Chapter 14: Konoha's top investigator

Haku was finishing up the day's medical training with Shizune and was just about to enjoy the clan's bathhouse with the older woman and her pig when the clan's barrier seal glowed on her wrist meaning someone was at the front gate. She told Shizune she'd meet her there and went to greet whoever it was.

She saw Ino smiling a bit too sweetly, and wondered what the girly kunoichi would need with anyone in their clan. "Hey, Ino-san. Can I help you?" Haku asked skeptically. "Hey Haku, just the girl I wanted to see.

Are you busy? We should hangout, I hear you're quickly climbing ranks in the hospital. I'd love to hear all about that." Ino gave her friendliest smile. She was on a mission. Somehow Haku had wiggled her way into a relationship with Naruto and Ino wanted to know how.

All she had to do was get a little close with Haku until the insanely cute girl spilled. Ino wondered if sweet cute girls were Naruto's type. Hinata and Haku were tough to compete with but Ino knew she wasn't lacking in the cute department. She might not be very sweet but she did have a nice butt. Firm and round, and ever since she became a genin, she always caught men stealing glances.

That's why she wore her flower sundress which was tight around her waist, just in case Naruto was around. Haku eyed Ino, the girl was obviously up to something. Unfortunately, Haku was given a konoha politics crash course by Hinata and knew that as a new clan, it was best to play nice with clan heirs and heads. Unless of course you were Naruto, he would do what he wanted.

"I just finished my day's medical training with Shizune. We were about to spend some time in the clan's bathhouse to unwind. If you want, you can join us. It's similar to the hot springs." Ino wasn't expecting to be invited into the compound but with everyone in the village beginning to speculate what was hidden in the 'Konoha of Konoha', she wouldn't dare refuse.

"Yes please, that'd be so great. My training regimen has like tripled." Ino replied quickly but trying to hide her excitement. Haku wondered if it was a good idea to allow her into the clan but she would keep an eye on her.

Haku performed the necessary hand seals to allow Ino access and opened the gate to allow her through. She led the platinum blonde kunoichi through the path created between the dense forest that surrounded the compound.

Once past, Ino marveled at the NamiUzu clan's idea of a compound wall. She didn't expect the barrier of trees to only stretch about a 100 feet inward from the borders of the compound.. From the outside, the whole compound seemed to be littered with trees.

They followed the main path that led to the center of the compound where the original set of houses were situated in a half circle. In the middle stretched a field of grass with a small path to a rather large bath house with a side for men and women.

Ino thought it was pretty but wondered just how good it'd look if there was a field of flowers, shrubs and various trees around the bathhouse. A few minutes later, the two girls had cleaned off and joined Shizune and Tonton on the woman's side of the onsen.

Ino was officially jealous. The NamiUzu clan's bath house was better than the few in konoha and just as large as if the three members of the clan needed something so big. She would not be leaving the compound without her answers.

"Hello, Shizune-san, I'm Ino Yamanaka, nice to meet you," Ino greeted. "Nice to meet you too, Ino-san. I see you've found one of konoha's new hidden gems. The NamiUzu bathhouse is amazing. Always the right temperature and you can control the steam by infusing a small amount of chakra into the seals on the wall. No waiting, always clean and it's never full."

Shizune was obviously in love with the bath house and no one blamed her. "Yes, it's so nice. I think I could get used to it here," Ino said before giving Haku a wink. Haku raised an eyebrow and wondered if Ino would be prescribed any ice needles in her behind today.

"So Shizune-san, I hear Haku is somewhat a rising star in the medical division. Do you think she'll one day surpass you or even Tsunade-sama?" Ino asked. "Oh she's highly gifted and her drive is admirable. With her talent in medical ninjutsu and medical sealing, I have no doubt she'll surpass us all.

She has an advantage most other medic-nin don't and she doesn't even need it. I'm proud to be one of her sensei's." Shizune gave Haku an approving smile making the ice user blush. "Thank's sensei, I'll continue to do my best," Haku added meekly.

"And you even got a boyfriend so soon after coming to the village, I'm jealous. You have to tell me the story, how'd that happen, Naruto isn't the most.. approachable, you know."

Ino had haku buttered up and figured now was better than ever to see how she got with Naruto. Haku and Shizune were instantly onto Ino. They were shinobi and could tell Ino's last question was why she was there.

Still, Shizune stayed quiet because she kind of wanted to know the answer as well. "Um, isn't that a bit private Ino-san?" Haku responded. "Aww come on, it's just us girls here, you're not ashamed of your relationship are you?" Ino prodded and smirked inwardly when she saw Haku's expression.

"No, no I'd never be ashamed to be with Naruto-kun." Haku sighed and resigned herself to give the nosey blonde answers. Ino and Shizune leaned in when they saw Haku about to respond.

"When I first got to konoha, Naruto-kun and his team were the only people I knew. I rarely left the compound since I was so unfamiliar with the place and Naruto was similar. He didn't like to leave unless on a mission or other reason.

I quickly picked up a hobby of cooking and since Naruto's house had the better kitchen, I often cooked over there and ate with him. It was nice talking to him and getting to know him. He really seemed to love my cooking which didn't hurt, I guess. Pretty soon I learned that Naruto's actually one of the kindest people I know. He just hasn't had the luxury to trust people enough to show it. Not to mention all the improving his chances of survival stuff, of course.

Eventually, I started looking forward to the smile he only shows to certain people. It's such a warm and bright smile, it makes me feel like everythings going to be ok. From then on I trained with him and took it upon myself to cook for him anytime I could, especially ramen. He even convinced ayame to teach me a few things.

It wasn't long before Hinata caught on and we had a 'discussion'." Haku bit her lip remembering her first kiss with Hinata. "She encouraged me to tell Naruto how I felt and luckily he'd been feeling the same way. I've been his ice princess ever since." Haku finished with a smile and blush that made her female counterparts jealous.

"Haku, if you don't mind me asking, do you ever worry that he might love Hinata more? I mean, if I was in your situation, I don't know how I'd compete. They've been everything to each other since like forever." Ino said genuinely.

Haku let out a small giggle. "Yes, that might be a logical thing to think, especially with their history together but it's not like that. Naruto-kun treats us both wonderfully. There is no competition.

Me and Hinata get along great too. It really works for us. She was raised in a highly political world where she could've married off as the fifth wife with the caged bird seal with no say at the drop of a hat. She actually feared it when she was younger. HInata didn't mind because she wants a bigger family than she can make herself, a clan. For us there's no need for competition."

Shizune and Ino took their time processing the information and figured it actually made sense with the political atmosphere of major clans. Ino could've been in the same boat if the Yamananka weren't so easy going. Ino decided she'd gotten enough information out of the girl. Ino's quick conclusion was that it was Haku's cute and meek nature along with her cooking skills that captured Naruto-kun's heart.

She wondered if there was anything else that persuaded Hinata to embrace Haku because of the way Haku bit her lip when mentioning Hinata. That could mean a few things. Ino had work to do. Haku eyed Ino knowingly, she'd just given her exactly what she wanted. She wanted to know how to get her Naru-kun.

Unfortunately for Ino, the girl wouldn't have a chance as it stood. "You know Ino-san, I'm pretty sure Naru-kun initially took notice of me because of my skill as a shinobi. He respects powerful kunoichi though it isn't all he cares about." Haku grinned triumphantly as she saw Ino's mood deflate.

"Well he's building a clan. It would be smart to have strong women alongside him, and you know what they say 'the way to a man's heart is his stomach'." Shizune chimed in, to Haku's amusement. Shizune was enjoying the girls' antics. She was starting to feel old, she thought.

A couple hours later, the trio of kunoichi decided to go out for some sweets and settled for a dengo shop that sold the cinnamon rolls Hinata loved. They sat down in a booth near another group of kunoichi, the place was packed. Haku recognized a couple of them, one was Anko and one was Yakumo's new sensei, Kurenai or something like that. They seemed to be out for a night of drinking if all the bottles of sake and empty sticks of dengo on the table were any sign.

Haku and her companions sat down and placed their orders with the waiter and Ino started asking questions again. She'd asked a lot about Naruto and even Hinata, always about what they liked and didn't like. Haku didn't always answer and Ino didn't seem to pry much anymore so Haku didn't mind.

Shizune was envious of the young girls trying to get a boy. Although their attentions were better placed in their training, sometimes a girl needed to be a girl. "So Shizune-san, have you thought about settling down and starting a family? Ino asked with a mischievous smile. Shizune sputtered and spilled some of her tea.

She suddenly felt nervous and Ino smelled blood. "Ohhh so you have. Is there anyone you like? A secret boyfriend?" Shizune figured it'd be a long night and resolved to get an extra order of sake but not too much or else the Yamananka would milk her for everything she knew.

In the next booth, Anko was getting severely intoxicated and was currently on a rant about the audacity of the council and the bias she's received since returning to the village after being kidnapped by Orochimaru.

Kurenai was only slightly buzzed but didn't mind her friend's anger because it was rightly deserved. Yugao was mimicking Anko and downing too many bottles of sake because her Katana, Kushina's sword, was broken. Her unit had a run in with one of the 7 swordsmen of the mist, Ryga, and although she survived, the sword didn't.

"And that slut of a council woman had the audacity to present me with three marriage contracts saying I need to make a decision 'for the good of the village'. They think I need to be married off to one of the clans or prominent jounin so they can keep me the fuck in line. Fuck that and fuck them.

Not only that, I've done everything for this village yet they still deny me elite jounin. They won't even allow me to test for the promotion. Can't trust the snake whore right. I bet if I was a pale eye or a pink eye, shit even a flashlight eye, then they wouldn't be able to try and force a marriage on me and they definitely wouldn't be able to deny me a shot at elite jounin.

I sparred with Yamato to a stalemate without my seal and he became an elite jounin as soon as the gaki cleaned up Orochimaru's mistakes. My mission record is impeccable, anbu, T&I, jounin, solo s-ranks . I've done it. I fucking deserve it but those old fucks don't want to give it to me because of the pedo of a sannin."

Anko finished her statement by throwing her dengo stick all the way across the room to finish a snake on the opposite wall, created solely from dengo sticks. "Anko you're not wrong but calm down, and maybe you shouldn't be drinking so much sake when you're mad. You know what happened last time. You're lucky Tsunade-sama was able to save one of his testicles." Kurenai admonished.

"When I get my hands on Ryga, not even Tsunade-sama will be able to save his balls. I hope the cut on his face never heals. How do I even tell Naruto that I broke his mother's katana? I'll need a new katana just to tell him. He might feel the need to improve his survival. Ughhh." Yugao said releasing some of her frustrations.

"The gaki ain't that scary, he's still just a boy. Show him your breasts when you tell him, he'll forgive you." Anko said with a drunken giggle. "Anko! That's not appropriate, have some restraint." Kurenai said. "Shss haha, neither is your shinobi outfit. Is that what you're doing, teaching Asuma some restraint? Ha aha ha," Anko trailed off in her own laughter with Yugao joining her.

Kurenai's face flushed and she gave Anko an indignant glare although it was half hearted. "Yeah well you're not one to talk." Kurenai responded before joining in the laughter. Haku and almost everyone in their area could hear their conversation.

Haku didn't like Anko's idea for how Yugao should tell Naruto so she figured she'd give a better solution. By the time Haku, Shizune, and Ino were getting ready to leave, they saw Anko's group get up, with a good amount of difficulty. Haku took her chance and approached them before talking mainly to Kurenai.

"I overheard some of the things you were talking about and I think I can help. I don't want to make promises but once Naruto returns from his mission, you should speak with him. The sword can be repaired and Naruto would be able to replace the seals so it shouldn't be much of a problem.

For Anko, well, let me talk to Naruto but I think we can help with her situation." Haku saw that they were all listening but doubted how much Anko and Yugao could understand at this point.

Kurenai saw that they were fighting the sake they drank and spoke for them. "Thanks, um" Kurenai said, hoping to find out her name. "I'm Haku, from the NamiUzu clan." "Oh yea, I met you at the chuunin exam.

Thanks, Haku. If you are in the clan then I guess I can take your word for it. I'll pass on the message to these two when they're, uh, more receptive." Kurenai responded. Haku nodded and let them leave before returning to the table to pay her portion of the bill.

Naruto entered the safe house to find his teammates lined up in front of Mai receiving a scalding lecture. Mai was on a tirade and his senses told him she wasn't happy. "I am a priestess! I was raised and trained to seal away demons, especially Miryo.

Of all the stupid things you could do, you leave me behind. My chakra is special and Miryo can't bypass my barriers. Something you would know if you weren't too busy throwing ninja weapons at me!" Mai noticed Naruto and turned to address him.

"And you! Only I needed to be in harm's way. I knew the risks and what I was getting into while you and your team just dived in unprepared. I found massive amounts of Miryo's chakra in your teammates. If i didn't purify it, he could've taken over their minds or they could've just died. So help me Kami, you're lucky you never allowed Miryo to go free." "Mai." Naruto cut her off speaking calmly.

She started to continue but he spoke first. "Mai-san, I understand your anger but as a friend of the Uzumaki, I couldn't allow you to come with us. You are the last of your family and I have an obligation to protect you as if you're one of my own. We wouldn't have had any issues if I wasn't so weak.

As for Miryo, it's gone forever. I've explained everything and answered all your questions for the last 24 hours and it's all i know. I don't know how but I know it was consumed." Mai was slightly flustered at the idea of being treated as 'one of his own' and relieved for the reassurance of Miryo's supposed consumption.

The idea of consuming a demon still left her confused, thankfully, Hinata voiced her confusion. "Consumed? What do you mean Naruto-kun and how were we healed? Last thing I remember, we were all dying."

"I'm still trying to understand it myself but similarly to how I absorb chakra was how me and furaijin consumed Miryo. The huge influx of chakra was more than enough to heal me with my chakra chain's effects, though it was too much for my body to hold. To lessen the strain on my body and hopefully heal you and shino, I rerouted the chakra absorbed through my chains.

It was risky but we were all dying so it was necessary." Naruto finished with a sigh knowing he'd be asked that question more than he'd like in the future. "So, basically you ate the demon and gave the leftovers to Shino and Hinata?" Sakura asked hesitantly.

Naruto pondered her choice of words for a moment and found that he couldn't disagree. "It was mostly Furaijin but yes, you could say that." Naruto responded. Shino was curious just like everyone else but after getting his answer on why he was whole again, he remembered that Naruto was supposed to have been out confronting a team of unknown shinobi.

"Naruto, what about the shinobi who were outside the barrier? You don't seem to have been in another fight." Shino inquired. Naruto took a moment to gather his thoughts and then explained that they were friends of the clan like Mai and were looking to reestablish a connection with the new clan.

Naruto then gave Hinata and shino a look, meaning they'd get the real story later. Seeing that Mai was calmer than when he'd entered the safe house, Naruto thought it was as good of time as any to ask her to join the clan. "I'm sorry that we worried you Mai-san and I hope that you trust us like we'll trust you in the future."

The stoic blonde said with a surprising bow. Mai nodded, as long as they knew it was reckless and Miryo was gone completely, she'd let it go. "Um, thank you Naruto-san. I'm sorry for letting my frustrations out on you and your team. I've been holding it in for days and I'm usually much more calm." Mai said sheepishly.

"It's not a problem, you've just lost your entire family. It's understandable, " Naruto reassured the girl. Sakura was stunned and starting to believe she was on a mission with a different Naruto who hadn't killed hundreds of people as she'd heard.

"I'm not sure what you plan on doing after all this but, if you're interested, I want you to join the NamiUzu clan. I'm the head and we're recognized as a noble clan of konoha so there's plenty of perks. Aside from that, a friend of the uzumaki is nearly the closest I have to family. I'm guessing it's the same for you.

Nothing can replace what you lost but our clan can be the start of a new family." Naruto said, softening his expression slightly. "You want me to join your clan? An Uzumaki wants me to join their clan?" Mai asked as if the moment was surreal.

Hinata giggled while Shino and Sakura remained silent. "Yes Mai, I want to rebuild the Uzumaki clan but I know it'll take generations to repopulate a clan of Uzumaki so I'd rather start from scratch with as many Uzumaki as I can. My plan is to create a clan from the ground up.

Unfortunately, most of those in the clan have a similar history as yourself. We've all lost our families, at least most of it and together we're going to create the greatest clan in the world. Would you like to be apart of it, dattebayo?" Naruto asked, he didn't show it outwardly but he was nervous to ask.

A small part of him feared the rejection, especially after he told her he just ate a demon. A friend of the Uzumaki clan with a long family history of seals and barrier jutsu would be perfect for the Namiuzu clan, not to mention the girl just lost her whole family and purpose in life.

She needed someone now like Naruto did when he was younger. Mai didn't know what to say, her family had never joined Uzushio to remain independent and possibly someday surpass the uzumaki but now her family and the Uzumaki were nearly destroyed, this was actually the perfect time to join the clan.

Mai then began thinking about Naruto repopulating the Uzumaki clan. Was he inviting her back for her to have his kids? Mai took a good look at Naruto and couldn't help but admire what she was seeing. Her face got a little hot forcing her to look away with rosy cheeks. It wouldn't be horrible if that's what he wanted, she thought.

She wasn't allowed to marry as a priestess but she did have a responsibility to produce a female heir. Mai's blush and averted gaze didn't miss Hinata's attention and the former hyuga was quick to put the pieces together. She wanted to scare Mai away but Hinata knew all the pretty girls in the world wouldn't be enough to pry away her Naru-kun.

Instead, Hinata decided to help get her in the clan, she really would be a great addition. "The clan compound is quite possibly the safest place in konoha and we even have our own bathhouse. What you do with your life is up to you, even with the clan. Only difference is, if you join us. You'll have family with you to support, protect, and help you along the way." Hinata added with a sweet smile that could've melted Miryo's non-existent heart.

Mai was now full on blushing, the hyuga was so cute, it was making her feel self conscious but the girl's sweet smile was even more inviting. Mai bowed to Naruto and gave her reply formally. "Yes, Naruto-sama. I would like to join the clan if you'll have me."

"There's no need to bow or give me any titles, Mai. You're family now." Naruto surprised everyone in the room when he gave Mai a smile. Sakura was mouthing soundless words at the event while shino simply raised an eyebrow. Hinata was slightly annoyed but thought the moment was sweet.

Mai saw the expressions of those around her and figured Naruto didn't smile much so she took it for what it was and gave him a beaming smile back. "So first we mu-" Naruto was cut off when Hinata jumped him and gave a hug that showed just how much she trained.

Naruto was knocked to the ground but he didn't care as he wrapped his arms around his Hina-hime who was whole, healthy, and most importantly, alive. Hinata knew they had an audience so she kept it short and sweet. She gave Naruto a lingering gaze that conveyed all her worry and affection before giving him a soft kiss on the lips.

Naruto reciprocated and graced the room with another smile directed at Hinata. "Don't worry Hina-hime, we won't die that easily. We'll become the strongest this world's ever seen. Just wait, I promise." Naruto whispered to Hinata but the whole room seemingly heard him.

Hinata went back in for another kiss that lingered for a moment. The two then untangled themselves and stood up before seeing the awkward looks everyone was sending them. Like stone, the doujutsu bearing couple fixed their faces to a stoic gaze that didn't break.

Sakura, Mai, and Shino couldn't help but release a single sweat drop down their forehead at the two's actions as if that little scene never happened. Mai broke the momentary silence with a fit of laughter that was soon followed by Hinata's giggles and a disbelieving Sakura who couldn't hold her the chuckles.

Later that day, an urgent crow came from Haku at Tsunade's request. Naruto made sure to return one with confirmation that they were alive and safe for the time being.

A day later, after the team had eaten, rested, and packed anything Mai would need into scrolls. They traveled the same way as before back to konoha. Naruto sent a crow to Danzo asking for help preparing for Mai to join the village. He could make certain arrangements like he did with Haku to expedite the process of clearing Mai once they got to the village.

They reached Konoha after traveling for 5 days at civilian and Ninja speeds. Naruto created two shadow clones. Once resembling Hinata and one looking like him. He told them to escort Mai to the T&I department to be cleared to join the village. Danzo assured him that it would be quick and easy. The older girl was sleeping on Naruto's back. and Naruto didn't mind if she thought the real them was with her when she woke up. Naruto gave the girl to his clones before he and his team headed to the Hokage's office to report the partial success of their mission in the Land of tea.