Episode Six

Three days later…

Land of Demon

Naruto and Shion look at the four papers on the desk before them. Two of the papers are from the Land of Fire and contain permit requests that aren't much to write home about. The other two papers, however, are a bit of a problem and the cause for their hesitancy. Naruto looks to his wife and better half. "So, thoughts?"

"Well," the blonde in questioned with a tight expression, "I am not entirely sure."

Naruto nodded at that too, the sight of Hidden Leaf diplomatic seal meant they couldn't outright refuse without a damn fine excuse. They had a few, and more than a few favours to blow this under the rug with little consequence, but it could cause more tension than he was comfortable enabling against them. "How about we wait until we have a more comprehensive understanding of the attendance?"

Shion looks to her husband with concern still on her face, "But hun, I think it is in rather bad taste to just…"

"It'll be fine, Ototo," Kurama suddenly summoned herself behind him. Neither of the other two were surprised by the sudden appearance of the woman. "Will it?" Naruto asked while looking at the papers. "I have received word that Matatabi, her container, and the three squirts are heading over."

"Ah," Naruto nodded, seeing the logic behind that, but his wife sighed, "As long as Omoi and Karuii keep their fights beyond the temple grounds," earning chuckles from the other two, "Though, I suspect she either did not remind Bee, or said man was grounded after his last stunt." Naruto continued to chuckle, already feeling less tense, "The former, from what Mata told me."

"Utakata is here too," Naruto nodding not so apprehensive at accepting, "Is she coming?" Shion's whisper caught both her husbands, and the vixen's attention. Turning back from looking out the window, with a tight sigh, Kurama says, "Most likely,"

"Shion," Naruto spoke softly, taking up her trembling hands, causing those soft jewels to gaze into those deep blues, "Things will be fine. Yugito knows better than anyone that you and I expect them to be on their best behavior. I suspect she will block her from drinking like last time."

"But," Shion began again, but Naruto kissed her ring finger, causing a blush to rise on his wife's cheeks yet again. That smile was back. "Trust in us. Shizuka may not be here to be the sword, but I, as your shield, will never allow any harm to cross the temple grounds."

Despite the smile, Shion could see the absolute steel within the hard blue eyes locking on hers. She smiled hesitantly, but her love and belief in her husband were absolute. "Okay, though, this still brings up why this 'noble Hyuga clan' is not joining in with the Hidden Leaf delegation?"

Kurama snorted, folding her arms beneath her own version of Naruto's current casual wear, light grey shirt in her container's size, held up by her bust and luck, baggy black trousers, held up by belts or chakra, Naruto didn't know how and didn't think on it much, "They is nothing about them that could be classed as nobility."

Naruto nodded. "They are uptight, arrogant, and have a holier-than-thou attitude that surpasses that of the Uchiha clan at times." Shion sighs at that. "Then, why are they...?"

"They," Kurama said, narrowing her eyes on her charge, who looked back at her, "may have found out about our alliance against those who sought the resurrection of the god tree." His eyebrow raised at that, Shion frowned, but Kurama looked away, which is how Naruto figured out how they did, "You told them, right?"

Her silence was telling, unable to look back at either of them, "I - you would be mad if I killed them. So, I had little choice but to enlighten them, - that granddaughter too."

"Granddaughter?" Naruto murmured, trying to figure out what exactly Kurama was getting at. A granddaughter of someone this vixen, "Tsunade, huh?"

"She showed up when the skulk hunter pack had found them," Kurama finally looked to her partner, "Ototo, I am sorry, I know you didn't want to fight them anymore. You've buried them in the past, I get that, I do, even I have things..."

"I am not mad," Naruto spoke up, sighing as he finally broke eye contact with the vixen. "I just wish you would have told me sooner." Shion nodded along with that. "Now, them reaching out like this,"

"Makes a lot more sense," Naruto nodded with his wife's assessment, "They don't want to start a war. A war against them for being so aggressive in their pursuit of me."

"Or this," a new voice said as Fu appeared in the doorway, holding a book that Naruto and Kurama knew at a glance: "A hidden leaf bingo book?"

"Yeah," the mint-haired woman strode into the office, with a serious expression, handing it to her brother, "I came as soon as I could, though it took me a while to find the battle site."

"Is it still glass?" Kurama grinned, proud that they had pushed those arrogant little gremlins around like the pests they were. "Yeah," Fu said, pulling out an amber-like gem. "Found this at the site." He tossed it to the vixen, who caught and inspected it.

"Is that right?" Naruto's voice was sharp, a cool rage at the note beneath his entry about the recovery of his son. He knew it was their plan, of course, but seeing it written just set him off. "This is dangerous," Shion says, having read over the entry over her husband's shoulder. "What if – What if they find out about Saki and Miroku?"

"That's why I came here," Fu informs, arms crossed, eyes hard as diamonds. "My nieces and nephew are precious to us—to me. I will protect you and them against anyone."

"This is interesting," Kurama holding up the crystal-like object, "It's like, solidified Nature condensed and heated. Rather remarkable," looking to the hunter-scout of their household, "Fu-girl, how many of these were there?"

"I collected them all," Fu says, pulling out a scroll. "Chomei told me so, knowing you'd probably want them. That one was the largest piece though."

"Good. These could be a bit of a problem if non-family members discovered them," Kurama informs, nodding at her younger sister's forethought. "As curious as I am," Naruto speaks up, bringing the attention back to the matter at hand, "This entry in the leaf bingo book has the council and the elders, or more accurately, Root all over it."

"I agree," Kurama says, nodding as she puts the gem in her pocket and moves to the desk. "I suggest banning the elders from attending due to health concerns." Naruto's raised brow urges her to continue, and her foxy smirk grows. "After all, their Hokage will no doubt be busy with talks and thus won't be able to tend to them."

"With the increased traffic, our clinics will be at capacity," Naruto continued, picking up and she grinned harder, if that was even possible, "With no elders coming, Fu-girl can identify any hidden Anbu and take them out before they even get to our front gate."

"Our demon shinobi can focus on general security from the shadows, samurai in the open, and no doubt Yugito will want to spend time with the girls, they will be safe," Naruto nodding along as he starts putting the security plans together, "Utakata will be at the festival with his girlfriend," Shion adds, earning a snicker from the other two containers, "Did Kotaru finally break his bubbles?" Fu questioned with a grin, Naruto grinned back, "She's almost there, I may have just poked him in the right direction though."

"Oh?" Shion with a brow raised, "He mentioned he was low on Ryo," Naruto began, only for Shion to glare at him, "You did not give it to him again, did you?"

Fu averted her eyes, she, like many of their family, often 'borrow' permanently from their 'elder brother" at one point or another. She kept forgetting to repay hers, until just recently that is. Though, Utakata kinda is too wishy-washy to think about making money to pay back their brother, who was now being scolded by his wife for helping them.

Kurama too was guilty of not paying back the money she uses on occasion, her container always waved it off but she knew that every time he lent money to their family, Shion would get upset. Yet he has never turned any of them away, always willing to help with a smile. That's what she loved about him, always willing to help anyway he can.

Naruto waited patiently for his wife to finish unloading her worries, masked as anger at him potentially lending money to the others, and when she stopped to take a breath, "Shion-chan," speaking with his softest voice and the honorific caught her attention. Naruto rarely uses them so when he does, "Remind me again, what is Utakata doing with his days here?"

"He's teaching at…" Shion paused before sighing, "I see. Sorry, it slipped my mind with all this danger and threat from the Leaf." Naruto nods to that, suspecting as such, all the while Fu was using her entire stealth skill list and abilities to not be dragged into another lecture on teaching a team from the cadets, "It's fine, Shion, I know how worried and nervous you are about me bringing my past home like this."

He takes a deep breath, "And you, Fu, don't have to worry. I am not going to force you to take a team or anything, so stop suppressing your chakra so damn much."

Fu chuckled nervously, releasing her hold on her presence, "Sorry, nervous habit." Naruto waved her off, "It's fine. Though," Naruto looking to the vixen, "Any idea of Son Goku or Kokuo are planning on visiting? I suspect old man Roshi to want to spend time with Kurotsuchi whilst he can."

Kurama nods to his request, "I will ask,"

Shion gives him a look, "You aren't planning on having another of those drinking contests? The council was unimpressed as the country was dry for a whole month afterwards."

Naruto chuckled nervously, with Fu joining it as both were guilty in this case. The last festival the Iwa duo showed up to was two years ago. It also happened that Ay, Bee, Yugito, Fu, Gaara, and Utakata were there too. Within three hours, with no one wanting to be bested, they were all drunk and near enough succumbing to alcohol poisoning. Demon's alcohol reserves were spent, almost completely for a month which is when support convoys from Lightning, Wind, and Earth began filtering in.

"Well, I don't think things will escalate that far again. Ay and Bee aren't coming. They were the ones who initialised the last one so." Naruto tried to reason but the look didn't drop, "Fu, is on security on the twins, I will be in talks no doubt, and Kurama will be over watching the event. Utakata will be keeping an eye out for trouble and can isolate troublemakers, if any pop up."

"Matatabi will be here too, Shion-girl. We are covered." Kurama adds, understanding her concerns and trying to help her charge out. This seemed to work as not many, if any, could stand against one jinchuriki, let alone five. "Okay." Shion says as she sighs, returning to her seat, "Then, I will accept these requests with stipulations of no elders, or non-identifiable persons, due to medical concerns." Naruto informs and the room nods.

Land of Sky

Helio port was a bustling port that was often used by Land of Lightning traders, as the quickest way to sell to neutral merchants or to those who serve those beyond the trade embargoes their native land may have against another. Due to this, it is no surprise that the criminal underworld has a presence here if you know where to look. This is what Jairyia was attempting to locate. He checked in with his local informants, but none dared to utter even a word to him, clearly spooked by something, and thus he has gone digging further.

Unfortunately for him, his fame or infamy is proving to be a hindrance as the eyes are on him with barely masked animosity towards his presence. Entering another brothael, hoping to gain some insight and maybe a load off his shoulders, so to speak, he comes across a stunning beauty in a hazel haired woman, skin of a light caramel with an hourglass figure that makes you want to just hold, sat on the desk, perfectly thick thighs crossed over as she conversed with a worker.

A gentle smile turns sultry when her equally brown eyes lock on to the toad sage's black, who gulped firmly, and his body seemed to move on autopilot when she gestured sexily with her finger to come over. "My, my, what a strong looking man we have here? What's up? Need a load off?"

Her voice was gentle and soothing, yet Jairyia just wanted to pick her up and, "Ghella-chan, but that's no fair," the brunette the woman was talking to earlier pouted, she too was a fine little lady, perfectly flawless creamy skin, grey eyes that seem to sparkle with innocence, and a face so cute you'd want to protect her. "Now-now, my young lady, I feel that this hunk is a bit too much for you to handle," Ghella commented, not breaking eye contact with the leaf Jonin who was making no effort to hide the fact he was eyeing her up and down.

"You say that, but you aren't even supposed to be working today." The girl huffing, folded arms beneath her smaller bust, her charm on full display and even Jairyia could admit that this one wasn't a no but was clearly overshadowed by this goddess currently smiling at him, "Well, that can be adjusted, no? Surely a man of this caliber could use my," her smile seemed to grow ever lustful, "Unique skill set?"

That for some reason really got the toad sage almost vibrating in anticipation, yes, this will be a glorious endeavour, yet it was not to be as another woman came from the back, "Ah, Ghella, I thought I told you…" the lady, who wasn't bad in a girl next door kinda way, paused with a raised eyebrow, "You are not working today. We literally just discussed this not even ten minutes ago."

"Sorry, boss," Ghella says, glancing at the hostess, "Couldn't hurt to eye up a new potential client now, can it?"

"Oh?" A raised brunette brow, a twinkle inside the grey eyes, "I am sure my dearest husband will be most pleased with knowing you are willingly disregarding the rules set for the safety of you all."

Ghella froze, her boss was right. Her 'husband' was code for Lord Naruto, and he would definitely not be happy that she was going against the rules he and his wives had put in place for them. The entire network was under those rules and those who broke them were cut loose. It would be bad for her especially as he had told her personally to not expose her cell to danger in their current situation.

Sighing, Ghella nods, "Hi – mistress. I will head home for tonight," the hostess nods at that, hands on hip, "You are off for the rest of the week. If I find out, you disobey my words again." Eyes narrow on the tanned, secret service kunoichi, causing her to pale slightly, "I promise – I promise. Just don't tell ya husband, please?"

"Then get," gesturing with her head to the door, "I'll handle this client." And Ghella slid down off the desk, somehow looking so damn sexy in doing so, "Sorry, hunky, if you come back in a week, I'll rock your world then," her parting words, as the blue balled Jairyia was watching the knock out pass him by, that ass jiggle was the stuff of legends whispered by the gods to entice the men of his persuasion on journeys to lands unknown.

"So," the hostess's voice, snapping the man's body but not his mind, to her, "How can Lacy's Corner assist you today, mister?" The voice was velvet and disarming, a hint of lust of course, yet the toad sage was having a hard time describing his mental state with his greatly reduced mental capacity right now.

Land of Fire

Inazuka Clan

A knock on the door and Kiba glanced up to see his mother staring at him in concern, "Pup, need a word." This raised a brow from the Inazuka heir apparent, but his mother just gestured for him to follow, and they headed back to the houses dinner table to find the older members of the clan all present. Their faces were serious, "Alright, listen up pups." Tsume began standing at the head of the table, arms crossed, "By now, I am sure you've all been sniffing around to find the truth of the rumours flying about,"

More than a few nod at that, one even stepping forward by the name Tshiro, "Lady Tsume," she nodded at him, knowing that Tshiro was one of their top hunter-nin, "I haven't been back long, but from what I understand, this is about the banished genin right?"

"Yes." Tsume nods, not seeing where he was going with this, "Well, have any of you checked his bingo book entry?" The man asks and all those in the Hunter Corp raise their hands, which surprised the clan head. Not that she showed it, but what she didn't expect was Kiba to raise his, "Can I get a copy?" The clan head opening a hand.

It did not take long before Tsume sighed, looking up from the page, her plans changed, "I see. This is indeed a problem so I will share with you what we are planning." The pack look to their leader firmly, "Lady Hokage is preparing an olive branch of friendship with the Land of Demon, where the head of the four-nation alliance seemed to reside."

No one objected or had questions as to why, it was obvious to them, so she continued on, "Unfortunately, it is the form of a 'founding day' festival, and as we had no prior knowledge of the fact, we will be competing for a spot among the delegation." Many tensed at that, she didn't blame them, this was a major opportunity for any clan that can get even a minor deal with this seemingly inconspicuous nation.

"As such, we are going to have to be on our best behaviour, we will be putting our all into our appeal for our inclusion as the Hyuga and Akimichi have their own we should be the next best choice." Tsume informs earning a raised hand from her daughter, allowing her to ask her question, "Why are they allowed independence in this? Surely…"

"They are the ones who gave us this information, their requests put forward before the general order was brought up. Lady Tsunade gave them permission so, yeah." Tsume shrugs before glaring at her pack, "So, let me make this clear," her gaze flowing, "We are not to cross either of those clans mentioned, I want swiftness of action with no fluff and no pandering to one's ego. We are a pack. We must secure a spot on the delegation and make contact with the hero of our clan's birth land."

"Yes ma'am." They chorus, and she nods, "I suspect that, based on the reports, Naruto is potentially very high up if not at the top." This is when Kiba raises his hand, and upon his mother's nod, he begins to tell the story he got from Shikamaru, "Well, I spoke with Shikamaru a few days ago, and he told us the story of his encounter with Kyuubi."

The room tensed again, Kiba pretended to not notice as he stared at his mother who nodded for him to continue, "As he was on that last mission to recover Naruto, he met her face to face as she explained what my classmate had been up to."

"Hol' up," another clansman called out, though Tsume led the females in a smirk, "Kyuubi's female?"

"Yeah apparently," Kiba shrugged, still to busy to care really, recalling the details of the explanation, missing the victorious smirks on the female clan members, "Long story short, Naruto is more than likely this alliance leader as he led an international team against the enemy that threatened his pack," looking up finally as he met his mothers gaze, "He is a strong and capable Alpha, mom. We really need to watch out."

"What's wrong with you, Runt?" His sister, Hana, prodded with a strange look, "You scared?"

"Kinda," Kiba nods casually, much to the whole clans surprise, as he has never exactly been the most humble of the clan to admit such a thing, "Think about it," he continues unaffected by the stares, "He led a pack of members who traditionally hated each other, into a enemy stronghold and slaughter them to the last man. Then, when our group confronted him, he summoned his skulk and they literally tore through ours with little hesitation." He looked down at his clawed hands, "I still see him as a friend, I don't know if I could set aside my feelings and fight with all my might against him."

"That is what makes him a strong alpha." Tsume spoke sternly, eyes locked on her troubled son, but the way she spoke was to the whole pack, "I highly doubt he was fighting for the sake of it. The hokage, nor Lord Jairyia, are not stupid. By sending his old pack, they were hoping to get him to submit rather than fight. Yet, he fought to protect his new pack, his pups, and locked away his own feelings on the matter." She looked back to her son, "Your fear is understandable but unwarranted. He doesn't hate us, just see's us as a threat. As long as we pose no danger to his pack, he will leave us be." She chuckles softly at that, "I swear if I didn't know his parents, I would think he grew up among us." The clan chuckled at that, Kiba too, "So, keep the pups in line, get the pack cleaned up and…" she glances around at the females, "Go take a cold shower, or two…" earning blushes from most, "…get gone."

Yamanaka Clan

Inoichi sat across from his daughter, who had finally briefed him on her time within Naruto's mind in an attempt to put together a mental analysis on him. "Hmm… a beach?"

"Yeah, white sand and like a small cove with large waves beyond it." Ino says whilst recalling what she saw, "The water?"

"The water was a clean blue, could see the bottom, but as I said beyond the cove was rough seas." She reported and he nodded, "The sky?"

"Sun was out but it didn't feel warm, but the sand was."

"His consciousness?" Inoichi asks, glancing up from his note pad, and was moderately surprised when his daughter sighed, "Never found it."

"Never found it…?" He was confused, she had spent several days within his head, and she never found his consciousness, "You spent…"

"I know but," she looks dead in his eyes for this next bit, "Dad, his mental defences are far higher than anyone I know. He let me in, on purpose, and locked me inside the house he had set up there. Yes, the Kyuubi was there sometimes, but it was there only when he slept to keep an eye on me."

"I thought…" her father began but she cut him off, shaking her head as she continued, "The Kyuubi is like a guard dog for a bank or something. Nice to have but the bank has its defences too."

"So, he's a safe and stable individual then?"

"I don't know. I was locked up, on occasion I could see what he was up to, only when Kyuubi was around though, and I was censored whenever anything came up of importance." Ino reported, "Then we learned nothing?" Inoichi sighed but again surprised when she grinned, "He has four kids; from two wives, and considers all the other Jinchuriki brothers and sisters. Said kid see them all as aunties and uncles."

Inoichi was writing this all down feverishly, listening to his daughter recite whatever she managed to snag, "I couldn't get their names as he never spoke them in his thoughts but at the time he was…" her face dropped at this point, drawing her fathers attention even more so when she starting shedding tears, "…I said he was a safe earlier, that is true but inside is brokenhearted mess that I fear he was planning something wreak-less." Looking up at her father, "He had all the signs, dad. They were old, sure, but all those signs of people who had given up. They were there. Aft thinking on my experience, I noticed them, in sequence."

Inoichi sighed, a side effect of extended time in the mind of others was jumbling of feelings from the target filtering into the intruder. What his daughter was experiencing was no doubt whatever she could grab, which sounds like whatever Naruto no longer deemed important enough to hide from her. "It's okay, Ino-chan…"

"How is it okay?!" Ino almost screeched, forcing him out of his seat and placing his hands either side of her face forcing their eyes to lock on one another. "Breath and remember, Ino Yamanaka, that you are experiencing the feelings of Naruto Uzumaki. Not yours." Taking her dads words apart for a moment she recalls the side effects of extended stays within minds of others. He was right but didn't make this feel any better.

Taking deep breaths to calm her nerves, she slowly recomposes herself, as he returned to the table and picks up his notes book, "From what you've said, it seems that at some point in the past, he tried to die but was more than likely saved from that mindset by someone else."

"Yeah," Ino sniffling still and with a nod, "Seeing as he no longer saw those thoughts and feelings as important, you were able to grab only them. Most likely a trap of some kind," Inoichi comments off handedly, "Likely," Ino confirms, "I feel pretty lousy right now,"

"No doubt," her father chuckled, "From what we now know however is that his wife, Shizuka Uzumaki, was likely the one who saved him. He will be incredibly loyal to her for that. This puts most the clans of Konoha trying to tie him to them via that method fresh outta luck."

"Dad, I doubt his kids are better targets either." Ino warned firmly, thankfully her dad nodded his agreement, "I wouldn't dream of it." Inoichi chuckled at her concern, "But no doubt, as a clan leader, and connected to a lands lord, they'd have a ground that could use a keeper, no?"

Ino caught on immediately and nods, "Possibly."

"Besides, we could always open a new branch of Yamanaka Flowers, no?" Inoichi offered, casually, "On a new continent that is untouched by our reputation. Should be interesting for flower bulbs too." Ino confirms and they both smirk at one another.

Nara Ranch

Shikamaru was on his clans' land staring up at the sky high above deep in thought, everything he learnt from the Kyuubi and the bingo book. Ever since their initial first contact with them, Naruto has constantly misled them and played down his skills to enable them to think they had a chance to capture him next time.

Naruto was able to see through his plans after a few encounters with his shadow clones in the forest, whilst hiding his own. It was obvious he was a trap master, his pranks were legendary after all, and it seems someone was able to impart some forward thinking into his thick skull. Who ever managed it was either a sick fuck, or an absolute menace to society. He was troublesome before, his unpredictable nature was impossible to account for, this development made any long-term plans to counter what they knew of him pointless. He probably has counters to any they could come up with and anything they may have missed thus far.

Flicking his lighter, he lights the third smoke as he ponders this further, "Damn, that bad huh?"

"It's troublesome, dad." Shikamaru not even surprised at his father's sudden appearance, "It is." Shikaku confirms as he joins his son beneath the tree, "Someone managed to teach Naruto how to plan ahead. Paired with his natural talent of unpredictability…"

"He is pretty much our worst enemy, huh?" Shikaku chuckles as his son nods, "Well, nothing we can do about that huh."

"Nah."

"So why are you so fixated on it?" The father asks of his son, who paused to think about it all, "Before he was banished, I thought that Naruto would be the one leading us at somepoint,"

"Us?"

"The rookies," Shikamaru clarified for his father, who nodded recalling the 'Rookie Twelve' as they were called, "He was the strongest of us, always leading from the front and had something about him – something that made you want to follow."

"And now?" Shikaku poses and Shikamaru watches as the smoke from his death stick rises up as he ponders that exact question. Never had he thought he'd go against the blond in anger, that fight was horrendously one sided, against them, yet if what Yugao said was true, which he doesn't doubt, then he gave them a chance to return home. Though, he had to make an example. Choji, Neji, and Yugao. Three prominent members of the village. It was only luck Yugao survived, or Sakura's genius in medical techniques.

Choji, huh? His best friend, brother in all but blood, and yet Naruto could have killed him but seemed to settle for an arm. The way they attacked the toads initially showed how ridiculously quick those foxes were, yet they used none of that speed against any of them. Heck, they held Tenten down and at flame point, yet she has no burns upon her. So as angry as he is that Choji was maimed, he's also thankful he was only maimed.

But that was the last time the gloves would be on, next time he won't have the luxury of being nice. They won't have the luxury of his mercy; he would kill them if they tried. "I am grateful." Shikamaru spoke up surprising his father, "If Naruto was anyone else, and I mean anyone else, you would be burying me instead of trying to cheer me up. Choza too."

Looking to his father with all seriousness, "Dad, if Naruto wanted a war, Kumo, Suna, and Iwa would be at our gates already. Hell, I wouldn't be surprised if the tailed beasts showed at this point."

"What are you saying, Shikamaru?"

"Naruto is our only hope, true, but what the leaf needs to do right now is actually apologise to him openly and sincerely. Not try and turn this whole clusterfuck of a retrieval, into a possible gain." Shikamaru informs, earning an equally serious look from his father, "I agree. Which is why I am here to ask you a question."

This was a surprise, but it was too troublesome to show it, causing Shikamaru to glance to his clan head, "Oh?"

"Yeah." Shikaku nods, looking over the forests before them, "How did Hinata take the news you shared?"

"About Naruto's wife? As expected, pretty bad. I am hoping Ino can find out more about her mental state. Why?" Shikamaru questioned earning a sigh from his dad, "The Hyuga have been granted their own delegation."

"That's a bad idea, why'd you allow that?"

"Well," Shikaku sighed hard, "They and Choza gave us this information. At the time, I didn't see a way to turn them down without doing the same to Choza,"

"You choked," Shikamaru sighing hard, face meeting palm, "Yes, now I suspect Hiashi is planning something and Hinata's obsession with Naruto might become a catalyst for something no doubt troublesome."

"Understatement of the decade." Shikamaru groaned in response to his father, the latter simply nods along to this understanding completely the level of troublesome this was becoming.

Haruno Household

Sakura yawns as she steps into the kitchen to find her mother talking to her cousin, "Morning." She offered as she reached for a coffee, "Oh, it's afternoon dear."

"Right," the med nin nods absentmindedly before noticing the time, "Ah my shift at the hospital, I need to get to work."

"Sakura dear…."

"Not now, mom." The pinkette rummaging through the fridge, "Are you going to escort the hokage to the festival?" Mabuki Haruno asks and that finally froze her daughter, who looked back at her mother and aunt at the island table, "How did you find out about…?"

"We have friends on the council, dear." Her mother waved off, causing her kunoichi daughter to narrow her equally emerald eyes, "I see."

"So, are you?"

"What does it matter?" Sakura asks, grabbing a plate and knife, "Well, we may just be a civilian trader clan, but if you know when it is setting out, then maybe."

"Mom." Sakura closing up the sand which, looking to her parent, "Even if I was going and knew when the delegation was departing, I wouldn't tell you," taking a bite from the salami filled bread, she continued, "And they will be taking the shinobi way, so you wouldn't be able to keep pace, anyway."

"Surely, as the hokages former apprentice…" her mother tried, but Sakura shakes her head, "Even if I was still her active apprentice, I would have had no authority at all." Dropping the used plate and a cutlery into the sink, bread in mouth as she fixes her hair, "But, you even got,"

"Suggestions I made to the hokage, that she chose to implement." Sakura nods, "Still no authority, besides I am late. See you in the morning." She runs off leaving her mother to sigh, glancing to her cousin, "Always in a rush,"

"She's a good girl though,"

In truth, Sakura just wanted to get off that topic. Her former master has explained that she will be part of the shinobi escort, Ino, Shino, Shikamaru, and Kiba from the rookies. Strolling through the cool afternoon air, she looks up at the sky as what truly troubles her came to the forefront of her thoughts, "I miss you, Naruto-Baka," sighing, she continues to walk, unsure of her own feelings on the former knucklehead.

On one hand, when they were teamed up, she didn't give him the time of day despite him clearly being head over hills for her. Still, throughout their tenure together, he had routinely saved her from danger, sloppily at times but the thought is what counts. Just as they became true friends, she blinked and they were both gone. Naruto and Sasuke left her behind.

Crossing the intersection, the last one before the hospital, the final thought she has is. She froze. Cheeks a healthy pink much like her hair. "Damn… just my luck, huh?"

Hidden Sand

Gaara looks up from the paperwork to find his wife and kids in the doorway, "Gaara-kun, it is time to go." Matsuri informs earning a nod from the Fifth Wind Shadow, who stands up from his home's personal office. As his family reaches the main room, they are greeted by Konkuro, his wife and baby son, "Alright is this everyone?" Temari looking over the large group, her nieces and nephews were leaving the village for the first time to visit their uncle.

Naruto. That's a thought. Temari has been the big sister figure of two of the strongest characters in recent years, and Naruto has grown into a fine man. Shizuka and Shion have done expertly with him. As the last of her brothers kids sounds off, she smiles as she begins channeling her chakra, "Now then," Temari began as she went through the hand signs Naruto had taught her when they installed the reverse summoning in the living room, "When we arrive, it will be a bit dark. Do not panic, your dads and I are here, and will protect you."

"Plus, your uncle Naruto will likely greet us." Konkuro informs the group and many nod, as Temeri land on the Kitsune sign and waits. This alerts Naruto and Kurama of their request, which allow them to clear out the circle on their end to prevent injuries or accidents. It took almost a full minute until she felt Naruto's all clear, and she smiled. The knucklehead's chakra is always so warm, gentle, generally uplifting, "Alright, here we go."

Puff. The Sabaku clan disappeared on their first full family holiday.

Land of Bird

Yugito stops abruptly, glancing around at the location within the treetops they were in, a small clearing just up ahead. Her team lands beside her, equally as serious as she is, not making a sound. Karuii was on the containers right, Omoi covering Left, with Samui behind, "What do you want, Marsh Shinobi?" The two tailed container asks as a squad of said shinobi shimmer into view, genjutsu fading, "My, you Kumo shinobi aren't half bad."

"Are you for real?" Omoi sweat drops at these cackling four shinobi from, a literal backwater, "For once, I agree. This is ridiculous." Karuii says only offering a brief glance before returning to her sector. Sighing, Yugito stands from her crouched position, "As this is neither your territory nor ours, neither have right of way nor do you have any right to Barr our path."

"Oh, the diplomatic route, huh?"

"Just let us move on, in peace, and we shall leave you in peace. Everyone wins." The Kumo Jonin offers but the grins these men had was not promising. "Come on darling, surely we could…" with a very crude depiction of groping earning a full, exasperated sighs from the blondes and sweat drops from the other two.

Just as both sides were about to react, "What's this?" A new voice, Fu dropping in on an adjacent branch to both parties, her Kaki lose Anbu trousers, tight black top with a matching forest green jacket and hood, to cover her bright hair, and black face mask to hide her identity. Though, the matt black Demon hit-iate band on her sleeve jacket, paired with her attire as a whole, was her bingo book calling card.

A card that caused the Marsh Shinobi to pale, "Demon Queen of Fireflies."

"Yo," Fu giving a two-finger salute, her beady eyes fixed on the men who were now backing up, "You cause trouble outside your lands again?"

"No, ma'am." Their Jonin shaking his head, so much so that the sweat flicked about Fu noticed, "You sure? You know what I do to liars, right?" her masked head tilted to the side, the male near enough pissing themselves at this point, "Yes, ma'am."

"Good." The demon shinobi eye smirks, and waves, "Then, thank you for guiding our friends here and be on your way. I would hate to tell my brother that something went wrong on my patrol,"

The Marsh shinobi must have learnt Hirashin at the speeds they moved at from the threat of the Demon Queen calling on the Demonic Kitsune. No sir, they prefer life thank you very much.

With that over, the path clear ahead, Fu looks to her sister, "Yo, Yugie."

"Bug butt." Yugito nods back, "Did my adorable little brother,"

"Nah!" Fu waved her off, "I was just double checking something's nearby."

"Ah I see. Need," the mint haired shinobi cut her off again, "Nah, besides, I prefer to work solo," Fu paused as she was about to jump off, turning back to the Kumo squad, "My brother may have forgiven you for what happened, but he hasn't forgotten."

The Kumo squad tensed, it is a black mark on their record that Naruto didn't report back to Kumo on, it was silently swept under the rug, "None of us have," her orange eyes harden, "Naruto believes that you will be on your best behaviour, but make no mistake," looking to the pale blonde in the rear of their formation, "Any of you step out of line, I will kill you. The stakes this time are too high for funny business."

"How so?" Yugito sensing more to this, but Fu just shrugs, "Check in with brother when you arrive. He'll fill you in." Before vanishing into the canopy again, then their senses shortly, thereafter, earning a sigh from the kitten among the group, "We will be on our best behaviour, so I doubt I'd need to say it again, right?" Yugito didn't need to turn back to feel their acceptance, as they really can't afford to be careless if what she suspects to be happening transpires. "Let's go…"

Land of Fire

A week after the missive was sent off to Demon, the response came in via a Hidden Sand Carrier bird of all things, seems they too use the Land of Winds speediest Birds. As the full assembly was being gathered, Tsunade had summoned Hiashi and Choza directly to her office, "I will get straight to the point." She began pulling out two scrolls, Demon insignia on the ends, "Both your requests have been accepted. Choza, seems you got a plot twice the size of the one you requested." The man's eyes widen at that, Tsunade smirks, "Seems that those originally assigned it were found to be smugglers. Your request was next. How fortunate."

"Indeed." The man smiles as he takes the offered permit, reading it over and surely enough, the plot and location was all prime in the festival grounds. The Kage then turned to Hiashi, "Hiashi, your request has been fulfilled to your requested specifications."

"Very well," the man nods but she continues, "However, due to your clan's history, with the Land of Lightning, one of their allies, they have assigned your party guest quarters on shrine grounds for added security."

Hiashi paused at that, he hadn't taken that into consideration. They were just going to rent out an entire inn for their own use but to be given guest accommodation within their Shrine Grounds. Yes, this could work in their favour, "Due to this, your entire delegation must not exceed sixteen people." Tsunade explains handing the scroll over, "That is less-than-half the number of our typical delegations."

She shrugs, "You are getting a state funded invite in place of a larger number. I wouldn't complain if I were you."

The Hyuga thought about it, he'd have to cut down more than he'd planned but he'll manage somehow. It will just mean that his daughters will have more work on their hands. "Very well."

Land of Demon

Shirin charges forward, blade in arm, as he slashes down, a scythe blocking it as a second arm sweeps in from his blind spot. Just before impact however the claw seemed caught on something, a single chakra chain from his back had stopped the weapon from impact. Shirin's focus was heavy, it took a lot for him to manifest the chains, even after training with his dad and Cousin. He has only been able to call on two, both barely a metre in length.

Dad said it was remarkable he could call on them at all, as it's normally only the women of the clan who do. The fact that both he and his dad had them could be a new mutation within the clan, his were different from Honoka's, able to channel elemental natures through them.

A tail suddenly shot forward at him, knocking into his forehead, "Ow!" Falling on his ass as the puppeteer chuckled, "You thinkers are all the same." Konkuro informed as he pulled back his training puppet from atop his nephew figure, "Didn't I tell you to stay focused?"

"Sorry uncle Konkuro." Shirin still rubbing his reddening forehead, taking the offered hand to get to his feet, "So, how'd you like the test?"

"It's bull." Shirin growled earning a smirk from his uncle, "Of course it is. Your dad and I made it so you'd be prepared for anything."

"Really?"

"Yeah." Konkuro approaching the puppet that, now that the younger of the two was paying attention, has been worn down with various nicks and repaired cuts, "This was the first time I created a new puppet from scratch, and with someone else." The older man looks to Shirin, "We spent many hours putting and repairing this little guy." Hand resting on the scorpion like puppet, that was tall enough for him to lean on, reaching his waist if you count is tail which would reach up to his head during combat, "All to aid in our training. Me to learn how to fight up close, and he to learn to survive up close."

"I see."

"We've made numerous copies of her for the academy and upgraded ones for training at higher levels but this – this is the original. The original brothers arms."

After resealing the training puppet away, Konkuro turns to the young Uzumaki, "So, brat, what's got you in here training solo?" Said brat stared at him for more than a long moment before replying, "Well, normally dad would be training me around now, but with the festival just around the corner."

"I see. Yeah, that does kinda blow, huh?"

"Yeah." Shirin sighs, "Not only that, Kushi isn't here either so I can't spar against her either."

"What about your friends? Can't you…?" Konkuro began but paused upon the young blonds head shaking, "They have remedial classes with Shion-ka-chan. I managed to pass somehow… barely," whispered the last part earning a low chuckle from the Suna Jonin, "Just like your uncles. We always just barely made the cut. At this rate,"

"Let's not make that a habit." A new voice, drawing their attention to the entrance of the cavern like training ground, "Auntie Temari? I thought…"

"Just wanted to see what you were up to. Last thing I need is you falling ill from poison or something." The blond informs earning a growl from Konkuro, who snapped at her, "Oh com' on! It was one time! And he's fine!"

"You forgot the other six, and he's only fine because of a certain Vixen sustaining his metabolic functions when the worst of it kicked in." Temari with a glare so cold, Shirin shivered despite not being its recipient. Konkuro sighed, "Yeah yeah, I know, it's why I turned that unused outhouse into my lab/workshop. Thanks to Naruto's seals, they can't get in even if they tried," looking to his big sister, "I learnt okay."

Land of Fire

The Full assembly gathered in the briefing room, with the Akimichi and Hyuga naturally absent as they had no reason to be present. Tsunade was at the front with Shikaku at her side, and elders at her back, looking rather imperialist if you asked the Nara.

As the doors finally closed, seals preventing peeking in, Tsunade sighs as she begins, "Alright. This morning, we received approval to our diplomatic mission to Demon Country. As such, I have already despatched a team to prepare our vessel as we are already short on time."

"Tsunade, surely we can just get by with…"

"Shut it, Koharu," Tsunade glancing at the old coot, before returning her gaze forward, "As such, Shikaku was task to compile all our data and select a team most suitable for this task of diplomatic affairs."

Not seeing any complaints, the hokage nods to Shikaku who steps forward, "To ensure no bias was present, The Nara clan will not be participating as we selected the spots to maximize our chances of success, the rest is on the team themselves which consists of," he lists off the selection put forward by his clan. The two shockers came from left field, "Inazuka and Kurama clans both have two spots to fill."

"Huh? The Kurama? Inazuka I get but…"

"Hi – Lord Nara." Yakumo Kurama bowing her acceptance, retaking her seat, whilst smirking that her clan is being held at the same position as one of the big ten. Then again, if it weren't for her history with Naruto then she doubts this would be possible, more than a few of the other minor clans were eyeing her warily but it doesn't matter.

Tsume was pleased, two slots meant she could take – wait, if she took, no, Kiba's part of the escort detail so maybe Hana or Kelsi. Kelsi is closer in age to Kushina's pup, and unattached. Then again, Hana is directly linked to her. Maybe take a back seat? Send them both? Hana can keep a handle on things in her absence. Yes, that will work. She nods to herself, they won't return empty handed. She'll trust in her daughter.

"Thank you Shikaku." Tsunade nods as the Nara finishes the list, stepping side, "We will be leaving at first light come tomorrow morning, so…"

"What about us, Tsunade-hime?" Asked Hamura this time, speaking up from the rear of the hokage. "Surely having us elders with you," he continued, oblivious to the feral smirk dining the last Senju, those who could see matched it as most shinobi were disillusioned with the old farts. "Oh, elders, you see the thing is." Nara began with a smile, "Your presence was prohibited by the Demon side, due to health concerns."

"Health concerns?" Koharu bellowed incredulously, "Yes." Tsunade glancing back at them, "I will be busy with talks, and their own facilities will no doubt become increasingly taxed due to the festival. I am glad that they thought of that as it did slip my mind."

"Mine too." Shikaku nods but none missed the calculated smirk, oh yes, he was enjoying this and had to tip his hat to Naruto for the forethought. "You can't be serious about this?" Danzo asks but the missive was placed before the three, and surely enough it was written cleanly for all to read. "No elders, or non-identifiable persons, due to medical concerns."

Checkmate.

Land of Water

Mei Tarumi stands aboard the Water Navy flagship, New Current, as she watches a trio of Nadishiko Warriors be helped aboard, the one that caught her eye was the redhead. That particular shade only belonged to a single clan on the verge of extinction. A clan she was intermittently working beside in the past. Though, the current head has bright blond hair, so this is new.

The ships set off and the new group were shown to their quarters though the red eyes of this possible clansmen did cross the emerald of the Hidden Mist Commander. It was an intense stare that lasted only a handful of seconds, but it was enough.

Left with her own thoughts, she glances back to her discreet guards, three of the seven swordsmen. Kiba, Samahada, and Sewing Needle. Hopefully, things remain tame and cordial. Though, if they don't… Mei smirks, "The Mist is ready."

Land of Demon

Naruto yawned as he returned to the outer shrine, Gaara, and Konkuro at his side, they were joined by Utakata and later Captain, Sato Yoichi. Before Naruto knew it, the group was in town at the local watering hole for the samurai contingents. Utakata was going over a new poisonous substance he inadvertently made, Konkuro was so focused on the six tailed hosts story, that Naruto and Gaara talk about the bureaucratic process short cuts Naruto employed, went unnoticed.

Despite being their ruler, Naruto was greeted as just another man by the other patrons, and many came and spoke with both him and Gaara about their concerns about the upcoming event. At one point, Naruto and Gaara swore they were giving a security briefing with how many samurai were listening to them, beers, mead, and whiskey in hand yet the steel in their eyes wasn't missed.

As Naruto pulled his cider from his lip, he finishes off by saying, "…so, in the end, your jobs are to ensure the safety of the civilians. The fourth eastern garrison is the fall-back position so guide them there, Lady Kurama will defend your retreat if things go bad. Any issues can be taken to her, or any of my siblings. Any questions?"

"No sir!"

"Then, someone get me another?" Naruto joked with his empty drink in hand, and the seriousness broke apart and the jovial faces returned and surely enough a new drink came forth. "I must say, that was unusual."

"Yeah," Konkuro muttered after his Kage, deep in thought as he looks to his blond brother, reaching for his only drink, "Never thought of giving a security briefing in a bar,"

"Or the seriousness of everyone," Utakata noted as he dropped his own pineapple, lime, cider down, "They are defenders of the people I help lead and had questions, figured it would be easier to just brief them,"

Sato Yoichi spoke up next, "Though, I must say, that even though only samurai really come here, I am unsure how safe it was to do so." Naruto chuckled in amusement, looking to the normally stoic samurai who had loosened up after his third drink, "I believe in the loyalty of our fellow soldiers. I may be shinobi trained but as a swordsmen I understand the honour you samurai hold. I will not disgrace our friendship by suspecting any of the blade within this place,"

His words were naturally overheard by many, and loyalties were strengthened, resolves hardened, and only Gaara knew why Naruto made such a big deal of it all, drinking his martini, stirred not shaken. "Still, I don't mind," Utakata commented, returning to his seat, "Being a roaming officer whilst keeping an eye on your student,"

Konkuro was about to call him out on the fact it was a date, but a stern look from Naruto forced his tongue to cheek, "Should we set a schedule?" Gaara offered, drawing his fellow containers to him, "To optimize both work and personal time. We can move in a counterclockwise direction around the stalls, opposite one another,"

"I see," Utakata says with a nod, "Will you be in formal gear, Gaara?" Naruto asks to which the red head sighs, nodding, "We all will," Konkuro offered, "I will be armed but with less armour," Sato informs and Naruto nods, "Well, Gaara, over the next few days, during the set up, we will set up plant pots of your sand. You can with enough nearby, you can subdue anyone nearby without carrying it, and your wife can't say anything."

Gaara thought on it before nodding, "Plant pots. Yes, that will work,"

"Konkuro," Naruto addressing the other Suna shinobi, "How many combat puppets do you have?"

"Full set." The brunettes immediate response, "I want you to prepare a few for our collaboration of a hundred." Naruto smirks along side the puppet user, who lifts his drink in a challenge, "You sure you aren't rusty?"

"Possibly," Naruto admits, lifting his own cup before smirking, "We got a few days, I'll send a few clones to run through a few training exercises." Konkuro nods to that, as Naruto looks to his sibling, who responds first, "I'll be fine, Naruto,"

"I know you will be, Utakata," Naruto with a smile, "Just wondering how formal you'll be forced into wearing," Utakata looked confused, "Formal? I will be going like this." Gesturing to himself but it seemed that the entire room was listening and snorted as one.

After the initial shock of disbelief, from the whole bar, had settled Naruto looked to his brother of the six tailed slug, "Brother – you trust me, right?" Upon his nod, Naruto continued, "So hear me now and believe these words; Kotaru will kill you if you show up in that,"

"Then, what should I…" Utakata was about to ask, yet Naruto raised his hand to stop him, "Fear not, for the brotherhood will always have your back for brothers stick together."

"Yes sir!" The whole bar chanted in unison, Gaara, Konkuro, and Sato were not excluded from that, "All I ask, is that when another brother asks for aide – you not turn away." Naruto continued and something within the former Mist shinobi forced the words from his throat, as if his soul was agreeing to this madness, "You have my word,"

Naruto awakens to find his hair being played with, he could feel the warmth his hime and the gentle grace of the sun warming the room. Taking a deep breath, he began, "Shouldn't you have woken me up earlier?"

"Kurama said you've been working to hard these last few weeks," Shion's voice was a soft whisper, not wanting to break this tranquil feeling that currently engulfed them, "I see,"

"So, for today, you we have time for one another, so I figured," she whispered and his eye parts and her smile was telling, "Ah, you shouldn't be using your powers so irresponsibly," he grinned and she smirked, "I have no idea whatsoever of what you are implying." His lips silenced hers, and as he pulled back, he whispered, "I love you."

Her response wasn't heard as a dense pulse of Naruto's chakra ripped through the shrine, having put to much force in his eagerness, and activated every single defence seal without meaning to. He also alerted a certain vixen of his intent causing her to smirk a feral smirk, not caring about the extra work she now had to do to clean up after her Baka of a container. "My – my how insatiable are you two."

Shirin walks into the living room where everyone was gathered, beside his parents, "Morning."

"Morning." In various forms was returned to the young Uzumaki, who retrieved a plate of food from his sister, "Here you go, Oni-sama."

"Thanks Miroku," Shirin says as he reaches the table, "You know, I still don't know how she does that," Tada comments, chowing on his toast, "Do what?" Ayao asks from across the boy, "Predict exactly what you want and finish it the moment you want it." Shirin states and Tada nods which is when Ayao thought on it. The others too thought on their interactions with the older twin and realise at the same time, "Our mother has precognitive abilities." Saki comments as she drops opposite her brother at the table, "Which is, in effect, a bloodline." Miroku sitting beside her sister.

Just as Kimora was about to speak, Miroku answered her question, "No we can't control it, just more like guide it." Shirin was eating his food, watching in amusement as his two little sisters show off their gift of being quite literally one step ahead of the others, "Though, I am glad that my dad is Uzumaki as our calligraphy would be a pain otherwise,"

"Amen to that." Shirin adds as his sisters turn back to their own food, "Yes, we can do this all day." Miroku glancing at Tada who closed his mouth, "Yes, they've done it too," Shirin chuckled, as he continued eating, "No, it isn't something you can learn." Saki looking to Honoka, "The seals we use are part of our duty as shrine maidens. They've been passed down on that side, and dad has forbidden us from doing anything to them," she pouts, "It's not fair,"

"Don't say it, onii-sama." Miroku says staring her big brother who looked up from his oats, with a familiar grin, "I don't need to," this is when Naruto's chakra pulse swept through the room, and everyone froze. The twins went bright red, their vision now blocked as Shirin face palmed, knowing what likely happened, "What was that?" Amano questioned, "Is father injured?" Ayao asked jumping up.

"Quiet the opposite," Shirin murmured before he sighed hard, like he was ten years older than he actually was, looking to the room though he noticed his cousin Honoka was staring at him intently, Kiyota's daughter was blissfully calm compared to fidgeting earlier, "Dad just has a day off by my guess. Which means we have a day off." His casual shrug and nonchalance confused the group.

The blondest male of the room noticed with an internal chuckle at the donning realisation of the oldest two in the room some minutes later, their faces a nice shade of pink. He guesses he'll get another sister soon; he'll have to get stronger to protect her too. After all, the foresight bloodline prevents the wilder from producing male offspring.

A/N: This story along with Phantom Blade, and Kitsune Knight are my 'heavyweight' stories that just feel thicker for me to write, and takes a lot more time to do so. Subsequently, Writers Block is a common occurrence which is why i worked on Sin's Forgiveness and Mindful Winds, for breaks. So, if you ever notice me update older stories, or my oneshot's in place of my more mainline stories, now you know why. Phantom Chpt 3 is 3/4 done but i might redo part of it. Kitsune-K second half needs a rewrite, or a flashback to explain how Issei got caught in the Infamous Team Seven Curse, yet saved the day.

Episode VII the party begins, the guests arrive and the fireworks fly. Jairyia crashes the reception to speak to Tsunade, the twins cause trouble, Kiba krosses Kitty, Shion gets a visitor, Fu makes a request, and Shirin proves exactly why his father trusts him with his sisters protection, after all he too is Uzumaki.

o7