The Story of the Lost Fox
Naruto x Shizuka
Unknown location
A decade of hidden from the sight of the Village Hidden in Leaves was now over. Standing before him, Naruto Uzumaki formerly of the Hidden Leaf, found himself standing opposed to the 'retrieval team' sent to recover him. His drawn sword glimmered in the sun, face set in a blank deadpan, not showing anything to them but his hostility toward their objective.
Opposite him in the grassy clearing was the Hidden Leaf's Teams Ten, Nine, and Eight. Out front, her own sword in ready position was Tenten of Team Nine "Naruto. It is time to come home." she explained calmly despite the very clear threat he was showing with his drawn sword "Home…?" his cold tone surprised them, unused to this serious version of their normally happy-go-lucky friend who always smiled despite the odds stacked against him.
"Be reasonable." Asuma Saratobe stepping forward, trying to mask his shadow using student's subtle movements, his others also moving within the background to complete their specialty of capture. Assuming he was oblivious to this, he continued "The banishment order was a mistake. We acknowledge that, but now it is time to…"
"No." Naruto interrupts as he raises his weapon "Your problems are just that; your problems…" charging forward, Tenten matching him in speed.
The swords clash allowed Tenten to keep him in place as the two Hyuga move to flank him only for the sword mistress to slip forward, the result of him adjusting their clash. He slipped around her, hitting the back of her neck with the butt of his sword. One down. "Eight trigrams…" before either Hyuga, could move found themselves jumping clear as two new swords appeared in their previous positions.
Naruto found himself frozen in place "Kage main success." spoke the lone Nara having connected his shadow to his former classmates. "Now." Asuma ordered as Kiba rushed forward, chakra seal in hand "Sorry man, you gotta come back home." as he slapped the seal on the man he considered part of his pack. Everyone else breathed out a moment of relief, only a moment though as the leaf group were set upon by two shadow clones yet again.
As Shino and Lee continue to combat the two clones, Asuma noticed another behind in the shadows of a clearing's treeline another figure. A quick body flicker, and said hidden foe jumped clear to avoid a slash from the trench knives. All fighting ceased as the three duplicates stood back-to-back with swords out, a fourth captured on the ground but the Leaf team could not tell which was the real one. Just then another familiar call out was heard "Kage main success." and all the duplicates were frozen like statues.
From the back of the group, the lone Nara smirked confidently as he led the others forward to surround the group "You've gotten sloppy, Naruto. Did you forget that I can hold you down like this?"
"Something like that." one Naruto responded but only three noticed something was off "Dispel your clones." Kiba spoke up next "Please, Naruto-kun…" Hinata softly spoke up "…we just need you to…" a dangerous smirk appeared on all the clones faces "Shit." Asuma yelled "It's a trap!"
"Great Clone Explosion." Boom.
Elsewhere…
"Tsk, now the Hidden Leaf is after us." Naruto groaned as the memories of his clones came to him. "Should we leave now?" Shizuka, the princess apparent of her home village Nadeshiko , questioned sipping her tea, "We should," Naruto confirmed while looking at their kids happily consuming the ramen at his side with their smiles, he couldn't help but smile at their innocent conversation with one another that was completely ignorant of the larger situation. "…but can we really interrupt them?" his wife glances at her son then daughter with a small smile "No."
Hidden Leaf
"I see." Tsunade sighed looking over the team, "Anything else?" to head shakes to which she nods "Dismissed." they all nod and leave the office. Upon their exit she sighs even harder, the weight of commanding the greatest hidden village of assassins. Looking back out at the village, she sighed hard again noting that she has been doing a lot of recently "Naruto."
"Hime." a voice from the window at her side that did not surprise her "Jiraiya…" the white mained man stepped in through the portal to the outside world. "Anything new?"
"Beside Stone continued probing, that the Sound are invading their nearby territories? Not much… you?" he chuckled softly "Oh nothing much normal stuff. Assigning missions, saving lives, oh and finding a long banished genin, who wants nothing to do with us." This caught the fellow Sanin's attention "Naruto…?!" a nod from her caused him to grimace. It was a sore subject as he was out peeking whilst his godson, and student, was banished by majority vote of the shinobi council only to then vanish into the forests like a spectre despite his best efforts to locate him.
Land of Water
"We're almost there." Shizuka mentioned as they boarded a boat heading further into the country. "Think your people will accept us?" her husband questioned from her side, their fingers interlocked tugged to bring his attention to her "They will." the determined gleam in his wife's eyes showed that it was a moot point, regardless of the outcome. He smiled as he leaned back on the wooden railing, watching their kids running around the deck, weaving through the occupants, laughing, and giggling all the while unaware of their parents' burdens.
That night…
Naruto sat at the ships prowl, looking out at the moonlit ocean, thinking hard about the time he had spent after his banishment.
Flashback
"I'm sorry Naruto." Tsunade repeats countless times to the bandaged blond before her. His normally bright blue eyes were dulled and lifeless, face blank and stony. "I tried to…"
"Is that all, Lady Hokage." his voice was painfully bland, flat, lacking his usual vibrancy that broke her heart. The sting of tears pricking at the corner of her eyes, but still her dam broke upon seeing him place both his forehead protector, and her necklace upon her table robotically.
She had watched the retreating form, fear, sorrow, and guilt "…Naruto…" she called out, but he simply closed the door behind him.
Walking home Naruto moved silently like a ghost, instinctively sticking to the shadows to escape unwanted the attention. The Anbu that guards the boy within the village, at their own violation no less, were impressed as if they were not already following him, they doubted they'd find him.
In his apartment Naruto remained in his daze, automatically packing up his meagre belongings, with a blank face. The Anbu squad again watched him from a distance, through the windows and any of the many small openings in the walls. Most of the four-man squad were not pleased with the council's decision in banishing this loyal young shinobi but orders were orders.
As he finishes packing, he just stopped, frozen in place as if someone had it pause. Drip. Drip. Drip. He broke. Naruto slumped down against the bed, and for the first time in years he cried himself hoarse.
The moonlight awoke the emotionally distraught former Genin from his mental exhausted slumber. Stirring awake, he glances around to see his empty room and then the memories came back to him. A heavy sigh, one so heavy that it could not have possibly come from one so young, escaped from him as he got to his feet. Sluggishly in a way unbecoming of his training, Naruto stepped into his bathroom and washed his face, looking into the mirror when he hears "You're not giving up, are you?" a snort was Naruto's automatic response "I never give up and never go back on my word." it took a moment, a long moment, a very long moment before his eyes harden "After all, I am a shinobi…" his eyes begin to lower when a dark chuckle "Did you forget… my container? You are my Jinchurki."
Naruto found himself before the cage within his mindscape, the tall endless red bars, and giant fox all and all. The fox could tell that his container was hurt, hollow, and yet that small spark of reckless defiance had yet to squashed. "What do you want?" Naruto asks, very much subdued, further confirming the chakra constructs thoughts on his containers current mental state. "You have been betrayed by your 'precious people' have you not?" a hollow empty, cold chuckle "You're right." flat toned which actually sent a minor shudder down a tail of the fox "You are all I have left…" he smiled but the fox would never tell a soul just how much that smile would haunt him for centuries. "…What will you do now?" a shrug from the blond earned a sigh from the sentient chakra "…fine. This is what we do…"
Picking up his pack, Naruto looked over his old apartment "…this, is goodbye huh…?"
"Better get moving, kit. Before someone comes to find you." Naruto nodded subtly, approaching the window to sliding it apart "It's a pleasure to be collaborating with you, sensei." a deep snort from the beast, as the blond disappeared into the darkness. It must have been around one in the morning, as the blond teen moved like a ghost throughout the village. By the morning Naruto was gone in the wind, not even the great Copy-Cat-Kakashi could find his trail.
Flashback end.
"What's on your mind?" a female voice he recognised as his wife, joining him atop the vessel "…my escape from the Leaf."
"Ah…" she chuckled softly, her green eyes gleamed in the dark night back drop "…it was two years before we crossed path, right?" he nods recalling how his reputation as a swordsmen and the last time he was allowed to summon the toads for the battle on the shores of Water Country.
Flashback
The battle of the Isul beach, Naruto backed up by Chojiro, clashed against the loyalist forces, with his squad at his back. His shield less single-handed katana, cut through man after man. As they breach the fields beyond the narrow treeline, they come face to face with several snake summons "Snakes…?" Chojiro questioned which earned an animalistic growl from Naruto who goes through the motions "Summoning; Toad drop!" within moments five medium-sized toads fell upon the enemy summons, "Yeah! Charge!" Naruto yells from atop the mid-level summons, the Rebel forces roared as they charged in alongside the sword wielding toad summons.
After the battle, Naruto was chewing on his jerky whilst sitting on a bench outside the newly acquired barracks "Thanks for the help Gamikichi." Naruto says glancing to the large toad at his side, who chuckled at him before presenting his sword and a forehead protector with the kanji for Oil "Here. Dad said that this is our final gift to you. Thanks for our time and all."
"It's fine…" Naruto sighed before raising his fist "…but I'll miss ya brother." this was the scene Shizuka, and her guard/sensei witnessed and confirmed the identity of the student of the toad sage.
That night…
Naruto left the guard post, heading towards the barracks to get some sleep but was really getting irritated by the constant eyes on him. Stopping dead centre of the courtyard, he sighs "Are you just going to watch me all day and night or come face me directly?" turning back a swirl of leaves was stepped out by one Nadeshiko kunoichi "Naruto Uzumaki of toads. I am Shizuka, I am here to combat you." Naruto stares at her blankly, unreadable "For what purpose?"
"You are the student of the Toad Sage…?"
"Former student…" Naruto interrupted with narrowing eyes, the underlying anger was not lost on anyone "…next time I see that pervert, I'll castrate him." resting his hand on his new katana. Shizuka glanced from the man before her, to her sensei who just nods to which she turned "Regardless, as his student you are hereby required to…"
"Required to…?" a snort followed his mirthless chuckle "…I am not required to do anything." his eyes narrowed menacingly, "As a shinobi swordsmen, I speak with my blade, so come and talk with me."
"As you wish…" Shizuka states throwing off her travelling cloak, with drawing her kunai, and stepping forward "…I will show you, my strength."
Flashback End
"Well, our first meeting left something to be desired." Shizuka mentioned to which he nodded before glancing to her man who smirked with his face to the moon, eyes cutting to her with a smirk "I, the rage filled journeyman seeking purpose…" he shoulders bumps her "…you; the fallen princess who seeks redemption for her lost first love." they both find themselves chuckling in melancholy, their younger selves were so dramatically inclined.
"Well, glad you grew up." Shizuka smiles at him, but he could easily disconcert the fake warmth, he snorts at that "You're one to talk." they fall into a comfortable silence, just enjoying the one another's company as they have since that first encounter. She leaned on him as she had learned that he responded most to physical touch, thus used it as often as physically possible.
"Should we get some sleep?" he offered to her with a soft smile, one she responded in kind "Sure." As he helps her up, the two pause as the moon lightened the two in what the crew would say was the most romantic sight as they locked lips.
Hidden Leaf
"Hime!" yelled Jiraiya as he slips in through the Kage's window directly into the seat, slamming a scroll on the paperwork filled desk "I found him!"
"Who?" Tsunade questioned not breaking her stride as she worked, "Naruto." That caused her to pause, head slowly raising as honey brown meet black "Where?"
"A port in Noodle country, heading towards Water Country."
"How long?"
"About a day ago." The toad sage with all the seriousness "Shizune! GET ME TEAM EIGHT AND TEN!"
A long five minutes later, Teams Eight and Ten arrived via body flicker "You called, Lady Hokage?" spoke Asuma, the senior Jonin in attendance "Yes. We have received word that our missing Genin is heading to Water Country." She began only for Shikamaru to raise his hand "With all due respect, Lady Hokage, but he made it pretty clear that he wants nothing to do with us. Why are we still…?"
"It is above your pay grade, Jonin Nara." Tsunade snipped silencing him "You are to retrieve Naruto Uzumaki, his family, and escort them back here."
"Yes ma'am!"
Nadeshiko Village
Stepping onto the docks the family of four shinobi stretch and yawn having spent most their time sleeping, or resting "Ka-chan… are you sure me and Tou-chan will be accepted?" Shirin Uzumaki, the older sibling of the two children of eight "I am the princess. They will do what I say or…"
"Such an amazing lesson to teach your kids, Shizu-chan." a woman, reminiscent of the black-haired Shizuka, though this lady had charcoal grey ponytail. Standing at five foot five, dark blue eyes was Shizuka's best friend, "Rhen – it's been too long."
"So it has." The black-haired woman says with a long beaming smile the two hugging one another.
After a few minutes of girl chat was abruptly called off by a cough from Naruto, "Sorry you two, we're still here."
"Sorry, your highness…" then bowing before Naruto who grew a tick mark, she always knew how to get under his skin "…I was unaware of your presence, among us."
"Oh, come on Rhen, I know missed me." Naruto smirks firmly. She snorted at his declaration "Right." Though only the adults noticed the slight tinge of pink dusting upon her cheeks. Shizuka slapped the back of her friend's head, "Head out of the gutter you skank." a low growl though she did notice the smirk upon her husband's face and hit him with a glare that caused him to freeze up.
Moving through the village, all eyes were on the two males of the group of five "…well, for coming all this way, I'm sure the queen will be glad for your speedy arrival." Naruto snorted "If speedy arrival meant five years, then sure…"
"…language." Shizuka nudging her husband, "I'm sure auntie will understand." as they continued down the road "Hey Dad…?" Shirin stepping up beside his father, gain said man's attention "…I feel like I'm being watched." almost a whispered. Naruto chuckled softly whilst ruffling his sons black, and yellow haired "That is because we are. This is a Matriarchal village, remember?" the boy nods "Right, and we came here, why?"
"Your grand auntie asked us to come." Naruto though leaned down and whispered in his ear "…though, I think your mum is strong arming the queen on this to keep us here." kid nodded along with that.
Nadeshiko Palace
"Shizuka, dear!" the Queen bellows from her throne, getting up with arms out "Auntie." said kunoichi leading her family's bow, the guards smiling all the while eying up the two males hungrily "Come now dearest…" the tall brunette, light blue almost turquoise eyes, long black hair that reached her ass that complemented her angelic round face. Naruto could feel the stares once again, a quick glance told him his son took felt the uncomfortable sensation too "…no need to be on parade. We are family here."
"Thank you, Auntie. We came as you asked. What happened?" clearly concerned at the fact that they had been recalled.
Clearing her throat, the Queen of Nadeshiko known as Shelia before sighing, "It is a problem that you, and your husband, I feel are required to fix. The Sound Village are continuing to probe our defences…" the guards noticed the clenching and, tensing of Naruto at the Sound of the troublemakers "…and even several kidnapping attempts on our kunoichi."
"Troublesome." Naruto growled, his irritation and frustration bubbling up "We'll take over the counter offensive." He replied with so much steel, the others were caught off guard "Know your place…" Shelia began but was interrupted by Shizuka "Auntie…" a stern glare, "…do not overstep your boundaries. He is my husband. Thus, my equal in all things." Her eyes narrow "He has more strength in one hand most have in their entire lives. So let him oversee this."
"Very well." The Queen replied, her tone was tight with a glare at the only adult man. "I will leave it to you, however…" a snap of her fingers and six Anbu level kunoichi appeared "…these six have been already tasked with our counter offensive and intel gathering of the opposing force." Shizuka nodded "Very well. Once we get to our home…" this time the queen was the one to interrupt her "Nonsense. Your family. Your room here is still…"
"Perhaps…" Shizuka cutting in, "…however, the rules are rules which means I will not be staying here. I will not be leaving him, my husband, nor my children for your…" a hand raised "I expected as such, no matter… your family home is prepared for your arrival."
Hidden Mist
The two leaf teams landed in the Land of Water, only for the group to immediately be surrounded mist Hunter Nin that put them on guard. A few tense moments before the group parted to a single Hunter stepped forward "Leaf Nin, care to explain your presence here?"
"A retrieval mission." Asuma states presenting a mission scroll, handing it to the presumed leader "A retrieval mission, huh? Then why are you…" the lead hunter pauses upon seeing the name of their target "…Naruto Uzumaki, huh?" the leaf nins swore they saw the group tense, and the leader must have raised an eyebrow at them "Why were you sent after him, exactly? Last time we checked, he was a banished nin, no?"
A prominent pause, shared glance between the Leaf shinobi "…it was a mistake…" a soft voice from the leaf shinobi, a Hyuga from the looks of her "…we came to take him home." chuckles from the masked shinobi caught them off guard "What's so funny, if I may ask?"
"Well…" the leader found himself chuckling "Naruto-sama was a big help during the war." that caught the Konoha teams by surprise "He fought in your civil war?" Asuma questioned but a clearing of a throat drew everyone's attention to the leaders "We will have to ask you to accompany us to the Mizukage, she alone can grant you permission to operate within Mizu." The leaf shinobi nod, not wanting to cause an international incident.
"Come in." a muffled feminine voice, and the leaf team was led in by the Mist Hunters who assumed guard position "Ah, Al, what can…" she pauses upon seeing the leaf headbands "…I see. This is sure overdue." leaning forward, chin resting upon her interlocked figured "To what do we owe the pleasure of being visited by the infamous Hidden Leaf."
"Lady Mizukage…"
"Mei Terumi." The auburn-haired beauty announced with a suggestive smile, "…Lady Mei Terumi…" Asuma coughs to clear his throat, "…we have come to the Land of Water in order to retrieve our target."
"Target? Who if I may ask, is this target?" a very delicate eyebrow was raised during that sentence "Naruto Uzumaki." was the bearded Jonin's response, noticing immediately how she had stiffened, her shimmering emerald eyes darken to a hollow green and the sultry attitude vanished.
Tension builds within the silence, the water shadow moved back and sat up straight in her seat and her delicate features hardened "I see." breathing out softly, looking across them all "May I ask what your Kage's intention are for Naruto Uzumaki?" her tone was commanding that caused every shinobi in attendance to stiffen, and straighten up in a response "We weren't privy that information, Lady Mizukage, however…" Kurenai Yuhi tried to speak diplomatically, woman to woman, but it was for nought "I see. Very well, my Hunters will escort you back to the docks and ensure you leave our sphere of influence. Any further unapproved intrusion from the Leaf will be met with force, am I clear?"
"Yes, ma'am." Asuma replied, cold sweat down his back his neck with a side eye upon the masked hunters either side of the room "I shall pass this message on to the Hokage."
"May we ask of the Mists relationship with…?" Kurenai questioned but everyone would later swear there was a Yuki present as the air grew twenty degrees colder, a furious Mizukage glaring at the Genjutsu mistress "None of your concern. Now leave. Your presence here is a bother." The Leaf-nin all bow before following their escort out.
After they leave, Mei sighs hard before glancing at her Hunter Commander "So, any advice…" he stares at her blankly "He isn't one of ours, he turned us down remember."
"That I do." She nods sighing thinking about the blond that seemed immune to her advances and charms, the biggest hit to her feminine pride thus far. "Though, I admit, back in my day we helped those we owe debts to." He continues to which she just zoned out "…regardless, we should at least send him a missive. Let him know that the Leaf are pursuing him." Al coughed gaining her attention again to which she hums with a sultry smile "Perhaps we could come to a new arrangement." This causes the old hunter to visible deflate.
Nadeshiko Village; Uzumaki Residence
Naruto awakens to his wife's black hair blanketing his vision again, much to his secret joy. He does not know how long he had lay there, but he didn't care as his hands ran slowly his hime's silky smooth black hair "…this is what I love to wake up to." her soft voice reached his ears. He smiles at that, and his soft hum vibrated through her and a soft smile reached her lips that promptly kissed his bare chest before glancing up at him.
"Good morning." his soft smile warmed her heart causing her to smile with him, sharing a chased kiss as she got up in her birthday suit. Naruto cannot help but stare after her. When they met, he had just turned fifteen, Shizuka had already begun to fill out into her current form and had a head turning figure. Since then, she had grown a few inches, her hips were wide and bust filled out. Her flawless pale skin was soft and delicate, and its glow betrayed her expectant status, but the sway of her silky black hair snapped his attention back to her smirking angelic face "Enjoying the view."
Naruto yawns as he enters the kitchen, they had spent all their first day here setting up their home. Shirin, his son, Kushina, his daughter who looked more like his wife but with eyes like him. Her hair was dark blonde/black as, the black was like highlights, which gave her an exotic look. Flipping over the eggs, Naruto glances back to see his to kids "…morning you two."
"Morning Daddy!" they respond, yawning all the while as their dad dropped their breakfast before them. As they began to eat Kushina posed the question "Daddy, where's mummy?"
"Showering still." Naruto responded without turning around, not wanting his blush, nor his lecherous grin, to be seen by his kids.
Sometime later…
Shizuka came down the stairs, hair still damp, walking towards the dining table with a glowing complexion "Whoa…" Takiwa spoke spotting the oversized t-shirt that was clearly her husband's and black tights. Shizuka blew her a raspberry, before kissing her husband and retrieve her food.
At the table brunette gulped down several plates' worth of ham, eggs, and bacon, much like her husband with ramen. She blamed the zygote being half of her husband, much to the amusement of said man. "So, Takiwa… what information do you have for us…?" Shizuka questioned wiping down the gravy from her lips, unaware of the spot on her nose from when she licked a plate earlier. Clearing her throat to suppress the chuckle threatening to escape her throat "Well, you see… here it is…" the pale blonde lady stood at six-foot, swimmer build, narrow figure, and pale grey eyes. Handing the scroll, only for Naruto to nap it from her before she could read it, yet again her growl died in her throat as another plate of ham appearing.
With his wife suitably distracted, Naruto studies the intelligence scrolls approaching his fellow blonde "…so, it's a hidden base beneath the waves, huh?"
"It was clever ploy to stay hidden." Takiwa yawned with a smirk, "We have overlooked it were it not for the sensory seals you gave us a while ago."
"You mean your princess slipped it to you who then puppy eyed me into submission, before…" his eyes got cloudy, face somewhat flushed red with a goofy smile "Right." followed with feminine giggle of Takiwa "Anyway… the numbers aren't that high, though we suspect that they are particularly skilled."
"More than likely." Naruto confirms with a nod, "Guess we should move on them soon, neh?" a raised eyebrow with the woman smirked with a nod.
In the house armoury, Naruto and Shizuka were getting dressed in the standard Nadeshiko kunoichi uniform and the first-time shinobi uniform. Just like the female counterpart the shinobi uniform was black, skintight, and dark grey armoured plates on the right side and central plate. His armoured grieves, gloves, and combat boots, matched his sword sheath that was matt grey handle with the equally matt black blade. His roguish long hair tied back into a dragon tail, and the playfulness that was typically found dancing within his blue eyes was no longer present replaced by a hardened gaze of a true shinobi.
Hidden Shore Side Base
Eight Nadeshiko Anbu landed among the palm trees, upon the sandy beach of an island near to the said home island. The captain glanced around to confirm their location, nodding as she signalled the movement forward, to which they enclosed from all sides cautiously. Stepping out on to the water, in their circle formation, going through hand signs. The Ocean parts in a vortex revealing the bulkhead steel door, rusted over but very much intact, going through hand signals telling the plan.
Nods received they pried open the door, slipped in silently moving forward within the dark halls of the outpost. Swiftly traversing the dismal halls, the group of eight made no noise as if a wrath of the night. Moving fixed, they found scattered guards, silenced them, and continued to move without words shared. Reaching the end of the corridor, they find a bulk steel doors, and with a quick scan for traps they pushed in only to come face to face with a mass defence.
As jutsu are flying, weapons thrown, and shouts filled the empty space, the group of Nadeshiko Anbu stayed down and hidden. The captain signalled to the lone shinobi who nodded, going through hand signs they overhear one yell "…their casting jutsu! Get ready!" this caused the shinobi, to stop briefly before sharing a nod with the captain, "…shadow clone jutsu." he murmurs beneath his breath.
A mass of masked shinobi, all donning the insignia of Nadeshiko village cutting through the first defensive lines while the actual kunoichi and shinobi mixed in with the crowd. The Sound shinobi found themselves overrun, their attacks that did connect caused the attacked to puffing away. It was chaos. Within the chaos, Naruto spotted a red head dishing out orders at the back, surrounded by clearly the strongest. Noticing his gaze, the others also took note of this and shared a brief moment to share hand signed conversation.
In the centre, the lone shinobi of the all-female village was back-to-back with one of his kunoichi as they both tore through the enemy lines. Her use of standard issue kunai was immaculate, aim beyond even that, as she cut through the group with surprising ease, not many noticed that she was reloading from the shinobi's weapon pack as they stood back-to-back.
The shinobi continued to cut down anyone got within range, deflecting thrown weapon, and sliced through explosive notes before detonation. Defending flawlessly, the two performed acrobatics in unison to keep their enemies on the defensive until impaled by a flung kunai.
Karen could not believe that she was having such an inconvenient time. She had sensed the approach of a group of shinobi, not their strength though, how the hell was she meant to fight against the freaking Anbu. She had gathered all the guards in the main hall to mount a defence, it was only six shinobi, yet they were being systematic destroyed, piece by piece. So distracted she had no chance to evade the sudden appearance of the Nadeshiko kunoichi at her back who grabbed her and with a chop, she went down.
"We surrender!" one Sound shinobi holding up his hands up, weapons dropped, and like a wave, the others followed causing a stillness to set in as if a pause button were pressed. The Anbu Captain appeared at the front, directly before the first to surrender who promptly kneeled down with hands on his head. The remaining fifteen followed suit, the sound of cold steel rattling on the stone floor.
Nadeshiko pulled out the last of the captives, the red head, before the clones released the water manipulation that had revealed the entrance, ended and they sighed from the exhaustion before puffing up in chakra smoke.
"How should we manage this, captain?" signed the shinobi in their own village's hand signs language. "Hold. Summon Mist shinobi to take the shinobi, we take kunoichi." The captain stated causing them all to nod as said leader pulled out two scrolls. One held a messenger bird that perched upon her shoulder as a note was written. The others set up camp upon the beach treeline, it did not take them long.
As the Sun began to set, when the red head came too "…what… where…?" as she sat up from her cradle within a camp, "Relax." A feminine voice from behind caught her off guard, causing her to instinctively attempt to sense her surroundings. A prominent sting in the back of her head, causing her to hiss in pain, "We sealed off your abilities." a male voice this time which caused the woman to turn to face the masked visage of two of the Anbu level shinobi that had attacked her base. "Who are you?" She inquired only for them both shake their head "Sorry. We cannot give that information to you at this moment." As the taller one pointing to his right, the beady red eyes follow to find Mist Hunter Nins talking with the other attackers.
Her subordinate was all knelt down, but unharmed and bound, "You aren't with the Mist. That means you are with Nadeshiko. A retaliation strike, then?"
"Bingo." the female responded with a nod "You guys have attempted to capture our sisters. We cannot have that now, can we…?" a hollow chuckle from the red eyed lady, who promptly pushed her slipping spectacles back up her nose "…I guess not."
Time passed as the Mist shinobi took the shinobi into custody, and handed over a scroll, the captured kunoichi were hoisted up by their Nadeshiko counterpart, and lone shinobi with the red head upon the shoulder of the real one. Said lady felt a nerving amount of comfort from the Anbu beneath her. She just felt relaxed on this man's back, his hold was firm yet the warmth he emitted was so engulfing that she could not help but feel cosy and relaxed. She was blissfully unaware of the ire from one of the other Anbu standing not too far away.
A hand sign later and the group vanished across the ocean. Kaboom. A massive pillar of sand, smoke, and flames, foretold the sonic blast that covered the retreating group. That actually caused the woman upon the shinobi's back to whip her head back to see the near two-hundred-foot-tall column of debris. A gaped mouth was the response by the captives, but their captors did not even flinch. "What the hell was that…?"
"Your base." Spoke the shinobi flatly before "…I used my own personal tags though…" she could feel the pride, and hints of satisfaction in his voice. She suspected he dabbled in the sealing arts as she did but decided not to press on it now, yet something just clicked.
"You're a guy, right?" the red head questioned causing the shinobi to glance back, not that she could tell "Yes. Why?"
"How are you serving Nadeshiko? They are a Matriarchal village, right? They are famous for it." She continued as he chuckled "You're right, however I am a special case, not that I'm going to say why." he could feel her pout at the denial of information, but he mentally shrugged at that before focusing on their ocean sprint.
Nadeshiko Village
The Anbu team arrived back home, their captives handed over the regular forces, before heading off towards the palace to report in. As the shinobi began to follow his captain the red head called out "Hey, can you at least tell me your name?" over her shoulder as she was led away, the man glanced back and offered a two-finger salute before vanishing in a bloom of smoke, much to the annoyance of the captive.
As the team leap across the buildings, the lone male found himself in the centre, directly behind the captain. His wife was clearly the one on his right as she hung closer than his escort on the left. Hopping off another tiled roof, he resisted the urge to showboat for his wife like she loved.
The group landed gracefully upon the hidden balcony of the palace, a hidden seal alerting the queen of their arrival, and as they all take a knee with their heads bowed. Five minutes later their leader sat before them and barked out "Report."
"Sire; the enemy base was obliterated. We secured captives and have already in the hands of interrogation department." The captain reports causing the monarch to nod before her eyes narrowed at the lone shinobi "Any issues…?"
"None, ma'am." the captain reports immediately, knowing full well that was aimed at her temporary male subordinate. Her queen's animosity towards the other gender was well known by all, despite his best efforts that the others could clearly tell was sincere and appreciated. "I see. Then, your next mission will require you to head to Tea country. You leave tomorrow."
"Hai, ma'am." they all respond in unison, before vanishing in swirls of water. None failed to notice the sneer of their leader, disappearing beneath her benevolent smile as they left.
Hidden Leaf
"I see, how unfortunate. I did received word from the Mizukage speaking of her displeasure about not being informed beforehand." Tsunade sighs into her hands, her two retrieval teams standing before her solemnly. Looking around at her shinobi, she smiles, "Either way, get some rest. Dismissed." and they parted without further words.
Tsunade for her part just sighs hard in annoyance but with a sense of relief. She had found a piece of the puzzle of her missing little knucklehead. A pause. Wait, he is not little anymore. Another sighs as she professionally ignores the mountain of paperwork, standing up before the window of her office. The last Senju could feel her tenure as the village leader was ending. The blonde Kage wanted her little brother back, to take over from her like the plan was originally "Where are you Naruto?"
Palace Basement
Naruto sneezed as he hung up his mask, his changing room was a former closet within the basement, as he was the only man on the island, he expected it. A heavy sigh escaped his lips as he sat on the makeshift bench, cleaning his sword, glancing up as the door opens "…hey…" Shizuka whispered, having already changed into regular civilian clothes "Hey…" his soft response.
Taking her seat beside him, observing his black sword "Thank you." he glances up at her confused, "For coming back here, despite everything." She explained causing him to smile softly "You are my most precious person, my wife. I will do anything for you.". she kisses him softly, a growing smile on her lips "Come on. Let us get home. I'll make ramen…" before she finished his sword was hung up, his armour cleaned and polished, and he was at the door holding it open "What are you waiting for? Hurry…" she sweat dropped at that. No matter how long they have been together, his love of ramen has never wavered.
Nadeshiko Village; Uzumaki Residence
Naruto and Shizuka arrived home and received two thumps, their kids colliding with them as they chuckled. It seemed to be a family tradition ever since the kids could walk, and one of their parents came home from work. Laughter filled the house as they rough housed while the food was cooked.
Naruto finished his ninth bowl, his chopsticks now lighting the top as he looks over his kids. "So, Shirin, Kushina; how was your training?" the response was like night and day. Shirin's face dropped, Kushina beamed. The parents sighed inwardly upon seeing it, "It was great! My twin sword style is…" Naruto roughs up Shirin's dark blond hair, allowing his wife to manage his energetic little princess, "Yo, kiddo… how bad…?"
"Pretty bad." Shirin confirms with a nod, his six bowls as clean as his father's. A heavy sigh escaped from the older blond swordsmen who nods "Come, let's get you caught up."
The sound of sizzling bacon, echoes throughout the house, and eggs were scrambled, and juice squeezed. Three sets of foot stumps as Shizuka, Kushina, and Shirin appear at the table as Naruto with his clones set it.
Under the morning sky, Naruto was standing in the backyard across his son with weighted wooden swords in arm "…seeing as our current hosts, on orders no doubt…" he whispered the last part, "…are being reluctant to teach you, today we shall cover the two fighting styles of my two families." Naruto threw the training weapon, caught by his son "First, the Uzumaki clan is well known for three things…" the older blond begins, holding up three fingers "…their sealing arts, their red hair, and their swordsmanship."
"We don't have red hair." Shirin observed, flatly, "Thank your grandpa for the blond." Naruto states with a heavy, deep sigh "I don't like using our family name all that often." He admits before looking dead in his son's eyes "Now then… on guard…"
Noon.
Naruto leads Shirin back in, bruised, battered, and cut up despite using only wooden swords. The boy flopped down on the coach, panting, and aching all over, while his father was in the kitchen cooking the lunch for the house and before he could realise anything his mother slapped his feet off the furniture "No boots on the coach."
"Right." He mumbled as he complied.
After lunch he was then taken by his mother who taught him his birthright as her son. Perfecting his aim beyond normal standards, to meet the standards of the village, and she wanted to make him better than herself the premier kunoichi of the village.
Elsewhere Naruto was with his daughter, Kushina, and originally, he was going to train her, but the girl wanted to just spend time with her dad, so they were in the flower garden. It was a bright sunny day, the bees were going anywhere and everywhere around the duo "Papa, can you tell me about the past? You know…"
"Why do you want to know about that?" Naruto questioned as his little girl was resting against his chest as he sat with his legs out front.
Meddling with a vase of flowers she glances up at her favourite person, do not tell mum, "Well, I was born in a village in the Land of Fire. It is a ninja village known as Konoha; the village hidden in the leaves." a slightly melancholy glaze over his visage, soft smile was soon replaced with heartbreak "It was a good place but had many bad people in it."
"Bad people?" she questioned so cutely, Naruto swore she was using a bloodline "Yes. I would explain but I think you are a bit too young." Her pout could have brought down a Biju "Don't be like that, princess." Naruto chuckled while hugging her tighter.
That night Naruto finally gets around to checking the scroll the Mist shinobi, sitting at the table, and unrolled it.
Dear Naruto,
Today we gain a visit from your previous employers who were looking for you. They now know you assisted us during the civil war, and suspect they are still keeping a lookout for you.
You are always welcome here in Mist, whenever you are nearby, please feel free to quickly visit anytime.
Love Mei Terumi
Fourth Mizukage
Nadeshiko Palace
Two days later…
The team of six Anbu are kneeling before the Queen who handed the captain the mission scroll "We have confirmed the presence of another base in Tea Country. The captives you brought in were all too happy to tell us its location, numbers, and its purpose. So, I want them destroyed."
"Yes, your highness."
"Then, see it done." They all vanish.
Tea Country
The Nadeshiko team slip through the darkness, under the moonless sky with only dusting of sparkling stars, stalking their objectives that were unaware of their imminent demise. The darkened silhouettes moved like spectres in the night, swiftly and silently, and with deadly purpose.
At the hidden base in a cliff face, the squad sliding down the side of the bedrock and stopping at a seemingly random rock outcrop. Specialty paper tags were placed, boom. They dashed through the dust smoke and came into a rock-solid corridor lined with snake engravings that confirmed the bases alignment.
Their entrance was swift but not silent meaning the group of chunin approaching was not unexpected, tanto's already out as kunai sliced through the air, and bodies hit the floor. Sliding beneath the swing saw trap, before cutting open the throat of an unfortunate kunoichi, and the six moved forward. The lead reaches the door when suddenly the door blows toward them, two fireballs' blasts come from the opening.
Boom.
The Nadeshiko team did not even hesitate to strike, jumping forward into the smoke and striking the hidden shadows with ruthless efficiently. "Plan Four-Beta." was heard over the headset of the team and they moved as one, cutting through the team of defenders. Swords clashed against kunai in the dark corridor, the soft light of green candles allowed only for minimal lighting needed for navigation not for fighting, at least for most. The High-Anbu strength team pushed through that same dangerous environment with effortless teamwork and courage.
Before long, their target came into view, three of the task force found Kabuto standing behind a squad of three Sound Anbu with curse marks, "Ah… I didn't think Nadeshiko had ANBU. Interesting…" he then notices that not one was intrested in talking so was about to give the order to strike, they struck first. Three on three, the Nadeshiko Anbu charged forward as a moment of distraction to drawing the attention of Kabuto who smirked and turned to find another Nadeshiko Anbu with a kunai already in his neck.
The grey-haired traitor was wide-eyed as the blade was removed and his blood spraying up and all over before long, he fell "…how…?"
"Your arrogance is your fatal flaw." The masked shinobi stated stepping clear as his world went black, unaware that he was being sealed up without leaving a single speck of blood behind. "Lieutenant, help us out?" came over the radio as said man turned back, to see them blocking off their attacks, and launched forward.
Siding beneath a high kick and knocking the Sound Anbu off their feet as he grabbed their flaying arm and pinned before long allowing his coworker to finish off with a swift kunai to the heart. By the time he got to his feet, the other two were already dealt with and the group simply nodded at one another before vanishing as if never there.
Boom.
Unknown location
A scorched wagon lay aside the glassed ground, burnt dirt, and mangled bodies as one of the guards coughed up blood, hand covering the slash on her side "I need to…" weakly pulling out the distress seal out, her blood dropping onto it automatically activating it. Seeing the subtle pulse, this Nadeshiko kunoichi felt like things will not be too bad however that sense of relief came to a halt when a raven-haired shinobi, the same who struck the convoy. "Who are you?"
"That headband. You're a Nadeshiko." His blank face gave away nothing, yet she spat at his feet "I won't speak a word." As she tries to stand only for her aggressor to grab her by her hair and yanked her up, forcing eye to eye connection "Sleep." As the crimson eyes penetrate her mind and force its will upon her. The final words she thought were "…help… me… queen…"
One Sasuke Uchiha was satisfied with his team's ability to locate this caravan. The group had quite a bit of coin and weapons for trade in the next village, though his true objective was the guardswoman. He was building his own hidden village and after the defeat of his brother, now was the time to rebuild and this led him to find the Nadeshiko village, a village of superior women kunoichi that only accept the strong and thus he went there to challenge them, but their queen denied him even the chance to duel any of them. He was insulted by this, but he was outnumbered, and out-maneuverer thus stood down.
Throwing the woman over his shoulder, he smirked "One step closer to my goal." With a smirk to end all smirks.
Little did he know that his death sentence had just been signed, and the future altered in such a way that none in the elemental nation was aware could have turned out.
On the way back to Nadeshiko Village from Tea country a hawk had dropped down, and stopped the squad dead, and the six assumed defensive positions. Their leader took up the scroll and read it over swiftly before commenting "It seems one of our scouts got caught out and is in duress." looking around at her team she makes a decision "We'll split in two, I and my second-in-command will rush to aide our fellow and the rest report to her highness."
"Yes ma'am." They all cheer before their leader and the only shinobi head directly north whilst the others headed east. "How far…?"
"Not far, a few kilometres, no further than an hour at top speed."
"Say, Rhen – do you think…?"
"Save it Naru. We will handle this quick and then head home to your darling wife and children."
"This is bad." Spoke Naruto looking at the wreckage of the destroyed convoy, "It's three hours or so old." Rhen looked at the scorched marks "They headed north-east. Judging from these tracks…"
"Found the distress signal." Naruto speaking up over her "She didn't follow protocol though. She should have placed the seal upon her thigh." He explained as Rhen steps up beside him, observing the area "She was taken by force by the looks of it. We should get after them then. My sister is in danger."
"Indeed." and they both jump off to the find their missing member.
Unknown Hidden Hamlet
In a mountain range, cut off from the continent at large, found the soon to be Uchiha village. On the edge of this range was a house, a house that currently housed the prisoner who was at the mercy of the first leader of this Uchiha village. Said leader froze upon sensing two rapidly approaching contacts, both at least Anbu level, but based on their approach heading he wondered if they were here for his newest toy. No matter. He could use them.
Stepping out, Sasuke glanced around at the clearing treeline, "You can come out and…" before he could finish however a wind covered kunai, sliced through his left arm. It was aimed at his heart but his reaction time narrowly aloud him to avoid the vital strike. The stunned Uchiha, narrowly avoiding the follow up shots, his own sword gaining a growing number of chips as he deflects the continued high-speed strikes. Even with his sharigan, Sasuke was struggling and failed to notice the second figure had slipped past.
After slipping into the small manor or large house, Naruto found the tied up and assaulted woman on the second floor. Swallowing the bile threatening to escape his throat, he moved forward to check to see if his compatriot was alive. Her heartbeat was stable. She was just unconscious. As he freed her, and began to administer basic emergency first aide, he contemplated his orders. He had never been one to sit out of a fight, even more so when dealing with that teme, but Rhen's orders were absolute here. As a member of the Nadeshiko defence force, he has no official rank and thus cannot order anyone around, officially at least, and as such orders were orders.
He was just grateful that Rhen took him under her wing, her company saw him as one of them and as Rhen's second-in-command. He picked her up, princess style, loose equipment sealed away and moved forward toward the exit, leaping from the window on the second floor he witnessed Sasuke holding up a one-armed Rhen by her throat. His blood ran cold.
After dropping off his charge in a hidden bush, Naruto rushed back to find his commanding officer pinned by throat against the wall "…with you, my clan will be…" A kunai from behind caught his ear, and as the duck Butt ducked and inadvertently released his prisoner as he deflected a third and fourth. Before he could regain a full awareness, his prey was gone.
Unknown Location
Rhen came too, finding herself in a tent somewhere and as she sat up, she was surprised to find her arm reattached though amateurishly so glancing up she was not surprised to find Naruto, mask off "I did what I could."
"It's better than nothing."
"Still, we have a problem." He then gestured to the other side of the tent, their rescue target, "Problem?" Rhen was assisted over, and she too realised what the issue was "I see. So, she will be exiled upon her return."
"What shall we do? It's not like I have the authority to decide." Naruto sighed out, ever since becoming a father he had to come to accept some levels of authority that he normally disrespected. His wife engaged in high level authority, his daughter next in line and son is in the crossfire thus he had to tread carefully here. None of his brashness from his youth seemed to be present anymore.
"Where are we right now?"
"I managed to get to us to the coast, near post twelve, should take an hour to get there…" Naruto explained their location in a way that was common knowledge among the assault force "…I was exhausted carrying you two on my own." he breathed out hard "Let's head to the hidden outpost. I will head home and report in." Rhen states and to which he just sighed again.
Nadeshiko Palace
Rhen landed on the palace the balcony to find her lady, the queen awaiting her arrival with her medical team at the ready. Kneeling before the lady of the land, with trouble as her arm was still trembling as Naruto was no medical expert but she was still grateful for his work saving it "MI 'lady. Secondary mission accomplished however…"
"Relax, my dear Rhen. Let us get your wounds tended too."
"…but my lady…" Rhen was waived off and was ushered onto a stretcher before suddenly feeling sleepy "…my lady."
Outpost Twelve
The rescued kunoichi awoke several hours after they arrived in the underground facility which was only a little better than a twin story house but beneath the ground and secured by seals to remain undetectable beyond those with the seal upon their chest, directly above their hearts. Sitting up, she glanced around for several moments before noticing her gear repaired, cleaned, and folded upon the desk. It then came to her "An outpost?"
"Indeed." Came a male voice that caused her to jerk toward the door, eyes open at the man. A man? Wait. "Naruto-sama?" this caused a raised eyebrow "Where'd that 'sama' come from?"
"Your Lady Shizuka's husband, no? Then you are a…"
"Just another soldier of Nadeshiko." Naruto states with a firm yet fierce resolve, "In the eyes of everyone, my son and I are considered less than trash." His smile was hollow, "I'm just trying to raise my son, prevent the culture from crushing him, and ensure that he is growing well and loved."
"…but…"
"But nothing." Naruto chopping her head softly with a stern look "Besides, we have more important things to worry about…?"
"Helina. My name is Helina…" he nodded at that "Now then, I have to explain your own situation…"
"I already know." Her voice was filled with the defeat she felt resonating deep within her soul, "I let my guard down and got caught flat footed. He had his way with me. I was only conscious for it briefly, long enough to understand what had happened before then." much to her surprise though his hand glowed a dark emerald, flowing over her body, and then he said "You know, your…"
"Figured." She chuckled "Well, when Rhen sends word…" suddenly he froze, his eyebrows scrunched up "…why is he here?" then suddenly he stepped aside, grabbing his sword "This isn't good…"
"What's going on…?" Helina questioned getting up to dress, when suddenly additional signals approaching, non-friendly "…shit!" before vanishing in a gust of wind.
Outside
Shirin had recalled all his training his father gave him, his reflex honed by his mother has saved him on more times than he can count and the only thing he is focusing on right now was auntie Rhen's hushed words. "…post twelve." another deflected sword strike was impressive for an eight, nearly nine, year old against these genin level frenemies. "It is too bad. If you were not on the blacklist…" one of the girls' states licking her lips "In a few more years, if your still alive…" other states in a dreamy state.
"Why are you doing this?" Shirin questioned with his kodachi in a defensive reverse grip, kunai in the other the same manner as this was not the time to go on the offensive. "Sorry, it is a direct order from our lady. We have no choice but to…" without word they all fell unconscious, and Naruto stood behind them, "Shirin… why are you here? You should be…" only for said boy to throw himself at his father, "papa! She said, theya said tnna ewha…"
"It's okay…?" he hums and comforting, just as a half-dressed Helina came out and saw the knocked-out group. She sighed at the sight.
Naruto held his son to his chest as they sat inside the outpost, Helina sitting opposite getting dressed in her gear "Lord Naruto…" getting said mans attention "…we have to leave here. No doubt they will send a full squad here, no?"
"Yes." He confirmed clearly troubled but at that moment Shirin spoke up, having calmed down enough to react, "Papa…" pulling out the scroll his aunties friend gave him "…from auntie." His father took the scroll and read it behind his son's back.
Naruto.
She did it. She actually signed your death warrant. Relax. I'm handling it. She wanted your son dead but snuck him out.
Your wife and daughters will be safe. Get to safety and protect my sister. I will be in contact soon enough.
Rhen
"Helina…" Naruto's voice was silky and smooth, yet calm drawing said kunoichi's attention "…we need to leave. Are you ready?" she nods as she gets up from the bed and he follows suite with his tired son in arm "Come here a sec."
"Sir…?" she ponders stepping up to him, and he simply pokes their seals, and they fade immediately "From now on, we are rouges. Only ones we can trust are the ones here, and now. Got it?"
"Yes sir." She responded immediately to which he nodded "We're shinobi, we will endure this too." leading the group out into the world at large. A party of three? On the run? No way home? Sounds familiar, again.
A/N: Touched up.