Naruto woke up to the wind rushing past him. While the breeze through his hair was a pleasant sensation, the feeling of the cold air on his still very fresh and tender skin was less so. Cracking an eye open, he took note of his surroundings. They were on their way back to Konoha, or so it seemed. That was good. Kakashi, Sasuke, and Sakura were up ahead. A positive sign. Shifting his head slightly, he let a small groan escape him, catching the attention of his carrier. If it hadn't been for Temari's distinct scent, Naruto may have worried that he was being kidnapped by Iwa.
Temari slowed her pace, dropping from the treetops as gently as she could. The rest of the group followed her, and it was only then that Naruto realised that it wasn't just his team travelling with them. The Iwa escort stopped with them, though they seemed to have the decency to maintain a respectable distance. Naruto could only grumble to himself in frustration. A test. That's all it had been. Of course. Clearly there were a lot of pieces to the puzzle that he was missing at the moment, but he was sure he could fill those in time. All that mattered to him right now was finding out just how bad he had messed himself up by abusing the Kyuubi's chakra.
"You okay?" Temari asked, still holding him on her back.
Naruto nodded weakly and lifted his arms to her shoulders to help lower himself down. Everything hurt. Not nearly as bad as the last time he had pushed himself like that, yet still bad enough to make him reconsider asking Temari to keep carrying him. Warily, he stumbled onto his feet and tried to stretch himself out, silently thankful that Temari kept a hold of one of his arms for balance. He glanced over towards the Iwa group, eyeing Roshi cautiously.
"Quick version?" he asked, looking at Temari.
Temari shrugged. "The Tsuchikage is visiting Konoha for peace talks. Brought bodyguards. Roshi thought it would be fun to see what Konoha's jinchuuriki was like," she explained quickly.
Naruto grimaced. Peace talks. And somehow the jinchuuriki would be involved. That meant he was going to be dragged into several long, time-wasting meetings when they got home. What joy. "Thank you," he said, steadying himself and pulling away from her aid.
"Are you well enough to travel?" Temari asked, getting a nod in response. She smiled sweetly. "Good." Without warning, she punched Naruto in the face. The sound of his nose breaking under her knuckles making everyone present flinch. Before Naruto could recoil too far from the hit, he was grabbed by the front of his jacket and pulled back under Temari's glare. "The next time you get the bright idea to throw me in the fucking air, I highly recommend you rethink your strategy. Got it?"
"Ow," Naruto said vacantly. He was already still healing from before; did she really have to go adding to that list so quickly. "I got it."
Onoki was the first to break the silence, laughing loudly at the scene. "Oh, I like this one," he said. "Perhaps the next generation are not as lost as I had thought."
Naruto straightened his nose and wiped the blood on his sleeve. "Feel better?"
Temari smirked. "A little, yeah."
"Alright you two," Kakashi interjected. "No more lovers spats until we get back to Konoha."
Naruto joined Temari in a shared glare at the cycloptic jonin. His sense of humour was truly getting on their nerves. After a quick breather, they were off again. They set a steady pace of travel. The mission wasn't time sensitive, so there was no hurry to get back. It was also best to not try and exert anyone as they went. Travelling with a Kage was like wearing a bright neon sign on your back that screamed 'kill me' to the world. They all needed to remain alert and at the top of their game, ready for anything, or anyone, stupid enough to take the risk. And stupid they would have to be. With Kakashi of the Sharingan, two jinchuuriki, one of the last surviving Uchiha, three direct descendants of Kage, and the oldest Kage alive currently, their little group was a bounty hunter's most terrifying wet dream.
As they moved, Naruto could feel the eyes on him the whole time. Every single member of the Iwa party was watching him like hawks. He couldn't quite make heads or tails of it either. Each one had a feeling behind their gaze that differed. The Tsuchikage was watching him with a discomforting amount of intrigue. It made Naruto's skin crawl. The two jonin were kind enough to only watch him with a level of caution, which was understandable. Even if Roshi had proved that he was no threat to the Tsuchikage, Naruto was still a jinchuuriki, and as such was potentially unpredictable. Speaking of Roshi, the redheaded man hadn't so much as spoken a word the entire time. He just watched Naruto in the same way an academy teacher would watch the troublemaker of the class. Naruto had no idea how to feel about that, but at least it was better than the openly curious stare of the girl in their numbers. Kurotsuchi, as he had found out she was called, either lacked the ability, or care factor, to conceal her blatant fascination of both Naruto and Temari. It had been amusing for the first couple of hours, but now it was creepy.
Somehow, none of that could quite compare to the real problem.
Sasuke Uchiha.
Naruto was fully aware of his teammates dislike of him. It never mattered, so it had never proven a problem. Yet now, as he felt the Uchiha's eyes turning to him every so often with nothing but rage burning behind them, Naruto couldn't help but think that the days of simply ignoring Sasuke were quickly coming to an end. Actually, there was likely many things in his life that were soon to become far more complicated. Such was the way of his life. Maybe the Kyuubi had been right; they should have just made a run for it when he was younger. Too late now.
Camp that night was a civil enough affair. Naruto was more than happy to take first shift of watch again, despite how badly that had ended last time. One of the Iwa jonin stayed up as well. Unsurprisingly, there wasn't much trust to be had. Everything was going smoothly, the night- especially the alone-time -giving Naruto a good chance to meditate and channel some extra chakra into healing his body. Until…
"Did you know?"
Sasuke's voice was like a cheese grater to the brain for Naruto, tearing him from his peaceful meditation to sneer at the boy. "Know what?" he asked.
"Who your father was?"
Naruto shrugged. "I'm an orphan. Konoha's loyal jinchuuriki," he drawled. "I don't have a father. Don't need one either."
Sasuke frowned. "You don't believe that."
"It doesn't matter what I believe," Naruto said. "What I am will always be more important than who I am. Not that any of that should matter to you. Why do you suddenly care about who my father might have been?"
"It is the reason they are here at all," Sasuke seethed. "Iwa believes you are the son of the fourth Hokage. The more I think about it, the more it makes sense. So, I'll ask again. Did you know?"
Naruto stared blankly at Sasuke. "I had my suspicions."
"And yet you were happy living as a nobody?"
"I'm a jinchuuriki. I am a nobody. The moment the fourth Hokage sealed the nine tails in me, my fate was sealed with it," Naruto snapped. "I thought you of all people would understand that. Or do you honestly think that Konoha cares about anything other than those precious eyes in your head."
Sasuke grunted. "You have a point there." He stared at the blonde for a time, as if silently weighing up his next words carefully. "What will you do now? Once we get back to Konoha, I doubt Iwa will allow your little secret to be kept quiet any longer."
Naruto snorted. That was the understatement of the century. Iwa was pissed, or at least the Tsuchikage was. Truth be told, Naruto had no idea what to expect when they got home. Though it would be entertaining to watch the Hokage try and weasel his way out of this particular predicament. As far as plans went, he had none. His only working plan for the time being was to survive and get stronger, which was really more a necessity of life than a plan. Having Temari forced into the mix didn't help, but he supposed it wasn't all bad with her involved. Once his lineage was revealed, it stood to reason that the marriage alliance would only become a simpler matter. Suna would rejoice, Temari would possibly not feel so worthless, and Konoha might even give him some much needed space. Unlikely, but hey, a guy could dream.
"Keep doing what I've been doing," Naruto answered. "This changes nothing for me."
"Hn, whatever. You can go back to camp. I'll take over from here."
Naruto eyed Sasuke wearily for a second before nodding and making to leave. He paused in his step, noticing Sasuke eyeing a specific spot of darkness beyond the trees with his Sharingan. When Naruto looked, there was nothing there, but there was no doubt that there were people following them. Friend or foe, it wasn't quite clear. Naruto leaned more towards friend, or at the very least neutral, since they had been tailing them since leaving Konoha. Though he doubted that those in question would risk coming this close to the camp. Anbu would have more tact. It did beg to be asked as to which member of their little team was valuable enough to deserve a hidden escort for such a mission. Probably a combination of members actually, the more he thought about it.
Leaving Sasuke to his own devices, Naruto continued back, not at all surprised to find himself silently joined by Temari. That explained what Sasuke was trying to see in the darkness. The smile on the girl's face told Naruto enough about what she had been doing. Not that he could be surprised about that either. Snooping was, after all, a major part of being a shinobi.
"So…"
Naruto sighed deeply. This was turning out to be a long night already. "So what?"
"Are you the fourth's son?" Temari asked bluntly.
"You don't think so? Not enough resemblance?"
Temari snorted. "The resemblance is ridiculous," she said. "But I want to hear what you have to say. Iwa can throw their suspicions and accusations around all day for all I care. I'm not buying anything unless I hear it from someone I trust."
Naruto quirked an eye at her. "You trust me?"
"Well, you did protect me from Roshi, so I'd say you've earnt as much," Temari said, crossing her arms. It was just dark enough to hide the faint blush on her cheeks. Trust was a big deal in their line of work after all.
"I was only- "
"Yes, yes, only getting me out of the way so you didn't have to hold back," she interrupted, rolling her eyes. "Lamest excuse in the book, really. But whatever. We can discuss your apparent care for my wellbeing at a later date. Right now, all I want to know is what you think of the Iwa situation and how they believe you're the fourth Hokage's son."
Naruto stared at Temari curiously. "You don't trust them?"
"You do?"
He shook his head. "They will have an angle to play. Everyone does. Not sure what it is yet," he said. It wasn't like everyone wasn't already racking their minds trying to figure out what Iwa were up to. There had to be something going on here, surely. "As for me being the fourth's son, well, the only person who would know the truth about that is likely waiting for us in Konoha. Maybe everyone can pester him for answers instead of bothering me about it."
"Oh? Can't even be honest with your wife? My, my, what a good start we are off to," Temari said, a playful smile on her face. "Not even a hint?"
Naruto allowed a small smile. All things considered, Temari's more playful side was endearing. Never frequent enough to get on his nerves, nor so over the top as to annoy him. She was smart enough to have found a nice balance rather quickly, and that he could appreciate about her. Perhaps entertaining her curiosity in return wouldn't be such a bad thing. "Would be an interesting note in the history books," he mused. "The daughter of the fourth Kazekage, and the son of the fourth Hokage… what an interesting union that would be." He left it at that, leaving Temari to make up her mind on her own. Based on the smug look on her face, she had done just that. "Let's get back. I don't want to hear what Kakashi has to say if he catches us returning from the forest together."
Temari grimaced. "Good thinking."
With that, they both hurried back to camp. Sadly, they were too late, being greeted by Kakashi and Sakura, both of whom wouldn't stop giving the pair knowing glances. A long night indeed.
{I}
Back out in the woods, far enough away from the camps to be noticed, Sasuke waited. He anxiously palmed a small piece of paper, checking it over and over to make sure he hadn't read it wrong. He hadn't. Someone else was out here, following them, following him. Whoever it was, they were good enough to not get spotted by Kakashi and the others, good enough to have found them in the first place, and skilled enough to get a message to him so discreetly. The spider that had crawled to him with the note was lucky to have not been dealt a swift death before Sasuke noticed its intentions, thankfully so.
The contents of the note were… less than informative. A single, rather vague phrase. 'The power you seek.' Sasuke didn't need to do much guess work to figure out who had sent it. The mark on his shoulder ached in a way that forced him to remember that day during the chunin exams. Orochimaru. The former elite shinobi of Konoha, one of the Sannin, a ruthless monster, and… one of the few people possibly strong enough to go against Itachi. From there, the choice had been simple. Sasuke would hear out whoever it was that the snake had sent to persuade him. If it wasn't enough, he could simply kill them and move on. No one would bat an eye. But if it was good enough…
"You're interested. Good."
Sasuke forced himself not to react to the voice. They didn't need to know that they had gotten the drop on him. He hadn't even heard any footsteps. Turning slowly, he was a little more alarmed to find himself facing not one, but four, individuals. They each wore the headband of Otogakure, the village Sasuke knew to be under Orochimaru's rule, proving his suspicions right.
"I'll hear what you have to say, but that's it. Don't expect me to be easily swayed by words alone," Sasuke said.
The apparent leader of the group, a slender androgynous looking boy with blue hair, chuckled. "Of course not. Actions would serve better, no? Perhaps you would like to get a taste of what power Orochimaru can provide to you?"
"And how do you propose you'll prove that? I've already felt what the curse mark does," Sasuke said, rubbing his shoulder. "It's not enough."
The boy grinned, black marking spreading across his skin. "Oh, this?" he asked. "This is only the beginning. The incomplete product. Lord Orochimaru is not so foolish as to bestow his gifts so thoughtlessly. Only with loyalty are his gifts truly given. What you have cannot compare to the true power provided by the mark. If you would only join us, we will unlock its full potential for you."
Sasuke narrowed his eyes. "Prove it."
"Not here. Not now," the boy said. "Such a display wouldn't go unnoticed."
"Then when."
"Soon. Continue as you would normally. When the time is right, we will seek you out. Be ready. And if you tell anyone about us, you will be as good as dead."
{I}
"You suck as a jinchuuriki."
Naruto gritted his teeth and tried his best to ignore the man standing over him. They were so close to Konoha now, no more than another day's travel, why couldn't he have stayed silent like he had the whole trip so far. He closed his eyes and attempted to return to meditating, to no avail. The feeling of eyes on him was uncomfortable. Naruto might have been able to ignore the curious stares from his team and the rest of the Iwa team during his meditation moments, but he could not handle Roshi staring at him from such a close distance.
The man also exuded an extremely unpleasant temperature, likely from his kekkei genkai. Had this mission taken place in the land of snow, then Naruto might have seen some use in having his fellow jinchuuriki around. Here, in the land of fire, it was much less welcome.
Perhaps as an answer to his internal complaining, things only got worse. Roshi took it upon himself to drop into a seated position in front of Naruto, mirroring his meditative stance almost mockingly. Naruto groaned. "What do you want?" he asked pointedly, cracking a single eye open.
"Is that any way to talk to your elder?"
Naruto looked the man up and down. "You are old… I'll give you that."
Roshi laughed. "Damn right I am," he said proudly. "And how do you think someone like me managed to live all the years I have? Wasn't by being lucky, that much I'm sure you of all people understand." He patted his belly to make his point, giving Naruto a knowing look.
"I imagine this is the part where you tell me something about teamwork, trusting my comrades to have my back, and training like hell to control the fox." Naruto rolled his eyes. He had heard all that before, from the Hokage. It hadn't inspired him then, and it certainly wouldn't inspire him now. "Save it for the next guy."
"Pretty sure there won't be a next guy, if things keep going the way they are," Roshi said. "As for your comrades–" he glanced over to where Kakashi was sitting with the others "-they might as well be useless. Putting your faith in others will get you stabbed in the back or left for dead. From my experience anyway. No, you just need to stop being an idiot by trying to control the bijuu inside of you. Not how it works I'm afraid, and until you realise that you'll just keep burning yourself up and walking out of every fight looking like a rotisserie chicken."
Naruto grimaced. He didn't need that comparison to be made, nor did he need to see how the Tsuchikage perked up at the mention of chicken. "Of course, because you are suddenly the expert on all the bijuu and their jinchuuriki. Don't control the chakra, that sounds like a great idea."
Sitting off to the side, Temari had to wonder just what had happened during Naruto and Roshi's fight to make her husband so… sassy.
Roshi nodded sagely. "Ah, a smart ass. Living up to the Uzumaki name then. But before you get your panties in a twist over it, remember that I am currently the oldest jinchuuriki alive. I've got more years of experience than you have short and curlies. Only a fool would scoff at my offer to teach them."
Naruto narrowed his eyes. Ass beating aside, he was really beginning to not like Roshi. Most of the old men he had the displeasure of knowing had the decency to only have one bad trait. Apparently, Iwa never got the memo on that. "You never offered to teach me anything."
"Not while you're being a rude little shit about it," Roshi quipped, smirking at the boy. "Show your elder some respect, and I might be willing to help you with your little fox problem… maybe… possibly… if I feel like it."
"Roshi," the Tsuchikage called out warningly. "Don't you dare go sharing Iwa secrets with the enemy."
Roshi flipped the man off. "Can it, you old fart. This is jinchuuriki business. Doesn't concern you."
Onoki bristled at the blatant display of disrespect but didn't make another comment.
Naruto was curious now. "Shouldn't you show your Kage respect?" Yes, it was hypocritical of him to ask such a thing, and yes, Kakashi was staring at him funny.
"As soon as he can make up his mind quicker than a woman can choose an outfit, then I will respect him. Until then, he's just the same old fence-sitter."
Naruto sighed deeply. Were all old men so… weird. "If you know so much. Why aren't you a perfect jinchuuriki, like the one in Kumo?" That may have only been a rumour, or even propaganda from Kumo's end, but it was still a valid question. The Kyuubi had assured Naruto that there was a greater unity between jinchuuriki and bijuu than that which Roshi had displayed in their fight.
Roshi's expression dropped as he grumbled something about cloud headed freaks. "Do you want the help or not, brat. I honestly couldn't care at this point."
"Why offer it then?" Naruto asked.
The man shrugged… and left it at that.
"Fine. What am I doing wrong?" Naruto asked, finally giving up on getting any meditation done today.
"You're trying," Roshi said, as if that explained everything. The way he chuckled at Naruto's expression also wasn't helping much. "First step of controlling a bijuu: give up."
Everyone within ear shot gave the man a sceptical look.
"The bijuu are living things. Age old creatures of pure chakra. They can die and will themselves back together as if it were just another day. What exactly do you think a single human life is in comparison to that? Just how strong do you think you are compared to one of them?" Roshi asked, smirking as he apparently got his answer from how Naruto stared blankly. "Exactly. We're nothing. An annoying little speck of dust. So, how do you expect a speck of dust to be able to control something so much more than it could ever hope to be? You don't. You give up."
Naruto stared for a good long minute, waiting for Roshi to elaborate. He didn't. "I'm done with this," he finally said, getting up and marching away. There had to be somewhere he could get a few minutes of peace.
Roshi watched him leave and snorted. "He'll figure it out… probably."
With that said, his attention quickly turned back to another interesting member of the travelling party. He grinned wide as the individual in question froze under his gaze, a very visible shiver running up her spine as she locked eyes with him. Kurotsuchi was annoying, and more than a little entitled, but she was a promising kunoichi of Iwa, and a Yoton user at that. Roshi had been dragged out of his retirement for a particular purpose, according to Onoki that was. Who was he to ignore such a lovely opportunity to pay his beloved leader back in kind. Making the girl a bigger pain in the ass would only be an unexpected side effect of his methods.
Yes… very unexpected.
{I}
Not many things could bring a shinobi village screeching to a halt. An invasion had proven to be one of them, though that was very short lived. A bijuu attack another. There was likely a handful of other events that could have brought much the same effect, but none of them came to mind for the group. As they made their way through the front gates of Konoha and began walking along its streets, it became apparent that the one truly effective way to bring a shinobi village to a halt, was to march the leader of its greatest enemy right through the middle of it. Unbound at that too.
Civilians gawked and swarmed at the visitors, all murmuring amongst themselves as to what could be going on. Shinobi kept their numbers spread out throughout the crowds, with more than a few taking vantage points from above. A message had been sent ahead of them to warn of the coming guest, but that seemed to have provided no buffer regarding the shock value.
It made sense. Iwa had been Konoha's biggest threat in the last war. They had claimed more than their fair share of lives, and there were likely more than a few grudges held on both sides. For the Tsuchikage to invite himself into Konoha, with so little guard, presented many shinobi with many bright ideas on how to take revenge and claim glory for Konoha. Not that it would happen so publicly. The civilian populace, gods bless their souls, lived a peaceful life based on ignorance. If they didn't actively see the bloodshed, then they could pretend it wasn't happening around them. That was exactly how the villages tried to keep things too.
In broad daylight, Onoki could breathe easily.
Getting to the Hokage tower was a slower process than normal. By the time they got there, everyone felt like every inch of them had been thoroughly inspected by far too many eyes. Even Onoki was unsettled by it. The only member not put off by the attention was Kakashi. Filing into the Hokage's office, they were met by the smiling old Hokage, flanked on either side by both Danzo and Tsunade respectfully. In the room with them were no less than six visible Anbu, with who knew how many hidden around in preparation.
Onoki rolled his eyes and grumbled about 'theatrics'.
"What a pleasant surprise, lord Tsuchikage," Hiruzen began. "Had I known you intended to attend yourself, I would have made more appropriate preparations. I apologise for our lacking on such short notice."
"Oh, yes, because clearly you are so lacking in security detail," Onoki said irritably. "How about we skip this formal nonsense and get to the point. My back is killing me. I didn't travel all this way just to play at fancy words and underhanded jabs."
Whilst everyone tensed at the short man's utter lack of respect or manners, Hiruzen merely chuckled at the display. "Very well. What is it you deemed so urgent that you thought it wise to travel all the way here to Konoha?"
Onoki went to speak only to stop as a small pebble bounced off the side of his head. Roshi was making a point to look distinctly distracted by a painting hanging from a wall. "Right… this is perhaps something best discussed in private, Sarutobi. Your two advisors are welcome to stay, but the rest can take a walk."
With a silent gesture the Anbu were dismissed. "Kakashi, if you could please wait outside with your team. I will hear your report on the mission after and reward your team accordingly."
Kakashi didn't need to be told twice. The less he heard, the less responsibility that would fall on his shoulders.
"The jinchuuriki stays," Onoki said firmly, eyeing Naruto.
"I'm afraid young Naruto is still a genin. He is not cleared for such a meeting," Hiruzen said.
Onoki waved him off dismissively. "Don't care. He stays. It's important."
Hiruzen sighed deeply. Sharing a look with Kakashi, he nodded and the jonin quickly complied by leaving with two of his genin, and Temari, in tow. Rubbing his temples, Hiruzen could already feel a headache forming. If the Shinigami took what was left of his soul in this moment, it would be a blessing. The two jonin, along with Kurotsuchi, bowed respectfully before also departing, leaving only Roshi behind to defend their kage. Once the door closed, the mood changed considerably. Hiruzen's eyes darkened as he glared at Onoki, Tsunade and Danzo sharing in his expression. From his spot, slightly off to the side, Naruto felt the invisible weight bearing down on him. Being in a room with this many monsters was almost comparable to facing the Kyuubi when he was in a bad mood.
"Well, well, half dead and still capable of such an imposing presence. I'm impressed, Sarutobi," Onoki said, unphased by the glares levelled his way.
"Why are you here, Onoki?" Hiruzen asked.
"Is that any way to talk to an old friend?"
"Konoha and Iwa are not friends," Danzo hissed. "The Hokage has asked you a question. You will answer him."
Onoki smirked. "I'll get there when I'm good and ready. But first, I have a more important question for the three of you." He pointed to Naruto "What on earth is this?"
Tsunade blinked. "A child?"
"Obviously. But whose child?"
Hiruzen's features hardened. "Young Naruto is an orphan of the Kyuubi attack. He was chosen by the fourth to-"
Onoki snorted. "Chosen? Do you honestly think anyone is so foolish as to believe such a lie?" he spat. "You and I both know that Namikaze was many things, but he was not the sort of man to condemn a no name child to such a fate. Far too soft-hearted for such a thing." He paused to look at Naruto intently for a moment, only to turn away with a frown. "Obvious similarities aside, I know Namikaze was expecting a child, with an Uzumaki woman no less. If you intended on his identity to remain a secret, you should have at least tried to make it so."
There was a tense silence that was only interrupted by an indignant grunt from Danzo. "I told you," the bandaged man muttered under his breath. The small smile on his face looked far too out of place.
Hiruzen ignored everyone in favour for keeping his eyes on Naruto. He had been watching the boy carefully the whole time, since the moment he had entered his office. What he had learnt through that observation was not as comforting as he hoped it would be. "Naruto… how long have you known?" he asked gently.
It had been obvious enough when Naruto failed to blurt out anything concerning the matter. Onoki wasn't the kind to wait to stir up trouble. If the opportunity to sow the seeds of doubt was there, Onoki would take it. With their days of travel, there was no way Naruto was not aware of the Tsuchikage's assumption regarding his parentage. The fact that the boy was so quiet right now only confirmed one of his greatest fears.
Naruto stared blankly at the Hokage. "I don't know anything," he said. "I'm just a jinchuuriki. A loyal shinobi of Konoha. Whatever I might know about who my parents were doesn't mean anything. If it was important, you would have told me. Right, old man?"
Hiruzen flinched. He could have sworn he felt himself age considerably in that moment. From beside him he could sense both Danzo and Tsunade glaring at him, albeit for different reasons. Tsunade was likely mad that the lies and cover ups had been allowed to go on for so long, only to come back to bite them in the ass. Danzo was probably still upset that he hadn't been given permission to take Naruto into the Root system, where he would be trained and hidden from the world until he was ready. Both had valid reasons to be upset, and yet neither voiced their opinion. For that, Hiruzen was grateful. The way Naruto was looking at him right now was more than enough pain for one day.
"Naruto… I-"
"We are here for an alliance," Roshi announced, clearing his throat loudly.
Everyone's attention snapped back to Onoki, with Hiruzen offering Naruto one last solemn glance before turning back to the more pressing matter. Whether he liked it or not, Naruto could wait. He wasn't going anywhere, and now wasn't the best time to come clean with everything. "An alliance?" he asked, gesturing for Onoki to elaborate.
"Yes. An alliance," Onoki said, narrowing his eyes at Roshi.
"One born out of necessity more than want, I imagine?" Danzo mused.
Onoki frowned. Instead of rising to the barb, he pulled a rolled-up piece of cloth from his pouch and let it unfurl before him. It was a piece of black fabric, torn from a larger article, with a red cloud printed on it.
Suddenly, everything was starting to make a little more sense.
"What do you know of Akatsuki?"
{I}
Temari paced anxiously up and down the small hallway outside the Hokage's office, glancing at the door every time she passed it. There was no way this was going to turn out good. She had hoped, rather morbidly perhaps, that Konoha would seize the opportunity to simply kill the Tsuchikage as soon as he stepped foot in the village. That may have been too high a hope. Konoha were known for their 'peace first' approach to almost everything. Temari's current circumstances being testament to that. Sadly, that only served to spur on her concerns.
It was no secret that Suna and Iwa were bitter enemies, possibly even more so than Konoha and Iwa. Their constant political bickering and small scaled battles over what amounted to petty squabbles had continued even after the third war had ended. Peace between the two great villages was likely not something that would just come about in her lifetime. And yet, here she was, waiting outside while the very first attempt at peace talks occurred between the Tsuchikage and the Hokage. With Suna being as intwined with Konoha as it now found itself, there was no possibility they could weasel their way out of a treaty without significantly damaging their own pride and reputation. Though Temari did wonder if taking such a loss would be seen as a better alternative to being dragged into an alliance with Iwa by Konoha.
There were likely more than a few who would see it as an unavoidable choice. The only question would be how Konoha reacted, or how important their alliance with Suna actually was. Temari wasn't fooled. If the choice came between Iwa and Suna, Konoha had to choose the former. Economically, militaristically, hell even just geographically, Iwa was the better alliance to have. Not to mention that they were the only one of the two that proved to be any form of threat to Konoha. Suna had been humiliated in that regard.
So yes, Temari was stressed. Knowing that whatever was going on behind that closed door could determine a massive political shift in the world that she would likely be caught up in was simply too much for her to think about. The all too amused look on Kurotsuchi's face wasn't helping none either.
"You really ought to calm down," Kurotsuchi said with a smirk. "All that stress will only age you faster than the desert already has."
Temari ignored her and continued pacing.
"Uhh, Temari. Maybe you should relax. Just a little bit. I'm sure everything is fine," Sakura said softly, though she too appeared somewhat concerned about the nature of the meeting going on without them. With an unsure frown, she turned to her sensei. "Right, Kakashi-sensei?"
Kakashi's one eye was fixated on the door, unnervingly so. "I honestly can't say," he admitted.
Temari clicked her tongue. That was annoyingly unhelpful.
"You lot worry too much," Kurotsuchi said flippantly. "It's not like we're here to cause trouble."
"Bullshit," Temari snapped.
Kurotsuchi smirked. "It's the truth. I promise," she said. "Grandfather desires an alliance. That is all. We have a common enemy to consider, after all."
That got everyone's attention.
"Kumo?" Kakashi suggested.
Sasuke narrowed his eyes but remained silent.
"Akatsuki?" Temari asked.
Kurotsuchi grinned at her. "I'm surprised anyone from Suna would know of them, what with all your heads being stuck in the sand."
Temari crossed her arms. "Bitch."
"What does Iwa have to do with Akatsuki?" Kakashi asked.
"Not a lot. Not yet. But that will change in time. They aim to capture all of the nine tailed beasts, which makes them everyone's enemy, doesn't it? Such a bold claim cannot simply go unchallenged."
Kakashi hummed thoughtfully. "Then why not ally with Kumo. They also hold a grudge against Konoha, to some extent. You each possess two jinchuuriki of formidable strength and ability in controlling their bijuu. Surely, they would have been a better choice, no?"
Kurotsuchi shrugged. "You would think so."
"I didn't think Iwa would ever stoop so low as to ally with anyone openly," Temari said. "What happened? Suddenly lose your sense of superiority?"
"Such brave words coming from a Suna-rat. Tell me, what did your precious village have to sacrifice to earn the privilege of crawling back into Konoha's good graces? Must have been something valuable. To secure an alliance so quickly after failing to invade. I can only imagine what Konoha was allowed to pry from your desperate fingers." As she spoke, Kurotsuchi's eyes never left Temari. They were piercing, intense, as if searching for something. By the frown that quickly found itself on her face, she didn't find what she was looking for.
Much to everyone's surprise, it was Sakura who spoke up. "She thinks we took Suna's jinchuuriki." Everyone turned to her, eliciting Sakura to blush from the sudden attention. "Oh, um, sorry. It just makes sense. Iwa and Kumo are the only two villages with two jinchuuriki, aside from Kiri, who we know would never ally with Iwa again after last time." Kurotsuchi and the two jonin grimaced at the mention of their village's sorted past. "If they won't ally with Kumo, then they don't see them as a threat either. Konoha would be considered a threat, if only because of the war, but with the fourth Hokage gone, and only one jinchuuriki to our name, then we are still a little behind. Unless… we were able to claim another jinchuuriki, say by way of a recent alliance."
Kakashi couldn't have looked prouder - without taking off his mask that was – as he nodded to Sakura. "I'm glad at least one of my precious genin knows the importance of history and logical thinking." Sakura blushed at the compliment and Kakashi turned a curious eye back to Kurotsuchi. "Regrettably, I do hope that she is wrong, this time. If Iwa have only come to neutralise the threat of a Konoha that wields two jinchuuriki, then you will be sorely disappointed."
Kurotsuchi's once smug and confident aura fizzled. "You mean… Konoha didn't claim the Ichibi for themselves?" She was met with blank stares, even from the genin, as if to ask, 'why would we do that?'. Kurotsuchi looked back at Temari, who was now the smug one in this little game. "But then… what did Suna offer for forgiveness?"
The way Temari smiled made Kurotsuchi regret asking.
{I}
Naruto wanted to be anywhere but here. Anywhere. Even locked away in a cage under the Hokage tower, with the key tossed away, would have been better than sitting in on this cursed meeting. He understood the importance of said meeting, and even how he was no doubt going to factor into it. That meant very little when he knew that his opinion or wishes on the matter were of no consequence. Just like his marriage, a decision would be made for him, and he would be expected to keel to their demands. He had gotten used to that part at least but was there really any reason to force him to sit through this torture. Could they not just brief him on the outcome via a message?
His attention wavered in and out as the meeting dragged on. With any luck, Temari was having a more pleasant time waiting outside. Naruto idly contemplated what he would eat afterwards. What food did they have at home? Would they just grab something on their way home? Maybe one of them would cook. Oh well, they could figure it out later. It wasn't as if they…
Naruto froze.
They? They?
He scowled at the realisation that he had been working Temari into his life a little bit too seamlessly. Not to say it should have been difficult. Temari made a point of being the easiest person to work around, live with, and just generally be around. She had a lot of practice with a lot worse, Naruto figured. That didn't make it any better for him though. There was a reason he kept people at a distance and Temari was making it difficult. Everyone else he could justify keeping at arm's length. Be it by their own actions, or by association.
Nobody in Konoha could be trusted, not truly. Naruto had learnt as much. Sure, they could be friendly when they needed to be, helpful even, some even going out of their way to try and befriend him in some way. Kakashi was the most annoying of that particular bunch. Nothing ever seemed to get under the man's skin, and he always popped back up unperturbed by anything Naruto said or did. Even his actions in Wave, or how had handled the chunin exams, had done nothing to dissuade his sensei. The man was infuriating, and had he not been a Konoha shinobi, Naruto might almost give in just to gain some peace.
Temari was different, however. She wasn't from Konoha. He couldn't lump her in with everyone else here, couldn't outright disregard her as just another person in the village. Naruto had tried, at first. It didn't work. Temari was too sincere and honest with everything she said and did. And then there was her connection to Gaara. She knew what Naruto was, what he was capable of, had even been on the receiving end of it to some extent, and still she refused to look at him any differently. It was… comforting. Almost too comforting. It would have made so much more sense if she was just another Konoha ninja trying to cement his loyalty to the village. That much he could have understood and ignored.
"You have a soft spot for the girl."
Naruto withheld a groan. He did not need the commentary right now.
"She confuses you," the fox said. "With all she has seen, all she has lived through- her brother, you -she is the only one who you think deserves to hate you, fear you. And yet, she does not."
'Your point?' Naruto had a sinking feeling in his stomach. The Kyuubi was not usually this invested in what Naruto felt or thought unless it was detrimental to his growth.
The Kyuubi chuckled. "She gives you hope. If she doesn't care about what you are, if she could grow to care about you, despite everything, then perhaps others could too. She gives you hope that there are better people in the world than just what you have seen in this village."
Naruto frowned. Was that it? Was that what was wrong with him lately? Surely not. He couldn't be that weak. He didn't need hope. He didn't need acceptance. He didn't need Temari. Right…?
"Hope is a powerful thing. Even you are not spared from its alure."
'I'll fix this.'
"Perhaps. But hope is not always such a terrible thing. It may work to your advantage."
'Then what are you trying to…'
"…Naruto?"
He focused back on the meeting, noticing that everyone was now looking at him.
"Is everything okay?" the Hokage asked softly.
"I'm fine."
Roshi laughed. "Little brat is just being pestered by the fox," he said. "The bijuu don't really care for picking their moments. If they want to talk, they will be heard."
Naruto and Roshi shared a quick look before Naruto sighed and turned back to the Hokage. "Did you need something?"
Hiruzen's expression softened. "Lord Tsuchikage wanted to know if there was anything you could tell them about your interaction with Akatsuki."
"Nothing that isn't already in the report," he said, crossing his arms. That day was not a good memory he wanted to delve back into so carelessly.
"Hah! Guess you got your whiny little arse kicked by them too," Roshi teased. "Don't worry. There's no shame in only being a half-baked jinchuuriki."
Naruto seethed and silenced the raging screams of the Kyuubi. Losing his cool in the Hokage's office was a surefire way to get his seal tightened, or worse, end up restrained somewhere. Whatever contingency plans Hiruzen and Danzo had lined up for him were best left hidden away. "Like you could do any better," he shot back at Roshi.
Roshi smiled, but the expression caught Naruto off guard. It wasn't a happy or smug kind of smile. "You're right. I couldn't," he admitted. "It was all I could do to snag that piece of their cloak and get back to Iwa in one piece. Even then, I needed help."
"You have people capable of combating Akatsuki?" Danzo asked, his interest now piqued.
"Had," Roshi clarified. "I was not alone when Akatsuki came looking. Han, jinchuuriki of the Gobi, was training alongside me in the hopes that we might better harness the power of our bijuu. Now that I think about it, said training is likely what led Akatsuki straight to us."
Hiruzen nodded. "You were the only one to escape," he said solemnly.
Danzo scoffed. "Two seasoned jinchuuriki weren't enough to handle two ordinary shinobi?"
"You'd best mind your tone when talking about my fallen soldiers," Onoki said sharply. "Had Han not given his life so bravely, this meeting would not be happening right now."
"A meeting that you still have yet to completely explain the reason for," Tsunade cut in. "You say you want an alliance. Am I to understand this would only be a temporary effort to deal with Akatsuki. Once that threat is dealt with, Iwa will simply scurry back to its own ways, if not use the time of truce to strategically weaken your future enemy. Your being here, as per your own words, is only a result of you already losing one jinchuuriki. Let's be real, you are only looking to take advantage of our good nature to get us to help you keep hold of what little power you still have."
"I think what my dear student is trying to say, is that this is not something we can agree to lightly," Hiruzen said.
Tsunade shrugged. "Whatever. It's not my decision yet."
"Thank the gods for that," Roshi grumbled.
"You have something to say?"
Roshi waved her off. "Nothing that would interest someone who buys her perfume at a liquor store. I could smell you from the street."
Hiruzen rested his face in his hands. "Here we go."
As the meeting descended into a petty argument, Naruto receded back into his mind. The usually oppressive aura that the Kyuubi gave off was disturbingly weak at the moment. He got close to the bars of the seal, peering through the darkness curiously before passing through. It had been a long time since Naruto and the Kyuubi had developed a good enough relationship that there was no risk of harm from entering the beast's cage, though it was still a rare occurrence. The fox appreciated its personal space, and Naruto was happy to comply with that. It helped that being too close to the fox was often challenging even at the best of times, which made now all the more peculiar.
"Kokuo."
"What?"
"That was their name. The Gobi. Kokuo," the Kyuubi said, its voice almost… sad. "To think I will not even sense when they are taken from this world. This cage is much crueller than I had first thought."
Naruto found himself suddenly very aware of his being within the seal. If there was ever a time for the fox to change its mind and try to rip its way out, now would be it. He swallowed hard. "Can we do anything?"
The Kyuubi opened its eyes and stared at Naruto, the silence doing little to ease Naruto's concerns. He trusted the fox, more than anyone else he knew, but Naruto also understood that if their places were switched, he would do almost anything to get his freedom. How and why they even had as friendly of a relationship was still something Naruto wasn't sure about. Pity was the most likely answer, or perhaps a pet project born out of boredom. Living for centuries would probably do strange things to a being's morals and motivations. There was no telling what was truly going through the Kyuubi's head.
"You must train," the beast said. "Kokuo was not weak, even amongst our kin. If this Akatsuki could so easily take them and their host, then we have much to do before you are ready to defend yourself."
"Where do we start?" Naruto asked.
The Kyuubi grumbled to itself. "It might be time that I talk to the monkey again," it said. "Ask the jinchuuriki for guidance. He seemed well versed in how to harness such power."
Naruto's mood soured. "Really? Him?"
He didn't get an answer. In a blink he was back in the Hokage's office, the argument still ongoing. Were all powerful shinobi this childish or was it just that childish people always somehow became powerful. If the latter were the case, then Naruto was screwed. Maybe in another lifetime. Ignoring what was being said, Naruto walked up to Roshi, and without a word, grabbed the man's arm. He didn't know if that was enough for the bijuu to communicate, but it had worked with Gaara, so it was worth a shot. From the way Roshi froze mid insult, it seemed to do the trick.
Everyone went quiet and watched on curiously.
"Train me," Naruto said. As much as the man annoyed him, it would be stupid to pass up the opportunity. He and the Kyuubi had more or less plateaued with the chakra shroud training anyway, so it couldn't hurt to get an outside perspective.
Roshi appeared to zone out for a second before blinking in surprise. "Okay."
"I didn't agree to this!" Onoki spluttered.
"Sorry. Someone much bigger and scarier than you asked me… well, demanded more like it," Roshi said, giving Naruto a weird look. "Is he always that well-tempered?"
Naruto shrugged.
"Fair enough." Roshi turned to the now very intrigued Hokage and council. "Ally with us and I will personally assist in training the brat to be more than just a hard to kill punching bag. Outside of that, you can hash the details out with the old fart here and let me know which ones affect me. Now, if you would excuse us, I'm going to see what I might be working with."
The old jinchuuriki offered a flippant wave as he walked to the door, only stopping to look back expectantly at Naruto and gesturing for him to follow. Naruto turned to the Hokage questioningly. Even if he hadn't been a shinobi, his life still belonged to the old man. There was only so much he could risk doing without the Hokage's permission before it started drawing too much attention. Being trained by a rival village's jinchuuriki was very likely somewhere near the top of that list. As such, he was surprised when the old man smiled and gestured for him to follow. Danzo seemed a bit less enthusiastic, but that was to be expected. There would be eyes watching them, not that that was much of a change from the norm.
Now it was just a question of how much Roshi could offer him, if anything at all.
Anything was better than being stuck in the meeting.
{I}
It was late when Naruto finally got home. His feet dragged across the floor sluggishly, leaving a trail of dirt as he went. He tried to be quiet, somewhat, knowing that Temari was likely asleep already. The poor girl hadn't been as lucky as he had been in escaping the suffering that was formalities with the Hokage. She and the rest of team seven had been left to deal with the Iwa situation without him. Though now that he thought about it, the meetings might have been less painful. He fell onto the lounge with a groan, burying his face into the only soft thing he had felt all night.
"That bad, huh?"
A single eye cracked open, staring tiredly at Temari. She was curled up on another chair, hair down, dressed in only a large baggy shirt and shorts, a book in hand. How had he not noticed her? He couldn't be that tired. A muffled grunt into the pillow under his face was the best he could offer.
Temari smiled. "I'll take that as a yes," she said, closing her book and sitting up a little. "Did you want to know how everything went after you left?"
"Is that why you're still awake?" Naruto asked, lethargically crawling into a slouched seated position.
"Partially," she admitted. "I did want to make sure you were not left out of the loop on everything, just in case. Although, I do have other reasons to wait for my dear husband's return home."
Naruto tilted his head questioningly at her.
Temari sighed but kept her smile. "To make sure you got home safe," she elaborated with a bit of amusement.
"Oh."
She laughed softly. "You're hopeless at this." Her tone was gentle as she shook her head. "We can practice that later, I guess. For now, you should know that Konoha and Iwa are officially engaged in peace talks. An alliance is being written up as we speak for consideration. A message was sent to Suna for them to voice their opinion on the matter, though I have a good idea of what their response will be. For obvious reasons, the Tsuchikage is very interested in you, and me too I suppose, by association. His granddaughter seemed a bit disappointed when I told her about our… arrangement."
Temari pursed her lips in thought for a moment, only to shake it from her mind. Naruto didn't have to wonder what that thought had been. He may not have been as smart as the likes of Temari or Shikamaru, but he could read the writing on the wall. With his lineage under scrutiny, and the Tsuchikage desiring to ensure an alliance, there was a very clear motive for the old man to drag his granddaughter along. Naruto shuddered. He never thought the day would come that he was actually grateful to be married to Temari, and so soon after the fact at that. At least Suna wasn't out to try and claim a jinchuuriki, or a very specific bloodline.
Temari noticed his reaction. "My thoughts exactly," she said. "Anyway, other than playing the guessing game of motives and reasonings, the whole thing has been a very bland affair. You didn't miss much. How about yourself? Anything I should know about this 'training'?" Her eyes assessed him up and down, taking in the sight of his exhaustion, ripped and burnt clothing, and more than a few spots of dried blood.
Naruto grimaced. "He's an ass," he said.
An understatement if there ever were one. The beatdown on their first meeting was a blessing compared to what Roshi referred to as training. At least back then Roshi was quick to knock him out. Now, he actively avoided causing any injury that might cut the session short, all the while inflicting as much pain as possible with each strike. So far, they had done nothing but fight, with Roshi insisting that he needed to see Naruto's limits. They had fought, Naruto using anything and everything he could, save for the Kyuubi's chakra itself, until he simply couldn't anymore. By the end, Naruto was sure the only thing keeping him standing was the ever-present trickle of the Kyuubi's chakra.
"But he's strong. Really strong," Naruto continued. "Even if they are scheming, if I can learn anything about being a jinchuuriki from him, it'll be worth it."
"And I can help you learn to be a person," Temari offered cheekily.
Naruto snorted, a small smile fighting to appear. Right. The soft spot. Just as the Kyuubi had said. That was bad. It was just so… difficult. Temari was the first person to treat him like a normal person with no ulterior motive behind it. Well, she wanted the marriage to work for the sake of her village, but she had been very upfront about that part, so Naruto didn't consider it an issue. She could have gone about that easily without having to get too involved with him. A simple discussion and an agreement of how to act in public and her mission would be resolved. Yet she had chosen to try the more hands-on approach, for whatever reason.
That was fine. Naruto didn't mind her efforts nearly as much as anyone else's. She was honest, at least. One of the greatest gifts given to him as the host of the Kyuubi also happened to be one of the greatest curses. Being able to sense negative emotions, and to some extent, ill intent. As a child, it had been miserable. Surrounded by people that you knew hated you, feared you, were disgusted by you, was as close to a living hell as anyone could get. Being able to tell when someone's smile was nothing more than a façade, that their intentions were not what they seemed. Sure, it had helped occasionally, like with Mizuki, but it was a painful existence. Not knowing the bliss of ignorance, always peering deeper into everything, searching for the hidden darker meaning behind every interaction.
Look underneath the underneath, as Kakashi would say. If only his sensei knew just how easy it was for Naruto to see such things.
Even those that possessed no ill will, no festering harsh feelings for him, they were all kept at a safe distance. The Hokage, Jiraiya, Kakashi, even his teammates to some level. None of them hated him, none of them seemed to truly fear him. Still, their actions, their words, it was all wrong. They were nice, helpful, kind even. More tolerant of Naruto than anyone else, that was for sure. But they had reason to be. Naruto knew the ploy. A jinchuuriki without a leash was too dangerous to have around. They wanted to be the reason for his loyalty, the warmth he clung to. That absurd will of fire they preached about too often. Even if they did truly care about him, it was overshadowed by their love for the village. Konoha came first, always. Over anything and everyone.
In their eyes, Naruto was a jinchuuriki first. He was their weapon, their tool to try and point against their enemies. Naruto was sure of it, as was the Kyuubi. That was why he was so careful. So long as he didn't let any of them in, then it couldn't be used against him, and he couldn't be forced to be their weapon. Not truly, not completely.
Temari wasn't one of them. He could sense it. Speckles of fear existed in her, understandably. She was cautious, but she looked at him different. Temari didn't care about what he was, how he could be used. She hadn't come here with any of that in mind. It was in moments like this that Naruto truly realised just how different Temari was. As he sat there, silently trying not to give in to his own amusement, he couldn't feel anything from her. It was silent. Truly silent. Peaceful. She didn't feel negatively about him, nor did she harbour ill will against him. She was exactly what she offered, and that gave Naruto hope.
That was the soft spot.
Naruto took a deep breath. The house was beginning to smell like her. He wasn't complaining. At some point he would have to wonder if anything about Temari didn't help to calm his mind. He offered her a small smile, which was easier said than done for someone who actively avoided expressions. "You'll have your work cut out for you."
Temari blinked at him owlishly before smiling softly. "Didn't I already tell you… I'm not afraid of hard work," she said. Her eyes quickly turned to the trail of dirt he had trekked through the house. "You're cleaning that up yourself though. Just in case you were getting any ideas."
He shook his head and made to get up and clean his mess.
"Tomorrow," Temari said. "Clean it tomorrow. You need to sleep." She was up and by his side far too quickly. "Come on."
He didn't fight her when she led him by the hand to the bathroom door. He was too tired, or he just didn't feel like it, either option was fine. She stopped, and for once Naruto actually found himself feeling awkward. What was she waiting for? Temari was staring at him strangely, as if she wanted to ask something. She didn't. It was a short-lived moment thankfully. Temari smiled and took a step back. "Goodnight," she said before turning and disappearing to her own room.
Naruto scratched his head and frowned. "Goodnight," he murmured, knowing she wouldn't hear him say it.
Soft spot indeed.
{I}
On the other side of the village, Sasuke fell to his knees panting. The ghost town that was the Uchiha district was a blessing for the moment. No one came here, not past the boundaries. It was still technically clan grounds, so long as Sasuke lived. No one could come in without his or the Hokage's permission. That meant no nosey do-gooders could come stumbling into his current predicament, which suited him just fine. No one needed to know what he was doing.
"Satisfied yet?"
Sasuke glared up at the two headed boy standing over him. The black markings slowly receded from his skin as he offered a hand down to the Uchiha. Sasuke took it, getting back to his feet as he observed the others of the group. They had infiltrated Konoha easily enough, something which they apparently had experience with from the attempted invasion. That was a point towards them, or perhaps just a point towards Orochimaru himself. The man would know many of Konoha's secrets, so it made sense.
"And that is only a taste," Sakon said. "The level-one curse seal, which you have already experienced first-hand, is only the beginning of what gifts our lord can bestow. You've felt what it can do, you've seen how we have been trained. Orochimaru does not seek out the weak. He desires only those with the utmost potential, and you have caught his eye in several ways. Consider it an honour, and a blessing. He offers to you, not only his tutelage, but the promise to uplift you to the heights you desire."
Sasuke grunted. "At the cost of my freedom?"
Sakon laughed. "You are a sworn shinobi of Konoha. What freedom do you truly have right now?" he asked. "You must obey your Kage, do as you are told, be restricted as they deem fit. Lord Orochimaru asks only that you aid him when it is asked of you. So long as you continue to grow strong, and perform the tasks given to you, your life is your own under his rule. He cares not for chained animals. True loyalty is earnt through trust. Our lord understands this better than any hidden village ever will."
Absentmindedly, he rubbed his shoulder, feeling the dull ache of the curse mark burn under the containment seal. All that power, that strength, just in reach, and yet kept from him. Why? Why did Konoha feel it their right to take that away from him? Who were they to keep him stunted, to impede his progress. Or was that the idea all along? A weak Uchiha was a loyal Uchiha, easily strung along by empty promises and half measures of training… or so they thought. Arrogant old fools, the lot of them. Sasuke didn't care about the village, about being a shinobi. All that mattered was gaining the power to avenge his clan. If Orochimaru was willing to give him that, then no one had the right to deny him.
"Can we just fucking go already?" the redheaded girl of the group snapped. "The longer we stick around the harder this shit is going to be."
"Patience, Tayuya," Sakon chided, turning to Sasuke with a deceptively gentle smile. "We will be back in five days. Make your decision by then. And please, think carefully. This offer is not made lightly, and our lord will not offer it again. Changing your mind later will incur a heavy cost from you to be permitted even a fraction of the generosity you are receiving now. Till then, Sasuke."
He watched them leave, disappearing into the night as if they were never there at all. Sasuke grunted. Five days. He didn't need five days. His mind was made up already. He needed that power, and more. There was no other choice to be made. But at least he had time to plan, time to prepare. Konoha wouldn't just accept him running off to one of their missing-nin. They would try to stop him, just like they tried to limit him, to contain him. No longer. His life was his own, and he would accomplish his duty to his family.
Sasuke headed home. There was much he had to do. He was already free, Konoha just didn't know it yet.
A/N:
Not much to say really. Everything is slow going at the moment. Wanted to focus a little on Naruto's inner thoughts with this chapter, get a bit of a feel for how he feels and what he thinks of everyone whilst also establishing some sort of connection with Temari. Hopefully I did a good enough job of that.
Iwa and Kumo will factor into this but only as a background deal. Don't expect this story to get right into any war drama or village relations. Main focus is Naruto and Temari figuring out their new lives, and that's how I intend to keep it.
Hope you enjoyed.
Till next time.
Soul out.