Chapter Five: Wilderness of Home
Sitting upon the lone bed within the spacious tent, Naruto and Sāra confront one another for the first time in what felt like a lifetime. She was beaming a megawatt smile, reminiscent of his own, that warmed the lone Uzumaki clansmen's heart "So, you survived all this time, huh? Sorry I never…" her finger finds his lips and she shake her head "The leaf shinobi told us, right? It was best forgotten about." She explained with a fading smile "Though, to me at least, I do recall you and your efforts." Hand falling back to her lap "Though it was more a dream than anything."
"I see." Naruto spoke still sombre, which didn't go unnoticed by the former queen "Thankfully however…" gaining his attention, "…whatever he had done to my memories didn't last too long but I also came to an understanding of the whole situation." This caused a raised eyebrow from the blond "Somehow you travelled back to help us. Due to that, I knew we would meet again sometime and with that knowledge…" she pulls out a Sand hiate that causes his eyes to widen "My burrowed headband?!" she nodded "…we decided to follow your example and even after the fall of Rōran, we did not lose hope."
Her smile widened "In fact…" she turned to the door "…come in darling!" and a girl that bears a striking resemblance to her mother, but her hair is lighter in colour. She wears an orange robe with a navy-blue outline, violet irises, and a tan and green bandanna around her forehead. Stepping in Naruto notices she was clutching a Suna issue Sabre that causes him to smile wide. The girl bows formally "Hello, my name is Symāru."
"Symāru is my daughter and current leader of our roaming caravan, and the one who found you washed up on the shore." Sāra turns back to Naruto, a sly smile upon her face "…and our daughter."
Land of Wind; Rōran Caravan Camp
That night a feast was held. The Rōran survivors celebrated the return of their hero, who travelled space and time to save them from their fates worse than death. Over the hours after his awakening, Naruto, Sāra and Symāru spent time together, reconnecting as only a family could. Naruto told of the exploits he's been on since their parting, skilfully avoiding mentioning his family and organisation.
Both ladies suspected he was hiding something but dared not think too hard on it. Today was a day of celebration and they did not want to ruin it, though both would vow independently address it later. The three hundred people were a sight for the battle wary man who was slowly coming to terms with the fact that one of his kids was older than he, but that was discarded quickly when noticing a group of boys clearly trying to impress her.
His parental mode activated in vengeance, and promptly scared said boys off his little girl who was far too young to think about boys. This both warmed and frustrated Symāru, glad to have finally met her father but frustrated that he was remaining so close to her, and she couldn't enjoy any sake or hanging with her friends. Not under his watch.
Sāra, on the other hand, was elated that he had accepted his role without question as was a natural at teasing their daughter and keeping her in check.
The night would end with Naruto and Sāra cuddled up in her tent, the latter resting on that perfect chest she had missed for so long. Naruto was in turmoil; however, how the hell was he meant to explain this? Time travel? Really? He doubted this would fly when he got back home. Kin was going to kill him.
In a city, dominated by grey skyscrapers and rain clouds, a certain brunette suddenly found herself randomly chuckling somewhat darkly as her husband's face came to mind. Her kids shivering in their beds whilst praying for their father's safety.
A shudder up Naruto's spine confirmed his fears, noting to pick up some moon flowers and Land of Fangs legendary chocolates before heading home. With a mental nod to himself, professionally ignoring the snort from deep within, he falls into a dreamless sleep in confidence that he would survive another day.
The next day, after breakfast Sāra and her daughter confronted Naruto with what they suspect was bad news. Gathering in the lead tent, they find him writing out a report and a brief glance from Sāra, she noted that it was a retelling of their previous encounter in great detail. The names Minato Namikaze, Tayuya Uzumaki, and Larne popped up and their visages briefly return to mind.
Finishing, Naruto went through hand signs, and it duplicated before he rolled it up in two scrolls. One had the hourglass figure of Sunagakure, the other a White Cloud which he then hands to, what she had only just noticed, were two small sandy coloured foxes with black paws and tail tips "You know your orders." Naruto explained handing each one to which they both yip before proofing away.
Sighing, Naruto turned to the duo and offered a look knowing half smile "I guess we should have that talk, huh?" both ladies nod as they take a seat on the bed, the blonde turning the chair backward as he sat facing them. Hand running through his thick golden hair, a sigh escaping his lips "…well, as you know, I was banished from Konohagakure no Sato for being a threat to village safety."
"Your friends said it was a stupid decision though." Sāra responded to which he nodded, "First of all, I should explain that I am, what is commonly referred to as, a Jinchurki. A human sacrifice." The two nodded "I have a tailed beast, a being a pure chakra, sealed within me and, at the time, there was a group of missing ninjas who were seeking my kind out."
"It can't be that…" Symāru began only for Naruto to raise his hand "Let me explain first, and then you can ask questions, before things get complicated." She nods and he continues "We, as in containers of these beasts, are typically a hidden village's trump card. Used in wars to great effect. Our entire purpose is to keep each other inline, using the power our beast provide as no normal shinobi can stand up against us."
Naruto sighs hard, wariness flooding his features "Unfortunately, the other side of this is much worse. Our own people hate us for that same power and typically the masses confuse us for the beast we contain; and are more often than not, hated for it." The smile he offered was hollow at best, heart breaking at worse "I was no better."
He looks directly at Sāra now "I happen to hold the greatest of them all, the one feared by all the others, and the most powerful of the nine. The Kyubi no Yoko. The nine tailed fox." He noticed them both gulp but he smiled softly "With that in mind we moved on to why I was banished; my villages citizens hatred towards me, the threat of ten S-rank criminals coming to get me and a failed mission was all that was needed to cast me out."
"…but it wasn't your fault." Sāra argued to which Naruto nodded "I was a baby when he was sealed within me. I had no choice on the matter. No say in my future, I was burdened with it's presence and yet they chose to ignore that fact either way."
"That's horrible." Symaru adds gaining a smile and a nod from her father "It is. But it's not all bad." He continued "I have friends now, I help build a group of likeminded people who help save those that need saving. Reform criminals and give them a new purpose in life." His smile became blinding "We have made peace wherever we go. Sometimes a brick at a time but peace none the less."
"Oh?" Sāra clinging on to this first piece of good news, her paramour clearly proud in himself "Yeah. We have acted as mediators for negotiations. Peace keeping forces in many of the minor nations. Ended a civil war in Water country; that was our biggest work to date, second to destroying that group of missing ninja." His face hardened at the thought of Akatsuki "They were a threat to the whole world."
"So, what's it called?" Symaru questioned, clearly peeking up at the thought of a peace keeping forces of this magnitude. Naruto smirks at this, pride oozing from his being "White Dawn."
Land of Wind: Sunagakure
Gaara was combating his fiercest foe since his brother in arms, with a similar ability to replicate, and quite possibly the bane of his existence. Paperwork. A soft growl emanating from his throat halted when a puff of smoke erupted from his desk and there stood a desert fox that he didn't recognise yet he only knew of one fox summoner that this one must be serving.
Taking the scroll, Gaara pulls out some beef jerky and hands it off to the kit that hips before poofing away in smoke cloud. Teal eyes flow with practiced ease, a report for a mission dated many years ago which confused him. The date specified was back when Naruto and his friends were serving as Suna shinobi on a temporary basis, to bolster their forces, and this mission was hunting down a rogue puppeteer.
Gaara blinks. Once. Twice. Confused about why Naruto was resubmitting the report again. "Matsuri. Bring me the mission file for Mukade subjection." The Kazekage calls over his intercom.
An hour later and Gaara was dumbfounded at what was written by his first friend. The new report covered everything the original did, but went into more detail about various fights as well as the inclusion of a second team. A leaf team no less. A team with the fourth Hokage, before he became Kage. He sighs again. This is yet another headache curtesy of one Naruto Uzumaki "When I see you again, Naruto, I will crush you with my sand."
Land of Wind; Rōran Caravan Camp
Naruto was suddenly hit with a wave of nervousness, pulling down his shirt in attempt to cool it off "What's wrong?" Sāra asks worriedly, offering a cup of cool water to him that he takes "Dunno… though I suspect that I should stay away from Suna for a while." A nervous chuckle followed as the two ladies sweat drop at his antics.
A polite cough drew all eyes to Symāru, her violet eyes boring into Naruto's baby blueish violet "Tou-san. There's still something you aren't tell us. Isn't there…?" Naruto's smile fades, head falling against his hands atop the chairs backrest while breathing out slowly and deliberately.
A long moment passes before he speaks softly "I'm married…" Symāru gasped, hand over her mouth but Sāra remained composed "…and have two kids." Naruto swore he heard Symāru's heart shatter at that. He blinked at that. There was no outrage. No footsteps to leave. No sobbing. No sobbing?
Hesitantly and very slowly, Naruto lifts his head to see both ladies calmly watching him but he was not fooled. As he looked deep into those ruby gems he could see it. The broken heart hidden behind the strong front. Without breaking eye contact he spoke to his daughter, "Symāru. I need to speak with your mother in private. No buts." Cutting her off "This is important grown up stuff. Your too young to know of yet."
Symāru, not wanting to upset her newly found father, stood from the bed and walked towards the door but as she glanced back. She noticed the intense gaze of her parents and could sense something was up. With a sigh, she left and securely closed the flaps.
In a flash of hand signs, a privacy and security barrier secured the large tent; with a deep breathe Naruto looks directly at Sāra and his gaze softens "No one can hear us…" spoken so gently, babies would be jealous "…you can cry now." and just like that, tears ran like rivers down her face. In that same moment, the man took her into his strong embrace and didn't say a word. He just let her take any and all comfort she could from him. It would be a long hour.
Somewhere in the Land of Rivers
Dusty was excited, this was his first mission given to him by the summoner, and it was a simple delivery mission. Hoping over a rock, beneath a fallen log, through a bush and he stood before a small river. Taking a quick drink, he was seemingly unaware of the danger encroaching upon him but thanks to being the runt of his litter, meaning he was pranked consistently by his siblings his reaction speed was beyond reproach.
Within the space of a twitch, Dusty had flipped clear of a viper strike and landed on a narrow tree trunk. A leap forward and the head was separated from the slinking body. A second, a bush snake, tried its luck only for it to the loose Its head too.
Cautiously Dusty scanning the underbrush and caught a whiff of a human but this time was too late to react as two blood red eyes spinning wildly and then black.
Land of Wind; Rōran Caravan Camp
Symāru re-entered the tent to find her parents resting their foreheads against one another, but noticed a small trail of saliva between which told her what had happened "Eww! Mom! Dad!"
Ahem.
Symāru sits down and decides to listen to what her parents have decided. It must have been a tough talk based on the still thick air however the fact they kissed suggested a consensus had been reached "It's been decided." Spoke Naruto as Sāra nodded with a small smile "Although things on my side need tending too first, we shall head to Suna for now where the caravan will wait for a response. I shall go on ahead and discuss terms with my organisation."
"Then what?" Symāru questioned hesitantly "Either you stay put there, or you can come see your dad's new home and you could even join us in our humanitarian efforts." Naruto explained calmly to which she smiled and nodded. Her smile was short lived as she recalled the other thing "Umm… what about…?"
"I will handle it." Naruto staring dead in her eyes firmly holding her gaze. She found herself smiling alongside her mother who had a tint pink upon her cheeks.
A week later…
Land of Wind; Sungakure Gate
Gaara stands at the forefront of the group of Suna shinobi, his siblings at his sides, as they watch the nomadic caravan approach with trepidation. It was common knowledge with the land of wind residence that the Rōran did not trust the hidden village at it had abandoned them during the second shinobi war, leaving them to their destruction. Yet here they were, willingly coming to seek aid by the military powerhouse that guards their homeland.
The group arrived and two occupants from the caravan, that sunny blonde was easy to distinguish as Naruto one of them with the other a red head that Gaara assumed was Sāra, the last queen. Stepping clear of his forces, siblings at his side, the Kazekage approaches the group hand out which was promptly grasped "Glad to see you still alive. I heard you had an…" he paused, and Naruto sweat dropped knowing full well his friend was about to make a terrible joke "…interesting boat ride." Gaara stated causing Naruto to deadpan "Is that the best you could do?"
"Yes."
"I swear, Gaara, Shukaku must have taken your sense of humour." Naruto responded as the others chuckle at the light heart nature of the exchange as the two bicker like the brothers they claim to be.
"Ahem" Sāra clears her throat which stiffens Naruto's spine, his joking subsided immediately at the sound as his eyes harden much like his former sand counterpart "Right, to be blunt… I plan on bringing the Roran people into the framework of the Dawn." seeing Gaara nod, Naruto continued "For now, however, I wish to have them reside here until I finish up on my end."
"I see no issues with it." The fifth Kazekage reports after a brief thought, "They can use the area set aside for your group."
"Ah… yes. That'll work for the short term." Naruto nodded rubbing his chin "Speak of…" Temari stepping into the conversation with a soft glare at her fellow blond "When are you guys actually going to start construction, huh?" little bit of killing intent behind every word. Naruto's hands shot up placatingly "Not my domain. I'm Shinobi Affairs, not logistical distribution."
"This is a shinobi village, no?" she growled staring menacingly "Then you should…"
"FINE!" Naruto shouted hands waving up "I'll look into it when I get back to the office." With a huff, hands on his hips "It's not like I have mountains of paperwork for Mizu no kunai, or anything." they all chuckle as they are led towards the gate, Temari smirking the whole way whilst Naruto was clearly distraught at the thought of his workload.
Reaching the gate Naruto froze upon seeing those very familiar midnight black hair, matching eyes, and perfect build, at least in Naruto's humble opinion, and it was running toward him. On reflex, he caught her as she jumped into his arms "Naru!"
"Kin." His equally softly, as they hug is intimate and firm, yet it was clear as day at how much love they had for each other. Pangs of pain and guilt emanating from the two Rōran queen and princess that was not missed by the blond who didn't allow it to show outwardly. The affection was turned up to twenty-four, out of ten, and their lip lock was just as passionate. Flushed cheeks all-round at that.
Land of Wind; Kazekage Office
Slap. It echoed.
Naruto didn't block her. He knew this was not the depth of her rage but just the tip of his punishment. Looking back at his gentle wife's face, filled with tears, anger, and fear. Without words he drew her into a hug, that she fought against every centimetre against it but upon reaching his perfectly chiselled chest, at least in her clearly unbiased opinion, her fight ceased. Chocked sobs were muffled by his cloak and clothes.
Rōran's watch this from the side, the Suna contingent from the desk, and the other White Dawn operatives opposite the Rōran's "Ahem." All eyes turning to the Kazekage "Can we get to business, or…?" trailing off at the end as Naruto switches gear to his 'commander mode' that all knew all too well, beside Sāra of course.
"So, what does the Land of Wind require of us for this help?" Naruto asked as he sat before the kage as the officer of the White Dawn, "Besides our current agreements?" Gaara tapping his finger rhythmically upon his desk "Five…"
"Two." Naruto cutting him off, causing his old friend to pause with the stares between the two brothers of circumstance before the redhead nodded "Very well, everything else is fine."
"Good." Naruto nodded "Then, can we get a priority on our headquarters?"
"Five then." Gaara pushes, but Naruto's blank stony face, that didn't fit him yet forced the other side to concede. "Fine. We'll get to work tomorrow." The red head then looks to Sāra, "If that's okay with you?" with the silent nod he continues whilst looking back to his brother, "I assume you will be returning to your main headquarters?"
"My leave was…" Naruto thought for a second, but his wife took up the end "…unsanctioned…" causing a twitch from Garaa's lip "…right, unsanctioned…" Naruto too barely suppressed smirk, before continuing "…so I still need to return and file my paperwork…" he sighed hard before shuddering "…and then deal with the stacks that no doubt has grown."
"It has." Kin confirms with a cherisher cat grin earning a chuckle from those who weren't her husband, whom it had the opposite effect. "Thus, we will stay a night before heading out." Pushing himself up from the chair at hand, his wife matching him exactly, "We have left your room untouched." Temari mentioned and Naruto nodded, "Thanks, Mari. I'll cook dinner tonight." This earned several peaked intrested, "What time?" asked the Kazekage, who was focused intently on this "About eight?" Naruto mumbled to himself before nodding "Let's say eight, but as late as nine."
"Dessert?" Temari probed to which Naruto smirked, that foxy smirk that she would never admit to being panty dropping with his adult features, "Depends on what you guys have in the pantry." He shrugged as he took up Kin's hand "We'll see." to which they were dismissed.
As soon as Naruto, Kin, Sāra, and Symāru had left, Gaara turned to his sister who nodded "Take a full squad if you must, ensure the pantry is fully stocked before he returns there."
"Yes, Kazekage-sama." She vanishes in a vortex of wind immediately as he turns back to the door, looking out over the village.
Land of Wind; Sungakure
After a bountiful dinner a very tense conversation took place between Naruto and Kin on one side, Sāra, and Symāru on the other. Within his now soundproofed, enclosed and sealed room was Naruto who had just explained everything to Kin. About the mission given to him, Tayuya, and Larne to hunt down a low S-ranked missing shinobi Mukade during their early days of the mercenary group's shinobi department.
Naturally Kin was familiar with that report, it wasn't really a surprise as at the time they were in the dancing around one another faze. During that time, Rin had known that Tayuya and Karin both had their own designs for Naruto. She knew why Karin at least wanted to revive their shared clan, though she also suspected a deeper reason of her pursuit. Tayuya on the other hand was confusing, even for her as her best friend, so every interaction they had on paper, Kin would go through it with a fine toothpick.
This situation however is unprecedented. Kin knew it. She knew her idiot of a husband always found himself in improbable situations, doing the impossible, and coming out on top while grinning stupidly all the way. Time travel though. She exhales slowly before looking directly at Sāra then Symāru, "I understand that this was not planned, nor done with any malice, so I have no right to complain or demand things of either you." taking a deep breath, "However, as I am Naruto's wife and mother to his three children. I can't just allow you to come into the family without setting down some ground rules."
"I understand." Sāra states, nodding along to that "However, I assume you still love him…" to which the Rōran's former queen nodded to Kin continued "…thus we have to come to some sort of agreement no?" another nod shared between the two.
The Ravenette then turned to the 'Child' of the situation, "Symāru, is it?" the woman in questioned nodded "I have no issues with you pursuing a relationship with my husband, you are his child and as such my own stepdaughter." This earned a smile from the woman who nodded, "Though, I expect you to babysit your younger siblings though." Kin smile was not warm, nor cold it was just enforcing. Symāru nodded hesitant at first but suddenly the realisation, she had siblings, younger siblings, that she still had responsibilities. Though this time, she was happy for it "Yes, I can handle that."
The next morning, Naruto, Kin, Sāra and Symāru were moving towards the boarders between the Land of Wind and Land of Rain. It was a now commonly used transit route as Rain has become somewhat of a trade centre, a neutral one at that, that allowed all to conduct business equally regardless of your homeland. Despite the negative relations, both Land of Earth and Land of Lightning have trade caravans that also utilise the central hub.
As the new family moved on, they were laughing with soft banter and joke around as they come to understand one another. Kin was working overtime to understand and support Sāra, and coming to know Symāru as a friend, and perhaps sister figure if not stepparent. The joyous mood did not last as Naruto was the first to sense the malice filled approach, "Naru?" Kin questioned before sensing a rapidly approaching individual, her own eyes narrowing "Him. Again?"
"So, it would seem." Naruto confirmed as his own temper began to flare "We may need to…" he threw out his arms out wide, a massive blanket of wind expanded around the group deflecting the lightning blast that impacted immediately after it stabilised.
The sand cloud was immediately blasted away as Naruto's old nemesis arrived, "Sasuke Uchiha. What do you want?" Naruto spoke so coldly, even in the middle of this country wide desert it felt like it dropped a few degrees. "Fight me dobe." Sasuke states, pulling out his sword casually, with his infamous smirk "No." was Naruto's swift response. "You think you have a choice?" Sasuke channelling his lightning through his chicota and activating his sharingan.