Hello everyone I'm back once again to bring you another chapter of my story; I hope you continue supporting this story my brother really appreciates your kind reviews. Ok now with nothing else to say let's begin.
Stitched Kitsune: Chapter 17
Land of Snow: With Kakuzu and Sasori (3 days after the meeting with Orochimaru)
Kakuzu and Sasori arrived back to Snow country a few hours ago and were walking to Naruto's cabin; they both stopped by Doto's castle to have Roga inform of Orochimaru's offer.
"What do you think Doto might do" Sasori asked Kakuzu "on the one hand Snow country has 600 shinobi and could maybe spare 300; however, with the combined forces of Sound, Sand and Snow we could stand a chance" he said and Kakuzu nodded.
"Frankly I couldn't care less" Kakuzu said "we will be getting paid whether the invasion succeeds or not" he said as they approached Naruto's cabin. "Let's see what Naruto wants to do" Kakuzu said as he knocked on the door "after all he's one of the 'big four' as Doto says" he said and Sasori chuckled.
"Naruto is only 13 and considered fourth in command of a group of mercenaries" Sasori said.
"Third" Kakuzu said making Sasori look at him "Zabuza is an idiot who only likes battle; Naruto is… well… and idiot who can formulate a half decent plan" he said and Sasori nodded. The door to the cabin opened and both Kakuzu and Sasori went wide eyed; there was a girl with short blue-black hair and lavender pupilless eyes holding the door open.
"Umm… may I help you" Hinata said meekly snapping both men out of their stupor.
"Uh… we are here for Naruto" Kakuzu said 'she's an unbranded Hyuga' he thought.
'What the hell, is Naruto just collecting girls now or something' Sasori thought.
Hinata felt a little uneasy under the stares of the 2 men and looked behind herself "Fubuki, Karin; there are 2 men here" she said. Fubuki and Karin both walked from the living room to the door.
"Jeez you 2, don't be a couple of assholes" Fubuki said wrapping her arm around Hinata "you 2 are freaking Hinata out" she said. Sasori and Kakuzu both looked at Hinata who was shaking slightly.
"I apologize" Sasori said with a bow "I am Sasori of the red sand" he said; Hinata seeing this bowed as well.
"I am Hinata Hyuga; pleasure to meet you" Hinata said before looking at Kakuzu; Hinata felt more frightened by Kakuzu than Sasori.
"Where the hell is Naruto" Kakuzu said not introducing himself.
"Back garden; out sweet potatoes are in season" Karin said; Kakuzu immediately walked around the house in search of Naruto.
With Naruto, Fu and Haku
"You're coming with me you sexy bastard" Naruto said as he dug out a large sweet potato out of the ground "I'm going to turn you into a pie" he said as he put it into a basket. Haku looking at this chuckled.
"You really are excited of something so small" Haku said and Naruto nodded.
"Hey I'm just trying to enjoy the little things" Naruto said; as he said this Kakuzu came around the corner "hey Kakuzu you're back; how did it go" he said. Kakuzu stopped and spoke.
"First of all; why is there a Hyuga in your house" Kakuzu said and Naruto gulped.
"She's-she's uh" Naruto stammered before letting out a sigh "she's Hinata; the Hinata, the one I got all this for" Naruto said pointing at his face. "It was either fate or bad luck or something" Naruto said "her and her team were escorting that bridge builder that Zabuza and Haku were sent to kill" he said.
"And why is she here" Kakuzu said "did you go out of your way to capture her and bring her back" he said and Naruto shook his head.
"No, it was just a spur of the moment thing" Naruto said "she recognized me from my eyes if you could believe it" he said. "I knocked her out and brought her back here to ensure she doesn't rat me out" Naruto said "but she won't; Hinata's life in Konoha has been rough, I offered her a place here which she accepted but… well… we're not on the best terms" Naruto said.
"What? Why" Kakuzu asked confused.
"Because she's revolted by what Naruto has been doing" Fu said walking up "saying things like 'killing people is wrong' and 'you shouldn't be doing this it's evil" Fu said. "Yeah, like we're evil" Fu said rolling her eyes.
"We are evil you idiot" Kakuzu said "we kill people, rob people, extort people, hold them for ransom, work for criminal organizations; all for a pay day" Kakuzu said.
"Well shinobi do that too" Fu retorted.
"Of course they do; that's their job" Kakuzu said "shinobi are no better than us; the only thing separating us from them is the fact they have a village to back them up" Kakuzu said making Naruto hold his head down.
"Maybe so; but I have my own morals" Hinata said coming around the corner "I heard it all before; Haku, Fu, Mie and Karin, all told me their life stories and how they suffered" Hinata said. "But just because something is done wrong to you doesn't mean you should stoop to their levels" Hinata said "one murder doesn't justify another" she said.
"Well that's your opinion girl" Kakuzu said "but heed my word; one you entered a real battle and it's kill or be killed, then those morals go out the window" Kakuzu said. "Enough of this; Naruto, you me and Sasori need to go to Doto's, we have a job "he said and Naruto nodded.
Naruto and Kakuzu began to walk away leaving Fu, Haku and Hinata behind "and don't worry girl" Kakuzu said to Hinata "the people being targeted in this job are not innocent; if anything, they make us look like pickpockets" he said as he and Naruto began to walk away.
"Later Hinata" Naruto said with a small wave; Hinata waved back. Hinata looked down slightly saddened; she understood the point that Kakuzu and the others are trying to make but she could not accept such a cold approach.
Haku seeing this walked over and put her hand on Hinata's shoulder "how about we go into the city for a while" Haku asked and Hinata nodded with a small smile.
"That sounds wonderful" Hinata said.
1 hour later
Hinata, Karin, Fu, Haku and Fubuki were all wearing winter cloths as they walked through the streets of the snow country capital; Hinata was surprised at how cold it was compared to where Naruto lived.
"I'm so glad Naruto built the cabin near the generator" Karin said adjusting her coat "I can't stand this cold" she said.
"I agree; this is even colder than the winters in Konoha" Hinata said; Hinata was wearing a henge to hide her features to avoid being spotted. While she did not agree with Naruto's lifestyle, she preferred living in a place where she was not despised; the people she missed from Konoha is her old friend Sakura and her sensei Kurenai.
"Here's the place" Fubuki said as she opened the door to a café "after you" she said as everyone walked in; Hinata, Fubuki, Fu, Karin and Haku all sat down.
"5 teas please" Fubuki said "bring sugar, honey and milk" she said to a waitress.
"So, this is your usual gathering place" Hinata said looking around at the laid-back atmosphere "a café" she said and they all nodded.
"Yeah, we love it" Haku said with a smile "nothing like hot tea on a cold day" she said.
"That doesn't count here Haku" Fu said "every day is a cold day" she said; the waitress came by and placed down 5 cups of tea, sweeteners and complementary cookies. Hinata took her cup and sipped her tea.
"So, Hinata" Karin said adjusting her glasses "how are things between you and Naruto" she asked making Hinata pause.
"I-I don't know" Hinata said "on one hand I'm glad to have him back in my life; he is my best friend" Hinata said. "But I still can't get over the things he's done" Hinata said "I know shinobi are killers and glorified mercenaries; but… you still need ethics and morals" she said.
"I get what you're saying Hinata" Haku said "I too don't like to kill unnecessarily; which is why I use senbon" she said.
"Morals are over rated" Fu said "I was being shipped off to Konoha for god knows what before I was saved; Taki sucked, the shinobi there sucked, they got what they deserved" she said taking a sip of her tea. "I'm glad me, Naruto and Kakuzu robbed them and took their stuff" she said before Hinata looked at her.
"Wait that was you" Hinata said and Fu nodded with a smirk.
"Oh yeah and I put that scroll to good use" Fu said "I learned this jutsu given to us from the Akimichi clan; I can shrink down to the size of- "Fu began until the area was rocked by an explosion.
"What the fuck" Fubuki shouted "that came from the post office" she said. Just as she said that a man ran into the shop.
"It's the SRA; they just bombed the post office" he said and Hinata spoke.
"SRA" Hinata asked and Haku spoke.
"Snow Republican Army" Haku said shedding her coat and putting on her mask "terrorists; they've been bombing buildings and check points for years" she said. "Stay here and protect the store; me and Fubuki will handle it" Haku said as she and Fubuki ran out.
Hinata, Fu and Karin were all standing there in shock as they looked out the window and saw the fires from the burning building; Hinata was shocked as she has never heard of anything like this happening. As she did so she thought she saw movement out of the corner of her eye; Hinata activated her Byakugan and saw someone running across the rooftop.
"Someone is escaping" Hinata said pointing out the window; Fu seeing this opened a special flap on the back of her coat and brought her wings out.
"Lets go" Fu said and Hinata nodded; Hinata and Fu ran outside and Fu wrapped her arms around Hinata's waist "hold on tight" Fu said. Fu flew off the ground holding Hinata; Hinata at the same time was using her Byakugan to scan the roof tops for the escaping bomber.
"There" Hinata said pointing to a rooftop; Fu turned her head and saw a figure running across.
"I'll drop you down; take him out" Fu said; Fu descended down and got 20 feet above the roof before letting Hinata go. Hinata fell to the roof and gave chase following the bomber.
"Halt" Hinata said which did not stop the bomber; the bomber turned around and took out several kunai. The bomber threw them at Hinata who dodged the projectiles and closed the distance.
Hinata charged her hands with chakra and proceeded to hit the bomber in the stomach; the bomber coughed up blood and fell onto his back as he laid down on the ground. Hinata finally got a good look at the bomber and saw he was no older than 16 or 17; Fu landed a few feet away and glared at the bomber.
"You're going to pay for what you did" Fu said "do you know how many people you killed" she said.
"Sacrifices must be made" the boy said "my death stops nothing; Snow country will be free" he said.
Hinata's eyes widened at this 'he's fighting to free his country; but… those people…' she thought; however, she was pulled out of her thoughts when the bomber opened his jacket revealing several dozen explosive tags.
"Down with Doto" the bomber shouted; Fu immediately grabbed Hinata and jumped off the roof using her wings to fly away. Just as they began to fly the explosives went off sending both girls falling to the ground; just as they were about to hit Fu was caught by Fubuki and Hinata was caught by Haku.
"Are you 2 ok" Haku asked; Hinata was speechless as she looked at the smoke rising from the building.
"No, not really" Hinata said.
Several hours later: Naruto's cabin
Naruto entered the cabin with Kakuzu and Sasori following him "girls are you ok" Naruto shouted as he barged in.
"Calm down Naruto; we're fine" Karin said; Karin, Hinata, Fu, Fubuki and Haku were all sitting in the living room "nobody is hurt" she said.
Naruto ran forward and gave them all hugs "I'm sorry I came as fast as I could" he said "Doto is having Roga investigate and hunt down the guys who did it" he said and they all nodded. "Hinata are you ok" Naruto asked and Hinata shook her head.
"I don't know what to believe anymore" Hinata said "the man who blew himself killed a lot of people in order to liberate his country" she said.
"Liberation or not, it was still an act of terrorism" Sasori said "no matter how they try to paint it they are in the wrong" he said.
"Then how do we know who's right" Naruto asked.
"We don't" Kakuzu said "never mind that; we have other things to discuss" he said. "In 4 months Konoha is going to be hosting the chunin exams" Kakuzu said gaining Naruto and Hinata's attentions "we have job that will require a lot of planning" he said.
"So far we have an idea" Sasori said as he pulled out 3 Snow headbands "Doto will enroll a snow team into the chunin exams; and all they have to do is make it to the finals" he said.
"Who will be the team" Fubuki asked.
Sasori threw a headband "Haku" he said as Haku caught her headband and nodded.
"Very well" Haku said as she put on her head band.
"Naruto" Sasori said as he threw a headband towards him "we will disguise you before you go; dye your hair, give you colored contacts and cover up those stitches of yours" he said and Naruto nodded.
"Looks like my revenge has come early" The Kyuubi said in Naruto's mind "don't screw this up boy" it said and Naruto scoffed.
'Shut it fox' Naruto thought as he tied the headband around his forehead "I'll do it; but only because I made a promise" Naruto said.
"And lastly" Sasori said "Hinata" Sasori said as he threw a head band towards, he; Hinata caught it and felt her hear sink. "You know Konoha and you might even know who will be competing" Sasori said "you are our ringer in this thing; you have the knowledge to get us the farthest" he said.
Hinata was shocked at this; they were asking her to act against her former village "I-I can't do- "she began until Kakuzu unleashed killing intent.
"If you say no then we will have no use for you" Kakuzu said "maybe I'll just sell you to Kumo; I'm sure they'd love to have you to breed the Byakugan into their village" he said. Hinata began to hyperventilate until Naruto put his hand on her shoulder.
"Over my dead body" Naruto said with a scowl.
"That can be arranged" Kakuzu said dangerously "keep that in your mind girl; don't screw up, there won't be a second chance" he said as he walked out with Sasori following him.
"Such a dick" Naruto said before looking at Hinata "you ok Hinata" Naruto asked as he looked at the shell shocked Hyuga.
Hinata was silent before Haku walked up with a smile on her face "welcome to the team" she said happily.
With Sasori and Kakuzu
"You're not going to sell her to Kumo are you" Sasori asked Kakuzu as they walked away "because if you were- "he began.
"I'm not" Kakuzu said "I was just trying to light a fire under her ass; she needs to get rid of her mind set if she wants to survive" Kakuzu said. "Besides; what can she do, go home" Kakuzu said "she has no home; she's trapped in between a rock and a hard place" he said and Sasori nodded.
"Very well; what about Zabuza, is he back from wave yet" Sasori said "we still need to inform him" he said and Kakuzu nodded.
"We'll tell him when he returns" Kakuzu said.
In wave country: With Zabuza
Zabuza was in a forest surrounded by over a dozen dead root ninja; Zabuza was returning to wave to handle some business for Gato when he ran into the platoon of blank masked anbu.
'Who the hell were these guys' Zabuza thought as he shouldered his sword and walked over to the captain's corpse; Zabuza looted the corpse and found a file and opened it up. Zabuza narrowed his eyes at what he saw.
The file contained info on him and Fubuki and rough sketches of Naruto who was unnamed, Haku who was also unnamed and Fu who was positively identified as the 7 tails container. Zabuza looked around and put 2 and 2 together.
'I better head back and warn the others' Zabuza thought 'Konoha knows about Fu' he thought as he disappeared in a swirl of water.
Ok another chapter done; I hope you all enjoyed it, if you did please like, comment and share with your friends, and until next time bye.