Adult-FanFiction.org : Naruto

Into The Desert	By : kyubiteaser Category: Naruto > Het - Male/Female Views: 1433 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Naruto, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
- 2
- 3
- 4
The Kyubi and his teaser were snuggled together for a nap, wedged in the Y of a low hanging oak branch and letting the wind rock them gently to sleep. Just as he was getting to a good part of the dream, the chibi's ears twitched at the sound of people intruding into their santuary. With a groan he rolled over, reaching down to the warm belly he was using as a bed and skritching it just enough to wake his beloved teaser. As she stirred and looked down, he pointed to the clearing below, where the voices were getting louder.

"Oh of course... NOW they show up..." she grumbles, slightly irritated at the intteruption. She rolls over to get a better look, kyubi crawling up to sit on her shoulder so he doesn't fall out. They watch as a group of 11 young shinobi make their way into the training grounds, some of them bickering back and forth.

"I can't believe you made us go to the wrong place, Dobe" Sakura muttered, half under her breath and half out loud to the grinning blonde behind her.

"Hmm? Did you say something, Sakura-chan?" he asked in reply. Naruto was to busy paying more attention to the blushing girl wrapped around his arm then anything else. Especially the dirty looks Neji was giving him every time he leaned in close to whisper something into Hianta's ear. Probably something dirty, gauging from the way she'd blush and giggle at him every time he did. Kiba, likewise, was shooting daggers at the blonde, wondering why it was that he wasn't the one whispering into her ear instead. Everyone else was doing their best to ignor them, muttering their own complaints about getting the wrong message and being led on a wild goose chase about the village.

"Well, here we are." Shikamaru chimed in, trying to hide the boredom in his voice. "The 11th training grounds. This is probably more troublesome then it's worth, but is there any sign of her here?"

"Oi!" came the reply, as the Teaser rolled out of the tree, landing in a crouch, chibikyubi ploping down onto her back with a grin. As he spotted Hianta, the chibi let out an excited squeek and ran over to pounce her, climbing the startled girl to nuzzle her and wrap himself around her neck. Naruto huffed as her attention was redirected to the warm furry mass that was tickling her chin with one of his tails. Teaser only chuckles and leans back against the tree. "Ok... now that you guys are finally here, did the teme bother to tell you guys why?"

"Something about a 'story meeting'??" Ino ventures.

"Sort of." the author answers, brushing her short blonde curls from her eyes. "It's more of a... proposition." She watches them as they perk a bit, she can tell she's got their attention now. "As you know, this lil'ficcy is going to be much different from the last one... more evil, a lot more twisted story line, and of course, more actual bad guys. I've got some major ass kickings planned for the later chapters, but I need some help."

"OH! OH!! I KNOW!!" Lee jumps in, litterally bouncing on the balls of his feet with excitment. "You want us to help you train for the youthful battle of Good verses Evil! Light against Dark! Us and..." he gets cut off as TenTen slaps a hand over his mouth and pulls him back in line.

"Ummmm... yeah... I guess you could say that." Teaser responds, wondering who gave Lee sugar today.

Neji smirks, crossing his arms and assuming his 'why should I care' stance. "So what exactly is your proposition?"

"I propose a tournament. It'll be hosted back on the community. The fans will get to vote on who wins, and even bet on their favorite fighter. And I'll get practice writing the action sequence so I can make sure this storyline keeps up to everyones high expectations, instead of making you guys out like a cheap pokemon imitation."

"And what does the winner get?" Naruto perks in, starting to like the sound of this. After all, it's been a while since he's had a good spar with everyone else, not to mention if prizes are invovled...

"The winning fighter gets the love and adoration of a rabid fanbase." the brains behind this replies, amused at the reaction that gets from a good number of them. "The 3 fans who come out on top of the bets get their choice of a oneshot of their choice or a chibi-kyubi plushie, designed and made by yours truly." Teaser watches as they mull this over, debating it amongst themselves.

"Soo? What say ye?"

"Is Sasuke-kun going to be in the tournament?" Sakura asks, a little too cheerfully.

"No... but you will have some company." comes a monotone voice from the other side of the clearing. The startled leaf nin turn to find they've been joined by the infamous Sand siblings. Many of them grinned at this prospect.

"So are we in agreement?" Teaser smirks as she gets several nods of approval. "Alright then.. I'll start the arrangments... Naruto! Hinata! You guys go get ready for the next scene! Everyone else... go find something to amuse yourselves."

Hinata gives kyubi one last smooch before getting scooped up by an eager Naruto and whisked off to his apartment. Shika sneaks off into the background with Temari and everyone else scampers off in little groups to plan and discuss the new turn of events, leaving the chibi and his teaser alone. Kyubi sulks as he makes his way over to her, allowing her to scoop him up and snuggle him close. "Awww... wasamatter lil guy? Want someone to play with while I go to work?" He nods saddly, a big tear sliding down his pointy nose. "Here... watch this." Teaser closes her eyes, scrunching her face up till finally she reaches up and tweeks her nose. Kyubi jumps out of her arms, landing on her head and clinging for dear life as they are suddenly engulfed in smoke and an explosivly loud popping noise comes out of nowhere. She laughs as the smoke clears to show a small, fuzzy brown creature looking around all confused. "Chibi-Kyubi... meet Chibi-Shukaku." The one tailed tanuki jumps up into her arms and sniffs curiously at the nine tailed fox. After a few more moments of sniffing and poking, they both let out a blissful squeek and pounce each other, falling over and wrestling on the ground like a couple of puppies.

"All right... now that that's taken care of... if you want to take part in the tournament, then get yer asses over to the community http://community.livejournal.com/teasingkyubi/ I also just wanted to say I hope you've all been voting in the NFA's, http://nfa.narutofic.org/index.php and if not, get your butts over there to vote! "Woods" is leading the polls so far in it's catagory, but the others are catching up! After the pain is kicking some ass too, but there are some other great stories that need some help! Also, it appears you can vote more then once, so check it ever few days and keep voting!

But enough of my ranting. if you want that, come to the community, for now I'm leaving you with some lemony goodness. Ja ne!"

~Teaser

-------------------------------

The smell was driving him crazy, so much so that even Kyubi was listless within him. The olfactory assault of old blood, putrefying flesh and other decay he would rather not think about seemed to be seeping into his clothing as he tried to hide his sensitive nose under his jacket. It was bad enough being surrounded by this much death, but add to that the fact that they were several meters below ground and the lighting wasn�t working, and you couldn�t help but feel that you�d already passed the gates of hell.

�Lets find it and get out of here, this place is raising my hackles.� the fox growled warily at the back of his mind.

Naruto agreed, feeling the hairs on his own neck bristling, his claws growing slowly in response to their combined unease. Continuing down the dank corridor and reaching out tentatively with his senses he relocated the flicker, the only reason they were still in this hole. Someone... or something was still alive down here, and they needed to find them. Past bodies and tanks and god knows what else they wandered, the hack and slash scene chilling and confusing, till they made it to the last room. The form on the table was still and lifeless, instruments still protruding from it�s skin, surrounded by the torn and bloody remains of it�s �caretakers� where they were cut down in mid procedure. An eerie green monitor, the only source of light and sound, beeped faintly and slowly... to slowly. Their quarry was dying, if they had come any later there would be nobody left to testify to the crimes that had been committed here. But just as he reached the slab, his hand out to move the long hair back from an obscured face there was a slow but sudden movement...

Blue eyes shot open in the shadowy room, heart racing, breathing ragged. Naruto sat up, shivering and trying to get his head on straight. �It was a dream... just that damn dream again...� he kept telling himself as he reached down and grabbed the blankets off the floor where he�d kicked them, wrapping himself up to fight off the cold sweat that clung to his bare chest and back as he pushed the curtains aside to let some of the morning light in. He�d had enough darkness in his sleep. As he flopped back down on his creaky old bed, he noticed that there was movement elsewhere in his apartment. With a grin he realized who it was and closed his eyes, deciding to have a little fun this morning.

Hinata closed the door quietly behind her as she slipped into the old apartment. She had promised to meet him for breakfast, but changed her mind when she had woken up early and was to excited to get back to sleep. She packed a change of clothes, pulled on a pair of sweat pants and her jacket over her pajamas, and decided to sneak over to join Naruto for a nap. She giggled to herself as she left her belongings with her shoes by the door. �Seems like since we started this we always wind up in bed.� It was true, but in an odd way, since theirs was an odd relationship. Around three and a half years since they got together, only a little more then a month of that spent physically in the same location, and only twice have they ever consummated their feelings for each other. �Well... I suppose 3 times... if you count down by that waterfall...� she giggled again remembering how she had passed out from what he�d done to her that first time. The majority of the rest of their time together had been spent in the hospital. She smiled as she remembered how he used to sneak out of his room at night to come hold her once they had been released from the quarantine. Tsunade had caught them one morning when he had forgotten to sneak back to his own room, and scolded them gently with a knowing smile. It seemed she figured something like this would happen, and told them they needed to behave. However she never said they specifically needed to stop, so they continued with the nighttime visits. There was really no need to worry though, they were far to tired for anything other then quiet conversation and keeping each other warm while they slept.

Now, three years later, and she�s the one doing the sneaking. Hinata had to admit she was a little nervous as she made her way down the hall to his bedroom, not really sure what she was getting herself into. Naruto had been gone for so long... and things change. She paused and looked down at herself. �I�ve changed.� she thought quietly. She had come here with every intention of just sleeping, but thinking back on his letters, she had a feeling they wouldn�t remain so innocent this time. And it wasn�t that she minded... she wanted to show him how much she missed him, wanted to know that he still wanted her. But... things happen in their lifestyle. Hinata ran her hand gently across her belly, to rest on a spot just below her ribs. She couldn�t hide from him forever, and he would eventually find out anyways.

She paused at the doorway, pale lavender eyes taking in the scene before her. The handsome blonde filled up most of the small bed, the sunlight shining in his tousled golden locks. His skin glowed with a healthy tan from all his days spent in the sun, his chest had grown broad, his abs fairly well defined. Even the roundness of his face, the part that had given him his boyish charm all those years ago, had finally melted off, leaving a firm, squared jawline. He�d grown into quite a young man indeed after all this time, just as she knew he would. She silently made her way over, sitting down gently on the edge, remembering how it creaked and groaned under movement after having spent several nights here trying to console her lonely heart. Hinata paused again, not knowing what to do now. She hated to wake him, Naruto looked so peaceful in his sleep. But at the same time she couldn�t resist the urge to kiss him. Giving in, she leaned down slowly, the long hair sliding down her shoulder to graze against a whiskered cheek.

�Caught ya!� Naruto crowed jubilantly as his eyes shot open and his arms wrapped around her waist, holding her firmly. Hinata squealed and tried to get free as he laughed and flipped her over, pinning her gently onto the bed below him. Pale cheeks burned bright as she giggled and pushed him a few more times halfheartedly.

�Didn�t you scare me enough last night?� she whined jokingly, her heart racing not just from the surprise but from his proximity. She was amazed that, while he had grown so much taller and more muscular then before, he didn�t crush her like she had imagined he would. In fact, she found his weight upon her reassuring, even comforting.

Those deep blue pools winked merrily back at her as he grinned. �You know how much I like to make you squeal.� Naruto let out an evil giggle as he watched her face redden again as she started squirming to get free. �Awwww... what�s wrong, Hinata-chan? Don�t you like me anymore?�

�No...I don�t.� she teased, catching him off guard and managing to roll away so her back was too him, trying to hide her smile. �You�re mean to me. My Naruto is sweet and caring, not a bully like you.� She squeaked when suddenly strong arms engulfed her, pulling her back against his firm body. A startled gasp escaped as she felt his warm lips caress the tender skin on the back of her neck, his sharp teeth nibbling gently as a playful growl rumbled in his chest. He slid his hand up to brush her long hair aside, giving him more access to her skin, before running it lightly down her spine and then around to rest on her belly.

�Forgive me,� he breathed into her fragrant locks, his voice deep and husky. �It�s been so long since I�ve had to worry about proper manners... I promise I�ll play nicely from now on.� Naruto continued his attentions to her nape, while his fingertips ventured along the hem of her shirt, tracing light circles on the softness they found there. Hinata�s nerves tingled, her body coming to life from his touch. She had forgotten these feelings he awakened in her, long dormant in his absence. She mewled lightly as she pressed back against him, tangling her feet with his and drawing herself deeper into his embrace, closer to his own growing desire that she could feel building against her backside.

�Well...� she sighed softly, �so much for the nap I had planned.� He stopped his teasing, pulling his hand out from under her shirt where it had been slowly making it way northward and resting it chastely on her hip. Hinata turned to him, wondering what was wrong as Naruto propped himself up on his elbow, giving her room to face him. She was confused by the pained look she found in his eyes.

�Hinata, I�m sorry, really this time. I didn�t mean to jump to conclusions...� he smiled gently down at her, reaching up to caress her cheek. �I�ll stop if that�s what you want. I�m just happy to have you back.� He was surprised when she giggled at him, reaching up to run her fingers through those blonde spikes she loved so much.

�That wasn�t what I meant.� she said coyly. �We can always nap later. I don�t mind if we spend a little time getting... reacquainted.� She traced her fingers down along his cheek, following his jaw to rest them lightly on his lips. She lifted her eyes to meet those heavenly blue spheres of his and couldn�t help but blush at what she�d just said. Naruto was floored by that come hither gaze and giving into their suggestion, decided to start by reintroducing his lips to hers.

They spent the better part of the morning exploring each other, relearning every rise and every fold as clothing was slowly peeled back to reveal their grown bodies. Hinata was still a petite little thing, but she was all at once strong and supple, lean and muscular from her training, yet delightfully soft and feminine where it mattered. Naruto reveled at her new form, taking his time as his fingers wandered along her curves, memorizing every inch with curious fingers. And his heart thrilled at her every reaction, the soft purrs as he nibbled her neckline, the lusty moans as he suckled her breasts, and the shuddering, pleading whispers as he teased the apex of her thighs with tongue and teeth. She tasted as sweet as he remembered, and he lapped up her nectar eagerly, thankful to be able to worship her again.

Hinata likewise was savoring her own quest, her graceful fingers sliding along the hard planes of his chest, the ridges of his abs, giggling to herself as taut muscles twitched under her bedeviling touch. She found him easily coaxed from his own sleepwear, the flannel pants mingling with her own discarded clothing on the floor. She found she had to fight him for control, allowing him to subdue and torment her with his kisses and caresses, but having to insist she be allowed to play as well. He had laughed softly when she had finally managed to push him over onto his back, but gasped in surprise when she�d taken him into her delicate mouth. She felt awkward at first, not having much practice with this, but when he ran his fingers through her soft tresses, gathering her hair up in his hands and out of her way, she felt encouraged. Working him timidly, she amazed at each groan and shiver she received from even the tiniest lick. She continued with her efforts, stroking and sucking him until he begged her to stop, pulling her gently back up to him lest she push to far. Naruto rolled her over, pressing her gently into the soft mattress while he ground his body against hers intently, kissing her hungrily. He was solid and firm and very male, and Hinata found herself easily overwhelmed by his ministrations and gave into the sweet torture of his wandering mouth and hands..

Naruto was enjoying himself immensely, having just discovered exactly how sensitive the underside of her breasts were when he licked it and then proceeded to blow on it just so, when his hand felt something odd. He turned his attention to the spot, wondering why the skin had such a different texture to it. As he moved his hand aside to look, he was surprised when Hinata grabbed it firmly, holding it in place. Her beautiful eyes were filled with shame as he looked up at her questioningly.

�Can I see? Please?� he asked gently, kissing the fingers that held his captive. She closed her eyes before nodding slowly, her grip loosening. As he finally looked down upon her skin he was stunned to find a large angry scar there. He looked back to her for an explanation, but she kept her eyes to the side, not wanting to see his expression. Naruto turned back to the mark, running his fingers lightly over the smooth pink tissue, his heart aching at the thoughts of how badly she had been hurt to cause this. It was about 2-3 inches long, the edges jagged, and ran from the bottom of her rib cage toward her hip. There was no doubt this wasn�t anything done for medical reasons. Wider at one end and tapering off to the side, it appeared to have been caused by a deep stabbing motion, the wound elongated possibly by her own attempts at defense... which meant she had probably been attacked on a mission. At least, he hoped it had been on a mission. He kicked himself mentally. �Of course she could have been attacked, it�s not like she spent all this time sitting in the village waiting for me. She�s shinobi too.� It dawned on him then that she could have died, he could have lost her and he wouldn�t have even known till he came back. She�d spent all this time worrying over him, and he�d never once pictured her in such a scenario or thought about her safety, only wondered wether or not she�d missed him or would want him back. He�d always assumed she would be safe and taken care of, that even if she didn�t love him anymore she would at least be here when he returned. As the guilt washed over him, he kissed the mark tenderly, promising himself to never take her for granted again.

Hinata was shocked by the warmth of his breath on her skin, and looked down in time to watch as he began laying small loving caresses along the ugly blemish marring the skin on her belly. Her mind was swimming as she tried to make sense of his actions. She remembered her grandmothers angry words after she had woken up in the hospital after the incident, before the clan had begun to really value her. She was urged that she had to keep the wound a secret, that no man would want a woman who was disfigured in such a way. It was unattractive, and a husband could not desire such a bed partner. At least she hadn�t injured anything important in the matriarchs eyes, never mind the fact that her liver had suffered almost irreparable harm by the time she finally received proper treatment. �You were lucky you fool of a girl,� she�d snapped. �Another inch or two over and you�d have lost all worth. You�d be nothing more then damaged goods, and of no use to anyone.� But Naruto... Naruto wasn�t reacting at all like that, not like she had expected him to. Especially as he moved back up her body and caught her lips to his, beginning to position himself to take her.

�Na...Naruto...� she gasped breathlessly as she felt him begin to press forward, stretching her, filling her. He paused, lazuline eyes meeting opaline as he gazed at her with concern. �You...you still want me?� He chuckled softly, resting his forehead against hers fondly.

�Why wouldn�t I?� he replied. When she couldn�t come up with any response he kissed her deeply, comforting her with his mouth as he eased himself further in. He loved her slowly, rocking her body gently with his own in easy, measured strokes. Hinata found his pace agonizingly blissful, his every move sending sparks throughout her being. They worked in unison, the fluid motions barely changing speed as she was pushed to her crest and gentled back down again, the only sounds to be heard an occasional hushed whimpering, the rhythmic groans of the old bed, and quiet sounds of skin brushing against skin. Naruto set the pace, but followed her lead, holding himself back till she�d had enough, till he�d satisfied her fully and she gave him some sign to go on. He found it as she finally drew him in, calling him on hitched breath as tumbled she over the edge again, clinging to him desperately as her world dissolved and reformed around him. Love turned to passion as he gave in, his blood quickening and heart pounding till he allowed himself his own long awaited release, the explosion of pleasure that only she gave him.

As he finally lowered himself down into her arms, nuzzling her neck and drawing her tightly against him, he kissed her gently on the notch of her collar bone and squeezed her possessively. �Mine� he said as he snuggled her, eliciting a giggle from the woman below.

�Yours?� she asked, unable to hide the amusement in her breathless voice, still trying to recover from the previous exertions. A laugh escaped her as he nodded fervently, his spiky hair tickling her bare skin.

�Mine!� he said again, with all of the conviction of a toddler finding a new toy as he squeezed her again. �My Hinata.�

She could feel herself blushing slightly as she cradled his head to her, returning his tender affection. �My Naruto.� she replied softly, feeling slightly silly, yet at the same time relishing the words. He nodded again in agreement, looking up to flash her one of his goofy grins before cuddling up again for that previously mentioned nap.

~*~

The scarecrow stood silently at his self appointed post in the darkened hospital room, his one eye watching the restless form as it struggled for sleep. He himself was tired after a long night, but doubted he would get any rest till later, his mind swimming with to many questions begging to be answered. All because he had allowed Tsunade to drag him into that room saying she needed his help with something. The two sannin were currently looking for secrets long buried in the hidden vault of the hokage, and he had resigned himself to look after the subject in question till they returned, hopefully with some answers.

As a whimpered sob escaped the fragile girl, he sighed and shook his head sadly to himself. She was twitching in her sleep again, sweat beading on her furrowed brow as she fought whatever demons roamed her dreams. She had been examined after the mind probe jutsu was released, and they determined she had suffered no ill effects. The examiner had tried hard to be gentle with her, and seemed relieved when they told him he�d done her no harm. These night terrors were normal according to Jiraiya, an effect of a life of fear and pain, a life that Naruto had rescued her from. How ironic it seemed that he would be the one to find her. Kakashi closed his eye, thinking back on everything that had come up during the hours before the dawn.

�I still don�t understand why you couldn�t have used the Jigyaku no Jutsu, it would have been far less traumatic.� The white haired man fumed, pacing back and forth in the office Tsunade kept in the hospital. They had moved here with the girl when she had been released from her interrogation and placed her under medical supervision for her recovery. This office was one of the few places that could be trusted to have a private conversation, as many of the matters they were about to discuss hadn�t been spoken of for years.

�Because, baka, you can�t use a time reversal jutsu on a person who has no sense of time. That maniac has butchered her head as well as her body. I�m not sure what we�re going to be able to do with her.� Tsunade huffed back at him, becoming annoyed by his constant complaining.

Jiraiya paused in his storming and glanced back at her. �I thought you�d said she should be able to stay here under the protection of the village?�

The blonde woman sighed in response. �Yes, after everything she�s been through we can find no reason she can�t stay. Her body hasn�t been booby-trapped, and she doesn�t appear to have any secret agenda, not one that we can find or she�s aware of anyways. But in return for amnesty she needs to be able to provide some kind of service in return.�

�You had said she had been trained as a ninja,� Kakashi cut in quietly. �Couldn�t she perform as such for us? We could start her out as a gennin, working D rank missions till we�ve learned her abilities and she�d earned our trust? You know how desperately we need shinobi.�

�I would like to,� she replied, looking over the thick folder of information they�d gathered on the girl over the past two days since teacher and student had shown up with her in the middle of the night. �However after the physical alterations that have been done to her I don�t see how that�s plausible.� She pulled out a series of x-ray films and placed them on the viewing lamp, illuminating the delicate structure under question. �Her skeleton has been carved down, literally whittled away. I have no idea what they were planning to do with her, but just look at what they left. When you take all the scarring into consideration, it�s as if they cut all her bones out and put in a whole new structure. A fragile one at that - look! You can see clearly the signs of where she�s broken and healed almost all of her long bones, some in several places.... in fact...� she leaned in for a closer look at the one film. �I think we managed to break her wrist just in the interrogation.� Tsunade muttered quiet curses to herself about having to put her through more pain with resetting the bones and then healing them. �She may be a good fighter, but in her current state she�s to brittle... we couldn�t risk her breaking on a mission where she couldn�t receive proper care. She snaps some ribs it could kill her, or fractures her leg it would slow down her whole team... it�s just not feasible.�

�But bones heal... they can be rebuilt, can�t they?� Jiraiya asked somberly, his eyes glued to the glowing pictures on the wall. The copy nin couldn�t help but notice the attachment the older man seemed to have for this subject.

�We can try, but I can�t promise anything... she�s young so I suppose there is a chance. I just wish I knew what else they did to her.� Tsunade flipped through the pages again, pausing to read through the transcripts of the mind probe. Her eyes would widen in horror at places, causing her to quickly turn the page to a less graphic part. �Of all the stuff that he left in her brain... why erase so many memories but leave so much pain and torture behind?�

�Fear garners respect.� her old teammate replied somberly, his own memories of her condition when they found her stirring in the back of his mind. Shaking his head he sought to change the subject. �But enough about what they did to her... did you manage to uncover anything about who she actually is?�

The room grew silent with raising of this question. After all, it was what everyone really wanted to know. As the Godaime continued flipping through the report, either taking her time or just stalling on this matter, the other two tried to wait patiently. Reaching the end of the papers, she put her head in her hands, rubbing her temples and trying to figure out what to do with this mess.

�There�s nothing in here that covers anything about her family or her origins.� she reluctantly admitted to them. �Everything of her childhood up to the beginning of her training has been erased from her memory.�

�What about during her training?� Kakashi ventured again. �Surely she lived somewhere?�

�From what we gathered she lived in some kind of dormitory or community with other kids till she reached a certain level, then she was moved in with her two male teammates. After that things get choppy again...� Tsunade looked back and forth between the two. �There�s nothing to indicate your suspicions, she�s just some poor orphan who became one of Orochimaru�s guinea pigs.�

�They�re not just my suspicions,� the hermit growled softly, not wanting to hear such a thing. �I saw the look in your eyes when you first saw her, Tsunade... you�ve been thinking the same thing...�

�But I�m not thinking it now... there�s nothing to support it...� she argued back.

�Nothing to.... for god sake look at her! She looks just like her mother!� he started to protest.

�She�s not her mother, Jiraiya, they share a resemblance but that doesn�t make family!� She stood up from her seat behind the desk at this point, trying to keep her voice down.

�Can�t you even...� he started but she slammed her fist down at this point, sending a large crack through the desk. The old man jumped back, knowing better then to get close to her when she was angry.

�Dammit Jiraiya! I miss him too but clinging to the impossible isn�t going to bring Adashi back! He died while protecting this village! His wife died just before him in the attack and Naruto had be cut from her belly so he didn�t die as well! They had no outside family, no living relatives, and no other children! Naruto was their first, their last, their ONLY! Stop chasing ghosts and let it be!� She stood their glowering at him, angry at herself for blowing up at her old friend, but even more upset at having to dwell on such heartbreaking matters again. Why couldn�t the past be left in the past?

�That�s not completely true.�

That calm statement caught her off gaurd, and the Hokage found herself staring dumbfounded into the corner it came from. �What? What do you mean by that?�

Kakashi sighed, wondering why he�d spoken up, thinking it probably would have been better to keep his mouth shut. As he looked up he could see the realization of what he was saying dawning on the older man across from him.

�No... he�s right...� the hermit said, unable to believe that he himself had forgotten such a thing. �There had been another...�

A pained gasp pulled the silver haired man from his musings. She was tossing again, her hands fisted in the sheets, tears streaking her flushed cheeks. He moved closer to the bed, unable to stop himself from tenderly stroking her feathery hair. The girl quieted and stirred, eyelids cracking to give a glimpse of watery sapphire peeking up at him. He smiled down lightly as they took him in and, after acknowledging him as nonthreatening, closed and allowed exhaustion to overtake them once again. Once again returning to his place against the wall he cursed quietly in his head. �Damn you Orochimaru... what kind of game are you playing with us this time?�

~*~

Naruto woke up slowly, content in his sleepy, warm little cocoon. Breathing deeply the smell of gardenia he�d spent all that time dreaming about, he opened an eye to peek down at the beauty snuggled under his chin. �Yep... right where I left her.� he chuckled to himself as he squeezed her fondly. A contented sigh came in response as she nuzzled closer, finding her favorite spot, a smile curling gently at the steady beating she found there. As he laid his head back he couldn�t help thinking �It doesn�t get any better then this.� Naruto let his eyes wander around the tiny room of his childhood, pondering if perhaps it was time to get a new place when he happened to catch a glimpse of the clock.

�Awww shit.� he said out loud, startling Hinata into sitting up.

�What? What is it?� she asked with a yawn, rubbing the sleep from her pretty eyes.

�I hope you weren�t looking forward to breakfast,� he quipped, grinning at the confused look she gave him in return. �At the rate we�re going, it looks like I�m taking you out for dinner.�

She looked from him to the clock, milky eyes growing wide at the time displayed. She giggled and collapsed back down on his chest. �Did we really sleep all day?�

�Not all. There�s still a few more hours left I�m sure we could find a way to waste away.� he mused back, running his fingers through her long hair. Naruto wasn�t sure when or why she had decided to grow it out, but he decided he kinda liked having more of it to play with. Just then a loud gurgle interrupted them. �Or I could find something to feed you before you start eating the furniture.� he laughed, watching that wonderful blush cover not only her face, but also lightly shade her neck and shoulders.

�I think I need a shower before you take me out in public.� she giggled, trying to compose herself.

�Mind if I join you?� he whispered into her ear in a deep, sultry voice, causing her to turn a deeper red.

Hinata�s face burned at such a thought, it was way beyond embarrassing. Sex was one thing but... the two of them showering together? She was way to modest to even visit the public bathhouse often, usually only going when the girls drug her out for a relaxing evening. Besides she�d always had such a large bathroom of her own there wasn�t much need... but the two of them? In his tiny little shower? �Well... anou... I...� she started, but she was cut off as he began laughing again.

�Right... might be a bit counter productive I guess.� he said, secretly enjoying her reaction. All that time chasing ero-sennin away from the bathhouses, and maybe doing a bit of peeping on his own while he was at it, had given him a bit of a shower fantasy. �Still my sweet little Hinata-chan... maybe I�ll talk you into it another time.� He let her sneak shyly off on her own to get cleaned up while he ventured to the kitchen to make some tea and await his own turn. As he rummaged through the cupboards, he found a yellowed slip of paper taped to one of the doors, curling with age. He gently pulled it down and tried to read the faded writing, many of the words missing or smudged.

Naruto,
I�m sorry I away to visit you while you were hospital.
You know can be, especially your three.
... how bad off you were, I figured appreciate this more
some stupid basket anyways. I�m glad you�re home again, and I�m proud
for the village. Get some rest, do anything stupid.

Iruka

trash the place all at once, I don�t think I have to clean
It again...at least not any time soon.

He laughed as he read it, amazed that it was still posted there. He felt slightly guilty, after Hinata had passed out Neji and the others rushed him and her out of the room before he could say hi to anyone. Knowing his old sensei however, he figured he would be waiting for him on his old stool at Ichiraikus. He set the note down on the counter, grabbed his cup, and headed out to his favorite part of this apartment... the balcony.

As he stood there in the cool December air, taking in the village he had always called home, he marveled at how little had changed. Granted there were new buildings that had been put up to replace the damage from Orochimarus attack, but for the most part it appeared just as he remembered it. The academy, the training fields, ichiraikus, he could spot the flower shop Ino�s family ran, and of course Tsunades tower. �Speaking of obaachan...� He laughed as he finally caught site of the mountain, her face now looking down over Konoha with the others. His eyes continued to roam, taking in the old landmarks till the came to rest on the hospital, followed by ANBU headquarters. His smile faded as a guilty feeling settled over him. 'So... which one are you in now?' he asked himself, hoping it was the former as opposed to the later.

�You shouldn�t have handed her over like that� the now familiar voice rumbled quietly in the back of his mind.

�We didn�t have much choice, if we wanted her to stay here we had to let them examine her.� he said quietly, not just to placate the beast but also try and convince himself.

�The other brat had already taken care of that when we first found her, why torment her again?�

Naruto was surprised at how irritated Kyubi was over this. �If I didn�t know any better, I�d say you were worried about her.� He grinned at the indignant snort he received in reply. �You are... you old fox you, you�re getting attached! First Hinata and now her, I knew you had a thing for human women.�

�It�s nothing of that sort boy. She�s a strong ally, or she will be once we�ve fixed her... you watch. And as for silver eyes...� he got quiet for a moment as the blonde smirked at the pet name he�d given her. �She�s our mate, I�m mearly looking out for what is ours.�

�Speaking of looking out... have you been keeping tabs?� he asked sadly, beginning to worry about their traveling companion.

�For a bit, but you humans are cruel. I thought what you did to me was harsh.� came the growled reply. �You shouldn�t have let her go.�

Naruto sighed. �It�s the only way she could stay. She knew that... she�s been through worse...� he looked down at his right palm, tracing his finger over the pale mark there, the only scar the demon had ever granted him.

�But what if they don�t let her?� came the unwanted question.

�Granny-Tsunade will let her... there�s no way they�d let her wind up back in that snakes hands�

�But if they don�t?�

Naruto closed his hand, clenching it tightly into a fist. �I�ll keep her anyways.�

�Naruto?�

He turned at the sound, smiling as he found Hinata standing in the doorway, toweling her long hair dry. As she stepped aside to let him back in, Naruto slipped his arms around her, pulling her close and kissing her forehead tenderly. He delighted at the gasp he caused as he slid his now chilled hands up the back of her shirt to rest on her bare skin and closed his eyes, grateful to be able to hold her again.

�Are you alright?� she asked him quietly, a little surprised by how quiet he�d been since his return. She could tell there was something on his mind, but she wasn�t sure if it was him trying to readjust or something else.

�I�m just worried about someone.� He responded as he cradled her close. As she turned to look at him he just smiled softly and rested his forehead to hers. �Let me get cleaned up, and then I�ll explain everything, or at least I�ll try to.� She nodded gently as he pressed his lips to hers, taking comfort in their soft warmth before heading back to the shower.

~*~

�Alright, Neji... I think that�s enough for today.� Hiashi stated between heavy breaths. The younger man nodded, his own breathing labored, and followed him to sit on the walkway around the court yard. It had been a while since the two had been able to have a good sparing match, both having other duties to attend to. And while Neji didn�t need the training so much anymore, it had become a stress breaker for the two, as well as a chance for them to discuss matters that concerned Hinata without anyone else nosing in. As they sat there in the brisk winter air trying to compose themselves, the grinned quietly at the young genius. �So then Neji, are you planning to fill me in on what exactly happened last night?�

Neji smirked back, taking a long drink of water before he answered. �Just a little reunion between very old and very dear friends.� He could feel the elder man studying him, gauging the weight of his words. He would have to be careful, one slip could either make or break the chance for an approved courtship for his cousin.

�Dear?� Hiashi asked. �Seemed to me he put her into one of her old fits of hysterics... I thought she only did that when she was scared?� He watched as the boy chuckled.

�Scared or around him. But he�s been gone on a long term mission with that old sannin, Jiraiya. She hasn�t seen him for over three years.� Neji tried to seem nonplused with everything, as if the scene he and Sakura had orchestrated had been a normal, everyday occurrence while, in the back of his mind, he found it to be about the funniest damn thing he�d seen in a long time. Hinata had been furious with him for embarrassing her like that. Looks like he was going to be keeping guard over his laundry the next few weeks.

�A three year mission with the sannin?� The Hyuga leader contemplated this. �He must be strong for Jiraiya to take intrest in him. And he looks terribly familiar. The elder council is getting restless...� �Tell me then, Neji... does this old and dear friend happen to be that �far away admirer� who�s been sending all those letters to her?� Hiashi smiled inwardly as he watched the boy tense slightly, momentarily. �Ah... now we start to see what�s going on.�

�He has been in correspondence with Hinata-samma, however... I am not the one to say if he is or is not her admirer.� He was cringing inside, not sure if he�d blown it or not. The aging man had a slight look of amusement so far, so perhaps it wasn�t going as badly as he feared.

�Might I inquire... just what is the name of my sweet daughters dear friend.?�

�Uzumaki Naruto� Neji answered, figuring it couldn�t do any harm. After all, it�s not like he was famous or from an infamous clan, he�d probably never heard of him before. But as he turned back to his uncle, he was surprised at the look on his uncles face.

�Uzumaki?� he asked calmly, looking back at his nephew. As he recieved an affirmative nod, he turned his head to contemplate this. No wonder he looked so familiar. This changed matters greatly. Or did it? He remembered back to the chunnin exam years ago, that the Kyubi child had been the one to defeat their prodigy. He had shown frightening strength indeed that day. Not to mention the rumors that he was the one who broke Gaara and saved the village from the wrath of Shukaku. To be able to wield the terrible power of the demon nine tails...

�Hiashi-samma?� the young man called to him, breaking him from his thoughts. Neji was concerned now, that name had obviously meant something to his uncle, and it didn�t appear to be anything good.

�Neji... tell me honestly... what are your thoughts on him?�

The younger man smirked. �I used to think he was a loser, an annoying no talent loudmouth who didn�t deserve the honor of being called Shinobi. However...� he sighed, then, thinking back on how that one loudmouth had changed many things for this family already. �He�s shown himself not only to be a strong warrior, but a loyal friend with a generous heart. He hates to see suffering, and is protective of those he deems precious. He�s encouraged Hinata greatly through the years, and after suffering the Mists Fever with her, I credit him with being the one who helped most make her the person she is today.� He watched as his uncle took all this in, then suddenly stood to leave.

�Thank you, Neji... you�ve given me much to think about.� And without anything further, Hiashi walked off into the house, leaving him outside to wonder if he�d inadvertently ruined everything, or possibly given the young lovers a chance with this overbearing family.

____________________________________

PS~ just wanted to leave a note saying I'm going to be posting a series of oneshots associated to my "Into the..." series. It's going to have the threeway everyone is begging me about as well as a few others. Most of these shorts ARE NOT CANNON to my storyline, just fun little things I started cause I was asked to or for the hell of it, but some of them, like "Keeping the Light" are going to have information that explains stuff in later chapters. *coughcough*hinatascar*cough*

Anyways, I have more writing to do... hope this will hold you over for a while.

~Teaser and the Chibi's

2

3

4

You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.You need to be logged in to leave a review for this story.
Report Story

Into The Desert