Naruto: Kōkai

by Ken Miyamoto

After the failure of the Sasuke Retrieval Mission the Council of the Hidden Leaf decides to punish Naruto with banishment from the village forcing the hand of Tsunade. Now alone and no longer a shinobi of the Hidden Leaf Naruto decides to take his newfound life into his own hands. Follow Naruto Uzumaki as he tries to find his place in the ninja world.

37. Chapter 37

Yo, it's Ken.

Just when I said we'd be back to normal posting schedule, life came a knocking and said hold that thought writer guy haha. I apologize for the delay but here's the chapter! As always I had a lot of fun writing this chapter but I'm going to try out a different format in writing that you'll see starting in this chapter. Instead of sections I'm now going to write scenes which would involve more sections but less giant splashes of text to read so let me know what you think!

Anyway, time for the long-awaited reviews!

biginferno: Hey there! You know me I won't say much but there is definitely some development happening with those two compared to where they were when they first started this crazy journey together and there will be more development to come so stay tuned! Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Dragonkeeper10: Another great summary, I missed those haha. Yes, I was looking forward to adding those two to the story for a while and it's strange that the more events I'm looking forward to coming up the more exciting it is to see them completed and ready to show it's nice. The Renegades are getting closer to facing off with the Bandit King and it will be a thrilling struggle indeed stay tuned! Thank you for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Engulfing Darkness: Thank you, glad to be back honestly! I'm glad you enjoyed the fight scenes, it's a lot to read I can imagine but I always try to put as much emphasis on them to make it clearer to visualize I maybe have a little too much fun doing it haha. Yeah, Bee knew right from the jump something was off it really speaks to his experience hidden behind his demeanor. I'm glad you are enjoying the story so far, thank you for reading. I hope to see you in the next one!

Imperial-samaB: Thank you! Here's hoping you'll be back for another one. Thank you for reading!

Samuel Santillian: I'm super glad you enjoyed the chapter and the fight it was one of my favorite ones to write to date. The ending scene with Naruto and Tayuya was also one I enjoyed writing as well, it was a really nice moment that was a long time coming. Danzo and the Akatsuki are certainly still in the fold no worries about that but you'll need to stay tuned. Killer Bee will return haha He'll be back you can count on that. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Drakolf: Thank you! I'm glad you enjoyed, the scene at the end was a nice little relief from all the crazy action that had been going on and one that I wanted to write for a while. To answer your question, this arc takes place before Shippuden meaning we'll be entering into Shippuden soon story wise. Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

Insane Makaioshin: Hey there! Yugito's backstory was one that I wanted to ensure really carried with her demeanor as well as her character arc, Kishimoto didn't give a lot to work with but knowing that Yugito had gone through some grueling process I knew what my plan was going to be from there. Regarding this I'll allow you to read this new chapter for an explanation but there's a method to the madness I sweat. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one!

miguel.a, : Thank you! I'm not one for spoilers but regarding the Biju forms I'm keeping them all in mind going forward so push comes to shove you'll have to stay tuned to see. Thank you for reading, I hope to see you in the next one!

Krieger Techpriest: Krieger! Glad to see ya, sorry for not doing reviews last chapter I wanted to make sure the chapter was out and published before I knew it haha. The house building scene was so fun, I really wanted to add some humor and build just some small moments between the characters before getting back into the action. There were a lot of events in this chapter that I'm glad I was able to write, Yugito's backstory, Killer B being B, and the healing moment and I'm glad you enjoyed them too. Thank you for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Alexander4443: Thanks bro, good to see you again! Thank for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Kabundio: Hey there sorry for the delay haha, did you really reread the story all the way through to catch up? That's crazy but I appreciate you! Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you in the next one.

: Thank you for the kind words, I really appreciate it. Thank you for waiting and enjoying the chapter! Thank you for reading and I'll see you in the next one!

Narku Kitsune: I'm also a fan of Killer B and I wish more people took out the time to look into his character, so I did my best to do him justice and I'm glad you enjoyed. I make it a priority to properly flesh out characters, especially the Jinchuriki because it's so important for the story itself and having good characters makes the experience more enjoyable, I'll make sure to always do that while writing. Thank you again for reading and I hope to see you again in the next one!

Zipzapdoowoop: Hey there! I'm back, thanks for waiting. Yeah, Naruto using the Nine Tails chakra was always my plan because it makes sense for him to try that while at the same time it builds Tayuya's character for what's coming up soon, but you know me no spoilers here haha. Thanks for reading and I hope to see you in the next one.

sakurahatake9: Thank you so much for waiting, writing is hard and can be overwhelming so it's always important to pace yourself when you love what you do. I'm dedicated and will remain writing Naruto: Kokai until it's finished so you can count on that. One of the most important things in writing is making sure that everything has a time and a place because the details are just as important as the bulk and I'm you enjoy that. To quickly answer a question I didn't forget, no spoilers but Naruto will have his time when it comes to nature and the world but for now, we have to get there so stay tuned. It's always a pleasure, thank you for reading. I hope to see you in the next one!

Phew, been a minute since I did that, but I really appreciate all the love on the first chapter since coming back. As always if you have any questions, thoughts, or criticisms feel free to leave a review, I read through all of them and will get to as many as I can and more than appreciate you all review or not.

Anyway, I'll wrap up here with this. The Renegades arc is in full swing and we're finally reaching closer to the big part of the arc and I'm glad we're here, the story is only going to kick up a notch from here so stay tuned I bet you can't guess how this whole thing is going to end but I'll leave that there for now.

I'll continue to do my best writing the best story I can and I'm glad you guys are here for the ride. Thanks for the warm welcome back.

Thank you again for reading, I hope you enjoy.

-Ken

Next Time! Chapter 38: Consequences (10/02)

{...}

Chapter 37: Honor Among Thieves

The sounds of a village bustling throughout the morning entered into the ears of a backpack wearing young man as his head looked around the area, a small grin came to his face as he watched the people go on about their days.

It was always nice to see such peace even in different villages.

"What are you doing, Lee?"

Tenten asked while the black-haired boy turned around sticking a thumbs up toward the brown-haired girl, "Ah Tenten! I'm admiring the surroundings of this village and their youth!" the excited teen yelled while the girl merely blinked at him before Neji walked to his side.

"Just don't forget why we're here. The more time we waste sightseeing, the more time he only ends up getting further."

Neji commented while Lee watched as the rest of the Konoha group entered into the village, Shikamaru had his hands in his pockets while Sakura looked around almost wearily at her surroundings. Meanwhile Hinata had a drive in her step pushing her forward.

"It's faint, but he's been here."

Pakkun said while Kakashi looked down toward his summon, "If it's faint after the amount of time it's probably been then he must have been here for a while. Meaning someone has to know where he went next." the gray-haired man said while Shikamaru turned toward him.

"Good, then we'll ask around about him. I'm sure loud and blonde isn't a very common combination so getting a lead should be simple enough."

Shikamaru said while Hinata turned toward him, "Should we split up? Cover more ground by asking around in sections?" the girl offered while Shikamaru shook his head.

"Nah, despite the looks of this place the Land of Lightning is famous for its trigger-happy bounty hunters. Last thing we need is another manhunt for one of our own while trying to find Naruto."

Shikamaru said while his cheek was suddenly tugged, "What the hell was that loud and blonde thing supposed to mean?" Ino asked with a small glare in her eyes while the black-haired boy groaned in response to her pinching him.

"If that's the plan then we'll use Pakkun to hit the places where that faint scent is the strongest, that way it's almost guaranteed that they've seen Naruto."

Kakashi said while Shikamaru nodded his head, "Alright! It feels like we're already getting closer. At this rate we'll find him in no time!" Lee celebrated while Tenten could only smirk at the boy as they continued to walk together.

Ino quickly walked ahead to Tenten's side while the girl peeked over to her side, "Hey." the girl greeted while Ino smiled.

"Hi, could I ask you something really fast?"

Ino asked while Tenten blinked at the blonde, "Yeah, sure." the brown-haired girl said while the blonde looked around at the rest of the group.

"I can see why almost everyone else was adamant about finding Naruto, but I couldn't figure out why you wanted to. Not trying to be rude or anything but you two haven't really talked or anything as far as I know."

Ino said while Tenten almost laughed, "Letters." the brown-haired girl said almost cryptically while she walked without skipping a beat slightly past a confused Ino.

"I'm sorry? Letters?"

Ino asked while Tenten smiled, "Yeah, I guess you wouldn't know since I don't exactly talk about it, but Naruto was my penpal. That's at least what he called it." Tenten said while Ino raised a surprised eyebrow toward the older girl.

"Like… Naruto wrote you letters?"

Ino asked while Tenten put her arms behind her head, "It started out as a prank, but my dad would always complain about receiving mail about someone trying to blackmail him into making cool ninja tools for them. One day I read one of these letters and instantly knew it was some kid, so I wrote him back telling him it wasn't working." the girl said while a small chuckle came out of her mouth.

"But the kid sent back a response, 'I'm not giving up!' I nearly laughed my butt off and wrote to him again. We wrote back and forth just making fun of one another, my dad stopped getting the letters and I made some easy entertainment. Eventually, the letters changed."

Tenten continued to tell her story while Ino listened, "I didn't know it was Naruto until I got one letter in particular. This kid, after all of our teasing, apologized. He said he was sorry about bothering the shop, that he really wanted to become a ninja, but he didn't think we'd serve him. All because of what he was." the brown-haired girl said, closing her eyes.

"It was sad. He didn't think that we'd even look at him, so he resorted to sending letters hoping that we'd crack and give him because he didn't want to be shooed away in person. He thanked me for being a friend. After that we just kept writing to each other, I told him I became a ninja. He challenged me to who the better ninja could be when he became one later. Dealing with Neji and Lee can be a handful so coming home to his crappy handwriting complaining about some mission became a favorite hobby of mine."

Tenten reminisced while Ino looked at the girl solemnly as she looked off to the side, it was strange how much she and probably all of them had learned about Naruto in his time that he was gone. While they were all preoccupied by the idiot, they all forgot about the moments when his heart showed itself.

He was just a good person.

He always had been.

"Sorry for the long story, to answer your question. I'm looking for Naruto because that idiot hasn't written to me even once in a year. It's one thing if he's dead but he's alive so he has no excuses. There's that and I made him something, hopefully it's a cool ninja tool."

Tenten said, pulling out a red and black scroll with orange cloud patterns on it, giving it a little wiggling in Ino's face before she put the scroll away, "The real question is, why are you looking for Naruto?" the brown-haired girl suddenly countered, taking Ino off guard.

"Obviously because that idiot just ditched the flower, I gave him, it's been years, and he chooses to return it without a word. He's got hell to pay when I get to him."

Ino said while Tenten just smiled at her, "Right. A flower." the girl said before she walked ahead leaving Ino with a puzzled expression on her face as the sound of a store bell ringing caused the man sleeping at the counter to look up.

"Welcome, look at whatever you want and ask whatever you need."

The shopkeeper said while Shikamaru and the others looked around the shop, "A hat shop? What was Naruto doing in a hat shop?" Sakura said, picking up a random hat while Hinata looked at a straw hat before smiling at it after a moment.

"We actually do have a few questions, if you don't mind."

Shikamaru said, walking over to the counter, "We're looking for someone. He goes by the name Naruto Uzumaki." the black-haired teen said the name causing the store owner to quirk an eyebrow before he quickly relaxed it.

"Never heard of 'em."

The shop owner said while Shikamaru sighed, "We know he's been here. Look, we're not going to hurt you, we just want some answers." the boy asked while the shop owner stayed silent.

"Maybe this might ring a bell instead, you ever heard of the Blue-Eyed Demon?"

Shikamaru said while the shop owner's expression dropped for a moment before he crossed his arms, "I didn't see any demon." the shop owner said while the black-haired teen groaned.

"Look, it's really important that we find him. If you tell us what you know we'll be out of your hair, you won't have to see us again."

Shikamaru said while the shop owner leaned toward him, "I won't have to see you again anyway. If you aren't here to buy a hat or ask a hat related question, then you know where the door is." the shop owner said while Shikamaru looked at the man for a few moments before he turned around.

"He's lying."

Shikamaru said to Kakashi who nodded his head, "I know." the man said while Ino looked toward the black-haired boy.

"You ever think that your lack of tact might be to blame? You just immediately started to interrogate the guy? I get that we're closer than we've ever been but just jumping out with it isn't the best strategy."

Ino scolded the teen while Shikamaru shoved his hands in his pockets, "Look… I know. It's just that Naruto could be moving at a million miles per hour for all we know. We can't lose him again." the black-haired boy said while Ino looked to the side.

"Look, let's change our approach. This village is small but I'm sure someone is willing to divulge some information. We just have to keep looking."

Kakashi said, placing his hand on Shikamaru's shoulder, "Right. What a drag." the teen said while the group went around the entirety of the village moving from place to place asking about Naruto only to receive similar responses of people refusing to say anything about Naruto.

"Wait ma'am please! He's a really important person to us and we need to find him to bring him home."

Hinata beckoned a lady while the woman shook her head, "I already told you; I don't know anyone by that name. So please drop it." the woman said, shutting the ponytailed girl out who whined in frustration as Lee walked over with a fresh handprint on his face.

"No luck here either?"

Lee asked nonchalantly while Hinata stared at his face for a moment before she shook her head, meanwhile Neji was blocking projectiles of multiple household items being tossed at him, "Please, I just want to know-" the teen was cut off by a bucket hitting him.

Ino meanwhile walked toward the group along with Sakura, both of the girls were drenched as they walked toward the rest of the group dripping with water. "I'll go ahead and say it. That kid had an arm." Sakura said while Ino gave her a look.

"Had an arm? That little brat messed up my hair!"

Ino shrieked causing Sakura to groan, Shikamaru meanwhile sat on a crate rubbing his temples with his fingers. "I don't get, I just don't get it. Naruto's scent is all over this place, yet all of these people are refusing to talk about him. Why?" the teen asked while Lee stuck his thumb up.

"No worries! We'll just continue to lo-"

"There's no need."

Kakashi said, cutting them off as he walked toward the group, "Did you find something?" Hinata asked while Shikamaru looked toward the man.

"Yup."

Kakashi said nonchalantly as Sakura took a step toward him, "Well, what is it?" the girl asked as Kakashi looked at the girl before he looked toward the rest of the group.

"The unfortunate news that I have is no matter how hard we look or try to ask; they'll never tell us anything about Naruto even if we know they're lying."

Kakashi said while Shikamaru huffed, "Couldn't have guessed that... all I'm wondering is why." the teen said sarcasm lacing his voice while the gray-haired man pulled out a piece of paper causing the rest of the group to look toward the man with surprise.

"Because they're protecting him."

Kakashi said while holding out a wanted poster with Naruto's face on it, the Konoha group stared at the poster before Shikamaru looked down. "They think we're after him." the teen said while Sakura shook her head.

"That doesn't make any sense, what did Naruto do to make him wanted by the Land of Lightning? While at the same time those same people are trying to protect him?"

"He challenged the throne of course."

The entire group jumped turning toward an old man holding on to a walking stick staring at them calmly, "The clouds rumble as the kind sapphire flame eyes of the demon face the very pinnacle, the throne of the self-described heaven of the king of lightning." the old man spoke cryptically while Neji took a step toward him.

"What king?"

Neji asked while the old man looked past him, "What intentions? Why do you seek the young demon?" the old man asked while the group stared at the man before Kakashi walked toward him standing over the man before he looked at the ground.

"I broke a promise."

Kakashi said simply as the rest of the Konoha group looked off to the side at his words while the old man looked into the gray-haired man's eye. "The one you seek, you failed to gain because you pulled from something. When everything you need to find is in nothing." the old man said before he started to walk.

The group watched the old man before they followed him, the old man walked slowly until they reached a road. Pakkun sniffed the air, "Naruto's scent. It's not here, it's just… fire." the summon spoke while the group only saw burned trees and several craters.

"Naruto fought someone here?"

Ino asked while the old man pointed forward, "Ablaze, is the path that the young demon has taken. One of violence, retribution, and freedom from one's curses. There is only forward… there is no longer a way back." the old man said while Shikamaru pointed.

"If Naruto fought here then that means this road is the one we have to take, we'll eventually pick up another scent trail. Seems like if this old man is right then this is the way to go."

Shikamaru said as Hinata grabbed the old man's hands, "Thank you sir. Thank you so much." the girl said while the old man stared at her before he pulled his hands away grimly chuckling.

"Save your thanks and your breath, child. That road, his trail. Should you take it, you'll curse me for showing you the way."

The old man said while the group looked at him, "There's a legend of the king and the demon. One where they fought a battle that shattered the very heavens. One where the demon finds triumph after a long and bloody bout. This road marks said legend and after gazing upon it even after knowing how it ends with victory, I could only ever describe that legend in one way... " the old man said, staring at the road with almost glossy eyes.

"A tragedy."

The old man said while the group stared toward the old man who turned away, "When you set foot on that path, you must remember. When one gains, one must remember that they will lose." the old man spoke before he walked away.

His words lingered in the air while Kakashi could only stare at the old man's back, what exactly had he seen that made him feel that way?

What was Naruto facing all by himself?

Kakashi stared at the old man while the rest of the group hurried ahead on the path as he slowly turned around taking a step on the road before moving forward with them.

{...}

"Tsubasa…"

"..."

"...Yugito's kinda hot, huh?"

Boro pondered aloud while the two boys watched from a distance as the woman stretched outside just in front of their compound, she popped her neck before gently rolling her lithe yet toned frame causing her long blonde hair to freely move swaying slightly in the gentle breeze.

"I know she's supposed to be some dangerous ninja lady, and she tried to kill us at one point but damn… More than forgiven in my eyes, right?"

The brown-haired young man nudged the unresponsive teen who continued to seem to stare off in the distance while Boro turned to look at him, "Dude?" the yellow eyed young man said while he looked at the deep in thought look on Tsubasa's face.

"One more…"

Tsubasa trailed off while Boro tilted his head, "One more detail? 'Cause I've got plenty about that lady." the young man said while the gray-haired teen pulled out the multiple tiger accessories that he had been collecting from the group that burned his village that day.

"There's only one more left… just that sadistic bastard, the rest are dead. The next one of these people we run into will be it before the Bandit King himself is left."

Tsubasa said clenching his fist around the accessories while Boro grinned, "Hell yeah, so what are you going to do?" the brown-haired young man said as Tsubasa looked off into the distance ahead of the both of them.

"Kill the Bandit King."

Tsubasa said while Boro shook his head, "No, after that. When your revenge is complete. What then?" Boro asked while Tsubasa gave the boy a look, causing the brown-haired teen to nod his head in understanding of the situation.

"So, you don't know huh? Just like a movie I watched. Man… revenge really runs that deep huh? While I do get that and all, you should think about it. Real soon, you'll have to know."

Boro said while Tsubasa looked off into the distance again, that was a true statement. It just always seemed that his quest for revenge was impossible for him. That it would end with his death, and he wouldn't have to worry about anything else, but now… Things didn't exactly have to end that way. They could be different.

What would he do if he survived?

What would he do next when he's passed this?

"Hey guys! Look who I found!"

Fu's voice cut through the air while the two boys looked toward the girl who was bringing along with her a horse that followed her as she pulled at the reins, "Well I'll be damned! You found the horse!" Boro yelled while Tsubasa stared at the girl.

"Yeah, the guy's been getting out a lot recently. Hopefully that's not some kind of omen."

Fu pondered while Boro huffed rubbing the girl's hair, "You mind not jinxing us?" the brown-haired boy said while the girl merely grinned in response.

"Tsubasa?"

Fu asked, causing the teen to look toward her as she gently placed her hand on his cheek staring into his fiery orange eyes with her gentler flower-like orange eyes, "You, ok?" the girl asked gently while the gray-haired teen stared for a moment before he nodded his head.

"Yeah, I'm ok."

Tsubasa said, grabbing the back of her hand with his own hand holding onto it as she smiled at him, the girl's ears suddenly perked while she smiled. "Hey Yugito!" Fu called out as both of the boys looked behind, noticing that Yugito was suddenly behind the girl.

"Welcome back."

Yugito said while Boro jumped at the sudden appearance of the woman, "Holy crap! What did you teleport or something? You don't have to sneak up on us, jeez you seriously need a bell!" the spooked teen pointed toward her while the woman ignored his comment.

"Who do we have here?"

Yugito spoke in a gentle tone while smoothly and quickly removing Tsubasa's hand from Fu's before the girl looked toward the horse, "This is… A horse. I'm not sure of the name at the moment." the girl said while the blonde woman smiled.

"He's beautiful, you just found him?"

Yugito asked completely ignoring the boys while Fu was distracted talking about the horse, one of her dark purple eyes flicked toward them before she placed a hand on Fu's head stroking her hair, "Is it just me or is she doing that on purpose?" Boro asked while Tsubasa sweat dropped.

"No, this is Naruto's horse. Apparently, he rode out of the Land of Earth on it like some hero! He also brought Tayuya here on it, the guy is a bit rambunctious so sometimes he would just disappear."

Fu explained while Yugito looked at the horse, "As expected of Naruto." the woman said while Boro and Tsubasa watched the woman, and the teen interact with each other leaving them out of it. Boro opened his mouth to speak only to be cut off by the sound of a yell.

The entire group looked toward the source of the sound, it was coming from the compound, and it sounded like Tayuya. The group immediately dashed into the compound quickly reaching the source of the sound before being met with the sound of victorious laughter.

Tsubasa, Boro, Fu, and Yugito froze in place as they spotted a standing Tayuya along with an enthusiastic Naruto, the girl's hands were on bars as she looked toward the rest of the group with a large confident smile growing on her face.

"Look! I got my damn legs back! That means no more Lady Cripple from you, Bounty Fucker!"

Tayuya said before she tried to take a step but staggered only for Naruto to catch her, "Easy, your body isn't used to this yet." the blonde spoke while the rest of the group stared at her.

"This day is just full of surprises huh?"

"Yuya! You can stand!"

"Damn."

"..."

Their multiple reactions rang out except for Yugito who just stared at the standing girl with an odd look on her face, "Can I hug you?" Fu asked, trying to be sensitive to Tayuya's fragile state. The reddish haired girl looked toward Naruto who smiled before Tayuya rolled her eyes opening an arm allowing Fu to hug her.

"Yeah… a lot to explain but the good news is Tayuya is better. She'll need physical therapy for a while to readjust but other than that she's good to go!"

Naruto cheered while Tayuya marveled over how she was just barely taller than Fu, "Yeah and once I kick the shit out of therapy asses are grass. Starting with yours." Tayuya pointed at Boro who looked around before pointing to himself.

"Before you die, I'll be giving you one good kick to the ass!"

Tayuya yelled while Boro's jaw dropped, "Wait hold on! Why me?!" the boy yelled out while Fu and Tsubasa laughed at the pair as Naruto's eyes met with Yugito's.

"Hey Yuya, you did great. You mind if we pick this up later? Unless you don't mind someone else taking my spot for a bit."

Naruto said while Tayuya shook her head, "Nope, it's gotta be you. I'll be in my damn chair when you get back." the girl said while Boro raised an eyebrow, "Daw, is little Yuya gonna miss Naruto?" the young man teased while the girl growled.

"When I kill you, I'll drop your ass all the way to the very depths of hell, pull you back out of it, and then send you fucking back again."

Tayuya growled while Boro sweatdropped, Naruto walked toward Yugito. The pair of blondes walked out of the room as Tayuya looked at them while Fu danced around her celebrating.

Yugito sat down in a room that had cushions placed on the floor to sit at as she stared outside at the gently swaying forest ahead of her, her ears quirked at the sound of Naruto walking in from behind her before he showed her a cup.

"Tea?"

Naruto asked while Yugito smiled before taking the cup, "Thank you." the woman said as the blonde teen sat down next to also looking outside as Yugito took a long sip before she spoke, "How?" the woman asked before Naruto closed his eyes.

"I didn't know that it would work either, it was a big gamble especially considering how the chakra works but she pulled through."

Naruto said while Yugito shook her head, "No, how is she still alive?" the blonde woman asked suddenly, causing the blonde to almost drop his teacup in response.

"What do you mean? Yugito, it worked."

Naruto said while Yugito nodded her head, "I know that's the troubling part. When you asked me your question, you asked me if it could work, and I told you potentially but unlikely. However, that potential was so low it should have been nearly impossible, I haven't told you why." the woman spoke as the blonde teen titled his head at her with slight concern.

"Why, because of the destructive nature of the tailed beast chakra?"

Naruto asked while Yugito shook her head, "The chakra of a tailed beast is immense, so much so that the chakra levels of normal individuals are directly affected instead of layered like our own. One of the reasons why seals are used on Jinchuriki is not only to contain but to assist with layering our chakra and theirs to help prevent complete take over from the tailed beast into our own chakra. Normal people don't have this, that means that person would die immediately from their chakra levels overflowing." the woman explained while the blonde teen blinked.

"The 'tails' of the Tailed Beast don't necessarily speak to their power as much as it does their chakra potency, With Shukaku having the least potent chakra and the Nine Tails having the most potent. The difference is like a light beer and refined sake. If you were to heal myself and Fu with your chakra that wouldn't be an issue because our bodies are adjusted. Tayuya's body isn't or at least it shouldn't be. She essentially survived having a shot of pure alcohol injected directly into her bloodstream."

Yugito continued to explain while Naruto gave the woman a confused look, "She lived and she's ok, if that's really how the chakra works then what are you trying to say?" the boy asked while the blonde woman gave him a look.

"The only explanation that I can think of is one of two options. She's had some kind of previous contact with tailed beast chakra in the past acclimating her body to it which is impossible since we would have detected it. Or she's of some bloodline that allowed her to survive the chakra flow, a case similar to the Gold and Silver brothers. No matter which explanation it is, Tayuya's chances of survival were non-existent, and she survived anyway. That girl… she's special somehow. It almost bothers me."

Yugito said while Naruto stared at the woman, some kind of special bloodline? Who were the gold and silver brothers? Tayuya managed to live despite the chakra almost being guaranteed to kill her? Who was Tayuya? What clan could possibly survive something like that?

Now that he was thinking about it, her injuries and the way she described them to him. She was beaten around before being crushed by a massive tree only even after that she was trapped clawing and bleeding for days before she was finally found.

Normal people don't survive things like that... but she did, but then again so did he. He suffered grievous wounds in many battles that the Nine Tailed Fox only healed after the fact, stuff that should have killed him but didn't even without the healing.

Was there a connection?

Was there a reason?

Yugito flinched as a smile appeared on Naruto's face before he started to laugh, "Naruto? Did you figure something out?" the woman asked with slight concern while the blonde boy continued to laugh before he sighed loudly.

"So Tayuya's special huh? Well, I hate to break to you but special bloodline or not Tayuya's always been special to me, nothing is ever going to change that. Same goes for the rest of you… your value isn't measured by your abilities. You guys are all special to me because you're you. That's all you will ever have to be to be special to me, anything else is just there."

Naruto said while Yugito stared at the blonde in shock as the visage of a small room she was in as a child entered her mind, beside her were other subjects each had already passed on surrounding her as she was the last one left alive in that room.

The door opened revealing a dark silhouette of a man who looked around the room before he looked at her, the young Yugito stared at the man trying to avoid laying eyes on the bodies of the other children around her while he reached his hand out.

"Don't you dare forget… You only survived because you were special, that's why you'll be our weapon, Yugito."

The words echoed through the young woman's head while she looked at Naruto who was smiling at her. There was no dark facility, there were no bodies to be found, there was just Naruto who was looking toward she herself calling her special.

Just as she was.

Yugito grabbed Naruto's hand before she lifted it, placing her forehead against the back of it and closing her eyes as she leaned into the warmth, "Thank you, Naruto." the woman spoke while the blonde smiled gently at her as he looked ahead.

"Let's not sweat the little things, there are some big steps ahead of us and we need to-"

"HEY!"

The loud scream caught the attention of Naruto and Yugito as they looked outside, they spotted Boro running out of the forest with someone in his arms, "One day…. All I want is one normal day… HEY! Help!" the young man yelled while Naruto and Yugito suddenly appeared slightly ahead of him.

"Boro what's going on-"

Naruto words died in his mouth as he spotted the person in his arms while Yugito's eyes widened, "Naruto! Boro! What's going on?!" Tsubasa yelled running out of the door with Fu while Tayuya rolled out after them to the commotion.

"Look I was just in the forest walking around trying to get away from Tayuya and I just found her…"

Boro spoke quickly while Tsubasa and Fu stopped in place looking toward the girl while Tayuya caught up, "What the hell is going on-" Tayuya's words died in her mouth as well upon staring at the young woman in Boro's arms.

She was unconscious with long slightly dark cherry brown colored hair, her figure was skinny, but her skin was fair and pale however the one feature that stuck out to the group the most stopping them all in their tracks upon one look at her.

She was pregnant.

{...}

"This is real? Like really real?"

Boro freaked out while Naruto gently placed the brown-haired girl onto the sofa while Tsubasa walked over with water, "Are we seriously just taking this like it's normal?" Boro continued to speak while Tayuya rolled her eyes at the teen.

"Stop freaking out."

"She's pregnant! Kinda hard not to!"

"All the more reason you need to chill out, Bounty Fucker!"

Tayuya raised her voice while Yugito eyed the new arrival from the wall as Naruto tilted the water gently into her mouth before he set the cup down closing his eyes, "Is she okay?" Tsubasa asked as Naruto looked up nodding his head.

"Yup, I'm no medical expert but the chakra signatures aren't showing anything weird for both of them and I'm not seeing anything other than some small scratches."

Naruto said while Yugito stepped forward, "She's dehydrated, other than fatigue it looks like those scratches are from the brush. She must have run here before passing out nearby." the woman assessed while Tayuya looked toward her.

"What was she running from? Does this have something to do with the Bandit King?"

Naruto asked while Boro huffed, "I like a good revenge plot as much as the next guy, but this bastard is pushing it if he has a pregnant woman involved..." the brown-haired teen growled while the blonde teen slapped his knee before he turned toward the next of the group.

"Alright, I'll stay here until she wakes up. In the meantime, let's do another sweep of the surrounding area and try to see if we can find any traces of the people chasing her."

Naruto said while Fu gave a small salute as Tayuya eyed Naruto carefully, "We'll search in groups within the edge of the perimeter back up to the compound, this search will be as quick and effective as possible. We'll leave no stone unturned before returning." Yugito spoke practically ordering the rest of the group with her words.

"Thank you."

Naruto said while Fu skipped over to Tsubasa and Boro excitedly speaking, meanwhile Tayuya kept her eyes on Naruto from the wheelchair and the way he gently looked back over to the girl. Yugito then approached the girl's wheelchair grabbing onto it before her eyes landed on the girl lingering for a moment.

Before the rest of the group left, leaving Naruto and the girl alone.

"See, Foolish Girl? This is all your fault… It always will be, now and tomorrow ever after… So do your best to remember one thing very clearly…. YOU'RE MINE."

The brown-haired girl's eyes opened up in jolt as she suddenly sat up, her breathing was almost hyperventilated as she looked around and panicked at her surroundings not recognizing the place she was currently in.

"Hey."

A voice spoke to her calmly as her honey-colored eyes flicked toward his frame, Naruto lifted a glass of water toward her as she continued to breathe quickly. She looked at the blonde boy's eyes that were maintaining a sense of calm in their blue color while he looked relaxed ready to help her in a moment's notice.

His presence eased her in a way.

"Easy. Here, I've got some water for you. Can you drink?"

Naruto asked gently while her eyes widened looking toward him before she took a deep breath reaching toward the cup in his hands with trembling fingers, "...Thank you." the girl spoke softly as Naruto felt himself actually relaxing watching the girl take a drink from the glass.

"Good… I thought you were in shock or something. You got a name? I'm Naruto Uzumaki!"

The boy spoke cheerfully while the girl stared into the cup of water she finished drinking out of before her lips parted slightly, "...Haruka." the brown-haired girl spoke still with a sense of carefulness in her tone before she lowered the glass.

"Haruka huh? That's an awesome name, it fits."

Naruto said while her honey-colored eyes looked at him with confusion before they widened again as she reached toward her swollen belly with her hands, she gently touched her belly as she let out a trembling breath.

"Don't worry, your baby is fine. Tough little guy… or girl. Not really sure but the baby is fine nonetheless."

Naruto stumbled with his words while Haruka looked toward the blonde carefully before a breath of relief came out of her mouth as she relaxed against the soft sofa a little before the blonde teen reached his hand out to take the cup out of her hands.

"I won't pester you with a million questions all at once since you just woke up and all, but I do have a few, once you're feeling a little better, we can chat."

Naruto said while Haruka looked around, "Where am I?" the girl asked, scanning the surroundings with her eyes noticing she was in a living room/tearoom kind of area filled with the natural light of the outside world pouring in.

"You're at the… the uh… Huh. I have no idea what we call this place but for now we call it home. This is the base of the Renegades!"

Naruto announced before he quickly shut his lips noticing her was being too loud, Haruka faintly exhaled from her nose at the teen before her expression stiffened slightly. The blonde caught on to her comprehension before he bounced on his heels standing up.

"You're safe. This isn't a trap, and we don't view you as some kind of threat. You can trust that, I promise."

Naruto reassured the girl who watched the boy walk away from her toward the kitchen where he was preparing more water for the girl who sat on the couch looking at his back, "You… You're the Blue-Eyed Demon?" Haruka asked while the blonde continued pouring water into her cup.

"Yup that's me. Don't you see the big ole fangs?"

Naruto asked with a chuckle, turning around while pulling at his cheek to reveal normal looking teeth before he approached her with the cup of water, Haruka accepted the cup from his hands as the blonde sat on the floor in front of her.

"Looks like I'm getting infamous pretty fast if you've heard of that name. Must have been from some other village you might have heard it from, guess at this point it's kind of true in a way."

Naruto spoke nonchalantly while Haruka eyed the boy in front of her before lifting the water cup toward her mouth, "...You don't seem like a demon to me at all." the honey eyed girl spoke, causing the teen to lift and eyebrow looking toward her.

"...Guess I don't right now huh?"

Naruto spoke with a smile on his face while Haruka hid her face behind the cup she was drinking from, "It was just… Don't mind my words…" Haruka spoke while the blond shook his head.

"No, thank you. I appreciate it. It's just some title and all but it's nice knowing that sometimes people can see more than a title."

Naruto said, looking off toward the forest outside while Haruka looked at the sunlight shining off of his blonde hair making it look almost gold while his blue eyes seemed to shine like gems with that bright smile on his face that was almost blinding.

Haruka's heart began to pound slightly as she slowly lifted her hand toward the blonde's exposed back as he was busy smiling from her comment, her small slender fingers slowly reaching closer to the blonde's back while her eyes remained laser focused on it.

Suddenly a heavy presence swept over her in an instant as another hand grabbed her wrist holding onto it before Haruka's head turned toward another blonde not exposed to the sunlight but the shade as her dark purple eyes flashed blue.

"Your pulse is healthy."

Yugito commented at the surprised girl who didn't even notice the woman's approach until that last moment as her eyes stared back into hers, they stared at each other for a moment as Naruto turned around. "Yugito! You're going to scare her like that!" another bright voice yelled as Fu tapped the back of the woman's wrist causing her to let go.

"Hi~"

Fu spoke while Haruka leaned back, taken aback of the energetic girl who clapped her hands together, "I don't mean to be rude but… Could I touch the baby?" Fu asked with excited eyes, causing Haruka to stare at her before she wrapped her arms protectively around her belly, making Fu deflate.

"Fu, I know it's exciting, but you can't just ask someone that out of the blue. Especially when you're a stranger."

Tayuya lightly chided from her chair as the dejected girl walked over to Tsubasa who rubbed the girl's back while Boro kept as much distance from the girl as possible blinking as he looked at her from his spot, the reddish haired girl then blinked at him.

"And what the hell are you doing?"

Tayuya asked while Boro flicked his eyes toward her then back at the girl, "What do you mean? What if I breathe wrong or too heavily around that baby? I'm not trying to have that on my conscience!" the boy raised his voice while the girl pinched the bridge of her nose.

"She's pregnant. Not made of glass, you gargantuan idiot!"

Tayuya yelled and Haruka quickly scanned her eyes around the room, this was the Renegades. One of the most dangerous groups in the Land of Lightning and she could barely detect any of them suddenly approaching while she was speaking with the blonde.

Their dynamic didn't match that description of them at all, but she could tell that despite their jovial energy, that each and every single one of them was dangerous.

"I know you just woke up and all, but this can't wait. I have questions to ask you. Do you recognize the name Bandit King?"

Tsubasa asked, causing Haruka's face to suddenly twist in horror, dropping her water cup to the floor shattering it to pieces before she placed a hand over her mouth. Naruto and Yugito instantly moved to help the girl while Tsubasa's eyes widened before he looked off to the side gripping a fist.

"Look I know everyone is curious, but she needs time, she just woke up before you guys got back. We'll ask some questions once she's gathered her bearings properly."

Naruto said while the rest of the group looked toward the girl before Yugito looked toward the blonde boy beside her, "Naruto, I'll be taking care of her medical treatment from here on." the blonde woman spoke as the teen gave her a look.

"Medical treatment? It doesn't look super serious, and she looked fine earlier, I'm sure it shouldn't be too difficult to look after her."

Naruto said obliviously while Yugito blinked at him before she sighed heavily, "She's a girl, Naruto. There are certain functional parts you won't exactly have a handle on." the woman said while the blonde raised an eyebrow before pointing back to Tayuya.

"I'm pretty experienced at taking care of girls."

"Oi!"

"Naruto… your heart is an admirable part of you I respect highly but that and this are nowhere near close to each other."

"I'm sure I can figure it out, I did last time."

"How much do you know about pregnancy?"

"..."

"Then it's settled."

Yugito said, lifting the now unconscious girl into her arms, "Naruto, this girl… She's been through things, and I know that you feel that you have to do your best to take care of everyone you meet that has gone through stuff. She's going to be okay, allow me to assure that." the purple eyed woman spoke while Naruto looked toward her and then toward the girl.

"I trust you, Yugito."

Naruto said while the woman allowed a small smile on her face before she looked toward the rest of the group, "I'll need to concentrate, that means no disturbances until I'm done. In the meantime, keep a close eye on our surroundings in case anything shows up, this shouldn't take too long." Yugito said before she walked away to another room.

"...That was kinda hot. Then again she did just kind of order us around pretty casually."

Boro said while Fu's eyes sparkled, "She's so cool! The way she just walks around with such a cool head, I wanna be like that one day!" the girl exclaimed trying to adopt a cool looking expression on her face causing Boro to laugh at her.

"That was my fault… I'm well aware that the Bandit King has caused a lot of havoc, but those scars run far deeper than I thought."

Tsubasa said while Naruto shook his head, "Hey, it was going to up in our questions anyway. Don't be too hard on yourself, she just needs a little time." the blonde reassured the gray-haired teen who nodded his head in response to that.

Meanwhile Tayuya looked at Naruto from her chair, her brown eyes looking carefully at his features as he spoke to Tsubasa as she memorized the look on his face when it came to the girl when Yugito was trying to take her with her.

It was strange.

This was typical Naruto behavior, taking care of others and putting his all into making sure they would be ok. The way he looked at that girl though… it was almost like that way he had looked at herself whenever he was taking care of her.

It was… uncomfortable.

{...}

A few hours had passed.

Yugito had returned with the grand news that Haruka and the baby were both in good health, almost too good of health but those were Yugito's words. Haruka had eventually insisted on getting some air leading up to this current moment.

Tayuya's wheelchair sat empty as the reddish haired girl stood leaned against the wall of the compound. Her brown eyes landed on Haruka who was sitting in the grass with a few flowers around her, she was gently touching them in admiration.

The sun shined onto her brown hair making it appear almost a dark rose color while her honey-colored eyes seemed to glow in a beautiful yellow like the flowers she had surrounded herself with, her skin was a pale and silky ivory almost like she was a doll.

She almost seemed perfect.

Tayuya continued to watch the girl as she sighed, she normally wouldn't be paying attention to such dumb things like that. Yet, it seemed to stick in her mind as she thought of the way she saw Naruto sitting on the floor beside her when they got back from looking around the perimeter of the compound.

He looked at ease, she was a stranger, and they barely knew a single thing about her let alone if they could even genuinely trust her. Yet he was relaxed without a single tense part of his body around her. Like he had accepted her so quickly.

She had walked hundreds if not a thousand miles with him, she heard his crazy stories about his life and his other adventures over the course of months. He fought for her and bled for her in multiple encounters, he took care of her and dealt with her attitude without skipping a beat.

Naruto got along with people, that didn't surprise her. He had a penchant for picking up strays like herself, Tsubasa and the others. That didn't surprise her. Hell even with the way he took care of Fu she didn't remotely feel much, but this girl.

The random girl was different, it was as if all those times that she had spent adjusting to Naruto and his personality had been matched by this girl in an instant. They seemed close in her eyes after hours in comparison to her months.

Like she had the ability to see that part of Naruto he kept hidden from regular eyes, that even she was only graced to see rarely.

It shouldn't mean anything; it probably doesn't mean anything. It didn't feel like it was just nothing though, just thinking about how he treated her and how she looked at him.

It almost made Tayuya feel as if her moments with him weren't special.

That made her uncomfortable.

"It's strange, isn't it?"

Yugito suddenly asked while Tayuya huffed while still looking toward the girl in the flowers, "What brings you over to interrupt my moving internal monologue?" the reddish haired girl answered crassly while the blonde woman adopted a genuine amused expression.

"You never seemed like the type to do something like that."

Yugito said with a rare expression of amusement on her face while Tayuya rolled her eyes, "I'm a bit of a buddha in my spare time, being enlightened and all. Now are you going to tell me what's strange or do I need to open my third eye and read your damn mind?" the girl spoke while Yugito leaned on the other wall.

"I was doing her diagnostics along with the baby as much as I could with what we had and conclusively I managed to find nothing wrong with her or her baby. They are both healthy and well taken care of."

Yugito spoke while Tayuya nodded her head, "Wow, how insightful. Almost like you told us that part already." the girl said sarcastically while the blonde woman narrowed her eyes slightly toward Haruka.

"That is the issue. How strange is it that despite the fact that she's so shaken up that the least of her injuries are small scratches, her reaction to the Bandit King was also strange for her condition to be this way. I found no scars, no wounds, no signs of poison. Yet she's here, happening to show up in distress."

Yugito explained while Tayuya raised an eyebrow toward her, "I think that may be your ninja trauma kicking into your paranoia, just give it a kick and tell it to shut up. Brings me peace." the girl spoke while the purple-eyed woman looked toward her.

"Back at the Caravan… Even before that in the forest… I always suspected something was off about Gen. That he wasn't who he said he was, that he was lying. However, the Hidden Cloud since the day I could make sense of things has been all that I knew and fought for. I thought, if I suspected him… If I confronted him and I was wrong, then I would be punished. I was afraid of turning my back on their word. I was afraid of being wrong."

Yugito explained while Tayuya's expression softened, "Worst part is, I was right about Gen… and wrong about all of you. I almost hurt a lot of the people I was supposed to protect… Now that's not the case. I have to trust my gut and experience. Even if there's a chance, I could be wrong, there are people I want to protect, I'll take responsibility if I'm wrong." the woman spoke while Tayuya eyed the woman.

"Damn, here I thought you were just some crazed cat lady."

Tayuya said while Yugito looked back toward Haruka, "I understand she's pregnant, but I won't blindly trust any longer, if she proves to be a threat then I will not hesitate to take care of her." the woman said while the reddish haired girl stared at her.

"Why come to me about this? Why not, Shithead?"

Tayuya asked while Yugito looked back into the girl's brown eyes, "Because you already suspect her too. That's why you're looking at her the way you are isn't it?" the woman asked while the brown eyed girl paused for a moment before she looked away.

"Yeah, totally…"

Tayuya said while Yugito nodded her head, "Continue to keep an eye on her, I'll continue to monitor from a distance for anything else that's suspicious." the woman spoke before she suddenly disappeared.

Tayuya watched Haruka as the girl held a flower over her head with an almost sad expression on her face as she then looked toward the floor.

"Right."

Tayuya spoke staring toward the ground for a moment before eventually more footsteps caught her attention, her eyes quickly trailed upward spotting the familiar sight of Naruto standing just on the other side of her with a smile on his face.

They both stared at each other in silence before Naruto flicked his eyes up and down her frame.

"That's hurt this whole time, hasn't it?"

Naruto asked while Tayuya couldn't help but chuckle at the blonde before closing her eyes, "Like a bitch." the girl said before the blonde suddenly stepped forward sweeping the girl off of her feet into his arms smoothly and well-practiced.

"Still seeing you at your full height is weird."

The blonde spoke while Tayuya, instead of complaining about the sudden hold rolled her eyes with a small smile on her face, "Still feeling yourself for being taller? Whatever, Shithead." the girl said while the blonde walked with her toward the sofa.

"Heh. I just thought about it, you can rejoice. Turns out even with your legs back I still do get to carry you around."

Naruto said with a large grin while Tayuya stared at his face wordlessly, "Yeah." she spoke while the blonde raised an eyebrow.

"You ok? No snarky comeback?"

Naruto asked while Tayuya scoffed, "Is that all I am to you? Snark and sarcasm? I happen to have some sophistication along with moments of inquisition as well." the girl falsely bragged while the blonde just laughed at her.

"Big words, sophisticated princess."

The blonde said while he set Tayuya down on the couch while she huffed, "I ain't a princess, I'm the honored one. Don't forget again." the girl almost laughed while the teen laughed with her.

The way that this guy could get under your skin, the way he just makes any and all attempts to block him out null and void.

That was comfortable yet uncomfortable.

"Alright, nice and comfortable. If you need your chair, Tsubasa or Fu can get it for ya since it's just here. In the meantime, relax."

Naruto said while Tayuya looked up at him, "What about you? You're not going to take a seat with me and help me relax with one of your stories? You could finally tell me about that artist that tried to kill you." the girl spoke while the blonde shook his head.

"Maybe in a bit. I figured since Haruka's had some time to cool down, I'm going to talk to her."

The blonde spoke while Tayuya's jovial expression dropped slightly, "...Right, gotta figure out that mystery." the girl said as Naruto nodded his head.

"I've got no idea what she's been through, and it seems like it's a lot but if she can give us some insight then hopefully, we could find some kind of way to resolve it."

Naruto nodded while Tayuya nodded, "Yeah yeah, cause that's what we do. The 'good guys'." the girl said, throwing up air quotes while the blonde smiled.

Naruto turned around to walk out of the door only for Tayuya to move on autopilot reaching out to grab the boy's hand with her own stopping him, "Wait, Naruto." the girl said while the blonde stared into her eyes.

"Yeah?"

Naruto asked as Tayuya stared back into his eyes before she looked away pulling her hand back from his, "Nothin' go to your thing." Tayuya said before the blonde stared at her for a few more moments before he smiled one last time.

"I'll be back soon. So, hold that thought."

Naruto said before he turned around and walked out of the doors where Tayuya watched him walk toward Haruka in the flowers, they spoke together before they began to walk together toward the surrounding forest.

She had no idea what came over her to do that, she was acting strange now. This was Naruto being Naruto and yet she couldn't help but be unsettled by it. What exactly was happening to make her so bothered by this and why was it so different?

Why was it so uncomfortable?

{...}

Haruka was staring at the ground with every step she took with Naruto in the passing trees, she focused on the fallen leaves and loose sticks passing by her feet as they walked together. Oddly enough there was only silence between them, that made Haruka kind of curious about what exactly the blonde's intentions were.

When he spoke to her, he had only mentioned that he wanted to take a walk with her, so she was expecting questions or some kind of interrogation, yet they were literally just walking together, aimlessly in a way it was stressing her out a little.

Why wouldn't he say anything? Why wouldn't he raise his voice? Why treat her this way? If there was something he wanted he could take it as he pleased, a dark feeling began to creep over the girl who slowly began to wrap her arms around herself.

A visage of golden eyes looking down on her appeared as she trembled, fingers seemed to come out of the ground curling toward her as the dirt underneath her feet appeared to become the palm of a hand that the fingers were attached to.

Haruka's breathing intensified as the fingers curled closer and closer to her as she was trapped in the hand while a wicked smile filled with sharp fangs appeared under the golden eyes that now had an almost mocking expression on them.

"You are now death."

The mouth spoke while Haruka looked at the mouth and eyes in horror as the fingers finally began to close in on her, she clenched her fingers on her arms and gritted her teeth while she allowed the fingers to close around her to the sound of wicked laughter.

Just di-

"We're here."

Naruto's voice spoke pulling Haruka out of her stupor as the sound of running water filled her ears, she slowly looked up toward where the blonde was standing spotting only his smile before she noticed the stream running behind him.

"This place was kind of the spot we hung out a lot back when we were making the big renovations to the compound but that's not the point, the point is I figured that you needed somewhere quiet to bathe and the shower can get hectic."

Naruto laughed while Haruka looked at him with surprise, her expression almost seemed like genuine shock while the boy slung a bag over his shoulders. He then offered the bag to Haruka who stared at it for a moment before the blonde smiled again.

"You don't have to worry about clothes, I've got some for you here. Sadly, they aren't really anything special, just some of my old stuff since I can't exactly ask the other girls for their clothes and Fu's might be… Anyway, here. This place is rather secluded, but I've got you so take your time."

Naruto said while he placed the bag in Haruka's arms while the girl was still looking at him in disbelief, she then silently bowed her head before the teen boy nodded, quickly summoning a few clones scattering them around multiple areas of the stream.

Haruka watched in surprise as the clones quickly moved, finding their places before they sat toward the forest, Naruto then gave her another smile before he sat down on a rock facing the forest as well. The brown-haired girl then looked at his back before she started taking off her tattered clothes.

"Let me know if you need anything, I don't really know what exactly I'm doing with your situation and all but all I can do is try right?"

The blonde offered while Haruka nodded her head before she slowly got into the water, it felt cool to the touch. It wasn't as cold as she thought it would be against her skin. For a moment the girl felt herself relax as the running water flowed gently against her skin.

She then bathed while her eyes would occasionally dart to one of the clones or even Naruto, yet they were all facing away from her not even stealing a single glance in her direction, "...You can look, I don't mind. I'm not bothered by it." Haruka said while the blonde chuckled.

"I don't peek... it's my 3rd rule."

Naruto said while Haruka looked at the blonde with surprise, "You… Don't want to?" the brown-haired girl pushed while the blonde shook his head.

"Nope. I just want you to bathe in peace, my eyes are out there so you can enjoy taking your time."

The teen said while the girl looked at him with slight surprise before she turned in the water allowing it to run over her, "...What are your other rules?" Haruka asked while she spotted the boy sitting up placing a finger to his chin.

"Eat well and the number 1 rule. Never give up."

Naruto spoke with enthusiasm, almost making the girl turn back around quickly toward him, "Never give up… In a world like this… You're a strong person." Haruka said while the blonde sighed.

"I believe that everyone can be strong, they just need a reason to be, I wouldn't call myself strong as much as I would tough y'know?"

Naruto spoke with laughter in his voice while Haruka looked at the water, "Only strong people can say something like that, you don't have to be humble about it." the girl said as the blonde merely closed his eyes in response to her.

"I suppose."

Naruto said while Haruka silently finished her bath getting out before carefully putting the clothes Naruto left out for her, noticing that they fit her rather well not putting too much pressure on her belly still allowing her to breathe properly.

It was a large white t-shirt with the red spiral on the back of it along with navy blue sweatpants, she could tell that even if Naruto was bigger than she was, he took extra time in stretching out his stuff to make sure she was comfortable in it.

Why?

"Finished?"

Naruto asked before Haruka nodded her head silently, the blonde smiled before his clones disappeared. "I suppose it's your turn then… I'll wash your back for you. I owe you." the brown-haired girl said while the blonde shook his head.

"I'm good. I brought you out here to bathe. Do you still have some effort left in you or should I take you back?"

Naruto spoke while Haruka's face darkened "Why?" the girl asked as the blonde lifted an eyebrow to her in response.

"Why did I take you out to bathe or?"

Naruto asked while Haruka glared at him, "I thought you had questions? I thought you brought me out here to speak with me and gather information. Instead, you watch my back while I bathe and talk to me normally… Why? Why are you being kind to me?" the girl spoke with a rare expression appearing on her face.

"...Do I need a reason?"

Naruto stated while Haruka took a step back from him, "...Of course you do. I'll do it… anything you say. I'll do it. You don't have to fool me or lie to me. You don't have to comfort me. Just say the words and whatever you wish I'll just do it. Just… don't be like this." the pregnant girl looked away while the blonde stared at her for a moment before he took her hand.

"If you say so. Whatever I want, right?"

Naruto asked while Haruka looked up at him before she nodded her head as he tugged her along with him further up the stream, eventually the pair found themselves in a place that was slightly shallower up to their ankles in water.

"Here's fine."

Naruto said while he waded through the water looking under the surface while Haruka stood just watching him, "What is this?" the girl asked while her pants were rolled up to her calves along with Naruto's as the teen continued to look at the water with a smile.

"You ever fish?"

Naruto asked while Haruka shook her head at him causing the blonde to grin at her before he popped his knuckles, "Fish?" the girl spoke before the blonde got close to her.

"Well, you're learning today."

The boy said before he stepped backward, "I don't see any rods… this is hardly the time to be fishing." Haruka spoke as the blonde rolled his shoulders.

"No fishing rods, just our hands. Watch me."

Naruto said before he carefully moved in the water keeping his eyes on it while Haruka watched him with confusion before she jumped at the sudden splash of water that came from his directions as he reached under the water's surface.

"Gotcha!"

The blonde yelled at the wriggling fish in his hands with a large smile on his face while Haruka looked at the boy with slight wonder, "So we're collecting fish to prepare? I understand, how would you like them-" the girl was cut off by the sight of Naruto letting the fish go back into the water.

"Your turn."

Naruto said while Haruka's eyes widened, "I couldn't…" the girl shook her head before Naruto smiled at her before he leaned over.

"They're really slippery so when you grab them, get a nice and tight grip, try to avoid their gills. If you can help it, we don't want to hurt them. You have to be quick too."

"Naruto I can't."

"Try."

The blonde encouraged while Haruka stared at the boy before she looked into the water watching the fish swim around her legs, the brown-haired girl did her best reaching into the water, but the fish evaded her grasp as she almost fell over.

"I got you."

Naruto said gently, holding onto her shoulder while Haruka huffed, "I can't do this, Naruto. I just can't. I'm not strong like you." the girl said while a smile creeped on the blonde's face.

"No one is asking you to do anything. Just try."

Naruto said while Haruka looked at him before she took a breath looking at the water again before she carefully watched the fish swim around under her feet, she quickly reached again missing another fish while the blonde supported her shoulders to prevent her from falling over.

"That one was really close."

Naruto said while Haruka looked up giving the blonde a frustrated expression, "Is watching me try and fail really that amusing?" the brown-haired girl asked while the teen boy grinned.

"I'm smiling because I believe in you. You'll get one this time… think you can do it without falling over?"

The blonde said while Haruka looked at him for a moment before she nodded her head causing the boy to run in the water, Naruto danced around splashing the water and turning the fish erratic while Haruka was having trouble focusing on them.

She couldn't.

They were moving too fast, and she wasn't fast enough.

She just couldn't do it.

A splash was heard while Haruka suddenly felt a slimy sensation in her hands, she slowly looked down where her honey-colored eyes spotted a fish in her hands from where she had reached into the water, "Huh?" the girl stared at the fish with disbelief while Naruto cheered.

"See! Easy! That was your third attempt too, it took me way more when I first started."

Naruto cheered while Haruka looked at the fish wriggling in her hands, "This was… it was because… You… you helped-" the girl was cut off by hands being placed on her shoulders.

"You did it, being strong isn't about doing it alone all the time. I certainly didn't get strong all by myself, so you don't have too either. I've got you until you can do it yourself."

Naruto said gently while Haruka's eyes watered looking toward the blonde before she looked at the water again, "Again… I want to do it again." the brown-haired girl said while the blonde took a step back from her.

"Let's make it a competition since you're so good at it."

Naruto teased while Haruka gained a slightly defiant look in her eyes before she looked back in the water while the blonde teen did the same, the two teens fished reaching and grabbing after fish trying to outdo one another slowly Haruka was getting more and more into it.

Haruka dug into the water moving toward Naruto's side in an attempt to throw the blonde off as he laughed avoiding the girl whose smile was beginning to crack on her face, they kept fishing while Naruto sent big splashes of water at the girl as payback.

Eventually the teens weren't even fishing anymore, they were splashing each other with water playing around in the pool of water scaring the fish away while they just splashed one another with water. A smile grew across Haruka's face as water hit her before she splashed Naruto directly in the face.

The blonde staggered before catching himself holding onto Haruka in the process touching her belly with his hands, the teen quickly realized what had happened before he moved his hands backward.

"Sorry! I didn't mean to do that."

Naruto apologized while Haruka stared at the blonde before she reached out toward him slowly grabbing his hands, his blue eyes watched in disbelief as she pulled his hands toward herself until they touched her soft yet firm skin.

Naruto's eyes quickly filled with wonder as he kneeled in the water, it was gentle, and he could barely feel it but there was movement. Underneath his hands there was a new life just waiting to be born into this world with bright eyes.

It was almost overwhelming.

Haruka kept her hands on his as he chuckled a little as the smile on his face continued to grow looking toward her belly, there were no words between them, only a peaceful silence broken by the sound of running water around them while Naruto admired the bump.

"You did a really good job."

The blonde said helping Haruka dry off while the girl looked off to the side, "How do you do it?" the girl asked while the blonde tilted his head.

"Do what?"

Naruto asked while Haruka looked back toward him, "You're an infamous ninja, whose name is heard in both praise and fear and the Renegades are a group of dangerous ninja that are facing off with the forces of… Yet you're so kind. All of you are. How do you remain kind yet still be so strong?" the girl asked while the blonde tapped his chin.

"It's difficult. It's difficult because it's a choice."

Naruto said while Haruka tilted her head, "A choice?" the honey eyed girl asked in confusion while the blonde teen nodded his head.

"Yup, a choice. Being strong comes with time and effort but being kind is a choice you have to make every day. For better or for worse."

Naruto said while Haruka looked at the water in front of them from the grass they were sitting in, "Why are you kind, Naruto?" the girl asked while the blonde's eyes widened before he looked at the water with her.

"Because I know what it's like when people aren't kind… Even if it's just a little bit. I hope that I can make sure that other people won't have to go through what I did, to show it to people who deserve it. Hopefully even make the world a kinder place."

Naruto spoke while Haruka looked at him with slightly watery eyes as he smiled at the water, "...I don't deserve it." the girl spoke while the blonde suddenly looked toward her.

"Of course you do. Why wouldn't you?"

Naruto asked while Haruka stared him in the eyes, "Because I'm death… Everyone that gets involved with me… they die and it's my fault. I'm selfish…" the girl spoke while the blonde gave her a concerned look.

"You aren't death, Haruka. What do you mean you're selfish? I haven't seen that from you once. You have a good heart."

Naruto said while Haruka shook her head, "You don't know that. You don't know anything. I'm scared. I'm scared to live. I'm scared to give birth. I'm scared to keep pushing on, I'm a coward. Everyone dies around me and all I do is survive." the brown-haired girl said while tears fell from her face.

"Haruka, listen to me. That's not true. None of that is true."

Naruto said before Haruka reached out her palm, "I'm weak…" the girl said as her palm began to glow before a seal appeared on it turning into a paper seal. Naruto stared at the seal while Haruka took it off of her palm.

"I… I wasn't lost in the forest… I was sent here. I was sent here… because he knew that you would let your guard down around me. That your heart would get in the way of everything… I was supposed to place this on you… I'm a trap."

Haruka confessed while Naruto stared at her, "I'm sorry. I'm so damn weak I can't do it. I'm so damn selfish I don't want to do it. I don't want to put this on you. I don't want to do any of this, but I'm so damn weak." the girl said before she let the seal fall into the water.

"Haruka… Where is he?"

Naruto asked while Haruka looked at him and shook her head, "Stop being so kind to me! I lied to you! I just told you I was here to trap you!" the girl raised her voice while the boy held onto her shoulders.

"You told me the truth, Haruka. Where is he?"

"Stop it, just let me go."

"I won't. Tell me where I can find him."

"He'll kill you."

"Where is he?"

"You'll die because of me too, it's my fault."

"Haruka, it's not your fault. I don't blame you. Please, where is he?"

"Hate me, Naruto."

"Never."

Naruto spoke while Haruka looked at the blonde in shock as he stared into her eyes, "Naruto!" Yugito called from the trees as she suddenly landed beside them both. The woman quickly pulled Naruto backward while Haruka looked toward them.

"Yugito, wait! It's not-"

Naruto yelled while Yugito cut him off, "I heard enough, I thought it was strange as it was with her showing up with barely a scratch. She's meant to bait you in." the woman spoke with a glare in her eyes while her eyes looked into Naruto's.

"She's right. I'm dangerous, Naruto."

Haruka said while the blonde teen pulled himself out of Yugito's grip while the brown-haired girl closed her eyes, suddenly two explosions of smoke appeared revealing two hidden cloud shinobi.

"Haruka!"

Naruto yelled while one of the ninja grabbed her while the other countered the approaching Yugito clashing his blade against her own, Haruka looked at the blonde with tears in her eyes.

"Don't come after me, Naruto… I don't want you to die too."

Haruka said while Naruto dashed reaching toward her only for more smoke to appear between them suddenly, the blonde went through the smoke touching nothing while the other ninja had vanished as well from in front of Yugito.

"Haruka!"

Naruto yelled while Yugito grabbed his shoulder, "There could be more, we need to inform the others." the woman said while she spotted an ice blue color in his gaze.

"I'm going after her and I'm going to make that bastard give her back!"

Naruto exclaimed while Yugito stared toward him before she grabbed his hand placing the back of it to her forehead, "If that's what you wish, then I'm with you." the woman said while Naruto's expression softened.

"I don't trust her, but I trust you. If that makes me wrong, then that's just how it has to be. Now we need to inform the others."

Yugito spoke calmly while the blonde teen calmed down nodding his head before he looked back from where Haruka was just taken before he clenched a fist.

"We're coming."

{...}

"Here's to another action-packed day, right?"

Boro spoke while the team dashed through trees, "You said that correctly, right? That she was sent by someone? That this could be the Bandit King?" Tsubasa asked while the blonde teen kept his eyes forward as he dashed forward.

"I'm not sure it's the Bandit King himself but someone sent her and I'm sure that guy is involved."

Naruto said while Fu looked around, "Big climatic battle time!" the girl cheered while Yugito looked toward her before her eyes looked forward again.

"You understand that this could be another trap, right? That's what we need to be vigilant when we enter into his domain."

Yugito said while Naruto nodded his head, "Should a few of us go ahead and scope the scene?" Boro asked while the blonde teen looked back toward Fu who grinned.

"You said her chakra signature is this trail we're following right?"

Fu asked while spreading her wings, "I'll go with her, she'll cover the air, and I'll cover the ground." Yugito spoke before the green haired girl cheered.

"Jinchuriki team-up!"

The girl cheered, flying backward to allow Yugito to grab onto her hands before Naruto looked at them both, "If you see anything let us know when we catch up. Be careful." the blonde spoke before Fu gave a salute and Yugito nodded.

Fu took in a deep breath before she blasted forward while flying Yugito narrowed her eyes through the trees ahead as they rapidly moved through the forest, the pair continued to fly past tree after tree until they finally broke through the forest into a clearing.

Fu's eyes widened as she spotted the large ruins below her before she lifted her vision toward a large temple at the end of those ruins, "Woah." the girl spoke while Yugito's eyes flicked over the ground before she tapped the back of Fu's hand.

"Here."

Yugito said while Fu let go of the woman allowing her to flip before landing on her feet gracefully, "This place is huge, though my bets on where we can find her is probably that temple." the teen girl pointed out as Yugito looked toward the structure.

"I'd be inclined to agree, but before we rush in there, we need to check to make sure they don't have some trap ready to spring here near the entrance."

Yugito said while Fu smiled, "This is cool, I'm actually working with a Jonin to track people for some kickass mission. I know we want to save Haruka and all, but this is exciting." the mint haired girl spoke while Yugito began to search.

"Jonin? It should be standard for any shinobi under that rank to have worked with a Jonin especially during their training phase."

Yugito pondered as her eyes became a dark blue before she started to look around, "Yeah… Standard. Believe it or not back in my village while I was technically a Genin ranked ninja it was really more of a title; they tossed my way because they didn't really know what to do with me. So, I've kind of gained a lot of my experience here with all of you guys." Fu spoke while Yugito looked toward her.

"What is the name of your village?"

Yugito asked while Fu blinked at her, "Takigakure of The Village Hidden by a Waterfall, why do you ask?" the girl asked while Yugito turned away from her.

"The same village the ninja Kakazu was from huh… No particular reason, I just had a passing thought of paying a visit to that village."

Yugito spoke with a dark tone to her voice while Fu chuckled nervously, "Your overprotectiveness is leaking out." Fu said with a smile on her face while the blonde woman walked ahead leaving Fu to smile even wider before she flew high into the air.

Meanwhile Naruto, Tsubasa, and Boro were quickly approaching the opening in the trees toward the clearing that Fu and Yugito had moved ahead toward. "Full speed ahead, it looks like things are pretty quiet if Fu isn't already buzzing around to meet us. Which is a pain in itself." Boro commented while Tsubasa narrowed his eyes forward.

"I know this is a rescue operation, but we need to approach this like the enemy has the higher ground at the moment."

Naruto said while Boro gave a salute while Tsubasa took a breath before he nodded his head as they made it through the clearing to the ruins, "Naruto." Yugito said, meeting the trio as they landed.

"What's the situation look like?"

Naruto asked while Yugito pointed toward the large temple, "After searching here on the ground with Fu confirming from the air it looks like other than some recently used fires and items there's no enemy presence out here. Meaning they all could by lying in wait within the temple where they are most likely holding Haruka." the woman spoke as the blonde teen nodded.

"Hey dude."

"What?"

"Did you also notice how all three of us landed yet the first and only person she paid attention to was Naruto?"

"Is this really the time for you to complain about your hurt pride?"

"It's not my hurt pride. I'm just saying, I think our resident femme fatale has a bias."

"Shut up, Boro."

Tsubasa said while the brown-haired boy deflated at the comment while Fu landed beside them throwing a salute up, "Hey you guys made it! I just finished sweeping the area by air and it looks like they really are waiting for us in that temple. Stay ready for a brawl!" the girl spoke excitedly while Boro closed his eyes as if his soul was healed by the girl's regular cuteness.

"Alright, let's not waste another moment. We're going in."

Naruto said while Yugito nodded before Fu popped her knuckles, Tsubasa pulled out his blade before Boro chuckled, pulling out his hatchets, "So what's the plan?" Boro asked while the blonde teen tightened his scarf around his neck.

"Attack."

Naruto said before the Renegades dashed toward the large, closed stone gates of the temple, the temple remained still before some dust fell from the large gates before they flew open from a heavy kick. The blonde teen spun, landing in an open hall while Tsubasa, Fu, Boro and Yugito immediately covered his sides.

The large hall was quiet before the sound of a light turning on revealed Haruka kneeling on the ground with her arms held over her head, her eyes widened as she spotted Naruto and the others. "No. No. no." Haruka spoke while the air pressure changed.

Naruto dashed toward the girl trying to reach toward her, "Don't!" Haruka yelled while the blonde instinctively reached his arm backward just barely avoiding a spear splitting through the air just as fast as he was moving that stabbed into the floor.

"A shame. I really thought you would be foolish enough to die on the spot."

A voice spoke from around them while Naruto looked up, the rest of the Renegades looked up as well before Tsubasa's face twisted up in rage at the sight. In the air slowly descending down toward them was a man with long dark purple hair in the white garb of a warrior monk. his eyes were a ruby red color and his wore a circlet on his head. His entire body was cloaked in bright light making him look almost like a divinity.

"I suppose that means that you may be more than just a stupid fox."

The man spoke while Naruto growled, he then turned his sights to Haruka walking toward her, "Do you like her? She's beautiful, isn't she? Like an unpicked rose. Perfect down to the very details, it's almost a shame that she doesn't have any thorns." the man spoke, rubbing her face with the back of his hand.

"Get your hands off of her, you dirty bastard!"

Naruto yelled while the man turned back toward the blonde teen, grabbing the back of Haruka's hair roughly before pulling her to her feet, "You've certainly heard of the story of the monk and the flower, no? Where instead of picking flowers he would simply admire them from where they grew, you also know why that might be as well." the man said while Haruka struggled in his hands.

"It's only when you pick a rose, that you steal its life."

The man said while he grabbed the back of Haruka's neck with one of his hands, "Hyperbole aside, the point is in my hands I hold a delicate flower. All I ask of you is to kneel before me now and swear fealty, simple. If you do, then perhaps I'll feel merciful enough to allow the rose to live unpicked. If you don't… well then, I suppose I'll have to pick the rose right in front of your eyes and gut her and the child within her like a fish. I'll allow you only a few moments to choose." the man said while Naruto gritted his teeth.

"You twisted- Let her go! It's me you want, isn't it?! She's got nothing to do with this!"

Naruto yelled while the man raised an eyebrow, "Nothing? As far as I'm concerned, she's already failed me. You see she was supposed to leave you with a gift I gave her to deliver but because she was such a weak flimsy being she decided to pretend she had any kind of choice and choose to not do what she was told. Plenty of reason to die right there is it not?" the man gripped a little harder while the blonde was reminded of a similar moment in the Land of Iron.

"If you think for one second that I'm just going to let you try anything then you're dead wrong!"

Naruto raised his voice while the man closed his eyes and nodded, "I suppose that's fair, I'm a merciful god after all." the purple haired man spoke before he dropped Haruka before he kicked her backward. Naruto dashed kicking toward the man only for his leg to hit the shaft of his spear.

'That was fast!'

Naruto thought to himself while the man flung him backward with his retrieved spear, "Consider our last deal null in exchange for a new one. Engage me in combat, Fox. Should you win, you live and the girl leaves. You lose, I kill your compatriots, and you kneel. Fair? Oh, and they can feel free to fight alongside you as well, I don't really care." the monk shrugged while he held his spear outward.

"I'm going to knock that stupid look off of your face!"

Naruto yelled while the others joined him at his side, "Shomei! You die here!" Tsubasa yelled while Shomei narrowed his eyes at him.

"You speak my name so casually, little Tsubasa. It appears you've lost your manners in the time you've spent running wild like an animal, allow me to re-educate you and the rest of you fools… I am Shomei but you may call me the God of the Mountain… and you shall know my wrath."

Tsubasa left a trail of lames in his wake as he quickly made his way in front of Shomei who smirked, "You've gotten fast, Little 'Basa." The purple haired man dodged the aggressive slashes smoothly before he spun his spear, nailing Tsubasa in his chest with the handle.

Tsubasa coughed while Shomei spun his spear slashing into the gray-haired teen multiple times before he brought the blade down onto his neck with force, the blade was stopped by Boro who had jumped in while Fu flew in from above.

"I did say all at once, didn't I?"

Shomei taunted while Boro spun his hatchets in his hands, "Don't regret it!" the brown-haired teen yelled while he sliced the air toward Shomei who smiled as he dodged the attacks while Fu took a deep breath and a red eye peeked toward the girl as she descended.

Shomei then took his spear, spinning it and deflecting two of Boro's attacks before kneeing the teen in his gut slamming the handle in the boy's face as he leaned backward allowing the spear to slide across his palm where Fu had landed.

The green haired girl stopped and managed to lean backward enough to just avoid the spear tip slicing through her neck, the blade then moved from her neck before the flat end smacked her side Fu flinched as Shomei then karate chopped the side of the girl's neck.

Fu coughed releasing the scales in a large cloud that cloaked herself and Shomei for a moment while the man kicked her up into the air following with a series of spin kicks, he slammed against Fu's frame before he placed both of his feet on her.

Shomei then launched off of the girl in one final kick launching her into the ceiling as he gracefully fell back toward the floor spinning one last time into a kick that slammed against the top of Boro's head cratering the floor with his face.

Naruto's eyes widened while the purple haired man just sighed before he curled his finger toward the rest of them, Tsubasa wasted no time getting into Shomei's blind spot stabbing toward the man's ear with the flaming blade.

Shomei quickly moved his head punching Tsubasa in his ribs while he flew over him, the purple haired man then snatched the teen out of the air slamming Tsubasa's back against his leg before he allowed the teen to finish spinning.

"Little 'Basa. You never really thought you stood a chance, did you?"

Shomei taunted while Tsubasa coughed attacking again with a blast of fire from his mouth directly toward the self-proclaimed god, the man spun his spear dissipating the flames before he used the handle to strike Tsubasa's torso multiple times.

Tsubasa growled as he grabbed the handle trying to tug Shomei toward him only for the man to slam a punch into the boy's face, the purple haired man then slapped Tsubasa a few times tauntingly with an open palm before grabbing the back of his hair.

"I admire the delusions it must have taken for you to even think to cross a god, maybe the smoke from the fire you should have burned in damaged your brain. A shame."

Shomei spoke while Tsubasa growled only for the man to elbow Tsubasa directly in the face causing blood to fly out of it, the warrior monk then shoved him backward aiming his spear directly toward his chest. "Tsubasa!" Fu yelled, causing Shomei to flick an eye toward her.

Tsubasa immediately took advantage of the opening trying to attack the man only for a kick to the solar plexus to stop him in his tracks, the gray-haired teen coughed while Shomei deflected Fu's wings as the girl launched herself forward kicking at the purple haired man.

Shomei gracefully avoided the kick, kneeing Fu hard in her side before using his spear to hold her pinning the iron shaft against her neck, "How disturbing, you actually managed to make these people care for you? Fight for your lost cause?" the purple haired monk spoke before he grabbed the back of her hair.

Shomei showed her struggling face to Tsubasa before he slammed it into the floor right in front of him, "YOU BASTAR-" Tsubasa was cut off from Shomei being thrown back by an impact that sent him flying backward quickly.

Yugito stood in front of Tsubasa while Shomei recovered in midair, slowing down enough to land a foot against the wall before he landed on the floor, "That was a hit… you must be the cat." the purple haired man said while the blonde woman's eyes flashed blue.

"Keep your composure, this guy isn't the type to be trifled with. We can't afford slip-ups due to rage."

Yugito said while Tsubasa could tell it was taking everything in her to not lose her composure right there and then, "Yugito Nii, the Hidden Cloud's perfect tool. I wonder what brought such talent to me? Let alone of her own volition it seems. It should be fun breaking you. So come on then, be a good weapon and kill me. Unless you need that to be an order, because it is." Shomei spoke while Yugito's now dark blue eyes gleamed at him.

"I hope your last breaths were used wisely on your drivel."

Yugito spoke before she vanished, Shomei's eyes widened as another impact sent him flying again. The man spun with a growing smile on his face while Yugito dropped an axe kick from above that Shomei blocked, cratering the floor under his feet.

The building shook from the impact while Yugito smoothly kicked off of his spear throwing blades at him mid-flip, Shomei deflected them while Yugito kicked into a blind spot that the purple haired monk had to quickly cover while the woman attacked him aggressively.

Shomei quickly maneuvered his spear to counter the fast attacks of Yugito while the woman just as easily moved through his attacks, Shomei ducked under a kick slamming his spear to the ground causing electricity to run through it.

The bolts flew out of it toward Yugito who had begun flipping backward away from them, the woman landed on her hands before crouching on the ground low enough to avoid another bolt. Yugito launched off of her hands toward Shomei who watched the woman fly toward him through the bolts.

Yugito bit down while another bolt flew directly toward her, she then opened her mouth revealing a blue mouse made of flames, she then took the mouse into her palm crushing it causing blue flames to burst from it as she spun.

One of the bolts hit the blue flame deflecting it as Yugito slammed the flames down on top of Shomei creating an explosion, the purple haired man backed out of the smoke slashing his spear into it while Yugito sliced through the smoke with her nails extended.

Shomei thrusted the spear rapidly at Yugito who weaved through the multiple thrusts before catching the shaft of the weapon with her teeth, her sharpened blue eyes narrowed at Shomei's whose eyes widened in surprise as she then tugged the man roughly toward her.

Shomei narrowly avoided several fast slashes from Yugito before he swung his spear around in a circle while the blade was generating electricity, the purple haired man quickly moved his spear behind him blocking an attack from Tsubasa.

"You're interrupting boy, fight my spear."

Shomei said while he threw Tsubasa backward before throwing his spear at the teen, the gray-haired teen blocked the attack before he noticed the spear beginning to move on its own. The spear slashed at him while he blocked the attacks.

Meanwhile Shomei and Yugito engaged in close combat, the purple haired man caught a punch from Yugito trying to twist her arm, but she rolled with it tugging her arm and Shomei toward her. The blonde woman then made a knife hand with her nails extending again before thrusting toward Shomei's face.

Shomei moved his head while the pair clashed with their arms still interlocked using their free hands to attack each other at point blank range countering and deflecting each other at an even pace before the purple haired man kicked Yugito hard in her side causing the woman to barely flinch as he went for another kick.

Yugito moved snatching her arm away from him before catching his leg with her hands throwing him backward toward the wall, Shomei quickly recovered only to just barely avoid a strong punch from Yugito that hit the wall right beside his face nearly shattering the entire thing.

Shomei moved backward while Yugito peered at him, her dark blue eyes burned like flames while the warrior monk chuckled, "You're going to be a bit of a problem." Shomei said while Yugito dashed toward him almost instantaneously.

"While I'm enjoying our bout, Tool. It'll have to wait, one of your fellows is being a pain. I'll deal with him first, then I'll kill you."

Shomei said while he quickly maneuvered around her before he started walking toward Tsubasa, Yugito went to attack but she felt herself become heavier before she slammed to the ground as if it was sucking her into it rendering her unable to move.

Boro dashed attacking Shomei's side only for the man to quickly counter the teen elbowing him in the chest before he slammed the boy to the ground, the brown-haired teen coughed before he too felt heavy. Shomei continued to walk toward Tsubasa while wings got in between him and the teen.

"Tsubasa!"

Fu yelled while Shomei glared at the flying girl, the green haired girl then sucked in a big breath while Shomei's eyes flicked to his spear before they went back to her. Tsubasa deflected another slash from the spear as it suddenly stopped before it turned.

"FU!"

Tsubasa yelled while the girl was about to fire her scales only for the blade of the flying spear to slash her across the face before Shomei moved his fingers down stabbing that blade into her shoulder dragging her roughly to the floor.

He then threw something in her direction before his spear returned to his hands, "You bastard! I'll kill you!" Tsubasa yelled while Shomei deflected his flaming slashes with relative ease before his hair was grabbed by Shomei.

"I admire your pure ignorance, boy. You and your family were just meat, yet you lived long enough to actually believe you could stand before the king or even a god like myself. Bolstered by the whispers of other fools who couldn't see the truth in what you are. A runt slowly wriggling toward nothing but his demise, you'll be joining your family soon. Make sure to beg on your knees for their forgiveness when you return to them in death a failure."

Shomei said throwing punches into Tsubasa's face hard enough for blood to come out of his face before he was kicking into the floor coughing up more blood, Shomei looked at the coughing teen before he put something on him before turning away.

"Naruto…"

"Look, I can get you out. Just hang on!"

"Stop… it won't work."

"It will."

"You're all dead because of me."

"Stop it."

"Why couldn't you just stay away?"

"I said stop that."

Naruto growled while Shomei walked toward his back, "Struggling, fox? It's no surprise, I figured while the chaos was going on someone would try to take the girl. So, to keep things fun, I have her restaurants sealed with a rather basic sealing formula. It's frankly disappointing to see such an infamous ninja struggling with cuffs while his cohorts give their all for nothing." the man spoke while Naruto narrowed his eyes before the air pressure changed.

Haruka only felt her hair wave from a gust of wind before Naruto was no longer in front of her kicking against Shomei's spear in the blink of an eye, the blonde growled while Shomei chuckled at the blonde's face before rolling his eyes.

"You're fast yet too slow, Fox. What an oxymoron."

Shomei taunted while Naruto kicked the man backward making him slide slightly, the blue-eyed teen then looked back at the rest of the team finding them all downed while he gritted his teeth. He turned toward Shomei who was already standing right in front of him.

"Pay attention."

Shomei said before he slugged Naruto's cheek hard enough to make the teen spin on his heel before he slapped his back sending him down the short flight of stairs in front of where Shomei was holding Haruka, Naruto quickly recovered to his feet glaring at the purple haired man who sighed.

"You want me to release the girl? Fine."

Shomei said while he undid the restraints holding Haruka allowing her free before he grabbed the back of her neck with his hand, "This fight's already over anyway, in such a disappointingly short time too." Shomei said while Naruto pointed at him.

"Let her go! This fight is far from over!"

Naruto yelled while Shomei gave the boy an amused look, "Oh? Far from over, eh? Well, how are you supposed to fight if you can no longer reach me?" the man asked while the blonde went to dash but his feet began to slide in another direction.

Naruto's eyes widened before he was suddenly flung into the wall to his side hard, "Naruto!" Haruka yelled while the blonde stumbled out of the smoke while he slightly dazed.

"Haruka!"

Naruto yelled before he tried to run toward the pair again only to be suddenly pulled to the other wall smashing into it hard, the blonde coughed while he came off of the wall. Shomei pressed his free hand against his cheek before he held Haruka out.

"Come on, fox. She's just right here. Grab her. Save her."

Shomei taunted while Naruto dashed toward them even faster than before reaching toward Haruka while the purple haired monk pointed a finger upward, Naruto suddenly flew into the ceiling almost smashing through it before he fell.

Shomei then pointed his finger, launching the falling Naruto into the back wall, the blonde cratered into it while he was stuck in the wall. The blue-eyed teen coughed as Yugito struggled to look at him, "Naruto!" the blonde woman said while Shomei's feet stepped past her.

The man seemed to glide as he quickly approached Naruto before he stood just in front of him, "She was right there in front of you, Fox. You still couldn't reach her. She needs you, doesn't she? Yet you can't even be there for her, you dove into the depths without realizing how insignificant you are." Shomei spoke before he slapped a hand against the blonde's face.

"Trying to write yourself into a tale that has nothing to do with you, spreading false hope and courage causing those around you to step beyond their stations. To make mere ants walking across the dirt feel as if they could face gods, that's what you 'heroes' do. You march lambs to the slaughter to die for nothing only to die a nothing death yourselves. It's disgusting."

Shomei said while he slapped Naruto's face again, "I want her to see it. As well as the rest of your comrades, the fox who challenged the king fell before he could even reach the last step into the heavens. Felled before you could reach my king." the monk spoke while the blonde looked up at him with defiant eyes.

"Heavens? God? Your king? I'll knock that stupid look off your face. Save Haruka and shatter your damn king's throne. If you are going to make me fall… it better be fast. If not, you'll fall faster."

Naruto said while Shomei gritted his teeth he then tugged Naruto off of the wall before he launched the blonde into the ceiling before waving his finger again smashing the blonde into the wall, "Naruto!" Haruka yelled while she turned her head away.

Shomei made his way back to her before he grabbed her face making her look toward the struggling blonde, "You don't get to look away. There are no heroes in this world and there is no one coming to save you, you'll live and die by the whims of those more powerful than you and forever be a pawn. His hope. His belief in you. It's nothing. Like you. Look at where it's gotten him. Your weakness has killed more people." Shomei said while Naruto was launched between walls smashing into them.

Haruka's lip trembled as a sob caught in her throat watching Naruto continuing to try to stand before he smashed into another wall, his friends called out for him from the ground while he continued to be manipulated into his surroundings.

"I went ahead and placed the seal on him as well as the walls just as a punishment for you for not following through with what I asked you to do. You belong to the king, you always will. You have no life of your own anymore, give it up. This is always going to be your fate."

Shomei said while Haruka placed a hand over her mouth while another loud smash was heard as Naruto slammed into another wall, the girl's breathing began to increase rapidly while images of the Bandit King extending his hand out to her with that wicked smile on his face appeared in her mind.

"You are now death."

Haruka almost fell over while Shomei watched Naruto fly around, "This is the fate of the weak, of those who believe that they can be anything more than what they are. The fate of those who pretend they're strong. No matter what they do their paths will always end in painful, useless death. Our king has true strength, the only one to have bested a god is who deserves the throne. The rest will perish. Remember that, girl." the monk spoke while Haruka felt her vision fading.

She must be falling unconscious from the sheer amount of stress she was in, it felt like she was suffocating and drowning in this place. She was on stone, but she felt like she was sinking, no matter how that whole thing turned out it was always going to be this way.

He was kind to her, but she was always going to be the thing that would get him killed. That's what she did, everyone that she had been sent to encounter. Everyone that tried to be something different for her to be kind to her all met the smae fate.

It was her fault.

All of this was her fault.

She tried to break away, she tried to indulge, she tried to allow herself to feel things she wasn't allowed to feel. Things that were beyond her station and she was being punished for believing in something she shouldn't have for herself.

Everyone would pay the consequences except for her who had to live with them on her conscience.

She felt like she wanted to lay down and disappear, to fade away into nothing. It was too painful; it was too much. This was too much, there was no escape because she's weak and unable to do anything in the face of the strong.

She's weak.

It was..

It was…

It isn't f-

A gust of wind shook Haruka's clothes before she heard a crack right above her, she opened her honey-colored eyes while she felt a hand grab the back of her shirt. In an instant she was pulled backward while a loud crash was heard.

"Hang in there."

A voice spoke while Haruka's eyes looked up in shock, she saw Naruto's bloodied face with his kind blue eyes looking into hers. Despite everything that had happened, he still had that same smile even on his bloodied features.

"I'll be finished up soon."

Naruto said while he held Haruka in his arms before he slowly placed her on the ground, "Naruto I-" the girl was cut off by the blonde sighing as he looked ahead at where Shomei was sent flying.

"You'll need another bath, a nice long hot one this time. You must be hungry too so I'll cook up something awesome and you can eat as much as you want. Then I'll make sure you have a nice comfortable place to get some sleep, and you can rest all day."

Naruto said while Haruka looked at him before a sob came out of her mouth, "Stop it… Just stop! This is killing you! I'm killing you! You'll die! You're going to die and you're talking about food! I brought you here! It's my fault! It's all my fault! I'm not strong! I'm weak! I'm-" Haruka was cut off by a gentle hand patting the top of her head.

"I'm not going to die here… Not until I know that you're all safe. Not until I accomplish my dreams… I'm selfish like that. So selfish that if the place that he and that king of his is keeping you trapped is the heavens, then I'll tear it all apart and break you free."

Naruto spoke while tears ran down Haruka's face, "Why? You don't have to do any of that. Why risk your life for me? Why make things difficult for someone who is the reason for your suffering?" the girl asked while the blonde shook his head.

"Because I want to. Stop assuming things about me, if I didn't want to be here then I wouldn't be. Stop saying those things about yourself, you aren't some twisted person. Haruka, this life that you're trapped in… it's so unfair. I don't like that because someone like you doesn't deserve it, I'm going to break you out. Simple as that."

Naruto said while Haruka looked at the teen in silence as rumbling from where he was staring at revealed Shomei pulling himself from the rubble, "You insolent fox! How dare you! How did you-" the purple haired man was cut off by the blonde pointing a finger at him.

"Looks like you're bleeding there… Some god, huh?"

Naruto said while Shomei touched his face his eyes widened at the blood on his fingers as he shot a glare at the teen who looked toward the brown-haired girl, the blonde closed his blue eyes as a smile softly grew on his face quietly.

"You're weak? That's perfectly fine. I already told you that it was ok to be weak right now."

Naruto spoke while his blonde hair began to become a little spiker and wild, Haruka's eyes widened at the blonde who crouched crossing his arms while his fingernails grew longer and sharp.

"I'll be your fangs, I'll be your claws, and I'll be strong for you. Until you can be strong for yourself."

Naruto said while his whisker marks flared becoming larger and red chakra bubbled on his back before it twisted forming into an orange fox tail, that waved while Haruka looked at the blonde in surprise as she watched his once blue eyes open revealing red sharp ones.

"I'll be your demon."

{...}

"You really believe that partaking in some monstrous transformation is going to change anything, Fox?"

Shomei asked while Naruto narrowed his eyes at the man while the purple haired monk almost took a step back from the sheer amount of chakras he could feel coming off of the blonde teen who looked back at Haruka with a smile.

"Yeah… for you."

Naruto said while he turned his vision back toward Shomei who growled, Haruka watched as Shomei pointed a finger. Naruto only slid slightly, almost barely moving before he took a step against the force pulling him causing Shomei's eyes to widen.

"I figured you out, these seals only react to opposite force. The harder you try to pull away from the seal the harder it pulls you to it, so if you pull away from the seal by not acting what do you think happens?"

Naruto asked while Shomei growled at him, "It doesn't matter, you'll still end here!" the purple haired man yelled while the blonde's wounds closed up before he finally slid backward slamming into the wall behind him, his eyes never leaving Shomei's.

"I had an idea. If this thing pulls harder than I push, then I'm just going to have to push until the damn thing can't pull… RIGHT?!"

The blonde yelled pulling himself off of the seal while Shomei quickly grabbed the back of Haruka's neck, he pulled the girl to him right as Naruto had appeared right in front of them both. Haruka watched the blonde hesitate to attack with her in the way before he was pulled into a wall.

Haruka struggled but Shomei held her tight, "No, you don't get to run off! You're letting more of his false hope leak into your heart. You're still weak! You're nothing and so is he!" the warrior monk yelled while Naruto flew into another wall but instead of crashing into it he landed on it with his feet still glaring at Shomei.

Haruka watched again as Naruto made another attempt to attack, only for Shomei to place her in his path, making the blonde hesitate again before being flung into another wall, even after everything he was still trying his best.

He was still fighting and now she was in the way. He found a way to prevail, and she still managed to get in the way. Why? Why was she so weak she couldn't do anything but continue to be a detriment to those around her? To stop them from succeeding? Getting them killed?

How could Naruto be right about her when these were her circumstances despite everything?

She hated it.

She hated it so much.

...

"You can't go out there, Haruka."

The breeze shook the leaves and flowers that were growing in the small quaint village while a brown-haired woman looked at the 15-year-old girl who stared off in the distance before she turned toward the woman standing beside her.

"Why not? It's pretty."

Haruka said while her mother shook her head, "There's nothing out there for you, Haruka. This world isn't the kind of place for people like you, you're still pure and have a heart of gold. Your place is here away from all of that." Haruka's mother spoke while the girl looked longingly at the distance.

"Why does it have to be that way? Is the world really that bad? If it's beautiful here, can't it be beautiful out there too? Why can't I be a part of that world?"

Haruka asked while her mother sighed, "You wouldn't survive out there. That world would eat you up and bury you as if you were nothing. Look, Haruka. Just stay here, you have family and friends. You don't need anything that's out there that you don't have here. Forgot about out there." Haruka's mother spoke while Haruka looked at the woman before she looked back at the distance.

"Of course, mother."

Haruka said while her mother rubbed her back, "Only I know what's best for you, Haruka. You don't need to have things to worry about. Stay here, this is where you are supposed to be." Haruka's mother said before the honey eyed girl cast one last longing look at the distance before she sadly turned away from it.

Suddenly before she knew it, flames burned her house while she sat in front of it kneeling while it was on fire, the once small village was now ransacked and destroyed by ninja who had shown up and destroyed the place with ease.

Haruka looked to her side, spotting her beaten mother and several dead bodies beside her while there were more people lined up on her other side, "My lord." one of the ninja said while Haruka only saw his boots walking in front of where her mother was kneeling.

"Supplies are taken, your homes are burned, and yet. You still stand against me. After all the grace I gave you, all the time I gave you to accept. You still refused to kneel, and your people's blood is on your hands. Their lives had to end because of your pride."

The cold voice of the man spoke while Haruka continued to stare at his boots while her mother stared at the man defiantly before he sighed, reaching toward Haruka, "Maybe your girl is a talker." the man said while Haruka's mother moved to grab his hand stopping him from touching her.

"Mom!"

Haruka yelled while she saw the face of the man who grabbed her mother by her throat lifting her, his eyes looked like dark gold, yet they looked so cold. Haruka could only stare while the man looked her mother in the eyes.

"Not her, please not her! Just let her go! She can't provide you with anything! Anything but her!"

Haruka's mother yelled while the man looked at the woman, "That's interesting… you almost made it seem like I was asking." The bandit king spoke before he broke the woman's neck in the palm of his hand, killing her instantly before dropping her corpse to the ground.

Haruka looked at her mother in horror while she choked on a sob, "Kill them all, there's nothing useful here any longer." The bandit king said while the ninja grabbed the back of the heads of the line of people including Haruka before pulling out their blades.

Haruka sobbed while she breathed heavily as the blade touched her neck, she cried a little before she couldn't feel the blade on her neck anymore instead with her eyes still stinging with tears, she spotted gold eyes looking into hers.

"Not this one though…"

The bandit king spoke while Haruka looked at him in horror before the ninja stepped away from her before the bandit king pulled her to her feet, "Well aren't you just a perfect rose?" the man spoke while he wiped away her tears with his thumb.

"You killed her… my mother…"

Haruka said while the bandit king looked at her body before he looked back at her, "So it seems. She was weak, so I killed. You… you're beautiful so I decided you get to live. Congratulations." the bandit king spoke while Haruka sobbed again.

"Listen closely, from now on you owe your life to me. That means it's mine now and you belong to me. Every word that comes out of my mouth to you is now all you will abide by, it's a waste to scrap such a pretty face so please do your best to follow that rule."

The bandit king said while Haruka sobbed again, "Should anyone ever try to tell you otherwise or I send you to someone. I'll kill them. Each and every time without fail." the bandit king spoke while Haruka almost collapsed while he cupped her face with his hand.

"That's how it is, Rose. You are now death."

The bandit king said while Haruka couldn't stop the tears from falling down her face while her ears were now filled with the screams of those that were left in her small village being killed leaving just her and the bandit king's forces as he ran a hand through her hair.

After that time seemed like a blur but a year had passed since then.

Haruka was in a decorated carriage adorned with gold and other fancy materials while she waited for her movement to come to a stop, her hands gently touching her now very pregnant belly softly rubbing it as she felt the wagon stop moving.

She closed her eyes while the door opened revealing the bandit king who extended his hand to grab hers, "Come now, Rose." the man spoke while Haruka looked at him before she allowed herself to be taken out of the carriage by him.

He carefully took her out of the carriage where Haruka only spotted a large stone temple, the girl looked at it with an almost hollow look in her eyes while she was guided to the front gates where ninja were bowing toward the approaching king and at the top of the stairs was a purple haired man.

"My king. Your presence is most welcome."

Shomei said while the bandit king huffed, "It's good to see you too, unfortunately I don't have much time and the situation has changed." the golden eyed man said while Shomei's eyes landed on Haruka who looked away.

"And this is?"

Shomei asked while the bandit king looked toward her, "A rose and the reason why I'm here. Two of them are dead now, just killed at a recent execution, there are talks of flames and the Blue-eyed Demon." The man said while Shomei gave him a look.

"Little 'Basa… and that fox? Shall I exterminate them for you?"

Shomei offered while the bandit king waved his hand, "No. I'm leaving her in your care. You're the only one I can trust her with. I still want to meet with this Naruto… at this rate he'll come to me. The last thing I need is my rose getting caught in the crossfire." the bandit king spoke while Shomei looked toward Haruka again who looked away.

"I see. You are well aware that should they arrive, that I'll kill them before they get a chance to do anything right?"

Shomei said while the bandit king placed a hand on his shoulder, "If this Blue Eyed Demon is killed by you then he wouldn't be worth meeting anyway. The point is that you protect her until this is handled… she's quite valuable and cannot be lost no matter what. Can you do that, old friend?" the man asked while Shomei stared at him before he nodded.

"Of course, my lord."

Shomei said while the Bandit King nodded his head before he looked at Haruka, "I'll return for you, so don't fret Rose." Those were the last words the Bandit King said before Haruka was left with Shomei. The girl's eyes still looked hollow while Shomei gave her a look.

It was all…

It wasn't…

…

That's all it had ever been.

Other people, stronger people making decisions for her. Telling her what she was and what she wasn't, talking about fate and what she could handle and what she couldn't handle. Her mother, the bandit king, Shomei, never once in her own life did, she get to choose.

She never got to decide.

She just allowed it all to happen because there wasn't anything she thought she could do against them, they knew more than her, they were stronger than her, they were better than her. Yet it still never felt right, and it was always so painful, and she had to deal with that pain.

She just had to live with it.

She hated it.

She hated it so much.

"It's ok to be weak."

"I certainly didn't get strong all by myself, so you don't have too either. I've got you until you can do it yourself."

"I'll be your demon."

Naruto's words bounced in her head while Haruka watched as the blonde teen continued to face off against Shomei never truly reaching him because she was in the way and there was nothing, she could do about it because Shomei was so much stronger.

But she couldn't help but feel off about it.

She couldn't help but feel angry…

It wasn't…

It just wasn't…

Haruka's mother's face flashed in her head before her corpse was only there, leaving the bandit king's face instead before it shifted to Shomei standing over her before she felt the cool touch of water hitting her and she was back at the stream with Naruto.

He was smiling at her.

It wasn't…

It's not…

"IT'S NOT FAIR!"

Haruka screamed out causing Shomei to look down at her before she grabbed at his side with her hands, "What are you doing you-" Shomei was cut off by a blade slashing his face that Haruka had pulled from his pouch.

Her honey-colored eyes looked back at his own red ones filled with frustration while Shomei growled, "You little!" Shomei couldn't finish his sentence before he was slugged across the jaw by Naruto flying in.

"Haruka! Go!"

Naruto yelled while Haruka turned toward the rest of the group, she ran toward them while the blonde teen walked toward Shomei with a cold glare in his eyes. Haruka's feet hit the ground heavily as she ran toward Tsubasa.

"None of this is fair. I just want to choose something for once!"

Haruka yelled while she lifted the blade over her head before she slashed apart the seal on the gray-haired teen, "Shomei!" the teen yelled while he suddenly blocked an impact at his side. His orange eyes glared at a ninja who had attacked him.

"Lord Shomei!"

More Hidden Cloud ninja showed up while Tsubasa gritted his teeth, "Haruka, I won't let a single one of them touch you. Keep going, release everyone else." the teen said while Haruka looked at him before she nodded her head.

"Don't let a single one of them interrupt! Take the girl!"

Shomei barked while Haruka dashed again running while Tsubasa looked at the rest of the ninja approaching them with a dark look in his eyes.

Naruto meanwhile stared down the warrior monk who spun his spear, "Stupid fox, before I was toying around with you but now, you'll receive my wrath in full. I'll bring your head to my king and end this farce!" Shomei growled while the blonde narrowed his eyes at him.

"The farce that ends here is you. Everything you've done, I'm making you pay for. Here and now."

Naruto said while their red eyes glared into each other for a moment before Shomei's spear crackled to life with electricity, the lighting was a purple color as it sparked violently. Naruto's tail waved in anticipation while he stood undeterred.

The sound of lighting cracked as both Naruto and Shomei vanished.

Shomei spun his spear cutting through the air viciously in a circle as Naruto flipped over the slash, the purple haired man then quickly thrusted his spear toward the blonde who caught the tip of the blade between his fingers glaring at Shomei.

Shomei growled before he pulled his spear back throwing another lightning slash at Naruto who punched through it, the teen then leaned out of the way of several more thrusts from Shomei's spear, The purple haired monk then swung the blade in wide and heavy slashes through the air that Naruto backflipped away from.

Shomei took advantage of the blind spot attacking Naruto who caught the spear tugging the red eyed man toward him smashing his fist against his face before kicking his feet from underneath him following up with a kick to his side that launched him into a wall.

The wall exploded as Shomei jumped through the smoke spinning his spear over his head, purple lighting sparked violently as bolts rained down on top of Naruto who weaved through the multiple lightning strikes kicking through one of the bolts sending a blast of wind toward Shomei.

Shomei slashed through the wind while Naruto spun in front of him, the purple haired man blocked the kick while they clashed violently in mid-air trading blows and deflecting each other's attacks in extremely close quarters combat.

Shomei roared, slashing his spear heavily on top of Naruto who caught it with his hands while another lightning bolt formed above him striking him to the ground. The ground cracked underneath Naruto's feet as he landed, he looked up toward Shomei who threw his spear at the blonde.

Naruto knocked the spear out of his way while Shomei spun kicking toward the blonde teen, the teen lifted his arms blocking the axe kick as the deflected spear corrected itself in mid-air aiming toward the open frame of the blonde who stopped its thrust with a kick. '

Shomei landed on his feet striking at Naruto while his spear moving on its own also attacked the blonde at the same time, Naruto fought striking and countering Shomei while also deflecting the attacks from the spear attacking with its owner.

Shomei gritted his teeth as he tried to speed up his attacks hoping to throw off Naruto but the blonde teen quickly caught up to him while he was still fending off the spear attacking his other side, "What the hell… are you?!" Shomei yelled while Naruto caught his arm smashing his fist into the warrior monk's face.

Naruto snatched the spear out of the air, spinning it over his head before he attacked Shomei with it, the purple haired man avoided the slashes from his own spear as the blonde teen pushed attacking faster. Shomei deflected a strike from the spear while Naruto kicked him in the gut.

Naruto spun the spear holding it in a backward grip while he dashed toward Shomei, the purple haired monk channeled his electricity through his hands before he launched a palm strike toward the blonde who avoided it by stabbing the blade of the spear lifting himself in the air.

"Wind Stand Spear Edition: Violent Whirlwind!"

Naruto yelled while he spun with the spear several times before he slashed Shomei cutting the man sending his blood flying, the warrior monk groaned while Naruto followed up with a thrust that Shomei stopped by lifting his hand stopping the attack.

Shomei snatched the spear from the blonde blasting him backward with lightning before he lifted his spear into the air allowing it to be struck by more purple lighting, the warrior monk then thrusted the spear at Naruto who landed. The blonde reacted quickly placing his foot on the shaft making the blade stab into the floor.

Shomei tugged the blade out of the floor avoiding a kick from the blonde before the threw it at Naruto fast enough for the spear to appear as if it was the lightning bolt.

Naruto leaned, avoiding the lightning-fast attack as he used his hands to guide the spear into the ground, the spear stabbed into the ground while Naruto flipped landing on the handle of the upright spear staring down toward the panting Shomei.

"You talked a real big game, but now that push has come to shove your bleeding all over the place… You look tired, god."

Naruto said while Shomei growled, "Who do you think you are looking down on me like that! You are nothing but a fool chasing after an impossible goal! A fool running toward his death in a full sprint! And for what? A girl? A blasted fool that should have died as a child?! They're nothing! You're nothing!" the purple haired man yelled while the blonde looked down at him.

"I'm just me. The one you're going to lose to, is just me. The one who is going to accomplish said impossible goal is me. Nobody deserves to live in this world shackled by anyone's shadow, everyone deserves to be free. No gods and no kings. Once I'm done here with you, your so-called king is next. I'll smash his throne into pieces."

Naruto said while Shomei growled before he yelled, he tugged his spear backward causing the blonde to flip right when he was about to attack. Naruto quickly landed on his feet extending his hands outward creating a large explosion of wind that sent him flying backward.

Shomei flipped through the air before he pulled out several seals throwing them toward Naruto who quickly moved out of the way of them, the blonde suddenly felt himself getting pulled upward. Shomei dashed toward him in the air, thrusting his spear at him.

Naruto's back hit the ceiling while he quickly grabbed the spear thrusted at him, Shomei's eyes widened as the blonde broke through the pull of the seal destroying it with a push from one hand. Shomei coughed as Naruto landed two heavy kicks into his gut as he grabbed Shomei's shoulders spinning him several times before launching him into the ground.

Naruto landed on his feet before he felt himself being pulled backward, his back then hit the wall hard enough to crack it. He then rolled out of the way of the spear that had been thrown at him, the spear moved out of the wall on its own, continuing to try to stab Naruto who rolled along the wall avoiding it.

The spear stabbed toward Naruto again but was kicked by the blonde's feet, the spear spun before Naruto's foot kicked it again launching it toward Shomei who kicked it back. The two opponents kicked the spear back and forth causing it to go faster and faster before Shomei kicked it hard enough for it to create a sonic boom.

The spear cracked through the air like thunder as Naruto flipped over the spear that stabbed into the wall enough to almost shatter it, the blonde landed on the shaft of the spear while Shomei landed on the shaft of the spear with him.

Naruto and Shomei clashed at close range standing on the shaft of the spear, Naruto countered an attack from Shomei who kicked Naruto away, the blonde landed on the wall while Shomei continued his assault this time they were fighting while standing on the wall.

Shomei threw several heavy punches that Naruto blocked before he held his fist back, winding up a lightning infused punch that he threw fast enough for three blows to be in one, his attack was blocked by Naruto's tail before the blonde grabbed his collar smashing his face into the wall.

Naruto spun, throwing Shomei into the other wall before he landed back on the ground, lighting cracked as Shomei moved at blinding speed toward the blonde thrusting his spear at him at lighting speed. Naruto weaved through the thrusts.

Lightning flew off of Shomei as he thrusted harder toward Naruto who continued to avoid the slashes before he started to land punches in the midst of the thrusts, Shomei's eyes widened as he started taking more punches in between his thrust while Naruto's red eyes flared.

A massive explosion sent Shomei into the ground while Naruto panted looked down at him, the warrior monk coughed while the blonde stood over him. "This isn't over, fox! I'm still breathing! Someone like you could never overcome a god!" the man yelled out while he threw several things at Naruto who quickly moved out of the way of them.

The multiple seals then split up into even more seals creating a large network of the seals in mid-air, "You're in my domain, under my control! I have no equal in you!" Shomei yelled while Naruto was pulled into the network of seals.

Haruka tore apart Boro's seal when she noticed Naruto being flung through the air rapidly smashing into the walls while Shomei formed a hand sign making Naruto move even faster in the network of seals, "Naruto!" Haruka yelled as Boro looked at her.

"Don't fret… From the looks of it. That fight is already over knowing him."

Boro said while Haurka gave him a look, "But he's stuck. Those seals they're really powerful while I can see him getting out of one… that many is impossible." the girl said while Boro huffed.

"When that guy is protecting something… never say impossible. Naruto has a way of making you look stupid when he proves you wrong."

Boro said while the girl gave him a look, "Tsubasa! We got you covered, it's revenge time!" Boro said, pulling out his hatchets while the gray-haired teen looked back at the brown-haired boy who nodded at him before he dashed toward where Naruto was.

"You should have given up when you had the chance! You should have bent the knee; your stubbornness only ever ends in death!"

Shomei yelled while he watched Naruto continuing to crash into walls, his red eyes focused on the teen while a sudden feeling crept over him. Clearly the teen was trapped but for some reason something didn't feel right, something was off.

Shomei suddenly felt an impact hit his face before he looked back at the seals with shock before another impact hit him, "He's launching attacks while moving?!" the warrior monk yelled while he dodged another few wind blasts.

"This network is made up of not only your seals that pull but the ones that push two to maintain momentum and cause more damage. You made one grave error though…"

Naruto spoke while Shomei spun his spear over his head while the purple lightning violently collected on his spear, "And what error was that, Fox! I'll keep that in mind after your death!" Shomei yelled while his entire spear was cloaked in lighting.

"Lightning Style: Thunderous Hell!"

Shomei swung his spear downward slamming a massive thunderbolt that destroyed the roof of the temple onto the network of seals, the seals vaporized while a blinding light filled the room. The seals and Naruto appeared to be gone while he stared at the massive crater.

Shomei began to laugh while he looked at the crater, "How was that, Fox?! Some error that was!" Shomei laughed before he felt a heavy change in wind pressure, his eyes widened as suddenly one sonic boom cracked in front of him before another cracked behind him revealing Naruto.

The entire time he had been moving within the seal network he had been rapidly adjusting his position so that instead of just randomly crashing into walls he took advantage of the push and pull to continuously speed himself up.

Naruto was already out of the attack before it even landed.

Shomei's face twisted into horror while everything moved in slow motion around himself and Naruto who pulled his fist back, "That error was…" the blonde began while Shomei's hair blew backward in slow motion with a horrified look on his face.

"You put me in it."

Naruto said before he threw the punch, Shomei could feel his chest cave in before the impact created another sonic boom breaking through the sound barrier while the warrior monk coughed up blood before flying backward violently.

"But I'm… I'm a god!"

Shomei yelled while he suddenly felt a blade stab into him mid-flight from the crater, the purple haired monk looked down at Tsubasa who was giving him a death glare as hsi blade ignited, "If it means getting my revenge, then I'll kill even gods… Shomei for my parents. I'm pulling you from the heavens and sending you straight to hell!" Tsubasa yelled while he dragged his blade up Shomei's chest before the man screamed as he ignited into a massive pillar of Tsubasa's red and orange flames.

{...}

10 Years Ago

He was unchallenged.

He had no equal.

No threat.

He alone stood above all else reachable by any of the mortals below him, he sat in his stone throne almost boredly while looking over the foggy landscape below him while the clear blue sky above him allowed the sun to shine down on him.

He was a god.

One that ruled over his dominion undefeated, yet he was bored longing for something despite the fact that he already had everything anyone else could have asked for. Maybe that was the reason why he was bored, because he had no equals.

Did he want one?

As much as a pain as they might be he couldn't help but be amused at the thought of someone as strong as he was to keep him entertained, the purple haired man scoffed at his own thought as he leaned against his stone throne. It was merely a daydream, anyone that came to his mountain would meet the same fate as all of the others that approached him.

Death and defeat.

Shomei, the god of the mountain, bit into an apple that only grew on the trees on the peak. His personal treat as these were some of the sweetest apples that had ever been grown untouched by the hands of man growing naturally and wild here.

He would be like the nature that graced his peak, satisfied with his existence as is. He was a god; he should have no desires for anything else.

It was only right as that was his station.

Shomei closed his eyes taking a bite from his apple only for a sound to fill his ears, it was the sound of a crunch. Shomei opened his red eyes where he spotted a young man holding one of his apples in his hand chewing on the bite he just took before he spat it out.

"Disgusting."

The young man said while Shomei's eyes widened staring toward the young man who looked into his red eyes with his gold ones before he tossed the unfinished apple at the foot of his throne. The purple haired man looked at the young man with a glare while he wiped his mouth.

"You cur!"

"Are you the so-called God of the Mountain?"

The young man asked, ignoring Shomei who stood up from his throne. "You speak lightly toward me despite your disrespect, you animal. I won't tolerate your attitude, it's below me." the purple haired man said while the young man's eyebrows perked.

"Good, you look adequate. You work for me now."

The young man said while Shomei could only look at the young man with shock from the sheer audacity of the new arrival to his mountain, "Who do you think you are?! I work for no one. Especially not a brat who's too arrogant to see he's stepping past his station." Shomei said while the young man huffed.

"I'm the man who's going to become king."

The young man said while Shomei chuckled, "King? What even is a king to a god? Bend the knee, beg for forgiveness and I'll find it within me to provide the mercy of a quick death. I'll forgive your lack of respect and ignorance to your position." Shomei said while the young man blinked before he removed his vest.

"Stations? Positions? I don't care about any of that stuff. Raikage, god, demon call yourself whatever you please that's not stopping me. I just want to do whatever I want and I want to become king, so I need your strength."

The young man said while Shomei scoffed, "You plan on taking my strength by force? Suicide is a fool's errand, you want to kill yourself so badly run past me and jump, fool." the warrior monk said while the young man laughed.

"I'll tell you what, you've entertained me. I'll fight you and if you manage to land a few hits on me I'll call it quits and leave you to your dreary mountain top."

The young man said while Shomei narrowed his eyes, "Such arrogance! You clearly don't understand who you are standing in front of. I am Shomei, the god of the mountain and I have never known defeat. You'll die a fool's death by my hand." Shomei said before he grabbed his spear.

"That's the spirit, you fighting back makes things more entertaining for me. You'll make for a good pawn."

The young man said while Shomei noticed the Hidden Cloud headband on his head before he chuckled, "You call yourself a king and yet you wear the headband of a ninja. It appears you're still hiding behind your village even with words as large as yours." Shomei said while the young man paused.

His brass-colored hair blew in the wind before he took off his headband looking at it, "I almost forgot about this thing… You're right. The only thing that I'll be wearing on my head is a crown after all. I'll have you make one for me." the young man said easily snapping the metal of the band in his hands, causing Shomei to raise an eyebrow.

"Poor fool, you'll die thinking you had a chance."

Shomei said before he and the young man clashed on top of the mountain, for as long as he could remember this mountain was his home. Anyone who had intruded upon it was be taken care of and dealt with easily falling by his hand.

Each time without fail for years… He was untouchable… He was a god.

He had lost.

A beaten Shomei laid on the ground staring toward a tree in shock while the young man who was barely scratched looked down on him, "That was it? Some god you were." the young man said, walking past his downed form.

"That's… that's not possible… it's not possible."

Shomei said while he was on the ground as the brass haired young man walked toward his stone throne inspecting it with his eyes while Shomei continued to lay on the ground, the young man's golden eyes stared at the throne a little while longer before he punched a corner off of it.

Shomei watched as the young man tore his stone throne into pieces with his bare hands powerless to do anything but watch the young man destroy it, "You work for me now, your strength is mine to use as I please. You're strong, you should be handy." the brass haired young man said while Shomei stared at him.

"Why?"

Shomei asked while the brass haired young man shrugged, "Why what? Become king? Because I want to, all there is to it." the young man said casually while Shomei just looked at him with shock from the ground he was laying on.

"Because… you want to?"

Shomei asked while the young man looked toward him, "What is that you desire? Did you know that whatever comes out of your mouth is purely in the control of those more powerful than you, they get to decide whether or not you are allowed to keep your desire or have it forcefully taken. I hate that." the young man said while Shomei continued to look at him.

"I want to become king, I want to tear down the Daimyos, the Kages, and the councils because I want to do whatever I want. I want to live in a world where people are free to do whatever they desire with no one but me to control them, an unbound world."

The young man said while he looked off into the distance, "An unbound world… Freedom… You'd face gods and the leaders of this world for that desire? Something so trivial…" Shomei spoke while the young man looked at him again,

"It's not trivial to me and that alone gives it all the worth it needs."

The young man said while he extended a hand toward the downed man, "You call yourself a god, yet you sit on a stone throne and allow the world to move toward you instead of you moving it. That's why you're so weak. Come with me, weak god… I'll show you a real throne." the young man offered while Shomei stared at him.

His golden eyes seemed to sparkle as if he himself was some kind of divinity, his very presence was calming yet cold and violent. This young man was clearly not like anyone he had ever met before, not pinned by roles or stations.

A beast free from any shackle.

Shomei looked at the hand before he eventually took it, "Then show me… Show me a real throne." Shomei said while he eventually found himself walking down his mountain behind the young man. His eyes scanned around his surroundings before they focused on the young man.

The way he walked carried his arrogance, as if he was already well aware that he was the strongest thing on this mountain. Undisturbed, yet focused and collected. It was almost unnerving how calm the young man seemed in his presence.

"My lord! He's returned!"

A voice yelled while Shomei slowly spotted a large group of people approaching the young man as he stepped closer to them, his red eyes widened in surprise as the people both normal looking civilians and other Hidden Cloud ninja alike, gathered around him.

"Come now. I brought a new addition. From now on he'll be one of you so treat him as such as we continue to move forward."

The young man spoke while the people seemed to go along with his words without question. Then Shomei could see it, this man…

He had the gait of a king.

He was truly someone beyond his own understanding, a king that went even beyond a god like himself. It was he who had been ignorant of his own station in the presence of this man. Shomei continued to watch the people gather around him before the young man looked toward Shomei.

"Who are you… My lord?"

Shomei asked while the young man looked back at him before a wicked looking smile cracked across his features at the question.

"I'm the Bandit King."

…

8 Years Ago

The sound of screaming filled the air while there were multiple bodies on the ground, footsteps hit the ground as people ran for their lives as fast as they could from their attackers.

Shomei swung his spear easily, cutting through a man and his wife with blinking before he swiped his weapon to the side tearing a building apart while cutting through several more people. The purple haired man looked around the chaos before his eyes landed on a black-haired man standing over a corpse.

"These people… what have they done? What have they done to deserve… this?"

Gen as while Shomei swiped the blood off of his spear walking toward the man, "What have they done? What a foolish question. They opposed the king, that's more than enough reason to kill them." the warrior monk said while Gen looked toward him with a look of disgust on his face.

"These animals… They're just meat."

Shomei said while Gen closed his eyes looking off to the side, "If you wish for me to kill you as well all you have to do is ask. If not then you'll kill until they're all gone, for our king. For his world." Shomei spoke looking toward Gen with a dark look on his face before he walked away.

Shortly afterward Shomei had found another house, he easily split open the door revealing a black-haired woman closing a door while a black-haired man with orange eyes held a large knife toward him. The purple haired man stared at the pair before a grin cracked across his face.

"Even in the presence of god, humans never fail to believe they can fight against forces they can't even comprehend. I love your tenacity… Come, fight for your family."

Shomei said while the man took a step back, "I can't let you… Just leave… just go. There's nothing of worth here! There's nothing left to take!" the man roared while Shomei stared at him before he scoffed.

"Of course there is… your family."

Shomei said, smashing his knee into the man's gut causing him to collapse before he moved, pulling the woman from the door and throwing her onto the floor, "You see, arrogance doesn't get you anywhere but killed. Worse yet it gets the people you love killed." Shomei said while he stabbed his spear through the woman's leg.

"All you had to do was bend the knee but apparently you must be so strong that you were willing to pay this price."

Shomei said as he dragged the blade up the woman's leg cutting it while she tried to hold in her scream before she yelled out in pain, The man pulled himself off of the ground trying to slash Shomei with his blade before he was hit across the face.

Shomei pulled the man from the wall pummeling him with punches across his face, "Protect them. Stop me. Face your merciless god and save your family from me. You can deny the king, but you can't even do that, filth!" Shomei said while he kept pummeling.

His hands were covered in blood from the man's face before the woman's hand grabbed onto the purple haired man's leg, Shomei stabbed his spear through her arm making her scream again before he punched the man he was holding again, spilling a little of his blood on his face.

"Shomei."

A voice spoke from outside causing him to pause before he turned around spotting the brass haired man standing just outside the door along with the rest of the raid group, "Hurry up and finish in there. You're wasting your time talking." the bandit king said while the purple haired man bowed his head.

"Forgive me… I got caught up in their lack of respect toward you."

Shomei said while he pulled his spear from the floor and was about to finish the man, but the sound of a door opening caught his attention, a young boy stepped out with tears running down his face while the woman on the floor looked at him.

"Tsubasa… No."

The woman said while Shomei focused his red eyes at the crying boy who looked at his parents in horror before he looked up at Shomei who narrowed his eyes at the boy before a small grin appeared on his face.

"Care to join them… Little 'Basa?"

…

Current Day

Eight years had passed since that day, He had fought and killed in the name of his king and the world that would be coming with him. The world where a god like himself wouldn't be stuck on a mountain with a stone throne but worshiped.

With a real throne.

Yet it all came crumbling down around him, he was bested by a nobody all for the sake of an unimportant girl no matter what his king said to him. He a god… Died on the whim of a fox just trying to get a girl back to usher her away.

How disappointing.

Shomei's body still burning hit the ground while he felt himself fading as slowly burned into nothingness as Tsubasa stood over him, "A cur to the end… You'll die unaccomplished." Shomei said while the gray-haired teen continued to stare at him.

"That day… all those years ago. You tore out my heart."

Tsubasa said while he took the tiger fang circlet off of his head and slowly put his hand into the flames deliberately and slowly pushed his hand through Shomei's still burning flesh until it was in his chest completely before he pulled.

Shomei screamed while Tsubasa held the burning yet still beating heart, "What do you know… Just meat. Like what you said about my family… just like your allies…" Tsubasa spoke while the purple haired monk hacked and writhed in pain in front of the teen who slowly closed his hands around the organ making the fire on it burn brighter.

"Care to join them… god?"

Tsubasa said before he crushed the ashes in his hand as Shomei looked at the boy in horror before he went still burning away to ashes right in front of him. Haruka watched the scene as she collapsed to her knees, relief and other feelings washed over her while Naruto placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Let's get out of here."

Naruto said while Haruka looked toward the blonde teen, his eyes were still red fading into blue while his sharp nails rested gently on her shoulder, his tail swayed as it began to fade as well. Even with this monstrous appearance that he had taken on…

She still didn't see a demon.

{...}

The Renegades returned back to base where Tayuya was waiting on them with plenty of scolding before Haruka couldn't make eye contact with the girl, Tayuya stared at her before she looked at Naruto who smiled slightly causing her to lightly pat the girl's head.

Haruka's eyes watered as Fu jumped and cheered, Tsubasa looked at the girl while Boro pat him on the shoulder giving him a nod. Yugito placed a gentle hand on her back before she guided her to the kitchen where Naruto made dinner.

She ate the meal with them, the best she had had in a long time.

She then bathed and was able to rest… but she couldn't.

She was still haunted.

Later that night when everyone had gone to bed, Haruka found herself standing in front of Naruto's door. The girl looked down toward her swollen belly before she looked back up reaching toward the door, she hesitated before she opened it.

"Haruka?"

Naruto asked groggily while sitting up while the girl took a step back, "I'm sorry… I didn't mean to-" the honey eyed girl was cut off by the blonde giving her a tired smile.

"You ok?"

Naruto asked while Haruka stared at him before she shook her head, "No… I'm not. I… I can't sleep. I can't rest… I can't stop thinking about it… I don't deserve this, any of it… Your kindness. The blood lost because of me… and that man. I'm scared." the young woman spoke while the blonde stood up.

"I… Don't know what to say to make you feel better… I get it though. You're wrong. You deserve kindness, more than you know. I already told you, you don't owe me a thing. Not one."

Naruto said while Haruka looked at the floor, "It's too good to be true. You have to want something from me… I need to give you something. You could have died for me, a stranger. I'm just…" tears fell from her face while the blonde approached her.

"Haruka… I'm not gonna die. We aren't going to leave you behind and I'm never going to ask for anything except that you're healthy. You aren't just some stranger anymore, you're part of the crew. Especially after you fought back against Shomei."

Naruto said while Haruka sobbed, "I was scared when I did that." the girl said while the blonde took her wrists into his hands gently.

"That's real bravery, you were scared, and you still fought. That's real strength. You're strong, Haruka."

Naruto said while Haruka sobbed again, "Don't tell me that… I can't hear it. What if I believe it? What if I believe in your words and then the bad things happen?" the brown-haired girl said while the blonde rubbed a thumb on her forearm.

"I promise… no matter what happens. Good, Bad. It's ok for you to believe in things… to be selfish. We'll end the Bandit King. We'll free you away from him so you can live however you want from now on. Believe it."

Naruto said while Haruka cried leaning her face against the teen's chest while he rubbed her back allowing her to cry on him, the brown-haired girl continued to cry until she eventually stopped sobbing enough to speak to the blonde.

"Can I… be selfish?"

"Of course."

"Could I… sleep here… For the night?"

"Yeah."

Naruto said while Haruka gave him a look as he guided her to his futon, he helped her into it before he turned to walk away only to be stopped by Haruka who grabbed his hand. "With you…" the girl trailed off while the blonde paused, turning toward her before he slowly nodded.

Haruka's hand never let go of Naruto while he moved carefully trying not to hurt the girl accidentally as he got into the futon with her, his blue eyes could be seen even in the dark from where Haruka was laying as the distance between them was close.

Naruto tried not to breathe too heavily while Haruka looked into his eyes, she then took his hand gently placing it on her belly causing the blonde to flinch slightly before he allowed his hand to rest on it gently feeling the life within once more.

Haruka then placed her head against his chest before she closed her eyes allowing a few more tears to leave her eyes before she wrapped her arms around Naruto's back holding on to him, Naruto then placed his free arm on her back.

They stayed like this until Haruka finally allowed herself to go to sleep.

Then it was morning.

The rays of the sun peeked through the windows of Naruto's room while the teen's eyes flickered open taking in the light, the first thing he saw was Haruka's sleeping face. She looked so peaceful as if any of the things that had haunted her managed to go away.

Naruto smiled at the girl as he unwrapped her arms from around his body enough for him to stretch widely and yawn, the teen rubbed his face with his hands before he looked toward the door spotting Tsubasa who had been standing at the door.

"... I can come back later."

Tsubasa spoke before Naruto's eye widened looking between him and Haruka sleeping peacefully in the futon unaware of the situation.

"Wait I can-"

Naruto was cut off by Fu peeking her head over, "Hey Tsu, did you find Haruka? Oh, hi Naruto… What are you guys doing?" the girl asked innocently while Tsubasa gave her a look while Naruto opened his mouth to speak.

"Look, we just had a heartfelt conversation and she's just sleeping. Nothing happened I swear."

Naruto said while Boro grabbed Fu and Tsubasa by their shoulders, "So what's going on Naru- OH! Naruto, you dog!" the brown-haired young man yelled as Naruto quickly stood up pointing at him.

"Boro, shut up. You're not helping! Nothing happened!"

Naruto raised his voice while Yugito had joined the chaos looking into the room with a surprised expression on her face, "Hey Yugito, do you know why these two are freaking out? It's just Naruto and Haruka." Fu asked innocently while Yugito stared at her before she covered her eyes with her hand.

"Not you too! Look, I'm fully clothed! She is too!"

Naruto exclaimed while Haruka's eyes opened from the commotion where she spotted the blonde in a precarious situation with the rest of the Renegades standing outside of his door, "What the hell are you goons doing standing outside Shithead's door?" Tayuya's voice spoke while Haruka watched the blonde turn pale.

"Naruto definitely scored last night."

"He just said it wasn't like that."

"I wish Naruto would at least have the decency to not leave this open for eyes that shouldn't see."

"Hey Yugito, I can't see!"

The renegades clamored while Tayuya pushed through the group until she spotted Haruka sitting up in his futon while had his hands up, "... Hold my chair." Tayuya said, pushing herself out of it to her feet glaring at Naruto.

"I just said I can explain! It's not what you think! You shouldn't be putting too much pressure on your legs anyway!"

"Sit still so I can strangle you, you pervert!"

Tayuya yelled, stumbling after Naruto who backed up until she practically tackled him, Haruka watched the chaos unfolding in front of her before she placed a hand over her mouth. First, she chuckled then her chuckle evolved in laughter as the renegades looked toward the girl with the first smile they've seen on her face.

Haruka continued to laugh as the rest of the Renegades joined her laughing as well while Naruto smiled at the sight of everyone laughing together, the blonde continued to look at them until Tayuya managed to jump on him.

"I'll kill you!"

"Tayuya please!"

{...}

In a room filled with lit candles a man sat on a throne as two ninja approached him slowly, carefully walking toward the man who was resting his chin on his hand.

"It's been confirmed, my lord. Lord Shomei has been killed."

One of the ninja spoke before both of the ninja flinched at the man suddenly standing up from his throne, his eyes gleaming red before he took a step closer to the candlelight revealing their dark gold color as he sighed heavily.

"A shame, though for a self-proclaimed god it's beyond disappointing for him to be gone."

The man said while the other ninja looked at the floor, "The girl sir… She was taken." the ninja said while the golden eyed man suddenly paused. He glared at the floor before he lifted his head removing the cape he was wearing on his back.

"I see how it is… honor among thieves. Tell the rest of the men. I'm going to pay someone a visit, in the meantime they should continue to prepare."

The man said while the ninjas nodded before the Bandit King walked past them, the candles going out with each one he passed, "Sir… Your visit. Who should I tell them that it is?" one of the Hidden Cloud ninja spoke before the brass haired man's eyes appeared red when looking at him.

"A demon of course."