-AN-

Been on a good roll this week, but realized I haven't updated this one in a minute. So here we are. I think I'm liking this version of Naruto, though perhaps I miss some more light hearted highjinks. Hmm. I'll figure that out.

-Story Start-

Groaning and stretching her arms high above her head, Anko sighed happily as she continued about making breakfast. Waking up early as normal, she was usually always the first down into the kitchen when she was home. Making breakfast for the others was a guilty pleasure for her, an act of love she did not have many chances to perform for others. In the past, many a man had left long before she got to this part, and before that. Well. A war orphan and then trained by Orochimaru of all people. Yeah. She had spent a long time alone, dreaming of days just like this.

Smirking as the timer on the rice cooker dinged, she did hope she didn't wake Mai. Ino was another matter, the other woman already awake and only a few minutes behind herself in getting ready. Even without Naruto here the three women still slept in the same bed. The closeness was bonding, a skinship they could share no matter what. Anko had no problem admitting she was the touchy feely type. Mai was as well they had learned. Ino was more a grand gestures personality, but she could appreciate the subtle. Good thing too, because Anko was all about the subtle.

Yawning and breaking Anko from her thoughts, Ino strolled into the kitchen while scratching at her side. "Morning Anko. Up early as always, save anything for me?" Ino kinda liked this play they put on, as if they all didn't know by now that Anko liked to make breakfast for everyone.

"You'll just have to wait and see. You didn't wake Mai did you?" Already pushing an omelette in front of the other woman, Anko went to check on the rice.

Clapping her hands together with a smile, Ino shook her head, "No, but she'll probably be up soon. She's starting to get used to our early schedule." Plus with Naruto gone it wasn't like they were staying up super late. Though they all slept together their bedroom antics were reserved for when the man of the house was present. "You're not taking any missions are ya? You just got back." Ino wanted to comment on the other woman keeping her hair down but decided against it. It was the one time of the day Anko could be vulnerable. Ino would feel like a massive heel if she ruined that.

"I have something, but it's casual and in the village. So I'll be in and out, but home every night." Anko smirked at her friend from over her shoulder as she checked on the rice. Nice and fluffy.

Considering then that she could check in her with team, Ino considered what Anko needed to be updated on while she had been gone. "Well, got some news for ya, if you're in a mood to hear drama."

"Oh drama? I'm always ready for that." Coming back to check on her final omelette while Ino sat at the kitchen island, Anko hummed as Ino dove into her breakfast.

Ino had to remember to praise Anko when she was done, she was getting better at this. "Well, Hinata's making a move. She's the official go between for the Hyuuga and Uzumaki clans right now."

"Expected I guess, not really a move is it?"

"Considering she's leveraging it to get one on one time with Naruto?"

Ah, that got Anko to pause as she thought about that. The sneaky little tramp. Couldn't just accept the loss, had to be sore about it. "Great. Now I'm going to have to hide a body." Sure it would be a loss. Hinata did have a great body on her, but Anko and the others weren't in the mood to share with the girl. Only motivated now that her favorite toy was being taken away. Gross.

Shaking her head, Ino pointed her chopsticks at the older woman, "You better not. You know the kind of trouble you'll get in. Plus, even though Naruto doesn't have feelings for her like that, you know how he'd feel about us pounding her."

Knowing that Naruto would in fact be upset if one of them offed Hinata, Anko could roll with it. She'd just have to be subtle about it then. "Well, what's the play then? Play keep away or just let her crash and burn on her own?" Considering it for a moment, Anko leered at the shorter woman, "Or do we tie Hinata up and make her watch us have our way with Naruto in front of her?"

Ino wished she could say one hundred percent that Hinata would crash and burn on her own, but the girl seemed wholly focused on changing herself to fit Naruto's preferences. Stronger, more headstrong, driven. Ino worried that if they weren't careful they would start seeing Hinata here every day. Plus she was wholly ignoring Anko's other suggestion. "More like keep Naruto's attention focused. I don't want to chance that we're actually underestimating Hinata here."

Nodding her head as she began to roll the last omelette into shape, Anko could understand Ino's worry. Hinata had already changed a lot with her current moves, who was to say that she wouldn't change more. This was about love and desire. Wars had been fought over less. "Alright. You do that while I keep his attention on us. Keep the man full and happy and he won't have a reason to stray."

Giggling, Ino shook her head once more as she took another bite of her food. "You think it'll be that simple?"

"It better be. Naruto knows how good of a thing he's got going on here." Anko smirked as she struck a pose, hip splayed out while a plate holding a new omelette was held aloft. "Sexy and talented Anko is here to stay."

More giggles as a glass of orange juice was put in front of her, Ino relaxed back as Anko started to shut things down. "Well, besides Hinata's nonsense. We did visit the Uzumaki temple. Started to put together a plan for its restoration while Naruto was able to retrieve a scroll with some of their history. All and all a successful trip, though there won't be anymore progress there until Naruto comes back. Apparently there are still enough seals and defenses active there that anyone not of Uzumaki blood will end up a red smear on the wall if they walk in there carelessly."

"Fun. Maybe I'll punt Hinata over the wall and see what happens."

"You're terrible."

"You love it." Both women laughed together, before pausing as the floor boards creaked from the hallway. Another moment later and Mai walked into the kitchen rubbing at her eyes.

"Oh, good morning you two, you're usually gone by now." Not that Mai was upset that the two ninja were still here. It was nice to have most everyone home. Now if only Naruto were here things would be perfect. "Or maybe I'm up earlier." She did notice that the sun wasn't even up over the horizon yet. Maybe she could return to bed, sleep a few more hours.

Anko was already sweeping her around to sit next to Ino, a plate of food in front of her and a smile to offer, "Yeah well, I only got back in yesterday so I wanna take it easy if I can." Which was true. Mission from Tsunade aside, Anko was going to take it easy. She still had some things to think about. Plans and decisions to make. It wouldn't be bad to take a few days to work through all of that. "I'll tag along with you to take the kids to school."

"Oh? Well that would be lovely. We can stop by the market on the way back, I do have some shopping that needs to get done." While Ino was putting together a lovely vegetable garden, there were still essentials that they needed to buy. Mai was still getting used to having what amounted to an unlimited budget, but all three ninja assured her that she didn't need to ration things out like she used to.

Wishing she could tag along Ino resolved to make sure she came home early. "While I wish I could do the same I'm meeting up with my team today. There's talk that we may have a mission coming up but I'm trying to hold it off until Naruto returns." They still needed to work on a rotation between the three of them. Maybe next week.

Seeing they had a plan together then, Anko finally put together a plate for herself. "Maybe we should brainstorm a surprise for Naruto for when he gets back? I'm thinking skimpy maid outfits." Secretly she still thought tying Hinata up and showing her what they got up to was on the table.

Sighing and sharing a look with Mai, Ino leveled a bored look at the grinning woman, "You're hopeless."

"I'm horny for our man, big difference."

-b-

Naruto could admit that border patrol duties were in fact a pretty boring task. Hang out at the outpost for a few days. Patrol the area to make sure no intrusions went to far, and occasionally intrude on the other side of the border if you were feeling bored or brave enough.

Of course the border with Taki was anything but an exciting place. Taki was rather isolationist, which meant of all their borders this one was probably the most unproblematic of the lot. Bonus points for team seven, Naruto got to practice sending out shadow clones disguised as the team, creating multiple patrol routes and even widening their range some. Kakashi called it training. Naruto figured it was a way for the man to continue to be lazy.

So while Naruto sat high above their actual outpost, nestled comfortably on a tree branch while reading his clan's scroll, he considered what else could be done. Kakashi and Sakura were in the outpost, actually getting work done they said, not that Naruto fully believed it. Sai was a couple hundred meters to the east, watching another portion of the immediate border in the forest though most likely sketching away at his drawing pad. Naruto kind of wished he had a hobby that doubted as a skill like that, but then remembered that he already had so much going on and waved the thought away.

Jarred from his thoughts, one of his clones had dispelled to send him its memories. Huh, so someone crossed the border. A tan skinned Taki ninja. But she wasn't doing anything, just sitting by a small waterfall. Huh.

Rolling off his branch and stashing away his scroll, Naruto dropped to the dirt and leaned into the massive carved out tree trunk that was their outpost, spying Kakashi lazing about reading one of his books while Sakura poured over old reports. "Spotted something, going to check it out, maybe a minute west."

Kakashi eyed him levelly from over his book, "Think you'll need backup?" Naruto was talented and powerful, but anyone could be surprised. All it took was once.

"I'll have a couple of teams of clones with me, but come find me if I take more than five minutes I guess." Waving them both off, Naruto set off through the trees. At the least this intruder helped him confirm just what Kakashi-sensei had told him. Which meant when he got back to Konoha his training was going to amp up into high gear. Wind nature training? He was going to rip through that if he had anything to say about it. Heh.

Bouncing through the trees, Naruto wondered what it would be like. If this was his everyday. No ninja responsibilities, just him and the open forest everyday. Let the winds and his whims take him where they would. Of course, that thought then reminded him that he would lose out on what he did have. A warm home. Family waiting for him. Three beautiful women who loved him and he loved in return. Sure the open road called to him from time to time, his training trip with Jiraiya had instilled in him a love for it. But setting down roots wasn't so bad either. It gave him an anchor. Something to look forward to return to. At least that was how he liked to think about it. He needed to check on the old pervert too. He hadn't seen the old man in a while.

Ears picking up the sounds of rushing water, Naruto smirked as he dimmed his chakra and made his way to the forest floor. He wasn't looking to spook whoever it was, but he did want to make it clear that they were on the Land of Fire's side of the border, not the other way around. Plus, as always everything was for practice and training. Constant honing of his skill.

Opposite of him, Fuu sighed as she stared at her reflection within the chaotic waters. It was rare that she could slip her minders and have some time to herself. Crossing the border like this the only way she could. They never suspected that she could potentially put the current peace at risk, not that she had ever gotten caught before. Her senses were top notch after all, nothing could sneak up on her.

So of course as the leaf ninja walked out from the tree line, Fuu wasn't surprised. Curious sure as to why it was only one of them, but not surprised. Guess she would have to find a new spot to enjoy some time alone in the future. "Long way from home Konoha nin."

Across the water Naruto shrugged, hands in his pockets as he watched the tan and mint haired Taki-nin stand relaxed ahead of him. "Could say the same to you, this is Hi no Kuni territory after all."

Fuu smirked as her orange eyes latched onto his blue, "True. Not like you haven't crossed over onto our side though right? Won't you let me have some fun of my own?"

"Fun huh, depends on what sort of fun you're looking for."

Expecting that smirk to turn into something more lewd, Fuu was slightly surprised to feel that wasn't the case. This man was the playful type, humoring her but also seriously taking his job into consideration. Interesting. Chomei was awake as well, more interesting by the moment. "Can I ask your name, Konoha-nin?"

"Hmm, only if you give yours first." Naruto felt something pull at his attention. His chakra, no. Kurama was stirring. Why?

"Fuu." It wasn't like knowing who she was would change anything.

"Naruto." Guess if they were holding back clan names then he would do the same. As he was learning, the Uzumaki clan was famous back in the day. He didn't want to learn if that was still the case today. Though he supposed he might have more troubles down south near the coastal regions.

"Naruto. Well met." Head tilting, Chomei whispered to her. Listening calmly it was only an iron will of control that prevented Fuu from taking a half step back. "I've got a good nose, you know? Makes it easy to smell out bad influences." Taking in the blond hair and whisker marks on Naruto's face, she would commit them to memory. "Like certain angry foxes. You better not be here to cause trouble."

Huh. So she figured out he was a jinchuriki pretty quickly. So either she knew what to look for, or she was one as well. Considering that the last time Kurama had woken on his own was during Naruto's fight against Gaara, that narrowed down the potential reasons. "Just on patrol, there'll be no trouble unless you want there to be."

Putting her hands on her hips, Fuu smirked as her wings began to unfold from her lower back. The air buzzed lightly, but she didn't move. "And if I said I wanted there to be trouble?"

Frowning and considering that all containers had to be the troublesome sort, Naruto began to cycle chakra through his body, "I would recommend against it." Both containers watched one another for a long moment. Fuu's hair floating in the breeze as her wings picked up speed while Naruto considered if she was close enough to nail with a thrown rasengan.

It was Fuu who broke the tension first, chuckling and lowering the chakra cycling through her body as she linked her hands behind her head, "Oh lighten up big bro! I'm only playing around."

Grunting and relaxing himself, Naruto wasn't sure how he felt about the woman before him, "You know what we're capable of, playing around like that isn't healthy."

"Weeeeelllll we're also the only one's in the world who can understand one another. I don't think we should be fighting one another." Fuu meant that as well. It was so rare she got to meet other jinchuriki. The two from Iwa were always so distant and lately she hadn't seen or felt them near the border. With the rumors of that secret group, Akatsuki, floating around she didn't want to think to hard about what might have happened to them. "So what's up big bro? Little Fuu entrance you with her play?"

Yup. Certainly the flighty type and not someone he knew how to deal with properly. Like a more amped up Ino. No. Maybe not that far. There was a childishness here that Ino didn't have. "Fat chance. And why're you calling me Big Bro now?"

"Well Chomei tells me you're holding the nine-tails. That makes you two tails above me, thus, Big Bro!" Taking a closer look at Naruto, Fuu skipped along the water to come within arms reach of the taller man. Ignoring the flush that crossed his face as she leaned into his personal space, Fuu sniffed him freely. "Though you're not as in tune as we are. But that's okay, Chomei says you'll get there if you work at it. The Nine-tails was always the ornery sort."

Stepping back as the other girl giggled and twirled away from him to dance on the water, Naruto sighed and stuffed his hands back in his pockets, "What do you mean…in tune?" It was something he vaguely remembered Jiraiya trying to figure out how to accomplish. A method for Naruto to use Kurama's chakra more readily without the horrible drawbacks. That had ended with the older man nearly dying, and Naruto learning some valuable lessons.

Fuu's wings were once more on display, the girl now floating above the water as she danced in the air. "Well, like you're talking, but not really that close. Like neighbors who barely tolerate each other instead of partners in crime." Flipping once in the air, Fuu looked down on the slightly frustrated Naruto. "Oh don't look at me like that, you'll get it. I know you can do it."

"Well, guess it's nice you have faith in me." Finally sighing and giving it up, Naruto watched the girl dance on the wind before remembering that he was on mission and had a duty to perform. "Alri-"

"Though I guess I should get going before I get in trouble. But hey, I'm really glad I met you! It's so hard for any of us to meet one another, so I hope I'll see you again. I'm rooting for you!" Grinning and saluting him, Fuu rose up through the treeline before retreating back to the north.

Senses out, Naruto knew before he could even confirm it that Fuu was long gone. Not a moment later Kakashi, Sakura and Sai all dropped to the ground around him, each curious and looking to either the waterfall of into the distance where Fuu had flown off to.

Kakashi was the first to put a hand on his shoulder, shaking him from his thoughts, "You okay Naruto?" Originally they weren't going to come early, the blip from Naruto's chakra had peaked their interest but when it had calmed back down their worries had lowered some. At least until Naruto didn't move.

"I'm alright. Just. Met someone weird." Naruto wasn't sure how to describe Fuu. But weird fit well enough.

"Ah, another woman then. Perhaps we interrupted." Sai hit the nail on the head, drawing a groan from Naruto as Kakashi's eyebrows rose into his hairline. "I shall add this to your list of amazing exploits."

Wanting to throttle his newest teammate, Naruto slapped a hand to his face, "There isn't supposed to be any list of exploits. And nothing happened!"

"So he says, but his reaction doesn't fit."

Sakura watched Naruto chase after Sai, a growl coming from his throat as the pale boy danced and evaded the taller brawler easily. Sai wasn't wrong that something had happened but Sakura wasn't one to believe that Naruto would have bedded another woman out in the middle of no where like this. Especially considering the sort of women he had waiting at home. Naruto was a lot of things, but a cheater wasn't one of them. Clapping her hands together, she gained their attention, "Okay okay. Enough horsing around, we confirmed that Naruto's okay so we should return to our post."

Kakashi could agree with that, "Plus we can grill-I mean debrief Naruto once we're there."

Rolling his eyes as he just knew this was going to get blown out of proportion, Naruto did have to consider that he had gained some information out of this. Small though it was. There was a way for he and Kurama to become in 'tune' with one another? News to him.

'.….'

Something tugged at the edge of his senses. Something speaking, but just out of reach. Shrugging as the others leapt off to return to the outpost, Naruto was a half step behind them as he ordered his clones to return to their patrol. Better keep his practice up after all.

-b-

At first Anko had been ready to dismiss this mission as just as boring as she expected it to be. Occasionally checking in on a chakraless former ninja? Oh so riveting, he went shopping at the market. Oh he wandered around the river for half the day and spent the rest of it at home. But as the day went on something nagged at her and she couldn't quite figure it out. It wasn't like Naruto who had figured out she was watching him almost right away. No, she was taking this seriously enough to keep her chakra usage to the absolute bare minimum, relying on physical strength and ninja training to get around and watch the boy. It was something else. Basic. Like a long lost memory trying to bubble to the surface.

Even as Sasuke sat on the edge of the lake within the Uchiha grounds, legs crossed and hands plucking at the grass without a care in the world, Anko watched him carefully. On the surface Anbu's reports were accurate. Sasuke might as well be a robot. He drifted from one thing to the next, no real focus, no drive. Just. Existing.

Then there was a focus. Randomly Sasuke would take actions that didn't make complete sense. Like today, he had spent hours just standing at the river, staring into the depths for no particular reason. Hours. Still and silent as a statue. If Anko hadn't known better she would have assumed he was dead on his feet. And then he snapped out of it, returning to motion as if he had just paused for a moment.

Her instincts were screaming that there was something here. Something wrong, but she couldn't place it. She couldn't return to Tsunade with just a feeling, nor could she approach Sasuke to shake it out of him herself. So she needed something else. Maybe she could read through more of Anbu's reports. Go back some weeks, look for patterns. Anything that might scratch this itch.

He drew her attention, left arm coming up from the grass. There was nothing there. Nothing she could see. But Sasuke was speaking. Talking as it he was holding a phone or something small in his hand. She couldn't feel any chakra from him and any devices capable of communication were restricted from him. Was the boy losing it? Sanity starting to slip as his world came crashing down around him? No. Anko didn't believe that. As someone else trained extensively by Orochimaru she knew that Sasuke was mentally stronger than that. He wasn't losing it. She had to assume that he was speaking to someone or something. Maybe a summon? But again he didn't have chakra. No chakra meant no summons.

No. No chakra meant he couldn't control summons, but there were other ways to summon contracted spirits. Especially when it came to the snakes. A hand trailed along a tattoo along her upper arm, hidden away inside her oversized jacket courtesy of Naruto. She knew that well enough.

Drawing away as she wasn't going to get more answers here, Anko made sure none of her chakra leaked out as she retreated back to the village's main street. It would take longer to walk but she would take the slow route. Once her senses started honing in on something, she knew better to trust them. Trust her gut. And her gut was telling her that something crazy was in the works. She just needed proof. She wasn't sure how she would get it, but she would.

It didn't take long, to reach what she considered a safe distance, camouflaged by civilians and other ninja alike, Anko took to the rooftops. She would return home, ready and send off a raven in order to make her request for information. Then she would stay home, get her thoughts in order and help Mai around the house while she had the time. Ino may be home as well by now, and they could start tentatively coming up with a routine. Heh. Anko had to consider others now. Nor did she mind it.

Almost on autopilot Anko made her way home. Refusing to use the front gate, instead leaping over the wall with a grin, Anko called out, "Heya Mai! I'm home!" Dropping down to the porch, Anko did at least use the front door, making her way inside and kicking her sandals off with ease. Ino was home too, and did they have guests?

"We're in the back Anko!" Mai's voice rang out, guiding Anko through their home and out the backdoor to the rear porch. Like Mai said, there they were. Mai just standing from bringing a tray of tea and snacks to the assembled members of team 10.

Grinning and mentally switching tracks for the moment, Anko couldn't help herself from the teasing. "Oh ho, so the lazy ass has graced us with his presence. What's the occasion? Pigs falling from the sky?"

"Nice to see you as well Anko." Shikamaru sighed as Ino laughed and smacked him on the back, an inside joke that she would not let him live down.

Eyes trailing over their other teammate, Anko noted the missing final member. "What, no Asuma? Where's the smokestack gotten off to?" Moving out of the way as Mai walked past her, both women shared a short look before Mai retreated inside.

Choji shrugged as Ino shoved a mug of tea into his hands, "Well, Asuma-sensei said he was going to go and check on Kurenai and the baby. We have a patrol in a few days." Which meant they'd be free to do what they wanted until then.

Something Anko knew, "So you're gonna hang around here until it's time to go? Well, I'm sure Naruto wouldn't mind if he was here." Walking to sit down on Ino's other side, Anko roped the girl in with an arm around her neck. "Actually this might be perfect, I got a question for you brainiac."

Knowing that he was going to regret this, Shikamaru still looked Anko's way and Ino relaxed into her grip and leaned against the woman, "Yeah? What is it? Nothing too troublesome I hope."

"Ah I don't think so. Just a thought problem." Seeing Shikamaru's focus on her, Anko tried to word this without giving the game away. "If you had no chakra, how would you perform a summon?"

"A summon? With no chakra?" Mulling that over in his head, Shikamaru would normally have said that it wasn't possible. But that wasn't the case at all. It depended on the summon contract. Most demanded chakra, the essence of life for the summon. But others demanded other things. Like some of the younger toads demanded candy from Naruto. Which meant anything could be on demand, and the chakra could be made up from elsewhere. Like food, or sacrifices, or the nature around them. "I'd think, some sort of barter would do."

Yeah she could see that, but no. Didn't spark the same feeling in her chest. That wasn't it. "Barter huh. Guess that would do the trick." She didn't believe it though.

"Well, depending on what you wanted to summon, I guess you'd have to barter with something pretty big in order to counter the chakra requirements." Continuing to mull the problem over in his head, Shikamaru adopted his thinking pose. "Unless you set up summoning circles ahead of time. Filled them with chakra or utilized seals that ate away at natural chakra. Then you could do it. That'd take prep though."

Now that sounded more like her detestable master. Orochimaru was nothing if not a schemer. Konoha was his old stomping grounds and he knew the ins and outs of every hidy hole and secret tunnel that even to this day Anbu hadn't found them all. Root may know more, not that they officially were supposed to exist. But Anko knew the likes of Danzo. Ordered to disband the group or not, he wouldn't have done so. Which meant…

Shikamaru could see Anko's face devolve into deep thought. This wasn't some random thought experiment, he'd pegged that right away. Which meant most likely it was either related to a mission she was in the middle of, or something to do with their resident exile. "Something catch your attention?"

Well, that was her fault for bringing it up with a resident Konoha genius. Still Anko shrugged as Mai returned, sitting on her other side and offering her a warm bowl of donburi, "Well, something like that. Nothing I'm one hundred percent certain about. Not yet at least." But she was getting closer. Orochimaru not only had the know how and the ability to set up summoning circles that wouldn't require chakra in the future. But he also had a reason. Or did. With the third dead and his vendetta done Anko couldn't understand what Orochimaru's goal would be here. It would make sense if Konoha wasn't the goal, but some other far off thing, but then why allow Naruto to capture him? Had that been a fluke, something not planned for? Possible. Naruto was much stronger than many knew. But still, this was Orochimaru she was thinking about, never mind already in her mind she was assuming he had mentally taken over the body of Sasuke. She knew her old master had plans within plans. It was a matter of parsing what was the true plan and what was the decoy.

Ino could feel the change in Anko, mind drifting away somewhere dark as she considered something. Placing a gentle hand on the other woman's thigh, she woke her with a start, "Hey, you're home. We can figure out whatever it is later can't we?"

Sasuke, or Orochimaru, was under lock and key. Surrounded by Anbu and sealed about a dozen different ways. Perhaps they hadn't meant to be captured and things were off because they were looking for a way to escape? She wouldn't let her worries consume her. "Yeah. You're right, sorry, got caught up with my worries." Accepting a set of chopsticks from Mai, she and the other woman both sighed and dug into their food. It was exceptional as always and Anko smiled and moaned with delight. "Oh if Naruto hadn't gotten to you first I think I'd marry you myself Mai."

Giggling and smacking her friend lightly Mai shook her head, "Oh you flatterer you."

"No flattery, I'm serious, this is so good."

Looking up from his third bowl, Choji gave a thumbs up, "Anko's right, this is really good!"

Seeing that somehow her bowl of lunch was missing, Ino frowned and lunged for her teammate, "Hey wait a minute! Is that my lunch you're shoveling down! Give it! Give!"

"But it's so good!"

"I'll feed you my boots jackass!"

"Ino!"

Ignoring his teammates fighting, Shikamaru couldn't let it go much like Anko had. A method to summon without chakra, prepared in advance. Hadn't he and the others seen Sasuke leading Sakura around the village in a hurry a week ago? Available reports said Sasuke wasn't going anywhere restricted, but maybe it was a good idea to look into where he had been going, just in case. Sure it wasn't his duty, but his curiosity wouldn't leave him alone unless he checked this out. Well, it might have to wait until after their patrol.

Smiling and continuing to eat, Anko would continue with her current plan. Request info from Anbu, look over their reports, and start to put together a concrete evidence trail for something nefarious going on. Something to show one way or the other that either Sasuke was running the show, or Orochimaru. Setting her mind at ease as much as she could, she leaned into Mai with a grin, "So, how are we feeling. You had a few extra days with the man of the house. Any new cravings in the works?"

Oh, so this was how Anko wanted to try to distract herself? Far be it from Mai to let her down. "My cravings aside, perhaps we should talk about yours. You've been very nesty lately. In case you hadn't noticed."

"Nesty? Who's nesty, what's that even supposed to mean?" Anko was curious, she'd never heard the term before. Wait, maybe Kurenai had mentioned it once.

Ino knew what Mai was talking about, standing over Choji with a foot on his chest as she polished off her lunch, much to his falling tears, "Oh, nesty behavior. It's like, when you get the urge to clean and rearrange things to your liking. Like setting up a nest."

Mai nodded and pointed at Anko, "And you dear Anko did spend a lot of time last night rearranging the bedroom."

Thoughts derailing, Anko hadn't considered that. "I just. I didn't like the bed right in the middle of the room. Against the corner makes sense."

"But you moved it back to the middle of the room."

"Well it felt off once I moved it." Anko began to flush, suddenly embarrassed. Why had she done that? "So its not like you can complain. I put everything back."

Ino chimed in again, smirking as Anko was beginning to look uncomfortable. "So long as you don't count the half dozen pillows you added to the bed."

"I…" Anko wanted to respond to that, but she really did derail here. She had been thinking about kids more often lately. Nor had she been craving much alcohol. In fact she had been craving sweets a lot more often. Her dango budget doubling lately. "I…" No.

Mai sighed, standing and putting her empty bowl down, dragging Anko to her feet. "Perhaps a trip to the hospital is in order?" Mai knew the signs well enough, having been through it twice herself. She was in the clear, but Anko the other hand? "I told you if you kept playing with fire you'd eventually get burned."

"No but. We've been safe. Most of the…well there was that time…and that one weekend…and then there was you and me and Ino and…." The more Anko thought about it, the more a cold pit of something grew at her navel. "Oh no. Oh no oh no oh no~"

Looking back to Ino as she pushed their friend towards the door, Mai was all smiles, "I'll make sure she gets there and gets a proper checkup done. Would you mind picking up the children this afternoon if we aren't back in time?"

Saluting the older woman in glasses, Ino smirked, "Sure thing. Can't wait to hear the good news!" Watching Anko be led along, the front door eventually opened and closed. Left with her teammates, Ino was all grins as she turned to her boys excitedly, "Can you imagine it!? Anko! Pregnant! The scary snake lady herself!"

"Considering the other names she's earned for herself, being a mother might be the most shocking thing in the world." Shikamaru wasn't close to the woman, but he had some time to get to know her. She wasn't the murder drone everyone made her out to be, but she didn't shy away from it. And as he had learned, she did have a soft side though that was reserved for the little family they had put together. The thought of Anko as a mother? Heck three months ago that would have been impossible. Today? Well, not so far fetched anymore.

Ino already had Choji up, now shaking him by his vest as her emotions and energy poured out like a faucet, "Just imagine it! We're gonna have babies around here! Anko and Naruto are going to be parents!" It was insane to think about! So much happening all at once. The Uzumaki would make a comeback at this rate! Better get on rebuilding the shrine too, maybe she could lend a hand while Naruto was away from now on. Well. Naruto might not want to take to many missions out of the village if Anko was in fact pregnant. So many things would change!

"Ino, I think you're gonna give Choji a concussion." Watching his friend get shaken by Ino's excitability, Shikamaru smiled and shook his head, "You're gonna want him healthy ya know."

"Oh yeah, you guys are gonna be uncles! Aren't you excited too! This is crazy! I should clean up! We need to baby proof the house!" Dropping Choji like a sack of potatoes, Ino was already rushing inside the house.

Left behind and sighing, Shikamaru went about cleaning up their lunch and piling everything up on the tray. "You alive over there?" Getting a weak groan from Choji, the team leader shrugged and stood. He didn't mind helping clean up, so long as no one was watching at least. Naruto owed him one, for putting up with this nonsense.

Ino was already back, pausing him mid stride and taking the tray away from him, "Hurry up slow poke, I've got a list of stuff for you to do. No being lazy this time!"

Watching Ino bounce away to the kitchen, Shikamaru sighed and stuffed his hands into his pockets, "You don't even know if Anko's for sure pregnant yet. Maybe you should calm down and relax."

"But if she is I wanna be prepared! And have you ever seen a woman calm down when told? You know better Shika!" Head popping out of the kitchen to yell at the man, Ino was once more gone, the sounds of clattering dishes rising by the second.

"Troublesome. Really really troublesome." Yeah, Naruto better thank him heavily when he got back. Shikamaru didn't know how he had the energy to put up with this woman. Shikamaru was tired just by proxy.

-b-

Grunting as he finished his scroll, Naruto sat back and considered what to do. It was an interesting tale he decided. The Uzumaki were a spin off of the Senju clan. Resettled on the island of Usuzhio, they had enjoyed years of uninterrupted peace. Able to grow and improve on their own set of skills as they saw fit. While the Senju chose perfection of the body, the Uzumaki chose perfection of the mind. Sealing. Not just storage scrolls or making things explode. More so. Everything. Seals to repair clothes, to maintain homes and walls. To heal and cure diseases. And of course, to wage war. From what he had read so far, at least in this tome, many of Uzumaki improvements in warfare had been accidental. They had a pursuit, a goal. The tailed beasts. The Uzumaki wanted to see the great beasts subjugated. Sealed away. This tome didn't didn't explain why, but Naruto could read between the lines some. It wasn't just that they wanted the beasts sealed away and used. No. There was a bigger goal there. Not a weapon no.

'.…brat…' Again a whisper, but now Naruto had an idea of what, or rather who it was. Considering night was approaching and everyone else was beginning to bed down for the night, he could afford to meditate for a while. Of course he would make another few dozen clones. Best to make sure the perimeter and the border was secure. Once the familiar explosion of smoke cleared and his copies disappeared into the night, Naruto sighed and relaxed where he was. Crossing his legs and centering himself, it was becoming a practiced motion to begin his meditation. Dropping down into his seal, to where the great beast was surely waiting for him.

"Hey there fox, you've got something to say to me, don't you?"

"Hmmm, so the monkey deems to grace me with his presence. I suppose I should feel honored." Hot breath waved over Naruto, a stench he couldn't place between rotting meat and fetid sewer water. Was this what his mind conjured when he thought of the Kyuubi? He really did need to figure this out.

"You're the one who's been trying to reach out to me, the least I could do is respond." A far cry from the arrogant little shit of yesteryear. Once upon a time Naruto would have easily demanded retribution from the fox. Older and maybe a bit wiser? Naruto felt like he could better appreciate just how sane the Kyuubi was. Naruto knew first hand, humanity wasn't the kindest of animals. "So what's up?"

"Hmmm, interesting." Behind the large bars of his seal, Kurama stared down at the Uzumaki boy. A far cry from his mother, but an Uzumaki none the less. Certainly, he was beginning to learn as well, change. There was…a promise he was loathe to keep. But he was a being of his word. "You've begun to learn of your clan. Of your duty."

"I don't know about my duty. But if you mean our talent for seals, yeah, I'm starting to get the gist of it." Naruto relaxed some, crossing his arms as he stared up at the great beast. Something was different this time. No great threats. No offers to rend the flesh from his bones. Just. A talk. Conversation. "You're, being nice."

"Do not get used to it monkey, you have yet to prove you are any different than the rest of your kind." Kurama huffed, laying down and relaxing his head on his paws. It wasn't like he called the boy down here to threaten him. Not this time. No. The boy had done well these last few years. Working hard and improving himself on his own merit. Yes his fool of a sensei tried tapping into his chakra well before Naruto was ready, but that was on the old man, not Naruto. Naruto was actually the opposite, loath to use his chakra unless it was necessary. He valued his own strength, and Kurama could respect that. "But. You are an Uzumaki. And I have…obligations to fulfill."

"Obligations?" Tilting his head as he considered that, Naruto honestly did not like that. He had spent all his life having to fight and struggle for everything he had, and only now had things begun to change. He had women who loved him, a family to return to, and his life was turning around. He knew his past, his heritage, and with some luck the village would come to accept him for all that he was. Due to his hard work, not because he was handed something or anyone was obligated to help him. "No offense, but unless I have earned it, you can keep it to yourself."

Blinking at the child's words, Kurama stared down at the defiant boy for a moment. Another blink, and laughter bubbled up into his throat. Another, and a full throated roar of laughter left his chest as he threw his head back to laugh long and loud. He missed Naruto stepping back with a look of confusion on his face, so too did he miss the sewer din that he called home brighten just that much. Not enough to be noticed, not right away at least. "You brat. Only you would have the gall to toss a favor aside. You want your hard work rewarded so badly do you? Hah. Hashirama would have liked you!"

Blinking as Kurama invoked the name of the first, Naruto huffed and stepped closer to the great beast, "Why're you laughing at me huh? Want me to come in there and smack you around some?"

"I'd love you see you try brat! You've got a few years yet before you could hope to accomplish such." Huffing and coming down from his high, Kurama sighed and once more returned to his relaxed position. It had been many a year since he had laughed so much. Only his mother had accomplished such a feat. "It is, commendable, that you wish to harbor only the fruits of your hard work. Not handouts."

"Handouts only come with conditions. Honeyed words usually end with a knife at your back." Naruto had seen enough of the underworld to know how things really worked. Sure there were a few who thought like him. Or at least, how he used to. That good could prevail and people could reach understanding. But the larger populace operated differently. Favor for favor. Number one came first. Human life was just as exchangeable as coin. "I've got a long way to go before I can trust anything from you Kurama."

"At least you've remembered to use my name. It is a start." Kurama huffed, moving his head to stare at Naruto hotly. "But know this. I never offer anything to anyone, unless I believe they deserve it. Obligation or not. If you did not earn the right, you will not receive it from me."

Considering that the strongest biju in the world was currently talking to him and not threatening his life, Naruto let go of the last of his hang ups. Kurama wanted to play nice? He supposed he could honor that for now. "Alright then. So let's hear it. What's this obligation you need to fulfill?"

Seeing some resolve firm up the young man, Kurama smiled a toothy grin and tilted his head just so, long floppy ears lolling to one side, "Why, the bread and butter of your trade. Information. Something you so dearly need." Seeing Naruto's eyes focus some, Kurama continued on. "You need to understand why not only were you given stewardship over me, but also why the Uzumaki were searching for methods to seal away my kind. I can put you on a starting point."

"I mean I know the first point don't I? I'm the last Uzumaki. Not like dad had a lot of choice?" Naruto was only a little put off as Kurama laughed in his face.

"Hah! You? The last Uzumaki? You wish you could hold such a title." Chuckling and wishing he had the space to roll on his side, Kurama shook himself. "No. You have many of clansmen in the wild. Some you've even come in close contact with, not that you would know. But my nose knows. None can fool me."

"Wait." Something hot in Naruto's chest burned. Was Kurama saying what he thought he was saying? "You mean I have family out there. You knew!? AND YOU DIDN'T SAYING ANYTHING!?" Betrayal. Hurt. Pain. Naruto knew these emotions well.

"Hmmm. Perhaps that was unkind of me." Kurama could taste Naruto's emotions much clearer here, and joke or not, he could understand the hurt the Uzumaki boy must be feeling. Ah. Kushina. He was being unkind. He lowered his head. "My apologies, young Uzumaki. Perhaps it is late, but I realize that was unfair of me. To treat such a revelation as trivial. Understand, the information was not kept from you for malicious purposes. Merely that for the longest time you could not hear my voice."

Coming to a stop as hate filled his heart, Naruto actually paid attention to not only what Kurama was saying, but his actions. Kurama had lowered his head, not just to his paws, but to the floor. Fur wet with sewer water, Kurama actually looked remorseful. Act or not, it was not something Naruto knew the great beast was capable of. "You're apologizing."

"Is that not what one does when they do wrong? I have wronged you, so I am apologizing."

Huh. Would wonders never cease. Naruto considered that it wasn't like Kurama was human. How would he know what was right or wrong? Unless Kurama was told, human interactions and life were foreign to him. It wasn't like Naruto kept their link open all the time. To experience human life outside of this dank prison. Another thread to consider as Naruto looked around some. This was the world that Kurama knew. A dank sewer and jail bars. Naruto kept him locked away, far away from his mind. Maybe…maybe that should change. Maybe. "Yeah. Yeah okay. I can accept that apology."

Raising his head, Kurama nodded, "Truly. To continue. There are dozens of Uzumaki remaining that I have sensed over the years, many close to you in age. One was even in your village, though she had the taint of snake on her."

Hmm. Someone in the employ of Orochimaru then? Or maybe someone stolen away by the man? Wouldn't be outside the realm of possibility. "Okay. We can talk about my family remnants later. You said you have an obligation to fulfill."

"Yes. I do." Kurama once more made eye contact with Naruto, seeing a resolve there he hadn't before. Had apologizing to him done that? Solidified something within the boy? It was possible. "I have knowledge, more so than even your clan is aware of. Once upon a time they realized this. Entrusting that one day a container would be able to connect with me enough to glean the information from me. You mother. Well she may have been able to do so if she had lived long enough. But now that task seems to fall to you. So. This is my promise to you, Naruto Uzumaki." Bowing his head once more, Kurama grinned wide, "Continue as you have. Work hard to improve yourself, and I will divulge to you the history of this world. The true meaning behind not only shinobi, but of the strife you clan has suffered."

Crossing his arms, Naruto couldn't help but frown at that. "I don't get it, why not just tell me if it's that important?"

"Because you are not ready." Kurama shrugged, so much that his physiology would allow. "Your heart has opened to me, albeit a small amount. But our connection has a long way to go. You require strength. To defend yourself. To defend your loved ones. The information that I contain is world changing. More so than you understand. This is bigger than you. Bigger than your women or your children."

"Well, I'm not so arrogant to think I'm that important, but remember those kids aren't mind. Not by blood anyway." Though Mai's daughter had slipped up and called him dad once already.

"I wasn't speaking of them, but I suppose you have yet to understand some things." Kurama huffed, settling back in to rest. "Come to me when you are ready, we have more to discuss."

"Uh, sure. Got ya." Thrown off balance, Naruto had to hand it to the old fox. There was no mention of killing him. No threat of ripping the flesh off the bones. Just. Understanding. Even if only a small amount. And an apology! Naruto never would have expected that in a million years. "Hey uh. I want to offer you something."

"Oh? An offer from you? I'm all ears." Unless it was freedom, there wasn't much Naruto could offer that would benefit him much.

"I'll open the link between us. Let you see the world through my eyes. Maybe my senses too? Just." Naruto looked around the dank surroundings and shrugged. "Maybe I'm an asshole for never thinking about it. But this is all you have to keep you entertained. That's kinda fucked. Not going to lie."

Ah. So the boy could think outside of himself, when confronted with an injustice. Would wonders never cease. "Well, this is my prison. Most prisoners aren't offered such luxuries."

"Yeah well. You're only a prisoner because someone in my village thought it'd be a good idea to make you a weapon right? Well. Kinda screwed up if you ask me." Naruto let his hands drop to his sides. "Fair trade, you offer up some information while I give you the outside world?"

"You truly are one of a kind Naruto Uzumaki. I will accept this deal."

Grinning, Naruto extended a hand and gave Kurama a thumbs up, "It's a deal then you big furball. Don't make me regret it."

"Fate will decide who regrets which decision."

In one breath, Naruto was staring down the massive chakra construct that was the nine tailed fox. In the next he was once more in a tree on the border between Leaf and Taki. Shuddering in place and sighing, he mentally decided he would have to get used to this all encompassing feeling of always being watched.

'You will get used to this, and I will do my best not to be intrusive to your thoughts.'

"Oh great. He's in my head, just what I needed."

'Hah. I've always been in your head, it is only now you can hear me. Jailer.'

Like a physical presence, Naruto could feel the fox pull away. Like background noise. Like the ringing in his ears that would come after detonating exploding notes nearby. But at least, he was making progress. Both in learning about his clan's history, and making headway in his relationship with Kurama. Fuu had said their bond was important. Perhaps he should work on that.

'So long as you do not wish to bond with me as you do with your mates. Biological mating rituals hold no appeal to me.'

"Please tell me you aren't going to be around all the time."

'I only have as much access as you allow.'

Loathe to pull back after giving his word to do something. Naruto sighed and let it go. No one would hear anything but him anyway. He could live with this. "You're gonna learn a lot about human mating when we return to Konoha."

'You'll remember to cut me off, won't you?' Naruto was silent as he prepared himself to actually sleep. 'Do not haze me, I have no interest in that.'

"I'll remember, probably." Plus, as a bonus, Kurama would learn to close its fucking eyes.

'I do not like your tone Uzumaki. Fix it. Fix it right now.' Hearing Naruto chuckle and shelter in for the night, Kurama frowned as he considered the downsides of what he agreed to. 'I'm going to learn much of what I don't want to know.'

"Welcome to humanity. We learn lots of things we don't wanna know. Part of the fun." Kinda like knowing your parents had to do it. At least once. Once was enough. Anything more than that was thoroughly scrubbed and ignored.

-AN-

In a good mood and having a productive Sunday. So here's an update for a story that Honestly I'm not sure if I'm close or super far from finishing. Till later.