AN: Chapter 15 arrives! Nothing to say. Let's get to it!

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XXX

People Change

Naruto grunted as he collapsed onto his butt. He leaned back and supported his weight on his hands taking in deep breaths of air as if he was gulping down water after being without it for days. The training left him feeling sore but fulfilled. It was nice, being able to go all out without some silly Grimm interrupting them.

"Well?" Sasuke inquired.

"It's weird, ttebayo."

"Obviously. You're definitely stronger though."

"Yeah… the extra voices in my head are something new though. Sometimes the advice conflicts. The biju have different ways of going about everything. And I mean everything," Naruto replied. That was an understatement. Naruto thought he had a lot of chakra before, but now it was as though there simply was no end to his well of power. He was now the jinchuriki of every biju except Gyuki and Shukaku. The only issue was that they all tried to give him advice. Conflicting advice on just about every little thing; even outside of his fights.

He did not want anymore love advice from Son Goku and Matatabi. One wanted him to dump Yang, the other wanted him to stay with her, and then Kokuo thinks he should just court Weiss! Naruto could hardly take this anymore.

"Just tell them you want Kurama to take the lead during combat. There's no reason to change what already works for you."

"Kurama says 'filthy Uchiha like you are to only refer to him as the great lord Kyuubi.' But he also begrudgingly acknowledges that you have a point. The biju are discussing it now and trying to figure out how to go about assisting me best in battle," Naruto replied. Sasuke snorted and Naruto knew he wouldn't ever refer to Kurama as such, but he doubted Kurama thought so either.

"Good. I suppose we should end this here though. Don't you have to go meet your little girlfriends?" Sasuke asked, inspecting his sword for any damage. Technically it shouldn't break, but Naruto often managed the impossible.

"I only have one girlfriend, Sasuke. And I don't know. I kinda need to get some more training in. We have so much to do before the Otsutsuki get back."

Sasuke sheathed his sword. "Not like you to avoid your problems," He replied, folding his arms before him and leaning against the tree at his back.

"Not avoiding it…" Naruto mumbled. A complete and total lie, of course. Naruto simply had no idea what to do about his problem. Hinata clearly didn't want to talk to him and even though Yang wanted him around he personally felt conflicted about it all. Naruto didn't really know a lot about relationships like this. He'd been prepared to learn with Yang, but now? He felt rather lost.

"Sure you're not. I'm not going to make you do anything though. I don't really care what you do with them, in the end. We're home now, after all."

"Just shut up and get to your date with Sakura."

"It's a check-up."

"Uh huh," Naruto replied, shooing him away. Sasuke shook his head and vanished. Once he was gone, Naruto let a long raucous sigh escape his lips as he flopped onto his back. He had no idea what he was going to do about his situation next.

Hinata set her tea down as she sat with Yang, Winter, Weiss, and Cinder. Emerald was asleep and Sai was out for now. Initially, she never thought she would be able to civilly have a cup of tea with Yang and her friends, but after that conversation they had last week Hinata was at least somewhat comfortable. It was an odd thing, being welcomed by Naruto's girlfriend. And the discussion they'd had… Hinata couldn't believe it.

"I've been meaning to ask," Winter began, prompting Hinata to drop her train of thought. She'd learned that Winter did not care for her very much. She understood why now but that didn't particularly make her feel any better. Winter cared a great deal about her sister and Yang had informed Hinata that Weiss also had feelings for Naruto. As an older sister herself, Hinata understood completely how protective Winter was being… even if it was a tad misplaced.

"Yes?" Hinata replied, doubting the question was going to be directed at anyone else.

"Brief as it has been, I've noticed that Sasuke does not seem to get along with anyone other than Naruto while we've been here. I know he said he'd planned to kill the five Kage…" Winter trailed off as she watched Hinata visibly flinch at her words, her eyes widening greatly.

"He… what…?" Hinata breathed, trying to fathom it. She very quickly reasoned that this was not an idle threat, either. Sasuke's strength was leagues above the Kage at this point. The only one capable of rivaling him would be Naruto. Suddenly, she remembered Naruto stopping Sasuke from answering Tsunade's question as to why they'd come to blows.

"You didn't know…" Winter winced.

"No… no I didn't… I know he'd gone after the Kage before, but… he'd seemed satisfied with Danzo's death. At least, that's what I thought when he came to help us during the war."

"I see… I'm sorry you found out this way. What you just said leads to my question though. You said he came to help and as I said, he doesn't get along with anyone here. I figured it had to be more than just his attempt to kill the Kage, so I was curious… what happened, exactly?" Winter asked, pushing forward despite the awkwardness she'd caused.

Hinata considered her next words carefully. The information they wanted wasn't really any of their business. They had no right to know anything about this; it was Sasuke's private life, despite how public it was. On the other hand, though… Sasuke was a traitor to the village. He'd tried to kill Naruto on multiple occasions and even Sakura. Hinata didn't owe him any of her loyalty. He had to earn that back.

Besides, what would knowing this about him do? It likely wouldn't change how they treated him. Not really. They already knew he'd planned to kill all their world leaders after all. It wasn't much like her, but Hinata found that she wasn't very bothered over the prospect of airing his dirty laundry.

"I-I do not know why, but Sasuke's brother m-murdered their entire clan except for Sasuke himself. Sasuke devoted all his energy and thoughts to revenge after that. As he sought power a traitor to the village, Orochimaru, began to seek Sasuke out for his eyes. It took a seal that influenced him a little, but eventually S-Sasuke defected. In the process he nearly got all the male clan heirs killed as they chased after him… and he nearly k-killed Naruto-kun himself. With a Chidori to the chest. The war was the first time in around three years that any of us had seen Sasuke since he left. Except for his old teammates."

"He didn't seem like that kind of person when we met…" Cinder breathed, her eyes unfocused. Hinata took another sip of her tea and considered Cinder's words. She could see herself that something about Sasuke had changed, but she couldn't know what. Whatever altered his behavior had to have happened either before he came to help them or after she'd already been caught in the Infinite Tsukuyomi.

Sakura had seemed more put off by his presence as of late, however. She hadn't even acted like this after he'd nearly killed her. Something else must have happened. Hinata was sure of it. Or… she also knows he intended to kill the Kage after the war. Maybe she saw it as another betrayal from him? Hinata wondered. She considered it a decent theory. It would surprise her if Sakura didn't know. Based on the retelling of events from Naruto after he freed them it didn't seem like Sakura had been separated from him up until he went off to fight with Sasuke.

Setting her tea down, Hinata shrugged and replied. "Maybe he isn't. I can't know. As I said, apart from the war no one's had interactions with him aside from Team Seven. We d-don't know what he's been up to since he left. W-well, aside from the things that had him nearly labeled as an international criminal."

"And Naruto still wanted to bring him back to the village? For what? Trial?" Winter inquired. It was the only logical course in her mind. She was therefore shocked when Hinata shook her head.

"Naruto-kun maintains that Sasuke was being influenced when he left. That may be true, but none of us think that has a-any bearing on his actions later. Especially after Sasuke killed Orochimaru. No… Sasuke's made his choices, b-but Naruto-kun wants to just knock some sense into him and bring him back. To make his team whole again."

"How could he possibly…? After everything Sasuke's done!?" Emerald suddenly interjected, sitting up from the bed. It seems she was not as sleep as Hinata had once thought. Here, a small yet fond smile crept its way onto Hinata's lips.

"Naruto-kun… he has a very big heart. H-he always has… even when most of the villagers h-hated him and wanted him dead, he forgave them all. I'm not sure he's capable of holding a grudge. Despite whatever their relationship has become now, Naruto-kun and Sasuke were close as children. At least, as far as two rivals can be. They always bickered and fought, but I noticed times when they'd be happier for it after interacting with one another.

"A-and Naruto-kun promised Sakura that he would definitely bring Sasuke back. He doesn't break his promises. It would go against his Nindo…"

"Nindo?" Yang asked, trying the word out on her tongue. She knew it was foreign.

"Oh! Y-yes, um… the best way to translate it would probably be his shinobi way. His guiding principle or principles as a shinobi. I've… I've never seen Naruto-kun break a promise." Hinata's soft smile widened a bit. Yang hummed and smiled to herself as well, thinking that that would be a good thing. Weiss merely looked on, contemplative.

"I see… so Naruto intends to bring Sasuke back to the village no matter what. There's no way he'd be able to dodge all the things he's done though. What will happen to him? Naruto can't stop his punishment."

"He… just might b-be able to. Naruto-kun has a very good relationship with the current Hokage. He's also very close friends with the Kazekage as they are both Jinchuriki. From what I've heard these past few days the Raikage's brother, Killer B is also on very friendly terms with Naruto due to his Jinchuriki status as well. Naruto's devoted his life to becoming Hokage and after his feats in the war… it's very likely that he will be the next Hokage or the seventh at the very least if Tsunade-sama chooses someone before him."

"He has enough connections and clout to sway opinion…" Winter admitted, aware that these Kage were the military leaders of the EN. She didn't know their guests had been as well connected in their home world as they were. Of course, she couldn't have known in the slightest. Naruto and Sasuke never told any of them more than a few bits and pieces.

"Not to mention power…" Cinder added, "Not to say that he would use it in such a way, but he and Sasuke are now the most powerful beings humanity has to offer. It's unlikely Naruto would ever kill Sasuke at this point and no one else can. I'm sure Sasuke will be punished, but it won't be severe enough to upset Naruto. Besides, who could dish out a punishment that severe aside from Naruto himself?" The room was quiet for a moment more before Winter sighed.

"Well, thank you. You've certainly answered my question. Though I hadn't expected you to." Said Winter. Hinata set her teacup down after taking her final sip.

"I do not owe Sasuke any of my silence until he truly tries to repent… and based on what you've told me, that is currently unlikely." Hinata responded.

"Where is Sasuke, anyway?" Cinder asked. "He's usually here by now."

"He should be with Sakura right now. She may be upset with him… I'm sure. But I don't think he trusts anyone else to handle his medical care. Tsunade-sama would sooner punch a hole through his chest than heal him, I think. She cares for N-Naruto-kun too much to let some of Sasuke's behavior slide."

"I'm surprised he wouldn't just have Naruto heal him." Cinder commented.

"He would have, but he wants to try and apologize to Sakura." Naruto said. The women in the room startled for just a moment before looking to the open window. In the windowsill was Naruto, his feet now touching the floor of the hotel room. Hinata's heart quickened, and Yang's face lit up. She hadn't seen her boyfriend since they got here.

"Hey there stranger!" Yang greeted, standing from her seat, and walking over to him. Naruto smiled back at her, though Hinata was likely the only one who noticed his smile was strained. At that he'd briefly glanced at her. Hinata just sent him a small smile back and quickly looked away as Yang hugged him and planted a kiss on his lips.

"Hey, Yang." Naruto replied.

"What have you been doing all this time? Just the training?" Yang asked.

"For the most part… some check-ups with Sakura and Baa-chan. Caught up with some friends."

"Oh? Why didn't you come see me then?" Hinata watched Naruto open and close his mouth as he tried to answer Yang's question. Even though she didn't know why he hadn't been by either, Hinata decided to give him a little help.

"Have you gotten used to the e-extra voices yet, Naruto-kun?" Hinata asked. She saw him flinch and then scratch his cheek.

"Oh… you've heard about that, Hinata?"

"Sakura and I talk. She tells me it's been quite the challenge for you."

"Voices? What voices?" Weiss asked, brows furrowed. Hinata's eyes widened.

"Oh… d-do they not know about you being a j-jinchuriki…?" Hinata asked, cheeks red with embarrassment. She'd tried to help him and now she'd only made everything more awkward.

"Jinchuriki… actually, you said that word earlier… what does it mean? And what does it have to do with voices?" Weiss asked.

"I'm… sorry, Naruto-kun." Hinata said. Naruto sighed.

"It's okay… right, okay. So… I'm what you would call a jinchuriki. There are normally nine of us… though, we're now down to three. The term roughly translates into 'the power of human sacrifice…'"

"The power… of human sacrifice?" Yang breathed, her stomach flopping. She didn't like the way that sounded. Not at all. A pained look overtook Weiss's face and though she opened her mouth to ask the inevitable follow up question, no words came.

"Why are you called that?" Winter inquired.

"…We're called jinchuriki because we had demons sealed within our bodies as children."

"Okay. You're all set, Sasuke-kun," said Sakura. Sasuke sat up from the bed and reached for his shirt. It was just a plain black tee. He and Naruto had refrained from wearing their usual clothes. Though they had many copies and they were far more protective than their casual wear, their training was getting more and more destructive with every passing day. There was no way their clothes would come out unscathed. Sasuke didn't personally see any reason to buy more clothes if he didn't need to.

"Thanks."

"You've got more bruises and some fractured bones. Well, you did. You and Naruto need to be more careful," Sakura sighed.

"We don't have the time for that," Sasuke grunted, slipping his shirt over his head.

"Well make time," Sakura snipped, moving away from him and setting about the task of cleaning and putting away her tools. "You two won't be any good to us if your bodies are too fatigued and broken from the constant training and healing when the Otsutsuki come. In fact, I've decided you and Naruto are to take tomorrow off to recover. Doctor's orders."

"No." was Sasuke's instantaneous reply.

"This isn't a discussion, Sasuke-kun. Besides, Tsunade-Samoa was telling me she would need you and Naruto for something else tomorrow anyway. No training. Clear?" Sakura replied. Sasuke noted that she didn't sound like she was asking. He stared at her after that, watching as she went about her business of tidying up. It was a little odd to him, seeing Sakura so assertive and snappish.

He'd never experienced this side of her, though he fully understood why. It would be fair to say Sakura's feelings for him were borderline obsession at this point. Or they were. He'd clearly crossed a line now. Or maybe I've crossed it so many times now that her patience has finally run out, he thought. Sasuke deduced that that was much more likely.

"Why do you even care?" He asked. Back turned to him, Sasuke couldn't see Sakura gritting her teeth as she wondered the same thing. After everything he'd done, she had every right to and reason to let this relationship die. But for some reason, she simply couldn't. Maybe she was just too caring of a person. Sakura wasn't sure. Only one thing was certain: despite herself—despite him, Sakura still loved Sasuke.

"I wish I knew. But despite all you've done, I still love you, Sasuke-kun. Maybe I'm delusional. It certainly seems that way. You never hesitate to kill anyone in your way. It doesn't matter if they're your friends or not. It doesn't matter if they care about your wellbeing. You'll still do it. Or maybe I still see some good in you. You don't seem to want everyone to die anymore, at least. Your methods are just… awful," Sakura replied. Silence reigned between the two of them for a moment before she huffed and turned to him. He saw no tears. No hint of hurt or pain on her face.

Sasuke also didn't see any sort of blush or affection either, however. He gathered that Sakura might not even like the feelings she had for him anymore. She'd merely accepted them; carried them like a burden. She doesn't expect anything to come from how she feels in the slightest, Sasuke concluded.

"We're done here, Sasuke-kun. I've got to get back to work on Yang's new prosthetic, so if you could…" Sakura trailed off as she gestured toward the door. Sasuke didn't budge for a moment and then offered his usual "hn" before walking toward the door. He opened it and stood in the threshold for just a moment longer. When he closed it behind him, he vanished. Sasuke didn't realize he was scowling.

"A demon…?" asked Winter. The room was so quiet her voice sounded particularly loud.

"Yes… at least, that's what everyone thought of them. To be honest, they're just sentient constructs of chakra, formed from splitting the chakra of the goddess Kaguya into nine parts. Humanity grew to fear them, the creatures known as biju, or tailed beasts, and covet their power. They, in turn grew to resent and distrust humanity. Eventually they were all sealed into nine humans and that's how the jinchuriki were born. I'm the jinchuriki of the nine tails. Or I was… reviving Kaguya requires the extraction of a biju. That kills the host they were sealed into." Naruto was interrupted by Yang's gasp.

"That time you said you died once…" Yang breathed. Naruto simply nodded.

"I was lucky. Kurama's chakra had been split in half before being sealed into me at all. I was able to revive thanks to receiving his other half… the others were not so fortunate. There are only three jinchuriki left now. The remaining six biju can't fall into the hands of the Otsutsuki, so they were all sealed into me. Apparently, I'm the only one they trust right now."

"And they can all talk to you…?" Weiss inquired.

"Yeah… it's been… complicated. They're all of different minds," he replied, choosing not to explain too thoroughly. They really didn't need to know the details.

"Well… this has been wonderfully awkward, but I think I'd like some time to chat with my boyfriend. Naruto, could we take a walk in the forest around here?" Yang asked. Naruto considered it apprehensively. He wasn't sure he was ready to have this conversation. Besides, hadn't Baa-chan said they weren't supposed to leave?

As if she'd really get angry with you, kit, Kurama snorted. Naruto sighed and then looked Yang in the eyes. Sasuke was right, he was avoiding his problems. Time for him to stop running away.

"Alright."

XXX

That's the chapter. First chapter of 2022 down. It was a close one. Came out way later than I intended, but it's here. Seems things are changing with our characters. But is it for the better? Who knows.

If there are any questions you all have, feel free to leave a review. If you want some sort of more in-depth discussion, then go ahead join the discord. Peace out.

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