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Dragonheart	By : UmbreonMessiah Category: Naruto > General Views: 1644 -:- 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
- 4
- 5
- 6
A/N:
Support continues to roll in from your reviews! I�m glad everyone likes it so
much, because I love it to death. Sorry to leave you all with the cliffy last
chapter (NOT!) but I felt it necessary. Don�t look for too much resolution to
it in this chapter though, because it�s not going to happen! Sit back and
enjoy, I know you will!

Dragonheart
Chapter Four

            �THEY�RE WHAT!?� Naruto screamed.
            Neji held his head low after trying to quiet
Naruto. �Hai,� he muttered, �I only heard the news early this morning. The
elders are searching frantically to find a suitor before Hiashi-sama can subvert
their decision.�
            �Damn it!� the blonde hissed. �Just�damn it!�
            Naruto burst into a run down the training
ground, anger and frustration taking a hold of his being. Before he could reach
the nearby fence however, Neji called out to him.
            �Where do you think you�re going, Uzumaki
Naruto?� he yelled.
            �Where else?� the other replied somberly. �I�m
going to stop them.�
            Neji immediately left his spot and rushed
towards Naruto, stepping in front of him quickly to bar his path. The two
shared angry glares before Neji reached out and held the jinchuuriki�s shoulder.
            �Violence will not solve this problem,� Neji
said wisely. �If anything it will only make the issue worse.�
            �So what do you suggest I do!?� Naruto spat.
�Just stand here and take it!?�
            �I am suggesting you keep a level head for
starters,� the Hyuuga stated.
            �Really?� the fair-haired teen growled. �And
then what?�

            Neji sighed. Naruto was being fair less rational than usual. He
had expected an adverse reaction to the news that the clan was attempting to
find his girlfriend a suitor, but he had wholeheartedly hoped the Genin was
above trying to use his fists to fix the problem. Not that Neji truly blamed
his friend: he wanted to hurt someone just as badly as Naruto did. The whole
situation vexed him just as much as it did the orange-clad shinobi.
            �As far as I can tell,� Neji sighed, �there may
be nothing we can do. Hiashi-sama is trying everything he can to change the
elders� minds, but apparently it�s not working so well.�
            Naruto clenched his fists, endeavoring to fight
back the growing rage within him. �So that�s it!?�
            �Try and relax, Naruto,� the Jounin said
softly. �If anyone finds out we�re here then this entire conversation is
meaningless.�`
            Naruto quickly bit his lip to silence himself.
            �As I�ve been trying to say,� Neji continued,
�Hiashi-sama believes that unless he can sway at least half of the elders, then
there will be no way to change their decision. Despite being the head of the
clan those crotchety old bags will do anything and everything in their power to
prevent Hinata-sama from being involved with��
            Neji cut his sentence short, looking away from
Naruto with shame. The look was not unfamiliar to the jinchuuriki. He had seen
it all too often on those who had tried to take pity on him, only to be ousted
by their friends and families. He knew what it was Neji had been ready to say.
            �Don�t spare me,� the blue-eyed teen said, �say
it. I know what you were about to say. They don�t want Hinata to be involved
with �that monster�, right?�
            Neji averted his eyes from Naruto�s powerful
gaze. �Hai,� he admitted, �that�s�what they said.�
            Sadness filled the blonde�s features as he
sighed, looking towards the grass. It was apparent that he felt defeated on the
issue, like there was nothing he could do no matter what he tried.
            �Naruto,� Neji started again, �I want you to
understand something. Both Hiashi-sama and I believe that Hinata-sama is
happiest when she is with you. When it comes down to it�she deserves better
than some royal pig or Daimyo. She deserves you.�
            �A-arigato, Neji,� Naruto sniffled. �I just�I
wish there were something I could do.�
            �There may be one option,� the member of the
Branch clan stated. �It�s far-fetched to say the least but�how ready do you
feel you are for marriage?�
            �WHAT?!� Naruto screamed, floored by the
question.
            �Calm down,� Neji instructed. �It�s just a
thought. The elders are only in the early stages of setting Hinata up. It will
take them some time to make a list of all suitable people and then begin
inspecting them. I�m only suggesting�if somehow we can get your name on that
list, there may be a chance. At least if she marries you she will be happier
than if she has to look after some lecherous old man for the rest of her life.�
            �N-Neji, I�� Naruto stuttered.
            Another comforting hand was placed on the young
shinobi�s shoulders. �Calm down,� Neji repeated. �You�ve still got some time
to make that decision. Use that time wisely.�
            The Jounin turned around and headed toward the
gates. �If you�ll excuse me,� he said, �I must be going. I only came here to
deliver this message. You must figure out what to do on your own.�
            �Wait a minute,� Naruto objected. �Why is
Hiashi�why is he helping us?�
            Neji stopped abruptly, standing his ground as
his head drifted upward to stare at the early morning clouds. �Despite what he
says and does,� the older male said, �Hiashi-sama has grown accustomed to you,
Naruto. He acknowledges your strength, and the strength you give Hinata-sama.
He believes you are what�s best for her.�
            There was an awkward silence between the two as
the winds made the blades of grass at their feet dance. Raven locks of hair
rose and fell as Neji nodded curtly and started walking again.
            �Do not tell anyone we had this conversation,�
he instructed the vibrant lad. �If the elders discover I have been talking to
you about clan business, whatever help I could give you will be lost. Remember
that.�
            He was over the fence and on his way in a mere
moment, leaving the jinchuuriki to stand motionless in the training ground,
stewing in his own thoughts.

            For a while Naruto remained motionless in the
training ground, staring at nothing in particular as his mind replayed the
events of his conversation with Neji. It seemed as if everything this morning
were nothing more than a dream, that none of it could possibly real. Even if it
was, the whiskered youth certainly wished it weren�t. Destiny was a cruel
mistress apparently, having shone its splendor upon the boy only to take it away
just as he was getting used to the brightness. No part of his mind attempted to
accept what was going on. So he began to walk, both aimlessly and emptily
around Konoha, ignoring villagers and shinobi alike as he became lost in his
thoughts.
            As with the night previous, Naruto�s rambling
mind was followed by a dark chuckle that radiated through his consciousness and
caused him to groan inwardly.
            What do you want now? the blonde
questioned his package.
            Oh, my apologies, the Kyuubi
snickered, was I being too loud for you? I�ll try and keep it down.
            As if, Naruto mentally hissed. You
were laughing at me!
            You act as if I don�t have a reason to,
the beast said.
            Enlighten me as to this reason, fluff-ball,
the jinchuuriki smirked.
            Very well then, the Kyuubi
responded. I�m laughing because you and I both know you have the power to
rip that clan apart and take our precious vixen out of their grasp. Yet here
you are, mumbling over your own meager thoughts instead of doing just that!
            Uh, two things, Naruto
said looking up at his head. Why in the hell would I do something like
that�and just where do you get off calling Hinata-chan �our� vixen?
            The young man cringed as he could literally
feel the giant smirk on the Kyuubi�s face. Because you can, he
chuckled, and you know it�s the only way you�re going to stop them.
Secondly�I refer to her as ours because she is. It�s as simple as that.
            As if I would ever
share Hinata with you, you freak! Naruto spat at the beast from
outside its cage. And we�ve been over this�I�m not using your power ever
again.
            It didn�t stop you from using it while
you trained with our vixen all those months ago, came the witty reply.
            Th-that was a slip up! Naruto retorted
frantically, attempting to save face. I just lost focus.
            Of course, how silly of me, the
demon fox chided. By the way�it�s not a matter of sharing. Simply by
being with her, she is ours. You don�t think I�m just going to sit and watch
while you court and take that lovely creature, do you? I�m trying to enjoy
myself in here as much as I can!
            Naruto�s face twisted into a sickened
grimace. �You son of a bitch!� he screamed out, earning him the stares of the
villagers around him. Sweating slightly at his own antics he quickly slipped
into a nearby ally to avoid further embarrassment.
            Priceless, the Kyuubi howled with
laughter. You�re far more entertaining than I give you credit for.
            Shut up! the young man replied
mentally. And keep your damned claws off Hinata-chan!
            You just don�t get it, do you?
the fox sighed. As long as I�m in your body, you and I are sharing her.
She is our vixen�and I for one would not simply stand here and let her be taken
away from us. If you are too much of a coward to do what must be done, then let
me out and let me do the job!
            I told you, Naruto returned, I�m not
going to use your power. Especially not to hurt Hinata�s family, no matter how
much I may want to.
            Suit yourself, kit, the beast
replied. If you�re going to be that way, I�m going to back to napping.
            The conversation between jinchuuriki and bijuu
ended there. Naruto sighed in defeat as he left the alleyway, deciding that
some breakfast at Ichiraku�s would serve him well. The ramen stand was only a
short walk from where he had ended up in his musings, and he had brought a
wallet full of money, so he could spoil himself. The closer he got to the
place, the hungrier he seemed to get.
            He didn�t even push aside the flaps when
Yakusho stepped out from them, smirking at the young blonde.
            �Ah, there you are,� he muttered. �Someone
told me if I wanted to find you, all I had to do was come here and you�d show
up.�
            �What the hell do you want?� Naruto replied
bitterly.
            �Whoa ho ho there,� the red-dressed teen said
as he ran one of his gloved hands through his own hair. Naruto absently noted
Yakusho was still holding onto his sword. �No need to get touchy. Someone woke
up in a bad mood, eh?�
            �It�s none of your damned business,� Naruto
snapped. �Let me through so I can get some food.�
            �No can do,� the taller of the two replied,
adjusting his headband. �I came here because you and I have another mission
together. Isn�t that fun?�
            �Like swimming in a shark tank,� the depressed
boy sighed. �I guess I�ll see you in the Hokage�s office then?�
            �You can be taught,� Yakusho snickered.
�Later, Whiskers.�
            Naruto�s left eye twitched at Yakusho�s
nickname for him. That guy was a serious pain in the ass!

            Naruto entered Tsunade�s office slowly and
wordlessly, not willing to start a fight today of all days. His mind was still
preoccupied by the news he had received this morning, and he was trying
desperately to stop thinking about it. In the smallest recesses of his brain,
he figured a mission would be good to do just that.
            He was surprised to find that Yakusho was not
the only shinobi waiting for him. Neji and Tenten were also inside, sharing an
idle conversation as he pushed the doors open. The latter of the two had
definitely grown some over the years, now almost as tall as Naruto and sporting
a full womanly figure. Her clothing was not much to speak of, as it was really
just a bigger version of what she used to wear when she was twelve. The pink
top she wore now had sleeves that reached down to her wrists and exposed just a
tiny bit of her arms. Her pants were slightly baggier, leaving her more freedom
of movement on the battlefield. The only thing that hadn�t truly changed about
her was her hairstyle, the dark brown odango still adorning her head.
            �Ah,� she smiled, waving at him. �Naruto!
You�re here.�
            �O-Ohayo Tenten,� he blinked. �Didn�t expect
to see you here.�
            �Yeah, I�ve been down and out for a while,� she
admitted. �Ever since our stint in the River Country I�ve had a bit of a head
cold. But I�m feeling great now!�
            �Can this discussion wait till later?� Tsunade
droned. �This mission is urgent business and I�d rather not wait another twenty
minutes to explain.�
            �G-Gomen, Hokage-sama!� Tenten gulped as she
stood at attention. Neji�s lips cracked into a small smile at the young woman�s
actions, but he hid it well.
            Tsunade flashed them all a very
official-looking document that contained the seal of the Grass Country. �This
just arrived from Kusagakure,� she said, tapping the papers. �It would seem
that, first and foremost, they are quite aware that a certain number of their
shinobi have gone rogue, banding together and working under the pretence of
reclaiming the land and power that they feel should be the Grass Country�s by
right.�
            �So basically,� Yakusho muttered, �they�re
whack jobs.�
            �That�s the polite way of putting it I guess,�
Tsunade sighed. �Apparently, they�re receiving funding from some unknown
figurehead or organization, and they�ve been plaguing the Grass Country for
months now. It would seem that in response to your murder of their spies in the
Wind Country�they�ve taken an entire village hostage.�
            �Isn�t that a tad extreme?� Naruto asked.
            �I believe that�s why they sometimes refer to
them as �extremist factions�, Naruto,� the Hokage grumbled. �Either way, I�m
more interested in this mission because the shinobi of this faction have been
seen with some very�interesting�people.�
            �Interesting?� Tenten said, tilting her head in
question. �How interesting are we talking, Hokage-sama?�
            �One of the shinobi that has been spotted with
the group that took over the village,� Tsunade offered, �was an Oto-nin.�
            The room fell under an uncomfortable silence as
the word �Oto-nin� filled the ears of each person there. A chill passed over
Naruto�s back as he muttered the darkest name in all of Konoha.
            �Orochimaru,� he sneered.
            �Who now?� Yakusho asked.
            �Yes,� Tsunade replied, ignoring Yakusho�s
question, �I believe that he may have something to do with this. You can see
why I chose this matter as top priority and called you here then.�
            Naruto gave off a self-satisfying grin. �There
was no way you could keep me from coming anyway.�
            �Precisely,� the Hokage sighed dejectedly. �I
have chosen you, Tenten and Yakusho for this mission. You will travel to the
Grass Country and attempt to liberate the village. If you meet with this
Oto-nin, I want him brought in for questioning.�
            �Sounds good to me,� the blonde said.
            �Hai, Hokage-sama,� Tenten chimed.
            �So who the hell is Orochimaru?� Yakusho asked
again.
            The other shinobi in the room turned to him and
gave him a dark glare that said, in not so many words: �Shut up. We�ll tell you
later.�
            �Since this mission is such high priority,�
Tsunade suddenly continued, �I have also assigned an ANBU squad leader to you,
to help things go more smoothly.�
            Tsunade called to the Jounin at her door to let
the ANBU member in. The twin doors opened into the room slowly as the masked
man stepped into the room, his grey clothing giving him the stereotypical
non-distinct appearance of ANBU members. A long katana was strapped to his
back, the design foreign to everyone it seemed save Tenten, who eyed it with
particular interest.
            What truly drew Naruto�s attention however was
the mask the man wore. The ANBU member�s face was covered by the fa�ade of a
raccoon, the same one that had greeted Naruto at his door earlier this morning.
It took every ounce of Naruto�s will to not cry out at the man, seeing as how
doing so would lead to questions of how he knew the ANBU member. Naruto was not
particularly willing to discuss the events of that morning with anyone, and he
certainly didn�t want to get Neji in trouble.
            �You called, Hokage-sama?� came the straight,
centered voice of the masked-man. There was a certain serenity to his tone, one
that spoke of experience and wisdom, but at the same time hinted at a much more
down to earth side.
            �I did,� the well-figured woman replied. �I�ve
already given you the mission details, so I won�t go over them again. You are
to take Naruto, Tenten, and Yakusho with you on the mission.�
            �I see no problems with that,� the man replied.
            �Also,� the Hokage continued, �since you will
be traveling as the group�s leader, you will remove your mask and turn it in to
ANBU headquarters. Do you have any problems taking a pseudonym for this
mission?�
            �I do, Hokage-sama,� the man replied. �I have
never shied away from my name. I have no fear of it being used against me.�
            �Alright,� she said, �then you will go by your
real name. Naruto, Tenten, Yakusho�I�d like you to meet Jiyumaru.�
            Each of the three other shinobi chosen for the
mission nodded and greeted the ANBU member politely, which was a step for
Yakusho. The masked man eyed the Ryumoto carefully, then turned his attention
back to the group.

            �We�ll meet by the West Gate in an hour,� he said formally. �Pack
everything we�ll need. It�s a day�s travel to the border of the Grass Country,
so make sure you�re prepared.�
            �Yeah, yeah, yeah,� Yakusho droned, already
walking out the door. �People need to die. Let�s not hold up the show.�
            The red-vested shinobi left without any other
words. The remainder of the room stared at his exit with shock before Tsunade
firmly dismissed them. Tenten and Jiyumaru quickly bowed and left, Naruto
slowly making his way out. He didn�t quite make it to the wooden fixture before
Tsunade�s voice reached out to him.
            �By the way Naruto,� she said softly, �Neji has
informed me of everything that has happened.�
            Naruto turned slowly and looked at the woman
with a very somber gaze. �Yeah, and?�
            �I want you to know,� Tsunade continued, �that
I will do everything I can to help.�
            For the first time that morning, Naruto gave
off a genuine smile.
            �Arigato, Obaa-chan,� he said before exiting
the Hokage�s office.

            An hour later, everyone was waiting at the West
Gate for the ANBU squad leader who would be guiding them this mission. For once
Naruto had arrived on time, and even Yakusho seemed to be there early. The
russet-haired shinobi wasn�t really paying attention to what was going on
though. He seemed to be there early just for the sake of being there, not
really because he had any intention of being on time. It infuriated Naruto
slightly, but he let it slide. Tenten took the free moment to explain the story
of Orochimaru to Yakusho, who seemed to regard it with much the same empathy he
regarded everything else with, which was none at all.
            There was a soft tapping of feet on the ground
as Jiyumaru made his appearance. Instantly Naruto noticed that he was no longer
wearing his ANBU mask, revealing a solid face set on soft features. He was a
man that exuded confidence and strength and who obviously had a gentler, calmer
side to him. His demeanor was all business however, as was proven by the way he
looked over the three, as if he were assessing them.
            It took Naruto a few moments to piece the
information together in his head. There was something about their leader�s face
that was familiar, as though the young fair-haired teen had seen him somewhere
previously. After a moment it finally clicked, and Naruto pointed at him
dramatically as his eyes went blank with shock.
            �You�re that creepy guy that Hinata and I sat
next to at Ichiraku�s last week!� he shouted exuberantly.
            The ANBU Jounin looked the young man over and
blinked. �Hmm, you know,� he said calmly, �I do seem to remember seeing you
with a member of the Hyuuga clan sometime last week.�
            �One of your dates, huh Naruto?� Tenten asked
cutely, grinning broadly.
            �I guess you could say that,� Naruto replied
sheepishly. �But this guy was sitting right next to us! He looked so creepy
back then�and he kept talking to Ayame-nee-chan like he knew her!�

            �That�s probably because he does, baka,� Yakusho snorted from the
side.
            �Keep outta this, jackass!� the jinchuuriki
spat back.
            �Enough fighting,� Jiyumaru ordered in an
exceedingly commanding tone. �It�s a day�s journey to the Grass Country, and
we�ll be making camp at the border before going into the village. Naruto, you
take point�and no complaining, got it?�
            �Yes sir,� Naruto replied dumbly, shocked at
how quickly the stern man had turned the conversation serious.
            �You know,� Yakusho said, grinning, �I think I
like this guy.�
            With that, the four shinobi took off into the
trees, heading off northwest towards the Grass Country at a brisk pace.

            The trip was made in silence for the most part,
Naruto finding it difficult to converse with anyone other than Tenten. The
kunoichi for her part was doing her best to stay focused on the mission, but
would constantly have her attention diverted by Naruto, who was obviously very
uneasy with the complete stillness between the group of four. She tried to
relax him, but the boy refused to settle down and continued his pace
frantically. Eventually Yakusho did what Tenten could not and flung a rock at
his head, which knocked him off the branch he was on and sent him plummeting to
the earth below. After the team stopped laughing at the poor Genin they picked
up the pace, Naruto having finally decided to chill out for a while.
            They reached the border of the Grass Country at
sunset, the vermillion lights dancing across the endless plains that made up the
small land. They kept to the forests of the Fire Country that night, pitching
two tents to split the group in two as Tenten prepared dinner. Yakusho opted to
sleep in the same tent as Jiyumaru, stating he�d rather �stay with the one that
didn�t piss him off�, earning him angry glares from his two other
teammates. Tenten prepared a full meal of boiled vegetables and noodles, Naruto
proclaiming it resembled ramen without the broth and bowls. The statement which
Tenten claimed was �born out of ignorance for the finer foods� earned the blonde
his second physical assault of the day, which was comprised of the
meatball-headed kunoichi hitting him over the head with her clenched fist.
            Dinner ended quickly and the four separated
into the two tents. Tenten and Naruto stayed up late, starting a conversation
revolving around their relationships with members of the Hyuuga clan.
Specifically, the topic of Tenten�s relationship with Neji came into question,
and after several moments of duress the girl finally admitted that she and the
Branch clan member were involved in a romantic relationship. Having drilled the
information out of her, Naruto delighted himself in prying the itty bitty
details out himself, like how long they�d been dating and how far along they
were. She eventually evened the playing field by asking him how his
relationship with Hinata was doing, which caused him to break out of his cheery
mood and fall back into the depressed state he�d been in that morning. He
slowly explained how Neji had told him about the clan finding Hinata a suitor to
keep her away from him. To his surprise, Tenten had already been told of the
issues by Neji, and offered her full support to the blonde boy. Despite
everything, Naruto managed to drift to sleep peacefully that night.
            Morning came all too soon for the young boy,
forcing him to wake and start a new day. The only thing that seemed to keep his
mind on the straight and sane path was the prospect of taking out his rather
sour mood on enemy shinobi. Breakfast consisted of relatively fresh bread and
fresh water, a meal that Naruto found to be lacking. He didn�t voice that
thought though, seeing as how the last time he had made a comment about the food
on this trip it had earned him nothing but pain as a reward. Keeping relatively
to himself, Naruto ate in silence around his compatriots. After they were
finished, Jiyumaru took to himself to bury the coals of their campfire before
packing up the tents and signaling for them to continue with their trek.
            They reached the tiny border village in less
than an hour and a half, keeping themselves to the outskirts as to avoid being
spotted. From a lone tree not too far out from the village they made their
stay, Jiyumaru pulling out a set of binoculars to examine the village. From
what they could gather from the preliminary scan of the place, it was indeed
being held hostage by a group of Kusa shinobi, but as to what reason or gain
there was no indication. The cursory glance towards the community also did not
confirm or deny the existence of any Oto shinobi that may have been accompanying
them.
            �Alright,� Jiyumaru said keeping his voice low,
�we�re gonna need a bit of a closer look before we make our attack plan.
Naruto, if you would be so kind?�
            The blonde flashed their leader a quirky grin
as he snapped his fingers together, producing a single Kage Bunshin that stood
to his right on the thick tree branch. Another hand seal later and his clone
took the shape of a common snake, which slid down the trunk of the tree
languidly and slithered through the long grasses towards the village.
            �Pretty ingenious disguise,� Yakusho
confessed. �Snakes are some of the most common creatures in the Grass Country.�
            �You think I didn�t know that?� Naruto hissed
at the older boy mockingly.   The two shared a heated glare before turning away
from one another grumpily.
            �We wait here until Naruto�s Kage Bunshin
returns,� Jiyumaru stated, �then with the information it brings us, we will
formulate our plan.�
            Twenty minutes later, Naruto�s Kage Bunshin
returned, winding its way up the tree trunk before returning to a copy of
Naruto, wearing a rather disgusted grimace on its face. When asked what had
made it look like that, the clone said that it now knew how rat tasted. The
real Naruto twitched at the thought, having the distinct feeling that he too
knew how rat tasted.
            �So what�s the scoop?� Tenten asked the clone.
            �There are several more shinobi inside,� it
responded, �but none of them really look like they�re very good, or at least
paying attention. Each house has one to two Kusa shinobi guards.�
            It turned to Jiyumaru and added: �The rumors
about the Oto-nin are true. There�s one in the Mayor�s house.�
            Without a word, the clone disappeared in a puff
of chakra smoke, leaving Naruto looking queasy for just a second before
regaining his composure. The four huddled closer in the tree as Jiyumaru
adorned a thinking pose, ready and willing to hear the plan.
            �Alright, here�s how it�s going to go,� the
ANBU shinobi started. �From what I�ve heard, Yakusho�s attacks are flashy, so they will
provide an excellent distraction. While he draws their attention, we�ll sneak
into the village via the south entrance and take out the guards. The job should
be done quick enough to regroup and help Yakusho finish off his batch of
shinobi, at which point we can locate the Oto-nin and capture him.�
            �I won�t need your help against these
amateurs,� Yakusho scoffed.
            �You�re going to get it whether you want it or
not,� Jiyumaru growled. �Is everyone aware of the plan?�
            �Sounds good to me,� Tenten chimed in.
            �I�m game,� Naruto added.
            �Cheh,� Yakusho huffed.
            �Alright then,� the solid looking man said.
�Let�s get to it then. And please�no collateral damage.�
            �No promises!� Yakusho grinned. He stood up on
the tree branch and found a guard patrolling the perimeter who wasn�t really
paying attention. His grin widened as he reached into one of his tool pockets
in his pants, producing several shuriken with wires attached to them. �Now
watch, this is gonna be fun.�
            The red-dressed shinobi hurled four of his
shuriken at the patrol, keeping the wires within his hand loosely. The Kusa
shinobi did not see the attack coming and was quickly pinned to the wall of the
village by the shuriken stuck in his rather loose clothing. Yakusho�s grin
deepened even further as the snapped several hand seals together, keeping the
wires taut in his grasp.
            �Katon! Ryuuka no Jutsu!�
            Yakusho exhaled sharply over the wires, a thick
stream of flame traveling down each one. The Kusa-nin could do nothing but
scream in terror as the lines of fire connected with his body in a large
conflagration, burning him to death. His cries echoed throughout the village as
the wall he had been stuck to burned and charred, the vocal alarm raising into
the air.
            �If you�ll excuse me� Yakusho grinned, �I
believe I have some unwanted guests to entertain.�
            The obnoxious teenager burst from the tree and
rushed the gate, exposing himself to the sight of their enemies. Within seconds
the five other Kusa shinobi that comprised the perimeter guard had him
surrounded, aiming their rather sharp kunai at him. With a simple flick of his
untamed auburn hair he signaled Jiyumaru and the others to continue with their
part of the mission.
            The other three from Konoha flew into action,
Tenten throwing a set of kunai at the Kusa shinobi closest to the south. So
distracted by Yakusho�s noise they were that neither one of them even realized
they were under attack until the kunai were lodged in their backs and they were
dead. The plan was an unqualified success as Jiyumaru, Tenten and Naruto easily
gained access to the village, the ANBU member�s incredible speed and stealth
allowing him to finish off most of the low-ranked Kusa shinobi single handedly.
Those he could not reach on his own were promptly dealt with by his two allies,
Naruto silencing several of his green-clad adversaries at once thanks to his
clones. Tenten earned her keep thanks to her long-ranged weapon expertise,
picking off slow and preoccupied targets with impunity. Once the majority of
the shinobi inside the village were disposed of, the three rushed to the east
entrance to assist Yakusho, who greeted them with a big smile as he sat on top
of a pile of corpses he had collected in the last few minutes.
            �What took you so long?� he questioned.
            �Oh stop showing off,� Naruto grumbled.
            �There will be plenty of time for your
shenanigans later,� Jiyumaru said. �Right now, we have an Oto-nin to detain.�
            The four Konoha shinobi regrouped inside the
village limits, scanning the various houses and sheds for any sign of movement.
When they were satisfied that the village had been purged of Kusa interference,
they moved on to the mayor�s house. There was no need to be silent now, as
anyone inside the house would easily have been alerted to their presence with
all the sounds of fighting outside. With a quick kick Yakusho broke down the
door, all four of them racing inside to meet their opponent.
            The Oto-nin stood at the far end of the
building, hovering over the bloodied and torn corpse of the village�s mayor.
The body was torn in two ungraciously, entrails scattered across the wooden
floor of the small home. Tenten looked uneasy as she took in the sight, but
Naruto had seen far worse in his life, as had Jiyumaru and Yakusho by the way
they did not edge away from the ghastly sight.
            The man bearing the Otogakure Hitai-ate was
quite unassuming. He was of a smallish build, no taller than Naruto. His head
was devoid of hair save on his eyebrows, his bald scalp shining gently as light
poured in through a dusty window. The classic Jounin uniform, complete with a
grey tactical vest was all that covered his body. His clothing did very little
to hide the odd protrusions sticking out from his forearm, small pipes angled
parallel to his upper limbs, a larger one sticking out of each elbow..
Examining his odd extensions lead the group to scan his waist, where a long
blade was currently sheathed in an ornate looking scabbard.
            He turned slowly from the cadaver at his feet
to face his new guests, blood slowly dripping from his fingers as he did so.
His ragged eyes took in the forms of the four intruders, no sound escaping his
lips as he slowly walked forward. He stopped four feet from Jiyumaru�s position
in the lead, eyeing the ANBU member�s sword and fingering his own with a minor
smirk of contentment.
            �To what do I owe this less than pleasant
interruption?� The Oto-nin muttered quietly. His voice was airy, as though his
throat was perpetually dry.
            �Playing dumb isn�t gonna save you now,� Naruto
snapped. �You didn�t have the balls to come out and fight us while we took out
your friends, so I suggest you just stand down and tell us what we need to
know.�
            �Friends?� came the quiet response, completely
ignoring the second half of what the jinchuuriki had said. �Whatever would give
you that idea that simply because I am here fulfilling the orders of the great
Orochimaru-sama, means that these measly insects are my friends?�
            �Figures Oto scum like you would see the world
that way,� Tenten spat.
            �It has nothing to do with my affiliation,� the
shinobi replied. �I am loyal to Orochimaru-sama. You and your kind will fall
to us just as easily as these pathetic Kusa shinobi will when the time comes.
We�re simply�taking what we need from them.�
            �Now there�s a shaky alliance if I�ve ever
heard one,� Yakusho sighed.
            The Oto-nin�s face remained unchanged. �If you
give up and vow to serve Orochimaru-sama now, I might spare your lives.�
            The reply from the Konoha shinobi came in the
form of Yakusho hurling his Dragon Fang at the petulant Oto-nin. The target
simply shrugged at the act of aggression, raising his arms and pointing them at
the blade. A piercing shriek filled the room as a blast of concussive air shot
through the pipes of the shinobi�s arms, knocking the Dragon Fang and Yakusho
back into the nearby wall of the house. Shaking his head clear slowly, Yakusho
retrieved his sword and stood back up.
            �Not bad,� he muttered. �The pipes on your
elbows draw in the air, and the pipes on your arm fire it out as a powerful
noise.�
            �So glad you figured it out,� the man said,
snickering. �Now if you don�t mind, you have to die!�
            Another painful howl filled the room as the man
from Otogakure fired his special attack at Yakusho�s three teammates, knocking
them away as he charged Yakusho. Quickly the Oto-nin pulled his blade from his
scabbard and thrust it into Yakusho�s chest, impaling him evenly.
            The Ryumoto boy didn�t cry in pain, nor did his
blood cover the floor. Instead he began to chuckle as he looked straight into
his opponent�s eyes.
            �Well that was fun,� he said, �but now the real
fun begins.�
            All four Konoha shinobi flashed brightly before
exploding violently, sending wood and stone flying from the rubble of the
building from the destruction caused by Yakusho�s Bakudan Bunshin. From a safe
spot not too far from the mayor�s house, the red-vested shinobi grinned
triumphantly at the display.
            �I�d like to see your clones do that,� Yakusho
grinned at Naruto.
            The joke was lost as another shriek sounded
from within the burning rubble. Splintered wood cascaded through the air as the
shinobi trained by Orochimaru pulled himself from the wreckage, stepping into
the middle of the village with his eyes trained on the team from Konoha.
Yakusho stepped up, the Dragon Fang at the ready as the enemy Jounin held his
own blade at his side.
            �You�re outnumbered,� Yakusho called out.
�You�d do well to give yourself up�oh, and while you�re at it, you can tell us
pretty much everything we want to know. Would save us a lot of trouble, you
know?�
            �Subtle, isn�t he?� Jiyumaru sighed.
            �Like a sack of bricks to the groin,� Tenten
muttered.
            �I know nothing,� came the disfigured shinobi�s
reply, an obvious lie, �and even if I did�I wouldn�t tell anything to a corpse!�
            There was no painful screech or gust of wind
this time. Instead the Oto Jounin swung his blade upward nonchalantly. A
crackle of energy sizzled through the man�s katana a bolt of lightning shot out
of it and ran across the ground, lifting up and striking Yakusho in the side of
his stomach. The sizzling blast cut a deep wound in the young Ryumoto�s side,
his blood sent flying across the floor as his shirt and skin were torn open.
For the first time since anyone in Konoha had met him, Yakusho cried out in pain
and gripped his wound, falling to one knee before his attacker.
            �S-son of a bitch!� he shouted, looking at his
hand covered in his own blood.
            �You see, I�m full of tricks,� the Jounin
snickered.
            �Well bite my ass!� Yakusho snarled. He hurled
his weapon at the Oto-nin once again, this time forming the seal of the tiger.
The Dragon Fang caught flame as it spun towards the enemy shinobi, intent on
slicing and incinerating him all at once.
            The stabbing cry echoed through the village
again as the man�s equipment fired another blast of sound and air at the flying
weapon, knocking it to the side before it could reach him.
            �Honestly,� he said, �did you really think the
same trick would work twice in a row? Nobody can beat Raita, the Vacuum Shot!�
            The �pow� of something being summoned could be
heard from the sky above Raita. The Oto Jounin turned his face upward to see
Tenten with one of her long scrolls in hand, summoning a wave of kunai from the
depths of nowhere.
            �Pay more attention!� she shot out as she began
to hurl the sharp knives at the man dubbed �Vacuum Shot� with alarming speed and
accuracy. The enemy shinobi simply sighed as he aimed a single arm at Tenten
and her attack, howling cutting through her ears as another wave of noise
bounced her projectiles back at her. The kunoichi could only stare in surprise
and put up her guard as nearly ten kunai were thrust back at her, five finding
their marks in various parts of her skin. One caught her in the gut, causing
her to cry out as redness stained her pink garment as she plummeted toward the
ground.
            �Tenten!� Naruto cried out as he quickly leapt
out, catching the falling girl. He quickly removed the kunai from her stomach,
gazing over the wound with worry.
            �I�ll�I�ll be okay,� she muttered weakly, �you
just stop that freak.�
            �I�ll be back,� he said with his �I promise�
face on. Naruto quickly stood up and rushed to Yakusho�s side defensively,
standing in front of the injured man with a deep look on his face.
            �So another lamb has come to be slaughtered?�
Raita cackled. �I shall enjoy cutting you to ribbons.�
            �As if!� Yakusho snarled, forcing himself to
stand. He quickly snapped together several hand seals and took in a large
breath, his side sending a searing shot of pain into his body.
            �Katon! Karyuu Endan!�
            The flames that gushed from Yakusho�s mouth
quickly formed into a large dragon head, a fierce roar crashing out from the
attack as it raced towards the sound-wielding shinobi. Raita countered once
again with a blast from his pipes, knocking the fire dragon off course and into
a nearby fruit stand, a huge explosion shaking the earth as the stand and
everything around it was reduced to burnt ash. Yakusho and Naruto quickly leapt
out of the road of the oncoming sound wave, eager to not be struck by it.
            �So much for that plan,� Yakusho grimaced as he
gripped his side in pain.
            �You cannot stand against me,� Raita chuckled.
�I will cut you each down one by one!�
            The man swung his blade again, this time in
Naruto�s direction. The crackling lightning coursed through his sword and fired
out at the jinchuuriki, who agilely rolled to the side. The sharp blades of
electricity crashed into one of the wooden dwellings, cracking the wood and
setting it on fire. The Oto Jounin continued his assault, flinging bolts of
lightning towards the whiskered youth at a disturbing pace, giving the boy
hardly any time to react. Thankfully, his years of practice had given him the
reflexes needed to keep himself alive, if only barely dodging each strike. This
pattern kept up until Naruto landed on one of the less sturdy roofs of the
village, the shingles giving out beneath him and sending him face first into the
top of the home. Given the perfect opportunity to finish his quarrel off, Raita
flung another bolt at the blonde in hopes of killing him.
            The attack was interrupted as a blade of pure
wind suddenly stuck the blast of energy, causing it to dissipate in mid-flight.
Raita�s gaze quickly shifted to his right as Jiyumaru stepped into the battle,
his long katana drawn at his side as he looked things over.
            �Sorry I didn�t step in sooner,� the tall
Special Jounin said, �but I thought you could handle him.�
            �Sure you weren�t just being lazy?� Yakusho
questioned, barely able to stand.
            �I can assure you I was not,� Jiyumaru
replied. �It also gave me some time to analyze his style.�
            �And what have you learned?� was the Oto-nin�s
dark addition to the conversation.
            Jiyumaru cracked a smile as he raised his
blade, pointing it at the blade-wielder. �You use the Raijinken,� the
stoic male said. �It�s a style of sword fighting created by the Ikazuchi clan
of Kumogakure. Quite formidable, actually�you use your chakra to create
lightning in the sword which you can throw at others. Unfortunately, like most
lightning-based jutsu, it falls before the wind-type.�
            Raita chuckled slowly, changing his stance to a
more even one. �Orochimaru-sama gave me a list of shinobi to watch out for,� he
said darkly. �With knowledge like that, there is only one person you could
be.�
            �And who pray tell, would I be?� Jiyumaru
questioned.
            �Konoha�s Takaibattou,� Raita offered almost
graciously, �Kenshin Jiyumaru.�
            �At your service,� the man from ANBU said,
bowing. �You�ve done quite a bit of damage here. I think it�s time I put an
end to it.�
            �I would enjoy watching you try!� the Oto-nin
barked. Another swing of his sword sent yet another blade of lightning towards
a member of the Konoha shinobi, this time its target being Jiyumaru.
            Just before the attack hit, Jiyumaru vanished
completely from sight. Everyone in the clearing stared in shock as the man�s
body simply ceased to be, the dust floating in the air the only proof that he
had ever stood there in the first place. Raita looked shocked, his eyes
scanning back and forth for any indication as to the location of his adversary.
            Jiyumaru appeared suddenly at Raita�s side, the
�Vacuum Shot� barely having the chance to turn his face and see the ANBU squad
leader before Jiyumaru brought his sword down on the vile man�s arms, cutting
them off just above the elbow. Raita�s severed limbs fell to the ground as
blood poured from the stubs of his upper appendages, a scream coming from his
mouth that would have giving the shrieks from his arm-mounted pipes a run for
their money. The three other Konoha shinobi stared in mute shock as they
watched the Oto-nin hit the ground, screaming in agony and wriggling around in a
feeble attempt to re-attach his limbs.
            �Amazing�� Tenten muttered quietly, still
bleeding.
            �He�s�so fast�� Naruto gasped.
            �Holy shit,� was all that Yakusho could offer.
            �Just a tip,� Jiyumaru said, slamming his foot
into Raita�s chest to keep him from moving. �You�ve already made me mad. Don�t
piss me off if you want to keep living.�
            The Oto Jounin could only whimper in agreement
as he lay on the floor, utterly defeated.

            After Raita was defeated, the group from Konoha
set about letting the villagers free of their homes. The women of the village
were very fast to thank the shinobi and tend to their more serious injuries,
cleaning and bandaging Tenten and Yakusho�s wounds. Yakusho was very reluctant
to be treated, but eventually the females coerced him. Tenten was all too glad
to be helped, not being eager to die any time soon. Raita, though he was an
enemy, was looked after as well. With no arms to wield a sword or perform jutsu
with, Jiyumaru was certain he wouldn�t be a threat any longer.
            When the ANBU squad leader was certain that all
of his teammates were okay, he and Yakusho took turns questioning the poor
unarmed man from Otogakure. The two proved to be quite an effective
interrogation team, managing to coax an answer out of the loyal shinobi by using
various threats of bodily harm, the most vicious of which included leaving the
Oto-nin alone in a room with Yakusho while the latter of the two held a red-hot
kunai. The man caved quite quickly under such duress, confessing that he knew
very little of Orochimaru�s intentions. He did know however that Kabuto was
playing a major role in whatever schemes involved the takeover of the village,
and that a messenger would be arriving in a few days to give him more explicit
instructions. No matter how much pressure they put on Raita after that, no new
information could be wrested from him. Jiyumaru concluded that the dismembered
man simply didn�t know anything else and left him tied up in one of the ruined
houses in the care of the villagers.
            Yakusho and Jiyumaru exited the hut and checked
on Tenten, who was faring quite well for having been hit in the stomach with a
kunai. Naruto was busy making sure nothing was wrong with her as the other two
shinobi approached.
            �How�s she doing, Whiskers?� Yakusho asked.
            �I�m doing fine, thanks,� Tenten grimaced,
rubbing her stomach. �A few stitches, but nothing I can�t handle. The people
here really know their first aid.�
            �I�ll say,� the auburn-haired boy responded,
stroking his own bandaged side.
            �You two need to get back to Konoha,� Jiyumaru
piped up. �You�re no good out here with those injuries.�
            �But Jiyumaru,� the young blonde protested,
�one of us would have to be with them to make sure they were safe.�
            The ANBU member cracked a smile. Naruto could
be a bit of a handful at times, but he certainly did have a wide knowledge of
standard mission procedure. �You are correct,� he said to the Genin. �You will
be escorting Yakusho and Tenten back to Konohagakure while I remain here to
intercept the messenger.�
            �Wait, you�re sending me back with that
jackass?� Yakusho grumbled. �I can handle myself.�
            The squad leader�s only retort was to gently
smack Yakusho on his injury, causing the foul-mouthed teen to cry out in pain.
Angry glares were exchanged before Yakusho shrugged in defeat and wordlessly
walked towards the entrance of the village.
            �I will also need to get a message to the
Hokage as soon as possible,� Jiyumaru said.
            �Fat chance of that,� the kunoichi whimpered.
�With these wounds there�s no way we�d get there in less than two days.�
            The blade-wielding man tilted his head at
Tenten�s words. �Oh, sorry,� he said apologetically, �I was just thinking out
loud. You won�t be delivering the message.�
            Jiyumaru bit into his left thumb, producing a
small amount of blood before snapping his hands into various seals and slapping
his palm on the ground.
            �Kuchiyose no Jutsu!�
            A puff of chakra smoke rose from the point of
impact between Jiyumaru�s hand and the ground, clouding everyone�s view for a
moment. As the smoke cleared, the group was treated to the sight of a small
raccoon dressed in a blue Konoha hitai-ate, its puffy tail swishing across the
ground as it looked up at the other shinobi and flashed a quirky grin.
            �Kawaii!� Tenten giggled. �I didn�t know you
could summon the Raccoons, Jiyumaru!�
            �Yes well,� the ANBU admitted, �there�s a
reason I don�t let it go around being public knowledge.�
            Divine whim seemed to provide an answer to
Jiyumaru�s cryptic statement as the raccoon that had just been summoned
scampered over to one of the village females and peeked up her skirt. The woman
shrieked indignantly and kicked the creature away from her, glaring at its
summoner angrily.
            Naruto and Tenten�s eyes went blank at the
sight. �What a pervert!� they both shouted in unison.
            �ZURUI!!!� Jiyumaru cried out angrily, grabbing
the raccoon by his neck. �I keep telling you to not do that!�
            After pinning the lecherous raccoon to the
ground with his foot, Jiyumaru pulled out a piece of paper and wrote his message
on it. Rolling the note up and slipping it into a pouch strapped to summoned
animal�s back, he ordered Zurui to run to Konoha as fast as possible and deliver
his letter to the Hokage. With a look of disgrace on his face he also reminded
the raccoon to not fondle anyone this time, especially the Hokage. The
raccoon gave a small salute before running off at top speed, taking his time to
peek under a few more skirts on his way out.
            Naruto could only snicker at how mortified
Jiyumaru looked as his summoned minion continued to embarrass him.

            It only took a few hours for the team of three
to gather up their supplies for the return journey home. After many protests
(surprisingly all from Naruto), Jiyumaru finally got them out of the village and
on their way. Tenten apologized for her injuries profusely to Naruto, promising
that the next time she wouldn�t be nearly as much of a burden. Yakusho offered
no apologies whatsoever, choosing to simply complain about his lack of judgment
and speed during the fight. Naruto told him to stop whining about an hour into
the trip, and the man remained relatively silent from that point on.
            The trip did take longer with two injured
passengers than it had on the way there. While it had taken them but a day to
reach the border at full strength, with two injured people they barely made the
halfway point before the sun began to dip beyond the horizon. Naruto made camp
on his own that day, Tenten giving him a minor hand here and there while Yakusho
collected the firewood. Naruto also attempted to cook dinner that night, an
action which was quickly and promptly stopped by the wounded kunoichi who swore
that anything cooked by Naruto that wasn�t ramen was most likely more
toxic than a Kusa-nin�s deadliest poison. Taking the insult to his culinary
skill in stride, he allowed Tenten to prepare a dinner that consisted of what
little supplies they had left. It was consisted of healthy servings of bean
paste wrapped in the remainder of their fresh bread, food that definitely made
Yakusho�s list of non-edible recipes. Naruto and Tenten on the other hand had
no problems with the food and ate it happily, wondering exactly what it was
about them that Yakusho disliked. His response was that they reminded him of
something he had eaten in his childhood that had made him sick for weeks since
the meat had most likely belonged to a stray dog. Both of the other shinobi�s
faces turned green at the mere thought.
            Morning saw them eating much the same, though
the drink was fresh water from a nearby stream this time. Tenten refused to
slow down the group any further by having Naruto watch over her, proclaiming she
felt much better and could maintain a running pace today. Yakusho offered no
complaints, stating simply that if Tenten wasn�t going to be a burden, neither
would he. The rest of the return trip was made in good time, the group of three
making it to Konohagakure before sunset that day. They approached the gates
with tiredness in their limbs, both from the fight a day previous and the
arduous expedition. The gatekeepers that day greeted them joyfully, even
expressing concern for the state in which Tenten and Yakusho found themselves
in. After convincing the guards they would be fine, the two shinobi standing
watch let them proceed without further incident.
            Unfortunately for Tenten, one of other people
waiting for them just beyond the gate was Neji. The two set their eyes on one
another with a bit of shock before Neji walked up to the kunoichi and placed a
hand on her shoulder.
            �I received word from the Hokage that you had
been injured,� the pale-eyed man stated. �Are you okay?�
            Tenten blushed slightly. �I�m fine, Neji.�
            �Still,� he insisted, �those wounds could not
have been properly looked after in a small village. The hospital has been
waiting for your return�yours included, Yakusho.�
            �Thanks, but I pass,� the brown-haired shinobi
said.
            �Oh no you don�t!� Tenten snickered, grabbing
him by his arm. �If I�m going, you�re going too!�

            �H-hey!� he protested, trying to push the female off his arm. �Let
me go!�
            The other three shinobi simply laughed at him
as Tenten dragged him off to the hospital, Neji slowly traveling in their wake.
            In the corner of Naruto�s eye, he picked up
something moving. Turning to face it, he was greeted by the sight of Jiyumaru�s
summoned raccoon making mischief by peeking under the skirts of various village
women and taking his chances by leaping into their chests and groping them.
Naruto was vaguely reminded of the way Jiraiya acted while conducting �research�
for his Icha Icha books. It left the blonde with a smile as he went off to do
what he�d wanted to do for two days.
            He went to find Hinata.

            Naruto didn�t have to look very hard to find
the woman he was in love with. She was exactly where he had expected to find
her. He approached their spot on the Hokage monument, between one of the locks
of the Yondaime Hokage�s hair, slipping down beside her slender form
wordlessly. There was an awkward silence between the both of them until Hinata
wrapped her arms around Naruto�s torso, hugging him tightly.
            �Neji�told me what happened�� the blonde
muttered softly.
            �I�I know�� Hinata whimpered, holding him
tighter. �He told me he told you.�
            �Hinata�� he offered softly, holding her
closer. �I don�t want to lose you. I�m willing to do anything�I�Neji�s even
considering putting my name in your list. It�s a long shot but��
            Naruto suddenly became aware of a soft
whimpering noise near him as Hinata�s body began to tremble. It took a few
moments for him to realize she was crying. As time went by she only began to
cry harder, burying her face in his shoulder and clinging to him roughly.
            �Hinata,� Naruto said worriedly, �what�s
wrong?�
            �Oh Naruto-kun,� she sobbed, �I�m such a
failure. There was nothing I could do to stop them�it�s because I�m so weak,
they�ll just do with me what they want. I didn�t stand up to them and now I�m
going to lose you.�
            �You�re not a failure,� the jinchuuriki said
strongly. �Stop saying things like that. Not everything�s over�even if it is
just a small chance, if my name�s in that list then maybe��
            �Naruto-kun,� she sniffled, looking up at him.
Her eyes were bleary with tears, edges reddened by sadness. �You don�t get
it�it�s�it�s��
            The returned to crying so hard she couldn�t
speak, grabbing the young man�s body tightly to her own. Naruto drank in the
sight of his lover sobbing and crying into him, her form shaking as she let her
grief out. Finally, the true realization hit him. It wasn�t just that she was
being married off to someone she didn�t want to be married to that had her in
this state. The truth behind her utter despair was that she wasn�t ready to be
married at all, not even to the man she loved. Being forced to marry anyone
right now made her feel like less of a human being and only reminded her of how
little control of her life she thought she had.
            �Hinata�� Naruto repeated her name. �I�m�I�m
so sorry��
            The girl�s wails picked up as he held her
tightly to his chest and stroked her head. They remained on the rock face well
after the sun made its journey into the darkness, leaving the entire village
blanketed in darkness. It was nearly seven o�clock before Hinata�s tears had
finally dried up, the choked sobs trapped in her throat still resounding in
Naruto�s ears. Slowly he tilted her chin up to his face and kissed her, helping
her to her feet as they both stood.
            �I�ll take you home, Hinata,� he offered,
stroking her head. �And please�don�t worry. We�ll fix it. I promise.�

            �A-arigato, Naruto-kun,� she whispered.
            The two held hands as they descended from the
monument to the streets below. It was at this time that both of them just
wanted to know the other was there, that they were together no matter what was
set into their future. Naruto was reminded painfully of some fantasy novel
where the main characters were thrust into some horrible fate by forces beyond
their control. Naruto thought it was a shame that he could not have the same
confidence as those fictional characters, who always knew somehow the power of
love would conquer all. It seemed like such a fantasy to him.
            Without really knowing it the two had managed
to reach the Hyuuga compound. Waiting for them at the front was Hinata�s
father, Hyuuga Hiashi. As the two approached the tall, lavender-eyed man with
hair as long as his nephew�s stood up and looked at them solemnly. Hinata
glared at her father with wrongfully displaced anger, rushing out of Naruto�s
arms and into her home. Hiashi sighed at his daughter�s small outburst and
turned to the young man before him, his face sullen with regret.
            �I want�to apologize,� the master of the Hyuuga
clan said suddenly.
            �Wh-what?� Naruto offered in shock. �What do
you have to be sorry about?�
            �I am the head of our clan,� Hiashi explained,
�but I have let my own personal interests go before those of the basic needs of
my family. Now the elders control most of the clan with politics and bids for
power. Not even once have they stopped to consider the happiness of the people
they represent�and for that, I am truly sorry.�
            After a momentary pause he added �I have failed
my daughter.�
            Naruto was at a loss for words. Never before
had he seen Hyuuga Hiashi in such a state of sorrow. Hinata had always
described her father as a great man with little sense of direction. As far as
Naruto understood it, Hiashi had always been more interested in his family�s
power and place in Konoha, and never about the true well being of his own
children. This cheerless man before him could not be the person his love spoke
of day in and out as having no respect for her.
            �Sir,� Naruto spoke up, �is there nothing that
can be done?�
            �I am not for lack of trying,� Hiashi sighed
disdainfully. �I can see it in Hinata�s eyes�when she eats, when she trains,
when she admires our flowers�this entire series of events makes her sad. She
does not wish to be married. If she is, it will be a marriage built upon grief
and misery�and my clan�s future is nothing but doom if it is based upon
sadness.�
            Naruto clenched his fist determinedly and
looked up at Hiashi. �I will do whatever it takes to make her happy,� he said.
�You have my word.�
            �I know you would,� Hiashi said, giving a
genuine smile to the boy he once considered nothing more than a monster. �I
will put my faith in you. It seems to be what Hinata does when she cannot find
her own will to continue. You have taught her�and myself�many things.�
            �Arigato,� Naruto muttered softly. His lips
curved downward as a frown took place upon his features, the reality of the
situation hanging heavily upon him.
            He was brought out of his sullen reverie as a
hand gently touched his shoulder, holding it with firm confidence. Naruto
looked up to see Hiashi gazing down on him with what seemed to be a forced
smile, an attempt to make the situation less grave.
            �Please,� he pleaded with the boy, �do not be
sad. I do not believe it is what Hinata would want. There is a solution to
this�and we will find it.�
            The fair-haired teen smiled as he saw the
self-assurance he was supposed to own in the eyes of another. His hope
returned at that sight, a grin stretching across his face as he clenched a fist
in triumph.
            �Yeah, you�re right!� he said happily. �We�ll
do our best�for Hinata.�

            �Hai, for Hinata,� Hiashi joined in, chuckling slightly. �Now you
must go. If the elders see that I am speaking with you it will all but erase
our hopes. Go now, and don�t fret.�
            Naruto smiled and ran off towards home. He
turned his head over his shoulder and looked at the Hyuuga compound one last
time, hoping beyond hope that he would find the light at the end of this
darkness, much like the heroes in those fantasy books he read every so often.
            Somewhere in a damp, dark cell, a voice laughed
to itself joyfully.
            You haven�t begun to see the darkness
boy, it cackled. What is waiting for you will make this look like
child�s play.

There ya go folks, Chapter 4! Chapter 5 can be expected
soon with the way my writing is going lately, but I don�t want to make any
promises. This story REALLY opens up next chapter, so be prepared!
- 4
- 5
- 6
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Dragonheart

Dragonheart