KG: Alright people. We are...okay stop, of course you know I'm back. You wouldn't be here if it wasn't like that. Ugh, well anyway I just got off of my school so I'm FREE! I'm ready to actually type now! Sorry about whatever happened I don't know why it didn't show up. My bad I guess or it's this site. Sigh, so damn troublesome.
Naruto: Well it's about time dattebayo!
KG: If only I could be that enthusiastic about my homework. Sigh, why do I have to do this?
Kushina: Isn't it to start spreading your name through the world as a writer?
KG: I suppose though I think it should be more simpler than this. I don't know, maybe that' just wishful thinking.
Naruto: Hmm, now that I have to ask this. WHY AM I GOING THROUGH THIS PAIN?!
KG: Like what?
Naruto: Being the damn Shinigami's play thing. What do these seals mean?
KG: Who knows. Now let's go and get started.
Uzushiogakure House
Kushina sighed as she opened her eyes. She looked at the ceiling of one of the house in her home village and rubbed her head. She didn't remember what happened to her as she only remembered that she was standing in the middle of the road before she passed out. She instantly recalled the unbearable pain that she had experienced only a few moments after that moment and groaned.
"I wonder what that pain was all about? I felt a huge upsurge in my chakra almost to the point of not being able to control it. I wonder of this has to do with Sochi-kun and his contract," Kushina said keeping the last part to her thoughts before she slowly leaned up only to be greeted by some pain in her body before she collapsed back to the bed.
"Great, now I can't move. My day is not going well dattebane," Kushina said and then she was able to hear the sounds of construction going on outside that made her turn to the window next to the door. She saw people walking about around the village and closed her eyes for a bit until she heard a knock on her door. She watched it open to reveal Yugao with a basket of water and a hot towel. The only reason Kushina could see it was hot was because of the steam coming from the cloth.
"Kushina-san it's good to see that you're awake. You gave us all a real scare," Yugao said and Kushina sheepishly chuckled as she tried to rub the back of her head, but the stinging sensation of pain in her arms almost made it impossible.
"I see, sorry about that," Kushina said to her teammate making Yugao nod before she soaked the towel in the water and placed it over Kushina's head. The redhead Uzumaki sighed in bliss then closed her eyes.
"How are Kakashi and Mikoto?" Kushina asked and Yugao gave a gentle smile knowing that Naruto's mother would want all the details before she passed out.
"Well Kakashi-senpai and Mikoto-san are helping out in the construction of Uzugakure along with the clones that everyone made. Progression has been very good and we can expect that this place, if no problems happen, to be good in about a month and a half," Yugao answered and Kushina smiled with a nod. That would be really great if it could happen.
"Umm Kushina-san?" Yugao asked and the Kushina opened her eyes and turned them to her purple haired subordinate.
"Yes?" Kushina responded. She watched Yugao shift in the chair uncomfortably and wondered what was wrong with the ex-Anbu before Yugao turned to her.
"It's not any of my business in what you do or anything so you don't have to answer this, but umm what is the relationship between you and Naruto-san?" Yugao asked and Kushina widened her eyes. She gave a small blush across her face and her heart thumped from her son's name. She carefully shifted her hand to move across her chest to calm the beating before looking at Yugao in confusion.
"I don't know what you mean," Kushina said playing some form of innocence, but she had a very good idea of what Yugao was getting at.
"What I'm asking is, why are you closer to your son that any normal mother and son?" Yugao asked and Kushina closed her eyes before giving a small smile across her face which seemed to confused Yugao making her wonder if something was funny in what she was asking.
"Well you forget, but I...wasn't there for Naruto. I'm lucky that he still accepted me so readily on my return. I might seem closer to him that what would be deemed as "acceptable" in most people's eyes, but I don't really care. Trust me I did, but it feels absolutely right to be close to him. So why are you so interested? Do you like my son?" Kushina asked and Yugao closed her eyes.
"No that's not it. I was just curious is all. I have nothing against it or anything. Just wanted to know," Yugao said as she got to her feet and left the room while Kushina closed her eyes and looked at the ceiling with a small smile on her face.
"I wonder how Sochi-kun is doing right now," she said to herself as she wondered what her son could be doing at the moment.
With Naruto and Sasuke
The two Hinoken members were currently walking towards Suna as their next destination or at least Sasuke was while Naruto lagged behind. His body was still hurting from that mysterious pain that had been dealt to him at that random moment. He didn't know what it was about, but he just figured that he should get over it.
"Hey loser, hurry up and get a move on," Sasuke called and Naruto groaned. He knew that he couldn't really complain, but he really did want to relax. They had been walking for over three hours and while they wanted to make a mad dash, they at least decided to take it easy for another time.
"Keep your shorts on Teme. I'm coming," Naruto grumbled, but he was suddenly relieved as Uchiha and Uzumaki looked in the distance to see the wall of Suna. Naruto dropped to his knees in the sand and sighed.
"Finally!" He shouted making Sasuke roll his eyes before the two decided to pick up their paces and head for Sunagakure.
Sunagakure
Naruto and Sasuke came up to the large gates of Suna and marveled at the walls, especially Sasuke since he had never been inside the Suna before. He had his workings with them, but as far as visiting the village then he would be relying on Naruto for that.
"Halt, who are you and what do you want?" someone asked while Naruto passed Sasuke and smiled. He was about to announce their names and their reasons before the Suna shinobi felt a hand on his shoulder and turned to see Gaara, Temari and Kankuro behind him.
"That's enough. Show Naruto Uzumaki your respect. It's because of him that I'm even here at the moment. Sorry about that Naruto Uzumaki. Suna is still on edge after what happened to me," Gaara said and Naruto nodded as he rubbed the back of his head.
"It's no problem man. I think I can understand," Naruto said and before long he noticed Gaara and Kankuro eyes trailing down his new uniform, but it seemed that Temari was the one who was really checking him out.
"Wow, Naruto really fills out that uniform quite well," Temari thought to herself before she turned her eyes and the sight of what she saw shocked her before she pointed.
"Y-You're-," she started while Gaara and Kankuro narrowed their eyes at Sasuke. The Uchiha closed his eyes and while the glares did set him off slightly he chose to ignore them.
"Uchiha Sasuke," Gaara said and everyone tensed before Naruto gave him a thumbs up confusing everyone.
"I told you I'd bring his ass back," Naruto said and Sasuke lightly grumbled, but he did admit that Naruto had helped him out. He finally had his mother back and he could finally think about something other than Itachi all the time. Granted it didn't stop all the hurt that Sasuke felt, but it was enough to at least not have him betray the village since Naruto kept his promise to the Uchiha. Still that unsettling feeling that Sasuke had when he took a peek at Naruto's chakra was still there. It was...disturbing if he had to give it a word.
"I see. That's just like you Naruto. I'm glad that you could fulfill your promise. We have received your message and have waited for you eagerly. Please enjoy Suna," Gaara said to him and Naruto nodded as he passed through the walls along with Sasuke.
The two Hinoken members started across the village and Naruto smiled while Sasuke folded his arms.
"Don't forget why we're here loser," Sasuke said and Naruto nodded with a small sigh while he took out a book. Gaara, Temari and Kankuro noticed Naruto's book and somehow they all knew it was the bingo book only because of its color.
"Naruto, you're a hunter-nin?" Kankuro asked as he was rather surprised that the blonde had advanced so quickly that their Hokage would actually make him a hunter nin for the village.
"No I'm not. Even if that sounds really cool. I'm sorry, but I can't tell you what I am. Baa-chan's orders. I hope you can understand," Naruto told them making Kankuro nod along with Temari. Gaara didn't seem to really care as he had known about the pressures of secrets, even from one's friends.
"Tell me guys. Do you...know of a guy named Genra Hichi?" Naruto asked and Gaara narrowed his eyes. Temari and Kankuro did the same and glared at Naruto while the blonde put his hand up defensively before Sasuke intervened.
"He's one of Konoha's targets and he's in our bingo book. You three obviously know something," Sasuke said gazing back at them while Gaara closed his eyes and motioned for Naruto and Sasuke to follow him. Temari and Kankuro followed suit while Gaara explained.
"He was a Konoha shinobi, but he became a Suna shinobi only recently. It seems that word hasn't spread about him yet, but I figured that Konoha was looking for him. We agreed to keep him safe and his services are used for Suna. If it's not too much trouble then can you tell me what he did?" Gaara asked and Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't he tell you before you made him a shinobi?" Naruto asked while Gaara looked at him incredulously which effectively made the blonde sweatdrop.
"I did. He told me that he only left Konoha because he found out about so trouble going on there. He had saved some genin from an earlier mission so I had no real reason to doubt him, but I'd like to keep my doubts low," Gaara answered and Naruto nodded as he took out the book.
"Well according to this, he's wanted for stealing just a few Katon scrolls from a jutsu library. He was a Chunin in the armed forces a few years ago," Naruto said and Gaara nodded while he sighed.
"Well I'll get what I can out of him, but for now I'd like that you leave this to me. Here, I'll show you the documentation of his allegiance to Suna," Gaara said to them both making Sasuke and Naruto nod as they came up to the man. Naruto gazed at it before he stopped.
"Gaara, wait!" Naruto called and immediately everyone stopped while Naruto and some newly summoned clones grabbed everyone and quickly flew to the ground.
BOOM!
The earth shook around everyone while they covered their heads. People all screamed through the streets of Suna while Naruto got himself off of everyone. They all quickly got to their feet and gasped while Gaara narrowed his eyes.
"The Kazekage mansion," Temari said as she saw it blazing in flames before six shinobi tried to put out the flames. Temari went to go and aid everyone in the assault on the fire while a shinobi appeared behind Gaara.
"Lord Kazekage, are you alright?" the man asked and Gaara turned around.
"I'm fine thanks to Naruto Uzumaki. What has happened Baki?" Gaara asked and the man stood to his feet while Naruto and Sasuke narrowed their eyes. It seems that both managed to come at a good time of something was about to go down.
"We are not sure Kazekage-sama, but we know that it was a spy. He must've broken through our defenses at one point in the past," Baki said and Gaara closed his eyes as he watched the fire burning go down, but the smoke was still evident in the air while Gaara closed his eyes.
"Close down the village. Don't let anyone leave without my say so. Call back all the shinobi who are on missions and prepare a council meeting immediately," Gaara ordered and Baki nodded as he quickly shunshined out of sight while Gaara turned to Naruto and Sasuke who were looking at the smoke. The blonde balled his fists in anger at the thought of Gaara getting targeted again. The guy had suffered enough so what was the fuckin' deal?
"Uzumaki Naruto, Uchiha Sasuke please let me show you to your place of rest. It would be wise if you didn't get involved this time. I'm sorry that this has happened on your stay, but please rest and let Suna take care of everything," Gaara said to him before he noted Naruto's stare.
"Sorry Gaara, but I couldn't do that. When you were taken Suna immediately asked us for help and we came. Don't think that just cause you're back that we can't help you out. You're my friend you know," Naruto said and Gaara slightly widened his eyes while Sasuke gave a hidden smirk across his face. The Suna Kage closed his eyes and smiled.
"Very well. I'll be making an announcement later after the council meeting is finished. I'd like you to stay in your rooms till that time. I'll have Matsuri and Sari get you both when it's time," Gaara said before vanishing in a sand shunshin as a chunin escorted Naruto and Sasuke to their rooms.
With Danzo
The old war hawk of Konoha was currently trudging the countryside with his two most loyal shinobi, Torune and Fuu. It would be easy to say that he was rather frustrated with the whole ordeal as he had to leave his base of operations because of the Kyuubi jinchuuriki and Tsunade's little group of kenjutsu users. Danzo hadn't been expecting that one, but the most interesting thing that he didn't expect was Mikoto. He was sure. He was so sure that she had died. There was no way that her little story checked out. The only reason he had known about Mikoto's story was from the fact he had a well placed seal in the room for such things. None of it was adding up at all. Kushina being alive, then Hinako of the Hyuuga clan and then Mikoto. It was like a Day of the Dead festivity that the shinigami allowed. It had all started ever since Naruto had come back from the village.
Danzo widened his eyes before he stopped walking making Torune and Fuu turn around.
"Danzo-sama?" Torune asked in concern for the man while Danzo narrowed his eyes. He pointed to a tree and sat down while he thought the new information over. He doubted someone as high and powerful as the Shinigami wold deal in the interest of someone like Naruto. The blonde didn't have a single redeeming quality that Danzo knew of except the Kyuubi inside him which granted the blonde impossible chakra reserves, a healing ability, and increased power all together.
"Maybe I'm over thinking this. There is no way that the Shinigami would be interested in that brat. Well I'll think about that later," Danzo thought to himself and before long he closed his eyes and stood to his feet. It didn't take him long, but he noticed another presence behind a tree and took out a kunai only to be met with a kunai to his back in turn. He narrowed his eyes while Fuu and Torune took out kunai of their own, obviously much too slow.
"Tell those two to back off or I'll kill you without batting an eye," the man said and Danzo waved his men back to a safe distance while he tried to find out who it was. The person was wearing a cloak over his entire body and he wore an orange mask that Danzo saw. It was Tobi of Akatsuki, but something was wrong. Gone was the cheerful, and very much idiotic, voice that the Akatsuki member was known for and replaced by a cold, merciless, dark voice.
"See? That wasn't so hard," Tobi said in his voice while Danzo merely held his hands up in submission, but it wouldn't be that way for long.
"Who are you and what do you want?" Danzo asked and the Tobi smiled behind his mask while his sharingan glared.
"Simple, I'm going to control the world. I will bring about the peace that so many want," Tobi said and Danzo growled.
"I see, well then we desire the same thing," Danzo said, but Tobi quickly moved the kunai closer to Danzo's skin making it bleed slightly off his back.
"No, we might have the same goal, but my way is the absolute way. I heard about what happened in Konoha. Such a shame to be defeated by the Kyuubi jinchuuriki and his friends. Tell me, have you lost weight from your traveling?" he asked and Danzo closed his eye.
"It matters not. Tell me what you want," Danzo ordered and Tobi smiled.
"I told you. I simply want peace...under my rule," he said making Danzo glare before he heard a small noise and turned around to see Tobi gone from view while he quickly moved his eye.
"All of his presence has been erased. What kind of man was I dealing with?" Danzo wondered before Torune and Fuu rejoined him.
"Danzo-sama are you alright?" Torune asked and the elder held up his hand as an action for Torune and Fuu to stop their worrying.
"I can handle myself. Just don't let your guard down anymore. I'll have to thank that man. It's because of him that I know what I must do," Danzo said making Torune and Fuu raise their eyebrows at him while Danzo merely walked ahead of them to an unknown location.
With Naruto and Sasuke
The two kenjutsu users were resting at the foot of their beds as they contemplated everything that was happening. Suna was in a code red situation and the two saw Suna shinobi passing the village every few seconds. It was like watching a rerun of some cartoon, but the two couldn't do anything about it.
Sasuke watched Naruto trudge around the floor making the Uchiha close his eyes at his partner's frustration.
"Would you calm down? What good will it do to be agitated already?" Sasuke asked and Naruto paused before he nodded and Sasuke was surprised when Naruto stopped and simply sat down on his bed. He sighed and rubbed his hands through his golden hair.
"Yeah, you're right. I still wish we could do something," Naruto said and Sasuke could honestly agree as he was getting rather impatient also. This feeling of being left in the dark was absolutely aggravating.
"Trust me, I'd much rather be out there catching the ass who did this rather than be in here, but we have no choice in this," Sasuke said and Naruto knew he was right. The blonde sighed and simply took out his bingo book. He looked through the entire C-ranked section and some of the B-ranked section. He narrowed his eyes before he took out a scroll. Sasuke watched him as Naruto bit his thumb and slammed it on the ground.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu," Naruto yelled and immediately a frog came out and saluted Naruto.
"Hey man, how you doin?" the frog asked and Naruto smiled as he folded his arms.
"Doing good Gamakichi. Hey do you mind giving this scroll to Tsunade-baachan?" Naruto asked and the toad nodded before he took it in his webbed hands.
"Fine, but I want some snacks as compensation," he said and Naruto closed his eyes with a small sigh escaping from his lips before he nodded and Gamakichi left the room making the blonde groan.
"Damn that guy and his snack eating craze," Naruto said and Sasuke narrowed his eyes before shrugging the incident as he turned to Naruto.
"Hey Naruto, tell me. What's up with your chakra?" Sasuke asked trying to be serious and Naruto opened his eyes as he turned to his friend.
"What are you talking about? My chakra's fine," Naruto said, but he was surprised when Sasuke shook his head and his scowl deepened. He doubted Naruto was keeping the chakra a secret, but if he really didn't know about it then...what was happening to the blonde?
"Your chakra, it's not a normal color," Sasuke said and Naruto raised an eyebrow while mentally he was talking with Kyuubi.
"you think he found out about you and your chakra?" Naruto asked and Kyuubi raised a tired eyebrow at the blonde's question while his tails swirled around his form.
"I highly doubt it. Granted you did use my chakra during the fight two years ago, but he shouldn't have traced it back to me unless he absolutely knows that you're a jinchuuriki," Kyuubi said and Naruto seemed to agree while Sasuke finally decided to speak.
"Your chakra, it's white," Sasuke said making Naruto widen his eyes and even making Kyuubi low his gaze as to what the Uchiha was talking about.
"Naruto, something happened to you during the time you were in pain. Chakra is normally a bluish color, but yours is pure white. It's almost...like a spirit chakra," Sasuke said and Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"What's spirit chakra?" Naruto asked and Kyuubi sighed while he tried to resist the urge to face-palm, but then again that was the way Naruto was so he would just have to tell the blonde.
"I would tell you to stuff it and figure it out, but I won't speak to my associate that way for now brat. I guess I won't hold it against you since you mortals wouldn't know what spirit chakra is which makes me wonder how that Uchiha brat knows it," Kyuubi said and Naruto just decided to agree even if half of that talk was insulting in some way.
"So you gonna tell me or do I have to come in that seal and force you?" Naruto asked mentally with a snicker which, on the outside, made Sasuke wonder what was so funny about this conversation.
"Hmph, like you could force me to do anything Naruto, but anyway. Spirit chakra is the foundational chakra of that is compared to a bijuu's. It's raw, unformed, untainted chakra. Now by the being such as the Shinigami its not called Chakra at all. By the Shinigami, himself, it is called Honshou( Life Essence). Kami, herself, and the Shinigami are, by my knowledge, the only once who contain this essence. I have no idea what it does though nor what it means for you," Kyuubi explained and Naruto narrowed his eyes. His chakra was gone and it was replaced with this new form called Honshou?
"I see, so that's what it is," Naruto said accidentally aloud allowing Sasuke to hear him.
"What? Did you figure something out?" The Uchiha asked and Naruto merely got to his feet and headed for the door.
"Sorry Sasuke, but I'll be...Kuso!" Naruto suddenly yelled shocking Sasuke as the blonde just remembered that he had summoned Shin twice already. He'd have to wait till tomorrow to do anything and boy was that going to be a fuckin' pain. It was then that Naruto asked Kyuubi for the reminder to bring up that whole summoning twice a day thing. It was really starting to irk the blonde to no end.
"Ugh, never mind. No I didn't figure something out. Well I guess I shouldn't say that, but it's more of a theory than anything else," Naruto said and Sasuke widened his eyes as he wondered how Naruto even knew what the word theory meant. How much did his mother teach the blonde Hinoken member?
"Hn, well forget it then," Sasuke said and Naruto nodded before the two heard a rapid knock on the door. Both raised their senses as Naruto opened the door only to see Matsuri and Sari behind the door huffing.
"Matsuri, Sari. You two actually came," Naruto said making the two smile as they both remembered Naruto as he was the most talked about person in Suna for rescuing their Kazekage.
"G-Greetings Naruto-san. We were sent by Gaara-sama too...," Matsuri's voice trailed off as she and Sari took a look at Naruto's appearance. The blonde gave them both a blank stare as they inspected him from top to bottom. He looked like one hell of a shinobi and needless to say, but if both weren't into Gaara then they would be more than tempted to go for Naruto. That is if they didn't know that the blonde was already taken by one gorgeous woman already.
"Matsuri? Sari?" He asked snapping the two out of their dazes. Sasuke huffed at them both as he found it similar in his youth, but that was for another time.
The two genin girls blushed before Sari sighed.
"S-Sorry Naruto-san. Umm Gaara-sama has asked for the both of you to come to Chiyo-sama's place," Sari answered and Naruto turned to Sasuke who nodded before turning back.
"Alright we'll be right there. Thank you both," he said and the two genin nodded before they watched Naruto take up his scarf that he had on his bed and wrap it around his neck. Sasuke did the same and then strapped his sword to his waist. Naruto checked over his sword and wondered if it was time for a small upgrade, but he could think about that later. He strapped it back to his waist also and the two exited their room.
"Alright then we'll get going ladies. Please excuse us," Naruto said as he and Sasuke shunshined out of sight while Sari and Matsuri merely left to go and help out around the village.
With Tsunade
The Hokage of Konoha was currently doing her paperwork as usual with the bored look on her face. She had Shizune glaring down on her making her mentally groan.
"You know I can get this done without you hovering over me," Tsunade said before she sweatdropped to see Shizune's smile as she held up a senbon.
"Just wanted to keep you company Tsunade-sama," Shizune said and Tsunade gulped while just merely nodded with a word of praise.
"She really needs a boyfriend. Sheesh," Tsunade said in thought before a poof came to her shocking the female sannin. The two medics looked to see Gamakichi with a sure smile on his face.
"Yo Old Hag. I have a scroll delivery from my main man. Here ya go lady," the toad said making the woman growl as she slammed Gamakichi on the head for the tactless comment and Tsunade took the scroll and knew it would be from Naruto, but what she thought it was she wouldn't know. The toad poofed out and Tsunade unsealed the scroll only for the both of them to be surprised by a body falling out of the scroll while Tsunade shuddered and a note fell out while Shizune examined it.
"Sasuke and I took down this guy from the bingo book. Please forward the money to the group's Hinoken account please. It really is hot over here in Suna. Ugh, well I got to go. See you later Baa-chan.
Naruto Uzumaki,"
Tsunade chuckled despite herself and then looked at the body before a small grimace came over her face. Death was never a pleasant thing, but to think that Naruto and Sasuke said that they took him down so easily. Well, the blonde was able to keep up with Kakashi so that might have had something to do with it.
"Well Naruto-kun seems to be...adjusted to his new job," Shizune said while Tsunade sighed. She waved for an anbu to remove the body while she got started on the money transfer for Naruto and Sasuke.
"Yeah I suppose. Though I'm surprised that the brat is in Suna. They should all be in Uzushiogakure at the moment," she figured and Shizune raised an eyebrow.
"Well maybe they split into groups to get more work done. It's what I would've done if I was a member on their team," Shizune said and Tsunade merely shrugged at the response before getting back to her work and for some reason that she wasn't sure of, but she knew that there would be more unpleasantness with the amount of bodies the blonde would show to her.
Uzushiogakure
Kushina struggled against some pain, but she could finally move freely and stood to her feet. She felt a lot better and it was rather high in the afternoon at that point. She stretched and resisted the urge to wince at the soreness, but let it go for the moment. Kushina exited the room and opened the door to the outside and saw the tons of people still working. Rooftops were being remodeled, furniture was being remade and even the training grounds were starting to look like new since people were cutting the grass.
"Kushina, you alright now?' someone asked making the redhead turn her gaze to see Mikoto walking up to her. Kushina gave a soft smile and nodded as she rolled her arms in a circular motion.
"You know me. Nothing can keep me down dattebane," Kushina said as she pumped a fist in the air only for her to slightly curse as she rubbed it making Mikoto smile.
"Well don't overexert yourself. You really did scare us. Any idea what happened to you?" she asked and Kushina shook her head, but she felt her chakra coils and they felt...different somehow. She wasn't sure, but she could feel that Naruto was feeling the same way from their connection. The way the Shinigami explained it, her chakra was sort of like a valve for Naruto's developing Shinigami powers. No human is capable of going through the contract with a god and not getting a bit of pain out of it. Kushina's point was to lessen that load on Naruto as it would've hurt a lot more if she wasn't there to take some of the pain also. She was kind of used to it in a sense.
"Nope, no idea, but at least whatever it was it's gone," Kushina said and Mikoto nodded with a small smile on her face before they were met by Kakashi and Yugao.
"Well Kushina, it's nice to see that you're awake. Yugao and I are going to take a crack at the bingo book since we don't have a mission at the moment. We're going to take it easy and simply do a B-rank before Naruto and Sasuke come back. We'll see you in a few days," Kakashi said and Kushina nodded as they left in a swirl of leaves making Kushina and Mikoto giggle slightly. It was all good before Kushina's mood changed and she narrowed her eyes making Mikoto look at her.
"Kushina, is something wrong?" Mikoto asked and Kushina placed her hand on her head and rubbed it.
"No, it's nothing. Sochi, why did you get so serious?" Kushina wondered as she answered Mikoto's question.
With Naruto
The blonde Uzumaki and brunette Uchiha were hopping along the rooftops towards Chiyo's place. Naruto was leading the was since Sasuke didn't know his way around the village. The two sped through the village and they still noticed the multitude of Suna shinobi around the village. Naruto cursed and quickly ran almost leaving Sasuke behind because of his mother's training over the two years which surprised the Uchiha slightly, but he managed to at least keep up with the blonde before the two dropped in front of a house. They saw three Suna shinobi guarding it with strict caution and they all tensed when they saw Naruto and Sasuke arrive.
"What are you doing here?" one of them asked and before Sasuke could respond Gaara came into view behind them.
"I called them here. Now let me inside," he said and the guards easily nodded as Gaara motioned for Naruto and Sasuke to enter along with him. It wasn't a bad house at all. It was at least somewhere in the deeper parts of the village. It looked pleasant looking both inside and out.
Gaara, Naruto and Sasuke continued through the halls of Chiyo's house while Naruto turned to him.
"So Gaara, what did your council say?" Naruto asked and the redheaded Kazekage turned around and tried to keep his face impassive.
"I told them the same thing. We're not letting people leave without looking for possible suspects. Analysis from some of the others say that the bombing was made for me. It was centered in the Kazekage Mansion room where I do my work. It was lucky that I and the council weren't inside, but we lost more than a dozen shinobi who were working and less than a dozen are injured," Gaara said and Naruto sighed while Sasuke merely stayed silent.
"I see," the blonde said before the three came up to a small room. The could see Chiyo softly mediating underneath what seemed to be a small tent, but they could think about it later.
"So Gaara, what brings you to my home? Oh, I see we have Naruto-chan here as well as an Uchiha," Chiyo said making Sasuke narrow his eyes.
"How did you know I am an Uchiha?" Sasuke asked and Chiyo gave a small smile before standing to her feet.
"You don't get my age without knowing a few things. Why, you're the spitting image of Fugaku when he was young along with Mikoto-chan's hair," Chiyo said and Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"You knew Sasuke's mother just like mine?" he asked and Chiyo nodded with the same elderly smile as always.
"That's right. She was just like Kushina except a bit more mature in some aspects. Well Gaara, it seems that a commotion has been caused in the village again. We really are a popular village aren't we?" Chiyo asked and Gaara decided not to agree outwardly, but he seemed to contemplate her words.
"Gaara said it was internal this time. Which means that Suna might be facing a coup," Naruto said and Chiyo closed her eyes.
"So what have you to ask of an old woman like me?" she asked making Naruto and Sasuke turn to Gaara who knelt down on one knee with his gourd on his back.
"I would like for you offer me a little piece of equipment that I will need," Gaara said and Chiyo narrowed her eyes. She had the feeling of what Gaara could be talking about and walked out of the room and into the storage room behind her house while the others waited. Sasuke sat down and intwined his fingers together while his head rested on the top of them. Gaara folded his arms and Naruto leaned against the wall. The blonde looked at Gaara for the most part and closed his eyes.
"Ne Gaara, I know this is out of the blue and definitely not the time to ask, but can you tell me about...your mother?" Naruto asked him and Gaara looked at Naruto with a steely gaze. Sasuke raised an eyebrow at him and wondered also. First it was the blonde's mother, then his own. He had seen Hinata's mother at least once before they left for Uzushiogakure. She seemed rather nice. What was it with Naruto and people's mothers?
"Why do you ask Uzumaki Naruto?" Gaara asked as no one had really asked him about his mother. Temari and Kankuro were never asked either. All their life their father was the important one and Gaara only had a real single memory of his mother and that was from a photo that he had seen.
"Sorry I don't mean to pry, but I was just...curious," Naruto said and Gaara narrowed his eyes, but he saw no harm in it so he did.
"My...mother. I don't really have a memory of her. I remember that I told you that my mother died while giving birth to me. I only know that she was said to be caring. She had blonde hair just like Temari's. They could give you a better description than I could," Gaara said and Naruto merely nodded with a small sigh.
"Alright sorry if I pried in any way," the blonde said and before long his arm glowed while Naruto quickly grabbed it. The burn started to take place just like before while the seal glowed white. Naruto's heartbeat quickened from the feeling while he tried to lean on the wall for support.
"Kuso," he said silently so Sasuke and Gaara didn't pay much attention. Naruto squinted his eyes shut and mentally cursed.
"Kyuubi, this fuckin' hurts ya know. I don't know how long I can deal with this," Naruto told his bijuu and Kyuubi nodded.
"I feel everything you feel brat. I can tell it hurts, but tough it out for now. Know that a mortal's coils aren't supposed to support a god's Honshou. I'm sure the Shinigami has thought of this," Kyuubi said grumbling from the pain also. Soon Naruto's seals stopped glowing and the blonde breathed easily. He looked up for a second and gasped. He looked around to see Gaara and Sasuke waiting for Chiyo, but something was different. He could see or rather "feel" their life. He could hear their hearts beating. He could hear their every breath that they each took he could also see something of a bright fire that encased each of their hearts. Gaara's was the brightest that Naruto could see. It was encased in white fire while Sasuke's was white with a blue outline.
"What the hell is this?" Naruto wondered and due to their connection, Kyuubi could see what Naruto was seeing also.
"Hmm it got me brat, but keep your guard up," Kyuubi said and Naruto nodded. His eyes hadn't changed their ocean, blue color. He didn't have any kind of dojutsu, but this...what was he looking at?
"Alright Gaara I have what you ask for," Chiyo said returning to the three and Naruto turned his gaze to Chiyo. He could see her heart pumping also although it was slower than his, Gaara's, or Sasuke's. The fire around her heart was rather small in a sense. It looked almost like it would be...dwindling with time or something like that. Naruto closed his eyes for a second and sighed. He tried to calm down and breathed easily. He then opened his eyes and his world returned to normal just as easy.
"Thank you Chiyo-baachan," Gaara said taking a small pill. He placed it in his pouch before turning to Naruto and Sasuke.
"Nothing has been reported to me as of late so we'll end it for today. I would appreciate it if you both came with me tomorrow to another place," Gaara said and Naruto nodded while Sasuke did the same.
"Well that's fine and all, but we should really come up with a plan of action. All this suspense isn't right. Naruto and I will get up early to help look around. We'll let you know if we see something," Sasuke said and Gaara easily nodded.
"Fine I can at least offer that much at the moment," Gaara said making Sasuke nod as he and Naruto opened the door. They saw that most of the civilians had calmed down thanks to the shinobi in the area, but the smoke was still evident in everyone eyes. Some people thought it might be Akatsuki again while others wondered if it was a rogue shinobi. Gaara sighed as he decided to speak with his people for the moment and calm them down while Naruto and Sasuke went back to their rooms to go and prepare for tomorrow and Naruto couldn't wait so he would be able to get some answers about his situation finally.
"Alright we'll see you later Gaara," Naruto told him and the two shunshined out of sight while Gaara sighed.
Somewhere in Suna
"Tch, I can't believe he wasn't in his office. They told me he would be easy since he didn't know about the bomb. If that Uzumaki guy and Uchiha didn't arrive then he would be in his office or he'd be in a body bag being mourned over like a fool. Ugh, well I can still get out of here. Hopefully no one is that determined to try and search for me in the earliest time of the morning," some guy said as he snickered and disappeared from view of everyone.
No one knew who he was, but that didn't mean that Naruto or Sasuke would let him get away from either of them before they had the chance to show Gaara how good they had really gotten in the two years as well as have the chance to improve their kenjutsu skills at the same time.
Next Morning, Early
"Naruto, hey get up you loser," Sasuke called while Naruto rolled on his pillow. He sighed and smiled while he tried to hug the pillow.
"Mmm Kaa-chan," Naruto mumbled and Sasuke raised an eyebrow before he sighed and bonked Naruto on the head making the blonde yelp out as he rubbed his head.
"What was that for?" Naruto asked and Sasuke folded his arms.
"Hn, you wouldn't get up so I used the next best method," Sasuke responded and Naruto growled before he saw the darkness over the village. The moon was still high in the sky, but Naruto knew that it would be going down very soon and so they had to get ready at the moment.
"Yeah well you didn't have to be like that," Naruto grumbled to himself before the two got dressed. Sasuke put on his black clothes and Naruto did the same. They wrapped their individual scarfs around their necks. They fastened their swords to their waists and quickly left the room, or at least Sasuke did.
"You go Sasuke. I'll catch up in a minute," Naruto told him and Sasuke nodded as he left the room. Naruto sighed and rubbed a hand through his hair. He wondered if the death god ever went to sleep, but he would have to ponder that later as he bit his thumb. It was then that he wondered if he could die of blood loss, but then again Shin said that he wouldn't take Naruto's soul so that meant that the blonde couldn't die right?
Naruto traced his blood over the seal on his hand before he noticed it trail along his seal and then slid down the intricate line that came into his arm. It slowly followed while Naruto seemed fascinated by it, but he would have to deal with it later.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu," Naruto yelled and as always the light had come and faded then after a few seconds he turned around to see the death god himself looking down at the blonde with that same menacing gaze as always. The blonde sighed as he jumped to his feet and showed his arm.
"Shin, what is this?! What's happening to me? This pain, these seals, my body. What's going on?" Naruto asked in a less than pleased tone that the death god noticed. He would've mentioned to Naruto about respect, but he could tell that the blonde really wanted his answers.
"Well it's logical that you would ask," Shin said making Naruto look at him weirdly, but the Shinigami was being dead serious just like always. He didn't find the time for jokes as his job was the most serious that anyone could have.
"What do you mean?" Naruto asked and the Shinigami touched his blonde summoner's forehead. A small light glowed over Naruto and came into the Shinigami making the god narrow his eyes.
"You are my summoner. That means you have the duty, responsibility and pain of being the one that I must trust. I have scanned your memories of yesterday and Kyuubi is exactly right in his speak. The essence of power that I use is not meant to be used by mortals as your bodies aren't meant to handle something like it. Since your my summoner, my powers have slowly been fed into your body. Your body is naturally adjusting to the power of the Honshou. No you won't have to worry about using your jutsu. It will work as always, except you will need to gain a proper control over it. The same thing has been happening to your mother," Shin said and Naruto widened his eyes. He forgot how Kushina had made her chakra the control limit to his chakra intake or he'd be in much more pain than everything he could imagine.
"But, what is Honshou? Is it chakra?" Naruto asked and the Shinigami sighed.
"Think of it as chakra for the gods. We don't do the techniques that you mortals call "jutsu" all the time. We're more equipped than that for what we do. Keep also in mind that we're limitlessly more powerful that you are. In truth, you still can't match up to me, but that's not going to be the case soon. When you're complete then you will know the term "responsibility". As to your eyes, no they aren't a dojutsu. A dojutsu, kekkai genkai or whatever comes from some form of god even if the one you people call the Rikudo Sennin invented your style who do you think instilled the power in him to do that?" Shin asked and Naruto widened his eyes.
"It was you guys?" the blonde asked and Shin nodded.
"That's right. You will get stronger and you will access more of your abilities. In fact, you've unlocked a new one now. You do know what happened to you yesterday right? What happened was that your eyes are now able to recognize the life force within others. I, as the death god, have the same thing. I can see yours very clearly. Very bright and white indeed," Shin said and Naruto raised an eyebrow.
"But what does that mean?" Naruto asked and Shin elaborated.
"The ability to know and discern the living from the almost dead to the completely dead is a skill that you will need to learn as my summoner. It will be hard, but you must do it to succeed," Shin said and Naruto sighed. He really had to go so he'd just deal with it for now.
"Alright thanks I guess. I'll ask some more questions later," Naruto said and the death god vanished from his presence while Naruto scratched his cheek.
"I would sit to contemplate his word, but I don't have the time. Alright I'll just deal with it for later," Naruto said getting to his feet and the blonde shot off to catch up to Sasuke as he left the room.
Naruto was rather happy as Sasuke had waited for him at the entrance to their hotel. They quickly set out with the moon slowly disappearing and the sun just about coming over the horizon. They both could see shinobi still around the place, but they seemed more like they were observing than anything else.
It took a bit of doing, but Naruto and Sasuke made it to the outer wall of Suna's high, defensive walls and looked around.
"See anything Sasuke?" Naruto asked staking a lookout from behind a spot while Sasuke's sharingan looked around the entire field of his vision. He sighed and shook his head.
"I don't see anything. No movement, no chakra abnormalities or anything of the sort. It would be better if we knew what we were looking for ," Sasuke said with a slight scowl, but Naruto could agree with him on that.
"Hmm, well it's too dark for me to really see anything also. Hang on," Naruto said as he closed his eyes while Sasuke continued to stake out the place. The blonde opened his eyes and his word changed he could see the fire surrounding Sasuke's heart and sighed in relief. He looked around for a second time and noticed some small flares of white fires, but nothing out of the usual. He groaned and looked to his left.
"Hey Sasuke, I think I saw something," Naruto said to him and the Uchiha quickly moved his eyes to the position Naruto was looking at. They both saw a shadowy figure moving over the horizon and both narrowed their eyes.
"He hasn't seen us yet," Naruto said and Sasuke nodded as he got to his feet. Naruto ddi the same and both decided to jump down and confront him. He was a middle aged man. Pale, white skin and the standard Suna flak jacket. Naruto and Sasuke glared at him before Naruto turned to Sasuke.
"Hey, haven't we seen his face before?" Naruto asked and Sasuke nodded. He was sure of it for a fact. He took out his bingo book and skimmed through the pages. He stopped at a particular face and glared.
"Yeah right here. His name is Yutara Senjin. He's a B-ranked rogue nin wanted in Konoha, Iwa and Kumo. What's he doing in Suna?" Sasuke wondered before they heard the man speak.
"Yeah that's right. I missed the target, but the explosion was beautiful. A shame I could take down that asshole of a Kazekage. Ugh, even the dead get lucky once in a while. Well I did my mission. I get paid right?" he asked over some mic that was around his neck. Sasuke and Naruto didn't hear the response, but they heard enough. Sasuke grabbed a kunai and placed an explosion tag on it. He smirked and quickly threw it at Yutara. The man heightened his senses and dodged the strike before the kunai exploded kicking up the dust. Yutara covered his eyes and growled while Naruto and Sasuke shot down.
"Well well. A snake in the sand, how ironic right Sasuke?" Naruto asked and the Uchiha stepped forward.
"Your time is up. Surrender right now!" Sasuke yelled and Yutara smiled as he took out a kunai.
"Ara ara, it seems I'll get to have some fun after all," he said and before long he closed the distance between himself and Sasuke. The Uchiha quickly took out his sword as he managed to dodge a lethal strike to the chest. Yutara narrowed his eyes at Sasuke before Naruto jumped into the air. The blonde did a quick slash of his own sword, but Yutara backflipped away from it. Sasuke and Naruto glared hard at him while Yutara smiled.
"Don't get cocky brats. Here, play with these," he said throwing three kunai with explosion tags into the air. Naruto and Sasuke looked up and before long the kunai exploded into multiple fire shots that were aimed for Naruto and Sasuke. The two growled and jumped out of the way making the field explode underneath them while Yutara licked his lips.
"Yeah, come on Konoha and show me what you've got!" Yutara yelled as he did a handsign.
"Fuuton: Daikaze no Jutsu( Wind Release: Great Wind Technique)," he yelled sending a massive wind blowing towards Naruto and Sasuke, but the Uchiha smirked and so did Naruto.
"You obviously have much to learn here. Katon: Gokakyu no Jutsu," Sasuke yelled sending the massive fireball to collide with the winds causing them to burst. Naruto covered his eyes before Sasuke motioned for him to hurry. The blonde ran forward and jumped on Sasuke's shoulder then was sent into the air. He looked over the explosion and smiled.
"We'll end it now!" Naruto yelled as he brought his sword back.
"Kaa-chan not only taught me her kenjutsu style, but also the kenjutsu style of the Uzumaki. She called it the "Revenge of Whirlpool" kenjutsu. It really works well with me. Here, let me show you.
"Uzu no Fukusu: Denryūshoha no Jutsu( Whirlpool Revenge: Current Tidal Waves Technique)," Naruto yelled as he moved his hands sensually through the air and before long Sasuke and Yutara watched as Naruto's arm swung his sword sending multiple wind disks flying for the Suna traitor. Yutara quickly maneuvered out of the way only to be met with a kick from Sasuke.
Naruto dropped to the ground and glared hard while Yutara smiled.
"Weak, simply weak. Not worth my time," he said before he watched Sasuke take his sword and a lightning current run over his body. He narrowed his eyes while Naruto smiled. He quickly crossed his fingers and both glared at Yutara.
"Then bring it on. I'll kill you both!" Yutara yelled and did another handsign.
"Fuuton; Kazeryu no Jutsu( Wind Release: Wind Dragon Technique)," Yutara yelled and the wind picked up before roaring violently at Naruto and Sasuke. The two Hinoken members looked at the dragon while Naruto smiled.
"Kage Bunshin no Jutsu," Naruto yelled and he immediately made a clone in the air. He grabbed its feet and sent it flying towards the dragon making Yutara laugh.
"You really think that a stupid clone can beat me?" he asked and Naruto smiled with a nod.
"Yes I do...with some help. Go Sasuke!" Naruto yelled and Sasuke stretched out his sword in the direction of the clone.
"Chidori Senbon," Sasuke yelled sending dozens of lightning-like senbon at the clone sticking its body full of lightning while the dragon neared it and Naruto raised a single handsign.
"I say again. I never get tired of this dattebayo. Kai," Naruto yelled and the blonde exploded in the face of the dragon knocking it was while Yutara cursed. Sasuke and Naruto smirked at him while Yutara chuckled. He then laughed manically at them both.
"You think you can beat me? I'm death itself! I can kill you both and send you to the Shinigami just as easy," Yutara yelled and Naruto closed his eyes. He smirked before turning to Sasuke. He was never to old for a good old prank.
"Death itself huh? That's not you. Sasuke, tell the others I won't be back," Naruto said to him and Sasuke wondered what he was about to do while Naruto was mentally smirking and Kyuubi did the same knowing what the blonde was going to do. Naruto did some unnecessary handsigns and quickly bit his thumb and traced it over his seal.
"Kuchiyose no Jutsu," Naruto yelled and his seal glowed while Yutara took the opportunity to take out a small sword. He grinned, but that grin fell short when he started at what was behind Naruto. Sasuke widened his eyes and Naruto smirked as he stepped forward. He pointed back.
"This is the true death god. Say hello to the Shinigami," Naruto said and Shin's eyes glared hard on the mortal in front of him. The blade in his mouth came off while Naruto cracked his knuckles.
"N-Naruto, what are you?" Sasuke asked and Naruto smiled.
"Humans who dare call themselves death. You take my name and don't know the responsibility of that title. I'll make you pay for your insolence. Boy, you will be my instrument as of right now," Shin said and Naruto smiled while Yutara growled.
"I won't fall for this fuckin' trick!" He yelled and Naruto smiled as his eyes grew cold.
"No trick. I'm just simply going to take your soul right now courtesy of this guy," Naruto smirked and Sasuke watched as the blonde quickly vanished along with Shin. He looked around fast and so did Yutara before the two looked up.
"It's all over for you!" Naruto yelled as his sword shined and Shin stuck his hand through Naruto's stomach. The blonde winced, but watched as Shin's arm stretched towards Yutara and grabbed him. It pulled out a white specter and withdrew it from his body sending it to Naruto. The blonde quickly slashed it apart in two while his sword absorbed the essence. Yutara gasped and so did Sasuke as the blonde dropped to the ground. He sheathed his sword and sighed while Yutara dropped to the ground. Naruto shook his head at the dead Suna traitor before he noticed Sasuke's stare and scratched his cheek.
"Umm it was just your imagination?"
KG: I would say something, but I'm a little tired. I had a lot of shit that needed to be done. I hope you liked this chapter. I know I revealed the Shinigami to Sasuke, but Naruto's explanation will be rather hazy and not make much sense which will cause Sasuke to drop it. People knowing about the Shinigami won't happen for a little while longer. You'll also be surprised by what I have in store for Kushina since she's the regulator for Naruto's power as Shin's summoner. Well I got to go so see you later. Be breezy!