Twin Ice Demon Brothers

Naruto x Koyuki Kazehana

Haku x Honoka

Chapter One; The Tundra's Story

Land of Fire; Hidden Leaf

Flashback start

"Banished, right?" Naruto spoke, voice void of anything as his eyes grew dead, cold, and inexpressive to those around him. Internally however, his emotions were a chaotic storm beneath the surface, only visible to the woman opposite him within his stormy blue eyes, that cut her deeply. Tsunade only barely managed a whisper. "I am… sorry, Naruto."

She swallowed hard, continuing. "Due to use of excessive force against the clan heir of the Uchiha clan, we the council of the leaf have deemed you unsafe to remain within…"

Ignoring the pompous councillors, Naruto steps toward the head of the table and drops his gifted headband, that sports the village insignia, his shinobi licence and, much to the blonde kage's internal horror, the neckless of the first hokage.

Like granite, Tsunade's eyes raise slowly to the boy standing before her, a boy she had come to see as her own with untold grief and horror. She only managed a breathless. "…N… N…"

Yet Naruto simply smiled at her, a true smile not seen by most replying. "Don't worry Tsunade-Ka-chan. I'll be fine. I'm an Uzumaki but more importantly, your little hero, right?"

Tsunade managed a similar smile and looked him dead in the eye, replying softly. "I have the utmost faith with you, okay?"

Naruto nods firmly. The two seemed oblivious to the room around them, the clan heads bowing their heads in grief, all having gained respect for the boy as a fellow shinobi, the civilians and elders just glared in smug satisfaction.

Though one had a calculated glint in his eyes as he watched the container leave. Time for his plan to finally be realised.

Naruto finished his packing in his apartment and as he goes to stand, he was suddenly hugged again from behind by Tsunade who hadn't stopped crying since the decision. He turned back and hugged her back. Naturally, he had no idea that this would be the last in almost a decade before they would meet again. Pulling back, he looks up at her with a soft smile, announcing quietly. "I should get moving."

Flashback end

Land of Spring; Daimyo's Quarters

Naruto, now twenty-one years old, awoke staring up at the scarlet velvet cover above the decorative four post bed, before stretching out. He muttered to himself. "I had forgotten about that…"

Yet his bed mate, wife, queen, and daimyo of the former frozen wasteland now known as the Land of Spring, whispered from her place against his chest. "Forgotten about what…"

Smirking lightly, Naruto replied as he gently played with his wife's hair. "The day my life caved in."

This elicited a soft hum of contentment from his better half allowing a soft silence for a few minutes as they just continued to enjoy this blissful moment with one another.

A knock at the door echoes around the pairs royal chamber, littered with the dressing equipment and various personal effects from their lives together, and mementoes from before it. This included the likes of Naruto's personal sky-blue crystal-like short sword, mounted on the wall beside to his newer ceremonial one, that he wore more often than not these days.

A soft growl from Naruto from the disturbance, earned a soft giggle from the lady of the land and home, as she finally detached from her husband's warm embrace calling out. "Yes."

The door promptly parted and the two children rush in, calling out. "Mummy! Daddy!"

These two children were Kushina, a dark redhead girl, in the same fashion as her mother's, who was simply a spitting image of her grandmother with the exception of her mother's violet-blue eyes.

The younger of the two, the son, Sosetu, named after his mother's father, was a simply a fusion of his parents. As the younger of the two, his baby factor was still in full effect as his three-year-old baby face had his father's whisker marks unlike his older sister. His short dark blond hair wasn't normally kept that short but he had recently had an incident with a prank gone wrong. It involved a lot of liquid glue.

The two kids rushed and jumped onto their parent's bed, caught by said parents with giggling following shortly thereafter. Koyuki's smile was brilliant, cheering. "Muchkin's, good morning."

This was a few minutes of bliss for Naruto Uzumaki, as this is what he had fought for nearly eight years alongside his blood pact brother, Haku Yuki. Speaking of which, the second knock on the flung apart barrier and said man poke his head in with a familiar smirk, Haku asking with a feigned innocence. "Up yet?"

Matching the childishness of his brother-in-arms, Naruto mumbled with arms wrapped around his baby boy Sosetu. "It was you, huh? Shoulda known aniki."

The family started to get up, edging closer to the emperor sized bed as Haku reminded his friend and boss. "Well, it seemed you forgot that we have a Kumo delegation coming later."

The two other adults present nodded in acknowledgment, Naruto responding seriously now. "Right. Better get to it."

Seeing the adult talk and the threat to her mommy and daddy time, Kushina quickly asks with all the innocence the world had poured into her question. "What about breakfast?"

As she looked at her father, who had just finished tying his white floral pattern obi over his dark grey kimono with the Uzumaki swirl upon the back. Naruto replied to his princess. "I have to get to work, baby. Daddy and uncle have to go meet some important people right now."

The young girl pouted, it was so adorable that her mother had to draw her into a hug to comfort the clearly upset girl. Naruto then reached for his fighting sword which sent a message to the other adults that went over the heads of the children. Haku then asked, eyes narrowed as he shifted his own hidden tanto within his large sleeve. "Expecting trouble?"

The ice user too was in his trademark light blue, white hemmed as he stood in the doorway. Naruto finished attaching his weapon, before meeting the brown dough eyes of his former field partner, speaking firmly. "This is Kumo we are dealing with."

He then looked to his wife with all seriousness, continuing. "Koyuki, I'm assigning additional guards with you and the children."

Before Koyuki could partake in what has become her traditional sarcastic protests, his hand raises to stall it as Naruto states. "I do not care for your trust in our samurai's, perhaps I am being a bit overprotective, I will give you that. However, I will rather face your wrath later than the suffer the pain of losing my family."

That had successfully stopped her short. Koyuki of all people knew just how protective her husband is of his friends and family, it was one of the things that saved her in the end and she doesn't want to trample that mindset of his. It's one of the things she loves him for after all.

Looking to his brother in arm, Naruto and Haku share a firm nod with the former offering. "Let's get going then. Have your family join mine."

This earned a nod from the last full Yuki, Haku replying promptly. "Good idea. I'll send word immediately."

Signalling to the hidden Yuki-shinobi. Naruto reaches the doorway, beside his brother and stops briefly before glancing back at his family with a loving smile, announcing. "I'll see the four of you later."

This caused Koyuki to blush rather prettily, as she absent minded rubbed her still flat stomach whilst the two kids smiled brilliantly and waved energetically as the two men left.

Making their way through the winding corridors of the Land of Spring's palace, decorated with blue vain, dull white marble floors covered with soft blue carpets and natural wood furnishings, Naruto and Haku head towards the council chambers. Passing by the few scattered servants, waving and smiling as they do, Haku eventually grew irritated enough to voice. "Can't you clean yourself a bit more?"

This gained his best friend's attention and a raised blonde brow. Glancing over his look Naruto recalled that, since their reunion with his now best friend, brother, and mentor, he had grown up in every sense of the word.

His hair now reached just passed his shoulder blades, a ponytail with a small bunch of matching dark hair strands above his left eye that are tied back with his blond spikes. Haku had the same thing, but his was sunny blond, a consequence of his sacrifice for saving his life back on the bridge.

Sighing, Naruto drawled somewhat childishly, rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he does so. "Oh, come on Aniki."

Haku's left eye twitched at that grabbing his friend's arm, pulling the younger ice user's full attention to his next words that he growled out lowly. "At least fix your kimono properly."

This caused a sigh to escape the blond. In their time together, Haku had imparted his love for battle kimonos, and through much blood, sweat, and pain, he broke the orange obsession. While his own kimonos tend to hold bluer then most, tend to be grey, black, or dull scarlet or crimson. That being said, however, he does have an orange one somewhere but he has been banned from wearing it by his ever-loving wife.

Pausing at the thought, Naruto finishes adjusting his clothes and asks. "Better?"

Haku nodded, replying. "Much. Let's get going, your grace?"

Ending with a mock bow and cheeky grin he certainly learnt from his brother-in-arms, a scowl upon the 'Royal' former shinobi, Naruto grumbled."You know I hate when you do that."

The two share a chuckle as they proceed on their way to this stupid renegotiation with the Cloud.

Land of Spring; Council Chambers

Naruto sat at the head of the long table, filled halfway with the counties advisors, that were there mainly for show, though Haku was at his side as the nations first Yukikage of their bolstered Hidden Village.

Both have grown massively over their time together since their now mythical clash on that bridge in the Wave country. The secret miracle healing by the fox and exchange of life forces, and then their third meeting after his banishment. The two both lacked a purpose before then, slowly the two becoming each other's reason to fight. To protect.

In their time together, they both stood shoulder-to-shoulder at a respectful six-foot-one, both with swordsmen builds but slightly leaner and compacted, as they are both speed demons, though Naruto less so as power output is his forte between the two.

Together, the carved a frozen path through the bounty hunting world, and also awoken Naruto's hidden bloodline limit that was a copy of his partner. Ice release. It would be a full year after their initial debut within the bounty hunting when an answer to his acquiring of the ice release during a potentially life-threatening injury.

The demon fox was pleased with his containers growth since leaving that puny village, and let it slip that, during their sharing of life force, he may have accidentally purposely fused a portion of one another's genetic makeup in one another, allowing for the copying of the bloodline among other things.

In turn, Haku's chakra capacity jumped a healthy amount, and grew noticeably denser that boosted the effectiveness of his own ice abilities despite having to retrain them from the ground up again. After it was all said and done however, neither could complain at their improvements in combat abilities.

The double doors parting broke Naruto from his musings of the past, as the three Kumo shinobi step in to the meeting and he focused in on them. He did not stand, as apparently, he was now above them on the social standings. Thus, this led to them to bow to him, their captain announcing. "Lord Kazehana, it is an honour to granted this presence within your abode."

Naruto, leaning into his experience more at this point, then his wife's acting lessons, waved him in. "It's fine. Take a seat, please."

The trio did so, and the talks began in earnest. It would take several hours of these closed-door talks, the peace shared between them solidified once again.

As the talks began to wrap up, the leader of this deligation felt that his curiosity could no longer be denied, thus asked. "My Lord…"

Was spoken with strain, but with a modicum of respect but accomplished its goal in gaining the Naruto's attention. The man continued. "Your past as a bounty hunter…"

"Is of no concern to you." Naruto responded sternly, his wave off many might considered rude but those in attendance paid it no mind as they were more on edge for the response to the Cloud Jonin's words. He continued. "We have long since hung up our blades in that line of work. We are no longer the twin frost dragons, or whatever they called us."

The tension was still there, as Naruto held the opposites gaze without flinching. "But as it is, should the need arise."

The unspoken threat was left hung out for all to see and the Cloud shinobi knew instinctively that it would and could be implemented with little effort. A shudder was stifled as the meeting was finally ended on that almost threatening note.

Land of Spring; Docks

Naruto and Haku had escorted the Cloud group to their awaiting ship. A handshake shared, the captain of the trio offered. "It was fun talking with you. I'll be sure to pass you're thanks to the Raikage."

"You have my thanks also, Kakuo-san." Naruto responded softly but with the firmness Haku knew came naturally to his blond brother. The shinobi nodded with a soft smile before turning back to the vessel and climbing aboard.

As the ship left port and headed out to the open ocean, Naruto watched over it as the silhouette grew smaller and smaller as it left. He eventually murmured to his companion, guard, and shinobi leader. "Your Snowflakes?"

Haku replied swiftly and dutifully with. "Detected them, persuaded them it was unwise to stick around."

Naruto inclined his head with approval though with a growing smirk, eyes still fixated on the shrinking figure. "A perfectionist, as always."

The Yuki simply lifted his nose up, as elegantly as ever, Haku spoke with faux arrogance. "Just goes to show how much we are…"

Both men froze, their joking around shelved for later, upon sensing a new arrival attempting to sneak them by, directly beneath the docks they stand atop. A heavily suppressed chakra signature was very moving slowly beneath their feet. Looking to Naruto, Haku mouthed. "You can't be…?"

This caused the Uzumaki to sigh with a nod, mouthing back. "Toad."

Jiraiya had finally slipped into the Land of Spring. A lucky break actually as he had gone via Land of Lightning, which of course was a bit of a surprise, sure, but a welcomed one nonetheless. Ever since the banishment and subsequent disappearance of one Naruto Uzumaki, from the leaf, the countries that had seen him as a hero at the time, had outright banned Leaf shinobi from entering their lands.

This obviously also meant Spring country too, thus his difficulty in getting into the northern most island nation ever since, due to the relatively isolationist nature of the people, it's location, and limited outreach in recent years.

His spy toad reaches the solid ground, climbing out from beneath the bright wooden, snow coated, decking of the harbour and into a discreet alleyway. A quick check confirmed the area was clear and allowed Jiraiya to pull himself out of his toads mouth, in a almost comical manner as he was many times the size of it.

The second it puffed away, Jiraiya was suddenly surprised by the sudden arrival of a dozen blue patterned, white masked shinobi, that now have him surrounded. Three squads of the Land's answer to the Leaf's renowned Anbu force, known as Snowflake by the limited few, beyond the force, in the know.

Yet, before the toad hermit could do anything, a flicker at his feet caught his eye. A seal of some kind and immediately his body was frozen stiff, as if frozen solid, and his chakra was moved beyond his control. These shinobi all drew their weapons, one of them calling out. "You never should have come here, Leaf Shinobi."

Jiraiya as helpless as one of his foes stepped forward, unknowingly missing the two at his back who were the ones to strike and causing his world to fall to darkness.

With the intruder subdued, Haku speaks to Naruto. "To think they were this desperate."

Looking down on the knocked-out toad sage at their feet. Naruto nodded, nudging the white-haired sage with his leather boot, offering back. "Yeah well, personally I was surprised that it took them this long for them to send him out here."

Haku frowned, looking from the man being bound and collected to his friend and leader. "Well, our friends on the mainland did warn us, right? Is that, perhaps, the reason for…"

Naruto cut in, knowing what he was going to ask and confirming. "The reason for our renegotiation of our terms?"

He nods, watching as the man was sealed away in a scroll, and continuing after the successful sealing. "Put simply, yes. Despite their pushing for more, we will only offer humanitarian aid at most. Food, medicine; those sort of things."

Haku relaxed only slight, asking for clarification sake but came out as an almost whispered shout somehow. "And if they attempt to force our hands?"

The sinister smile forming upon his friends' face, caused one to form on his own. Naruto eventually supplied. "That's when your Yuki shinobi come into play, Haku. Kumo suspects that, at best, you are all Chunin level. They are not even contemplating the thought or notion that we already have a force of Anbu ready and active."

The pride was not lost upon those very operatives who all smirked beneath their masks.

Land of Spring; Daimyo's Estate

Naruto and Haku step into the estates of the royal family, though currently there were only Koyuki and the three children. Though Naruto is also considered royalty by the simple fact that his own parentage is also one of royalty from the lost land of the Whirlpool Country.

It was only shared with the court as a way to silence those who opposed his marriage to Koyuki, seeing as he was the son of a royal line long thought to have gone extinct, and even more so when his fathers name was mentioned. The near heart attacks on the elderly council members faces was priceless.

That being said, as the two brothers chuckle and relax as their stepped into the flowering courtyard in the middle of the palace, twin cries of. "Daddy!"

Echo out and twin blurs clear the large garden space that led into two thuds as they collided with the men who had expected this, thus the two girls were hefted up until the duos shoulders with expected ease.

The two girls were grinning widely, just like their daddies who were supporting the girls upon their shoulders. The two young girls began to chat between themselves from their new vantage points with a high five shared.

The group arrived shortly thereafter at the table in the centre of the park within the estate to find both mens significant others. The ever beautiful lady of the land Koyuki Kazehana, dark blue hair and a body that many people of both sexes have approved of among the big screen movies.

Despite all the fame, glamour, and fanfare, she has only had eyes on the one man that came from a distant land as a shinobi, to save her from her own exile. Yet, thanks to her love for him, she was able to then save him in return, pulling him from his own exile and give him everything he ever truly wanted. What he desperately yearned for.

A home to feel safe in. A family to come home too.

She would never truly understand how much that means to him, so much that even the hidden kitsune within him couldn't help but acknowledge it too.

Haku broke the silence with. "So, how are our lovely ladies doing this day?"

His soft smile was so lady killing to the point he was required to wear a mask outside Spring County. His wife, Honoka Yuki, formally Uzumaki, was a five-foot-five gentle soul, at least for an Uzumaki, with the more traditional features of the clan. Pale skin, bright red hair but with dark eyes instead of the normal violet or blue.

As an archeological historian, Honoka was first encountered by the former mercenary shinobi when the duo was checking the ruins of Uzushiogakure no Sato, in the early days of their career and many times after that as the island was their unofficial residence.

Naruto and Haku would often run into her several times. They had saved her ass an uncountable number of times, everything from missing nin, to Orochimaru and his Sound forces, and even a particular run in with a certain shinobi village hidden among the clouds. Part of the reason they were cautious with their current dealings.

Honoka looked from her fellow wife and up to her own husband, mumbling. "It's about time you showed up. Tsk. You missed breakfast."

She had a hint of a blush to her pale cheeks that no one dared point out, Naruto knowing better due to plenty of previous experience, but he was so damn tempted. Haku though, putting on his smooth moves, replied softly. "Sorry, Hime…"

He then kissed her hand, like a true gentlemen and her fake anger evaporated instantly as her entire face matching her hair now. Naruto was desperately biting his lip to not comment on that, and it took a Herculean effort to not quip at his cousin. Haku continued explaining their delay. "We had to deal with an…"

This reminded Naruto too, and thus he supplied. "Unwanted."

Gaining Koyuki's attention, expectedly she asks. "Unwanted, dear?"

Which Naruto turned unusually serious, informing his wife. "A certain toad tried to slip in."

These words caused all playful banter to cease, dangerous glint within the Spring Daimyo's eyes. Koyuki spoke rather coldly, voice a void. "…oh, is that right?"

A snort from Honoka, her Uzumaki kicking in now. "They really don't respect anyone's authority, do they?"

Naruto then snorted, lowering his daughter down to play with her cousins, as he looks to his clanswoman, stating. "Told you that already, didn't I?"

Honoka shrugged, taking the offered jasmine tea from her husband, before looking back to her clan-head and replying. "Thought they were just stories. Tall tails about the leaf and all dat."

Haku sighs at his wife's statement, shaking his head. "I'm sorry, but even after all the years we've been together…"

His tone was sombre in nature as he reaches for the teacup on the table. It didn't settle though as Koyuki was quick to declare. "I'll send a message bird at once."

She was stopped as she was passed a scroll from her other half, Naruto grinning like the fox as he sat on the bench beside her. "Like this…?"

After a quick glance, Koyuki had nodded with a sense of pride and smirk at what was written. "I must say, you are getting good at the diplomatic talk."

She snickered as he blushed, scratching the back of his neck in his nervous tick and the others all joined in the laughter.

Land of Fire; Hokage Office

Poof.

In a puff of smoke, the toad sage appeared in the office earning a confused call from Tsunade. "Jiraiya …?"

As all she had done was unsealing a note from the Land of Spring, that she had secretly hoped would be good news on her little hero gaki. Yet only a snoozing toad sage appeared with another smaller notice, that read:

"Dear Lady/Lord Hokage, we have previously stated that your fighting forces are not to stand upon our soil without word being sent. For this will be your be your last time, should you be discovered again, you shall receive their heads. Do not think you can pull the wool over our eyes."

A long, heavy sigh escaped the blonde kage's lips in defeat, head flopping down on the desk. Tsunade muttered. "Why…? Why Jiraiya ?!"

A quick water jet jutsu and awoke the emotionally shady toad sage, who bolted up right, startled before he started looking around. Jiraiya muttering. "Wha… what…?"

"You got caught… Jiraiya and then returned." Tsunade states with her cheek resting on her fist, watching blankly as the man get back to his feet.

Dusting himself down, the famous spy master of the leaf and toad sage Jiraiya questioned. "What? That is impossible… I…"

He paused, recalling the last thing he remembers. The masked shinobi surrounding him, Anbu of some kind. Jiraiya muttered. "Damn. Didn't think they had their own shinobi, let alone Anbu."

This caused the woman to perk up at that, Tsunade asking. "Kumo, or…?"

"I think they have their own force, though I can't be sure." the white-haired Jiraiya continued to murmur to himself, scratching the back of his head. Tsunade then asked. "I see. Perhaps we can retry for an alliance."

Finally snapping out of his contemplation, Jiraiya turned back to his teammate and demands. "Let me try again. I won't be…"

He paused upon Tsunade's raised hand, her head shaking negatively. "That won't be necessary. Should you try…"

A hollow smile played upon her face, the thought of loosing her former teammate caused a pang of panic within her.

The toad sage paused at that hollowed look in his teammates face caused him to sigh; she had been doing that a lot since the gaki left after the banishment. To make things worse, his own friends or more accurately his acquaintances turned on him almost universally.

Shino Aberame, Shikamaru Nara, Neji Hyuga, and Tenten are all upon his side though the others became hostile to any mention of Naruto's name. Jiraiya eventually spoke up. "I still haven't found any trace of him, Tsu-hime."

His following sigh truly showed his age at this point, he continued. "He just vanished…"

"He's alive, Jiraiya, I just know it." Tsunade's soft response, head in hands as the thought of her boy being lost out there, all alone and at risk at being harmed without her to help him was getting to her.

Sighing again, Jiraiya whispered old news. "His name is not on the toad contract anymore. We can't…"

Suddenly Tenten pushed into the room, forgoing any of the standard procedure and called out. "Lady Hokage, I think you should see this!"

The kunoichi was quick in handing over an old, weathered magazine she had found while clearing out her old room her parent's house above the weapon shop. Taking up the article, Tsunade gave it a quick once over before she flipped to another page and found a full spread.

On said page was a two page spread that showed, 'Twin Frost Rogues' where two men, one tanned and with long dark blond-hair, standing back-to-back with another man who had alabaster skin paired elegantly with ebony locks man both holding crystal like swords. Both models were wearing very loose yukata's, that were inverse of one another, greys and blues, with the opening in the front showing off their muscled bodies.

The two men were, for a lack of a better word, beautiful. Demi-gods made of granite-like firm muscles, eight packs visible through their open front attire, and beneath their mesh armour. A slight tinge of pink dusted even the hokage face at the sight. Tsunade muttering. "Oh… oh my…"

Tenten nearly outright drooled at the sight, muttering lowly. "I know, right."

The toad sage cleared his throat, preventing this outbreak of fangirlism before it got too far, and gaining the rooms attention briefly. Jiraiya then pointed to the blonde 'demigod' of the two and claimed. "That's Naruto, right."

Tsunade took a second moment before matching the young man in the picture with the young blond in the photograph she had framed on her desk of a time before her return to the village. One of the few photos she has of the boy she had banished. "Oh…"

A bingo book was flung open, the independent section, and the collective gasp was of. "Whoah…"

Name: Naru Yuki aka Ice Fox

Rank: S

Age: 18-24

Type: Shinobi – Kage Level

Affiliation: Mercenary

Notes:

One half of the Twin Ice Demons.

Responsible for clearing Kumo, Kusa, and Mist bingo books.

Assisted with Rebel faction winning the Kiri Civil War. Ended Fang and Bear war.

Prevented Kusa/Ame conflict. Stabilised the Land of River after attempted coup. Saved Land of Demon from Morio. Defended Spring County from Kumogakure's attempted subjugation.

Advisory; If with his partner, Haku Yuki, avoid contact as threat level raises to SS-class, flee on site.

Name: Haku Yuki aka Ice Phoenix

Rank: S

Age: 18-24

Type: Shinobi – Sannin Level

Affiliation: Mercenary

Note:

One half of the Twin Ice demons.

Responsible for clearing Kumo, Kusa, and Mist bingo books.

Assisted with Rebel faction winning Kiri Civil war. Ended Fang and Bear war.

Prevented Kusa/Ame conflict. Stabilised the Land of River after attempted coup.

Saved Land of Demon from Morio. Defended Spring County from Kumogakure's attempted subjugation.

Advisory; If with his partner, Naru Yuki, avoid contact as threat level raises to double S-Rank, flee on site.

Land of Fire; Hokage Office

Tsunade was the first to break from the shock of the entries, pride swelling at the sight of gaki's achievements. She murmured lowly. "So, he's an S-rank, now?"

This seemed to break the other two out of their own shock with Tenten nodding her agreement, offering. "I'm sorry, I didn't think to check earlier."

The others just waved her off with Jiraiya replying."We should have kept our own eyes on them."

Tsunade continues to inspect the two-page spread, looking over the columnists claims, apparent accounts, and gossipy rumours regarding the two. With her perfectly manicured nails running across the pages, she asks. "…is this all true?"

"Possibly." Jayria commented, glancing over them himself. After a moment he adds. "I'll have to check them against anything my network can find."

Tenten cut in here, adding. "Also, that books kinda old."

She then points to the lower corner where the date can be found and revealed the book was four years old. Sighing, Tsunade looked up and called out. "ANBU!"

A few minutes later…

"You called, Lady Hokage." Ino Yamanaka asks, stepping in to the office of the hokage before bowing to her fellow blonde and hokage. Upon her returning upright again, taking notice of both Tenten and the old pervert, Ino watches as Tsunade lifts up an old magazine, asking. "Yes, do you know about this…?"

Ino, upon seeing the two hunks on the page, her old fangirl habits resurfaced and she actually squealed like she used too before pulling out the last copy of the two were in, that she just happened to have on hand. With excitement and energy worthy as her place at the top of the gossip grape vine, she sighs dreamily. "Ah, the Ice brothers."

This caused the kage to arch a finely plucked eyebrow, Tsunade asking. "Ice brothers?"

Ino nodded firmly, recalling that detail from her research before explaining."Yeah. They both use ice ninjutsu and apparently capable of going toe to toe with the seven swordsmen of the mist…"

The others present noticed that the woman had now returned to the kunoichi she was known to be now, Ino continued. "Subsequently, they are both honorary members but aren't Mist shinobi directly."

She sighs after recalling that, but presses on. "We don't know their names but from what we currently know of them is that they've been instrumental in ending at least six different conflicts, preventing two civil wars, and a not insignificant number of bandit camps and missing nin being dealt with."

Shifting her weight to the left leg, with arms crossed, Ino continued her debrief. "We've tried on at least twelve different occasions to catch one or the other, but they seemed to know whenever our agents are getting close and go underground for an unspecified period of time. They are rather slippery."

Nodding at this information, Tsunade asks. "What capabilities do they have?"

Ino responded without missing a beat, as if awaiting this question from the beginning. "Master level swordsmen. Confirmed Ice release thus the monikers. We suspect that one or both are sensors, really good ones at that. We currently have them listed as Targets of Interest with a B-level threat warning."

Tenten snorted, arms folded earning the intel specialists attention as she asks. "Only B-level threat warning?"

Ino responded with a hesitant nod, earning a tight breath from her fellow kunoichi but Tsunade cut in here, slightly confused. "What do you mean you didn't know who they are?"

Before the Yamanaka could respond, the Kage held up the spread, pointing to the dark blonde teenager of the two. Tsunade states. "That's Naruto."

Nodding, understanding now, Ino replied with the explanation of the intelligence department's conclusions. "We thought that initially too but, Naruto has never showed any inclinations towards that of Ice release, so we had simply dismissed it as a coincidence."

She then began pulling out a case file from a storage seal, presenting to the Hokage, continuing after that. "We even redone some blood work from Naruto's records and again, no signs of Ice release showed up."

The proof was rock solid and even had her own signature attached to it, thus Tsunade couldn't refute it. She couldn't call them out anything, though Jiraiya pulled them back on target, his finger jabbing the page. "Let's work under the assumption that this is Naruto. What info do we have on him, his partner?"

"No more than you probably have, Lord Jiraiya ." Ino began, shifting through the numerous reports and collecting the information she wanted, reporting. "But an analyst had pointed out that the former Team Seven, the one led by Jonin Kakashi Hatake that is, had their first C-rank bumped up to A rank midway through their mission."

"I remember hearing about that." Tsunade comments, looking up from the plasma analysis, to which the intelligence officer nods, Ino continued. "Among the enemy combatants involved, there was a member of the Yuki clan."

This now caught the rooms attention, Tsunade spoke hesistently as she was trying to recall the details. "But the reports say…"

Ino finished her thoughts, far more familiar with this theory having put it together herself. "Yes, he took a lightning blade to the chest, curtesy of one Jonin Kakashi Hatake."

Tenten then asked, clearly confused from her seat beside the toad summoner. "Then how'd he survived?"

Jiraiya too was deep in thought for a few minutes, everyone deep in contemplation yet it was Tsunade who offered the best assumption, speaking hesitantly. "What if, and this is a really big if, as Naruto was burying the two missing ninjas as the records state, he had noticed that his first friend was still alive."

She had been speaking slowly as the thoughts were coming in, trying to not to miss a piece of intel or piece to this puzzle. Catching on to what as being presented, Jiraiya added his thoughts to this train of thoughts. "Naruto would die for his friends."

Also catching on, Tenten offered, snapping her fingers. "The Kyuubi."

This was what finally pulled a story together for the two Sanin, Tsunade jumping up declaring as if she as there to witness it. "He shared his regeneration factor…"

"Saved his friends life, the Kyuubi took samples of the ice release for later use or something…" Jiraiya continued, and Tsunade nodded before adding."And when he was banished…"

Tenten continued, the picture coming together pretty easily at this point. "He met with this Haku guy again and the two trained."

Ino was writing this down, nodding along with the thought process easily enough, matching to the thought process she knew that her fellow blonde had before he had left. A pensive look formed on the mind walkers face as she looks up from her note taking when Tsunade asks. "So, where would he go then?"

The Yamanaka heiress began to rifle through the notes she had spread across the hokage's desk. Not finding what she was looking for she pulled out two storage scrolls from her belt, scanning them over before stopping and with a puff of smoke, came a map of the Elemental Nations. Ino informed. "This is a map of everything I could find on the ice Demon brothers. It took some time, but I think we have a general idea of where they've been…"

A quick glance over the map again before she sighs hard, adding. "Though, their trail went dead almost three and a half years ago now."

Tsunade asked, face contemplative. "What do you mean went dead?"

She really needs to trust in her department heads more, as it seems yet again that Jiraiya has been outdone by her own Anbu intelligence officers. Ino shrugged, reporting."As of Frost/Hotspring incident was the last time we heard of their sightings. Since then…"

She shook her head, gesturing that nothing since then and now a pensive look took over Tsunade face this time. The hokage asks. "Did they die?"

"Unlikely." Ino replied swiftly. She adds after a moment. "They've gone underground. Neither the bounty office nor the Bingo books have reported either being handed in."

She did pause for a moment, recalling something unusual. Ino reported. "Though, Kumo did remove the two from their bingo book last year."

Tenten raised an eyebrow as the two Sannin share a look, the brunette kunoichi asks. "Since when did Kumo ever remove a threat from the bingo book?"

Jiraiya intoned lowly, barely above a breath. "They don't…"

Snapping to the her teammate, Tsunade asked. "What do you have on Kumo, Jiraiya?"

The man nodded, retrieving his own notebook from his haori and flipping through his writings, Jiraiya announcing. "They've been having dealings with both Suna and Spring."

This raised a flag in Ino's head, whispering. "Spring…"

This drew the rooms attention to her. Her pale blues lock on to honey brown, Ino continued. "Our estimations of possible locations he would hide out were Wave, Tea, and Snow/Spring countries."

She informed her leader to which Jiraiya then pales upon the realisation, muttering. "That's how they caught me."

Realisation also dawned on Tsunade's face at that point. Tenten then stating. "He must be in Spring Country then. We have to find a way to contact them."

Ino nodded, commenting."Then…"

The young blonde was interrupted by her leader, Tsunade replied. "I'll send a missive using the diplomatic seal of the Land of Fire."

She looks between the two kunoichi, continued. "Tenten, Ino, gather up the most diplomatic team in relation to Naruto that you can. I have an A-Rank assignment for you."

"Yes, ma'am." They reported before they both vanish in swirls of leaves.

Upon the two Jonin leaving, Tsunade looks at Jiraiya who gets up, he says. "I better get ready…"

Tsunade cut him off. "You're not going."

Her subordinate which catches him flat footed, Jiraiya squarks. "Wha… why not?"

He slammed his hands down on the desk, but her narrowed eyed glare caused him to stand down. Tsunade explained. "The fact they caught you once, means they are expecting you to try again. If they catch you…"

She trailed off, but toad sage Jiraiya then smirks. "I don't think the brat…"

Tsunade sigh really shows her age, despite the permanent genjutsu she wore, cutting in. "Ten years is a long time, Jiraiya ."

Her eyes seemed to hollow out, continuing whisper. "I doubt he has much love for the village that tormented him. I need to know if he's okay, is he happy, will he come back…"

Jiraiya's hand rests upon her shoulders causing her to look up at his smiling visage, he spoke. "Brat's probably doing great. Nothing can keep him down."

Back in the Land of Spring

Naruto sneezed for the seventh time in a row before glancing around at his family. Koyuki asked. "You, Okay?"

Clear worry in her voice, but Naruto smiled replying. "Yeah I'm fine…"

Then a cold shudder down his spine and his eyes hardens at that, whispering. "I think we're going to have trouble soon."

Haku noticing the look also hardened his features, replying. "I will put our shinobi on high alert."

Hidden Leaf; Hokage Office

Standing before the Hokage was the team Tenten and Ino assembled. From right to left stood Neji Hyūga, Elite Jonin and master of the gentle fist. Due to hostility of the main branch against the former leaf Genin, he was chosen as he had the most experience in negotiations and educate among nobles. It was a no brainer for Tenten.

Beside the Hyūga master was Shikamaru Nara, Jonin. He took the betrayal of Naruto surprisingly hard. It was his first mission in command, and they had succeeded, yet one of his own was punished for it. His lazy attitude was still present, but it always took a back seat on missions and training. He has far outclassed his father's skills at this point and done things no Nara had considered before.

Though, not all good came of it. He has zero tolerance for troublesome people, his words, and has cut off those he finds too stupid without looking back. That included Ino until three years ago when she apologised for idiocy towards the blond. They speak on occasion.

Next was Choji Akamichi, originally a Naruto hater, it was his dad, Shikaku, and Shikamaru who explained it in a way that Choji could understand. He's remained loyal to both the Nara and the Uzumaki since and hopes they can sit down and catch up over some BBQ some time.

Shino Abureme is the final member. Although never hostile to Naruto, he was never a friend until the Chunin exams. Naruto had found an undocumented Beatle within the forest of death, post exam, and went to Shino to identify it. As Naruto left, he proclaimed their friendship, and Shino considered him such from then on.

His banishment was illogical and ill-conceived, but when his burden becomes known to all Shino was furious for a full week. After a deep discussion with his hive and his parents he was able to calm down enough to not snap at anyone who disgraced his friend's name. He hopes to find his friend to show the colony created from the bug he had brought him all that time ago.

"Listen up…" Tsunade called out as she began, causing the six to stand straighter at attention. She continued. "We have reason to believe that one of our own is in Spring County, and we want to make contact…"

This caused the four men to raise eyebrows at that, beside Shino, Shino is Shino and shows little externally. Tsunade continued. "I have already despatched a missive with the diplomatic seal upon it. You will be granted access only for a week, maximum. Meet with the Spring Daimyo and try renegotiating a treaty."

Neji, as stoically as ever Hyuuga, asked. "Lady Hokage; Shouldn't someone from the council lead these talks?"

Tsunade nodding before leaning back in her chair, a complex expression on her face. She replied. "Normally I would… but the nature of the mission means that most on the council…"

Shikamaru, realised what wasn't said, spoke up. "Still think Naruto's the fox."

The Kage nods as her reply, Tsunade continued. "If he's in Spring, like Ino, Tenten, Jiraiya and I think…"

"Logical choice." Shino cut in, nodding along with her. After a moment of pause, a carefully constructed balance between hope and unease that was broken by Shikamaru who mentioned casually. "My dad basically wants me to take over so…"

Tsunade was swift in her waving that topic off, citing. "A clan matter."

Though, she did eventually inform them. "This will be an A-Rank diplomatic mission. I recommend leaving at first light tomorrow morning, tomorrow noon at the latest. Dismissed."

Hidden Leaf; Hyūga Compound

Neji stepped into the compound to come face to face with the current clan head, Hiashi Hyūga, much to his secret annoyance. His hatred for the main house may have lessened, to an extent, but he still disagrees with their stance on the villages big divide. Though, he listens to the man as he asks. "Neji, how was your meeting with the Hokage?"

Neji kept his face impassive, replying coolly."I was assigned to an A-Rank diplomatic mission to Spring country."

This earned a raised an eyebrow from the main house head, Hiashi was unsure why he was not informed of such a mission. They hyuga are diplomatic masters of the Leaf after all, thus asks. "Curious, why did they not ask me or…"

He trailed off as his face seemed to tighten even further, seemingly coming to an understanding and having put the unspoken puzzle together rather swiftly. Clearly, Hiashi is worthy of his position for this feat, saying. "…I see. Well, I wish you the best."

He then made a rather speedy retreat, all things considered. Neji narrowed his eyes on the shrinking form, cursing inwardly at his uncles sharp mind in this moment while making his own way to his quarters, and hoping nothing happened to jeopardise his mission tomorrow. He doubts it but, one can hope.

The following morning, with a sun that has yet to rise, Neji finishes packing his pack then he swiftly slung it over his back before heading out promptly. Making his way towards the compound exit, he is unsurprisingly confronted by the Hyūga clan heiress, which was forcing the his schooling of his features. Maximising his clan's mandatory diplomatic training, he manages an even tone s he bows. "Lady Hinata."

The stoic form of one Hinata Hyuga stood before the gate, her own pack secured upon her back, and staring at her not so beloved cousin. Their former bond broken apart from their contrasting views on a particular subject. A subject that turned this former shy girl into the stereotypical hyuga was none other than the banishment of Naruto Uzumaki.

Musing idly, Neji notes how that event has effected the two of them inversely of what most would expect. His team has told him how he has lossened up, accepted the advice of the former genin and refusing to allow fate to dictate his life. It has served him well up till this point and his respect for Naruto has never once wavered nor flickered despite the storm of hatred from the ignorant.

Hinata however, a girl who claimed to love the man before his exile, had not only bulkled but completed crashed down and allowed herself to be moulded into what she had previously claim to hate. A hyuga with a ten foot pole up her posterior, with a seemingly endless loathing to anything that wasn't Hyuga. Not that Neji would voice that, instead he just listened to her lady's words as she spoke. "Neji. I hear that you have a mission towards the Land of Spring."

With a voice void of anything, that impressed even himself, Neji replied. "Yes, Lady Hinata. My assigned team will be leaving momentarily, so I will be making my way now…"

As he has come to expect from a main house Hyuga, Neji was interrupted by Hinata who claimed. "Father has spoken to the Hokage, I shall accompany you on this mission…"

Neji did not let his irritation show, thus asked with his flat tone and unwavering gaze. "Lady Hokage has yet to inform me of such a…"

His diplomatic rejections to the notion was halted when a new mission scroll was offered to him by the heiress. Upon his very careful inspection of the document, Neji frowned internally as this would no doubt become a major problem for the mission but kept his face remaining neutral as he replied. "Very well. Then let us depart immediately, Lady Hinata."

Hinata inclined her head and proceeded to lead her new guard out into the village proper, missing the slight frown Neji now supported as he trailed after her. This will be an issue without a doubt and they haven't even left yet.

Hidden Leaf: Front Gate

Neji arrived at the gate, and was met by his team who immediately went stiff upon seeing the heiress of the Hyūga walking up behind him. A growl from Tenten was expected, their different stance regarding a certain blonde making its regular appearance, as the weapon mistress hissed out. "What are you doing here, Hyūga-tem?"

With a confidence granted by her station, most would call arrogance, Hinata replied calmly, with an undertone that was almost haughty. "I will be acting as the diplomatic leader on this mission."

Frowning at this development, Ino looked to Neji, arms across her chest as she asks. "Since when…?" Ino questioned with a raised eyebrow, arms crossed

She was interrupted when the friendly Hyuga tossed her the scroll he was handed earlier by the heiress, that she caught with relative ease. Without much effort, the blonde frowned, muttering. "This is bullshit."

This is when the hokage suddenly appeared on scene, a twirl of leaves announcing her arrival as Tsunade informed the despatching team. "Unfortunately, it is true."

Despite holding a blank face herself, all the ninja in attendance could feel the annoyance and dissatisfaction at Tsunade's following words. "The shinobi council insisted that having a main house Hyūga for this diplomatic mission, just like always."

The Hokage sighs hard as she was beyond tired of this shit already. Turning to look directly at the Hyuga heiress, Tsunade orders firmly, no room to negotiate. "Listen here, Hyuga. Just like the others present, I too have my suspicions about this missions outcome. You, above all, must be on your absolute best behaviour. Anything less will be marked on your record as a failure, am I understood?"

Despite her earlier attitude and demeanour shift, Hinata grew stiff under the hokage's gaze and tone which reflected in her response. "Understood, Lady Hokage." Hinata's stiff response gaining a nod from the leader.

Tsunade studied her for a moment longer before nodding firmly. "Good. Then…"

She then turned her attention to the team as a whole, continuing far less forcefully. "Good luck to you all."

They all salute back, chorusing. "Hai Lady Hokage."

It would take them three weeks to get Spring Country.

Land of Spring; Hidden Ice Village

A knock on the door was answered by a muffled voice. "Come in!"

In response, a battle kimono wearing dark blond stepped in, replying. "Yo Aniki."

This office of the village Kage, was built to the spec alongside those of the other big five nations but with an overall pallet of greys, muted whites and soft sky blues. Haku, the first Yukiage, looked up from his paperwork to appraise the new arrival, smirking. "Little brother. What brings your highness down to us mere plebeian realm?"

There was a slight snicker hidden in his tone of address, which turned to full blown laughter at his blonde friends growl and narrowed eyes. After a moment, Naruto smiled and helped up two fingers stating. "Two things; One, wanted to see how things were going?"

Getting semi-serious himself, Haku nodded as his brother took one of the seats, reporting as he placed down his brush. "Thanks to all our old mercenary allies, our ninja ranks have swelled up to about a hundred strong. About twenty Jonin level, Chunin's at about fifty-six, and twenty-four Genin."

With the desk tidied somewhat, he was now giving his full attention to the Lands leader, fingers interlocked. Haku continued. "Though, we should have another batch of Genin in about seven months."

Naruto nodded; "Coming up well within our revised expectation."

Haku nodded as the seriousness remained. Naruto however pulled out a scroll from the hidden seal in his sleeve, and presented it to his shinobi commander by placing it on the white willow desk. It came from the palace only that morning, and as he released the parchment, allowing Haku to take it, Naruto continued. "Secondly, I want you to read this."

It took only a moment for the last known adult Yuki to gloss over the document. Haku frowned as he understood what this means, offering."I see. The diplomatic seal prevents us from denying them, huh?"

With a nod and tired sigh that escaped the blonde, Naruto replied breathlessly. "Unfortunately."

His hands are back within his sleeves as he sits opposite Haku, though Naruto adds after a moment. "I normally wouldn't care, but seeing as Koyuki is currently…"

He trailed off, Haku nodded as he leaned back in his chair contemplating their next course of action. In all their years together, Haku knew that Naruto knew that his recklessness and brash attitude can be a hindrance in certain circumstances. So, when he himself suspects that is the case in a delicate situation, Naruto would seek his input and foresight.

It always made Haku smile as it proved that his little brother would trust him this implicitly, that he was his precious brother and was following his words of wisdom so closely. Back to the problem today, Haku then reports. "In that case, this is what we do…"

Land of Spring; Palace

Naruto entered the palace grounds, his smile nowhere present as his stern visage was that of his commander persona. The former mercenary shinobi present here knew of it well, they had served under him at one point willing, and it also meant that when he gave an order; it was best to follow, no question asked.

He rarely ever used it these days, as he had hung up that proverbial sword the week before his eldest daughter was born, and only once since had he been forced into resuming that persona. It was in leading the countries military in its defence against an invading pirate force and privateers. Naruto proved that day that the Ice Fox still had his claws sharpened.

As Naruto arrived at the council chambers, he barged the door apart abruptly which told the councillors who they were dealing with. Not the always cheerful and carefree Lord, but rather the Commander of the Lands combined military might and a threat require his intervention had arisen.

This caused all to stand to attention, settle down and focus. Naruto's presence seemed to engulf the room as he reaches the council chamber, his gaze sharp and unnerving for some. Eventually satisfied, Naruto began. "Listen up… we have a diplomatic team from the Hidden Leaf arriving with the next few days."

He takes a deep breath, his blue eyes are cobalt cool as they scanned their reactions. With no one objecting, Naruto continued to brief them all. "As they and I have an antagonistic at best, hostile at worse kind of relationship, I know it would be best that I do not greet or meet them."

That was understandable, assuming they wish to avoid any further incidents or continued negations moving forward. Though, the leader of the samurai contingent of the nation, a man by the name of Yui Polts, speaks after a stiff bow. "My liege, if this is the case, to which I do not dare doubt it is, should we then not…"

"No." Naruto knowing what the bold man was going to say, cutting him off before shaking his head once. He then explained tightly, a slight frown telling of his dislike of the situation clearly. "They have invoked the internationally recognised Diplomatic seal. We have to respect it and grant them an audience or our international prestige will suffer for it."

His gaze flows over them all once again, a steeled gaze demanded their respect that they offered willingly without hesitation. Their lord had earned that from them and none could refute it. Naruto then continued. "As such, I want additional guards for my wife who will receive them by herself. I do not like it but our hands are tied here"

None missed the low growl from his throat before he leaned forward, hands resting on the table to support him as he lays out the plan to welcome their guests. "Together with my jutsu, for her to appear as they know of her, we should be able to get this over with quickly and efficiently. Not only that, this will be the first time we shall operate our Yuki shinobi in the open. We cannot allow them to see any sign of weakness or strain in our home. Am I clear?"

He bellows the last question and they all promptly saluted, shouting from their chests. "Yes, sir!"

Naruto enters the inner sanctum of the palace, his wife humming a soft tune as she enjoyed herself within the swimming pool like hot tub. Slipping into the bathroom, Naruto is released from his clothes, before he came into view of his beautiful lady and wife s he called. "My lady…"

He successfully gained her attention, and she responded with a bright smile. Koyuki responded to his playful exaggeration with her own. "Mi'lord!"

They both chuckled as he joins her inside the natrual Hotspring, the royal couple of the land finally able to enjoy some alone time within the warmth of this well of soothing water and it was enhanced by the company of one another.

It was after a few minutes of this gentle silence that Naruto spoke softly, hesitation noted. "You know I don't want to do this, but you'll have to meet with our oncoming guests."

His life partner, glanced back at him with a raised brow, a sultry smirk as Koyuki asks. "Oh?!"

Naruto took particular note of how his wife's damp black hair was sticking to her pale skin. Though he did manage to whisper. "Konoha."

That thus caused her to freeze. All playfulness pushed aside as a tense silence began to build up. Regaining herself with a cough, Koyuki got serious and began. "I see. In that case…"

Yet before the predicted rant could gain momentum, his lips smack into hers and moans followed before her whimpers. Pulling away gently, just far enough to be seen, Naruto offers a soft smile. "I love you my Yuki-hime."

She huffs, blushing wildly against her pale skin before pouting then mumbling. "No fair."

Land of Spring; Hidoc Docks

A few days later…

Haku stood at the docks, his face a perfect stoic form, with a hint of malice which wasn't hard for the samurai guards to understand. They all knew. Every samurai and shinobi in service of the land of spring had heard the stories of both commanders, their tales of triumph and betrayals.

The arriving delegation belonged to one of their main antagonists, The Land of Fire's Hidden Leaf and so none could, or would, hold it against Lord Yuki's foul mood about receiving them and they could overlook the minuscule amount of killing intent was very clearly being suppressed. It was still slipping out though, thus showing the depths of his distain.

One pikemen asks hesitantly. "Sir…?"

"It's nothing." Haku snapped and the guardsmen knew better than to argue, his cold rage was nothing to scoff at being able to supposedly freeze entire villages on a whim. Unconfirmed reports and all.

The ship entering the harbour proudly donned the Hidden Leaf village insignia, the shinobi on its deck coming into view. Haku swallowed his distaste for what that insignia represented, suppressed his rather bitter feelings on the matter, and put up his perfect face of indifference. With his hands up his sleeves with a regal stature and aura surrounding him.

The walkway dropped and the Hidden Leaf diplomatic envoy stepped off led by Hinata Hyūga, her guardian Neji Hyūga on her heels, with Shikamaru leading his team down with Shino bringing up the rear.

The samurai standing on parade all salute with their pikes' front and centre, on proud display, as the Leaf team steps past. Coming to a stop, Hinata bowed slightly matching Haku who led the greetings. "Welcome to the Land of Spring, Hidden Leaf Shinobi. I am Haku Yuki, Clan Head of the Yuki clan and Second in command of the defence force."

Just as formally, Hinata was stiff in her response. "I am Hinata Hyūga, Heiress of the noble Hyūga clan of Konoha. I am the lead negotiator for this endeavour."

She then gestured to the group accompanying her, introducing each one of her parties in sequence with perfect efficiency. After the pleasantry's were done, Haku gestured to the awaiting carriages and informed them. "Very well. We have prepared coaches for ease of movement to the station, from there a train is awaiting our arrival to take us to the castle for your meeting with the council."

Everyone nodded as they followed after him, their samurai escorts in behind, though Ino had to ask to why they needed vehicles to travel. "Surely we could run there faster, no?"

As they arrived at the carriages, Haku nodded as he turned to face the group, his face blank to offer nothing of his own feelings on the following subject. "Indeed, however… the citizens here do not trust shinobi, especially those of your persuasion,"

Shikamaru raised a brow at that, caught off guard by such an admission. "Our persuasion?"

But Haku offered nothing further, and just gestured them to the carriages.

Land of Spring; Palace Town

As the group moved across the landscape aboard the train, the rolling hills were comforting for the group, and a serene sense of peace fell upon the group all the while being under the ever-watchful eyes of the Samurai, not noticing the numerous shadows keeping out of sight of even the Hyūga as they were trained to do.

Pulling up to the station, the Leaf team were surprised at the level of development on display for the regular citizens with trams, and chakra powered wagons. Despite the name of the country, the group arrived during the tail end of the planned winter season thus snow still littered parts of street corners and the less travelled paths.

Exiting the station, the group led towards the palace nearby, the group was surrounded by samurai on all sides. Though the short work, the group noticed the looks of distain and hatred shot their way causing heckles to raise upon the shinobi's neck. It was Shikamaru who managed to encapsulate everyone's thoughts the simplest with a soft. "This is troublesome."

The group who nodded along with him, swallowing down the growing lumps in their throats.

Land of Spring; Palace

Haku steps into the throne room, the diplomatic team following him, but the two thrones were empty, which confused them momentarily as there were no guards here either. It was fleeting as their guide didn't stop to gawk at the empty room, and instead led them to a side room.

When these white double doors were parted, the Leaf shinobi came face to face with a council of the land which all stood in honour beside the one leading this meeting. As one of nobility and royalty, she was not expected to stand either so none took offence to it. Instead, Haku announced formally. "My Lady Koyuki Kazehana. Allow me to present you the envoy from the Leaf."

He bowed in accordance to etiquette, as per the norm in the presence of outsiders and beyond the private areas of the palace. The arriving delegation followed his lead, earning a contemplative hum from said lady of the land. When they all returned upright, Koyuki offered. "So I see. This was certainly a surprise, so soon after our last warning was issued."

None of the Leaf team present knew of what she spoke of, thus wisely stayed quiet. So she continued, eyes narrowing on them in clear suspicion of their motives, plainer her part perfectly. "To what do we owe the displeasure of your presence."

Stepping forward with dignity and grace, Hinata curtsied again before speaking formally. "Lady Kazehana. Our Hokage is interested in recovering the Land of Spring as an ally once more, and as such, has deployed us here to acquire your requests in order to achieve this outcome."

As predicted, Koyuki mused internally, though she did lean back into her chair with practiced casualness, head resting on her propped hand as she raised a brow. "Is that so?"

Her councilmen chuckled silently at the arrogance on display, one of the councillors offered them from his position on Koyuki's right, his scowl prominent through his greying beard. "You want us as your ally? Why is that?"

Looking to the man, an older man who looked the part of a traditionalist and no doubt believing they are better alone so Hinata began softly, not yielding anything but resilience. "Yes we do. As your nation is growing well, we of the Leaf feel that both sides will benefit from a soft trade agreement between our two…"

She was halted midway her speech by Koyuki, who held up her hand. With the rooms attention on the actress and daimyo, Koyuki asks frankly yet still managed it with an elegant grace, worthy of her station. "Why are you here? Not what you wish for us to hear."

Shikamaru and Neji share a look, as does Tenten and Shino. Ino frowned slightly, but it was Hinata who spoke for the group. "We want to…"

Noticing the looks from his position on the rooms side, Haku cut her off rather harshly for the setting and his personality. "That is not the real reason, is it?"

Hinata's carefully worded statement was useless here, she mentally noted and threw it out as she looked to their guide, and presumed guard, and answered. "I am not sure what you are insinuating of our intentions. We are…"

A loud grunt silenced the heiress, drawing eyes to the stocky man beside the first councillor to speak, his curly brown hair was oily and patchy at best but his beard was rather thick. He folded his stocky yet built arms as he muttered out casually. "We are not buying your excuses, girly."

This earned a flash of surprise from the leading Hyuga, but the others in the group simply raised brows. Another councillor, a young man with slick back raven hair, pushed up his glasses as he informed the group from the left of lands ruler. "You already know that we dislike you, yet try such an indirect approach to business with us…?"

He finally turns to them, his grey eyes as sharp as any kunai. "Clearly signs of being unreliable when the going gets tough, as they say."

This got several chuckles to echo around the room with even the Daimyo smiling slightly at that, hand holding up her tilted head on her forefinger and thumb. Ever since her husband joined her officially, and after that rather nasty invasion he thwarted, her nations unity has never been this high. Together they were Spring Country. They weren't the strongest nation out there, but they were not weak either.

National pride was high but kept in check, and a fairness of all was commonplace even among her council present. Balancing the tested tradition with this new modernist approach to things has been challenging but rewarding, and Koyuki was happy to be at its centre with her husband Naruto.

She was brought out of her brief musing by a heavy weighted sigh, drawing eyes to the slouching Jonin who stepped ahead of the speaking Hyuga heiress and met her eyes directly. Shikamaru then asked. "This is getting rather troublesome. So let us ask you straight. You know why we are truly here, don't you?"

Gaze shifting between Haku and Koyuki, before landing on the daimyo. Another councillor, a bulky blonde with dark eyes challenged with genuine mirth in his tone. "Whatever do you mean?"

This caused the to Nara narrow his eyes at them all, his annoyance radiating from him at this political game of hot potato. Thankfully, his troublesome childhood friend spoke up, Ino stepping forward to his side and asks. "Where is Naruto Uzumaki?"

She was looking from Koyuki to Haku with her eyes glowing slightly when they met the browns of the former mercenary. Ino spoke softly. "Haku Yuki. S-rank Sannin-Level threat and one half of Demon Ice Brothers. So…"

She looked back to the no longer smirking daimyo, and asked frankly. "Where is the other half…?"

A silence hung heavy with no one knowing how to answer that. Yet, it was broken, along with the growing tension, by one irritate kunoichi of the Hyuga clan who was glaring coldly at the Lady of the Land, Hinata's voice was as cold as the void. "He's here…"

Drawing all eyes to see the clan heiress, veins expanded around her eyes that signalled her dojutsu blaring proudly and overflowing with chakra to feed it abilities. Despite the gasps, and readying of weapons at the hostile act, Ino followed her sight line to the actress who had a cold glare right back, which sent shivers down the kunoichi's back.

Hinata continued, as her fellow heiress followed her sight towards the woman's stomach, the hyuga stating. "You are pregnant. The chakra signature is a match for his."

The shock for the Leaf group at this development was short lived as Haku called out. "Arrest them!"

Immediately the seven shinobi were surrounded, subdued and restrained by the formerly hidden Snowflake force. Now on their knees, chakra suppressed, and at the mercy of their hosts. It was Ino who asked breathlessly, the drain on her system evident. "H… how…?"

"Yamanaka-san. We are well aware of your clans' mental techniques…" Haku states pushing off the wall, his artic gaze upon them. His voice matched his glare."Thus your attempt to scan our thoughts was fully expected and countered. Now then, due to your disrespect you have shown you will be held until your village is notified and proper compensation paid."

After being escorted out those that remained, glanced from one to another, many burst out in light chuckles whilst the genjutsu over her shimmered out and her barely noticeable bump back on display. This is when Naruto stepped in, worry emanating from him in waves as he approached. "Didn't expect a Hyūga, much less two… even more so those two…"

With a sigh at the end, taking hold of his wife's hand. With a soft smile, Koyuki replied gently. "I'm sorry Naru-koi."

But that fully suspended as he gives her a very tender chased kiss. He smiles before replying. "You were as amazing as always."

He then looked to the council, his blue eyes softening as his countrymen's own meet his. "We cannot allow our enemies a foothold but also keep our eyes open for them."

They all nod, so Naruto adds. "Seeing as they know I'm here for sure and without doubt. I'll take charge of the next meeting tomorrow."

"Sorry my love." Koyuki whispered into a sigh, covering her face, but was drawn into a hug by her husband, Naruto whispering back. "It isn't your fault. Don't worry about it."

The following day…

Haku led the leaf team out from the dungeons back into the palace proper. The guards had seemingly increased, no doubt in response to their actions yesterday with Hinata's activation of her bloodline in the presence of nobility. A clear sign of hostile intent, a crime in the presence of nobility. A capital offence within the presence of royalty.

They got off lucky with simple prison time.

Shikamaru knew that the only reason they weren't in the prison right now is likely that the owners at large have decided to hear them out, seeing as they already know Naruto is here. Then, once their curiosity is sated, they'll be sent back to the deep dark depths of the palace dungeons until the Leaf can pay for their release.

Troublesome.

Reaching the throne room again, the two pikemen glance over the still chakra suppressed group briefly and upon Haku's nod, they returned it before parting the door fully. After a breath, Haku led the Leaf party in.

This time the Throne Room was not vacant like yesterday. The room was lined by samurai donning sky blue armour plating, fur lining, with pikes as primary weapons and pure white katanas in the same-coloured sheaths. The white rug led up through the equally spaced support pillars, lined with gold and looking as regal as its position demanded.

It led up to a small platform with three steps up, which held twin elegant thrones of silver and white. Matching cotton cushions, the level of detail and precious metals were not in excess yet that seemed to only elevate its tastefulness.

Lastly the sight of the two atop said throne, Lady Koyuki Kazehana with her long black hair with bangs that swept on each side of her face and violet-blue eyes. Just like when she was filming as an actress, that she had a break from due to her new status, makeup such as pink eye shadow and red lipstick.

She wore a green kimono, dark blue obi around her waist, over a pink dress with gloves in the same manner of her obi. Her blank face as they approached did not bode well for the leaf team.

Beside her however was the man of the hour, or perhaps decade, was a dark blonde-haired man, who had a small bundle of brunette on his left side. His angular face was reminiscent of his father, though his lack of his trademark whiskers to nearly faint outlines was noted, that and the fact that you had to squint to see them.

His build was that of a swordsmen, built but not bulky, broad shoulder which complemented his longer hair. Yes, this was the new Naruto Kazehana formally Uzumaki, sometimes going by his brother's clan name too but right now, he was acting as leader of Spring Country thus Kazehana.

Naruto observes the group before him with an artic gaze of indifference. It was clear that some sort of disagreement within the group, subtle glares at the apparent leader being none other than Hinata Hyūga, heir apparent of the self-acclaimed Nobel clan, Hyūga clan of the Hidden Leaf village.

He swore he heard a snort within his mind at that, but he doesn't care about that right now as this new plan required him to focus on this task. Recalling Haku's reports from the Leaf, there was talk of the divide of the infamous Rookie Nine of the Leaf. One camp against him, the other fore. It won't sway him though, he has built a home here and he will defend it.

Unsurprisingly however, was that those who belong to the more friendly faction to him were present in force. Must have been an attempt from Lady Hokage to sway his favour. Another snort from within his mind caused a smirk to momentarily flicker across his blank visage, his mask rivalled the trained Hyūga that are standing before him now.

Next to the heiress however was Neji, who seemed far more unsure of himself; no, of the situation. Perhaps, a glance and Naruto noticed the slight glimmer on his brow, sweat and worry evident by that. He chuckled inwardly at the tightened jaw but focuses as his wife began her speech. Koyuki speaking for the room that allows her natural-born regality to shine. "So, now that you have achieved your objectives, what is it that you desire from us?"

Shikamaru Nara stepped forward, taking point now as Hinata's tenseness would be a hindrance here. Lady Kazehana; As previously stated we are indeed wished to form an alliance. We understand that you have misgivings and about…"

The Nara was cut off by the sudden appearance of a Yuki Jonin, appearing beside Haku via body-flicker. "Sir, we have just received an urgent notice from one of our coastal posts."

She hands over a scroll to which Haku took, and scanned it briefly and all due haste. After a moment, he nods to her and she vanished back to her post and Haku makes his way to Naruto's side. As he was whispering into his ears, the leaf group tried to read the yuki's lips but was unable to as he was purposely looking away from them.

After a moment of pause, Naruto finally agreed to whatever was discussed and ordered softly. "Get them together and despatch a squadron immediately. I will join them momentarily."

Haku nodded before vanishing in a swirl of snowflakes. Naruto then turned to address the guests. "haaa… listen. There is a change in plans and so we will send word to your village and should here back in about a week or so. I will be leaving now however, as I, personally, have other issues to deal with."

Shikamaru's mind was racing to come up with something to say to Naruto to keep him here and explain that the leaf is not his enemy, and that Lady Hokage wants him back. It might be a bit more difficult if Lady Daimyo is expecting his child, but something has to be able to work. A new idea and he voices it. "Perhaps we can assist you, Lord Uzumaki."

It was clear to Naruto that Shikamaru was grasping for straws here, and it was amusing seeing him this flustered. Though, the blonde decided to correct him first, then let him down. "Kazehana actually, but I also cannot allow you to join me either. You are prisoners here after all."

He then clicks his fingers and twelve Yuki shinobi, dark grey, white khaki Anbu pants and artic blue flack jackets, landed around the leaf contingent. Naruto turns to his wife, kissing her hand as official decorum dictates, and with a loving smile. "My dear, I must leave them with you. I shall hurry my return to your side."

She smiled back, a slight undertone of haughtiness that promised him much upon said return and after her nod, Naruto vanished via body-flicker too.

Shikamaru and Shino would later report that, the moment Naruto left, the warmth in the room vanished with him as Koyuki Kazehana's gaze fell back upon them, an imperialist stare down upon them as a the leaf team. With voice as cold as her husband's technique's are said to reach, Koyuki speaks. "Now…why are you really trying to drag us into your war?"

A/N: Reworked the story as I wanted to listen to it whilst doing something else but it was damn right uncomfortable to do so. Inadvertently increased its size, thus the two chapters, cleared up the bad grammer and made things a bit more concise/readable.

Original A/N: This is yet another side story I came up with during my downtime amidst writers blocks among the other stories. I came across a few that weren't cringe and thoroughly enjoyed and wanted to try it. One of my favourites I've come across, with Naruto joining Kumo. Utilising the two themes along with my favourite banishment vibes and I came up with this. Dunno if I'll continue it until I finish one of the my favorites.

o7