KG: I'M BACK! Been playing Honkai Star Rail like A LOT. It's not helping that I'm tempted to make a fic now. This can't be healthy. ...OH WELL!
Music of the Week: Had I Not Seen The Sun by Hoyo-Mix (Robin/Chevy).
Quote: "Soulmates aren't the ones who make you happiest, no. They're instead the ones who make you feel the most. Burning edges and scars and stars. Old pangs, captivation, and beauty. Strain and shadows and worry and yearning. Sweetness and madness and dreamlike surrender. They hurl you into the abyss. They taste like hope." – Victoria Erickson.
"Umm, Nii-sama, are you sure this is a good idea?" Yura inquired, staring at the underground pool that Naruto and Kushina showed her and Yuri.
As soon as the Shinigami's business was concluded, the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki wasted no time bringing the two Uzumaki sisters. Of course, the thought of causing them such pain disturbed him greatly, but the warning from the Shinigami disturbed him and Kushina even more. When asked for an explanation, the Shinigami merely told him that he was not yet ready to know.
As much as Naruto respected Shin, such cryptic warnings started to get on his nerves. Of course, he tempered his tongue and his aggression in front of the unfathomable abyssal might of the God of Death, but he just didn't understand it. How was he supposed to prepare for something he didn't know was coming? Even more than that, why did it sound even heavier than what he'd dealt with Jashin? That battle took him to the furthest edges of his battle prowess and beyond that. What could be worse?
When asked of the Death god, the Shinigami merely replied in a tone that not even Naruto could believe.
"Should I tell you of the matters you shall undertake, your heart shall fail you, Uzumaki Naruto. Yes, you have a boundless spirit, one that has impressed me in more ways than you realize. Nevertheless, that time that you were and the time that you shall be are not the same. Remember that," The Shinigami said.
While finding Yuri and Yura, the blond contemplated those words. It seemed like the Shinigami meant to say that the him currently wasn't ready for the matters presented, but the him in the future would be. It was perhaps no different than a child not being ready for grown-up responsibilities. Maybe it had to do with a level of maturity that he simply didn't possess. And yet, Naruto certainly felt more… in tune with himself since he'd managed to get rid of the hole in his heart. His thinking had never been clearer, yet there was so much more to learn.
When he found Yuri and Yura, he eagerly teleported them back to the location, explaining to them what the Shinigami had told him. If Yura was going to continue training with the gold and violet flames, and Yuri gaining measures of his spiritual strength, then he figured that the pool would do wonders for them as well. At least, he hoped it would. Perhaps if it was a success for them, it'd be a success for the others. That is, if the Shinigami allowed it.
"To be honest, we're not really sure ourselves, but the Shinigami has never led us astray before. That said, it seems to be more for Naruto's benefit than ours. We'll also have to build a containment measure around this cave to ensure no one comes in unexpectedly. Even Naruto was nearly taken down just from dipping his hand into the pool. We'll become a rather bloodthirsty nation if we have people dying in here," Kushina said.
Yura blinked. "And we're going to dip in this?" she asked hesitantly.
"Not before I do. Once I can at least get in, then I'll be willing to let the three of you come in as well. I don't know what to expect, and I'm not gonna put the three of you through that," Naruto returned.
Yuri hummed. "Okay, but how are we gonna get back here? The Shinigami wants us to this pool almost every day, right? Well, if Nii-chan keeps doing that, then he'll be using all his portals to send us back and forth. It's not like he can leave the Kage Summit. The last one in Suna took at least two full days before a break was issued," the Sanbi Jinchuuriki claimed.
"Then, the Kage will just have to make due. Remember, we have been tasked to briefly keep the peace between the nations. We prioritize the orders of the Shinigami above anything else. However, it's unreasonable to tell them to stop all discussions since we don't know how long we'll be down here. To that end, I suggest that you all go to the Kage Summit this time. Once the meeting is finished, Sochi can explain that we have these matters to attend to. That'll at least allow us to operate in peace," Kushina suggested.
Yuri and Yura turned to the Uzumaki patriarch. He continued to look at the pool while his hands moved, almost acting like a visible representation of varying thoughts.
"What do you all think?" Naruto asked, bringing his other summons to the forefront.
"It sounds like a good idea, Naruto-sama. However, I'd suggest that should the matters of the Kage Summit require someone to mediate then I suggest that you hand the role to Risa-san. Think about it, she's the most neutral party amongst the clan, having never been raised in any of the Five Great Nations. Additionally, she's aware of the political environment more than anyone else, aside from maybe Kushina-sama and Shi-san. She could venture out while you train here," Dan suggested.
"The idea certainly holds weight. However, I believe another matter should be considered…" Kimimaro explained, quickly revealing his own thoughts on the matter.
Naruto hummed and the others continued to offer various suggestions, even going as far as just to throw ideas out. He even asked Kurama, but the Nine-Tailed Fox made swift mention that he didn't care about human politics. The Fox refused to get involved as did the Kindred and Mōryō. He didn't even bother asking Kagura. She'd retreated into the very depths of her own space, refusing to be disturbed.
That said, of all the voices, Naruto noticed one that was missing. "And what do you think, Pakura?" Naruto inquired.
Immediately, the others fell silent. They shifted their gazes toward the former Suna kunoichi who seemed to be surprised that she'd been called. "You're asking me, Naruto-sama?" she questioned.
Naruto's face remained even, yet he continued to speak. "Yeah, I am. Ero-sennin said that I shouldn't overlook advice, no matter how against it I might be. If I had been Hokage, I would have needed to look at multiple angles on multiple issues. And, I need yours," Naruto admitted.
Pakura clenched her hands into fists, unwilling to show just how happy those comments made her. Had she been able to she might have burst into tears. What made it even better was the fact that she could feel her summoner's spirit reach out toward hers. She couldn't even resist when they touched, like a firm handshake from a long-lost best friend.
Pakura stood to her feet and hummed. "If it's not possible to send a clone, then I would suggest that Naruto-sama attend the Five Kage Summit this one time. However, once the meeting is finished, inform the Kage that all further summits should be held in Uzushiogakure due to time constraints. That way, it won't require so many teleports. Risa-san can handle unessential matters. If there are further pressing issues, then it won't take long for Risa-san to contact you…" Pakura claimed.
Naruto continued to listen as did the others until he finally severed the connection and faced his lovers. "Sorry about that," he apologized.
Yuri blinked. "So what advice did you get? You were clearly talking to someone over there," she smirked much to Naruto's amusement.
"I was getting some suggestions and I think I found a good use for all of them," Naruto said.
For the next few minutes, he told Kushina, Yuri, and Yura the plans which he'd thought of according to the suggestions of his summons. The three continued to nod as understanding filled them until they knew everything.
"That… could work. We'd have to pass it to the Kage, but they shouldn't have reason to refuse," Yura commented.
"Then that's what we'll have to do for now. Naruto is set to leave in two days and we'll need to get in as soon as possible. While you can teleport there, it's not good for you to be arriving at the last minute, and that goes for you two as well," Kushina said, glancing at Yura and Yuri. The latter smiled sheepishly while the former quickly nodded.
Seeing this, Naruto clapped his hands. "Good, then we'd better not waste any time," Naruto said, throwing off his shirt. His pants swiftly followed suit. When he turned around, he grinned at the arousal expressions of his lovers.
Yuri swallowed, biting her lip with her eyes sailing over his exposed body. She couldn't deny that the sight of Kushina and Naruto fucking still remained lodged in her head. Her legs shook as she remembered how hard Naruto used to fuck her too until his imposed celibacy. Just looking at his man's mast, growing from the attention made her legs weak.
Yura blushed furiously, a hand over her face to hide her embarrassment, yet her eyes remained glued to Naruto's form. Though she could tell her little sister was joking, Yura did want to have sex too. However, she still wanted to be married first. Though, she could at least imagine what her own honeymoon would be like.
As for Kushina, well… she REALLY wanted to resume her honeymoon. Her fire had hardly been quenched when they were forced to stop, at least out of consideration for their family. Of course, it was easy to be so disciplined, but Kushina already missed the sensation of her son's body against hers. This show certainly didn't help.
"I guess you ladies can't just call guys perverts anymore," Naruto said snapping them out of their reverie.
"I'll only perv on you, Naruto-nii. Besides, we're perverts too. We're just more subtle about it. And we didn't tell you to give us a strip show, though I certainly enjoyed it!" Yuri exclaimed.
"Y-Yuri!" Yura retorted meekly.
The younger sibling cackled before they straightened up when Naruto approached the pool. He inhaled and exhaled slowly. He then stepped into the white pool. As soon as his foot entered the white liquid, Naruto gritted his teeth and lost his balance. He fell back onto the ground while he forced his other foot into the pool.
"NGH!" Naruto groaned, falling down until his back hit the floor.
Immediately, Kushina, Yuri, and Yura drew close to him, each gravely concerned. "Pull him out!" Kushina said hurriedly. The two sisters nodded, grabbing his arms before the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki grabbed them.
"N-No. I'm fine. I… I got it. I got it," he said through clenched teeth, hoping to placate his lovers even as his body felt like it was being pulled apart. Even just breathing seemed like a luxury that he couldn't afford.
Unbridled power surged within the depths of Naruto's body. It strangely felt like every blood vessel was being filled to bursting. Hell, he even likened it to a million ants scratching, biting, and gnawing away at his skin without hesitation all at the same time. It also didn't help that Kurama and the others were experiencing the same discomfort. Nevertheless, they hoped to power through, trying to see the benefit from the sheer agony they were experiencing.
"N-Naruto-nii, are you sure?" Yuri asked, nearly on the verge of tears. Her lover's veins were pulsing with such intensity that they were visible across his entire body. His hair changed from its usual blond look to a very silverish-white color. The ground behind his back cracked, forcing the three Uzumaki ladies to retreat a little. His body must have been hot because he started to sweat. However, this sweat wasn't like any sweat the Sanbi Jinchuuriki had seen before. It almost looked like he was sweating milk. White droplets seeped from every part of his body, turning into hot steam when they touched the ground. Like blood, the white fluid spilled out of his eyes, nose, and mouth.
Concerned, the three kunoichi could only hold him in some vain attempt to help him bear the pain. They even grew worried when they heard several of Naruto's bones snap out of place. It was a sickening sound that made them want to turn their heads. Hell, Kushina was about to go over Naruto's head and have them pull him out of the pool. The only thing that stopped her was the sight of her son's body finally returning to normal. His breathing steadied and his grip loosened in their hands.
Finally, after nearly fifteen minutes of utter agony, Naruto breathed a little easier. Gritting his teeth, the blond pulled himself up and slowly slipped into the pool. "Naruto-nii, don't!" Yuri warned, but Naruto eased her concerns with a smile. He then continued until all but his head was submerged in the white pool.
A groan here, a hiss there, Naruto tried to distract himself with other thoughts while he attempted to take controlled breaths. After a moment or two, the unease subsided and he was finally able to enjoy the pool, at least for now. "It's okay. I'm okay," Naruto reassured, leaning his head back against the groove of the stone.
Kushina knelt next to her son, looking at him skeptically. "Are you sure? You didn't look alright that whole time we were holding you," she glared. She then stiffened, resisting the urge to release a pleasant sigh when her son caressed her cheek.
"I promise, Kaa-chan. Feeling better already," Naruto insisted until he heard Kurama groan.
"Speak for yourself, brat," The Nine-tailed Fox growled out, shaking his head from the impressive surge of might suddenly thrust upon him. The others were just now standing on their feet.
Not having the strength to speak against the Kyuubi, Naruto decided to immerse himself in the pool a little more. Now that his body wasn't splitting in two, he had the time to contemplate what he was feeling. The… liquid wasn't like water. It was very thick, so much so it felt like Naruto was sinking more in mud or even honey. Yet, there seemed to be no resistance from it. If he wanted to move his hands or legs, the liquid gave way. In fact, he'd liken it to the sheets of bed more than anything else.
"So… how are you feeling? Do you feel any different?" Yura questioned.
Hmmm, now that was a question Naruto wasn't sure how to answer. He certainly felt… something. However, he wasn't sure what it was. He felt very warm, and his body felt rather heavy. There also seemed to be an uncomfortable feeling swelling deep within him. Well, actually, maybe uncomfortable was the wrong word. He just felt weird. However, it was a good weird. Unlike when he got in the pool, where he felt like ants were trying to crawl out of every concert of his skin, he now felt something akin to gently flowing water. To liken it to anything, it felt like the hot water in an onsen, gently bubbling beneath the surface.
"Not really. I don't feel anything at all, at least anything uncomfortable. I can't say I feel stronger. I just feel like I'm sitting in a pool and doing nothing," Naruto answered, pulling a cupful of the liquid into his hands and pouring it back into the pool.
"I won't lie. This feels a little anticlimactic. I thought there were gonna be lights flashing around Naruto-nii, and like thousands of explosions. All he gets is a bath?" Yuri asked.
Yura turned to her sister. "Well, based on what Nii-sama and Kushina-san said, the pool is supposed to be Shinigami-sama's way of refining the soul. If we take it like one refines shinobi tools, then I guess it's not meant to be a quick process. Maybe Nii-sama has to do it multiple times over multiple periods? It's possible, we won't see a change for years," Yura reasoned.
Yuri hummed. "I guess. Though, based off Naruto-nii just getting into the pool, it certainly looked like something happened. So… how long is he supposed to stay in here? He's not gonna get all wrinkly, is he?" Yuri then asked.
Kushina leaned up. "Well, those are questions we'll most likely know as we go along. Sochi, do you think we can get in?" Kushina asked.
The smile on Naruto's face slowly fell as he looked at the pool. He inhaled and then exhaled slowly. "Hang on," he said. He then summoned three clones.
"I'll use these clones to pull you guys out if it seems too painful," he returned.
The others agreed and quickly undressed. Now it was their turn to blush, grin, and smirk when Naruto, and his clones, found themselves utterly captivated by their bodies. Kushina offered her husband a pose and Yuri followed suit. Yura was a little more reserved, but Naruto enjoyed her treat all the same.
Unfortunately, the pleasantries were done away with when the three entered the pool. Naruto had to clench his hands together while the clones held their shoulders when they screamed in anguish and agony. Believe that Naruto trusted the Shinigami and believed that there was a reason for all of this, but to see the same excruciating pain on the face of his lovers that he had was a severely uncomfortable feeling. It took all his nerve and grit not to call the matter off. However, he couldn't coddle them. He wouldn't demean their strength. He wouldn't think them lesser than him. Yet, he would worry. He was allowed that much. If things really did get dire, then he'd intervene.
Thankfully, Naruto didn't have to suffer watching for long, and the girls didn't have to suffer the pain for long either. For some reason, they did suffer a bit longer than Naruto did but, with help, they were finally allowed to settle in the pool and enjoy it. Naruto dismissed the clones while the girls sat next to him.
"That… hurt," Yuri said, swiftly taking her favorite spot. She sat on Naruto's pelvis, grinning when he looked at her suspiciously. She merely smiled at him, quickly noticing Kushina looking inquisitively.
"What?" she asked, a smirk tearing across her lips.
After a moment of staring, Kushina turned her head forward, smiling. "Nothing. I'll let you have this one. After all, you'll need all the points you can get. I'll be sure to do the same when it's your honeymoon," Kushina replied. The smirk on Yuri's face slowly fell.
"You think I'm scared of you? Bring it on!" Yuri challenged, throwing her arms around his neck. She even surprised Naruto, smashing her lips against his. She then shoved her tongue into his mouth, slowly and sensually touching his chest.
Kushina felt a slight twinge of jealous annoyance, but she decided to tolerate Yuri's confidence this once. It certainly didn't help that the sight turned her on, if only a little. Not even a week into her new marriage and her husband was already brazenly flirting with other women in front of her. What a world she'd decided to come back to.
"Can you two stop?!" Yura exclaimed, making the two part with a smack of their lips. Yuri turned to her sister and licked her lips.
"You just wanna take over now that I got Naruto-nii all warmed up. He's really hard, Yura-nee. You wanna deal with it?" Yuri inquired, tormenting her sister immensely.
"We're here for training, Yuri! Not for you to mess around!" Yura chastised.
Yuri offered a cheeky smile before she finally relented. She kissed her lover one more time before she slipped off him. Of course, that didn't help the Uzumaki Patriarch as he was left to cool the flames of his own lust.
"How is it that I'm the one who got the short end of the stick here?" Naruto questioned.
"Cause you refuse to take charge, brat. Look at my little brother's host. She's clearly challenging you. You know what you should do," Kurama suggested viciously, implanting images of Naruto grabbing Yuri and doing whatever he wished with her. None of it helped cool Naruto off and he was more than tempted to follow through with what Kurama proposed, yet he shook his head.
"No. I got something better," the blond said.
Kurama raised an eyebrow before he and many others caught a glimpse into Naruto's thoughts. "O-Oh my. So daring…" Suiren claimed, a faint blush on her cheeks while Yahiko boisterously laughed. Dan and Kimimaro kept their expressions even, unwilling to be susceptible to their summoner's nonsense. As for Pakura, she just shook her head.
"Hmph, human mating. Like I need to see that," Wolf growled while Lamb sat in the mindscape. Aside from him, she simply had no opinion one way or the other. Instead, Lamb continued to take in the might of the pool through her summoner. Her bow had already strengthened itself.
"Enough of your mockeries. Take this matter seriously!" Mōryō exclaimed, knocking everyone out of their amusement.
On the outside, Naruto exhaled slowly and nodded. Of course, he wouldn't let Yuri go forever, but he couldn't afford to have fun right now. "Alright. Focus," Naruto ordered.
The others quickly agreed and started focusing. The minutes passed by slowly before Yuri cleared her throat. "Ummm… what should we be focusing on?" she asked.
Yura opened her eyes. "I… really don't know," she said, lifting a handful of the liquid. She watched her pass through her fingers. Aside from entering the pool, she hadn't felt much different. Then again, they imagined that perhaps they had to do this more than once.
Kushina merely leaned back and sighed. She looked out into the vast pool and turned to her son. "Think you can go further?" she asked.
Shrugging, Naruto stood up and cautiously stepped forward. He didn't even make it five steps before he suddenly screamed in agony, startling his lovers.
Screaming in the worst way imaginable, Naruto was forced to his knees. Immediately, Kushina, Yuri, and Yura shot up. They quickly grabbed him and pulled him back into their side of the pool. Naruto heaved for air, feeling the pain subside soon enough. He felt like something within him had torn. It was like the feeling of having torn a muscle from training too hard. When he rubbed his lip, he noticed blood on his palm.
"K-Kuso. That hurt even more than just entering the pool. I almost lost consciousness," Naruto huffed, rubbing the sweat from his head while his lovers rested him against the edge of the pool.
"Nii-sama, your eye's red!" Yura exclaimed.
Thanks to the reflective surface of the pool, Naruto was able to look down and see that Yura was right. His right eye was red. More specifically, the sclera maintained a powerfully crimson color that slowly started to recede away as Naruto continued to rest. After a moment, it fully disappeared as the Kyuubi Jinchuuriki's breathing eased.
"I think that's enough experimenting for one day," Yuri suggested.
Kushina agreed and motioned that none of them move beyond the edge of the pool until sometime later. All of them agreed, and they sat at the edge quietly. Time seemed slow so they bothered with casual conversation, not really seeing the point of doing anything else.
Meanwhile, as they sat unaware, the Shinigami watched the four Uzumaki. His eyes narrowed for only a moment before he slowly faded away.
-x-
"Mikoto-sama, I would like to speak with you."
Mikoto, who'd been eating some fruit, suddenly found herself losing her appetite. Her ears quickly picked up on the familiar voice. After all, there was only one person who addressed her like that.
Sighing slowly, Mikoto turned around and spotted Yuna in the doorway, rubbing her arms nervously. Now, Mikoto was quick to admit that the Uchiha weren't the most expressive individuals, especially in sensitive matters but there was a vulnerability in Yuna's eyes that seemed so unfamiliar to the former Konoha jonin. Being her also, Mikoto had an idea of what this was about.
"I see. Would you like to take a seat?" Mikoto inquired, offering one of the many seats at the table. However, Yuna shook her head.
"Not here, please. I'd like us to not be disturbed," Yuna said, gesturing toward the door.
Catching the meaning, Mikoto nodded. She stood up and walked outside with Sasuke's lover. As they walked, it seemed like Yuna didn't have a location in mind to take them. They just seemed to walk aimlessly, passing by shops and homes being constructed. Men and women would wave at them happily and they returned the gestures.
They left the streets and towns, entering the dense, lush forests. Mikoto wasn't sure how long the walk took, but they found themselves on a cliff overlooking the shores of the Land of Eddies. The seas seemed a little rough out there, waves crashing this way and that. A few fishermen's boats were out there, earning their living and restoring the trade which had long been lost. The wind certainly felt good.
The two ladies stood there in awkward silence for a little while, neither sure how to broach the subject that they both knew they were stalling. "The… village seems to be steadily progressing," Mikoto said, clearly attempting to break up the silence.
"Yeah. Everyone's been working hard. I heard that there's going to be another Kage Summit taking place in Iwagakure. I don't think Naruto-sama's gonna be too happy about that one," Yuna said, chuckling.
Mikoto smiled. "Kushina's probably the unhappiest out of everyone. I heard from Fuka that their honeymoon had to be put on hold. Apparently, they were… erm… quite vigorous," Mikoto answered, clearing her throat with a faint blush.
Yuna coughed. "Y-Yes, I heard that as well. I suppose forced celibacy will do that," Shisui's older sister returned before the two settled back into silence. However, it wouldn't last for long.
The younger Uchiha brushed her black hair. Her dark eyes stared out into the ocean, a myriad of thoughts fusing into one. "Mikoto-sama, forgive me for being frank, but I think a little straightforwardness is needed here. Do you love Sasuke? And, please don't insult me. You know what I'm talking about," Yuna said.
Damn, it really seemed like Mikoto was being pushed into a corner. She never thought she'd be put there by Yuna of all people. Nevertheless, the question demanded an honest answer and Mikoto quickly realized she was forced to confront her own thoughts on the matter.
"...I really don't know," Mikoto said.
That was not the answer Yuna was expecting or liking. She had not agonized over this conversation for months just to hear an 'I Don't Know' from Mikoto. Clan matriarch or not, Yuna would give her future mother-in-law a piece of her mind if she seriously thought…
"I… am attracted to Sasuke, but I can't answer if I love him as you imagine I do. I… don't know if I'm attracted to him because of a lack of male attention, or if it's really him. I've tried to answer the question myself. I've gone on a few harmless dates with some men, hoping to find the answer. And, as you can see, I haven't had much success in my romantic ventures. I thought it meant I should settle for being single moving forward, but… Sasuke, my son, I… I am drawn to him. The things I do with him, our conversations, our interactions, every one is precious in my heart and makes my chest burst. No one makes me as happy as he does. Yet, I wonder if my attentions are misplaced," Mikoto said.
Yuna blinked, taking in this information slowly. "How so?" she asked.
"As you know, Kushina and I are best friends. There's hardly anything we don't share with each other. I sometimes wondered if I felt a little jealous when I saw Kushina and Naruto, wondering if I was just projecting my unfulfilled desires onto Sasuke. When we danced in the Fire Daimyo's palace, that was the first time I properly looked at my son as a proper man, one I couldn't help being attracted to despite the implications. And, that only made me feel worse, knowing that he found love, a wonderful thing with you. I cursed my own selfishness, wondering if Fate was playing some cruel trick on me, putting both of us in so many unfortunate situations. However, I want you to know that nothing's ever happened between Sasuke and I. I would never do that to you," Mikoto said honestly.
Yuna sighed and nodded. "Yeah, I know. Sasuke might be an emotionally stunted, charismatic guy, but he's no playboy. I just… Sasuke told me, months ago, about the things going on between the both of you. I admit that I was angry and worried many nights, but Sasuke, somehow, managed to put up with me, never once letting me think that he'd abused my trust. He comforted me when I needed it, and gave me space when I needed it, and I don't know what to do with all that damn honesty. I… can't say I don't understand a little. I had no interest in relationships back when Shisui was still alive, only caring about my career until I died. However, Sasuke somehow wormed his way in and I imagined the many regrets I had, all the friends who enjoyed the fruits of love and romance," Yuna said.
Mikoto smiled. "I'm certain Naruto-kun would say otherwise to Sasuke's methods if we asked him how Sasuke grew up," she answered a little solemnly.
Yuna nodded. "Well, I would understand if relationships were the last thing on his mind considering what Itachi did, deserved or not," Yuna claimed.
Mikoto didn't bother saying anything while Yuna exhaled slowly. "I… am willing to allow you both to see where this goes…" Yuna suddenly said.
…huh?
Mikoto widened her eyes and turned to Yuna. Sasuke's girlfriend didn't bother looking at her future mother-in-law. Too embarrassed, she turned her head away. "What?" Mikoto asked.
Yuna sighed. "Trust me, I agonized over the decision for months. I haven't even discussed it with Sasuke yet. I also think I've spent too much time around Yura and Yuri. I don't want anyone agonizing in misery over stupid stuff like this. I want you to realize that if this was anyone else, I wouldn't even entertain this stupid idea, but because it's you, I can at least sustain a clearer conscience. You and Sasuke figure out whatever you are. If it's what… you think it is then I want the air cleared," Yuna responded.
Mikoto quickly, and fully, faced her. "Yuna, I can't ask you to do that. You don't need to be so considerate of me. What Naruto and Kushina have, I don't believe it's something Sasuke and I can handle. Naruto never had Kushina around, it was likely easier for them. Sasuke and I… we can't. And, I couldn't tear you apart like that with my actions," Mikoto said.
Yuna hummed. "Oh, trust me. I actually feel more pulled together than I've been the last few months, so much so it's been affecting my work ethic. I don't know about others, but I don't like unresolved mess. It only leads to bigger mess and that mess leads to a cascading mess. I'm heading this problem off before I say something I regret, or you and Sasuke do something you MIGHT regret. And given that I have faith in Sasuke not to do it, that leaves only myself. Trust me, this isn't just for you. It's for me as well. Just know that this is the one chance I'm offering. If you regret it later, I won't allow it a second time, Mikoto-sama," Yuna claimed.
If Mikoto could say anything, this forcefulness from Yuna was kind of surprising. Nevertheless, Mikoto realized where Sasuke's girlfriend was coming from, and what she was risking as well. It would only be an insult if Mikoto entered into this haphazardly.
The older black-haired woman looked at the ground, the smell of the sea stinging her nose. "...Are you sure about this?" Mikoto inquired.
"Not at all, but it's the only thing I can think of. However, I want you to know I'm pretty jealous. Even if you are Sasuke's mother, you'll never love him more than I do," Yuna boldly claimed. Mikoto widened her eyes, glaring at the smirk on Yuna's face. As a not-really competitive person, Mikoto wasn't too sure what to make of such a declaration.
Yuna and Mikoto continued to talk the day away, revealing insecurities and sharing stories. Over and over, they toyed and danced around the idea of what they were proposing. They discussed the fallout. They spoke of the numerous things that could go wrong. They even talked of other partners, something neither wished for. Yuna sure as hell wasn't going to go through this again. If Sasuke even dared add anyone else, Yuna would twist his neck into dust.
"I… I don't know. Yuna, I'm not Kushina. I don't know if I can…"
"Mikoto-sama…" Yuna interrupted, making Sasuke's mother turn to her.
"There's no fun in knowing everything," Yuna replied. Mikoto's next words died in her throat while Yuna turned around, stuffing her hands back in her pockets. She then walked away while Mikoto looked off to the side.
The Uchiha Matriarch thought of Sasuke, wondering what he'd think of her if they even dared take a stab at this. Kushina would tease her relentlessly. "This is ridiculous. I can't actually be considering this," Mikoto thought. She was the only one left on the cliff, her instincts as a mother warring with her instincts as a woman.
No, it should be obvious. Mikoto should deny this. She'd only been on a few dates. Surely, there had to be greater men out there that she could entertain a fulfilling marriage with. Besides, what would they speak of Uzushio if people learned that even the Uchiha followed in the Uzumaki's footsteps? Could she have Sasuke live through such political suicide?
"What's wrong with me?" Mikoto asked, looking into the beautiful ocean. There was set to be a storm it seemed.
-x-
"Dammit. It just had to start raining now!" Tayuya scowled as she opened the door to the clan's main building. When she opened it, she spotted most of her beloved family amusing themselves with the living room.
"Tayuya-nee-san, welcome home!" Yukimaru said, alerting the others to her presence. She sucked her teeth and threw off her clothes.
"Yeah, yeah. What are you all doing in here?" she asked, opening the door to wring out some of the water from her hair.
"Trying to keep warm mostly. Heating installation is still a long way away. That said, it's given Guren some time to perfect her grilling skills," Shi said, grinning when he saw his cousin scowl.
"I burned it one time!" she exclaimed, making the others look at her skeptically.
Fuka patted Guren's shoulder before she returned to combing and brushing her hair. "Yeah, it and the rest of the dinner. We had to go hungry that night. It's only good that you can't really mess up fish, especially not with the recipes offered by the local fishermen. A hot bowl of fish soup never hurt anyone," Fuka claimed smiling. The others agreed while Tayuya snorted.
"Right. Well, I'm gonna get the hell outta these clothes before I form my own damn river," Tayuya said, slopping across the floor and heading toward her room.
The others watched her go before Risa hummed. "Speaking of stragglers. Has anyone seen our illustrious patriarch? There's stuff he's got to sign off on. Not to mention Haku's been looking for him," Risa said.
"Ah… I saw Naruto-san, Kushina-san, Yura-san, and Yuri-san heading deep into the forests. I would have asked but it seemed purposeful so I left them alone," Komachi claimed.
The others remained silent for a moment. A mischievous smile crept its way onto Karin's face. She didn't even have to say anything for the others to know what she was thinking. In the end, even Fuka joined her, leaning an elbow on her shoulder.
"I see that wicked little mind of yours working, cousin. What do you think they're doing out there, alone, with only each other for company?" Fuka asked.
"Well, it depends if Kushina decides to be a team player. We did kind of ruin their honeymoon after all," Karin explained, grinning while Shi and Guren rolled their eyes.
"We ruined it?! They were fucking for almost three days straight!" Guren exclaimed making Amaru swiftly cover Yukimaru's ears, although she had to agree. Nevertheless, Amaru glared at them as Guren recognized her error. Offering an apology, Shi sighed.
"However, I suppose we should have been more considerate. They've held off for a long time. It's a shame we can't send them somewhere nice. None of the resorts or tourist spots are even close to opening. It'll be a long time before we can continue that. That said, I suppose we can… hold training events for Yukimaru over the weekend… away from the compound," Shi suggested.
Shion cleared her throat nervously. "Y-Yes, that might be suitable. My duties to the shrine have reduced my own proficiency in our clan's sacred arts. I would like to pick up where I left off," Shion explained.
Feeling the conversation dying down, Amaru released her hands from Yukimaru's ears while Guren moved to speak.
"Well, regardless of whatever they're doing, we should check on them. Trust me, no one in the right mind would mess with Naruto or the clan now, but we can't be too complacent. The Akatsuki are still out there, plus we were already warned about the Otsutsuki. We must not allow ourselves to become a liability to Naruto," Guren warned.
Risa hummed. "Spoken like a proper clan advisor. However, we've yet to hold the Clan Ascension Ceremony. Unfortunately for you guys, Kushina, Naruto, and I are the only master-ranked fuinjutsu experts here. We're the ones who have to sign off on the rest of you learning the most dangerous sealing techniques. If you're not careful, you could seal the whole of the island with no one able to escape. Such seals must be done under the proper supervision," Risa stated.
Fuka rolled her eyes. "Yes, yes, we know. We were wiped out for a reason. It's a dangerous sealing practice. However, we can't stay afraid forever," The younger redhead claimed.
Risa shook her head. "I'm not saying be afraid. I'm saying be prepared. In fact, in this downtime, I believe we should…"
Before Risa could continue, the front door opened revealing Naruto, Kushina, Yura, and Yuri. "Mmmm, something smells good!" Yuri said happily.
"And where have you four been?" Karin asked, raising an eyebrow curiously.
Having come through the door, Naruto looked at everyone's expressions perfectly. Aside from Fuka and Risa, who smiled, the others just looked at them suspiciously. He quickly started to understand what was going on when he heard Kurama gruffly chuckle within the depths of his mind.
"Would you like the short version or the long version?" he asked, smirking when he saw the others widen their eyes.
"N-Nii-sama!" Yura exclaimed embarrassingly. Yuri and Kushina held no such reservations, merely grinning confidently.
"Sounds like those three got the 'long' version enough," Fuka replied, the smile on her face widening when she saw Amaru cover Yukimaru's ears again.
Having had enough, Guren grabbed her adopted son. "I hate this family sometimes. Come, Yukimaru. It's time for your calligraphy lessons. The last lessons of the day," Guren said. Yukimaru nodded, walking up the stairs with Guren behind him.
"Oh, come on! That was funny!" Fuka claimed.
Guren simply flipped her off as they vanished behind the upper floor corridor.
"It seems Guren-san doesn't enjoy your sense of humor," Amaru replied, making Fuka grumble.
Once she was gone, Shi put down the scroll he'd been reading. "So what were you guys actually doing?" he asked curiously.
"Training. And we're likely gonna be doing it for a few years," Kushina mentioned, further stepping into the house. Thankfully, there was a cool breeze flowing through that left the inner rooms cool.
The others quickly noticed their steeled expressions. Each glanced at each other before they turned back to the four of them. "And? Are you gonna tell us what kind of training that is?" Shion inquired, hoping for more than what she got.
Kushina, Yuri, and Yura glanced at Naruto, waiting for his judgment. The blond found himself a little out of sorts with the attention given him. When he was younger, he would have killed for attention like this, but now it left him a little pensive. Of course, it wasn't like he was going to shy away from his decision on the matter. Now wasn't the time to doubt himself, especially if he expected his clan to have confidence in his capabilities.
"How long until dinner's ready?" he asked.
Risa shrugged. "Maybe half an hour, or 45 minutes. Can't really say. Our cook vacated her station," the mother of Tayuya claimed, glancing back at the food being grilled and the soup being boiled. What a time for more seafood boil.
"I'll tell everyone when we've gathered for dinner. In the meantime, I'll need to see Haku about sending a letter to the other Daimyo. The Land of Eddies might be seeing an increase in political agencies since I'll be petitioning for future summits to take place in the village," Naruto announced.
It became quite clear that the others really didn't agree with this decision. "Naruto, you're the clan patriarch, so forgive me if I'm overstepping my bounds, but are you sure that's a good idea? We don't have the necessary facilities to house them all. We've only just managed to maintain some semblance of order for our own borders. Things could grow tense if we bring them here, even with our special status," Risa warned.
Naruto nodded and rubbed the back of his head. "I agree, but Haku and I will have to do something about it. This training is too important to ignore. To be honest, I'd rather you all took it as well, but… it's not something to experience casually. Besides, we have no idea when that guy Sasuke and the others fought will come back. However, will he hasn't shown up yet, that gives us time to get our own affairs in order," he claimed.
The others looked at each other, already knowing what he was talking about. They nodded and allowed Naruto, Kushina, Yuri, and Yura to depart for their rooms. They immediately returned in more comfortable clothes as soon as dinner was announced. The entire family came together as the food was distributed.
During that time, Naruto said that he would be bringing Yukimaru, Yura, Yuri, and Hanabi with him for the next Kage Summit. He also explained the mysterious training undertaken by him and his lovers. Suffice it to say, he got the reaction he was expecting when the others grimaced.
"And this is supposed to help how?" Tayuya asked.
"We're still trying to figure that one out," Yuri laughed, brushing her fingers through her hair.
Karin looked at them disbelievingly. "You idiots are training and you don't even know what you're training in?" she asked.
Well, it certainly sounded stupider when Karin said it like that. Nevertheless, Yura answered. "Shinigami-sama tasked Nii-sama and Kushina-san to enter the pools. Yuri and I were added in because we're closest to both of them in studying the principle techniques. We're not sure what we're supposed to be doing but I believe it's for our benefit, Nii-sama's more than anyone else," Yura claimed.
Karin snorted, yet offered no retort. The table steadily rolled into casual conversation with Yukimaru facing Naruto, breaking and sharing bread with the others. "Naruto-nii, if I may ask, why do I need to go? I'm not going to become a prominent heir of the clan," he said.
Sad to pull himself away from the warm soup and fresh bread, yet willing to do so, Naruto leaned over and addressed Yukimaru. "If you think I'm bullying you, I promise I'm not. However, given the new status put on us, it's likely that no matter where you go, there will be people hoping to get in your good graces. They will promise you things, ask things of you, and beg and plead. I simply want you, and everyone here to get used to the stupid environment we're about to find ourselves in. Even without this, it would have happened to you as Hyuuga Hanabi's husband. I'm never gonna let anyone take advantage of you, Yukimaru, and neither is anyone else in this family," he claimed.
Yukimaru firmly nodded. "I understand. I'll work hard. I won't let anyone take advantage of Hanabi-san either," he responded.
Shi offered a small smile. "As a man, that is a proper mindset to have Yukimaru. Never forget it," he instructed.
Once everyone's bellies were full, they retreated into the furthest depths of their compound. Down there, they all practice the lost arts of their clan together, inspiring, correcting, teaching, and encouraging each other. By the time they went to their rooms, no one was willing to stay awake. The compound grew quiet as everyone went to sleep lulled away by the sounds of the storm outside.
The next morning, Naruto immediately got dressed, but not before having a bit of fun with his wife. She could only groan in a sort of blissful pity when he wedged his morning wood into the crevice of her ass. She playfully toyed with his man's mast for a little while, grinding against him while he whispered what he'd do to her after he returned. Just that thought alone was enough for Kushina to start making plans. The redhead was going to get people out of the house even if she had to fucking teleport them away.
Either way, Naruto got dressed and made his way out of the house. Walking through the familiar roads, he came upon the Hyuuga Compound. Desiring to meet with Hiashi, Naruto was guided inside by the guards quickly. The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki was brought through the large compound until he was brought before the Hyuuga Clan's meeting room. Acting quickly, Naruto discussed the matter of Hanabi journeying with him, Yukimaru, Yura, and Yuri.
Hiashi and Hinako agreed without complaint, even bringing Hanabi in to let her know what would be required of her. Having been part of the engagement of Yukimaru and Hanabi, Naruto had gotten used to seeing Hanabi around the Hyuuga Compound. More and more, he found himself stunned by the stark contrasts between Hinata and her sister. Compared to what he'd of the girl from interactions before, she'd definitely mellowed out, smiling more, frequently chatting with other children, and making goofy expressions that hardly befitted the image of Hyuuga heiress. It was rather funny.
"Hanabi, this will be a valuable lesson for you. Not many get to sit in on the Kage Summit and listen to the issues that plague the greater shinobi world. While you're there, we expect you to honor the Hyuuga clan and see how the political climate negotiates itself at the highest level. Remember, you represent not just the Hyuuga Clan, but the entirety of the Land of Eddies. We wish you success," Hiashi said, making Hanabi bow.
"I understand, Father. I will not dishonor the name of the Hyuuga," Hanabi said.
As always, Naruto still found his good friend to be a bit too restrictive, but he'd long accepted that Hiashi was simply going to be this way. If he was like this, he wondered what his friend's own childhood was like. Maybe he'd inquire of him at some point.
"When will you be leaving, Naruto-sama?" Hinako questioned.
Naruto sighed. "Either by the end of the day or early tomorrow morning. Additionally, I'm hoping Kaa-chan will be able to meet with both of you and the elders of the clan later. While I'm gone, I'd like to gain an account of the progress of the other nations. I'd like to send members of the Hyuuga, Fuma, and Uzumaki along with a couple of assisted agents. Guren's willing to help grow the crystal mines and offer a share of the wealth there as payment for the services provided. I'll bring up the issue of money circulation this time," Naruto explained.
Hiashi hummed but agreed. "Very well. I understand many have raised concerns over this issue. The printing of bills and coins is still a carefully measured matter," he said.
The Summoner of the Shinigami nodded, turning his head to Hinako. "So, when's Hanabi's little brother due?" he asked. Though Hanabi watched the interaction evenly, Naruto could tell by the clenching of her hands on her dress that she wanted to inform him.
Hinako giggled, placing a hand over her mouth. "Any day now. I regret to think that it might happen while you're gone. Hinata certainly worries enough as does some of the rest of the clan. However, I've been fine. When will Kushina be joining me?" Hinako asked, much to Hiashi's embarrassment.
Naruto chuckled and rubbed the back of her head. "Well, if I had my way, she'd be joining you already," he said. Hiashi then quickly coughed, hoping to bring the conversation back to a more serious notation.
"Yes, well… I believe it best that we discuss these matters a little later. Hanabi, be prepared to head out," Hiashi said.
Hanabi swiftly agreed and left while Naruto dismissed himself, waving goodbye to Hiashi and his wife. He even had the time to briefly talk with Neji and Hinata before he departed from the Hyuuga Compound.
Then, his journey took him far. So far, in fact, that he had to teleport there. When he stepped out of the portal, he spotted Suigetsu standing amongst numerous soldiers clad in warrior-like garments some ways away.
"Come on! Pick up the slack, you bunch of losers! I could bend all of you with one hand behind my back!" The man hollered. Much to Naruto's amusement, the man appeared to be picking his nose, holding a massive sword over his shoulder.
Finding no reason to hide himself, he walked over to the man. "You're still here? I thought you'd left weeks ago," Naruto said, alerting Suigetsu to his presence.
After a brief glance in his direction, Naruto chuckled when Suigetsu turned his head away with a scowl. "Please go do whatever the fuck you have to do and leave me alone," the former agent of Orochimaru urged, a flush of embarrassment hanging on his cheeks.
Naruto smirked. Reluctant as he was, he'd come to interact with Sasuke's teammates. Having been remade with a new body, Juugo had lost his violent tendencies. Surprisingly, the young man decided to become a farmer, tending to the animals that happened to be on the island. No one was sure why such a change happened for him but numerous reports had come from many that various ailments and diseases had been washed from their bodies. Perhaps that was a blessing of Kami. Naruto wasn't sure, but he took the good fortune for what it was.
Either way, where he was going with this was that he understood Suigetsu a little more than before. Given the peaceful times, Suigetsu had grown bored, claiming he was gonna go out into the world and find some excitement. Apparently, he never got to do that, evidenced by his being here.
Well, Naruto wasn't gonna antagonize. He could do that later. "Where's Haku?" he asked.
"Where do you think? She's spent countless days in the Daimyo Estate. She rarely leaves," Suigetsu claimed.
The Kyuubi Jinchuuriki frowned, turning his head when he and Suigetsu sensed two figures approaching them from behind. "Yes, Zabuza-san, been there beside her almost every day. It's not surprising why. I believe she's been in even more meetings than you have, coordinating with the other daimyo and spreading resources where they can. To be honest, some of this is your fault."
The two men quickly noticed Sasame and Kotohime approach them. Hearing the slight against him, Naruto raised an eyebrow. "And how is it my fault?" the blond asked.
Kotohime brushed a piece of her hair, looking at Naruto skeptically. "You can't be serious about that, can you Savior of the World? Have you any idea how many people have tried to migrate into the Land of Whirlpools just to catch a glimpse of our esteemed savior? While you've been meeting with the Kage, Haku's been handling the border patrols since everyone and their mother wants to meet you. I'm starting to think she's less of a Daimyo and more your manager," she said, looking at him with a smirk.
At this, Naruto found himself a little sheepish.
"Hey! No one told you idiots to stop!" Suigetsu called out, much to the dismay of the training soldiers.
Naruto watched this and then scratched his chin. "I see. I guess I'd better go remedy that then. Speaking of which, how are the arrangements with the Fuma Clan? You asked for a piece of land which I gave to you, but you're in a rather secluded spot. You sure that's okay?" he asked.
Sasame grinned. "Are you kidding? After what we've been used to this is an ideal spot for our clan. Trust me, if anyone in our generation complains about our location it's because they've had it too good for too long. Besides, it's not that far from the Hyuuga Clan Compound, about a day's journey for the average person, for the rest of us, it's hardly a hassle," Sasame stated.
Naruto blinked, but found himself unwilling to mention much else. He hadn't forgotten that Kotohime died while on that mission with him before Jashin turned the world to hell. Yuri had been getting ready for the Chunin Exams to take place in Iwa as well. For them, he wanted to do something special.
"I see. I guess I better do something about that then," Naruto claimed as he made his way toward the largest building amongst the town-like landscape. Sasame and Kotohime watched him go, satisfaction written across both their faces before they continued with their own duties.
If Naruto had to say anything about being a celebrity, it was nice to go somewhere unimpeded. When he entered the Daimyo Estate, the working people quickly parted the way for him, none even bothering to check him in. Of course, as nice as that was, Naruto felt it was a glaring security hazard. That said, it was nice to have the option. However, he went through the proper channels. He had one of the administrators report his arrival to Haku. After a moment, he was allowed to continue.
Naruto entered and narrowed his eyes when he saw a couple thousand scrolls sitting on top of a lengthy wooden table. At the far end of the table, Haku and Zabuza sat together, the latter handing the former scroll after scroll for her to sign off on.
"Need some help?" Naruto asked, making the two look up.
"Naruto-sama!" Haku exclaimed, getting ready to stand up until Naruto stopped her.
"I keep telling you that you don't need to do all that. Besides, I'm being told that some of this happens to be my fault. I don't have a lot of time so I'll help with what I can," he said, summoning numerous clones.
Zabuza grunted, sitting back down. "Well, your fame hasn't dwindled if you were wondering. I think a little help is owed," he said, Haku reprimanding her father figure softly.
"So I'm told," Naruto claimed, taking a seat. He and his clones immediately got to work, helping Haku and Zabuza with much-needed work for a few hours.
Once the workload got a little lighter, Naruto called their attention to him. "I'm gonna be heading to another Kage Summit in Iwagakure by late tonight or early tomorrow morning. I know I've put a lot of work on you guys, but there is another matter that I want an opinion on," he said.
Zabuza frowned, yet held his irritation. Annoyed though he was, he couldn't afford to mouth off too badly at Naruto. After all, he still found it hard to believe that he and Haku had died so quickly amidst the carnage of Jashin's rampage. Moreover, he hadn't been pleased that Haku perished. Strick and stern, yet he did care for her in his own way. He wouldn't stick around like this working through paperwork if he didn't like her.
"And what might that be, Naruto-sama?" Haku asked, a little tiredly.
Naruto quickly held up a hand. "I know what you're concerned about, but don't worry. I'm not gonna let you tackle the fallout alone. You see, I plan to petition the Kage to have all future Kage Summits to happen in the Land of Whirlpools," Naruto mentioned.
At first glance, it became clear to Naruto that neither Haku nor Zabuza was very keen on the idea. Nevertheless, they controlled their displeasure well. It just went to show that they had been around the political battlefield for a long time. They'd grown used to matters like this.
"What are you thinking?" Haku asked calmly, placing her hands on the table. Unknown to many, she was also subservient to Naruto. Daimyo or not, she followed him first and foremost. It definitely wouldn't do for many people to know that. She'd worked hard to maintain her air of professionalism, befitting the garments, air, and posture of a Daimyo. She couldn't afford to show visible acquiescence to everything Naruto spoke of.
"In a way, it's for the good of the nations that this happens. Shin's got more training for me, the type that I can't ignore. I don't know what it's for, but I know he wouldn't give me this if it wasn't important. To that end, I hoped to hold all other conferences here so that I could train and be a mediator. It'd also keep up my appearance. I've heard the reports about unrest in the minor nations, each negotiating heavily for resources. I'm not blind to the growing unease. If I keep disappearing, I doubt those guys out there are gonna hold out. Besides, it'd bring some commercial into the Land of Whirlpools for years," Naruto claimed.
Haku hummed, thinking on the matter. "Perhaps. However, it increases the risk as well. While I believe no one would openly contest with you, there are no doubt many who grow jealous of your power, Naruto-sama. Additionally, we won't have the resources to supply the arrangements of such a mass. We've only just made a journey toward stabilization. I would have to shift some priorities," Haku explained, almost talking to herself by the end of it.
"You don't have to worry about that. Kaa-chan and I have actually been working on something convenient for matters like this," Naruto explained.
Haku raised an eyebrow, urging Naruto to explain further.
Zabuza continued to watch as Haku and Naruto traded off ideas. He found it so surreal that these were the two brats he'd held such overwhelming strength against only a few years ago. While Haku was a threat, he knew how to neutralize her without her mirrors of ice. He'd trained her ever since she was a little girl.
Then there was Naruto, that stupid boy who was simply not even a major opponent getting in the way of his job. The same 'wet-behind-the-ears' brat fresh out of the academy. One was now the savior of the world, governing even the Kage toward peace, while the other became a de facto leader of the Land of Whirlpools. What times the man had seen.
Hours drew on for even longer until Naruto cleared his throat. "So that's fine with you?" he asked.
Haku hummed to herself. "It will be a trying time, but I admit that the benefits do outweigh the negatives. I will confer with my cabinet. Don't expect a concrete answer for a few weeks though," she said, keeping up the appearance as the three in the room realized.
Naruto slowly nodded. "That's all I'll ask. If that's not possible, then I can always try and come up with something else. This is simply the best outcome I can think of on such short notice," the blond said, shrugging his shoulders.
Haku nodded. "I understand. It's hard being a savior, isn't it?" she joked. Naruto simply rolled his eyes at her comment, standing to his feet when a bit of time passed.
With a brief goodbye, he left and returned home. Upon entering his compound, he spotted Tayuya multi-tasking. She seemed to be packing and studying at the same time.
"What are you doing?" he asked.
"What's it fucking look like? Turns out the dipshit came around and wanted me to be a part of his team in hunting down Danzo. I've got nothing to do so I figured why the fuck not," Tayuya claimed.
Of course, Naruto knew who she was talking about, but he wouldn't be him if he didn't have some sort of smartass reply to give. "You're gonna have to specify the dipshit because you call a lot of people that, man and woman," he returned.
Tayuya looked at him and snorted. "Alright. The gay turd you locked lips with back in the Academy. Ringing any bells?" she asked.
…Okay, maybe the smartass reply wasn't the best one to give.
"I hate you," he said.
"Oh no, whatever am I gonna do?" Tayuya asked, rolling her eyes.
Suddenly, Naruto grinned and walked over to her. He then knelt in front of his cousin and cupped her chin, lifting her gaze toward him. "What the fuck are you…"
"I know a couple things you could do if you're up for it," he said, the smirk on his face rising as Tayuya's eyes widened. Despite herself, she growled either in embarrassment or anger.
"Fuck off! You're not getting me with that shit again!" she fired, swatting his hand away.
"Oh, so I got you with it the last time?" he questioned.
Tayuya gawked. Quickly trying to find herself, she snarled. "What the fuck do you want, besides pissing me off?" she asked.
Shrugging, Naruto walked away. "Enjoy your trip," he mentioned. Somehow, even the way he said that made her angry. It was like she danced in the palm of his hand.
"I'm gonna kill that fucker one day, Shinigami or not!" Tayuya scowled, waiting until he was gone up the stairs for a smile to appear on her face. Most likely, he had to get packing for later.
-x-
Sasuke walked through the door of his compound, sighing. He had just finished Neji into the team meant to track down Danzo. So far, he'd gotten Tayuya, Itachi, and Neji. Sasuke had thought about not inviting his brother, but even he knew that of them all Itachi had the most interaction with Danzo, given his previous responsibilities to ROOT, as explained by Itachi some time ago. He couldn't really rely on Jugo or Suigetsu as both had become employed by Haku to train the soldiers stationed at her building. For now, he was contemplating inviting Konan. Surely, Akatsuki had workings with Danzo as well, a man in the shadows as he was.
Tired, yet hoping to form a plan of action, Sasuke was headed to the meeting room that his family used, which just so happened to need passing through the kitchen to access. When Sasuke entered the kitchen, he raised an eyebrow.
At the counter, muttering to herself, was his mother. Mikoto kept making strange hand gestures as if she was making conversation with someone who wasn't there. Her face would scrunch up in discomfort before she attempted to correct herself.
"...What are you doing?" Sasuke asked.
At the interruption, Mikoto jumped and turned her head. "Sasuke!" she exclaimed, completely embarrassed. Her son raised an eyebrow as he watched her, adorably, scramble herself.
Clearing her throat, Mikoto sighed. "...How long have you been standing there?" she asked.
"A minute or two. What are you doing over there?" he asked.
Mikoto blinked. "I… was… just thinking out loud. Nothing you need to be concerned about," she smiled.
Ordinarily, Sasuke might have believed that yet he found himself skeptical. Even for a solitary soul like him, he'd spoken his thoughts aloud on more than one occasion. His mother's reaction seemed like he'd caught her doing something that she shouldn't be doing. "What aren't you telling me?" he asked.
Mikoto laughed strangely. "Sasuke, don't be rude. A woman has many private things, especially none that her son should inquire about. What are you doing back home?" she asked.
Being an expert at the art of deflection, Sasuke knew when a conversation was being steered. That said, he couldn't bring himself to make his mother uncomfortable. Whatever she was doing, he guessed it wasn't his business.
"I just got through gathering team members. I'm set to begin searching for Danzo. I'll be leaving the Land of Eddies in a few days. I'm not sure when I'll be back," Sasuke said.
Upon this declaration, Sasuke noticed an indecipherable look on Mikoto's face. "Oh, I see. I'd forgotten about that arrangement. I was set to head to the lands of Kirigakure, ensuring things stay in order while the Mizukage heads into the Kage Sumit. I want you to be careful, Sasuke," Mikoto warned.
"I'll be fine," the Uchiha claimed, heading toward his original destination. Mikoto heard his footsteps grow smaller and smaller before she released a breath.
"...I can't do this. I don't even know how to go about doing something like this at all. I need help…" Mikoto thought to herself. Well, if anything good came out of this, at least Sasuke wouldn't be around for a while. Maybe that would be enough to get her thoughts in order.
…or she'd just be an even bigger wreck than she currently was. This was her son she was talking about after all! Surely, she couldn't follow in Kushina's footsteps. This… this was asinine!
"Mikoto-sama…" Yuna interrupted, making Sasuke's mother turn to her.
"There's no fun in knowing everything," Yuna replied.
Amidst her entire ordeal and overthinking, Yuna's words rang through Mikoto's head. Finally, Mikoto shook her head and straightened her hair. It seemed that life without the emotional-stunting nature of the Uchiha had freed her in good and not-so-good ways. Regardless of matters, she was still a former clan head's wife. She should be able to make decisions responsibly and intelligently.
Mikoto exhaled and cleared her throat. After a moment, she walked after her son and found him in the Uchiha meeting room. "Sasuke," she called, drawing his attention from his notes and a myriad of maps on the table in front of him.
"Would you… mind accompanying me somewhere? It shouldn't take long," Mikoto said, hoping she sounded more confident to him than she did to herself.
Had he thought more about it, Sasuke would have asked her where they were going. Yet, his mind had been consumed with his plans. Of course, his mother's voice was a welcome break against the backdrop of his own thoughts. "Sure," he said. It wasn't like he hated spending time with his mother, even though the request was rather sudden.
Pleased though hesitant, Mikoto nodded. "Thank you. I suppose I'll see you soon then," she commented, drumming the door frame for a moment. She then left him alone, allowing Sasuke to continue what he'd been doing before.
-x-
Night quickly came upon the Land of Whirlpools as Naruto finally finished packing. Ordinarily, he'd just teleport to Iwagakure, but he opted for having some time to help Yukimaru and Hanabi get acquainted with one another away from the political affairs of the world. It would also give him an excuse to have some time with Yuri and Yura. He knew that he hadn't spent as much time with them as he should have. Though to be fair, he was in the midst of his honeymoon.
"Just so you know, I'm not exactly pleased to know that when I wake up you'll be gone."
Naruto smiled, turning his head to see his mother combing her hair. His eyes lingered on her luscious frame, her nightgown hugging her skin in a way that set his chest aflame. "I promise I'll make it up to you. I've actually got something planned for you when I get back," Naruto claimed.
Intrigued, Kushina turned her head. "Oh do you now? You have my interest. What nefarious thing do you have planned for me?" she asked.
Too eager to leave it, Naruto stood up and walked over to her. He whispered into her ear. Kushina's eyes grew wider and wider as the flush on her face stained redder and redder. Unwilling to leave her, Naruto grabbed his wife's waist and trailed his hands up, leaving a teasing hand upon her breast.
"And you won't even have the chance to beg me to stop," Naruto boasted.
Kushina turned to her husband and smiled. "You've gotten good at seduction lately," she whispered huskily, her voice dripping with need.
Naruto smiled. "You bring it outta me," he answered. The two then shared a heated kiss that promised more. Unfortunately, it would have to be left unfulfilled for now. Neither was confident in their self-control. If they started, there was no way they were going to stop this time. Well, Kushina wasn't. Next time, something was going to break, whether it was her hips, her son's pelvis, or their bed. She was sure of that.
Reluctantly pulling away, Kushina touched her son's forehead with hers. "I love you so much," she said.
Naruto smiled. "Yeah, and I love you. There's not even words in the world to describe how I feel about you," he said.
Kushina touched her son's cheek, enjoying the intimacy between them, a fire which roared ever since they officially married. It still felt strange for Kushina to be married in a manner like this, but her chest was full to bursting with love.
Following that, the two stayed awake for only a little while before falling asleep in each other's arms. Their legs entangled with each other while they embraced. Some might find it strange but Kushina, before Naruto, hadn't been much of a cuddler. As explained by Minato, her sleeping posture was erratic and she'd kicked him out of the bed on more than one occasion. Yet, her body couldn't help but submit itself to her current husband. It was simply at peace. His body was a perfect fit to hers.
Naruto wasn't sure how long he slept, but he awoke to see his mother sleep peacefully. He grimaced as he was forced to part ways with her. Sometimes, he wished he could just lie there with her for the rest of time. Yura and Yuri would come and join them, allowing him the greatest rest of all time. Yet, he had to pull away from her and leave the bed.
Leaning over, he kissed her cheek and smiled. She twitched, yet didn't move further. Instead, she smiled as well while Naruto slowly removed himself from the bed. He quietly got dressed and sealed up his things. With one last look at his mother, in the nigh dead of night, he left the room.
Naruto appeared in the living room, the silence a rather stark contrast to how lively it usually was.
"Good morning, Naruto-nii," came a very tired yawn.
Naruto turned his head and noticed Yukimaru approach a little tiredly. The blond smirked. "Not used to waking up this late are you?" he asked.
"Not really. Guren-san didn't help either. She tried to fit in my taijutsu training and I've been sore for the last few hours. How long have you been waiting?" he asked.
"I just arrived," Naruto whispered.
Yukimaru nodded sleepily, taking a seat next to Naruto. It was only five minutes later when Yura and Yuri arrived. "Sorry we're late. Yuri wouldn't get up," Yura said.
"To be fair, it was a good dream," Yuri claimed, eyeing her lover which made Naruto sweat. What was wrong with this freakin' succubus? Maybe he'd have to hurry some plans along before she thoroughly left him a damn husk.
"What kind of dreams?" Yukimaru asked.
Yuri and Yura stilled. The two sisters looked at each other and Yuri cleared her throat. "I was swimming in ice cream…" Yuri claimed lamely. Luckily, Yukimaru bought it.
"Alright, let's go. We're picking up Hanabi next," Naruto said. Yura, Yuri, and Yukimaru nodded.
"Someone's excited," Yuri teased much to Yukimaru's embarrassment. Yura reeled in her sister as the group set off.
After ten minutes, they arrived at the Hyuuga Compound. As usual, guards stood in front of the door with Hanabi there. "I am ready," she said.
Naruto nodded, shaking his head when he saw Yukimaru and Hanabi quickly greet each other. The Hyuuga guards briefly greeted Naruto, acknowledging the safe transfer of young Hanabi into his possession.
Having all they needed, the group headed off, Yukimaru and Hanabi quickly moving into pleasant conversation. The journey to the docks took the better part of an hour. Yet, they quickly boarded a ship and sailed for the mainland.
-x-
"What are we doing here? We've been here for days and done nothing," Obito claimed, glaring at the Regent. For all his pompous and theatrical babble, there had been no talk of plans nor anything regarding the bijuu that had disappeared.
"No one appreciates a rushed script, Uchiha Obito. Have patience. Be as Kisame-san, or even Zetsu-san. We all have our role to play and the curtain shall not remain down forever," The Regent said.
"How do you know so much?" Black Zetsu inquired.
Though the mask hid his face, it was clear to the others that the Regent's gaze rested on the whole being of Zetsu. Both white and black felt something of a shiver run through them from his gaze. The Regent then lifted his opera mask to the ceiling.
"Some plays… are too long for any mortal," he said.
The others listened to his tone, surprised by its melancholy. Before anyone could inquire further, they heard the door leading to their abode open. In came a woman, looking upon them with dull, lifeless eyes. "Jigen-sama has called for you. Please follow me," she said.
The frown on Obito's face deepened. He looked at the woman in front of him. By all outward appearances, she was perfect. Having been reborn, there was hardly a flaw anywhere. He might even say that had it not been for her pitiful expression, he might consider himself enticed by her. Yet, there was just something wrong with this woman. Her chakra seemed all out of focus, evidenced by the way his Sharingan observed her. Nothing about her made sense.
"It's about time," Kisame said, picking up Samehada and heading for the door.
Obito and the Regent followed alongside Zetsu, led away by their escort.
After meeting with Jigen, the monk led them to a massive underground facility. How such a structure built itself with the Elemental Nations still rebuilding was beyond nearly any of the Akatsuki members. There had been numerous men and women roaming the underground halls, halls that became quite familiar to the Akatsuki over the time that they'd been allowed to reside there.
Unfortunately, the Akatsuki were made aware that they couldn't just roam wherever they wished. Jigen swiftly warned them that while the Regent was an interesting figure, the rest of them weren't so fortunate. Of course, Obito took some indignation with that, yet the Regent made sure to temper the Uchiha's distaste for the circumstances.
The four Akatsuki members followed the woman through the halls until she led them to a door. She knocked on the door only once. "I have brought them, Jigen-sama," she said.
It seemed so strange to Obito that the woman then turned to leave, not even receiving another command from the monk in question. She merely bowed and walked away without concern.
Despite the woman providing the announcement, the door didn't open immediately. Obito's eyes narrowed in anger. He couldn't help the feeling that they were being belittled. It was also quite clear to see that Zetsu and Kisame were of the same mindset. However, none held more trepidation than Black Zetsu.
After another moment, the door opened. The Regent immediately stepped forward, the others following close behind him. Once they were in, the door closed behind them and a dark staircase was illuminated with torches of purple fire.
"Come."
Jigen's voice reverberated through the halls. Kisame snorted, rolling his shoulder as he shifted Samehada for a moment. "He thinks too highly of himself. Are you sure this isn't a waste of time?" he inquired of the Regent.
"Where else would you be allowed to perform if not here?" The masked individual asked, proceeding to head down the stairs.
Kisame sucked his teeth, yet followed along. Obito and Zetsu joined in and the remaining members of the Akatsuki walked down until they reached the very bottom, which took them another ten minutes. On the way down, they passed by many other corridors, each as foreboding as the last.
When they reached the bottom, they paused. Each of them could smell it. The bottom floors were rife with the smell of blood. It wasn't a great feeling for them, especially not with the memories of Jashin still fresh in their minds. One might think it funny, but sometimes… even the Akatsuki was sick of the sight of spilled blood.
Despite any grievances, Obito took the lead and the group took their steps. They walked until they came into a wide, dome-like room. Torches flickered overhead, offering a rather dim and grim sight in front of them all.
In a large circle, they noticed many stone tables. On those stone tables were bodies of men and women, even children, of all ages. The tables were stained with the trails of their departed lives. Yet, there was one living amongst them all, one that they hadn't expected to see. This one was a man, older and, some might consider, wiser. His breaths were labored and vain, raked with pain and terror.
Standing next to the trapped man was Jigen, his eyes as uncaring as always. Obito came to realize that though Jigen was a man of ambition, he simply had no way of showing it. Even Obito, being ambitious as he was, allowed his enthusiasm to show on his face sometimes, to see the culminating work of his plans take form step by step. Yet, that only made it more infuriating how set back he was given Uzumaki Naruto's interference.
Breaking the tension, Kisame chuckled. "Well well, this is a surprise. Where did you pick up this poor, poor thing?" the former member of the Seven Swordsmen of the Mist inquired.
"He came to me of his own volition," Jigen said, beckoning the Akatsuki members closer.
They approached as the light from the torches granted them further sight. The closer they came, the more their suspicions were confirmed when they noticed who was seated upon Jigen's macabre table.
"Kekekekeke, you're looking like quite the frail guppy at the moment, Shimura Danzo-san," Kisame claimed, grinning when Obito, The Regent, Zetsu, and he looked upon the mutilated form of the still-breathing old warhawk from the golden years of Konoha's history.
KG: So some mentioned, and rightly so, that Jigen should be more than a few decades away from where I have it now. However, I imagine the guy had to be doing SOMETHING while Shippuden was going on. I don't know what he was doing while the world was having its war, especially with Kaguya being revived. Feel like that's one thing Boruto never addressed. Then again, I never really kept up with Boruto following these things. Still, I say Isshiki is too interesting a character to get rid off, especially since he gave us one of the best Naruto transformations to date. Either way, Jigen won't be getting involved for a while, though he'll definitely have is place, as will the other Otsutsuki. Granted, they aren't the final arc. Oh no, I got plans for that!
(P.S. - Poll is still up on the profile. Vote for your favorite pairing and I'll be making it into a solo-fic. No harems in this one! This is your chance to get a potentially unique pairing that you've always wanted!)
KG: CHEESECAKE!