirmed, permission to engage after attempting to hail them yourself. May the fallen guide you. Over."

"Confirmed orders. Alert the rest of Undertow for possible salvage operations. Over." Isaribi's grin grew just a bit more as she fiddled with her radio to switch it to open channels, broadcasting on every available airwave. "Attention incoming vessels, you are intruding on Uzushiogakure waters. You are to turn due south to south west to our public port in Wave or face destruction. You have sixty seconds to comply. Over." Somehow she just knew they wouldn't respond, the lead ship was beginning to belch more thick white steam from its top deck. Small shapes she assumed were men were running to and fro in preparation for something she couldn't see just yet. She had heard rumors of carriers before, but had never seen a reason for them. Seemed like such a waste to have all of that empty desk space. Waiting for fifteen seconds, she keyed her radio again while noting she was now less than a mile from the leading vessel, "Repeat, this is Uzushio border patrol, turn away or face destruction. Over." A laugh fills her ears, a deep male's voice answers her finally.

"Is this the best Uzushio could think to do? Send out one small girl? You won't turn us away little one, so stand aside before we wash you away with our righteous fire."

Isaribi began to transform, her kaima form taking over and her grin turned feral. White gleaming shark like teeth shining in the sunlight, she keyed her radio one last time, "You'll find that I'm more than enough for you. May the Fallen guide you on your final journey." Cycling chakra down into the golem she was riding, she decided to make this as quick as possible. Her escort of dolphin's peeled off, diving down into the depths of the sea.

Inside the lead carrier, the fleet captain calls to the crew, "Ignore the woman and continue on! We're nearly within range, prepare all flight ninja for launch!" His deck crew rushing to complete his orders, he turns as one of the helmsmen looks back towards him.

"Sir, she's picking up speed."

"Who cares! Our full compliment of bombing ninja will be lifting off within minutes. What is she going to do? Throw some exploding notes at us?" Turning to consult the area map with his second in command, he misses the room going deathly quiet behind him. He leans close to his second, a younger man with pale blonde hair kept short. He was a recent graduate from the naval academy and was being groomed to be his own successor one day. Still a long way off, but this mission would be a good easy way to get his feet wet. "The island is reportedly only home to one major city. This should be quick and we can steam home without any worries from their allies."

His second however had been curious and had turned back to the front wall of windows. All movement on the command deck had ceased, and for good reason he now saw. His right hand came up to grip his commanding officer by his arm, "Sir…"

Irritated at being interrupted again, the Captain turned with fury in his eyes, "What? Is this your first time seeing a woman at sea? Is she stark naked or-" Turning to see just what the commotion was about, he was not prepared for the dragon's head that had risen from the water. On its head standing proudly, the woman had locked her gaze onto them, the lead ship. Again, their speakers came to life.

"You should have turned away. May the Fallen have mercy on you, for I shall not." Her voice is calm, almost mournful, and light begins to gather along the sides of the great dragon's neck, building up and gather towards the mouth as the deep bass filled thrum fills the air. As the dragon's mouth opens, blue and white light gathers and pulses like a heartbeat.

The captain sighs and looks to his crew, all of which couldn't believe the literal monster from myth that now faced them, dwarfing their ship easily. "It's been an honor me-" Sentence unfinished, an arc of blue light flashed into existence and the bridge ceased to exist. The ship is rocked with explosions as the bridge is hit with the beam of liquid fire that continued on to dig a trench into and then through the top deck. No longer under any control, the lead ship began to turn and list, belching smoke as the crew panicked and rushed about with no clue of just what had occurred above deck.

Isaribi watched on, the lead ship on a collision course with the next closest ship which was already trying and failing to veer away. Knowing the two lead ships wouldn't be able to avoid her for a short while, she closes the distance and comes within 400 meters of the two ships and points a clawed finger towards them. "No quarter Fuwafuwa, burn them all." A roar answers her and the thrum of power gathering fills the air and rumbles through her body. A feeling she would never get tired of. On either side of her, two more massive heads rise from the depths. Water cascading off of their stonework necks, they too are gathering power for a renewed attack. Watching as the lead ship finally crashes into its counterpart, forcing the other ship to tilt dangerously and sending anyone unfortunate enough to be on the deck into the sea, Isaribi closes her fist. "Attack!" Three beams of light and heat race away, towards the ships that were locked together. The first ship is nearly liquidated on the spot, its hull gouged out and set aflame within seconds. The second ship does not fair any better, pushed the rest of the way over and capsizing while white hot fire rakes along its keel. Belching smoke and oil, the very sea itself on fire, both ships collapse and begin to sink as Isaribi turns her attention to the two trailing ships that are doing their best to turn away. "Recharge!" The thrum begins again and she closes the distance to her next targets.

In the distance shapes begin to launch into the air from the ship's decks, and Isaribi sighs, "Shit. Guess I should've been a bit faster." Around her the three dragon's heads have finished recharging and another combined attack goes forth. The leading ship is raked along its side at the water's edge, and Isaribi assumes they reached a fuel tank or possibly a powder magazine because the ship erupts into fire, the upper deck surging into the air a dozen meters before its corpse comes crashing back down into the water in two pieces. Sinking rapidly and surrounded by fire, the next ship has its deck and control tower melted down into slag by the third head. All doors and access ports sealed by molten metal, this ship as well begins to veer off out of control while listing heavily to one side. It'd only be a matter of time before it sank below of the waves.

Looking up as the enemy ninja begin to head her way, Isaribi gave thanks that Karin and Honoka had thought ahead and used chakra storage batteries from Spring to power the golem and not regulated the whole thing to her own chakra. She certainly wouldn't have been able to keep this up. Now however, as she can hear screaming men and calls for vengeance, she stomps a foot down once and the twin tails of the great beast rise from the water to answer her call. Caught by surprise, the tails begin swatting the men into the waters below. Broken bodies sailing through the air, while it gives her time to finish a short chain of handseals to finish off some stragglers trying to escape. Chest expanding, Isaribi takes aim, "Suiton: Water bullets!" The rest of the ninja are put down quickly.

Taking in the scene around her, three sinking wrecks and a fourth just now capsizing and on fire, the leader of the Undertow squad nods once resolutely as the ocean burns around her. A hand comes up to her radio as she keys it back to Uzushio channels, "Undertow Queen to control. All enemies eliminated. Clean up and salvage requested. Over."

The response is near instant, "Understood Undertow Queen. Undertow salvage squads are on the way. Over."

Kaima form fading away as the two heads she wasn't riding came close to nudge her gently, she caresses them softly with a smile, "Thanks control. I'm heading back, over and out." Sitting down as Fuwafuwa turned back to Uzushio and swam by the sinking wrecks, she considered things quietly. She didn't want to have to kill, but she does want to protect this life. Not just her own, but of every citizen of Uzushio. None of them needed to live a life like she did, no more needed to suffer the whims of corrupt nations. No. She'd fight to keep her home free.

Looking up, as the companion heads returned under the water and the main head returned to skimming just under the surface, Isaribi smiled and leaned back on her hands to enjoy the heat of the sun on her skin. It was going to be another perfect day.

She'd make sure of it.

-b-

Sitting crossed legged on a rock and facing his training master, Naruto smiled as Fukasaku gave him a tail about Jiraiya's own sage training so long ago. Though, Fukasaku laughs as Naruto seems to have no problem holding his own sage mode near perfectly now, eyes rimmed with orange and pupils like those of a frogs, though still in the Rinnegan.

"You know, I never would have believed you would have picked up sage training as quickly as you have. I thought your plan was to ambitious, the hope of a tadpole with more guts than sense."

Naruto chuckles as he rocks in place, "I told you. I have a family to return to." And he was getting anxious to get back as well. His month was almost up and he finally had an idea of just what to do with Kumo. Plus he was anxious about Koyuki and Kotohime and hoping they were doing well. Along with the others. Maybe with more free time he was beginning to worry more than he should.

Fukasaku nods both to what he says and the feelings he puts off, "Be warned, young Naruto." Seeing he had the boy's attention, the elder toad continued on. "There is a great responsibility with this power. It would be devastating to everyone you love and the world if you should lose yourself to it. Remember, any imbalance can see you turn to stone, or worse." It was the worse scenario that Fukasaku wanted to make sure didn't come to pass.

Naruto waves a hand in front of his face as if to ward off evil, "No worries. I won't let something like that happen." Naruto had been working hard, increasing his control and understanding of sage mode and senjutsu in general. He wanted to truly be completed in his training by the end of this trip.

Fukasaku sighs with some relief, hoping that Naruto could keep that promise. Eventually his thoughts however turn to a different promise he had made long ago and with a heavy sigh and hopes that he was doing the correct thing, Fukasaku slaps a chakra filled palm on the rocky ground. In an explosion of smoke that quickly wafts away, Naruto is met with a new toad. "Naruto my boy, meet Gerotora. A rare breed of scroll toad that has a specific connection to you."

Greeted by the orange and black themed toad boasting belly rings, Gerotora quickly bows before Fukasaku, "Elder, are you sure this is wise? He's only just learned to harness senjetsu."

Fukasaku places a soft hand on Gerotora's shoulder, "Be at ease. I believe Naruto is more than ready." Seeing that said boy was confused, Fukasaku moves to explain things. "Gerotora has been entrusted with guarding the key to the eight trigrams seal that you hold. There were originally only a few reasons you would have been given access to this key. First, if you learned how to fight against and filter out the biju's will in order to access its chakra. Or two, if you found a different method and needed to modify the seal." There was a pause as Fukasaku motioned to Naruto while said boy grinned in his own lackadaisical way, "Since you have, in your own way, found a third option and befriended the biju, I've decided it was time to give you the key."

Gerotora is hesitant however, still kneeling but speaking his peace, "I must bring up, I haven't had a chance to evaluate whether Naruto is ready for this responsibility. This is a large thing to hand over elder."

"Naruto boy has not only made it through sage training, but done so faster and more completely than even Jiraiya had. He will be just fine." Gerotora raises his eyebrows at that admission while Naruto dives inward to bring it up with Kurama.

'Looks like we're getting closer to fixing you up buddy.'

'Being whole again would be nice. I'd like to not feel like a constant ball of rage and hatred in all my waking hours.'

'You've been pretty good till now though. Especially recently.'

'I've had hours worth of memories of you mating with your various partners. It's kept me busy.'

Naruto blinked without saying a word for a minute before a frown started to grace his features, 'Have you been…jacking it, to me having sex?'

'I don't have the anatomy for that.'

'You know what I mean fox!'

'It's better than me wishing you and everyone you love dead isn't it!? Don't judge me!'

'I'm judging! Right in this moment I'm judging so hard!'

'You do a lot of things hard.'

'Pervert!'

'Ingrate! I'm what you made me!'

'I didn't make you a pervert asshole! Delete those memories right now!'

'Are you stupid, I can't do that!'

'Then I'll come in there and do it myself!'

'You sound like an idiot.'

'So I sound like you then?'

'Monkey!'

'Bastard!'

Fukasaku clapped his hands in front of Naruto to regain his attention, "Tadpole, we're not done here."

Coming back to his senses, Naruto sighed and vowed to smack Kurama around later, "Sorry, got distracted. I'm assuming with this key I'll be able to complete Kurama then?"

Gerotora nods slowly, some worry in his features as the orange and black themed toad sighed heavily, "That is something you will be able to do with the key inscribed on me yes. However." Here he locks eyes with Naruto, mustering as serious a look as he can. "Even if you and the biju are in agreement right now, the simple fact is that its chakra has been cut in half. It's unbalanced. This will have repercussions whether you like it or not. So. Until you return the rest of its chakra, I do not advise using its chakra freely, or even opening the seal at all."

Naruto has a finger to his chin as he thinks on that. "I'm guess then the best way to go about it is to open the seal and merge his chakra together all at once? Sounds smart."

'Sounds painful.'

'Not a word out of you pervert.'

'What'd I do?'

'Enough.'

'That's not an answer at all!'

Naruto sighed and ticked off with his fingers, "So use the key, fix the seal, fix our chakra. All in that order and most likely all at once."

Fukasaku is the first to pick up on his wording, "What do you mean your chakra?"

Shrugging and mentally making plans which included using the Shinigami mask, Naruto answered the elder, "Well, we're both imbalanced right now. Sage training will fix me eventually, while the seal and key will fix Kurama. Best to get it all over with at once I think."

Understanding better now, Fukasaku turns to Gerotora, "Satisfied?"

Gerotora sighed but nodded again, "Yes. He is determined and has shown he has the strength of character to follow through with his plans. I submit to him." What Naruto thought were three belly bands actually expanded. Gerotora growing in height before unwinding and showing off a scroll that was the key to his seal for Kurama. Near a corner was a place that Fukasaku motioned for Naruto to sign his name in blood.

"Much as you signed the toad contract, you must make a contract with Gerotora in order to access the key."

Fascinated but nodding, Naruto bites his thumb to draw blood before doing just that, signing his name before Gerotora rolls back up and collapses back down into his normal form. "That it?"

Gerotora grins, "Not quite. Open wide!"

Naruto is more than a little confused, "Wha-" As his mouth opened, Gerotora jumped and immediately began to scurry down Naruto's throat. 'What the hell!?"

'Mwuahahaha, you've gotta eat a toad!'

'Fuck you Kurama! This sucks!'

'Payback! Taste frog legs!'

Fukasaku could see that Gerotora would need some help, and with a healthy kick Naruto was forced to swallow the other toad. "Gerotora now resides within you, and you now have full access to your seal to modify as you will."

Sick to his stomach and fighting now whether to heave or spew his lunch. Naruto nodded and gave Fukasaku a thumbs up. "Yay." Within moments and mentally overwhelmed, Naruto was knocked out.

Fukasaku sat, watching over the slumped body of the child of prophecy. "This is the moment. Will you be who we need? A savior? Or an engine of destruction?" Bowing his head in silent prayer, Fukasaku waited to see just who would wake up before him.

Inside his mind, Naruto grunted as he was already in front of Kurama's cage. "Well, that's new."

Kurama nods, massive body laying down and relaxed, "Is this it Naruto?"

"Guess so." Walking forward towards the mental manifestation of the seal, Naruto looked Kurama in the eye. "You ready for this?"

"Have been, for a long time. Sure I still have to share a body with you, but at least I won't be stuffed in here. Most importantly, I'll be whole again."

"That's the spirit bro. Let's do this." Reaching up with every intention to rip the seal free, another hand grasps his wrist. Confused and held in place, Naruto raises an eyebrow at the blonde man standing next to him. "Well huh. My mind is getting rather crowded. Though I thought for sure it'd be beautiful scantily clad women." A woman snorted somewhere behind him, and Naruto couldn't help but grin at the tired look that crossed the man's face.

"You know, usually there would be a little more surprise to find someone else in one's mind."

Naruto shrugs as he pulls away and turns to see both the blonde man in ninja attire and the red head who he knew right away to be his mother. "I'm just weird like that."

Minato shakes his head, "You really are something. Congratulations for making it this far, Naruto."

Naruto nods, "Uh huh. One second." It takes only second for Naruto to be pulled into a tight and teary hug by Kushina. Both of them latching onto each other and bawling their eyes out. Minato can't help but look up at Kurama feeling a bit left out.

"I feel like left over rice."

"You should you crafty monkey. You broke me in half."

"You both would have died otherwise."

"No excuse."

"All the excuses, you killed us!"

"I was under someone else's control."

"Like you really fought it."

"Semantics."

"I loathe you fox."

"Same to you little brat."

"Go die."

"Get diddled by the third."

Naruto and Kushina gave both of them the finger, "Shut up! Mother and son are having a moment." Smiling through her tears, Kushina pushes Naruto away so she can take in his face, "You really have grown to be so handsome haven't you, my big strong son."

Naruto nods and wipes his tears, "Hey mom. Sorry it took me so long to visit."

Kushina shakes her head, "No. You've done so well. Put up with so much. I'm so happy and proud of you and the man you've become."

Minato nods, coming to stand next to his wife with a smile on his face. "You know. Originally I had sealed portions of myself and Kushina inside you in case Kurama decided to get uppity. Glad to see that wasn't necessary."

Naruto nods, "Smart move really. Kurama was an ass in the beginning."

"Hey, I can hear you! And you weren't much better!" Hot breath washed over all of them, and was mostly ignored.

Kushina giggled and looked up at the biju, "You've certainly lightened up since your time with me. I'm glad. You seem to have learned a little bit about the good side of humanity now."

Kurama grunted and looked away from the group, not blushing, no, not at all, "The welp needed protecting was all. And you." Turning to point at her, he frowned, "You've been here all this time and didn't visit me. How rude!"

Kushina motions to the blank world around them, "I was stuck in the space that I was sealed to. Not like I could freely visit you."

Minato and Naruto laugh together as Kushina peels off to berate the ancient biju, before Naruto quiets down and gives Minato a strange look. Minato noticed this as well, "What's up Naruto?"

Naruto suddenly grins wide, "Grit those teeth old man!"

"Huh?" Minato probably could have avoided the fist that crashed into his jaw if he was alive. But maybe not. Across from them Kushina turns to watch things for a moment before sighing and nodding. Not surprised as she remember the life story Naruko had told her, so she doesn't step in and instead goes back to reminiscing with a grinning Kurama.

Naruto walks forward to help Minato up, "I love you, I understand why you chose me to seal Kurama inside of. But it was shitty and I felt like I needed to belt you one."

Minato doesn't refute it, instead grinning and slapping Naruto on the shoulder, "You've sure grown strong haven't you? I'm glad. Wanna give me some of the highlights?"

Naruto begins to tick off some of the happier moments of his life while ignoring that a lot of them happened outside of Konoha. "Made some really important and lifelong friends. Fell in love, a few times. Found more family and rebuilt Uzushio. I've stomped all of the sannin at least once. Killed the slimy one. And now I'm on par with most kage. Oh. And I'm gonna be a dad!" Naruto went on to explain more of it. The Foxden girls, the overly flirty Mei, some of the drama with Kumo. The works. At the end of it, Minato still had a proud smile on his face.

"You had a real time of it. I just. I wish we could have been there to see it all." Minato leans in, mock whispering to his son, "How is it, multiple wives? It as amazing as I think it is?"

Naruto nods, also leaning in, "It's totally awesome. You wouldn't believe half of it even if I told you."

They both miss Kushina overhearing them, turning with her hair floating ominously behind her with a death glare on her face. "Oh Minato-kun? Am I not enough for you suddenly?" Chakra chains were beginning to fill the air.

Minato is quick to defuse her, Sweeping her into his arms and laying a gentle kiss on her forehead. "You are my beautiful and amazing wife! I could never need more than you to fill my heart." Smirking down at her blushing face, all ominous features gone, they both flirt back and forth while Naruto takes notes.

Kurama snickers, "Making sure to know how to diffuse fiery women?"

"Absolutely."

"You know if you weren't here they'd probably be at it like rabbits."

Naruto frowns and points at the grinning biju, "All children have to acknowledge that their parents did it once. That's all."

Kurama wiggled his eyebrows, "Oh I can guarantee, it was more than once, why, let me tell you-"

"Lalalalalal, can't hear you asshole! Don't ruin the moment!"

Embarrassed at being lovey dovey in front of their son, Kushina still smacks Minato lightly on the chest as he lets her down to her feet, "I better be mister." They both turn to Naruto with happy looks while said teen is contemplative. "Musuko?"

Fiddling with his hands, Naruto tries to maintain eye contact with them both. "What…what would you say, about me bringing you both back? I have the Shinigami mask…and the zero-"

Kushina steps forward quickly, a firm hand grasping his shoulder, "No." Seeing the pained expression on his face, Kushina softens and shakes her head. "We've had our time. Need I remind you, the Uzumaki hold life as sacred above all else. Yes, we died early and that is regrettable, but die we did. More than anything, we wish we could have spent more time with you, but we can't live outside of the wheel of fate. We aren't gods, you included." Kushina takes a moment to clear a tear away from his face, fingers trailing along his cute whisker marks though her own tears are falling as well. "We shouldn't decide who should live and who should die. If you bring us back, then who is next? Your wives families? Friends? What about other people? People you don't know? Enemies? Life was never meant to be so trivial a thing."

Naruto is bitter about that, "It's not fair in the end, that you were taken from me by some asshole who wanted Kurama. I had suffered all that time because of that. If I have the power to bring you back, to give you a second chance, why can't I? Just you two, no one else."

Kushina brings him in for another hug and realizes idly that her son was a bit taller than her and very broad shouldered, "It is a huge responsibility, having control of that power. There are times when, more than just an idle temptation, one might be willing to make the sacrifice needed in order to bring someone they love back." She pulls away again, stepping back to take all of him in, "In my case, as much fun as it would be to return, as much as my heart screams for it, it would go against my beliefs."

Minato agrees with her and speaks up, "While I'd love to see how Konoha is fairing and what life you have built for yourself in Uzushio, in the end I have lived a fun life and given it to protect you."

It takes some time for Naruto to control himself and nod, but eventually he does with effort. He understands in the end, "The Uzumaki won't intrude upon the realm of gods if we can help it. That last hurdle, life and death, is not to be played with lightly."

Smiling and nodding Kushina begins to fade, "Thank you Naruto. For being such a good man, and learning from all of our various mistakes. Please, live long and well, eat properly and take care of your little sister and be good to your wives. Remember to always be yourself and strive to be better than the you of yesterday."

Fading as well and clutching his wife to his side, Minato give him a thumbs up, "Give us lots of grandchildren and we better not see you on the other side to come visit us until you are old and grey."

"I promise to do just that. I'll make you proud and I'll bring peace, just like you had tried to do."

Both of his parents nod, leaning into each other, "We believe in you Naruto. We love you and are proud of the man you have become."

Naruto watches as they both fade away, leaving him alone with a quiet Kurama who says nothing as the teen collects himself. After a few minutes of calm silence, with a bright grin, Naruto looks up and points to the sky. "Fuck yeah! Not only do my parents love me and are proud of me, but they agreed with everything I had been doing up till now. Heh, dad's even a little jealous of me. Which is awesome."

Kurama brings up the rather large elephant in the room, not including himself. "I know, it must be a bitter pill to swallow, to have the power to bring your parents back, but being told not to."

Sobering up with a nod as his hands fall to his sides, Naruto's shoulders sag a bit, "Yeah of course. But I get it. My mom is right. We shouldn't try to be the gods themselves, deciding who is worth bringing back and who isn't. Remember, in order to bring someone back, I have to sacrifice someone else. So where would that end? Who would I be willing to sacrifice? Anyone? Everyone? All just to keep my loved ones alive while everyone else's dies? No. Life Mom said, it's a heavy thing to bring someone back. And rightfully so. A life for a life, and all life is precious."

Kurama continues to be the other voice in this, having to make sure of Naruto's priorities. "Are you sure? What if something happened to one of your women? Could you still say that then?"

Hesitating for a moment as a coldness gripped his heart and soul before nodding firmly. "I'd have to. So much is depending on my living on, not giving in and breaking the life and death cycle. Plus, the girls wouldn't be able to stand me if I sacrificed someone else just for them. They'd hate it and me for that." Not that he knew how he would act in his grief if something like that happened. But here and now he could resolve to stay on the correct path. He wasn't a false god. He wasn't Pain. Shaking himself and reminding himself again what he was really doing here. Naruto strode forward and grabbed the paper seal on Kurama's cage. "Don't worry Kurama. I'll remain myself. So don't you go changing on me either."

Kurama nods, "You keep your word, I'll keep mine."

"Great. Then hold onto your butt, this might hurt a little." And the seal was torn away.

-b-

Lunch having come and gone and still over the day, Tayuya is nursing a headache while behind her En and Gosu watch on as the tall yet slender Kiyone gives her a report about the Land of Sky incursion. All of the carriers had been sunk and already the Zosensho clan was asking for salvage rights to the wrecks. More, the populace had somehow been informed of what had happened and calls for retribution were already coming up the pipeline. Sure Uzu had stopped them in their tracks, but how dare they attack in the first place. That was going to be a nightmare in and of itself.

Kiyone looks up from her clipboard, "The Zosensho are being very adamant about the carriers. Saying they have an idea in mind."

Tayuya waves a hand and nods, "Okay okay. Give them the go ahead. Take what they want." They were to be their nation's ship builders after all. Let them have at it.

Kiyone nods, going back to her report as she makes a note, "There were barely half a dozen survivors and we've already set about interrogating them. They all however keep alluding to one thing. Some great fortress that is coming to cleanse the world of our filth. More accurately, in their words, 'Uzushio would be properly wiped off the map like it should have been last time."

Tayuya grunts and rests a cheek in a hand as she thinks about that one. So Land of Sky must have been involved with the destruction of Uzushio previously. Which also meant that someone else had to be involved as well now. Land of Sky was pretty far away, so someone local must have passed along the information that Uzushio was back. With the way things had been going lately, Kumo was the likely suspect. "Okay, I'll deal with the rest. You can go Kiyone. Thanks." Watching the tall woman bow before turning and leaving, Tayuya is left to consider things. So the Land of Sky wanted to pick a fight did they? Okay, she could deal with that, or rather, depending on when Naruto returned, she could hold things together until he did. Her intercom chimes and she presses the button to answer, "What's up Mihoshi?" The blonde partner to Kiyone was manning the secretary desk while the more capable Kiyone was running the ninja floor.

"I've just gotten word from the border monitoring group. Two Akatsuki members have been sighted and are headed our way. Still outside of Wave at the moment."

Tayuya is almost instantly set on edge, "Any descriptions?"

"One has a large three bladed scythe and silver hair while the other has deep brown skin and a mask covering his face."

Ah, the pair that fought against Fu and Naruko then. Perfect. She had some anger to work out on the pair and she was sure Fu and Naruko would just love a rematch. "Thanks Mihoshi. Relay to the border group that I'll be putting together a team and handling them personally."

"As you wish Lady Uzumaki!" Mihoshi's cheery voice answered her, and Tayuya leaned back as En and Gosu fretted behind her.

En is the one to start up first, "Shouldn't some of us deal with the intruders first? We shouldn't put you at risk, especially with-"

Tayuya held up a hand. "This is Akatsuki we're talking about. S-Rank criminals that are a step above most if not all other ninja not at Kage level. You'd be lucky to spit on these guys before they kill you. No. You guys have your job, I have mind." Of course, Naruto was more suited for this, but he entrusted Uzushio to her, and she would make sure the city still stood when he returned. "I have a plan. No Uzumaki battles without one."

En exchanges a look with Gosu who sighs and leans forward, "Are you sure Lady Tayuya? Again, your condition is-"

"My condition is none of your business." Tayuya slapped a hand on Naruto's desk, rattling it and the room in her irritation. So she had been a little moody lately. Nothing major. "Outside of Naruto and Fu, I'm probably the strongest ninja we have available at the moment. Worst case scenario we cripple one or both of them, and evacuate everyone to the city to lock down and shelter in place."

En and Gosu finally lean back, both nodding, "As you wish, Lady Uzumaki."

Tayuya nods, keying up her radio as she forms a vague plan in her mind. "Ms. 7 and Hellspawn, come to the Kage's office. I've got some news for you." Mentally she wonders at the timing of it all. First the Land of Sky gives them problems, and now Akatsuki? What was next, one of the major villages decided to give them issues as well? She knocked on wood because that was exactly what would happen. Returning to paperwork as she waited, she considered the other situation she was in. Naruto better hurry up and return. She had been waiting to update him and had vowed not to tell anyone else besides him first. She'd not dare, just in case she jinxed that too.

The office doors open, a refreshed and bubbly Fu and a quiet Naruko walking in and standing before Tayuya on the other side of her desk. Naruko is the one to grin and salute her, "You called?"

Tayuya nods, "Akatsuki has been sighted headed this way. You up for a rematch?"

Naruko's grin turns feral as even Fu clinches a fist and nods, "So they're on their way are they?"

"Yup, and our job is to stop them before they reach Uzushio."

Fu turns to Naruko with a grin of her own, "Your chakra is pretty much full since we've just been lazing around. There's no better time than now."

Naruko nods, "I can't wait to eat that sonnovabitch Hidan."

Tayuya shook her head, "I'm thinking different. You both should deal with Kakuzu while I deal with Hidan."

Naruko twitched, but remained under control, instead only asking the obvious, "Why?"

Tayuya pointed at her specifically, "Because he's the melee fighter. He works off of blood so far as you could figure out right? Something to do with his ritual and seal. I can counter that, you can't. Kakuzu on the other hand is weird but completely kill-able if you can overwhelm him. And the both of you together can do that." Seeing both girls think it over before slowly coming to the realization and nodding, Tayuya smirks, "We'll take them both down, and offer their heads as trophies to the nearest bounty office when we're done."

Fu nods, nudging the feral looking Naruko with a smile, "Let's do this then. We'll take them out and show em why they don't mess with Uzushio."

Naruko nods, "Make sure to shove a kunai where the sun don't shine for me would ya? Hidan's a bastard and deserves it."

Tayuya nods, standing and unsealing her Kanabo. "Don't you worry, I've got an idea for that asshole. Just you wait and see." She had been working previously with Naruto and eventually Karin on some enhancements for her weapon. Guess today was the test drive.

-b-

Far away in the Hokage's office in Konoha, Tsunade groaned as she leaned back in her chair. Things were not going well as far as she could tell. Konoha may be fine, but whispers said otherwise of the other villages. Jiraiya was keeping his ears to the ground and apparently Kumo and Iwa were making dangerous moves behind the scenes. Suna was attempting to run interference with mixed results and Kiri was something of a mixed bag at the moment. But all signs pointed to things headed towards another war, which in her opinion would not be worth it and wouldn't be in anyone's best interest.

Poking her own intercom and waiting, Shizune soon opened her door and walked inside, "You called lady Tsunade?"

Tsunade nodded, motioning to a chair in which Shizune sat. "I want you to get ahold of Jiraiya, Kakashi and Asuma. Put some teams together to deliver messages to the other villages."

Shizune's eyebrows rose quickly as her master was rarely so serious. "What about my lady? Has something happened?"

"Not yet, but I fear what could be on the horizon." Tsunade tented her hands together as she thought. With Danzo out of the way it had been easy to solidify her power base within the village and turn things around. Even the Fire Daimyo was being nicer to her. That said it wasn't like she had enough power to bully the other nations into following her will. Especially with Naruto and the Kyuubi long gone. No. Negotiations were needed for this. "I'm calling a Five Kage summit. Both to introduce Uzushiogakure back into the fold and to hopefully bring down some of these tensions."

That sent Shizune reeling, "Do you really think things are that bad already? Something like this…it's only meant for the worst of times."

Agreeing with her subordinate and leaning back in her chair, Tsunade sighs heavily and wishes she could drink right now, "You aren't wrong. But think about it. Rumors on the wind speak of Kumo inciting violence in the east. Iwa is courting with unknowns in the south. And we've lost contact with several nations as far east as the Land of Demons. No. Something is moving and I know some of it is related to other nation's relations with Uzushio. We need to put this to rest quickly before the entirety of the elemental nations are once again dropped into a bloody war. One with even worse consequences than any before now." Tsunade's hard eyes lock onto a worried Shizune, "You know what Naruto is capable of doing. Do you think he will hold back if his people are threatened?"

Shizune is shaking her head immediately, "No. He would level anyone, everyone, if it meant Uzushio survived."

"Exactly, which is why we need to find some peaceful ground now. Before something happens. So, send the word and gather them all up. I'll make preparations on my end including getting in touch with neutral ground in the Land of Iron." Tsunade watched her apprentice leave with a ball of worriy in her heart. Was she over reacting? Worrying over nothing? Or was she too late and had things already gotten out of hand? She hadn't gotten any worrying updates from Uzushio, and their monthly visit wasn't due for another week. Surely things could hold out for a week.

Surely.

-AN-

And cut. Stage one of the Land of Sky invasion was a dud, but there's still more to come. Naruto gets some family time while we're ramping up to his final seal completion, and apparently the Zombie twins have finally wandered their way to Uzushio. Will they get smacked around like the Sky ninja, or will this be an actual challenge for Uzushio. Time will tell.

Personally, I felt like this pair were done kinda dirty in the anime, so uh. Keep that in mind. Though in the OG, Shikamaru was a badass in taking down Hidan. Always loved that fight.

-OMAKE-

Returned to the Land of Water and Kirigakure to rest before returning to Uzushiogakure, Hinata, Ino, Karin and Honoka stood before Mei, giving her a report on the situation with the Sanbi while assuring her that Kiri wouldn't have to worry about the biju from here on.

Hinata is taking the lead with this conversation, standing as tall as she's able with her back straight, "For now we have the Sanbi secured and stable. Returning it to Uzushio won't be a problem and we'll deal with the fallout of killing the Kumo ninja while we were here."

Mei smiles and nods, relaxing in her seat, "It's a wonderful thing that Uzushio was willing to help us so quickly in our time of need. However, what about that pair outside my doors you've picked up? I didn't know Uzushio as a whole had a habit of picking up strays." Perhaps Lord Naruto's habits extended to the others?

Nodding, Hinata smiles, "They are refuges, nothing more. They'll be coming with us."

Still smiling, Mei trails a finger along her clean desk, "And, what about my request? To have Lord Uzumaki come and visit me sometimes? It does get so, lonely, here sometimes. Us Kage should have a warm chat from time to time."

Chest pushed out just a bit more, Hinata's eyes hardened just a bit, "My Husband is a busy man. I'm sure he will get around to visiting you when he has the time."

Adjusting herself and jacket loosening a bit, Mei's smile becomes more of a smirk, "Sometimes a man needs to be let off his leash a bit. Surely you don't wish to domesticate him completely." Oh so the little girl wanted to bite back did she?

Hinata's own jacket slipped a bit, orange tube top suddenly straining, "There is no leash on dear husband. He can do as he pleases. Which he does, regularly and, completely."

Look now sultry and eyes hooded, Mei's smirk increases, "You have a lot of trust in Lord Naruto."

"Of course, we never have to worry about his attention wandering after all."

Shrugging, Mei still trails a finger along her desk as behind her Ao and Chojuro both look ready to run for the hills, "It never hurts to try new things." More cleavage on display than before, Mei knew she didn't lose out on the physical side of things.

Behind Hinata and whispering to Karin, Ino can't help but sweat a bit as she wished they could leave already. "Guess the big titty squad are gonna come to blows any second now."

Karin nods, leaning in and whispering as well, "Maybe they could do their chest measuring contest somewhere else? Somewhere not around a sealed away chakra monster from ancient legend."

Honoka leans in and grins, "Should I throw in my own lot in this?" Ino and Karin both pinch her. "Ow."

Ino points a finger at her, "Stay out of it if you know what's good for you."

Hinata is openly glaring at the Mizukage now, "Listen here you dirty sow."

Mei is already beginning to stand, "Say that again you deceitful heifer."

Ino and Karin both high five each other, "Modest girls for the win."

Karin nods, "You said it."

Outside of the office and unknowing of the impending danger, Yukimaru sways back and forth on the bench where he and Guren had been placed. "Can you believe it Guren? A new city where we can be at peace and not be forced to fight anymore."

Guren gives him a tired sigh but nods all the same, "It's amazing to think about, but don't get ahead of yourself. You never know what's going to happen until you get there." Yukimaru ignores her, going on and on about his plans and wanting to join a school and make tons of friends. Guren however is focused on the office, feeling for sure that something important was going on inside.

Hinata has a leg up and a foot on Mei's desk, pointing a middle finger at the Kage, "Why don't you chase someone else's husband you christmas cake!"

Mei was up and in Hinata's face as well, chest pushing against the younger girl's, "I'll melt your face off you snobby Hyuuga!"

Ino and Karin stared to drag Honoka away, "Best not to get involved."

Karin nods, "Yup, best to leave this one alone."

Honoka is smiling however, chakra chain and sealed scroll still held tightly to her back. "We're gaining a new sister aren't we?"

Ino and Karin look to the now dirty fighting pair rolling around on the floor, watched by a fretting but unsure Ao and Chojuro, "Probably." There went Hinata's jacket, soon followed by Mei's.

Karin nods, "Definitely." Hopefully Naruto didn't mind.